Thoroughbred Daily News

Chip Honcho (Connect) had his final major tune-up for the May 16 GI Preakness Stakes when he worked four furlongs in :50.20 (39/47) at Churchill Downs Sunday. Exercise rider Luiyi Ortiz was aboard for the work, which was one of trainer Steve Asmussen's typical easy half-mile moves the week of a race. Chip Honcho's big work came May 2, when he worked five furlongs in 1:00.00 (1/14).

“I think we're in a very good place with him right now,” said Asmussen, who won the Preakness in 2007 with Curlin and with Rachel Alexandra two years later. “We want to get him up there in the same shape he's leaving here in and hope for a good draw for him.

“I'm anxious because I think we have a very good opportunity going in,” Asmussen added. “For him, I really want to avoid an outside draw.”

Chip Honcho had post two when he won a Churchill Downs maiden race and the rail when he took the Gun Runner Stakes last December at Fair Grounds in his first start around two turns.

In the Jan. 17 GIII Lecomte Stakes, Chip Honcho had the outermost post 10, broke a step slowly and was five wide on the first turn. He wound up fourth behind future Kentucky Derby hero Golden Tempo (Curlin).

His best and fastest race came when Chip Honcho was second in the Feb. 14 GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, when he broke well from post five, set the pace and only gave way late to come in second by a half-length to the well-regarded and subsequently sidelined Paladin (Gun Runner), while easily finishing in front of Golden Tempo. Chip Honcho's hoped-for progression hit the brakes with a well-beaten fifth in the Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby, leading connections to skip the Kentucky Derby in favor of the Preakness.

Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz, who rode Chip Honcho in his maiden victory, has the Preakness mount.

The post Chip Honcho Tunes Up for Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Chip Honcho (Connect) had his final major tune-up for the May 16 GI Preakness Stakes when he worked four furlongs in :50.20 (39/47) at Churchill Downs Sunday. Exercise rider Luiyi Ortiz was aboard for the work, which was one of trainer Steve Asmussen's typical easy half-mile moves the week of a race. Chip Honcho's big work came May 2, when he worked five furlongs in 1:00.00 (1/14).

“I think we're in a very good place with him right now,” said Asmussen, who won the Preakness in 2007 with Curlin and with Rachel Alexandra two years later. “We want to get him up there in the same shape he's leaving here in and hope for a good draw for him.

“I'm anxious because I think we have a very good opportunity going in,” Asmussen added. “For him, I really want to avoid an outside draw.”

Chip Honcho had post two when he won a Churchill Downs maiden race and the rail when he took the Gun Runner Stakes last December at Fair Grounds in his first start around two turns.

In the Jan. 17 GIII Lecomte Stakes, Chip Honcho had the outermost post 10, broke a step slowly and was five wide on the first turn. He wound up fourth behind future Kentucky Derby hero Golden Tempo (Curlin).

His best and fastest race came when Chip Honcho was second in the Feb. 14 GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, when he broke well from post five, set the pace and only gave way late to come in second by a half-length to the well-regarded and subsequently sidelined Paladin (Gun Runner), while easily finishing in front of Golden Tempo. Chip Honcho's hoped-for progression hit the brakes with a well-beaten fifth in the Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby, leading connections to skip the Kentucky Derby in favor of the Preakness.

Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz, who rode Chip Honcho in his maiden victory, has the Preakness mount.

The post Chip Honcho Tunes Up for Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Reef Runner (The Big Beast), winner of the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and fourth in the Mar. 28 G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan, is expected to make his stateside return in the June 6 GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga. The 5-year-old gelding had his first work since returning from the Middle East Saturday, going four furlongs in :46.90 (1/19) over the Tapeta at Gulfstream.

“He looks fantastic,” said trainer David Fawkes. “I nominated him for the Jaipur. We're coming. He traveled unbelievable from Dubai. He got off the plane like I vanned him from Ocala to Miami. I gave him 3 1/2 weeks with Nick Esler in Ocala, who took great care of him for me. Nick called me and said, 'Dave, you need to bring him back to work. He's a wild man.'”

Fawkes will be hoping for sunshine and firm ground in June at Saratoga, which is something Reef Runner failed to find in his lone previous outing at the Spa when a troubled eighth in the Mahony Stakes over good ground in August 2024.

“We were at John Kimmel's yard, and it rained so hard his entire courtyard was flooded. I knew we were screwed,” Fawkes said. “This time, he should be very strong, as long as the weather is good. He doesn't like it soft.”

The post Reef Runner to Make Stateside Return in Jaipur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Reef Runner (The Big Beast), winner of the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in February at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh and fourth in the Mar. 28 G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan, is expected to make his stateside return in the June 6 GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga. The 5-year-old gelding had his first work since returning from the Middle East Saturday, going four furlongs in :46.90 (1/19) over the Tapeta at Gulfstream.

“He looks fantastic,” said trainer David Fawkes. “I nominated him for the Jaipur. We're coming. He traveled unbelievable from Dubai. He got off the plane like I vanned him from Ocala to Miami. I gave him 3 1/2 weeks with Nick Esler in Ocala, who took great care of him for me. Nick called me and said, 'Dave, you need to bring him back to work. He's a wild man.'”

Fawkes will be hoping for sunshine and firm ground in June at Saratoga, which is something Reef Runner failed to find in his lone previous outing at the Spa when a troubled eighth in the Mahony Stakes over good ground in August 2024.

“We were at John Kimmel's yard, and it rained so hard his entire courtyard was flooded. I knew we were screwed,” Fawkes said. “This time, he should be very strong, as long as the weather is good. He doesn't like it soft.”

The post Reef Runner to Make Stateside Return in Jaipur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Stablemates Iron Honor (Nyquist) and Ottinho (Quality Road) worked four furlongs in :48.00 (10/184) in company over the Belmont Park dirt training track Saturday. The former is expected to line up in the May 16 GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park and the latter remains possible for the June 6 GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Iron Honor, owned by St. Elias Stable, William Lawrence, and Glassman Racing, won the Feb. 28 GIII Gotham Stakes and was most recently a troubled seventh in the Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial.

“That work went well,” trainer Chad Brown said. “Iron Honor came out of it very well. I'd say that we are in good shape to head over and try the Preakness. We will give him another shot going two turns.”

Iron Honor will have an equipment change when he makes just his fourth career start in the Preakness. Brown will take the blinkers off the colt, who will be ridden for the first time by Flavien Prat. Iron Honor was equipped with blinkers when he broke his maiden in his first career start last Dec. 13 at Aqueduct and also had them on for his one-length score in the Gotham.

“We're trying to get the horse to relax and maybe not be too aggressive early,” Brown said. “I'm hoping there is some early pace in the race where he can sit back just a little bit and track horses.”

