Blood-Horse

Maiden Watch: Week of Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund Committee approves Keeneland's request for $6 million to $6.25 million in Kentucky-breds funds.

Charles Sniffen, who got his training license in 1968 and for the past 20 years has been assistant trainer for Ferris Allen, has been selected as the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Backstretch Worker of the Year for 2025.

Potente, a $2.4 million yearling purchase, breaks his maiden on debut Jan. 31 at Santa Anita Park.

John Bogar, long time track announcer at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, has announced his retirement effective Feb. 5. Bogar has been a mainstay at the Grantville oval since joining the team 45 years ago.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

Four-time grade 1 winner and $2.6 million earner Casa Creed was represented by his first foal Jan. 23, a filly bred by Carlos Cleto out of the black type-placed mare Sustainable.

As expected, House Bill 881, which aims to decouple Thoroughbred racing and gaming licenses in Florida, passed its second committee Feb. 3 when the Commerce Committee voted for it to proceed.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has announced a 7.5% purse increase, effective at the start of the upcoming condition book Feb. 11.

International representation included 37 horses from Japan, led by Godolphin's Pyromancer. Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher led all trainers with 31 nominees, followed by Bob Baffert (23), Chad Brown (22), Brad Cox (21), and Daisuke Takayanagi (14).

America's Best Racing's Bob Ehalt gives his "At a Glance" analysis of the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Ocala Breeders' Sales has cataloged 816 horses for its 2026 March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, which will be held over three days, March 10-12.

Turfway Park will shift its Feb. 4-5 live racing cards to afternoon programs with a 1 p.m. ET first post in response to single-digit wind chills expected during the evening hours.

After his win in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Nearly replaced Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Ted Noffey in the No. 1 spot on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top 3-Year-Old Poll.

In this BH monthly interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities.

In Dollars & Sense with Frank Angst, CFTC chairman expresses support for prediction markets; President Trump nominates Thoroughbred owner Kevin Warsh as next chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute's Founder's Week celebration Feb. 2-6 officially kicks off a year-long series of festivities and events honoring the veterinary practice's unprecedented 15-decade contribution to equine care.

On the Feb. 2 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Centennial Farms' Donald Little Jr. discusses Nearly's win in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Oaklawn Park track announcer Matt Dinerman previews the Southwest Stakes (G3) and talks racing in Hot Springs, Ark.

Multiple group 1-placed, group 2 winner Maljoom is a highly rated entry at 118 but he has not raced since last April, when third in the Dubai Turf Stakes (G1). Quddwah has already won at Meydan Racecourse this year in the Jan. 2 Zabeel Mile (G2).

Inglis Digital USA released its February Sale catalog Feb. 2, which features 45 entries, highlighted by a trio of broodmare prospects consigned by Last Laugh Stables, including a half sister to San Vincente Stakes (G2) winner So Happy.