Horse Racing Ireland has announced a €1 million funding plan to assist racecourses with their stabling capacity in the hope that field sizes can return to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Problems linked to COVID-19 testing and travel issues tied to those protocols cost Umberto Rispoli his ride on Max Player and John Velazquez the mount on Tacitus in the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20 at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh.

A look at the horses turning in final preparations for the 2021 Saudi Cup Races at King Abdulaziz Racetrack including Tacitus, Charlatan, Call The Wind, and more.

With Chuwa Wizard pursuing the Saudi Cup, Auvergne, Red le Zele, and Cafe Pharoah are the headliners of the February Stakes (G1) Feb. 21 on the Tokyo Racecourse dirt.

After securing the first graded stakes win of her career, Charmaine’s Mia will look for some consistency when she faces an expected nine other fillies and mares in the $200,000 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) Feb. 20 on the turf at Santa Anita Park.

Delaware Handicap Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 10 and Delaware Oaks Day is slated for Saturday, July 3 for the upcoming the 84th live racing season at Delaware Park, which announced its stakes schedule Feb. 19.

Beginning with its live racing program on Monday, February 22, Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course will begin offering to customers a Pick 5 with a low takeout rate of 15% which will cover the first five races on the card.

J. Keeler Johnson handicaps the Feb. 20 second edition of the $20 million Saudi Cup.

Travis Stone, the on-track voice of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), this year will become the voice of the world’s richest horse race: the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20.

Mnasek previously finished second to Saudi Derby hopeful Soft Whisper in the UAE One Thousand Guineas Jan. 28.