Horse Racing: Breaking Stories and all the latest news in Horse Racing from Blood Horse

Here is all the latest news on Horse Racing from Blood Horse.

F-T March Bellwether for Juvenile Sales
The North American Thoroughbred industry will be watching with rapt attention Wednesday, March 2, when Fasig-Tipton launches the 2-year-olds in training sale season with the March sale at Gulfstream Park.

Malibu Sunset Aces West Coast Debut
Bob Baffert wouldn’t indicate whether Malibu Sunset was on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) trail after his easy 1 1/2-length allowance/optional claiming win Feb. 28 at Santa Anita Park.

Runhappy Returns to Kentucky Training Center
Champion male sprinter Runhappy returned to the Kentucky Training Center near Lexington Feb. 28 following some rest in Texas and will resume training toward a 2016 campaign.

Songbird Logs Breeze at Santa Anita
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith is generally a pretty cheerful guy, but when he brings Songbird back to the Jerry Hollendorfer barn after her workouts, his mood hits another level.

‘Laid-Back’ Mor Spirit Aggressive in Workout
A little added competition seemed to do the trick for Mor Spirit Feb. 28 at Santa Anita Park in his first timed workout since jockey Gary Stevens had to abort a drill Feb. 23.

Record Fountain of Youth Day Handle
Gulfstream Park established a record total handle for Fountain of Youth day with $24.113 million wagered on the Feb. 27 card, highlighted by undefeated Mohaymen’s victory.

Catch a Glimpse Takes Herecomesthebride
Catch a Glimpse, the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) winner, shined again in her 3-year-old debut Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park with an open-lengths score in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT).

Heart to Heart All the Way at Gulfstream
Canadian champion Heart to Heart grabbed the early lead in the Canadian Turf (gr. IIIT) and never relinquished command to win from last year’s victor Long On Value and good-closing Divisidero Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Mo d’Amour Rallies to Victory in Busher
Mo d’Amour took command midstretch of the $125,000 Busher Stakes Saturday, Feb. 27 at Aqueduct Racetrack on her way to her first stakes victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for 3-year-old fillies.

Chenery Joins Water Hay Oats Alliance
Joined grassroots movement in support of federal legislation to grant the United States Anti-Doping agency oversight of drug and medication policies in horse racing.

Mohaymen Dominates Fountain of Youth
Shadwell Stable’s Mohaymen dominated the $400,000 Xpressbet.com Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 27, his fifth straight victory for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

Sunny Ridge, Shagaf Among Gotham Probables
Field taking shape for Kentucky Derby prep March 5 race at Aqueduct.

Pharoah the Gift That Keeps Giving
So, American Pharoah continues to be the gift that keeps giving. He has turned Coolmore’s Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky. into a palace ruled by a new king with riches beyond compare.

Sprinter X Y Jet Continues Roll at Gulfstream
In his first start for new owners, X Y Jet showed toughness in the stretch to secure a fifth straight victory Saturday, Feb. 27, taking the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (gr. III) by one length.

Cathryn Sophia Flawless in Davona Dale
Cathryn Sophia continued her rise as one of the key contenders on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with a flawless performance Feb. 27 in the $200,000 Fasig-Tipton Davona Dale Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.

Unbeaten Extreme Choice Dazzles in ‘Diamond’
Extreme Choice led a one-two finish for trainer Mick Price in the Aus$1.5 million Blue Diamond Stakes (Aus-I) in winning comfortably from stablemate Flying Artie Feb. 27 at Caulfield.

‘Smokey’ and ‘Candy’ Hook Up in Morning Work
Smokey Image and Danzing Candy put on an unintentional preview of the March 12 San Felipe (gr. II) during their morning workouts Feb. 27 at Santa Anita Park.

Catch a Glimpse Takes Hercomesthebride
Catch a Glimpse, the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (gr. IT) winner, shined again in her 3-year-old debut Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park with an open-lengths score in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT).

Suddenbreakingnews, Whitmore on Oaklawn Tab
Whitmore worked a bullet half-mile in :48 1/5 Feb. 27, the gelding’s first breeze since finishing second in the Feb. 15 Southwest Stakes (gr. III), while Southwest winner Suddenbreakingnews had an easy half in :51 1/5.

Illinois THA Reaches Out to Arlington
The Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association said it believes it can find common ground with Arlington as it moves into contract negotiations and also work with track officials to better position Illinois racing.

K P Wildcat Shines in Sunland’s Racing Return
A bobbled start was only a minor setback for Karl Pergola’s K P Wildcat in the $75,000 Island Fashion Overnight Stakes at Sunland Park Feb. 26, the track’s first day of racing in more than a month.

Barretts March Sale Catalog Online
The catalog for the 27th annual Barretts March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training is online.

Florida Panel Examines Decoupling Financials
A state group that studies the impact of tax changes in Florida offered a general assessment Feb. 26 that decoupling horse racing from gaming would have minimal effect on pari-mutuel revenue for state government.

