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The New York Racing Association announced June 28 that the 14-day quarantine of Barn 28 at Belmont Park has been lifted by the New York State Department of Agriculture.

Francis-Henri Graffard has managed to keep Goliath and Calandagan apart from one another since their twin emergence as major middle-distance forces last summer, but the June 29 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) is the perfect spot for both.

Whirl pulled out all the stops to deny Kalpana in a barnstorming renewal of the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) June 28.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek has announced the death of longtime resident Commentator, who was humanely euthanized June 27 due to long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. The son of Distorted Humor was 24.

His stablemate Mi Bago was bet down to less than even money and on a clear lead through reasonable fractions, but D. J. Stable's Dream On came running when it mattered to win the $400,000 Penn Mile Stakes (G3T) June 27 at Penn National Race Course.

Jockey Flavien Prat secured his 2,000th career victory in North America aboard Iron Max as part of a memorable five-win day June 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Fasig-Tipton has released the initial catalog for its July Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held July 8 in Lexington immediately following the conclusion of the July Selected Yearling Sale that same day.

These days "development" is typically not a word racing wants to see in the same sentence with their racetrack, but Woodbine track executives believe an ambitious plan to develop land near the track for housing and businesses will benefit racing.

The June 28 Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) at the Curragh brings an intriguing clash of the generations as Whirl and Wemightakedlongway, second and fourth in the Epsom Oaks (G1), do battle with their elders, headed by the high-class Kalpana.

Senbei returns to winner’s circle in Saturday’s Ashley T. Cole at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

Senbei returned to some front-running tactics not displayed since his turf debut back in July of his 4-year-old season and came away with a gate-to-wire score in Saturday’s $121,250 Ashley T. Cole Stakes at Aqueduct.

The 6-year-old Candy Ridge gelding went to the front from the break of the 6-furlong Ashley T. Cole and stayed there throughout to win by a half-length over Bold Journey. Manny Franco rode Senbei for trainer Miguel Clement and owners Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Darlene Bilinski.

Bred by Dr. Jerry Bilinski and foaled at his Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Senbei improved to 8-for-21 in his career with his first victory since the Grade 3 Belmont Turf Sprint in early October at Aqueduct. The first-place check of $68,750 also boosted his bankroll to $717,875.

“Manny rode him brilliantly,” Clement said. “Every time someone came to make a challenge, he found a bit more. I do think there was a bit more in the tank. Nevertheless, sometimes making things easy and just going straight to the front in a paceless affair is the right way to go about things – especially with the best horse.”

The Ashley T. Cole, formerly run at 9 furlongs on turf for New York-breds, marked the second start of 2025 for Senbei. He finished fifth, beaten 1 1/4 lengths by My Boy Prince, in his seasonal debut in the Elusive Quality Stakes May 3 at Aqueduct. Named champion 2-year-old New York-bred male in 2021 after winning three stakes on the dirt, including the Funny Cide on Saratoga Showcase Day, Senbei transitioned to turf and synthetic races back in early July 2023.

Sent off as the 7-5 favorite in the compact field of five, Senbei broke well and went to the front ahead of Bold Journey with Locke and Key taking up the immediate chase ahead of Run Curtis Run and 3-2 second choice Twenty Six Black.

Senbei led by a length over Bold Journey through the opening quarter in :23.26, with Run Curtis Run third. Senbei clicked off a half in :45.17, Franco gave a look back heading into the stretch as Locke and Key retreated and Bold Journey continued to make a run at the leader.

Bold Journey tried to draw on even terms with Senbei in midstretch, past 5 furlongs in :56.14. Senbei held sway in deep stretch to win in 1:07.47 over the firm course.

Senbei won in his first start for Miguel Clement, who took over the stable following the passing of his father Christophe Clement in late May.

“That was my plan,” Franco said of the front-running tactics. “When I came to the paddock, I told Miguel, ‘there’s no speed in the race and I think I’m on the fastest horse.’ I didn’t want to make it too complicated. If he broke on top, I’m going to take it, so that’s what I did.

“I was so confident in the first quarter – I knew I went slow enough, so I was happy because I know he likes to fight when the other horse comes to him. I knew he was going to do it today for me, too. Last time, it was a nice race coming off the bench and he ran really well. Today, he was ready. He can compete with state-bred and open company. He’s going to try his best.”

