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A field of 13 2-year-old fillies—three of them maidens and eight exiting maiden races—have been entered for the $100,000 Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3T) going a mile on the turf at Del Mar Nov. 30.

The catalog for the Inglis Digital USA December Sale is now available online, featuring a robust slate of 49 horses on offer.

Japan's grade 1 racing program moves from turf to dirt for the Champions Cup (G1) Dec. 1 at Chukyo Racecourse.

The 5-year-old mare ridden by Flavien Prat won her first graded stakes by three-quarters of a length Nov. 28 at Churchill Downs.

Redistricting hasn't had much luck in two previous tries at the grade 1 level but trainer Chad Brown sends him west again to try to reverse the trend in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) Nov. 30 at Del Mar.

East Coast-based trainer has dominated the West Coast stakes for distaffers and sends Tax Implications, Gina Romantica, Child of the Moon, and Prerequisite.

Loved is a Godolphin homebred trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. The 5-year-old mare won the Falls City Stakes (G3) by 3 3/4 lengths. Godolphin's Tarifa finished second.

Julien Leparoux, a veteran leader in the Churchill Downs jockey colony and two-time Eclipse Award winner, reached an extraordinary milestone Thursday with his 3,000th career win aboard Pike Place in Race 3.

With a horse having to be euthanized Thursday at Woodbine and another one on Friday, the Toronto-area track has now had six fatalities since the Nov. 9 card in which two horses died and the remainder of the day's program was cancelled, as was the next scheduled day of racing.

Woodbine's Tapeta surface has long been considered to be one of the safest tracks in North America, which makes the rash of breakdowns particularly unusual.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in continuous communication with our regulator, veterinarians, the HBPA, and the Jockeys' Guild,” said Bill Ford, executive vice-president of racing at Woodbine Entertainment. “Following the catastrophic injuries sustained [Thursday] and [Friday], we are conducting a thorough review to gather more information. Feedback regarding track conditions over the past two weeks, following the initial concerns, has been positive, indicating that the track is in good condition. However, we are actively discussing and evaluating additional immediate measures to enhance horse safety and welfare. This is a deeply challenging and unfortunate situation. Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to everyone connected to the horses affected.”

On Thursday night, Speight Rasees (Qurbaan) fell and suffered a catastrophic injury. Jockey Skye Chernetz was taken off the remainder of her mounts. Less than 24 horse later, Mad Chatter (Society's Chairman) broke down in Friday's first race at Woodbine. None of the jockeys involved in the spill were injured.

The problems began when Social Dancer (Society's Chairman) broke down in the second race Nov. 9. Six races later, Owen's Tour Guide (Tourist) suffered an injury in the GIII Bessarabian Stakes and had to be euthanized. Woodbine took immediate action, canceling the remainder of the Nov. 9 card and the entire card was scratched the following day.

Racing resumed and there was another death Nov. 16 when Flawless Ruler (Honor Code) broke down. According to Woodbine's Vice President, Communications & Coordination Jamie Dykstra, it was concluded by track vets that it was unlikely that the death of Flawless Ruler was related to the surface. On Nov. 21, Woodbine put out a press release in which it declared that “Woodbine Entertainment is confident its All-Weather [Tapeta] track is in optimal condition for safe training and racing.” The same press release listed the many steps Woodbine had taken to test the track and ensure that it was still safe.

“We've worked diligently to ensure the track is in excellent condition for the final weeks of the meet,” Ford said at the time.

However, the problems continued, and the next breakdown occurred Nov. 24. In that day's third race Tunechi (Outwork) took an awkward step at the five-eighths pole and was eased before being euthanized.

The post Breakdowns Continue To Plague Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Mi Bago collects second stakes win in last three starts in Friday’s Pulpit at Gulfstream. Coglianese Photo/Lauren King.

Gary Barber’s Mi Bago bounced back from a troubled and better-than-appeared run over Breeders’ Cup weekend at Del Mar with a victory in Friday’s $100,000 Pulpit Stakes on the second day of Gulfstream Park’s Championship Meet in South Florida.

Fifth and beaten only 2 lengths at 45-1 last time out in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes, Mi Bago took control of the Pulpit from the start and held off all his rivals to win as the 9-5 favorite. Ridden by Edwin Gonzalez, the 2-year-old son of Vekoma won by 5 lengths over 7-2 second choice Hit That Review and 6-1 Bucaro in third. Mi Bago won in 1:27.06 for the 7 1/2 furlongs on firm turf.

Mi Bago led from the break and into the first turn, opening up 1 1/2 lengths over Enterdadragon through the opening quarter-mile in :23.50. Mi Bago widened that advantage to 3 1/2 lengths through the half in :46.24 with Hit That Review, Discreet Dancer and Como among the closest pursuers behind Enterdadragon.

