Thoroughbred Daily News

Dr. Kenny Katz has been elected the new President of Jockeys and Jeans, according to an organization release Thursday. The appointment was made following the retirement of interim President and founding member, Dr. Eddie Donnally, Interim Jockeys and Jeans President and a founding member.

Katz, a long-time committee member, has been a podiatrist on Long Island for 38 years, and holds a marketing and statistics degree from Adelphi University. He initiated the four Jockey Bobble Head fundraisers at Gulfstream Park, and his autographed Kentucky Derby and Hall of Fame posters have generated significant donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Donnally, along with fellow former jockeys Barry Pearl, Darrell Brown, Mike Manganello and Barbra Jo Rubin, formed the all-volunteer organization in late 2014. Donnally served as President for a short time year before nominating Barry Pearl, who served as President until he resigned in June 2023 and is now a consultant for the group. Donnally was Vice President during those years and became Interim President when Pearl retired.

Through an annual charity event as well as an annual stallion season sale, the group has raised $3.85 Million for the PDJF. The charity pays a $1,500 stipend to 55 permanently disabled jockeys. From February of 2024 until February of 2025 Jockeys and Jeans raised a single year record of $458,000.

Donnally, 81, is an ordained protestant minister with a Doctorate of Ministry, currently serves as an Ambassador, joining recent Ambassadors Jockey Hall of Fame Member Sandy Hawley, and Craig Bandoroff, a former jockey and owner of Central Kentucky's Denali Stud.

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The Thoroughbred racing industry joined forces on Saturday, Apr. 19 for the seventh annual PDJF Telethon to raise over $445,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), the organization said through a Wednesday press release by FanDuel TV.

The fundraiser was presented by Lane's End Farm and broadcast on both FanDuel TV and America's Day at the Races on the FOX Sports family of networks.

“This event is one that we all look forward to every year,” said FanDuel TV's General Manager of Racing Andrew Moore. “This event showcases the real good that can be accomplished when so many people in racing, especially the fans, come together. Each donation, regardless of how large or small, is critically important. We are grateful to all of the industry partners that came together to make this event such a success and we are proud to be able to give back to the sport.”

The telethon has broken records each year to support jockeys who have suffered serious on-track injuries. Since the inaugural telethon, there has been nearly $2.5 million raised.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to making this day a success in support of the PDJF mission,” said Nancy LaSala, president of PDJF. “The Telethon is a crucial fundraiser for the PDJF. Without the planning and support from our industry partners, as well as the generous donations from all participants, our ability to continue our work would be limited.”

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Griffin Johnson may not be well known within horse racing circles, but that doesn't mean he can't help the sport. For decades, racing has been fighting a losing battle when it comes to attracting a younger audience. That's where Johnson comes in. He is a social media influencer who has 9.7 million followers on TikTok and 2.6 million on Instagram. He's also a horse owner. Johnson is part of the West Point Thoroughbreds group that owns GI Arkansas Derby winner and GI Kentucky Derby contender Sandman (Tapit). He'll be at Churchill Downs during Derby week and has promised to spread the word about the joys of racing and horse ownership to his millions of followers.

The plan to get influencers involved in racing and owning horses was hatched by America's Best Racing. West Point Thoroughbreds came forward, joined the program and connected with Johnson, who owns 2.5% of Sandman. Johnson was the Gainesway Guest of the Week on this week's Thoroughbred Daily News Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland.

“Once he started winning, people started paying attention,” Johnson said of Sandman. “So now they see me and Sandman and all of our content on the Internet. I jumped in from day one. We hadn't even seen him really train or do anything yet. It was kind of a 'I trust you, you trust me moment.' No matter how much money you spend or how much prep you put into it, you never know if you're going to get a true winner. I just thank my lucky stars that I got a piece of Sandman out of all the horses.”

He started promoting Sandman as far back as the Arkansas Derby. After that victory, he posted on Instagram: “SANDMAN WINS THE $1.5M ARKANSAS DERBY. WE ARE RACING IN THE 2025 KENTUCKY DERBY!!!!”

He believes he can help the sport.

