Thoroughbred Daily News

A day of clinics and guided schooling opportunities has been added to the Thoroughbred Makeover and National Symposium, according to the organization Wednesday. The additional day, which will be offered Friday, Oct. 11, will feature participants in the disciplines of dressage, show hunter, show jumper and ranch work that did not qualify for the Finale Championships. The symposium runs Oct. 9-12.

Clinics will follow a format of a small group working with the clinician, who will be a judge from preliminary competition, while guided schooling will be short individual sessions allowing trainers and horses the opportunity to ride the course with input from the judge.

“Giving riders and owners the tools and resources to be successful with Thoroughbreds is essential to the RRP's mission,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “We have always been cognizant of the commitment of resources that trainers make when they sign on to participate in the Makeover, and the addition of these clinics represent our commitment to delivering value to our participants, and creating opportunities for success.”

Prior to preliminary competition, all participants will be given the opportunity to school in competition spaces while the new clinic and guided schooling options offer the opportunity for additional education from judges.

All clinics and guided schooling rounds are free for the general public. The ASPCA Makeover Marketplace runs concurrently, allowing clinic spectators the opportunity to try multiple Thoroughbreds offered for sale.

Registration for clinics and guided schooling for Makeover participants will open in September, and a detailed schedule will be available by the end of September at www.TheRRP.org.

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A new deal involving content rights, data, fixed-odds and signals for an ongoing three-year-contract has been reached between 1/ST CONTENT and Breeders' Cup Limited.

The agreement encompasses worldwide broadcast and video-streaming distribution relating to fixed-odds wagering on the Breeders' Cup World Championships for 1/ST CONTENT's network of international sportsbook partners outside of North America.

The Breeders' Cup World Championship will be held at Del Mar Nov. 1-2.

All races will be available for broadcast via 1/ST CONTENT's partner at Sky Sports Racing in the U.K. and Ireland, as well as across a host of other international media partners' digital channels.

Simon Fraser, Senior Vice President of International at 1/ST CONTENT, added, “Our continued commitment is to support the Breeders' Cup's efforts to deliver its horse racing content and wagering to a worldwide stage. We know our natural synergies will reliably benefit horse racing's consumer economy, both at home and abroad. And speaking more broadly, this deal represents another significant step in ensuring that North American racing's stakeholders secure their warranted status as the primary beneficiaries of revenues generated through international wagering.”

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Registration is now open for the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP)'s 50th Global Symposium on Racing, the world's largest racing conference, scheduled for Dec. 9-11 at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort near Tucson, Arizona. A full agenda of topics and speakers will be released later this summer.

To register for the symposium, get host hotel information, or to explore sponsorship opportunities, visit racingsymposium.com.

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The Week in Review

On a day when there were three stakes races, two of them Grade I's, at Santa Anita, the biggest draw on the Monday card was a maiden, Eagles Flight (Curlin). He drew more fans to the paddock than were there for any of the stakes. That's what happens when you're making your first start and are a half-brother to the great Flightline (Tapit). Crank up the hype machine.

Eagles Flight, sent off at 11-10, won by 2 3/4 lengths, drawing away with ease inside the final sixteenth. Flavien Prat, who also rode Flightline, was aboard. He covered the six furlongs in 1:10.07 and received an 89 Beyer figure.

No, he's not the second coming of Flightline. But who is? It's going to be a long, long time until we see another horse who is that good. But Eagles Flight showed that he is a talented horse and should develop into a major stakes horse.

“I was very happy,” winning trainer John Sadler said. “We got this one under our belt. He ran a good race and he got a lot of experience in one race. He was down on the inside, was off a little bit slow, got a chance to eat a lot of dirt. It was like three or four races worth of experience rolled into one.”

Sadler believes we will not see the best of Eagles Flight until he gets him to go around two turns.

“He will be better with more distance,” he said. “I think we will know his talent level when he gets stretched out to a mile. There are a lot of good horses that can win going short but that's not really their thing. This looks like a distance horse to me.”

So far as the next start for Eagles Flight, Sadler hasn't thought that far ahead, but he said it will likely come in an allowance race. Flightline debuted on Apr. 24, 2021 in a six-furlong maiden race at Santa Anita. He was next seen in a Sept. 5, one-mile allowance race at Del Mar.

“I haven't decided anything yet, but an allowance race will probably be next,” he said. “That sounds about right.”

He said that one of the main differences between the early careers of Flightline and Eagles Flight is that the hype for Eagles Flight started well before his maiden voyage.

“What's different is that the spotlight was on the horse from the first jump,” the trainer said. “That's what is a little bit different. Flightline, people got worked up on him after his first couple of starts. With this one, there's a brighter light on him from the beginning. But I'm used to that. Everybody says is this a lot of pressure? No. What's stressful is when they can't run and this horse can run. He's going to be a nice horse.

“It was really cool because there were a lot of people there and it was a great day of racing at Santa Anita. That was a hot maiden race. The horse with the numbers (Santarena) was second. It was a fun day.”

With more fun to come.

Okay, so maybe there are more pressing issues in racing, but I still fail to understand how NYRA ever named a race after Pennine Ridge (Cure the Blues) in the first place and why they won't change it to recognize some horse or person more deserving of the honor. The fact is Pennine Ridge just wasn't a very good horse.

He was 9-for-46 lifetime and his biggest win came in the 1994 GII Jamaica H. He won four stakes in all, including two Grade III's and a listed race. But the real problem is how he ended his career. Nine of his last 12 starts were in claimers, including the final four of his career. He bowed out on Nov. 18, 1998, finishing fourth in a $40,000 claimer at the Meadowlands.

It has been suggested to me that NYRA named the race the Pennine Ridge because the horse, before he hit the skids, was owned by former NYRA Chairman Allan Dragone, who passed away in 2006. Dragone is an important figure in the history of the New York Racing Association, so here's how you can fix the problem and still honor Dragone–just rename the race the Allan Dragone S. Problem solved.

NYRA has done a superb job with Belmont Stakes day. By adding numerous major stakes to the card it has become the best single day of racing in the country outside of the Breeders' Cup. But there has been a price. The weeks leading up to the race and following the race don't have any sizzle, and the biggest problem is the Memorial Day Card, which used to feature the GI Met Mile. The Met, always one of the best races of the year, alone turned the day into a big event. This year, on Memorial Day the feature was the GII Wonder Again S., which was run as the second race. It's just another stakes race. You can have it both ways. Put the Met back on Memorial Day and it won't be that missed on Belmont Day because there are so many big races. Maybe they could move the Wonder Again to Belmont Day to fill the void.

