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TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 8

Wed, 2024-02-07 14:59

Churchill Downs' ban of Bob Baffert and the decision by his owners to keep their horses with the trainer, even though that means they cannot run at Churchill, will affect not just the Derby. Though Baffert's group of 3-year-old fillies is not as deep or as impressive as his collection of 3-year-old colts, he does have some fillies that, in a normal year, would be Oaks candidates. He has GII Starlet S. winner Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon). But his best filly may be Kinza (Carpe Diem), who rocketed to a 7 1/2-length win in her debut, earning a 96 Beyer figure. Both Baffert fillies were entered in the GIII Las Virgenes S., which has been rescheduled due to the rains in California. It is now set to be run this Saturday.

Here's a look at the second installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top 10:

1) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-3-0-0, $1,317,750. Last start: WON Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 40. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2.

It's well known that winners of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile have had a difficult time winning the Kentucky Derby. It's happened only twice in the 40 years that the Breeders' Cup has been around. The record of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winners in the GI Kentucky Oaks is just as bad. Only two have turned the trick–1999 Oaks winner Silverbulletday and 1989 Oaks winner Open Mind. Can Just F Y I become the third? That remains to be seen, but she still deserves to be No. 1 in this poll or any similar polls. It looks like she will get an early test as trainer Bill Mott reports that she will make her 3-year-old debut in the GII Davona Dale S. Mar. 2 at Gulfstream. She didn't exactly blow away the competition last year, but her win in the Juvenile Fillies showed that she was the best of her division.

2) CANDIED (f, Candy Ride {Arg}–Toni Tools, by Roaring Fever) O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Buck Pond Farm, Inc. (Ky); T-Todd A Pletcher. Sales history: $165,000 yrl '22 FTJUL. Lifetime Record: GISW, 3-2-0-1, $595,800. Last start: 3rd Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Filles. Kentucky Oaks Points: 19. Next Start: TBD.

Sold for the bargain price of $165,000 at Fasig-Tipton July, GI Alcibiades winner Candied just missed in the Juvenile Fillies, finishing third, beaten just three quarters of a length. It looks like trainer Todd Pletcher may have to play a game of catch-up with her as, through Wednesday, her only published workout was a three-furlong breeze on Feb. 2 in which she went in :39.73 at Palm Beach Downs. Owner Aron Wellman explained the strategy, which will likely include just one prep for the Oaks. “We wanted to freshen her up after the Breeders' Cup,” Wellman said. “It was a huge performance and she was unlucky not to win it. In her work, she went an easy three-eighths by herself and that should move her forward. She doesn't necessarily need two preps to get ready. She tends to get herself fit pretty quickly.”

3) JODY'S PRIDE (f, American Pharoah–Jody's Song, by Scat Daddy) O-Parkland Thoroughbreds & Sportsmen Stable; B-Mr. Steve Weston (Ky); T-Jorge R Abreu. Lifetime Record: SW & GISP, 3-2-1-0, $480,250. Last start: 2nd Nov. 3 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Kentucky Oaks Points: 15. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2.

Trainer Jorge Abreu has confirmed to the Daily Racing Form that his Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up will make her 2024 debut in the Davona Dale, which would produce a rematch of the first two across the wire in the Juvenile Fillies. He told the DRF that one of the reasons he chose the Davona Dale is that he has lined up Irad Ortiz, Jr. for the mount. So far as Jody's Pride's run in the Juvenile Fillies, here is what Abreu had to tell the DRF: “Great effort, especially going from six furlongs to two turns. It didn't faze her at all, needed one more jump.” Interesting that the connections originally wanted to turn her into a turf horse, which makes sense since she is by American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile). Her first two races, a Saratoga maiden and the Matron S., were washed off the turf. She won both before her solid effort in the Breeders' Cup.

4) INTRICATE (f, Gun Runner–Complex Analysis, by Distorted Humor) O-Bradley Thoroughbreds, Laura Leigh Stable, Scot Estes & Cambron Equine, LLC; B-LBD Stable, LLC (Ky); T-Brendan Walsh. Sales history: $200,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 3-2-0-0, $302,180. Last start: WON Nov. 25 GII Golden Rod S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 17.

If you believe in the Beyer figures, this may be the horse for you. She earned an 85 when winning the GII Golden Rod S. at Churchill. That's better than Just F Y I, whose career best was the 79 she ran winning the Juvenile Fillies. It looks like trainer Brendan Walsh is starting to turn the screws on her as her Feb. 3 workout, five furlongs in 1:00.20 at the Fair Grounds, was her best so far this year. Walsh has her on the same path that he had 2023 Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) on, the GII Rachel Alexandra S. followed by the GII Fair Grounds Oaks. The last trainer to win back-to-back runnings of the Kentucky Oaks is Wayne Lukas, who won in 1989 with Open Mind and in 1990 with Seaside Attraction.

5) KOPION (f, Omaha Beach—Galloping Ami, by Victory Gallop) O-Spendthrift Farm; B-Tall Oaks Farm (Ky); T-Richard Mandella. Sales history: $270,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 2-2-0-0, $96,600. Last Start: WON Jan. 7 GIII Santa Ynez S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10. Next Start: GIII Las Virgenes S., SA, Feb. 10.

She has had to wait a week, but Kopion will get the biggest test of her career when she goes in Saturday's rescheduled Las Virgenes S. She's coming off a win in the GIII Santa Ynez S., in which she scored a 5 3/4-length wire-to-wire win. She still has to prove she can win when stretching out and around two turns. But if she can carry speed for nine furlongs she will be very dangerous. She is a half-sister to Ami's Flatter (Flatter), the Canadian champion 3-year-old male in 2016. Has been so highly regarded by the bettors that she went off at 3-10 when winning her debut and at 1-5 in the Santa Ynez.

6) LIFE TALK (f, Gun Runner–Touchy Feely, by Bernardini) O-Repole Stable; B-Gun Runner Syndicate, Mulholland Springs, LLC & Tom Grether Farms, Inc. (Ky); T-Todd A Pletcher. Sales history: $160,000 wnlg '21 KEENOV; $335,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW & GISP, 5-2-1-1, $364,250. Last start: WON Dec. 2 GII Demoiselle S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 19. Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 10.

Will owner Mike Repole win a Kentucky Oaks before he wins a Kentucky Derby? Life Talk could make that possible. We'll know more after this weekend's Suncoast S. at Tampa Bay Downs, a race that Pletcher often points for with 3-year-old fillies making their first start of the year. It doesn't appear that the competition will be that stiff, so expect this filly to kick off her 3-year-old season with a win. She didn't show a lot when third in the Frizette and fourth in the Juvenile Fillies, but a different horse showed up for the GII Demoiselle at Aqueduct. Sent off at even-money, she led every step of the way on her way to a 3 3/4-length win.

7) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) 'TDN Rising Star' O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $89,950. Last start: WON Jan. 11 AOC at Gulfstream Park. Kentucky Oaks Points: 0. Next Start: GII Davona Dale S., GP, Mar. 2.

