Track Times Today - With Bernie Dickman - Racing, Breeding, Pari-Mutuels

Saturday, November 7, 2026

He is meet's leading rider . . .

HALLANDALE BEACH - Well on his way to a Sunshine Meet title, jockey Leonel Reyes got his weekend off to a fast start Friday at Gulfstream Park, riding six winners on a nine-race program, including the winners of the first three races.

The 40-year-old Venezuela native, who has been a mainstay in the Gulfstream jockey’s room since 2016, visited the winner’s circle aboard Pardo ($2.80) in Race 1, Camm’s Girl ($22.20) in Race 2, Amande ($4) in Race 3, With Kindness ($7.80) in Race 6, Uncle Dar ($12.60) in Race 8 and Dream Dancer ($3) in Race 9.

“I’m so happy and grateful, because last year I had the injury (fractured ankle) but now I am 100 percent,” said Reyes, who had ridden five winners in a row on the Sept. 13 Gulfstream program. “I’m just so happy. When I looked at the program today, I thought I had a good chance to win some races but six is a lot. Thank God it worked out.”

The record for most wins on a single Gulfstream Card stands at 7, shared by Jerry Bailey, Tyler Gaffalione, Luis Saez (twice), Paco Lopez and Irad Ortiz Jr.

Reyes, who has ridden nearly 1100 winners in North America, started the day with an eight-win lead over Royal Palm Meet titlist Diego Herrera in the jockey standings for the Sunshine Meet that runs through Nov. 22.

Pardo, Amande, Uncle Dar and Dream Dancer are trained by Jose D’Angelo, who is locked in a fierce battle for the Sunshine Meet training title with Saffie Joseph Jr.

Saturday’s Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Estimated at $175,000

The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $175,000 today: the multi-race wager went unsolved Friday for the 10th day in a row. The carryover is $117,085.96.
The sequence will span Races 6-11, featuring the $60,000 Time Passage, a mile overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up on Tapeta, in Race 8, and the $60,000 Carotari, a 5 1/2-furlong overnight handicap for 3-year-olds and up on the all-weather surface, in Race 10.

A mandatory payout of the jackpot pool is scheduled for Sunday. Should the Rainbow 6 go unsolved today, the pool is expected to grow to an estimated $1.250 million.

NOTES

Wild Night ($10.40) scored a highly promising debut victory for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher in Friday’s Race 7, a six-furlong maiden special weight for fillies and mares. The 3-year-old Liam’s Map filly broke alertly from her rail post position on her way to an impressive 3 1/4-length front-running victory over stablemate Just a Girl, the 3-5 favorite who was making her first start since finishing second at Saratoga in her Sept. 7 debut. Wild Night was the second win on the card for jockey Miguel Vasquez, who scored aboard Coristine ($9).

Owner Mariam Vargas notched her first win as a trainer Friday, saddling Camm’s Girl ($22.20 for a victory in Race 2, a six-furlong maiden claiming sprint for fillies and mares. “It feels very good,” said Vargas, a 27-year-old native of Venezuela. “I was so nervous.”

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Bernies Blog

Rainbow 6 Unsolved for Nine Days

Monday, November 2, 2026

Could grow to $175,000 for Friday . . .

HALLANDALE BEACH - The 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool is expected to grow to an estimated $175,000 when the live-racing schedule resumes Friday at Gulfstream Park, after the multi-race wager went unsolved Sunday for a ninth racing day in a row.

The Rainbow 6 sequence will span Races 4-9, featuring a six-furlong maiden special weight for fillies and mares in Race 7. Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher is represented by a pair of well-bred 3-year-old fillies – Michael Tabor’s Just a Girl and Bass Stables’ Wild Night.

Just a Girl is entered to make her second career start after finishing second, beaten a neck after setting the pace, in her seven-furlong debut at Saratoga on Sept. 7. Wild Night, a 3-year-old daughter of Liam’s who was purchased for $350,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale, is slated to make her debut. Diego Herrera has the mount on the 3-year-old daughter of Triple Crown Champion Justify. Miguel Vasquez has the call on Wild Night.

I Know I Know Returns to Winning Form in Jet Propulsion

Trainer Patrick Biancone and Amy E. Dunne’s I Know I Know returned to winning form in Sunday’s $60,000 Jet Propulsion Handicap.

The versatile 4-year-old son of Jess’s Dream’s quest to return to the winner’s circle following a 14-month absence may well have benefited from day-long rains that forced the overnight handicap for 4-year-olds and up to be transferred from turf to Tapeta and reducing the field from eight to four starters.

A winner on turf and Tapeta, the steady-running I Know I Know had entered the Jet Propulsion with nine starts on the all-weather-track with six in-the-money finishes, including two victories, the last occurring in an off-the-turf optional claiming allowance on Tapeta Aug. 10, 2025.

