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When the Maryland Million program, the brainchild of famed sportscaster Jim McKay, was launched in 1986, it was hailed as one of the most innovative and successful programs of its kind. It has been something that has been copied in racing states across the country. But when TK Kuegler took over as the president of the Maryland Million, he decided it was time to move the event forward, and make it bigger, better, and more lucrative.

“It's been kind of sleepy for 40 years,” Kuegler said. “Jim McKay launched it and no one ever did anything to enhance it.”

The Maryland Million announced a number of new incentives Thursday, which Kuegler promised are just the start of what he and his team have in mind to grow the event.

On Mar. 22, two starter races will give Maryland Million-eligible horses preference and Maryland Million-eligible horses will split bonuses for each race as follows: $5,000 to the highest finisher, $2,000 to the second highest finisher, $1,000 to the third highest finisher, $500 to the next four highest. These bonuses will be paid out by Maryland Million Ltd. and are not part of the purses. The races will be open to all horses, and the largest bonus will be paid to the Maryland Million-eligible horse that comes closest to winning.

“Forever, the Maryland Million has been a one-day event,” Kuegler said. “For all intents and purposes, there were no other benefits. If you had an eligible Maryland Million horse, which means you were sired by a Maryland sire, you got to race on the Maryland Million Day. It was and still is a great day. When I took over as president, I thought, 'That's great, but how do we make this even more valuable?' I said, 'Let's have races throughout the year where Maryland Million-eligible horse start earning extra benefits.' The first one of those will be on Mar. 22.”

Kuegler is planning to have more races throughout the year where Maryland Million horses will be eligible for bonus money.

“If everything goes well on Mar. 22, we fill the races, everything looks good, and the track is happy–we're going have another day like this in May, sometime around the Preakness,” he said. “We will have four more of those races. If that goes well, we will have a whole new Maryland Million Preview Day in September.”

Maryland Million Ltd. also announced new 5 percent Maryland Million bonuses for maiden winners. Beginning Mar. 1, 2026, any Maryland Million-eligible horse that wins a maiden race in Maryland will earn a 5 percent bonus on top of the winner's share of the base purse.

“I have a 100 percent commitment on that for at least the next three years,” Kuegler said. “It's not one of these things that will disappear on people. If they breed today to a Maryland sire, they're going to get that benefit.”

The hope is that the extra benefits will result in higher sales prices for Maryland-sired horses that go through the sales ring.

“This is a great move for both Thoroughbred owners and breeders in Maryland,” said Boyd Browning, Jr., the president and chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton. “The new bonuses enhance the value of Maryland Million-eligible horses, and that should translate into higher prices in the auction ring.”

Kuegler is doing everything he can to help make the Maryland Million grow. Last year, he had a kick-off party for the event at the Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and he said that 2025 was the first time that every race on the program was sponsored.

“We can make this program massive,” he said. “I really believe that. We're just warming up. If you put some energy behind these things, usually people will follow.”

The post New President Has Ambitious Plans for the Maryland Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 260 offerings for its February Digital Sale and with bidding now open through Tuesday, Feb. 24, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. over half of the catalogue includes broodmares or broodmare prospects, the online auction said in a press release on Thursday.

If savvy bidders are in the market for a broodmare, then this month's sale certainly has a diverse buying bench.

For instance there is Paynterbynumbers (Paynter) (hip 3), the dam of MSW Counting Stars (Honor A.P.). Mill Ridge Sales is the agent for this broodmare and Miss Tapirado (Tapit) (hip 37), who was a $775,000 weanling turned $1.3-million 2-year-old in-training purchase. She is a full-sister to GSP Bourbon War as well as a pair of stakes performers in Australia.

When it comes to broodmare prospects Take Charge Macy (Take Charge Indy) (hip 10) could tick a number of boxes for buyers. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales, the 3-year-old filly broke her maiden at second asking for trainer Peter Miller in Hot Springs Feb. 8.

