Thoroughbred Daily News

Parx Racing has kicked off renovations to the Philadelphia-area oval's turf course, a project that is expected to take approximately four weeks.

“We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course,” said Parx Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilson. “We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx.”

The renovation began Wednesday, April 8 with the sod–provided by Tuckahoe Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey–being installed by Hummer Turfgrass System, Inc. of Manheim, Pennsylvania. Logan Freeman of C6 Turf Management, LLC, whose previous course work included Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park, is overseeing the installation.

“Our horsemen deserve this, Pennsylvania Racing deserves this,” said Jeff Matty, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association (PTHA). “We are very much looking forward to this joint venture with Parx Racing Management giving us the ability to offer multiple racing surfaces to our horsemen, on top of the great programs already in place here at the PTHA.”

David Osojnak, the Director of Racing at Parx, added: “We are really looking forward to being able to card turf races again starting this fall and renewing top-quality turf racing at Parx.”

The post Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 530-acre Shadwell Stallion Complex came onto the market just one week ago, and has been the subject of interest from parties domestic and foreign alike, said Ken Donworth, the listing agent with Bluegrass Sotheby's International Realty.

“We've had some foreign interest, but it's mainly been domestic,” the agent commented. “I think due to the fact that the horse business in Kentucky is doing well. And I think a lot of people are moving from Texas, California, New York, Oregon. There's a lot of domestic interest.”

The complex is situated just across the street from Keeneland Race Course and next to Blue Grass Airport, and Donworth references one of the key tenets in real estate that contributes to the property's appeal.

“Location, location, location,” Donworth said. “Look, it's a beautiful spot: airport, Keeneland….everything is right there. It's unique and the quality and the location is obviously hard to replicate anywhere. It's just a unique property.”

Though the existing structures were built over four decades ago, the facility remains in pristine condition, Donworth said.

“Clearly it was built to the highest standards,” he said. “When we went through the inspections with engineers and inspectors, they really found nothing wrong with the property. So back then they were ahead of their time as far as quality and structurally and electrical for that matter, and even the design itself.”

Donworth admits that the property will obviously not come cheap, but suggests that the $20-million asking price is reasonable, all things considered.

“You don't really have ready-to-move-in stallion divisions that have come available in recent years,” he said. “Obviously, you've had a few transitions like Don Alberto obviously bought Hill 'n Dale, and then obviously you had Goncalo [Torrealba] that bought Three Chimneys, but they were really not on the market. But something like this hasn't been offered publicly, to be honest. If you had to rebuild something from scratch, it would cost you far more than this.”

Donworth reports there are no restrictions on the property, meaning that the successful buyer can do with it as they see fit, in theory. But as a 'living piece of Thoroughbred nostalgia that deserves to be preserved, respected and carried forward into its next chapter' as stated in the listing, there is every reason to expect it will continue to operate in its current arena.

“I feel the Shadwell ownership want to do the right thing and keep it in the equine side of the business, whether it's Standardbreds or Thoroughbreds, preferably equine use,” Donworth said.

The listing may be viewed here.

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There may not be a harder-working man in racing journalism that Nick Luck. In addition to his work on NBC's racing broadcasts, he hosts the podcasts Nick Luck Daily and Nick Luck on Sunday, and has covered major racing events for networks in the U.K. Australia, Hong Kong, and throughout the Middle East.

In 2017, he became the BBC Equestrian commentator, and has since covered the Olympia Horse Show, Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, and the Olympic Games for the BBC. Luck has been named Horserace Writers' & Photographers' Association Broadcaster of the Year in the U.K. eight times.

To talk about how he pulls it all off, how he got interested in racing, the demise of FanDuel TV, and other subjects, Luck joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

So how does he work so hard and put in so much time and still manage to have a life outside of racing? Luck resides in Teddington, England with his wife, Lauram and their three daughters.

“I hope the absence makes the heart grow fonder rather than just Laura thinking, 'Oh my God, he's away again' when something goes wrong,” Luck said. “I have an uncanny knack, ratio-wise, of being abroad when any passing catastrophe happens. It's probably not that surprising given the fact that last year, I think my schedule was stretched out to about 180 days. But the girls are great. They're so understanding. If you enjoy what you do, then the likelihood of you being in better humor when you actually do walk in the door is probably significantly higher. So I think that's a big plus and a big take. I'm lucky in that respect. There isn't a day when I wake up and I think I really don't want to do this or I don't want to do this job.”

His interest in horses was fostered by his parents.

“They had a love of horses, a real interest in the sport,” Luck said. “My mother was a good horsewoman, a good eventer or show jumper. She rode in some point-to-points. She trained a bit; did a bit of everything really. She was kind of a horsey Swiss Army knife. Then she met my dad, who didn't really have much of an interest in racing. Then he kind of developed an interest in riding through her. They decided that they might be interested in having a couple of steeplechase horses. They met a trainer called Josh Gifford, who'd been a multiple champion jockey, and they became great friends. They were all in their probably early thirties, having the time of their lives, with young families, and they had a couple of horses who did well.”

Luck was asked to comment on the news that FanDuel TV is being phased out and will be off the air by the end of 2027.

“I don't think anybody thought that would happen as soon as it did, even when Flutter's share price was tanking and tanking and tanking and tanking,” he said. “And you know that's the root of it. If that weren't the case, then this wouldn't have happened. The company is so huge and FanDuel is a small part of it, and horse racing within FanDuel is an even smaller part of that. Somebody looked at a balance sheet and decided this production's quite expensive relative to what we're getting out of this. Our share price is doing this. It's a stroke-of-a-pen job, isn't it, for somebody? I'm not saying that person's a bad person, but that is what they're paid to do. But they're not appreciating the wider consequences of that.”

The “Fastest Horses of the Week” was Eclatant (Into Mischief), who earned a 109 Beyer in her win in the GI Resolute Racing Madison Stakes at Keeneland. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the sire Straight No Chaser.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman reviewed last week's major preps for the GI Kentucky Derby–the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, the GI Santa Anita Derby, and the GII Wood Memorial.

They also discussed the news that Churchill Downs had won a round in court when a judge ruled that HISA's method of collecting fees was unlawful and what the ramifications might be going forward.

The team also looked at the sharply declining handle figures in March and for the year.

Click here to watch the Writers' Room Podcast and here to listen to the show.

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A filly by Jackie's Warrior (hip 570) broke through a parade of :9 4/5 works to claim the furlong bullet time of :9 3/5 during Wednesday's third session of the under-tack preview of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, the dark bay filly is a daughter of graded winner Brazen Persuasion (Indian Charlie).

“We love the pedigree, we love Indian Charlie mares, that means the world to us,” Randy Hartley said. “When we saw her, we just loved her. She's the easiest horse in the world to train. She just does her business, she's super smart, she carries weight. She did that and just acted like 'Okay, whatever.' She can do is so easy. And mentally she's going to make a great racehorse because nothing bothers her.”

The filly was purchased last September at Keeneland by Arleigh Bonnaha and JC Trujillo for $140,000. Bonnaha is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame as a bullfighter and his brother-in-law Trujillo is a hall of fame bareback rider.

Of the origins of the partnership, Hartley said, “JC and one of his friends used to buy some cheaper racehorses from us years and years ago. We've known him forever and we've always done a little here and there. We always tell him, if you pick something and you like it, we will take a piece. He bought two in September and we took half of both of them. He's a cool guy.”

Trujillo flew in to watch his filly work Wednesday.

“I knew she was going to be fast, but you don't want to say too much,” Hartley said of managing expectations ahead of the work. “But she's a runner.”

Of Trujillo's reaction to the bullet work, Hartley said with a laugh, “I could hear him screaming from the grandstand over on the backside.”

Two colts shared the fastest quarter-mile breeze of the day–and the week so far–when covering the distance in :20 3/5 Wednesday.

A colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Roadster (hip 596) was first to hit that mark. Consigned by Ocala Stud, the gray is out of Italian group winner Candy Store (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and is a half-brother to stakes winner and multiple graded-placed Vive Veuve (Collected). He was bred by Speedway Stables.

“He breezed really good on the farm two weeks ago and when he prepped at OBS last week, it was just an exceptional breeze,” said Ocala Stud's David O'Farrell. “We were kind of expecting in the ballpark of where he breezed today. We are super thrilled. He's a very nice colt.”

Hip 596 | Thorostride

Roadster (Quality Road), who stands at Ocala Stud for $7,500, won the 2019 GI Santa Anita Derby for Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stables.

“They are super athletic,” O'Farrell said of the stallion's first crop of foals. “They are all good movers. Just across the board, they all act like they have some ability. They really have good action on the racetrack and they are good athletes.”

Roadster's first 2-year-olds were well-received at the OBS March sale last month, with a colt selling for $425,000 and a filly selling for $275,000 topping the list.

“He is a stallion that has a legitimate chance,” O'Farrell said. “Usually [in Florida], it's either you have a quality race record and lack of pedigree or vice versa. And with him, we have the best of both worlds. He is a well-bred horse and obviously well accomplished at the racetrack. He was a good 2-year-old. He broke his maiden in June of his 2-year-old year and then went on to win the Santa Anita Derby and he ran a really good second in the GI Malibu against Omaha Beach. So he's got a lot of quality. And with his pedigree, they shouldn't just be precocious. I think they are going to carry their speed.”

Late in Wednesday's session, a colt by American Pharoah (hip 525) equaled the bullet time when working for consignor Tom McCrocklin. The bay is out of Belle de Nuit (Arg) (Galileo {Ire}). He was purchased by McCrocklin for $50,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Weather conditions through the first three days of the six-session under-tack show have been challenging, but conditions at the track have remained good, according to O'Farrell.

“We are dealing with some tricky weather conditions this week,” he said. “The winds have been having a bit of an impact and also the rain. But I think, all in all, OBS has done a wonderful job. I think the track has been very consistent considering the variations of the weather and the changes we have had in the last week. I think it's held up really, really well. I think it's been a good breeze show so far.”

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 8 a.m. The OBS Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday. Bidding commences each day at 10:30 a.m.

The post ‘She’s a Runner’: Jackie’s Warrior Filly Sets Furlong Mark at OBS Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame has named its inductees for the class of 2026, and includes MGSW One for Rose (Tejano Run) and GISW Rahy's Attorney (Crown Attorney), according to press release from the organization on Wednesday.

Three-time Canadian champion One For Rose was bred by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm, owned by the Tucci Stables of Toronto and trained by Hall of Fame Inductee Sid Attard.

Rahy's Attorney, the result of a $3,000 mating by a small Canadian breeder, defied all expectations and became one of the Canada's most enduring fan favorites, all while earning $2,120,208.

The Thoroughbred Class of 2026:
Female Horse: One For Rose;
Male Horse: Rahy's Attorney;
Builder: John Burness;
Trainer: Dale Saunders;
Communicator: Michael Burns, Jr.;
Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos;
Legend: Eva Ring.

The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Additional information will be announced May 1.

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The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In returns for its 20th year in 2026 and the free entry fees total a record $6.5-million for the top contenders who will earn automatic berths into the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the organization said in a release on Wednesday.

The North American portion of the series will again deliver a robust schedule of races throughout the United States and Canada leading into the 43rd Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

Winners of 95 qualifying races across 14 countries will receive a guaranteed starting position into a corresponding race at the World Championships. There are 50 Challenge Series races scheduled to take place in North America.

“North American racing provides the essential framework for the Challenge Series, presenting horsemen with a consistent and competitive path to the Breeders' Cup World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “The ongoing support of racing officials and track partners nationwide has been key to our success with the series, and we look forward to strong fields of global contenders at Keeneland this fall.”

Breeders' Cup will offer a $10,000 travel allowance for all World Championships starters within North America that are located outside of Kentucky, and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of World Championships starters that are based outside of North America.

If not already nominated, each Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 19 to receive the rewards.

Breeders' Cup has also announced the television schedule for the 'Win & You're In' races, which will consist of six live programs across NBC, FOX and Peacock.

Click here for a complete list of Challenge Series races and here for the Dirt Dozen schedule.

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

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

Resolved ADMC Violations
Dates: 04/07/2026
Licensee: Susan L. Crowell, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from America's Honor on 3/8/26.

Dates: 04/07/2026
Licensee: Isidro Tamayo, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 8, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Ballyvaughan Gig, who won at Del Mar on 8/14/25.

Dates: 04/03/2026
Licensee: Ivan Calderon, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Angel Wings, who finished fourth at Mahoning Valley on 2/9/26.

Dates: 04/01/2026
Licensee: Daniel H. Dennison, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable).
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Furosemide (Lasix)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Garavani, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/28/26.

Dates: 04/01/2026
Licensee: Jenna Antonucci, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 2, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Case stayed.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Bee a Queen, who won at Gulfstream Park on 6/14/25.
Note: This ruling has been stayed by the Federal Trade Commission pending review by an administrative law judge.

Pending ADMC Violations
04/08/2026, Jon Zimmerman, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Stormcatsong on 3/5/26.

04/08/2026, Jane D. Cibelli, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Altrenogest–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Rhythm 'n Blues on 3/3/26.

04/07/2026, Paulina Sinnefia, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from President Z on 3/10/26.

04/07/2026, Leslielyn Hardesty, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from That's My Cat, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26; and from Stormey Monday, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/8/26.

04/07/2026, Leslielyn Hardesty, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from That's My Cat, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26.

04/06/2026, Robin Graham, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Not a Bother on 3/7/26.

04/02/2026, Arturo Chavez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sophisticat, who finished seventh at Sunland Park on 3/1/26.

Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Jose Lezcano–reporting date April 4; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Parx Racing
Patrick A. Henry–reporting date April 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Jean C. Aguilar–reporting date April 6; $500 fine, two-day suspension
Angel A. Castillo–reporting date April 2; $500 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal

Santa Anita
Antonio Fresu–reporting date April 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Sunland Park
Oscar Andrade–reporting date April 5; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Tampa Bay Downs
Wesley G. Ho–reporting date April 4; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension
Marcos Meneses–reporting date April 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Turf Paradise
Patrick Valenzuela–reporting date April 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

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Giving his connections no anxious moments, Waggley (Life Is Good) kicked off her young career with a splash, running off to post a 3 1/2-length score in her 4 1/2-furlong unveiling at Keeneland on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory marked the first winner, and runner, for Freshman sire Life Is Good, who stands at WinStar Farm.

Sent straight to the front by Joel Rosario from post 6, the bay filly scooted through an opening quarter in :23.02. On top turning for home, the $200,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase crossed the wire under wraps as Smoke (Volatile) came on for second. Frontline Fury (War Front) rounded out the trifecta.

A half to SW & MGSP Henry Q (Blame), $221,807, the filly is out of Malibu Moon's Lunar Empress. The family includes Grade I winner Noted and Quoted (The Factor).

Lunar Empress is also responsible for an unraced 3-year-old colt by Liam's Map and a yearling filly by Gun Runner. She was bred back to Twirling Candy.

1st-Keeneland, $87,313, Msw, 4-8, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :53.05, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
WAGGLEY (f, 2, Life Is Good–Lunar Empress, by Malibu Moon)
Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $54,405. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Ten Broeck Farm, Inc.; B-Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.

