Thoroughbred Daily News

Just outside of 48 hours before she is set to take her place as hip 155 at Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Special Wan (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) enhanced her resume with a straight-forward success as the favorite in Saturday's GIII Goldikova Stakes at Del Mar.

Away neatly from the three hole, Special Wan was with the early pace, but was wisely taken a hold of by Joel Rosario as 77-1 Violeta M (Arg) (John F Kennedy {Ire}) opened up a sizeable advantage through enervating early splits of :22.82 and :46.29. Kept inside for the run into the turn, Special Wan took the race to the longshot leader with 2 1/2 furlongs to travel and that first crack at the front-runner proved decisive, as the bay easily held sway to the wire. Breath Away (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) outfinished Medoro (Honor Code) for the place spot.

“She's a very special horse and she showed me that again today,” the winning rider commented. “I knew Mike (Smith) and Violeta M were going fast on the lead, but my horse just relaxed and settled comfortably behind her. She made the lead easily on her own, I just let her go. I shook the reins at her just to keep her focused in the stretch and she finished well. She was the best horse in the race, that's for sure.”

A maiden winner and narrowly beaten in Group 3 company against the boys at Leopardstown for trainer Patrick Foley, Special Wan made this year's GIII Honey Fox Stakes her first graded success on her third U.S. appearance. An excellent third after having to alter course in the stretch of the GI Just A Game Stakes in yielding ground at Saratoga June 6, the bay defeated the classy Segesta (Ghostzapper) in the GIII Ladies' Turf Stakes at Kentucky Downs Aug. 30 when last seen, earning a career-best 99 Beyer Speed Figure.

Pedigree Notes:

Special Wan is the most accomplished of four foals to race from her dam, a daughter of SW Slow Jazz–herself by inaugural GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile hero Chief's Crown–whose other produce includes Italian listed winner and Group 3-placed Mister Cavern (GB) (Lion Cavern). The winner's half-sister Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) also has form on the Southern California circuit, having placed three times in stakes company including a third in the 2024 GIII Robert J. Frankel Stakes. The yearling relation to Special Wan, a filly by Blue Point (Ire), was purchased for 160,000gns ($226,549) by David Ingordo on behalf of Matt Dorman's Determined Stud at this year's Tattersalls October Sale. Fast Jazz foaled a filly by Gleneagles (Ire) this past March.

Saturday, Del Mar
GOLDIKOVA S. PRESENTED BY YAAMAVA'-GIII, $303,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:34.26, fm.
1–SPECIAL WAN (IRE), 123, m, 5, by Belardo (Ire)
                1st Dam: Fast Jazz (Ire), by Frozen Power (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Slow Jazz, by Chief's Crown
                3rd Dam: Blue Note (Fr), by Habitat
(£225,000 RNA 3yo '23 GOFASC). O-Team Valor International
LLC and Rocco, Steven; B-Kilnamoragh Stud (IRE); T-Brendan P.
Walsh; J-Joel Rosario. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-3,
MGSP-Ire, $1,007,598. *1/2 to Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz
{Ire}), GSP, $191,422. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free
   Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Breath Away (GB), 125, m, 5, Bated Breath (GB)–Darling
Grace (GB), by Nayef. (92,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 230,000gns
Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Rocco,
Steven and Tango Uniform Racing LLC; B-Highgate Stud (GB);
T-Miguel Clement. $60,000.
3–Medoro, 121, f, 4, Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel.
O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Parks Investment Group, LLC (KY);
T-Peter Eurton. $36,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, 3/4. Odds: 1.60, 11.10, 2.70.
Also Ran: Crevalle d'Oro, Deep Satin, Public Assembly, Temptable (GB), Nadette (Fr), Lady Claypoole (Ire), Liguria, Violeta M (Arg). Scratched: Certitude (Fr), Sun Of Hill (Brz).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Derived from the Latin word 'splendor', Splendora (Audible) equates in the dictionary to magnificent brilliance or a dazzling display of beauty. Putting in a performance worthy of her name, the 4-year-old daughter of Audible upset her favored stablemate Hope Road (Quality Road) to capture the GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, the first Breeders' Cup race of the card Saturday.

Perhaps a true horse for course and certainly a hometown girl for California, three of Splendora's four previous wins have come over the Del Mar dirt. Campaigned where the turf meets the surf over the summer, she rewarded trainer Bob Baffert and owner By Talla Racing with two straight victories coming into the Breeders' Cup including a last-out romp by 5 1/2 lengths in the restricted Tranquility Lake Stakes at one mile Sept. 1.

One of three Baffert-trained entries to go to post in a race heavily impacted by the morning-of scratches of both Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), Splendora was the middle wagering choice of three, going off at odds of 5-2 while Hope Road attracted even money and Richi (Chi) (Practical Joke) drew widest at 4-1.

Showing a good turn of foot from the inside, Splendora broke in line with the field was quickly overtaken by a host of rivals to her outside, each of whom was sent to lead. Hope Road went fastest of a trio that separated itself out in the first furlong with Haulin Ice (Coal Front) and Richi keeping things tight through an opening quarter in :22.12. Splendora, guided by jockey Flavien Prat, settled beautifully behind those frontrunners in a joint fourth on the run into the far turn. Clearly with plenty of horse, Prat finally tipped his filly off the rail approaching the quarter pole and she swept up four wide to engage Hope Road as the field straightened for the line.

The duel between stablemates lasted mere strides before Splendora hit the front with a furlong to run and opened up with Prat going to the stick just once left handed before settling for hands and heels to the wire. Vahva (Gun Runner), in her final start before selling at Keeneland November, made up plenty of ground into the stretch to steal second from Hope Road who settled for third in a final running time of 1:21.79.

Splendora's win gave Baffert his second in the Filly & Mare Sprint after he captured it first with Gamine (Into Mischief) in 2020. It was the first victory in the race for Prat and his eighth overall in a Breeders' Cup race.

“She has been working really well and she loves this track,” said Baffert following the race. “I told (Flavien) Prat, when she ran here this summer, going six furlongs, she ran an incredible race and just sat off the pace. When he swooped up to the outside (today) and she took off, it was over. Hope Road, she ran great. I thought she would be off the pace a little bit. These races, they are so tough to win.”

“I honestly was a bit worried that we might have a lack of speed because of all the scratches, but the pace was fair and I was able to travel good,” Prat added. “I really felt like I was traveling well all the way around and as soon as I was able to go around everybody, she just give me a good run.”

