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The Turf Classic (G1T) is one of 16 stakes scheduled for the Churchill Downs Spring Meet (April 25-June 28) that received a purse increase.

Winners from five different countries celebrated success during the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival at Meydan—the most in the 22-year history of the event.

Tom Amoss, a fixture of the American racing circuit for more than four decades, has announced that he will step down from his career as a trainer. After a storied 39-year career that saw him rise from the local ranks in Louisiana to the pinnacle of the sport with Grade I wins at Churchill Downs, Saratoga and Oaklawn Park, Amoss will officially hand over the management of his stable to head assistant Kinnon LaRose effective April 1.

LaRose, who joined the operation in 2020, has served as Amoss's head assistant for the past five years. Amoss noted that the timing of his departure was chosen to provide a seamless transition for his clientele and to allow for an adjustment period under his continued mentorship.

“I'm still going to be around the barn and working with Kinnon just as I have for the past six years, so I don't look at it as a retirement,” said Amoss. “I look at it as a lateral move of still being able to be a part of the stable, but the horses will run in Kinnon's name. I have a very talented horseman in Kinnon and the ability to give him the opportunity to train horses. I'm fortunate in that most of my clients have been with me a long time and in explaining my decision to them for that reason, they've all stood behind me. They're willing to give Kinnon that opportunity too.”

He continued, “When you've done something your whole life, it's going to be a little different. I guess you could say I've had my cry and now I'm very comfortable with it. I know I'll get a lot of satisfaction out of his success.”

Tom Amoss and wife Colleen with 'TDN Rising Star' Oscar's Hope last summer in Saratoga | Sarah Andrew

Amoss, age 64, said that he hopes to continue his role as a bloodstock agent and will focus on finding racing prospects for the newly formed LaRose stable. He also plans to continue in his role as a member of the racing broadcast team for Fox Sports, where he has covered the Saratoga meet since 2017 and been a host of the GI Belmont Stakes for the past several years.

“This will also allow me to maybe have coffee with my wife in the morning, something I've never done before, or go do something fun on the weekend, which is also something I've never done,” said Amoss. “But my emphasis is going to be Kinnon's success and the success of the stable.”

Amoss steps down from the training ranks with 11 leading trainer titles at Fair Grounds, where he is a Hall of Fame member, as well as multiple titles at Churchill Downs, Ellis Park and Indiana Grand. He secured his 4,000th career victory in 2022 and has amassed over $132 million in career earnings.

A proud native of New Orleans, Amoss was introduced to racing through his childhood friend–and later college roommate– trainer Al Stall Jr. After graduating from Louisiana State University, he spent years working for trainers Jack van Berg, Frank Brothers, Larry Robideaux and John Parisella.

Amoss took out his trainer's licence in 1987 and celebrated his first graded stakes win with Festive (Damascus) in the 1990 GIII New Orleans Handicap. He earned his first Grade I win in 2000 with Apple Blossom Handicap victress Heritage of Gold (Gold Legend), who also won the GI Go for Wand Handicap in Saratoga that summer and was third in the 2000 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Tom Amoss and 2019 GI Kentucky Oaks winner Serengeti Empress | Horsephotos

Throughout his career, Amoss has built a reputation for unearthing top-tier talent on modest budgets, a knack best illustrated by his 2019 Kentucky Oaks victory with Serengeti Empress (Alternation). Purchased by Amoss for $70,000 as a yearling, the Joel Politi-campaigned star blossomed into a multi-millionaire, further cementing her brilliance with a dominant score in the 2020 GI Ballerina Stakes.

“The first time I stood in the winner's circle in 1987, I never could have imagined what this industry would do for me and for my family,” Amoss said. “I have been able to make a good living and put two kids through school and feel very comfortable in retirement all because of one thing–the horse–and because of owners putting their trust in me. I wish there was a way that I could say just how much gratitude I feel towards each and every one of them, but the words just don't seem to justify it.”