This was a weird one. On the overnight, in the condition book, in the program and in the Daily Racing Form, Monday's first race at Belmont at the Big A was listed at 5 1/2 furlongs. Then they went out and ran it at five furlongs. It seems that in the track program, the diagram showing the circumference of the track had the race starting at 5 furlongs, and that's why they placed the gate at the five-eighths pole…even though every other piece of information clearly stated that the race was to be held at 5 1/2 furlongs

“Monday's first race at Belmont at the Big A was run at the incorrect distance of five furlongs due to a program diagram error,” said NYRA Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna.  “The race was written at 5 1/2 furlongs for 2-year-old maidens, however due to an outside-vendor issue the corresponding race graphic in the program portrayed a five-furlong race. The five-furlong race was won by War Tax with Jose Gomez up for trainer Carlos Martin.

“This is a highly unusual scenario and despite the correct distance being written in the program, on the overnight and across wagering platforms, the race was unfortunately contested at the incorrect distance. NYRA will review its protocols to ensure this scenario does not present itself again.”

Sometimes all it takes to fix these issues is a little common sense. Somebody must have noticed that the gate was in the wrong place. Just move the gate back a half furlong and make an announcement that the diagram in the program is incorrect. The vast majority of bettors no doubt believed they were betting on a 5 1/2-furlong race. Would the outcome have been any different if it were run at 5 1/2 furlongs? Maybe. Maybe not. But the bettors deserved to have the accurate information made available to them regarding the distance of the race. The crew of stewards, led by New York Gaming Commission Steward Braulio Baeza, Jr., dropped the ball.

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Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (PHBPA), painted a dire economic picture of the state's Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries on Tuesday when he told commissioners at the monthly meeting of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) that the 20-year-old legislative funding mechanism for purses has become “cannibalized” by increased competition among casinos that is harming the state's Race Horse Development Fund (RHDF).

“The business model that was created by Act 71 [the Pennsylvania Race Horse Development and Gaming Act of 2004] that incentivized hundreds of millions of dollars of investment, by my members and members on the harness side, is being destroyed,” Mostoller warned commissioners. “And that destruction is not slowing down, it is only increasing.

“We're impacted from a purse standpoint,” Mostoller continued at a different point. “The breeders are impacted; the breeders get 16.67% of the RHDF. We've seen the foal crop drop from 1,700 to the neighborhood of 500 that is projected this year. So every participant in the industry, both Thoroughbred and Standardbred side, is impacted.”

Mostoller explained that his sounding of the alarm bell was meant to educate commissioners about what is going on as the state ponders reexamining Act 71 with reference to games of skill.

As a state regulatory agency, the PHRC itself is powerless to make direct changes to the statute-established RHDF. But Mostoller said at the May 28 meeting that he wanted commissioners to be familiar with the same pitch he has been making to legislators over the past three or four months.

“We didn't feel the commission really understood the issue and why we continue to see a decrease in race dates,” Mostoller said.

“I can tell you, Hollywood Casino, I lose two race days a month from cannibalization, year over year. And it's only accelerating,” Mostoller said. “You guys are acutely aware that we continue to decline in race days at both Penn National and Presque Isle.”

Mostoller framed his case by asking the rhetorical question of why are race dates in decline if the news media is full of stories about Pennsylvania's flourishing overall gaming industry?

He then supplied his own answer: The advent of online gaming and the issuance of Category 4 “satellite casino” licenses have taken a huge revenue bite out of the RHDF's sole source of funding, which comes from 18% of gross revenue at Category 1 (gaming at racetracks only) slot terminals.

Some of Pennsylvania's satellite casinos and online gaming entities are owned by the very same corporate parents that operate the state's horse-track racinos, although Mostoller did not venture off into this aspect of the problem during his presentation.

Mostoller did say that the RHDF has been in contraction since achieving its high-water mark of $280 million in the fiscal year 2011-12.

“The problem is we have seen that number decline considerably. And why is that?” Mostoller asked. “Well, there's been legislative actions that have transferred [$50 million annually for four years] out of the fund [to shore up a state budget shortfall]. But the real issue now is cannibalization. The gaming market in Pennsylvania has changed dramatically since 2017,” which is when Category 4 licensees and internet gaming were first permitted.

“At the Category 1 facilities, cumulatively, we have seen a decrease of almost half a billion dollars in gross terminal revenue on slot machines,” Mostoller said. “And it's important that we talk about slot machines, because that's the only revenue that we get. We don't get revenues from any of the sports [betting], any of the table games. It's slot machine revenues only.

“When they created the Category 4 casinos, they put facilities within the demographics of the existing Category 1 facilities,” Mostoller continued. “A perfect example is Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. We now have York, which is 20-25 miles to our south. We now have Morgantown. We now have Shippensburg, and soon-to-be State College. Well there's only so many gaming dollars to go around. And what we've seen, strictly at Penn National, is we've seen a decrease of $100 million in gross terminal revenue since fiscal year 2011-12.”

Mostoller said those downward-spiraling Penn figures match what is happening on a larger scale statewide.

“I think COVID had a huge role to play in people moving to the online gaming thing. Nobody had predicted that. But that's reality,” Mostoller said.

Mostoller then noted that the projected amount for the RHDF in the 2024 fiscal year is only about $17 million higher than it was in 2020.

“If that doesn't slap you in the face a little bit to the problem that we're having, I don't know what does,” Mostoller said. “I mean [because of the pandemic] we were basically shut down, for month upon month, every Category 1 facility. And yet we are on pace to only beat that year by $17 million.”

PHRC chairperson Russell Redding, who also serves as the state's Secretary of Agriculture, asked Mostoller, “What's the answer? You need [to come up with] more money, but there's only so many options to find the money.”

Mostoller replied that there are currently “discussions of regulating games of skill. If the Gaming Act is opened, there are certainly ways that our industry can be 'made whole' [via] the promise that was made in the original act.

