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Mary Rampellini, a long-time correspondent for the Daily Racing Form, passed away on Saturday, July 4, reported the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters on Monday. She was 53.

According to DRF, the reporter and handicapper succumbed to complications from sepsis in a hospital in Grapevine, Texas.

Rampellini, the daughter of horseman Ralph Rampellini, who managed the racing stables of Nelson Bunker Hunt and John Franks, was also the author of the Ollie the Oaklawn Owl series, children's books aimed at educating a younger audience about the sport.

“All who came in contact with Mary were uplifted by her kindness and positivity,” read a NTWAB release.

Rampellini is survived by her mother, Patricia; sisters Anna and Christina; and her brother, Ralph. Her father died in 2023.     Funeral services are pending.

The Rampellini Family asks the racing community to share a prayer, memory, or story about Mary. Please mail a letter to:

Mary Rampellini and Family

P.O. Box 462

Roanoke, Texas 76262

The post Turf Writer, Author Mary Rampellini Passes Away at 53 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

   Editor's note: On the heels of our `name one problem with racing and how you would fix it' series, bloodstock agent Liz Crow suggested that the TDN charge people with naming something that racing does right. We loved the idea, and suggested that she blaze the trail. Interested in participating in the series? Email garyking@thetdn.com with your submission.

The best thing about racing is the people.

The grooms, hotwalkers, trainers, owners all from different countries and backgrounds coming together and rooting for the same horse and celebrating the same win shoulder to shoulder in the winner's circle. It is hard to think of another industry that offers that conglomerate of people. Each person playing a key role in getting the horse there.

One of my favorite parts of the job is learning from the many owners we get to interact with. Almost every horse owner is exceptional at something. They had to be to create the success that allows them to own racehorses as a hobby. I love hearing how they built their companies, how they lead people, how they think through problems. Every owner has a different story and a different perspective, and I've learned lessons from many of them that have nothing to do with horses.

When I worked on the backside, the grooms, exercise riders, assistants, hotwalkers, veterinarians and blacksmiths all have stories that are just as remarkable. This is a seven-day-a-week profession. There are no holidays, no Christmas, no Thanksgiving, definitely no weekends, but also no complaining. For most, this is the only place they want to be. I don't think you will find harder-working people in any industry than at the backside of a racetrack.

What makes racing special is that all of those worlds collide.

Where else do people from every economic background, every education level and every corner of the world have a common interest or goal? Where else do men and women compete directly against each other as trainers, jockeys, owners, breeders? Colts and fillies compete on the same stage. Almost every other sport is divided by gender, but ours isn't.

And despite being fiercely competitive, racing has a remarkable way of coming together when it matters most. When a groom gets sick, a rider is injured, or a trainer's family is facing hardship, the industry rallies. Fundraisers appear overnight. We spend every day trying to beat each other, but when someone in our community needs help, we show up.

At the center of all of it is the horse.

The horse has a unique ability to unite people who otherwise might never cross paths. That blend of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives creates a community unlike any other. Sometimes we can forget that our industry while plagued with it's fair share of problems has a lot of wonderful things going for it.

Now if only we could use this superpower to solve our problems by using all of the different opinions and perspectives, then we might really be on to something. But this is a positive piece, so I will say I love the melting pot of people this industry brings.

The post The Best Thing About Racing: The People appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Dr. and Mrs. William E. Riddle Jr. bred both the grand and reserve champions at the second annual Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association Yearling Show, which took place June 20 at Brandywine Polo Club. Four classes of Pennsylvania-sired and non-sired males and fillies competed for a share of $1,000 per class, as well as an overall $1,000 prize for Grand Champion and $500 for Reserve Champion. This year's show was judged by Rick Abbott, who recently received PHBA's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Abbott named the Riddles' Golden Lad filly out of Zelica (Offlee Wild) his grand champion, while the couple's Cloud Computing filly out of Flatter's Secret (Flatter) was named Reserve Champion.

All participants of the Yearling Show became automatically eligible for up to $40,000 in incentives during their racing careers. The highest-earning 2-year-olds of 2027 and 3-year-olds of 2028, regardless of where the money is won, will take home a share of $20,000 at the end of each year.

