Thoroughbred Daily News

The field for the GI Preakness Stakes, ranked in “likeliest winner” order (program number after each horse's name).

1) INCREDIBOLT #12 (c, Bolt d'Oro–Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again). O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (KY); T-Riley Mott. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 6-3-0-0, $498,681. Last start: 6th May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

In the GI Kentucky Derby, Incredibolt was off a beat slow, got pinched down toward the inside, then had the reins shaken at him to hustle up into a spot where he could settle in 13th while in the clear and not covered up by other horses first time under the wire.

This powerfully built $75,000 KEESEP son of Bolt d'Oro was parked at the tail end of the main flight in 15th for most of his backstretch journey. Jaime Torres roused him for run three-eighths out, and Incredibolt did respond. But like a number of rivals clustered behind a wall of capitulating frontrunners, he had to keep floating outward in search of room for the drive.

Fanned eight wide into the lane, Incredibolt then jostled with the even wider Renegade (Into Mischief) in upper stretch while Torres applied left-handed stick work. Those two continued to spar in close quarters between the three-sixteenths and eighth poles before Renegade muscled Incredibolt back down into tiring horses.

Although at that point it became obvious Incredibolt wasn't going to hit the board, he still finished with interest, beaten only four lengths in sixth.

Although he's never cracked 90 on the Beyer Speed Figure scale in six starts (the 89 in the Derby is his lifetime top), his 88-Beyer effort in the one-turn, nine-furlong Virginia Derby was an example of Incredibolt parlaying adversity into victory. After being bottled up off the turn, he kicked through along the inside, building momentum late while expanding his winning margin to four lengths.

Like most conditioners these days, Riley Mott doesn't run many horses back in two weeks. He's done it 10 times from 776 starters since launching his training career in 2022, winning twice.

Mott is, however, 1-for-1 at Laurel, winning with his only starter there in 2025.

2) IRON HONOR #9 (c, Nyquist–Orenica, by Blame). O-St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence and Glassman Racing; B-Mike Freeny and Pat Freeny; T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $230,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $475,000 Ylg KEESEP. Lifetime record GSW, 3-2-0-0, $229,250. Last start: 7th Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial Stakes.

Iron Honor (Nyquist) is the legitimate favorite for the Preakness, although it is likely he will be underlaid well below his 9-2 morning-line odds.

The betting public will be all over the recent angle of a Chad Brown trainee running in (but not winning) the GII Wood Memorial Stakes, skipping the Derby, then winning the Preakness.

That's what Brown did in 2022 and 2017 with Early Voting and Cloud Computing. Like those two, Iron Honor will be making just his fourth lifetime start.

Iron Honor schools in the paddock at Laurel Thursday | Sarah Andrew

Iron Honor ($230,000 KEEJAN; $475,000 KEESEP) won a Dec. 13 six-furlong maiden sprint at Aqueduct by 1 1/2 lengths (95 Beyer), out of which the second, third and fifth-place finishers all won their next starts.

In the Feb. 28 GIII Gotham Stakes, Iron Honor pressured the pacemaker and took over in the final sixteenth of that one-turn mile for a 90-Beyer win by one length.

This colt had a rough time in the slowly run Apr. 4 Wood Memorial, in which he was seventh, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, as the 2.95-1 favorite.

He drew post 12, got knocked off stride in the first turn, and jockey Manny Franco said he grabbed the bit and was pulling down the backside. Four wide and under a hard hold through the far turn, Iron Honor never relaxed, made a mild stretch bid, then weakened (76 Beyer).

Brown said after the Wood that Iron Honor had some “bumps and bruises” and that it “didn't feel right” to subject him to the rigors of a super-sized field in the Derby four weeks later.

He's since been freshened and is now past his actual third birthdate (May 1). With blinkers removed on Saturday, expect a better effort. Brown is 18-for-69 (26%) with that equipment change over the last five years, although his strike rate dips to 1-for-7 (14%) when taking blinkers off in graded stakes.

3) TALKIN #5 (c, Good Magic–Rote, by Tiznow). O- Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Pine Racing Stables, Legendary Thoroughbreds, Belmar Racing and Breeding, LLC, and R. A. Hill Stable; B- Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (KY); T-Danny Gargan. Sales history: $600,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISP, 3-1-1-0, $288,625. Last start: 3rd Apr. 4 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

Among the five long shots listed at 20-1 or above on the Preakness morning line, Talkin is the most intriguing possibility.

Go four starts back and look at Talkin's trip-troubled second in the Grade I Champagne Stakes.

He contested the pace outside, angled in leaving the chute, then got carried out to the seven path. He dropped to the rail entering the turn, advanced to fourth at the fence, then shifted outward again to be seven wide off the bend. That's a lot of lateral movement in a better-than-it-looks performance.

Trainer Danny Gargan bypassed the Breeders' Cup, partially out of concerns about shipping this $600,000 KEESEP son of Good Magic cross-country from New York to California. He instead ran in the GII Remsen Stakes and finished ninth, and Gargan later admitted that he had “babied” the colt going into that race and said that a couple of slow workouts didn't help.

Talkin then resurfaced off a three-month layoff in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, running fifth in a needed start behind The Puma (Essential Quality) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner).

Entered back in the GI Blue Grass Stakes, Talkin again finished behind 11-length winner Further Ado, checking in third while upping his best lifetime Beyer from 85 to 87.

When it came time to decide on running in the Derby, Gargan opted out.

“The Preakness is the kind of race that fits him,” Gargan said in mid-April. “I told everybody that even if we ran second in the Blue Grass, we'd probably wait on the Preakness. He's not a real big horse. He's average-sized, not a big strong, strapping colt, and I don't want to do too much. He's sound, he's really good [and] I think he'll like [Laurel].”

Irad Ortiz, Jr., picks up the mount (Joel Rosario has switched to the SoCal circuit and is riding at Santa Anita on Saturday). Gargan has won at 18% overall the last five years. But when Ortiz rides for him, the percentage spikes to 27% (16 winners from 59 mounts).

4) CHIP HONCHO #6 (c, Connect–Miss My Rose, by Magician {Ire}). O-Leland Ackerley Racing LLC, Sherwood, James, Shupe, Jode and Cilia, John. B-Venneri Racing Inc & Tony Fanticola (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $210,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL. Lifetime record: GSP, 6-2-2-0, $280,475. Last start: 5th Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby.

Chip Honcho ($210,000 FTKJUL) wintered in New Orleans, competing in all four legs of the points-awarding prep series at Fair Grounds.

He won the $100,000 Gun Runner Stakes in December, then ran fourth, second and fifth in the remaining three graded races there.

Chip Honcho trains at Laurel Wednesday morning | Sarah Andrew

He racked up experience both in front of and behind horses who turned out to be major sophomore players, including eventual Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo (Curlin), the formerly No. 1-ranked but now sidelined Paladin (Gun Runner), and the talented GII Louisiana Derby victor and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride {Arg}).

This Connect colt from Steve Asmussen's barn is a likely pace-presser with five races of experience between a mile and 1 3/16 miles. He picked up the services of Derby-winning rider Jose Ortiz after Golden Tempo's team passed on running in the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.

The last time a jockey rode two different horses to win the Derby and Preakness in the same year, Asmussen was involved. That was back in 2009, when Calvin Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird, then switched over to the filly Rachel Alexandra (the eventual Horse of the Year) in the Preakness.

5) OCELLI #2 (c, Connect–Zalia, by Scat Daddy). O-Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, LLC; B-Rosedown Racing Stables,  LLC (KY); T-D. Whitworth Beckman. Sales history: $12,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime record: GISP, 7-0-1-1, $609,800. Last start: 3rd May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

Ocelli, a six-start maiden when he drew in off the also-eligible list for the Derby, vastly outran his 70-1 odds by finishing third, beaten only a length.

Breaking from post 17, this $12,000 FTKOCT son of Connect got crunched at the break, dropped back, then found a spot down near the inside. He was keyed up and almost ran up on the heels of Renegade the first time through the stretch, then settled and basically shadowed Renegade through the backstretch run.

Ocelli made his move before Renegade, and he really took off when Tyler Gaffalione cued him to quicken and guided him outside at the three-eighths pole. He swept around rivals, careened for home out in the nine path, then was the aggressor in the upper-stretch scrum that affected Commandment (Into Mischief) and Further Ado.

While that bumping seemed to discourage those two favorites, Ocelli was emboldened by the roughhousing. He pinballed away with another burst of momentum to loom boldly a furlong out, snatched a brief lead at the sixteenth pole, then was no match for 1-2 finishers Golden Tempo and Renegade, who uncorked stronger, better-timed late runs.

Now the main question heading into the Preakness is whether Ocelli can take another step forward, or if he'll bounce off that huge effort.

In 645 starts over the past five years, trainer Whit Beckman has sent out just five horses within 13 or 14 days off, resulting in one winner.

6) TAJ MAHAL #1 (c, Nyquist–Oola Gal, by Quality Road). O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC & Donovan, Catherine; B-Vegso Racing Stable (FL). T-Brittany T. Russell. Sales history: $525,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MSW, 3-3-0-0, $178,200. Last start: WON Apr. 18 Federico Tesio Stakes.

You would have to hunt through reams of charts to find a running line like the one Taj Mahal posted when winning the nine-furlong $150,000 Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Apr. 18.

Breaking from the outermost 10 stall as the 6-5 favorite, this $525,000 KEESEP colt cleared the field and crossed over the fence under Sheldon Russell into the first turn. Taj Mahal opened up by 10 lengths down the backstretch, then slowed down the cadence to toy with the field, letting them close the gap to within 1 1/2 lengths on the far turn.

Taj Mahal completes a gate schooling session Wednesday | Sarah Andrew

Turning for home, this son of Nyquist from trainer Brittany Russell's barn responded when asked to throttle up again, airing it out down the lane and coasting home with no serious bids to repel, extending his winning margin to 8 1/4 lengths under the wire.

Taj Mahal is now 3-for-3 at Laurel, with a Beyer arc of 73-86-92. He'll break from the rail in the Preakness, setting up a “He's fast but can he last?” handicapping question.

7) CRUPPER #3 (c, Candy Ride {Arg}–She's All In, by Include). O/B-Robert H. Zoellner. T- Donnie K. Von Hemel. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-0-2, $210,665. Last start: WON Apr. 18 Bathhouse Row Stakes.

Crupper could be figuring things out at just the right time to pull off an upset at 30-1 on the morning line for the middle leg of the Triple Crown

He earned an automatic berth into the Preakness for his 80-Beyer score in the Bathhouse Row Stakes. His connections-owner/breeder Robert H. Zoellner and trainer Donnie Von Hemel–weren't initially committed to going to Maryland. But opting in isn't really a far-fetched idea considering that the visual aspect of Crupper winning that Apr. 18 stakes at Oaklawn is quite appealing.

