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The PDF of the 2026 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data on Thoroughbred racing through 2025, is now available through The Jockey Club Fact Book.

Smith and Baze share the Jockey of the Week title this week. Smith won the Santa Anita Derby (G1) with So Happy, while journeyman Tyler Baze hit a career milestone with his 3,000th Thoroughbred win.

In what was no doubt a difficult decision, jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. has committed to riding GI Arkansas Derby winner Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GI Kentucky Derby. Ortiz was also the regular rider of GI Blue Grass Stakes winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Further Ado (Gun Runner). It's possible that the two will be, in some order, the first and second choices in the Derby.

The news on Ortiz's pick, as well as other jockey commitments made to other key Derby contenders, was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's David Grening.

“It's always great having Irad ride any of my horses,” Mike Repole, who is the co-owner of Renegade, said via text. “He is one of the best riders today. He knows Renegade really well, especially after winning back-to-back stakes on him this year.”

Renegade, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, also won the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs this year. Repole owns the colt along with Robert and Lawana Low.

Ortiz's move left Brad Cox and Spendthrift Farm needing a rider for Further Ado. The connections have picked up the services of Hall of Famer John Velazquez. Cox also needed a rider for GI Florida Derby winner Commandment (Into Mischief), who is owned by Wathnan Racing. He has lined up Luis Saez for that mount. Commandment was ridden by Flavien Prat in the Florida Derby, but Prat is sticking with GII Louisiana Derby winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Emerging Market (Candy Ride ({Arg}) for trainer Chad Brown.

“Spendthrift was happy to lock in Johnny Velazquez for Further Ado,” Cox said via text. “That's easy to understand given the amount of success they've had with him through the years. The same goes for Wathnan Racing and Luis Saez for Commandment.”

Cox still needs a rider for GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort (Liam's Map), who was also ridden by Ortiz in his last start. He said he is still searching for a new jockey for that colt.

The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. to Ride Renegade in the Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Parx Racing has kicked off renovations to the Philadelphia-area oval's turf course, a project that is expected to take approximately four weeks.

“We want to thank the horsemen and women for their collaboration and patience as we begin the process of renovating the turf course,” said Parx Chief Operating Officer Joe Wilson. “We expect this course will be held to the highest safety standards and we are looking forward to the return of turf racing here at Parx.”

The renovation began Wednesday, April 8 with the sod–provided by Tuckahoe Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey–being installed by Hummer Turfgrass System, Inc. of Manheim, Pennsylvania. Logan Freeman of C6 Turf Management, LLC, whose previous course work included Laurel, Pimlico, and Gulfstream Park, is overseeing the installation.

“Our horsemen deserve this, Pennsylvania Racing deserves this,” said Jeff Matty, the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horseman's Association (PTHA). “We are very much looking forward to this joint venture with Parx Racing Management giving us the ability to offer multiple racing surfaces to our horsemen, on top of the great programs already in place here at the PTHA.”

David Osojnak, the Director of Racing at Parx, added: “We are really looking forward to being able to card turf races again starting this fall and renewing top-quality turf racing at Parx.”

The post Parx Turf Renovation to Take About Four Weeks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 530-acre Shadwell Stallion Complex came onto the market just one week ago, and has been the subject of interest from parties domestic and foreign alike, said Ken Donworth, the listing agent with Bluegrass Sotheby's International Realty.

“We've had some foreign interest, but it's mainly been domestic,” the agent commented. “I think due to the fact that the horse business in Kentucky is doing well. And I think a lot of people are moving from Texas, California, New York, Oregon. There's a lot of domestic interest.”

The complex is situated just across the street from Keeneland Race Course and next to Blue Grass Airport, and Donworth references one of the key tenets in real estate that contributes to the property's appeal.

“Location, location, location,” Donworth said. “Look, it's a beautiful spot: airport, Keeneland….everything is right there. It's unique and the quality and the location is obviously hard to replicate anywhere. It's just a unique property.”

