R Larry Johnson

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Jockey Junior Alvarado, the race day partner of Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the leading 3-year-old in the country, knows how everyone feels now. That's because he saw up close just how powerful Sovereignty is. Sovereignty had his final work before next weekend's $1.25 million GI Travers Stakes Saturday morning at the Oklahoma Training Track. As usual, he was being ridden by Neil Poznansky, the assistant to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. Alvarado, helping the barn out, climbed aboard Fort Nelson (Bernardini), who was Sovereignty's workmate for...

As is tradition with turf races, the GIII Giant's Causeway Stakes at Keeneland came down to a thriller on the wire as the Maryland-bred Future Is Now (Great Notion) got the best of the photo to win her 2025 seasonal now. Racing almost on a monthly basis last year, she wrapped her 2024 campaign on a win streak with a three-quarter length victory Oct. 13 in Keeneland's GII Franklin Stakes. That lifetime best 99 Beyer there came on the back of her half-length win in Saratoga's Listed Smart N Fancy...

Hillwood Stable's multiple graded stakes winner Post Time (Frosted) was named 2024 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male and champion sprinter when last season's champions were announced the week of Feb. 24 on the MHBA's social media accounts. Trained by Brittany Russell, Post Time won last year's GII Carter Stakes and GIII General George Stakes. On the board in all 15 career starts, with nine wins, the 5-year-old has earned $1,227,910 on the racetrack. Other Maryland champions announced last week include: champion 2-year-old male: Studlydoright (Nyquist); champion 2-year-old...

After starting his career with two daylight wins at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs last year on GI Florida Derby Day and GI Kentucky Derby Day, respectively, 'TDN Rising Star' Mindframe (Constitution) nearly pulled off victory in the GI Belmont Stakes in only his third career start, finishing just a half-length behind Dornoch (Good Magic), and then finishing second to that same rival in the GI Haskell Stakes. Sent to the sidelines with bone bruising after those four scintillating starts, the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables runner made his...

Sunday's GII Franklin Stakes was a tale of two trips. On one hand, Larry Johnson's Future Is Now (Great Notion), exiting post 5, benefitted from a rail-hugging trip that blossomed into a well-timed opening that propelled her to the front in early stretch and on to victory. On the other end, Godolphin's Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) didn't appear a touch sluggish while leaving post 1 and gradually got shuffled to the back of the 12-horse field, necessitating a giant run if there was any hope to even get...

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables' Mindframe (Constitution), sent off the even-money favorite in his debut, more than lived up to the hype, earning 'TDN Rising Star' status with a 13 3/4-length romping victory Saturday at Gulfstream Park. The dark bay colt was hustled from the gate and just off the leader in the early strides before settling back off the pace behind fractions of :21.92 and :44.44. When Irad Ortiz said go, he made eye-catching progress to grab the lead out of the turn and stormed home an unchallenged...

R. Larry Johnson's MGSW True Valour (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}--Sutton Veny {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) has been retired and will stand at Northview Stallion Station near Chesapeake City, Md. The Graham Motion trainee was last seen finishing second to dual Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) by just a head in the GIII Troy S. at Saratoga Aug. 5. The 8-year-old True Valour began his career in Ireland, where he captured the G3 Ballycorus S., and culminated in the U.S., where his wins included the GII City of Hope Mile...

Courvoisier (Tapit), last-out winner of the Jan. 1 Jerome S., tuned up for Saturday's GIII Withers S. with a five-furlong work in 1:02.41 (2/15) over the Belmont training track Friday. "He's doing well," trainer Kelly Breen said. "He breezed Friday by himself. It was a maintenance workout and he's good to go." Owned by Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings and James Spry, Courvoisier is a son of 2014 champion 2-year-old filly Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway). Jerome fourth-place finisher Unbridled Bomber (Upstart) was declared ready for the Withers following a...