Past 6 furlongs in 1:09.61, Gonzalez gave a look over his shoulder turning for home as Mi Bago maintained his 3-length advantage over Bucaro in midstretch. They widened again from there and finished well clear. Hit That Review edged Bucaro by a neck for second, with Discreet Dancer fourth.

“Honestly, I kind of left it up to Edwin. He said he was going to break and try and get himself into a good position,” Casse’s assistant Nick Tomlinson said. “He broke running, and I was a little worried about how fast they were going. But he really quickened impressively. He ran really well today. It was a great race.”

Mi Bago improved to 3-for-5 with the victory and picked up $58,900 to boost his earnings to $178,910.

Bred by Highclere Inc. and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Mi Bago is the fifth winner produced by the unraced New York-bred Indian Charlie mare Wabanaki. She’s the dam of seven-time winner and $227,242-earner Lady Macho (by Mucho Macho Man) and winners What Mightavebeen (Freud), Dawnland (Jimmy Creed) and Weyron (Goldencents).

A $62,000 purchase at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky February mixed sale in 2023, Mi Bago was a $90,000 RNA later in the year at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. Mi Bago won his debut in a 5-furlong dirt maiden at Colonial Downs August 1 for owner CM Thoroughbreds and trainer Carlos Munoz.

Barber purchased Mi Bago privately after that effort and moved him to his primary trainer Casse. Mi Bago finished a non-threatening sixth in the Funny Cide Stakes on Saratoga Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course August 25 before moving to the grass to win the October 5 bet365 Algonquin Stakes at Woodbine.

“He’s got the talent. Especially for a 2-year-old to go three-quarters in 1:09, that’s a lot to ask of them,” Tomlinson said. “The performance today was extremely impressive. We’ll definitely keep him on the grass. There’s a lot of good 3-year-old stakes coming up. We’ll just have to see how it all plays out and go from there.”

The post Mi Bago goes all the way in Pulpit Stakes appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Of all the horses he has ever owned, none have been as meaningful to Robert LaPenta as one who is racing for him now and is winless in two career starts.

The first Friday of Gulfstream Park's 2024-25 Championship Meet Nov. 29 features the 11th running of the Pulpit Stakes.  

Industry Voices: Owner John Stewart races as Resolute Racing.

Trainer Brad Cox sends out the top two chances on the morning line for Friday's GII Clark Stakes at Churchill Downs, and those who support the duo from a pari-mutuel perspective will be looking for some positive cashflow to get a head start on their holiday shopping.

Since being acquired privately by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani's Wathnan Racing earlier this season, Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) has yet to taste defeat in three starts, including the GIII West Virginia Governor's Stakes in August, a neck defeat of Cooke Creek (Uncle Mo) in the GII Lukas Classic Stakes in the local slop at the back end of September and another narrow success over Bolzy (Gun Runner) when last seen in Keeneland's GII Fayette Stakes Oct. 26.

Hit Show was bred and raced by Gary and Mary West up to the time of his sale, and the couple is represented by stablemate Most Wanted (Candy Ride {Arg}). The homebred half-brother to MGISW 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) has an unblemished record of his own from his four trips to the races, including the Aug. 11 Ellis Park Derby and the GIII Oklahoma Derby Sept. 29.

“It should be a fun weekend of racing. We've got a lot of nice horses entered,” said Cox, who won the 2018 with another son of Candy Ride, Leofric. “The Clark is always a marquee race in the fall, and both horses fit the race well. We're expecting top efforts from them both.”

Rattle N Roll (Connect) made his two most recent starts in the Lukas Classic, finishing fourth in 2023 before returning off a year's absence to finish a sound third to Hit Show Sept. 28. He was entered for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, but failed to draw in off the also-eligible list. Crupi (Curlin) goes out for Todd Pletcher, winner of the Clark in 2005 and again in 2007, and was last seen finishing a distant third to stablemate Tapit Trice (Tapit) in the GII Woodward Stakes Sept. 28. Red Route One (Gun Runner) looks to follow in the hoofprints of his sire, who won this in 2016, and runs for the first time since taking the GIII Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap July 6.

Full Field Set For Mrs. Revere

A maximum field of 12 sophomore fillies will load the gate for a competitive renewal of the co-featured GII Mrs. Revere Stakes beneath the Twin Spires.

Kehoe Beach (Omaha Beach) is a head from being perfect on the grass, but a repeat of either her two most recent efforts likely gets the job done in her stakes debut. All-the-way winner of a seven-furlong allowance at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8, the $450,000 Keeneland September purchase dominated second-level Keeneland allowance foes from the front Oct. 26, scoring by 5 1/2 lengths, but she may have some other speedy types to deal with here.

A pair of fillies who have already established their affinity for the Matt Winn turf course are poised to capitalize if the favorite falters. Pin Up Betty (Constitution) is two-for-two at Churchill, having graduated by five lengths before defeating Buchu (Justify) in the GII Regret Stakes June 1. The latter won her maiden over this course last September but is winless since taking out the GII Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland on her seasonal debut back in April.

