Thoroughbred Daily News

MGISW Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) has died at the age of 13 in Japan at Shadai Farm.

According to a Tuesday report by Japanese media site ZBAT, the horse “had been behaving normally and in good health, but his condition suddenly worsened after breeding in the afternoon of that day, and he passed away.”

“I'm shocked that he suddenly passed away,” Yoshida Teruya, the representative of Shadai Farm, told ZBAT. “He was only 13-years-old and still young, and he was producing good offspring, so it's truly regrettable.”

Bred in New York by Jumping Jack Racing LLC, Mind Your Biscuits raced from the ages of two until five, earning more than $4,279,000 across 25 starts. His major wins include the GI Malibu Stakes and not one but two victories in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in 2017 and 2018.

Upon his retirement from racing in 2018, he was sold to Shadai Farm where he has stood ever since, producing the likes of 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic runner up Derma Sotogake. He was named Japan's leading freshman sire in 2022.

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The Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, which met Tuesday, will reduce the number of days a horse must be on the vet's list for unsoundness from 14 days down to seven. The rule change, first reported by Paulick Report, was announced during the meeting by Dr. George Mundy and will take effect immediately.

“Our whole mission is to have the same rules all over. This aligns with HISA and it helps the owners and trainers with these horses, if there's a realistic timeframe for them to get off the vet's list instead of being on the list too long,” Charlie O'Connor, Chairman of the Veterinary Procedures and Data Review Committee which deliberated the change, told the TDN. O'Connor said that the vote among the committee was unanimous.

“We all wanted this to happen,” O'Connor continued. “The Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation wants to listen to everybody and we want to be there to help people and not to hinder people. We listened to a lot of people, we took notes and we took our time about deciding. When we created this new committee to help horses get off the vets list quicker, this was on top of our agenda to get this straightened out. I think it's a good thing. We're trying to have one rule for everyone. We're trying to be the leaders in doing that and it should be the same in every state.”

The report notes that the horse must sill be approved to work by the trainer's attending veterinarian and must also meet the state vet's requested diagnostic imaging requirements.

Mundy also revealed that the KHRGC will not continue on with a pilot program through the Kentucky HBPA meant to obtain a third-party veterinary opinion in cases of regulatory vet scratches. The news comes following several office-hour sessions held by Mundy to discuss concerns on the backstretch regarding vet scratches.

In place of that pilot program, Mundy noted that the KHRGC would instead turn its attention to a proposal which would allocate up to $500,000 to help subsidize the cost of advanced imaging for vet scratches through the Equine Drug Research Council.

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A filly from the first crop of GI Belmont Stakes winner Mo Donegal (hip 93) was among four juveniles to share the furlong bullet time of :9 4/5 during the first session of the under-tack preview of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale Tuesday in Central Florida. Consigned by Envision Equine, the filly is making a quick return to the sales ring after selling for $200,000 to Colts Neck Stables following a :10 flat work at the OBS March sale earlier this year. She had been purchased for $30,000 at the Keeneland September sale and was consigned to the March sale by Little Farm Equine.

Hip 93 is out of multiple stakes-placed Bakken Baby (Valid Expectations) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Expect the Boss (Danza).

A filly by Central Banker (hip 59) turned in her bullet furlong work shortly after the under-tack show opened at 7:30 Tuesday morning. Consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, the dark bay New York-bred is out of stakes-placed Amabilis (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}). She was purchased for $11,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale.

“I was pretty confident she would go in :9 4/5 because she's been really nice on the farm and has prepped really well here,” Omar Ramirez said after the work. “She did everything right. She's a good filly, she's tries really hard. She was not really that big when we got her, so we decided to give her plenty of time to get to the sale. I'm excited.”

Also working early in the show's first session, a Florida-bred filly from the first crop of Colonel Liam (hip 173) earned a share of the day's bullet for the Champions of the Future consignment. The gray is out of Cat Diva (Uncaptured) and was purchased by Raidel Gonzalez for $10,000 at the OBS October sale last fall.

Little Farm Equine sent out a filly by Independence Hall (hip 142) to share the furlong bullet Tuesday. The New York-bred juvenile is out of Boom Boom Vroom (Zensational), a half-sister to graded winner Sindy with an S (Broken Vow). She was purchased for $20,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 7:30 a.m. The OBS June sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

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While the spotlight was rightly focused on Cherie DeVaux last week at Saratoga as she wrapped up two-thirds of the Triple Crown with Golden Tempo (Curlin) with the win in the GI Belmont Stakes, the week that Mark Casse had should not be overlooked. Casse won four stakes races, including three Grade I's. The stars were GI Ogden Phipps Stakes winner Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro), GI Just a Game Stakes winner Classic Q (Classic Empire) and GI Acorn winner Counting Stars (Honor A.P.).

