Brian Lynch

Despite their horse running sixth in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S., the connections of Owen Almighty (Speightstown) have informed Churchill Downs that their colt will be pointed to the GI Kentucky Derby, after all. "Owen Almighty has re-entered the Kentucky Derby picture, according to trainer Brian Lynch," Darren Rogers, the senior director, communications and media services wrote within an email that he sends out regularly updating the points standings for the Derby. With 65 points, Owen Almighty is in 12th place in the standings. At deadline for this story,...

With paddock buzz in his corner and looks to match, Big Truzz (Justify) did not disappoint his backers as he strolled home to confidently break his maiden at Keeneland and earn 'TDN Rising Star' honors in the process. Coming into this unveiling, the striking son of Triple Crown winner Justify had a bullet work at Palm Meadows Mar. 28 [four furlongs in :47 flat, fastest of 52] and a work locally Apr. 9 to his credit. That most recent breeze was another four panel work clocked in :49.80 (67/121), and...

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's "rulings" portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) "pending" and "resolved" cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 03/11/2025 Licensee: Danny Morales, trainer Penalty: 5-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on March 12, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500;...

It all started at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. Kelly Mahoney had the time of his life attending his very first horse race as he watched Rich Strike (Keen Ice) make one of the biggest upsets in Derby history. Afterwards, he called up his business partner Brad Kinsell and uttered that notorious phrase: 'I want to win the Kentucky Derby.' It took some convincing on Mahoney's part, as neither of them had any prior experience or involvement in horse racing, but eventually his friend acquiesced and Victoriam Farm was born. Now...

The bombshell announcement issued last week by The Stronach Group (TSG) that Gulfstream Park could close within three years, if not sooner, sent shockwaves through the industry. To close Gulfstream would affect a lot more than Florida racing. It would have serious ramifications for virtually every faction in the sport. The Stronach Group is looking to decouple its casino and racing licenses and has threatened to close the track in three years if the horsemen's group does not back legislation allowing decoupling. Their hope is that they can use the...

An early local watering hole for those 3-year-old colts who might have aspirations of heading to the GII Tampa Bay Derby in early March, it was Naughty Rascal (Rogueish) who was elevated to the top of the podium after the stewards disqualified Owen Almighty (Speightstown) in the Pasco Stakes at the northern Florida track on Saturday afternoon. As the heavy favorite, Owen Almighty and Rookie Card (Adios Charlie) engaged in a speed duel from the bell. Tabbed at 3-1, Naughty Rascal tracked closely from the second flight. At the three-eights...

7th-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6 1/2f, 3:55 p.m. ET. A $1-million buy at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale, YINZER (Twirling Candy) takes the racing stage for the ownership group of West Point Thoroughbreds, CJ Stables and Bill Farish. The Steve Asmussen trainee is out of Rehearsed (Tapit) who is a full-sister to GISP Closing Bell and a half-sister to GII San Felipe Stakes hero Hear the Ghost (Ghostzapper). Also making the races is Aerate (Candy Ride {Arg]). The Stone Farm homebred trained by Brian Lynch was produced by Ducru...

7th-Churchill Downs, $115,950, Msw, 11-14, 2yo, 5f, :57.91, sy, 2 1/4 lengths DONUT GOD (c, 2, Into Mischief--Sweet Kisses {SP, $116,127}, by Carpe Diem) took plenty of money, dropping down from his 8-1 morning line to break as the 7-5 favorite facing a largely inexperienced field. Ridden for early speed from the middle of the gate, the $400,000 KEESEP grad quickly cleared the group and opened up a clear advantage through fractions of :22.39 and :45.56 over a sloppy Churchill main track. El Prestigio (Practical Joke) made a quarter-pole run...

After the FanDuel Limestone S. was taken off the grass, Hot Beach (Omaha Beach) did not mind a wet main track one bit as she rolled home a winner at Keeneland on Friday. The dark bay began her career last summer at Ellis Park with a runner-up finish and then won the Debutante S. at the Pea Patch in mid-August. A well beaten third behind 'TDN Rising Star' V V's Dream (Mitole) in the GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs a month later, Hot Beach was last seen running second...

5th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-7, 3yo, 5f (AWT) (off turf), :56.20, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. KING JULIEN (c, 3, Kingman {GB}--Deer Valley {SW, $180,910}, by Speightstown) received some support at 5-1 while debuting for trainer Brian Lynch in a 5 1/2-furlong test over the Saratoga sod last August, but faded to finish a well-beaten seventh. Sent off the 2-1 second choice while getting blinkers on for his off-turf Tapeta debut, the dark bay prompted favored Bourbon Boss (Street Boss) through a snappy opening quarter in :21.78. Inching into the lead approaching...

5th-KEE, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 3:08 p.m. ET Gold Square's AIR OF DEFIANCE (Quality Road), a $400,000 Keeneland September purchase, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite after running a solid second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) over a muddy strip at Saratoga in his six-furlong debut Aug. 25. The Brad Cox trainee is the second foal out of graded stakes winner Faypien (Ghostzapper). St. Elias and Starlight Racing's It'smyluckytime (Not This Time), a $450,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling, makes his first trip to the post for trainer Todd Pletcher....

10th-KD, $150K, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 6:28 p.m. The European-style grass course situated on the Kentucky side of the southern border with Tennessee cards a maiden finale which draws $450,000 Keeneland September graduate from last year, PUBLIUS (Constitution). Bred by Twin Creeks Farm, the bay colt debuts out of Sharp Instinct (Awesome Again), who is the dam of seven winners from nine to race. The Brad Cox trainee, ridden by Florent Geroux, is a half-brother to GIII Excelsior S. hero Send It In (Big Brown). Also entered is the well-bred Tapitoro...