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Adapt, Evolve, or Be Forced Out of Existence. Letter to the Editor: Amanda Luby, Welbourne Stud

Mon, 2023-08-28 10:27

In racing, there is nothing more horrific than watching a horse break down in front of you. My heart goes out to every person connected with each of the horses that has lost its life in this manner and to each fan who's witnessed this. As my husband said after Maple Leaf Mel's tragic end, “They're just innocent animals!” He left immediately after her death, horrorstruck, and, fortunately, was not at the track on Travers Day. Like countless other casual fans who've seen such awful things, it is unlikely that he will ever return to watch another race, and racing needs to understand this is the visceral reaction casual fans experience when they see these beautiful animals falter so terribly. These fans, these bettors, don't come back to the sport.

I was at Saratoga on both Whitney and Travers Day. Maple Leaf Mel and New York Thunder's injuries were the most gruesome I've ever seen in my decades in horse racing. I left the track in tears this past Saturday, having my own visceral reaction, believing strongly that NYRA should have shut down racing immediately.

A friend of mine is a crisis communications expert and she was with me this past Saturday. She's done work for the NFL and some of the world's most complex companies. She currently is the head of U.S. Communications for one of the largest law firms in the world.  She has come to racing later in life, but is a horsewoman first and foremost. After witnessing New York Thunder's demise on Saturday, she summarized her thoughts below:

   I get the complexities of shutting down the massive machinery of a racetrack. The business model impacts countless others that depend upon the race meet continuing. But you cannot dismiss the concerns of the public. While I can understand the need to take a broader look at the whole situation, the reality is that the optics of the breakdowns are awful. And you can't have horses running down the stretch on three legs. To give an NFL analogy, as soon as plaintiffs' lawyers could prove a causal link between football and head injuries, the sport had to change [because it risked losing everything]. Every time a horse breaks down, racing's license to operate gets shredded. Change has to happen immediately.

While I wasn't born into the sport, I've been in it my entire life. My passion for Thoroughbred racing has been a driving force in much of my professional and personal life; but this life straddles two worlds because no one else in my family or even my lifelong, closest friends are part of the sport. Because of them, I'm acutely aware of what people outside of the sport are saying. Saratoga residents who've been casual fans over the years are done. Friends around the U.S. texted me and were aghast. They were turned onto the sport because of me and now I feel responsible for the images they can't get out of their heads.

In the past few weeks, driven by this passion, I have communicated directly with various NYRA board members about my concerns and offered solutions and encouragement. This past year, with the breakdowns at last year's Breeders' Cup, on every Triple Crown Day and the country's elite meet suffering from the most awful of repeated tragedies on its biggest days…well, the damage is incalculable.

I come from a science background; and I'm a trial lawyer and general counsel by trade. I get needing to have the evidence to justify corporate decisions. However, what I don't get is being frozen and ill-prepared for such a crisis as what has befallen Saratoga this year given all of the knowledge we already have.  Let's be clear, this is an industry-wide problem. We've known for years through the research of Dr. Susan Stover and others that the vast majority of catastrophic breakdowns are the result of pre-existing, micro-factures and injuries. We have observed both historical and recent patterns that breakdowns routinely occur after dirt tracks are sealed. We know rain-sodden turf tracks become uneven, slippery, and/or unsafe, particularly on the turns. We already have the data that dirt tracks are significantly more dangerous than turf; and that synthetic tracks are safer than turf. We know that biometric and diagnostic technologies can help trainers and veterinarians identify the slightest changes in horses' biomechanics and that having a standing MRI on-site at every racetrack could help veterinarians diagnose earlier and prevent fatal injuries.

The general public may not know all of these details, but it witnesses the consequences of not prioritizing safety in every aspect of the sport. Businesses cannot be so data-driven that they forget the emotions of the day, compartmentalize away the sorrowful humanity of recent events; and fail to implement immediate changes. Sometimes business needs to conduct itself with more heart. The younger, larger generations demand that; and they are the future of this sport.

I do have faith that this generational awareness is something NYRA's CEO appreciates as he regularly invites families from Saratoga's “Backyard” into the paddock to get them closer to these magnificent animals of which we are all stewards. WE ARE STEWARDS, as Jena Antonucci has reminded us this year, and that includes each track operator, racehorse owner, training operation, veterinarian, breeder, handicapper, and fan. A steward is a person who is responsible for the safety and welfare of another; and thus, it is incumbent upon each of us who professes to care for these animals to do everything in our power to ensure their well-being. This means each stakeholder, at every level, needs to adjust its business model.

What can be done now, with the information we have today?

(1) Ensure on-site access to, and immediate utilization of, the biometric and diagnostic technologies at the racetracks.

(2) Replace the dirt. The data we have NOW proves racing on synthetics is the safest. U.S. racing and breeding industry cannot keep justifying breeding for, and racing on, dirt. Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse zeroed in on that in his recent TDN interview. Every track, including each of the tracks that hosts the Triple Crown races and Breeders' Cup, needs to convert their dirt tracks to synthetic, and HISA needs to consider this as a mandate. These synthetic tracks would also ensure that races that need to come off the turf can transition safely.

(3) Breeders and owners/buyers need to get behind this; and

(4) they absolutely must, regardless of the importance of a race, empower their trainers and veterinarians to scratch horses if they have the slightest bit of concern about a horse's soundness. It is irresponsible, to say the least, to take the opposite approach.

If the sport truly puts its money where its mouth is, then it would put equine welfare first in all things and change. In the end, this sport will either adapt, evolve, or be forced out of existence by a repulsed public.

Amanda Luby, Welbourne Stud

The post Adapt, Evolve, or Be Forced Out of Existence. Letter to the Editor: Amanda Luby, Welbourne Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Op/Ed: Synthetics, Fans, and the Future of Racing

Mon, 2023-08-28 10:01

It's been another devastating month for horse racing. Even the most hardened racetrackers needed a few minutes to gather themselves when Maple Leaf Mel, steps away from a first Grade I, broke down in the Test at Saratoga on the Whitney undercard. It was a similar story on Saturday when the unbeaten New York Thunder, seemingly on his way to a spectacular victory in the GI H. Allen Jerkens, went down in mid-stretch and, in front of a crowd of 48,292, was humanely euthanized. It was the second fatality on the card, after Nobel (Ire) was put down following the day's fifth race.

Indeed, the numbers at Saratoga this meet are harrowing. New York Thunder was the eighth racing fatality. At least another four have died during morning training at Saratoga, bringing the total to 12. All 12 were trained by different trainers, including some of racing's most respected names–Christophe Clement, Graham Motion, Brendan Walsh and Kenny McPeek, among them.

Racing, it seems, just limps from one tragedy to the next.

It didn't, and doesn't, have to be like this. We've known for nearly 15 years how to reduce catastrophic breakdowns by 50% or more: synthetic tracks. I know these numbers have appeared in the TDN in recent months, but they bear repeating. According to The Jockey Club's Equine Injury database, from 2009 through 2022, there were 6,036 fatal injuries from 3,242,505 starts on dirt during the course of racing in North America.

That's a rate of 1.86 per start. (These numbers don't include fatalities that occur during morning training.)

