WHO’S HOT

Here's a collection of some of the biggest stories in horse racing, all in one place. Unless noted, all of the links here are to free stories on DRF.com.

Stanford goes wire to wire in Charles Town Classic

Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta never met on the racetrack, but their Hall of Fame plaques will be alongside one another on Aug. 12, when those two outstanding female racehorses as well as jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer Steve Asmussen are inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The outstanding female racehorses Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, both of whom were named Horse of the Year during their careers, along with jockey Ramon Dominguez and trainer Steve Asmussen – who prepared Rachel Alexandra for her celebrated victories over males in the Preakness, Haskell, and Woodward – make up the 2016 induction class to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, it was announced Monday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Justin Stein, who won the 2012 Queen’s Plate on Strait of Dover, has announced that he will retire from riding after Sunday’s card at Woodbine.

Stein, a 36-year-old native of New Westminster, British Columbia, said he’s moving back to B.C. to spend more time with his family at his property near Kamloops.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Monday had been an "ideal" morning after he sent out his two Kentucky Derby contenders - Louisiana Derby winner Gun Runner and Arkansas Derby winner Creator - for their penultimate and most serious works at Churchill Downs in advance of the race.

"Extremely proud of the shape that both of these horses are in coming into the Derby," Asmussen said. "Our team has done wonderfully with them. Their works were ideal for what we think that we need. Very proud of the guys."

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs announced Friday that it has formed a nonprofit ownership group designed to expose fans to Thoroughbred ownership, with the stable to be managed by Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

The new Churchill Downs Racing Club will consist of 200 partners making a one-time contribution of $500, with free parking, admission, and other benefits being afforded each member (does not include Kentucky Derby and Oaks). The club will begin business at the spring meet that starts April 30.

Charles Fipke, a prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder, has donated $100,000 to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund while calling on the racing industry to provide more support for riders.

Fipke, who has been involved in Thoroughbred racing since 1981, said in a release distributed by the PDJF that riders “have a raw deal in the racing industry,” and that injured riders should not have to rely on donations to support themselves.

Nearly 20 Hall of Fame jockeys will be on hand Friday at Keeneland when the track hosts an autograph session and other activities to raise funds for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Laffit Pincay Jr., Edgar Prado, and John Velazquez will be joined by older colleagues such as John Rotz, Manny Ycaza, and Don Pierce for the afternoon. They will all be available from 2-3 p.m. Eastern in the north terrace to sign a commemorative poster featuring art by the famed equine cartoonist Peb. There is a suggested donation of $15 per poster.

WHO’S HOT