Off at 6-1 odds, Crupper broke inward and bumped at the break, then practically dragged Junior Alvarado up into a forward position while under a snug hold. He dueled outside of a maiden, turned back two of the favorites on the far turn, then fended off another late closer to win by half a length before galloping out with purpose.

This son of Candy Ride (Arg) is out of a millionaire GSW Oklahoma-bred mare, She's All In, who compiled a rugged 16-8-3 record from 38 lifetime starts.

That sort of durability is emblematic of her sire, Include, who himself was a 10-for-20, Grade I-winning grinder a quarter-century ago.

8) ROBUSTA #4 (c, Accelerate–Urbane Legend, by Into Mischief). O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill. Lifetime record, GSP, 6-1-1-0, $83,500. Last start: 14th May 2 GI Kentucky Derby.

Robusta never looked settled when 14th in the Derby, which was a big ask at 70-1 odds from post 18.

He broke in and got bumped around at the break and was wide while trying to gain a foothold at the back of the first flight through the initial turn. He was in the five path down the backstretch and four deep on the far turn, always losing touch. His race was over by the time he got shoved out by a fellow also-ran in upper stretch.

This Doug O'Neill-trained son of Accelerate has now been beaten a total of 33 ½ lengths in consecutive Grade I stakes. The race he needs to build off is his 67-1 second in the GII San Felipe Stakes back on Mar. 7 (losing by only a head, 89 Beyer).

Robusta could be a plausible play based solely on the long-shot accomplishments of owner/breeder Calumet Farm, whose sophomores have lit up the tote board with sizable upsets and near-misses in Derby preps and Triple Crown races over the last decade.

Calumet's Oxbow won the 2013 Preakness at 15-1. Bravazo won the 2018 GII Risen Star Stakes at 21-1, then in the Preakness was beaten only a half-length at 15-1 by eventual Triple Crown winner Justify. Everfast was second at 29-1 in the 2019 Preakness. In the 2021 Wood Memorial, Bourbonic prevailed with a 72-1 last-to-first thriller.

9) NAPOLEON SOLO #10 (c, Liam's Map–Atomic Blonde, by Scat Daddy). O-Gold Square LLC; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock (KY); T-Chad Summers. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISW, 4-2-0-0, $360,520. Last start: 5th Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial Stakes.

Even with likely frontrunners drawn at the rail and to his direct outside, Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map) figures to be the “speed of the speed” in the Preakness.

This $40,000 KEESEP gray started his career in a Saratoga maiden restricted to horses that sold for $60,000 or less at the sales. He won that day at 7-2 odds by 5 1/4 lengths (83 Beyer).

Napoleon Solo trains at Laurel Tuesday morning | Sarah Andrew

Then, at odds of 6.97-1, this Chad Summers trainee wired the field in the GI Champagne Stakes. He cleared from the outside, moved comfortably under pressure, sprinted through the turn (with the odds-on favorite driven hard and unable to keep pace), then cracked the race wide open late (95 Beyer).

Napoleon Solo's connections bypassed the Breeders' Cup, but have yet to rekindle his spark in back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes and Wood Memorial (81 and 78 Beyers, respectively).

This colt is 8-1 in the morning line and worth upgraded consideration if you see speed is doing well through the first five dirt races at Laurel on Saturday.

But bear in mind there will be four consecutive turf races preceding the Preakness, so any main-track trend could evaporate by the time this stakes gets underway. The 7:01 p.m. post means there will be 4 1/4 hours between dirt races at Laurel.

10) THE HELL WE DID #7 (c, Authentic–Rose's Desert, by Desert God). O-Peacock Family Racing Stable, LLC; B-Joe R. Peacock, Jr.; T-Todd W. Fincher. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-2-0, $134,818. Last start: 2nd Apr. 11 GIII Lexington Stakes.

The Hell We Did, a Todd Fincher-trained homebred for the Peacock family-and half-brother to graded stakes stalwart Senor Buscador, winner of the G1 Saudi Cup and third in the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2024-is a Preakness wild card at 15-1 in the morning line.

This son of Authentic began his career with a maiden win in Oklahoma, then a second in a $100,000 stakes and a win at the allowance level, both in New Mexico.

He was 5-1 in the betting when second in the GIII Lexington Stakes at Keeneland, pressing the pace two wide before getting outkicked late. He survived some bumping and grinding in deep stretch to secure the place by three-quarters of a length.

The Hell We Did has compiled lifetime Beyers of 58-71-92-81.

11) CORONA DE ORO #11 (c, Bolt d'Oro–Lemon de Oro, by Lemon Drop Kid). O-On Our Own Stable, LLC, Commonwealth Stable, U Racing Stables, LLC, Saints or Sinners, Titletown Racing, LLC, Nichols, Jim, Barker, Edwin S., Rivers, Daniel, Haines, John and Stewart, Dallas. T-Dallas Stewart. Sales history: $100,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $100,000 Ylg '24 OBSOCT; $160,000 2yo '25 EASMAY. Lifetime record: GSP, 5-1-1-2, $92,540. Last start: 3rd Apr. 11 GIII Lexington Stakes.

Not too many chances to wager on jockey John Velazquez at 30-1 in the morning line, so that right there could be a bettability angle for this colt.

Corona de Oro ($100,000 RNA FTSAUG; $100,000 OBSOCT; $160,000 EASMAY) and The Hell We Did were leaning all over each other in the deep stages of the Lexington Stakes.

But this Dallas Stewart trainee had done the dirty work on the front end in that race after getting bumped at the break and trying to swat back several waves of challengers. He lasted for third behind the 32-1 winner.

Although his Beyers have been going in the wrong direction in his last three (58-72-92-87-80) Corona de Oro has at least flirted in that low 90s range, a level that six other Preakness entrants have yet to attain.

12) BULL BY THE HORNS #8 (c, Essential Quality–No Sweat, by Blame). O-Peachtree Stable and Corrado, Mark; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables; T- Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: SW, 5-2-0-2, $187,115. Last start: WON Mar. 21 Rushaway Stakes.

Bull by the Horns only has one out-of-the-money finish from five starts, and enters the Preakness coming off a nine-week layoff after rallying from seventh and last to take the Mar. 21 Rushaway Stakes at Turfway.

Great White trains at Laurel Thursday morning with Andie Biancone up | Sarah Andrew

The third-place finisher out of that stakes, Trendsetter (Modernist), subsequently won the Lexington Stakes and was third in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes at Aqueduct this past Saturday.

The Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee ($75,000 KEESEP) reunites with his maiden-breaking jockey, Micah Husbands, because his Rushaway partner, John Velazquez, has accepted the Preakness mount on Corona de Oro.

Although he's been parked at the back his last two routes, Bull by the Horns did show a stalking/pressing style in his first three races.

His lifetime best Beyers are 70 (Tapeta) and 69 (dirt).

13) GREAT WHITE #13 (g, Volatile–Kelly Bag, by Uncle Mo). O-Three Chimneys Farm and Ennis, John; B-Stud TNT, LLC (KY); T-John Ennis. Sales history: $55,000 Ylg '24 FTDDE. Lifetime record: SW, 4-2-0-0, $202,495. Last start: 5th Apr. 4 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

This towering (17.2 hands) son of Volatile had drawn into the Derby off the also-eligible list but flipped over backwards while the field was loading and had to be scratched.

This John Ennis-trained gelding ($55,000 FTDDE) won his maiden sprinting over Tapeta and then scored in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes while pressing the pace. He was fifth, beaten 22 1/4 lengths, in the Blue Grass Stakes, his lone attempt on dirt.

A relatively late foal, Great White just hit his actual third birthdate on Thursday.

Post 13 is a low-percentage gate for the Preakness. It's yielded only one winner (Rachel Alexandra). But that was at Pimlico, not Laurel.

14) PRETTY BOY MIAH #14 (g, Beau Liam–Tryingtolookpretty, by Mineshaft). O-Team Penney Racing, Echo Racing, Flower City Racing LLC, Bruno, Anthony and Meyer, Christopher J.; B-Thoroughbred by Design; T-Jeremiah C. Englehart. Sales history: $60,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime record: 4-2-1-0, $95,800. Last start: WON Apr. 25 AQU starter/optional claimer.

This speed-centric Jeremiah Englehart trainee ($60,000 FTKOCT) has won two straight at Aqueduct by a combined 10 ½ lengths.

The first was a MSW sprint at 4-1 odds (89 Beyer) followed by a one-turn-mile starter/optional claimer (92 Beyer).

Post 14 is a difficult draw for this gelding's first time around two turns and against stakes company.

His sire, Beau Liam, only had a four-race career, but he was a front-end force who caught the eye with triple-digit Beyers in his second and third starts, earning a 106 and 107 in allowance races during the summer of 2021 at Saratoga.

Beau Liam's jockey in those races was Ricardo Santana, Jr., who has ridden Pretty Boy Miah in both victories and will be aboard again in the Preakness.

The post TDN Preakness Preview: And The Winner Is… appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

LAUREL, MD–Annually, the third Saturday in May draws all eyes to Maryland for the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown, the GI Preakness Stakes. This season is no different, however, a major adjustment brings the Classic to Laurel Park while Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore gets a complete overhaul.

Like the now defunct original structure of its sister track 30 miles north, Laurel exhibits the wear and tear of the years. Several areas of the venue have been renovated while others are now cordoned off or boarded up. However, one can still get a sense of the long and storied history of the place.

A random encounter punctuated that point. Strolling through the crowd at Laurel Thursday afternoon was a dapper-looking gentleman in a pristine suit and tie, with a snazzy trilby thrown in for good measure. Sure to stand out at any track most days of the year, the gentleman turned out to be Clark Bedwell Shaffer Jr. And for those of you that are racing history buffs, yes, it's that Bedwell.

The Laurel, Maryland native is the great grandson of Hall of Famer Harvey Guy Bedwell, the trainer of the first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton. Sir Barton collected the triple, including the Preakness Stakes, in 1919. Adding even more relevance to this weekend, the trainer also won the initial edition of the Pimlico Oaks (renamed the Black-Eyed Susan in 1951) with Milkmaid that same year. Intimately connected to the region, Bedwell–a leading trainer in North America between 1909 and 1917–prepared his horses at the nearby farm Yarrow Brae, which is now a commercially developed plot of land off Route 1.

It seems one never really knows when a glimpse of history might be caught meandering through the crowd.

Sarah Andrew photo

One year ago at Pimlico, trainers Bob Baffert and D. Wayne Lukas regaled the crowd with plenty banter at the traditional Alibi Breakfast on the Thursday of Preakness week. While neither Hall of Famer went on to win last year's renewal of the race (won by Journalism), it has since proven to be a very special moment for those in attendance that day after Lukas passed away at the age of 89 only a month later.

While the latest edition of the breakfast held in Laurel's updated clubhouse offered fewer jabs and jokes, it presented the 1/ST Racing team, headed by executive vice president Mike Rogers, the opportunity to reflect on the organization's oversight of the Preakness before the Maryland Jockey Club assumes the mantle when racing returns to Pimlico in 2027.

