Thoroughbred Daily News

He's not only back, he might be even better than he was last year. 'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (h, 5, Lope de Vega {Ire})–Zindaya, by More Than Ready), a back-to-back Grade I winner in 2024 before an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, unleashed a scintillating turn of foot in his 5-year-old debut at Keeneland Friday, capturing the $650,000 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes by 4 1/4 widening lengths. There was no catching the 4-5 favorite as 3-1 second choice Integration (Quality Road), most recently second in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, chased him home and last year's GI Belmont Derby winner Trikari (Oscar Performance) got up for third.

Make no mistake; Carl Spackler was very, very good last year. Winner of four black-type events in 2024, including a victory over this course in October when he captured the GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes and both the GI Fourstardave Handicap and GIII Kelso Stakes at Saratoga, Carl Spackler was an Eclipse Award finalist in the division that ultimately went to Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). However, his performance Friday unlocked a new level of flamboyance throughout the stretch.

“Turning for home, I thought maybe I moved too soon, but he was just that good,” said Flavien Prat, who was subbing for regular pilot Tyler Gaffalione. Prat picked up the mount while Gaffalione recovers from a broken ankle.

CarI Spackler, with his distinctive facial markings, settled into a restrained fourth on the outside behind the Maker's Mark early leader, last-out GIII Tampa Bay Stakes runner-up Northern Invader (Collected), who set a :23.67 and :48.06 pace. Done with biding his time after the backstretch journey, Carl Spackler unleashed an Arazi-like move when Prat gave him his cue on the final turn. The popular chestnut ranged up in full flight while several paths wide and snatched a head advantage while still two furlongs from home. Under little more than a hand ride, Carl Spackler quickly opened up a daylight lead in the stretch. Prat gave him a right-handed reminder down the lane, but victory was well in hand as the duo cruised under the wire much the best under a mild drive. They covered the eight furlongs over a good course in 1:36.56, slower than his Turf Mile last year (1:34.23), but that was over firm going and it's hard to beat the visual impression of Friday's performance.

“He went a little quicker than I was expecting, to be honest,” said Prat. “I was traveling well, and I thought the leader kind of had an easy lead. So I tipped him out just to make sure I could get myself going, and that's when he really jumped on the bridle.”

Among Carl Spackler's six lifetime graded wins were back-to-back GII Hall of Fame and GIII Saranac scores at the Spa in 2023. He looked on his way to being in the upper echelon of 3-year-old turf runners in the U.S. when he colicked that fall, necessitating surgery and eight months away from the races. He recorded four consecutive triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures last year, including a career-top 106 in the Fourstardave. Carl Spackler joins Wise Dan and Perfect Soul (Ire) as Turf Mile winners who came back the next spring to win the Maker's Mark Mile.

The Maker's Mark Mile win was one of eight graded wins overall at Keeneland for e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, whose Bob Edwards was on hand to receive a Keeneland tray. In addition to Carl Spackler, e Five Racing's other graded winners in Lexington have included Rushing Fall (More Than Ready) and Good Magic (Curlin).

“It's really cool to be in that list [of Keeneland tray honorees],” said Edwards. Regarding Carl Spackler, “He's a homebred, which is spectacular for us, and obviously a family favorite.”

Pedigree Notes:

Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, a breeding arm of e Five Racing, bred Carl Spackler in Ireland, but has since returned his dam to the U.S. where she produced an Uncle Mo colt last year and a Justify colt for the operation Mar. 3. Among Zindaya's wins for e Five were the 2016 GII Goldikova Stakes. A half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley), Zindaya has also produced last October's G3 Darley Prix des Reservoirs runner-up, Sandtrap (Ire), a full-brother to Carl Spackler. e Five sold Sandtrap for 350,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in Book 1 to A.C. Elliott. Carl Spackler was a 350,000gns RNA at that same sale.

Carl Spackler is one of 76 graded/group winners worldwide for Lope de Vega, a son of Shamardal who stands at Ballylinch Stud in County Kilkenny. Also the sire of 145 black-type winners, the wildly successful Lope de Vega finished 2024 second on the European sire list only to Dubawi (Ire) by earnings, but led in several metrics, including by Group 1/Grade I winners (six) and by black-type winners (35).

#6 CARL SPACKLER ($3.66) is back!! The five-year-old horse by Lope De Vega leaves his competition behind in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at @KeenelandRacing. Flavien Prat was aboard for trainer Chad Brown.

