HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The promising Brodeur will stretch out to two turns Sunday at Oaklawn Park against a full field of 3-year-olds that includes shippers Handsome Pants and Optical.

The entry-level allowance at 1 1/16 miles carries an optional-claiming price of $200,000.

A field of 11 is set to start, with Brodeur ranking as a leading contender off a maiden special weight win Dec. 14 at Oaklawn. He covered six furlongs in the mud in 1:10.66. The Beyer Speed Figure of 81 he earned is the best last-race number in the field.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Fire and rain are disrupting winter racing at Santa Anita.

Following the recent loss or postponement of one week because of the fires, Santa Anita faces another potential setback this weekend – inclement weather.

“The bulk of the rain looks like it is going to hit Saturday night into Sunday morning,” racing secretary Jason Egan said Friday. “Depending on the intensity and how long it lasts, the main track could be closed for training on Sunday, but we may be able to race on the dirt Sunday.”

With a changed format that brings its new stand-alone online sales into play, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s winter mixed sale will conduct its live session on Jan. 28, providing one of the final opportunities to purchase broodmares and broodmare prospects at public auction as the breeding season nears.

Split divisions of a first-level New York-bred allowance for males top Sunday’s eight-race card at Aqueduct.

The pair of seven-furlong sprints are carded as races 6 and 7, with the latter seemingly the stronger of the two divisions.

James E. “Ted” Bassett, a towering but genteel figure whose work at Keeneland brought the racetrack and sales company to new heights during a 36-year tenure at the association, died on Thursday at his home in Lexington, according to Keeneland. Bassett was 103.

It was an emotional night for the Asmussen family as Erik Asmussen, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Steve, was named champion apprentice jockey.

Erik Asmussen teared up on stage during his acceptance speech and tears were in the eyes of his parents, Steve and Julie, in a photo taken just outside the ballroom at the Breakers Resort. Erik’s grandparents, Keith, a former jockey, and Marilyn, were also at the ceremony.

Statistically, trainer Chad Brown may have had better years, but he called 2024 his best year yet.

Brown won his fifth Eclipse Award as champion trainer, narrowly defeating Kenny McPeek, 101 to 88. McPeek was the first trainer in 72 years to win the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby in the same year and he campaigned Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, the Oaks and Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner.

Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna is one of seven 2024 Eclipse Award winners expected to run in 2025.

Sierra Leone, champion 3-year-old male, has had three workouts this winter at Payson Park and is being considered for the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 22.

Last Sunday, Sierra Leone worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds. He is scheduled to work again this Sunday.

“His last work was a big jump forward, he worked really strongly, he got a lot out of it,” trainer Chad Brown said. “We’ll know more in the next couple of weeks if he’s going to make that race.”