Though the existing structures were built over four decades ago, the facility remains in pristine condition, Donworth said.

“Clearly it was built to the highest standards,” he said. “When we went through the inspections with engineers and inspectors, they really found nothing wrong with the property. So back then they were ahead of their time as far as quality and structurally and electrical for that matter, and even the design itself.”

Donworth admits that the property will obviously not come cheap, but suggests that the $20-million asking price is reasonable, all things considered.

“You don't really have ready-to-move-in stallion divisions that have come available in recent years,” he said. “Obviously, you've had a few transitions like Don Alberto obviously bought Hill 'n Dale, and then obviously you had Goncalo [Torrealba] that bought Three Chimneys, but they were really not on the market. But something like this hasn't been offered publicly, to be honest. If you had to rebuild something from scratch, it would cost you far more than this.”

Donworth reports there are no restrictions on the property, meaning that the successful buyer can do with it as they see fit, in theory. But as a 'living piece of Thoroughbred nostalgia that deserves to be preserved, respected and carried forward into its next chapter' as stated in the listing, there is every reason to expect it will continue to operate in its current arena.

“I feel the Shadwell ownership want to do the right thing and keep it in the equine side of the business, whether it's Standardbreds or Thoroughbreds, preferably equine use,” Donworth said.

The listing may be viewed here.

The post Shadwell Stallion Complex Attracting Plenty of Interest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

There may not be a harder-working man in racing journalism that Nick Luck. In addition to his work on NBC's racing broadcasts, he hosts the podcasts Nick Luck Daily and Nick Luck on Sunday, and has covered major racing events for networks in the U.K. Australia, Hong Kong, and throughout the Middle East.

In 2017, he became the BBC Equestrian commentator, and has since covered the Olympia Horse Show, Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, and the Olympic Games for the BBC. Luck has been named Horserace Writers' & Photographers' Association Broadcaster of the Year in the U.K. eight times.

To talk about how he pulls it all off, how he got interested in racing, the demise of FanDuel TV, and other subjects, Luck joined this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

So how does he work so hard and put in so much time and still manage to have a life outside of racing? Luck resides in Teddington, England with his wife, Lauram and their three daughters.

“I hope the absence makes the heart grow fonder rather than just Laura thinking, 'Oh my God, he's away again' when something goes wrong,” Luck said. “I have an uncanny knack, ratio-wise, of being abroad when any passing catastrophe happens. It's probably not that surprising given the fact that last year, I think my schedule was stretched out to about 180 days. But the girls are great. They're so understanding. If you enjoy what you do, then the likelihood of you being in better humor when you actually do walk in the door is probably significantly higher. So I think that's a big plus and a big take. I'm lucky in that respect. There isn't a day when I wake up and I think I really don't want to do this or I don't want to do this job.”

His interest in horses was fostered by his parents.

“They had a love of horses, a real interest in the sport,” Luck said. “My mother was a good horsewoman, a good eventer or show jumper. She rode in some point-to-points. She trained a bit; did a bit of everything really. She was kind of a horsey Swiss Army knife. Then she met my dad, who didn't really have much of an interest in racing. Then he kind of developed an interest in riding through her. They decided that they might be interested in having a couple of steeplechase horses. They met a trainer called Josh Gifford, who'd been a multiple champion jockey, and they became great friends. They were all in their probably early thirties, having the time of their lives, with young families, and they had a couple of horses who did well.”

 

 

Luck was asked to comment on the news that FanDuel TV is being phased out and will be off the air by the end of 2027.

“I don't think anybody thought that would happen as soon as it did, even when Flutter's share price was tanking and tanking and tanking and tanking,” he said. “And you know that's the root of it. If that weren't the case, then this wouldn't have happened. The company is so huge and FanDuel is a small part of it, and horse racing within FanDuel is an even smaller part of that. Somebody looked at a balance sheet and decided this production's quite expensive relative to what we're getting out of this. Our share price is doing this. It's a stroke-of-a-pen job, isn't it, for somebody? I'm not saying that person's a bad person, but that is what they're paid to do. But they're not appreciating the wider consequences of that.”

