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A Review, By Bill Finley

Whether it was 60 Minutes, the FX Network, HBO or some other programs, the television media has bludgeoned the horse racing game in recent years. The great parts of this game barely get mentioned while the programs concentrate on the ugly aspects, namely breakdowns and drugs. So it was reasonable to be worried that more of the same was on its way when Netflix announced it was producing a racing documentary called 'Race For The Crown.'

But this show, which includes six episodes, isn't like that at all. No spills or breakdowns are shown and the disgraced duo of Jason Servis and the Jorge “The Juiceman” Navarro are never mentioned. The idea, instead, is to portray racing in a positive light by telling the stories of some of its most compelling and colorful figures.

Race For the Crown is not for the type of people who read the Thoroughbred Daily News. We already know the Preakness is run two weeks after the GI Kentucky Derby, that the GI Kentucky Oaks is the sport's most prestigious race for 3-year-old fillies, that Wayne Lukas is a legend and that 2024 was a magical year for trainer Kenny McPeek. Don't expect to learn anything that you didn't already know.

But that's because horse racing insiders are not the intended audience. It is for people who don't know much about racing, but are intrigued by the sport and, with the Kentucky Derby approaching, want to learn more. It is much like the 2019 Netflix documentary “Formula 1: Drive to Survive,” which has gone a long way toward making Formula 1 one of the most popular sports in the world. Can Race For The Crown do for horse racing what the Netflix series did for Formula 1? Maybe not to the same extent, but if enough people watch the show, it can only help the sport grow. In the position horse racing is in, you can't ask for more than that. Netflix has 200 million-plus subscribers.

Episode 1 covers the lead-up to the 2023 Breeders' Cup, and the focus is on Frankie Dettori, who wins the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf aboard Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Dettori, who came out of retirement and decided to resume his career in the U.S., is one of the main characters in the program. He may be 53, but he has discovered that the flame still burns within, and he wants to keep riding. “I'd rather die on the back of a horse than die of boredom,” he says.

The beginning of the show also introduces us to Michael Iavarone and his wife Jules. They made the show not because Iavarone won the 2008 Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness with Big Brown or because he has any top horses in training. No, it's because he has the temerity to go out in public dressed in garish jump suits straight from Elvis's closet, and wearing sunglasses that are three sizes too big for his face. You can't turn away from Iavarone for the same reasons why you can't turn away from a wreck on the highway.

Episodes 2 and 3 cover the road to the Kentucky Derby. It is here where we learn of the Twitter feud between high-profile owners Mike Repole and John Stewart and are introduced to Kenny McPeek and Brian Hernandez, Jr.

From there we move on to the Derby in Episode 4, followed by the GI Preakness and the GI Belmont.

The cameras have wisely been following McPeek, Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) from well before they emerged on the scene at Churchill Downs. We first get to know them when they were at Oaklawn Park preparing for the Derby and Oaks. Someone was very smart–or very lucky?–to focus on and follow a longshot like Mystik Dan and a trainer who had never won the Derby in McPeek.

The story of the Preakness is of course then 88-year-old Wayne Lukas, who wins the race with Seize the Grey (Arrogate). But a lot of time is also spent on Katie Davis, who has a mount in the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. An effervescent new mom, she is one of the stars of the show. Likeable and upbeat, she never gets down even though getting mounts can be a struggle. She gets emotional when telling the story of her first agent, who told her she didn't have what it takes to be a successful jockey.

The final episode is about the Belmont, trainer Danny Gargan and ultra-enthusiastic owner and retired MLB star Jayson Werth. They win the race with Dornoch (Good Magic) and you can tell that Werth is just as thrilled by this victory as any he enjoyed on the baseball field. He calls racing “the most underrated sport.”

That's just the type of thing that can help sell the sport. For industry professionals, serious gamblers or devoted and longtime fans, 'Race For The Crown' might come off as the video version of 'Horse Racing for Dummies.' That's not to say it shouldn't be watched, not when those who work in and love the sport have been longing for just this sort of positive take on our game.

The post At Last A Horse Racing Program That Paints A Positive Picture For Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Funeral arrangements have been confirmed for Taylor Made Farm's Josh Bryan, who passed away on Apr. 22 from complications from jaw surgery at the age of 33.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Apr. 24 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, 3421 Harrodsburg Road in Lexington.

Funeral services will take place Friday, Apr. 25 beginning at 1 p.m. at Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 601 Hill N Dale Road, Lexington.

Bryan will be laid to rest at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 3250 Versailles Road in Frankfort.

Born with a rare congenital defect called Goldenhar syndrome that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body, Bryan endured better than 15 surgical procedures beginning from the time he was seven weeks old.

