Blood-Horse

As Royal Ascot draws closer, Wathnan Racing increased their chances with the purchases of Night Raider and Flora Of Bermuda.

It may not match Alydar vs. Affirmed in terms of racing's greatest all-time rivalries. But what happened June 7th in the 157th Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga finally brought a large dose of excitement back to the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Takeaways from the 157th Belmont Stakes (G1) and other major races that were part of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (through June 7) at Saratoga Race Course.

This year's rescheduled Queensland Derby (G1) proved worth the wait for training partners John O'Shea and Tom Charlton, as did the emergence of Super Seth's Maison Louis, who at AU$21 led home a quinella for his stable in the Eagle Farm classic.

On a 2025 Belmont Stakes day that NYRA made some tough decisions to ensure as safe a day as possible, that first responsibility took precedence over any economic indicators but the 12-race card did still manage to surpass $100 million in handle.

The public's attention was on Sovereignty after he ran down Journalism to capture the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. But Aron Wellman—president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, one of Journalism's owners—had eyes on his horse.

Belmont Notebook: Godolphin can never be accused of not stopping to smell the roses, and now the white carnations; and starter Scott Jordan makes some Triple Crown history.

Louisiana stallion and grade 1 winner No Parole sired his first winner June 7 when the filly High Class Trip broke her maiden in a state-bred maiden special weight contest at Evangeline Downs.

Cash Call delivered on the hype June 7, outfinishing stablemate Howin to the wire to give trainer Bob Baffert a 1-2 finish in the $100,000 Summertime Oaks (G3) at Santa Anita Park.

In a stretch run reminiscent of the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1), Sovereignty charged past Journalism to win the Belmont Stakes (G1), with Baeza rounding out the trifecta June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

Back at seven furlongs, the Into Mischief colt became a grade 1 winner after winning a key allowance race on the Kentucky Derby (G1) undercard.

A. P. Kid, a ridgling 3-year-old son of Honor A. P., was making just his third career start in the $300,000 Pennine Ridge, which he won by 6 1/4 lengths for Donegal Racing.

About one year after securing a grade 1 victory at Saratoga Race Course, Book'em Danno returned to the scene June 7 and used an intrepid stretch run to secure victory in the $400,000 True North Stakes (G3).

Airdrie Stud's first-crop sire Beau Liam, who already has winners in Puerto Rico and Russia, was represented by his first North American winner when the 2-year-old filly Border Czar won a maiden special weight race June 7 at Woodbine.

Kathy Walsh, the former trainer who died last month at age 85, will be honored with a celebration of life June 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the 100-1 room at Santa Anita. In addition, the fifth race is named in Walsh's honor.

Under a front-running ride from Frankie Dettori, Raging Torrent defeated older division heavyweights Fierceness and White Abarrio with a thrilling score in the $1 million Metropolitan Handicap (G1) June 7 at Saratoga Race Course.

It was known a day ago as the Wonder Again Stakes (G2T). Then Mother Nature butted in and reduced it to the "Wonder Why Stakes."

Lambourn maintained Aidan O'Brien's stranglehold on the Epsom Derby (G1) by coming out on top. He gave his trainer a third consecutive victory in the race and a record-extending 11th success overall.

Francis X. "Buddy" Keegan, Jr., a New Jersey Racing Commissioner since 2006 and a breeder and owner who raced horses in New Jersey since 1963, died June 5.

Donnacha O'Brien expects his star filly Porta Fortuna to return in the autumn after a small setback ruled her out of Royal Ascot.