Thoroughbred Daily News

Last year's Eclipse champion juvenile filly, Super Corredora (Gun Runner), will miss the GII Santa Anita Oaks Apr. 4 after getting sick earlier this week, trainer John Sadler reported Friday.

The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine has had a rough start to her 2026 campaign with two non-factor efforts in the Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes and last out Mar. 8 in the GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes, where she missed the break and trailed far off her customary position.

Super Corredora reportedly ran a fever earlier this week that knocked her out of contention for the Kentucky Oaks qualifying race as there are no reported works on her tab since Mar. 1 ahead of the Santa Ysabel.

“She had a fever and we have to wait for her to get over that,” Sadler said. “The [Santa Anita] Oaks is out.”

The winner of the aforementioned Las Virgenes, Meaning (Gun Runner), remains on track to contest the Santa Anita Oaks and was spotted on track Friday in a five-furlong breeze. The Michael McCarthy-trainee was clocked in 1:00.20.

“Nice work. We're on track for the Oaks,” McCarthy said.

With temperatures soaring into the high 90s Friday, Santa Anita Park has put in place heat protocols in advance of the eight-race program. Buckets of ice and hoses will be available for use throughout the property while riders will be legged up in the saddling enclosure before going straight to the track from there. Following each race, all horses will go back to the barn area down the racetrack rather than through the paddock.

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Golden Tempo (Curlin), third in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. Feb. 14, will race with first-time blinkers in Saturday's GII TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds.

The Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was an eye-catching, come-from-behind winner of his first two career starts, including the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 17. He rallied from seventh to complete the trifecta in the Risen Star, finishing six lengths behind Paladin (Gun Runner).

“He made a really nice run in the Risen Star and just gave himself a lot to do,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “We're putting blinkers on him not to change his running style, but hopefully to get him in a better position so he doesn't have to make up so much ground. He's got a really nice turn of foot, but I really just want to get him focused.”

Chip Honcho (Connect), winner of the local Gun Runner S. Dec. 20, was a fantastic second, beaten just a half-length, after setting a strong pace in the Risen Star. The 3-1 morning-line favorite figures to be on the engine once again beneath Luis Saez. Steve Asmussen has won the Louisiana Derby five times, including last year with longshot Tiztastic.

“He went fast to get to the front, but I had him on the lead where I wanted,” Saez said following the Risen Star. “He just got a little tired late. I feel like he's going to be a really nice horse.”

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}), a smart debut winner for Chad Brown with a field-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure going two turns at Tampa Feb. 7, is drawn widest of all in post nine. Runner-up that day Powershift (Constitution) returned with a disappointing sixth-place finish in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby.

The 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby serves as a Championship Series event on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarding 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points to the top five finishers.

The stacked 14-race program on Louisiana Derby Day also includes: a highly anticipated rematch between unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' and GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. winner Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) and Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) in the GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks, good for 100-50-25-15-10 qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks; the GII New Orleans Classic S., headed by Louisiana-bred sensation Touchuponastar (Star Guitar); and the GII Muniz Memorial Classic S.

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf runner-up Stark Contrast (Caravaggio) will make his synthetic debut in Saturday's GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park, good for 100-50-25-15-10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.

The Michael McCarthy-trained Amerman homebred–the same connections behind 2024 Jeff Ruby winner Endlessly–kicked off his sophomore campaign with a win in the Eddie Logan S. going a mile over the Santa Anita lawn Jan. 8.

“He's a good work horse and trains with a lot of energy,” McCarthy said. “He seems to be going the right way. It's a good time to take a swing at a big pot.”

Stark Contrast figures to vie for favoritism with the stretch-running Fulleffort (Liam's Map), who finished a rallying second in both the Leonatus S. Jan. 17 and John Battaglia Memorial S. Feb. 21.

Turfway's 13-race card also features: the Kentucky Oaks qualifier Bourbonette Oaks (50-25-15-10-5) and the GIII TwinSpires Kentucky Cup Classic.

Saturday's graded stakes action also includes the GIII Essex H. at Oaklawn, led by GI Pegasus World Cup upsetter Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator); and the GIII San Luis Rey S. at Santa Anita.

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Repole Stable and Spendthrift Farm's Make My Day (Gun Runner), a distant third to 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and GII Louisiana Derby hopeful Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) trying a distance of ground on Tampa debut Feb. 7, took control of a Friday afternoon maiden at Gulfstream Park right from the start and proved not for catching.

Off as the 5-2 third betting choice, the $1.1-million Keeneland September acquisition broke a bit inward from the rail draw, but nevertheless made an easy lead entering the first turn. Laying down sound fractions of :23.14 and :47.05, the bay colt–carrying the Repole colors this time around–began to sneak away from his rivals with about three furlongs to race and appeared ready to win by as many as Luis Saez pleased.

Second favorite Stompin Grapes (Vino Rosso) tried to make a race of it in the final furlong, but, despite a bit of drifting as the wire neared, Make My Day was home safely in front. It was a gap of 10 lengths to the newly blinkered and market leader The Pulse (Curlin) in third.

