Fri, 04/25/2025 - 13:19

Ortiz ready for some Oaks fun with Quietside

Coady Media

Trainer John Ortiz worked Quietside a half-mile in 48.44 seconds on Friday at Keeneland.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Let the fun begin.

That was the sentiment from trainer John Ortiz after watching Quietside put in her final workout Friday morning at Keeneland in preparation for a start in the Kentucky Oaks next Friday at Churchill Downs.

Under regular rider Jose Ortiz, Quietside went a half-mile in 48.44 seconds, according to Daily Racing Form, while galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.50. The work was done over a fast track, approximately 10 minutes before it began raining heavily and turned the track sloppy.

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 12:00

Finger Lakes meet opens with Ferraro and Coa teaming up again

By Nicole Russo

Barbara D. Livingston

There will be 16 races run across the first two days of the meet, all at 4 1/2 furlongs.

Although it’s often considered in a lesser light than the New York Racing Association circuit, the meet at Finger Lakes Racetrack, which opens Monday, provides plenty of opportunities for both local horsemen and those shipping in to shine.

Fri, 04/25/2025 - 10:58

Emerald opens 2025 meet with new faces, lower pick three takeout

By Mike Seely

Reed Palmer/Emerald Downs

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash., will kick off its 51-day meet Sunday with a seven-race card.

People in the Seattle area have long complained about the hordes of Californians who have moved north in pursuit of cheaper housing and milder weather.

The opposite reaction is now occurring a half-hour south of the city at Emerald Downs, where, thanks to an unprecedented influx of barns formerly based in Northern California, the jewel-box track with the spectacular view of Mount Rainier stands to have more horses on its backstretch than at any point in the last decade for a 51-date meet that opens Sunday.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 14:47

Despite slow start, D'Amato confident his stable will have a strong year

By Steve Andersen

Barbara D. Livingston

On opening weekend at Santa Anita, trainer Phil D'Amato won four races from 12 starts.

It’s been a lean start to 2025 for trainer Phil D’Amato, who has one of the most high-profile stables on the West Coast.

Through Thursday, D’Amato has yet to win a stakes this year. During a comparable time last year, he had nine such wins. Last year, D’Amato finished with 36 stakes wins, including 33 in California to lead the state’s trainers.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 11:59

Kentucky Derby 2025: Lynch wants Owen Almighty to rate

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Brian Lynch doesn't expect Owen Almighty to vie for the early lead in the Derby.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It is expected there will be plenty of pace in this year’s Kentucky Derby. Brian Lynch doesn’t want his horse, Owen Almighty, to be a part of it.

Despite Owen Almighty’s biggest win to date, the Tampa Bay Derby, having been accomplished in gate-to-wire fashion, Lynch expects Owen Almighty to be off the pace in his attempt to navigate the 1 1/4 miles of the Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

Thu, 04/24/2025 - 10:04

Churchill Downs pauses $1 billion renovation, citing tariff-related costs

By Matt Hegarty

Barbara D. Livingston

Churchill cited “increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariffs and trade disputes" in pausing the renovations.

Churchill Downs Inc. has put nearly $1 billion in renovations to its flagship Louisville track on hold, the company announced on Wednesday night, citing “increasing uncertainty surrounding construction costs related to tariffs and trade disputes, as well as current macro-economic conditions.”

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 18:08

Heroic Move settled in, targeting Steve Sexton Mile repeat

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Media

Heroic Move will aim at a repeat in the Steve Sexton Mile.

Heroic Move is settled in at Lone Star Park after dominating the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap earlier this month. He won by eight lengths and for the effort earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

“He’s doing good,” said trainer Robertino Diodoro. “He’s at Lone Star now and hopefully he can defend his title as the Steve Sexton Mile winner. That’s what we’re pointing towards again.”

Heroic Move won the Grade 3, $400,000 race last year. The renewal is set for May 26.

Heroic Move is now 5 and seems to be a better horse this year.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:49

Los Alamitos plans three summer stakes

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Bob Baffert has won the Los Alamitos Derby in each of the past eight years.

Led by the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes for fillies and mares, Los Alamitos has three stakes scheduled for its nine-day Los Angeles County Fair summer meeting from June 20 to July 6.

The $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on July 5 is the richest race of the brief season. There are two $100,000 races on the first two Saturdays, the Bertrando Stakes for California-breds at a mile on June 21 and Los Alamitos Derby for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on June 28. Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has won the Los Alamitos Derby in each of the last eight years.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:41

Straight No Chaser back in California after mixed Middle Eastern adventure

By Steve Andersen

Dubai Racing Club

Straight No Chaser "was a little flat" in the Golden Shaneen, said trainer Dan Blacker.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Straight No Chaser, the champion sprinter of 2024, recently returned to trainer Dan Blacker’s stable at Santa Anita after mixed results in a two-race campaign in the Middle East earlier this year.

Straight No Chaser “has good energy and is bouncing around the barn,” Blacker said last weekend.

Long-range plans for Straight No Chaser include a potential start in the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on July 26 and the definite goal of an appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 14:14

Kentucky Derby 2025: Citizen Bull works seven furlongs at Santa Anita

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Citizen Bull is back on his game, according to Bob Baffert.

While trainer Bob Baffert shipped Wood Memorial winner Rodriguez to Kentucky on Tuesday, he kept Citizen Bull back in California. On Wednesday at Santa Anita, the 2-year-old champion worked seven furlongs in 1:24.30 in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

It was the third work in 11 days for Citizen Bull, who on April 13 went a half-mile in 47.60 seconds and on April 18 drilled six furlongs in 1:11.80. In the April 18 work, Citizen Bull started five lengths behind a workmate before finishing a length or so in front at the wire.

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