The post Riddles Sweep PHBA Yearling Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The sixth annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day on Friday, July 24, at Saratoga Race Course will recognize racetrack ponies. Photo: Marie Kizenko

Press release courtesy of Take2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program 

There are many second-career opportunities for retired racehorses. Some head to the breeding shed to produce the next generation of potential stars, some become show horses, some help humans through equine-assisted therapy programs – and some provide support to their fellow Thoroughbreds, accompanying them in training and to the starting gate in the essential role of racetrack pony. This year, New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day will honor the former racehorses who now serve as ponies.

This sixth annual New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day will be held Friday, July 24, in conjunction with the $200,000 Rick Violette Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. More than a dozen racetrack ponies will parade before the first race on AftercareDay, sporting saddle towels that show off their racing names, and one will be named as this year’s winner of the Down Broadway Award for the Retired Racehorse of the Year.

The event was created by the New York Racing Association (NYRA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), New York Thoroughbred Breeders (NYTB), and New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund (NYTBDF) in 2021 to highlight the New York Thoroughbred industry’s commitment to aftercare. Collectively, the state’s owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys and NYRA contribute more than $1.8 million to aftercare efforts each year.

“New York leads the way when it comes to coordinated Thoroughbred aftercare efforts, and this is a day to celebrate that success and pay tribute to the organizations working to re-home and re-train these athletes,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP of Racing & Operations. “We thank NYTHA, NYTB and the Fund for helping to establish the annual Thoroughbred Aftercare Day at Saratoga, and our many partners in the aftercare community.”

NYTHA President Tina Marie Bond said, “There is a lingering misconception that the racing industry does not have a structure in place to provide for safe retirement for our racehorses. That couldn’t be further from the truth. All of the stakeholders in the Thoroughbred industry in New York are united in our support, both financial and organizational, of aftercare, and this event is the perfect opportunity to showcase both our efforts and our retired racehorses.”

Tracy Egan, Executive Director of the Breeding Fund, added, “As you watch yesterday’s racehorses performing professionally today as ‘track ponies,’ you will gain a better understanding of why we are confident that ex-racehorses can make the best equine partners, whether you want a backyard riding horse or a top-level hunter or jumper.”

“We are proud to once again join with NYTHA, NYRA, and the Fund in celebrating New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day. This day reflects our industry’s shared commitment to the lifelong care and well-being of our equine athletes while highlighting the many organizations that support Thoroughbreds after their time on the racetrack. We are especially pleased to recognize racetrack ponies this year, whose continued service and dedication exemplify the versatility, intelligence, and lasting value of the Thoroughbred,” said Najja Thompson, NYTB Executive Director.

In addition to the Racetrack Pony Parade, representatives of ACTT Naturally, Long Shadows Charitable Foundation, Lucky Orphans, New Vocations, Old Friends at Cabin Creek, Second Chance Thoroughbreds, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, and Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation will be on hand in the Community Booth behind the jockeys’ quarters from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to talk about their efforts on behalf of New York’s retired racehorses. There will also be interviews and videos about aftercare aired throughout the day.

The Rick Violette Stakes was named in memory of the late NYTHA President, who championed the aftercare cause during his tenure at the helm of the horsemen’s association. Violette launched the TAKE2 Program, a second-career incentive program that provides awards and prize money in Thoroughbred-only Hunter and Jumper classes across the country; and TAKE THE LEAD, which works with owners and trainers to find homes with accredited aftercare organizations for horses retiring from the NYRA circuit.

“TAKE THE LEAD will soon reach a milestone, with 1,500 horses transitioned to second careers through our program since we started,” said TAKE2/TAKE THE LEAD President Rick Schosberg. “Rick brought Thoroughbred retirement to the forefront in New York, and it’s an honor to carry out his mission.”

The post New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day – A Salute to Racetrack Ponies July 24 appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

The 2-1 favorite Zulu Kingdom engaged in a thrilling stretch duel with pacesetter Mi Bago, ultimately catching him at the wire for a dead-heat win in the 1-mile Kelso Stakes (G3T) July 5 at Saratoga Race Course.

NYRA will welcome more than 200 4-H members from across New York State to participate in an immersive day of learning designed to introduce young people with interests in agriculture, animal science, and equine care to Thoroughbred racing.

In Beyond the Bidding, BloodHorse sales editor Olivia Newman takes a look at notable trends, accomplishments, and personalities around the North American sales scene.