Say this much about Mandy Pope, she's not afraid to spend her money in search of a good horse. Leslie's Rose was a $1,150,000 purchase at Keeneland September. She's earned just $89,950, but there's little doubt that the best has yet to come. She's 2-for-2 with her last win coming in a seven-furlong allowance at Gulfstream. Slated to go next in the Davona Dale, that race will give her the chance to prove that she is an upper echelon filly. She's had five half-mile works since mid-December.

8) ALPINE PRINCESS (f, Classic Empire–Le Moine, by Curlin) O-Full of Run Racing, LLC & Madaket Stable LLC; B-Betz/DJ Stable/Peter Lamantia/Classic Empire Syndicate (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $190,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SW, 5-3-0-1, $210,810. Last Start: WON Dec. 23 Untapable S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 10. Next Start: TBD.

The Brad Cox-trained filly is coming off a win in the Untapable S., which has turned into a key race. Runner-up West Omaha (West Coast) went on to win the Silverbulletday S. and fifth-place finisher Band of Gold (Preservationist) won last Saturday's Martha Washington S. at Oaklawn Park. She was beaten 28 1/4 lengths in the Alcibiades after acting up at the gate. Since then, she's been perfect, winning an allowance and the Untapable. Florent Geroux is the rider. He and Cox have teamed up to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil (Daredevil) and the 2018 Oaks with Monomoy Girl (Tapizar).

9) WEST OMAHA (f, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Gary & Mary West Stables (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW, 4-2-2-0, $203,000. Last start: WON Jan. 20 Sillverbulletday S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 25. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S, FG, Feb. 17 or GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 24.

She won the Silverbulletday, but will still have to answer some questions as the field for that race came up light. She was the 9-10 favorite. Cox will surely try to keep her and Alpine Princess apart, choosing between the Oaklawn and Fair Grounds routes to the Oaks. Cox also has Busanda S, winner Gin Gin (Hightail), who will take the New York-route to the Oaks. West Omaha will try to give owner-breeder Gary and Mary West their first Oaks win.

10) BAND OF GOLD (f, Preservationist–Play for Gold by Cairo Prince) O-Dixiana Farms LLC; B-Brereton C. Jones (Ky); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. Sales history: $70,000 wnlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: SW, 3-2-2-0, $206,000. Last start: WON Feb. 3 Martha Washington S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 20. Next Start: GIII Honeybee S., OP, Feb. 24.

The only newcomer to the list this week, she scored an upset win in the Martha Washington at odds of 24-1. Just a $70,000 purchase at Keeneland September, she rebounded off a poor effort in the Untapable where she was fifth. “In the Untapable, she never really figured out what she was supposed to do out there,” trainer Ken McPeek said. She got an 86 Beyer in the Martha Washingon. Will need to improve to take the next step, but trainer McPeek is never afraid of a challenge.

The post TDN Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for Feb. 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Santa Anita’s Friday Program Canceled

Wed, 2024-02-07 14:10

With training suspended since Sunday due to historic rainfall from a series of storms, Santa Anita Park, in consultation with its horsemen, postponed Friday's nine-race card to give time for horses to return to a normal routine before this weekend's races. The Friday races will be offered back next Thursday. Per CHRB rules, they will be re-drawn when entries are taken this Saturday.

“With training suspended for the last four days, per the CHRB protocols only joggers will be allowed on Thursday and we return to regular training Friday morning,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “Many of our trainers and horse owners have conveyed they would prefer an extra day for their horses to resume training before we race this weekend.

“Dennis Moore and his maintenance team have done a terrific job taking care of the track. We got over 10 inches of rain since Sunday afternoon, but the forecast looking forward is very good. We're confident that the main track and the turf course, especially with the improved drainage that was installed last year, will be in excellent condition ready when racing resumes on Saturday.”

With a favorable weather forecast, Saturday's races, which are being drawn Wednesday morning, will include a trio of Grade III stakes: the $100,000 Las Virgenes S., the $100,000 San Marcos S. and the $100,000 Palos Verdes S.

The post Santa Anita’s Friday Program Canceled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

First Foal for Sir Winston

Wed, 2024-02-07 14:03

Sir Winston (Awesome Again–La Gran Bailadora, by Afleet Alex), winner of the 2019 GI Belmont S., was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Pretty Clever (Hard Spun). The foal was bred by Tracy Farmer and born at his Shadowlawn Farm in Midway, Ky., Jan. 30. Pretty Clever is a half-sister to Saratoga stakes winner Can You Diggit (Tiznow). Sir Winston stands at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm for $7,500 LFSN.

The post First Foal for Sir Winston appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Kenny McPeek Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast

Wed, 2024-02-07 10:22

No one was hotter last week than trainer Kenny McPeek, who won two stakes at Oaklawn over the weekend, one a prep for the GI Kentucky Derby, the other a prep for the GI Kentucky Oaks. McPeek scored with the filly Band of Gold (Preservationist), who, at 24-1, won the Martha Washington S. Two races later, it was the colt Mystik Dan (Goldencents), who was an impressive eight-length winner of the GIII Southwest S. at odds of 11-1. That meant there was plenty to talk about when McPeek joined this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast presented by Keeneland. McPeek was the Green Group Guest of the Week.

Though Mystik Dan had been a bit inconsistent during his brief career, McPeek said he always knew the colt had ability.

“This horse is really fast,” McPeek said. “He has been from the beginning. Initially, I ran him twice in sprint races and afterward I kind of regretted it a little bit because we had to retool him a little bit. He's so quick, but you had to kind of re-teach him and he needed to learn how to go longer. What he did this past weekend was pretty special in the sense that we've been teaching him to sit off horses. Let him just go easy and then learn to utilize that speed. The last three furlongs, it looked like he was shot out of a cannon.”

McPeek has won the GI Preakness S. and the GI Belmont S., but a Derby win has eluded him. He came close with his first ever runner Tejano Run (Tejabo), who was second in 1995. But, overall, he is 0-for-9 in America's greatest race. How badly does he want to add a Derby win to his resume?

“For me, being from Kentucky, it is a big deal,” McPeek said. “I think any horse trainer wants to win a race like that. But it's got to come together on its own. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. I'm not going to put all my eggs in the one basket and say I haven't won the Derby so I haven't had a full career.”

Band of Gold was a badly beaten fifth in the Untapable S., but McPeek wasn't about to give up on her after she won her debut, a maiden race at Churchill Downs.

“Any filly that wins first time out like she did at Churchill Downs is obviously talented,” he said. “I think that she got a little confused in her second start at the Fair Grounds. We ran her in the Untapable, but she never really figured out what she was supposed to do out there. She was the one that we somewhat had to regroup with.”

In the stallion spotlight segments, the podcast featured Coolmore's Tiz the Law (Constitution), who stands for a fee of $20,000. The focus was also on Audible (Into Mischief), who stands at WinStar Farm for a fee of $15,000.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association, 1/ST Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman reviewed the ultra-impressive win by Nysos (Nyquist) in the GIII Robert B. Lewis. Because he is trained by Bob Baffert, who remains under a ban at Churchill Downs, he cannot run in the Derby. The panel agreed that the absence of Nysos and the other Baffert runners could turn into the type of controversy that could overshadow the race itself. The discussion also included the GIII Holy Bull S., in which the heavily favored champion Fierceness (City of Light) didn't have the best of trips on his way to a third-place finish. All agreed that it was a subpar race from a horse who shows signs that he can't handle adversity. The podcast closed with a look at the story of trainer Jeffrey Englehart, who is facing a two-year suspension for clenbuterol, which he insists was administered to the horse before it came into his barn.

