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Trainer Saldana Suspended Two Years, Fined $25k After Losing Banned Substance Arbitration Hearing

Fri, 2023-12-08 19:03

Reed Saldana, a Los Alamitos Race Course-based trainer who has been licensed since 2017, has been penalized with a two-year suspension and a $25,000 fine after a Dec. 6 Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitration judgment found him to be in violation of a banned substance rule. This resulted from a positive test for diisopropylamine in one of his trainees, Ice Queen (Cairo Prince), who finished third in a Santa Anita Park starter-allowance on June 16.

Saldana is also on the hook for $12,000 toward HIWU's share of the arbitration costs that resulted from his request for a hearing.

Arbitrator Jeffrey Benz further wrote in his ruling that the connections of the mare (owner 5th Street Stables) must forfeit the disqualified $4,560 in purse winnings.

Saldana, 41, who rode as a Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockey between 2007 and 2011 prior to his licensure as a trainer, did not engage an attorney for his hearing and could not be reached for comment prior to deadline for this story. It is unclear if he intends to appeal the arbitration result to a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) administrative law judge, which is the next option for covered persons who wish to contest HIWU arbitration results.

Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator listed as a banned substance by HIWU, which means it can never be found in a covered racehorse. It lacks Food and Drug Administration approval.

Among Saldana's arguments presented at his Nov. 1 hearing were 1) That there was no proof he gave diisopropylamine to Ice Queen; 2) Hand sanitizer containing the prohibited substance was allegedly found and used in the test barn; 3) That there was allegedly accidental contamination by the test barn personnel; 4) That there were issues with the chain of custody during the testing process, and 5) That diisopropylamine is not a vasodilator but is a “secondary amine.”

According to the arbitrator's ruling, Saldana also submitted the following statement for consideration:

“The evidence HIWU has presented is very lacking. NO integrity, NO security, NO proof that the urine sample actually was collected properly, stored correctly or even transported securely. This urine sample MUST be INADMISSIBLE and case needs to be dismissed, to continue to proceed is just a travesty,” Saldana stated.

“We are in a country where we are innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and the evidence shows no proof of guilt. HIWU has failed to demonstrate Burden of Proof in this matter. HIWU has claimed that Diisopropylamine is a vasodilator when in fact by scientific proof it is not, it is an amine. These false claims and misclassification by [the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act] of Diisopropylamine have cost me my livelihood, has caused stress, emotional, monetary and repetitional damage that I can't ever get back, to continue would just be [an] injustice,” Saldana stated.

After taking testimony from both parties, the arbitrator sided with HIWU's recommended penalties for a first-time anti-doping “presence” finding. Benz noted the key factors in his decision.

“Mr. Saldana argues that alleged errors made in collecting and analyzing Ice Queen's Sample should result in its disqualification,” Benz wrote. “His allegations are vague and unparticularized. The only specific alleged deficiency in the sample collection or custody for Ice Queen was that the Nominated Person was prevented from seeing the collection of Ice Queen's urine…

“HIWU could certainly do a better job of ensuring that the written chain of custody documentation is clearer and that the labs are required to uniformly handle chain of custody issues and documentation,” the arbitrator continued. “Having said that, Mr. Saldana's obligation was to show that the irregularities in the chain of custody that he claims were present had some effect on the outcome of the testing and he was unable to make that showing…

“With respect to his allegation that Mr. Saldana's Nominated Person was prevented from entering the testing barn to observe Ice Queen pass urine, there is no specific requirement in this regard,” Benz wrote.

“In addition, Mr. Saldana's argument that Diisopropylamine is not a vasodilator by virtue of being a secondary amine is false,” Benz wrote.

“As explained by [Dr. Lara Maxwell, a veterinarian and pharmacology professor who testified on behalf of HIWU], drugs such as Diisopropylamine can be classified both in terms of their chemical structure and their pharmacological or medicinal effects on the body.

Diisopropylamine is classified as a secondary amine due to its chemical structure. It is also considered a vasodilator due to its general pharmacological effect, i.e., causing blood vessels or open or dilate. There is nothing inconsistent about the simultaneous application of both categories, which address entirely different properties of Diisopropylamine,” Benz wrote.

“Lastly, and despite the irrelevance of a substance's effects on the Covered Horse to any argument on liability, as addressed by Dr. Maxwell, Diisopropylamine is known to have a performance-enhancing potential in horses due to its status as a vasodilator, which expands blood vessels and 'temporarily decreases the work of the heart.'

“Mr. Saldana also advanced a theory that hand sanitizer used by the [testing personnel] could have caused the positive result found in the Sample because hand sanitizers often contain the prohibited substance found here,” the arbitrator continued. “He adduced no evidence on this point, and HIWU's evidence to the contrary was compelling.”

“First, the evidence was unrefuted that the hand sanitizer used in the testing barn and all relevant areas for the Sample's journey to the refrigerator and the next day to the laboratory did not contain the Diisopropylamine,” Benz wrote.

“Second, the evidence was unrefuted that the [personnel] did not use hand sanitizer and instead used surgical gloves when collecting samples.”

“Third, HIWU's expert Dr. Maxwell testified, on an unrefuted basis, that the active ingredient in hand sanitizer is ethanol and had the horse been contaminated with hand sanitizer not only would it have required a large amount of hand sanitizer to yield the levels of Diisopropylamine found here but ethanol would also have been found in the sample and it was not found here.”

“Accordingly, the Arbitrator finds that hand sanitizer contamination was simply not possible here, and certainly not at all likely,” Benz wrote.

Saldana's career training record is 88 wins and $2.5 million in earnings from 656 starts. His last entrant was on July 1, and through the first half of 2023 Saldana posted a 7-10-9 record from 61 starters.

The Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings database maintained by The Jockey Club shows two prior drug-related entries for Saldana: A Class 4 phenylbutazone violation in a third-place horse that resulted in a $500 fine at Santa Anita in 2022, and a Class 3 clenbuterol positive that resulted in the disqualification of a winner (but no fine) in 2020 at Los Alamitos.

