Thoroughbred Daily News

OCALA, FL – The juvenile sales season, which set records at all its major 2026 stops, continued to churn out new highwater marks as it reached its conclusion with the end of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale Thursday. The three-day auction had its highest-priced offering ever when a filly by Justify sold for $1.4 million Wednesday and it concluded Thursday with its highest-ever gross and an average that just edged past last year's previous record figure, while the median tied last year's record mark.

Through three sessions, 556 juveniles sold through the ring in 2026 for a gross of $28,488,500. That surpassed the auction's previous record gross of $27,092,000 set in 2022. The average of $51,238 just edged last year's previous record of $51,107, while the median of $25,000 matched the record mark set last year.

With the addition of post-sale transactions, the 2025 two-day June sale saw 507 horses sell for a gross of $25,473,000, an average of $50,243, and a median of $25,000.

All three of the OBS 2-year-olds in training sales this spring set records, beginning with the March sale which produced its highest-ever gross and continuing on to the April sale which had its highest-ever gross, average and median.

“It's been a banner year for us, obviously, with the records that we've set through all three sales and ending on a high note with the June sale,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “We're very excited and very happy with the results of the year.”

From 999 catalogued head, 704 were offered and 148 failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 21.0%. That figure was continuing to decline Thursday evening with the addition of post-sale transactions.

The buy-back figure of horses through the ring a year ago was 17.1%.

“I think we sold a lot of horses at a lot of different price levels,” Wojciechowski said. “You always want to see more, and more at different levels, but there was still plenty of trade of horses. Given the increase in gross and average, we still held pretty steady on the RNA rate.”

Donato Lanni, who made an eye-popping $10.5-million to acquire a colt by Flightline for Amr Zedan at the OBS Spring sale, made the highest bid of the final session of the juvenile sales season when going to $650,000 to acquire a colt by Medaglia d'Oro on behalf of the Saudi businessman. The session-topping price at the end of the season was no surprise to Lanni.

Donato Lanni, left, with Susan and Charles Chu in the Met Mile winner's circle | Sarah Andrew

“All year, there has been a lot of strong bidders for the good horses,” Lanni said. “Every year, it seems to get stronger and stronger and stronger. I think there is a lot of money out there and people want to have fun.”

Wojciechowski added, “When you watch the races, there always seems to be a shortage of horses. I think there is money out there for people who enjoy racing and the 2-year-old sales give people the opportunity to get to the races quicker. So, I think a combination of all of those things add up to a great sales season.”

Jimbo Gladwell of Top Line Sales agreed the demand was there for the top horses throughout the spring.

“I think the 2-year-old sales season was truly extraordinary overall, when you look at it from 1,000-foot view,” Gladwell said. “It was really polarized at the top end. We saw some real fireworks. Everybody wants the creme of the crop and only the ones that hit that exact bull's eye. It's very difficult to hit the mark, but if you do, you really get paid for it.”

Pinhookers bought into a red-hot yearling market last fall. Was the market they sold in this spring up to that same level?

“The top end of the market was kind of the same [as the yearling sales],” Gladwell said. “It was very hot for the best horses, but once we breeze them, if you miss the mark at all, the real depth of the market showed. It was pretty thin across the middle and the bottom of the market. We were buying in such a hot market at the yearling sale and that even trickled into the weanling sale. So I think you're going to see the yearling pinhookers see a little bit of that probably.”

As the yearling sales begin next month, Gladwell thinks the Top Line plan will remain the same.

“We are just going to go in there and try to buy the best horses we can buy,” he said. “You always set numbers and just try to buy the best physical you can buy. We don't tend to put too much emphasis on pedigree, just try to buy the physical specimen and see what we can get done.”

On his way out of town as the final 2-year-old sale of the year wound down Thursday, bloodstock agent Donato Lanni made one last purchase going to $650,000 to acquire a son of Medaglia d'Oro (hip 824) on behalf of Amr Zedan. The dark bay colt, who worked a furlong in a co-bullet :9 4/5 during last week's under-tack preview, was consigned by Marcial Galan on behalf of co-breeders Jason Hall, Herschel Martindale, Joe Wheeler and David Branch.

Hip 824 | OBS/VidHorse

“He's by Medaglia and he looks very fast,” Lanni said. “We want something that we are going on with him and hopefully get him ready to run this year.”

The colt is out of Scarlet Emerald (Desert Party), a mare Jason Hall claimed for $15,000 at Mountaineer in 2018. The mare is also the dam of multiple stakes-placed Naughty Lottie (Midnight Lute).

Following the colt's bullet work last week, Hall explained his presence in the June catalogue.

“About halfway through the winter, he bumped his forearm maybe just on a water bucket and developed a hematoma, but that developed some bony growth,” Hall said. “So this colt missed three months of training over the winter.”

Thursday's result marked a career high sale for longtime consignor Galan.

The Galans | OBS/VidHorse

“This is the highest price I've ever had in my life,” Galan said. “I've sold like 200 horses in my life and this was the highest. My wife and I were about to cry. We work really hard and when something goes wrong, we feel like what did we do wrong, why are things going wrong. So, we are really happy with this.”

Of the colt, Galan said, “Whoever bought this horse is going to have a really good horse. I am pretty sure you are going to see this horse in a stakes race.”

The colt helped the consignment go out on a high for the year.

“This was our last horse for the year, so we are ready for vacation now,” Galan said.

The now-pensioned Medaglia d'Oro enjoyed a pair of big results within minutes of each other at the June sale Thursday. Just three hips after hip 824 sold for $650,000, an Ontario-bred colt by the sire (hip 827) sold for $400,000 to D. J. Stable. The juvenile was consigned by 30-30 Ranch, which purchased him for $25,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Ronaldo Rodas's work at Mayberry Farm over the last two decades has seen him break all-time greats Zenyatta and Flightline, but the horseman enjoyed success under his own name at the OBS June sale Thursday. While he's been buying and selling horses for years, Rodas is consigning under his Double R Equine Sales banner for just the second year and the young consignment had its biggest result to date when selling a colt by Cross Traffic (hip 715) for $170,000 to John Mentz. Rodas had purchased the gray for $10,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Hip 715 | OBS/VidHorse

“He had long legs and he was skinny,” Rodas said of the colt last fall. “I thought he would fill out a little more. And we started from there.”

The colt, who is out of One Hot Romance (Rock Hard Ten), worked a furlong in :10 1/5 at last week's under-tack preview. He was always targeted at the June sale, according to Rodas.

“I knew he needed time,” Rodas said. “That's why I didn't take him to March or April. He was telling me, 'Wait for me, wait for me.' He would let me know when it was time. And he told me it was time.”

Of the change in the colt from September to June, Rodas said, “It was a double change–a triple change.”

Rodas sold horses with his brother-in-law for years before deciding it was time to start his own consignment.

“We did good with him, too, but I thought it was time to let people know me,” Rodas explained.

Double R had one-horse consignments at both the OBS March and April sales and offered three horses at the June sale.

“It's a small consignment,” Rodas said of Double R. “Last year was a bad year for me. So this is really special for me.”

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced that the state of Maryland has matched the $85-million bid from Churchill Downs for the intellectual property and branding rights to the Preakness, which will now be held by the state.

The story was first reported by the Baltimore Banner.

Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement provided to the Banner that his administration has made “historic investments” to ensure the future of Maryland's racing industry, and that the $85-million decision will secure a “vital asset for our state.”

It will “preserve Maryland's position as a key power player in the Triple Crown for generations to come,” he said.

According to the Banner, Moore wrote in a letter to 1/ST and Churchill on Thursday that he hoped the state could collaborate with Churchill and others to “unlock growth and drive innovation to benefit the Preakness Stakes, Maryland's horseracing industry, and the entire Triple Crown.”

In April, it was reported that Churchill was set to pay $85 million for the intellectual property, including all trademarks and associated rights, of the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes from 1/ST Maryland LLC. While Churchill's role in the future of the Preakness was never clearly defined, having Churchill involved created a degree of uncertainty about the future direction of the race.

According to the Banner, funding for the $85-million payout to 1/ST will come from bonds issued by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), a quasi-governmental agency.

Officials at Churchill Downs, Inc. confirmed Thursday afternoon the state of Maryland had notified Churchill of the offer match.

“We understand why the state of Maryland would decide to acquire the Preakness IP rights as a state-owned asset from 1/ST Maryland LLC,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “We remain committed to working with the Governor and other elected leaders and horse racing constituents in Maryland to fully realize the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”

The Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) shared an enthusiastic statement Thursday evening applauding Gov. Moore's decision.

