Thoroughbred Daily News

A total of 22 horses been listed for the 2022 Wanamaker's May Sale. The catalog includes newly born foals offered with their dams, yearlings, 2-year-olds, racing prospects and broodmares.

A half-dozen horses will be offered by Windhorse Thoroughbreds LLC, highlighted by the 2-year-old filly Scouting Party (Flat Out). Bred in New York and currently in training in Virginia, the February foal is out of an unraced daughter of Saint Misbehavin' (Sweetsouthernsaint), the dam of SW Mischief Maker (Cape Town) and the granddam of SW Makingcents (Goldencents). Windhorse also consigns the 7-year-old Causin' Trouble (Noble Causeway), a half-sister to Mischief Maker, who has been pronounced in foal to Modernist (Uncle Mo) on a Mar. 13 cover.

Denali Stud is offering a yearling Candy Ride (Arg) colt out of Emerald Quality (Quality Road), a half-sister to GSP Our Dahlia (Belong to Me) and from the family of MGSW & GISP Capital Plan (Rock Hard Ten).

Bidding will open May 26 at 8 a.m. ET, with the first listing set to close at 5 p.m. ET later that afternoon. Subsequent listings will close in three-minute intervals thereafter. For additional information, please visit wanamakers.com.

The post Wanamaker’s May Sale Catalog Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Paragon Farms will sponsor the $100,000 Sir Barton S., held during GI Preakness S. weekend at Pimlico Race Course. The Sir Barton will benefit the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA).

Founded by Thoroughbred owners and breeders Brandon and Diannah Perry, Paragon Farms entered into an agreement to annually donate $100,000 to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance as the title sponsor of the Sir Barton S. for three consecutive years beginning at this year's Preakness.

“Diannah and I are driven to make a difference, and proud to support the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance,” Brandon Perry said. “We are honored to be a part of the Preakness. We are encouraged by the TAA's commitment to raising awareness for aftercare cooperation and inspiring action, to protect the horses that have given us personally so much. Together, through lasting change, responsibility will have a long-term positive impact on the sport we love.”

“The generosity of Brandon and Diannah Perry is truly astounding,” said Funding and Events Manager, Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is incredibly grateful and excited for this newfound partnership with Paragon Farms and looks forward to putting their donation toward our 82 accredited charities helping thousands of retired Thoroughbreds.”

The post Paragon Farms Pledges $100,000 Annual Donation to the TAA at Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Peter Eurton, trainer
Penalty: $1,000
Violation: Late reporting
Explainer: Trainer Peter Eurton is fined $1,000.00 pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1629 (Penalty for Late Declaration) and for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1865 (Altering Sex of Horse) for failure to properly report the gelding of the horse OCTOPUS which was scheduled to run in the eighth race at Santa Anita Park on April 15, 2022.

New York

Track: Belmont Park
Date: 05/14/2022
Licensee: Flavien Prat, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to appeal Jockey Mr. Flavien Prat is hereby suspended 3 NYRA racing days, May 21st 2022, May 22nd 2022, and May 27th 2022 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the fourth race at Belmont Park on May 1st 2022. Suspended: 05/21/2022 to 05/27/2022 (3 days).