I Kown I Know, the 7-5 favorite ridden by J. G. Torrealba, pressed the pace set by Tank, the 4-5 favorite ridden by Leonel Reyes, into deep stretch before edging clear by 1 1/4 lengths. I Know I Know ran a mile and 70 yards in 1:39.75. Tank finished 2 1/2-lengths in front of third-place finisher Jayhawk. I Know I Know was bred in Florida by Biancone.

Notes: Sunshine Meet’s leading jockey Leonel Reyes rode a pair of winners on Sunday’s program, Winning Charm ($21.80) in Race 4 and Slew Vinbiz ($12.80) in Race 7. Royal Palm Meet titleholder Diego Herrera, who started Sunday eight wins back in second, also rode a pair of winners, Vertrauen ($4.20) in Race 6 and Sabian ($7.60) in Race 9.

Sonny Leon also doubled, scoring aboard Romelia ($15.60) in Race 1 and Sass Sass ($4.60) in Race 3.

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Two OBS Grads Win Breeder' Cup Races

Monday, November 2, 2026

Bacio captures Turf Sprint . . .

MyRacehorse, Torie Gladwell, Deja Blue Stable, Jacob Shockley, Josh Messenger, Valerie Dailey and Joshua Hanna’s Bacio (Maclean’s Music – Katie’s Kiss, by Kantharos) broke running and never looked back when winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland, becoming one of two OBS graduates to earn hardware during the two-day World Championships and leading the slate of stakes-winning OBS graduates for the week.

The winner of the prestigious Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) at York in August, Bacio was once again dominant in victory, breaking on top before holding off all comers en route to a two-length tally.

George Weaver-trained 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner and fellow OBS graduate Cy Fair rallied to finish an admirable second under John Velazquez, while holding off by a neck over 2024 Turf Sprint winner Starlust (GB).

“This is a special horse and there was a lot to the whole story behind him,” winning trainer Wesley Ward said. “To me, getting him and once he started winning, me keeping him. He was kind of a sought-after horse for a lot of people who were trying to come in. When you’ve got speed, you go to the lead. Juan did a great job.”

The victory increased Bacio’s career bankroll to $1,229,959. He was offered at the 2025 OBS March Sale by the Top Line Sales consignment but failed to meet his reserve after breezing in :9 4/5.

The Breeders’ Cup card later saw Further Ado (Gun Runner- Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa) get up just in time to prevail by a nostril in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Further Ado and jockey Flavien Prat hooked up with Owen Almighty and jockey Luis Seaz heading into the Keeneland stretch and fought all the way to the wire. Further Ado, on the outside, and Owen Almighty on the inside, looked inseparable when they hit the finish.

"I had no clue if we had won,” winning trainer Brad Cox said. “It looked right past the wire, the other horse had his nose down. But we had it down when it counted there at the mile distance and I’m very proud of the effort.”

Fellow OBS graduate Nysos captured the 2025 edition of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.

Owned by Spendthrift Farm, Further Ado was purchased by Spendthrift at the 2025 OBS April Sale for $550,000 from the Six K’s Training & Sales consignment after breezing in :21 1/5.

At Belmont Park, Paradise Valley (Lookin At Lucky - Puddifoot, by Red Giant) held off Commuted’s late run to secure trainer Ilkay Kantarmaci his first graded win in the Gr. III, $200,000 Bold Ruler.

Paradise Valley, owned by Kantarmaci, Zilla Racing Stables, Steven Forst, America's Pastime Stables, Five Horsemen Stables and Rounds Racing, was purchased by Hunsicker International at the 2022 OBS April Sale for $125,000 from the Eisaman Equine consignment after breezing in :10 1/5.

At Woodbine, Gold Standard Racing Stable’s Speaker's Speech (Speaker’s Corner – Danessa Deluxe, by Summer Bird) aced both his synthetic and two-turn debut to break his maiden in style, winning the $175,000, Gr. III Grey Stakes.

Making just his third career start, the Mark Casse-trained colt was an $875,000 purchase at the 2026 OBS April Sale by Lauren Carlisle, agent from the Omar Ramirez Bloodstock consignment after breezing in :9 4/5.

At Gulfstream Park, Hammy (Scalding—Parawan, by Pioneerof the Nile) won the $75,000 Our Dear Peggy by 1 3/4 lengths to earn her first black-type stakes victory and become the first stakes winner for her sire.

Owned by Starry Night Racing and trained by Kent Sweezy, Hammy was purchased for $25,000 at the 2026 OBS March Sale by Scott Shore, agent for Starry Night Racing from the Goldencents Thoroughbreds consignment after breezing in :10 flat.

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Plans for New Ocala Race Track Continue

Thursday, October 29, 2026

More than 300 acres secured for new venture . . .

Press release:

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Gilligan Racing, its exclusive racetrack development partner, announced Oct. 28 they have secured control of more than 300 acres in Marion County for a new Thoroughbred racetrack.

The site purchase marks a key advancement in their efforts to bring a premier racing and entertainment destination to Ocala, Fla. The FTBOA has possessed a nonprofit racing license for many years and the purchase marks a significant step toward putting that license to use.

The property was selected for its size, topography, and accessibility. The FTBOA and Gilligan Racing expect to announce its exact location in the near future.

Preliminary plans call for a championship-caliber dirt track and turf course, modern grandstand and hospitality facilities, and dining, entertainment, and event venues designed to operate year-round. The development aims to strengthen Marion County's Thoroughbred and broader equine industry while creating a new destination for tourism and economic activity.

"There's a reason Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World," said John Morgan of Gilligan Racing and founder of the Morgan & Morgan law firm. "Some of the greatest Thoroughbreds in history have been bred, raised, and trained right here. Now we have an extraordinary opportunity to bring world-class Thoroughbred racing to the very community that produces these magnificent athletes.

"We have the land, we have Florida's sole remaining Thoroughbred racing permit, we have the equine industry and we have an incredible community. Now we need to bring together the public and private leadership to make this vision a reality. We intend to build something that will make Ocala proud and give Florida Thoroughbred racing an extraordinary future."

The Gilligan Racing team includes prominent owner/breeder and Kentucky Downs co-owner Ron Winchell.

"I am excited to be part of such an important and challenging project, with a combined team of dedicated professionals," Winchell said. "At Kentucky Downs, we've demonstrated what can happen when a racing destination combines a great racing product, competitive purses, and an exceptional guest experience. Ocala has an extraordinary opportunity to build on those principles at an even greater scale. Working with Gilligan Racing and the FTBOA, I believe we can make that happen for Florida's Thoroughbred industry."

The racetrack will operate under Florida's sole remaining Thoroughbred racing permit held by Ocala Thoroughbred Racing, the FTBOA's wholly owned nonprofit subsidiary. OTR's nonprofit structure is designed to support the long-term sustainability of Thoroughbred racing in Florida, including competitive purses, breeder incentives, and investments in racing infrastructure.

"Our shared objective is a strong, stable, and sustainable Thoroughbred industry, with competitive purses and awards that benefit Florida's breeders, owners, trainers, horsemen, and the broader community," said George Isaacs, president of OTR and general manager of Bridlewood Farm. "Our driving goal should be what great looks like, and we should accept nothing short of that."

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Breeders' Cup Loaded with OBS Grads

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

33 entered . . .

A total of 33 horses who are graduates of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company auctions were entered in the 43rd edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships being held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.

The World Championships will feature 14 Grade 1 races and more than $34 million in purses and awards.

Twelve OBS graduates were entered for Future Stars Friday, including Grade 1 winner Miss Monica, who is expected to be among the favorites for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

More than 30 OBS graduates have prevailed in Breeders’ Cup races since the inception of the World Championships in 1984, including four winners during the 2025 edition of the Breeders’ Cup. Two of those graduates, Shisospicy, who captured the 2025 Turf Sprint (G1), and Cy Fair, winner of the 2025 Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1), are set to return for this year’s World Championships.

Other notable OBS graduates who have won Breeders’ Cup races include multiple Grade 1 winner White Abarrio (2023 Classic), Hall of Famer Skip Away (1997 Classic), Horse of the Year Favorite Trick (1997 Juvenile), champions Stormy Liberal (2017-18 Turf Sprint) and Midnight Lute (2007-08 Sprint) as well as Stephanie’s Kitten (2011 Juvenile Fillies Turf; 2015 Filly & Mare Turf), and Goldencents (2013-14 Dirt Mile).

The full list of OBS sales graduates entered in the Breeders’ Cup in race order are:

Friday, Oct. 30

$1 million Juvenile Turf Sprint (post time: 2:55 p.m. ET)

Brickyard Belle (2026 OBS April Sale; Buyer: Case Clay Thoroughbred Management; Consignor: Julie Davies; Price: $600,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

Harper’s Corner (2026 OBS April Sale; B: Charles Biggs; C: Grassroots Training and Sales; Price: $70,000; Breeze: :10 1/5)

$2 million Juvenile Fillies (3:35 p.m. ET)

Miss Monica (2026 OBS April Sale; B: Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman (Three Amigos); C: Hoppel; Price: $850,000; Breeze: :20 2/5)

Rum Twist (2026 OBS March Sale; B: Taproot Bloodstock, Agent for Lee Lewis; C: SGV Thoroughbreds; Price: $260,000; Breeze: :10 1/5)

