Thoroughbred Daily News

Sandman (Tapit) and La Cara (Street Sense), Grade I winners for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, each had five-furlong workouts over a fast track Saturday morning at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas.

GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman, under Cristian Torres, went in :59.60 (1/16). He covered his opening eighth of a mile in :12, a quarter-mile in :24 and three furlongs in :35.80 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:12.40.

Unraced since late August, Sandman has had five published workouts in advance of his yet-to-be determined 4-year-old debut.

“He's great,” said Torres. “He's an easy horse to work with. He did it all on his own. He's a nice horse to ride, so I just put my hands down and he did all the work. He had a target today and he actually liked it. There was a horse that started like five lengths in front of me. When I asked him at the quarter pole, he went on and passed that horse. He's feeling good.”

MGISW La Cara also worked moments after the surface renovation break, clocking five furlongs in 1:00.20 (2/16) under exercise rider Autumn Lavertu, galloping out six furlongs in 1:13, according to clockers.

“Went good and easy,” Caden Arthur, who oversees Casse's Oaklawn division, said. “Just trying to get her a little more fit for the race in February.”

La Cara, who hasn't raced since finishing fifth in the GI Cotilion Stakes Sept. 20, is scheduled to make her 4-year-old debut in the GIII Bayakoa Stakes Feb. 7 at Oaklawn.

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Who says it never rains in Southern California?

Well, for any music trivia buffs in the audience, it was the little-known Albert Hammond who sang those lyrics, but those living in and around metropolitan Los Angeles will confirm that the precipitation came with a vengeance this Christmas week, flooding parts of Interstate 5 and causing power outages and even the (very) odd threat of tornadoes. Nearly two inches of rainfall was recorded at Los Angeles International Airport, breaking a 54-year-old mark, while nearly four inches fell upon Woodland Hills and 2.91 inches in East Pasadena. So far.

While the streets of Pasadena will have dried out ahead of next week's Tournament of Roses Parade, it's a bit more unclear what the underfoot conditions may be like a bit farther to the east at Santa Anita in Arcadia, which plays host to its booming opening day program, wisely pushed back by a couple of days to Dec. 28.

Bob Baffert has five chances for a record-breaking seventh victory in the GI Malibu Stakes, a race he won for the first time with The Factor in 2011. At $3.2 million, Barnes (Into Mischief) was the second-dearest offering at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale (to the $4-million Curlin–Beholder colt) and he is likely to go favored in what has become a stallion-making heat. Winner of this the GII San Vicente Stakes over this course and seven-furlong distance at second asking, the bay was a sound third in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes in August at Saratoga and most recently plundered Keeneland's GIII Perryville Stakes Oct. 18 when he was somehow not favored.

Barnes has stablemates either side of him Sunday afternoon. Cornucopian (Into Mischief) was accorded 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard status for a smashing debut score at Oaklawn last February, but was only fourth in the GI Arkansas Derby after getting used up on a suicidal pace and was a very disappointing runner-up in a one-mile Aqueduct allowance when last seen Apr. 27. The $1.1-million Keeneland September grad gets the blinkers off and he and Barnes both drilled six furlongs in 1:12 4/5 on Dec. 20.

'Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), twice Grade I-placed going two turns, Madaket Road (Quality Road), second in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes at this specialist trip, and the first-time blinkered and progressive Midland Money (Maclean's Music) round out the Baffert challenge.

California-based 3-year-old fillies have more or less dominated the GI La Brea Stakes, with only Birdatthewire (Summer Bird) and Fair Maiden (Street Boss) launching successful raids in 2015 and 2020, respectively.

The George Weaver-trained Five G (Vekoma) has a fair shot at backing up that every-five-year pattern as she returns to the races for the first time since wiring the GIII Gulfstream Park Oaks back at the end of March. The Gatsas Stable runner has trained nicely at Palm Beach Downs and got a feel for the local strip with an easy four furlongs in :49 flat on Dec. 19. Irad Ortiz, Jr. is in to ride.

Baffert saddles three in the La Brea in search of a 10th victory dating back to Arches of Gold in 1992, but none of the trio is close to a lock. New York-bred Usha (Tiz the Law) was very good at Del Mar this summer, winning her maiden by better than 11 lengths before adding a 5 1/4-length allowance, but she faded tamely to be seventh in the GII Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland Oct. 18. Silent Law (Tiz the Law) set the pace before yielding to Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) in the GIII Chillingworth Stakes Oct. 4, while Brilliantly (Uncle Mo) spots her rivals a world of experience.

On the evidence of her European form for Donnacha O'Brien, Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix of Spain {Ire}) is strictly the one to beat in the GI American Oaks to close the card–providing, that is–that it remains on the rain-softened turf course.

All the bay filly's experience has come in 2025, as she beat the boys to open her account at first asking before besting her peers in the G3 Athasi Stakes at The Curragh in May. She overcame a bit of a slow start to finish third as a 25-1 chance in the G1 Matron Stakes going a mile around Leopardstown Sept. 13 and was a latest sixth in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket Oct. 4. An intended runner in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, she was one of several vet scratches and is now based in the U.S. with Richard Baltas. She is back with her own age group for the first time since a seventh in the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas in May.

