Prime minister Boris Johnson Oct. 31 announced a second national lockdown for England until Dec. 2, including the closure of all betting shops, but racing will be allowed to continue.

For the longest time trainer George Weaver has believed Majestic Dunhill was perfectly suited by seven-furlong races.

Hayward Pressman, Diamond M Stable, and Donna Pressman’s Step Dancer became the first black-type winner for sire War Dancer by capturing the $80,000 Awad Stakes Oct. 31 going 1 1/16 miles on Belmont Park’s inner turf course.

James Given has been appointed the new British Horseracing Association director of equine health and welfare and is set to wind down his training operation before taking up the role in 2021.

Todd Pletcher looked on Oct. 31 as Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1T) contender Halladay and Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) runner Valiance breezed on the Belmont Park training track in preparation for the Nov. 6-7 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland.

When the 37th running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships is staged Nov. 6-7 at Keeneland in Lexington, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be more than 2,000 miles away, riding at Del Mar.

Eight hopefuls, including Barb Minshall trainees British Royalty and Threefiftyseven and Gail Cox charge Tio Magico, square off Nov. 1 in the CA$250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes at Woodbine.  

Bob Baffert has won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) three times with the likes of Bayern, American Pharoah, and Arrogate.

Bob Baffert has won the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) three times with the likes of Bayern, American Pharoah, and Arrogate.

Four prospects for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the two favorites for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) breezed at Churchill Downs Oct. 31 in preparation for their races next week at Keeneland.

An early arrival at Keeneland ahead of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships appears to be paying dividends for Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) winner Tiz the Law.

Four prospects for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and the two favorites for the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) breezed at Churchill Downs Oct. 31 in preparation for their races next week at Keeneland.

The 39 international horses pre-entered, according to Breeders’ Cup, is down from 47 last year, but represents an increase from the 32 the only other year Keeneland hosted the event, in 2015.

PETA’s proposals will affect Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, JACK Thistledown Racino, Belterra Park Gaming, and Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course etc.

Costanzo, a native of Chicago who has worked in the racing office since 2009, had served as stakes coordinator at Gulfstream for five years before becoming assistant racing secretary last year.

Steve Cohen, a partner in Sol Kumin’s various Thoroughbred ownership groups, received approval  Oct. 30 from Major League Baseball owners to become the owner of the New York Mets.

Emerald Downs concluded its 38-day 2020 racing season with record average daily handle. The track’s 25th season was conducted with strict COVID-19 protocols and without spectators.

Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm near Georgetown, Ky., announced Oct. 30 the arrival of two new stallions: multiple graded stakes winners Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew.

In the “what have you done for me lately” mindset, there is no better advertising for a horse being offered for auction than a top performance on racing’s biggest stage.

Trained by Barbara Minshall, Dreaming of Drew enters the Princess Elizabeth after finishing fourth in the Natalma Stakes (G1T) and second in the Catch a Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine.