In the final weeks of trainer Brittany Russell’s time with the Mid-Atlantic star Post Time, the only parting gift she could give him was to send him out a winner. Back at Laurel Park on Dec. 20, the dynamic duo connected one more time in the $100,000 Robert T. Manfuso, the Maryland-bred’s 11th and final victory at home.
The importation of the successful young sire Sergei Prokofiev from England should be a huge boost to the Ontario breeding industry.
Sergei Prokofiev will stand for $10,000 at Ballycroy Bloodstock north of Toronto after the son of Scat Daddy was purchased privately and syndicated last fall by his Canadian breeder, David Anderson. A $1.1 million Keeneland yearling purchase by the Coolmore clan in 2017, he won three sprint stakes in England and Ireland during his formative years, including the Group 3 Cornwallis.
Perennial leading sire Candy Ride was no slouch in 2025 as he continues to produce quality. The Lane’s End stallion, who turns 27 this year, finished 10th among North American leading general sires by earnings, with five stakes winners led by Dubai World Cup hero Hit Show.
But Candy Ride’s influence has shifted to his sons at stud picking up the torch. On various 2025 sire lists, he is represented by a number of top 10 finishers.
ARCADIA, Calif. – January is too early in the year for the elite of the female dirt division, but it’s just right for the lower tier to chase black type in a Grade 3 stakes on Saturday at Santa Anita.
The $100,000 La Canada offers an ideal chance for likely pacesetter Brilliantly to stretch out and score her second victory. If a mile and a sixteenth is too far, stablemate Nafisa can pounce. And if she also misfires, perhaps late-runner Ooty will upset. Bob Baffert trains all three.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – One horse conspicuous by his absence when Saturday’s $175,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint was drawn on Sunday, although for good reason, was Grade 2 winner Reef Runner.
Trainer David Fawkes had originally planned on bringing Reef Runner back in the Turf Sprint following his one-length victory in the Janus Stakes on Dec. 20. The performance capped off a huge 2025 campaign during which Reef Runner also won the Grade 2 Eddie D at Santa Anita and finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.
Trainer Brad Cox, who seems flush with 3-year-old prospects this year, is pointing impressive maiden winner Cannoneer to the Grade 3, $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 31, and Commandment, winner of the Mucho Macho Man Stakes, to the Grade 2, $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 28.
Cannoneer, a son of Into Mischief, won a seven-furlong maiden race by 7 1/4 lengths on Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs, earning a 90 Beyer. That was his second career start after he finished third going 5 1/2 furlongs in his debut at Churchill on June 1.
Several unraced 3-year-old fillies with strong pedigrees from high-profile barns are scheduled to make their debuts Friday at Gulfstream Park in a one-mile maiden heat that looks to be the most interesting event on the 10-race card.
Todd Pletcher has two of the nine entered, led by Elgheed, a $1.2 million yearling purchase by Shadwell Stable at Keeneland in September 2024. Elgheed is by Into Mischief out of the dam Immediate Impact, herself a half-sister to Arrogate, the 2016 champion 3-year-old.
The New York Racing Association announced that it will not race at Aqueduct this Sunday due to a forecast that calls for significant snow and cold temperatures. It will instead offer racing on Jan. 28, pending expected approval from the New York State Gaming Commission.
Early forecasts for Sunday have anywhere from eight to 12 inches of snow possible, along with bitter cold temperatures.
Acoustic Ave and El Grande O might be stablemates for trainer Linda Rice, but as the two runners prepare for their third meeting since October, it’s becoming more appropriate to call them rivals. The talented pair will square off in an $88,000 allowance at Aqueduct on Friday, another test for them at six furlongs.
“I think they’re both very live in that spot,” Rice said. “It’s not an easy race – a small field with some pretty accomplished horses. Any one of them can run a huge number on a given day.”
ARCADIA, Calif. – Seeing that favorites are winning at a 46 percent clip this winter at Santa Anita, perhaps bettors should back the obvious Friday in the featured fifth race on the hillside turf course.
However, that means wagering on a Grade 1 winner who finished up the track his last three starts, is racing on turf for the first time in more than three years, and making his first start in nearly four months.