The post Kenny McPeek Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Goodnight Olive Retires, To Be Bred to Not This Time

Tue, 2024-02-06 20:13

Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper–Salty Strike, by Smart Strike), the Eclipse Award-winning Champion Female Sprinter of 2022 and 2023, who sold for $6 million at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, will be retired and bred to Not This Time, according to a press release from John Stewart's Resolute Farm.

Goodnight Olive earned $2.196 million on the racetrack, winning nine of 12 races while never finishing out of the money. She won back-to-back editions of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Following her Breeders' Cup win, Goodnight Olive returned to Payson Park in Florida under the guidance of trainer Chad Brown, where she was set to race in 2024. Instead, the decision was made to retire her.

Chad Brown expressed mixed emotions about her retirement. “Olive had a legendary career on the track, and she has been a fixture at Payson Park for the last four years,” he said. “I can't wait to see her career continue as a broodmare at Resolute Farm.”

Gavin O'Connor, General Manager of Resolute Farm, said, “We purchased Olive at Fasig-Tipton as a broodmare prospect and had hoped to continue her racing career. At the end of the day, these athletes are used to performing at the highest level and unless Chad and his team thought she could continue to compete at that level we always knew this was a likely path for her. She really doesn't have anything else to prove. We are so thankful for the opportunity to play a part in such a wonderful horse's career.”

Noel Murphy, the newly appointed farm manager at Resolute Farm, and former farm manager for Helen Alexander at Middlebrook Farm said, “Olive is settling on our farm in Midway with some good company. Esteemed Breeders' Cup champions Caravel and Pizza Bianca are in adjoining paddocks. Every day when I go to the barn, I am amazed by the presence of the incredible mares on our farm such as Puca, Queen Caroline, Goddess Pele, and many other high-quality mares joining these three Breeders Cup champions.”

“After months of meticulous research and decision-making, the team believes this pairing holds immense potential to produce a standout racehorse with an exceptional pedigree have already produced some great racing horses like Epicenter and the 2023 Eclipse winner Up To The Mark,” said Chelsey Stone, Resolute Breeding Director, of the mating to Not This Time. “The Taylor family and the team at Taylor Made Farm are exactly the type of partnership we want to have in the industry. Last year we purchased fellow broodmare Goddess Pele from them at Fasig-Tipton and a great More Than Ready filly in a private sale who we named Virgin Colada and will start her training for the track later this year. Breeding Olive to Not This Time brings the relationship full circle.”

Steve Laymon of First Row Partners, who campaigned Goodnight Olive, said, “We are pleased with the team at Resolute Farm acquiring Olive and their dedication to keeping high-quality racehorses like Olive within the United States, as there is a tendency for them to be acquired by foreign buyers. Not This Time has emerged as a prominent stallion in North America and with top-quality mares like Olive I expect an exceptional racing prospect.”

In 2023, Resolute Farm acquired the former Shadwell Stud property in Midway, Kentucky, and has since resumed horse operations on the farm as of January, 2024.

Goodnight Olive's name is a nod to the salutation used by workers and performers at the renowned New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City, paying homage to the legendary Broadway Flapper ghost, Olive Thomas, according to the press release.

The post Goodnight Olive Retires, To Be Bred to Not This Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fireworks As ‘Damn Good’ Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale Concludes with a Trio of Seven Figure Mares

Tue, 2024-02-06 19:31

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, which had never produced a seven-figure offering in its history, had three million-dollar mares go through the ring in an action-packed final hour of its two-day run in Lexington Tuesday. The final horse through the ring, Zetta Z (Bernardini), supplemented to the auction just Sunday, provided an exclamation point of the auction when selling for $2 million to Coolmore Stud. As expected, the dispersal of the bloodstock of the late Robert Lothenbach dominated the results sheet, accounting for the $1.3 million Bell's the One (Majesticperfection), who sold to the bid of bloodstock agent Catherine Hudson, and the $1.1 million She Can't Sing (Bernardini), who sold to Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.

Eleven of Tuesday's top 12 prices were from horses from the dispersal, including the auction's top-priced short yearling, a colt by Into Mischief purchased for $650,000 by North Ocean Equine. In all, 62 horses sold for the dispersal for a gross of $8,263,000. The dispersal average was $133,274 and the median was $42,500.

“It was unfortunate circumstances with Mr. Lothenbach passing, but we are very appreciative of the estate giving us the opportunity, between the digital sale and today and yesterday,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “But it is also a reflection of a man who had a program that raised and raced horses the right way. He gave horses time and he used trainers who took care of the horses. He had a long-term perspective and he was in it for all the right reasons. He loved racing. And that shared passion of racing is ultimately what fuels everything that we do in our industry.”

Bolstered by the dispersal, 372 horses grossed $21,687,000 for an average of $58,298 and a median of $17,000.

Outside of the dispersal, Browning said the auction's results proved demand for horses remained strong.

“It wasn't just on three horses,” Browning said. “Talking to the consignors across the board, the ones that sold horses for thousands of dollars or ten of thousands of dollars or hundreds of thousands of dollars, they felt like it was a very, very legitimate marketplace. Buyers, whether they had $5,000 to spend, $50,000 to spend or $500,000 to spend, found competition and found it not easy to buy horses. Which is where you want the marketplace to be. You want it to be competitive on both the buying and selling side of things. We saw that the last two days.”

Browning concluded, “All in all, it's been a fantastic two days. It wildly exceeded our expectations and we normally have high expectations for ourselves and for the quality of horses we are selling. It was damn good and it feels really good to say in February it was damn good. And it was.”

 

Coolmore Pays $2 Million for Dam of Nysos

Zetta Z (Bernardini) (hip 536), added to the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed catalogue just hours after her son Nysos (Nyquist)'s tour de force victory in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. Saturday, ended the two-day auction with an exclamation point when selling for $2 million to Coolmore Stud.

“She is a beautiful mare and she completely stood out here,” said Coolmore's Adrian Wallace after signing the ticket on the mare in the back walking ring. “Obviously being the dam of such a talented young colt with his whole future ahead of him, she was a must-have. Mr. [John] Magnier and M V [Magnier] were very interested in her from the very beginning.”

The 14-year-old mare, consigned by Grovendale Sales, sold Tuesday in foal to Cyberknife and will likely have a date with Triple Crown winner Justify this year, according to Wallace.

“She's a wonderful mare and she is obviously in foal to a very exciting young sire,” Wallace said. “Hopefully, she will be a nice mare to add to Justify's book when the time comes.”

In addition to Nysos, Zetta Z is also the dam of a now-yearling colt by Yaupon who sold to Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's AAA Thoroughbreds for $450,000 at last year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

The mare is out of Seresa's Spirit (Rahy), an unraced daughter of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Unbridled Elaine (Unbridled's Song).

