Thoroughbred Daily News

Horse racing frequently talks about the importance of fan building, ownership development and growing our workforce. But imagine if the leading organizations in Thoroughbred racing truly joined forces to invest in tomorrow's fans, workforce, and owners.

That's exactly what the golf industry did in 1997. The USGA, LPGA, Masters Tournament, PGA of America, and PGA TOUR collaborated to launch First Tee, a youth development non-profit with a mission to make golf accessible and affordable for all children. The USGA alone committed $3 million in the program's first three years–an amount equivalent to $6 million today.

First Tee now reaches over 3.1 million youth annually through 150 U.S. chapters and international affiliates. Their programs don't just teach golf–they build character, promote healthy choices and foster lifelong connections to the sport. A 2015 survey found that 90% of First Tee alums are lifelong golfers. That's what strategic, unified investment in education looks like–and why it works.

Most major sports are already doing this:

• The NHL and NHLPA run Future Goals, a STEM program that uses hockey to teach science and math;

• The NBA supports Jr. NBA and Math Hoops, blending basketball with life skills and academic learning;

• The NFL runs programs like Character Playbook, NFL FLAG, and Youth Education Towns–and promotes this work to millions during Super Bowl commercials.

It's time racing caught up. Other equine sports are getting the message.

This spring, the United States Polo Association awarded a $1- million grant to Work to Ride, a Philadelphia non-profit that uses equine sports to create education and opportunity for youth. The grant will fund a major facility expansion, helping the program serve more students and broaden the reach of the sport of polo.

Meanwhile, the Thoroughbred industry–fragmented and without a national governing body–has yet to fully embrace youth education as a funding priority. Even for leading organizations, it's easy to take the stance of “it's not our job” or to believe that giving a little is enough.

Since early 2023, I've served full-time as the Executive Director of Amplify Horse Racing, a Kentucky-based 501(c)(3) non-profit founded as the national youth arm of the Thoroughbred industry. We provide opportunities for young people from all states to engage through education, mentorship, and career development. We pair students with mentors both virtually and in person, host immersive events, visit classrooms and create behind-the-scenes experiences that make careers in racing tangible and attainable. Our virtual outreach includes educational social media, a podcast, a website rich with blog content and industry resources, and an upcoming video series. We're developing a high school curriculum aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Career & Technical Education. We strive to make the Thoroughbred industry as accessible and inclusive as possible for all youth, regardless of where they live or their prior experience with horses.

In 2024 alone, our tiny team of three paid employees–along with incredible support from passionate individuals who volunteer their time–reached over 28,000 people through school presentations, mentorship, community outreach and racetrack events. We accomplished this on a modest budget, using our personal vehicles to transport equipment, signage and all the tools needed to deliver programming across multiple states.

Several organizations are doing essential work to engage youth and young adults at the regional level. But the reality is this: Amplify Horse Racing is the only organization taking a unified, national approach to educate and connect young people with entry-level pathways into the sport. What's needed now is coordinated investment. We're doing the work, but we can't do it alone.

To make our programming more efficient and accessible as we expand nationwide, we launched the IMPACT Campaign. This campaign supports curriculum development and the creation of classroom-ready materials that educators can easily integrate into their teaching. It will also enable us to establish regional chapters and grow partnerships, offering more localized opportunities for youth to engage with the industry and access valuable resources.

Ultimately, the campaign will allow us to deliver consistent, high-quality programming to urban and rural communities–including those without direct access to racetracks or farms. It will expand our reach, increase efficiency and provide educators with better tools to bring horse racing to life in their classrooms.

Let's be clear: horses and horse racing are not going to magically appear in schools. Someone has to write the curriculum, make the calls, coordinate the tours, attend the career fairs and build the trust of educators. That someone is Amplify. And we need your help to ensure we are as successful as First Tee.

If we want young people to choose a future in horse racing–as stewards, veterinarians, grooms, owners, fans and more—we must meet them where they are.

Supporting Amplify isn't charity–it's strategy. Because without the next generation, there is no future.

So, do something for youth today. Share this message with industry organizations and their boards. Introduce us to someone who should hear it. I'd love to connect and share more about our programming and the impact Amplify is making–you can reach me directly at annise@amplifyhorseracing.org.

Donate.

Let's amplify the future of horse racing–together.

The post Letter To the Editor: Annise Montplaisir, Amplify Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Amazing Mizzen (Mizzen Mast) has earned 'retirement for life' at Old Friends via her victory in Race 2, the Old Friends Purse, at Pimlico Saturday, May 18, the organization announced via press release Sunday afternoon.

Claiming victory as a 44-1 longshot, the grey will have an automatic entry at Old Friends upon her retirement or pensioning, should she require it. The Old Friends Purse benefits Old Friends and its 'Old Friends for Life' retirement program. If The Amazing Mizzen joins the farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, she will be accompanying three other 'Old Friends for Life' retirees–Next Shares, Kalamos, and Get Western. Two other winners of the Old Friends Purse, MGSP Desvio (Yoshida {Jpn}) and SW Be Better (Uncle Mo), are still racing.

“Today has been a special day for Old Friends in Maryland on Preakness Day,” said John Nicholson, president and CEO of Old Friends, who handed out the winner's trophy Saturday. “We are so grateful to Pimlico for making the Old Friends Purse possible and for giving Thoroughbred Aftercare such a large platform.”

“[Saturday's] race was very exciting! We congratulate the connections of The Amazing Mizzen on her impressive upset victory. A place awaits her at Old Friends when the time comes.”

The post The Amazing Mizzen Earns ‘Retirement for Life’ at Old Friends via Old Friends Purse at Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It may've started slow, but Firenze Flavor (Liam's Map) was flying late to contribute her part toward a thrilling finish in the GIII Honeymoon Stakes at Santa Anita, pulling a 7-1 upset in the process.

Last seen Apr. 25 when she defeated optional claiming company over this turf course, the Patrick Gallagher charge had broken her maiden Jan. 20 by three-quarters of a length, but ran a flat seventh in between her two victories Feb. 21. in her first attempt at beating the optional claiming condition.

In no rush after the jump here, the grey watched it all unfold as the caboose while 6-5 favorite Jungle Peace (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) set the tempo through :23.84, :48.10, and 1:11.72 largely unchallenged. Three wide on both bends, and on the move in the final turn as Jungle Peace fought off the first challenger, Firenze Flavor took the overland route with Miso Phansy (Karakontie {Jpn}) trying to find space among runners from the inside. Closing the gap relentlessly but with the runner-up looming large in the final strides, the victress turned out to be Lady Luck's favorite here, claiming the top spot by the slimmest of margins. Miso Phansy nailed Jungle Peace by a similar margin in a wild photo for the top spots.

We've always liked the filly,” said Gallagher. “Her first race was good, her second race was good, her third was not so good. Then she came back and won last time.”

“I think there's more to come for her, but first I need to go to LensCrafters. I thought she finished third.”

Rider Drayden Van Dyke, who was riding Firenze Flavor for the first time, added, “My main thing was to get along with her. She likes to throw her head around, I saw, from her previous races and watching her in the morning. She likes to throw it down if you fight with her. So, I was just trying to get along with her the best I could and go from there.”

“I was a little worried, she kicked nice for me and was trying to shy away from the horse to my inside. As I got her closer to her, she dug in the last little part, and it just worked out good for me. I just want to thank Paddy and the connections.”

Three horses were practically inseparable at the wire in the $100k Honeymoon Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark, but the photo showed FIRENZE FLAVOR ($17.40) on top! This is the first graded win for the 3YO filly by @LanesEndFarms' Liam's Map. Patrick Gallagher trains, @DraydenV up. pic.twitter.com/E6ScOU1myB

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 18, 2025

Pedigree Notes:

Firenze Flavor is the fourth winner for her dam, and the most accomplished of her siblings with this black-type score. She has a juvenile half-sister named Ibiza Flavor (Game Winner) as well as a 2025 half-brother by Cyberknife. Dam Summer Escape is a half-sister to MGSW Swift Warrior (First Samurai) and MGSW Dice Flavor (Scat Daddy).

Sunday, Santa Anita
HONEYMOON S.-GIII, $100,500, Santa Anita, 5-18, 3yo, f, 1 1/8mT, 1:49.91, fm.
1–FIRENZE FLAVOR, 122, f, 3, by Liam's Map
                1st Dam: Summer Escape, by Giant's Causeway
                2nd Dam: Afleet Summer, by Afleet
                3rd Dam: Steal the Thunder, by Lyphard
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Oda Racing and U.S. Equine (KY); T-Patrick Gallagher; J-Drayden Van Dyke. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, $134,180. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Miso Phansy, 120, f, 3, Karakontie (Jpn)–Sandy Cheeks, by Souvenir Copy. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Ciaglia Racing LLC and Robin Christensen; B-Ciaglia Racing LLC (CA); T-Leonard Powell. $20,000.
3–Jungle Peace (Ire), 120, f, 3, Bungle Inthejungle (GB)–Peace Treaty (Ire), by War Command. (€14,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR2; £5,000 RNA 2yo '24 GOUKB). O-CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, McClanahan, Jerry, Nentwig, Michael and Peskoff, Jeremy; B-M. Brigid B. Ltd (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $12,000.
Margins: NO, NO, 3/4. Odds: 7.70, 5.00, 1.20.
Also Ran: As Catch Can, Schilflied, Atia.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Honeymoon Stakes Thriller As Firenze Flavor Wins Photo At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Brendan Walsh earned the top prize of $50,000 in 1/ST Racing's $100,000 trainer bonus offered to horsemen for their participation in stakes races over Preakness weekend at Pimlico, the group announced via press release Sunday afternoon.

Highlighted by runner-up efforts in the GI Preakness Stakes with GSW Gosger (Nyquist) and in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes with Paris Lily (City of Light), his charge Austere (Mendelssohn) came short of catching Charlene's Dream (Qurbaan) on the lead in the GIII Gallorette on the Preakness undercard. He started the May 16 card in the Listed Hilltop Stakes where he ran first and fourth respectively with Play With Fire (Oscar Performance) and Sign No More (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). GSP San Siro (Classic Empire) would contribute to the tally when running fourth in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes.

Walsh finished with a total of 37 points–six more than runner-up and four-time top prize winner Steve Asmussen. To be eligible for the bonus, trainers had to run a minimum of five horses in the 15 Thoroughbred stakes–seven graded–worth $4.35-million during Preakness weekend. Points were accumulated for finishing first (10), second (seven), third (five), fourth (three) and fifth through last (one). The trainer with the most points earned $50,000, followed by $25,000 for second, $12,000 for third, $7,000 for fourth, $4,000 for fifth, and $2,000 for sixth.

This was the ninth year that the trainer bonus program was offered. Asmussen earned the top prize in 2017, '18, '21, and '22. Brad Cox broke the streak in 2019, Make Maker in 2020, and Graham Motion in 2023. Last year's winner was Cherie DeVaux.

The 2025 results, from first to last were: Brendan Walsh, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, Saffie Joseph Jr., Graham Motion, and Brittany Russell.