Also bidding adieu after this weekend's Preakness, Donna Barton Brothers, who has been a fixture on NBC's Triple Crown telecasts over the past 26 years, recently announced her retirement as an on-track reporter for the network. (To view the latest TDN Writers' Room with Barton, click here).

Later in the morning, Dr. Dionne Benson and Cricket Goodall were among those honored with the Special Award of Merit, given to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry.

Dr. Benson, appointed the first Chief Veterinary Officer of 1/ST Racing in 2019, oversees veterinary safety, welfare, and integrity practices and protocols, as well as equine research initiatives for 1/ST Racing.

Goodall is currently the Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, the Maryland Million, and the Maryland Horse Foundation. Starting in 1986, Goodall manages the three non-profit trade associations that work to inform, educate and promote the diversity of the horse industry in Maryland.

Also among those honored Thursday, Bob Ehalt of the BloodHorse received the David F. Woods Memorial Award for best Preakness story in 2025, while Eclipse Sportswire's Charles Toler was given the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award for best Preakness image. The Old Hilltop Award, honoring members of the sports media who have covered Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction, was given to Childs Walker of the Baltimore Banner.

Bracken Poppa schooling at Laurel this week | Sarah Andrew

Kicking off Laurel's Preakness weekend, Friday's 14-race card offers a trio of graded stakes, headed by the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes which draws a robust 10-horse field. Among contenders likely to draw attention in the nine-furlong contest is Bradley Kent and Ken Reimer's Bracken Poppa (Aurelius Maximus), winner of four of five lifetime starts–all facing fellow Louisiana-breds at Fair Grounds–for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Braken Poppa graduated in her sophomore opener Jan. 4 and followed up 26 days later with a 1 3/4-length optional allowance claiming victory. She romped by 9 1/2 lengths in the Feb. 28 Charged Cotton Stakes and went gate to wire to win by 5 ½ lengths last time out in the Mar. 21 Crescent City Oaks.

“I'll tell you what, after the mile and 70 yards she was still going, so I'm not worried about that. That little bit of extra distance is not going to hurt her at all. She's coming in very fresh,” Reimer said. “We're very, very optimistic about her.”

Jose Ortiz is two-for-two on the filly including her latest victory in the Crescent City.

Also riding a winning streak, 4G Racing, Gregg Day and Steven Crain's Holly's Holiday (Maxfield) dead-heated to break her maiden at Oaklawn in her third career start before taking the one-mile Valley of Vespers Stakes in Hot Springs.

“She had been training really well,” confirmed trainer Ken McPeek. “She had always trained really good as an early 2-year-old, but she came up with a little bone bruising, and we stopped on her. She was just a bit uncomfortable. We didn't think it was a problem, but after her second race it was more dramatic, and we had to regroup with her and gave her plenty of time. Since then, she has been stellar. She came back as a filly we thought she could be. I think this is a good next spot for her.”

Holly's Holiday and Robbie Albarado | Sarah Andrew

Averill Racing, Mathis Stable and Tristan De Meric's My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) enters the fray off consecutive second-place finishes in graded company at Gulfstream Park. She was beaten six lengths at odds of 26-1 by She Be Smooth in the one-mile GII Davona Dale on Feb. 28 and 2 3/4 lengths by Prom Queen when stretched out around two turns in the GII 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks on Mar. 28. Prom Queen returned to be a troubled fifth in the GI Kentucky Oaks on May 1.

“The last race was pretty solid and I feel like the horse that beat her at Gulfstream had a troubled trip in the Oaks so her form seems like it should stack up well. I would think she would stack pretty decent going into this race,” trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said. “That was productive from the last race. I think she should have a pretty decent chance.”

Other graded stakes on the card are the GIII Pimlico Special and GIII Miss Preakness Stakes.

Rounding out Friday's stakes action are the listed Allaire du Pont Distaff for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/8 miles and a pair of listed events scheduled for the turf–the Hilltop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at one mile and The Very One Stakes, a five-furlong test for females 3 and older.

First-race post time Friday is 11:30 a.m. ET. Post time for the Black-Eyed Susan, carded as Race 13, is scheduled for 6:14 p.m. ET.

The post Laurel Takes Center Stage With Preakness Weekend Appetizer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

HIGHGROVE (Frosted–Bell Court, by Street Sense), who as an 'Insight' runner went off as the 2-1 second choice here, fired out of the blocks and proceeded to make every pole a winning one through the top of the lane.

The filly clearly had more left in the tank and she went on to graduate by 2 1/2 lengths over fellow first-time starter Long Term Market (McKinzie). The 'Insighted' Run Wild (Gun Runner) finished fourth.

The second to the races for her dam, the winner has a yearling half-brother by Loggins and a half-sister by Aloha West who was foaled Mar. 11. Out of GSW Burmilla (Storm Cat), Bell Court's own half-sisters include GSW Snowbell (Tapit) and GSW & GISP Ragtime (Union Rags).

Highgrove's extended female family includes SW Twice Is Sweet (Candy Ride {Arg}) and MGSW Magicalmysterycat (Storm Cat).

2nd-Belmont The Big A, $82,450, Msw, 5-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 6 1/2f, 1:15.94, ft, 2 1/2 lengths.
HIGHGROVE, f, 3, Frosted–Bell Court, by Street Sense
Sales History: $90,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $46,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Madaket Stables, LLC and Mill Ridge Farm; B-Circle N Thoroughbred & Mill Ridge Farm et al (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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The leaders of Maryland's Thoroughbred industry are not resigned to the fact that racing in their state has reached a watershed moment. They see it as the catalyst that will mark the beginning of a large-scale resurgence in the coming years.

Churchill Downs Incorporated's acquisition of the intellectual property rights for the Preakness Stakes and the legislative review of the Maryland Stadium Authority's proposed purchase of Laurel Park, as well as the ongoing Triple Crown schedule debate, have all been recent hot-button issues sparking industry-wide conversation about the future of racing in the state and throughout the Midlantic region.

For those with their boots on the ground in Maryland, however, the perspective is different. They are seeing how a series of intentional incentives are starting to move the needle for local owners and breeders.

Beginning with the 2023 foal crop, a tiered breeder bonus system has been implemented to provide a significant boost for Maryland-sired, Maryland-bred horses. In 2026, the bonus is 33.6% on earned purses for first, second and third-place finishes in all overnight races.

“It started with the 2-year-old crop last year,” said Christy Holden, the General Manager of Country Life Farm and a member of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association. “I think a lot of breeders are all of a sudden starting to see the checks come in and realizing that these bonuses are adding up.”

Based in Bel Air, historic Country Life Farm stands three stallions and manages a portfolio of racing partnerships. While Holden noted that the farm has maintained a commercial focus in Kentucky in past years, that strategy is beginning to shift to include more racing prospects bred in Maryland.

“We have a larger team of mares that we are going to start keeping here in Maryland and breeding to our stallions again just to take advantage of the increased bonuses,” she said.

When TK Kuegler stepped on as President of Maryland Million, he came in with an ambitious vision for its 41st anniversary in 2026. Originally founded by sportscaster Jim McKay, the program was designed to showcase the state's breeding industry through a single, high-profile day of stakes racing. Kuegler saw the potential for more, moving to expand the event beyond its traditional one-day reach.

“I think the core of what Maryland Million is hasn't changed,” said Kuegler. “But like anything, you need to change with the times, the industry and the economics of the game. Part of what I wanted to do was make Maryland Million an all-year event, not just one day of racing. Layering in the ability to have Maryland Million races throughout the year was the first thing that we started to put together so that it becomes more valuable for a breeder to breed to a Maryland stallion.”

On March 22, two starter races open to all horses gave a bonus of $5,000 to the top Maryland Million-eligible finisher, $2,000 to the second, $1,000 for the third and $500 for the next four finishers. The recipient of the $5,000 bonus in Race 5 for fillies and mares was second-place finisher Anita Beer (Friesan Fire), who Kuegler said had been target specifically toward the race by owner-breeder Matt Spencer and Kelly Cox. The winner of Race 6, Freeze the Fire (Friesan Fire), also received the bonus.

According to Kuegler, the momentum will continue on June 20 with the Maryland Million Summerfest at Laurel Park. The event will feature six races carrying the Maryland Million bonus, including four Maryland-sired preferred starter allowance races and two restricted turf stakes. He said there are additional plans for a Maryland Million Preview Day in September.

Also new this year, Maryland Million-eligible horses that win a maiden race at Laurel Park will earn a 5% bonus on top of the base purse. So far, sixteen Maryland-sired horses representing 10 different Maryland stallions have broken their maiden and the bonuses were distributed across sixteen unique ownership groups.

“I think it's actually really incredible, not only for Maryland, but for the region,” said Kuegler. “I've heard from national people saying, 'Wow, this is real energy coming to this program.' The way I look at it is that we're trying to build a wall. It's not one brick that builds a whole wall. You do all of these incremental things and then you end up with a wall. Each brick makes the wall stronger.”

Recent update of backside construction at Pimlico | Clark Construction

If the new bonuses are mortar and stone, the more literal foundation is the rebuild of Pimlico Race Course. As historic 'Old Hilltop' is undergoing a massive transformation during this year's Preakness, plans are in motion for the race to return to Pimlico in 2027.

According to a May newsletter update from Clark Construction, this month saw the start of PVC fabric roofing of the backstretch barns. Utility infrastructure and sitework will continue throughout the summer.

Jim Dresher, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Maryland Jockey Club, has been active in Maryland racing for 50 years. The owner of Glenangus Farm in Bel Air said he sees Pimlico's rebuild as a pivotal moment for both his home state and the racing industry at large.

“I think when we get a new Belmont Park and a new Pimlico back-to-back, there will be national attention,” he said. “The Preakness is always a huge event and it has been in Baltimore for as long as I've been around. It's not just about money. It's important to protect our cultural assets. Over the next five years in Maryland, I expect attendance to go up and handle to go up. I think more people will want to get in on the action, so I think it's a very good time to have a Maryland-bred.”

Next week, Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held in Timonium on May 18 and 19. Over 600 juveniles are cataloged for the auction, which features a revamped under-tack show with no official breeze times.

Later this year, Fasig-Tipton returns to Timonium for the renamed Eastern Fall Yearling Sale on October 27. Held three days after Maryland Million Day, the auction will debut a specialized catalog structure. To highlight regional markets, the sale will feature dedicated sections for six state-bred programs: Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

“I think Fasig-Tipton understood the industry and is leaning into the sale being a great regional sale by highlighting different regional programs and putting horses together almost in packages,” said Kuegler. “If you're really interested in getting yourself a Maryland Million horse, they're all going to be together. It's really smart.”

On site at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Old Sale | Fasig-Tipton

He continued, “Regional programs support the lifeblood of the middle market in this game. If we do not have a middle market, you have a really hard time having a thriving industry. Regional programs allow people who have a horse running at a different tier to be able to have a place to run with a chance to still be profitable.”