So far this year, Amoss has collected 21 wins and has been in the money in 53 of 110 starts. Top performances include 'TDN Rising Star' Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) scoring in the Feb. 16 Ozark Stakes, Authentic Gallop (Authentic) collecting a stakes win at Delta Downs on Feb. 20 and Standoutsensation (Take Charge Indy) finishing second in the GIII Houston Ladies Classic Stakes.

“Things are going good with the stable if you look at what we've done this year, but I didn't want to overstay my time,” Amoss explained. “By doing it now, I still have the ability to help Kinnon with the owners within the stable. Sometimes you can stay too long and I think it's time for me to give him the keys to the car. He's ready and I want to help him.”

Amoss and Kinnon LaRose at the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards | photo courtesy Amoss Racing Stable

LaRose, 28, brings a unique perspective to the training ranks. A former Division I basketball captain at Sacred Heart with a Master's degree in Strategic Communication and Public Relations, he took a chance by emailing Amoss —whom he had long admired as an analyst on FOX Sports—to request a position with his stable. LaRose was promoted to assistant less than a year later and has had a hand in managing stable stars like graded stakes winners Hoosier Philly (Into Mischief) and Curly Jack (Good Magic). Last year, he received the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award's Newcomer Award.

“I've worked side-by-side with Kinnon for the last six years and I've watched him grow and develop,” said Amoss. “He is a great talent as a horseman and he brings with him some skills that are unique. He holds a master's degree and was captain of a Division 1 basketball team. He's got the leadership skills. All those are things that, in my mind, will allow him to be a great trainer.”

LaRose will take the helm of the stable at the start of the Keeneland April Meet. Amoss will wrap up the Fair Grounds spring meet, where he is currently a top 10 trainer and has several horses entered this coming weekend including Fade to Gold (Bolt d'Oro) in the Crescent City Oaks and Hay Jude (Aurelius Maximus) in the Costa Rising Stakes.

Reflecting on his career, Amoss said, “I did it with honor and I did it putting the horse first. I know the people that worked for me and with me are well aware of that. I hope the racing community sees it the same way.”

The post Tom Amoss Transitions To Advisory Role As Kinnon LaRose Assumes Stable Reins appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A total of 1,220 horses have been catalogued for the upcoming OBS Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which will be held over four days Apr. 14-17. The catalogue is available online at www.obssales.com.

Sale sessions will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.  Hips 1 – 306 will sell Apr. 14 with Hips 307 – 610 going Apr. 15. Apr. 16 will offer Hips 611 – 916 with the sale concluding Apr. 17 with Hips 917 – 1220.

The under-tack show will run from Apr. 6-11 starting at 8 a.m. ET each day. Hips 1 – 203 are slated for Apr. 6 followed by Hips 204 – 406 Apr. 7, Hips 407 – 610 Apr. 8, and Hips 611 – 813 Apr. 9. The final two days of the under-tack show will have Hips 814 – 1016 going on Apr. 10 followed by Hips 1017 – 1220 on Apr. 11.

Featured on the cover of the 2026 OBS April catalogue is Morplay Racing's Shisospicy (Mitole), who became the first 3-year-old filly to win the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint en route to earning the Eclipse Award for champion female sprinter. Shisospicy was offered at the 2024 OBS April Sale by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds where she was an RNA after breezing in :9 3/5.”

The under-tack show and sale will be streamed live via the OBS website as well as the TDN, DRF, BloodHorse, and Past The Wire websites.

Among the graduates out of the 2025 OBS April Sale were Grade I winners Cy Fair (Not This Time), Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) and Iron Orchard (Authentic).

Graduates of the sale also include Grade I winners Nysos,  Cavalieri, Dark Saffron, Raging Torrent, Skippylongstocking, and Usha.

Other notable recent graduates out of the OBS April Sale include multiple Grade I winner Chancer McPatrick, Grade I winners Carson's Run, Cogburn, Du Jour, Mixto, Power Squeeze and Tenma, Saudi Derby winner Golden Vekoma, and graded stakes winners May Day Ready, Mo Plex, and Vixen.