A total of $50,000 in bonus money was also offered for trainers having the most points in non-stakes races during the weekend. Points accumulated in a similar fashion with $25,000 going to the leader, $10,000 to second, $7,500 to third, $4,000 to fourth, $2,500 to fifth, and $1,000 to sixth. Trainers needed a minimum of three starts to qualify. The four who did and earned bonus money were Mike Trombetta (24 points), Russell (21), Jose Magana (nine) and Jane Cibelli (five). Money for the remaining places reverted back to 1/ST.

The post Brendan Walsh Earns Preakness Weekend Trainer Bonus, Beats Steve Asmussen for Top Prize appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – After a two-day break, the under-tack preview of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale resumed under sunny skies Sunday morning in Timonium in what was billed as a 'gallop only' session with no officially timed breezes. Originally scheduled for three days, the under-tack preview was delayed a day by weather before beginning with a first session last Wednesday. It was suspended about halfway through Thursday's second session when a fatal breakdown on the track was followed by an intense rain storm. With some 240 horses galloping through nine sets Sunday, the marathon session began at 8 a.m. and concluded at 4:30 p.m.

“I think they made the right decision,” bloodstock agent John Dowd said of foregoing timed workouts when the preview resumed Sunday. “As buyers, we buy yearlings on the end of the shank. We get to look at 2-year-olds that are trainining and see them move, they are already broke. They are further down the road than if we had bought them as yearlings, and invested the time and training.”

Dowd who was in attendance during all three days of the preview said the change did not interrupt his process for evaluating horses on the track.

“My process is more to see the way horses move and the way they gallop out, not totally because of how fast they go, but mechanically how they move. And we still get that opportunity today,” he said.

When the last horse in the last of nine sets walked off the track Sunday afternoon, buyers and agents faced the prospect of comparing horses who worked over the sloppy going last week and those that galloped Sunday.

“That's going to be difficult,” admitted bloodstock agent Alistair Roden. “It was hard to handicap in the first place because it was a sloppy track. So it was hard to get a handle on it, and then you go from a sloppy track to a fast track where they are galloping.”

Watching horses who have been readied for a breeze, but instead gallop down the lane presented its own challenges, according to Roden.

“You are looking for the stride, the movement and some of these horses get choked up and you don't get to see them move because they are trained to go to the pole and break off,” he said. “So if [galloping previews] is something to do in the future, it's something that consignors will probably have to have a different approach. Some of these horses have come from other sales and they get to the pole, they know what they are doing, they are breaking off and going fast.”

While there were no official times listed, stopwatches could be heard throughout the grandstand and, despite the advertised 'gallop only' session, many horses were breezing.

“A lot of these horses are breezing,” confirmed bloodstock agent Pete Bradley. “There are a lot of :10 2/5s and :10 3/5s. What I think is interesting is that a lot of them are going quick without the whipping and driving that we see on a regular day. And in some ways, I can see the horse's movement better because they are not scrambling down the lane.”

A gallop-only preview will force buyers to recalibrate their expectations, Bradley said.

“We are all one-trick ponies in a way, we get used to a certain system,” he said. “So now we have to step back and say, when we watch horses work at the racetrack and they go in :12, :24, :36, we say that was a good work. Here my brain isn't functioning right to get around that. Maybe by the time I watch the videos and I take in the whole day and who the consignors are and where they starting, I will make some changes in how I look at it. But it's still going to have a different feel then those who go in the standard style we do at 2-year-old sales.”

Bradley concluded, “Bad moving horses are easy to pick out. Is it going to be tough to differentiate the very good and the good ones? Yeah. I think it's going to make my job tougher. But I think it is an interesting exercise today and I might even learn something from it.”

Suzanne Smallwood of Equix still needed to provide her clients with the company's ProStride stride-length data even without official breeze times.

“There is still a lot to gain from watching them go today,” Smallwood said. “Because we do the stride-length calculations and we sell that, we still have to get a final time, a breeze time. I am having to clock them so we can put in the stride length calculations. So it's a little more work because usually Fasig-Tipton is clocking. It's an extra step.”

ProStride ranks each horse using its average stride length and breeze time. Smallwood said the calculations from Sunday's session would be adjusted based on what the horse was doing on the track.

“The data will be different because at a gallop the timing is different then it is in a breeze,” she explained. “But as long as you have your notes and you know the horse really did a slow gallop, or this consignor elected go more of an open gallop, and then a couple are doing a little bit more than that, then you know how to interpret everything. There is not anything easy. Everybody still has to do their homework. And that's the bottom line. Everybody out here is still doing their homework and still needs information to help them sort through the horses to decide what they want to go look at in the barns.”

Ocala horseman Jimmy Gladwell, along with his wife Martha, watched the action from high up in the grandstand throughout the preview.

“I think [Fasig-Tipton president] Boyd [Browning] has made the right decision to go with the gallop out with no timed workouts,” Gladwell said. “I think it's going to make it a little more difficult to sort through them. But at the end of the day, I think it's the best thing for the horses and the riders and the sale at this time.”

Gladwell is a patriarch of a family of pinhookers and said he still thought timed breezes were an important part of the 2-year-old sales process.

“When you take these horses to the next level, it is a race and the faster horses win the races,” Gladwell said. “We have seen Mucho Gusto work a bullet here and go on to be a graded stakes winner, we've seen Gamine work a bullet here and go on and be a Grade I winner. So it's nice to see them separate themselves. We've been doing it a long time, everybody wants to throw up, 'Well the horse went in :11 flat and was a stakes horse,' but that's the unusual situation. The faster horses and the better horses usually separate themselves on the racetrack. Which makes it easier for the buyers. But that's not going to happen here, so the buyers are going to have to be a little sharper.”

Of the additional homework buyers will have to put in ahead of the Midlantic May sale Tuesday, Gladwell said, “It turns into a conformation situation. If you go to the Saturday afternoon races, there are bad movers who win graded stakes. There are good movers who are slow. So it's going to turn more and more into conformation, more like a yearling sale. I think you've got a lot of great buyers and agents out here, so I think they will sort through them all and make the right decisions, but it will be a little tougher job.”

Gladwell has been pinhooking 2-year-olds for four decades. Of the evolution of the auctions and the increased safety measures, he said, “When we started out 40 years ago at Hialeah, the horses were breezing and there were maybe a mixture of them that were galloping. They were breezing in sets. So that really hasn't changed. There has been one speed at the 2-year-old sale and that's wide open, as fast as they can go. In the past five years, they have eliminated spurs, they've eliminated hitting horses behind the shoulder after they break off, no hitting them when they gallop out, much less medication than ever before. So everything is evolving in the right direction. We've always got more to do, just like at the racetrack. As HISA has come in, it's made a big different on the breakdowns, and I feel like these changes that we've made are going to be very positive in the long run. And we've still got work ahead of us.”

Asked if HISA should be policing the 2-year-old sales, Gladwell said, “I think if we can do a little better job self-governing, I think everybody is under the microscope right now, the industry leaders that I've spoken to, everyone is looking for more ideas and opportunities for making it safer for the horses and better for the riders. I think we can do a good job ourselves, without HISA's involvement.”

The Midlantic May sale will be held over one session to be held Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds. Bidding is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

The post Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Preview Concludes with a Day of Gallops appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GISW Scottish Lassie (McKinzie) continued her preparations for the GI DK Horse Acorn Stakes over the Oklahoma training track while 'TDN Rising Star' Shred the Gnar (Into Mischief) joined the discussion by officially being pointed for the contest set for June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

The former, trained by Jorge Abreu, breezed five panels alone Sunday morning in 1:04 flat shortly after the 8:15 a.m. renovation break. She was the only work at the distance on the day.

“It was good, and more than enough,” Abreu said. “She came out of her race with good attitude and is doing everything good, like her old self.”

The day prior, trainer Brian Lynch watched his 3-year-old charge Shred the Gnar breeze a half-mile in :47.60 (12/71) at Churchill Downs and liked what he saw as they inch closer to testing the waters at the elite level.

“She is pointing to the Acorn,” said Lynch. “I just got a maintenance half-mile into her as she is pointed towards the Acorn. She worked by herself. Her last effort was pretty self-explanatory. Everything seems to be going great with her.”

GSW & GISP Highway Robber (Hard Spun), a length back in third to MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic Stakes May 3, is in consideration for the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 7 at Saratoga in what could become a rematch with that familiar face. The gelding breezed a half-mile in :50.80 (67/71) Saturday.

“He's tentatively schedule to go into the Manhattan,” said Lynch. “He's an honest horse. It was just a maintenance work, first work back since his last race, letting him stretch his legs.”

Regarding GSW Owen Almighty (Speightstown), who finished fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby, Lynch has no immediate plans in mind for him beyond knowing that he will likely pass on any Belmont Stakes Racing Festival targets.

“He's not slated to do anything up there,” said Lynch, adding that the colt is doing well. “We are just giving him a little more time. No plans for him at the moment, just going to let him do his thing.”

The post ‘Rising Star’ Shred the Gnar Joins the Hopefuls as Acorn Preparations Continue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Five of Chad Brown's Grade I-winning brigade hit the work tab at Saratoga over the weekend, led by MGISW Raging Sea (Curlin) and MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro).

Heading out Friday in her first work since pulling the upset in the GI La Troienne on Kentucky Derby weekend, Raging Sea was clocked doing four furlongs over the Oklahoma training track in :49.25 (8/32) while in company with GSW & MGISP Occult (Into Mischief). She is being pointed to the GI Ogden Phipps June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival while plans for Occult are still in the works.

“Raging Sea is doing fine, and she's on target for the Ogden Phipps,” Brown said. “She came out of the race well and settled in here fine. She's had a good history here. For her to win a Grade I off the layoff, I was pretty impressed. She's had a great career so far. Hopefully she continues it.”

Also working that morning was Brown's Klaravich Stables-owned pair of GISW Ways and Means (Practical Joke) and MGISW Randomized (Nyquist). Both worked solo half-miles, the former clocked in :50.23 (8/24) and the latter in :51 flat (20/24), and showed Brown what he wanted to see from them. Randomized is on target for the Ogden Phipps as Ways and Means is pointed to the GII Bed O' Roses on the same day.

“Randomized might have needed her run, and in the past, she's done better with a race under her belt,” said Brown. “Ways and Means is doing fine.”

Spirit of St Louis led the procession Saturday morning, covering a half-mile alone in :49.25 (8/32) as he continued his preparations for an intended tilt in the GI Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes June 7.

“He did fine [in the work] and came out of his big win [in the GI Old Forester Turf Classic, May 3] in good shape, so he's headed to the Manhattan,” Brown said.

“He's certainly over-achieved, he's a very solid horse and I respect him a lot. He's developed into one of the top turf horses in the country, which would have been hard to believe a couple of years ago. He's doing good.”

Rounding out the five was 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie) Sunday morning, who had his second work since going briefly to the sidelines after a dull effort in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland in early April. He also worked a half-mile alone in :51.50. Brown said there were no immediate plans for him, and that they were also in the process of figuring out a path for 'TDN Rising Star' MGISW Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is also reportedly doing well.