(6) Waggley takes the Wednesday opener at Keeneland! (7) Smoke is second, (4) Frontline Fury is third. pic.twitter.com/Z5PrsIEcgd

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 8, 2026

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Tomoya Ozasa's T O Elvis (Volatile), a five-time winner and never worse than third in his eight career appearances at home, will make his next start in the $1-million GI Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 2, trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told the Japanese website Sanspo.com on Wednesday.

Bred in Kentucky by Jeff and Melissa Prunzik, the 4-year-old son of the eight-time stakes winner Stopshoppingdebbie (Curlin) is currently on a four-race winning streak at home, most recently streaking clear to take out the G3 Capella Stakes (1200 meters) by five lengths in his group-level debut Dec. 14.

That effort earned the dark bay colt an automatic berth in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 14, but connections elected to give their charge additional time and instead targeted the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Mar. 28. That mission was aborted on the eve of his departure owing to the ongoing hostilities in the region. He was re-routed for the $322,000 Listed Tokyo Sprint, a 1200-meter contest at Ohi Racecourse on Apr. 15, but will instead join the Derby-bound Danon Bourbon (Maxfield) on a trans-Pacific flight in two weeks' time.

“It will be about six months since the last race, which is a bit of a concern, but the horse is in good spirits,” trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told Sanspo. “He won [the Capella] so convincingly that I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of race he'll show us over there.”

Takayanagi also has a runner for the Derby in the form of Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}), who scooped the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 28. It will be a second starter in the Run for the Roses for the 48-year-old conditioner, who sent out T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) to a respectable fifth-place finish behind Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in 2024.

The stable was also represented in that year's GII Alysheba Stakes by T O Saint Denis (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who made the majority of the running beneath Forever Young rider Ryusei Sakai before rounding out the exacta at 27-1 behind First Mission (Street Sense).

Ozasa's best horse to date was T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), six-length winner of the G1 Champions Cup in 2021.

WATCH: T O Elvis smashes the competition in the Capella S.

NetKeiba is reporting that Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a latest fourth in defense of his title in the G1 Neom Turf Cup (2100m) on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 14, will bypass the G1 FWD QE II Cup on Apr. 26 in favor of the GI Old Forester Turf Classic on Derby Day. In so doing, he avoids a clash with the world's richest racehorse Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Japanese standouts Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn})–runner-up to Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G1 Japan Cup–and G1 Arima Kinen hero Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Ire}). The QE II invitees also include this year's Neom Turf Cup victor Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal) and Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), victorious in the 2025 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.

“The distance is short at 1800 meters [nine furlongs], but it is left-turning and the competition will be easier,” said Yoshito Yahagi, who trains the 2022 Arqana August topper for Forever Young's owner Susumu Fujita.

Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) earned a spot in the Turf Classic with his win in the Listed Abu Dhabi Gold Cup in March, but connections have accepted an invitation to the G1 FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

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Topping the list (technically it's at the bottom) are the 1-2-3 finishers from Keeneland's Madison Stakes, deeper in quality than any race so far this year.

6–MUNNINGS EXPRESS, AQU, Apr 4–WON, 6 1/2 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–90 (video)
(f, 4, Munnings–Freudie Anne, by Freud)
O-Team Spoor; B-Fergus Galvin, Marc Detampel, Jayne Johnson & Adrian Wallace (NY); T-Linda Rice; J-Jose Lezcano.
Aqueduct's runaway leading trainer Rice stuffed the entry box with 11 runners on Wood Memorial day and came away with four winners, including Richard Spoor's ascending New York-bred filly who has two romping allowance scores in three weeks–this one against open company. Spoor, back in the sport after a 15-year hiatus, bought Munnings Express for $325,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga New York-bred sale.

5–AMORITA, SA, Monrovia Stakes-GIII, 6 1/2 furlongs (downhill turf)
Beyer Speed Figure–91 (second) (video)
(f, 4, Liam's Map–Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper)
O-Augustin Stables & Stone Farm; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Richard Mandella; J-Mirco Demuro.
Co-owned by racing legends, Amorita has come tantalizingly close to SW status, with seconds in the China Doll, GIII Senorita Stakes and now GIII Monrovia Stakes. George Strawbridge has boarded broodmares at Arthur Hancock's Stone Farm, but they haven't often partnered in ownership. Strawbridge bought Amorita for $260,000 from Hancock and the two cut a deal to race her together. Background nugget: Hancock bought unraced Cara Bella–a half-sister to Frank Stronach's GI Preakness Stakes victor Red Bullet–in 2017 from Stronach and she immediately provided Hancock with Swore (Broken Vow), a long-distance maiden winner on the flat who transitioned into a current steeplechase star and 2025 Eclipse Award finalist in that genre. That longtime steeplechase aficionado Strawbridge winds up with a half-sister to Swore seems to be coincidental, as he purchased Amorita nearly two years before Swore ever raced over jumps.

4–SPIRITED BOSS, SA, GIII Monrovia Stakes, 6 1/2 furlongs (downhill turf) (video)
Beyer Speed Figure–93
(f, 4, Street Boss–Spirited Storm, by Stormy Atlantic)
O/B-TAG Stables (FL); T-Jose D'Angelo; J-Mike Smith.
While champion sprinter Bentornato eases back into his routine after a trip to Dubai, Florida-based D'Angelo has found fertile new territory to target: Santa Anita's downhill turf course. Quereme Pass was shipped for the March 14 GIII San Simeon Stakes and came within a nose of a 9-1 upset, followed by this 18-1 shocker that gave D'Angelo his first Santa Anita victory. Quereme Pass improved his career-high Beyer from 85 to 92; in the Monrovia, Spirited Boss took her Beyer top from 81 to 93 in her first turf sprint.

3–R DISASTER, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–96 (third) (video)
(m, 5, Awesome Slew–Making Havoc, by Gottcha Gold)
O-Averill Racing, Two Eight Racing & ATM Racing; B-Ocala Stud & J Michael O'Farrell Jr (FL); T-Saffie Joseph Jr; J-Tyler Gaffalione.
This underrated Florida-bred mare has been running lights-out her entire career while being beautifully spotted by Joseph. R Disaster hadn't finished worse than second in 14 starts until the Madison–and yet her third in this incredibly star-studded field was arguably her best accomplishment to date.

2–GRAND JOB, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–108 (second) (video)
(m, 5, Justify–Sure Route {GB}, by Ishiguru)
O-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing & Mark Stanton; B-Fullbury (KY); T-Bill Mott; J-Junior Alvarado.
At least losing the Madison by half a nostril has two silver linings. The first is huge: already a Grade II winner, the Justify filly is now Grade I placed. The second: she's the first female to run a Beyer of 108+ in a losing effort since 2023, when Goodnight Olive ran 108 in the Aug. 26 GI Ballerina Stakes only to lose to Echo Zulu's 112. It was truly a grand job when Thomas Turner's Bell Tower Thoroughbreds bought the Justify filly from her Coolmore-adjacent ownership and returned her to the U.S. to race on dirt.

1–ECLATANT, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–109 (video)
(f, 4, Into Mischief–Downside Scenario, by Scat Daddy)
O-Stonestreet Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad Cox; J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
And what might this uber-talented Stonestreet filly be worth now? The daughter of Into Mischief and full-sister to Grade II-winning 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Mutasaabeq was given eight months off after her form careened downward last spring, but she returned with a 104 Beyer in a Feb. 15 allowance at Gulfstream, crushing her previous top by 21 points. “I'm not sure what to make of that figure,” Cox told DRF before the Madison. He knows what to make of it now. Eclatant not only followed up with her first Grade I score but showed guts to outduel Grand Job while improbably elevating her figure once more.

The post Six Speedy Sisters: Mar. 30-Apr. 5, 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

So Like Silk (Tapit), the first foal out of her Grade I-winning dam, put in a winning debut on opening day at Horseshoe Indianapolis Tuesday. Purchased by OXO Equine for $925,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September in 2024, the 3-1 second choice drew outside and was caught wide for most of the run in this six-furlong spot.

Unable to keep pace with the early sprinters, she had to settle back mid pack in sixth while still well in touch with 13-1 longshot leader Somnambulist (Liam's Map). With that rival as a target off the turn, So Like Silk was able to reel in that frontrunner and just edge past last under Eclipse-winning apprentice jockey Axel Concepcion for the three-quarter length win.

The partnership of Whisper Hill Farm and Gainesway Thoroughbreds purchased 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Hard Not to Love, in foal to Curlin at the time, for $3.2-million at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. A winner of the GI La Brea Stakes, Hard Not to Love is also a half-sister to three-time Canadian champion Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro).

The family includes another top-level winner in Beholder Mile Stakes victress Secret Spice (Discreet Cat) and recent Triple Crown-nominated colt Right to Party (Constitution).

So Like Silk has a 2-year-old Curlin half-brother who was a $500,000 Repole Stable purchase from Keeneland September last year. Hard Not to Love reported a full-brother to this filly in 2025 and is due this spring to leading general sire Into Mischief.

6th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 4-7, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.80, ft, 3/4 length.
SO LIKE SILK (f, 3, Tapit–Hard Not to Love {GISW, $593,480}, by Hard Spun) Sales History: $925,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200.Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-OXO Equine LLC; B-Whisper Hill Farm, LLC & Gainesway Thoroughbreds LTD (KY); T-William Walden.

The post So Like Silk, Daughter Of GISW Hard Not To Love, Wins First Out At Horseshoe Indy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Following a two-hour rain delay, the second session of the under-tack preview of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds got underway with the first two horses across the track skipping to matching :9 4/5 furlong bullet times. Through three sets on the day, 18 juveniles hit that mark, joining the 17 who shared that time during Monday's first session of the six-day preview.

Randy Miles, who had three of the furlong bullet workers from Monday's session, exceeded that number Tuesday when five horses from his consignment worked in :9 4/5. Leading off the group was a filly by Charlatan (hip 267), whose third dam, Serena's Cat (Storm Cat) produced champion Honor Code. Also reaching the bullet mark from Miles's consignment Tuesday: a filly by Kantharos (hip 386), a half-sister to stakes winner Leslie's Loot (Fast Anna); a filly by Munnings (hip 382) out of a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty); a colt by Uncle Mo (hip 261), out of stakes-placed Sweet as Pie (Tapit) and from the family of Streaming; and a colt by McKinzie out of Stonecoldfox (Bustin Stones) (hip 228).

A pair of juveniles from the first crop of multiple Grade I winner Life Is Good shared in the :9 4/5 co-bullet time Tuesday. Britton Peak consigns hip 312, a colt out of graded winner Tiz Breathtaking (Tiznow). He was purchased by Arroyo Bloodstock for $275,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“He did exactly what we expected,” said Nelson Arroyo. “I was just hoping that he actually came through. I have been a nervous wreck because I knew he could do what he did, and I was just hoping that he would.”

Arroyo admitted it was a case of love at first sight when he saw the bay colt at Keeneland last fall.

“The first time I saw him, I fell in love with him the second he walked out of the barn,” Arroyo said. “He looked like a big horse, but he had all the right angles. He checked every box. The way he walked and the way he moved. I fell in love.”

The colt has only continued to impress Arroyo, who is now into his third year as a pinhooker.

“He's always been real good-minded,” Arroyo said. “He's been real easy to work with. He's a very smart horse, super intelligent. When he's on the track, every day he's displayed the same thing, just very bright and very smart. Whatever you ask him for, he gives it to you.”

Life is Good, who had a colt (hip 15) from the de Meric Sales consignment work in :9 4/5 Monday, had a third bullet worker with a filly (hip 391) from the Global Thoroughbreds consignment.

Arroyo Bloodstock and Britton Peak will send out another colt by Life Is Good (hip 472) during Wednesday's third session of the under-tack show.

“They look like they are going to be fast and they are going to go the distance,” Arroyo said of his impression of Life is Good's first crop. “That's what I really liked about them. And they all had a real good mind, a real good presence to them. All very professional any time they walked out and showed themselves. I kept on seeing the same mentality, same presence. They caught our eye quick.”

Life is Good | Sarah Andrew

Arroyo is consigning horses with the Martin family's Britton Peak for the first time this year, but there was plenty to recommend him to the operation.

“We were buying more horses and I wanted to try Greg [Martin]'s operation just because he got recommended to me by my brother [jockey] Norberto. He won a lot of races for him in New York. They did real good together. My cousin Enrique Arroyo was his assistant trainer in Belmont Park when he was there training.”

Also Tuesday, Britton Peak sent out a colt by Game Winner (hip 376) to share the :9 4/5 bullet work.

Arroyo Bloodstock and Britton Peak got off to a bang-up start to their partnership at the OBS March sale last month. Through the consignment, Arroyo sold a filly by Blame, purchased for $25,000 for $400,000; a colt by Jackie's Warrior, purchased for $180,000 for $400,000; a colt by Munnings purchased for $190,000 for $400,000; and a filly by Corniche purchased for $250,000 for $500,000.

“We had a great March sale,” Arroyo said. “We had seven horses that we paid about $800,000 for and they brought back $1.9 million. We are more than pleased. We sold good horses and I believe they are going to do well at the races.”

With Britton Peak, Arroyo will offer seven horses at the April sale.

“This April group is super talented,” Arroyo said. “We brought these horses here because they are a little bit bigger in size. Depending on how these horses develop and progress, we are taking them to different sales and we want to separate the group that we have. We had seven in March, seven in April, seven or eight in May and three or four in June.”

Arroyo added with a laugh, “March set us up good, but I am still nervous. I still stress about the horses at every sale.”

Also working the furlong in :9 4/5 Tuesday: a colt by Khozan (hip 211) consigned by Journey Bloodstock; a colt by Dialed In (hip 263) consigned by Top Line Sales; a colt by Greatest Honour (hip 278) consigned by Navas Equine; a filly by Yaupon (hip 287) consigned by de Meric Sales; a filly by Win Win Win (hip 288) consigned by Grassroots Training and Sales; a colt by Epicenter (hip 289) consigned by Wavertree Stables; a filly by Instagrand (hip 306) consigned by Sweet River Thoroughbreds; a filly by Yaupon (hip 402) consigned by Omar Ramirez Bloodstock; a colt by Early Voting (hip 404) consigned by Top Line Sales, and a colt by Twirling Candy (hip 406) consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales.

Three juveniles shared Tuesday's fastest quarter-mile time of :20 4/5.

Consignor Tom McCrocklin, who sent out a filly by Omaha Beach to set the quarter-mile bullet Monday, sent out a filly by Oscar Performance (hip 262) to equal the mark Tuesday. Out of Sweet Assay (Consolidator), the dark bay is a half-sister to multiple graded winner Analyze It (Point of Entry) and was bred by Headley and Nancy Bell and NATO.

“She's a filly from a family that we do care a lot about,” Headley Bell said. “We were fortunate to breed Analyze It and he was just a nose from winning a Grade I. So, there has been some emotions there with the family. We think the world of Tom McCrocklin, and he says she's never shown him anything other than she's a lovely filly. We decided to go forward with her in this process, and then she goes and does what she did today.”

Headley Bell | Keeneland

The :20 4/5 bullet time was also matched by a colt by Jack Christopher (hip 246) consigned by Doble J Equine Sales and again late in the day by a colt by Bee Jersey (hip 280) from the Hoppel consignment.

The rainy conditions and cool temperatures seemed to impact the times Tuesday, according to Arroyo.

“It affected the track a lot,” he said. “It seems like it's a little sticky and a little deep. It seems like a lot of horses are not being able to adapt to it just because it is kind of deep right now. So, horses I think are going :10 flat, they are doing :10 1/5. I think it slowed down the track some, but it's a good track. Thank God we have this synthetic track here that handles all weather.”

