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Francis X. “Buddy” Keegan, Jr., a New Jersey Racing Commissioner since 2006 and a breeder/owner who raced horses in the state since 1963, passed away on Thursday, June 5.

He was 86.

In addition to being a long-serving commissioner on the New Jersey Racing Commission, Keegan was president of the New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, president of the New Jersey Horsemen's Association and was a patron of Monmouth Hunt.

Keegan was also a member of the Thoroughbred Club of America, the Green Mountain Horse Association and the National Hunt Association.

A graduate of Seton Hall, Keegan also attended Fordham Law School. He served in the infantry in the U.S. Army and retired after 51 years as Wealth Management Adviser and First Vice President of Investment with USB Financial Services.

The resident of Spring Lake, New Jersey is survived by his son, Mickey.

A viewing will take place Monday, June 16, at the O'Brien Funeral Home in Wall Township, New Jersey from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET.

Keegan will be celebrated during a mass on Tuesday, June 17, at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake at 10 a.m. ET. Burial will follow at St. Catharine's at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Repast will be at 12:30 p.m. ET. at the Spring Lake Golf Club.

The post NJ Commissioner And Breeder/Owner Buddy Keegan Dies At 86 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

2nd-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 6-7, 3yo/up, 7f, 1:23.66, sy, head.
STARS AND STRIDES (c, 3, American Pharoah–Holiday Blues, by Ghostzapper), a first-time starter tackling several more experienced rivals here, went off at 8-1 and opted to rate mid pack as longshot Henry's Hope (Maclean's Music) set a contested tempo with 3-5 race favorite Mainstream (Speightstown) sitting second. Beginning to pick up the bridle midway around the turn, Stars and Strides dove inside at the quarter pole under Junior Alvarado to engage Mainsteam who took over the front momentarily. The pair dueled into the final furlong with Stars and Strides gutsy even in a tight spot against the fence and the race favorite refusing to yield outside even as contact was made close to the wire. The stewards took a look at the stretch run but ultimately made no change leaving Stars and Strides the winner by a head with a further 6 1/2 lengths back to Secured Lender (Omaha Beach) in third. Holiday Blues, who produced Panther Island (Speightstown), SW, $254,120 as her first foal and is a half-sister to MSW/GISP Wine Police (Speightstown), went through the ring this year at KEEJAN in foal to Arcangelo on a final bid of $210,000 to Maytime Bloodstock. Her 2-year-old Frosted filly brought $220,000 at KEESEP last year while her yearling Maxfield colt sold for $100,000 at KEENOV. She reported an Arcangelo filly this spring. Sales History: $160,000 Wlg '22 KEENOV; $475,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Four Pillars Holdings LLC (KY); T-William I. Mott.

The post Stars and Strides Game In Maiden Upset Win At Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Minnie Hauk got the better of a sustained duel with stablemate Whirl to win the Epsom Oaks (G1) June 6, with favorite Desert Flower third having come under pressure turning into the home straight.

Steve Asmussen and the U. S. Department of Labor settled a court case that originated in 2015 over the Hall of Fame trainer's payroll practices in Kentucky.

America's Best Racing provides a quick look at the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) field. The five-horse field is not lacking in quality with grade 1 winners Fierceness, White Abarrio, and Raging Torrent entered.

Jan Brueghel upsets Calandagan to win the June 6 Coronation Cup (G1) for jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Horse Racing Ireland has reached an agreement with the Land Development Agency regarding the sale of a portion of land at Leopardstown racecourse that could deliver 800 social and affordable homes.

America's Best Racing provides a quick look at Churchill Downs' Matt Winn Stakes (G3), which includes five starters from the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) who will meet again under the Twin Spires.

Woodbine canceled racing June 6 due to poor air quality, the Canadian track announced on social media.

With $554,031 bet through 2:25 p.m. ET on June 6, Journalism is favored in early wagering to win the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.

Clement has spent his life preparing to become a trainer, but nothing prepared him for grieving his father while running the stable during one of the biggest weeks of the racing year.

Soul Rush, victorious in the Dubai Turf (G1T) in his last start, returns to Tokyo Racecourse June 8 seeking to improve on his third-place finish in the 2024 Yasuda Kinen (G1).

The Road: sponsored by Gainesway and Darby Dan Farm

Top horses most assuredly are still being trained in California, especially when it comes to classic-type dirt horses.

With a smart front-end score in the $300,000 Poker Stakes (G3T) on the inner turf June 5 at Saratoga Race Course, Donegal Momentum added another accomplishment to his ever-building résumé.

Favored Future Is Now obtained the hole necessary to secure running room in the $200,000 Intercontinental Stakes (G2T), but Pipsy had the speed and the heart.

Spendthrift Farm-based freshman sire Yaupon saw the first stakes winner of his career June 5 when Sassy C W blitzed four other juvenile fillies to post a three-length victory in the $145,500 Astoria Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Ten-time Epsom Oaks (G1)-winning trainer Aidan O'Brien sends out a strong trio, led by Minnie Hauk, to oppose One Thousand Guineas (G1) winner and favorite Desert Flower in this year's race.

With Spirit of St Louis in the June 7 Manhattan Stakes (G1T) and undefeated Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer in the June 6 Acorn Stakes (G1), there's plenty of attention on their sire, Medaglia d'Oro, at this year's Belmont Stakes weekend.

Woodbine cancelled its Friday races due to poor air quality from wildfires in the area, the racetrack said in a press release.

Environment Canada's air quality index for Toronto was listed as 'High Risk' Friday and was expected to remain at that level throughout the day. As of Thursday, the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Center said 201 fires were burning in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, with half of them considered “out of control.”

Woodbine Entertainment's decision to cancel came through consultation with the HBPA and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) and was consistent with the AGCO's air quality guidelines.

According to the Woodbine release, the cancellation “was made in the best interests of the health and safety of the horses and racing participants.”

The track will continue to monitor the situation into the weekend and provide updates as required.

10 races are scheduled for Saturday with first post at 1:05 p.m. ET.

 

BREAKING: Today's card of live racing @WoodbineTB has been CANCELLED due to poor air quality.

Woodbine's decision to cancel comes through consultation with the HBPA and is consistent with the AGCO's air quality guidelines.

Live Racing is scheduled to resume tomorrow.

— Woodbine Communications (@WoodbineComms) June 6, 2025

The post Friday Live Racing Cancelled At Woodbine Due To Poor Air Quality appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.