Saldana's suspension, unless overruled at the FTC level, will run through Aug. 5, 2025.

The post Trainer Saldana Suspended Two Years, Fined $25k After Losing Banned Substance Arbitration Hearing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Top Mid-Atlantic Trainer Farrior Faces Possible Suspension For Metformin

Fri, 2023-12-08 17:13

Trainer Anthony Farrior is facing a possible suspension after a horse he trained allegedly tested positive for the banned substance Metformin, according to a posting Friday on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit website.

His status is listed as “Pending: Provisional Suspension–Postponed.” Alexa Ravit, the director of communications & outreach for HIWU explained that the wording means, “that B Sample analysis has been requested following a positive A Sample result, so the implementation of the Provisional Suspension is postponed unless/until the B Sample comes back positive.”

Farrior will be allowed to train at least until the B sample is turned over to HIWU. If he is unable to beat the charges, he faces a suspension of up to two years and a fine of $25,000.

The infraction allegedly took place Nov. 5, 2023 at Laurel with the $10,000 claimer Geothermal (Gormley), who did not finish the race. According to the Equibase chart, Geothermal sustained an injury through the backstretch run, was pulled up entering the far turn and was vanned off. According to sources, the horse was euthanized, but the TDN has not been able to confirm that with its connections.

HIWU has penalized at least six trainers for Metformin positives, including Jonathan Wong, a top trainer on the Northern California circuit. In humans, Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes. Wong has said that he takes Metformin. The Federal Drug Administration has approved Metformin for use in humans but it is not officially approved for use in animals. Metformin has been used in horses to counteract the effects of equine metabolic syndrome, which is a disorder associated with inappropriate blood insulin levels and increased fat deposition.

Farrior's lawyer, Drew Mollica, said that to the best of his knowledge, Farrior does not take Metformin. However, he was adamant that in Farrior's case, the finding is a matter of environmental contamination.

“We are in the process of evaluating the evidence and intend to vigorously follow the evidence,” Mollica said. “We absolutely believe this is case of contamination. We are in the midst of fact finding and I think that it will be quite clear that Mr. Farrior is not liable for any wrongdoing. We are investigating any and all possibilities and eventualities. We firmly believe this is a case of contamination and when all the facts are in, it will be found that he was not liable or negligent on any manner.”

When asked what steps he would take if the B Sample came back positive, Mollica replied: “We'll cross that bridge when we get there. We ordered the B sample and are following the science. We believe that when we have all the science and the facts are in, we believe he will be exonerated.”

Farrior has been training since 2011 and has 837 wins from 3,708 starts. He is currently racing at Laurel, Charles Town and Mahoning Valley. He is leading the Charles Town standings with 134 wins on the year through Thursday. At Charles Town, he is winning with 25% of his starters.

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Q&A With Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales Director Leif Aaron

Fri, 2023-12-08 16:56

With the largest Fasig-Tipton online auction to-date underway–counting just over 300 diverse entries in its catalogue–their December Digital Sale is making this one to remember before it closes next Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. ET.

Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron took time out of his busy day to discuss with the TDN the numbers, the expectations, comparisons with the physical sales and a whole lot more, as the offerings unfold through the holiday weekend.

TDN: It seems like every digital sale you are announcing a record number of entries! The sheer size of the December catalogue must be a positive? What does that say about the digital climate?

Leif Aaron: Buyers and sellers are becoming increasingly comfortable with the platform. It takes time to change people's buying habits, and obviously, digital sales are very different from a live auction. Digital is being embraced by more and more owners who are conscious of costs, stress on horses and the narrow buying base at the end of marathon auctions.

TDN: The share you are offering in Flameaway (Scat Daddy), do you envisage more and more stallion shares being traded this way? Is this a growing trend? How did this opportunity develop?

Leif Aaron: I think it's actually a case of history repeating itself, many readers will remember the days when Fasig-Tipton did stallion access. In the early 2000's, Fasig-Tipton was selling seasons, shares and options online. We are happy to try things for sellers, but mainly it depends on the stallion, stud farm and the market. Just like the digital auction it must make sense for everyone involved.

I've been begging farms to save me a couple very desirable seasons to auction in February Digital. That way when they have to say 'no' to multiple breeders, they can always offer the option of 'you can buy the last one' in February online. That hasn't gained any traction as of yet and I really am puzzled as to why.

As far as how the Flameaway breeding right and share came about, Chance Timm contacted me and said I have a client with a share and a LBR in a leading first-crop sire, can we go on the website? Darby Dan was kind enough to oblige and here we are.

Leif Aaron | Fasig-Tipton

TDN: Did you expect to get so many broodmares, especially just after the physical sales? Digital sales run August, October etc., so the timing has to be right, correct?

Leif Aaron: We were confident we would have a lot of breeding stock. So far on the platform we have had most of our success with broodmares and racing stock. What was a surprise to us was the number of weanlings and yearlings that were entered for this sale.

We've had some success with young horses, so I think that part of the market is currently developing online. Time of year does have to make sense in general for certain types of horses–breeding stock etc.–to sell well, but racehorses can sell no matter the time of year.

TDN: Speaking of racehorses, online seems like a perfect place to trade them (which is a very liquid market at the moment due to high purses). Could you speak about that a little? Why are racehorses maybe more suited to the digital space?

Leif Aaron: I touched on this a little bit earlier, but racehorses are in huge demand right now because of record high purses. With a digital sale, the seller can keep the horse in the barn and continue with training, while the potential buyer gets to look at the horse and look at the vetting. They are getting a lot more information than they would through the claim box.

In general, the horse racing ownership community are traders. It only makes sense for us to have a platform for those owners and trainers to buy and sell.