With five of his seven Grade I winners currently stabled at Saratoga having gone out this past weekend, Brown is still eyeing a start in the GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes June 7 for Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) despite the ridgling's absence from the work tab since his win May 3 in the GI American Turf Stakes.

“He missed a little bit of time with a foot issue, but I think we have it resolved,” Brown said. “He's back on the track now, so we'll see if we can still make the Pennine Ridge.”

The post Chad Brown’s Grade I Brigade Works at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

While no immediate plans for the GI Belmont Stakes have been made for Saturday's sensational Preakness 150 hero Journalism (Curlin), connections report that when their colt leaves the Pimlico grounds in a couple days, he will either go directly to Saratoga or to Michael McCarthy's Kentucky base at Churchill Downs.

With the son of Curlin under consideration for the GI Belmont Stakes June 7 at Saratoga, McCarthy and Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman spoke to the press Sunday morning and said the decision will be made in the next day or two, though the former made a straight ship to New York sound more likely.

“[Shipping to Saratoga] puts him in a position to run,” McCarthy said. “He could go back to Churchill Downs and hang out for a week or two, and then make his way to Saratoga. But it seems a little counterproductive to go 12 hours by van back to Kentucky to head back to New York, whether it be by plane or by van.”

Wellman reiterated that Journalism would ultimately decide their course of action regarding a start in the final jewel of the Triple Crown.

“We'll go through the same analysis as we went through between the Derby and the Preakness,” Wellman said. “That horse in Stall 33 will tell us whether he's ready to go back in three weeks.”

“It's something we'd like to do. It's something that we're going to prepare for logistically in the event he does give us the green light. But whereas from the Derby to the Preakness, we really had a week to make that decision, we'll have two-plus weeks to assess him.”

Regarding a potential rematch with GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), McCarthy admits it's a tempting prospect, but has said the intention was to proceed 'very carefully' when making their decision.

“I think I'd like to see what he's kind of telling us,” McCarthy said. “Now it's two races in two weeks. Ate up last night. Seems like he's pleased with himself. We'll weigh the pros and cons.”

“I said to Aron last night as we were walking down the stairs, 'Part of me, feels like we could have been here two-for-two.' But winning any of these three races is quite an accomplishment, so just happy to grab one of them. He's acting like he's wanting some more here. By going to New York, at least, it puts us in a position.”

An examination Saturday night and again Sunday morning showed the Preakness winner was no worse for wear after the well-documented incident at the top of the stretch. The Journalism team said they celebrated the 'impossible' comeback until the wee hours of Sunday morning.

“It really defied logic,” Wellman said. “I think anybody that's watched any number of races and has any appreciation for what these magnificent animals can do, what he did there as a matter of guts and courage and bravery to begin with. Then to have the physical ability to accelerate again and mow a good horse down like Gosger, you just don't see it happen.”

The list of potentials for the GI Belmont Stakes is a heady list with the likes of Sovereignty; Journalism; Gosger; 'TDN Rising Star' Baeza (McKinzie); 'TDN Rising Star' Hill Road (Quality Road); Preakness-fifth Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.); and 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez (Authentic) currently in the discussion. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.'s GIII Peter Pan runner-up McAfee (Cloud Computing)–the race won by Hill Road–is not Triple Crown nominated and would have to be supplemented for a $50,000 fee should his connections opt to nominate the half-brother to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). Nominations for the other Belmont Stakes Racing Festival stakes races close on May 24.

Trainer Brendan Walsh reports his Preakness runner-up Gosger (Nyquist) is already on a return trip to Churchill Downs. Walsh said he was proud of the effort, but added that Belmont Stakes plans remained undecided for the grey.

“We were obviously disappointed to not win, getting so close, but not disappointed in the horse,” Walsh said. “He ran a very good race.”

“I think he is still improving. I don't know about the Belmont yet. I'm going to give it a few days and talk to the owners to try to come to a decision pretty soon. I'm not sure which way we are going right now. He seems fine. We just shipped him back to Louisville today. We'll see how it all goes and come to a decision within the next few days.”

Hall of Famer Mark Casse had a bittersweet moment after he watched Sandman (Tapit) run a gutsy third in the Preakness. While he was proud of the effort, there was an element of frustration after speaking with his rider, Hall of Famer John Velazquez, at the conclusion of the race.

“Johnny [who was riding the grey for the first time] said that at the three-eighths pole, he thought he was going to win,” Casse remarked. “But then [Sandman] lost focus.”

With 10 starts in his career and five this season, Casse says a start in the GI Belmont Stakes is unlikely for Sandman, even as the horse ships to Belmont Park Sunday to prepare for his summer at Saratoga. The current target is reportedly the GII Jim Dandy Stakes July 26.

While he's not thrilled with the prospect, Casse also mentioned that an equipment change might be in order for the son of Tapit.

“I don't like doing it, but we may put blinkers on,” Casse said. “I have given him plenty of time to grow up. [Velazquez] said all the way down the lane, he wasn't focused.”

But before any future plans are made, Team Sandman intends to give their charge a little time to catch his breath.

“We want to give him a little break.”

'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), part of the dramatic bumping at the head of the stretch Saturday, will head back to trainer Bob Baffert's Southern California home base at Santa Anita, and will not be making a start in the Belmont Stakes.

“I know he is a good horse,” Baffert said. “[Journalism] was the best horse. He showed it.”

“The way he is made, he reminds me of [2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner] California Chrome a little bit. He is nimble, light athletic and he moves that way in the morning when I watch him train. He just finds a way to get there.”

Baffert says he will be patient deciding what's next for Goal Oriented as the Preakness was only his third lifetime start.

While this 'Rising Star' won't be heading to New York, 'TDN Rising Star' Rodriguez will be carrying the banner for the connections instead after missing the first two legs of the Triple Crown with a lingering foot bruise. The GII Wood Memorial winner will be pointed to the June 7 marquee in place of his stablemate.

The post Journalism’s Belmont Status TBD, Final Jewel Starts Taking Shape as Some Bow Out for New Targets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Baltimore, MD-Two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby, Journalism (Curlin) endured a difficult trip and had to settle for second behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief). The colt's connections–Eclipse Thoroughbreds, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Bob LaPenta, Elayne Stables, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and trainer Michael McCarthy–waited for more than a week to make the decision to pull the trigger on a start in the GI Preakness Stakes. Heading down the Pimlico stretch Saturday evening, it appeared that the GI Santa Anita Derby winner and jockey Umberto Risploi were going to have to play the bridesmaid yet again after getting brutally sandwiched between rivals, not to mention having to play catch up on the free-running leader Gosger (Nyquist) who didn't appear to be stopping.

However, the intangibles that people often talk about but are somewhat abstract concepts–class and heart–were on full display as both the colt and rider reeled in the front-runner, ultimately nailing that rival by 3/4 of a length at the wire.

“I still can't understand what this horse did today,” said Rispoli, who was winning his first American Classic. “I got in trouble at the quarter pole and, look, he made himself keep going. It's all about him, It's a privilege to ride a horse like him.”

Trainer Michael McCarthy, who had been quietly confident all week in the colt, was hoping for a cleaner trip for his colt in the second jewel in the Triple Crown. While the racing Gods would once again spin the wheel of adversity, Journalism did what few horses do in the face of challenge, dig deep and draw on their tenacity and athleticism to overcome an obstacle.

“It was basically more or less kind of what I thought coming to the 16th pole in the Kentucky Derby when I saw Sovereignty coming to us,” said McCarthy. “I thought it was just another fantastic effort. Couple things didn't work out well for us Derby Saturday, but this here was a little bit more drastic than just losing some ground at the start and having to deal with an off going on a muddy racetrack. This looked a little bit ugly there for a couple of jumps.”

He continued, “When I saw that [mid-stretch bumping], I thought it was another solid effort and, unfortunately, he was going to come up a little short again. For sure, he got the worst of it. Hats off to Umberto and Journalism for persevering, I think today you saw what it takes to be a champion. Today was his day. He had been telling us all along he was sort of ready for an effort like that.”

After a clean start, Clever Again (American Pharoah) cleared the field and shot to the front as Gosger and the rail-starting TDN Rising Star Goal Oriented (Not This Time) settled in right behind him in second and third, respectively. Meanwhile, favored Journalism tucked in a ground-saving sixth as the front-runner cut out an opening quarter mile in modest :23.19. With little change except for River Thames (Maclean's Music) who took over third to the outside of Gosger through a half in :46.66, the even-money choice was asked for some more gas and he started to up the tempo but was confronted by a wall of rumps approaching the quarter pole. Trying to capitalize on a gap between Goal Oriented to his outside and Clever Again to his inside, Journalism got swiped pretty good as Goal Oriented veered inward, pushing Journalism into the rail-riding Clever Again, who lost all chance and made a rapid retreat.

Meanwhile, Sandman (Tapit) began to unfurl his long grey legs from the back, and got on even terms with Journalism who almost instantly began to inch ahead of that oncoming grey. With Gosger still five lengths in front but starting to idle a hair, Journalism all of sudden made the impossible possible, closing with each stride to collar the pacesetter late and sweep past to 1/2-length victory. Gosger was 2 1/4-lengths clear of Sandman with Goal Oriented rounding out the Super. Heart of Honor (GB) was fifth while Clever Again never recovered and finished last of nine.

“On the backside, he wasn't traveling like he did travel in the Derby, and at that point you think two things: You have no horse or just too relaxed,” explained Rispoli of his mount's early position. “I think the second was the option, because as soon as I gave a smack on the shoulder he said, 'okay, I know what I got to do.'”

He continued, “On the turn, I thought Clever Again would go at least at the eight pole. At the quarter pole, he gets stopped and obviously Gosger had the jump on him. We were going that fast…A little gap was opened and I said, 'it's now or never.' From where I was, when I looked up, Luis [Saez on Gosger] opened up four lengths ahead of me, and it was the first time I used the crop on him. He switch his lead and, boom, he took off.”

Third in his career debut at Santa Anita in October, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling purchase won his remaining two starts of the season–annexing a one-mile maiden at Del Mar Nov. 17 ahead of a 3 1/2-length score in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 14. Sent off second choice behind the highly-regarded Barnes in the 8 1/2-furlong GII San Felipe Stakes Mar. 1, the Don Alberto-bred colt came home a 1 3/4-length winner before adding a win as the even-money choice in the Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5. Favored again for the Run for the Roses, the colt closed from well off the pace on a muddy track to finish just 1 ½ lengths behind Sovereignty.

“I think [his Preakness win] says a lot about him,” said McCarthy. “I think it's basically he has validated what we have thought about him all along. Last summer, he was getting ready a little bit faster than your average 2-year-old. We had to stop on him for some little aches and pains. When things got rolling, he was able to go ahead, annex three races in seven weeks, culminating with the Los Alamitos Futurity. I started thinking about [the Classics]. You certainly need the vehicle and we had it with him.”

With the victory, Rispoli becomes the first Italian-born jockey to win an American Classic. And that fact was not lost on him in the aftermath of the win.

