HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Sunday the campaign to be mapped out for Claret Beret this season will be determined by working backward from the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff on Oct. 31 at Keeneland.
She earned a berth for the race Saturday, with a 4 1/2-length win in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park. It was the first time the Apple Blossom was run as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge race.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Silent Tactic, who remains on course for the Kentucky Derby, and Counting Stars and Search Party, who are on deck for the Kentucky Oaks, all worked Sunday morning at Oaklawn and will ship Wednesday to Churchill Downs, according to trainer Mark Casse.
The horses each won points races for the 3-year-old classics during the current meet at Oaklawn. The drills on Sunday came on an overcast morning hovering around 70 degrees. The track was fast.
“I thought everybody looked good working,” Casse said.
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year following a campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, and Journalism, the winner of the Preakness and Haskell stakes, will meet in a blockbuster renewal of the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap next Saturday.
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The key word around trainer Gustavo Delgado’s barn on Saturday morning at Gulfstream Park was maintenance. At least when it came to The Puma’s first work back since his second-place finish in the Grade 1 Florida Derby two weeks earlier.
Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy will ship April 21 from Santa Anita to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby, trainer Mark Glatt said Saturday. The colt resumed training this week, and will post his final California workout April 18 or 19 before shipping. So Happy’s final Kentucky Derby workout will be at Churchill Downs.
So Happy has won three races and $480,000 from four starts. The son of Runhappy is owned by Hans and Ana Maron (Saints or Sinners Stable) and Robbie Norman (Norman Stables. So Happy’s rider is Mike Smith.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In her final preparations leading up to the May 1 Kentucky Oaks, relaxation has been a focus for Bella Ballerina. After another educational workout for the filly on Saturday morning at Keeneland, in which she worked behind horses by design, trainer Brendan Walsh and jockey Tyler Gaffalione also appeared relaxed, and pleased with their contender.
"Everything went according to plan," Gaffalione said.
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A handful of Kentucky Derby candidates breezed Friday morning in the Bluegrass State as plans and the field for the May 2 classic continue to come into focus.
Rahy’s Attorney, One for Rose, Richard Dos Ramos, John Burness, and Dale Saunders are among the 2026 inductees into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.
Rahy’s Attorney gained his 15 minutes by upsetting the 2008 Woodbine Mile, a prestigious Grade 1 stakes. He was voted the Sovereign Award as outstanding male grass runner that year and went on to capture the Grade 2 King Edward and Grade 2 Nijinsky while banking $2.1 million for trainer Ian Black.
Despite all the major points-scoring races having been completed, there are still many decisions that need to be made before getting a total handle on the field for Kentucky Derby 152 on May 2 at Churchill Downs.
There are at least four horses among the top 21 point-earners who are less than certain to be entered by their connections come April 25. Ottinho, Class President, and Stark Contrast – who currently rank 15th through 17th on the points list – are uncertain to run. Additionally, Iron Honor, who ranks 21st, also is questionable to be entered.
WHO’S HOT
Brad Cox won a Kentucky Derby points-scoring race for the third straight week, this time with Further Ado galloping to an 11-length victory in the Grade 1 Blue Grass. Further Ado, who earned a division-best 106 Beyer Speed Figure was lowered by David Aragona from 25-1 before the Blue Grass to co-second choice at 5-1 with his Cox-trained stablemate, Commandment, winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby on March 28.
Cox also has Jeff Ruby Steaks winner Fulleffort pointing to the Derby.