“The original act was a business model that worked,' Mostoller said. “People invested hundreds of millions of dollars in that business model. That [model] is now in the process of being destroyed. And if we were to get back to the high-water mark, which we believe [would] give the industry the stability and the incentive [to move forward], the original promise of Act 71 would be fulfilled…

“The Gaming Act being opened, in conjunction with games of skill, may be a mechanism,' Mostoller summed up. “We're not here to solve the problems. We're simply letting people know of the issue and what the problem is so that they firmly understand it.”

Mostoller said his efforts at educating legislators about what's at stake for the racing industry is important because there has been substantial turnover among elected officials since Act 71 first passed two decades ago.

Redding estimated that legislative turnover could be as high as 70%.

“When you talk about what was sort of the business model and the expectation of the [original Gaming Act] agreement, you have to go all the way back and build up to the point of what the drivers are, the problem, and then the potential solutions,” Redding said. “Because there aren't folks who fully appreciate how we got here.”

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and the Jockeys' Guild will co-host the International Jockey Concussion, Safety, and Wellness Conference from Oct. 9-11 at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Lexington. The event will serve as a forum for exploring ways to address critical mental wellness, concussion, and medical issues affecting Thoroughbred jockeys and participants in other equestrian sports.

“Ensuring that our athletes have access to the best resources and protocols for concussion management and overall wellness is not just a priority for HISA, but a fundamental responsibility,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We owe it to these athletes, who dedicate so much to racing, to do everything we can to support them.”

Jockeys' Guild President and CEO Terry Meyocks added, “The Jockeys' Guild has long advocated for programs to support jockeys' stress and challenges, and we're pleased to be partnering with HISA this year, as we continue to build on our 15-year involvement in the International Conference on the Health, Safety, and Welfare of the jockeys. We firmly believe insights from this year's scheduled speakers will aid our collective efforts to further enhance jockey wellness and resources, with a long-term goal to expand mental health programs beyond jockeys to benefit all in our industry.”

Among the scheduled speakers are Dr. Margot Putukian, Chief Medical Officer of Major League Soccer; Dr. Steven Broglio, Director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center and Neurotrauma Research Laboratory; Dr. Shae Datta, Vice Chair of the American Academy of Neurology's Sports Neurotrauma Section; and Dr. Mark Hart, Cardiologist and FEI Medical Committee Chairman.

For more details, as well as a full list of speakers, and to register, visit the conference webpage or contact Niki Robb at niki.robb@hisaus.org.

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The Goodman family's Mt. Brilliant Farm went to A$1-million (US$667,900) for a Wootton Bassett (GB) half-sister to the Hong Kong star Golden Sixty (Medaglia d'Oro) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale Tuesday.

“We love the filly, she's got a beautiful pedigree and she's by Wootton Bassett. It doesn't come any better than that and we are thrilled,” said Hutton Goodman.

The operation is no stranger to the Australian industry with several mares located in the Hunter Valley.

“It is hard to buy yearlings like her and she ticked all of our boxes. There is a lot of American stuff in there which will help us if we eventually bring her home,” Goodman said.

The filly is a half-sister to six winners, including Golden Sixty of course, but her Group 2-winning dam Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) has also produced two stakes placegetters and two metropolitan winners. Like Golden Sixty, she was bred by Element Hill and was part of their unreserved dispersal.

The sale was topped by Zhijun Zhao (Yulong as partners) landing 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for an Australasian broodmare prospect record of A$6.6 milllion (US$4,408,140).

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Sunny Brook Stables' Mr Fisk (Arrogate) hooked up with stablemate Reincarnate (Good Magic) entering the final furlong of Monday's GII Hollywood Gold Cup and pulled away from that rival to register his third graded victory from his last four starts.

Wathnan Racing's recent private purchase Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify) won the break and held the advantage passing the stands for the first time, but Juan Hernandez was equally positive aboard Reincarnate from the inside barrier and he sent the 4-year-old into the lead passing the winning post with a circuit of the Great Race Place to traverse. The well-backed Judge Miller (Curlin) took a sit out three deep, while Mr Fisk improved a spot into fourth rounding the clubhouse turn.

There was little change in the running order over the course of the next couple of furlongs, but Kazushi Kimura allowed Mr Fisk to slowly pinch ground at the fence and was poised to strike in behind the leading trio as they hit the far turn. Reincarnate held the call, and when Subsanador began to throw out some distress signals leaving the quarter pole, Kimura drove Mr Fisk through that opening and the battle was joined. The stablemates were in lock-step into the final furlong, but Mr Fisk did the better of the two in the deciding stages and proved a comfortable winner in the end. Mr Fisk was vanned off the track and taken to the barn area for evaluation after Kimura reported that the colt felt 'off' on the gallop-out.

“Kazushi Kimura said it was nothing major, but he says he just felt a little off, nothing obvious,” said trainer Bob Baffert, winning his 10th Gold Cup and 350th Santa Anita stakes race overall. “We are just being cautious. He was a little bit off so hopefully it's a foot or something. My horses ran great, both of them, one and two like that.”

“I knew they weren't going very fast, and he was in a good spot. Reincarnate when he gets a lead, he's tough. He showed up. I'm proud of them both. It's too bad we can't celebrate in the winner's circle, but the horse looks like he is going to be fine. That's the good news.”

Baffert offered an update on X later in the evening,” Mr Fisk is resting comfortably in his stall, ready for dinner. He has a condylar fracture and will have surgery [Tuesday]. His prognosis is excellent. Jockey Kazushi Kimura took great care of his horse.”

The dead-heat winner of last year's Shared Belief S. at Del Mar, Mr Fisk broke through at the graded level in the GIII Native Diver S. during the Bing Crosby meet in November. A wide-trip fifth in the GII San Pasqual S. Jan. 27, he bounced back to soundly defeat Judge Miller in the GIII Californian S. Apr. 20.

#5 MR FISK, a son of Arrogate, wins the $200,000 Hollywood Gold Cup (G2) under @kazushi0096. Trainer Bob Baffert wins his fourth Gold Cup in five years.

Afterwards, Mr Fisk took a few awkward steps and is being evaluated by the track veterinarians. Watch @FanDuelTV for updates. pic.twitter.com/hURxaHy4Ls

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 28, 2024

Pedigree Notes:

Plein Air, a winner at listed level in Italy going 10 furlongs in heavy ground, was acquired by Sunny Brook Stables and won her U.S. debut for Baffert in the 12-furlong Astra S. in January 2018. Unplaced in three subsequent runs, she was retired in early 2019 and was among the second book of mares bred to Arrogate.

