Thoroughbred Daily News

A total of 97 entries have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale, which can now be viewed online at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding has commenced and will remain open through Tuesday, June 3, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

Among the entries are horses of racing age, breeding stock–including mares with foals at foot–2-year-olds in training and yearlings.

Some of the top offerings include:

• Hip 2, Strada Del Sogno (Street Boss), a debut third in the May 10 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream behind Lennilu (Leinster), who is scheduled to make her next appearance at Royal Ascot next month;

• Hip 92, Chasing Sunsets (Authentic), a 2-year-old full-sister to Reagan's Wit, impressive winner of the James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico May 17;

• 40 horses of racing age eligible for a variety of conditions;

• Yearlings by Early Voting, Girvin, Golden Pal, Maxfield and Tiz the Law;

• Mares pregnant to Bolt d'Oro, Caracaro, Independence Hall, Mandaloun, Speaker's Corner and Yaupon

“We have a diverse catalogue with something for everyone, including a significant number of turnkey horses of racing age ready for summer racing,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “These include stakes horses as well as a several eligible for 'ship and win' programs on the West Coast.”

The post Bidding For Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 05/28/2025

Licensee: Brad Cox, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Nyquick on 3/19/25.

Date: 05/27/2025

Licensee: Stephen Trevino, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 28, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss Shady, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/2/25.

Date: 05/23/2025

Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer

Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 24, 2025; additional 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 23, 2025 for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period; 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 $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2) on Tik Tok Daddy, who finished third at Laurel Park on 12/13/24.

According to the case resolution, Sanchez-Salomon is suspended an additional 30 days—beginning on June 23, 2025, and continuing through July 22, 2025—for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period. This relates to two prior positives involving Flunixin (in 2023) and Phenylbutazone (in 2024).

Date: 05/22/2025

Licensee: Juan Aguirre, trainer

Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 23, 2025; a fine of $12,500. Admission.

Explainer: Violation of ADMC Program Rule 3216(b)(2), which prohibits a covered person from “assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up, or engaging in any other type of intentional complicity or Attempted complicity involving . . . a violation of Rule 3229 by another Covered Person.”

According to the case resolution, from at least June to September of 2024, Aguirre employed another licensee, Francisco Ramos, to work with his horses when Ramos was serving a provisional suspension for alleged medication violations. Ramos is in the middle of serving a suspension for those violations— in six different horses—that runs through May of 2036.

Pending ADMC Violations

05/28/2025, Annette Eubanks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from I'm a Cutie Pie on 4/26/25.

05/28/2025, Roshan Samsundar, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carbon, who won at Aqueduct on 3/14/25.

05/27/2025, Maximino Quinonez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from R U Joking on 4/26/25.

05/21/2025, Michelle Castillo, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Tootsie Toes on 4/18/25.

05/21/2025, Eric Reed, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from She's a Saint, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/8/25.

The post National Regulatory Rulings: May 22-28, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes, a mile-and-a-half turf event for older males, has been moved from its original date of Saturday, May 31 and will instead be run on the Saturday, June 14 program along with the GIII Delaware Oaks and Delaware Derby. The change was necessitated by heavy rainfall in the Midlantic region over the past week.

Nominations to the Cape Henlopen will be re-opened with a new closing date of Wednesday, June 4. The June 14 program will be drawn Tuesday, June 10.

The remaining seven races on the Saturday live card will be run as scheduled, including the featured $100,000 Rehoboth Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. The afternoon's promotional giveaway remains on the schedule, while the $10,000 guaranteed middle Pick Five has been canceled. First post is set for 12:35 p.m. ET.

The post Rain Forces Postponement of Cape Henlopen Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have laid out guest policies for the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (BSRF) at Saratoga Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a first post scheduled for each program at 12:40 p.m. ET. Admission will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday (first post 11:40 a.m.) and at 9 a.m. on Belmont Day, with the first race set to jump at 10:45 a.m. ET.

While the Saratoga main track will be closed to the public for morning training during the BSRF, fans will be permitted to watch training at the Oklahoma training track from 7-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday by entering Gate 21 on East Avenue. There is no vehicular traffic permitted. The public is invited to return to the main track for 'Breakfast at Saratoga' on opening day of the summer meet Thursday, July 10.

