Thoroughbred Daily News

Norman Stables and Saints or Sinners' So Happy (Runhappy) was named the top horse during the 2025-2026 winter/spring season at Santa Anita, which concluded Monday, June 15.

Conditioned by Mark Glatt, the bay colt followed a debut victory at Del Mar last November with a two-length success in the seven-furlong GII San Vicente Stakes at the Great Race Place in early January. Third in the GII San Felipe Stakes in his first start around two turns, So Happy caused a 7-1 upset in the GI Santa Anita Derby, cementing a spot in the field for the GI Kentucky Derby. After racing handy to a fast early pace, he checked in ninth, beaten 7 1/2 lengths.

So Happy is currently getting some down time at the Trifecta Equine Athletic Center in northern San Diego County with an eye on a return to action at Del Mar this summer.

California-bred Om N Joy (Om) was recognized for the season's top achievement when returning on seven days' rest to win the GII Santa Margarita Stakes on May 30 after finishing unplaced in the Fran's Valentine Stakes on the turf.

“A race on an unpreferred surface, whether it be mud or turf or whatever, then when they come back on their preferred surface, they can fire big,” trainer Maggie Ordonez said. “She won't run again until August most likely, so we had (the Santa Margarita) in mind when we went in the grass race.”

Om N Joy is campaigned by breeders Jerry Baker and Connie Baker along with partners Michael Golovko and Terrence J. Scanlan. She is likely to make her next start at Del Mar in the GI Clement L. Hirsch at 1 1/8 miles on dirt on Aug. 1.

The post So Happy, Om N Joy Recognized For Santa Anita Achievements 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: 06/15/2026
Licensee: Gerald Bennett, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 16, 2026; 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); a combined fine of $1,500; combined imposition of 3.5 Penalty Points; Class C violation being treated as 1 violation with Naughty Rascal's 03/27/26 violation under 09/08/23 HISA Guidance.
Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Naughty Rascal, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 3/27/26; and for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and Diphenhydramine–class C and class B controlled substances respectively–in a sample taken from Chrome Ghost, who finished second in the NYRABETS Sprint Stakes at Tampa Bay on 3/29/26.

Dates: 06/12/2026
Licensee: Rene Cazares, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Miss Goodbar on 4/24/26.

Dates: 06/11/2026
Licensee: Gary Capuano, 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 Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Take a Hint, who won at Laurel Park on 5/3/26.

Dates: 06/10/2026
Licensee: Steve Epley Jr., trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vet's list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Call Me Toni on 5/12/26.

Pending ADMC Violations
06/17/2026, Robert Pompell, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Firocoxib–a class C substance–in a sample taken from Positiondumoni on 5/21/26.

06/17/2026, Robert Dibona, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Higenamine (Norclaurine, Demethylcoclaurine)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Jayhawk, who won at Gulfstream Park on 4/16/26.

06/16/2026, Blake A. Kelly, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Naproxen–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from My Ronda on 5/19/26.

06/16/2026, Todd Pletcher, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Weetamoo, who won at Keeneland on 4/17/26.

06/16/2026, Robert M. Gorham, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Higenamine (Norclaurine, Demethylcoclaurine)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Legal Jargon, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/18/26.

06/16/2026, Eric R. Reed, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cathinone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Letmeknowbeforeugo, who finished fourth at Mahoning Valley on 2/25/26.

06/15/2026, Jose Camejo, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Gazar on 5/12/26.

06/15/2026, Lane Johnston, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Glycopyrrolate–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Threeoneniner on 5/7/26.

06/12/2026, Michael V. Pino, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Pontiffany, who won at Parx Racing on 4/8/26.

06/12/2026, Aaron M. West, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cathinone–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Maximum Agenda, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/26/26.

06/11/2026, Cesareo Marquez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Rainbow Sprinkles on 5/2/26.

Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Sahin Civaci–reporting date June 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Omar H. Moreno–reporting date June 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Churchill Downs
Francisco J. Arrieta–reporting date June 15; $30 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Luis C. Saez–reporting date June 15; $750 fine, two-day suspension
Francisco J. Arrieta–reporting date June 12; $3,000 fine, six-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Delaware Park
Leonardo C. Alvarez–reporting date June 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Cipriano A. Gil–reporting date June 11; $250 fine, no other information available

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Evan A. Roman–reporting date June 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Parx Racing
Kleiner Mejias–reporting date June 15; $500 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Thistledown
Luis A. Gonzalez–reporting date June 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
Rocco Bowen–reporting date June 11; $500 fine, one-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

The post Weekly National Rulings, June 11-17 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) has named Janelle L. Winston as the successor to general counsel Michelle Pujals who has retired from the post, the organization said via a press release on Wednesday.

Pujals worked for HIWU for four years after spending two decades with the NBA's legal department, where she oversaw the development and administration of anti-drug programs for NBA players, coaches, and trainers. She was a member of the NBA/National Basketball Players Association Prohibited Substances Committee and the NBA Crisis Management Team.

“Michelle has been a key leader for the HIWU team since we were established in 2022,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “She has played an instrumental part in the buildout of HIWU and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program and ensuring that the Rules are applied and enforced correctly and consistently.

“HIWU will miss the unwavering commitment to integrity and fairness that Michelle brought to her role each day.”

Winston joins HIWU as general counsel after spending nearly a decade as counsel for the National Football League (NFL), where she administered its policies on substances of abuse and performance-enhancing substances. She also represented the NFL and its Member Clubs in labor-management disputes, conducted trainings for coaches and players on adherence to the NFL's personal conduct and gambling policies, and served as a board member for the Partnership for Clean Competition.

Earlier in her career, Winston was senior labor relations counsel at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority-New York City Transit, where she supervised labor attorneys, advised leadership on disciplinary matters and delivered comprehensive counsel to hearing officers and labor relations teams.

Winston has served as an adjunct professor at Fordham School of Law since 2007, where she teaches Fundamental Lawyering Skills.

“Janelle has long worked with Drug Free Sport International, HIWU's parent company, through her work at the NFL, and she brings extensive experience in both anti-doping matters and legal leadership to our team,” said Mosier. “We are excited for her to dive in and positively affect the future of the Program.”

“I am thrilled to join HIWU at such an exciting time,” said Winston. “Coming from the NFL, I understand what it means to protect the integrity of a sport that millions of fans hold dear–and I bring that same sense of duty to this new role. I'll admit, after years in professional football, I never imagined I'd find athletes bigger than NFL linemen, but here we are, and I could not be more humbled or energized by the challenge ahead.”

