Kentucky Downs
2nd-Kentucky Downs, $176,800, Msw, 8-28, 2yo, f, 6 1/2fT, 1:15.10, fm, 3/4 length. SHOULD'VE (f, 2, Not This Time--More'n Likely, by Blame) drew in off the also-eligible list and shot to the front from the widest gate to show the way ahead of Chrysalism (Liam's Map). Opening at will around the far turn, she had a host of challengers coming down the stretch who ate into the advantage through the final sixteenth with Petronella (Not This Time) charging at her late but coming up three-quarters of a length short to...
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Last Friday, trainer David Jacobson watched as his ultra-consistent 5-year-old gelding Banishing (Ghostzapper) won the $1-million GII Charles Town Classic Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths. Jacobson is toying with the idea of bringing Banishing back to the races on Sunday to run in the $1-million GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Saratoga. All signs are pointing that way: the horse has already shipped up to the Spa and Jacobson entered Banishing in the race. He is among the nine horses that were entered Wednesday, which...
8th-KD, $250K, Alw, (R), 2yo, f, 6fT, 5:23 p.m. ET. Patricias Hope and Carolyn Wilson's Sassy C W (Yaupon) looks for her fourth consecutive victory while trying the grass for the first time. Earning the TDN Rising Star tag when galloping off to an impressive 5 1/4-length victory at Churchill Apr. 30, the $350,000 OBS March grad made it two straight with a three-length score in Saratoga's Astoria Stakes in June. Favored when holding on to win by a neck in the 5 1/2-furlong Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes July 4,...
Snow Face Princess (Midshipman), Tuesday's Fasig-Tipton August Digital sales topper for Winchell Thoroughbreds, will head to Kentucky Downs, trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed to the TDN Wednesday. The recent winner of the 5 1/2-furlong Bolton Landing Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 17 will stretch out just a bit and target the $1-million Untapable Stakes Sept. 7 going 6 1/2 furlongs for her new connections. Winchell Thoroughbreds, whose Ron Winchell co-owns the unique track in Franklin, KY, bought the 2-year-old daughter of Crusin Alone (Honor Code) for $775,000 Tuesday. Snow Face Princess, who...
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has established a Racing Office Advisory Group comprised of senior racing officials from racetracks across the country, the organization announced Wednesday. The group will provide feedback to HISA's executive team and Standing Committees on rules, processes and operational practices affecting Thoroughbred racing officials nationwide. "Racing offices are integral to the successful implementation of HISA safety and integrity rules," said HISA Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern. "By establishing this group, we are making a direct channel available for racing office professionals to share their...
Britney Eurton, British-based presenter Jess Stafford, and Nick Luck will join Caton Bredar as part of the Kentucky Downs broadcasting team as Michael Wrona returns to the announcer's booth for the upcoming race meeting, the track announced. Eurton, Stafford and Bredar will provide analysis and paddock interviews throughout the meet on the Kentucky Downs' broadcast, with Luck contributing on opening day and Aug. 31. NBC will also be providing live coverage Saturday, Aug. 30 for two hours (3-5:00 p.m. CT) that will include the running of the GIII DK Horse...
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - There was no head scratching at the end of Friday's fourth race at Saratoga. At least not from the winners. The $100,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies went to the aptly named Scratch It (Tapit), who was virtually ignored at the windows. She was allowed to go off at 12-1 odds in the 1 1/8-mile race on the Inner Turf. She was the second longest price on the board in the field of eight. At the end, Scratch It had gone gate-to-wire and won by...
The TDN always strives to remain scrupulously non-partisan and confines its occasional attention to the world of politics to such opportunities and concerns that directly affect the Thoroughbred industry. Recently, for instance, we spent time with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he stepped in to support the campaign against decoupling in that state. A few days ago, Chris McGrath was given the opportunity to sit down with the Governor of the Bluegrass State itself, Andy Beshear, a figure increasingly on the national radar as a potential White House contender in...
Reserved seating is now on sale for Kentucky Downs' unique seven-day all-grass race meet. Tickets can be purchased at www.themintkentuckydowns.com/tickets. Kentucky Downs runs Aug. 28, 30, 31 and Sept. 4, 6, 7 and 10. Reserved seating is available every day in the popular open-air Finish Line Pavilion, as well as every day except Saturdays Aug. 30 and Sept. 6 in the air-conditioned VIP Chalet. Parking is free at Kentucky Downs. Post time is 12:20 p.m. Central every day except for Saturdays Aug. 30 and Sept. 6, when it will be...
Kentucky Downs will debut a new sports book at The Mint Gaming Hall Kentucky Downs--the home of the historical racing entertainment complex, in Franklin, Kentucky, according to a press release from Circa Sports, the operators of the site. The new 21-and-over venue will feature an 80-foot-wide LED screen, a 31-foot-wide odds board and over 5,100 square feet of space. "After operating in Kentucky for a year, introducing a sports book of this caliber to the region marks a significant milestone for Circa Sports," said Derek Stevens, CEO of Circa Sports....
Stakes purses at Ellis Park will reach a record number this summer with an expected $4-million available across 18 races during the 25-day meeting, it was announced via press release. With the season set to begin July 3, the stakes lineup is led by the $400,000 GIII Pucker Up Stakes, one of seven races on Kentucky Downs Preview Weekend Aug. 2-3, and will also include the $300,000 Listed Ellis Park Derby and the $200,000 Listed Groupie Doll Stakes the weekend of Aug. 10. Those two contests lead a six-stakes lineup...
Pending relevant licensing, Scott Jordan will take over the post of head starter at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks beginning May 23, the organization announced Monday afternoon. With more than 20 years of experience in the position and a tenure at Churchill Downs which began in 2006, Jordan has also worked roles at Keeneland, Ellis Park, and Kentucky Downs. In addition to managing NYRA's team of assistant starters and starting gate operations at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, he will also work with trainers and riders to aide...