Horse Racing

The GII Wood Memorial Stakes winner and Bob Baffert trainee Rodriguez (Authentic) has been scratched with a sensitive foot bruise from Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, according a tweet from SF Racing's Tom Ryan. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez," the post by Ryan said. "He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days. Therefore, we are resetting our plans and will target him for the Preakness." The 'TDN Rising Star'...

One of two fillies in a scratched down field of six for Thursday's Kentucky Juvenile Stakes, Pinky Finger (Army Mule) made those that swallowed the 1-2 starting price sweat it out in the waning strides, but was home narrowly best to run her record to two wins from as many appearances. A 7 1/2-length debut winner at even-money at Keeneland while also facing the boys Apr. 7, the $90,000 Keeneland November weanling hit the ground running here and dueled through the early stages with Monster (Leinster) before opening up some...

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 Date: 04/30/2025 Licensee: Candalario Villamar, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final...

Oaklawn will dramatically alter its 2025-2026 racing schedule, moving to more four-day weeks while greatly reducing its January footprint, after its request for 64 racing dates (Dec. 12-May 2), was unanimously approved by the Arkansas Racing Commission Thursday morning in Little Rock, the track said in a press release on Thursday. Oaklawn will open a week later and again close Kentucky Derby Day. The Hot Springs oval is scheduled to race nine days in December--Friday, Saturday and Sunday--before its first of 10 scheduled four-day race weeks (Jan. 1-4). Expanded race...

2nd-Churchill Downs, $108,750, Msw, 5-1, 2yo, 4 1/2f, :52.59, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. MERCILESANIHILATOR (c, 2, Audible--Gadabout, by Bodemeister) looked in all sorts of trouble heading for home, but got his second wind in the final furlong to give this owner, trainer and jockey Jareth Loveberry their second straight success in as many days with a debuting 2-year-old beneath the Twin Spires. Sassy C W (Yaupon) became a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the fillies' equivalent exactly 24 hours prior. Sent off at odds just shy of 6-5, the April...

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and Mohegan Sun have agreed on a multi-year partnership resulting in the return of Mohegan Sun as an official casino partner of Saratoga Race Course and the presenting sponsor of the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, the track said via a release on Thursday. The Jim Dandy is a nine-furlong route for sophomores scheduled on Saturday, July 26. The race is the traditional local prep for the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes set for Aug. 23. In addition to their continued...

9th-CD, $141K, OC100K/N3X, 3yo/up, 6f, 5:13 p.m. ET. WORLD RECORD (Gun Runner) in his second start for WinStar and BBN Racing going seven over Churchill's main track last May was certainly impressive when he won by 6 1/4 lengths. That effort garnered the colt 'TDN Rising Star' honors and the Rodolphe Brisset trainee proceeded to run third in the Maxfield Stakes over course and distance, and then he checked off the GII Amsterdam Stakes at the Spa in late July. Despite finishing sixth in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial...

Steve Kornacki is more than the political junkie who, for years, has had a way of explaining things when it comes to elections that help make everything make sense. He does so by turning statistics into an easy-to-understand formula and displaying his findings on an interactive map that is known as the big board. But Kornacki sometimes needs a break from politics, and he has found one in horse racing. It's been his passion since his uncle started taking him to the harness races at Scarborough Downs in Maine. He...

Precocious kid, streaks ahead of his peers, brought crashing to earth? Hang in there, boy. Because if that's pretty much where the champion juvenile finds himself, heading into the GI Kentucky Derby off a disappointing run at Santa Anita, he need not seek far for inspiration. Robert Low bred Citizen Bull (Into Mischief) with his wife Lawana from their mare No Joke (Distorted Humor), who had cost them $750,000 as a yearling at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale--just days after her half-sister Moonshine Memories (Malibu Moon) had won the GI...

Old Friends has welcomed 2015 Eclipse Award Champion Grass Horse Big Blue Kitten (Kitten's Joy) to the farm on Thursday, Apr. 24, according . The 17-year old stallion was donated to Old Friends courtesy of Calumet Farm. "We are so excited to welcome this robust, battle tested late bloomer to Old Friends," said President and CEO of Old Friends John Nicholson. "His accomplished career, his impressive connections and his pleasant demeanor will make him a favorite with our thousands of visitors. We are deeply grateful to Calumet Farm for allowing...

Just in time for the big weekend, a brand new half-sister to Derby favorite Journalism (Curlin) has hit the ground for Don Alberto Corporation in Kentucky, according to a post on X by Reed Ringler. By Flightline and out of GSW Mopotism (Uncle Mo), the filly who arrived at about 1:00 a.m. ET came in at 144 pounds. "Mopotism has thrown some terrific foals, and all have had plenty of leg and substance," Don Alberto's Reed Ringler told the TDN. "She is a great mother, but all the foals have...

The field for the GI Kentucky Derby, ranked in "likeliest winner" order. 1) JOURNALISM (c, Curlin--Mopotism, by Uncle Mo). O-Bridlewood Farm, Don Alberto Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Elayne Stables 5 LLC, LaPenta, Robert V., Magnier, Mrs. John, Smith, Derrick and Tabor, Michael B.; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Sales history: $825,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime record: GISW, 5-4-0-1, $638,880. Last start: WON Apr. 5 GI Santa Anita Derby. Journalism is the legitimate and deserving favorite. He checks many of the Derby desirability boxes by being a big, long-striding...