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Field of Gold left a pair of classic winners, Night of Thunder and Ruling Court, completely flat-footed en route to a St James's Palace Stakes (G1) victory at Ascot.

Jorge Navarro, the self-proclaimed “Juice Man” and a central figure in the doping scandal that rocked the sport in 2020, was released Wednesday from the federal prison FCI Miami, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator website.

On December 17, 2021, Navarro was handed a five-year sentence for his leading role in the felony drug misbranding and adulteration charges arising from an investigation that involved the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. He began serving his sentence on March 18, 2022.

Had he served his full sentence he would not have been released until March, 2027. It was not immediately known why he was released so early. Federal parole was largely abolished for crimes committed after November 1, 1987. Sentencing guidelines call for a prison term of up to five years with a requirement that at least 85% of the eventual sentence be served. Navarro served only three years and three months of his sentence or 65% of the original five-year sentence.

“For years, Mr. Navarro, you effectively stole millions, cheating other trainers, owners and jockeys you competed against,” Judge Mary K. Vyskocil said at his sentencing. “You also demonstrated, Mr. Navarro, a collective, callous disregard for the well-being of the horses. The bottom line is you likely killed or endangered the horses in your care.”

It was not known where Navaro went Wednesday, but his stay in the U.S. may not last long. Before his client was sentenced attorney Jason Kreiss said that it was all but certain that Navarro would be deported to his native Panama after serving his sentence. He is not a U.S. citizen.

“He is facing an almost certain deportation to (Panama) where he has almost no familial, social, or economic ties” and “may even serve a longer incarceration term than ordered by the Court as a result of the collateral consequences of separate (Department of Homeland Security) deportation proceedings, which will only commence once he is transferred from the (Federal Bureau of Prisons) to (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” Kriese said.

Trainer Jason Servis, the other major name in the case, is serving his sentence at Pensacola FPC and is not scheduled to be released until 7-16-26.

This story will be updated.

The post Jorge Navarro Released from Prison appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

NYRA CEO David O'Rourke has a lot on his plate these days. There's the rebuild of the Belmont stands, the shuffling back and forth between Long Island and Saratoga for the GI Belmont Stakes and the preparation for the return of the Breeders' Cup in 2027. That meant there was a lot to cover when O'Rourke joined our team for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. O'Rourke was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

On the subject of moving the GI Belmont Stakes a few weeks back on the calendar so that there is more time between Triple Crown races, O'Rourke said that is not something that will happen anytime soon.

“For the near future, nothing is going to happen. Next year is the World Cup. So, it's going to start right after the week after Belmont. So nothing would happen in the near term,” O'Rourke said.

When the idea of running the three races on the first Saturday in May, the first Saturday in June and the first Saturday in July came up O'Rourke didn't seem eager to go in that direction.

“Do people have to stick to the pattern?” he said. “Would we be moving these things just for NYRA's benefit or just for the industry? I agree that for the industry, the Triple Crown is the Holy grail. It's the one thing that works. How much do we want to play with it? If you've moved it that far and it didn't work, what do you do? So I would say that you're probably looking at what's being contemplated internally. And there have been some conversations that would be more of an incremental move than a drastic one because this is the one thing is sacred to really our sport. It's the one thing where the metrics are significant. It's our moment. And if we move, if we play with it too much, we could break it.”

With so much rain falling during the Belmont-at-Saratoga meet, which cost NYRA more than $30 million in handle, is there any talk of putting in a synthetic track at Saratoga?

“We've looked at it,” he said. “It's just difficult with the configuration. So, in the near term, no. Now might we play around with the training surface somewhere, possibly an uphill for long jogs, something like that. But in terms of the main surfaces now, there's even some ideas out there, and you can think of them as sort of crazy, as putting one over at Oklahoma and bringing off the turf races over there in bad weather.”

NYRA has been plagued by short fields in the stakes races it has run so far this year. It not unusual to see them come up with four horses with the racing being run as the second on the card.

“We're constantly looking at the stakes schedule,” he said. “From the owner point of view, that black-type is really important, especially on the female side. I understand your point that there are too many options at certain times for certain divisions and at a certain level? Let's just think about the graded level and I'll fall back onto a pattern committee in terms of kind of forcing the best horses in a certain pattern direction. I think that would be best for the sport, but that's going to take another version of consensus with everyone buying in. But I hear what you're saying.”

