Wed, 03/04/2026 - 16:34

Woodbine announces 2026 stakes schedule

Julie Wright

The 167th running of the historic King’s Plate headlines a spectacular Aug. 15 card that also includes five other stakes.

Woodbine has announced the stakes schedule for its 2026 Thoroughbred meet, highlighted by the $1 million King’s Plate and the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile. There are 91 stakes in total, 39 of which are graded.

“We’re very proud of our stakes program at Woodbine and eagerly anticipate a season filled with outstanding competition,” said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland. “We look forward to welcoming our racing community and fans back to the track on April 18 for the start of another exciting racing season.”

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:52

Barocio trying to join Lovesick Blues in Dubai

By Steve Andersen

Debra A. Roma

Lovesick Blues finished fifth in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14.

Lovesick Blues was named 2025 California-Bred Horse of the Year in a ceremony on Monday night, but the equine guest of honor was more than 8,300 miles away in Dubai.

Lovesick Blues finished fifth in the Group 2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 14 and was transferred to Meydan Racecourse in Dubai shortly after that race in preparation for the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Sprint on March 28.

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:43

Midnight Mammoth hopes to rebound in Big Cap

By Steve Andersen

Benoit Photo

An upset win on Saturday would be the first stakes win for Midnight Mammoth since the Grade 3 Cougar II Handicap at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar in July 2024.

Midnight Mammoth will go from the role of favorite in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan. 31 to the probable outsider of six in Saturday’s Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.

The change is caused by a last-place finish in a field of five in the San Pasqual, run 15 days after Midnight Mammoth won an allowance race at seven furlongs in his first start in more than four months.

“We thought he’d run better in his last start,” trainer Craig Dollase said on Wednesday. “We’ve rebounded. We’ve had five weeks. Here we are.”

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:32

McPeek pleased with Blackout Time, will likely go on to Arkansas Derby

By Mary Rampellini

Barbara D. Livingston

Blackout Time returned from an extended layoff to run fourth in the Rebel and will likely start next in the Arkansas Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Blackout Time finished fourth in the Rebel in his first start since a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity in October at Keeneland. He likely will advance to the Arkansas Derby, according to his trainer, Kenny McPeek.

“I was pleased with his race for the most part,” McPeek said of the Rebel. “I thought that we pressed the pace a little bit and I think it was a pretty quick pace and I think that took a little steam out of him in the finish. We knew he was going to need the race, so look, I think for him to hang on for fourth, fine.

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:28

Litmus Test probable for Arkansas Derby

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Media

Litmus Test, third in the Rebel, is likely to return for the Arkansas Derby, according to trainer Bob Baffert.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Litmus Test, a Southern California shipper who ran third in the Rebel Stakes, could return to Oaklawn for the Arkansas Derby, according to his trainer, Bob Baffert.

Litmus Test came into the Rebel off a win in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity. He broke from the rail Sunday after the scratch of the one-horse, Bravaro. Litmus Test set the pace to the stretch under Flavien Prat.

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 14:24

Plans for Class President up in the air; Silent Tactic to Arkansas Derby

By Mary Rampellini

Coady Media

Plans for Rebel winner Class President (right) are to be determined, while Silent Tactic (left) will start next in the Arkansas Derby.

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Plans for Rebel winner Class President are yet to be determined by his ownership and trainer Todd Pletcher, but the horse he edged, Silent Tactic, will continue on the Oaklawn Park road to the Kentucky Derby.

Class President shipped in from South Florida and was a nose winner of the Grade 2, $1 million Rebel on Sunday. He battled with Silent Tactic in the stretch and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 91, a career-high for the horse who races for WinStar Farm, First Go Racing, and CHC, Inc.

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:37

Trombetta plotting next moves for talented pair of 4-year-olds

By Patrick Moquin

Barbara D. Livingston

Trainer Michael Trombetta is not keen on running Maclean's Rook and Lonesome Road against each other.

Michael Trombetta plans on putting Lonesome Road and Maclean’s Rook in races at Colonial Downs next week, but doing so might require some careful thought. The 4-year-olds have risen through the ranks in remarkably similar fashion, but the trainer doesn’t want to see them face off any time soon.

“I will try to keep those horses separate, if at all possible,” Trombetta said.

Wed, 03/04/2026 - 13:34

Pay Billy returns to winner's circle, eyes Native Dancer

By Patrick Moquin

Debra A. Roma

Pay Billy finished seventh in the Preakness after a brilliant start to his 3-year-old campaign.

Pay Billy, a two-time stakes winner who ran seventh in the Preakness last year, got back to his winning ways last Friday at Laurel Park. The 4-year-old colt notched his first victory in nearly a year in a $56,000 allowance, giving trainer Mike Gorham confidence in the path ahead.

“He’s definitely progressed in the last month or so,” Gorham said. “He was in a couple of tough races before, and he just seems to be getting better so far this year.”

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 13:15

Book'em Danno won't ship to Dubai, may try Boston at Colonial instead

By Patrick Moquin

Debra A. Roma

Book'em Danno has not run since winning the Grade 1 Forego at Saratoga last August.

Derek Ryan was all but set on sending Book’em Danno overseas to make his 5-year-old debut in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Racecourse on March 28, but the trainer is one of many who are preparing to shift away from those plans this month.

As the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran puts the entire Dubai World Cup event in jeopardy, Ryan is now loosely considering shipping to Colonial Downs for the $150,000 Boston Handicap on March 14 instead.

Tue, 03/03/2026 - 11:06

Riders, horses mostly unscathed after scary spill at Parx

By Patrick Moquin

Four horses and their riders were involved in a scary incident at Parx Racing on Monday, in which a loose horse unseated her rider out of the gate and later caused a spill that unseated three more riders. Only one of the four jockeys involved has reported injuries, while all four horses walked off.

The incident occurred in the 10th and final race on the card. It was caused by Spirited Ride, who's rained by Miguel Rodriguez. The 5-year-old mare stumbled out of the gate in the $5,000 claiming race, unseating jockey Anthony Salgado and running loose to rejoin the field.

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