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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is pleased to announce the addition of Thoroughbred horsemen Michael Annechino, Neil Howard, Todd Mostoller and Justin Revak to its Horsemen's Advisory Group. Formed in 2022, this body of racing industry participants provides HISA's executive team and Standing Committees with formal feedback on the evolution of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Its new members succeed outgoing Horsemen's Advisory Group members Timothy Keefe, Maggi Moss, Graham Motion and Kirk Wycoff.

The Horsemen's Advisory Group has 18 members with a wide variety of viewpoints from across the racing industry. Its membership includes trainers, owners, bloodstock agents, horsemen's group representatives and veterinarians.

“We are grateful to Timothy Keefe, Maggi Moss, Graham Motion and Kirk Wycoff for their invaluable contributions to HISA's mission,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Their unwavering dedication and keen insights have played a critical role in advancing HISA's rules, driving meaningful progress for the industry. We are excited to welcome our new members and look forward to learning from their extensive experience as we continue to build a safer and more unified framework for Thoroughbred racing.”

The full list of the Horsemen's Advisory Group members can be found here.

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For the fourth consecutive year, Paul Reddam's Reddam Racing was the leading owner in California by total purse earnings, while Hronis Racing LLC led all California owners by number of victories, according to statistics released Monday by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC).

Runners campaigned in the white-and-blue colors of Reddam Racing in California proved victorious 32 times from 252 starts for total purses of $2,031,442. Among the stable stars were the multiple stakes-winning Stay and Scam, a daughter of Reddam's Square Eddie, who also hit the board in the GIII Wilshire Stakes and GIII Royal Heroine Stakes. Other Reddam colorbearers to earn black-type include Don't Fight the Fed (Nyquist), Stolen Treasure (Nyquist) and Accidental Genius (I'll Have Another).

Hronis collected 35 wins from 142 California starts for earnings of $1,720,310, topped by GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Full Serrano (Arg) (Full Mast), Antifona (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}) and Tapalo (Tapiture).

Cuyathy LLC, owner and breeder of Eclipse Award finalist and top miler Johannes (Nyquist), and the partnership of Sondereker Racing, Kruljac, Fetkin, and Thornburgh each had five stakes wins in 2024. The top earner for the latter partnership is the outstanding Cal-bred sprinter The Chosen Vron (Vronsky).

The post Reddam, Hronis Among 2024 Statistical Leaders In California appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Board of the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen (FTH) met Monday to address HB 105, the pending legislation seeking decoupling in Florida that would allow Gulfstream Park to separate its gaming license from the requirement to continue to conduct live racing.

The Board of the FTH voted unanimously against decoupling and is against the passage of HB 105. Their statement issued Monday reads:

“The future of Thoroughbred racing in South Florida is too important and too uncertain if HB 105 is passed. We cannot take that risk without a definitive plan going forward.

“The organization wants to actively engage and work with 1/ST RACING and Gulfstream regarding the future of racing in South Florida. We have requested a series of meetings with 1/ST and Gulfstream so that the interested parties can collectively come up with a sustainable solution that would be in the best interest of racing.

“Unless and until that solution is developed and agreed upon, the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen will be against decoupling or any legislation that threatens continued Thoroughbred racing in South Florida.”

The FTH joins many of their counterparts in other jurisdictions (THA, KTA) and major industry shareholders such as Hill 'n' Dale Farm's John Sikura, in coming down against the legislation.

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A Letter To The Industry from Damon Thayer

The Florida State Legislature is facing a crossroads similar to what we in Kentucky's General Assembly faced in early 2021. At stake, as it was in Kentucky, is the future of the labor-intensive horseracing and breeding industry in that state.

With strong support from horsemen whose livelihoods were at risk, Kentucky lawmakers passed legislation that allowed the racing industry to invest in itself by protecting tracks' ability to conduct and benefit from another parimutuel product known as historical horse racing (HHR). Today, Kentucky has the strongest racing circuit in America, with tracks creating hundreds of new jobs and billions of dollars in economic investment.

By contrast, passage of Florida's HB 105 would permit Gulfstream Park to sever the legislatively mandated connection between its gaming license and conducting live horse racing.

Gulfstream's ownership, which wants to build a casino and hotel on the property, says that's the only way the historic track will survive for three more years, but unlikely beyond that. But past performances tell another story: it would end horse racing in south Florida and cripple the state's important Thoroughbred breeding industry.

