After breaking well in the $241,500 Old Friends Stakes Sept. 5 at Kentucky Downs, Get Western used that front-end prowess to secure the first stakes win of his career, virtually unchallenged late in winning by 1 1/2 lengths.

Churchill Downs Inc. has proposed building a new track in Northern Kentucky and taking the winter race dates away from Turfway Park.

After being placed first in the Canadian Derby (G3) Aug. 18 at the Century Mile, Explode will try to secure a second straight Derby win in Western Canada Sept. 7 in the CA$250,000 British Columbia Derby (G3) at Hastings Racecourse in Vancouver.

Sonata Stable’s Wicked Runner became the first black-type winner for Spendthrift Farm’s freshman sire Wicked Strong Sept. 1 when he won the Clasico Jose Coll Vidal Stakes at Camarero Race Track in Puerto Rico.

Kentucky Downs Aug. 8 program features the $600,000 Exacta Systems Dueling Grounds Derby and $350,000 Fifth Third Insurance Dueling Grounds Oaks. Both races are at 1 5/16 miles.

The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission upheld its stewards’ decision to suspend trainer Marcus Vitali for one year and fine him $2,500 for interfering with and impeding an investigation. 

Joanne Dittes Yepsen and Diana Pikulski partnered to launch Yepsen & Pikulski LLC, an endeavor to advance complex policy issues and humane agendas on a federal, state, and local level.

After securing a breakthrough graded stakes win racing 1 1/2 miles on the Belmont Park dirt, Marconi will return to that distance Sept. 7 when he starts in the inaugural edition of the Grand Prix American Jockey Club Invitational Stakes.

Midnight Bisou is a five-time grade 1 winner and an 11-time graded stakes winner for Bloom Racing, Madaket Stables, and Allen Racing. She will be consigned by Elite Sales.

The late trainer Rick Violette Jr., Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Luka, journalist Tim Wilkin, and broadcaster Caton Bredar will be honored during the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Awards Dinner Oct. 30 at The Derby in Arcadia, Calif.

The late trainer Rick Violette Jr., Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Luka, journalist Tim Wilkin, and broadcaster Caton Bredar will be honored during the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters Awards Dinner Oct. 30 at The Derby in Arcadia, Calif.

This week’s BackTrack feature offers coverage of the Sept. 2, 1961 Washington Park Futurity at Arlington Park won by Ridan. The story, written by Joe Agrella, appeared in the Sept. 9, 1961 edition of The Blood-Horse.