Thoroughbred Daily News

7th-Belmont The Big A, $85,360, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 5-1, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:35.89, ft, 1 1/4 lengths.
CASSIAR (f, 3, City of Light–Nellie Cashman {GSW, $349,839}, by Mineshaft), runner-up in the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks behind recently-scratched Kentucky Oaks entrant Five G (Vekoma), cut back to the mile but faced several salty fillies including the come-backing GI Frizette Stakes winner Scottish Lassie (McKinzie). That 2-5 favorite made much of the running, setting a pressured pace just ahead of Dry Powder (Gun Runner) through fractions of :23.78 and :46.57. Cassiar sat third off that pair into the turn, really picked up the bridle with an outside bid at the quarter pole and came home nicely as the heavy favorite began to fade to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Dry Powder stayed on for second while Scottish Lassie was third. The top three were well clear of the final two runners in the field on the line. Out of GIII Virginia Oaks winner Nellie Cashman, also the dam of Bendoog (Gun Runner), G1SP-UAE, GSP-USA, $817,116, Cassiar has a yearling Mitole half-sister and a foal half-sister by Mandaloun. Sales History: $400,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-0-1, $91,710. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-W.S. Farish; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.

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LOUISVILLE, KY– Two months ago, trainer Dale Romans and California Horse Racing Board vice chairman Oscar Gonzales traveled to Washington, D.C. with the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to join more than 150 business leaders in a push for bipartisan immigration reform. On Thursday, May 1 after training hours concluded at Churchill Downs, the pair participated in a media briefing to share their insights from the trip and explain why the group believes that now is the time to reform U.S. laws and regulations affecting legal immigrant workers.

Around 20 media outlets from both within the industry and beyond attended the briefing, which was hosted by the ABIC and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Gonzales, who served as senior advisor on immigration to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack for 10 years at the U.S. Department of Agriculture prior to joining the CHRB, said that he has witnessed the highs and lows of the immigration conversation.

“I think we're at a critical point now with market access challenges, labor shortages and with prices getting higher,” he explained. “We think that the American public is ready for a conversation.”

Gonzales said ABIC's March campaign to 121 congressional offices was just the start of a broader push for immigration reform—one that will require active involvement from leaders within the racing industry, which relies on immigrants for roughly 78% of its workforce.

“We laid out the conversation about the economic impact that the equine industry has on the country and in urban areas like [Louisville],” he said. “What you can be expecting in the next couple months is really just engaging horse racing people in particular– going to racetracks, letting their members of congress and governors know about the importance of them being at the table. This will also involve getting sign-on letters and additional trips to Washington.”

In an article from the TDN's Dan Ross earlier this week, Ross discussed how President Donald Trump broached the topic of reform at an April 10 cabinet meeting.

“At that gathering, Trump intimated of a new program to help farm, hotel and other workers leave the country and then return legally with the support of their U.S. employer,” Ross penned. “While Trump's wording at the meeting was vague, the pathways available to bring such concepts to life appear largely two-fold: Through executive order or through legislation.”

In Thursday's meeting, Dale Romans, who is also the President of the Kentucky HBPA, offered his opinion on the most effective methods for enacting change.

“Everything starts with the White House,” Romans said. “If [Trump] came up with an amnesty program, we just want to be in on the conversation when he decides to do something. I think he's a businessman at the end of the day and that's a positive for us. I don't think there's as much of a concern about the welfare of Central and South Americans, but I think he understands business and the business cannot operate in this country without a labor force.”

The racing industry currently relies on the H-2B visa program to meet its demand for backstretch workers, but the system has shortcomings. Visas are capped annually and typically last only 10 months, though they can be extended for up to three years.

“It's a cumbersome system,” said Romans. “It has to find people in Central and South America that want to come here and work on a visa and then you have to get visas allotted to you every year, so you don't know for sure if you're going to get them in the next year and then you only get them for 10 months once they get here. There has to be a simpler system.”

He continued, “In a perfect world, I would love to see the government almost running a temp service where someone in Central or South America applies to the temp service, then I call them and say I need 20 workers to come work on the backside and they come to me. It would turn the system upside down. Right now, it's difficult to stay legal and it's hard to plan for the future. Every 10 months you're reapplying for new visas and there is no guarantee you're going to get them. There's a cap on them but there is not a cap on need.”

President Trump's recent comments on immigration reform suggest a potential broadening of the administration's approach, which has so far emphasized strong border enforcement. While the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apparently has not yet set its sights on racing, reports from other industries have created uncertainty within the backside community.

Dale Romans | Lauren King

“I've worked with immigrant workers my whole life and I've never seen people under the stress they've gone through the last six months,” said Romans. “Everybody is worried. I've never had so many people come to me asking questions.”

Romans said that earlier this spring when his stable was relocating from Florida to Kentucky, members of his staff traveling with the horses expressed concerns about stopping at state agricultural inspection stations.

