Bryce Miller, a San Diego Union-Tribune writer who earned a media Eclipse Award in 2019, died March 22. He was 56. Miller earned the media Eclipse in the News/Enterprise Writing category for his Dec. 8, 2018, story in the San Diego Union-Tribune: “Anniversary of Deadly San Luis Rey Fire Strains Still.” Del Mar plans to…
One of the most important, and exciting, weekends on the horse racing calendar every year is here, with two prestigious qualifying points races for the Kentucky Derby (G1) set for Saturday, March 29. Both the Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park and the Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park offer points to the top five…
On the second and final day of the Magic Millions Gold Coast March Yearling Sale March 25, a colt from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of 2019 champion European juvenile male Pinatubo topped the sale when selling for AU$290,000 (US$182,700, US$1=AU$0.63). The sale, delayed by two weeks because of weather, saw similar numbers to 2024 as…
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott stood in the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle after the March 1 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), having just watched his colt, Godolphin homebred Sovereignty , storm from last to first in the stretch for a second straight start. Mott was asked whether the bay’s effort, following a four-month layoff and…
The dominant story on Oaklawn Park‘s Road to the Kentucky Derby has been Coal Battle and his small-time connections. That team of owner Robbie Norman, trainer Lonnie Briley, and jockey Juan Vargas will aim to write a satisfying finale March 29 as their 3-year-old colt takes on eight rivals in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1)….
Ocala Stud stallion Seeking the Soul , whose first-crop runners are 3-year-olds this year, died unexpectedly Feb. 28 of complications from colic. A grade 1 winner who banked more than $3.4 million, Seeking the Soul had an illustrious racing career. The Charles Fipke homebred won the 2017 Clark Handicap (G1), 2018 Ack Ack Stakes (G3), and 2019 Stephen…
An underdog story will unfold on Dubai World Cup night, April 5, as Quinault goes in search of a first group 1 success in the Al Quoz Sprint. It will also mark something of a full circle as the 5-year-old left Dubai-based Godolphin three years ago after finishing last in his only start for trainer…
Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith’s Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Tiztastic arrived at Churchill Downs early March 25 from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots to Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen’s Barn 38, where he’ll begin his preparations for the Run for the Roses. Tiztastic qualified for the $5 million…
Arrowfield Stud announced March 24 that the two-time group 1 juvenile winner Vandeek by Havana Grey will shuttle to Arrowfield from Cheveley Park Stud, UK in 2025. Arrowfield’s Chairman John Messara says, “He’s a great-looking, unbeaten champion 2-year-old by a brilliant young stallion—that all makes Vandeek an attractive prospect for us, especially in light of…
Tom Pedulla is interviewing prominent owners, trainers, and jockeys as they travel the road to the $5 million Kentucky Derby (G1) May 3 at Churchill Downs. This week’s installment features jockey Juan Vargas, who has broken onto the national scene with his success aboard upstart Coal Battle , a $70,000 yearling purchase on behalf of Norman…
