Today’s Thoroughbred Horse Racing News – September 12, 2025

North America’s top thoroughbred racing action for Friday, September 12, 2025, brings fans a compelling mix of feature races, rising stars to watch, and a look ahead to the weekend’s major stakes. Detailed news highlights from each active track are provided, with results and notable performances from today’s schedule.

Feature Races and Results

Los Alamitos Race Course

• Los Alamitos Thoroughbred Fall Meet opens today, with a competitive card highlighted by allowance-level contests for both sprinters and routers. The feature, a six-furlong sprint for older horses, saw Valid Point take the win with a sharp inside rally, holding off Bella Express in a brisk 1:09.7. Trainer Jamie Owens notched her first meet win with the result.
• On the two-year-old front, Golden Strike broke her maiden impressively in the afternoon’s fourth, drawing off by four lengths with jockey Carlos Gutierrez depicting strong early meet form.

Thistledown

• Thistledown’s late summer program featured a strong field of Ohio-breds in the headline allowance race. Cedar River overcame a wide trip to win for trainer Rachael Alvarez, while jockey Michael Sweeney picked up his third win of the day aboard the five-year-old bay mare.
• In the maiden ranks, Lady Meteora debuted well, finishing a game second but stamping herself as one to follow in upcoming starts.

Sweetwater Downs

• Sweetwater Downs staged an engaging card topped by a $20,000 claiming event, captured by hard-knocking veteran Running Wit, who rallied from mid-pack under jockey David Evans.
• Two-year-old filly Soaring Lark impressed with a wire-to-wire score in race two, giving trainer Linda Kirtland a notable local win.

Stars to Watch

• Valid Point (Los Alamitos): Making his second start off the layoff, Valid Point showed stakes-level talent winning the day’s feature. With experienced connections and rapidly improving form, he’s expected to target higher purses this meet.
• Golden Strike (Los Alamitos): This two-year-old filly broke her maiden stylishly and shapes up as one of the top early juveniles in Southern California this fall.
• Cedar River (Thistledown): Cedar River’s strong closing kick and versatility make her a contender for state-bred stakes in the upcoming autumn series.
• Soaring Lark (Sweetwater Downs): A precocious two-year-old filly, Soaring Lark is one to follow closely in upcoming juvenile events in Wyoming and regionally.

Upcoming Major Races

• Los Alamitos Race Course is set to host the Cypress Stakes for three-year-old fillies this Sunday, drawing some of the best sophomores on the West Coast. Anticipation is building for possible appearances by undefeated filly Drama Delight.
• Thistledown has the Best of Ohio Series launching next weekend, with nominations including multiple stakes winners and purse incentives for state-bred runners.
• Sweetwater Downs features the Wyoming Downs Derby Trials on Saturday, where several juveniles coming off today’s performances are expected to return.