Kentucky

Some of the following rulings were not posted on the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission website in time for inclusion last week.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/06/2022
Licensee: Reyluis Gutierrez, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Reyluis Gutierrez, who rode Mr Dumas in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on May 5, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Gutierrez was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Reyluis Gutierrez is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/05/2022
Licensee: Brian Hernandez Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Brian Hernandez Jr., who rode Fair Haired Boy in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 4, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Brian Hernandez Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Manuel Franco, who rode Idiomatic in the first race at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Rosado was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Manuel Franco is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Manuel Franco, who rode Turnerloose in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on May 6, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Manuel Franco is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Mitchell Murrill, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Mitchell Murrill, who rode Warrior Johnny in the first race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Murrill was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Mitchell Murrill is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Jose Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jose L. Ortiz, who rode Injunction in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Ortiz was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Jose L. Ortiz is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/11/2022
Licensee: Jose Ortiz, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Jose L. Ortiz, who rode Obligatory in the eighth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (2nd offense). Jose L. Ortiz is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Irad Ortiz Jr., who rode Obligatory in the twelfth race at Churchill Downs on May 7, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Ortiz was given the option and chose to pay a fine. Irad Ortiz Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Irad Ortiz Jr., jockey
Penalty: $100 fine
Violation: Failure to appear to watch race review
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Irad Ortiz Jr. is hereby fined $100 for failure to be present for the race replay review on ma 12, 2022 after being duly notified to appear.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/13/2022
Licensee: Gerardo Corrales, jockey
Penalty: Five-day suspension
Violation: Withdrawal of appeal
Explainer: Having withdrawn the appeal pf Stewards Ruling #21-0096 issued December 11, 2021, Gerardo Corrales is now hereby suspended 5 racing days, May 19, May 20, May 21, May 22, May 26, 2022.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: Brad Cox, trainer
Penalty: Ten-day suspension, $500 fine
Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: Upon receipt of notification from Industrial Laboratories, the official testing laboratory for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and confirmed at Texas A & M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, sample number E454454 taken from Warrior's Charge, who finished second in the eleventh race at Churchill Downs on June 26, 2021 contained phenylbutazone at a level of 2.51 ug/ml in blood (Class C)/ After waiving his right to a formal hearing before the Board of Stewards Brad H. Cox is hereby suspended 10 days, May 23 2022 through June 1, 2022 (inclusive) and fined $500. Warrior's Charge us disqualified and all purse money forfeited.

Read more about the story here at the TDN.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: James Graham, jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After a hearing before the Board of Stewards, James Graham, who rode Zmuda in the sixth race at Churchill Downs on May 13, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation. This being his first offense, Mr. Graham was given the option and chose to pay a fine. James Graham is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the riding crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

Track: Churchill Downs
Date: 05/15/2022
Licensee: Joseph Rocco Jr., jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: After waiving his right to a hearing before the Board of Stewards, Joseph Rocco Jr., who rode Uninvited Guest in the fourth race at Churchill Downs on May 13, 2022 was found to have violated the crop regulation (3rd offense). Joseph Rocco Jr. is hereby fined $500 for his improper use of the crop by exceeding the allowable use in the overhand manner.

The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, May 10-16 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Fasig-Tipton's May Digital Selected Sale closed Tuesday afternoon with impressive 2-year-old debut winner Awesome Strong (Awesome Slew) topping the sale, bringing $500,000 from Bill Childs. He was consigned as Hip 24 from the draft of Elena Racing, agent.

The Florida-bred colt won by an eye-catching six lengths on debut for Elena Racing, Inc. and trainer Jorge Delgado at Gulfstream Park May 6 in an open maiden special weight. Awesome Strong is from the first crop of Awesome Slew out of the Pleasant Tap mare Pleasant Ring. That mare is a full sister to stakes winner and graded stakes producer Pleasant Chimes. Pleasant Ring has produced six winners to date, including multiple stakes winner Bad Debt (Grand Reward), a multiple graded stakes placed earner of $838,000.

Three-year-old Sareeha (Ire) (Shamardal) (Hip 10) was the leading racing/broodmare prospect offered, selling for $150,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. The filly was consigned by Carriganog Racing (Joseph O'Brien). Placed in her second career start Apr. 23 at Limerick, Sareeha is daughter of European champion Shamardal out of the winning Dansili (GB) mare Saraha (GB).

“We believe a good horse can come from anywhere, at any time,” Eclipse's Aron Wellman said. “Sareeha is a filly who was on our radar as a potential private purchase in Ireland after her race last month, so when she was entered in the Digital Sale, it made sense for us to monitor her status. The world is getting smaller by the day, especially in our industry, so we cannot rule out any avenue by which horses can be acquired. We were able to connect with Joseph O'Brien, who trains for Eclipse in Ireland, which made it a bit more comfortable. That said, the process was seamless and the technology was user friendly. We applaud Fasig's willingness to be innovative and we certainly hope Sareeha is a success story for the program sooner rather than later.”

At the close of active bidding, 13 horses sold for $1,150,000, good for an average of $88,500. The median was $60,000. There were 120 bidders registered for the sale. Each offering attracted at least five unique bidders. Prospective buyers placed 609 cumulative bids, averaging better than 25 bids per horse.

Buyers may still make offers on horses that failed to meet their reserve by visiting the sale page, then clicking “Make Offer” next to the horse they are interested in purchasing.

