Feed aggregator

Commandment takes the Florida Derby (G1) over The Puma in a thrilling stretch drive March 28 at Gulfstream Park.

Paladin, the favorite in future wagering earlier this month for the May 2 Kentucky Derby (G1), is off the Triple Crown trail because of a condylar fracture detected in the colt's right front ankle, Daily Racing Form reported.

Bounding straight to the lead in the March 28 Wilshire Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park, Rashmi cruises to victory under Kazushi Kimura.

Prom Queen wins the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) for trainer Brad Cox and owner/breeders Gary and Mary West. She scored over pacesetter My Miss Mo and favorite She Be Smooth.

The Inglis Easter Yearling Sale kicks off March 29 marked by the competing forces of what's been hailed as its finest catalog yet contrasted by deep global uncertainty over the war in the Middle East.

Returning to stakes company for the first time since his runner-up finish in the 2025 Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), Grande stands above the opposition in the $150,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3), leading from start to finish.

The big horses delivered in the biggest turf stakes offered on the Dubai World Cup (G1) undercard March 28 at Meydan Racecourse as Calandagan and Ombudsman each notched lucrative group 1 scores.

Leading from start to finish, Winchell Thoroughbreds' Magnitude upset Japanese star Forever Young in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) March 28 at Meydan Racecourse. 

Racing for owner Sultan Ali and trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash, Kentucky-bred Dark Saffron captures the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) for a second year in a row March 28 at Meydan Racecourse.

Wonder Dean chased down favorite Six Speed to win the UAE Derby (G2) March 28 in Dubai, continuing Japan's domination of the race and earning entry to the Kentucky Derby (G1).

Veteran runner Banishing secured victory for the U.S. in the first Thoroughbred race of the day on the Dubai World Cup card when he surged past Commissioner King to post a victory in the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2) March 28 at Meydan.

Damon's Mound looks to get back to winning ways March 29 at Tampa Bay Downs, where he races in one of the six Florida-bred stakes races on the card.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–Legendary college football coach Mike Leach believed fervently in the power of pirate culture.

Despite its cut, thrust and swagger image, according to Leach the swashbucklers of old were incredibly democratic, were forced at times to be surprisingly unconventional and they proved time and time again that taking risks could payoff handsomely–rings true for Thoroughbred racing too.

Speaking of plundering and pirate treasure, in the 90th running of the GI Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park on Saturday a record 73,000 people watched an invader named Renegade (Into Mischief–Spice Is Nice, by Curlin) take his portion of a $1.5-million purse and the 100 Kentucky Derby points for his war chest, which puts him in second overall with 125 (Click here to access the Derby leaderboard).

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled the colt at Saratoga last August and he finished a well-beaten third to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', It's Our Time (Not This Time). Ready for another go at the maiden special weight ranks, the bay won by a head at Aqueduct Oct. 17, but was disqualified and placed second behind Paladin (Gun Runner). Renegade's foe bested him in the GII Remsen Stakes next out Dec. 6, but the Pletcher trainee returned to the winner's circle with a 3 3/4-length score in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Feb. 7.

Looking sharp as a tack shipping into Oaklawn, Renegade was stabled along Mark Casse's shedrow, but traveled with an assistant and a groom. The 3-year-old was worked by Andie Biancone in the run-up to the big day and his schooling appeared flawless.

The Triple Crown nominee was tabbed as the even-money favorite by race time. With co-owners Mike Repole and Robert and Lawana Low in attendance, Renegade fired out of the blocks in good order and settled towards the rear as the field made for the first turn.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. bided his time in last place up the backstretch, but entering the far turn he gave his mount the signal to move. Renegade began to accelerate with a sweeping move by the top of the lane that put him towards the center of the course. Wavering a touch, but gathering even more speed, the colt collared new leader Silent Tactic (Tacitus) inside the final furlong and drew off with an impressive statement.

 

The Lows with Mike Repole and Irad Ortiz Jr. | Coady Media

After the race, Mike Repole told TDN that, “They [the Lows] bred the horse and Jake [Jacob] West helps them out, he helps me out. They've been incredible people. We have the same trainer in Todd Pletcher. They've had success and own the mare, plus they own the family. I mean it was my horse, but I told them if they want to buy 25 percent, they could. But I also told them that if they wanted to buy 50 percent, they could do that too. It's been a great partnership and was a big day for all of us.”

 

@RepoleStable cheering on Renegade as the colt takes the GI Arkansas Derby … @PletcherRacing … @OaklawnRacing … #Horseracing pic.twitter.com/gH3JxxMUPH

— J.N. Campbell (@campbellparlay) March 28, 2026

 

Trainer Todd Pletcher said, “We were super excited about the way he ran. It looked like he got shuffled around a little bit in the first turn and down the backside. It looked like he was traveling well. It just kind of looked like Irad [Oritz Jr.] was biding his time to start advancing. I was really impressed by the way he finished coming home the last eighth of a mile the way he did.”

