By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman If the quality of horses entered in Saturday’s $275,000 Blame (G3) at Churchill Downs is any indication, the 1 1/8-mile dirt race for older horses will soon be upgraded to Grade 2 status. Frankly, there have been Grade 1 races with lesser fields than the stellar…
The opening day program of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival June 4 at Saratoga Race Course will feature six New York-bred stakes to celebrate the best of racing in the Empire State for New York Showcase Day. Wednesday’s card kicks off with the $150,000 Beverly R. Steinman Hurdle Handicap (NSA-1) for open older horses…
Don Combs, who trained Dust Commander to win the 1970 Kentucky Derby, died May 25 at Sayre Christian Village in Lexington, a Sayre Christian Village executive confirmed to BloodHorse May 29. He was 86. “Mr. Combs will be deeply missed on our campus,” said Sayre Christian Village CEO Karen Venis. Thoroughbred Daily News, which first reported…
Grade 3 winner and dual grade 1-placed Pyrenees , a homebred for Bonnie Baskin and Adam Corndorf’s Blue Heaven Farm, has been retired from racing. Corndorf told BloodHorse that they are currently “exploring options for Pyrenees so that he may begin his stallion career.” After breaking his maiden in December 2023 as a 3-year-old, Pyrenees quickly ran…
Clayton Douglas couldn’t be happier with Giga Kick ahead of the AU$1 million Kingsford Smith Cup (G1) May 31 at Eagle Farm. The 2022 Everest and 2023 Doomben Ten Thousand (G1) winner produced a strong run in the Goodwood (G1) earlier this month, rattling home from back and wide to finish third in his first…
Coolmore has announced the death of its promising young sire and 2018 Coventry Stakes (G2) winner Calyx due to an acute foot injury suffered mid-covering season. The son of Kingman sported the silks of owner/breeder Juddmonte to a stunning victory in the group 2 contest at Royal Ascot, having become his sire’s first winner 10 days…
Oaklawn is pleased to announce a key leadership transition within its Racing and Wagering operations. Zack Gillham has been promoted to Vice President of Racing & Wagering, while Jason Milligan will step down from his current position of Vice President of Racing and assume the role of Director of Racing. In his expanded position, Gillham…
Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 97 entries for its June Digital Sale, which may be viewed online at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding is now open and will close June 3, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The catalog offers horses of racing age, breeding stock—including mares with foals at foot—2-year-olds in training, and yearlings. “We have a diverse catalog with…
In a show of unity and shared purpose, a group of former Todd Pletcher assistant trainers, who have since launched their own successful careers, have pledged to donate a percentage of their earnings from the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to support the mission of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Michael McCarthy, George Weaver, Jonathan Thomas, Whit…
The Kentucky Derby Museum is in the final stretch of updating its iconic Winner’s Circle exhibit to honor the unforgettable victory of Sovereignty in the 151st Kentucky Derby. Updates are currently underway and expected to be completed in early June, just in time for families, tourists, and racing fans from across the globe to add…
