Thu, 05/14/2026 - 13:20

Brant moving horses from Brown to other trainers

Barbara D. Livingston
Peter Brant (above) has had horses with Chad Brown since 2018, when Sistercharlie won the Eclipse for turf female in Brant's colors while trained by Brown.

Owner Peter Brant, who has enjoyed immense success over the last eight years since teaming up exclusively with Chad Brown, has moved approximately 75 percent of his stable from the five-time Eclipse Award winning trainer, sending runners to Bill Mott, Riley Mott, and Miguel Clement, Brant confirmed Thursday. 

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 10:53

Riley Mott consulted dad before entering Incredibolt in Preakness

Barbara D. Livingston
Riley Mott said it was literally a last-minute decision to run Incredibolt in the Preakness.

LAUREL, Md. – In addition to consulting with the principals of Pin Oak Stud, the owners of Incredibolt, trainer Riley Mott sought the advice of another person before deciding whether to wheel the sixth-place finisher from the Kentucky Derby back in two weeks in Saturday’s Preakness Stakes: his Hall of Fame training father, Bill Mott.

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 10:47

Danon Bourbon injured in Kentucky Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Danon Bourbon was the only horse who attended the fast pace in the Kentucky Derby who was still around at the finish.

Danon Bourbon, who finished fifth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten three lengths after holding a two-length lead in midstretch, was diagnosed with a chipped knee, his connections announced on Wednesday.

Danon Bourbon is scheduled to undergo surgery and the hope is he can come back in 2027.

“The timing of his return is undecided due to the results of surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, but I think he will focus on rest by the end of the year," trainer Manabu Ikezoe was quoted as saying in Japanese media reports.

Wed, 05/13/2026 - 09:26

Cristian Torres appeals suspension for whip violations in Oaks, Derby

Barbara D. Livingston
Cristian Torres rode Search Party to a 10th-place finish in the Kentucky Oaks and was 14th aboard Robusta in the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Cristian Torres has appealed a five-day suspension levied by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority for whip violations while riding in both the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks last week at Churchill Downs in Louisville, according to documents posted by HISA on its website.

In the separate rulings, Torres was alleged to have struck Search Party, his mount in the Oaks, eight times, two above the limit of six. In the Derby, he was alleged to have struck Robusta seven times. Search Party finished 10th, and Robusta finished 14th.

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 16:16

Preakness 2026: Russells hope to buck Tesio trend with Taj Mahal

Susie Raisher/NYRA
Sheldon Russell (left) has the mount aboard Taj Mahal for his wife, Brittany, on Saturday.

Trainer Brittany Russell arrived on the second floor of the Laurel Park grandstand minutes before the draw for the 151st Preakness Stakes on Monday evening. Flanked by her family, she couldn’t find a place to sit. Without many options, the woman of the hour reluctantly chose to take a couch right in front, as if propelled to center stage.

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 16:11

Preakness 2026: Shift to Laurel could favor local riders

Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
“It’s a big track. Everything is perfect, the condition and everything," jockey Yedsit Hazlewood said of Laurel.

LAUREL, Md. – With the Preakness Stakes temporarily relocating from Pimlico to Laurel Park in 2026, much has been made of the effect the move will have on configurations for the 1 3/16-mile race. With a much shorter run to the first turn and slightly shorter stretch, some experts have said the changes could have a massive impact on the race, but local jockeys aren’t panicking.

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 16:00

Preakness 2026: Move to Laurel one of many race changes over the decades

LRL.Washington DC International Feb 15 2020
Barbara D. Livingston
The Washington D.C. International, which debuted in 1952, has a glorious history. Among the silks on display are those of Bald Eagle (left) and T.V. Lark, the 1960 and 1961 winners, respectively.

It seems like change has been a constant for the hallowed Triple Crown series this decade. After the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic turned the world, the racing calendar in general, and the series upside down, the last three years have seen upheaval due to massive renovations of historic racetracks in New York and now in Maryland.

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 11:21

Preakness 2026: Still a maiden, third-place Derby finisher Ocelli has proven he belongs

Barbara D. Livingston
Late-charging Ocelli has finished third in the Kentucky Derby and Wood Memorial in his last two starts for Whit Beckman.

LAUREL, Md. – Finishing third in the Kentucky Derby is obviously not as good as winning. But for the connections of Ocelli, their colt’s third at 70-1 as a maiden in the 152nd Kentucky Derby two weeks ago at Churchill Downs felt pretty satisfying.

Ocelli, who only drew into the Derby off the also-eligible list two days before the race, made a sustained rally under Tyler Gaffalione that carried him from 17th to the lead inside the sixteenth pole. The lead was short-lived, however, as Ocelli was passed by Golden Tempo and Renegade, ultimately beaten one length at the wire.

Tue, 05/12/2026 - 09:30

New York court upholds Pletcher suspension; trainer likely to appeal

Barbara D. Livingston
The likelihood of an appeal makes it doubtful that Pletcher would serve the suspension during the Belmont Stakes.

A New York appellate court has upheld a decision by the state’s racing regulator to impose a 10-day suspension on trainer Todd Pletcher for a 2022 post-race positive of a regulated anti-inflammatory medication.

The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court issued the ruling on May 7 to uphold the suspension, which was issued after Pletcher's horse Forte tested positive for meloxicam after winning the Hopeful Stakes on Sept. 5, 2022, at Saratoga Race Course. The ruling was first reported by The Blood-Horse.

Mon, 05/11/2026 - 18:20

Preakness 2026: Late addition Incredibolt tabbed among favorites in field of 14

Barbara D. Livingston
Incredibolt will start from post 12 in a field of 14 in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.

Incredibolt, a late addition to the field, immediately was tabbed a serious contender by two morning-line makers for Saturday’s 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.