Thoroughbred Daily News

With on-track attendance limited to about 4,800 fans at Laurel and with this year's GI Preakness Stakes drawing a weak field that was missing the GI Kentucky Derby winner and runner-up, there appeared to be a strong likelihood that betting handle would plummet at the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

But that did not turn out to be the case. According to Equibase charts, the all-sources handle for Saturday's 14-race card was $106,982,107. That was a drop of just 2.8% from the $110,043,794 wagered last year when 14 races were run at Pimlico.

At deadline for this story, TDN was not able to come up with on-track numbers for the last two runnings of the Preakness, but the numbers from Laurel had to be down considerably considering that there were approximately 63,000 people in attendance last year at Pimllico.

This year's card also may have benefitted from all 14 races being run for Thoroughbreds. In 2025, the 14th race was for Arabians and handle for that race was down considerably from a figure that would have been typical for a Thoroughbred race.

The Preakness day handle has held steady since a record $112,504,509 was wagered in 2021.

This was the final Preakness run under the control of 1/ST Racing. Going forward, the Preakness's intellectual property rights will be owned by Churchill Downs, but the race will be conducted and managed by the new non-profit Maryland Jockey Club and will return to a rebuilt Pimlico in 2027.

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

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

The following question was submitted by Kate Hunter, a U.S. representative for Japanese participants.

Q: Why won't HISA/HIWU provide official or even informal guidance when asked about what supplements are permissible and when, as well as what common medications can be used and how? When asked directly by international trainers or even U.S. local vets, no answer is provided.

   For example, this year when our U.S.-based attending vet reached out to HISA/HIWU to confirm how a common topical antibiotic could be used before a race, they were told HISA/HIWU doesn't give guidance and the vet and the trainer are responsible.

   It wasn't always like this. In 2023 when many Japanese horses came to the Breeders' Cup, we provided a list of supplements from Japan with detailed ingredient lists (most are fruits and veg and minerals) and asked for HISA/HIWU's best opinion on use. Some guidance was provided in 2023 which was greatly appreciated, most of it similar to “this is an unknown product so it must be stopped 42 hours out and used at your own risk.” But by 2024, I started getting a response that provided no guidance or help whatsoever.

   In contrast, every other international jurisdiction gives you clear guidance even on foreign products. They don't expect people visiting for one race who don't speak English to figure it out on their own. It's important that at least a trainer or vet can confidently contact the governing authority in a country and have them double check they are following the rules correctly, especially so in the U.S., where the rules have changed so much in recent years and the consequences for a rules violation is so severe.

HIWU:

HISA and HIWU recognize the importance of assisting all horsemen, whether they are based in the United States or abroad, in complying with HISA's rules when they race or train at racetracks covered by HISA. The 2023 Breeders' Cup represented the first U.S. racing event with significant international presence since the launch of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, and we are glad that HIWU's approach to supporting international competitors with navigating the ADMC Program Rules was helpful at that time.

HIWU developed and launched an extensive educational plan through 2023 and 2024, which included an updated website, a free mobile app with a substance lookup tool, and multiple other resources. Consequently, we established a consistent initial response to inquiries about medications and supplements, which was to encourage horsemen to review these new resources when researching specific products. We also shared the most relevant content from these resources with the Breeders' Cup to distribute to horsemen as part of their pre-event materials.

That said, we regret any frustration caused by this approach and take Ms. Hunter's feedback seriously. In advance of this year's Breeders' Cup, HIWU will reach out to Ms. Hunter and other international representatives proactively to ensure that all horsemen and veterinarians feel comfortable competing under HISA's rules. We encourage other horsemen, regardless of country of origin, to reach out to us before racing in states covered by HISA if they have concerns about specific medications or dietary supplements. The more time we are given to answer questions, the more helpful we can be.

Further, HISA has just completed a new handbook that will be shared with international stakeholders to help them meet HISA's requirements.

Horsemen and veterinarians may find the following information useful when making decisions about dietary supplements and/or products manufactured outside the United States. The most important takeaway is that, since dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), users do not have any way of knowing if the ingredients listed on the product labels are complete and accurate. This is why HIWU cannot endorse or approve these products, and it is up to horsemen to determine their own risk assessment when deciding whether or not to use them.

The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) anticipates launching RMTC CleanSport, a third-party supplement testing and certification program for equine sport, in the coming months. This program will provide an additional decision-making tool for end users of supplements if they choose to use them in their horse(s).

Medications/substances with potential therapeutic uses that are manufactured outside the United States and lack FDA approval are considered Banned Substances, even if they are approved for use in other countries. Horsemen and veterinarians are strongly advised against importing medications lacking FDA approval into the United States. HIWU's Science team can assist with reviewing specific foreign products via sciencesupport@hiwu.org.

Dietary supplements and feed products are not regulated by the FDA, and approval by a foreign regulatory body does not transfer to the ADMC Program. Thus, horsemen who compete at racetracks covered by HISA use supplements at their own risk. HIWU has published multiple resources and advisories with guidance regarding their use since the launch of the ADMC Program.

HISA and HIWU do not approve, certify, or endorse dietary supplements or other feed products as being permitted under the ADMC Program. However, HIWU's Science team is happy to help horsemen and veterinarians with reviewing dietary supplement labels to make them feel more confident in the products they select for their horses.

Anyone who has questions about a dietary supplement is welcome to reach out to sciencesupport@hiwu.org. If given reasonable notice to review the product(s), the HIWU team can confirm whether a dietary supplement label explicitly lists any Prohibited Substances. Confirmation that a supplement label does not list any Prohibited Substances should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the supplement itself does not contain Prohibited Substances, for HIWU has sent supplements for testing that came back positive for Prohibited Substances that were not listed on the label.

HIWU continually evaluates ways to best serve industry stakeholders to facilitate compliance with the ADMC Program Rules, including in relation to the use of Prohibited Substances and dietary supplements.

The post Ask HIWU: Advice On Supplement Usage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz, bidding on behalf of the Saudi-based KAS Stable, went to $2.1 million to acquire a colt from the first crop of champion Flightline (hip 54) from the Sequel consignment. Bred by Chester Broman, the chestnut colt is out of GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and is a half-brother to graded winner Coinage (Tapit).

“This horse is going to race here in the United States,” Lanz said after signing the ticket on the colt. “I don't know who is going to train him yet. We were waiting to secure the horse first before we decided.”

Of his impressions of the colt, Lanz added, “The first time I saw him was in a video of him breezing on dirt that Sequel posted on X. He is a very nice mover. He is a beautiful, balanced horse with a good hip and shoulder and a nice walk. He is out of a Breeders' Cup champion mare. And then there is all the hype with Flightline. I think the hype is real.”

The hype around Flightline reached a fevered pitch last month at the OBS Spring sale when a colt from the champion's first crop sold for $10.5 million to Amr Zedan and has now been named Zedan in honor of the owner's father.

“Everyone is excited about them,” Lanz said of the Flightlines. “The comments we are hearing from Japan are great and then you see the amazing Zedan in April. So I knew this horse was going to bring a lot of money.”

The works at last week's under-tack preview were untimed by the sales company, but Lanz said he saw enough from the colt on the track in Timonium to be confident in his bidding.

“He galloped into the turn on his left lead and then immediately changed leads perfectly,” he said. “I don't care about the time, but I was clocking. The horse went in :35 4/5, which is a very nice three-furlong breeze for a 2-year-old.”

While he accepted congratulations on the purchase, Lanz admitted, “I celebrate this, but the real celebration is when they can win races at the track.”

Hip 54 c. FLIGHTLINE o/o G1SW Bar of Gold sells for $2,100,000 to Pedro Lanz, agent for KAS Stables, from the consignment of Sequel, agent for Chester Broman, at the Midlantic May 2YO Sale. Congrats to the connections! @2yovar @sequelnewyork @LanesEndFarms pic.twitter.com/CdQVAeQjbm

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) May 18, 2026

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He had every right to throw in the towel in this troubled unveiling, but El Magnate (c, 3, Into Mischief–Cover Song, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) wasn't discouraged. He overcame the trouble to finish full of run in a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' performance at Woodbine Sunday. The M Racing Group LLC colorbearer marked the 60th 'Rising Star' for his seven-time leading sire, Into Mischief, who holds court at Spendthrift near Lexington.

El Magnate–sent at 8-5–hopped at the start, spotting his rivals several lengths. The big colt took his time finding his stride while caboosing the field as 8-5 choice Mystical Dance (Instagrand) showed the way through a :22.89 first quarter. He split horses to join the fray and was moving well midpack on the turn until a seam closed and he clipped heels, stumbling dramatically. Not dissuaded, El Magnate and Rafael Hernandez regrouped, found clear running while several paths out, and came flying down the lane to run down the leaders. The 3 1/4-length score over fellow firster Aterya (Frac Daddy) prompted Woodbine track announcer Robert Geller to proclaim, “El Magnate, plenty of power and stride! That's a majestic performance.”

A $500,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $725,000 Keeneland September RNA, El Magnate is out of 2016 GIII Autumn Miss Stakes winner Cover Song. The mare produced full-siblings to El Magnate in 2024 and 2025, with the 2-year-old filly named United Kingdom RNA'ing for $600,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. The yearling is a colt and the mare was bred to Nyquist for 2026. Cover Song is out of European highweight and MGISW Misty For Me (Ire), dam of MG1SWs U S Navy Flag and Roly Poly, both by War Front.

 
5th-Woodbine, C$86,231, Msw, 5-17, 3yo, 5 1/2f (AWT), 1:05.20, ft, 3 1/4 lengths.
EL MAGNATE, c, 3, Into Mischief
1st Dam: Cover Song {GSW, $122,227}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus})
2nd Dam: Misty For Me (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
3rd Dam: Butterfly Cove, by Storm Cat
Sales History: $500,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $725,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,419. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-M Racing Group LLC; B-B. Flay Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Mark E. Casse.

A replay is not currently available on X. Please click the video link above to watch the race. 

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In the morning after his GI Preakness Stakes triumph, Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) was in good form, according to trainer Chad Summers, and will target the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park as his next start.

