Feed aggregator

Jockey Serafin Carmona is hospitalized at CHI-St. Vincent in Hot Spring, Ark., after being unseated when his mount clipped heels during the running of the ninth race March 5 at Oaklawn Park. 

On the third day of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, a Drain the Clock filly and a Golden Pal colt set the fastest furlong in :09 3/5.

California Thoroughbred Trainers president John Sadler announces that trainer Jorge Periban has accepted the unanimous invitation of CTT's Directors to join the CTT board, effective immediately.

Just as the attachment between human and equine has been a driving force in Thoroughbred racing, people working and advocating for off-track Thoroughbreds are focused on building that bond.

Well-bred mare Supercilious is among the headline acts for the Inglis Digital Australia March (Early) Sale, which opened for bidding March 5.

Teenager Yedsit Hazlewood gains notice for his riding achievements in the Mid-Atlantic.

Last year's champion 2-year-old filly looks to regain her winning form in the March 8 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3), after finishing a lackluster fourth in her seasonal debut in the Las Virgenes Stakes.

A true racing fan, David "Chief'' Alcaro has made aftercare a priority as a horse owner.  

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association announces the winners of its 2025 championship awards, highlighted by Touchuponastar, who was voted the state's Horse of the Year by the LTBA board of directors from among the divisional champions.

The Road presented by Gainesway and WinStar Farm

Daniel Alonso's Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), who acted up badly on the plane that was meant to transport him to California for Saturday's GI Santa Anita Handicap and was subsequently scratched, is possible for one of two races over the coming weeks.

“I always look at it as everything happens for a reason. No regrets,” said trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr., who saddles three horses in Saturday's Barbados Gold Cup in his native country. “He'll probably run at Oaklawn in the Essex, or he'll run at Gulfstream in the Ghostzapper. I'm going to work him when I get back.”

The 1 1/8-mile GIII Essex Handicap will be run Mar. 21 at Oaklawn Park, while the 1 1/16-mile GIII Ghostzapper Stakes will be renewed a week later on the undercard of the $1-million GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 28.

Skippylongstocking was last seen defeating stablemate White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes Jan. 24.

Trainer Ian Wilkes reports that both Just Basking (Arrogate) and Burnham Square (Liam's Map) have emerged from their efforts Feb. 28 in good shape and laid out plans for the near future.

Winner of the 2024 Iowa Oaks and third in that year's GI Alabama Stakes, Just Basking was third to 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Senza Parole (Gun Runner) in a one-mile dirt allowance Jan. 15 and came with a late charge beneath Javier Castellano to take out the GIII The Very One Stakes by a half-length. She could make her next appearance in the GIII Bewitch Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 24.

“It's a little later in the meet, but she's a light filly,” Wilkes said. “She ran hard, and I just don't want to reel her back here too quick because it's a long year. She's run twice here now, so we'll look ahead to Keeneland.”

Burnham Square was having his first run since a cracking runner-up effort in the GIII Nashville Derby last Aug. 30 and got home well over an insufficient trip to round out the exacta in allowance company. Wilkes has the Whitham homebred pointed for the GIII Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland on Apr. 18.

“Burham Square ran a real good race. Was I ready to run him? Probably not, but there was nothing in the next book for him and I wanted to get a race into him here,” Wilkes said. “He came out of it good, which was the main object. He came out good and his gallop-out was tremendous. He'll go to the Elkhorn now.

“It's always a relief when you get them back, but the way he trained I had confidence,” Wilkes said. “He's trained very well. He didn't miss a beat and hasn't missed a beat and has just trained better this year than last year, and he trained good last year. It's exciting. I hope I don't jinx him. We'll just keep going forward. Distance is going to be his friend. He'll get stronger as they go [longer].”

The post Gulfstream Notebook: ‘Skippy’ Possible For Ghostzapper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fixed-odds wagering has already made it to states like New Jersey and Colorado. It could also be a fixture in Kentucky thanks to a bill just introduced into the state legislature by Republican Representatives Matthew Koch and Michael Meredith.

HB 904 is a sweeping piece of legislation with several key components designed to essentially expand and modernize the gambling infrastructure in the state.

The contextual background of this bill appears to be an attempt to seriously grapple with the impacts from Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) on the betting pools.

Unlike the fluctuating odds that make up pari-mutuel betting, fixed-odds wagering is a form of betting in which the payout odds are set and agreed upon at the time the wager is placed. Crucially, they do not change.

Under this legislation, a new “purse stabilization fund” (to supplement existing purses at live meets) would be supported by a 15% tax on fixed-odds betting conducted on-track, online or via mobile apps.

Among other aspects, the bill requires tracks and tote companies to adopt new modern technologies to streamline and expedite betting cycles times. Right now, tote machines across the country update at varying times–typically anywhere between 10- and 30-second cycles.