The post Pujals Retires As HIWU’s General Counsel, Winston Named Successor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) remains a hot and controversial topic and it can be hard to find data on the numbers, such as how much are they betting and how much are they winning. To answer some of those questions and to clear up what he says are misconceptions about CAWs, Scott Daruty joined ths week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. Daruty, who was the Gainesway Guest of the Week, is the president of the Elite Turf Club, the betting outlet for many CAW players.

He said there are a lot of myths about CAWs that he wanted to debunk, like that players are betting after the race begins and that customers are given special access to the Rainbow Six pool at Gulfstream so they can see which combinations are uncovered.

“Sometimes you'll hear, 'There's a Rainbow Six jackpot at Gulfstream Park' and they'll say, 'Oh my gosh, the CAW players can see which combinations are covered and which are uncovered and therefore they're able to bet.' That's a conspiracy theory that always makes me laugh a little bit,” Daruty said.

Daruty said he understands why players are upset when there are huge odds drops on horses after a race has begun. But he said part of the problem would be solved if tracks were able to show updated odds more quickly.

“I 100% understand the frustration,” he said. “It causes me frustration, too, but for a slightly different reason. The reason I get frustrated is because, come on, can we not solve any problem? But it's a more technical and a more difficult problem to solve than you think.”

He added that it normally takes about 20 seconds after a race begins for all the odds to be updated.

Daruty made several arguments that CAWs are not the menace many people think they are. As an example, he said that retail customers at Santa Anita appear to be holding their own against CAW players.

“Our retail customers are now cashing 1.6% less than they were 10 years ago,” he said. “Is that a good thing? Is that bad thing? You can have different interpretations of it. I'm just saying it's a fact. Those are what the numbers say. Is that all CAW impact? Great minds can differ on that. I personally think not. ”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), the winner of the GIII Salvator Mile Stakes. He earned a 105 Beyer in that race. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the sire Constitution.

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 T.D. Thornton discussed the latest court ruling that went against HISA and whether that means the Supreme Court will eventually rule on whether or not HISA is constitutional. TDN European Sales Editor Brian Sheerin gave an update on the Royal Ascot meet and the team handicapped this week's GIII Ohio Derby.

For the audio version of the podcast, click here, or to watch the podcast, click here.

The post To Discuss CAWs, Scott Daruty Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Before Keeneland hosts the Breeders' Cup World Championships for the fourth time, the track will celebrate its 90th birthday with a 17-day Fall Meet from Oct. 2-24 featuring 22 stakes worth $10.7 million, the outfit said in a Wednesday press release.

Keeneland, which was developed on property owned by John Oliver “Jack” Keene, opened Oct. 15, 1936 for nine days of racing.

Over the course of the Fall Meet, 12 stakes will be run on the turf and 10 stakes will be on the dirt. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund is contributing $2,575,000 to their purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation.

The Fall Meet will begin with the signature three-day Fall Stars Weekend, featuring 11 stakes worth $6.35 million. Eight of those races are “Win and You're In” events–part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series–that award the winners automatic starting positions and free entry to the Oct. 30-31 World Championships at Keeneland.

Three Win and You're In events will be run Friday, Oct. 2: the $650,000 GI Darley Alcibiades (GI NetJets Juvenile Fillies), the $400,000 GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (GI Cygames Sprint) and the $400,000 GII Jessamine, Presented by Keeneland Sales (GI John Deere Juvenile Fillies Turf).

Saturday, Oct. 3 features five stakes, including these Win and You're In races: the $1.25 million GI Coolmore Turf Mile (GI FanDuel Mile), the $650,000 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (GI FanDuel Juvenile) and the $400,000 GII Thoroughbred Club of America (GI Filly and Mare Sprint). The distance of the TCA has been increased from 6 furlongs to 6 1/2 furlongs.

“This is a special year for Keeneland,” said Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell. “Celebrating our 90th anniversary gives us an opportunity to reflect on the rich history of this place while also looking ahead to hosting the Breeders' Cup World Championships for the fourth time. With Fall Stars Weekend and a strong stakes schedule throughout the meet, fans can expect to see some of the best racing anywhere in the sport.”

Public ticket sales for the Fall Meet will begin Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 9 a.m. ET. Click here for more information.

The post Keeneland Turns 90 With Fall Meet Stakes Schedule Worth $10.7 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Marette Farrell outbattled Donato Lanni in a war of phone bids at opposite ends of the pavilion to acquire a filly by Justify (hip 428) for an OBS June record $1.4 million on behalf of Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stable. Farrell did her bidding on the phone with OBS's Andrew Fernung sitting in the back of the pavilion, while Lanni was on the phone with Wade Cunningham in the auction stand. Justin Holmberg, sitting directly next to Cunningham, egged his fellow auctioneer on several times during the bidding, but eventually there was no answer to Farrell's final, record-setting bid.

“She was absolutely amazing,” Farrell said of the filly. “As soon as I saw the breeze, all I wanted to do was go back to the barn to see her. And so many times you are disappointed when you see a phenomenal breeze like that. But when I went to the barn, she was everything I could have hoped for. She had size, muscle, presence, a great sense of mind.”

The gray filly is out of stakes winner Harbingerofthings (Rockport Harbor) and is a half-sister to graded winner and Grade I-placed Tell Your Daddy (Scat Daddy) and to graded winner Dynadrive (Temple City).

“She is by a phenomenal sire in Justify who we are real believers in,” Farrell said. “Peter Fluor loves Justify, so that was an added plus. And of course, she is a half to a Grade I-placed filly and a couple of other really good horses. It's Mindframe's extended family. Speedway Stable has a broodmare band now and these are the kind of fillies we want to add to the band. The ones that have brilliance.”

Consigned by Hoppel, the filly is the first to sell for seven figures at the OBS June sale. The auction's previous high-priced record was set last year when a filly by Curlin–Mufajaah (Tapit) sold for $975,000.

“I hated that we had to pay that much money,” Farrell admitted. “I knew she would be close to seven figures, but you can't walk away from a filly that is as phenomenal as her. Good horses come from everywhere. Peter and K.C. know that and they know when I make a call, I really believe in this horse and I've done my homework. And I truly believe that's a special horse. They want what we believe might possibly be the best and to me she was the best.”

Farrell also credited her team for getting that homework done.

“I am so lucky to have a great team of people around me like Tescha Von Bluecher, Zoe Cadman, and Ashley Castrenze,” she said. “We work hard, but we also have a lot of laughs together.”