European shippers swept Saturday's Grade 1 events at Saratoga Race Course with Title Role taking the $750,000 Belmont Derby and Kensington Lane dominating the $600,000 Belmont Oaks.

The final time of 4:30.45 was more than a full second faster than the previous mark of 4:31.57 set in 2014 by subsequent grade 1-winner All the Way Jose in a 14 1/4-length allowance romp.

Calandagan returned to winning ways with a hard-fought success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) July 5 at Saint-Cloud Racecourse.

Field of Gold, Europe's champion 3-year-old miler, has been retired from racing as of July 5 and will begin a new chapter at stud with Juddmonte in 2027.

Twenty Six Black streaks home in Sunday’s Harvey Pack Stakes. Chelsea Durand/ Coglianese Photo

The late, great Harvey Pack – New York racing’s television, radio and handicapping seminar host for decades – used to close shows with, “May the horse be with you.”

Sunday’s Harvey Pack Stakes winner Twenty Six Black has been with owner/breeder Roger Cimbora Jr. and trainer Horacio De Paz every step of the way.

The 6-year-old War Dancer gelding showed it again with a 2 3/4-length score in the $200,000 turf sprint at Saratoga Race Course. The win was his eighth win from 20 starts to go with five seconds and two thirds in a career that started in 2022. He also improved to 9-3-3-1 on the turf at Saratoga while collecting his first open-company stakes score after placing in three.

“I love him,” De Paz said. “He’s such a consistent horse.”

Manny Franco rode the winner, who exited from post four in the eight-horse field. Squeezed leaving the gate and shuffled back to sixth on the backstretch as 2025 Pack winner Bring Theband Home set a pressured pace, Twenty Six Black advanced around the turn and took over at the three-sixteenths pole. From there, he built the lead to 2 3/4 lengths after 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:00.49. Possiblemente finished second with Coppola third. The first quarter-mile went in :20.90, making Twenty Six Black’s spot 7 lengths behind the right spot in the early stages.

“I saw him check a little bit and I was concerned about that a little bit, but it was probably the best thing that could happen because the pace was pretty fast,” De Paz said. “And then he comes with that run, it was good.”

Franco was content to let Twenty Six Black use his stalking tactics.

“I knew there was a lot of speed in the race. That pace was good for the way my horse runs,” Franco said. “I was a little bit worried and concerned with the way the track is, but at the same time, I rode my horse the way he likes. I didn’t change anything.”

Out of the First Dude mare Brazo de Oro, Twenty Six Black is a half-brother to stakes-placed Can’t Fool Me and joined Mi Bago as a New York-bred to win stakes on the card after the latter dead-heated with Zulu Kingdom in the Grade 3 Kelso two races earlier. With the $110,000 payday, Twenty Six Black pushed his career earnings to $797,310.

“Kudos to the owner,” De Paz said. “That mare has been so consistent . . . for him to be a racehorse like this gives everybody hope.”

Also bred by Cimbora, Brazo de Oro lost both starts on the track before rejoining her breeder and becoming a broodmare. In addition to Can’t Fool Me and Twenty Six Black, she has produced three-time winner Happy Hill Lil, June allowance winner A Little At First (a full-brother to Twenty Six Black) and unraced 2-year-old colt Raise the Roof (by Tourist). Cimbora raced Brazo de Oro’s dam Musical Brew, a stakes-placed daughter of Milwaukee Brew.

 

The post Twenty Six Black rolls in Harvey Pack appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Mi Bago (inside) and Zulu Kingdom hit the finish together Sunday in the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Coglianese Photo/Chelsea Durand.

Mi Bago added another significant bullet point on his resume with a dead-heat victory Sunday in the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes at Saratoga Race Course.

Gary Barber’s 4-year-old Vekoma gelding went to the lead as expected from the start and stayed there throughout, only yielding his advantage briefly to the hard-charging Zulu Kingdom before battling back to finish on even terms at the end of the 1-mile turf stakes. Officials studied and analyzed the photo finish and after a lengthy wait, put up both runners’ numbers.