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. The April sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday with bidding starting each day at 10:30 a.m.

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The opening date for the Oklahoma Training Track and barn area at Saratoga Race Course is scheduled for Apr. 15, with training on the Oklahoma set to begin Monday, Apr. 20, according to a NYRA release Tuesday.

The Oklahoma barn area will open to licensed trainers and staff.

Beginning Apr. 20 and continuing until the start of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival on June 3, the Whitney Viewing Stand will be open to fans Wednesday through Sunday, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Last year, NYRA extended the operating hours of the Whitney Viewing Stand which will remain in effect this season.

Pedestrians may access the viewing stand by entering the Oklahoma track through Gate 21 off East Avenue. Please note that vehicular traffic is not currently allowed.

In advance of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the main track at the Spa is scheduled to open May 11, with timed workouts permitted beginning May 15.

Additionally, dining reservations will be accepted beginning Thursday, Apr. 23, through www.NYRA.com. All reservations include a non-refundable table seating charge and admission, along with a $25 food and beverage minimum per person within the restaurants.

One week later, on Thursday, Apr. 30, single-day reserved seating will go on sale for the 2026 summer meet. Fans will be able to secure individual race-day seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand, and Michelob Ultra Stretch, providing the flexibility to attend Saratoga on dates of their choice.

Additional hospitality offerings will become available on Thursday, May 7, when fans can reserve tables at the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock, and Surfside Tailgate at the Turn.

These on-sale opportunities apply exclusively to the 2026 Saratoga summer meet and do not include the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

The 158th GI Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 6 highlights the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival which will be held for the final time at Saratoga from Wednesday, June 3, through Sunday, June 7.

The 46-day Saratoga summer meet will open Friday, July 3, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

For additional information about the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, visit www.BelmontStakes.com.

The post Oklahoma Track Opens Apr. 15, Dining and Reserved Seating On-Sale in April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Chester Browman Sr.'s Right to Party (Constitution), runner-up in last weekend's GII Wood Memorial, was made one of five late Triple Crown nominees through a late $6,000 payment that was due Monday.

The other late nominees (pending late mail) are Cypress Creek Equine and Ad Noir's Bourbon Dream (Quality Road); Eagle Up Stables, London Reid Thoroughbreds and Non Stop Stable's Let's Go Lando (Game Winner); SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan's Taj Mahal (Nyquist); and Resolute Racing's Volendam (Vekoma).

In total, 372 3-year-olds are now eligible for the Triple Crown series, which consists of the $5-million Kentucky Derby on May 2 at Churchill Downs; the $2-million Preakness Stakes on May 16 at Laurel Park; and the $2-million Belmont Stakes on June 6 at Saratoga Race Course.

Horses not originally nominated can be supplemented for $200,000 to become eligible for all three races, or $50,000 for the Kentucky Derby only. After the Derby, supplemental nominations are $150,000 for eligibility to the Preakness and Belmont Stakes or $50,000 for the Belmont only.

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An exclusive Kentucky Derby and Oaks Package donated by racehorse owner Ken Freirich will be auctioned off to support Thoroughbred Charities of America and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. The package is being offered via an online auction through Apr. 17 at 5 p.m. EST. Bidding is open and available here. The proceeds will be split evenly between the two non-profit organizations.

The package includes: a behind-the-scenes barn visit with a top trainer on Kentucky Oaks Day, front row reserved outdoor table for four in the exclusive Woodford Reserve Paddock Club overlooking the Paddock/Runway on May 1 and 2; exclusive paddock access; railside viewing of the races near the finish line on a private lawn; luxury hospitality with curated food stations, premium open bar, all-day white glove concierge service, bourbon tasting experiences available by reservation and subject to availability, and private restrooms and wagering windows.

“When I realized I would not be able to attend the Derby this year, I instantly knew what I wanted to do with my table in the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club; raise awareness and money for Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Freirich. “I am passionate about taking care of these amazing equine athletes after their racing careers and knew the leading aftercare organizations, TCA and TAA, would be the perfect stewards of this donation and package.”

Freirich continued, “I experienced this package last year when my horse Sandman was in the Derby. This is truly the dream and once-in-a-lifetime memory that you will have forever. You will have one of the best tables at Churchill Downs for the Oaks and Derby. Paddock access is priceless and the barn visit on Oaks Day will truly be magical. The most wonderful thing is your winning bid will support Thoroughbred aftercare, so bid generously.”

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Todd Schrupp, who recently ended his long-time tenure with TVG/FanDuel TV, will join the New York Racing Association's telecast team Thursday. Schrupp announced his initial two-week stint with NYRA via his twitter page Monday.

“It's time to move from the past and start looking to the future,” Schrupp said in the post. “And when you look at horse racing, the future looks really bright at the New York Racing Association. You look at the remodel of Belmont, and they will have the Breeders' Cup back there next year. So much to look forward to. Especially on the television side.”

Schrupp continued, “I am exceptionally excited to be a part of America's Day at the Races, in conjunction with Fox Sports.”

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As anecdotal sightings of tent caterpillars in central Kentucky give rise to concerns that this might be a bumper crop for the region, entomologists at the University of Kentucky have weighed in with guidelines to control the pests.

Dr. Jonathan Larson, an entomologist at the UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, said that they do not currently have data to support the notion that this year is worse than others, but indicated that a survey would be sent to farm managers to gauge their opinions.

However, he said, “I was driving on the Bluegrass Parkway and can anecdotally say I saw a great deal of young tents while driving by.”

Larson said that the caterpillars had not yet pupated, or undergone the transformative stage from turning from a caterpillar to a moth. “They move to do so at 450 growing degree days and Fayette County is only at 343 growing degree days,” said Larson. “Some napkin math in the hotel says that based on the current forecast, we should be going into pupation on April 14 in Fayette.”

Growing degree days, explained Larson, are a method of measuring insect development. On any given day, based on the high and low temperature, a certain amount of development will occur in the insect.

The good news, he said, was that spraying with an organic Bt spray, a natural insecticide, could still be beneficial for a few more days.

“Bt spraying this week could still be effective until maybe Friday or so,” said Larson. “Physical removal of nests also helps. More potent insecticides would include bifenthrin,” a broad-spectrum insecticide.

Physical removal of the nests can be achieved by putting a long pole or stick into the center of the nest and swirling it to catch the caterpillars up in the nest, and then scraping the silk and bugs off into a bucket of soapy water.

“That's best for situations with only a few trees, but still effective and viable,” said Larson. “We sometimes get questions about using flame, but that is not a good idea.”

Eastern tent caterpillars were thought to be the reason behind an outbreak of Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome, most pronounced in the spring of 2001 in central Kentucky.

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Oaklawn President Louis A. Cella and the late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be honored together with inclusion to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Apr. 10.

Lukas was among the first trainers to operate a national racing stable at Oaklawn Park and the Hot Springs track became a regular winter home for his horses preparing for the Triple Crown trail.

Oaklawn has been guided by the Cella family for more than a century, with Louis A. Cella representing the fourth generation of leadership. Since becoming president in 2017, Cella has continued the family's long-standing commitment to racing.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame,” said Cella. “To be inducted in the same class as D. Wayne Lukas–someone who contributed so much to Thoroughbred racing–makes it especially meaningful.”

Founded in 1958, the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and contributors who have made significant impacts on sports in the state.

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It was a fantastic week for fast maidens–the top five all registered 92+ on the Beyer scale.