Consignor Jesse Hoppel had his first seven-figure result when he sold a colt by Mo Town for $1.05 million at the OBS March sale and he was quick to add a second when selling a filly by Justify for $1.4 million at the OBS June sale Wednesday.

“We got really fortunate,” Hoppel said. “We are grateful that everyone believes in us enough to bid on our horses like that. She exceeded our expectations by far. She is a really nice filly. She's got a really nice family. Hopefully she is a raving success on the racetrack and goes on to be a good broodmare. All of those things I think are possible with that filly.”

The filly, who worked a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 in last week's under-tack preview, was targeted at the June sale after a setback earlier in the year.

“She was turned out with a bunch of fillies in a big field, just being a horse,” Hoppel said. “We raise horses natural, have them turned out and let them be a horse. Sometimes they come in with bumps and bruises. That's the risk you run. She had a big lump on her shin. What happened? I don't know. None of the fillies would say. To this day, she retains a slight profile on that shin. That's just the way the body reacts. It set me back. She would have been here in April or March and it set us back a little ways. She came out of it really well. She looks to be a great racehorse. And now she's doing great.”

Of the set back, Hoppel admitted, “It was a blessing in disguise. Sometimes it feels like you are being dealt a blow, but you're just setting up for a punch. It worked out like that.”

Hoppel and his father Pat purchased the filly for $100,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“We go after a lot of horses,” Hoppel said. “And sometimes they fall through the cracks. And that filly at Keeneland, she fell through the cracks. We were fortunate today.”

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Keeneland has signed on as the co-title sponsor of the Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA), alongside FanDuel TV, for the remainder of 2026, the women's organization said via press release on Wednesday.

“Keeneland is honored to partner with the Horse Racing Women's Association as a co-title sponsor this year and support its efforts to foster connection, mentorship and professional growth for women throughout the Thoroughbred industry,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “A strong future for horse racing depends on cultivating talent, encouraging collaboration and creating pathways for leadership. We are pleased to support an organization that not only invests in the next generation but also recognizes the contributions of the women who continue to shape the future of our sport.”

The 2026 HRWA Conference, which returns to Lexington for the second consecutive year, will be held Monday, Oct. 12 through Wednesday, Oct. 14. Additional details on conference programming, speakers, and registration will be announced in the coming weeks.

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This week's rankings lean heavily toward Delaware, with Chasten claiming No. 1 on a tiebreaker (she carried 124 pounds to Gimme a Nother's 118).

6. ALLURING ANGEL (GB), DEL, 6/13, GIII Robert Dick Memorial Stakes, 1 3/8 miles (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 89 (2nd)
(m, 6, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}–All of Me {GB}, by Teofilo {Ire})
O-Larry Goichman. B-Michael Wates CBE (GB). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado.
After taking Aqueduct's GIII Long Island Stakes last November at this distance, Alluring Angel tailed off in two Gulfstream starts. But following a five-month break, she returned in good form last week at Delaware to be outkicked in the final sixteenth by Dona Clota (below).

5. DONA CLOTA (Chi), DEL, 6/13, GIII Robert Dick Memorial Stakes, 1 3/8 miles (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 89
(m, 5, by Ivan Denisovich {Ire}–Delfa {Chi}, by Total Impact {Chi})
O-Resolute Racing. B-Haras Don Alberto (Chi). T-Saffie Joseph. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
A two-time Group 1 winner against males in Chile, Dona Clota had been disappointing since purchased last December by John Stewart, but got back into the win column at Delaware in her sixth U.S. start. Joseph wanted to see her more relaxed and Ortiz seemed to help in that regard, getting her to switch off early despite very slow fractions then finish in a respectable :23 3/5.

4. JUMPING THE GUN, DEL, 6/13, GIII Delaware Oaks, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (2nd)
(f, 3, by Gun Runner–Breaking Bread, by Quality Road)
O/B-Imaginary Stables/John Guarnere (Ky). T-Andrew Simoff. J-Julio Hernandez.
She parlayed a gorgeous trip into a third runner-up finish in graded company. She tracked and then went past frontrunning 3/2 favorite Dazzling Dame (Girvin) into the stretch, but wasn't quite as good as Luv Your Neighbor (below) in another solid outing.

3. LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR, DEL, 6/13, GIII Delaware Oaks, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 92
(f, 3, by Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief)
O-Lael Stables. B-Anderson Farms Ont & 552727 Ontario (Ont-C). T-Mike Stidham. J-Luis Saez.
Seemingly lacking a killer instinct in a series of frustrating near-misses, the well-bred Luv Your Neighbor finally got her elusive graded win despite losing ground on both turns. At Fair Grounds she recorded four consecutive seconds, losing each by a half-length or less, then tacked on a third in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks and another second in the GII Eight Belles Stakes.

Gimme A Nother | Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO

2. GIMME A NOTHER (SAf), MTH, 6/13, GIII Eatontown Stakes, 1 1/16 miles (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 95
(m, 6, by Gimmethegreenlight {Aus}–Nother Russia {SAf}, by Tiger Ridge)
O-Newstead Stables. B-Wilgerbosdrift & Mauritzfontein (SAf). T-Graham Motion. J-Jorge Ruiz.
The South African wing of the Motion stable continues to produce, as Gimme a Nother followed her GII John C. Mabee Stakes win last September at Del Mar with this even more emphatic triumph off the bench. One Stripe (SAf) (One World {SAf}) has proven himself one of the country's best middle-distance turf runners, and when she gets firm turf Gimme a Nother is also a tough out.

1. CHASTEN, DEL, 6/13, Obeah Stakes, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 95
(f, 4, by Into Mischief–Lockdown, by First Defence)
O/B-Juddmonte (Ky), T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
American racing has hugely benefited from the strategy of Juddmonte's late Khalid Abdullah and Godolphin's Sheikh Mohammed to divert more resources into breeding dirt runners, and their 1-2 finish here is the latest of many examples. Chasten became a graded winner with this decisive 6 1/4-length score, and she's a half-sister to Eclipse champion Idiomatic (Curlin) out of a stakes-winning full-sister to Eclipse champion Close Hatches (First Defence)–all of those accomplishments on dirt. Meanwhile, the dam of runner-up Amalfi Drive (Medaglia d'Oro) is out of Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), a three-time graded winner–again, all on dirt.

The post Six Speedy Fillies For The Week Of June 8-14 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

OCALA, FL – With a colt by Early Voting topping the day's results, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded its first of three sessions Tuesday with an average and median ahead of last year's record-setting figures.

