Thoroughbred Daily News

Three directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) have resigned from their positions in protest of the board's co-signature on a proposal to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) that would concretize racing operations in South California at the expense, they say, of a potential viable racing circuit in the North.

The former directors also claim the proposal was submitted without their prior knowledge.

“On January 5th a letter from the TOC and the Southern California racetrack operators was sent to the CHRB requesting the allocation of race dates for late 2024 and 2025. Of course, these race date allocations would pre-empt the opportunity for a racing circuit in the North. The key point here is that this letter was written without our knowledge and despite the fact that the entire board met two days prior,” write Lindsay LaRoche, Johnny Taboada and Ed Moger in a letter to the TOC dated Jan. 12.

“By no means are these the only times the interests of Northern California members have been ignored or subjugated by TOC leadership,” the letter adds. “It is clear to us that the current leadership is not being transparent and not working to represent the entire state of California.”

The resignations come at a fraught time for the California racing industry as it attempts to piece together a revised racing framework in the wake of Golden Gate's impending closure in June and amid declining economic benchmarks.

With the clock ticking, complicating matters is how the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) has yet to publicly submit a proposal as to a potential Northern racing circuit beyond its annual fair dates. This year's fair schedule is currently set to close out with a fall fair meet at Fresno from Oct. 2 through the 13.

According to TOC president and CEO, Bill Nader, the board members were indeed informed during its meeting earlier this month that the organization would be submitting a letter to the CHRB ahead of its Thursday board meeting, outlining plans for consolidated racing operations in the South as a contingency “in the event the North does not put forward a viable plan that gains CHRB approval.”

“As far as the details in the packet, I wanted that included for transparency so that everyone had a chance to look at it before the meeting commenced–it's a lot to take in on the spot,” said Nader.

In a joint submission to the CHRB, the TOC, Los Alamitos chairman and CEO Ed Allred, I/ST Racing and Gaming CEO Aidan Butler, and Del Mar president and COO Josh Rubinstein ask the regulator to allocate race dates for the last 14 weeks of 2024 and for 2025 with operations concentrated in the South–beyond the Northern fair meets–citing the tough economics of currently maintaining twin North-South racing circuits.

The submission outlines a set of proposals, including a possible legislative change to permit Los Alamitos to card night Thoroughbred races beyond 4 1/2 furlongs for $5,000 claimers and below, and $8,000 maiden claimers.

Los Alamitos vice president Jack Liebau recently told the TDN that a legislative fix to go into immediate effect–as opposed to the start of January 2025, like most bills passed this year–needs an “urgency clause” requiring a two-thirds vote by the legislature.

Nader said that no decision will be made during this Thursday's CHRB meeting about race-date allocations.

“I personally do not see this discussion on the 18th being contentious,” said Nader, about the upcoming CHRB meeting. “I think it's just stating the facts and opening eyes to where we've been in the last 20 years, where we are now, and where we're going. No decisions will be made–it's only background.”

Nader also said that at the behest of the TOC, track management at Del Mar, Santa Anita and Los Alamitos had pushed back the deadline for the allocation of race-dates–from what would have required an “emergency” CHRB meeting in February to the regular CHRB meeting in March.

“At our board meeting [earlier in January], all three tracks had the opportunity to be present and speak at the beginning of the meeting. We did speak to them and we did get them to relax their position, to say that they were willing to wait until the 21st of March, at the March CHRB meeting,” said Nader, who added that CARF executive director, Larry Swartzlander, declined an offer to attend the TOC meeting.

“So, we were being responsive and respectful to the North,” Nader said. “It's been six months, we still haven't seen a plan [from CARF]. There are people all through the state getting very anxious.”

In their resignation letter, the three former TOC directors also claim TOC leadership “does not represent the interests of Northern California owners,” highlighting the recently announced 25% cut in purses at Golden Gate Fields–a result of a $3-million deficit in the track's purse account.

“Recently, the Northern California Racing Committee unanimously voted to oppose the purse agreement proposal from 1/ST Racing for the final Golden Gate Fields race meets,” the letter states.

“The result of this vote was not deemed important enough by TOC leadership to effect the TOC's approval of the cuts or even to be presented to the TOC Board as a whole for a vote,” the letter adds.

“There are emails and board minutes that would suggest otherwise,” said Nader, when asked about these claims. He added in a follow-up text that the TOC “did discuss the GGF purse cuts” at the January Board Meeting.

“It's a struggle, North and South. It's just a difficult time,” Nader added. “I'm not being critical of anyone. It's just the environment we're in right now. Everybody's just a little teed up–it's unfortunate.”

Efforts to consolidate racing operations in the South were given a major fillip in September of last year, when California lawmakers passed legislation that means if Golden Gate Fields is not licensed to operate beyond July 1 this year, proceeds from simulcast wagering in the north are funnelled south when there is no live racing in the northern half of the state after that date.

Moger did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.

The post Moger, LaRoche, and Taboada Resign from TOC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Three directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) have resigned from their positions in protest of the board's co-signature on a proposal to the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) that would concretize racing operations in South California at the expense, they say, of a potential viable racing circuit in the North.

The former directors also claim the proposal was submitted without their prior knowledge.

“On January 5th a letter from the TOC and the Southern California racetrack operators was sent to the CHRB requesting the allocation of race dates for late 2024 and 2025. Of course, these race date allocations would pre-empt the opportunity for a racing circuit in the North. The key point here is that this letter was written without our knowledge and despite the fact that the entire board met two days prior,” write Lindsay LaRoche, Johnny Taboada and Ed Moger in a letter to the TOC dated Jan. 12.

“By no means are these the only times the interests of Northern California members have been ignored or subjugated by TOC leadership,” the letter adds. “It is clear to us that the current leadership is not being transparent and not working to represent the entire state of California.”

The resignations come at a fraught time for the California racing industry as it attempts to piece together a revised racing framework in the wake of Golden Gate's impending closure in June and amid declining economic benchmarks.

With the clock ticking, complicating matters is how the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) has yet to publicly submit a proposal as to a potential Northern racing circuit beyond its annual fair dates. This year's fair schedule is currently set to close out with a fall fair meet at Fresno from Oct. 2 through the 13.

According to TOC president and CEO, Bill Nader, the board members were indeed informed during its meeting earlier this month that the organization would be submitting a letter to the CHRB ahead of its Thursday board meeting, outlining plans for consolidated racing operations in the South as a contingency “in the event the North does not put forward a viable plan that gains CHRB approval.”

“As far as the details in the packet, I wanted that included for transparency so that everyone had a chance to look at it before the meeting commenced–it's a lot to take in on the spot,” said Nader.

In a joint submission to the CHRB, the TOC, Los Alamitos chairman and CEO Ed Allred, I/ST Racing and Gaming CEO Aidan Butler, and Del Mar president and COO Josh Rubinstein ask the regulator to allocate race dates for the last 14 weeks of 2024 and for 2025 with operations concentrated in the South–beyond the Northern fair meets–citing the tough economics of currently maintaining twin North-South racing circuits.

The submission outlines a set of proposals, including a possible legislative change to permit Los Alamitos to card night Thoroughbred races beyond 4 1/2 furlongs for $5,000 claimers and below, and $8,000 maiden claimers.