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, we went over the many reasons there are breed to WinStar stallion Constitution. The fastest horse of the week was Nash (Medaglia d'Oro), who ran a 106 when winning a June 13 allowance at Churchill Downs

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV, the team of Randy Moss, TD Thornton and Bill Finley discussed the raid of the Delta Downs backstretch by agents of ICE and wondered if this would be the first of many raids at racetracks. They also talked about the situation in Louisiana, which seems to change by the minute, but it now appears that the 2025-2026 meet at the Fair Grounds  will be run. And now that he's won over 3,000 races, including two GI Kentucky Derbies and 43 graded stakes in all, does Doug O'Neill deserve too be in the Hall of Fame?

To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here.

The post David O’Rourke Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Last week, economics professors Marshall Gramm and Nick McKinney published a study in these pages showing the impacts at Aqueduct the past four winters from CAW players during the last flash across all the pools.

According to that study, the percentage share from CAW players of monies wagered last-minute into the Exacta, Trifecta, Superfecta and Early Pick 5 pools (among others) had jumped significantly between 2022 and 2024.

In light of that published study, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has issued a statement explaining that, in the fall of 2023, the organization had switched tote operators—from AmTote to United Tote—resulting in “material differences” in how the pool cycles are managed.

“It would be impossible to make any meaningful determinations about the final cycle data without understanding and accounting for the 2023 change in tote operations,” wrote NYRA spokesperson, Pat McKenna.

NYRA's full statement is as follows:

“NYRA transitioned tote operations from AmTote to United Tote in the Fall of 2023, an important fact not mentioned or discussed in the analysis recently published by TDN. There are material differences in how these operators manage pool cycles, which is reflected in the 2024 data as compared with 2023. It would be impossible to make any meaningful determinations about the final cycle data without understanding and accounting for the 2023 change in tote operations.

“In recent years, NYRA has implemented a series of policies that effectively restrict the wagering activity of CAW groups. In addition, NYRA is developing technology designed to provide retail customers with advanced wagering tools and more information than ever before.”

The post NYRA: Gramm-McKinney Analysis Affected by Changes in Tote Operations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA) will host the Commonwealth's first-ever Pennsylvania Yearling Show.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place Saturday, June 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Brandywine Polo Club in New Garden, PA (232 Polo Road, Toughkenamon, PA 19374).

Pennsylvania-Bred horses will be vying for more than $5,000 in awards and prizes. Horses will be placed in one of four classes depending on whether they are colts, geldings or fillies, as well as whether they were sired by a Pennsylvania stallion.

“We created the Pennsylvania Yearling Show as a way to showcase our Pennsylvania-bred Thoroughbreds and generate interest in horse breeding here in the Commonwealth,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the PHBA. “Our goal is to build on this inaugural event and expand the size and scope each year to create a major annual showcase of Pennsylvania yearlings. We encourage the public to come out and enjoy a family-friendly day at the Brandywine Polo Club and see some of our Pennsylvania-bred horses up close.”

The horses will be judged by Russell Jones, a long-time Pennsylvania breeder and member of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission.

The post PA Horse Breeders Association to Host First-Ever Yearling Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A Father's Day event hosted by The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) at Parx drew over 6000 fans, an NTL record, and generating a $1.55 million handle—a 65% increase over last year's Father's Day card at Parx, according to a NTL release Wednesday.

The event was hosted by the Philadelphia Stallions, which is co-owned by retired basketball star Julius “Dr. J” Erving.

The California Shamrocks won the Philadelphia Cup with the top four teams finishing within 2 points of each other. The New York Knights remain in first place overall at the midpoint of the league's third season.

Numerous celebrities attended the weekend festivities, including Erving, Philadelphia Eagles legends Seth Joyner and Hollis Thomas, Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos and Jarobi White, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member of A Tribe Called Quest.

For more information on the NTL and upcoming events, visit www.NTL.Racing.

 

The post National Thoroughbred League Draws 6,000 Patrons for Philadelphia Cup at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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

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

 

Resolved ADMC Violations

 

Date: 06/17/2025

Licensee: Luis Fernando Gonzalez, 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 by HIWU.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone and Flunixin–both controlled substances (Class C)–in a sample taken from Swen on 5/2/25.

 

Date: 06/17/2025

Licensee: Jorge Abreu, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Curlin's Angel on 5/2/25.

 

Date: 06/16/2025

Licensee: Tanner Tracy, trainer

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

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rockets Sister on 5/8/24.

