Robertino Diodoro

Keepmeinmind (Laoban) entered Saturday's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. a maiden, but with board finishes in each of his three previous appearances, including two at Grade I level. The bay colt, last for the opening 6 1/2 furlongs, came with a barnstorming finish to graduate in style, earning 10 points towards next year's GI Kentucky Derby in the process. Favored at 2-1, Keepmeinmind was clearly last into stride and was taken in hand by David Cohen, as Smiley Sobotka (Brody's Cause) set the pace at the fence from Oncoming Train...

The 2017 GIII Canadian Derby has been declared official--for the fifth time. But the upholding of the controversial commission-level disqualification of Chief Know It All (Flashy Bull) from western Canada's most prestigious race might still not end up being the final judgment in a case that has now languished in the courts for three-plus years. The Alberta Court of Appeal ruling, first reported Nov. 23 by Canadian Press, is the latest twist in the prolonged legal challenge over whether stewards are the final arbiters of foul-related race disqualifications in that...

For the third time as many days this week, the nation's third-leading trainer by wins for 2020 has been fined and had a winner disqualified for a Class 4 drug positive. According to a Sept. 2 ruling issued by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, the Robertino Diodoro-trained Erebuni (Ministers Wild Cat) came up positive for dexamethasone in post-race serum testing after winning the 10th race at Will Rogers Downs May 4. The race was a $5,000 NW4L claimer in which the mare was favored at 19-10 odds. Dexamethasone is an...

Robertino Diodoro, the leading trainer at the 2020 Oaklawn Park meet by wins and the season's third-highest purse-earnings conditioner, had two winners and a fifth-place horse disqualified via a trio of Aug. 31 stewards' rulings that cited prohibited use of two different Class 4 substances detected in post-race testing. The three individual horse rulings did not impose any fines upon Diodoro. However, a separate fourth ruling docked Diodoro $3,500 for failing to meet the "absolute insurer" requirements of a trainer licensed by the Arkansas State Racing Commission. The disqualified horses...

With Lone Star Park officials having little to say about the abrupt shut down of racing after Sunday's first race, it was unclear when racing would resume at the Dallas area track or if the meet will be canceled. Citing a conversation with racing secretary Tim Williams, the Daily Racing Form reported Monday that the three days of racing scheduled for this week would not be held. Lone Star's decision to stop racing may be related to the news that jockey Gerard Melancon has tested positive for the coronavirus. A...

   Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Oklahoma, one of the handful of North American racetracks that was able to continue racing throughout the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, concluded its meet May 20 with significant handle increases, as expected. More than $131 million was wagered in total (from 17 more races than in 2019) for a 687% increase over the $16.8 million bet the previous year. "Our racing shifted steadily toward center stage this spring. I am very proud that we were able to complete our season safely," said...

8th-Oaklawn, $90,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($80,000), 3-8, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.52, ft. LEXI ON THE MOVE (f, 3, Fast Anna--Invalida, by Street Cry {Ire}) took a track-and-trip event restricted to fillies who had previously sold at auction for $60,000 or less by daylight here Feb. 15, and was backed early and often in this tougher spot to go off at even-money. Away on top, the bay sat perched three wide behind a dueling trio through an opening quarter of :21.94. She ranged up ominously after a :45.30 half, and kicked...

Ahmed Zayat's legal problems continue to grow. Trainer Mike Maker filed a complaint in Jefferson County (Kentucky) Court Thursday seeking $120,921 over what he alleged are unpaid training bills. Maker's complaint was filed less than two weeks after a Kentucky court ordered Zayat's assets into receivership, the result of claims by an investment group that says Zayat owes it $23 million. Maker's complaint was first reported by BloodHorse. According to the complaint, Maker trained as many as eight horses for Zayat Stables, which was falling behind on paying its training...