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Capsule look at three horses heating up on the Triple Crown trail

Trainer Ian Wilkes shipped Burnham Square back to Churchill Downs to train for the Kentucky Derby (G1) after his April 8 victory in Keeneland's Blue Grass Stakes (G1).

Back off the bench for another season of racing, Carl Spackler returns to the sight of his most recent victory as the headliner in the $650,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) April 11 at Keeneland.

Prize money for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) has been boosted to £1 million (US$1,278,030) this year, making it the richest race to be staged at Sandown.

There are more than three weeks to go before the running of the GI Kentucky Derby, but it wasn't too early for the TDN Writers' Room Podcast team to dive into last weekend's preps and look ahead to the first Saturday in May. The podcast is presented by Keeneland.

The team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and T.D. Thornton, all thought the best race of the week was the GI Santa Anita Derby, won by Journalism (Curlin). He overcame trouble to win the race and earned a solid 102 Beyer in the process. All agreed that he deserves to be the favorite in the Derby.

Santa Anita Derby runner-up Baeza (McKinzie) was also the subject of a lively debate. Moss called the half-brother to Classic winners Dornoch (Good Magic) and Mage (Good Magic) the second best 3-year-old in the country, behind only Journalism. But, at this time, he may not have enough points to get into the Derby field since the points were reduced for the Santa Anita Derby because of its small field, and he got only 37 1/2 points for finishing second. All agreed that he belongs in the Derby field, but there was also agreement that finding the perfect system for finding the 20 best 3-year-olds in training was an exercise in futility.

The team also went over the results of the GII Wood Memorial Stakes and the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. Moss was particularly impressed with Blue Grass runner-up East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro), but worried that the Brendan Walsh-trainee might be part of what could be a vicious speed duel.

Thornton went over the latest developments concerning the decoupling situation in Florida, where a Senate committee has said that Gulfstream cannot decouple for seven years. In a prior bill, the time frame was five years.

The Gainesway Guest of the Week was TDN European and International editor Emma Berry, who talked about how Donald Trump's proposed tariffs might affect European and U.S. racing. The podcast segment with Berry was taped before Trump called for a 90-day pause on implementing most tariffs.

In our “Fastest Horse of the Week,” segment, which is sponsored by WinStar, the team  went over the many reasons there are to breed to WinStar stallion Cogburn. The fastest horses of the week were Journalism and Santa Anita allowance winner Wound Up (Mendelssohn). Both earned figures of 102.

The podcast, is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, 1/ST Racing and 1/ST TV.

Click here to watch the podcast and click here for the audio version.

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The 2025 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: 'Win and You're In' will feature 93 races in 15 countries, the most in the history of the event. Each winner receives an automatic berth into a corresponding race, with all fees covered.

In 2025, Breeders' Cup Challenge races have been or will be contested at premier tracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dubai, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United States and Uruguay.

While several international qualifiers–a record 49 overseas races are scheduled–have already been staged, the 44-strong domestic component of the series kicks off during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga June 6 and 7, with the GI Odgen Phipps Stakes (Distaff), GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (Dirt Mile) and GI Jaipur Stakes (Turf Sprint) offering Breeders' Cup spots to their winners.

Ten automatic berths are to be awarded for the $7-million GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Three horses have already qualified for the centerpiece of the weekend–Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}, G1 Saudi Cup); Costa Nova (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}, G1 February Stakes); and Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}, G1 Dubai World Cup). The other qualifying races, all Grade I/Group 1 contests, include the Stephen Foster Stakes; Haskell Stakes; Whitney Stakes; Juddmonte International Stakes; Pacific Classic Stakes; Jockey Club Gold Cup; and the Goodwood Stakes.

As part of the benefits to horsemen, Breeders' Cup has allocated a record $6.51 million in free entry fees and $480,000 in domestic foal nominator awards for this year's Challenge Series and will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. If not already nominated, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 20 to receive the rewards.

In addition, Breeders' Cup will provide a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of California, and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship starters based outside of North America.

“It is immensely gratifying to see trainers and owners leverage the many opportunities offered by the Challenge Series, the leading pathway to a coveted spot in the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Chief Racing Officer at Breeders' Cup Limited. “We thank the racing authorities close to home and abroad for their crucial partnerships, and look forward to watching the world's best competitors prioritize the Challenge Series as their path to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.”

This year's running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships will take place Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1. Click here for the complete Breeders' Cup Challenge schedule.

The post Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Features Record Races, Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Kentucky is now under the ownership of Eagle Diagnostics, according to a release from the school. The newly branded Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences (EQIAS) Labs will continue to serve as a leader in anti-doping testing for the equine and competition animal industries, while expanding opportunities for research and innovation, the release said.