On synthetics, there were 534 fatal injuries from 482,169 starts, a rate of 1.11. That's a 68% difference. Put another way, had dirt tracks matched the safety of synthetic tracks during that stretch, there would have been 2,437 fewer fatalities.

Despite great progress being made in California in recent years, the last two years have been even more striking. In 2021, the dirt rate (1.51) was more than twice the synthetic rate (0.73). In 2022, it was more than three times (1.44 vs. 0.41). At Gulfstream last year, there were eight fatalities from 5,886 starts on dirt, a pretty respectable 1.36. But on its synthetic track? One fatality from 7,085 starts, or a rate of just 0.14.

These stats show not just how much safer synthetic tracks are, but also illustrate why those who blame permissive medication or breeding trends are wrong. You simply wouldn't see this stark a difference between surfaces if those were the driving factors in racing fatalities.

As sad as it is, if racing continues this business-as-usual approach to racing surfaces, it's not hard to envision how all this ends: the end of the sport in all but a few parts of the country.

Most anyone could sketch the outline: the drumbeat from animal rights groups and unsympathetic media coverage gets loud enough to convince politicians to embrace either ballot referendums or the pulling of slot subsidies. The former, as it did with greyhound racing–now illegal in at least 42 states–kills horse racing jurisdictionally. The latter upends the sport's economics, depleting purse accounts and turning racing truly into the Sport of Kings, with small stables simply unable to justify the investment. Crop size, down from 40,000 in 1990 to roughly 17,000 last year, plummets further. Small breeding and stallion operations falter, with only the largest farms able to absorb the blow. Racing ultimately becomes an enterprise based largely around Kentucky and New York tracks. But once-popular tracks in Florida, California and Louisiana shutter. All the while field size dwindles and the betting product becomes less desirable.

This may take a decade or two, but we've been seeing this play out in real time, and if I was approaching 30 and not 50, I'd be very worried about my long-term prospects in the business.

Which brings us to racing's ability to attract people to it, be they horseplayers or owners or workers.

Every person reading this, and every fan and existing handicapper, myself included, has consciously or not decided that a certain level of catastrophic breakdowns isn't a disqualifying factor to our involvement in the sport. We recognize it is tragic and we mourn, but at the end of the day we conclude that our love of the sport and the animals themselves trumps that loss. But some in racing seem oblivious to the fact that there are many others who don't come to that conclusion; who have heard about the breakdowns at Santa Anita or Churchill or Saratoga and decided to do something else with their Saturday afternoons that doesn't potentially involve the death of an animal. They go to the mall, they go to the casino, they spend their disposable income elsewhere. The results of this are fewer people at the track or watching from home; fewer potential handicappers; fewer potential owners; fewer potential fans; fewer potential employees. And because there's no way to measure this, it's easy to pretend it's not happening, that jackpot wagers and bad advice from pundits and, yes, CAW wagering, are racing's biggest problems.

But talk to your friends and family outside of racing. Ask about their impressions. It's a pretty safe bet that animal welfare will be the first thing they bring up, and it's hard to believe that this isn't a huge impediment in attracting new fans. In recent weeks alone I've had several conversions with non-racing friends about the breakdowns at Churchill this past spring. A friend from NYC made the trip to Saratoga on Whitney Saturday and we spent the day texting about who to bet. After the Test, she texted, “Ah shit. I think that's it for us.” She and her husband left the track before the Whitney. Of course they did. How many people left before the Travers Saturday?

Racing's leaders have never cared to be vocal about this issue. This can't continue. Because if the current Saratoga meet has taught us anything, it's that we don't have a viable sport if we routinely break the hearts of our customers. And we can't attract new fans if people think we're not doing everything we can to protect our equine and human athletes. And right now, we aren't.

Lucas Marquardt is the owner of Thoro-Stride and a former writer for the Thoroughbred Daily News. 

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‘No Evidence’ of Issues with Tracks, According to NYRA’s O’Rourke

Sun, 2023-08-27 20:25

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY. – In the wake of two fatal breakdowns during the Travers day program Saturday, New York Racing Association officials faced the questions of if they should immediately cancel the remaining races on the card at Saratoga Race Course and whether to run on Sunday. After fact-finding sessions both days, NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke said the courses were deemed safe for competition–the jockeys were in agreement–and racing continued as scheduled.

The catastrophic leg injuries that led to two horses being euthanized Saturday brought the total of equine deaths to 12 since the start of the unusually rainy season July 13. According to the New York State Gaming Commission's Breakdown, Death, Injury and Incident Database, four of the fatalities were related to training injuries and eight to racing. Six of the eight deaths were from incidents in races run on the turf courses. Seven were musculoskeletal injuries and one was believed to be a heart attack.

The two dirt breakdowns were horrific, taking place in the stretch, with unbeaten, high-profile 3-year-old horses well on their way to victories in seven-furlong Grade I races: Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) in the GI Test S. on Aug. 5 and New York Thunder (Nyquist) in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial on Saturday.

In the minutes after the New York Thunder injury, O'Rourke said NYRA had to consider whether to immediately close on the biggest day of the Saratoga season.

“Everything is going through your mind at that point,” he said.

After consulting with his staff and a number of other people, O'Rourke elected to run the remainder of the card, including the $1.25-million GI Travers S.

“I was speaking with the Gaming Commission at the same time, the stewards at the same time, about the situation that we're in,” he said. “Obviously, there's board members here. Many of them, if not most of them, are horsemen. The decision was made to continue the card because we have no evidence that there's anything going on with these racetracks.”

There were no further injuries.

After what he described as a sleepless night, O'Rourke said that he and Glen Kozak, NYRA executive vice president and track superintendent, started talking with trainers at 6:30 a.m. Sunday and later talked with jockeys and veterinarians. At 12:45 p.m., NYRA announced that the 11-race program would be held.

John Velazquez, co-chairman of the Jockeys Guild, said the riders met with O'Rourke and expressed confidence in the conditions.

“We didn't find any issues at all,” Velazquez said. “The tracks feel safe. We didn't come up with anything that we were concerned with.”

Velzaquez acknowledged that the injuries are unsettling and said that NYRA should continue its reviews.

“We've definitely had some really horrendous breakdowns,” he said. “We are very saddened about it. There are going to be more investigations and more things we have to do and hopefully we find more answers. It will be days or weeks, whatever it is, but right now the tracks feel safe and let's continue.”

Saturday, Nobel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), an Irish-bred 4-year-old was injured in the gallop-out after the fifth race on turf. Two hours and 20 minutes later, New York Thunder broke bones in his left front leg in the Jerkens.

Immediately after Nobel's injury, O'Rourke said he, staff members and Dr. Scott Palmer, the Equine Medical Director for the Gaming Commission walked the turf course to look for problems. Since more than 11 inches of rain have fallen during the meet, prompting NYRA to move 59 races off the grass to the dirt, the rail has been placed far out in the middle of the course. On Saturday, the rails were down and the horses were running on very good turf. Still, Nobel was injured.

“We wanted to take a look at it,” O'Rourke said. “One easy solution was to pull everything off the turf. They were on fresh ground. I'm out there with experts and what I'm looking for is unanimous consensus. Not a majority. Everyone's consensus of opinion was that the turf course was in immaculate condition in the lanes we were in.”

When New York Thunder went down between the eighth pole and the sixteenth pole, O'Rourke said Kozak reviewed the surface.