“They asked, 'Are we going to be swept away when we cross the border? Is there going to be ICE sitting there waiting?'” shared Romans. “These are legal people that have work visas but have concerns. It's a very important issue.”

Romans said he is optimistic about seeing change under the current administration.

“Trump is saying all the right things,” he noted. “He wants to separate the good from the bad. He understands the workforce issue we have in this country. We're at 4% unemployment. These are people that pay their taxes. They'll never see the benefit of social security, but they're paying into it every year. We might as well make it legal. We can't operate without them.”

Also during Thursday's meeting, National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback and ABIC CEO Rebecca Shi offered their insight on the need for immigration reform. Joe Stave of Monterey Mushrooms, one of America's largest mushroom producers, shared how his company relies on the soiled straw from racetracks for compost to grow their product and discussed how his industry relies on the same labor force as the equine industry.

Will Velie, an immigration attorney specializing in the racing industry, pointed out how future reform could take a shape similar to the 2022 Affordable and Secure Food Act.”

“[The bill] came six votes short and lost in the filibuster, but it said if you worked in agriculture for a previous period of time and you agreed to work in agriculture for a number of years after that, you would become legal and have a pathway to a long-term, permanent presence,” Velie explained. “I think right now with the border being secure, this is a bipartisan issue and I think we have the space where we can get something done to take care of the people who take care of us.”

The post Critical Point: Industry Works Toward Immigration Reform appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – With the legendary D. Wayne Lukas, white cowboy hat, shades and all, leading the charge aboard his stable pony, Thursday's exclusive 15-minute training session for GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks entrants was off and running on another partly cloudy and warm, humid morning at Churchill Downs.

The 89-year-old, four-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer was accompanying Virginia Derby hero American Promise (Justify), who will become his 51st starter in Saturday's Run for the Roses. Doesn't get much better than that.

Flying Mohawk (Karakontie {Jpn}), an enticing 30-1 on the morning line, was the first to catch the eye. The GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up has been getting over the surface quite nicely ahead of his first career attempt on dirt.

Between the rail draw and visual impression that he's made all week, last year's champion 2-year-old Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) may be the fastest of them all heading into the clubhouse turn for the 1 1/4-mile Classic.

Burnham Square (Liam's Map) has been giving off plenty of good vibes this week, galloping once again with his neck arched while passing the big crowd in attendance lined up along the rail on the backstretch.

His affable jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., prominently featured on the front page of our special, Kentucky Derby preview edition, will look to put them back to back after masterfully guiding Mystik Dan (Goldencents) home to an 18-1 upset last year.

You would never guess that Publisher (American Pharoah), a striking $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga baby, would still be a maiden just by watching him train.

Publisher | Sherackatthetrack

It's been nothing but good news to report for Journalism (Curlin) as well as Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who have owned the mornings this Kentucky Derby week.

Journalism's long list of admirers while getting cleaned up back at Michael McCarthy's barn included co-owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partner's Aron Wellman and Bridlewood Farm's George Isaacs.

“We have the utmost respect for every runner and their connections and we're taking nothing for granted, but Journalism instills a lot of confidence in everyone around him,” Wellman said.

The post Thursday’s Kentucky Derby Report: Legendary D. Wayne Lukas Leads Cavalry Charge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

One of two fillies in a scratched down field of six for Thursday's Kentucky Juvenile Stakes, Pinky Finger (Army Mule) made those that swallowed the 1-2 starting price sweat it out in the waning strides, but was home narrowly best to run her record to two wins from as many appearances.

A 7 1/2-length debut winner at even-money at Keeneland while also facing the boys Apr. 7, the $90,000 Keeneland November weanling hit the ground running here and dueled through the early stages with Monster (Leinster) before opening up some daylight on the turn. Clear of her rivals as they hit the stretch, she was put to a more vigorous drive inside the final furlong and scraped home a narrow winner as Maximus Prime (Maximus Mischief) took ground off her with every stride, but was fractionally too late. The winner's stablemate Double Talker (Hootenanny), himself a first-out winner in Lexington Apr. 10, looked dangerous for a stride or two with less than an eighth of a mile to travel, but could do no better than third.

SpearmaCo acquired Bird Map for $40,000 with this filly in utero at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. The mare is a half-sister to seven winners, including the Grade II-placed Bird Maker (Empire Maker), MSP Watch this Birdie (Astern {Aus}) and SP Cheechako (Invasor {Arg}). Bird Map's half-sister Bird Sense (Street Sense) produced Marylou Whitney's 2021 GIII Schuylerville Stakes heroine Pretty Birdie (Bird Song), who was runner-up in this track's GII Eight Belles Stakes the following May. Third dam Dearest Gulch was a half-sister to Whitney's 2003 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Bird Town (Cape Town).

Pinky Finger is one of 108 individual winners for her sire, who has now been represented by an incredible 16 stakes winners from roughly 160 starters. Ward told Churchill's Joe Kristufek that Pinky Finger has worked on the grass and handled it well and could be under consideration for a trip to Royal Ascot in about six weeks' time.