In a 2024 interview with TDN's Katie Petrunyak, Bryan explained “I didn't really feel like I had much to live for” given his too-frequent visits to the doctor and having suffered the loss of his parents during his college years. Having turned to alcohol, Bryan was accepted into Shepherd's House, a residential drug treatment center with the help of Taylor Made's Frank Taylor, his second cousin. His path to recovery was documented by Petrunyak as part of TDN's 'Road Back' series.

“He was loved by everyone in the industry,” Taylor told TDN's Sue Finley on Tuesday. “He impacted a lot of people. Had a heart of gold. He was dealt a bad hand and played it to perfection. Our hearts are broken.”

The post Funeral Arrangements Set For Josh Bryan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships to be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, 2025, at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

Beginning this year, Breeders' Cup has entered into a multi-year partnership with SeatGeek in an effort to 'enhance ticketing for attendees' and those interested in purchasing tickets must have an account with the platform, which can be created for free at SeatGeek.com/#register. All tickets will be mobile only. While tickets will be available to view upon purchase, access to barcodes will be available closer to the World Championships.

Attendance will be capped at 37,500 and patrons are encouraged to acquire their tickets early. All on-site parking at Del Mar will be sold in advance. A dedicated ride-share lot will be available for patrons over the weekend. For more information, please visit BreedersCup.com/Transportation.

Fans can purchase tickets online at BreedersCup.com/tickets or by calling the ticket office at (859) 514-9428. A range of seating options at various price points are available.

To further elevate the experience for all fans and participants, Breeders' Cup and Del Mar will invest more than $5 million to create new seating areas and expanded hospitality offerings. This investment will include the construction of a luxury chalet that will provide approximately 700 premium dining seats, the addition of more than 1,000 temporary box seats, and enhanced culinary activations around Del Mar.

“We look forward to returning to Del Mar and the greater San Diego area for the World Championships after celebrating great success last year,” said Drew Fleming, President & CEO of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Fans from around the globe will enjoy first-class hospitality, thrilling performances by the best horses in the world, and an unmatched atmosphere as we celebrate the equestrian lifestyle and the pinnacle of our great sport.”

The post Tickets On Sale For Breeders’ Cup 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Beginning Thursday morning, Apr. 24 and through Wednesday, Apr. 30, Churchill Downs will be open to the public from 6:45 to 10 a.m. at no cost to take in the morning exercise sessions of horses pointing to the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks.

Training hours at Churchill Downs take place daily between 5:15 and 10 a.m., but there is an exclusive window reserved for Derby and Oaks participants from 7:15 to 7:30 a.m. following the renovation break that begins around 6:45 a.m. and lasts for approximately 30 minutes. Derby and Oaks horses are easily identifiable by their yellow and pink saddle towels, respectively.

Guests can park for free in the Yellow Lot off Longfield Ave. (all vehicles must be removed by 10:30 a.m.) and enter Churchill Downs through the Clubhouse Gate. Guests will be directed to Sections 115-117 to watch the morning workouts.

Churchill Downs' Paddock Grill will be open each morning with coffee and breakfast sandwich options. No outside food and beverages are allowed. Also, the Churchill Downs Store with Kentucky Derby 151 merchandise will be open each morning.

On Sunday and Monday, Apr. 27 and 28, fans can enjoy a premium breakfast in Millionaires Row or the Stakes Room for Dawn at the Downs Dining. Tickets and more information can be found at KentuckyDerby.com/DawnDining.

A stream of the workouts is available at www.KentuckyDerby.com from 6:45-7:45 a.m. through Thursday, May 1.

The post Derby, Oaks Workouts Open To Public appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Three stakes races worth a combined $400,000 will be staged during the Los Angeles County Fair meeting at Los Alamitos Racecourse. Nine days of live racing are scheduled from Friday, June 20 through Sunday, July 6 on a Friday-Sunday schedule.

The most valuable of the three stakes is the GII Great Lady M. Stakes, which carries purse money of $200,000. The 6 1/2-furlong test for fillies and mares is set to be run Saturday, July 5.

The $100,000 Los Alamitos Derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 28. Trainer Bob Baffert has won the race eight years in a row and nine times since the contest–run as the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park–was moved to the Orange County oval in 2014.

The other stakes on the calendar is the $100,000 Bertrando Stakes for California-bred 3-year-olds and up to be run over a mile on Saturday, June 21.

The post Trio of Stakes On Tap For L.A. County Fair Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Journalism (Curlin), widely regarded as the favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby on May 3, has been made the 8-1 choice for the single-pool Preakness Stakes Future Win Wager according to a release from the new Maryland Jockey Club.

Trained by Michael McCarthy, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was third over an insufficient six furlongs on career debut last October, but has since rattled off four straight victories at a mile and beyond, most recently overcoming trouble to take the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5.