Date: 06/12/2025

Licensee: Carmelo Ortiz-Ruiz, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Boxster on 4/6/25.

 

Pending ADMC Violations

 

06/17/2025, Natalie Cowan, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Beauty Bolt on 5/2/25.

 

06/16/2025, Edward Barker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Mepivacaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Cajunette, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 5/12/25.

 

06/13/2025, Ricardo Vega, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Regalpains, who

finished fourth at Parx Racing on 5/13/25.

 

06/11/2025 and 6/17/25, Dr. Donald J. McCrosky, veterinarian: Pending violations for the use or attempted use of the banned substance Testosterone on Tigger Attack for an event dated 10/29/24; as well as for the “Possession of a Banned Substance, and for the “Tampering or Attempted Tampering by a Covered Person with any part of Doping Control or Medication Control,” involving the banned substances Levothyroxine, Ammonium Chloride, Testosterone Cypionate/DHEA, Ammonium Sulfate and Osphos for an event dated 4/22/25.

 

06/11/2025 and 6/17/25, Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer: Pending medication violations for the presence of bronchodilator Formoterol (Aformoterol)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Laguardia, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/26/25; and for the presence of bronchodilator Albuterol (Salbutamol)–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Gone Boy, who won at Aqueduct on 4/19/25.

The post Weekly Rulings: National Regulatory Rulings for June 12 -18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Woodbine Entertainment has relaunched the philanthropic initiative Woodbine Cares under a renewed banner: “For the Love of the Horse Racing Community,” according to a track release Wednesday.

“This refreshed focus on 'For the Love of the Horse Racing Community' reflects our organization's commitment to what matters most – the people, the horses, and the entire racing community,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “By concentrating our efforts on horse welfare and on those who work tirelessly behind the scenes, Woodbine Cares is helping build a vibrant and sustainable future for Ontario horse racing. We're investing in the well-being of our equine athletes and the dedicated individuals who care for them, because their success and welfare are the foundation of our sport's success for generations to come.”

As part of the relaunch, Woodbine Cares is donating $250,000 annually towards three key focus areas and invest in major new initiatives across each: Equine Welfare & Aftercare, Food programs and Support for Backstretch Workers and Racing Workforce Development.

For more information on the Woodbine Cares initiative, click here.

The post Woodbine Cares Relaunched Under ‘For the Love of the Racing Community’ Banner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Roel Dill has been appointed the new Chief Financial Officer by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, according to an organization release Wednesday. Additionally, Ann Hall has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and Lynn Wright has been pegged as the Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer.

Dill formerly served as Qualcomm's Senior Director, Finance of Qualcomm's Technology Licensing business unit and Ventures and Treasury groups. Prior to Qualcomm, he was a Senior Manager at KPMG, where he worked on DMTC's audit team.

His full DMTC title, as of June 1, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer.

Del Mar's Mike Ernst, who has filled that role for the past 33 years, has been named Executive Vice President, Finance.

Hall, who has served in multiple capacities since joining DMTC in its accounting department in 1994, was the track's Senior Vice President for Operations and Administration. Her new role will see her take on the additional responsibilities of all general day-to-day operations of the seaside racing facility that first opened in 1937.

Wright, a long-tenured staff member, has overseen DMTC's accounting team for more than a dozen years. She joined Del Mar in 1990, initially as Director of Financial Reporting and Planning. Subsequently, she was elevated to the role of Controller and Vice President. She now oversees the track's accounting, payroll and financial planning functions.

The post Del Mar Names Dill New CFO, Promotes Hall and Wright appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Hip 340, a filly by Higher Power bred by Everythings Cricket Racing, sold for $110,000 Tuesday at the OBS June sale. Photo courtesy of Hernandez Stables Inc.

Fillies by New York-based sires Honest Mischief and Solomini were among the leading New York-breds sold during the opening session of the OBS June sale of 2-year-olds in training Tuesday in Ocala, Florida.

Roddy Valente purchased the Honest Mischief filly, Hip 180, for $40,000.

Bred by Sequel Stallions NY LLC and Scott Miller, foaled at Meadow View Thoroughbreds in Canajoharie and consigned by Crystal Eclipse Stable, the filly is the third foal out of the winning Any Given Saturday mare Blue Hen Madness.

Honest Mischief, New York’s leading freshman sire in 2024 who stands for $7,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson. A 9-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, Honest Mischief currently ranks fourth on the New York general sire list and in the top 20 of all second-crop sires in North America.