OBS will again offer online bidding during the April Sale.

For complete information on registration and online bidding please go to the OBS website: obs-internet-bidding.

The post A Total of 1220 Catalogued for OBS Spring Two-year-olds in Training Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Winning the last race at the Final Table, Dylan Donnelly captured the 27th National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas.

Seven weeks in advance of the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1), Paladin and Chief Wallabee closed as 8-1 co-favorites in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.

The connections of Take A Breath could do just that after the 4-year-old filly won a photo finish in the $102,500 Santa Ana Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park March 15.

Gary Biszantz, founder of Cobra Farm, died March 14 at age 91, according to Mike Owens, longtime manager at Cobra Farm, which Biszantz sold last year.

Tom Ryan of co-owner SF Racing confirmed March 15 that the undefeated colt Taj Mahal will make his next start in the $750,000 Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack April 4.

Top 3-year-olds Intrepido and Pavlovian and La Brea Stakes (G1) winner Usha were among the notable horses on the work tab March 15 at Santa Anita Park.

Jockey Umberto Rispoli, sidelined with a broken right ankle since Jan. 24, is "still a ways away" from returning to the saddle, his agent Matt Nakatani said March 15.

The group-placed Kikkuli will stand at Paardeberg Stud in the Western Cape in South Africa.

Chris Waller extended his remarkable hold on the Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill Racecourse March 14 when the admirable Lazzura handed the champion trainer a fourth successive win in the group 1 feature.

Taj Mahal (Nyquist), two-for-two after winning the Miracle Wood Stakes at Laurel Feb. 21, is expected to make his next start in the Apr. 4 GII Wood Memorial, Tom Ryan of co-owner SF Racing confirmed Sunday.

“The notion is he'll take his shot in the Wood Memorial,” Ryan said. “He's done nothing wrong so far, and he's ran himself up the ladder while improving his numbers. He's got some nice time in between after his first two starts were close together. I personally believe the distance is not going to be an issue for him, the question is just if he has the ability to compete with the field that will line up.”

Trained by Brittany Russell, Taj Mahal won his six-furlong debut at Laurel Park Feb. 6. He broke slowly that day and tracked in last-of-six under Sheldon Russell before pouncing with a four-wide bid to take the lead in upper stretch, powering home strongly to post the 4 1/4-length score in a final time of 1:12.42 and earning a 73 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort.

Just 15 days later, Taj Mahal wheeled back for the one-turn mile Miracle Wood, where he switched up his tactics and took a 2 1/2-length lead early after a clean break under Russell. He was met with an outside challenge from Let's Go Lando in the turn, and the two slugged it out down the lane with Taj Mahal prevailing by a neck in a final time of 1:39.47 over the muddy and sealed footing. He improved his Beyer to an 86 in victory.

“That stakes came back up two weeks off his first run, but we felt in his first run he did it all well within himself,” Ryan said. “Brittany said he gave all the indications he had come out of it the right way and was enjoying himself. He lined right back up there, changed tactics, and went coast-to-coast. It was lovely to see some versatility, and it feels like he's got a good mind. He was in California for a while before we brought him East and it's all worked out the way it was supposed to. He seems to act better on the East Coast surfaces than on the West.”

Taj Mahal returned to the work tab on Sunday, covering a half-mile in :50.80 (48/55) over the Laurel Park dirt.

Also looking to step up to graded company in the Wood is Tom Coulter's Red Zone Runner (Practical Joke), who was a romping 15 1/2-length winner of the Mar. 3 City of Brotherly Love Stakes at Parx.

“We nominated him. That's the plan, this is where we are aiming,” trainer Hugo Padilla said. “So far, that's the plan because the horse came out of his last race absolutely outstanding. He's doing very well, he's very happy. We couldn't have asked for any better.”

Red Zone Runner was making his first start for Padilla in the 1 1/16-mile City of Brotherly Love following his four outings for trainer Erin McClellan, including stakes thirds in the Pennsylvania-bred Pennsylvania Nursery in November at Parx and the open-company Heft Stakes in December at Laurel Park.