A fitting win during Masters Week! pic.twitter.com/AHcrCWF37r

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025

Friday, Keeneland
MAKER'S MARK MILE S.-GI, $552,013, Keeneland, 4-11, 4yo/up, 1mT, 1:36.56, gd.
1–CARL SPACKLER (IRE), 123, h, 5, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
            1st Dam: Zindaya (GSW, $567,240),
                        by More Than Ready
            2nd Dam: Aristocratic Lady, by Kris S.
            3rd Dam: American Dynasty, by Quiet American
'TDN Rising Star'. (350,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-e Five
Racing Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (IRE);
T-Chad C. Brown; J-Flavien Prat. $302,250. Lifetime Record:
12-8-1-0, $1,910,725. Werk Nick Rating: C+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Integration, 123, h, 5, Quality Road–Harmonize, by Scat
Daddy. ($700,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG). O-West Point
Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing LLC; B-Larkin Armstrong
(KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $126,750.
3–Trikari, 123, c, 4, Oscar Performance–Dynamic Holiday,
by Harlan's Holiday. ($9,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $27,500 Ylg '22
OBSOCT). O-Amerman Racing LLC; B-Michael A Slezak & Amy
Boll (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $63,375.
Margins: 4 1/4, 1HF, HD. Odds: 0.83, 3.10, 6.34.
Also Ran: Northern Invader, Grand Aspen, Funtastic Again, Silent Heart. Scratched: Santorini, Seminole Chief.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post He’s Back! Carl Spackler Wins Maker’s Mark Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Speedier furlongs were harder to come by during Friday's sixth session of the under-tack show ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training with only a pair of juveniles breaking out of the pack to share the co-fastest time in :9 4/5. A pair of colts, both from the consignment of Hoppel LLC, had no issue however in putting up blazing fast times during their quarter-mile works Friday morning. Going about an hour apart, colts by Yaupon (hip 875) and Maclean's Music (hip 1017) ripped through a quarter-mile in :20 2/5, matching the fastest time of the under-tack show thus far.

“Both of the horses were fast at the farm,” said Jesse Hoppel. “They were fast in their preps and I expected them to be really fast in the breeze show. I know coming in that today would be our fastest day of breezers. It's been a long week waiting on them.”

Of the decision to work this colts over the quarter-mile versus the furlong, Hoppel said: “They're both very aggressive, scopey and they stand over some ground. These horses are going to have to run further in the races and I thought [the quarter] would give a better preview of what these horses are going to be like as race horses.”

The Yaupon colt, out of a Scat Daddy half-sister to MSW Saratoga Snacks (Tale of the Cat), Peruvian GSW Rajman (Thunder Gulch) and to the dam of MSW Split Time (Take Charge Indy), was one of the first runners out at 8 am. His $260,000 KEESEP tag last year made him part of Yaupon's stellar first-crop sales season.

“[The Yaupons] have hit the scene hard and fast,” Hoppel said of hip 875. “I brought this horse here because it's my home field and I felt like he was one of my best individuals this year. I knew early on, back home on the dirt tracks, that this horse was expectional. I've had very few horses of his level in my care. That tells me maybe the Yaupons are going to go on and do something. They've jumped through the yearling hoop and now the 2-year-old hoop. Let's see how they graduate on the race track.”

Going out shortly after 9 a.m., the Maclean's Music colt, who RNA'd for $235,000 at Keeneland September, is out of daughter of Canadian Champion Older Mare Embur's Song (Unbridled's Song) who has already produced two winners from as many runners including 'TDN Rising Star' Cut the Dust (Not This Time). The family also includes MGISW Exaggerator (Curlin).

The third worker of three Friday for the Hoppel consignment has a pedigree which needs little introduction. The colt, by Gun Runner (hip 994) out of the Henny Hughes mare Drumette, is a half to dual Eclipse winner Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) and to GSW Mr. Monomoy (Palace Malice) and worked his eighth in :10 1/5 midway through the morning. Consigned by Hoppel here, he last RNA'd for $325,000 at Keeneland September last year.

“That horse did everything like he should,” Hoppel said. “He's a big, pretty colt that has a lot of the attributes of Gun Runner. I'm very happy with him.”

After selling all but one of his nine-horse consignment at OBS March, Hoppel looks to keep the momentum going into April.

“March felt like we were in a very healthy marketplace here at OBS,” he said. “Typically, that's a leading indicator for these 2-year-old sales if March is off and running. It was a good bellwether for us this year and I don't see any reason why it shouldn't carry on in April and the following sales.”

Keeping the fast quarter-mile times coming, a Hard Spun filly (hip 898) consigned by Ocala Stud and a colt from the first crop of Silver State (hip 935) consigned by Tom McCrocklin both went in :20 3/5 earlier in the morning.

A colt from the first crop of Silver State (hip 903) was one of just two break the 10-second barrier Friday morning. Consigned by Brittany Dallaire's Envision Equine, the colt is the second foal out of a winning Distorted Humor mare from the family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver.

The under-tack show concludes with a final session Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

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People get into horse racing in a lot of different ways; Dana Zook–who currently works as foreman for the Mike Maker stable–ended up in the sport after being literally plucked off a baseball field when he was 12 years old.

Zook is the guest on this week's edition of the Boundless Podcast, produced and hosted by Ferrin Peterson, a jockey and practicing veterinarian in Kentucky and Ohio.

“I found my way into racing off of a ballfield,” recalled Zook. “A gentleman came to me and asked me if I'd like to make a dollar getting on a horse. I said, `yeah, I'll do that.'” He told Zook he had three horses at a nearby track and needed someone to ride them. “He said, `hop in the car,' and I was a little tentative, but that dollar overrode that.” Zook earned the three dollars getting on each of the horses and successfully navigating his way around the track, but, he said with a laugh, it took him five times around the track to pull up the first horse.

He did well enough that the trainer offered him the chance to learn how to be a jockey. “I didn't know what a jockey was, but it paid $7 a week.”

Thus began a career that has lasted over 20 years and which saw him ride 2,336 winners. He went from groom and exercise rider to jockey to his current position with Maker.

Click here to watch the podcast on YouTube, or here to listen to it on Spotify.

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The road to the 151st GI Kentucky Derby concludes with Saturday's GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland. Qualifying points are awarded to the first five finishers on a 20-10-6-4-2 scale, but won't be enough to have an impact on the first Saturday in May.

