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After a sizzling win in a May 23 maiden on the grass at Churchill Downs, Wesley Ward confirmed what he already knew. 'TDN Rising Star' Outfielder (Speightstown) is among the best 2-year-olds he has ever trained. So it's no surprise that the colt will soon be on his way to Royal Ascot to compete in the G2 Norfolk Stakes June 19.

“I was nervous going into the race at Churchill, just because I was so excited and he's one of those colts who has so much ability, Ward said. “The race was five-eighths on the grass. But you just never know how it's going to turn out. If you ever get to see his workouts you can visually see that he breathes different air. He's a big colt but he's real agile and quick. He moves like a cat. Usually, big horses are kind of lumbery and they don't have the agility that this guy does.”

Outfielder was purchased at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale for $850,000. Ward also bought a horse named Schwarzenegger (Not This Time) for $950,000 at the same sale.

“Both colts were my picks of the sale. We spent a lot for both,” Ward said. “Nobody picked him out but me. You know how bloodstock agents like to take credit for things. The guy who signed the ticket, me, is the guy who picked him out.”

Ward bought the horse before he was able to bring in any partners. He talked former major league outfielder Jayson Werth into buying 20% of the colt, but was uncomfortable owning the remaining 80% himself.

“I couldn't afford to spend that much money when we paid as much as we did. It was too much of risk,” Ward said.

The problem was solved when Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing went in for 60%.

At first Ward thought that Schwarzenegger would turn out to be the better of the two and he was planning to run him at Saratoga. As for Outfielder, he thought he would need some time, but that didn't turn out to be the case.

“We started breezing them together in tandem,” Ward said “Outfielder came around a lot quicker than I expected because he's a bigger colt. Schwarzenegger [who is unraced] was the one I had planned on running early. But as we got through the workouts in April and May, Outfielder was just better in each and every work. It wasn't by a great margin, but if you watched their works you can pick out visually which of the two is better.

“Moving on the grass down in Florida he really took to it as far as just galloping on the grass,” he said. “We had him at Palm Beach Downs and at Payson Park. He just floated over it. Even though he hadn't had a breeze yet I thought he'd really liked the grass. The riders on him, one being David Flores, were elated when they got off of him.”

Outfielder wins on debut and earned a 'TDN Rising Star' | Coady Media

Outfielder won his debut by 6 1/4 lengths and covered the five furlongs in :55.93 seconds.

“In that race he widened the margin with effortless ease,” Ward said. “The thing about him is that he is so sound. He's got a big airway and a big throat. A lot of big horses have air issues, but I knew that wouldn't be a problem for him. There is a lot of excitement surrounding this guy.”

With Ward's affinity for Royal Ascot, it comes as no surprise that the colt is headed overseas. Ward has won the Norfolk twice, with Shang Shang Shang (Shanghai Bobby) in 2018 and with No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) in 2013. If all goes well, Outfielder's next start after the Norfolk will be in the GI Prix Morny in Deauville Aug. 24. The Kentucky-based conditioner has won that race three times, with No Nay Never, Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac ({GB}).

“He'll run in the Norfolk, which is a path I've been down a few times,” Ward said. “It comes up a little quick, especially with my 2-year-olds. I like a little more spacing. Being that he ran on the grass and he came out of the race great, the Norfolk looks like the best spot. There's no better grass course in the world than what they have at Royal Ascot. Keeneland might be as good. It is a very kind and safe surface for him to run back on. From there we'll go to the Prix Morny. I've run in it four times, and have won three times and had a second. It's a path I've been down before.”

As much as Ward has been impressed by the 2-year-old's works on the grass, he says he'd like to try him on the dirt.

“He would be very good on the dirt,” he said. “I don't want to try him on the dirt until the fall of the year. I want to let him mature a little bit more. If we get that far and he accomplishes the things we think he will, we'll have to take a look at the dirt.”

For now, it's on to Royal Ascot, where Ward has won 12 races and will be in search of lucky number 13.

The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Outfielder Headed To Royal Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Oaklawn Park is promoting Zack Gillham to Vice President of Racing & Wagering, while Jason Milligan will assume the role of Director of Racing, the track said via a press release on Thursday morning.

In his expanded position, Gillham will oversee all aspects of Oaklawn's racing and sports wagering operations. A member of the Hot Springs team for over eight years, he most recently served as Executive Director of Wagering.

Milligan, the former Vice President of Racing, has been with Oaklawn's equine operations for the past 28 years.

The post Oaklawn Promotes Gillham, Milligan To Director Of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Pyrenees (Into Mischief–Our Khrysty, by Newfoundland), winner of the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes and runner-up in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup in 2024, has been retired from racing, according to Adam Corndorf, who bred and raced the horse in partnership with his mother Bonnie Baskin under their Blue Heaven Farm banner.