“A lot of people have seen the content I've been putting out,” he said. “A lot of people want to see everything about horse racing from what they eat to how they get bathed to where they sleep. It's really incredible how interested people are in the A to Z care of these horses. And now we're starting to reach out and do press and interviews with amazing people like yourself. We're collaborating with Gen Z and some of the younger millennials that are on Tik Tok. We're working on doing the ice bucket challenge this weekend. We're starting to do some charity work when it comes to aftercare. I'm trying to use my leverage and social media to promote that. We have some cool things in the works. We have some things we've already done and I want to be as useful as possible to the sport.”

He's not promoting just any horse but one of the favorites for the Kentucky Derby.

“I would say that I've had Derby Fever for a few months now,” he said. “I know that the Kentucky Derby is the Holy Grail for horse racing. I can't even believe it whenever I say that I'm going to be participating in the Kentucky Derby. It's surreal.”

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, the hosts went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Independence Hall. The fastest horse of the week was GII Oaklawn Handicap winner First Mission (Street Sense), who earned a 109 in his victory.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, Darley Europe, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman gave their longshot picks for the Derby as well as the horses they thought could be thrown out. We'll save our actual Derby picks for next week.

There was also a discussion of the latest developments in Florida over the decoupling issue. All agreed that the anti-coupling forces won a major battle when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came out and said he would not be inclined to sign a bill that allowed decoupling.

To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To listen to the show as a podcast, click here.

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Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has decided to pause the multi-year projects to develop The Skye, Conservatory and Infield areas “due to the increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to the Trump tariffs and trade disputes as well as current macro-economic conditions,” the company said in a press release on Wednesday afternoon.

During their first quarter earnings call after the market closed, CDI said in the coming months it will assess the evolving economic landscape and evaluate any changes to the timing and sequencing of these multi-year projects.

Chief Executive Officer of CDI Bill Carstanjen said, “The decision to pause the Skye Terrace and infield projects was a difficult one for us to make because we do not want to disappoint our fans; however, we have a responsibility to be disciplined given the recent changes in the economic environment.”

Renovations of the existing Finish Line Suites and The Mansion at Churchill Downs Racetrack are expected to be complete by April 2026. The Trophy Room, which sits behind the Finish Line Suites, will also have its refit move forward. Changes to The Mansion will introduce updated finishes and other enhancements to an area that was built out in 2013.

“We are pleased to announce these new projects designed to significantly improve the Finish Line Suites and The Mansion which are two of our most exclusive areas of the racetrack,” said Carstanjen. “We remain committed to growing our iconic flagship asset over the long term with projects that will provide new once-in-a lifetime experiences for our guests and deliver best-in-class shareholder returns.”

CDI expects to spend approximately $25-30 million on these new capital projects.

With company's first quarter ending Mar. 31, the earnings call reported a record net revenue of $642.6 million–up $51.7 million or nine percent–compared to the prior year quarter. Also, record adjusted EBITDA of $245.1 million was up $2.6 million or one percent the year over.

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A sprawling, 133-page tax package in the Florida House of Representatives that got advanced by that chamber's Budget Committee on Tuesday includes a small section tacked onto the end of the bill that would maintain $27.5 million in annual purse subsidies at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs while stripping out the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA) as a receiving or administering entity for that money.

The annual purse subsides were signed into law last year. Although the dollar-amount allocation for Thoroughbred entities would remain the same, the language in House Bill 7033 would take away the annual $5-million distribution made to the FTBOA that currently gets used to fund Florida-bred and -sired purses, stallion awards, “other racing incentives” and the “promotion of the Florida Thoroughbred breeding industry.”

Instead, the House version of the taxation bill would redistribute the FTBOA-allocated money directly to the two tracks to pay the related purses while deleting the requirement that horses eligible for those state incentives must registered with the FTBOA.

The non-profit FTBOA, which has been in existence since 1945, represents over 1,300 Thoroughbred breeders and owners in the state.

The FTBOA was instrumental in getting the purse subsidy bill passed in 2024, and it has consistently fought against various decoupling issues over the last two decades, including three pieces of legislation that are currently active in the Florida session that is expected to end May 2. Those highly controversial decoupling bills would remove the live racing requirement for Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs to operate their respective casino and card room.