During Tuesday's session, 163 horses sold through the ring for a gross of $9,066,000. The average was $55,620–up 26.5% from last year's opening session–and the median of $30,000 was up 15.4% from the corresponding 2025 figure.

The cumulative average from last year's two-day June sale was $51,107 and the median was $25,000, both highwater marks for the auction.

From 327 catalogued juveniles, 239 went through the ring with 76 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 31.8%. It was 25.5% during the first session a year ago and the 2025 two-day cumulative figure was 17.1%.

A colt from the first crop of GI Preakness Stakes winner Early Voting topped the session when selling for $410,000 to trainer Greg Compton on behalf of MAG Racing Stables. The juvenile was consigned by Julie Davies, whose past June consignments have included multiple Grade I winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) and multiple stakes winner Solitude Dude (Yaupon).

“I think if you bring the right horse here, if you bring a good horse, then there are plenty of people here to buy them,” Davies said.

Greg Compton | Coady Media

Donato Lanni acquired the session's top-priced filly, going to $370,000 on behalf of Frank Fletcher for a daughter of Mo Donegal from the Envision Equine consignment.

“We've been very lucky at June,” Lanni, who purchased Adare Manor for $375,000 in 2021, said. “A lot of these horses were given the time to come here. But I do like June. It's a fun sale.”

Bloodstock agent Sean Perl, who purchased a colt by Yaupon destined for the barn of trainer Mike Maker for $270,000 early in Tuesday's session, said he saw plenty of upside in shopping at the June sale.

“I love the June sale,” Perl said. “It's my favorite sale. It's all value. You never know which runner is going to be the one to step up to the plate. Usually the sellers are motivated to sell and we are here to buy.”

The OBS June sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. ET.

A colt by Early Voting (hip 168) will be joining Greg Compton's Delaware Park-based string after the trainer bid $410,000 to acquire the juvenile on behalf of MAG Racing Stables Tuesday at OBS.

“He's a good-looking individual and he had a great breeze,” Compton said of the colt. “And the stud is off to a great start.”

Consigned by Julie Davies, the dark bay colt is out of Cara Dura (War Front) and from the family of Exchange Rate. He worked a furlong in :10 flat at last week's under-tack preview.

“I stable at Delaware Park, so he will go up there,” Compton said. “We race at Oaklawn over the winter, so he may get a little break for 30 days and then we'll get him back going again.”

Of the colt's price tag, Compton added, “It was a little more than we thought, but he's a nice individual. It's been competitive and if you want a nice horse, you're going to have to pay for him. Things didn't work out for us in April or at Timonium, so we came to try to buy a few here.”

Early Voting | Sara Gordon

MAG Racing is the racing partnership of Gregg Massanelli and Margaret Molleston. Massanelli is an orthopedic surgeon in El Dorado, Arkansas. Molleston is an executive with GeoSouthern Energy Partners, a petroleum and natural gas production company headquartered in suburban Houston.

Compton purchased G.W.'s Girl (Munnings) on behalf of MAG Racing for $130,000 at the 2024 OBS March sale. The filly won last year's Mockingbird Stakes and Dixie Belle Stakes.

Davies purchased the Early Voting colt for $52,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale.

“He was just very athletic and he had a great walk,” Davies said of the colt's appeal last fall.

Early Voting, winner of the 2022 GI Preakness Stakes, has gotten off to a fast start with his first horses to hit the track this year. The stallion has already been represented by four winners from seven starters and three of those winners earned the 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' moniker.

“I have been a fan of Early Voting since the yearling sales and I've been harping on about him all year,” Davies said. “I am sure [his fast start at stud] helped [Tuesday's result], but this was a nice horse on his own. And he was fast.”

Davies added hip 168 was always targeted at the June sale.

“He was because I had three Early Voting colts and I didn't want to put them all in the same sale.”

A filly from the first crop of GI Belmont Stakes victor Mo Donegal (hip 93) topped early returns during the opening session of the OBS June sale Tuesday when bringing a final bid of $370,000 from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni. Lanni was bidding on behalf of longtime owner Frank Fletcher and the filly will be trained by Bob Baffert.

Mo Donegal filly (Hip 93) | OBS/VidHorse Photo

“We wanted to buy a filly for Frank,” Lanni said. “He and Bob are really good friends. They have a huge amount of respect for each other. So he wants to send this one to Bob. Bob is coming to Churchill and Oaklawn and Frank's an Oaklawn guy and he likes Churchill. We are going to look at running her there.”

Hip 93, consigned by Envision Equine, is out of multiple stakes-placed Bakken Baby (Valid Expectations) and she shared the bullet furlong of :9 4/5 at last week's under-tack preview.

The filly, bred by Forever Spring Farm, was purchased for $30,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale and sold for $200,000 at the OBS March sale earlier this year.

“She has changed a lot,” Lanni said when asked about the filly's progress from March to June. “She's gotten bigger and stronger.”

The post $410k Early Voting Colt Leads Strong OBS June Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A recent article in the TDN, “He Thought His Horse Had Been Retired, So Why Did It Show Up at Chippewa Downs?” has attracted a lot of attention. It should. It's an unfortunate situation: an older Thoroughbred, sold for breeding purposes and believed by its owner to have been retired from racing ultimately returns to racing under new connections, raising understandable concerns about welfare and accountability.

Scenarios like this are preventable and can be addressed through an existing protocol.

Transferred as Retired from Racing (TRR)–a process available to all owners–should be viewed not as optional, but as a best practice. When properly recorded through The Jockey Club, a horse's Certificate of Foal Registration is clearly marked to prevent a return to racing and to notify racetracks accordingly.

The process is straightforward, can be completed digitally, and provides clarity for all parties involved–the seller, the buyer, downstream aftercare organizations, and racing offices. Most importantly, it helps ensure that horses retiring due to injury, age, or lack of competitiveness are not cycled back into racing.

At the same time, the designation does not limit a horse's future beyond the track. Horses with breeding potential can still transition into stud or broodmare careers, preserving both their breeding value and their welfare while eliminating the risk of an unintended return to competition.

As an industry, we must continue to emphasize responsible transitions from racing into second careers and new ownership. Wider adoption of the Transferred as Retired from Racing feature is a simple, practical step that meaningfully advances those goals and helps prevent exactly the kind of situation that happened to Nepal Up.

More information, including frequently asked questions, about the Transferred as Retired from Racing process, is available here.