Named by the trainer’s wife and NYRA racing analyst Acacia Clement after the Japanese cracker by the same name, Senbei was purchased from Stuart Morris’s consignment by Christophe Clement for $280,000 as a short yearling during the 2020 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. He’s one of five winners and four stakes performers out of Western Cat daughter Sweet Aloha, who also produced dual stakes winners Filibustin and Indy’s Lady and the stakes-placed Man O Manassas. Filibustin has gone on to be a stakes producer herself as the dam of multiple stakes winner and $192,171-earner Mr Fillip. She’s also the dam of the 2-year-old Omaha Beach filly I Need a Miracle, a $200,000 purchase by Mike Ryan out of last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.

Sweet Aloha’s youngest foal is the 3-year-old New York-bred Twirling Candy colt named Tropical Candy, who sold for $150,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Tropical Candy turned in a half-mile breeze in :48.87 on Saratoga’s Oklahoma Training Track in early May.

The post Senbei takes Ashley T. Cole field all the way appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Voted New York-bred Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2008 – Commentator won 14 of 24 starts. Bred by Michael Martinez and campaigned by Tracy Farmer for Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito. He finished his career with $2,049,845 in earnings. Photo: NYTB Photos

Edited press release courtesy of Old Friends at Cabin Creek

Old Friends at Cabin Creek is saddened to announce the passing of longtime resident Commentator, who was humanely euthanized on June 27 due to long-term complications from Potomac horse fever. The son of Distorted Humor was 24.

“He was well loved and we will miss him forever,” said Old Friends at Cabin Creek manager JoAnn Pepper. “He was a champion through and through and was very brave.” Commentator, who came home to Cabin Creek in 2016, compiled one of the most respectable careers of any New York-bred racehorse in history with his 24 starts highlighted by two wins in Saratoga Race Course’s Grade 1 Whitney Handicap in 2005 and 2008. He finished third in his third Whitney attempt in 2009 at age 8, and was the New York Horse of the Year in 2005 and 2008. Trained by Nick Zito and campaigned by Tracy Farmer, Commentator won an impressive 14 races. In addition to his Whitney triumphs, he won the last running of the Massachusetts Handicap in 2008, and five other stakes races.He retired in 2009 with more than $2.04 million in earnings, the 10th most of any New York-bred in history. He holds the track record at Belmont Park for 7 1/2 furlongs on the main track (1:27.44).

Each summer, the New York Racing Association honors Commentator with the running of the Commentator Stakes for New York-breds at Belmont Park. Commentator initially retired to Old Friends’ flagship Dream Chase Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, before permanently relocating to Cabin Creek in 2016. There, he greeted thousands of loving fans and served as a great ambassador for retired racehorses, his fame and popularity helping to bring awareness to the farm’s mission of dignified retirement for all racehorses.

During his near decade at Cabin Creek, Commentator stamped himself as a favorite among the dozens of volunteers who helped care for him.

Known as a smart horse who marched to the beat of his own drum, Commentator spent the last few years of his retirement in the company of Watchem Smokey, whose patience and tolerance made for a perfect match with Commentator.

Old Friends at Cabin Creek would like to send its sincerest thanks to Tracy and Carol Farmer for their support and trust.

The post Old Friends at Cabin Creek announces passing of two-time G1 Whitney-winner Commentator appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Jockey Flavien Prat, who has been riding in the United States full time since 2015, scored the 2,000th North American victory of his career Friday afternoon aboard the Brad Cox-trained Iron Max (Caravaggio) in Race 7 on the inner turf at Belmont at the Big A. Prat didn't stop there, as he also added victory 2,001 as part of a five-win day.

“Honestly, when I started riding, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be here in New York and celebrating 2,000 wins, so I'm very grateful,” said Prat. “There's a lot of people along that way that believed in me and gave me an opportunity, so I'm very thankful. The trainers, owners, and my agent has done a great job, and my family have supported me as well.”

Prat, France's champion apprentice jockey in 2009, led the U.S. jockey standings last year with over $37 million in purse earnings. He closed 2024 with an Eclipse Award as outstanding jockey after setting the record for stakes wins in a single year with 82 and graded wins in a season with 56. Among his top mounts have been Horse of the Year Flightline and last year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sierra Leone. He's won the Breeders' Cup seven times, the GI Preakness Stakes in 2021 with Rombauer, and the 2019 GI Kentucky Derby with Country House.

“Being on Flightline, the whole journey was just amazing,” said Prat. “Wins in the Preakness, Kentucky Derby, obviously Sierra Leone last year was a key horse for me. But all of the horses as well. Every win is special. It's been a great journey and I try to enjoy it as much as I can. I'm fortunate to have good people around me.”

