Blood-Horse

After winning the first grade 1 in Kentucky Downs history with Howard Wolowitz last season, trainer Jose D'Angelo is back looking for more success in the lucrative seven-day meet that begins Aug. 28.

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll largely remains unchanged following last week's racing action, with Godolphin's Sovereignty maintaining his first-place position following his 10-length romp in the Aug. 23 Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program announced Aug. 26 the recipients of its two non-competition awards, the T.I.P. Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the T.I.P. Young Rider of the Year Award, for 2025.

71-year-old riding legend Perry Ouzts will be honored along with track executive Joe Harper, turf writer Steve Andersen, and broadcaster Nick Luck during the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters' 65th Annual Awards Dinner Oct. 29 in Del Mar, Calif.

An overflow field of 12 is ready to contest six furlongs over the Kentucky Downs turf course in the $2 million Kentucky Turf Sprint (G2T) Aug. 30. Unlike last year when Cogburn ran like the clear favorite, this year's edition looks wide open.

BH Interview: Joe Scurto

New York Thoroughbred racing will soon see added betting interests in some races after the New York State Gaming Commission adopted a change to largely eliminate the use of coupled entries.

Far from the quaint countryside track of 15 years ago, Kentucky Downs in Franklin is preparing for its most lucrative and competitive meet yet, one that offers a record $41.7 million in purses over a seven-day period and features 18 stakes races.

On the Aug. 25 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Griffin Johnson discusses his role in marketing the racing industry ahead of Sandman and Curtain Call's starts this weekend. Ted Nicholson previews the Kentucky Downs meet, which begins Aug. 28.

After having a bone chip removed following her runner-up finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Legion Racing's Drexel Hill is back on the worktab for trainer Whit Beckman.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is looking into any and all explanations for an uptick in equine fatalities in the second quarter of 2025 when compared with the same three months of 2024.

As the meet opens Aug. 28, Kentucky Downs will be using a new timing mechanism born from a strategic partnership between McLloyd-and StrideSAFE.

Live racing returns to Laurel Park Sept. 5. The 52-day fall meet features the 40th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million, premium live events throughout the season, and a bettor-friendly 12% takeout on "Value Pick 5" wagers.

After having a bone chip removed following her runner-up finish in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), Legion Racing's Drexel Hill is back on the worktab for trainer Whit Beckman.

Trainer Librado Barocio lost all control when 18-1 Lovesick Blues earned an improbable triumph in the July 26 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar to land an automatic berth in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) there Nov. 1.

Belardo, the Dewhurst winner and sire of international top-level winners Red Lion and Gold Phoenix, has been sold to continue his stud career at Yigit Stud in conjunction with the Jockey Club of Turkey.

After a last-place finish cost Sweet Azteca a start in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, she made it clear after winning the Rancho Bernardo: World Championships or bust.

Northview Stallion's Engage, a multiple graded stakes winner by Into Mischief, got his first winner Aug. 24 when La Resolana won a maiden special weight race at Monmouth Park by 8 1/4 lengths.

After sweeping a trio of graded sprints at Saratoga Race Course this summer, Book'em Danno is not a guarantee to participate in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 1.

Amoss horses have made 20 starts in maiden races, picking up six wins and 11 top-three finishes.