Over the next six weeks, we’ll learn if racing can have its first Triple Crown winner in 37 years. During that same time, horseplayers and the industry have an opportunity to help rectify an even longer drought: the lack of change in antiquated and unfair rules from the early 1970s regarding the taxation of pari-mutuel proceeds at the track.
Bearrock N Roll will put his six-race winning streak on the line when he runs in a $16,000 claiming race that is the opening-day feature at Hastings Saturday.
Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott has asked a judge to vacate a 15-day suspension he received last year for two overages of therapeutic medications in a horse he trained, claiming in a federal lawsuit filed against state regulators Wednesday that his due-process rights were violated.
Prince Bishop and African Story, winners of the past two editions of the Dubai World Cup, have been retired from racing and will reside in the Godolphin stables going forward.
The $50,000 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby highlights the five stakes for Arizona-breds on Saturday’s Turf Paradise card. The 1 1/16-mile main-track event for 3-year-olds drew a field of eight, headed by Jungle Java.
The 2015 meet at Hastings begins Saturday with seven races and significant changes to the stakes schedule that was released earlier this year.
Adelaide, a Grade/Group 1 winner in the U.S. and Australia, has been retired from racing and will enter stud during the upcoming Southern Hemisphere breeding season at Coolmore Australia in Jerrys Plains, New South Wales.
Another popular tradition has taken hold at Churchill Downs: This will be the fifth spring meet with a Downs After Dark opener with an 11-race card Saturday.
While Blofeld went to the sidelines following his juvenile campaign, his reputation continued to soar, thanks to the exploits of some of his key rivals, including a pair of Kentucky Derby hopefuls. The unbeaten colt now looks to reclaim the spotlight Saturday as he comes off the bench for the inaugural running of the $100,000 William Walker Stakes, the opening-night feature under the lights at Churchill Downs.
Colour Party (#6, ML 5-1) makes her North American debut in Thursday’s third race at Aqueduct, the 1 1/16-mile Memories of Silver Stakes on turf. Trainer Christophe Clement is winning at a 38 percent clip when saddling a horse making its first start in North America, for a return on investment of $2.80.
