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EU Approves Direct Shipment of Horses From South Africa

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
After years of deliberation and delay, European Union officials have given the go-ahead to resume direct shipment of horses from South Africa to Europe.

Le Dom Bro Pleasant Surprise for Young Trainer Cordero

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
Just nine months after coming to the mainland United States from Puerto Rico, 20-year-old Eniel Cordero is preparing to saddle Vicente Stella's Le Dom Bro March 30 in the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park.

Derby Plans Underway for Honor Marie, Track Phantom

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
They may not have taken home the trophy and flower garland of the Louisiana Derby (G2), but the connections of Honor Marie and Track Phantom still had quite a bit to celebrate as their colts qualified for a start in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

"Jockey Queen" Chronicles Life of Lillian Holder

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
Lillian Jenkinson Holder was one of the best riders many in her area had seen. Yet her long career on bush tracks and pursuit of a license to ride at pari-mutuel racetracks remained a story hidden—until now.

Steal Sunshine, Tumbarumba to Meet Again in Ghostzapper

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
Graded stakes winners Steal Sunshine and Tumbarumba will meet again March 30 in the 1 1/16-mile $150,000 Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) after a nose separated the pair the last time they met at Gulfstream Park.

Muth, Timberlake Follow Mirrored Path to Arkansas Derby

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
Grade 1 winners Muth and Timberlake square off in search of a second top-level victory when an expected field of 10 3-year-olds compete in the $1.5 million Arkansas Derby (G1) at Oaklawn Park March 30.

Calo Named New Track Announcer at Ellis Park

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
Tony Calo has been named the new track announcer at Ellis Park. Calo, a veteran in the horse racing industry, will continue to serve as the announcer at Turfway Park along with being a handicapping analyst at Churchill Downs.

Crystal Quest Gives Uncle Mo 100 BT Stakes Winners

Blood-Horse - Tue, 2024-03-26 09:29
It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. 

TRF, NYTB collaborate on sanctuary farm search in New York

New York Thoroughbred Breeders - Mon, 2024-03-25 16:10

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation and the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. are collaborating on an effort to expand the TRF sanctuary farm network in New York with a focus on bringing New York-breds back to the Empire State for their retirement.

The TRF, the country’s oldest and largest Thoroughbred retirement operation, set a goal of finding farms in the state to home rescued and retired New York-breds in 2024. Farm owners in the state are encouraged to consider partnering with the TRF to provide land for these Thoroughbreds, most of whom were raised, raced and reared in New York.

“It would be so impactful for the TRF to have a sanctuary farm in New York,” said TRF Chief Operating Officer Maggie Sweet. “These horses are born here, raised here and race here and it would be a true full-circle moment to retire them here as well.”

Based in Saratoga Springs and founded in 1983, the TRF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization entirely supported by private donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations.

The TRF is also known for its Second Chances Program, which provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through an accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the U.S., including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison.

The search for additional sanctuary farms in New York and the Northeast became necessary due to demand. The TRF will look to start small – two farms with 10 horses apiece, for example – with a goal to grow to a comfortable level based on need and support from the New York racing industry.

“We are thrilled to share this opportunity from the TRF with farm owners in New York state to create accredited sanctuary sites for the care of equine athletes beyond their career at the racetrack,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Executive Director Najja Thompson. “Thoroughbred aftercare is of the utmost importance to our organization and members. The TRF has proven to be a leader in that regard.”

Farm owners in New York who are interested in a partnership are encouraged to contact Chelsea O’Reilly, TRF Director of Equine Programs, at chelsea@trfinc.org.

The post TRF, NYTB collaborate on sanctuary farm search in New York appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Rispoli's Big Jeff Ruby Day Included 2,000th Winner

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
It was a monumental day for jockey Umberto Rispoli at Turfway Park March 23. Not only did he secure the grand prize, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) with Endlessly, but he also earned his 2,000th victory in the saddle.

StrideSAFE Shows Technology is Key for Equine Safety

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
The sensor technology StrideSAFE is revolutionizing aims to better protect the safety of racehorses by understanding the surface from the horse's point of view.

Crystal Giant Gives Uncle Mo 100 BT Stakes Winners

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. 

Dual Grade 3 Winner Repo Rocks Moves to Barn of Dutrow

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
Double B Racing Stables' dual grade 3 winner Repo Rocks, last seen finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in June at Belmont Park for trainer Jamie Ness, is now with conditioner Rick Dutrow Jr.

Highfield Princess Dies After Stall Accident

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
Owner-breeder John Fairley said he and his family are "all heartbroken" after his multiple group 1-winner Highfield Princess died March 23 after sustaining an injury in an accident in her stall last week.

Irish Import Massive Sovereign Tops Locals in HK Derby

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
Massive Sovereign, in just his second local start, swept to a dramatic, late-running score in the Hong Kong Derby March 24 at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Mad Cool Wins First of Japan's Two G1 Sprint Races

Blood-Horse - Mon, 2024-03-25 09:26
Mad Cool took the short way around to win the Takamatsunomiya Kinen (G1) March 24 at Chukyo Racecourse, getting a leg up on year-end sprint division honors.