Pedigree Note:
Splendora was a $125,000 yearling purchase for Talla Racing and Rockingham Ranch at Fasig-Tipton's July Sale in 2022. Her breeder, The Elkstone Group, picked up first dam Miss Freeze with the winner in utero for $45,000 at Keeneland November in 2020 and she's since produced two foals from two to race.

She is the first Grade I winner for Audible, a young son of Into Mischief who captured the GI Xpressbet Florida Derby himself before retiring to stud at WinStar Farm. From three crops, he's been represented by 141 winners and seven stakes winners including My Mane Squeeze.

Miss Freeze is one of only two foals from her own dam, who was herself a half-sister to MSW Royal Currier (Red Bullet), a gelding who earned over $869,000 on track up and down the East Coast. A $37,000 RNA at KEENOV back in 2023, Miss Freeze has a 2-year-old colt on the work tab named Oracle of Beaufort (Demarchelier {GB}) and reported a filly by Tiz the Law this season. She is due to National Treasure for 2026.

Saturday, Del Mar
PNC BANK BREEDERS' CUP FILLY & MARE SPRINT-GI, $890,000, Del Mar, 11-1, 3yo/up, f/m, 7f, 1:21.79, ft.
1–SPLENDORA, 124, f, 4, by Audible
                1st Dam: Miss Freeze (SW), by Frost Giant
                2nd Dam: Reata's Vixen, by Sligo Bay (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Top of the League, by Lite the Fuse
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($125,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC (MD); T-Bob Baffert; J-Flavien Prat. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 10-5-4-0, $860,800. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vahva, 124, m, 5, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Holiday Soiree (SW & GISP, $405,642), by Harlan's Holiday
                2nd Dam: Try to Remember, by Include
                3rd Dam: Casanova Striker, by Smart Strike
($280,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Belladonna Racing LLC, Hudson, Lynne, Hudson, Jr., Edward J., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, Farish, W.S., LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $170,000.
3–Hope Road, 124, f, 4, by Quality Road
                1st Dam: Marley's Freedom (GISW, $1,233,935), by Blame
                2nd Dam: Relaxing Green, by Formal Gold
                3rd Dam: Charlotte Augusta, by Chief's Crown
($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O-Cicero Farms LLC; B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $90,000.
Margins: 4 3/4, 1 1/4, 4 1/4. Odds: 2.90, 9.80, 1.10.
Also Ran: Zeitlos, Richi (Chi), Haulin Ice, Praying. Scratched: Fee Blanche (Jpn), Sweet Azteca, Tamara.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) parceled up a championship freshman campaign with a stalk-and-pounce victory in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar, a win that is better than it might appear on paper in the eyes of his trainer Todd Pletcher.

“I thought he ran terrific,” said Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, striking at the Breeders' Cup for the 16th time. “The race unfolded kind of just as we had anticipated it would with [TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard] Brant (Gun Runner) going to the lead. We got a good stalking position.

“The only part of the race where we had any concern was, I guess, just inside of the eighth pole. Johnny said that (Ted Noffey) kind of saw the shadow of the building and the footprints from the gate crew right in that area. He said he kind of put on the brakes and idled a bit until he crossed over the shadow. And, once he got into the fully shadowed area, he refocused and re-engaged and started to draw away again. Up to that point and after that, everything went exactly as we hoped.”

Pletcher was wearing a tie owned by his former boss and mentor D. Wayne Lukas that was given to him by Lukas's widow Laurie at the celebration of life for Lukas in August.

“I just felt like it would be appropriate to wear it on Breeders' Cup days, Wayne being the all-time winningest Breeders Cup trainer and with remarkable achievements in the Breeders Cup,” Pletcher said. “When you think about when his stable was at its strongest, back in the day, the Breeders' Cup was a one-day card and lot fewer opportunities than there are now.”

Pletcher indicated that the $650,000 Keeneland September yearling would ship to the conditioner's Florida base at Palm Beach Downs and would likely head in the direction of next year's GI Florida Derby.

Both Aidan O'Brien and his son Donnacha were in a celebratory mood following Friday's victories in the GI Juvenile Turf races, for the elder O'Brien a record-breaking 21st success at the championships, while Donnacha was earning Breeders' Cup laurels for the first time in his training career.

Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) could not have been more impressive in taking the colts' and geldings' division of the Juvenile turf, overcoming a slow break and wide trip before prevailing under Christophe Soumillon.

“He's come out the race in good form,” O'Brien said. “It was a great day and a very good performance. From his draw (post 14) it was difficult task but he won well and one we can look forward to next season.”

Balantina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) stormed up the fence to cause a 20-1 upset in the Juvenile Fillies Turf to the thrill of her connections.

“It was an incredible day,” the junior O'Brien said. “It was very special to get our first Breeders' Cup win. Balantina seems healthy and happy today. I'm thankful that the owners are going to let me take her home (to Ireland). We're looking forward to an exciting year ahead with her.”

Super Corredora (Gun Runner), who was given an aggressive ride by Hector Berrios and took them all the way to score at 9-1 in the GI NetJets Breeders' Cp Juvenile Fillies, gave trainer John Sadler his first victory in the race, but has in all likelihood made the final appearance of her 2-year-old season.

“It was very exciting,” Sadler said, adding that the filly would return to Santa Anita on Sunday to undergo a 'full evaluation.'

“I'm not ruling anything out, but this was probably her last race of the year,” Sadler said. “She ran back in three weeks this time. We're excited for next year. She's well suited for the distance races.”

Cy Fair (Not This Time) beat the boys in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, giving her trainer George Weaver his first victory at the championships while also becoming the first Breeders' Cup scorer for Taylor Made stallion Not This Time.

“She came out well, and obviously we're proud of her performance,” Weaver said Saturday morning. “It's a big thing for the team.

“I felt very comfortable once I saw where she was going into the far turn,” the conditioner added. “She was in a great spot and it looked like he had a lot of horse. I was feeling good most of the way.”

With nothing else to play for in the balance of 2025, Cy Fair is likely to be spelled.

“I would imagine she'd get a little break,” said Weaver. “I don't think there's a lot of importance in front of us as far as races in the United  States anyways. She went to the 2-year-old sale and never missed a beat (since then). We'll probably give her a break–not that she needs one, but it's probably a good time to fit one in.”

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Trenchtown Cat (Discreet Cat), the dam of Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Mr. A.P. (American Pharoah) has been supplemented to Monday's Fasig-Tipton November Sale, the auction house said in a release Saturday afternoon.