'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian (Into Mischief), who went six furlongs in 1:09.02 at Oaklawn Feb. 23 before weakening to fourth in the GI Arkansas Derby after fighting out nuclear fractions, could attempt to become a ninth Preakness winner for trainer Bob Baffert and is available at odds of 10-1 in the Future Wager.

Baeza (McKinzie) was runner-up in the latter event and will require some help to draw into the Derby field, but the half-brother to the Classic-winning full-brothers Mage and Dornoch–both by Good Magic–has been pegged at morning-line odds of 12-1 for the Preakness Future Wager.

A handful of horses are priced at 15-1 on the morning line, including Pay Billy (Improbable), recent winner of the Federico Tesio Stakes and guaranteed a spot in the Preakness; and Gosger (Nyquist), impressive in taking out the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 12.

There are a total of 40 betting interests in the Preakness Future Win Wager, with the final one being 'all other 3-year-olds' at 50-1.

The wagering pool opens at noon ET on Friday, Apr. 25 and will close Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. ET, prior to the running of the Derby.

The post Journalism Favored In Preakness Future Wager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Norman Stables' Coal Battle (Coal Front) and Junko Kondo's G2 UAE Derby winner Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) put in half-mile works for the Kentucky Derby over a fast track Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working during the 7:15-7:30 a.m. EST training window reserved for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Coal Battle was the first to go, clocking a half-mile in :47.80 under Bethany Taylor. Fractions were :12.40, :24.60, :47.80, and out five furlongs in 1:00.80.

“I was thrilled with it. He keeps getting better every time he goes out there,” Taylor said after Coal Battle's third local work. “He is improving every time.”

Admire Daytona, with Yoshimitsu Miyashita aboard, worked in :53.20 starting at the three-eighths pole, with splits of :13, :39.20, and :53.20.

“With only three weeks between races, we just prepped him the same way we did in Dubai,” Miyashita said. “We let him decide what he wanted to do over the four furlongs. He increased his speed a bit in the straight on his own and really it was exactly like the kind of work he turned in prior to the UAE Derby. He has managed to maintain his pre-UAE Derby physical condition perfectly so we just have to help him keep it until race day.”

In between those works, Tracy Farmer's GI Longines Kentucky Oaks hopeful La Cara (Street Sense) turned in the fastest of 30 half-mile moves, going in :46 with Kevin Donnis aboard. Fractions were :11.60, :22.60, :34.20, :46, and out five furlongs in :58.60 and three-quarters in 1:12.20.

“Going back to grade school when they gave out an A, B, C or D, I'd give her work an A+,” Casse said. “I thought it was a little quick but she was in a good rhythm. We had the radios, but I just told him to let her go on. She did it effortlessly.”

Casse said the work would serve as he only pre-Oaks drill since winning the Ashland at Keeneland on April 7.

“We've got 10 days now (before the Oaks) and plenty of time (to recover).”

Scheduled to work Wednesday is D. J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables' GI Arkansas Derby winner Sandman (Tapit) for trainer Mark Casse.

The post Coal Battle, Admire Daytona Work for Kentucky Derby; La Cara Preps for Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A multi-year agreement between The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Emerald Ecovations has been forged, according to a NYRA release Tuesday. Emerald Ecovations will serve as NYRA's preferred sustainable products partner.

“NYRA is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and maintaining its positive impact on our surrounding communities,” said Kevin Quinn, NYRA's Vice President of Sales and Hospitality. “We are pleased to partner with Emerald Ecovations to work together on implementing staple products across our tracks that will assist with waste reduction.”

Emerald Ecovations will provide a variety of sustainable food service products for use across Saratoga Race Course, including cups, bowls, containers, napkins, tissues, utensils and product dispensers.

Designed and made in the United States, Emerald Ecovations offers a line of 350+ Tree-Free and Plastic-Free products to combat deforestation and plastic pollution, offering companies a sustainable solution to the growing demand for environmentally responsible products in disposable food packaging and everyday facilities products.

Emerald Ecovations will also be branded on refuse containers across the backyard and grandstand areas at Saratoga Race Course and displayed throughout the property beginning in June during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival slated for June 4th-8th.

Over the coming months, Emerald Ecovations will be prominent during the July 4th Racing Festival set for July 3-6 at the Spa, and with an educational onsite activation during the traditional 40-day Saratoga summer meet which spans from July 10th through Sept. 1.

The post Emerald Ecovations Named NYRA Preferred Sustainable Products Partner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who was currently serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died Tuesday morning from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old.

Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went on to endure at least 15 more procedures.

Bryan was profiled in the TDN's Road Back series, which tells the stories of the men and women enrolled in the Stable Recovery and the School of Horsemenship, where recovering addicts find support, structure, and meaningful employment.

