Feed aggregator

Sandtrap (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}–Zindaya {GSW, $567,240}, by More Than Ready) began her career as a juvenile in the care of trainer Ralph Beckett and the dark bay broke her maiden at first asking to earn a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', at Salisbury that September.

The filly was the runner-up to eventual GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor (Fr) in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs Stakes at Deauville a month later. Both Sandtrap and Gezora were transferred to Chad Brown's shedrow to start 2026.

As the 1-5 favorite here, Sandtrap took up a position towards the rear of the field into the first turn and remained on hold up the backstretch.

Roused into action around the far turn, the 4-year-old gunned her engine, drove down the lane and cleared the condition by 4 1/2 lengths. Thiene (Ire) (Cotai Glory {Ire}) was the runner-up.

Sandtrap is now pointing to the GI Just a Game Stakes at the Spa in early June.

The winner is a full-sister to former Brown trainee and current sire Carl Spackler (Ire), MGISW, $1,944,331.

Herself a half-sister to GISW Western Aristocrat (Mr. Greeley) and a full-sister to MSP Noble Ready–the dam of Japanese group stakes winner Noble Roger (Palace Malice)–Zindaya is responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Uncle Mo, a yearling colt by Justify and she foaled a filly by Into Mischief Mar. 25.

2nd-Aqueduct, $83,000, Alw, 4-18, (NW1$X), 3yo/up, f/m, 1mT, 1:37.26, fm, 4 1/2 lengths.
SANDTRAP (IRE), f, 4, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Zindaya {GSW, $567,240}, by More Than Ready.
Sales History: 450,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $86,071. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Bridlewood Farm; B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown.

Sandtrap much the best in R2 at the Big A. https://t.co/PDJbFKsdFE pic.twitter.com/p2XmUjw8M6

— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) April 18, 2026

The post Sandtrap Gets Up And Down To Clear Allowance Turf Race At Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

While there isn't a definitive path yet, next-race plans are pending for GI Apple Blossom Handicap victress Claret Beret (Not This Time), according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

The Florida-based mare has since returned to the Sunshine State. She posted a 105 Beyer figure in her upset over champion Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) Apr. 11 and her final time of 1:42.21 was the fastest running of the race since Horse of the Year Havre De Grace in 2011. Her speed figure is the highest in the country this year for a female at a mile or over.

“She's back in Florida,” said Joseph on Saturday morning, who was in Hot Springs to saddle White Abarrio in the GII Oaklawn Handicap. “She just had an easy week, just kind of walking under tack for the whole week.”

“No plans yet. We'll probably come up with a plan next week. I'll be back next week. I've been at the [OBS] sales, so I want to go over her first and then come up with a plan.”

So far, the targets have landed on the GI Ogden Phipps Stakes June 5 at Saratoga and the GII Fleur de Lis Stakes June 27 at Churchill Downs. Both contests are at 1 1/8-miles.

“We're going to keep her at two turns, for sure.”

The post Claret Beret Doing Well, Next Plans Pending for Apple Blossom Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GI Florida Derby runner-up The Puma (Essential Quality) put in his final local breeze at Gulfstream Park Saturday morning in advance of shipping out to Churchill Downs for an anticipated tilt in the GI Kentucky Derby.

Working five furlongs with Javier Castellano aboard, the chestnut clicked off 1:00.77 (5/15) over a fast track in his second work since being defeated by Commandment (Into Mischief) in a desperate photo in the Florida Derby. Clockers caught his six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.85 and a mile in 1:37.88.

“[The work] went really well. I'm very satisfied,” Castellano said. “He's a cool horse to ride. He's classy, laid back. It was a solid work, just what we were looking for. I'm happy the way he did it. Always in hand. Good level.”

Trained by Gustavo Delgado, and assisted by his son, Gustavo Jr., The Puma is expected to leave early next week for Kentucky and will have his final Derby prep at Churchill Downs. His connections are following a similar blueprint to the one which propelled them to the pinnacle when Mage (Good Magic)–also the Florida Derby runner-up–roared home best of all on the First Saturday in May three years ago. The Puma is owned by OGMA Investments, JR Ranch and High Step Racing.

“By the times and the video of the work, he's certainly doing it the right way,” said Ramiro Restrepo, bloodstock and racing manager for JR Ranch and racing manager for High Step Racing. “This was his big work. He'll be leaving Monday or Tuesday, I believe, headed for Churchill.”

“[He'll] do some galloping and probably have a little maintenance spin, but the heavy lifting was done today. For all intents and purposes everybody was very happy with how it went.”

