Pimlico

Oaklawn Park's Hot Springs Stakes winner Clever Again (American Pharoah) worked ahead of an intended tilt in the GI Preakness Stakes at Pimlico May 17. Clever Again worked five-eighths of a mile in 1:00.40 at Churchill Downs Sunday morning. "[It was a] solid work. The racetrack is in very good shape," said trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the 2007 and 2009 Preakness with Horses of the Year Curlin and the filly Rachel Alexandra. "I think he'll actually do a little more next week." Asmussen also trains Kentucky Derby contenders Publisher...

The lightly raced Clever Again (American Pharoah), a sharp, front-running winner of the Hot Springs Stakes going a mile at Oaklawn Mar. 30, is pointing to the GI Preakness Stakes May 17 at Pimlico. Clever Again, a $500,000 Keeneland September Yearling, has won two of three career starts for Winchell Thoroughbreds, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. "He's a talented horse," Asmussen said. "Obviously, the measurements or rulers that we're using, the company that he's kept, which is Tiztastic (Tiz the...

Journalism (Curlin), widely regarded as the favorite for the GI Kentucky Derby on May 3, has been made the 8-1 choice for the single-pool Preakness Stakes Future Win Wager according to a release from the new Maryland Jockey Club. Trained by Michael McCarthy, the $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was third over an insufficient six furlongs on career debut last October, but has since rattled off four straight victories at a mile and beyond, most recently overcoming trouble to take the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5. 'TDN Rising Star' Cornucopian...

Preak Weeks is slated to return in 2025 in a joint initiative between 1/ST and The Maryland Jockey Club. Preak Weeks will be staged in partnership with Heidi Klotzman of HeidnSeek Entertainment. Introduced in 2023, Preak Weeks provides a spotlight on Baltimore-based businesses in the lead up to the Preakness Stakes. From Apr. 28 through May 16, one of 19 participating businesses will give away A Day at the Races to Preakness 150 with a four-pack of tickets. In addition, each participating business will receive a QR code and custom...

Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P), who came agonisingly close to providing the Osborne family with an emotional victory in the UAE Derby at Meydan last week, has been nominated for the Triple Crown. However, trainer Jamie Osborne has revealed that the Kentucky Derby would come too soon for the Jim and Claire Bryce-owned colt who went down by just a nose to Admire Daytona (Jpn) (Drefong) in the Group 2 contest.  "We're not going to go to Kentucky," Osborne told TDN Europe. "The turnaround is just too quick on...

Steve Luhn's 'Winning Colors' will grace the Preakness 150 merchandise after the piece was selected as the winner of the 'Art of Racing' competition celebrating the Preakness Stakes. Luhn beat out over 250 submissions to earn the honor. "My representation of horse racing captures the dynamic energy and excitement of the sport," said Luhn. "Bold, vibrant colors and striking visual elements convey the intensity of the race, with the horse mid-gallop, jockey leaning forward, creating a sense of speed and competition." As the winner of the fourth-annual competition, Luhn received...

The National Thoroughbred League (NTL) has revealed the schedule for the 2025 season with races throughout the summer including Preakness Week festivities and during the lucrative Kentucky Downs meet, the group announced Monday morning. The four dates are May 10 at Pimlico for 'The Baltimore Cup'; June 15 at Parx for 'The Philadelphia Cup'; July 19 at Fairmont Park for 'The St. Louis Cup'; and Aug. 31 at Kentucky Downs for 'The Nashville Cup'. Dozens of Thoroughbreds have been nominated to compete for the 10 NTL teams across the year,...

   The following continues a look at how long-term economic developments shape today's Thoroughbred sport. To read part I, click here. Defining Development #5--Real Estate Realities Has there ever been a time when rising real estate values have not heavily influenced the physical locations of Thoroughbred breeding farms and racetracks? This economic maxim has been especially dominant in the U.S. in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. As for breeding farms, anyone who has driven over the past four decades along Harrodsburg Road south of New Circle Road  in...

Entries are now open for the David F. Woods Memorial Award, presented for the best Preakness story print, television and multimedia from 2024, and the Jerry Frutkoff Photography Award, presented to the photographer of the best Preakness image from 2024. Recipients of the David F. Woods and Jerry Frutkoff Award will be honored at the Alibi Breakfast Thursday, May 15 at Pimlico Race Course. The Alibi Breakfast, which started in the late 1930s, features a gathering of media, owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and celebrities to celebrate the Preakness and solicit...

Fritz Widaman has been named Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sponsorships, the Maryland Jockey Club announced Friday. Previously a key executive at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Widaman brings over 37 years of experience to his new role. Throughout his career, Widaman has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the horse racing industry by leveraging his sales, marketing, and business development expertise to foster growth and innovation. "We are thrilled to have Fritz join the new TMJC," said MJC President and General Manager Bill Knauf. "He is a seasoned professional...

Officiated by 1/ST Racing under a new deal which was struck last year with the Maryland Racetrack Operating Authority, this year's 150th running of the GI Preakness Stakes is featured alongside 15 stakes--seven of them graded races--which will be worth $4.3 million in purse money on Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17 at Pimlico Race Course, the Stronach Group said via a Thursday release. The second oldest of the Triple Crown races, the Preakness will anchor a May 17 program of 10 stakes worth $3.25 million in purses including...

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible for the 2025 Triple Crown close Monday, Jan. 27 with a $600 payment, a press release from Churchill Downs said on Thursday. Nominations and payments to the 2025 Triple Crown series can be made through the portal by clicking here. Horses can also be nominated during the late phase with a $6,000 payment due Monday, Apr. 7. The final opportunity for eligibility is through a supplemental nomination fee due at entry time for each Triple Crown race: GI Kentucky Derby ($200,000), GI...