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This week's racing on radio, TV, and streaming schedule compiled by America's Best Racing.

Trainer Phil Serpe is contesting constitutionality of HISA in federal district court.

The top 10 of the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll remains virtually unchanged. But the big mover is Far Bridge, who shot into the No. 10 spot after not getting votes a week ago.

After becoming his first graded stakes and grade 1 winner last fall, Scottish Lassie will aim to give trainer and co-owner Jorge Abreu another milestone of his first graded winner at Saratoga July 19 in the $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).

Mystery surrounds the buyer of the Equinox colt out of Midnight Bisou, who sold for ¥580,000,000 (US$3,890,804 ¥1=US$0.006708) in front of a rapt audience during the foal session of the JRHA Select Sale July 15.

After a short pause in Thoroughbred racing in California after Los Alamitos Race Course concluded its summer afternoon meet July 6, racing returns to the Golden State July 18 when Del Mar opens for its 86th summer season.

Six semifinalists for the 19th annual Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award have been selected by a panel of judges, representing excellence in Thoroughbred sports literature published in 2024.

On July 15, GoffsGo, a new online platform, will feature the well-related, exciting young producer Ceistiu, in foal to Mehmas, with more entries to be released in the coming days.

After a dominant gate-to-wire win in the Delaware Oaks (G3) last month, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' president and founder Aron Wellman told the BloodHorse Monday podcast that Fondly is targeting the Monmouth Oaks (G3) at Monmouth Park July 26.

On the July 14 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Aron Wellman discusses Journalism's entry in the Haskell Stakes (G1), track announcer Matt Dinerman talks about calling the race, and Patrick Brown previews The Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga.

Tom Lacy, a former jockey, trainer, and the breeder of 2022 July Stakes winner (G2) and young Tally-Ho Stud sire Persian Force, has died at the age of 89, following a brief illness.

The latest attempt to take the racing message to the wider public will see racehorses take center stage in the very heart of Paris, with France Galop taking over part of the Place de la Concorde for the 'Horses in the City' festival.

5). CURTAIN CALL, SAR, 7/12, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) R1
Beyer Speed Figure- 82
(c, 2, by Tiz the Law–Deep Trouble, by Into Mischief).
O-West Point Thoroughbreds. B-Nancy Stone (Fla). T-Mark Casse. J-Jose Ortiz.
Tim Wilkin related in TDN how Casse sent West Point's Terry Finley a simple text message to sum up his opinion about Curtain Call. Actually, it was a photo–of a Porsche. And Curtain Call lived up to the private hype in Saturday's Saratoga opener, blowing away even-money Tagermeen to the tune of 8 1/2 lengths. Curtain Call can be forgiven for his well-beaten debut second last month at Churchill Downs: he was up against future Sanford Stakes winner Obliteration.

 

4). STURDY, SAR, 7/13, 1 1/8 miles (3rd) (VIDEO) R1
Beyer Speed Figure- 82
(g, 4, by Mitole–Holidays Saratoga, by Harlan's Holiday)
O-Repole Stable and R.A. Hill Stable. B-ERJ Racing (Ky). T-George Weaver. J-Manny Franco.
Here's a son of sprint champion Mitole who clearly prefers to run at least nine furlongs. He makes the list this week by virtue of his third at that distance Sunday at Saratoga, crossing the wire 5 1/4 lengths back after rallying from last in the five-horse field. He's now an eight-race maiden, but against fast competition that has included Locked, Domestic Product and Strategic Focus.

 

3). RUNAWAY AGAIN, WO, 7/13, 1 1/16 miles (VIDEO) R2
Beyer Speed Figure- 83
(g, 3, by Hard Spun–Golden Venus, by Storm Cat)
O-Stronach Stable. B-Adena Springs (Ont-C). Trainer-Sid Attard. Jockey-Ryan Munger.
A blast from the past: owned and bred by 92-year-old Frank Stronach, as a product of his Ontario Adena Springs operation. Attard chose two turns for Runaway Again's debut for good reason—the gelding quickly dropped to last and trailed by seven lengths before his second-turn rally saw him strike the front at the quarter pole. His five siblings to race were all cheap claimers, but go back another generation and his unraced dam is a half-sister to Stronach stars Awesome Again and Macho Uno.