Make My Day is a half-brother to an additional six winners, including Magical (Tapit), SW, $164,550; Exulting (Tapit), MSW, $687,370; Imagination (Into Mischief), MGSW & MGISP-USA, GSW-KSA, $2,143,700; and Occult (Into Mischief), GSW & MGISP, $721,006. The deeper female family includes Grade I winners Well Chosen (Deputy Minister) and Golden Ticket (Speightstown). Magical Feeling did not produce foals in 2024 or 2025 and was most recently covered by National Treasure, also bred by Peter Blum.

5th-Gulfstream, $68,000, Msw, 3-20, 3yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:42.57, sy, 1 1/2 lengths.
MAKE MY DAY (c, 3, Gun Runner–Magical Feeling {GSW & GISP, $554,532}, by Empire Maker) 1/2 to Magical (Tapit), SW, $164,550; Exulting (Tapit), MSW, $687,370; Imagination (Into Mischief), MGSW & MGISP-USA, GSW-KSA, $2,143,700; and to Occult (Into Mischief), GSW & MGISP, $721,006. Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC & Repole Stable; B-Peter E Blum Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher.

@RepoleStable & @SpendthriftFarm get a maiden winner with #1 MAKE MY DAY ($7.00), who held off Stompin Grapes in the 5th race at @GulfstreamPark. @luissaezpty rode the three-year-old Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) colt for @PletcherRacing. pic.twitter.com/V8i4TjQil9

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 20, 2026

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Gold Square LLC's Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map), who suffered his first career defeat when beaten nearly 12 lengths into fifth behind Commandment (Into Mischief) in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28, worked five-eighths of a mile in :59.65 (1/2) at Palm Meadows Thursday.

“He worked well,” said Gold Square's Al Gold between races at Gulfstream Park. “We're looking forward to his next race. We don't know yet where it's going to be.”

Last year's GI Champagne Stakes winner was off awkwardly in the Fountain of Youth, his first try going a two-turn route, and weakened out late.

Napoleon Solo is one of 28 3-year-olds nominated to next Saturday's GI Curlin Florida Derby. The gray colt is also under consideration for the GII Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct on Apr. 4.

Entries for the Florida Derby will be taken between the third and fourth races at Gulfstream this Saturday.

The post Napoleon Solo Breezes, Next Start To Be Determined appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

John Oxley's Silent Tactic (Tacitus) drilled five furlongs in 1:01.60 (7/11) Thursday morning at Oaklawn Park in advance of the Mar. 28 GI Arkansas Derby, for which he figures one of the top few betting selections.

A $60,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling turned $500,000 OBS April juvenile, Silent Tactic was returning to the worktab for the first time since dropping a nose decision to Class President (Uncle Mo) in the GII Rebel Stakes on Mar. 1. Prior to that the bay flew home to post an impressive victory in the GIII Southwest Stakes.

“He's had an easier week galloping, so we're just trying to take it easy,” said Caden Arthur, who oversees dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse's Oaklawn division. “He's feeling really good going into this race, so we're excited. Hopefully, we can get on the better end of the photo this time or something. But that's part of horse racing. He looked phenomenal today, so we're very happy with it. He won't work again before the race. That was it.”

Post positions will be drawn for the Arkansas Derby following the first race this coming Saturday, Mar. 21. According to the Oaklawn racing office, others expected for the $1.5-million contest include 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and GISP Blackout Time (Not This Time); recent Oaklawn allowance winner Exosome (Candy Ride {Arg}), Litmus Test (Nyquist), winner of the GII Los Alamitos Futurity and third in the Rebel; Sam F. Davis Stakes hero Renegade (Into Mischief); and Taptastic (Tapit), impressive in breaking his maiden at first asking over a mile at Oaklawn Mar. 8.

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Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stables' Gosger (Nyquist), who won last year's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes before taking a pair of heartbreaking defeats behind Journalism (Curlin) in Grade I company, makes his 4-year-old debut in a two-turn allowance with an option to enter for a $125,000 claiming tag Saturday afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

The homebred son of Gloria S. (Tapit), a half-brother to Grade I winner Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah), won the Lexington in just his third career start for Brendan Walsh and looked every bit a winner of the GI Preakness Stakes, only to be tagged on the wire after an other-worldly finish from Journalism. Having passed the Belmont Stakes, Gosger was a 6-1 chance in the GI Haskell Invitational Stakes and once again led late before just failing to hold off Journalism.

Sixth in the GI Pennsylvania Derby in September, the gray was third in trying older horses for the first time in the GIII Fayette Stakes at Keeneland the following month and was a wide sixth behind Magnitude (Not This Time) in the Nov. 28 GII Clark Stakes when last spotted. The blinkers he wore on that occasion come off on Saturday.

“It's a good spot,” Walsh said. “He's been down here all winter and he's been working well. The intention was always to give him a run kind of around now and hopefully prepare him for the year ahead. He's doing well. We backed off of him for a while and we've had him back working. He's been working really good, actually, so we're looking forward to Saturday with him.”

While non-committal about exactly what 2026 will look like going forward, Walsh is expecting big things from his charge.

“We'll just take it as it comes. You'd hope that he'd be right up there with the best of them and be able to compete at the highest level,” Walsh said. “I'd have to say the last month has really given me hope with the horse. He's really, really come on a lot and I'm glad we backed off and gave him a chance. He had a long year last year, but he was pretty consistent the whole way through to the last race. Hopefully the freshening will do him good and we'll see a good display from him on Saturday.”