“He's good today,” Summers told the TDN. “He's been very playful. I came back last night at about midnight just to have a quiet moment with him after all the hoopla. He ate all his food, so I gave him another scoop and he ate all that right away.”

“He's full of spunk and energy this morning. We're very happy with him.”

While many in the Thoroughbred sphere have been clamoring at a potential showdown between the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners at the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, Summers hasn't turned down the idea, but also hasn't committed to an entry.

“We'll nominate to everything. Obviously, with a horse of that caliber, you take a look at the options. And he doesn't necessarily need a race in between. He gets enough out of himself in the morning.”

However, if push comes to shove, the conditioner is leaning toward the GI Haskell Stakes. The New Jersey marquee carries a 'Win and You're In' berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic–this year held at Keeneland.

“Monmouth Park should fit him well,” Summers said. “Who is going looks like a who's who already. We heard The Puma is heading in that direction and Crude Velocity is looking at that race as well. Todd [Pletcher] and Brad [Cox] might have something in there too, along with the locals that are around.”

“The Haskell is not an easy race to win, especially since it's a 'Win and You're In' for the Breeders' Cup Classic, which is important to us.”

Summers added that, while some pressure was certainly off with a Spring Classic under his charge's belt, owner Al Gold's desire to win the Haskell might have given that looming feeling a new direction to go.

“We might feel more pressure in the Haskell than we had going into the Preakness just knowing what it means to [Owner] Al [Gold], but we feel like we will go over there with a horse that has finally had a chance to show everybody where he is at. He finally had a chance to run his race this year. We think he can improve from here. I think as he gets older and starts maturing, I think he will get better and better.”

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Last month, trainer Mary Pattershall picked up her stall allocation from Parx Racing, where she said she's been stabled for decades, and got a nasty surprise. She was given zero stalls and was told she must have her “horses and property off Parx grounds” by the end of the day Thursday April 23.

What's more, the letter-signed by David Osojnak, Parx director of racing-gave no explanation as to why she would have to leave. Nor, Pattershall said, has she been given any such explanation since, although she suspects it might be due to critical comments she has made of Parx's management of the track and barn area during a recent cold snap this winter via her role on a horseman's advisory group.

“I honestly don't understand what's going on, I really don't,” said Pattershall, this past Friday, who maintains a small stable of around seven horses. Among her various roles, she gives much of her time over to the rehoming of Off-Track Thoroughbreds.

Pattershall said she could move her horses to Delaware Park, but that would mean she would have to abandon the vanning business she has built up over the years around Parx.

“I'm terrified,” said Pattershall, 65. “I'm not qualified to do anything else. What am I going to do, be a Walmart greeter?”

While the initial eviction date was April 23, that deadline was pushed back to this past Saturday May 16, she said. Pattershall still remains stabled at the track because she says she has nowhere else viable to take her horses. In doing so, she said she fears that track won't take her entries when it opens Tuesday.

When asked if Pattershall would be allowed to enter her horses on Tuesday, Joe Stathius, Parx Racing's assistant general counsel, said in a telephone interview, “if she hasn't left her stalls, why would we take her horses?”

Pattershall is one of nine trainers denied stalls at the track, many of whom say they've never been given a concrete reason for the decision, although some of them, like Pattershall, have been vocally critical of track management in recent months.

The other eight trainers include Brenda Wilson, Michael Catalano Jr., Josue Arce, Patrick Ashton, Herold Whylie, and Daniel Velazquez.

Catalano and Velazquez have already moved their stables to Delaware. Pattershall said that she and at least four other trainers have remained at the track.

This story also raises question marks over the role of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), the organization tasked with defending the state's industry stakeholders in matters like this, but which some trainers say has done too little to defend their rights.

In the background of this issue is a horsemen's association riven by internal strife, due to allegations of financial mismanagement among certain members of the board over recent years. The PTHA board ordered an audit of this alleged financial impropriety. That audit is complete but it has not yet been made public.

When pressed for reasons why Parx is denying stalls to the nine trainers, Stathius said, “I'm not going to get into that.”

Stathius added if the trainers “want to pursue some mechanism by which they can challenge this, and I'm not sure there is such a mechanism, but if they're able to do so, they're welcome to try and when they do, we will discuss if there were any individual reasons for why stalls were denied. But in the meantime, Parx is exercising sole discretion in the determination not to award them.”

Stathius subsequently texted a statement: “Each of the trainers in question agreed to and signed a Stall Application giving Parx Racing 'sole discretion' in awarding stalls. Parx has chosen to exercise its discretion here. We have no further comment regarding the individual trainers' circumstances except to say that none of the trainers at issue are being ejected from Parx.”

According to Alan Pincus, an attorney representing seven of the nine trainers, “this is an existential event. They're saying, 'I don't have to give any of you stalls, and if any of you anger me in any way, I can throw you out.'”

Pincus added, “now remember, horsemen get pensions when they're stabled on the grounds. They get health insurance when they're stabled on the grounds.”

Pincus and Bob Hutt, an owner-breeder who sits on the PTHA board of directors, outlined a sequence of events that essentially leave the nine trainers in legal limbo.

According to Hutt, Velazquez, a PTHA board member, and PTHA president Kate DeMasi initially met with Joe Wilson, Parx COO, for a brief meeting that yielded no meaningful resolution.

Hutt said Jan Budman, the recently hired legal counsel for the PTHA, more recently spoke with Stathius, when Budman raised the idea of a formal merits hearing as outlined in the live racing agreement with Parx.

That agreement states how “no person who does business with the PTHA and/or its members or who holds a license from the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission shall be ejected or excluded from the grounds of Philadelphia Park [Parx] by the Associations except in strict conformity with the following procedures.”

Such a meeting “shall be held by the PTHA designee and Vice President of Operations or Vice President of Racing; (ii) If no resolution within 72 hours, the matter shall be taken up by the PTHA designee and the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Operating Officer of the Associations,” according to the agreement.

According to Hutt, Budman reported that Parx counsel disagreed with that position, stating that the trainers were not ejected nor excluded from Parx premises, and that their state licenses would still permit them access to the Parx backstretch to tend to their horses.

Hutt said that Budman then recommended instead that the trainers petition for an arbitration hearing under section 15 of the PTHA's stall application.

This section of the stall application outlines an arbitration process that requires the trainers to file separately rather than as a group.

As per section 15 of the stall agreement, the licensee in question “agrees that in the event any such claim or dispute subject to this arbitration provision, Applicant will not join with any other arbitration claimant, nor will Applicant participate in any class action, collective action or multi-claimant proceeding in arbitration.”

According to Pincus, he petitioned Parx for an arbitration hearing under the stall agreement, which he describes as being “completely and utterly one-sided” in favor of the track.

Track management, Pincus said, denied this request.

Earlier this week during a PTHA board meeting, Hutt then made a motion for the PTHA to challenge Parx to enforce the live race agreement (in other words, to allow the trainers a full merits hearing), he said.

“If we don't defend these nine, they can come out next week with 10 more, 20 more the week after that, and then we'd be out of business,” Hutt said. “I'm doing it for the welfare of all the trainers.”

The PTHA board voted that motion down, on advice from the PTHA counsel saying that such a legal move might jeopardize their tax-exempt status, said Hutt.

“This board is hiding behind violating the PTHA's 'tax exempt status' as an excuse not to help,” said Hutt. “I feel like the board is violating the mission of the PTHA which is to help our horsemen, for which we were duly elected.”

According to Pincus, he has petitioned Parx once again “for any due process available to us.”

Reached by phone, DeMasi said, “we've been here to assist the horsemen in this process, and we have counsel advising us.”

When pressed about the advice of counsel about the tax-status of the organization if it supported the trainers during their legal efforts, DeMasi said “there's just concern over that. But, we have actually had counsel communicate with Parx and everything. So, we've been here for the horsemen, and we've been advised and we have supported our horsemen throughout this process.”

When asked via text for a copy of the audit into alleged financial mismanagement by the board, DeMasi wrote back that the report is confidential.

“This is a situation that calls for sharp action by a horsemen's group-a horsemen's group that handles millions of dollars of these horsemen's purse money. They give $4.2 million of it a year away to the track,” said Pincus, about the situation facing the nine trainers.

“But they roll over like Lassie on every issue that comes before them. Would I think they're going to act here? It would be a change,” Pincus added. “They're the most pusillanimous horsemen's group in history.”

All of which leaves Pattershall facing difficult decisions about her future and fast, with very little understanding as to why she has to make them in the first place.

“I have built my life around my passion, Parx,” said Pattershall. “As the saying goes, 'You'll never work a day in your life if you love what you do.' This is me. I've gotten great joy from helping my fellow trainers, grooms, hot walkers and all backside workers. I believe it has given me my purpose in life. It brings me to tears to even think for one second that I couldn't continue to be a trainer on this track.”

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Saturday's Mizdirection Stakes victress Queen Maxima (Bucchero) will head to Kingfisher Farms in California for a layoff after collecting her sixth stakes win this past weekend, trainer Jeff Mullins announced Sunday.

Earning a 95 Beyer for her Mizdirection performance, Queen Maxima broke a two-race losing streak that started back in April when running fourth in the May 1 GII Unbridled Sidney Stakes at Churchill Downs and third in the GIII Monrovia at Santa Anita. Before that, she'd strung together successive victories in last October in the Senator Ken Maddy Stakes at Del Mar and Jan. 11 in the GIII Las Cienegas on the downhill course.

“She's going to the farm,” Mullins said. “I'll get her back about halfway through the Del Mar meet and get her ready.”

Stablemate Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), also co-owned by Dutch Girl Holdings LLC and Irving Ventures LLC, will join Queen Maxima at the farm. He was last seen finishing 16th in the GI Kentucky Derby May 2. The GI American Pharoah winner ran second in the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes and fourth in the GI Santa Anita Derby this year.

Two head out while one comes in as Man O Rose (Stanford) recently returned to the Mullins barn from Kingfisher after completing a 30-day break. The venerable gelding, a 12-time winner in his career, had a five-race winstreak interrupted back in March when he was defeated by fellow California-breds in the Sensational Star Stakes.