Three Chimneys Farm's homebred Ottinho was second behind Further Ado (Gun Runner) in the nine-furlong GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes last out Apr. 4.

“I want to keep him as a Belmont possibility,” Brown said. “I was pleased with that last effort. He had a minor issue with his foot that we discovered at Churchill, and we rectified that with a bar shoe. He seems to be very sound and moving forward again.”

The post Iron Honor on Track for Preakness, Ottinho Targets Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Klaravich Stable's Growth Equity (Nyquist) exited his two-length victory in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes Saturday in fine shape and the June 6 GI Belmont Stakes remains a possible next target for the bay colt.

“He looks good so far,” trainer Chad Brown said of Growth Equity's status Sunday morning. “That was a nice step forward. I was glad to see him handle two turns. I thought that he ran well. I think the runner-up is a nice horse. So, that was a nice, positive move forward. No immediate plans yet, but I was very pleased with the race.”

Growth Equity was second in his first two career starts, both at sprint distances. He graduated by 4 1/4 lengths when stretched out to Aqueduct's one-turn mile Mar. 20. In the Peter Pan, he scored a stalking victory over Withers Stakes winner Talk to Me Jimmy (Modernist), with GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Trendsetter (Modernist) in third.

The Peter Pan is the traditional New York prep for the GI Belmont Stakes, to be held over 10 furlongs at Saratoga Race Course this year. The New York Racing Association has waived entry and starting fees to the Belmont Stakes for the first three finishers of the Peter Pan.

“I'm going to see how the horse comes out of this race when we put him back under tack and out on the track,” said Brown. “We'll keep an eye on [the Belmont Stakes]. We'll keep it as a possibility, for sure, but it is not the only possibility.”

The post Growth Equity Fine After Peter Pan Win, Belmont Possible appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

She was the lightest raced in the field, and had started her 2026 campaign last month, but Marjoram (Quality Road) showed her heart to steal the GIII Senorita Stakes in the shadow of the wire in the Santa Anita nightcap.

Unveiled at Churchill Downs Nov. 22 on a sloppy main track, she made her move from sixth coming off the bend and had just enough left late to win by three-quarters of a length over a persistent challenger. She went onto the sidelines before being moved west to this venue, and had established a healthy worktab by the time her seasonal bow arrived Apr. 4 against a field that largely returned for this contest. It also marked her first time going over the downhill turf course and on Lasix.

Everything that could have gone wrong in her race last out, did, as she stumbled badly leaving the gates and was forced to alter course sharply when crossing over the dirt track to avoid a fallen runner. Marjoram managed to make up ground from last to finish a sneaky-good fifth despite the trouble as Mo' Em Down (Caracaro), Will Happen (Vekoma), and Still Unwritten (Cat Burglar) claimed the trifecta, respectively.

Given 7-2 odds as the betting dollars drifted to 3-2 favorite Light Won Up (City of Light), all eyes were on the scramble for the lead as Still Unwritten took the initiative through an opening quarter in :22.22 but had been overtaken by the cavalry after a half-mile in :44.93. Marjoram had once again settled near the back of the action after breaking slowly, but was moving from four off the fence as they rolled into the stretch coming off the hill.

There was still a lot of ground to make up, but she was closing the gap on Light Won Up, who looked to be home free in the late stages. Flying from between rivals in the final strides, she caught the public choice in the last jump to win by a head. Yours Sincerely (Ire) (Cable Bay {Ire}) also arrived on scene late to make things exciting, and she was a half-length back in third in a blanket finish.

“She's a little excited when she sees the gate. I think that's what happened last time,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez, who bookended the card with victories in the first and last races. “She stumbled badly [in the optional claimer] and I almost lost my balance. [Trainer] Michael McCarthy and his team did a good job with her. They took her to the gate. He told me before the race she was doing good.”

“She was a little nervous today, but way better than last time. I broke last, she had no speed, so I just decided to chill and wait until we crossed the dirt. When we crossed [over], I saw a hole and I asked her to pick it up. She did pretty good as she passed all of them. She's a nice filly. She's just a little excited but can run.”

“We've had a pretty good run here the past few weeks,” said McCarthy. “Hats off to Juan and this filly here, Marjoram, they were game today. Had a couple of anxious moments, not quite as anxious as last time she ran.”

MARJORAM ($9.20) ran down the favorite to win the $100,000 Senorita Stakes (G3) at @santaanitapark. @JJHernandezS19 guided the daughter of Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms) to victory. @mwmracing trains and @JuddmonteFarms owns. pic.twitter.com/KL7pMELvBa

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 10, 2026

Pedigree Note:

Marjoram hails from a gilded Juddmonte female family, as her dam is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Emollient (Empire Maker), herself the mother of Irish multiple Group-placed runner Peace Charter (GB) (War Front); French Listed winner Ardent (Frankel {GB}); and French group winner Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Another half-sibling to that pair is GI Florida Derby runner-up Hofburg (Tapit).

This victress is the second to the races behind her full-brother, GSW Spiced Up, and they have a juvenile half-sister in the wings named Velvet Spice (Into Mischief). Cardamon has a yearling colt and a 2026 filly at foot who are both by Horse of the Year Flightline.

Second dam Soothing Touch (Touch Gold) doesn't just claim the aforementioned horses through her line, but also Emollient's full-sister Calm Water–she would later gain fame as the dam of G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River (Into Mischief) and his full-brother, track record-setter SP-UAE Castlewarden.

Further back is the fourth dam, multiple Group 1 winner Coup de Genie (Mr. Prospector). She was a sister to Group 1 winner Machiavellian, and went on in her own broodmare career to produce Group 1 winner Denebola and Group 1-placed Loving Kindness. One of her unraced daughters created a separate branch which yielded European champion 3-year-old colt Bago (Fr) and his half-brother, fellow multiple Group 1 winner Maxios (GB).

Saturday, Santa Anita
SENORITA S.-GIII, $102,500, Santa Anita, 5-9, 3yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:13.78, fm.
1–MARJORAM, 120, f, 3, by Quality Road
                1st Dam: Cardamon, by Pioneerof the Nile
                2nd Dam: Soothing Touch, by Touch Gold
                3rd Dam: Glia, by A.P. Indy
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $130,700. *Full to Spiced Up, GSW, $220,135. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Light Won Up, 124, f, 3, City of Light–Factorofwon, by The Factor. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($200,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $265,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Purple Rein Racing and Mark Davis; B-Betz Thoroughbreds/J.Betz/DJ Stables/Epona/Lamantia (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. $20,000.
3–Yours Sincerely (Ire), 122, f, 3, Cable Bay (Ire)–Best Regards (Ire), by Tamayuz (GB). (€6,500 Ylg '24 GOAUYR). O-Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Madaket Stables, LLC, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan, and Michael Nentwig; B-Mr Alwarith Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $12,000.
Margins: HD, HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 3.60, 1.50, 13.90.
Also Ran: Revera, Surfin' U. S. A., Will Happen, Still Unwritten, Bella Lyra (Ger), Mo' Em Down, Dreaming of Alys.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV .

The post Marjoram Provides Newest Graded Update to Flashy Pedigree with Senorita Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Distance test, passed, but pump the breaks on the Belmont talk, at least for now, according to trainer Chad Brown.

A recent maiden graduate facing more seasoned competition, Growth Equity (Nyquist) made the jump from winner to graded winner with aplomb in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes, but while he has an expenses-paid spot in the final jewel of the Triple Crown, his conditioner is not entirely set on sending him to Saratoga.

“I'll talk to Seth [Klarman, owner Klaravich Stables],” said Brown after the race. “Talking to Flavien [Prat], he wasn't against more ground. We need to unpack it a bit later on. It's tough to say–he handled the mile and an eighth well. That other horse seemed like he was hanging in there with him. They were both running away from the field.”

“He didn't scream to me like he wanted more ground after this, so I'm not sure I'm in a hurry to get him out to a mile and a quarter in the Belmont, but he handled this well and there's a lot of mile and an eighth races that are just fine to run in going forward. Maybe he does want more ground, we'll see.”

Last seen in the aforementioned graduation Mar. 20 at a one-turn mile at this venue, Growth Equity had two runner-up efforts to his credit before that–Feb. 7 at Gulfstream when he started the 2026 campaign and last July at Saratoga on debut against eventual black-type runners MSP Stradale (Yaupon), SP Day One Starter (Upstart), and MSP Honey's to Blame (Blame).

Much like his trainer, who had admittedly been cautiously optimistic about Growth Equity's ability to get the distance coming into this race, the betting public put their money where their mouth was and made him the solid even-money choice by gate break.

Content to watch Talk to Me Jimmy (Jimmy Creed) as he posted opening fractions of :23.80 and a half-mile in :48.35, Growth Equity loped along from fourth until they approached the end of the backstretch. The field dynamics began shifting heading into the final bend after six panels in 1:12.70, and for a moment it looked like Gulfy (Constitution) would overtake the frontrunner coming for home. The looming danger via the overland route as Talk to Me Jimmy turned away the first challenge, Growth Equity overtook the longtime leader at the top of the stretch while Trendsetter (Modernist) tried to produce a rally from the back of the pack.

Up front, however, Growth Equity had left them all behind as he ran up the score late to win by two lengths. Talk to Me Jimmy gamely fought on from the rail to hold a clear second while Trendsetter snuck up in the shadow of the wire to get third.

The top three in this contest will all have waived entry and starting fees to the Belmont Stakes in June. Arcangelo (2023), Tonalist (2014), A.P. Indy (1992), Danzing Connection (1985), and Coastal (1979) all parlayed their Peter Pan scores into later Belmont glory.

“He got a nice education by rating and losing plenty of ground on the final turn, where he needed to be to go around those two horses,” said Brown. “He went a bit further than a mile and an eighth today and he did it well. He looked a winner every step of the way. All that was a real positive for him and he probably ran a lifetime [best] figure again, so this will be a fourth race with a new improvement. A horse that has a pattern like that the first four starts, that keeps getting faster on numbers–you have to like that.”

Talk about a high-return investment

and Flavien Prat delivered a blue-chip performance in the G3 Peter Pan Stakes, turning a strong position into a major score and putting his stock on the rise toward bigger targets this summer. pic.twitter.com/P5boENGg9w

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 9, 2026

When asked why he went with Growth Equity over stablemates Tariff Mindset (Tiz the Law) and Ottinho (Quality Road), Brown said it was more a case of timing and the former being out with an injury.

“This horse was down the depth chart just based on my initial thoughts on who would fit this mile and an eighth, which can be a demanding mile and an eighth sometimes at Aqueduct.”

“He wasn't my top choice to do it but Tariff Mindset had a minor issue and is out of training until late summer and Ottinho had a problem with his foot that seems well resolved–he had a beautiful work today [in company with GI Preakness contender Iron Honor] over at Belmont. [Growth Equity] filled in and the more the race came together, he sure looked like he fit on figures.”

Pedigree Note:

Growth Equity is the third winner from four to the races for My Dear Venezuela (Wildcat Heir). Her most recent to come of age is the juvenile colt San Fernando (Candy Ride {Arg}) and she has a yearling Twirling Candy filly in the wings. The mare, a half-sister to MSW & GSP Selva (Forest Wildcat), is due to Arabian Knight for 2026.

Saturday, Belmont The Big A
PETER PAN S.-GIII, $194,000, Belmont The Big A, 5-9, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.25, gd.
1–GROWTH EQUITY, 123, c, 3, by Nyquist
            1st Dam: My Dear Venezuela (GSP, $141,897), by Wildcat Heir
            2nd Dam: Bayou Mist, by Silver Deputy
            3rd Dam: Pecan Bayou, by Gone West
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($425,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $187,600. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Talk to Me Jimmy, 123, c, 3, Modernist–Prairie Trip, by Trippi. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($24,000 RNA Wlg '23 FTNMIX; $31,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-SEI Thoroughbreds, Rudy Rodriguez and Michael Imperio; B-Majestic View Farms Intl. (NY); T-Rudy R. Rodriguez. $40,000.
3–Trendsetter, 123, g, 3, Modernist–Suyapa, by Astrology. ($22,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $25,000 Ylg '24 EASOCT; $130,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR; $725,000 RNA 3yo '26 KEEAPR). O-Davant Latham; B-Circle B Family Farm (KY); T-Ben Colebrook. $24,000.
Margins: 2, 3 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.02, 2.15, 2.57.
Also Ran: Gulfy, Azam. Scratched: Bull by the Horns. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Growth Equity Sterling in Peter Pan Victory, Belmont Start Not Guaranteed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Distance test, passed, but pump the breaks on the Belmont talk, at least for now, according to trainer Chad Brown.

A recent maiden graduate facing more seasoned competition, Growth Equity (Nyquist) made the jump from winner to graded winner with aplomb in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes, but while he has an expenses-paid spot in the final jewel of the Triple Crown, his conditioner is not entirely set on sending him to Saratoga.

“I'll talk to Seth [Klarman, owner Klaravich Stables],” said Brown after the race. “Talking to Flavien [Prat], he wasn't against more ground. We need to unpack it a bit later on. It's tough to say–he handled the mile and an eighth well. That other horse seemed like he was hanging in there with him. They were both running away from the field.”

“He didn't scream to me like he wanted more ground after this, so I'm not sure I'm in a hurry to get him out to a mile and a quarter in the Belmont, but he handled this well and there's a lot of mile and an eighth races that are just fine to run in going forward. Maybe he does want more ground, we'll see.”

