Feed aggregator

Having been committed to the race just 24 hours earlier and in the absence of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief), Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith's Derby runner-up Journalism (Curlin) was made the 8-5 favorite on Dan Illman's morning line for Saturday's 150th running of the $2-million GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. He was assigned post position two during Monday's draw at the Guiness Open Gate Brewery.

The $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga acquisition was given a terrific steer in the Derby by Umberto Rispoli at Churchill Downs, working his way into the clear at about halfway before launching a rally that carried him into the lead in upper stretch. Sovereignty was close in tow, however, and won the final-furlong dash for the roses. After carefully observing his colt's training over the course of the last several days, trainer Michael McCarthy, who saddled Rombauer (Twirling Candy) to win the 2021 Preakness, gave him the green light, and Journalism is expected on the Pimlico backstretch on Tuesday following a van ride up from Louisville.

Journalism is one of three to move on from the Derby into the Preakness, and he will be joined by GI Arkansas Derby hero Sandman (Tapit), beaten just over a dozen lengths into seventh in the Churchill slop and he too was a later addition to the Preakness field. He has drawn the seven hole.

“Obviously you don't want to be the one (post). It worked for War of Will, it worked for American Pharaoh,” said trainer Mark Casse, who saddled War of Will for a Preakness victory in 2019. “Look, Journalism is definitely the horse to beat, he has already proven that. We don't know how he is going to react to the two weeks, we don't know how it will be for us.”

Co-owner Griffin Johnson was present for the post position draw after abandoning prior commitments of his own to experience the event.

“I was supposed to be at a wedding, but I got a call on Saturday from Mark [Casse] and he said, 'We're going to run him.' I was excited. I love to see him run. That's my favorite thing about Sandman; I like to show up and support him and watch him do his work. I'm happy to be here,” Johnson said.

The third of the Derby alumnus is Virginia Derby winner American Promise (Justify), who endured a rough trip when 16th in the Derby. He will try to give Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas back-to-back runnings of the Preakness after Seize the Grey (Arrogate) caused a front-running upset 12 months ago. He'll line up just to the outside of the favorite in three.

'TDN Rising Star' River Thames (Maclean's Music), a latest third in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, passed the Derby and lands here as the 9-2 third choice, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. the pilot from gate six. Fellow 'Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time) wheels back on two weeks' rest, having won an allowance on the Derby undercard. Flavien Prat, aboard the aforementioned Rombauer, rides the 6-1 gamble.

“Once you draw, you can't think about it. Last time I drew the one here was with American Pharaoh. I drew the one with Lookin At Lucky. The one hole is not as bad here as it would be in the Derby,” said trainer Bob Baffert. “He is not as fast as these other horses on paper, but I think he is a good horse. I really thought he was a better fit than Rodriguez would have been.”

Clever Again (American Pharoah) is a veteran of just three starts and exits a four-length defeat of subsequent GII Pat Day Mile third Gaming (Game Winner) in the Hot Springs Stakes Mar. 30. Two-time Preakness winner Steve Asmussen saddles the 5-1 chance, who will be ridden for pace from a wide draw in eight. Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) makes the trans-Atlantic journey for trainer Jamie Osborne, who once again goes to daughter Saffie Osborne for the ride. He was a very tough second in the G2 UAE Derby at Meydan when last seen Apr. 5.

Local trainer Mike Gorham saddles his first Preakness runner in the form of Pay Billy (Improbable), who earned his ticket to the second leg of the Triple Crown courtesy of his victory in the Federico Tesio Stakes, which offered the winner a guaranteed spot in the Preakness field.

“I'm real happy with it,” said trainer Michael Gorham. “That's what I was hoping for–4, 5 or 6. I didn't want to be down on the rail in the 1 or 2, and I didn't want to be on the far outside. I think it worked out pretty good. I think we'll get him out of there running and try to get a spot. You don't want to get caught too far back. He has a little tactical speed. He can be forwardly placed. We've got to get into the turn in a good spot, not too far off the lead but have something to run at.”

