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Talk to Me Jimmy collects 20 points toward a potential run in the Kentucky Derby with dominating score in the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo.

Talk to Me Jimmy added his name to the list of potential Kentucky Derby runners with a powerful front-running victory in Friday’s $200,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct.

Co-owned by SEI Thoroughbreds’ and trainer Rudy Rodriguez, the 3-year-old son of Modernist made the successful jump from the maiden ranks to stakes company and stretched out to two turns for the first time in the 9-furlong Withers. He also picked up 20 points toward a spot in the starting gate for the Kentucky Derby, giving his connections plenty of reason to dream about the “Run for the Roses” in May at Churchill Downs.

“We’re new to this, so we’ll let it come to us and do our best,” said Dustin Pusatere of SEI Thoroughbreds. “There’s a lot of heavy-hitters, and we’re one of many trying [to get to the Derby]. It’s not bad beating Gun Runner’s half-brother [Ottinho].”

A $24,000 RNA as a weanling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Talk to Me Jimmy was purchased by Rodriguez for $31,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September yearling sale. He made his debut in late September at Aqueduct, finishing second in an off-the-turf 1-mile state-bred maiden before a victory in a 1-mile state-bred maiden November 9 at the Big A.

Rodriguez said the colt “had a little setback in the beginning” but praised his partners for their patience leading up to one of New York’s main preps for the Grade 2 Wood Memorial and Kentucky Derby.

“We always thought he wants to go long,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a nice, solid little horse. We picked up this horse at Keeneland, him and Exhibition Only [winner of Thursday’s third race at Aqueduct] and a couple other ones, and we’ve been very lucky. … They [the owners] have been very, very patient. I’m just happy they stayed with us through this part because everything was in the air. Thank God everything worked out for a reason.”

Ruben Silvera put Talk to Me Jimmy, the 12-1 sixth choice in the field of seven, on the lead shortly after brushing with Mailata at the start.

Talk to Me Jimmy clicked off splits of :23.96 and :48.18 early under mild pressure from 3-2 favorite Schoolyardsuperman with Mailata, Ottinho and fellow New York-bred Fourth and One up close.

Silvera, who said he tried holding Talk to Me Jimmy as much as possible early, led the colt open up by 3 lengths through 6 furlongs in 1:12.47 and they continued to run from rivals around the far turn to the stretch. Talk to Me Jimmy led by 6 1/2 lengths in midstretch and widened from there, winning by 11 lengths in 1:51.68 over the fast track.

“It was his first time at the distance,” Silvera said. “I saw a lot of speed in the race. Let me break and see what happens in the beginning because I don’t want to rush too much. My horse breaks good. I tried holding, I tried waiting until the stretch, but I feel like I have a lot of horse at the three-eighths, so I wait a little, but in the stretch [we went].”

Talk to Me Jimmy also picked up $110,000 for the win to pad his bankroll to $163,600. Grittiness rallied to finish second, a half-length ahead of Ottinho with Schoolyardsuperman fourth. Star Sweeper, Fourth and One and Mailata completed the field.

Rodriguez, who said Talk to Me Jimmy grabbed a right front quarter in the race, would try to target the $750,000 Wood Memorial April 4. That race offers 100 points to the winner and basically an automatic bid into the Derby.

“Probably, we’ll point to that,” Rodriguez said. “This was a big test for him and we’ll just skip the other one [the Grade 3 Gotham, February 28 at Aqueduct] and point for the Wood.”

Bred by Majestic View Farms International, Talk to Me Jimmy is the fifth foal out of the 10-time winning Trippi mare Prairie Trip. She’s also the dam of four other New York-bred winners – Trip Ups (by Big Brown), Prairie Tales (Forty Tales), God Still Loves Me (Bellamy Road) and Senor Pickles (Redesdale).

The post Talk to Me Jimmy scoots to Withers Stakes score appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

After being implemented and put into effect on Thursday, NYRA, citing a need to upgrade its tote system, announced Friday that the new “guardrail rails” put in place regarding Computer Assisted Wagering (CAW) will not go into effect until Feb. 11. With winter weather having knocked out the Saturday and Sunday cards at Aqueduct, the 11th is the next scheduled day of racing.