EQIAS Labs utilizes state-of-the-art analytical equipment to detect performance-enhancing drugs in horses and other animal species to ensure fairness, integrity and animal welfare. The laboratory also performs routine analytical tests, such as an equine prepurchase drug screen, to serve the equine industry.

EQIAS will maintain a collaborative partnership with the university to perform research studies to advance analytical testing capabilities, detect new and emerging threats and support the equine industry's initiative of ensuring equine safety and integrity.

The new director of EQIAS Labs is Travis Mays, Ph.D., a 20-year veteran of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory where he oversaw the daily operations of the drug testing and toxicology sections. His extensive background includes antidoping testing in racing and exhibition animals, veterinary toxicology, pharmacology and analytical chemistry.

“We are excited about this new partnership and the opportunities it brings,” said Chris West, CFO of Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory, representing Eagle Diagnostics. “EQIAS Labs looks forward to continuing our strong collaboration with the University of Kentucky, fostering future research initiatives and advancements in equine science.”

Leaders from the university echoed how this transition can increase the lab's impact through research collaborations that support its drug testing operations and open new avenues for impactful scientific discovery.

“This transition underscores our commitment to meeting the highest industry standards for equine drug testing and expanding innovation and collaboration in equine research,” said Jamie Matthews, associate dean of research at UK's Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. “We look forward to working closely with EQIAS Labs to ensure that the regulatory needs of the equine industry continue to be served.”

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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: 04/08/2025

Licensee: Cathal Lynch, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 9, 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 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Saxton, who won at Laurel Park on 2/14/25.

Date: 04/07/2025

Licensee: Michael Matz, trainer

Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 8, 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 Carentan, who won at Gulfstream Park on 1/19/25.

Date: 04/04/2025

Licensee: Kasey Ray Kemper, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from El Siete Leguas on 2/24/25.

Pending ADMC Violations

04/09/2025, Scooter Davis, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Uncaptured Star, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/15/25.

04/08/2025, Victor Barboza, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Gayles Evening during the race period, an event dated 3/2/25.

04/08/2025, Antonio Meraz, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Cobalt Salts—a banned substance—in a sample taken from First Kitten, who won at Mahoning Valley on 2/12/25.

04/07/2025, Greg Green, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine and Xylazine—both controlled substances (Class B)—in a sample taken from Ogailala on 3/7/25.

04/07/2025, Aldana Spieth, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from Breath Deeply, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/1/25.

04/04/2025, Mark Simms, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a controlled substance (Class B)—in a sample taken from With Full Honors on 3/4/25.

04/04/2025, Sherry Janice Armstrong, trainer: Pending medication violation for the use or attempted use of a Class C controlled medication on Truckin during the race period, an event dated 2/13/25.

04/04/2025, Ben Colebrook, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Ibuprofen—a controlled substance (Class C)—in a sample taken from Interlock Empire, who finished second at Oaklawn Park on 1/24/25.

Violations of Crop Rule

Gulfstream Park

Edwin Gonzalez – violation date April 4; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension

Mahoning Valley

Brandon Tapara – violation date April 7; $250 fine, one-day suspension

 

The post National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 3 – 9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton's April Digital Sale closed Wednesday afternoon with 64 horses sold for $1,822,500. The sale averaged $28,476 with a clearance rate of 74.4%. The catalogue offered horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, 2-year-olds in training, broodmares (including mares with foals at foot), and short yearlings.

Crimson Frost (Hip 12) sold for $240,000 to Gracie Bloodstock, agent, from the consignment of Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent for a Major Reduction of Merriebelle Stable. The Stormy Atlantic mare received a timely update when her 2021 produce, the City of Light colt Crimson Light, won his second in a row on Apr. 5 at Aqueduct to remain undefeated. Crimson Frost sold with her current produce, a colt by Forte foaled March 16 in Kentucky.

Top hips sold also included:

I'm Mo Joke (Hip 107), a 3-year-old daughter of Practical Joke, sold for $130,000 to Joel Engelhart. I'm Mo Joke has two strong runner-up finishes in two career starts, both last month at Fair Grounds. She was offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

A yearling colt by Tiz the Law (Hip 36), sold for $105,000 to Machmer Hall/Evan and Scott Dilworth. The bay colt is a half-brother to two winners from two to race out of the stakes winning Smart Strike mare Smartfly. Hip 36 was offered by Bluegrass Thoroughbred Services, agent for a Major Reduction of Merriebelle Stable.