In 2024, he told the TDN's Katie Petrunyak how his childhood was spent going in and out of doctors' offices, and how he lost both of his parents during his college years, leading him to turn to alcohol. “I didn't really feel like I had much to live for after that, which looking back now is total nonsense,” Bryan recalled. “It was a lot of depression and really no sense of purpose. I felt like life really wasn't really worth living anymore.”

With the help of Frank Taylor, his second cousin, he got into Shepherd's House, a residential drug treatment center, and then found employment at Rood and Riddle. When Taylor decided to launch Stable Recovery, he asked Bryan to be the program coordinator. Together, they built the School of Horsemanship, and then, together with Christian Countzler, launched Stable Recovery.

“I think horses have a really good sense of your feelings emotionally,” he told Petrunyak in 2024. “If you go into a horse's stall nervous, they're going to be rambunctious. If you go into that stall angry, they're going to mess with you and make it worse. I remember some days before my recovery I'd go into the barn hungover with a bad attitude and they'd just eat me alive, bucking and trying to run me over. If you go in there with the right mindset and a clear head, they'll love you to death. If you're having a bad day and you go into a horse's stall and give it a big old hug, it just makes all the difference.”

He said that horses didn't care about appearances.

“They don't care about if you went to jail or what you look like or where you came from,” he said. “For a long time I wasn't comfortable in my own skin and it took a lot of people and prayer and therapy for me to be okay with it. Sometimes I still don't see myself as a leader, but I've gotten more comfortable with it.”

When Frank Taylor transitioned to the role of Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made, Bryan moved into the role as his assistant, traveling to farms and meeting clients together. He said that he saw Taylor as a father figure, a role Taylor embraced.

“Josh is basically one of my kids,” added Taylor. “We've always worked well together. It's kind of like we're best friends and I think I'm a mentor or father figure to him. I'm very proud of him. Once he quit drinking and got his life in order and spiritually strong, he's on a path to do great things. Big things.”

“He was my right-hand man and was training to be a Thoroughbred advisor,” said Taylor Tuesday. “He was loved by everyone in the industry. He impacted a lot of people. Had a heart of gold. He was dealt a bad hand and played it to perfection. Our hearts are broken.”

The post Taylor Made’s Josh Bryan Dies From Surgical Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The finalized dates for The Real Rider Cup (RRC)'s annual charity show jumping competitions have been set for Saturday, June 28 in Lexington, Kentucky and Saturday, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill, Maryland.

“We're grateful for the continued enthusiasm and support for our event,” said RRC founder Anita Motion. “The breed has given us all so much and we're honored to give back by supporting a variety of aftercare organizations who are making meaningful impacts on post-racing life for Thoroughbreds. I also want to extend my gratitude to the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill team for this opportunity to increase the reach of our mission.”

Mounted on off-track Thoroughbreds and wearing the racing silks of their colleagues, employers, or other connections, participating riders pledge to raise $1,000 for Real Rider Cup beneficiaries and contend a show jumping course, riding for fast, clean rounds. Awards are given for individual and team results, as well as top-earning fundraisers. Thoroughbred riders from across industries are welcome and encouraged.

The Lexington leg of the event will return to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program at its flagship Mereworth Farm facility. The Lexington leg will also include local food trucks, live music and visits with adoptable Thoroughbreds.

The Fair Hill leg of the event will remain on the grounds of the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area but will shift in date and be hosted at the Fair Hill Special Event Zone, joining the official schedule of events at the Maryland 5 Star at Fair Hill to follow the conclusion of the cross-country phase of competition on Oct. 18.

For more information, visit www.therealridercup.com.

The post Real Rider Cup Dates Set for June 28 in Lexington, Oct. 18 in Fair Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Kentucky Derby Week kicks off Saturday night as Churchill Downs opens its 43-day Spring Meet.

Kentucky Derby Day features 14 races, including seven stakes contests, with a betting menu that includes six Pick 5s, five Pick 4s and a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Derby City 6 Jackpot.

In 2024:

• The Pick 5 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $4.4 million and returned $188,958.
• The Pick 4 ending in the Kentucky Derby handled $3.2 million and paid $18,300.
• The Derby City 6 Jackpot handled $2.3 million, with a payout of $345,074.

Kentucky Oaks Day also delivers a full lineup of wagering with five Pick 5s and four Pick 4s. Two-day bets also begin on Friday, including:

• The 50-cent Oaks/Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic/Kentucky Derby Pick 3 (2024 handle $686,061; payout $432).
• The $1 two-day Pick 6 (2024 handle $508,919; payout $81,109), tying together six Grade I races across both days with a mandatory payout and 15% takeout.

