Saffie Joseph Jr.

Big Frank Stable's Concrete Glory (Bodemeister) has been named Claiming Crown Horse of the Year for 2025 by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), the co-founders of the Claming Crown series. The Pennsylvania-bred was claimed by owner Frank Rupolo out of a winning effort for the bottom-level price of $6,250 out of a daylight victory at Gulfstream Park some 20 races into his career in December 2022. He has since won no fewer than a dozen races under the care...

This week's rankings lean heavily toward Delaware, with Chasten claiming No. 1 on a tiebreaker (she carried 124 pounds to Gimme a Nother's 118). 6. ALLURING ANGEL (GB), DEL, 6/13, GIII Robert Dick Memorial Stakes, 1 3/8 miles (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure- 89 (2nd) (m, 6, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}--All of Me {GB}, by Teofilo {Ire}) O-Larry Goichman. B-Michael Wates CBE (GB). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado. After taking Aqueduct's GIII Long Island Stakes last November at this distance, Alluring Angel tailed off in two Gulfstream starts. But following a...

GI Apple Blossom heroine Claret Beret (Not This Time) died Friday from a possible cardiac event after returning from a morning work at Palm Meadows, according to her trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.. The Not This Time mare completed the four-furlong breeze (:49.55) normally and returned to the barn, where she apparently suffered a medical incident and passed away. It was her third work since collecting her first elite-level win in the Oaklawn Park marquee for older fillies and mares. "Claret Beret unfortunately passed away at the barn," trainer Saffie Joseph...

LAUREL, MD -- Two weeks ago, Saffie Joseph Jr. found himself in an eerily similar situation when one of his horses was forced to scratch from a Grade I event right before the big dance. The latest casualty was My Miss Mo (Uncle Mo) who was scratched on Apr. 29, only two days before the running of the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs. No doubt, the 11th-hour defection had to sting a bit, however, the filly came right back to validate her connections' unwavering faith in her, winning...

LAUREL, MD--Annually, the third Saturday in May draws all eyes to Maryland for the second jewel in the U.S. Triple Crown, the GI Preakness Stakes. This season is no different, however, a major adjustment brings the Classic to Laurel Park while Pimlico Racecourse in Baltimore gets a complete overhaul. Like the now defunct original structure of its sister track 30 miles north, Laurel exhibits the wear and tear of the years. Several areas of the venue have been renovated while others are now cordoned off or boarded up. However, one...

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. picked up the first Grade I of Kentucky Derby day Saturday as 7-1 shot R Disaster (Awesome Slew) caught a flyer from the gate and took the field gate to wire under Tyler Gaffalione. Never off the board in 15 prior starts, the Florida-bred entered off a third when caught on the lead in the seven-furlong GI Madison Stakes at Keeneland  Apr. 6, her first try at the top level. Clearly a mare who takes her racetrack with her, she's continued to post increasing Beyer Speed...

White Abarrio (Race Day) has won four Grade I races, earned $8,445,170 and has been going strong for six years. But that hasn't been enough for his owners to reach a deal with a stud farm, or at least one they found acceptable. But that may be about to change. Mark Cornett, who is a co-owner of the 7-year-old veteran, told the TDN that negotiations are underway with three farms in Kentucky and it is expected that an announcement will be made shortly regarding where he will begin his career...

A trio of California-based Kentucky Derby 152 hopefuls were on the track in Kentucky Wednesday morning after arriving from the West Coast Tuesday. Norman Stables and Saints and Sinners' GI Santa Anita Derby winner So Happy (Runhappy) jogged a mile under Gustavo Alvarado during the 7:15-7:30 training window for Derby and Kentucky Oaks runners. Also at the same time, Reddam Racing's Pavlovian (Pavel) jogged a mile under Tony Romero and Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures' Intrepido (Maximus Mischief) jogged two miles under Alejandro Galindo. Trainer Michael McCarthy sent out...

While there isn't a definitive path yet, next-race plans are pending for GI Apple Blossom Handicap victress Claret Beret (Not This Time), according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. The Florida-based mare has since returned to the Sunshine State. She posted a 105 Beyer figure in her upset over champion Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) Apr. 11 and her final time of 1:42.21 was the fastest running of the race since Horse of the Year Havre De Grace in 2011. Her speed figure is the highest in the country this year for a...

Maybe a touch earlier than expected, the rematch that the horse racing world pined for has arrived as reigning Horse of the Year Sovereignty (Into Mischief) will once again square off against the 2025 GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin) in the GII Oaklawn Handicap on Saturday. Both colts will be making their much-anticipated 4-year-old debuts in Hot Springs. Sovereignty turned in a spectacular season last year when he won the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI DK Travers Stakes. The Bill Mott trainee came down with a...

In Friday's GII Baird Doubledogdare Stakes for females 4-years-old and up at Keeneland, GSW Alpine Princess (Classic Empire) will take on seven others, including GISW Gin Gin (Hightail). Currently a 5-year-old mare, Alpine Princess capped a strong 2025 campaign by winning the GIII Falls City Stakes at Churchill Downs in late November. Trainer Brad Cox gave the consistent bay two and half months away from the racetrack, then she returned to finish as the runner-up behind GI Apple Blossom Handicap heroine Claret Beret (Not This Time) in the GIII Royal...

Always in the bridal party, but never the bride, it was finally her time in the Sunday feature at Keeneland. Having been the runner-up against elite company last year, In Our Time (Not This Time) put it all together in the lane and kicked home smartly to secure her career-first graded black-type in the GII Giant's Causeway Stakes. Traditionally found at the head of affairs, the Not This Time mare hit the board seven times from eight starts last year with her seasonal highlight reel including a runner-up effort two...