 

2). CHILLAX, SAR, 7/13, 1 1/8 miles (2nd) (VIDEO) R1
Beyer Speed Figure- 87
(c, 3, by Bernardini–Keepshercool by Smart Strike)
O/B-Godolphin (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado.
The talent is there, but for a third straight race Chillax cruised to the pacesetter in upper stretch as if victory was inevitable, only to be rebuffed…or to hang, in which case Mott will likely come up with a solution. Godolphin paid $110,000 for his dam, who is out of Santa Anita Oaks/Las Virgenes/Oak Leaf winner (and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up) Composure.

 

1). CLASSICIST, SAR, 7/13, 1 1/8 miles (1st) (VIDEO) R1
Beyer Speed Figure- 90
(c, 3, by Curlin–Playtime, by Street Cry {Ire})
O/B-St. Elias Stables (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.
He's the colt who rebuffed Chillax after setting the fractions– and he was running for the first time in 9 1/2 months, having trained steadily in the Pletcher program since mid-April. Vinnie Viola bought dam Playtime from the late Dinny Phipps about a decade ago, and she couldn't run much, but she has already produced a graded winner in Jouster. And there's this: Playtime's dam is Phipps champion Storm Flag Flying, which means, of course, the third and fourth dams on the pedigree page are My Flag and Personal Ensign.

 

 

The post The Five Fastest Maidens for the Week, Presented by Taylor Made, of July 6-13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

GSW/MGISP Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the dam of GI Preakness Stakes winner and this weekend's GI Haskell Stakes favorite Journalism, has died from complications of colic, Don Alberto Corp confirmed Tuesday.

Social media posts, which credit an Instagram message, read: “Mopotism, mother of Journalism, has died due to complications from colic at Don Alberto USA. She leaves two unraced products, a yearling filly daughter of Into Mischief and a 2-month old filly by Flightline.”

Don Alberto mourned the loss of their mare with the following message: “We are heartbroken to report the loss of our mare Mopotism, due to complications related to colic. She was a gift to all those that got to know her beautiful eye, strong mind, and gentle way. We are grateful to everyone that has taken care of her over the years and poured so much love into her each day. We are humbled to watch the brilliance of her son, Journalism, and to know that her legacy will continue through him and her other foals. On to greener pastures, Mopo. You will be dearly missed.”

Mopotism earned nearly $900,000 in a racing career which saw her win the GII La Canada Stakes and hit the board in no fewer than four Grade I races including the Ogden Phipps, Santa Margarita and La Brea as well as the Starlet as a 2-year-old. The daughter of Uncle Mo made four trips through the sales ring, first bringing $135,000 as a weanling at KEENOV, then $200,000 as a yearling at FTSAUG the following summer. Crupi's New Castle Farm brought her home as a 2-year-old from FTFMAR for $300,000 before finally Don Alberto Corp went to $1,050,000 to secure her at FTKNOV in 2019. Journalism was her first foal after she failed to take to Tapit on her maiden cover. Her 2-year-old Tapit colt, now named Nitro Tap, sold for $1.5m to the Flying Dutchman. She also has the aforementioned Into Mischief yearling filly and her young filly by Flightline.

The post Mopotism, Dam Of Journalism, Dies From Colic Complications appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The TDN's Christina Bossinakis, senior editor for the Thoroughbred Daily News and a prominent TV racing personality, has been named the winner of the 2025 Bill Handleman Award for outstanding coverage of last year's NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park announced Tuesday.

First presented in 2012, the Handleman Award honors distinguished media coverage of the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes, Monmouth Park's showcase race. It is presented annually prior to the Haskell.

The award honors the late Bill Handleman, one of New Jersey's top sportswriters for nearly three decades for the Asbury Park Press. Handleman, a fixture at Monmouth Park and a passionate chronicler of the sport, died in June of 2010 at the age of 62.

“It is also such an honor to win this award, named after such a talented writer who was so well liked and respected,” said Bossinakis. “I have always had a soft spot for Monmouth Park from working there with TVG as well as covering races for TDN. I have spent a lot of time with the people at Monmouth Park, so it makes it extra special for me. It's nice to feel rewarded when you put your heart and soul into something you love. I am very appreciative.”

Bossinakis, who hails from Montreal, Canada, has worked as an on-air racing analyst, as a TV handicapper and paddock reporter and as a racing TV show host in addition to her role at Thoroughbred Daily News.

“Having grown up in Montreal with a family with absolutely no ties to racing, I had probably had no business ending up in the sport. However, I found my path to racing via media coverage, both print and television, and the rest is history. I sincerely thank Monmouth Park for always being so welcoming to myself and my colleagues and for acknowledging and highlighting our work.”

She co-authored the book “Sermon on the Mount” with the late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Monmouth Park general manager John Heims called Bossinakis “the consummate professional.”

“Her knowledge of Thoroughbred racing, both historical and current, never fails to impress,” said Heims. “In addition to her excellent coverage of last year's Haskell on the Thoroughbred Daily News site, she has excelled in a variety of roles in the racing industry.”

Bossinakis joins a list of recipients that include Tom Luicci of The Star-Ledger, followed by Steve Edelson of The Asbury Park Press in 2013, Dave Johnson of Sirius XM in 2014, Ed McNamara of Newsday in 2015, Bob Ehalt of ESPN.com and Bloodhorse in 2016, Tom Cassidy of TVG.com in 2017, Jim Dunleavy of Daily Racing Form in 2018, Mike Farrell of The Associated Press in 2019, Steve Byk of At the Races With Steve Byk in 2020, Matt Shifman of Horse Racing Nation in 2021, John Brennan of usbets.com in 2022, announcer/TV racing analyst Larry Collmus in 2023 and videographer Carlos Morales of Agentes 305 last year.

 

The post TDN’s Christina Bossinakis Named 2025 Bill Handleman Award Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Ellis Park and the Kentucky HBPA will present College Day on Sunday, July 27 with 27 lucky full-time students winning a prize.

In partnership with Ellis Park, the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association will conduct three separate drawings before each of nine races to give out a $1,000 scholarship, an iPad Mini with AirPods package and a $150 Amazon gift card.

First post is 11:50 a.m. CST and full-time students can register throughout the afternoon to be eligible for any remaining drawings.

Representatives from the University of Kentucky's Ag Equine programs, the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program and the Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) will be on hand to provide information to current and future undergraduate and graduate students interested in a potential career in the horse industry or who want to learn more about the commonwealth's signature tourism leader and agribusiness.

“The fastest route to making a new horse-racing fan is first getting them to the track,” said Alex Foley, the Kentucky HBPA's Executive Director. “This is a great collaboration with Ellis Park to invest in our future, and we're delighted to have UK, U of L and KEMI on hand. What college student can't use $1,000, an iPad Mini and AirPods or Amazon gift card? It's free admission and parking every day at Ellis Park and Sunday's are Kentucky HBPA Dollar Days with $1 hot dogs. College Day is a fun, affordable way for college students to come out with friends or family. You don't have to know anything about horse racing to enjoy the excitement and beauty of the sport.”

A valid college I.D. or letter of admission is required to register for the drawings, with incoming freshmen welcome. Those attending or enrolled for the fall term at a two- or four-year college, graduate school, professional school, vocational, technical, barber or another post-high school program that qualifies for federal aid are eligible. Students must register in person, be present to win and can only enter once.

Said Steve Roof, General Manager, Owensboro Racing & Gaming/Ellis Park Racing & Gaming: “We're excited to continue our support of Kentucky HBPA College Day at Ellis Park. This event reflects our ongoing commitment to education and the future of our community.”

The post Kentucky HBPA And Ellis Park To Host College Day July 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The only horse to run in all three Triple Crown races this season, GI Preakness hero Journalism (Curlin) was tabbed the 4-5 favorite for Saturday's $1-million GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes during Monmouth Park's press conference and post-position draw Tuesday.

Co-owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Robert LaPenta, Elayne Stables Five, and the Coolmore partners of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, & Derrick Smith, Journalism was assigned post 2 in the nine-furlong 'Win and You're In' event for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar.

In preparation for the Haskell, Journalism, who was last seen finishing second behind Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Belmont Stakes, posted a bullet six-furlong work in 1:12.00 at Santa Anita on July 12.

“In these last three weeks, he's really thrived and excelled,” said Eclipse Thoroughbreds' Aron Wellman. “He told us that he's ready to get back on a plane and got across the country to run in the Haskell. We like the timing, we like all the factors and ingredients about the Haskell, and while we're not looking past the Haskell because it's going to be a severe challenge and we respect all of the competition, we do like the spacing from the Haskell to what his next objective might be.”

Journalism will have regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard. This will be the first Haskell mount and first appearance at Monmouth Park for Rispoli.

Also among the eight contenders slated to run Saturday, Goal Oriented (Not This Time), fourth in a roughly run Preakness, was installed the 4-1 second choice on the morning line, and will break from post 8. The colt will try and give trainer Bob Baffert a record 10th win in Monmouth's marquee race for 3-year-olds.

