Wed, 04/01/2026 - 08:59

Familiar rivals face off in classy turf allowance

Barbara D. Livingston
Mi Hermano Ramon is the race 3 favorite, dropping in class after a fifth-place comeback in the Grade 2 Frank E. Kilroe Mile.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Before they go their separate ways, Grade 2 winners Cabo Spirit and Mi Hermano Ramon meet Friday at Santa Anita in a turf allowance that attracted a high-class field.

Five of the six entered in the 1 1/8-mile race are graded winners, led by Mi Hermano Ramon and five-time stakes winner Cabo Spirit. Mi Hermano Ramon is on his way back, making the second start of his comeback. Cabo Spirit is on his way out, as he will be freshened after Friday.

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Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:58

Pick six carryover hits $52,482 as LaRose takes baton from Amoss

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Kinnon LaRose will have a contender in Thursday's featured eighth race with Spa Prospector.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A significant change in the national trainer ranks begins on Thursday at Oaklawn Park, where Tom Amoss hands over the reins of his prominent stable to his longtime assistant, Kinnon LaRose.

LaRose will have his first starters as a head trainer on a card that features a $52,482 carryover in the pick six. The $1 bet covers races 4-9.

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:13

Alysheba, Sexton Mile the options for Touchuponastar

Barbara D. Livingston
Touchuponastar, a repeat winner of the New Orleans Classic, is possible for the Alysheba at Churchill Downs or Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park.

No plans have been set for Touchuponastar, but the $750,000 Alysheba on May 1 at Churchill is one of two races that owner Jake Delhomme and trainer Jeff Delhomme are tentatively considering for the standout Louisiana-bred 7-year-old.

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:13

McCarthy opts for one-mile Appalachian with Counterbalance

Benoit Photo
Trainer Michael McCarthy said Counterbalance will start in the Appalachian at Keeneland instead of the Providencia at Santa Anita.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Counterbalance, winner of the China Doll Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on March 8, will miss Sunday’s $100,000 Providencia Stakes at Santa Anita in favor of Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland.

Aside from the significant difference in purses for the turf races, trainer Michael McCarthy said the one-mile distance of the Appalachian is preferred over the Providencia Stakes, run at 1 1/8 miles.

“I think a mile and an eighth is more than what she is looking for,” McCarthy said.

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:12

Reagan's Honor has chance to capitalize in Blue Grass

Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges Jr.
With the absence of Paladin in the Blue Grass, Reagan's Honor will look to join the Kentucky Derby picture.

The weekend news that leading Kentucky Derby hope Paladin had suffered an injury and will not race in the Triple Crown drastically altered the complexion of Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes, Paladin’s intended final Derby prep.

The Blue Grass favorite out of the picture, Reagan’s Honor’s Blue Grass stock has risen, and a Sunday workout at Keeneland, his first since shipping from Fair Grounds, did nothing to alter that notion.

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:11

D'Amato delays Stronghold's return for one more work, easier distance

Debra A. Roma
After scratching from the San Carlos, trainer Phil D'Amato will look for options at Keeneland and Oaklawn for Stronghold.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Stronghold, winner of the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in 2024, will have a delayed start to his 2026 season.

Trainer Phil D’Amato withdrew Stronghold from Sunday’s Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita in favor of races at Keeneland or Oaklawn Park in coming weeks.

“I think he’s one work away,” D’Amato said on Sunday morning. “There are a couple of spots at Oaklawn Park and Keeneland. I think they will prove to be better, timing-wise.”

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:08

Express Kid out of Santa Anita Derby after spiking fever

Dustin Orona Photography
Express Kid, winner of the Springboard Mile, will scratch from the Santa Anita Derby after spiking a fever.

Midwest stakes winner Express Kid will not be sent to California for Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

“He spiked a little fever at feed time” on Sunday, trainer Justin Evans said on Monday morning from Sunland Park in New Mexico. “It blew us all out of the water. We had to treat him this morning. I’ve had two or three in the last week that have spiked a temperature.”

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:05

Champion She Feels Pretty retired

Barbara D. Livingston
She Feels Pretty won four Grade 1 stakes and more than $2 million in earnings.

The champion turf mare She Feels Pretty has been retired from racing with plans, if time allows, to breed her this spring.

Mon, 03/30/2026 - 12:59

Jockey Panici retires, joins track maintenance crew

Luca Panici Jan 30 2026
Barbara D. Livingston
Longtime Florida rider Luca Panici won 943 races in the United States.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Veteran jockey Luca Panici, a mainstay on the South Florida circuit the last 16 years, announced his retirement following the conclusion of the Championship meet on Sunday at Gulfstream Park.