Returned to the 2023 November Sale, Bird Map fetched $40,000 from Cromwell Bloodstock and produced a filly by Aloha West in 2024. The mare was most recently served by Hard Spun.

KENTUCKY JUVENILE S., $246,500, Churchill Downs, 5-1, 2yo, 5f, :58.32, ft.
1–PINKY FINGER, 118, f, 2, by Army Mule
1st Dam: Bird Map, by Liam's Map
2nd Dam: Bird Harbor, by Boston Harbor
3rd Dam: Dearest Gulch, by Gulch
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. ($90,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV). O/T-Wesley A Ward; B-SpearmaCo (KY); J-Joel Rosario. $152,760. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $203,678.
2–Maximus Prime, 118, c, 2, Maximus Mischief–Sweet Alternative, by Alternation. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. ($50,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Gary Bizzack & Tiffany Bizzack; B-Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam Robinson) (KY); T-Larry W Demeritte. $49,600.
3–Double Talker, 120, g, 2, Hootenanny–Valentine's Nay, by No Nay Never. 1ST BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Ice Wine Stable (KY); T-Wesley A Ward. $24,800.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, 3 3/4. Odds: 0.51, 10.65, 4.07.
Also Ran: Happyhappyboy, Daring Move, Monster. Scratched: Barstool, Diblasi. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

PINKY FINGER ($3.02) does it again! The filly beat the boys and gets her first stakes win in the $250,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at @ChurchillDowns. The 2YO daughter of Army Mule is trained by Wesley Ward, @JRosarioJockey was up. pic.twitter.com/hLUiEJ4csZ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025

The post Pinky Finger Another Stakes Winner For Army Mule in Kentucky Juvenile 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
Date: 04/30/2025
Licensee: Candalario Villamar, 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 Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sky Cloud, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/20/25.

Date: 04/29/2025
Licensee: Juan Arriagada, 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. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Zatip, who finished last at Tampa Bay on 3/22/25.

Date: 04/29/2025
Licensee: Jorge Farias, 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. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Modera, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 3/16/25.

Date: 04/25/2025
Licensee: Colleen O'Hagan, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Isle of Skye on 3/19/25.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $2,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everdoit, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/19/25.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Jose Salinas, trainer
Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $5,000. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Zoomster on 6/9/23.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Benjamin Bealmear, veterinarian
Penalty: 4-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; a fine of $4,165. Admission.
Explainer: For the possession of Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”) for an event dated 10/3/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. The case resolution can be read here.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer
Penalty: None. Charges dismissed.
Explainer: Clement's legal team “identified sufficient possible problems and deficiencies in the testing that cast some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing that resulted in the [adverse analytical finding].” This case relates to what had been an alleged Flunixin overage–a controlled substance (Class C)–in in a sample taken from Gal in a Rush, who finished third in the G2 Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on 9/20/24. The lab in question is the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory. More specifically, the case arbitrator found problems with the lab's “lack of an independent quality control sample,” as well as an “internal standard recovery” procedure that was “inconsistent.”
A more detailed account of the case resolution can be read here.

Pending ADMC Violations
04/30/2025, Steve Manley, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Thirsty Natalie on 4/1/25.

04/30/2025, John Alan Williams, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Hopkinsville on 4/1/25.

04/30/2025, Christopher Keller, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Gold Dart, who finished fifth at Colonial Downs on 3/15/25.

04/29/2025, Fausto Gutierez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25.

04/28/2025, Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25.

04/28/2025, Ramon Aguayo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Salagadoola, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 3/26/25.

04/28/2025, Patrick Ashton, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Max Forward Speed, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/4/25.

04/28/2025, Shannon Simpson, trainer: Pending violation for the possession of Pitcher Plant Extract–Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”), metabolase, Pengamine 250, Aminotonic, Solucion CS Pisa–for an event dated 2/5/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances.

04/25/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25.

04/25/2025, Shane Meyers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25.

04/25/2025, Royce Pulliam, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Johanny on 3/23/25.

04/25/2025, Megan Fadlovich, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25.

04/24/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25.

Violations of Crop Rule
Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Scott Bethke–violation date Apr. 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 24-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Oaklawn will dramatically alter its 2025-2026 racing schedule, moving to more four-day weeks while greatly reducing its January footprint, after its request for 64 racing dates (Dec. 12-May 2), was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission Thursday morning in Little Rock, the track said in a press release on Thursday.

Oaklawn will open a week later and again close Kentucky Derby Day. The Hot Springs oval is scheduled to race nine days in December–Friday, Saturday and Sunday–before its first of 10 scheduled four-day race weeks (Jan. 1-4). Expanded race weeks are the result of the track returning Thursdays to its schedule.