Similarly, Gosger (Nyquist) becomes a first Preakness starter for Brendan Walsh, who will give a leg up to Luis Saez. The colt exits a win in Keeneland's GIII Stonestreet Lexington Stakes Apr. 12.

Saturday, Pimlico Race Course

PREAKNESS S.-GI, $2,000,000, 3yo, 1 3/16m

HORSE (SIRE), JOCKEY, TRAINER, ML

1 Goal Oriented (Not This Time), Baffert, Prat, 6-1

2 Journalism (Curlin), McCarthy, Rispoli, 8-5

3 American Promise (Justify), Lukas, Juarez, 15-1

4 Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.), J Osborne, S Osborne, 12-1

5 Pay Billy (Improbable), Gorham, Mena, 20-1

6 River Thames (Maclean's Music), Pletcher, Ortiz, Jr, 9-2

7 Sandman (Tapit), Casse, Velazquez, 4-1

8 Clever Again (American Pharoah), Asmussen, Ortiz, 5-1

9 Gosger (Nyquist), Walsh, Saez, 20-1

 

 

The post Derby Runner-Up Journalism Favored at 8-5 From Gate 2 In 150th Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Nominations for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in North America are now being accepted through midnight Monday, July 14, Godolphin announced via press release Monday afternoon.

Created to recognize the hardworking industry employees which make the sport run, equivalent awards are given in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France. Godolphin is the principle sponsor in association with The Jockey Club; the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association; the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and the Breeders' Cup for the American program.

Cash prizes totaling $124,000 will be awarded to winners and two finalists in a total of seven categories as well as monetary awards going to two runners-up. The awards are the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award; Katherine McKee Administration Award; Dedication to Breeding Award; Dedication to Racing Award; Newcomer Award; Support Services Award; and Managerial Award.

The TIEA also announced Kentucky Downs/KHBPA as the Travel Sponsor for the program. The sponsorship will assist in covering the costs of transportation and accommodation of the finalists to Kentucky in October.

“It's hard to believe that we are in the 10th year of these wonderful awards,” said Katie LaMonica, charities manager of Godolphin USA. “We are so thankful to the entire Thoroughbred industry who have graciously embraced the TIEAs since day one and have been so helpful in recognizing our hardworking industry employees. Please make sure to help us celebrate “Ten Years of TIEA” and nominate today!”

For more information, please contact the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards on (859) 977-4655 or email info@tiea.org.

The post Nominations Open for 10th Annual Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GISW Sandman (Tapit) has picked up the services of John Velazquez for his anticipated start in Preakness 150, who will replace Jose Ortiz due to another commitment for the contest.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse promised he'd have a Hall of Fame rider for his grey son of Tapit, and a legend he has procured. Velazquez will be replacing Jose Ortiz, who had the mount in the Derby, as Ortiz has a prior commitment aboard Clever Again (American Pharoah) for trainer Steve Asmussen.

The Triple Crown trail has been kind to the Hall of Famer in the last several years, as he claimed the middle jewel for the first time in 2023 aboard MGISW National Treasure (Quality Road); won the Derby in 2020 with MGISW Authentic (Into Mischief) and placed second in the Preakness with that colt; and in total has had 13 prior mounts in the Maryland marquee race. Sandman will be start 14 for Velazquez.

“Johnny is a strong rider, and Sandman needs a strong rider,” Casse said. “I think he will fit hm perfectly. One thing you will find about the good riders–the Irads [Ortiz], the Joses, the Juniors [Alvarado], the [Joel] Rosarios, the Johnnys…they all know what every horse is going to be doing. That is what they do. The only thing I can do by giving instructions is mess it up.”

Sandman was given Monday morning off and is scheduled to board a van at Churchill Downs bound for Pimlico at 3:00 p.m. before his anticipated arrival on grounds between 4-5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, Casse said. The trainer will arrive from Ocala sometime in the afternoon the same day, but New York assistant trainer Shane Tripp will also be in Baltimore and will serve as the exercise rider.

“We decided to give Sandman an easy day because it's a ship of 12 hours or so. He is doing great.”