The post Q&A With Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales Director Leif Aaron appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Extra Race Date Added To Remington Park Season

Fri, 2023-12-08 16:50

The 2023 Thoroughbred Season at Remington Park will stretch one day deeper into December as an afternoon program has been added for Saturday, Dec.16, the track announced Friday. The first race will be at 2:30pm. The extra date of races will serve as a make-up for the nine races lost Wednesday, Dec. 6 when the track lighting system did not power up to the full potential needed for racing. The Dec. 16 race date will feature 12 races to put a wrap on the season. Remington Park had previously planned to finish the live racing calendar the night before, on Springboard Mile Night, Friday, Dec. 15.

The post Extra Race Date Added To Remington Park Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Belmont-Winning Trainer Thomas “Lou” Rondinello Dies At 95

Fri, 2023-12-08 15:19

Trainer Thomas L. “Lou” Rondinello, winner of the 1974 GI Belmont S., passed away Nov. 27 at the age of 95 according to a release issued Friday by the NYRA Communications Office.

Among Rondinello's leading runners was Eclipse champion 3-year-old colt Little Current (Sea-Bird) who took the last two of the three legs of the 1974 Triple Crown series after coming fifth in the GI Kentucky Derby. He also trained 1978 Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly Tempest Queen (Graustark). In training for Darby Dan Farm, Rondinello topped over $8.6m in earnings upon his retirement in 1987.

The post Belmont-Winning Trainer Thomas “Lou” Rondinello Dies At 95 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Baffert Has Two Chances at Seventh Straight Starlet

Fri, 2023-12-08 11:59

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will have two opportunities to win his seventh straight GII Starlet S. at Los Alamitos Saturday. The 1 1/16-mile feature has attracted a field of six.

The rail-drawn, 9-5 morning-line favorite Nothing Like You (Malibu Moon) enters for Baffert riding a two-race winning streak, including a nose victory in the seven-furlong Desi Arnaz S. at Del Mar last time out Nov. 18. She previously graduated by 6 1/2 lengths over next-out winner Great Forty Eight (Constitution) going a two-turn mile at Santa Anita Oct. 14.

Baffert will also saddle the green-but-good debut winner Grazia (Uncle Mo), who earned her diploma going six furlongs at Del Mar Nov. 12.

Chatalas (Gun Runner), a front-running winner of the GII Chandelier S. at Santa Anita Oct. 7, looks to get back on track following a ninth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Nov. 3.

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Aqueduct Winter Stakes Schedule Out

Fri, 2023-12-08 11:53

The New York Racing Association released the stakes schedule for the 2024 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said in a release Friday.

The 47-day Big A winter meet, which will feature 26 stakes races worth $3.5 million in purses, begins Monday, Jan. 1 and runs through Saturday, Mar. 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday for the first three weeks of January and Friday-Sunday from Jan. 26 through the first week of March. Aqueduct will host a Presidents' Day card on Monday, Feb. 19. Four-day race weeks resume on March 7.

A total of six stakes received a purse increase at the winter meet, topped by the Listed $150,000 Interborough, which saw it's purse improved by $50,000. Five other featured events received an increment of $25,000 in the GIII Toboggan and GIII Tom Fool H. along with three Listed stakes now worth $150,000, including the Heavenly Prize, Stymie and Excelsior.

The centerpiece of the March stakes calendar is the one-mile Grade III, $300,000 Gotham March 2, providing 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Gotham Day card includes the Listed one-mile $200,000 Busher for 3-year-old fillies, offering 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Click here for a complete stakes list.

The post Aqueduct Winter Stakes Schedule Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Sire Of Sires, WinStar Farm’s Champion Speightstown Euthanized

Fri, 2023-12-08 10:47

Speightstown (Gone West–Silken Cat, by Storm Cat), Eclipse Champion Sprinter in 2004 and among the leading sires of the past 15 years, had to be euthanized Friday, Dec. 8, due to foot issues from old age, WinStar Farm announced in a press release Friday. Speightstown, a Taylor Made/WinStar stallion, was 25 years old.

Speightstown was a foundational sire for WinStar and helped stamp our legacy as a sire-making farm,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I want to thank Larry McGinnis and his team for all the love and care they gave “Speighty” as he was lovingly called. They helped him through three colic surgeries, and he had none in the last 13 years. His progeny ran on dirt, turf, six furlongs to 1 1/4 miles, and they always showed their grit. Like with any family member, he will be truly missed. We are fortunate to have his son Nashville in the shedrow, and we look forward to seeing Speightsown's legacy continue through him, and as a broodmare sire.”

WinStar's longtime Stallion Manager Larry McGinnis said, “We've been through a lot together in the last 19 years. We'll miss our friend.”

Bred in Kentucky by Aaron and Marie Jones, Speightstown first made headlines as a yearling when he sold for $2 million to Eugene Melnyk at the 1999 Keeneland July sale. In that era of heady prices, he was the co-fourth highest price of the exclusive sale with the first- and second-leading prices also for yearlings by Gone West.

In addition to being by Gone West, a Grade I winner who was among the leading sire sons of Mr. Prospector, Speightstown was out of Canadian champion 2-year-old filly Silken Cat. The now-deceased mare produced Speightstown as her first foal and 2017 GII Toyota Blue Grass S. winner (and MGISP) Irap (Tiznow) as her last foal. She is also the granddam of two additional graded winners. Silken Cat's fifth dam was the Meadow Stud blue hen Hildene, whose five stakes-winning foals included Hall of Famer Hill Prince and additional champion First Landing.

Niggling injuries kept Speightstown from immediately showing his best on the track. He made only one start at two, finishing 13th and last in a Saratoga maiden special weight. On the bench for five months, he broke his maiden at Gulfstream in his sophomore debut by 6 3/4 lengths and eventually took three straight allowances before closing his season with a second in the GII Amsterdam S. Again benched, this time for 21 months with a knee injury, he completely missed a 4-year-old campaign and reappeared for just two starts at five that yielded a Belmont allowance win and a runner-up finish in the Jaipur H. before another 10 months on the sidelines.