Los Alamitos vice president Jack Liebau recently told the TDN that a legislative fix to go into immediate effect–as opposed to the start of January 2025, like most bills passed this year–needs an “urgency clause” requiring a two-thirds vote by the legislature.

Nader said that no decision will be made during this Thursday's CHRB meeting about race-date allocations.

“I personally do not see this discussion on the 18th being contentious,” said Nader, about the upcoming CHRB meeting. “I think it's just stating the facts and opening eyes to where we've been in the last 20 years, where we are now, and where we're going. No decisions will be made–it's only background.”

Nader also said that at the behest of the TOC, track management at Del Mar, Santa Anita and Los Alamitos had pushed back the deadline for the allocation of race-dates–from what would have required an “emergency” CHRB meeting in February to the regular CHRB meeting in March.

“At our board meeting [earlier in January], all three tracks had the opportunity to be present and speak at the beginning of the meeting. We did speak to them and we did get them to relax their position, to say that they were willing to wait until the 21st of March, at the March CHRB meeting,” said Nader, who added that CARF executive director, Larry Swartzlander, declined an offer to attend the TOC meeting.

“So, we were being responsive and respectful to the North,” Nader said. “It's been six months, we still haven't seen a plan [from CARF]. There are people all through the state getting very anxious.”

In their resignation letter, the three former TOC directors also claim TOC leadership “does not represent the interests of Northern California owners,” highlighting the recently announced 25% cut in purses at Golden Gate Fields–a result of a $3-million deficit in the track's purse account.

“Recently, the Northern California Racing Committee unanimously voted to oppose the purse agreement proposal from 1/ST Racing for the final Golden Gate Fields race meets,” the letter states.

“The result of this vote was not deemed important enough by TOC leadership to effect the TOC's approval of the cuts or even to be presented to the TOC Board as a whole for a vote,” the letter adds.

“There are emails and board minutes that would suggest otherwise,” said Nader, when asked about these claims. He added in a follow-up text that the TOC “did discuss the GGF purse cuts” at the January Board Meeting.

“It's a struggle, North and South. It's just a difficult time,” Nader added. “I'm not being critical of anyone. It's just the environment we're in right now. Everybody's just a little teed up–it's unfortunate.”

Efforts to consolidate racing operations in the South were given a major fillip in September of last year, when California lawmakers passed legislation that means if Golden Gate Fields is not licensed to operate beyond July 1 this year, proceeds from simulcast wagering in the north are funnelled south when there is no live racing in the northern half of the state after that date.

Moger did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.

The post Moger, LaRoche, and Taboada Resign from TOC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

WinStar Farm's Life Is Good (Into Mischief–Beach Walk, by Distorted Humor) was represented by his first foal when graded-stakes placed Shesa Mystery (Verazano) produced a filly Saturday night at Brookstone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The filly, whose dam finished second in the 2021 GIII Iowa Oaks, was bred by Wimberley Bloodstock and BWW Bloodstock. Wimberley Bloodstock acquired Shesa Mystery in foal to Life Is Good for $285,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale.

“She's a great first foal with quality, bone, and strength,” said Archie St. George of Brookstone Farm. “It's encouraging for both the sire and the dam.”

Brendan Jacobson of Wimberley Bloodstock added of the filly, “She is a very good first foal with lots of quality and plenty of bone. She has a great personality, is super friendly, and has a lot of strength. We couldn't be happier with the result. Both mom and baby are happy, healthy, and doing well.”

Life is Good, whose four Grade I victories include the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and 2022 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, bred 192 mares in his first season at stud in 2023. He stands at WinStar Farm for a fee of $85,000.

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

WinStar Farm's Life Is Good (Into Mischief–Beach Walk, by Distorted Humor) was represented by his first foal when graded-stakes placed Shesa Mystery (Verazano) produced a filly Saturday night at Brookstone Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The filly, whose dam finished second in the 2021 GIII Iowa Oaks, was bred by Wimberley Bloodstock and BWW Bloodstock. Wimberley Bloodstock acquired Shesa Mystery in foal to Life Is Good for $285,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale.

“She's a great first foal with quality, bone, and strength,” said Archie St. George of Brookstone Farm. “It's encouraging for both the sire and the dam.”

Brendan Jacobson of Wimberley Bloodstock added of the filly, “She is a very good first foal with lots of quality and plenty of bone. She has a great personality, is super friendly, and has a lot of strength. We couldn't be happier with the result. Both mom and baby are happy, healthy, and doing well.”

Life is Good, whose four Grade I victories include the 2021 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and 2022 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational, bred 192 mares in his first season at stud in 2023. He stands at WinStar Farm for a fee of $85,000.

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

6th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-14, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.68, ft, 1/2 length.
MYSTIFYING (f, 3, Curlin–Puzzling {SP, $127,312}, by Ghostzapper) debuted with Lasix and as a 7-1 shot here. The homebred hustled for the lead to the inside of a pair of competitors up the backstretch. Poking her head in front around the far turn, the filly continued to pour on the speed at the top of the lane and she gamely held off the favorite Bedazzle 'Em (American Pharoah) to graduate by half a length. “Jose [Ortiz] worked her out of the gate one day at Payson and she worked really well,” said trainer Shug McGaughey. “I thought she was tactical enough to run three-quarters, but she's going to want to run farther. He told me she just took him there on her own. He was like, 'If you want to go, we'll go.' I think she's got a good future in front of her.” Puzzling is responsible for a newly-turned juvenile colt by Street Sense, who was purchased for $500,000 by Centennial Farms at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The stakes-place mare was covered by Oscar Performance for this year. Mystifying's second dam–GISP Dancinginmydreams (Seeking the Gold)–is a full-sister to champion 3-year-old filly Heavenly Prize, in addition to GI Matron S. heroine Oh What A Windfall. Dancinginmydreams is also responsible for GI Manhattan H. scorer Dancing Forever (Rahy). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O/B-Phipps Stable (KY); T-Claude R. McGaughey III.

Shug McGaughey trained MYSTIFYING ($16.20) went up the pine, held off Bedazzle 'em, and seized victory in @GulfstreamPark race 6. @jose93_ortiz had the call to ride.

Jump on the Late Pick 4 on the @FDSportsbook: https://t.co/n8J7Nf7Wyh pic.twitter.com/SkN87AOX5I

— TVG (@TVG) January 14, 2024

The post Homebred Mystifying Holds On To Graduate At First Asking In Hallandale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

4th-Gulfstream, $70,000, Msw, 1-14, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:10.81, ft, 1 1/2 lengths.
ROSWELL (f, 3, Into Mischief–Acoma {GISW, $1,060,898}, by Empire Maker), receiving Lasix for this career debut, broke alertly and was shuffled back to the middle of the pack up the backstretch. Taking aim at the longshot pacemaker Far and Few (Omaha Beach) heading into the far turn, the 11-1 chance ranged up on the leader at the eighth pole while under an all-out drive and took control in the final jumps to get the win by 1 1/2 lengths.

“The filly's been working very nicely,” said trainer Bill Mott. “She's an aggressive type, but she really hasn't made any mistakes. She's put in some useful works and she's very athletic.”