The post Two-Year-Old Colt Awesome Strong Tops F-T May Digital Selected Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

TIMONIUM, MD – The three-day under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale began shortly after 8 a.m. Tuesday morning under cloudless blue skies and temperatures hovering around 60 degrees and by the conclusion of the day's seventh and final set shortly before 3 p.m., with temperatures approaching 80 degrees, five horses had turned in the co-fastest furlong time of :10 flat. A filly by Collected had the day's fastest quarter-mile work of :21 1/5.

A filly by Nyquist (hip 150) was the first to hit the :10 flat mark while working during the second set for consignor Randy Miles. The chestnut is out of Westside Tapstress (Lookin at Lucky), a half-sister to graded stakes winner Discreet Hero (Honour and Glory).

“We knew she could do it, but your nerves take over as you're leading her up there, hoping that nothing happens,” Miles said after the work. “She performed the way she was supposed to and I'm glad she represented herself well.”

Miles is consigning the filly on behalf of her breeders, Todd and Chad Frederick and Carl Thomas Potter.

“We've had some horses for them in the past and they entrusted us with two really nice horses this year,” Miles said of the breeders. “The first one sold well in April and this is the second one.”

Miles admitted he is a big fan of the Midlantic May sale.

“We love this track and when you get a week like this of great weather, it's so fun to come here,” he said. “This filly got over the track great all week and she loved the weather, the low humidity and cool weather. When Mother Nature cooperates, it's a wonderful place.”

Miles sent out four horses to work throughout Tuesday's session and said he had found the track to be consistent from start to finish.

“The track was beautiful,” he said. “They did a great job with the 25 horses and then a break. They kept it so consistent. It doesn't matter whether you go early or late.”

Juveniles from the first crop of Bolt d'Oro have been in demand at the auctions all spring and a son of the Spendthrift stallion (hip 30) was the second to work in :10 flat during the session's fourth set. Consigned by Pike Racing, the bay is out of stakes-placed Shine Softly (Aldebaran), a daughter of champion Soaring Softly (Kris S.) and also the dam of stakes winner The Grass is Blue (Broken Vow). Al Pike purchased the youngster from Peter O'Callaghan's Woods Edge Farm for $90,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. O'Callaghan had acquired the colt for $65,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November sale.

“He was beautiful,” Pike recalled of the colt as a yearling. “He was in Book 2 with Woods Edge and he was a little immature at the time, because he's young, and Peter had a stunning group of Book 2 horses. So I think he got a little bit overlooked. I was very fortunate to get him. We've liked him all winter. He's done nothing wrong. We came here thinking he was capable and hoping that he would perform and we were pleased with him.”

Pike's consignment topped the 2020 Midlantic sale with a $1.1-million son of Uncle Mo.

“This is one of our favorite spots,” Pike said of the Maryland auction. “We always try to bring a good horse here because you'll get rewarded.”

Grassroots Training and Sales sent out a filly by Neolithic (hip 9) to work one of three :10 flat works during the day's fifth set. Out of multiple stakes placed Sarahline (Northern Afleet), the chestnut was purchased for $8,500 at last year's OBS Winter sale.

Hip 20, a son of More Than Ready, turned in his :10 flat work for Keiber Rengifo's Golden Rock Thoroughbreds. A $12,000 Keeneland September purchase by Jose Silva, the bay is out of Seeking Sheba (Seeking the Gold) and from the family of champion Perfect Soul (Ire).

Completing the :10 flat works was hip 36, a New York-bred gelding by Practical Joke consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales. The bay is out of the unraced Silken Lily (Grand Slam), a half-sister to multiple graded-stakes winning sire Upstart (Flatter). He sold for $30,000 at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling sale last August.

“He is a horse we took a little bit of time with,” Dave Scanlon said. “I don't know that they announced it during the breeze, but he is a gelding now. We bought him privately after the New York sale and he always looked fast. He had a great hip and body, but he was just a little bit tough through the breaking. So around December, we just decided, let's make life easier on me and you and everybody else. So he became a gelding. And then we took our time with him. He's always had a great hip, he just needed to level out. My assistant and I were just talking about how he is just looking better and better. Every work, he's just been getting better.”

The Scanlon team comes into the Midlantic sale off a strong OBS Spring sale, which included a $1.3-million Mendelssohn colt.

“It's been great,” Scanlon said of his 2021 results so far. “We've had a really good year. We were pretty excited last year when we bought these horses. We thought we had done a good job picking them out and it's been a great group all year. We were excited for OBS, but we've been excited about coming here. I love to bring my New York-breds here. Horses that we find quick and precocious–horses like Army Mule–we've always done really well with here.”

