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Horseshoe Indy Maintains Status Quo of 23 dates for ’26

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Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2026 will stick with the same dates template that has largely been in place since 2023: A mixed-meet racing schedule of 123 dates from Apr. 7 to Nov. 13, with 117 Thoroughbred programs and six for Quarter Horses.

The only time Horseshoe Indy veered from that schedule recently was in 2024, when the track added a 124th racing date to start the season in April on an afternoon when the track was in the path of totality for the rare total solar eclipse that captivated North America.

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the ’26 dates unanimously at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

“We worked hard with our horsemen on this calendar,” Eric Halstrom, the Horseshoe Indy general manager, said at the Oct. 27 meeting. “I know all of you are aware of the HISA [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority] impact on our racing. And to stay at 123 days is actually a real accomplishment. Our [HISA] fees next year will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 million. Half of that comes out of our purse fund.

“To stay at 123 days took some real work, and we moved some days around here and there [to] keep those purses where they need to be,” Halstrom said. He did not cite specific purse levels for next year’s meet.

Halstrom said the track faced a dilemma regarding the scheduling of its signature race, the GIII Indiana Derby, which he said seems to fit best on the first Saturday of July.

“That happens to be July 4 [next] year,” Halstrom said. “We agonized over this one for quite a while, thought about it, and we’re going to move that to the week after [the holiday, to July 11] and try not to fight July 4 [when] a lot of people have other things going down.”

Halstrom said the handle on Indiana Derby day has gone from “a shade over $4 million” in 2019 to “approaching $10 million” in 2025.

The post Horseshoe Indy Maintains Status Quo of 23 dates for ’26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland Championship Sale Ups The Ante At Del Mar

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DEL MAR, CA – As Breeders’ Cup hopefuls continue their final preparations in the early morning hours for racing on Friday and Saturday, the Del Mar paddock will transform into an auction ring for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening.

Last year, a share in Horse of the Year Flightline (by Tapit) was the headliner when it went for $2.5-million. Once again looking to create a high-energy atmosphere, Keeneland has put together a robust slate of offerings, which include fractional interests in three racehorses currently in-training–two are intended for the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday. Stallion shares and breeding rights will take center stage.

The catalogue includes:

– A 25% fractional interest in Jose D’Angelo trainee Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who is considered a leading contender in the GI Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Saturday. The 4-year-old Florida-bred ridgling was the runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and was last seen winning the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes where he earned a 108 Beyer. The interest is consigned by D’Angelo, agent.

– A 25% interest in GISW & million-dollar earner Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9), who is also a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Owned by WinStar Farm, the dark bay ran third in last year’s race. The 5-year-old was the first-top level winner for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Plans are to retire Mullikin after the Breeders’ Cup and he will stand the 2026 season at WinStar.

Not This Time | Sarah Andrew

Potentially the most sought after stallion share on offer is a 2% fractional interest, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron & Marie Jones LLC, in the red-hot Not This Time (by Giant’s Causeway) (Hip 3). The sire of nine Grade I winners and a stud fee of $250,000, the Taylor Made resident is the #2 ‘General Sire’ this year with more than $19-million in progeny earnings. Keeneland reported that the purchaser will receive all income associated with this share from the 2025 breeding season. Last week, Taylor Made’s Travis White spoke with TDN’s Bill Finley about the opportunity.

Other stallion shares in the catalogue include a pair of ‘TDN Rising Stars’ presented by Hagyard in Life Is Good (by Into Mischief) (Hip 1), consigned by Christie DeBernardis, agent, and MGISW Mindframe (Constitution) (Hip 2), consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. The 4-year-old, who will stand at Claiborne in 2026, will make his final appearance at the racetrack in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday.

Lifetime breeding rights in Constitution (by Tapit) (Hip 4), the property of Randy Gullatt, and Nyquist (Uncle Mo) (Hip 5), consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent, will also be part of the bidding.

Last but not least, a 20% fractional interest in recently retired Horse of the Year and broodmare prospect Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (Hip 6) is consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards.

“We’ve designed this as a party with a sale and I think now that we proved ourselves last year, people really understand the concept which is exciting because the goal has always been to combine the social aspect with the importance of the Breeders’ Cup,” Vice President of Sales at Keeneland Tony Lacy said. “We have some outstanding offerings. The Not This Time share is really unprecedented and it gives unique access to the stallion. The chance to own a piece of Thorpedo Anna makes this sale diverse and we are looking forward to it.”

Attendance to the Championship Sale is by invitation or request with both buyers and sellers individually invited to attend. Qualified, registered bidders may participate in person at the event, remotely via Keeneland’s online auction platform or by phone with a Keeneland representative.

The Championship Sale event will begin at 5 p.m. PT. The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT. Click here to view the online catalogue.

The post Keeneland Championship Sale Ups The Ante At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Horseshoe Indy Maintains Status Quo of 23 dates for ’26

---

Horseshoe Indianapolis in 2026 will stick with the same dates template that has largely been in place since 2023: A mixed-meet racing schedule of 123 dates from Apr. 7 to Nov. 13, with 117 Thoroughbred programs and six for Quarter Horses.

