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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: 04/30/2025
Licensee: Candalario Villamar, 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 Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Sky Cloud, who won at Turf Paradise on 3/20/25.

Date: 04/29/2025
Licensee: Juan Arriagada, 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. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Zatip, who finished last at Tampa Bay on 3/22/25.

Date: 04/29/2025
Licensee: Jorge Farias, 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. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Modera, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 3/16/25.

Date: 04/25/2025
Licensee: Colleen O'Hagan, 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 Triamcinolone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Isle of Skye on 3/19/25.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $2,500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everdoit, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/19/25.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Jose Salinas, trainer
Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; 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 $5,000. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: Medication violations for an Intra-Articular Injection Within Fourteen (14) days of a Post-Time on Zoomster on 6/9/23.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Benjamin Bealmear, veterinarian
Penalty: 4-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Apr. 25; a fine of $4,165. Admission.
Explainer: For the possession of Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”) for an event dated 10/3/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances. The case resolution can be read here.

Date: 04/24/2025
Licensee: Christophe Clement, trainer
Penalty: None. Charges dismissed.
Explainer: Clement's legal team “identified sufficient possible problems and deficiencies in the testing that cast some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing that resulted in the [adverse analytical finding].” This case relates to what had been an alleged Flunixin overage–a controlled substance (Class C)–in in a sample taken from Gal in a Rush, who finished third in the G2 Presque Isle Downs Masters S. on 9/20/24. The lab in question is the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology Research Laboratory. More specifically, the case arbitrator found problems with the lab's “lack of an independent quality control sample,” as well as an “internal standard recovery” procedure that was “inconsistent.”
A more detailed account of the case resolution can be read here.

Pending ADMC Violations
04/30/2025, Steve Manley, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Thirsty Natalie on 4/1/25.

04/30/2025, John Alan Williams, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Hopkinsville on 4/1/25.

04/30/2025, Christopher Keller, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Gold Dart, who finished fifth at Colonial Downs on 3/15/25.

04/29/2025, Fausto Gutierez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Quatrocento, who won at Tampa Bay on 3/28/25.

04/28/2025, Nicholas Vaccarezza, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Omeprazole–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Military Cruiser on 3/28/25.

04/28/2025, Ramon Aguayo, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Salagadoola, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 3/26/25.

04/28/2025, Patrick Ashton, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Max Forward Speed, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/4/25.

04/28/2025, Shannon Simpson, trainer: Pending violation for the possession of Pitcher Plant Extract–Adenosine Triphosphate (“ATP”), metabolase, Pengamine 250, Aminotonic, Solucion CS Pisa–for an event dated 2/5/25. This is a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances.

04/25/2025, Kelli Martinez, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Charter Oak, who won at Will Rogers on 4/1/25.

04/25/2025, Shane Meyers, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Holidays Army Brat, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/24/25.

04/25/2025, Royce Pulliam, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Johanny on 3/23/25.

04/25/2025, Megan Fadlovich, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ivory Sky, who won at Mahoning Valley on 3/19/25.

04/24/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Rocky Seas, who finished second at Gulfstream Park on 2/16/25.

Violations of Crop Rule
Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing
Scott Bethke–violation date Apr. 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension

The post Weekly National Regulatory Rulings, Apr. 24-30 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Oaklawn will dramatically alter its 2025-2026 racing schedule, moving to more four-day weeks while greatly reducing its January footprint, after its request for 64 racing dates (Dec. 12-May 2), was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission Thursday morning in Little Rock, the track said in a press release on Thursday.

Oaklawn will open a week later and again close Kentucky Derby Day. The Hot Springs oval is scheduled to race nine days in December–Friday, Saturday and Sunday–before its first of 10 scheduled four-day race weeks (Jan. 1-4). Expanded race weeks are the result of the track returning Thursdays to its schedule.

The racing calendar evolved into a mostly Friday-Sunday format after the track extended its season into May in 2019 and began opening in December in 2021. Under Arkansas law, Oaklawn is capped at 68 live racing dates each year. The new racing schedule was endorsed by the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

After racing Jan. 1-4, Oaklawn will be dark until Jan. 30, the last of six scheduled dates for the month. The track will then shift to mostly four-day race weeks (Thursday-Sunday) for the remainder of the season.