“Thank you to Governor Moore and First Lady Dawn Moore for their leadership in making one of the most significant industry decisions in Maryland's history,” said Jim Dresher, Chairman of the Board of TMJC. “Retaining the Preakness in Maryland safeguards the event's future, and TMJC and its Board of Directors are committed to advancing that vision.”

Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of TMJC, added: “In keeping with Governor Moore's vision, the Maryland Jockey Club is ready to further elevate the Preakness into a world-class, bucket-list event for Marylanders and racing fans worldwide. We are also excited to work with our strategic partners on new events and entertainment options leading up to Preakness weekend. We very much look forward to collaborating with our Triple Crown partners.”

Greater Baltimore Committee President and CEO Mark Anthony Thomas also issued a statement late Thursday afternoon. In full, it read:

“The Preakness is more than a horse race. It is one of Maryland's most iconic brands, one of its most important cultural assets, and one of the State's strongest opportunities for long-term economic growth.

“Ownership ensures that the decisions shaping the future of the Preakness are made in the interest of Maryland and that the value created through public investment benefits Maryland taxpayers, businesses, workers, communities, and the equine industry. The Greater Baltimore Committee applauds Governor Wes Moore for his thoughtful leadership, due diligence, and commitment to ensuring that this decision reflects the long-term interests of the State.

“Acquiring the Preakness intellectual property secures one of Maryland's signature assets and creates an opportunity to generate even greater economic value through tourism, business investment, sponsorship, job creation, and cultural activity. We look forward to working alongside the State, the Maryland Jockey Club, and partners across Maryland to help maximize this opportunity and ensure the Preakness continues to grow as a source of pride, prosperity, and economic opportunity for generations to come.”

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According to the rulings page of the New York State Gaming Commission, trainer Todd Pletcher began serving a 10-day suspension Thursday.

The suspension stems from the 2022 GI Hopeful Stakes when the Pletcher-trained Forte (Violence) tested positive for Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory. Pletcher has denied using the medication with Forte.

The Gaming Commission also ruled that Forte was officially disqualified from the Hopeful victory.

The news from the Gaming Commission led owner Mike Repole to post a long and scathing tweet on X.

“The New York State Gaming Commission @NYSGamingComm is everything that is wrong with horse racing regulation, “Repole wrote. “In my opinion, they are incompetent, inflexible, arrogant, and completely disconnected from the people and horses they are supposed to serve. Todd Pletcher was just suspended 10 days over an issue that would not even be a violation under today's tougher national rules.”

He continued: “This should have been resolved years ago. Instead, bureaucracy won. Egos won. Taxpayer-funded lawyers won. The sport lost. Then they tried to bully me into submission. Bad move. I have spent my entire life betting on myself, fighting for what I believe in, and standing up to people who think a government title gives them the right to push others around.”

The New York State Gaming Commission @NYSGamingComm is everything that is wrong with horse racing regulation.

In my opinion, they are incompetent, inflexible, arrogant, and completely disconnected from the people and horses they are supposed to serve.

Todd Pletcher was just…

— Repole Stable (@RepoleStable) June 18, 2026

Attorney Drew Mollica, who is representing Pletcher, said that there are still legal avenues that can and will be taken.

“The only issue the Appellate Division, Third Department, has decided upon is they denied our motion to stay the suspension,” Mollica said. “Still pending before the court is our motion to reargue what we know is an erroneous decision and leave to appeal this matter. We remain confident the court will correct this decision and short of that we reserve our right to take this matter to the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the state.

“It should also be noted that Repole Stable's appeal on this matter is still in the courts and we look forward to a full fair airing of the facts in that matter and seeing that justice in this matter will be served. It has always been our position that the New York State Gaming Commission's prosecution in this matter is not only an affront to every license holder in this state but to both due process and common sense. In the final analysis we have faith the courts will agree.”

Mollica said that since the matter is still under appeal, the matter of Forte being disqualified remains unresolved.

Pletcher's suspension runs through June 27. The timing means he will be back by the beginning of the Saratoga meet.

Since the Meloxicam positive occurred before the implementation of HISA, the New York Gaming Commission has been in charge of adjudicating the matter.

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The names for the New York legs of the Empire Trillium Series, a 14-race program of stakes races at Belmont Park and Woodbine Racetrack restricted to horses foaled in New York or Canada worth $3.2 million in total purses, have been revealed by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA).

