Higher Power

Darby Dan Farm has set 2021 stud fees for its roster of 12 stallions that will stand the upcoming breeding season, led by Dialed In (Mineshaft), who will stand for $15,000 S&N, down from $20,000 a season ago. The roster also features Tapiture (Tapit), Klimt (Quality Road), and GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro), new for 2021, who will each stand for $10,000 S&N. GI Kentucky Derby winner Country House (Lookin At Lucky), also new for 2021, Flameaway (Scat Daddy), and Copper Bullet (More Than Ready) will...

Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro-Alternate, by Seattle Slew) will retire to Darby Dan Farm at the conclusion of his racing career and stand in partnership with Matt Bowling Bloodstock, the farm announced Tuesday. The Hronis Racing colorbearer, trained by John Sadler, is pointing to the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 7. His 2021 fee will be $10,000 S&N for nominations completed prior to the Breeders' Cup. A 5 1/4-length winner of the 2019 GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar, Higher Power recorded a career-best 107 Beyer in the 10-furlong...

The last time Maximum Security (New Year's Day) traveled 10 furlongs, he crossed the wire first before the disqualification heard around the world in the GI Kentucky Derby. A ton has happened with the colt in the year-and-change since then: an Eclipse championship, a buy-in from Coolmore, a trip across the world to win the G1 Saudi Cup, doping allegations, a barn switch. Through it all, the horse who controversy seems to follow like a shadow will return to 1 1/4 miles and Grade I company with questions to answer...

Eclipse Award winner Maximum Security (New Year's Day) makes his first start for trainer Bob Baffert and first since the federal indictment of former trainer Jason Servis in Saturday's rescheduled GII San Diego H. at Del Mar. The homebred was a two-time Grade I winner during his championship campaign in 2019, taking the GI Florida Derby and GI Haskell Invitational S. around his disqualification from an apparent victory in the GI Kentucky Derby. He proved his versatility and did what no other horse of his generation could at the tail...

The late-blooming 5-year-old Midcourt (Midnight Lute) will look to record his first win at the highest level in Saturday's GI Hollywood Gold Cup. The authoritative 2019 GIII Native Diver S. and 2020 GII San Pasqual S. winner was a close third as the 3-5 favorite when last seen going this same 1 1/4-mile distance in the GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 7. Trainer John Shirreffs takes off the blinkers for this. Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro), fifth in this race last year, broke through in a big way with a dominating...

The catalogue for the Keeneland April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, featuring 70 juveniles, is now available online at www.keeneland.com. The auction, which also includes a Horses of Racing Age sale, will be held Apr. 7. Supplemental entries are still being accepted. "The April sale returned to the Keeneland calendar last year to positive reviews from buyers and consignors, who like the timing of the auction," Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. "Scheduling the sale during the Spring Meet ensures a deep buying bench of owners, trainers,...

The defections of two of favorites Omaha Beach (War Front) and Spun to Run (Hard Spun) saw Saturday's GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. lose some of its star appeal, however, a solid group of graded stakes winners will try and collect the lion's share of the $3-million purse. Trainer John Sadler, who finished third in this race last season with 2018 Champion Older Horse Accelerate in 2019, offers the talented but at times unlucky Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro), who breaks from post 6. Knocking on the door to bigger...