More specifically, the bill requires them “to include commercially reasonable access to the betting odds for retail bettors by Apr. 1, 2027.”

The bill also attempts to essentially decouple wagering providers from the prediction market, which is the ability for bettors to make speculative bets on the outcomes of future events.

“A track or association that holds a license to conduct horse racing, sports wagering, or a licensee offering fantasy sports contests under this chapter or its affiliate shall not participate in or contract with platforms that offer events contracts through a prediction market or have a beneficial interest in the proceeds of prediction markets,” the bill states.

Last year, fixed-odds wagering was also legalized in West Virginia. It followed New Jersey, where it debuted at Monmouth Park in 2022.

“I remember us having discussions [on fixed odds] in committee going back 10 years,” said Damon Thayer, a veteran lawmaker with 22 years serving the Kentucky State Senate.

“As a fan, I like it. I know when I go to England and Ireland for racing, which I do annually, I prefer to go to the bookmakers so I can shop and get the best price,” he added.

“It may be a reaction to the CAWs,” speculated Thayer, about some of the motivation behind HB 904. “There's a lot of justifiable angst out there amongst horse players about the CAWs and their effect on late-changing odds.”

Earlier this year, HB 39 was introduced into the state legislature that sought to put CAW players on as even a playing field as possible with average retail players in Kentucky's pari-mutuel wagering pools. It hasn't advanced through the legislature.

The current legislature adjourns on Apr. 15, making it a tight timeframe to pass such a sweeping bill during the current session. Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene in early June for an interim session that will run through December.

“That's when the joint committees of House and Senate can meet monthly… They have the purview to discuss bills that have been filed, as well as those for the future,” explained Thayer, about the interim session.

“I don't know if they're going to try to push House Bill 904 through right now, or if they're just trying to get it out there for discussion heading into that interim period,” he said. “Representative Koch and Representative Meredith are two of the best minds in the general assembly on all issues related to gaming. I worked with them on HHR and sports betting and pari-mutuel tax reform. They're really thoughtful guys, and I don't think they would do anything to harm horse racing.”

The post Fixed-Odds Bill Introduced Into Kentucky State Legislature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Jockey Serafin Carmona remained hospitalized at CHI-St. Vincent in Hot Springs following a spill in Thursday's ninth race at Oaklawn Park.

Carmona, riding for the first time at Oaklawn this season and with five wins to his credit, was aboard 84-1 Balandeen Storm (Balandeen) in a state-bred maiden $50,000 claimer and was making a move on the far turn when he was shut off and clipped heels, throwing Carmona to the ground. The horse got up and jogged away before being caught by the outrider and was vanned off the track.

Carmona was transported to the hospital via ambulance and has been diagnosed with head and neck injuries and was on a ventilator as of Friday afternoon.

The post Jockey Carmona Hospitalized Following Thursday Spill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

So-called prediction markets have become all the rage across a wide swath of topics, from election results to gas prices to the amount of snowfall might occur in a given place.

The Kentucky Derby and horse racing at large? That topic was the subject of a panel entitled 'Prediction Markets and Wagering: An Emerging Threat To Horse Racing and Interstate Horseracing Act Revenue' during Thursday's session of the National HBPA Conference at Oaklawn Park.

Speakers agreed that prediction markets have the ability to dwarf even sports betting in America. The prediction-market platform Kalshi reportedly took in more than $500 million in trading volume on the Super Bowl. Bloomberg has reported that Polymarket took in $529 million on the timing of U.S. strikes in Iran. And Polymarket reportedly took in $1.2 million overseas on the 2025 Derby.

Prediction markets, which are not subjected to state gaming taxes and do not have the consumer protections built into state regulation, say that they offer something akin to futures contracts. They insist this does not constitute a wager and the danger to horse racing is real, experts agree.

“I think that the prediction market is a real threat to the horse-racing industry unless we handle it correctly,” said Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Developments, which operates Monmouth Park.

So pervasive are the prediction markets that FanDuel and DraftKings have jumped in. But Churchill Downs has suggested court involvement should prediction markets try to offer contracts on the Derby. Horse racing's cause is aided by the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978, which gives horsemen the right of approval or refusal to have their betting signal sent across state lines.

According to panelists, there are better than 60 lawsuits pending and the consensus is that the issue will advance all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, a final decision years down the road.

“I think we have a very strong case, because we have federal laws that control this,” said Drazin, joining the panel via Zoom. “It's not something that's trying to create state law. And I think as things go on, this has been a very important week.

“There were two very important decisions by the federal court saying that, basically, the prediction market does not preempt state law, and they dismissed those cases and sent them back to the state court. So I think certainly there's a lot to be said and a lot to be litigated.”