5) OUT OF THE WOODS, OP, 4/3-7th, 1 1/16m VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-92
(g, 3, Constitution–Sensitive, by Divine Park)
O-Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, Panic Stable and William Strauss. B-Daniel Burke and Kathleen Burke Schweizer (Ky). T-Phil D'Amato. J-Ramon Vazquez.
After repeatedly running into Baffert buzzsaws, Out of the Woods was sent to Oaklawn for higher purses and softer maidens. His recent sharp breezes indicated the change might be positive, and he indeed delivered a solid career top. He had to work for it, as Godolphin/Cox and Winchell/Asmussen runners also improved sharply and the top three pulled 14 lengths clear of the others.

4) DEEP FLAME, KEE, 4/4-2nd, 6 1/2f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-92 (2nd)
(c, 3, Into Mischief–Barbadia, by Speightstown)
O/B-Juddmonte (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
On the Blue Grass undercard, Deep Flame and Gilded Bandit (below) put on a show in their second career starts. They engaged at the quarter pole and left the rest 13 1/4 lengths in their wake, with Gilded Bandit just edging away late. Deep Flame has now had the misfortune of facing two high-Beyer rivals. In his debut at Fair Grounds in February, the Juddmonte colt finished second to Trouble Calling, a next-out winner of Keeneland's opening-day Lafayette Stakes.

3) SILENT WAY, SA, 4/2-3rd, 1m VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-92 (2nd)
(c, 4, McKinzie–Koala Queen, by Lonhro {Aus})
O-C R K Stable. B-Runnymede Farm, Peter Callahan and Frederick Zinkhan (Ky). T-Peter Eurton. J-Hector Berrios.
As the lone 4-year-old in the six-horse field, 8-5 favorite Silent Way found himself in a stretch tussle with two Baffert 3-year-olds. He got past pacesetter Authentic Patriot, but couldn't quite match strides with Memory (below). He took a nice step forward in defeat, though, getting away more cleanly from the gate in his first try around two turns. The $700,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was one of the Keating family runners originally with trainer John Shirreffs; he made his first start for Eurton only three days after Shirreffs' death.

2) GILDED BANDIT, KEE, 4/4-2nd, 6 1/2f VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-93.
'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard'
(c, 3, Charlatan–Diamond Ore, by Tapit)
O-Pin Oak Stud. B-Taylor Made Stallions, Brunacini Stables and Clearview Stables et al (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado.
Showing trademark Mott second-out improvement, Gilded Bandit outgamed a tough customer in Deep Flame in an exciting finish that was also coincidental: Deep Flame is a Juddmonte product, and Gilded Bandit's dam is a half-sister to former Juddmonte superstar (and yearling purchase) Arrogate. The win kicked off a banner afternoon for Pin Oak, who five hours later took the Wood Memorial with Albus. It has also been a banner year for the farm, which has an 11-for-28 record with its runners thus far in 2026 and two potential Kentucky Derby starters on the horizon.

1) MEMORY, SA, 4/2-3rd, 1m VIDEO
Beyer Speed Figure-93
(c, 3, Uncle Mo–Sundaystthebeach, by Medaglia d'Oro)
O-SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan. B-Skyfall Thoroughbreds (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Juan Hernandez.
Apparently, the white-haired guy is never going to run out of fast maidens. Less than a month ago, this $775,000 “Avengers” yearling was actually the 3-1 favorite over 10-1 Crude Velocity in their debuts, an odds disparity unlikely to be repeated in the near future. Memory finished seventh that day with no obvious excuses on video, but was much sharper on the stretch-out Thursday. Interestingly, he has grass in his pedigree. His half-brother First World War (by War Front and now at stud in Korea) was twice a Grade III winner on turf.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens of the Week: 92+ Beyers All Around appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The final weekend of nine-furlong preps in New York, California and Kentucky didn't vault any unexpected new shooters to the top of the GI Kentucky Derby pecking order. Yet while the likely favorites look well established, none stands out as invincible, and there's an intriguing mix of mid-priced long shots deeper down the list. Next week we'll expand to rate the Top 20 contenders.

1) COMMANDMENT (c, Into Mischief–Sippican Harbor, by Orb) O-Wathnan Racing; B-Lee Pokoik (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Sales history: $485,000 RNA Wlg '23 FTKNOV; $475,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $500,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-0, $1,017,339. Last start: WON Mar. 28 GI Curlin Florida Derby.

Commandment, a winner of four straight, including three Gulfstream stakes, also has a maiden win over the Churchill surface. His edge is rooted in sturdiness and reliability, having demonstrated he can extricate himself from disadvantageous positioning to predictably come barreling down the lane.

In the Jan. 3 one-turn-mile Mucho Macho Man Stakes, this Brad Cox-trained son of Into Mischief ($485,000 RNA FTKNOV; $475,000 RNA FTSAUG; $500,000 KEESEP) was confidently handled while getting an inside trip, but got blocked behind a wall of four horses turning for home. Commandment bulled his way through a top-of-the-lane gap, powering away to win by 6 ¾ lengths (90 Beyer Speed Figure).

In the 1 1/16-miles GII Fountain of Youth Stakes Feb. 28, Commandment absorbed a bump at the break, raced covered up through the first turn and down the backstretch, split two sets of horses on the far turn, then took advantage of a wide-open rail and sparred relentlessly down the lane with 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Chief Wallabee (Constitution). He prevailed by a neck over a short-stretch configuration (101 Beyer), then was asked to gallop out with good energy to the traditional finish half a furlong down the stretch.

That second wire was Commandment's target in the nine-furlong Mar. 28 GI Florida Derby. The race came up “loaded” on paper, and it lived up to that billing. Commandment ended up being farther back off a tepid pace than Flavien Prat wanted, yet made up serious ground looping the group on the far turn. He finished fastest on the outside to snatch a head-bob victory by a nose from The Puma (Essential Quality), with a trip-troubled Chief Wallabee another half-length back in third. Commandment and The Puma co-earned 100 Beyers.

If there is a cautionary flip side to Commandment's workmanlike way of going, it's that he probably isn't the type of colt who is going to uncork an out-of-nowhere “Wow!” effort on the first Saturday in May. What you see is what you get with Commandment. That style sometimes wins Derbies. Often it rounds out exactas and trifectas behind horses who break out big-time and run the race of their life on Derby day.

2) RENEGADE (c, Into Mischief–Spice Is Nice, by Curlin) O-Robert Low, Lawana L. Low, and Repole Stable; B-Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $975,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-2-2-1, $1,031,500. Last start: WON Mar. 28 GI Arkansas Derby.

Renegade has fused two potent winning attributes: The ability to accelerate during the deep stages of his races, while backing up those visually striking moves with final-fraction numbers that are unrivaled among his Derby-bound peers.

Breaking his maiden in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis Stales at Tampa, this $975,000 KEESEP son of Into Mischief from Todd Pletcher's barn rated next to last and circled the field five wide, opening up by 3 3/4 lengths. He earned a 93 Beyer, but the more important number out of that race was Renegade's final sixteenth, clocked in 5.97 seconds. That's the fastest in 18 points-awarding Derby preps at 1 1/16 miles in the 2025-26 season.

In the Mar. 28 GI Arkansas Derby, after a couple back-of-pack momentum stalls while Irad Ortiz, Jr. tried to pick a path through traffic, Renegade blasted off five wide through the far bend and kicked away with a devastating turn of foot to win by four lengths (98 Beyer). He quickened home through his last furlong in 11.84 seconds-the fastest final eighth in any Derby qualifying prep in at least the last four years.

As a handicapper, it's easy to get seduced by watching a still-developing prospect like Renegade detonate on cue. He certainly does leave the impression he might have an unmatchable late gear over 10 furlongs.

But objectively, you have to take into account that Renegade was running up the score without anyone giving him a serious test down the stretch at either Tampa or Oaklawn. He will go into the Derby having not faced a stern, late-race challenge in six months, since the now-sidelined, formerly No.1-ranked Paladin (Gun Runner) beat him in the GII Remsen Stakes.