For Christy Holden, the true source of optimism lies in a newfound spirit of collaboration. Between the regional partnership between Maryland and Virginia to coordinate racing dates and the internal unity within Maryland's borders, Holden believes this collective effort is driving the industry forward.

“We are putting together a group of representatives from each organization–the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Million and Maryland Jockey Club–to meet regularly,” she said. “When one group is coming up with plans, we're making sure everybody else is on the same page. I think if we can all work together going forward, we have a lot of strengths here that we can capitalize on. We have a really rich history and a lot of horsemen who are ingrained here and haven't left.”

“I think you can see that it's a program on the rise,” said Kuegler. “Going back to my analogy, it's a wall that's being built and the bricks are getting laid–a new facility, new management, one of the best breeding programs from a breeder's perspective anywhere. If you start layering in the new programs with the Maryland Million, each of those bricks are making the wall stronger.”

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A story in the Thursday edition of USA Today alleges that the ties to cockfighting for Jose and Irad Ortiz go beyond the social media video which surfaced in January showing them taking bets at an undated cockfight, documenting photos and social media posts which suggest a deeper participation in the sport.

In January, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to the NTRA asking that the brothers be banned from further Eclipse consideration due to the social media video.

The USA Today article cites that incident, but also includes a January, 2025 Facebook post which appears to show the brothers holding roosters in a cockfighting arena. “The Facebook page belongs to Oscar Calderon, who based on information found on social media is a cockfighter and breeder of fighting roosters known as gamecocks,” the article reports. The story also links to a Facebook advertisement for Club Gallistico de Puerto Rico, a cockfighting club, from December 17, 2025, which reads, “Brothers Irad and José Luis Ortiz accepted the challenge of participating in the “Gran Campeón Caribeño”—a tournament of challenges—with a single goal: to attempt to be crowned the undisputed champions. Although they stand out in the world of international horse racing—ranking as the most successful pair of brothers in the field—they also harbor a passion for fighting cocks. For us, as an institution, it is an honor to have them competing in our coliseum.”

The article also links to a Facebook page from April 2, 2019 with a video interview showing Irad Ortiz standing in front of cages of roosters. The Facebook page says the interview took place at the Gallistico Club of Puerto Rico.

The USA Today story also implicates Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Edwin Diaz for cockfighting activities.

Cockfighting is illegal in the U.S. and all of its territories, including Puerto Rico. It was officially criminalized with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and remains illegal despite local efforts by some in Puerto Rico to preserve it as a cultural tradition, prompting legal battles between the island and the U.S. federal government. The Club Gallistico was one of the entities to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government challenging the ban, according to USA Today. The Supreme Court has since upheld the ban. Federal penalties are prosecuted under the animal welfare act, with attending as a spectator punishable by up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine, and sponsoring or exhibiting at a fight punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Roosters in cockfights often fight to the death. “Once in the ring, roosters often wear knives or artificial gaffs (long, dagger-like attachments) that are sharp enough to puncture a lung, pierce an eye or break bones in order to inflict maximum injury,” according to the ASPCA website.

The Ortiz brothers finished first and second in this year's Kentucky Derby, marking the first win for Jose Ortiz in the race.

Neither Jose Ortiz nor the brothers' agent, Steve Rushing, responded to a request for comment by the time of publication of this article.

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TIMONIUM, MD – As Taj Mahal (Nyquist) goes postward in the GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel Saturday, his 2-year-old full-sister (hip 402) will be about an hour northwards showing to prospective buyers ahead of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale in Timonium. While the filly is in line for a major update should her brother win the second leg of the Triple Crown, she can more than hold her own, according Top Line Sales' Jimbo Gladwell, who consigns her on behalf of breeder Vegso Racing Stable.

“She's a typical Nyquist,” Gladwell said of the juvenile. “The sire is killing it now. She's got a big old hip, good way of training. She seems like she has a lot of class to her.”

Peter Vegso bred and campaigned the siblings' dam, Oola Gal (Quality Road), and campaigned that mare's dam, Geisha Gal (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}) after purchasing her as a weanling for $180,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November sale.

Taj Mahal sold to the SF Bloodstock and Starlight Racing partnership for $525,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September sale. His full-sister RNA'd for $375,000 at that same auction last fall.

“The breeder still owns her, so they've been training her,” Gladwell said of the 2-year-old. “Arturo Rodriguez manages the training center and he's done a great job with her. She came in and has done everything right so far. We couldn't be any happier with her.”

Gladwell was also happy with how the filly performed on the track during the under-tack show Wednesday (video).

Hip 402 | Fasig-Tipton

“She scotched a little bit from the cones, but once she got lined out, she looked like she was moving really well and within herself,” Gladwell said. “She went out good and came back and you wouldn't even know she had a work. It didn't take anything out of her and she's feeling great.”

Taj Mahal is unbeaten in three lifetime starts–all at Laurel–including two stakes victories. He will be making his graded debut in the Preakness.

“I have not seen him, but we will for sure be rooting for him on Saturday,” Gladwell said.

Asked what a Classic win would mean for his younger sister, who is scheduled to go through the sales ring in Timonium Tuesday, Gladwell said, “To be honest with you, I have no idea. There is so much hype around her already, if you could add a big win like that, I would say it would just open a door to bring any kind of money.”

The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding beginning at 11 a.m. both days.

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In horse racing, an exceptionally fast race will often involve not just a speedy winner, but others who run faster than usual trying to keep up. That phenomenon arises again in this week's list of fast females, featuring six horses from three races.

6–IRISH MAXIMA, BAQ, May 9, Ruffian Stakes-GII, 1m
Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (video)
(m, 5, Maximus Mischief–Palace Pier, by Out of Place)
O-Irish Three Racing; B-Pillar Property Services (Ky); T-John Servis; J-Frankie Pennington.

Once again, Irish Maxima proved that when she shakes loose to a clear early lead, it takes a very strong performance to run her down. The two-time Fasig-Tipton sales grad ($65,000 October yearling, $50,000 Midlantic May 2yo) zipped away to a six-length cushion nearing the stretch of the Ruffian and held on for her first victory at a distance farther than seven furlongs.

5–SOMETHINABOUTHER, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 90 (3rd) (video)
(f, 4, Mendelssohn–Phantom Proton, by Ghostzapper)
O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables & SF Racing; B-Stepaside Farm (Ky); T-Brendan Walsh; J-Tyler Gaffalione.

Donato Lanni and partners' GSW filly ran a 1:33.97 turf mile at Churchill Downs, yet finished third in a stakes-level allowance that produced three of the week's six fastest females. Saving ground on both turns helped, although she didn't have the cleanest run through the lane.

4–MISS VYVYANNE, WO, May 9-8th, Allowance, 5f (AWT)
Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (2nd) (video)
(m, 6, Rainbow Heir–Caribean Beat, by Half Ours)
O-Ralph Murray & Calstar Farm; B-Tom McCrocklin & Gerald Martin (FL); T-Gail Cox; J-Pietro Moran.

She was fast and getting faster when Gail Cox dropped a claim slip for $32,000 last summer and since then she has won four of five in front-running fashion. And when any horse can repeatedly outsprint the competition to the front in five-furlong turf dashes, you know they're seriously quick.

3–FANTASTICAL, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (2nd) (video)
(m, 5, Air Force Blue–Wangari, by Giant's Causeway)
O-Carl Moore Management; B-Paul Schwartz & James Reiley McDonald Jr (Ky); T-Joe Sharp; J-Axel Concepcion.

She could be better on Tapeta, over which she has earned four of her five wins. But that argument isn't as clear-cut after her runner-up finish in the aforementioned powerful CD allowance. She earned a straight-forward 91 Beyer on grass, compared to her previous Tapeta high mark of 82.

2–BRACELET, CD, May 8-6th, Allowance, 1mT
Beyer Speed Figure- 93 (video)
(f, 4, Authentic–Bella Gattino, by Tapit)
O-Selective; B-Jumping Jack Racing & Seclusive Farm (Ky); T-Brad Cox; J-Irad Ortiz Jr.

Bracelet was beaten just 1 1/4 lengths in the GII Mrs. Revere Stakes last fall, and now looks ready to tackle graded company again. She was put in perfect strategic position by Irad Ortiz– what else is new?–but now has recorded Beyers of 91 to 93 in three of her last four turf outings.

1–LITTLE TEDDY, WO, May 9-8th, Allowance, 5f (AWT)
Beyer Speed Figure- 94 (video)
(m, 5, Frac Daddy–Explosive Leah, by Silent Name {Jpn})
O-York Tech Racing Stable; B-Susan Rasmussen & H Lothian (ON); T-Santino DiPaola; J-Austin Adams.

Last year's Sovereign Award winner as Canadian champion female sprinter made six starts at Woodbine (the minimum for awards consideration in any given year is three starts in Canada) and won four of those, including two stakes. And she showed her trademark determination in her first start at five, running down a tough customer in Miss Vyvyanne (above).

The post Six Fleet Fillies For The Week of May 4-10, 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Topping this week's list: a homebred maiden who splashed to the fastest Beyer Speed Figure of the three-day Evangeline Downs week.

5. WHITE SMOKE RISING, BAQ, 5/7-5th, 6 1/2 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 83
(c, 3, by Volatile–Little Cyclone, by City Zip)
O-Albert Fried, Jr. B-Three Chimneys Farm (Ky). T-Charlton Baker. J-John Velazquez.
He was probably unlucky to lose to 2-5 favorite Crossingthechannel in his first lifetime start back in early January, and that colt looks to have stakes-level talent. This time, White Smoke Rising looped rivals to pair up middle-80 Beyers against a field that turned out to be stronger than it appeared on paper.

4. FATHER TED, SA, 5/8-1st, 6 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 85
(c, 4, by Practical Joke–Cry Uncle, by Uncle Mo)
O-Muir Hut Stables. B-Robert Marzilli (Ont-C). T-Mark Glatt. J-Antonio Fresu.
Three of the four colts who outran Father Ted in his first two starts were expensive Bob Baffert trainees. But he turned the tables in dominating fashion in start No. 3, blowing away four rivals including two other Bafferts by 7 3/4 widening lengths. He has already dramatically outperformed his dam–Cry Uncle made 23 starts with a top Beyer of 73, and he has topped that mark three times in as many races. Father Ted was a Fasig-Tipton May 2-year-old graduate at $475,000.

3. GLAVINE, BAQ, 5/10-6th, 1 1/16 miles (turf) (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 86
(c, 3, by Not This Time–Aspen Hilltop, by Bernardini)
O-West Paces Racing, Rainbow's End Racing Stable and Michael Lyden. B-Hunter Valley Farm (Ky). T-Tom Morley. J-John Velazquez.
Glavine showed he was brave in his 3-year-old comeback, leaving behind a 1-2 Chad Brown-trained Juddmonte favorite on turf. In hindsight, the competition he faced in his narrow debut loss last August was lackluster by Saratoga standards, but the $250,000 yearling buy has now taken a nice step forward.

2. TRICKY BUSINESS, BAQ, 5/10-3rd, 1 mile (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 87
(g, 3, by Vekoma–Super Marina, by Warrior's Reward)
O/B-R A Hill Stable (NY). T-George Weaver. J-Flavien Prat.
Earlier on the same card as Glavine (above), the debut victory by promising New York-bred Tricky Business was like a family affair. Owner-breeder Randy Hill raced stakes-winning dam Super Marina (a modest $17,000 find) as well as sire Vekoma, the three-time Grade I-winning stallion he originally bought as a yearling for $135,000. And Weaver also trained both.

Spendthrift's Bolt d'Oro sired the week's fastest maiden | Sarah Andrew

1. RANGE GOAT, EVD, 5/9-5th, 7 furlongs (VIDEO)
Beyer Speed Figure- 90
(c, 3, by Bolt d'Oro–Taylor's Tourist, by Midshipman)
O/B-Levings Racing/Brian Levings (Ky). T-Juan Larrosa. J-Joel Dominguez.
After a couple of warmup swings, Range Goat brought his “A” game to the course. He was a solidly beaten second at Delta in February at 7-1 odds followed by a third at 20-1 in the Lafayette Stakes in April at Evangeline, earning Beyers of 65 then 67. But last week–boom!–he ran off by 10 1/2 lengths on sloppy footing at odds of 1-10. Obviously, the competition wasn't stiff, but he made them look even worse.

The post Five Fastest Maidens for the Week of May 4 to May 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – The under-tack preview of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded its two-day stint at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Wednesday under increasing winds and threatening skies, but dodged the rain that was expected to hit the Timonium area later in the evening. Buyers and consignors alike continued to make adjustments to the preview's new format, which limits use of the whip and for which no workout times are provided by the sales company.

“It's very strange,” admitted consignor Ciaran Dunne of Wavertree Stables. “It's probably harder on us as consignors than it is for buyers. You go up and your horse goes well or moves well, but you have no idea what he did time wise. You are just up and back and unless you go up there and clock every horse, there is no point in just clocking your own because if you don't know what they are doing in relation to everybody else, you really have no idea where they fit.”

Wavertree Stables sent 10 horses to preview over the Timonium track during the two-day show.

“We were always going to breeze,” Dunne said of plans for the group. “At the end of the day, it's a horses-in-training sale. It's May of their 2-year-old year. Surely, they should be able to breeze an eighth of a mile at this stage of the game.”

Consignors who purchased yearlings in an ultra-competitive market last fall are now looking to cash out in what they hope will be an equally competitive 2-year-old market. Dunne questioned whether that was feasible with horses who galloped into the Midlantic sale.

“The difficult thing is, if we are going to bring them up there and do a slow gallop, we're basically going to have a yearling sale,” he said. “If we have a yearling sale, we are going to get yearling prices. And because we've already paid yearling prices for them, it's probably not the greatest business model ever. So the only way we can separate them is by letting them run and letting the buyers decide who they think are the fastest or the best ones. They are well capable of doing it without a time showing up on a screen. It's just going to be a little harder for us as consignors to figure out where we are. And it's going to be really hard to set reserves.”

A colt by Practical Joke (hip 414) from the Wavertree consignment already owned a bullet when he breezed in Maryland Wednesday (video). Named Be a Clown, the dark bay colt turned in a furlong breeze in :9 4/5 ahead of the OBS April sale, but was withdrawn from that auction.

“He's a lovely horse,” Dunne said of the colt. “He's always been a nice horse. In April, I said he is appropriately named. He seems to find trouble wherever he goes and that's usually the sign of a good one.”

The Wavertree consignment also includes a colt by Jackie's Warrior (hip 113) that “we are really high on,” and a Cyberknife (hip 458) colt, who is “a beautiful horse.”

Tom McCrocklin had 32 juveniles preview over the Timonium oval during the two-day preview. The Ocala horseman admitted, “I find the new format very frustrating. I want to know what message we are sending.”

McCrocklin continued, “We are de-emphasizing the need for speed. I did get that message. My peers and contemporaries who I have a lot of respect for, they still seem to be breezing quite fast. So, what are we trying to say?”

McCrocklin's horses typically breeze quarter-miles at the spring under-tack shows. Feeling like that option wasn't open to him at this sale, he instructed his riders to, “Try to make the horse look it's best, show it's athleticism off. And come back in good order.”

Among McCrocklin's consignment is a filly by Gun Runner (hip 428) who took to the track Wednesday (video). The filly, a $400,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of Purely Hot (Pure Prize), who is the dam of Grade I winner Eight Rings (Empire Maker) and British Isles (Justify).

“She has loads of pedigree,” McCrocklin said. “I thought she moved very well. I am very happy with her.”

McCrocklin agreed the filly's pedigree would seem to align well with the preview's new format.

“Typically Gun Runners don't have fast breeze times,” McCrocklin said. “They need a little more time, a little more distance, but his resume speaks for itself. I was in agreement with the owner of the horse that she would fit this format. I am hoping so.”

Marcus Ryan of Mason Springs was one consignor embracing the new format.

“I am finding it relaxed,” Ryan said. “The horses are doing a good breeze and they seem relaxed and I feel like they are coming out of it good. It's a little tighter on the track, but I feel like people will make allowances for that. But other than that, everything is good.”

Ryan said the plan coming into the under-tack show was basically to stick to their normal routine.

“We are all in hand and a couple of taps on the shoulder, but that's it,” he said. “We didn't change what we are doing, but we knew basically what every horse was going to do before we came in. If they are able to do it, we let them do it. And if they are not, we're not going to force the head off them to do it.”

Among the eight horses consigned to the sale by Mason Springs is a colt by Drain the Clock (hip 399, video) out of On Parole (Put It Back). Ryan and wife Crystal purchased the colt for $40,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He's our star of the show here and has been my wife's favorite,” Ryan said. “I had an opportunity to buy him as a weanling, it just didn't work out. And then we got him out of the September sale. I love the Drain the Clocks and he's just a muscular, strong-looking colt.”

With the under-tack show completed, consignors are now left waiting to see the buyers' response to the new format.

“The buyers who have typically been so dependent on the clock, now some of the commentary I am hearing is, 'How do I assign a value to this horse? Because I don't know how fast he is,'” McCrocklin said. “It is a wait-and-see game now. We are here in the deep end and we've all got our bathing suits on.”

The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding beginning each day at 11 a.m.

The post Rain Holds Off as Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Preview Concludes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief), who ran in a trio of Grade I races as a 5-year-old last year, has a new home as Amanda Gillman, acting on behalf of Lucky Hat Racing and Eric Bensussen, went to $130,000 to acquire him through the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale. Consigned by EliTE as agent for White Birch Farm, the gelding recently came off the bench at Belmont's Aqueduct meet Apr. 25.

“He's a lightly-raced 6-year-old with a 2X condition, which is rare to find,” Gillman said. “He's such a classy horse and has obviously run against some very nice horses in the form line.”

A winner on debut for powerhouse connections Peter Brant and Chad Brown, Contrary Thinking added a second win, this time in allowance company, last summer at the Belmont at Aqueduct meet in June before testing deep waters. Racing alongside stablemate Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), he came home ninth in the GI Whitney Stakes and sixth (via disqualification) in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup before finishing his 5-year-old campaign ninth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 1.

After a freshening through the spring, Contrary Thinking returned to the track at Aqueduct when he was just caught on the lead to finish third against allowance horses Apr. 25. That effort, over a muddy track and on a cutback to one mile, netted him a 93 Beyer Speed Figure.

“[I] was very encouraged by his last effort,” Gillman said. “He still has some good races left in him and hopefully we can have fun the rest of the year with him. We'll get him in the barn and see how he settles in, get to know him and figure him out. Hopefully he'll race possibly at the Belmont at Saratoga weekend.”

A Stonestreet Farm-bred son of Into Mischief and out of GSW and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner up Valadorna, Contrary Thinking is a half-brother to GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby third Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and GI Arkansas Derby third Taptastic (Tapit). Valadorna herself is a half-sister to GISW and successful young sire Complexity (Maclean's Music).

Gillman, who has purchased horses previously via the Digital Sales, spoke to the platform's success.

“You can get all kinds of horses out of these types of sales,” she said. “It can be tough sometimes not being able to see [the horses], but you just try and do your due diligence looking at photos and videos. Fasig-Tipton does a great job of providing those and getting [the horses] vetted and everything. I'm a big fan. I think there's a lot of horses out there that possibly wouldn't be offered for sale [via a traditional sale] that do end up being offered successfully here.”

“[The platform] is very convenient to try and capitalize off of [a race] or move a horse at the best possible time for the owner.”

The post Contrary Thinking Likely To Target Belmont At Saratoga Weekend For New Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

Among this week's rulings, trainer Vance Childers has been suspended a combined 46 months and fined a combined $30,000 for an out-of-competition and a race-day medication violation, respectively, and for a possession charge of Piper Methysticum (Kava), a banned anti-inflammatory.

Childers's case is intertwined with that of veterinarian Dr. Donald McCrosky, who earlier this year was banned a total 24 years and fined a total $300,000 for a series of nine separate violations. McCrosky was Childers's veterinarian, and had been Childers's grandfather's veterinarian until his retirement in 2020.

One charge against Childers concerned Tigger Attack (owned by McCrosky's wife), who tested positive for the banned substance Testosterone after finishing fifth at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on Oct. 29, 2024.

As part of his case earlier this year, McCrosky admitted to administering Testosterone to Tigger Attack “after a groom advised that the horse was not eating well. He believed that administration of Testosterone seven to 10 days in advance of a race would not result in a positive test,” according to the final ruling.

In Childers's more recent case, he argued for reduced sanctions because he said he was unaware McCrosky had administered the Testosterone until he received notice of the post-race positive, according to arbitrator Bernard Taylor's final written decision.

Taylor agreed and reduced the sanction for that particular issue from a potential 17 months to 10.

The second issue concerned another Testosterone positive in an out-of-competition sample taken from Childersattack (again owned by McCrosky's wife) on Oct. 16, 2024.

As outlined in the final decision in McCrosky's case earlier this year, the veterinarian initially sent HIWU a handwritten note “in which he claimed he had performed a castration on Childersattack in March 2022, leaving Childersattack with one remaining testicle, thus explaining the Testosterone present in Childersattack's October 16, 2024, sample.”

HIWU, however, subsequently determined via a regulatory database that Childersattack had been fully gelded in November of 2020.

Due in large part to this chain of events, “trainer Childers has not presented any evidence that a departure from the Laboratory Standards occurred that could reasonably have caused the AAF,” Taylor wrote in his ruling in Childers's case.

The last component of Childers's case concerned the possession charge.