“The guardrails requiring CAW activity to cease at 1 MTP have been suspended today to allow for technical upgrades to the tote system,” read a NYRA statement. “The win pool, Late Pick 5 and Pick 6 restrictions remain in effect. NYRA expects the CAW guardrails to be in place February 11 and moving forward.

In 2021, NYRA began prohibiting CAW players from wagering into the win pool later than two minutes to post.

Before being temporarily suspended, the new rules went into effect Thursday. Under the “guardrails,” NYRA will require CAW activity to cease at one minute to post in all wagering pools not previously subject to high-speed wagering restrictions. However, CAW players will still be allowed to place as many as six wagers per second once the clock hits one minute to post.

“This policy reflects the importance of modernizing pari-mutuel wagering to address the technology-driven evolution of high-speed wagering,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO said when announcing the Feb. 5 unveiling of the new policy. “Reducing odds volatility will increase pricing transparency and improve the wagering experience for horseplayers in New York and across the country.”

The delay was announced just one day after a particularly odd phenomenon took place in Thursday's first race at Aqueduct. One CAW player placed $206,700 in win wagers on the race, betting on three horses. According NYRA, $182,422 was wagered on Patience N Grace (The Factor). Listed at 5-1 in the morning line, that horse was knocked down to odds of 33-100.

The bets were all made with three minutes to post,” NYRA reported.

CAW players normally make their wagers at the very last second so they can get a “last look” at the pari-mutuel pools and hunt for overlays. None of the three horses bet by CAW players won, which created an overlay on the 6-5 morning line favorite, Undergrad (Outwork), who paid $10.32 to win. It was unclear why the CAW player made his or her bets with three minures remaining before the race.

“These ongoing tote upgrades are connected to the throttling down of high-speed wagering as required by NYRA, but unrelated to the betting activity in R1 on Thursday,” NYRA's statement read.

The post New NYRA Rules Regarding CAW Suspended Friday Due to Tote Upgrades; Will Return Wednesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The 2026 Inglis Digital USA February Sale closed on Friday, Feb. 6, and the online event was led by broodmare prospect More Than a Diva who brought $50,000, the company said in a press release on Friday afternoon.

Robert Chasanoff secured the sales topper More Than a Diva, a winning daughter of More Than Ready, out of a half-sister to classic winner and prominent young sire Tiz the Law (by Constitution).

Bred by JSM Equine, the 6-year-old More Than a Diva is out of the Unbridled's Song mare Diva Style, whose trio of winners also includes SW Haute Diva (Constitution), who is being pointed for the Kentucky Oaks trail by trainer Patrick Biancone after winning the Cash Run Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 1. Her second dam is the GSW Tizfiz (Tiznow), who is herself the dam of Tiz the Law and her extended female family includes sire Fury Kapcori (Tiznow).

More Than a Diva was consigned by Last Laugh Stables and she was made available for inspection at Clearbrook Farm in Paris, Kentucky.

Michael King secured the day's second highest priced offering, the multiple stakes placed Blame mare Cut From Class, for $42,500. Offered as a broodmare prospect from the consignment of Caitlin Keil, Cut From Class won four races and placed in a trio of stakes races during her on-track career, with earnings over $200,000.

Cut From Class was made available for inspection from Keil's barn at Laurel Park in Maryland.

The February Sale offered local options for a wide variety of buyers, with horses in the catalogue based in Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York and Virginia.

“We had some really solid trade in the middle of the market,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “I'm excited for our customers, because I think they got some really nice mares. We're working on getting a few more moved, so overall, we're pleased with our start to 2026.”

Offerings that finished under their reserves on Friday are still available to purchase on the Inglis Digital USA website. Visit the site's “Catalogue” page and click on “Make An Offer” next to the available horses.

