Thoroughbred Daily News

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 260 offerings for its February Digital Sale and with bidding now open through Tuesday, Feb. 24, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. over half of the catalogue includes broodmares or broodmare prospects, the online auction said in a press release on Thursday.

If savvy bidders are in the market for a broodmare, then this month's sale certainly has a diverse buying bench.

For instance there is Paynterbynumbers (Paynter) (hip 3), the dam of MSW Counting Stars (Honor A.P.). Mill Ridge Sales is the agent for this broodmare and Miss Tapirado (Tapit) (hip 37), who was a $775,000 weanling turned $1.3-million 2-year-old in-training purchase. She is a full-sister to GSP Bourbon War as well as a pair of stakes performers in Australia.

When it comes to broodmare prospects Take Charge Macy (Take Charge Indy) (hip 10) could tick a number of boxes for buyers. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the 3-year-old filly broke her maiden at second asking for trainer Peter Miller in Hot Springs Feb. 8.

Other options include Strikingly Spun (Hard Spun) (hip 9), who is owned by Larry Hirsch's Highlander Training Center out of Sulphur Springs, Texas and is consigned by the center's longtime associates Elm Tree Farm (Jody & Michelle Huckabay). A multiple stakes placed 6-year-old, the Joe Sharp trainee won on both turf and dirt, and currently has over $400,000 in earnings. Highlander's Chairman & CEO Jeff Hooper says that the Fasig-Tipton Digital experience is top notch.

“We think the world of the team at Fasig-Tipton, and they are really the industry leader in this digital marketplace,” said Hooper. “Serious buyers gravitate to their sales and they have proven that these kinds of offerings are here to stay.”

Hooper added that the timing of the February sale for Highlander could not be better.

“She [Strikingly Spun] is a young mare and we wouldn't be offering her for sale, except that Larry [Hirsch] is focused on racing,” he said. “We sold five mares in November and will continue to point to the racetrack. That is what we do at Highlander. Offering her now at the beginning of breeding season really makes sense for us, and the fact that interested buyers can go see her at Jody and Michelle Huckabay's farm is another plus when it comes to convenience.”

Neom Beach (hip 1) | Coady Media

Digital sale offerings also include:

• Neom Beach (hip 1): The multiple stakes winning daughter of Omaha Beach with earnings of more than $745,000 to date is being offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Jeffrey Bloom, agent;

• Sharons Beach (hip 7): A 3-year-old son of Omaha Beach ran an 89 Beyer at Santa Anita Jan. 23. He is entered in a maiden/optional claimer at Santa Anita on Friday, Feb. 20. Offered as a horse of racing age by ELiTE, agent;

• Gun Party (hip 31): A son of Curlin out of Grade I winner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) has run multiple 90+ Beyers. The 5-year-old's extended female family includes MGSW Super Chow (Lord Nelson). Offered as a horse of racing age by Steve Asmussen, agent.

Making the catalogue is stock from the California and New Mexico operations of Kirk and Judy Robison, which is consigned by Arroyo Vista Farm and A & A Thoroughbreds.

Reductions continue for Starship Stables with Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent as do dispersals of repossessed horses with Mill Ridge Sales and Margaux Farm as agents. Mill Ridge will host an open house at their farm in Lexington, Kentucky for their offerings on Monday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. ET.

“The February Digital Sale catalogue features 260 horses, led by especially strong contingents of racing and breeding stock,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Offerings include stakes winners and producers, more than 70 horses of racing age, over 140 broodmares and broodmare prospects–including mares with foals at foot–and 34 'short' yearlings. We started the year off with a bang in January and we're looking forward to helping our customers achieve continued success in February.”

Click here to create an account or register to bid for the February Digital Sale.

The post Potential Broodmare Band Members Audition During Fasig-Tipton February Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

by Dan Ross and T.D. Thornton

The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority on Wednesday summoned Churchill Downs Racetrack and its corporate parent, CDI, to a hearing before a panel of HISA board members in an attempt to secure payment of 2025 assessment fees that CDI has allegedly failed to submit on behalf of four racetracks the gaming corporation owns in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, including its flagship track in Louisville.

HISA wants Churchill to pay $2,408,501 in allegedly overdue 2025 fees (plus $93,998 in interest) to the Authority within 10 days of any order by the HISA board that results from the just-scheduled Mar. 11 hearing.

If not, according the Feb. 18 notice of hearing, “for each day the payment is late, Churchill [will] be prohibited from conducting any Covered Horserace, to be applied immediately on the next scheduled race day(s) at Churchill.”

“CDI has not fulfilled Churchill's obligation to remit Churchill's and the horsemen's group share of allocated and assessed fees for calendar year 2025 in violation of HISA Rule 8100(i), HISA Rule 8520(e), and 15 U.S.C. § 3052(f)(3),” the hearing notice stated.

“In fact, CDI has refused to pay one cent of the 2025 HISA assessments allocated to Churchill, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs,” the notice continued.

“CDI even refuses to pay what it believes it owes for the CDI Racetracks under its own [assessment formula] that is based solely on racing starts. The CDI Racetracks stand alone among Covered Racetracks in refusing to make any HISA assessment payments whatsoever for 2025,” the hearing notice stated.

The notice was served Wednesday via email and certified mail to Gary Palmisano, Jr., CDI's executive director of racing.

TDN asked Palmisano via email if he'd like to comment or explain CDI's side of the story, but did not receive any reply prior to deadline for this article.

In addition to the alleged non-payment of 2025 fees, the notice of hearing details allegations that because of the above-referenced disagreement over assessment methodologies, CDI has also not paid all of the fees that HISA claims the corporation owes for 2023 and 2024, either.

“In 2023 and 2024, CDI calculated and paid full year assessments using its own assessment formula, based solely on the number of racing starts, in an amount less than would be due under the Original Methodology Rule,” the notice of hearing stated. “The total difference that remains currently due and owing from racetracks operated by CDI for the 2023 and 2024 Assessments is $1,708,475.”

But because that dispute over 2023 and 2024 assessments is still being litigated in federal court, “issuance of the Board panel's decision in the 2023/2024 Enforcement Action is currently stayed per the agreement of the parties,” the Authority's hearing notice explained.

In CDI's original complaint in that lawsuit, filed Dec. 4. 2024, CDI argued that the HISA Authority couldn't threaten “to prohibit them from conducting any horseraces until the fees due under the Authority's illegal assessment methodology are paid in full” because the HISA Act “does not empower the private Authority to adjudicate fee-collection disputes in-house.”

Rather, the lawsuit explained, the HISA Act “envisions that the Authority would exercise its statutory power to bring a civil action in federal court to compel payment of any legitimate fee assessments.”