A filly by Collected (hip 202), the first horse to work during the second set, turned in the fastest quarter-mile work of :21 1/5 for Jesse Hoppel's Coastal Equine. Out of Aurore (Arch), the dark bay is a half to stakes-placed Orageuse (Broken Vow) and Boreale (Makfi). Her dam is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Interactif (Broken Vow). She was purchased by Larry Zap, Hoppel and Amanda Murphy for $47,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale.

The Midlantic under-tack show continues through Thursday with sessions beginning daily at 8 a.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The auction will be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding commencing both days at 11 a.m.

The post Five Share Furlong Bullet at Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Trainer Brad Cox has been suspended 10 days and fined $500 by the Churchill Downs stewards for a phenylbutazone overage detected in the runner-up of the 2021 GII Stephen Foster S.

According to a ruling dated May 15 and posted to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) website Tuesday, the Class C positive was present in the post-race testing of MGSW Warrior's Charge (Munnings) at a level of 2.51 micrograms per milliliter of blood when he ran second at 7-1 in last year's edition of the Foster.

Cox's suspension is to run May 23-June 1. Warrior's Charge has been disqualified and the purse money is to be redistributed.

TDN phoned Cox to get his side of the story and to ask whether he'd be appealing. He responded via text message.

“We were completely shocked with these lab results,” Cox wrote. “Due to the fact that this medication was administered within the strict guidelines that are set in place. Having said that, while we disagree with the results, I have to own it and accept responsibility. Moving forward, I am committed to industry leading protocols which hopefully prevent this from happening again.”

Asked what arrangements, if any, are in the works for transferring his horses during his suspension, Cox wrote, “No transfers at this time.”

Phenylbutazone, also called Bute, is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Kentucky's racing rules permit it on race day in concentrations at or less than three-tenths (0.3) micrograms per milliliter.
According to the ruling, Cox waived his right to a formal stewards' hearing, as did the horse's owners, Marshall Gramm and Sol Kumin.

The KHRC classifies drugs on an A (most severe) to D (least severe) scale.

Both the owner and trainer penalties are in line with Kentucky's recommended sanctioning guidelines for a Class C first offense, which call for up to a 10-day suspension (absent mitigating circumstances) for trainers and the disqualification and purse forfeiture for the owners.

The post Cox Suspended 10 Days for Bute Overage in ’21 Foster S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Edited Press Release

A diverse group of equine industry and animal welfare organizations have announced the “Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter”–a collaborative effort to permanently ban the slaughter of American horses.

In an open letter to congressional leaders, including US Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and US Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the alliance urged federal lawmakers to pass the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act (H.R.3355/S.2732) to permanently ban horse slaughter in the US and end the export of American horses for slaughter in other countries.

The supporting members of the “Final Stretch Alliance to End Horse Slaughter” include: The Jockey Club, the U.S. Trotting Association, the Stronach Group, the Breeders' Cup, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, The Jockey's Guild, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, the Maryland Horse Council, the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®), the Animal Welfare Institute, the Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation, and many other industry voices.

Despite congressional efforts that have effectively blocked the operation of horse slaughterhouses on US soil since 2007, tens of thousands of American horses continue to be shipped to Canadian and Mexican slaughterhouses that supply other countries with horsemeat. With the Triple Crown horse racing season underway and public attention on equine sports, equine industry and welfare groups are calling on federal lawmakers to take action during this critical moment by passing the SAFE Act to end this sad chapter in American history.

In the open letter, the groups highlight a recent poll indicating that an overwhelming majority of Americans (83%) oppose horse slaughter. The letter explains how, despite robust, innovative partnerships between equine industry and welfare groups to support horses transitioning between careers, the looming threat of the horse slaughter pipeline continues to significantly harm industry, enthusiasts, and adoption organizations:

“Racing industry groups have demonstrated real leadership in committing resources for aftercare and career transition programs, instituting and enforcing track policies against sale to slaughter, and spearheading state and federal policies prohibiting horse slaughter. These programs are critical, but until the law shuts down the slaughter pipeline itself, no horse, no matter how beloved or decorated, will be truly safe.”

The SAFE Act would close this legal loophole to stop the funneling of American horses to slaughter for human consumption abroad. Introduced by a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers, the SAFE Act is currently sponsored by nearly half of the US House of Representatives.

