Thoroughbred Daily News

The charges against Parx trainer Felissa Dunn brought when Pennyslvania State Horse Racing Commission investigators claimed to have found syringes in her barn has been dropped after an internal investigation revealed that one or more of the investigators made material misstatements of fact, according to a ruling posted on the HIWU website.

“While obviously we are pleased that these ill-founded charges were dropped, the chain of custody was always in question and even without this discovery on the eve of the hearing, the fact that Miss Dunn was ever charged is beyond belief,” said Dunn's attorney, Drew Mollica. “Miss Dunn was facing a career-ending life sentence and the fact that she never had a positive test in her entire career did not play into HIWU's charging calculus.”

The syringes were allegedly in Dunn's tack room and on the barn window sill, and were not fitted with needles. Testing later allegedly found traces of two banned substances.

The statement from the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit reads, “As part of its case, HIWU obtained signed witness statements from two of the investigators working on behalf of the PSHRC, who both stated that only one investigator conducted the May 27, 2025 search of Trainer Dunn's barn area. The relevant chain of custody for the syringes was established through evidence identified by a lone investigator.

“On May 6, 2026, HIWU learned for the first time that one of the investigators who provided a written statement intended to testify at the hearing–contrary to the written statements that were previously provided–that two investigators (not one) were involved in the search and seizure of the syringes.

“The new and contradictory evidence discovered on May 6, 2026 was materially at odds with the chain of custody evidence initially provided by the PSHRC witnesses, which HIWU had relied on in charging Trainer Dunn. Specifically, HIWU had relied on an understanding that all of the syringes were seized by a single investigator who photographed the items as he had found them, and then took the syringes to another investigator who placed the items in evidence bags, sealed the bags, filled out all information on the bags (including the Chain of Custody section), and logged them on a HIWU Evidence Report/Receipt. As a result, HIWU could not rely on an unbroken chain of custody or the earlier statements of these witnesses.”

In light of the evidence, HIWU filed a Notice of Withdrawal of Charge the day the new evidence came to light.

The case began when Dunn's barn 33 was searched at Parx. Investigators from the PSHRC said that they had found nine syringes “capable of accepting needles,” in the barn. Testing on the syringes at the Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences Laboratory in Lexington, Kentucky reported that the substances in two syringes contained the banned substances Chlorpromazine and Propionylpromazine.

Chlorpromazine is an anti-psychotic medication which helps reduce hallucinations and delusions. Propionylpromazine was developed from an anti-psychotic human medication, now used primarily in dogs for a sedative affect.

Dunn was formally charged with Anti-Doping Rule Violations pursuant to ADMC Program Rule 3214(a) based on the identified contents of two of the nine syringes. A hearing was held in November, 2025 and an arbitrator appointed. That arbitrator issued an order closing the case on Wednesday.

The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority released a statement Wednesday.

“The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) today made public its decision to formally withdraw an Equine Anti-Doping charge against a Pennsylvania trainer on the grounds that the investigators working on behalf of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission, erred in their documentation of the chain of custody related to the seized Banned Substances.

“After a review of the circumstances surrounding this case, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has determined that both investigators engaged in conduct that compromised the integrity of the investigative process and violated the standards expected of those entrusted with supporting HISA's mission. Given HISA's unwavering commitment to integrity, HISA and HIWU will no longer accept the participation of these investigators in HISA or HIWU-related cases.

“`Integrity is one of the foundational pillars of HISA's mission and we have no tolerance for even the slightest deviation from the highest standards of professionalism,'” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. `The integrity of our sport depends on accountability at every level, and HISA will continue to take all necessary steps to identify and sanction those whose misconduct threatens the trust placed in HISA's programs. And it will do so in a transparent manner, acting in the best interests of the industry.'”

The statement concluded, “HISA remains committed to protecting the integrity of Thoroughbred racing through rigorous oversight, thorough investigations, transparent enforcement and accountability across all aspects of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.”

The post Charges Against Trainer Dunn Dropped After Pa. Investigators Provide Contradictory Statements appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The June 6 GI Belmont Stakes has lost two potential starters as the trainers of Potente (Into Mischief) and Chip Honcho (Connect) have declared their horses out of the race.

The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's David Grening.

Trainer Steve Asmussen told Grening he is not sure where Chip Honcho will run next. Trained by Bob Baffert, Potente will run next in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 7.

Potente, winner of the GII San Felipe earlier this season, was last seen finishing 12th in the Kentucky Derby.

Gun Runner Stakes victor Chip Honcho bypassed Derby and finished third behind Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) in his latest start in the May 16 GI Preakness.

With the latest defections, it appears that there will be a field of eight or nine horses in the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Renegade (Into Mischief) will likely be favored but will have his hands full against GI Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin) and Chief Wallabee (Constitution), who was fourth in the Derby. Ocelli (Connect), who was third in the Derby and fourth in the GI Preakness Stakes, remains a possible starter.

The post Chip Honcho and Potente Will Skip Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Thermal (Nyquist)'s list-topping 106 Beyer Speed Figure is tied with Mashallah for third-fastest of the year by a female, behind only Madison Stakes one-two finishers Eclatant (109) and Grand Job (108).

6 – GIGABIT, IND-6, May 21, Allowance, 5 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure- 92
(f, 3, by Dialed In–Adventurous Lady, by Kantharos)
O-Lantern Hill Farm. B-Pursuit of Success (Ky). T-Rey Hernandez. J-Marcelino Pedroza Jr.
Her half-sister Twirling Queen (Twirling Candy) improved markedly when switched from dirt to turf and Tapeta, but Gigabit seemed to go the other direction: her numbers took a giant positive step when she returned to dirt for this frontrunning romp. Digging deeper, however, a smoother start and blinkers may have played a big role, too.

5 – FOIE GRAS, CD-8, May 25, Winning Colors Stakes, 6 furlongs (video)
Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (3rd)
(f, 4, by Volatile–Table Manners, by Algorithms)
O-Paradise Farms Corp, P Shooter Stable and Emcee Stable. B-E. H. Beau Lane (Ky). T-Mike Maker. J-Ricardo Santana Jr.
Peter Proscia and partners bid $100,000 to acquire Foie Gras from Three Chimneys via a Fasig-Tipton digital sale in December. She had just made it out of first-level allowances with a 75 Beyer in her 10th start, her four siblings were a combined 0-for-25, her dam never raced and her second dam was terrible when she did race. But in four outings since the sale, Foie Gras has two stakes wins and $217,125 in earnings. She set the pace in the Winning Colors and fought back when Usha moved alongside, ultimately settling for 3rd in a three-way photo.

4 – ZEITLOS, CD-8, May 25, Winning Colors Stakes, 6 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure- 92 (2nd) (video)
(m, 6, by Curlin–Thyme for Roses {Aus}, by Redoute's Choice {Aus})
O-Peter Leidel. B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-Brian Hernandez Jr.
One of Asmussen's many training strengths is the realistic placing of his runners. Now 6, the late-running Zeitlos probably isn't as fast as when she won 7 of 9 starts during her 3- and 4-year-old campaigns. But when the spots and setups are right, she can still ring the cash register. Her rally came up just short vs. Usha (below), but she has now bankrolled right at $1.4 million.

Usha defeating Zeitlos in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes | Coady Media

3 – USHA, CD-8, May 25, Winning Colors Stakes, 6 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure- 92 (video)
(f, 4, by Tiz the Law–Animal Appeal, by Leroidesanimaux {Brz})
O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman. B-Esler & Raine (NY). T-Bob Baffert. J-Florent Geroux.
She ran a giant race despite a suboptimal trip to win the GI La Brea just after Christmas, then was outgunned when she returned in the all-star GI Derby City Distaff. Remaining in Kentucky with Baffert's new Churchill Downs division, she worked hard Monday to put away pacesetter Foie Gras then just held off the late charge of Zeitlos – spotting 5 pounds to both.