Other options include Strikingly Spun (Hard Spun) (hip 9), who is owned by Larry Hirsch's Highlander Training Center out of Sulphur Springs, Texas and is consigned by the center's longtime associates Elm Tree Farm (Jody & Michelle Huckabay). A multiple stakes placed 6-year-old, the Joe Sharp trainee won on both turf and dirt, and currently has over $400,000 in earnings. Highlander's Chairman & CEO Jeff Hooper says that the Fasig-Tipton Digital experience is top notch.

“We think the world of the team at Fasig-Tipton, and they are really the industry leader in this digital marketplace,” said Hooper. “Serious buyers gravitate to their sales and they have proven that these kinds of offerings are here to stay.”

Hooper added that the timing of the February sale for Highlander could not be better.

“She [Strikingly Spun] is a young mare and we wouldn't be offering her for sale, except that Larry [Hirsch] is focused on racing,” he said. “We sold five mares in November and will continue to point to the racetrack. That is what we do at Highlander. Offering her now at the beginning of breeding season really makes sense for us, and the fact that interested buyers can go see her at Jody and Michelle Huckabay's farm is another plus when it comes to convenience.”

Neom Beach (hip 1) | Coady Media

Digital sale offerings also include:

• Neom Beach (hip 1): The multiple stakes winning daughter of Omaha Beach with earnings of more than $745,000 to date is being offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Jeffrey Bloom, agent;

 

• Sharons Beach (hip 7): A 3-year-old son of Omaha Beach ran an 89 Beyer at Santa Anita Jan. 23. He is entered in a maiden/optional claimer at Santa Anita on Friday, Feb. 20. Offered as a horse of racing age by ELiTE, agent;

 

• Gun Party (hip 31): A son of Curlin out of Grade I winner Carina Mia (Malibu Moon) has run multiple 90+ Beyers. The 5-year-old's extended female family includes MGSW Super Chow (Lord Nelson). Offered as a horse of racing age by Steve Asmussen, agent.

Making the catalogue is stock from the California and New Mexico operations of Kirk and Judy Robison, which is consigned by Arroyo Vista Farm and A & A Thoroughbreds.

Reductions continue for Starship Stables with Taylor Made Sales Agency as agent as do dispersals of repossessed horses with Mill Ridge Sales and Margaux Farm as agents. Mill Ridge will host an open house at their farm in Lexington, Kentucky for their offerings on Monday, Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 pm. ET.

“The February Digital Sale catalogue features 260 horses, led by especially strong contingents of racing and breeding stock,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Offerings include stakes winners and producers, more than 70 horses of racing age, over 140 broodmares and broodmare prospects–including mares with foals at foot–and 34 'short' yearlings. We started the year off with a bang in January and we're looking forward to helping our customers achieve continued success in February.”

Click here to create an account or register to bid for the February Digital Sale.

The post Potential Broodmare Band Members Audition During Fasig-Tipton February Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Million-dollar earning Gigante, named 2025 Virginia-Bred Horse of the Year, headlines a slate of award winners whose connections will receive hardware for their efforts March 14 at Colonial Downs.

The reformatted Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby returns to Dubai Feb. 20 but without Six Speed, the colt making the most noise this season at Meydan Racecourse, leaving the race wide open.

The Maryland Million announced Feb. 18 two new Maryland Million Races running March 22, each offering $10,000 in bonuses for Maryland Million-eligible horses.

The top seller, Dante Nonantais (Lot 355) set to continue his career in Australia after going the way of Narvick, Terry Henderson's OTI, and Melbourne Cup (G1)-winning trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

Bred by owner/breeder Deborah Hancock, the flashy chestnut colt is out of the Tale of the Cat winner Miss Tattle Tale.

Samuel Marin's total of 13 wins for the week included a stakes race victory.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has called a March 11 board panel hearing to address what it says is Churchill Downs Incorporated's refusal to pay millions of dollars of required assessments from four of its tracks.

The King's Plate Stakes is North America's oldest continuously run stakes race and is contested for a purse of CA$1 million.