The racing calendar evolved into a mostly Friday-Sunday format after the track extended its season into May in 2019 and began opening in December in 2021. Under Arkansas law, Oaklawn is capped at 68 live racing dates each year. The new racing schedule was endorsed by the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

After racing Jan. 1-4, Oaklawn will be dark until Jan. 30, the last of six scheduled dates for the month. The track will then shift to mostly four-day race weeks (Thursday-Sunday) for the remainder of the season.

The post January Mostly Dark As Oaklawn’s New ’25-’26 Schedule Approved appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $108,750, Msw, 5-1, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.59, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
MERCILESANIHILATOR (c, 2, Audible–Gadabout, by Bodemeister) looked in all sorts of trouble heading for home, but got his second wind in the final furlong to give this owner, trainer and jockey Jareth Loveberry their second straight success in as many days with a debuting 2-year-old beneath the Twin Spires. Sassy C W (Yaupon) became a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the fillies' equivalent exactly 24 hours prior. Sent off at odds just shy of 6-5, the April foal was hard-ridden and locked up early with chief market rival Moonlight Beauty (Hootenanny) and the two raced away from their rivals through a quarter in :22.22. The early exertions appeared to exact a toll, as Captain Gabe (Instagrand) and Distorted Song (Maclean's Music) were zeroing in three and four wide, respectively, as Moonlight Beauty began to retreat. Captain Gabe edged in front approaching the eighth pole, but Loveberry kept after the rail-skimming Mercilesanihilator and they re-rallied to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Blinging It Back (Volatile) raced far back to the stretch, but flashed home while racing greenly to just miss second money, then flew past the leading duo on the gallop out. A $40,000 acquisition as a short yearling at Keeneland January in 2024, the winner was hammered down to these connections for $330,000 at this year's OBS March Sale after breezing a furlong in :10 flat. Like Sassy C V, Mercilesanihilator was consigned to the sale by Jimbo and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales as agent. Tommy Wente's St. Simon Place acquired Gadabout, a half-sister to GIII Virginia Oaks winner Blind Date (Not For Love) and MSW Sales Tax (High Yield), for $82,000 in foal to McKinzie at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare is also responsible for a yearling full-sister to Thursday's winner and she was most recently covered by Into Mischief's son Life Is Good. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $330,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Patricia's Hope LLC; B-St Simon Place LLC & Brandon Stocks (KY); T-Larry Rivelli.

#7 MERCILESANIHILATOR ($4.34) wins a lively Race 2 at Churchill Downs. @jareth16
up for Larry Rivelli on the juvenile son of @WinStarFarm Audible. pic.twitter.com/HyFh5ckMXQ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025

The post Audible Colt Mercilesanihilator Fights Back Bravely To Debut a Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Mohegan Sun have agreed on a multi-year partnership resulting in the return of Mohegan Sun as an official casino partner of Saratoga Race Course and the presenting sponsor of the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, the track said via a release on Thursday.

The Jim Dandy is a nine-furlong route for sophomores scheduled on Saturday, July 26. The race is the traditional local prep for the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes set for Aug. 23.

In addition to their continued sponsorship of the Jim Dandy, the Mohegan Sun brand will be displayed prominently on-track during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the July 4th Racing Festival as well as throughout the 40-day summer meet. Mohegan Sun will also be featured within the FOX Sports show Saratoga Live.

“While many casino and entertainment destinations no longer feature a Race Book, Mohegan Sun is proud to still have a dedicated venue of our own with the latest betting tech and top-notch guest service, “said GM of Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook & Race Book Brad Bryant. “That's a big reason why we're so grateful for our partnership with NYRA and to once again and to be a major sponsor for the upcoming $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun! Live horse racing consistently features excellent competition and were thrilled to be a part of Belmont at Saratoga June 7!”

The post NYRA And Mohegan Sun Renew Deal Along With Jim Dandy Sponsorship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

NBC Sports coverage of Kentucky Derby weekend will kick off Friday, at 1 p.m. with their Kentucky Oaks show on USA Network and Peacock.

Saturday, the races on the early Derby Day card will also be televised on NBC and Peacock, starting at noon. At 2:30, coverage switches to NBC. The 2025 “Run for the Roses” marks NBC Sports' milestone 25th presentation of the Kentucky Derby –a show which has grown markedly since NBC's initial 90-minute broadcast in 2001.

NBC Sports' Derby Day coverage features 10 races across 7.5 hours–five hours on NBC and Peacock on Saturday. Over the two days, NBC Sports will present 17 live races from Churchill Downs.

Telemundo Deportes will present live coverage of the 151st Kentucky Derby, beginning Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET on Universo, and streaming on the Telemundo app.

The on-air talent for the show includes Mike Tirico, Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Steve Kornacki, and Nick Luck. Donna Brothers returns as the only member of the team to cover all 25 of NBC's Kentucky Derbies.

Features are planned on D. Wayne Lukas, Mike McCarthy, Martin Garcia, and Tirico will interview Bob Baffert, who is going for a record seventh Derby win.