As with the main summer meeting, fans are not permitted to enter the grounds with alcoholic beverages from Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7. Each fan may carry one folding chair for personal use in the backyard area during each day of the BSRF. Pop-up tents, folding tables and wagons are not permitted Thursday through Saturday. Small bags and purses are allowed.

Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the BSRF. Professional photography and/or videography equipment is also prohibited.

Click here for a comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items.

The post NYRA Details Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Policies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2025 Inglis Digital USA May Sale closed Wednesday with a pair of six-figure fillies leading the way with close relations to the top two finishers in this year's GI Kentucky Oaks.

Topping Wednesday's session with a $300,000 final bid, Regaled (Mohaymen–Ascot Walk, by Daaher), a Grade III-placed half-sister to Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), sold to Legion Bloodstock, the same operation that campaigns Drexel Hill.

A three-time winner, the dark bay was third in last year's GIII Delaware Oaks. She entered the sale off a runner-up finish in the Heavenly Cause Stakes at Laurel Park on Apr. 12, and a third in the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16.

Bred in Kentucky by Chris Baccari, Regaled is out of the winning Daaher mare Ascot Walk, whose two foals to race are both black-type earners. In addition to finishing second in the

Ketnucky Oaks, Drexel Hill won the Busher Stakes earlier this year.

“She's a pretty filly with a solid race record to this point,” said Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock. “We're obviously partial to the family having Drexel Hill, and we were underbidder

on the 2-year-old out of Ascot Walk that sold last week [a Modernist filly that went to Repole Stable for $310,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale]. We think all three fillies have bright futures and we're just happy our clients believe the same. She's going to head to Whit Beckman at Churchill Downs and we'll let him and his team do their thing. Hopefully, we can target some fun races with her this summer.”

Samuel G. Davis previously trained Regaled for owner Brittnee Caballero, and she was made available for inspection during the sale from her barn at Laurel Park. Paramount Sales consigned the filly, as agent.

“We are delighted to see the ownership of Drexel Hill pick up her half-sister Regaled,” said Paddy Campion of Paramount Sales. “We had confidence in being able to put her up for sale

just as everything was falling into place for her, and couldn't be happier to see her hammered down to these connections.”

The day's second-highest price came for a 4-year-old half-sister to the dam of Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer who sold to Machmer Hall for $220,000.

The unnamed More Than Ready filly is out of the unraced Coronado's Quest mare Golden Sheba, making her a half-sister to the MGISW Wedding Toast, herself the dam of the undefeated star Good Cheer. Her extended family features MGISW Congaree.

“A More Than Ready mare with exceptional good looks out of a half-sister to the dam of this year's Kentucky Oaks winner with a huge deep family? What's not to love?” said Machmer

Hall's Carrie Brogden. “Now just to come up with a good name.”

The filly was bred in Kentucky by Campo Oaks Management, and she was offered from her base at Santa Anita Park with consignor Leonard Powell.

“I'm delighted that a filly with such an active pedigree goes to a very astute breeder in Carrie Brogden,” Powell said. “I hope she finds success wither her progeny in the sales ring. This is our

first time consigning with Inglis Digital USA and couldn't have been happier with the process and the result.”

In total, Wednesday's auction saw 19 horses sold for revenues of $625,250, with an average sale price of $32,907.

“We're very pleased with the results from the May sale,” said Kyle Wilson, Senior Director of Sales and Recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “The popular listings were just that–popular. There

was a lot of activity around the sale and I credit the team with assembling a quality catalog.

“We're going to keep working to move some of the horses that didn't get done on the day. There's certainly still some value out there. We appreciate all the sellers and buyers that supported us.”

Entries are now open for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA June Sale, and they will be taken through Monday, June 16. The catalog will be released Friday, June 20, and bidding will commence on

Wednesday, June 25.

To enter a horse in the June sale or to register as a bidder, visit www.inglisdigitalusa.com

The post Regaled, 1/2 to Kentucky Oaks Runner-up Drexel Hill, Tops Inglis Digital USA May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Longtime Canadian-based trainer, breeder and owner Paul Buttigieg died, according to a Woodbine release Wednesday.