The post January Mostly Dark As Oaklawn’s New ’25-’26 Schedule Approved appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Noting the borders have largely been secured, industry participants and regulators gathered May 1 at Churchill Downs to say the timing is right for the President and lawmakers to reform the complicated laws that regulate foreign workers in the U.S.

Group 3 winner Orne highlights Tattersall's Online May Sale which begins May 8. The son of Acclamation won the 2023 Horris Hill Stakes (G3) and was runner up the following season in the Sandy Lane Stakes (G2).

The final installment of the annual ABR series features Umberto Rispoli, who will get a leg up from trainer Michael McCarthy on Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and expected Kentucky Derby (G1) favorite Journalism.

Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) winner Five G saw her path to the Kentucky Oaks (G1) come up a day short May 1 when she was scratched from Friday's 1 1/8-mile test for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs.

If the past few months had occurred in the days of landlines and long-distance fees, Jay Adcock's phone number at Red River Farms would have generated quite a windfall for Ma Bell.

Thirty-five years after Carl Nafzger won the Kentucky Derby (G1) with Unbridled, his former assistant Ian Wilkes has Burnham Square primed to shine on the First Saturday in May.

A rare star that emerged from Evangeline Downs, Coal Battle has the support of the Louisiana Industry behind him when he runs in the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs May 3.

Glen Hill Farm's homebred Bridle a Butterfly posted a half-length victory over Out On Bail to win the $290,000 William Walker Stakes April 30 at Churchill Downs, giving 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Country House his first stakes winner.

The demand for American Pharoah in Japan might explode if his son, Luxor Café, follows in his sire's hoofprints and wins the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs

Two foals in the last crop at Airdrie the late Brereton Jones would see will give the owner/breeder a chance at enhancing one of the most consequential biographies in Kentucky history: becoming the breeder of a Kentucky Derby (G1) winner.

Porter on Pedigrees

The $1 million Turf Classic Stakes (G1T) promises a field of 12 talented runners. But because many of those runners are looking for consistency, the morning-line favorite is listed at a healthy 4-1. 

Jockey Jareth Loveberry has not scored in the Kentucky Derby (G1), but he knows almost what it feels like to win it, having just missed in the 2023 race with Two Phil's with his first Derby mount. This year, Loveberry returns, riding Chunk of Gold.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $108,750, Msw, 5-1, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.59, ft, 1 3/4 lengths.
MERCILESANIHILATOR (c, 2, Audible–Gadabout, by Bodemeister) looked in all sorts of trouble heading for home, but got his second wind in the final furlong to give this owner, trainer and jockey Jareth Loveberry their second straight success in as many days with a debuting 2-year-old beneath the Twin Spires. Sassy C W (Yaupon) became a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the fillies' equivalent exactly 24 hours prior. Sent off at odds just shy of 6-5, the April foal was hard-ridden and locked up early with chief market rival Moonlight Beauty (Hootenanny) and the two raced away from their rivals through a quarter in :22.22. The early exertions appeared to exact a toll, as Captain Gabe (Instagrand) and Distorted Song (Maclean's Music) were zeroing in three and four wide, respectively, as Moonlight Beauty began to retreat. Captain Gabe edged in front approaching the eighth pole, but Loveberry kept after the rail-skimming Mercilesanihilator and they re-rallied to score by 1 3/4 lengths. Blinging It Back (Volatile) raced far back to the stretch, but flashed home while racing greenly to just miss second money, then flew past the leading duo on the gallop out. A $40,000 acquisition as a short yearling at Keeneland January in 2024, the winner was hammered down to these connections for $330,000 at this year's OBS March Sale after breezing a furlong in :10 flat. Like Sassy C V, Mercilesanihilator was consigned to the sale by Jimbo and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales as agent. Tommy Wente's St. Simon Place acquired Gadabout, a half-sister to GIII Virginia Oaks winner Blind Date (Not For Love) and MSW Sales Tax (High Yield), for $82,000 in foal to McKinzie at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The mare is also responsible for a yearling full-sister to Thursday's winner and she was most recently covered by Into Mischief's son Life Is Good. Sales history: $40,000 Ylg '24 KEEJAN; $330,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Patricia's Hope LLC; B-St Simon Place LLC & Brandon Stocks (KY); T-Larry Rivelli.