Speightstown | Lee Thomas

It was at the age of six that Speightstown shone. Running in the Melnyk colors under the tutelage of seven-time Eclipse champion trainer Todd Pletcher, he started his campaign with his first black-type victory in the Artax H., then went on a three consecutive Grade II-win tear: the Churchill Downs H., the True North Breeders' Cup H., and the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. He equaled the six-furlong track record of 1:08 at Saratoga in the Vanderbilt. A third in the GI Vosburgh S. snapped Speightstown's four-race win streak, but he came roaring back to win the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, held that year at Lone Star Park. Voted Eclipse champion sprinter, Speightstown retired with a record of 16-10-2-2 and earnings of $1,258,256, but the best was yet to come.

Retired to WinStar for a stallion venture partnership that included Taylor Made Farm, Speightstown initially stood for $40,000 and was part of a remarkable group of horses that stood their first seasons in 2005, including Tapit, Medaglia d'Oro, and Candy Ride (Arg). All four stallions are regularly among the top 10 leading sires in North America and all stand or have stood for six-figure fees.

To date from 16 crops of racing age, Speightstown has sired 138 black-type winners (9% from starters) and the earners of over $155 million. Among his 65 graded winners are 26 Grade I winners, including Breeders' Cup winners Tamarkuz and Sharing; Travers winner Golden Ticket; Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Haynesfield; distaffer Dance to Bristol; turfers Force the Pass, Seek Again, Competitionofideas and three-time Sovereign Award winner Lady Speightspeare; and sprinters Reynaldothewizard, Jersey Town, Rock Fall, Poseidon's Warrior and dual Sovereign Award-winning sprinter Essence Hit Man.

Speightstown's rise reminds me of Distorted Humor,” said WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden in 2013, “that rare ability to sire Grade I quality at all distances and all surfaces with top fillies and colts.”

Although Speightstown never won beyond seven furlongs and raced exclusively on the dirt, a hallmark of his progeny has been versatility, with graded winners both short and long and on both dirt and turf. In addition, despite Speightstown taking several years to mature into a stakes winner himself, he has had his share of black-type winners both as young horses and as older runners. Speightstown's 2020 was a banner year featuring four individual Grade I winners: Echo Town and Charlatan in the U.S., Lady Speightspeare in Canada, and Mozu Superflare in Japan. In 2023, Speightstown has been represented by 106 winners including GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity victor Prince of Monaco.

In recent years, Speightstown has also made a mark as a burgeoning sire of sires. His son Munnings closed out 2022 among the top 10 leading sires in the U.S. by earnings, finishing just one spot ahead of Speightstown himself, and is currently among the top five leading sires in the U.S. by earnings through 2023. In addition, Central Banker is among the leading sires in New York and Jersey Town sired a Grade I winner in his first crop. Speightstown is well-represented by sons at stud led by new additions Olympiad and Nasvhille along with Charlatan and Lexitonian.

Speightstown is also starting to make an impact as a broodmare sire, as his daughters have produced 62 stakes winners–24 graded–to date, including Grade I winners Aloha West (Hard Spun), Mia Mischief (Into Mischief) and Vekoma (Candy Ride {Arg}), as well as the late Laoban (Uncle Mo).

Speightstown was slated to stand in 2024 for $80,000 LFSN at the time of his death.

We're saddened to hear about the passing of Speightstown this morning at age 25.

The winner of the 2004 Breeders Cup Sprint at Lone Star Park definitely gave us a memory we will never forget. pic.twitter.com/7GBoeKZ83f

— Lone Star Park (@lonestarpark) December 8, 2023

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Investigators Point To Training Conference Mar. 3-6 At Parx

Fri, 2023-12-08 10:28

Two board members from the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) warmed up their vocal chords and shared a sliver of their vast expertise concerning the value of racing integrity teams during a panel at the Global Symposium on Racing, sponsored by the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program, this past week.

Don Ahrens of Sam Houston Race Park and Jason Klouser of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission explained how these special squads, working alongside agencies like the Breeders' Cup, the U.S. Trotting Association, the American Quarter Horse Association and various state racing commissions and tracks, ensure that safety and security is center stage from the test barn to the winner's circle.

“We have developed an approach with these integrity teams which can be tailored to any situation, racetrack or regulatory body, and it really directs all of our resources to the protection of the equine athletes and ensure a level playing field for the participants, so the wagering public can bet on a product they can trust,” said Klouser.

Ahrens and Klouser are part of the ORI cadre which at its core is based on training and networking. Operating behind the scenes, members wage a daily effort to strengthen racing's regulatory efforts.

ORI member conducting mock search at last year's ORI Conference | ORI

ORI member's tradecraft will be on full display from Mar. 3-6 when the ORI meets for what will be its 28th Training Conference. This time around, the multi-day event will be held at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Chaired by Klouser, the preliminary agenda includes a diverse set of speakers who will be covering some of the most important issues pertaining to investigations in racing today.

“Our training conference continues to grow exponentially,” said Klouser. “That speaks to the organization's reputation and the importance of our network of investigators.”

This year's keynote address will be given by TDN's CEO/Publisher Sue Finley, who will discuss the changing landscape of media coverage and how it relates to racing integrity issues.

