Heerman Shaped Today's Thoroughbred Sales
Victor Heerman Jr., who as a bloodstock agent in the 1980s added flair to Central Kentucky sales, died July 2 at his Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. home. He was 89.
Frank Angst
Jockey Morales Posts 1,000th Career Victory
Jockey Pablo Morales secured the 1,000th victory of his career when he guided favorite For Scipion to a front-end tally in the fifth race July 9 at Presque Isle Downs.
Heir Kitty Set for Return in Great Lady M
Heir Kitty, who closed out her 3-year-old season with a clear victory in the La Brea Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park, will make her first start since April in the Great Lady M Stakes July 12 at Los Alamitos Race Course.
Admiral Kitten Back at Arlington Park
While Admiral Kitten has failed to hit the board in three straight starts, the 5-year-old son of Kitten's Joy will try to end that skid when he returns to the site of his biggest career win Saturday, July 12.
Information Key in Maintenance of Tracks
A pair of presenters on racetrack surfaces at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit talked about how improved information is helping to improve surfaces throughout the U.S.
Jockey Injury Database Calls for More Support
- By Frank Angst
- Racing, Health, Kentucky
At the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit July 9 at Keeneland, organizers of the Jockey Injury Database said added participation will help generate needed statistical information.
Kentucky Horses Lose a Friend in Vet Byars
On the morning of July 8, the word "irreplaceable" kept bouncing around the head of Old Friends founder Michael Blowen as he thought about the previous night's death of Central Kentucky veterinarian Doug Byars, D.V.M.
Itsmyluckyday Aims to Extend Roll in Salvator
Classic-placed Itsmyluckyday will try for a third straight stakes victory in his 4-year-old season when he starts in the $150,000 Salvator Mile Stakes (gr. III) July 6 at Monmouth Park.
Colonial Downs Challenges VRC Plan in Court
Before any action is taken on a Virginia Racing Commission plan that could have paved the way for racing at Colonial Downs in 2015, it will be challenged in court by the New Kent, Va., track.
Toast of New York Invades for Belmont Derby
Bettors who play name angles will have a hard time getting past group II winner Toast of New York when he makes his U.S. debut July 5 in the $1.25 million Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (gr. IT) at Belmont Park.
I Spent It First Winner for Super Saver
In his career debut at Belmont Park, I Spent It showed a good kick in the stretch to notch a three-quarter-length victory in a five-furlong maiden special weight race to become the first winner for freshman sire Super Saver.
Sky Captain Upsets Frac Daddy in Dominion Day
In upsetting massive favorite Frac Daddy in the $155,100 Dominion Day Stakes (Can-III) July 1 at Woodbine, Sky Captain extended his perfect 4-year-old season to three races and secured the first stakes win of his career.
WV Court Overturns Wehrman Suspension
A West Virginia Circuit Court has reinstated the occupational permit of former Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races racing secretery Randy Wehrman.
Organizers Believe Boycott Impacted Churchill
A horseplayers group believes its boycott negatively impacted handle at the Churchill Downs spring meet where the total money wagered decreased by more than $48 million.
Majestic Harbor Shocks Gold Cup
Gallant Stables' Majestic Harbor circled horses in the far turn, flew past fading favorite Game On Dude, and powered to the wire to register a clear victory in the Gold Cup at Santa Anita Stakes (gr. I) June 28.
Parranda Prevails in Royal Heroine Stakes
Kathleen Rose would not let her win streak end without a fight but Parranda proved to have just enough to score a narrow victory in the $200,000 Royal Heroine Stakes (gr. IIT) June 28 at Santa Anita Park.
Calder Jockey Ore Injured in Spill
Jockey Zarella Ore was air-lifted from Calder Casino & Race Course after a spill in the sixth race Friday, June 27 at the Miami Gardens, Fla. track.
Miss Behaviour Could Act Up in Victory Ride
Grade II winner Miss Behaviour, who picked up the third stakes win of her career in her previous start, will try to continue that winning form in the $150,000 Victory Ride Stakes (gr. III) Sunday, June 29 at Belmont Park.
Stewards Suspend Delaware Trainer 90 Days
Trainer Juan Vazquez, who witnesses say was involved in a scuffle June 23 with jockey Trevor McCarthy at Delaware Park, was suspended for 90 days by the track's stewards on June 26.
THS: Mother Goose S. and New York S.
- By Frank Angst
Frank Angst and special guest Ellis Starr handicap the Mother Goose Stakes and New York Stakes from Belmont Park this weekend. Can Untapable be beat? watch video
Bashford Manor Stakes Debut for Cinco Charlie
After overwhelming seven other 2-year-olds in his 4 1/2-furlong debut at Churchill Downs, Cinco Charlie will stretch out to six furlongs for his stakes debut June 28 in the $100,000 Bashford Manor Stakes (gr. III).
Untapable Set for Return in Mother Goose
Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Untapable will make her first start since cruising to a 4 1/2-length victory in that top Churchill Downs test when she faces an expected five other 3-year-old fillies in the Mother Goose.
Derby-Winning Owner Tafel Dies at 90
Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I)-winning owner and breeder James Tafel died June 25 at his home at the Village of Golf, Fla. He was 90.
Upcoming Breeders' Cup Sites Installing Dirt
When Del Mar and Keeneland host their first Breeders' Cup World Championships, the two tracks will both be relying on relatively new dirt surfaces as their main tracks.
Breeders' Cup: Churchill, NYRA Still Options
A three-year plan of upcoming Breeders' Cup sites does not include eight-time host Churchill Downs or the New York Racing Association, a five-time host; but Cup officials said the schedule should not be seen as a snub.
