Latest horse racing news from Bloodhorse

The initial announcement of the closure of Golden Gate Fields left industry stakeholders to question what their next steps would be. The roller coaster of emotions comes to a head March 21 as the CHRB allocates the remainder of 2024 racing dates.
March 16 was Hall of Fame Day at Oaklawn Park. Fans in attendance to celebrate some of the best in the sport's history were treated to a thriller in the $250,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) as Jaxon Traveler defeated Tejano Twist by a nose.
Race purses in South Australia will receive a 15% hike across the board, including in the state's four group 1s, with the welcoming of a new seven-year sponsorship.
Fair Grounds and Turfway Park will team up March 23 to offer bettors a special $1 Pick 5. The Pick 5 features an all-stakes sequence led by the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) and $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3).
Ryan Moore will ride raging Golden Slipper (G1) favorite Storm Boy in the March 23 AU$5 million race at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. The star jockey will be aiming to make it back-to-back wins in the crucial stallion-making contest.
WinStar Farm has acquired a half interest in three-time stakes winner My Mane Squeeze. A homebred for William "Buck" Butler, the 3-year-old daughter of Audible is targeting the upcoming Gazelle Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer supports amending Kentucky legislation that would up commit up to a quarter-million dollars a year to support nationally accredited aftercare organizations in the state.
Pletcher, a five-time Louisiana Derby (G2) winner and two-time Kentucky Derby (G1) winner, has entered three colts—Antiquarian, Agate Road, and Triple Espresso—in the March 23 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Due to heavy rain expected in New Orleans March 17, Fair Grounds cancels racing Sunday.
Champion jockey James McDonald labeled trainer Chris Waller "a genius" and believes Zougotcha has proven herself a historically elite mare in carrying top weight to a courageous victory in the AU$1 million Coolmore Classic (G1) at Rosehill March 16.