homebreds

Keeneland's spring meet has kicked off and the GI Kentucky Derby is less than a month away. Let's take a look back at the recently concluded first quarter of 2026, where we got to enjoy 78 (19%) of the 410 graded races scheduled domestically for this year. Thus far in 2026, the 78 graded races already run can be categorized as six Grade I events, 21 Grade II, and 51 Grade III. Eight tracks across the country hosted graded races, led by Gulfstream Park's 24 and Santa Anita's 22. There...

Despite a few downgrades due to weather and a cancellation here and there, the U.S. and Canada still combined to run 446 graded races in 2025. What stands out after another full year of North American graded racing is in the books? All 98 scheduled Grade I races were run, with just three horses scoring a trio of successes at the elite level: Journalism, Sovereignty, and Ted Noffey. Another nine horses doubled up with two Grade I wins on the year. In addition to the 98 Grade I events, there...

6th-FG, $54K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 4:15 p.m. ET. Brittlyn Stable homebred CHARGING OVATIME (Not This Time) goes out for trainer Shane Wilson in New Orelans on Friday. Out of SW Charged Cotton (Dehere), the dark bay counts as half-sisters the late 15-time winner Ova Charged (Star Guitar) and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', & UAE group stakes winner Manama Gold (Star Guitar). The first-time starter hails from an extended female family which includes MSW Walkwithapurpose (Candy Ride {Arg}) and MGISW Schossberg (Broad Brush). Another homebred heads to...

During July and August--the height of the summer racing season--graded races happen at a fast and furious rate. With 44 graded events at Saratoga alone added to another 13 tracks conducting at least one graded race during the two-month span, it's a dizzying time to follow top racing on the continent. We break down the main takeaways from the season. Two dozen of the 95 graded races in July and August were contested at the top level, or Grade I. Seventeen of those Grade Is were at Saratoga (or nearly...

4th-ELP, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 2:16 p.m. ET. Peter Blum homebred ELITE (Into Mischief) makes her first start for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Out of Flawless (Mr. Greeley), the 2-year-old is a full-sister to current sire Authentic. Also drawn in the same race is Gary & Mary West homebred Fashion Designer (Into Mischief), who is trained by Brad Cox. Her dam Beach Walk produced current sire Life Is Good and GSW Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}). Woodslane bred Sister Troienne (Munnings) is a Brian Lynch trainee whose own dam is...

7th-SAR, $110K, ALW, 3yo/up, 6f, 4:36 p.m. ET. MIDLAND MONEY (Shancelot) was pinned with a 'TDN Rising Star' after the colt won by six lengths to start his career as a juvenile at Santa Anita June 14. Not seen since, the Bob Baffert trainee who shipped from Del Mar is one of seven foals for his dam and her second winner. TJCIS PPS 4th-ELP, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 2:16 p.m. ET. Godolphin homebred Infinite Sky (Not This Time) makes the races for trainer Brad Cox. The dark bay...

Following the GI Belmont Stakes, the month of June is traditionally a little quieter in the graded ranks as the sport gears up for Saratoga and other summer racing. This year and last, Saratoga has been in the spotlight early as host of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival while Belmont Park undergoes reconstruction. Fifteen of North America's graded races were held at the Spa over that extended weekend this year. Canadian racing rejoined the graded picture in June, with five of the 35 graded races for the month in North...

1st-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 5f, 12:45 p.m. ET. The news broke this past week that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas would be stepping down as the head of his stable because of health reasons and assistant Bas Nicholl would be taking over for the man known to many as 'Coach.' In Saturday's opener on the card, the aptly-named TRACK LEGEND (Charlatan) will be unveiled for owner Live the Legacy with Lukas still listed in the program. Out of Canadian champion female sprinter Moonlit Promise (Malibu Moon), the dark...

One thing is certain: there's never been a May like it. Godolphin threw down the graded gauntlet in May with such an unprecedented and historic achievement surely no one dreamed it could be possible. A Classic double in America for the operation turned into a Classic quadruple on both sides of the pond, all in the same weekend. While that feat stands tall among the month's graded races, the rest of May did its part to deliver additional drama, special moments, and superb racing. We take a look at trends...

With Derby weekend in the books, we take a look back at the graded races in April that led us there. The month did not disappoint with great racing from coast to coast, although Keeneland, as per usual, was the star of the show. If the top of the sport is measured by graded races, few race weeks are as packed with quality or as anticipated as the boutique meets at Keeneland. With an inevitable focus on the Lexington track, we look at trends and notable items from the country's...

1st-GP, $94K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, 11:30 p.m. ET. LA NEIGE (Frosted) makes her first start for Connie and Richard Snyder. The Riley Mott trainee is out of unraced French Passport (Elusive Quality) who was acquired by Cover Springs for $200,000 at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. The first-time starter counts as a half-sister GI Alabama and GI Ogden Phipps heroine Randomized (Nyquist). French Passport is a herself a half-sister to MGSW Smooth Air (Smooth Jazz), GSW & sire Overdriven (Tale of the Cat), and the dam of MGISW Got...

5th-FG, $58K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 3:45 p.m. ET. TANTI AUGURI (Quality Road) makes her debut for an ownership group which includes breeders Anthony Manganaro and Iapetus Racing. Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the homebred's dam is On My Way (Giant's Causeway), who has nine foals to her credit and four winners out of five to race. The first-time starter hails from an extended female family which includes Hong Kong hegemonic hero and recent retiree Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro). Also slated for the starting gate is Twin Creeks Racing's...