Poolside With Slim (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) ran down Pharoah's Wine (American Pharoah) in the GII Valley View Stakes in Lexington Oct. 25, but has a very difficult draw to defy from gate 12 of 12. Minoushka (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Group 3-placed in France for Carlos and Yann Lerner, overcame trouble to take her U.S. debut in Keeneland allowance company Oct. 10.

In graded action on Thanksgiving Day, 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) takes on Musical Mischief (Into Mischief) and the commonly owned Loved (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GIII Falls City Stakes looking to add to her nose win in the GII Mother Goose Stakes Oct. 26; Implicated (Connect) looks to return to the form that won her the GII Nassau Stakes in the GIII Cardinal Handicap; and Augustin Stable homebred Truly Quality (Quality Road) ships into Del Mar for the GII Hollywood Turf Cup on the back of a late-running success in the Oct. 5 GIII Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine.

The post Cox Clark Twosome Look To Keep Backers in the ‘Black’ on Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

It's not that Medallion Racing, a branch of Taylor Made, didn't get off to a good start. It was anything but. A racing partnership whose goal is to gets its partners to experience racing at the highest levels around the world, Taylor Made was delivering on that promise. Out of 250 plus starts, Medallion, at one point had raced five Grade I winners, won 28 graded stakes and had 72 top-three finishes in graded stakes.

But what it didn't have was a superstar, the type that could win multiple Grade I or Group I stakes. That all changed when Medallion purchased an interest in Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) after she made her first start in a race at the Curragh in 2023.

Fast forward to 2024 and, despite an eighth-place showing in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, she's won four Group I races. Her list of stakes victories includes two at the Royal Ascot meet, in the G1 Coronation S. and the G3 Albany S.

“It's been great to own her and Porta Fortuna is the culmination of everything we have worked for since we started Medallion seven years ago,” said Taylor Made President and CEO Mark Taylor. “She's the first horse we've had who has won multiple Grade I races and has gotten to the championship level. (Porta Fortuna was named the Cartier Champion 3-year-old Filly of 2024). There were some other horses that we almost pulled the trigger on and, for whatever reason, it was either the price or other concerns, became horses that we missed on. They went on to have these sensational performances. We missed on a few but not with Porta Fortuna. She was a walk-off home run.”

Trained by Donnacha O'Brien, Porta Fortuna is being given the winter off before she gears up for her 4-year-old campaign. The first major goal is a return to Royal Ascot. The rest of the season is up in the air, but Taylor said that a return trip to the Breeders' Cup is on his wish list and that there is a possibility she will have a prep in the U.S. before the Breeders' Cup.

“You get a horse like her and it's very easy to get ahead of yourself,” Taylor said. “These horses are not robots and they have to tell you what they want to do.  It's really exciting for us because Donnacha is a massive talent and I think that with her being one of his first really big-time horses it is going to be something that is going to keep Porta in the conversation for decades to come. When Donnacha wins his 100th Group I race they'll be saying that one of his first very big horses was Porta Fortuna. We're leaving it in his hands and really don't have any concrete races picked out at this point.”

There are hundreds of racing partnership out there, but none quite like Medallion. Partners can buy into a horse for a one-time fee of $50,000. The goal is to find ready-made horses who are capable of winning group or graded stakes races immediately after being purchased by Medallion. When the syndicate buys the horse the goal is to have it running in a stakes race in five weeks or less from the time of the purchase.

“Any time you start a new venture in business or in life a lot of times you have a vision of how it will evolve, but many times it veers and turns into something different,” Taylor said. “We like to think that think Medallion racing has been one of those special ventures that when we sat down and scratched things out on a piece of paper this is exactly what we wanted to achieve. We want to create a racing partnership that ensures that people are going to get a taste of racing at the very highest level, and we're going to have it at an affordable price point where people can stick their toe in the water without coming off the high dive.

“It's really come to fruition. I give a lot of the credit to (Medallion Racing Manager) Phillip Shelton and to our partnerships brand coordinator Molly Hyer. Everybody on our team works together to create a real high level concierge type of service for our partners and we have been successful getting our partners to experience a really high level of racing at some of the best venues around the world.”

Taylor said they have never had a purchase who did not make it to the races for Medallion.

“Porta was one of the riskier buys because all she had ever done before was to break her maiden,” Taylor said. “Mark McStay brought her to us and was very high on her. Phillip Shelton actually had to talk me personally into it. I was worried that there was a lot of downside. They both loved the horse and thought she'd have massive upside if we get this thing right. I give the team credit because they got it right. That's how it kind of works. If you are an investor and we are building the team, building the stabile, most of these horses will be running in group or grades races within 30 days of us buying them. It's instant action. With yearling or two-year-old partnerships you buy in and then you have this long holding pattern while the horse develops. Those partnerships definitely have their place and you can catch lightning in a bottle, like they did with Flightline. But what we wanted to do is get people in and guarantee them they are going to get to a graded race and enjoy the experience. It's not like it's going to be 'I bought four yearlings and none of them can run.' You know you're going to get a taste of racing at the top level right away. Then you see if you like it and then you figure out if you want to take a deeper dive into the horse racing game in some other way.”