The 9-year-old mare, who is being consigned to the sale by Taylor Made Sales Agency, is one of two winners from two to race for the mare, a sister to Japanese Group 3 winner Air Khalifa and the Grade III-placed winner Princess Princess. The current yearling out of the mare, a colt by Constitution, fetched $325,000 from Centennial Farms at this year's Keeneland September Sale and she is also represented by a weanling Not This Time filly.

Trenchtown Cat, a two-time stakes winner and Grade II-placed earner of $236,945, is currently in foal to McKinzie, sire of three Grade I winners from his first crop who had seven yearlings sell for better than $500,000 this season.

Trenchtown Cat is cataloged as hip 227. Print versions of all the sale's supplemental entries will be available on-site on sales day.

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Both Sweet Azteca (Sharp Azteca) and  'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) will scratch from the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. Each filly looked to play a substantial role in the wagering with Sweet Azteca 2-1 on the morning line for Richard Baltas and Tamara listed at 7-2 for Richard Mandella.

The news was reported on social media by DRF's David Grening. No reason was given for either scratch.

Additionally, 20-1 shot Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix of Spain {Ire}) has been announced via the same source as a scratch from the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

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GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) will not take part in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. The news was announced Saturday morning on social media by David Grening.

Trainer Ken McPeek told Grening that “the reason they said was [he] responds to flexion left ankle.”

This is the second scratch from the McPeek barn in as many days with 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Blackout Time (Not This Time) scratching Friday from the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Mystik Dan will retire to Airdrie Stud for the 2026 breeding season where he will stand for $15,000.

Mystik Dan out of BC Dirt Mile. “The reason they said was responds to flexion left ankle,” McPeek said. Mystik Dan to stand stud at Airdrie in 2026.

— David Grening (@DRFGrening) November 1, 2025

Both my Breeder's Cup horses have been scratched by Regulatory Vets. My team put both these horses on the plane without a single soundness concern. Neither horse has had any history of unsoundness. While obviously disappointed, We have been on an amazing journey the last two… pic.twitter.com/Hbjt44itzn

— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) November 1, 2025

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All-sources handle for the 10-race program on Future Stars Friday at the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club was $62,008,354, the track announced that evening. 2025 marks the fifth straight year that the Friday handle has exceeded $60 million.

Friday's on-track attendance was 30,059 down just a smidge from 30,982 when the Breeders' Cup was held at the same track. On-track handle was $6,216,798, also down slightly from $63,679,944 last year.

Racing returns to Del Mar Saturday with a 12-race card which includes nine more Breeders' Cup races for 3-year-olds and up. First post is 1:05 p.m. EST.

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Six months in advance of Kentucky Derby 152, the pari-mutuel field of “All Other Colts and Geldings” closed as the 6-5 favorite in Pool 1 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW). Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) was the 10-1 second choice.

Other horses who attracted individual interest from bettors were all fellow 'Rising Stars': GI Del Mar Futurity winner and Juvenile third entrant Brant (Gun Runner) (14-1); Breeders' Futurity runner-up Blackout Time (Not This Time) (20-1); and Further Ado (Gun Runner) (21-1).

The pool closed Friday at 6 p.m., roughly 90 minutes before post time for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Del Mar.

Total handle for the Oct. 29-31 KDFW pool–the first of six scheduled wagering pools–was an early November record $184,492 ($143,448 in the Win pool and $41,044 in Exactas), a 5.6% increase from last year's $174,785 ($138,536 in the Win pool and $36,249 in Exactas).

Other Future Wager dates are set for Nov. 27-30 (Pool 2); Jan. 16-18 (Pool 3); Feb. 13-15 (Pool 4); March 13-15 (Pool 5) and April 2-4 (Pool 6). Pool 2 also will feature the Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager, while Pool 5 will include the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks Future Wager.

The post ‘All Others’ 6-5 Favorite, Ted Noffey 10-1 In KY Derby Future Wager Pool 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

On 'Future Stars Friday' at the Del Mar Breeders' Cup World Championships, there was a special twinkling in the eye of Reagan Swinbank, the co-owner of 2-year-old Cy Fair (Not This Time–Remarqued, by Arch). The Texan had just watched his filly take the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and become only the second female to accomplish that feat in this race.

An OBS April grad, Cy Fair was named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', after being unveiled a winner by 3 1/4 lengths while sprinting over the grass at the Spa July 10. Taking on a black-type over course and distance, the filly just missed in the Bolton Landing Stakes Aug. 17.

Cy Fair was last seen shipping up to Woodbine where she faced open company in the Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine Oct. 5. Cutting back a touch to five panels on the turf, the bay won by the same margin as she did in her maiden.

Installed as a 5-1 shot here, Cy Fair broke clean and fast, which allowed jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., who was looking for his 21st Breeders' Cup win, to shift over a couple of lanes, as Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) carved out the fractions.

The George Weaver trainee was initially between horses as the far turn arrived, but the filly started to accelerate and go after the leader. At the top of the lane, Cy Fair was just finding her best stride and at the eighth pole she told Schwarzenegger as she went by, 'I'll be back.” The 2-year-old bested the bunch by 1 3/4 lengths.

Fellow 'TDN Rising Star, present by Hagyard', Brussels (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) rallied to finish as the runner-up.

Cy Fair | Breeders' Cup Eclipse Sportswire

“I can't describe it,” said trainer George Weaver, who celebrated his first Breeder' Cup win. “It's why we all get in the game. It's hard to win these big races like this, and it's my first Breeders' Cup. We've had a great year, and I'm thankful to my staff, thankful to all the clients that supported me. We've got some nice horses, and she's one of the top ones.

“She's been a bullet all year long,” he said. “Frankly, I don't know how she got beat the second time we ran her in a stake. But she looked fantastic at Woodbine, like a super, special horse. She came over here and did it against the best in the world. We're thrilled.”

Co-owner Reagan Swinbank–who claims roots in the Texas Gulf Coast region–said, “Cy Fair stands for Cypress Fairbanks, a suburb of the northwest side of Houston where my mom's family is from. My mom went to Cy-Fair High School. And she was wearing the Cy-Fair High School ring of my grandmother, Helen, who we call Mimi.

“Today, I brought my aunt and uncle, who are from Cy Fair,” he added. “And honestly it felt pretty good all day. All it takes is a world-class horse, a world-class horse trainer and a world-class jockey and a great trip and it all came together.”