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EZ TINA (f, 2, Golden Pal-Risk Model, by Into Mischief), the priciest of dual Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (by Uncle Mo)'s first yearlings last year, flaunted her speed on debut Sunday at Woodbine. Favored at 6-5, she went straight to the front out of the gate, set an uncontested first quarter fraction of :23.23, did the same through a :46.22 half as Pietro Moran sat chilly, and hustled home with minimal encouragement over the all-weather surface by 4 3/4 lengths in :58.01 for the five furlongs while never threatened. Ohana Lulu (Aloha West), seeking to became her own freshman sire's first winner, raced midpack throughout on the inside and chased her home in second.

Ez Tina is the third winner this spring for Golden Pal, who stands at Coolmore's Ashford Stud. Like her sire, Ez Tina is trained by Wesley Ward, who also trains Golden Pal's first winner, Skara Brae.

Risk Model, the Sunday winner's dam, was a $275,000 Jody Huckabay buy at the 2023 Keeneland November sale with Ez Tina in utero. A half-sister to MGSW Dr B (Liam's Map), she produced a filly by Constitution last year and was bred to Good Magic for 2026.

3rd-Woodbine, C$79,777, Msw, 5-17, 2yo, 5f (AWT), :58.01, ft, 4 3/4 lengths.
EZ TINA (f, 2, Golden Pal–Risk Model, by Into Mischief) Sales History: $600,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,419. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Breeze Easy LLC and Resolution Road Stables; B-I-Hope Farms LLC (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.

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TIMONIUM, MD – Buyers were out in force at the Maryland State Fairgrounds on a balmy Sunday morning in Timonium, a day ahead of the start of the two-session Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Trainer Chad Summers, a day removed from his first GI Preakness Stakes victory with Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map), was busy on the sales grounds. Also making the trek an hour so north after saddling horses in Saturday's Preakness at Laurel were conditioners Steve Asmussen, Danny Gargan, and Dallas Stewart, as well as the Legion Bloodstock team which was represented by fourth-place finisher Ocelli.

Trainer Bob Baffert was on hand, as was his longtime client Michael Lund Petersen, whose acquisitions at the Timonium auction include champion Gamine (Into Mischief).

Consignors and buyers are navigating through Fasig-Tipton's new under-tack preview format, with the sales company not publishing official times for works during the two-day show held last Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I think everybody is taking a slightly different approach, but at the end of the day you still get to see the athletic horses you want to see,” Tristan deMeric said outside the deMeric Sales barn Sunday morning. “They have to separate themselves a little bit back at the barn, as well as what they did on the track and how they move. It's very similar, but [buyers] are all approaching it a little different without the actual published time.”

Joe Pickerell said buyers shopping at his Pick View consignment seemed to have figured out a system with the new format.

“They seem to have a pretty good handle on it,” he said. “I think everybody has tack show notes, whether it's clockers notes or just video notes. But everybody seems to have a list when they show up. It's very similar with traditional clockings.

It feels like everybody is going through the business the same way as usual. It's business as usual.”

Action at the barns has been more spread out this year after the under-tack preview was shortened to two days to avoid rainy weather on its originally scheduled Thursday session.

“The last three days have been busy enough, but there hasn't been a ton of traffic on the sales grounds,” deMeric said. “But we are seeing enough people this morning. We are lucky we have a nice group of horses and we are looking forward to seeing how they are received in the sales ring.”

Jorge Villagomez said activity at his JVC Training and Sales consignment has been brisk.

“On day one, Thursday, we were busy showing and we stayed like that and today it's the same thing,” Villagomez said. “It's been non-stop.”

Villagomez said the untimed works meant less pressure for consignors.

“Everybody has been positive [about the new format],” Villagomez said. “I felt no pressure breezing my horses. We didn't ask them for their lives. We let them do what they would do on their own and they performed well. This is the first time I felt no pressure going up there with my horses.”

Asked how he thought buyers would respond come sales time, Villagomez said, ” It's going to be interesting. We don't know what to expect right now. We have to wait until the sale gets started and hope for the best. That's all we can do.”

DeMeric said he was excited to see how the sale would unfold in the wake of the untimed preview.

“We don't have a great line on what's going to happen,” he said. “But we are going to be reasonable with our reserves and just see what the market says the horses are worth. We have a lot of nice horses that we believe in and hopefully the market receives them well.”

Overall, Pickerell said he expects to see a familiar trend when selling gets started Monday morning.

“I think the market is strong for the good horses and that's going to continue,” he said. “It's more of the same from the past few years.”

Last year's Midlantic May sale, plagued by rainy weather, was conducted in one continuous session and despite the conditions, produced its highest ever gross, average, and median. A total of 326 horses grossed $44,192,500 for an average of $135,560 and a median of $60,000. The auction produced four million-dollar juveniles, led by a $1.1-million daughter of Girvin.

Back to its traditional two-day format this year, the Midlantic May sale will be held Monday and Tuesday with each session beginning at 11 a.m.

The post ‘Business as Usual’: Buyers and Sellers Ready for Midlantic May Sale after New-Format Preview appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Because he doesn't ride regularly in Kentucky, New York or California, Paco Lopez will never get the acclaim that flows so easily when it comes to the likes of the Ortiz brothers, John Velazquez, Flavien Prat. Nor does it help that he has made far too many headlines for the suspensions he has received because he has a problem with overuse of the whip. He can be his own worst enemy.

That's why few would rate him a Top Five rider. That's too bad because he's, well, really good.

That was on display in the GI Preakness Stakes as he gave a perfect ride to winner Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map). He stalked a quick-but-not-too quick- pace set by Taj Mahal (Nyquist) and waited to pounce. He attacked on the far turn and opened up by 1 1/2 lengths, but saved enough for the win and to hold off a determined late run from Iron Honor (Nyquist).

“Paco was awesome,” winning owner Al Gold said Saturday. “What else can you say? Perfect ride. He waited for the right time to move. And he slowed it up from the half to the three-quarters perfectly, and just saved a lot of horse.”

Gold should know. He's a Jersey guy and a horseplayer and has no doubt watched intently as Lopez has piled up 12 Monmouth riding titles, including the last seven in a row.

Lopez doesn't necessarily look pretty on a horse. He sits high in the saddle and rides with a loose rein. But it works. Horses relax for him and you'll rarely see him fighting his mount. They just run for him.

At this point, people may not remember that he was in a close race with Irad Ortiz Jr. for leading rider in the country when he was suspended six months by HISA for multiple violations on Sept. 23. He had 325 winners on the year at the time. Having already wrapped up riding titles at Monmouth Park and Colonial Downs, he was having by far his best year.

Lopez eventually resurfaced in Louisiana, a state that is not governed by HISA. Just as he was starting to get his momentum back, he broke his ankle in a Feb. 7 spill at the Fair Grounds. He returned on April 3, one day before he rode Napoleon Solo to a fifth-place finish in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes.

The book on Napoleon Solo after the Wood was that me might not be a two-turn horse. Lopez disagreed.

“Paco was the one who told (trainer) Chad (Summers) after the Wood that we should come here (for the Preakness),” Gold said. “I didn't think this horse could go this far. It was all Paco's decision and how well this horse was training.”

Summers doesn't start many horses at tracks where Lopez rides, so he doesn't get to see him on a day-to-day basis, but he knows what he brings to the table.

“He might not be the sexy rider or the finesse rider or look the prettiest on a horse sometimes, but I've never seen somebody who is as passionate as he is and who works as hard as he does,” Summers said. “He's the first one at the track in the morning time to breeze horses. When he was coming back, when we were going to put him on in the Wood and he was coming off the injury at the Fair Grounds, we didn't know what he was going to look like. He was out there just as a regular exercise rider for Kelly Breen at Palm Meadows. And he looked like the old Paco the second he was on a horse. He hadn't missed a beat.

“He's a remarkable rider that gets horses to really relax and listen to him. The thing with our horse is he can be a little bit headstrong in the morning and in the post parade. So the pony's just kind of a placeholder rather than actually helping him too much. And as you saw in the post parade, Paco just kind of hung out and was just kind of talking to him and everything was good.”

Focusing on the tracks that he does, Lopez is never going to get a lot of mounts in the major races. This was his first win in a Triple Crown race and he's had only two mounts in the GI Kentucky Derby. His lone Breeders' Cup win came with Roy H (More Than Ready) in the 2018 GI Breeders; Cup Sprint.

This is already been a good year for him and if he stays healthy and stays out of trouble, it figures to get better. Through Saturday, he had 4,436 wins for his career.

“I like to work. I always have,” Lopez told the Monmouth media department Sunday. “I always say `Yesterday's win was yesterday. Today is today.' I have to find a way to win with different horses now.

Now 40, he should easily pass the 6,000 mark before he's done. He might even get to 7,000. He will make for an interesting debate come Hall of Fame time. For now, he'll have to settle for being one of the best in the business.

Burnham Square (Liam's Map) did it again Saturday night at Churchill, winning the GIII Louisville Stakes by 4 3/4-lengths. He has blossomed from a good dirt 3-year-old into, arguably, the best turf horse in the training.

Burnham Square romps in the Lousiville in Louisville under the lights | Coady Media

The 4-year-old gelding  also loves to go long, prospering once trainer Ian Wilkes put him on a schedule that included 12-furlong races like the Louisville. Which raises an interesting question: What about the G1 Melbourne Cup? The race is run at about two miles, has a purse of $6.5 million U.S. and, perhaps most importantly, Wilkes is Australian.

But he's not ready to go.

“I get that asked quite a bit about the Melbourne Cup,” Wilkes said. “Not this year. He's too young and he's just learning how to ship correctly. So it's a long way to go to screw up if he doesn't ship well. ”

Wilkes does believe there could be a Melbourne Cup in Burnham Square's future.

“It would mean a lot to win that race, to win the Melbourne Cup,” He said. “Being an Australian, that's the ultimate goal. That's the race that stops the nation. Yeah. So that would mean a lot. I know that I probably have a horse that's good enough because it's not easy to do. It takes a very good horse. I just don't think he's mature enough yet and  I think he's going to get better. Probably in a couple years, he'll be a more mature horse. He'll be a better horse then.”

Wilkes said the June 13 Chorleywood Stakes at Churchill would be next and the major goal for the year is the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.