The Medallion stable is always developing. On average there are about 12 ½ horses in each new class. The mares are normally sold at the November sales and that money is then reinvested in new acquisitions.

A win by Porta Fortuna in the 2025 Breeders' Cup Mile would be the ultimate success story. But let her have another year where she wins three Group I races in Europe and no one will complain. She's only four and has raced just 12 times, winning six Group races. It's possible that she's just getting started.

 

The post Porta Fortuna A Dream Horse for Medallion Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Dear Horse Racing Enthusiasts and Industry Stakeholders,

As I reflect on my first year as a newcomer in the horse racing industry, I wish to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have welcomed me into this sport. Stepping into something unfamiliar can be daunting, especially with the significant investment I have made. The accomplishments I have achieved this year are a direct result of the support and encouragement I have received from many individuals who have helped me establish my operations.

I believe it is also important to share my perspective on some of the positive developments occurring within our industry.

First and foremost, I extend warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.

This year, I am especially thankful for my team at @ResoluteRacingKY. It is astonishing to think that just a year ago, we had no farm and only a handful of horses. Our farm staff has risen to the challenge of supporting the rapid growth of our operations, which now includes over 200 Thoroughbreds in breeding, training, and active racing. Their dedication has been remarkable, and I am particularly grateful for the contributions of Noel Murphy and Gavin O'Connor. Alongside our Thoroughbred activities, Chelsey [Stone] manages a Saddlebred breeding operation, an active rescue program, and my personal favorite, the trail horses that I taught myself to ride.

I take great pride in my daughter Sarah, who shares our passion for animals. Her leadership in our marketing and branding initiatives, as well as her commitment to our rescue efforts for retired racehorses, has been exemplary.

I would also like to highlight several significant achievements within the industry over the past year while recognizing that there is still much work to be done to reach our ideal goals. I hope these reflections inspire others to take bold actions to enhance our sport and acknowledge the dedication of many individuals who have devoted their lives to its advancement.

This year has marked a pivotal moment for California racing, largely thanks to the support from the @StronachGroup in launching the California Crown. This initiative has been a tremendous success, demonstrating the remarkable outcomes we can achieve when we collaborate as an industry. Belinda [Stronach], Aidan [Butler], and their entire team truly care about horse racing and have invested millions to enhance the fan experience. I witnessed this firsthand at the Pegasus event in January and the Preakness. As a new participant, I have actively sought feedback from members to explore potential improvements. While challenges remain, their commitment to our industry and the significant resources they have devoted to keep racing alive in California deserve commendation. Through constructive dialogue, I am confident they seek further enhancements, though they do not have unilateral control over all decisions.

Although the introduction of @HISA_US has encountered obstacles, we have observed a decline in on-track fatalities, and the industry's adaptation to more structured standards is becoming clearer. I acknowledge that improvements are necessary, which is why I have volunteered to serve on HISA's advisory board. I want them to succeed, as they are the most influential body in the U.S. racing landscape.

Successful owners continue to invest in the industry, often without seeking recognition or self-promotion on social media. The media has played a crucial role in promoting the sport and addressing complex issues, including aftercare for horses and the implementation of HISA. Jayson Werth, after a successful career in baseball, has experienced the unique fulfillment of competing on the track. Through individuals like Jayson, we have an opportunity to share this narrative with many potential owners, attracting further investment. Additionally, Travis Kelce's entry into horse ownership could have a transformative effect on the sport, similar to what he has done for the NFL.

This year, horseplayers have enjoyed greater access to sports betting, thanks to initiatives from @FanDuel and @DraftKings, which have promoted deregulation in this area. While there is still room for improvement, these developments have positively impacted the game. We can also draw valuable lessons from successful models in Australia and Japan regarding the management of gambling revenue, enabling horseplayers to expand their operations and increase profitability.

Organizations such as @JockeyClub, @ChurchillDowns, @Keeneland, and @TheNYRA have played a vital role in collaborating with HISA to enhance the safety of our equine athletes. As new leadership emerges, we should rally behind them and amplify our collective voice to effect positive change.

Significant investments have also been made in the infrastructure of historic tracks like Churchill Downs, Keeneland and Belmont, creating venues that will captivate the next generation of horse racing fans. This investment is crucial and must extend to improving backstretch conditions to eliminate contamination issues and enhance living standards for both our equine athletes and the dedicated workers who support them. Protecting our collective investment means owners will need to accept increased boarding rates to fund these improvements.

We are witnessing new owners making substantial investments in bloodstock, racing, and, most importantly, fan engagement. This is essential for our long-term success. The current fan experience lacks transparency, and owners, jockeys, and trainers need to be more accessible to their fan base. Engaging with fans will create more opportunities for interaction and transparency. Some premium events have become prohibitively expensive for everyday fans, and we must create accommodations to make these events more accessible for families, such as picnic areas in the infield and dedicated seating.

