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Maiden Watch: Week of May 19-25

A small fire May 27 at Saratoga Race Course was quickly contained and will not impact the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival dates that begin June 4.

Canadian Horse of the Year Soaring Free (Smart Strike–Dancing With Wings, by Danzig) died due to complications of old age at Sam-Son Farm's Ocala, Florida division Wednesday.

Campaigned by his breeder Sam-Son Farm, the Ontario-bred won 15 of 27 career races for trainer Mark Frostad earning Canada's champion sprinter honor in 2003 followed by the champion grass horse title the following year, when he was also named that nation's Horse of the Year. Jockey Todd Kabel was aboard Soaring Free for 22 of 27 of his career starts.

During his racing career, he won eight races at the graded level, highlighted by a score in the 2004 GI Atto Mile at Woodbine before retiring with $2.1 million in earnings. Nicknamed 'Muffin', he was cared for by his longtime groom, Tracy Smith.

The gelding, who hails from a deep Sam-Son family, was out of Dancing With Wings, a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year Ruling Angel (Vice Regent), champion 3-year-old filly Tilt My Halo (Halo) and SW Tiffany Tam (Tentam), dam of champion sophomore colt and Canadian Classic winner Regal Intention.

The 26-year-old stallion will be interred at the Florida farm.

The post Canadian Horse of the Year Soaring Free Dies at 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A date with Wootton Bassett awaits Zougotcha after the triple group 1-winning mare was acquired by Coolmore Stud for a cool AU$5.25 million (about US$3,382,000) on a day of titanic trading at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale.

In Clover has died at the age of 23 following a short illness. George Strawbridge's homebred blue hen is the dam of nine winners, including four who struck in group 1 company, namely We Are, Call The Wind, With You, and Friendly Soul. 

Kyprios has been hailed "the most incredible horse with a concrete mind" by Aidan O'Brien following the retirement of one of the greatest stayers of all time May 27.

Excitement is building as the town of Saratoga Springs in New York prepares to host the Belmont Stakes for the second consecutive year.

Front-runners Skelly and World Record, respectively coming off rapid six-furlong victories in 1:08.15 and 1:07.84, square off at Churchill Downs May 31 in a seven-horse renewal of the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (G3).

After his hard-fought victory in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit last November at Churchill Downs, Like a Saltshaker was named Claiming Crown Horse of the Year for 2024.

2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan makes his first start at Churchill Downs since his successful Run for the Roses, but has a tough task entered against a deep field of graded winners in the $275,000 Blame Stakes (G3) May 31.

TJC Innovations announces several enhancements to TLore, a racehorse management service that offers web-based and app versions for trainers and owners.

Arriving stateside early last year, King of Gosford's steady rise up the ranks culminated in a powerful late move that carried the 4-year-old Zoustar colt to victory in the $302,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1T) at Santa Anita Park.

Right after winning the Gamely Stakes with Be Your Best, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. added the Hollywood Gold Cup with Skippylongstocking.

A less-than-stellar start and a sloppy track did nothing to stop Komorebino Omoide (JPN) from proving he was much the best in the $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile (G3) May 26 at Lone Star Park.

Mike Ryan's homebred Be Your Best dominated the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1T) to win by 2 3/4 lengths, earning her first grade 1 victory and first ever win at Santa Anita for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.

Returning from a six-month layoff, Two Sharp rocketed out of the gate and saved enough energy for the wire as she won the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 26.

On the May 26 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Baeza's co-owner and breeder Robert Clay of Grandview Equine discusses the colt's chances and the legacy of Baeza's dam Puca, who has already produced two classic winners.

Zougotcha, the triple group 1-winning 5-year-old by prominent sire Zoustar, looks to be the likely standout at Magic Million's National Broodmare Sale that begins May 27. A total of 486 mares will be offered.

Brilliant Berti returns May 31 in the $275,000 Arlington Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs, a course where he is a perfect 4-for-4. He will take on Carl Pollard's Mercante, recently second in the May 3 Turf Classic Stakes (G1T).

Three-time grade 1 winner Carl Spackler is set to be an exciting addition to this year's Royal Ascot line-up after he was purchased by Yulong Investments and sent to be trained in Australia.