Over the course of his career at Woodbine, the horseman amassed 672 wins and more than $19 million in earnings as a trainer. Buttigieg also operated his own training center in Egbert, Ontario–Buttigieg Training Centre–where trainers such as Robert Tiller, Kevin Attard and Michael De Paulo were stabled.

Buttigieg's most significant horses were led by champion Phil's Dream, who he bred, owned, and trained. Phil's Dream captured the GI Nearctic Stakes in 2013 and was honored as that season's Champion Male Sprinter at the Sovereign Awards.

Buttigieg also notably campaigned multiple graded stakes winner Artie's Storm, who was a Sovereign Award finalist in 2022, Strait From Texas, who won the 2003 GII Nassau Stakes, and MSW and MGISP Gypsy Ring.

“Paul Buttigieg was the embodiment of dedication in Canadian racing,” said Jim Lawson, Executive Chair, Woodbine Entertainment. “Paul was a true horseman in every sense of the word as a breeder, owner and trainer. He did it all with passion for the Thoroughbred and was part of the fabric of our Woodbine racing community. His loss is deeply felt and he will be dearly missed.”

The post Canadian Horseman Paul Buttigieg Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Friday's GIII Penn Mile has been posted postponed until June 20 due to inclement weather conditions impacting the eastern portion of the country, according to a Penn National release Wednesday.

Other existing stakes that will be moved to June 20 are the Lyphard Stakes, Alphabet Soup Stakes and Penn Oaks.

Horses entered in those four stakes are automatically re-nominated to their respective stakes races to be run June 20. Additional nominations are also being accepted until Wednesday, June 11. Entries for the entire June 20 card will be drawn June 13.

Penn National will proceed with the seven overnight races that were originally intended–all on the main track–for the May 30 card. Racing is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

The post Weather Forces Postponement of Penn Mile, Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Canadian Horse of the Year Soaring Free (Smart Strike–Dancing With Wings, by Danzig) died due to complications of old age at Sam-Son Farm's Ocala, Florida division Wednesday.

Campaigned by his breeder Sam-Son Farm, the Ontario-bred won 15 of 27 career races for trainer Mark Frostad earning Canada's champion sprinter honor in 2003 followed by the champion grass horse title the following year, when he was also named that nation's Horse of the Year. Jockey Todd Kabel was aboard Soaring Free for 22 of 27 of his career starts.

During his racing career, he won eight races at the graded level, highlighted by a score in the 2004 GI Atto Mile at Woodbine before retiring with $2.1 million in earnings. Nicknamed 'Muffin', he was cared for by his longtime groom, Tracy Smith.

The gelding, who hails from a deep Sam-Son family, was out of Dancing With Wings, a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Ruling Angel (Vice Regent), champion 3-year-old filly Tilt My Halo (Halo) and SW Tiffany Tam (Tentam), dam of champion sophomore colt and Canadian Classic winner Regal Intention.

The 26-year-old stallion will be interred at the Florida farm.

The post Canadian Horse of the Year Soaring Free Dies at 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Two Sharp, making her first start since last November, went wire-to-wire to earn her third straight victory in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs Monday. The bay filly went quickly to the early lead from her outside post and scampered away as favored Hope Road tried to go with her early. She was clear through fractions of :21.14 and :43.99–the fastest half-mile in the race that dates back to 2004. Hope Road attempted to reel her in down the lane, but Two Sharp kept finding more and was well in control to the wire as longshot Benedetta overtook the favorite late for second.

“It's not about how fast you're going, it's about how you're going when you're going fast,” winning jockey Junior Alvarado said. “She was incredible today. She broke sharp and just took me to the lead and did everything so easily.”

Two Sharp was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following an 11 1/4-length maiden score at Saratoga last August. She was beaten just a neck by Brightwork (Outwork) in the Aug. 31 GIII Prioress Stakes, but returned to the winner's circle with a 6 1/4-length victory in an Oct. 12 allowance at Keeneland. She stretched her speed out to a mile when securing a 5 3/4-length triumph in the Nov. 23 GIII Chilukki Stakes last time out.

“She's so talented and to run that well fresh was really exciting to see,” winning trainer Phil Bauer said. “It's obviously a great starting point. She's ultra-talented. She's proved that she can handle at least a mile, so we'll see where we'll go from here.”

