Trainer Humberto Ascanio, Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel’s right-hand man for 36 years in Southern California, has died, broadcaster Steve Byk reported July 23 on his SiriusXM radio show “At the Races with Steve Byk.” “A tremendous horseman in his own right, (Ascanio was) literally the heart and soul of Bobby’s operation,” Byk said….
McMahon and Hill Bloodstock announced today the promotion of Kristin Stivers to Controller and the hire of Mary Motion as Director of Business Development. Stivers, started with McMahon and Hill in 2016, and will oversee finances for seven current U.S. based Bourbon Lane partnerships, four New Zealand partnerships, two pinhooking LLCs, Spruce Lane Farm, the…
Circa Sports Kentucky’s state-of-the-art sportsbook is now open at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs in Franklin. The largest sportsbook in the state, and one of the largest east of the Mississippi, the massive venue features an 80-foot-wide LED screen, a 31-foot-wide odds board and over 5,100 square feet of action-packed space designed for the…
While the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), run early in the Del Mar meeting, draws heavily on horses from Santa Anita Park, the Kelly’s Landing Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs is beginning to affect its fields. Last year, two from the June 18 Kelly’s Landing competed in the Crosby. Closethegame Sugar , the Kelly’s Landing winner, finished…
Barry Irwin’s Team Valor International announced July 23 the acquisition of group 3-winning filly Queen Azteca , including a plan to make her first North American start Aug. 16 in the Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course. The well-traveled 3-year-old filly will be ridden in the New York Racing Association fixture by Hall of Famer…
Fueled primarily by business from historical horse racing gaming in Virginia and Kentucky, Churchill Downs Inc. reported all-time record net revenue of $934.4 million during the second quarter of 2025. This represents a 5% increase of $43.7 million over 2024 figures. The gaming and racing company also announced increases in other key metrics, including net…
The Texas Thoroughbred Association Summer Yearling Sale will showcase a record number of offerings Aug. 26 starting at 10 a.m. CST at the Mary Ruyle Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion on the grounds of Lone Star Park near Dallas. A total of 261 yearlings have been consigned, smashing the record since the TTA took over operation of…
There will be a fervent hope for sunshine July 25 when the $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes (G2) is contested at Saratoga Race Course. Of the eight 3-year-olds entered in the 6 1/2-furlong sprint stakes, seven raced on an off track last time out, and only one of them finished better than fifth. Reflective of that ominous…
Arrogates Hercules has been relocated to Caines Stallion Station near Wynnewood, Okla., after entering stud in Texas earlier this year. He joins multiple graded stakes winners Airoforce , Colonel John , Uncle Vinny , and other stallions at Caines. A 5-year-old bay son of the late stallion Arrogate, Arrogates Hercules never raced but is a towering figure, standing 17…
Atlantic Friends Racing’s Historic Heart fended off the challenge of Grade 1-winner Proven Innocent to notch his first top-level triumph in the July 23 $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial (NSA-1), a 2 3/8-mile hurdle handicap for older horses, at Saratoga Race Course. Trained by Keri Brion, the 8-year-old Fracas gelding made just his second start off…
