Blood-Horse

After a spectacular 2024 that saw him take home six New York-bred trophies, he's a finalist for 2024 TOBA Small Breeder of the Year.

During The Racing and Gaming Conference Aug. 13 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., panelists discussed how the industry should prepare for more decoupling threats in the future.

Last year, Caitlinhergrtness won the King's Plate Stakes, and Aug. 16, she'll aim to become the first Plate winner to capture the E. P. Taylor Stakes (G1T).

Fresh off his first graded stakes victory in last month's Indiana Derby (G3), Jim Bakke and Gerry Isbister's Tip Top Thomas will look to secure back-to-back wins in the $200,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at Parx Racing.

Blue-blooded Frankel mare Helenium, in foal to Kingman, was among the highlights of Jean-Pierre Dubois's private sale at Haras de Bois Roussel hosted by Auctav Aug. 13 and she sold to Quirke Bloodstock on behalf of Coolmara Stables. 

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association will present Owners and Trainers Appreciation Day Aug. 18 at Parx Racing. The event showcases 12 races with purses totaling more than $650,000.

John and Leona Velazquez were publicly recognized for their longstanding commitment to the New York Racing Association backstretch with the Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson Award from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

Tickets for Keeneland's fall meet, to be held Oct. 3-25, will go on sale Aug. 19 at 9 a.m.

Cleo Cat, a group 3-winning daughter of American Pharoah, topped the Inglis August (Early) Digital Sale Aug. 13 selling for AU$355,000 to Yulong. She will be bred to 2024 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) winner More Than Looks.

Three spectacular auction items will be up for bidding Aug. 14-20 with proceeds to benefit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund, and Belmont Child Care Association.

After knocking heads against division heavyweights Mindframe and Sierra Leone in his most recent outing, Godolphin's First Mission faces softer company in his return to action in the $250,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) Aug. 16 at Monmouth Park.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has described Camille Pissarro as an "extremely classy colt" following the shock retirement of the French Derby (G1) winner due to a hairline fracture in his fetlock.

Multiple group 2 winner Diego Velazquez will stand at the National Stud next year after being purchased by Sam Sangster Bloodstock on behalf of a high-profile syndicate.

Tyler Gaffalione won four of the six stakes races on the card at Ellis Park Aug. 10 to cap a week of 10 wins and leading rider status. The panel of racing experts voted Gaffalione Jockey of the Week for Aug. 4-10.

During a panel at The Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga Aug. 12, industry leaders discussed the future of fixed-odds wagering in horse racing.

Multiple grade 1 winner Imperial Hint, who set a track record for six furlongs at Saratoga Race Course that still stands today, was euthanized following a lengthy struggle with laminitis, according to Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana where he stood.

Porter on Pedigrees

Maiden Watch: Week of Aug. 4-10

Jockey Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride group 2 winner Wimbledon Hawkeye in the $3.5 million Nashville Derby (G3T) Aug. 30.

Thirty-nine 3-year-old fillies—regularly well outnumbered by males in the entries—have captured the King's Plate, which will have its 166th running Aug. 16. Another filly—No Time—is favored to become the 40th winner on Saturday at Woodbine.