Eleven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles will give the iconic 'Riders Up' call for the Kentucky Derby.

Click here for the complete schedule and more details.

The post Kentucky Derby Day Highlighted by 7.5 Hours of Coverage on NBC, Peacock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GII Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Five G (Vekoma) will not contest Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, according to Daily Racing Form.

Trainer George Weaver told DRF's Dave Grening, “This is the type of race where you've got to be 110% and we don't feel like she is.”

A four-length winner in her second career start while facing New York breds at the Big A last fall, the Gatsas Stables-owned filly won this season's Cash Run Stakes in addition to finishing second behind fellow Oaks contender Quietside (Malibu Moon) in Oaklawn's GIII Honeybee Stakes Feb. 23.

The post Five G Scratched From Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Steve Kornacki is more than the political junkie who, for years, has had a way of explaining things when it comes to elections that help make everything make sense. He does so by turning statistics into an easy-to-understand formula and displaying his findings on an interactive map that is known as the big board.

But Kornacki sometimes needs a break from politics, and he has found one in horse racing. It's been his passion since his uncle started taking him to the harness races at Scarborough Downs in Maine. He loves to handicap and approaches racing with the same sort of mind set he uses for politics. The numbers matter.

Kornacki will once again be part of NBC's coverage of this week's GI Kentucky Derby. But before he left we grabbed him for the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week.

Like many others, Kornacki believes that the pace may just decide the race.

“We're hardly alone in this, I'm sure, but I'll be looking at the pace scenario in the race,” he said. “There was that sense after they introduced the point system back in 2013, that all the sprinters are out of it now and it's slowed down and the speed is holding a lot more. And we saw that for a long time there. It seems that over the last three years that's changed. You had that torrid pace in 2022 that got Rich Strike to the wire first. Mage came from off the pace and then last year Mystik Dan was sort of mid-pack. Sierra Leone and Forever Young rounded out the trifecta and they also came from behind. You had closers coming in there, taking advantage of a pace that heated up a little. So that seems to be the mini-trend. Then, obviously, when you look at the composition of the field this year, you just see speed, speed, speed, especially on the inside. You just see so much of it.”

He hasn't made his pick yet but he has a few horses in mind.

“I haven't landed yet and I'm torn, to be honest,” Kornacki said. “I've got a couple of closers that I'm really interested in. I'm really interested mainly in the closers. Grande really interests me. I was a little curious about Tiztastic, and maybe to get even a little crazier about it, Chunk of Gold. This is a gut thing, this is not a numbers thing, but I can't shake the feeling that it's just all about the pace. Then again, watch, maybe a couple of them won't break and a couple of them take back because they're afraid of a hot pace. In that case, maybe Rodriguez with Mike Smith, goes to the front and takes him to the lead and they wire the field.”

So, what kind of handicapper is he?

“Not a good one,” he joked. “I'm always hoping to do better. I do like speed figures. I pay a lot of attention to speed figures, to the Beyers. It's been really interesting hearing Randy (Moss) , talk about those, just given that he's part of the team that complies them. I also like trying to figure out the pace scenario in a race.”

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, we went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Heartland. The fastest horse of the week was Keeneland allowance winner Unmatched Wisdom (Cairo Prince), who ran a 103.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Moss, Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley held the first ever TDN Writers' Room Oaks-Derby draft. All 20 horses in the GI Kentucky Derby and all 14 in the GI Kentucky Oaks were drafted and points will be awarded on a 5-3-1 basis. Zoe Cadman took Journalism (Curlin) with the first overall pick. They also handicapped the major stakes on the Oaks and Derby undercards.

Click here to watch the podcast or here to listen.

The post Steve Kornacki 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.

Major immigration reform has been talked about for decades, but torpedoed legislation is as far as that has gone. Indeed, President Ronald Reagan was still just in his second term when he signed the last comprehensive immigration reform bill successfully steered through Congress.

Amid the cavalcade of immigration-related actions that the current administration has sanctioned, however, the possibility has appeared for that trend to be bucked. In the process, it opens the door for some of the nation's backstretch immigrant workforce to potentially find themselves on a new pathway towards legal status.

“This is not a new problem, and I'm encouraged by the fact that the president is talking about it,” said James O'Neill, director of legislative affairs for the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), a nationwide bipartisan coalition of over 1,700 employers and CEOs, about comments made by President Donald Trump at an April 10 cabinet meeting.

At that gathering, Trump intimated of a new program to help farm, hotel and other workers leave the country and then return legally with the support of their U.S. employer.

“We are also going to work with farmers, that if they have strong recommendations from their farms for certain people, we're going to let them stay in for a while and work with the farmers and then come back and go through a process, a legal process,” Trump said.

“We have to take care of our farmers and hotels and, you know, various places where they use, where they need the people. And we're going to be working with you very carefully on that,” the president added.

Federally, the backstretch workforce falls under the umbrella of the Fair Labor Standards Act, limiting them to H-2B visas only.