Brad Pegram, Prat's agent, added: “He's very disciplined. He's very even-keeled. He's never too high and never too low, just steady–one race at a time. He's very dedicated and extremely competitive. He loves what he does, loves the sport, and is always moving forward.”

The post Flavien Prat Gets North American Career Win 2,000…and 2,001 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Keeneland September Yearling Sale has settled into a reliable format over the last several years, starting off its first week with a two-day Book 1 and Book 2, followed by a dark day, before the sale resumes with two-day books through the remainder of the auction. Sales officials said that with an extra dose of quality entries this year, they have decided to conclude the 2025 auction with a four-day Book 5 separated into Parts 1 and 2.

Keeneland's Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy, Senior Director of Sales Operations Cormac Breathnach, and Director of Sales Operations Dean Roethemeier sat down with TDN to discuss the change, and to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how decisions on book placement are made for the industry's bellwether two-week yearling auction.

TDN: You're just coming off a season of yearling inspections and placements. What behind-the-scenes factors go into this process in how you construct the September Sale that people might not even be aware of?

Tony: The process begins with each consignor's wish list, and we move horses only when necessary to balance the catalogue.

Dean: We often get asked: “Why don't you just sell more horses earlier in the sale?” Simply put, session sizes are limited by stabling space. We also have to allow buyers the necessary time to look at yearlings, which is why we catalog fewer horses in Books 1 and 2 to provide plenty of time and space for inspections.

Cormac: Behind the scenes, we rely heavily on data to help us make informed, objective decisions. The make-up of the catalogue evolves year over year, and we do our best to adapt. This approach has contributed to record-setting results for the September Sale in recent cycles and shows the confidence of our customers in this marketplace.

TDN: We've heard a lot about the rise in overall “quality” in recent years. What impact has that had on commercial breeding and how has that changed the sale process?

Tony: Commercial breeders have become remarkably sophisticated. The cost of breeding and raising a yearling is substantial, making it economically challenging to produce anything less than a quality individual. Today's market demands quality at every level and breeders are consistently meeting that challenge. As a whole, the yearling crop is at a higher level than it was a decade ago.

Cormac Breathnach and Tony Lacy | Keeneland

TDN: How have larger stallion books and the presence of first-crop sires shaped your approach to organizing the catalogue?

Cormac: Our approach to organizing the catalogue has not changed, but this is a trend that we have seen over the last few years, particularly this year. This catalogue includes more than 1,400 yearlings by first-crop sires–compared to last year's figure of around 850. Eleven of those sires stood for $25,000 or more, compared to just five in the previous class. It's an exceptionally deep and commercially appealing group.

TDN: Beyond individual quality, what are some of the key considerations that determine book placement?

Dean: We treat every entry as an individual. We've seen well over 3,000 of these yearlings. Physical conformation and athleticism are the top priorities when it comes to book placement. But sire power, strength of female pedigree, and recent sales history are also significant factors. These indicators help us structure the books accordingly.

TDN: You've made the decision to divide Book 5 into two parts. Can you walk us through the thinking on this decision? How does this change better reflect the quality and structure of the sale?

Dean: This decision reflects the strength and depth in this year's catalogue. With so many high-quality yearlings, including a strong crop by first-season sires, we recognized that the level of quality extends deep into the later sessions–right through to the 12th day.

Tony: In 2021, we had an appropriate number of entries to offer a three-day Book 5. The horses in Book 6 were consolidated into a third session of Book 5, and it was well received. We're expanding on this concept this year. With a high volume of entries, we will have four sessions in Book 5 divided into 5A and 5B. While the shift in language is subtle, it's designed to recognize the rising standard of the yearlings in the later sessions.

Dean Roethemeier | Keeneland

TDN: How have buyer perceptions of Book 6 evolved in recent years, and how do you expect this update to influence how they look at Book 5?

Cormac: In the last three years, we've seen excellent activity in Book 6. Over 1,150 horses have been sold to 520 unique buyers, with a very healthy 10% RNA rate across those three years.

Tony: The broader perception of what constitutes a particular “Book” is shifting. With today's breeders producing quality stock more consistently across the board, the traditional notions of book segmentation are evolving. We believe buyers will approach all books–including the newly expanded Book 5–with strong engagement

Cormac: The later sessions continue to draw serious buyers, including many of the leading domestic trainers and agents, as well as international participants. In recent years, you've seen buyers like Kenny McPeek, Wesley Ward, Donato Lanni and many more among the names on the summary sheets to the very end of the sale.