The CDI complaint (initially joined by co-plaintiff the New York Racing Association, which settled with HISA a month after the litigation was filed), stated that HISA demanding fee payments and threatening penalization based on its own findings “would violate the Act and Article III of the Constitution, which require that such disputes between private entities be adjudicated in federal courts–not within administrative agencies and certainly not within private, unaccountable corporations.

“And it would also violate the fundamental due-process principle that no person may serve as a judge in his own case,” the CDI suit alleged.

Wednesday's hearing notice stated that, “In this enforcement action, the Authority is seeking payment only based on the CDI Formula endorsed by CDI in the CDI Lawsuit.

“If the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky concludes in the CDI Lawsuit that the Original Methodology Rule is valid, the Authority will initiate a separate enforcement action or civil action–if necessary–to collect the difference between the amount owed by CDI under the CDI Formula and the Original Methodology Rule for 2025.

“If the District Court adopts the legal arguments made by CDI and concludes that the Original Methodology Rule is invalid, then CDI would still owe the exact amount sought in this proceeding, i.e., the racing-starts only amount due under the 'Alternative Calculation' that CDI endorses and advocates,” the hearing notice stated.

“In other words, CDI owes at least the amount sought here regardless of the outcome of the pending litigation,” the hearing notice stated.

The hearing notice described CDI as allegedly “freeloading” by availing itself of HISA's services related to drug testing, results management from intra-articular injection violations, track surface inspections from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, and technology platforms that promote the safety of horses and jockeys.

Despite CDI allegedly not paying into the regulatory system, “the CDI Racetracks continue to receive millions of dollars in services from the Authority,” the hearing notice stated.

“CDI promotes the benefits of HISA with its investors while at the same time failing to pay its fair share–or any share at all,” the notice of hearing stated.

The Mar. 11 board hearing will be chaired by Joe De Francis. Bill Thomason and Terri Mazur will also adjudicate on that panel.

CDI may file a pre-hearing brief setting forth any objections to the enforcement action by Feb. 27, and HISA's enforcement counsel may file a response by Mar. 6.

The post HISA Threatens ‘Freeloading’ CDI with Cutting Off Ability to Race over Alleged Non-Payment of Assessment Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

There was only one graded stakes race on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks this weekend, but it was a big one. The GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes has produced 12 winners of the Oaks. The list includes last year's Oaks champion Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and 2023 winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). So, it meant something when Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) scored a game victory to win the race by a half-length, especially when you consider that she is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous.

So, here goes, your latest Top 10:

1) ZANY (American Pharoah–Mo' Green, by Uncle Mo) O-Repole Stable; B-D.J. Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $350,000 yrl '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record:GSW, 3-3-0-0, $221,500. Last Start: Won Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30.

As good a race as Bella Ballerina ran in the Rachel Alexandra, Zany remains in the top spot and may stay there until she has her next start, which is scheduled for the Apr. 3 GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She was not ultra-impressive when winning the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, but you can count on her being an improved horse in the Ashland. It was notable in the Suncoast that she lugged in. Here's what Todd Pletcher had to say about her failure to keep a straight course: “We will not try to overthink it since she's three-for-three. But we will continue to focus on keeping her straight when she changes leads.” She showed tremendous talent when romping in last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes. If that horse shows up on Kentucky Oaks Day, all the rest may be running for second money.

2) BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 3-3-0-0, $301,525. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Last Start: Won Feb. 14 GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60.

As well-bred as they come and from the powerful Godolphin team, Bella Ballerina still had something to prove in the Rachel Alexandra. In her only other stakes appearance, last year's GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, she did win, but nearly squandered a 3 1/2-length lead in the stretch. The final margin of victory was a half-length. She didn't blow them away this time, either. In fact, she lost the lead in mid-stretch, but battled back to win in a professional effort. “I thought it was a very game performance,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “When she was coming down the stretch, it looked like she was beaten. I thought to myself, 'You know, she's run well. We've got what we needed to get out of it. She'll improve a ton the next time she starts back up again.' I thought, 'Well, OK, we'll take that.' But yes, it was just a game performance on her part. It's the first time she's ever been headed.” Her winning Beyer number Saturday was an 84. The March 21 GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks will likely be next for her.

Bella Ballerina | Hodges Photography

3) MEANING (Gun Runner–Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief) O-Bridlewood Farm & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Sales history: $440,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $187,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 26.

The good news:  she beat two pretty tough customers in Explora (Blame) and Super Corredora (Gun Runner) in the Las Virgenes Stakes. The bad news: she had a perfect trip behind battling leaders. It was her first start since she was a non-threatening fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but there's no reason why she couldn't have improved over the winter. As of now, the California-based fillies don't look like a strong group. Meaning may be the best of that bunch. Trainer Michael McCarthy has said that the April 4 GII Santa Anita Oaks Presented by Surfside will be next for his filly.

4) LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR (Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief) O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont Inc & 552727 Ontario Ltd (ON); T-Michael Stidham. Sales history: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-1-4-0, $164,071. Last Start: 2nd Feb. 14 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40.

If you liked Bella Ballerina's race in the Rachel Alexandra, you probably had to like the effort turned in by Luv Your Neighbor. She gave the 4-5 favorite fits the entire length of the stretch and looked like she had the race won. Was Bella Ballerina that game or did Luv Your Neighbor lack fight when it counted? It's an important question, as she has now run second in four straight starts, losing each time by less than a length. In her lone victory, she won by just a nose. Trainer Michael Stidham needs to figure out how to get a little something extra out of her, but, if he does, she might just prove to be among the upper echelon of this division.

5) TAKEN BY THE WIND (Rock Your World–Up for Grabs, by First Samurai) O-Magdalena Racing, Terry Bradshaw, Graham Leveston, Raasi Stable; B-Courtney L. Meagher (FL); T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $70,000 yrl '24 FTKJUL; $20,000 yrl '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $270,710. Last Start: Won Jan. 17 Silverbulletday Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30.

If not for the Kenny McPeek factor, this horse would be rated lower. Yes, she won the Silverbulletday Stakes by only a neck in her 3-year-old debut. But McPeek, who has had so much success with fillies of late, sees something in her. “You watch,” he said. “She'll win the next one, and I think she has a very good chance of winning the Oaks. This is a very good filly. She does everything right.” McPeek reports that Taken by the Wind will have her next start in the March 1 GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. It would be “good for the game” to see her prosper as NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is a part owner and would no doubt be an entertaining part of an entourage come Oaks Day.

Taken By the Wind | Sarah Andrew

6) LIFE OF JOY (Gun Runner–Jordayn's Leo, by Malibu Moon) O-Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm & For the People Racing Stable LLC; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Brad H Cox. Sales history: $375,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $180,260. Last Start: Second in Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22.