Renegade also drifted out while well clear in both the Davis (with Ortiz applying left-handed stick work) and in the Arkansas Derby (wandering to the eight path while Ortiz kept him to task).

Remember, Renegade got DQ'd from his maiden win in front of Paladin last October for drifting out in the stretch under John Velazquez. He's been since asked by Ortiz to circle the field on the far turn in three straight stakes.

3) FURTHER ADO (c, Gun Runner–Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa) 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-John C. Oxley (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. Sales history: $275,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime record: GISW, $1,146,328. Last start: WON Apr. 4 GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes.

With a 106-Beyer, 11-length trouncing of the GI Blue Grass Stakes field on Saturday, this son of Gun Runner is establishing himself as the “now” horse heading into the Derby.

Further Ado was among the first on the early Derby radar with a 20-length, two-turn maiden blowout at Keeneland Oct. 10. But his win in the Nov. 29 GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes–which earned only a so-so Beyer of 82–wasn't enticing enough for him to land a spot on TDN's initial Derby rankings while trainer Brad Cox gave this colt an early winter break.

Further Ado resurfaced with purpose Mar. 7, running a very sharp second as the 2-1 second choice off a 3 1/2-month break in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, pressing the pace and getting beat by only three-quarters of a length behind an onrushing, in-form The Puma.

Off as the .85-1 favorite in the Blue Grass, Further Ado was a forward factor leaving the gate. Irad Ortiz, Jr. opted to keep him in the clear five paths off the rail into the first turn. By the six-furlong pole, Further Ado had settled into a sweet stalking spot outside and third behind dueling pacemakers.

He advanced under his own power a half mile out, gradually building momentum with an in-hand cruise through the far turn. Further Ado effortlessly crested the field at the quarter pole and widened his winning margin against a badly overmatched bunch, with no rival mounting a serious late-race bid and the second- and third-favorites both out of the money.

Beyond what you see in his past performances, Further Ado rates highly because he's light on his feet and is a nimble, athletic mover. Those are excellent attributes to have in a 20-horse cavalry charge like the Derby.

But the big question in assessing Further Ado is be the quality of his competition. In the Blue Grass, he beat only one listed stakes winner and one Louisiana-bred stakes winner. In six career races, while compiling a 3-1-1 mark against 50 other starters, Further Ado has only once finished in front of one Grade III winner.

4) THE PUMA (c, Essential Quality–Eve of War, by Declaration of War) O-OGMA Investments LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing LLC; B-Hidden Brook Farm & Brian Kahn (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado. Sales history: $95,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime record: GSW, 4-1-2-1, $442,280. Last start: 2nd Mar. 28 GI Florida Derby.

The Puma's stock got a boost when Further Ado, the horse he out-photo'd in the Tampa Derby, came back to crush the competition in the Blue Grass Stakes.

So did The Puma's winning Beyer figure from that Mar. 7 stakes, which was preliminarily assigned a 95, then readjusted to an 89, and now, a month later, is back up to a 94 after Further Ado won the Blue Grass.

Unlike Further Ado, The Puma sports robust company lines: In addition to finishing in front of that No. 3 rival on this list, he's lost by a nose to No. 1 Commandment, run third behind No. 2 Renegade, and has once beaten and been beaten by No. 7 Chief Wallabee.

The gamble on The Puma ($95,000 RNA KEESEP; $150,000 OBSAPR) in Louisville will come down to whether you think he's already peaked or if he can continue to slug it out with top-of-crop competition over 10 furlongs.

The Puma's Tampa Derby and his Florida Derby were similar in that he was 7-1 in the betting and four wide most of the way around in both races.

The tactical takeaway from The Puma's Florida Derby that might-but shouldn't-get obscured is that he did all the far-turn dirty work by being first to take on 7-5 favorite Nearly at the quarter pole.

Once The Puma drilled that rival into submission, he got no breather, immediately having to fight off fresh salvos in the stretch from both Commandment and Chief Wallabee.

The Puma did not shy from that task, and his nose was ahead of Commandment's one jump before the wire and one jump after it. The result could have easily gone the other way if the cadence of the colts' head-bobbing was different.

Delgado and jockey Javier Castellano teamed with another lightly raced colt, Mage, to win the Kentucky Derby at 15-1 odds in 2023. Mage had also finished second in the Florida Derby, making only his third lifetime start.

5) DANON BOURBON (c Maxfield–Wild Ridge, by Tapit) O-Danox Co Ltd; B-Blue Heaven Farm (KY); T-Manabu Ikezoe. Sales history: $450,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: 3-3-0-0, $222,733. Last start: WON Mar. 28 Fukuryu Stakes (allowance).

Danon Bourbon, who turned three Apr. 6, will try the Derby off a 3-for-3 campaign in Japan in which he has rolled home by an aggregate 18 ½ lengths without being fully extended over right-handed courses.

Danon Bourbon | Horsephotos

This $450,000 KEESEP colt by Maxfield closed at 23-1 odds in this past Saturday's Pool 6 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW).

He will be the first North American starter for Manabu Ikezoe, a Group 1-winning trainer who previously worked in Ireland under Aidan O'Brien.

In his mud-track maiden debut at 9-2 odds Oct. 26 over 1800 meters (8.95 furlongs) at Kyoto, Danon Bourbon took charge at the start in a field of 16, was confidently handled through the far turn, then widened his lead with ease to score by 10 lengths.

Trying 1900 meters (9.44 furlongs) against one-win allowance company for a $102,224 purse at Kyoto Feb. 15, Danon Bourbon was favored at 9-10 over “fast” going. He stalked menacingly from third behind two pacemakers, edged up in hand on the far turn, responded instantly when cued to quicken, then powered past 200 meters out to win by five lengths.

A similar prowl-and-pounce move over 1800 meters in a muddy Mar. 28 $227,900 Fukuryu Stakes (allowance) at Nakayama resulted in a 3 ½-length victory as the 11-10 fave.

Danon Bourbon is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs Apr. 21.

6) EMERGING MARKET (c, Candy Ride {Arg}–Wild Empress, by Empire Maker) ”TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. Sales history: $185,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $618,880. Last start: WON Mar. 21 GII Louisiana Derby.

Emerging Market was back in action on Saturday, breezing a half mile in :50.80 (53/61) at Payson Park to record his first published work two weeks after winning the 1 3/16-miles GII Louisiana Derby by a head in just his second lifetime start.

A colt attempting the 10-furlong Derby in only his third lifetime race and coming off a six-week break? That idea once might have sounded outlandish from a development and race-spacing standpoint. But conventional training standards are rapidly changing in this less-is-more era of pointing young horses to big races.

This Chad Brown-trained son of Candy Ride (Arg) does stand out as a potential “talented beyond his experience” colt.

Emerging Market ($185,000 KEESEP) has raced effectively from both inside and outside posts, and has stalked, targeted and pulled back pacemakers while both covered up at the fence and from a few paths wide.

In his maiden victory at Tampa and again down the long home straight at Fair Grounds, he has let loose with two no-quit stretch runs that featured shoulder-to-shoulder contact, twice wresting command from stubborn foes in the shadow of the wire by narrow margins.

After stablemate Always a Runner (Gun Runner) won the Apr. 4 GIII Gazelle Stakes at Aqueduct, also in her second career start after breaking her maiden in a route at Tampa, Brown described that 3-year-old filly and Emerging Market as practically twins.

“It's ironic, I have a male and a female version. She's like a female spitting image of Emerging Market,” Brown said. “Both horses had pneumonia [last year, and] both of them had to leave my care and go in a hyperbaric chamber.”