Scarlett Begonia (2026 OBS March Sale – RNA; C: Pick View; Breeze: :10 1/5)

$1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf (4:15 p.m. ET)

Citrus Springs (2026 OBS March Sale, B: Justin Casse/Carriganog; C: RiceHorse Stable; Price: $300,000; Breeze: :10)

Seneca Park (2026 OBS March Sale; B: Holy Cow Stables; C: Top Line Sales; Price: $70,000; Breeze: :10)

Vanta (2026 OBS March Sale; B: Dutch Girl Holdings and Irving Ventures; C: Golden Rock Thoroughbreds; Price: $370,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

$2 million Juvenile (4:55 p.m. ET)

Earth Song (2026 OBS March Sale; B: AMO Racing USA; C: Wavertree Stables; Price:

$250,000; Breeze: :10)

He Is No Lie (2026 OBS March Sale; B: Purple Rein Racing and Mark Davis; C: L.G.; Price: $150,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

$1 million Juvenile Turf (5:35 p.m. ET)

Let Em Know (2026 OBS March Sale; B: Legion Bloodstock, agent for Gracie Bloodstock; C: Pick View; Price: $600,000; Breeze: :21 1/5)

Liam’s Law (2026 OBS March Sale; B: West Bloodstock for Lawana and Robert Low; C: Ocala Stud; Price: $120,000; Breeze: :21 2/5)

Saturday, Oct. 31

$1 million Filly and Mare Sprint (1:10 p.m. ET)

Nooni (2024 OBS March Sale; B: Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing; C: Ocala Stud; Price: $1.8 million; Breeze: 20 1/5)

Praying (2024 OBS April Sale; B: Stone Bridge Farm; C: Mayberry Farm; Price: $410,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

$1 million Turf Sprint (1:48 p.m. ET)

Bacio (2025 OBS March Sale – RNA: C: Top Line Sales; Breeze: :9 4/5)

Cy Fair (2025 OBS April Sale; Buyer: Swinbank Stables, Consignor: Niall Brennan Stables; Price: $185,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

Shisospicy (2024 OBS April Sale – RNA; C: Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds; Breeze: :9 3/5)

Yellow Card (2023 OBS April Sale; B: West Bloodstock; C: Little Farm Equine; Price: $87,000; Breeze: :10)

AE: Doncho (2023 OBS June Sale; B: JAL Racing; C: GOP Racing Stable Corp.; Price: $72,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

$1 million Dirt Mile (2:26 p.m. ET)

Forged Steel (2024 OBS March Sale; B: C2 Racing Stable; C: de Meric Sales; Price: $190,000; Breeze: :10)

Further Ado (2025 OBS April Sale; B: Spendthrift Farm; C: Six K’s Training & Sales; Price: $550,000; Breeze: :21 1/5)

Moonlight (2023 OBS April Sale; B: Town and Country Racing LLC; C: Eddie Woods; Price: $285,000; Breeze: :21)

$2 million Sprint (3:42 p.m. ET)

Built (2024 OBS April Sale; B: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; C: Harris Training Center; Price: $260,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

Dark Saffron (2024 OBS April Sale; B: Harmash Racing; C: Julie Davies; Price: $120,000; Breeze: :9 4/5)

Little Thunder (2023 OBS October Sale – RNA; C: Musketeers Equine)

Mad House (2024 OBS April Sale; B: James Thares; C: Wavertree Stables; Price: $47,000; Breeze: :10 2/5)

Roll On Big Joe (2022 OBS June Sale; B: Rancho Temescal; C: Gayle Woods; Price: $90,000; Breeze: :10)

Stradale (2025 OBS April Sale; B: Kaleem Shah; C: de Meric Sales; Price: $1.3 million; Breeze: :9 4/5)

$2 million Mile (4:20 p.m. ET)

Cabo Spirit (2021 OBS April Sale; B: Gayle Van Leer, agent; C: Eddie Woods; Price: $575,000); Breeze: :20 4/5)

$2 million Distaff (4:58 p.m. ET)

Eunomia (2024 OBS March Sale; B: Jewel Box Racing 2; C: Niall Brennan Stables for the complete dispersal for Lothenbach Stables; Price: $190,000)

Fully Subscribed (2024 OBS April Sale; B: Klaravich Stables; C: Caliente Thoroughbreds; Price: $300,000; B: :10)

Scottish Lassie (2024 OBS March Sale; B: Parkland Thoroughbreds; C: Gene Recio; Price: $85,000; Breeze: :21)

$7 million Classic (6:16 p.m. ET)

The Puma (2025 OBS April Sale; B: Marquee Bloodstock; C: Hidden Brook; Price: $150,000; Breeze: :10)

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Bernies Blog