The grey will walk Tuesday and train at a later determined time over the next three days. He will be one of three Kentucky Derby runners to return for the Preakness. The anticipated favorite Journalism (Curlin)–who was the runner-up last weekend–and American Promise (Justify), finishing 16th, are the other pair.

“Obviously, Journalism is the horse to beat,” Casse said. “He ran really well in the Derby and you know Wayne [Lukas, trainer of American Promise] is always tough. It looks like there will be a decent amount of speed in the race, and that is good for us.”

Clever Again Goes an Easy Half

Clever Again had an easy half-mile work in :50.40 at Churchill Downs Monday morning. It was the 32nd fastest of 40 on the morning, but it was what the team wanted to see.

“Just a maintenance work,” said assistant Scott Blasi, who oversees Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen's Churchill Downs division. “We really like how he's doing. We thought a lot of him the whole time. We're excited about running him.”

“The horse is happy. His ears are forward, moving fluidly.”

And so they arrive…

The Preakness arrivals are scheduled to begin in increasing frequency within the coming days as 'TDN Rising Stars' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), River Thames (Maclean's Music), and Journalism as well as automatic entry earner Pay Billy (Improbable) are all expected to ship Tuesday.

The latter most will be vanning in with stablemates MSP Moon Cache (Mosler)–who is entered in the GII George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan Friday–and Chipotle (Mitole), who will contest the Listed Chick Lang Stakes on the Saturday undercard.

“[Pay Billy] galloped a mile and a half, just a regular gallop to kind of stretch his legs a little bit. Everything is good,” trainer Michael Gorham said. “It's going to be an exciting week. We're looking forward to it.”

Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.) cleared quarantine Sunday and had a light training session Monday morning prior to being shipped over to Baltimore. American Promise is scheduled to arrive Monday afternoon.

The post Sandman Picks Up John Velazquez for Preakness, Clever Again Goes Easy Half at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With rain forecast for the Timonium, Md., area May 13, the first day of the under tack show for Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be pushed from Tuesday to to May 14.

Keeneland Library's popular lecture series continues this summer with public events that celebrate recently published works about Thoroughbred racing whose authors conducted research at the facility.

As several Preakness Stakes (G1) contenders departed Churchill Downs for Pimlico Race Course May 12, Clever Again recorded a half-mile maintenance work in :50 2/5.

Tim Grams, a leading trainer at Charles Town, secured the 1,000th victory of his career when Moonlit Notion won the Coin Collector Stakes May 10 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.

Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Journalism will be entered in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 17, co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners confirmed May 11.

Favorite Zarigana was awarded the victory over Shes Perfect in the French One Thousand Guineas (G1) May 11. Kieran Shoemark had finished first past the post on the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect, but the result was overturned by the stewards.

Grade 1 winner Johannes is nearing his first work of the year after spending more than two months on a Kentucky farm, trainer Tim Yakteen said May 11.

Reserve Bank capped off a remarkable month with a career-high victory in The Goodwood (G1) May 10 at Morphettville. The 3-year-old son of Capitalist was coming off back-to-back wins in the Redelva Stakes and the Tobin Bronze Stakes (G2) April 26.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Henri Matisse surges late to capture the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

The Chad Brown-trained reigning champion 3-year-old male Sierra Leone was on the work tab May 11 over the Belmont Park dirt training track, covering a half-mile in :50.

Co-owner Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners posted on X that trainer Michael McCarthy has "green-lighted" the colt for the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1).

With six days to go until the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course, Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented recorded a half-mile breeze in :47 3/5 at Churchill Downs May 11.

Partnering once again with Equine MediRecord (EMR) and Business Infusions (BI), 1/ST will utilize their services to digitize equine welfare protocols for Preakness 150 and will have EMR representatives on site to ease the learning process, it was revealed in a press release from the group Monday afternoon.

The added measure aims to enhance the equine health and safety protocols that will be in place for the contest May 17. The platform allows for the full veterinary history of the horse to be collected digitally and securely stored, and will be mandatory for all entrants. EMR will provide all trainers and veterinarians with a user-friendly system to comply with the medication protocols for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown. Information integrity is ensured through the use of unique algorithms in the EMR technology.