“This filly's pneumonia was more serious than [Emerging Market's], and that's why they didn't start in the fall,” Brown explained. “They were both dead-ready to run, right here in New York and to debut the right way in the fall as two of our best prospects in their divisions. They both missed it, which I was just sick over, because I really felt I had an Oaks and a Derby horse in both horses.”

7) CHIEF WALLABEE (c, Constitution–A La Lucie, by Medaglia d'Oro) 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard'. O/B-Mike Ball & Katherine Ball (KY); T-William I. Mott. Lifetime record: GSP, 3-1-1-1, $216,600. Last start: 3rd Mar. 28 GI Florida Derby.

Chief Wallabee is currently outside looking in at No. 22 on the Derby's qualifying points list.

In the aftermath of his third-place try in the Florida Derby, trainer Bill Mott said he had expected a touch quicker response when Junior Alvarado cut the colt loose.

Still, this homebred son of Constitution did spark to life later in the race when he sensed Commandment charging hard to his outside in deep stretch, and Chief Wallabee galloped out with good energy in tandem with the winner after getting beaten only half a length in a three-way photo.

The Florida Derby was a learning experience, and Chief Wallabee will no doubt move forward from it.

The open question is whether he will be primed to make that advance in start number four on the first Saturday in May.

Chief Wallabee will draw favorable comparisons to Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the Mott-trained sophomore champ from last year. Sovereignty was let go at 7.98-1 odds when he won the Kentucky Derby after running a very good second in the Florida Derby, a race for which he was not fully cranked.

But comparing Sovereignty's development arc to Chief Wallabee's isn't fair. Sovereignty had already won both the GIII Street Sense Stakes in October of his juvenile season and the Fountain of Youth Stakes in February by the time he prepped in the Florida Derby.

Chief Wallabee, by contrast, didn't even debut until his Jan. 10 score over seven furlongs at Gulfstream, and he's now been beaten twice by Commandment going 1 1/16 miles in the Fountain of Youth and nine furlongs in the Florida Derby.

8) POTENTE (c, Into Mischief–Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again) O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $2,400,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG.Lifetime record: GSW, 3-2-1-0, $262,000. Last start: 2nd Apr. 4 GI Santa Anita Derby.

With reference to bettability in the Kentucky Derby, I'm giving Potente (Into Mischief) an edge over So Happy (Runhappy), the horse who beat him by three-quarters of a length in the GI Santa Anita Derby.

That's because we're all the way down to No. 8 on this list before we encounter a serious early speed threat. I tend to upgrade Derby contenders who have enough lick from the gate to be either leading the pack outright or right up there with the frontrunners in such a crowded, chaotic race.

The combination of being a decent speedster conditioned by a trainer who's had seven horses cross the finish line first in the Derby, plus the likelihood that Potente will go off north of 20-1, might end up being too value-appealing a play to pass up.

This $2.4 million FTSAUG colt from Bob Baffert's stable broke well from post two in the Santa Anita Derby. He took constant pace pressure closest to the rail, lost the lead and snatched it back several times down the backside, then battled with the eventual winner for a furlong into the stretch even though it had looked like So Happy was initially going to blow past at the quarter pole. It was another 6 ¾ lengths back to the third-place finisher.

“He gave me everything he had and was fighting all the way to the end,” said jockey Juan Hernandez. “Even when [So Happy] came close to me, he was trying to come back and break. He's a great horse and he ran a good second.”

Added Baffert: “He's getting fitter and getting more experience. He'll be going to Kentucky.”

9) WONDER DEAN (JPN), (c, Dee Majesty (Jpn)-Wonder Siang Praw (Jpn), by Wonder Acute (Jpn) O/B-Yoshinari Yamamoto; T-Daisuke Takayanagi. Lifetime record: GSW, 6-2-2-0, $770,541.

Wonder Dean, a Japanese homebred by Group 1-winning turfer Dee Majesty (Jpn) out of a mare whose grandsire was the 1999 Kentucky Derby upsetter Charismatic, is already settling into Kentucky after his 2 ½-length win in the Mar. 28 G2 UAE Derby.

He tracked and reeled in a lone pacemaker over the 1900-meter Meydan distance, building momentum through a sustained push from over half a mile out.

“I had a dream run around,” said jockey Cristian Demuro. “I was able to ride him how I wanted and although he didn't have much cover, he came there so easily and then really picked up well.”

Wonder Dean closed at 42-1 in this past weekend's KDFW pool.

So Happy | BENOIT PHOTO 

10) SO HAPPY (c, Runhappy–So Cunning, by Blame) O-Norman Stables LLC and Saints or Sinners; B-Leverett S. Miller (KY); T-Mark Glatt. Sales history: $12,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $20,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime record: GISW, 4-3-0-1, $480,000. Last start: WON Apr. 4 GI Santa Anita Derby.

This son of 2015 champion sprinter Runhappy ($12,000 KEENOV; $20,000 FTKOCT; $150,000 OBSMAR) owns victories in a 6 1/2-fulrong maiden, the seven-furlong GII San Vicente Stakes, and now the nine-furlong Santa Anita Derby. He was not badly beaten when third in the San Felipe Stakes over 1 1/16 miles

So Happy has tactical speed that lends itself well to a stalking style. His Beyer pattern through four lifetime starts is 83-96-86-100.

Numbers-wise, he's right on the cusp of what it takes to win the first leg of the Triple Crown (last 10 Derby-winning Beyers all between 100 and 105).

But So Happy just made a leap of 14 points to prevail over nine furlongs, so he'll have to prove he can not only maintain that Beyer level, but add to it at least a little bit while stepping up in class and stretching out in distance.

A trip to Churchill Downs is still to be determined, trainer Mark Glatt said the day after So Happy's pace-pressing win at Santa Anita.

“That needs to be thought out a little more than I've had a chance to do at this point,” Glatt said.

11) INCREDIBOLT (c, Bolt d'Oro–Sapphire Spitfire, by Awesome Again) O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Deann Baer & Greg Baer DVM (KY); T-Riley Mott. Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: GSW, 5-3-0-0, $498,681. Last start: WON Mar. 14 Virginia Derby.

This lean, powerfully built $75,000 KEESEP son of Bolt d'Oro won a one-turn mile maiden at Churchill and the Street Sense Stakes there in his juvenile season.

After a “go figure” clunker that saw him sixth and last, beaten 25 1/4 lengths without an obvious excuse in the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream, Incredibolt rebounded with a four-length, 88-Beyer confidence-builder in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs, a one-turn, 1 1/8-miles stakes that was just added to the Derby qualifying series last year.

With Albus (Yaupon) upsetting the GII Wood Memorial Stakes last Saturday, trainer Riley Mott now has two points-qualifying Derby horses. If they both get sent on to Louisville, he'll have to find a new jockey for one of them, because Jaime Torres rode each to victory in their most recent stakes.

12) SILENT TACTIC (c, Tacitus-Magical Sign, by Gun Runner) O-John C. Oxley; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. Sales history: $60,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $500,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR. Lifetime record: GSW, 6-2-4-0, $1,051,922. Last start: 2nd Mar. 28 GI Arkansas Derby.

Silent Tactic closed at 32-1 odds in Pool 6 of the KDFW, which figures to be pretty close to the price point where this Mark Casse trainee is likely to go off in the actual Derby mutuels May 2.

What Silent Tactic lacks in flash and panache he makes up for with consistency. After running second in the Mar. 28 GI Arkansas Derby, this son of Tacitus is already a millionaire and has never been worse than second in six career starts, all in races over 1 1/16 miles or longer.

After going through the sales ring twice ($60,000 FTKOCT; $500,000 OBSAPR), this colt is now owned by John Oxley, who also bred (but does not own) No. 3-ranked Further Ado.

Expect Silent Tactic to be in the mix on the far turn of the Derby when others are calling it quits. A well-timed move would put him in contention for a potential upset over 10 furlongs.

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