West Point Thoroughbreds

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - A star is born at the Spa. West Point Thoroughbreds's Counting Stars (Honor A. P.), third behind 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Always a Runner (Gun Runner) in the GI Kentucky Oaks, turned the tables on the previously undefeated 4-5 favorite with a spectacular performance in Friday's GI DraftKings Acorn S. at Saratoga. With Irad Ortiz, Jr. taking over the controls from Francisco Arrieta, the 9-2 chance raced under a snug hold on the inside in third as the longest shot on the board Maximum...

The latest installment of the 2026 OwnerView webinar series was held May 5 and featured a discussion of the different facets of owning a Thoroughbred farm, the online event said via a Friday press release. Guests included Nicole Hammond, owner and manager of December Farm; Bill Justice, founder of Justice Real Estate; Mike Levy, founder of Muirfield Insurance; and Gayle Van Leer, equine advisor and bloodstock agent. The event, hosted by The Jockey Club of America and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland and...

In terms of the horses themselves, Americans of due adventure could hardly have more compelling incentives to prospect the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. Last year's auction was staged immediately after Kentucky-bred Ruling Court (Justify) vindicated his status as the record-breaking sale-topper of 2024 by winning the G1 2,000 Guineas, while GI Preakness Stakes winner War of Will (War Front) is among those American-bred graduates to have excelled back on native soil. But this time round there is a fresh spur to American interest. Because even as sires like Justify have finally...

Jerry Bailey has won the GI Kentucky Derby twice and has provided expert analysis on the NBC broadcast of the race for years. So who better to join the TDN Writers' Room podcast team for its annual Derby handicapping show than the Hall of Fame jockey? The podcast is presented by Keeneland and Bailey was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. Much of the talk after the draw centered around morning-line favorite Renegade (Into Mischief) getting the one hole. Bailey doesn't think that will be a problem. "I know the...

Not long after a flashy $2.3 million final bid for a Jackie's Warrior filly, a juvenile colt by Freshman Sire Cyberknife out of Broadway Show (Unbridled's Song) drew a $1.2 million bid from a partnership of West Point Thoroughbreds, Mike Talla and LEB. Trainer John Sadler served as agent. "I really loved him," said Sadler. "He's a nice big, stretchy colt. He looks like all of two turns. He will go to California. Hopefully you will see him in the big races this fall." Consigned by de Meric Sales, Hip...

There may not be a harder-working man in racing journalism that Nick Luck. In addition to his work on NBC's racing broadcasts, he hosts the podcasts Nick Luck Daily and Nick Luck on Sunday, and has covered major racing events for networks in the U.K. Australia, Hong Kong, and throughout the Middle East. In 2017, he became the BBC Equestrian commentator, and has since covered the Olympia Horse Show, Badminton Horse Trials, Burghley Horse Trials, and the Olympic Games for the BBC. Luck has been named Horserace Writers' & Photographers'...

There was some good news and some bad news this week for rising star trainer Cherie DeVaux. On Saturday, she will send out Reagan's Honor (Honor A.P). in the GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes. The horse is coming off a sizzling performance at the allowance level in New Orleans and is expected to run a big race at Keeneland--one that could make him eligible for a start in the GI Kentucky Derby. DeVaux also has 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Golden Tempo (Curlin) in her barn and he has...

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Further Ado (Gun Runner) was tabbed by track oddsmaker Nick Tammaro as the 8-5 morning line favorite in a field of nine 3-year-olds for Saturday's 102nd running of the $1.25 million GI Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, Keeneland said via a press release on Tuesday. Contested at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, the Blue Grass offers 200 qualifying points for the GI Kentucky Derby. The winner receives 100 points with a sliding scale of 50-25-15-10 points to the second- through fifth-place finishers. The...

Riley Mott, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott, has come a long way in the 3 1/2 years he has been training on his own. He's already won more than 100 races and collected a pair of Grade I wins, including World Beater (Oscar Performance)'s score in last year's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes. And now it looks like he'll have a starter in this year's GI Kentucky Derby. In winning the Virginia Derby, the Mott-trained Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) earned enough points to guarantee himself a spot in...

The first installment in the 2026 OwnerView webinar series was held Mar. 17 and featured a discussion of the benefits and challenges of breeding Thoroughbreds to race, the conference series said via a Thursday press release. Guests included Carrie Brogden, Machmer Hall Farm; Kate Galvin, Godolphin; Len Green, D.J. Stable; and Walker Hancock, Claiborne Farm. The event, hosted by The Jockey Club of America and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, was presented by Bessemer Trust, Keeneland and Dean Dorton Equine. Panel sponsors included the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Airdrie...

After missing the break and finishing sixth in Sunday's GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies victress Super Corredora (Gun Runner) seems no worse for the wear, according to John Sadler's assistant trainer Juan Leyva. "It was a very disappointing performance," said Leyva. "The break just cost us big time. (Jockey) Hector (Barrios) said she stepped back just as they kicked it, so she obviously missed the break, and it was just too much to do from there." Super Corredora went off the 8-5 favorite,...

On May 22, the HISA Board of Directors will take a vote that could result in the ban of Lasix in all races. Any decision made by the Board, whether to keep the rules as they are, or to enact a full ban, must be unanimous. In response, five trainers and Eric Hamelback, the CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, signed a letter imploring HISA to continue to allow the use of the medication in most races. Trainer Ron Moquett was among those signing the letter. To...