The “Fastest Horses of the Week” was Eclatant (Into Mischief), who earned a 109 Beyer in her win in the GI Resolute Racing Madison Stakes at Keeneland. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the sire Straight No Chaser.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV, and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley, and Zoe Cadman reviewed last week's major preps for the GI Kentucky Derby–the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, the GI Santa Anita Derby, and the GII Wood Memorial.

They also discussed the news that Churchill Downs had won a round in court when a judge ruled that HISA's method of collecting fees was unlawful and what the ramifications might be going forward.

The team also looked at the sharply declining handle figures in March and for the year.

Click here to watch the Writers' Room Podcast and here to listen to the show.

The post Nick Luck Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A filly by Jackie's Warrior (hip 570) broke through a parade of :9 4/5 works to claim the furlong bullet time of :9 3/5 during Wednesday's third session of the under-tack preview of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training. Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, the dark bay filly is a daughter of graded winner Brazen Persuasion (Indian Charlie).

“We love the pedigree, we love Indian Charlie mares, that means the world to us,” Randy Hartley said. “When we saw her, we just loved her. She's the easiest horse in the world to train. She just does her business, she's super smart, she carries weight. She did that and just acted like 'Okay, whatever.' She can do is so easy. And mentally she's going to make a great racehorse because nothing bothers her.”

The filly was purchased last September at Keeneland by Arleigh Bonnaha and JC Trujillo for $140,000. Bonnaha is in the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame as a bullfighter and his brother-in-law Trujillo is a hall of fame bareback rider.

Of the origins of the partnership, Hartley said, “JC and one of his friends used to buy some cheaper racehorses from us years and years ago. We've known him forever and we've always done a little here and there. We always tell him, if you pick something and you like it, we will take a piece. He bought two in September and we took half of both of them. He's a cool guy.”

Trujillo flew in to watch his filly work Wednesday.

“I knew she was going to be fast, but you don't want to say too much,” Hartley said of managing expectations ahead of the work. “But she's a runner.”

Of Trujillo's reaction to the bullet work, Hartley said with a laugh, “I could hear him screaming from the grandstand over on the backside.”

Two colts shared the fastest quarter-mile breeze of the day–and the week so far–when covering the distance in :20 3/5 Wednesday.

A colt from the first crop of Grade I winner Roadster (hip 596) was first to hit that mark. Consigned by Ocala Stud, the gray is out of Italian group winner Candy Store (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and is a half-brother to stakes winner and multiple graded-placed Vive Veuve (Collected). He was bred by Speedway Stables.

“He breezed really good on the farm two weeks ago and when he prepped at OBS last week, it was just an exceptional breeze,” said Ocala Stud's David O'Farrell. “We were kind of expecting in the ballpark of where he breezed today. We are super thrilled. He's a very nice colt.”

Hip 596 | Thorostride

Roadster (Quality Road), who stands at Ocala Stud for $7,500, won the 2019 GI Santa Anita Derby for Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stables.

“They are super athletic,” O'Farrell said of the stallion's first crop of foals. “They are all good movers. Just across the board, they all act like they have some ability. They really have good action on the racetrack and they are good athletes.”

Roadster's first 2-year-olds were well-received at the OBS March sale last month, with a colt selling for $425,000 and a filly selling for $275,000 topping the list.

“He is a stallion that has a legitimate chance,” O'Farrell said. “Usually [in Florida], it's either you have a quality race record and lack of pedigree or vice versa. And with him, we have the best of both worlds. He is a well-bred horse and obviously well accomplished at the racetrack. He was a good 2-year-old. He broke his maiden in June of his 2-year-old year and then went on to win the Santa Anita Derby and he ran a really good second in the GI Malibu against Omaha Beach. So he's got a lot of quality. And with his pedigree, they shouldn't just be precocious. I think they are going to carry their speed.”

