Blood-Horse

The New York Racing Association announced June 28 that the 14-day quarantine of Barn 28 at Belmont Park has been lifted by the New York State Department of Agriculture.

Francis-Henri Graffard has managed to keep Goliath and Calandagan apart from one another since their twin emergence as major middle-distance forces last summer, but the June 29 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) is the perfect spot for both.

Whirl pulled out all the stops to deny Kalpana in a barnstorming renewal of the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) June 28.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek has announced the death of longtime resident Commentator, who was humanely euthanized June 27 due to long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. The son of Distorted Humor was 24.

His stablemate Mi Bago was bet down to less than even money and on a clear lead through reasonable fractions, but D. J. Stable's Dream On came running when it mattered to win the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) June 27 at Penn National Race Course.

Jockey Flavien Prat secured his 2,000th career victory in North America aboard Iron Max as part of a memorable five-win day June 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Fasig-Tipton has released the initial catalog for its July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held July 8 in Lexington immediately following the conclusion of the July Selected Yearling Sale that same day.

These days "development" is typically not a word racing wants to see in the same sentence with their racetrack, but Woodbine track executives believe an ambitious plan to develop land near the track for housing and businesses will benefit racing.

The June 28 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh brings an intriguing clash of the generations as Whirl and Wemightakedlongway, second and fourth in the Epsom Oaks (G1), do battle with their elders, headed by the high-class Kalpana.

Dual champion and classic winner Essential Quality was represented by his first winner June 27 when 2-year-old filly Chopsticks won the third race at Churchill Downs in her career debut.

Fourteen wildcards have been added to the Tattersalls Online July Sale taking place July 1-2, which includes a complete dispersal of 10 lots from the estate of the late Kevin Prendergast following the recent passing of the legendary Irish trainer.

The catalog for Arqana's v.2 Yearling Sale is now online and features 171 yearlings by leading sires such as Dark Angel, Kodiac, Mehmas, Siyouni, and Starspangledbanner.

British jockey Richard Kingscote will join Andrea Atzeni and Harry Bentley in Hong Kong next season, with the 2022 Epsom Derby-winning rider receiving a six-month license to ride from the July 17, 2025 until Feb. 17, 2026.

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Alberta Division) announced the launch of its 2-Year-Old Incentive Program, an initiative designed to reward the early racing success of Alberta-bred horses presented at the 2024 CTHS Alberta Yearling Sale.

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, sanctioned for exceeding the maximum number of strikes from the crop in riding Soul of an Angel to victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) last fall at Del Mar, has been issued reduced penalties.

Four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy will appear at Reading Magistrates' Court July 3 after being charged with drunk driving and failing to take a roadside test following a car crash near Newbury in April.

The Chris Waller team is hoping that Firestorm will get race conditions to suit in the 1,400-meter (about seven-furlong) Tattersall's Tiara (G1) at Eagle Farm Racecourse June 28.

Undefeated Touch of Destiny leads the June 29 Asociacion Uruguaya de Propietarios de Caballos de Carrera (G3) at Hipodromo Maronas. The winner will earn an automatic starting position into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

A colt by Little Avondale Stud's Per Incanto topped what was a solid day of trade June 26 at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale at Karaka, with James Mitchell signing for the youngster on behalf of Jim Carey for NZ$190,000.

Mi Bago and Zulu Kingdom headline the twice-postponed $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) at Penn National Race Course June 27.