Pedigree Notes:

On the same week as a stallion share (2% interest) in budding super sire Not This Time (by Giant's Causeway) went to John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale fame for $3-million during the Keeneland Championship sale, Cy Fair handed the Taylor Made sire his 10th top level victory. She joins fellow Grade I winning females Sacred Wish and Princess Noor, who both made a visit to the Del Mar winner's circle.

The winner's dam is responsible for a yearling filly by Omaha Beach. After being taken home by Hickory Grove Farm for $225,000 at the 2025 Keeneland January sale, Remarqued foaled a filly by Nyquist in March. She was bred back to that same Darley sire for next term.

Cy Fair's second dam, MSW Citizen Advocate (Proud Citizen), produced MSW Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), who conquered not one, but two Group 2 races during the Royal Meeting at Ascot.

This is a strong family because Citizen Advocate's half-sister is the winning dam Come a Callin (Dixie Union), who in her own right is responsible for champion 2-year-old filly & GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Caledonia Road (Quality Road) and also MGSW Officiating (Blame).

Friday, Del Mar
BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF SPRINT-GI, $920,000, Del Mar, 10-31, 2yo, 5fT, :56.02, fm.
1–CY FAIR, 119, f, 2, by Not This Time
            1st Dam: Remarqued, by Arch
            2nd Dam: Citizen Advocate, by Proud Citizen
            3rd Dam: Twilight Service, by Horse Chestnut (SAf)
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. 'TDN Rising Star' ($185,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Medallion Racing, Swinbank Stables LLC, Joey Platts & Mark Stanton; B-Marc Keller (KY); T-George Weaver; J-Irad Ortiz Jr. $520,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $680,205. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Brussels (GB), 122, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Fond Words (Ire), by Shamardal. 'TDN Rising Star' (300,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael B Tabor; B-Haras des Trois Chapelles (GB); T-Aidan P O'Brien. $170,000.
3–Aspect Island (GB), 122, c, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Bird Key (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (80,000gns Wlg '23 TADEWE; 90,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT). O-The Gredley Family; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-James Owen. $90,000.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 5.00, 6.80, 28.90.
Also Ran: Obliteration, Schwarzenegger, Later Than Planned (Ire), Lennilu, True Love (Ire), Intricate Spirit, Mission Central (Ire), Royal Testament, Havana Anna (GB). Scratched: Bacio, Bobrovsky, Military Code (GB), Rogue Legend (GB), Should've. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

CY FAIR ($12.00) impressed in the @BreedersCup Juvenile Turf Sprint! The daughter of @TMStallions' Not This Time is conditioned by George Weaver! @iradortiz was on board!

Play the Juvenile Fillies: https://t.co/pVu3ROdoDa pic.twitter.com/DslKPpQRqY

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 31, 2025

The post A Lone Star Down The Lane, Cy Fair Takes Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

7th-Churchill Downs, $116,774, Msw, 10-31, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:24.23, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.
PAIGE TURNER (f, 2, Army Mule–Sophia Mia, by Pioneerof the Nile) drew in from the also-eligible list and made the most of the chance here as the 8-5 favorite. Stalking the dueling leaders as Raspberry (Medaglia d'Oro) pushed the tempo through :22.63 and four furlongs in :46.32, Paige Turner was the looming danger via the grandstand side as she swooped in to take command passing the furlong marker. In hand in the final sixteenth, she strolled home to win by 5 1/4 lengths as Raspberry held on to second.

This effort comes on the back of her runner-up debut Aug. 31 at Saratoga where she tried valiantly to run down Lovely Christina (Vekoma), but came short by 1 3/4 lengths of that even-money favorite.

The victress is a half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Speed Boat Beach (Bayern), GISW, $504,850 and a placed 3-year-old named La Fantastica (Volatile). Paige Turner is the most recent to the races for Sophia Mia, a daughter of SW & MGSP Amie's Dini (Bandini). The mare has a yearling filly by Not This Time as well as a 2025 Elite Power colt. She went to Constitution for 2026. Sales history: $350,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $89,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Ingordo, David, West Point Thoroughbreds and Danbro Farms, LLC; B-TMSI, Bell Tower Thoroughbreds, Omar Aldabbagh, Frank Taylor, et al (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux.

PAIGE TURNER ($5.20) soars home in R7 at @ChurchillDowns with @coreylanerie in the irons. The daughter of Army Mule is trained by @reredevaux.

Watch @ChurchillDowns all weekend long on @FanDuelTV pic.twitter.com/dwqi040iWq

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 31, 2025

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Connections had Queen Maxima (Bucchero) under serious consideration for another start against the boys in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, but instead opted for Friday's sex-restricted $200,000 Listed Senator Ken Maddy Stakes over those same five furlongs. Firming into 7-5 favoritism in the final tick or two, the dual graded winner made that decision look good when racing over the top of her rivals to post a soft victory while snapping a baby two-race skid.

Having found trouble when 2 3/4 lengths' sixth as the favorite in the one-mile Osunitas Stakes and again when filling the same spot, beaten two lengths to Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in a roughly run GIII Green Flash Handicap Aug. 30, the Florida-bred chestnut broke running and raced not far from the lead and between rivals in the second flight through the opening exchanges. Juan Hernandez wisely took a tug and eased Queen Maxima back to race behind a wall of three at the midpoint of the turn as her year-younger chief market rival Shoot It True (Munnings)–perfect in two starts on the grass at Saratoga over the summer and getting four pounds from the favorite–made her move.

Slipstreaming that rival into the stretch three and four wide, Queen Maxima was pulled off heels passing the eighth pole and went on to score under tender hands-and-heels from Hernandez. The same connections were to be represented by 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile later on the program.

“She's back again. She was training really good in the mornings and she ran well today,” said Hernandez. “I had to check a little bit at the three-eighths pole because the horse in front of me slowed down. I was a little close to her, so I had to grab her a little bit, but she's really smart. She came back to me and after that, I was waiting to pick the right time to start making our move. I swung outside, and she gave me another big kick like she did before.”

A debut winner over course and distance some 15 months ago, Queen Maxima strung together a five-race streak over the winter and early sprint, including victories in the GIII Monrovia Stakes down the hill at Santa Anita Apr. 5 and in the GIII Unbridled Sidney Stakes on Kentucky Oaks day May 2. That field included Ag Bullet (Twirling Candy), a top contender in Saturday's Turf Sprint. Short of room when trying to rally inside in the Osunitas, she was bothered badly at the break of the Green Flash, effectively losing all chance.