Pedigree Notes:

One of 24 graded winners for her sire Twirling Candy, Two Sharp is the only foal out of Double Sharp, a daughter of multiple graded winner Bsharpsonata and a half-sister to graded-placed Play It Loud (Unbridled's Song). The mare was purchased by Woods Edge Farm for $255,000 at the 2017 Keeneland November sale.

Monday, Churchill Downs
WINNING COLORS S.-GIII, $250,000, Churchill Downs, 5-26, 4yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:08.75, ft.
1–TWO SHARP, 118, f, 4, by Twirling Candy
1st Dam: Double Sharp, by Distorted Humor
2nd Dam: Bsharpsonata, by Pulpit
3rd Dam: Apasionata Sonata, by Affirmed
'TDN Rising Star' ($925,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Rigney Racing LLC; B-Woods Edge Farm LLC (KY); T-Philip A Bauer; J-Junior Alvarado. $151,520. Lifetime Record: 6-4-2-0, $518,218. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Benedetta, 118, f, 4, City of Light–Tessie Flip, by Grand Slam. ($290,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $750,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR). O-Kaleem Shah Inc; B-Springhouse Farm & Dromoland Farm (KY); T-Steven M Asmussen. $49,200.
3–Hope Road, 118, f, 4, Quality Road–Marley's Freedom, by Blame. ($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 FTSAUG). O/B-Cicero Farms LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $24,600.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, HF. Odds: 1.91, 23.48, 0.85.
Also Ran: Brightwork, Mink's Palace, Miss Arlington, Into Champagne. Scratched: Easy Red, Harbor Springs. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Twirling Candy’s Two Sharp Scampers off to Victory in Churchill’s Winning Colors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Multiple Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who raced in the colors of his breeder Bob Edwards, has been sold to Yulong Investments and will target Royal Ascot before embarking on a campaign in Australia, according to a report in Daily Racing Form.

Trained by Chad Brown, Carl Spackler won last year's GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes before ending the season with a sixth-place effort in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. He returned this year to win the Apr. 11 GI Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

“It is a business,” Edwards told DRF's Dave Grening of the decision to sell his homebred. “We've had a lot of luck with him, not sure how commercially he'd be received [as a stallion prospect] in the States. The timing worked out.”

Carl Spackler worked four furlongs in :49.95 at Saratoga Sunday. The 5-year-old is expected to ship to England this week ahead of a start in the June 17 G1 Queen Anne Stakes for trainer Ciaron Maher, Edwards told DRF.

Following his engagement at the Royal Ascot meeting, Carl Spackler is expected to ship to Australia where the Oct. 25 G1 Cox Plate will be targeted.

The post Carl Spackler Sold, to Target Royal Ascot, Australian Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sandman (Tapit), coming off a third-place effort in the GI Preakness Stakes, shipped from Belmont Park to Saratoga Race Course Monday morning and he is expected to make his next start in the July 26 GII Jim Dandy Stakes.

“I wanted to give him a little bit of time,” trainer Mark Casse said. “He ran all winter long and I knew when we decided to run him back in the Preakness that the Belmont was going to be out of the question.”

Sandman earned a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby with his win in the GI Arkansas Derby and, after finishing seventh in Louisville, he closed from last-of-9 and 12 lengths off the pace to finish 2 3/4 lengths adrift of Journalism (Curlin) in the Preakness.

“I thought he ran well,” Casse said of Sandman's effort in the Preakness. “He was caked in mud after the race. He struggled to keep his eyes open. When we scoped him afterwards, he had half the Pimlico racetrack in his trachea. Johnny [Velazquez] said he thought he lost focus a little. I'll probably put blinkers on him for the Jim Dandy because he has done some wandering down the stretch.”

The post Sandman Arrives in Saratoga; Aims for Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing's Colloquial (Vekoma), tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following a scintillating seven-length maiden victory at Aqueduct in February, continued preparations for his graded stakes debut in the June 7 GI Woody Stephens Stakes with a five-furlong work in 1:03.25 over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga last Thursday.

“We've been happy with him,” trainer George Weaver said. “We've been waiting for this race for a long time, and now we're getting close.”

