Thoroughbred Daily News

The Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Kentucky is now under the ownership of Eagle Diagnostics, according to a release from the school. The newly branded Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences (EQIAS) Labs will continue to serve as a leader in anti-doping testing for the equine and competition animal industries, while expanding opportunities for research and innovation, the release said.

EQIAS Labs utilizes state-of-the-art analytical equipment to detect performance-enhancing drugs in horses and other animal species to ensure fairness, integrity and animal welfare. The laboratory also performs routine analytical tests, such as an equine prepurchase drug screen, to serve the equine industry.

EQIAS will maintain a collaborative partnership with the university to perform research studies to advance analytical testing capabilities, detect new and emerging threats and support the equine industry's initiative of ensuring equine safety and integrity.

The new director of EQIAS Labs is Travis Mays, Ph.D., a 20-year veteran of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory where he oversaw the daily operations of the drug testing and toxicology sections. His extensive background includes antidoping testing in racing and exhibition animals, veterinary toxicology, pharmacology and analytical chemistry.

“We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it brings,” said Chris West, CFO of Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, representing Eagle Diagnostics. “EQIAS Labs looks forward to continuing our strong collaboration with the University of Kentucky, fostering future research initiatives and advancements in equine science.”

Leaders from the university echoed how this transition can increase the lab's impact through research collaborations that support its drug testing operations and open new avenues for impactful scientific discovery.

“This transition underscores our commitment to meeting the highest industry standards for equine drug testing and expanding innovation and collaboration in equine research,” said Jamie Matthews, associate dean of research at UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We look forward to working closely with EQIAS Labs to ensure that the regulatory needs of the equine industry continue to be served.”

The post UK’s Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab Acquired By Eagle Diagnostics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 04/08/2025

Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 9, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saxton, who won at Laurel Park on 2/14/25.

Date: 04/07/2025

Licensee: Michael Matz, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 8, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carentan, who won at Gulfstream Park on 1/19/25.

Date: 04/04/2025

Licensee: Kasey Ray Kemper, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from El Siete Leguas on 2/24/25.

Pending ADMC Violations

04/09/2025, Scooter Davis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Uncaptured Star, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/15/25.

04/08/2025, Victor Barboza, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Gayles Evening during the race period, an event dated 3/2/25.

04/08/2025, Antonio Meraz, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cobalt Salts—a banned substance—in a sample taken from First Kitten, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/12/25.

04/07/2025, Greg Green, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine and Xylazine—both controlled substances (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ogailala on 3/7/25.

04/07/2025, Aldana Spieth, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Breath Deeply, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/1/25.

04/04/2025, Mark Simms, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from With Full Honors on 3/4/25.

04/04/2025, Sherry Janice Armstrong, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Truckin during the race period, an event dated 2/13/25.

04/04/2025, Ben Colebrook, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ibuprofen—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Interlock Empire, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 1/24/25.

Violations of Crop Rule

Gulfstream Park

Edwin Gonzalez – violation date April 4; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension

Mahoning Valley

Brandon Tapara – violation date April 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 3 – 9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton's April Digital Sale closed Wednesday afternoon with 64 horses sold for $1,822,500. The sale averaged $28,476 with a clearance rate of 74.4%. The catalogue offered horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, 2-year-olds in training, broodmares (including mares with foals at foot), and short yearlings.

Crimson Frost (Hip 12) sold for $240,000 to Gracie Bloodstock, agent, from the consignment of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent for a Major Reduction of Merriebelle Stable. The Stormy Atlantic mare received a timely update when her 2021 produce, the City of Light colt Crimson Light, won his second in a row on Apr. 5 at Aqueduct to remain undefeated. Crimson Frost sold with her current produce, a colt by Forte foaled March 16 in Kentucky.

Top hips sold also included:

I'm Mo Joke (Hip 107), a 3-year-old daughter of Practical Joke, sold for $130,000 to Joel Engelhart. I'm Mo Joke has two strong runner-up finishes in two career starts, both last month at Fair Grounds. She was offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

A yearling colt by Tiz the Law (Hip 36), sold for $105,000 to Machmer Hall/Evan and Scott Dilworth. The bay colt is a half-brother to two winners from two to race out of the stakes winning Smart Strike mare Smartfly. Hip 36 was offered by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent for a Major Reduction of Merriebelle Stable.

Nicole's Journey (Hip 3), a maiden winner by Arrogate, sold for $100,000 to Shawn Dugan, agent. The gray filly is a half-sister to Canadian champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia, who is now a multiple group stakes producer, and graded stakes placed blacktype winner Cross the Line, among others. Nicole's Journey was offered as a broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Poker Joker (Hip 20), a 4-year-old by Practical Joke, sold for $100,000 to Mike Maker. The chestnut gelding is on a five-race win streak, with his most recent win coming on Mar. 22 at Tampa Bay Downs. Poker Joker was offered as a horse of racing age by Grovendale Sales, agent.

“The market was fair across the board,” said Leif Aaron, Director of Digital Sales. “There was plenty of activity on the site and the clearance rate was healthy. The sale topper was a broodmare with foal at foot, the same as last year's April sale, and we can see this part of the market really growing in the future.”

Of the upcoming May Digital Sale, Aaron said, “We're looking forward to a strong contingent of racehorses next month. We've seen continued confidence from the domestic and international buying bench on this platform.”

Full results are available online.

The next digital sale will be the May Digital Sale, to be held May 8-13. Entries close Apr. 28.

The post Crimson Frost Tops Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A colt from the first crop of Independence Hall (hip 619) tied the time for the fastest quarter-mile of the week so far in Ocala when he worked the distance in :20 2/5 at the fourth session of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday.

Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the juvenile is out of Waltzing (Candy Ride {Arg}), a half-sister to graded winner Dancing Solo (Giant's Causeway) and to Grade I-placed Dancing (Bernardini). He was purchased by Ron Fein's Superfine for $285,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“Physically, he is absolutely stunning,” Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said of the colt. “He is as nice a horse as you're ever going to see. He is a big tall, rangy, stretchy horse. He trained as good as one could train all winter. He prepped really good over there. We went up there expecting him to work really big. We've never had a horse going :20 2/5 before, so were we expecting him to do that? No. But we were expecting him to work huge.”

Wavertree consigned Independence Hall to the 2019 Fasig-Tipton March sale where he RNA'd for $200,000.

“This horse looks a lot like his dad,” Dunne said of the bullet worker. “For me, Independence Hall was an atypical Constitution. He was a big, rangy horse, kind of long and lean. And that's how this horse is. He is out of a Candy Ride mare, so he probably gets a little bit of that from the Candy Ride, too.”

Wavertree will offer four juveniles by Independence Hall at the Spring sale. In addition to Wednesday's bullet worker, the consignment sent out hip 452 to work a quarter in :20 4/5 and hip 385 to work in :21 1/5 Tuesday.

“We bought quite a few of them as yearlings,” Dunne said. “We have four in here and we've worked three of them so far. They have all worked really well and we have a filly who works tomorrow and we expect she will work really well. We were impressed with them as yearlings. They were really good physicals. And so far, they have been very good on the racetrack.”

Winner of the 2021 GII Fayette Stakes, Independence Hall was represented by a $1-million colt (hip 404) at the OBS March sale last month. The 8-year-old stallion stands at WinStar Farm for $7,500.

Independence Hall isn't the only freshman sire Ciaran and his wife Amy have their eyes on. The couple campaigned multiple graded stakes winner Leinster (Majestic Warrior) in partnership during his racing career and now stand the stallion at Pleasant Acres Stallions. Leinster's daughter Lennilu captured the season's first juvenile race at Keeneland Sunday in Amy Dunne's colors.

“Fast,” Ciaran Dunne said of Leinster's first 2-year-olds. “It's very hard for us to be unbiased. He was obviously a horse who was really good to us. I would have said up until Sunday the greatest day we had in racing was the day he won the [2019 GIII] Troy. But I have to be honest, Sunday kind of surpassed that a little bit because our goal was to win the first 2-year-old race at Keeneland, never really expecting that to happen. So for her to go and do what she did was unbelievable.”

Lennilu | Coady Media

In addition to his immediate success on the track, Leinster also has enjoyed sales success this spring with a 2-year-old filly (hip 505) from Tom McCrocklin's consignment bringing $400,000 at the March sale.

The Dunnes have been breeding their own mares to Leinster with the plan to race, but Wavertree will offer a filly (hip 747) by the young stallion who is expected to work Thursday.

“We are only selling one that belongs to a friend of ours and we couldn't say no,” Dunne said. “All of our own and the couple that we bought, we are going to race. That was the plan. To try to run them and give him as good an opportunity as we can.”

Of Leinster's first 2-year-olds, Dunne added, “They are good-minded. He was a beautiful horse who loved to train and that's what we are seeing in them. And so far, touch wood, they have been very sound. I think everybody is going to think he's a grass horse. And maybe he is. But we've had no problem so far with them on the dirt. The ones we worked on the dirt have been really quick.”

Seven juveniles shared the fastest furlong bullet time of :9 4/5 Wednesday, bringing the total to hit that mark during four sessions of the under-tack show to 20.

Wednesday's bullet workers were: hip 531, a filly by Kantharos consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales; hip 564, a filly by Rock Your World consigned by Julie Davies; hip 578, a filly by Tiz the Law consigned by Kings Equine; hip 585, a colt by Yaupon consigned by de Meric Sales; hip 627, a colt by Complexity consigned by Top Line Sales; hip 677, a filly by Good Magic also consigned by Top Line Sales; and hip 680, a colt by Win Win Win consigned by Camelot Acres Racing and Sales.

Of conditions through four days of the seven-day under-tack show, Dunne said, “Everybody wants to beat up on the synthetic racetrack. But we had a ton of rain the night before last and we came out yesterday morning and the racetrack was fine. Everybody wants to talk about how great dirt is, but when it rains and you have a sloppy racetrack, you really don't want to work young horses on it. The great thing about the synthetic is it does stay consistent. The biggest factor for us nowadays is the wind. And some days that works for you and some days it seems to work against you.”

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.

The post ‘He is Absolutely Stunning:’ Independence Hall Colt Earns Bullet at OBS Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister) was humanely euthanized at Fawn Leap Farm outside Midway, Kentucky Monday, according to Debby Oxley, who phoned the TDN with the news.

In a remarkable achievement in last year's Kentucky Derby, Darling My Darling was the granddam of both the second- and third-place finishers, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). The pair ran first and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last fall.

“She's 28 years old and she is brought in every night and on Monday morning, they couldn't get her up,” said Oxley. “They tried for several hours and finally just had to send her on. She has lived here at Fawn Leap ever since she came off the racetrack.”

Darling My Darling was purchased as a yearling at the 1998 Keeneland September sale for $300,000. She broke her maiden in her first start and went on to be two-time GI stakes placed at two. She produced GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes winner Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon) as wel as GII Santa Ynez winner Forever Darling (Congrats), the dams of Sierra Leone and Forever Young, respectively. Sierra Leone topped the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale at $2.3 million.

“She just brought us so much joy and that continued on as a broodmare,” said Oxley. “We still have a lot of her offspring here at the farm. Heavenly Love has been a gift and Darling has just continued to give us things all these years. We're sorry to see her go, but this was a hard winter and that may have had something to do with it.”