Stonewall Star bounces back in Biogio’s Rose

New York Thoroughbred Breeders - Sun, 2024-03-24 17:24

Stonewall Star, sixth in back-to-back starts in open allowance-optional races, returns to winner’s circle in Sunday’s Biogio’s Rose Stakes. NYRA Photo.

Horacio De Paz looked for answers when multiple stakes winner Stonewall Star turned in atypical performances in her three starts last fall and this winter since returning from a more than seven-month break.

He made a few changes with Barry Schwartz’s homebred daughter of Flatter, namely taking off blinkers for her morning breezes leading up to Sunday’s $97,000 Biogio’s Rose at Aqueduct. De Paz also took them off for the 1-mile stakes originally carded for Saturday but pushed a day later when New York Racing Association officials shifted the slate to avoid wet weather that blasted the region Friday and Saturday.

Stonewall Star, running without those familiar black blinkers she’d been decked out with in all 11 of her starts, returned to the form that landed her four victories in her first seven starts with a victory over Bustin Bay in the Biogio’s Rose. Ridden by Isaac Castillo, Stonewall Star won by 1 1/4 lengths in 1:36.51 for the mile on the track labeled fast.

“We worked her in her second work back (March 9) and took the blinkers off and she was on the inside – she galloped out really well,” De Paz said. “I figured stretching out would make the pace a little bit easier and it would be a good idea to take them off. She’s a sharp filly and a happy type of filly.”

Stonewall Star raced close to the early pace set by Security Code with 6-5 favorite Venti Valentine to her outside. That trio raced as a team through the opening quarter-mile in :24.35.

Security Code, winner of the Broadway Stakes by a neck last time out over Venti Valentine, still led 9-2 fourth choice Stonewall Star by a tenuous head through the half in :47.61. Stonewall Star put her head in front midway around the far turn and led Security Code by a head past the quarter-pole and 6 furlongs in 1:11.95.

Castillo let Stonewall Star out in the lane and she opened up a 1 1/2-length lead in midstretch as Security Code and Venti Valentine backed up. Bustin Bay, coming back after winning an open-company allowance-optional March 14 for trainer Linda Rice, made a run from fourth in the lane to land the runner-up spot. Venti Valentine finished third with Security Code fourth and Sweetest Princess fifth.

“She’s really kind,” Castillo said. “The trainer did a very good job to get the filly to relax before the race. I know the [other] horses were coming, but she feels so comfortable up there. When I asked her, she still had so much left.”

De Paz was pleased with the decision to remove the blinkers and also race Stonewall Star in the state-bred ranks for the first time since winning the Franklin Square Stakes last January at Aqueduct. The Biogio’s Rose also marked the first time Stonewall Star raced at the 1-mile trip.

“She was always a talented filly, we just had trouble bringing her back to form,” De Paz said. “Just letting the pace be a little easier back in New York-bred company [helped] and I figured she could stretch out. She handled 7 [furlongs] just fine, especially at Laurel and when we tried Keeneland [third in the Grade 3 Beaumont last year]. Isaac rode a great race, controlled, and just let her be where she was comfortable and not rush her. I’m very happy for her to come back.”

Bred and foaled at Schwartz’s Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, Stonewall Star improved to 5-for-12 with a second and four thirds in the Biogio’s Rose. A stakes winner at 2 and 3 and an earner of $353,198, Stonewall Star is the fourth foal and one of three stakes winners out of the Proud Citizen mare Jonata.

Whatlovelookslike, a 5-year-old daughter of English Channel and finalist for champion New York-bred turf female honors in 2023, sports a record of 5-3-2 in 14 starts with earnings of $416,350 for Schwartz and trainer Todd Pletcher. Whatlovelookslike won last year’s Port Washington Stakes at Belmont Park and finished third in the John Hettinger Stakes during the Belmont at the Big A meeting.

La Fuerza, a now 8-year-old full brother to Stonewall Star, won three stakes carrying his owner and breeder’s black and white colors in 2018. He won four of eight and earned $261,610. Jonata is also the dam of New York-bred winner Citizen K, a gelding by Mizzen Mast with a record of 3-2-2 in 18 starts and a bankroll of $185,212.

A $100,000 purchase by Schwartz at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale, Jonata won two of 17 starts with five placings and $140,800.

The post Stonewall Star bounces back in Biogio’s Rose appeared first on New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. News.

Catching Freedom Rallies From Last in Louisiana Derby

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2024-03-24 09:21
In theory, the Kentucky Derby (G1) marks the first time a 3-year-old will race at the mile-and-a-quarter distance. That may not be the case for Albaugh Family Stables' Catching Freedom.

Tarifa Punches Kentucky Oaks Ticket at Fair Grounds

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2024-03-24 09:21
After tracking early leader Our Pretty Woman throughout the $388,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) March 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Tarifa edged to the lead in the stretch and held off a couple re-rally attempts from her determined rival.

Missed the Cut Doesn't Miss in San Luis Rey

Blood-Horse - Sun, 2024-03-24 09:21
Favored at even money off his victory in the San Marcos Stakes (G3T), Missed the Cut scored back-to-back graded wins by taking the San Luis Rey Stakes (G3T) over Planetario, who also finished second to him in the San Marcos.

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