Thoroughbred Daily News

With the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival underway at Saratoga, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is offering early access for tickets to the 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The 2027 event will be returned to Belmont Park, which has been undergoing a three-year transformation. The new Belmont Park will open for live racing Sept. 18.

NYRA will provide fans the opportunity to enter a presale drawing for a variety of ticket packages. Deposits for premium hospitality packages and preferred seating at the 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival can be made effective immediately.

Belmont Experiences will once again offer ticket packages; for additional information or to make a deposit, visit BelmontExperiences.com. For additional information, visit belmontstakes.com/2027 or contact a NYRA representative at (844) NYRA-TIX.

The post NYRA Offers Early Access to 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Tickets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With the 2026 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival underway at Saratoga, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) is offering early access for tickets to the 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The 2027 event will be returned to Belmont Park, which has been undergoing a three-year transformation. The new Belmont Park will open for live racing Sept. 18.

NYRA will provide fans the opportunity to enter a presale drawing for a variety of ticket packages. Deposits for premium hospitality packages and preferred seating at the 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival can be made effective immediately.

Belmont Experiences will once again offer ticket packages; for additional information or to make a deposit, visit BelmontExperiences.com. For additional information, visit belmontstakes.com/2027 or contact a NYRA representative at (844) NYRA-TIX.

The post NYRA Offers Early Access to 2027 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Tickets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Led by GI Preakness S. winner Journalism (Curlin) and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist), a talented field of seven will line up for Saturday's 'Win and You're In' GI Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on the GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga. TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack takes a closer look at the pedigrees for the entire field entered in the stallion-making race.

#1 NYSOS (h, 5, Nyquist–Zetta Z, by Bernardini)
Lifetime Record: GISW-US & G1SP-Sau, 9-7-2-0, $4,738,500
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'
O-Baoma Corp; B-Atkins Susie (KY); T-Bob Baffert
Sales History: $130,000 wnlg '21 KEENOV; $150,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT; $550,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR

One of 11 top-level winners for Nyquist, 9-5 morning-line favorite Nysos brought $550,000 from advisor Donato Lanni on behalf of Susan and Charlie Chu's Baoma Corp as an OBS April breezer (:9 4/5).

Previously a $130,000 Keeneland November weanling and $150,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling, Nysos was produced by the unraced Bernardini mare Zetta Z, who brought $2 million from Coolmore Stud in foal to Cyberknife at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February Sale.

Nysos's year-older, stakes-placed half-sister Attabe (Distorted Humor) realized $1.35 million from Parks Investment Group in foal to Flightline at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

The Nyquist x Bernardini cross is also responsible for GISWs Immersive and Gretzky the Great as well as Met Mile third-choice and MGSW Knightsbridge.

The late Bernardini, one of the most prolific broodmare sires of recent years, is responsible for the last two GI Kentucky Derby winners, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and Golden Tempo (Curlin).

Nysos's third dam is GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song). This is the extended female family of GISW Glitter Woman (Glitterman) and her GISW son Political Force (Unbridled's Song), runner-up in the 2007 Met Mile.

Nysos followed a game victory in last year's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar with a narrow win in the GII Laffit Pincay, Jr. S. at Santa Anita Dec. 28. He cuts back for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert off a fantastic second in the G1 Saudi Cup last out Feb. 14.

Only Cody's Wish (Curlin) and Corinthian (Pulpit) have recorded the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile-Met Mile double.

Upon his retirement from racing, Nysos will stand at Ashford Stud in 2027.

#2 VIBE (c, 4, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker)
Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, $147,692
O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End & Patrick K. McGee; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-Todd Pletcher
Sales History: $3,000,000 yrl '23 KEESEP

The Repole Stable-bred Vibe, a half-brother to the dam of champion and 2025 Met Mile runner-up Fierceness (City of Light) and GISW Outwork (Uncle Mo), brought $3 million from a partnership as a Keeneland September yearling with Mike Repole staying in for half.

The son of seven-time reigning champion general sire Into Mischief is out of the Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia, a 12-length maiden winner and GI Frizette S. third-place finisher.

While Into Mischief is yet to sire a Met Mile winner, his son Maximus Mischief was responsible for last year's upset winner Raging Torrent.

The Into Mischief x Empire Maker cross has also produced the elevated 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Mandaloun and the 2024 G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River.

Vibe makes his stakes debut riding a three-race winning streak, most recently annexing an optional claimer on the Kentucky Derby undercard.

#3 ANTIQUARIAN (h, 5, Preservationist–Lifetime Memory, by Istan)
Lifetime Record: GISW, 11-5-3-0, $1,110,350
O-Centennial Farms; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Todd Pletcher
Sales History: $250,000 yrl '22 KEESEP
Antiquarian, winner of last summer's GI Jockey Club Gold Cup S. at the Spa, brought $250,000 from Centennial Farms as a Keeneland September yearling.

The late Preservationist, a son of Arch, carried Centennial's famed tan-and-red silks to a win in the 2019 GI Woodward S. at Saratoga. He is responsible for four graded winners. After beginning his career at stud at Airdrie Stud, Preservationist died in Korea last July.

Winning Brereton C. Jones homebred Lifetime Memory (Istan) has also produced Fondly (Upstart), winner of last term's GIII Delaware Oaks. Lifetime Memory is a daughter of graded winner Silver Reunion (Harlan's Holiday) and a half-sister to graded winner Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front).

Antiquarian, one of two entered for Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, kicked off his 5-year-old campaign with a powerful win in the GIII Westchester S. downstate May 3.

Centennial also campaigned the aforementioned Corinthian to a win in the 2007 Met Mile.

#4 SAUDI CROWN (h, 6, Always Dreaming–New Narration, by Tapit)
Lifetime Record: GISW-US & G1SP-Sau, 18-9-3-1, $3,686,508
O-FMQ Stables; B-CHC Inc. (KY); T-Brad Cox
Sales History: $45,000 yrl '21 KEEJAN; $240,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR

Saudi Crown | Sarah Andrew

Saudi Crown, a $45,000 Keeneland January short yearling turned $240,000 OBS April breezer (:10), is one of just two graded winners for the late 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming.

The 6-year-old Saudi Crown was produced by the unraced R. S. Evans-bred Tapit mare New Narration, who brought $850,000 from Summer Wind Equine in foal to Nashville at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November sale. New Narration, previously a $500,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase by China Horse Club, is a daughter of New Normal (Forestry), winner of the 2010 GIII Natalma S. at Woodbine.

The all-conquering Tapit is also the broodmare sire of Cody's Wish (Curlin), who won this race in 2023.

Saudi Crown hails from the family of GISW Noble's Promise (Cuvee).

Saudi Crown, winner of the 2023 GI Pennsylvania Derby, is perfect in two starts this term, led by a win in the GIII Commonwealth S. at Keeneland Apr. 4.

#5 RATED BY MERIT (c, 4, Battalion Runner–Banner Waving, by Speightstown)
Lifetime Record: MSW, 6-5-0-0, $486,750
O/B-St. Elias Stable (FL); T-Chad Brown

St. Elias Stable homebred Rated by Merit is one of two stakes winners by the Unbridled's Song stallion and $700,000 Keeneland September yearling Battalion Runner, who carried the Viola family's colors to a pair of in-the-money finishes in the 2017 GII Wood Memorial S. and GIII Dwyer S. The former Ocala Stud stallion was exported from Florida to stand in Uruguay in 2024.

The W.S. Farish-bred and -raced Banner Waving (Speightstown) won one of 11 career starts. She brought $19,000 from St. Elias while in foal to Catalina Cruiser at the 2020 Keeneland November sale.

Rated by Merit's third dam is GI Alabama S. heroine Runup the Colors (A.P. Indy), dam of MGSW and Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Revolutionary (War Pass). This is the extended female family of Horse of the Year Mineshaft.

Four-time stakes winner Rated by Merit suffered his first career defeat finishing fourth in the GII Carter S. at the Big A Apr. 4.

#6 KNIGHTSBRIDGE (h, 5, Nyquist–Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini)
Lifetime Record: MGSW, 9-6-1-1, $513,155
'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'
O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott

Knightsbridge | Sarah Andrew

Knightsbridge, one of 25 graded winners for the aforementioned Nyquist, is a half-brother to young Darley stallion and GISW Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), a distant third behind the sensational Flightline in the 2022 Met Mile.