German listed winner and Group 2-placed Namaron (Ger) (Amaron {GB}) adds blinkers and gets Flavien Prat back in the boot for Sunday's GII Mathis Mile, a race that has also attracted Let It Ride Stakes winner and GI Hollywood Derby fourth Tempus Volat (Not This Time). 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Nysos (Nyquist) and his GI Awesome Again Stakes-winning stable companion Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) look set to dominate the GII Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes in what might be a springboard to valuable Middle East targets, while a wide-open field of 11 is set to load the gate for the GII San Gabriel Stakes.

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The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association has entered into an exclusive partnership with Florida Coast Equipment which will make Kubota the exclusive tractor, mower, utility vehicle and construction equipment sponsor of the Florida Thoroughbred industry, starting in 2026.

The Florida Coast Equipment name will now be prominently displayed throughout the FTBOA headquarters, events and communications, including an advertising package on FTBOA.com, Wire to Wire, and the The Florida Horse Farm and Services Directory.

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Conrad Bandoroff, Dr. Kristina Eisaman, Carly Schuerger, Sophie Shore and Whitney Verbal have been added to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Next Generation Advisory Group. Formed in 2024, the group provides HISA's executive team and Standing Committees with formal feedback on the evolution of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The new members succeed outgoing Next Generation Advisory Group members Waqas Ahmed, Marc Broady, Jeff Matty, Katie Miranda, and Tyler Peeples.

A complete list of the group's 20 members–representing a wide variety of viewpoints from across the racing industry–can be viewed here.

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The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, in conjunction with the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, has released results of a feasibility study seeking to identify lasting solutions for Florida racing.

“No successful project's planning begins without a feasibility study,” said TRI Vice President Jon Green, the study's point person. “We appreciate that people want to hear, 'This is what we're going to do to.' But we can't get there without starting here with clear-eyed research by independent experts identifying locations for discussion and various economic models with cost analysis and pros and cons based on a myriad of factors. That's what we're excited to announce today, the framework that allows us to concentrate our focus as we start meeting with industry stakeholders, lawmakers, civic leaders and, obviously, the current property ownership of potential sites. We promised the Florida legislature we didn't want to just defeat decoupling, but that we'd bring viable solutions to enable the industry and its role as an economic and tourism engine to thrive in the decades to come for the benefit of all Floridians.”

The study, produced by Crossroads Consulting Services of St. Petersburg, Florida, in conjunction with the architectural design firm Populous, reviewed possible long-term racing sites in the state, as well as ownership and operating models.

Among the sites studied were Gulfstream Park, Hialeah Park–both as a year-round site and as a winter ship-in option, Tampa Bay Downs, as well as a hypothetical new racing operation.

The study provided preliminary budgets to upgrade each facility with a baseline requirement of a one-mile dirt track, seven-furlong turf course with movable rail, 3,000-capacity grandstand and apron, large infield board, receiving and test barns, veterinary and claiming facilities, about 1,400 stalls and necessary backstretch support and parking.

Gulfstream Park was found to meet or exceed those criteria, while upgrading Hialeah for year-round racing had a preliminary budget of $89.95 million and for a winter ship-in option of $50.65 million. Upgrades at Tampa Bay Downs had a preliminary budget of $44.40 million, while a new site had an estimated budget of $194.80 million, not including land acquisition costs.

The ownership and operating models studied included non-profit racing association, such as Keeneland and Del Mar, which would be governed by industry stakeholders and independent directors, with all net revenues reinvested into purses, incentives and facilities; public benefit corporation or state-charted quasi-public authority, such as the New York Racing Association, that would manage racing as a public good, balancing accountability and transparency with direct access to appropriations and potential bonding authority; horsemen's cooperative or FHBPA/Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA)-led entity with ownership and governance resting with horsemen and breeders through a cooperative framework; and strategic partnership with a major racing or gaming operator under a management or joint-venture agreement, leveraging national expertise, capital and customer reach while retaining local representation in governance.

“The stakes are too high not to do our due diligence,” said TRI Senior Advisor Damon Thayer. “We now have analysis to best evaluate strategic options and opportunities to strengthen the Thoroughbred industry's economic base.”

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It's been more than 40 years since jockey-turned-trainer Jose Corrales left his native Panama to try to build a career for himself in the U.S. But he still stays in touch with the Panamanian racing community and when he heard that there was a teenager who was receiving rave reviews at the Laffit Pincay Jr. Technical Jockey Training Academy in Panama, he couldn't wait to bring him to his base in Maryland.

And Corrales told anyone who would listen that the young rider, Yedsit Hazlewood, wasn't just going to do well at Laurel and Pimlico, but would prove to everyone that he had the skills to eventually become one of the top riders in the sport. So far, everything he has predicted has come true.

Just 17, Hazlewood is dominating the current meet at Laurel. He leads all riders with 64 wins, 30 more than runner-up Jevian Toledo, who rides for the powerful Brittany Russell stable. He is winning at a 23% clip and, during his brief career, has already won four stakes races. Then there's the streak. For 23 straight race days during which he rode at Laurel between Oct. 31 and Dec. 20, he earned at least one victory on each card.

“I told him you can come to me,” said Corrales, who is not only his mentor but also his legal guardian. “I will teach you everything and we will get you ready to ride. I told everybody this kid is going to make it. I told him that the only thing that can  keep you from making it is you. But if you want it, don't stop because I will get you to where you want to go.”