Last seen in the aforementioned graduation Mar. 20 at a one-turn mile at this venue, Growth Equity had two runner-up efforts to his credit before that–Feb. 7 at Gulfstream when he started the 2026 campaign and last July at Saratoga on debut against eventual black-type runners MSP Stradale (Yaupon), SP Day One Starter (Upstart), and MSP Honey's to Blame (Blame).

Much like his trainer, who had admittedly been cautiously optimistic about Growth Equity's ability to get the distance coming into this race, the betting public put their money where their mouth was and made him the solid even-money choice by gate break.

Content to watch Talk to Me Jimmy (Jimmy Creed) as he posted opening fractions of :23.80 and a half-mile in :48.35, Growth Equity loped along from fourth until they approached the end of the backstretch. The field dynamics began shifting heading into the final bend after six panels in 1:12.70, and for a moment it looked like Gulfy (Constitution) would overtake the frontrunner coming for home. The looming danger via the overland route as Talk to Me Jimmy turned away the first challenge, Growth Equity overtook the longtime leader at the top of the stretch while Trendsetter (Modernist) tried to produce a rally from the back of the pack.

Up front, however, Growth Equity had left them all behind as he ran up the score late to win by two lengths. Talk to Me Jimmy gamely fought on from the rail to hold a clear second while Trendsetter snuck up in the shadow of the wire to get third.

The top three in this contest will all have waived entry and starting fees to the Belmont Stakes in June. Arcangelo (2023), Tonalist (2014), A.P. Indy (1992), Danzing Connection (1985), and Coastal (1979) all parlayed their Peter Pan scores into later Belmont glory.

“He got a nice education by rating and losing plenty of ground on the final turn, where he needed to be to go around those two horses,” said Brown. “He went a bit further than a mile and an eighth today and he did it well. He looked a winner every step of the way. All that was a real positive for him and he probably ran a lifetime [best] figure again, so this will be a fourth race with a new improvement. A horse that has a pattern like that the first four starts, that keeps getting faster on numbers–you have to like that.”

Talk about a high-return investment

and Flavien Prat delivered a blue-chip performance in the G3 Peter Pan Stakes, turning a strong position into a major score and putting his stock on the rise toward bigger targets this summer. pic.twitter.com/P5boENGg9w

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 9, 2026

When asked why he went with Growth Equity over stablemates Tariff Mindset (Tiz the Law) and Ottinho (Quality Road), Brown said it was more a case of timing and the former being out with an injury.

“This horse was down the depth chart just based on my initial thoughts on who would fit this mile and an eighth, which can be a demanding mile and an eighth sometimes at Aqueduct.”

“He wasn't my top choice to do it but Tariff Mindset had a minor issue and is out of training until late summer and Ottinho had a problem with his foot that seems well resolved–he had a beautiful work today [in company with GI Preakness contender Iron Honor] over at Belmont. [Growth Equity] filled in and the more the race came together, he sure looked like he fit on figures.”

Pedigree Note:

Growth Equity is the third winner from four to the races for My Dear Venezuela (Wildcat Heir). Her most recent to come of age is the juvenile colt San Fernando (Candy Ride {Arg}) and she has a yearling Twirling Candy filly in the wings. The mare, a half-sister to MSW & GSP Selva (Forest Wildcat), is due to Arabian Knight for 2026.

Saturday, Belmont The Big A
PETER PAN S.-GIII, $194,000, Belmont The Big A, 5-9, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:50.25, gd.
1–GROWTH EQUITY, 123, c, 3, by Nyquist
            1st Dam: My Dear Venezuela (GSP, $141,897), by Wildcat Heir
            2nd Dam: Bayou Mist, by Silver Deputy
            3rd Dam: Pecan Bayou, by Gone West
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($425,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $187,600. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Talk to Me Jimmy, 123, c, 3, Modernist–Prairie Trip, by Trippi. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($24,000 RNA Wlg '23 FTNMIX; $31,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-SEI Thoroughbreds, Rudy Rodriguez and Michael Imperio; B-Majestic View Farms Intl. (NY); T-Rudy R. Rodriguez. $40,000.
3–Trendsetter, 123, g, 3, Modernist–Suyapa, by Astrology. ($22,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $25,000 Ylg '24 EASOCT; $130,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR; $725,000 RNA 3yo '26 KEEAPR). O-Davant Latham; B-Circle B Family Farm (KY); T-Ben Colebrook. $24,000.
Margins: 2, 3 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.02, 2.15, 2.57.
Also Ran: Gulfy, Azam. Scratched: Bull by the Horns. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Growth Equity Sterling in Peter Pan Victory, Belmont Start Not Guaranteed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Liberty Rings (f, 2, Awesome Slew–America First, by Uncaptured), a rallying third in her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs at Gulfstream Apr. 19, made her first start on grass a winning one with a 7-1 upset in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies S.

The 7-1 chance was hustled to the front, sped through an opening quarter in :21.78 and kept finding down the lane despite drifting some to punch her ticket to Royal Ascot. It was 1 1/4 lengths back to first-time starter Pros And Cons (Justify) in second.

“She looks like a turf horse, big and scopey and a large foot. We figured it was worth a shot. We really don't get a chance to run in races like this very often,” said winning trainer Nicholas Palmer, the owners' son.

“It's a career defining moment. We've been trying really hard to win a stakes, so this is a big deal for us.”

The winners of both the Royal Palm Juvenile and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies each earn an automatic entry into one of six juvenile stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 equine travel stipend.

“I want to go. Hopefully, I talk them into going,” said Palmer, who is hopeful his parents will send their filly to Royal Ascot.

Liberty Rings, with Miguel Vásquez, crosses the wire first in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies for trainer Nicholas Palmer. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/bwCRYu84Mu

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) May 9, 2026

ROYAL PALM JUVENILE FILLIES S., $122,750, Gulfstream, 5-9, 2yo, f, 5fT, :56.58, fm.
1–LIBERTY RINGS, 120, f, 2, by Awesome Slew
                1st Dam: America First, by Uncaptured
                2nd Dam: Parisian Trip, by Coastal Voyage
                3rd Dam: Shahvana, by Zafarrancho (Arg)
($27,000 Ylg '25 OBSOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Palmer,
Teresa & Palmer, David J.; B-Janet Erwin (FL); T-Nicholas
Palmer; J-Miguel Angel Vasquez. $62,500. Lifetime Record:
2-1-0-1, $70,200.
2–Pros and Cons, 120, f, 2, Justify–Celestial, by Quality Road.
($375,000 Ylg '25 FTSAUG). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-D. J. Stable,
LLC; B-Vegso Racing Stables, Inc (FL); T-Mark E. Casse. $29,500.
3–Sass Sass, 120, f, 2, War of Will–Twelfth Moon, by Malibu
Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Gary Barber; B-Gary Barber & Tina
Casse (FL); T-Mark E. Casse. $14,750.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 7.80, 12.20, 26.50.
Also Ran: Pot's Right, Joker's Chic, Mo Town Foxy Brown. Scratched: Boots, Dee Snook (Ire), Easy Life.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Liberty Rings Upsets Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After finishing a respectable ninth last weekend in the GI Kentucky Derby, So Happy (Runhappy) has returned to his homebase in California as his connections decide what races are in his future after definitively ruling out the GI Preakness Stakes.