Drazin said a class-action suit would be the optimal means of pursuing a remedy.

“We need to be prepared to decide how we're going to deal with this,” said Drazin. “My recommendation is that those of us who want to participate, we head to the federal court and assert our rights under the Interstate Horseracing Act. But the industry is going to have to make some decisions.”

But Jason Johnston, the sportsbook manager for WarHorse Gaming in Nebraska, is of the opinion that peacefully coexisting might be the way forward for the racing industry.

“If there's not a hard block, they [prediction markets]'re going to swing for the fences, and it's going to escalate fast,” Johnston said. “Just look at how much Kalshi has changed over the last nine months from a consumer experience.

“The other backup plan would be get ahead of it, try to find a partnership with it and get a piece of the pie. Because I think Kalshi and Polymarket are just going to try to run through everybody and just get what they can get, just like they've done in other sports and states, and deal with the lawsuits later.”

Dave Basler, the executive director of the Ohio HBPA, agrees with Drazin that litigation might be the ultimate answer, but Michele Fischer, a wagering consultant and vice president of SIS Content Services, believes that prediction markets could be beneficial to horse racing.

“We missed the mark with sports betting for the horse-racing industry,” she said. “It's a highly regulated form of gambling, and that's something that's still on the table for horse racing. I think that the conversation needs to be a little wider. We sit here and look at all the threats, which they all can be. But where are those opportunities for this new market we've been talking about for 20 years? Where are all the eyeballs that we wanted on horse racing? What are they watching?”

The post Are Prediction Markets A Threat To Horse Racing? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

MAD HOUSE (g, 4, Vekoma–Stifled Heiress, by Munnings) was last seen fading to the back in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar last November, but before that he'd strung together a respectable tally of four consecutive victories which culminated with him taking home the hardware in the Sept. 20 GII Gallant Bob Stakes at Parx.

Made the 3-5 heavy favorite here for his seasonal bow, Mad House went right to the front and never looked back after :21.94 and :44.42 sectionals, rolling home by 3 3/4 lengths in a crisp 1:08.85–only .18 off the 14-year-old track record. Dreaming of Kona (Fast Anna) was a well-beaten second.

The victor is the most accomplished of his siblings as the second to the races and the only black-type earner, but his eldest half-sister is a winner. Stifled Heiress has a juvenile colt named Gaelic Legacy (Leinster) to her credit as well as a yearling full-brother to that one. She is due back to that stallion for a third time in 2026.

6th-Tampa Bay Downs, $51,900, Alw (C)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 3-6, 4yo/up, 6f, 1:08.85, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
MAD HOUSE (g, 4, Vekoma–Stifled Heiress, by Munnings)
Sales history: $47,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 11-5-1-1, $318,015. O-James Thares; B-Jean White, Wavertree Farm & SGV Thoroughbreds,LLC (FL); T-David VanWinkle.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Mad House Flirts with Track Record on Seasonal Bow at Tampa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) are currently developing a 2026 fall racing schedule designed to provide expanded opportunities for Florida-bred horses with fewer restrictions, 1/ST Racing said in a press release on Friday.

As part of this effort, FHBPA President Tom Cannell expressed strong support for owners purchasing Florida-bred 2-year-olds at the upcoming Ocala Breeders' Sales (OBS).

“We are committed to providing prospective owners of these 2-year-olds with a quality and worthwhile racing schedule,” Cannell said. “While the full schedule is still being finalized, it will include stakes races designed to reward Florida-bred horses across the board.”

Gulfstream and the FHBPA recently reached a new racing agreement extending through 2028, reinforcing a shared commitment to maintaining a strong and competitive racing program in South Florida. Both organizations are actively working to retain and attract trainers and owners to make the destination their racing home.

“Gulfstream Park remains a top-tier racetrack, and we will demonstrate our continued commitment to the owners, trainers, and horses that compete here,” Cannell added. “This initiative will help dispel the many rumors about our immediate racing future, and we look forward to putting our best foot forward.”

Gulfstream Park Executive Vice President David Duggan echoed that commitment and emphasized the track's focus on strengthening the Florida-bred program.

“We value the important role Florida-bred horses play in the success of Gulfstream Park and the broader Florida racing industry,” Duggan said. “Working together with the FHBPA, we are focused on creating a racing schedule that offers meaningful opportunities for owners, trainers and breeders while continuing to position Gulfstream Park as a premier racing destination.”

The post Gulfstream, FHBPA Eye Opportunities For Florida-Breds During Fall Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

For the second time the accomplished Touchuponastar (Star Guitar) was named by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association as the LA-bred Horse of the Year, the organization said in a letter that was sent to its members on Friday.

The gelding, who secured the same honor in 2023, turned in a stellar 2025 which included a handful of wins against black-type state bred company and also a victory in the GII New Orleans Classic at Fair Grounds.