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Burnham Square captured his second straight graded victory with another dominant victory over 12 furlongs over the turf in the GIII Louisville Stakes at Churchill Downs Saturday night. The heavy favorite was unhurried and settled off the pace while well in hand. He improved his position down the backstretch and burst up to engage the pacesetters with a three-wide move into the stretch. He bound to the lead with a furlong to go and sailed clear to the wire.

“He was very professional again tonight,” winning trainer Ian Wilkes said. “He's bred to do just this, go long on the grass. Distance is his forte.”

Burnham Square won last year's GIII Holy Bull Stakes and earned a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby with a win in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Sixth in the Derby and second in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes, the bay gelding moved to the lawn for his sophomore finale, finishing a close-up second in the Aug. 30 GIII Nashville Derby. Burnham Square opened 2026 with a late-running second-place effort in a 1 1/16-mile optional claimer at Gulfstream in February before stretching out to 1 1/2 miles and romping home a 9 3/4-length winner of the GII Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland last time out Apr. 18.

Linda has a 2-year-old colt by Oscar Performance. She produced a filly by Life is Good last year and a filly by Gun Runner this year.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
LOUISVILLE S.-GIII, $235,000, Churchill Downs, 5-16, 4yo/up,
1 1/2mT, 2:26.80, gd.
1–BURNHAM SQUARE, 123, g, 4, by Liam's Map
                1st Dam: Linda (GSW, $407,310), by Scat Daddy
                2nd Dam: Beautiful Noise, by Sunny's Halo
                3rd Dam: Listen Well, by Secretariat
O/B-Whitham Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Ian R. Wilkes; J-Brian
Joseph Hernandez, Jr. $152,760. Lifetime Record: 13-5-4-1,
$2,141,405. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
   Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Dancin in Da'nile, 118, g, 7, Pioneerof the Nile–Dance Again,
by Awesome Again. O-Murray, Ralph R., Menary, John, Cox,
Gail and Balaz, Michael; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-Gail Cox.
$39,600.
3–Echo Lane, 118, h, 5, Treasure Beach (GB)–Misbehavin Miss,
by Mineshaft. O-Anthony Rogers; B-Echo Lane Of Ocala, LLC
(FL); T-Rohan G. Crichton. $19,800.
Margins: 4 3/4, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.23, 16.17, 6.64.
Also Ran: Vote No, Freedom's Way, Anegada.

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

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In his first race back since a runner-up effort in the mid-February running of the G3 Saudi Derby, Obliteration (Violence) gave another strong performance in the Chick Lang Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', last year at Churchill Downs when his connections unveiled him June 12, the Steve Asmussen trainee has only been out of the money once in his career. That single miss came in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, where he finished a respectable fourth behind fellow 'Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Cy Fair (Not This Time).

Content to stalk just off the flank of pacesetter Shane's Wonder (Eastwood), the 3-5 choice was waiting for his opportunity to pounce around the far turn. Obliteration uncorked down the lane, quickly put away his target and earned another trip to the winner's circle.

“He's an extremely talented horse who's remarkably versatile that's given us very good days,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “For him to make the trip to Saudi, go through quarantine, come back and beat a quality field the way you expected him to, couldn't be happier.

“I thought he performed extremely well [in the Saudi Derby], the way the racetrack was playing, the times they were throwing up for the day, I thought it was a true test of the mile,” he added. “But I think the value to create with him now is to race him shorter. Obviously, the [G1] Allen Jerkens [at Saratoga], races like that, we feel he's of that caliber.

“I expect him to have two races between now and [the Breeders' Cup Sprint,” Asmussen said. “It will all depend on how he comes out of this. For him to go 1:09-and-3 over this racetrack, he's very fast.”

I'mclassyandsassy, stakes-placed as a juvenile, has bred eight winners from nine to the races. The O'Farrell Family's Ocala Stud parted with $85,000 for the mare carrying the colt that would become Obliteration at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale.

A half-sister to SW Fairway Road (Cuvee)–herself the dam of GSW Just Grazed Me (Grazen)–I'mclassyandsassy is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Girvin and a colt by Elite Power who was foaled in April 2025. The winner's dam was entered in Forte's book for this season.

An absolute OBLITERATION ($3.40)!

The Steve Asmussen trained colt easily wins the $150,000 Chick Lang Stakes at @LaurelPark. @jose93_ortiz was up on the 3YO by Violence.

Can you hit the pick 6? Try here: https://t.co/lk97LJDmTP pic.twitter.com/oP4yCpKaOJ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 16, 2026

CHICK LANG S., $150,000, Laurel, 5-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.77, ft.
1–OBLITERATION, 124, c, 3, by Violence
                1st Dam: I'mclassyandsassy (SP), by Master Command
                2nd Dam: Launch Site, by Relaunch
                3rd Dam: Insight to Cope, by Copelan
($200,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,. O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC, Sherwood, James, Shupe, Jode and Cilia, John; B-Ocala Stud (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $90,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-US, GSP-KSA, 9-4-4-0, $983,550. *1/2 to Pure Class (The Big Beast), SW, $352,648, Big and Classy (The Big Beast), GSP, $356,490, Sassy Beast (The Big Beast), SW, $297,110 and Family Biz (Fed Biz), SP, $452,878.
2–Shane's Wonder, 118, g, 3, Eastwood–One Fast Chick, by First Defence. ($380,000 RNA 3yo '26 IGDAPR). O/B-Uptowncharlybrown Stud LLC (PA); T-Alfredo Velazquez. $30,000.
3–Igniter, 122, c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer, by Malibu Moon. O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. $15,000.
Margins: 3HF, NO, 6. Odds: 0.70, 2.70, 3.50.
Also Ran: Fulmine, Top Manipulator, Magic Wallet, Hollywood Import. Scratched: Buds Notion.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Picked up as an OBS March grad just two months ago for $150,000, He Is No Lie (Early Voting) lit up a maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Friday, wiring the field by a widening margin under wraps to become his juvenile sire's (by Gun Runner) second winner and first 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'.

His wide draw proved of little consequence as this 2-5 favorite, facing six Californa-bred rivals, was pressed on to clear the inside traffic. Responding in kind to that ask, He Is No Lie sprinted to the front with mild pressure only from second-time starter Jonny's Cap (Acclamation) who hung around just briefly against the rail.

That pair opened up a sizable gap on the rest of the juveniles but, by the time they hit the far turn, the favorite was already pulling away in spades and doing so under a motionless Emisael Jaramillo.

Coming home with just a few left-handed reminders to stay off the rail, He Is No Lie was wrapped up on through the final sixteenth, cruising home in a sharp final time of :51.88 for the 4 1/2 furlongs, the fastest such debut over the distance in just over five years. 42-1 longshot Cupid Cowboy (Stay Thirsty) led in the rest of field who were eight lengths back of the winner.

“He's a super handsome colt who has not missed a beat since the sale,” winning trainer Doug O'Neill told the TDN after the race. “I'll huddle up with Mark Davis, Janie Buss [from Purple Rein Racing] and their racing manager, Joe Miller, to come up with a plan [for his next start].”

First dam Truth in the Lies, placed in a pair of stakes races and an earner of over $361,000 herself, sold to Crestwood Farm as a $19,000 broodmare out of the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. She is a half-sister to MSW Trueamericanspirit (Is It True). Now the dam of two winners from three to race, she has a yearling filly by Vekoma still to represent her and was covered for this year by Stage Raider.

Early Voting, who fittingly for this weekend was himself a winner in the GI Preakness Stakes, stands at Taylor Made Stallions.

6th-Santa Anita, $73,800, Msw, 5-15, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :51.88, ft, 8 lengths.
HE IS NO LIE, c, 2, Early Voting
            1st Dam: Truth in the Lies {MSP, $361,002},
                        by Hold Me Back
            2nd Dam: Ms. Misery, by Silver Ghost
            3rd Dam: Satan's Bride, by Skywalker
Sales History: $70,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '26 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $39,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
O-Purple Rein Racing (Barton; Buss) and Davis, Mark D.; B-Pope McLean, Marc McLean & Pope McLean Jr. (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill.

The post Early Voting’s He Is No Lie Aptly Named In ‘TDN Rising Star’ Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TDN's Chief Correspondent Bill Finley is joined by Senior Contributing Editor Alan Carasso and Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack to handicap Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.

FINLEY: Honestly, it's hard to like anyone in a race that looks like it will be a mad scramble and is made up of so many horses who really aren't Triple Crown caliber. The right move is probably to go for a longshot and just hope to get lucky.

The pick here will be Pretty Boy Miah (Beau Liam), who is 15-1 on the morning line. The reasons he'll be a longshot are many: he drew the outside post in the field, he's never gone beyond a mile or around two turns and he's a speed horse in a race loaded with speed. But dig a little deeper and you can make a case for him. His 92 Beyer in his last start, an allowance win at Aqueduct, is the second-best, last-race Beyer figure in the field. Only Ocelli's (Connect)'s 94 in the GI Kentucky Derby is better. Pretty Boy Miah is also on the improve and may just enjoy the longer distance.

Pretty Boy Miah | Sarah Andrew

Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) ran just OK in the Derby, but he only lost by four lengths. Considering that he was coming into the Derby off an eight-week layoff, there's every chance that he will improve. Looks like he's going to be an underlay at 9-2 or 5-1.

Taj Mahal (Nyquist) is very live here for Brittany and Sheldon Russell. His last race, a win in the Federico Tesio S., was weird. He charged out of the gate, opened up by 10, came back to the field, then proved to have a second gear as he coasted home alone in the stretch. From the one hole, he's probably going to have to gun for the front, which is probably not where you want to be in this race.

The question for Ocelli is can he duplicate his Derby effort? That race came out of nowhere and he benefitted from a pace meltdown.

Iron Honor (Nyquist) is the morning-line favorite at 9-2, which is all about the fact that he is trained by Chad Brown, who is following the exact same pattern as he did with his two Preakness winners, Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music) and Early Voting (Gun Runner). They both passed the Derby after running in the GII Wood Memorial. The difference, though, is that those two put in sharp efforts in the Wood. Iron Honor, on the other hand, didn't show a whole lot when seventh in the Wood.