Along with Sprint divisional leader Book'em Danno, Queen Maxima is one of two graded winners for her New York-based stallion, who covered better than 190 mares at Ironhorse Stallions in 2025. Bucchero will stand for a fee of $12,500 in 2026. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

SENATOR KEN MADDY S. PRESENTED BY BREEDERS' CUP CHARITIES, $201,000, Del Mar, 10-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 5fT, :56.57, fm.
1–QUEEN MAXIMA, 124, f, 4, Bucchero–Corfu Lady, by Corfu. ($40,000 2yo '23 OBSOPN). O-Dutch Girl Holdings LLC & Irving Ventures LLC; B-Saul Rosas (FL); T-Jeff Mullins; J-Juan J Hernandez. $120,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 12-7-2-0, $570,460.
2–Shoot It True, 120, f, 3, Munnings–To the Moon Alice, by Malibu Moon. ($340,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG). O-Ice Wine Stable & Smart Choice Stable; B-Old Tavern Farm LLC (NY); T-Wesley A Ward. $40,000.
3–Nay V Belle, 122, f, 4, Midshipman–Cafe Belle, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE. ($67,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT; $200,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Saints or Sinners; B-Scott Clarke, Reynard Bloodstock, Nicky Drion, S Murat & Michael Banahan (KY); T-Mark Glatt. $24,000.
Margins: 1, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 1.40, 1.60, 4.90.
Also Ran: Great Venezuela, Marian Cross (GB), Omnipontet (Brz), Jungle Peace (Ire). Scratched: Puro Magic (Jpn), Sunglow (Ire), Tahini.

#4 QUEEN MAXIMA ($4.80) rallied down the outside to win the $200,000 Senator Ken Maddy Stakes at @DelMarRacing. The daughter of Bucchero was ridden by @JJHernandezS19 and is trained by @Jmullinsracing. Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures owns. pic.twitter.com/syg4Ulx69w

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) October 31, 2025

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Bryson Butterfly, who was an up-and-coming teenage apprentice jockey in Maryland when he was arrested two years ago on first-degree murder charges for his part in a staged robbery that went wrong and killed a 17-year-old high-school student, was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday by a Baltimore County Circuit Court judge.

Butterfly, now 20, started riding horses as a toddler while growing up on a Native American Indian reservation in rural Washington. He had graduated from Pacific Northwest bush-track horsebacking to being a $2-million winning apprentice based primarily in the mid-Atlantic region through 771 races spanning 2021 through 2023.

According to Sapna Bansil of the Baltimore Banner, Butterfly, in a deal bargained with prosecutors, had pleaded guilty last year to a lesser misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to commit armed robbery. He testified against one other conspirator and the triggerman, who were both sentenced to life in prison with, respectively, all but 50 and 40 years suspended.

Butterfly was known on the backstretch as a quick-to-learn apprentice with a big smile and braces that made him look even younger than he was when he moved cross-country at age 16 to fulfill a childhood dream of being a professional jockey.

Butterfly came from a family of accomplished horse riders. His mom, Amy Nelson, had a brief 12-mount career as a jockey in western Canada in 2000. She later trained in Arizona, and had four starters at last winter's Turf Paradise meet.

The Banner reported that Butterfly, wearing an orange jumpsuit and with his hands shackled in front of him, cried as he briefly addressed the court Oct. 30, while Nelson watched from the gallery.

The Banner reported that Butterfly told the court he participated in the crime because he was young and trying to fit in his with his friends.

“I'm so, so sorry,” the Banner quoted him as saying. “Words can't explain.”

The judge told Butterfly that she believed Butterfly's contrition was sincere, the Banner reported, but added that death is a foreseeable consequence of an armed robbery, and that Butterfly should be held accountable for putting the victim in harm's way.

The Banner reported that Butterfly's role in the murder was to lure a teenager he knew to a shopping center for a marijuana buy, knowing two accomplices would be there to ambush and rob them.

The Banner reported that Butterfly fled while the victim fought back, and that one of the conspirators shot the teenager in the chest with a pistol.

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It wasn't a perfect night for Paco Lopez Thursday night at Delta Downs as he was 0-for-2, finishing eighth with his first mount of the night and third in his second try.

But, according to his agent, Jose Garcia, Lopez saw it as a positive night for the simple fact that he was back doing what he loves.

“He was very happy to be back,” Garcia said. “You have a rider who, basically, loves to ride horses.”

Lopez had not ridden since Sept. 22 at Parx. Afterward he was suspended six months by HISA. Lopez received the suspension after HISA ruled that a whip violation in August at Saratoga aboard Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Forego Stakes was the last straw. The agreement was reached after Lopez received an indefinite suspension for striking a horse with his whip in the face after the race was over in December of 2024 at Parx Racing. HISA apparently thought he did not hold up his end of the deal.

He is allowed to ride in Louisiana because HISA, after losing one of many court fights, has no jurisdiction over racing in that state.

Lopez has only picked up five mounts over the next four racing cards at Delta. Garcia said the biggest problem is that he and Lopez have no relationship with most of the trainers at Delta. But Garcia expects that to change.

“We don't know anybody here,” Garcia said. “The person giving him the most mounts is Brett Brinkman and I know him because he also runs at Delaware Parks. I've been getting him mounts from persons like that I have a past with. Today [Friday], was the first day he was on the backside. He was in Jersey doing some stuff in his house, then he flew to Miami and then he drove to Delta Downs. I'm already seeing a difference. In the last 10 minutes I got calls from four trainers who want to ride him.

Garcia also fielded calls from the Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen stables for two stakes races Nov. 8. He will ride Blue Devil (Uncle Mo) for Asmussen in the $100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes. For Cox, Lopez will be aboard Zaghruta (Gun Runner) in the $100,000 Delta Mile.

“He likes to work,” Garcia said. “He wants to ride seven days a week and that's why we were traveling 6 1/2 hours going back and forth to Colonial Downs this summer.”

Delta Downs | Coady Photo

Barring a favorable court ruling on his behalf, Lopez's HISA suspension will stay in effect until Mar. 23. Lopez will ride regularly at Delta until Fair Grounds opens Nov. 20. Garcia said he would then work horse in the mornings at Fair Grounds on Mondays and Tuesdays, ride Wednesday night at Delta and then ride the rest of the week at the Fair Grounds. He said he expects to have a big meet at the Fair Grounds.