Entries, which are now open for the Inglis Digital USA 2026 March Sale, will be taken through Monday, Feb. 23. The catalogue will be released on Friday, Feb. 27 and bidding will close on Tuesday, Mar. 3.

Click here to enter a horse for the March sale, register as a bidder or make a bid on an RNA horse from the February Sale.

The post More Than A Diva Highlights Inglis Digital USA February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It looked like a competitive field on paper, but Talk to Me Jimmy (Modernist) took the race to them right from the bell, and ran his rivals off their feet to secure 20 Kentucky Derby points in the Wither Stakes.

Last seen breaking his maiden in a similar fashion Nov. 9 going gate-to-wire against state-bred maidens at this venue, he was unveiled Sept. 26 and ran an even third during the Belmont Big A meet.

Out to set the pace after early contact from competition coming off the blocks, the New York-bred rolled up front through an opening quarter in :23.96 and four panels in :48.18. Given a bit of loose rein midway on the turn, he suddenly opened up on the field after six furlongs in 1:12.47 and asked them if they planned to catch him as they swung into the upper stretch. Enjoying a clear advantage while his rivals tried to bridge the gap, it was Schoolyardsuperman (Practical Joke) who first tried to respond, but could not cut into the margin. Talk to Me Jimmy hit the line with 11 lengths to spare as Grittiness (Curlin) closed for second and Ottinho (Quality Road) claimed third.

Talk to Me Jimmy becomes his sire (by Uncle Mo)'s first black-type winner with this victory.

“We always thought he wants to go long,” said trainer Rudy Rodriguez. “He's a nice, solid little horse. We picked up [Talk to Me Jimmy] at Keeneland; him and Exhibition Only [winner of Race 3 on Thursday at Aqueduct] and a couple other ones, and we've been very lucky.”

“He had a little setback in the beginning, but they [co-owners SEI Thoroughbreds] have been very, very patient. I'm just happy they stayed with us through this part because everything was in the air. Thank God everything worked out for a reason.”

When asked about a potential start in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes Apr. 4, a 100-point qualifier for the GI Kentucky Derby, Rodriguez said, “Probably, we'll point to that. This was a big test for him and we'll just skip the other one [the GIII Gotham Stakes] and point for the Wood.”

“We had two good days in a row with Exhibition Only winning yesterday, so we're excited,” said SEI Thoroughbreds's Dustin Pusatere. “We're new to this, so we'll let it come to us and do our best. There's a lot of heavy-hitters, and we're one of many trying [to get to the Derby]. It's not bad beating Gun Runner's half-brother [No. 3, Ottinho].”

The victor is the most recent offspring for Prairie Trip, a 10-time winning racemare who hit the board 31 times in her 54-race career. He is her first black-type runner, and the mare enjoys a 100% strike rate among her surviving foals for getting their pictures taken. One of Prairie Trip's half-sisters is the dam of GSW Marckie's Water (Tribal Rule). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

 

What a performance! #6 TALK TO ME JIMMY ($26.54) ran away from the field to easily win the $200,000 Withers Stakes and pick up 20 points towards the @KentuckyDerby. The son of Modernist was ridden by @Ruben_Silvera and is trained by @RudyRodriguezNY. pic.twitter.com/sw8SXxd7Qa

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 6, 2026

WITHERS S., $200,000, Aqueduct, 2-6, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:51.68, ft.
1–TALK TO ME JIMMY, 123, c, 3, by Modernist
          1st Dam: Prairie Trip, by Trippi
          2nd Dam: Prairie View, by Honor Grades
          3rd Dam: Steady Gaze, by Storm Bird
($24,000 RNA Wlg '23 FTNMIX; $31,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-SEI Thoroughbreds and Rodriguez, Rudy R.; B-Majestic View Farms Intl. (NY); T-Rudy R. Rodriguez; J-Ruben Silvera. $110,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $163,600.
2–Grittiness, 123, c, 3, Curlin–Coach Rocks, by Oxbow. ($575,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Repole Stable; B-WinStar Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $40,000.
3–Ottinho, 123, c, 3, Quality Road–Quiet Giant, by Giant's Causeway. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba); B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $24,000.
Margins: 11, HF, 1. Odds: 12.27, 5.22, 2.31.
Also Ran: Schoolyardsuperman, Star Sweeper, Fourth and One, Mailata.

