Blood-Horse

St. Elias Stable's Captain Cook breezed a half-mile in :49 March 26 over the Belmont Park dirt training track as he prepares for the $750,000 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test for sophomores, at Aqueduct Racetrack April 5.

Choisya had only one black-type success to her name before joining Gainsborough Stables' satellite operation at Meydan prior to Christmas. Her improvement since has prompted connections to target a grade 1 at Keeneland: the Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T).

Trainer Gary Contessa's claim that he did not know about a change in New York State's claiming rules when he violated a new provision governing claimed horses running out of state "strains credibility,'' according to a hearing officer's comments.

After seeing the light go on in Owen Almighty's second try around two turns, trainer Brian Lynch is hoping for a similar type of response from stablemate Jimmy's Dailys in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29.

Woodbine's CA$750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes (G1T) has been added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series as an official "Win and You're In" race. ​The winner receives an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T).

Mike Curry analyzes the 10-horse field in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park March 29, which has historically been one of the most important stepping stone to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

America's Best Racing's Patrick Reed provides a horse-by-horse rundown of the Arkansas Derby (G1) lineup.

Godolphin Mile (G2) contender Little Vic carries the colors of former Major League Baseball star Victor Martínez, a five-time MLB All-Star turned passionate owner.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be on-site this year at Santa Anita Park for the Santa Anita Derby (G1) Saturday, April 5, 2025.

The Aga Khan Studs has announced the 2025 mating plans for some of its star mares, with its roster of five stallions all receiving strong support from the home broodmare band.

An attempt by trainer Jonathan Wong to challenge in a Louisiana federal court sanctions that arose in Indiana was denied.

Facing challenges related to contraction in the California Thoroughbred industry, co-owner Tom Clark has placed Rancho San Miguel up for sale.

In this week's edition of Three Heating Up for the 2025 Kentucky Derby (G1), Tiztastic, Flying Gambit, and Flying Mohawk are profiled.

Woodbine and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario jointly announced March 26 that they have reached an agreement in principle on a new two-year deal that boosts purses by CA$5.7 million.

Ruling against the interests of four race tracks, the Supreme Court of Louisiana declared unconstitutional a statute legalizing historical horse racing machines without first requiring local voter approval.

Pedigree Analysis: Alan Porter looks at two recent graded stakes winners with significant inbreeding.

Keeneland announces that Valvoline Global Operations, a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, is the new sponsor of the $400,000 Shakertown (G2T) to be held April 5.

Juvenile breezers out of group winners and lightly raced horses in training feature among a classy catalog for the upcoming Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and and Horses in Training Sale April 30-May 1.

Coming off a sharp gate-to-wire conquest in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T), Capture the Flag now looks to win again at Gulfstream Park in the March 29 Pan American Stakes (G3T). 

The Dubai World Cup card this year falls a week later than is traditionally the case, a development driven by the dates of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which comes to an end with Eid al-Fitr expected to fall Sunday evening (March 30).