“Having Frankie as my idol, you always thought you couldn't do anything Frankie ever done,” said Rispoli. “Zio, if you ever listen to me, I think you have to ride a couple more years to get one of the Triple Crown to equal me,” he quipped, addressing his fellow country man.

With all joking shelved for a moment, he said, “It's a privilege. When I crossed the wire, it looked like a flash of 20 years of my career went through my head. It's even difficult to describe the feeling when you cross the wire.”

“I'm proud of this and for my country, he said. “I wish everybody over there is proud of me.”

It's safe to say that there are likely many more who are also proud of the Italian.

“It took guts for Umberto Rispoli to get sideswiped and threading the needle and power on through,” said Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman. “And it took guts from an incredible horse to somehow will his way to victory.”

McCarthy, who did his best to stem the tide of emotion after his second Preakness win following Rombauer in 2021, explained, summed up the Triple Crown in succinct fashion.

“What happened today is almost surreal,” he said. “You don't see that happen. I don't know. It's hard to explain.”

LaPenta interjected, “He's a warrior.”

McCarthy, who is often known to play his cards close to his vest, wasn't about to leave anything on the table.

“Yeah, I think he showed today he's a gift from above.”

Living to Fight Another Day…
If there was anybody following the Preakness harboring a mixture of disappointment and satisfaction it might have been Brendan Walsh, trainer of the runner-up Gosger.

“We are delighted with him. He ran a super race,” said Walsh of Gosger. “I am not surprised. I knew the horse was good enough. He ran a bang-up race. Foe only his fourth ever start, it was great. Listen, it's disappointing to get collared, but the horse ran a super race. The fractions he put up, he ran a great race.”

With only three races under his belt prior to Saturday's Classic, Gosger won Keeneland's GIII Lexington Stakes in his most recent start Apr. 12.

“Luis [Saez] said if he had a little company a little longer, he may have taken him to the wire. Maybe he could have gotten a little bit more from him,” he explained. “He thought he idled a little but in the final furlong. It's just more greenness more than anything. He's a green horse and the crowd is screaming. And he got beat by a very nice. He's up there with these horses and he showed it today.”

Asked what might be next on the grey's dance card, Walsh said, “No idea. We'll look after him. he's a very good horse and we are couple of starts away from his best race. I think we have a very good horse on our hands.”

Mark Casse, who trains third-place finisher Sandman, felt the early fractions might have worked against his late-closing colt. Sandman previously finished seventh in the Derby.

“I was upset the first quarter because they were walking, but they picked it up,” he said. “I have to watch the replay, but he ran good. He made amends for the Derby, but a good horse won.”

Fourth-place finisher Goal Oriented, who appeared to cause much of the issues in the Pimlico stretch, finished about eight lengths behind the winner.

“He didn't get to run his race,” said Bob Baffert. “I wanted to see him on the lead, Maybe he would have stopped, I don't know. He is lightly raced. He ran well, but he is still green. He was not used to being behind horses and he got intimidated. The best horse won.”

Even in defeat, the eight-time winner of the Preakness was complimentary of the winner.

“I have seen that horse do it all winter long and he is a remarkable horse,” he said. “I saw him at Santa Anita and get in trouble and then come running. That is a really good horse.”

Pedigree Notes:
Eighteen years ago, Curlin placed in the Kentucky Derby before winning the Preakness, and now he has a second son who has repeated the feat. In fact, both of his Preakness winners had done more in their career–up to this point–than Curlin had, as Curlin didn't race at two and won his first Grade I in the Preakness. He, of course, made up for it as a two-time Horse of the Year. Curlin's first Preakness winner was Exaggerator, who won the GI Santa Anita Derby in 2016, following it up with a Derby second and a Preakness win, which is precisely the same path Journalism has taken. Exaggerator closed his career as a triple Grade I winner and now stands in Louisiana. Journalism will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud upon his retirement.

One of the elite stallions in the sport, Curlin is the sire of eight individual Eclipse champions, 64 graded winners, and 109 black-type winners. A perennial part of the leading sires list, he stands at Hill 'n' Dale near Paris, Kentucky for $225,000. Journalism is Curlin's only stakes winner out of an Uncle Mo mare, although his top sire son, Good Magic, had MGISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Muth, who is also out of a mare by the late Ashford sire, and Exaggerator has GSW West Saratoga on the same cross. Uncle Mo's 25 stakes winners out of his daughters include reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna).

Journalism is the first foal for 2018 GII La Canada Stakes winner and four-time Grade I-placed Mopotism, who sold publicly as a weanling, a yearling, and a 2-year-old before going through the Fasig-Tipton November ring at the conclusion of her racing career, where she brought $1.05 million from Don Alberto Corp., who bred Journalism. Mopotism has an unraced 2-year-old colt named Nitro Tap (Tapit), who hammered for $1.5 million to Flying Dutchmen at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale, as well as a yearling filly by Into Mischief. –Jill William

Congrats to the connections of #FasigGrad JOURNALISM, winner of the Preakness S. (G1) at @PimlicoRC!

O: @EclipseTBP, @bridlewoodocala, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5, Magnier, Tabor, & Smith
T: @mwmracing
J: @umbyrispoli
Br: @hsdonalberto pic.twitter.com/dzgO9nERKV

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) May 17, 2025

Saturday, Pimlico
PREAKNESS S.-GI, $2,000,000, Pimlico, 5-17, 3yo, 1 3/16m, 1:55.47, ft.
1–JOURNALISM, 126, c, 3, by Curlin
     1st Dam: Mopotism (GSW & MGISP, $876,090), by Uncle Mo
     2nd Dam: Peppy Rafaela, by Bernardini
     3rd Dam: Peppy Lapeau, by French Deputy
($825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert V. LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Umberto Rispoli. $1,200,000. Lifetime Record: 7-5-1-1, $2,838,880. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gosger, 126, c, 3, Nyquist–Gloria S, by Tapit. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Harvey A Clarke Racing Stable LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. $400,000.
3–Sandman, 126, c, 3, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor. ($1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $220,000.
Margins: HF, 2 1/4, 4. Odds: 1.00, 15.50, 6.40.
Also Ran: Goal Oriented, Heart of Honor (GB), River Thames, Pay Billy, American Promise, Clever Again.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Journalism, McCarthy Validated with Dramatic Preakness Win appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Reagan's Wit (Authentic), who like his older half-sister, 2020 GII Prioress Stakes and GIII Victory Ride Stakes runner-up Reagan's Edge (Competitive Edge), races out of the Cherie DeVaux barn, got his first black-type win Saturday in Pimlico's James W. Murphy Stakes.

The gutsy chestnut settled a half-dozen lengths back early and appeared to jostle with Barbadian Runner (Barbados) before the first quarter was marked in :24.07. In the clear but still well off the pace at the :48.69 half-mile, he split horses while in tight on the turn, swapped leads a number of times down the lane, lugged in dramatically, and still pulled clear to win convincingly by 3 1/4 lengths.

“He does that when he makes the lead,” said winning rider Jose Ortiz. “He doesn't slow down and he didn't brush the rail. He's pretty green. I was ready for it. I knew it was coming… I'm very excited about the way he ran today. Hopefully he matures a little after this.”

A $135,000 Keeneland September purchase by West Point Thoroughbreds and namesake Reagan Ingordo–stepdaughter of DeVaux–Reagan's Wit debuted with a second at Ellis last August and was promptly sent to the sidelines for five months when he injured himself soon after in a van. When he reappeared at Fair Grounds in January, it was to the tune of an eight-length victory and an 82 Beyer Speed Figure. Second in March in Tampa's Columbia Stakes to May 3 GI American Turf Stakes winner Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), he was last seen in fourth at Keeneland in the GII Transylvania Stakes behind Test Score (Lookin At Lucky), who was second in the American Turf.

“Really pleased with him,” said DeVaux. “He's kind of a goofy horse. He showed that in the stretch. Jose [Ortiz] did a really good job keeping him to task and staying on the horse, most importantly… He has always shown a lot of ability. He's taken some time.”

The winner's dam had one reported foal following Reagan's Wit, now a 2-year-old full-sister to the James W. Murphy victor named Chasing Sunsets. She was an $80,000 RNA as a weanling at Keeneland's November sale in 2023.

REAGAN'S WIT ($3.00) was much the best in the $100,000 James W. Murphy Stakes at @PimlicoRC. @jose93_ortiz was aboard the Authentic (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer @reredevaux. @westpointtbred pic.twitter.com/i7sfqk458J

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 17, 2025

JAMES W. MURPHY S., $100,000, Pimlico, 5-17, 3yo, 1mT, 1:40.25, gd.
1–REAGAN'S WIT, 118, c, 3, by Authentic
              1st Dam: Dayienu, by Sunday Break (Jpn)
              2nd Dam: Run In, by Dynaformer
              3rd Dam: Savina, by Nijinsky II
($135,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-West
Point Thoroughbreds, David Ingordo, and CJ Stables;
B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux;
J-Jose L. Ortiz. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-0, $155,883.
*1/2 to Reagan's Edge (Competitive Edge), MGSP, $182,896.
2–Soleil Volant, 118, g, 3, Karakontie (Jpn)–Valentine Wish,
by Lemon Drop Kid. ($25,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK
TYPE. O-Jacques Dupuis, Jr., Luke Bourque, and Bobby
Sutton; B-G. Watts Humphrey (KY); T-H. Graham Motion.
$20,000.
3–Twain, 118, c, 3, Kitten's Joy–Camila Princess, by Animal
Kingdom. ($80,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV). 1ST BLACK TYPE.
O-Stonelea Stable LLC and Bonnie Rye Stable; B-Kitten's Joy
Syndicate, A R Enterprises, Inc. & High Peak Farm LLC (KY);
T-Madison F. Meyers. $10,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, HF, 2. Odds: 0.50, 6.90, 13.50.
Also Ran: Barbadian Runner, Curahee, Stormy Flight, Studlydoright. Scratched: Clock Tower, End of Romance (Ire), Mission Artemis.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Authentic’s Reagan’s Wit Impresses in James W. Murphy at Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

3rd-Pimlico, $50,960, Msw, 5-17, 3, 4, 5/6yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.80, gd, 5 1/2 lengths.
VARNEY (c, 3, Vekoma–Summer of Fun {SW & GISP, $306,671}, by Include), who cost a whopping $775,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale, got the Preakness program off to a winning start for the Bob Baffert barn, leading every step of the way to break his maiden at career start number four late Saturday morning at Pimlico. Favored at 4-5 at post time stretching out to two turns off a fourth to his 'TDN Rising Star' stablemate and Preakness entrant Goal Oriented (Not This Time) in what has become a productive Santa Anita maiden Apr. 6, the dark bay colt had to be asked to go early on by Flavien Prat, but secured the lead passing under the wire for the first time, with third choice Energize (Medaglia d'Oro) doing the chasing. Last Man Standing (McKinzie), who was pulled out into the clear with about six furlongs to race, worked into the race nicely while covering ground four deep on the turn, but Varney was always firmly in front, and despite some wayward ways and gawking about in the stretch, came away to take it by 5 1/2 lengths. One of five winners from as many to race from his dam, a stakes winner and third in the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Summer of Fun was acquired by Saudi Arabian interests for $35,000 in foal to Spendthrift's Rock Your World at Keeneland November in 2022 and produced a colt from the first crop by the Candy Ride (Arg) stallion in 2023. Sales history: $775,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-1-0-1, $42,800. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-By Talla Racing LLC, Spendthrift Farm LLC & St Elias Stables LLC; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert.