Knightsbridge's second dam is GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Round Pond (Awesome Again), who brought $5.75 million from Sheikh Mohammed's global operation at the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

Knightsbridge's unraced dam Tyburn Brook (Bernardini) is a half-sister to GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Highland Falls (Curlin) and G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 winner Long River (A.P. Indy). This is also the family of G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat).

The Bill Mott-trained Knightsbridge, a dominating winner of this winter's GIII Mr. Prospector S., GIII Fred W. Hooper S. and GIII Gulfstream Park Mile S., looks to get back on track following a disappointing sixth as the favorite in the GI Churchill Downs S. May 2. The Godolphin homebred earned a field-best 112 Beyer Speed Figure in the Gulfstream Park Mile.

Mott and Godolphin won the 2023 Met Mile with Cody's Wish (Curlin).

#7 JOURNALISM (c, 4, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo)
Lifetime Record: MGISW, 12-6-3-2, $4,470,755
O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael McCarthy
Sales History: $825,000 yrl '23 FTSAUG

The mighty Curlin will be shooting for a third Met Mile winner (Cody's Wish {2023} & Palace Malice {2014}) with Classic winner Journalism.

The future Coolmore stallion and $825,000 Fasig Tipton Saratoga yearling graduate is one of 26 Grade I winners for the two-time Horse of the Year.

Journalism's dam Mopotism (Uncle Mo) won the 2018 GII La Canada S. at Santa Anita and placed in another 10 graded events, including four Grade Ones. Journalism's breeder and co-owner Don Alberto Corp. purchased her for $1.05 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky 'Night of the Stars' sale.

Uncle Mo is also the broodmare sire of Horse of the Year and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna).

Mopotism's unraced 3-year-old colt Nitro Tap (Tapit) brought $1.5 million from Flying Dutchmen as a yearling at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale and her 2-year-old filly Magic Queen (Into Mischief) RNA'd for $3.9 million at the same sale a year later.

In addition to a dramatic win in last year's Preakness, Journalism also has top-level wins in the GI Santa Anita Derby and GI NYRA Bets Haskell S. Last year's GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Pacific Classic S. runner-up kicked off his 4-year-old campaign with a third-place finish in a GII Oaklawn H. for the ages Apr. 18.

The post Pedigree Power: Journalism, Nysos Top Field of Seven for Stallion-Making Met Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When it's a big race day, you'll find Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Saturday is a big race day at Saratoga Race Course. Seven graded stakes–six of them Grade Is worth $5.9 million. Of course, Baffert is going to be here.

He doesn't have a horse in the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes, but he has an impressive trio–Nysos (Nyquist), Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) and Imagination (Into Mischief)–running on the undercard. Nysos and Crude Velocity are both 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard.'

“It's a big day, so you have to bring the good ones,” Baffert said by phone from Louisville, Ky. “We are looking forward to it.”

Start with Nysos (Nyquist), the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the GI Met Mile. He has seven wins in nine career starts and was second in the other two. In his last race, he was second in the Saudi Cup. With its $20-million purse, it's the richest horse race in the world.

He was defeated by Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) by a length.

In the Met Mile, Nysos, owned by Baoma Corp., Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, will break from post position one.

“I don't know why I get the rail all the time,” said Baffert, who seems to get that dreaded post in plenty of big races. “What are you going to do? I think they put me in the rail and then they draw the race! He is going to have to break well; that is always important.”

Baffert also has the morning-line favorite in the $500,000 GI Woody Stephens at seven furlongs. That is 9-5 Crude Velocity, who has won all three of his starts–all this year–by a nearly combined 11 lengths.

In his last start, Crude Velocity, owned by CSLR Racing Partners, won the GII Pat Day Mile in stakes record time (1:33.87).

“He has shown a lot of brilliance,” Baffert said. “I was debating whether to stretch him out in the (1 1/16-mile, GIII) Matt Winn (at Churchill Downs on Sunday) and then take him to the (GI) Haskell. We know he is really good at one turn, and the Woody Stephens is a really good race, a tough race. We will take a crack at it.”

Imagination is the 4-1 third choice on the morning line for the $400,000 GIII True North and will be facing 8-5 morning-line favorite Bentornato (Valiant Minister), last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champ, and 2-1 Book'em Danno (Bucchero), the True North winner in 2025.

This will be the second time Imagination, owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom J. Ryan, has run at Saratoga.

In 2024, he was a well-beaten seventh in the Woody Stephens.

“When he ran at Saratoga, he really wasn't on his game,” Baffert said. “He is on his game now.”

A year ago, Antiquarian (Preservationist) sat in the backseat when it came to the older horses residing in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. It was easy to see why with the likes of Fierceness (City of Light) and Mindframe (Constitution)–both 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard'–living in Pletcher's shedrow.

Owned by Centennial Farm, Antiquarian did alright for himself in 2025, thank you.

He had two wins and two seconds in five starts, four of them graded stakes races.

“I don't think so,” Pletcher said outside his office on the Oklahoma Training Track when asked if Antiquarian got the respect he deserved last year “But I think he is in position now to have a big year.”

The 5-year-old horse, a 5 3/4-length winner of the GIII Westchester in his 2026 debut last month, is running in the stacked $1-million GI Met Mile on Saturday. Antiquarian, 6-1 on the morning line, is not getting the Met Mile buzz of 9-5 'Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist), 5-2 Journalism (Curlin) or 7-2 'Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist), but Pletcher says he belongs.

“If he can improve just a little bit, which we always felt that he would as he got older, he could have a lot to say in the older horse division,” Pletcher said.

Antiquarian's 2025 season was highlighted by victory in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, but his win is not what most remember the race for. Mindframe unseated jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and White Abarrio (Race Day) nearly lost Edgard Zayas.

“(Antiquarian) still ran a great race; with all the craziness going on, he probably didn't get the credit he deserved for winning that race,” Pletcher said. “There were so many question marks about what might have happened if Mindframe didn't lose his rider. It was a race that everyone was focused on all of that instead of Antiquarian winning. That was unfortunate because he did run a very good race.”

His season ended with a thud when Antiquarian finished eighth–beaten 37 1/2 lengths–in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

“He didn't like Del Mar at all,” Pletcher said. “It seemed like every day he regressed. So, you throw out the Classic.”

For his career, Antiquarian has five wins and three seconds in 11 starts.

If you want to see trainer Miguel Clement perk right up, just bring up his 5-year-old horse and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' named Deterministic (Liam's Map). It's obvious the affinity the 35-year-old Clement has for the aptly named Deterministic, the 7-2 third choice on the morning line for Saturday's $1-million GI Manhattan.

Deterministic, with jockey Kendrick Carmouche aboard, will attempt to become the first horse since Milesius to win back-to-back editions of the Manhattan, which was first run in 1867. Milesius did it in 1988-89.

“We are very excited about him,” Clement said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “He has been very good, is a remarkable mover and is very talented. He has a great mind and is just built different, which makes our job a lot easier.”

When Deterministic won the Manhattan last year, it was an emotional scene for Clement and his whole family. The patriarch of the clan and the architect of the stable, Christophe Clement, passed away two weeks before the Manhattan.

The Manhattan was the first Grade I win for Miguel, who took over the barn after being a longtime assistant to his father.

“I try to stay emotionless as much as possible because last year was full of emotion,” Clement said. “Without a doubt, it was very meaningful and was great for the stable to get a big win off the bat. And it was even better to share the victory with friends and family. We had a lot going on.”

Deterministic, owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Lagone, Steven Dunker and Vicarage Stable, has won four straight races. His first start this year was a victory in the GIII Fort Marcy at Aqueduct on May 2.

He won last year's Manhattan–which was run at 1 1/8 miles (it is 1 3/16 miles Saturday)–in gate-to-wire style. Deterministic won by a head over Integration (Quality Road), who is 12-1 on the morning line in this Manhattan.

Rhetorical (Not This Time) is the 2-1 morning-line Manhattan for trainer Will Walden.

The post Belmont Notes: Baffert Offers Powerful Triumvirate for Belmont Stakes Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When it's a big race day, you'll find Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.

Saturday is a big race day at Saratoga Race Course. Seven graded stakes–six of them Grade Is worth $5.9 million. Of course, Baffert is going to be here.

He doesn't have a horse in the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes, but he has an impressive trio–Nysos (Nyquist), Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) and Imagination (Into Mischief)–running on the undercard. Nysos and Crude Velocity are both 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard.'