Unraced herself, Zetta Z sold in foal to Street Sense for $35,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November sale. Three Times a Charm was the name on the ticket that day, but according to Grovendale's Chance Timm, the mare had changed hands since that auction.

“She changed hands sometime last year,” Timm said, while declining to name the mare's owner.

Of the mare's presence in the sale, Timm said, “James [Keogh] had been in really close contact with the owner leading up to the race, so fair credit to him. I am grateful to be his partner and to be a part of it, but James did all the heavy lifting here and we are grateful to the owners for the opportunity.”

Timm added, “We were watching the Bob Lewis with a little bit different interest on Saturday, that's for sure. But it's great fun and we are privileged for the opportunity.”

Zetta Z became far-and-away the highest-priced horse to ever sell at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed sale.

“I think it's hard to expect that kind of money at that sort of level for any kind of horse, but these are the types that can do that when it all lines up,” Timm said of the final price. “That's why we have horse sales, to have two people hook up and do what she did today. Any time they are at that level, it's hard to expect that. But she deserved to make that. That's the kind of mare she is.”

Wallace summed up, “She looks like…well, $2 million, instead of $1 million, but she's a lovely mare.”

 

Bell's The One Lights Up Fasig-Tipton

Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) (hip 476), the brightest star in Robert Lothenbach's decades in the sport, proved the most sought-after offering of the late owner's dispersal when selling for $1.3 million at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday. Bloodstock agent Catherine Hudson, bidding while on the phone from a seat in the pavilion, signed the ticket on the 8-year-old mare on behalf of an undisclosed client.

“We loved her,” Hudson said. “I bought her for a private client. He's an admirer of collector's items and we felt like she is one of them. She is a beautiful mare. We appreciate her and her racing and everything the Lothenbach family did for horse racing. We are sad the dispersal is happening, but we were very, very fortunate to be able to step up and buy her.”

The hard-knocking Bell's the One, purchased for $155,000 as a Fasig-Tipton July yearling in 2017, won 11 stakes races in the Lothenbach colors, including the 2020 GI Derby City Distaff S. and earned over $2 million during her racing career. She RNA'd for $2.6 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale and was put in foal to Flightline. The mare aborted that foal in September.

Of potential 2024 mating plans, Hudson said, “We have had a lot of reports, nicking, research and haven't decided yet. We are just working on it now. We think Justify's book got closed. We are hoping they might reopen, but we will talking to a couple of the farms about it.”

Hudson, who confirmed the mare would stay in the U.S., said the seven-figure price range was within expectations.

“I thought I would get outbid by maybe the Japanese,” she admitted. “I had $1.2 million to $1.3 million, but I didn't think my client would go any more than $1 million.”

Hudson had the client on the phone during the bidding and, asked to describe the conversation, she said, “I didn't want to know what he was going to do–I didn't want to know too much. I had a hopeful feeling he might keep going, but I didn't think he would go over $1.2 million, so I was very happy when he said go ahead with it. I think he appreciates collector's items.”

 

She Can't Sing to Hill 'n' Dale

Graded-stakes winning broodmare prospect She Can't Sing (Bernardini) (hip 485) will be joining the band at the Sikura family's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa after selling for $1.1 million during the Lothenbach dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday. The 7-year-old mare, bred and campaigned by the late Robert Lothenbach, won four stakes during her racing career, including the 2022 GIII Chilukki S. She is out of Distorted Music (Distorted Humor) and from the family of multiple Grade I winner Music Note.

“She is beautiful and obviously a very talented racehorse,” said Jes Sikura. “We are collecting a broodmare band at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa to kind of improve on what we already have and create a new generation. [Hill 'n' Dale stallion] Curlin loves Bernardini. We thought this would be a great nick. Hopefully we will get a beautiful foal out of her.”

Of the seven-figure price tag, Sikura said, “We were willing to pay a high price for something with that quality. Bernardini/Distorted Humor mare, it doesn't get better than this. She was a great racehorse. And we really thought she would fit our program. She's exactly what we are looking for.”

While the 22-year-old Sikura signed the ticket on the mare, he admitted it was his father, John, who did the bidding in the back walking ring.

“I was told to step back,” Sikura said with a laugh. “I didn't want to make any mistakes.”

The younger Sikura signed for a Constitution short yearling at $300,000 on behalf of a pinhooking partnership during Monday's first session of the auction. He also signed for the broodmare Audrey's Time (Uncle Mo) (hip 474) at $525,000 in the name of Imaginary Partners earlier in Tuesday's session.

“I am probably UK's least favorite student right now–the least classes attended student right now,” he said. “I am working on bloodstock on the farm and trying to get my own little thing going and learn as much as I can about the business. I am getting involved, selling some seasons and shares, just working on our stallions and promoting the farm.”

Sikura admitted getting more involved in the racing industry became a more immediate concern once his hockey career had run its course.

“I always knew I wanted to be involved at some point,” he said. “I grew up as a hockey player–not a great one–that's why I came back to Kentucky at 19. And then once I realized I was not going to be a professional athlete by 17, I started to look a lot more into the horses and enjoying it more. And now I feel like I am starting to understand it a little bit and following in my dad's footsteps, as well as other great mentors that I've been lucky enough to be around.”

 

Logan Strikes for Into Mischief Colt

Darby Dan Sales Director Renee Logan, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, went to $650,000 to acquire a short yearling by Into Mischief (hip 494) Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. From the Lothenbach dispersal and consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the bay colt is out of Distorted Music (Distorted Humor) and is a half-brother to graded winner She Can't Sing (Bernardini). He came into the ring some 10 hips after his half-sister sold for $1.1 million and some 25 hips after his dam sold for $375,000.

“It's for an undisclosed buyer,” Logan said. “He's a longtime farm client who loves racing and loves to sell as well. So he might race or sell. We'll just see how things go.”

Robert Lothenbach purchased Distorted Music for $190,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She won three of eight starts in the late owner's colors and She Can't Sing was her first foal to the races.

“I like the fact that he was very well-balanced and he had a beautiful walk,” Logan said of the short yearling's appeal. “He's very correct. He's a half-brother to a great filly who just brought a million, which vindicated our decision. That's why we went the extra mile.”

Logan added there was extra appeal in purchasing the youngster from a breed-to-race operation.

“He wasn't overly prepped,” she said. “What you saw is what he actually is. So that was another thing that I liked about him.”

Of the colt's final price tag, Logan added, “If you want a nice horse, you're going to have to pay for it.”

The post Fireworks As ‘Damn Good’ Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale Concludes with a Trio of Seven Figure Mares appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Quarantine Extended in Belmont’s Barn 15 Until Feb. 26

Tue, 2024-02-06 19:05

The period of the quarantine of Barn 15 at Belmont has been extended by two days by the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) due to another horse in that barn, Willful Desire, developing a fever. The 4-year-old filly, trained by Gustavo Rodriguez, developed a fever on Monday. Nasal swabs and blood samples were immediately sent to Cornell University for analysis, which were returned on Tuesday afternoon as negative for EHV.

In accordance with standard protocols, Barn 15 will remain under quarantine through at least Feb. 26, 21 days from Willful Desire's first symptoms.

