Thu, 06/26/2025 - 14:14

Another Saratoga barn subjected to strangles quarantine

Barbara D. Livingston
Strangles causes symptoms similar to those of strep throat in humans. 

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The New York Racing Association and the New York State Gaming Commission announced Thursday that horses in Barn 66 at Saratoga were under a 14-day quarantine that began on Saturday, June 21. A suspected case of strangles was confirmed after a positive test was returned Wednesday night on a 2-year-old George Weaver trainee stabled in that barn. 

Thu, 06/26/2025 - 13:56

Whip penalty reduced for Van Dyke

Barbara D. Livingston
Drayden Van Dyke was originally suspended three days and fined $15,600.

Jockey Drayden Van Dyke will be suspended for two days on July 4 and 5 and fined $5,200 after dropping his appeal of more severe penalties issued last November for a whip violation in a winning ride aboard Soul of an Angel in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar.

The day after the win, Van Dyke was suspended three days and fined $15,600. He appealed the infraction but recently dropped the appeal, according to a ruling issued by Los Alamitos stewards last weekend.

Thu, 06/26/2025 - 13:45

Straight No Chaser about ready to get back to work

Barbara D. Livingston
It's unclear whether Straight No Chaser will be ready for the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes.

Straight No Chaser, the champion sprinter of 2024, is nearing his first workout since an eighth-place finish in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint in Dubai in April, trainer Dan Blacker said on Thursday.

Blacker said it unclear whether Straight No Chaser will be ready for the next sprint stakes in Southern California, the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar on July 26.

Thu, 06/26/2025 - 13:02

Kopion turns in strong work ahead of Great Lady M.

Barbara D. Livingston
Since returning from an eight-month break last December, Kopion has won three stakes.

Kopion, the nation’s leading female sprinter, worked six furlongs in 1:12.20 at Santa Anita on Thursday in preparation for the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on July 5.

Kopion worked alone in an training run that trainer Richard Mandella described as “nice stuff.”

“I couldn’t be happier” with her, Mandella said.

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 18:43

Quint's Brew out until fall with unspecified ailment

Barbara D. Livingston
Quint's Brew shipped to New York in his last two starts and finished second in a pair of graded stakes.

Trainer Ned Allard said this week that 4-year-old gelding Quint’s Brew is working back from a “minor issue” and will not race again until the fall. The budding Mid-Atlantic runner shipped to New York in his last two starts and finished second in a pair of graded stakes.

“It’s just going to require some time off,” Allard said. “You’ll see him in the fall and he’ll be just fine.”

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 18:36

Lured by a new condition, long lost trainers return to Laurel

A new maiden special weight condition for Maryland-bred juveniles is provoking several trainers to take rare trips to Laurel Park this week.  

Ohio-based trainer Tim Hamm will bring filly Jen d’Oro for the fourth race on Friday, while Chad Summers will ship Tartabull from New York for his debut in the fifth race on Saturday. Both races will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt. 

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 15:14

Asmussen reunites with Booth for Kelly's Landing

Barbara D. Livingston
Booth and jockey Erik Asmussen are in pursuit of their fifth consecutive stakes win together.

Booth and jockey Erik Asmussen have formed a special bond, and the young guns will be in action Saturday at Churchill Downs in pursuit of their fifth consecutive stakes win together in the Grade 3, $250,000 Kelly’s Landing.

Asmussen will be traveling in from his Lone Star Park base to reunite with his signature mount – and one of his best equine friends. The pair last teamed up on May 17 at Pimlico, where they won the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint.

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 15:14

Turf Festival attracts top jockeys

Barbara D. Livingston
Preakness-winning jockey Umberto Rispoli will be aboard Stay Hot in the Texas Turf Classic and Vibez in the $125,000 Wasted Tears.

Jockey Francisco Arrieta, who won the riding title at Oaklawn Park, is scheduled to ride this summer at Colonial Downs, according to his agent, Cody Autrey.

The Colonial meet runs from July 9 through Sept. 13. Before the start of Colonial, Arrieta has mounts Friday and Saturday at Lone Star and stakes engagements July 4-5 at Prairie Meadows.

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 12:37

Cohen picks up a California win before heading to Del Mar for the summer

Coady Media
Jockey David Cohen picked up his first win in California since 2007 and will be based at Del Mar for the summer.

Last Friday at Los Alamitos, jockey David Cohen returned from a two-month layoff to win a $12,500 claimer for maidens on Angi’s Typsy.

Cohen had not ridden since April 20 at Hawthorne, the same day Angi’s Typsy had her last start.

“I saw that, and thought, 'huh,' ” Cohen said of the coincidence. “It might be meant to be.”

Wed, 06/25/2025 - 12:36

O'Neill suspended seven days for violating vet exam rules

Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Doug O'Neill has been fined and suspended seven days for violating rules pertaining to veterinary exams prior to a workout.

Trainer Doug O’Neill has been suspended seven days and fined $2,500 for violating rules pertaining to veterinary exams prior to a workout.

O’Neill was cited for failing to have Ivan the Great inspected before a workout at Santa Anita on April 20. According to a ruling published by Los Alamitos stewards on Sunday, Ivan the Great did not have a vet exam in the 90 days prior to the workout.