Alongside her mother Helen Groves, who passed away in 2022, Helen Alexander bred and raced the winner's dam. A GISP/MGSP competitor whose signature win came in the GI Juddmonte Spinster S., Acoma hails from a deep female line which includes her dam SW Aurora (Danzig), who is out of champion 2-year-old filly Althea (Alydar). Aurora produced GISW Arch (Kris S.) in addition to Antics (Unbridled), the dam of dual Eclipse Award winner Covfefe (Into Mischief). Alexander bred Acoma to Nyquist, a colt foaled in 2022, and the mare visited Life Is Good last spring. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Helen C. Alexander; B-Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds (KY); T-William I. Mott.

Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) first time starter ROSWELL ($25.00) ran a professional stalking trip to take @GulfstreamPark race 4. A perfect trip by jockey @JuniorandKellyA for trainer Bill Mott.

It's time for the Pick 6 on the @FDSportsbook: https://t.co/oYmxMv5Lmg pic.twitter.com/CeaClvntEc

— TVG (@TVG) January 14, 2024

The post Well-Bred Roswell Lands Debut Win At Gulfstream Park On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Godolphin's First Mission (Street Sense) continued preparations for the Jan. 27 GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational with a bullet five-furlong work in 1:00.00 (1/51) at Fair Grounds Saturday.

“He's a great work horse,” trainer Brad Cox said Sunday. “He's continued to do the same here at the Fair Grounds in preparing for the Pegasus. He looked fantastic this morning. We actually took him to the track today [jogging a mile Sunday] because we're due some cold weather in the next few days and we may miss a day of training. But overall, super pleased with how he's moving and how he physically looks and how he is acting. I think he's set up for a big run to start his 4-year-old season.”

First Mission earned a spot in the GI Preakness S. last year with a win in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S., but missed the second leg of the Triple Crown due to injury. He returned with an allowance win at Keeneland in October and is coming off a narrowly beaten runner-up effort in the Nov. 24 GII Clark S.

The Cox-trained GI Pennsylvania Derby winner Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), another Pegasus invitee, also worked five furlongs at Fair Grounds Saturday, covering the distance in 1:00.20 (3/51). Owned by the Saudi-based FMQ Stables, the 4-year-old is entered in Saturday's GIII Louisiana S. as a prep for the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup in Riyadh, according to Cox.

Working for the Pegasus at Gulfstream Park Sunday, last year's GIII Smarty Jones S. winner Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) went five furlongs in 1:00.92 (5/11) with jockey Javier Castellano in the irons for trainer Antonio Sano.

“He went really good. I liked the way he did it today,” Castellano said. “He did it in good time and galloped out beautiful.”

Il Miracolo was third in the Pennsylvania Derby, a narrowly beaten second in the Oct. 28 GII Fayette S. and third in the Clark.

The post First Mission Fires Bullet for Pegasus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

White Abarrio (Race Day) worked a half-mile in :50.60 at Santa Anita Sunday morning as he continues to prepare for the Feb. 24 $20 million Saudi Cup.

“We were very happy with his breeze,” assistant trainer Chip Dutrow told 1/ST Racing's Zoe Cadman. “He makes it look easy. We know just by watching Emily (Ellingwood) with her smile after the breeze that she's very happy with him. That's our cue, and we got that today, so everybody's happy. There were some times when we were going up to the Breeders' Cup that we were having feet trouble and she wasn't happy but those times are over.”

The winner of the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic will make his first start in Saudi Arabia since his Classic win.

Ellingwood, a jockey on the Southern California circuit, has been serving as White Abarrio's regular exercise rider since last fall.

How important is she to the operation, Cadman asked?

“These two are a great team,” said Dutrow. “It's like 1 and 1A, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. They know each other so well. They're in love with each other. It's a great story.”

Ellingood also pronounced herself pleased with the work.

“It was great,” she said. “He went a half, out five, he galloped out really strong. I went to pull up to jog him off and workers came by and he tried to take off again. That's a good sign, and if I had let him, he would have gone around again.”

“It's been quite a journey,” she said of the partnership. “I had just been galloping, trying to work hard and get mounts as a jockey and this opportunity came up and I couldn't pass it up. I'm really grateful for the connections and Doug O'Neill for recommending me as a rider for this wonderful horse. He's honestly a great horse to get on in the morning. He pretty much just trains himself and takes me along for the ride. I always look forward to riding him in the morning.”

The post White Abarrio Works for Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

For the second time in four months, a reported sale of Turf Paradise has been called off.

The track's current owner, Jerry Simms, broke the news at Friday's Arizona Racing Commission (AZRC) meeting without disclosing details or being pressed by regulators to provide any additional information.

Preparations for a planned Jan. 29-May 4 race meet are still underway, though, according to testimony from track officials, commission employees, and representatives of the Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA).

The revelation that the deal was a no-go didn't seem to come as a shock to commissioners or stakeholders.

Specifics of the transaction had been shrouded in mystery and tinged with dysfunction since the outset.

At AZRC meetings in recent months, horsemen had expressed skepticism, frustration and even derision over whether Simms was working in good faith to make the sale. They had also alleged they were being kept out of the loop on key details about the future of the state's lone remaining commercial Thoroughbred track.

Simms had repeatedly denied those accusations. But it's no secret that Simms and Arizona horsemen have had an acrimonious business relationship for the better part of two decades.

Perhaps what was most bizarre about the Jan. 12 no-sale disclosure was the non-reaction from almost everyone else.

No commissioners asked Simms to elaborate on the failed deal, and when AZHBPA representatives were given their turn at the microphone to comment, they chose not to utter anything about the called-off sale. Instead they waxed glowingly about how well work for the coming race meet was progressing under Simms's stewardship.

The dialogue unfolded like this:

Friday's meeting had progressed about 35 minutes without any mention of the proposed sale, which was unusual considering the deal had previously been a focal point of discussion.

Back on Dec. 5, the AZRC had conditionally approved the '24 meet for Turf Paradise, which was to be conducted by Simms as he attempted to close on a sale of the 213-acre property to an entity known as Turf Paradise Land Trust.

On Friday, Turf Paradise general manager Vincent Francia was winding up comments about the work being completed in preparation for the meet when commissioner Linda York interjected to ask about an update on the sale, which Francia had not mentioned.

“Mr. Simms would be the one to provide an update to the commission,” Francia deferred, claiming that he didn't know if Simms was remotely listening in to the meeting to be able to comment. He offered to pass along a message to Simms, though.

A few moments later, Simms chimed in, claiming phone difficulties had at first prevented him from speaking.

Simms then took a few minutes to rail about an old feud over off-track-betting (OTB) with the now-defunct Arizona Downs, during which AZRC chairman Chuck Coolidge stepped in, asking him to stick to the current topic.

Simms continued his rant for a bit longer, then switched subjects.

“Commissioner York, right now, regarding your question about a sale? Right now there is no sale under contract. There is no deal. The deal was there before. The people never put up their money, and it just didn't happen.”

No commissioners asked why, what transpired, or what the falling-through of the deal meant for the future of Turf Paradise.

