Multiple grade 1 winner and accomplished Japanese sire Roses in May died at Big Red Farm on the island of Hokkaido March 4 when the 25-year-old son of Devil His Due could no longer stand, the farm announced March 5. The notice from Big Red Farm said the stallion was not moving well near the…
1. Journalism A key component in writing this blog each week is weighing how far certain horses jumped up in my estimation versus which ones have the best chance to actually win the Kentucky Derby (G1). I held both Journalism and Sovereignty in high esteem entering last weekend, so perhaps others jumped higher than them,…
Here’s this week’s guide to TV and radio horse racing coverage along with scheduled post times for the weekend’s graded stakes, as compiled by America’s Best Racing. Stakes Race Schedule Note: All times listed are Eastern TV/Livestream Schedule Date Program Time Network/Social…
Trainer Gary “Red Dog” Hartlage’s one-horse stable will soon become a no-horse stable. Hartlage said March 2 that the 2024-25 Oaklawn Park meeting will be his last, ending a 45-year career highlighted by training titles in Kentucky and Arkansas, raucous celebrations following victories at Churchill Downs, and campaigning the nationally prominent On Fire Baby , a…
The “Euro” part of the Euro/Mideast Road to the Kentucky Derby winds up March 7 at Dundalk in Ireland with a bit more whimper than bang. Only five 3-year-olds were declared for the Patton, a one-mile test under the lights and over Polytrack, and only one of them was an original nominee to the United States Triple…
The Budget and Taxation Committee of the Maryland Senate heard discussion March 5 among supporters and detractors of a bill that would authorize up to 4,000 historical horse racing terminals at designated sports wagering locations in Maryland. The devices would be placed at off-track betting locations and tracks that offer sports wagering, such as the…
A little over a month after posting the first black-type win of her career with a furious late rally in the Endeavour Stakes (G3T), CHP Racing’s Saffron Moon is back at Tampa Bay Downs for more graded accolades in the March 8 $225,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G2T). Saffron Moon is one of three entries for trainer Chad…
Comebacking dual grade 1 winner Chancer McPatrick gets a second crack at a two-turn route when he returns in the $400,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G3) March 8. The 1 1/16-mile race at Tampa Bay Downs for 3-year-olds offers Kentucky Derby (G1) qualifying points on a 50-25-15-10-5 basis to its top five finishers. Chancer McPatrick was one of…
Burnham Square came up short of winning his third straight victory of the 2024-25 Championship Meet when finishing fourth in the $401,650 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park March 1, but trainer Ian Wilkes is forging ahead with the Liam’s Map gelding on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. After breaking his maiden,…
The new 2025 season remains status quo for Skippylongstocking as the 6-year-old son of Exaggerator targets a three-peat in the $125,000 Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Bay Downs March 8. For the third consecutive year, the Challenger will act as Skippylongstocking’s bounce-back race from the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1). However, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee…