Colloquial followed up his 6 1/2-furlong maiden win with a 2 1/4-length victory going seven furlongs in the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 7.

“Good horses are [versatile], and they can adjust to situations,” Weaver said. “He's talented, so luckily he's good enough to have that versatility. I don't think he's tied to any one way of running. I'm sure this will be a competitive race, but I wouldn't trade places with anybody.”

Colloquial is one of several candidates for Weaver at this year's Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. The veteran conditioner also has Dorth Vader (Girvin), Sacred Wish (Not This Time), and Soontobeking (King for a Day) nominated to races during the five-day Festival.

Weaver said Dorth Vader, most recently a troubled fourth in the GI La Troienne Stakes, is likely being pointed to the GI Ogden Phipps Stakes, which offers a “Win and You're In” berth into the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff in November at Del Mar.

Last year's GI Matriarch Stakes winner Sacred Wish, who worked a half-mile in :51.25 over the Oklahoma dirt Saturday, has been nominated to the June 5 GI Just a Game Stakes, but Weaver said he is unsure if that will be her next start.

“We'll see how her next work goes,” the trainer said. “We're kind of up in the air about her next start.”

Soontobeking, co-owned by Our Blue Streaks Stable, SGV Thoroughbreds, and Weaver, is targeting the Mike Lee Stakes for New York-bred sophomores on the June 4 Opening Day of the Festival. The colt has put together a respectable 12-3-3-4 record with $363,428 in earnings, led by a stakes triumph in the state-bred Gander Stakes Mar. 8.

“We're looking forward to seeing him again,” Weaver said of Soontobeking, whose last effort was a runner-up finish in the Apr. 13 NYSSS Times Square. “You appreciate the horses that always show up, and he does. He just overcomes with try.”

The post Colloquial on Track for Woody Stephens appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

7th-Monmouth, $48,625, Msw, 5-25, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.85, fm, 3 1/2 lengths.
GROWTH TRAJECTORY (GB) (f, 3, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Wekeela {Fr} {GSW & G1SP-Fr, GSW & MGISP-USA, $418,587}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) was one of two runners in this contest to be making their debuts and the first-timers claimed the exacta in this turf maiden on the Jersey Shore. Bumped at the start, but recovering to race from fourth, the 7-2 second choice was rolling from three wide passing the quarter pole as she advanced through the far bend, and had taken command by upper stretch. Kicking away as Tight Line (Constitution) flew from the back, it was 3 1/2 lengths between them on the line.

Out of a mare who was in the trifecta multiple times at the highest level in the States and France, Growth Trajectory is her most recent to the races. Wekeela's last registered offspring is a juvenile colt by Dubawi (Ire). The dam is herself a full-sister to Scandinavian champion Matauri Pearl (Ire), who would garner her highest praise by way of her daughter–GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victress Aunt Pearl (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). This is also the immediate female family of G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran heroine Molly Malone (Fr) (Lomitas {GB}) and her half-sister MGSW-Fr Morgan Le Faye (GB) (Shamardal).

The distant family also includes the late great German stallion–a six-time leading sire in two countries and eight-time leading broodmare sire in three–MG1SW-Ger Monsun (Ger) and multiple Group 1 winner Brametot (Ire). Sales history: 180,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $28,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-The Wekeela Partnership (GB); T-Chad C. Brown.

The post Lope de Vega’s Growth Trajectory Strong on Debut at Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

We're now two legs deep into a Triple Crown season that has yielded two formful and exciting finishes in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, and the stage is being set for one of the more intriguing and evenly matched renewals of the GI Belmont Stakes in quite a few years.

Yet, it's a sign of the times-not only for our sport but as a reflection of society in general-that controversy continues to swirl over the adjudication of both the Derby and Preakness long after each race has gone official.

In last Tuesday's news we learned that jockey Junior Alvarado-to no one's surprise-will be appealing his fine of $62,000 and two-day suspension for allegedly whipping Sovereignty (Into Mischief) two times over the six-strike limit when achieving his narrow, hard-earned victory over Journalism (Curlin) in the May 3 Derby.