Gosger figures to jump at odds far skinnier than his 6-5 morning line. He breaks from the rail with Dylan Davis in the irons for the first time.

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Riley Mott, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, has come a long way in the 3 1/2 years he has been training on his own. He's already won more than 100 races and collected a pair of Grade I wins, including World Beater (Oscar Performance)'s score in last year's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. And now it looks like he'll have a starter in this year's GI Kentucky Derby. In winning the Virginia Derby, the Mott-trained Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) earned enough points to guarantee himself a spot in the race.

To talk about Incredibolt, how his career is going, what he hopes for in the future and what it might be like to face off against his father in the Derby, Mott joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

Incredibolt was dismissed at 6-1 by the bettors in the Virginia Derby, which was no surprise since he was beaten 25 1/4 lengths in his prior start, the GIII Holy Bull Stakes. He was a completely different horse at Colonial Downs. But why?

“I was asking myself that very question as they were going down the backside during the Holy Bull,” Mott said. “I wanted to run away and hide and not talk to anybody for a couple of weeks. It was very perplexing the way he ran. I couldn't say anything other than he just really didn't like the racetrack surface. He had trained extremely well leading up to that race. Luckily for us and for the horse, the horse came back from the Holy Bull with zero issues. He probably even took a step forward physically and mentally. He got a little bit sharper, maybe put on a little bit of weight, filled out a bit. His works and training leading into the Virginia Derby were very good, and he certainly ran that way.”

There is a seven-week gap between the Virginia Derby and the Kentucky Derby, and Mott has decided to train up to the first leg of the Triple Crown. While a seven-week break may not be ideal, he said he has the right horse to handle the situation.

“With these good horses, you want to take things one step at a time, but, at the same time, you always want to be two steps ahead of the game,” Mott said. “So we were always thinking about what would happen if the horse ran well in the Virginia Derby and we were trying to pursue the Kentucky Derby. So it was thrown around after he won, do we come back in three weeks? That is something we had talked about. But I think everyone agreed and felt pretty comfortable with accepting the seven weeks. More than anything, the individual this horse is makes him the type that I think can handle that type of a layoff. He's not a horse that appears to need a ton of racing to get fit. He gets a lot out of his training and his workouts.”

Incredibolt is owned by Pin Oak Stud, which also owns World Beater. That operation has played a big role in Mott's early success, something that he has not lost sight of.

First and foremost, they've been paramount in my career,” he said. “Obviously, we're a young stable and we're just now kind of getting our feet underneath us and starting to improve on the quality of the stable and compete in some of those higher-level races. They have been right there from the start, one of my very first clients. The relationship formed when I was working for my dad the last couple of years, working under him as an assistant. That was around the first time that Jim and Dana Bernhard had owned horses and they sent a couple to my dad to train. So we formed a bit of a relationship just through working with my dad. And when I struck out on my own, Mr. and Mrs. Bernhard kind of interviewed me at one of the sales and we had a sit down meeting. It felt very much like a job interview, which it was, and we clicked. They liked me and I really enjoyed their company and they decided to send us some horses. So it's been really fun and rewarding to have the success we've had so far for them. You always remember the people that helped you get your start.”

If things continue on the right path, Incredibolt could go up against Chief Wallabee (Constitution) in the Derby. What would it be like to face his father in the sport's most important race?

“We're not in it for consolation prizes,” Mott said. “We don't want to just have a participation award. We want to go out there and have a horse that can potentially win the race. But, I'd be lying to you if I said it wasn't just a really cool feeling just having one in contention and qualified. Then, on the other hand, to have one against one of my dad's horses would be special. We've run against each other on a bunch of different occasions. We're always pulling for each other, but we're both extremely competitive. I think if we both are fortunate enough to have a couple in the gate, it's kind of every man for himself at that point.”

The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Built (Hard Spun), who earned a 106 Beyer when winning a Fair Grounds allowance race in which he set a new track record for the six-furlong distance. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the 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 took a look back at the ongoing battle between Churchill Downs Inc. and HISA. The latter threatened to pull the plug on Churchill's simulcasting signal if fees are not paid by next week. All three agreed that some sort of compromise would be worked out to make sure that the Kentucky Derby would be available to out-of-state bettors.

The team also discussed the retirement of trainer Tom Amoss and previewed this week's major races, topped by the GII Louisiana Derby and the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks.

Click here to watch the Writers' Room podcast and here to listen it.

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Trainer Bob Baffert will leave some horses at Churchill Downs this spring rather than bringing all of his stable back to California, said the trainer when reached by phone Thursday afternoon.

The story was first reported by Ron Flatter at Horse Racing Nation.

Baffert stressed that he is not abandoning the West Coast.

“I've always had a barn there before and I'm just splitting it up,” he said. “It's not like I'm deserting California. I have a lot of horses that have same conditions. I have more opportunities to run there than we do in California because the horse colony is a little low right now. So I need to run those horses.”

“I'm going to stay through,” Baffert said. “We used to stay through the meet years ago, but now I'm going to do it now because we need places to run. So I need horses here. I have so many horses in the same category. I can't run them. We just train, train. And so we'll split them up and then we'll mix it up, and so now I can run them. I can have them there and we can find more opportunities.”