With a field of nine entered and at least a pair of scratches anticipated, favoritism should come down to either 'TDN Rising Star' Bullard (Gun Runner) or Praetor (Into Mischief).

Scratched out of the GII Rebel S. due to a fever, the impressive last-to-first GIII Bob Hope S. winner and last-out GII San Vicente S. third-place finisher Bullard makes his first start beyond seven furlongs in the 1 1/16-mile Lexington. Bullard, a $675,000 KEESEP graduate, is campaigned in partnership by Talla Racing, St. Elias Stables, breeder Three Chimneys Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds. His conditioner Michael McCarthy also trains imposing Kentucky Derby favorite and GI Santa Anita Derby hero Journalism (Curlin).

“It's the first time around two turns, but it's a good spot,” West Point's Terry Finley said. “We didn't get sucked into one of the big preps. There was a thought to go to the Santa Anita Derby, but we took the route of least resistance here and we hope it sets him up for a very good year.”

Finley continued, “I like where it falls on the calendar and certainly sets horses up, if they were to run well, to come back in three weeks and run in the (GII) Pat Day Mile or the (GI) Preakness or any of those other spots.”

The Chad Brown-trained Praetor, a $725,000 KEESEP yearling purchase, earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure graduating at second asking, narrowly defeating the Kentucky Derby-bound Sovereignty (Into Mischief) going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Sept. 27. He proved well worth the wait, airing in an optional claimer going a one-turn mile at Gulfstream off the bench Mar. 9. He makes his two-turn debut in the Lexington. Praetor is owned in partnership by William H. Lawrence, CHP Racing and Gainesway Stable.

Gosger (Nyquist), a half-brother to GISW Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah), also tries two turns for the first time. He graduated like a good thing going a mile at second asking for trainer Brendan Walsh at Gulfstream last time Feb. 15.

Touchy (Nyquist) and Rolando (Vekoma) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland earlier this week on Monday.

Keeneland's Saturday program also prominently features a fantastic renewal of the GI Jenny Wiley S. The field of nine is headed by the rail-drawn, 5-2 morning-line favorite Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), who was knocked down for €1,600,000 by Stamford Bloodstock/ Meridian Bloodstock on behalf of John Stewart's Resolute Racing at Arqana December. The G3 Prix de Psyche heroine and G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up makes her first start for Chad Brown, who has won six out of the last seven renewals of the Jenny Wiley.

She'll meet G2 Balanchine S. winner Choisya (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. one-two Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) and Sacred Wish (Not This Time); and streaking GII Mrs. Revere S. winner Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach).

Horse of the Year and 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) is the 2-5 program favorite for Saturday's GI Apple Blossom H. at Oaklawn Park. Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine kicked off her 4-year-old campaign with a 3 1/2-length decision in the track-and-trip GII Azeri S. Mar. 8.

“We're 2-5 favorites, so it's her race for the taking,” trainer Ken McPeek said. “But we're not going to take anything for granted.”

Thorpedo Anna | Coady Media

She will face six rivals, led by Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy), who aired in a local optional claimer with a 103 Beyer Speed Figure last out Mar. 15.

Oaklawn's 12-race card also includes the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H. 'TDN Rising Star' Booth (Mitole) is the clear-cut horse to beat following a pair of sharp, wire-to-wire victories for Steve Asmussen in Hot Springs, led by the GIII Whitmore S. Mar. 15. Booth's sire the mighty Mitole captured the Count Fleet for the Hall of Fame trainer six years ago.

“He's just matured into his own,” Asmussen said. “It's great to see Mitole reproduce something so similar to him.”

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Around this time last week, Case Clay, U.S. racing manager to the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing, was trackside at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, closely monitoring the operation's two Thoroughbred entries for the Dubai World Cup meeting–Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) in the main event and Flood Zone (Frosted) for the G2 UAE Derby.

Clay hot-footed it to the airport after the races to board a Sydney-bound A380 for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale and spent a few days there before heading back to the States. Contacted Friday while attending the penultimate under-tack preview for next week's OBS April Sale, Clay fought through any residual jet-lag to discuss plans for the immediate future for both runners.

A decided longshot against the likes of the prohibitively favored Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Hit Show took flight in the stretch and was taking ground off the leaders, but even Clay was surprised at the end result.

“From our standpoint, from where we were standing, we were thinking, 'Oh good, he's going to get up for third,' and then from 100 meters out he hit a different gear and it's 'oh my goodness, we might win this,'” he said.

“Did I expect to win the race? No. He's a consistent horse and he ships well, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that he would hit the board,” he added.

Despite a sharp victory in the GIII Louisiana Handicap in January, Hit Show had not yet been invited to the World Cup and the decision was made to use the GI Santa Anita Handicap as something of an audition for the $12-million contest.

“Wathnan wants to buy horses and try to win races the Emir would be proud of and the Dubai World Cup was always the target,” Clay explained. “Until we shipped, he had not been invited, but we found out before the race that he was in. We decided to go to Santa Anita anyways. Sure, he was well behind Locked (Gun Runner), but he'd won a bunch of races since we bought him and thought he fit.”

Clay indicated that Hit Show would get some 'deserved' time off and that races like the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Breeders' Cup Classic would be in play later this year. The World Cup was a Breeders' Cup qualifier.