Instead, after a pause of several seconds chairman Coolidge just moved on to the next agenda item like nothing significant had just occurred.

Soon after, J. Lloyd Yother, the president of the AZHBPA, declined an opportunity to offer any sort of report when called upon to speak.

Yother deferred his time at the microphone to Leroy Gessmann, the AZHBPA's executive director, who said the Turf Paradise projects “are going slow, but they are moving forward….The racetrack, in the nine years that I've been here, is the best condition it's ever been in. For the first time in nine years, it was done properly [and] I want to thank Turf Paradise for getting a safe racetrack.”

Only later, during the public commentary portion of the meeting, did anyone briefly address the fall-through of the sale.

“That track is really not for sale,” said Stephen Nolan, a frequent critic of both Simms and the AZRC. “It's an illusion. A delusion that [Simms] is trying to portray. He won. He got his OTBs. He collects that money. He puts nothing back into the industry. That's obvious [by the condition of the property]. We need [the commission] to be proactive.”

In recent years, disagreements between the Arizona racing community and Simms have roiled in the courts and at AZRC meetings. Prolonged fights over OTB privileges, simulcast signals, and how the horsemen's purse money can be used have all been topics of heated debate.

Turf Paradise ended its most recent season in May 2023 with a different buyer doing due diligence to purchase the property. At the time, Simms said he wanted to retire to spend more time with his grandchildren.

On Aug. 1, Simms announced Turf Paradise wouldn't be opening in November as scheduled for its traditional six-month meet.

On Sept. 18, the months-long purported sale with the first buyer was publicly declared dead.

Ten days later, Simms announced a new buyer had suddenly emerged.

The AZRC met on Sept. 28 and Oct. 12 without anyone from the new prospective buying group coming forward to speak.

But during the Nov. 9 meeting, Simms introduced a representative from Turf Paradise Land Trust while claiming the two parties were at the escrow stage of a deal. AZRC staffers indicated that a vetting process to license the new ownership group was underway, but noted that process could take months to complete.

Despite their stated misgivings about Simms and the sale, on Nov. 10 the AZHBPA board of directors voted to extend required interstate simulcasting permissions so Turf Paradise's 37 off-track betting parlors wouldn't go dark and could instead keep generating revenue for purses at the upcoming meet.

During the Dec. 5 AZRC meeting at which Turf Paradise was green-lighted for racing in '24, Simms said the sale had hit snags, but he did not elaborate on them or indicate the deal was in jeopardy.

Now fast-forward to the Jan. 12 meeting. During the tail end of the public commentary session, Simms asked for and was granted a second turn to speak.

But instead of clarifying aspects about the future of Turf Paradise, Simms only made the overall situation more cryptic by underscoring that he wanted to move on from running the racetrack.

“You know, when I get a permit to run a track for three years, it doesn't mean I have to run three years if I want to retire,” Simms said. “If a doctor gets a license to practice medicine for five years, and after three years he wants to retire, he doesn't have to practice the entire five years…

“I want this industry to flourish. But I want to retire. And I'm allowed to retire. I feel badly for trainers that need a place to run. But at a certain age, I want to retire,” Simms said.

The post Trouble In (Turf) Paradise: Sale Again Called Off, ’24 Meet Still Planned appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Registration for February's Aftercare Industry Month (AIM) virtual conference is open and all with a professional interest in Thoroughbred aftercare are invited to partake, announced officials at the Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) via press release Friday.

Presented by the Thoroughbred Education and Research Foundation (TERF), the teleconference will offer four webinars providing an interactive experience for participants to explore a variety of topics pertaining to non-profits and business entities. Options to register for the entire conference or individual sessions a la carte will be offered on the sign-up page. An all-access conference pass is $10 while individual passes will be $5 per session.

“We're grateful to TERF for supporting our vision of building on the original Aftercare Summit concept, allowing us to tackle topics in greater depth and deliver sessions in a way that increases accessibility for anyone wanting to participate,” said Kirsten Green, RRP executive director.

“The aftercare industry in North America has grown into a diverse community of entities that contribute to a Thoroughbred's transition in a variety of ways. The RRP is unique in that we interface with everyone within that community, and we're striving to foster collaboration and networking which will only increase the impact of the community as a whole.”

A full description of all seminars is available on the RRP website.

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Early nominations for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds to become eligible to compete in the 2024 Triple Crown are now open and suspended trainers have until Jan. 29 to move their horses, Churchill Downs said in a release Friday afternoon.

The early nomination phase will close Monday, Jan. 29 with the $600 payment only available to be made online. Horses not nominated by Jan. 29 can still enter with a $6,000 payment due Monday, Apr. 1. Last year's early Triple Crown nominations attracted 369 horses and 13 late nominees.

Horses under the care of any trainer suspended from competing in the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby or the 2024 GI Kentucky Oaks (as applicable) must be transferred to a non-suspended trainer by Jan. 29 to become eligible for the applicable race.

Horses under the care of a suspended trainer will become eligible to earn qualifying points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby or Road to the Kentucky Oaks on a forward-looking basis after the transfer is complete so long as it is by the deadline.

The post Early Noms For Triple Crown Open; Horses Under Suspended Trainers Must Be Transferred By Jan. 29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's Executive Committee has approved changes regarding the institution's Historic Review committee process based on feedback received from the chair and members, the institution said in a Friday release.

Beginning this year, the Historic Review Committee will start an annual rotation to examine a specific era of American racing history. Only candidates from within the designated era will be considered for Hall of Fame induction during that year's review process.

Previously, the Historic Review Committee met three out of every four years and considered all candidates from throughout history dating back to the colonial days as a collective exercise (as long as they have been out of competition more than 25 years).

In 2024, the Historic Review Committee will consider only pre-1900 horses, jockeys, and trainers. In 2025, the Committee will review candidates from the era of 1900 through 1959. In 2026, it will examine the years of 1960 through 2000. The process will cycle back to pre-1900 candidates in 2027. All qualified candidates active within the past 25 years are eligible to be considered through the separate annual contemporary nomination and election process.

The Historic Review Committee can select a maximum of three Hall of Fame inductees per year–any combination of horses, jockeys, and trainers–and requires each of those choices to receive 75 percent approval from the committee for election.

“I believe these changes will make for a more effective evaluation process for historic candidates being considered for the Hall of Fame,” said Brien Bouyea, the Museum's Hall of Fame and Communications Director. “Evaluating the achievements of a horse or human from before 1900 alongside one from perhaps a century later is an apples vs. oranges exercise that we wanted to improve upon.”

Chaired by author and racing historian Michael Veitch, the Pre-1900 Historic Review Committee will also include Edward L. Bowen, Ken Grayson, Jennifer Kelly, Dorothy Ours, Josh Pons, Mary Simon and Gary West.

The 2024 Hall of Fame class, which will also include the contemporary electees and selections made by the Pillars of the Turf Committee, will be announced in late April.

The post National Museum Of Racing Updates Hall Of Fame Historic Review Committee Process appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Acknowledging that there are differences of opinion about specifics of the “Pimlico Plus” plan that envisions a publicly funded future of racing at a state-owned, modernized track in Baltimore, the construction of a new training facility elsewhere, and a non-profit operator taking over day-to-day racing, the leaders of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) on Thursday asked stakeholders not to let quibbling over details derail the larger goal of getting the ambitious plan approved by the legislature so that horsemen can control their own destiny.