2 – THOUGHT PROCESS, SA-6, May 25, GI Gamely Stakes,
1 1/8 miles (turf) (video)
Beyer Speed Figure- 95
(f, 4, by Collected–Creative Thinking, by Creative Cause)
O-Estate of Brereton Jones, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables. B-Brereton Jones (Ky). T-Phil D'Amato. J-Hector Berrios.
Thought Process is now 7-for-9 on grass; one loss came in the 2024 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies turf and the other in last August's GI Del Mar Oaks, her only previous try at a distance longer than a mile. She was 3rd that day but came out of that race with a significant sickness. “To run her back in a race like this, it was pretty incredible,” said co-owner Billy Koch of Little Red Feather. It's probably an overreach to say Thought Process was a filly no one wanted, but she RNAed for $120,000 just before Jones' death in September 2023, then six weeks later RNAed again for $57,000 – then son Bret Jones brought in Little Red Feather and Sol Kumin as ownership partners to race her.

1 – THERMAL, LS-4, May 25, Memorial Day Sprint, 6 furlongs (video)
Beyer Speed Figure- 106
(m, 5, by Nyquist–Full Tap, by Tapit)
O-By Talla Racing and John Sadler Racing. B-Anderson Farms Ontario (Ont-C). T-John Sadler. J-Luis Saez.
Co-owners Michael Talla and Sadler originally had the $625,000 Saratoga yearling purchase entered in Keeneland's All Ages Sale in January, but she was withdrawn – perhaps wisely. Two months later she romped in a Santa Anita allowance and Monday became a stakes winner at Lone Star. It wasn't a graded stakes but her frontrunning 106 Beyer was 100% graded-stakes caliber.

The post Six Speedy Fillies for the Week of May 18-25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SaleRing.net, the Thoroughbred industry's first digital sales company, has undergone a “strategic restructuring and recapitalization aimed at expanding participation, improving market efficiency, and advancing a hybrid model that integrates digital and live sales across key racing regions,” according to a press release from the company.

“The recapitalization, led by a Texas-based capital group, positions the company to scale its platform while re-engaging core industry markets that have seen reduced liquidity and participation in recent years,” the release says.

Founded in 2002 by Jamie LaMonica as Starquine, SaleRing.net played an early role in digital Thoroughbred commerce, and has recently powered the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance auction and supported major international sales infrastructure. The release says that the company's next phase “will build on that history with a more integrated and market-responsive approach.”

“Central to the relaunch is the transition to a co-op style economic model, designed to better align consignors, breeders, trainers, and owners with the platform's long-term success,” the release says. “Participants will have the opportunity to benefit directly through rebates and shared upside, creating a structure intended to drive both engagement and retention. The company is also investing in a full technology rebuild, incorporating artificial intelligence and advanced data capabilities to improve catalog visibility, seller/buyer targeting, and overall transaction efficiency—areas that have become increasingly important as the sales landscape continues to evolve.”

“SaleRing has always challenged how this industry thinks about selling horses,” said founder Jamie LaMonica. “This is about bringing better alignment, better timing, and better access back into the marketplace.”

As part of its relaunch, SaleRing.net will maintain an operational base in Kentucky while reintroducing physical sales in major markets outside the state, supported by its digital platform. The company plans to conduct live sales in 2026—two in the fall for both yearlings and Horses of Racing Age. “These markets have historically been critical to the industry but have been challenged in recent cycles by unfavorable sales timing, reduced opportunities, and shifting capital flows. In many cases, that has led to decreased participation and the perception of contraction at the regional level,” the release says.

“By placing well-timed, targeted sales back into these regions, the company aims to restore consistent market access for local horsemen while reconnecting those circuits to a broader national buyer base,” the release says. “The hybrid model—pairing physical presence with digital reach—is designed to increase competition in the ring, expand buyer pools, and improve price discovery across all tiers of the market.”

The relaunch will debut this summer, and is also built in Spanish, French, and Japanese.

“California, New York, Florida, and Kentucky continue to represent the industry's deepest ownership bases domestically and greatest concentrations of deployable capital,” the release says. “Re-engaging those regions in a coordinated way is viewed as essential to overall market health. There will also be an international focus starting in South America by having digital sales be an outlet to the U.S. buyers as well.

The company said that it was in the process of adding executive leadership to their team, with an emphasis on national market development, strategic partnerships, and adoption across both commercial and regional sales segments.

The post Digital Sales Company SaleRing.net to Relaunch This Summer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Belmont Big Apple Bonus, a new initiative created to reward owner and trainer participation at the new Belmont Park, will kick off in September, according to the New York Racing Association, Inc. on Tuesday.

Scheduled to launch with the opening of the fall meet on Sept. 18, the Big Apple Bonus will provide up to $8,500 in awards per horse shipping or relocating to Belmont Park from other racing jurisdictions.

Owners and trainers currently based at NYRA are fully eligible for these bonuses, which complement the record overnight purses to be offered during the fall meet.

“Combining the richest fall purses in NYRA history with targeted incentives like the Big Apple Bonus will position owners and trainers for success at the new Belmont Park,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP for Racing & Operations. “Our goal is to create important and accessible racing opportunities for those who choose to race in New York. We look forward to opening a re-imagined Belmont Park in September.”

Beginning Sept. 18, horses relocating or shipping from racetracks less than 400 miles from Belmont Park will qualify for a $3,000 bonus for their first start at the fall meet. The bonus will be divided between the owner and the trainer with $2,000 paid to the owner and $1,000 to the trainer.

Horses relocating or shipping from racetracks more than 400 miles from Belmont Park will qualify for a $6,000 bonus for their first start of the fall meet. This geographic area includes, but is not limited to, Woodbine Racetrack, Turfway Park, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Park, Gulfstream Park, Fair Grounds, Del Mar and Santa Anita Park. The bonus will be divided between the owner and the trainer with $4,000 paid to the owner and $2,000 paid to the trainer.

Horses from either region who receive the Big Apple Bonus will qualify for an additional owner incentive of $2,500 should the horse make three consecutive starts at Belmont Park. A horse that starts a race at any non-NYRA track following the initial Big Apple Bonus payment will forfeit eligibility in the third consecutive start bonus.

To qualify for the Big Apple Bonus, the horse's previous start or recorded workout must have taken place at a non-NYRA track.

 “The reopening of Belmont Park this fall will be a historic moment in New York racing,” said Tina Marie Bond, President, of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA). “We are all very excited about the new surfaces and the state-of-the-art new building that will be second to none. There will be a boost for all overnight races and NY-breds will be racing for record purses. We have year-round racing and great programs for our backstretch workers. Encouraging our owners and trainers to bring in new horses to compete at Belmont, as well as attracting new owners and trainers to compete here, is a welcome initiative to boost participation and grow our product.”

For a detailed list of Big Apple Bonus rules and requirements visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/incentives/.

The post NYRA’s Belmont Big Apple Bonus Debuts in September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Trainer Jose D'Angelo has confirmed that last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Bentornato (Valiant Minister) will make his next start in the GIII True North Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga. That means he will be facing the horse that nosed him out for the sprint championship last year, Book'em Danno (Bucchero).

The True North carries a purse of $400,000 and is run at 6 1/2 furlongs.

The two have not met since the 2024 G3 Saudi Derby, in which Book'em Danno was second and Bentornato was third.