The Brad Cox-trained filly turned in a strong effort behind Zany in the Suncoast, finishing second. She also held her own against Bella Ballerina when fourth in the Golden Rod. Before that, she was a 2 1/4-length winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes. Like McPeek, Cox has done some of his best work with fillies. It's not a coincidence that he has won the Oaks three times in a short stretch of just seven years. The Fair Grounds Oaks will be next for her.

7) EXPLORA (Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) O-Michael Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $22,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 5-3-2-0, $628,000. Last Start: Second Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 45.

Don't ever give up on Bob Baffert. He has won the Oaks three times, and no one in the history of the sport is better at having horses peak for the biggest races. Her 3-year-old debut in the Las Virgenes didn't go as planned. She got caught up in a speed duel with rival Super Corredora and didn't have enough left in the tank to hold off Meaning. The positive is that she held in there a lot better than Super Corredora, who finished last. She far from embarrassed herself and could easily rebound next out with a better trip.

8) SEARCH PARTY (Gun Runner–Devious Charm, by Into Mischief) O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-2, $276,211. Last Start: Won Feb. 6 Martha Washington Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20.

It took this Mark Casse-trained filly four starts to break her maiden, but since the light bulb went off, she's been good. She won an Oaklawn maiden by six lengths and came right back to win the Martha Washington Stakes by a neck. By Gun Runner out of an Into Mischief mare, she certainly has the pedigree. “Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) rode her in two of the races she lost and he came back both times and apologized,” Casse said. “He said, 'I was the best.' She was breaking just a little slow and then got herself in some trouble. When she broke her maiden at Oaklawn, I thought she was very impressive. In the Martha Washington, she got in a little trouble again, but I thought it was a good performance. I'm not sure it was a great performance, but it was a good performance. If she's going to be an Oaks filly down the road, she's going to have to improve. Her pedigree and her physique say she should get better.”

Search Party | Coady Media

9) DAZZLING DAME (Girvin–Awesome Dama, by Corinthian) O-Respect the Valleys LLC; B-Maria M Haire (MD); T-Brittany T Russell. Sales History: $50,000 RNA wlg '23 KEENOV: $65,000 yrl '24 OBSJAN; $45,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MSW, 5-4-0-0, $240,525. Last Start: Won Jan. 3 Busanda Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22.

Her 91 Beyer she earned when winning the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct remains the fastest number turned in so far this year by any 3-year-old filly. She didn't have a published workout from Jan. 23 to Feb. 12, but trainer Brittany Russell reports that the filly is still on track for the Mar. 14 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. Russell has won only six graded stakes in her career, but she's a force in Maryland and is not to be underestimated.

10) SUPER CORREDORA (Gun Runner–Super Simple, by Super Saver) O-Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Gardiner & Michael Olszewki; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY); T-John Sadler. Sales History: $400,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, GISW, 5-2-1-0, $1,099,600. Last Start: Fourth Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 34.

Probably too early to give up on a filly that was a GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and an Eclipse Award winner, but her return effort in the Las Virgenes was just not good. She'll get her chance to show that that race was a fluke in her next start, which will likely be in the Mar. 1 GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes. If she doesn't fare well there, it might be time to consider a sprinting career for her.

The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For Feb. 19: Bella Ballerina Makes A Big Move appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Saffie Joseph Jr-trained White Abarrio (Race Day) will ship to Oaklawn to target the GII Oaklawn Handicap April 18, his trainer said Wednesday.

Detailing next starts for his stable stars, Joseph said, “White Abarrio is going to come for the Oaklawn Handicap. That's the plan. Dubai is still in play for Skippy, but we haven't come up with a plan yet.”

Last seen finishing runner-up to stablemate Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month, White Abarrio also owns a win in the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

While the race is still two months away, last year's Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is also possible for the Oaklawn Handicap.

The post White Abarrio To Target Oaklawn Handicap 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 (HIWU)'s “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Among this week's rulings, the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority has issued to Churchill Downs Incorporated four notices for non-payment of its 2025 fees related to federal regulatory oversight of its Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park and Presque Isle Downs racetracks.

The matter will go before a panel of three HISA board members–Joe De Francis, Bill Thomason, and Terri Mazur–on March 11.

This is separate from pending litigation between the two parties for Churchill Downs's refusal to pay HISA's assessed fees for 2023 and 2024.

These are the years HISA's assessment model was calculated through a formula based on racing starts and purses. Last year, HISA started using a new assessment formula based on projected number of starts only.

In its litigation with HISA, Churchill Downs challenges the legality of the original assessment formula, and instead contends it owes the federal body an amount based solely on starts. Churchill Downs submitted payments to HISA for 2023 and 2024 using their own formula, leaving an alleged unpaid deficit of around $1.7 million.

The corporation has so far paid nothing for 2025, according to the notices the HISA Authority issued to Churchill Downs on Feb. 18.

The amounts that HISA seeks from Churchill Downs for its unpaid 2025 assessments are based on the original formula (calculated using starts and purses) for Turfway Park, Elis Park and Presque Isle Downs. For Churchill Downs, the HISA Authority has used a number based purely on starts.

The amounts (including accrued interest) HISA requests for each track are as follows: Churchill Downs, $2.5 million; Turfway Park, $1.49 million; Presque Isle Downs, $761k; and Ellis Park, $465k.

According to the notices, the HISA Authority asks the board panel to require Churchill Downs to pay these amounts within ten days of the board's order.

If not, Churchill Downs would be prohibited from conducting horseracing under HISA's federal regulatory oversight, meaning it wouldn't be allowed to simulcast its races outside of the state (if indeed it carried on with its operations).

See more on the story here.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 02/17/2026
Licensee: Bruno Tessore, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 18, 2026; 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.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Tom S, who finished second at Laurel Park on 10/19/25.

Dates: 02/16/2026
Licensee: Anna Meah, trainer
Penalty:7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on February 17, 2026; 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.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Showers, who won at Churchill Downs on 11/6/25.

Dates: 02/11/2026
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: A written Reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance).
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole (Gastrogard)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Jimmy's Kid on 1/3/26.

Pending ADMC Violations
02/16/2026, Eric Reed, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sexarito on 1/17/26.

02/16/2026, Dallas Stewart, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Have Faith on 11/20/25.

2/16/2026, Linda Rice, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methylprednisolone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sweet Rhythm, who is reported by Equibase to have been euthanized after sustaining a severe injury to her left front leg mid-race in the fifth at Aqueduct on 11/8/25.

02/13/2026, Jose Puentes, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Whisky My God on 1/14/26.

02/13/2026, William E. Merch, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Protest, who won at Tampa Bay on 1/14/26.

02/13/2026, Angela Maria Aquinano, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Golf Drama, who won at Los Alamitos on 1/11/26.

02/13/2026, Benjamin Feliciano, Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Plenty on Tap, who finished second at Laurel Park on 1/10/26.

Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Sahin Civaci – violation date February 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Mahoning Valley
Rocco Bowen – violation date February 14; $500 fine, two-day suspension

Oaklawn Park
Francisco Arrieta – violation date February 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension
David Cabrera – violation date February 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Emmanuel Esquivel – violation date February 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Rafael Bejerano – violation date February 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Santa Anita
Kyle Frey – violation date February 14; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Turf Paradise
Cerapio Figueroa – violation date February 12; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Turfway Park
Jose Ramos Gutierrez – violation date February 13; $500 fine, two-day suspension

The post Weekly Rulings: Feb. 12-18; Churchill Faces HISA Panel Hearing For Non-Payment Of 2025 Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It was a big weekend for trainer Brendan Walsh, whose Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) was a game winner of the GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. A half-sister to Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), the 2023 GI Kentucky Oaks winner, who was also trained by Walsh, the trainer is hoping to pull off what would be a unique daily double–winning the Oaks twice within four years with half-siblings.

To discuss the Rachel Alexandra win, his take on Bella Ballerina and what he has planned on the way to the Oaks, Walsh joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

It was not an easy victory for Bella Ballerina, who was passed in the stretch by Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution), but battled back in deep stretch to win by a half-length under Tyler Gaffalione.

“I thought it was a very game performance,” Walsh said. “When she was coming down the stretch, it looked like she was beaten. I thought to myself, 'You know, she's run well. We've got what we needed to get out of it. She'll improve a ton the next time she starts back up again.' I thought, 'Well, OK, we'll take that.' But yes, it was just a game performance on her part. It's the first time she's ever been headed.”

The similarities between Pretty Mischievous and Bella Ballerina go beyond the fact that they are half-sisters, as both won the Rachel Alexandra. Bella Ballerina will start next in the March 21 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Pretty Mischievous was second in that race before going on to win the Kentucky Oaks.

“(Bella Ballerina) was a little trickier when she was a baby,” Walsh said. “She had her own ideas about certain things. But all credit goes to the team. They got her straightened out. We worked on her last year. She was just a little bit of a play girl at the time. She'd try and get up to a few little tricks, but nothing horrible.”

Walsh liked what he saw Saturday.

“Tyler came in and he worked her a bunch of times last year and more this year,” he said. “He got to know her. She behaved very well on Saturday. She behaved very well before the race. She behaved very well in the race, and I think that had a lot to do with Tyler. There are a lot of similarities between the two horses. (Bella Ballerina) is getting stronger and, physically, she looks more like Pretty Mischievous did at this point. The good ones, they all have that class, and she seems to have an abundance of it. She's got a very good mind, and I think that's going to be super important going forward.”

Walsh has come a long way from the young man who began his career with the powerful Godolphin team galloping horses.

“It's unbelievable,” he said. “It's like the stuff you dream of. I spent years in Dubai and around all those good horses that they had at Al Quoz. Did I ever think I was going to actually be in a position where I would be training for them? Absolutely not. It is a dream come true. It's unbelievable to have access to that standard of a horse every year and to get to work with these horses and these people. They're just the most fantastic people to work with. You wake up in the morning and you pinch yourself. Believe me, I'm under no illusions. It's a privileged position and it's great to be there.”

Walsh also spoke of his mentor in the U.S., trainer Eddie Kenneally. Walsh served as his assistant before going out on his own in 2012.

“Learning to train in the U.S., it was a huge adjustment,” he said. “It's a completely different ball game. You're dealing with a different type of horse. Dubai was very turf-orientated. That was one thing with Eddie. I really got to learn how to get down to the nitty gritty of it with him. Even when riding horses, dirt horses are different than grass horses. Turf horses have this turn of foot, and when you work them you see that they have a serious turn of foot. Dirt horses tend to be more constant. They cruise along, cruise along, cruise along. It's just completely different, and that's just to name a couple of things. There are thousands of other different angles when you start training over here. Eddie taught me so much. He's a fantastic trainer.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Grande (Curlin), who earned a 105 Beyer figure when winning a Feb. 14 allowance race at Gulfstream. It was his first start since he finished second in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the fast sire Nashville.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman discussed the solid performance from Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) in the $20 million Saudi Cup and the terrific rail-skimming ride he got from jockey Ryusei Sakai. The team also discussed the wins in Saudi Arabia by the American-based sprinters Imagination (Into Mischief) and Reef Runner (The Big Beast). Recapping the rest of the weekend's action, the win by Paladin (Gun Runner) in the Risen Star Stakes was given high marks by the panel.

Click here to listen to the podcast or click here to watch.

The post Brendan Walsh Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

First post time on Fridays at Del Mar this summer will be 2 p.m. PT, two hours earlier than the day's 4 p.m. start time in recent years, and in line with first post times the rest of the week. In announcing the change Wednesday, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club said it was made to provide fans, horsemen and women, and industry partners with a streamlined schedule.

Del Mar's 2026 summer meet begins July 17 and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7. Closing weekend–Sept. 5 through 7–will be the only deviation from the 2 p.m. post time, with races kicking off at 1:30 p.m. each day.

The post Earlier Friday Post Times at Del Mar this Summer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 167th running of the King's Plate will be held Aug. 15 at Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Entertainment announced Wednesday. The first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the King's Plate is North America's oldest continuously run stakes race and will carry a purse of $1 million this year.

Tickets for the King's Plate will go on sale Mar. 6. More event information, including ticket types, will be available at KingsPlate.com the week tickets go on sale.

The post King’s Plate Set for August 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Belmont Park membership program, a new hospitality offering, will be available to fans when the new Belmont Park opens later this year, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Created to provide guests with an elevated race day experience, the membership combines the traditional ambience of box seats with a variety of benefits and amenities, including access to The Overlook, complimentary food and beverage options, preferred parking, priority entrances and personalized concierge services.

Located on Belmont's second floor, The Overlook is a year-round dining and social space providing expansive sightlines of the finish line and paddock area, and a centralized bar with lounge seating.

Belmont Park membership is included with the purchase of annual reserved box seating, which are available in various sizes and locations to accommodate parties of four or more.

For additional information on the currently available inventory of Belmont Park hospitality options, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/.

The post NYRA Launches Belmont Park Membership Program appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

This week's rankings are topped by the fastest Beyer for any female thus far in 2026.

5) PASSAGE EAST, LRL, 2-14, Barbara Fritchie S., 7f, VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure: 92
(f, 4, Audible–Salten Sapity, by Congrats)
O-Larry Rabold; B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky); T-Hugh McMahon; J-Sheldon Russell.
Trainer Hugh McMahon has won 1,227 races, but few could have given him more excitement than Passage East's gritty nostril victory after a spirited battle against odds-on favorite Takethemoneyhoney. McMahon claimed the filly for $30k out of her second lifetime start, and after a trio of runner-up maiden finishes, she now has taken eight of nine, with this being her first stakes score. The $20,000 Fasig-Tipton May 2yo wants to win.