The post Modernist’s Talk to Me Jimmy Dominates the Conversation, Wins Derby Points in Withers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

She may've been left behind at the jump, but Always A Runner (Gun Runner) turned the tables in the lane as she effortlessly cruised home to 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors at Tampa Bay Downs.

Tabbed as a horse to watch in the 'Insights' segment for this unveiling, the Chad Brown-trainee entered this contest with a healthy worktab at Belmont and Payson Park, and commanded the betting dollars to the tune of 3-5 favoritism.

Right from the jump, she made her backers sweat when Always A Runner hopped at the gate, leaving her well behind the rest as the field went on its way. Racing along from the rear, with only Goldy Gate (Charlatan) beaten after that one had an even worse beginning, the daughter of Gun Runner made an eye-catching move around the far turn and was plucking off her rivals with little asking from her rider via the overland route. In command and playing with her foes, she won geared down with ear pricked by 6 1/2 lengths over Evangalina (Practical Joke).

Always A Runner, who was sold to Douglas Scharbauer for $1.05-million at the Keeneland September sale in 2024 before Three Chimneys stayed in for a piece, is the first foal to the races for fellow 'Rising Star' Always Carina, who was the bridesmaid in the GII Mother Goose Stakes during her racing career. Three Chimneys, who bought second dam Miss Always Ready (More Than Ready) for $400,000 at the 2014 Keeneland April 2-year-old sale, bred not only Always A Runner but also Always Carina. The dam has been to Gun Runner four times, producing this 'Rising Star', a juvenile full-sister, a yearling full-brother, and is due back to that stallion for 2026.

The aforementioned Miss Always Ready is herself a full-sister to GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine More Than Real, who was exported to Australia after her racing career ended and became a multiple Group producing dam and granddam. Most notably hailing from her branch of the family is G1 Golden Slipper victress Lady of Camelot (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), who was also crowned Australia's champion juvenile filly. Miss Always Ready was no slouch herself as the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Structor (Palace Malice).

 

After a slow start, #6 ALWAYS A RUNNER ($3.20) circled around the field to win for fun, geared down under @SamyCamacho1 at @TampaBayDownsFL. The daughter of Gun Runner (@Three_Chimneys) is trained by Chad Brown. Douglas Scharbauer and @Three_Chimneys owns. pic.twitter.com/ccJaQ7IOZw

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 6, 2026

 

3rd-Tampa Bay Downs, $32,000, Msw, 2-6, 3yo, f, 1m 40y, 1:42.93, ft, 6 1/2 lengths.
ALWAYS A RUNNER, f, 3, by Gun Runner
          1st Dam: Always Carina {GSP, $218,800}, by Malibu Moon
          2nd Dam: Miss Always Ready, by More Than Ready
          3rd Dam: Miss Seffens, by Dehere
Sales history: $1,050,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $19,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Douglas Scharbauer and Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (Goncalo B. Torrealba); B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown.

The post Aptly Named Always A Runner Blows Rivals Away to Garner ‘Rising Star’ Honors at Tampa Bay Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TAJ MAHAL (c, 3, Nyquist–Oola Gal {SP, $117,257}, by Quality Road) was made the 3-2 favorite for this unveiling after posting a series of strong works over the track for trainer Brittany Russell.

Out slowly and finding himself last in the early stages, he navigated to the outside of runners entering the far bend and was rolling with a full head of steam from five wide as they swung for home. Taking command not long after as Sir George (Street Sense) tried to make a race of it, Taj Mahal drew off from that one to win by 4 1/4 lengths.

The victor is the second to get a picture taken from as many to the races for the dam, a stakes-placed half-sister to the mother of SW Baby Max (Maximus Mischief). Oola Gal has a juvenile full-sister to Taj Mahal in the wings who RNA'd at the Keeneland September sale last year for $375,000 as well as a yearling filly by Upt to the Mark. She is due to Arabian Knight for 2026.

