In a stretch run no one saw coming until it was too late, Sam-Son Farm homebred El Tormenta skimmed the rail all the way to an upset victory in the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) Sept. 14 at Woodbine. 

With the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) beginning with the Sept. 14 Iroquois (G3) at Churchill Downs, a points leader was established with victorious Dennis’ Moment, and perhaps, too, a legitimate early Derby favorite.

Blowout cruised along on a quick but clear lead over firm turf and then pulled away in the stretch under John Velazquez to record a 2 ¼-length victory in the one-mile Pebbles Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

A Candy Ride colt out of multiple grade 2 winner Always a Princess was the first yearling to reach seven figures Sept. 14 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

In a stretch run no one saw coming until it was too late, Sam-Son Farm homebred El Tormenta skimmed the rail all the way to an upset victory in the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1T) Sept. 14 at Woodbine. 

Godolphin’s Old Persian traveled across the Atlantic to return to his winning ways and picked up his second top-level score this year as he drew clear to win the $300,000 Northern Dancer Turf Stakes (G1T) at Woodbine Sept. 14.

Also on the Sept. 14 card, Yorkton repeated in the Bold Venture Stakes (G3).

Aidan O’Brien likes to ensure the road to greatness is paved with Ballydoyle landmines, so Enable can expect to feel the full might of Rosegreen force when she seeks to carve her own bit of history at ParisLongchamp next month.

Believed to have pulled a gluteal muscle, Monomoy Girl is currently at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky., where she will continue to be examined.

The roan, who had looked the obvious St. Leger winner since he ran away with last month’s Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) at York, followed the script to the letter.

Candy Ride colts offered by Kentucky breeder Don Robinson had a big day during the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, with colt selling for $650,000 after another was sold earlier for $1 million.

A Candy Ride colt out of multiple grade 2 winner Always a Princess was the first yearling to reach seven figures Sept. 14 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

A Union Rags colt out of a half sister to Abel Tasman brought $650,000 from Mayberry Farm at the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

LNJ Foxwoods’ grade 1 winner Covfefe is set for the Sept. 21, $125,000 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs—likely her final start in advance of the Nov. 2 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

An analysis of inbreeding over 45 years shows the biggest increase during 1996-2006.

Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse provide a one-stop guide to the day’s graded stakes races, capsules and entries. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). Click on links for full preview.

Twenty-six children of full-time horse farm workers are pursuing higher education this year  with assistance from the Horse Farm Workers’ Educational Assistance Fund.

Laurens may have come into the one-mile Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron Stakes (G1) last year as the underdog, but the Karl Burke-trained six-time group 1 winner will be the one for others to take aim at Sept. 14.

Wagering options aplenty in the Canadian Stakes Presented By the Japan Racing Association (G2T), the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1T), the Pebbles, the Northern Dancer Turf (G1T), the Iroquois (G3) and the Pocahontas (G2).