A homebred son of Grade III winner Our Khrysty, purchased by Blue Heaven for $600,000 in foal to Tiznow at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, Pyrenees broke his maiden by 4 1/2 lengths off a one-year absence at the Fair Grounds in December 2023 and added open-length victories in allowance company at the Fair Grounds and at Keeneland in the spring of 2024 before charging home to take last year's Pimlico Special on Preakness weekend, defeating 'TDN Rising Star' Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo). The bay was runner-up to the latter in the Foster and was beaten four lengths into second behind Highland Falls (Curlin) in the Jockey Club Gold Cup before competing in a hot renewal of the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. He retires with a record of 4-3-1 from 11 starts and earnings of $786,316 for trainer Cherie DeVaux.

In addition to his racetrack achievements, Pyrenees hails from an extremely active immediate female family. His half-sister Grace Adler (Curlin) won the 2021 GI Del Mar Debutante and was sold to Japanese interests for $2 million at Fasig-Tipton November in 2022. Grace Adler's first foal, a colt by Horse of the Year Flightline, made $1.3 million at the JRHA Select Sale last July.

Pyrenees, whose dam is a half-sister to GI Whitney Handicap hero Bullsbay (Tiznow), is also kin to the Grade II-placed Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), not only the dam of SP Distorted d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), but also of Tappan Street (Into Mischief), who took down the colors of subsequent GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in this year's GI Curlin Florida Derby. A Curlin half-brother to Tappan Street fetched $1.4 million at Keeneland September last fall, while the current 2-year-old half-sister to Pyrenees, Glory Me (Gun Runner), was hammered down to Lael Stable for $975,000 at KEESEP. Pyrenees's half-sister Bay Harbor (Speightstown), is responsible for Miuccia (Mitole), a stakes winner in 2024.

Pyrenees is currently available for inspection at Blue Heaven Farm in Versailles, Kentucky for those interested in standing him at stud. Inquiries may be made to Adam Corndorf at info@blueheavenfarmky.com.

The post Graded Winner, Mutliple Grade I-Placed Pyrenees Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A total of 97 entries have been catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale, which can now be viewed online at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding has commenced and will remain open through Tuesday, June 3, beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

Among the entries are horses of racing age, breeding stock–including mares with foals at foot–2-year-olds in training and yearlings.

Some of the top offerings include:

 

• Hip 2, Strada Del Sogno (Street Boss), a debut third in the May 10 Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Gulfstream behind Lennilu (Leinster), who is scheduled to make her next appearance at Royal Ascot next month;

 

• Hip 92, Chasing Sunsets (Authentic), a 2-year-old full-sister to Reagan's Wit, impressive winner of the James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico May 17;

 

• 40 horses of racing age eligible for a variety of conditions;

 

• Yearlings by Early Voting, Girvin, Golden Pal, Maxfield and Tiz the Law;

 

• Mares pregnant to Bolt d'Oro, Caracaro, Independence Hall, Mandaloun, Speaker's Corner and Yaupon

 

“We have a diverse catalogue with something for everyone, including a significant number of turnkey horses of racing age ready for summer racing,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “These include stakes horses as well as a several eligible for 'ship and win' programs on the West Coast.”

The post Bidding For Fasig-Tipton June Digital Sale Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 05/28/2025

Licensee: Brad Cox, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Nyquick on 3/19/25.

Date: 05/27/2025

Licensee: Stephen Trevino, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 28, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Miss Shady, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/2/25.

Date: 05/23/2025

Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer

Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 24, 2025; additional 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on June 23, 2025 for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2) on Tik Tok Daddy, who finished third at Laurel Park on 12/13/24.

According to the case resolution, Sanchez-Salomon is suspended an additional 30 days—beginning on June 23, 2025, and continuing through July 22, 2025—for the accumulation of 6 Penalty Points within a two-year period. This relates to two prior positives involving Flunixin (in 2023) and Phenylbutazone (in 2024).

Date: 05/22/2025

Licensee: Juan Aguirre, trainer

Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 23, 2025; a fine of $12,500. Admission.

Explainer: Violation of ADMC Program Rule 3216(b)(2), which prohibits a covered person from “assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up, or engaging in any other type of intentional complicity or Attempted complicity involving . . . a violation of Rule 3229 by another Covered Person.”

According to the case resolution, from at least June to September of 2024, Aguirre employed another licensee, Francisco Ramos, to work with his horses when Ramos was serving a provisional suspension for alleged medication violations. Ramos is in the middle of serving a suspension for those violations— in six different horses—that runs through May of 2036.

Pending ADMC Violations

05/28/2025, Annette Eubanks, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from I'm a Cutie Pie on 4/26/25.