TDN: Is there anything else you'd like to add about this change? 

Tony: We're very excited about the group of yearlings that have been entrusted to us, and we think the market is going to be just as excited as we are. We'll be spending the rest of the summer actively recruiting buyers from the U.S. and around the world to participate throughout the entire sale.

The post More Quality Lengthens Book 5 at Keeneland September Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release 

The Emerald Downs' racing community is mourning the loss of longtime trainer Bonnie Jenne, who succumbed to lymphoma Thursday at age 76.

A mainstay since the track's opening in 1996, Jenne saddled 247 winners at Emerald Downs, including 15 stakes victories and over $2.9 million in earnings.

“Today is a very sad day in the Washington Thoroughbred community,” said Emerald Downs Director of Publicity Joe Withee. “Bonnie Jenne has been part of every Longacres, Yakima Meadows, and Emerald Downs race meeting since the late 1960s as a highly respected horsewoman. Bonnie usually took the winters off and came back every year to Barn 10 with her hard work and mischievous smile and laugh.”

Under Jenne's care, Ladyledue won six stakes and honors as track and state champion filly of 2008, and track and state champion 3-year-old filly of 2009. Other top runners for her included Couldabenthewhisky, Mr. Makah, Naab the Win, Colony Lane, Makah Lane, and Itsallabouttheride.

Jenne's final stakes victories were in 2024 with He's Not Talking in the Washington Cup Juvenile Colt & Gelding and Dynamic Secret in the Emerald Derby. Sporting the familiar yellow and green silks that date back to the 1960s, Dynamic Secret romped by 2 3/4 lengths and subsequently took honors as Emerald Downs' champion 3-year-old colt or gelding.

Born Dec. 30, 1948, Jenne grew up in a house across the street from Yakima Meadows, where her father Ed Lewis won training titles in 1977 and 1978.

Jenne's beloved husband, Wally, a former track superintendent, preceded her in death in 2020.

The post Pacific Northwest Trainer Bonnie Jenne Dies as 76 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF)'s 2025 Saratoga Summer Event Series will feature three evenings of food, community, and philanthropy. The events directly support TRF's mission of providing dignified lifetime care for retired Thoroughbreds and offering life-changing opportunities through its TRF Second Chances Program.

Gumbo with Kendrick
Date: Monday, July 21
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Principessa Elena Society, 13 Oak Street, Saratoga Springs, NY

Now in its fifth year, this fan-favorite dinner brings beloved jockey Kendrick Carmouche back to the kitchen to prepare his signature Louisiana gumbo. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, a cash bar, and an authentic taste of Kendrick's southern roots.

LALO “For Jocks & Horses”
Date: Tuesday, July 30
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Location: The Adelphi Hotel, 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY

This cocktail-style event is hosted in partnership with LALO Tequila and benefits both the TRF and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. Featuring signature drinks, small bites, and an opportunity to mingle with jockeys and horsemen, this evening invites guests to support two meaningful causes while enjoying the vibrant Saratoga scene.

TRF Backyard BBQ at Rood & Riddle
Date: Tuesday, Aug. 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, 63 Henning Road, Saratoga Springs, NY

The summer series concludes with the TRF Backyard BBQ hosted by Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. Held on the grounds of their Saratoga Springs facility, the evening will feature classic BBQ fare, cash bar, live entertainment, a silent auction and the chance to meet and network with equine professionals, supporters, and racing professionals.

To purchase tickets or learn more, please visit: www.trfinc.org/events

The post Gumbo With Kendrick Kicks Off TRF Saratoga Summer Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) made up of licensed medical professionals from a variety of specialties has been established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and is now accepting applications, the organization announced via press release.

To be made up of licensed medical professionals from across the United States, the MAC will aim to provide diverse perspectives and clinical experience on matters relating to jockey health, safety, and well-being. The group will also provide feedback to the executive team and standing committees by offering recommendations on best practices for HISA's human safety rules. This includes reviewing proposed rules and advising on medical protocols involving jockey care, injury prevention, emergency response and other relevant health and safety topics. MAC will meet quarterly and will maintain an on-call advisory role for immediate consultation in the event of specific issues.

Ideal candidates will have demonstrated expertise in areas such as sports and emergency medicine, orthopedics, neurology, cardiology, trauma care, mental health, or other medical disciplines. Experience with high-performance athletes is strongly preferred. An application may be downloaded here, and must be submitted to Niki Robb at niki.robb@hisaus.org with the subject line “MAC Application” by July 25, 2025.

