Call The Wind stormed to the front at mid-stretch and rolled home first by 2 1/2 lengths in the $2.5 million Longines Turf Handicap at King Abdulaziz Racecourse Feb. 29, capping the first day of grass racing in Saudi Arabia.

Shooting Star Thoroughbreds’ Chance It was scratched Feb. 29 from the Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), the day’s feature at Gulfstream Park.

Undefeated Crossfirehurricane picked up 20 points on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby Feb. 28 with a half-length score in the Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes on the synthetic surface at Dundalk Racecourse.

The 2019 Kentucky Derby (G1) victory led to the greatest year of Prat’s career. His mounts earned more than $19.6 million in purses, and he won at his highest rate for a full season (23%) and took down 19 graded stakes, including six grade 1s.

A memo distributed by the CHRB Feb. 27 announcing strict pre-race treatment restrictions of horses at the state’s racetracks, effective March 1, was met with surprise and hostility from many of the region’s trainers, according to Eoin Harty.

In the iconic baseball movie “Field of Dreams,” the central theme revolved around the words “If you build it, he will come.” The world of horse racing has been putting its own twist on that phrase lately.

Spiced Perfection became the first female to repeat as California-bred Horse of the Year, which was announced Feb. 25 at the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner at the Sheraton San Gabriel.

Epic Racing’s Valedictorian has been named 2019 New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year, champion older female, and champion turf runner by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association of New Jersey.  

In her second start off an extended layoff, multiple stakes winner Amy’s Challenge will try to defend her title in the $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes Feb. 29 at Oaklawn Park.

Veteran trackman Javier Barajas has been named the new track superintendent at Ellis Park, the Henderson, Ky., track announced Feb. 28. Glenn Thompson, a veteran of almost 70 years at maintaining the track, will continue to work with Barajas.

A $389 million plan to renovate Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park unanimously passed the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee in the Maryland General Assembly Feb. 28.

The inaugural running of the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 29 is set to be broadcast to more than 100 territories, thanks to the efforts of international horse racing media rights agency HBA Media.

A week before some of California’s top prospects for the Kentucky Derby (G1) race in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, 3-year-olds with a preference for grass will race there at a mile on turf in the $100,000 Pasadena Stakes Feb. 29.

While jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.’s attention will be focused on winning the $20 million Saudi Cup with Mucho Gusto, back home in the United States he could play a big role in winning a grade 3 turf stakes.