Restrepo continued, “The partners are thrilled, which is great. Obviously, the trainer has done a hell of a job, you've got to tip your hat to him. To have a small barn and yet have two horses in four years, one of them win the Derby and the other to have a big shot coming up, it's really great.”

The post The Puma Puts in ‘Big Work’ at Gulfstream, Connections Riding High Ahead of Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Spring Classic preparations kicked off bright and early Saturday morning at Keeneland with GI Toyota Blue Grass runner-up Ottinho (Quality Road) working in company for trainer Chad Brown despite being ruled out of the Kentucky Derby.

Ottinho had been in consideration for the Derby but DRF's David Grening reported Saturday afternoon on X that Brown believed it was 'unlikely' the colt would go on to the spring marquee. The GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel May 16 or the GIII Peter Pan Stakes remain as targets later on. With his defection, Chief Wallabee (Constitution) will draw into the field.

The half-brother to Gun Runner cruised a half-mile with Flavien Prat in the irons on the outside of Praetor (Into Mischief), the third-place finisher in last year's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes. They were clocked in :48.40 (15/84).

“It was a good maintenance work,” Prat said “We went a good clip. I think the blinkers have helped him a lot. I had a chance to breeze him before his first race [last fall]. Now he is more polished with the blinkers.”

“I got him in 48 and 2 and out in 1:01 and 1,” said Baldo Hernandez, Brown's assistant overseeing the Keeneland string. “I am not sure when he is going over to Churchill Downs.”

Bella Ballerina Churchill-Bound After Keeneland Breeze

Godolphin homebred Bella Ballerina (Street Sense), half-sister of 2023 Kentucky Oaks victress Pretty Mischievous, completed a five-furlong breeze in company at Keeneland as her final prep before moving to Louisville.

With Tyler Gaffalione aboard, she started a couple lengths behind a pair of workmates before cutting the corner at the top of the stretch, and finishing two lengths clear of Diamond Eyed Jack (Tom's d'Etat) for a final bullet clocking of 1:00.20 (1/22). She galloped out six panels in 1:13.40.

“She will go to Churchill tomorrow,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “The plan is to do something with her [next] Friday or Saturday or maybe even Sunday depending on weather.”

Bella Ballerina worked with Diamond Eyed Jack and Get Them Roses (Practical Joke) last Saturday as well, and rated behind those two for that work. Saturday she was asked to pass on the inside, and did exactly as they asked of her.

“It was designed that way,” Gaffalione said. “We've been trying to teach her to relax. She's been doing great. She's listening to all my cues, responding well. She's a very talented filly, everything comes to her easily. You can probably see that in the replay of the workout, but I'm very happy with her.”

“It was a nice routine maintenance work. Just let her come up the inside and she finished well. We're very happy, and we'll see how it goes into next week.”

“She relaxed well behind horses and coming inside rather than outside gave her something else to think about,” said Walsh. “She does things almost too easy. She looks great. We get another good week and a good work, then it is up to her.”

The post Ottinho Out of Derby But Works Well at Keeneland, Oaks Hopeful Bella Ballerina Breezes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It truly is spring in Kentucky when the penultimate preps for the marquee event in May start rolling out, and so was the story Saturday morning as Albus (Yaupon) and Right to Party (Constitution) led the work tab for GI Kentucky Derby hopefuls at Churchill Downs.

The top two from last month's GII Wood Memorial Stakes both went out Saturday morning with winner Albus spotted first for trainer Riey Mott. He breezed four panels in :49 flat (35/65) for his first move over the track since arriving at the venue in company with stablemate Theoretical (Nyquist). The pair went an opening quarter-mile in :24.40 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:02.20, according to Churchill clocker Adam Wallace.

“He worked in :49 for a half-mile and did it really easily on his own,” Mott said. “That's the move you're looking for in the first work back from a race.”

Mott's other hopeful, Virginia Derby winner Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro), completed his major Derby prep in Southern Florida at Palm Meadows (4f, :49.95, [34/47]) and is scheduled to arrive in Kentucky early Monday morning.

“From what I saw on video, he worked :49 and change and did it very well on his own,” Mott said. “He's a good workhorse and pretty straightforward. We're looking forward to getting him up here to our division at Churchill Downs.”

A final pre-Derby breeze will come next weekend once Incredibolt is on site.

Two hours later, during the exclusive 15-minute training window for Kentucky Derby and Oaks contenders, Right to Party worked five furlongs in 1:00.80 (23/39) under Robby Albarado in company with GSP Very Connected (Connect). His sectionals were timed in :12.40, :24, :36, and :48.40 before a six furlong gallop out of 1:14.20, according to clocker John Nichols.