Michael McMahon

McMahon and Hill Bloodstock
Bourbon Lane Stable
President, Thoroughbred Charities of America

The post Letter To The Editor: Responsible Transitions From Racing Can Happen Digitally appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Book Value became the first winner for the elevated 2021 GI Kentucky Derby winner and freshman sire Mandaloun with a 3 3/4-length debut victory at Thistledown Tuesday. The Ohio-bred is owned by Marion F. Gorham Revocable Trust and was bred and trained by Robert Gorham. Mandaloun, also the winner of the 2021 GI TVG.com Haskell S., stands for $10,000 at Juddmonte Farms.

4th-Thistledown, $33,900, (S), Msw, 6-16, 2yo, 5f, :59.62, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
BOOK VALUE (g, 2, Mandaloun–Wall Street Lady, by Speightstown) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $20,340. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Marion F. Gorham Revocable Trust; B/T-Robert Gorham (OH). *1/2 to Livingmybestlife (The Big Beast), MSW & GISP, $245,970.

The post Book Value Becomes First Winner for Mandaloun appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After a delayed start last December, Santa Anita's 2025-26 meet concluded on Monday, June 15, the first time the meet has ended on a Monday in its 91-year history.

The on-track crowd totaled over 540,000 fans for the season and averaged more than 7,000 per day over the 77-day season, which included both the Classic and Hollywood meets.

All sources handle totaled $708,112,231, with an average daily handle of $9,196,263. It marked the sixth consecutive year daily handle has exceeded $9 million for the Winter-Spring season.

“Santa Anita is one of the most magnificent racetracks in the world and an integral part of American racing over the first half of the calendar year,” said Bill Nader, President of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “The purse for a maiden allowance during the Spring meet was up more than 20% when compared to two years ago. We are perfectly positioned for another increase next year.”

Hall of Famer Bob Baffert just edged out Michael McCarthy to lead the trainer standings with 14 stakes wins.

Among owners, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables won six stakes each, all with partners. The partnserships combined with the Estate of Brereton C. Jones on the ownership of Thought Process, who won both the GI Gamely and the GII Buena Vista Stakes in her two races this year.

Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith also recorded his 5,800th win in the saddle this season, while Tyler Baze and Juan Hernandez both notched their 3,000th appearance in the winner's circle. Hernandez had 17 stakes wins to lead all jockeys.

The season got off Dec. 28, in front of the largest opening day crowd since 2016. It was the strongest Sunday curtain raiser this century. Despite record rainfall delaying the traditional Dec. 26 opener two days, wagering topped more than $18.2 million, marking the eighth time in the last nine years that the opening day handle surpassed the $18 million mark.

The meet's conclusion was also pushed back a day given the cancellation of four races because of loss of power issues at the Arcadia oval on June 12.

Santa Anita Handicap Day saw the largest crowd in attendance this decade wager 11% more on track than 2025, contributing to a total handle of nearly $15 million. Santa Anita Derby Day checked in with the largest crowd in attendance since 2018, an increase of more than 9% over 2025. Total handle was $18,670,017, the highest of the meet. More than 15,000 fans then returned to Santa Anita to watch the Kentucky Derby and wager more than $17.3 million on the first Saturday in May.

“We are grateful to everyone who supported Santa Anita Park this past season, whether with their horses, their time, or their wagering dollars,” said Nate Newby, SVP and General Manager of Santa Anita Park. “The energy that the big crowds bring to one of the greatest venues in the sport is a reminder of why this continues to be a special place.”

Live racing returns to Santa Anita Park on Friday, Sept. 25 for the six-week Autumn meet.

The post Santa Anita 2025-26 Meet Concludes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A barn fire that broke out early Tuesday morning has claimed the lives of 17 horses at Saratoga Casino Hotel, which sits off Nelson Avenue in Saratoga Springs and is directly across the street from the Thoroughbred track.

The barn housed a total of 18 horses and was completely destroyed. One horse escaped the barn and sustained minor injuries.

No people were hurt, according to the casino hotel and fire department.

The horses belonged to two trainers who stabled their horses in the barn. Trainer Robyn Mangiardi lost 11 horses, while trainer Timothy Benson lost six horses.

The fire was contained to a single barn and did not spread to adjacent structures. Security personnel from both Saratoga Casino Hotel and the nearby Saratoga Racecourse, along with emergency responders, acted quickly to evacuate horses from neighboring barns and secure the surrounding area. Approximately 350 horses are typically housed on the backstretch.

“The loss suffered today is heartbreaking for our racing community,” said Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Casino Hotel Sam Gerrity. “Our thoughts remain with Robyn, Tim, their teams, the horse owners, and everyone affected by this tragedy. We are deeply grateful to the security personnel, first responders, and racing staff whose swift actions helped protect the horses and people in the surrounding barns.”

Saratoga Casino Hotel is working with Saratoga Hospital to make grief counseling services available to trainers, caretakers, owners, and other members of the backstretch community affected by this tragedy. Information regarding counseling resources will be provided directly to those impacted.

“This is a sobering day in our industry, a horse person's worst nightmare. We express our deep condolences to all impacted and thank all emergency responders and track workers for their quick response,” said President Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association Henry Westbrook.

The area remains closed as investigators continue to determine the cause of the fire.

Tuesday's card at Saratoga Casino Hotel was cancelled.

“Our thoughts are with the horse owners, trainers, caretakers, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” John Matarazzo, director of racing operations at Saratoga Casino Hotel, said. “We are grateful for the swift actions of our security, nearby NYRA personnel and the Saratoga Springs Fire Department, whose efforts helped save numerous horses and ensured there were no injuries to people on site.”

Citing Sarah Burger, a city supervisor and lawyer for the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association who represents the harness track, the Albany Times Union first reported that 30 horses had died, then updated the number of deaths to 17.

Burger told the Times Union that she expects the probe into the cause of the fire will be a collaborative effort–but also a lengthy process.

Fire Chief Aaron Dyer told the Times Union that the fire was reported at 2:30 a.m. A video shared with the Times Union shows flames towering over one of the barns, while orange smoke illuminated by the flames below rose above several barns.

“Horse racing in New York is a community of hardworking people linked together by a shared commitment to the horses,” said NYRA's President & CEO David O'Rourke. “This morning's tragic fire at the Saratoga Hotel Casino Harness Track will have a profound impact on that community, and NYRA extends our condolences to all those affected by this loss.

“NYRA stands ready to support our neighbors at Saratoga Hotel Casino with any assistance they may need at this time.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up for the horsemen and women affected by the fire. To make a donation, click here.