4) MAJESTIC OOPS, OP, 2-13, American Beauty S., 6f, VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure: 92
(m, 6, Majestic Harbor–Miss Oops, by Olmodavor)
O-Medallion Racing, Evan Trommer, Agave Racing Stable and Sheila Regan; B-William and Sandy Dory, and Gary and Janet Kropp (Ca); T-Dan Ward. J-Francisco Arrieta.
Her GI Breeders' Cup Distaff start may have been overly ambitious, but coming back to start 2026 in an ungraded stakes was taking an edge. Returning to the scene of her first stakes score last April, she completely dominated a decent Oaklawn field and the Grade I-placed mare has more lucrative purses squarely in her sights, whether sprinting or going a little farther.

3) EXPENSIVE QUEEN, FG, 2-14, Albert M. Stall Memorial S., 1 1/16mT, VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure: 93
(m, 5, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Witches Brew {Ire}, by Duke of Marmalade {Ire})
O-Farfellow Farms; B-Fermoir (Ire); T-Brendan Walsh; J-Luis Saez.
She didn't set the world on fire in England, so it's unclear how expensive the pricetag was when Paris, Ky.-based Farfellow Farms bought her from previous owner Jaber Abdullah, but whatever they paid, she's worth more now. The Irish-bred mare is now three-for-four in the U.S. and her decisive win in the Stall Memorial was her first in a stakes. Her only loss on these shores was a fourth in the GI Gamely last May, followed by “issues” that kept her sidelined for almost eight months and from which she has clearly recovered nicely.

2) NIC'S STYLE, GP-10, 2-15, Alw, 6 1/2f, VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure: 98 (2nd)
(m, 6, Uncaptured–Sense When, by Street Sense)
O-Rousseau Racing; B-D'Oyen Thoroughbreds (Fl); T-Bill Mott; J-John Velazquez.
The mare Mott once referred to as a “win machine” after seven victories in her first eight starts came into this race off a surprising three-race losing streak perhaps foreshadowed by slightly declining figures. But even though she couldn't quite match strides with the brilliant performance of Eclatant (below), she bounced back to match her career-best Beyer.

1) ECLATANT, GP-10, 2-15, Alw, 6 1/2f, VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure: 104
(f, 4, Into Mischief–Downside Scenario, by Scat Daddy)
O/B-Stonestreet Stables/Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Javier Castellano.
Eclatant has been a curious case. Sure, she became a Grade III winner in the Forward Gal a year ago, but even so, her afternoons never lived up to her mornings–until now. Cox picked a nice allowance spot for her comeback from 8+ months on the bench, and she erupted with a 104 Beyer that marked a 23-point figure top. Whether this becomes her new normal is a legitimate question, but perhaps that latent talent has been unlocked.

The post Five Fleet Fillies of the Week: Feb. 9-15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has added two additional  race dates to the 2025-26 meet, the track announced Tuesday.

The additional days, which were “inspired by the strong performance of purse sources” according to the release, will be Monday, March 9, and Monday, March 16.

“Following the purse meeting with the Louisiana HBPA and Racing Commission, all parties involved were confident that the addition of two race days fits within our current projections and reflects a shared commitment to the strength of the meet,” said Jason Boulet, senior director of racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Thursday-through-Sunday schedule remains intact for the remaining dates in February. March will now include two five-day race weeks: March 5-9 and March 12-16. Closing week remains Thursday, March 19, through Sunday, March 22.

The post Fair Grounds Adds Pair Of Mondays To 2026 Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Unraced since winning the Aug. 23 GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga, Sovereignty (Into Mischief) got back to work Sunday morning at Payson Park in Florida, working three furlongs in 37.40 breezing. It was the first workout this year for the 2025 Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Champion.

“We've got him back on a regular training schedule,” trainer Bill Mott said. “We're a ways away from sorting out exactly where he will run. There are a couple of races in mind. We don't think he'll be ready until April, so we will potentially look at the (April 18) Oaklawn Handicap or the (May 1) Alysheba. We got behind and missed Dubai. That was something we would have thought about, but we just got a little behind schedule. With the travel and with him not being able to get a prep in we just thought it was too much to ask.”

Mott said that the work did wonders for the now 4-year-old.

“He looks great,” he said. “It's amazing. Just with putting the one little easy breeze into him, it's like all of a sudden he flipped a switch. He came out looking pretty sassy after that.”

Sovereignty was expected to end his year in the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but had to be withdrawn due to a fever.

“It was unfortunate that he missed out on the Classic,” Mott said.  “But who knows? There are a lot of what-ifs, but maybe if he would have won the Classic, he wouldn't have been brought back this year. Who knows? It could turn out well.”

2025 Horse of the Year and Derby/Belmont winner SOVEREIGNTY (Outside), recorded his first breeze since before the Breeders Cup Classic, 3F – 37:40, Jimmy Quispe up at Payson Park. First step of a return process. Excited for what's coming with this talented horse.

SOVEREIGNTY… pic.twitter.com/yDuTG464rm

— Agentes305 (@agentes305) February 15, 2026

Mott also gave updates on several other star horses in his stable:

Chief Wallabee (Constitution): Winning his career debut on Jan. 10 at Gulfstream, he was one of the more impressive maiden winners at the meet. Initially, Mott said he would not push the colt to make the GI Kentucky Derby, but is now saying that he hasn't ruled anything out.

“With Chief Wallabee, we are looking for a spot for him,” he said. “He is nominated for the (Feb. 28) Fountain of Youth, which really isn't my normal progression, to bring a horse into that kind of race in just their second start. But he is nominated. He's also nominated for the (Feb. 28) Gotham. We will look at those races. It is a lot to ask to run that type of horse in one of those races. It's not the normal progression. Most of those horses have had several races and have a foundation under them, which we don't have.”

On the same day that Chief Wallabee broke his maiden, Mott sent out another impressive first-time winner in Thunderously (Gun Runner). He said that horse is “on the shelf.”

Baeza (McKinzie) With the passing of trainer John Shirreffs, GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Baeza has been transferred to the Mott barn. The colt has yet to arrive at Mott's Florida headquarters. While still under the care of Shirreffs, he has had three works this year. Mott has not picked out a spot for him yet.

“He has not traveled yet,” he said. “He's only had three works, a couple of easy three-furlong works and a half,” he said.

When asked if it might be hard to keep Baeza and Sovereignty apart, Mott said: “Maybe not so much early in the year. It's doable. If it falls into a situation and they are compromised by a timing issue and they have to run against one another, that's just the way it is. Otherwise, there is certainly a good possibility you could separate them until you get toward the end of the year. Hopefully, we will have that issue when it comes to the Breeders' Cup. Hopefully, one or both of them are good enough and sturdy enough to make it to the Breeders' Cup Classic. Everybody would like that to happen. Let's hope we will have that issue when we get to the Classic.”