05/28/2025, Roshan Samsundar, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Caffeine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Carbon, who won at Aqueduct on 3/14/25.

05/27/2025, Maximino Quinonez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from R U Joking on 4/26/25.

05/21/2025, Michelle Castillo, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Tootsie Toes on 4/18/25.

05/21/2025, Eric Reed, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Gabapentin—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from She's a Saint, who won at Mahoning Valley on 4/8/25.

The post National Regulatory Rulings: May 22-28, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The $200,000 Cape Henlopen Stakes, a mile-and-a-half turf event for older males, has been moved from its original date of Saturday, May 31 and will instead be run on the Saturday, June 14 program along with the GIII Delaware Oaks and Delaware Derby. The change was necessitated by heavy rainfall in the Midlantic region over the past week.

Nominations to the Cape Henlopen will be re-opened with a new closing date of Wednesday, June 4. The June 14 program will be drawn Tuesday, June 10.

The remaining seven races on the Saturday live card will be run as scheduled, including the featured $100,000 Rehoboth Stakes at six furlongs on the main track. The afternoon's promotional giveaway remains on the schedule, while the $10,000 guaranteed middle Pick Five has been canceled. First post is set for 12:35 p.m. ET.

The post Rain Forces Postponement of Cape Henlopen Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) have laid out guest policies for the upcoming Belmont Stakes Racing Festival (BSRF) at Saratoga Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8.

Gates will open at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, with a first post scheduled for each program at 12:40 p.m. ET. Admission will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday (first post 11:40 a.m.) and at 9 a.m. on Belmont Day, with the first race set to jump at 10:45 a.m. ET.

While the Saratoga main track will be closed to the public for morning training during the BSRF, fans will be permitted to watch training at the Oklahoma training track from 7-10 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday by entering Gate 21 on East Avenue. There is no vehicular traffic permitted. The public is invited to return to the main track for 'Breakfast at Saratoga' on opening day of the summer meet Thursday, July 10.

As with the main summer meeting, fans are not permitted to enter the grounds with alcoholic beverages from Thursday, June 5 through Saturday, June 7. Each fan may carry one folding chair for personal use in the backyard area during each day of the BSRF. Pop-up tents, folding tables and wagons are not permitted Thursday through Saturday. Small bags and purses are allowed.

Cash will not be accepted for food and beverage purchases, admission, parking or programs (with the exception of the official Saratoga store) during the BSRF. Professional photography and/or videography equipment is also prohibited.

Click here for a comprehensive list of permitted and prohibited items.

The post NYRA Details Belmont Stakes Racing Festival Policies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2025 Inglis Digital USA May Sale closed Wednesday with a pair of six-figure fillies leading the way with close relations to the top two finishers in this year's GI Kentucky Oaks.

Topping Wednesday's session with a $300,000 final bid, Regaled (Mohaymen–Ascot Walk, by Daaher), a Grade III-placed half-sister to Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill (Bolt d'Oro), sold to Legion Bloodstock, the same operation that campaigns Drexel Hill.

A three-time winner, the dark bay was third in last year's GIII Delaware Oaks. She entered the sale off a runner-up finish in the Heavenly Cause Stakes at Laurel Park on Apr. 12, and a third in the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 16.

Bred in Kentucky by Chris Baccari, Regaled is out of the winning Daaher mare Ascot Walk, whose two foals to race are both black-type earners. In addition to finishing second in the

Ketnucky Oaks, Drexel Hill won the Busher Stakes earlier this year.

“She's a pretty filly with a solid race record to this point,” said Kristian Villante of Legion Bloodstock. “We're obviously partial to the family having Drexel Hill, and we were underbidder

on the 2-year-old out of Ascot Walk that sold last week [a Modernist filly that went to Repole Stable for $310,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale]. We think all three fillies have bright futures and we're just happy our clients believe the same. She's going to head to Whit Beckman at Churchill Downs and we'll let him and his team do their thing. Hopefully, we can target some fun races with her this summer.”

Samuel G. Davis previously trained Regaled for owner Brittnee Caballero, and she was made available for inspection during the sale from her barn at Laurel Park. Paramount Sales consigned the filly, as agent.

“We are delighted to see the ownership of Drexel Hill pick up her half-sister Regaled,” said Paddy Campion of Paramount Sales. “We had confidence in being able to put her up for sale

just as everything was falling into place for her, and couldn't be happier to see her hammered down to these connections.”

The day's second-highest price came for a 4-year-old half-sister to the dam of Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer who sold to Machmer Hall for $220,000.

