Martell has been promoted to operations manager.

Martell has been promoted to operations manager.

Sam Houston Race Park will offer an expanded stakes schedule for its lengthened 46-day Thoroughbred season that begins Jan. 8. Three new $75,000 stakes join the track’s schedule, featuring $2.4 million in purses, up from $1.8 million in 2020.

The Thoroughbred Incentive Program (T.I.P.) and United States Polo Association (USPA) announced today that they will recognize Thoroughbreds that are excelling as polo horses through six awards that will be offered annually, starting this year.

The Stronach Group has been working toward a plan to allow spectators to return to Gulfstream Park for the Championship Meet at a reduced capacity, said the organization’s Bill Badgett, executive director of Florida racing operations.

Laurel Park will reopen Thursday, Oct. 15, to a limited number of patrons after having received the go-ahead from Anne Arundel County government.

Multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera, unraced since a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) in March 2019, has been retired, said Alex Sano, trainer Antonio Sano’s son and assistant.

Multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera, unraced since a third-place finish in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) in March 2019, has been retired, said Alex Sano, trainer Antonio Sano’s son and assistant.

Godolphin’s top-class Earthlight has been retired following his second place in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) earlier this month and will take up stallion duties at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

Godolphin’s top-class Earthlight has been retired following his second place in the Qatar Prix de la Foret (G1) earlier this month and will take up stallion duties at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland.

Godolphin’s Antoinette, who was most recently runner-up in the Sept. 19 Belmont Oaks Invitational (G1T) at Belmont Park, tops a field of a dozen 3-year-old fillies entered in the $150,000 Pin Oak Valley View (G3)T Oct. 16 at Keeneland.

Mike Maker will saddle grade 1 winner Aquaphobia and Big Agenda in the $150,000 Sycamore Stakes (G3T) Oct. 15 at Keeneland as he tries to repeat his victory in the 1 1/2-mile turf event for 3-year-olds and up from a year ago with Marzo.

Malibu Moon’s fee dropped the most, to $35,000 from $60,000. Leading sire Into Mischief is the only stallion with a higher fee. Five stallions will have fees that remain unchanged for 2021.

In releasing its 2020-21 stakes schedule Oct. 12, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots announced its lengthier series of preps for 3-year-olds at the track would continue, citing deep entries when introduced at extended distances this year.

Mick Kinane hailed John Oxx “a fantastic trainer and an outstanding gentleman” on Oct. 12 after the trainer of Sea The Stars (IRE) announced he is to retire at the end of the season.

The connections of Winx are mourning the loss of the legendary mare’s first foal. Winx, who was in foal to I Am Invincible, lost “a beautiful filly” Oct. 13.

Thoroughbred Charities of America announced today the appointment of Leah O’Meara, Andy Hils, Erik Johnson, Marshall Gramm, and Marette Farrell to its Board of Directors.

The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), continued today with a discussion on participating and working in racing during the on-going pandemic.

The 54th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), continued today with a discussion on participating and working in racing during the on-going pandemic.

Magic Oaks’ Like a Saltshaker became the first stakes winner for sire Peace and Justice Oct. 12 when the gelding took the Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile Stakes at Presque Isle Downs.