On Nov. 12, 2024, two HIWU investigators searched Childers's Fairmount Park tack room, feed room, office and barn area, during which they found and seized one tub labelled “Easywillow” in the tack room. The banned substance Kava Kava was listed on the tub label.

Childers argued that he never purchased or had used the Easywillow product and did not know it was in his tack room. “He further contends that since he inherited the tack room from his grandfather, the Easywillow may have been in the tack room from that prior time, and he just never threw it away,” according to the final decision.

Ultimately, the arbitrator found Childers's level of fault in the moderate range and reduced a possible 17-month suspension to 12 months.

Elsewhere, trainer Gary Greiner has been banned four months and fined $1,000 after he too was found in possession of a substance containing Piper Methysticum (Kava) on June 10 last year. There are no further details publicly available on the case. Greiner's suspension begins on May 13.

 Dates: 05/12/2026

Licensee: Bart G. Hone, 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.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Ryon's Chance, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 3/26/26.

Dates: 05/12/2026

Licensee: Gary Greiner, trainer

Penalty: Four-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 13, 2026; a fine of $1,000.

Explainer: Violation for the possession of Piper Methysticum (Kava)-a banned anti-anxiety and anti-inflammatory drug-on an event dated 6/10/25.

Dates: 05/11/2026

Licensee: Jesus Munoz-Escobedo, 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 Flunixin and Phenylbutazone-both class C controlled substances-in a sample taken from Daretocatchlove, who finished second at Will Rogers on 3/17/26.

Dates: 05/08/2026

Licensee: Todd Fincher, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Sunset Sizzle on 3/31/26.

Dates: 05/06/2026

Licensee: Vance Childers, trainer

Penalty: Combined 46-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 7, 2026; 14-month period of Ineligibility for the Covered Horses, beginning on October 29, 2024 (for Tigger Attack) and October 14, 2024 (Childersattack); 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 combined fine of $30,000.

Explainer: Out-of-competition and race-day medication violations (respectively) for the presence of Testosterone-a banned substance-in samples from Childersattack on 10/16/24, and from Tigger Attack, who finished fifth at Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing on 10/29/24; also for the possession of Piper Methysticum (Kava)-a banned anti-inflammatory-for an event dated 11/12/24.

05/13/2026, Gerald Bennett, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Naughty Rascal, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 3/27/26; and for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) and Diphenhydramine-class C and class B controlled substances respectively-in a sample taken from Chrome Ghost, who finished second in the NYRABETS Sprint Stakes at Tampa Bay on 3/29/26.

05/13/2026, Darien Rodriguez, trainer: Pending violation for the alleged breach of rule 3313, the “Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance during the Race Period,” pertaining to the horse Bravo Kitten on 2/12/26.

05/12/2026, Brian Lusk, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Dark Wind, who finished third at Tampa Bay on 4/12/26.

05/11/2026, Robertino Diodoro, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of Triamcinolone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Rocky Colavito, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/10/26; for the presence of Phenylbutazone-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Maltese Falcon, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/11/26, and from Saline River, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/21/26; and for the presence of Phenylbutazone and flunixin-both class C controlled substances-in a sample taken from White Peony, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/16/26, from Mrazek's Old Dream, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 3/5/26, and from Big Pop, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/30/26.

05/08/2026, Pedro Rafael Garcia, Jr., trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Foxy Lady, who won at Tampa Bay on 4/3/26.

05/07/2026, Randy Matthews, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-a class C controlled substance-in a sample taken from Centeya on 4/9/26.

05/07/2026, Carlos Martin, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-a class B controlled substance-in a sample taken from Celtic Dawn on 4/3/26.

Aqueduct

• Dalila Rivera – reporting date May 11; $1,000 fine, 2-day suspension

Churchill Downs

• Christopher Stewart Elliott – reporting date May 10; $1,000 fine, 2-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
• Cristian Alexis Torres – reporting date May 10; $2,000 fine, 2-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
• Cristian Alexis Torres – reporting date May 10; $1,000 fine, 3-day suspension, on appeal stay requested
• Luis Carlos Saez – reporting date May 9; $1,000 fine, 1-day suspension
• Atsuyu Nishimura – reporting date May 9; $1,000 fine, 1-day suspension

Fairmount Park

• Angel Stanley – reporting date May 9; $250 fine, 1-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Parx Racing

• Yedsit Hazlewood – reporting date May 7; $1,750 fine, 7-day suspension, on appeal stay requested

Santa Anita

• Welfin R. Orantes – reporting date May 10; $500 fine, 1-day suspension

Thistledown

• Brandon Tapara – reporting date May 11; $250 fine, 1-day suspension

The post National Rulings May 7 – May 13; Childers Banned 46 Months, Greiner 4 Months appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Is the Triple Crown losing its relevance? On this week's TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, Bill Finley, Randy Moss and Zoe Cadman dive into the state of the series and how it might be fixed. While the team agrees that the upcoming GI Preakness Stakes may offer some excellent betting opportunities, they discussed why the field is lacking “star quality.”

Donna Barton Brothers joins the crew as this week's Gainesway Guest of the Week. The jockey-turned-racing analyst is currently on her farewell tour of the Triple Crown. Saturday's Preakness will be her last appearance on NBC after 26 years of coverage.

During this year's Kentucky Derby, Brothers was the only NBC analyst to correctly pick Golden Tempo (Curlin) as the winner. She told the Writers' Room that she took a liking to the colt after catching up with Cherie DeVaux a few days before the big event. After digging further into his past performances, Brothers decided the son of Curlin was poised to take a step forward, but she knew her logic would be difficult to explain briefly on live television.

“On NBC, we get like 10 seconds to talk about who we like and why,” she continued. “I thought all day about what I was going to say about why I like this horse because the story was long. Randy can tell you that three days prior to the race, I had picked Golden Tempo as my horse in the meeting. But given my interviewing Cherie during the walkover I decided to just say, 'Look, I'm going to root for the female to win the Kentucky Derby. I'm taking Golden Tempo.'”

Brothers shares stories from her transition from the saddle to broadcasting, noting that her second career truly began to click once she started conducting interviews on horseback.

“When I was standing there doing a hit, I would think like, 'Wait, I have the microphone here. What do I do with this hand? Do put it in my pocket? Do I lean against a rail? Do I act cool like Bob Costas?' I didn't know what to do with my other extremities. When I was on a horse, all that nervous energy was taken because I was riding a horse.”

Brothers also reflects on her mother, Patti Barton, one of the first women to become a licensed jockey in the U.S. She discussed what her mother thinks of the next generation of trailblazing women, like Brothers herself and trainer Cherie DeVaux, excelling in the sport today. Brothers shares why she decided now was the right time to retire, what she will miss most about covering the biggest days in racing and her excitement to watch her successor, Andie Biancone, take over the reins.

Finally, Brothers said that it was too early to share her final Preakness picks, but she did give a few hints.

“I will say that I'm not going to pick anybody from the 10 hole out because they're going to be disadvantaged at Laurel,” she said. “It also happens that the two horses I'm leaning toward right now are in the one hole and the six hole. So let's root for Brittany Russell, another female, to win the Preakness Stakes. She's got Taj Mahal (Nyquist) in there, who's undefeated. Steve Asmussen has already won the Preakness Stakes twice and he had considered the Kentucky Derby with Chip Honcho (Connect) and then decided to give him a little bit more time. He breaks from the six hole. So I'm probably going to pick one of those two, but I haven't decided which one yet.”

The Writers' Room team went through each contender in the 14-horse Preakness field, highlighting a few of their top picks to wrap up this week's episode.

The Fastest Horses of the Week, sponsored by Winstar, was Otter Mischief (Maximus Mischief), who earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure with his 8 1/4-length win at Parx Racing on May 5. The TDN Writers' Room is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds.

The post Donna Barton Brothers Talks Preakness on TDN Writers’ Room appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Kappa Kappa (Omaha Beach), winner of the 2025 GII Lexus Raven Run, was named the 2025 Pennsylvania-bred Horse of the Year, as well as champion 3-year-old filly and female sprinter, at the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association's 47th annual Iroquois Awards held May 8.

Racing in 2025 for LC Racing LLC, Cash is King LLC, and trainer Butch Reid's Wellesley Stable, Kappa Kappa won three of five starts during her 3-year-old season.

The full list of award recipients includes:

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Rick Abbott
• 2-year-old filly: Divine Intentions (Divining Rod)
• 2-year-old male: Mailata (Maximus Mischief)
• 3-year-old male: Come Prima (Well Spelled)
• Older female: Candy Reward (Warrior's Reward)
• Older male and male sprinter: Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief)
• Turf female: Corinna (Point of Entry)
• Turf male: Fierce and Strong (Hoppertunity)
• PA-Preferred Female: Candy Reward (Warrior's Reward)
• PA-Preferred Male: Ninetypercentmaddie (Weigelia)
• Top PA-Bred Thoroughbred Makeover: Miss Pretender (Mendelssohn)
• PA Broodmare of the Year: Katarica Disco

Additionally, the PHBA recognized State Representative Tom Mehaffie (Dauphin County) with a Legislator Award and Bell Run Rescue, a recent TAA-accredited non-profit dedicated to the rescue, retraining, and rehoming of off-track Thoroughbreds was presented the PHBA Award of Merit.

Warrior's Reward LLC was the leading breeding fund recipient for the second consecutive year, earning $891,519.50. Uptowncharlybrown was recognized with a Stallion Triple Crown Award for finishing as leading stallion for the third straight year, earnings $221,542.45 in stallion awards in 2025.

The post Kappa Kappa Named PA-Bred Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Danon Bourbon (Maxfield), who finished fifth in this year's GI Kentucky Derby behind Golden Tempo (Curlin), has been found to have a fractured knee upon his return to Japan, trainer Manabu Ikezoe announced Wednesday.

“The fracture in his knee was discovered after the Kentucky Derby,” Ikezoe said. “After returning to Japan, he had X-rays taken for confirmation and has completed quarantine at the Japan Racing School, so he will now undergo surgery to remove the bone fragments at the Shadai Clinic in Hokkaido in preparation for his return. The timing of his return is undecided as it depends on the results of the surgery and the rehabilitation that follows, but I think he will focus on resting for the rest of the year.”

The $450,000 Keeneland September grad was previously undefeated in three starts in Japan prior to his run in the Derby.

【残念なお知らせです】
ケンタッキーダービー5着のダノンバーボンが骨折
池添師「年内は休養に専念すると思います」#ダノンバーボンhttps://t.co/7mBUxWBZcP

— netkeiba (@netkeiba) May 13, 2026

The post Kentucky Derby Runner Danon Bourbon Sidelined With Knee Fracture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Nominations for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in North America opened Wednesday, principal partner Godolphin announced. The program will accept nominations through midnight on Monday, July 13.

Lee Hall, CEO of Dedication to Breeding Award sponsor Hallway Feeds, commented, “We are both proud and honored to be a sponsor of these important awards. It's such a magnificent way to recognize and honor the hard-working people in our business. But first, they have to be nominated. It's quick and easy at tiea.org, so take a few minutes and nominate today.”