“It's a big day, so you have to bring the good ones,” Baffert said by phone from Louisville, Ky. “We are looking forward to it.”

Start with Nysos (Nyquist), the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the GI Met Mile. He has seven wins in nine career starts and was second in the other two. In his last race, he was second in the Saudi Cup. With its $20-million purse, it's the richest horse race in the world.

He was defeated by Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) by a length.

In the Met Mile, Nysos, owned by Baoma Corp., Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, will break from post position one.

“I don't know why I get the rail all the time,” said Baffert, who seems to get that dreaded post in plenty of big races. “What are you going to do? I think they put me in the rail and then they draw the race! He is going to have to break well; that is always important.”

Baffert also has the morning-line favorite in the $500,000 GI Woody Stephens at seven furlongs. That is 9-5 Crude Velocity, who has won all three of his starts–all this year–by a nearly combined 11 lengths.

In his last start, Crude Velocity, owned by CSLR Racing Partners, won the GII Pat Day Mile in stakes record time (1:33.87).

“He has shown a lot of brilliance,” Baffert said. “I was debating whether to stretch him out in the (1 1/16-mile, GIII) Matt Winn (at Churchill Downs on Sunday) and then take him to the (GI) Haskell. We know he is really good at one turn, and the Woody Stephens is a really good race, a tough race. We will take a crack at it.”

Imagination is the 4-1 third choice on the morning line for the $400,000 GIII True North and will be facing 8-5 morning-line favorite Bentornato (Valiant Minister), last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champ, and 2-1 Book'em Danno (Bucchero), the True North winner in 2025.

This will be the second time Imagination, owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor Racing LLC, Robert E. Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan and Tom J. Ryan, has run at Saratoga.

In 2024, he was a well-beaten seventh in the Woody Stephens.

“When he ran at Saratoga, he really wasn't on his game,” Baffert said. “He is on his game now.”

A year ago, Antiquarian (Preservationist) sat in the backseat when it came to the older horses residing in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. It was easy to see why with the likes of Fierceness (City of Light) and Mindframe (Constitution)–both 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard'–living in Pletcher's shedrow.

Owned by Centennial Farm, Antiquarian did alright for himself in 2025, thank you.

He had two wins and two seconds in five starts, four of them graded stakes races.

“I don't think so,” Pletcher said outside his office on the Oklahoma Training Track when asked if Antiquarian got the respect he deserved last year “But I think he is in position now to have a big year.”

The 5-year-old horse, a 5 3/4-length winner of the GIII Westchester in his 2026 debut last month, is running in the stacked $1-million GI Met Mile on Saturday. Antiquarian, 6-1 on the morning line, is not getting the Met Mile buzz of 9-5 'Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist), 5-2 Journalism (Curlin) or 7-2 'Rising Star' Knightsbridge (Nyquist), but Pletcher says he belongs.

“If he can improve just a little bit, which we always felt that he would as he got older, he could have a lot to say in the older horse division,” Pletcher said.

Antiquarian's 2025 season was highlighted by victory in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, but his win is not what most remember the race for. Mindframe unseated jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. and White Abarrio (Race Day) nearly lost Edgard Zayas.

“(Antiquarian) still ran a great race; with all the craziness going on, he probably didn't get the credit he deserved for winning that race,” Pletcher said. “There were so many question marks about what might have happened if Mindframe didn't lose his rider. It was a race that everyone was focused on all of that instead of Antiquarian winning. That was unfortunate because he did run a very good race.”

His season ended with a thud when Antiquarian finished eighth–beaten 37 1/2 lengths–in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

“He didn't like Del Mar at all,” Pletcher said. “It seemed like every day he regressed. So, you throw out the Classic.”

For his career, Antiquarian has five wins and three seconds in 11 starts.

If you want to see trainer Miguel Clement perk right up, just bring up his 5-year-old horse and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' named Deterministic (Liam's Map). It's obvious the affinity the 35-year-old Clement has for the aptly named Deterministic, the 7-2 third choice on the morning line for Saturday's $1-million GI Manhattan.

Deterministic, with jockey Kendrick Carmouche aboard, will attempt to become the first horse since Milesius to win back-to-back editions of the Manhattan, which was first run in 1867. Milesius did it in 1988-89.

“We are very excited about him,” Clement said outside his barn on the Oklahoma Training Track. “He has been very good, is a remarkable mover and is very talented. He has a great mind and is just built different, which makes our job a lot easier.”

When Deterministic won the Manhattan last year, it was an emotional scene for Clement and his whole family. The patriarch of the clan and the architect of the stable, Christophe Clement, passed away two weeks before the Manhattan.

The Manhattan was the first Grade I win for Miguel, who took over the barn after being a longtime assistant to his father.

“I try to stay emotionless as much as possible because last year was full of emotion,” Clement said. “Without a doubt, it was very meaningful and was great for the stable to get a big win off the bat. And it was even better to share the victory with friends and family. We had a lot going on.”

Deterministic, owned by St. Elias Stable, Ken Lagone, Steven Dunker and Vicarage Stable, has won four straight races. His first start this year was a victory in the GIII Fort Marcy at Aqueduct on May 2.

He won last year's Manhattan–which was run at 1 1/8 miles (it is 1 3/16 miles Saturday)–in gate-to-wire style. Deterministic won by a head over Integration (Quality Road), who is 12-1 on the morning line in this Manhattan.

Rhetorical (Not This Time) is the 2-1 morning-line Manhattan for trainer Will Walden.

The post Belmont Notes: Baffert Offers Powerful Triumvirate for Belmont Stakes Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 06/01/2026
Licensee: Jesus Romero, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Luckforyou, who finished second at Aqueduct on 4/10/26.

Dates: 06/01/2026
Licensee: Leslielyn Hardesty, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); Treated as 1 violation with That's My Cat's 03/01/26 violation and Stormey Monday's 03/08/26 violation under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from That's My Cat, who finished fifth at Tampa Bay on 3/25/26, and who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26; as well as from Stormey Monday, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/8/26.

Dates: 05/29/2026
Licensee: Jamie Ness, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Irish Exit on 4/18/26.

Dates: 05/29/2026
Licensee: Domenick Schettino, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from That'sthefactjack, who finished seventh at Aqueduct on 4/3/26.

Pending ADMC Violations
06/03/2026, Roshan Samsunder, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Seeker's Hope, who finished second at Belmont at the Big A on 5/2/26.

06/03/2026, Sergio S. Perez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone and Methocarbamol–both class C controlled substances–in a sample taken from River's Benchmark, who was second at Turf Paradise on 5/1/26.

06/02/2026, Gary Capuano, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Take a Hint, who won at Laurel Park on 5/3/26.

Crop Violations
Belterra Park
Erik A. Barbaran–reporting date June 2; $1,500 fine, three-day suspension

Delaware
Jose Batista–reporting date June 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Emerald Downs
Lenny A. Seecharan–reporting date June 1; $500 fine, three-day suspension

Prairie Meadows
Glenn W Corbett–reporting date June 1; $750 fine, three-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Presque Isle Downs
Israel Rodriguez–reporting date June 2; $500 fine, two-day suspension

Thistledown
Anthony R. Rodriguez–reporting date June 1; $500 fine, two-day suspension

The post Weekly National Rulings May 29-June 3 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Jockey Club and Equibase have launched the Thoroughbred Data Hub, a new platform designed to expand access to Thoroughbred racing and pedigree data and accelerate innovation across the sport, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The announcement came as part of The Jockey Club's inaugural industry newsletter, the first in what the organization said will be a regular series of updates from its Board of Stewards aimed at communicating openly and consistently with industry stakeholders.

“This letter is the first in a new, regular series of updates from The Jockey Club, a commitment from the Board of Stewards to speak openly, consistently, and with specificity,” said chairman Everett Dobson. “Each issue will share the progress we have made, the work that is underway, and candid assessments of what is working and what is not.”

To view the complete 'Trackside with the Chair, Everett Dobson' release, click here.

In tandem with the Data Hub, The Jockey Club is debuting an Innovation Incubator aimed at fostering new technology solutions for the industry. The incubator will provide real-time API access to racing and pedigree data, giving developers and startups the live data infrastructure needed to build transformative products. It will also establish a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process, inviting entrepreneurs and technology companies to pitch solutions to some of the sport's most pressing challenges. Selected participants will receive industry connections, consulting support and access to data resources to help accelerate development.

Supporting the effort is The Jockey Club Steward Vinnie Viola, who emphasized the potential impact of expanded data access.

