Wilkes: Burnham Square Progressing Nicely

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas, one of the most prolific trainers and influences in horse racing history, has been hospitalized in Louisville, Ky. and will not return to training, according to Lukas family members. According to the family, Lukas, 89, has battled a severe infection that has worsened his condition. Lukas has declined…

Thistledown canceled racing July 29, a day after its eight-race card was scrapped following a fatal breakdown in the first race. There is hope that racing and training can resume as early as July 30. “I think there’s a good chance we train and race tomorrow,” said Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association executive director…

The $500,000 Diana Stakes (G1T) serves as the anchor to the traditional 40-day Saratoga Race Course meet July 12, and the six fillies and mares that comprise the starting gate grant true meaning to its grade 1 status. Three of the runners exit victories at the top level, one succeeded at the level two starts…

There is no doubt Godolphin’s Sovereignty  was the star of the spring season. Winning the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) tends to do that. Now he’ll start his summer/fall quest to seal the deal as the champion 3-year-old male and possibly as Horse of the Year. The second half of 2025 will begin…

When Erin McLaughlin graduated from University of Florida with a degree in tourism and hospitality management, and a minor in communications, there were many different directions she could have taken. But when a job offer arrived after graduation in 2013 from Breeders’ Cup Limited, where she had interned during college, it was a serendipitous turn…

Amid frustrations from retail gamblers over a series of dramatic late odds changes during its races this summer, Del Mar announced July 29 it would close access by computer assisted wagering players to its win pools at two minutes prior to the off time, beginning July 31. The move mirrors a policy currently in place at…