The GI Santa Anita Derby hero was out on track Friday morning for a light jog. Trainer Mark Glatt reported that the Preakness had been ruled out for his first Kentucky Derby starter, but did not go as far as to rule out a start in the GI Belmont Stakes June 6 at Saratoga.

“We're going to evaluate things here a little bit, then we'll make plans about what to do moving forward,” Glatt said.

Owners Ana and Hans Maron of Saints or Sinners Racing also announced the decision to skip the Preakness on their X account, saying “After much discussion between ourselves and trainer Mark Glatt, So Happy will not be participating in the Preakness Stakes…The grueling mile-and-a-quarter distance we ask of these horses on Kentucky Derby day is truly a lot, and as owners, our philosophy has always remained the same: horse first.”

“So Happy came back healthy after his long flight home [to Santa Anita Park], and our focus now is keeping him healthy, happy, and strong for the future. We do not believe in pushing our horses simply for the sake of making a race.”

Their full statement can be read here.

The post No Preakness, But Belmont Possible, for So Happy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Celtic Dispute (f, 2, Leinster–Bert's Altarcation, by Bertrando), a debut second as the 4-5 chalk going 4 1/2 furlongs for trainer Patrick Biancone over the Gulfstream dirt Apr. 16, switched to grass and defeated the boys in Saturday's Royal Palm Juvenile S. at Gulfstream Park.

The 5-2 chance flashed sharp speed from her inside draw, but was cleared by fellow filly and favored Skara Brae (Golden Pal), a sharp debut winner for Wesley Ward at Keeneland this spring, and backed off to second.

Celtic Dispute set her sights on the leader at the five-sixteenths, drew alongside in the stretch, and, after exchanging bumps down the lane, just got up to win by a neck.

The winners of both the Royal Palm Juvenile and the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (held later on the program) each earn an automatic entry into one of six juvenile stakes during the Royal Ascot meeting (June 16-20) at Ascot Racecourse and a $25,000 equine travel stipend.

The Biancone-trained Lennilu (Leinster), winner of last year's Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies S., finished third in the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot.

“You don't have to be a genius to know that Wesley (Ward) is going to the front. I said to (jockey) Luis (Saez), 'Don't worry. If he wants to go, let him go, and we'll catch him later,” Biancone said.

The winner's dam produced a full-brother to the winner in 2025.

ROYAL PALM JUVENILE S., $112,500, Gulfstream, 5-9, 2yo, 5fT, :56.17, fm.
1–CELTIC DISPUTE, 117, f, 2, by Leinster
                1st Dam: Bert's Altarcation, by Bertrando
                2nd Dam: Altar Cat, by Pulpit
                3rd Dam: Chile Chatte, by Storm Cat
($90,000 Ylg '25 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Dew
Sweepers LLC; B-K.Sheehan, M.F.Nicholson, M.Gauchat & McN
Thoroughbreds, Dr.J.Speis (FL); T-Patrick L. Biancone; J-Luis
Saez. $61,500. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $79,300. *1/2 to
Vulcan (Munnings), MSP, $307,673.
2–Skara Brae, 120, f, 2, Golden Pal–Mince, by War Front.
($120,000 Wlg '24 KEENOV). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ten Broeck
Farm, Inc.; B-Titletown Racing Stables (Paul Farr) & BRS (KY);
T-Wesley A. Ward. $21,560.
3–Braums Run, 120, c, 2, Golden Pal–Ice Cream, by Bernardini.
($15,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-D. J. Stable,
LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $11,760.
Margins: NK, 4HF, HF. Odds: 2.80, 0.90, 6.50.
Also Ran: Omaha Forty, Automatic Press, Cillian, Jost a Chance Yadi, Iolana. Scratched: Blackjack.

Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Celtic Dispute and @luissaezpty (outside) in front in the Royal Palm Juvenile Stakes for trainer Patrick Biancone. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/O8ftwsQp9N

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) May 9, 2026

The post Celtic Dispute Beats the Boys in Royal Palm Juvenile, Royal Ascot Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Two days after the stewards at Belterra Park imposed a $1,000 fine on the track's clerk of scales for failing to check the weight of an apprentice jockey prior to a May 2 race, an additional penalty carrying the same fine has been levied upon the rider, Summer Pauly.

For TDN's original reporting on the May 7 ruling against clerk of scales Jose Sanchez, Jr., click here.

That story explained how Pauly was facing unusual time constraints to make it to Belterra to ride a race scheduled for 2:05 p.m. after she had competed in a race 112 miles away at Churchill Downs that went off at 11:33 a.m. on the undercard of the GI Kentucky Derby.

The May 9 ruling against Pauly was nearly verbatim to the one issued to Sanchez, and it offered the same opportunity for the fine to be cut in half if Pauly doesn't appeal the penalty.

“On May 2, 2026, during the post parade of race #2, the Board of Stewards radioed Outriders to bring #1 Bobby's Gift back to the paddock to re-check Apprentice Jockey Summer Pauly's weight, due to Steward's concerns it was incorrect,” the ruling stated.

“The scale showed Ms. Pauly was six pounds under the required weight listed in the program, due to Clerk of Scales Jose Sanchez, Jr., and Summer Pauly failing to check at time of weighing out. The weight was corrected and #1 Bobby's Gift returned to the racetrack,” the ruling stated.

Bobby's Gift, a 7-year-old son of Into Mischief, was the 3-2 favorite in the one mile and 70 yards route for $5,000 claimers. He led until deep stretch and was caught by two closers, finishing third.

According to the ruling, Pauly met with the Belterra stewards May 8 after waiving her right to a formal hearing.

“After consideration of all evidence the Belterra Park Board of Stewards hereby fine Apprentice Jockey Summer Pauly $1,000 for failure to weigh out in a timely manner,” the ruling stated. “Any further violations of this nature will lead to increased penalties and potential action regarding the conditions of the license.”

The post Update: Belterra Stewards Also Fine Jockey Involved in Pre-Race Weigh-Out Omission appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Undefeated Taj Mahal (Nyquist) has been all the rage in the lead up to the GI Preakness Stakes, and his move Saturday morning will have done nothing to cool those feelings as the Brittany Russell trainee posted his fourth consecutive bullet move.