Then on Friday, word came down from the Pimlico stewards that no action will be taken against either Umberto Rispoli or Flavien Prat for their rides aboard Journalism and 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), who finished first and fourth, respectively, in the roughly run stretch fight of the dramatic May 17 Preakness.

Let's put aside for the moment whether or not you agree with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule about the six-strike whipping limit, or the separate HISA regulation that mandates a doubling of standard penalties because Alvarado had a previous crop infraction on his record within the previous six months.

Churchill Downs stewards Barbara Borden, Brooks “Butch” Becraft and Tyler Picklesimer were merely doing their jobs by counting whip hits and meting out the fine and suspension that they believe applied to that purported violation. (The terms “allegedly” and “purportedly” are appropriate because Alvarado has maintained that several of his actions with the whip were instances of him fanning the colt without making contact, which, if proven true at his HISA hearing, won't count against him as strikes.)

And while it's certainly the right of racing fans everywhere to engage in spirited debate about whether or not there should have been a disqualification in the Preakness, or if any subsequent sanctions should have been handed down in the aftermath of the bump-and-grind stretch jostling, there's also a refreshing element to the “less is more” style of officiating reflected in the non-calls by Adam Campola, Ross Pearce and Russell Derderian in the Pimlico stewards' stand.

As chronicled in this column two weeks ago, the outsized stature of the Derby has, in recent runnings, been burdened by a series of lawsuits related to the outcomes that are starting to give America's most important and historic horse race the unfortunate reputation of being the most litigated two minutes in sports.

And while this year's slam-bang Preakness certainly did warrant an inquiry into the stretch run, the let-them-play end result of the officiating was (in my opinion), a welcome contrast to the trend of over-adjudication in United States racing that at times feels heavy-handed and too often detracts from the action on the track.

But here's where I will take umbrage with the decision-making process: In both instances this month, the stewards at Churchill and Pimlico took six full days before going public with their final word on the Derby and the Preakness.

And then, when the stewards did come out with Alvarado's whipping penalty and the decision not to take any action against Rispoli or Prat, those news nuggets both took the form of online postings made on the Friday after each race that were more or less buried on the websites of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation and Maryland Racing Commission.

Whether or not escaping broad scrutiny was the specific intent of the stewards or their agencies, both decisions had the look and feel of what we in the reporting biz call “Friday news dumps.”

That term refers to the practice-usually by corporate or government entities-of releasing controversial news very late in the work week with the hope that journalists either won't notice or will have a difficult time contacting off-the-clock officials to ask relevant follow-up questions.

The later on a Friday that this is accomplished seems to be the goal of the news dumpers, and if the offloading of a press release can be accomplished on the Friday of a long holiday weekend (like this one), all the better for those who would rather not have their decisions dissected.

But racing wouldn't have to deal with any form of delayed blowback if the officials making the Triple Crown calls were mandated with issuing rulings and reports in a more timely manner.

Are we to believe that the stewards in Kentucky and Maryland really required the better part of a week to review the race replays and speak to the jockeys involved in each instance?

And during the six days between the horses crossing the finish wire and the issuance of any ruling (or notice of a non-ruling in the case of the Preakness) does it behoove the sport to have its officials be subjected to the inevitable speculation that might sway their judgment one way or the other? It's not exactly like stewards are placed in a vacuum where they are immune from public opinions until they render a decision.

There is traditionally no racing at both Churchill and Pimlico on the Sundays immediately following the Saturdays of the Derby and the Preakness. Isn't the status of those two Triple Crown races important enough for the stewards to be tasked with expediting their decisions so that any sanctions are made public and explained in full within 24 hours of each race going official?

Our sport has evolved in such a way that the Triple Crown races are at the pinnacle of the pyramid. The time frame and level of detail under which they are adjudicated must match that level of prestige.

An “Oh, by the way…” posting to the website of a public agency before the last racing commission staffer calls it quits for the weekend doesn't quite cut it.

In the meantime, we're on the cusp of being treated to a Belmont Stakes that is shaping up as a showdown among the first three finishers in the Derby while additionally serving up a juicy rematch of the winners of both the Derby and the Preakness.

Let's put the perceived news dumps in the rear-view mirror and floor it to Saratoga for the third leg of the Triple Crown.

