Jockey Luis Saez on Wednesday dropped his appeal of his 2019 Kentucky Derby careless riding suspension aboard Maximum Security and began serving a 15-day suspension that runs through June 3.

Saez was aboard Maximum Security, who crossed the finish line first in the Kentucky Derby. But approaching the five-sixteenths pole, Maximum Security veered out several paths off the rail, causing the riders of War of Will and Long Range Toddy to take a hold of their horses.

Stephen A. DiMauro, a champion trainer and a breeder who also was highly involved in the New York backstretch community, died on Wednesday night at his home in Winter Park, Fla., after a long illness, according to his son, Stephen L. DiMauro. He was 87.

The New York Racing Association will institute a number of new entry and safety protocol changes at the upcoming Belmont Park spring/summer meet that begins June 3.

The NYRA has altered the waiver-claiming rule to allow a trainer to designate a horse exempt from being claimed if it has not started since March 16, 2020, as long as its entered for a price equal to or greater than it last started. Previously, the waiver-claiming rule was in effect for horses who hadn’t started in 180 days or longer.

Eclipse Award champion and classic sire Forty Niner died in Japan on May 18 due to the infirmities of age. The pensioned son of the great Mr. Prospector had just turned 35 on May 11, living to a grand old age for a Thoroughbred.

As the New York Racing Association awaits word from state officials about the resumption of live racing on this circuit, the company announced Thursday it has partnered with Northwell Health to offer COVID-19 antibody testing for NYRA employees and backstretch workers.

The tests were to be administered Saturday between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the Belmont clubhouse. Backstretch employees were required to sign up for the tests on Thursday and Friday and were to be notified Friday night at what time they would be tested.

British Idiom, champion 2-year-old filly of 2019, was diagnosed with a bone chip in an ankle, has undergone surgery, and is out of action until later this year, trainer Brad Cox confirmed Monday.

La Verdad, the champion female sprinter of 2015, was euthanized Sunday due to complications from colic, according to her owner, Sheila Rosenblum. La Verdad was 10.

In a statement sent by text, Rosenblum said that La Verdad needed medical attention for a few days after giving birth to a colt by Into Mischief on May 4 at Vivien Molloy’s Edition Farm. La Verdad had previous foals – all fillies – by Curlin, Tapit, and Medaglia d’Oro.

Call Paul, a multiple graded stakes-winning colt formerly trained by Jason Servis, suffered a fatal injury to his left hind leg during a workout over the Belmont Park training track Wednesday morning.

Call Paul, who hadn’t run since finishing fifth as the 4-5 favorite in the Steel Valley Sprint Championship last Nov. 25 at Mahoning Valley, was working for the fourth time since he was transferred to Rob Atras.

Prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder Preston Madden, who bred dual classic winner and Horse of the Year Alysheba at his family’s historic Hamburg Place, died Tuesday at his home in Kentucky. He was 85.

Ruth Ann Childers, a family friend, first confirmed Madden’s death to the Lexington Herald-Leader. Childers said Madden had been battling an illness and had a brief stay in the hospital before returning home; she added that his death was not related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Trainer Mark Casse, whose major victories include Triple Crown races in both the United States and Canada as well as at the Breeders’ Cup and Royal Ascot, and Wise Dan, a two-time Horse of the Year and six-time Eclipse Award winner, were announced on Wednesday by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame as this year’s inductees from the contemporary ballot.