“Book'em Danno is a good horse and people are waiting to see them run together,” D'Angelo said. “Now the opportunity is there. We are going see who can beat who.”

Bentornato has not started since finishing second in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.

“We picked this race because it is the perfect race timing-wise after Dubai,” D'Angelo said. “He's been doing great at Churchill. He spent all of last summer in Saratoga, so we know he likes it there, too. The 6 1/2 furlongs should be good for him.”

The Eclipse Award voting for top sprinter was among the closest of any Eclipse race last year, with Book'em Danno winning by a 115-82 margin,

“It's my horse, so of course I wanted to win the Eclipse Award,” D'Angelo said. “But I understand that Book'em Danno deserved the Eclipse Award because he ran more than us. We won the right race, the Breeders' Cup Sprint. If you could have ever give the Eclipse Award to two horses, that would have been the right division to do so because both deserved it.”

The post Bentornato and Book’em Danno Set for Showdown in True North appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a view to pulling the veil back on the hows and whys of their operations, a representative of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority or the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) will every week answer a question of industry importance posed by the TDN.

If you have any questions you'd like to ask HISA or HIWU, please feel free to send them over to us at the following email address: danross@thetdn.com

Q: There appear to be a lot of cases stayed “pending the FTC's approval of the new Rules.” The Federal Trade Commission has been reviewing these rules since 2023.

What do the rules the FTC is supposed to approve pertain to? Why is it taking so long? And when the FTC finally approves them, what will happen to those cases that have been stayed? Will they all be adjudicated at once?

HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus:
In November 2025, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced that it was seeking public comment on proposed modifications to the Rule Series 1000, 3000 and 4000 of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program Rules. Proposed modifications to the Rule Series 5000 and 7000 were later shared for public comment in January 2026. These changes build upon the original updates that were first submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in November 2023 and supplemented in May 2024.

While HISA is not a government agency and receives no federal funding, we are subject to oversight by the FTC, which has the final say on all proposed rule changes and no rule takes effect unless and until approved by the FTC.

While the initial proposed modifications were pending with the FTC, HISA's ADMC Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the ADMC Program's implementation and performance, informed by several additional months of Program operations and industry feedback. This review identified additional opportunities for improvement. Considering these additional changes, HISA asked that the FTC withhold action on the November 2023 submission (and the subsequent May 2024 supplement), until new proposed modifications are filed, which will replace and supersede the earlier submissions.

Among the numerous proposed changes to benefit horsemen are decreased sanctions associated with positive tests for human substances of abuse and Veterinarians' List Testing, as well as a new category of Controlled Medications (Class D) for anti-ulcer medications that calls for lesser sanctions for associated violations. This year, HISA's ADMC Committee, in consultation with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), is reviewing and considering all relevant comments before recommending proposed modifications to the HISA Board. If approved by the HISA Board, the proposed modifications will then be formally submitted to the FTC for approval.

While the regulatory process unfolds, cases that would be positively affected by the proposed rule modifications have been stayed. While HIWU could choose to process the cases under the current rules, HIWU instead elected to stay impacted cases to provide horsemen with the benefit of the proposed, less punitive rules. The adjudication process will resume for these cases after the FTC acts on the proposed changes.

The types of cases currently stayed include:

• Positive tests for altrenogest: The proposed rules reclassify altrenogest (commonly known as Regumate) from a Banned Substance to a Class A Controlled Medication. This proposed rule change was championed by HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group and subsequently taken up by the ADMC Committee and the HISA Board.
• Positive tests for human substances of abuse: The proposed rules would cap the Period of Ineligibility related to human substances of abuse to up to 60 days if HIWU determines that it has a reasonable basis to conclude that the finding was likely the result of inadvertent human transfer. The current rules treat human substances of abuse like all other Banned Substances, which are subject to periods of Ineligibility of up to two years.
• Positive tests for metformin: A proposed Minimum Reporting Level for metformin was included in the updated rules following a recommendation by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium's Scientific Advisory Committee.
• Veterinarians' List violations. The proposed rules call for decreased sanctions in relation to positive tests in Veterinarians' List samples, including no period of Ineligibility for a first violation.

Again, these kinds of cases are stayed so they can be subject to the proposed rules, which would provide more favorable outcomes for the affected horsemen than the current rules.

The post Ask HISA: What’s Happening With The Stayed Cases? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

This week's rankings are topped by another filly coming out of 'TDN Rising Star' Mashallah's (Maxfield) scintillating debut victory at Keeneland.

5. NATIONAL CHARTER, CD, 5/23-6th, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-86
(c, 3, by Constitution–Totally Tucker, by Elusive Quality)
O-BBN Racing. B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (Ky). T-Rusty Arnold. J-Luis Saez.
Especially in hindsight, it was a positive that National Charter was a 5/2 favorite at Keeneland in his debut. The $200,000 yearling was only so-so in defeat that day, but apparently needed a race to get his bearings–he ran 10 lengths faster Saturday to decisively graduate while still a bit green with lead changes. He's a half-brother to GSW turf sprinter Totally Boss, and his allowance-winning dam (top Beyer 76) is a half-sister to Gr. I winners Majestic Harbor and Danza.

4. EL CAPO, WO, 5/24-10th, 7 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-86
(c, 3, by Authentic–Revitalized, by Uncle Mo)
O-CamHaven Farms. B-Dixiana Farms (Ky). T-Preston Ferris. J-Pablo Moran.
The big stakes-placed El Capo sprinted to a clear lead for the first time in seven lifetime starts, appeared to dwarf rivals in size and then left them in his wake. He won decisively, but not “easily” as the official chart states since Moran kept busy on him through the stretch. His unraced dam is a full-sister to Thrilled, a Michael Tabor-owned filly who was GSP on dirt and grass a decade ago but has done nothing as a producer.

Decisive Win | Benoit

3. FAIRY GODMOTHER, AQU, 5/23-4th, 6 furlongs (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-88
(f, 3, by Cairo Prince–Lyrical Tale, by Tale of the Cat)
O/B-Merrylegs Farm/Merrylegs Farm North (NY). T-Ray Handal. J-Dylan Davis.
This massive improvement was tough to predict; otherwise she would have been claimed for $50,000 rather than the well-beaten runnerup. Her dam was better on grass (albeit with a career-best 65 Beyer), as her half-sister Thundering Sky, but still….a 6 1/2-length score and new 39-point Beyer top is another example that none of us are as smart as we think we are.

2. DECISIVE WIN, SA, 5/22-4th, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-90
(c, 3, by Nyquist–Weekend Away, by Malibu Moon)
O-Great Friends Stables and Mark Davis. B-RTA Family Trust and George E. Saufley (Ky). T-Doug O'Neill. J-Antonio Fresu.
If a fourth-place debut effort should ever be taken with a heaping grain of salt, this was it. Decisive Win was beaten seven lengths at Santa Anita March 7, but the 1-2 finishers were future Pat Day Mile (Gr. II) winner Crude Velocity, unbeaten in three starts and perhaps Bob Baffert's best 3-year-old; and Civil Liberty, the stablemate of Decisive Win who was already Gr. I placed then broke his maiden at Keeneland with a 98 Beyer. No wonder Decisive Win was 1-to-2 on the board and cruised by 5 1/2 lengths. His name is absent from the colt's past performances, but Will Farish's impact on the $600,000 2-year-old purchase is huge: unraced dam Weekend Away is a half-sister to Private Mission as well as the dam of Dunbar Road, and second dam Private Gift is a half-sister to Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Status.