Lonny Powell, the FTBOA's chief executive officer, told TDN on Wednesday that the House's opposition to his organization is intertwined with the FTBOA's adamant stance against decoupling. He added that the FTBOA is used to having to deal with “blowback from any opposition” to such a polarizing legislative topic.

“I don't expect that $5 million being removed,” Powell said. “Remember, there are two branches of the legislature. We just don't believe that the other side is going to really approve that type of obvious [attempt to] take FTBOA's money out and spread it amongst the racetracks that want to decouple. It just doesn't have a lot of traction.

“If you were calling me and saying the Senate voted [for those anti-FTBOA measures], that would be a different conversation. I'm just saying that the House has consistently voted along these directions from the word 'go' this session. They're finishing out their business, and I don't expect them to get any softer or to take any more pressure off of us,” Powell said.

“I'm concerned that such a discussion even took place, but not really surprised on the [anti-FTBOA sentiments of] the House. We just feel really good about the Senate doing the right thing, and [the larger issue of decoupling] is obviously a very complicated and complex issue that [has to] get settled within the last several days of the session.

“We do not anticipate the Senate going along with us being unfunded [via House Bill 7033] from the very [purse subsidy] bill that we championed on behalf of the industry over the last two years.”

When the House Budget Committee heard about 45 minutes of testimony on the 2025 tax bill before reporting it favorably by a 16-1 margin Apr. 22, the section about purse subsidies and the anti-FTBOA language did not get discussed.

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The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company 2025 June Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale has been consolidated to two days and will now be held June 17-18, the company said via a Wednesday release.

In addition to reduction in dates for the live sale, the under-tack show has also been trimmed and will be held over five days from June 10-14. The sale sessions will begin at 10 a.m. ET with the under-tack show starting at 7:30 a.m. ET each day.

Supplemental entries are now being taken. Click here for more information and updates.

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With total of 86 horses catalogued for the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, four horses were added in the latest round of supplements, according to a press release from the auction house on Wednesday.

The offerings will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, which coincides with the Spring meet's closing day and the event will be livestreamed on the Keeneland website.

The supplements include:

• Diriyah (Hip 86), a 3-year-old filly by Good Magic who scored her first win at Horseshoe Indianapolis at 2 and most recently ran in the GIII Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct is consigned by ELiTE;
• Honorary American (Ire) (Hip 84), a 3-year-old colt by Churchill (Ire) who is in training for his 2025 debut after two starts at 2, including an appearance during the Royal Meeting at Ascot. Hunter Valley Farm, agent, consigns Honorary American;
• Masmak (Hip 85), a 4-year-old son of Vino Rosso who was most recently third in the Excelsior Stakes Apr. 5 is consigned by ELiTE, agent;
• Navy Chief (Ire) (Hip 83), a 3-year-old gelding by Wootton Bassett is consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

The catalogue, also available through the Equineline Sales Catalog iPad app, includes pedigrees, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors may upload photographs and walking videos.

A print version is available for pickup at Keeneland's Information Center (formerly called the Welcome Center) located near the Grandstand South and Clubhouse entrance. A supplement will be printed prior to the sale.

Click here for the enhanced digital catalogue.

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A Review, By Bill Finley

Whether it was 60 Minutes, the FX Network, HBO or some other programs, the television media has bludgeoned the horse racing game in recent years. The great parts of this game barely get mentioned while the programs concentrate on the ugly aspects, namely breakdowns and drugs. So it was reasonable to be worried that more of the same was on its way when Netflix announced it was producing a racing documentary called 'Race For The Crown.'

But this show, which includes six episodes, isn't like that at all. No spills or breakdowns are shown and the disgraced duo of Jason Servis and the Jorge “The Juiceman” Navarro are never mentioned. The idea, instead, is to portray racing in a positive light by telling the stories of some of its most compelling and colorful figures.

Race For the Crown is not for the type of people who read the Thoroughbred Daily News. We already know the Preakness is run two weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby, that the GI Kentucky Oaks is the sport's most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies, that Wayne Lukas is a legend and that 2024 was a magical year for trainer Kenny McPeek. Don't expect to learn anything that you didn't already know.