Hazlewood, who still struggles with his English, actually came to Corrales when he was 16. It was decided that before he accepted his first mount he would gallop horses at the training center in Fair Hill, Maryland. Corrales watched closely, offered some tips and helped to put on the finishing touches.

When Hazlewood turned 17, Corrales had him take out his jockey's license, and he made his debut on Mar. 21 at Laurel. He lost with his first 12 mounts, but then scored victories with three of his next four riding assignments. He appeared to be well on his way to the stardom that Corrales was so sure he would achieve.

But he almost tossed it all away one night in June. Hazlewood gathered some friends, and they decided to take a road trip to New York. It wasn't to go to Belmont Park to gallop horses, but to enjoy the Big Apple. Corrales warned his protege that it was a bad idea.

“I told him, no, don't go,” he said. “This is a business–you have to stay here and work.”

On the way back to Maryland, the car that Hazlewood was riding in got into an accident and the young jockey broke his wrist and had to undergo surgery. He did not ride between June 8 and Aug. 14.

“He was almost done,” Corrales said. “He had to have surgery on his wrist, but he's a young kid and he healed fast. I told him that this could have been a lot worse. I said to him, 'I hope you understand that God has given you another opportunity in your life because you could have died in that car accident.'”

While Corrales has done his best to put Hazlewood on winners, his main client has become Gary Capuano. The two have forged a remarkable record together, as Hazlewood has won with 33 of the 74 mounts he has accepted for Capuano, good for a winning rate of 45%.

“He showed a lot of talent right from the start,” Capuano said. “I have a lot of confidence in him. He rides with a lot of confidence, he rides hard, and he's a pretty smart kid. He keeps the horses out of trouble and gets good trips. He's just a really good up-and-coming apprentice rider. I pinch myself every day because this year has been amazing. I have a lot of really nice 2-year-olds in the barn and Yedsit has ridden most of them. Every time we go out there it seems like the combination is really working. It's hard to explain. Things are just clicking. I've had a fantastic year and he's been a big part of it.”

Corrales predicted from the very start that Hazlewood would win the Eclipse Award as the outstanding apprentice of the year. While he is in the running, that might be hard to pull off. Canadian apprentice sensation Pietro Moran has earned about $2.3 million more than Hazlewood and also won his country's Kentucky Derby, the King's Plate.

But Hazlewood, his agent John DiNatale, and Corrales have their eyes set on bigger goals. Hazlewood, who is now also riding regularly at Parx, won his first race in New York on Nov. 8. Corrales said New York trainers have reached out to him and asked that Hazlewood come to Aqueduct more often.

When will he make the full-time jump to New York or, perhaps, Kentucky?

“It's getting closer,” Corrales said. “I don't know how long it's going to be, but it's getting closer. He's getting a lot of offers already. We just have to wait for the right time to say go.”

Corrales realizes it won't be easy to conquer a bigger circuit, but when it comes to his rider, there is no shortage of confidence. He believes it's only a matter of time until he is one of the top riders in the sport.

“He's going to make it,” Corrales said. “He's going right to the top.

The Maryland circuit has produced a number of young riders who went on to have Hall-of-Fame careers, a list that includes Chris McCarron, Kent Desormeaux, Edgar Prado, and Ramon Dominguez.

“He is on the same path as those guys,” Capuano said. “It may even be that he started out stronger than some of them. Maryland has always had a lot of apprentice riders who have done extremely well and have gone on to do big things in their careers. If he keeps improving the way he has, it's easy to believe that he's going to be someone who is really, really good.”

Corrales has mentored other young jockeys. He said that he was the one who discovered Walter Rodriguez, a native of El Salvador, who is currently the leading rider at Turfway Park. He is proud of all of his pupils.

“I always liked the movie the Karate Kid, and they said that Mr. Miyagi was a good teacher,” Corrales said. “But Mr. Miyagi said that in order to be a good teacher, you have to have good students. Yedsit is a good student.”

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Damon Thayer and Liza Hendriks have been named to the board of directors of Amplify Horse Racing, the organization announced Monday.

“Since leaving the Kentucky Senate last year, I have been looking for a way to give back to the racing industry that I am passionate about,” Thayer said. “Amplify Horse Racing's mission is much-needed and worthy of support, and I am honored to have been asked to join the board and look forward to working with the team to connect young people to careers in the industry.”

Hendriks founded Wanamaker's, one of the first online Thoroughbred auction platforms in the U.S., which was acquired by Inglis in 2024, and she now serves on the Board of Inglis Digital USA.

“The future of Thoroughbred racing depends on our ability to engage, educate, and inspire the next generation,” Hendriks said. “Amplify is doing that work in a meaningful, modern way, and I'm excited to contribute my experience to help grow its impact.”

Amplify Horse Racing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that connects youth and young adults to education and career pathways in the Thoroughbred industry through classroom education, mentorship programming, and immersive experiences. For more information about Amplify, visit www.amplifyhorseracing.org.

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Drew Fleming, the president and chief executive officer of Breeders' Cup Limited, and Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager for WinStar Farm, have been elected as directors of the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the organization said in a release Monday.

For a second consecutive year, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., a member of the law firm Stites & Barbison PLLC, will serve as TAA president.

