Litfin: No Going Against Arrogate in San Diego
It's opening weekend at Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course, which is sort of like midsummer Christmas for anyone who follows Thoroughbred racing.
News
Headlines and features from the Thoroughbred industry
Classic Empire to Resume Galloping
John Oxley's reigning juvenile male champion Classic Empire is scheduled to resume galloping the morning of July 22 following an easy week at Saratoga Race Course, said Norman Casse, assistant trainer to his father Mark.
Sircat Sally Faces Stiff Test in San Clemente
If everything goes right for Joe Turner's Sircat Sally, the California-bred filly will face increasingly tougher challenges as the year progresses.
Sanford Adds Another Chapter to Rich History Saturday
It's a fitting spot on the racing calendar since the promise of freshman runners earning their oats at the Spa captures the fancy of breeders, owners, trainers, and of course, racing fans.
Daddy's More Than Home
For all the jaw dropping that surrounded the success of Scat Daddy's offspring at the Royal Ascot meet came a bit of head scratching about how this could have been predicted.
Trainer Van Winkle Earns 1,000th Career Win
Trainer David Van Winkle recorded the 1,000th victory of his career when Darcy Peterson's Charlie Again and jockey Hugo Sanchez won the fifth race July 20 at Canterbury Park.
Saratoga Images from Widener Collection
Images from the Joseph Widener Collection taken at Saratoga Race Course.
New Withholding, Reporting Rules Near Enactment
A document outlining upcoming federal regulatory actions released July 20 by The White House indicates that modernized tax guidance relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings is nearing enactment.
CHRB Discusses 'Jail-Time' Claiming Rule Change
- By Jeremy Balan
With concerns regarding field size on the forefront in both regions of California, the California Horse Racing Board discussed a potential rule change that would restrict horses claimed in the state from running outside the state.
Will Antonoe Upset the Diana Stakes?
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Diana Stakes (G1) and Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga.
Original Arrogate Had Major Impact at Del Mar
More than 60 years ago, another Arrogate enjoyed the surf at Del Mar for two summers, making an impact on the history of some legendary connections
Richard's Kid Gets First Winner at Del Mar
Hard-knocking Richard's Kid, winner of three grade 1 races, is now a winning sire after Mama's Kid rushed to the lead and never looked back in a 2-year-old maiden special weight sprint at Del Mar July 20
Ashleyluvssugar Highlights Eddie Read Stakes
Ashleyluvssugar, last out winner of the grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes, is set as the highweight in a field of seven for Del Mar's Eddie Read Stakes (G2T) July 22.
Abel Tasman Brings Form to Coaching Club American Oaks
The jump Abel Tasman has on her foes in terms of divisional supremacy can further grow July 23 when the daughter of Quality Road heads up a field of seven entered for the $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).
Reports of Mares Bred Due at The Jockey Club by Aug. 1
Those who meet the deadline are first to receive stallion service certificates.
Solis to Evaluate Future Following Surgery
Hall of Fame jockey Alex Solis hasn't had a mount since April 21, but that doesn't mean the 53-year-old rider is retired just yet.
Secretariat Photo Album
- By Steve Haskin
I have posted photos of Secretariat over the years, but never all of them in one place. I figured it was time to put all these photos together in a single blog, just to have them archived and easily accessible.
Del Mar Addressing Safety, Field Size Concerns
The presence of the Breeders' Cup in early November in many ways frames the 36-day summer meet, with the iconic seaside racetrack taking on safety issues and field size challenges that the region and overall racing industry also are confronting.
The Future of Aftercare Funding: An OTTB Subsidy
Two major questions arise when horses first retire from racing: where will they go, and who will fund the next chapter of their lives?
Ky. HBPA Teams with Ellis for 'College Day'
Free laptops and scholarships for lucky college students July 23.
Look Back: Shuvee Completes a Filly Triple Crown
Big, powerfully muscled Shuvee, daughter of champions Nashua and Levee, won New York's Triple Crown for Fillies by taking the $100,000-added Coaching Club American Oaks. All she had to overcome was luck.
Arrogate Begins Del Mar Journey in San Diego Handicap
Trainer Bob Baffert wants the four-time graded/group 1 winner to add two more top-level wins to his résumé in the Aug. 19 TVG Pacific Classic (G1) and Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), but the journey begins in the San Diego Handicap (G2).
Direct Dial, Admiral Jimmy Vie Again in Sanford
Seven colts and one gelding are slated to start in the $150,000 Sanford Stakes (G3) for 2-year-olds as racing heats up at Saratoga Race Course July 22, the day after opening day.
Leatherbury, Maryland Racing Mourn Ben's Cat
Connections and Maryland horsemen salute four-time Maryland Horse of the Year Ben's Cat following his July 18 death at age 11.
Two Grand is First Winner for Soldat
Woodford Thoroughbreds' freshmen sire Soldat had his first winner July 18, when Dwight Preston's Two Grand took a maiden special weight race by 3/4 lengths.
Dickinson, Lady Eli to Meet Again in Diana
If Dickinson's form continues at its current rate of progression, it will be hard for wide-spread recognition to not eventually fall in line.
Remembering Ben's Cat
Remembering the career and life of the one and only Ben's Cat.
AHC Extends Deadline for Horse Owners, Suppliers Survey
Horse owners are encouraged to share links to the survey through social media.
Biancone Moves Closer to Kentucky Reinstatement
Trainer Patrick Biancone, who has not had a license in Kentucky since 2007 following the discovery of cobra venom in his Keeneland barn, moved a step closer to being allowed to saddle a horse for racing in Kentucky July 19.