Baffert said that he is in the midst of getting the Churchill barn ready and putting together a team to run the Churchill stable. He declined to say exactly which horses would be going to Churchill, but noted, “I'm bringing all those good horses for Derby weekend, so there will be some nice horses there because if you go to Kentucky, you better bring the A team. You're not going to win there with the B team. It's tough.”

Baffert also said that the timing of the meets played a factor.

“California this time of year, there's a lull in our racing. And so there's just nothing really until Del Mar.”

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Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 189 entries for its March Digital Sale, which may be viewed online here. Bidding is now open and will close Tuesday, March 24, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

“With nearly 190 catalogued, our March Digital Sale has grown by more than 50% over last year–highlighting Fasig-Tipton Digital's rapidly increasing popularity among sellers.” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Offerings include more than 100 horses of racing age, as well as broodmare prospects, broodmares–including mares with foals at foot–2-year-olds in training, and 'short' yearlings. We're also excited to offer a fractional interest in graded stakes winner and recent G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Stakes runner-up Just Beat the Odds.”

Featured offerings include:

Maximum Bourbon (Maximum Security) (hip 5): 4-year-old horse of racing age is a winner in 3 of 5 starts to date, with four 90+ Beyer Speed Figures in his four starts on dirt, with a 103 Beyer and 4 Ragozin in his most recent start on March 13 at Fair Grounds. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Miss Lizzy (Classic Empire) (hip 6): Graded stakes-placed and stakes-winning racing/broodmare prospect with lifetime earnings of more than $285,000 to date. She's out of a 100% winner-producing Bernardini daughter of graded stakes-winning millionaire Somthinaboutlaura. Consigned by Doug O'Neill, agent for Wilshire Farm.

Ms. Bucchero (Bucchero) (hip 7): Multiple stakes-winning racing/broodmare prospect has earned more than $462,000 to date. She's out of a multiple stakes producer and 100% winner-producer mare. Consigned by Evergreen Equine, agent for the Morici Bankruptcy Estate Dispersal.

Fractional interest in Just Beat the Odds (Munnings) (hip 23): 33.3% interest in graded stakes-winning horse of racing age. Won the GIII Elite Power Stakes at Aqueduct in December, finished second in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Stakes in Saudi Arabia Feb. 14 and has since returned to the United States. Consigned by Highgate Sales, agent.

The March Digital Sale also features over 100 horses of racing age along with mares in foal to Complexity, Cyberknife, Early Voting, Gun Pilot, Mage, Two Phil's, and more.

Additionally, the catalogue includes mares with foals at foot by Bright Future, Cyberknife, Elite Power, Girvin, Kingsbarns, Oscar Performance, and more.

To create an account or register to bid for the March Digital Sale, prospective buyers should click here.

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The first installment in the 2026 OwnerView webinar series was held Mar. 17 and featured a discussion of the benefits and challenges of breeding Thoroughbreds to race, the conference series said via a Thursday press release.

Guests included Carrie Brogden, Machmer Hall Farm; Kate Galvin, Godolphin; Len Green, D.J. Stable; and Walker Hancock, Claiborne Farm.

The event, hosted by The Jockey Club of America and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland and Dean Dorton Equine. Panel sponsors included the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Airdrie Stud.

A Q&A, sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, followed the presentations.

Click here to access all OwnerView webinars.

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In an effort to create greater opportunities for Florida-breds, the Florida HBPA will put up $2 million that will go toward both raising purses for Florida-breds and creating new stakes races for horses bred in the Sunshine State.

Owners and trainers with Florida-breds will have their first opportunity to collect a portion of the $2 million Apr. 25 when six state-bred stakes races, each worth $100,000, will be offered on the Gulfstream card.

The HBPA's decision to promote and fund Florida-bred stakes races comes after the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association  announced what it called the “unfortunate failure” to reach an agreement with Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA (FHBPA), which led to the cancellation of the traditional Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series. The FTBOA shifted its focus to what it called a new $1-million Florida Sire Racing Incentive Program for 2026, which provides financial incentives to owners and breeders of FSS-eligible 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Thanks to the contribution from the Florida HBPA, Florida-bred 2-year-olds will still be able be to compete in lucrative races in the late summer and fall. On Sept. 5, there will be two $150,000 races, one for 2-year-old fillies and the other for 2-year-old colts. On Oct. 3, Florida-bred juveniles will compete in two races, each worth $250,000.

Unlike the Florida Sires Stakes series, which were open only to horses who were by Florida-based sires, the HBPA races will be open to all horses considered Florida-breds. There will be 12 HBPA-funded races under this format.

In addition, after the current “Championship Meet” is over, purses for Florida-bred maidens will see an increase. Races for 2-year-old Florida-bred maidens will go from $53,000 to $65,000. The purses for maidens that are 3-years-old or older will jump from $43,000 to $65,000.

“We're trying to do what we can to make the Florida-breds more prominent,” said Florida HBPA President Tom Cannell. “For the folks with Florida-breds, we want to give them a place to race and to make it worthwhile for them. We hope that will keep some of the folks here rather than having them travel for the summer. Maybe some of the folks from Tampa who generally trek north will have more opportunities to run with us in the summer.”

