Wed, 10/29/2025 - 15:43

Breeders' Cup Mile: Johannes and Notable Speech return, but it's not a two-horse race

Barbara D. Livingston
Johannes reminded folks in the City of Hope Mile on Sept. 27 why he’d been North America’s top-rated middle-distance turf horse in 2024.

DEL MAR, Calif. – In the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar, Johannes finished a stout second. His trainer, Tim Yakteen, believes the 5-year-old comes into this year’s Mile every bit as good as last year.

A head behind him a year ago came Notable Speech, who closed from farther back than Johannes, a fine third in his North American debut. His trainer, Charlie Appleby, believes Notable Speech, a 4-year-old now, comes to this Mile a better horse than he was last year.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 15:28

Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Reef Runner has score to settle in toughest race of his career

Debra A. Roma
Reef Runner will break from post 2 in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Reef Runner had returned to the barn after winning a $70,000 handicap at five furlongs on turf at Gulfstream Park in early August when trainer David Fawkes declared a goal for the autumn.

“We’re going to the Breeders’ Cup,” Fawkes told his assistant, Israel Hernandez.

Reef Runner starts in Saturday’s $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with a leading chance in a ultra-competitive field of 12.

The win on Aug. 3 was Reef Runner’s first start since March, ending a seven-race losing streak. Reef Runner was gelded earlier this year.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 14:16

Breeders' Cup Clocker: Forever Young breezes on a busy morning

Forever Young (outside) works with American Stage at DMR Oct 29 2025
Debra A. Roma
Classic contender Forever Young works outside of stablemate American Stage, a candidate for the Sprint. Forever Young covered a half-mile in 50.89 seconds.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Every time one looked up it seemed like another gaggle of Breeders’ Cup runners were passing by the grandstand, going in one direction or another, many to and from the starting gate or paddock, on the main track and over the turf course as well at Del Mar on Wednesday. This was the busiest morning here by far with all the players currently on the grounds and the first Breeders’ Cup races just 48 hours away.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 13:19

Breeders' Cup Turf: Minnie Hauk stands between Rebel's Romance and history

Susie Raisher
Rebel's Romance has won the BC Turf twice, at Keeneland in 2022 and at Del Mar last year.

DEL MAR, Calif. – It was only in the last 50 to 75 yards of the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Oct. 5 that Minnie Hauk yielded her lead to Daryz, eventually losing by a head.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 12:35

Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint: Scratch of Sweet Azteca, Tamara leaves field of seven

Barbara D. Livingston
Hope Road is part of a Bob Baffert-trained trio for Saturday's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Sweet Azteca and Tamara do not have a chance to recapture their former glory, after all.

The two favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint both were scratched Saturday morning, leaving a field of seven. Fee Blanche was scratched early in the week.

Sweet Azteca and Tamara, Grade 1 winners in 2024 and 2023, appeared to have resuscitated their careers. Both were coming off sharp wins and were listed 2-1 and 7-2, respectively, in the Filly and Mare Sprint, race 4 Saturday. In their absence, trainer Bob Baffert has a stranglehold on the race.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 11:44

Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile: Nysos taking the Full Serrano route

Barbara D. Livingston
Nysos returned from a 15-month layoff to finish second to Mindframe, then won the Triple Bend and San Diego. He missed the Pacific Classic, prompting Bob Baffert to run him in the Dirt Mile.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Last year, a horse whose connections were intending to run in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic instead detoured to the $1 million Dirt Mile and won the race.

When Full Serrano goes for a repeat in the Dirt Mile on Saturday at Del Mar, he will be facing a horse whose connections are found in similar circumstances.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 10:48

Conducted gets back to stakes in TAA after maiden romp

Coady Media
Queen Maxima seeks to rebound from two losses in the Sen. Ken Maddy Stakes.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Conducted’s smart win in a maiden race at Santa Anita earlier this month did not merit a pre-entry in Friday’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. The $200,000 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes for 2-year-olds at a mile on Friday at Del Mar, though, is more than a suitable alternative.

Conducted, trained by O.J. Jauregui, led throughout the maiden race on Oct. 4, winning by 6 1/4 lengths. The victory was flashy enough for Mike Iavarone and his wife, Jules, to privately buy a majority share in the colt, partially owned by Dan Eplin and Arthur Spencer.

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 10:39

Starship Impulsive back on favored footing in Cellars Shiraz

Starship Impulsive’s four-race winning streak came to an end when she switched to synthetic against older rivals last month, but she should find herself right at home in the $75,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes on Friday at Gulfstream Park. Back against other 3-year-old fillies, she will return to the grass as a likely favorite in the field of 11.

“She’s doing excellent, couldn’t ask more,” trainer Steven Dwoskin said. “You know, she gives us everything we ask for and looks like she enjoys doing it.”

Wed, 10/29/2025 - 10:30

Amoss excited about stretching out Spa Prospector

Barbara D. Livingston
Spa Prospector will be making her first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs, the distance over which she ran third to Mythical in the Grade 3 Adirondack in August at Saratoga.

The broodmare Pray for Leslie will be looking to pull a coast-to-coast stakes double over the next few days when Spa Prospector runs Friday in the $150,000 Tempted at the Belmont meet at Aqueduct and Praying sees action Saturday in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar.

The half-sisters run for different connections, with Spa Prospector going for Greg Tramontin’s Greenwell Thoroughbreds and trainer Tom Amoss. The Tempted is slotted as the second race on a card that includes the $150,000 Pumpkin Pie.