Sun, 04/18/2021 - 14:58

California board may consider enhanced whip-use penalties

The California Horse Racing Board may vote on enhanced penalties for excessive whip use at a teleconference meeting Wednesday, the second time in as many months the issue has come before the board.

In March, the racing board voted 4-3 to table the matter for future discussion. Wednesday’s meeting is the first opportunity to re-address the issue.

Since October, California jockeys have been limited to six underhanded strikes in a race and are allowed two strikes before pausing to allow their mounts to respond.

Sat, 04/17/2021 - 20:50

Rosario to ride Rock Your World in Kentucky Derby

Emily Shields
Umberto Rispoli will ride Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World in the Kentucky Derby.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Joel Rosario has been booked to ride Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1, trainer John Sadler confirmed in a text message late Saturday afternoon.

Rosario rode Rock Your World in his debut in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs on turf on Jan. 1.  Umberto Rispoli rode Rock Your World in two subsequent stakes wins – the Pasadena Stakes at a mile on turf on Feb. 27 and the colt’s main-track debut in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby at 1 1/8 miles on April 3.

Sat, 04/17/2021 - 11:22

Concert Tour out of Kentucky Derby, targets Preakness

Barbara D. Livingston
Unbeaten Concert Tour wins the Rebel by 4 1/4 lengths. A one-sided Arkansas Derby victory could make him the favorite for the May 1 Kentucky Derby.

Concert Tour, who suffered the first defeat of his career in the Arkansas Derby on April 10, was ruled out of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday by trainer Bob Baffert, who said the colt needed more time before being ready to be at his best.

Baffert said the plan as of now is to point to the second leg of the Triple Crown, the Preakness Stakes, on May 15, which would mean five weeks until his next start. The Derby is May 1, three weeks after the Arkansas Derby.

Thu, 04/15/2021 - 11:27

UAE runner Panadol won't make Kentucky Derby

The connections of UAE Derby runner-up Panadol had hoped to run him in the May 1 Kentucky Derby, but he has been declared from consideration after suitable transportation from overseas became unavailable.

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Wed, 04/14/2021 - 16:11

Rotondo leaving Breeders' Cup after 15 years

Peter Rotondo, the vice president of media and entertainment for Breeders’ Cup for the past 15 years, is leaving the organization as of May 12, Breeders’ Cup confirmed on Wednesday.

Rotondo, who comes from a Staten Island family of horseplayers, is leaving the organization “to pursue other opportunities,” Breeders’ Cup said in a statement issued in response to an inquiry by Daily Racing Form. Rotondo is one of the longest-tenured employees of Breeders’ Cup.

Wed, 04/14/2021 - 13:46

Kentucky Derby: The waiting is the hardest part for those on bubble

Emily Shields
Dream Shake is not yet officially in the Kentucky Derby field, and his connections are undecided if they want to run if he does get in.

The answer was succinct, and honest. Asked Wednesday morning if Dream Shake would run in the Kentucky Derby if he could get in, trainer Pete Eurton said, “I don’t know what we’re going to do yet.”

Wed, 04/14/2021 - 11:16

Kentucky Derby: Who's hot, who's not for April 14, 2021

WHO’S HOT

Tue, 04/13/2021 - 17:09

LongRun's Vicki Pappas, Heart to Heart among inductees to Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame

Keeneland/Coady Photography
Maker's 46 Mile winner Heart to Heart is likely to make two or three more starts ahead of the Breeders' Cup.

Builder Vicki Pappas, Heart to Heart, and Not Too Shy are the 2021 inductees on the Thoroughbred side for the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Mon, 04/12/2021 - 10:17

Laurel to add seven days of racing to make up for EHV cancellations

Barbara D. Livingston
Laurel Park in Maryland last held live racing on March 20.

Laurel Park has added seven days to its summer racing schedule as a make-up for the two weekends of racing that were canceled in late March due to an outbreak of equine herpesvirus at Maryland tracks.

The seven dates are all scheduled for Thursdays in June and July, running from June 3-July 15. Laurel is currently racing on a three-day live racing schedule, Friday through Sunday.

Fri, 04/09/2021 - 11:03

Hammond gets 15-day suspension for lidocaine

Trainer Kim Hammond, a mainstay on the Midwest racing circuit, will serve a 15-day suspension after one of the horses in her care tested positive for lidocaine, a painkiller, following a recent win at Turfway Park, according to a stewards’ ruling.

The ruling states that Hammond received a 30-day suspension for the Class B drug violation, but that 15 days would be stayed provided that Hammond does not receive a Class A or Class B violation within the next year. The ruling said that Hammond waived her right to appeal the penalty.