Tue, 01/09/2024 - 10:47

Churchill reaches promotional agreement with Sports Illustrated for new dining room

Churchill Downs has reached a multi-year agreement with Sports Illustrated to brand one of its new dining areas Club SI, calling the facility a “luxury dining experience,” the track announced on Tuesday.

The new area is part of a $200 million renovation of the track’s paddock area expected to be completed by the start of Churchill’s spring meet, which begins the Tuesday before the May 4 Kentucky Derby. The facility that is being branded Club SI was previously planned to be called the 1895 Club.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 13:46

Where's Chris, Constitutionlawyer die after Belmont training accident

By David Grening

Joe Labozzetta/NYRA

Nashua Stakes winner Where's Chris was euthanized Monday as the result of injuries sustained during a training accident.

Two horses died Monday morning at Belmont Park as the result of injuries sustained in an accident on the training track, the New York Racing Association confirmed.

Where’s Chris, winner of the Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct last November, and Constitutionlawyer, most recently sixth in the Queens County on Dec. 31, collided near the seven-eighths pole during training following the 7:45 a.m. renovation break.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 12:30

Subsanador opts for San Pasqual over Pegasus World Cup

By Steve Andersen

ARCADIA, Calif. – Subsanador, a three-time Group 1 winner in Argentina in the last two years, will start in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes on Jan. 27 at Santa Anita instead of the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park the same day, trainer John Sadler said Sunday.

“I think I’ll keep him here,” Sadler said.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 12:30

Exaulted expected to miss Kilroe Mile

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Exaulted is expected to miss the Grade 1 Kilroe Mile but be ready for the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile, a race he won last year.

ARCADIA, Calif. – Exaulted, winner of the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile last May and three other races in 2023, will miss the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on March 2 at Santa Anita because of a disrupted training schedule this winter.

Trainer Peter Eurton said over the weekend that the absence of daily use of Santa Anita’s infield training track in recent months because of a lengthy renovation has limited Exaulted to jogging on the main track.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 11:10

Wilson continues torrid pace, stays atop Fair Grounds trainer standings

By Marcus Hersh

Louisiana-based trainer Shane Wilson aimed a good portion of his stable to races early in the Fair Grounds meet, before Kentucky stables fully settled in for the winter. That proved a successful plan, but Wilson hardly has slowed through late December into January. Since Dec. 15, Wilson’s 12 winners are the most among Fair Grounds trainers, and through Sunday he held a commanding lead in the trainer standings, 24 to 11 over Brad Cox.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 11:10

Gun Runner winner Track Phantom works for Lecomte

By Marcus Hersh

Track Phantom wins Gun Runner at FG Dec 23 2023

Hodges Photography/Amanda Hodges Weir

Track Phantom had his first work since this victory in the Gun Runner, working five furlongs in 1:02 Sunday.

Track Phantom had his first timed workout since capturing the Gun Runner Stakes on Dec. 23 at Fair Grounds when he breezed five furlongs in 1:02 on Sunday.

Track Phantom, a Quality Road colt trained by Steve Asmussen, ran well losing a pair of one-turn miles to begin his career before winning a two-turn maiden at Churchill and the 1 1/16-mile Gun Runner, where he contested a taxing pace and held solidly for a 1 1/4-length victory. Asmussen has said since the day after the Gun Runner that he plans to run Track Phantom in the Lecomte Stakes on Jan. 20 at Fair Grounds.

Mon, 01/08/2024 - 11:05

Honor Marie breezes, on target for Risen Star

By Marcus Hersh

Coady photo

Kentucky Jockey Club winner Honor Marie worked a half-mile Sunday in 49.20.

Honor Marie, the eye-catching winner of the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes in his 2-year-old finale Nov. 25, moved forward in his work pattern over the weekend, going a half-mile Sunday in 49.20 seconds. The breeze was Honor Marie’s second since returning to the work tab with an easy three furlongs on Dec. 31. Honor Marie had a light December after shipping to Fair Grounds, trainer Whit Beckman said, and remains on schedule for his 3-year-old debut Feb. 17 in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes.

Sat, 01/06/2024 - 09:42

Empressum meets Flash Bak, Kj Desparado in Sunland Championship

By Mary Rampellini

Jake Rogers/Ruidoso Downs

Empressum will meet stablemate Flash Bak and Quarter Horse all-time earnings leader Kj Desperado in Sunday's Grade 1, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park.

Empressum will attempt to turn the tables on stablemate Flash Bak on Sunday in the Grade 1, $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park. The 440-yard race for Quarter Horses also drew $3 million earner Kj Desparado.

Flash Bak was a three-quarter length winner over reigning world champion Empressum in the Grade 1 Champion of Champions on Dec. 9 at Los Alamitos. Flash Bak, sent off at 9-1, and won from the rail in the field of 10. Empressum was the favorite after dominating the 2022 Champion of Champions.

Fri, 01/05/2024 - 15:27

Nothing Like You, Dreamfyre skip Santa Ynez but will resurface soon

By Steve Andersen

Dreamfyre during BC Juvenile Fillies Turf at SA Nov 3 2023

Justin N. Lane

Dreamfyre was freshened after the Breeders' Cup and needs a little more time to get ready, according to trainer O.J. Jauregui.

Dreamfyre and Nothing Like You were two of the prominent nominees for Sunday’s Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita. They were not among the five fillies entered, but could run in stakes as soon as February, their respective trainers said.

Nothing Like You has won three straight races, most recently the Grade 2 Starlet Stakes at Los Alamitos on Dec. 9. She was held out of the $100,000 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs in favor of longer races, trainer Bob Baffert said.

Fri, 01/05/2024 - 15:19

Longtime Southern California trainer Eddie Truman retires

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

Eddie Truman, shown in 2015, trained on the Southern California circuit for 50 years, winning 763 races.

Eddie Truman, a fixture among Southern California trainers for 50 years, has retired.

Truman, 76, had his final runner at Los Alamitos on Dec. 17, and won most recently at Santa Anita in June.

His retirement, announced on Thursday through Santa Anita’s publicity department, ends a career that includes 763 wins.

A former jockey, Truman had his best year as a trainer in 1980, winning 53 races, including stakes at the Los Angeles County Fair in Pomona with Damas and Marble Court.

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