“I am honored to continue serving as President of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and grateful for the continued confidence of the Board of Directors,” said Robertson. “It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate group of industry leaders whose leadership and generosity are fundamental to advancing our shared mission. Together, we will continue to build upon the strong foundation of accredited aftercare to ensure a safe, dignified, and meaningful future for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.”

The recently appointed directors will join the current board, which is comprised of Tony Allevato, Craig Bandoroff, Laura Barillaro, Donna Barton Brothers, Price Bell, Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Christina Blacker, Boyd Browning, Aidan Butler, Dr. Bonnie Comerford, Larry Connolly, Joe De Francis, Georganne Hale, Melissa Hicks, Jay Privman, Walt Robertson, Dean Roethemeier, Yvonne Schwabe, Mark Simendinger, Barbara Vanlangendonck and Ric Waldman.

After dedicating years of expertise, leadership and resources, Madeline Auerbach, Tom Cannell, and Jack Damico will conclude their service on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors at the end of 2025.

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Edited Press Release

Leadership representing Florida's five principal Thoroughbred industry organizations gathered in Ocala recently for a collaborative summit with the goal of uniting the Thoroughbred industry to help preserve and promote our Florida racing and breeding legacy by providing a clear and concise message to our elected officials at the local, state and national level to support our interests.

The organizations represented included leadership from the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA), Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Ocala Breeders' Sales Company (OBS), Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (TBDHBPA) and Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI).

Through constructive dialogue, the assembled leadership identified several key points of consensus to guide the industry in the months ahead.

Leadership confirmed opposition to decoupling efforts pursued by Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs during the 2025 Legislative Session, including severance of live racing from revenue [1] sharing agreements and any dramatic reduction in live racing days.

The group agreed that Florida Statutes, Chapter 550–the statute governing Florida's pari-mutuel and horse racing industries–is fundamentally broken and requires modernization. Of particular concern is the unregulated Advanced Deposit Wagering (ADW) market, which lacks transparency, contributes inadequately to purses, provides no support for breeders and operates outside statutory revenue-sharing structures that support live racing. The coalition committed to pursuing Chapter 550 reform once the 2026 decoupling landscape becomes clearer. No decoupling legislation has been filed to date.

Stakeholders expressed deep concern over the absence of an annual purses and race dates agreement between the FHBPA and Gulfstream Park. With the current Horsemen's Agreement expiring Dec. 31, 2025, and no reasonable engagement from the track, the impasse presents significant industry hazards.

The group affirmed continuing work on a potential Thoroughbred racing facility alternative as a safeguard against decoupling or further contraction of live racing in South Florida.

Industry leaders agreed to establish regular communication through quarterly meetings, with participation from principal decision-makers of all five organizations.

Chester Bishop, Vice President of FHBPA, said, “It was great to hear unanimous support of the FHBPA in our continuing efforts to reach a Horseman's Agreement before expiration of the current agreement on Dec. 31, 2025.”

OBS President Tom Ventura said, “The Florida horse racing and breeding industry generates a tremendous economic impact to the state while promoting and preserving greenspace. Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Inc. stands alongside the breeders, owners, and trainers as we collaborate to navigate the landscape and educate Florida's elected officials about the importance of this long-standing signature industry.

“We must remain united to provide a path forward that enables Florida racing and breeding to thrive and remain competitive with other horse-friendly states. A healthy Florida racing and breeding industry is not only important within the state but critical to the ecosystem throughout the country.”

Mike Dini of TBDHBPA said, “We firmly believe in no decoupling and are excited to work together to keep live horse racing strong.”

Aron Wellman, Director of TRI, stated, “The Florida racing and breeding industry is in the midst of a watershed moment, and we are collectively intent on posturing the industry to succeed on all levels,”

FTBOA CEO, Lonny Powell, said, “We appreciate our colleagues from all four organizations for their constructive engagement. This was one of the best meetings of its kind in my 14 years as CEO. Kudos to Hugh Dailey for his professional facilitation.”

The coalition issued the following joint statement: “The group met with a shared commitment to oppose decoupling across all branches of government, working closely with supportive allies in the Florida Senate and Governor's Office. They emphasized unity, collaboration on related challenges, including solutions for South Florida–and reaffirmed their collective support for live Thoroughbred racing in Florida.

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What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Want to submit an answer? Email suefinley@thetdn.com

At my core, I am an optimist. Fast forward to 2036 and horse racing is thriving. The NTRA remains a unifying voice throughout the industry and all of the major stakeholders are working collaboratively and thoughtfully to continue to make the sport fairer and safer for all involved. While some change is hard, it is also inevitable. The way we have always done things cannot be the way to do everything in the future if we want to remain relevant and not just survive but thrive.

A girl can dream, right?

We have already lost too many tracks and left major markets without ways to expose future fans, horseplayers and industry participants to the sport in meaningful ways. Each track lost is a significant one for the health of the industry as a whole. In 2036, perhaps the ownership of some tracks looks different but there is hope to preserve the ones that we have. Growing up at Suffolk Downs, we always felt like we were on the edge of extinction–we were a hard-knocking blue-collar track. The giants, like Arlington Park and Hollywood, seemed untouchable.  We have learned that no track is immune at this point and all should be treated like the endangered animal that they are.

I have optimism for the foal crop but if and only if we preserve and continue to develop the state-bred breeding programs throughout the country. These programs are the heart of the sport and bolster the agricultural economy in states like Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia. Great horses can come from anywhere and the key to full fields and competitive racing comes from successful state bred programs.

