It basically came down to a victory by a neck in his first ever stakes on the grass—the $70,000 Remington Park Turf Sprint—but that win among four victories boosted Welder to his unprecedented third Horse of the Meeting Championship.
Category Archives: Horse Racing
Sole Volante Returns to Turf in Tropical Park Derby
Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone’s Sole Volante regroups from a Triple Crown campaign with a return to turf in Saturday’s $75,000 Tropical Park Derby Dec. 26 at Gulfstream Park.
U.S. Sales in 2021 to be Impacted by Korean Racing Ban
A one-year ban on foreign-breds bought after Nov. 15, 2020, to race in South Korea next year preceded a call to suspend trade with Korea based on welfare issues. Korea Racing Authority said multiple programs show commitment to aftercare and welfare.
Levy Board Comes to Rescue of Jockey Insurance Scheme
The Professional Jockeys Association has welcomed the news the Levy Board has agreed a contribution to ensure the continuation of the career-ending insurance scheme for jockeys for a further six months while future funding for the scheme is sought.
Cheltenham to Go Behind Closed Doors
Racing at Cheltenham will be forced to go behind closed doors after Gloucestershire was one of many regions to have tier restrictions tightened in an announcement by health secretary Matt Hancock Dec. 23.
Stage Set for Juvenile Action at Laurel Park
No horse has come closer to beating Jaxon Traveler this year than Singlino, and the stakes-winning gelding won’t have his undefeated rival around when he returns to cap the 2020 season in the Heft Stakes Dec. 26 at Laurel Park.
Japanese 2-Year-Olds Clash in Hopeful Stakes
Undefeated records abound in the expected big field for the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 26—the last chance for 2-year-olds with classic ambitions to show their stuff.
NYRA to Ban Lasix in Stakes Beginning Jan. 1
The New York Racing Association announced Dec. 23 that, in accordance with its commitment to eliminate race-day medication, the use of Lasix will be prohibited within 48 hours of all stakes races conducted at NYRA tracks beginning Jan. 1.
NTRA: H-2B Program Provisions Set to Continue
A series of current H-2B visa program provisions are expected to continue as they were part of omnibus legislation passed Dec. 21 by Congress.
Brown's Miss Teheran Invades for Robert J. Frankel
Trainer Chad Brown, a former assistant to Bobby Frankel, pursues a win in the stakes race named after the late Hall of Fame trainer when he runs Miss Teheran in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 27.
Arima Kinen Shapes Up as Year-End Scramble
The last big event on the 2020 Japanese racing calendar, the Dec. 29 Arima Kinen (G1), is a scramble involving the nation’s top older horses. The stake is one of two races that offer fans a chance to vote on which horses they’d like to see run.
Sharing Returns to California for American Oaks
Sophomore turf sensation Sharing has not let the pandemic stop her from wracking up the frequent flier miles in 2020. The filly will have to shake off any residual jet lag in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
Opening up Dec. 26 Presents From Santa Anita Park
Opening day at Santa Anita is annually a belated Christmas gift for horseplayers, and a blockbuster program Saturday, Dec. 26 is packed with six stakes including the last three grade 1 events of 2020: the La Brea, American Oaks and Runhappy Malibu.
Smooth Like Strait Chases Another 2020 Stakes Win
After coming up just short in the Hollywood Derby (G1T), Smooth Like Strait will try to secure a fourth stakes win this season when he closes out 2020 with a start in the $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (G2T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
Zia Park Asst. Starter Found With Electrical Device
An assistant starter at Zia Park has been summarily suspended and excluded from New Mexico Racing Commission grounds after being found in possession of an electrical device before the start of racing there Dec. 22.
Finite to Face Baffert Quartet in La Brea
Trainer Steve Asmussen has shipped Finite to Santa Anita Park, where she’ll take on four Bob Baffert-conditioned fillies plus six others in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26.
Graded Winner Harpers First Ride Tops Native Dancer
Harpers First Ride, winner of the historic Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) over Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend in October, will get one more chance to add to what has been a spectacular season in the $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes Dec. 26 at Laurel Park.
Anderson Named President of Churchill Downs
Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Mike Anderson as its newest and 14th president of Churchill Downs racetrack Dec. 22. He fills the position vacated by Kevin Flanery, who retired as the company’s president last month.
Heartwood to Enter Stud at Rancho San Miguel
The 6-year-old son of Tapit will race in graded stakes in January at Santa Anita before being retired to stud.
TCA Online Stallion Seasons Auction is Jan. 6-12
Over 150 seasons will be available for online bidding. The auction is TCA’s largest annual fundraiser.