Nebraska-based owner-breeder Tom Baxter, who campaigned homebred grade 1 winners Cindy’s Hero and Fourty Niners Son, died Jan. 12 in Grand Island. He was 82.

Just as he secured favoritism last fall in the first round of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, Life Is Good is expected to remain the long-range betting favorite among individual wagering options for the Kentucky Derby (G1).

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program announced Jan. 19 that it has approved more than 7,000 awards and classes at more than 1,500 shows in 42 states, Puerto Rico, and six Canadian provinces in 2021.

Irish racing was left reeling Jan. 19 following the revelation that Cheltenham Festival-winning trainer Charles Byrnes’ license has been suspended for six months after one of his horses tested positive for a sedative.

Included is John Anthony’s homebred Caddo River, a 9 1/2-length winner last out.

Despite being fanned wide as she entered the stretch, Mucho Unusual dug in to make up for traveling extra ground and fended off a strong bid from late-running Sedamar to win the $98,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3T) Jan. 18 at Santa Anita Park.

With Nebraska tracks now approved to provide casino gaming, Pryor Ranch is bringing hope to the state’s breeding program with multiple grade 1 winner Court Vision and multiple grade 2 winner Giant Expectations.

A series of virtual learning experiences has launched to highlight careers and workforce development opportunities within the equine industry. Nearly 400 students joined the first session hosted by Spy Coast Farm in Lexington, Kentucky.

Airdrie Stud stallion Preservationist was represented by his first reported foal with the arrival of a filly produced from the Giant’s Causeway mare Win Crafty Jan. 8 in Ocala, Fla.

Paradise Song impressed at Laurel Park, Cristiano’s Dream took his debut at Golden Gate Fields, and Double Blessed won her fourth start at Tampa Bay Downs.

Juddmonte has unveiled this year’s mating plans for its blue-blooded broodmare band, which now includes the 11-time group 1 winner and dual Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) heroine Enable plus Bet365 Fillies’ Mile (G1) scorer Quadrilateral 

Richard Hannon and Roger Varian led the universal approval from leading trainers, owners, and jockeys to Ascot’s announcement it will permanently expand the royal meeting with seven races each day.

Yarramalong Park principal Richard Foster says the time was right to cash in on the success of exciting 2-year-old Alpine Edge by selling his half brother by Deep Field for AU$310,000 (US$238,951).

Former Thoroughbred trainer Alford Wayne Bearden died Jan. 14 at his home in Howell, Mich., surrounded by family. He was 91.

It was a 1-2 finish for trainer John Sadler and owners Hronis Racing Jan. 17 as speedy turf mare Quick got up for the win on the bob over stablemate Hermaphrodite in the $100,000 Astra Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park.

Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Lecomte Stakes (G3) winner Midnight Bourbon came out of the race in fine order, trainer Steve Asmussen’s assistant Scott Blasi reported Jan. 17.

Thankful entered the nine-furlong test for fillies and mares 4-years-old and up from a wide-rallying third in the Nov. 27 Comely Stakes (G3) when piloted by the Big A winter meet leading rider Kendrick Carmouche for the first time.

Southern California-based trainers flourished last year at Oaklawn Park, with two finishing in the top 10 in the standings.

Life-changing events often happen with little or no warning. For 39-year-old Najja Thompson, one of those magical moments took place Oct. 20 when he was casually perusing various racing websites.

New York and Florida farrier Ray Amato Jr., who shod two Kentucky Derby (G1) winners, passed away Jan. 14 from pancreatic cancer. He was 62.