One year after her Keeneland January sale consignment was impacted by an embargo placed on horses that had been at a Louisiana, Meg Levy returns with a solid group of racing and broodmare prospects and short yearlings.

Buoyed by the strong commercial market of 2017, strength of the U.S. stock market, and recent federal tax law changes, there is an air of optimism heading into the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Horse of the Year favorite Gun Runner had another methodical work on his march to Gulfstream Park’s $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1), motoring six furlongs in 1:13 1/5 with Gettysburg at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 7.

Stellar Wind, the champion 3-year-old filly of 2015 and a six-time grade 1 winner, breezed for the first time as a 6-year-old the morning of Jan. 7, as she continued preparations for a start in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27.

Mirroring the November market, demand for just-turned yearlings should be strong and overall business solid at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, according to Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Turfway Park canceled races three through eight its Jan. 6 card after the jockey colony elected not to ride, citing cold weather.

McKinzie’s run in the final furlong of the $100,000 Sham Stakes (G3) Jan. 6 at Santa Anita Park looked more like at typical workout for trainer Bob Baffert than any kind of arduous test on the early Triple Crown trail.

The first take-notice effort from a classic prospect came six days into the calendar year as Mask made his challengers pay for letting him have things his own way during a 6 1/4-length win in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes Jan. 6.

Mirroring the November market, demand for just-turned yearlings should be strong and overall business solid at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, according to Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency.

Tapability, the first foal out of two-time champion female sprinter Groupie Doll, will be making his career debut for trainer Buff Bradley Jan. 13 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Guided by jockey Julien Leparoux through a ground-saving trip, Flameaway battled back when challenged in the deep stretch to win the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park Jan. 6. 

Luis Saez, who currently sits atop the jockey standings at Gulfstream Park, has been confirmed to ride multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 27.

The Maryland Jockey Club announced Jan. 6 total handle on races at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course in 2017 exceeded $600 million for the first time since 2008.

Mirroring the November market, demand for just-turned yearlings should be strong and overall business solid at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, according to Mark Taylor of Taylor Made Sales Agency.

South Africa’s two-time Horse of the Year, Legal Eagle (SAF) won his third consecutive L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate (G1) Jan. 6 at Kenilworth Racecourse and earned an automatic berth into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T).

As buyers braved single-digit temperatures the morning of Jan. 6 to inspect horses entered in the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, some of the most-requested showings were for the short yearlings sired by American Pharoah.

In an effort to relieve some of the frustration regarding horse ownership, Santa Anita Park has instituted conditions at the maiden special weight level based on auction price and at the claiming level based on barn size, in limited races.