1/ST Racing

Pegasus Day at Gulfstream is one of my most enjoyable days at the races. The melding of great entertainment, world-class horses, and a great vibe shows racing at its best. It is expensive to put on and showcases our sport in the highest light. It is also the most ironic considering the recent announcement regarding the closing of Gulfstream and seeking development absent horse racing. I was perplexed to listen to Belinda Stronach on Pegasus Day speak of the non-compatibility of racing in an urban environment, despite all of the...

Saffie Joseph, Jr. has had some big days since he came to the U.S. from his native Barbados in 2011, but perhaps none bigger than last Saturday at Gulfstream Park. He had three stakes wins, including a score with Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhahaarar ({GB}) in the GII Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes and a win with Mystic Lake (Mo Town) in the GII Inside Information Stakes. But the one that really mattered was the victory by White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes....

The California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) voted unanimously Tuesday morning not to apply for racing dates in 2025. The summer fair meets this decision could impact are at Alameda County Fair, The Big Fresno Fair, Cal Expo at California State Fair, and Ferndale at Humboldt County Fair. Sonoma County Fair runs a summer fair meet independent of CARF. In theory, individual tracks can still independently apply for a 2025 racing license similar to Sonoma's approach. "After making the difficult decision not to submit future race meet applications, the California...

Horse racing is woven into the cultural and economic fabric of Florida as well as the United States. For generations, our sport has brought communities together, created jobs, served as the foundation for vibrant local economies and sparked an economic-driving industry. However, the proposed changes in Florida House Bill 105, supported by The Stronach Group (TSG), threaten to unravel this legacy by decoupling live thoroughbred horse racing from gaming operations. This legislation is not just a Florida issue; it represents a dangerous precedent that could jeopardize the future of horse...

In advance of the 2025 Pegasus World Cup, 1/ST and the Ed Brown Society have extended their initial three-year partnership to provide opportunities for young people of color to gain industry exposure through internships and scholarships, the owners of Gulfstream Park said in a Thursday release. This year 1/ST will provide $50,000 in funding to cover all costs associated with the paid internship program enabling the Ed Brown Society to identify, recruit and place qualified students. On Saturday at the Pegasus World Cup, the third race will be dedicated to...

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be the official aftercare partner of the Pegasus World Cup, set to be held Saturday, January 25 at Gulfstream Park, the TAA announced Tuesday. A named race held both Friday and Saturday for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will continue a 10-year partnership between the Pegasus World Cup, 1/ST Racing and the TAA. On Friday, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Race 5 while Saturday will feature the GII TAA Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes. Winners of both races will receive a...

The Stronach Group (TSG) has told Florida industry stakeholders they can guarantee racing at Gulfstream Park only through 2028 if a proposed bill to decouple Thoroughbred horseracing from casino licenses passes the state legislature. In a closed-door meeting with the Florida horsemen and women Wednesday morning—a recording of which was obtained by TDN—Keith Brackpool, a former TSG executive now reportedly working in an advisory capacity for the company, also warned that "if there's no decoupling, then there's no guarantee of when we will continue to race," according to the recording....

Eoin Harty's world is chock full right now. For starters, his home is situated in the midst of one of the worst wildfires in California history, but somehow it has survived the nightmarish ordeal. Then, there is his role as the president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers, a position he has held since 2019. What that means is he is at the forefront of trying to turn around the declining fortunes of racing in the state, which he admits is no easy task. The good news is that he has...

Santa Anita opened its track Thursday morning to limited training--just joggers and gallopers for most of the morning. For the Santa Anita backstretch community, it was a slice of normality as the extent of the damage caused by the wildfires that have ripped across Los Angeles this week began to set in. "I've lived there half my life, almost. My daughter was born there. It's where she grew up. All of our memories together. I was just telling her, 'all of your medals and trophies for all the years you...

Santa Anita Park has postponed Friday's Jan. 10 racing program until next Thursday, Jan. 16. due to the forecast of poor air quality for the San Gabriel Valley after the devasting impact made by the Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area, the track said in a press release on Thursday afternoon. The California Horse Racing Board has approved this proactive rescheduling of the 10-race card. The races will be run with the horses previously entered in the post position order originally drawn. "While Santa Anita continues to remain well...

In racing circles, trainer Jose D'Angelo might not yet be a "household name," but that's not going to last much longer. In this country for about five years, the native of Venezuela is coming off a stellar 2024 in which he won 140 races, including his first Grade I with Howard Wolowitz (Munnings) in the Aristocrat Franklin-Simpson Stakes. And it looks like 2025 might be even better. He has a stable full of potential stars that includes 'TDN Rising Star' Guns Loaded (Gun Runner), the winner of last Saturday's Mucho...

Wildfires propelled by unusually strong Santa Ana winds swept across Los Angeles Tuesday and into the night, breaking out near several densely populated neighborhoods including Altadena, Pasadena and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains that serve as a backdrop to Santa Anita Park. According to Cal Fire, that particular fire--coined the Eaton Fire--had spread to more than 10,600 acres by Noon Wednesday. Los Angeles woke Wednesday morning to apocalyptic images. Thousands have fled their homes. Large swaths have lost power. At least five people have reportedly died thus far. Winds...