Point of Entry Gets First Winner with Happy King
Adena Springs' freshman sire Point of Entry got his first winner July 15 when Happy King won a six-furlong maiden race at Hipodromo de las Americas in Mexico.
Twisted Tom Favored in New York Derby
In his first start since a well-beaten sixth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), New York-bred Twisted Tom will pick up some class relief when he faces an expected six other state-breds in the $150,000 New York Derby July 22 at Finger Lakes.
Buy Sell Hold, Snowfire Head Schuylerville Cast at Spa
Stakes winners Buy Sell Hold and Dream It Is will be challenged by a full field of impressive 2-year-old filly winners in the Saratoga Race Course opening day co-feature, the Schuylerville Stakes at six furlongs.
Ana O'Brien Sidelined Until November
Ana O'Brien, the jockey daughter of perennial leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien, could be sidelined until November as a result of injuries she sustained in a fall during the July 18 evening race card at Killarney Racecourse.
What's Going On Here: Weight For It
Songbird’s impost in the Del ’Cap was 124, which wasn’t impressive in a historical sense, but what was impressive—at least in this day—was the spread. Songbird gave from eight to 13 pounds to her rivals going 10 furlongs around two turns.
Secretariat Still Omnipresent After 44 Years
- By Steve Haskin
Despite the emergence of numerous equine superstars and three more Triple Crown winners, Secretariat is still the gift that keeps giving. More than four decades later, his name still is part of our vernacular and in many ways of our culture.
Lake George Stakes a Wide-Open Affair
A well-matched group of sophomore fillies accustomed to trading blows with one another co-headline the opening day of Saratoga as graded stakes winners Fifty Five, Dream Dancing, and Sweeping Paddy are set to start in the Lake George Stakes (G3T).
Maryland Horse of the Year Ben's Cat Dies
Four-time Maryland Horse of the Year and multi-million dollar-earner Ben’s Cat, who underwent colic surgery July 6 to repair an epiploic foramen entrapment, was euthanized July 18 due to complications that arose during his recovery.
Dalakhani, Iffraaj Hit 50 Stakes-Winner Milestone
Top international sires Dalakhani and Iffraaj reached important milestones in France during the previous week with each represented by his 50th black-type stakes winner.
The Week in Photos 7/18/2017
Delaware Handicap, Darley July Cup, Duchess of Cambridge, Kent, Los Alamitos Derby, Indiana Derby, Indiana Oaks, Vigil, Flying Quest and more.
Retired Trainer Corbellini Dies at Age 84
Bill Corbellini, who piled up wins in New York and Florida as a successful claiming trainer from the late 1960s through the early 1980s, died July 12 at the age of 84 in Dallas.
Weekend Radio, TV Schedule for Del Mar, Saratoga
Below is a rundown of horse racing television, radio, and online streaming coverage through the opening weekends at Del Mar and Saratoga Race Course.
Plenty of Action to Start Saratoga Meet
The opening weekend of the all-important race meet begins with five graded stakes, including opening day co-features of the Schuylerville Stakes (G3) for 2-year-old fillies and the Lake George Stakes (G3T) for 3-year-old fillies on turf.
Recent Hialeah Park Meet Sends Wrong Chills
This year Hialeah offered a much different race meet, racing not recognized by the AQHA or reported by Equibase. For many, this meet created chills of concern as Hialeah rolled out a series of races to meet its minimum state racing requirements.
Tony Leonard Exhibit Opens at Hall of Fame
The summer racing season isn't the only major opening occurring in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., July 21. The Racing Museum and Hall of Fame will be unveiling its exhibition of 50 images shot by legendary equine photographer Tony Leonard that day.
Three Leadership Changes at English Jockey Club
The English Jockey Club has appointed new chairmen for Newmarket Racecourses, Jockey Club Estates, and The National Stud. Each appointment, announced July 18, comes into effect Jan. 1.
Trainer Biancone Seeks License in Kentucky
Patrick Biancone is seeking to have his training license reinstated in Kentucky, where the conditioner has not saddled a horse since losing his license following a 2007 discovery of cobra venom and other substances in his Keeneland barn.
NTRA Thoroughbred Poll Released July 17
Week 25 of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll of all ages remains status quo in the top-10 results released today.
Santiva Fighting For a Chance
Opportunity more than genetics often shapes a stallion's future. Those with the largest books clearly get the best opportunity to show what they are capable of producing.
Los Alamitos' Summer Thoroughbred Festival Wraps Up
Graded stakes victories by Skye Diamonds and West Coast, the continued emergence of apprentice jockey Evin Roman, and a spectacular debut by the well-regarded 2-year-old Zulfikhar highlighted Los Alamitos' Summer Thoroughbred Festival.
Jose Ortiz, Brown, Dubb Win Belmont Meet Titles
Trainer Chad Brown won his second straight Belmont Park spring-summer individual meet title, while jockey Jose Ortiz posted two victories July 16, closing day, to clinch the riding title for a second straight year.
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Most Popular Stories
- Classic Empire to Resume Galloping
- Sanford Adds Another Chapter to Rich History Saturday
- Sircat Sally Faces Stiff Test in San Clemente
- Maryland Horse of the Year Ben's Cat Dies
- Abel Tasman Brings Form to Coaching Club American Oaks
- Del Mar Addressing Safety, Field Size Concerns
- Solis to Evaluate Future Following Surgery
- Arrogate Begins Del Mar Journey in San Diego Handicap
- Trainer Van Winkle Earns 1,000th Career Win
- NYRA XP App Available for First Time at Saratoga