When the Kentucky industry was threatened by a judicial action (a state Supreme Court deciding HHR was unconstitutional after 10 years of favorable legal opinions), it required a legislative remedy. Now racing in Florida is threatened by a desire to change a long-standing legislative remedy designed to help the horse industry to compete with the state's full-blown casinos (currently standing at eight).

Racing is heavily regulated and continues to thrive in states where the industry has a strong relationship with the legislature, where the industry can tell its story and the legislature can make vital decisions about its future and health. Now is the time for everyone who cares about live horse racing and breeding in Florida–and that should include not just the Sunshine State but every other racing jurisdiction–to band together and tell Tallahassee the Florida Thoroughbred industry's story.

According to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association statistics, thoroughbreds alone account for:

 

• $3.24-billion annual economic impact
• 87,600 thoroughbreds in the state
• 33,500 jobs

 

While I'm proud of the strength of Kentucky racing and breeding, I also know that it's important that the industry is strong in other states. It's all part of the North American ecosystem. If the Florida legislature doesn't care about that, lawmakers should care about protecting the tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of thousands of acres of green space within its borders.

The Florida legislature can't force Gulfstream Park to continue live horse racing. But lawmakers shouldn't make it easy to abandon such a vital agri-business, job-creator and tourism attraction. It's important to remember that Gulfstream Park would never have gotten its gaming license in the first place if not for conducting live horse racing.

Pompano Park is the cautionary tale for Florida lawmakers. Once the Standardbred industry's premier winter track, Pompano closed three years ago, one year after decoupling legislation was passed for harness racing.

Breeding horses is a long-term investment. The foals of 2026 resulting from mares that will be bred starting this month won't reach the racetrack until at least 2028, the last year for which Gulfstream Park says it will guarantee live racing if the decoupling legislation is approved. (And if not approved, Gulfstream Park's consultant Keith Brackpool has said the track almost assuredly will close much sooner.)

Just the threat of Gulfstream Park closing in the next few years will take a toll. Uncertainty in the marketplace creates added risk and therefore less investment in any industry, especially those where the payoff is several years away.

Not to diminish the importance of Tampa Bay Downs–a true gem itself with its 4 1/2-month winter racing season and one of my favorite tracks–but there would now be far less incentive to have a mare foal in Florida. A year from now, how many of those mares will be shipped out to give birth in Kentucky, New York, Louisiana or Pennsylvania–pick a state–to take advantage of those states' viable breeders incentives?

HB 105 would devastate Ocala. Marion County's 75,000 horses account for the largest single-county equine population in the United States. Of those, 34,000 are Thoroughbreds. One in five of Marion County's jobs–or 28,500 total employment–involve the horse industry, according to the FTBOA.

It's not just Florida-bred horses and broodmares that are vital to the Florida industry's health. Thousands of young horses are sent there from all over the country to get their earliest training on Florida farms and training centers. Horsemen from all over the East Coast and Midwest reside at least four months over the winter to train and race in Florida, spending millions of dollars in lodging, food, sales tax and horse feed, bedding and supplies.

Just like Kentucky, Florida is an exporter of Thoroughbreds. One example: the Ocala Breeders Sales, among the pre-eminent sellers of 2-year-olds in the world, sold a total 4,147 horses (all ages), fetching a total of $180 million in 2024.

It's the job of government to create an environment where industries can thrive. HB 105 would do just the opposite. There's a way for world-class horse racing to co-exist with a large casino and hotel without sacrificing tens of thousands of jobs, hundreds of thousands of acres of green space and an important tourism magnet.

Florida's legislature should vote for its horse-racing industry by not passing HB 105.

Damon Thayer recently stepped down after 22 years in the Kentucky General Assembly, the last 12 as Senate Majority Floor Leader. He has served in numerous capacities in track management, marketing and publicity, work that continues with his Thayer Communications and Consulting marketing company. Thayer is a partner in racehorses through C.J. Thoroughbreds, including horses racing at Gulfstream Park.

The post As Did Kentucky, Florida Legislature Should Bet On Live Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2022 GII Demoiselle Stakes victress 'TDN Rising Star' Julia Shining (Curlin) has been retired and will be bred to leading sire Into Mischief, according to a tweet by Stonestreet on X.

A full-sister to two-time champion MGISW Malathaat, also a 'Rising Star' for owner Shadwell Stable, Julia Shining claimed her own black-type at the elite level when she ran third in the GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes in 2023 at Keeneland. Her last start was a second-place effort Jan. 11 at Aqueduct in the Listed Ladies Stakes.