Nicole's Journey (Hip 3), a maiden winner by Arrogate, sold for $100,000 to Shawn Dugan, agent. The gray filly is a half-sister to Canadian champion and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Ria Antonia, who is now a multiple group stakes producer, and graded stakes placed blacktype winner Cross the Line, among others. Nicole's Journey was offered as a broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Poker Joker (Hip 20), a 4-year-old by Practical Joke, sold for $100,000 to Mike Maker. The chestnut gelding is on a five-race win streak, with his most recent win coming on Mar. 22 at Tampa Bay Downs. Poker Joker was offered as a horse of racing age by Grovendale Sales, agent.

“The market was fair across the board,” said Leif Aaron, Director of Digital Sales. “There was plenty of activity on the site and the clearance rate was healthy. The sale topper was a broodmare with foal at foot, the same as last year's April sale, and we can see this part of the market really growing in the future.”

Of the upcoming May Digital Sale, Aaron said, “We're looking forward to a strong contingent of racehorses next month. We've seen continued confidence from the domestic and international buying bench on this platform.”

Full results are available online.

The next digital sale will be the May Digital Sale, to be held May 8-13. Entries close Apr. 28.

The post Crimson Frost Tops Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A colt from the first crop of Independence Hall (hip 619) tied the time for the fastest quarter-mile of the week so far in Ocala when he worked the distance in :20 2/5 at the fourth session of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday.

Consigned by Wavertree Stables, the juvenile is out of Waltzing (Candy Ride {Arg}), a half-sister to graded winner Dancing Solo (Giant's Causeway) and to Grade I-placed Dancing (Bernardini). He was purchased by Ron Fein's Superfine for $285,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“Physically, he is absolutely stunning,” Wavertree's Ciaran Dunne said of the colt. “He is as nice a horse as you're ever going to see. He is a big tall, rangy, stretchy horse. He trained as good as one could train all winter. He prepped really good over there. We went up there expecting him to work really big. We've never had a horse going :20 2/5 before, so were we expecting him to do that? No. But we were expecting him to work huge.”

Wavertree consigned Independence Hall to the 2019 Fasig-Tipton March sale where he RNA'd for $200,000.

“This horse looks a lot like his dad,” Dunne said of the bullet worker. “For me, Independence Hall was an atypical Constitution. He was a big, rangy horse, kind of long and lean. And that's how this horse is. He is out of a Candy Ride mare, so he probably gets a little bit of that from the Candy Ride, too.”

Wavertree will offer four juveniles by Independence Hall at the Spring sale. In addition to Wednesday's bullet worker, the consignment sent out hip 452 to work a quarter in :20 4/5 and hip 385 to work in :21 1/5 Tuesday.

“We bought quite a few of them as yearlings,” Dunne said. “We have four in here and we've worked three of them so far. They have all worked really well and we have a filly who works tomorrow and we expect she will work really well. We were impressed with them as yearlings. They were really good physicals. And so far, they have been very good on the racetrack.”

Winner of the 2021 GII Fayette Stakes, Independence Hall was represented by a $1-million colt (hip 404) at the OBS March sale last month. The 8-year-old stallion stands at WinStar Farm for $7,500.

Leinster Continues to Reward Dunnes

Independence Hall isn't the only freshman sire Ciaran and his wife Amy have their eyes on. The couple campaigned multiple graded stakes winner Leinster (Majestic Warrior) in partnership during his racing career and now stand the stallion at Pleasant Acres Stallions. Leinster's daughter Lennilu captured the season's first juvenile race at Keeneland Sunday in Amy Dunne's colors.

“Fast,” Ciaran Dunne said of Leinster's first 2-year-olds. “It's very hard for us to be unbiased. He was obviously a horse who was really good to us. I would have said up until Sunday the greatest day we had in racing was the day he won the [2019 GIII] Troy. But I have to be honest, Sunday kind of surpassed that a little bit because our goal was to win the first 2-year-old race at Keeneland, never really expecting that to happen. So for her to go and do what she did was unbelievable.”

Lennilu | Coady Media

In addition to his immediate success on the track, Leinster also has enjoyed sales success this spring with a 2-year-old filly (hip 505) from Tom McCrocklin's consignment bringing $400,000 at the March sale.

The Dunnes have been breeding their own mares to Leinster with the plan to race, but Wavertree will offer a filly (hip 747) by the young stallion who is expected to work Thursday.

“We are only selling one that belongs to a friend of ours and we couldn't say no,” Dunne said. “All of our own and the couple that we bought, we are going to race. That was the plan. To try to run them and give him as good an opportunity as we can.”