The races for the two-day Pick 6 will be finalized on entry day (Saturday, Apr. 26), with seven potential Grade I events eligible for inclusion, including Friday's $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne and $1.5 million Longines Kentucky Oaks; and Saturday's $1 million Churchill Downs presented by Ford, $1 million Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery, $1 million American Turf, the $1 million Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the $5 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve

Additional wagers for Derby Week include:

• The $1 minimum Oaks/Derby Double (2024 handle $3 million; payout $118).
• The 50-cent All Dirt Pick 5 (2024 handle $409,571; payout $87,025).
• The $3 All 3-Year-Old Pick 3 (2024 handle $359,603; payout $18,207).
• Superfectas will be offered at a $1 minimum on Oaks and Derby Days and 10 cents on all other days.

For the full wagering menu and list of daily post times, click here.

The post Wagering Lineup Announced for Kentucky Derby Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Who were the five fastest maidens based on the Beyer Speed figures this week? We count them down.

5. SWEET SCORECARD, IND 4/16 – 5 1/2 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 84 (No Video Replay Available)
(f, 3, Vekoma–Sweet Halory, by Hold Me Back)
O-514 Racing LLC, B-Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing Inc; T-Tim Eggleston, J-J. D. Ramos

Not sure what's the most interesting aspect: that she was 8/1 in the program but hammered down to 1/2 favoritism, that she had been outrun by an average of 12 1/4 lengths in three previous starts yet cruised home here by 15 1/2, that she obliterated her previous career-high Beyer by 40 points, or that no one put up $12,500 to claim the Vekoma filly even though she was such a white-hot favorite on the board. She didn't beat much, but did it emphatically.

4. VIBE, GP 4/19 – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 85 Video Replay
(c, 3, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia, by Empire Maker)
O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee, B-Repole Stable, T-Todd Pletcher, J-Emisael Jaramillo

At $3 million, Vibe was 2023 Keeneland September's sale topper–and the third-highest-priced yearling of that year. A setback at Saratoga last summer fouled up the Kentucky Derby dream, and he was well-beaten when he finally got to the races in March. But extra distance and a new set of blinkers was the right prescription for his second start, and suddenly the vibes are positive again.

3. CLICQUOT, KEE 4/17 – about 7 furlongs

Beyer Speed Figure: 86 Video Replay
(f, 3, Quality Road–Royal Obsession, by Tapit)
O-X-Men Racing IV, Madaket Stables and SF Racing, B-Don Alberto, T-Brendan Walsh, J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.

A scorching pace didn't help her when 6th at even-money in her debut at Gulfstream, but the Veuve was flowing after this six-length frontrunning romp. And she didn't seem to appreciate Irad's left-handed whacks, so she might be smart, too. She's another potentially good one bred by Don Alberto, which is seemingly everywhere nowadays.

2. STRATEGIC FOCUS, AQU 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Gun Runner–Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin)
O-Klaravich Stables, B-Alter's Racing Stables, Inc., T-Chad Brown, J-Dylan Davis

Is Seth Klarman ever going to run out of cool investment names? This first-timer was next-last on the backstretch and widest around the turn–never a good recipe for dirt success–but still outkicked a strong field that included entry mate Duration. Here's a nice parlay: breeder Happy Alter bought the 4th dam for $500 at OBS in 1994 and sold Strategic Focus at Keeneland for $500,000.

1. NEVADA BEACH, SA 4/19  – 1 mile

Beyer Speed Figure: 90 Video Replay
(c, 3, Omaha Beach–Morrow Cove, by Yes It's True)
O-Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman, B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett, T-Bob Baffert, J-Juan Hernandez

Let's see…a 3-year-old wins sharply on debut and runs a big Beyer, you check the PPs, and yep, it's another Baffert. In fact, this was the 30th maiden graduate sent out by Baffert from his Class of 2022, and more may be in the pipeline. Nevada Beach ran down pacesetter Rank, who probably deserved to win since in his 11 starts he has also come up against Journalism, Citizen Bull, Rodriguez, Baeza, Gaming and Getaway Car, some more than once.

The post The Five Fastest Maidens For the Week of April 14-20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The R.A.C.E. Fund online auction–featuring halters from champions, farm tours, and other memorabilia to bid on–is set to go May 9, the group announced Monday evening.

Kicked off with an online auction on eBay beginning at 8:00 p.m. EST and ending May 16, the non-profit's annual fund drive looks to raise money which will be used to help Thoroughbreds in need of retirement and rescue from slaughter. All proceeds from this auction will go toward that goal.

Featured items include halters of champions like fan-favorite California Chrome; Serena's Song; Essential Quality; Mandaloun; and City of Light. There will also be donated items from photographer Christopher Hoff's private collection including signed photographs, a 1973 Secretariat Kentucky Derby program; 1978 Affirmed and Alydar program, etc.

Other offerings will comprise of a VIP farm tour donated by Three Chimneys; horseshoes worn by Seize the Grey from Gainesway; and a War Front horseshoe plaque from Claiborne Farm.