But that's because horse racing insiders are not the intended audience. It is for people who don't know much about racing, but are intrigued by the sport and, with the Kentucky Derby approaching, want to learn more. It is much like the 2019 Netflix documentary “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which has gone a long way toward making Formula 1 one of the most popular sports in the world. Can Race For The Crown do for horse racing what the Netflix series did for Formula 1? Maybe not to the same extent, but if enough people watch the show, it can only help the sport grow. In the position horse racing is in, you can't ask for more than that. Netflix has 200 million-plus subscribers.

Episode 1 covers the lead-up to the 2023 Breeders' Cup, and the focus is on Frankie Dettori, who wins the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf aboard Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Dettori, who came out of retirement and decided to resume his career in the U.S., is one of the main characters in the program. He may be 53, but he has discovered that the flame still burns within, and he wants to keep riding. “I'd rather die on the back of a horse than die of boredom,” he says.

The beginning of the show also introduces us to Michael Iavarone and his wife Jules. They made the show not because Iavarone won the 2008 Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness with Big Brown or because he has any top horses in training. No, it's because he has the temerity to go out in public dressed in garish jump suits straight from Elvis's closet, and wearing sunglasses that are three sizes too big for his face. You can't turn away from Iavarone for the same reasons why you can't turn away from a wreck on the highway.

Episodes 2 and 3 cover the road to the Kentucky Derby. It is here where we learn of the Twitter feud between high-profile owners Mike Repole and John Stewart and are introduced to Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr.

From there we move on to the Derby in Episode 4, followed by the GI Preakness and the GI Belmont.

The cameras have wisely been following McPeek, Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) from well before they emerged on the scene at Churchill Downs. We first get to know them when they were at Oaklawn Park preparing for the Derby and Oaks. Someone was very smart–or very lucky?–to focus on and follow a longshot like Mystik Dan and a trainer who had never won the Derby in McPeek.

The story of the Preakness is of course then 88-year-old Wayne Lukas, who wins the race with Seize the Grey (Arrogate). But a lot of time is also spent on Katie Davis, who has a mount in the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. An effervescent new mom, she is one of the stars of the show. Likeable and upbeat, she never gets down even though getting mounts can be a struggle. She gets emotional when telling the story of her first agent, who told her she didn't have what it takes to be a successful jockey.

The final episode is about the Belmont, trainer Danny Gargan and ultra-enthusiastic owner and retired MLB star Jayson Werth. They win the race with Dornoch (Good Magic) and you can tell that Werth is just as thrilled by this victory as any he enjoyed on the baseball field. He calls racing “the most underrated sport.”

That's just the type of thing that can help sell the sport. For industry professionals, serious gamblers or devoted and longtime fans, 'Race For The Crown' might come off as the video version of 'Horse Racing for Dummies.' That's not to say it shouldn't be watched, not when those who work in and love the sport have been longing for just this sort of positive take on our game.

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Funeral arrangements have been confirmed for Taylor Made Farm's Josh Bryan, who passed away on Apr. 22 from complications from jaw surgery at the age of 33.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Apr. 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.

Funeral services will take place Friday, Apr. 25 beginning at 1 p.m. at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 601 Hill N Dale Road, Lexington.

Bryan will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3250 Versailles Road in Frankfort.

Born with a rare congenital defect called Goldenhar syndrome that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body, Bryan endured better than 15 surgical procedures beginning from the time he was seven weeks old.

In a 2024 interview with TDN's Katie Petrunyak, Bryan explained “I didn't really feel like I had much to live for” given his too-frequent visits to the doctor and having suffered the loss of his parents during his college years. Having turned to alcohol, Bryan was accepted into Shepherd's House, a residential drug treatment center with the help of Taylor Made's Frank Taylor, his second cousin. His path to recovery was documented by Petrunyak as part of TDN's 'Road Back' series.

“He was loved by everyone in the industry,” Taylor told TDN's Sue Finley on Tuesday. “He impacted a lot of people. Had a heart of gold. He was dealt a bad hand and played it to perfection. Our hearts are broken.”

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Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2025, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Beginning this year, Breeders' Cup has entered into a multi-year partnership with SeatGeek in an effort to 'enhance ticketing for attendees' and those interested in purchasing tickets must have an account with the platform, which can be created for free at SeatGeek.com/#register. All tickets will be mobile only. While tickets will be available to view upon purchase, access to barcodes will be available closer to the World Championships.