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

While Trump's wording at the meeting was vague, the pathways available to bring such concepts to life appear largely two-fold: Through executive order or through legislation.

If he takes the executive order route, said O'Neill, “then the scope of the program may be more limited. But it may be faster from a procedural standpoint.”

A legislative fix may take longer, O'Neill added, but it would likely be a “more comprehensive or more permanent solution to some of the problems that we're seeing.”

While the current administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement towards individuals both documented and undocumented has so far largely left horse racing alone, other industries haven't fared as well, like in the breadbasket of Central California, for example, of the Midwest.

Indeed, Trump's comments came off the back of much push back from industry groups and immigration reform organizations in recent months.

According to O'Neill, ABIC brought over 150 business owners to Washington to meet with over 121 offices at the end of March. They included representatives from the racing industry like trainer Dale Romans and California Horse Racing Board vice president, Oscar Gonzalez. Their message?

“What we need to see is a secure border and a secure workforce. And we need policy that provides employers with the talent that they need to keep their business running and their business growing,” said O'Neill.

There are possible blueprints for a new immigration bill to follow, including the language written into the stalled 2022 Affordable and Secure Food Act, which, among other things, provided a pathway to a green card after 10 years of work for farm and equine workers in the program.

According to immigration attorney Will Velie, who also represents individuals from horse racing, Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo)–the law maker who introduced that 2022 bill–is still pursuing similar legislative reforms.

“He needs a Republican co-sponsor, which is where the bill is right now,” said Velie.

Velie added that the federal budget is expected to contain tens of billions of dollars for immigration enforcement only. That, weighted against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, could be the impetus needed for comprehensive immigration reform to finally find the needed traction, said Velie.

“Trump is so mercurial when it comes to policy. And his party is so lock-step with him that if he on one-day says enforcement only, and on the next day says 'oh, we'll save the farm workers,' then all of a sudden it's a possibility,” said Velie.

On Thursday morning at Churchill Downs, Velie will be one of the attendees at a joint ABIC and Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association media briefing to discuss this renewed push for bipartisan immigration reform.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob Baffert stood in front of Barn 33–covered once again with green-and-white plaques celebrating his six GI Kentucky Derby winners and three GI Kentucky Oaks winners– and held court with the media and posed for pictures with fans on a humid Wednesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Following a well-documented, three-year suspension following the medication disqualification of Medina Spirit in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, it was business as usual for the Hall of Fame trainer, who will make his highly anticipated return beneath the Twin Spires this weekend with Tenma (Nyquist) in the Kentucky Oaks and champion 2-year-old colt Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) in the Kentucky Derby.

He will also saddle the comebacking, unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) in a loaded renewal of the GI Churchill Downs S., Hope Road (Quality Road) in the GI Derby City Distaff S. and turning-back Madaket Road (Quality Road) in the GII Pat Day Mile S., all on the Derby undercard.

How does it feel to be back?

“It's been good,” Baffert replied on the go after watching a set train by his usual spot by the gap. “The horses, so far, they've settled in well and that's the main thing. It's normal–to me, it feels like just another Derby week.”

He continued, “We've got a lot of fans. The fans want to come out and they want to see the good horses and all the top trainers. It's like anything. It's just like going to the Masters again, everybody wants to see the main players. Louisville is a great city. They really love it when people show up everywhere we go. It's nice.”

Journalism galloping beneath the Twin Spires Wednesday | Sherackatthetrack

All of those “main players,” including Baffert's aforementioned inside-drawn Derby duo, were in action during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. training window reserved for Derby and Oaks entrants.

Imposing Kentucky Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) continues to dominate the headlines on that front since shipping in from Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita base, as does the Brad Cox-trained unbeaten Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro), who is favored at 6-5 on the morning line in the female equivalent.

Journalism continues do everything you want to see, displaying terrific energy while galloping powerfully as well as showcasing that massive stride of his.

Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is another who has been training like he owns the place while striking grays Final Gambit (Not This Time) and Sandman (Tapit) and Burnham Square (Liam's Map) all left lasting impressions.

Sovereignty getting over the track very nicely this morning beneath the Twin Spires pic.twitter.com/KRBChHDWR6

— Steve Sherack (@SteveSherackTDN) April 30, 2025

The post ‘It’s Just Like Going to the Masters Again’ – Following Three-Year Suspension, Baffert Back in Spotlight for Kentucky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, the CHRB announced Wednesday. Stern, who will require Senate approval for the appointment, has been Chief Revenue Officer at Skedulo and an Advisor at Berkeley SkyDeck since 2025. Additionally, he held several roles at Authorium from 2024 to 2025, including Advisor and Executive Vice President and was the Co-Founder of VoiceBrain from 2021 to 2023.

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The Equibase chart detailing the running of race 2 at Churchill Downs Wednesday summarized Sassy C W (Yaupon)'s performance very succinctly: 'rocket ship, hand ride'. Yup, that pretty much summed up the TDN Rising Star-earning performance.