Flavien Prat kept VARNEY ($3.60) on task and wins the 3rd at @PimlicoRC. @BobBaffert trains the three-year-old colt by @spendthriftfarm's Vekoma.

It's time for a Pick 4: https://t.co/ekE1MG5OIw pic.twitter.com/v28DMm2CdX

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 17, 2025

The post Expensive Vekoma Colt Goes Wire To Wire to Graduate at Old Hilltop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Now a winner from six furlongs to 1 3/16 miles, Awesome Aaron continued his positive trend for trainer Norm Casse with an off-the-pace upset in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes. After a career spent at nearly every level of racing, the 6-year-old gelded son of Practical Joke proved his 5 3/4-length roll in an allowance/optional claimer at Oaklawn last time out was no fluke (nor was the 104 Beyer Speed Figure that accompanied it). That win on Apple Blossom day Apr. 12, his first since getting claimed for $40,000 at Churchill Downs off a win going six furlongs last September, was the latest in an uptick of ability for Casse, marking his fifth-straight Beyer increase dating back to December.

Making his 34th overall start and just his second run in a graded stakes (he was sixth to Elite Power in 2023 GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap), the 7-1 shot had plenty of clear running room at the break and settled into a perfect stalking trip outside of the two favorites in Encino (Nyquist) and Phileas Fogg as the field passed the wire for the first time. Still widest of a host of pursuers as Encino put up an opening half-mile in :47.17, Awesome Aaron pulled away into a clear third into the far turn and was poised to strike from the top of the lane as Encino gave way up front. Phileas Fogg, second throughout, got first jump on the lead but Awesome Aaron always had his measure and pushed right on past inside the sixteenth pole to victory.

“Just from Day One since we got him, he acted like a really good horse,” said Casse. “It was pretty obvious to me, basically right away, at some point we were going to stretch him out. That was working; he was running really well stretching out, but there was just something missing. So last time we just took the blinkers off, and that allowed him to settle just a little bit more, let him finish a little bit better. And he beat a quality field of horses at Oaklawn that day. I knew he was going to run really well today, especially stretching out even a little more. So, we expected to go over there and run really well. And we did. Johnny rode him perfect. It's truly a gratifying win. That's a big-time race that anybody would like to win, so we're very proud of that.”

The 49th stakes winner for Practical Joke, Awesome Aaron is out of a stakes-winning first dam in Do the Dance who is herself a half-sister to Japanese stakes winner/MGSP Randonnee (Blame). A classy 2-year-old, Awesome Aaron brought $350,000 from Bradley Thoroughbreds from the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale. Do the Dance has not been bred or produced a foal since her now 3-year-old Nyquist colt named King Dance was exported to Hong Kong.

Congratulations to the connections of #FasigGrad AWESOME AARON, winner of the Pimlico Special S. (G3)!

O: Turman Racing Stable & AJ Suited Racing Stable
T: Norm Casse
J: @ljlmvelpic.twitter.com/i8ZOuZ96t2

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) May 16, 2025

Saturday, Pimlico
PIMLICO SPECIAL S.-GIII, $250,000, Pimlico, 5-16, 3yo/up, 1 3/16m, 1:56.67, ft.
1–AWESOME AARON, 122, g, 6, by Practical Joke
   1st Dam: Do the Dance (SW, $198,980), by Discreet Cat
   2nd Dam: Loure, by A.P. Indy
   3rd Dam: Loving Pride, by Quiet American
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($130,000
Ylg '20 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '21 FTFMAR). O-Turman Racing
Stable, LLC and AJ Suited Racing Stable LLC; B-Lester Kwok &
Dr. Naoya Yoshida (KY); T-Norm W. Casse; J-John R. Velazquez.
$150,000. Lifetime Record: 34-6-3-6, $571,263. Werk Nick
Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Phileas Fogg, 122, g, 5, Astern (Aus)–Merino, by More Than
Ready. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($55,000 3yo '23 KEENOV).
O-Jupiter Stable LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Gustavo Rodriguez.
$50,000.
3–Star of Wonder, 122, c, 4, Uncle Mo–Starship Warpspeed, by
Congrats. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE.
'TDN Rising Star'. O-WinStar Farm LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC
(KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $25,000.
Margins: 3/4, 4 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 7.00, 2.50, 1.90.
Also Ran: San Siro, Cataleya Strike, Time for Trouble, Encino, Just Steel, Red Route One. Scratched: Pyrenees. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Awesome Aaron An Upset Winner Of The Pimlico Special appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In an era when corporate-controlled entities are actively looking for ways to close down much larger racetracks in various areas throughout America, the Humboldt County Fair Association–better known as Ferndale–stood out in recent months for its dogged desire to get approval to run a three-weekend race meet at the Northern California half-miler, even after the other county fairs tracks on the once-robust circuit had abandoned or were forced out of racing for 2025.

But against the stated backdrop of a desire to promote “single-circuit” California racing by directing revenue from simulcasting and account wagering to supplement purses at larger venues in the south, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) on Thursday quashed hopes for the traditional late-summer season at Ferndale, voting 4-3 against awarding Aug. 13-Sept. 2 dates to the track.

Ferndale's management has consistently portrayed a loss of racing there as a severe blow to the local community, and supporters have cited the denial of dates to the last remaining track that wants to cater to NorCal interests as a long-term blow to the state's racing and breeding interests.

“Big mistake. Big, big mistake,” said a deflated and exasperated CHRB vice-chair Oscar Gonzales moments after the tally was read into the record at the May 15 meeting.

The vote that nixed racing at Ferndale was preceded by substantial back-and-forth testimony from stakeholders on both sides of the argument, which largely carried over many of the same points articulated at the Apr. 17  CHRB meeting.

Last month the board had voted down a summer race-dates allocation for a meet at Pleasanton. A separate Apr. 17 agenda item also didn't garner enough votes for the Ferndale request to be decided either way, which is why the Ferndale request was on the CHRB agenda for the second straight month.

Commissioners and stakeholders were once again divided on the best path forward for California racing as a whole, widening an existential North-vs.-South rift that opened nearly two years ago when The Stronach Group, which also owns Santa Anita Park, announced plans to shutter Golden Gate Fields.

The central issue revolves around whether the state's racing and breeding would be better off continuing the single-circuit method of nearly year-round meets situated in SoCal (Santa Anita, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Los Alamitos Race Course), or if NorCal proponents should be given a shot to re-establish the region now that–all within the past 10 months–Golden Gate Fields has closed, an entity called Golden State Racing failed to run a financially viable autumn meet at Pleasanton, and the California Authority of Racing Fairs shifted away from supporting any live meets at county fairs.

Voting “no” for the Ferndale dates (and the track's requested simulcasting privileges) on May 15 were CHRB chairman Gregory Ferraro, DVM, plus commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Damascus Castellanos and Thomas Hudnut.

Voting “yes” to keep Ferndale alive were vice-chair Gonzales, commissioner Brenda Washington Davis, and a newcomer to the board, Peter Stern.

Gonzales, who has often been at odds with Ferraro on the North/South issue over the past year, almost immediately floated the idea of calling for an “emergency” meeting to bring back the Ferndale vote again in another 10 days, an idea that CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney said probably didn't fit the legal criteria to merit true “emergency” status.

“I will say this,” Gonzales said. “This is a serious, serious, serious mistake that this board made. I'm not singling out any individual commissioner. I'm just saying us, collectively. And this is going to send a hell of a message across this country about what we really stand for as Californians. [The pro-Ferndale] individuals here have come so far and have given so much for this board to not understand [the issue] on merit, but what just makes good horse racing sense.”

Ferraro fired back at the vice-chair: “Commissioner Gonzales, how many votes do you want to have on this? You've lost twice. Do you not accept the vote?”

“Unfortunately, I don't. I do not Mr. Chairman,” Gonzales replied curtly.

“Well, that's your problem. That's not the problem with the board,” Ferraro retorted.

(Technically, Ferraro was incorrect in stating that the Ferndale request “lost” last month. What actually happened was that the five members in attendance that day ended up in a 3-2 statutory stalemate with the majority voting against Ferndale dates, because by California state law, the CHRB can't pass a vote unless four commissioners vote one way or the other. On Apr. 19, commissioner Damascus Castellanos was not in attendance, and there was one vacancy on the board, which has since been filled by Stern.)

When advised that his request for an emergency meeting probably wouldn't fly, Gonzales asked Ferraro outright if, as the board's chair, he'd be open to scheduling another regular meeting instead to again give Ferndale a chance to race.

“I would not approve meeting in 10 days, no, to rehash this item over again,” Ferraro asserted.

Back in April, Ferraro had said the decision by the board last year to approve that failed fall racing season at Pleasanton was “unwise at best or disastrous at worst.” He had forewarned those who were advocating for an approval of race dates at fairs venues not to expect the board to give the same leeway in being granted the opportunity to race as Golden State Racing had received last year. His concerns had to do with the damage such a decision might do in terms of siphoning horses and simulcasting revenue from the SoCal tracks, which are also struggling but remain more viable than any entity in the North.

One month later, during the public commentary period at the conclusion for the May 15 meeting, Ferraro engaged in a back-and-forth with one speaker, expanding upon his reasoning behind not wanting to green-light any recent NorCal requests for racing.

“It doesn't matter how much support we have from horsemen or people involved in the horse industry to try to get something going in Northern California,” Ferraro said. “If the general public is not interested or supportive, I think the smart thing to do, at this point in time, is to engage with the board and with the legislature and with the industry to try and do a feasibility study amongst the public in Northern California to find out if there's enough public interest in horse racing to make it go. Because if there isn't enough public interest, we're all wasting our time and we all should be doing something else.

“We take a year, we take a look at this, we try and come up with a feasibility study and maybe some marketing experts that would be able to, you know, get a feeling for where the public is on this. Because without public support we can't make it go, that's for sure,” Ferraro said.

“One of the things that everyone is sort of pushing now is this historical horse racing,” Ferraro said. “But we have a problem [getting that type of gaming passed] in California because of the [gaming] compacts with the governor from the Indians. So [instead of giving] up, we should negotiate with them, which we are trying to do.”

The post CHRB Votes Down Meet For Ferndale, The Last Remaining NorCal Fairs Track That Wanted To Race In ’25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – Fasig-Tipton was forced to halt the under-tack preview of its Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale Thursday after a fatal breakdown that was followed by a sudden downpour. Sales officials announced Thursday evening that the preview would resume Sunday at 8 a.m. and that the sale, originally scheduled to be held next Monday and Tuesday, will be held in one session Tuesday beginning at 10 a.m.

The preview has been beset by weather issues and the sales company postponed Tuesday's scheduled start by a day. The Wednesday session began an hour later than originally scheduled, but proceeded without any noticeable issues.