Godolphin, the global racing and breeding operation founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders' Cup. Godolphin also sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France.

Cash prizes totaling $124,000 will be awarded to winners and finalists across seven categories, with additional monetary awards presented to two runners-up. The award categories are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Newcomer Award, Support Services Award, and Managerial Award.

For more information, please contact the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards at (859) 255-8537 or email here.

The post Nominations Open For 2026 TIEA Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Members of The Jockey Club,

I've been a casual horse racing fan since I watched American Pharoah cross the wire at the Belmont on my iPhone 6. But I've been obsessed with this sport since August 2, 2025.

Dave Portnoy was nice enough to invite me to the Whitney Stakes and the Saratoga Sale last summer. He wanted a partner for more ammo to buy exclusively grey horses. We bought one, simply because he was grey and a horse. Zedan Racing outbid us for another one. Imagine that.

I had more fun in those four days than I did in 30 years of playing golf. Sadly, Dave dumped his enthusiastic new partner after I asked him 10,000 questions in 96 hours, bought a place in Saratoga and declared myself the victor of the 2027 Kentucky Derby after buying a Maclean's Music out of a sprint mare. Can't understand why he thought I was coming on too strong.

Less than a year later, Delta Squad Racing has grown to 20 horses. I am having the time of my life and I hope the fun continues for the long term.

Admittedly, I am skeptical it will. Because I'm not sure the long term in horse racing actually exists.

There's a concept in technology called the innovator's dilemma. It outlines this phenomenon that as businesses grow, they become bureaucratic, risk-averse, and profit-focused. So they stop investing and innovating to the level that made them successful. As a result, they never disrupt themselves and…they die. Think Blockbuster Video.

The challenges are well-documented: a broken aftercare system, a declining foal crop, limited reach, a lack of consistency in veterinary practices and the notable absence of a commissioner. Though I won't be a living, breathing version of Equibase anytime soon, I'm hoping to encourage The Jockey Club to apply “first-principles” thinking to these challenges: 1) a small, empowered team will go further in less time; 2) bureaucracy kills; 3) action is better than inaction; 4) teams of rivals win.

Number 4 is of particular importance. Because when people feel passionately enough to debate good ideas, they make each other better. And thus they make the agreed-upon outcome better. This is especially true in this case given the talent and relevance of the so-called rivals. Progress cannot be made without The Jockey Club, no doubt. But it's also true that progress cannot be maximized without the help of Mike Repole.

And before I give him any other compliments, I want it known that I'm being nice despite the fact that I am his 25% partner in a beautiful Not This Time colt and he gets the silks 100% of the time. Tough.

As someone who wants to be in this game for the next 50 years, I'd love to see a more sustainable approach. There are times when a radical shift is paramount to survival. This is one of them. And we are lucky to have someone as accomplished as Mike willing to help. He has built several brands into household names…even Pirate's Booty. The playbook he is applying to the UFL has parallels to horse racing. We can use Mike's help.

Mr. Dobson has led The Jockey Club with admirable humility and class. I humbly ask him to exemplify that humility once again and invite Mike Repole in as a true partner. A partner on a small team whose charter is to reform our sport in the aforementioned areas. Maybe track operators and trainers should be represented as well. I have absolute conviction that an effort led by Mr. Dobson AND Mr. Repole will give our sport the best chance of success. Why? Simple. Because teams of rivals win.

I am certainly no expert in anything involving horse racing but I do hope to see action that changes the trajectory of our sport. If I can be helpful in any way, I'm happy to assist on this journey worth embarking on.

Teams of rivals win.

Josh Isner, Delta Squad Racing

Josh Isner is the President of Axon, a technology company that primarily develops hardware, software, and AI products for law enforcement, the military, and public safety sectors.

The post `Teams of Rivals Win’: Letter to the Members of The Jockey Club appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a clearance rate of 91%, the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale closed Tuesday with gross sales of $2,229,500. Topping the 69 sold was Blessed Flyer (Dialed In), who hammered for $270,000 to Mike Tomlinson, agent for Mark Farrar and Patricia's Hope LLC. Consigned by Evergreen Equine, agent and sold as hip 1, Blessed Flyer is a 2-year-old colt who captured his debut in a Keeneland maiden special weight Apr. 16.

“I'm really excited about the results, especially as we had only a week from the April sale to put together this catalogue,” said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “Every segment of the market was strong, including breeding stock, and the repository was busy as well. The market is showing that there is still a huge demand for horses of all types.”

Other May Digital Sale top sellers included Contrary Thinking (Into Mischief) (hip 3), who sold for $130,000 to Amanda Gillman, agent as a horse of racing age by ELiTE, agent for White Birch Farm, Inc.; racing/broodmare prospect Dreaming of Abba (Fast Anna) (hip 4), sold for $110,000 to Thiele Thoroughbreds LLC and consigned by Sean S. Perl Bloodstock, agent; multiple stakes-placed broodmare prospect My Lil Punky (Outwork) (hip 9), sold for $105,000 to H. Cruise and offered by Lane's End, agent; and Contribution (Constitution) (hip 88), sold as a horse of racing age by ELiTE, agent for Resolute Racing for $100,000 to Clarity Thoroughbreds, agent for Katherine Neilson.

Fasig-Tipton's June Digital Sale will be held June 25-30, with entries closing June 15.

The post Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale Topped by Blessed Flyer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – The first of two sessions of the under-tack preview of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale got underway under brilliantly sunny skies and a brand new format Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Some 250 horses previewed over the track, and, while they were cascaded by the beeps of stopwatches from onlookers in the grandstand, Fasig-Tipton provided no times for the works.

With forecasted wet weather later in the week, the under-tack show was condensed to two days, leading to close to nine hours of previews, but when the last horse had left the track Tuesday, Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said he was pleased with the results of the new format.

“I thought today went exceptionally well,” Browning said. “The horses seemed to preview very consistently. The racetrack was in very good condition from start to finish and seemed to play very fairly. I honestly couldn't be more pleased with the first half of the under-tack show and how it went today. I thought the consignors displayed their horses in a very professional manner and the feedback that we got from the buyers was generally very, very positive. Hopefully the conditions will be fine again tomorrow.”

Consignors were given the choice on how their horses would perform on the racetrack, resulting in everything from galloping down the lane to full-out breezes, but riders faced added restrictions on whip use and were required to keep their hands on the reins during the entire preview.

“I have been on record for several months now, saying that we are going to do what I call farm breezes,” consignor Becky Thomas said after sending out a colt by Flightline (hip 54, video) early in Tuesday's session. “For me, they're three-quarter tilt breezes so everyone can see them stretch their legs without being under a hustle.”

Of Tuesday's untimed preview Thomas said, “Every year before every horse breezes, I always feel sick to my stomach. I am not sick today.”

Thomas's Sequel consignment includes six horses bred by longtime client Chester Broman. In addition to the Flightline colt, who is out of Grade I winner Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), the group includes a filly by Curlin (hip 240, video), who previewed later in the session, and a daughter of Gun Runner (hip 357), scheduled to work Wednesday.

“We expected him to look just like he did,” Thomas said of the colt's performance on the racetrack. “He's a beautiful mover. He's been a special horse from the time we got to have him. And  we've also got a Gun Runner and a Curlin for Mr. Broman in this sale, too, that are pretty exciting.”

Those marquee pedigrees may fare better next week when the action moves from performance on the racetrack to bidding in the sales ring.

“We will have to see how we sell, because that's what we are all here for,” Thomas said. “I am hoping that the buyer base will change to accommodate the new format. And that is stressful, thinking, 'Are all these horses going to get sold?' I think the big pedigreed horses are going to be fine, but we've all got a lot of horses that are maybe not the top pedigrees. But as far as how the breeze show is going, I'm super happy.”

Clovis Crane's Crane Thoroughbred Services had horses run the gamut on the track Tuesday. The consignment had a pair of gallopers early in the day before a gray colt by Volatile (hip 13) turned in a flashy work (video) during the session's fifth of nine sets.

“He's just been brilliant all winter,” Crane said of the colt. “He's beautiful. Every time we've done something, he's been perfect. He's never done anything wrong. He's just nice colt who has developed wonderfully.”

Hip 13 | Fasig-Tipton

Crane and Joe Besecker purchased the colt for $18,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall sale.

“He had the right physical to be a runner,” Crane said of the colt's appeal. “At the end of the day, we are looking for runners. A little of this and a little of that, we can tolerate because we are looking for horses to be racehorses, not just pinhook horses. He looked like a horse who would be a sound, solid runner.”

Crane continued, “Some of my earlier horses galloped. I had a horse who had a cut on his butt. Another horse had a shin and they are just back in training.”

Crane said his focus is always to have his horses move forward from the under-tack show.

“I take a page out of Cary Frommer's book,” he said. “Many years ago, she said this should just be another day in their training and their progression. I really admire her for saying that. I really believe it's the way it should be. It's just another day forward in their training. Instead of being worried that this has to be the best day of their lives.”

Asked if he thought buyers would be receptive to the new format, Crane said, “I hope so. I think anytime we are doing the right thing for the horses, it's good for all of us. I think that's important.”

Buyers who have been conditioned to expect speedy breezes may have to shuffle their priorities ahead of sale time, according to trainer-turned-bloodstock agent John Kimmel, who was among the many observers in the grandstand Tuesday.

“My assessment is that the criteria we use to make our judgements is going to change a little bit,” Kimmel said. “Back at the OBS sales, time and gallop-out times were a major criteria–probably number one–followed by physical and pedigree, then technological details like radiographs and scoping. But here, I think we're just going to give a movement mark instead of getting so hung up on time, which might fall a little farther down on the totem pole of criteria that we use to judge.”

Asked if that would be a good thing for buyers, Kimmel said, “I guess time will eventually tell whether that's a positive. I really can't say right now, but for me, I always have to have a good physical anyway on a horse. I won't buy a horse that doesn't pass for my physical assessment. So maybe the physical moves up to number one category, followed by an okay or better than average mover and then the time might come in a little bit and then followed by radiographic assessments.”

As for how he will consider times, Kimmel said, “I am clocking them, but I really don't have any idea exactly what it means. You have Caliente [Thoroughbreds] little better than two-minute licking from the three-eighths pole and then you have some horses that are going fairly full strong quarter-mile breezes. So it's quite a spectrum of presentations.”

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan was seeing plenty to like on the track Tuesday.

“It's a beautiful day and the track is in great shape,” Ryan said. “Compliments to the maintenance people that work on the track. It's lively, it's got good bounce to it, and horses are getting over it well.”

Of the horses he is watching perform on that track, Ryan said, “I like the new format because I think it gives you a chance to see their action a lot better. They're not on their heads. They're not forcing themselves to go :9 3/5 or :9 4/5 and I think you get a better read on them. And you certainly get a better read on them on the dirt. At least that's my personal opinion. I find it much easier to separate horses on the dirt and mostly we are going to run on the dirt anyway.”