Knightsbridge (Nyquist): An impressive winner of the GIII Fred W. Hooper Stakes, Knightsbridge will make his next start in the Feb. 28 GIII Gulfstream Park Mile.

The post Sovereignty Is Back On Work Tab; Could Resurface In The Oaklawn Handicap Or The Alysheba appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The concerns voiced by Mike Repole and Aron Wellman reflect what many in our industry have felt for years – a disconnect between leadership and the realities of the sport.

For that reason, I have resigned from my position as a member of The Jockey Club.

While I valued the opportunity to serve as a member, the role offered little meaningful visibility into the direction or decision-making that shapes our sport. My time as a member left me with the impression that influence remains concentrated among a small group rather than reflecting the broader industry it claims to represent.

While my personal and my family's commitment to Thoroughbred racing remains strong, I no longer have confidence in The Jockey Club's current leadership or its vision for the future. I, and LNJ Foxwoods, stand with those calling for meaningful change.

The post Letter To The Editor: Calling For Meaningful Change appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company has implemented additional control measures for its under-tack shows in 2026, the company announced Tuesday. In a press release, OBS states the measures “further enhance existing standards that prioritize the well-being of horses and riders.”

Beginning with the under-tack show for the March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, use of the riding crop will be restricted to where the rider will not be permitted to strike the horse with their hands off the reins before, during or after the breeze.

Also starting this year, all horses will be required to have a veterinary statement stating they are suitable to perform in the under-tack show. Any entries without an affirming statement will be scratched from the sale. This will be in addition to the existing practice of a staff veterinarian monitoring the training leading up to the under-tack show and positioned on track during the under-tack show.

Additionally, OBS states that the new protocols complement safety rules which have already been successfully implemented. The administration times for NSAIDS and corticosteroids were tightened to where neither are allowed to be administered within 48 hours of a horse's under tack performance and no other medication is allowed within 24 hours of an under-tack effort.

Corticosteroids are also not permitted within 24 hours of a horse's sale session. No NSAIDS can be administered after 6 p.m. the day prior to a horse selling. Any overages for these medications will result in a horse being subject to return.

Last year, OBS instituted a gallop only option where sellers can enter their horses with this designation which will be on the catalog page.

The 2026 OBS March Sale will be held March 10-12 with under-tack shows taking place March 4-7.

The post OBS Implements Additional Control Measures Ahead Of March Under-Tack Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A quintet of New York Sired/Breds have been named finalists for Horse of the Year in the 2025 New York-bred Divisional Awards, announced by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) on Tuesday.

The Horse of the Year finalists are: Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Doc Sullivan (Solomini), Braverthanubelieve (Honest Mischief), Twenty Six Black (War Dancer), Sunday Girl (Central Banker).

Graded stakes winner and MGISP My Mane Squeeze (Audible) was named a finalist in both the Champion Older Dirt Female and Champion Female Sprinter categories.

A panel of New York Turf writers, broadcasters, handicappers, racing analysts and photographers will vote on the winners of each division and the 2025 New York-bred Horse of the Year.

The 2025 New York-bred divisional champions, New York-bred Horse of the Year and other honors, including the new New York-sired New York-bred of the Year, will be announced at the NYTB Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 11. The awards ceremony includes a cocktail hour, silent auction, and plated dinner. Formal invitations to follow.

“The New York-bred Divisional Awards are an opportunity to recognize the excellence, commitment, and talent that define New York breeding and racing,” said NYTB President Lere Visagie. “This year's nominees exemplify the strength of our program and the people behind it. We look forward to celebrating the connections, farms, and professionals whose work continues to elevate New York on a national stage. It promises to be a memorable evening for our entire industry.”

Tickets are available–$150 for NYTB Members and $175 for non-members–for purchase at www.nytbreeders.org/events. Tables of 10 are also available for $1,350 for NYTB members.

Also to be honored at the event with 2025 awards will be Broodmare of the Year, Trainer, Champion Jockey, Outstanding Breeder, New York Sire of the Year and New York Farm Manager of the Year.

Applications for submission for the New York Farm Manager of the Year are available here.

A list of the 2025 New York-bred divisional championship nominees by category follows.

Champion 2-Year-Old Male: Arctic Beast, Bravaro, Jaxer, Spirit of New York, Sunday Boy

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Braverthanubelieve, Iron Orchard, Letmecounttheways, Oh, She's Country

Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Iron Dome, Mi Bago, Mo Plex, Out On Bail, River Thames, Train the Trainer

Champion 3-Year-Old Filly: Bernieandtherose, Five G, Usha, Valtellina, Vehemente, Zi End

Champion Older Dirt Male: Bank Frenzy, Doc Sullivan, Jak N Burny, The Wine Steward, Whatchatalkinabout

Champion Older Dirt Female: Bernietakescharge, My Mane Squeeze, Sterling Silver, Sunday Girl, Zi End

Champion Turf Male: Mi Bago, Out On Bail, Rhetorical, Spirit of St Louis, Twenty Six Black

Champion Turf Female: Awesome Czech, Mommy's Turn, Moonage Daydream, Spinning Colors, Trail of Gold

Champion Male Sprinter: Dancing Buck, Doc Sullivan, The Wine Steward, Twenty Six Black, Whatchatalkinabout

Champion Female Sprinter: My Mane Squeeze, Sterling Silver, Sunday Girl, Usha, Landed

New York-Sired New York-Bred of the Year: Bank Frenzy (Central Banker), Doc Sullivan (Solomini), Braverthanubelieve (Honest Mischief), Twenty Six Black (War Dancer), Sunday Girl (Central Banker)

The post My Mane Squeeze, Bank Frenzy, Doc Sullivan Head 2025 New York-bred Divisional Championship Noms appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In a well-watched race for the presence of 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ewing (Knicks Go), it was Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) on his return to sprints who stepped forward to take home the Ozark Stakes at Oaklawn Park.

The Tom Amoss-trainee entered this contest off an unsuccessful attempt at two-turns Jan. 3 in the local Smarty Jones Stakes, finishing eighth and off the board for the first time in his six-race career. The runner-up there was Silent Tactic (Tacitus), who returned Feb. 6 at this venue to claim the GIII Southwest Stakes in dominant style. Before that, the son of Twirling Candy had been first or second in every start as a juvenile, winning the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs two back Nov. 26 in his stakes debut.

Cutting back from the 1 1/16-miles to six furlongs here, and leaving the blocks carrying 5-2 odds to Ewing's 3-5 favoritism, Oscar's Hope stalked Tiz Mary's Comet (Good Samaritan) and Swung (Instagrand) from third as that pair kept each other company on the front end. After the former posted an opening quarter in :22.01 and four panels in :45.37, and with Ewing not firing from fifth, Oscar's Hope rolled into contention passing the quarter marker and was the looming danger as they neared the final furlong. Overhauling his challengers from the overland route, he kept on well to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Tiz Mary's Comet held on for second by a length with Swung in third.