I am particularly grateful to Drew Fleming and the team at @BreedersCup for helping us host our inaugural Resolute fan event.

Stallion farms are taking bold risks by acquiring horses like Justify, Complexity, McKinzie, and others. These investments are yielding exceptional track performers from first-time sires, exciting racing fans and providing returns for owners and breeders committed to producing top-quality horses. This business is vital, and we must trust these farms, which are the backbone of our industry, to effectively manage their stallion operations. A disciplined approach to breeding top mares with proven bloodlines is essential; however, introducing stallions with alternative bloodlines can diversify the gene pool, making it possible for a broader range of buyers to participate in breeding operations and racing programs. I believe private stallions can also offer solutions for smaller breeders, similar to models from the early 20th century.

Moreover, deregulation has enabled racing syndicates such as @MyRacehorse to make horse ownership accessible to a new demographic that once found it unattainable. We need to work with regulators to establish guidelines for horse ownership, as horses should not be classified as securities. The current regulatory oversight stifles investment. Micro-share ownership can significantly broaden the fan experience in a meaningful way.

Groups like @LightUpRacing are facilitating discussions about the positive developments within the industry. While there are always areas for improvement, people respond better to positive reinforcement than to unchecked complaints. Given the pervasive grievances in our society, it would be refreshing for horse racing to serve as a unifying force, positioning the industry for the next century.

Having worked in business for over 30 years, I have observed that those who complain often lack the drive to implement genuine improvements. The real changemakers are the individuals dedicated to enhancing our industry. I have had the privilege of meeting many dedicated professionals in global equine operations, and it is clear that the industry is filled with individuals who love and care deeply for these animals.

Global sales have reached unprecedented heights, increasing value for owners and breeders, thanks to organizations committed to promoting well-bred horses and owners willing to invest in top-quality stock. This economic model has persisted for thousands of years; consumer demand shapes the direction of products, and if consumers were dissatisfied, prices would not be rising.

While challenges remain, particularly regarding Thoroughbred aftercare, I firmly believe that collaboration can ensure long-term care for all our equine athletes. We must address the situation in Louisiana, where Thoroughbreds are traded as livestock with little regulation, necessitating accountability. I am confident that with collective efforts, this issue can be resolved.

Additionally, I believe we need to collaborate with racing officials to reassess the distribution of purses for allowance and stakes races. While prize money in the U.S. is among the highest globally, the current distribution primarily benefits the winning horse. The significant disparity between first and second place makes it challenging to sustain a profitable racing operation. I propose a more equitable prize pool distribution, where the top share is divided among participants in stakes races to cover at least six weeks of training costs for each horse. This should include incentive funding from states, with the remaining prize money cascading down to lower-placed horses, ensuring the winner receives no more than 50% of the pool. This approach would provide immediate relief to mid-level owners who urgently need cash flow to continue investing in their operations, particularly those without extensive breeding operations to offset racing costs.

I agree on the necessity for leadership within our sport. We need leaders of integrity who are not merely in the industry for self-promotion or to belittle others who have dedicated their lives to a sport we all cherish. Such divisive behavior is counterproductive, especially when we need to unite.

I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and opinions and foster respectful dialogue. I do not condone disrespectful behavior and will remove individuals from my feed if they cannot engage civilly.

I wish each of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Despite the challenges our industry and country face, I remain optimistic. I believe our great nation grants us the freedoms and opportunities that many have sacrificed their lives for, and it is our duty to honor their legacy through dedication and hard work.

I am reminded of JFK's vision of landing on the moon within a decade: “We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard. This goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because this challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.”

I recognize that there are many issues I have not addressed in this message. I know many of you are dedicated to creating change and caring for our equine athletes. I challenge each of us to prioritize the collective industry over individual interests, understanding that our success depends on contributions from everyone. It is easy to be self-centered; the hard path is to work collaboratively. Haven't we had enough of the former?

It is not working, so why not try a different approach that encourages collaboration and support? I have no pride of authorship and will endorse any initiative that propels our industry forward.

I also want to announce that I will personally fund a comprehensive review of the industry, examining various issues and identifying potential solutions. We can learn from industries that have successfully navigated even more significant challenges than ours. By studying their transformations, we can find methods to benefit the entire industry.

For example, the NFL has transformed into one of the most successful sporting operations globally, despite facing lawsuits over concussions and increased scrutiny regarding players' mental health. Similarly, Formula 1, after being in decline a decade ago, has experienced rapid growth and revitalization under new ownership, enhancing both fan engagement and driver safety.

I invite all industry participants to support this review, and I pledge to share the findings for the benefit of the entire community.