Napoleon Solo is the only Grade I winner in the field, but will be hard to pick until he runs back to his 2-year-old form. Chip Honcho (Connect) will try to improve after a blah effort in the GII Louisiana Derby. That he is trained by Steve Asmussen is a plus.

CARASSO: I don't think electricity had been invented last time I cashed a winning bet on the Preakness. In all seriousness, I think the Funny Cide–Midway Road exacta was about the most recent, so I won't blame you if you take this analysis with a grain of salt and lean on the opinions of my two esteemed colleagues instead.

It doesn't take a skilled handicapper to see that this year's Preakness maps pretty quickly up front, and if that in fact plays out, the challenge is to land on the best finisher. I am taking a bit of a wing-and-a-prayer approach and hoping that just might turn out to be The Hell We Did (Authentic).

The Hell We Did | Sarah Andrew

I am willing to discount to some extent the modest and not-good-enough figure earned when runner-up in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. last time (Trendsetter was only OK when third in last weekend's GIII Peter Pan S.) and hoping the half-brother to G1 Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) will come on for that first two-turn experience.

If the pace heats up, as expected, I am looking for Luis Saez to have the Peacock homebred settled in midfield and praying they save him for a five-sixteenths dash for the cash. In his two-lifetime comebacker at Sunland (yes, it was over six), he turned in an eye-catching rally to score by 13 lengths, with a final quarter-mile in a slick :22.92. I'm not predicting that sort of sprint, but the point is that he seems capable of producing a quick final fraction that could see him scoop a big piece of the pie.

Fun fact for those questioning his ability to stay this trip: dam sire Desert God is a half-brother to Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister), the dam of GI Belmont Stakes winners Jazil (Seeking the Gold) and Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy). Food for thought.

Wouldn't be critical of anyone backing an Ocelli (Connect) or Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) to reproduce their good efforts in the Derby, but they seem iffy at skinny-ish odds. At the very least, The Hell We Did will offer value in all pools.

SHERACK: Was high enough on Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) to pick him for second in the Kentucky Derby and will give him the nod in this wide-open Preakness. Far from embarrassed with a sixth-place finish at 23-1, beaten just four lengths, on the first Saturday in May, while making his first start since a visually impressive win around one turn in the Virginia Derby back on Mar. 14. There's plenty of pace to close into once again here, and he's tactical enough to sit much closer if needed as well. The two-week turnaround may actually be a good thing for him, too. He's only made one other start this season, a complete no-show in the GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream Jan. 31. Don't let that outside draw scare you away, he's the horse to beat and you should get around 5-1 or so, too.

Talkin (Good Magic), a well-beaten third in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S., showed enough promise at two to give him a look at a big price for underneath. Fired a four-furlong bullet in :47 4/5 (1/104) at Keeneland for this and picks up Irad Ortiz, Jr. Capable of taking a move forward third start off the layoff for Danny Gargan.

Ocelli | Sarah Andrew

After completing the trifecta at 70-1 in the Kentucky Derby, let's see if the maiden Ocelli (Connect) can rally again for another small piece.

The post Who Do You Like? Carasso, Finley and Sherack Handicap the Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

Racing regulators from across North America who are members of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) met Thursday to consider a new aggressive approach being utilized in Oklahoma to safeguard horses utilizing “Emergency Protective Orders.” This temporarily excludes horses in the care of trainers whose horses have demonstrated an abnormal and materially elevated pattern of severe post-race distress, including repeated incidents in which horses were unable to safely leave the track under their own power.

To date three trainers have received such orders, effectively excluding 171 horses by putting them on the Stewards' List temporarily. Affected horses are subject to testing, veterinary examination, record production, and individualized regulatory review before they may be considered for removal from that status. The orders provide for the nomination of a “guardian ad litem” to conduct an independent investigation concerning the welfare of the affected horses.

ARCI President Ed Martin said that “using the Stewards' or Vets' list to exclude a horse from competition is not new, but Oklahoma's use of Emergency Protective Orders to temporarily exclude all horses managed by a particular trainer is.

“This is an important new approach that all racing regulators should consider utilizing,” Martin told the regulators.

In Oklahoma such orders are only issued after the Stewards reviewed evidence, reports, video recordings, veterinary opinions, and other information concerning horses that appeared in extreme distress after racing and have determined that there is an abnormal and materially elevated pattern. Each Order states that the pattern was repeated, documented, and sufficiently serious to require immediate regulatory intervention.

The regulators were briefed by Amanda English, Interim Executive Director of the Oklahoma Racing Commission and the commission's General Counsel Michael Copeland.

English told her colleagues that the stewards relied on veterinary opinions from three veterinarians who concluded that the condition shown by the horses was extreme, unusual, not a normal post-race recovery pattern, materially adverse to equine welfare, and inconsistent with the safe and humane participation of such horses in racing absent further investigation and clearance.

“When horses show signs of extreme distress, we will not look away, we will not minimize it, and we will not wait for another incident before taking action. These emergency measures are designed to protect horses immediately, secure the evidence, and ensure that no horse connected to this matter returns to competition unless and until the Commission is satisfied that it is safe and humane for that horse to race,” she said.

The Order requires mandatory pre-race and out-of-competition testing, mandatory veterinary examinations, immediate post-race examination of any horse showing abnormal recovery or distress, production of veterinary and treatment records, and inspection of relevant barns, stalls, tack rooms, treatment areas, and other enclosure locations. The Order also preserves the Commission's authority to pursue additional remedies if warranted.

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According to a report by David Grening in the Daily Racing Form, owner Peter Brant has taken away approximately 75 percent of his horses that had been trained by Chad Brown and moved them to new trainers. The Brant runners that have been moved will now be trained by Bill Mott, Riley Mott and Miguel Clement.

It is not clear when Brant made the decision to take horses away from Brown. When contacted by text by the TDN Wednesday to address speculation that he was moving on to other trainers, Brant replied, “Not true.”

Brown still has the Brant-owned Lost Horizon (Into Mischief), who will start in Saturday's Serena's Song Stakes at Monmouth. A day later, Clement will send out his first Brant-owned runner when George Briggs (Fog of War) goes in an allowance race at the Belmont at the Big A meet.

Brant said he plans to continue to maintain a working relationship with Brown.

“I would continue to give horses to Chad, absolutely,” Brant told the DRF. “I've done very, very well with him. I think he's a great trainer and he's a good friend.”

What wasn't immediately clear was why Brant would limit the number of horses Brown trains for him after all the success he has had teaming up with the Eclipse Award-winning trainer. Brant, who was out of racing for more than 17 years, returned to the game full-time in 2017 and he and Brown became as potent a force as any owner-trainer team in the sport. Brown won 26 Grade I stakes with nine individual horses owned solely by Brant or in partnership with others. The list includes three Eclipse Award winners, filly turf champions Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie ({Ire}) and Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and 3-year-old male champion Sierra Leone (Gun Runner). Brant owned Sierra Leone in partnership with the Coolmore team and Brook Smith.

The biggest star exiting the Brown barn is Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor ({Fr}), who will now be trained by Bill Mott. The winner of last year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she finished second in the GIII Modesty Stakes at Churchill Downs in her 2026 debut. The winner was the Brown-trained Kathynmarissa (American Pharoah).

Brant told Grening that he wasn't happy that Gezora had to spot the rest of the field five pounds in the Modesty.

“I don't want to take a horse that's won great classic races around the world, including the Breeders' Cup, and then start picking spots where I'm spotting weight to very competitive horses in their first start of the year,” Brant told the DRF. “Chad knows very well how I feel about the weight and it's not that important to him. He doesn't really believe it affects horses that much and I do.”

Brant also told Grening that he made the move because he wants to race more in Kentucky, but Brown also has a Kentucky operation.

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The field for the GI Preakness Stakes, ranked in “likeliest winner” order (program number after each horse's name).

1) INCREDIBOLT #12 (c, Bolt d'Oro–Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again). O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (KY); T-Riley Mott. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 6-3-0-0, $498,681. Last start: 6th May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

In the GI Kentucky Derby, Incredibolt was off a beat slow, got pinched down toward the inside, then had the reins shaken at him to hustle up into a spot where he could settle in 13th while in the clear and not covered up by other horses first time under the wire.

This powerfully built $75,000 KEESEP son of Bolt d'Oro was parked at the tail end of the main flight in 15th for most of his backstretch journey. Jaime Torres roused him for run three-eighths out, and Incredibolt did respond. But like a number of rivals clustered behind a wall of capitulating frontrunners, he had to keep floating outward in search of room for the drive.

Fanned eight wide into the lane, Incredibolt then jostled with the even wider Renegade (Into Mischief) in upper stretch while Torres applied left-handed stick work. Those two continued to spar in close quarters between the three-sixteenths and eighth poles before Renegade muscled Incredibolt back down into tiring horses.

Although at that point it became obvious Incredibolt wasn't going to hit the board, he still finished with interest, beaten only four lengths in sixth.

Although he's never cracked 90 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale in six starts (the 89 in the Derby is his lifetime top), his 88-Beyer effort in the one-turn, nine-furlong Virginia Derby was an example of Incredibolt parlaying adversity into victory. After being bottled up off the turn, he kicked through along the inside, building momentum late while expanding his winning margin to four lengths.

Like most conditioners these days, Riley Mott doesn't run many horses back in two weeks. He's done it 10 times from 776 starters since launching his training career in 2022, winning twice.

Mott is, however, 1-for-1 at Laurel, winning with his only starter there in 2025.

2) IRON HONOR #9 (c, Nyquist–Orenica, by Blame). O-St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence and Glassman Racing; B-Mike Freeny and Pat Freeny; T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $230,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $475,000 Ylg KEESEP. Lifetime record GSW, 3-2-0-0, $229,250. Last start: 7th Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial Stakes.

Iron Honor (Nyquist) is the legitimate favorite for the Preakness, although it is likely he will be underlaid well below his 9-2 morning-line odds.

The betting public will be all over the recent angle of a Chad Brown trainee running in (but not winning) the GII Wood Memorial Stakes, skipping the Derby, then winning the Preakness.

