Blood-Horse

European Pattern Committee chairman Jason Morris issued a cautionary note as changes to the program were announced Feb. 13, with the total number of black-type races to be staged throughout Europe declining 1.4% from 838 in 2023 to 826 in 2024.

Pace will play a strong role in deciding victory in both graded stakes for older horses at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Feb. 17, the $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) and $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes (G3T).

The 4-year-old son of Quality Road is pointed toward the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 24 after edging Senor Buscador by a neck in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). 

Google translate said "over budget," but the Japanese owners hope they're on to a winner with their maiden Australian foray after taking home the North Pacific half sister to Inglis Millennium winner Fully Lit for AU$420,000.

George Baker will make a quick dash from Bahrain to St Moritz this weekend as he prepares Cumulonimbus and Cemhaan for their course debuts in the feature race Feb. 18.

Just 11 weeks remain until the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) and fans will have the fourth of six opportunities Feb. 16-18 to wager on Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that features a wide-open cast of 39 3-year-olds.

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

Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., announced the cancellation of its 10-race Feb. 13 card due to a winter storm. 

Hillwood Stable's Maryland-bred star Post Time looks to remain undefeated in his home state as he takes on six competitors in the seven-furlong $200,000 General George Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park Feb. 17.

El Catolico, now 3, broke his maiden on second asking at Camarero in Puerto Rico last October. For his career, the Kentucky-bred colt is 3-1-2 from six starts and has banked $59,519.

Trainer Jonathan Wong has been suspended and fined for a metformin positive. He will still be able to race in Louisiana, which is not under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority due to ongoing legal challenges.

BloodHorse Interview: Carolyn Conley

The most expensive yearling sold at a Classic sale in two years and the highest-priced filly ever to change hands at Inglis' season-opening auction, she was bought by YLP Racing for AU$600,000.

Kabirkhan has risen from obscurity in Kazakhstan to become the talking horse of this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Maiden Watch: Week of Feb. 4-Feb. 11

Trainer Dan Blacker was sanctioned for not filing veterinarian inspection reports within 72 hours of published works Jan. 1, 2022, through July 1, 2023.

The son of Lion Heart has sired 36 winners and eight stakes performers. He has been standing at Valor Farm in Texas.

El Catolico, now 3, broke his maiden on second asking at Camarero in Puerto Rico last October. For his career, the Kentucky-bred colt is 3-1-2 from six starts and has banked $59,519.

The farm noted, "The condition came on suddenly & was unrelated to his retirement. Despite immediate veterinary (intervention) his condition deteriorated to a point where we were unable to keep him comfortable. He will be greatly missed."

Maymun left eyes widened three weeks ago when he scored a 7 1/2-length maiden victory. Wheeling back against first-level allowance company, and facing a salty stablemate in Imagination, the colt delivered another winning performance on Feb. 11.