Speaking during KEEP Day at the Capitol annex in Frankfort, Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne (Republican, Prospect), a Thoroughbred owner, cites problems in Florida as a reason why it’s important for the industry to stay engaged.

Three years after taking the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) aboard Home Affairs, jockey James McDonald returns to Flemington in hopes of piloting the Chris Waller-trained Switzerland to victory Feb. 15.

Tickets for the 42nd running of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships will go on sale to the general public April 23, with the event returning Oct. 31-Nov. 1 to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in Del Mar, Calif.

Sodashi, one of the great fan-favorite mares of Japanese racing, has safely given birth to her first foal. The filly is by two-time Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox.

Letters to the Editor include opposition to decoupling, thoughts on the Paco Lopez suspension, and an update on HISA from its CEO, Lisa Lazarus.

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher faces a pending medication violation for the presence of the controlled substance betamethasone in his horse, Vassimo, who won his debut Dec. 14 at Gulfstream Park in South Florida.

The Inglis Digital USA February Sale closed Feb. 12 with an 80% clearance rate, led by Suga Steve, who rode a three-race winning streak into an $80,000 purchase by Starry Night Racing.

A short yearling filly (Lot 115) topped the Arqana February Mixed Sale and broke new ground in the process as the first European offering of progeny by Australian-based Extreme Choice.

Jockey Erik Asmussen’s two victories Jan. 31 at Oaklawn Park were noteworthy because they not only represented his first career riding double at the Hot Springs, Ark., track but also his first victories as a journeyman.

Churchill Downs Inc. announced Feb. 12 the grand opening of Owensboro Racing & Gaming, the company’s seventh premier historical horse racing entertainment venue in Kentucky.