Barn 15 was first placed into quarantine on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. when Cure Curls, trained by Danny Gargan, presented acute neurological symptoms and was subsequently euthanized. Cornell University returned a positive test result for EHV on Sunday afternoon. The quarantine procedures are overseen by Dr. Sarah Hinchliffe, the director of NYRA's veterinary department, in consultation with the NYSGC.

The 34 horses stabled in Barn 15, which is also home to stalls for Jim Ryerson along with Gargan and Rodriguez, are monitored throughout the day for fever and other signs of illness.

During the quarantine period, horses stabled in Barn 15 will not be permitted to enter races or train among the general horse population.

Afebrile/asymptomatic horses stabled in Barn 15 will continue to train in isolation from the general horse population throughout the quarantine.

 

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Emerald Downs Releases 2024 Stakes Schedule

Tue, 2024-02-06 17:57

The 89th edition of the Longacres Mile headlines a 21-race stakes schedule worth $1,150,000 for Emerald Downs at the 55-day meeting from May 4 to Sept. 15. The $150,000 Longacres Mile anchors a stakes quadruple-header Sunday, Aug. 11. Billed as Championship Sunday, it co-features the $50,000 Emerald Distaff for older fillies and mares, $50,000 Muckleshoot Derby for 3-year-olds, and $50,000 Washington Oaks for 3-year-old fillies.

A total of 16 stakes are scheduled on Sundays with five set for Saturdays, including the $50,000 Seattle S. for 3-year-old fillies that kicks off the June 15 stakes schedule. The track's older horse division kicks off Sunday, June 23, with the $50,000 Budweiser S., followed three weeks later by the $50,000 Governor's S. Seven stakes are slated for 2-year-olds, highlighted by the $50,000 Gottstein Futurity at a mile and 70 yards on closing day.

In addition to 21 Thoroughbred stakes, Sunday, Aug. 18 features a pair of QuarterHorse stakes: $30,000 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship and $40,000 Bank of America Emerald Championship Challenge.

Opening day, Saturday, May 4, shares a spotlight with the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby. The stable area opens Friday, Feb. 23 with training getting underway Monday, Feb. 26.

For more information, click here.

 

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Prairie Meadows Outlines ’24 Season, Stakes Schedule

Tue, 2024-02-06 16:01

Beginning May 10 and continuing through Sept. 28, Prairie Meadows will feature 22 stakes totaling over $1.85 million. A total of 80 racing days will be highlighted by both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The season begins with 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from May 10 – June 15 and continues with a mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule of 60 race days from June 16 – Sept. 28.

“Overnight Thoroughbred purses have been increased approximately 5% across the board for the upcoming 2024 season,” noted Quarter Horse Racing Secretary Chad Keller.

Live racing will be offered on a Friday – Monday schedule with the following exceptions:

  • Opening week of racing which will feature racing Friday, May 10 and Saturday, May 11 with no racing on Sunday or Monday May 12-13
  • No racing on Monday, July 1 during the week leading up to Independence Day there will be a special Wednesday racing July 3, highlighted by central Iowa's fireworks display taking place after the races with post time set for 4:00 p.m.
  • Standard post times for Friday and Saturday programs will be 6:00 p.m. while post times for Sunday and Monday programs will begin at 4:00 p.m.
  • Special post times are scheduled for Saturday, May 18 (Preakness) and Saturday, June 8 (Belmont) at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 28 at 4:00 p.m. for the Iowa Classic.

 

The 2024 Thoroughbred stakes schedule during the Festival of Racing on July 5 and 6 is highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Cornhusker H., $250,000 Iowa Derby, and $225,000 Iowa Oaks, the latter two for 3-year-olds anchoring the Festival.

The top Iowa bred runners will take center stage during the Iowa Classic closing night card on Sept. 28 featuring all Iowa bred races for both breeds including a new addition for 2024 on the Thoroughbred schedule with the Iowa Classic Distaff Sprint overnight stake for Iowa bred fillies and mares going six furlongs with a purse of approximately $51,400.

Prairie Meadows Condition Book 1 is available and features the first 14 days of racing for Thoroughbreds only from May 10 – June 3.

Barn Area Opens for Horses Friday, Apr. 12 at 8:00 a.m. while training resumes Sunday, Apr. 14 (weather permitting). Stall applications for both breeds are due to the Racing Office by Tuesday, Apr. 2.

For more information, click here.

 

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Coolmore Goes to $2 Million for Dam of Nysos

Tue, 2024-02-06 15:59

Zetta Z (Bernardini), who was added to the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale catalogue just Sunday, a day after her son Nysos (Nyquist) produced a dominating victory in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S., sold for $2 million to the bid of Coolmore's Adrian Wallace Tuesday in Lexington. The 14-year-old mare, consigned by Grovendale Sales, sold in foal to Cyberknife. She is from the family of Unbridled Elaine and Glitter Woman.

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Belmont EHV-1 Quarantine Will Affect Fields For Laurel’s Top Winter Stakes

Tue, 2024-02-06 15:38

The 21-day quarantine currently in effect for Barn 15 at Belmont Park to control an outbreak of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) will preclude any New York-based horses from shipping in to Laurel Park for the time being, and will have an adverse effect on field sizes for the Maryland track's two Grade III winter sprint stakes on Feb. 17.

Mike Rogers, the president of the racing division for 1/ST Racing and Gaming, which owns Laurel, disclosed the ban on Belmont shippers during Tuesday's Maryland Racing Commission meeting. He specifically mentioned the General George S. and Barbara Fritchie S., both worth $200,000 and run at seven furlongs, as being affected. Two other $100,000 stakes are also on the same card.

“Unfortunately, we could be affected by the EHV-1 outbreak that took place in New York right now,' Rogers said. “As of right now, we're not accepting horses from New York. So it could affect our field size, because we do have a lot of nominations from New York.”

The highly contagious EHV-1 can spread during any time of the year, but the onset of winter typically brings a spike in cases nationwide.

Cute Curls (Tapiture), an unraced 3-year-old filly trained by Danny Gargan, was euthanized Feb. 3 after displaying acute neurological symptoms.

A New York Racing Association press release from Feb. 4 stated that 34 horses are stabled in Barn 15, which is also home to stalls for trainers Jim Ryerson and Gustavo Rodriguez.

The Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC), which maintains a national database of updates and notices, reported Feb. 5 that a second filly out of Belmont's Barn 15 also spiked a fever and that “blood and a nasal swab are being submitted for PCR testing.”

The EDCC report continued: “An official NY State quarantine of all horses stabled in Barn 15 at Belmont Park Racetrack was put in place on 2/4/24. Horses stabled in Barn 15 are not permitted to train in the company of the general population of horses. Horses from Barn 15 must train after the close of regular training hours. Standard biosecurity measures are in place and enforced by NYRA Security personnel with veterinary supervision.”

Rogers said that “We'll take our guidance from our veterinarians before we allow [any] horses in from New York.”