“By bringing together sports medical professionals from across the country, we aim to continue developing and refining best practices that protect the health of our riders–both proactively and in response to injuries sustained while riding,” added Dr. Peter Hester, HISA's National Medical Director.

The post HISA Establishes Medical Advisory Committee, Accepting Applications from Qualified Professionals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Alberta Division of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) has launched a $60,000 incentive program which is designed to reward owners of 2-year-old Alberta-breds who graduated from the 2024 yearling sale and make their first start during the current season, the group said in a press release late on Thursday.

Beginning Friday, June 27, the program offers a $1,500 payout, which will be processed and issued monthly as horses qualify. The incentive might be limited to the first 40 starters according to the release.

“This program is about rewarding owners who invest in Alberta-breds presented for sale at the CTHS sale and get them racing early,” said Breed Improvement Chair of CTHS Alberta Dave Lovile. “By issuing monthly payouts, we're putting money back in the hands of those who are moving the industry forward right now.”

The post CTHS Launches Incentive Program For Alberta-Bred 2-Year-Old Runners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Miguel Clement, the 34-year-old son of the late Christophe Clement, is sure to win many major races during his career, but the one he will surely never forget was when Deterministic (Liam's Map) took the GI Manhattan Stakes June 8. The win came just 13 days after his father passed away from cancer. But for this one race and one moment in time it was as if nothing had changed. Christophe Clement collected three Manhattans over the course of his career and Miguel almost pulled off a one-two finish as his stable's Far Bridge (English Channel) was third.

“My father would have been very proud, Clement said. “He loves this race, the Manhattan, and he's won it three times in the past. The Manhattan is a great race because is brings together some of the best turf stayers and some of the best turf milers. Anything that is a Grade I in New York is a big deal.”

The last month-and-a-half had to be a challenging one for the younger Clement. He had to largely run the stable all by himself, while he was dealing with his father's illness. The Clements tried to get licensed as co-trainers, which is allowed in Europe (e.g. John and Thady Gosden), but weren't permitted to do so in the U.S.

“How did I get through it? Plenty of work and a strong support group,” he said. “As hard as you have to work as a trainer, that's probably not healthy, but during a difficult time like this I think it is a blessing. The outreach from everybody was overwhelming in a positive manner, but it was also tough because his passing was very much a public affair. Most people are able to take some personal time to grieve after losing a family member. In this profession, there's no time for that.”

The Clement stable has been a major force stateside–particularly on the turf–since Christophe emigrated to the U.S. from France in 1991. The elder Clement, who was 59 when he passed away, knew he wanted his son to be a major part of the team and eventually take over. But he thought it was important for Miguel to learn not only from him, but from some of the best horsemen in the world. After he graduated from college, Miguel entered the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program and he then apprenticed with several European trainers.

Deterministic (inside) wins the Manhattan at the Spa, with Far Bridge (center) in third | Sarah Andrew

Once Miguel returned to the U.S. and went to work with his father, it was a joint production with Christophe being the boss. However, the father was always open to hearing ideas from his son.

“He was very open-minded,” Miguel said. “He liked to be challenged. He might not agree with you, but he was always open-minded and ready to adapt. You have to adapt to be able to survive in this industry. It's very competitive. Many top horsemen don't win as much as they used to. It's not that they forgot how to train a horse, it's that they didn't adapt to the times. Training regimens, managing owners, dealing with bloodstock advisors, forces you to always adapt.

“Have there been times when I felt lost or had a moment where I thought I needed my dad?” he said. “Well, whatever questions I had, I probably already asked him 700 times over the span of the last 10 to 15 years.”

There has been at least one major change since his father's passing. Miguel became responsible for the stable's bottom line. His father earned a career best $12,722,301 in 2024, but that didn't mean the stable was making a lot of money.

“I'm actually cash flow negative,” Miguel said. “Welcome to working in an industry where there seems to be a negative cash flow at all times. You get 25 pieces of bad news hoping you get one piece that's good. That's what my dad and I were dealing with for many years. It was a constant stress.

“You find ways to deal with it,” he said. “To be based in New York, financially, it's not the wisest thing to do. The labor costs are through the roof. Financially speaking, I would be much better off to have a string in Kentucky or New Jersey. But we'll accept the consequences and work here.”

Clement is married to the racing television personality Acacia Clement.