I entered this industry not to win races, not to become a leader or disruptor, but because I love horse racing. I cherish the horses and enjoy spending time with individuals who share my belief in the importance of horse racing for our economy, particularly in the great state of Kentucky. While I am competitive and desire to win races, I measure my success by the positive impact we have on the horses and the industry as a whole.

Some may doubt my sincerity, but I challenge you to get to know me and judge me by my actions rather than my words.

May God bless you and your families this holiday season.

Once again, I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving.

The post Open Letter To The Industry: John Stewart On The State of the Industry appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Former jockey Aaron Gryder and five-time Eclipse Award-winning writer Jay Hovdey will be on hand at the upcoming Global Symposium on Racing to sign copies of Well Armed: A Thoroughbred of Destiny. The signing will take place on the afternoon of Dec. 10, at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.

The just-published book is a story about the son of Tiznow, bred and raced by WinStar Farm, who overcame many physical setbacks to win the 2009 G1 Dubai World Cup by a whopping 14 lengths.

The story is tied into the tragic passing of WinStar principal Bill Casner's daughter Karri, who was killed in a terrorist attack on the resort island of Bali in October 2002. Well Armed was born six months later on what would have marked Karri Casner's 24th birthday.

Well Armed: A Thoroughbred of Destiny also tells the story of the journeyman Gryder, winner of 4,000 races over the course of his career who retired from riding in 2020 take the position of Vice President-Industry Relations for 1ST/Racing, with an emphasis on the safety and welfare of participants at the company's widespread racing and training properties.

The post Gryder, Hovdey To Sign Well Armed Book at Global Symposium appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) on Tuesday voted to grant Thoroughbred racing dates for 2025 that will feature 150 programs at Parx, 105 at Penn National, and 76 at Presque Isle Downs.

Prior to the vote on the dates, however, executives from each track were asked to do something rarely required by racing commissions in this country: Principals from each venue were requested to explain the rationale behind the 2025 takeout rates that accompanied each licensee's dates request.

Takeout rates, the per-bet pricing structure that tracks and states impose upon wagers, are the bane of horseplayers because they are akin to a tax on betting. But takeout rates also provide the financial backbone the sport derives from the pari-mutuel process, because the money generated that way goes, in part, to pay for purses and to keep tracks operational and regulated.

Yet price-conscious horseplayers for decades have lamented not only how high some of the takeouts have risen, but also how notoriously difficult it is to find comprehensive lists of those rates so that bettors can either comparison-shop, or, at the very least, know how much money will be removed from the pools prior to the calculation of winning prices.

Pat Cummings, an industry expert whose advocacy for more transparent takeout rates has been featured in TDN on numerous occasions over the years, wrote in 2020 that horseplayers have long been frustrated at how “a single source of updated takeout rates for bets across all tracks was unavailable, and [how] sourcing the exact rates was nearly impossible.”

When TDN touched base with Cummings via email Tuesday to see if that situation had improved, Cummings wrote back that, lamentably, there is still “not a single source for the industry which keeps up with this information routinely.”

Against that backdrop, even though the explanations at the Nov. 26 PHRC meeting amounted to only brief remarks required before a vote on licensure, they provided a welcome trickle of information for horseplayers who are used to being kept in the dark about how tracks come up with their takeouts.

This is what Pennsylvania's track operators had to say about their rates for 2025, listed in the order that each made their presentations. (Bear in mind that the commission had asked the executives in advance to prepare their remarks, so no one was caught unaware of this discussion).

Eric Johnston, director of racing operations at Penn National, where takeout rates for 2025 will be 17% win-place-show; 20% exactas, doubles, Jackpot Pick 6 and Jackpot Pentafecta; 31% trifectas, twin trifectas; 30% superfectas and Pick 6; 25% Pick 3, 4 and 5.

“Ours are comparable with those around the country. The one thing that you do see is a little high is the trifecta wagers, which come in at 31%. And in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't seem like it's that outrageous when you consider the history of racing over the years in Pennsylvania,” which, Johnston added, has transitioned from an era of robust on-track betting to being more simulcast-wager driven.

“The business has changed. Of the live wagering, what's bet on the Penn National card every day is less than 10% of the total handle. So this money, these takeout rates, are one of the things that keep us out there. There's a lot of simulcast sites, a lot of computer wagerers who bet on us because of those rates. If we start cutting those, we will become less valuable.

“We're certainly not getting rich off what [is being bet] there, but it's all part of the bigger story. I mean, the business has changed. The higher takeouts are along with the pools that have the highest payout, so it's not as noticeable. But it's not something that, you, know, it's not worth losing our outlets to lower those rates.”

Matthew Ennis, the director of racing at Presque Isle, where takeout rates for 2025 will be 17% win-place-show; 20% exactas, doubles; 25% trifectas, superfectas; 23% Pick 3 and 4; 15% Pick 5.

“Just looking at everything competitively, where we stand, compared to my parent company at Churchill Downs [Incorporated], I do feel that Presque Isle Downs has in place a takeout structure on our wagering options that serves the dual purpose of attracting the pari-mutuel dollar and generating the revenue needed to guarantee quality race cards and field sizes.