Cannell said the timing was right to get the message out about the increased purses.

“We want to get the word out because the first 2-year-old sale is in the books, but we still have the OBS April and OBS June sales coming up,” he said. “There will be great opportunities for people who want to pick up Florida-bred 2-year-olds.”

Amid efforts by Gulfstream to have legislation passed that would no longer require it to hold live racing in order to keep its slots operation going, a process known as decoupling, the horsemen and Gulfstream announced in December that a three-year agreement had been reached that guaranteed that racing would continue at the South Florida track through, at least, 2028.

“With that new contract in place, we are trying to fill some holes to make it more attractive for people to race in Florida,” Cannell said.

Cannell said his group is contemplating other options that would help bolster South Florida racing and purses at Gulfstream.

“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We're going to do everything we can to upgrade the entire racing program purse-wise. We may not be able to get to the levels they have in Kentucky, but we're going to try to be as competitive as we can for people who want to race in this part of the country.”

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The catalogue for the inaugural Inglis Digital USA GI Curlin Florida Derby Sale is now online, offering buyers the chance to participate on the Mar. 28 marquee card of Gulfstream Park's Championship Meet. Bidding will be open through Mar. 23, with the first lot closing at 3 p.m. ET. Sellers with horses entered on the Florida Derby day card will be able to supplement them into the auction for full or percentage sales.

Among the entries in the Curlin Florida Derby Sale is Lightning Tones (Tonalist), who is being pointed for the GIII Ghostzapper Stakes on the Florida Derby undercard. The two-time winner of the Sunshine Classic Stakes is consigned by Paramount Sales and is available for inspection out of the barn of owner/trainer Jose Castro at Palm Meadows Training Center.

Also on offer at the digital sale is a 49% stake in allowance winner Ababajoni (Neolithic), who will aim for the Cutler Bay

Stakes on the Florida Derby undercard after going gate-to-wire to win a Gulfstream Park turf allowance Mar. 6. Ababajoni is offered by owner/trainer Rohan Crichton and is available for inspection in Crichton's barn at Gulfstream Park.

Also in the catalogue is Mar. 14 Hutcheson Stakes winner Fulmine (Spun to Run) and Quereme Pass (Arg) (Distinctiv Passion), who was second in the GIII San Simeon Stakes that same day. Fulmine is consigned by owner Starry Night Racing and may be inspected at the Palm Meadows barn of trainer J. Kent Sweezey, while Quereme Pass is offered by trainer Jose D'Angelo, agent, and is available for inspection at Palm Meadows.

Rounding out the racing prospects in the sale is the 3-year-old filly La Chismosa (Win Win Win), who has won three of her past four starts. Offered by owner Paula Capestro Bloodstock, La Chismosa may be inspected at Tampa Bay Downs.

“This boutique sale offers quality with every horse,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “You have the potential opportunity to be an owner on GI Florida Derby day. How special is that?”

All ownership changes for horses entered on the Florida Derby card can be made by race day with the assistance of Gulfstream Park. The horse must stay in the race with the trainer who entered them, but the new owner is free to choose their own trainer afterward. Buyers of horses entered in upcoming races must already have or obtain a valid Florida Racing License prior to the race.

Interested parties must register for an account on the Inglis Digital USA website, www.inglisdigitalusa.com, and request a bidding limit in order to place bids.

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A Kentucky Derby prep race could be next for Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), who overcame an impossible trip to win on debut with 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors for Bob Baffert at Santa Anita Mar. 7.

“We're gonna leave California with him,” owner Bill Childs said after reloading at last week's OBS March sale. “There are more opportunities for him outside of California. Bob will still have him. We want to take dead aim on what we're doing being something worthwhile. We're gonna try to target something that won't be easy, but we feel like we have one that fits that plan.”

Nothing went according to plan for Crude Velocity first time out.

Overlooked at odds of 10-1, the bay was off to a slow start from his rail draw and trailed the field of nine shortly after the break in a very deep 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight.

He rushed up and raced under a tight hold beneath Florent Geroux just behind the leaders in sixth through an opening quarter in :22.23. Steadied in traffic, Crude Velocity dropped back sharply and was going the wrong way around the far turn. He wasn't done yet though.

He dialed it back up approaching the quarter pole, was guided out into the clear in the stretch and came storming home in a field-best :30.64 to nail the GII Wood Memorial S.-bound Civil Liberty (Independence Hall) by a neck. Crude Velocity earned an 89 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

#1 CRUDE VELOCITY ($23.00) and @flothejock ran down Civil Liberty to win R6 at @SantaAnitaPark. This was the maiden win for the three-year-old Beau Liam (@AirdrieStud) colt. Bob Baffert trains. pic.twitter.com/wf1h8n98SZ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 7, 2026

“That was crazy, wasn't it? Just absolutely wild,” Childs said. “We've always thought he was that kind of horse, but thinking it and knowing it is two different things. We were just thrilled. It was just really something. That was a hell of a race.”

Childs added, “He showed so much talent. We knew going in he was a damn fast horse.”