Thursday's session, which again started an hour late, was nearing its halfway point with the sun breaking through the clouds several times, but was stopped when a filly by Practical Joke (hip 355) was injured heading into the turn after completing her furlong work.

“It's obviously something that is very sad and something everyone hates to see,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said of the filly's injury. “We work very diligently and strive to create the highest standards of horse safety and welfare at all our auctions and really in everything we do. It's devastating when something like that happens.”

As the filly was being attended to, the clouds moved in again and soon the rain was pelting the track. With the rain picking up in intensity, a group of officials and riders gathered on the track near where the filly had fallen and were huddled up for some time. When the group dispersed, the announcement was made that the under-tack show would be abandoned for the day.

“After that [injury] happened, the clouds opened up and we got another torrential downpour that was really frankly unexpected when you looked at the forecast,” Browning continued. “We initially were going to try to plan to go [Friday] and I asked the track officials to go back over and evaluate the track and at the end of the day, they thought they needed to open up the track and give it time and opportunity to dry out over the next few days. So they are working the track tonight and tomorrow and again on Saturday. The forecast on Sunday is very favorable. So we will do the best we can under those circumstances.”

Of the area where the filly broke down, Browning added, “Whenever there is an incident that occurs, everybody wants to scrutinize the area and evaluate it. You had a lot of activity in that area with the horse ambulance there and so forth. I don't think there was anything specific to do with that location. A lot of horses went through that path, but there was no glaring issue with that area of the track.”

Browning confirmed the filly has been sent for a necropsy.

Prior to the suspension of the under-tack show Thursday afternoon, four horses shared the show's fastest furlong time of :10 1/5, with two of the quartet coming from the Pike Racing at Highlander consignment of veteran horseman Al Pike, who is overseeing his final consignment before retiring. Setting the bullet mark during the day's first set was a filly from the first crop of Yaupon (hip 219).

“I was very happy with her,” Pike said. “She's been that kind of filly at home. Just straightforward and does everything right. Just naturally has got some speed to her.”

Out of Lake Como (Salt Lake), the juvenile is a half-sister to multiple stakes winner and multiple group placed Cosmo Charlie (Stay Thirsty). She was purchased by Susan Moulton for $90,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July sale.

Of Yaupon's fast start at stud, Pike said, “They all show up and they all seem to be pretty quick. I've had two, I had success with one in March and this filly should sell well, too.”

The Pike Racing at Highlander consignment had a second bullet in the day's third set with a colt by Munnings (hip 258). The chestnut is out of graded-placed Minewander (Mineshaft) and is a full-brother to graded placed Landeskog. He sold to Chad Frederick for $120,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February sale last year and RNA'd for $180,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale in August.

“We took him to OBS March and he dumbfounded us,” Pike said. “He did not perform like we had seen him perform. So we just changed course and gave him another shot up here. He just got better every day. I think he liked the dirt and maybe he got a little more mature.”

Pike, who has been director of sales and conditioner for 2-year-olds in training at Highlander Training Center since 2023, is set to retire following the Midlantic sale next week, with Colin Brennan named as his replacement.

“This is it,” Pike confirmed of his retirement. “I have mixed emotions. But I am getting up there in age and I've got some things I want to do.”

Hip 334 | Fasig-Tipton

Also working in :10 1/5 Thursday was hip 334, a colt by Into Mischief out of stakes winner Quick Flip (Speightstown). Consigned by Raul Reyes's Kings Equine on behalf of his breeder, Spendthrift Farm, the juvenile is a half-brother to graded winner and multiple Grade I-placed Following Sea (Runhappy).

“I knew he had a lot of talent and he was fast, but I didn't know how he would take to the sloppy track,” said Reyes. “But he did pretty good.”

Wavertree Stables had its third bullet worker of the under-tack show with a filly by Girvin (hip 368, video). Out of Scarlet Dixie (Broken Vow), the dark bay was purchased for $240,000 at the Keeneland September sale.

The post Weather Again Disrupts Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Show, Sale Schedule Shuffled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Overcoming a troubled start and getting back in the game before the far turn, first timer Color Comin' In (Rock Your World–Sleepless Dixie, by Dixie Union) handed freshman sire Rock Your World (by Candy Ride {Arg}) an inaugural win on Thursday afternoon at Churchill Downs. The effort netted the filly a 'TDN Rising Star' badge.

Off as a 7-1 shot here, Color Comin' In did not have the best beginning, but the Norm Casse trainee was able to resume the chase as short-priced favorite Shez Twisted (Twirling Candy) led up the backstretch. The dark bay looked every bit a professional with a move inside of the chalk while scraping paint around the turn, which put her in good stead to seize the lead past the quarter pole. With a smoothness one loves to see on debut, the juvenile could not be caught as she won by three lengths and exhibited a strong gallop out over the hard charging Americathegreat (Curlin). The $1.2-million buy from Keeneland September was 'Insighted' on Wednesday by TDN's Stefanie Grimm along with sixth-place finisher Shez Twisted.

Her dam's last registered foal of record, the winner's second dam, Canadian graded stakes winner Dream About (Cherokee Run), is responsible for SW Sleepless Knight (War Chant) and GSW Deeply Undervalued (Kitten's Joy). Color Comin' In counts among her extended female family MSW Frosted Departure (Frosted) and former 'Rising Star' Rocketry (Forestry).

This is first-crop sire Rock Your World's initial 'Rising Star' of his young career.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $115,272, Msw, 5-15, 2yo, f, 5f, :58.14, ft, 3 lengths.
COLOR COMIN' IN, f, 2, by Rock Your World
                1st Dam: Sleepless Dixie {MSP, $180,445}, by Dixie Union.
                2nd Dam: Dream About {GSW-Can, $235,463}, by Cherokee Run.
                3rd Dam: Social Director {SW-Can, $105,393}, by Deputy Minister.
Sales History: $9,000 RNA Wlg '23 KEENOV; $11,000 Ylg '24 OBSOCT; $100,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000.
O-CKDS Racing Stable, LLC; B-Tomislav Mitrovski (KY); T-Norm W. Casse.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue- style pedigree.

COLOR COMIN' IN ($17.42) becomes the first winner for @spendthriftfarm's Rock your World! The filly made a professional debut in the 2nd at @ChurchillDowns. @luissaezpty had the ride for trainer @NormCasse. pic.twitter.com/cDv6mOJeEI

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 15, 2025

The post Freshman Sire Rock Your World Has First Winner As New ‘TDN Rising Star’ Color Comin’ In Scores At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

BALTIMORE, MD — A week of soggy weather couldn't dampen the spirits around the final Preakness weekend to be held at historic Pimlico Racecourse before it gets a major facelift.

Five stakes, including a trio of graded tests, headline Friday's racing action, including the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. With several big-name trainers rolling into town for the marquee weekend, the locally based Brittany Russell will attempt to become only the second female trainer in Maryland history to win the Black-Eyed Susan with Repole Stable's Reply (Curlin). The only other trainer to accomplish the feat is Deborah Bodner, who won it in 1997 with a horse she also owned, Salt It. Russell is the most recent to try it, finishing sixth with 63-1 longshot Cats Inthe Timber in 2023.

“It's great to be in a race like this, especially with [a filly] that I've been fond of for quite some time,” Russell said. “To have one for [Mike] Repole, here at home, it means a lot.”

A debut winner going a mile at Colonial Mar. 14, Reply finished 3/4-lengths behind stablemate Complexity Jane in Laurel's Weber City Miss Stakes Apr. 19.

“Completely different running style [from Complexity Jane],” Russell said. “She's just a big, grindy filly. There's no early foot to her at all. She's kind of a funny filly mentally, actually. She's improved a lot since I've had her. There might be a little more improve in her. Distance won't be an issue, and a little bit of a pace setup in front of her wouldn't hurt.”

In 2023, Russell made history as the first woman to lead Maryland's annual standings in wins by a trainer at Laurel and Pimlico, a feat she repeated in 2024. Only the fourth female trainer ever to win a meet title in Maryland in the spring of 2022, she became the first to do it more than once and now has nine to her credit, the most recent coming at the Laurel Park stand that ended May 4.

“Obviously, I want one for the Preakness,” she said of a major box she wants to check off her list. “I'm still looking for that horse, but we'll take aim at the Black-Eyed Susan this year. You've got to dream, right? You just hope they show up on the day.”

The morning-line favorite in the nine-furlong race is Doug Scharbauer's Runnin N Gunnin (Gun Runner), winner of two of three races in 2025, including the Feb. 16 Sunland Park Oaks. Third in the GII Fantasy Stakes last time out, the filly is trained by Steve Asmussen, who will attempt to win his first Black-Eyed Susan.

Godolphin's Paris Lily (City of Light) offers a sneaky opportunity to double up following a last-out win over the re-opposing Liam in the Dust (Liam's Map) in the slop while facing optional claiming foes at Keeneland Apr. 6. Joel Rosario, who was aboard for her latest victory, gets the call. The filly has been the regular workmate for GI Preakness Stakes contender and GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes winner Gosger.

“She's doing really well,” trainer Brendan Walsh said of Paris Lily. “She's working a lot better than she did at any point through the year. I'm looking forward to her, actually.”

Wayne Lukas also sends post ward Princess Aliyah (Into Mischief), a $1.2 million Keeneland September purchase. Winner of the Valley of the Vapors Stakes at Oaklawn Apr. 19, she returns off a 10th last time in the GII Eight Belles Stakes at Churchill Downs May 2.

“We sprinted her in the Eight Belles, and I don't think that is her cup of tea. The Black-Eyed Susan is 1 1/8 miles and it will be kind of an experiment for her,” Lukas said. “She won the Valley of the Vapors and looked really good doing it. We just think she's probably better at two turns. We'll see. She should like that surface. It's a good spot to find out where we're at with her.”

Making its debut in 1919 as the Pimlico Oaks, the Black-Eyed Susan was not run from 1932-36 and again in 1950 and was renamed upon its 1951 return to honor the Preakness and Maryland's state flower. Nine of its winners have gone on to be named champion 3-year-old filly, including Hall of Famers Davona Dale, Real Delight, Royal Delta, Serena's Song, Silverbulletday and Twilight Tear.

Pimlico's Friday Undercard

West Point Thoroughbreds, Michael Lyden and Michael Olszewski's Mila Rose (Vekoma) gets a class test Friday in the six-furlong Miss Preakness Stakes. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the chestnut was an easy 3 1/2-length winner in her career debut over the Turfway synthetic Mar. 6 before coming from off the pace to score by a length in her dirt bow at Keeneland Apr. 17. Red-hot Jose Ortiz gets the mount.

Brad Cox also hopes to launch a big weekend with Stunner (Girvin), who has finished second in two starts this season, including a sloppy renewal of the seven-furlong GII Beaumont Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 6.

Long Neck Paula (Uncle Mo), winner of a pair of stakes in 2024, attempts to regain the winning thread since finishing runner-up as the favorite in the Apr. 6 rained-off Palisades Stakes going 5 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland. Wesley Ward gives the call to recent Derby-winning jockey Junior Alvarado, who was aboard the filly for a win in Keeneland's six-panel Bowman Mill Stakes last November.