“Glen installed this track and is quite familiar with moisture and the measurements and everything,” O'Rourke said. “It's nothing off about the track. I'm convinced, I'm confident in that moment of that, but I want more information. Sometimes you need more time. We made the decision to continue the card.”

Afterward, O'Rourke said the NYRA staff continued to look at the two turf courses and the dirt main track to help develop data that could be useful in Sunday's review

“This has been a tough meet, so this has been a topic,” he said. “It's not like all of a sudden we started taking a second look. After racing, the track guys are doing their thing. Some of them, I think, were here all night.”

Sunday's card was completed without incident, but O'Rourke said the investigation is far from complete. Noting that NYRA is a non-profit, he said continuing to race on Saturday and Sunday was not related to revenue, but to safety.

“This is about how do we get it right, when and how we're making decisions and why,” he said. “And my first job right now is to check off the tracks because that's the question I'm getting quite a bit. I came out of that, on that aspect, confident that every piece of information or resource that I think is applicable, that we have access to, is telling me the same thing.”

The post ‘No Evidence’ of Issues with Tracks, According to NYRA’s O’Rourke appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Cairo Prince Colt Runs Off The Page In Simcoe S. At Woodbine

Sun, 2023-08-27 19:17

The sales topper from the '22 Canadian September Yearling Sale, My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince), did not disappoint when he built on his second out maiden-breaking score from June 18 by romping home in the Simcoe S.

After that six-length win at Woodbine last time out, trainer Mark Casse was forced to shut him down because of a foot abscess, but the gray colt rebounded nicely to go off as the 1-5 favorite here.

My Boy Prince broke alertly and took control of the pace from Summer Commander up the backstretch. Dictating the numbers around the far turn, the Casse trainee accelerated into the lane and ran for fun by an ever-widening amount over Yacht Boy (Old Forester).

“He's tremendously nice,” said jockey Sahin Civaci. “He improved a lot from his last race and he just seems to be getting better and better. I like to play the break with these types of races. There could be some cheap speed that might try to go really fast, so I broke out really well. I didn't feel that much pressure.”

The winner's dam produced a yearling colt by Kitten's Joy and she was bred to Classic Empire for 2024.

SIMCOE S., C$201,500, Woodbine, 8-27, 2yo, c/g, 6 1/2f (AWT), 1:15.48, ft.
1–MY BOY PRINCE, 120, c, 2, by Cairo Prince
                1st Dam: Hopping Not Hoping (SW), by Silent Name (Jpn)
                2nd Dam: Delray Beach, by Harlan's Holiday
                3rd Dam: Matter of Law, by Matter of Honor
(C$115,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Gary Barber; B-Murray Smith (ON); T-Mark E. Casse; J-Sahin Civaci. C$120,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $141,109.
2–Yacht Boy, 120, g, 2, Old Forester–Cawaja Beach, by Where's the Ring. (C$75,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-3 Sons Racing Stable Ltd.; B-Susan Y. Foreman (ON); T-Norman McKnight. C$40,000.
3–Summer Commander, 118, c, 2, Silent Name (Jpn)–Dancing Allstar, by Millennium Allstar. (C$55,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Anne and William J. Scott; B-Trinity West Stables Ltd. (ON); T-Stuart C. Simon. C$20,000.
Margins: 14, 1 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.20, 14.50, 17.20.
Also Ran: Valyrian Sky, Bearing Down, Brave Dancer, Garofoli, Jumbotron, Adesso, Stud Muffin, Call for Locates.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

#3 MY BOY PRINCE ($2.40) romps to an impressive double-digit length victory in @WoodbineTB's $200,000 Simcoe Stakes!

The 2yo son of @AirdrieStud's Cairo Prince was ridden by @SahinCivaci, is trained by @markecasse, and is owned by Gary Barber. pic.twitter.com/byBmFpUeGn

— TVG (@TVG) August 27, 2023

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Reyes, Joseph Capture Gulfstream Titles

Sun, 2023-08-27 18:05

Leonel Reyes collected his first riding title in the U.S. and Saffie Joseph, Jr. captured his seventh consecutive training championship at Gulfstream Park when the Royal Palm Meet closed Sunday.

Reyes rode more than 1,400 winners in Venezuela before moving his tack to South Florida in 2016. The 37-year-old riding veteran got off to a quick start for the meet that kicked off Apr. 4 and never looked back, finishing with 93 victories, 18 more than runner-up Edwin Gonzalez.

“It's amazing. It's been a lot of hard work,” Reyes said. “I've been riding new horses every day. I work hard every morning. I'm very happy for this.”

Reyes, who rode 30 winners during the Championship Meet, has surpassed the 100-win mark in 2023 for the second year in a row.

After being locked in a tight race with Jose D'Angelo for much of the meet, Joseph finished strongly to add another title at Gulfstream, where he has won the Championship Meet title the past two years. Joseph sent out 66 winners, 11 more than D'Angelo.

“This meet means a lot after what we went through in May and having to go through that experience,” Joseph said. “To keep the ball rolling and having our name cleared–which should have been done in the beginning–it means a lot. The title means a lot. They all mean something, but this one is right up there with the Championship Meet ones.”

Gulfstream Park's Sunshine Meet begins Friday and will run through Nov. 26. The track's elite Championship Meet opens Dec. 1.

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Eyes Fixed On Texas Yearling Sale At Lone Star Park

Sun, 2023-08-27 18:00

At 271 head, one of the largest catalogs in its history, the Texas Thoroughbred Association's (TTA) single-session Yearling Sale will be held Monday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. (CT) at Lone Star Park Sales Pavilion.

The 2022 edition, which reported a buy-back rate of 24%, saw 161 yearlings out of 211 sell for a total of $3,416,000–up almost 6% from the previous year when 177 out of 228 grossed $3,229,600. Growth was also seen in last year's average of $21,217, an increase from $18,246 in 2021, while the median was $13,500, up from $10,000 the year prior.

Based on current trends, Mary Ruyle, the Executive Director of the TTA, is banking on the Texas racing and sales landscape continuing to blossom.

“The Texas Thoroughbred Association is very optimistic–particularly given the strong catalog for the upcoming Yearling Sale which includes what is likely the best group of Texas-bred yearlings offered,” Ruyle said. “Every horse that passes through the ring at this sale will be eligible for the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park in 2024 and either the $100,000 Derby or Oaks at Sam Houston Race Park in 2025. The Derby and Oaks were run for the first time this year and were very well received.”

First made available in 2020, funds from the Horse Industry Escrow Account have been used to increase purses in Texas and provide additional Accredited Texas-Bred incentive awards to breeders, owners and trainers.

“We expect to have a good crowd in attendance and we will again have online bidding available for approved buyers. A break from our never-ending heat wave would be most appreciated,” said Ruyle.

For the second year in a row, Highlander Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility just south of Sulphur Springs outside of Dallas, Texas, is represented at the sale. This year's draft is made up of 36 yearlings, stabled in Barn E3 at Lone Star.

“We had the $100,000 sales topper last year with Too Much Kiki [Too Much Bling] who ended up winning a stakes this past season at Lone Star,” said Highlander CEO, Jeff Hooper. “Foster Bridewell, who coordinates and runs the sale for the TTA, has been able to really bring in a good mix of buyers and we saw several top pinhookers from Ocala, plus some others from around the country, at this sale.”