“If you ask me honestly, I think he can be the leading rider,” Garcia said. “Why am I so confident? It's the rider that I have and the work ethic that we both have. The people who train at Fair Grounds love him. We got an amazing response when I started texting people that he was going to ride at the Fair Grounds.”

Garcia said Lopez tried to stay positive while originally sidelined by the HISA suspension.

“He is a normal person, so he got upset about what they did to him,” the agent said. “But you know what? We're looking forward to continuing. He is a very positive person.”

When asked if Lopez, who has been hit with numerous whip violations, had finally learned his lesson, Garcia said that he had but believes Lopez is treated more harshly than most every other jockey by HISA.

“I think he has learned his lesson,” Garcia said. “But they judged him for raising the whip over the helmet. But if you look around the country everybody does that. But he's Paco Lopez.”

Despite missing over five weeks of riding, Lopez remain the leading rider in the nation with, through Oct. 30, with 300 wins. Irad Ortiz Jr. is next with 278 victories.

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Eclipse champion and Grade I winner Game Winner (Candy Ride {Arg})–Indyan Giving, by A.P. Indy) has been relocated permanently to Haras Fazenda Mondesir in Brazil after standing there for the 2025 Southern Hemisphere breeding season, according to a press release from Lane's End Farm.

Game Winner is the sire of four crops with 202 foals of racing age. Led by 3-year-old colt Gaming, the Lane's End sire claims a pair of graded winners and has netted four black-type scores.

Owned and raced by Gary and Mary West, Game Winner was named the Eclipse champion 2-year-old colt in 2018 after an undefeated season. The Bob Baffert trainee's 2-year-old campaign consisted of three consecutive Grade I wins, including the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

As a 3-year-old, Game Winner won the GIII Los Alamitos Derby and was the runner-up in the GI Santa Anita Derby and GII Rebel Stakes.

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NBC Sports and Ascot Racecourse, home to the Royal Meeting have reached a multi-year agreement to extend NBC Sports's exclusive United States media rights to the event through 2028, the network said in a press release on Friday.

NBC Sports–who has been presenting Royal Ascot via linear and digital platforms since 2017–will continue to present live coverage of all 20+ hours of the mid-June meet over its five days (Tuesday-Saturday), with Peacock streaming all coverage live throughout the week, and NBC simulcasting coverage during the event's final day on Saturday.

Beginning in 2026, NBC Sports will provide expanded coverage of Royal Ascot races designated as Breeders' Cup Challenge Series “Win and You're In” qualifiers, as well as additional editorial focus and context around those horses and connections aiming towards the World Championships.

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Friday due to high winds forecast to impact the New York City metropolitan area, the organization said in a release that same morning.

The National Weather Service has placed Southern Queens under a wind advisory beginning at 12 p.m. ET, with current forecasts calling for sustained high winds and gusts in excess of 45 mph.

Two Listed $150,000 stakes originally scheduled for Friday–the Tempted and the Pumpkin Pie–have been rescheduled. The Tempted will now be run on Thursday, Nov. 6 with entries taken, Oct. 31. The Pumpkin Pie will be run on Saturday, Nov. 8 with entries taken on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Aqueduct will remain open for simulcasting from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

Live racing was also canceled on Thursday, Oct. 30 due to a powerful storm that generated extremely high winds and rainfall of more than 2.5″.

The Belmont at the Big A fall meet will resume Saturday.

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DEL MAR, CA – Like clockwork, the call over the radio went out promptly at 2:45 p.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday afternoon.

“Breeders' Cup Investigators this is the 48-hour warning for the Juvenile Turf Sprint, please be aware,” said the voice. “Again, that is 48 hours until the Juvenile Turf Sprint.”

Repeated by the day shift control room manager Tyler Durand for each of the four subsequent races on the Friday card and the next afternoon for the nine races carded for Saturday's slate, the announcements are a way to reinforce the strict rules developed by the Breeders' Cup, which prohibit the administration of most medications within 48 hours of a race.

In order to keep all the equine athletes safe during the World Championships, someone has to monitor the nearly 200 Thoroughbreds housed as temporary residents on the grounds at Del Mar and that 'someone' is a tactical team of around 30 specialists–called the Breeders' Cup Equine Security Team–who hail from racing jurisdictions around the country, plus Europe, and are members of the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI). What they do matters on several different levels concerning the sanctity of integrity at the World Championships.

“The best are here to protect the best,” said one member.

At a Breeders' Cup presser on Wednesday, Executive Vice President & Chief Racing Officer Dora Delgado gave the heading, “An experienced team of equine investigators is on the ground monitoring the barn area. They're aided by high-definition cameras and in coordination with the CHRB and HISA officials.”

During her tenure, Delgado championed the evolution of equine integrity teams, which is a group overseen by Senior Director of Operations David Duncan, and relies heavily on the expertise of racetrack security deans Don Ahrens and Mike Kilpack. They handpick their Breeders' Cup team and each year spend time reevaluating their procedures. If you ask Ahrens how many World Championships he has protected his response is always, “I've lost count.”

Always looking to stay on the cutting edge when it comes to safety and security, the investigative unit underwent a massive procedural change this year when they chose not to employ, like they had in years past, a collective unit of some 100 security personnel who watch the barns round the clock during the week.

Instead, Del Mar's state-of-the-art camera system became the 'eyes' and that has allowed the team to maximize efficiency and rely on one another's base of knowledge.

Don Ahrens (center) discusses camera placement with members of the Equine Security team | JN Campbell

“What we are doing now really enhances our operation by utilizing tech that is available to cover as much ground as possible,” said Ahrens. “We've got access to 228 cameras with infrared capability and we can group stalls of horses by race, which from the start of the week till race day gives us a significant advantage when it comes to patrolling a large set of barn areas.”

Utilizing a 'quarterback' who is in a room on the property, the team can target specific areas where humans are coming in contact with horses in their stalls. Most activity during the day is perfectly normal, but the control room manager has to know what to look for when it comes to what grooms, assistants, veterinarians and anyone else along the shedrow should or should not be doing.

“This is where having expertise is essential,” said Ahrens. “Our members know how to assess, then respond accordingly. The cameras hand us that ability to have eyes everywhere.”

Regular sweeps on the watch continue once it gets dark and that is when a small but effective group dubbed the 'Night Owls' swings into action. Mirroring the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, the overnight group has to cover the same ground that is watched during the day. Led by Juan Estrada, the 'Owls' rely on teams of two to cover zones throughout the property. They employ Google software that collates notes and creates reports, so Ahrens can check on activity when he starts at 5 a.m. each morning. In the control room, the 'Owls' switch shifts. Meanwhile, the rest of the team roves around the stable area, pivoting constantly and taking direction when it is needed over the radio.