“We're aggressively tapping into the enormous potential that horse racing data can unlock for the sport,” Viola said. “By opening our data and partnering with innovators, we can accelerate new ideas, attract new fans and help position the sport for the future.”

Those interested in participating directly in the Innovation Incubator can contact the Innovation Hub team at innovationhub@jockeyclub.com.

The organization said future editions of its newsletter will continue to provide updates on the project's progress and other industry initiatives, offering stakeholders regular insight into ongoing efforts, challenges and opportunities across the sport. Stakeholders are also encouraged to share feedback, ideas and opportunities for involvement directly with chairman Everett Dobson at everett@jockeyclub.com.

To view the entire May 2026 Newsletter:

From the Rail: What's in the Works from The Jockey Club – Spring 2026 Newsletter

The post Jockey Club Launches Thoroughbred Data Hub Project appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Jockey Club and Equibase have launched the Thoroughbred Data Hub, a new platform designed to expand access to Thoroughbred racing and pedigree data and accelerate innovation across the sport, according to a press release issued Wednesday.

The announcement came as part of The Jockey Club's inaugural industry newsletter, the first in what the organization said will be a regular series of updates from its Board of Stewards aimed at communicating openly and consistently with industry stakeholders.

“This letter is the first in a new, regular series of updates from The Jockey Club, a commitment from the Board of Stewards to speak openly, consistently, and with specificity,” said chairman Everett Dobson. “Each issue will share the progress we have made, the work that is underway, and candid assessments of what is working and what is not.”

To view the complete 'Trackside with the Chair, Everett Dobson' release, click here.

In tandem with the Data Hub, The Jockey Club is debuting an Innovation Incubator aimed at fostering new technology solutions for the industry. The incubator will provide real-time API access to racing and pedigree data, giving developers and startups the live data infrastructure needed to build transformative products. It will also establish a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) process, inviting entrepreneurs and technology companies to pitch solutions to some of the sport's most pressing challenges. Selected participants will receive industry connections, consulting support and access to data resources to help accelerate development.

Supporting the effort is The Jockey Club Steward Vinnie Viola, who emphasized the potential impact of expanded data access.

“We're aggressively tapping into the enormous potential that horse racing data can unlock for the sport,” Viola said. “By opening our data and partnering with innovators, we can accelerate new ideas, attract new fans and help position the sport for the future.”

Those interested in participating directly in the Innovation Incubator can contact the Innovation Hub team at innovationhub@jockeyclub.com.

The organization said future editions of its newsletter will continue to provide updates on the project's progress and other industry initiatives, offering stakeholders regular insight into ongoing efforts, challenges and opportunities across the sport. Stakeholders are also encouraged to share feedback, ideas and opportunities for involvement directly with chairman Everett Dobson at everett@jockeyclub.com.

To view the entire May 2026 Newsletter:

From the Rail: What's in the Works from The Jockey Club – Spring 2026 Newsletter

The post Jockey Club Launches Thoroughbred Data Hub Project appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton's catalogue for The July Sale of selected yearlings, to be held starting at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14, at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky, is available online, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.

“We look forward to kicking off yearling sales season with a strong catalogue of selected yearlings in July,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The quality of individuals on offer in this year's sale is perhaps the strongest we have had in recent years, and the sire power has improved as well.”

According to statistics from The BloodHorse MarketWatch, The July Sale is once again ranked first among major North American yearling sales by percentage of stakes winners, stakes horses, 2-year-old winners, and winners sold.

The sale is ranked second by percentage of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners sold, trailing only Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale.

“July continues to produce incredible results year after year, including two Breeders' Cup champions last fall in Splendora (Audible) and Shisospicy (Mitole)–with Shisospicy going on to be named Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter,” continued Browning. “Argos (Nyquist), winner of last year's GI Summer Stakes, became the sale's latest top level winning 2-year-old, and a bevy of other household names–including recent GII Hollywood Gold Cup victor Forged Steel (Vekoma)–demonstrate the type of quality one can find in July.”

July annually showcases the much-anticipated first yearlings from the freshman sire class. Nineteen first-crop yearling sires are represented this year: Annapolis, Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, Cody's Wish, Country Grammer, Dr. Schivel, Forte, Fulsome, Gunite, Loggins, Mage, Pappacap, Proxy, Rombauer, Taiba, Two Phil's, Up to the Mark, Verifying and Zandon. The catalogue includes The BloodHorse Stallion Register page for each first-crop sire, and all yearlings by first-crop sires are identified by a “Freshman Sire” stamp on their catalogue pages.

The catalogue also features yearlings by both leading and up-and-coming sires, including Candy Ride (Arg), Girvin, Golden Pal, Liam's Map, Life Is Good, Maxfield, McKinzie, Munnings, Omaha Beach, Oscar Performance, Practical Joke, Street Sense, Tiz the Law, Twirling Candy, Upstart, Vekoma and Yaupon.

“This year's crop of freshman sires is an exciting group, and they are represented throughout the catalogue by a number of outstanding individuals,” noted Browning. “The sale also offers a strong mix of proven sires, providing buyers with quality and variety at every level.”

Nominations are also now open for the July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will be held immediately following the conclusion of the yearling sale on Tuesday, July 14. Fasig-Tipton will accept nominations up until sale time; however, to be included in the catalogue's initial release, entries should be finalized by June 19.

“Last year's July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale was outstanding, producing sale-record gross, average, and median figures, as well as a $1,700,000 record sale topper,” said Browning. “It's a phenomenal marketplace for a hot racehorse.”

The July Sale catalogue may now be viewed online and will be available via the Equineline Sales Catalog App. Print catalogues will be available the week of June 15.

The post Catalogue For Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton's catalogue for The July Sale of selected yearlings, to be held starting at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 14, at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky, is available online, the company said in a press release on Wednesday.

“We look forward to kicking off yearling sales season with a strong catalogue of selected yearlings in July,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “The quality of individuals on offer in this year's sale is perhaps the strongest we have had in recent years, and the sire power has improved as well.”

According to statistics from The BloodHorse MarketWatch, The July Sale is once again ranked first among major North American yearling sales by percentage of stakes winners, stakes horses, 2-year-old winners, and winners sold.

The sale is ranked second by percentage of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners sold, trailing only Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale.

“July continues to produce incredible results year after year, including two Breeders' Cup champions last fall in Splendora (Audible) and Shisospicy (Mitole)–with Shisospicy going on to be named Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter,” continued Browning. “Argos (Nyquist), winner of last year's GI Summer Stakes, became the sale's latest top level winning 2-year-old, and a bevy of other household names–including recent GII Hollywood Gold Cup victor Forged Steel (Vekoma)–demonstrate the type of quality one can find in July.”

July annually showcases the much-anticipated first yearlings from the freshman sire class. Nineteen first-crop yearling sires are represented this year: Annapolis, Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, Cody's Wish, Country Grammer, Dr. Schivel, Forte, Fulsome, Gunite, Loggins, Mage, Pappacap, Proxy, Rombauer, Taiba, Two Phil's, Up to the Mark, Verifying and Zandon. The catalogue includes The BloodHorse Stallion Register page for each first-crop sire, and all yearlings by first-crop sires are identified by a “Freshman Sire” stamp on their catalogue pages.

The catalogue also features yearlings by both leading and up-and-coming sires, including Candy Ride (Arg), Girvin, Golden Pal, Liam's Map, Life Is Good, Maxfield, McKinzie, Munnings, Omaha Beach, Oscar Performance, Practical Joke, Street Sense, Tiz the Law, Twirling Candy, Upstart, Vekoma and Yaupon.

“This year's crop of freshman sires is an exciting group, and they are represented throughout the catalogue by a number of outstanding individuals,” noted Browning. “The sale also offers a strong mix of proven sires, providing buyers with quality and variety at every level.”

Nominations are also now open for the July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will be held immediately following the conclusion of the yearling sale on Tuesday, July 14. Fasig-Tipton will accept nominations up until sale time; however, to be included in the catalogue's initial release, entries should be finalized by June 19.

“Last year's July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale was outstanding, producing sale-record gross, average, and median figures, as well as a $1,700,000 record sale topper,” said Browning. “It's a phenomenal marketplace for a hot racehorse.”

The July Sale catalogue may now be viewed online and will be available via the Equineline Sales Catalog App. Print catalogues will be available the week of June 15.