Trainer Bruce Brown, agent, went to $35,000 to purchase Hip 159, a daughter of Solomini out of the stakes-placed Bellamy Road mare Bella’s Flair.

Hip 159, a filly by Solomini bred by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds and partners, sold for $35,000 Tuesday at OBS June. Photo courtesy of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

Bred by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds LLC, Windswept Stable and partners, foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent, the filly is a half-sister to three winners including the five-time winner and $205,107-earning New York-bred Awesome Alana.

Solomini, a 10-year-old son of Curlin out of the Storm Cat mare Surf Song, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs. Currently ranked third on the New York general sire list, Solomini topped the Empire State’s freshman sire list in 2023.

Hip 340, a filly from the second crop of Higher Power, commanded the session’s top price for a New York-bred at $110,000 from Good Ole Boy Investments.

Bred by Everythings Cricket Racing, foaled at Stonegate Stables in Fort Edward and consigned by Hernandez Stables Inc., agent, the filly is the 11th foal out of the unraced Lemon Drop Kid mare Gold Anklet. She’s the dam of four winners, including stakes-placed Little Daddy, and the unraced Uncle Mo mare Mo Joy, the dam of graded stakes-winning New York-bred Mo Plex.

OBS reported sales on 17 of the 24 New York-breds offered Tuesday for a total of $441,000, an average price of $25,941 and median of $20,000.

The sale concludes with the final session, which includes a horses of racing age section, at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

The post Honest Mischief, Solomini fillies fare well at OBS June appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

The 29-day Santa Anita Hollywood Meet wrapped up Sunday with Antonio Fresu winning the jockey's title, Phil D'Amato as top trainer and Nick Alexander as leading owner.

For Fresu, this was his first jockey's title at Santa Anita. The 33-year-old native of Italy has been riding in the U.S., specifically the Southern California circuit, since April 2023. Fresu ended the Hollywood Meet with 34 wins from 152 mounts (22%) to finish four wins clear of runner-up Juan Hernandez. Fresu also had five stakes wins to lead all jockeys.

At last year's Hollywood Meet, Fresu came up just one win short of Hernandez in the race for leading jockey.

Fresu's stakes wins came with Seismic Beauty in the GII Santa Margarita for trainer Bob Baffert, Richi in the GII Santa Maria for Baffert, Motorious in the GIII Daytona for D'Amato, Public Assembly in the GIII Royal Heroine for D'Amato and Freedom's Not Free in the Cinema Stakes for trainer Mark Glatt.

Fresu also led all jockeys with $1,794,786 in purse earnings.

For D'Amato, this was his seventh trainer's title at Santa Anita. He won 27 races from 113 starters (24%) to finish seven wins clear of runner-up John Sadler. D'Amato also led all trainers with $1,573,678 in purse earnings and tied Baffert for most stakes wins with five.

D'Amato's top assistants are Rudy Cruz and Euriel Mejia. The barn's five stakes wins came with King of Gosford in the GI Shoemaker Mile, Motorious in the GIII Daytona, Public Assembly in the GIII Royal Heroine, Jungle Peace in the GIII Senorita and Super Shine in the Desert Stormer.

Alexander has been one of California's leading owners and breeders for decades. His runners at the Hollywood Meet won 11 races from 25 starts, a 44% success rate.

 

The post Fresu Wins Santa Anita Jockey’s Title at Hollywood Meet; D’Amato Tops Trainers, Alexander Leads Owners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In the span of seven months nearly a decade ago, Maria Borell went from the ecstasy of training a Breeders' Cup winner with just her 30th lifetime starter to making national headlines for being a no-show in the face of animal cruelty charges after authorities rescued 43 neglected and undernourished horses from dire stabling conditions at a Kentucky farm leased by her father.

On Tuesday, Borell was stymied in her attempt to regain a Thoroughbred training license in her home state.

Borell, now 42, had been hopeful she would be able to regain her licensure. In July 2023, her charges from 2016 all got dismissed in Mercer County District Court, and in September 2024, Borell was licensed as a trainer in California.

But on June 17, 2025, after hearing testimony from Borell while her attorney, Karen Murphy, watched via videoconference, the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation (KHRGC)'s license review committee went into closed session to debate the matter.

When the committee reconvened in open session, its chairman, Greg Harbut, informed Borell that if she didn't choose to withdraw her license request, the committee's vote would “almost certainly result in denial of this application.”