Out of the Highlander consignment, Hooper said that hip 149, a Louisiana-bred colt by Unified out of Mirabeau (Bind), will be among those to watch.

“He's the first foal out of a very fast young stakes-winning mare,” said Hooper. “He has a lot a class and walks like a panther. I think he will be very popular with both pinhookers, as well as people looking to buy to race.”

Click here to access the TTA website and the online catalog.

 

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Funny Cide’s Ashes Buried in Public Location at Track

Sun, 2023-08-27 17:27

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – During a ceremony Sunday morning prior to the annual upstate New York Showcase Day, some of the ashes of the late GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness winner Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) were interred at Saratoga Race Course.

The popular New York-bred foaled at the nearby McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, and owned by the New York-based Sackatoga Stable, died at the age of 23 on July 16 from complications of colic at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. He won the 2003 Derby and Preakness and his attempt to sweep the Triple Crown series ended with a third-place finish in the GI Belmont S.

While five other Thoroughbreds are buried under markers on the grounds of America's oldest racetrack, Funny Cide is the first to be placed in a location–under a tree just behind the clubhouse–that is accessible to the public. Sackatoga managing partner Jack Knowlton said he is pleased the that New York Racing Association agreed to his request to place the memorial where it did. Knowlton said he worked with NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke, NYRA executive VP Glen Kozak and Najja Thompson, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

“I think they got the right spot,” Knowlton said.

Four horses–Fourstardave, APhenomenon, Mourjane and Quick Call–are buried near the jogging track in Clare Court in the backstretch. Hall of Famer and champion Go for Wand is buried in the infield. Knowlton said he pushed back on the suggestion to put Funny Cide's ashes in Clare Court.

“Different people said, 'Oh, great horses are buried there, do that. Maybe do something in the walking ring,” Knowlton said.  “He's the people's horse and we wanted people to have access and let the fans see him. That's what was agreed upon and I think it's a great spot. All racing fans are going to have access to it and hopefully have good memories. Right now, we need good memories.”

Knowlton and Sackatoga partner Lew Titterton placed the metal box with the ashes in the site that had been prepared as Thompson addressed the crowd of about 50 people who attended. Trainer Barclay Tagg and his assistant Robin Smullen and his regular rider, Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos, participated in the event.

Later, Knowlton said that some of the gelding's ashes will be buried at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he lived for 15 years and was a favorite of visitors, and at the McMahon farm.

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Quality Road’s Awesome Road Graduates At Ellis

Sun, 2023-08-27 16:57

7th-Ellis, $70,000, Msw, 8-27, 2yo, 6f, 1:10.80, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
AWESOME ROAD (c, 2, Quality Road–Orate, by A.P. Indy) was bet down to even money and had plenty of early speed, racing between foes in a three-pronged battle for the lead. With the best closing kick of the trio, the $600,000 Keeneland September grad was left to contend only with Stronghold (Ghostzapper) into the lane and turned that rival back in the final sixteenth to score by 2 3/4 lengths. Chryso Alogo (Bolt d'Oro) checked in fourth while Loma Paloma (Mineshaft) faded from the early lead to finish eighth. Orate, herself a full-sister to MGSW and late sire Pulpit, is already responsible for a trio of runners in Whitecliffsofdover (War Front), SW & GSP-Eng, G1SP-Fr, SP-Ire, $137,154, Endless Chatter (First Samurai), SW & GISP, $221,652 and Berate (Blame), SP, $157,685. This is also the extended family of GSW/MGISP Tale of the Cat (Storm Cat). Orate foaled a yearling War Front colt, was barren to Curlin this year, and bred back to Good Magic for next Spring. Sales History: $600,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $40,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC and Donegal Racing; B-Claiborne Farm (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

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`We’re Not Going to Have to Worry About Tradition. We’re Going to Be History.’ Q and A With Mark Casse

Sun, 2023-08-27 16:14

Mark Casse may have made more starts over dirt and synthetic surfaces combined than any other trainer in history-over 5,000 starts on synthetic and 5,000 on dirt in the past 15 years alone. He estimates that he has sent horses out to gallop, breeze, or race over a synthetic surface 150,000 times in the past 10 years.  With a base at Woodbine, where they race and train over a Tapeta surface which sports one of the lowest instances of catastrophic injuries in North America, Casse offered to sit down with the TDN in the wake of another tragic day in racing to advocate for a switch to a surface which he considers far safer and easier on horses than dirt.

Q: Were you at the races at Saratoga on Saturday?

MC: Luckily, I missed (New York Thunder). I had seen the Test, and I thought, I've been doing this for 40-some years. It was the most sickening thing that I'd ever witnessed in racing.

Q: Where do we find ourselves right now in horse racing?

MC: I'm a big HISA supporter, and I believe that we've already made great strides. There's no question that, when I go over for a race, I feel like we are competing on a more level playing field. I think there's still a little room for improvement and that we'll  continue to go forward, but you can look at who's winning now and who was winning before. There are lots of rules and regulations that are being put out there to make things safer or we're trying to make things safer for the horse, and I'm going to make a lot of people unhappy when I say this, but until we change the racetracks, we're going to continue to have these kinds of situations. I'm not saying that, with synthetic, we will never have them. You're always going to have some injuries. I have 30 horses here at Saratoga, and the worst injury that I've had at the meet is a horse that hurt herself in her stall. When you have live animals and you have horses, things are going to happen. But we need to do everything possible to know that we are doing our very best.

I am always trying to be bigger and better. I feel like if you stand still, you get run over. Currently, at my organization, we have an app where we can videotape a horse jogging, and it gets sent to Stockholm, Sweden, and within about three minutes, it sends us back a report that tells us if a horse is off on a certain limb. We use it constantly. We're always trying to take care of these horses as all of us, but the things happen.

Q: So what would you like to see happen?

MC: I think we really, seriously, need to look at more synthetic tracks. I believe in them. I believe they've got plenty of data to back that up, and I think if anybody's an expert on it, it should be me.

Q: At any given time, how many horses do you have in training on dirt and on synthetic?

MC: Right now, I have approximately 90 horses training at tracks on dirt. I have 75 at Woodbine training on synthetic.

Q: And how many starts per year do you think you make on each surface?

MC: I broke it down over the last four years. In 2022, we had 1,402 starts, 525 on turf, 432 on synthetic, and 445 on dirt. From 2019 to today, we've had 5,921 starts since the beginning of 2019, 2,766 of which were turf starts. But 1,574 synthetic starts and 1,581 dirt. So it's pretty close.

Q: Tell me what your observations are from your horses running on each surface.

MC: A lot of things are different. We scope every horse after they breeze and after they race. We breeze or run 50 horses a week on dirt and I would say that at least 40% of those horses will show some type of bleeding when they're scoped, even if they're on Lasix. If those same 50 horses run over synthetic or turf, the odds of them showing any signs of bleeding would be somewhere around 5%.

Q: And what do you attribute that to?