“There are a lot of skeptics,” said Alan Foreman, who is the general counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and is also that group's representative on the MTROA. “Some of the critics have already come out very quickly without letting us continue to do our work. My own personal perspective is the status quo in racing is simply not going to survive going forward. We have a once-in-lifetime opportunity here. This will not present itself again. And we can't let the perfect get in the way of the good.”

The MTROA's vision for the $400-million makeover, which was made public in a Jan. 5 report, has a number of key components coming into alignment right now, Foreman said.

There is support from the Maryland governor, the speaker of the House, and the president of the Senate, Foreman said.

In addition, The Stronach Group (AKA 1/ST Racing and Gaming), which owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, has agreed in principle to an exit strategy that would turn over ownership of Pimlico to the state and cede control of daily Thoroughbred racing operations to an entity that would function similarly to the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

In exchange, The Stronach Group would be allowed to eventually sell or redevelop Laurel while retaining rights for Maryland's two signature races, the Preakness S. and the Black-Eyed Susan S. Those rights would then be leased back to the new operating entity.

Despite the momentum the project seemingly has going for it, Gregory Cross, the MTROA's chair, warned that getting Pimlico Plus signed into law is far from a slam-dunk.

“It's an extremely, extremely difficult budget year,” Cross said. “We're lucky to be preserving what we have [and] fitting it [into] what has been allocated-very lucky.”

Foreman agreed: “We're really threading the needle here, folks.”

Added Cross, “While we have been given some support, it's far from an assurance of passage, so we've got a lot of work to do.”

That work, Foreman, said, includes not just the passage of legislation, but acquiring and beginning development on a training center, engaging a design consultant to flesh out the reimagined Pimlico beyond the broad concept that is currently on paper, signing off on negotiations with The Stronach Group, and putting together the non-profit operating team.

The MTROA would like all of that done by Jan. 1, 2025.

“There are only two states in the country where there is any forward-thinking development going on,” Foreman said. “NYRA, which is rebuilding Belmont, and now it's going to be Maryland racing. We have a very unique opportunity to position Maryland racing for the future. Through this project, I think we guarantee at least a portion of our funding base with the General Assembly. [But if] we didn't do this, we wouldn't be protected going forward.”

The MTROA envisions between 140 and 160 racing dates per year at Pimlico.

Foreman said the alternative, based on a presentation The Stronach Group made to the MTHA, would nearly slice that number in half.

“The Stronach Group's vision of the future is a maximum of 80 live racing dates in Maryland,” Foreman said. “Two 40-day boutique meets, with a shift of [gaming] revenue from the horsemen and breeders to them, to make them profitable. Under the current scenario, they do not see a way in which they would invest any money into the Maryland tracks. So we would be essentially at the status quo if we don't do any of this.”

Foreman continued: “Can you sustain live racing, and can you sustain a breeding industry, on 80 live racing days with vastly inflated purses, which is going to squeeze out the middle and the small horsemen, and bring probably large, out-of-state outfits into the state of Maryland? Where [else] do we think we can do something where we can control our own destiny and make this work?”

Foreman said he “firmly believes” Pimlico Plus is feasible. He further noted that the MTHA currently pays “$11-plus million” in subsidies to the Stronach Group just to conduct basic operations that keep the sport running at Laurel (which has been besieged by main-track safety issues for years) and Pimlico (which is outdated and hosts racing only for brief meets in the spring and September).

Still, the horsemen in attendance for the Jan. 11 videoconference had no shortage of concerns. Chief among them was housing for stable workers.

Last week's report stated there would be no housing actually on the backstretch at Pimlico. It would be nearby, in a neighborhood widely considered to be dangerous.

The report also identified three top candidates for training centers (Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Mitchell Farm in Aberdeen, and the former Bowie Race Track in Bowie), but none of them would include dormitories for workers.

Trainer Ferris Allen put it this way: “I think the [MTROA] needs to understand that a lot of our employees are on foot or on bicycles. They don't drive. They work on H-2B visas and things like that. So on-site housing is a very essential part of running our business.”

As for Pimlico, Foreman said, “Working with the city, the plan is to incorporate backstretch housing into the community, contiguous to the racetrack. But that's all going to be part of a much more complete and dynamic redeveloped area, and not what you see in that area right now. It is a unique concept, one that we think will work, and one that will have to be fleshed out as we go forward.”

Regarding the training centers, Cross said, “At this time there's no money for that. It's a $25- to $30-miliion cost. And the zoning is very questionable as to whether it would be allowed.”

David Richardson, the executive director of the MTHA, who was moderating questions as they came in during the video conference, added that, “I will say I'm getting inundated with texts and comments about the need for backstretch housing at the training facility. If there's any feedback from horsemen, it's how crucial [the housing] component is.”

Foreman and Cross both indicated the MTROA would take into account the horsemen's concerns about housing going forward.

Other questions from horsemen included wanting to know specifics about the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan S. licensing deals, but the MTROA didn't disclose many specifics.

“I don't want to get into too many details on that, but essentially we would be paying an annual fee [in exchange for] full control over the Black-Eyed Susan, the Preakness, and we would have full control over all revenue streams,” Cross said. “They're going to donate Pimlico to this new operating authority. We're going to license the Preakness. That's the essence of the deal.”

Asked if there was any consideration given to pushing back the proposed construction by a few months so Pimlico could capitalize off the 150th running of the Preakness at Pimlico in 2025, Cross said that idea would be too costly in terms of money and time.

“At the end of the day, we decided to model after Belmont, which is closing for two years and then coming back. And that is going to allow us to complete the construction on a timely basis,” Cross said.

But even though the plan calls for Pimlico to reopen in 2027, no deadlines are etched in stone at this early stage of the project.

Foreman said that even if Pimlico wasn't completely renovated in time for a grand reopening in May 2027, he expected it would be “at least in [a] phase [of partial usage] that we would still be able to accommodate the Preakness.”

The post Differences Over ‘Pimlico Plus’ Project, Proponents Say ‘We can’t let perfect get in the way of good’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Acknowledging that there are differences of opinion about specifics of the “Pimlico Plus” plan that envisions a publicly funded future of racing at a state-owned, modernized track in Baltimore, the construction of a new training facility elsewhere, and a non-profit operator taking over day-to-day racing, the leaders of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) on Thursday asked stakeholders not to let quibbling over details derail the larger goal of getting the ambitious plan approved by the legislature so that horsemen can control their own destiny.

“There are a lot of skeptics,” said Alan Foreman, who is the general counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) and is also that group's representative on the MTROA. “Some of the critics have already come out very quickly without letting us continue to do our work. My own personal perspective is the status quo in racing is simply not going to survive going forward. We have a once-in-lifetime opportunity here. This will not present itself again. And we can't let the perfect get in the way of the good.”

The MTROA's vision for the $400-million makeover, which was made public in a Jan. 5 report, has a number of key components coming into alignment right now, Foreman said.

There is support from the Maryland governor, the speaker of the House, and the president of the Senate, Foreman said.

