Todd Pletcher

It was a lengthy review of the stretch run, but in the end the Stewards elevated heavy favorite Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) to her second top-level victory in the GI Darley Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland. Percy's Bar (Upstart), who originally crossed the wire first, was placed second after the Stewards found she impeded Tommy Jo late in the stretch. Tommy Jo was crowned a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' after a sensational debut at Saratoga July 26 when she went right to the front and never looked back, dominating...

Friday is the start of the unofficial Kentucky state holiday known as Opening Weekend at Keeneland, and GI Spinaway victress Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) headlines a strong card for fantastic racing not just at the venue but across the country. Largely considered the last hurrah for anyone trying to get into the World Championships by way of the 'WAYI' challenge series, several tracks across the country have such opportunities in October, and Keeneland will be hosting three such chances on Friday. The last of the graded races for the opening...

7th-Belmont The Big A, $85,000, Msw, 9-28, 2yo, f, 1m, 1:37.28, ft, nose. BELIEVABLE (f, 2, Curlin--Temptress, by Tapit), an $800,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale grad, may not have made the front in her debut race as an 8-1 shot here, but she certainly remedied that by the time the field exited the chute and hit the main track. The 2-year-old held sway up the backstretch and around the far turn, but entering the lane she was challenged by a bid to the outside from Concurrently (Amercian Pharoah). Duking it...

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Walmac Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' and MGISW Locked (Gun Runner), a sensational winner of the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 1, got back in the win column at odds of 6-5 in Saturday's scratched-down GII Woodward S. at the Belmont at the Big A meeting. Locked chased in second and was ridden along by John Velazquez as favored Phileas Fogg (Astern {Aus}) led the field of three through fractions of :24.89 and :48.69. All in on the far turn and appearing to be heading in the...

Multiple Grade I-winner Locked (Gun Runner) looms the big favorite in the scratch-decimated GII Woodward Stakes on Saturday at the Belmont Big A meet, but is far from the only marquee name this upcoming weekend across the country. One of three confirmed runners for Saturday's co-feature in New York, Locked comes into the race with a two-race skid to break after he missed the board May 2 in the GII Alysheba Stakes when returning to the races after a tour de force effort in the GI Santa Anita Handicap Mar....

1st-BAQ, 85k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 12:35 p.m. ET Courting (Curlin), the 2024 $5-million Keeneland September topper and full-brother to MGISW Clairiere, debuts for Whisper Hill Farm, breeder Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher going a one-turn mile. Produced by MGISW Cavorting (Bernardini), Courting is also a half-brother to SW La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro) and a full-brother to MGSP Judge Miller. Rebel Instinct (Into Mischief), a son of GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) and a half-brother to two-time champion Unique Bella (Tapit), debuts...

4th-BAQ, 85k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 2:37 p.m. ET Irresistible (Munnings), a half-sister to GISW Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), debuts for Todd Pletcher. The $700,000 KEESEP yearling is owned in partnership by Bass Stables and Cheyenne Stables. Ricardo Santana, Jr. rides. Ms Sophistication (Into Mischief), a $525,000 EASMAY 2-year-old purchase by Colts Neck Stables, also gets her career started here. The daughter of GSP Divine Elegance (Uncle Mo) has been working sharply for her debut. The field of nine also includes Glen Hill Farm's $500,000 KEESEP yearling purchase The Happy...

by Jessica Martini, Christina Bossinakis, and Jill Williams LEXINGTON, KY - The Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which opened with a record-setting session Monday, continued with an action-packed second Book 1 session Tuesday, establishing yet another September session record average and median. Twenty horses sold for $1 million or more during the session, led by a colt by Gun Runner and a filly by Flightline who brought matching $2.2 million price tags. "It was a good day at the sale, for sure," said Keeneland President Shannon Arvin. "We built on what...

It was another memorable meet at Saratoga, which ended its 2025 season Monday having generated paid attendance exceeding one million fans for the 10th straight year. However, that wasn't enough to avoid a small decrease in all-sources handle. The total handle at the meet was $791,129,471, off just a tick from 2024's handle of $803,806,984. Total on-track average daily handle was virtually even with 2024 figures, $19,778,237 versus $20,610,435. "Saratoga is special in many ways, but it is the enthusiastic support from fans and horseplayers that transforms this historic venue...

On paper, it appeared to be the battle of the 'TDN Rising Star's in Saratoga's closing day feature, the GI Hopeful Stakes. Come race day, it appeared to be more of a procession as Spendthrift Farm's Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) made it look like his rivals were tied to a post as he rolled home a commanding 8 1/2-length winner in only his second lifetime start for trainer Todd Pletcher, who was winning his fourth Hopeful. Smooth as silk out of the gate, Ted Noffey, sent off the 7-2 third...

Facing plenty of racing dram this past weekend, trainer Todd Pletcher confirmed that GI Pacific Classic and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup winners Fierceness (City of Light) and Antiquarian (Preservationist), respectively, came out of their races in good order and will train up to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. The Gold Cup was marred by an incident soon after the start, where Pletcher-trained Mindframe (Constitution) swerved, dropping Irad Ortiz Jr. and was ultimately collared by the outrider. "[Antiquarian] is doing excellent, very good," Pletcher said of the...

During Keeneland September last year, bloodstock agent Steve Young signed the ticket to the tune of $150,000 on a dark bay colt bred by Gainesway (hip 1408) for his client Harrell Ventures. Sent to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Sunrise (Karakontie {Jpn}--Spanish Bunny, by Unusual Heat) made his second start a winning one after a gritty battle over the turf in the ninth race at Saratoga on Sunday afternoon. When reached by phone, Young said that in the days leading up to the sale that the colt was high...