Attendance will be capped at 37,500 and patrons are encouraged to acquire their tickets early. All on-site parking at Del Mar will be sold in advance. A dedicated ride-share lot will be available for patrons over the weekend. For more information, please visit BreedersCup.com/Transportation.

Fans can purchase tickets online at BreedersCup.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (859) 514-9428. A range of seating options at various price points are available.

To further elevate the experience for all fans and participants, Breeders' Cup and Del Mar will invest more than $5 million to create new seating areas and expanded hospitality offerings. This investment will include the construction of a luxury chalet that will provide approximately 700 premium dining seats, the addition of more than 1,000 temporary box seats, and enhanced culinary activations around Del Mar.

“We look forward to returning to Del Mar and the greater San Diego area for the World Championships after celebrating great success last year,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Fans from around the globe will enjoy first-class hospitality, thrilling performances by the best horses in the world, and an unmatched atmosphere as we celebrate the equestrian lifestyle and the pinnacle of our great sport.”

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Beginning Thursday morning, Apr. 24 and through Wednesday, Apr. 30, Churchill Downs will be open to the public from 6:45 to 10 a.m. at no cost to take in the morning exercise sessions of horses pointing to the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks.

Training hours at Churchill Downs take place daily between 5:15 and 10 a.m., but there is an exclusive window reserved for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. following the renovation break that begins around 6:45 a.m. and lasts for approximately 30 minutes. Derby and Oaks horses are easily identifiable by their yellow and pink saddle towels, respectively.

Guests can park for free in the Yellow Lot off Longfield Ave. (all vehicles must be removed by 10:30 a.m.) and enter Churchill Downs through the Clubhouse Gate. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.

Churchill Downs' Paddock Grill will be open each morning with coffee and breakfast sandwich options. No outside food and beverages are allowed. Also, the Churchill Downs Store with Kentucky Derby 151 merchandise will be open each morning.

On Sunday and Monday, Apr. 27 and 28, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs Dining. Tickets and more information can be found at KentuckyDerby.com/DawnDining.

A stream of the workouts is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com from 6:45-7:45 a.m. through Thursday, May 1.

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Three stakes races worth a combined $400,000 will be staged during the Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Los Alamitos Racecourse. Nine days of live racing are scheduled from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, July 6 on a Friday-Sunday schedule.

The most valuable of the three stakes is the GII Great Lady M. Stakes, which carries purse money of $200,000. The 6 1/2-furlong test for fillies and mares is set to be run Saturday, July 5.

The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 28. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the race eight years in a row and nine times since the contest–run as the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park–was moved to the Orange County oval in 2014.

The other stakes on the calendar is the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds and up to be run over a mile on Saturday, June 21.

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Journalism (Curlin), widely regarded as the favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby on May 3, has been made the 8-1 choice for the single-pool Preakness Stakes Future Win Wager according to a release from the new Maryland Jockey Club.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was third over an insufficient six furlongs on career debut last October, but has since rattled off four straight victories at a mile and beyond, most recently overcoming trouble to take the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5.

'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief), who went six furlongs in 1:09.02 at Oaklawn Feb. 23 before weakening to fourth in the GI Arkansas Derby after fighting out nuclear fractions, could attempt to become a ninth Preakness winner for trainer Bob Baffert and is available at odds of 10-1 in the Future Wager.

Baeza (McKinzie) was runner-up in the latter event and will require some help to draw into the Derby field, but the half-brother to the Classic-winning full-brothers Mage and Dornoch–both by Good Magic–has been pegged at morning-line odds of 12-1 for the Preakness Future Wager.

A handful of horses are priced at 15-1 on the morning line, including Pay Billy (Improbable), recent winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes and guaranteed a spot in the Preakness; and Gosger (Nyquist), impressive in taking out the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 12.

There are a total of 40 betting interests in the Preakness Future Win Wager, with the final one being 'all other 3-year-olds' at 50-1.

The wagering pool opens at noon ET on Friday, Apr. 25 and will close Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. ET, prior to the running of the Derby.

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Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Junko Kondo's G2 UAE Derby winner Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) put in half-mile works for the Kentucky Derby over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. EST training window reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Coal Battle was the first to go, clocking a half-mile in :47.80 under Bethany Taylor. Fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :47.80, and out five furlongs in 1:00.80.

