Parx Racing does not intend to schedule any turf racing until at least August due to potentially unsafe racing conditions. The Pennsylvania track, which typically hosts its first turf races in late spring, had issues maintaining the course last year and claims that adverse conditions over the winter have rendered the surface unsatisfactory for racing. 

“This winter was a particularly challenging one, with extreme weather across the country,” a Parx spokesperson said in a statement. “We will not schedule any turf racing until we can properly evaluate the course this spring.” 

Colonial Downs has released an expanded stakes schedule for the track's 41-day meet in 2025. Between July 9 and Sept. 13, the Virginia track will host 31 stakes races, including four graded stakes.  

The highlight of the meet will be the Colonial Downs Festival of Racing, scheduled for Aug. 9, when the Grade 1 Arlington Million, Grade 2 Beverly D., and Grade 2 Secretariat will all be run on the same card alongside four ungraded stakes races. All the graded stakes that day will be run on the Secretariat Turf Course. 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Sandman and Coal Battle, first and third, respectively, in the Arkansas Derby, both turned in maintenance moves toward the Kentucky Derby on a brisk and windy Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Working on a fast track at about 7:15 a.m., just after the first renovation break, Sandman was credited with a half-mile in 49.60 seconds by the Churchill Downs clockers.

"We just wanted him to stretch his legs," said assistant trainer Allen Hardy, who oversaw the work.

Tampa’s leading jockey, Samuel Marin, who surpassed the 100-win mark at the meet when he rode five winners on Friday’s card, is serving a three-day careless riding suspension.

Marin, whose 103 wins lead Samy Camacho’s 88 with 11 days remaining in the meet, began his suspension Sunday and will not be riding Wednesday or Friday. He is eligible to return on Saturday.

Though he has spent the last several weeks in the hospital recovering from a heart attack, trainer Dennis Ward’s barn hasn’t missed a beat.

When Bahamian Moon won an off-the-turf allowance/optional $32,000 claiming race on Saturday, it was Ward’s ninth win from 27 starters at the meet. Three of those wins have been supplied by Bahamian Moon, an 8-year-old mare who has won 12 of 51 career starts. Since the meet began last November, Bahamian Moon has three wins, two seconds, and a third in six starts.

“How about her? She’s something else. They can’t beat her,” Ward said.