Mon, 08/04/2025 - 14:32

Prat suspended three days for Zulu Kingdom ride

Barbara D. Livingston
Flavien Prat's Hall of Fame ride resulted in Zuli Kingdom's disqualification.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The stewards suspended jockey Flavien Prat three days for his ride on Zulu Kingdom in last Friday’s Grade 2, $400,000 National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Stakes.

Prat was sanctioned for careless riding for allowing Zulu Kingdom, entering the first turn, to come over on Tiz Dashing, who, under Javier Castellano, came in on Luther, ridden by Joel Rosario, forcing that horse into the rail. Luther recovered and ran a solid race to finish second behind Zulu Kingdom. Tiz Dashing finished fourth.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 14:30

Thorpedo Anna works in company

Barbara D. Livingston
Thorpedo Anna worked five furlongs in 1:01.28 over the Oklahoma training track.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Thorpedo Anna, the reigning Horse of the Year, had her second work at Saratoga since arriving here last month – only this time she got a little more serious.

Working five furlongs Monday in 1:01.28 over the Oklahoma training track, Thorpedo Anna went in company with the New York-bred filly Midnight Concerto. The work was done in a bit of fog, and she got her last quarter in 25 seconds.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:57

Strong Whitney wagering gets mid-meet handle back on track

Barbara D. Livingston
NYRA’s handle bounced back in large part due to Saturday’s handle of $49,651,341, a record for a Whitney Day card.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – After a rough opening week, business at Saratoga has bounced back in a significant way to narrow the deficit through the first four weeks of the eight-week meet.

Through Sunday, which marked day 19 of the scheduled 40-day meet, all-sources handle was $367,825,396, a 3.25 percent decrease from the $380,202,615 handled during the 19 days of the 2024 meet. Ontrack handle is $59,178,522, down 3.6 percent from the $61,411,059 handled during the opening four weeks of last year’s meet.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:39

Ted Noffey born with a silver spoonerism

Barbara D. Livingston
Ted Noffey ran a quicker 6 1/2 furlongs than Saratoga Special winner Ewing on Saturday.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – How does it feel for Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey to have a maiden winner at Saratoga named for him – sort of?

“As long as he can run, you can call him anything you want,” Toffey said after joining his pseudo-namesake in the winner’s circle.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:33

Hazlewood nearing return from injury

Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood is back in the saddle nearly two months after sustaining multiple injuries in an early-morning car accident in June. Trainer Jose Corrales said that Hazlewood is working at Fair Hill Training Center and should be racing again at Laurel Park in September.

“It’s coming along very good,” Corrales said. “He’s already galloping some horses at Fair Hill and I have him on the Equicizer and his hands are working pretty good. He can switch the whip back and forth. He’s doing okay.”

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:30

Rouse Steeplechase features two with wins over the course

Coady Media
Avakate is part of an intriguing field for Thursday's Rouse Steeplechase at Colonial Downs.

Before Arlington Million festivities kick off at Colonial Downs on Saturday, the $100,000 Randolph D. Rouse Steeplechase will take center stage on Thursday morning. Trainer Neil Morris has entered Avakate and Love Foreverafter, a pair of mares coming off commanding maiden victories over the course in Virginia.

Avakate, a 7-year-old who has spent most of her career in Europe, finally broke through in her fourth North American start over hurdles on July 24, winning a $64,000 maiden special weight at Colonial by 12 1/2 lengths.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:25

Posts split speedsters, closers to add intrigue to Arlington Million

Debra A. Roma
Mystik Dan will make his turf debut in Saturday's Arlington Million at Colonial Downs.

Because of an unlikely post position draw for the Grade 1 Arlington Million Stakes at Colonial Downs on Saturday, a clear line can be drawn within the field. The five likeliest pacesetters drew the five inside positions, while the three likeliest to close have drawn outside of them.

From the rail, 2024 Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan will make his turf debut for trainer Kenny McPeek. In four starts this year on dirt, he has not started a race more than 2 1/2 lengths behind the early leader.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 13:13

Arnold still in disbelief over Kilwin's Test upset

Barbara D. Livingston
Kilwin's Test victory came in only her second start on dirt.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Nearly 48 hours after Kilwin upset the Test Stakes here Saturday, trainer Rusty Arnold admitted he still found it a little hard to believe his filly was able to pick herself back up following a near disastrous start to win one of the most prestigious sprint races for 3-year-old fillies.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 11:18

Sadler lands cross-country stakes double

Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO
Hey Nay Nay picked up a victory in Monmouth's Tyro Saturday for trainer John Sadler.

DEL MAR, Calif. – With a veteran and a rookie, trainer John Sadler had a nationwide stakes double Saturday.

Kings River Knight, an 8-year-old gelding, won his ninth stakes in the California Dreamin’ for statebreds on turf at Del Mar. Earlier in the afternoon, Hey Nay Nay remained unbeaten after two starts with an easy win in the $98,000 Tyro Stakes for 2-year-olds at five furlongs on turf at Monmouth Park.

Hey Nay Nay ($2.60) led throughout to win by seven lengths. The colt, by No Nay Never, was not urged late by jockey Paco Lopez.

Mon, 08/04/2025 - 11:13

D'Amato wants to try Speedy Wilson going longer after stakes win

Benoit Photo
Off a win in the Real Good Deal, trainer Phil D'Amato wants to stretch Speedy Wilson out in distance.

DEL MAR, Calif. – Speedy Wilson, winner of the Real Good Deal Stakes for statebred 3-year-olds at seven furlongs last Friday at Del Mar, may be headed for open company and longer races.

Trainer Phil D’Amato said Sunday that he is eager to try Speedy Wilson around two turns, mentioning the $125,000 Shared Belief Stakes at a mile on Aug. 31 as a possibility.

“I’d like to stretch him out,” D’Amato said.