Feed aggregator

Positano Sunset's Madison win was very rewarding for both Dr. John Seiler and Randy Bloch. Bloch noted it was the group’s first grade 1 triumph.

It was May 23 and Tom Ryan was anxiously waiting for a phone call.

After a long layoff and a narrow second in his comeback race, Nysos annihilated the competition in the May 31 Triple Bend Stakes (G3) to give trainer Bob Baffert his eighth victory in the stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Classic Mo Town, claimed for $25,000 last year at Gulfstream Park, scored his first graded win in the May 31 Eclipse Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. Later on the card, 2024 King's Plate Stakes winner Caitlinhergrtness dominated the Belle Mahone Stakes (G3).

Former Ontario Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association president Conrad Cohen has died.

In his grand return to Churchill Downs, Mystik Dan earned his first victory since the 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) with a very similar trip in the $270,000 Blame Stakes (G3) May 31.

Many of the racing highlights for owner/breeder Carl Pollard have come at Churchill Downs, and he now has another, thanks to Mercante, who wore down favored Brilliant Berti to win the $273,500 Arlington Stakes (G3T) at the Louisville, Ky., track.

Closing from last under Florent Geroux, Fionn caught midstretch leader Totally Justified and scored by a half-length in the $272,500 Regret Stakes (G3T) May 31 at Churchill Downs.

Owner and trainer David Jacobson called Jose Ortiz's ride aboard Durante a "masterpiece" as the 6-year-old gelding upset the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 31 at odds of 33-1.

4th-Monmouth, $51,275, Msw, 6-1, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:11.05, ft, 9 1/2 lengths.
SINGLEMINDED (c, 3, Win Win Win–Eva London {SP}, by Adios Charlie) debuted Apr. 5 at Gulfstream Park in a mile turf maiden, and never left midpack for most of the race, finishing sixth in what became a blanket scramble on the wire. Moved to the main track and given blinkers for this second jump, the betting public made him the 6-5 second choice behind Bob Mo (Uncle Mo), who stepped forward to set the tempo as the 4-5 favorite. Never far from that leader behind :22.30 and a half in :46.22, Singleminded took command passing the quarter pole and the race was over from there as he drew away from his rivals to win by 9 1/2 lengths over Bob Mo.

The victor is a half-brother to SP London Ghost (Shaman Ghost), and is his dam's fourth winner in a row from as many on the ground. Their 2023 Awesome Slew sibling died but Eva London did produce a yearling colt by Colonel Liam before being bred back to the stallion for 2025. Singleminded is the 20th winner for Win Win Win (by Hat Trick {Jpn}). Sales history: $80,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $31,930. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Ocala Stud, Dr. William & Alice B. Russell & William J. Terrill (FL); T-Chad C. Brown.

The post Win Win Win’s Singleminded Goes Turf to Dirt, Graduates Stylishly at Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Baley Hare has been named racing secretary at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming. He succeeds Dan Bork, who will transition to the same role at Colonial Downs in Virginia.

Hare, a native of Illinois, grew up in the industry alongside his father, Scott, a former jockey and longtime jockey agent, and his mother, Darcy, a former trainer. Before working in racing offices across Kentucky, Hare was a racing official in Louisiana and Texas.

“I'm thankful for the opportunity and appreciate the confidence from our team in naming me to this role,” Hare said. “Ellis Park has always held a special place in Kentucky racing, and it's exciting to build on the strong, year-round racing product we have across the state.”

In addition to his new duties at Ellis Park, Hare will continue in his role at Churchill Downs, where he serves as paddock judge and racing official during the Spring, September and Fall meets.

Bork, who has served as racing secretary at Ellis Park since 2006, praised Hare's growth and readiness for the position.

“I wouldn't leave this position in anyone else's hands besides Baley,” Bork said. “Over the past several years, we've worked hand-in-hand managing entries and coordinating the day-to-day racing operation. With Ellis Park and Colonial Downs both operating as top-tier summer circuits, I know we'll continue to support each other and the broader goals of our racing program.”

