Ness-trained “ultimate warrior horse” goes 11 for 14 in 2024

NHBPA PRESS RELEASE (EDITED)

LEXINGTON, KY—Spikezone, the Florida-bred gelding who overcame a second round of knee surgery to go 11 for 14 as a 5-year-old, has been named the National HBPA’s National Claiming Horse of the Year for 2024. The gelding’s 11 wins trailed only Tennessee Moon’s 13 for the most North American victories.

January 9, 2025—We have received numerous inquiries regarding the recent announcement of an agreement between the horsemen’s organization at Gulfstream Park and 1/ST Racing to support legislation decoupling the requirement for a live racing agreement that protects horsemen and ensures the continuation of live racing while the racetrack retains its rights to conduct gaming.

Featuring Peter T. Fornatale

Florida-bred Mrs Worldwide second choice on morning line

BY BROCK SHERIDAN



Troy Johnson and Maritza Weston’s Win N Your In has been tabbed the morning line favorite for Saturday’s $150,000 Gasparilla, a seven-furlong test for seven 3-year-old fillies at Tampa Bay Downs. The Gasparilla, which is one of three stakes on the Skyway Festival card at the Oldsmar, Fla., oval, includes a $50,000 bonus for runners eligible for the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes and a $25,000 win bonus for registered Florida-breds. Both bonuses are presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Jan Brubaker, a photographer working for Hodges Photography, suffered a broken femur Sunday at Fair Grounds when a horse struck her after breaking through the starting gate prior to the start of the fourth race.