Spendthrift Farm stallion Free Drop Billy, a grade 1-winning 2-year-old by Union Rags, sired his first reported foal Jan. 19 when a filly was born at Heaven Trees Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Rather than have Zulu Alpha try for a repeat win in the Jan. 25 W. L. McKnight Stakes (G3T), owner Michael Hui is opting for a far bigger prize later that afternoon at Gulfstream Park.

Steve Asmussen, who recently achieved 1,000 career stakes wins Jan. 18, will try to add to that growing tally Jan. 26 when he sends out a pair of runners in the $100,000 Riley Allison Derby Stakes at Sunland Park. 

Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, and Ocala Breeders’ Sales announced significant changes to policies Jan. 21, including restriction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, a ban on bronchodilators at 2-year-old sales, and limited use of riding crops.

Steve Asmussen trainees make up four of the nine entries in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes, topped by Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) winner Silver Prospector. 

Stallion stands at Darley’s Haras du Logis in France

Stallion was diagnosed with pulmonary disease and is undergoing treatment.

The supplemental catalog to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2020 Winter Mixed Sale is now available on the company’s website at obssales.com.

In both her turf and stakes debut, Carressa pulled early but was contained by jockey Victor Espinoza before taking command in the stretch to win the $101,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3T) Jan. 20 at Santa Anita Park.

Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to compete in the 2020 Triple Crown series—the $3 million Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (G1), and $1.5 million Belmont Stakes (G1)—are due Jan. 25.

Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement facility based in Georgetown, Ky., welcomed the beloved, one-eyed fan favorite Patch Jan. 20.

Newtown Anner Stud and Mark Breen’s Saguaro Row was the sole subject of the finish line cameras Jan. 20  at Aqueduct Racetrack when she crossed the wire 2 3/4 lengths ahead of her competition in the $101,500 Interborough Stakes.

Though Casse made a Jan. 20 decision to enter Tracy Farmer’s 2019 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Sir Winston in the Jan. 25 $100,000 Jazil Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack, a tender hoof from a horseshoe snafu has complicated those plans.

France has become the first racing country in the world to detect a positive for the synthetic blood agent myo-inositol trispyrophosphate, better known as ITPP, leading to the disqualification of a group 1 winner from September’s Arc Trials card. 

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Tenfold worked a leisurely half-mile in :51 flat at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on a frigid morning Jan. 20.

The son of Unbridled had battled a rare disease that compromised his immune system.

This year’s Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale was expanded from four days to five, with 17% more cataloged and 16% more listed as sold than last year, but the metrics suggest the additional horses came more from the bottom end of the market.

Ryan Moore will partner with Rainbow Bridge in the Sun Met at Kenilworth, South Africa’s richest conditions race, after a controversial decision was made to take off regular rider Gavin Lerena.

Jay Emm Ess Stable’s Ms Peintour scored her first stakes win Jan.19 when she pulled away in the stretch to take the $101,000 Astra Stakes (G3T) for older fillies and mares at Santa Anita Park.

Enforceable and Finite, the respective winners of the Lecomte Stakes (G3) and Silverbulletday Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, were reported to be in good order Jam. 19, the morning after their races.