“The whole time I've had this horse, I've seen him growing, getting better and better,” Padilla said. “I was trying to run him earlier than his last race going longer, to get the lungs and the stamina to stretch him out, but I could not get races to go anywhere. We just took a shot at the stakes. We hoped for the best and he showed us he could handle the distance. He did it easily. He was impressive.”

Bravaro | Coglianese

Also aiming for the Wood is Bravaro (Upstart), who won his first two starts at Aqueduct before a runner-up effort in the Jan. 31 GIII Holy Bull Stakes and fourth-place effort in the Feb. 28 GII Fountain of Youth Stakes.

“The plan is that if all stays well and he's healthy, we'll go to the Wood,” said Niall Brennan, whose wife Stephanie Brennan is breeder and co-owner of the bay colt. “He's won on the track twice and we're confident he's a very nice horse. Whether he's a Derby horse, that remains to be seen. Obviously, he would have to show up in the Wood to progress on, but we feel like we've got a really nice New York-bred for the summer. We'll give him a shot and see if he belongs with that group, or we'll plan a different route for the summer.”

The Brennans, well-known for their Ocala training center, keep about six broodmares at Ascendant Farm outside Saratoga Springs to foal each spring.

“We've always had our mares in New York. We like to have New York-breds and it makes sense for us,” Brennan said. “We aren't big breeders–we are more into training and the farm here [in Florida], but being New York-bred gives us more value if we are selling and if we end up racing them, the purses and awards are huge, so that's why we have them. The reality is that people want to race where the purses are healthy, and having the New York-bred stakes program is a big help. Outside of Kentucky, it's tough to be anywhere else.”

As a juvenile, Bravaro went a perfect two-for-two against fellow state-breds at the Big A, graduating by one length in his six-furlong debut in September en route to a 2 1/2-length annexing of the state-bred Sleepy Hollow Stakes when stretched out to a one-turn mile in October.

“Physically, he's always been a nice horse. He's a fabulous-looking horse, is about 16.1 [hands], and he's a tall and powerful colt,” Brennan said. “He was a very nice yearling, and a very nice 2-year-old. This time last year, we had him entered in the sale, but he dug a huge hole to China in his stall at the sales grounds and gave himself a foot bruise, so he ended up scratching from the sale.

“Things happen for a reason, and a guy who works for me was friends with Albert Ciuffetelli in New York, and they were looking for a racehorse,” Brennan continued. “We stayed in, and Al and his son are very excited and their whole family is involved. That's what the whole game is about–introducing people like this to the passion of it. We're excited to be partners, and [trainer] Saffie [Joseph] is still very high on him. We know he'll have a good career.”

The nine-furlong Wood Memorial offers 100-50-25-15-10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

The post Taj Mahal Looks to Step Up in Wood Memorial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Rusty Arnold has banked nearly $92.4 million in purse earnings from 13,623 starters since going out on his own in 1975. He has reached seven figures in purses earned in 40 of the last 41 years, reaching a career high of $5,603,177 in 2025.

After two unsuccessful tries on turf to open up his 3-year-old campaign, Starry Night Racing's Fulmine has relished the switch back to dirt, landing his first stakes win emphatically in the $107,500 Hutcheson Stakes March 14 at Gulfstream Park.

Tejano Twist wins the Whitmore Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park by 2 lengths, just 13 days after his last start.

Veteran gelding Sumter bested eastern invader Quereme Pass by a nose to earn his first graded stakes victory March 14 in a thrilling edition of the San Simeon Stakes (G3T) for older horses going about 6 1/2 furlongs down the hill at Santa Anita Park.

After a less-than-ideal sixth-place effort in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3), Incredibolt needed a boost to his Kentucky Derby (G1) hopes. Winning the Virginia Derby did just that.

New York's Saletta leads the field with a mythical bankroll of $156.24, while Nevada's Tommy Lenberg sits in second place at $139.60 after the first day.