Horse Racing News

Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing was the first horse nominated to the $750,000 West Virginia Derby and the first horse entered when entries were taken July 30.

GoldMark Farm's Cross Traffic sprung a wire-to-wire upset in the $750,000 Whitney Invitational at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 3, kicking away to a ¾-length victory at odds of 7-2 while 2012 winner Fort Larned finished fifth.

A federal judge in New Mexico Aug. 2 issued a restraining order that will keep two horse slaughterhouses from opening as planned the week of Aug. 4.

For the second year in a row, many of horse racing's top owners have pledged to race their juvenile starters without race-day medication.

Two-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Garrett Gomez has been cleared to ride again as soon as Aug. 7 after meeting with stewards at Del Mar, provided he tests at acceptable levels for drugs he has been taking.

Repole Stable's Overanalyze will seek to bounce back after a couple of uncharacteristic efforts when he faces eight other 3-year-olds in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort Aug. 3.

Janis Whitham's 2012 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Fort Larned was assigned post 3 and installed as the 7-5 morning-line favorite during a July 31 draw for the $750,000 Whitney Invitational Handicap to be run Aug. 3 at Saratoga Race Course.

Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Departing and Repole Stable's Overanalyze are among the expected starters for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort Aug. 3.

WinStar Farm announced that Grade 1 winner and millionaire Take Charge Indy has been retired from racing after surgery to repair his left foreleg resulting from an injury sustained in the July 28 Monmouth Cup.

Joel Rosario, who guided Dullahan to victory in the $1 million TVG Pacific Classic in 2012, will ride Game On Dude instead in the 23rd edition of the signature event at Del Mar Aug. 25.