Saratoga Casino Hotel will hold a memorial service to honor the horses lost in the fire. Details regarding the service will be announced at a later date.

Horses Perish at Saratoga Harness Race Track https://t.co/MrtQKn29JO Sadly, we were there this morning to witness this tragic event. Condolences to the connections of the horses lost this morning. @ABC7NY @NBCNews @CBS @CNN @FOXSports pic.twitter.com/sNe2Y8GwlP

— Equine Info Exchange (@EquineInfoEx) June 16, 2026

The post 17 Horses Killed in Fire at Saratoga Harness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Monday's rescheduled Affirmed Stakes was run at a breakneck clip, and that suited the class-dropping SECURED FREEDOM (c, 3, Practical Joke–Securely, by Uncle Mo), who made a long run from three furlongs out and overcame some late greenness to win for the first time in stakes company.

Settled in fifth position as Mo Koko (Mo Town) and 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Decisive Win (Nyquist) match-raced into the clubhouse turn, Secured Freedom was content to bide his time from midfield and improved past a rival to be fourth approaching the second bend.

Ridden along by Joel Rosario, the Virginia-bred Secured Freedom began to zero in on the gasping pacesetters and rolled up to poke his head in front four or five deep at the quarter pole. The bay colt, getting the blinkers off from Tim Yakteen, appeared to idle some, allowing One More Freud (Tonalist) to loom a threat inside the final furlong, but Secured Freedom got his mind back on business in the final 40 yards and held sway to the line to score at the 13-10 chalk.

Secured Freedom was exiting a fourth to 'TDN Rising Stars' Crude Velocity (Beau Liam) and Englishman (Maxfield) in the GII Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on May 2.

The winner's dam, Securely, produced a colt by Maximus Mischief in 2025 and was bred back to Prince of Monaco.

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

AFFIRMED S., $101,000, Santa Anita, 6-15, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:45.32, ft.
1–SECURED FREEDOM, 120, c, 3, by Practical Joke
1st Dam: Securely, by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: In Secure, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Morelia, by Deputy Minister
($110,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Amestoy,
Leslie A., Amestoy, Jr., Pierre Jean and Beasley, Roger K.;
B-Audley Farm Equine, LLC (VA); T-Tim Yakteen; J-Joel Rosario.
$60,000. Lifetime Record: GSP, 6-2-0-1, $160,150.
*1/2 to Sporting Lady (Munnings), SP, $240,450; Hold Tight
(Candy Ride {Arg}), SW, $191,964.
2–One More Freud, 124, c, 3, Tonalist–Freudian Finish, by
Haynesfield. O-JP Racing Stable (Ralph J. Bianculli), Paradise
Farms Corp., Bayer, Robert C., Diskin, Keith and Lambert,
Jeffrey; B-Larry Hirsch (KY); T-Robert B. Hess, Jr.. $20,000.
3–Constitution Andi, 120, c, 3, Constitution–Candavar, by
Candy Ride (Arg). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Williams, Larry D. and
Williams, Marianne; B-Larry D. Williams (KY); T-Mike Puype.
$12,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 1.30, 11.60, 35.80.
Also Ran: Decisive Win, Litmus Test, Mo Koko, Court of Appeal.

#4 SECURED FREEDOM ($4.60) circled the leaders coming to the stretch to win the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes at @santaanitapark. The son of Practical Joke (@coolmoreamerica) was ridden by @JRosarioJockey and is trained by @timyakteen. pic.twitter.com/1JHz0VGSX1

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 15, 2026

The post Practical Joke’s Secured Freedom Gets Right Set-Up in Affirmed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a view to pulling the veil back on the whys and wherefores of their operations, a representative of either the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority or the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) will every week answer a question of industry importance posed by the TDN.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask HISA or HIWU, please feel free to send them over to us at the following email address: danross@thetdn.com

Q: Recently, there have been several posts online purporting to show Daily Racing Form past performances that include records of intra-articular injections. Some of the posts suggest that HISA has been selling the data to outside entities. What does HISA do with the data it collects? And moreover, what information should gamblers have access to, and where can they access this info?

Lisa Lazarus:

HISA would never sell individual horse health information without the consent of the Responsible Persons, and any suggestion otherwise is categorically false.

It is true that HISA is exploring monetizing data in an anonymized fashion to reduce the financial burden of HISA on the industry. However, no such agreement has been launched to date, and HISA will always seek consent from Responsible Persons before sharing any individual horse health information.

Most importantly, the screenshots of PPs circulating online could not have come from the HISA Portal because some of the information is different from what is in the HISA Portal. So, while this information did not come from HISA, the importance of the aggregation of treatment records for horses in the HISA Portal cannot be overstated.

With all of the information that HISA is collecting, and through collaboration with technology companies like Palantir, we now have the opportunity to analyze the data to glean learnings that we can then translate into public knowledge. This was not possible prior to HISA's creation of a centralized database. These learnings will help prevent injuries and fatalities, inform best practices, enhance our rules and ultimately move our industry forward.

As it pertains to gamblers, individual horse health data is not available for public consumption. Whether or not that data would be made available in the future is something that the industry must discuss and consider together. HISA, however, does currently maintain a public Epistaxis and Unsoundness list that is available to everyone registered with HISA via the HISA Portal.

Finally, we have shared our review into the potential source of these PP records and our conclusion that they did not come from the HISA Portal, with other entities that might be the source of that information, and have encouraged them to conduct their own review to ensure the data is not being used for unauthorized purposes.

Note: HISA will be elaborating on what it does with the data in the coming weeks of this series.

The post Ask HISA: Data Usage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

All Brad Altschuld wanted for his horse Nepal Up (Will Take Charge) was for him to go somewhere where he could enjoy his retirement, the type of situation where the owner would never have to worry about his horse's future. Nepal Up was about to turn 10 and had been put on the vet's list after a Sept. 1 starter handicap race at Monmouth. So Altschuld found someone who agreed to take the horse, a small-time breeder in Nebraska named Christina Nelson who said she was willing to give Nepal Up a chance as a stallion.

While Altschuld admits he doesn't have anything in writing, he says that Nelson agreed that she would not race the horse again. He also admits that he did not have the horse's foal papers updated to indicate that he was “sold as retired from racing.”

Still, Altschuld was in disbelief when he saw that Nepal Up ran in a $4,000 allowance race on June 7 at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt, North Dakota. He finished third and earned $480.