Her ashes will be spread at the farm.

“I know it was expected, but at the same time, you never expect it,” Oxley said. “She was a very very special mare and it closes a chapter for her and for us. It's been a tough little go here. She was the queen of the farm.”

The post Darling My Darling, Granddam of Sierra Leone and Forever Young, Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fresh off a pair of wins to launch her sophomore campaign, D J Stable's Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) closed from off the pace to annex Tuesday's GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Content to survey a moderate opening pace of :23.31 and :47.45 set by longshot Fast Market (Volatile) from near midpack, the 6-5 choice began to mount her challenge while swinging to the outside turning for home. Gaining control midstretch, the favorite drifted out slightly, however, drew clear and was able to maintain a comfortable advantage late, finishing 2 1/4 lengths ahead of fellow Mark Casse trainee Vixen (Vekoma). Fionn (Twirling Candy) rounded up the Trifecta.

“It was very easy to get her in full stride down the lane,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “When I asked her to go, I kept her on the outside and then little by little she got into that stride.”

Irad Ortiz Jr., who was accompanying 2-1 second choice Vixen, indicated his filly ran a winning race in defeat.

“It was a beautiful trip,” he said. “I wish I could have moved earlier but was boxed in for a little bit. After that I got through really clear, and she was running down the lane, so I'm happy with her.”

Last season, Nitrogen finished second in her career debut at Woodbine in August before finishing a close-up third behind And One More Time Omaha Beach and Vixen in that oval's GI Natalma Stakes Sept. 14. The homebred rounded out her juvenile campaign with a third behind European invader Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar Nov. 1. Victorious in the Gulfstream's Ginger Brew in January, she added a score in the Mar. 8 GIII Florida Oaks at Tampa last time out.

“She's really good,” affirmed Casse following Tuesday's win. “I just kind of come along for the ride. She's an amazing filly. I think she's getting better and better, so we're going to keep our fingers crossed and hope she stays healthy. She's got a bright, bright future.”

As for what's next for the developing filly, he added, “The [GII] Edgewood [at Churchill Downs on May 2) is next. As long as everything's good, we'll go to the Edgewood and try to win that one.”

Pedigree Notes:
Tuesday's Appalachian victory gives Darley's versatile sire Medaglia d'Oro his 206th group/graded win. The winner's dam SP Tiffany Case–in foal to Violence–was purchased by D. J. Stable for $320,000 at Keeneland November in 2019. Ultimately named Love to Shop, the resulting filly brought $200,000 at Keeneland September and went on to win at the stakes level and also place in graded company for Repole Stable and St. Elias. Barren in 2023, Tiffany Case produced a Gun Runner filly in 2024 and was not bred back for 2025.

Tuesday, Keeneland
APPALACHIAN S. PRESENTED BY JAPAN RACING ASSOCIATION-GII, $500,000, Keeneland, 4-8, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:37.00, gd.
1–NITROGEN, 118, f, 3, by Medaglia d'Oro
1st Dam: Tiffany Case (SP), by Uncle Mo
2nd Dam: Biblical Point, by Point Given
3rd Dam: Bibical Sense, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
O-D. J. Stable LLC; B-D. J. Stable, LLC (KY); T-Mark E. Casse;
J-Jose L. Ortiz. $302,250. Lifetime Record: MGISP, 6-3-1-2,
$617,804. *1/2 to Love to Shop (Violence), SW & MGSP,
$240,778. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*
 Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free
 Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vixen, 118, f, 3, Vekoma–Top Mission, by Noble Mission
(GB). ($57,000 Ylg '23 KEEJAN; $22,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP;
$200,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-D. J. Stable LLC and Eclipse
Thoroughbred Partners; B-Jason Edward Howard (KY);
T-Mark E. Casse. $97,500.
3–Fionn, 118, f, 3, Twirling Candy–Gaelic Gold, by Giant's
Causeway. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($75,000 Ylg '23
KEESEP). O-George Messina and Michael Lee; B-Dixiana
Farms LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $48,750.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 1.20, 2.16, 8.20.
Also Ran: Foxtastic, Totally Justified, Fast Market, Table Flirt. Scratched: Good Temper, Liam in the Dust, Lush Lips (GB).

Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs.

#1 NITROGEN ($4.40) rallied down the center of the track to win the $500,000 Appalachian Stakes (G2) at @keenelandracing and win her third straight race. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro (@DarleyAmerica) was ridden by @jose93_ortiz and is trained by @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/G9xaYLGAvp

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 8, 2025

The post Medaglia d’Oro’s Nitrogen Remains Unbeaten in 2025 in Keeneland’s Appalachian appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Among the some 170 catalogued horses expected to breeze during Wednesday's fourth session of the under-tack preview for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, one colt stands out on paper thanks to his famous grandmother. Shuggy (Twirling Candy) (hip 668) is the first foal out of champion Zenyatta's unraced daughter Zellda (Medaglia d'Oro). Mayberry Farm is consigning the bay colt on behalf of Ann Holbrook Moss, who campaigned Zenyatta with her ex-husband, the late Jerry Moss.

“Everything Zenyatta is hers,” April Mayberry said of Holbrook. “When Jerry passed away, everything reverted back to her solely.”

Zenyatta is now retired from breeding, but Holbrook has two broodmares out of the famous mare, whose final foal, the 2-year-old Nymue (War Front), has been training with Shuggy this spring at Mayberry Farm.

“Zenyatta had a bunch of fillies and Ann is breeding them,” Mayberry said. “I think her plan is to keep the fillies and see about selling the boys. And this is the first grandchild, the first colt, that came up. It's testing the waters. Let's see how he is accepted. If not, she's going to end up with 20 horses in her racing stable. She has no racehorses right now and if she is not careful, she is going to blink and she's going to have 10 in two years.”

