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On the April 30 episode of BloodHorse at the Derby: Corbin Blumberg discusses Fulleffort's scratch, Whit Beckman on Ocelli drawing in, Alex Smallwood and Frank Angst share Derby analysis, and Mayor Craig Greenberg on the Derby's impact on Louisville.

Updates on Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1) runners from track media.

Hawthorne Race Course canceled racing April 30 for lack of entries but drew a seven-race card for May 3 with an average field size of 6.7 horses.

While a quick return to racing is expected, Bella Ballerina will be scratched from the Kentucky Oaks (G1) because of an ill-timed leg injury.

Fulleffort scratches from the Kentucky Derby (G1) because of a chipped ankle. This makes room for Ocelli to draw in off the also-eligible list.

Complete entries for the nine stakes races run May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Edited Press Release

The New York Knights seek a repeat victory in Maryland as the National Thoroughbred League (NTL) kicks off its 2026 season at Laurel Park on Saturday afternoon.

Now in its fourth season, the NTL is a first-of-its-kind racing league that reimagines America's oldest spectator sport in a team-based professional format. By prioritizing industry participation, equine safety, and consistent, high-level competition, NTL gives fans the opportunity to follow and support celebrated horses and jockeys month after month and year after year.

Beyond the track, NTL delivers a modern lifestyle experience, curating weekends of food, fashion, and entertainment inspired by the sport's most iconic celebrations.

Saturday's racing kicks off a six-event national season in which teams compete across the country for a league championship. Saturday's three NTL races (races 5-7) offer a combined purse of $98,000. All 10 teams entered at least two horses in each race.

Race 5, The Charm City Cup, drew 10 horses at one mile on the main track. Race 6, The Golden Horseshoe Classic, features a 10-horse going one mile on the turf. Race 7 is the Baltimore Blitz, a $56,000 allowance race at 1 1/16 miles on dirt.

Teams earn points based on their horse's finishing position in each race, with greater emphasis on the final race and bonus points for overall performance.

The NTL activities begin Friday evening between 7 and 10 p.m. with the NTL VIP Kickoff Party at the Horse You Came In On Saloon. On Saturday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, owner of the Maryland Colts team franchise, will host the NTL races at Laurel Park.

“There's no better way to open a season than bringing the NTL back to Maryland with Lamar Jackson,” said Mike Monroe, CEO of the National Thoroughbred League.

For ticket information, please visit here.

The post NTL Kicks Off 2026 Season On Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

In a submitted letter, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority CEO Lisa Lazarus addresses criticisms.

Crude Velocity and Englishman headline the undefeated horses, each having won last out in allowance-level company by open lengths. Englishman has won both career starts by more than 7 lengths.

After at most a passing thought about a run in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the connections of Stark Contrast will instead keep the son of Caravaggio in his comfort zone with a start in the $1 million American Turf Stakes (G1T) May 2 at Churchill Downs.

Splendora takes on Ways and Means, who returns after an 11-month layoff, in the May 2 Derby City Distaff Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs.

Churchill Downs media notes on the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1).

The $1 million Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Stakes (G2T) May 2 brings a wide-open field of nine to Churchill Downs.

The speedy 2-year-old Waggley continues to make headlines for WinStar Farm's freshman sire and four-time grade 1 winner Life Is Good. After a debut win earlier this month, she captures the April 29 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes.

Grade 1 winner Percy's Bar brings a career-best recent win along with a long list of storylines into a primetime edition of the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) May 1 at Churchill Downs.

Trainer Brad Cox has had a successful Road to the Kentucky Derby, winning three of the eight 100-point qualifying races this season.

Starship Beauty, a half sister to Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Fulleffort and grade 1-winning millionaire Power Squeeze, sold for $310,000 to HX3 Incorporated April 29.

On the April 29 episode of BloodHorse at the Derby: Mark Casse discusses Silent Tactic's scratch, Ramiro Restrepo talks about The Puma's journey to the Derby, and Brook Smith and Sherry Stanley share the mission of the Backside Learning Center.

Churchill Downs announces that trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. has scratched My Miss Mo from the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (G1), clearing the way for also-eligible Nycon to draw into the 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old fillies. 

As the days draw near for the Kentucky Derby (G1), the clock is ticking down for another day certain to provide an exciting jolt to the Thoroughbred racing industry. The doors to a new, ultra-modern version of Belmont Park will open Sept. 18.