Blood-Horse

Recent results of the American Horse Council Economic Impact Study, along with those of the associated New York State 'breakout' study, document the strength and importance of racing in New York.

Tampa Bay Downs will highlight accredited aftercare during Tamp Bay Derby (G3) race day by honoring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance with a named race on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard.

All continues to go smoothly for undefeated Holy Bull Stakes (G3) winner Hades as he sits out the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) March 2 to await the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) March 30.

Easter and Prince Abama from the Phil D'Amato barn meet each other for the first time, but Bob Baffert-trained Du Jour could give them a battle as well.

Dual group 1-winning sprinter A Case Of You is to take up residency at Drakenstein Stud in South Africa for the 2024 breeding season, in a deal brokered by Robin Bruss of Northfields Bloodstock.

With two graded stakes victories already at the current Santa Anita meeting, Newgrange faces six in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1), postponed one day due to weather issues.

The National Thoroughbred League announced four new franchises will be awarded in time for the 2024 season out of an impressive group of potential ownership groups from Miami, Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Dallas, and New Orleans.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed that WinStar Farm and Siena Farm's Speak Easy will be withdrawn from an allowance optional claiming race March 1 in favor of a highly anticipated run in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2).

A return trip to the Middle East is on the agenda for Annaf after he showed his love for sunnier climates with a lucrative success at the Saudi Cup meeting Feb. 24.

Bob Baffert's supremacy in the 3-year-old stakes program at Santa Anita Park should continue March 3 when the Southern California track stages the $300,000 San Felipe Stakes (G2). He runs Nysos, Wine Me Up, and Imagination in the five-horse field.

Bellabel looks to continue her successful return to the races as she faces a large field of 11 that includes familiar faces in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) going one mile at Santa Anita Park March 3.

The board of directors of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced that it has authorized expenditure of $2,455,164 to fund 11 new projects and 13 continuing projects at 14 universities as well as three career development awards.

With a weather forecast calling for persistent rain, Santa Anita Park has announced that the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and three other graded stakes will be shifted to Sunday, March 3.

Letters to the editor for Feb. 22-28

The List: An Update and Review of the Top 25 General Sires List Rankings

The progress on racing surfaces is due in large part to the Racing Surface Testing Laboratory, whose work grew out of the first Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit held in 2006 at Keeneland.

In the case of the March 2 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, a victory in the mile $200,000 race for 3-year-old fillies should be enough to deliver a starting spot in the May 3 Lillies for the Fillies at Churchill Downs.

When the one-turn mile distance of the Gotham Stakes (G3) is taken into consideration, it's hardly a surprise that a different race on Derby Day at Churchill Downs could be on some of the travel itineraries.

Jockey Junior Alvarado was still "on cloud nine" while returning to action Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park, where he rode for the first time since capturing the $20 million Saudi Cup (G1) Feb. 24 aboard Senor Buscador.

After spending close to a decade as the top assistant for decorated trainer Mike Maker, Nolan Ramsey is striking out on his own. A 27-year-old native of Lexington, Ramsey is the grandson of prominent owner Ken Ramsey.