Mary Rufo

Joined: Jun 23, 2025

Mary Rufo is a Saratoga Springs-based contributing writer in horse racing. When not at the races, she is likely watching races on her phone, refreshing the tote board on her wagering app, or scribbling down trip notes.

May 17, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Bob Baffert, an American racehorse trainer, crosses the track prior to the running of the 150th Preakness stakes. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Breeders Cup

Thorpedo Anna, the winner of the 150th Running of The Kentucky Oaks, is walked around Kenny McPeek’s barn at Churchill Downs on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

News

Danny Garage trains Kentucky Derby hopeful, Tax. Tax will be Gargan's first Derby horse. Gargan is a native of Louisville native. May 2, 2019.

News

Trainer Todd Pletcher smiles after greets Leslie's Rose won the Central Bank Ashland Stakes in the ninth race of first day of the 2024 Spring Meet in Lexington, Ky. April 5, 2024

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Undefeated filly Tommy Jo secured her second Grade 1 win in the Darley Alcibiades at Keeneland after Percy’s Bar was disqualified for interference in the stretch.

Nov 2, 2024; Del Mar, CA, USA; William Buick celebrates after winning the Turf race aboard Rebel’s Romance during the 2024 Breeders' Cup Championship at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

News

The globetrotting gelding added another Grade 1 victory to his resume for Godolphin and Appleby.

The winning team of Mystik Dan with jockey Brian J. Hernandez cheer in the Winner's Circle for track photographer Kurtis Coady after they won the 2024 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs Saturday, May 4, 2024 in Louisville, Kentucky.

News

Mystik Dan, last year’s Kentucky Derby winner, headlines Saturday’s Grade 2 Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs against a strong field including Hit Show, Banishing, and Rattle N Roll.

Kentucky Derby

Taken by the Wind dominated the Pocahontas Stakes to lead the Oaks leaderboard, while Spice Runner turned the tables in the Iroquois to open the 2026 Derby trail.

Flightline, with Flavien Prat up, wins the Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Race Course on Saturday, November 5, 2022, in Lexington, Kentucky

News

High demand for Flightline and Gun Runner progeny fueled $150m in Book 1 sales at Keeneland.

Trainer Steve Asmussen outside his barn at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, April 24, 2023 in Louisville, Ky. Asmussen, who has the colt Disarm in the 149th Kentucky Derby, is North America's all-time leading trainer by wins, surpassing the late Dale Baird.

Trainer Steve Asmussen April 24, 2023 before Kentucky Derby 149

News

Romeo, now with Steve Asmussen, takes on Baffert’s favored Butane, Spendthrift’s Ted Noffey, and Casse’s Curtain Call in Monday’s Grade 1 Hopeful at Saratoga.

Trainer Todd Pletcher outside his barn Friday morning, April 26, 2024, at Churchill Downs as he talks to the media about Kentucky Derby contender Fierceness.

News

Tommy Jo, Spendthrift Farm’s Into Mischief filly and debut winner for Todd Pletcher, headlines Saturday’s Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Nov 2, 2024; Del Mar, CA, USA; Thorpedo Anna ridden by Brian Hernandez wins the Distaff ridden by Rossa Ryan during the 2024 Breeders' Cup Championship at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

News

Thorpedo Anna silenced doubters with a gritty nose victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, holding off Ogden Phipps winner Dorth Vader after dueling through the stretch.

Trainer Bill Mott watches the horses workout Saturday morning at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. April 20, 2024. Mott has Derby contender Resilience and Oaks hopeful Just F Y I.

News

Juddmonte homebred Scylla headlines Saturday’s Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga as the 5/2 morning line favorite despite never winning a sprint stakes. The Bill Mott trainee will look to rebound after a runner-up effort in the Bed o’ Roses and a disappointin

Thorpedo Anna paddock schooling in Saratoga 2025

News

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna looks to avenge her La Troienne loss as the 6/5 favorite in Saturday’s Grade 1 Personal Ensign at Saratoga, facing rivals Randomized, Raging Sea, Leslie’s Rose, and Dorth Vader.

Trainer Tom Amoss, right is congratulated by Steve Hargrave, Director of Backside Operations for Churchill Downs, after Amoss' horse, Serengeti Empress wins the Kentucky Oaks. May 3, 2019.

News

It’s Our Time announced himself as a future star at Saratoga on Aug. 16, breaking his maiden by nearly 18 lengths in his debut for trainer Tom Amoss and Double Down Horse Racing.

Jun 8, 2024; Saratoga Springs, NY, USA; Golden Degree (4) gets an early lead over Lady de Berry with Flavien Prat up (7) and Buttercream Babe with Luis Saez (9) and Source (GB) with Joel Rosario up (1) during race two at Saratoga Race Course.

News

Undefeated Laurelin steps up in class and distance in Saturday’s Grade 2 Saratoga Oaks, taking on five challengers including European shipper Go Go Boots, Belmont Oaks third-place finisher Opulent Restraint, and graded stakes-placed Totally Justified.

Mary Rufo

Joined: Jun 23, 2025

Seismic Beauty Seeks Fourth Straight Victory in 2025 Breeders’ Cup Distaff

Tommy Jo Leads Star-Studded Field in 2025 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Showdown

Reigning Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna retired

Iron Orchard remains undefeated in Frizette Stakes

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Tommy Jo Stays Perfect in Darley Alcibiades After Percy’s Bar DQ at Keeneland

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Rebel’s Romance certifies international dominance with a win in the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic

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Kentucky Derby Winner Mystik Dan Returns to Dirt in Lukas Classic

Kentucky Derby

2026 Kentucky Derby and Oaks Trail Begins: Spice Runner, Taken by the Wind Strike First in Points Races

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Seven-Figure Fireworks at Keeneland September as Book 1 Hits $150M

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Romeo makes graded stakes debut for new connections in Grade 1 Hopeful

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Tommy Jo headlines Grade 1 Spinaway closing weekend of Saratoga

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Thorpedo Anna digs deep for a win in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign

Scylla Favored in Wide-Open Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga

Thorpedo Anna Seeks Redemption in Grade 1 Personal Ensign

Amoss colt It’s Our Time puts on a show at Saratoga

Laurelin puts undefeated status on line in graded stakes debut