Horse Racing: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Belmont at Saratoga Late Pick 5 Strategy for Friday, July 4

Racing is back at The Spa for this special July 4th racing festival. Friday’s holiday card features a star-studded Late Pick 5 sequence, highlighted by three graded stakes races, including the prestigious Grade 1 Suburban.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Harris, horse breeder, philanthropist, dies at 81

John C. Harris, a prominent figure in thoroughbred breeding and racing, has died at 81.

Bob Baffert News / BloodHorse.com / July 3

Baffert Obtains $300,000 Judgment in Defamation Suit

A defamation lawsuit brought by Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has resulted in a $300,000 judgment entered against Justin Wunderler.

Rachel Alexandra News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Queens of the Turf: From Zenyatta at the Breeder's Cup to Rachel Alexandra's Horse of the Year

Throughout history, fillies and mares have struck a regal chord on the racetrack. From the esteemed Epsom Oaks and Royal Ascot’s Coronation Stakes, celebrating three-year-old fillies in Europe; to North America and the fall spectacle of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, along with its sprint counterpart, showcases the best female runners.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Kopion towers over five rivals in Great Lady M. Stakes

A little more than six months ago, it looked like trainer Richard Mandella had an emerging star ready for a start in the Grade 1 La Brea for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Horse Racing Owner Spotlight: Peter Brant

When Lavender Disaster steps onto the inner turf at Saratoga for the $150,000 Wild Applause Stakes on July 3, she’ll carry not just the weight of expectation but also the legacy of one of America’s most eclectic and passionate horsemen, Peter Brant.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Pletcher ready to test Tip Top Thomas at two turns in Indiana Derby

Just five horses have finished in front of Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner Sovereignty in seven career starts. Tip Top Thomas and Sovereignty debuted last summer at Saratoga, where Tip Top Thomas beat Sovereignty, who finished fourth, by 2 1/4 lengths.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

With track record in hand, Gould's Gold meets Dragoon Guard in Cornhusker

With a track record in hand, Gould’s Gold will go for his first graded stakes victory Saturday in the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker at Prairie Meadows.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Magnitude looks to shake up division with return in Iowa Derby

Coming down the Fair Grounds stretch in the Grade 2 Risen Star in February, Magnitude looked like a 1-9 favorite, galloping to a 9 3/4-length victory. Except he wasn’t 1-9, he was 43-1.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 3

Value Betting in Horse Racing: How Fair Odds Can Save Your Bankroll

Over the years, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about fair odds — what are they, how do you produce them, and what are they good for? Let’s start with the latter.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 2

Kentucky Derby alum Final Gambit gets back on turf in Belmont Derby

A pair of Kentucky Derby alumni were supposed to make their returns to turf Friday at Saratoga. Final Gambit and Flying Mohawk earned their way into the Derby finishing one-two in the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks over Turfway Park’s synthetic surface.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 2

Strong field of eight set for Suburban showdown

With the talk of the older dirt male division centered around Mindframe’s victory in the Stephen Foster and if he’ll meet stablemate Fierceness in the Whitney, eight older horses look to jump into the divisional conversation in Friday’s Grade 2 Suburban at Saratoga.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / July 1

Saratoga Kicks Off Fourth of July Racing Festival

For the first time, Saratoga is set to host the July 4th Racing Festival. The four days of racing are typically held at Belmont Park but were moved upstate while the home of the Test of Champions is renovated. First post on Thursday is 1:10pm EDT. The Grade 3 Victory Ride Stakes is the only graded stakes on Thursday’s card.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 30

Intro to Horse Betting: The Pick 5

With Saratoga and Del Mar about to kick off, now’s the perfect time to sharpen your skills for one of horse racing’s most exciting bets: the Pick 5. It’s a high-stakes wager that can deliver massive payouts if you know how to play it right.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 30

Divisional Rankings: Mindframe edges stablemate Fierceness for top spot

With a victory in the Stephen Foster, Mindframe narrowly edges his stablemate Fierceness atop the division. While Fierceness is obviously talented, Mindframe has beaten some of the country’s best horses from seven furlongs to nine furlongs.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 29

Tom’s Magic Pounces in Tale of the Cat, Eyes King’s Plate

Tom’s Magic, a 3-year-old colt by Justify, captured Saturday’s edition of the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park, marking his third win in five career starts for CJ Thoroughbreds.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 29

Legendary trainer D. Wayne Lukas passes at 89

After being assigned her barn at Saratoga for the summer, Cherie DeVaux took to Facebook to share what it meant to move into Barn 83, once the summer home to the legendary D.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 28

Patches O'Houlihan wanders in stretch but holds off My Boy Prince to take Highlander

While very much a fan favorite at Woodbine, Patches O’Houlihan got a little too close to the fans - and gave his backers some worry - in the stretch of Saturday’s Grade 2 Highlander.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 28

Brilliant Berti leads DeVaux exacta in Wise Dan

Second by a neck to Mercante a month ago in the Grade 3 Arlington, Brilliant Berti got back to his winning ways in Saturday’s Grade 2 Wise Dan at Churchill Downs.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 28

Mindframe proves he belongs with impressive Stephen Foster win

It might seem silly to suggest a horse that is already a Grade 1 winner emerged as a superstar Saturday at Churchill. However, Mindframe did just that, turning in a very game and impressive victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Stephen Foster.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 28

Thorpedo Anna coasts to rebound victory in Fleur de Lis

While not quite a slam dunk, Thorpedo Anna did indeed rebound from a last-place finish in the La Troienne with a relatively easy victory in Saturday’s Grade 2, $500,000 Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs.

Horse Racing News / Horse Racing on SI / June 27

Strangles Outbreak at Saratoga Triggers Weekend Scratches at Monmouth Park

The unfortunate news of another strangles outbreak at Saratoga, this time in Barn 66 with the George Weaver-trained filly Tenacious Child, has affected racing procedures at the Jersey Shore.

Horse Racing News / Yardbarker / June 8

Sovereignty's Belmont Stakes win sparks huge question

Sovereignty's Belmont Stakes win sparks huge 'what if' question

Sovereignty topped Journalism again on Saturday evening, winning the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes and claiming two of the three Triple Crown races in 2025.

Sovereignty outruns Journalism again to win Belmont Stakes

Belmont Stakes recap, winnings

Best photos from Belmont Stakes 2025

...and best outfits from Belmont Stakes

Renovated Belmont to host Breeders' Cup in 2027

Horse Racing News / Yardbarker / May 17

Watch: Journalism wins Preakness Stakes with incredible finish

After a close second-place finish at the Kentucky Derby, Journalism bounced back in a big -- and thrilling -- way on Saturday to gets its big win of 2025 by taking the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes.

Journalism was resilient to the end with Preakness victory

Preakness Stakes 2025 results, payouts after Journalism's fantastic finish

Can you name every Preakness Stakes winner since 1873?

The 'Triple Crown winners' quiz

Horse Racing News / Yardbarker / May 4

Watch: Sovereignty edges out Journalism in 151st Kentucky Derby

It may not have been as close as last year's photo finish Kentucky Derby, but the 151st running on Saturday evening still produced plenty of drama down the stretch.

Mike Tirico forced to exit Kentucky Derby coverage early

Ahmed Fareed steps in as host

NBC provides update on Tirico

Bob Baffert horse was suddenly scratched from Kentucky Derby

Meet the Kentucky Derby horses who ran in the 2025 race