1. IN SCOPE, CD, 5/22-7th, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure-90
(f, 3, by Gun Runner–Brielle's Appeal, by English Channel)
O-G. Watts Humphrey Jr. B-Dixiana Farms (Ky). T-Rusty Arnold. J-Axel Concepcion.
Keen students of the sport were watching her performance Friday for another referendum on Mashallah, who beat her by 6 3/4 lengths at Keeneland en route to a stratospheric 106 debut Beyer. And the well-bred In Scope's 3 1/2-length triumph and paired-up but conservative 90 Beyer is more evidence that Mashallah's figure was legit. Furthermore, two days later Immortalize returned from a fourth in the same April 23 race (five lengths behind In Scope) to beat open maidens, also at Churchill Downs.

The post Five Fastest Maidens: May 18-25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Kristin Werner, formerly the deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, has been promoted to vice president, Thoroughbred Strategy and Industry Initiatives, the Jockey Club announced Tuesday.

“This promotion reflects The Jockey Club's continued commitment to serving the industry through initiatives that support and advance the Thoroughbred, both on and off the racetrack,” said Jockey Club president and COO James Gagliano. “Kristin has played a key role in developing and leading efforts that strengthen welfare and safety for racehorses, expand opportunities for Thoroughbreds beyond racing, and foster collaboration across the industry. Her work speaks to both her leadership and her dedication to the mission of The Jockey Club.”

According to the report, Werner will continue to lead strategic initiatives and broaden engagement with stakeholders across racing, aftercare, and the sporthorse and wider equine communities to advance shared priorities in welfare, safety, integrity, and responsible horsemanship. Werner's responsibilities will include expanding efforts that connect racing and equestrian sport disciplines, supporting industrywide standards and best practices, and promoting initiatives that enhance the long-term sustainability of the Thoroughbred and the sport.

The post Jockey Club Promotes Kristin Werner To Vice President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Capping a productive day for the team of Pegram, Watson and Weitman and trainer Bob Baffert, Desert Gate (Omaha Beach) powered away from his rivals with ease to score in the Texas Derby at Lone Star on Monday.

The group was also represented by Usha (Tiz the Law), winner of the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs on Monday.

Pounded down to 1-5 favoritism while getting Lasix for the first time, Desert Gate broke sharply and put the screws to Vintage Cowboy (Essential Quality), who carved out an opening quarter mile in :23.49. Assuming control on the backstretch, the chestnut cut out a half mile in :47.54 and began to increase his advantage from there. Solidly in control at the top of the stretch, Desert Gate ran clear late to win by 6 1/4 lengths over Chad Allan (Union Rags), who nosed out Maximum Effort (Maxfield) at the wire.

Victorious in his first two career starts, including Del Mar's GIII Best Pal Stakes last August, he finished runner-up in his next two starts–the GI Del Mar Futurity and Santa Anita's GI American Pharoah Stakes. Favored in his sophomore unveiling in the one-mile GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, he finished fourth behind winner Plutarch (Into Mischief) before rebounding to post a flashy 9 3/4-length win under Flavien Prat in the Hot Springs Stakes on Mar. 26.

The colt is out of MSW and MGSP Theogony, who is also responsible for a juvenile colt by Medaglia d'Oro. The 16-year-old mare most recently sold for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale while in foal to Mystic Guide.

TEXAS DERBY, $300,000, Lone Star, 5-25, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:44.53, ft.
1–DESERT GATE, 124, c, 3, by Omaha Beach
1st Dam: Theogony (SW-Can, SW & MGSP-USA, $404,544), by Curlin
2nd Dam: Upcoming Story, by Tale of the Cat
3rd Dam: Old Star (Arg), by Southern Halo
($125,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $100,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP;
$260,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR). O-Michael Pegram, Karl Watson
and Paul Weitman; B-Twin Oaks Bloodstock (KY); T-Bob
Baffert; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr. $177,300. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0,
$549,300.
2–Chad Allan, 124, c, 3, Union Rags–Bardot, by Candy Ride
(Arg). O-Gentry Farms (A.P. Gentry); B-Gentry Farms (KY);
T-Robert A. Young. $59,100.
3–Maximum Effort, 124, c, 3, Maxfield–Love Came to Town, by
Medallist. ($600,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Gary Broad – Walmac Farm,
LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $32,505.
Margins: 6 1/4, NO, 1 1/4. Odds: 0.20, 5.50, 8.50.
Also Ran: Avery Place, Zilarro, Vintage Cowboy.
Click for the Equibase.com.

The big favorite, Desert Gate, cruises to victory in the $300,000 Texas Derby.

J: @iradortiz
T: Bob Baffert
O: Karl Watson, Mike Pegram & Paul Weitman pic.twitter.com/ILflVAjRTx

— Lone Star Park (@lonestarpark) May 26, 2026

The post Omaha Beach’s Desert Gate Airs in Texas Derby at Lone Star Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Making his first start since running home to be a gallant second to Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile down the road at Del Mar last November, Mr. & Mrs. William K. Warren's Formidable Man (City of Light) was given a letter-perfect steer by the visiting Flavien Prat and ran out a comfortable winner of Monday's GI Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita.

A fast-finishing fourth as the 13-5 favorite last Memorial Day, the $375,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase raced prominently through the early exchanges as Genius Jimmy (Jimmy Creed) made the running in advance of the well-backed Call Me Cory (Uncle Mo), who rolled forward from his outside draw to apply pace pressure and nosed in front midway down the back.

Saving ground from about fourth position as Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause), runner-up here last year, began to make his move in the two path nearing the stretch, Formidable Man followed that run and peeled out with about three-sixteenths of a mile to race.

Roused to the front at the furlong grounds, the 7-10 chalk pinched a winning break and flexed his muscles to the wire. Last-out GIII American Stakes winner Almendares (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) won a photo for second over defending champion King of Gosford (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}).

“He's just such a genuine racehorse,” said winning trainer Michael McCarthy. “I said earlier if he was ever going to be vulnerable it was going to be today with the layoff, but he's just been touting himself here for the last couple of days.”

Having made the GI Hollywood Derby the last of his four victories at three in 2024, Formidable Man took out the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile here last March ahead of his Shoemaker effort. Theretofore perfect in four tries at the seaside oval, Formidable Man ran his unbeaten streak there to six with tallies in the GII Eddie Read Stakes and GII Del Mar Mile last summer and he lost no admirers when rattling home to complete the exacta behind future Eclipse Award winner Notable Speech.

Pedigree Notes:

Formidable Man is one of two elite-level scorers for Lane's End's City of Light, who was trained by McCarthy for the Warrens to four Grade I successes of his own, including the 2018 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile followed by a 5 3/4-length romp in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes in early 2019.

A three-time winner from nine starts for the late Mike Mitchell, Fanticola was turned over to Phil D'Amato and was just run down in the 2015 GI Gamely Stakes ahead of a career-best performance in the GII Royal Heroine Stakes.

The mare was acquired by Louisiana's Clear Creek Stud for $60,000 in foal to Flatter at Keeneland November in 2021, and that in-utero purchase became Cc Cola, runner-up in the 2025 Cajun Miss Stakes at Evangeline Downs.

Fanticola is also responsible for the juvenile filly C C R N Jack (Jack Christopher), a yearling filly by Star Guitar and was most recently covered by City of Light.