“Despite the overwhelming desire among Americans to see horses protected from harm, tens of thousands of horses are transported out of the US each year to be killed abroad,” said Cathy Liss, AWI's president. “Racehorses continue to fall victim to this grisly and predatory trade, so we appreciate the leadership and collaboration of key stakeholders in the racing industry to shutter the slaughter pipeline once and for all. As trusted companions, horses enrich our lives in countless ways; passing the SAFE Act is paramount to ensuring their welfare and safety.”

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The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will have a full lineup of on-site festivities during GI Preakness S. week.

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has been a valued partner of the Preakness since 2015,” said Maryland Jockey Club Acting President, Mike Rogers. “We at 1/ST and the Maryland Jockey Club look forward to bringing aftercare to the forefront of the Preakness for many years to come. The good work done by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is absolutely vital to ensuring the safety of our equine athletes and the longevity of the sport.”

“As the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness is the perfect place to bring the conversation of aftercare to the forefront,” said TAA President, Jeffrey Bloom. “The partnership between the Maryland Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is invaluable in forwarding the TAA's mission. I'm excited to be in attendance to represent the TAA as its 2022 board president and am grateful to continue the TAA's many traditions at Pimlico.”

The week begins with the America's Best Racing (ABR) Pre-Preakness Party on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at Mt. Washington Tavern in Baltimore, Maryland. Proceeds will benefit the TAA. Tickets are still available online for $25 and will be available at the door for $35.

The TAA will present a race on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard and will also present the Sir Barton S. on Preakness Day.

On both Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness day, the TAA will host the Best Turned Out Awards in the Pimlico winner's circle for each race. Additionally, a TAA information table will be set up in the grandstand to allow patrons the opportunity to donate and learn more about accredited aftercare.

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The veterinarian Seth Fishman–who is facing 20 years in prison, has an active motion asking for the first of his two convicted counts to be dismissed, and has already been granted one sentencing delay because he is allegedly having trouble filling out federal probation paperwork–again on Tuesday requested another delay of his sentencing.

The half-redacted letter motion filed by his attorney in United States District Court (Southern District of New York) on May 17 suggests that a COVID-19 outbreak where he is being detained at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is the reason.

“Dr. Fishman's tier is currently in 'lockdown' status and, apparently, will remain in that position for the foreseeable future,” wrote attorney Maurice Sercarz.

Although the letter motion itself does not mention the pandemic in its unredacted portions, the internet home page for the prison features a prominent notice that “Operations are being modified at this facility due to COVID-19. All visiting at this facility has been suspended until further notice.”

Fishman was convicted Feb. 2 on two felony counts in an international equine performance-enhancing drug doping conspiracy. The judge in the case has yet to rule on Fishman's motion asking for the first of his two convicted counts to be dismissed on the basis that he was allegedly charged twice for the same crime.

Fishman's sentencing was supposed to be May 5 but got pushed back to May 26 when he claimed he did not receive financial forms from the feds that are necessary for his pre-sentencing report. Now he's requesting a new date in the range of June 20-24. Federal prosecutors have consented to this request, according to Tuesday's motion.

Although a number of defendants named in the wide-ranging racehorse doping conspiracy pleaded guilty prior to Fishman, he was the first from a federal sweep of several dozen individuals indicted in 2020 to stand trial and to be found guilty by a jury.

Fishman's case has been notable thus far because of the breadth of his legal maneuverings and some courtroom drama, which included the Florida-based veterinarian being inexplicably absent from court during his sentencing. A cryptic comment from Fishman's attorney to the judge during closing arguments led to speculation that Fishman had to be hospitalized.

In December 2021, the judge in Fishman's case modified his bail conditions after federal prosecutors alleged he was still selling PEDs while awaiting trial.

And in January 2022, one week before his trial was scheduled to start, Fishman had unsuccessfully asked the judge to delay the trial over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The post Fishman Asks for Yet Another Sentencing Delay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

After a season of near perfection that included six stakes wins, Daniel Lopez and George Chestnut's homebred Chub Wagon was named 2021 Pennsylvania-bred Horse of the Year at the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association's 43rd annual Iroquois Awards, held May 13 at The Inn at Mendenhall in Chadds Ford, Pa.