The only time Horseshoe Indy veered from that schedule recently was in 2024, when the track added a 124th racing date to start the season in April on an afternoon when the track was in the path of totality for the rare total solar eclipse that captivated North America.

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the ’26 dates unanimously at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.

“We worked hard with our horsemen on this calendar,” Eric Halstrom, the Horseshoe Indy general manager, said at the Oct. 27 meeting. “I know all of you are aware of the HISA [Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority] impact on our racing. And to stay at 123 days is actually a real accomplishment. Our [HISA] fees next year will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $3.5 million. Half of that comes out of our purse fund.

“To stay at 123 days took some real work, and we moved some days around here and there [to] keep those purses where they need to be,” Halstrom said. He did not cite specific purse levels for next year’s meet.

Halstrom said the track faced a dilemma regarding the scheduling of its signature race, the GIII Indiana Derby, which he said seems to fit best on the first Saturday of July.

“That happens to be July 4 [next] year,” Halstrom said. “We agonized over this one for quite a while, thought about it, and we’re going to move that to the week after [the holiday, to July 11] and try not to fight July 4 [when] a lot of people have other things going down.”

Halstrom said the handle on Indiana Derby day has gone from “a shade over $4 million” in 2019 to “approaching $10 million” in 2025.

The post Horseshoe Indy Maintains Status Quo of 23 dates for ’26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland Championship Sale Ups The Ante At Del Mar

---

DEL MAR, CA – As Breeders’ Cup hopefuls continue their final preparations in the early morning hours for racing on Friday and Saturday, the Del Mar paddock will transform into an auction ring for the second annual Keeneland Championship Sale on Wednesday evening.

Last year, a share in Horse of the Year Flightline (by Tapit) was the headliner when it went for $2.5-million. Once again looking to create a high-energy atmosphere, Keeneland has put together a robust slate of offerings, which include fractional interests in three racehorses currently in-training–two are intended for the Breeders’ Cup on Saturday. Stallion shares and breeding rights will take center stage.

The catalogue includes:

– A 25% fractional interest in Jose D’Angelo trainee Bentornato (Valiant Minister) (Hip 7), who is considered a leading contender in the GI Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Saturday. The 4-year-old Florida-bred ridgling was the runner-up in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Sprint to Straight No Chaser (Speightster) and was last seen winning the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes where he earned a 108 Beyer. The interest is consigned by D’Angelo, agent.

– A 25% interest in GISW & million-dollar earner Mullikin (Violence) (Hip 9), who is also a contender for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Owned by WinStar Farm, the dark bay ran third in last year’s race. The 5-year-old was the first-top level winner for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Plans are to retire Mullikin after the Breeders’ Cup and he will stand the 2026 season at WinStar.

Not This Time | Sarah Andrew

Potentially the most sought after stallion share on offer is a 2% fractional interest, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Aaron & Marie Jones LLC, in the red-hot Not This Time (by Giant’s Causeway) (Hip 3). The sire of nine Grade I winners and a stud fee of $250,000, the Taylor Made resident is the #2 ‘General Sire’ this year with more than $19-million in progeny earnings. Keeneland reported that the purchaser will receive all income associated with this share from the 2025 breeding season. Last week, Taylor Made’s Travis White spoke with TDN’s Bill Finley about the opportunity.

Other stallion shares in the catalogue include a pair of ‘TDN Rising Stars’ presented by Hagyard in Life Is Good (by Into Mischief) (Hip 1), consigned by Christie DeBernardis, agent, and MGISW Mindframe (Constitution) (Hip 2), consigned by Claiborne Farm, agent. The 4-year-old, who will stand at Claiborne in 2026, will make his final appearance at the racetrack in the GI Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday.

Lifetime breeding rights in Constitution (by Tapit) (Hip 4), the property of Randy Gullatt, and Nyquist (Uncle Mo) (Hip 5), consigned by Hill ‘n’ Dale at Xalapa, agent, will also be part of the bidding.

Last but not least, a 20% fractional interest in recently retired Horse of the Year and broodmare prospect Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (Hip 6) is consigned by McPeek Racing Stables, agent for Richard M. Edwards.

“We’ve designed this as a party with a sale and I think now that we proved ourselves last year, people really understand the concept which is exciting because the goal has always been to combine the social aspect with the importance of the Breeders’ Cup,” Vice President of Sales at Keeneland Tony Lacy said. “We have some outstanding offerings. The Not This Time share is really unprecedented and it gives unique access to the stallion. The chance to own a piece of Thorpedo Anna makes this sale diverse and we are looking forward to it.”

Attendance to the Championship Sale is by invitation or request with both buyers and sellers individually invited to attend. Qualified, registered bidders may participate in person at the event, remotely via Keeneland’s online auction platform or by phone with a Keeneland representative.

The Championship Sale event will begin at 5 p.m. PT. The sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. PT. Click here to view the online catalogue.

The post Keeneland Championship Sale Ups The Ante At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.