Casse was the Gainesway Guest of the Week on this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland.

“I don't know that anything I've done ranks with this,” Casse said. “It was an amazing couple days.”

In a word, Nitrogen was sensational as she overcame any doubts that may have arisen after she suffered back-to-back defeats in the GII Azeri Stakes and the GI Apple Blossom Handicap. Showing the same form that led her to an Eclipse Award as last year's 3-year-old filly champion, she won the Phipps by 12 3/4 lengths.

“In the Azeri, she just could not handle the track,” Casse said. “I know she had handled the slop previously, but she didn't handle it. (Jockey) Jose (Ortiz), who knows her so well, came back and said he's never felt her so exhausted. And then in her next race, the Apple Blossom, she ran a good race. The other filly (Claret Beret) just freaked. I was just so happy with the way she was training. I told Jose on Wednesday, 'Wait till you see the big mare.' She was ready like I've never seen her before.”

Casse also believes that sending her straight to the front was the right way to go.

“I told Jose that when she wants to go, let her go,” he said. “If they want to beat her, then let them come after her. And if you watch about the last two minutes before the race, everybody was walking around there with their ponies except her. Jose was warming her up and he had her ready.  Maybe we've been doing this all wrong. She has a tremendous turn of foot. If you watch when she ran in the Spinster, there were some fast horses. Even in the Breeders' Cup, they were rolling and you can see Jose just sitting there. I think maybe you just go with her. And if they want to try to run with her, fine. But it's not going to happen. And that's why she ran so fast.”

Classic Q has proven to be an adept miler, so much so that Casse said he will try her against the boys next time out in the GI Fourstardave Stakes. Should she win there she may go in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.

“We're going to find out a lot about her because we're going to run her in the Fourstardave,” he said. “She's going to have to pick up her game. I've been very fortunate. I've won the Fourstardave a couple of times with fillies. I think this filly is as talented as Got Stormy was. She's going to have a target on her back now, and there will be some serious milers in there with a lot of speed.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was GI Woody Stephens Stakes winner Englishman (Maxfield), who earned a 115 Beyer figure. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the sire Two Phil's.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman reviewed the many graded stakes races on a spectacular weekend of racing at Saratoga. All agreed that, aside from the Belmont, the best performances came from Englishman and Nysos (Nyquist) in the GI Metropolitan Handicap. They also discussed a ruling from a hearing officer in Kentucky to reinstate trainer Maria Borell's license.

To watch the video version of the podcast, click here.

For the audio version, click here.

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What kind of sire will Horse of the Year Flightline turn out to be? The first hints are right around the corner.

Greenwell (Flightline) will make his debut Friday at Churchill Downs in the fifth race for trainer Mark Casse. He will be the first offspring of Flightline to start in North America. The next day, the filly House Boat Party (Flightline), will run in the sixth race at Churchill for trainer Brian Lynch. She will be the first Flightline filly to start in the U.S. Both races are at five furlongs.

“This colt, from day one, he showed that he was special,” Casse said. “For us, it's a process, kind of like going to Little League and then you go to the minor leagues and he went boom, boom, boom with each step. He's come to hand quickly and he's done everything right. You can see where he worked in 59 and change and that was pretty impressive In another work, I worked him out of the gate and he kind of broke bad and then he caught up with another horse and the horse he outworked was Riley Mott's first time starter by Munnings (How's Al Today) that won last week. He worked out of the gate with that horse and kind of played with him.”

Casse conceded that the distance may not be long enough for a son of Flightline.

“The distance is a little short, but I didn't want to wait,” he said. “He's ready to run. I like getting them started. If not, I would have had to wait a couple of weeks. I just wanted to get him started.”

Owned by Greg Tramontin's Greenwell Thoroughbreds LLC, Greenwell was a $500,000 Keeneland September purchase.

House Boat Party is a homebred owned by Flying Dutchman, the racing and breeding operation of the Boersma family. Her dam is Lake Garda (American Pharoah).

“When the Boersmas bought that Flightline share at Keeneland a few years back, we decided we'd buy a nice mare to breed to him,” said Flying Dutchmen President Hunter Rankin. “We bought a mare named Lake Garda and she was in foal to Uncle Mo. She produced a nice filly, one that hasn't run yet. House Boat Party was the resulting foal of that deal. It was kind of the kickoff to this whole Flying Dutchmen enterprise.

“She is a very attractive filly and has done everything right in the morning and we're excited to run her. If you had any concerns, it would be the five-eighths distance. But she's shown some speed in the morning. We definitely think she'll be better the farther she goes, but she's ready to run and the race is there. I always think if they are ready that waiting for the next one can be a curse. She's done everything right and we are excited to run her.

“You hear nothing but great things about the Flightlines in terms of what people have. We have three that we either bred or bought. This one is the farthest along, but we like them all. It's really exciting, especially for us because we bought a couple shares in the horse, so we are invested on all sides. We are excited, as everybody else is, to see them run.”

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After Nepal Up (Will Take Charge) finished fifth in a Sept. 1 handicap race at Monmouth last year, owner Brad Altschuld knew it was time to retire the horse. He was nine and had been put on the vet's list as the result of the general wear and tear that can develop when a horse races for so many years.

Nepal Up had made 46 career starts, earned $283,630, and his claim to fame was that he won the 2025 Trail's End at Oaklawn, the mile-and-three-quarters race traditionally run as the last race on the last day of the meet. It has a purse of $125,000.

But unlike many 9-year-olds, Nepal Up was a stallion. So Altschuld thought it might be a good idea to find someone who would be willing to stand the horse at stud. He knew the horse was a longshot to make it as a stallion, but was pleased to find someone who said they were  willing to give the horse a chance to make it as a stallion in one of the sport's smaller markets.

According to Altschuld, Christina Nelson, who operates Acyn Farms in Curtis, Nebraska, agreed to take the horse. Altschuld said he gave her the horse for free and paid for the shipping.

He said that Nelson, who did not return a phone call from the TDN or answer an email, told him that Nepal Up had been bred to eight mares. It is not clear if the horse was ever bred. In a Jan. 1 Facebook post from the Nebraska Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Inc., he is listed as a “Nebraska-based stallion.”

So Altschuld thought he had achieved his goal, that the horse had been retired and would have a good home. That is until he discovered that Nepal Up had a May 14 workout at Harrah's Columbus Nebraska.

“I asked (Christina) why did he work,” Altschuld said. “She said he wasn't supposed to work and that she was going to kick someone's ass for that. She said that was her other horse that was supposed to work and that they just wanted to exercise (Nepal Up) because he was too aggressive from being a stallion and they couldn't hold on to him.”

Twenty-four days later, Nepal Up was entered in an allowance race with a $4,000 purse at Chippewa Downs in Belcourt, North Dakota. He finished third and earned $480. There was only $109 bet in the mutuel pool and $6 in the exacta pool.

Altschuld was livid, and he wanted his horse back.

“I am very worried about him,” he said. “I have a great record so far with safety and retirement. I don't care about what they're trying to do in North Dakota. I just want the horse out of there.”

He said he contacted both trainer Junior Dolphus and Nelson and asked what it would take for them to return the horse to him. He said he has yet to hear from either one.

He also contacted North Dakota Racing Commission Executive Director Bruce Johnson and exchanged several texts with him. The exchange started off as cordial but then broke down.

In texts Altschuld shared with the TDN, Johnson wrote, “…as much as you see us as an unethical bush track, we work very hard to do things the right way with very little of the same support many of the larger tracks enjoy. Furthermore, many hardworking, conscientious horsemen work just as hard to make this meet happen.”

He gave Altschuld the trainer's phone number and then continued: “That's as far as my efforts will go on this. Good luck Brad and please leave our racing secretary alone as well.”

“His attitude is that I'm the bad guy because I'm bothering him and the racing secretary and they have a job to do and they are hard-working people and I am looking down on them,” Altschuld said. “I don't care about that. I care about the horse and his safety.”

This is what happens when horses fall through the cracks, and Nepal Up is not alone. On Jan. 6, a horse named Mischievous Intent (Into Mischief) finished second in a $5,000 claimer at Chippewa. He cost $1.4 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale.

Altschuld admits that he didn't handle the situation well, that he was naive and didn't do his due diligence. For one, he made the mistake of sending the foal papers to Nelson.

“I made two mistakes,” he said. “I trusted someone I didn't know and thought they would follow through as intended. I also should have had his papers marked as retired with The Jockey Club. These were mistakes made from inexperience. I've only had horses since 2020 and my mom passed in 2024 and would have been the smart one to make sure everything was done. I honestly just wanted to find a home where he could be a stallion.”

Now he just wants to get the horse back and find a home where he knows Nepal Up will be well treated and safe. He will continue to fight to do so. Perhaps his efforts will eventually pay off. He's not sure.

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Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables, Joey Platts and Mark Stanton's Cy Fair (Not This Time) will miss an intended engagement in the June 16 G1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. The King Charles is a 'Win and You're In' to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, which will be held at Keeneland this fall.

A Medallion Racing statement read on X Monday: “We have made the decision to skip Royal Ascot with Cy Fair. George [Weaver] felt like she wasn't acting her usual self the past few days. Out of an abundance of caution, we missed her final breeze for Ascot and didn't feel comfortable shipping her yesterday until we felt she was 100%.”

“She is completely sound and hopefully will be back on the work tab in the next week or two.”

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following a Saratoga score last summer, the bay was narrowly bested in the Bolton Landing Stakes before taking her next two–Woodbine's Algonquin Stakes and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar last Halloween. She kicked off her sophomore campaign with a third behind Slay the Day in the GIII Limestone Stakes on Apr. 10 before turning the table on that rival to win the GIII Mamzelle Stakes at Churchill Downs on Apr. 30.

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The five-day under-tack preview of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale begins Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. Hips one through 196 are scheduled to work Tuesday, followed by hips 197 through 302 and supplemental lots 303 through 327 and 351 through 416 on Wednesday; hips 417 through 612 on Thursday; hips 613 through 652 and supplemental lots 653 through 671 and 701 through 837 on Friday; and hips 838 through 1002 and supplemental lots 1003 through 1028, as well as horses of racing age hips 1051 through 1056 on Saturday.

Each session of the under-tack preview is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. The OBS June sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

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The Coolmore partners, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, have purchased an interest in GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Met Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist–Zetta Z, by Bernardini).

The group will race the 5-year-old in partnership with Baoma Corporation through the Breeders' Cup, which will be held at Keeneland this November, before he retires to Ashford Stud.

“Nysos represents a true milestone for Charles and me. He means far more to us than exceptional racing success,” said Baoma Corporation's Susan Chu. “Through him, we have learned patience and perseverance, and we are deeply grateful to Bob Baffert for developing him into one of our outstanding racing stars and guiding him throughout his remarkable career.”

She added, “We are equally delighted that Coolmore, one of the most respected and successful stallion operations in the world, will manage the next chapter of Nysos's journey. He will have every opportunity to make a significant impact as a stallion, and we are committed to supporting him with our very best stakes-winning mares.”

Nysos winning the GI Met Mile | Tod Marks

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' following a 10 1/2-length score at Santa Anita, he later added wins in Del Mar's GIII Bob Hope and one-mile GIII Robert B. Lewis, the latter his sole start at three.

Beaten only a neck by Mindframe (Constitution) in the GI Churchill Downs to kick off his 4-year-old campaign, the bay rebounded to score in the GIII Triple Bend before winning his next three starts, highlighted by the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. This year, he ran a bang-up second to Forever Young (Jpn) in the G1 Saudi Cup in February before dominating Knightsbridge (Nyquist) and Journalism (Curlin) in the Met Mile last weekend.

“What a talented horse,” said Baffert following the Met Mile. “I always thought he's one of the best older horses in training and he showed it.”

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It was suggested to trainer Brad Cox that Commandment (Into Mischief) was a forgotten horse coming into the 158th running of the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes.

“Not with me,” Cox said at his office on the Oklahoma Training Track.

Then a pause and a smile.

“But I know what you mean,” he said. “I don't know if he is or not (forgotten). All I know is that he is doing well. I have liked his works since the Derby; I liked how he shipped up here and how he has moved over the main track. I think we are going to get a big effort out of him.”

Commandment was expected to be a major player in the GI Kentucky Derby as he was sent off at odds of 6.18-1, fourth choice behind stablemate Further Ado (Gun Runner), Renegade (Into Mischief) and So Happy (Runhappy).

He finished seventh but beaten only 5 1/4 lengths. Cox had been expecting so much more from Commandment, owned by Waltham Racing.