Pedigree Notes:

The all-conquering Into Mischief (by Harlan's Holiday) now has 96 graded winners to his credit and out of those 29 Grade I winners.

The Lows purchased Renegade's dam Spice Is Nice (Curlin) with West Bloodstock for $1.05-million at the 2018 Keeneland September Sale and she went on to win the GIII Allaire DuPont Distaff Match Series Stakes. His dam's first foal, Renegade was sold by the Lows to Repole for $975,000 during Keeneland September, but as mentioned, the two groups brokered a 50/50 deal afterwards.

Renegade with dam Spice Is Nice | courtesy of Taylor Made

Spice Is Nice is responsible for three other foals, including a current 2-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, a current yearling filly by Justify and she foaled a colt by Not This Time Feb. 24.

Renegade's second dam is GI Humana Distaff Stakes heroine Dame Dorothy (Bernardini), who Repole bought at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale for $900,000 while in-foal to Gun Runner. Last September at Keeneland, the resulting colt was sold to AMO Racing USA for $1.6-million.

The Lows acquired Sgt. Pepper (Uncle Mo), Spice Is Nice's half-brother, for $1.6-million at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale.

As for Dame Dorothy, her own half-sister is French Group 1 stakes victress Mrs. Lindsay (Theatrical {Ire})–herself the dam of French multiple stakes winner Mr. Owen (Invincible Spirt {Ire}).

 

How impressive was that!??!

#6 RENEGADE scored a runaway win in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) under jockey @iradortiz. Todd Pletcher trains the son of @spendthriftfarm Into Mischief. pic.twitter.com/uWJ9XjT6NO

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2026

 

Saturday, Oaklawn
ARKANSAS DERBY-GI, $1,500,000, Oaklawn, 3-28, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.70, ft.
1–RENEGADE, 124, c, 3, by Into Mischief
     1st Dam: Spice Is Nice (GSW, $259,688), by Curlin
     2nd Dam: Dame Dorothy, by Bernardini
     3rd Dam: Vole Vole Monamour, by Woodman
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($975,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Low, Robert, Low, Lawana L. and Repole Stable; B-Robert Low & Lawana Low (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $832,500. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-1, $1,031,500. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Silent Tactic, 124, c, 3, Tacitus–Magical Sign, by Gun Runner.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $500,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-John C. Oxley; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Mark E. Casse. $277,500.
3–Taptastic, 121, c, 3, Tapit–Valadorna, by Curlin.
1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $138,750.
Margins: 4, 2, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.00, 3.60, 12.20.
Also Ran: Bricklin, Blackout Time, Redland Rebels, Litmus Test, Exosome. Scratched: Napoleon Solo.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post ‘Swing Your Sword’: Renegade Slices Through Arkansas Derby At Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Wathnan Racing's Commandment (Into Mischief) came with a late surge to nail The Puma (Essential Quality) by a nose in a heart-stopping renewal of Saturday's GI Curlin Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.

It was a half-length back to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Chief Wallabee (Constitution) in third. Favored Nearly (Not This Time) tired to fourth.

The Diamond Anniversary of the Curlin Florida Derby offered 200 qualifying points for the GI Kentucky Derby on a scale of 100-50-25-15-10 to the first five finishers. The first jewel of the Triple Crown has been won by 26 starters in the Curlin Florida Derby.

“A little too close for comfort, but he pulled through,” winning trainer Brad Cox said. “I thought at three-eighths (jockey Flavien Prat) kind of had to show him the way, asked him a little bit, he responded well, didn't seem like there was a tremendous amount of pace on. Obviously, last going into the last turn, he was able to finish up well.”

With Flavien Prat riding for the first time, the 9-5 chance trailed the field in an inside sixth through a half mile in :48.80. The Puma, a come-from-behind winner of the GIII Tampa Bay Derby Mar. 7, made an eye-catching move to hit the front approaching the quarter pole as Commandment began to wind up from the back.

The Puma put away Nearly in the stretch and looked to have the race won. But Commandment just kept on coming down the center and finished up in a field-best :12.31 to get there in a dramatic photo finish.

Commandment heads to Louisville riding a four-race winning streak. He romped in Gulfstream's Mucho Macho Man S. Jan. 3, then passed his two-turn debut with a neck victory over Chief Wallabee in the GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. Feb. 28.

“He's a big, sturdy horse,” Cox said. “I've said that several times. He takes his races really well and a couple people told me he was the paddock pick. He's a big, sturdy horse and once again, once he comes out of it in good order, I think it will set him up for five weeks.”

Prat added, “I was a bit worried because I wasn't traveling very well the first part. The pace wasn't very fast and I was just in the back, and I thought I would be a bit closer. Then I tipped him out turning for home, he swapped leads and from there he gave me a good, solid run.

I thought I had the bob, but I wasn't sure. He's very workmanlike. He's straightforward, and he's a fighter. He showed some guts down the lane.”

Commandment was featured in Steve Sherack's 'Second Chances' series following a debut fourth at Keeneland last fall. The series has now introduced nine future winners at the top level.

Pedigree Notes:

Commandment becomes the third Curlin Florida Derby winner for the all-conquering Into Mischief. He is also the sire of last year's winner Tappan Street and the race's 2018 winner Audible. Commandment's broodmare sire Orb brought home the roses after a popular win in the 2013 Curlin Florida Derby.

The Lee Pokoik-bred Commandment brought $500,000 from Case Clay Thoroughbred Management on behalf of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's operation as a Keeneland September yearling. He previously RNA'd for $485,000 as a Fasig-Tipton November weanling and $475,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling.

Commandment is out of Sippican Harbor (Orb), who carried Pokoik's kelly green-and-pink silks to a 16-1 upset victory in the 2018 GI Spinaway S. at Saratoga.

Sippican Harbor, a half-sister to Japanese superstar Awesome Result (Justify), RNA'd for $1.45 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Sippican Harbor is also responsible for a 2-year-old colt by Curlin ($180,000 KEESEP yearling purchase by Epic Horses) and a yearling filly by Elite Power. She was bred to McKinzie for 2026.

Commandment is bred on the same Into Mischief x A.P. Indy cross as 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty.

 

COMMANDMENT!

The $1 million Florida Derby (G1) goes to #4 COMMANDMENT, a son of @spendthriftfarm Into Mischief. Flavien Prat up on the @bradcoxracing trainee, who is owned by Wathnan Racing. The Puma nipped on the line, Chief Wallabee third, and Nearly finished fourth. pic.twitter.com/bRHoHJc3Ac

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 28, 2026

Saturday, Gulfstream
CURLIN FLORIDA DERBY PRESENTED BY HILL 'N' DALE FARMS AT XALAPA-GI, $1,000,000, Gulfstream, 3-28, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.99, ft.
1–COMMANDMENT, 123, c, 3, by Into Mischief
            1st Dam: Sippican Harbor (GISW, $262,650), by Orb
            2nd Dam: Blossomed, by Deputy Minister
            3rd Dam: Texas Cinema, by Mt. Livermore
1ST GRADE I WIN. ($485,000 RNA Wlg '23 FTKNOV; $475,000
RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $500,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Wathnan
Racing; B-Lee Pokoik (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Flavien Prat.
$613,800. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $1,017,339. Werk Nick
Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–The Puma, 123, c, 3, Essential Quality–Eve of War,
by Declaration of War. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($95,000 RNA Ylg
'24 KEESEP; $150,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-OGMA Investments
LLC, JR Ranch and High Step Racing LLC; B-Hidden Brook Farm
& Brian Kahn (KY); T-Gustavo Delgado. $198,000.
3–Chief Wallabee, 123, c, 3, Constitution–A La Lucie,
by Medaglia d'Oro. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Mike Ball & Katherine Ball (KY);
T-William I. Mott. $99,000.
Margins: NO, HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.90, 7.90, 2.20.
Also Ran: Nearly, Wayne's Law, Timeless Victory. Scratched: Albus, Gregarious, Redland Rebels. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Commandment By a Whisker Over The Puma in Curlin Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.–Trainer Jimmy DiVito celebrated with his longtime clients at Doubledown Stables in the special winner's circle reserved for graded heroes at Oaklawn Park after Nu What's New (Munnings–Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy) went gate to wire in the GIII Oaklawn Mile Stakes on Saturday. It was the gelding's first higher-level score.

The $300,000 OBS April buy who was picked out by DiVito two years ago at the sale took his time to break his maiden, but when it happened it was in-style over the local strip–by 7 1/2 lengths–Dec. 26. The 4-year-old then smashed an allowance field by 12 1/2 lengths at Oaklawn Feb. 5. Nu What's New was last seen finishing as the runner-up in the GIII Razorback Handicap Feb. 28 to Magnitude (Not This Time), who won the G1 Dubai World Cup earlier in the day.

Well-supported as the 9-5 choice here, the chalk made a beeline for the front and was able to make his way to the rail. Closely shadowed by longshot Awesome Aaron (Practicla Joke), Nu What's New kept to the task at hand and steadily shook loose of his opponent by the time the far turn arrived.

The DiVito trainee shifted into top gear entering the lane and even though 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) and Neoequos (Neolithic) gave chase, it was too late. Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast) stumbled at the start, but was able to finish fourth.

