For anyone who has had the opportunity to meet Barry Irwin, it's doubtful any one of them would describe him as subtle or understated. A former journalist and handicapper who delved into the world of bloodstock and ownership syndicates before they really became commonplace, Irwin has worn a great many hats in horse racing over [...]

Lael Stables' Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution), who hadn't visited the winner's circle since her debut win last September, marked her return to the winner's circle with stylish victory in Saturday's GIII Delaware Oaks at Delaware Park. Sent off the 2-1 second choice, Luv Your Neighbor was settled in a two-wide fifth as 8-5 choice Dazzling [...]

5th-WO $115k, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, post time: 3:00 p.m. CRYSTAL PEARL (Curlin) gets his belated start for Gold Standard Racing Stable and trainer Mark Casse. Out of GSW and GISP sprinter Miss Sunset, the now 4-year-old was secured for $1.1 million at the 2023 Keeneland September Sale. Working predominantly on the synthetic of late, [...]

A trio of turf graded stakes kicks off the Thoroughbred season at Saratoga on Thursday, headed by the GIII Pennine Ridge Stakes which features sophomores going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Installed the 9-5 morning-line choice, Mo Speed Racing's West End Kid (Twirling Candy) will attempt to secure his third consecutive victory after posting [...]

Shadow Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation) was certainly on the betting public's radar heading into his career opener at Santa Anita on Sunday, and he did not disappoint when he came screaming from off the pace to score by 6 1/2 lengths in a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'-earning performance. Shadow Nation was allowed to [...]

Despite being the sole Grade I winner in the field, Usha (Tiz the Law) entered Monday's GIII Winning Colors Stakes as the 2-1 second choice behind 8-5 choice Kapoor (Uncle Mo), victorious in her four most recent starts. While the latter was significantly compromised at the start and failed to show her best in her [...]

A pair of Grade I turf tests in addition to the GII Hollywood Gold Cup highlight Santa Anita's Memorial Day card. Kicking off Monday's graded action, the Gold Cup will feature a quintet of hard-knocking handicappers, including Grade I winners Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), victorious over ultimate champion National Treasure (Quality Road) in the 2024 renewal [...]

1st-BAQ, $85K, Msw, 2yo, (S), 5f, 1:10p.m. Life Is Good is represented by a pair of juveniles, including Repole Stable's BEACH LIFE. Bred by Thirty Year Farm, the New York-bred brought $350,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The filly by Achalaya (Bellamy Road) is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning turf horse Casa Creed [...]

LAUREL, MD–Napoleon Bonaparte was reputed as saying “Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.” Never was a phrase more appropriate aprospos than the lead up to Saturday's GI Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park. Given the absence of both the Kentucky Derby winner and runner-up, it seemed like everyone and [...]

The same trainer-jockey combination Whit Beckman and Tyler Gaffalione teaming up with GI Preakness entrant Ocelli later in Saturday's card, enjoyed a victory earlier in the day when Bring the Smoke got up just in time to take the GIII Maryland Sprint Stakes at Laurel. The most lightly-raced 4-year-old with only three prior starts under [...]

LAUREL, MD — Two weeks ago, Saffie Joseph Jr. found himself in an eerily similar situation when one of his horses was forced to scratch from a Grade I event right before the big dance. The latest casualty was My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) who was scratched on Apr. 29, only two days before the [...]

LAUREL, MD–With the first two finishers in this season's Kentucky Derby opting to bypass the Preakness Stakes, something that hasn't happened in a quarter of a century, a full field of 14 readies to earn Classic glory in Saturday's second jewel of the Triple Crown, which will be staged at Laurel Park for the first, [...]