“It was neat to learn that a mile and a quarter suits him, so loosely I am thinking about the Jockey Club Gold Cup, but [trainer] Brad [Cox] has managed this horse so beautifully, so we'll talk to him and see what he thinks,” he said.

Clay called Flood Zone's distant seventh in the UAE Derby a 'flat' effort.

“It was uncharacteristic of him, you compare his first three races to that and he was just flat,” he said. “We'll map out a plan for him and give him an opportunity to show what he did in his first three races.”

Courtesy of his victory in the GIII Gotham Stakes, Flood Zone currently sits on 50 points, enough to be part of the field on the first Saturday in May, but Clay is skeptical the colt will take up the assignment.

“I don't think he'll go to the Derby,” he said. “It would be quite a tall task. Had he hit the board [in the UAE Derby], we probably would have strongly considered it. But I am doubtful that he'll go.”

With news emerging Friday that UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) would also be passing the Derby, Grande (Curlin), runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes for Repole Stable, has gained a spot in the field. If Flood Zone is officially declared out of the race, that would move Madaket Road (Quality Road) into the final spot.

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3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 4-11, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:35.89, fm, 2 3/4 lengths.
LOW KEY IN LOVE (f, 3, Quality Road–Inlovewithlove, by Bernstein) started her career on the main track at Gulfstream Park Mar. 16 and ran a flat fourth behind 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief). Swapped to the turf here and with the wagering action focused on her and Elite Heat (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), the 3-2 favorite had to overcome some contact at the break but recovered well to establish a tracking trip through the half as the 9-5 second choice set the tempo. Three wide and looming the danger as they swung off the final bend, Low Key in Love overtook Elite Heat and cleared off to score by 2 3/4 lengths. The second-place finisher was well clear of the rest.

The victress is a half-sister to Lovely Bernadette (Wilburn), MGSW, $570,312, who joined the venerable Japanese program at Shadai Farm when she changed hands for $750,000 at KEENOV in 2018. Her first foal was Grand Bernadette (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), a Listed winner at Hanshin, and her second was King Pin (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) who dropped the hammer at a Japanese yearling auction at ¥220,000,000 (about $1,812,352). She's since produced a winner in 2025 as well.

Another half-sister to Low Key in Love, Maisie (Stay Thirsty), has produced two multiple winners. Their dam has a juvenile filly by Twirling Candy and a 2025 colt by Quality Road to her credit. This is the immediate female family of GSW & GISP Penny's Reshoot and MGSW Sapphire N' Silk. Sales history: $300,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $370,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $22,700. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Cambron Equine, LLC, Allen Northcutt, Gary Finder, Kurz Equine Investments, Kent & Sara Starr and Jeff Walsh; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.

#4 LOW KEY IN LOVE burst clear to win Race 3 at @TampaBayDownsFL to give jockey @JOCKEYSMARIN his 100th win of the meet!

The winner is a daughter of @LanesEndFarms Quality Road trained by Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/KCPdjTbq9q

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 11, 2025

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Tappan Street (Into Mischief) and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), one-two in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, breezed Friday morning at Payson Park while preparing for their scheduled starts in the GI Kentucky Derby.

WinStar Farm LLC, CHC Inc. and Cold Press Racing's Tappan Street, who defeated Sovereignty by 1 1/4 lengths Mar. 29, breezed a half-mile in company with 3-year-old stablemate Rapture (Uncle Mo).

“He went very well. I had him in :48 2/5, 1:01 3/5. It was a good move, executed very, very well. Obviously, inside of Rapture. It was maybe even better than expected,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I didn't do a tremendous amount with him. He was under a good hold throughout. Great move. Good horse, good move.”

Godolphin's Sovereignty, who captured the Mar. 1 GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth prior to his runner-up finish in the Curlin Florida Derby, breezed a half-mile in :48.40 for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

“He was into it. He's not a great work horse, but he went well,” Mott said. “Good sign that we're able to keep going.”

#ICYMI Work of the Day from #PaysonPark—Tappan Street (Outside) and Rapture worked 4 Furlongs in 48.40 on April 11th, 2025 for trainer @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/Jmq9FfCcJs

— 1/ST TV (@Watch1ST) April 12, 2025

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Live racing on Wednesday, Apr. 23 has been added to the spring meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced via press release Friday.

Following the cancellation of live racing on Sunday, Mar. 30, NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and have received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing on Apr. 23 at Aqueduct.

The Aqueduct spring meet, which features 13 stakes worth $2.8 million in total purses, continues through Sunday, Apr. 27.

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The Gerry Dilger Equine Foundation has opened the application process for its 2026 Irish National Stud Scholarship.

Applicants must be currently working on a Kentucky horse farm with multiple years of experience, or currently enrolled as a 2025 KEMI spring intern, or must have completed the program last fall. Also, those who apply must be a resident of the U.S. A bachelor's degree in equine science is preferred, but not required. Applications are due by July 1.

Scholarships cover airfare and tuition to the Irish National Stud in Kildare, Ireland, along with room and board. Travel and a medical insurance policy is also offered while abord.

Click here for more information, or to apply.

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Breeders' Cup Limited is once again rolling out its schedule for the 'Dirt Dozen,' an incentive-driven program offering participation bonuses to horsemen preparing runners for dirt races at the World Championships, the organizer said via a press release on Friday.

The 12-race slate–launched in 2022–features existing graded stakes races held from May through October at six racetracks across the United States.

“We are pleased to continue our valued Dirt Dozen program,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Offering $525,000 in awards toward entry fees for our Championship dirt races, the program provides significant advantages to many horsemen. We look forward to extending the incentives once again to connections preparing for dirt division races as we return to Del Mar.”

The Dirt Dozen program will continue to award bonus credits for first- through third-place finishers in applicable races. These credits can be applied by horsemen toward entry fees for one of the following six Breeders' Cup World Championships dirt races, including:

• GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff;
• GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint;
• GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile;
• GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies;
• GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint;
• GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

For Dirt Dozen races within the $2 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier is set at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. While races within the $1 million Breeders' Cup divisions have a bonus tier of $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third.

Contenders are eligible to accumulate multiple awards that may be applied toward eligible Championship dirt race entry fees.

Click here for the full 'Dirt Dozen' schedule.

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The International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC)–part of the International Federation of Horseracing (IFHA)–has approved the promotion of Uruguay to Part I for the 2025 publication of the International Cataloguing Standards Book (ICS Book), the organization said in a release on Friday.

Ratified by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA), the country's promotion from Part II of the ICS Book sees it join Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Peru.

A total of 24 races in Uruguay are currently included in the “Other Races” section of Part I (two Group 1 races, four Group 2 races and 18 Group 3 races), as well as 26 races in Part II that are recognized as international Listed races. These races will continue in this regard as per their current Group and Listed status.

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Guests Andrew Offerman of NYRA, Cathy Shircliff of Churchill Downs, Del Mar's David Jerkens and 1/ST Racing's Jodie Vella-Gregory, joined the latest installment of the OwnerView webinar series Apr. 8 to discuss how they ensure owners take center stage in their operations, according to a Friday press release from The Jockey Club of America who serves as one of the hosts.

The panel discussed a myriad of topics related to how to improve an owner's experience at the racetrack, and the group addressed the all-important issue of how to attract new connections to the game.

“I think that it's an area that falls into the void quite frankly, because I think that it's not determined whether that's a racetrack responsibility, a trainer responsibility, an industry responsibility,” Offerman said. “And I think that there are a lot of individuals out doing things to promote, whether it be certain micro-share groups or certain forms of ownership.”

Co-hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden, the panel was sponsored by Muirfield Insurance and New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.

A Q&A was sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, and attendees were able to ask questions through a link, which were answered at the conclusion of the session.

Click here to access the webinar's full library.

The post Laws Of Attraction, Racetrack Execs Join Latest Installment Of OwnerView Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

News this week out of the Maryland state legislature has mainly concerned lawmakers moving oversight of the rebuilding of Pimlico Racecourse (among other industry operations) from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation.

What garnered far less coverage was the successful passage of another bill that designates $250,000 annually for the next two fiscal years towards needed services for the backstretch staff living and working at Laurel Park.

“I think this is unique,” said Mary Kay Vavasour, who volunteers in the office of state delegate Mary Lehman, and is a long-time advocate for backstretch workers and Thoroughbred aftercare. She said she is unaware of another state legislature having funneled such significant state funds for racetrack workers.

“It reaffirms Maryland's seriousness about its embrace of racing and support for racing,” said Vavasour. “It also shows that when a state gets involved, it can also create another source of funds for some of the more neglected parts of racing.”

HB 337 provides $250,000 for the next two fiscal years to Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and the City of Laurel to be used for programs and services in the communities in and surrounding Laurel Racecourse. The funding is for Laurel Park's backstretch workers and their families only.

More specifically, these grant monies can be used for health and mental health services, counseling and social services, drug and alcohol addiction awareness and treatment, and nutrition and wellness programs, as well as transportation to off-site programs.

According to Vavasour, there are an estimated 1,000 backstretch workers and their families living at or near Laurel Park. The funds are designed to cover the remaining tenure of Laurel Park, before it's closed for good as part of a major reshuffle of the state's racing furniture.

Possible grantees need only apply if they've an established history of helping the backstretch community at Laurel. They must also employ Spanish-speaking staff, or else provide translation services.

Among some of the individuals and programs that provided testimony in support of the bill was Ronald Singh and Will Humphry of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of Maryland, as well as representatives from two local food distribution programs, including the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

Aside from Lehman, the bill's sponsors include state delegates Sandy Bartlett (D), Pam Guzzone (D), Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D), Deni Taveras (D), and Jen Terrasa (D).

The funds, said Vavasour, will shore up needed services for the backstretch community at Laurel Park, the vast majority of whom are workers who have come to the state to work in racing over multiple generations from just five or six small Mexican villages.

“This is like a family business. These are people that are raised to do this. They are taught horsemanship from one generation to the next,” she said, stressing the need of fostering a strong backstretch community to help this familial connection thrive. “If this community were to go away, racing would collapse here.”

