Thu, 04/16/2026 - 13:51

Atras greenlights Pashmina for Kentucky Oaks

Debra A. Roma

Trainer Rob Atras confirmed that Pashmina, second in the Gazelle, will start next in the Kentucky Oaks.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The well-traveled Pashmina is getting set to make another road trip this spring as she is confirmed to run in the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs, trainer Rob Atras said Thursday.

Pashmina, a daughter of Constitution, earned her way into the Oaks with a solid second-place finish in the Grade 3 Gazelle Stakes on April 4 at Aqueduct. After setting the pace, Pashmina gave way late to Always a Runner. Pashmina was beaten 1 1/4 lengths while finishing 8 3/4 lengths clear of the rest of the field.

Thu, 04/16/2026 - 09:43

Woodbine opens 2026 meet; renovated turf course set for use in September

By Ron Gierkink

Michael Burns

The New York Racing Association and Woodbine have teamed for a 14-race program of stakes races restricted to horses foaled in New York or Canada.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Woodbine kicks off its 2026 racing season Saturday, the first of 128 scheduled days of a meet that largely mirrors the 2025 season while including a major twist in the turf racing program.

Racing will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays for the first three weeks of the meet before Fridays are added on May 8 and Thursdays on June 11. Closing day is Dec. 13.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 16:11

Walsh wins a Grade 1 and dodges two bullets

By Marcus Hersh

Expensive Queen (right) dead-heats with Segesta in Jenny Wiley at KEE April 11 2026

Coady Media

Brendan Walsh-trained Expensive Queen (right) surged up the rail inside of Segesta to dead heat for first in the Grade 1 Jenny Wiley.

In horse racing, one out of three is not bad at all, and that’s the Grade 1 tally for trainer Brendan Walsh after two weekends of stakes racing at the Keeneland meeting.

In truth, only one of those three actually ran a race: Expensive Queen dead-heated for first with Segesta on April 11 in the Jenny Wiley Stakes.

The Walsh-trained Lush Lips probably would have been favored in the Jenny Wiley had she not been scratched after showing signs of some sort of illness late last week.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:54

McCarthy looking for second Oaklawn Handicap win with Journalism

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Journalism will look to give trainer Michael McCarthy his second victory in the Oaklawn Handicap.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Journalism has made an impression in his local gallops since arriving from his Southern California base for a Saturday clash with reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap – and trainer Michael McCarthy likes the transition last year’s Preakness winner has made from age 3 to 4.

The Oaklawn Handicap will be Journalism’s first start since finishing a good fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:51

Oaklawn Handicap: Sovereignty-Journalism showdown finally on tap

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Sovereignty, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Belmont, hasn't raced since winning the Travers at Saratoga last August.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – For the second year in a row, a reigning Horse of the Year will launch their season at Oaklawn Park.

Last meet, Thorpedo Anna captured the Grade 2 Azeri in her first start since being named the 2024 Horse of the Year.

This Saturday, Sovereignty, the 2025 Horse of the Year, is set to make his first start at 4 in the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 13:14

My Miss Mo possible for Kentucky Oaks after sharp work

By Mike Welsch

Tom Keyser

My Miss Mo has finished second in the Gulfstream Oaks and Davona Dale in her last two starts for Saffie Joseph Jr.

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Gulfstream Park Oaks runner-up My Miss Mo moved a step closer to joining the field for the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks on May 1 at Churchill Downs after turning in a visually impressive half-mile breeze in 48.26 seconds, per Daily Racing Form, over a fast but cuppy track shortly after the second renovation break here Wednesday.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 11:23

D'Amato outlines plans for spring

By Brad Free

Benoit Photo

Thought Process is trainer Phil D’Amato’s top female turf runner.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Spring at Santa Anita is always good for trainer Phil D’Amato, who expects his run to continue during the 2026 Hollywood Meet that begins Friday.

D’Amato led the spring meet standings in 2023, 2024, and 2025. He also led the Santa Anita winter-spring standings in 2021 and 2022 when statistics were compiled over an extended six-month season from late December to June. On the eve of the 2026 spring meet, D’Amato expressed optimism that his stable will be prominent throughout the two-month meet.

Wed, 04/15/2026 - 10:41

Reason for Queen Maxima's Monrovia disappointment becomes a bit clearer

By Brad Free

Coady Media

Queen Maxima finished third at odds of 2-5 in the Monrovia Stakes.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The curious saga of Queen Maxima continues to stir discussion at Santa Anita following the mare’s flat third as the odds-on favorite April 4 in the Grade 3 Monrovia Stakes on the hillside turf course.

Contrary to an initial report by Daily Racing Form, stewards Grant Baker, Luis Jauregui, and Kim Sawyer were not party to the events that contributed to Queen Maxima’s disappointing finish as the shortest-priced favorite on the Santa Anita Derby card.

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 12:08

Sovereignty arrives for Oaklawn Handicap; Journalism gallops

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Sovereignty arrived at Oaklawn Park from South Florida on Tuesday morning for his matchup with Journalism in the Oaklawn Handicap.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – A pair of equine stars lit up an overcast Tuesday morning at Oaklawn Park, as 2025 Horse of the Year Sovereignty rolled into the stable area about the same time Journalism was out on the track preparing for their clash in Saturday’s Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap.

Tue, 04/14/2026 - 11:49

West Virginia governor signs legislation directing more money to state's Thoroughbred Development Fund

By Matt Hegarty

Coady Media

Under the bill, the development fund and purses will receive a greater share of the revenues from casinos in the state.

West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday signed a bill that will add approximately $1.5 million annually to the West Virginia Thoroughbred Development Fund and provide new incentives for owners to base horses in the state.

The bill was signed by Morrissey during a ceremony at Charles Town Races. Morrisey was accompanied by several lawmakers who pushed the bill through the legislative process as a boost to the state’s agriculture industry.

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