COVID-19

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors for Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) have postponed the upcoming "Monster Bash" Masquerade Ball, an annual fundraising event which was scheduled to be held at Limestone Hall in Lexington Oct. 30. Also, a date for the charities' annual online auction has yet to be determined but will be conducted this season. "Creativity is the key word in fundraising this year," states Julie Berry, Executive Director. "We began our 'Gallop and Graze' campaign for the next six months to raise...

Ger Lyons is increasingly hopeful Colin Keane will opt to maintain his partnership with Siskin (First Defence) in the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood on Wednesday week--with Frankie Dettori "waiting in the wings" should he opt to stay in Ireland. Former Irish champion Keane has ridden the unbeaten G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas hero in all his career starts, but current rules in Ireland surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic mean he would have to spend 14 days in quarantine on his return home, should he travel to Goodwood. Lyons, who...

Leopardstown Racecourse and TRI Equestrian, with its sister brand, TRM, have extended their partnership to include the July 23 race meeting at the Dublin track. The partnership between the equine retailer TRI Equestrian and TRM, an equine supplement manufacturer, expands on their established National Hunt Finale Raceday to include a day on the flat at Leopardstown. TRI Equestrian Raceday, which will be held behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will feature the Listed TRI Equestrian Silver S., which has attracted 24 entries, including 2018 G1 Irish Derby winner,...

Following the cancellation of three cards this weekend due to a lack of jockeys caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Del Mar rescheduled one of those lost days for Monday, July 27. "We're looking forward to resuming racing on Friday, July 24," said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. "Adding a race card on Monday, July 27 provides our horsemen and women with additional opportunities to run their horses." Robbins said Del Mar is looking at making up races from the two other lost days during...

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is updating their jockey policies. The new policy goes into effect July 17 at 6:00 p.m. The following restrictions will be implemented: No new jockeys will be allowed into the current jockey colony at Prairie Meadows. Anyone in the current jockey colony that accepts a mount at another track must self-quarantine for a 14-day period. The quarantine period will start the day following the jockey's most recent mount outside of Prairie Meadows. Once the self-quarantine period is over, the jockey must provide proof of a...

"And they're off at Saratoga!" Five words that hundreds, if not thousands, of people live to hear every July as the ceremonial phrase marks the beginning of another historic Saratoga Race Meet. While most normal attendees were unable hear those Tom Durkin-inspired words in person this year, some did their best to make the most of the situation. The enthusiasm from Mark Struffolino might be the example racing fans can look to emulate. Born and raised in upstate New York, the Rotterdam resident grew up spending summers at the Spa,...

On Wednesday, when Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) announced the cancellation of this weekend's three days of racing in the aftermath of 15 asymptomatic jockeys there testing positive for COVID-19, the chief reason listed in the track's press release was "to help ensure the safety of all workers at Del Mar and our surrounding community." But in a Thursday teleconference organized by the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) that featured Del Mar executives explaining their decision not to race, the focal point centered not so much on preventing the spread...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--Just like always, the bell in the winner's circle was rung 17 minutes before every race at the Spa Thursday afternoon. Of course. Exactly 17 minutes. Even on the most unusual of opening days at Saratoga Race Course, tradition was served. It is Saratoga after all. Phil Linguiti did the honors, yanking the strap that moved the clapper to produce the sound. Linguiti, a former jockey and longtime white cap in the clubhouse, is a familiar figure at Saratoga. Since this 152nd season is racing in Saratoga Springs...

by Christie DeBernardis & Jessica Martini A filly by freshman sire Not This Time topped the last auction in Ocala, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale, last month and the young stallion was back on top again at OBS Wednesday with one of his daughters (Hip 640) topping the day's trade at $270,000. Consigned by de Meric Sales, Hip 640 was purchased by Mike Mulligan's Emerald Sales on behalf of owner Tobey Morton. A total of 155 juveniles changed hands Wednesday for a gross of $3,869,800 with an average...

It took a long journey for trainer Tom Drury to get to where he is now, with a GII Toyota Blue Grass S. winner and major GI Kentucky Derby contender in his barn. There were years when Drury didn't win any races, which had him questioning whether he was made out for the training business. But life is good now for Drury, largely thanks to a Bruce Lunsford homebred named Art Collector (Bernardini), and he joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland Wednesday to talk about his prized pupil...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Even though he is healthy and enthusiastic, 91-year-old Gus Ziamandanis will not be able to attend his 70th consecutive opening day at Saratoga Race Course on Thursday, July 16. His quest for a remarkable personal milestone was stopped by New York State's coronavirus guidelines that prohibit spectators at professional sporting events. When he understood that it was unlikely that he would get into the grounds for the 10-race opener, Ziamandanis made a reservation for a table at Capital OTB's Clubhouse Race Book in Albany, 33 miles...

Saratoga Live, the critically-acclaimed and award-winning television program will kick off its fifth season Thursday broadcasting the 40-day summer meet at iconic Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga Live will feature more than 210 hours of live programming from Saratoga, which runs from Thursday, July 16 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Saratoga Live will appear each racing day beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX Sports and MSG Networks and offer full-card coverage of a Saratoga meet offering 71 stakes worth $14.45 million, encompassing 39 graded stakes, 18 Grade Is and...