Mayberry acknowledged his famous grandmother has created a certain amount of buzz around the colt.

“The whole farm knows him as Zenyatta's grandson,” she said with a chuckle. “That's how we all know him. Shuggy is such a great name and it suits him so well. He actually looks like his mother. She was a little on the smaller size. He's just kind of a small, average size, but he has his grandmother's heart, let me put it that way. He's professional. He loves to train. He wants to do it. And it looks like he has some ability.”

The colt was an Apr. 27 foal and looks like he still has some growing up to do, according to Mayberry.

“He is still very immature,” she said. “So there is so much upside on him improving as time goes on. But unfortunately, it's the April sale and here we are.”

Mayberry added, “If he doesn't bring what we all think he should, definitely, he will be the first in that generation to go to the races for [Holbrook]. But I think Ann is going to be very fair in what she is thinking. She will be down here and we will discuss it and we will go from there.”

Zellda's second foal is also a colt and already named Just Sayin (Justify). He will also likely be heading to the sales ring.

“Whether he goes to the yearling sale or 2-year-old sale, I'm not sure,” Mayberry said of the chestnut colt.

The 8-year-old Zellda was bred to Practical Joke last year. Zenyatta also has an unraced 5-year-old daughter, Zilkha (Candy Ride {Arg}).

For the second day in a row, a filly from Tom McCrocklin's consignment claimed the fastest quarter-mile work when a daughter of Mitole (hip 363) completed her drill in :20 2/5 some two hours into Tuesday's third under-tack session ahead of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. The filly is out of multiple stakes-placed Sadie Be Good (Big Drama) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Cairama (Cairo Prince) and Maverama (Cairo Prince). She was purchased by Mustang Farm for $36,000 at last year's OBS October sale.

McCrocklin, who topped last year's Spring sale with a $1.9-million daughter of Tiz the Law, also sent out the second fastest quarter-mile worker Tuesday when a son of the GI Belmont Stakes winner (hip 508) out of Taboo (Forestry) worked in :20 3/5. He was purchased by McCrocklin for $150,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

“Both horses today, they are fast horses,” McCrocklin said. “I was not surprised, but I was certainly pleased. They had trained well at the farm and prepped well here. They both have standard things I like in a horse: big deep shoulder, big deep heart girth, long, pretty neck and a strong hind leg.”

During Monday's second session of the under-tack show, McCrocklin sent out a filly by Yaupon (hip 181) to work in :20 2/5.

“We're very happy and we've had a really good breeze show so far,” McCrocklin said. “We still have other cakes in the oven.”

Two horses shared Tuesday's bullet furlong time of :9 4/5. A colt by Into Mischief (hip 416) hit the bullet time for Kings Equine. Bred by Scot and Evan Dilworth and Randy Andrews, the juvenile RNA'd for $375,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. He is out of Silk Route (Empire Maker) and is a full-brother to multiple stakes-winner Taraz.

Also earning the furlong bullet Tuesday was a colt from the first crop of Galilean (hip 356). Consigned by Next Level Thoroughbreds, the bay is out of graded winner Royale Michele (Elusive Quality). He was purchased by Vincent Conanan for $24,000 at last year's OBS October sale.

“He's been showing us that he could really run from the beginning,” said Next Level's Abraham Gardea. “He always showed he had a lot of speed and ever since I put the blinkers on him, he's just turned into a different horse. He's more focused. He's got a good personality, a good mind. He's just a good horse to be around.

“The is my first year for the consignment, so it's really nice to have a horse like that.”

Through three sessions of the under-tack show, 13 horses have shared the :9 4/5 bullet time for the furlong.

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

The post Zenyatta’s Grandson Takes to OBS Track Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

G2 UAE Derby winner Junko Kondo's Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) and runner up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.) Are amongst five additional 3-year-olds made eligible to compete in the 2025 Triple Crown through a late $6,000 payment that was due Monday.

The other late nominees are Brereton's Baytown (Upstart), 'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma) and Just a Fair Shake (Laoban). In total, 378 3-year-olds are now eligible for the Triple Crown series. Horses not originally nominated can be supplemented for $200,000 to become eligible for all three races, or $50,000 for the Kentucky Derby only. After the Derby, supplemental nominations are $150,000 for eligibility to the Preakness and Belmont Stakes or $50,000 for the Belmont only.

The post UAE Derby 1-2 Finishers Amongst Five Late Triple Crown Nominations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Steve Luhn's 'Winning Colors' will grace the Preakness 150 merchandise after the piece was selected as the winner of the 'Art of Racing' competition celebrating the Preakness Stakes. Luhn beat out over 250 submissions to earn the honor.

“My representation of horse racing captures the dynamic energy and excitement of the sport,” said Luhn. “Bold, vibrant colors and striking visual elements convey the intensity of the race, with the horse mid-gallop, jockey leaning forward, creating a sense of speed and competition.”

As the winner of the fourth-annual competition, Luhn received a $4,000 prize and two VIP tickets to Preakness 150 to be held Saturday, May 17. Additionally, his work will be reproduced on a curated collection of Preakness 150 merchandise that will be available for purchase online and onsite during Preakness weekend. All proceeds from the sale of merchandise will be used to advance the activities of Park Heights Renaissance as it pursues affordable housing for families and provides employment opportunities to people of Park Heights.

“The platform given to artists, both amateur and professional, who have entered The Art of Racing competition over the past four years highlights the vibrance and legacy of The Preakness Stakes, especially as we celebrate the historic moment of Preakness 150,” said Audra Madison, Director of Marketing, The Maryland Jockey Club This year marks a significant milestone for submissions and voting, as we see greater engagement than ever before. It brings me joy to see the diverse array of artwork entered into the competition each year, and I hope the community feels the same sense of celebration and pride as we support and uplift our local talent during this remarkable year.”