3rd-Laurel, $47,705, Msw, 2-6, 3yo, 6f, 1:12.42, ft, 4 1/4 lengths.
TAJ MAHAL (c, 3, Nyquist–Oola Gal {SP, $117,257}, by Quality Road) Sales history: $525,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $28,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, Stonestreet Stables, LLC, Bashor Racing, LLC, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital, LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Vegso Racing Stable (FL); T-Brittany T. Russell.

 

3yo colt Taj Mahal (Nyquist) was just too good. Slow at the break. @SheldonRussell1 took his time, keeping him wide to avoid taking too much dirt. He always looked like he was cruising five wide, six wide into the top of the stretch, then kicking clear. Pretty good impression… pic.twitter.com/Ww1VGDSPOr

— Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) February 6, 2026

The post Nyquist’s Taj Mahal Runs Up the Score at Laurel to Break Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Board of Directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) held its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday, Feb. 5 and unanimously elected Rockridge Stud's Lere Visagie, to serve as president through 2028, the organization said in a press release on Friday.

Current NYTB Director Rick Burke, owner of Irish Hill Century Farm, was elected vice president. The Board also elected Jane McMahon, of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, to serve as secretary-treasurer.

Visagie, owner of Rockridge, has served as an NYTB Director since 2019 and succeeds Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, shareholder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, and owner of River Valley Farm, who served as NYTB President beginning in 2024.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and membership, I want to thank [Dr.] Scott [Ahlschwede] for his leadership of NYTB,” said Visagie. “As president, I am committed to building on that foundation and ensuring New York remains on a positive path for breeding, racing, and the continued growth of our organization.”

The post NYTB Board Votes In Rockridge’s Visagie As President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The $500,000 GIII Delaware Handicap, to be contested Saturday, Sept. 26, is the focal point of the $4.3-million stakes schedule for 2026 at Delaware Park, track officials released on Friday.

Once a fixture of the summer months, the nine-furlong contest is now positioned as a potential prep race for older fillies and mares that may be progressing towards the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff just over a month later. The base purse of the Del 'Cap increases to $600,000 if a Grade I winner from 2025 or 2026 enters and starts in the race. A minimum of $1 million is up for grabs on a program that features three other black-type races.

Delaware's other graded event on the calendar is the $300,000 GIII Delaware Oaks, which is part of the June 13 program that also includes the $300,000 Delaware Derby. During the inaugural running of the Delaware Derby in 2025, the tack reported an all-time handle single-race record of nearly $6.5 million.

Delaware will stage 75 days, with the 89th year of live racing set to begin Wednesday, May 13. Racing will continue through Saturday, Oct. 17.

Click here for the full stakes schedule.

The post Delaware Handicap Highlights Delaware Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Lere Visagie, owner of Rockridge Stud. Photo courtesy of Rockridge Stud

The Board of Directors of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) held its first meeting of 2026 on Thursday, February 5. The newly seated Board unanimously elected Lere Visagie to serve as Board President through 2028.

Current NYTB Director Rick Burke, owner of Irish Hill Century Farm, was elected Vice President. The Board also elected Jane McMahon, of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, to serve as Secretary-Treasurer.

Visagie, owner of Rockridge Stud, has served as an NYTB Director since 2019 and succeeds Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, shareholder of Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and owner of River Valley Farm, who served as NYTB President beginning in 2024.

“On behalf of our Board of Directors and membership, I want to thank Scott for his leadership of NYTB. As President, I am committed to building on that foundation and ensuring New York remains on a positive path for breeding, racing, and the continued growth of our organization,” said Visagie.

“I am proud of the progress achieved by our organization and the New York-bred program during my tenure as President. I look forward to continuing to work with our Board and newly elected officers to ensure NYTB remains the unified voice of Thoroughbred breeders statewide,” said Dr. Ahlschwede.

