Linda Rice set a record for the most wins in a single season at New York Racing Association (NYRA) tracks. The renowned trainer notched her 165th win at a NYRA oval in 2025 on Friday, Dec. 12, when 28-1 shot Snide (whom Rice also campaigns) broke her maiden at Aqueduct. The three-year-old daughter of Tonalist drew clear in the stretch to hit the wire first by 4 ¾ lengths. Rice purchased her for a bargain $8,500 at the Fasig-Tipton June 2025 Digital sale; in three starts so far, Snide has earned $54,275.

Bob Baffert Claims Record 15th Los Alamitos Futurity Win With Litmus Test

Another trainer celebrated a major milestone across the country. In California, Bob Baffert sent out his fifteenth winner of the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), formerly the Hollywood Futurity (G1), on Sat., Dec. 13: Litmus Test. Consigned to the 2024 Fasig-Tipton New York Saratoga Select Yearling sale by breeder Machmer Hall, the son of Nyquist fetched $875,000 from SF Racing/Starlight Racing/Madaket Stables. He now races for a partnership group consisting of SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Golconda Stable, Waves Edge Capital LLC, and Catherine Donovan. Litmus Test was fourth last time out in the Oct. 31 FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) at Del Mar.

Andre Fabre Sets Hong Kong Vase Record as International G1 Stars Dominate Sha Tin

On Sunday, Dec. 14, another famed conditioner rang in a major occasion, this time at Sha Tin, where the Hong Kong International Races took place. Andre Fabre sent out multiple group 1-winning colt Sosie to win the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1). This marked Fabre’s fourth win in the race, a record for the competition.

Globe-trotting gelding Romantic Warrior also captured his fourth straight edition of the Longines Hong Kong Cup (G1), while New Zealand-bred Ka Ying Rising delivered his 16th consecutive win by annexing the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (G1). Australian-bred Voyage Bubble surged at the wire to defeat runner-up Soul Rush once again, earning his second straight win in the Longines Hong Kong Mile (G1).

Star Anise Captures Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1), Emerging as Japan’s Rising Star

In Japan, two-year-old filly Star Anise punctuated her rise to stardom with a triumph in the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies (G1). She is a daughter of US champion sprinter Drefong, who earned laurels as 2016 Eclipse champion sprinter after taking the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and King’s Bishop Stakes (G1); after winning the Forego Stakes (G1) in 2017, the son of turf champion Gio Ponti was retired to stud at Shadai Stallion Station. Sar Anise is out of multiple group winner Epice Arome; her third dam is a half-sister to 1996 Japanese Horse of the Year Sakura Laurel.

Touchuponastar Wins Fourth Straight Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds

Back stateside, Fair Grounds held its annual Louisiana Champions Day card, highlighting stakes featuring horses bred in the Pelican State. A son of champion Louisiana runner and sire Star Guitar, Touchuponastar won his fourth straight edition of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes on Dec. 13. The six-year-old has now earned $1.67 million in his career; this is the female family of useful sires Sky Mesa, Bernstein, and Wisemans Ferry (sire of the immortal Wise Dan).