Facing challenges related to contraction in the California Thoroughbred industry, co-owner Tom Clark has placed Rancho San Miguel up for sale. One of California’s top breeding farms, Rancho San Miguel—located in the central part of the state between Los Angeles and San Francisco—was listed last week for $13.5 million. The 250-acre property, owned by Clark…
Close inbreeding can be a hit-and-miss technique, but close inbreeding was an “in” factor for several horses who featured prominently in the two most valuable events at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 22. The New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) was upset by a local hero, the Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar . The 6-year-old gelding is by another…
1. Tiztastic Last Saturday was an interesting stop on the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail as three 3-year-olds I really did not view as bona-fide Kentucky Derby contenders stepped up and punched their tickets to Louisville, Ky., for the first jewel of the Triple Crown May 3 at Churchill Downs. Leading off is Tiztastic , who had…
By J. Keeler Johnson (“Keelerman”) Twitter: @J_Keelerman Five weeks out from the Kentucky Derby (G1), two pivotal prep races are on the agenda. The $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park and the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park have both drawn promising fields. We’ll analyze both in…
Woodbine and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario jointly announced March 26 that they have reached an agreement in principle on a new two-year deal that boosts purses by CA$5.7 million. The new agreement commits CA$64.7 million in purses in 2025 and CA$65 million in 2026, both with 128-day race meets. The announced…
Ruling against the interests of four race tracks, the Supreme Court of Louisiana declared unconstitutional a statute legalizing historical horse racing machines without first requiring local voter approval. Lawsuits challenging gaming on HHR using devices that visually resemble slot machines were brought by local voters and residents against entities that own Delta Downs, Fair Grounds…
Keeneland today announced that Valvoline Global Operations, a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, is the new sponsor of the $400,000 Shakertown (G2) to be held opening Saturday of the 2025 Spring Meet. The 15-day season runs April 4-25. “Keeneland is pleased to welcome Valvoline Global to our team of stakes sponsors, whose participation…
Coming off a sharp gate-to-wire conquest in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2T), Capture the Flag now looks to win again at Gulfstream Park in the March 29 Pan American Stakes (G3T). Winning the 1 1/2-mile Pan American would establish a first for the son of Quality Road . A victory Saturday would be his first back-to-back…
Juvenile breezers out of group winners and lightly raced horses in training feature among a classy catalog for the upcoming Tattersalls Guineas Breeze Up and and Horses in Training Sale April 30-May 1. Highlights among the breeze-up lots include a Kingman colt out of group 1 winner Samba Inc ; a Footstepsinthesand colt out of 2006…
Veteran jockey Tim Thornton’s upset win in the Gr. II New Orleans Classic aboard Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar on Saturday was memorable in more ways than one. It was Thornton’s first career Gr. II win and first graded stakes win since 2011 when he won the Gr. III Stars and Stripes at Arlington Park. Additionally, the win…