NYTB Officers and Board of Directors – 2026

Officers:
Lere Visagie, Rockridge Stud – President
Rick Burke, Irish Hill Century Farm – Vice President
Jane McMahon, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds – Secretary/Treasurer

Directors:
Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M.
James Bond
Lois Engel
Thomas J. Gallo III
Michael Lischin
Vivien Malloy
Mallory Mort
Richard Zwirn

Directors Emeritus:
Chester Broman
Suzie O’Cain
Joanne Nielsen

The post NYTB Board Elects Lere Visagie President appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Having already been forced to cancel its live racing program for Saturday, Feb. 7, officials at Laurel Park have called off the card for Sunday, Feb. 8, citing continuing frigid temperatures across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Live racing is expected to resume at Laurel on Thursday, Feb. 12, with a first post of 12 p.m. ET. The previously canceled card for Feb. 7 will not be redrawn and will be conducted that afternoon.

Sunday's scheduled races will be listed as guaranteed extras on the overnights throughout next week. These races will be run over the weekend with the same number of horses after a redraw, provided they remain intact.

Laurel Park and The Maryland Jockey Club OTB network will remain open on Sunday for simulcast.

Aqueduct Racetrack is also closed both Feb. 7 and 8 due to the cold weather.

The post Laurel Park Cancels Live Racing On Feb. 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Ricardo Santana, Jr. rode the 800th winner of his career at Oaklawn Park on Thursday, when he guided Will Take It (Tapit) to a hard-fought victory in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes. He is the fourth rider in the history of the track to achieve the milestone. Others to cross that threshold are Pat Day (1,264 wins), Larry Snyder and Calvin Borel.

The 33-year-old credits trainer Ron Moquett and his fellow jockeys Terry Thompson and Borel with steering him towards the Arkansas track in 2011.

“Got lucky, you know?” Santana, Jr. said moments after the Fifth Season. “Moquett, he helped get me here and gave me a lot of opportunities when I started. I have to say thanks to Terry Thompson. There are a lot of people who don't know how much he helped me. Calvin Borel, too. Those are two top riders that I respect.”

Having registered his first Oaklawn victory 15 years ago last month, Santana, Jr. made the most of his association with Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen to be the leading local jockey on seven occasions (2013-2018, 2020). He is Oaklawn's career leader in purse earnings ($47.9 million) and ranks second in career stakes wins (65).

“I'm really thankful that I've won 800,” Santana said. “Arkansas opened the door for me and made me who I am.”

Santana, Jr. enjoyed a long run with agent Ruben Munoz, who brought the jockey to the United States in 2009. New York-based P. J. Campo now books rides for Santana, Jr.

Santana, Jr. rode the 2,000th winner of his career in Hot Springs in April 2025.

The post Santana, Jr. Celebrates 800 Oaklawn Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Riding the rail under Ricardo Santana Jr., Will Take It came through a narrow opening in early stretch and outfought Woodcourt to win the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes Feb. 5 at Oaklawn Park. 

Hill 'n' Dale Farms and Mario Serrani bred the chestnut filly born Jan. 1 out of Among the Roses, a winning daughter of Curlin.

The Spendthrift Farm stallions had their first reported foals arrive last month.

Turnover for the session closed at 1,863,000 guineas, a 26% year-on-year drop; the average price was down 19% at 17,745 guineas, while the median was down by 17 points at 12,000 guineas.

Promising 3-year-olds Confessional and Renegade square off against seven other rivals in the Feb. 7 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

1/ST announced a new partnership with Arranca TV Feb. 5, launching a dedicated Spanish-language horse racing channel on YouTube designed to deliver live race coverage, analysis, and original programming to Spanish-speaking fans.

After two runaway wins in ungraded stakes, Strategic Risk steps into graded company and a $1 million spotlight Feb. 6 in the Southwest Stakes (G3) at Oaklawn Park.

Canterbury Park announced Feb. 5, the 2026 Thoroughbred stakes schedule for its 51-day race meet that runs May 23-Sept. 19. The schedule includes 23 stakes and named allowances totaling $1.1 million in purses.

Tickets for the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, April 21.