Churchill Downs

We're inside the 16-week mark for the May 2 GI Kentucky Derby. These initial rankings are largely based on 2-year-old form, but a speculative element is baked into the equation with an eye toward projecting how these still-developing contenders will blossom over the winter and early spring. 1) TED NOFFEY (c, Into Mischief--Streak of Luck) 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Aaron & Marie Jones LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. Sales history: $650,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime record: MGISW, 4-4-0-0, $1,657,963. Last start: WON Oct. 31 GI...

When Diane Crump died last week at the age of 77, the tributes and obituaries penned in her honor naturally led with the pioneering accomplishment that, more than five decades ago, she was the first woman to ride against men in a North American pari-mutuel horse race. Today, nearly 57 years from that landmark achievement, it can be difficult to grasp just how challenging and arduous a breakthrough that was. It wasn't, for example, just a matter of some trainer deciding, "This young lady can horseback a little bit. I...

While prefacing his remarks by saying that "nothing is set in stone," Spendthrift Farm General Manager Ned Toffey told the TDN that the main pre-GI Kentucky Derby goal for presumptive 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) will likely be the GI Curlin Florida Derby to be run at Gulfstream Park Mar. 28. Spendthrift's other top prospect, Further Ado (Gun Runner), is likely headed to the GI Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland Apr. 4. Ted Noffey is trained by Todd Pletcher, who is based in the winter at Palm Beach Downs...

Colonial Downs racing secretary Dan Bork has released the condition book for the 2026 three-day spring meeting which runs from Thursday, Mar. 12 through Saturday, Mar. 14, the track said via a release on Friday. The meet is highlighted by the $500,000 Virginia Derby and $250,000 Virginia Oaks Mar. 14, which are points races on the "Road to the Kentucky Derby" and "Road to the Kentucky Oaks," respectively. Click here for access.

What will racing look like in 10 years? We asked some of racing's best and brightest to give us their predictions. Corey Johnsen, Longtime track executive, Thoroughbred owner/breeder Anyone who reads this publication understands that our sport has plenty of problems. Issues such as aftercare, ADW/CAW, decoupling, shrinking foal crops and the regulation of safety and integrity dominate the landscape and need to be solved. There have been some recent success stories in working together, so, I am going to focus on some developments which will positively affect our industry...

Sent off as the 39-10 third choice in a field of six for Saturday's Gun Runner Stakes at the Fair Grounds, Leland Ackerley Racing LLC's Chip Honcho (Connect) prompted the early pace and kept plugging away down the long stretch to be up on the wire and earn 10 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The $210,000 Fasig-Tipton July yearling--with blinkers added off a Churchill one-mile maiden win Nov. 20--broke to his right, causing a bit of a chain reaction, but he showed speed enough to track the...

With 10 points on the 'Road to the Kentucky Oaks' up for grabs in the Untapable Stakes on Saturday, Hit Parade (Street Sense) found her rhythm late to top the playlist in the Big Easy. The Gary and Mary West homebred tried the grass at Horseshoe Indy on debut and finished third Aug. 28. Sent to a maiden claimer going two turns at Churchill Downs Sept. 20, the filly scored by two lengths and then over the same course cleared a starter allowance Oct. 31. The 2-1 choice here saved...

The inaugural edition of the $1-million Abu Dhabi Gold Cup will be run on Saturday, February 7. The one-turn turf mile will be the most valuable Thoroughbred race ever to be held in Abu Dhabi, with the winner set to receive $600,000. The race is free to enter, with entries closing on February 4. Travel and stabling costs for overseas runners will be paid for by the Abu Dhabi Turf Club with owners, trainers and jockeys also being hosted for the event. Racing manager Ali AlJAaffal said, "The $1-million Abu...

The topic of the diminishing North American Thoroughbred foal crop (estimated 17,000 for 2026) came up several times during last week's Global Symposium on Racing hosted by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program in Tucson. This is often referred to as our industry's "horse shortage" problem. I try to avoid that term in my reporting unless I am directly quoting someone who says it. Instead, the sport has long been dealing with an "owner shortage." Breeders stand ready and willing to start producing more racehorses if only more...

Turfway Park Racing & Gaming has moved Saturday's full Synthetic Championships program to Sunday, Dec. 21, due to extreme cold temperatures and accumulating snow forecasted for the Florence area, a press release from the track on Saturday morning said. The National Weather Service is calling for 3-7 inches of snow throughout the day and evening, with temperatures expected to fall into the single digits and wind chill values approaching minus 9 degrees overnight. The Sunday, Dec. 21 program will feature the complete $1-million Synthetic Championships, including the $250,000 Prairie Bayou,...

Brotha Keny (Mo Town) parlayed a recent stakes victory into a record-sized payday for his connections on Wednesday during the Inglis Digital USA December sale with his $550,000 hammer price being the highest in the online auction platform's history and propelling a top overall gross of $869,250, the company said in a press release late on Wednesday. The 3-year-old gelding sold to Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock, as agent for Michael and Jules Iavarone, TCC Stables and Morplay Racing. Brotha Keny entered the December sale off a victory in the Zia Park Derby...

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's "rulings" portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) "pending" and "resolved" cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: Kelsie Calvo, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 3, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender...