Veteran jockey Greg Foley celebrated a career milestone at Churchill Downs on Saturday by earning his 500th win at the historic Louisville racetrack. He secured this achievement by winning Race 3 aboard “There’s No Time Left.” Later in the day, Louisville-native trainer Brad Cox marked his 500th victory at Churchill Downs with a win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2), adding to the day’s excitement. Foley, who has been based at Barn 11 at Churchill Downs throughout his career, is now tied with Bernie Flint for 8th place on the track’s all-time wins list. His journey at Churchill Downs began over 40 years ago with his first victory on April 27, 1981, riding Sky Light Princess. Foley expressed deep gratitude, calling Churchill Downs home and thanking the horses, owners, and team that supported him along the way. Foley’s family remains heavily involved in his stables, continuing a multi-generational horse racing tradition. He humorously acknowledged the dominance of Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, who holds the record with 992 wins.
At Augustine Stables, trainer Jonathan Thomas’s homebred horses are thriving, with “True Quality” winning Friday’s 1 1/2-mile Hollywood Turf Cup (G2). Thomas aims to compete in the San Juan Capistrano, a Grade 3 race at Santa Anita, scheduled for June 14, 2026.
Del Mar’s standout trainer Philip D’Amato, known for multiple wins with horses like Gold Phoenix and Motorious, is preparing two-time defending champion Unconquerable Keene for Sunday’s $100,000 Stormy Liberal Turf Sprint, part of the FanDuel Racing Fall Turf Festival. D’Amato is confident given Unconquerable Keene’s recent fresh workouts and strong form, while also entering Sorento Sky, who performed well in previous races. The field includes other notable horses like Big City Lights, Yellow Card, and No Nay Hudson.
Friday at Del Mar saw some exciting firsts: Angel Vega celebrated his first win as a trainer with Sexy Blue, while jockey Caesar Belmont won his first Del Mar race in just his second U.S. ride. Veteran trainer Peter Miller also added a victory.
At Gulfstream Park, Hernan Gomez’s Twirling Queen, trained by Jose D’Angelo, will carry a formidable 124 pounds in Sunday’s $100,000 Islamorada Handicap. Twirling Queen, a multiple stakes winner, ended a winless streak earlier this year with a notable victory at Keeneland. After a five-month break, she has been thriving with recent wins on turf and is showing promising form ahead of this race. Another top contender in the race is Great Venezuela from Orllana Farms, who is advantaged with a weight allowance.
In Florida’s Tampa Bay Downs, jockey Pablo Morales, based in Oldsmar, will ride Wesley Ward’s 5-year-old gelding No Nay Hudson in the $100,000 Stormy Liberal Turf Sprint at Del Mar. Despite being scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint due to oversubscription, Morales is excited to have another opportunity with Ward. Morales has previous stakes successes with Ward’s horses and looks forward to competing at Del Mar, acknowledging the significance of this opportunity.
Fan Take: This collection of achievements and upcoming races highlights the enduring passion and commitment in horse racing, showcasing both seasoned veterans hitting milestones and rising talents making their mark. For fans, it signals a vibrant future for the sport, with thrilling competitions and memorable performances that continue to captivate audiences worldwide.