The mare is also responsible for the 3-year-old filly Bella Riva (Hard Spun); the juvenile colt Catch the Breeze (Maclean's Music), a $30,000 FTKOCT yearling who was entered in but withdrawn from last month's Goffs Breeze-Up Sale at Doncaster; and a yearling filly by Collected. Plein Air produced a colt by Omaha Beach May 18.

Monday, Santa Anita
HOLLYWOOD GOLD CUP S.-GII, $201,000, Santa Anita, 5-27, 3yo/up, 1 1/4m, 2:03.01, ft.
1–MR FISK, 124, c, 4, by Arrogate
     1st Dam: Plein Air (Ire) (SW-USA & Ity, $163,617), by Manduro (Ger)
     2nd Dam: Too In Love (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Anita Via (Ire), by Anita's Prince (Ire)
O/B-Sunny Brook Stables (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Kazushi Kimura. $120,000. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-0, $369,700. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Reincarnate, 122, c, 4, Good Magic–Allanah, by Scat Daddy. ($775,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Masterson, Robert E., Stonestreet Stables LLC, Schoenfarber, Jay A., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $40,000.
3–Judge Miller, 122, c, 4, Curlin–Cavorting, by Bernardini. ($550,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Muir Hut Stables, LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Mark Glatt. $24,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 2 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 2.50, 3.00, 2.90.
Also Ran: Subsanador (Arg), Mixto, Arrowthegreat, Oviatt Class. Scratched: Ashcroft.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Giving jockey Umberto Rispoli a day to remember after annexing the GI Gamely S. aboard Anisette two races earlier, Cuyathy LLC's Johannes (Nyquist) rounded out a Grade I-winning exacta for the Italian when winning the GI Shoemaker Mile S. on Santa Anita's Memorial Day card.

Assuming his usual stalking, the 2-1 second choice was content to survey the speed as 11-1 chance Funtastic Again (Funtastic), with Frankie Dettori aboard, led longshot Goliad (War Front) through an opening quarter in :22.28. With the longshot taking over to post a half in :45.50, Johannes was poised to pounce approaching the final turn. Asked for more four wide turning for home, he was unleashed by Rispoli in the stretch, took over late and inched clear to post a 1/2-length victory over Funtastic Again with 2-1 choice Du Jour (Temple City) taking third.

“That was fantastic. I beat my idol,” enthused 35-year-old Rispoli. “I have so much respect for Frankie. Having my second Gamely and Shoemaker Mile on the same day is just a dream come true.”

“He is very mature, even though he dropped me behind the gate today,” said Rispoli of the colt's pre-race antics. “I took out the ear plugs and he bucked me off. But he is very good horse. We always believed in him. [Trainer] Tim [Yakteen] and the owners were very patient to give him a long break and the horse came back stronger than ever. He is a fantastic and good horse. That's the type of horse you want to ride.”

Johannes is a homebred for Joe and Debby McCloskey's Cuyathy LLC, named after the 4-year-old's dam. After making his first three starts on dirt as a 2-year-old in 2022, all losses, he was switched to turf and has since lost only once in six starts.

Last season, the dark bay won a pair of Santa Anita stakes Anita-the 6 1/2-furlong Baffle S. and the Pasadena S. at a mile-before rounding out the year with a fifth in the GII American Turf S. at Churchill Downs in May. Shelved for the remainder of the year, he marked his return with a solid 1 3/4-length victory in the GIII American S. at Santa Anita Apr. 4.

“He showed talent from the start, but to develop into this, I didn't expect it in the early stages, but I'm very thankful for him and appreciative,” added Yakteen.

Pedigree Notes:
Johannes gave Darley sire Nyquist his fifth Grade I /Group 1 victory in Monday's Shoemaker Mile. The dark bay is the first foal out of his dam Cuyathy, a $50,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase is 2014. Stakes placed on the racetrack, the mare was the very first horse Debby and Joe McCloskey campaigned and with Monday's win, Johannes becomes the first Grade I winner for the couple. The Congrats mare also has a juvenile filly by Gun Runner named Sea Runner and an unnamed filly by Knicks Go from last season. She was bred back to Mandaloun.

Another Grade 1 winner for @DarleyAmerica Nyquist as #9 JOHANNES wins the $300,000 Shoemaker Mile.@timyakteen trains, and @umbyrispoli caps a big day in the irons with two Grade 1 victories. pic.twitter.com/tktRPrUv4s

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 28, 2024

Monday, Santa Anita Park
SHOEMAKER MILE S.-GI, $303,000, Santa Anita, 5-27, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:33.00, fm.
1–JOHANNES, 122, c, 4, by Nyquist
            1st Dam: Cuyathy (SP, $107,923), by Congrats
            2nd Dam: Dance Darling, by Devil's Bag
            3rd Dam: Danzig Darling, by Danzig
1ST GRADE I WIN. O/B-CUYATHY LLC (KY); T-Tim Yakteen; J-Umberto Rispoli. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 9-5-0-1, $423,859. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Funtastic Again, 122, c, 4, Funtastic–Repeta, by Broken Vow. 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($60,000 Wlg '20 KEENOV). O-Three Chimneys Farm; B-BHMFR, LLC (KY); T-Wesley A. Ward. $60,000.
3–Du Jour, 126, g, 6, Temple City–Guiltless, by Bernardini. ($19,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP; $280,000 2yo '20 OBSAPR). O-Natalie Baffert and Debbie Lanni; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $36,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 2.20, 11.00, 2.10.
Also Ran: There Goes Harvard, Irideo (Arg), Easter (Fr), War At Sea, Air Force Red, Dominican Pioneer, Conclude, Goliad.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Not seen since taking the GI American Oaks last December, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) kicked off her 4-year-old campaign on a winning note, taking the GI Gamely S. on Santa Anita's Memorial Day card Monday. Allowed to settle well off the pace as 5-2 favorite Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) opened up on the field through a :24.09 opening quarter, Anisette continued to bide her time through a :47.57 half mile. With the field closing in on the weakening frontrunner approaching the final turn, the slight 5-2 second choice swept into the stretch four wide, powered to the front midstretch and proved best, scoring by a half-length over 5-1 shot Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac GB}). Forever After All (Connect) was up for third.

