racing - Heritage Sports - 2025

May

Other Than Medina Spirit, Oaks, Derby Day Horses Clear

While the racing world awaits split sample testing and results for Medina Spirit , all of the other horses tested from this year’s Kentucky Oaks and Derby day cards at Churchill Downs have passed preliminary testing. According to experts, the fact that all other horses passed their post-race test reduces the likelihood that contamination factored in the post-race finding of would-be Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) winner Medina Spirit. That triumph is in question, pending testing of the split sample, as trainer Bob Baffert revealed May 9 that Medina Spirit tested positive for the corticosteroid betamethasone in the initial post-race test. Based on […]

May

Bob Baffert, Medina Spirit suspended from Belmont Stakes: ‘In the best interests’ of horse racing

The New York Racing Association stated on Monday that it’s suspending trainer Bob Baffert from entering or stalling any horses at its tracks. That means Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit won’t be permitted to run at the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. The NYRA announced its decision as Derby host Churchill Downs awaits the results of a second drug test after Medina Spirit tested positive for banned steroid betamethasone. Baffert originally denied that he used betamethasone improperly on Medina Spirit, blaming “cancel culture” and floating a theory that the horse ate hay tainted by human urine instead. Baffert admitted days […]

May

Horse racing-Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit fails drug test

Trainer Bob Baffert, who won a record-setting seventh Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit this month, on Sunday said the dark bay colt had failed a drug test. Baffert said a post-race sample provided by Medina Spirit had tested positive for 21 picograms of the anti-inflammatory drug betamethasone, over the legal limit in Kentucky racing. Medina Spirit, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, had secured a half-length triumph over Mandaloun in the 19-horse Kentucky Derby on May 1. Baffert’s camp were informed of the news by Kentucky officials on Saturday, but the 68-year-old denied giving the horse illegal substances and said the […]

April

Gamine starts her 2021 campaign with easy win in Las Flores

In her first race since she was crowned the female sprint champion of 2020, Gamine looked like she was primed to pull off a repeat. Racing for the first time without Lasix, she was an easy, 5 1/4-length winner versus only three rivals in the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) on another sun-splashed spring day at Santa Anita. Carrying her regular rider John Velázquez as part of a career-high 124 pounds, Gamine (1-9) led from gate to wire and was never pressed. “She came back so good,” Velázquez said. “She felt as good as last year. She does everything so effortlessly. Everything she does […]

March

Baffert has his first Florida Derby starter in Spielberg

A mix of talent, opportunity and timing has produced Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert’s first venture to Gulfstream Park for the Grade 1, $750,000 Florida Derby (G1). Baffert, the most successful trainer in Triple Crown history, will make his debut Saturday in Gulfstream Park’s steppingstone to the Kentucky Derby with Spielberg, a chestnut son of Union Rags. Spielberg, who will be ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano in the 70th Florida Derby, won the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) on Dec. 19. In his most fresh start, Spielberg concluded second to Essential Quality, the 2020 2-year-old male champion, in the Southwest (G3) on […]

March

Arrieta Making Big Impression In First Year At Oaklawn

Francisco Arrieta points his right index finger to the sky following each triumph. The jockey stated it’s not about finishing No. 1, but acknowledging the heavens. Arrieta had raised his right arm 19 times through Saturday, the 18th day of racing at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark. In a room full of newcomers at the 2021 meet, Arrieta has clearly made the biggest impression, trailing only seven-time local riding champion Ricardo Santana Jr. in the standings. Santana ended Saturday with 21 victories. Arrieta’s purse earnings of $886,253, from 82 mounts through Saturday, ranked third. “Everybody told me it’s really tough here,” […]

February

Track Supers Field Day Set for June 14-15 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino

The organizers of the Track Superintendents Field Day are pleased to reveal that the 20th edition of the event will be held June 14-15, 2021, at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. The event brings together track superintendents and staff annually to discuss best practices related to track maintenance, safety and operational issues for racing and training facilities worldwide. “Because Track Supers Field Day is the only annual gathering for the hard-working men and women who help ensure the safety of our horses and riders, we felt it was important to have the event this year after being forced to cancel […]

February

Maker to switch Fire At Will to dirt in Fountain of Youth

After lengthy reflection as to whether to give Fire At Will an opportunity on the Kentucky Derby trail, trainer Mike Maker has decided to switch the winner of the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf off the grass and run him in the Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream Park. Maker said Fire At Will “went super” when breezing five furlongs early Saturday in 1:01.60 over a fast Gulfstream main track. “It looked like he handled it well,” said Maker. Fire At Will, by Declaration of War, is owned by the Three Diamonds Farm of Kirk Wycoff. The dark bay colt has […]

February

Medina Spirits wins Robert Lewis

In a performance even possibly more surreal than Authentic ‘s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) triumph, Medina Spirit upstaged Bob Baffert’s newly-minted Horse of the Year Jan. 30, staring defeat in the eye down the homestretch and refusing to blink, holding off two pursuers through the last quarter-mile to gain the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) in a stretch run for the ages at Santa Anita Park. Even Baffert thought he wasn’t going to win after Roman Centurian and Hot Rod Charlie hooked pacesetting Medina Spirit at the head of the stretch. As it was, Medina Spirit—who led virtually from the beginning after breaking from the rail—prevailed […]

January

Frost confident as Yala Enki tries again at Chepstow

Bryony Frost reports Yala Enki in excellent shape as he bids to make it third time lucky in the rearranged Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. Frost will bid for more big-race glory in Saturday’s extended three-mile-five furlong showpiece – originally planned for December 27, the day after she steered Yala Enki’s stablemate Frodon to Grade One glory in the King George VI Chase at Kempton. After finishing third in the 2018 renewal when trained by Venetia Williams, Yala Enki filled the same spot under Frost in the Grade Three marathon 12 months ago, on his second start for Paul […]

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News Post

Dodgers add Jack Flaherty, Kevin Kiermaier via deadline trades

Barcelona ready to switch focus from Nico Williams to Dani Olmo

Red Bull commits to Sergio Perez beyond summer break