That's what Brown did in 2022 and 2017 with Early Voting and Cloud Computing. Like those two, Iron Honor will be making just his fourth lifetime start.

Iron Honor schools in the paddock at Laurel Thursday | Sarah Andrew

Iron Honor ($230,000 KEEJAN; $475,000 KEESEP) won a Dec. 13 six-furlong maiden sprint at Aqueduct by 1 1/2 lengths (95 Beyer), out of which the second, third and fifth-place finishers all won their next starts.

In the Feb. 28 GIII Gotham Stakes, Iron Honor pressured the pacemaker and took over in the final sixteenth of that one-turn mile for a 90-Beyer win by one length.

This colt had a rough time in the slowly run Apr. 4 Wood Memorial, in which he was seventh, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, as the 2.95-1 favorite.

He drew post 12, got knocked off stride in the first turn, and jockey Manny Franco said he grabbed the bit and was pulling down the backside. Four wide and under a hard hold through the far turn, Iron Honor never relaxed, made a mild stretch bid, then weakened (76 Beyer).

Brown said after the Wood that Iron Honor had some “bumps and bruises” and that it “didn't feel right” to subject him to the rigors of a super-sized field in the Derby four weeks later.

He's since been freshened and is now past his actual third birthdate (May 1). With blinkers removed on Saturday, expect a better effort. Brown is 18-for-69 (26%) with that equipment change over the last five years, although his strike rate dips to 1-for-7 (14%) when taking blinkers off in graded stakes.

3) TALKIN #5 (c, Good Magic–Rote, by Tiznow). O- Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, and R. A. Hill Stable; B- Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (KY); T-Danny Gargan. Sales history: $600,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISP, 3-1-1-0, $288,625. Last start: 3rd Apr. 4 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

Among the five long shots listed at 20-1 or above on the Preakness morning line, Talkin is the most intriguing possibility.

Go four starts back and look at Talkin's trip-troubled second in the Grade I Champagne Stakes.

He contested the pace outside, angled in leaving the chute, then got carried out to the seven path. He dropped to the rail entering the turn, advanced to fourth at the fence, then shifted outward again to be seven wide off the bend. That's a lot of lateral movement in a better-than-it-looks performance.

Trainer Danny Gargan bypassed the Breeders' Cup, partially out of concerns about shipping this $600,000 KEESEP son of Good Magic cross-country from New York to California. He instead ran in the GII Remsen Stakes and finished ninth, and Gargan later admitted that he had “babied” the colt going into that race and said that a couple of slow workouts didn't help.

Talkin then resurfaced off a three-month layoff in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, running fifth in a needed start behind The Puma (Essential Quality) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner).

Entered back in the GI Blue Grass Stakes, Talkin again finished behind 11-length winner Further Ado, checking in third while upping his best lifetime Beyer from 85 to 87.

When it came time to decide on running in the Derby, Gargan opted out.

“The Preakness is the kind of race that fits him,” Gargan said in mid-April. “I told everybody that even if we ran second in the Blue Grass, we'd probably wait on the Preakness. He's not a real big horse. He's average-sized, not a big strong, strapping colt, and I don't want to do too much. He's sound, he's really good [and] I think he'll like [Laurel].”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., picks up the mount (Joel Rosario has switched to the SoCal circuit and is riding at Santa Anita on Saturday). Gargan has won at 18% overall the last five years. But when Ortiz rides for him, the percentage spikes to 27% (16 winners from 59 mounts).

4) CHIP HONCHO #6 (c, Connect–Miss My Rose, by Magician {Ire}). O-Leland Ackerley Racing LLC, Sherwood, James, Shupe, Jode and Cilia, John. B-Venneri Racing Inc & Tony Fanticola (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $210,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL. Lifetime record: GSP, 6-2-2-0, $280,475. Last start: 5th Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby.

Chip Honcho ($210,000 FTKJUL) wintered in New Orleans, competing in all four legs of the points-awarding prep series at Fair Grounds.

He won the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes in December, then ran fourth, second and fifth in the remaining three graded races there.

Chip Honcho trains at Laurel Wednesday morning | Sarah Andrew

He racked up experience both in front of and behind horses who turned out to be major sophomore players, including eventual Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin), the formerly No. 1-ranked but now sidelined Paladin (Gun Runner), and the talented GII Louisiana Derby victor and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}).

This Connect colt from Steve Asmussen's barn is a likely pace-presser with five races of experience between a mile and 1 3/16 miles. He picked up the services of Derby-winning rider Jose Ortiz after Golden Tempo's team passed on running in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

The last time a jockey rode two different horses to win the Derby and Preakness in the same year, Asmussen was involved. That was back in 2009, when Calvin Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, then switched over to the filly Rachel Alexandra (the eventual Horse of the Year) in the Preakness.

5) OCELLI #2 (c, Connect–Zalia, by Scat Daddy). O-Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, LLC; B-Rosedown Racing Stables,  LLC (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. Sales history: $12,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime record: GISP, 7-0-1-1, $609,800. Last start: 3rd May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

Ocelli, a six-start maiden when he drew in off the also-eligible list for the Derby, vastly outran his 70-1 odds by finishing third, beaten only a length.

Breaking from post 17, this $12,000 FTKOCT son of Connect got crunched at the break, dropped back, then found a spot down near the inside. He was keyed up and almost ran up on the heels of Renegade the first time through the stretch, then settled and basically shadowed Renegade through the backstretch run.

Ocelli made his move before Renegade, and he really took off when Tyler Gaffalione cued him to quicken and guided him outside at the three-eighths pole. He swept around rivals, careened for home out in the nine path, then was the aggressor in the upper-stretch scrum that affected Commandment (Into Mischief) and Further Ado.

While that bumping seemed to discourage those two favorites, Ocelli was emboldened by the roughhousing. He pinballed away with another burst of momentum to loom boldly a furlong out, snatched a brief lead at the sixteenth pole, then was no match for 1-2 finishers Golden Tempo and Renegade, who uncorked stronger, better-timed late runs.

Now the main question heading into the Preakness is whether Ocelli can take another step forward, or if he'll bounce off that huge effort.

In 645 starts over the past five years, trainer Whit Beckman has sent out just five horses within 13 or 14 days off, resulting in one winner.

6) TAJ MAHAL #1 (c, Nyquist–Oola Gal, by Quality Road). O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC & Donovan, Catherine; B-Vegso Racing Stable (FL). T-Brittany T. Russell. Sales history: $525,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MSW, 3-3-0-0, $178,200. Last start: WON Apr. 18 Federico Tesio Stakes.

You would have to hunt through reams of charts to find a running line like the one Taj Mahal posted when winning the nine-furlong $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Apr. 18.

Breaking from the outermost 10 stall as the 6-5 favorite, this $525,000 KEESEP colt cleared the field and crossed over the fence under Sheldon Russell into the first turn. Taj Mahal opened up by 10 lengths down the backstretch, then slowed down the cadence to toy with the field, letting them close the gap to within 1 1/2 lengths on the far turn.

Taj Mahal completes a gate schooling session Wednesday | Sarah Andrew

Turning for home, this son of Nyquist from trainer Brittany Russell's barn responded when asked to throttle up again, airing it out down the lane and coasting home with no serious bids to repel, extending his winning margin to 8 1/4 lengths under the wire.

Taj Mahal is now 3-for-3 at Laurel, with a Beyer arc of 73-86-92. He'll break from the rail in the Preakness, setting up a “He's fast but can he last?” handicapping question.

7) CRUPPER #3 (c, Candy Ride {Arg}–She's All In, by Include). O/B-Robert H. Zoellner. T- Donnie K. Von Hemel. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-0-2, $210,665. Last start: WON Apr. 18 Bathhouse Row Stakes.

Crupper could be figuring things out at just the right time to pull off an upset at 30-1 on the morning line for the middle leg of the Triple Crown

He earned an automatic berth into the Preakness for his 80-Beyer score in the Bathhouse Row Stakes. His connections-owner/breeder Robert H. Zoellner and trainer Donnie Von Hemel–weren't initially committed to going to Maryland. But opting in isn't really a far-fetched idea considering that the visual aspect of Crupper winning that Apr. 18 stakes at Oaklawn is quite appealing.

Off at 6-1 odds, Crupper broke inward and bumped at the break, then practically dragged Junior Alvarado up into a forward position while under a snug hold. He dueled outside of a maiden, turned back two of the favorites on the far turn, then fended off another late closer to win by half a length before galloping out with purpose.

This son of Candy Ride (Arg) is out of a millionaire GSW Oklahoma-bred mare, She's All In, who compiled a rugged 16-8-3 record from 38 lifetime starts.

That sort of durability is emblematic of her sire, Include, who himself was a 10-for-20, Grade I-winning grinder a quarter-century ago.

8) ROBUSTA #4 (c, Accelerate–Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief). O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. Lifetime record, GSP, 6-1-1-0, $83,500. Last start: 14th May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

Robusta never looked settled when 14th in the Derby, which was a big ask at 70-1 odds from post 18.

He broke in and got bumped around at the break and was wide while trying to gain a foothold at the back of the first flight through the initial turn. He was in the five path down the backstretch and four deep on the far turn, always losing touch. His race was over by the time he got shoved out by a fellow also-ran in upper stretch.

This Doug O'Neill-trained son of Accelerate has now been beaten a total of 33 ½ lengths in consecutive Grade I stakes. The race he needs to build off is his 67-1 second in the GII San Felipe Stakes back on Mar. 7 (losing by only a head, 89 Beyer).

Robusta could be a plausible play based solely on the long-shot accomplishments of owner/breeder Calumet Farm, whose sophomores have lit up the tote board with sizable upsets and near-misses in Derby preps and Triple Crown races over the last decade.

Calumet's Oxbow won the 2013 Preakness at 15-1. Bravazo won the 2018 GII Risen Star Stakes at 21-1, then in the Preakness was beaten only a half-length at 15-1 by eventual Triple Crown winner Justify. Everfast was second at 29-1 in the 2019 Preakness. In the 2021 Wood Memorial, Bourbonic prevailed with a 72-1 last-to-first thriller.

9) NAPOLEON SOLO #10 (c, Liam's Map–Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy). O-Gold Square LLC; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (KY); T-Chad Summers. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISW, 4-2-0-0, $360,520. Last start: 5th Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial Stakes.