FORMIDABLE MAN ($3.40) fires up the center of the track under Flavien Prat to win the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at @SantaAnitaPark for trainer @mwmracing. Mr. & Mrs. W.K. Warren, Jr. own the 5YO son of @LanesEndFarms' City Of Light. pic.twitter.com/qAK4hMK7Ql

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 25, 2026

Monday, Santa Anita
SHOEMAKER MILE S.-GI, $301,500, Santa Anita, 5-25, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:33.52, fm.
1–FORMIDABLE MAN, 124, h, 5, by City of Light
1st Dam: Fanticola (GSW & GISP, $561,986), by Silent Name (Jpn)
2nd Dam: Catalina Cat, by Tabasco Cat
3rd Dam: Irish Dear, by Irish River (Fr)
($375,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Warren, Jr., William K. and
Warren, Suzanne; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC (KY);
T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Flavien Prat. $180,000. Lifetime
Record: 17-9-3-0, $1,685,425.
Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross
pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Almendares (GB), 122, g, 6, Havana Grey (GB)–Glace (Ire), by
Verglas (Ire). (16,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 14,000gns Ylg '21
TATOCT). O-CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Gevertz, Saul,
Nentwig, Michael and Pagano, Ray; B-D. R. TUCKER (GB);
T-Philip D'Amato. $60,000.
3–King of Gosford (GB), 124, h, 5, Zoustar (Aus)–Miss Sugars
(GB), by Harbour Watch (Ire). (32,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT).
O-Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Gevertz, Saul, Nentwig,
Michael and Peskoff, Jeremy; B-The Miss Sugars Partnership
(GB); T-Philip D'Amato. $36,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, NK, NK. Odds: 0.70, 7.50, 11.10.
Also Ran: Seal Team (GB), Genius Jimmy, Mi Hermano Ramon, Twirling Point, Call Me Cory. Scratched: El Potente.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Favored Formidable Man Fires Fresh In Shoemaker Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Mission accomplished. Three months ago, after Thought Process (f, 4, Collected–Creative Thinking, by Creative Cause) kickstarted her 4-year-old campaign with a win in the Feb. 28 GII Buena Vista Stakes at Santa Anita, Billy Koch of Little Red Feather Racing said, “Ultimately, our goal has always been the Gamely.”

On Monday, that vision became reality with jockey Hector Berrios pumping his arm in celebration as Thought Process crossed the wire much the best in the 1 1/8-mile GI Gamely Stakes on Santa Anita's Memorial Day program. It marked the chestnut's first Grade I score after three previous graded wins, including last out in the Buena Vista at a mile on Santa Anita's lawn. Thought Process races for the Estate of Brereton C. Jones, Little Red Feather Racing, and Madaket Stables LLC.

With the highest last-race Beyer Speed Figure (90) in the field, Thought Process was sent as the 7-5 choice Monday. The Phil D'Amato trainee came into the Gamely with six victories from nine career starts and a sole off-the-board finish in her career dating all the way back to her 2-year-old season when she yielded in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Thought Process has been nearly a sure thing in every other career start, including wins in the GII San Clemente Stakes and GIII Surfer Girl Stakes, as well as a third in last summer's GI Del Mar Oaks, her last start before the Buena Vista.

Although it's been three months since her most recent outing and she only returned to the worktab Apr. 20, Thought Process signaled her readiness with a sparkling five-furlong drill May 18, breezing in :58 4/5 (2/33).

When the gates opened in the Gamely, Mar. 28 GIII Wilshire Stakes winner Rashmi (Oscar Performance) headed to the front, leading the field through :23.80 and :48.45 fractions as Thought Process tracked in the clear about two lengths behind. Strung out behind the top two, the rest of the field never truly threatened. Positions unchanged into the final turn, Thought Process swung out to tackle Rashmi at the top of the lane and did it with ease, kicking into another gear a furlong from home, which propelled her to the wire unchallenged and 2 3/4 lengths on top. Rashmi held second, while Apr. 25 GIII Royal Heroine Stakes victress Take A Breath (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) outfinished last fall's $625,000 Keeneland November buy and MGSW Hang the Moon (Uncle Mo) by a nose in a photo for third. Thought Process got the 1 1/8 miles of the Gamely in 1:47.51.

“It was pretty special,” said Koch. “Someone asked me what the dream scenario was and we just saw it. It was perfect. Hector said she relaxed so beautifully and he was really patient. He didn't really turn her loose at the quarter pole, he kind of waited until they turned for home and obviously when you are watching a race like that you can tell he had a lot of horse. It was just a great effort.”

D'Amato added options abound for Thought Process's next start.

“We'll put our heads together for the next steps,” he said. “She has been training so good on the dirt, so we'll see what we do at Del Mar. We'd like to get her to the Breeders' Cup (Filly & Mare Turf) and that would be a mile and a quarter. The key is getting her to relax. She has been a lot better from age three to four and that translated to more distance.”

Pedigree Notes:

Thought Process is the first elite-level winner for Collected, a GI Pacific Classic-winning son of City Zip who began his career at Airdrie Stud, where Thought Process was bred. Former Kentucky Governor Brereton C. Jones offered Thought Process at Keeneland September though his Airdrie consignment–she was a $120,000 RNA–and passed away shortly after. Airdrie offered her again a little more than a month later at Fasig-Tipton October and RNA'd her again for $57,000. The Jones estate now races her in partnership.

Collected, who relocated to Rancho San Miguel in California's San Luis Obispo County last fall and currently leads all West Coast sires by progeny earnings, has sired 23 black-type winners and seven graded winners. Thought Process is out of a daughter of another former Airdrie stallion, Creative Cause, who currently stands at Marjorie Farms in Texas. Creative Cause is the broodmare sire of 15 stakes winners, including GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes winner Zandon, whose sire, Upstart, is yet another Airdrie stallion.

Creative Thinking delivered a full-brother to Thought Process at Airdrie Apr. 12. The mare's unraced 2-year-old Win Win Win colt named Juanjuanjauan was an $85,000 purchase by Carlos J. Morales at Keeneland September last year and most recently worked four furlongs May 16 at Palm Meadows in :49.40 (33/51).

THOUGHT PROCESS ($4.80) puts them away in the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1) at @SantaAnitaPark under @HIBerrios for trainer @PhilDamato11 and owners The Estate of Brereton C. Jones, @lrfracing and @MadaketStables. pic.twitter.com/8BD9znDrou

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 25, 2026

Monday, Santa Anita
GAMELY S.-GI, $301,500, Santa Anita, 5-25, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT, 1:47.51, fm.
1–THOUGHT PROCESS, 124, f, 4, by Collected
    1st Dam: Creative Thinking (SW-USA, SP-Can, $132,592), by Creative Cause
    2nd Dam: Hat Box, by Street Cry (Ire)
    3rd Dam: Maiden Tower (GB), by Groom Dancer
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($120,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $57,000 RNA Ylg '23 FTKOCT). O-Estate of Brereton C. Jones, Little Red Feather Racing and Madaket Stables LLC; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Philip D'Amato; J-Hector Isaac Berrios. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 10-7-0-2, $680,200. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Rashmi, 122, m, 5, by Oscar Performance
    1st Dam: Ponytail, by Lonhro (Aus)
    2nd Dam: Sugar Again, by Syncline
    3rd Dam: Wolanstonita (Chi), by Wagon Master (Fr)
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Augustin Stables; B-George Strawbridge (KY); T-Jonathan Thomas. $60,000.
3–Take A Breath (GB), 122, f, 4, by Bated Breath (GB)
    1st Dam: Darling Grace (GB), by Nayef
    2nd Dam: Lady Grace (Ire), by Orpen
    3rd Dam: Lady Taufan (Ire), by Taufan
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (135,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Chivalry Thoroughbred Racing and Rancho Temescal Thoroughbred Partners; B-Highgate Stud (GB); T-Mark Glatt. $36,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, NO. Odds: 1.40, 3.60, 10.80.
Also Ran: Hang the Moon, Vronti (GB), Public Assembly, May Day Ready, A Thousand Miles.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Thought Process Much the Best in Gamely appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Dismissed at odds of 16-1, LNJ Foxwoods' Siyouincanada (Fr) (c, 3, Siyouni {Fr}–Polished, by Kitten's Joy) was forced to do a lot of work to make the early lead, but switched off beautifully through the middle stages of an 8 1/2-furlong maiden to close the Memorial Day card at Churchill and whistled home to earn 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard.