Horse racing needs to do a better job of cultivating additional sources of revenue whether it is coming from fixed-odds or other avenues. There is a generation of folks who are enthusiastic about wagering and are so engaged through the ability to bet through their mobile devices.

The other change I hope to see in 2036? More female announcers on major circuits.

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Holly and David Wilson's Mr. A. P. (American Pharoah), last seen finishing second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, has been sidelined and will not be on the GI Kentucky Derby trail, according to a report in Daily Racing Form.

“He had a little setback,” trainer Vladimir Cerin told DRF's Brad Free. “I'm hoping he'll be ready at the end of March, which makes everything difficult.”

Cerin declined to reveal the ridgling's diagnosis, but told Free the issue had been diagnosed and resolved.

“He needs a little more time,” Cerin said.

The Wilsons claimed Mr. A. P. for $150,000 out of a runner-up effort in his debut at Del Mar in July. He graduated in his third trip to the post Oct. 13 at Santa Anita and was one length short of Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) at the Breeders' Cup Oct. 31.

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Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) and Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) are on target for assignments on Jan. 24 Pegasus Day following stakes wins at Gulfstream Park Saturday.

Skippylongstocking rebounded from a pair of off-the-board efforts to win the GIII Harlan's Holiday Stakes, a prep for the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, and should improve for the effort, according to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.

“We didn't know if he was fit enough to be back to his best. He showed he was training well. [Saturday] he had to come and do it. Thank God, he did it,” Joseph said Sunday after reporting that 6-year-old came out of his game performance in good order.

Skippylongstocking entered Saturday's Harlan's Holiday off a seventh-place effort in the Aug. 2 GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga and an eighth in the Aug. 22 GII Charles Town Classic, in which he experienced the thumps.

“I think he's just as good, training-wise. I don't think he could have been at his optimum fitness going into the race. He was coming off the layoff,” Joseph said. “There's no reason to say that was at his best. He should move forward in his next race, if everything goes well.”

Woodslane Farm's Wolfie's Dynaghost, who set a North American record while winning Saturday's GIII Fort Lauderdale Stakes, exited his 10th career stakes victory in good order.

“He looks great this morning,” trainer Brian Lynch said. “Everything appears to be how we like it.”

The 7-year-old gelding will now be pointed to the $1-million GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.

Wolfie's Dynaghost boosted his career earnings to $1.35 million Saturday while making only his second start since joining Lynch's stable. He was coming off a 2 3/4-length win in the Nov. 8 GIII River City Stakes at Churchill Downs.

“He came over in really good order. There were no changes made. We just tried to keep him happy and slide him into our program. He's adjusted well, not that there was a lot of adjustment,” Lynch said. “He's just a classy horse that still has a lot of run on his mind.”

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The opening day card at Santa Anita's Classic Meet, traditionally held Dec. 26, has been postponed two days and will now be held next Sunday, Dec. 28. Track officials made the decision to delay the start of the meet in the face of forecasted heavy rains in the area beginning Tuesday and continuing through Friday.

“With the amount of rain being forecast, it's important to make this call as early as possible to give everyone advance notice,” said Santa Anita General Manager Nate Newby. “Everyone looks forward to opening day as it's traditionally one of our biggest days of the year, so it's not a decision we make lightly. But after speaking with our stakeholders, adjusting the racing schedule at this time provides the best opportunity to have a great opening to kick off the season.”

Santa Anita's revised opening week schedule has live racing Sunday and Monday, Dec. 28 and 29, returning Wednesday, Dec. 31 and continuing through Jan. 4.

Entries for opening day were held as scheduled Sunday, with entries for Dec. 27, to be taken Monday, Dec. 22.

This will be the first time since the 2019-2020 winter season that Santa Anita has not opened on Dec. 26.

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Not to be outdone by 6-year-old Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the GIII Harlan's Holiday one race prior, classy Woodslane Farm homebred Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) went not one but two better, winning the GIII Ft. Lauderdale Stakes as a 7-year-old in record time.

The Brian Lynch trainee, making his 32nd start Saturday, took over a year off following a run at Turfway Park in the GIII Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes in March of 2024. Remarkably, the gelded son of the great Ghostzapper returned as a 7-year-old in June of this year, winning a stakes race at Laurel Park late in the month. A second going 1 3/8 miles at Saratoga has been his only blemish in the three starts since as then-trainer Jonathan Thomas wrapped things up at Colonial Downs Sept. 13 before Lynch took over for his win in the GIII River City Stakes under the Twin Spires Nov. 8. Those last two wins, both coming in gate-to-wire fashion, set Wolfie's Dynaghost up Saturday in this prep race for the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational held next month at Gulfstream Park.

Drawn along the fence in the two slot, the speedy 4-5 favorite has no issue out-sprinting this field to the early advantage with Quatrocento (War Front) keeping pace initially on the run into the clubhouse turn. It was a short distance back to Cugino (Twirling Candy) who enjoyed a perfect trip in third just off the heels of Wolfie's Dynaghost who sped out on a loose rein under Irad Ortiz Jr.

Still unpressured through a half mile in :45.84, the favorite looked every bit the winner as the field fanned out behind him to challenge with a quarter left to run. Ortiz, motionless for much of the running thus far, shook his reins a bit into the final furlong and Wolfie's Dynaghost hit another gear, bursting away even as Cugino came off of cover to make a run at him. But the pacesetter was not for catching, staying safely ahead the length of the stretch to win in a dazzling final time of 1:43.42, a new record time for nine furlongs on the turf in North America. Cugino ran second at odds of 7-2 and 8-1 shot Beach Gold (Omaha Beach) beat in the rest of the field to finish third.

“Irad told me, 'You did all the hard work and I was just the driver,'” Lynch said. “It's lovely to see an old horse like that just come into himself and get better and better with racing.”

Ortiz added, “He broke on his own. I didn't do too much. He has speed so Brian told me, 'Try to make the lead if you can. He broke sharp. I let him find his rhythm. He came back to me. He relaxed so well. After that I just let him do his thing and relax until it was time to roll. He was very professional. When we made the second turn he was traveling the same way as he was on the backstretch. Turning for home, I asked him and he exploded.”

Wolfie's Dynaghost looks primed for a run at the Pegasus Turf with Lynch saying, “No doubt. This race was a great steppingstone for it and to run the way he ran today, I think he deserves it. He's got an aura of confidence about him right now. When you see a horse run the first quarter in 22 and change and have his ears pricked like a deer in the meadow going down the backside, you know they're pretty comfortable and you know they're feeling good. I thought it was a very good field of horses and I thought to go as hard as he did early and to finish up as strong as he did, there's just no doubt he's in very good form right now.”

Pedigree Note:
Though unraced herself, Dynaire has made the most of her broodmare career. Woodslane Farm purchased her for $360,000 as a yearling from Keeneland September in 2009 and, with seven winners from 11 to race, this Dynaformer mare has produced the likes to GI Sword Dancer Stakes winner and sire Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) whose $2.6m in earnings manage to eclipse that of even Wolfie's Dynaghost. Those half-brothers share plenty of other nice siblings as well including SP Lunaire (Malibu Moon) and SP Dyna Passer (Lemon Drop Kid) who herself has produced the stakes-winning 2-year-old of this year Sister Troienne (Munnings). Further back in the pedigree is MGISW Sabin (Lyphard).

Canadian legend Ghostzapper certainly needs introduction, having sired the likes of Shaman Ghost, Moira and two-time Eclipse winner Goodnight Olive. Dynaire foaled a filly by the red-hot sire Not This Time in 2024 who is her last reported foal.

Wolfie's Dynaghost digs in to win the Fort Lauderdale G3 for trainer @BLynchRacing. A Hat Trick today for jockey @iradortiz! #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/1kbILjzoLW

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) December 20, 2025

Saturday, Gulfstream Park
FT. LAUDERDALE S.-GIII, $200,000, Gulfstream, 12-20, 3yo/up,
1 1/8mT, 1:43.42 (NCR), fm.
1–WOLFIE'S DYNAGHOST, 126, g, 7, by Ghostzapper
1st Dam: Dynaire, by Dynaformer
2nd Dam: Binya (Ger), by Royal Solo (Ire)
3rd Dam: Beaconaire, by Vaguely Noble
O/B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Brian A Lynch; J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
$120,280. Lifetime Record: 32-14-3-5, $1,350,627. *1/2 to
Dyna Passer (Lemon Drop Kid), SP, $232,330; Lunaire (Malibu
Moon), SP, $249,950; and Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy), GISW,
$2,679,910. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus* Click for
the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cugino, 126, c, 4, Twirling Candy–Adorable Miss, by Kitten's
Joy. ($225,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-West Point Thoroughbreds &
Jimmy Kahig LLC; B-Gage Hill Stables LLC & W S Farish (KY);
T-Claude R McGaughey III. $38,800.
3–Beach Gold, 123, c, 4, Omaha Beach–Orrery, by Smart Strike.
($235,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). O/B-JSM Equine LLC (KY);
T-Patrick L Biancone. $19,400.
Margins: 3/4, 2 1/4, NK. Odds: 0.90, 3.50, 8.00.
Also Ran: Divin Propos (Fr), Chasing the Crown, Quatrocento, Steal Sunshine, Siege of Boston. Scratched: Major Dude, Naptown. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Wolfie’s Dynaghost Sets New Nine-Furlong Turf Record In Ft. Lauderdale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With 10 points on the 'Road to the Kentucky Oaks' up for grabs in the Untapable Stakes on Saturday, Hit Parade (Street Sense) found her rhythm late to top the playlist in the Big Easy.

The Gary and Mary West homebred tried the grass at Horseshoe Indy on debut and finished third Aug. 28. Sent to a maiden claimer going two turns at Churchill Downs Sept. 20, the filly scored by two lengths and then over the same course cleared a starter allowance Oct. 31.

The 2-1 choice here saved ground by cutting to the rail as Pashmina (Constitution) led the field into the first turn. Tucked in nicely behind the speed, Hit Parade waited patiently for her cue as the pacesetter continued her march up the backstretch. The juvenile cut to the three path around the far turn and began to turn up the heat on the leader by the quarter pole. Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) had the same idea from the rail and with a furlong left the pair of fillies locked horns for the prize. In the end, Hit Parade gained the advantage in the final jump and absconded with the Oaks points.

“She broke nice and relaxed for a perfect trip,” said jockey Luis Saez. “She was a little green when we went for the lead but she quickly got going straight again and fought hard for the win.”

