Blood-Horse

Joe Harper, CEO of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, will transition from his day-to-day role and will assume the title of CEO Emeritus at the end of this year, Del Mar officials announced July 24.

After anticipating the break early in the San Diego Handicap (G2), Journalism was caught disadvantaged when the latch sprung, sustained an injury in the process, and still won. The son of Curlin will stand at Ashford Stud.

A bankruptcy judge has agreed to an order authorizing the sale of bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course to a developer. An Aug. 31 closing hinges on relocating horses and backstretch workers.

Suburban Stakes (G2) victor Phileas Fogg is headed to the Aug. 8 Whitney Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, according to a Daily Racing Form report. 

The trainer had controlled medication violations in six horses that ran in March at Turf Paradise, including five winners.

Two-year-old fillies seek to make a name for themselves in the Princess Margaret Stakes (G3) July 25 at Ascot Racecourse. The winner will qualify for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) Oct. 30 at Keeneland.

The durable Cabo Spirit will try to improve on his second-place finish in the 2025 Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) when he faces local stars Gold Phoenix and Formidable Man in the 53rd running of the 1 1/8-mile turf event July 26 at Del Mar.

Assistant news editor and BloodHorse Monday co-host Sean Collins goes behind the scenes with trainer Jorge Abreu July 23, the morning before Scottish Lassie runs in the $250,000 Shuvee Stakes (G2) July 24 at Saratoga Race Course.

Nine talented sprinters line up for the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) July 25 at Del Mar. The 6-furlong contest draws in two-time grade 3 winner Cornucopian and recent Triple Bend Stakes (G3) winner Stronghold as highlights.

Woodbine shines the graded spotlight on female horses July 25, presenting three CA$175,000 stakes: the Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies at a mile on turf, followed by the Hendrie Stakes (G3) and the Trillium Stakes (G3) on Tapeta.

Prairie Meadows' board of directors announces that a $17 million community grant investment will provide funding to 473 nonprofit organizations that help serve the Iowa community. The grant is the largest in the organization's history.

Fasig-Tipton catalogs 146 racing and breeding prospects for its July Digital Sale, which opened for bidding July 23 and will close July 28. Maiden-breaking juveniles Velvet Beretta and impressive 9-length winner Cha Cha Baby are among the draft.

Aidan O'Brien has declared Benvenuto Cellini and Minnie Hauk among his team of four for one of the biggest races of the flat season in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 25 at Ascot Racecourse.

Deva Racing, whose director is Ryan Tongue, has allegedly failed to pay its syndicate members prize-money winnings and oversold shares in its horses.

Donna Barton Brothers will return as master of ceremonies, and Joe Bianca will serve as the auctioneer when New York Race Track Chaplaincy hosts its 19th annual brunch Aug. 12 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Seeking his first graded victory, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Built is tabbed as a clear 8-5 morning-line favorite in the $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes (G2) July 25 at Saratoga Race Course.

Japanese ace Masquerade Ball has yet to reach the ceiling of his abilities, according to his trainer, as he prepares for a rematch with Calandagan in a scintillating King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 25.

John Guarnere's homebred Johnny G won in his second career start July 22 at Delaware Park.

Maryland horseman Bill Reightler died July 21 from pancreatic cancer, according to a social media post from his daughter, Betsy Reightler.

After a pair of heartbreaking nose defeats, Grand Job aims for a return to the winner's circle in the $250,000 Honorable Miss Stakes (G2) July 26 at Saratoga Race Course.