With Congress including the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in an omnibus bill crafted around a funding package that would prevent a government shutdown, the industry landmark legislation appears poised to become reality.

Notable maiden winners this week included several high-priced buys, as well as several homebreds.

The ceremony will be released on multiple digital platforms, including the social media accounts from Longines and the IFHA.

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races was able to again establish a new annual record for wagering volume per race—the sixth consecutive year it has done so.  

The parade of impressive Todd Pletcher-trained maiden special weight winners into Gulfstream Park’s winner’s circle continued Dec. 20 following a sharp debut score by Shadwell Stable’s Zaajel.

Considering Chris Mara’s humble beginnings in horse racing, what he has accomplished in the sport over the course of the last 34 years—particularly the last two years—is rather amazing.

Godolphin homebred and undefeated 2-year-old Essential Quality returned to the work tab at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots for trainer Brad Cox Dec. 20 where he breezed three furlongs in :36 1/5.

Frankel lit up the Goffs November Sale ring Dec. 20 when a quartet of the world champion’s sons and daughters became the four most expensive foals sold in Ireland in 2020.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned Tier 4 restrictions could remain in place until a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out more widely.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has warned Tier 4 restrictions could remain in place until a coronavirus vaccine is rolled out more widely.

Welder equaled the all-time mark in winning the $38,675 open-company allowance feature, titled the Guthrie Sprint. The gelding turned the tables on Share the Upside in his victory.

Frankel’s legend added another chapter Dec. 20 at Hanshin Racecourse as Grenadier Guards rolled to a smooth victory in the Asahi Hai Futurity (G1), relegating the favorites to second and third.

Godolphin’s Maxfield remained undefeated while besting older rivals in the $75,000 Tenacious Stakes Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, stalking the pace in second before pulling ahead to win by 2 1/2 lengths under jockey Florent Geroux.

In a thrilling stretch drive, Francisco Pérez Werthein’s 3-year-old Cool Day surged to the front in the final yards Dec. 19 to win the Gran Premio Internacional Carlos Pellegrini (G1) by a half-length at Hipódromo de San Isidro.

During a Dec. 19 card at Fair Grounds Race when 2-year-olds raced in the Letellier Memorial Stakes and Sugar Bowl Stakes, Juddmonte Farm’s Prate ran quicker than the winners of those races in taking his debut in $50,000 maiden special weight.

After a little more than two years of racing, Sleepy Eyes Todd has finally found some stability, at least for the rest of the year. He won his second consecutive seven-furlong race in the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Dec. 19.

A half-hour after winning the Queen’s County Stakes at Aqueduct with the Rudy Rodriguez-trained Backsideofthemoon, Repole Stable added another stakes win when the Todd Pletcher-trained Always Shopping took the Via Borghese Stakes at Gulfstream.

Charles C. “Cuppy” Fenwick, the longtime director of the Maryland Hunt Cup, died Dec. 16 He was 96.

A beautiful daughter of Sea The Stars stole the show at Goffs on the second day of the rescheduled November Foal Sale Dec. 19.

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert continued his winning ways in the $200,500 Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) Dec. 19 when Spielberg caught 33-1 longshot frontrunner The Great One in the final stride to score by a nose.