Commentary from industry figures

Champion Essential Quality and Sham Stakes (G3) winner Life Is Good were made the 8-1 individual morning-line favorites in pool 3 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager that runs from Feb. 12-14.

With few remaining gaps on Hello Beautiful’s resume, trainer Brittany Russell will seek to achieve a significant milestone for both herself and her stable star in the $250,000 Runhappy Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) Feb. 13 at Laurel Park.

Times have changed somewhat since the world’s oldest bloodstock agency was founded, so Bert Kerr was happy to laugh along with the well-worn proverb about dogs and tricks as he claimed the top lot at the opening session of the Goffs February Sale.

Lightly raced Maxfield is scheduled to begin his 2021 season at the same track where he ended his 2020: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Bruce Mackenzie’s determination to take home the highest-priced filly ever sold at an Inglis Classic Yearling Sale led him to deliver a deliberate “knockout punch” for a daughter of Zoustar who also helped create a new benchmark for her breeder.

Canterbury Park announced Feb. 9 that 27 Thoroughbred stakes races with purses totaling $2.06 million will be run during the 65-day race meet that begins May 18 and continues through Sept. 16.

The Texas Summer Yearling Sale will be held Aug. 30 at Lone Star Park, the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Dallas-area track announced Feb. 9. Entries are now being accepted with a deadline of June 21. 

Remsen Stakes (G2) winner Brooklyn Strong, who missed the Feb. 6 Withers Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack due to illness, is aimed toward a return next month, trainer Danny Velazquez said.

Concert Tour climbs a spot after his San Vicente Stakes (G2) victory in the third edition of Byron King’s Derby Dozen.

The Feb. 8 opening session of the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale saw overall numbers slightly up over last year’s opening session as 207 horses from 264 offered changed hands on the grounds of the Lexington, Ky., sale. 

Three Chimneys Farm has reported that their stallion, grade 1-placed Fast Anna, was euthanized at the age of 10 due to complications from laminitis.

The first reported foal by grade 1-winning millionaire Force the Pass arrived Feb. 4 at Murmur Farm in Maryland. The filly is out of Magical Point.

Hyland maintained Oghill House Stud, a 300-acre farm in County Kildare.

Team D’s Miss Brazil took command from the gate and drew away easily for a 6 1/4-length victory in the $87,000 Ruthless Stakes for 3-year-old fillies Feb. 8 at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Former Newmarket trainer Robert Armstrong, who trained two European champions in the latter half of last century, died after a short illness Feb. 5 at the age of 77.

Ticket sales for the 2021 Breeders’ Cup World Championships that will be held Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar have been delayed, Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Drew Fleming shared in a newsletter to fans Feb. 8. 

Santa Anita and the Del Mar have teamed to create the $1 Million Wild West Bonus, which will provide $1 million in additional money to the winning connections of any horse that sweeps three of Southern California’s most prestigious grade 1 races.

OXO Equine’s Travel Column will attempt to begin her sophomore season the way she ended her juvenile campaign when she takes on eight other fillies in the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) Feb. 13 at Fair Grounds.

Dr. Jeff Blea will take the position in July when Dr. Rick Arthur retires from the job he’s held since 2006.