The full piece can be viewed here.

The post ‘Winning Colors’ Piece Crowned Preakness Art Competition Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Top stallion Ghostzapper leads the nominees for the 2025 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame finalists which were unveiled Tuesday by the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Standardbred and Thoroughbred Nomination Committees.

The Class of 2025 will be comprised of six inductees per breed (thoroughbred and standardbred) and provided the option for a Nomination Committee to use only five categories and induct two individuals in one category to meet the total of six inductees per breed. A 20-person Election Committee for each breed will determine, from the list of finalists, the individuals to be inducted in each of the categories, with the results to be announced on Wednesday, April 23rd. The individuals named to the CHRHF Class of 2025 will be formally inducted August 6th.

The six categories selected by the Thoroughbred Nominating Committee for the 2025 Thoroughbred ballot are Builder, Female Horse, Jockey, Male Horse, Trainer and Veteran–Person or Horse. Categories and finalist names in each are presented below in alphabetical order.

• Thoroughbred Builder – John Burness, Ivan Dalos, and Phil Kives.
• Thoroughbred Female Horse – Careless Jewel, Hard Not To Like and Marketing Mix.
• Jockeys – Richard Dos Ramos, Emile Ramsammy and Perry Winters.
• Thoroughbred Male Horse – Fatal Bullet, Ghostzapper and Rahy's Attorney.
• Thoroughbred Trainer – Michael (Mike) Doyle, Dale Saunders and Laurie Silvera.
• Thoroughbred Veteran – Bessarabian, Andy Smithers and Storm Bird.

The post Ghostzapper Leads 2025 Canadian Horse Racing Hall Of Fame Finalists appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1st-Keeneland, $110,000, Msw, 4-8, 3yo, 7f, 1:23.51, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
INVICTUS (c, 3, Into Mischief–Serengeti Empress {MGISW, $2,175,653}, by Alternation) had not been seen since finishing a well-beaten seventh in the 6 1/2-furlong Saratoga maiden race won in 'TDN Rising Star' style by Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) last July. The 8-5 second choice was hustled out to the early lead, but allowed favored Camp Hale (Mo Town) to take control and then settled in third as longshot Ship Ship Hooray (Midshipman) shot up the rail to lead as the quarter went up in :22.43. Invictus looked to be going the wrong way as Camp Hale moved to challenge Ship Ship Hooray nearing the stretch after a half in :45.30. Camp Hale took the lead out of the turn, but Invictus was finding renewed energy, striding to the lead and powering clear to a 2 1/2-length victory. Camp Hale was second and Ship Ship Hooray was third. Invictus, the first foal out of GI Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress, was a $1.2-million Keeneland September yearling. The mare has a yearling colt by Curlin and was bred back to Not This Time. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $64,538.
O-CHC, Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC; B-Joel Politi (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

#8 INVICTUS ($5.46) by Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) and out of Serengeti Empress breaks his maiden in his second career start in the opener today at @keenelandracing. Flavien Prat was up for @bradcoxracing.

The early pick 4 is up next! Wager here https://t.co/CPMab3CMlx pic.twitter.com/EmqaJy43lt

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 8, 2025

The post Invictus, First Foal Out of Oaks Winner Serengeti Empress, Graduates at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Two days after shipping in following a third in the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) began his preparation for the GI Kentucky Derby with a half-mile breeze in :48.40 Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

With trainer Lonnie Briley's assistant, Bethany Taylor, aboard, the GII Rebel winner clicked off an opening quarter-mile in :24 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.40, according to clocker Adam Wallace.

“He was too fresh in the Arkansas Derby,” Briley said of the four-time stakes winner. “I usually never have to saddle him on the walk, but I had to do that day. Then after he broke, and [TDN Rising Star] Cornucopian [Into Mischief] and [GIII Southwest winner] Speed King [Volatile] went blazing to the lead, we were in third. He was just too fresh. We have a plan now going forward for the Derby to get him in the right place.

“It was a long drive getting to Churchill but we're getting settled in. He's a pretty laid-back horse. If he's not lying down, he's usually at the back of his stall just relaxing. He knows when it's game time.”

Coal Battle, who is based in Barn 42, arrived at Churchill Downs around 6 p.m. Sunday with three stablemates, Dashin' Diva ((Caracaro), Go Captain (Mo Town) and True Passion (Audible), who are also scheduled to race during Kentucky Derby Week.

Briley confirmed Juan Vargas will ride Coal Battle in the Kentucky Derby.

The post Rebel Winner Coal Battle Preps for Kentucky Derby With Half-Mile Breeze at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Journalism (Curlin), winner of last weekend's GI Santa Anita Derby, moved to the top of Week 11's rankings of the 2025 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll conducted by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA). Two-for-two this season, this year's GII San Felipe winner concluded the period with 269 points and 26 first-place votes by members of the national media. Racing performances run through Apr. 6. Journalism stands well ahead of GI Arkansas Derby scorer Sandman (Tapit), who has amassed 209 points.

Heading the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, last season's champion older mare Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) led with 251 points and 17 first-place votes. The 4-year-old filly is currently ahead of White Abarrio (Race Day), who has 243 points to date.

For complete rankings, click here.

The post Journalism Moves to the Top of the NTRA Thoroughbred Polls for Week of Apr. 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Churchill Downs and the Louisville Bats have joined forces to bring fans the Traveling Kentucky Derby Experience ahead of the 151st running of the May 3 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The event, which will be held Wednesday, Apr. 9, will also feature the Indianapolis Indians at Slugger Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. ET.