Speaking on the subject of standards at the World Championships, Duncan's focus when it comes to the role played by the Breeders' Cup Investigators is one of quality over quantity. He says he is particularly interested in a common-sense approach which puts the horsemen at the center of everything the team does.

With a background in horsemanship, Breeders' Cup Ops Senior Director David Duncan rides 'Ted' at Del Mar | Breeders' Cup Eclipse Sportswire

“We are here to work with the CHRB and HISA who are the regulators, but we are also here for the horsemen,” said Duncan. “That puts us in the role of middlemen. So, what we have done is to create a scalable system based on the expertise of the best minds who do this day-in and day-out. We are going to be intentional in everything we do and we start by adapting to a horse environment.”

Duncan makes a point of borrowing a stable pony while at Del Mar and utilizing his horseman's background that he built growing up and while in law enforcement. He says it helps send the message that he is willing to do whatever it takes to understand the perspective of the horsemen. In other words, integrity must flow both ways.

“Bill Mott rode up alongside me and we were talking about the stable area,” said Duncan. “This is a community approach we are taking here and we need everyone to know on the backside that we are watching because we're a resource, not a threat. We're here to help in any way we can.”

As the World Championships get ready to take flight on Friday, the maintaining of order and organization will continue to be a priority for the Breeders' Cup Equine Investigators as the crowds of horse fans descend on the seaside oval. Based on their expertise, you can trust that they will be watching.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – At the age of 56, the legendary Bill Shoemaker guided Ferdinand home by a nose over Alysheba as the two Derby winners famously hit the wire together in the 1987 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Hollywood Park. The late Shoemaker has held the record as the oldest jockey to win a Breeders' Cup race since.

Hall of Famer Mike Smith will have five chances to make history as the two-day Championships return to Del Mar for the fourth time Friday. The 59-year-old's Breeders' Cup mounts include: Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) (Juvenile Fillies); 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) (F/M Sprint); Kopion (Omaha Beach) (Sprint); Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) (Classic); and Will Take It (Tapit) (Dirt Mile).

“Even if I wasn't setting the record, it would be awesome to win a Breeders' Cup race,” Smith said. “We're gonna give it our all. We're not without big chances, I'm excited about it. And if I become the oldest jockey to do so, that's just an extra little icing on the cake. I feel like I'm 40, man. I mean, I'm out here running talking to you (on the phone) right now.”

Bottle of Rouge makes her two-turn debut for Bob Baffert in Friday's Juvenile Fillies following a win in the seven-furlong GI Del Mar Debutante S.

Tamara, a daughter of the mighty Beholder, kicked off her season in style off the bench with a dominant win in the GIII Chillingworth S. The talented GI Derby City Distaff S. heroine Kopion could arguably be Smith's best chance on the weekend while taking on the boys in the Sprint. The Spendthrift Farm duo are both trained by Richard Mandella.

“I don't think anybody would argue that (Tamara) has the ability and if anyone could get into the Breeders' Cup off one race, that's Mr. Mandella,” Smith said. “There's a lot to (Kopion). She's as big as those boys are. She's strong. Some great fillies have run extremely well in the Sprint in the past.”

The lightly raced 3-year-old Nevada Beach heads to the Classic for Baffert following a 'Win and You're In' victory against older horses in the GI Goodwood S. Smith has won the Classic four times, led by the once-in-a-lifetime Zenyatta in 2009.

“I don't even think we know how good he is yet,” Smith said. “He's a big, powerful horse and wants every bit of going the distance.”

Smith will also ride longshot Will Take It for Dallas Stewart in the Dirt Mile.

“I'm feeling great, my horses are training well and I couldn't be more excited,” Smith said. “Listen, it's the Breeders' Cup, we all know they're very tough races to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if any one of them won. They all have a really good shot and they're doing really well. It's been a few years since I've had a couple of live ones in the Breeders' Cup.”

No jockey has ridden more 'live ones' at the Championships than Smith. The most recent of his leading 27 Breeders' Cup victories came aboard Corniche in the 2021 Juvenile. His first was aboard the two-time Mile winner Lure in 1992.

“When Zenyatta beat the boys, that might be a Top Five of all Breeders' Cups,” Smith concluded. “I've been blessed to have had so many wonderful moments in the Breeders' Cup.”

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A Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) internal adjudication panel has banned trainer Zvi Kriple for two years for breach of the racetrack safety rule that prohibits “the deprivation of necessary care, sustenance, shelter, or veterinary care” to a Covered Horse.

The case concerns the former Kriple trainee, Royal Honey (Astern {Aus}). In April of this year, Royal Honey died a “very painful death” from colic when stabled at Belterra Park after Kriple failed to secure for the 5-year-old mare the necessary veterinary care, according to a written ruling dated Oct. 27.

The hearing was held Oct. 20. Kriple's ban began Oct. 28. He has 10 days from receiving the written order to appeal the ruling.

According to the written ruling, on the afternoon of April 23 this year, Royal Honey started to show symptoms of colic.

“Without having sought veterinary aid on the 23rd, at 12:30PM on Sunday April 24, 2025 the Covered Person made contact with Dr. Timothy Renn to seek veterinary aid. Dr. Renn informed the Covered Person that he was 100 miles away and was unable to return to the track to attend to the horse.

“He suggested several alternative veterinarians which might be able to attend to the horse in a timely manner. He further stressed the importance of having the horse seen to and that the condition, left untreated, could lead to a very painful death of the Covered Horse,” the written ruling states.

“Dr. Renn further testified that his next contact with the Covered Person was at 8:30PM on the 24th when he was told by the Covered Person that the horse still had not been treated by a veterinarian. In his testimony, Dr. Renn quoted another trainer who was on the call as saying that several trainers had volunteered to ship the horse to a nearby vet clinic free of charge but that the Covered Person refused to take advantage of those offers.

“The Covered Person testified that he left the horse unattended at 1:30 AM on the 25th and that the Covered Horse fell out of its stall at 3:30AM and died what Dr. Renn described would have been a very painful death,” the written ruling states.

In his defense, Kriple reportedly argued during the hearing that “despite his best and repeated efforts over the periods of April 23rd and 24th, 2025 he was unable to find any veterinarian that would either come to the racetrack to treat the horse or receive the horse at a clinic where it could be seen and treated,” according to the written ruling.