Sent out to work five furlongs with exercise rider Alex Beitia aboard, he went in company with stakes winner Regalo (Maximus Mischief) early in the morning at 6:15am. Taj Mahal cruised through splits of :12 1/5, :24 1/5, :36 2/5, and :48 flat while leading his workmate throughout. Pulling away with little urging in the lane, he hit the wire in 1:00.20 (1/9) before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 according to Laurel clockers.

“I feel great. We got it out of the way,” Russell said. “He went well and it looks like he's cooled out well. He's really happy, so that's kind of all you can ask.”

“[He was] steady, in hand, happy [and] galloped out good. We're keeping it really simple. Alex knows this horse. He's breezed him pretty much every time,” Russell continued. “[Jockey] Sheldon [Russell] breezed him before he broke his maiden to get to know him and everything, but Alex sits on him every day, so it makes sense. He knows him best.”

Taj Mahal's usual rider was aboard Regalo for the workout, and will have the mount once again in the Preakness. Sheldon Russell was equally impressed with the work given who the workmate was, saying, “It looked good from where I was sitting. [Regalo is] coming off a bit of a layoff, but [he] is a good work horse.”

For as well as things went for Taj Mahal, they went not-so-well for The Hell We Did (Authentic) when his final planned breeze was interrupted by an uncontrolled horse. Trainer Todd Fincher is reportedly debating giving his charge another chance Sunday morning after his Saturday plans were scuffled.

With exercise rider Christian Olmo in the irons, The Hell We Did had begun his work after the first renovation break when he was pulled up on the backstretch due to a riderless horse. They turned back and were able to go again, completing the five-furlong move in 1:01.40 (2/9).

“I don't think the horse was loose, I just think the rider was off and holding on,” said Fincher, who arrived in Maryland Friday evening. “Sometimes it's not meant to be. Things happen for a reason. It's not anything he did wrong. It's just circumstance.”

The half-brother to G1 Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) seemed unbothered afterwards, and returned to Barn 17 no worse for wear.

Trainer Danny Gargan was not shy when asked about Talkin (Good Magic) Saturday morning, saying he's never had a horse physically going into a Triple Crown race as well as his latest star by sire Good Magic. The colt went out Saturday morning at Keeneland and posted a bullet half-mile breeze in a sparkling :47.80 (1/77) with exercise rider Priscilla Schaefer in the irons.

“He's doing the best he's ever done,” Gargan said by phone from Lexington. “He worked really well, went in 47-and-4, galloped out nice. He's acting good, eating good, looks good. We have him as good as we can get him right now. We just have to get lucky and hope he's good enough to win the race.”

The current plan is for Talkin to walk Sunday, have light training Monday, and ship out for Laurel Park on Tuesday. Gargan has yet to name a rider, but is reportedly waiting to see his options. The trainer will join his charges in Maryland on Tuesday as well.

“I'm not saying he's as good as Dornoch, by no means,” he said. “But Dornoch always had issues, with the foot, with this, with that. Talkin has no hiccups…I do love how my horse is doing.”

Great White | Coady Media

Seemingly no worse for wear after he flipped behind the starting gate at the GI Kentucky Derby, and was a late scratch, Great White (Volatile) turned in a 'nice and easy' final tuneup at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington Saturday morning.

With trainer John Ennis aboard for the half-mile work, the big grey clocked a comfortable :52.20 ahead of a possible start in the GI Preakness Stakes. Ennis said he didn't bother asking the clockers about a time, but from what he saw and felt, his mount got exactly what he needed from the breeze.

“It was just nice and easy, nice and slow. I rode him myself,” said Ennis, who co-owns the gelding with Three Chimneys. “Everything felt perfect. I was pleased. If he feels fresh and energy-wise he's full of himself, he'll go [to the Preakness]. We'll just see how his energy level is the next two days, and we'll probably wait to make the decision Monday morning before entries close.”

The conditioner reported that the current plan was to jog Sunday, and if everything worked out, train Tuesday before shipping out to Maryland the same day. From there, Great White would have a walk day Wednesday at Laurel Park.

GI Champagne Stakes winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) posted a final prep for the Preakness Saturday morning at Belmont Park, and will ship to Laurel Sunday morning to prepare for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

Despite working a half-mile in :48.06 (4/51), trainer Chad Summers reports the time was nothing special for the grey, saying “Forty-eight is very slow for him. He worked [six furlongs in] 1:10 last week, so :48 is just a drop in the bucket for him.”

“He's been sitting on 'go' for a little while, so we just wanted to kind of slow him down a little bit this morning. [Exercise rider] Emily Ellingwood gets on him every day, does a great job with him, and she was aboard for the work this morning.”

“We took him out right before the track closed. When it was quiet, nobody else was on the track, about 10:15 this morning. He went :48, galloped out in a minute and change, 1:13, 1:26, galloped out a mile in 1:41. I think we've done all the work we can to get him fit, to get him happy, feeling good, and we'll find out if we're right next Saturday.”

Paco Lopez will have the ride in the Preakness.

Crupper (Candy Ride {Arg}), an automatic entry into the Preakness thanks to his victory in the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Apr. 18, is looking to leave for Maryland Tuesday after training while Ocelli (Connect) will likely ship from Churchill on Sunday after training in the morning. Corona de Oro (Bolt d'Oro) will ship for Laurel Tuesday, according to Dallas Stewart, barring any unexpected entries into the Preakness on Monday that knock him out of the race. Chip Honcho (Gun Runner) will also leave Monday per Steve Asmussen.

The post Preakness Works: Taj Mahal Sparkles, The Hell We Did Hits Snag appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Undefeated Taj Mahal (Nyquist) has been all the rage in the lead up to the GI Preakness Stakes, and his move Saturday morning will have done nothing to cool those feelings as the Brittany Russell trainee posted his fourth consecutive bullet move.

Sent out to work five furlongs with exercise rider Alex Beitia aboard, he went in company with stakes winner Regalo (Maximus Mischief) early in the morning at 6:15am. Taj Mahal cruised through splits of :12 1/5, :24 1/5, :36 2/5, and :48 flat while leading his workmate throughout. Pulling away with little urging in the lane, he hit the wire in 1:00.20 (1/9) before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 according to Laurel clockers.

“I feel great. We got it out of the way,” Russell said. “He went well and it looks like he's cooled out well. He's really happy, so that's kind of all you can ask.”

“[He was] steady, in hand, happy [and] galloped out good. We're keeping it really simple. Alex knows this horse. He's breezed him pretty much every time,” Russell continued. “[Jockey] Sheldon [Russell] breezed him before he broke his maiden to get to know him and everything, but Alex sits on him every day, so it makes sense. He knows him best.”