The richest state-bred of 2021 when banking $487,400, Chub Wagon scored in eight of her nine starts at age four, and was second in her only loss. After getting her first stakes win in the Unique Bella at Parx in April by 7 1/2 lengths, she followed with wins in the Skipat S. and Shine Again S. at Pimlico, and Dashing Beauty S. at Delaware Park. She rebounded off a second-place finish in the Dr. Teresa Garofalo Memorial S. at Parx on Pennsylvania Day At the Races in August to take the Roamin Rachel S. against open company by four lengths two weeks later. She concluded her season in late September by winning the Plum Pretty S. in her first start beyond a mile.

A daughter of Lopez's homebred stallion Hey Chub out of the Lion Heart mare Takin The Plunge, Chub Wagon also took home awards for champion older female and champion female sprinter.

The evening's keynote speaker was Triple Crown-winning jockey Steve Cauthen, now a breeder/owner in Kentucky. The PHBA's Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in breeding in the state was presented to George Strawbridge, Jr., who over the course of the past five decades bred such Pennsylvania-bred standouts at GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Tikkanen and five-time Grade I winner With Anticipation.

Other divisional champions were:
• Two-year-old female–Morning Matcha (Central Banker)
• Two-year-old male–Dance Code (Honor Code)
• Three-year-old female–Leader of the Band (Bandbox)
• Three-year-old male and male sprinter–Beren (Weigelia)
• Older male and turf male–The Critical Way (Tizway)
• Turf female–Caravel (Mizzen Mast)

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GI Kentucky Derby favorite and runner-up Epicenter (Not This Time) drew post eight in a nine-horse renewal of the GI Preakness S. at Monday's pill pull for the second leg of the Triple Crown, while GI Longines Kentucky Oaks victress Secret Oath (Arrogate) got the four post for trainer D. Wayne Lukas as she attempts to become the second filly to win the Preakness in the last three years and give Lukas a seventh Preakness victory. The chestnut was installed as the 9-2 third choice on the morning line behind Epicenter and expected speed Early Voting (Gun Runner), who drew smack in the middle of the field in the five post for trainer Chad Brown. The 1 3/16-mile classic will carry a purse of $1.65 million, up from the expected $1.5 million due to the late supplement of Fern Circle Stables, Back Racing and Magdalena Racing's Creative Minister (Creative Cause).

“I thought it was ideal,” said Epicenter's trainer Steve Asmussen of his colt's draw. It's a nine-horse field, plenty of run-up to the first turn. Several fresh horses and us coming back in two weeks, I think it's absolutely ideal. You could say we're half as nervous as the draw for the Derby, when you go from 20 runners to nine. I think that makes it that much more beneficial to everybody as far as post-position draw goes. With that being said, it's exciting to run against Early Voting, me being a huge fan of Gun Runner [who he trained]. So I'm very excited to see him, but obviously anxious for Epicenter's opportunity in the Preakness.”

Prior to running second in the Derby behind shocking winner Rich Strike (Keen Ice), whose connections decided to pass on the Preakness and an attempt at the Triple Crown, Epicenter impressively annexed the GII Risen Star S. and GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Bettors made him a clear 41-10 favorite in the Run for the Roses, where he led until deep stretch before getting overtaken late to his inside.

Secret Oath was a convincing winner of one of the strongest renewals of the Oaks in recent memory, rallying wide to score a two-length victory. Trying to follow in the footsteps of filly Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), who beat back Derby winner and eventual Horse of the Year Authentic (Into Mischief) in the COVID-delayed 2020 Preakness, Secret Oath has already taken on males once, running third with a troubled trip in the GI Arkansas Derby Apr. 9 at Oaklawn.

Of post four, Secret Oath co-owner Rob Mitchell commented, “I think it's fine. I mean, I'm happier with that than I was with the post position [#1] for the Oaks.”

Klaravich Stables' Early Voting, an impressive victor of the GIII Withers S. and a narrow runner-up in the GII Wood Memorial S., had enough points to qualify for the Derby, but was pointed for the Preakness instead by Brown, who won the Preakness in 2017 with Cloud Computing (Maclean's Music), the four-time Eclipse champion trainer's lone Classic victory to date.

“Terrific,” Brown said of drawing stall five. “I wanted to be somewhere in the middle, so that will work. I'm happy with the draw.”