Fans will have the opportunity to take a photo with the Kentucky Derby 151 trophy and enter to win tickets to Derby Week at Churchill Downs. Also featured, 1978 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Steve Cauthen will throw out the first pitch. Select fans will compete in a stick horse race, with prizes for the top three finishers. Kids can enjoy “Design Your Own Jockey Silks” activity sheets from the Kentucky Derby Museum and photo opportunities with jockey silks, goggles and helmets.

For more Information, visit www.milb.com/louisville to purchase tickets for Saturday's game. Tickets for the 151st Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby on May 2-3 are available by visiting www.KentuckyDerby.com and www.DerbyExperiences.com.

The post Churchill Downs Partners with Louisville Bats for Traveling Kentucky Derby Experience appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With Western Canadian race meets kicking off in May, the 2025 Western Canadian Derby Series returns this season, highlighted by the $100,000 Derby Bonus. The series offers any 3-year-old that sweeps the Manitoba Derby, Canadian Derby and BC Derby a $100,000 bonus. Additionally, a $25,000 Owner/Trainer Bonus will further stoke the competition.

The 2025 series begins Aug. 4 at Assiniboia Downs with the $125,000 Manitoba Derby (1 1/8 miles), continues Aug. 23 with the $200,000 Canadian Derby (10 furlongs) at Century Mile, and concludes Sept. 13 with the $125,000 BC Derby (nine furlongs) at Hastings Racecourse.

Points for the Owner/Trainer Bonus are awarded per race: 6 for 1st, 4 for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, 2 for 4th, and 1 for 5th or lower. Horses must start in at least two races to qualify. Owners earn points based on each horse's total, while trainers tally points from all their starters' totals. A 3-point All Derby Bonus is added for horses that run in all three races. Following the BC Derby, the bonus will be split, with $12,500 awarded to the top three owners and $12,500 to the top three trainers:

• 1st Place: $7,000
• 2nd Place: $3,500
• 3rd Place: $2,000

For more information, click here.

The post Western Canadian Derby Series Returns in 2025 with $100K Derby Bonus; $25K Owner-Trainer Bonus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott and owner Richard Chandler lead their respective divisions at the conclusion of the 42-day meet at Sam Houston Race Park that wrapped up Sunday.

Asmussen won his 17th training title at the northwest Houston racetrack. He was honored as top trainer here in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2014 -2025.

Asmussen started 210 runners, finishing with a record of 41 wins, 39 seconds, 24 thirds and earnings of $1,309,988. He added a record-setting sixth victory in Grade 3, $300, Houston Ladies Classic with Winchell Thoroughbred, LLC's Recharge.

Mindy Willis had an outstanding meet, finishing second in the standings with 26 victories.

Elliott, who rode first call for Asmussen and Willis, rode 56 winners from 223 mounts, earning $1,375,921 and finishing in the money at a 56% clip. DeShawn Parker returned to Sam Houston Race Park this year, finishing second with 36 wins.

In a competition that went down to the final race of the season, Dallas resident Richard Chandler secured his first leading owner title with nine victories.

Willis accepted the trophy on behalf of Chandler, who clinched the title with In Open Court in Sunday's second race, after the 5-year-old mare rallied for a neck victory under Elliott in the second race of the Apr. 6 program.

Karl Broberg, who announced his retirement as a trainer last year, finished second in the standings with eight wins Four owners: Carl Moore Management, LLC, Mansfield Racing, Century Acres Farm and Steve Asmussen tied for third in the standings with six wins each.

“We appreciate the Texas Horsemen and Horsemen for their support throughout our meet,” said Bryan Pettigrew, Sam Houston Race Park's Vice President and General Manager. “We had some challenges with weather and working on the new purses and stakes awards, but the Thoroughbred Industry came together and worked through the challenges. I would like to give a special shout out to our Sam Houston Team Members who implemented a new customer service program as we continue to attract new sports fans and horse racing fans. Sam Houston will continue to focus on safety for the horses, jockeys, and patrons. We look forward to welcoming back the Quarter Horses for our live racing season.”

The post Asmussen, Elliott, Chandler Top Standings in 2025 Sam Houston Live Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), which was created in 2023 by the state to oversee the rebuilding of the 'Home of the Preakness' at Pimlico, will be terminated as of June 30, according to an article published in the Maryland Daily Record Apr. 4 .

The piece says that a provision tucked into the state budget bills during final negotiations put the authority on ice and shifts its responsibilities to the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation.

As previously reported by the TDN, the MTROA was tasked with overseeing the transition of the industry from a heavily-subsidized but privately run sport into an entity that was intended to be managed by the state.

The Stronach Group that owned Pimlico agreed to turn over the property to the state, which will soon embark on a massive, taxpayer-financed renovation once next month's Preakness is run. A state-created nonprofit that adopted the historic name Maryland Jockey Club took over the responsibility of running races in the state beginning in January, though no board was serving in an oversight capacity.

The Daily Record article goes on to state that the MTROA–a volunteer panel led by attorney Greg Cross from the Venable law firm–was expected to officiate racing until 2029. However, it will end operations this summer, which the piece says will remove nearly $3.5 million in annual salary and operating costs from the state budget.

The article relates that the change is not expected to have any impact on the state's renovation plans at Pimlico.

Maryland House Ways and Means Chair Vanessa Atterbeary was quoted in the Daily Record as saying, “We just wanted some more oversight to be able to understand and know what's going on in real time, which wasn't happening.”

Neither top lawmakers nor Gov. Wes Moore's office explained how–or why–the provision was inserted into the budget.