“They posted the winner as the ‘one’ [Zulu Kingdom] and then they put up the dead heat,” co-winning trainer Mark Casse said. “Normally, it’s the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat. I went from the agony of defeat to the thrill of victory. I’m happy. I was saying out there, ‘I’ll take half of it, I’m not greedy.’ ”

Mi Bago returned to graded company for the first time since last year’s Grade 1 Ainsworth Franklin-Simpson Stakes at Kentucky Downs and came away with his first graded stakes score. He also returned to open company after winning the Kingston Stakes on New York Showcase Day last month at Saratoga in similar style he employed in the Kelso.

Jose Ortiz, also aboard for the 4 1/2-length win in the Kingston, guided Mi Bago to the lead early and clicked off splits of :24.19 and :48.51 ahead of fellow New York-bred Itsallcomintogetha.

Mi Bago, a four-time stakes winner in open company at 2 in 2024 and at 3 in 2025, continued to lead onto the far turn and past 6 furlongs in 1:12.13. Grade 1 winner Zulu Kingdom, the 2-1 favorite in the field of 10, surged on the outside turning into the stretch under Flavien Prat.

“I wasn’t expecting to go that easy,” Ortiz said of the early going. “He was traveling very well the first part and when I asked to him go, he exploded.”

Mi Bago and Zulu Kingdom flashed past 7 furlongs in 1:23.16 and slugged it out inside the final sixteenth to finish in 1:34.08.

“I thought it was very close honestly,” Ortiz said. “[Zulu Kingdom] put a head in front of me and then I kind of came back. I was a little anxious that it [the photo] took so long. When the numbers started flashing [to show a dead heat], it felt pretty good.”

Mi Bago improved to 8-for-18 with the victory and picked up $84,375 to boost his bankroll to $790,275. Bred by Highclere Inc. and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Mi Bago is the fifth winner produced by the unraced New York-bred Indian Charlie mare Wabanaki.

“He’s an overachiever,” Casse said. “You wish all horses were as tough as he is.”

A $62,000 short yearling purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February mixed sale in 2023, Mi Bago was a $90,000 RNA later that year at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Mi Bago won his debut going 5 furlongs on the dirt at Colonial Downs for CM Thoroughbreds and trainer Carlos Munoz before Barber purchased him privately. Transferred to Casse, Mi Bago finished sixth in the Funny Cide Stakes on the dirt before his Hall of Fame trainer changed surfaces. Mi Bago responded with a win a few weeks later, taking the Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine. He later won three stakes on turf and synthetic to end his 2-year-old season and start his 3-year-old campaign – the Pulpit, Dania Beach and Colonel Laim – at Gulfstream Park.

Mi Bago lost six straight before an optional-claiming score in January at Gulfstream Park, then finished eighth in back-to-back starts in the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita Park and Opening Verse at Churchill Downs. The Kingston – also on firm turf at Saratoga, like the Kelso – got the gelding back on track.

Wabanaki is also the dam of seven-time winner and $227,242-earner Lady Macho (by Mucho Macho Man) and winners What Mightavebeen (Freud), Dawnland (Jimmy Creed), Weyron (Goldencents) and Fast Chaz (Fast Anna). Wabanaki did not produce a foal in 2023 or 2024. She’s the dam of the yearling Highly Motivated colt Carbonator and a filly by Vekoma born April 2.

The post Worth the wait: Mi Bago secures dead-heat win in Kelso appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Though she didn't threaten her own track record of 1:14.32, set last year, Sweet Azteca dominated her rivals in the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) July 4 at Los Alamitos Race Course.

The Gustavo Rodriguez-trained Phileas Fogg storms to a dominant wire-to-wire victory in the Suburban Stakes (G2) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course, defeating 2025 Dubai World Cup (G1) winner Hit Show and 2025 Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic.

Title Role held on by the slimmest of margins to win the Belmont Derby (G1T) July 4 at Saratoga Race Course over West End Kid for trainers Simon and Ed Crisford.

Kensington Lane, acquired this spring with the hope that she could become a group/grade 1 winner, makes good on those expectations by upsetting the $600,000 Belmont Oaks (G1T) July 4 at Saratoga.

Trainer Steve Asmussen sees some similarities between Booked and the 2-year-old colt's sire Yaupon.

John Parisella, a colorful horseman who trained winners over 47 consecutive years during a career that produced 1,241 victories, dies at age 85.

Constitution River picks up his second group 1 victory when taking the July 4 Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park.