Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:12

Cox mapping out plans for his loaded older dirt stable

By Mary Rampellini
Coady Media
Off a 109 Beyer Speed Figure for his win in the Oaklawn Handicap, First Mission is being pointed toward the Grade 1 Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The depth of trainer Brad Cox’s older dirt horse division was on full display last weekend when First Mission won the Grade 2, $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap with a Beyer Speed Figure of 109, the same day Just a Touch captured a Keeneland allowance with a Beyer of 104 to put himself in play for the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga.

First Mission’s 109 Beyer equaled the top number put up in dirt races at a mile or more so far this year in North America. The effort came two weeks after Cox trainee Hit Show won the Group 1 Dubai World Cup.

Wed, 04/23/2025 - 11:00

Preakness Future Wager pool opens Friday

By Matt Hegarty
Jeff Snyder/Maryland Jockey Club
This is the third year in a row for the Preakness Future Wager, which is modeled after the Kentucky Derby future bet pools.

Wagering on a futures bet for the May 17 Preakness Stakes will open on Friday, April 25, and close just prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 3, the administrators of the pool announced on Wednesday.

The future bet will include 40 entries – 39 individual horses and a final entry including “all other” 3-year-olds. The minimum bet will be $2, and only win betting will be offered. The takeout is18 percent.

Tue, 04/22/2025 - 13:41

Kentucky Derby 2025: Coal Battle, Admire Daytona work at Churchill

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
Exercise rider Bethany Taylor was aboard Coal Battle for his Tuesday work at Churchill.

Coal Battle, the four-time stakes winner, had his third workout over Churchill Downs's main track since arriving in Louisville from Arkansas, going a half-mile in 47.97 seconds Tuesday morning in preparation for the Kentucky Derby on May 3.

Daily Racing Form clocker Mike Welsch had Coal Battle going his first quarter in 24.38 and galloping out five furlongs in 1:01.16. Exercise rider Bethany Taylor was aboard.

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 13:29

Friday card features big fields for pick six with $68,635 carryover

By Steve Andersen
Barbara D. Livingston
Friday's pick six pool at Sant Anita is likely to exceed $500,000, as a carryover of $68,635 enters the card.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Friday’s nine-race program at Santa Anita will include a carryover of $68,635 in the $2 pick six.

The carryover was clinched when Recycleyourheart led throughout Sunday’s 10th race for maiden claimers, returning $23.60.

On Friday, the pick six covers the fourth through ninth races on a program that begins at 1 p.m. Pacific. The pool of new money in the pick six may exceed $500,000.

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 13:27

Dr. Venkman nears return, targets Triple Bend

By Steve Andersen
Benoit Photo
Grade 2 winner Dr. Venkman is nearing a return with the Triple Bend Stakes as the likely target.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Dr. Venkman, winner of the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar last July, is on schedule for his first start since August in the Grade 3 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on May 31, trainer Mark Glatt said Sunday afternoon.

Earlier on Sunday, Dr. Venkman worked five furlongs in 1:01, continuing a steady pattern of workouts since mid-March.

Dr. Venkman, a 5-year-old gelding by Ghostzapper, has not raced since he finished fourth by three lengths as the 11-10 favorite in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at Del Mar last August.

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 13:25

Baffert has high hopes for Richi after Santa Maria win

By Steve Andersen
Benoit Photo
Trainer Bob Baffert has the Breeders' Cup Distaff as a long-term goal for Richi, winner of Saturday's Santa Maria Stakes.

ARCADIA, Calif. – The South American Group 1 winner Richi is thriving in the United States and part of an extensive team of older fillies and mares trained by Bob Baffert.

Richi was a game second to stablemate Cavalieri in a fast running of the Grade 1 Beholder Mile on March 8 at Santa Anita and won the most prestigious race of her American career in Saturday’s Grade 2 Santa Maria Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles at the same venue.

Richi led throughout the $200,000 Santa Maria and won by 4 1/2 lengths over stablemate Splendora.

Mon, 04/21/2025 - 11:50

Arriagada having terrific meet

By David Grening
Tom Keyser
Juan Arriagada enjoyed his seventh multi-win day at the meet when he won two races Saturday.

Trainer Juan Arriagada enjoyed his seventh multiple-win day at the meet when he won two races on Saturday’s card to add to what has already been his career-best Tampa season. His 37 wins are second only to Kathleen O’Connell’s 50.

Arriagada has two runners on Wednesday’s card, topped by Sweet Nola, who seeks her third straight win at the meet in a first-level allowance/optional $16,000 claiming race that goes as the first of the day. Arriagada claimed Sweet Nola for $6,250 on Feb. 2 and promptly won a $10,000 claiming and a starter allowance in a span of 12 days.

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 12:28

NYRA offers financial incentives to horsemen who participate in Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

By David Grening
Barbara D. Livingston
The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will be held June 4-8 at Saratoga.

The New York Racing Association announced Friday that it will offer financial incentives to horsemen who participate in the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held at Saratoga from June 4-8. 

Owners whose horses finish fourth through last in races run during those days will be eligible to receive $1,500 in stakes races and $1,000 in overnight races. Trainers are eligible to receive a bonus of $750 for a stakes starter and $500 for starters in overnight races for horses who finish fourth through last. 

Fri, 04/18/2025 - 09:56

Hundred-day Thistledown meet to kick off Monday

By Nicole Russo
JJ Zamaiko Photography
Thistledown will hold the first of its 16 stakes on Kentucky Derby Day.

Thistledown will kick off its 100-day live racing season, which includes some of the richest days on the Ohio circuit, on Monday.  

Located in North Randall, Ohio, just outside Cleveland, Thistledown generally runs on a Monday through Thursday schedule at its meet, which runs through Oct. 1. There are a handful of special Saturday cards at the meet, including on days when the three Triple Crown races are held in May and June.  

Thu, 04/17/2025 - 12:22

Good Cheer turns in serious pre-Oaks work

By Nicole Russo
Coady Media
Good Cheer went five furlongs in 59.40 seconds, the fastest at the distance Thursday morning.

Undefeated Good Cheer, the early favorite for the Kentucky Oaks, turned in a serious drill toward the May 2 filly classic on Thursday morning at Churchill Downs. She went five furlongs in company in 59.40 seconds, the fastest at the distance Thursday morning.

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