In a race that underscores the depth of the Bob Baffert stable, the Hall of Fame trainer has four of the seven entrants in the Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) Jan. 3 at Santa Anita Park.

The ownership group that campaigned Kentucky Derby (G1) and Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Authentic over the final portion of 2020 finished the year as leading owner by North American earnings.

Chad Brown won his sixth consecutive New York Racing Association year-end training title with 91 wins while Jose Ortiz compiled his second riding crown with 142 victories as racing in 2020 concluded there Dec. 31.

Eleven of the most memorable, significant, and reflective events from the last 12 months of Thoroughbred racing are up for the 2020 FanDuel Racing NTRA Moment of the Year, a distinction determined by fan voting and recognized at the Eclipse Awards.

Top Notch Racing’s Flat Rate emerged from a three-way photo finish a neck ahead of Proud Enough to spring a 33-1 upset of Laurel Park’s sixth race Dec. 31 and give 10-pound apprentice jockey John Hiraldo his first career victory.

Miss Tapirado—who topped the 2019 Keeneland April Sale when purchased for $1.3 million—broke her maiden on the final day of her 3-year-old season Dec. 31 at Gulfstream Park, graduating in her second start.

Given the last 12 months have seen Galileo claim his 12th British and Irish champion sire crown, break the world record for the most individual group/grade 1 scorers, and become the first stallion to supply five winners of the Investec Derby (G1).

In a year in which COVID-19 suspended racing at many tracks, five horses made the most of reduced opportunities to tie as the winningest horses of 2020 with eight victories apiece. The leading money earner of the five was Hunka Burning Love.

Grade 2 winner Mutasaabeq, who in his most recent dirt start earned a grade 1 placing, is entered for a return to the main track Jan. 2 in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Life Is Good, who won a maiden race at Del Mar so decisively Nov. 22 that he became the favorite among individual entries in the first Kentucky Derby Future Wager, returns in the one-mile Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Jan. 2.

Count Again made his first start on the Southern California turf a winning one just over a month ago, and the Awesome Again gelding will try to repeat that success in the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes (G2T) Jan. 2 at Santa Anita Park. 

Turf Paradise announced today that they have hired veteran and international race caller Craig Braddick for the 2021 Winter meeting, starting on January 4, 2021.

Ridenjac Racing’s 2-year-old filly Insightful wired a 5 1/2-furlong race at Tampa Bay Downs Dec. 30 to award freshman sire Barbados with his first winner.

Jockey agent Fred Aime, who worked with a number of top riders including a 10-year stint with Racing Hall of Famer Pat Day, died Dec. 30.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Dec. 30 announced the closure of non-essential retail, including betting shops, for a month from Jan. 1 as part of tougher Level 5 restrictions in Ireland.

The meet that runs through May 1 will offer 15 Thoroughbred stakes. The average daily purse is expected to be $110,000, up from $80,000.

The son of Goldencents won four consecutive graded stakes in 2019 and just missing winning the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) by a neck. He retires with $1,360,430 in earnings.

Dave Kassen, a lifelong horseman who was first a jockey and later became a successful trainer, died Dec. 27 at his home in Lake Placid, N.Y. He was 81.

Racing’s brief spell of welcoming limited numbers of spectators back on course came to an end Dec. 30 after health secretary Matt Hancock announced 23 additions to the areas of England placed under the most severe Tier 3 and 4 restrictions.

Tiz the Law, the flashy New York-bred who thrilled the world earlier this season with his dominant score in the Belmont Stakes (G1), has been retired to stand at Ashford Stud for the 2021 season, according to a Dec. 30 release.