Late in Wednesday's session, a colt by American Pharoah (hip 525) equaled the bullet time when working for consignor Tom McCrocklin. The bay is out of Belle de Nuit (Arg) (Galileo {Ire}). He was purchased by McCrocklin for $50,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

Weather conditions through the first three days of the six-session under-tack show have been challenging, but conditions at the track have remained good, according to O'Farrell.

“We are dealing with some tricky weather conditions this week,” he said. “The winds have been having a bit of an impact and also the rain. But I think, all in all, OBS has done a wonderful job. I think the track has been very consistent considering the variations of the weather and the changes we have had in the last week. I think it's held up really, really well. I think it's been a good breeze show so far.”

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

The post ‘She’s a Runner’: Jackie’s Warrior Filly Sets Furlong Mark at OBS Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame has named its inductees for the class of 2026, and includes MGSW One for Rose (Tejano Run) and GISW Rahy's Attorney (Crown Attorney), according to press release from the organization on Wednesday.

Three-time Canadian champion One For Rose was bred by John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm, owned by the Tucci Stables of Toronto and trained by Hall of Fame Inductee Sid Attard.

Rahy's Attorney, the result of a $3,000 mating by a small Canadian breeder, defied all expectations and became one of the Canada's most enduring fan favorites, all while earning $2,120,208.

The Thoroughbred Class of 2026:
Female Horse: One For Rose;
Male Horse: Rahy's Attorney;
Builder: John Burness;
Trainer: Dale Saunders;
Communicator: Michael Burns, Jr.;
Jockey: Richard Dos Ramos;
Legend: Eva Ring.

The induction ceremony will be held Wednesday, Aug. 12 at the Convention Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Additional information will be announced May 1.

The post One For Rose And Rahy’s Attorney Lead 50th Canadian HOF Class appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In returns for its 20th year in 2026 and the free entry fees total a record $6.5-million for the top contenders who will earn automatic berths into the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the organization said in a release on Wednesday.

The North American portion of the series will again deliver a robust schedule of races throughout the United States and Canada leading into the 43rd Breeders' Cup World Championships Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

Winners of 95 qualifying races across 14 countries will receive a guaranteed starting position into a corresponding race at the World Championships. There are 50 Challenge Series races scheduled to take place in North America.

“North American racing provides the essential framework for the Challenge Series, presenting horsemen with a consistent and competitive path to the Breeders' Cup World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “The ongoing support of racing officials and track partners nationwide has been key to our success with the series, and we look forward to strong fields of global contenders at Keeneland this fall.”

Breeders' Cup will offer a $10,000 travel allowance for all World Championships starters within North America that are located outside of Kentucky, and a $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of World Championships starters that are based outside of North America.

If not already nominated, each Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 19 to receive the rewards.

Breeders' Cup has also announced the television schedule for the 'Win & You're In' races, which will consist of six live programs across NBC, FOX and Peacock.

Click here for a complete list of Challenge Series races and here for the Dirt Dozen schedule.

The post Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series And Dirt Dozen Sets Record With $6.5 Million In Free Entry Fees 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
Dates: 04/07/2026
Licensee: Susan L. Crowell, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from America's Honor on 3/8/26.

Dates: 04/07/2026
Licensee: Isidro Tamayo, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 8, 2026; 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.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Ballyvaughan Gig, who won at Del Mar on 8/14/25.

Dates: 04/03/2026
Licensee: Ivan Calderon, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Angel Wings, who finished fourth at Mahoning Valley on 2/9/26.

Dates: 04/01/2026
Licensee: Daniel H. Dennison, trainer
Penalty: 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).
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Furosemide (Lasix)–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Garavani, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/28/26.

