Saratoga

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) has launched its annual TRF online charity auction on eBay, which runs through Thursday, Nov. 13 and features nearly 50 racing-related items, the non-profit said in a release Wednesday. The auction directly benefits the TRF's mission to provide dignified lifetime care to retired Thoroughbred racehorses, and also benefits its 'Second Chances Program' for incarcerated individuals. This year's auction includes: Thorpedo Anna shadowboxed halter with certificate of authenticity; Autographed memorabilia from industry connections; Artwork, photography, and handcrafted items; Frank Mirahmadi race call experience at the Spa....

Multiple Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Lane's End for the 2026 breeding season, the farm announced. Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, Carl Spackler was campaigned by e Five Racing before being acquired by Ace Stud. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in his second career jump at Gulfstream Park after breaking his maiden by 8 3/4 lengths, he claimed his first graded victory August of 2023 when he took home the GII National Museum...

7th-Churchill Downs, $116,774, Msw, 10-31, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:24.23, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. PAIGE TURNER (f, 2, Army Mule--Sophia Mia, by Pioneerof the Nile) drew in from the also-eligible list and made the most of the chance here as the 8-5 favorite. Stalking the dueling leaders as Raspberry (Medaglia d'Oro) pushed the tempo through :22.63 and four furlongs in :46.32, Paige Turner was the looming danger via the grandstand side as she swooped in to take command passing the furlong marker. In hand in the final sixteenth, she strolled home...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appeal level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) over a contested clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course in 2024, on Thursday had the judge in his lawsuit deny a request for a preliminary injunction for the second time in five months. In explaining his decision, the judge in charge of the case, David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern...

Did you hear the one about the wrestler who opted for three foals and a submission? Understandably, Jeff Kerber feels a little conflicted about the "submission." In his youth, as Iowa's first high school wrestler unbeaten through four years of varsity competition, everything came down to what he could do with his bare hands. In lately discovering a flair for a second walk of sporting life, however, Kerber had to make a pragmatic concession to the economic odds against him. His entire Kentucky program comprised four mares, and one of...

Godolphin's Sovereignty (Into Mischief) breezed five furlongs in 1:01.39 over the Oklahoma dirt training track at Saratoga Sunday as he prepares for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Trained by Bill Mott, Sovereignty was piloted in the work by assistant trainer Neil Poznansky, starting slightly in front of workmate Playa Del Mar [1:02.27] before kicking away in the stretch and finishing several lengths in front. NYRA Clockers caught Sovereignty through splits of :24 2/5, :36 3/5 and galloping out in 1:14 3/5 over the fast...

John Ortiz had high hopes for Brightwork long before she set foot in his barn. His father, Carlos Ortiz, had broken the daughter of Outwork in Ocala and told him the filly was a standout mentally, taking everything that was asked of her and doing it effortlessly. But what surprised Ortiz, when Brightwork stepped off the van at Keeneland, was how striking the filly was physically as well. "She walked in like she owned the place," Ortiz recalled. "You'd confuse her for a colt early on. She was really stout,...

The reigning GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) breezed a half-mile in :49.08 (10/44) on Saturday over the Oklahoma training track at Saratoga in preparation for his title defense in the $7-million centerpiece on Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Trained by Chad Brown, the dark bay worked to the inside of the maiden Duration (Mitole) after the first renovation break on the track rated fast. "He worked super," said Brown. "He has been very consistent with the way he's been...

Dr. Kapur (c, 2, McKinzie--Ava's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy), a game second, beaten just a neck, after setting a fast pace in the coveted Travers Day maiden at Saratoga Aug. 23, ran to the money as the 4-5 favorite with a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' performance at Keeneland Thursday. The Ken Ramsey homebred was hustled to the front, but was immediately hounded to his inside through an opening quarter in :22.47. He began to get some breathing room on the far turn, kicked for home as the one...

Governor Kathy Hochul accompanied New York Racing Association officials, AECOM Tishman, Populous and unionized construction workers for a topping out ceremony Wednesday, marking the placement of the final beam at the new Belmont Park. "As we raise the final beam, today marks a major milestone for Belmont Park and New York State," Governor Hochul said. "This project is more than simply rebuilding a racetrack--it's creating jobs, boosting our economy and ensuring Belmont remains a world-class destination. This redevelopment means thousands of good-paying union jobs, new opportunities for local businesses and...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In his opening remarks during this year's Kentucky Derby post-race news conference, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott paid tribute to the entire team behind the brilliant Sovereignty (Into Mischief). "I'm so proud of everybody that had anything to do with getting this horse to this point and it takes a lot of people," Mott said. "It takes a family, and it takes a community to get him ready, really." Neil Poznansky, the regular morning work partner for the nation's top 3-year-old, has been with Mott...

Bidding returns to the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in upstate New York for the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale, which begins Tuesday at 10 a.m. A total of 281 horses, including weanlings, broodmares, and broodmare prospects, have been catalogued for the one-session auction. Lili Kobielski saw plenty to be optimistic about as she oversaw her The New Hill Farm consignment at barn seven Monday. "The activity has been wonderful," she said. "We have been non-stop yesterday and today. We've seen some new faces today that I think just got in....