“We are excited to have Sue come and speak to the group since she has such an impressive list of accomplishments and we know she is going to deliver a unique set of perspectives concerning the media,” said Klouser.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from the following:

  • William Behe, United States Attorney's Office, Penn National Race Fixing Prosecution
  • John Burgess, British Horse Racing Authority, BHA Overview and Case Study
  • Angela Pezel-McCloskey, USDA Inspection Services, Unregulated Horse Racing in North America
  • Ismael Navarreto, Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission, Hidden Ownership & Fraud Case Study
  • TC Lane, U.S. Trotting Association, USTA Regulatory Authority
  • Cammie Helleski, University of Kentucky, Societal License to Operate
  • Janet VanBebber, American Quarter Horse Association, AQHA's Role in Racing
  • Vicky Kuora, FBI Violent Gangs & Safe Streets Task Force, Illicit Use of Xylazine
  • Ann McGovern, Horseracing Integrity Safety Authority, Review of Churchill Downs Catastrophic Injury Report
  • Shawn Loehr, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, HIWU Update
  • Mickey Peterson, New Jersey Racing Commission, Preparing the Harness Horse for Racing
  • Robert Martin, Parx Racing, Stable Area Access System
  • Julie Engiles, Penn Vet-New Bolton Center Pathologists, Role in Equine Fatality Prosecutions
  • Adam Morris, Governor's Office of General Counsel, Racing Official Prosecutions
  • Michael Spada, Pennsylvania State Police, Case Study
  • Carlos Quintana & Mónica Andreu, Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico, Regulating Racing in Puerto Rico

Click here for more information about ORI's 2024 Training Conference.

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Old Friends Welcomes GSW Noble Indy From Puerto Rico After Team Effort

Fri, 2023-12-08 10:06

After a team effort, Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky, welcomed GSW Noble Indy (Take Charge Indy) on Thursday, Dec. 7, the retirement farm said in a release Friday.

The 8-year old bay gelding, who ran in the 2018 GI Kentucky Derby, was repatriated from Puerto Rico thanks to the efforts of Fred Hart, who became a big fan of the horse due to his ownership of his dam, Noble Maz; Kelley Stobie, owner of Caribbean Thoroughbred Aftercare, which has assisted many Thoroughbreds in Puerto Rico; and Mike Repole, Noble Indy's original owner who paid to transport the horse to the United States and then to Old Friends.

Originally trained by Todd Pletcher and bred by WinStar Farm, Noble Indy's first graded stakes win came in the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, which punched his ticket to the Derby where he finished 17th.

The once promising Thoroughbred was never able to recapture his pre-Derby form and began to drop down the racing ranks until he was shipped to Puerto Rico last year where he ran five times at Camarero.

After following his journey, Hart got involved and sought to retire the horse. In an article by TDN's Bill Finley, Hart said, “I became sentimentally attached to this horse and was afraid harm would come to him if he stayed in Puerto Rico. I just wanted to get him out of there.”

Hart contacted Stobie, and the two worked together to try and retire the horse. The issue they ran into was that the owner, Skull Stable PR, named a price they could not pay. However, they persisted, but the ask still remained too high. Then, following an injury, Skull Stable PR finally lowered the number and Noble Indy was sent to Stobie's farm.

“It was a tense time since Indy came to Puerto Rico, knowing if we would be able to get him off the island in one piece,” said Stobie. “Thankfully his surgery back in February of this year did not go as planned, so he could no longer race and the owner agreed to retire him to CTA. We are grateful to Repole Stables for their generous donation, which did not only help Noble Indy, but will pay for two other horses in need to get home. Also thank you to Winstar Farms for stepping up and sending a donation.”

“We are all very excited that Noble Indy will spend the rest of his life at Old Friends in Kentucky,” said Repole. “This was an amazing team effort by so many to bring Noble Indy back from Puerto Rico and to give him the great retirement that he deserves.”

“Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to allow us to enjoy Noble Indy's retirement,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “His story will make him a magnet for racing fans. Come visit.”

 

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OTBO Stallion Season Auction Set for Dec. 14-15

Thu, 2023-12-07 16:48

The annual Select Stallion Season Auction hosted by the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners (OTBO) will be held Thursday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 15 with previews Dec. 12 and 13. The OTBO has selected a group of stallions from around the country, including major farms in Kentucky and New York, for the auction. A preliminary list of offerings is available at otbo.com with more information and a catalogue to be forthcoming Dec. 12 at 1 a.m. EST at equiring.com/sale/291/OTBO2024. The OTBO also has access to additional seasons for sale.

For more information, please contact the OTBO at (330) 356-8350 or visit otbo.com.

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Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton December Digital Sale, Includes 300 Plus Entries

Thu, 2023-12-07 15:26

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 308 entries for its December Digital Sale, which is now open through Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m ET, the auction house said in a release Thursday.

The catalogue, which is the largest ever offered on the Fasig-Tipton Digital platform, features more than 170 broodmares, as well as broodmare prospects, horses of racing age, yearlings and weanlings.

The catalogue also includes a stallion share and lifetime breeding right in MGSW Flameaway (Scat Daddy), who is the current co-leading North American first-crop sire by black-type winners.

“This is by far our largest digital sale to date and shows the remarkable growth and traction that Fasig Digital has gained with sellers in just 21 months,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales.  “With the strength of this catalogue, it is essential for buyers to work through this sale as seriously as they would any live auction.”

Covering sires include Bolt d'Oro, Corniche, Early Voting, Essential Quality, Golden Pal, Jack Christopher, Jackie's Warrior, Liam's Map, Mandaloun, Maxfield, Mitole, Mo Donegal, Mystic Guide, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Street Sense, Tapit, Twirling Candy, Union Rags, Upstart, Violence, War of Will and Yaupon.

Sires of yearlings include Maclean's Music, Medaglia d'Oro, Nyquist, Twirling Candy, Union Rags and Vino Rosso.

Weanling sires include Authentic, Hard Spun, Not This Time, Omaha Beach, and Vino Rosso.

The catalogue features offerings located in Arkansas, California, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Ontario, Canada.

“We have offerings at all price ranges that suit a wide variety of regional programs,” said Aaron. “December Digital also provides the last opportunity for those that need to buy before the end of the year for tax purposes.”

Click here to view the catalogue, create an account or register to bid.

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At Long Last, Flightline’s Full Brother Getting Closer to a Race

Thu, 2023-12-07 14:34

When Olivier (Tapit) worked a half-mile in :49.80 last week at Oaklawn Park for trainer Rodolphe Brisset there was nothing special about the breeze. It was the 45th best work at the distance out of 137 horses who went the half-mile. But it was a step in the right direction, albeit a small one, for a soon-to-be 4-year-old who can't seem to get on the right path. Barring a setback, he should make his debut some time early next year at Oaklawn. Might he finally be ready to turn things around?