Dates: 04/01/2026
Licensee: Jenna Antonucci, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on April 2, 2026; 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. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Case stayed.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Bee a Queen, who won at Gulfstream Park on 6/14/25.
Note: This ruling has been stayed by the Federal Trade Commission pending review by an administrative law judge.

Pending ADMC Violations
04/08/2026, Jon Zimmerman, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Stormcatsong on 3/5/26.

04/08/2026, Jane D. Cibelli, trainer: Pending out-of-competition medication violation for the presence of Altrenogest–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Rhythm 'n Blues on 3/3/26.

04/07/2026, Paulina Sinnefia, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from President Z on 3/10/26.

04/07/2026, Leslielyn Hardesty, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from That's My Cat, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26; and from Stormey Monday, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/8/26.

04/07/2026, Leslielyn Hardesty, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from That's My Cat, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/1/26.

04/06/2026, Robin Graham, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dantrolene–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Not a Bother on 3/7/26.

04/02/2026, Arturo Chavez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Diclofenac–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Sophisticat, who finished seventh at Sunland Park on 3/1/26.

Crop Violations
Aqueduct
Jose Lezcano–reporting date April 4; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Parx Racing
Patrick A. Henry–reporting date April 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension
Jean C. Aguilar–reporting date April 6; $500 fine, two-day suspension
Angel A. Castillo–reporting date April 2; $500 fine, two-day suspension, on appeal

Santa Anita
Antonio Fresu–reporting date April 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Sunland Park
Oscar Andrade–reporting date April 5; $500 fine, one-day suspension

Tampa Bay Downs
Wesley G. Ho–reporting date April 4; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension
Marcos Meneses–reporting date April 3; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Turf Paradise
Patrick Valenzuela–reporting date April 2; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post Weekly National Rulings: Apr. 2-8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Giving his connections no anxious moments, Waggley (Life Is Good) kicked off her young career with a splash, running off to post a 3 1/2-length score in her 4 1/2-furlong unveiling at Keeneland on Wednesday afternoon.

The victory marked the first winner, and runner, for Freshman sire Life Is Good, who stands at WinStar Farm.

Sent straight to the front by Joel Rosario from post 6, the bay filly scooted through an opening quarter in :23.02. On top turning for home, the $200,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase crossed the wire under wraps as Smoke (Volatile) came on for second. Frontline Fury (War Front) rounded out the trifecta.

A half to SW & MGSP Henry Q (Blame), $221,807, the filly is out of Malibu Moon's Lunar Empress. The family includes Grade I winner Noted and Quoted (The Factor).

Lunar Empress is also responsible for an unraced 3-year-old colt by Liam's Map and a yearling filly by Gun Runner. She was bred back to Twirling Candy.

 

1st-Keeneland, $87,313, Msw, 4-8, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :53.05, ft, 3 1/2 lengths.
WAGGLEY (f, 2, Life Is Good–Lunar Empress, by Malibu Moon)
Sales history: $200,000 Ylg '25 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $54,405. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Ten Broeck Farm, Inc.; B-Fred W. Hertrich III & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward.

 

 

(6) Waggley takes the Wednesday opener at Keeneland! (7) Smoke is second, (4) Frontline Fury is third. pic.twitter.com/Z5PrsIEcgd

— Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 8, 2026

The post First Winner for Freshman Life Is Good as Waggley Rolls Home a Winner at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Tomoya Ozasa's T O Elvis (Volatile), a five-time winner and never worse than third in his eight career appearances at home, will make his next start in the $1-million GI Churchill Downs Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 2, trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told the Japanese website Sanspo.com on Wednesday.

Bred in Kentucky by Jeff and Melissa Prunzik, the 4-year-old son of the eight-time stakes winner Stopshoppingdebbie (Curlin) is currently on a four-race winning streak at home, most recently streaking clear to take out the G3 Capella Stakes (1200 meters) by five lengths in his group-level debut Dec. 14.