Julia Shining and her sister continued a remarkable line of 'TDN Rising Stars' for the family, as their dam GISW Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy) was also a recipient of the moniker as were her half-siblings MGSW Dream Pauline (Tapit) and MSW Atreides (Medaglia d'Oro). Second dam Dream Rush (Wild Rush) was a multiple Grade I winner and twice placed at the highest level as well.

“Welcome home, Julia Shining!” read the X statement. “This graded stakes winning daughter of champion Curlin and the remarkable MGSW Dreaming of Julia is officially joining our broodmare band! She will be bred to Into Mischief.”

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The catalogue for the OBS March sale has been released and is now available online.

The three-day sale will run from Mar. 11 to Mar. 13 and each session will begin at 11:00 a.m. HIPS 1-272 will go through the ring Mar. 11, then 273-544 the day after, and lastly 545-814. The under-tack show will begin Mar. 5 and run through Mar. 8 starting at 8:00 a.m. each day. The show, and subsequent sale, will both be streamed live via the OBS website as well as the TDN.

There will also be a new entry option of “gallop only” where sellers may enter their horses with the designation and which will be reflected on the catalogue page. There is an iPad version available via the Equineline Sales Catalog app. The full catalogue is available here.

Online bidding will be offered during the March sale and buyers are encouraged to go to the OBS website to register to gain bidding approval. The bidding screen will be accessible from there with approved credentials. For information on registration or online bidding, please go here.

The 2024 OBS March sale claimed several noteworthy runners last season, including GISW Gaming (Game Winner); GISW Scottish Lassie (McKinzie); $1.8-million graduate GSW Nooni (Win Win Win); $1.3-million buy MGISP Ferocious (Flatter), who finished fourth Feb. 1 in the GIII Holy Bull Stakes on seasonal bow; and $1.2-million purchase Sandman (Tapit), recently seen running second Jan. 25 in the GIII Southwest Stakes after a troubled beginning.

Also a two-time OBS graduate is MGISW White Abarrio (Race Day), who was last seen putting on a masterclass in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park. The grey claimed the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic and is a winner at the elite level a total of four times.

The post OBS March Catalogue Available Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Maryland stallion season online auction to benefit the Maryland Horse Foundation will be held from Feb. 9 to Feb. 12, the group announced Monday via press release.

Seasons to 12 stallions will be offered, including Blofeld (Quality Road), Bourbon Courage (Lion Heart), Cupid (Tapit), Divining Rod (Tapit), Engage (Into Mischief), Friesian Fire (A.P. Indy), Galawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Holy Boss (Street Boss), Kobe's Back (Flatter), Mosler (War Front), and Warrant (Constitution). The proceeds of the auction will support the operations of the Maryland Horse Foundation to serve the various educational and charitable needs of the Maryland horse industry.

To register to bid and view the catalogue, please go here.

The post Maryland Stallion Season Online Auction Set for Feb. 9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Submissions for the Friday, May 2 Kentucky Oaks Survivors Parade are now being accepted, Churchill Downs announced Monday morning.

This year's event will honor 150 Breast and Ovarian cancer survivors and fighters with tickets for the recipient, plus one guest, to attend the 151st Kentucky Oaks to participate in the march on the track. Those who have overcome or are battling a breast or ovarian cancer diagnosis, who have never participated in the Oaks Survivors Parade, may submit their story here until Friday Feb. 28. Those who are nominating a potential participant should share the submission link directly with the candidate so they may submit the relevant information.

The 17th Survivors Parade at Churchill Downs will feature and support Derby Divas through the Norton Cancer Institute Breast Health Program and Horses And Hope through Kentucky Cancer Program. Both organizations provide critical services that help deliver care to underserved women across the region, including on the backside of racetracks in Kentucky, who lack access to screenings and services. Over the last 16 years, the Kentucky Oaks charitable initiative has raised more than $1-million to drive awareness and life-saving interventions.

As was the case in 2024, this year's parade participants will be chosen randomly rather than by public vote to optimize equal opportunity or consideration. Winners will be announced Friday, Mar. 7.

For more information on the parade or the charitable partners, please go here.

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Robert Croteau has been named as the next general manager of Fair Hill Training Center (FHTC) in Maryland, it was announced via press release Monday morning.

Tapped to succeed Sally Goswell, who retired after almost 30 years in the position, Croteau began his position effective Feb. 1 while Goswell stays on as a consultant to ease the transition.