 

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She Can’t Sing to Hill ‘n’ Dale for $1.1 Million

Tue, 2024-02-06 14:45

Graded stakes winner She Can't Sing (Bernardini) became the second seven-figure mare of the Lothenbach dispersal at Fasig-Tipton Tuesday when selling for $1.1 million to the Sikura family's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. John Sikura did the bidding on the 7-year-old mare before handing off the ticket to his 22-year-old son Jes to sign.

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Bell’s The One Brings $1.3 Million at Fasig-Tipton

Tue, 2024-02-06 14:25

Grade I winning Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) brought a final bid of $1.3 million from bloodstock agent Catherine Hudson, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, Tuesday at Fasig-Tipton. Part of the dispersal of the bloodstock of the late Robert Lothenbach, the 8-year-old mare was consigned by Vinery Sales. She will remain in the U.S., according to Hudson, who added mating plans are still to be decided.

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John Pimental Gets 15-Month Suspension, $10,000 Fine

Tue, 2024-02-06 14:19

Trainer John Pimental has been handed a 15-month suspension and a fine of $10,000 for possession of banned thyroid medication, Thyro-L. Though Pimental had a prescription to administer the drug to his pony, the possession of a banned substance is classed an anti-doping rule violation under HISA.

That news was one of the rulings posted this week among Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Pimental's case was resolved without a final hearing after he accepted the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) sanctions.

Pimental's case was the subject of this in-depth TDN investigation last October. It details the then 68-year-old trainer's financial and professional struggles fighting a potential three-year ban and $25,000 fine. Pimental also has an outstanding case against him for a methamphetamine positive. Methamphetamine is a ubiquitous drug of human abuse that is the subject of nine other individual cases since HISA's drug control program went into effect.

In nearly a half-century of training, the TDN reported, the only Association of Racing Commissioners International violation on Pimental's record was a $100 fine for once not having a foal certificate on file.

In the case resolution report, HIWU lists several mitigating details in Pimental's case, including how he produced a valid prescription record for the Thyro-L, as well as a letter from his veterinarian, supporting its use in the pony, a “non-Covered Horse”; that “there is no evidence that Mr. Pimental possessed the Thyro-L for use in a Covered Horse after the ADMC Program went into effect”; that the pony for whom the Thyro-L was prescribed was “still alive and in the Pimentals' possession and care at the time the Thyro-L was found”; and that the Pimentals “openly admitted their mistake.”

At the same time, “Mr. Pimental did not educate himself on the impending ADMC Program rules, he took no precautions to ensure he was not in Possession of Thyro-L once the ADMC Program took effect, and he failed to supervise the disposal of the Thyro-L in his Possession,” the report states, in justification of the sanctions.

Trainer Manuel Badilla has also been suspended seven days and fined $1,000 after his trainee, Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on Dec. 26, subsequently tested positive for the anti-inflammatory, dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone is a Class C controlled medication, a first offense for which comes with a possible $500 fine and loss of purse. The “case resolution” report states that this was Badilla's second Class C controlled medication violation within two years, however, leading to the increased suspension period and fine.

Other rulings issued were:

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

 

Date: 12/24/2023
Licensee: David Geofroy (listed as the horse's owner on Equibase)
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of 5-Hydroxy Dantrolene-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Gran Runner. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/26/2023
Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer
Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on February 1, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on 12/26/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 01/03/2024
Licensee: Anthony Dutrow, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Past Tense. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 01/11/2024
Licensee: Ignacio Correas, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Didia. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

 

Date: 07/28/2023
Licensee: John Pimental, trainer
Penalty: 15-month period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on July 28, 2023; a fine of $10,000.
Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This was a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)-Possession of Banned Substances
Read more on Pimental's story here.

 

Pending ADMC Violations

 

Date: 12/09/2023
Licensee: Michael Gorham, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Out of competition medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tom Char. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 11/09/2023
Licensee: Steve Klesaris, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Gabapentin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from She's Awesome, who won at Aqueduct on 11/9/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 11/20/2023
Licensee: Kari Craddock, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ekati's Hit, who finished second at Remington Park on 11/20/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 01/07/2024
Licensee: Jose Delgado, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Buff Hello, who finished third at Gulfstream Park on 1/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 12/29/2023
Licensee: Hutch Holsapple, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Oxymorphone-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Krickle, who finished second at Turfway Park on 12/29/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

 

Date: 12/13/2023
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Charlotte the Brit, who finished second at Tampa Bay on 12/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 12/01/2023
Licensee: Daniel Franko, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Caffeine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Misty's Cat, who won at Golden Gate on 12/1/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

Date: 10/28/2023
Licensee: Ron Moquett, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Mepivacaine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Speed Bias, who finished third in the G2 Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland on 10/28/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

 

OTHER KEY RULINGS

The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

 

NEW YORK

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 02/03/2024
Licensee: Marshall Gramm, owner
Penalty: $2,000 fine
Violation: Breach of transfer rule for claimed horses
Explainer: Owner Marshall K Gramm is hereby fined the sum of $2,000 for violating rule #4038.4 Sale, transfer restricted. This for the transfering of claimed horse “Truculent” prior to the thirty days from the date of the claim.

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Champion 2-Year-Old Fierceness Leads 346 Triple Crown Nominations

Tue, 2024-02-06 13:20

2023's Eclipse champion 2-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) leads a list of 346 nominations to the 2024 Triple Crown according to a Tuesday release by the Kentucky Racing Communications Office. Last weekend's GIII Holy Bull S. third is one of 20 nominees owned by Repole Stables and one of 54 trained by Todd Pletcher to lead their respective categories. A further 18 horses were nominated by Bob Baffert and Brad Cox respectively. While the total number of nominees is down from last year, there are a record 47 potential runners from Japan. Other notable nominees include: Nysos (Nyquist), Track Phantom (Quality Road), Hades (Awesome Slew), Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and Catching Freedom (Constitution). Four fillies, Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}), Gun Song (Gun Runner), Life Talk (Gun Runner) and Kopion (Omaha Beach), were also nominated.

3-year-olds can continued to be nominated to the Triple Crown via a $6,000 payment through April 1.

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NBC’s Randy Moss To Talk Horses On Super Bowl Radio Show

Tue, 2024-02-06 10:34

NBC Sports analyst Randy Moss will join the Super Bowl's Radio Row to talk racing from Feb. 6-8, the NTRA announced Tuesday. Moss, a member of the TDN Writers' Room podcast and a well-known face on major racing broadcasts for NBC, will cover subjects such as the upcoming 150th running of the GI Kentucky Derby and how the sport is working to make strides in equine safety.

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‘TDN Rising Star’ Nysos Tops NTRA 3-Year-Old Poll

Tue, 2024-02-06 10:04

Saturday's GIII Robert B. Lewis S. winner Nysos (Nyquist) jumped to the top of the NTRA Top 3-year-old Poll Tuesday with a near-unanimous 30 votes while GIII Holy Bull S. upsetter Hades (Awesome Slew) made his first appearance on the list in fifth. Muth (Good Magic) picked up a single first-place vote as well to check in second on the list behind his Bob Baffert-trained stablemate. Champion 2-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) fell to third off his third-place performance in the Holy Bull. Track Phantom (Quality Road) filled out the rest of the top five.