Given a positive ride from the inside draw by Jaime Torres, the interestingly bred colt was able to secure the front end, but had company to his outside in the form of the favored Your Wildest Dream (Not This Time), a troubled fourth on Ellis debut last August, who prompted the pace through a demanding-enough opening quarter-mile in :22.61.

Torres managed to drain the pace out of the race down the backstretch, getting the half-mile in :47.74 and he completed an internal half in :50.12 when guiding the field past the five-sixteenths in 1:12.73.

Given his relative inexperience and having gone relatively hard in the first part of the race, it would have been reasonable to expect Siyouincanada to back out of it, having gained a good education for the next time. Instead, he took a deep breath and pulled clear of his rivals full of running, getting his final 2 1/2 furlongs in a very smart :28.98 (final sixteenth of a mile in :5.85) to score convincingly.

Siyouincanada's stakes-placed third dam Helsinki, a full-sister to the influential Street Cry (Ire), produced seven winners, chief among them champion and four-times Group 1 winner and prodigious stallion Shamardal (Giant's Causeway) and Group 2 scorer Geoffrey Chaucer (Montjeu {Ire}).

Helsinki's foal of 2004 was Diamond Necklace, who topped that section of the Keeneland November Sale when hammering to John Sikura for $1.15 million. Helsinki was offered in foal to Cherokee Run and fetched $3.9 million from Christy Grassick at the same auction. Stakes-placed at three for Sue Magnier, Diamond Necklace returned to the November Sale in 2008, selling to BBA Ireland and Tyreel Stud for $1.3 million carrying to Giant's Causeway.

The Roth Family's operation, represented by Solis Bloodstock, went to A$540,000 ($556,902) to acquire Diamond Necklace in foal to Commands (Aus) at the 2013 Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale, and repatriated her to America. The best of her four winners was the late Dogtag (War Front), a three-time stakes winner and third in the GI Rodeo Drive Stakes. Half-sisters to Dogtag were responsible for Australian MGSW & MG1SP Osipenko (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) and King's Plate and dual Sovereign Award winner Caitlinhergrtness (Omaha Beach).

Polished is also the dam of the 2-year-old colt Thieve (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}). Siyouni was being represented by his 17th 'TDN Rising Star'.

9th-Churchill Downs, $103,186, Msw, 5-25, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 1:41.71, fm, 2 1/2 lengths.
SIYOUINCANADA (FR), c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Polished, by Kitten's Joy
2nd Dam: Diamond Necklace, by Unbridled's Song
3rd Dam: Helsinki (GB), by Machiavellian
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $49,056. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-LNJ Foxwoods; B-LNJ Foxwoods SC (FR); T-Joe Sharp.

!

Says () to the field in the Memorial Day Monday finale on the turf at Churchill Downs.

Jockey @jaimetorresjcky was aboard for trainer @mjsharp75_joe and owner @LNJFoxwoods.#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/vXhXnHuYDA

— TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) May 25, 2026

Congratulations to our well-traveled homebred SIYOUNINCANADA, born & raised @EcurieMonceaux broke his maiden impressively @ChurchillDowns for trainer @mjsharp75_joe & jockey @jaimetorresjcky. Homebred wins are always special and fun to look back at baby pics!! Well done to his… pic.twitter.com/1lz3gSKo4u

— LNJ Foxwoods (@LNJFoxwoods) May 25, 2026

The post Siyouni’s Siyouincanada An Impressive Front-Running Winner at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Despite being the sole Grade I winner in the field, Usha (Tiz the Law) entered Monday's GIII Winning Colors Stakes as the 2-1 second choice behind 8-5 choice Kapoor (Uncle Mo), victorious in her four most recent starts.

While the latter was significantly compromised at the start and failed to show her best in her stakes debut, Usha muscled her way to the front in the early going of the six-furlong test and remained tough to the very end, hanging on to a narrow victory over the oncoming Zeitlos (Curlin).

Kapoor, breaking from Post 5, was sandwiched pretty hard between rivals, forcing her to the back as MSW Foie Gras (Volatile) sprinted to the front with Usha–exiting the 7 hole–up to press the issue on her outside flank through an opening quarter in :22.86.

Eagerly overtaking the pacesetter on the far turn, the New York-bred was given her cue by Florent Geroux straightening for home, edged into the clear late and had enough left in the tank to fend off the closing Zeitlos, who found herself a head shy at the wire. Foie Gras was a close-up third while One Magic Philly (Good Magic) rounded out the Super. The favorite was eased, finishing last of eight.

“We sat a good trip on the outside and I just let her get in a nice rhythm,” Geroux said. “When I needed her to go, she responded very well.”

Usha, a $600,000 OBS April purchase, is owned by Pegram, Watson and Weitman and trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.

Usha needed five tries to get off the mark, finally accomplishing the feat with an 11 1/2-length victory at Del Mar last July. Following up with another impressive victory facing optional claiming company in September, the chestnut was a well-beaten seventh in Keeneland's GII Raven Run over seven furlongs in October, but rebounded to air by 5 1/4 lengths in the Dec. 28 GI La Brea at Santa Anita. In her seasonal debut, the 4-year-old finished third behind R Disaster (Awesome Slew) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke) in the GI Derby City Distaff on May 2.

“[Usha] didn't draw well in the Derby City Distaff [Post 1] and was a little intimidated down on the inside,” explained Baffert. “Today, she got a nice post and liked that better being on the outside.”

Regarding Monday's winning effort, he added, “She was still looking around a bit down the lane. I've thought about putting blinkers on her, but that might make her a little too rank. I think she'll get better with time. She's improving and I think seven-eighths of a mile is a good distance for her. As horses get older, they can run farther as long as they relax. Today, with her not being intimidated, I thought she ran really well.”

Pedigree Notes:
Recognized as the initial Grade I winner for her sire Tiz the Law, Usha is the second foal out of stakes-placed Animal Appeal (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}). Bred by Esler and Raine in New York, the $30,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling blossomed into a $600,000 OBS April juvenile purchase. The winner's 14-year-old dam, who sold for $9,000 at Fasig-Tipton New York Fall Mixed in 2023, is also responsible for a juvenile filly by Solomini.

