Blood Horse Headlines
- Even with goat companion Brownie delaying his trip to Churchill Downs, White Abarrio enters the $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) as a "man in his prime," according to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.
- There will be a public memorial service to honor the 17 horses that perished in the devastating barn fire June 28 at 10:45 a.m. in the harness track winner's circle at Saratoga Casino Hotel.
- The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation board member Michelle Keating has established a $25,000 matching gift challenge to support the organization's Annual Appeal.
- Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Skippylongstocking will target a 13th graded stakes victory in the $350,000 Monmouth Cup (G3) during the July 18 Haskell card at Monmouth Park, trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said on the June 22 episode of BloodHorse Monday.
- On the June 22 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. discusses White Abarrio ahead of the Stephen Foster Stakes (G1), BloodHorse editorial director Frank Angst advocates for separate pari-mutuel pools for on- and off-track patrons.
- Bookmakers had a challenging Royal Ascot meeting, with punter-friendly results affecting the bottom line and the World Cup hitting turnover.
- Highview Stud's first-season sire Mr Mozart will have the strongest representation of any freshman stallion at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale at Karaka, held June 25.
- AmWager is offering bettors in 30 states the opportunity to bet all races on the June 27 Woodbine card with a 0% takeout for all pools, except show betting.
- Top-class Thoroughbred racing returns to Ellis Park July 2, when the Henderson, Ky., oval opens its 25-day summer season featuring many of the sport's leading trainers and jockeys, along with a full lineup of fan events.
- Winning a major race at Ascot remains a coveted dream for Japanese racing, and they will pursue this goal at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) July 25 with Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg.
- Acacia Clement looks back at the G3 Ohio Derby at Thistledown & G2 Chicago Stakes at Churchill Downs.
- An online fundraiser is part of Churchill Downs' Gallop for Good Day June 27 to raise money for retired Thoroughbred aftercare.
- Trainers Linda Rice, Todd Pletcher, Bruce Levine, and jockeys Manny Franco and Nick Santagata share memories of Aqueduct Racetrack before it runs its last race June 28.
- Joliestar is set to contest Newmarket's July Cup (G1) July 11 and to try Royal Ascot again next year after running a brave but agonizing third in the June 20 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1).
- Crowds rose at Royal Ascot and ticket sales are already "ahead of the curve" for next year, but further improvements are planned for 2027.
- Trainer Yoshito Yahagi confirmed June 21 that Japanese superstar Forever Young will make his next two starts in the United States: the Sept. 18 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Belmont Park and Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland.
- Hastings Stakes
- Seattle Stakes
- Auburn Stakes
- Lady's Secret Stakes