For a 3-year-old colt, the first Saturday in January at chilly Aqueduct Racetrack is a lot more than five months removed from the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

The first reported foal of 2026 appeared at 2:30 a.m. New Year’s Day, when a filly by grade 1 winner Muth was born at Gainesway Farm in Lexington.

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.

Darley stallion Too Darn Hot supplied his 31st global stakes winner and 14th in Australia when Jenni The Fox produced a stylish performance to win Black Pearl Stakes Jan. 3 at Geelong. 

Jockey Alex Birzer recorded his 4,000th Thoroughbred victory Jan. 2 at Delta Downs when he piloted Big Duck to victory in the fifth race. The 52-year-old rider also has 51 wins aboard Quarter Horses.

Santa Anita Park canceled racing Jan. 3 due to anticipated heavy rain. A decision for Jan. 4 racing program will be made early Sunday morning to evaluate the most up-to-date forecast.

Putting broodmares under lights is far from a new concept. However, understanding the science behind it can help those in charge of mares to do so more effectively.

On Racing

Godolphin set a single-season record in earnings as the leading owner for the fifth consecutive year, and Irad Ortiz Jr. established a single-season record as the leading jockey by earnings according to final statistics released Jan. 2 by Equibase.

Opportune black type awaits some of the five fillies and mares contesting the $100,000 Las Flores Stakes (G3) Jan. 4 at Santa Anita Park.