“He had a slow start, maybe rushed a little bit, raced a little wide,” Cox said. “He put himself into contention turning for home but just kind of did not have enough to finish up and get the job done.”

Commandment had stamped himself as a bona fide Derby horse after a solid winter in Florida. Victories in the Mucho Macho Man, GII Fountain of Youth and GI Florida Derby made Commandment one of the ones heading to Louisville.

And then it just did not work out.

The graded stakes wins in Florida were by a neck (Fountain of Youth) and a nose (Florida Derby). Cox knew he had a horse that would fight.

“He will probably be in one Saturday,” Cox said. “He has performed very well and has been courageous in some of his victories. He is doing well. We are going into this with confidence.”

What's changed for the Belmont is who will be doing the driving. Hall of Famer John Velazquez will be the third different jockey in as many starts for Commandment. Flavien Prat rode him in the Florida Derby but committed to ride Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the Run for the Roses. He will ride

Luis Saez was aboard Commandment in the Kentucky Derby, but Cox said ownership wanted to make a change for the Belmont. Velazquez, who rode Further Ado in the Derby, was available.

“He knows how to get around the Saratoga oval pretty well,” Cox deadpanned about Johnny V., who has the most all-time wins at Saratoga (1,054 heading into Friday's card).

Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott still has no idea what happened to Knightsbridge (Nyquist) the last time he ran. He can only hope things will be different for the 5-year-old horse in Saturday's GI, $1 million Met Mile at Saratoga Race Course.

Knightsbridge, a Godolphin homebred, was all the rage over the winter when he dominated three races in Florida, winning three Grade III races by a combined 20 3/4 lengths.

Knightsbridge | Sarah Andrew

Then came the fall in the GI Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby Day. Sent off as the favorite – for the seventh time in his nine career starts — Knightsbridge laid an egg.

He finished sixth, beaten 6 1/4 lengths. Mott left Churchill Downs that day confused and more than a little disappointed.

“I don't know what went wrong,” Mott said. “He trained well into it, and he didn't run.”

Mott got every inch of Knightsbridge checked out when he got him back to the barn. When he shipped him to his spring/summer base in Saratoga, he monitored Knightsbridge closely.

The horse continued his training, looked good every time Mott sent him to the track.

“He has worked well enough, and we have not found anything wrong with him,” Mott said. “There is nothing that we can see that is not in order with him.”

Mott decided he had no choice but to draw a line though Knightsbridge's effort in the Churchill Downs and move forward.

He will be ridden once again by Mott's main man, Junior Alvarado, and the Met Mile will certainly be the stiffest test of Knightsbridge's career, one that has seen him cross the finish line first in six of nine starts.

And, for the first time in a while, Knightsbridge will not be the favorite. That honor will likely go to the Bob Baffert-trained Nysos (Nyquist), who is the 9-5 morning line choice. The popular Journalism (Curlin) is the 5-2 second choice.

The Met Mile starts from the tricky Wilson Chute.

“That always poses some challenges,” Mott said. “It's all in how they break. There is always the possibility that the horses on the inside – if the horses on the outside break really well they could squeeze them a little coming midway down the chute. It poses the possibility of a tough race the first eighth of a mile.”

Knightsbridge breaks from post six, Journalism is next door in post six. Nysos has the rail.

After three picture-perfect days to start the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, there is a chance for Saturday, Belmont Stakes Day, to be not so nice.

Abbey Grant, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Albany, said there is the potential for severe thunderstorms in the Saratoga Springs area starting at 2 p.m. and lasting into the night.

By the time the GI Belmont Stakes goes off (scheduled post time of 7:04 p.m.), it could be wet.

“Unfortunately, some of the storms could reach severe strength,” Grant said. “There could be wind gusts of 58 miles per hour or more and there is potential for large hail as well.”

Grant said there is a 50 percent chance of rain at 2 p.m. and it will go up to as high as 70 percent as the day moves on.

“It could absolutely be raining,” she said when asked what the weather would be like at post time for the Belmont.”

The good news is that the inclement weather is not supposed to include a consistent, hours long rain.

She also said not to expect any sun in the area on Saturday. The day, Grant said, will start out cloudy and temperatures will soar into the upper 80s and that could fuel the expected thunderstorms.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saudi Crown | Sarah Andrew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Knightsbridge | Sarah Andrew

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To view the entire May 2026 Newsletter:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To view the entire May 2026 Newsletter:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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