“I don't feel as if our wagering structure is out of line in any manner. It's very competitive. We look at providing takeout options that are appealing to players in relation to takeouts on wagering menus offered by other tracks. And although I felt that our takeout rates do not tell the whole story of how players choose to wager their dollars, having the player-friendly takeout structure is beneficial in our process of generating larger handles at Presque Isle…

“Of course, I have the protocol to follow with my corporate team at Churchill Downs, and abide by the ranges that they give.”

Joe Wilson, chief operating officer at Parx, where takeout rates for 2025 will be 17% win-place-show; 20% exactas, doubles; 25% trifectas, superfectas, Pick 3, 4 and 6; 15% Pick 5.

“Up until close to five years ago, our takeouts were 17% on win/pace/show; 20% exactas, doubles; 26% on 'pick' bets, and 30% on tris and supers.

“Jan. 1, 2020, we reduced our takeout to 17%, 20% and 25%. So the tris and supers went from 30% to 25%; the 'pick' bets went from 26% to 25%. And a couple of years ago we added our Philly Big Five, and that's at 15%.

“And it's amazing to me to where I still see people commenting on social media that Parx should lower their takeout, when in fact we lowered takeout five years ago.

“Our blend [of takeout rates] right now is at 19.8%, [compared to neighboring Maryland tracks] at 21.25%. So we're [approximately] 1.5 points lower than Maryland. We're even with Delaware, and we're even with Monmouth Park. So we are as competitive as anybody in the area.

“The other thing, if you were to lower your takeout too much–remember our signal goes out worldwide–and if you were to have a drastically reduced takeout, [importers] basically aren't going to promote your signal, because it's not [financially] in their best interest.”

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There will be a changing of the guard in August when Stuart Janney, III steps down from his long-held position as the Chairman of The Jockey Club. His replacement will be owner-breeder Everett Dobson. Janney recommended Dobson, and the board of stewards of The Jockey Club agreed.

Dobson has long involved himself with some of the sport's most important and influential organizations. He is on his second term as a steward of The Jockey Club. He serves on the executive committee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and is immediate past chairman of the American Graded Stakes Committee. Dobson serves as a member of the Breeders' Cup in addition to being a trustee of the Keeneland Association. He now takes over one of the most important jobs in the sport, but it's one that requires hours of work, no salary and will involve slings and arrows from those who are not happy with the direction The Jockey Club has gone.

So why would he take the job? That was among the questions Dobson was asked when he joined our crew for this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. Dobson was the Gainesway Guest of the Week.

“My wife says that I am a glutton?' Dobson said. “So now I am. I just have a calling, I guess. I was asked to do it and I feel like I am capable and qualified to do it, so here I am.”

Dobson will not be your prototypical Jockey Club Chairman. He didn't grow up with a silver spoon in his mouth as part of a wealthy family and he's not an Ivy Leaguer. He went to Southwest Oklahoma State University. Some, including Mike Repole, have accused The Jockey Club as being an “old boys club,” in need of new blood and new ideas. Does he see his appointment as being symbolic of a changing of the guard?

“I think there's something to that,” he replied when asked a question about his being new blood. “I'm coming to you from Oklahoma, which has been my residence for many years. I do have a farm in Kentucky and spend a fair amount of my time there. I think as much as anything, this is a recognition that the sport is evolving and it's changing. It's not the legacy sport that we knew from 100 years ago or even 25 years ago. My perspective is going to be from a business background. It's going to come from my being an owner and my involvement in the breeding and the racing side of the sport as well. I also have an investment in an NBA team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. So I will have a perspective on that. Stuart and I had a lot of conversations about my capabilities and what I might bring to the sport as well as the other stewards. I know many of them well and the rest I will get to know well. But I think there is a recognition that the sport is evolving and changing. And, hopefully, I can I can bring those perspectives that are going to matter in the future.”

Prominent and outspoken, Repole was a severe critic of The Jockey Club and Janney in particular. Has Dobson had a chance to sit down with Repole yet and perhaps mend some fences?

“I mentioned that I have plans to meet with everybody,” Dobson said. “I was at the Breeders' Cup and Mike and I were able to spend three hours together in a private room and had a great conversation. Very little did we disagree on. We do disagree on what our priorities should be. But Mike comes at it from a similar approach that I do in that he comes at a lot of the issues from a business background. This business is all about change. Business is about growing and being better. So on that, Mike and I agree. Only our styles are a little bit different. But that's okay. We laugh about that. But I do think Mike is like a lot of people in a sport in that he wants to see some improvement and some help.”

Can Repole, the former nemesis, be an asset to The Jockey Club?

“Yes,” Dobson said. “I don't think there's any question about that. I know Mike and I respect Mike. When it comes to what he's been saying, on a lot of topics, he is spot on. Now, his tactics, you know, sometimes they might differ with mine a little bit. But regardless, we need Mike.”