“I am very worried about him,” he said shortly after the race.

(According to a agreement signed by Altschuld and Nelson, Nepal Up was bred to 10 to 12 mares).

Eight days after the Chippewa Downs race, Altschuld got his wish. After he worked tirelessly to retrieve the horse and come up with a deal with Nelson, Nepal Up arrived at a farm in Aberdeen, South Dakota early Monday morning. In about two weeks, he will be shipped to Charter Oak Farm in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The farm is owned by Jill Neece and is where Altschuld has sent other retirees.

“I'll be happier when he's on the farm for good that he's going to stay at, but I'm glad that I did the right thing,” he said. “I'm glad that he's going to have the life of retirement that he deserves and the retirement that I had planned for him.”

To make his happen, Altschuld agreed to pay Nelson $10,000 for the same horse he gave to her for free. The money was wired to her last week through her attorney.

“Do I think he got $10,000 worth of care in the eight months she had him? I find that hard to believe,” Altschuld said. “If it had been $4,000 or $6,000, I would have been covering the care. But she had me over a barrel. I wanted the horse back.  I needed to have the horse out of the situation he was in and I didn't have much choice. I wasn't going to let money stand in the way of the best interests of the horse.”

Nepal Up was special to Altschuld. He was the type of old warrior who was easy to fall in love with. He made 47 career starts and earned $284,110. He won twice as a nine-year-old. Trained by Dan Ward, his biggest win came in the 2025 $125,000 Trail's End, the mile-and-three-quarter race that is run as the last race on the last day of the Oaklawn meet. It is a race that Altschuld had always wanted to win.

But to Altschuld, every horse is special. That was ingrained him by his mother, Carla, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 77. Before her passing, she was partners with her son in the racing stable they named Brad's Equine Adventure.

“I was the only one in the family who was interested in horse racing, so for my birthday one year she got me a $5,000 claimer and that's how I got interested in ownership,” Altschuld said. “She just fell in love with the animals and their personalities. I know this is hot button topic now, but when they go down the ladder and they can no longer be competitive they're going to end up in situations where they're going to get passed around and you can no longer vouch for their well-being. She just didn't want to see that happen to them. When they were no longer competitive at the tracks we were racing at, which were Monmouth and Oaklawn at the time when she was still alive, that was time for them to be retired. Even though she isn't here to know of this story, I want her to be proud and to know that I have her tenacious spirit to fight for the horse. Both Dan Ward and my mom instilled in me that doing right by the horse is what really matters.”

Altschuld says he has retired between 20 and 25 horses, some of whom have gone on to second careers and some that are pasture pets. Altschuld said he has yet to decide future plans for Nepal Up. But he knows that the horse in good hands and will live out his life safely and comfortably, the way Altschuld had always intended that he would.

The post Nepal Up Is On His Way Home appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

For the 10th consecutive year, NBC Sports presents daily live coverage of the Royal Ascot presented by Breeders' Cup Challenge Series at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, beginning Tuesday, June 16, at 8:30 a.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN, and continuing through Friday (beginning each day at 8:30 a.m. ET).

NBC and Peacock will present a live 4.5-hour Royal Ascot program on Saturday, June 20, starting at 9 a.m. ET.

Britney Eurton and Nick Luck host Saturday's coverage on NBC and Peacock, with NBC News' Dylan Dreyer on-site with access to the Royal Enclosure. Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst for NBC News and NBC Sports, returns to NBC Sports' Royal Ascot coverage as an insights analyst. Ginnie Chadwyck-Healey, formerly of British Vogue for 12 years, will serve as fashion and lifestyle host.

In total, NBC Sports will present nearly 25 hours of coverage over the five days of racing.

Following is NBC Sports' Royal Ascot coverage schedule this week:

Date, Time (ET), Platform(s)

Tues., June 16 8:30 a.m. Peacock, NBCSN

Wed., June 17 8:30 a.m. Peacock, NBCSN

Thurs., June 18 8:30 a.m. Peacock, NBCSN

Fri., June 19 8:30 a.m. Peacock

Sat., June 20 9 a.m. NBC, Peacock

Sat., June 20 Noon Peacock, NBCSN

The post Royal Ascot Coverage on NBC Sports, Peacock; Begins June 16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2-year-old auction season, which has set records at each of its major stops this spring, reaches its denouement with the three-day Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale which begins Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m.

“We hope so,” OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski said when asked if the June sale could continue the company's record-setting streak. “There are a lot of good horses on the grounds. So far, we have seen a lot of activity in the barns. We are always optimistic.”

The OBS March sale opened the season with a record-tying seven million-dollar juveniles, as well as its highest-ever gross. The company's Spring sale in April set highwater marks for gross, average, and median, but those records were largely eclipsed by the auction's $10.5-million sale-topping son of Flightline. And the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training sale recorded its highest gross, average and median in Maryland last month.

“I think all you have to do is look at the results every day and see the number of 2-year-old sales graduates that are winning races, breaking their maidens, and winning big stakes races,” Wojciechowski said of the demand for horses. “So I contribute it mainly to the results that people are seeing with horses that they purchase from the 2-year-old sales.”

The OBS June sale set its own records a year ago. A filly by Curlin brought the auction's highest-ever price of $975,000, while the two-day sale had its highest average and median.

“I think I said a year or two ago that this isn't your father's June sale,” Wojciechowski said. “It's grown up into its own sale. I think as time has pushed sales calendars later in the year, both yearling and 2-year-old sales, that it makes sense that there is a group of horses that are slated for June.”

Consignor Jesse Hoppel, who sold his first million-dollar juvenile at the March sale, said he has horses who fit best in the June sale and have been targeted specifically towards the final major sale of the season.

“I aim horses for this sale every year,” Hoppel said after sending out a filly by Vekoma (hip 876) to share the quarter-mile bullet time of :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack preview. “Some people come here because it was Plan B. I've got a lot of horses here where it was Plan A all along. The fact that they're standing up doesn't surprise me either. They were meant to come here and do well.”

Omar Ramirez is another consignor who had his biggest sale to date this year when he sold a colt by Speaker's Corner for $875,000 at the Spring sale. His 46-head June consignment includes a filly by Central Banker (hip 59) who shared the preview's furlong bullet time of :9 4/5.

“This is one of my favorite sales where I always try to bring good horses,” Ramirez said of the June sale. “This sale has always been good to me. And this has been a dream year for me. My clients gave me great horses, they trust me and gave me the opportunity.”