In addition, The Stronach Group (AKA 1/ST Racing and Gaming), which owns Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park, has agreed in principle to an exit strategy that would turn over ownership of Pimlico to the state and cede control of daily Thoroughbred racing operations to an entity that would function similarly to the New York Racing Association (NYRA).

In exchange, The Stronach Group would be allowed to eventually sell or redevelop Laurel while retaining rights for Maryland's two signature races, the Preakness S. and the Black-Eyed Susan S. Those rights would then be leased back to the new operating entity.

Despite the momentum the project seemingly has going for it, Gregory Cross, the MTROA's chair, warned that getting Pimlico Plus signed into law is far from a slam-dunk.

“It's an extremely, extremely difficult budget year,” Cross said. “We're lucky to be preserving what we have [and] fitting it [into] what has been allocated-very lucky.”

Foreman agreed: “We're really threading the needle here, folks.”

Added Cross, “While we have been given some support, it's far from an assurance of passage, so we've got a lot of work to do.”

That work, Foreman, said, includes not just the passage of legislation, but acquiring and beginning development on a training center, engaging a design consultant to flesh out the reimagined Pimlico beyond the broad concept that is currently on paper, signing off on negotiations with The Stronach Group, and putting together the non-profit operating team.

The MTROA would like all of that done by Jan. 1, 2025.

“There are only two states in the country where there is any forward-thinking development going on,” Foreman said. “NYRA, which is rebuilding Belmont, and now it's going to be Maryland racing. We have a very unique opportunity to position Maryland racing for the future. Through this project, I think we guarantee at least a portion of our funding base with the General Assembly. [But if] we didn't do this, we wouldn't be protected going forward.”

The MTROA envisions between 140 and 160 racing dates per year at Pimlico.

Foreman said the alternative, based on a presentation The Stronach Group made to the MTHA, would nearly slice that number in half.

“The Stronach Group's vision of the future is a maximum of 80 live racing dates in Maryland,” Foreman said. “Two 40-day boutique meets, with a shift of [gaming] revenue from the horsemen and breeders to them, to make them profitable. Under the current scenario, they do not see a way in which they would invest any money into the Maryland tracks. So we would be essentially at the status quo if we don't do any of this.”

Foreman continued: “Can you sustain live racing, and can you sustain a breeding industry, on 80 live racing days with vastly inflated purses, which is going to squeeze out the middle and the small horsemen, and bring probably large, out-of-state outfits into the state of Maryland? Where [else] do we think we can do something where we can control our own destiny and make this work?”

Foreman said he “firmly believes” Pimlico Plus is feasible. He further noted that the MTHA currently pays “$11-plus million” in subsidies to the Stronach Group just to conduct basic operations that keep the sport running at Laurel (which has been besieged by main-track safety issues for years) and Pimlico (which is outdated and hosts racing only for brief meets in the spring and September).

Still, the horsemen in attendance for the Jan. 11 videoconference had no shortage of concerns. Chief among them was housing for stable workers.

Last week's report stated there would be no housing actually on the backstretch at Pimlico. It would be nearby, in a neighborhood widely considered to be dangerous.

The report also identified three top candidates for training centers (Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, Mitchell Farm in Aberdeen, and the former Bowie Race Track in Bowie), but none of them would include dormitories for workers.

Trainer Ferris Allen put it this way: “I think the [MTROA] needs to understand that a lot of our employees are on foot or on bicycles. They don't drive. They work on H-2B visas and things like that. So on-site housing is a very essential part of running our business.”

As for Pimlico, Foreman said, “Working with the city, the plan is to incorporate backstretch housing into the community, contiguous to the racetrack. But that's all going to be part of a much more complete and dynamic redeveloped area, and not what you see in that area right now. It is a unique concept, one that we think will work, and one that will have to be fleshed out as we go forward.”

Regarding the training centers, Cross said, “At this time there's no money for that. It's a $25- to $30-miliion cost. And the zoning is very questionable as to whether it would be allowed.”

David Richardson, the executive director of the MTHA, who was moderating questions as they came in during the video conference, added that, “I will say I'm getting inundated with texts and comments about the need for backstretch housing at the training facility. If there's any feedback from horsemen, it's how crucial [the housing] component is.”

Foreman and Cross both indicated the MTROA would take into account the horsemen's concerns about housing going forward.

Other questions from horsemen included wanting to know specifics about the Preakness and Black-Eyed Susan S. licensing deals, but the MTROA didn't disclose many specifics.

“I don't want to get into too many details on that, but essentially we would be paying an annual fee [in exchange for] full control over the Black-Eyed Susan, the Preakness, and we would have full control over all revenue streams,” Cross said. “They're going to donate Pimlico to this new operating authority. We're going to license the Preakness. That's the essence of the deal.”

Asked if there was any consideration given to pushing back the proposed construction by a few months so Pimlico could capitalize off the 150th running of the Preakness at Pimlico in 2025, Cross said that idea would be too costly in terms of money and time.

“At the end of the day, we decided to model after Belmont, which is closing for two years and then coming back. And that is going to allow us to complete the construction on a timely basis,” Cross said.

But even though the plan calls for Pimlico to reopen in 2027, no deadlines are etched in stone at this early stage of the project.

Foreman said that even if Pimlico wasn't completely renovated in time for a grand reopening in May 2027, he expected it would be “at least in [a] phase [of partial usage] that we would still be able to accommodate the Preakness.”

The post Differences Over ‘Pimlico Plus’ Project, Proponents Say ‘We can’t let perfect get in the way of good’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Early Voting (Gun Runner), who got 120 mares in foal during his first season at stud last season before a rare condition led to his being removed from stud duties on the advice of veterinary experts, has been cured and will continue his stud career at Taylor Made Stallions in 2024. He covered his first book of mares in 2023 at Ashford Stud.

Winner of the 2022 GI Preakness S. for Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown, Early Voting retired with three wins from six starts and earnings in excess of $1.3 million. Though he successfully stopped his mares and though his sperm were fertile, he was later found to be unable to continue his career and was subsequently diagnosed with Anejaculatory Syndrome, an inability to ejaculate.

According to a release, a member of the Early Voting management team was acquainted with the work of a New Zealand-based veterinarian and scientist named Dr. Padraig (Paddy) O'Casiagh, who had treated males of the rarest species of birds in New Zealand–the Kakapo–for precisely the same condition. O'Casiagh had developed his diagnostic and treatment protocols along with Professor Sir Graham ('Mont') Collingwood Liggins FRS, a pioneer in the research of human fetal development and birth. O'Casaigh and Liggins together formed the Mont Liggins Trust to further fertility research.

“Early Voting has a very rare condition that is difficult to diagnose and treat,” said Dr. O'Casiagh. “Because of the work of the Mont Liggins Trust with the Kakapo and Tuatara (a native New Zealand reptile that is the closest living relative to the dinosaur), we have developed a very unique diagnostic suite for this exact scenario. I feel very fortunate to be involved and have had the assistance of our many international colleagues. It is such a credit to all the interested parties who have gone literally to the end of the earth for Early Voting's welfare.”

Added Taylor Made's Duncan Taylor: “We were contacted by Dr. O'Casiagh to stand Early Voting and we are very happy to have the opportunity.”