“When I passed the leaders ahead and took off, she got in front and started to wait for the other horses. I said,' No, you don't do that today,' said winning rider Umberto Rispoli. “When she felt that other filly come aside to her she just kept on going. I think it was a great effort. My thought was to get a good break, because once you break on the dirt it could get tricky, most of the horses they stumble. We were a little bit crowed but I had to ride her like she was the best filly in the race. I had a dream trip.”

Ruby Nell was allowed to take control as Linda's Gift and Olivia Maralda took up chase with Anisette an unhurried fourth rounding the first turn. The GII Buena Vista S. winner opened up by five lengths down the backstretch as the tempo began to quicken rounding the far turn. With Ruby Nell's advantage dwindling down to only two lengths straightening for home, Anisette took aim as Olivia Maralda kept pace with the oncoming favorite while the pacesetter began her retreat. Despite her rival's best effort, however, Anisette proved best on the day, winning under a drive.

“I was very happy with the first part of the race,” explained winning trainer Leonard Powell. “I got a bit worried when Ruby Nell got the separation with the field, but I was very happy that the field caught up with Ruby Nell early.”

“I could see that Umberto was biding his time and he had a lot of confidence in her, and she got the job done. At the quarter pole, I thought if she makes it, she is a champion.”

Posting a single victory in the U.K. during her juvenile season, Anisette launched her U.S. campaign with a trio of wins, including Del Mar's GII San Clemente S. over a mile and the nine-furlong GI Del Mar Oaks last August. Having to play bridesmaid to Didia in Santa Anita's GII Rodeo Drive S. over 10 panels Oct. 7, the dark bay was second to Ruby Nell when dropping back to a mile for the Nov. 5 GIII Autumn Miss S.

“I went to see her after she was on rest, and she looked like she had gained weight,” said Rispoli, who later added a win with Johannes (Nyquist) in the GI Shoemaker S. on Monday's Memorial Day card. “She is tiny, but you could see that she gained some of the weight. I think it was a very good work from Leo and the barn to get her ready for a Grade I after coming back off a layoff and at a mile an eighth. I don't really think it was the distance she likes, but I think she won because she is much the best filly.”

When asked about her preferred distance, he added, “It's hard to say because I really like her going at a mile because if they get away from you, she can have a really good turn of foot.”

Pedigree Notes:
In addition to G1 Prix d'Ispahan scorer Anmaat (Ire), she is one of two Grade I/Group winners for the stallion. Anisette, a 26,000gns purchase for Avenue Bloodstock at the Tattersalls September Yearling sale in 2021, is out of Tutti Frutti, herself a half-sister to G1 Nassau S. heroine Sultanina (GB) (New Approach {Ire}). The mare is also responsible for an unraced juvenile filly by Make Believe (GB) (Glamorous Marlene {Ire}) in addition to a yearling colt by Magna Grecia (Ire).

ANISETTE!

#6 Anisette won the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita under @umbyrispoli for @Leopowellracing. This is her third Grade 1 victory.

Olivia Maralda second, Forever After All third. pic.twitter.com/jMlKRnfVky

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 28, 2024

Monday, Santa Anita
GAMELY S.-GI, $301,500, Santa Anita, 5-27, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT, 1:46.90, fm.
1–ANISETTE (GB), 126, f, 4, by Awtaad (Ire)
                1st Dam: Tutti Frutti (GB), by Teofilo (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Soft Centre (GB), by Zafonic
                3rd Dam: Foodbroker Fancy (Ire), by Halling
(26,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred
Partners; B-Morera Partnership (GB); T-Leonard Powell;
J-Umberto Rispoli. $180,000. Lifetime Record: 10-6-3-0,
$786,871. Werk Nick Rating: A++.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Olivia Maralda (Ire), 122, f, 4, by Kodiac (GB)
                1st Dam: Yajala (GB) (SP-Ity), by Fasliyev
                2nd Dam: Desacara (GB), by Arctic Tern
                3rd Dam: Do You Miss Me, by El Gran Senor
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (460,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE; 725,000gns
3yo '23 TATMA). O-Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Tally Ho
Stud (IRE); T-William Walden. $60,000.
3–Forever After All, 122, m, 5, by Connect
                1st Dam: Julia Tuttle (SW & GSP, $188,051),
                                by Giant's Causeway
                2nd Dam: Candy Cane (Arg), by Ride the Rails
                3rd Dam: Candy Girl (Arg), by Candy Stripes
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE, 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. ($290,000 RNA
Ylg '20 KEESEP). O/B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Brendan P.
Walsh. $36,000.
Margins: HF, 1, HF. Odds: 2.80, 5.90, 17.00.
Also Ran: Nadette (Fr), Linda's Gift, Ruby Nell, Justique, Uncorked (Aus). Scratched: Yerwanthere (Ire).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Anisette Returns a Winner in Santa Anita’s Gamely appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Being a half-brother to undefeated Horse of the Year Flightline (Tapit, Horse of the Year, Ch. Older Dirt Male, MGISW, $4,514,800), the expectations were naturally high and the pressure certainly on, and Hronis Racing, Summer Wind Equine and William S. Farish's Eagles Flight (c, 3, Curlin–Feathered, by Indian Charlie) proved equal to the task, overcoming something of a tricky trip to join Flightline as 'TDN Rising Stars.'

Beyond the obvious pedigree appeal, Eagles Flight had displayed plenty of ability in the mornings, with three consecutive black-letter works heading into the debut capped by a best-of-41 five furlongs in :58 4/5 May 19.

As low as 3-5 as the horses were about to depart the paddock, Eagles Flight–carrying the Summer Wind silks–eased into 4-5 and remained there before a further market drift saw him jump at odds of 11-10. Not the quickest away from the two hole, the scopey bay colt–who tipped the scales at 1,177 pounds according to a Santa Anita graphic–brushed lightly at the break with the rail-drawn Atitlan (The Factor), then was beaten for speed and was ridden along from about seventh, but raced not all that far away from the leaders down the backstretch.