The change moves Friday racing from its previous 4 p.m. PT start to 2 p.m. PT, creating a consistent post time throughout the week and providing fans, horsemen and women, and industry partners with a streamlined schedule.

Western Australia's premier yearling auction returns to the Swan Valley this week, with 358 lots cataloged for the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, which gets underway Feb. 19.

Racing from Aqueduct and Oaklawn Park will be shown on "America's Day at the Races", while the John Battaglia Stakes will be shown on FanDuel TV.

The Maryland Thoroughbred Industry Renaissance Awards will be presented during a March 22 luncheon at Laurel Park.

Grade 1 winner Lovesick Blues was named 2025 champion California-bred older horse and sprinter and is a finalist for California-bred Horse of the Year, which will be announced March 2 at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards Dinner.

The membership program is a new hospitality offering available to fans when the new Belmont Park opens later this year.

Following their eye-catching wins Feb. 14, Saudi Cup (G1) winner Forever Young and Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Paladin moved up the leaderboard in their respective National Thoroughbred Racing Association rankings.

by Dan Ross and T.D. Thornton

The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority on Wednesday summoned Churchill Downs Racetrack and its corporate parent, CDI, to a hearing before a panel of HISA board members in an attempt to secure payment of 2025 assessment fees that CDI has allegedly failed to submit on behalf of four racetracks the gaming corporation owns in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, including its flagship track in Louisville.

HISA wants Churchill to pay $2,408,501 in allegedly overdue 2025 fees (plus $93,998 in interest) to the Authority within 10 days of any order by the HISA board that results from the just-scheduled Mar. 11 hearing.

If not, according the Feb. 18 notice of hearing, “for each day the payment is late, Churchill [will] be prohibited from conducting any Covered Horserace, to be applied immediately on the next scheduled race day(s) at Churchill.”

“CDI has not fulfilled Churchill's obligation to remit Churchill's and the horsemen's group share of allocated and assessed fees for calendar year 2025 in violation of HISA Rule 8100(i), HISA Rule 8520(e), and 15 U.S.C. § 3052(f)(3),” the hearing notice stated.

“In fact, CDI has refused to pay one cent of the 2025 HISA assessments allocated to Churchill, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs,” the notice continued.

“CDI even refuses to pay what it believes it owes for the CDI Racetracks under its own [assessment formula] that is based solely on racing starts. The CDI Racetracks stand alone among Covered Racetracks in refusing to make any HISA assessment payments whatsoever for 2025,” the hearing notice stated.

The notice was served Wednesday via email and certified mail to Gary Palmisano, Jr., CDI's executive director of racing.

TDN asked Palmisano via email if he'd like to comment or explain CDI's side of the story, but did not receive any reply prior to deadline for this article.

In addition to the alleged non-payment of 2025 fees, the notice of hearing details allegations that because of the above-referenced disagreement over assessment methodologies, CDI has also not paid all of the fees that HISA claims the corporation owes for 2023 and 2024, either.

“In 2023 and 2024, CDI calculated and paid full year assessments using its own assessment formula, based solely on the number of racing starts, in an amount less than would be due under the Original Methodology Rule,” the notice of hearing stated. “The total difference that remains currently due and owing from racetracks operated by CDI for the 2023 and 2024 Assessments is $1,708,475.”

But because that dispute over 2023 and 2024 assessments is still being litigated in federal court, “issuance of the Board panel's decision in the 2023/2024 Enforcement Action is currently stayed per the agreement of the parties,” the Authority's hearing notice explained.

In CDI's original complaint in that lawsuit, filed Dec. 4. 2024, CDI argued that the HISA Authority couldn't threaten “to prohibit them from conducting any horseraces until the fees due under the Authority's illegal assessment methodology are paid in full” because the HISA Act “does not empower the private Authority to adjudicate fee-collection disputes in-house.”

Rather, the lawsuit explained, the HISA Act “envisions that the Authority would exercise its statutory power to bring a civil action in federal court to compel payment of any legitimate fee assessments.”