Saturday, Dec. 26:

The Empire Trillium Series will begin with four $200,000 events for 2-year-olds on Dec. 26 over the new Tapeta course at the reimagined Belmont Park. Each of the four stakes slated for Dec. 26 are named in honor of New York-breds. The inaugural Tiz the Law is a six-furlong sprint for juveniles, while juvenile fillies run the same distance in the Bar of Gold. The latter race was formerly the Maddie May. Juveniles will route 1 1/16 miles on the same card's Gander. Juvenile fillies will take on the same challenge in the Saratoga Dew.

Saturday, Jan. 23:

The marquee events of the series at Belmont Park will be the inaugural editions of the $300,000 Long Island Derby and Long Island Oaks, over nine furlongs on Tapeta for sophomores and sophomore fillies, respectively.

Saturday, Feb. 27:

The NYRA legs of the series conclude with a pair of six-furlong $200,000 sprints on the Tapeta, including the Elmont for sophomores and the Queens Village for sophomore fillies. The Elmont was formerly the Damon Runyon. The Queens Village was previously the East View.

Woodbine Racetrack will then host six races for 3-year-olds and up, including four $200,000 events comprised of six-furlong sprints for both boys and girls on Tapeta during Spring 2027, followed by seven-furlong sprints on Tapeta in the same categories in July 2027. The Woodbine Racetrack-based races are headlined in June 2027 by a pair of $300,000 events, one each for older boys and girls, at one-mile on the turf.

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A full slate of entertainment and family-friendly events are set for the July 4th Racing Festival, which will be held Friday, July 3 through Sunday, July 5, and serve as Opening Weekend of the summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced Thursday.

Saratoga's Opening Weekend festivities will align with the nationwide celebration commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“Opening Weekend at Saratoga Race Course is one of the most anticipated events of the summer in New York, and this year provides a special opportunity to celebrate both the return of the summer racing season and the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding,” said Dave O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming back fans to one of America's most revered sports venues during a festive and family-friendly July 4th holiday weekend.”

Headlined by the GI Belmont Derby and GI Belmont Oaks on Independence Day, the July 4th Racing Festival will include six graded events among 10 stakes races held over three days of competition.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course and the 2026 Saratoga Summer Meet, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

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Gold Square LLC's Dry Powder (Gun Runner), twice placed at the highest level during a productive 3-year-old season in 2025, drops out of graded company for Sunday's $100,000 Lady's Secret Stakes at Monmouth Park, the final local lead-up for the $500,000 GII Molly Pitcher Stakes on the Haskell undercard on July 18.

Third in the GI CCA Oaks and a neck second in the GI Cotillion Stakes either side of a victory in the Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx last season, the $525,000 Keeneland September graduate–carrying the same colors worn by GI Preakness Stakes hero Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map)–was a runaway winner of a one-mile Gulfstream allowance Mar. 12, but never landed a blow when off the board in the GI La Troienne Stakes May 1 and in the GII Ruffian Stakes just eight days hence.

“With the money we spent on her as a yearling, there are expectations of being a Saturday afternoon horse when you put on the black and gold (silks),” said trainer Chad Summers, who has the Preakness winner pointed toward the Haskell the same afternoon as the Molly Pitcher. “We feel she's a graded stakes filly. Ultimately, that's the goal for this year–to get that graded stakes win.

“Since she is doing so well we thought this was a race that makes sense since we're looking at the Molly Pitcher on Haskell day.”

The bay filly has worked three times since the Ruffian, including an easy half-mile in :49 flat (24/61) at Belmont Prk June 11.

“She is doing super,” said Summers. “We were excited when she won the race at Gulfstream the way she did. We took a swing in a Grade I after that. She just kind of got lost going into the first turn and ended up in no-man's land. She ran a little flat.

“But when she came out of the race she didn't even need any water afterward. So we did something a little unusual. We ran her back in eight days in the Ruffian. She ran good that day. The winner (Irish Maxima) was awesome. She ran everyone off their feet.”

Dry Powder has amassed a record of 3-3-2 from 11 starts for earnings to date of $543,400.

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Edited Press Release

Officials at the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has announced the additions of Drs. Kevin Dunlavy, Vickie Heidlage-Williams, Jamie McAnly, Clayton McCook and Gabrielle Rivest to HISA's Veterinary Advisory Committee (VAC).