The unnamed More Than Ready filly is out of the unraced Coronado's Quest mare Golden Sheba, making her a half-sister to the MGISW Wedding Toast, herself the dam of the undefeated star Good Cheer. Her extended family features MGISW Congaree.

“A More Than Ready mare with exceptional good looks out of a half-sister to the dam of this year's Kentucky Oaks winner with a huge deep family? What's not to love?” said Machmer

Hall's Carrie Brogden. “Now just to come up with a good name.”

The filly was bred in Kentucky by Campo Oaks Management, and she was offered from her base at Santa Anita Park with consignor Leonard Powell.

“I'm delighted that a filly with such an active pedigree goes to a very astute breeder in Carrie Brogden,” Powell said. “I hope she finds success wither her progeny in the sales ring. This is our

first time consigning with Inglis Digital USA and couldn't have been happier with the process and the result.”

In total, Wednesday's auction saw 19 horses sold for revenues of $625,250, with an average sale price of $32,907.

“We're very pleased with the results from the May sale,” said Kyle Wilson, Senior Director of Sales and Recruiting for Inglis Digital USA. “The popular listings were just that–popular. There

was a lot of activity around the sale and I credit the team with assembling a quality catalog.

“We're going to keep working to move some of the horses that didn't get done on the day. There's certainly still some value out there. We appreciate all the sellers and buyers that supported us.”

Entries are now open for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA June Sale, and they will be taken through Monday, June 16. The catalog will be released Friday, June 20, and bidding will commence on

Wednesday, June 25.

To enter a horse in the June sale or to register as a bidder, visit www.inglisdigitalusa.com

The post Regaled, 1/2 to Kentucky Oaks Runner-up Drexel Hill, Tops Inglis Digital USA May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Longtime Canadian-based trainer, breeder and owner Paul Buttigieg died, according to a Woodbine release Wednesday.

Over the course of his career at Woodbine, the horseman amassed 672 wins and more than $19 million in earnings as a trainer. Buttigieg also operated his own training center in Egbert, Ontario–Buttigieg Training Centre–where trainers such as Robert Tiller, Kevin Attard and Michael De Paulo were stabled.

Buttigieg's most significant horses were led by champion Phil's Dream, who he bred, owned, and trained. Phil's Dream captured the GI Nearctic Stakes in 2013 and was honored as that season's Champion Male Sprinter at the Sovereign Awards.

Buttigieg also notably campaigned multiple graded stakes winner Artie's Storm, who was a Sovereign Award finalist in 2022, Strait From Texas, who won the 2003 GII Nassau Stakes, and MSW and MGISP Gypsy Ring.

“Paul Buttigieg was the embodiment of dedication in Canadian racing,” said Jim Lawson, Executive Chair, Woodbine Entertainment. “Paul was a true horseman in every sense of the word as a breeder, owner and trainer. He did it all with passion for the Thoroughbred and was part of the fabric of our Woodbine racing community. His loss is deeply felt and he will be dearly missed.”

The post Canadian Horseman Paul Buttigieg Dies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Friday's GIII Penn Mile has been posted postponed until June 20 due to inclement weather conditions impacting the eastern portion of the country, according to a Penn National release Wednesday.

Other existing stakes that will be moved to June 20 are the Lyphard Stakes, Alphabet Soup Stakes and Penn Oaks.

Horses entered in those four stakes are automatically re-nominated to their respective stakes races to be run June 20. Additional nominations are also being accepted until Wednesday, June 11. Entries for the entire June 20 card will be drawn June 13.

Penn National will proceed with the seven overnight races that were originally intended–all on the main track–for the May 30 card. Racing is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.

The post Weather Forces Postponement of Penn Mile, Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will open two new special exhibitions and host several public events coinciding with the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 4-8.

Cutting back in trip and facing softer competition, the Mark Casse trainee looks on the right path back to the winner's circle in the $400,000 Penn Mile (G3T) May 30.

Top United States jockey Flavien Prat has been snapped up to partner French raider Facteur Cheval in the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot June 18.

Returning on 15 days' rest, Domeyko Taylor's Charlene's Dream targets a second consecutive graded success when she faces 10 fillies and mares in the $250,000 Mint Julep Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs June 1.

The new Maryland Jockey Club and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced $25,000 purse increases for a quartet of stakes races at Laurel Park on June 28.

Ahead of their match in the June 7 Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Fierceness broke a tie with White Abarrio to take full possession of the No. 1 spot in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll.

The Breeders' Cup will return to New York in 2027; Keeneland to host in 2026.

Porter on Pedigrees

J.P. (Paul) Souter, who posted 928 career riding wins, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award.

Lush Lips, who finished second behind Nitrogen in her two most recent starts, will try to take advantage of that rival's absence when she starts as the likely favorite in the $275,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) May 31 at Churchill Downs.