Even with likely frontrunners drawn at the rail and to his direct outside, Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) figures to be the “speed of the speed” in the Preakness.

This $40,000 KEESEP gray started his career in a Saratoga maiden restricted to horses that sold for $60,000 or less at the sales. He won that day at 7-2 odds by 5 1/4 lengths (83 Beyer).

Napoleon Solo trains at Laurel Tuesday morning | Sarah Andrew

Then, at odds of 6.97-1, this Chad Summers trainee wired the field in the GI Champagne Stakes. He cleared from the outside, moved comfortably under pressure, sprinted through the turn (with the odds-on favorite driven hard and unable to keep pace), then cracked the race wide open late (95 Beyer).

Napoleon Solo's connections bypassed the Breeders' Cup, but have yet to rekindle his spark in back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes and Wood Memorial (81 and 78 Beyers, respectively).

This colt is 8-1 in the morning line and worth upgraded consideration if you see speed is doing well through the first five dirt races at Laurel on Saturday.

But bear in mind there will be four consecutive turf races preceding the Preakness, so any main-track trend could evaporate by the time this stakes gets underway. The 7:01 p.m. post means there will be 4 1/4 hours between dirt races at Laurel.

10) THE HELL WE DID #7 (c, Authentic–Rose's Desert, by Desert God). O-Peacock Family Racing Stable, LLC; B-Joe R. Peacock, Jr.; T-Todd W. Fincher. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-2-0, $134,818. Last start: 2nd Apr. 11 GIII Lexington Stakes.

The Hell We Did, a Todd Fincher-trained homebred for the Peacock family-and half-brother to graded stakes stalwart Senor Buscador, winner of the G1 Saudi Cup and third in the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2024-is a Preakness wild card at 15-1 in the morning line.

This son of Authentic began his career with a maiden win in Oklahoma, then a second in a $100,000 stakes and a win at the allowance level, both in New Mexico.

He was 5-1 in the betting when second in the GIII Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, pressing the pace two wide before getting outkicked late. He survived some bumping and grinding in deep stretch to secure the place by three-quarters of a length.

The Hell We Did has compiled lifetime Beyers of 58-71-92-81.

11) CORONA DE ORO #11 (c, Bolt d'Oro–Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid). O-On Our Own Stable, LLC, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, LLC, Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing, LLC, Nichols, Jim, Barker, Edwin S., Rivers, Daniel, Haines, John and Stewart, Dallas. T-Dallas Stewart. Sales history: $100,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $100,000 Ylg '24 OBSOCT; $160,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime record: GSP, 5-1-1-2, $92,540. Last start: 3rd Apr. 11 GIII Lexington Stakes.

Not too many chances to wager on jockey John Velazquez at 30-1 in the morning line, so that right there could be a bettability angle for this colt.

Corona de Oro ($100,000 RNA FTSAUG; $100,000 OBSOCT; $160,000 EASMAY) and The Hell We Did were leaning all over each other in the deep stages of the Lexington Stakes.

But this Dallas Stewart trainee had done the dirty work on the front end in that race after getting bumped at the break and trying to swat back several waves of challengers. He lasted for third behind the 32-1 winner.

Although his Beyers have been going in the wrong direction in his last three (58-72-92-87-80) Corona de Oro has at least flirted in that low 90s range, a level that six other Preakness entrants have yet to attain.

12) BULL BY THE HORNS #8 (c, Essential Quality–No Sweat, by Blame). O-Peachtree Stable and Corrado, Mark; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables; T- Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: SW, 5-2-0-2, $187,115. Last start: WON Mar. 21 Rushaway Stakes.

Bull by the Horns only has one out-of-the-money finish from five starts, and enters the Preakness coming off a nine-week layoff after rallying from seventh and last to take the Mar. 21 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway.

Great White trains at Laurel Thursday morning with Andie Biancone up | Sarah Andrew

The third-place finisher out of that stakes, Trendsetter (Modernist), subsequently won the Lexington Stakes and was third in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct this past Saturday.

The Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee ($75,000 KEESEP) reunites with his maiden-breaking jockey, Micah Husbands, because his Rushaway partner, John Velazquez, has accepted the Preakness mount on Corona de Oro.

Although he's been parked at the back his last two routes, Bull by the Horns did show a stalking/pressing style in his first three races.

His lifetime best Beyers are 70 (Tapeta) and 69 (dirt).

13) GREAT WHITE #13 (g, Volatile–Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo). O-Three Chimneys Farm and Ennis, John; B-Stud TNT, LLC (KY); T-John Ennis. Sales history: $55,000 Ylg '24 FTDDE. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-0-0, $202,495. Last start: 5th Apr. 4 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

This towering (17.2 hands) son of Volatile had drawn into the Derby off the also-eligible list but flipped over backwards while the field was loading and had to be scratched.

This John Ennis-trained gelding ($55,000 FTDDE) won his maiden sprinting over Tapeta and then scored in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes while pressing the pace. He was fifth, beaten 22 1/4 lengths, in the Blue Grass Stakes, his lone attempt on dirt.

A relatively late foal, Great White just hit his actual third birthdate on Thursday.

Post 13 is a low-percentage gate for the Preakness. It's yielded only one winner (Rachel Alexandra). But that was at Pimlico, not Laurel.

14) PRETTY BOY MIAH #14 (g, Beau Liam–Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft). O-Team Penney Racing, Echo Racing, Flower City Racing LLC, Bruno, Anthony and Meyer, Christopher J.; B-Thoroughbred by Design; T-Jeremiah C. Englehart. Sales history: $60,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime record: 4-2-1-0, $95,800. Last start: WON Apr. 25 AQU starter/optional claimer.

This speed-centric Jeremiah Englehart trainee ($60,000 FTKOCT) has won two straight at Aqueduct by a combined 10 ½ lengths.

The first was a MSW sprint at 4-1 odds (89 Beyer) followed by a one-turn-mile starter/optional claimer (92 Beyer).

Post 14 is a difficult draw for this gelding's first time around two turns and against stakes company.

His sire, Beau Liam, only had a four-race career, but he was a front-end force who caught the eye with triple-digit Beyers in his second and third starts, earning a 106 and 107 in allowance races during the summer of 2021 at Saratoga.

Beau Liam's jockey in those races was Ricardo Santana, Jr., who has ridden Pretty Boy Miah in both victories and will be aboard again in the Preakness.

The post TDN Preakness Preview: And The Winner Is… appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

LAUREL, MD–Annually, the third Saturday in May draws all eyes to Maryland for the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown, the GI Preakness Stakes. This season is no different, however, a major adjustment brings the Classic to Laurel Park while Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore gets a complete overhaul.

Like the now defunct original structure of its sister track 30 miles north, Laurel exhibits the wear and tear of the years. Several areas of the venue have been renovated while others are now cordoned off or boarded up. However, one can still get a sense of the long and storied history of the place.

A random encounter punctuated that point. Strolling through the crowd at Laurel Thursday afternoon was a dapper-looking gentleman in a pristine suit and tie, with a snazzy trilby thrown in for good measure. Sure to stand out at any track most days of the year, the gentleman turned out to be Clark Bedwell Shaffer Jr. And for those of you that are racing history buffs, yes, it's that Bedwell.

The Laurel, Maryland native is the great grandson of Hall of Famer Harvey Guy Bedwell, the trainer of the first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton. Sir Barton collected the triple, including the Preakness Stakes, in 1919. Adding even more relevance to this weekend, the trainer also won the initial edition of the Pimlico Oaks (renamed the Black-Eyed Susan in 1951) with Milkmaid that same year. Intimately connected to the region, Bedwell–a leading trainer in North America between 1909 and 1917–prepared his horses at the nearby farm Yarrow Brae, which is now a commercially developed plot of land off Route 1.

It seems one never really knows when a glimpse of history might be caught meandering through the crowd.

Sarah Andrew photo

One year ago at Pimlico, trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas regaled the crowd with plenty banter at the traditional Alibi Breakfast on the Thursday of Preakness week. While neither Hall of Famer went on to win last year's renewal of the race (won by Journalism), it has since proven to be a very special moment for those in attendance that day after Lukas passed away at the age of 89 only a month later.

While the latest edition of the breakfast held in Laurel's updated clubhouse offered fewer jabs and jokes, it presented the 1/ST Racing team, headed by executive vice president Mike Rogers, the opportunity to reflect on the organization's oversight of the Preakness before the Maryland Jockey Club assumes the mantle when racing returns to Pimlico in 2027.

Also bidding adieu after this weekend's Preakness, Donna Barton Brothers, who has been a fixture on NBC's Triple Crown telecasts over the past 26 years, recently announced her retirement as an on-track reporter for the network. (To view the latest TDN Writers' Room with Barton, click here).

Later in the morning, Dr. Dionne Benson and Cricket Goodall were among those honored with the Special Award of Merit, given to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry.

Dr. Benson, appointed the first Chief Veterinary Officer of 1/ST Racing in 2019, oversees veterinary safety, welfare, and integrity practices and protocols, as well as equine research initiatives for 1/ST Racing.

Goodall is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, the Maryland Million, and the Maryland Horse Foundation. Starting in 1986, Goodall manages the three non-profit trade associations that work to inform, educate and promote the diversity of the horse industry in Maryland.

Also among those honored Thursday, Bob Ehalt of the BloodHorse received the David F. Woods Memorial Award for best Preakness story in 2025, while Eclipse Sportswire's Charles Toler was given the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award for best Preakness image. The Old Hilltop Award, honoring members of the sports media who have covered Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction, was given to Childs Walker of the Baltimore Banner.

Bracken Poppa schooling at Laurel this week | Sarah Andrew

Kicking off Laurel's Preakness weekend, Friday's 14-race card offers a trio of graded stakes, headed by the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes which draws a robust 10-horse field. Among contenders likely to draw attention in the nine-furlong contest is Bradley Kent and Ken Reimer's Bracken Poppa (Aurelius Maximus), winner of four of five lifetime starts–all facing fellow Louisiana-breds at Fair Grounds–for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Braken Poppa graduated in her sophomore opener Jan. 4 and followed up 26 days later with a 1 3/4-length optional allowance claiming victory. She romped by 9 1/2 lengths in the Feb. 28 Charged Cotton Stakes and went gate to wire to win by 5 ½ lengths last time out in the Mar. 21 Crescent City Oaks.