First Mare In-Foal to American Pharoah
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah has his first mare reported to be in-foal and she’s a star as well, Untouched Talent, dam of grade I winner Bodemeister.

RMTC Board Changes Three Drug Thresholds
The board voted to revise thresholds for three medications on the list of controlled therapeutic substances, and recommended expanding an out-of-competition testing program that would include a list of prohibited substances.

Rooting for McLaughlin to Get His Derby
Today Kiaran McLaughlin has such outstanding horses as grade I winner Frosted, who is gearing up for a Dubai World Cup Run (UAE-I), and top 3-year-old Mohaymen, who runs in Saturday’s Fountain of Youth (gr. II).

Ohio-Based Horseman Byer Dies at Age 82
Larry Byer, who stood stallions at his Byerpatch Farm in Lebanon, Ohio, died Jan. 19 at age 82.

Catch a Glimpse Heads Herecomesthebride
Eclipse Award finalist Catch a Glimpse will kick off her 2016 campaign in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (gr. IIIT) going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf Feb. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

CHRB Approves Santa Anita Arabian Race
The California Horse Racing Board Feb. 25 approved a proposal from Santa Anita Park to offer gambling on an Arabian race in April, with pending legislation on the topic expected to pass soon in Sacramento.

Risen Star Runner-Up Forevamo Bounces Back
Brittlyn Stable’s Forevamo has exited his second-place finish in the $400,000 Veterans Ford Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) in good order, according to trainer Al Stall and owner Evelyn Benoit.

Populist Politics Goes Out a Winner at Delta
Veteran Populist Politics, who secured the first of an eventual five stakes wins in 2010, will end his career on a winning note after being claimed by his original connections and retired.

The Big Beast Maryland’s Horse of the Year
Alex and JoAnn Lieblong’s The Big Beast, who finished second in a pair of grade I sprints in 2015 at Saratoga Race Course, was named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year in the annual poll.

Looking for Value in the Fountain of Youth
J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II) at Gulfstream Park.

Virginia Breeder Cox Dies at Age 75
Virginia-based Nellie Mae Cox, breeder of two-time grade I winner Showing Up, died Feb. 24 in Goochland, Va. She was 75.

Another Shining Victory for California Chrome
California Chrome appears to be going into the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) in top form after rolling to victory by about three lengths in the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy Handicap Feb. 25.

Long On Value Seeks Repeat in Canadian Turf
Heart to Heart has the recent form and Long On Value is proven in the Canadian Turf, but both will have to hold off up-and-comer Divisidero and the dangerous Avanzare.

Alternative Means to Combat EIPH Sought
The AAEP has identified areas it believes are central to understanding exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and it hopes they determine future research into alternative methods of combating EIPH.

That Handicapping Show: Fountain of Youth
Claire Novak, Tom LaMarra,and Ellis Starr preview the Fountain of Youth Stakes, which is a Kentucky Derby prep race. Sponsored by Equibase

Texas Racing Commission Funding Restored
Agency now has operating funds through August 2017.

Racetrack Gaming Issues Heat Up in WV
The West Virginia Senate Feb. 25 had first reading on legislation that would defund and decouple greyhound racing from gaming but maintain requirements that Thoroughbred racing receive its share of gaming revenue.

Graded Stakes Winner Excaper to Oklahoma
Canadian grade II winner Excaper has been retired to stand at Francisco Bravo’s River Oaks Farms near Sulphur, Okla., as the property of Mike Grossman.

CDI: Big Fish Analytics Help TwinSpires.com
The diversification of racetrack and gaming company Churchill Downs Inc. not only has improved the company’s bottom line, it also has provided some expertise from one segment to another.

Indiana Grand: $4.4M in Thoroughbred Stakes
Indiana Grand Racing & Casino will offer 36 Thoroughbred stakes valued at more than $4.4 million during its 2016 racing season, the track announced Feb. 25.

Haskin’s Derby Dozen – February 23, 2016
How did the Risen Star results impact the Derby Dozen? Did winner Gun Runner crack the top 12?

KY Oaks After-Party to Benefit TAA
The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has been named the charitable recipient of the 2016 Fillies and Lilies Party, to be held after the Longines Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) on Friday, May 6.

Perfect Timing – by Eric Mitchell
The growth of Central Kentucky into the country’s hub for Thoroughbred breeding is owed in no small part to the arrival 140 years ago of veterinarian Dr. Edward Thomas Hagyard.

Slideshow: The Week in Photos for 02/22/2016
Fair Grounds, Santa Anita Park, Turf Paradise, Japan, Australia, Turfway Park and more.

Inside the February 27, 2016 Issue
Gun Runner is the new Derby points leader after winning the Risen Star and more inside the February 27, 2016 Blood-Horse magazine!

Xpressbet New Title Sponsor of Florida Derby
Online wagering provider Xpressbet has signed on as the title sponsor of Gulfstream Park’s preeminent races for 3-year-olds, the Florida Derby (gr. I) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II).