 

#7 MERCILESANIHILATOR ($4.34) wins a lively Race 2 at Churchill Downs. @jareth16
up for Larry Rivelli on the juvenile son of @WinStarFarm Audible. pic.twitter.com/HyFh5ckMXQ

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 1, 2025

The post Audible Colt Mercilesanihilator Fights Back Bravely To Debut a Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Mohegan Sun have agreed on a multi-year partnership resulting in the return of Mohegan Sun as an official casino partner of Saratoga Race Course and the presenting sponsor of the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, the track said via a release on Thursday.

The Jim Dandy is a nine-furlong route for sophomores scheduled on Saturday, July 26. The race is the traditional local prep for the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes set for Aug. 23.

In addition to their continued sponsorship of the Jim Dandy, the Mohegan Sun brand will be displayed prominently on-track during the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the July 4th Racing Festival as well as throughout the 40-day summer meet. Mohegan Sun will also be featured within the FOX Sports show Saratoga Live.

“While many casino and entertainment destinations no longer feature a Race Book, Mohegan Sun is proud to still have a dedicated venue of our own with the latest betting tech and top-notch guest service, “said GM of Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook & Race Book Brad Bryant. “That's a big reason why we're so grateful for our partnership with NYRA and to once again and to be a major sponsor for the upcoming $500,000 Jim Dandy presented by Mohegan Sun! Live horse racing consistently features excellent competition and were thrilled to be a part of Belmont at Saratoga June 7!”

The post NYRA And Mohegan Sun Renew Deal Along With Jim Dandy Sponsorship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

NBC Sports coverage of Kentucky Derby weekend will kick off Friday, at 1 p.m. with their Kentucky Oaks show on USA Network and Peacock.

Saturday, the races on the early Derby Day card will also be televised on NBC and Peacock, starting at noon. At 2:30, coverage switches to NBC. The 2025 “Run for the Roses” marks NBC Sports' milestone 25th presentation of the Kentucky Derby –a show which has grown markedly since NBC's initial 90-minute broadcast in 2001.

NBC Sports' Derby Day coverage features 10 races across 7.5 hours–five hours on NBC and Peacock on Saturday. Over the two days, NBC Sports will present 17 live races from Churchill Downs.

Telemundo Deportes will present live coverage of the 151st Kentucky Derby, beginning Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET on Universo, and streaming on the Telemundo app.

The on-air talent for the show includes Mike Tirico, Randy Moss, Jerry Bailey, Steve Kornacki, and Nick Luck. Donna Brothers returns as the only member of the team to cover all 25 of NBC's Kentucky Derbies.

Features are planned on D. Wayne Lukas, Mike McCarthy, Martin Garcia, and Tirico will interview Bob Baffert, who is going for a record seventh Derby win.

Eleven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles will give the iconic 'Riders Up' call for the Kentucky Derby.

Click here for the complete schedule and more details.

The post Kentucky Derby Day Highlighted by 7.5 Hours of Coverage on NBC, Peacock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Leading owner and breeder Barry K. Schwartz. Coglianese Photo.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) is pleased to announce Thoroughbred breeder and owner Barry K. Schwartz will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in the New York-bred program.

Schwartz, who owns and operates Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs with his wife Sheryl, will be recognized at the NYTB’s Awards Dinner sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund from 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, May 19 at Sacred Saratoga on the property of GMP Farm in Schuylerville.

“Barry has been an integral and influential person in the development of New York breeding and racing,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede. “He has achieved success in every facet of our industry, and we are proud to honor and recognize his contributions to New York breeding and racing at our marquee event.”