That's the question and the only reason anyone wants to know the answer is that Olivier is a full-brother to 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, who many call the horse of a lifetime. But it seems that their pedigree is about the only thing they have in common.

“He's not a horse you want to compare to Flightline,” Brisset said. “There's absolutely nothing to compare. I got pretty close to Flightline a couple of times. They are totally different horses. If you were able to put one next to the other you'd never know they are brothers. I've been around a long time and I know better. I'm not going to put pressure on myself just because I am training Flightline's brother. But that's hard to translate to people. We will see where the horse takes us and go from there.”

About four months after Flightline broke his maiden, Olivier showed up at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale where he RNA'd for $390,000. After the sale, WinStar Farm acquired a majority interest in Olivier from breeder Jane Lyon. He was sent to Brisset.

“I had the horse in training when I was at WinStar last year and then he got moved over to Keeneland,” Brisset said. “He breezed out of the gate a couple of times and he was pretty close to being ready to run. We didn't know at the time how good he might be because we hadn't tested him in the morning. Without posting some blazing fast works we thought he was showing enough where we could look for a maiden special race at a big league track.”

A minor setback derailed their plans, and Brisset had no other choice but to try to regroup and hope to get a start out of Olivier as a 4-year-old.

“Being a full brother to Flightline, we wanted to give him all the time he needed to make sure he was fresh and 100%,” Brisset said. “We had a couple more works at WinStar and then moved along to Oaklawn. He's coming along slowly but surely.

“I'm not sure when he'll have his first start. When we got him last year he was a little bit immature. He is a totally different horse than his brother. Physically, he has developed and matured the right way. But talent-wise we don't know where we're at yet. We should learn more with his next couple of works. Sometime around the beginning of the year would be a logical time frame for his first race. He's going to have to get fit and step it up time wise. We really don't know where we're at.”

At the very least he should turn out to be better than Flightline's 4-year-old half brother Voron (Pioneeof the Nile). He sold for $100,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale 2020 and is now racing in Russia. The best hope for a Flightline sibling to emulate their famous brother is the unraced 2-year-old Eagle's Flight (Curlin). Lyon had the colt entered in the Keeneland September Sale but withdrew him and will race him. Eagle's Flight has had two workouts at Santa Anita, three furlongs in :37.40 and two furlongs in :23.80. Like Flightline, he is trained by John Sadler.

Brisset said he won't be focusing on Eagle's Flight or any other siblings to Flightline that come around. He has a job to do and it is to get the very best out of Olivier.

“It's exciting to have a full-brother to Flightline but, at the same time, I'm not feeling much pressure,” he said. “Our job is to figure out this horse and not to compare him to his brother. That can be difficult to translate to the public or to the bettor. We know he is well-bred. We know he is Flightline's brother. But you have to put all of that to the side and try to figure out the horse by himself and on his own. A lot of people ask about him. He's going to turn four and has never run. We felt like he deserves a chance now to see what we have and where he will take us.”

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Keeneland Supplements 58 Horses To 2024 January Horses Of All Ages Sale

Thu, 2023-12-07 14:24

Keeneland has supplemented 58 horses–including the yearling full-sister to undefeated 2023 GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Just F Y I (Justify)–to the 2024 January Horses of All Ages Sale, which will cover four sessions from Jan. 8-11, the organization said in a release Thursday.

The auction of broodmares and broodmare prospects, newly turned yearlings, horses of racing age, stallions and stallion prospects, includes Just F Y I's full-sister, who is out of Star Act, a winning SP daughter of Street Cry (Ire). Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, the filly is from the family of Grade I winners Starrer, Stellar Jayne and Star Billing.

Star Act, who is in foal with a full sibling to Just F Y I, was previously announced as being cataloged to the first day of the January Sale. Other standouts from Book 1 announced recently include GSW Hidden Connection (Connect), 2023 GII Flower Bowl S. winner Parnac (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and SW Pipit (Quality Road).

The group of supplements to Book 1 of the January Sale released today includes these broodmares or racing and broodmare prospects:

  • Airosa, a daughter of Uncle Mo who captured the Catch A Glimpse S. as a juvenile in 2023. Her dam, Mrs. Hudson, by Street Cry (Ire), is a winning half-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' Airosa sells as a racing or broodmare prospect and is consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent.
  • Curlin's Voyage is a multiple Canadian champion who is in foal to Flightline. The daughter of Curlin out of Atlantic Voyage, by Stormy Atlantic, is from the family of Grade I winner Stormello. Curlin's Voyage is consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent.
  • Dame Marie, dam of recent GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. winner Honor Marie who is in foal to Mandaloun. A GSP daughter of Smart Strike, Dame Marie is consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent.
  • Egyptian Storm, a daughter of Pioneerof the Nile who is a half-sister to leading sire Justify and is in foal to Candy Ride (Arg). Egyptian Storm is consigned by Lane's End Farm.
  • Krazy Kathy, a daughter of Harlan's Holiday who is the dam of SW Bat Flip and is in foal to Good Magic. Krazy Kathy is consigned by Indian Creek, agent.
  • Lady Lowery, a filly by Munnings who has won two of three races, including the Beyond The Wire S. at Laurel Park. From the family of Racing Hall of Famer Dance Smartly and leading sire Smart Strike, she is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.
  • Marketplace, a winning daughter of Stormy Atlantic who has produced three winners, including SW Dreamer's Disease and is in foal to Justify. Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent, consigns the mare.
  • Sebago Lake, a daughter of Tapit who is a half-sister to millionaire Grade III winner and Grade I-placed Family Way and is in foal to Justify. From the family of Caravaggio, Sebago Lake is consigned by Eaton Sales, agent.
  • Shan's Tiger, a daughter of Tale of the Cat who is a full sister to champion juvenile filly She's a Tiger and a half-sister to MGISW and millionaire Smiling Tiger and SW Smiling Causeway. Out of SW Shandra Smiles, by Cahill Road, Shan's Tiger is in foal to McKinzie and is consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent.

