Blood-Horse

Donna Herrick, a beloved and enduring presence in the Southern California racing community and a pillar of Del Mar, died April 15 at the age of 97, surrounded by family.

Presumptive Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Renegade had his penultimate work before the first Saturday in May April 16 at Palm Beach Downs.

Sovereignty and Journalism are not alone in the April 18 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) as competitors with Kentucky Derby (G1) experience. Publisher and White Abarrio also raced in the first leg of the Triple Crown with less distinction.

Hip 1112, a half sister to 2025 champion female sprinter Shisospicy by grade 1 winner Yaupon, will be among Julie Davies' offerings on the final day of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale April 17.

At the end of the third session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Monique Delk, on behalf of Vincent Viola's St. Elias Stable, went to $925,000 to secure a speedy daughter of Liam's Map.

Hip 840, a filly by Bolt d'Oro out of grade 2-placed, grade 3 winner Gas Station Sushi, becomes the fourth seven-figure sale during the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, after Bill Childs bought her for $1.3 million.

Tommy Wente Jr. celebrated a career-defining moment at the OBS Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale April 16. His homebred Speaker's Corner colt, co-bred with Scott Stephens, drew an $875,000 bid—the highest price ever for a homebred sold by Wente.

Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 143 entries for its April Digital Sale. Bidding is now open and will close April 21 beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

For the 152nd Kentucky Derby (G1), oddsmaker Nick Tammaro's current projection lists Renegade at 9-2, Commandment at 5-1, and Further Ado at 6-1.

Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Half Yours is on track to resume in the All Aged Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse April 18, with connections mapping an ambitious and somewhat unconventional return against elite weight-for-age opposition.

Applications for The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program's two annual awards, the Thoroughbred of the Year Award and the Young Rider of the Year Award, are now open.

1/ST president Aidan Butler implores the Thoroughbred industry to put its support behind the SAFE Act, showing a "firm commitment to equine welfare."

1S/T president Aidan Butler implores the Thoroughbred industry to put its support behind the SAFE Act, showing a "firm commitment to equine welfare."

In this month's At the Track with Sean Collins: Prepared to host the long-anticipated third round of Sovereignty vs. Journalism April 18, Oaklawn Park's investment in its facility and fan base has set the stage for one of racing's premier events.

The 2026 Oaklawn Handicap (G1) feels like a throwback race to a bygone era in sport where true horse racing heavyweights of the handicap/older male division would meet regularly in marquee stakes across the country.

Hawthorne Race Course finalized plans April 15 to start its delayed 2026 Thoroughbred meeting April 19, its first day of operations since filing for bankruptcy protection.

As Day 2 of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale drew to a close, Machmer Hall celebrated a $1.2 million success when its colt by Cyberknife sold to John Sadler and L.E.B., agents for West Point Thoroughbreds and Mike Talla.

Although trade remained behind the giddy highs of last year, the April 15 second session of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale did at least prove more solid than the first. 

The 6-year-old son of English Channel aims to be fourth horse to accomplish this feat at Keeneland.

Grade 1 winner King of Gosford seeks to reclaim his Santa Anita Park throne April 18 when he returns from a 7 1/2-month layoff in the $100,000 American Stakes (G3T).