Trainer Kenny McPeek was happy with what he saw from Right to Party, stating, “He was clipping along in :12s. I didn't want to do anything too crazy with him, but if you can clip along in :12s in the Derby, you can win the race.”

Also spotted on the tab was Chip Honcho (Connect), who needs two defections to draw in the Derby field. The colt also went five panels in company, completing it in :59.80 (6/39) in company with stablemate SW & GSP Corporate Power (Curlin). Nichols clocked their splits in :12.20, :23.80, :35.20, and :47.20 before a six-furlong gallop out in 1:12.40.

Aside from the Derby workers, Saturday morning also saw several gate and paddock schooling in preparation for the First Saturday in May. Notably, G2 UAE Derby victor Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}) visited the gates while GI Florida Derby-third Chief Wallabee (Constitution) went to the paddock before a routine gallop. The former is in on a guaranteed spot and the latter was ruled in Saturday afternoon with the defection of Ottinho (Quality Road).

Brad Cox's trio of Derby contenders Commandment (Into Mischief), Fulleffort (Liam's Map), and Further Ado (Gun Runner) all had a walk day following their Friday morning works at Churchill. There are no scheduled Derby or Oaks workers Sunday morning.

The post Churchill Downs Update: Albus, Right to Party Post Penultimate Derby Preps appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Alpine Princess scores in the Doubledogdare Stakes (G2) April 17 at Keeneland by a nose over post-time favorite Eunomia.

Three Amigos struck for a speedy filly by first-crop sire Early Voting during the final day of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale April 17. Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Three Amigos, went to $850,000 for Hip 1037.

Journalism lost the first two rounds to Sovereignty, but those matches were in 2025. Round 3 is April 18 at Oaklawn Park where the now-4-year-old heavyweights tangle again in the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles.

Near the end of the final session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, Jacob West secured a fast filly by Girvin for $1.6 million on behalf of Robert and Lawana Low.

Woodbine begins its 128-day Thoroughbred racing season April 18 with a seven-race card. Forty-five horses are entered on opening day, and 40 are in seven races April 19.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association presents the first NTRA Statesman of the Year Award to retiring Senator Mitch McConnell. The award recognizes a lawmaker who has worked to improve the Thoroughbred racing industry.

The Jockey Club of Canada announced April 17 the death of chief steward Doug Anderson. He recently received a 2025 Special Sovereign Award.

Brazen Persuasion, winner of the 2013 Schuylerville Stakes (G3), has been supplemented to the Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale. Her 2-year-old Jackie's Warrior filly sold for $2.3 million earlier this week.

The atmosphere in the pavilion turned electric as the highly anticipated Flightline colt made his entrance into the ring at the OBS Spring Sale. Following a spirited bidding war, Zedan Racing Stables prevailed with a record $10.5 million bid.

Top 2-year-old colts from 2025 clash again in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese Two Thousand Guineas, G1T) April 19 at Nakayama Racecourse.

StrideSAFE has reached an agreement with the shareholders of StrideMaster to acquire 100% of the Australian company, enabling sensor production to transfer from Australia to Kentucky.

Trendsetter, winner of the April 11 Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, has been supplemented to the Keeneland April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held the evening of April 24, following racing on closing day.

Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA, writes that HISA was created to enforce medication control and racetrack safety standards, but he argues that the regulator has gone beyond its defined scope.

Hip 1178, a filly by Essential Quality bred by Chester and Mary Broman, sold for $600,000 to spark strong final session for New York-breds at OBS April. Photo courtesy of Sequel Bloodstock.

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. wrapped up its April sale of 2-year-olds in training in record style Friday in Ocala, selling a $10.5 million juvenile and posting records for all major metrics, and New York-breds played a significant role in the returns.

Overall, 70 of the 81 New York-breds through the ring over the four days sold for a total of $9,138,000, an average price of $130,543 and median of $95,000. OBS reported an extremely low buyback rate of 13.8 percent for New York-breds.

Among the other New York-bred highlights:

• Three sold for $600,000 or more;
• Eight sold for $300,000 or more;
• 33 sold for $100,000 or more;
• Juveniles by New York-based sires Mind Control and Central Banker were among the top four New York-breds sold; and
• Year-to-year comparisons for the sale showed increases of 47 percent for gross ($6,217,000 to $9,138,000), 26 percent for average price ($103,617 to $138,543) and 40.78 percent for median ($67,500 to $95,000).