Dylan Davis with Clement after the trainer's first win | Tod Marks

“I'm happily married and I'd like it to stay that way,” said Miguel. “If I told Acacia that we were going to move to Kentucky or New Jersey one day, I may not be as happily married as I thought.”

Miguel said that one of his regrets is that his father won't be around to see this upcoming group of juveniles run.

“He would have loved to see these 2-year-olds get to the races,” Miguel said. “He picked them out, he bought them. Some would have disappointed him. He'd say that they were not as strong and powerful as he had hoped, and they were not moving as great as he thought.

“There's also the other side to that,” he said. “I have a $100,000 New York-bred yearling I like a lot. When he bought it, he was saying he's too big. I would agree, but he's turned out to be a phenomenal mover and really efficient. So, thank goodness we bought him.”

With each day handling everything becomes easier. Miguel is 6-for-38 (16%) since taking over the stable and he picked up a second stakes win with Love Cervere (Into Mischief) in the Alywow Stakes at Woodbine last weekend. Of course, Saratoga is an important meet for the stable because so many grass races are carded there.

“What I learned about myself as a human being, a boss and as a horseman, is that a tremendous amount comes from my dad,” Miguel said. “I'd much rather be doing this with him, but we were very aware that we might have to go on without him some day.”

The post With Miguel Clement In Charge, The Stable Hasn’t Missed A Beat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A new Metrolinx GO Station at Woodbine Racetrack will anchor urban development and create new revenue streams to support horse racing, the track said in a release on Thursday.

Situated on 684 acres–the largest undeveloped parcel of land remaining in the City of Toronto–the project will bring new life to Rexdale through smart, sustainable design.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly special for Toronto,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “At the heart of this new urban center will be Woodbine Racetrack, a cultural landmark that will now also serve as the centrepiece of a thriving, inclusive and connected city within a city.”

The project will be unlocked by Woodbine Entertainment's partnership with Metrolinx and $170 million investment towards the new GO Transit station on the Kitchener Line. The station will be less than 30 minutes from Union Station and will connect with UP Express and Pearson International Airport, making Rexdale a transit hub for the first time in its history.

The new urban center will take shape over the next 25 years, supporting an estimated 43,000 construction jobs–helping address housing affordability and employment needs in one of Toronto's most underserved areas.

Rendering of Woodbine Racetrack station | courtesy of Woodbine Entertainment

The development will include affordable housing and the new accommodations will replace the existing dormitories for backstretch workers who care for the 1,700 horses stabled at Woodbine.

Woodbine Entertainment will develop and retain ownership of the land and explore strategic joint ventures to generate ongoing revenue that will continue to support horse racing in Ontario.

“This isn't just about building housing. It's about creating a complete community, a connected urban center, with culture, entertainment, green space and horse racing at the heart of it all,” said Copeland.

The post New GO Station At Woodbine Racetrack To Anchor Urban Development appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Following a couple of weather-related postponements, a field of eight will finally get their chance to run in the GIII Penn Mile as the sun begins to set over Grantville on Friday evening.

Chad Brown won the second running of the Penn Mile with Bobby's Kitten (Kitten's Joy) back in 2014, and Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns) will start a warm favorite to pull the conditioner into a tie with Mark Casse on two wins.

A two-time graded winner and low-odds seventh in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last term, the ridgling is perfect in his two trips to the races this season, including the May 3 GI American Turf Stakes at Churchill.

Casse has a couple of chances to pick up his third Penn Mile. Gary Barber's Mi Bago (Vekoma) should be part of the early pace Friday night. Front-running tactics served him well in a pair of listed stakes wins at or about a mile at Gulfstream last year and early this term, but he was no better than fourth when allowed a fairly soft time of things on the engine in the American Turf. He exits a distant runner-up effort as the favorite in the rained-off Pennine Ridge Stakes at Saratoga June 7.

The Casse barn is also represented by Dream On (Not This Time), a solid third in last year's GI Summer Stakes and a couple of spots ahead of Zulu Kingdom in the Juvenile Turf. He brings winning form into this, having gotten home late to take the Apr. 26 Woodhaven Stakes by a neck at Aqueduct.

Out On Bail (Tiz the Law) tries a turf route for the first time, but has solid form going 5 1/2 furlongs, including a victory in last year's Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. He stretches out off a runner-up effort on seasonal debut in the Apr. 30 William Walker Stakes at Churchill Downs.

The post Third Time’s The Charm For Penn Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.