Once records are entered into the system, they cannot be changed. Results are submitted digitally to designated regulators and officials to allow transparency of vet records. To prevent double entry of information, BI has integrated their HVMS veterinary practice management system–the largest in the world–to ensure the required data for the welfare protocols can go to the multiple mandated racing officials to be cleared. One such integration allows vets to send required medical records directly to HISA through HVMS, further reducing the need for double entry in order to remain compliant with HISA rules.

“The partnership established with Equine MediRecord earlier this year proved to be a highly useful and successful tool to further protect the safety and well-being of horses,” said Dr. Dionne Benson, chief veterinary officer, 1/ST. “The inclusion of this technology and data collection as part of Preakness 150 is another measure available to us to enforce the standards of integrity and accountability that have become synonymous with 1/ST RACING.”

The Ireland-based Equine MediRecord has amassed a noteworthy list of clients and users, including the Breeders' Cup World Championships; The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia; Racing Victoria; British Horseracing Authority; Hong Kong Jockey Club; and the Arabian Racing Organization. For more information on Equine MediRecord, go here.

The post Preakness 150 Partners with Equine MediRecord Again to Aid Welfare Protocols appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a soft ping that sounds like a digital chef's kiss, another bid is in for Fasig-Tipton's May Sale online.

The diverse catalogue might be conducted via fiber, but the horse flesh here is once again bona fide as the platform continues to set a virtual ring standard.

One of the more intriguing hips you will find among the lots is no. 122. Holding down that page we find 3-year-old Lionel (Authentic–Sweetgrass, by Street Sense). The colt broke his maiden at first asking by an eye-catching 9 1/2 lengths at Laurel Park May 4.

The hot prospect is owned collectively by 'The Avengers' whose real identities you know as SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert Masterson, Tom Ryan, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan.

Consigned by ELiTE Sales, the ownership group opted to sell Lionel through Fasig-Tipton's portal because it allows the colt to stay in-training at Brittany Russell's Laurel base.

Lionel breaks his maiden at Laurel | Jim McCue

“We think it is very exciting to have a horse with so much potential like Lionel on the platform,” said Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “It really shows that Bradley [Weisbrod] and the ELiTE team have faith and confidence in our digital sales platform. It's obviously the safest way to sell a horse, so they can stay in their own stall and not break their routine.”

ELiTE's Sales Director and Coordinator Katelyn Jackson said their boutique consignment has had luck when it comes to digital sales. She added that the Fasig-Tipton process is seamless since shipping to any given brick and mortar auction can take at least a week out of a horse of racing age's schedule.

“Lionel is the prime sort of candidate for a digital sale because he is being offered by some very game sellers,” Jackson said. “They're looking to capitalize on his recent form, and it also gives future connections and buyers the chance to own a horse who clearly has a lot of blue sky ahead. So, bringing him to the digital market is an opportunity to reward both sides.”

The lightly-raced dark bay with one star under his belt is by second-crop sire Authentic, who Jackson said is putting his stamp on types that are getting better the farther they go over a route of ground.

LIONEL ($3.80) makes his debut a winning one in the 7th at @LaurelPark. @JevianToledo was up on the colt by Authentic (@spendthriftfarm) for trainer @BTRracingstable. @StarlightRacing | @MadaketStables | @TomRyanKY pic.twitter.com/PZ0ipLnEed

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 4, 2025

“With that 78 Beyer, 4 3/4 Thoro-Graph and 13 Ragozin he posted at Laurel, moving forward potential owners can take advantage of all the 3-year-old restricted stakes and summer Derbies like in Indiana, West Virginia and Oklahoma,” she said. “There's just so much purse money up for grabs with this one.

Through the niche platform that Fasig-Tipton has built, Jackson said there is always the option for the colt to stay with his Maryland-based trainer after the sale is complete.

“In the past, ELiTE has sold the likes of Newgrange, Carmel Road, Coppola and Tarantino,” Jackson said. “We see the same kind of potential for Lionel to become a stakes-caliber horse and are excited to see what the future holds for him.”

With a steady diet of pings ahead, the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale wraps in the late afternoon on Tuesday, May 13.