This story will be updated

The post Early Voting To Stand At Taylor Made Stallions For 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm

LEXINGTON, KY – The Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale continued into its second half Wednesday in Lexington with a session which, while significantly smaller, produced results largely in line with its 2023 counterpart.

For the session, 196 horses sold for a gross of $4,352,900. The average of $22,209 was down 2.54% from last year's corresponding session, while the median of $10,000 was up 25%. From 316 catalogued horses, 242 horses were offered and 46 failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 19.01%.

During the third session of the 2023 auction, 246 horses sold for $5,605,700. The session average was $22,787 and the median was $8,000. The buy-back rate was 17.45%.

Marvelous Time (Distorted Humor), who sold just minutes into Wednesday's session, brought the day's top price when selling for $220,000 to Centofanti Thoroughbreds, as agent for Brittlyn Stables.

The session topper was one of 17 sold for $1,103,000 during what has become an annual offering of mares from Godolphin, making Sheikh Mohammed's operation the day's leading consignor.

A filly from the first crop of Yaupon brought the top price for a short yearling Wednesday when selling for $150,000 to Crestwood Farm.

Through three of four sessions, 626 horses have grossed $35,949,600 and the average of $57,427 is just 0.79% off the 2023 figure. The median of $22,000 is down 18.52%.

“I'm more than happy with the market,” said Hunter Valley's Adrian Regan. “I think there was a bit of doom and gloom from some people coming in that it was going to be tough going, but in fairness, it was pretty good. If you had the right foal and it vetted clean and everything, you got a lot of money for it. They sold very well. Overall, it was better than expected, I would say.”

A horse awaits a turn in the ring | Keeneland

Consignors agreed quality offerings continued to be in demand at Keeneland this week.

“Horses with quality are still fairly easy to sell,” said Brian Graves of Gainesway, which consigned the $1.6-million sale-topping Prank (Into Mischief) during Monday's first session of the auction. “And then anything that even hints at not being every bit of that is correcting. Anything that is not 100% quality or top shelf, it looks like it's correcting.”

Graves said he has also observed less activity than normal in the back ring.

“It seems like there is not a lot of back ring participants, so if you didn't have it done at the barn, you weren't going to get any help,” he said. “There weren't a ton of people standing around here just buying horses out of the back ring for anything significant.”

On the other side of the ledger, Graves has been active as a buyer in the pinhooking sphere where he admitted he was vying for that very quality, while also casting a wary eye on potential market conditions next fall.

“We focus on quality [when we buy],” Graves said. “That's what we focus on. It's a battle to get your hands on that and once you've gotten your hands on that, you have to worry a little bit wondering if these other signs that we are seeing are a hint of what is coming down the road.”

Meg Levy, whose Bluewater Sales sold the $650,000 Kaling (Practical Joke) Monday, said demand for quality lots significantly helped to drive up prices for those offerings.

“I feel like quality will out,” Levy said. “The buyers are willing to pay more for the perceived commercial quality, particularly in the yearlings, I have noticed. We had Kaling sell very well here, which we were pleased about. But it just seems like everybody is willing to pay up to a third more for what they perceive to be the right stuff. And the middle market is still suffering. It's very difficult.”

Levy speculated that some of the weakening in the foal market might be traced back to the vet reports.

“There is kind of a gap selling some of these yearlings where we are using the vet reports as a marketing tool to help the buyers,” she said. “But honestly, so many of them don't understand reports and they don't use a veterinarian, so that ends up hurting things.”

The Keeneland January sale concludes Thursday with a session beginning at 10 a.m.

The Keeneland January sale got its third seven-figure horse when Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa's John Sikura and Determined Stud's Matt Dorman partnered up to purchase Star Act (Street Cry {Ire}) (hip 144) for $1.2 million. The 13-year-old mare, dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Just F Y I (Justify), was originally led out unsold at $950,000 during the auction's first session Monday.

Star Act | Keeneland

“She is a class mare,” Dorman said Wednesday. “She's a Grade I producer. She has a phenomenal horse who is three-for-three and primed for next year. John Sikura has always been a great business partner. It just worked out as a good opportunity.”

Dorman said the mare, who is in foal to Life Is Good and was consigned by Hill 'n' Dale on behalf of George Krikorian, was on his radar Monday, but after Prank (Into Mischief) sold for $1.6 million earlier in the session, he assumed Star Act would be out of his price range.

“When I saw the horse go for $1.6 million, I thought she would be too much,” Dorman said. “I work with David Ingordo now. So Dave and I had a long conversation about the broodmare band and what we are doing. And after [Star Act] RNA'd, we decided that the horse made sense at this number. So we reached out to John and Donato [Lanni]. And we called back and forth and it evolved into John and I buying the horse. Donato and the owner have a long-standing relationship with John and respect John, so it worked out well.” @JessMartiniTDN

Bloodstock agent Raffaele Centofanti made the trip up from Ocala to find a specific mare for Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable and, mission accomplished, he was heading back south having purchased Marvelous Time (Distorted Humor) (hip 845) for $220,000 early in Wednesday's third session of the Keeneland January sale. Bred and consigned by Godolphin, the 4-year-old is a daughter of Grade I-placed Folk (Quiet American).

“We were looking for that Quiet American line,” Centofanti said of the mare's appeal. “They are hard to find. You can't find them usually that young–she's only four. It's such a great female line. To get her that young and with that broodmare sire, she checked all the boxes basically. She had everything physically, as well. She is 16.2, with a classy look and a great walk. She looks like a Distorted Humor, but she had the size. She had everything I liked physically.”

Marvelous Time | Keeneland

Marvelous Time made just one racetrack appearance, winning her debut at Presque Isle Downs in 2022 for trainer Mike Stidham. The bay mare is a half-sister to graded-placed Captivating Lass (A.P. Indy), who produced Grade I winner Atone (Into Mischief). She sold Wednesday in foal to Mystic Guide.

“I probably appraised her at a little less than that, but when I came and saw her, I thought we needed around $200,000 to buy her,” Centofanti said. “I think she was worth that.”

Marvelous Time will remain in Kentucky to foal and then will head south to Brittlyn Stable's Louisiana base to visit either Star Guitar or Clearly Now.

“We are debating where we will go with her,” Centofanti said. “We are trying to bring some quality back to Star and Clearly Now. We've been doing it the last two years and we've got some nice babies coming up.”

Centofanti said the plan has been to upgrade the Brittlyn broodmare band as mares get older and are rotated out. The results are showing up on the race track and in the sales ring.

“We've been selling the last three years,” he said. “We sold a couple of Star Guitars for six figures at Keeneland that went on to win big races–one won in Dubai a couple of weeks ago out of Charged Cotton (Dehere). And we have a Not This Time we will sell in September and she is beautiful.”

The Brittlyn-bred Manama Gold (Star Guitar), a Louisiana-bred out of Charged Cotton, sold for $100,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale and resold for $200,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale. The filly broke her maiden stylishly at Meydan Dec. 22 for Fawzi Abdulla Nass.