The post Maryland Legislature Passes `Unique’ Bill to Support Backstretch Workers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

9th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 4-10, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:35.60, fm, 2 1/4 lengths.
OBEISSANTE (f, 3, Into Mischief–Lucky Folie {SW, $118,292}, by Distorted Humor) was unveiled on the Gulfstream turf in a sprint Feb. 15 and finished fifth. Drawn along the rail for her first two turn test and as a 7-2 shot here, the homebred settled midpack under a firm hold heading to the initial call. Obeissante bided her time up the backstretch, but around the far turn she began to get into gear by executing a sweeping move to the five path. With a strong turn of foot, the Todd Pletcher trainee suddenly jetted down the lane and seized the day by 2 1/4 lengths over the pacesetting favorite Bojaca Blessing (Cairo Prince). A half-sister to Ambitieuse (Medaglia d'Oro), GSP, $86,920, the winner is her dam's last registered foal of record. Lucky Folie visited Curlin for this term. Digging into Obeissante's extended female family, we find Gulfstream Park turf sprint specialist & MSW Coppola (Into Mischief). Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $26,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Wertheimer Et Frere (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

#1 OBEISSANTE ($9.20) surges down the outside with an explosive kick to easily get up and win race 9 at Gulfstream Park. The daughter of Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) was ridden by @zayas_edgardo and is trained by Todd Pletcher. pic.twitter.com/UJarc7O8CN

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 10, 2025

The post Into Mischief Filly Obeissante Jets Home Late At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services sold four broodmares–along with their foals–and a yearling colt as part of a major reduction of Merriebelle Stable during the Fasig-Tipton Digital April Sale which concluded Wednesday. Crimson Frost (Stormy Atlantic) (hip 12), who sold with her Forte colt, brought the group's top price when selling for $240,000 to Gracie Bloodstock.

“A few weeks ago, I learned we needed to address our budget for the next year or two rather aggressively,” Bluegrass Thoroughbred's Sandy Stuart said of the Merriebelle reduction. “My first call was to an appraiser we have always used, John Donaldson, and his advice was, 'You need to call [Fasig-Tipton President] Boyd [Browning] and use their new digital system. That's where you are going to save a lot of time and generate the demand you need.”

The decision was made to offer mares from the Merriebelle band in three phases, beginning with mares with young foals who had not yet been bred back.

“In talking with Fasig-Tipton and learning about the whole process at this time of year, what we needed to do was offer a mare who has not foaled, or has recently foaled and not yet been bred back, or wait until about 45 days pregnancy and offer them. So we have three rounds of sales in mind. We are going to use the May sale and the June sale.”

Stuart admitted to some anxious moments ahead of a somewhat atypical time on the calendar to be selling mares.

“Offering foals that are one to three weeks old, I worried that the normal immaturity in angular limb conformation angles could be a significant detractor to buyers,” he said. “But not in Kentucky with the depth of experienced horseman. During a call about a mare and foal that had RNA'd, I texted a foal's walking video taken that morning to a buyer who has raised thousands of foals in his career and within a minute, we had a deal.”

While actors are cautioned never to work with animals and children, Stuart said these young foals learned the drill quickly.

“Theatrical is a good way to describe two- to three-week-old foals performing for the camera,” he said. “It was fun to see the difference from the day we did the first photos and videos and then the final day. I got a couple videos of foals to send to people and it would have taken five inspections to get a video this good on day one and in a short amount of time, these little foals became trained sales horses. It was really cool.”

The massive storms that tore through Kentucky over the weekend made showing the mares and foals more difficult, but Stuart credited the team at Merriebelle's Chanteclair Farm base with getting the job done. Merriebelle partner Charlie Noell and his family now race under the name Bell Tower Stable, which owns Chanteclair Farm.

“Once the weekend downpour slowed, Declan Burke and his team at Chanteclair accommodated about 30 mid-day inspections of yearlings, mares and foals,” Stuart said. “It was helpful that Fasig-Tipton postponed the sale by one day.”

The Merriebelle breeding operation received a boost even as the online auction was underway when its graduate Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) finished second in the GI Ashland Stakes at Keeneland Monday.

“The Ashland result was neat,” Stuart said. “It helps highlight that some of the goals for the program are to support stallion shares like Take Charge Indy. We enjoyed a little bit of a celebration Monday. It was a rewarding race on a weekend where we were otherwise getting into something of a dispersal.”

The highlight of the April offerings was stakes winner and graded-placed Crimson Frost, who received her own timely update when her first foal, 'TDN Rising Star' Crimson Light (City of Light) returned to the winner's circle at Aqueduct Saturday and is now two-for-two in his career.

“She makes very good physicals,” said Chris Gracie, who purchased the mare on behalf of an undisclosed client. “The Forte at her side was exceptional. She is a mare with a bit of pedigree and she has a very nice foal at her side. And she makes a very good physical. So when you want horses that can make those kind of babies, you have to pay for them.”

Of the result, Stuart said, “Crimson Frost drew a lot of visitors to the farm and the colt showed great. It turned out to be a good result.”

Buyers will get another chance to purchase mares from the Merriebelle reduction next month with the Fasig-Tipton Digital May Sale. Among the offerings will be the 4-year-old mare Bonaqua (Tonalist), who is in foal to Justify.

“I am just trying to offer any mares that I think will have commercial appeal and will bring a significant amount of revenue,” Stuart said. “Fasig was pretty great about making it all happen. We will hope we can get some good results in the May and June sales.”

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A quartet of juveniles shared the fastest time during the fifth session of the under-tack show held Thursday ahead of next week's Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Freshman stallion Yaupon, whose first runners hit the track this year, had another standout breeze session held under “ideal” conditions when a filly (hip 788) from his first crop worked in :9 4/5 for Joe Pickerrell's Pick View LLC.

