Brittany Russell

Amor Fati, Daughter Of Liam's Map, Speeds To 'TDN Rising Stardom' At Gulfstream

Sporting the distinctive gold square on the front and back of Luis Saez's silks, it was first time starter Amor Fati (Liam's Map) who loved the lead and never relinquished it en route to becoming a 'TDN Rising Star' at Gulfstream Park on Sunday afternoon. The $375,000 Keeneland September grad posted a number of sharp works for trainer Brittany Russell over the past two months at her Palm Meadows base. Debuting as the 2-1 favorite here, the gray rocketed to the lead up the backstretch. Setting a strong pace up...

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Sept. 12-18

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. The TDN also posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These include decisions from around the country. California Track: Los Alamitos Date: 09/15/2023 Licensee: Kent Desormeaux, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation:...

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Toledo, Russell Defend Titles At Pimlico's Preakness Meet

Jockey Jevian Toledo and trainer Brittany Russell defended their titles as leading jockey and trainer respectively as the Preakness Meet at Pimlico Race Course drew to a close Sunday. Toledo, who ranked second in earnings behind only GI Preakness S. winner John Velazquez, finished with a comfortable 10-win margin over co-runners-up Sheldon Russell, Horacio Karamanos and Victor Carrasco. Both Toledo and Russell are represented by agent Marty Leonard. "It feels great. I'm just blessed that God gave me the good health to be here," Toledo said. "My agent does a...

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Doppelganger On Target For Met Mile

Doppelganger (Into Mischief), last seen recording a 17-1 upset over Repo Rocks (Tapiture) in the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct Apr. 8, remains on target for a rematch with that foe in the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. at Belmont Park June 10. The $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings Showcase purchase has registered his three most recent works over the Laurel main track, including a best-of-12 five furlongs that was timed in 1:01.60 May 24. "Since the Carter, he's quite sharp," trainer Brittany Russell said. "He thinks he's a bear....

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'Rising Star' Fort Warren A Winner On Black-Eyed Susan Day

8th-Pimlico, $62,700, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($50,000-$62,500), 5-19, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.94, ft, 1 3/4 lengths. FORT WARREN (c, 3, Curlin--La Appassionata {SW & GSP, $162,920}, by Bernardini) became a 'TDN Rising Star' when debuted in gate-to-wire fashion for then-trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita Oct. 30. A far-beaten third next time out in the GII San Vincente S. Jan. 29, he went to the sidelines for much of the spring, changing barns to return on the east coast for Brittany Russell. Bet down to even money and with Lasix in his...

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Son Of Justify, Rebellious Stage Unfazed In Debut At Pimlico

3rd-Pimlico, $52,600, Msw, 5-13, 3yo, 6f, 1:12.92, ft, 7 lengths. REBELLIOUS STAGE (c, 3, Justify--Spark {MSP, $119,443}, by Speightstown) debuted with Lasix as the 4-5 favorite and allowed first-time gelding Donegal Danny (Maclean's Music) to take over the lead down the backstretch. The chestnut colt launched his bid on the turn for home, collared the pacesetter from there and ran on nicely in the stretch to declare victory over that rival by a comfortable seven lengths. Derby champion Monarchos (Maria's Mon) is a full-brother to the winner's second dam Mon...

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Magee, Concepcion Capture Laurel Titles

Veteran trainer Kieron Magee and five-pound apprentice jockey Axel Concepcion claimed their respective meet titles as Laurel Park closed its spring meet Sunday. Magee, 62, entered the eight-race, closing-day program without a starter, but an 11-8 lead over Jamie Ness in the trainer standings. Hugh McMahon won twice Sunday to pass Ness for second, while Brittany Russell wound up fourth with seven wins. "It feels great because I'm down to 25 horses. To pull off a training title with 25 horses, that takes some doing," Magee said. "I lost a...

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Mastery Filly Runs Them Ragged On Laurel Unveiling

3rd-Laurel, $52,600, Msw, 3-10, 3yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:05.39, ft, 12 3/4 lengths. GOODGIRL BADHABITS (f, 3, Mastery--Dazzler, by Vindication), the 11-10 favorite for this unveiling on the back of four speedy works over this surface--including a five-furlong bullet in 1:00 flat Mar. 1--never gave them a chance. Blinkered and speeding to the lead after breaking only fairly, the filly put up :22.58 and :46.32 splits from the rail and was seven lengths ahead with three-sixteenths of a mile to race. She continued to build on that advantage while not...

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Report: More Baffert Horses, Including Arabian Knight, Moved to Yakteen Barn

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, four more possible GI Kentucky Derby starters made the move Sunday from the Bob Baffert barn to the stable of Tim Yakteen. The four are possible Derby favorite Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), National Treasure (Quality Road), Fort Bragg (Tapit) and Mr. Fisk (Arrogate). They join Arabian Lion (Justify), Carmel Road (Quality Road), Hejazi (Bernardini) and Reincarnate (Good Magic) who landed in the Yakteen barn earlier this month. Reincarnate finished a troubled third in Saturday's GII Rebel S. for Yakteen, Baffert's former...

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Baffert's Gotham Noms Switched to New Trainers

The nominees for the Mar. 4 GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct include four horses that have been under the care of Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, but were nominated under the names of new trainers. Baffert is banned from running in this year's GI Kentucky Derby and any horse under the care of a trainer suspended by Churchill Downs must be moved to a new barn by Feb. 28 in order to earn Derby qualifying points. On Friday, a U.S. District Judge ruled against Baffert as he sought a...

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With Two Stakes Wins Already, Brittany Russell on Track for Another Big Year

Riding high off an exceptional year in 2022, where she was the leading trainer at Laurel Park's fall and spring meet and tied for the lead at the Preakness Meet at Pimlico, Brittany Russell is poised for another strong showing this year. The Laurel-based conditioner got the season off to a good start two weeks ago when Prince of Jericho and L Street Lady, both by Munnings, swept the two $100,000 stakes races for 3-year-olds on Jan. 21 at Laurel. "It was really exciting to have two stakes winners in...

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Gonzalez, Toledo Repeat as Maryland Champions in 2022

Claudio Gonzalez and Jevian Toledo both enjoyed career highs as they defended their titles as the Maryland Jockey Club's leading trainer and jockey, respectively, in 2022. Gonzalez, a 46-year-old cancer survivor from Chile, finished with 74 wins at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course to edge Brittany Russell and Jamie Ness, who tied for second with 73 wins apiece. It marked the sixth consecutive year that Gonzalez has led the Maryland standings, averaging 101 wins per season. He captured Laurel's winter stand to open 2022, his 19th individual meet title...

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