The post Catalogue For Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Susan Casner, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, accomplished owner and breeder, and treasured member of the Thoroughbred community, passed away May 27 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by the love of the family and friends who defined her life.

Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, Susan's journey in racing began at Aksarben Race Track in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a mutuel clerk. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bill Casner, who made a habit of placing wagers at the window staffed by the prettiest clerk on the grounds. Bill asked Susan out several times before she finally accepted. Once she did, they were off to the races together, beginning a partnership that would span decades and leave an indelible mark on the Thoroughbred industry.

The early years were filled with hard work, long miles, and adventure. Bill trained and galloped the horses while Susan did whatever was needed-groom, hotwalker, assistant and trusted partner. Together they traveled the country with a small racing stable, building a life around the horses they loved. For six years they chased dreams from racetrack to racetrack before settling near Dallas, Texas, after the births of their daughters, Kayce and Karri.

The move brought stability, but horses never left their hearts. Upon finding success in business, Susan and Bill invested most of their life savings partnering with longtime friend Kenny Troutt in founding Excel Communications. Their chance to re-enter the Thoroughbred industry was born from the fruit of that wise bet.

In 2000, Bill and Troutt co-founded WinStar Farm, which would grow into one of the most influential breeding and racing operations in North America. Through it all, Susan remained a passionate supporter, enthusiastic participant and proud ambassador for the farm and the sport she loved.

Her presence could be felt throughout WinStar's rise. She celebrated the victories, welcomed visitors, championed the horses, and embraced the people who made the farm special. She was the namesake of GSW Sharp Susan (Touch Gold) and was among those at the center of the celebrations when WinStar's Super Saver (Maria's Mon) captured the 2010 GI Kentucky Derby.

As an owner and breeder, Susan achieved success at the highest levels of racing. Her accomplishments included breeding and owning G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow), GI Travers Stakes and GI Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John (Tiznow), among numerous other stakes performers who carried the WinStar colors.

Susan Casner at Hawthorne in 1979 | courtesy of Bill Casner

Perhaps no horse better illustrated Susan's remarkable instincts than Sweet Damsel.

During a late session of the 2001 Keeneland November Sale, Susan spotted the daughter of Turkoman walking through the back ring. Although the mare lacked the fashionable pedigree page that often commands attention, Susan saw something others did not. She turned to Bill and insisted they needed to own the mare. After Sweet Damsel failed to meet her reserve at $64,000, the Casner's negotiated a private purchase and brought her home to WinStar.

The decision proved prophetic. Sweet Damsel developed into a multiple graded-stakes producer, with Colonel John emerging as her most accomplished runner. For family and friends, the story became one of Susan's signature moments-a reflection of her intuition, horsemanship, and unwavering confidence in her own judgment.

That legacy continues today. Susan's fingerprints can also be found on recent GII Wood Memorial winner Albus (Yaupon), while one of her greatest commercial breeding successes came in 2024 when a colt by Not This Time out of Kayce Ace sold for $3.4 million at Saratoga. Now known as Faran, the colt traces directly to Sweet Damsel, keeping alive the family that began with Susan's inspired purchase nearly a quarter-century ago.

Beyond her achievements in racing and breeding, Susan was deeply committed to the people who make the sport possible. She generously supported organizations including Race For Education and the Racetrack Chaplaincy, believing strongly in giving back to the industry that had given so much to her family.

Those who knew Susan remember far more than her success. They remember her ever-present smile, her warmth, her generosity and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. Whether speaking with owners, farm employees, sales staff, horsemen or backstretch workers, Susan treated everyone with the same kindness and respect.

While horses were one of the great passions of her life, her greatest joy was always her family.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Bill; her daughter, Kayce Anderson, and son-in-law, Clark Anderson; and her beloved grandchildren, Blu Anderson and Rayne Anderson. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Karri Casner.

From Aksarben to Churchill Downs, and across countless farms, racetracks, and sales grounds in between, Susan Casner left an impression that will not soon fade. Her accomplishments as an owner and breeder secured her place within the Thoroughbred industry, but her true legacy lives in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched with grace, humility, kindness, and love.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to For The Good or to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in honor of Susan.

The post Susan Casner, Accomplished Owner And Breeder, Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Susan Casner, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, accomplished owner and breeder, and treasured member of the Thoroughbred community, passed away May 27 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by the love of the family and friends who defined her life.

Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, Susan's journey in racing began at Aksarben Race Track in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a mutuel clerk. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bill Casner, who made a habit of placing wagers at the window staffed by the prettiest clerk on the grounds. Bill asked Susan out several times before she finally accepted. Once she did, they were off to the races together, beginning a partnership that would span decades and leave an indelible mark on the Thoroughbred industry.

The early years were filled with hard work, long miles, and adventure. Bill trained and galloped the horses while Susan did whatever was needed-groom, hotwalker, assistant and trusted partner. Together they traveled the country with a small racing stable, building a life around the horses they loved. For six years they chased dreams from racetrack to racetrack before settling near Dallas, Texas, after the births of their daughters, Kayce and Karri.

The move brought stability, but horses never left their hearts. Upon finding success in business, Susan and Bill invested most of their life savings partnering with longtime friend Kenny Troutt in founding Excel Communications. Their chance to re-enter the Thoroughbred industry was born from the fruit of that wise bet.

In 2000, Bill and Troutt co-founded WinStar Farm, which would grow into one of the most influential breeding and racing operations in North America. Through it all, Susan remained a passionate supporter, enthusiastic participant and proud ambassador for the farm and the sport she loved.

Her presence could be felt throughout WinStar's rise. She celebrated the victories, welcomed visitors, championed the horses, and embraced the people who made the farm special. She was the namesake of GSW Sharp Susan (Touch Gold) and was among those at the center of the celebrations when WinStar's Super Saver (Maria's Mon) captured the 2010 GI Kentucky Derby.

As an owner and breeder, Susan achieved success at the highest levels of racing. Her accomplishments included breeding and owning G1 Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed (Tiznow), GI Travers Stakes and GI Santa Anita Derby winner Colonel John (Tiznow), among numerous other stakes performers who carried the WinStar colors.

Susan Casner at Hawthorne in 1979 | courtesy of Bill Casner

Perhaps no horse better illustrated Susan's remarkable instincts than Sweet Damsel.

During a late session of the 2001 Keeneland November Sale, Susan spotted the daughter of Turkoman walking through the back ring. Although the mare lacked the fashionable pedigree page that often commands attention, Susan saw something others did not. She turned to Bill and insisted they needed to own the mare. After Sweet Damsel failed to meet her reserve at $64,000, the Casner's negotiated a private purchase and brought her home to WinStar.

The decision proved prophetic. Sweet Damsel developed into a multiple graded-stakes producer, with Colonel John emerging as her most accomplished runner. For family and friends, the story became one of Susan's signature moments-a reflection of her intuition, horsemanship, and unwavering confidence in her own judgment.

That legacy continues today. Susan's fingerprints can also be found on recent GII Wood Memorial winner Albus (Yaupon), while one of her greatest commercial breeding successes came in 2024 when a colt by Not This Time out of Kayce Ace sold for $3.4 million at Saratoga. Now known as Faran, the colt traces directly to Sweet Damsel, keeping alive the family that began with Susan's inspired purchase nearly a quarter-century ago.

Beyond her achievements in racing and breeding, Susan was deeply committed to the people who make the sport possible. She generously supported organizations including Race For Education and the Racetrack Chaplaincy, believing strongly in giving back to the industry that had given so much to her family.

Those who knew Susan remember far more than her success. They remember her ever-present smile, her warmth, her generosity and her ability to make everyone feel welcome. Whether speaking with owners, farm employees, sales staff, horsemen or backstretch workers, Susan treated everyone with the same kindness and respect.

While horses were one of the great passions of her life, her greatest joy was always her family.

Susan is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Bill; her daughter, Kayce Anderson, and son-in-law, Clark Anderson; and her beloved grandchildren, Blu Anderson and Rayne Anderson. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Karri Casner.

From Aksarben to Churchill Downs, and across countless farms, racetracks, and sales grounds in between, Susan Casner left an impression that will not soon fade. Her accomplishments as an owner and breeder secured her place within the Thoroughbred industry, but her true legacy lives in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched with grace, humility, kindness, and love.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to For The Good or to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation in honor of Susan.

The post Susan Casner, Accomplished Owner And Breeder, Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana-which for the past five years have been unable to prove their allegations that the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) is unconstitutional at either the United States district court, federal appeals court, or the Supreme Court levels-are now petitioning the Supreme Court for a yet another chance to make their case that the law purportedly gives a private corporation too-broad powers to regulate Thoroughbred racing.