Hailing from the first crop of Beau Liam, Crude Velocity brought $250,000 from Childs's CSLR Racing Partners after breezing a quarter in :20 1/5 at last year's June 2-Year-Old in Training and Horses of Racing Age sale. He was previously a $12,000 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling and a $3,000 Fasig-Tipton December Digital graduate.

Crude Velocity was produced by the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Sweetnsour Kitty, just a $2,000 purchase by breeder La Ciega at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February sale.

“He had a little bit of an injury when he was a weanling and it was a question mark as to how much it was gonna effect him,” Childs said.

“We bought him knowing that, but we thought that he was so fast and so good that we were willing to take that risk. It was a little bit of a… It's hard to explain, but it was down in his ankle and happened when he was three months old. Our vet said, 'It's so old, if he can do what he's doing right now, I'd say take the risk.'”

Previously involved in ownership in the 1980s, Childs returned joined by his son Alex to launch CSLR Racing in 2022.

Bill Childs | Photos by Z

The operation has hit the ground running with standouts such as 2025 GI Frizette S. winner Iron Orchard (Authentic) (Editor's Note: Iron Orchard brought $2.5 million from KatieRich Farms at last year's Fasig-Tipton Mid-October Digital sale); 2025 GI Malibu S. runner-up Midland Money (Shancelot); and graded winners Cash Call (McKinzie), Pilot Commander (Justify) and Silent Law (Tiz the Law).

The Ft. Worth, Texas-based businessman and developer spent $1.15 million on a trio of 2-year-old colts, all by freshmen sires, at OBS March.

Teaming up with Jimmy Gladwell, he purchased: Hip 135, a Jackie's Warrior colt bred in New York by Chester and Mary Broman for $500,000 (:9 4/5); Hip 748, a colt by Drain the Clock o/o a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue for $350,000 (:20 1/5); and Hip 419, an Olympiad colt o/o a daughter of GISW Game Face for $300,000 (:9 4/5). Baffert will train the Drain the Clock colt. The other two are heading to Danny Gargan.

“Everything we bought we felt like had talent,” Childs said. “Hell, it's always a gamble, you never know, but we liked those and we'll give 'em a shot.”

The post ‘Childs’ Play: Bright Future for Dramatic Debut Winner Crude Velocity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

Resolved ADMC Violations

Dates: 03/17/2026
Licensee: Pedro Nazario, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 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 2 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gonzalo, who won at Laurel Park on 1/9//26.

Dates: 03/13/2026
Licensee: Michael P Vino, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 14, 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 Tramadol-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Samantha's Capo, who finished second at Park Racing on 1/12/26.

Dates: 03/12/2026
Licensee: Nestor Cascallares, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Kiss Me For Luck, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 1/25/26.

Dates: 03/11/2026
Licensee: Jeff Hudson, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Go Water, who finished fourth at Zia Park on 12/02/24.

Dates: 03/11/2026
Licensee: Samuel Calvario, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Triamcinolone-all controlled substances (Class C)-in a sample taken from Triple Slipper, who won at Pleasanton on 12/13/24.

Pending ADMC Violations

03/17/2026, Isidro Castro, trainer: Pending violation of Rule 3214 (a), possession of the banned substances Glaucine and Testosterone for an event dated on 8/19/25.

03/16/2026, Melton Wilson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Trump's Diamonds on 2/11/26.

03/13/2026, Gary Cross, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gesara on 2/9/26.

03/13/2026, Mario R. Lopez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Unicycle, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/5/26.

03/13/2026, Daniel Damen, trainer: Pending medication violation of Rule 3313, concerning the “Use or Attempted Use” of Camphor-a class C controlled substance-on Tony B “during the Race Period” on 12/31/25.

03/13/2026, Karyn Wittek, trainer: Pending medication violation of Rule 3313, concerning the “Use or Attempted Use” of Camphor-a class C controlled substance-on No Manches “during the Race Period” on 12/20/25.

03/12/2026, Pedro Nazario, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Gonzalo, who won at Laurel Park on 1/9/26.

03/11/2026, Kathleen O'Connell, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Altrenogest-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Louie the Sun King, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 1/1/26.

03/11/2026, Joseph F. Orseno, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Horsepower, who finished second at Turfway Park on 12/21/25.

Crop Violations

Aqueduct
Gokhan Kocakaya – violation date March 13; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Gulfstream Park
Tyler Gaffalione – violation date March 15; $750 fine, three-day suspension
Pietro Moran – violation date March 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Mahoning Valley
Laureano Sosa – violation date March 17; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Parx Racing
Noel David Herman – violation date March 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Penn National
Carlos E. Lopez – violation date March 13; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Santa Anita
Kent Desormeaux – violation date March 15; $750 fine, three-day suspension

Turfway Park
Orlando Bocachica – violation date March 13; $500 fine, four-day suspension

The post Weekly National Rulings for Mar. 12 -18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2026 race dates for four Ontario racetracks–Woodbine Racetrack, Woodbine Mohawk Park, Fort Erie Race Track and Ajax Downs–have been approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG), it was announced Wednesday.

The number of racing days per track:

Woodbine Racetrack (Thoroughbred) – 128

Woodbine Mohawk Park (Standardbred) – 222 (for all of 2026 counting dates already allocated from Jan. 1 through Mar. 31, 2026.