“I always thought Fair Hill Training Center was a great concept and to actually be involved with something like that is exciting,” said Croteau, himself the son of a Thoroughbred trainer, and who's held positions in several facets of the equine industry. “Racing is going through changes, and I think there's opportunity for places like Fair Hill. I want to help it be all it can be, but I'm very aware I'm standing on the shoulders of giants. They've done all the hard work.”

FHTC was founded in 1983 and includes 18 privately owned barns with 700 Thoroughbreds calling it home at peak capacity. The common areas comprise of a one-mile dirt track, seven-furlong Tapeta track, access to fields in the surrounding 5,600-acre state-managed area, and a starting gate crew, among others.

“We thank Sally for her service to FHTC as general manager, and going back further, as a barn owner with her husband Mike,” said Bruce Jackson, president of the Fair Hill Condominium Association, which leases the property from the state of Maryland's Department of Natural Resources. “Sally's fingerprints are on everything at FHTC and has been a key to our success for many years. We're thrilled to have her involved and look forward to Robert growing into the role with Sally's valuable input.”

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Preparing to make their sophomore debut in the GII Risen Star Stakes on Louisiana Derby Preview Day, both Jonathan's Way (Vekoma) and East Avenue (Medaglia d'Oro) breezed at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Saturday.

The nine-furlong Kentucky Derby prep will award 50-25-15-10-5 Derby points to the top five finishers.

Firing the bullet for his trainer Phil Bauer, Rigney Racing's Jonathan's Way breezed 5/8ths in 1:00.20 on Saturday, going in company with stablemate Kalahari Dreams.

“[Jonathan's Way] sat right off of him going away from the pole,” Bauer said of the TDN Rising Star. “He left around a length behind, loomed up and running through the wire was starting to be the best without much encouragement. They finished up really well. I was as happy as I could be with the breeze, especially with the gallop out.”

Jose Ortiz has been up for the Ohio-bred's last three drills, and Bauer confirmed that current meet-leading jockey has been named to ride Jonathan's Way in the Risen Star.

“I told Jose [Ortiz] don't let him get lazy on you, so he just flagged him with his whip right when they hit the 7/8ths pole, and he put three lengths on [Kalahari Dreams] like it was nothing,” Bauer said. “He went to the backside, switched to his right lead, Jose flagged him one more time and he had one more gear. We're right where we want to be.”

Saturday's work was Jonathan's Way fifth locally and his third published drill going five furlongs.

“I thought the move last week was very good but he left his company too early in the breeze and he got to idling on us so I wanted to make sure he stayed true to it yesterday and it was exactly what we wanted,” Bauer said. “Fingers crossed we'll just keep him happy next weekend, all the hard work is done. We're excited to get him back to the races.”

Having earned 10 qualifying points with a win in the GIII Iroquois Stakes last fall, Jonathan's Way added 5 more with a second in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club.

East Avenue's penultimate drill ahead of his 3-year-old debut in the Risen Star was a solo move from the gates under Edgar Morales. The Godolphin homebred trained by Brendan Walsh went four furlongs in :48.80 and galloped out in 1:01.40.

“He worked very nicely,” Walsh said. “I'm very pleased with him and he should be just about as ready as we can have him off the layoff in the Risen Star, with some room to improve, too.”

Two works back, East Avenue breezed five furlongs in :59.40, going fastest of 44 on Friday, Jan. 17. in company with stablemates Bruhn and Initialize.

“His work two back was really good,” Walsh said. “I had him sit behind horses and he really finished up well.”

Jockey Declan Cannon was up for the move.

“He moved by them so easily,” Cannon said of the Jan. 17 workout. “He didn't even blow. Those are two quality horses, but he is special. He couldn't be doing any better.”

Walsh confirmed that jockey Tyler Gaffalione has been named to ride East Avenue in the Risen Star. Gaffalione was up for the colt's last two races, including his win in the GI Breeders' Futurity, where he secured 10 Derby qualifying points.

The post Risen Star-Bound Duo Jonathan’s Way Fires Bullet, East Avenue Breezes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

C2 Racing Stable, Agave Racing Stable and Ken Reimer's reigning champion sprint mare Soul of an Angel (Atreides) breezed four furlongs Sunday at Gulfstream ahead of an intended tilt at the $20-million GI Saudi Cup Feb. 22.

Trained by Championship Meet leader Saffie Joseph Jr., 6-year-old was timed in :47.80 seconds on the main track, ranking 13th of 70 horses. It was her third work since finishing third in the Rampart Stakes Dec. 26.