“I'll tell you what, after the mile and 70 yards she was still going, so I'm not worried about that. That little bit of extra distance is not going to hurt her at all. She's coming in very fresh,” Reimer said. “We're very, very optimistic about her.”

Jose Ortiz is two-for-two on the filly including her latest victory in the Crescent City.

Also riding a winning streak, 4G Racing, Gregg Day and Steven Crain's Holly's Holiday (Maxfield) dead-heated to break her maiden at Oaklawn in her third career start before taking the one-mile Valley of Vespers Stakes in Hot Springs.

“She had been training really well,” confirmed trainer Ken McPeek. “She had always trained really good as an early 2-year-old, but she came up with a little bone bruising, and we stopped on her. She was just a bit uncomfortable. We didn't think it was a problem, but after her second race it was more dramatic, and we had to regroup with her and gave her plenty of time. Since then, she has been stellar. She came back as a filly we thought she could be. I think this is a good next spot for her.”

Holly's Holiday and Robbie Albarado | Sarah Andrew

Averill Racing, Mathis Stable and Tristan De Meric's My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) enters the fray off consecutive second-place finishes in graded company at Gulfstream Park. She was beaten six lengths at odds of 26-1 by She Be Smooth in the one-mile GII Davona Dale on Feb. 28 and 2 3/4 lengths by Prom Queen when stretched out around two turns in the GII 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks on Mar. 28. Prom Queen returned to be a troubled fifth in the GI Kentucky Oaks on May 1.

“The last race was pretty solid and I feel like the horse that beat her at Gulfstream had a troubled trip in the Oaks so her form seems like it should stack up well. I would think she would stack pretty decent going into this race,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “That was productive from the last race. I think she should have a pretty decent chance.”

Other graded stakes on the card are the GIII Pimlico Special and GIII Miss Preakness Stakes.

Rounding out Friday's stakes action are the listed Allaire du Pont Distaff for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/8 miles and a pair of listed events scheduled for the turf–the Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile and The Very One Stakes, a five-furlong test for females 3 and older.

First-race post time Friday is 11:30 a.m. ET. Post time for the Black-Eyed Susan, carded as Race 13, is scheduled for 6:14 p.m. ET.

The post Laurel Takes Center Stage With Preakness Weekend Appetizer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

HIGHGROVE (Frosted–Bell Court, by Street Sense), who as an 'Insight' runner went off as the 2-1 second choice here, fired out of the blocks and proceeded to make every pole a winning one through the top of the lane.

The filly clearly had more left in the tank and she went on to graduate by 2 1/2 lengths over fellow first-time starter Long Term Market (McKinzie). The 'Insighted' Run Wild (Gun Runner) finished fourth.

The second to the races for her dam, the winner has a yearling half-brother by Loggins and a half-sister by Aloha West who was foaled Mar. 11. Out of GSW Burmilla (Storm Cat), Bell Court's own half-sisters include GSW Snowbell (Tapit) and GSW & GISP Ragtime (Union Rags).

Highgrove's extended female family includes SW Twice Is Sweet (Candy Ride {Arg}) and MGSW Magicalmysterycat (Storm Cat).

2nd-Belmont The Big A, $82,450, Msw, 5-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:15.94, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
HIGHGROVE, f, 3, Frosted–Bell Court, by Street Sense
Sales History: $90,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $46,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Madaket Stables, LLC and Mill Ridge Farm; B-Circle N Thoroughbred & Mill Ridge Farm et al (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

The post Highgrove Off The Mark On Debut At Belmont At The Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The leaders of Maryland's Thoroughbred industry are not resigned to the fact that racing in their state has reached a watershed moment. They see it as the catalyst that will mark the beginning of a large-scale resurgence in the coming years.

Churchill Downs Incorporated's acquisition of the intellectual property rights for the Preakness Stakes and the legislative review of the Maryland Stadium Authority's proposed purchase of Laurel Park, as well as the ongoing Triple Crown schedule debate, have all been recent hot-button issues sparking industry-wide conversation about the future of racing in the state and throughout the Midlantic region.

For those with their boots on the ground in Maryland, however, the perspective is different. They are seeing how a series of intentional incentives are starting to move the needle for local owners and breeders.

Beginning with the 2023 foal crop, a tiered breeder bonus system has been implemented to provide a significant boost for Maryland-sired, Maryland-bred horses. In 2026, the bonus is 33.6% on earned purses for first, second and third-place finishes in all overnight races.

“It started with the 2-year-old crop last year,” said Christy Holden, the General Manager of Country Life Farm and a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. “I think a lot of breeders are all of a sudden starting to see the checks come in and realizing that these bonuses are adding up.”

Based in Bel Air, historic Country Life Farm stands three stallions and manages a portfolio of racing partnerships. While Holden noted that the farm has maintained a commercial focus in Kentucky in past years, that strategy is beginning to shift to include more racing prospects bred in Maryland.

“We have a larger team of mares that we are going to start keeping here in Maryland and breeding to our stallions again just to take advantage of the increased bonuses,” she said.

When TK Kuegler stepped on as President of Maryland Million, he came in with an ambitious vision for its 41st anniversary in 2026. Originally founded by sportscaster Jim McKay, the program was designed to showcase the state's breeding industry through a single, high-profile day of stakes racing. Kuegler saw the potential for more, moving to expand the event beyond its traditional one-day reach.

“I think the core of what Maryland Million is hasn't changed,” said Kuegler. “But like anything, you need to change with the times, the industry and the economics of the game. Part of what I wanted to do was make Maryland Million an all-year event, not just one day of racing. Layering in the ability to have Maryland Million races throughout the year was the first thing that we started to put together so that it becomes more valuable for a breeder to breed to a Maryland stallion.”

On March 22, two starter races open to all horses gave a bonus of $5,000 to the top Maryland Million-eligible finisher, $2,000 to the second, $1,000 for the third and $500 for the next four finishers. The recipient of the $5,000 bonus in Race 5 for fillies and mares was second-place finisher Anita Beer (Friesan Fire), who Kuegler said had been target specifically toward the race by owner-breeder Matt Spencer and Kelly Cox. The winner of Race 6, Freeze the Fire (Friesan Fire), also received the bonus.

According to Kuegler, the momentum will continue on June 20 with the Maryland Million Summerfest at Laurel Park. The event will feature six races carrying the Maryland Million bonus, including four Maryland-sired preferred starter allowance races and two restricted turf stakes. He said there are additional plans for a Maryland Million Preview Day in September.

Also new this year, Maryland Million-eligible horses that win a maiden race at Laurel Park will earn a 5% bonus on top of the base purse. So far, sixteen Maryland-sired horses representing 10 different Maryland stallions have broken their maiden and the bonuses were distributed across sixteen unique ownership groups.

“I think it's actually really incredible, not only for Maryland, but for the region,” said Kuegler. “I've heard from national people saying, 'Wow, this is real energy coming to this program.' The way I look at it is that we're trying to build a wall. It's not one brick that builds a whole wall. You do all of these incremental things and then you end up with a wall. Each brick makes the wall stronger.”

Recent update of backside construction at Pimlico | Clark Construction

If the new bonuses are mortar and stone, the more literal foundation is the rebuild of Pimlico Race Course. As historic 'Old Hilltop' is undergoing a massive transformation during this year's Preakness, plans are in motion for the race to return to Pimlico in 2027.

According to a May newsletter update from Clark Construction, this month saw the start of PVC fabric roofing of the backstretch barns. Utility infrastructure and sitework will continue throughout the summer.

Jim Dresher, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Jockey Club, has been active in Maryland racing for 50 years. The owner of Glenangus Farm in Bel Air said he sees Pimlico's rebuild as a pivotal moment for both his home state and the racing industry at large.

“I think when we get a new Belmont Park and a new Pimlico back-to-back, there will be national attention,” he said. “The Preakness is always a huge event and it has been in Baltimore for as long as I've been around. It's not just about money. It's important to protect our cultural assets. Over the next five years in Maryland, I expect attendance to go up and handle to go up. I think more people will want to get in on the action, so I think it's a very good time to have a Maryland-bred.”

Next week, Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held in Timonium on May 18 and 19. Over 600 juveniles are cataloged for the auction, which features a revamped under-tack show with no official breeze times.

Later this year, Fasig-Tipton returns to Timonium for the renamed Eastern Fall Yearling Sale on October 27. Held three days after Maryland Million Day, the auction will debut a specialized catalog structure. To highlight regional markets, the sale will feature dedicated sections for six state-bred programs: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“I think Fasig-Tipton understood the industry and is leaning into the sale being a great regional sale by highlighting different regional programs and putting horses together almost in packages,” said Kuegler. “If you're really interested in getting yourself a Maryland Million horse, they're all going to be together. It's really smart.”

On site at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Old Sale | Fasig-Tipton

He continued, “Regional programs support the lifeblood of the middle market in this game. If we do not have a middle market, you have a really hard time having a thriving industry. Regional programs allow people who have a horse running at a different tier to be able to have a place to run with a chance to still be profitable.”

For Christy Holden, the true source of optimism lies in a newfound spirit of collaboration. Between the regional partnership between Maryland and Virginia to coordinate racing dates and the internal unity within Maryland's borders, Holden believes this collective effort is driving the industry forward.

“We are putting together a group of representatives from each organization–the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Million and Maryland Jockey Club–to meet regularly,” she said. “When one group is coming up with plans, we're making sure everybody else is on the same page. I think if we can all work together going forward, we have a lot of strengths here that we can capitalize on. We have a really rich history and a lot of horsemen who are ingrained here and haven't left.”

“I think you can see that it's a program on the rise,” said Kuegler. “Going back to my analogy, it's a wall that's being built and the bricks are getting laid–a new facility, new management, one of the best breeding programs from a breeder's perspective anywhere. If you start layering in the new programs with the Maryland Million, each of those bricks are making the wall stronger.”

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