WinStar Farm

When you're the half-brother to a multiple Grade I winner, expectations are always high, but Leading Change (Gun Runner) took a big first step to filling those shoes with a dazzling debut at Churchill Downs to earn a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' nod. Selling for the princely price of $800,000 as a yearling at the 2024 Keeneland September sale, the son of Gun Runner had a respectable worktab under his belt by the time he was entered for this contest. Drawn to the far outside, the post made...

Susan Casner, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, accomplished owner and breeder, and treasured member of the Thoroughbred community, passed away May 27 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was surrounded by the love of the family and friends who defined her life. Born in Grand Island, Nebraska, Susan's journey in racing began at Aksarben Race Track in Omaha, Nebraska, where she worked as a mutuel clerk. It was there that she met the love of her life, Bill Casner, who made a habit of placing wagers at the window...

Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Touch of Fire (Constitution) made it three wins from four career starts with a powerful victory in Saturday's Audubon S. at Churchill Downs. The 4-5 favorite tugged his way into second passing the Twin Spires for the first time. Just waiting for his cue through a half mile in :47.38, Touch of Fire cruised up alongside on the far turn and took over with authority in the stretch to win by three lengths. Tiernanogue (Quality Road) was second. Touch of Fire,...

1st-BAQ, $85K, Msw, 2yo, (S), 5f, 1:10p.m. Life Is Good is represented by a pair of juveniles, including Repole Stable's BEACH LIFE. Bred by Thirty Year Farm, the New York-bred brought $350,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The filly by Achalaya (Bellamy Road) is a half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning turf horse Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed). Trained by Todd Pletcher, the firster will be ridden by Johnny Velazquez. The WinStar stallion is also represented by Twice the Life, out of C'Est La Vie (Medaglia d'Oro). The Jeremiah Englehart-trained filly...

The connections of Movie Night (Speightstown) may have been the only ones happy to see the deluge that turned the Churchill Downs main track to slop Saturday as their filly, already experienced over an off surface, skipped over it to become a new 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. Second going just a half-furlong longer on a wet opening day at Keeneland Apr. 3 in an effort which netted her an 83 Beyer Speed Figure, the 3-5 favorite saw plenty of pace burst out in front of her as she...

In the opener at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Thursday afternoon, Tigrado (Nashville--Dancensing, by Tiznow) delivered the first win for freshman sire Nashville (by Speightstown). The 2-year-old colt, who already had a pair of attempts under his belt, was third on debut at Keeneland Apr.3 and finished off the board in an auction restricted maiden at Churchill Downs Apr. 25. Tigrado chased the pace from third up the backstretch. Cutting into the lead around the far turn, the bay opened up down the lane and secured the victory by five lengths in...

The flash sale for Starship Beauty (Hard Spun), a half-sister to Kentucky Derby hopeful Fulleffort (Liam's Map) and GISW Power Squeeze (Union Rags), is accepting bids, the organization announced via press release. Offered pregnant to Constitution for her first foal, Starship Beauty is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Her aforementioned half-sister won three graded stakes in her career including the GI Alabama Stakes as a 3-year-old. The millionaire daughter of Union Rags sold for $2.5-million at the Fasig-Tipton November sale last year to Godolphin as a broodmare prospect. Half-brother...

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'...

Giving his connections no anxious moments, Waggley (Life Is Good) kicked off her young career with a splash, running off to post a 3 1/2-length score in her 4 1/2-furlong unveiling at Keeneland on Wednesday afternoon. The victory marked the first winner, and runner, for Freshman sire Life Is Good, who stands at WinStar Farm. Sent straight to the front by Joel Rosario from post 6, the bay filly scooted through an opening quarter in :23.02. On top turning for home, the $200,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase crossed the wire...

With the first major 2-year-old sale, OBS March, now in the books, and the next round, the OBS April sale, right around the corner, it's time for some predictions. We asked the experts who their pick is for leading freshman sire and also asked them for a "sleeper pick," or a stallion that will perform beyond expectations. Here's what they had to say: NELSON ARROYO Top Pick: Life is Good, WinStar Farm, $60,000 This is one of the best years we've ever had when it comes to the freshman sire...

It's a busy time for NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney as there are some important issues facing horse racing that are being addressed in the nation's capital. Most notably, is the provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill that allows gamblers to deduct only 90 percent of their losses from their winnings. If nothing is done to change that, it will likely have a serious impact on the sport and drive many big bettors out of the game. Bills have been introduced that would allow gamblers to again write...

HOT SPRINGS, Ark.--A strong tradition for any Kentucky Derby hopeful along the campaign trail to May is passing the two turn test. With distance in mind, owners and trainers are looking for their nominees to stretch their legs, embrace the debate that comes in the form of traffic and find ways to grind out a hard-earned victory. At Oaklawn Park in the GII Rebel Stakes on Sunday, WinStar, First Go Racing and CHC Inc. owned colt Class President (Uncle Mo--Top Quality, by Quality Road) proved best at the wire as...