Sat, 07/26/2025 - 14:05

Pletcher to keep his top two separate as Fierceness will go solo in Whitney

Barbara D. Livingston
Fierceness worked a half-mile in 49.64 seconds over Saratoga's main track Saturday morning.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – When entries close Sunday for the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney Stakes at Saratoga, expect to see Mindframe’s name on the overnight. 

When the gate opens for Saturday’s Whitney, don’t expect to see Mindframe breaking from it. 

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 14:56

Splendora gets back on track with easy win

Splendora wins at DMR July 24 2025
Benoit Photo
Splendora had lost four straight races prior to her Thursday victory. Trainer Bob Baffert is now pondering a start in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

The Baffert-trained Splendora ended a four-race losing streak in graded stakes with a comfortable win in an allowance race for fillies and mares at six furlongs at Del Mar on Thursday.

Ridden by Hernandez, Splendora closed from fourth of seven to win by 3 1/2 lengths, finishing in 1:09.73.

“That was pretty impressive,” Baffert said.

Baffert said in the winner’s circle that he rates Splendora as a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 1.

“We’ll sit down and we’ll think about it,” Baffert said.

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 13:37

Friend Ofthe Devil works quick for stretch out

Barbara D. Livingston
Friend Ofthe Devil worked five furlongs in 59.70 seconds on Friday morning in preparation for the Cab Calloway,

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The speedy Friend Ofthe Devil zipped five furlongs in 59.70 seconds on Friday morning over the Saratoga main track in preparation for the $150,000 Cab Calloway division of the New York Stallion Series on turf on Aug. 14.

The move was a little quicker than trainer Carlos Martin was looking for as he hopes Friend Ofthe Devil will be able to ration his speed when he attempts to stretch out from six furlongs to a mile in the Cab Calloway. Friend Ofthe Devil is 3 for 3 going six furlongs on turf.

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 13:31

Brown might cut Chancer McPatrick back for Jerkens

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Chad Brown will likely shorten up Chancer McPatrick (middle), winner of the Curlin Stakes, for the Allen Jerkens.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Though Chancer McPatrick won his first two-turn race on Thursday, taking the Curlin Stakes by a head over So Sandy, trainer Chad Brown said Friday that his initial inclination is to cut him back in distance for the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens on Aug. 23 rather than seek more ground in the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers the same day.

The Jerkens is run at seven furlongs, the same distance at which Chancer McPatrick won last year’s Grade 1 Hopeful. The Travers is run at 1 1/4 miles.

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 13:29

Mystik Dan has sharp work; may make next start on turf

Barbara D. Livingston
Mystik Dan worked locally for the first time at Saratoga since shipping and may start next on turf.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Mystik Dan, the 2024 Kentucky Derby, had his first local workout since shipping up here on July 10, and though he worked a half-mile on the dirt Friday morning, it’s possible his future could be on the turf.

Trainer Kenny McPeek said he expects to work Mystik Dan on the turf next week to see how he handles it. If Mystik Dan likes it, a possible next race could be the Grade 3, $2.5 million Mint Millions Invitational going one mile at Kentucky Downs on Sept. 6.

Fri, 07/25/2025 - 13:12

Nitrogen eases Casse's mind with sharp work on dry track

Barbara D. Livingston
Nitrogen worked a sharp half-mile in 47.75 seconds at Saratoga in preparation for the Grade 1 Alabama.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Trainer Mark Casse’s fears that Nitrogen’s blowout victory in the off-the-turf Wonder Again Stakes on June 6 was simply a product of a sloppy track were erased Friday morning after the 3-year-old filly worked a sharp half-mile in 47.75 seconds over a fast Saratoga main track.

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 15:50

Tyler Conner hospitalized with fractured vertebra, broken nose

Tyler Conner on Fierce and Strong after winning Wolf Hill at MTH July 19 2025
Equi-Photo
Tyler Conner is shown aboard Fierce and Strong after winning the Wolf Hill Stakes last Saturday at Monmouth Park.

Jockey Tyler Conner was transported to a nearby trauma center following a one-horse spill in the seventh race at Colonial Downs on Thursday. Remaining races on the card were canceled following the incident.

Conner was turning for home aboard 3-year-old gelding Stanza when another runner in the race crossed into his path and caused Stanza to stumble and fall. Conner fell to the ground and could not get up under his own power, requiring medical attention on the track. 

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 15:29

Demolition of Pimlico begins

Pimlico barn area demolition July 24 2025
Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club
The demolition of Pimlico Race Course began Thursday with the track's stable area. Demolition of the rcaetrack is schedule to last six months.

The physical demolition of Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md., began on Thursday with the razing of the track’s barns along Winner Avenue, Maryland officials said.

The start of the demolition marks the beginning of an estimated two and half year project to build a new grandstand and barn area on the Pimlico property. Demolition of the site’s existing buildings is expected to proceed over the next six months, with reconstruction beginning early in 2026, according to a construction schedule maintained by the Maryland Stadium Authority.

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 14:23

Ewing back on work tab after maiden romp

Barbara D. Livingston
Ewing wins his career debut by 12 lengths on July 5 at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Ewing was back on the work tab Thursday for the first time since launching his career with a sensational 12-length maiden special weight victory here earlier this month, breezing four furlongs over the main track in 48.64 seconds. Trainer Mark Casse implored his rider via walkie-talkie to slow the speedy 2-year-old down throughout the work.

Thu, 07/24/2025 - 14:20

Donegal Momentum will miss Fourstardave

Barbara D. Livingston
Donegal Momentum is being pointed to the $150,000 Bernard Baruch Stakes on Aug. 29 at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Donegal Momentum, who stumbled badly yet did complete the course in the Grade 3 Kelso Stakes on July 3, will not run in the Grade 1 Fourstardave on Aug. 2, trainer Tom Morley said earlier this week.

Morley said that Donegal Momentum pulled a gluteal muscle on his right side as the result of the incident, of which he’s unclear what happened. Morley shipped Donegal Momentum back to Belmont Park to train as he believes the training track there “is a bit kinder on the horses.”