The second to the races for her dam, the winner has a yearling half-brother by Frosted and a weanling half-brother by Essential Quality who was in utero when Wedding Band went for $65,000 to Calumet Farm during Keeneland November.

Out of an extended female family which includes dual Horse of the Year and generational sire Curlin (Smart Strike), Hit Parade's dam was bred to Hightail for the coming season.

UNTAPABLE S., $100,000, Fair Grounds, 12-20, 2yo, f, 1m 70y, 1:42.97, ft.
1–HIT PARADE, 122, f, 2, by Street Sense
                1st Dam: Wedding Band, by Candy Ride (Arg)
                2nd Dam: Deputy Saint, by Saint Liam
                3rd Dam: Sherriff's Deputy, by Deputy Minister
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Luis Saez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $147,980.
2–Luv Your Neighbor, 122, f, 2, Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief. ($350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. & 552727 Ontario LTD. (ON); T-Michael Stidham. $20,000.
3–Pashmina, 122, f, 2, Constitution–Panthera Onca, by Super Saver. ($350,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Red White and Blue Racing LLC; B-Narola, LLC (KY); T-Rob Atras. $11,000.
Margins: HD, 4HF, 3/4. Odds: 2.30, 8.80, 4.30.
Also Ran: Have Faith, Actis, Miss Call, Funny Bunny. Scratched: Hurricane Kate.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Stalk. Strike. WIN!

unleashes a winning move turning for home with jockey @Luissaezpty1 in the saddle to earn 10 #KyOaks points @fairgorundsnola for trainer @bradcoxracing.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/kfgh30yJSi

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) December 20, 2025

The post Street Sense’s Hit Parade Wins Thriller In Untapable Stakes At Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' D'code (Speightstown) will look to stretch out to two turns as he targets the GIII Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Jan. 31, his connections told track media Saturday.

The 2-year-old dazzled in his six-furlong debut Dec. 13, putting up a final time of 1:09.57, the fastest time for the distance in Oaklawn history for a 2-year-old. The 99 Beyer Speed Figure was the second-highest of his generation this year behind only fellow 'Rising Star' Brant's (Gun Runner) 101 at Del Mar in July.

“It was pretty awesome,” said trainer H. Ray Ashford Jr. “We liked the colt all along, but he ran better than we expected. I thought the horse would win, but I didn't think he'd win in that fashion.”

D'code returned to the track Thursday morning for the first time since his win, with Ashford noting that colt was “a handful”. The Southwest is the second race in Oaklawn's series of Kentucky Derby prep races. The first, the Smarty Jones Stakes, comes up Jan. 3.

“I think we're kind of leaning toward the Southwest right now,” Ashford said. “The Smarty Jones is just too quick back. He came back fine. I don't think he ran that hard, but being a 2-year-old I don't want to blow his mind. No need to push because he's a nice horse.”

The post ‘Rising Star’ D’code To Target Southwest For Two-Turn Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Tom Ryan's observation that California graded stakes have been decimated by the graded stakes committee is spot on, but does not delve into the issue deeply nor address solutions. I applaud him speaking out against a system that adheres to a doctrine of the past, which evaluates many criteria while ignoring the fact that all graded stakes (save a select few) will be the domain of slot-enhanced, subsidized racetracks in the near term. The idea that the Breeders' Cup and/or Jockey Club could ignore this trend while sitting idly by points with clarity to why we should have little faith in our 'institutions' as champions of change.

Supporting California graded stakes through purse supplementation, freezing the downgrading of stakes while attempting to create stability, and restoring the prior status of fixture races like the Santa Anita Oaks and others with set criteria is actionable and necessary. The phrase 'too big to fail,' applied to the banking industry and automobile industry, certainly applies to California racing.

I challenge these organizations to prioritize the crisis and formulate a plan of action. Waiving registration fees and 'Win and You're In' won't save racing, but the loss of California racing will be felt in the sales ring and breeding shed in seismic proportions.

The post Letter To The Editor: John Sikura appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Off right at her morning-line odds of 5-1, West Point Thoroughbreds and William Sandbrook's Pillar of Beauty (f, 2, Caracaro–Port Marazion, by Point of Entry) took a gap at the fence at midstretch and outfinished the once-raced Elenique (Leinster) to open her account stylishly at first asking in the opening race Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Bought back on a bid of just $16,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale, Pillar of Beauty was entered for, but scratched from the OBS March Sale and was re-routed for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale about two months later. She was put through an energetic gallop at Timonium and impressed enough bidders to attract a hammer price of $200,000.

Off to an alert beginning from gate two, the bay filly led for a stride or two from between rivals very early on before coming back to Junior Alvarado and finding the box seat from third.

Just short of running room when the real running was about to begin approaching the eighth pole, Pillar of Beauty was angled down to the inside and was able to sustain her momentum, doing her best work through the line to graduate comfortably when all was said and done.

From the female family of MGSW & MGISP Pomeroys Pistol, the dam of sire Thousand Words (Pioneerof the Nile), Pillar of Beauty has a yearling full-brother and his dam is due to Crestwood's Stage Raider for 2026.

1st-Gulfstream, $42,300, Msw, 12-20, 2yo, f, 5fT, :55.10, fm, 1 1/4 lengths.
PILLAR OF BEAUTY (f, 2, Caracaro–Port Marazion, by Point of Entry) jumped just north of her 5-1 morning line Sales history: $16,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $24,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-West Point Thoroughbreds & William Sandbrook; B-Pope McLean, Marc McLean & Pope McLean Jr (KY); T-William I Mott.

PILLAR OF BEAUTY ($12.60) squeezes through the rail under @JuniorandKellyA to win on debut at @GulfstreamPark for trainer Bill Mott and owners @westpointtbred and William Sandbrook. Congratulations to the connections with this 2YO filly by Caracaro who stands at @CrestwoodKY. pic.twitter.com/Smn3J0qpoE

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 20, 2025

The post Caracaro Filly Pillar of Beauty a Professional Debut Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Maiden special weight, allowance, maiden optional claiming, and open stakes races at Gulfstream Park will get a Florida-bred purse boost beginning Jan. 1, according to a Friday afternoon release from the Hallandale oval. Gulfstream will increase the purses by using funds from the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF).

The FBIF for all maiden special weight and allowance races will increase from $5,000 to $10,000, maiden optional claimers will be upped from $43,000 to $50,000, and all open stakes purses of $150,000 or less will get an increase of $25,000. 1/ST Racing President Stephen Screnci said additional FBIF money will be used in the months ahead.

“The FBIF funds have allowed Gulfstream Park to continue offering Florida-bred restricted races through the Championship Meet,” said Screnci. “For the last Championship Meet we paid out approximately $1.3 million.”

The post Gulfstream Increases Florida-Bred Purses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It's a piece of legislation not introduced yet, but that didn't stop two industry leaders from discussing at last week's racing symposium in Arizona a proposed immigration change that could alter the way the sport's workforce seeks employment here legally.

At the symposium, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) CEO Lisa Lazarus reportedly discussed a plan to expand P Visas to include equine workers with a built-in funding mechanism for the organization, according to BloodHorse.

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

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

The P Visa is broken into four categories geared toward individuals with specialized skills.

The P-1A is for athletes and sports teams (with an initial stay of up to five years). The P-1B is for skilled entertainers who form part of an entertainment troop. The P-2 is an artist and professional entertainer exchange program. The P-3 is for artists whose work is considered culturally unique. The last three categories come with an initial stay of a maximum one year.

TDN obtained a draft version of a piece of legislation that has been shared among industry leaders, its structure mirroring what morsels of information were shared last week. The important caveat is that this is not the final version of the bill to be introduced–if indeed it eventually is.

The draft P Visa legislation is geared toward equine workers who either care, feed, groom or train horses involved in equine sporting competitions, or who are involved in the breeding of horses that compete. The visa fee, as per this draft, is $1,500.

For those equine workers performing tasks that fall under HISA's auspices, 100% of these monies will go into a Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-managed fund to be used “for the awarding of grants to States in which the State racing commission elects to remit fees pursuant to section 1203(f)(2) of the Consolidated Appropriations Act.”

As to the monies collected for equine workers not covered under HISA, 50% would be used under the Department of Veterans Affairs Adaptive Sports Grant Program for disabled veterans and disabled members of the armed forces. The other 50% of the fees collected would go into an “Equine Aftercare Fund” for equine aftercare programs.

As drafted, this visa pathway wouldn't be available to the immigrant backstretch workforce already here.

A spokesperson for Kentucky representative Andy Barr–who National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) president Tom Rooney reportedly said provided the idea behind the legislation–described its progress as being in its formative stages.

“While we don't have legislation that Congressman Barr is endorsing or introducing yet, we are engaging with industry stakeholders, Congressional leadership, and the Administration to find the right path forward. President Trump and Congressman Barr have delivered great victories for the industry–including the enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and the 100% bonus depreciation provision of the Big Beautiful Bill that led to record yearling sales at Keeneland this year,” wrote Barr's communications director, Alex Bellizzi.

Neither the NTRA nor HISA shared more than what was detailed last week, though spokespersons for both expressed support for a P Visa expansion proposal.

“We know the industry needs more visas in general and needs more workers, so anything that does that we're in support of,” said NTRA communications director Thomas Meis.

“We are excited for the potential of the P Visa expansion. We have no further comment beyond what Lisa and Tom shared at Symposium. Happy to have a conversation when legislation is introduced,” wrote a HISA spokesperson.

Coady

If and when this legislation is introduced, it will surely face stiff political headwinds. It was all the way back in 1986 that major immigration reform was passed on Capitol Hill.

Added to that, Barr faces a contentious battle for the Kentucky senate seat soon to be vacated by Mitch McConnell. One of his rivals is trainer Dale Romans, who has made very clear that immigration reform is a backbone of his campaign.

Given how Washington continues to be riven by political dysfunction, is this the right time to be pushing important immigration reform for the industry?

“I believe that the timing might be ideal for an immigration program that has all of the requirements for both sides of the aisle,” said California Horse Racing Board vice chairman Oscar Gonzales, pointing to a climate characterized by an immigration crackdown that has targeted communities heavily reliant on immigrant labor, as well as the ongoing affordability problem.

“If the equine community can prove that a segment of the worker population can get some form of work permits–in this case the P Visas–then perhaps that could be a model for other industries,” Gonzales added.

The post P Visa Expansion for Equine Workers: What’s Currently Known? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.