This latest petition for a “writ of certiorari” (the formal term for asking the Supreme Court to take up a case), dated May 15, was officially stamped as “filed” on the Supreme Court's docket June 2, 2026.

The request to rehear the case by the three states (and a handful of other plaintiffs who first signed on to the original lawsuit back in 2021) comes six months after a panel of three judges on the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati-for the second time in 2 ½ years-affirmed HISA's constitutionality.

The Sixth Circuit's Dec. 17, 2025, opinion and order referenced that the court had already once issued a judgment on the same legal issue, back on Mar. 3, 2023.

That Sixth Circuit opinion from 2025 also noted that panels of judges in two other HISA constitutionality cases-in the Fifth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts-have also previously agreed that HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional (although the Fifth Circuit has disagreed, in part, by opining that HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional).

“[In the 2023 opinion] we upheld the Act against a facial non-delegation challenge and an anti-commandeering challenge,” the Sixth Circuit opinion from half a year ago stated. “The Eighth Circuit took the same view. The Fifth Circuit agreed with both courts with respect to the rulemaking power created by the Act.”

After the parties that lost cases in 2023 and 2024 at the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth appeals court levels all filed petitions for writs of certiorari, the Supreme Court, on June 30, 2025, remanded all those lawsuits back to the federal appeals courts for reconsideration in light of a precedent case that hadn't been decided when those lawsuits were initially litigated.

The new precedent that the Supreme Court wanted the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuits courts to consider involves a case titled Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vs. Consumers' Research.

In that case, the Supreme Court justices, by a 6-3 vote June 27, 2025, rejected arguments that the funding mechanism for a service that provides subsidized telecommunications services for low-income customers, rural hospitals, schools, and libraries violated the non-delegation doctrine.

In that opinion, the Supreme Court also shot down an allegation that the FCC delegated too much authority to a private company to administer the program.

As of this writing-11 months after the Supreme Court's remand order for the three HISA cases-the Fifth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts have yet to even hear arguments, let alone issue opinions on those cases.

The Sixth Circuit, by contrast, handled its remand from the Supreme Court fairly quickly last year. It heard oral arguments in November and issued an opinion just one month later.

“That brings us to our second look at the Act,” the Sixth Circuit wrote in December 2025. “In view of the guidance provided by the Supreme Court in Consumers' Research and other recent decisions, we reject this facial challenge because the Act, as amended, gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), not the HISA Authority, the final say over the Act's key rulemaking and enforcement provisions,” the opinion stated.

“The HISA Authority is subordinate to the agency. The Authority yields to FTC supervision and lacks the final say over rulemaking and enforcement of the law, all tried and true hallmarks of an inferior body,” the Sixth Circuit opinion from six months ago stated.

Now the parties on the losing side of that Sixth Circuit order want the Supreme Court to consider their case again.

The petitioners are seeking to have the Supreme Court renew focus on the non-delegation doctrine, which bans Congress from delegating legislative power to federal agencies without an “intelligible principle” to guide the exercise of agency discretion.

The writ of certiorari is alleging that the Sixth Circuit “erroneously” analyzed the application of the private non-delegation doctrine to the Act.

“This case is an ideal vehicle for the [Supreme] Court to resolve the question whether the Act's delegation of rulemaking and law-enforcement power to the Authority violates the private non-delegation doctrine,” the states argued.

“Because the Sixth Circuit once again upheld the Act's unprecedented delegation of federal law-enforcement and rulemaking power to the private Authority, the [Supreme] Court should grant certiorari and reverse,” the writ stated.

The defendants in this ongoing lawsuit are the United States of America, the HISA Authority, and six individuals acting in their official capacities for the FTC.

On Tuesday, TDN requested comment from the HISA Authority regarding the potential Supreme Court rehearing. No reply was received prior to deadline for this story.

The post Anti-HISA Lawsuit By Three States Asks For Yet Another Go Before Supreme Court appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana-which for the past five years have been unable to prove their allegations that the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) is unconstitutional at either the United States district court, federal appeals court, or the Supreme Court levels-are now petitioning the Supreme Court for a yet another chance to make their case that the law purportedly gives a private corporation too-broad powers to regulate Thoroughbred racing.

This latest petition for a “writ of certiorari” (the formal term for asking the Supreme Court to take up a case), dated May 15, was officially stamped as “filed” on the Supreme Court's docket June 2, 2026.

The request to rehear the case by the three states (and a handful of other plaintiffs who first signed on to the original lawsuit back in 2021) comes six months after a panel of three judges on the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati-for the second time in 2 ½ years-affirmed HISA's constitutionality.

The Sixth Circuit's Dec. 17, 2025, opinion and order referenced that the court had already once issued a judgment on the same legal issue, back on Mar. 3, 2023.

That Sixth Circuit opinion from 2025 also noted that panels of judges in two other HISA constitutionality cases-in the Fifth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts-have also previously agreed that HISA's rulemaking structure is constitutional (although the Fifth Circuit has disagreed, in part, by opining that HISA's enforcement provisions are unconstitutional).

“[In the 2023 opinion] we upheld the Act against a facial non-delegation challenge and an anti-commandeering challenge,” the Sixth Circuit opinion from half a year ago stated. “The Eighth Circuit took the same view. The Fifth Circuit agreed with both courts with respect to the rulemaking power created by the Act.”

After the parties that lost cases in 2023 and 2024 at the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth appeals court levels all filed petitions for writs of certiorari, the Supreme Court, on June 30, 2025, remanded all those lawsuits back to the federal appeals courts for reconsideration in light of a precedent case that hadn't been decided when those lawsuits were initially litigated.

The new precedent that the Supreme Court wanted the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuits courts to consider involves a case titled Federal Communications Commission (FCC) vs. Consumers' Research.

In that case, the Supreme Court justices, by a 6-3 vote June 27, 2025, rejected arguments that the funding mechanism for a service that provides subsidized telecommunications services for low-income customers, rural hospitals, schools, and libraries violated the non-delegation doctrine.

In that opinion, the Supreme Court also shot down an allegation that the FCC delegated too much authority to a private company to administer the program.

As of this writing-11 months after the Supreme Court's remand order for the three HISA cases-the Fifth and Eighth Circuit appeals courts have yet to even hear arguments, let alone issue opinions on those cases.

The Sixth Circuit, by contrast, handled its remand from the Supreme Court fairly quickly last year. It heard oral arguments in November and issued an opinion just one month later.

“That brings us to our second look at the Act,” the Sixth Circuit wrote in December 2025. “In view of the guidance provided by the Supreme Court in Consumers' Research and other recent decisions, we reject this facial challenge because the Act, as amended, gives the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), not the HISA Authority, the final say over the Act's key rulemaking and enforcement provisions,” the opinion stated.

“The HISA Authority is subordinate to the agency. The Authority yields to FTC supervision and lacks the final say over rulemaking and enforcement of the law, all tried and true hallmarks of an inferior body,” the Sixth Circuit opinion from six months ago stated.

Now the parties on the losing side of that Sixth Circuit order want the Supreme Court to consider their case again.

The petitioners are seeking to have the Supreme Court renew focus on the non-delegation doctrine, which bans Congress from delegating legislative power to federal agencies without an “intelligible principle” to guide the exercise of agency discretion.

The writ of certiorari is alleging that the Sixth Circuit “erroneously” analyzed the application of the private non-delegation doctrine to the Act.

“This case is an ideal vehicle for the [Supreme] Court to resolve the question whether the Act's delegation of rulemaking and law-enforcement power to the Authority violates the private non-delegation doctrine,” the states argued.

“Because the Sixth Circuit once again upheld the Act's unprecedented delegation of federal law-enforcement and rulemaking power to the private Authority, the [Supreme] Court should grant certiorari and reverse,” the writ stated.

The defendants in this ongoing lawsuit are the United States of America, the HISA Authority, and six individuals acting in their official capacities for the FTC.

On Tuesday, TDN requested comment from the HISA Authority regarding the potential Supreme Court rehearing. No reply was received prior to deadline for this story.

The post Anti-HISA Lawsuit By Three States Asks For Yet Another Go Before Supreme Court appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Breeders' Cup Limited has elected 22 individuals to serve as Breeders' Cup Members, the group announced Tuesday. Voting for the 2026 Member election by 2025 Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators concluded at 5:00 p.m. ET on June 1 with Votenet, an independent election services company, administering the voting process and certifying the results.