The post Week in Review: Don’t Let Friday ‘News Dumps’ Overshadow a Terrific Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With her most likely competition coming from her stablemate Splendora, MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel's Seismic Beauty went to the front and never looked back, rolling home an easy winner in Sunday's GII Santa Margarita Stakes.

Breaking from the high draw, Seismic Beauty wasted no time as she sprinted to the front and was clear of 4-5 favorite Splendora rounding the first turn. Clicking off race horse fractions of :23.05 and :46.25, the 8-5 second choice continued to control the narrative through three quarters in 1:09.84. Still clear of fellow Bob Baffert trainee turning for home, the 4-year-old was not for catching late, rolling home and five-length winner. It was a couple of lengths back to Princess of Time in third.

“That time, whoa,” Baffert said from the winner's circle. “That's serious racehorse time.”

Seismic Beauty recorded the fastest Santa Margarita final time since 2012. That year Include Me Out, ridden by Joe Talamo for trainer Ron Ellis, won by three lengths in a time of 1:47.62.

“When she got to the lead, she was comfortable and was traveling good,” said winning rider Antonio Fresu. “She's a strong type, you can see her physically, she is so big. And so classy. Warming up with the pony it was like she had done it a hundred times. She was professional with everything. She was just a step slow from the gate, she's so big, but once she got into a good rhythm I was always comfortable.”

A close-up second in her career bow at Del Mar last August, the bay rebounded to score by five lengths at that venue barely one month later.

Debuting at four, she finished runner up in a six-furlong optional claimer at Santa Anita in February before coming home third adding a sixteenth of a mile Mar. 14. Stretching to a mile for her latest, the Maryland-bred filly bounced home an easy front-running 10-length winner Apr. 18.

“She ran like she's been training” Baffert added. “She's just a big, beautifully striding filly who is getting better. We gave her plenty of time to mature.”

As for what's next, he said, “It's going to be something big. She's ready for something big.”

Pedigree Notes:
Determined Stud, the breeder of this filly, purchased stakes-placed dam Knarsdale for $430,000 with this filly in utero at the Keeneland November Sale in 2020. Since then, the mare has produced a trio of foals–Cincazul, a colt by Bernardini), realized $500,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale in 2023. Additionally, she has an unraced juvenile filly by Essential Quality (named My Steel Magnolia) and a yearling filly by Uncle Mo. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro was bred back to Charlatan.

“She's a big Uncle Mo filly that covers a lot of ground.”

Kurt Hoover caught up with trainer @BobBaffert after SEISMIC BEAUTY won the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at @SantaAnitaPark. pic.twitter.com/DvJQjgyIbg

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 25, 2025

Sunday, Santa Anita Park
SANTA MARGARITA S.-GII, $200,000, Santa Anita, 5-25, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8m, 1:48.30, ft.
1–SEISMIC BEAUTY, 122, f, 4, by Uncle Mo
   1st Dam: Knarsdale (SP, $103,692), by Medaglia d'Oro
   2nd Dam: Secret File, by Smart Strike
   3rd Dam: Emery Board, by Grindstone
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($400,000 Wlg '21 FTKNOV; $550,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-MyRacehorse and Pater Leidel; B-2500 Determined Stud (MD); T-Bob Baffert; J-Antonio Fresu. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-2-1, $236,840. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Splendora, 122, f, 4, Audible–Miss Freeze, by Frost Giant.
($125,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-By Talla Racing LLC; B-The Elkstone Group LLC (MD); T-Bob Baffert. $40,000.
3–Princess of Time, 122, m, 5, Not This Time–Movie Star Magic, by The Cliff's Edge. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($170,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV; $200,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Mike G. Rutherford; B-Tim Thornton (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $24,000.
Margins: 5, 2HF, 18HF. Odds: 1.70, 0.80, 8.80.
Also Ran: Alpha Bella, Liberal Lady. Scratched: Where's My Ring.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Bob Baffert Exacta in Santa Margarita as Seismic Beauty Runs Rivals Off Their Feet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Neither jockey Flavien Prat or Umberto Rispoli will be sanctioned for their rides in a roughly run renewal of last Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Prat was aboard Goal Oriented (Not This Time) while Rispoli guided home the dramatic winner Journalism (Curlin). The two banged into each other in a much-discussed incident in upper stretch and impeded Clever Again (American Pharaoh).