“I was thrilled with it. He keeps getting better every time he goes out there,” Taylor said after Coal Battle's third local work. “He is improving every time.”

Admire Daytona, with Yoshimitsu Miyashita aboard, worked in :53.20 starting at the three-eighths pole, with splits of :13, :39.20, and :53.20.

“With only three weeks between races, we just prepped him the same way we did in Dubai,” Miyashita said. “We let him decide what he wanted to do over the four furlongs. He increased his speed a bit in the straight on his own and really it was exactly like the kind of work he turned in prior to the UAE Derby. He has managed to maintain his pre-UAE Derby physical condition perfectly so we just have to help him keep it until race day.”

In between those works, Tracy Farmer's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful La Cara (Street Sense) turned in the fastest of 30 half-mile moves, going in :46 with Kevin Donnis aboard. Fractions were :11.60, :22.60, :34.20, :46, and out five furlongs in :58.60 and three-quarters in 1:12.20.

“Going back to grade school when they gave out an A, B, C or D, I'd give her work an A+,” Casse said. “I thought it was a little quick but she was in a good rhythm. We had the radios, but I just told him to let her go on. She did it effortlessly.”

Casse said the work would serve as he only pre-Oaks drill since winning the Ashland at Keeneland on April 7.

“We've got 10 days now (before the Oaks) and plenty of time (to recover).”

Scheduled to work Wednesday is D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables' GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit) for trainer Mark Casse.

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A multi-year agreement between The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Emerald Ecovations has been forged, according to a NYRA release Tuesday. Emerald Ecovations will serve as NYRA's preferred sustainable products partner.

“NYRA is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and maintaining its positive impact on our surrounding communities,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA's Vice President of Sales and Hospitality. “We are pleased to partner with Emerald Ecovations to work together on implementing staple products across our tracks that will assist with waste reduction.”

Emerald Ecovations will provide a variety of sustainable food service products for use across Saratoga Race Course, including cups, bowls, containers, napkins, tissues, utensils and product dispensers.

Designed and made in the United States, Emerald Ecovations offers a line of 350+ Tree-Free and Plastic-Free products to combat deforestation and plastic pollution, offering companies a sustainable solution to the growing demand for environmentally responsible products in disposable food packaging and everyday facilities products.

Emerald Ecovations will also be branded on refuse containers across the backyard and grandstand areas at Saratoga Race Course and displayed throughout the property beginning in June during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival slated for June 4th-8th.

Over the coming months, Emerald Ecovations will be prominent during the July 4th Racing Festival set for July 3-6 at the Spa, and with an educational onsite activation during the traditional 40-day Saratoga summer meet which spans from July 10th through Sept. 1.

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Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who was currently serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died Tuesday morning from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old.

Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went on to endure at least 15 more procedures.

Bryan was profiled in the TDN's Road Back series, which tells the stories of the men and women enrolled in the Stable Recovery and the School of Horsemenship, where recovering addicts find support, structure, and meaningful employment.

In 2024, he told the TDN's Katie Petrunyak how his childhood was spent going in and out of doctors' offices, and how he lost both of his parents during his college years, leading him to turn to alcohol. “I didn't really feel like I had much to live for after that, which looking back now is total nonsense,” Bryan recalled. “It was a lot of depression and really no sense of purpose. I felt like life really wasn't really worth living anymore.”

With the help of Frank Taylor, his second cousin, he got into Shepherd's House, a residential drug treatment center, and then found employment at Rood and Riddle. When Taylor decided to launch Stable Recovery, he asked Bryan to be the program coordinator. Together, they built the School of Horsemanship, and then, together with Christian Countzler, launched Stable Recovery.

“I think horses have a really good sense of your feelings emotionally,” he told Petrunyak in 2024. “If you go into a horse's stall nervous, they're going to be rambunctious. If you go into that stall angry, they're going to mess with you and make it worse. I remember some days before my recovery I'd go into the barn hungover with a bad attitude and they'd just eat me alive, bucking and trying to run me over. If you go in there with the right mindset and a clear head, they'll love you to death. If you're having a bad day and you go into a horse's stall and give it a big old hug, it just makes all the difference.”