Murphy, who has ample experience handling licensure hearings for trainers, immediately withdrew the application on Borell's behalf. The attorney was aware that a denial on her record might jeopardize Borell's ability to continue training in other states and would likely cause bureaucratic difficulties for a future pursuit of licensure in Kentucky.

“Maria is heartbroken,” Murphy told TDN in a phone interview after Tuesday's hearing. “We withdrew [the application], which means we do not have to face the rabbit hole of a denial, where we'd have to go through all sorts of appeals and exhaustion of administrative remedy, and focus on what it is that we're missing, because I don't know what we're missing.

“It's very disappointing for reasons that are both human and legal. On the legal side-and I kind of wanted to speak on it [at the hearing], but I wasn't allowed to-Maria spent a substantial amount of time to achieve what she achieved, which was a dismissal with prejudice of all the charges, and an expungement from the record.

“An expungement means that the court has treated the matter as if it never happened, and it has directed the court, if anybody was to ask, to not reveal anything about the matter. And the individual, who the charges were brought against, is also notified that they don't have to reveal [the expunged charges]. That is a legal principle that is applied everywhere in the United States of America, and it [doesn't exclude] racing.”

Murphy continued: “She's passed the trainer's test. She has a license in California. She's able to participate there. So there's ample precedent. For Kentucky not to take the same principled position-there is no legal impediment to her licensure-there's something else that's going on. And I don't know what it is, other than the fact that we all know what happened, but the court and the law has said to Kentucky the point of expungement is to relieve a person of a perpetual black mark once the court has decided there's no merit to the case.

“That's what the court decided, and [the license review committee] was provided with those documents. So that's a very challenging situation to be in, and we'll meet the challenge. But we're extremely disappointed in the fact that they failed to meet their obligation to respect the law,” Murphy said.

Murphy told TDN to expect that Borell would be back before the KHRGC's license review committee at a future date.

 

Chronology of the Case…

At this time 10 years ago, Borell had never trained a Thoroughbred winner from 22 lifetime starts. Then she took over as the conditioner of Runhappy, who blossomed into a graded stakes-winning sprinter and eventual Eclipse Award-winning champion.

But 24 hours after Runhappy won the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint on Oct. 31, 2015, Borell was fired, and she sued client Gallery Racing Stables, LLC, (owners James and Linda McIngvale) for breach of contract and defamation.

Over the winter of 2015-16, Borell relocated to Florida, but a training stint with Drawing Away Stable was also short-lived, ending in a May 2016 dismissal from that job.

In May 2016, an investigative article titled “The Shocking Untold Story of Maria Borell” was published on (but has since been removed from) the website US Racing. It alleged that Borell had been involved in a series of incidents involving questionable equine care, damage to and neglect of properties she has leased, and personal financial difficulties.

After reading that article and a follow-up that specifically referenced alleged neglect at a farm near Harrodsburg leased by Charles “Chuck” Borell, the Mercer County Sheriff began investigating.

When the sheriff's investigators found underfed, underwatered, and confined horses with open sores, untrimmed feet, and no one seemingly present to care for them, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDOA) stepped in to rehome the horses and provide them with veterinary care.

Deeming that the horses there had been abandoned by Chuck and Maria Borell, Class A misdemeanor charges and arrest warrants were issued for the father-and-daughter tandem.

Chuck Borell was arrested on July 29, 2016, while Maria Borell remained at large.

Chuck Borell entered an “Alford plea” (a plea of guilty without making an admission of guilt) in Mercer County District Court on Sept. 29, 2016, that spared him from going to jail. He was to serve two years of probation in return for relinquishing any ownership interest he had in the 43 horses that had since been moved to 14 different farms.

Maria Borell was technically considered a fugitive from justice. But KDOA officials told TDN back in 2016 that the department did not have the resources to extradite her if she was apprehended out of state.

 

From 2022 to today…

After six years, in June 2022, Maria Borell turned herself in to Kentucky authorities. In an effort to address the charges and clear her name, she initially pleaded not guilty.

Prior to the case going to trial, a different attorney for Maria Borell negotiated a plea deal in July 2023 that centered on the contention that the charges against her would be difficult to prove given that the affected horses were not under her immediate care at the time.

Maria Borell ended up paying her $7,500 bail bond (plus an additional $2,500 that had been held in escrow) to Thoroughbred Charities of America, which had laid out as much as $13,000 toward caring for the horses.

