Epicharis, who traveled from Japan to contest the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1), was a vet scratch the morning of the race June 10 after he failed to train several days in a row at Belmont Park.

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced that it has repurchased 1,000,000 shares of its common stock for $158.78 per share from an affiliate of The Duchossois Group, Inc. in a privately negotiated transaction.

What has been an ever-shifting landscape for this year’s 3-year-old runners is set to conclude its first-half act June 10 with a wide-open edition of the $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1).

With no live racing June 15 and June 22, the track will now run a pair of three-day weeks, beginning June 16 and June 23, in advance of a five-day closing week, which starts June 30.

Both total handle and on-track handle for the first two days of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival increased significantly over 2016’s festival, the New York Racing Association announced June 9. 

With no live racing June 15 and June 22, the track will now run a pair of three-day weeks, beginning June 16 and June 23, in advance of a five-day closing week, which starts June 30.

In the days and weeks after Royal Mo’s breakdown at Pimlico Race Course, in his last timed workout for the Preakness Stakes (G1), it was difficult for the trainer to power forward, but the other horses in his care deserved his best.

In case the memo was missed the first time around, let it be known that Hawksmoor (IRE) alone on the lead is not a scenario that ends well for others.

Australian Bloodstock’s Red Cardinal (IRE) invaded Belmont Park June 9 and claimed the $400,000 Belmont Gold Cup (G3T) with a strong turn of foot.

While By the Moon’s running style changed a bit, the outcome proved the same as she delivered a second straight victory in the $250,000 Bed o’ Roses Invitational Stakes (G3) June 9 at Belmont Park.

The Lane’s End first-year sire and grade 1-winning millionaire Morning Line had his first winner when Surrender Now took a maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies June 9 at Santa Anita Park.

In three starts this year, Rockingham Ranch’s Roy H has done no wrong, and his most recent was his most impressive.

The Triple Crown trail comes to an end on Long Island Saturday, June 10, with the 149th running of the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets (G1) the last of 10 stakes to be run on a marathon 13-race card that gets underway at 11:35 Eastern.

Maryland-based He Hate Me conquered New York with a late run that carried him to victory in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park June 9 against a field of seven other two-year-olds

For the second day in a row, one of the fastest workers during the June 9 Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2-year-olds and horses in training sale under tack show session came from Jaime Mejia’s Thoroughbred Champions Training Center.

After capturing the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Always Dreaming, trainer Todd Pletcher will try to close out the Triple Crown season with another classic victory when he sends out Tapwrit and Patch in the Belmont Stakes.

Three-year-olds Conquistador Cielo and Holy Bull defeated older horses in their memorable editions of the Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

Rally Cry will be joined in the Met Mile starting gate by his multiple graded stakes winning stablemate Tommy Macho, making his first start since a third-place finish in the Carter (G1) at Aqueduct Racetrack in April.