“She had a good half-mile work. We put her in company to pick it up a bit,” Joseph said. “She came out of the last race well. The last one was a prep for this one. She's in good order. We'll find out in a day or two if she's going to get in or not.”

The Saudi Cup is contested at 1,800 meters, approximately 1 1/8 miles, around one turn at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

“We're still kind of waiting a bit to see if we get in to Saudi. They told us we were likely invited, and then said we were on the reserve list,” Joseph said. “She's the third reserve right now, so we're waiting to see what happens.”

Soul of an Angel earned the Eclipse Award as North America's champion female sprinter of 2024 after finishing third or better in eight of 11 starts with four wins highlighted by the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Nov. 2 at Del Mar. Soul of an Angel earned an automatic berth in the race for her victory in Gulfstream's GIII Princess Rooney Invitational Sept. 21.

“That's a great achievement for her,” Joseph said. “We're very thankful to have our first champion.”

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There were no secrets heading into the GIII Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita Sunday afternoon. Carded early in the program, the short three-horse field was a headed by a pair of pricey Bob Baffert runners–GI Del Mar Debutante winner Tenma (Nyquist), campaigned by Boama Corp. and Speedway Stables' Cipriani (Bernardini), named a TDN Rising Star following an 8 1/4-length victory in Arcadia last October. When the dust had settled, it was the hotly-backed 2-5 choice Tenma that proved best on the day.

The win earned Tenma 20 additional qualifying points for this year's GI Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.

Breaking alertly, Tenma sprinted into the first turn and momentarily allowed 4-1 chance Just As Fancy to assume a narrow advantage while fellow Baffert-trained Cipriani lingered far back in the short three-horse field through a :23.05 quarter. Overtaking her stubborn rival exiting the far turn, the $850,000 OBS April purchase was given some encouragement by Juan Hernandez straightening for home, however, it proved unnecessary as her stablemate, an $875,000 OBSMAR graduate, did her best to close on the free-running frontrunner, but could come no closer than 6 1/2 lengths at the wire. Just as Fancy was a long way off in third.

“She broke beautiful today,” Hernandez said of Tenma. “This filly is getting really professional. Before she was a little rank sometimes, getting out. But this time she went beautifully. She put herself in a good spot. I was outside and had a good position. I was enjoying my trip, then at the quarter pole she switched leads and kicked off to the wire.”

Earning a narrow score at Del Mar last August, Tenma nosed out Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) in the Del Mar Debutante the following month. A distant third in the 1 1/16-mile Oak Leaf Oct. 5, she rounded out her juvenile season with a 1 3/4-length score over subsequent Santa Ynez Stakes winner Look Forward (Bolt d'Oro) in the GII Starlet Dec. 7.

“She has been maturing,” Baffert said. “Her worst race was in the Oak Leaf before the Breeders' Cup. I didn't feel like she was mature enough to run in the Breeders' Cup, but now she has come a long way.”

Of the runner-up, Baffert added, “The [Cipriani], she is just really green and just figuring it out. You will see a big improvement out of her.”

 

Pedigree Notes:
Tenma is out of Amagansett, an unraced daughter of Tapit who boasts a stacked European influence stemming from her dam SW and MGSP Twirl (Ire). Purchased for $875,000 by Bobby Flay at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale in 2018 before reselling for $400,000, in foal to Not This Time, at Fasig's Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale in 2023, the daughter of Galileo (Ire) is a full-sister to Irish Highweight 2 and 3yo filly Misty For Me (Ire), a four-time Group 1 winner–herself responsible for multiple Group 1 scorers U S Navy Flag (War Front) and Roly Poly (War Front)–in addition to Group 1 heroine Ballydoyle (Ire).

Subsequent to Tenma, Amagansett produced a colt by Munnings in 2023 and was not bred back for 2024.

 

There was never a doubt that TENMA ($2.40) and @JJHernandezS19 were the winners of the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes (G3) at @SantaAnitaPark. She added 20 more points to the Kentucky Oaks for trainer @BobBaffert and owners @BaomaCorp. pic.twitter.com/YSlxmOS5Bq

