Elite summer race meets at Saratoga and Del Mar are now in full swing, and TV coverage for the weekend ahead focuses on big races at both tracks – the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga and the Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar,
Before sunrise, the backside at Albuquerque Downs belongs to the horses.
The shedrows begin to stir, the feed carts begin to rattle and the horses begin to get restless. Exercise riders gather and climb aboard Thoroughbreds bound for another morning of training.
Among them is Bryce Bourdieu.
The 23-year-old moves through the barn with the practiced confidence of someone who has spent his entire life around racehorses. He helps saddle horses, talks through the morning set list with trainer Andres Gonzalez, then swings aboard and heads toward the track.
The Del Mar Turf Club has built its reputation on the equine celebrities that have graced this seaside racetrack since its 1937 opening, with names like Seabiscuit, American Pharoah, and Zenyatta among the winners of its
Defending champion Kristin VanMeter and Hardesty returned to the top of the leaderboard July 11, 2026, as the Real Rider Cup celebrated its 10th anniversary at New Vocations at Mereworth Farm in Lexington, Ky.
The milestone event brought together 30 horse-and-rider combinations for an evening of friendly competition that raised more than $74,000 for Thoroughbred aftercare. The Real Rider Cup’s mission is to connect the racing and equestrian communities while showcasing the adaptability of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.
Over the years, we’ve seen plenty of horse racing stories adapted to the big screen. But there’s perhaps never been a more raw or authentic look into the personal lives of a jockey and trainer than the film “Brother: A Story of Recovery,” which was released last Friday.