Usha wins the 23rd Running of the Winning Colors Stakes (GIII)! pic.twitter.com/ore01jJ9tw

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 25, 2026

Monday, Churchill Downs
WINNING COLORS S.-GIII, $220,000, Churchill Downs, 5-25, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.21, ft.
1–USHA, 123, f, 4, by Tiz the Law
1st Dam: Animal Appeal (SP, $220,298), by Leroidesanimaux (Brz)
2nd Dam: Appealing Card, by Valid Appeal
3rd Dam: What a Card, by Wig Out
($30,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG; $600,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl and Weitman, Paul; B-Esler & Raine (NY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Florent Geroux. $121,520. Lifetime Record: GISW, 10-4-2-3, $539,870. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Zeitlos, 118, m, 6, Curlin–Thyme For Roses (Aus), by Redoute's Choice (Aus). ($350,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP; $775,000 5yo '25 FTKNOV). O-Peter Leidel; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $49,200.
3–Foie Gras, 118, f, 4, Volatile–Table Manners, by Algorithms. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($95,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $170,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL; $100,000 3yo '25 FTDDE). O-Paradise Farms Corp., P Shooter Stable and Emcee Stable LLC; B-E. H. Beau Lane (KY); T-Michael J. Maker. $24,600.
Margins: HD, NK, 4 3/4. Odds: 2.44, 13.64, 5.74.
Also Ran: One Magic Philly, Jersey Pearl, Dare to Fly, Kapoor. Scratched: Spring Dancer.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Usha Ekes Out Win Over Zeitlos in Churchill’s Winning Colors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A day after the closest finish in the history of the the legendary 500-mile road race not far away, there was horse power of a different variety on display at Horseshoe Indianapolis when Shadwell Stable's well related Nahla (Authentic) graduated in convincing style to enhance her future residual value.

They didn't need a photo finish to call the winner of this one.

The bay filly ran very well against much tougher in her first two appearances, finishing second over an extended mile at Tampa on debut Feb. 28 before rounding out the exacta in a seven-furlong Gulfstream maiden Apr. 23. Her respective Beyers of 76 and 81 towered over her rivals here and she was duly sent off at 30 cents on the dollar to get the job done at career start three.

Drawing in when this race came off the grass, the $550,000 Keeneland September yearling was trapped out as many as five paths deep for the run around the first turn and raced in a three-wide third down the back. Asked to take up the running three furlongs out, Nahla turned for home narrowly in front of second choice Miso Speedy (Mendelssohn) and found a second wind once switching her leads to take it by a comfortable margin.

The winner–a May foal–is a half-sister to this year's GI Pegasus World Cup winner Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), GISW, $5,893,650; Olivia Twist (Mshawish), SW & GSP, $321,579; and Moonlite Strike (Liam's Map), SW & GSP, $175,205. Twinkling's current 2-year-old, a filly by Not This Time, fetched $1 million from Repole Stable at Keeneland September last fall and the mare produced a filly by Curlin on Apr. 25.

6th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 5-25, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m (off turf), 1:43.33, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
NAHLA (f, 3, Authentic–Twinkling, by War Chant) Sales history: $550,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $34,950. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Shadwell Stable; B-Taylor Made Stallions Inc, Joel Politi, Ramspring Farm, et al (KY); T-Brad H Cox.

The post Authentic Filly Nahla Revs Up at Horseshoe Indy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Gil Rowntree, 1997 Thoroughbred Trainer inductee into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, passed away May 24 at the age of 92.

Rowntree's training achievements include a Sovereign Award as Canada's Outstanding Trainer in 1975. That same year his client, Stafford Farm received the Sovereign for Outstanding owner, the inaugural year the Sovereign Award for either trainer or owner was presented.

Rowntree and Stafford Farm were victorious three times in the Queen's Plate with Royal Chocolate (1973), Amber Herod (1974) and Sound Reason (1977), all with Rowntree's close friend and future fellow Hall of Fame member, jockey Robin Platts, in the irons.

In 1984 Rowntree captured the 125th running of Canada's Classic with Key to the Moon for Bahnam Yousif's BKY Stables.

While Overskate, the horse often considered the best ever trained by Rowntree, missed out on winning the Plate by a short neck, he went on to a brilliant career, twice being named Horse of the Year and accumulating a record nine Sovereign Awards.

Rowntree also developed Canadian champions Ten Gold Pots, Deceit Dancer, Allan Blue, Key to the Moon and Sound Reason. One of his best fillies was Tudor Queen, a stakes winner in the U.S., and the colt Ambassador B. In 1973 his Stafford Farms' entry of Tara Road, Good Port and Royal Chocolate swept the board in finishing one-two-three in the Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, the second jewel in Canada's Triple Crown.

The native of Toronto had a brief career as a jockey, working for trainer Art Halliwell, initially as a hot walker and groom. When he became too big for the saddle he became a jockey's valet. He honed his training skills while working as an assistant to another future fellow Hall of Fame trainer Lou Cavalaris Jr., and went to work for Stafford Farms in 1967. Rowntree's career, which concluded in 2012, included 1,036 wins and $17,574,804 US in purse earnings.

The post Canadian Hall of Fame Trainer Gil Rowntree Passes Away at 92 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jockey Juan Hernandez reached a notable milestone on Sunday when earning career win No. 3,000 at Santa Anita Park.

Hernandez accomplished the feat in Sunday's ninth and final race when guiding Syntax ($8.80) to victory in a starter allowance going one mile on turf. Hernandez and the Librado Barocio-trained filly won by a half-length.

“I was thinking about if before the race, that it would be nice to do it here,” Hernandez said. “Then I just rode my race. After the wire when I heard Frank Mirahmadi say that is win No. 3,000, I thought 'wow, I made it.'”

The 34-year-old from Veracruz, Mexico was joined in the winner's circle by his wife Melissa and their two sons, Juan and Emilio.

Hernandez rode his first winner in 2009 in Puerto Rico before relocating to Northern California. He later moved to the southern part of the state full-time in 2020. He has since won nine riding titles at Santa Anita. At the current Hollywood Meet, Hernandez is winning at a robust 29% clip (17 for 58) through Sunday.

Hernandez has been represented by agent Craig O'Bryan since he moved to Southern California full-time.

“Juan has been just an absolute pleasure to work with,” said O'Bryan, who has represented many top jockeys during his long career. “I'm really proud of him, he deserves it.”

In his career, Hernandez has won 21 Grade I races and tallied total purse earnings of $111,501,184.

“I just love riding horses,” Hernandez said. “Let's keep winning races.”

The post Juan Hernandez Gets 3,000th Career Win at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

He was all the rage in the paddock, on the toteboard, and as it turns out, on the track as well. Hey Tuff Guy (Life Is Good) demolished a field of Churchill Downs maidens on the Memorial Day card to sail home as the newest 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'.

Coming into the contest with five listed works to his credit, the morning praise turned into afternoon acclaim as the betting public hammered him down from 3-1 on the morning line to 3-5 favoritism by the time the gates opened.

Breaking well to the far outside, he was outfooted early by Bourbon Town (Echo Town) for the lead, but was making up the distance with every stride as they swung into the bend after an opening quarter in :22.50. Blowing by the early leader midway on the turn without any urging from Mario Gutierrez, Hey Tuff Guy wrapped the race before they even hit the top of the lane.

The pair was eight lengths clear of the field turning for home, and the son of Life Is Good bore a striking resemblance to his brilliant sire as he rolled home to dominate by 7 3/4 lengths. Bourbon Town steadily faded in the lane as Gun for Glory (Gun Runner) claimed second and Time for Action (Not This Time) got up for third. The final time was 1:04.77.

Hey Tuff Guy is the third winner for freshman sire Life Is Good, and is the first 'Rising Star' for the WinStar Farm-based stallion.

The victor is the second to the races behind his unplaced older half-sister Roses to Riches (Quality Road) for their ultra-accomplished dam, Hotshot Anna. A 12-time winner during her racing career, the track record-setting daughter of Trappe Shot claimed seven stakes races with three at the graded level as well as claiming black-type on all three surfaces. She changed hands to Frederick and May Construction for $400,000 in 2022 at the Keeneland November sale while pregnant with Roses to Riches. Hey Tuff Guy is her most recent to the races, and she has a yearling colt by Cody's Wish to her credit. She was bred to McKinzie for 2026.