“The purchasing power we are seeing at OBS April for New York-breds is a direct result of the momentum and successful initiatives supporting our program,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “Buyers are recognizing the value of owning a New York-bred and the overall strength of racing in New York. These results reflect the quality of the horses being offered, serve as a credit to our breeders, and reinforce the long-term value of racing in New York.

“This week’s results are a strong indicator of market confidence, and we look forward to that momentum continuing through the spring 2-year-old sales, including Fasig-Tipson Midlantic sale, and into the yearling sales season, particularly at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and the New York-bred sale.”

One of the juveniles to bring $600,000 or more came during Friday’s finale session.

Hip 1178, a filly from the second crop of champion Essential Quality, went for $610,000 to BSW/Crow, agent for Go Go Greys.

Bred by Chester and the late Mary Broman, foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown and consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent, the filly is the second foal out of the stakes-winning Into Mischief mare Naughty Joker.

Naughty Joker went 2-2-3 in nine starts, including a victory in the 2019 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park, and earned $176,403. She sold to the Bromans in foal to McKinzie for $430,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale. Her first foal, the McKinzie filly Convo, sold for $400,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September yearling sale and placed in her debut late last year. Naughty Joker is also the dam of a yearling New York-bred filly by Gunite.

OBS reported sales on 13 of the 18 New York-breds offered Friday for a total of $1,792,000, an average price of $137,846 and median of $90,000.

Hip 921, a colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Drain the Clock, brought the top price Friday for a New York-bred colt on a bid of $300,000 from Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Vekoma Thoroughbreds and Sabby Racing.

Bred by H&H Farms Inc. and Michele Peters and consigned by SGV Thoroughbreds, agent, the colt is the second foal out of the unraced Street Boss mare Hot Street. She’s out of Grade 2 winner and $468,966-earner Harissa.

Hip 805, a colt by New York-based sire Mind Control bred by Rockridge Stud LLC, Animals in Motion and Chesapeake Farm, led all New York-breds at the sale on a $700,000 bid from Justin Casse, agent. Photo courtesy of Grassroots Training and Sales.

The top-selling New York-bred and leading juvenile by a New York-based sire, Hip 805, went through the ring during Thursday’s session. Justin Casse, agent, purchased by colt by Mind Control out of the unraced Flatter mare First Valentine for $700,000.

Bred by Rockridge Stud LLC, Animals in Motion and Chesapeake Farm, foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson and consigned by Grassroots Training and Sales, agent, the colt is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Millenium Tony and the unraced New York-bred Known Agenda gelding Chairmanoftheboard. First Valentine also produced a filly by Americanrevolution in mid-January in New York for the same breeding partnership as the Mind Control colt.

The colt originally sold as a weanling for $20,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale before bringing $55,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Mind Control, a 10-year-old son of Stay Thirsty out of the Lightning N Thunder mare Feel That Fire, stands for $6,000 Irish Hill Century/Dutchess Views Stallions in Stillwater as part of the Irish Hill, Dutchess Views, Rockridge Stud, Waldorf Farm and Hidden Lake Farm venture.

The top New York-bred filly sold during Wednesday’s session. Hip 437, a filly by Omaha Beach foaled in New York at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, was purchased by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong for $650,000. Bred by Charlie F. Engel and consigned by Harris Training Center, agent, the filly is out of the Distorted Humor mare Alma Llanera. The Omaha Beach filly originally sold for $120,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October sale.

Hip 508, a colt by leading New York sire Central Banker bred by Jillys Fillys Stable, brought $325,000 at OBS April. Photo courtesy of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

Wednesday’s session also featured the sale of Hip 508, a colt by four-time leading New York sire Central Banker and full brother to four-time winner and $112,133-earner Lockbox, that sold for $325,000 to Kimmel/Salusto, agent for Winning Move Stable and IEE Racing.

Bred by Jillys Fillys Stable LLC, foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent, the filly is the fourth foal out of the winning City Zip mare Barrier to Entry.

Central Banker, a 16-year-old son of Speightstown out of the stakes-winning Go For Gin mare Rhum, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs. He topped the New York general sire list from 2021 through 2024 and came into Saturday ranked third on this year’s list with more than $845,000 in progeny earnings.

The post Strong demand for New York-breds helps contribute to historic OBS April 2-year-old sale appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Maybe a touch earlier than expected, the rematch that the horse racing world pined for has arrived as reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) will once again square off against the 2025 GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) in the GII Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday.

Both colts will be making their much-anticipated 4-year-old debuts in Hot Springs.