“We threw something at him really quick,” Baffert said in reference to the Preakness. “He handled it well. He didn't go backwards on us. He's moving forward and handled it well. He's a much better horse now than he was at the Preakness. He needs to be. You'll see a lot of horses turn the corner and move forward at this stage of the summer.”

“I feel good about the way he's coming into this race,” he added. “Whether he's good enough we'll see. I have a lot of respect for Journalism. I get to watch him train every day and he still looks terrific. It should be a good race.”

Of Goal Oriented's outside post, Baffert explained, “You want him to break well and get into a nice rhythm, that's the key. He'll be forwardly placed somewhere.”

Caught in the late stages of the Preakness and only a half-length behind Journalist, Gosger (Nyquist) will try to turn the tables on his Classic rival. Breaking from post 6, the Brendan Walsh trainee was installed the 9-2 third choice on the morning line.

“He's improved with every race. We always thought he would get batter with time,” Walsh said of the GIII Lexington Stakes winner. “He was a bit of a late starter, and we brought the horse along. We took our time with him through the winter and the spring, but we've always liked the horse. We knew we weren't going to make the (Kentucky) Derby trail. We pointed him to the Preakness, and it nearly worked out. I still don't think we've got anywhere near the bottom of the horse.”

Trying to return to the form that saw Burnham Square (Liam's Map) win the GI Blue Grass Stakes earlier this season, trainer Ian Wilkes believes the colt has been making strides over his last couple of start, including the May 3 Kentucky Derby. He most recently was a close-up second behind the highly-regarded East Avenue in the GIII Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs June 8.

“He's actually changed his style a little bit,” said Wilkes. “He's been a little bit closer the last couple of times, like even in the [Kentucky] Derby he was a lot closer than I thought he would be.

Exiting post 8, the Whitham Thoroughbreds homebred will be reunited with Brian Hernandez Jr. Saturday. He is 5-1 on the morning line.

“He's very adaptable. He can do whatever Brian wants to do,” added Wilkes. “He's very consistent in his training and seems to be getting better and better as he's matured. He's not making the mistakes he used to.”

1. Bracket Buster (Vekoma), 10-1
2. Journalism (Curlin), 4-5
3. Wildncrazynight (Midnight Lute), 30-1
4. Burnham Square (Liam's Map), 5-1
5. National Law (Constitution), 20-1
6. Gosger (Nyquist), 9-2
7. Kentucky Outlaw (Outwork), 15-1
8. Goal Oriented (Not This Time), 4-1

The post Journalism Named 4-5 Morning-Line Favorite, Draws Post 2 for $1M Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Train the Trainer rolls to victory in Monday’s New York Derby at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Train the Trainer continued his ascent up the ranks of New York-bred 3-year-olds with a front-running victory in Monday’s $156,000 New York Derby at Finger Lakes.

Alipony Racing’s and Saints or Sinners’ Train the Trainer, the 1-2 favorite making his first start around two turns, won the 1 1/16-mile New York Derby by 4 lengths over second choice Hit the Post. Irad Ortiz Jr., in from Saratoga Race Course on the first dark day of the summer meeting, rode the winner for trainer Rob Atras.

Train the Trainer also improved to 3-for-3 since returning to his home state. He won a 6 1/2-furlong state-bred maiden special weight May 4 at Aqueduct before a 2 3/4-length score over Mike Lee Stakes June 4 to open the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga.

Ortiz rode the Dialed In gelding in both of those starts and employed similar tactics against his three opponents in the New York Derby. Train the Trainer took the lead from the inside post and battled with Hit the Post to and around the first turn. Those two clicked off splits of :23.67 and :47.60 with a 2-length gap over Buttah and King’s Leap.

Train the Trainer continued to lead the way through 6 furlongs in 1:12.24, shaking off Hit the Post in the stretch before drawing off late to win in 1:44.66 over the fast track. Hit the Post finished 2 1/4 lengths clear of King’s Leap with Buttah fourth. Calling Card, fourth last time in the Mike Lee, scratched.

Bred by Hibiscus Stables and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Train the Trainer is out of the winning Forestry mare Heavenly Vision. Trainer Mark Glatt bought him for $52,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale and trained Train the Trainer for his first start for the same ownership group. Train the Trainer finished second behind Goal Oriented in an open-company maiden race April 6 at Santa Anita Park before his owners sent him to Atras.

Train the Trainer is a half-brother to six winners out of Heavenly Vision. She’s a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Cairo Prince and the Grade 1-placed Empire Maker mare Nonna Mia, the dam of Grade 1 winner Outwork.

