BloodHorse news editor Byron King reviews the Southwest (G3) and previews upcoming action.

At the close of selling, the Book 1 aggregate reached NZ$75,322,500, (US$42,686,400), down 5% on 12 months ago albeit from a slightly smaller offering of 588 yearlings. The average rounded out at NZ$164,819 (US$93,405), a drop of 2%.

The 2024 Auction Digest is BloodHorse’s annual review of North American Thoroughbred sales, providing a comprehensive breakdown of results by horse type plus a hip-by-hip aggregate of results by sire.

At the close of selling, the Book 1 aggregate reached NZ$75,322,500, (US$42,686,400) down 5% on 12 months ago albeit from a slightly smaller offering of 588 yearlings, while the average rounded out at NZ$164,819 (US$93,405), a drop of 2%.

A year after its colt No More Time was ruled out of the Kentucky Derby (G1) due to injury, Morplay Racing begins a new quest for the Run for the Roses with Guns Loaded in the Feb. 1 $265,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Byron King’s Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.

In the first National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll of 2025, Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner White Abarrio tops Thorpedo Anna for the No. 1 spot.

Delaware Park has made some changes to their stakes schedule in 2025, shifting the Delaware Handicap (G3) to September and debuting the Delaware Derby in June. The meet will run May 14-Oct. 11.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced Jan. 28 that Kevin Lavin, who had been vice-chair, has been named chair, replacing Del Hancock, and Geoffrey Russell has been named vice-chair.

Pleasant Acres Stallions announced the arrival of Verifying’s first foal, a strong and healthy filly out of the Malibu Moon mare Selective Memory. Born Jan. 25 at 5:30 a.m., the foal is owned by Belvedere Farm in Reddick, Fla.