Sovereignty turned in a spectacular season last year when he won the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI DK Travers Stakes.

The Bill Mott trainee came down with a temperature at Del Mar and unfortunately had to miss the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, but the Godolphin homebred garnered 201 out of a possible 220 first-place Eclipse votes to take home Horse of the Year honors.

“The thing is we were fit and ready to run in November, the same as Journalism,” Mott told Robert Yates on Wednesday morning. “He ran; we didn't. But we were still a fit horse at that time. It's not like we had been idle since August.”

Mott, who was Oaklawn's leading trainer in 1986 and won the Oaklawn Handicap in 1995 with future two-time Horse of the Year Cigar and again in 1996 with Geri, said that the Hot Springs race fit with Sovereignty's schedule.

“I suppose the timing made this the right spot for his comeback,” said Mott. “We felt like we had enough works in him. It was a mile and an eighth. We could have waited two weeks and run in the [GII] Alysheba [at Churchill Downs May 1]. It's a mile and a sixteenth. Godolphin has another one they want to run in the Alysheba and we just kind of worked it out. We announced early that we thought we would run here, but it didn't scare anybody off.”

Mott, who was voted Outstanding Trainer for the fifth time last year, added that Sovereignty hasn't necessarily changed physically since his the Travers win.

“He was looking pretty damn good then,” Mott said. “He was pretty well filled out at that point. He's probably come a ways, but it's difficult for me to see it because I see him every day. To me he looks great, but I thought he went into the Travers looking great. Actually, we went into the Travers and Breeders' Cup looking like he was gaining weight. He looked like he had a belly on him because he's such a good doer. He eats really good and keeps himself in good fettle.”

According to Mott, the Oaklawn Handicap field–a race in which Sovereignty carries the highest weight at 123–makes for an intriguing race because it lacks a speed horse.

“Looking at that race, we can talk about the way it looks on paper,” the Hall of Fame conditioner said. “There's no horse in there that has '1, 1, 1, 1' beside his name. I don't think there's, like, any really, really fast early horse in there. Somebody's going to see that and they're going to do it.”

Journalism in the early stages before his Haskell Stakes rally | Sarah Andrew

Ready to do battle with his foe once more, Journalism has drilled for trainer Michael McCarthy at his Santa Anita base since late February.

Last year, the colt was the only horse to race in every leg of the Triple Crown. The results were a Preakness win and a pair of runner-up finishes to Sovereignty in the Derby and the Belmont.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood, Don Alberto, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor and Derrick Smith, the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling grad captured the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes at Monmouth, was the runner-up in the GI Pacific Classic Stakes at Del Mar in late August and finished fourth in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic over the same surface in November.

The Oaklawn Handicap isn't a two-horse race by any means. Breeders' Cup Classic and GI Pegasus World Cup winner White Abarrio (Race Day) comes to town for C2 Racing, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa. Trained by Saffie Joseph and out of a sire who won the Oaklawn Handicap in 2015, the 7-year-old was the runner-up to stablemate Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the Pegasus Jan. 24.

“We're not scared of competition,” White Abarrio's co-owner, Mark Cornett, said Wednesday morning. “This is what this sport needs. When's the last time you saw three good horses like this match up? It's been a while. I can't remember the last time. It's good to see. Oaklawn does a heck of a job and with a $1.25 million purse, you're going to attract horses like this, you would think.”

Representing owners Gus King and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones is GISP Publisher (American Pharoah). After finally breaking his maiden over the local strip Feb. 15, the Steve Asmussen trainee has show steady improvement by delivering wins in an allowance race Mar. 7 and in the restricted American Pharoah Overnight Stakes Mar. 28.

Rounding out the field are a pair by the late, great Arrogate–Liberal Arts and Duke of Duval.

 

KEENELAND & SANTA ANITA

At Keeneland on Saturday, a pair of graded races make the card.

Juddmonte homebred and Mott trainee Batten Down (Tapit) will look to make it two stakes wins in a row when he heads to the post in the GIII Ben Ali Stakes. A pair of Kentucky Derby alums in Burnham Square (Liam's Map) and Tawny Port (Pioneerof the Nile) plan to contest 12 furlongs over the grass in the GII VisitLEX Elkhorn Stakes.

Over the weekend, GISW King of Gosford (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) makes his first start of 2025 in the GIII American Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday and GSW Nafisa (Quality Road) leads a group of four others in the GIII Santa Maria Stakes at 'The Great Race Place' on Sunday.

The post Bout Time Come Saturday: Sovereignty V. Journalism In Oaklawn H. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.