Journalism went on to run down longshot Gosger (Nyquist) in improbable fashion by a half-length. Goal Oriented finished fourth, while the pacesetting Clever Again tired to finish last of nine.

Stewards Adam Campola, Ross R. Pearce and Russel G. Derderian issued the following statement Friday on the Maryland Racing Commission website:

“After reviewing the films and speaking with the riders involved, we, the presiding Stewards of the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes, came to the unanimous decision not to take action against Flavien Prat, rider of 4th-place finished Goal Oriented or Umberto Rispoli, rider of 1st-place finisher Journalism.”

“A REMARKABLE RECOVERY BY JOURNALISM!”

JOURNALISM WINS THE 150TH PREAKNESS STAKES! #Preakness150 pic.twitter.com/f2IOVEyUy9

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 17, 2025

The post No Action Taken Against Preakness Jockeys Prat, Rispoli appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic), scratched from the GI Kentucky Derby with a foot bruise, worked seven furlongs in 1:24.80 (1/1) at Santa Anita Friday morning in preparation for the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga June 7. He previously worked four furlongs in :49 at Churchill Downs May 11.

The front-running winner of the GII Wood Memorial S. at Aqueduct Apr. 5 is trained by Bob Baffert and campaigned in partnership by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. He brought $485,000 as a KEESEP yearling.

“Lovely work from Rodriguez this morning at Santa Anita in 1:24.4 – Happy horse, extended nicely – he's ready for a trip to Saratoga,” SF Racing's Tom Ryan posted on X.

Kentucky Derby third-place finisher and Belmont Stakes-bound Baeza (McKinzie) was also on the worktab for John Shirreffs at Santa Anita Friday, breezing six furlongs in 1:12.40 (1/2).

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) and GI Preakness S. winner Journalism (Curlin) are both currently in training at Saratoga.

Sovereignty tuned up for the Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong breeze in :49.76 at the Spa May 17.

Journalism has returned to galloping and is yet to be confirmed for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

Lovely work from Rodriguez this morning at Santa Anita in 1:24.4 – Happy horse, extended nicely – he's ready for a trip to Saratoga.@BobBaffert @BelmontStakes pic.twitter.com/ehJGNup0OP

— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) May 23, 2025

The post Rodriguez Breezes for Belmont Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has rolled out post times for the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at Saratoga Race Course from Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8, the track said in a Friday release.

Post time for the 10-race programs on Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5 as well as Sunday, June 8 is 12:40 p.m. (All times Eastern) with admission gates open to the public at 11 a.m.

The 14-race program on Friday, June 6 will feature a post time of 11:40 a.m. with admission gates open to the public at 10 a.m.

On Saturday, June 7, post time for the 14-race Belmont Stakes Day program is 10:45 a.m. with admission gates open to the public at 9 a.m.

FOX will present live, on-site broadcast coverage of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7. America's Day at the Races will provide daily television coverage and analysis across the FOX Sports family of networks throughout the five-day event.

The post NYRA Rolls Out 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Post Times appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 40th Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) National Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Kentucky, the group said via a press release on Friday.

Hosted by FanDuel's Scott Hazelton, the event will feature a more informal feel in terms of recommended “blue jeans, boots, and bling” attire, open seating dining, signature Bluegrass music, and a Kentucky bourbon experience.

As part of the anniversary, cartoonist and TDN contributor Remi Bellocq created a signature illustration focusing on the theme of “Cheers to 40 Years” and the informality of this year's celebration.

Click here for more information.

The post 40th TOBA Awards Dinner To Be Held At Fasig-Tipton In Lexington Sept. 6 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will honor media personality Lindsay Czarniak at its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon at Saratoga National Golf Club on Monday, Aug. 4, according to a press release from the organization on Friday.

Czarniak, who has served as a host, anchor and sideline reporter for multiple networks, is a Thoroughbred owner through A Stake in Stardom, an initiative of America's Best Racing.

The luncheon has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist those in need in the racing industry.

Click here for tickets.

The post Fashionable Fillies Luncheon To Honor Czarniak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.