Keeneland a Breeders' Cup Homecoming
The opportunity to race at the track closest to the Kentucky Thoroughbred breeding industry that has helped make the Breeders' Cup possible proved a major factor in awarding the 2015 Breeders' Cup to Keeneland.
Keeneland Hopes for Early Start in Fall 2015
In a move that would keep the timing of its "Fall Stars" weekend in place, Keeneland hopes to start its 2015 fall meet one weekend earlier than usual.
Under Plan, No 2014 Racing at Colonial Downs
The Virginia Racing Commission has asked that horsemen and Colonial Downs come to an agreement on an eight-week schedule for 2015 in a deal that would see no live Thoroughbred racing in 2014 at the New Kent, Va. track.
Milestone Victory for Trainer Hartman
Trainer Chris Hartman notched the 1,000th victory of his career Sunday, June 22 when Silver Rock Star prevailed by a neck in the seventh race at Prairie Meadows.
Jockey Club Urging Potential Salix Study
- By Frank Angst
- Racing, Health, Kentucky
The Jockey Club has called on leading industry organizations to come together to conduct a Salix study that would examine the timing of administration on the medication used to prevent exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Filly First Winner for Freshman Sire Blame
Even-money favorite Caval became the first winner for freshman sire Blame when she drew off in the stretch to post an easy victory in the first race June 19 at Santa Anita Park.
Dixie Winner Utley to Canada for King Edward
After notching the first stakes win of his career in the Longines Dixie Stakes (gr. II), Utley is scheduled to make his first ever start in Canada June 22 in the King Edward Stakes (Can-IIT).
Consistent Merry Meadow Lands in Bed o' Roses
Merry Meadow, who has placed in 18 of 20 career starts, will try to post a second straight grade III victory when she faces an expected 10 other older fillies and mares in the Bed o' Roses Handicap June 21 at Belmont Park.
Kingman Crowns St. James's Palace Field
Kingman avenged his lone career loss when the Khalid Abdullah homebred posted a 2 1/4-length victory in the $637,500 St. James's Palace Stakes (Eng I) June 17 at Royal Ascot.
Toronado Opens Season With Queen Anne Victory
Toronado proved up to the challenge of facing top competition in his seasonal debut when the 4-year-old held off a late challenge from Verrazano to secure a victory in the Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I) June 17 at Royal Ascot.
Obviously Repeats in Shoemaker Mile Stakes
A change of venue didn't bother Obviously, who for the second straight year cruised to an easy win in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. IT) June 14 at Santa Anita Park.
We Miss Artie Stands Out in Plate Trial
After finishing off the board in the Kentucky Derby, grade I winner We Miss Artie will prepare for a run at the Canadian classics when the son of Artie Schiller starts in the $150,000 Plate Trial Stakes June 14.
Gamay Noir Looks to Again Make Grade In Obeah
After posting an upset victory in this year's Rampart Stakes, Gamay Noir will try to secure her second grade III win of the season when she faces an expected field of seven other fillies and mares in the Obeah Stakes June 14.
Derby Starter Tapiture Returns in Matt Winn
A pair of horses who earned graded stakes wins as juveniles will try to add to their resumes June 14 at Churchill Downs when Tapiture and Rise Up meet in the $100,000 Matt Winn Stakes (gr. III).
Horse Owners File Lawsuits Against Wickliffe
Owners of three Thoroughbreds hospitalized after receiving a compounded drug from Wickliffe Veterinary Pharmacy allege the Lexington company was negligent.
TVG Handle Increases 33% in Fiscal Year 2014
Like its parent company Betfair, TVG enjoyed a strong 12 months for the fiscal year ended April 30, according to financials released June 11. TVG saw handle increase 33% to $74.76 million.
Record Instant Racing Handle for Ellis Park
Since putting a new marketing plan in place for its Instant Racing games, Ellis Park has seen improvement in the business. The Kentucky track registered record monthly handle for the games at $3,024,776 in May.
Waiting, and Waiting, for Crowning Glory
Delve into the history of failed bids, explore the challenge of winning the final leg, and relive stories of spoilers who have halted each quest for history. Read Feature
Federal Charges Dropped Against Trainer Webb
Samuel Webb, one of three trainers and four people facing federal fraud charges following arrests in November at Penn National Race Course, had those charges dropped on June 5.
Resolute Honey Hues Takes Mint Julep
Honey Hues held off the stretch challenge from I'm Already Sexy June 7 at Churchill Downs to win the $100,000 Early Times Mint Julep Handicap (gr. III) and earn the first stakes victory of her career.
Bayern Runs Away With Woody Stephens
Returning to sprinting after finishing off the board in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), Bayern drew off in the stretch to post an easy victory in the $500,000 Woody Stephens Stakes (gr. II) June 7 at Belmont Park.
Jockey Johnson Secures Milestone Victory
Jockey Joe Johnson secured the 1,000th victory of his career June 5 when he guided Silver Antelope to victory in the final race on the Churchill Downs card.
Commissioner Final Classic Rep for A.P. Indy
This year's Belmont Stakes (gr. I) includes Commissioner, who will be the final classic starter for A.P. Indy. Going into this edition, 14 Belmont victors have gone on to sire a Belmont winner.
Assault, Secretariat, Affirmed Lead 'Chrome'
- By Frank Angst
- Racing, Triple Crown, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, West Region, Kentucky, Mid-Atlantic
If California Chrome wins the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7 at Belmont Park, he would become the first California-bred Triple Crown winner and just the fourth horse bred outside of Kentucky to sweep the three classics.
Twilight Eclipse Targets Belmont Gold Cup
Multiple grade II winner Twilight Eclipse will stretch out to two miles Friday, June 6 when the 5-year-old Purim gelding faces an expected 11 rivals in the inaugural $200,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes.
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