The following individuals, listed alphabetically, received the most votes from the Breeders' Cup nominators to fill 22 Member seats. By total votes cast, 20 members will each serve a four-year term and two will each serve a two-year term.

*Indicates current, incumbent Members; #Indicates Members that will serve a two-year term

• Antony Beck*
• Gatewood Bell*
• Carrie Brogden
• Case Clay*
• Alan Cooper*#
• Everett Dobson*
• Gerry Duffy
• William S. Farish, Jr.*
• Hutton Goodman
• Jonathan Green*
• Lynn Hancock
• Fred W. Hertrich, III*
• Jak Knelman*
• M.V. Magnier*
• Pope McLean, Jr.*
• Charles O'Connor
• John M.B. O'Connor
• Garrett O'Rourke*
• Daisy Phipps Pulito*
• Tom Ryan*
• Phillip Shelton#
• Shunsuke Yoshida*

“Strong leadership and diverse perspectives are essential to ensuring Breeders' Cup continues to thrive, from delivering record-setting editions of the World Championships to supporting key industry initiatives,” said Barbara Banke, Chairman of the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors. “I am pleased to welcome both newly elected and returning Members and look forward to working together to advance the Breeders' Cup mission in the years ahead.”

The Breeders' Cup Members are elected every other year by Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators through a proportional voting system based on the level of nominations paid to the organization. There are a total of 39 elected Breeders' Cup Members. The Members meet each July and elect individuals to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors, which oversees the activities of the organization.

The post Breeders’ Cup Elects 22 Individuals For Membership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Breeders' Cup Limited has elected 22 individuals to serve as Breeders' Cup Members, the group announced Tuesday. Voting for the 2026 Member election by 2025 Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators concluded at 5:00 p.m. ET on June 1 with Votenet, an independent election services company, administering the voting process and certifying the results.

The following individuals, listed alphabetically, received the most votes from the Breeders' Cup nominators to fill 22 Member seats. By total votes cast, 20 members will each serve a four-year term and two will each serve a two-year term.

*Indicates current, incumbent Members; #Indicates Members that will serve a two-year term

• Antony Beck*
• Gatewood Bell*
• Carrie Brogden
• Case Clay*
• Alan Cooper*#
• Everett Dobson*
• Gerry Duffy
• William S. Farish, Jr.*
• Hutton Goodman
• Jonathan Green*
• Lynn Hancock
• Fred W. Hertrich, III*
• Jak Knelman*
• M.V. Magnier*
• Pope McLean, Jr.*
• Charles O'Connor
• John M.B. O'Connor
• Garrett O'Rourke*
• Daisy Phipps Pulito*
• Tom Ryan*
• Phillip Shelton#
• Shunsuke Yoshida*

“Strong leadership and diverse perspectives are essential to ensuring Breeders' Cup continues to thrive, from delivering record-setting editions of the World Championships to supporting key industry initiatives,” said Barbara Banke, Chairman of the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors. “I am pleased to welcome both newly elected and returning Members and look forward to working together to advance the Breeders' Cup mission in the years ahead.”

The Breeders' Cup Members are elected every other year by Breeders' Cup foal and stallion nominators through a proportional voting system based on the level of nominations paid to the organization. There are a total of 39 elected Breeders' Cup Members. The Members meet each July and elect individuals to the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors, which oversees the activities of the organization.

The post Breeders’ Cup Elects 22 Individuals For Membership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Following a hearing on March 31, a hearing officer assigned to the case by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation has recommended that the Corporation re-license trainer Maria Borell. The former trainer of Runhappy (Super Saver), she has not started a horse since 2016.

The Corporation identified three grounds for attempting to deny the renewal application: 1) lack of candor; (2) failure to satisfy the financial-responsibility statute and regulation; and (3) the “where have you been?” theory, which questioned whether Borell's absence from Kentucky racing affected her horsemanship skills and ability to train horses.

Borell's finest moments came with Runhappy, the winner of the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Owned by Jim McIngvale, Runhappy was also named that year's Eclipse Award-winning sprinter. The day after the Breeders' Cup win, McIngvale fired Borell.

In a tweet, Borell told her side of the story when it came to the firing.

“(Runhappy) had (filling) and heat in an ankle this morning, (and McIngvale's racing manager Laura Wohlers) wanted to send him to the track,” Borell wrote. “Now she tells me I'm gone… Just went from the best day of my life to the worst day of my life… Since the King's Bishop, it's been a fight about everyone wanting to change everything.”

In 2016, Borell was accused of animal-neglect offenses involving horses found on her father's farm in Mercer County, Kentucky. Borell was later cleared of those charges; all charges were dismissed, and the record was expunged.

The hearing officer made it clear that nothing that happened at her father's farm was cause for denying her a license,

“Upon expungement, the law treats the charges as though they were never brought. This Recommended Order takes that principle into account and does not consider the charges as evidence against Borell,” the ruling read.

Borell had faced animal cruelty charges after authorities rescued 43 neglected and undernourished horses from dire stabling conditions at the Kentucky farm leased by her father.

As far as the other reasons the Corporation gave for denying Borell's license, the hearing officer clearly sided with Borell.

“Borell's proof was more persuasive than the Corporation's proof on the issue of whether her license should be renewed,” the ruling read. “The Corporation's case lacked substance and was not convincing on the issues presented. The Corporation failed to present evidence of conduct or inaction serious enough to justify non-renewal of Borell's license. The asserted grounds for denying Borell's license were vague and inconsistent throughout this matter.

In 2025, Borell resubmitted her license application for consideration by the Corporation's full board. On July 25, 2025, the Corporation informed Borell's counsel that it was not inclined to take up her application at that time. She then withdrew her application.

According to the ruling, the Corporation did not provide sufficient reasons for denying her application. The hearing officer ruled that the way the Corporation handled Borell's application at the time was a violation of her due process rights.

“The Corporation's disclosure of its vague and subjective grounds for the first time during opening statement at the administrative hearing did not satisfy due process. A trainer has a property interest in a license that cannot be revoked, suspended, or denied without due process of law,” the ruling read.

The case will now go back to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, which can either reject or accept the hearing officer's ruling.

“We never knew what the explicit reasons were for their actions and that's for good reason–there were none,” said Borell's attorney Robert Heleringer. “We're hopeful that the racing corporation will see the light and issue Ms. Borell a license so she can get back to making a living. They can either reject or accept the hearing officer's decision. If they want to continue with their vendetta that would be most unfortunate.”

The post Hearing Officer Recommends That Maria Borell Be Granted A Trainers’ License appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Following a hearing on March 31, a hearing officer assigned to the case by the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation has recommended that the Corporation re-license trainer Maria Borell. The former trainer of Runhappy (Super Saver), she has not started a horse since 2016.

The Corporation identified three grounds for attempting to deny the renewal application: 1) lack of candor; (2) failure to satisfy the financial-responsibility statute and regulation; and (3) the “where have you been?” theory, which questioned whether Borell's absence from Kentucky racing affected her horsemanship skills and ability to train horses.

Borell's finest moments came with Runhappy, the winner of the 2015 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. Owned by Jim McIngvale, Runhappy was also named that year's Eclipse Award-winning sprinter. The day after the Breeders' Cup win, McIngvale fired Borell.

In a tweet, Borell told her side of the story when it came to the firing.

“(Runhappy) had (filling) and heat in an ankle this morning, (and McIngvale's racing manager Laura Wohlers) wanted to send him to the track,” Borell wrote. “Now she tells me I'm gone… Just went from the best day of my life to the worst day of my life… Since the King's Bishop, it's been a fight about everyone wanting to change everything.”

In 2016, Borell was accused of animal-neglect offenses involving horses found on her father's farm in Mercer County, Kentucky. Borell was later cleared of those charges; all charges were dismissed, and the record was expunged.

The hearing officer made it clear that nothing that happened at her father's farm was cause for denying her a license,

“Upon expungement, the law treats the charges as though they were never brought. This Recommended Order takes that principle into account and does not consider the charges as evidence against Borell,” the ruling read.

Borell had faced animal cruelty charges after authorities rescued 43 neglected and undernourished horses from dire stabling conditions at the Kentucky farm leased by her father.

As far as the other reasons the Corporation gave for denying Borell's license, the hearing officer clearly sided with Borell.