Separately, Murphy said she recently negotiated a settlement for Maria Borell's outstanding debt with Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, a deal that is predicated on her client obtaining a license to train horses and being able to bring in income to pay the money.

At her June 17, 2025, KHRGC license review hearing, Maria Borell gave her side of the story about what happened during the time she was out of public view with animal cruelty charges pending.

“I know it's been a long time since I've been licensed to train here, and it's been a long road, and I learned a lot of lessons in the past nine years,” Maria Borell said.

“Obviously, you know, what happened with my dad's farm was not my fault, but I did not handle it properly. I wish I came back and helped,” Maria Borell said.

“I've had a lot of time to think, and know how to do things right the second time around, you know. I have continued to work with horses the whole time. I have my own personal horses. I am a vet assistant, at times, in busy seasons for my horse vet. And I'd really like another chance,” Maria Borell said.

“I consider Kentucky home, and I'd love the opportunity to be back here and prove myself and not screw up this time in any way, shape or form,” Maria Borell said.

Maria Borell said that she did, at one time, have control over the Harrodsburg farm leased by her father. But in the aftermath of her firing by the owners of Runhappy, she had jumped at a chance to make a fresh start by training in Florida.

“I let my ego get the best of me, and I said, 'Well, screw this. I'm going to move. I can do this again. I don't need Runhappy.' And I turned everything [at the farm] over to my dad and I moved to Florida,” Maria Borell said.

“And then seven months later, my dad had a new farm out in Clark County, and everything had gone horrible,” Maria Borell said.

“At the time, I was suing Mr. McIngvale for my winnings at the Breeders' Cup and other races, and my attorney at the time told me, 'Don't come back [to Kentucky]. It's going to make you look bad. You're not responsible for that farm. You won't have any chance to win this money. Don't come back,'” Maria Borell said.

“And that was my biggest mistake. It made me look guilty. I should have helped. I should have stepped up. And that is my biggest regret of all, is not coming back to help when it was clearly needed,” Maria Borell said.

Maria Borell said that in California, “They licensed me immediately, no stipulations.”

But last autumn, she explained, she had to go through a separate hearing with management at Santa Anita Park, which had denied her access to the track.

Santa Anita management eventually granted her access, and she was assigned stalls at Los Alamitos Race Course.

But by that time, the owner who had promised to send her horses to train came down with health issues, and eventually decided to keep his stock in Kentucky.

Because of that, Maria Borell still hasn't officially saddled a horse in a race since May 11, 2016, at Gulfstream Park.

Maria Borell said at Tuesday's hearing that she believes she has support from the Thoroughbred community to be allowed to train again.

She specifically referenced trainer Kenny McPeek phoning a KHRGC license review committee member to vouch for her, and also mentioned a support letter submitted with her application from trainer Gary Contessa.

“As far as people actually at the track, in the industry, I do seem to have actual support, honestly,” Maria Borell said.

“And I would love a second chance. I won't let you guys down. I swear, I will not screw up a second chance,” Maria Borell said.

But on Tuesday, committee members did not allow Maria Borell that opportunity.

Besides Harbut, the other KHRGC license review committee members who discussed her application in closed session were Paul Brooker, Michael Dudgeon, Jamie Eads and George Haydon.

The post Trainer Maria Borell Withdraws Kentucky Application appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

OCALA, FL – The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, condensed to two days this year, opened with a day of steady trade Tuesday in Central Florida. A colt by Yaupon, consigned by Julie Davies, brought the session's top price when selling for $300,000 to trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. The session topper was one of six to sell for $200,000 or more on the day, matching the figure from the opening day of last year's three-day auction.

“Good solid day,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “It felt like horses were moving and changing hands and there was good depth of buyers. Given the strength of the market coming in, we were hopeful and we're looking forward to tomorrow.”

During Tuesday's session, 221 horses grossed $9,718,500 for an average of $43,975 and a median of $26,000. From 430 catalogued head, 298 horses were offered with 76 failing to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 25.5%.

At last year's opening session, 212 head sold for $8,004,000 for an average of $37,755 and a median of $20,000. The cumulative sale average in 2024 was $36,379 and the median was $20,000. The OBS June sale concludes with a final session Wednesday beginning at 10 a.m.

 

Yaupon Colt Takes Early Lead at June Sale

Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. signed the ticket at a session-topping $300,000 to acquire a colt by Yaupon (hip 104) during Tuesday's first session of the OBS June sale Tuesday.

