Ciaron Maher celebrated his first Australian Cup (G1) win, but not with the runner many expected as Light Infantry Man grabbed his second elite-level win in the Flemington showpiece March 29. The trainer gave himself every chance of a maiden win in the Australian Cup, but the eventual winner was rated the outsider of Maher’s…
Gulfstream Park’s 2024-2025 Championship Meet came to an abrupt end when Sunday’s closing day program was canceled prior to the sixth of 12 scheduled races. Powerful thunderstorms swept through Broward County producing lightning and heavy rain and causing a brief power outage. After a lengthy delay, and with storms forecast to last into the evening,…
The Japan Racing Association’s feature race this coming weekend is the Osaka Hai (G1) at Hanshin April 6. The total purse of the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4 miles) turf event has increased from ¥432 million in 2024 to ¥651 million (approx. US$4.34 million) this year. Although some of the highest-profile middle-distance runners are competing in Dubai the previous…
Ka Ying Rising, the world’s highest-rated sprinter, delivered a powerful reminder of why he holds that honor with a smooth, seemingly effortless 3-length victory in the Sprint Cup (G2) March 30 at Sha Tin Racecourse in Hong Kong—his 11th straight win. The 5-year-old, with jockey Zac Purton back from an injury layoff, never seemed in doubt…
The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled Sunday’s eight-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack due to unacceptable noise levels created by the ‘March Madness Auto and Bike Show’, an event being held at the neighboring Resorts World Casino. NYRA was not notified in advance that the event would create potentially unsafe racing conditions. Despite…
Satono Reve joined the ranks of Japan’s top sprinters with a late-running, traffic-dodging victory in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) March 30 at Chukyo Racecourse. It was the first top-level victory for the 6-year-old and came at the expense of proven performers in a division with only two grade 1 events on the annual schedule. Starting…
For at least a little while, there is a new 3-year-old atop the Kentucky Derby (G1) leaderboard with 129 qualifying points ahead of the May 3 classic: Sandman . Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian , the talented gray and/or roan colt outkicked fellow closer Publisher by 2 1/2 lengths to capture the…
Bucanero Fuerte , winner of the 2023 Phoenix Stakes (G1), has left Tally-Ho Stud and returned to the yard of Adrian Murray, the trainer confirmed at the Curragh March 29. The son of leading sire Wootton Bassett returned to training after suffering from what Murray described as “fertility issues” and now the 4-year-old will return to competitive action…
For a 3-year-old to win a race like the Kentucky Derby (G1) or Kentucky Oaks (G1), it needs to be an improving, maturing runner as May approaches. Shortleaf Stable’s Quietside checks both of those boxes. Quietside, dk b/br, 3/f Malibu Moon — Benner Island, by Speightstown Owner: Shortleaf Stable Inc (John E Anthony) …
For at least a little while, there is a new leader atop the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 129 qualifying points ahead of the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1): Sandman . Rallying from behind a blistering pace set by Speed King and Cornucopian , the talented 3-year-old colt outkicked fellow closer Publisher to capture the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1)…