In all, 500 horses sold through the ring last June for a gross of $25,553,500. The average was $51,107 and the median was $25,000.

After its abbreviated two-day renewal in 2025, when 903 horses were catalogued, the June sale returns to its three-day format in 2026, with 1,057 catalogued juveniles.

The June sale continues through Thursday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

The post Record-Setting 2-Year-Old Auction Season Concludes with OBS June Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A raft of changes to the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program woven into the recently introduced Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act could open up the visa to the immigrant backstretch workforce.

Designed specifically for agricultural workers, the H-2A program has for a long time effectively excluded equine backstretch workers from participation as it is designed for non-immigrant ag' workers who perform seasonal or temporary jobs.

“For decades, that has been strictly defined in regulations to mean the length of the job contract is limited to 10 months and the underlying job must be BOTH seasonal and temporary,” according to a governmental factsheet on the proposed legislation.

The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act, introduced by House agriculture committee chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, would change that by stipulating H-2A visas are for agricultural labor or services of a temporary nature only, “removing the requirement that it also be seasonal,” the governmental factsheet states.

The proposed legislation, which contains language specifically related to the “management and training of equines,” would also clarify that “temporary” is in relation to the “length of the job contract (a maximum of 350 days), rather than the underlying nature of the work being performed,” the factsheet adds.

“While this legislation is within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee, through my work traveling the country working on the farm bill, it was clear to me that the agriculture industry is in crisis when it comes to having the labor necessary to maintain a resilient food supply. The existing H-2A program is not sufficient to meet the needs of today, much less the demands of the future,” wrote Thompson, in a letter advocating for the bill.

“When farms and ranches cannot secure the labor they need, the results are felt far beyond rural communities. This ultimately affects healthy food availability, consumer prices, and the economic strength of the broader food supply chain,” Thompson added.

“There's broad definition to include equine, so, Thoroughbred and other sectors within our equine community are included,” said Oscar Gonzales, vice chair of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), a long-time advocate in Washington for immigration reform as it relates to backstretch workers.

Gonzales served as deputy chief of staff to former secretary of agriculture Tom Vilsack.

Among the key provisions of the bill as written, Gonzales identified language allowing for existing unauthorized workers to gain access to the program, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements (like background checks and an in-person interview).

“Another part that is critical, the paperwork part of the legislation appears to be much more simplified and streamlined, so that an employer won't have to exhaust their resources to just get through the application process,” said Gonzales.

Currently, the backstretch workforce has been largely limited to H-2B visas only.

The H-2B visa program affords non-agriculture seasonal immigrant workers jobs in such industries as hospitality or with animals, but has its limitations. It comes with a restrictive annual quota, and is typically only granted for a year, but it can be extended for up to three years.

According to Gonzales, he and Will Velie, an immigration attorney with close ties to the racing industry, are in the process of establishing their own political action committee, called the Horseman Labor PAC.

The committee, he said, is designed “to advocate politically, to be able to raise funds and support candidates who advocate equine labor issues.”

The post Proposed H2-A Visa Legislation Changes Opens Door to Backstretch Workers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2-year-olds are just getting started, but this week's highlight is the fastest juvenile we've seen so far this year.

5) LEGAL HEIR, SA, 6/14-7th, 6 furlongs (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 83
(c, 3, by Nyquist-How My Heart Works, by Not For Love)
O-Charles Henderson. B-Bowman & Higgins Stable (Md). T-Vann Belvoir. J-Kazushi Kimura.

Henderson bought Legal Heir in December for $120,000 in a digital sale after the $550,000 2-year-old purchase had missed his entire juvenile campaign then failed to win in four starts at 3. But he had shown sharp speed, and in his fourth start for Henderson another cutback to 6 furlongs led to a frontrunning victory. His dam is out of a half-sister to Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed.

4) LAKEN, IND, 6/9-3rd, 1 1-16 miles
Beyer Speed Figure- 84
(f, 3, by Good Magic-Pure Poison, by Honor Code)
O/B-Jackpot Farm (Ky). T-Vickie Oliver. J-Mario Gutierrez.

Laken is bred to improve around two turns, and she did so nicely in decisively handling a Godolphin full-sister to Essential Quality (moved up from 3rd to 2nd by DQ). Her unraced dam is out of a half-sister to Preakness winner Shackleford.

3) BALLOTEER, CD, 6/12-5th, 5 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 84
(c, 2, by Early Voting-Just Joking, by Distorted Humor)
O-Doubledown Stables. B-Jory Sherman & Don Blowe (Ky). T-James DiVito. J-Luis Saez.

Balloteer jumped out to a nice lead and maintained a safe cushion over fellow firster and even-money Flightline colt Greenwell. He breezed :10 1/5 and brought $475,000 at OBS March despite zero stakes winners from 17 runners produced by his first two dams–although his third dam is 1989 sprint champion Safely Kept.

2) BIG DESTROYER, AQU, 6/12-10th, 6 furlongs (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 86
(g, 3, by Midshipman-Peru (GB), by Motivator (GB))
O-LJSS Thoroughbreds. B-Nursery Place, John Donaldson and Happy Broadbent (Ky). T-Miguel Clement. J-Flavien Prat.

Since officially taking over from his late father 13 months ago, Clement has kept their stable humming with one added twist: his success with first-time starters. He has been winning at an 18% clip overall but at 26% with firsters–and the corresponding 13% flat-bet profit rises to 21% on grass. Big Destroyer is the latest example, rallying from slightly behind the leaders to score smartly in this grass sprint and key a 1-2 Clement finish.

1) KENNYTEN, SA, 6/12-4th, 5 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 91
(c, 2, by Drain the Clock-Fairywren, by Goldencents)
O-Holly and David Wilson. B-Nicholas Lotz (Ky). T-Vladimir Cerin. J-Ricardo Gonzalez.

In the early 2000s, the Wilsons experienced Gr. I success with Early Pioneer and Designed for Luck, both $62,500 claims by Cerin. By contrast, Kennyten was a $140,000 OBS 2-year-old buy three months ago. Cerin quickly saw the colt was fast but wasn't sure he was fit enough yet to handle Zedan-Baffert 1/5 favorite Nayar, an $850,000 purchase from the same sale. “I was wrong!” Cerin said after 8/1 Kennyten drew off by 7-1/2 lengths in the fastest Beyer by a 2-year-old thus far in 2026. Cerin credited another of the Wilsons' trainers, Michael McCarthy, for recommending the purchase, lavishing praise on McCarthy as a “future Hall of Famer.”

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