Fort Erie Race Track (Thoroughbred) – 34

Ajax Downs (Quarter Horse) – 22

The new dates begin on Apr. 1, 2026, and extend through Mar. 31, 2027, to line up with the 2026-27 fiscal year.

A group of industry experts comprised of the AGCO, OLG, Ontario Racing, horsepeople groups and racetracks are currently finalizing the 2026 race dates for the province's other 11 tracks: Clinton Raceway, Dresden Raceway, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Grand River Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Hiawatha Horse Park, Kawartha Downs, Leamington Raceway, The Raceway at Western Fair District and Rideau Carleton Raceway. Those dates will be released as soon as possible.

Race dates through Mar. 31, 2026, were previously allocated for all 15 Ontario tracks.

The Ontario horse racing industry has long-term funding from the Province of Ontario. The Long-Term Funding Agreement signed in 2019 provides up to $120 million annually to the industry through 2038 via the OLG through Ontario Racing.

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The 12th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will be hosted by Keeneland on Monday, June 29, from 8:30 – 5:00, and Tuesday, June 30, from 8:30 – 12:00, according to a Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation release.

Both days of the event will be free and open to the public in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion and will be livestreamed. Jessica Paquette, track announcer at Parx Racing, will be the emcee.

Topics for the summit include a presentation by Dr. Tim Parkin on the latest statistics from the Equine Injury Database, jockey scale of weights, vet scratches, the racehorse and the balanced hoof, equine surgeries in the developing horses before the racetrack, track surfaces, necropsy and mortality review, aftercare programs, and other issues affecting horse safety.

The session on Tuesday morning will focus on diagnostic equipment and technology being utilized to assist in racing safety. The event will be sponsored by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club.

The full program and list of speakers will be announced soon.

“This year marks 20 years since the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, a fact I am immensely proud of. These events showcase the progress our industry executes each year while also shedding light on areas of safety and welfare where our continued vigilance remains essential,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson and deputy executive director of The Jockey Club. “Keeneland has been and continues to be a great partner for both The Jockey Club and Grayson. We can't thank them enough for hosting this event again in 2026.”

“These summits have consistently provided meaningful value to our industry, and Keeneland is pleased to host once again this year,” said Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland. “Advancing the safety and welfare of both our equine and human athletes remains central to our mission, and it is a commitment that we are proud to uphold.”

Previous editions of the summit can be viewed on Grayson's YouTube page and have received nearly 20,000 views.

Among the major accomplishments that have evolved from the previous summits are the Equine Injury Database, the Jockey Injury Database and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory.

Additional information about the foundation is available at grayson-jockeyclub.org.

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Breeders Sales of Louisiana will hold its annual Preferred Yearling Sale on Tuesday, Sept. 1 and offer a separate mixed sale on Sunday, Oct. 11, which is a change in the format, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association said via a release on Tuesday.

The move to Sept. 1 puts that sale among the first yearling auctions of the season.

Bloodstock advisor Andrew Cary said, “Coteau Grove Farms, the 2025 Louisiana Breeder of the Year, is looking forward to supporting the LTBA yearling sale with high quality stock by both Kentucky and Louisiana sires.”

The post Louisiana To Divide Yearling And Mixed Sale During The Fall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Reigning Eclipse Champion Book'em Danno (Bucchero) has been named New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for the third consecutive year by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association of New Jersey, the organization said in a press release on Tuesday.

Owned by Atlantic Six Racing LLC and trained by Derek Ryan, the gelding won four of five starts during 2025. The state's all-time leading New Jersey-bred money earner, now boasting $1,855,425 in career earnings, swept Saratoga's older sprint series–the GIII True North Stakes, GII Vanderbilt Stakes and GI Forego Stakes–en route to being voted Eclipse Champion Male Sprinter.

Book'em Danno was bred by Gregory Kilka and Bright View Farm.

The Garden State honor roll from last year also includes Holly Crest Farm's homebred Riding Pretty (Jack Milton) was named Champion Older Female for the second consecutive year.
Gold Trust (Handsome Mike), owned and trained by Mike Dini, was named Champion Turf Runner.

Adorabella was honored as Broodmare of the Year for the fourth consecutive year. Bred by Tracy Farmer, the 10-year-old daughter of Ghostzapper out of Alydorable, by Arch, is the dam of Book'em Danno.

Rounding out the list is Sea Wizard who was named New Jersey Stallion of the Year for the third consecutive year after his progeny earned more than $1,183,104 in 2025. Sea Wizard will stand the 2026 breeding season at Pegasus Farm in Colts Neck, New Jersey.

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HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–The mercurial Louis I. Kahn said that, “The sun never knew how great it was until it hit the side of a building.” For something a touch more vernacular, the master architect was still no less pithy when he reminded us that, “Architecture is the thoughtful making of spaces.”

Oaklawn Park, ever the innovator in the world of horse racing, has faithfully scooped up Kahn's architectural spirit. They have put thought into a blueprint that can change their backside for the future and it starts in the form of a new receiving barn.

With stall spaces full to the gills by the time December rolls around, and the need to control a massive transient horse population, the Hot Springs track endeavored to build a location where overflow horses could enter and be monitored with strict, pacesetting standards in mind.