There were no changes in the top two of the Top Thoroughbred Poll as GI Pegasus World Cup winner National Treasure (Quality Road) continued to hold court with White Abarrio (Race Day) in second. Idiomatic (Curlin) rose to third while Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) checked in fourth.

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Country Legend And Racing Owner/Breeder Toby Keith Dead At 62

Tue, 2024-02-06 09:44

Country singer/songwriter Toby Keith passed away Monday following a battle with stomach cancer, his family announced Tuesday. While best known for his music career, which included 20 No. 1 hits, he also owned and bred Thoroughbreds and was known for his passion of the sport.

Keith raced and bred primarily under the name of Dream Walkin Farms, which started its first horse in 2001. Dream Walkin was a song on an album by the same name that Keith released in 1997. According to Equibase, Dream Walkin won 848 races and earned over $18 million. Keith's top runners included the homebreds Cactus Ridge (Hennessy), the winner of the 2003 GIII Arlington-Washington Futurity, and Smack Smack (Closing Argument), the winner of the 2016 GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. whose career earnings were $986,419. Both were bred at Keith's farm in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

Keith also raced Quarter Horses and was part owner of 2003 Champion of Champions winner The Down Side along with R.D. Hubbard and Johnny T.L. Jones.

“He was a really close friend,” said Danny Caldwell, who owned horses in partnership with Keith that ran under the name of Country Bro Stables. “This has been a long night, a very long night. Toby was a great. He was a true American patriot. He was a great man who helped a lot of people. He loved the Thoroughbred racing industry. He raised a lot of his own horses, he bred a lot them. He put a lot of money into the game and he enjoyed it to the full extent.”

In a 2004 interview with the San Angelo Standard-Times Keith spoke of his passion for the sport.

“I could retire and race horses and be happy,” he said. “I wish more people were exposed to horse racing. It's the greatest. It gives everyone a chance to own a sports franchise and they don't have to pay $1 billion for it.”

At last year's yearling sales, bloodstock agent Chris Baccari bought 24 yearlings, including a New York-bred colt by Violence for $380,000, on behalf of Keith.

“It is a very sad day,” Baccari said. “He was a really genuine, great guy, who didn't have any agendas. He really supported the Thoroughbred racing business. He was a big fan and an advocate. He knew his bloodlines very well and was very passionate about it. He was trying to upgrade. He wanted to step up the program. I am very lucky to have had him as a friend and a partner.”

Keith's work within racing included his role as a Breeders' Cup Ambassador. The Breeders' Cup issued a statement Tuesday, which read: “We were extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Toby Keith today. In addition to his tremendous accomplishments in the music and entertainment world, Toby was a longtime Breeders' Cup Ambassador and an enthusiastic Thoroughbred owner, breeder, and fan who greatly enjoyed attending the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Along with his legion of fans, we will miss him very much and express our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”

In June, Keith announced on Twitter that he had recently been diagnosed with stomach cancer and had been undergoing treatment.

“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” Keith, 60, said. “I've spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation, and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax. I am looking forward to spending this time with my family, but I will see the fans sooner than later. I can't wait.”

 

pic.twitter.com/NfdLKGLQQe

— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) February 6, 2024

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Weather Causes Drop In January Economic Indicators

Tue, 2024-02-06 09:30

Several days of cancelled races due to weather, especially along the East Coast, led to over a 10% dip in wagering from January compared to the same time last year according to statistics released by Equibase. Last month saw 217 race days with a total of 1,853 carded races and $779,860,113 wagered (-10.76%), down from 265 days, 2,280 races and $873,842,469 wagered in Jan. '23, leading to drops in purses paid (-14.94%) and totals starts (-17.36%). On the positive side, despite those cancellations, average wagering was up (+8.99%) as was average available purses per race day (+9.97%). Field size was also up on the month with the average race seeing 7.86 runners (+1.68%).

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‘Encouraging Start’ as $500k Home Cooking Tops Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Opener

Mon, 2024-02-05 18:21

LEXINGTON, KY – The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale defied what has appeared in recent months to be a weakening sales market with a strong opening session in Lexington Monday.

“It was a very encouraging start,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There was lots of activity throughout the day, really from start to finish, at all level of horses and at all price ranges and all types of horses. Yearlings sold very well, mares in foal sold very well, broodmare prospects sold very well. The place was crowded very much from start to finish. And there was lots of activity at every level, which was very encouraging. I think we all had a little fear and trepidation about where the middle market is and is there going to be a market for some of the horses that are perceived to be the lesser expensive ones, and I thought the trade was good there today.”

A total of 196 horses sold Monday for a gross of $7,925,500. The average was $40,436 and the median was $16,000. Those figures were significantly up from the auction's 2023 opening session when 182 horses sold for $5,524,300, for an average of $30,353 and a median of $10,500.

With 41 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 17.3%. It was 20.5% a year ago.

Bloodstock agent Steve Young made the highest bid of the day when securing the Grade I-placed broodmare prospect Home Cooking (Honor Code) for $500,000 on behalf of Ramona Bass, who continues to acquire mares to support her recently retired stallion Annapolis.

A colt by Constitution was the day's top-priced yearling when selling for $300,000. The 22-year-old Jes Sikura signed the ticket on behalf of a pinhooking partnership in the name of Discovery Bay.

During Monday's session, 25 horses sold for six figures. Up for 13 to hit that mark a year ago.

The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale concludes with a session beginning Tuesday at 10 a.m. The session is expected to be dominated by offerings from the dispersal of Lothenbach Stables.

Young Continues Buying for Annapolis

Bloodstock agent Steve Young and breeder Ramona Bass, who were busy buying mares to support Bass's recently retired Grade I-winning stallion Annapolis (War Front) at last month's Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale, continued their buying spree at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, going to $500,000 to acquire Home Cooking (Honor Code) (hip 68) Monday in Lexington. The Grade I-placed broodmare prospect was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.

“She is a wonderful mare,” Young said. “She was a very fast horse at OBS. She was unlucky not to win the Grade I as a 2-year-old and, if she had won that, I don't know what she would have cost, but she would have cost more than that. And she still has the same genes, the same balance and the same mechanics. So, I think she was bought at a very good price.”

Home Cooking, a daughter of Olympic Avenue (Hard Spun), is a half-sister to multiple stakes-placed Gold for Kitten (Kitten's Joy) and from the family of Valid Expectations. She sold to Three Amigos for $260,000 after working a furlong in 9 4/5 at the 2022 OBS March sale.

Racing for Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman and Karl Watson and trained by Bob Baffert, the bay graduated by 9 1/4 lengths at Del Mar that August. She stumbled at the break before coming up just a head short when second as the heavy favorite in the GI Del Mar Debutante (video). On the board in four of eight career starts and with two wins, Home Cooking retired with earnings of $176,180.

Of Home Cooking's appearance in the February sale, Young said, “In the last decade, there are a lot of people who would rather be a big fish in a smaller pond. She's got quality to sell in any sale. She's a serious horse.”

