thoroughbreds

The following represents the conclusion of this look at how long-term  trends in Thoroughbred racing have evolved to the point where a turnaround may be near in the sport's economic fortunes. To read part I, click here. For part II, click here.   Defining Development #6--Blessed are the Survivors As a matter of basic free-market economics, it is possible to view the past 30-plus years of contraction in U.S. races, racing dates, and racetracks as an unfortunate, but necessary adjustment to a changing competitive environment. The Thoroughbred sport, presented to...

The $750,000 GI E.P. Taylor Stakes has been added to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series as an official "Win and You're In" race, according to a release from Woodbine Entertainment on Thursday morning. The new designation offers the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth into the $2 million GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at the 2025 Breeders' Cup World Championships which is scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar. This year, the E.P. Taylor Stakes will be run Aug. 16, sharing the stage with Woodbine's King's...

Jockey Tyler Gaffalione was transported to a local Hallandale hospital for further evaluation after complaining of ankle pain prior to Wednesday's fourth race at Gulfstream Park, the track said in a Wednesday release. In the early evening DRF reported that the rider suffered a broken ankle and would be out indefinetly. Gaffalione was shaken up during the post parade of the claiming event for 3-year-old fillies when his mount, China Blue (Social Inclusion), acted up and pinned his leg against the rail. Gaffalione was a replacement rider for Junior Alvarado,...

Woodbine Entertainment and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario have reached an agreement in principle on a new two-year deal that boosts purses by $5.7 million, according to a press release from the racetrack on Wednesday afternoon. The new agreement commits $64.7 million in purses in 2025 and $65 million in 2026, both with 128-day race meets. The upcoming 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, Apr. 26 and concludes on Sunday, Dec. 14. "We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with the HBPA that increases purses...

Valvoline Global Operations, a provider of automotive and industrial solutions, is the new sponsor of Keeneland's $400,000 GII Shakertown Stakes to be held opening Saturday of the 2025 Spring meet, the racetrack said via a press release on Wednesday. "Keeneland is pleased to welcome Valvoline Global to our team of stakes sponsors, whose participation enables us to continually elevate our world-class racing program," Keeneland Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said. "As Lexington-based companies, Keeneland and Valvoline Global share a commitment to the community, and we thank them...

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: 03/25/2025 Licensee: Collin Maragh, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 26, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender...

After finishing as the runner-up on debut at Churchill Downs last summer, Kimchi Cat (Twirling Candy) graduated with a 3 1/2-length score at the Spa in mid-July. The dark bay took home the off-the-turf Bolton Landing Stakes trophy Aug. 18, but was well-beaten in the GIII Pocahontas Stakes under the Twin Spires Sept. 14. Turned out since the fall and then back on the tab in January, the 3-year-old went off as the 8-5 second choice here. Kimchi Cat sat just to the outside of pacesetter Battleshipper (Midshipman) up the...

8th-Fair Grounds, $53,800, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 3-21, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.31, fm, 3/4 length. HEY BERTIE (f, 3, Kantharos--Believe in Bertie {MSW & MGSP, $413,482}, by Langfuhr) debuted a winner by 1 1/2 lengths in an off-the-turf sprint in New Orleans Jan. 17. After firing a bullet on the fast track in the Big Easy Mar. 14 (4f, :47.80, 1/114), the filly was well-backed as the 9-5 choice here. The homebred bided her time near the rear of the field up the backstretch as a scramble for the...

Churchill Downs has officially rebranded the Wednesday of Kentucky Derby Week to be known as "Winsday: Greater Thrills for the Greater Good, presented by Resolute Racing" in honor of supporting local nonprofit organizations in the Kentuckiana community, the organization announced Friday. With a total of 50 area nonprofits who have emailed unique ticket links to their supporters, Churchill Downs will donate $5 to the respective organization for every "Winsday" box seat ticket sold. Individual seats on the 100 level are $32 and the 300 level box seats are $39 with...

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.), which encourages retraining Thoroughbreds into other disciplines after their racing or breeding careers end, has revealed winners and other placings from its 2024 Performance Awards Program, the group announced Friday morning. Created to recognize the Thoroughbreds who accumulated the most points at all horse shows at a wide variety of disciplines and experience levels, the program counted 691 horses from 44 states and five Canadian provinces in 2024. They competed in more than 14,000 classes, divisions, and events with division awards being calculated...

Thoro-Graph, the creator of North American handicapping products, and 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, operator of the online betting platforms 1/ST BET and Xpressbet, have partnered to bring the Thoro-Graph Player Services program to horseplayers around the country, the Stronach Group said via a release Thursday. Thoro-Graph Player Services is a free, membership-based online portal that links users to wagering with the online platforms. "By partnering with Thoro-Graph, we have created a powerful alliance for horseplayers," said 1/ST TECHNOLOGY President, Keith Johnson. "By linking these great brands, Thoro-Graph Player Services members can maximize...

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: 03/19/2025 Licensee: Curt Ferguson, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on Mar. 20, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender...