TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Give Me a Break   After a string of five straight scoreless outings, Taxed eyes a much-needed break in the $150,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.   While the winner’s circle has been elusive for the 5-year-old mare in recent months, Taxed...

LOUISIANA – By Ed DeRosa   The “Horse of the Year” race will not be much of a race once the announcement is made and vote totals are known. Thorpedo Anna will win by a Secretariat-like margin and be 2024 Horse of the Year on the strength of five Grade 1 wins...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   More in Store   A noble effort from Barnes in the $200,000 San Vincente (G2) netted the lightly raced youngster ‘graded stakes winner status’ in his first test at the level.   The feature tilt on Santa Anita’s Saturday card went as...

CALIFORNIA — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Santa Ynez Stakes, 7 furlongs on the main track at Santa Anita Park.   Date:  Sunday, January 5 (Race 7, 5:36 pm ET ).   What to do with a $20 Bet : $20 to win on A.Z. Wildcat   The...

CALIFORNIA — By Ed DeRosa   The stakes double on Saturday at Santa Anita Park features a juxtaposition of sorts as Triple Crown hopefuls take to the track for the San Vicente Stakes while older female sprinters feature in the Los Flores Stakes.   Racing Hall of Fame...

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   Red Hot Coal   On a run of two straight stakes wins, Coal Battle (9-2) enters the $250,000 Smarty Jones with no intentions of slowing down.   A pair of impressive, and strikingly similar performances in the Remington Springboard Mile (hard...

FLORIDA — By Sean Collins   Eight grade 1 winners received invitations to the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 25, including 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan  and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner White Abarrio ....

TORONTO — By Matthew Lomon   A Roaring Success   Mufasa (CHI) claimed his spot atop the throne with a lionhearted effort in Saturday’s $165,000 Mr. Prospector (G3) at Gulfstream Park.   Squaring off against overwhelming 2-5 favorite and 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)...

NEW YORK — By Chris Lomon   Spotlight Race:  $150,000 Queens County Stakes, 1 1/8 miles on the main track   Date: Sunday, December 29 (Race 8, 3:35 pm ET )   What to do with a $20 Bet: $10 to win, $5 to place, and $5 to show on #7 Law Professor    The Reason: This...

CALIFORNIA — By Ed DeRosa   The downhill turf course at Santa Anita Park is one of the more unique race configurations in North America with its big sweeping turn going downhill before crossing over the main track for a blitz toward the finish.   It is that course...