In tight for a stride or two at that stage, Eagles Flight traveled sweetly for Flightline's jockey Flavien Prat and he was angled away from the inside and into about the three path at the three-eighths. Taking a gap professionally between rivals while gaining good ground nearing the quarter pole, Eagles Flight rolled up outside to engage 2-1 chief market rival Santarena (Omaha Beach), a three-time maiden, but who earned a 93 Beyer for a runner-up effort two starts back. The chalk wanted to lug in approaching the eighth pole, but once straightened away by Prat, he leveled out beautifully and won going away before galloping out strongly. The final time for the six furlongs was a rock-solid 1:10.07, all despite apparently losing his right front shoe somewhere along the way.

Racing in the colors of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Feathered was multiple Grade I-placed on the dirt at two, but developed into one of the top turf runners of her generation the following season, winning the GIII Edgewood S. while finishing runner-up in the GI American Oaks and the GII Lake George S. Jane Lyon added Feathered to her boutique broodmare band at Summer Wind Farm, paying $2.35 million for the 4-year-old when offered pregnant to War Front at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale and the mare has since bred four winners from five to start.

Her second produce was Flightline, a $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling who went undefeated in his six-race career with elite-level scores at seven furlongs (Malibu S.), eight furlongs (Hill 'n' Dale Met Mile H.) and a mile and a quarter (TVG Pacific Classic, GI Breeders' Cup Classic). He won those half-dozen races by some 70 1/2 lengths combined. Eagles Flight's third dam Finder's Fee took the 1999 GI Matron S. and added the GI Acorn S. the following season.

Lyon had Eagles Flight entered for the 2022 Keeneland September Sale, only days after Flightline won the Pacific Classic by better than 19 lengths. Ultimately she could not risk the colt at auction and elected to retain him, adding Flightline partners Hronis Racing and Will Farish to the ownership group.

Feathered is the dam of the 2-year-old Into Mischief filly Flight of Fancy, was barren to Tapit for 2023 and produced a full-brother to Flightline this past February.

Eagles Flight is the 27th 'TDN Rising Star' for Curlin.

8th-Santa Anita, $56,000, Msw, 5-27, 3, 4,/5yo, 6f, 1:10.07, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
EAGLES FLIGHT, c, 3, by Curlin
1st Dam: Feathered (GSW & MGISP, $577,474), by Indian Charlie
2nd Dam: Receipt, by Dynaformer
3rd Dam: Finder's Fee, by Storm Cat
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart and VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Hronis Racing LLC, Summer Wind Equine LLC & W S Farish; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-John W Sadler.

FLIGHTLINE's half-brother #2 EAGLES FLIGHT made his debut a winning one in Race 8 at Santa Anita.

Flavien Prat aboard for @sadlerracing, @KostaHronis, @MoreSummerWind. pic.twitter.com/zpMlsmoVgp

— FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) May 27, 2024

The post Curlin’s Eagles Flight As Advertised, Becomes a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Pick 6 carryover of $44,200 will be transferred to the Thursday, June 6 program at Saratoga Race Course after a pair of races included in the multi-race wager were taken off the turf on Monday's card.

Following the conclusion of Race 4–the opening leg of the Pick 6 wager–and a weather delay which included significant rainfall, the New York Racing Association, Inc. took Race 6 and Race 7 off-the-turf.

A total of $230,327 in new money was wagered into Monday's Pick 6 pool at a carryover takeout rate of 24%. Given United Tote is unable to change the takeout rate in the tote system after the wager begins, NYRA has added a total of $21,000 in seed money to the pool which brings the wager down to a takeout rate of 14.88%, which is below the customary non-carryover Pick 6 takeout rate of 15%.

In accordance with New York State Gaming Commission Rule 4011.26 regarding Pick 6 pools and surface transfers, the Pick 6 carryover will now transfer to the next available card which will occur June 6 on Opening Day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival:

According to the rules, “If there are two or three surface transfer races in the pick-six sequence, no carryovers from prior pick-six pools, advertised guaranteed amount or advertised added amounts will be distributed to winners in such day's pick-six pool, and 75% of such program's net pool shall be distributed, less breaks, to holders of wagers selecting the winners of all non-surface transfer races in the pick-six sequence, and 25% of such program's net pool shall be distributed, less breaks, to holders of wagers selecting the next most winners; should no wager include the winners of all the non-surface-transfer races in the pick-six sequence, 25% of such net pool shall be distributed, less breaks, to the holders of wagers selecting the most winners of the non-surface-transfer races in the pick-six sequence, and 75% of such program's net pool shall be carried over as elsewhere provided in this section for subsequent distribution.”

Entries for the Thursday, June 6 program will be taken Friday, May 31.

The post Memorial Day’s $44K Pick 6 Carryover Moves to Opening Day of Belmont Stakes Racing Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso), most recently seen finishing second in the May 11 GIII Peter Pan S., is being considered for either the 10-furlong GI Belmont S. or the seven-furlong GI Woody Stephens S., both at Saratoga June 8.

“It depends on the trip, but I think he can get it [the distance]– he's bred to get it and should be able to,” David Staudacher, who co-owns the colt with Paradise Farms Corp., said regarding the 10-furlong Belmont distance. “I think he likes the track up there, so we'll see what [trainer] Mike [Maker] decides to do. We just have to see how the horse is doing. He's a really nice horse and we don't want to rush him. We'd love to be in the Belmont, so we have our fingers crossed.”

The Wine Steward worked four furlongs in :48.00 (23/180) at Churchill Downs Saturday.

“I was there and he worked pretty easy and looked good,” said Staudacher. “Mike is going to have to decide on which race in the next week or so. We're still undecided. He had a couple tough races, so we've got to make sure he bounces back right.”

The Wine Steward opened his career with three straight wins last summer, including victories in the Bashford Manor S. at Ellis Park and the Funny Cide S. at Saratoga. He concluded his juvenile campaign with a runner-up effort in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and opened 2024 with a runner-up effort in the Apr. 12 GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. He was 3/4 lengths behind Antiquarian (Preservationist) when runner-up in the Peter Pan.

The post Belmont, Woody Stephens Remain Options for The Wine Steward appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

A trio of graded stakes, led by the GI Gamely S. and GI Shoemaker Mile S., will anchor a stacked Memorial Day holiday program at Santa Anita on Monday.