“We have some very exciting and amazing auction items again this year. We would like to especially thank volunteer Roxanne Campbell for her dedication and tireless efforts as well as Claiborne, Darley, Denali Stud, Gainesway, Juddmonte, Lane's End, Taylor Made, Three Chimneys, and Christopher Hoff for their generous support by donating such valuable items of racing champions to help us raise funds,” said Marlene Murray, president of the R.A.C.E. Fund.

More information can be found here.

The post California Chrome, Serena’s Song Halters Highlight Myriad Items Available in R.A.C.E. Fund Online Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Rodeo Creek Racing's GIII Gazelle-winner Ballerina d'Oro worked a half-mile on Saturday over the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the GI Kentucky Oaks, NYRA said in Saturday press release.

Trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro breezed under jockey Dylan Davis and was caught by NYRA clockers covering the distance in 48 seconds flat outside of 'TDN Rising Star' & GISP Hill Road (Quality Road), who the conditioner said is pointing to the GIII Peter Pan Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meet May 10. Hill Road was forced to miss the GII Wood Memorial Stakes in early April after he spiked a fever on the Thursday before the race.

“She [Ballerina d'Oro] worked super and is cooling out good, so she'll ship over to Churchill and leave tomorrow,” said Brown, who added he was also pleased with the way Hill Road galloped out. “She's been pretty uncomplicated in her races, so I'm not sure she what happened coming off the turn in the last race.”

Ballerina d'Oro was a hard-fought nose winner over Early On (Union Rags) in the Gazelle Apr. 5, but she drifted out considerably down the lane. Brown said the talented grey reminds him of champion 3-year-old colt & 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who has been working at Payson Park throughout April and is expected to arrive at Belmont Park soon to train towards the GI Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs June 28.

“I'm not going to react to that. It was such an isolated thing for me,” Brown said of the Gazelle stretch run. “She has enough steering equipment on her between her bit and a small blinker. I'm not going to overreact here.

“She cruised around there with Hill Road and Dylan gave us good feedback and said, 'Chad, I don't know where that came from, because she was straight for me today.' She might hold her head in a little bit, but she's a lot like Sierra the way she trains. He [Sierra Leone] might cock his head a little bit, but in the mornings, we have never seen him on one line or had a rider complain about him–same as her.

“I think with more going on in a full field of the Oaks, she's not going to come off the turn six-wide with no one in either five lanes of her,” Brown said. “That's kind of the way she was [in the Gazelle], and she's going to have horses near wherever she is in this race.”

The post Ballerina d’Oro Works For Oaks Start, Brown Also Offers Plans For Hill Road, Sierra Leone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

6th-Gulfstream, $44,770, Msw, 4-19, 3yo, 1m, 1:38.45, ft, 9 3/4 lengths.
VIBE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Nonna Mia {GISP, $127,150}, by Empire Maker) ran a disappointing and money-burning fourth on career debut over six furlongs of this main track Mar. 15. With the addition of blinkers here, the colt stretched out to the one-turn mile and put it all together en route to an easy victory at Gulfstream on Saturday afternoon.

Away without incident, the 3-2 favorite took up a stalking position behind pacesetting Mahovlich (McKinzie). The leader posted an opening quarter-mile in :23.92 and began to pour on the pressure through a very quick next internal sectional that was timed in :22.69. Sent into the lead by Emisael Jaramillo with fully three-eighths of a mile to run, the $3-million topper out of the 2023 Keeneland September Sale opened up a sizeable advantage passing the quarter pole, felt the crop in upper stretch, failed to swap his leads until deep inside the final furlong, but was too far in front to make any difference. The winning margin over 6-1 Radical Rhetoric (Always Dreaming) was 9 3/4 lengths.

“We felt like in his debut he got swept off his feet a little bit sprinting, so we wanted to stretch him out. We also worked him back in blinkers and it seemed to work really well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I think the combination of the stretch-out, the experience and adding the blinkers made for a much-improved performance today.”

His dam's last registered foal of record, the winner is a half-brother to current sire Outwork (Uncle Mo), GISW, $701,800 and Nonna's Boy (Distorted Humor), MSP, $299,044. A half-sister to current sire Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile), Nonna Mia is also responsible for Nonna Bella (Stay Thirty), who herself produced champion 2-year-old colt & 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and his full-brother GSW Mentee. Sales History: $3,000,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $29,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV .
O-Repole Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables, Woodford Racing, Lane's End Racing and Patrick K. McGee; B-Repole Stable, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher.

Vibe and @JaramilloJockey win by a daylight in race 6, first leg of the Rainbow Pick6. #GulfstreamPark #RoyalPalmMeet pic.twitter.com/X4oTjRC5YM

— Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) April 19, 2025

The post Into Mischief Keeneland September Topper Vibe Romps at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

1/ST TV has curated the workouts by contenders for the 151st Kentucky Derby in one location on their website under the heading “Triple Crown Trail,” the platform said via a release on Saturday.