Appearing to be catapulted out of post 7, Sassy C W instantly opened up by three lengths as third choice Wakuda (Gun Runner), her closest rival, gave futile chase. Still churning her piston-like legs approaching the quarter pole, the Larry Rivelli-conditioned filly pivoted off the turn nine lengths in front, and was as good as gone, crossing the wire a geared-down 5 1/4-length winner over the Steve Asmussen-trained Wakuda. Second choice Baffle (Violence), from the Todd Pletcher barn, closed to grab third. Final time for the 4 1/2-furlong test was :51.34.

Out of Grade III winner Sue's Good News, Sassy Miss Sue is a full-sister to Grade I scorer and millionaire Tiz Miz Sue in addition to a half to Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Bulletin (City Zip). With this filly in utero, the mare was purchased by Horun Kahraman for $37,000 at Keeneland November in 2022. She followed up with a full-sister to Sassy C W in 2024.

In the sale's ring, Sassy C W was a $30,000 weanling purchase in November of 2023 before realizing $190,000 at the Keeneland September Sale the next season. Most recently, she brought $375,000 from Carolyn Wilson at this spring's OBS March Sale.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $92,550, Msw, 4-30, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :51.34, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.
SASSY C W, f, 2, by Yaupon
1st Dam: Sassy Miss Sue, by Tiznow
2nd Dam: Sue's Good News, by Woodman
3rd Dam: Montera, by Easy Goer
Sales history: $30,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $190,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $375,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000.
O-Patricia's Hope LLC and Carolyn Wilson; B-Harun Kahraman (KY); T-Larry Rivelli.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

SASSY C W ($4.60) has the right to be sassy with the performance she put on today in the 2nd at @ChurchillDowns! The first time starter for freshman stallion YAUPON (@spendthriftfarm) took @jareth16 for a spin. Larry Rivelli trains the 2-year-old. pic.twitter.com/0coHJgVrAK

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 30, 2025

The post Yaupon’s Sassy C W Blasts to TDN Rising Star Win at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Six days after trainer Philip Serpe argued that an attempt by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) to drop its pursuit of a $25,000 penalty in his ongoing Clenbuterol positive case was an alleged end-around to prejudicially stymie his legal efforts in a lawsuit against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a federal judge in Florida ordered that a letter about that non-pursuit that was issued by HIWU Apr. 23 is not enough to moot Serpe's contention that he has been wrongfully denied his Seventh Amendment right to a jury trial.

As TDN's Dan Ross reported Apr. 29, in a joint motion filed last week, attorneys for the FTC and the HISA Authority wrote in an Apr. 24 motion to vacate a supplemental briefing order that the lack of a monetary fine in the case “moots Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim and removes any risk of cognizable harm with respect to it,” and that the judge in the case “should dispose of Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim, and Plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction relating to that claim.”

Serpe had replied in a same-day legal response to the defendants' motion to vacate that the “late-stage motion should be seen for what it probably is-part of a concerted effort with HIWU to prejudicially moot Serpe's claims during the pendency of this case.”

And in an Apr. 30 order-writing that he “need not await” a reply from the defendants before ruling on this matter-Judge David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern District of Florida) granted in part and denied in part the motion to vacate, stating that HIWU's sending of a letter via email to Serpe's legal team was not enough to allow for a ruling either way on the Seventh Amendment contention.

“The Court finds that HIWU's barebones statement by letter, notifying Plaintiff 'that HIWU will not be seeking a fine to be imposed against [Plaintiff] pursuant to ADMC Program Rule 3323,' is insufficient to apprise the Court clearly as to the types of remedies being pursued in this case by both Defendants and HIWU, and therefore the ultimate impact upon Plaintiff's Seventh Amendment claim,” the judge wrote.

“If Defendants want to obtain the relief they seek, [both the FTC and the HISA Authority] must file in the record a declaration or affidavit that sets forth the following:

“1. All specific forms of relief being sought or potentially sought (by HIWU or the Defendant filing the declaration or affidavit) against Plaintiff in the upcoming June 2025 arbitration, as well as in any subsequent adjudication or determination. Defendants must list every form of relief being pursued, even potentially (e.g., suspension, disgorgement, civil fine, etc.).

“2. All specific forms of relief not being sought or potentially sought (by HIWU or the Defendant filing the declaration or affidavit) against Plaintiff in the upcoming June 2025 arbitration, as well as in any subsequent adjudication or determination.

“In other words, what form(s) of relief do Defendants stipulate or attest will not be pursued against Plaintiff in the upcoming arbitration or any subsequent adjudications or determinations?” the order stated.

In addition to filing the above-described declaration/affidavit, the judge ordered that the HISA Authority and the FTC each must also brief the following legal questions:

“1. As to each form of relief being sought or potentially sought against Plaintiff in the upcoming June 2025 arbitration or any subsequent adjudication or determination [is] HIWU, the Authority, and the FTC immune from suit by Plaintiff (under the doctrine of sovereign immunity or otherwise), or has that immunity been waived?