“He [Nu What's New] was a very good-looking horse at the [OBS] sale,” said Jimmy DiVito, who has trained for over five decades. “He didn't work all that fast, but he was good-looking and I liked him. I know Eddie [Woods] from over the years and he kinda helped me a little bit.

“I like Munnings and I've been fortunate with those horses and I've done good with them,” he said. “This horse goes long and I've always been told they are sprinters, but the more distance, the better with this one.”

When asked about what the win means for Doubledown, DiVito said, “I'm thrilled for the people I've been with for over 40 years from Chicago and they've supported me this whole time. Now, we've got a good horse and we will see where we go from here.”

Pedigree Notes:

The winner is the 32nd for his sire (by Speightstown), joining the likes of Jack Christopher, I'm A Chatterbox, Kimari and El Deal, just to name a few.

Nu What's New is out of dam Heavenly Scat, who was purchased for $260,000 by BlackRidge Stables during the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. Responsible for six foal, four to race and a winner, Heavenly Scat claims 3-year-old filly Ati Girl (Nyquist), 2-year-old colt Go Champ (Early Voting) and a yearling filly by Elite Power. She visited Dornoch for the current term.

Nu What's New's extended female family includes GSW Champagne Problems (Ghostzapper), MGISW Southern Image (Halo's Image) and GISW Turbo Compressor (Halo's Image).

NU WHAT'S NEW ($5.80) took them all the way around and held off East Avenue in the $500,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) at @OaklawnRacing. The son of @coolmoreamerica's Munnings is a @keenelandsales and @OBSSales graduate in the barn of trainer Jimmy Divito. @luissaezpty was up! pic.twitter.com/cpJdUXgg4u

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 28, 2026

Saturday, Oaklawn Park
OAKLAWN MILE S.-GIII, $500,000, Oaklawn, 3-28, 4yo/up, 1m, 1:37.34, ft.
1–NU WHAT'S NEW, 124, g, 4, by Munnings
                1st Dam: Heavenly Scat, by Scat Daddy
                2nd Dam: Coral Sun, by A.P. Indy
                3rd Dam: Pleasant Dixie, by Dixieland Band
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($200,000 Wlg '22 FTKNOV; $300,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $300,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Doubledown Stables, Inc.; B-BlackRidge StablesLLC (KY); T James P. DiVito; J-Luis Saez. $285,000. Lifetime Record: 9-3-2-2, $564,134. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–East Avenue, 117, c, 4, Medaglia d'Oro–Dance Music, by Ghostzapper. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T Brendan P. Walsh. $95,000.
3–Neoequos, 119, c, 4, Neolithic–Bold Birdie, by Birdstone. ($22,000 Ylg '23 OBSOCT). O-C2 Racing Stable, LLC, Parsard, Ian, Shining Stables, LLC, Stefania Farms, LLC, Reimer, Ken T., Braverman, Paul and Pinch, Timothy; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Matalona Thoroughbres,LLC (FL); T-Saffie Joseph, Jr. $47,500.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.90, 4.60, 3.80.
Also Ran: Full Serrano (Arg), Will Take It, Gun Party, Awesome Aaron. Scratched: Coal Battle.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO,
sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Nu What’s New Takes Oaklawn Mile For Doubledown And DiVito appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The undefeated Paladin (Gun Runner) has suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of his right front ankle and is off the Derby trail, according to a story by David Grening on DRF.com.

Grening wrote that Paladin suffered the injury during a workout at Payson Park Saturday morning.

Paladin has won all four of his starts, including the Grade II Remsen Stakes at two and the Grade II Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes at three. Brown told Grening that the injury was detected after the colt was back at the barn, and that he would have surgery with Dr. Larry Bramlage at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

“After consulting with Dr. Bramlage from afar after, he looked at the radiographs, he thinks it's going to require two screws,” Brown told Grening. “Good prognosis, but we're going to have to stop on him to address it.”

Brown also told Grening that Tampa Bay third Canaletto (Into Mischief) will also be out until the fall with an injury.

“Tough, tough lows when they hit you,” said co-owner Brook Smith, who owns a piece of each horse, when reached by the TDN. “Still worth the highs, but today has been brutal.”

The post Paladin Off Derby Trail With Condylar Fracture appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Even with Super Corredora sidelined, West Point Thoroughbreds is Kentucky Oaks (G1)-bound. Another one of its fillies, the Mark Casse-trained Counting Stars, captures a key Oaks prep March 27 in the Fantasy Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.

The son of Disco Rico raced as a homebred for prominent New York owner/breeders Frank and Patricia Generazio. He had been largely supported as a stallion by the Generazios.

How a Canadian champion that earned nearly a million dollars while racing and became a stakes-producing broodmare wound up being ransomed by a kill buyer in Texas.

FanDuel TV, a longtime fixture in North American horse racing television coverage, plans to sharply reduce its television coverage this year and will eliminate broadcasting racing on television by the end of 2027.