“We've been rotating between Kentucky and Louisiana sires,” Centofanti said. “[Benoit] loves racing and she loves Louisiana. And this way we can continue and we've had success doing that. Our horses are running and doing well.”

Marvelous Time was the only horse Centofanti bid on at Keeneland and he was ready to head back south.

“I have to go to Ocala,” he said. “I have a bunch of horses for her that we are breaking. So I've got to get back there.” @JessMartiniTDN

Not long into the third session of the Keeneland January sale, Crestwood Farm and Robert Keck went to $150,000 for hip 926, a filly from the first crop of Yaupon.

“She had an amazing body, great bones and a standout pedigree for this session,” said Keck. “She'll be resold in September.”

Hip 926 | Keeneland

Spendthrift Farm's Yaupon has seen his yearlings sell well this week, all five sold going for over six figures, led by a $190,000 colt (hip 82) who sold Monday to Clarmont Bloodstock Club.

“Hopefully that sire is as hot as people are predicting,” Keck continued. “I knew that [Yaupons were selling well], but looked at her as an objective buyer. People don't pay enough attention sometimes to where a horse comes from and I liked that she was raised by Clarkland Farm, they raise a great horse.”

Bred and consigned by Clarkland Farm, the filly is a daughter of MSW Tiz Imaginary (Tizway), who was purchased by the farm for $180,000 out of the 2019 Keeneland November sale. This is the family of champion 2-year-old filly Flanders (Seeking the Gold) and her champion daughter Surfside (Seattle Slew). @SGrimmTDN

The post Keeneland January Sale Stays Steady on Day Three appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

From Nov. 28 through Dec. 31, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance collected over $200,000 in donations from its 2023 Holiday Giving Campaign to raise funds to support thousands of Thoroughbreds at 86 TAA-accredited organizations, the non-profit said in a release Wednesday.

The Holiday Giving Campaign highlighted a different match sponsor each day, offering single-day sponsorships ranging from $500 to $10,000. 2023 Match Sponsors included: Mike Rogers, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Yvonne Schwabe, National HBPA, Denali Stud, Siena Farm, Donna Barton Brothers, Jack Damico, West Point Thoroughbreds, Rick Schosberg, Simon Bray, Dan & Denny Piazza and Matt & Amy Webber, Ramiro Restrepo, Dr. Bonnie Comerford, Three Diamonds Farm, Kurtis Coady & Megan Devine, Donato Lanni, Chad Brown, Springhouse Farm, Bloom Racing Stable, StarLadies Racing, The Honorable Earle I. Mack, Jen Roytz & Dr. Stuart Brown, St. Elias Stables, David Anderson, Matthew DeSantis, and Bob & Jill Baffert.

“Your support during our campaign has been truly incredible,” said TAA's Emily Dresen. “Thank you for joining us in championing the well-being of off-the-track Thoroughbreds. Your generosity is making a huge difference in their lives, and we are immensely grateful for your kindness and dedication.”

The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Thanks Supporters Of The Holiday Giving Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last seven days, the prohibition of intra-articular injections seven days prior to timed workouts continues to catch people out, with a further two trainers each issued $3,000 fines this past week for violations of this rule.

This brings the total rulings related to pre-workout intra-articular injection violations to 25 since HISA's anti-doping and medication control (ADMC) program went into effect last May.

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: 12/23/2023
Licensee: Thomas Morley, 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, missy Greer. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 10/30/2023
Licensee: Robert Fiesman, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Little Four, who was euthanized after breaking down in a race at Mahoning Valley on 10,30/23, according to Equibase. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/21/2023
Licensee: David Meridyth, trainer
Penalty: 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 written reprimand (per 9/26/23 HISA Guidance). Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Wild Firewater, who won at Zia Park on 11/21/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/06/2023
Licensee: Luis Mendez, trainer
Penalty: 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 $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Big Celebration, who finished third at Santa Anita on 10/6/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/08/2023
Licensee: Victor Barboza, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Long Range Toddy. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 09/13/2023
Licensee: Daniel Robles
Penalty: Provisional suspension
Alleged violation: Banned substance possession
Explainer: This is a possible violation of Rule 3214 (a)-Possession of a Banned Substance, Levothyroxine (Thyro-L).

Date: 12/12/2023
Licensee: Alfredo Velazquez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Lucky Flush, who finished ninth at Parx Racing on 12/12/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/21/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Clenbuterol-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Fast Heart. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 12/08/2023
Licensee: Bernard Dunham, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221-Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)-on Shanghai Superfly, who finished fourth at Penn National on 12/8/2023. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313-Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Date: 12/01/2023
Licensee: Jesus Romero, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Hang Tight, who won at Aqueduct on 12/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule
One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Santa Anita
Hector Berrios – violation date Jan 5; $414 fine, one-day suspension, one strike over the limit
Tyler Baze – violation date Jan 6; $250 fine, one-day suspension, one strike over the limit

The post Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Jan. 2-8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the North American International Cataloguing Standards Committee (NAICSC) will increase the minimum Race Quality Scores (RQS) for non-Listed black-type races in SITA catalogues due to the gradual growth in the ratio of those races to the total number of races run, the organization said via a release by The Jockey Club News Service.

The RQS is a composite number compiled by using speed figures for the first four finishers in each race over three years. Four speed figures are used to compile the RQS and are provided by Bloodstock Research Information Systems (BRIS), Daily Racing Form (Beyer), Equibase and Thoro-Graph.

The non-Listed black-type races are divided into six age/sex categories for the purpose of determining black type using the RQS. They are 2-year-old males, 2-year-old females, 3-year-old males, 3-year-old females, 3/up males, and 3/up females. Each age/sex category has a minimum RQS that must be achieved for a stakes race to be awarded the black type designation.

The current minimum and revised RQS for each age/sex category is listed below:

Age/Sex                           Min. RQS         Revised RQS (2025)
2-year-old males                 35.0                        36.8
2-year-old females             29.0                         30.5
3-year-old males                 54.0                        56.7
3-year-old females             45.3                         47.6
3/up males                           63.7                         66.9
3/up females                       55.8                         58.6

Click here for additional information.

The post Quality Control Requirements For North American Non-Listed Black-Type Races Will Increase In 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Roberts Communications Network, LLC (RCN) has acquired OGN Racing, LLC, and OGN Racing–Canada ULC, which will greatly expand the network's racing information kiosk business and bring innovation to the industry, the distributor said in a Wednesday release.

OGN Racing has more than 100 program printing kiosks deployed across the United States and Canada, which RCN intends to replace with its state-of-the-art newly designed kiosk featuring added functionality and enhancements.

“We see a great opportunity to significantly improve this aspect of the racing industry,” said RCN President & CEO Todd Roberts. “We intend to offer race and sports wagering information, including racing past performance information from Equibase and the Daily Racing Form, supplemented by video replays where requested.”

The flexible kiosk solutions that this acquisition allows RCN to offer will take the risk out of printing programs for the venue and enhance the flow of information to the consumer.

RCN intends to replace all current OGN equipment in the field with its newly designed kiosks as soon as possible. In addition, the network will make the digital display of all information available to those consumers preferring to view it on smartphones, tablets and PCs.

The post Roberts Communications Network Acquires OGN Racing Kiosk Business appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.