Pinatubo Colt Tops Two-Day Magic Millions March Sale

Pinatubo Colt Tops Two-Day Magic Millions March Sale

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…

Coal Battle’s Underdog Story Resumes in Arkansas Derby

Coal Battle’s Underdog Story Resumes in Arkansas Derby

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 Dies From Colic

Ocala Stud Stallion Seeking the Soul Dies From Colic

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…

Tiztastic, Good Cheer Arrive at Churchill Downs

Tiztastic, Good Cheer Arrive at Churchill Downs

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…

Unbeaten Vandeek to Shuttle to Arrowfield Stud

Unbeaten Vandeek to Shuttle to Arrowfield Stud

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…

Vargas Making Most of Opportunity Aboard Coal Battle

Vargas Making Most of Opportunity Aboard Coal Battle

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…