MC: It's less stressful. I can also tell you this. A horse that you want to run on synthetic takes about as half as amount of breezes to get them ready to run as a dirt horse. So in other words, say I'm going to run a horse off a layoff, a horse would maybe need 10 or 12 breezes, and I'll run horses off of six or seven breezes on Tapeta. It's just less stressful, so when you have less stress, they rebound quicker. They're sounder the next day.

Q: What other differences do you see in your horse population at Woodbine, in terms of the health of your horses?

MC:  There's no question, over the years, if I have horses that are coming back off long layoffs, it's much easier to bring them back over synthetic. I train for a few different clients that have horses with other trainers around North America, and I actually get most of their horses that have bowed or had suspensory injuries, and the reason for it is it's much easier to bring them back over synthetic. We have a great return rate with these old injuries. If I have horses that have had physical injuries in the past, I pretty well send those horses to Woodbine to train over the synthetic. What people don't realize is this. Yes, we're seeing injuries on the dirt, and we're also seeing injuries on the turf, right? It's my belief that some of these injuries we are seeing on the turf, it's because these horses are training on the dirt. A turf horse, for the most part, a true turf horse struggles with the dirt surface. It's like having a car where the wheels are imbalanced. You're going down the road, and it struggles. It's not smooth, and all at once, the hubcap flies off. There was nothing wrong with the hubcap, but over a period of time, there's a weakness, there's a crack in the armor, and then that's what we're seeing. So when you see a lot of these injuries, there is something that's been going on for a while. I know a lot of my good turf horses, they just thrive at Woodbine, because they get to train over the synthetic every day. Interestingly enough, Tepin won all over North America, except in Saratoga, and I always thought it was because she struggled so much with the deeper surface here. We get to breeze them on the grass once a week or something like that, but their everyday training is on the dirt.

Q: We have heard a lot of trainers say that there are more soft-tissue injuries on synthetic surfaces. That was a very common theme when so many tracks switched to synthetic several years ago. What is your opinion on this?

MC: I have sent out somewhere over 150,000 horses to train over synthetic, and that could be no farther from the truth. That is an absolute falsehood. The chances of a horse hurting their suspensory, soft tissue injury, a tendon, is much greater on the dirt, and it's not even close. I base this on lots of data. I tell everybody, I do my own studies. I study every day. I've been studying for 40-some years.

Q: Several years ago, several tracks, like those in California and Keeneland, switched to synthetic, and then switched back. Why do you think this was?

MC: I think what happened was they didn't know how to handle them. They definitely didn't know how to install them, so I think there were a lot of issues with the early tracks. In California, I think they had three different tracks, and they struggled. Santa Anita struggled. Del Mar, I remember, I actually went out the last year, the last meet that Del Mar had synthetic. I was there, and I'd have conversations all the time with trainers out there, and they were like, “Oh. We're going to be so happy to go back to dirt.”

And I can remember saying to them, “Be careful what you wish for. Be careful what you wish for.”

And we know that things didn't turn out so well. As far as Keeneland goes, I think it was 2008. I was asked to talk on a board, because they were looking at possibly putting in synthetic. I can remember Todd was there. Dale Romans was there. Nick Zito was there. We talked about it at that point in time, and one of the panel members said, “Well, we have to worry about tradition.”

I said to them, “We're going to be history. We're not going to have to worry about tradition.”

I feel that way now. We have to stop worrying about tradition or history, I'm sorry, or we're going to be history. We can't worry about tradition. Look, at Woodbine I think we just ran the 164th Plate, and the first 130 of them were on dirt, but they still made that switch, and I applaud them for that. So Keeneland put it in. That was Polytrack. Fifteen years ago, New York didn't have the money. I think if New York had gone ahead and been able to put in synthetic at that point in time, Keeneland keeps theirs.

Some others would've maybe followed suit, but when New York couldn't do it, they couldn't afford to do it, Keeneland, in my opinion, felt like they were the only kind of synthetic track, and they were losing some of their Derby prospects and Oaks prospects, and they succumbed to the pressure. I was listening to a conversation 15 years ago or so at Keeneland. I heard a very good horse trainer who has since retired telling somebody, “I like synthetic, but if we run them at Keeneland and they run well, the owners will want to send them somewhere else, and we don't have synthetic in New York, so we just don't run them.” I found that interesting.

Q: What do you say to the argument from breeders in Kentucky who oppose a switch to synthetic, citing not only tradition, but the investments that they've made in dirt stallions? Is there any validity to their argument, do you think?

MC: I don't think so, because if we don't have an industry, it's not going to matter. The way we're going, that's where we're headed. Look, you have two of the biggest racetracks in the world who have had crises this year. I've sat there and watched how hard Saratoga works on their racetrack. Glen Kozak does an absolutely tremendous job. He is unbelievable. Churchill's the same way. They have the best of the best. They do the best they can do, but again, look at it. What if we had kept the Model T? Instead, look at what we've done with automobiles, how we've made those so much safer. We're still using a racetrack that's been around for 125 years, and there's only so much you can do for it.

Patrick Husbands has been champion rider in Canada for years, and he told me something very interesting one time. He got hurt about three or four years ago, and I didn't see what happened to him, so I called him in the hospital, and I said, “Patrick, what happened? Did a horse fall with you?” He said, “Mark, I've never had a horse fall with me on synthetic.” I said, “What do you mean?”

He said, “The difference between a synthetic track and a dirt track, for the most part, is that the synthetic actually catches them and gives you a little bounce back. A lot of times when a horse breaks a bone, the next step is where it gets ugly. It's like a thud. There is no give to it, so it doesn't bounce back.”  Here's a guy that's ridden thousands and thousands and thousands of races, and for him to say that, I just found it very interesting.

Look, I'm getting to the end of my career. I've been doing this 40-some years, and I feel like it's why I'm involved with HISA as well. I have a son, Norman, who has been very successful. I have another son, Colby, that could end up being a horse trainer as well. This industry has been very good to me. Everything I have is because of it, and I just want to try to make it better. When I leave, I want it to be better than when I started. So that's why I'm speaking out. This is not for me. I'm fine. I'm just trying to make our sport better.

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Arcangelo in Fine Shape After Travers Victory

Sun, 2023-08-27 15:11

Arcangelo (Arrogate) was in fine shape Sunday following his victory in the GI Travers S. at Saratoga Saturday, but connections will take their time before picking out a next start for the sophomore.

“He came back well and is full of himself today,” said trainer Jena Antonucci. “Of course the Breeders' Cup is on the radar, but horses don't care about schedules or spreadsheets. We'll do what we've been doing and give him his space. We'll let him pave the way.”

Arcangelo added the Travers to his win in the GI Belmont S. in June.

“I'm just so glad the race has helped to validate he's not a fluke or a one-hit wonder,” said Antonucci. “It allows him to be validated, and I'm grateful for that. Horse and team, I'm most proud of that.”

Travers runner-up Disarm (Gun Runner), who closed for second while making his first start with blinkers, could make his next start in the Sept. 23 GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx.

“He just seems to get incrementally better,” said Winchell Thoroughbreds racing manager David Fiske said. “[The blinkers] didn't hurt. It's hard to say how much of a difference they made because he did run some pretty credible races without the blinkers. I suspect he'll run back with them because like I said, they didn't hurt him at all.”

Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher reported Sunday Tapit Trice (Tapit) and Forte (Violence) emerged well from their respective third- and fourth-place finishes in the Travers.