The post Baley Hare Named Ellis Racing Secretary appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

3rd-Churchill Downs, $91,300, Msw, 6-1, 2yo, 5f, :58.46, ft, 1/2 length.
DUKE OF SUGGINS (c, 2, Tom's d'Etat–Graceful Fancy, by Liam's Map), let go at 26-1 to for debut, was hustled into contention but soon settled in fourth as 2-1 choice Pupil (Tacitus) and Gold Pearl (Om) showed the way through a :22.36 quarter. With still plenty to do in early stretch, Duke of Suggins found his best stride late, forging to the lead en route to a 1/2-length score over closing Sleepingonfreedom (Independence Hall) with Mo' Em Down (Caracaro) up for third. Favored Pupil faded to seventh. Carrying this colt, Graceful Fancy was purchased for $100,000 by breeder Sun Valley Farm at the Keeneland January sale in 2023. A daughter of Grade I winner Icon Project (Empire Maker), the half-sister to GSW Fashion Business (GB) (Frankel {GB}) produced a filly by Twirling Candy last term followed by a Life Is Good colt this season. Sales history: $12,000 Wlg '23 KEENOV; $11,000 Ylg '24 EASOCT; $50,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $52,320. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Greg McDonald; B-Sun Valley Farm (KY); T-Albert M. Stall, Jr.

The post Tom’s d’Etat’s Duke of Suggins Wins on Debut at Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bobby Flay and James Ventura's Crudo (Justify) confirmed his readiness for Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong work in :48.86 (4/17) over the Oklahoma training track Sunday in Saratoga. Last-out winner of the Sir Barton Stakes, the colt worked in company with GI Woody Stephens Stakes contender Gate to Wire (Munnings). He broke off about one length back and traveled to the outside of Gate to Wire as NYRA clockers timed him through splits of :12 4/5, :24 4/5, and out in 1:01 3/5 and 1:14 3/5.

“I thought it was an excellent move,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “He worked really well, galloped out nicely. I was very pleased with him. He's had a good couple weeks since he ran.”

Crudo, a front-running 7 1/4-length maiden winner going seven furlongs at Keeneland Apr. 19, romped home by 7 1/2 lengths in the 1 1/16-mile Sir Barton at Pimilco May 17. He will be making his fourth lifetime start in the Belmont.

“It's undoubtedly a pretty strong field,” Pletcher said. “The top three from the Derby look to be really good colts. We've always been really high on the way the horse trained. His last two races have been very good.”

Pletcher will also saddle WinStar Farm and Repole Stable's Uncaged (Curlin) in the Belmont.

The post Crudo on Go for Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) tuned up for his rematch with Derby runner-up and GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) in Saturday's GI Belmont Stakes with a four-furlong work in :48.84 (3/17) over the Oklahoma training track in Saratoga Sunday. The Godolphin homebred, working solo under exercise rider Neil Poznansky, was caught by NYRA clockers through splits of :12 3/5, :24 2/5 and out in 1:02 flat and 1:16 3/5.

“He went well,” trainer Bill Mott said of the work. “We just wanted a nice breeze, in :48, :49, which is what we got. He galloped out good. He looked smooth. He came back good. It was a maintenance-type breeze, and that is what we got.”

Sovereignty made his racetrack debut at Saratoga last summer, finishing fourth Aug. 24. Sunday's work was the colt's third straight breeze at the upstate New York venue since winning the May 3 Derby. He worked four furlongs in :49.76 (13/32) May 17 and five furlongs in 1:02.54 (4/5) May 24.

The post ‘He Looked Smooth’: Sovereignty Tunes Up for Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – It didn't take long for trainer Michael McCarthy to make the decision. After watching his long-striding colt Journalism (Curlin) gobble up the ground at Saratoga Race Course Sunday morning, McCarthy gave the thumbs up sign.

Journalism is going to run in Saturday's 157th edition of the $2-million GI Belmont Stakes.

“Based off what I saw here this morning, I would be hard-pressed to find a reason not to enter,” McCarthy said after Journalism worked four furlongs in :47.54 on the main track with regular jockey Umberto Rispoli on board.