That effort earned the dark bay colt an automatic berth in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint Feb. 14, but connections elected to give their charge additional time and instead targeted the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Mar. 28. That mission was aborted on the eve of his departure owing to the ongoing hostilities in the region. He was re-routed for the $322,000 Listed Tokyo Sprint, a 1200-meter contest at Ohi Racecourse on Apr. 15, but will instead join the Derby-bound Danon Bourbon (Maxfield) on a trans-Pacific flight in two weeks' time.

“It will be about six months since the last race, which is a bit of a concern, but the horse is in good spirits,” trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told Sanspo. “He won [the Capella] so convincingly that I am really looking forward to seeing what kind of race he'll show us over there.”

Takayanagi also has a runner for the Derby in the form of Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}), who scooped the G2 UAE Derby Mar. 28. It will be a second starter in the Run for the Roses for the 48-year-old conditioner, who sent out T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) to a respectable fifth-place finish behind Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in 2024.

The stable was also represented in that year's GII Alysheba Stakes by T O Saint Denis (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), who made the majority of the running beneath Forever Young rider Ryusei Sakai before rounding out the exacta at 27-1 behind First Mission (Street Sense).

Ozasa's best horse to date was T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister), six-length winner of the G1 Champions Cup in 2021.

 

WATCH: T O Elvis smashes the competition in the Capella S.

 

NetKeiba is reporting that Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), a latest fourth in defense of his title in the G1 Neom Turf Cup (2100m) on the Saudi Cup undercard Feb. 14, will bypass the G1 FWD QE II Cup on Apr. 26 in favor of the GI Old Forester Turf Classic on Derby Day. In so doing, he avoids a clash with the world's richest racehorse Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Japanese standouts Masquerade Ball (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn})–runner-up to Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G1 Japan Cup–and G1 Arima Kinen hero Museum Mile (Jpn) (Leontes {Ire}). The QE II invitees also include this year's Neom Turf Cup victor Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal) and Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), victorious in the 2025 G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase.

“The distance is short at 1800 meters [nine furlongs], but it is left-turning and the competition will be easier,” said Yoshito Yahagi, who trains the 2022 Arqana August topper for Forever Young's owner Susumu Fujita.

Strauss (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) earned a spot in the Turf Classic with his win in the Listed Abu Dhabi Gold Cup in March, but connections have accepted an invitation to the G1 FWD Champions Mile at Sha Tin.

The post Top Japanese Sprinter T O Elvis To Ship In For Churchill Downs Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Topping the list (technically it's at the bottom) are the 1-2-3 finishers from Keeneland's Madison Stakes, deeper in quality than any race so far this year.

6–MUNNINGS EXPRESS, AQU, Apr 4–WON, 6 1/2 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–90 (video)
(f, 4, Munnings–Freudie Anne, by Freud)
O-Team Spoor; B-Fergus Galvin, Marc Detampel, Jayne Johnson & Adrian Wallace (NY); T-Linda Rice; J-Jose Lezcano.
Aqueduct's runaway leading trainer Rice stuffed the entry box with 11 runners on Wood Memorial day and came away with four winners, including Richard Spoor's ascending New York-bred filly who has two romping allowance scores in three weeks–this one against open company. Spoor, back in the sport after a 15-year hiatus, bought Munnings Express for $325,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga New York-bred sale.