Established in 2024, the committee is composed of both regulatory and private racetrack veterinarians across the nation. Advisory committee members provide feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the execution and development of HISA's policies and protocols surrounding veterinary care, racetrack safety, medication, equine research and other related issues.

Members are appointed for 18-month terms, and the new members succeed outgoing VAC members Drs. Nolton Pattio, Martha Misheff, Amy Narotsky and Horace “Sam” Ferguson, III.

“We look forward to the meaningful contributions our new members will make and are confident their clinical expertise and wide range of experiences will further strengthen the committee's efforts to provide informed guidance to the industry,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Policy & Industry Initiatives.

Click here view biographies of all members of the Veterinary Advisory Committee.

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Stark Contrast (Caravaggio), an impressive 2 1/4-length winner of the GI American Turf S. with a career-high 99 Beyer Speed Figure on Kentucky Derby day, is being aimed at the GI Belmont Derby at Saratoga July 4.

The Amerman Racing homebred has worked three times at trainer Michael McCarthy's Santa Anita base since, including a four-furlong breeze in :50.20 (27/31) June 11.

C R K Stable's 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy), winner of the GIII UK HealthCare Transylvania S. at Keeneland and runner-up in the American Turf, is targeting the Belmont Derby as well.

“Working with Michael McCarthy, we're probably gonna go towards the July 4 Belmont Derby,” owner/breeder John Amerman said. “It's nine furlongs, it's turf, and the horse has been running very very well. His Beyer and Sheet numbers are very good. Hopefully, we've got a good shot.”

Stark Contrast, second in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 21, could have entertained a Kentucky Derby bid with the 50 points he earned over the all-weather at Turfway, but instead opted for the American Turf.

“He's a turf horse,” Amerman said. “The Derby, of course, is dirt. The Derby is always difficult to pass up. On the other hand, we just thought he'd do better on the grass. And he proved it by winning the American Turf. So, it was good.”

Stark Contrast finished a longshot second beaten just 3/4 of a length behind Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar Oct. 31. Gstaad has since won this spring's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and came within a nose of capturing the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot earlier this week.

“I thought we had it, but Gstaad's a very good horse and has proved it over in Europe most recently,” Amerman said.

Stark Contrast is one of 13 graded/group winners worldwide for Caravaggio, the leading European first-crop sire of 2021, who was relocated to Japan's Shizunai Stallion Station. He was produced by the graded-placed Quality Road mare Catch the Eye. The Amermans bought Stark Contrast's granddam, Turns My Head (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), for $310,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September Yearling sale. This is also the family of GISW Gun Pilot (Gun Runner).

STARK CONTRAST wins the G1 American Turf presented by @TheUFL. pic.twitter.com/BZdDc9Fkcv

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 2, 2026

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Looking to record his first victory under the Twinspires in a year, Verifire (Authentic–Ruby Trust, by Smart Strike) got the job done with a tidy 3/4-length score in Louisville in Wednesday afternoon.

The chestnut was named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following an eye-catching 6 1/4-length victory going six panels at Colonial in March of 2025 before winning his next two starts impressively, including the seven-furlong Maxfield Stakes at Churchill Downs later in June. Taking money in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes in Saratoga at the end of August, the chestnut was eased late in the seven-furlong test won by Patch Adams. Sent to the sidelines for the remainder of the season, he reappeared with a solid third-place finish in a six-furlong optional claimer over a sloppy track at this venue on May 22. Installed the 3-2 choice in this second go, the $1-million OBS March purchase shot out of the gate like a cannon, carving out opening splits of :21.77 and a half in :44.37. Momentarily headed by Tough Catch (Complexity) at the quarter pole, the Brad Cox trainee regained the lead straightening for home and held Tough Catch at bay late to score by 3/4 lengths.

Ruby Trust, a daughter of Grade III winner Queen ofthe Catsle (Tale of the Cat), is also responsible for a 3-year-old colt by McKinzie (Golden Tornado) in addition to a juvenile filly by Olympiad. She dropped a McKinzie filly in 2026.

