Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and the Board of Public Works approved a demolition package May 9 for Pimlico Race Course and the acquisition of Shamrock Farm in Carroll County to serve as the premier training center hub of Thoroughbred racing in Maryland. The actions mark a critical step forward in growing local and statewide economies,…
Blane Servis, assistant to trainer Brad Cox, allowed America’s Best Racing inside his journey on the path to recovery and behind the scenes with Final Gambit before and during the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. Servis confronted alcoholism and drug addiction via the Stable Recovery program after connecting with fellow graduate Will…
A panel of veterinarians serving in equine medical leadership roles discussed Kentucky’s equine safety protocols and advances in technology during a closing-day, May 9 panel of the Association of Racing Commissioners International Annual Conference at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The panel discussion, titled New Development in Equine Care and Safety and moderated by regulatory veterinarian Dr….
Godolphin’s Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer returned to training May 6 at Churchill Downs, and trainer Brad Cox said the $500,000 Acorn Stakes (G1) on Belmont Stakes (G1) weekend at Saratoga Race Course could be her next target. “I thought she came out of the race incredibly well,” Cox said. “If all goes to plan,…
British racing’s largest marketing campaign yet will launch May 20 under the title “The Going Is Good,” with Simon Michaelides of Great British Racing declaring he was “incredibly confident” about what it can do for the sport. The campaign, backed by £3,620,000 (US$4,810,980) of funding from the Levy Board, will showcase British racing as a…
By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman The Saturday in between the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) presents an opportunity for possible Belmont (G1) contenders to shine in the $200,000 Peter Pan (G3) at Aqueduct’s “Belmont at the Big A” meeting. The 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds turns out a…
The NHK Mile Cup (G1), set for May 11 at Tokyo Racecourse, gives Japanese 3-year-olds not quite up to longer distances a chance to distinguish themselves outside the actual Classic races. This year, the race features an assorted cast including Satono Carnaval , a Kitasan Black colt who finished fifth in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile…
The third installment in the 2025 OwnerView webinar series was held on May 6 and featured veterinarians from Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital discussing broodmare reproduction during breeding season. The conference is hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland, and Stoll Keenon Ogden. The…
As much as the $400,000 Man o’ War Stakes (G2T) has only five starters, it can present a tricky test for older turf males. Without a speedster in the small field, the pace could turn into a jog around Aqueduct Racetrack, making the versatility of multiple grade 1 winner Far Bridge highly valuable. LSU Stables’…
While trainer Bill Mott is bypassing a two-week turnaround into the Preakness Stakes (G1) with Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Sovereignty to have his colt await the June 7 Belmont Stakes (G1), the Preakness will still have a Derby competitor trained by another Hall of Famer, D. Wayne Lukas. Lukas, 89, runs Virginia Derby winner American Promise ,…