“They're doing good,” Pletcher said. “Both of them looked well this morning.”

Asked for future plans for the pair, Pletcher said, “We'll give it a few days to see how they are and come up with a game plan.”

Pletcher said he is pleased with how Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Michael House's Nest (Curlin) came out of her third-place finish as the favorite in Friday's GI Personal Ensign S., just her second start this year following her 2022 champion 3-year-old filly campaign.

“She's doing good,” Pletcher said. “She bounced out of the race well. It was hard to make up ground on a sloppy, gooey track when a quality horse gets loose on the lead. I thought she ran hard. It was only her second race of the year so, hopefully, it moves her forward.”

Pletcher said Nest will be pointed to either the GII Beldame S. during the Belmont at the Big A fall meet or the GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland. Both 1 1/8-mile races are Oct. 8.

Repole Stable's Fierceness (City of Light), tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his impressive debut victory at Saratoga Friday, will likely tackle Grade I company for his second start, according to Pletcher.

“I think the [Oct. 7 GI] Champagne is the most logical next start,” Pletcher said.

Of the colt's maiden score, Pletcher said, “He was very impressive. He had been training really well leading up to it. We were expecting a good effort, but he actually delivered an even better one than we were hoping for.”

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Unbeaten New York Thunder Tragically Breaks Down in Deep Stretch in Allen Jerkens Memorial; Longshot One in Vermillion Inherits Win

Sat, 2023-08-26 16:54

The sensationally fast New York Thunder (Nyquist) was well on his way to a fifth victory from as many starts in Saturday's GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga, but fell when well clear at the sixteenth pole and suffered a life-ending injury in scenes eerily reminiscent of those three weeks ago when Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) catastrophically broke down just before the wire of the GI Test S. One in Vermillion (Army Mule) found his best stride in the stretch and inherited the victory at odds of 19-1.

The second-longest shot on the board, One in Vermillion was content to drop out to the back of the field as New York Thunder, so impressive in running his winning streak to four in the GII Amsterdam S. July 29, took pace pressure to his outside from GI Woody Stephens S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify) through wicked fractions of :22.29 and :44.40 over a track that had been drying out from earlier showers, but had been sealed after another bit of rainfall a short time prior to the Jerkens. New York Thunder proved best in the pace battle and began to open up on his five rivals, carrying an unassailable advantage into the final furlong. But tragedy struck soon after, as New York Thunder fell and ultimately could not be saved. Verifying (Justify) outfinished Arabian Lion for the most minor of minor awards.

“Per NYRA Sr Examining Vet, New York Thunder sustained a catastrophic injury to his left front in the stretch run of the @TheNYRA #Saratoga 9th & was humanely euthanized on track,” NYRA's Keith McCalmont tweeted. “Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is up and walked to the ambulance. He will visit first aid.”

McCalmont later added that Gaffalione, who had no other mounts on the card, was uninjured.

A two-time stakes winner at Turf Paradise last winter, One in Vermillion won the May 6 Laz Barrera S. at Santa Anita while still under the care of Eric Kruljac, then won a Canterbury allowance and was runner-up in the grassy Canterbury Derby June 21 in his first two starts for the Esteban Martinez barn. Disqualified after dead-heating for the win in the Iowa Derby July 8, the chestnut led past the eighth pole in the Aug. 6 GIII West Virginia Derby before yielding late to finish third to Red Route One (Gun Runner).

“I feel really bad about the rider [Tyler Gaffalione] and the horse [New York Thunder],” Martinez said. I thought this horse could run well in here. He tries hard all the time. He came from the back and he did great.”

Added jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.: “It's sad. He [New York Thunder] was already a winner I think, to be honest. Unfortunately, that happened. I asked about the rider, they say he's OK, so I'm glad Tyler is okay. He's a friend of mine. It's not the way you want it to happen.”

Pedigree Notes:

One in Vermillion is the first Grade I winner and second graded winner overall for Army Mule. Dam Given Star was purchased by Richard Barton Enterprises for $4,500 with the Jerkens winner in utero at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale and One in Vermillion changed hands for $26,000 at the 2021 Arizona Fall Mixed Sale. One in Vermillion is out of a half-sister to MSW King Henny (Henny Hughes) and MSP Honey Pants (Cairo Prince), who is also responsible for the Cal-bred 2-year-old filly Raspberry Wine (Cat Burglar).

Saturday, Saratoga
H. ALLEN JERKENS MEMORIAL S.-GI, $485,000, Saratoga, 8-26, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.63, my.
1–ONE IN VERMILLION, 118, c, 3, by Army Mule
          1st Dam: Given Star, by Any Given Saturday
          2nd Dam: Queens Carousel, by Afternoon Deelites
          3rd Dam: Irving's Girl, by Badger Land
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($26,000 Ylg '21 ARZNOV). O-Jonathan Kalman; B-Richard Barton Enterprises (CA); T-Esteban Martinez; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 12-6-3-1, $653,840. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Verifying, 120, c, 3, Justify–Diva Delite, by Repent. ($775,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor; B-Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $100,000.
3–Arabian Lion, 124, c, 3, Justify–Unbound, by Distorted Humor. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($600,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 12. Odds: 19.70, 4.80, 1.90.
Also Ran: Fort Bragg, Drew's Gold, New York Thunder.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

Per NYRA Sr Examining Vet, New York Thunder sustained a catastrophic injury to his left front in the stretch run of the @TheNYRA #Saratoga 9th & was humanely euthanized on track. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is up and walked to the ambulance. He will visit first aid.

— Keith-TripleDeadHeat (@TripleDeadHeat) August 26, 2023



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Colt From First Crop Of Barkley Tops WTBOA Sale

Fri, 2023-08-25 15:38

The 56th annual WTBOA Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale was held Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion located at Emerald Downs racetrack in Auburn, Washington.

After seven outs, 75 yearlings went through the sales ring. Topping this year's venue was Hip 71, a colt by first-year stallion Barkley (Munnings), winner of the 2018 GIII Longacres Mile before retiring to Nina and Ron Hagen's El Dorado Farms in Enumclaw. The colt sold for $55,000.

The Hagens bred the saletopper, who was one of a trio of yearlings purchased by the San Francisco-based SmilingTigerStallion.com. The other two yearlings, both $32,000 purchases, were Hip 3, a Smiling Tiger distaffer out of stakes winner Rewritten (she was the highest-priced filly) consigned by Robin Mason, Critter Creek Farm, agent; and Hip 48, an Outwork half-brother to three-time stakes winner Slack Tide and recent Del Mar maiden special weight winner Impeachalot. A son of Sir Prancealot (Ire), Impeachalot was the 2022 WTBOA sale topper and races for Philip Lebherz and Richard Meister. Both colts were bred and consigned by Terry and Mary Lou Griffin's Griffin Place and are out of their stakes-placed mare Impeached.

The second highest-priced yearling came from the Griffin Place consignment, Hip 75, a son of GI Blue Grass S. Brophy's Cause, the first foal out of Washington champion racemare No Talking Back, whose first three dams were also Washington champions. Popular Emerald Downs trainer Bonnie Jenne signed the ticket for $52,000.