Schwartz, the former CEO of Calvin Klein Inc., grew up a racing fan and purchased his first horse in 1978. He has consistently been one of the Empire State’s leading owners and breeders for nearly four decades since.

“What a great honor,” Schwartz said. “When I got the call, everything was out of the blue and kind of shocking. Yes, I was shocked. Shocked. I guess it tells you you’re getting up in years when they use that lifetime word.”

A member of The Jockey Club and former Chairman and CEO of the New York Racing Association, Schwartz bred and campaigned New York-bred Grade 1 winners Voodoo Song, The Lumber Guy and Princess Violet, along with New York-bred graded stakes winners Lovely Lil and Sharp Starr in his signature black and white colors. Other leading runners campaigned by Schwartz include Boom Towner, David, Degenerate Jon, Great Intentions, Jacaranda, Killer Diller, Lovely Lil, Nothing But Fun, Papa Shot, Papua, Rodman, Star Dabbler, Thepromonroe, Three Ring, Turnofthecentury and Whatlovelookslike.

Boom Towner won 29 of 82 starts with 30 other placings and earned $962,391. Claimed for $50,000 in September 1993 at Belmont Park, he won the Grade 3 Boojum Handicap three starts later at Aqueduct for trainer Mike Hushion. The popular gelding known for his tendency to lug in won three more stakes carrying Schwartz’s colors. Boom Towner continued to run competitively in the claiming ranks at 7, 8 and 9 before being claimed for $25,000 in late June 1997. Schwartz and Hushion claimed him back for $18,000 in December 1997 and retired the gelding in early 1998.

“He certainly wasn’t the best horse that I’ve had, but he was my favorite,” Schwartz said. “We claimed him for $50,000. He went up the ladder. He was a stake horse for a long, long time. He came back down the ladder, as he aged, and got claimed a few times. Eventually I retired him and he lived until he was 31.

“Every year when I’d go out to California, I’d see him and take a picture with him because I didn’t know if I was going to see him again. But he hung in there. He lived until he was at 31, which is a real ripe old age. He definitely recognized me. He’d know my car when I came up the road to the paddock he was in. He’d come over to the fence and look for some sort of a treat. He’d stick his head right into my chest, you know, and nuzzle me. We had a very personal relationship.”

Schwartz takes a hands-on approach to building and sustaining his broodmare band that runs between 15 and 20 mares every year. He’s assisted by his longtime farm manager Peter Moore and enjoys the challenges with breeding his own racing prospects.

“Most of the years, believe it or not, I did it all myself,” Schwartz said of his approach to mating mares. “I did a lot of reading. I go back in the days reading the Racing Form when (Leon) Rasmussen would write the ‘Bloodlines’ column. I read Tesio’s books. I read most everything I could get my hands on relating to breeding over the years.

“Now I do it all with my farm manager. He’ll go down to Kentucky to visit the stallions, look at them physically and make recommendations. He’s truly a horseman. We’ve become very close and have really worked very well together for a number of years now.”

Stonewall Farm was honored as Breeder of the Year by the NYTB in 2023 and 2012 and by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association as New York Breeder of the Year in 2023. Schwartz also received the Alfred G. Vanderbilt Award as “the person who did the most for racing” in 2001 by the New York Turf Writers Association.

“We look forward to celebrating Barry’s lifetime achievements as an owner, breeder and racing executive at this year’s New York-bred Divisional Champions Awards dinner,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson. “In addition to celebrating each of our divisional program nominees it will be a wonderful evening.”

The post NYTB to honor Barry K. Schwartz with Lifetime Achievement Award appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

GII Gulfstream Park Oaks winner Five G (Vekoma) will not contest Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs, according to Daily Racing Form.

Trainer George Weaver told DRF's Dave Grening, “This is the type of race where you've got to be 110% and we don't feel like she is.”

A four-length winner in her second career start while facing New York breds at the Big A last fall, the Gatsas Stables-owned filly won this season's Cash Run Stakes in addition to finishing second behind fellow Oaks contender Quietside (Malibu Moon) in Oaklawn's GIII Honeybee Stakes Feb. 23.

The post Five G Scratched From Kentucky Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.