Of Leinster's first 2-year-olds, Dunne added, “They are good-minded. He was a beautiful horse who loved to train and that's what we are seeing in them. And so far, touch wood, they have been very sound. I think everybody is going to think he's a grass horse. And maybe he is. But we've had no problem so far with them on the dirt. The ones we worked on the dirt have been really quick.”

Seven Furlong Bullets Wednesday

Seven juveniles shared the fastest furlong bullet time of :9 4/5 Wednesday, bringing the total to hit that mark during four sessions of the under-tack show to 20.

Wednesday's bullet workers were: hip 531, a filly by Kantharos consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales; hip 564, a filly by Rock Your World consigned by Julie Davies; hip 578, a filly by Tiz the Law consigned by Kings Equine; hip 585, a colt by Yaupon consigned by de Meric Sales; hip 627, a colt by Complexity consigned by Top Line Sales; hip 677, a filly by Good Magic also consigned by Top Line Sales; and hip 680, a colt by Win Win Win consigned by Camelot Acres Racing and Sales.

Of conditions through four days of the seven-day under-tack show, Dunne said, “Everybody wants to beat up on the synthetic racetrack. But we had a ton of rain the night before last and we came out yesterday morning and the racetrack was fine. Everybody wants to talk about how great dirt is, but when it rains and you have a sloppy racetrack, you really don't want to work young horses on it. The great thing about the synthetic is it does stay consistent. The biggest factor for us nowadays is the wind. And some days that works for you and some days it seems to work against you.”

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. The Spring sale will be held next Tuesday through Friday and bidding begins each day at 10:30 a.m.

The post ‘He is Absolutely Stunning:’ Independence Hall Colt Earns Bullet at OBS Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister) was humanely euthanized at Fawn Leap Farm outside Midway, Kentucky Monday, according to Debby Oxley, who phoned the TDN with the news.

In a remarkable achievement in last year's Kentucky Derby, Darling My Darling was the granddam of both the second- and third-place finishers, Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). The pair ran first and third in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last fall.

“She's 28 years old and she is brought in every night and on Monday morning, they couldn't get her up,” said Oxley. “They tried for several hours and finally just had to send her on. She has lived here at Fawn Leap ever since she came off the racetrack.”

Darling My Darling was purchased as a yearling at the 1998 Keeneland September sale for $300,000. She broke her maiden in her first start and went on to be two-time GI stakes placed at two. She produced GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes winner Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon) as wel as GII Santa Ynez winner Forever Darling (Congrats), the dams of Sierra Leone and Forever Young, respectively. Sierra Leone topped the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale at $2.3 million.

“She just brought us so much joy and that continued on as a broodmare,” said Oxley. “We still have a lot of her offspring here at the farm. Heavenly Love has been a gift and Darling has just continued to give us things all these years. We're sorry to see her go, but this was a hard winter and that may have had something to do with it.”

Her ashes will be spread at the farm.

“I know it was expected, but at the same time, you never expect it,” Oxley said. “She was a very very special mare and it closes a chapter for her and for us. It's been a tough little go here. She was the queen of the farm.”

The post Darling My Darling, Granddam of Sierra Leone and Forever Young, Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Lexington Stakes (G3) generally offers a last chance for a 3-year-old to move into the Kentucky Derby (G1). Not this year. With a maximum of 20 qualifying points, the winner of the April 12 stakes will fall far short of the cutoff to qualify.

The April 12 Jenny Wiley Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland does not have the word international in its title, but it might as well. Three of the favorites in the nine-horse, 1 1/16-mile turf race have raced exclusively overseas.

Brad Cox trainees Final Gambit and Good Cheer took to the Churchill Downs track April 9 to record five-furlong breezes.

Luxor Cafe, who qualified for the Kentucky Derby (G1) via a designated series in Japan, is scheduled to arrive April 23 at Churchill Downs, according to track publicist Kevin Kerstein.

Prize money for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) has been boosted to £1 million (US$1,278,030) this year, making it the richest-ever race to be staged at Sandown.

Carmouche joined the 4,000 career-win club when he guided Crimson Light to a half-length win on April 5 at Aqueduct. The milestone led the panel of racing experts to unanimously vote Carmouche Jockey of the Week for March 31-April 6.

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

Godolphin and trainer Michael Stidham were thinking big following a pair of allowance turf victories by homebred Think Big, and they were rewarded with a graded stakes victory in the $376,563 Shakertown Stakes (G2T) at Keeneland April 8.

Eight years after they ran McCraken in the Kentucky Derby (G1), jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., trainer Ian Wilkes, and owner Janis Whitham of Whitham Thoroughbreds are Derby-bound again with Burnham Square.