The CDI complaint (initially joined by co-plaintiff the New York Racing Association, which settled with HISA a month after the litigation was filed), stated that HISA demanding fee payments and threatening penalization based on its own findings “would violate the Act and Article III of the Constitution, which require that such disputes between private entities be adjudicated in federal courts–not within administrative agencies and certainly not within private, unaccountable corporations.

“And it would also violate the fundamental due-process principle that no person may serve as a judge in his own case,” the CDI suit alleged.

Wednesday's hearing notice stated that, “In this enforcement action, the Authority is seeking payment only based on the CDI Formula endorsed by CDI in the CDI Lawsuit.

“If the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky concludes in the CDI Lawsuit that the Original Methodology Rule is valid, the Authority will initiate a separate enforcement action or civil action–if necessary–to collect the difference between the amount owed by CDI under the CDI Formula and the Original Methodology Rule for 2025.

“If the District Court adopts the legal arguments made by CDI and concludes that the Original Methodology Rule is invalid, then CDI would still owe the exact amount sought in this proceeding, i.e., the racing-starts only amount due under the 'Alternative Calculation' that CDI endorses and advocates,” the hearing notice stated.

“In other words, CDI owes at least the amount sought here regardless of the outcome of the pending litigation,” the hearing notice stated.

The hearing notice described CDI as allegedly “freeloading” by availing itself of HISA's services related to drug testing, results management from intra-articular injection violations, track surface inspections from the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory, and technology platforms that promote the safety of horses and jockeys.

Despite CDI allegedly not paying into the regulatory system, “the CDI Racetracks continue to receive millions of dollars in services from the Authority,” the hearing notice stated.

“CDI promotes the benefits of HISA with its investors while at the same time failing to pay its fair share–or any share at all,” the notice of hearing stated.

The Mar. 11 board hearing will be chaired by Joe De Francis. Bill Thomason and Terri Mazur will also adjudicate on that panel.

CDI may file a pre-hearing brief setting forth any objections to the enforcement action by Feb. 27, and HISA's enforcement counsel may file a response by Mar. 6.

The post HISA Threatens ‘Freeloading’ CDI with Cutting Off Ability to Race over Alleged Non-Payment of Assessment Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

There was only one graded stakes race on the road to the GI Kentucky Oaks this weekend, but it was a big one. The GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes has produced 12 winners of the Oaks. The list includes last year's Oaks champion Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) and 2023 winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief). So, it meant something when Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) scored a game victory to win the race by a half-length, especially when you consider that she is a half-sister to Pretty Mischievous.

So, here goes, your latest Top 10:

1) ZANY (American Pharoah–Mo' Green, by Uncle Mo) O-Repole Stable; B-D.J. Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $350,000 yrl '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record:GSW, 3-3-0-0, $221,500. Last Start: Won Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30.

As good a race as Bella Ballerina ran in the Rachel Alexandra, Zany remains in the top spot and may stay there until she has her next start, which is scheduled for the Apr. 3 GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes at Keeneland. She was not ultra-impressive when winning the Suncoast Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, but you can count on her being an improved horse in the Ashland. It was notable in the Suncoast that she lugged in. Here's what Todd Pletcher had to say about her failure to keep a straight course: “We will not try to overthink it since she's three-for-three. But we will continue to focus on keeping her straight when she changes leads.” She showed tremendous talent when romping in last year's GII Demoiselle Stakes. If that horse shows up on Kentucky Oaks Day, all the rest may be running for second money.

2) BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 3-3-0-0, $301,525. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Last Start: Won Feb. 14 GII Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 60.