The post Buyers Assemble! Lionel Offers ‘Blue Sky’ On Fasig-Tipton Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Pending relevant licensing, Scott Jordan will take over the post of head starter at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks beginning May 23, the organization announced Monday afternoon.

With more than 20 years of experience in the position and a tenure at Churchill Downs which began in 2006, Jordan has also worked roles at Keeneland, Ellis Park, and Kentucky Downs. In addition to managing NYRA's team of assistant starters and starting gate operations at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, he will also work with trainers and riders to aide in gate training in the mornings.

“Scott Jordan's vast experience and knowledge made him the ideal candidate for this position, which is vitally important to NYRA's racing operations,” said NYRA senior vice president, Racing & Operations Andrew Offerman. “Beyond his skills in and around the starting gate, Scott is a proven leader dedicated to enhancing safety and preserving the integrity of racing.”

The post Scott Jordan Appointed NYRA Head Starter appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The promising Poulsen (Into Mischief) snapped a baby two-race losing streak in the Seiryu Stakes (allowance) over the Tokyo one-turn mile on May 10, accounting for the talented filly Promised Gene (Jpn) (Nadal) in a tight finish.

The colt, bought back as a weanling at Keeneland November and pinhooked for $925,000 at OBS April after fetching $350,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga, made the most of three appearances at two, scoring on two occasions, and was not beaten far when fourth in his two tries this season, including a 1400-meter test at Hanshin on Apr. 6.

Trying a mile for the first time as the distant second choice in the wagering at 47-10 behind Promised Gene–a running-on second to GI Kentucky Derby participant Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) in the Listed Hyacinth Stakes over the course and distance in February–Poulsen broke very alertly beneath Christophe Lemaire and made the running through comfortable sectionals. Still going evenly on the turn, he was shaken up entering the final furlong and proved a neck better than Promised Gene. The 2-5 favorite was slowly into stride, as she was in the Hyacinth, but finished up strongly to miss narrowly before galloping out past the winner. Poulsen is the third straight winner of this often-productive event by a U.S.-based stallion, following on from Yuttitham (Jpn) (Justify) in 2023 and Sonic Star (Into Mischief) last year.

Co-breeder Hunter Valley Farm purchased 2017 GI Frizette Stakes and 2018 GI Test Stakes heroine Separationofpowers for $2.1 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale and Poulsen is her lone starter. His juvenile full-sister, who was bought back for $500,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, is set to be offered as hip 375 at the same auction house's Midlantic 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale at Timonium next week through Scanlon Training & Sales, which also sold Poulsen at OBS April last spring. Separationofpowers produced a filly by Not This Time this past Feb. 28 and is currently in foal to Nyquist.

10th-Tokyo, Seiryu Stakes (Allowance), ¥34,540,000 ($233,076), 3yo, 1600m, 1:35.6, my.
POULSEN (c, 3, Into Mischief–Separationofpowers {MGISW, $964,000}, by Candy Ride {Arg}) Sales history: $535,000 RNA Wlg '22 KEENOV; $350,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG; $925,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $306,243.
O-Naohiro Sakaguchi; B-Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm LLC (KY); T-Makoto Saito.

WATCH: Poulsen (#7) returns to winning ways

 

 

The post Promising Into Mischief Colt Poulsen Updates Pedigree at Tokyo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland Library's Lecture Series continues this summer with public events that celebrate recently published works about Thoroughbred racing whose authors conducted research at the facility.

The series kicks off May 21 with Diane Crump and Mark Shrager discussing Diane Crump: A Horse-racing Pioneer's Life in the Saddle. It continues June 18 with “Celebrating 25 Years: An Evening with The Saratoga Special“; July 16 with Andy Plattner discussing Stymie and it concludes Aug. 20 with Catharine Melin-Moser discussing When Montana Outraced the East: The Rise of Western Thoroughbreds 1886-1900.

All events will be held at Keeneland Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET. Each program will be followed by a reception and book signing, and a limited number of books will be available for purchase. To purchase tickets, visit Keeneland.com/library or call 859-254-3412.

The post Keeneland Library Summer Lecture Series Begins May 21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.