8th-Churchill Downs, $137,367, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 6-17, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.01, ft, 3/4 length.
VERIFIRE (c, 4, Authentic–Ruby Trust {SP, $145,212}, by Smart Strike) Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-1, $323,404. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Sales history: $260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR.
O-Resolute Racing, Delta Squad Racing, LLC and Anderson Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

VERIFIRE ($5.18) is back after a stretch battle with #4 Tough Catch in Race 8 at @ChurchillDowns. @IradOrtiz was aboard the son of @SpendthriftFarm stallion Authentic for the @bradcoxracing team and owners @resracingky and Delta Squad Racing. pic.twitter.com/YGctHKkK1N

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 17, 2026

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Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have announced a charitable campaign in support of the trainers, staff and backstretch workers impacted by the early Tuesday barn fire at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track.

The initiative will first include a $50,000 contribution from NYRA to the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association (SHHA) to assist those affected by the fire. Additionally, NYRA will host a fundraiser on opening day of the meet at Saratoga Race Course July 3 where fans will have the opportunity to purchase a specially designed T-shirt. The shirt will also be available on track in the Official NYRA store and online by clicking here beginning Friday, June 19. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts will benefit the SHHA.

The shirts will also be available for purchase at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track during its Sunset Saturday series from July 11 through Aug. 29.

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) will also contribute $10,000 to the SHHA in support of the efforts.

“The New York horse racing community is united by a shared commitment to the horses and the people who care for them,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President and CEO. “NYRA extends its deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragic event. We are proud to partner with the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association to provide meaningful support to our neighbors at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Harness Track during this difficult time.”

“We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary support shown by our community in the aftermath of the recent barn fire,” said Sam Gerrity, Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Casino Hotel. “We extend our sincere appreciation to NYRA for their assistance on the day of the incident and, in particular, for their generous contribution to support the horsemen most directly impacted by this tragedy. This contribution is a meaningful demonstration of the solidarity that defines our racing community, and we are thankful for NYRA's continued support during this difficult period.”

Henry Westbrook Jr., President of the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association, thanked NYRA and the racing community for their support.

“This is a devastating loss for everyone involved, and the outpouring of support from across the racing industry means a great deal to those affected,” Westbrook said. “The assistance provided through this effort will help our trainers, caretakers and staff as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy. On behalf of the Saratoga Harness Horseperson's Association, I want to thank NYRA, NYTHA and racing fans for standing with our community.”

“When heartbreak strikes our neighbors, the entire New York racing family responds,” said NYTHA President Tina Bond. “NYTHA is proud to contribute to this collective effort, and we stand fully alongside the harness community as they begin the difficult process of recovery.”

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Antonio Fresu, Phil D'Amato and Reddam Racing were the leading jockey, trainer and owner, respectively, at the just-concluded Santa Anita Hollywood meeting at the Arcadia oval.

A native of Sardinia, the 34-year-old Fresu booted home 33 winners from 183 rides (18%), narrowly besting Armando Ayuso on 31 wins. Fresu, who shifted his tack to Santa Anita in December 2023, missed the first five weeks of 2026 with a left foot injury suffered on opening day of the season Dec. 28.

“The year didn't start like we wanted to, so this is a nice achievement,” said Fresu, winning his second straight Hollywood Meet title. “My agent Ron Anderson has been doing an amazing job. And obviously thank you to all the trainers and owners who supported me, especially after the injury. They gave me the opportunity and I just tried to do my best.”

Fresu's marquee wins at the meet were courtesy of Stronghold (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Triple Bend Stakes and with Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the GIII American Stakes. Both horses are trained by D'Amato.

For D'Amato, this marked his ninth time as leading trainer at Santa Anita, having also proved best at last year's Autumn Meet. D'Amato sent out 22 winners from 95 runners (23%) and also led all trainers with seven stakes wins, one more than runner-up Michael McCarthy. His most notable victories were in the GI Gamely Stakes with Thought Process (Collected) and the GIII San Juan Capistrano Stakes with the ageless Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) in addition to Stronghold's Triple Bend.

Paul and Zillah Reddam's Reddam Racing were represented by seven winners from 39 starters, including the homebred 3-year-old filly She's No Quant (Pavel), who won her maiden and a state-bred first-level allowance during the Hollywood Meet.

Live racing resumes at Santa Anita with the start of the Autumn Meet on Sept. 25.

The post Fresu, D’Amato, Reddam Among Hollywood Meet Leaders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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.”

The post Justify Filly Sells to Speedway for OBS June Record $1.4 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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.

The post Keeneland Serves As Co-Title Sponsor Of HRWA For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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.”

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