Stevens Calls Audible During Mor Spirit Work
Gary Stevens said he didn’t know grade I winner Mor Spirit was wearing earplugs when he jumped in to work him on the fly Feb. 23. After failing to get a response on the turn, he eased the Bob Baffert trained-runner.

Chamblin Added to Horse PAC Board
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association Feb. 23 announced that Horse PAC, the Thoroughbred racing industry’s federal political action committee, has added Keith Chamblin to its board of directors.

Ashford Stud Purchases Waterford Farm
Ashford Stud has purchased the 725-acre Waterford Farm near Midway, Ky. for $10,135,072 from the West family.

Making the Grade: Gun Runner
This week we take a closer look at Gun Runner, winner of the $400,000 Veterans Ford Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) on Feb. 20 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Legends: Davona Dale, Dominant Calumet Star
In a career that would land her a spot in the Racing Hall of Fame, Davona Dale enjoyed the kind of 3-year-old season that even Affirmed had to admire.

Santa Anita Plans Overhaul of Turf Course
Santa Anita Park plans a complete overhaul of its turf course, and officials will meet Feb. 25 to decide details and timing of the plan.

PA Racing ‘Reform’ Law Signed by Governor
Legislation designed to modernize horse racing in Pennsylvania was signed into law Feb. 23 by Gov. Tom Wolf, who last fall threatened to shut down the industry because it couldn’t pay for regulation.

Entries Strong for Sunland Park’s Return
It appears that life at Sunland Park is returning to normal as the New Mexico track is prepared to race Feb. 26 for the first time in more than a month as an outbreak of equine herpesvirus appears to have abated.

Poised Flora Dora Soars for Coffee Pot
Flora Dora’s next step in reaching her connections’ goal of the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) is the $125,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Feb. 27. The Busher carries Kentucky Oaks points worth 50-20-10-5 to the top four finishers.

The Jockey Club Fact Book Available Online
The Jockey Club has announced that the 2016 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of its website at jockeyclub.com.

Cherry Wine to Miss Fountain of Youth
The promising 3-year-old colt Cherry Wine will miss the Feb. 27 Xpressbet Fountain of Youth Stakes because of a fever that spiked Feb.23, trainer Dale Romans said.

Champion Timber Country Dies at Age 24
Timber Country, the champion 2-year-old male of 1994 and 1995 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner who went on to a successful stallion career in Japan, died Feb. 24 at Lex Stud in Hokkaido at age 24.

Naughty Natisha Dies at 22
Naughty Natisha, the dam of 2007 New York-bred horse of the year Naughty New Yorker, died Feb. 24 at Stepwise Farm near Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Spendthrift: Breeders’ 2016 Outlook Mixed
The 2016 breeding season brings challenges for stallion owners and breeders: more expensive stud fees for top-tier stallions, fierce competition for mares, and the stock market suffering a worst-ever start to a new year.

Espinoza Named George Woolf Award Winner
Victor Espinoza, a 43-year-old native of Mexico City, has been selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of Santa Anita’s highly coveted 2016 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award.

‘Jockeys and Jeans’ Set for Feb. 28
The third “Jockeys and Jeans” fundraiser for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund is set for Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park. About $400,000 in non-guaranteed stallion seasons are available through an online auction.

Champion Grass Horse Northern Spur Dies
Northern Spur, champion grass horse of 1995, died earlier this month at a New York farm following a bout with colic. An Irish-bred son of Sadler’s Wells, Northern Spur was 25.

Cathryn Sophia Heads Davona Dale
Winner of her first three races by a combined 34 1/2 lengths, Cathryn Sophia looks to continue on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she takes on six rivals in the $200,000 Davona Dale (gr. II) at Gulfstream.

Fountain of Youth Mohaymen’s ‘Toughest’ Test
With Kentucky Derby (gr. I) qualifying points on a 50-20-10-5 scale available to the top four finishers, Mohaymen could rocket to the top of the standings with a victory in the Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (gr. II).

Outside Post for Flora Dora in Busher Stakes
Flora Dora will try to take another step forward on the Aqueduct Racetrack path to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) when she faces an expected six other 3-year-old fillies in the $125,000 Busher Stakes Saturday, Feb. 27.

X Y Jet the Leader of the GP Sprint Pack
X Y Jet has won his last four, including two stakes starts at Gulfstream Park, and figures to make it five in the Feb. 27 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 27.

Churchill’s Racing-Related Operations Thrive
Churchill Downs Inc. has reported record net revenues and record adjusted earnings for 2015, and its racing-related operations contributed to the record year.

Stronach Group, DerbyWars in Settlement Talks
The Stronach Group and DerbyWars may be on a path to settling their pending lawsuit, according to comments made by each organization’s officials Feb. 24 during and after a California Horse Racing Board committee meeting.

Barbados Gold Cup to Air on HRRN
Horse Racing Radio Network announced it will host an historic broadcast of the Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup live from Garrison Savannah in Barbados on Saturday, March 5.