Taj Mahal's usual rider was aboard Regalo for the workout, and will have the mount once again in the Preakness. Sheldon Russell was equally impressed with the work given who the workmate was, saying, “It looked good from where I was sitting. [Regalo is] coming off a bit of a layoff, but [he] is a good work horse.”

For as well as things went for Taj Mahal, they went not-so-well for The Hell We Did (Authentic) when his final planned breeze was interrupted by an uncontrolled horse. Trainer Todd Fincher is reportedly debating giving his charge another chance Sunday morning after his Saturday plans were scuffled.

With exercise rider Christian Olmo in the irons, The Hell We Did had begun his work after the first renovation break when he was pulled up on the backstretch due to a riderless horse. They turned back and were able to go again, completing the five-furlong move in 1:01.40 (2/9).

“I don't think the horse was loose, I just think the rider was off and holding on,” said Fincher, who arrived in Maryland Friday evening. “Sometimes it's not meant to be. Things happen for a reason. It's not anything he did wrong. It's just circumstance.”

The half-brother to G1 Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) seemed unbothered afterwards, and returned to Barn 17 no worse for wear.

Trainer Danny Gargan was not shy when asked about Talkin (Good Magic) Saturday morning, saying he's never had a horse physically going into a Triple Crown race as well as his latest star by sire Good Magic. The colt went out Saturday morning at Keeneland and posted a bullet half-mile breeze in a sparkling :47.80 (1/77) with exercise rider Priscilla Schaefer in the irons.

“He's doing the best he's ever done,” Gargan said by phone from Lexington. “He worked really well, went in 47-and-4, galloped out nice. He's acting good, eating good, looks good. We have him as good as we can get him right now. We just have to get lucky and hope he's good enough to win the race.”

The current plan is for Talkin to walk Sunday, have light training Monday, and ship out for Laurel Park on Tuesday. Gargan has yet to name a rider, but is reportedly waiting to see his options. The trainer will join his charges in Maryland on Tuesday as well.

“I'm not saying he's as good as Dornoch, by no means,” he said. “But Dornoch always had issues, with the foot, with this, with that. Talkin has no hiccups…I do love how my horse is doing.”

Great White | Coady Media

Seemingly no worse for wear after he flipped behind the starting gate at the GI Kentucky Derby, and was a late scratch, Great White (Volatile) turned in a 'nice and easy' final tuneup at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington Saturday morning.

With trainer John Ennis aboard for the half-mile work, the big grey clocked a comfortable :52.20 ahead of a possible start in the GI Preakness Stakes. Ennis said he didn't bother asking the clockers about a time, but from what he saw and felt, his mount got exactly what he needed from the breeze.

“It was just nice and easy, nice and slow. I rode him myself,” said Ennis, who co-owns the gelding with Three Chimneys. “Everything felt perfect. I was pleased. If he feels fresh and energy-wise he's full of himself, he'll go [to the Preakness]. We'll just see how his energy level is the next two days, and we'll probably wait to make the decision Monday morning before entries close.”

The conditioner reported that the current plan was to jog Sunday, and if everything worked out, train Tuesday before shipping out to Maryland the same day. From there, Great White would have a walk day Wednesday at Laurel Park.

GI Champagne Stakes winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) posted a final prep for the Preakness Saturday morning at Belmont Park, and will ship to Laurel Sunday morning to prepare for the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.

Despite working a half-mile in :48.06 (4/51), trainer Chad Summers reports the time was nothing special for the grey, saying “Forty-eight is very slow for him. He worked [six furlongs in] 1:10 last week, so :48 is just a drop in the bucket for him.”

“He's been sitting on 'go' for a little while, so we just wanted to kind of slow him down a little bit this morning. [Exercise rider] Emily Ellingwood gets on him every day, does a great job with him, and she was aboard for the work this morning.”

“We took him out right before the track closed. When it was quiet, nobody else was on the track, about 10:15 this morning. He went :48, galloped out in a minute and change, 1:13, 1:26, galloped out a mile in 1:41. I think we've done all the work we can to get him fit, to get him happy, feeling good, and we'll find out if we're right next Saturday.”

Paco Lopez will have the ride in the Preakness.

Crupper (Candy Ride {Arg}), an automatic entry into the Preakness thanks to his victory in the Bathhouse Row Stakes at Oaklawn Apr. 18, is looking to leave for Maryland Tuesday after training while Ocelli (Connect) will likely ship from Churchill on Sunday after training in the morning. Corona de Oro (Bolt d'Oro) will ship for Laurel Tuesday, according to Dallas Stewart, barring any unexpected entries into the Preakness on Monday that knock him out of the race. Chip Honcho (Gun Runner) will also leave Monday per Steve Asmussen.

The post Preakness Works: Taj Mahal Sparkles, The Hell We Did Hits Snag appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Back in the States and resurfacing on the worktab for the first time since his G1 Dubai World Cup heroics, Winchell Thoroughbreds's Magnitude (Not This Time) breezed at Churchill Downs Saturday morning.

Out to work an easy half-mile, the Steve Asmussen trainee was clocked in :51.20, the 86th fastest move of 96 at the distance. It was his first published workout in North America since returning from Meydan. Also working four furlongs, among others from the barn, was MSW Braken Poppa (Aurelius Maximus), who is undefeated in 2026 from four starts at Fair Grounds. MSW & MGSP Benedetta (City of Light) went out for a three-furlong work in :37.60 (13/18).

Another noteworthy barn to send horses out for half-mile breezes was Brad Cox. His morning workers included GISW Eclatant (Into Mischief) (:48.60, [37/96]) and Juddmonte's stakes-placed 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Touch of Fire (Constitution) (:48.20, [28/96]).

Trainer Bob Baffert had breezers Saturday morning, led by Breeders' Cup champion Nysos (Nyquist), who cruised five furlongs in 1:00.20 (2/25), as well as Kristofferson (Nyquist) clocking a half-mile in :47.60 (10/96).

Among others returning to the worktab was recent GIII Bewitch victress Speed Shopper (Quality Road) for trainer Will Walden, who also went four furlongs timed in :49 flat (56/96).

The post Dubai World Cup Hero Magnitude Headlines Churchill’s Saturday Worktab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Back in the States and resurfacing on the worktab for the first time since his G1 Dubai World Cup heroics, Winchell Thoroughbreds's Magnitude (Not This Time) breezed at Churchill Downs Saturday morning.

Out to work an easy half-mile, the Steve Asmussen trainee was clocked in :51.20, the 86th fastest move of 96 at the distance. It was his first published workout in North America since returning from Meydan. Also working four furlongs, among others from the barn, was MSW Braken Poppa (Aurelius Maximus), who is undefeated in 2026 from four starts at Fair Grounds. MSW & MGSP Benedetta (City of Light) went out for a three-furlong work in :37.60 (13/18).

Another noteworthy barn to send horses out for half-mile breezes was Brad Cox. His morning workers included GISW Eclatant (Into Mischief) (:48.60, [37/96]) and Juddmonte's stakes-placed 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Touch of Fire (Constitution) (:48.20, [28/96]).

Trainer Bob Baffert had breezers Saturday morning, led by Breeders' Cup champion Nysos (Nyquist), who cruised five furlongs in 1:00.20 (2/25), as well as Kristofferson (Nyquist) clocking a half-mile in :47.60 (10/96).

Among others returning to the worktab was recent GIII Bewitch victress Speed Shopper (Quality Road) for trainer Will Walden, who also went four furlongs timed in :49 flat (56/96).

The post Dubai World Cup Hero Magnitude Headlines Churchill’s Saturday Worktab appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

William Joseph (“Doc”) Solomon, beloved veterinarian, farm owner and mentor to many, has passed at the age of 84.

As founder and owner of Pin Oak Lane Farm, a full-service farm and equine veterinary clinic in York County, Pennsylvania, “Doc” Solomon was responsible for helping to raise a Kentucky Derby winner, Lil. E. Tee, the supposed supporting act who took a curtain call in the 1992 running of the race after favorite Arazi flubbed his lines.

Alongside the many talented horses that “Doc” Solomon helped nurture, he inspired many young veterinarians and other young horsemen and women whose careers intersected with Pin Oak Lane Farm, according to an online obituary.

“I am who I am today in part because of Dr. Solomon,” wrote Dr. Modesty Burleson, in an online profile for the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, where “Doc” Solomon had also pursued his veterinary training many years prior.

“I loved helping him with the breeding work and became fascinated with everything related to breeding horses,” Burleson added. “He helped me choose Penn Vet–all the veterinarians I knew went to the School–where I then found a new community of mentors.”

“Doc” was born on January 20, 1942, the youngest of four siblings, and grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, baseball and basketball his twin passions.

It was when the family moved in 1956 to Gettysburg, to a farm with a stone home that formerly served as a Civil War hospital, that “Doc” Solomon developed his deep love of the horse, helping to care for the Arabians raised at the farm.

Alongside his responsibilities at Pin Oak Lane Farm, “Doc” Solomon served on multiple state, national and international veterinary and agricultural commissions.

“Among other things, he helped draft the first zoning ordinance to protect farmland in his area and travelled to Russia as part of an agricultural delegation,” the obituary reads.

“It was impossible to go to a restaurant without someone approaching him to introduce themselves as someone who had worked for him on the farm as a teenager–Doc was always ready to give a leg up to a young person who wanted to work and had an interest in horses or farm life.

“Doc knew how to do just about everything, and he generously shared his knowledge through his leadership and through his signature 'tips,'” the obituary reads.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11am (viewing 10am) at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (in the old church at the bottom of the hill) 315 N. Constitution Ave, New Freedom, PA 17349.

The post Beloved William Joseph “Doc” Solomon Passes Aged 84 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

William Joseph (“Doc”) Solomon, beloved veterinarian, farm owner and mentor to many, has passed at the age of 84.

As founder and owner of Pin Oak Lane Farm, a full-service farm and equine veterinary clinic in York County, Pennsylvania, “Doc” Solomon was responsible for helping to raise a Kentucky Derby winner, Lil. E. Tee, the supposed supporting act who took a curtain call in the 1992 running of the race after favorite Arazi flubbed his lines.

Alongside the many talented horses that “Doc” Solomon helped nurture, he inspired many young veterinarians and other young horsemen and women whose careers intersected with Pin Oak Lane Farm, according to an online obituary.

“I am who I am today in part because of Dr. Solomon,” wrote Dr. Modesty Burleson, in an online profile for the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, where “Doc” Solomon had also pursued his veterinary training many years prior.

“I loved helping him with the breeding work and became fascinated with everything related to breeding horses,” Burleson added. “He helped me choose Penn Vet–all the veterinarians I knew went to the School–where I then found a new community of mentors.”

“Doc” was born on January 20, 1942, the youngest of four siblings, and grew up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, baseball and basketball his twin passions.

It was when the family moved in 1956 to Gettysburg, to a farm with a stone home that formerly served as a Civil War hospital, that “Doc” Solomon developed his deep love of the horse, helping to care for the Arabians raised at the farm.

Alongside his responsibilities at Pin Oak Lane Farm, “Doc” Solomon served on multiple state, national and international veterinary and agricultural commissions.

“Among other things, he helped draft the first zoning ordinance to protect farmland in his area and travelled to Russia as part of an agricultural delegation,” the obituary reads.

“It was impossible to go to a restaurant without someone approaching him to introduce themselves as someone who had worked for him on the farm as a teenager–Doc was always ready to give a leg up to a young person who wanted to work and had an interest in horses or farm life.

“Doc knew how to do just about everything, and he generously shared his knowledge through his leadership and through his signature 'tips,'” the obituary reads.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11am (viewing 10am) at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church (in the old church at the bottom of the hill) 315 N. Constitution Ave, New Freedom, PA 17349.

The post Beloved William Joseph “Doc” Solomon Passes Aged 84 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A group of GI Belmont Stakes contenders are beginning to assemble at Saratoga Race Course. Leading the contingent is GI Arkansas Derby-winner and recent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade (Into Mischief), who arrived upstate for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher on Wednesday.

The colt returned to training on Thursday, and again on Friday morning for some light exercise in his first on-track appearances since finishing a neck second to Golden Tempo (Curlin) in the “Run for the Roses” at Churchill Downs last Saturday.

Renegade is in Saratoga to prepare for an intended start in the Belmont Stakes on June 6.

“He got back to the track yesterday and seems to be in good form,” Pletcher said. “He seemed to bounce out of it [the Derby] well and shipped nicely. He's probably enjoying the cooler weather. He'll have a couple breezes between now and the Belmont, and I haven't really firmed up anything. We'll monitor him this week and see how he does.”

Pletcher said he was proud of Renegade's Derby effort after the trouble he endured at the outset.

“He was super game, and it was just unfortunate he got bounced around a bit,” Pletcher said. “He still finished great.”

Renegade would likely face a rematch with the Cherie DeVaux-trained Golden Tempo in the Belmont, and potentially Kentucky Derby fourth-place finisher Chief Wallabee (Constitution), who is also in Saratoga for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

“We always love the Belmont, and we're excited for him, and just hoping everything goes smoothly,” said Pletcher, who has won the Belmont four times.

Kentucky Derby runner-up RENEGADE has arrived at Saratoga ahead of the Belmont Stakes! pic.twitter.com/bo1IqAoksV

— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) May 6, 2026

The post Renegade Settles In At The Spa To Train Up For The Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.