No horse has come closer to beating Jaxon Traveler this year than Singlino, and the stakes-winning gelding won’t have his undefeated rival around when he returns to cap the 2020 season in the Heft Stakes Dec. 26 at Laurel Park.

Undefeated records abound in the expected big field for the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Nakayama Racecourse Dec. 26—the last chance for 2-year-olds with classic ambitions to show their stuff.

The New York Racing Association announced Dec. 23 that, in accordance with its commitment to eliminate race-day medication, the use of Lasix will be prohibited within 48 hours of all stakes races conducted at NYRA tracks beginning Jan. 1.

A series of current H-2B visa program provisions are expected to continue as they were part of omnibus legislation passed Dec. 21 by Congress. 

Trainer Chad Brown, a former assistant to Bobby Frankel, pursues a win in the stakes race named after the late Hall of Fame trainer when he runs Miss Teheran in the $100,000 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (G3T) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 27.

The last big event on the 2020 Japanese racing calendar, the Dec. 29 Arima Kinen (G1), is a scramble involving the nation’s top older horses. The stake is one of two races that offer fans a chance to vote on which horses they’d like to see run.

Sophomore turf sensation Sharing has not let the pandemic stop her from wracking up the frequent flier miles in 2020. The filly will have to shake off any residual jet lag in the $300,000 American Oaks (G1T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park. 

Opening day at Santa Anita is annually a belated Christmas gift for horseplayers, and a blockbuster program Saturday, Dec. 26 is packed with six stakes including the last three grade 1 events of 2020: the La Brea, American Oaks and Runhappy Malibu.

After coming up just short in the Hollywood Derby (G1T), Smooth Like Strait will try to secure a fourth stakes win this season when he closes out 2020 with a start in the $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes (G2T) Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park.

An assistant starter at Zia Park has been summarily suspended and excluded from New Mexico Racing Commission grounds after being found in possession of an electrical device before the start of racing there Dec. 22.

Trainer Steve Asmussen has shipped Finite to Santa Anita Park, where she’ll take on four Bob Baffert-conditioned fillies plus six others in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes (G1), a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies Dec. 26.

Harpers First Ride, winner of the historic Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) over Preakness Stakes (G1) weekend in October, will get one more chance to add to what has been a spectacular season in the $100,000 Native Dancer Stakes Dec. 26 at Laurel Park.

Churchill Downs Incorporated announced Mike Anderson as its newest and 14th president of Churchill Downs racetrack Dec. 22. He fills the position vacated by Kevin Flanery, who retired as the company’s president last month.

The 6-year-old son of Tapit will race in graded stakes in January at Santa Anita before being retired to stud.

Over 150 seasons will be available for online bidding. The auction is TCA’s largest annual fundraiser.

Trainer John Sadler has been fined $1,000 by California stewards after one of his stakes horses, Higher Power, tested positive for phenylbutazone, commonly known as Bute, following an August 10 workout at Del Mar.

The stage is set for a Speightstown showdown in the Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26. His sons, Nashville and Charlatan, head the $300,000, seven-furlong race.

John Gosden has urged the BHA to adopt a “collegiate approach” and work with trainers to help prevent a repeat of the circumstances that led to Royal Line being stripped of his third-place finish in the British Champions Long Distance Cup (G2).

Elliston to leave his position as vice president of racing at the end of the month.

Saratoga WarHorse today announced the appointment of veteran and thoroughbred advocate Tina Mott to its Board of Directors effective this month.