The handicap division also gets its day with the GIII Pimlico Special. Trainer Brad Cox also offers up a pair–Grade III scorer Encino (Nyquist) and Star of Wonder (Uncle Mo), a winner of his two most recent starts, including a mile test at the Big A Apr. 4. Irad Ortiz, Jr. gets the mount on the former while Flavien Prat returns to ride the latter.

Friday's undercard also features the Allaire duPont Distaff Stakes, the Hilltop Stakes and The Very One Stakes.

The post A Trio of Stakes Highlight Pimlico’s Friday Card Led by Black-Eyed Susan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The field for the GI Preakness Stakes, ranked in “likeliest winner” order.

1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin–Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O- Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, LaPenta, Robert V., Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Magnier, Mrs. John, Tabor, Michael B. and Smith, Derrick; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 6-4-1-1, $1,638,880. Last start: 2nd May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

Favorites have lost the last six editions of the Preakness and eight of the last nine (lone exception: the 2-5 Justify in 2018). But Journalism at his 8-5 morning-line odds would be a pari-mutuel gift if you could actually get him at that price.

He figures to be bet below that value coming off a strong second-place try in the GI Kentucky Derby. Journalism's résumé of two-turn graded stakes success, proven ability to crank out triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures, and reliable far-turn torque that he sustains deep into his stretch runs rank him a cut above the competition in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

This athletic $825,000 FTSAUG colt by Curlin was unfazed by minor crowding at the break of the Derby, and Journalism had no problem mixing it up in close quarters while asserting himself on the inside the first time under the finish wire.

Umberto Rispoli edged him off the fence and out to the three path six furlongs out, and Journalism responded by picking off midpack horses four deep down the backstretch before advancing in earnest 3 1/2 furlongs out.

He ramped up his run through the far turn, came five wide into the lane, grabbed the lead a furlong and a half from the finish, then was immediately accosted by Sovereignty (Into Mischief), before staying on well under urging.

Journalism didn't do anything to lose the Derby–he just got outrun by a better horse.

Coming off that 1 1/2-length defeat (102 Beyer), trainer Michael McCarthy has expressed confidence that Journalism's attitude and appetite indicate a “happy horse” since May 3, so it's on to Baltimore (unlike 16 other Derby starters).

Those who like to see the sport's stars race on a more frequent basis will be rooting for this colt to handle running back on just two weeks of rest, and it plays to Journalism's stalking style that there is no shortage of speed in the Preakness.

But the fact that Journalism has now had two demanding races in a row (he had to overcome a serious momentum stop before running hard through the lane in the Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby), might tilt some bettors toward taking a stand against him.

2) SANDMAN (c, Tapit–Distorted Music, by Distorted Humor). O-D. J. Stable LLC, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables; B-Lothenbach Stables Inc (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales History: $1,200,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR. Lifetime record: GISW, 9-3-1-2, $1,254,595. Last start: 7th May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

This deep-closing gray by Tapit was brushed, bumped and fanned wide in the sloppy-track Derby, which resulted in a no-impact seventh. For the Preakness he'll get a jockey switch to John Velazquez.

Trainer Mark Casse said this $1.2 million OBSMAR colt might benefit from a stronger rider, which makes Velazquez a good fit.

Closing from off the tailgate in a less crowded field could also work to Sandman's advantage. When entered in nine-horse fields (like the Preakness), he's won two out of his last three starts (and finished second in the other). He didn't fire his best shots in fields of 19 and 13 in the Derby and GII Rebel Stakes.

Sandman's most promising races are now four and five starts back in his past-performance block. In a Dec. 13 Oaklawn allowance over a short-stretch mile, he had a ground-saving go, then sliced through authoritatively at the fence to win by 1 3/4 lengths. In the Jan. 25 GIII Southwest Stakes, Sandman buckled at the ankle, leaped sideways at the start, but rallied from well back into the teeth of a speed-favoring track to get second, beaten only a length.

Sandman's third in the Feb. 23 GII Rebel Stakes was a best-of-the-rest try, and his win in the GI Arkansas Derby has to be viewed in the context of being accomplished by closing (erratically) into a major pace meltdown that slanted the outcome in the favor of any capable closer.

Still, with nine races of experience under his girth (seven at a mile or longer) and his late-gain running style, there shouldn't be any question about whether he has the foundation to hit the board at this level. A Preakness win, however, would require a next-level performance.

3) GOAL ORIENTED (c, Not This Time–Bizzy Caroline, by Afleet Alex) 'TDN Rising Star.' O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine Owner; B-Runnymede Farm LLC & CWC Investment 2, LLC; T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $425,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: 2-2-0-0, $111,960. Last start: WON May 3 Churchill Downs AOC.

Non-favorites have wired the Preakness in each of the last two years, and 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) has drawn the rail after a front-running victory in a 1 1/16-miles allowance/optional claimer on the Derby undercard two weeks ago.

This Bob Baffert-trained colt just hit his third birthdate May 15, putting him (theoretically)  behind earlier-starting his peers, development-wise. But based on untapped potential, this undefeated colt stands out.

Goal Oriented did rally from fifth as the favorite in an Apr. 6 Santa Anita maiden sprint with a big move on the turn before finishing up in hand 3 1/4 lengths clear in a race that yielded three other next-out winners. So he's not strictly one-dimensional speed, but the rail draw for the Preakness makes it likely he'll once again be sent for the lead.

This $425,000 KEESEP colt has paired 91 Beyers in his only two starts. Based on the Preakness's published Beyer par of 101, he faces a tall task in terms of a numbers upgrade while stretching out in distance.

But that type of leap is not out of the question. Last year's Preakness upsetter, Seize the Grey, upped his best lifetime Beyer from 88 to 100 when scoring in Baltimore after also winning at Churchill on the Derby undercard.

Goal Oriented's maternal grandsire is the 2005 Triple Crown closer Afleet Alex, who ran third in the Derby and won both the Preakness (with a 112 Beyer) and GI Belmont Stakes.

Goal Oriented | Coady Media

4) RIVER THAMES (c, Maclean's Music–Proportionality, by Discreet Cat) 'TDN Rising Star'. O- WinStar Farm LLC, CHC, Inc., Pantofel Stable LLC and Wachtel Stable; B-CTR Stables, LLC (NY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '23 SARAUG. Lifetime record: GSP, 4-2-1-1, $261,900. Last start: 3rd Apr. 8 GI Blue Grass Stakes.

'TDN Rising Star' River Thames orchestrated a no-excuse stalking trip in the GI Blue Grass Stakes, but came up punchless in deep stretch, managing third. The two horses who finished ahead of him (plus two others who finished farther back) all ended up being also-rans in the Derby.

After starting his career with two wins over the winter at Gulfstream, the race that stands out for this New York-bred ($200,000 SARAUG) by Maclean's Music was his second, beaten only a neck, by eventual Derby winner Sovereignty in the GII Fountain of Youth Stakes.

River Thames pressed the pace on the inside through the first turn, then got backed off from the action and was switched outside. Roused to re-engage with three furlongs left, he took control off the final turn and shook free, but a momentary lapse of concentration contributed to him getting nailed by Sovereignty in the shadow of the wire.

Opting out of the Derby (despite qualifying) might end up looking like a sharp move by trainer Todd Pletcher, who has put three half-mile breezes into River Thames since the Blue Grass. The Preakness does not boast the depth (or the potential chaos) of the Derby field.

5) AMERICAN PROMISE (c, Justify–Tapella, by Tapit). O-BC Stables LLC; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales history: $750,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime record: SW, 10-2-1-1, $444,874. Last start: 16th May 3 GI Kentucky Derby.

American Promise, a $750,000 KEESEP colt by Justify, will be the 49th Preakness starter for Hall-of-Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, a record for the race.

The 89-year-old Lukas has won the middle leg of the Triple Crown seven times. His two 21st Century winners were front-running upsetters (Seize the Grey at 9-1 in 2024 and Oxbow at 15-1 in 2013).

This May 1 foal had minor trip trouble after the start in the Derby, but none of it overtly contributed to his 16th-place finish, 38 1/2 lengths behind the winner.

In fact, the five most logical speed horses on paper all more or less managed to come out of the gate without incident in the Derby. American Promise reached a contending position between the two dueling leaders by the end of the back straight, but couldn't deal with pace pressure beyond the 3 1/2-furlong pole.

This colt earned a 95 Beyer in both his lone stakes win at Colonial in the Virginia Derby (a one-turn configuration for nine-furlongs) and in his muddy, 1 1/16-miles maiden win at Oaklawn.

Even though American Promise didn't run well over the sloppy/sealed surface in the 19-horse Derby, that previous decent try on a wet track is worth noting in case Saturday comes up wet at Pimlico.

6) HEART OF HONOR (GB) (c, Honor A. P.–Ruby Love (Chi), by Scat Daddy) O-Jim & Claire Ltd; B-David Redvers Bloodstock (GB); T-Jamie Osborne. Sales history: 35,000gns Wlg '22 TATNOV; €42,000 Ylg '23 GOFSEP; €160,000 2yo '24 ARQMAY. Lifetime record: GSP-UAE, 6-2-4-0, $340,919. Last start: 2nd Apr. 5 G2 UAE Derby.

Heart of Honor (GB) won a pair of one-mile dirt allowance races at Meydan earlier this year after debuting with a second-place finish in England at Southwell (England) on an all-weather surface. He was then second in three Dubai stakes: The UAE 2,000 Guineas, the Al Bastakiya Stakes, and the G2 UAE Derby, in which he was beaten by only a nose.

Trainer Jamie Osborne opted not to ship stateside for the Kentucky Derby despite having the qualifying points to do so, and he initially thought this Honor A.P. colt (35,000gns TATNOV, €42,000 GOFSEP, €160,000 ARQMAY) might need a break.

But by mid-April, the former jumps jockey decided this “hardy kind of horse” was “thriving,” so “we thought [the Preakness] was worth a shot.”

Osborne continued: “We're going to have a go, and if he runs okay in the Preakness, the aim is to hang on for another three weeks and go to Saratoga” for the Belmont Stakes.

Heart of Honor was equipped with blinkers for the first time in the UAE Derby after striking Osborne as being “a little bit lazy [by] getting a little bit too far behind and staying on a bit too late.”

Jamie Osborne's daughter, the 23-year-old Saffie Osborne, who made history at Meydan last year as the first woman jockey to win at the Dubai track, retains the mount for the Preakness. It will be her first ride in America.

7) CLEVER AGAIN (c, American Pharoah–Flattering {Ire}), by Galileo {Ire}). O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-1-0, $198,400. Last start: WON Mar. 30 Hot Springs Stakes.

Clever Again (American Pharoah) comes off a seven-week break since a 101-Beyer wiring of the Hot Springs Stakes. Four horses have since run back out of that $200,000 stakes, with two hitting the board and one managing a win (85 Beyer in a $175,000 sprint stakes at Oaklawn).

This $500,000 KEESEP colt debuted in April of his 2-year-old season with a second-place try over 4 1/2 furlongs at Keeneland.

