With any luck in the coming months, the resumption of the Sovereignty –Journalism rivalry could be an international sensation. Michael McCarthy, trainer of Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Journalism, said the son of Curl will return to his Santa Anita Park in the shed in mid-January, hoping to get six or seven works in before starting […]
Many California owners prefer to keep their horses close to home, where they can watch them race. But Justin Border and Ryan Exline know the odds of being Canadian bred and shipped successfully Gas me up Unpleasant Woodbine for multiple breeds. On December 29, Gas Me Up returned to California as a more mature five-year-old […]
This column highlights the achievements of 2-year-old girls who have made no more than five starts and have either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, have siblings who are graded/group winners, or have mothers who are graded/group winners. Research by BloodHorse shows that the first winners who meet these criteria in particular have […]
Hours before the new year, Santa Anita Park will host the final graduated stakes race of 2025: the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) on December 31. (Editor’s note: Racing at Santa Anita Park has been canceled on Wednesday and January 1 due to heavy rain expected in the area.) Trainer Phil D’Amato has two […]
The blue-blooded homebred Spendthrift Farm Tamara a talented filly who has struggled with physical issues since winning the 2023 Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) has retired. The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form and confirmed to BloodHorse by Spendthrift Farm managing director Ned Toffey. Spendthrift father’s 4-year-old daughter Bolt d’Oro and the breeding […]
Weather could play a role in both the makeup of the field and the outcome of the December 29 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2T). The race is scheduled for Santa Anita Park‘s downhill grass course, but heavy rain this week in Southern California that dumped more than 6 inches of precipitation has already postponed the track’s […]
Despite five from the dominating Bob Baffert stable, the December 28 Malibu Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds was Saint Anita has drawn a field of 10 participants. The challengers to Baffert’s quintet – responsible for the top five picks on the morning line odds – include Fast Wilson a Phil D’Amato California-bred and two-time Sea stakes […]
Trainer Jonathan Thomas has entered three in search of his first American Oaks (G1T), but he faces several trainers who have already won the 1 1/4 mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies. Cherie DeVaux, Leonard Powell, Phil D’Amato and Richard Baltas are veterans of this race, which started in 2002 as a summer event on […]
Grass paradise will celebrate a grand opening under new management when live racing resumes on Friday, December 26, launching a new era for Arizona’s first professional sports franchise during its historic 70th racing season. The two-day celebration on December 26-27 will offer free admission and a host of family-friendly activities, welcoming both old fans and […]
There will be three Class 1 races Santa Anita Park‘s opening day on December 28, but the undercard of the graduated stakes action will add to the fireworks with an expected clash of recent Grade 1 winners in the $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2). Those Grade 1 winners both come from the shed of […]