He said that horses didn't care about appearances.

“They don't care about if you went to jail or what you look like or where you came from,” he said. “For a long time I wasn't comfortable in my own skin and it took a lot of people and prayer and therapy for me to be okay with it. Sometimes I still don't see myself as a leader, but I've gotten more comfortable with it.”

When Frank Taylor transitioned to the role of Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made, Bryan moved into the role as his assistant, traveling to farms and meeting clients together. He said that he saw Taylor as a father figure, a role Taylor embraced.

“Josh is basically one of my kids,” added Taylor. “We've always worked well together. It's kind of like we're best friends and I think I'm a mentor or father figure to him. I'm very proud of him. Once he quit drinking and got his life in order and spiritually strong, he's on a path to do great things. Big things.”

“He was my right-hand man and was training to be a Thoroughbred advisor,” said Taylor Tuesday. “He was loved by everyone in the industry. He impacted a lot of people. Had a heart of gold. He was dealt a bad hand and played it to perfection. Our hearts are broken.”

The post Taylor Made’s Josh Bryan Dies From Surgical Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The finalized dates for The Real Rider Cup (RRC)'s annual charity show jumping competitions have been set for Saturday, June 28 in Lexington, Kentucky and Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill, Maryland.

“We're grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support for our event,” said RRC founder Anita Motion. “The breed has given us all so much and we're honored to give back by supporting a variety of aftercare organizations who are making meaningful impacts on post-racing life for Thoroughbreds. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill team for this opportunity to increase the reach of our mission.”

Mounted on off-track Thoroughbreds and wearing the racing silks of their colleagues, employers, or other connections, participating riders pledge to raise $1,000 for Real Rider Cup beneficiaries and contend a show jumping course, riding for fast, clean rounds. Awards are given for individual and team results, as well as top-earning fundraisers. Thoroughbred riders from across industries are welcome and encouraged.

The Lexington leg of the event will return to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program at its flagship Mereworth Farm facility. The Lexington leg will also include local food trucks, live music and visits with adoptable Thoroughbreds.

The Fair Hill leg of the event will remain on the grounds of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area but will shift in date and be hosted at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, joining the official schedule of events at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill to follow the conclusion of the cross-country phase of competition on Oct. 18.

For more information, visit www.therealridercup.com.

The post Real Rider Cup Dates Set for June 28 in Lexington, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Kentucky Derby Week kicks off Saturday night as Churchill Downs opens its 43-day Spring Meet.

Kentucky Derby Day features 14 races, including seven stakes contests, with a betting menu that includes six Pick 5s, five Pick 4s and a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot.

In 2024:

• The Pick 5 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $4.4 million and returned $188,958.
• The Pick 4 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $3.2 million and paid $18,300.
• The Derby City 6 Jackpot handled $2.3 million, with a payout of $345,074.

Kentucky Oaks Day also delivers a full lineup of wagering with five Pick 5s and four Pick 4s. Two-day bets also begin on Friday, including:

• The 50-cent Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Kentucky Derby Pick 3 (2024 handle $686,061; payout $432).
• The $1 two-day Pick 6 (2024 handle $508,919; payout $81,109), tying together six Grade I races across both days with a mandatory payout and 15% takeout.

The races for the two-day Pick 6 will be finalized on entry day (Saturday, Apr. 26), with seven potential Grade I events eligible for inclusion, including Friday's $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks; and Saturday's $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford, $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, $1 million American Turf, the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

Additional wagers for Derby Week include:

• The $1 minimum Oaks/Derby Double (2024 handle $3 million; payout $118).
• The 50-cent All Dirt Pick 5 (2024 handle $409,571; payout $87,025).
• The $3 All 3-Year-Old Pick 3 (2024 handle $359,603; payout $18,207).
• Superfectas will be offered at a $1 minimum on Oaks and Derby Days and 10 cents on all other days.

For the full wagering menu and list of daily post times, click here.

The post Wagering Lineup Announced for Kentucky Derby Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Who were the five fastest maidens based on the Beyer Speed figures this week? We count them down.

