Blood-Horse

Dan Pride, COO of Godolphin USA, speaks in the winners' circle after Encino wins the $142,500 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park March 2.

It was a coming out party for Godolphin's Encino as he streaked to the wire on top in his stakes debut while earning 20 Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points in the 1 1/16-mile $142,500 John Battaglia Memorial Stakes at Turfway Park March 2.

Neither wind, nor rain, nor layoff could stay Deterministic from the winner's circle as the colt rallied from fifth to notch a two-length victory in the Gotham and give him enough qualifying points to potentially pursue the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Common Hope, who produced 2013 champion 2-year-old male Shared Belief, has died at age 27. The Storm Cat mare out of Sown, by Grenfall, passed peacefully in her paddock Feb. 27.

Multiple grade 1 winner Tizway, who stood stud in America, South Korea, and Turkey, died of a heart attack at Karacabey Stud. Murat Sancal, a Lexington-based trainer and bloodstock agent, confirmed the death of the 19-year-old son of Tiznow March 2.

Favored 2023 Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Dornoch began his 3-year-old season successfully, scoring a workmanlike victory against a depleted field in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

A horse close to the cusp throughout his career, Steal Sunshine rewarded his backers with a dramatic nose victory over Tumbarumba in the March 2 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2).

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) runner-up Jody's Pride made a winning 3-year-old debut in the $200,000 Busher Stakes on a sloppy, rainy day at Aqueduct Racetrack March 2.

Fending off a bid from Into Champagne, Fiona's Magic grittily wins the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) March 2 at Gulfstream Park. Favored Leslie's Rose finishes third.

Southport Tycoon, a son of Written Tycoon, raised a first group 1 success for syndicator Bennett Racing in claiming the Australian Guineas (G1) March 2 at Flemington.

Santa Anita Park opened its all-new synthetic Tapeta inner training track for usage March 2.

Pounce lived up to her name as she stole the $200,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3T) in the final strides March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

Starting Over notched his first stakes win in 2023 when he took the 1 1/2-mile Colonial Cup Stakes at Colonial Downs, and March 2 at Gulfstream Park, he captured a more prestigious prize: the $200,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T) going 1 3/8 miles.

Equinox, trainer Aidan O'Brien, and jockey Ryan Moore were among those recognized at the seventh edition of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Horseracing Excellence Awards.

Spendthrift Farm's Kingsbarns returned from an 8 1/2-month layoff to score in a second-level allowance optional claiming race March 2 at Gulfstream Park.

After prevailing in a case in which he was facing multiple federal charges related to distributing controlled substances, the Northern Kentucky-based Kendall Hansen said hopes to return to owning Thoroughbreds.

Overwhelming 1-5 morning-line favorite Nysos has been scratched from the March 2 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park.

Helios Express is a solid favorite for the Hong Kong Classic Cup March 3, the second leg of the Hong Kong Derby series, but jockey Hugh Bowman has a few concerns about the added distance of that heat.

Last fall's Breeders' Futurity (G1) winner Locked and impressive maiden runner-up Victory Avenue were scratched from the $400,000 Fountain of Youth (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 2 the morning of the race.

Military Law earned a spot in the Dubai World Cup (G1) on Super Saturday in Dubai as a full slate of features produced prospects not only for the biggest program on the local scene but also for Europe and American summer racing.