Young purchased four mares to support Annapolis at the Keeneland January sale: Bridlewood Cat (Street Sense) (hip 267) for $750,000; Kaling (Practical Joke) (hip 387) for $650,000; Juniper's Moon (Galileo {Ire}) (hip 419) for $625,000; and Pure Pauline (Curlin) (hip 490) for $160,000.

“We don't have a set number, but we are going to support him for real,” Young said. “We don't necessarily have to have a full roster by the start of the breeding season–there are going to be horses who either retire or come up privately on the way. So we are just methodically buying horses that he deserves.”

Annapolis, winner of the 2022 GI Coolmore Turf Mile, will begin his stud career this month at Claiborne at a fee of $12,500.

Constitution Colt Gets Sikura on the Board

Jes Sikura, flanked by Chris Baccari and Randy Hartley in the upstairs balcony of the sales pavilion, signed the ticket at $300,000 to acquire a colt by Constitution (hip 242) in the name of Discovery Bay. Sikura said the colt was purchased for a pinhooking partnership, but the partnership did not include Baccari or Hartley.

“He was a really nice, smooth-moving Constitution,” Sikura said. “I bought him for a partnership. It's a new partnership–a guy from down south. We are going to wheel him back as a yearling. And we are pretty excited to see what happens.”

Consigned by Four Star Sales and bred by Cypress Creek Equine, the chestnut colt is out of Special Thanks (Broken Vow). The mare, in foal to War Front, was purchased by Cypress Creek for $200,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton February sale. Carrying this Constitution colt, she RNA'd for $170,000 at the 2023 Keeneland January sale. Her War Front colt sold for $210,000 at Fasig-Tipton the next month.

“He is probably going to be a late bloomer–he's a late May foal–so I thought he had good angles and proportional,” Sikura said of the yearling's appeal. “I think he can develop into something big, strong and attractive.”

Asked if this was the highest-priced ticket he has signed, the 22-year-old Sikura, son of Hill 'n' Dale's John Sikura, said, “In the U.S., yes.”

Wade Strikes for Justify Filly

David Wade, still in an ebullient mood after adding Endorsed to the roster at Northview Stallion Station, restocked for a return trip to the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale later this year when purchasing a filly by Justify (hip 224) for $290,000 at Newtown Paddocks Monday.

“She will go to the Saratoga sale,” Wade said of the short yearling. “We've been pinhooking some horses there for the last couple of years. She'll be another one that we will take there.”

Consigned by Padraig Campion's Blandford Stud, the bay filly was bred by Paget Bloodstock. She is out of the unraced mare Shannon Faith (Discreet Cat) and her third dam is Felicita (Rubiano), who produced Take Charge Lady. Take Charge Lady is the dam of Will Take Charge, Take Charge Indy and As Time Goes By.

Shannon Faith was purchased by Shannon Bloodstock for $27,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton February sale.

Speaking of fillies by red hot Justify, Wade said, “They are nice, robust horses and most of them are pretty correct. And they've got bone. This one looks like an athlete. She is a nice walker and an attractive type horse that we think is going to develop very well by August.”

At last year's Saratoga sale, Northview Stallion Station sold a colt by Good Magic (hip 150), purchased for $225,000 at Keeneland January, for $350,000, and a colt by Gun Runner (hip 220), purchased for $400,000 at Keeneland January, for $650,000.

Asked for his impression of the foal/short yearling market this year, Wade said, “At that end of the market, it is always competitive. I know people like to make comments about how the market is this year as opposed to last year, but it's always competitive when you are trying to buy a good horse. Everybody is here for the same ones.”

A Date for Mage

Mage (Good Magic) took co-owner and bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo on the ride of a lifetime when he won the GI Kentucky Derby last May. Restrepo was in action at Fasig-Tipton Monday purchasing mares for Jose Aguirre's JR Ranch to support the stallion who begins his stud career this month at Airdrie Stud. Restrepo signed the ticket at $290,000 to acquire multiple stakes winner and multiple graded placed R Adios Jersey (Adios Charlie) (hip 191) from the Gainesway consignment.

“We were looking for speed, so we got R Adios Jersey for him,” Restrepo said. “She ran some really impressive figures. She was running at our home track at Gulfstream, so we had an up close and personal look at her. She is a beautiful filly with really nice conformation. So we are over the moon and really happy to get her.”

Bred by Ocala Stud and Michael O'Farrell, Jr., R Adios Jersey is out of Marion Theatre (Montbrook) and sold for $12,000 at the 2020 OBS March sale.

She was a four-time stakes winner against fellow Florida-breds and last year was third in the GIII Hurricane Bertie S. and GIII Princess Rooney S. On the board in 12 of 15 starts, she won seven times and earned $393,245.

Earlier in Monday's session of the winter sale, JR Ranch acquired multiple stakes winner Luna Belle (Great Notion) (hip 119) for $100,000 from Bill Reightler's consignment.

“Size and speed,” Restrepo said of what he looks for in potential dates for Mage. “Fillies that were able to win at a black-type level. I've always thought that, with the mares, you look for speed, and the stallion will give them the class that they need to take them over the top. Mage was a horse that naturally was an exceptional seven furlong to a miler and [trainer] Gustavo [Delgado] got him to go the 1 1/4 miles. But he was a horse with a lot of heart and a lot of fight. These mares show those similar qualities. If those two things can come together, we'll have some nice pieces.”

Of JR Ranch, Restrepo said, “They have bought a couple of properties in Ocala and we've bought horses in Goffs and Arqana this summer with them in partnership. They are new to the game and very, very excited. We have some 2-year-olds running, a 3-year-old we bought at the Royal Ascot sale. So they are game and love the business.”

At last year's Goffs London Sale, JR Ranch purchased Ocean Vision (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) (hip 25) for ₤250,000, while at Arqana last August, Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock acquired a yearling by Siyouni (hip 279) for €700,000 on behalf of Aguirre.

“They are racing, breeding, a little pinhooking, racing internationally,” Restrepo said of JR Ranch. “A little bit of everything.”

Good Magic Colt Destined for Resale

Marshall Taylor acquired a colt by Good Magic (hip 141) for $270,000 on behalf of his Castleton Way/Hard Five pinhooking partnership Monday at Fasig-Tipton. The Pennsylvania-bred short yearling, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, was bred by Uptowncharlybrown Stud.

“He is a beautiful colt with a lot of size and stretch to him for his sire,” Taylor said as several would-be buyers peered in to see who had acquired the popular colt. “He has a really nice walk on him. We are excited to have him. We plan on taking him back in a summer sale this year.”

Out of the unraced Moonlight Serenade (Malibu Moon), the colt is a half-brother to Dixie Serenade (Uptowncharlybrown), winner of the 2018 GIII Victory Ride S. The mare's 2-year-old Not the First Time (Not This Time) RNA'd for $90,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“We have a little bit of information on the 2-year-old, the Not This Time filly,” Taylor said. “I know she's training really well. So that gave me a little confidence right there that we might have an update.”

Of the foal market last November and into the short yearling market this year, Taylor said, “I feel like this year, you've had to stretch more than in past years. I feel like it's been tough. November was really hard and it carried right over into January and now into February.”

The post ‘Encouraging Start’ as $500k Home Cooking Tops Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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