In an Apr. 6 article published by The Baltimore Banner, State Senator Guy Guzzone, a Howard County Democrat who is chair of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, said, “There is a belief that we will get a lot better results and more accomplished by shifting some of the authority to some known entities, and that's what we're doing,”

As for Greg Cross, he told The Banner that the timing was right because the MTROA had “almost totally completed” the tasks it had to accomplish.

The post Maryland Nixes Authority Charged With Pimlico Rebuild appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

by Sue Finley and Dan Ross

Few commercial sectors appear immune from the current administration's sweeping import tariffs, and that includes horse racing's biggest Saturday of the year, with Japan's participants in the GI Kentucky Derby potential targets of the trade war.

Stressing a general air of uncertainty surrounding the tariff specifics, Matt Haug, general manager of International Racehorse Transport (IRT), said that, as he and his customs broker understood the situation, the Japanese-trained Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) is exempt from any tariff being a U.S.-bred runner.

For foreign-bred horses–like the Japanese-trained Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong)–they would be subject to a tariff, said Haug. However, these foreign-born runners would be eligible to import on a “Temporary Import Bond,” Haug added.

“Technically there is not a deposit required, but rather a guarantor who is USA based. The horse must be exported out of the USA within one year. Once proper documents have been submitted to U.S. Customs, the bond will be closed out,” wrote Haug.

If a Japanese runner hit the board, would their earnings also be subject to an additional tariff?

According to Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), he does not believe a horse shipping in from another country would have to pay an additional tariff on purse earnings.

“But there's a lot of uncertainty as to what qualifies as tariff and what doesn't. We've been having trouble getting answers from the administration itself. But once the tariffs go into effect, we'll have clarity at some point,” said Rooney.

As to the Temporary Import Bond, that is based on the horse's value when they cross the U.S. border, said Rooney.

A Japanese horse leaving the country after winning the Derby would not have to pay an extra bond, said Rooney, either based on a newly increased value, or on whatever part of the Derby purse they took home.

“One of the parties involved will have to pay the bond. The bond is refundable upon exit of the country. So, whoever posts the bond will get it back. It's just a matter of one of the parties involved being willing to do that,” explained Rooney.

“Customs really didn't get that far into the weeds as to how that value is established, and I know there's some thought that they might be simply treated as livestock. But if you have horses coming from Japan or the UAE for the Kentucky Derby, I think it would be harder to look at those horses as livestock,” he added.

More broadly, horses imported for sale would pay a tariff based on their sales price, Rooney said, though the NTRA was hoping to alleviate that.

“We have worked with Congressman [Andy] Barr's office to request an exception for horse sales, but that might be a very heavy lift. I wouldn't think that horse sales would be at the top of the list,” Rooney said.

In these early days of the trade war, are the tariffs already causing connections to think twice about shipping to the U.S. to race?

“Not so much to race,” said Haug. “But it will certainly have an impact on the importation of horses in general.”

The post Will Tariffs Impact Japanese Participants in the Derby? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

While eight horses tied for the fastest furlong of :9 4/5, a filly from the first crop of Grade I winner Yaupon (hip 181) distinguished herself with a bullet quarter-mile breeze in :20 2/5 during the second session of the under-tack preview ahead of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Monday in Central Florida. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, hip 181 is out of Moon Over Mag Bay (Malibu Moon), a daughter of stakes winner Believe in Charlie (Indian Charlie).

“She's just naturally fast,” McCrocklin said of the filly. “Typically when I get here, there are no surprises. You kind of know who is fast and who is not. But the interesting thing is, she kind of did a little zig-zag when she switched leads in the stretch, like she saw something, so I think she could have actually gone faster. Her gallop-out was really science fiction–:31 and change and :45 flat.”

McCrocklin purchased the filly for $62,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July sale.

“She looked athletic and she had a great walk,” McCrocklin said of the filly's appeal last summer. “I am pretty happy with the purchase right now.”

The first yearlings by Yaupon (Uncle Mo), winner of the 2021 GI Forego Stakes, were popular in the sales ring last summer and fall, with 118 selling for an average of $169,830–good for fourth among U.S.-based first-crop sires.

“I have three [by Yaupon] and I wish I had more,” McCrocklin said. “They have been really, really athletic, very classy. They just act like they can run.”

David McKathan and Jody Mihalic's Grassroots Training and Sales, which sent out one of three juveniles to share the furlong bullet during Sunday's first under-tack session, sent out four of the eight to set that bullet :9 4/5 mark Monday.

The quartet was led off by hip 279, a filly by Temple City out of Possession of War (Midnight Lute); and included hip 234, a daughter of Authentic out of multiple stakes-placed Onebrethatatime (Brethren); hip 239, a filly by Army Mule out of Our Irish Lassie's (Yes It's True); and hip 332, a colt by freshman sire Leinster, whose first starter was a winner at Keeneland Sunday. The chestnut is out of Renovation (Alternation).

Also sharing the furlong bullet Monday: hip 190, a daughter of Curlin out of stakes-placed Motivated Seller (Into Mischief) consigned by de Meric Sales; hip 244, a colt by Maximus Mischief out of Overly Indulgent (Pleasantly Perfect) consigned by Cardozo's Brothers; hip 250, a filly by Munnings out of Palmilla Moon (Malibu Moon) consigned by Kings Equine; and hip 329, a filly by Not This Time out of Remarqued (Arch) consigned by Niall Brennan Stables.

McCrocklin said he felt conditions at the breeze show seemed to improve Monday after the opening session Sunday.

“I found the track [Sunday] to be very difficult,” he said. “I can't really put my finger on it, but I texted with Suzanne Smallwood with Equix and she was of the same opinion. She said horses were just kind of getting stuck in it–she used this biometric terminology, they couldn't launch behind. I thought it was better today. We had a crazy wind here today, it's kind of a diagonal crosswind out of the south, but we have seen some fast times today with my filly, obviously, being one of them. It seemed faster today, I thought.”