Mike Ryan | Fasig-Tipton

Ryan said he was timing the previews, but added, “It's not the be all and the end all by any stretch. But it's interesting just to see. A lot of them are going in :10 and change, and gallop-outs are a little slower because the cones are way out. But it's more impressed with how the horse is traveling. How well are they doing it. Are they on their heads or are they just doing it nicely in control and on the bridle.”

Of how the format might change his buying process, Ryan said, “It's pretty much the same thing. And then, of course, it all comes down to the barn. It's like a yearling sale. You've got to go back to the barn and figure it all out.”

Bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz said he was seeing what he needed to see from the grandstand Tuesday.

“So far, I have seen relaxed horses going very nicely and without all the urging that you normally see at a 2-year-old sale,” he said. “We can separate out the good ones from the ones that are not as good.”

He continued, “It's very good to see the action of the horse. You can calculate the length of a stride. You can even listen to them. And it's especially good for me to watch these horses train on the dirt, since I am mostly buying dirt horses for Saudi Arabia.”

Taking in the previews trackside, Legion Bloodstock's Kristian Villante said, “I think the conditions have been great today. You get to see them move. They are all going at a pretty good clip, even without the timer, but I think it's been a great day to get to see them move and see how they actually get over the ground.”

Of timing the previews, Villante said, “Everyone seems to be doing it a little bit differently, so you have to take that into account when you're looking at it. Not everyone's really going the same speed here on purpose.”

As to how the new format might change the team's approach to shopping over the next week, Villante said, “We're about to find out. I think, ultimately, it kind of goes back to the yearling sales, but you actually get to see them gallop. It's really not that different from what we do all year long. We are still looking for an athlete.”

With rain forecasted for later in the week, Fasig-Tipton has condensed its under-tack show to two sessions. The show will conclude with a final session Wednesday beginning at 8 a.m. The Midlantic May sale is scheduled to be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding beginning at 11 a.m. both days.

The post ‘Time Will Tell’: Midlantic May Under-Tack Show Opens with Untimed Works appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Horse Racing Women's Association (HRWA) presented by FanDuel TV will hold its 2026 Annual Conference October 12-14 at Harper Hall in Lexington, Kentucky. The annual event for women in racing brings together an inspiring community of leaders, innovators, athletes, executives, and changemakers from across sports and business.

As part of the conference lineup, HRWA is honored to welcome Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Cherie DeVaux and Golden Tempo co-owner and breeder Daisy Phipps Pulito, who will join a broader roster of influential speakers, including a Keynote Speaker and a series of powerhouse panelists to be announced in the coming weeks.

“Winning the Kentucky Derby with Golden Tempo was an incredibly special moment for our entire team.” said Cherie DeVaux. “I'm looking forward to being part of this year's HRWA Conference and connecting with so many women who are helping shape the future of our sport!”

The HRWA Annual Conference will feature three days dedicated to celebrating the momentum, leadership, and impact of women in sports and racing through dynamic conversations, networking opportunities, educational sessions, and community-building experiences.

“HRWA was created to build meaningful connections, elevate women, and create opportunities for growth across every corner of the industry,” said Chairwoman, Stephanie Hronis. “This conference is more than an event, it's a gathering of people who are passionate about the future of the sport and committed to supporting one another through education, mentorship, collaboration, and community. We're proud to bring that energy back to Lexington during such an exciting moment for women in racing.”

Additional speakers, programming details, and registration information will be announced soon.

Click here for more information on the Horse Racing Women's Association.

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Having last week celebrated a first GI Kentucky Derby winner carrying the venerable black-and-cherry silks of the Phipps family, today we remind ourselves that the man who postponed that moment for 37 years has since built an iconic legacy of his own.

In thwarting Easy Goer with Sunday Silence, in 1989, Arthur B. Hancock III secured parallel boons for the modern breed. One, of course, required the agency of those far-sighted Japanese breeders who made Sunday Silence one of its most vital influences. But the other is Hancock's own farm, then brought back from the very brink. It has meanwhile remained a byword for the difference that can be made to young Thoroughbreds by the very best in horsemanship and land. As a result, Hancock last summer entered the Hall of Fame as Pillar of the Turf–a distinction to be uniquely matched, this year, by his induction into the equivalent institution for Kentucky music.

With standards seamlessly maintained by Hancock's daughter Lynn, now front-of-house for day-to-day operations, Stone Farm has produced its latest emerging star in Growth Equity (Nyquist), winner of the GIII Peter Pan Stakes.

Now as it happens I was sitting with Hancock when he bought this colt's dam My Dear Venezuela (Wildcat Heir) at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale, for $440,000. She had shown plenty of speed, winning three of 14 round a single turn and second on her only start in graded stakes company (GIII Old Hat Stakes), and was carrying a first foal by Arrogate. Hancock loved the mare's physique and, as we'll see, the aristocratic roots of her family lay off the page.

The following summer, visiting Stone Farm, I was introduced to the mare's Arrogate colt grazing one of those huge fields. Hancock called him “Bones”: he had plenty of timber, for one thing, but he also loved dozing in the sun: a real Lazybones. I was charmed, but nobody met the reserve (admittedly in the Covid market) at the 2020 September Sale. Hancock named him Bad to the Bones, but the horse never quite lived up to what he kept showing his trainers in the mornings, despite a maiden win, and was eventually claimed. (That timber has held up well, mind: he's still plugging away at seven, out in California.)

The mare has meanwhile being paying her way nicely at the sales. Her next two yearlings, both by Quality Road, respectively realized $375,000 and $550,000, albeit have so far managed only a maiden claimer between them. Then came a Nyquist colt, sold to Klaravich Stable for $425,000. His purchasers could be confident in his grounding, having campaigned a $200,000 graduate of the Stone Farm consignment at the equivalent sale in Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway). Sure enough, their colt is the slow-burning talent we saw last weekend beating Modernist's flagbearers, Talk to Me Jimmy and Trendsetter, for a free berth in the GI Belmont Stakes.

As intimated above, Growth Equity can draw on some special blood. My Dear Venezuela's catalogue page extended only to her third dam, and suggested its principal interest to be close up, in her close sibling Selva (by her grandsire Forest Wildcat), who won four of her first six, including black-type wins on three different surfaces, and was narrowly beaten in the GII Beaumont Stakes. Two of Selva's sons have been graded stakes-placed, while her grandson Borracho has spread 22 wins between the ages of two and 10! (The latest of those, this spring, was admittedly under a $7,500 tag at Parx but in his youth he ran third in the GI Woody Stephens.)

There were one or two other spots of black type on the page but it's only when you reach My Dear Venezuela's fourth dam that a bulb really comes on. For she is none other than Monade (Fr) (Klairon {Fr}), the 1962 Epsom Oaks winner, imported by Robert Kleberg Jr. of King Ranch to found a dynasty that has produced elite winners on three continents.

It took a while to develop: all 11 of Monade's named foals were winners, but only a couple showed stakes competence. The blessing was that nine were fillies, and it was these who put the family on the map. Three of Monade's daughters produced Grade I winners–most notably Remedia (Dr. Fager), whose daughter Too Chic (Blushing Groom {Fr}) in turn had two daughters by Mr. Prospector, champion Queena and matriarch Chic Shirine, who emulated her as both Grade I winners and producers.

My Dear Venezuela's catalogue page described her third dam Aesculapian (Dr. Fager) only as a half-sister to black-type performers Pressing Date (Never Bend) and Mariella (Roberto). It needed a seasoned eye to see those names and immediately think Monade, and everything that entailed. Plenty of people today view the edge of a catalogue page much as the Flat Earthers did the ocean horizon. Fortunately Stone Farm has an admiral who has sailed the seven seas of life, and he has equipped his captain and her crew with a navigational sense available to few others.

Looking For Heroes

I must say that was a marvelous advertisement for Charlatan over the weekend: “From Zero to Hero.” First page, a list of sires with no 2-year-old stakes winners in their first crop, starting with names as big as Curlin and Kingmambo–with Charlatan appended to the list, with a big fat zero of his own. Second page, a series of indices that show Charlatan top of his class with his maturing sophomores, with Cadenza on Saturday putting him first by stakes, graded stakes and overall winners.

We all know that the only thing more ludicrous than the stampede for unproven new sires is how promptly they are then abandoned. So I loudly applaud the point being made on behalf of a stallion whose parents, as noted here a couple of weeks ago, were both extremely late-maturing wines.

Charaltan | Louise Reinagel

Albeit in a light career, Charlatan showed exceptional class in pairing up Grade I wins round two turns and one and duly started at $50,000. But his fee was halved this spring, after his first juveniles proved little more precocious than he had been himself, and with his second crop of yearlings yielding a tepid $88,757 (88 sold of 114 offered)–down from $254,774 for 102 sold of 125 from his debut crop.

Actually that “zero” appears to refer only to Listed winners or better; if we accept all black type, as does TDN in its data, Charlatan did actually have a couple of stakes winners last year. Admittedly he hasn't been short of numbers and, at the fee, will have matched quantity with mare quality. Moreover we've repeatedly noted the historic underachievement of this intake, so far. It wouldn't often be possible to boast of being the only sire with a second graded stakes winners at this stage. Hopefully, however, that is only one of the ways in which Charlatan can maintain his renewed momentum.

Some Genetic Spice

For those of us who start with the bottom line, rather than constantly jump on the sire train, the standout pedigree of the weekend was GIII Senorita Stakes winner Marjoram (Quality Road).

Families are what have qualified Juddmonte as a transformative force in the modern breed, but remember that their foundation mares were themselves typically recruited from others who had themselves put in long and patient work. That's why the purchase, at the 2005 Keeneland September Sale, of a $550,000 Touch Gold filly out of a Group-placed daughter of A.P. Indy and Machiavellian's champion sister Coup De Genie (Mr. Prospector) was so characteristic–despite being, at that stage, relatively unusual.

It was a way to tap into one of few programs still matching their own exemplary priorities. With her precious Niarchos blood, it won't have troubled the late Prince Khalid that the filly, named Soothing Touch, never managed to break her maiden. Sure enough, her own foals include four-time Grade I winner Emollient (Empire Maker) and her sister, now dam of G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief). Marjoram's dam Cardamon is in turn closely related to that pair, being by Empire Maker's son Pioneerof the Nile.

As we were able to note with the Derby winner, the great families are built by breeding runners–not flashy sales horses. In a way, that's another version of the same battle now being lost to the trainers who are hollowing out the Triple Crown. At the moment, they're doing that by emptying the Preakness; but the upshot, when they get their way, will be to deprive the whole series of its current meaning. If we truly want to act “in the interests of the horse,” we would be seeking to identify future stallions that can stand up to the demands made of their predecessors. But we will never know which those are, once the industry is coerced into change.

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