Peter Miller

Kentucky's Thoroughbred retirement home Old Friends welcomed the recently-retired MGSW/MGISP C Z Rocket (City Zip). The 10-year-old gelding arrived Feb. 29 to the farm and was welcomed by founder Michael Blowen and current Old Friends CEO John Nicholson. "CZ Rocket has captured the affections of countless race fans throughout his many years on the track," said Nicholson. "After such a successful career, this special gelding has earned the right to enjoy being pampered and celebrated here at Old Friends. We are grateful to his connections for seeking such a well-deserved...

C Z Rocket (City Zip-Successful Rocket, by Successful Appeal) has been retired from racing, according to trainer Peter Miller. The 10-year-old was last seen finishing sixth at Oaklawn Monday. An $800,000 OBS juvenile purchase by Arkansas businessman Frank Fletcher, C Z Rocket had lost 11 consecutive starts when he moved to Miller's barn in April of 2020 after he was claimed on behalf of Tom Kagele for $40,000 at Oaklawn. For his new connections, which subsequently included Altamira Racing and Madaket Stables, the Florida bred won 13 races, finished second...

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, the seven-day prohibition on intra-articular injections prior to a timed workout continues to trip up stakeholders. Six new individuals are facing possible sanctions for violations of this rule, to go with the 30 individuals whose cases have already been resolved. A typical first-time violation comes with a $3,000 fine. One of the trainers in question is Ignacio Correas, whose trainee Didia violated the intra-articular injection rule prior...

In a battle of Cal-bred fillies, it was Jethorse, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber's Daddysruby (Frac Daddy) who just got the bob over the late-closing Big Pond (Mr. Big) in a thrilling finish to the GI La Brea S. at Santa Anita Tuesday. Though not the quickest into stride from her inside post, Daddysruby rushed up along the rail to take the early lead. She was pressed by favored Howl (Practical Joke) through a quarter in :22.21, but opened a clear lead as the favorite--unbeaten in a pair of lifetime...

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among the key rulings from the last seven days, the prohibition of intra-articular injections within seven days of a timed or reported workout once again stands out as a thorn in the side of trainers. Three such cases have been resolved in the past week, resulting in $3,000 fines meted out in each case. The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) also handed down a seven-day suspension and...

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country. California Track: Los Alamitos Date: 09/15/2023 Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation:...

'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) was resting comfortably in her stall Sunday morning, the day after capturing the GI FanDuel Racing Del Mar Debutante S. The daughter of Hall of Famer Beholder sat closer to the pace than in her maiden victory. When jockey Mike Smith asked her, Tamara breezed past the pacesetter, opened up by the top of the lane and cruised home much the best. The comments afterward told it all. "It gave me chills," winning trainer Richard Mandella remarked. "I've been here in California for four...

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. The TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These will include decisions from around the country. California Track: Del Mar Date: 08/17/2023 Licensee: Tiago Pereira, jockey Penalty: Three-day...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With no shortage of racing fans, horsemen and media lined up along the outer rail, the Churchill Downs backstretch got awfully quiet in a hurry as Verifying (Justify) lost his exercise rider leaving the five-eighths marker during Thursday morning's special training session for GI Kentucky Derby and Oaks horses. A big tip of the cap goes out to outriders Greg Blasi and Lee Lockwood, who did a fantastic job of apprehending the GI Blue Grass S. runner-up at the quarter pole. Trainer Brad Cox later reported that...

For owner/breeder Bruce Chandler, patience was a virtue rewarded when his eye-catching Spirit of Makena captured the GIII San Carlos S. in just his four career start. A head shy from perfection in his spaced-out career, Spirit of Makena debuted late in his 4-year-old season; not seen until an Aug. 5 maiden special at Del Mar last season. He was hounded every step of the way on his step up to allowance optional company Sept. 11 in his first trip at the mile and just couldn't hold off Holden the...

Jockey Ramon Vazquez, a 38-year-old native of Puerto Rico, finished with 25 victories through the 18-day stand Santa Anita Autumn meet to capture the riding title, finishing five wins ahead of runner-up Juan Hernandez. Vazquez, who started riding in California in March after stints at Prairie Meadows and Oaklawn, took his first-ever Santa Anita title on the meet's closing day Sunday. "I'm grateful to be here and to the owners and trainers who have supported me," said Vazquez. "I'm blessed, this is big for me because not everybody who comes...

In a replay of four weekends ago at Del Mar, juveniles by Arrogate swept the major 2-year-old stakes Saturday in Southern California. About an hour before Cave Rock doubled up on Grade I events in the American Pharoah S., And Tell Me Nolies posted a mild upset in the GII Chandelier S. at Santa Anita, a "Win and You're In" race for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 4 at Keeneland. Uncontrollable (Upstart) rallied late for second at 24-1, while Justique (Justify), the 6-5 favorite making her first appearance...