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

The post ‘Naturally Fast:’ Yaupon Filly Flies Quarter-Mile at OBS Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Tracy Farmer's homebred La Cara (f, 3, Street Sense–Cara Caterina, by Bernardini) closed out the Road to the Kentucky Oaks the same way she started it: with a win. Victorious in the first GI Kentucky Oaks points race of the season–the GIII Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs last September–and the last, Monday's rescheduled GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland, La Cara heads to the Oaks with 151.75 points, second on the leaderboard behind Mar. 29 GII Fantasy Stakes winner Quietside (Malibu Moon). The Ashland awarded Oaks points on a 100-50-25-15-10 scale.

After the Ashland was postponed from its traditional Friday slot due to heavy rain in Kentucky, eight headed to post with last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes winner and last-out GIII Honeybee Stakes third, 'TDN Rising Star' Muhimma (Munnings), pegged as the 4-5 favorite. Despite all the rain, the Keeneland surface was listed as fast and La Cara, who had scored two of her three previous victories in a wire-to-wire fashion, broke like a shot. After she emerged from the Ashland's early fray with the lead, she never let it go. Ears flicking back and forth, La Cara set early fractions of :23.19 and :47.23 while Muhimma raced evenly midpack.

La Cara kicked clear on the turn as Muhimma advanced to second. They hit the quarter pole with La Cara in full flight and extending her advantage with every stride. There was no catching the winner as she sailed for home, even as Take Charge Milady (Take Charge Indy) charged up the rail late. The Jan. 25 Martha Washington Stakes winner passed Muhimma for the runner-up spot while still 1 1/4 lengths in arrears at the wire.

“She established dominance early,” said La Cara's rider Dylan Davis, “and then she just took control all the way through the wire. She was looking around a little bit [as we turned for home], so I just had to stay with her and keep her to task to the wire. She ran very well.”

After debuting last May at Churchill, La Cara broke her maiden by eight lengths in August at Saratoga, then returned to Churchill for that Pocahontas win. Fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, she kicked off her sophomore campaign with a runaway, 6 1/4-length triumph in the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa. She was last seen finishing second in the one-mile GII Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Mar. 1.

“When she brings her A game, she's tough,” said trainer Mark Casse. “Dylan [Davis] said when he was coming down the backside, he thought, 'Oh, I have the filly I had in Tampa that day'. He said he could tell the difference. We knew the Davona Dale was just a prep. We brought her back a little quick [for that race] so I could have more time for this race, and it worked out. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but today was good.”

Casse said immediately following the Ashland that La Cara is fond of Churchill. The trainer brings a formidable duo to Louisville, as he also trains GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit).

#2 LA CARA ($20.16) goes gate-to-wire under @DavisJockey to win the $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) at @keenelandracing and earn 100 points towards the Kentucky Oaks. The daughter of Street Sense (@DarleyAmerica) is trained by @markecasse. pic.twitter.com/LGSjzrjnch

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) April 7, 2025

Pedigree Notes:

It bodes well for La Cara's connections if she's as fond of the Churchill surface as her sire was, as Street Sense won not only the GI Kentucky Derby there, but also the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The Darley stallion, now age 21, has since sired 43 graded winners as well as 102 black-type winners. La Cara is one of Street Sense's five graded winners out of Bernardini mares, including MGISW Maxfield and GISW Speaker's Corner, who have both joined their sire in the Darley stallion barn. The late Bernardini, a former Darley stallion, has 113 stakes winners out of his daughters.

La Cara's dam, the placed mare Cara Caterina, was a $500,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Farmer in 2018. The mare's only other foal is a yearling full-brother to the Ashland winner. Cara Caterina is herself a full-sister to MGISW To Honor and Serve and to GISW Angela Renee. The latter, second in the 2015 Ashland, was a $3-million Fasig-Tipton November purchase by Don Alberto Corp. in 2015, while their dam was a $1.95-million buy at the same sale in 2012, going to Borges Torrealba Holdings.

Monday, Keeneland
CENTRAL BANK ASHLAND S.-GI, $742,782, Keeneland, 4-7, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.10, ft.
1–LA CARA, 121, f, 3, by Street Sense
    1st Dam: Cara Caterina, by Bernardini
    2nd Dam: Pilfer, by Deputy Minister
    3rd Dam: Misty Hour, by Miswaki
   1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark E. Casse;
J-Dylan Davis. $447,563. Lifetime Record: 9-4-2-0, $866,083.
Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus.*
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Take Charge Milady, 121, f, 3, by Take Charge Indy
    1st Dam: Price too High, by Scat Daddy
    2nd Dam: La Capella, by Smart Strike
    3rd Dam: Venetian Glass, by Deputy Minister
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 Ylg
'23 KEESEP). O-James Ball, Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek)
and Kenneth Rhodes; B-Merriebelle Stable, LLC (KY);
T-Kenneth G. McPeek. $144,375.
3–Muhimma, 121, f, 3, by Munnings
    1st Dam: Princesa Carolina (SW & GISP, $453,619), by Tapit
    2nd Dam: Pure Clan, by Pure Prize
    3rd Dam: Gather The Clan (Ire), by General Assembly
'TDN Rising Star' 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($700,000 Ylg '23
KEESEP). O-Shadwell Stable; B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY);
T-Brad H. Cox. $72,188.
Margins: 1 1/4, 3 1/4, 3 1/4. Odds: 9.08, 5.38, 0.97.
Also Ran: Supa Speed, Amarth, Look Forward, Admit, Running Away. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Street Sense’s La Cara Wins Postponed Ashland at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.