“He's just a horse that always tries,” said Luis Saez. “He's got a big heart. The key to him today was we got a good post and was right there in the perfect spot. We tracked the speed. We were right behind it and when we came to the top of the stretch, he gave me a big turn of foot.”

Of Ewing's sixth-place finish, jockey Cristian Torres said, “He was flat. He broke a step slow, but he never got into the bit, never engaged in the race. I started working on him early, going into the turn, but never responded.”

The victor is the first to the races for GIII Schuylerville Stakes-placed Hopeful Princess (Not This Time), a full-sister to SP Johanny. That pair's third sibling, three-time winning mare Everything Magic (Street Sense), is herself the mother of MSP Heldish (Great Notion). Hopeful Princess has one other of racing age after Oscar's Hope, a juvenile colt named Major Ray (Nyquist). Her youngest is a yearling filly by Curlin, and she is due back to Twirling Candy for 2026.

This is the immediate female family of GSW Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}) as well as the dam of MGSW Future Is Now (Great Notion) and MSW & GSP Call Another Play (Audible). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

#9 OSCAR'S HOPE ($7.20) took the lead in the stretch and would pull away to win the $150,000 Ozark Stakes at @OaklawnRacing. The son of Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by Luis Saez and is trained by @TomAmossRacing. Michael McLoughlin owns. pic.twitter.com/W2TEzjrvcQ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 16, 2026

OZARK S., $150,000, Oaklawn, 2-16, 3yo, 6f, 1:10.34, ft.
1–OSCAR'S HOPE, 124, c, 3, by Twirling Candy
      1st Dam: Hopeful Princess (GSP), by Not This Time
      2nd Dam: More Than Magic, by More Than Ready
      3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake
($150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss; J-Luis Saez. $85,500. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0, $323,434.
2–Tiz Mary's Comet, 119, g, 3, Good Samaritan–Suzie's Dream, by Tiz the One. ($50,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Rotstein, Michael H. and Olof, LLC; B-Norman Stables, LLC (LA); T-Rylee Magnon. $28,500.
3–Swung, 119, c, 3, Instagrand–Queen's Gate, by Divine Park. ($17,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT). O-Chad M. Call; B-Duncan Lloyd (KY); T-Matt Williams. $14,250.
Margins: 1HF, 1, HF. Odds: 2.60, 7.80, 9.30.
Also Ran: Chad Allan, Gnome, Ewing, My Dream Zapper. Scratched: Dirty Rich, Extract's Arrow.

The post Oscar’s Hope Strides Home in Ozark, Ewing Off the Board in Seasonal Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Argentine champion and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize–Blues for Sale {Arg}), by Not For Sale {Arg}) died at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Monday after complications from foaling, according to Frank Taylor, the Vice President of Boarding Operations at Taylor Made Farms, where the 13-year-old mare has been boarded for her entire breeding career.

“She had complications from a hemorrhage,” Taylor said. “She had a foal [by Life Is Good] about a week ago.”

According to Taylor, her latest filly is doing well.

“She had been at the farm since the foaling,” Taylor said. “We try to keep them quiet when they hemorrhage. We didn't want to ship her to the clinic if we didn't have to, since moving them adds stress, and increases the chances of losing them. But she started to colic [Sunday], and we had to go to the clinic. She died on the operating table.”

Winner of a trio of Grade Is in North America–the Spinster in (2018-19) and the 2019 Breeders' Cup Distaff over champion Midnight Bisou–she also won at the highest level in Argentina, taking the G1 Premio Seleccion in 2016, the same season that she was named Argentine Champion 3-year-old Female.

Bred by Haras La Manija, the chestnut was acquired by Merriebelle Stable and was sent to Ignacio Correas for her U.S. campaign. In North America, she won eight races in the U.S., including the GII Fleur de Lis, GII Falls City and GIII Locust Grove. Retiring with over $2.6 million in the coffers following her Breeders' Cup victory, the mare was purchased by OXO Equine's Larry Best for $5 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

Her initial foal, Playback (Into Mischief), won once from seven career starts for trainer Paulo Lobo. Subsequent foals have yet to start–a 4-year-old colt by Instagrand named Flock Hill in addition to a 3-year-old colt by Practical Joke named Boylston. In 2024, she produced a Life is Good colt and her last reported foal was a filly by the WinStar stallion sired earlier this year.

The post Breeders’ Cup Distaff Winner Blue Prize Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With 11 weeks left to the GI Kentucky Derby, 'All Others' maintains a firm grip on favoritism in the future pool wagering as Paladin (Gun Runner) scooped up second-choice honors at 9-1 odds at the conclusion of Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).

The Gun Runner colt rose to the top of the named heap after a game victory in last Saturday's GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds. The odds shifted on several contenders and the betting public displayed interest in a number of rising sophomores, including GIII Holy Bull Stakes victor Nearly (Not This Time), third in the wagering at 10-1, and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Canaletto (Into Mischief), whose dazzling debut made him the 15-1 fourth choice in this round of wagers. From prior Derby preps, Sam F. Davis winner Renegade (Into Mischief) pulled 16-1 and Silent Tactic (Tacitus), winner of the GIII Southwest Stakes, enjoyed 19-1 odds.

Total handle for the Feb. 13-15 KDFW pool–the fourth of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby Saturday, May 2–was $420,519 ($330,926 in the Win pool and $89,593 in Exactas). It was a 1.9% increase from last year's $412,766 ($319,881 in the Win pool and $92,885 in Exactas). Through the first four pools, a total of $1,277,506 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 1.9% jump from last year's $1,253,931.

Other Future Wager dates are set for Mar. 13-15 (Pool 5) and Apr. 2-4 (Pool 6). Pool 5 also will include the Longines Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

Horses Listed in order of the public's betting choice (with trainer, sire, Pool 4 odds, and $2 Win Will Pays):

