Horse Racing News by Frank Angst

Moments after piloting Untapable to victory in the Oct. 31 Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff at Santa Anita Park, jockey Rosie Napravnik announced her plan to retire from riding races.

After flying through a half-mile in :44.80, Goldencents dug deep to hold off a determined Tapiture by 1 1/4 lengths to win the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile Oct. 31, at Santa Anita Park, successfully defending his win in the race last year.

The complexion of the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff certainly has changed in the six weeks leading up to the Oct. 31 race at Santa Anita Park, but Close Hatches looks strong.

Eased just off the pace in the turn by red-hot jockey John Velazquez, favored Blofeld then rallied along the rail to win the $200,000 Futurity Stakes by three-quarters of a length Oct. 5 at Belmont Park.

A long layoff proved no problem for the talented No Nay Never, who scored a front-running victory in the $150,000 Woodford Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select Oct. 4 at Keeneland.

While Chad Brown trainees Stephanie's Kitten and Alterite have each failed to earn a trip to the winner's circle this season, no one will be ignoring the two Grade 1 winners Sept. 27 when they start in the $600,000 Flower Bowl Invitational Stakes.

A rule that would limit use of the riding crop by jockeys during races is expected to be put in place at the upcoming 24-day Santa Anita Park autumn meet to begin Sept. 26.

Bourbon Lane Stable's Hashtag Bourbon will try to add a second straight stakes win and more luster to the strong start by his freshman sire Super Saver in the $100,000 Iroquois Stakes Sept. 6 at Churchill Downs.

The top two jockeys by wins in the history of Thoroughbred racing, Russell Baze and Jorge Ricardo, are scheduled to square off in a five-race showdown being billed as the Champions Challenge Sept. 18.

A trio of fillies who have registered runner-up finishes in recent Grade 1 races in New York will try to finish atop the $300,000 Prioress Stakes Aug. 30 at Saratoga Race Course.