Inspired by Mark Twain characters, owner-turf writer Gary West named stakes-placed Tom Sawyer and maiden Huckleberry Finn.

Five-time Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. captured his third graded stakes of Keeneland’s Fall Meet with a win in the Franklin Stakes (G2T) Oct. 11, leaving no doubt that he is back in elite riding form after being sidelined for 55 days.

With just over two weeks until the Breeders’ Cup, Sovereignty maintains a six-point lead over Forever Young in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Porter on Pedigrees looks at some of the successful, late-career crops of the now pensioned Medaglia d’Oro.

This week’s Podcast Playback looks at quotes of interest from racing podcasts Oct. 7-13 that include Mike Weiss on Eureka Downs, Alex Henry on Japan’s Breeders’ Cup hopefuls, and Elliott Walden on his new podcast.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Laurel Park for the 41st annual Jim McKay Maryland Million Day Oct. 24. This day is dedicated to celebrating and promoting Maryland-bred racehorses that compete in notable races.

After years of conflict over the implementation of rules under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, key Texas horse racing stakeholders are optimistic that a path exists to restore interstate simulcasting in the state.

The 16-year-old son of Awesome Again won the 2013 Preakness Stakes (G1) and ran second in the Belmont Stakes (G1). As a stallion, he has sired 17 stakes winners, including grade 1 winners Hot Rod Charlie and Tuz.

There was a change at the head of the Book 2 market Oct. 13 when a Lope de Vega colt with a big pedigree update fetched 650,000 guineas.

Juveniles Tannhauser and Jump Seat are the latest BloodHorse Maiden Watch Hot Prospects after promising victories at Keeneland.