Short yearlings among the supplements include: Filly by Good Magic who is a half-sister to undefeated SW Howl (Practical Joke). Consigned by Castle Park Farm (Noel Murphy), agent, she is out of How, a winning daughter of Indian Charlie; and a colt by Munnings who is a half-brother to Grade II winner Bemma's Boy. Out of Arcing, by Arch, he is consigned by Blandford Stud (Padraig Campion), agent.

Additional yearlings being supplemented include progeny of sires such as Game Winner, Maclean's Music and Quality Road.

Supplements also include mares in foal to Early Voting, Epicenter, Jack Christopher, Justify, Lexitonian, Munnings, War of Will, Yaupon and more.

With the supplements, the total number of horses cataloged to the January Sale is 1,459.

Click here to access the catalogue.

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Gulfstream Park Bookkeeper to Begin Accepting ACH Enrollment

Thu, 2023-12-07 13:57

The Gulfstream Park Horsemen Bookkeeper's office will begin accepting ACH enrollment into the new payment program Friday, Dec. 9, it was announced Thursday.

Allowing ACH payments will expedite payment time, reduce paperwork, the likelihood of fraud and improve the overall customer service experience of horsemen.

Anyone looking to sign up can pick up and complete ACH forms located within the bookkeeper's office during normal operating hours.

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Islanders Partner with NYRA to Create First Public Rinks and Outdoor Experience in Community

Thu, 2023-12-07 13:08

The New York Islanders, in partnership with Northwell, the New York Racing Association and USA Hockey, have announced the opening of The Park at UBS Arena, a 155,800 square foot season-long, outdoor experience that will introduce the first two public pond hockey rinks to the community.

With UBS Arena located within the heart of historic Belmont Park, The Park aims to take advantage of this unique setting and create something special for hockey fans of all ages.

The first rink, named the Northwell Pond, boasts a sheet of natural ice. It will host a series of 4v4 pond hockey tournaments following USA Hockey guidelines, catering to youth and adult divisions at various competitive levels. The second rink, named the Isles Pond, will host Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, and Try Hockey for Free programs. These community programs cater to a wide range of age groups and skill levels, aiming to grow the sport of hockey by making it accessible for everyone.

“Community events and activities will play a central role at the new Belmont Park,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “This partnership between NYRA and the New York Islanders will advance that mission by providing our neighbors with easy and affordable access to ice skating and hockey in the Belmont Park backyard. We're excited to help grow this new initiative and look forward to welcoming kids and families to The Park later this month.”

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National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame Seeks Auction Items

Thu, 2023-12-07 11:45

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will play host to the second annual “Countdown to the Triple Crown” fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 3 and is seeking auction donations, the repository said in a release Thursday.

The winter fundraiser, scheduled exactly three months prior to the 150th Kentucky Derby, will feature dozens of silent auction items. An online version of unique items and experience packages to benefit the NMRHF will also take place.

Guests can attend the event from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET or bid on special packages online. The early-bird part of the program will feature beer, wine, soda, light refreshments and entertainment with admission set at $15 for museum members and $30 for non-members.

Many of the auction items will be displayed throughout the galleries during the event.

Click here to purchase tickets or call (518) 584-0400.

The NMRHF is asking for support from the Thoroughbred racing industry and businesses. Donations are encouraged, which could include an item, experience or gift card.

Contributing businesses will be promoted leading up to the event through the museum's social media channels and through database distribution. Additionally, the NMRHF will provide a pair of complimentary tickets. All donations are tax-deductible, and the proceeds will fund new exhibits and educational programming.

For more information about donating an item or experience, please contact Maureen Pasco at (518) 584-0400 ext. 109 or mpasco@racingmuseum.net.

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‘TDN Rising Star’ Doppelganger Arrives At Pleasant Acres Stallions For Stud Duty

Thu, 2023-12-07 11:13

Pleasant Acres Stallions welcomes to their roster 'TDN Rising Star' and GISW Doppelganger (Into Mischief) who will stand in 2024 for $10,000 LFSN, the Florida farm said in a release Thursday morning.

“Doppleganger exudes class in every sense. He's an eye-catching individual with more natural power and strength than his namesake Authentic. Commercially, he gives breeders an excellent chance to get a proper ROI, especially with the precocious nature of the broodmare base in Florida,” said Tom Ryan.

A $570,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Showcase yearling, Doppelganger is out of the Quiet American mare Twice the Lady–a stakes winner and multiple stakes placed performer. His second dam, Catherine's Crown (Chief's Crown) is the dam of Michelle's Crown, who produced Louisiana Champions Day Turf S. and Louisiana Showcase Turf S. winner Snakebite Kit.

Once at the races, the Bob Baffert trainee broke his maiden on debut as a juvenile with a performance that awarded him the coveted TDN title for his 3 1/2 length win at Los Alamitos. He became his sire's 29th 'Rising Star'.

“When we saw him at the sale the whole team, Bob [Baffert], Tom [Ryan], and myself, agreed he was an absolute must have,” said Donato Lanni. “I am looking forward to seeing his babies hit the sales in a couple of years.”

At three, Doppelganger finished as the runner-up in the GII San Felipe S. at Santa Anita, and as a 4-year-old he captured the GI Carter H. at Aqueduct as well as the Battery Park S. at Delaware Park.

“A TDN Rising Star by Into Mischief has arrived in Florida for our breeders,” said Pleasant Acres Stallions Owner Joe Barbazon. “Bred on the same crossover Fappiano-line mares as Champion and MGISW Covfefe and GSW Maximus Mischief, we are confident he will make an impressive impact on future Florida crops.”