Kriple was suspended by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) in March of 2010 after being found guilty of animal cruelty charges related to his treatment of a pony in his care.

According to a Los Angeles Daily News story dated Jan 4, 2010, Kriple was convicted by a jury of misdemeanor animal cruelty “after prosecutors alleged he failed to euthanize or sufficiently treat a horse at the Fairplex racetrack that suffered from a chronic hoof condition.”

The prosecutor in the case told the Los Angeles Daily News that Kriple had a pattern of “extreme negligence when it comes to taking care of horses,” and cited a 2002 case in which Kriple reportedly failed to properly care for a racehorse that suffered a fractured knee at Los Alamitos.

According to Equibase, Kriple has trained 39 winners from 319 starts over a training career that dates back to 1998.

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Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appeal level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) over a contested clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course in 2024, on Thursday had the judge in his lawsuit deny a request for a preliminary injunction for the second time in five months.

In explaining his decision, the judge in charge of the case, David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern District of Florida), wrote in his Oct. 30 order that, “Serpe has twice been denied advantage at the early turns, but the race is far from over.”

The judge further signaled that the 66-year-old trainer could end up prevailing in his overall lawsuit against the FTC and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), by writing that while Serpe “may ultimately win the race, two obstacles stop him from getting a preliminary injunction.”

Those obstacles, the judge explained, are 1) “Serpe does not face a threat of imminent irreparable harm” and 2) “Serpe has not demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.”

Serpe's suspension stems from clenbuterol detected in the urine of Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance) after her Aug. 10, 2024, victory in a $30,000 claiming race. Clenbuterol is classified as a “banned” substance, meaning it is never to be present in any HISA-regulated Thoroughbred.

A key issue in Serpe's case is the fact that HIWU and HISA did not pursue any monetary fine against him, which is a departure from how the agencies handled a dozen other clenbuterol detections since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program (ADMC) went into effect in May 2023.

Serpe has claimed that the non-pursuit of a fine of up to $25,000 by HISA and HIWU is an alleged end-around to stymie his efforts to prove in his lawsuit that he has been wrongfully denied a constitutional right to a jury trial.

Citing a U.S. Supreme Court case that previously ruled that a federal regulatory agency's enforcement for civil monetary penalties must be brought in a federal court, Serpe asserted in a July 15 legal filing that his Seventh Amendment rights are being violated by “gamesmanship” in the form of HISA and HIWU's non-pursuit of a monetary penalty, a move that he alleged “strategically” seeks to deprive federal-court jurisdiction over the facts of liability required for any sanction.

On Aug. 15, both HISA and the FTC responded by filing legal documents opposing Serpe's renewed motion for a preliminary injunction, stating that so long as no fine was part of Serpe's penalties, the judge should not grant the trainer any requested relief based on what HISA and the FTC say is a non-valid Seventh Amendment claim.

“Plaintiff accuses the Authority of engaging in 'gamesmanship' by withdrawing its initial request for a fine,” that Aug. 15 HISA legal filing stated. “But Plaintiff is the only one playing games.”

Beyond the year-old federal lawsuit that now seems certain to extend into 2026, the case has also been handled at the administrative level by HISA and HIWU.

Serpe has already appealed his penalization before a HIWU arbitrator and the administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned by the FTC, and as part of an FTC order dated Sept. 15, the FTC will be undertaking a “further review” of the case.

In the Oct. 30 court order, Judge Leibowitz wrote that, “what happened to [Serpe] in the wake of Fast Kimmie's win goes to the constitutional core of the American judicial system.”

Leibowitz then explained his reasoning for denying the injunction a second time. (The May 29 order denied the injunction “with prejudice” as to HISA. Thursday's order pertained to the FTC, the judge wrote.)

“The problem for Serpe at this stage of the litigation is that his suspension is disconnected from the basis of his Seventh Amendment challenge, a disconnect that Serpe himself has acknowledged,” the judge wrote.

“Serpe has previously conceded that the only legal relief at issue here is the monetary penalty, and he has explained that a Seventh Amendment violation would occur, if at all, only once the ALJ had imposed a monetary penalty,” the order stated.

The judge continued, at a different point in the order:

“To obtain a preliminary injunction, Serpe also must demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim. At this stage of the litigation, Serpe fails on this front as well–because of an issue underneath his Seventh Amendment claim that he addresses only cursorily in his motion.

“In particular, Serpe does not explain how his Seventh Amendment claim withstands his assent to the Covered Person Agreement–a prerequisite to his and Fast Kimmie's participation in the Aug. 10, 2024, horserace at Saratoga,” the order stated.

In essence, the judge wrote, because Serpe had opted into the HISA program by registering as a “covered person” who trains a “covered horse,” he is bound by the HISA rules that require him to agree to arbitrate any anti-doping rules violation dispute.

“In the Renewed Motion [for injunction], Serpe summarily states that he did not waive his Seventh Amendment right when he agreed to arbitration,” the judge's order stated. “He cites only two cases in support of his argument, and he complains that 'the Authority never attempted to defend the enforceability of the ADMC Program as an “arbitration agreement”' and, by extension, as a waiver of Serpe's Seventh Amendment rights in this circumstance.

“Serpe's cursory treatment of this issue dooms his request for a preliminary injunction, as it is his burden to prove all four [legal factors necessary for an injunction], and his entering into the registration agreement was clearly raised by the Defendants to this Court,” the judge wrote.

Judge Leibowitz then summed up the issue and outlined the next steps in the court case.

“This Court is not suggesting that Serpe's Seventh Amendment claim on the merits is doomed (the Court takes no position on the issue until it has been fully briefed and considered); instead, the Court concludes only that on this procedural posture Serpe's failure to show that he did not forfeit his Seventh Amendment claim means he has failed to meet his burden to show a substantial likelihood of success to obtain a preliminary injunction,” the order stated.

“The Court underscores that these early rulings turn largely on the standards governing such requests for extraordinary relief. On the merits, the parties have not yet perfected the factual record and fully briefed important substantive issues. The Court, therefore, directs the parties to submit a joint proposed schedule [by Nov. 28] for expedited discovery followed by a full briefing schedule for summary judgment motions on all issues of law,” the judge wrote.

Attempts to contact Serpe's legal team and the FTC for comment on Thursday's order did not yield replies prior to deadline for this story.

The post Judge Denies Injunction to Serpe a Second Time, but Adds ‘Race is Far from Over’ in Trainer’s Lawsuit Against HISA and FTC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.