5–AMORITA, SA, Monrovia Stakes-GIII, 6 1/2 furlongs (downhill turf)
Beyer Speed Figure–91 (second) (video)
(f, 4, Liam's Map–Cara Bella, by Ghostzapper)
O-Augustin Stables & Stone Farm; B-Stone Farm (KY); T-Richard Mandella; J-Mirco Demuro.
Co-owned by racing legends, Amorita has come tantalizingly close to SW status, with seconds in the China Doll, GIII Senorita Stakes and now GIII Monrovia Stakes. George Strawbridge has boarded broodmares at Arthur Hancock's Stone Farm, but they haven't often partnered in ownership. Strawbridge bought Amorita for $260,000 from Hancock and the two cut a deal to race her together. Background nugget: Hancock bought unraced Cara Bella–a half-sister to Frank Stronach's GI Preakness Stakes victor Red Bullet–in 2017 from Stronach and she immediately provided Hancock with Swore (Broken Vow), a long-distance maiden winner on the flat who transitioned into a current steeplechase star and 2025 Eclipse Award finalist in that genre. That longtime steeplechase aficionado Strawbridge winds up with a half-sister to Swore seems to be coincidental, as he purchased Amorita nearly two years before Swore ever raced over jumps.

4–SPIRITED BOSS, SA, GIII Monrovia Stakes, 6 1/2 furlongs (downhill turf) (video)
Beyer Speed Figure–93
(f, 4, Street Boss–Spirited Storm, by Stormy Atlantic)
O/B-TAG Stables (FL); T-Jose D'Angelo; J-Mike Smith.
While champion sprinter Bentornato eases back into his routine after a trip to Dubai, Florida-based D'Angelo has found fertile new territory to target: Santa Anita's downhill turf course. Quereme Pass was shipped for the March 14 GIII San Simeon Stakes and came within a nose of a 9-1 upset, followed by this 18-1 shocker that gave D'Angelo his first Santa Anita victory. Quereme Pass improved his career-high Beyer from 85 to 92; in the Monrovia, Spirited Boss took her Beyer top from 81 to 93 in her first turf sprint.

3–R DISASTER, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–96 (third) (video)
(m, 5, Awesome Slew–Making Havoc, by Gottcha Gold)
O-Averill Racing, Two Eight Racing & ATM Racing; B-Ocala Stud & J Michael O'Farrell Jr (FL); T-Saffie Joseph Jr; J-Tyler Gaffalione.
This underrated Florida-bred mare has been running lights-out her entire career while being beautifully spotted by Joseph. R Disaster hadn't finished worse than second in 14 starts until the Madison–and yet her third in this incredibly star-studded field was arguably her best accomplishment to date.

2–GRAND JOB, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–108 (second) (video)
(m, 5, Justify–Sure Route {GB}, by Ishiguru)
O-Bell Tower Thoroughbreds, Medallion Racing & Mark Stanton; B-Fullbury (KY); T-Bill Mott; J-Junior Alvarado.
At least losing the Madison by half a nostril has two silver linings. The first is huge: already a Grade II winner, the Justify filly is now Grade I placed. The second: she's the first female to run a Beyer of 108+ in a losing effort since 2023, when Goodnight Olive ran 108 in the Aug. 26 GI Ballerina Stakes only to lose to Echo Zulu's 112. It was truly a grand job when Thomas Turner's Bell Tower Thoroughbreds bought the Justify filly from her Coolmore-adjacent ownership and returned her to the U.S. to race on dirt.

1–ECLATANT, KEE, GI Madison Stakes, 7 furlongs
Beyer Speed Figure–109 (video)
(f, 4, Into Mischief–Downside Scenario, by Scat Daddy)
O-Stonestreet Stables; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad Cox; J-Irad Ortiz Jr.
And what might this uber-talented Stonestreet filly be worth now? The daughter of Into Mischief and full-sister to Grade II-winning 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Mutasaabeq was given eight months off after her form careened downward last spring, but she returned with a 104 Beyer in a Feb. 15 allowance at Gulfstream, crushing her previous top by 21 points. “I'm not sure what to make of that figure,” Cox told DRF before the Madison. He knows what to make of it now. Eclatant not only followed up with her first Grade I score but showed guts to outduel Grand Job while improbably elevating her figure once more.

 

The post Six Speedy Sisters: Mar. 30-Apr. 5, 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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