In our weekly breeding spotlight section, we took a look at the Winstar stallion Timberlake.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, and XBTV.com, the team of Zoe Cadman, Bill Finley and Randy Moss talked about the return of White Abarrio (Race Day), an impressive winner in a Gulfstream Park allowance that will be one of two preps for the GI Pegasus World Cup. The impressive win by Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) in the GIII Chilukki S. at Churchill was another topic of discussion. They then turned their attention to the mess that is California racing and the brutally honest comments made recently by Aidan Butler, president of TSG's 1/ST business. Butler continues to lobby for some sort of merger of the Northern and Southern California circuits and said to do otherwise would be “suicide” for both regions.

For the video version of the podcast, click here. For audio only, click here.

 

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

When veteran New York trainer Gary Contessa ran a horse named Answer the Call (Dialed In) in a Sept. 25 claiming race at Delaware Park, he had no idea that he had violated a rule. He claimed the horse out of an Aug. 4 race at Saratoga and believed the filly was allowed to run outside of New York because more than 30 days had transpired since the claim. Little did he know that only a few days earlier, the rule was changed so that a claimed horse had to stay in New York for at least 60 days.

When he was told by New York State Gaming Commission Steward Braulio Baeza, Jr. that he was being fined $4,000, Contessa was outraged. Not only did that seem like a lot for a relatively minor offense, but as of Sept. 25, the listing of rules on the New York Racing Association website still had the old rule of 30 days.

“They put the rule into effect July 24,” Contessa said. “On Oct. 17, when I got this ruling, the NYRA website still hadn't been changed to reflect the new rule. Braulio reached out to me and said, 'I have to fine you for this.' I figured the fine would have been $500. I wouldn't have fought that. I might not even have fought a fine of $1,000. The horse earned $1,103. I made $100. He comes up with a $4,000 fine. The horse ran at Delaware 52 days after I claimed her. She had already run once in New York and was well beyond the 30 days, which was the rule for 30 years. I went on to NYRA's website and I double checked it. It said 30 days, end of story. When I said that to Braulio, he said it was my responsibility to know the Gaming Commission rules. Please. I don't think you could find a trainer in America who has ever gone on the Gaming Commission site to look at their rules because we get everything from NYRA. When I fill out a stall application, it says I am agreeing to follow NYRA's rules. NYRA didn't change the rules on their website.

“I said to Braulio, '$4,000, isn't that an awful lot considering the circumstances?' He said, 'That's my minimum fine. We give fines that count now.' The Gaming Commission reached out to me and offered a $2,000 fine. That was still too much. I would have paid a $1,000 fine. The $2,000 is too much because NYRA didn't even care to change the rule on their website.”

Contessa has hired attorney Drew Mollica who has already filed an appeal with the Gaming Commission. He called the $4,000 fine “outrageous.”

“The fine, even if there even should be one, is so outlandish, that this had to stop,” he said. “The game is dying in New York because small trainers are dying by the minute. Seven is a big field, the barn area is three-quarters full. The rule was in place for 30 years and then they just changed it. $4,000? What did he do, kill the Lindbergh baby?”

Mollica said that in New York, administrative fines are upheld unless “they shock the conscience.” He believes $4,000 for such a relatively minor offense is a matter of shocking the conscience and will use that in his defense.

“If this doesn't shock the conscience, this gaming commission has no conscience,” he said. “That fine is so disproportionate to the alleged crime that it shocks the conscious, and it can't. That is the rule.”

New York State Gaming Commission spokesman Brad Maione said there would be no comment.

“We have no comment while the matter is under appeal, adding that “the text of the ruling speaks for itself.”

As has been the case numerous times over the last several years, Baeza is once again at the center of a controversy. His fines come across as heavy handed, he doesn't seem to consider the mitigating circumstances that may be involved, and the stewards have made a number of mistakes, for which he has been held blameless.

In December, the stewards–among whom Baeza is the most powerful–appeared to have disqualified the wrong horse in the $500,000 division of the Great White Way Stakes for New York-sired horses.

“He took the wrong horse down in the stakes back in December,” Mollica said. “Did he get fined? No. He let a race start at the wrong distance. Did he get fined? No. He fined Frank Gabriel $2,000 for something he had absolutely nothing to do with. Are we trying to kill the game or grow the game? How can the horsemen's association allow these draconian penalties?  You can go 100 miles per hour in a school zone and not get fined $4,000. It's abject craziness.”

“Braulio thinks he is untouchable and he also forgets that he was once a broke horse trainer,” Contessa said. “He forgot that. There was time when he didn't have two nickels to rub together. I guess he's forgotten about those days. On this, the punishment doesn't fit the crime and I am going to dig my heels in and fight this one.”

The post Contessa Fined $4,000 by Gaming Commission Steward, Vows to Fight ‘Outrageous’ Punishment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.