Train the Trainer picked up $93,600 to boost his bankroll to $260,600.

The post Train the Trainer delivers in New York Derby appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Jak N Burny fends off longshots for another Finger Lakes victory in Monday’s Leon Reed Memorial. SV Photography

A last-gasp head win at the wire. A steward’s inquiry at the start. For owner/breeder Sherry Washburn and trainer Debra Breed, the Leon Reed Memorial had 1:11.98 of it all.

Ridden by regular rider Joel Cruz, the 5-year-old son of Destin did what he does best, breaking sharply, blitzing to the front and then hanging tough to the line. Sent off the favorite in the 6-furlong stakes, Jak N Burny held off 39-1 Crypto Causeway who rallied late along the rail. Newport Bridge at 93-1 finished third with second-choice Rotknee fading to fourth in the $50,000 sprint stakes.

Breaking from the inside of the field 10, Jak N Burny angled out, initiating a six-horse chain reaction before darting back to the rail. The bay gelding opened a half-length through the first quarter in :22.50 and a half in :45.37. Jak N Burny dispatched Looms Boldly by the quarter pole, widened a 3-length chasm turning for home and looked free until the waning strides. Head rising with each stride, Jak N Burny managed to get to the wire just in time for his second stakes win. Stewards looked at the start but let the results stand. Crypto Causeway was untouched, and Newport Ridge was bothered slightly in the opening strides.

Jak N Burny improved his record to eight wins and two seconds from 11 starts for $184,180. His only off-the-board finish came in the 2023 Reed when he hopped and bobbled at the start and wound up fourth. It was the only time he wasn’t on the engine at the first two calls of a race.

Jak N Burny is the fifth foal out of the winning New York-bred Duckhorn mare Betty’s Chance. He’s a half-brother to 2018 Leon Reed winner Winston’s Chance who earned $495,264 in a 14-win career and Ifihadachance, a 13-time winner and $447,914-earner.

Betty’s Chance, bred by Washburn and Michael Haers, went 2-3-0 in six starts for $23,930 in earnings. She’s also the dam of the 3-year-old New York-bred Cloudy Chance, who was also bred by Washburn. The daughter of Cloud Computing finished third in her career debut in February and followed with a fourth at Belmont Park at Aqueduct and an eighth at Saratoga July 5.

The post Jak N Burny in time for Leon Reed win appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Madaket Stable’s Lottie Margaret and Manny Franco cruise to the finish of Monday’s New York Oaks. SV Photography.

A hop in the air at the start of Monday’s $75,000 New York Oaks at Finger Lakes proved to be no problem for Madaket Stable’s Lottie Margaret, the convincing winner of the 1 1/16-mile race for New York-bred 3-year-old fillies.

The daughter of Global Campaign settled into stride several lengths behind her three rivals after that start. She saved ground going into the first turn under Manny Franco to put herself in third, within 2 lengths of the lead, through the opening quarter-mile.

Tracking the pace set by Mischief Lady, Lottie Margaret stayed glued to the rail along the backstretch through opening fractions of :24.34 and :48.57. Entering the far turn, Franco sat motionless on Lottie Margaret as the rest of the field started being asked for their runs. Franco guided his filly through an opening on the inside nearing the quarter pole, and the pair had no trouble finishing from there.

Lottie Margaret won by 3 lengths in 1:46.53 as the longest shot in the field at 7-2. Valtellina finished second, followed by Vehemente and Mischief Lady. Practically Summer scratched.

Trained by Brad Cox, Lottie Margaret earned her first stakes victory in the New York Oaks. She entered the race off a fifth in an allowance-optional against open company and a second in the state-bred Maddie May Stakes, both run at 1 mile at Aqueduct. Prior to that, she broke her maiden and won an allowance-optional against state-breds by a combined 20 1/4 lengths. Her victory Monday boosted her record to three wins in six starts with earnings of $165,020.

Bred by Steve Schuster and foaled at Old Saratoga Equine Services in Schuylerville, Lottie Margaret sold for $75,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale in August 2023. She’s the sixth foal and first stakes winner out of the Street Cry mare Passionate Diva, whose other foals include the three-time winner and stakes-placed Mashnee Girl. Passionate Diva has foaled two other winners in Cape Cod Diva and I’m More Ready. She is the dam of the unraced 2-year-old A L Leader, by Code Of Honor.

 

The post Lottie Margaret slips through inside to win New York Oaks appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.