5. SWEET SCORECARD, IND 4/16 – 5 1/2 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 84 (No Video Replay Available)
(f, 3, Vekoma–Sweet Halory, by Hold Me Back)
O-514 Racing LLC, B-Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc; T-Tim Eggleston, J-J. D. Ramos

Not sure what's the most interesting aspect: that she was 8/1 in the program but hammered down to 1/2 favoritism, that she had been outrun by an average of 12 1/4 lengths in three previous starts yet cruised home here by 15 1/2, that she obliterated her previous career-high Beyer by 40 points, or that no one put up $12,500 to claim the Vekoma filly even though she was such a white-hot favorite on the board. She didn't beat much, but did it emphatically.

4. VIBE, GP 4/19 – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 85 Video Replay
(c, 3, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker)
O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee, B-Repole Stable, T-Todd Pletcher, J-Emisael Jaramillo

At $3 million, Vibe was 2023 Keeneland September's sale topper–and the third-highest-priced yearling of that year. A setback at Saratoga last summer fouled up the Kentucky Derby dream, and he was well-beaten when he finally got to the races in March. But extra distance and a new set of blinkers was the right prescription for his second start, and suddenly the vibes are positive again.

3. CLICQUOT, KEE 4/17 – about 7 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 86 Video Replay
(f, 3, Quality Road–Royal Obsession, by Tapit)
O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing, B-Don Alberto, T-Brendan Walsh, J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.

A scorching pace didn't help her when 6th at even-money in her debut at Gulfstream, but the Veuve was flowing after this six-length frontrunning romp. And she didn't seem to appreciate Irad's left-handed whacks, so she might be smart, too. She's another potentially good one bred by Don Alberto, which is seemingly everywhere nowadays.

2. STRATEGIC FOCUS, AQU 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Gun Runner–Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin)
O-Klaravich Stables, B-Alter's Racing Stables, Inc., T-Chad Brown, J-Dylan Davis

Is Seth Klarman ever going to run out of cool investment names? This first-timer was next-last on the backstretch and widest around the turn–never a good recipe for dirt success–but still outkicked a strong field that included entry mate Duration. Here's a nice parlay: breeder Happy Alter bought the 4th dam for $500 at OBS in 1994 and sold Strategic Focus at Keeneland for $500,000.

1. NEVADA BEACH, SA 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Omaha Beach–Morrow Cove, by Yes It's True)
O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett, T-Bob Baffert, J-Juan Hernandez

Let's see…a 3-year-old wins sharply on debut and runs a big Beyer, you check the PPs, and yep, it's another Baffert. In fact, this was the 30th maiden graduate sent out by Baffert from his Class of 2022, and more may be in the pipeline. Nevada Beach ran down pacesetter Rank, who probably deserved to win since in his 11 starts he has also come up against Journalism, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez, Baeza, Gaming and Getaway Car, some more than once.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens For the Week of April 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The R.A.C.E. Fund online auction–featuring halters from champions, farm tours, and other memorabilia to bid on–is set to go May 9, the group announced Monday evening.

Kicked off with an online auction on eBay beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST and ending May 16, the non-profit's annual fund drive looks to raise money which will be used to help Thoroughbreds in need of retirement and rescue from slaughter. All proceeds from this auction will go toward that goal.

Featured items include halters of champions like fan-favorite California Chrome; Serena's Song; Essential Quality; Mandaloun; and City of Light. There will also be donated items from photographer Christopher Hoff's private collection including signed photographs, a 1973 Secretariat Kentucky Derby program; 1978 Affirmed and Alydar program, etc.

Other offerings will comprise of a VIP farm tour donated by Three Chimneys; horseshoes worn by Seize the Grey from Gainesway; and a War Front horseshoe plaque from Claiborne Farm.

“We have some very exciting and amazing auction items again this year. We would like to especially thank volunteer Roxanne Campbell for her dedication and tireless efforts as well as Claiborne, Darley, Denali Stud, Gainesway, Juddmonte, Lane's End, Taylor Made, Three Chimneys, and Christopher Hoff for their generous support by donating such valuable items of racing champions to help us raise funds,” said Marlene Murray, president of the R.A.C.E. Fund.

More information can be found here.

The post California Chrome, Serena’s Song Halters Highlight Myriad Items Available in R.A.C.E. Fund Online Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.