“Borell's proof was more persuasive than the Corporation's proof on the issue of whether her license should be renewed,” the ruling read. “The Corporation's case lacked substance and was not convincing on the issues presented. The Corporation failed to present evidence of conduct or inaction serious enough to justify non-renewal of Borell's license. The asserted grounds for denying Borell's license were vague and inconsistent throughout this matter.

In 2025, Borell resubmitted her license application for consideration by the Corporation's full board. On July 25, 2025, the Corporation informed Borell's counsel that it was not inclined to take up her application at that time. She then withdrew her application.

According to the ruling, the Corporation did not provide sufficient reasons for denying her application. The hearing officer ruled that the way the Corporation handled Borell's application at the time was a violation of her due process rights.

“The Corporation's disclosure of its vague and subjective grounds for the first time during opening statement at the administrative hearing did not satisfy due process. A trainer has a property interest in a license that cannot be revoked, suspended, or denied without due process of law,” the ruling read.

The case will now go back to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, which can either reject or accept the hearing officer's ruling.

“We never knew what the explicit reasons were for their actions and that's for good reason–there were none,” said Borell's attorney Robert Heleringer. “We're hopeful that the racing corporation will see the light and issue Ms. Borell a license so she can get back to making a living. They can either reject or accept the hearing officer's decision. If they want to continue with their vendetta that would be most unfortunate.”

The post Hearing Officer Recommends That Maria Borell Be Granted A Trainers’ License appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Todd Pletcher will have the likely favorite in the GI Belmont Stakes in GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Renegade (Into Mischief) and a live longshot in Powershift (Constitution). He knows how to win the race–he's done it four times. Might this be his fifth? Those were among topics Pletcher addressed when he joined the team on this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

Breaking from the dreaded post one in the Derby, Renegade was slammed at the start and it took him several strides before he was able to get back on track. Did that incident cost hm the race?

“Everything that we feared drawing the one hole that could happen happened,” Pletcher said. “All the all the things that we felt like could potentially go wrong kind of happened in the first sixteenth of a mile. It's very difficult to gauge, like how much that takes out of a horse when you get bumped around as much as he did. We knew it was going to be a fast pace. We knew we wanted to settle back, make a run like we did in the Arkansas Derby. That part of it we got to do. I just can't help but think that with that bump coming in the first sixteenth of a mile, it had to impact his performance somewhat. So to me, he ran a winning race. He just didn't finish first.”

There doesn't figure to be much speed in the Belmont, which could be a problem for both Renegade and Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin). Pletcher is hoping his horse can stay closer to the pace this time.

“I think he's tractable enough that if Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] needs him to lay a little bit closer to the pace, he's capable of doing that,” Pletcher said. “That was part of our strategy in Arkansas and at Churchill, to take back, settle and make one run because we felt like that suited his style and the pace scenario of those races was favorable for that. But I think he can be closer if we need to and it's going to be up to Irad to sort that out as the race unfolds.”

Pletcher said the Derby is the one race he wants to win more than any other, but put the Belmont second.

“I've always said that my favorite win was Rags to Riches' win in the 2007 Belmont,” he said. “It was our first Classic. And for her to win, beat a horse like Curlin and become the first filly in 102 years to win the race–that was the most exciting race. But to me, I rank the Belmont second to the Kentucky Derby in races that we want to win. And a big part of that is that we live in Garden City, 10 minutes away from Belmont. We've lived there for the last 25 years and that's where our kids grew up, where they went to went to school and high school. When you go to soccer games and everybody knows that you're running in Belmont, it is kind of our hometown race. So it's always been one of our favorites.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Cornucopian (Into Mischief), who earned a 103 Beyer figure when winning the GIII Aristides Stakes. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the sire Audible.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, the KTOB and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman talked about slew of important races on Belmont Stakes Day and zeroed in on the GIII True North Stakes, The GI Wood Stephens Stakes and the GI Metropolitan Handicap. They also discussed the sale of GI Preakness winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) and the information NYRA released about the level of CAW play at its tracks since  installed “guardrails” meant to lessen the advantage the computer players have.

Click here to watch the podcast or click here to listen.

The post Todd Pletcher Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – For the third time in four years, another entry in Journalism's (Curlin) story will be written close to the corner of Union and East avenues.

In 2023, he was purchased as a yearling for $825,000 by the Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale.

Last year, with a distinctive name and a pair of Grade I wins on his resume, he finished second in the showdown of Triple Crown race winners to Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, approximately a quarter of a mile from the sales ring.

Back at the historic track on Saturday, he will tackle a very strong field, led by 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Nysos (Nyquist) in the GI Metropolitan Handicap, known to most as the Met Mile.

Aron Wellman, founder and president of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, said the $1-million race that begins in the Wilson Chute has been the primary objective for Journalism since he concluded his 3-year-old campaign with a fourth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the only time he has been out of the top three.

Journalism, trained throughout his career by Michael McCarthy, opened his 4-year-old season on April 18 with a third-place finish by 3 1/4 lengths to White Abarrio in the GII Oaklawn Park Handicap that had an unexpected race dynamic. Rather than stalking and pouncing, Journalism and Sovereignty engaged early and led the way. Journalism ended up 1 1/4 lengths behind his rival and extended his losing streak to three races.

“Very proud of his effort off the layoff,” Wellman said. “He and Sovereignty locked horns early and set legitimate fractions throughout, battled to deep inside the stretch, and got overtaken late by a deserving White Abarrio. I think it was a big-time effort on all three of their parts and we always envisioned Journalism's first outing of the year to propel him towards our main first-half-of-the-year target, which was the Met Mile. We liked the timing of the Oaklawn Park Handicap, thought he ran a very solid race, and all indications are that he will move forward off the effort.”

Journalism returned to California, worked three times at Santa Anita Park and was shipped to Saratoga on May 27. He breezed a half-mile in :49.27 on the Saturday morning with Amelia Green aboard.

Journalism with rider Marc Witkowski | Sarah Andrew

GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos and Journalism drew on either end of the seven-horse field for the Met Mile. Nysos, with jockey Flavien Prat up, will start from the rail and was deemed the 9-5 favorite on the morning line. Journalism, with Jose Ortiz in the irons, is next at 5-2 and Godolphin's homebred Knightsbridge (Nyquist), three times a winner in four starts at a mile, drew post six and is 7-2.

Wellman said there have been some changes in the colt since his eight-race 2025 season.

“He's always been a really imposing individual, so size, strength, scope, overall power is what you would expect from age three to four,” Wellman said. “I think this horse has just gone from strength to strength physically. He proved all he needed to last year on the racetrack, in terms of his talent, class and overall constitution, being able to run as frequently as he did, maintain his top-level form and travel back and forth across the country multiple times with pretty aggressive spacing between his races.”

McCarthy and his crew have observed, Wellman said, a change in the way the colt goes about his business when he is out for his morning exercise.

“The main difference that I think we've seen this year in his training is that he's just a little bit more comfortable in his own skin,” Wellman said. “He doesn't feel the need to put on a show every time he goes out and trains. He's much more mature in that respect. He's always been a very smart, sensible horse, but now I think he knows the difference between practice and game time. While he consistently goes out and presses week in and week out in his training, he's just matured in that respect, not feeling the need to show off every week.”

Just prior to his win in the GI Santa Anita Derby last year that carried him to the GI Kentucky Derby, the Coolmore partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith joined Eclipse, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta and Elayne Stables Five in the colt. Journalism will stand at Coolmore at the conclusion of his racing career.

Rather than retire him last fall with Grade I wins in the Santa Anita Derby, Preakness and Haskell and seconds in the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and the Pacific Classic, the decision was made to run again this year and try to further enhance his record for his stallion career. Though Wellman said he wanted to keep the focus on the Met Mile and not talk about the rest of the proposed schedule for the year, he acknowledged that the $2 million Stephen Foster on June 27 at Churchill Downs might be considered.

In what could be his final visit to Saratoga, Journalism will take on experienced top-quality runners with the added challenge of shortening up to eight furlongs for first time since he broke his maiden in November 2024.

“We're very interested to see how he performs on the cut back in distance,” Wellman said. “He's shown a brilliant turn of foot and the ability to change pace in longer races into presumably softer fractions. It will be very interesting to see how he's able to rise to the level of a true miler in Nysos, Antiquarian (Preservationist) and Knightsbridge, who are proven at the distance.”

The post Back At The Spa, Journalism Has A New Assignment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.