After a 10-month gap, Clever Again wired a 1 1/16-mile Feb. 23 maiden at Oaklawn as the 2-1 favorite. Other next-out horses from that race have gone 0-for-5.

Trainer Steve Asmussen expects Clever Again to come out firing on Saturday, contributing to what projects to be a lively Preakness pace.

“We expect him to break clean, with the other pace obviously to his inside,” Asmussen said after the Preakness post draw.

Clever Again is untested on a wet track, and the female side of his pedigree tilts toward grass success.

8) PAY BILLY (c, Improbable–Harlan's Rose, by Harlington). O-RKTN Racing, LLC; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Michael E. Gorham. Sales history: $38,000 Ylg, '23 FTKOCT; $60,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Race record: SW, 8-4-11, $234,475. Last start: WON Apr. 19 Federico Tesio Stakes.

Pay Billy (Improbable) earned an automatic, paid berth into the Preakness by winning the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel last month.

Trainer Mike Gorham has described this colt ($38,000 FTKOCT, $60,000 OBSAPR) as a “big, strong horse” who is getting better thanks to a relaxed attitude.

The 85 Beyer in the Tesio was a lifetime best for Pay Billy. He closed from fourth while outside as the 2.3-1 favorite. It's worth noting that he had his heels clipped from behind in the first-turn scramble, and emerged with a cut on his left rear hock that has since healed.

“A couple of jockeys tried to get position,” jockey Raul Mena said. “I didn't want to be on the lead, so I put my horse in the clearest path and got out of the trouble.”

The second choice in the Tesio, Kentucky Outlaw (Outwork), also had trouble on the turn and came out of that race to win the Long Branch Stakes as the 9-5 favorite last Saturday at Monmouth Park.

9) GOSGER (c, Nyquist–Gloria S, by Tapit). O/B-Harvey A. Clarke Racing Stable, LLC (KY); T-Brendan P. Walsh. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $292,200. Last start: WON Apr. 12 GIII Lexington Stakes.

Gosger (Nyquist) broke his maiden with an 88 Beyer in his second lifetime start, a one-turn mile at Gulfstream Feb. 15 as the 19-10 favorite.

He then returned two months later to win the GIII Lexington Stakes with an 87 Beyer at 4-1 odds.

In that Keeneland stakes, this homebred colt from the racing stable of the late Harvey Clarke got second run at a softened-up 25-1 leader over the track's short-stretch configuration for 1 1/16 miles.

Gosger has tactical versatility and a pace-pressing ability that could help him work out a reasonable trip from post nine in the Preakness.

New jockey Luis Saez has a 15-for-77 (19%) win mark and a 48% in-the-money record when teaming with trainer Brendan Walsh over the last five years.

The post TDN Preakness Preview: Journalism Aims To Rewrite Six-Year Losing Skid For Faves appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Owing to a lack of entries, the live racing program scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR) has been cancelled.

According to a release from the track, the lingering impacts of a long winter combined with a wet spring resulted in trainers having limited opportunities to sufficiently prepare their horses for the season.

The track says it is hopeful that entries will return to a more normal level as the inventory of fit and race-ready horses increases to the point where a Monday-through-Wednesday racing schedule is sustainable.

“At Finger Lakes, we strive for large fields which create attractive wagering opportunities for our patrons,” said FLGR Racing Secretary Jerry Richards.

Racing is scheduled to take place next Monday and Wednesday, May 19 and 21, with a first post of 1 p.m. ET each day.

The post Racing Cancelled At Finger Lakes On May 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

'TDN Rising Star' Colloquial (Vekoma), a front-running winner of Keeneland's Lafayette S. Apr. 7, will make his next start in the GI Woody Stephens S. on the blockbuster GI Belmont Stakes program at Saratoga June 7.

He worked four furlongs in :47.60 (5/54) at trainer George Weaver's Keeneland base Thursday morning, his second breeze since winning the Lafayette. He'll ship up to the Spa this weekend, per Weaver.

“He's training well, we're looking forward to raceday,” Weaver said. “He's proven that the talent is there. Now, it's just a matter of doing it in a big race.”

Colloquial faced pressure throughout and drew clear in the stretch to score by 2 1/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Lafayette, good for an 88 Beyer Speed Figure.

He earned a gaudy 106 Beyer in his prior start, a jaw-dropping, seven-length maiden win over the Chick Lang S.-bound One Nine Hundred (Dialed In) in his sophomore debut off the bench at Aqueduct Feb. 7. Only two 3-year-olds have run faster races on the Beyer scale this year–Journalism (Curlin) (108) and Magnitude (Not This Time) (108).

Colloquial's debut second–beaten just a nose by Fierceness (City of Light)'s full-brother and subsequent GIII Futurity S. winner Mentee–at Aqueduct last June was highlighted in our 'Second Chances' series.

The $240,000 Keeneland September graduate is campaigned in partnership by Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing. Colloquial hails from the first crop of the promising Spendthrift Farm stallion and Weaver-trained Vekoma, who is already responsible for a quartet of graded winners.

Colloquial was produced by the John Oxley-bred, two-time winner Terminology (Bernardini). His third dam is Oxley's GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Gal in a Ruckus. He was bred in Kentucky by Michael and J.B. Orem.

Watch the full replay as COLLOQUIAL turns back the challenge and captures the Lafayette (L)! pic.twitter.com/Ax9Xu6fbh1

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 7, 2025

The post ‘Rising Star’ Colloquial Breezes at Keeneland, Woody Stephens Up Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

BALTIMORE, MD — Much has been said about the genuine friendship between Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas and Bob Baffert that has developed over the years. And the lively banter between the two, as well as several of the other members of the training ranks in attendance at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast, did nothing to dispel that notion.

Completely sidestepping the suggested seating assignments, Baffert planted himself at Lukas's table, which also included John Bellinger, who makes up BC Stables with partner Brian Coelho. The team is represented in this year's Preakness by American Promise (Justify), winner of the Virginia Derby.

Baffert, who will be looking for his record ninth Preakness Saturday with 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), most recently won the second leg of the Triple Crown with National Treasure (Quality Road) in 2023. Lukas, who sent out the upset-minded Seize the Grey (Arrogate) last year, stands only one win behind Baffert.

Hosted by TV personality Michelle Yu, the traditional trainer commentary kicked off with a few friendly jabs between the two training titans. After taking a few swipes at Baffert for opting for On Clouds running shoes instead of cowboy boots, Lukas offered a light-hearted joke at the expense of the absent Brendan Walsh, who saddles GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes victor Gosger (Nyquist) Saturday.

“I asked Brendan, 'Why is it that the Irish got all the potatoes and the Arabs got all the oil?”

“And?” asked Yu.

“Because the Irish had first choice.”

“Here we go,” said Baffert amidst the extended laughter.

Taking a moment to strike a more serious note, Baffert interjected, “I love the Preakness. I love the tradition of the Triple Crown races.”

Bob Baffert at Thursday's Preakness Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico | Christina Bossinakis

With the absence of GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) from the Preakness lineup, Baffert weighed in on the debate.

“I hope they don't change it because it was 37 years when American Pharoah won and that had to be the biggest sports statement that we made,” he said. “I think the Triple Crown is still important even though it's tough, it takes a really special horse to do it.”

Lukas briefly turned his attention to Michael McCarthy, who brings Kentucky Derby runner-up and Preakness morning-line favorite Journalism (Curlin) to this year's renewal.

“I tried to help him out but he didn't listen. He put his horse in the Derby-winning stall, which is the kiss of death.”

With tongue firmly in cheek, Lukas added, “Bob said to leave him in there, but I told him to move him over.”

Baffert immediately jumped to McCarthy's defense.

“Wayne is wrong,” he said. “Silver Charm won out of that stall. Real Quiet and War Emblem also won out of that stall.”

Lukas countered, “Don't make him feel comfortable. He already has the favorite!”

Baffert responded, “The best horse wins the race, Wayne. No matter what stall he's in. I think McCarthy looks pretty good right now,”

“I do too,” conceded Lukas. “I think, Mike, it's his race to lose.”

Baffert fires back with a hint of irony, “Yes, Mike, it's your race to lose.”

With an even-keeled volley, McCarthy got into the ring.

“[Lukas] had me going yesterday pretty good. Last time I was here, I had my first runner [Rombauer], and winner, from the [vicinity of the] 16- 17-18 stalls. So, if I get beat from the stall I am today by one of those two guys, I'll take my hat off.”

In an unusual stroke from the typically reserved horseman, McCarthy threw down the gauntlet.

“Next year, we'll come back and run from the Journalism stall, how does that sound?”

It didn't take long for the Hall of Famers to rope in another Hall of Famer into the mix.

“You know what, we have to watch out for that Mark Casse,” said Lukas. “He's won the Sovereign Award up in Canada about 35 times [fact check: it's 16 Sovereign titles].”

“What happens in Canada, stays in Canada,” quipped Baffert.

Casse trains GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit), who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby last time out.

Despite obviously needing to turn the attention to the other trainers in attendance, Yu cleverly kept the two legends in play.

“You don't know Jamie? Come, Jamie, meet The Coach,” Yu said to Jamie Osborne, who will saddle the European invader Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), who was nosed out of the win last time in the G2 UAE Derby.

“He almost beat me [Bayern] in the Breeders' Cup Classic with Toast of New York [in 2014]. That was a great race,” recalled Baffert.

“Yeah, he said 'what was that horse that finished second trained by that Brit that looks like Austin Powers,” dead panned Osborne to peels of laughter.

The conversation took a sharp turn to a potential match-making between one of Baffert's remaining single sons and Osborne's daughter, Saffie, who will be riding Heart of Honor Saturday.

“I wouldn't wish her on my worst enemy,” quipped Osborne to another wave of laughter.

Yu also looped in Michael Gorham, who trains Federico Tesio winner Pay Billy (Improbable). The Midlantic-based Gorham advised on the purchase of the $60,000 OBSAPR graduate, who is the first horse campaigned by newbie owners RKTN Stables.

“What are you doing in September,” extended Lukas. “We'll go to the sale together.”

Rounding back to Casse, Lukas once again poked at Casse's connections (Fact check: Mark Casse is NOT Canadian. He IS American).

Craftily constructing a bait-and-switch, Casse dead-panned, “That's the nice thing about the Preakness, we are all in the same barn. So, I have to listen to that every day.”

And according to Casse, his other barnmate, also liked to poke some fun too.

“I tell Bob about a good restaurant, and he tells me, 'what would you know about a good restaurant, you live in Ocala.'

This is what I deal with every day.”

Rounding out a laughter-filled morning, Casse summed up his journey with a hint of emotion lacing the dual Hall of Famer's voice.

“On a more serious note, I could not be more proud to be considered in the group that I am,” he said. “To think that, when I started 47 years ago, I would be sitting here today with two of the greatest of all time and them talking about me, it's great.”

Wayne Lukas at the Alibi Breakfast Thursday | Christina Bossinakis

The post No Alibis, Just Fun: The Wayne and Bob Show at the Preakness Alibi Breakfast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.