Making her first start since capturing the GI American Oaks Dec. 26, Anisette (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}) headlines a deep nine-horse field set for the Gamely. The Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners colorbearer also captured last term's GI Del Mar Oaks.

“We gave her a small vacation that was much deserved,” trainer Leonard Powell said of the Gamely's 5-2 morning-line favorite. “She's come back as good, if not better, than before.”

Powell continued, “She's fired fresh before, but this is a Grade I. It's different circumstances. There are some really seasoned performers. But while she's up against it from that standpoint, she's up to the challenge.”

Hall of Famer Richard Mandella will be represented by last-out local graded winners Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) (GII Buena Vista S.) and the streaking Linda's Gift (Arrogate) (GIII Santa Ana S.).

The rail-drawn Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a 725,000gns TATDEC purchase by Woodford Thoroughbreds last winter, heads west for trainer Will Walden following a rallying second-place finish while making her U.S. debut in a Keeneland allowance Apr. 20.

Du Jour (Temple City) and Easter (Fr) (Exosphere {Aus}), the first two finishers across the line in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. Mar. 3, will meet again in the Shoemaker Mile. The field of 11 also includes returning 2023 GII Del Mar Derby winner Conclude (Collected) and GIII American S. Apr. 4 winner Johannes (Nyquist).

The GII Hollywood Gold Cup will showcase a field of eight, including: GIII Californian S. Apr. 20 one-two-three Mr Fisk (Arrogate), Judge Miller (Curlin) and Mixto (Good Magic); and narrow GI Santa Anita H. Mar. 3 runner-up Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify).

Santa Anita's blockbuster holiday card also features the return of human stars to Arcadia. International riding legend Frankie Dettori, who tied a Santa Anta record when winning six consecutive races Apr. 6, rides nine of Monday's 11 races. His stakes mounts are Uncorked (Uncle Mo) in the Gamely for Phil D'Amato, Judge Miller in the Gold Cup for Mark Glatt and Funtastic Again (Funtastic) in the Shoemaker Mile for Wesley Ward.

Flavien Prat, who ranks second in North America this year with more than $10.29 million in earnings, has seven mounts Monday. In the three stakes, he'll be aboard Olivia Maralda in the Gamely; Subsanador in the Gold Cup for Mandella and Du Jour in the Shoemaker for trainer Bob Baffert.

Reigning three-time Sovereign Award winner Kazushi Kimura, who like Prat and Dettori rode this winter at Santa Anita, returns with six mounts Monday. His stakes engagements include longshot Yerwanthere (Ire) (Markaz {Ire}) in the Gamely for trainer Patrick Gallagher, Mr Fisk in the Gold Cup for Baffert and Dominican Pioneer (Pioneerof the Nile) in the Shoemaker for Ward.

Trainer Chad Brown, meanwhile, will send out an imposing trio, led by unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' and Memories of Silver S. Apr. 28 heroine Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah) as he looks to secure a record-extending sixth victory in the GII Wonder Again S. at Belmont at the Big A.

Monday's graded stakes action is rounded out by the GIII Steve Sexton Mile S. at Lone Star and the GIII Winning Colors S. at Churchill Downs.

The post Loaded Santa Anita Program, Featuring Trio of Graded Stakes, Headlines Memorial Day Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Two-time Grade I winner Adare Manor (Uncle Mo) will be heavily favored to successfully defend her title in Sunday's GII Santa Margarita S. at Santa Anita.

The Michael Lund Petersen colorbearer posted triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures in her two prior attempts for Bob Baffert this season, finishing second in the GI Beholder Mile S. Mar. 9 and capturing the GI Apple Blossom H. Apr. 13.

Drawn widest of all in post five, Adare Manor is the 3-5 morning-line favorite.

The field also includes Coffee in Bed (Curlin) and Super Shine (Arg) (Super Saver), separated by just a neck while finishing one-two in the local GII Santa Maria S. Apr. 21.

Santa Anita's 10-race Sunday program also features the GIII Daytona S. going 6 1/2 furlongs over the hillside course.

The post Adare Manor Looms Large in Santa Margarita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a long-term eye on a title defense in this fall's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, Patricia's Hope LLC's Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) has begun gearing up for his 2024 campaign.

The gelded 5-year-old has posted four breezes at trainer Larry Rivelli's Hawthorne base this spring, most recently stopping the timer for four furlongs in :52.60 (50/51) May 19.

“He's doing good, real good,” Rivelli said. “I gave him time just for no reason. I haven't really picked out anything yet (for his return); within his next couple of works, we'll probably start dialing in on something. They got those races (turf sprints) everywhere. It could be at Colonial, Churchill, Ellis, Indiana for his comeback race. The goal is to win the Breeders' Cup (Turf Sprint) again, so we'll just try to get a couple of preps in before that race.”

Nobals won four of seven starts during his 2023 season, capped by a narrow decision in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Nov. 4. A front-running, upset winner at odds of 38-1 in the GII Twin Spires Turf Sprint S. on the GI Kentucky Derby undercard, Nobals showed a different dimension at the Championships, rallying from seventh following a masterful ride from Gerardo Corrales to light up the tote board once again at odds of 12-1. Both wins earned Nobals matching 102 Beyer Speed Figures.

Nobals, just a $3,500 FTKOCT yearling, was purchased privately by Vinnie Foglia's Patricia's Hope and transferred to Rivelli following a debut win as a 2-year-old for owner/trainer Leland Hayes at Presque Isle Downs. One of eight graded winners for Frankel (GB)'s full-brother Noble Mission, Nobals was produced by the Dr. John A Chandler homebred and two-time winner Pearly Blue (Empire Maker).

“It's good because you just let him run his own race, and if he's where he's at, he fires either way,” Rivelli said of his charge's versatility. “That was not the plan obviously, they just got away from him (at the Breeders' Cup). He plain and simple wasn't fast enough. The trip was perfect. Everything had to work out–the rail opened up just enough and we got through and held on.”

Rivelli continued, “A lot of those guys that were in that race last year kinda fell off the map. I'm hoping that we made the right move by just giving him a break. Hopefully, those horses are all (worn) out by that time of the year and we're just coming back with a pretty nice fresh horse.”

