Benefitting from steady and sure play from the start, Dan Piazza, a financial advisor from Chicago, went virtually from gate to wire and held off a late close from Tom Boyd at the Final Table to win the 26th NTRA National Horseplayers Championship.

Riyadh recently hosted 20 global experts for a workshop focused on improving temporary international horse movement in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan and Syria. 

Seven weeks in advance of the Kentucky Derby, Journalism, powerful winner of the San Felipe Stakes, closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with Fountain of Youth winner Sovereignty the 7-1 second betting choice. 

Just over a decade after Colonial Downs was shuttered, the track, which re-opened for Thoroughbred racing in 2019, enjoyed arguably its finest day March 15.

As impressive as Book’em Danno’s seasonal debut was March 14, and as eager as his connections are to prove his talent on a world stage, the $1-million Godolphin Mile on April 5 in Dubai has been ruled out for his next start.

Report from Japan

Quietside’s time was the fastest of 26 published at the distance, with clockers catching her galloping out six furlongs in 1:12 and seven furlongs in 1:26 4/5. The track was rated fast.

San Felipe (G2) winner Journalism, trained by Michael McCarthy, was clocked working four furlongs in :48 1/5 March 16. He is targeting the Santa Anita Derby (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on April 5.

Saturday’s canceled card will be moved in its entirety to March 18. First post at 12:45 pm CT. The season will end with a six-day racing week, culminating with the Louisiana Derby Day card March 22 and closing day March 23.

Greg Wolf looks back at the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs & Jimmy Winkfield at Aqueduct this weekend.