Oklahoma

Killarney's opening mile maiden has often been a rich font of smart runners and it was Bond Thoroughbred's City Of Dubai (Mehmas) who proved strongest on Monday. One of five newcomers tackling the 30-100 favourite Oklahoma (Wootton Bassett) in the race won in recent times by Benvenuto Cellini and Anthony Van Dyck, the 8-1 joint-second favourite put the pressure on Ballydoyle's full-brother to Hawk Mountain from the outset as they dominated from the front. Edging ahead from the furlong pole, the Paddy Twomey-trained half-brother to the Group 3 winner Bear...

5.30 Killarney, Mdn, 2yo, 8f 20yT OKLAHOMA (Wootton Bassett {GB}) created a strong impression when chasing home his experienced stablemate Giant Sequoia in a traditionally hot Curragh maiden last month and follows the same path as Benvenuto Cellini, who was also second there before taking this 12 months ago. A son of Hydrangea and full-brother to Hawk Mountain, he is one of two from Ballydoyle, whose Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck was also successful 10 years ago. The other is the newcomer Capability Brown (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of...

The Curragh's Barronstown Stud Maiden has been a testing ground for some of Aidan O'Brien's best colts for some time now and Saturday's edition followed the trend with a stable one-two-three led by Giant Sequoia (Frankel). Third on debut behind stablemate Aix La Chapelle over this course and seven-furlong trip earlier this month, the son of the Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood (Camelot) made no mistake this time to record a 2 1/4-length success from Hawk Mountain's brother Oklahoma (Wootton Bassett). There was another 3 3/4 lengths back to Shakespeare (Dubawi),...

The states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana-which for the past five years have been unable to prove their allegations that the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) is unconstitutional at either the United States district court, federal appeals court, or the Supreme Court levels-are now petitioning the Supreme Court for a yet another chance to make their case that the law purportedly gives a private corporation too-broad powers to regulate Thoroughbred racing. This latest petition for a "writ of certiorari" (the formal term for asking the Supreme Court to...

For the second time in 2 1/2 years, the same panel of three judges on the Sixth Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati has affirmed the constitutionality of the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) in a lawsuit spearheaded by the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana. The case had alleged that the HISA Act gave a private corporation--the HISA Authority, which operates under the auspices of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)--far too broad regulatory authority. The plaintiffs claimed that was a violation of the non-delegation...

Remington Park canceled the final nine races on the Saturday program due to a TV equipment malfunction, the track said. The first race was run for purse money only. The track was unable to televise a proper racing presentation and had no ability to export the signal to other venues as technical issues with TV control room equipment forced the problem. Because the field for the first race had already arrived in the saddling paddock and waited for more than 30 minutes, the decision was made to allow that race...

Three stakes wins against fellow Oklahoma-breds and a second in her only open company attempt, earned Miss Code West (Code West) the Horse of the Meeting honor at Remington Park for a second consecutive season. The 3-year-old filly received the most votes in the contentious category following the 2024 race meeting. Miss Code West joins Remington Park's all-time winningest horse, Welder, as the only two horses to win Horse of the Meeting more than once here. Out of Inca Miss (Kipling), Miss Code West is owned by Jeffry and Julie...

Always Dreaming (Bodemeister--Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}), the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, has been purchased to continue his stud career in Oklahoma at River Oaks Farm. He will join resident stallions Revved Up, Caleb's Posse, Wilburn, and Excaper. In a deal brokered by Chad Schumer, Always Dreaming ranks sixth behind Justify, Good Magic, etc. and ahead of Bolt d'Oro, Collected, Mo Town, etc. He previously stood at WinStar Farm in Kentucky. In three crops of racing age, he has sired 83 winners, including last season's GI Pennsylvania Derby winner...

The Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association pledged its support to the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma after a tornado struck Will Rogers Downs May 27--killing one horse, while injuring and displacing others. Approximately 150 horses were affected by the tornado, which caused widespread damage in northeast Oklahoma, damaged 14 barns on the backside and left the location without power and water. The aftermath also left horse trailers, travel trailers, and buildings significantly damaged and the loss of power resulted in a lack of water and the need for immediate evacuation. "The...

Last week, I attended the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) national conference at the Falls Creek Conference Center in Davis, Oklahoma. There were more than 100 participants including track chaplains, local council leaders, national board and staff. I am here to share a good news story about a group that is serving God, serving people and making a difference in horse racing. At its core, our sport showcases the Thoroughbred, one of the greatest creatures on this earth, and the dedicated group of people who love and work with...

The 2023 Thoroughbred Season at Remington Park will stretch one day deeper into December as an afternoon program has been added for Saturday, Dec.16, the track announced Friday. The first race will be at 2:30pm. The extra date of races will serve as a make-up for the nine races lost Wednesday, Dec. 6 when the track lighting system did not power up to the full potential needed for racing. The Dec. 16 race date will feature 12 races to put a wrap on the season. Remington Park had previously planned...

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ruled Thursday that it will not grant a full-court rehearing to the losing plaintiffs who contested a three-judge panel's Mar. 3 decision to uphold the constitutionality of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). The case is one of five anti-HISA constitutionality lawsuits currently active in the federal court system. Led by the states of Oklahoma, West Virginia and Louisiana, the plaintiffs collectively petitioned Apr. 17 for a rarely granted "en banc" procedure that asked for a rehearing before...