Larry Rivelli & Gerardo Corrales celebrate at the Championships | Benoit

It was a career year for Rivelli in 2023. In addition to saddling his first Breeders' Cup winner, he also came within a length of capturing the GI Kentucky Derby with three-time graded winner and young WinStar stallion Two Phil's (Hard Spun). The Chicago native posted a record of 276-85-59-30 and a personal-best $4,992,862 in earnings last season.

“It was the best year we've had in my career,” Rivelli said. “Almost winning the Derby with Two Phil's, then winning the Breeders' Cup all in the same year, it was great. Two Phil's is doing good at WinStar now, I think his book is full. Everything is going good, knock on wood.”

Rivelli concluded, “I got a bunch of babies–a bunch of 'em–that aren't named yet that are just getting to the point where the light bulb is going off. There's a lot of could be's right now, which is good.”

Who knows? There 'could be' a repeat Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner in his barn as well.

REPLAY: Nobals wins the $1 Million #BreedersCup Turf Sprint! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/hpytTFJ2d7

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

The post ‘The Goal is to Win the Breeders’ Cup Again’ – BC Turf Sprint Winner Nobals Gearing Up for Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has extended for another six months its accreditation suspension of the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.

The RMTC initially suspended its accreditation of the laboratory back in March, following news that the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had stopped sending samples to the lab due to “concerns with the performance” of the facility.

Prior to that, the laboratory had been one of six drug testing facilities used under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) drug testing program.

According to the RMTC's executive director, Michael Hardy, the UK Lab requested an extension to its initial 60-day suspension period on May 7.

“The RMTC acknowledges the good faith efforts and level of cooperation from the laboratory during the originally prescribed 60-day period and has authorized an extension up to, but not to exceed six months to afford additional time for the laboratory to achieve full compliance with the Code of Standards,” Hardy wrote.

A UK spokesperson confirmed the suspension extension, adding that the university believes the “timeframe will be sufficient” for the lab to achieve full compliance with the RMTC's code of standards.

If the laboratory failed to make the necessary fixes in time and the RMTC had denied the extension request, the organization could have moved to fully revoke its accreditation of the facility.

“If that were to [happen], we would have to start very much from scratch and that can be a very laborious and time-consuming process. So, we really want to try as best we can to maintain accreditation so that we can focus on moving forward,” acting lab director, Cynthia Cole, recently told the TDN.

The RMTC's extension marks the latest development in a twisting story that has played out with limited public explanations.

After halting the flow of samples to the UK Laboratory, HIWU and HISA announced they had opened an investigation into the facility's performance, alongside the university's own investigation into the matter.

In the same statement, the agencies announced that the university was conducting “an ongoing personnel investigation” relating to Scott Stanley, the former UK Lab director, and that “Dr. Stanley was not permitted to be in direct communication with the other staff at the laboratory.”

Stanley told the TDN that he had stepped down as the UK Lab's director at the beginning of March and has been reassigned within the university.

When initially asked why the RMTC had suspended its accreditation, Hardy pointed to a code of standards which lists 10 possible considerations that might prompt the organization to take such an action.

RMTC accreditation is a necessity if a laboratory is to be among HIWU's stable of drug testing facilities.

Toward the end of March, the university announced that it had hired Cole to be interim lab director. Cole previously served as an associate clinical professor and director of The Racing Laboratory at the University of Florida from 2002-2006, then again from 2018-2023 when the laboratory closed.

In a Q&A with the TDN, Cole shared how the U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) had also stopped sending samples to UK Lab due to similar concerns that HISA had with the lab, along with issues of turnaround times not being met.

Cole also said that “it's possible” the recent developments at the UK Lab could call into question the legitimacy of any HISA/HIWU-related samples previously processed through the facility.

Cole, however, voiced optimism that the issues with the laboratory would be rectified in time to avoid full revocation of the RMTC's accreditation.

“I am an optimist, so I'm going to say we will be able to achieve this. I think we've made tremendous advances in already meeting some of their requests and their concerns,” said Cole, in the Q&A.

“Some of them are simply a little bit more time consuming. So, I believe with an extension we can address almost all of their [RMTC's] concerns.”

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With 48 horses already added to the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale, the supplemental catalogue is now available. The supplements include 47 2-year-olds and one horse of racing age.

Sires represented among the supplemented entries are first-year stallions Complexity, Game Winner, Instagrand, Global Campaign, Spun to Run, Vekoma, and Volatile. Veteran sires include Bernardini, Blame, Classic Empire, Constitution, Dialed In, Goldencents, Liam's Map, Maclean's Music, Maximus Mischief, More Than Ready, Munnings, Nyquist, Uncle Mo, and Vino Rosso.

The sale will take place over three days from Wednesday, June 12 through Friday, June 14, with under-tack sessions daily from June 4-9. Supplements to the June Sale are still being accepted.

A print version of the supplemental catalogue will be available on the sales grounds.

The under-tack show and sale will be streamed live via the OBS website at obssales.com, at the TDN website, and on various other media outlets.

The post OBS June Supplemental Catalogue Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With session topics from computer-assisted wagering to fixed odds to a status report on the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act (HISA), the 2024 National HBPA Conference is set of July 23-26 at Prairie Meadows, the horsemen's group said in a Friday release.

“A lot is changing in our industry at breakneck speed,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association. “The objective of the National HBPA Conference is to get straight talk from industry experts and to start dialogue where we can come together to begin implementing solutions that truly make horse racing better for our participants, including horseplayers, and safer for our equine and human athletes.”

Attendees will be treated to an opening reception hosted by Thoroughbred owner Dennis Albaugh at his car museum in the Des Moines suburb of Ankeny.

Thoroughbred Daily News's Dan Ross will moderate a panel with Pat Cummings and Jack Jeziorski discussing computer-assisted wagering.

Click here for conference registration information and the agenda.

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With a 34 to 25 vote on Thursday, May 23, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2025 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which will allocate up to $5 million in grants for equine therapy under the Veterans Affairs (VA) Adaptive Sports Program, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said in a press release on Friday.

The initiative, led by Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) and the NTRA, will award grants by the VA to eligible organizations to plan, develop, manage and implement equine therapy programs for Veterans and Armed Forces members with disabilities.

“Funding initiatives to help Thoroughbreds find a second career is a top priority for the NTRA, and to be able to do that while aiding Veterans is a big victory,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “This grant will fund equine therapy programs so our retired racehorses can benefit our nation's Veterans.”

Click here to access the legislation.

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