As well-bred as they come and from the powerful Godolphin team, Bella Ballerina still had something to prove in the Rachel Alexandra. In her only other stakes appearance, last year's GII Golden Rod Stakes at Churchill Downs, she did win, but nearly squandered a 3 1/2-length lead in the stretch. The final margin of victory was a half-length. She didn't blow them away this time, either. In fact, she lost the lead in mid-stretch, but battled back to win in a professional effort. “I thought it was a very game performance,” trainer Brendan Walsh said. “When she was coming down the stretch, it looked like she was beaten. I thought to myself, 'You know, she's run well. We've got what we needed to get out of it. She'll improve a ton the next time she starts back up again.' I thought, 'Well, OK, we'll take that.' But yes, it was just a game performance on her part. It's the first time she's ever been headed.” Her winning Beyer number Saturday was an 84. The March 21 GII Fasig-Tipton Fair Grounds Oaks will likely be next for her.

Bella Ballerina | Hodges Photography

3) MEANING (Gun Runner–Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief) O-Bridlewood Farm & Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Michael McCarthy. Sales history: $440,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-0-0, $187,000. Last Start: Won Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 26.

The good news:  she beat two pretty tough customers in Explora (Blame) and Super Corredora (Gun Runner) in the Las Virgenes Stakes. The bad news: she had a perfect trip behind battling leaders. It was her first start since she was a non-threatening fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but there's no reason why she couldn't have improved over the winter. As of now, the California-based fillies don't look like a strong group. Meaning may be the best of that bunch. Trainer Michael McCarthy has said that the April 4 GII Santa Anita Oaks Presented by Surfside will be next for his filly.

4) LUV YOUR NEIGHBOR (Constitution–Disobedient, by Into Mischief) O-Lael Stables; B-Anderson Farms Ont Inc & 552727 Ontario Ltd (ON); T-Michael Stidham. Sales history: $350,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 6-1-4-0, $164,071. Last Start: 2nd Feb. 14 GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40.

If you liked Bella Ballerina's race in the Rachel Alexandra, you probably had to like the effort turned in by Luv Your Neighbor. She gave the 4-5 favorite fits the entire length of the stretch and looked like she had the race won. Was Bella Ballerina that game or did Luv Your Neighbor lack fight when it counted? It's an important question, as she has now run second in four straight starts, losing each time by less than a length. In her lone victory, she won by just a nose. Trainer Michael Stidham needs to figure out how to get a little something extra out of her, but, if he does, she might just prove to be among the upper echelon of this division.

5) TAKEN BY THE WIND (Rock Your World–Up for Grabs, by First Samurai) O-Magdalena Racing, Terry Bradshaw, Graham Leveston, Raasi Stable; B-Courtney L. Meagher (FL); T-Kenneth G McPeek. Sales History: $70,000 yrl '24 FTKJUL; $20,000 yrl '24 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-3-0-0, $270,710. Last Start: Won Jan. 17 Silverbulletday Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 30.

If not for the Kenny McPeek factor, this horse would be rated lower. Yes, she won the Silverbulletday Stakes by only a neck in her 3-year-old debut. But McPeek, who has had so much success with fillies of late, sees something in her. “You watch,” he said. “She'll win the next one, and I think she has a very good chance of winning the Oaks. This is a very good filly. She does everything right.” McPeek reports that Taken by the Wind will have her next start in the March 1 GIII Honeybee Stakes at Oaklawn. It would be “good for the game” to see her prosper as NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw is a part owner and would no doubt be an entertaining part of an entourage come Oaks Day.

Taken By the Wind | Sarah Andrew

6) LIFE OF JOY (Gun Runner–Jordayn's Leo, by Malibu Moon) O-Will Stroud, Andrew Farm, Mountmellick Farm & For the People Racing Stable LLC; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Brad H Cox. Sales history: $375,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-1-0, $180,260. Last Start: Second in Feb. 7 Suncoast Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22.

The Brad Cox-trained filly turned in a strong effort behind Zany in the Suncoast, finishing second. She also held her own against Bella Ballerina when fourth in the Golden Rod. Before that, she was a 2 1/4-length winner of the Rags to Riches Stakes. Like McPeek, Cox has done some of his best work with fillies. It's not a coincidence that he has won the Oaks three times in a short stretch of just seven years. The Fair Grounds Oaks will be next for her.