• All Other 3-Year-Olds (9-2, $11.30)
• Paladin (Chad Brown, Gun Runner, 9-1, $20.80)
• Nearly (Todd Pletcher, Not This Time, 10-1, $22.76)
• Canaletto (Chad Brown, Into Mischief, 15-1, $32.86)
• Renegade (Todd Pletcher, Into Mischief, 16-1, $35.08)
• Silent Tactic (Mark Casse, Tacitus, 19-1, $40.02)
• Chief Wallabee (Bill Mott, Constitution, 21-1, $45.98)
• Commandment (Brad Cox, Into Mischief, 23-1, $49.18)
• Further Ado (Brad Cox, Gun Runner, 24-1, $50.74)
• Brant (Bob Baffert, Gun Runner, 26-1, $55.72)
• Plutarch (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 27-1, $56.64)
• Napoleon Solo (Chad Summers, Liam's Map, 30-1, $62.10)
• Blackout Time (Kenny McPeek, Not This Time, 32-1, $66.16)
• Golden Tempo (Cherie DeVaux, Curlin, 32-1, $67.20)
• Boyd (Bob Baffert, Violence, 34-1, $71.54)
• Englishman (Cherie DeVaux, Maxfield, 37-1, $77.14)
• Litmus Test (Bob Baffert, Nyquist, 38-1, $78.38)
• Talk to Me Jimmy (Rudy Rodriguez, Modernist, 42-1, $86.34)
• Emerging Market (Chad Brown, Candy Ride-ARG, 42-1, $87.78)
• Potente (Bob Baffert, Into Mischief, 44-1, $90.34)
• Jackson Hole (Todd Pletcher, Nyquist, 45-1, $93.68)
• So Happy (Mark Glatt, Runhappy, 53-1, $108.90)
• Courting (Todd Pletcher, Curlin, 54-1, $110.58)
• Bravaro (Saffie Joseph Jr., Upstart, 60-1, $123.42)
• Secured Freedom (Tim Yakteen, Practical Joke, 61-1, $124.36)
• Ewing (Mark Casse, Knicks Go, 62-1, $127.90)
• Chip Honcho (Steve Asmussen, Connect, 65-1, $133.20)
• Powershift (Todd Pletcher, Constitution, 69-1, $141.66)
• Six Speed (Bhupat Seemar, Not This Time, 73-1, $148.80)
• Class President (Todd Pletcher, Uncle Mo, 75-1, $152.48)
• Pyromancer (Jpn) (Kenji Yoshimura, Pyro, 77-1, $157.70)
• Intrepido (Jeff Mullins, Maximus Mischief, 82-1, $167.76)
• Solitude Dude (Saffie Joseph Jr., Yaupon, 83-1, $168.66)
• Iron Honor (Chad Brown, Nyquist, 122-1, $247.62)
• The Puma (Gustavo Delgado, Essential Quality, 123-1, $248.12)
• Soldier N Diplomat (Steve Asmussen, Army Mule, 129-1, $260.84)
• My World (Brad Cox, Essential Quality, 207-1, $416.26)
• Carson Street (Brendan Walsh, Street Sense, 307-1, $616.26)
• Mesquite (Cherie DeVaux, Union Rags, Wagering Suspended)
• Thunderously (Bill Mott, Gun Runner, Wagering Suspended)

The post ‘All Others’ Remains Favorite in Kentucky Derby Future Pool, Paladin 9-1 After Pool Four Conclusion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The lion's share of the wagering money fell squarely on Express Kid (Bodexpress), the last-out Springboard Mile winner at Remington and subsequent $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Digital January purchase. However, it was the Reddam Racing homebred Pavlovian (Pavel) who put his head down at precisely the right moment to give trainer Doug O'Neill his third victory in the 8 1/2-furlong Kentucky Derby points earning race.

With the victory, the California-bred colt earned 20 points toward the first Saturday in May, while Express Kid garnered10 points for his second-place effort.

Sent screaming to the front right by Justin Evans, even-money choice Express Kid set the tempo, leading 5-1 chance Pavlovian, who was getting blinkers on for the first time, and Bricklin (Nyquist) through opening fractions of :22.07 and :46.40.

With the positions of the front-running trio remaining unchanged up to the home turn, the favorite continued to fight and inched clear momentarily. However, Pavlovian wasn't about to give up and battled late, getting up just in time to get a nostril down on the wire.

The top two finishers currently have a total of 20 points in the run-up to the Kentucky Derby.

Pavlovian graduated at second asking in a 5-furlong state-bred test at Santa Anita last June before finishing runner-up behind Desert Gate in the GIII Best Pal Sakes at Del Mar. Off-the-board in the I'm Smokin Stakes against Cal-breds in September, the grey was an improved second when returning to optional claiming company at Santa Anita in October.

After losing his rider in Del Mar's Gold State Juvenile on Halloween, the colt came home fourth while stretching to a mile for the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 14. In his latest trip to post, the colt closed to be third in the 8 1/2-furlong Cal Cup Derby at Santa Anita on Jan. 17.

Pavlovian is a son of Pavel, raced by Paul Reddam and also trained by O'Neill, out of Mandy's Grace, a daughter of MGSW Magicalmysterycat (Storm Cat) who was also campaigned by the winning combo.

Mandy's Grace produced a full brother to the Sunland Derby winner in 2024 and most recently foaled a filly by Shaaz.

Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

UNLAND PARK DERBY, $500,000, Sunland, 2-15, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.22, ft.
1–PAVLOVIAN, 123, c, 3, by Pavel
1st Dam: Mandy's Grace, by Bellamy Road
2nd Dam: Magicalmysterycat, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Nannerl, by Valid Appeal
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Reddam Racing, LLC (CA);
T-Doug F. O'Neill; J-Edwin A. Maldonado. $297,000.
Lifetime Record: 9-2-3-1, $413,450.
2–Express Kid, 123, c, 3, Bodexpress–Sensationalize, by Street
Sense. ($12,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTCAYR; $2,000 Ylg '24 ARZOCT;
$800,000 3yo '26 FTDFJA). O-Paradise Equine Farm, LLC,
Kleven, Bradley and Kleven, Sharon; B-Richard Barton
Enterprises (CA); T-Justin R. Evans. $108,900.
3–Bricklin, 123, c, 3, Nyquist–Majestic Vixen, by
Majesticperfection. ($55,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $450,000 2yo '25
EASMAY). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Imagine Racing; B-Haymarket Farm LLC (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. $49,500.
Margins: NO, 5 1/4, 3HF. Odds: 5.10, 1.10, 2.30.
Also Ran: Daneyko, Forty Twenty, Buntus Foclora. Scratched: Sharons Beach, Way Beyond.

The post Reddam Racing’s Pavlovian Gets the Nod in the Sunland Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After his mount fell at the eighth pole in the ninth race at Gulfstream Park Sunday, jockey Mario Gutierrez was taken to Aventura Hospital for further evaluation, the track announced via press release.

Aboard Souper Dormy (Into Mischief) for the turf-mile claimer, Gutierrez was thrown from his mount when the gelding went wrong at the eighth pole after taking the lead. Unable to avoid the stricken horse, Lights of Broadway (City of Light) fell over him and threw Tyler Gaffalione to the course. According to the chart notes, the latter runner got to his feet and was walked off, but the former could not be saved, and was euthanized.

After being attended to on the course, Gutierrez was transported to the hospital with complaints of a sore hip and Gaffalione returned to the jockey's room without apparent need for medical attention.

The post Mario Gutierrez Taken to Hospital for Further Evaluation After Fall at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.