Pleasant Acres's newest addition will join the likes of MGISP and G1SP Gunnevera (Dialed In) at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala.

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HISA And Oaklawn Park Designate Area For Intra-Articular Injection Treatments

Wed, 2023-12-06 11:40

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and Oaklawn Park have launched a new pilot program under which a designated area will be available for veterinarians to administer any intra-articular corticosteroid injections at the racetrack during the track's 2023-2024 race season beginning Friday, Dec. 8, HISA said in a press release Wednesday.

As HISA laid out in its Strategic Response to recent equine fatalities, many stakeholders, including a significant number of individuals calling into HIWU's confidential tip line, have questioned whether Covered Persons are properly and accurately reporting intra-articular corticosteroid injections.

In order to address this issue and ensure injections are administered in compliance with HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control regulations, HISA proposed two possible solutions: (1) a designated area at the racetrack for all intra-articular injections to be administered; or (2) the requirement of a short video of the veterinarian performing the intra-articular injection to be uploaded with the injection report.

Oaklawn has volunteered to test the first of these potential solutions. Under this pilot program, Oaklawn will offer a designated private location at its Summer Bird Barn for intra-articular injections and will compensate Covered Persons who volunteer to have them administered there up to $250 for the first 100 intra-articular corticosteroid injections this season.

All intra-articular corticosteroid injections prescribed and administered by a veterinarian at Oaklawn must be observed in-person by the track's Integrity Officer, Beverly Fowler, or another designated racetrack employee, regardless of whether it is administered in the designated location.

The pilot program will be used to determine the feasibility and value of this approach, as well as to identify challenges that would need to be resolved for it to be successful nationally.

“HISA is thankful for Oaklawn Park's willingness to test this process, which has been used successfully in sport horses for many years,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “By testing this concept, the Oaklawn team is contributing meaningfully to HISA's efforts to make the sport safer and more transparent. Based on horsemen and veterinarian feedback and results, designated intra-articular injection treatment areas may eventually be presented to the Racetrack Safety Committee to consider promulgating a uniform rule.”

“Oaklawn Park is pleased to be a leader in equine health and safety,” said Louis Cella, President, Oaklawn Park. “It is clear to us that the sport must evolve and continue to do everything in its power to keep horses safe. We support HISA's efforts to explore new methods of ensuring safety and integrity and we appreciate our horsemen's support and engagement.”

Prior to each intra-articular injection at Oaklawn this season, the trainer or veterinarian must inform the Integrity Officer of the day and time it will be administered to ensure she or a designee are present. Injection appointments may be scheduled by calling the Integrity Officer at (501) 762-3864.

The veterinarian and Integrity Officer, or their designee, must fill out and sign an accompanying form and submit photos of the medication that is being injected. A copy of the form will be provided to the veterinarian administering the injection, the trainer, the Integrity Officer's office and the State Veterinarian.

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Belmont Stakes Officially Shifts To Saratoga In 2024, Run At 1 1/4 Miles

Wed, 2023-12-06 10:44

New York Governor Kathy Hochul made it official that the 2024 GI Belmont S. will be held for the first time at Saratoga Race Course and be run at 1 1/4 miles to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new and re-imagined Belmont Park, the governor said in a release Wednesday.

“As part of the exciting modernization of Belmont Park, Saratoga now adds to its storied history by hosting the third leg of the Triple Crown,” Governor Hochul said. “It's a win for horse racing and for the Capital Region to have the excitement and the ability to host the four-day Festival in June at America's most historic track. As I said during the 2023 Saratoga Meet, 'Let's do it.'”

Highlighted by the 156th edition of the Belmont S. on Saturday, June 8, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin on Thursday, June 6 and continue through Sunday, June 9. The four-day Festival at Saratoga Race Course will include 23 stakes races in total with purses totaling $9.7 million, the highest purse levels and number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi-day event in 2014.

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) will increase the purse of the Belmont S. from $1.5 million to $2 million in 2024, which is the first significant increase since 2014. In addition, pending the approval of the North American Graded Stakes Committee, the race will be contested at 1 1/4 miles in 2024 rather than the traditional 1 1/2 miles due to the configuration of Saratoga's main track.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul's support for a new and modernized Belmont Park, NYRA will soon be able to bring the Belmont S. to Upstate New York for the first time in history. Beyond the excitement and energy around a Triple Crown event at the sport's most beloved venue, the Belmont S. at Saratoga Race Course will generate important economic impact and drive tourism throughout the Capital Region,” said NYRA's President and CEO David O'Rourke. “We are thrilled to add a new chapter to the story of Thoroughbred racing in Saratoga Springs this June.”

Earlier this year, Governor Hochul's Executive Budget included a proposal for NYRA to build new Thoroughbred racing facilities at Belmont Park; the FY2024 Enacted Budget granted that approval. This project will transform the 117-year-old track, bringing the modern hospitality offerings fans expect while generating $1 billion in construction-related impacts, 3,700 construction jobs, $155 million in annual economic activity, and 740 new full-time jobs. Upgrading Belmont, which sustains 19,000 jobs across the state and a $3-billion annual economic impact, will also dramatically expand the amount of open space available to fans and the surrounding community.

Following the conclusion of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga, the NYRA circuit will return to Aqueduct Racetrack for the remainder of the spring meet before racing shifts to Saratoga for the annual 40-day summer meet beginning Thursday, July 11. Prior to the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the Belmont Spring/Summer meet will be conducted at Aqueduct. The fall meet customarily held at Belmont Park will again be shifted to Aqueduct Racetrack in 2024 while construction of a new Belmont Park continues.

While 2024 will mark the first time the Belmont S. unfolds at Saratoga, the race was moved to Aqueduct Racetrack from 1963-1967 when Belmont Park last underwent significant renovations, and the distance has been adjusted throughout history, with the most recent change coming in 2020 when the Triple Crown was modified because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information and details on hospitality offerings, ticket packages and pricing for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course will be available in early 2024.

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