Hip 57, a colt from the final crop of California-based Vronsky out of three-time Washington champion Lady Rosberg, consigned by Griffin Place as agent for Darlyne Krieg, brought a bid of $38,000 from California trainer Andy Mathis.

Also bringing bids of $25,000 or more were: Hip 1, a Take Charge Indy colt that California trainer Mark Glatt purchased for $32,000 from the Griffin Place consignment; Hip 54, a colt from the first crop of GI Pacific Classic winner Higher Power out of Connie Belshay's $489,862 stakes winner Kiss Me that was hammered down to Where We At $27,000;  and Hip 31, an Om half-brother to Washington titleholders Miss Prospector and Brilliant Bird bred by Bret and Julie Christopherson (Bar C Racing Stables, agent) and purchased by John and Janene Maryanski and Gerry and Gail Schneider for $25,000.

The 58 yearlings sold for a total of $730,200 with an average price of $12,863 (down 27.2% from 2022) and a $6,500 median (down a drastic 45.8 percent). RNAs dropped to seven from nine when 76 yearlings sold in 2022.

The one mixed session two-year-old sold for $5,000 and the 15 mares going through the sales ring brought a $16,850 total and $1,123 average. Hip 214, Grazen Valor, a $47,346 winning full sister to graded-stakes winner and California horse of the year Lieutenant Dan, brought a $7,500 bid from Carl Seymour of Coulee Dam. After producing her first foal, a filly by Code of Honor, this past spring, the 6-year-old mare wasn't covered.

Complete sales results can be found here.

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Roses for Debra a Stylish Victress of Smart N Fancy at Saratoga

Fri, 2023-08-25 15:33

Neither wind nor water could stop her, and Roses for Debra (Liam's Map) streaked home at a rain-drenched Saratoga to take the Smart N Fancy S., securing her fourth win in a row in the process.

Only once off the board in her career, the grey was last seen putting up a career-high Beyer of 99 en route to winning the GIII Caress S. over this course last month and had two victories over the lawn at Belmont and Pimlico since changing from the barn of Michelle Brafford to Christophe Clement for 2023.

Christened the heavy 1-5 favorite as the field shrank with the scratch of four rivals, she veered to her outside after the jump as her outer rival also went to the right, but was settled to comfortably follow the leading pair. Three wide under an ultra confident Irad Ortiz Jr. through the turn, Roses for Debra was called on for her kick as she shifted further out. In the five path but closing with a full head of steam, she was given a single, minor reminder and powered clear in the final furlong to win by 3 1/4 lengths.

“It was pretty nice. The tote board said it all really, everybody thought she'd run really well,” said winning co-owner John O'Meara. “It was nice having some scratches. You know it's always nicer to have a smaller field, but when they scratched out of there…I don't know whether they scratched because of the weather or because they were afraid of her. Going to have to keep going and see who will be afraid of her in the future. I bought her. A good friend of mine, Gerry Dilger, bought her as a weanling and he passed away. It was a dispersal and I bought her in the dispersal. She's been nothing but fun to have around since. Of course, when she got hurt in the 2-year-old sale that didn't help, but it is all for the better at this point.”

O'Meara added that the current plan is to go to Presque Isle for the $300,000 GII Presque Isle Downs Masters S., and from there either a trip to Keeneland or the Breeders' Cup.

A half-sister to an accomplished elder half-brother in Rose's Vision and to SP Rosie's Alibi (Justify), Roses for Debra also has a 2-year-old half-sister Modarosa (Palace Malice), a yearling American Pharoah half-sister and the 2023 half-sibling by Gun Runner was unfortunately stillborn. Essential Rose, herself out of a graded stakes-winning mare and a half-sister to a graded stakes-placed stakes producer, visited Curlin for 2024. This is the female family of MGSW Flameaway (Scat Daddy) through the European blue hen Flame of Tara (Ire). Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

SMART N FANCY S., $139,500, Saratoga, 8-25, 4yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2fT, 1:01.82, gd.
1–ROSES FOR DEBRA, 124, f, 4, Liam's Map–Essential Rose, by Bernardini. ($120,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $25,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-John O'Meara and Cheyenne Stable LLC; B-Blackstone Farm LLC (PA); T-Christophe Clement; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $82,500. Lifetime Record: GSW, 9-7-1-0, $406,430. *1/2 to Rose's Vision (Artie Schiller), SW-USA, MSP-Can, $264,358.
2–Bubble Rock, 124, f, 4, More Than Ready–Reef Point, by Giant's Causeway. O/B-Shortleaf Stable (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $30,000.
3–Train to Artemus, 124, m, 5, Tapizar–Pay Day Kitten, by Kitten's Joy. O-M and W Stables; B-Kenneth L. & Sarah K. Ramsey (KY); T-Kelly J. Breen. $18,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 1, 9 1/4. Odds: 0.35, 2.85, 6.60.
Also Ran: Talkin Tipsy. Scratched: Bluefield, Can't Buy Love, Poppy Flower, Self Isolation.

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FanDuel TV To Highlight Thoroughbred Aftercare With Carmathon Fundraiser

Fri, 2023-08-25 14:06

Thoroughbred aftercare in California will take center stage this weekend as the annual CARMAthon online fundraiser will be showcased live on FanDuel TV for the fourth consecutive year.

Throughout the weekend broadcast, FanDuel TV will be amplifying the message and highlighting stories of retired racehorses thriving in their second careers. The goal of the annual fundraiser is to raise $150,000 for retired racehorses. The donations from this fundraiser will help fund CARMA's (California Retirement Management Account) grant program which offers assistance to more than 20 Thoroughbred aftercare charities.

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Pin Oak Colt ‘Bolt’-s Up In ‘Rising Star’-Worthy Turf Bow

Fri, 2023-08-25 11:19

Pin Oak Stud's Boltage (c, 2, Bolt d'Oro) made a smashing impression in his first start on the turf and going a distance of ground Thursday evening at Del Mar, charging home with big, round strides to graduate by 5 1/2 lengths, good for 'TDN Rising Star' honors.

And an electrifying effort it was. Drawn towards the outside in a field of 10, the March-foaled bay bounced very alertly and was involved in bit of an early tussle for the lead with longshot Details Matter (Coast Guard) before ceding the advantage heading to the backstretch. It appeared to have been a smart tactical decision from Ramon Vasquez, as the opening quarter was up in a slick :22 flat and the half in a strong :46.21. Fully expecting the pacesetter to drop away, Vazquez was content to sit against Boltage, eventually allowing him to nose in front five-sixteenths from home. Popped the question in upper stretch, Boltage responded immediately to put a gap on his rivals and sprinted home very nicely for an impressive victory as the 3.90-1 second pick. Glandford (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), a latest second at Yarmouth for trainer William Jarvis and making his stateside bow here, was off slowly, found some traffic when the real running was about to begin and finished well to be second.

Boltage was an even sixth on debut behind susbequent GIII Best Pal S. third Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in a five-furlong maiden July 23, a race whose third-place finisher Tall Paul (Frosted) broke his maiden in New York-bred company at Saratoga Aug. 12.

Ultimate Prize was purchased for $1,200 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, reportedly pregnant to Midshipman, but Boltage is the mare's first live produce. Boltage, sold for $20,000 at last year's Keeneland January Sale, proved a nifty pinhook when hammering to Jim and Dana Bernhard's Lynnhaven Racing for $240,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale about six months later. This is also the Emory Hamilton family of champion Queena, the dam of GISW Brahms, as well as Grade I winners Verrazano and Somali Lemonade.