“I bought him for myself,” Joseph said. “If I like them, I buy them and then I worry about selling them afterwards.”

The juvenile, consigned by Julie Davies, had worked a furlong in :9 4/5 at the OBS March sale, but had to be withdrawn from that auction with a P1 chip. He came back to work a matching :9 4/5 during last week's under-tack preview.

“I saw him in March,” Joseph said. “He worked fast in March and he came back and duplicated it. For me, if he could duplicate that time, that means he is pretty legit. He's a good-looking horse out of an Into Mischief horse, so we hope for the best.”

The juvenile, who was purchased by Davies, her boyfriend Chalino, and Tami Bobo for $85,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale, is out of After the Party (Into Mischief). The mare is a daughter of stakes winner Defy Gravity (Bandini), who is a half-sister to Grade I winner Callback.

“That is pricey for the June sale,” Joseph admitted of the colt's price tag. “Normally, it's a sale to get bargains. But there were plenty of people on him and we are happy to get him.”

 

Redirected Gun Runner Colt Rewards Roberts

Veteran horseman Rusty Roberts had high hopes when he brought a colt by Gun Runner (hip 399) to the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale last month, but the auction's weather-plagued under-tack preview meant the juvenile could only gallop over the Timonium track and he subsequently RNA'd for $195,000. The colt was then supplemented to the OBS June sale where he worked a furlong in :10 flat last week and sold Tuesday for $220,000 to Salli Foushee.

“We had a really nice Blame filly [in the Midlantic sale] who breezed the first day and sold extremely well for us,” Roberts said Tuesday in Ocala. “And then we thought [hip 399] was one of our best horses in the sale, but the racetrack didn't play to our favor. We decided to bring him down here and it worked out very well for us.”

Roberts had purchased the colt, out of graded winner Volcat (After Market), for $140,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. The juvenile was consigned by Clovis Crane in Maryland and by Top Line Sales Tuesday.

Asked if the gallop-versus-breeze made a difference in the sales result, Roberts said, “Absolutely. This horse has so much talent, he just needed a place to display it. That's all we were looking for. A place for him to display his natural talent.”

Roberts agreed the colt's $220,000 price tag was just the sort of result he had been hoping for last month.

“That's exactly what we were looking for in Maryland,” he said. “We would have liked to do it down there, but circumstances didn't work out in our favor. So we brought him here and he displayed himself and he had beautiful gallop out. He presented himself well, he vetted perfect. He stayed sound. Clovis did an exceptional job getting him ready.”

Now several weeks removed from the Midlantic show's session of untimed gallops, Roberts was asked to assess the importance of the under-tack previews.

“I am very glad that my Blame filly (hip 64) worked when she did,” Roberts said. “Because I don't think we would have sold her for $350,000 had we not gotten to display her natural talent, with her beautiful stride and her long gallop out. I think it's imperative that a horse does get to display that. That's what we do when we prepare horses for 2-year-olds in training sales. We condition those horses and we prepare them to display their talent–or lack of talent. And so when we have a horse with talent, we get rewarded for it. I think it's essential that we continue be able to do that.”

Other supplements to the June sale who RNA'd at the Midlantic sale included a colt by Twirling Candy (hip 410) consigned by Tom McCrocklin who sold for $250,000 to Case Clay Thoroughbred Management after working a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 last week. The juvenile had RNA'd for $145,000 after working a furlong in :10 4/5 over a sloppy sealed surface in Timonium last month.

A colt by Charlatan (hip 421), consigned by Wavertree Stables, sold for $240,000 to JPM Bloodstock after working a furlong in :10 flat last week. The dark bay had RNA'd for $190,000 after a :10 3/5 work in Timonium.

 

'The Right Moment': Tiz The Law Colt Goes Swoosh For Navas

Asked how he was able to acquire a colt by Tiz the Law (hip 174) for just $4,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale, consignor Jonathan Navas said it was “the right time, the right moment.”

The colt returned dividends for the partners Tuesday in Ocala when selling for $160,000 to D J Stable.

Hip 174 is out of Blake's Magic (Bernstein), a half-sister to Canadian champion Mobil (Langfuhr). He worked a furlong at last week's under-tack preview in :10 flat.

Hip 174, a colt by Tiz the Law , goes to D J Stable | OBS

“He's always been a very calm, very classy horse,” Navas said. “That's one of the things that got into my mind when I first saw him. He's always been good, always moving forward. A very calm horse and a nice horse to be around.”