With the Kentucky Derby just 14 days out, fans, horsemen and horseplayers alike will have free access to not just the penultimate workouts of those looking for a spot in the starting gate, but previous drills for the contenders as well.

The “Triple Crown Trail” portal is part of the thousands of workouts that the 1/ST TV teams around the country capture, log and upload each year.

Click here to sign-up and access the library.

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Part of a favored Klaravich Stable entry favored at 70 cents on the dollar, Strategic Focus (c, 3, Gun Runner–Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin) turned in a highly polished debut effort, outfinishing a pair of older rivals to become the newest 'TDN Rising Star' for his boom sire.

Drawn widest in a field of eight, the $500,000 Keeneland September purchase broke fractionally to his right and was taken in hand by Dylan Davis to race in the second half of the field behind fractions of :23.38 for the opening quarter and :46.23 for the half.

Kept out in about the six path passing the half-mile marker, the clean chestnut was asked to go a bit on the turn and tracked into it nicely three wide, following the move of his more-experienced entrymate Duration (Mitole). Steered out to the grandstand side in upper stretch, Strategic Focus sustained his run to hit the front five off the inside at the entrance to the final furlong and edged clear late to best the well-backed 4-year-old Hop Sing (Curlin), a big-figure second at Gulfstream Park Feb. 27 where he was more or less on even terms at the wire with Duration, who was officially fourth.

Strategic Focus is a full-brother to Klaravich's Headline Numbers, a $325,000 KEESEP grad who earned the first stakes victory of her career in the Top Flight Stakes at Aqueduct on Apr. 12. The winner's dam is a full-sister to three-time graded winner Curlin's Approval, the dam of the Brown-conditioned Praetor (Into Mischief), recently third in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. Curlin's Mistress is also a half-sister to one-time MGSP 'TDN Rising Star' Apologynotaccepted (Fusaichi Pegasus).

Bred on a similar cross to GI Churchill Downs Stakes winner Gun Pilot, Strategic Focus has a yearling half-brother by Authentic and Curlin's Mistress is also the dam of a filly foal by Authentic foaled Feb. 14 already named Valentine Mistress.

4th-Aqueduct, $80,000, Msw, 4-19, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34.99, ft, 1 1/4 lengths.
STRATEGIC FOCUS, c, 3, by Gun Runner
1st Dam: Curlin's Mistress, by Curlin
2nd Dam: Withmom'sapproval, by With Approval
3rd Dam: Wonderful Mom, by Rexson
Sales history: $500,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $44,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Klaravich Stables Inc; B-Alter's Racing Stables Inc (KY); T-Chad C Brown.

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Good first impressions are a must in most professional situations, and Gin Gin (Hightail) stepped up in a big way for new trainer Brendan Walsh when she dominated the GIII Baird Doubledogdare Stakes at Keeneland Friday evening.

Previously in the barn of Brad Cox, she had a stakes win in New York to her credit in 2024 by way of the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct in mid-January, but went winless for the rest of the season including a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Running 12th in the premier spring Classic for American 3-year-old fillies, she was gone from that effort until Jan. 17 this year, where she ran a flat fifth against optional claimers at Fair Grounds on first-time Lasix.

Going without the medication here and a chilly 38-1 for her first jump in the Walsh program, she pressed MGISW Just F Y I (Justify) as that one put up :23.19 and :47.70 early splits. Inheriting the lead entering the far turn when the leader faltered and steadied at the five sixteenths pole, Gin Gin still had the advantage as a hopeful came up to apply outside pressure. Shaking clear of that one and drawing away, she was 5 1/4 lengths ahead of deep closer MGSW & MGISP Tarifa (Bernardini) as GISW Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) held on for third.

After she faltered on the far bend, the chart notes say that Just F Y I was pulled up in the lane and transported off the track in an equine ambulance. The official Keeneland Racing account on X tweeted that she was examined by attending veterinarians and was walking the shed row and cooling out after the race.

Just F Y I was given a courtesy ride back to the barn after the Baird Doubledogdare. She was examined by the attending veterinarian and is currently walking the shed row and cooling out. She'll continue to be monitored for any changes.

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 18, 2025

“I wasn't sure what to expect, to be honest with you,” said Walsh. “Eddie Kane and Mr. [Brad] Kelley [respective farm manager and owner of Calumet Farm, the winning owner] asked me to take her and give her a shot to see if she still had an appetite for [racing] anymore.”

“To be fair to her, she's done nothing wrong since she came to us. She kind of lost her form at the end of last year, and I think she got a freshening. They did a fantastic job at the farm, actually. But she's got some good back class, and it's nice she showed it today. [Jockey] Jose [Ortiz] did a great job too.”