Ultimate Prize is also the dam of Mr Loooch (Speightster), SP, $154,560, recent runner-up in the Honey Jay S. at Thistledown Aug. 12, a yearling colt named Metwally (Mitole) and a weanling colt by Omaha Beach. She was bred to both the latter and Golden Pal this season.

8th-Del Mar, $84,500, Msw, 8-24, 2yo, 1mT, 1:37.20, fm, 5 1/4 lengths.
BOLTAGE, c, 2, by Bolt d'Oro
1st Dam: Ultimate Prize, by Smart Strike
2nd Dam: Queens Full, by Indian Charlie
3rd Dam: Puestera, by Forty Niner
Sales history: $20,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN; $240,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $49,700. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Pin Oak Stud LLC; B-Virginia Moore & Malia Hopkins (KY); T-Richard E Mandella.

 

 

BOLTAGE ($9.80) was electric while winning the 8th at @DelMarRacing. Another 2-year-old winner for @spendthriftfarm's Bolt d'Oro. He's trained by Richard Mandella and ridden by @JockeyRamonVazq for owners @PinOakStud. pic.twitter.com/STZ9ylKTiH

— TVG (@TVG) August 25, 2023

The post Pin Oak Colt ‘Bolt’-s Up In ‘Rising Star’-Worthy Turf Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10

Thu, 2023-08-24 16:04

The list of potential runners for Del Mar's 33rd running of the G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Sept. 2 has grown to 10, so far.

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) won last month's GII San Diego H., the local prep for the Pacific Classic. Todd Fincher is not afraid to put the 5-year-old homebred owned by Joey Peacock in after he rewarded the New Mexico-based trainer with the second Grade II stakes win of his career. Senor Buscador worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (6/38) at Del Mar Thursday morning.

“It's a Grade I and that's kind of important for a stallion prospect,” said Fincher. “With the right circumstances, he can definitely run with them.”

Another potential starter is Tripoli (Kitten's Joy), winner of the Pacific Classic in 2021. The nearly $1-million earner is looking to get back on track after finishing fifth for trainer John Sadler in the San Diego H.

Skinner (Curlin) is the third 3-year-old to jump on board for the Classic. The John Shirreffs trainee was last seen running second in the Los Alamitos Derby July 8 after finishing third in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby back in April. The bay colt's most recent work came last Saturday when he went seven furlongs in 1:26.40 at Del Mar (1/2).

“We have another work to go,” Shirreffs says. “Then we'll decide if we're going to go.”

One other addition is Call Me Fast (Dialed In) from the Michael Puhich barn. The dark bay gelding joins Defunded (Dialed In), Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), Order and Law (Violence), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) and Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), who are already potential starters.

The post Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10

Thu, 2023-08-24 16:04

The list of potential runners for Del Mar's 33rd running of the G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic Sept. 2 has grown to 10, so far.

Senor Buscador (Mineshaft) won last month's GII San Diego H., the local prep for the Pacific Classic. Todd Fincher is not afraid to put the 5-year-old homebred owned by Joey Peacock in after he rewarded the New Mexico-based trainer with the second Grade II stakes win of his career. Senor Buscador worked five furlongs in 1:00.40 (6/38) at Del Mar Thursday morning.

“It's a Grade I and that's kind of important for a stallion prospect,” said Fincher. “With the right circumstances, he can definitely run with them.”

Another potential starter is Tripoli (Kitten's Joy), winner of the Pacific Classic in 2021. The nearly $1-million earner is looking to get back on track after finishing fifth for trainer John Sadler in the San Diego H.

Skinner (Curlin) is the third 3-year-old to jump on board for the Classic. The John Shirreffs trainee was last seen running second in the Los Alamitos Derby July 8 after finishing third in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby back in April. The bay colt's most recent work came last Saturday when he went seven furlongs in 1:26.40 at Del Mar (1/2).

“We have another work to go,” Shirreffs says. “Then we'll decide if we're going to go.”

One other addition is Call Me Fast (Dialed In) from the Michael Puhich barn. The dark bay gelding joins Defunded (Dialed In), Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), Order and Law (Violence), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) and Stilleto Boy (Shackleford), who are already potential starters.

The post Pacific Classic’s Potential Field Grows To 10 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

NYTB Honors Legendary New York-Bred Trio On Sunday

Thu, 2023-08-24 14:23

Connections from champions Dayatthespa (City Zip), Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) and Saratoga Dew (Cormorant) will be honored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. during their Showcase Day program after the sixth race on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course, the organization said in a release Thursday.

The trio were chosen by a panel of New York turf writers and represent the second class of honorees, joining last year's inaugural group of Fio Rito (Dreaming Native), Commentator (Distorted Humor), Fourstardave (Complicance), Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) and Tiz The Law (Constitution).

 

The post NYTB Honors Legendary New York-Bred Trio On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale

Thu, 2023-08-24 13:27

Bidding opened Thursday, Aug. 24 at Noon (ET) and closes Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. (ET) for the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale, the organization said in a release Thursday.

The catalogue features 146 horses of racing age, breeding stock, yearlings and weanlings. The offerings are located in 14 states, as well as Ontario, Canada.

“This is our largest digital sale to date since launching the platform in March of 2022,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We have a particularly strong group of racehorses, as this sale works well as an outlet for stables as the summer race meets draw to a close.  We are also pleased to welcome several new consignors to the platform, which demonstrates the increasing popularity of Fasig-Tipton Digital.”

Entries include:

  • More than 50 horses of racing age, including stakes and graded stakes performers, as well as maiden, allowance, stakes, and claiming level horses. Several prominent racing stables are represented, including 14 entries from DJ Stable.
  • More than 50 broodmares, including mares in foal to Good Magic, Dialed In, McKinzie and War of Will.
  • Broodmare prospects by Arrogate, Curlin, Gun Runner, Empire Maker, Munnings, More Than Ready and Nyquist.

Click here for more information or call Leif Aaron (859) 255-1555.

The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale

Thu, 2023-08-24 13:27

Bidding opened Thursday, Aug. 24 at Noon (ET) and closes Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. (ET) for the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale, the organization said in a release Thursday.

The catalogue features 146 horses of racing age, breeding stock, yearlings and weanlings. The offerings are located in 14 states, as well as Ontario, Canada.

“This is our largest digital sale to date since launching the platform in March of 2022,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We have a particularly strong group of racehorses, as this sale works well as an outlet for stables as the summer race meets draw to a close.  We are also pleased to welcome several new consignors to the platform, which demonstrates the increasing popularity of Fasig-Tipton Digital.”

Entries include:

  • More than 50 horses of racing age, including stakes and graded stakes performers, as well as maiden, allowance, stakes, and claiming level horses. Several prominent racing stables are represented, including 14 entries from DJ Stable.
  • More than 50 broodmares, including mares in foal to Good Magic, Dialed In, McKinzie and War of Will.
  • Broodmare prospects by Arrogate, Curlin, Gun Runner, Empire Maker, Munnings, More Than Ready and Nyquist.

Click here for more information or call Leif Aaron (859) 255-1555.

The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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