Of Tuesday's result, Navas said, “You never know. Sometimes you spend more money and you don't make enough money. Some of them make money and some of them don't. We are just very blessed.

“I am happy that good people and good horseman have this horse, so he's going to have the best chance to shine.”

Navas, a former jockey in Venezuela, has been consigning under the Navas Equine banner since 2020. At the 2023 OBS April sale, the consignment sold a colt by Justify for $400,000. He had been purchased the previous September at Keeneland for $50,000.

“My partner and owner [on the colt] is Georgie Gonzalez from Puerto Rico,” Navas said. “We do about 20 [pinhooks] total. We are having a good season. It takes a lot of work, a lot of effort, but we are doing what we like. We just care about the horses so much.”

The post ‘Good Solid Day’: $300,000 Colt by Yaupon Tops OBS June Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A dispute that had threatened the upcoming meet at the Fair Grounds has been resolved, which means the meet will be held as scheduled, from Nov. 22 to Mar. 23.

Churchill Downs Inc., which owns the Fair Grounds, was threatening to close the track after the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in March that the statute that legalized Historical Horse Racing Machines at the OTBs run by Fair Grounds was not legal and that the machines could not continue to operate without voter approval. CDI officials previously said that shutting down the HHR machines would mean the elimination of 46%  of its off-track betting parlor revenue. CDI also said it would also be hurt by  state laws this year expanding poker machines at truck stops and bars. Citing those problems, CDI threatened to surrender its racing license.

An agreement between horsemen and CDI was reached on Monday that will allow the meet to proceed. However, it was not immediately clear as to what ended the impasse.

The Blood-Horse was first with the story.

“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the horsemen to continue racing at Fair Grounds Race Course following productive conversations with Governor Landry and Senator Henry,” said CDI spokesperson Tonya Abeln. “We remain committed to collaboration with stakeholders in pursuit of positive outcomes for the horse racing industry in Louisiana and look forward to continuing to move forward–our focus is firmly on the future.”

Abeln acknowledged that progress was made after “productive conversations” with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana Senate President Cameron Henry.

“I understand they worked everything out in a meeting yesterday,” said owner-breeder Michelle Rodriguez, who is on the Board on the Louisiana HBPA. “I have been told that they have agreed to start the meet in late November and then end it March, which is similar to what we had this year. The dates will be discussed at an emergency meeting of the Racing Commission. They came to the table. One of the representatives from Churchill Downs was at Evangeline Downs the other night and that's how I found out about the meeting. It's not set in stone yet, but we feel now that since the impasse has been broken we should be in good shape. All is good. We are all very happy.”

The agreement will not be official until after all sides come together for a June 24 emergency meeting of the Louisiana Racing Commission. However, it appears to be a formality as all sides appear to now be on the same page.

One factor that may have caused CDI to strike a more conciliatory tone was action taken last week by the New Orleans City Council and state lawmakers to ensure that the property could not be developed for other uses. The City Council created an interim zoning district to ensure the property remains a racetrack. Meanwhile, state lawmakers passed legislation to designate the Fair Grounds as a historic site, requiring legislative approval for major changes such as pulling the plug on horse racing.

Benard Chatters, the president of the Louisiana HBPA told the Blood-Horse “We're gonna take a slight decrease in purses, but we'll be creative to try to make some things happen … I think we'll be running for close to the same thing we ran for last year.”

The post Agreement Reached, Fair Grounds Will Hold 2025-26 Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In his stakes debut and second start overall, 2-year-old Gstaad earned a decisive victory in the Coventry Stakes (G2) with a yawning three-length gap back to the placed horses in the opening 2-year-old contest of the week June 17 at Royal Ascot.

The progressive American Affair produced a powerful performance to hold off Frost At Dawn and strike in the King Charles III Stakes (G1) for Scottish trainer Jim Goldie June 17.

Los Angeles and Anmaat square off June 18 in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

With significant, persistent rainfall in the local forecast for the next several days, the four turf stakes races carded for June 20 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course have been rescheduled for June 27.

Churchill Downs Inc., which owns and operates Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, has reached an agreement with Louisiana horsemen for racing to continue at Fair Grounds from around Thanksgiving until early next spring.

The move came as a surprise to some as U.S. President Donald Trump had said that immigrants who worked in hospitality and agriculture had nothing to fear when it came to his administration's plans to crack down on illegal immigrants.