7) EXPLORA (Blame–Collections Choice, by Bernardini) O-Michael Pegram, Karl Watson & Paul Weitman; B-Mesingw Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $22,000 yrl '24 KEESEP; $350,000 2yo '25 FTMMAY. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard.' Lifetime Record: GSW & MGISP, 5-3-2-0, $628,000. Last Start: Second Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 45.

Don't ever give up on Bob Baffert. He has won the Oaks three times, and no one in the history of the sport is better at having horses peak for the biggest races. Her 3-year-old debut in the Las Virgenes didn't go as planned. She got caught up in a speed duel with rival Super Corredora and didn't have enough left in the tank to hold off Meaning. The positive is that she held in there a lot better than Super Corredora, who finished last. She far from embarrassed herself and could easily rebound next out with a better trip.

8) SEARCH PARTY (Gun Runner–Devious Charm, by Into Mischief) O/B-Tracy Farmer (KY); T-Mark Casse. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-2, $276,211. Last Start: Won Feb. 6 Martha Washington Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20.

It took this Mark Casse-trained filly four starts to break her maiden, but since the light bulb went off, she's been good. She won an Oaklawn maiden by six lengths and came right back to win the Martha Washington Stakes by a neck. By Gun Runner out of an Into Mischief mare, she certainly has the pedigree. “Irad (Ortiz, Jr.) rode her in two of the races she lost and he came back both times and apologized,” Casse said. “He said, 'I was the best.' She was breaking just a little slow and then got herself in some trouble. When she broke her maiden at Oaklawn, I thought she was very impressive. In the Martha Washington, she got in a little trouble again, but I thought it was a good performance. I'm not sure it was a great performance, but it was a good performance. If she's going to be an Oaks filly down the road, she's going to have to improve. Her pedigree and her physique say she should get better.”

Search Party | Coady Media

9) DAZZLING DAME (Girvin–Awesome Dama, by Corinthian) O-Respect the Valleys LLC; B-Maria M Haire (MD); T-Brittany T Russell. Sales History: $50,000 RNA wlg '23 KEENOV: $65,000 yrl '24 OBSJAN; $45,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MSW, 5-4-0-0, $240,525. Last Start: Won Jan. 3 Busanda Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 22.

Her 91 Beyer she earned when winning the Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct remains the fastest number turned in so far this year by any 3-year-old filly. She didn't have a published workout from Jan. 23 to Feb. 12, but trainer Brittany Russell reports that the filly is still on track for the Mar. 14 Virginia Oaks at Colonial Downs. Russell has won only six graded stakes in her career, but she's a force in Maryland and is not to be underestimated.

10) SUPER CORREDORA (Gun Runner–Super Simple, by Super Saver) O-Spartan Equine Racing LLC, West Point Thoroughbreds, Robert Gardiner & Michael Olszewki; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds (KY); T-John Sadler. Sales History: $400,000 yrl '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, GISW, 5-2-1-0, $1,099,600. Last Start: Fourth Feb. 8 Las Virgenes Stakes. Kentucky Oaks Points: 34.

Probably too early to give up on a filly that was a GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner and an Eclipse Award winner, but her return effort in the Las Virgenes was just not good. She'll get her chance to show that that race was a fluke in her next start, which will likely be in the Mar. 1 GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes. If she doesn't fare well there, it might be time to consider a sprinting career for her.

The post The TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 For Feb. 19: Bella Ballerina Makes A Big Move appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Saffie Joseph Jr-trained White Abarrio (Race Day) will ship to Oaklawn to target the GII Oaklawn Handicap April 18, his trainer said Wednesday.

Detailing next starts for his stable stars, Joseph said, “White Abarrio is going to come for the Oaklawn Handicap. That's the plan. Dubai is still in play for Skippy, but we haven't come up with a plan yet.”

Last seen finishing runner-up to stablemate Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) in the GI Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park last month, White Abarrio also owns a win in the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic.

While the race is still two months away, last year's Champion 3-year-old and Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) is also possible for the Oaklawn Handicap.

The post White Abarrio To Target Oaklawn Handicap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.