McCarthy said Journalism would be entered Sunday when entries were due. The draw will take place Monday at 5 p.m. at Universal Preservation Hall in downtown.

Journalism, who won the roughly run GI Preakness Stakes in his last start, was second in the GI Kentucky Derby. If he starts in the Belmont, he will be the only horse to run in all three legs of this year's Triple Crown.

“I want to do this because I felt like the horse was telling me he could handle running three times in five weeks,” McCarthy said.

Journalism and Rispoli made the walk from the Oklahoma Training Track and stepped on the main track at 8:45 Sunday morning under cloudy skies and an unseasonable temperature in the low 50s.

Once the horse got back to his barn on the Oklahoma, it was evident that the Belmont would be the target. McCarthy was especially impressed with how strongly Journalism galloped out: five furlongs in 1:00.10 and six furlongs in 1:12.60.

The work was originally planned for Saturday, but those plans were scrapped after a steady rain late Friday night lasted most of Saturday. Over two and a half inches of rain fell, but Journalism saw a good-looking track on Sunday. And he relished it.

“He is a wonderful mover; he gets over the ground very well, has an incredible stride,” said McCarthy, who arrived here from California Thursday night.

If you were looking at any other clues that would signal Journalism starting in the Belmont, consider this: Aron Wellman, president and founder of Eclipse Thoroughbreds, the colt's owner, was also in town from California. Rispoli, who regularly rides in California, said he was here with his family for the week.

“This is an American Classic,” Wellman said. “You only get three shots at them. We have been fortunate to participate and compete in the first two. It would mean a lot. There is a lot of importance and prestige associated with this race. We feel like we have the goods.”

The Belmont is expected to have a field of eight. The presence of Journalism means a rematch of the Kentucky Derby where he was defeated by Sovereignty (Into Mischief) by a length and a half in the slop at Churchill Downs.

Both camps are looking forward to the rematch.

“I am sure there are people that will probably favor Journalism, and some will probably favor Sovereignty,” said Bill Mott, Sovereignty's Hall of Fame trainer. “They are two very good horses.”

“It will be really great for the sport,” said Rispoli, who has ridden Journalism in six of his seven starts. “I always say the best horse is going to win. Hopefully, it will be our time this time. Both of us had good trips in the Derby; he beat me.”

Journalism and Sovereignty are the Belmont headliners, but six others will attempt to crash the party. They include Baeza (McKinzie), who was a neck behind Journalism in Louisville, GII Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez (Authentic), GIII Peter Pan winner Hill Road (Quality Road), Preakness fifth-place finisher Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.), and a pair from Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher: Crudo (Justify), winner of the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard and Uncaged (Curlin), the sixth-place finisher in the Peter Pan.

The Belmont will be run at Saratoga for the second consecutive year as Belmont Park continues its large-scale renovation. And, for the second straight year, it will be run at 1 1/4 miles, rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles because of the main track configuration at Saratoga.

Journalism, with Umberto Rispoli up, worked a half mile over the Saratoga main track. NYRA clockers caught him in 23 4/5, 47 2/5, 1:00 flat, and 1:12 4/5 pic.twitter.com/L6QGMmy8Mt

— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) June 1, 2025

The post Journalism A Go For Belmont Stakes After Saratoga Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Heavy rain and severe kickback forced the abandonment of Eagle Farm's group 1 meeting May 31, with poor visibility leading to the postponement of the final four races, including the Queensland Derby (G1) and Kingsford-Smith Cup (G1).

While the racing world crosses its fingers and hopes there will be a rematch between Sovereignty and Journalism in the Belmont Stakes (G1), it would be quite a mistake to sleep on Baeza.

R. Larry Johnson died in February, but his legacy as an owner and breeder continues, with his homebred turf sprinter Future Is Now grabbing headlines.

Gulfstream Park announcer Pete Aiello will take over in the Santa Anita Park announcer's booth June 6-8 as regular announcer Frank Mirahmadi will be at Saratoga Race Course to call its five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

Bill Luster, a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer for The Courier Journal and regular contributor to BloodHorse, died May 29. He was 80.