Regarding plans for the rest of the year, Walsh said, “I think they wanted to see if it was worth keeping her in training or not, but off [her performance today], you'd have to say it is. She's a graded stakes winner now, too, and that's fantastic. Hopefully, she can build on it. [A graded stakes win at Keeneland] is always nice.”

Watch the full replay as GIN GIN pulls off an upset in the Baird Doubledogdare (G3)! pic.twitter.com/MdqbxyYokF

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 18, 2025

Gin Gin is the most accomplished racehorse for her dam but only her third to survive in a string of poor breeding luck between her first winner Know It Now (American Pharoah) and the Doubledogdare victress. The 2022 half-brother Quick City (City of Light) died as an unraced juvenile last year and she was barren in 2023 after a visit to Lexitonian. She did produce a now yearling full-sister to Gin Gin and is due to Cody's Wish for 2025.

Dam Before You Know It (Hard Spun) is a half-sister to MGSP Tarantino (Pioneerof the Nile), and GSP Instant Reflex (Quality Road), who would garner her claim to fame via her daughter, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victress Hard to Justify (Justify). This is the immediate female family of globetrotting Group winner and multiple group-placed Slow Pace (Distorted Humor) as well as unraced Jolie Chanson (Fr) (Mount Nelson {GB}). The latter mare would create a family branch which yielded the likes of multiple group-placed Majestic Dawn (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}); GSW & GISP King Guillermo (Uncle Mo); and G1 Darley July Cup hero turned popular European sire Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and his half-sister MGSP-Eng Sunday Star (GB) (Kodiac {GB}).

Friday, Keeneland
BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE S.-GIII, $350,000, Keeneland, 4-18, 4yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:45.15, ft.
1–GIN GIN, 118, f, 4, by Hightail
      1st Dam: Before You Know It (GSP, $313,083), by Hard Spun
      2nd Dam: Without Delay, by Seeking the Gold
      3rd Dam: Slow Down, by Seattle Slew
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-Brendan Walsh; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $214,288. Lifetime Record: 10-3-2-2, $461,596. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Tarifa, 120, f, 4, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again. 'TDN Rising Star' O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $69,125.
3–Candied, 118, f, 4, Candy Ride (Arg)–Toni Tools, by Roaring Fever. ($165,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & B Flay Thoroughbreds; B-Buck Pond Farm, Inc. (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $34,563.
Margins: 5 1/4, HF, 3/4. Odds: 38.88, 3.48, 2.36.
Also Ran: Occult, Neon Icon, Dreaming of Mo, Just F Y I.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Gin Gin Reverses Form for Walsh, Strolls Home in the Doubledogdare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In his penultimate work for the GI Kentucky Derby, American Promise (Justify) went fast by design for trainer D. Wayne Lukas, and will ship to Kentucky Sunday.

The breeze Friday morning at Oaklawn Park, shortly after the renovation break, was a seven furlong trip from the gate in 1:25.20 under Nik Juarez, who will also have the call in the big race.

According to Oaklawn's lead clocker Jim Hamilton, American Promise rolled through :22 for the opening quarter, :33.60 for three furlongs, a half in :45.80, five furlongs in :57.80, and six in 1:11 in company with seven-race maiden Bon Temps (Bravazo). That workmate dropped back on the turn with his five furlongs credited in :59.60.

Despite the look of it, Lukas says the workout unfolded as planned because he wanted the colt on his toes early.

“What I'm trying to do is get him focused on getting into his races quicker because with a 20-horse [Kentucky Derby] field, there's always a problem,” Lukas said. “Put yourself in a place where you can [avoid trouble]. I'm training him a little bit different.”

“He did a half-mile from the gate in :45 seconds. He doesn't have to do that, but at least he's got that in mind now. The other horse worked with him just to give him a little interest.”

Barring any hiccups, the son of the 2017 Triple Crown winner will have his final Kentucky Derby workout at Churchill Downs Apr. 26. With two weeks left before the race, Lukas says he would not trade places with anyone.

“I really feel like he's coming around. He's improving every single day. He's still a 2-year-old [American Promise's actual birthday is May 1] and still growing into that frame. The last two weeks have been the best two weeks he's had here.”

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The Florida Breeders' Incentive Fund (FBIF) has been restructured to be open to all races regardless of value, and is projected to provide over $2-million in awards to owners, Gulfstream Park announced via press release.

The FBIF race incentives, which were offering $5,000 per race for claiming races of $25,000 and up or higher conditions, will be raised to $6,000 per race in maiden special weights, allowance, and overnight handicaps. The only exception will be state-bred races. Changes to the fund will reflect beginning May 1.

“The restructuring of the Florida Breeders' Incentive Fund will provide additional incentives to Florida owners,” said Bill Badgett, executive director of Florida racing operations at Gulfstream Park. “We look forward to continuing working with horsemen to make Gulfstream's summer meet a success.”

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