Carolyn Greer

1 week ago | horseracingnation.com | Carolyn Greer

Trainer Ian Wilkes clearly knows how to do more with less. Wilkes told Horse Racing Nation that his stable hasn’t fully recovered from losing 20 horses in the dispersal sale of late owner Robert Lothenbach in 2023. But now, with about 45 horses in his stable, “we've got a lot of better quality horses.”So much better that he’s heading to his second Kentucky Derby with Burnham Square, the top points earner for the run for the roses after his win in the Grade 1 Blue Grass.

1 week ago | horseracingnation.com | Carolyn Greer

Worcester got his first stakes victory and the highest Brisnet Speed Rating among last week's stakes winners for his 1 1/2-length score in the Frank Y. Whiteley at Laurel Park on Saturday. The 5-year-old son of Empire Maker, trained by Brittany Russell and ridden by Sheldon Russell, drove clear in the stretch to win the seven-furlong sprint on a muddy track by 1 1/2 lengths. Initially trained by Bob Baffert, Worcester had his first race for Russell in November after a 15-month absence.

3 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Carolyn Greer

Lambeth, winner of Friday's listed Temperence Hill at Oaklawn in his first stakes start, earned the highest Brisnet Speed Rating, 106, among last week's stakes winner. With Brian Hernandez Jr. riding, the 4-year-old Arrogate colt led at every call to win by 3 1/2 lengths as the 2-1 favorite. Trained by Joe Sharp, Lambeth also got a 100 Beyer Speed Figure. The highest Beyer of the week, 102, went to Banishing for his win in the Oaklawn Mile (G3).

4 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Carolyn Greer

Tyler Gaffalione, slated to ride Madaket Road in Saturday's Grade 1 Florida Derby, broke his ankle in an accident at Gulfstream Park on Wednesday. Gaffalione likely will be unable to ride for four weeks, agent Matt Muzikar told Horse Racing Nation. He expected to know more about the time line Thursday, after doctors can see how swollen it gets. When Muzikar visited Gaffalione, there was very little swelling and no discoloration, he said.

4 weeks ago | horseracingnation.com | Carolyn Greer

Hawthorne's 2025 meet opens Thursday amid an air of uncertainty. “At the beginning of all meets, and it's springtime in Chicago, so there comes a natural, hopeful, attitude with that time,” David McCaffrey, executive director of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, told Horse Racing Nation on Wednesday.