“She's been lightning fast all year,” said Pickerrell of the filly he picked up for just $100,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale. “The wind turned around a little bit later in the day and probably affected some of the gallop outs but I thought she was one who would go fast no matter what time of day she went. She went out there and did her thing.”

The first foal out of a multiple stakes-winning first dam in Big Time, the filly was on Pickerrell's radar early after she brought $190,000 as a weanling at Keeneland November but failed to meet her reserve for $240,000 ten months later.

“We actually loved her at [Keeneland] September and they didn't get her sold,” said Pickerrell. “Then we followed her to on to [Fasig-Tipton] October and bought her there. We got lucky enough to get her.”

Spendthrift stallion Yaupon, who was a hit at the yearling sales with his first crop, has set another high bar heading into OBS April.

“I think we had 12 [Yaupon's] on the farm one point this year,” said Pickerrell of the GI Forego Stakes winner. “I've been telling anyone with a set of ears about Yaupon since we started training. I've got just a couple of broodmares personally but one has already been booked back to him for this year.”

Pick View had another Yaupon (hip 817) in their consignment work in :10 earlier in the day.

“I expect big things out of him,” Pickerrell continued. “I always watch Steve Asmussen's stallions because they always seem to show up when you start seeing babies. I think [this crop] is going to come out running.”

With the tariffs (at least temporarily) on pause, Pickerrell was hopeful that would provide both consigners and buyers some relief ahead of next week's sale.

“There's of course uncertainty with the tariffs,” he said. “But I think we bought a little bit of time and we'll get some stability here. There's a lot of momentum, the purses are awesome and the horses are still valuable if they're successful. So I think there's a lot of positives to buy horses right now.”

Three other juveniles shared the fastest time with colts by first-crop sire Essential Quality (hip 775) and Maximus Mischief (hip 792) joining a Justify filly (hip 741) atop the board. An additional four runners shared the co-fastest quarter-mile time with three of the four coming from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment including a colt by Honest Mischief (hip 734), a filly by Bolt d'Oro (hip 799) and a filly from the first crop of runners by Horse of the Year Knicks Go (hip 736). Sharing the accolade with that trio is a Vekoma colt (hip 787) consigned by Ocala Stud.

Maclean's Music Colt A Bright Spot For Kinsman Farm

Also breezing later in the day, a colt by Maclean's Music (hip 704) was the sole worker on the day for Ocala-based Kinsman Farm and trainer Emily Dawson. Out of a half-sister to Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska (Super Saver), the colt worked in :10 flat and is already a half to pair of winners in Mischievous Doll (Into Mischief) and American Forces (American Pharoah).

“He had prepped quite well for us so we were really expecting [a good breeze],” said Dawson. “He galloped out quite well and we've been really pleased with how he went. He's been a straightforward colt all season and super professional.”

Kinsman Farm purchased the colt, who also counts MSW/GISP Trigger Warning and GISW J P's Gusto (Successful Appeal) as family members, for just $120,000 at Keeneland September last year with the intention of pinhooking him as a 2-year-old.

“He looked like the type of horse that could handle getting to a 2-year-old sale,” Dawson said of her fastest worker thus far. “He has a hard, fast look to him and a really strong hind end. Add in that he's perfectly clean on x-rays with a good scope and we hope he'll generate some attention.”

First dam American Doll, stakes placed herself, has seen sales-rings success for her foals already as her 3-year-old Constitution colt, now named Only in America, went the way of Robert and Lawana Low for $700,000 at Keeneland in 2023. And, like Pickerrell, Dawson was hopeful that her seven-strong consignment would be well-received at market next week.

“March was quite strong,” she said. “So I'm hopeful that that will continue.”

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

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Jill Byrne has been named Executive Director of The Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA), according to a release Thursday. Debbie Easter will remain with the VTA, serving on a wider range of industry initiatives with the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) of which she is President. Byrne will also continue to serve in her existing role as Vice-President of Marketing & Strategic Planning for the VEA.

A Virginia native and graduate of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Byrne served as an on-air host and handicapper with TVG in addition to holding positions as Senior Director of Industry Relations with the Breeders' Cup and Director of Broadcast Operations with Churchill Downs. She returned to Virginia to serve as VP of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs during the 2019 “Racing Revival” season and remained in that capacity for three more years before joining the VEA in 2023. With her combined VEA and VTA responsibilities, Byrne is once again based in Charlottesville where she works and resides.

“I look forward to continue to represent the Virginia horsemen and women, and work with all stakeholders as our racing and breeding programs in the state are growing and prospering,” said Byrne. “Virginia has a renowned history in the thoroughbred industry and our future is brighter than ever.”

Easter, added, “Our Virginia Equine Alliance team has accomplished so much over the last 7 years, but we need to continue to keep our foot on the gas if we are going to see continued growth for our Thoroughbred and Standardbred industries. Jill has done a fantastic job heading up marketing for the VEA and I am so pleased that she is willing to also take on a roll with the VTA. With her marketing knowledge and passion for Virginia's Thoroughbred industry, the VTA will be in very good hands.  This move will allow me to enhance my role as President of the Virginia Equine Alliance.  I can work even closer with Jeb Hannum (VEA Executive Director) to concentrate on the larger industry initiatives that will keep us moving forward into the future.”

