Vosburgh Stakes

The American Graded Stakes Committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has done it again, announcing Saturday that it has reduced the number of graded stakes races that will be run in the U.S. in 2024, while also downgrading 30 races. To most, this is a welcome development. With the foal crop continually declining, there should be fewer graded stakes races and fewer Grade I's. Many believe that the committee has not gone far enough. Yet, the announcement, as it always seems to do, did not come without a...

Following Sea (Runhappy--Quick Flip, by Speightstown), the recently retired winner of the 2021 GII Vosburgh S., will begin his stud career next season at Rivard Stables in Eli, Manitoba. The 5-year-old was purchased from his breeder, Spendthrift Farm, by longtime Manitoba horseman Gary Naherniak to stand in Western Canada. Racing in the Spendthrift colors for trainer Todd Pletcher, Following Sea was second in the 2021 GI Haskell S. and GI Cigar Mile and was third in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and GI H. Allen Jerken Memorial S., in addition...