“2. As to each form of relief not being sought or potentially sought against Plaintiff in the upcoming June 2025 arbitration or any subsequent adjudication or determination [does] HIWU, the Authority, and the FTC have the discretion to stipulate ab initio that those forms of relief will never be sought against Plaintiff under the relevant statute and regulations?”

The defendants were given 10 days to comply with the judge's order.

The post Federal Judge Orders HIWU, FTC, To Be More Specific In What Relief Is Sought In Serpe Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a lot of the negative news we often confront in racing, sometimes it's important to also see the good, like how taking just five minutes to talk to a young person who is just beginning their journey in the racing business can be.

By my estimate, each person listed below graciously spent five to 10 minutes of his or her time during a very busy Derby week visiting with a dozen students from Bluegrass Community and Technical College's Equine Studies program.

Yet the impressions they left will last far, far longer than those five minutes.

Until Tuesday morning, many of these young newcomers to racing NEVER thought that someday they might actually have a chance to meet these stars of our sport. And now they have. And hearing from Todd Pletcher himself that, yes, like each of them, he too had to muck stalls when he was starting out, now makes reaching their career goals somehow…reachable.

Last year's Derby winning jockey Brian Hernandez (center, purple t-shirt) meets with the BCTC students | KCTSC Marketing

That small but powerful one-on-one connection is something that can never be taught from a book or in a classroom lecture.

So thank you to: Wayne Lukas, Bill Mott, Steve Asmussen, Todd Pletcher, Bob Baffert, Brian Hernandez, Jr., Ken McPeek, Steve Cauthen, Gary Stevens, Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Michelle Lovell, Erica Herrforth (BCTC Equine Alumna), Churchill Downs's Mike Ziegler and Andie Biancone.

You made a difference.

Remi Bellocq, Dixie Kendall and Amy Heitzman
BCTC Equine Program

The post Letter to the Editor: Paying it Forward appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Old Friends has welcomed 2015 Eclipse Award Champion Grass Horse Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy) to the farm on Thursday, Apr. 24, according .

The 17-year old stallion was donated to Old Friends courtesy of Calumet Farm.

“We are so excited to welcome this robust, battle tested late bloomer to Old Friends,” said President and CEO of Old Friends John Nicholson. “His accomplished career, his impressive connections and his pleasant demeanor will make him a favorite with our thousands of visitors. We are deeply grateful to Calumet Farm for allowing us to give Big Blue Kitten his forever home.”

Bred and raced by Kenneth L. and Sarah K. Ramsey, Big Blue Kitten began his race career as a 3-year-old in 2011 under the care of trainer Chad Brown.

The post Eclipse Winner Big Blue Kitten Retires To Old Friends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Just in time for the big weekend, a brand new half-sister to Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) has hit the ground for Don Alberto Corporation in Kentucky, according to a post on X by Reed Ringler.

By Flightline and out of GSW Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the filly who arrived at about 1:00 a.m. ET came in at 144 pounds.

“Mopotism has thrown some terrific foals, and all have had plenty of leg and substance,” Don Alberto's Reed Ringler told the TDN. “She is a great mother, but all the foals have been independent and smart. She jumped right up and said 'here I am!' Our broodmare manager Raul Garcia is the best and he said she was an easy delivery. My guess is the filly runs in the colors of Don Alberto.”

Acquired by the organization for $1.05-million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale, her dam now claims four foals, with the highly-regarded Journalism being the first.

Also of note, Mopotism's colt Nitro Tap (Tapit) was a $1.5-million buy for Flying Dutchmen during Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Sale last year and this dam foaled a filly by Into Mischief, who currently is a yearling.

⁦@theTDN⁩ ⁦@FanDuel_Racing⁩ ⁦@BloodHorse⁩ late breaking news..Journalism has a sister, 144 pound filly by Flightline pic.twitter.com/ojdYRfmYSj

— Reed Ringler (@ReedRingler) April 30, 2025

The post Journalism’s Half-Sister By Flightline Arrives In Time For Big Brother’s Derby Run appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Trainer Michael McCarthy has pledged to make a donation to 501(c)(3) aftercare organization Win Place Home if presumed favorite Journalism (Curlin) takes the GI Kentucky Derby this Saturday.

“Michael has supported us for years, and notably, he has donated more horses to our program than any other trainer,” said CJ Wilson, founder and lead trainer. “What's more, he ensures every horse he sends to us comes with a financial donation from the owners–a practice that sets a powerful standard for responsibility in the industry.”

Wilson said that McCarthy's pledge is the continuation of a deeply-rooted commitment to the horses after the race is over. The Win Place Home team was present when Journalism captured the GI Santa Anita Derby.

The organization retrains former racehorses to be functioning members in new disciplines and places them in forever homes where they will prosper. Click here for more information.

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