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 2, 2025

Sunday, Santa Anita
FASIG-TIPTON LAS VIRGENES S.-GIII, $92,000, Santa Anita, 2-2, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:38.31, ft.
1–TENMA, 124, f, 3, by Nyquist
           1st Dam: Amagansett, by Tapit
           2nd Dam: Twirl (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
           3rd Dam: Butterfly Cove, by Storm Cat
($200,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP; $850,000 2yo '24 OBSAPR). O-Baoma Corp; B-B Flay Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $429,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cipriani, 120, f, 3, Bernardini–Salamera, by Successful Appeal. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($875,000 2yo '24 OBSMAR). 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Speedway Stables LLC; B-EICO Ventures (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $20,000.
3–Just as Fancy, 120, f, 3, Volatile–Clarendon Fancy, by Malibu Moon. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($285,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG). O-James K. Allender; B-Wynnstay Inc. & H. Allen Poindexter (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. $12,000.
Margins: 6HF, 17 3/4, NO. Odds: 0.20, 4.20, 4.50.
Also Ran: Lolo Le Plume. Scratched: Our Moonlight.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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J. Stable, St. Elias Stable, West Point Thoroughbreds and CJ Stables' Sandman (Tapit), who overcame a tangled start in the Jan. 25 GIII Southwest Stakes before closing from the back to finish second under Cristian Torres, will make his next start in the Feb. 22 GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, confirmed Mark Casse Sunday.

Casse also said Sandman will remain at Oaklawn, where the trainer has a string in Hot Springs for the first time since 2019. The Rebel is Oaklawn's final major prep for the $1.5-million GI Arkansas Derby at 1 1/8 miles Mar. 29.

“He's one of the reasons I came there,” Casse said. “This is the first time in some time. That was a real interrupted schedule, as well, training. So many things the way he ran were good. We're staying there. That is our path to the [Kentucky] Derby. It will be the Rebel next.”

Of his Southwest effort, the Hall of Famer added, “I was just happy that he was fine,” Casse said of the one-length defeat. “I've been doing this for a long time and watched a lot of horses run, good horses that could never overcome the break that he had to even hit the board. So, I think: 1) hats off to Cristian. Not really sure how he stayed on and 2) he didn't panic. He let the horse get himself together and the rest goes to Sandman. I said going in we're going to find out whether he's a man or a boy and I think he's a man.”

The 1 1/16-mile Southwest was Oaklawn's second of four Kentucky Derby qualifying races. The Southwest allotted 42 total points (20-10-6-4-2, respectively) to the top five finishers toward Kentucky Derby starting eligibility.

Sandman, a $1.2 million at the OBS March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training purchase, ran fifth in the GIII Iroquois at one mile Sept. 14 and third in the GIII Street Sense at 1 1/16 miles Oct. 27. Both races were at Churchill Downs.

“He did [everything but win] and probably more,” Casse said of the Southwest. “Obviously, you're disappointed when you miss the opportunity to win a big race, a million-dollar race, but we came away with so many positives that it's hard to be very disappointed.”

Sandman was assigned a career-high 92 Beyer Speed Figure for the Southwest, a three-point improvement over his previous best, which came in a 1 ¾-length allowance victory at 1 mile Dec. 13 at Oaklawn to close his five-race 2-year-old campaign.

Sandman only had two half-mile workouts in advance of the Southwest after Oaklawn lost more than 10 days of training earlier in January to winter weather.

Sandman galloped 1 ½ miles Sunday morning and will probably work next weekend, said Caden Arthur, who oversees Casse's Oaklawn division.

The Rebel will offer 105 total points (50-25-15-10-5, respectively) to the top five finishes toward the Kentucky Derby, which is limited to 20 starters.

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The product of late owner/breeder Stephen Brunetti's love for horses will be on display when his family's homebred grade 1 winner Unbridled Mo and her yearling colt by Curlin enter the ring Feb. 3 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale.

Since 1976, second-generation track photographer Lou Hodges Jr. has captured horse racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and at age 76, he has decided to retire. 

A month into 2025, trainer Dan Blacker is back winning graded stakes in California, this time with My Way Racing's El Potente, who blitzed a mile on firm turf in 1:32.39 in taking the $102,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3T) Feb. 1 at Santa Anita Park.

A classic pace meltdown in the Feb. 1 $155,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) played right into the hands of a waiting Eclatant, who exerted her superiority late with a 1 1/4-length score.

A less-than-ideal break from the gate forced jockey Edgard Zayas to change his plan of attack with Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Burnham Square, who nevertheless persevered to capture the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) Feb. 1 at Gulfstream Park.

In winning his 13th Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and seventh straight, Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert best summed up the performance from Citizen Bull during a postrace television interview, saying, "The champ is back."

Perhaps in two months trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will start focusing on the Kentucky Derby (G1). For now anyway, he's quite content to know he has an exciting 3-year-old in Captain Cook who can be pointed to another lucrative stakes.