Blood-Horse

For the second day in a row, a filly by a top sprinter from the consignment of Tom McCrocklin flaunted her ability over the Ocala Breeders' Sales track. Hip 363, a filly by Mitole, breezed a quarter in :20 2/5.

Maiden Watch: Week of March 31-April 6

Less than 24 hours after La Cara won the delayed Ashland Stakes (G1), Casse was back in the Keeneland winner's circle April 8 after Nitrogen topped a Casse-trained exacta in the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2T).

The Dubai World Cup's reach extended far beyond Meydan Racecourse, captivating a massive global audience via TV, digital platforms, and in-flight entertainment. Broadcast across 37 channels in 170 countries.

Future Is Now, last seen winning the 2024 Franklin Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland in October, returns April 13 as one of the favorites in the $350,000 Giant's Causeway Stakes (G3T). The 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint drew a field of 10 fillies and mares.

The six categories selected by the Thoroughbred nominating committee for the 2025 Thoroughbred ballot are builder, female horse, jockey, male horse, trainer, and veteran—person or horse.

Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona and Jim and Claire Limited's Heart of Honor, the respective top two finishers in the UAE Derby (G2), headline five 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2025 Triple Crown with a late nomination fee.

Jockey Luis Saez, unseated in the second race April 8 at Keeneland after his mount, Fateful Lightning, bumped with another horse in midstretch, escaped serious injury and could possibly ride as early as April 9, according to agent Kiaran McLaughlin.

The Art of Racing, a nationwide art competition celebrating the unique elements of the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Thoroughbred horse racing, culminated in the announcement of Steve Luhn as the competition's winner.

Favored at 2-1 to cross the wire first is Praetor, who enters the Lexington Stakes (G3) with a pair of wins going a mile over the dirt, including a 7 1/2-length romp in an allowance optional claimer at Gulfstream Park. 

Prominent figures from the bloodstock sales world have said they are assessing the economic implications of the sweeping range of controversial trade tariffs being introduced by the United States.

It was a frigid morning at Churchill Downs April 8, but Rebel Stakes (G2) winner Coal Battle heated up his Kentucky Derby (G1) preparations by returning to the work tab for the first time since finishing third in the March 29 Arkansas Derby (G1).

Overcoming a quality field that included two other top-10 sophomores, Journalism impressed with how he navigated trouble in the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Derby (G1) prep. 

Patrick Reed previews the field for the April 11 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.

BH Interview with Roderick Wachman

Jockey Manny Franco had a banner day at Keeneland April 7, earning back-to-back stakes victories in the rescheduled $400,000 Lafayette Stakes aboard Colloquial and the $600,000 Transylvania Stakes (G3T) with Test Score.

On day 2 of the under tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring Sale, Hip 181, a filly by Yaupon, breezed the fastest quarter in :20 2/5. A total of eight juveniles breezed an eighth of a mile in :09 4/5 to tie for the fastest time at an eighth.

The $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) was essentially over as soon as it started as La Cara bounced beautifully from her No. 2 post position, took command, and never looked back en route to victory by about a half-length at Keeneland April 7.

Trainer Mark Casse joins the April 7 BloodHorse Monday podcast to discuss Sandman and the fight against decoupling. Also, OBS president Tom Ventura previews the spring sale and co-hosts Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap recent Derby preps.

At the close of the Inglis Easter Sale April 7, the average was AU$451,913—smashing last year's record of AU$426,447. The gross stood at AU$150 million, only down AU$1.8 million on 2024 despite only 332 lots being sold.