“There is nothing like a common sense approach in horse racing,” shrugged trainer Ron Moquett, who served as a consultant as the plans for the new receiving barn were being drawn up. “When you involve horsemen in the design of something like a barn it can make a real difference moving forward. Oaklawn continues to think different and the scope here makes the sky the limit.”

As a conditioner, Moquett said he understands how difficult it is for horsemen to run a barn and adhere to all of the complex medication rules that exist in the world. But according to him what tracks can do is create spaces that will keep the threats like contamination at bay and the key to success is utilizing the wealth of knowledge that is out there.

“I've been saying for years about the dangers of leaving coffee cups unattended, that hay deliveries need to be separated, that you have to be careful with washing stations and that when you put one of your horses in a stall that you aren't familiar with that you never know what has gone on inside of it,” Moquett said. “This new barn is about using our brains and making smarter decisions that are focused on what's best for the horse.”

The new barn is located just inside the entrance of the stable gate. When horses arrive the trailers don't have to go far and immediately a pair of security personnel who are bilingual appear with scanners. The layout of the barn is fundamentally the same as any other barn, but there are special modifications throughout.

Receiving barn's exterior doors in the background | JN Campbell

At each end, haylofts allow for materials to be sequestered, so instead of a hay dump along the sides there is no need for vendors to disturb the occupants. Anything that is being delivered will be captured on the multitude of cameras present, and those materials can be examined and sorted before they enter the main structure.

“It was really important to have good signage and to make clear what the expectations are here,” said Moquett. “Barns are always open and it's really difficult to monitor them, so that was a priority when it comes to the use of technology. But we also have rules about bucket use, hand washing, keeping caffeinated out of the barn and of course bathroom use too. ”

Moquett had quite a bit of input about stall construction.

“We wanted surfaces that can be easily cleaned, so the walls can be wiped and prepared once horses move out,” he said. “The stall doors have a higher hoop on them, so they can't reach anything on the ground outside.”

Special stalls are also available so horses can go directly inside. Having wash areas that are on separate systems and do not share drains with the barn next door can stop contamination before it happens.

“We need to be thinking about comfort and weighing that alongside protection,” he added. “We will continue to find a better process and the way we do that is by minimizing risks.”

Moquett said the next steps are for Oaklawn to add more than 60 stalls to meet demand and complete the new pony barn. These plans will begin the day the last horse ships out this year.

“We're being judged more than we have ever been judged before,” he said. “This is how we make a difference in what we literally build for the future.”

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In the ongoing battle between HISA and Churchill Downs Inc., HISA fired the latest shot Tuesday, ordering Churchill to pay it $5,024,848.56, plus interest in the amount of $250,631.77. In documents released Tuesday by HISA, the authority charged that if CDI does not comply with the order it will no longer be able to simulcast races from any of its tracks to out-of-state locations starting Mar. 27.

The legislation that created HISA allows it to revoke a tracks simulcasting privileges if HISA believes a track is in violation of its rules.

The first track to be affected would be the Churchill-owned Turfway Park, which is currently racing, but closes Mar. 28. But the most severe impact of HISA's decision could be felt Kentucky Derby Day. If Churchill is not allowed to simulcast the sport's most important race and the entire Derby Day card, the results would be devastating. A total of $234.4 million was bet on the GI Kentucky Derby last year and $349 million was bet on the entire card, with much of that money wagered outside the state of Kentucky through ADW outlets and off-track betting locations. Shutting down out-of-state betting would also no doubt alienate horseplayers and Derby lovers across the country.

The ruling was issued by a three-member panel of board members of HISA. The ruling can be appealed by Churchill Downs Inc. to the full HISA board. At deadline for this story the TDN had not received a response to an email sent to CDI requesting comment.

The issue first arose on Feb. 18, when HISA 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 the four racetracks, Turfway, Ellis Park, Presque Isle Downs and Churchill itself, that the company owns in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Going so far as to accuse CDI of “freeloading,” HISA alleged that it had not received “one cent” of the money it was due in easements fees for 2025.

According to HISA, Churchill Downs Inc. was the only racetrack company or racetrack covered by HISA that paid the authority nothing in 2025.

The dispute between CDI and HISA has been complicated by the fact that HISA changed the methodology for how it assesses how much it is owed by a track. CDI is seeking to pay lower fees based on methodologies that were not so cost prohibitive for the company and its tracks.

CDI has challenged these changes through what is a still unresolved lawsuit. Churchill has never claimed that it does not owe HISA money, but has said it is waiting on a court to decide on a lawsuit it filed against HISA before paying whatever it may owe after the court has ruled.

The HISA panel acknowledged CDI's position, and with the dispute still yet unresolved in the courts, that it is possible that Churchill will owe a lesser amount. HISA is currently seeking to collect $2.4 million based on what Churchill alone owes rather than the $6.3 million it could owe depending on what methods were used to assess the fees it would be required to pay.

“As for the balance, the Authority states that it plans to 'seek in a later action the remainder of the assessment fees owed for Churchill Downs Racetrack if the Authority prevails in CDI's pending lawsuit,'” the document reads. “According to the Authority, this “two-phase approach [is] meant to give CDI every benefit of the doubt.”

The post HISA Tells Churchill To Pay Up, Threatens To Pull Simulcast Signals In 10 Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.