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The schedule for the Horse Racing Women's Association's 2025 season will be headlined by the fourth annual HRWA Conference, previously known as the Summit, taking place for the first time in Lexington, Kentucky, Oct. 8-9. The event, sponsored by FanDuel TV, will be hosted at the Limestone Hall, located in the historic remodeled courthouse downtown.

“The 2025 HRWA events and conference are planned with great intention to engage, elevate, and invest in the women (and men) of our great sport as we strive to make constructive impact within our community,” said Stephanie Hronis, HRWA Executive Committee Chair. “Our collective goal is to cultivate opportunities that increase business connections, build and expand networks, and provide opportunities for professional and personal development that will ultimately benefit the workplace.”

In addition to the two-day conference in October, the HRWA will host several regional events across the country.

Full event list below:

June 27 – Day at the races: Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Canada

Oct. 8-9 – HRWA Conference: Lexington, Kentucky

Oct. 30 – Day at the races: Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, California

Tickets are on sale for our meet-ups at Woodbine and Del Mar via Eventbrite, and all HRWA members have access to discounted pricing. Tickets for the HRWA conference in Kentucky will be launched in the coming weeks.

“We're excited to bring the main conference to Lexington this year while expanding meetups at Gulfstream Park, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, and internationally at Woodbine Racecourse–continually striving to expand the reach and impact,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, Chair of the HRWA Event Logistics Committee.

The theme for the 2025 HRWA conference in October is “Racing Ahead: Empowering Women Through Connection And Collaboration,” with programming, speakers, and panel topics to be announced in the coming months.

For more information, visit www.horseracingwomen.com.

The post 2025 HRWA Conference to Be Held in Lexington For the First Time Oct. 8-9; FanDuel TV Returns as Title Sponsor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

There are more than three weeks to go before the running of the GI Kentucky Derby, but it wasn't too early for the TDN Writers' Room Podcast team to dive into last weekend's preps and look ahead to the first Saturday in May. The podcast is presented by Keeneland.

The team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and T.D. Thornton, all thought the best race of the week was the GI Santa Anita Derby, won by Journalism (Curlin). He overcame trouble to win the race and earned a solid 102 Beyer in the process. All agreed that he deserves to be the favorite in the Derby.

Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza (McKinzie) was also the subject of a lively debate. Moss called the half-brother to Classic winners Dornoch (Good Magic) and Mage (Good Magic) the second best 3-year-old in the country, behind only Journalism. But, at this time, he may not have enough points to get into the Derby field since the points were reduced for the Santa Anita Derby because of its small field, and he got only 37 1/2 points for finishing second. All agreed that he belongs in the Derby field, but there was also agreement that finding the perfect system for finding the 20 best 3-year-olds in training was an exercise in futility.

The team also went over the results of the GII Wood Memorial Stakes and the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Moss was particularly impressed with Blue Grass runner-up East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), but worried that the Brendan Walsh-trainee might be part of what could be a vicious speed duel.

Thornton went over the latest developments concerning the decoupling situation in Florida, where a Senate committee has said that Gulfstream cannot decouple for seven years. In a prior bill, the time frame was five years.

The Gainesway Guest of the Week was TDN European and International editor Emma Berry, who talked about how Donald Trump's proposed tariffs might affect European and U.S. racing. The podcast segment with Berry was taped before Trump called for a 90-day pause on implementing most tariffs.

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, the team  went over the many reasons there are to breed to WinStar stallion Cogburn. The fastest horses of the week were Journalism and Santa Anita allowance winner Wound Up (Mendelssohn). Both earned figures of 102.

The podcast, is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV.

Click here to watch the podcast and click here for the audio version.

The post TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Focuses On Derby, Derby Preps appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2025 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: 'Win and You're In' will feature 93 races in 15 countries, the most in the history of the event. Each winner receives an automatic berth into a corresponding race, with all fees covered.

In 2025, Breeders' Cup Challenge races have been or will be contested at premier tracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States and Uruguay.

While several international qualifiers–a record 49 overseas races are scheduled–have already been staged, the 44-strong domestic component of the series kicks off during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga June 6 and 7, with the GI Odgen Phipps Stakes (Distaff), GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (Dirt Mile) and GI Jaipur Stakes (Turf Sprint) offering Breeders' Cup spots to their winners.

Ten automatic berths are to be awarded for the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Three horses have already qualified for the centerpiece of the weekend–Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}, G1 Saudi Cup); Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}, G1 February Stakes); and Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}, G1 Dubai World Cup). The other qualifying races, all Grade I/Group 1 contests, include the Stephen Foster Stakes; Haskell Stakes; Whitney Stakes; Juddmonte International Stakes; Pacific Classic Stakes; Jockey Club Gold Cup; and the Goodwood Stakes.

As part of the benefits to horsemen, Breeders' Cup has allocated a record $6.51 million in free entry fees and $480,000 in domestic foal nominator awards for this year's Challenge Series and will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. If not already nominated, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 to receive the rewards.

In addition, Breeders' Cup will provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of California, and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters based outside of North America.

“It is immensely gratifying to see trainers and owners leverage the many opportunities offered by the Challenge Series, the leading pathway to a coveted spot in the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Chief Racing Officer at Breeders' Cup Limited. “We thank the racing authorities close to home and abroad for their crucial partnerships, and look forward to watching the world's best competitors prioritize the Challenge Series as their path to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.”

This year's running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will take place Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1. Click here for the complete Breeders' Cup Challenge schedule.

The post Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Features Record Races, Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.