The $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn Park March 22 drew a field of seven, but whether all the top contenders run is yet to be determined. Each of the top three morning-line choices—Godolphin homebreds Kinetic (8-5) and Maycocks Bay (2-1) and David Bernsen’s Tarantino (3-1)—are cross-entered in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2)…
The second half of the Road to the Kentucky Derby Championship Series begins March 22 and a full field of 12 sophomores aim to take advantage of the qualifying points—awarded 100-50-25-15-10 to the top five finishers—in the $777,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park. The initial stop on Turfway’s Kentucky Derby (G1) trail, the…
Horse racing’s spring fever season is upon us, as the 200-point prep races for the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) start this weekend with two on the schedule Saturday, March 22. The Louisiana Derby (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and the Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park offer valuable qualifying points for…
A filly by Widden Stud’s flagship stallion Zoustar came out on top as the curtain came down on the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale March 18. Consigned by Baramul Stud, the filly sold to Blueblood Thoroughbreds in conjunction with Ciaron Maher Racing for AU$350,000 (US$222,519, US$1=AU$0.64), which saw her finish AU$90,000 in front of the…
1. Sovereignty Owner/Trainer: Godolphin/Bill Mott Into Mischief —Crowned , by Bernardini Breeder: Godolphin (KY) A little less than seven weeks out from the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1), Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) winner Sovereignty—training toward the March 29 Florida Derby (G1)—represents Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott’s best chance at winning the Run For the Roses since…
The catalog for the 2025 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training is now available online. The four-day sale will take place April 15-18 with each session beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET. Hips 1-302 will sell April 15 with Hips 303-604 going April 16. April 17 will offer Hips 605-906 with the sale…
An impressive performance by BC Stables’ American Promise March 15 in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs has clinched the colt a spot in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) starting gate and placed him among the top 10 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Top 3-Year-Old Poll. The son of Justify had a breakthrough…
Phil and Christine Hatfield celebrated their first graded stakes victory as owners when Saffron Moon rallied to capture the Feb. 1 Endeavour Stakes (G3T) at Tampa Bay Downs. The win was the result of the Hatfields’ unwavering faith and patience in their star mare, who returned to Tampa only a month later to post a…
A low takeout show pool wager offered for on-track fans at Oaklawn Park continues to hit the mark as part of the Hot Springs, Ark., track’s efforts to market horse racing as affordable sports entertainment for families. The easiest wager in racing continues to prove popular with the fans that show up each day at…
What looked like a typical day for Lori Hendrickson, who manages her family’s Meadowbrook Farm in Shelbyville, Ky., was anything but as she discovered around 2:30 in the afternoon of March 10. Hendrickson spied one of the farm’s broodmares lying down in a paddock on a day that hinted spring is around the corner. She…