Bred by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is owned by former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme's outfit Set-Hut and is trained by Jake's brother Jeff Delhomme. The stable star also took home the top 4-Year-Old Male award for 2025.

“It is truly an honor to receive the Louisiana bred horse of the year,” said Jake Delhomme. “This horse has brought so much joy to my family and everyone involved. We're blessed and lucky to have him still running competitively at the age of seven.

Concerning Touchuponastar's 2026 path moving forward, Delhomme said, “Looks like we're going to be pointing towards the final weekend of the Fair Grounds meet. There's a couple of races there with the New Orleans Classic and then the Star Guitar Stakes. We will aim for those two and decide what's best for him. Really happy with his work on [this past] Tuesday. He's doing extremely well.”

The rest of the 2025 Louisiana champions are:

• 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Our Moneyman (Mr. Money);
• 2-Year-Old Filly: Little Miss Curlin (Curlin);
• 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Smoken Wicked (Bobby's Wicked One);
• 3-Year-Old Filly: Secret Faith (Aurelius Maximus)
• 4-Year-Old/Up Male: Touchuponastar
• F&M 4-Year-Old/Up: Free Like a Girl (El Deal);
• Stallion of the Year: Star Guitar (by Quiet American);
• Broodmare of the Year: Jean (Macho Uno);
• Breeder of the Year: Coteau Grove Farms;
• High Percentage Breeder Award: J. E. Jumonville Jr. and Bunny Jumonville.

Award presentations will take place at the annual banquet, held in conjunction with the R.E.A.P. benefit, which is tentatively scheduled for Aug. 1 at Evangeline Downs.

The post Touchuponastar Ascends To 2025 LA-Bred Horse Of The Year Honors appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The first mare scanned in foal to McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds undefeated new sire Showcase (by Uncle Mo) was reported, the farm said via a Friday press release.

New Year's Wish, a stakes-placed daughter of New Year's Day trained by Linda Rice, was purchased by McMahon. The chestnut was the last horse selected by Rice's father Clyde before he passed away.

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' after his 7 1/2 length debut win, Showcase took home the 2024 GII Saratoga Special Stakes.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said, “Showcase possessed enormous natural ability paired with an explosive turn of foot. He was our 2-year-old that year, a colt who displayed professionalism, athleticism, and the kind of natural speed that consistently stands out at the highest levels.”

“Showcase has taken very well to his new job, having covered 20 mares to date, and is being strongly supported by the syndicate,” said Joe McMahon. “We could not be more thrilled to stand this outstanding son of Uncle Mo out of a full-sister to Volatile, another Grade I sire with a recent Triple Crown prep winner.”

The post First Mare Scanned In Foal To New McMahon Sire Showcase appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Showcase, winner of last year’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes, and standing at  McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds has first mare scanned in foal. Coglianese Photo.

Press release courtesy of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds announced the first mare scanned in foal to undefeated new sire for 2026 SHOWCASE. New Year’s Wish, a stakes-placed daughter of NEW YEAR’S DAY trained by Linda Rice, was purchased by McMahon, noting she was the last horse purchased by Linda’s father Clyde Rice before his passing. New Year’s Wish is from the family of track record setter VERY LUCKY, stakes winner and Grade 3 stakes placed.

Named a TDN Rising Star after his 7 ½ length debut win, undefeated SHOWCASE won the Grade 2 Saratoga Special by 3 ¼ lengths. By champion two-year-old and champion sire UNCLE MO, currently ranked third on the 2026 sire list and sire of leading sire NYQUIST, both sires of recent Triple Crown Trail winners over the weekend.

Trained by Hall of Famer, Todd Pletcher recently commented, “SHOWCASE possessed enormous natural ability paired with an explosive turn of foot. He was our best two-year-old that year, a colt who displayed professionalism, athleticism, and the kind of natural speed that consistently stands out at the highest levels.”

McMahon added, SHOWCASE has taken very well to his new job, having covered 20 mares to date, and is being strongly supported by the syndicate. We could not be more thrilled to stand this outstanding son of UNCLE MO out of a full sister to VOLATILE, another Grade 1 sire with a recent Triple Crown prep winner.

The post First Mare Scanned In Foal to Grade 2 Winner Showcase appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Tickets to attend the Aug. 15 running of the 167th King's Plate at Woodbine Racetrack are now on sale to the public, according to a press release from the track on Friday.

Pricing starts at $35 CAD (plus taxes and fees) for general admission, which grants access to the grandstand and apron. Those seeking a grandstand seat can choose from Reserved Grandstand, Paddock Club and Loge (Box) seating.

Click here for more information.

The post Tickets To The 167th King’s Plate On Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.