Hotshot Anna is a half-sister to MGSW Our Secret Agent (Secret Circle), who changed hands to Winchell Thoroughbreds at the same Keeneland November sale for $375,000, and who has a 2026 filly by Gun Runner at foot.

Hey Tuff Guy wins race 2 at Churchill Downs! pic.twitter.com/661PxPwEM3

— Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 25, 2026

2nd-Churchill Downs, $118,255, Msw, 5-25, 2yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.77, ft, 7 3/4 lengths.
HEY TUFF GUY, c, 2, by Life Is Good
       1st Dam: Hotshot Anna (MGSW, $975,010), by Trappe Shot
       2nd Dam: Avalos, by Holy Bull
       3rd Dam: Francie's Fancy, by Flying Paster
Sales history: $120,000 2yo '26 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $68,496. O-Big Cat Racing; B-Frederick and May Construction (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

The post Hey Tuff Guy More Than They Can Handle, Whistles to ‘Rising Star’ Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The historically unrewarding inside post position–now winless in 41 years–kept Renegade from being favored in the GI Kentucky Derby. But the adverse gate draw and some jostling both after the break and in the final stages didn't keep this hard-charging Into Mischief colt from barreling home with a tenacious late run that, in many years, would have been good enough to win the first leg of the Triple Crown.

The connections of Renegade (like 15 other Derby participants) predictably bypassed the May 16 GI Preakness Stakes. After breezing a half-mile in company in :49.80 (8/22) over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga Race Course May 23, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed that Renegade has rebounded from his rock 'em-sock 'em Derby with good energy and is on target for the June 6 GI Belmont Stakes.

Four other A-list sophomores who similarly ran in the Derby and opted out of the Preakness also worked last Friday or Saturday-the 23-1 Derby upsetter Golden Tempo (Curlin), plus Commandment (Into Mischief) and two 'TDN Rising Stars, presented by Hagyard', Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}) and Chief Wallabee (Constitution).

But despite the presence of those heavy hitters (and at least six others under consideration), it will be Renegade who draws the most support from the betting public in the Belmont Stakes.

“It's kind of the trend of American racing now-lighter-raced horses running in bigger races,” Pletcher said Saturday.

The Hall-of-Fame conditioner was referring specifically to Renegade. Yet the comment obliquely summed up the general circumstances that could yield one of the deepest, most intriguing renewals of the third jewel of the Triple Crown in years.

Another trend that could favor Renegade: In every other year since 2022, the Belmont Stakes has been won by a colt who drew the rail and had a tough trip in the Derby, then skipped the Preakness.

In 2022, the Pletcher-trained Mo Donegal came out of post one awkwardly in the Derby and was relegated to the back of the pack.

By the time this 10-1 athletic closer was asked for run at the five-sixteenths pole, he was trapped behind a blockade of contenders, necessitating a journey out to the 13 path. He eventually accelerated with interest, but the lateral loss of ground was too much for Mo Donegal to overcome. He finished fifth.

Five weeks later in the Belmont Stakes, Mo Donegal responded with a 5-2 favored win over 12 furlongs (in what would turn out to be his final career race before a September retirement).

The “off the fence” pattern repeated in 2024, when the rail-drawn Dornoch got bumped and brushed early in the Derby, never settling while hemmed inside.

Free from cover on the far turn, the 22-1 Dornoch launched a decent bid. But he had to slam on the brakes when a hole he was aiming for closed. Despite the momentum loss, this big, strapping colt re-rallied, but a mid-stretch traffic snarl cost him any chance of finishing better than tenth.

Dornoch's trainer, Danny Gargan, also wanted no part of the Preakness. Five weeks later, the 17-1 colt forced the pace to win the 10-furlong Belmont at its temporary home of Saratoga.

Dornoch beat the Derby winner (Mystik Dan), the Preakness winner (Seize the Grey), and the eventual Breeders' Cup Classic winner and subsequent sophomore champion, Sierra Leone. He then won the GI Haskell Stakes in his next start.

Unlike Mo Donegal and Dornoch, Renegade was largely able to overcome his disadvantageous rail draw in the Derby. Considering what he went through, this colt gets high marks for getting beaten by only a neck as the 5.65-1 second choice.

Renegade actually broke pretty well from gate one at Churchill. But after absorbing an initial modest bump from an outer rival, he then took the brunt of some serious secondary chain-reaction crowding. Despite the roughhousing, Renegade seemed unfazed by getting banged around, and he settled well while fourth from last under Irad Ortiz, Jr., the first time under the finish wire.

Renegade remained patient near the back of the 18-horse field for the middle stages of the Derby, riding the rail until three furlongs out when Ortiz nudged him outward.

Renegade clicked into a quicker cadence, but Ortiz had to keep him “on hold” approaching the head of the lane while continuously floating wider behind a wall of tiring frontrunners in an effort to pick a clear launch point for the drive.

Ten wide but full of run in upper stretch, Renegade went shoulder to shoulder with Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) between the three-sixteenths and eighth poles before being able to disengage from that foe and focus on the horses ahead of him.

Ortiz switched to left-handed stick work and Renegade torqued into a higher gear to meet the onrushing challenge of Golden Tempo in the final half-furlong.

Those two jointly got the jump on the upset-minded 70-1 maiden Ocelli (Connect), and although Renegade initially seemed emboldened by deep-stretch contact with Golden Tempo, he was out-kicked in the closing strides and had to settle for second.

Now Renegade looms as the horse to beat in the third and final 10-furlong version of the Belmont Stakes at Saratoga before the race reverts to its traditional home and 1 ½-miles distance next year at the rebuilt Belmont Park.

Since 2000, the third leg of the Triple Crown has been won by 13 horses that ran in the Derby then passed on the Preakness.

During that same time frame, eight horses won the Belmont after not having run in either the Derby or Preakness.

Of course, we had two Triple Crown winners in that era (Justify in 2018 and American Pharoah in 2015) who competed in and won all three Classics.

Two others-Afleet Alex in 2005 and Point Given in 2001-ran in the Derby, won the Preakness, then also won the Belmont.

Not counted in that tally is the pandemic-altered 2020 Triple Crown season, when the Belmont was conducted at nine furlongs in June and the Derby was moved to September.

The post Week in Review: ‘Off the Fence’ Angle Favors Renegade in Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After canceling their Saturday evening card due to potential threats posed by a chemical leak at a local aerospace manufacturing plant, Los Alamitos is scheduled to race Sunday. The mixed card begins 5:45 pm.

On Thursday, a large, pressurized tank filled with thousands of gallons of methyl methacrylate-a toxic, highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of resins and plastics-began leaking. The tank at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, Orange County, sits about 3.5 miles from Los Alamitos as the crow flies.

Officials originally outlined two possible outcomes from the chemical leak. One was that the tank fails and as much as 7,000 gallons of methyl methacrylate would spill out into the parking lot.

The second option was that the temperature inside the tank would keep rising, leading to an explosion.

Firefighters have been dousing the tank with water and more than 40,000 local residents are under evacuation orders. Los Alamitos is outside of the evacuation zone.

In a post on Twitter Sunday morning, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) interim chief TJ McGovern explained that firefighters recently discovered a crack in the tank “which could potentially be relieving the pressure in there.”

He added that officials are currently “vetting and validating” that information.

According to a Los Alamitos press release issued Sunday, management will continue to “monitor the ongoing incident at the aerospace facility in Garden Grove.”

They added, “The IMT (Incident Management Team), in consultation with the EPA and OCHCA, has established the evacuation zone. Any areas outside of this zone are currently considered completely safe, and day-to-day activities can continue as normal.”

Further updates will be provided as they become available. For inquiries, please email larace@losalamitos.com.

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