Thu, 12/04/2025 - 14:25

Hey Nay Nay getting break ahead of 3-year-old season

Barbara D. Livingston

After a third-place finish in the DeMille, Hey Nay Nay will get a break before next season.

The two-time stakes winner Hey Nay Nay is out of serious training after finishing third as the 1-2 favorite in the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-old turf milers at Del Mar last Sunday.

Trainer John Sadler said on Thursday that Hey Nay Nay will miss the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile on turf at Santa Anita on Dec. 28, the first stakes opportunity on turf for foals of 2023 at the track’s winter-spring meeting.

“Hey Nay Nay will get a little break,” he said. “He’ll skip the first one and freshen up a little bit. He had a lively 2-year-old campaign.”

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 14:20

Om N Joy setting sights on Beholder Mile

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

After getting a break, Om N Joy will likely start next in the Beholder Mile at Santa Anita.

Om N Joy, a four-time stakes winner since April, is in the midst of a farm rest in central California, and will resume training in mid-December for a 2026 campaign intended to start in the Grade 1 B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile at Santa Anita on March 7.

Trainer Aggie Ordonez said on Wednesday that Om N Joy will have a slow build-up to her return to full training.

“I’ll jog here for a good long time before I work her,” she said. “I can try to make that race in March.

“She’ll need a couple of serious works to be ready for that kind of company.”

Thu, 12/04/2025 - 12:59

Canadian Hall of Fame trainer Doyle dead at 74

By Ron Gierkink

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Trainer Mike Doyle, who was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame earlier this year, has died at age 74.

Doyle conditioned Canadian champions Bessarabian and Wavering Girl, along with Wild Gale, who finished third in both the 1993 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes. He won 1,178 races, including 120 stakes, and amassed earnings of $44.2 million.

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 14:36

Unrivaled Time to be freshened prior to his 3-year-old campaign

By Steve Andersen

Unrivaled Time wins Cecil B. DeMille at DMR Nov 30 2025

Benoit Photo

Unrivaled Time wins the Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar. Trainer Leonard Powell may test the 3-year-old turf-route waters back east with him in the spring.

Unrivaled Time, winner of the Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes on turf at Del Mar on Sunday, is likely to have a brief rest this winter in advance of a 2026 season geared toward the leading races for 3-year-olds on turf.

Trainer Leonard Powell said on Wednesday that Unrivaled Time is unlikely to start in the next stakes for 2-year-olds on turf in California, the $100,000 Eddie Logan Stakes at a mile at Santa Anita on Dec. 28.

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 13:58

Fuentes out indefinitely with injuries from spill

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Media

Jockey Luis Fuentes will be sidelined with injuries sustained in a spill at Zia Park.

Jockey Luis Fuentes will be sidelined indefinitely due to injuries sustained in a spill in an allowance race on the undercard of the Zia Park Derby. He fractured his femur and four ribs, and suffered a punctured lung, according to his agent, Mike Kelly. Fuentes underwent surgery for the femur in El Paso, Texas.

“He said the operation went good and everything,” Kelly said. “He’s home healing.”

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 13:54

Zia Park Derby runner-up Zero Sugar will race at Oaklawn

By Mary Rampellini

Zero Sugar, who was a close second to Brotha Keny in the $300,000 Zia Park Derby last month in New Mexico, will likely make his next start at Oaklawn Park, according to co-owner Staton Flurry.

Flurry said trainer Cippy Contreras has options for Zero Sugar, who is eligible for a conditioned allowance as well as the $135,000 The Coach, which is a new overnight stakes for 4-year-olds on Jan. 2. The 1 1/16-mile race is named for the late Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 13:49

Amoss poised for 3-year-old stakes with Oscar's Hope, Actis

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Oscar's Hope won a maiden at Saratoga and the Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs last out.

The Tom Amoss trainees Oscar’s Hope and Actis both positioned themselves for opportunities on the 3-year-old trail next season after winning separate two-turn stakes last month at Delta Downs.

In the $100,000 Jean Lafitte for 2-year-olds, Oscar’s Hope was always prominent while nailing down the third win of his young career. He entered the race off a first-level allowance sprint win at Churchill Downs. For his 2 3/4-length win in the Jean Lafitte, Oscar’s Hope equaled his best Beyer Speed Figure, an 82.

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 13:48

Aqueduct adds Dec. 10 card to make up for canceled races

By David Grening

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – There will be live racing Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Aqueduct, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday afternoon. That card was added to the schedule to make up for the cancellation of the final eight races on Sunday’s card, when the jockeys refused to ride, citing differences with management.

Following this four-day week, NYRA will race Dec. 10-14 before going on holiday break from Dec. 15-25. Racing will then resume Dec. 26.

Wed, 12/03/2025 - 13:40

Ortiz's stable is stacked for sustained success

By David Grening

Barbara D. Livingston

Doc Sullivan is entered in Saturday’s Grade 2 Cigar Mile, but is considered questionable to run.

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Trainer John Ortiz will keep a string of 10 to 15 horses in New York this winter as he tries to establish a year-round presence here. The early returns are quite good.

Ortiz has won three races from six starts at Aqueduct’s fall meet. The wins have come with New York-breds Doc Sullivan, Moe Eighty Eight, and Braverthanubelieve, all owned by Glenn Lostritto’s Tristar Farm.

Tue, 12/02/2025 - 17:43

Farrior making mark in stakes

By Patrick Moquin

Jeff Snyder/Maryland Jockey Club

On Nov. 22, Petingas Twin backed up an improved allowance victory in October when he closed fast to win the $100,000 Dave’s Friend by a nose at Laurel Park.

Anthony Farrior does most of his damage with claiming horses in the Mid-Atlantic region, but after winning two six-furlong stakes in the span of three days in late November, the trainer seems to be expanding his horizons.

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