Only three horses from the 20-horse Derby will return to contest the Preakness in Epicenter, fourth-place finisher Simplification (Not This Time) and 14th-place finisher Happy Jack (Oxbow). Simplification, victor of the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S. this winter, drew the rail Monday as the 6-1 fourth choice.

“I saw speed to the outside. It doesn't change our strategy,” said trainer Antonio Sano. “At first, I thought no good, but Johnny V [John Velazquez] is so smart. He will make the decision if he has to go outside.”

The entire field, from the rail out with jockey assignments: #1 Simplification (Velazquez), #2 Creative Minister (Brian Hernandez, Jr. 10-1), #3 Fenwick (Curlin, Florent Geroux, 50-1), #4 Secret Oath (Luis Saez), #5 Early Voting (Jose Ortiz), #6 Happy Jack (Tyler Gaffalione, 30-1), #7 Armagnac (Quality Road, Irad Ortiz, Jr., 12-1), #8 Epicenter (Joel Rosario), #9 Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator, Junior Alvarado, 20-1).

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In the first episode of the TDN's new video series 'Catching Up with Katie,' host Katie Petrunyak sat down with the University of Kentucky's starting quarterback Will Levis and Claiborne Farm's Walker Hancock at Wallace Station Deli and Bakery outside of Lexington to discuss the N.I.L. (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal between Levis and Claiborne stallion War of Will (War Front).

The partnership was announced early last month and is the first of its kind for any collegiate student-athlete with a Thoroughbred syndicate.

“The reaction that we have gotten has been incredible,” Hancock shared. “The Tweet that we sent out has over 500,000 impressions, so it literally went viral. It was cool to see other outlets that aren't necessarily in the horse industry pick it up. We are always trying to find new fans and when we can cross sports like this, getting football fans focused on racing and racing fans watching football, it works out really well for both sports. It has been a perfect synergy of our brands with what we are looking to do.”

Set to take the field this fall for his second season as QB for the Wildcats, Levis talked about the opportunities this deal has provided not only for himself and War of Will, but for the Thoroughbred industry at large.

“[Horse racing] is so pertinent to Kentucky's economic success,” he said. “To bring eyes to the industry and to the people that are a part of it has been really cool. You're getting not only the eyes of people in the horse industry and Kentucky football fans, you're expanding the possibilities for fans from brand new demographics because of the uniqueness of the deal and the amount of people that picked up on it. Regardless of if you have interest in horse racing or football, it's still a cool story to read about.”

Levis, who threw for 2,826 passing yards and 24 touchdowns last year to lead UK to one of its most successful seasons on record, has quickly developed an interest in, and perhaps even a bit of a passion for, the sport of horse racing since his move to Lexington. He has already made several visits to Keeneland and this year, attended his first Kentucky Derby.

Asked if he had any desire to someday get further involved in the industry, Will responded enthusiastically. “100%. It's definitely something I want to keep myself involved in one way or another. I still have a lot to learn and I still have just a very surface-level knowledge of the sport, but I'm going to keep dipping my feet in and learning as much about it as I can because it's so interesting. There's a lot of money in it too, and that's not the main reason behind my interest, but while I'm here I have to take advantage of it.”

Later in the conversation, Hancock shared how he envisions the future of other stud farms potentially partnering with athletes in the N.I.L. space, and both Levis and Hancock discussed how each of their family legacies played a roll in building their own success.

Watch this first episode of Catching Up with Katie on YouTube or on TDNTv.

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Edited Ontario Racing press release

Susan Foreman got outbid in a hot market at the Keeneland January sale earlier this year, but found a mare to bring home to her Ontario farm from among the sale's RNAs, purchasing Unostrike (Macho Uno) privately for $25,000 after the 12-year-old failed to meet her reserve in the sales ring the previous day. While half of the mare's purchase price was paid for by Ontario Racing's Mare Purchase Program, the acquisition was made even better when Unostrike's half-brother Rich Strike (Keen Ice) upset the GI Kentucky Derby two weeks ago.

“I didn't even know Rich Strike was entered into the Derby until Saturday,” said Foreman. “I was watching on the farm, because I was foal watching with a friend, and I turned to her and said, 'I have the half-sister to the Kentucky Derby winner.'”

Foreman had been bidding on behalf of a client when shut out at the Keeneland January sale. Back in her hotel after the session, she was looking through the supplement book when she saw Ontario-bred Unostrike was an RNA at $22,000.

“What immediately caught my attention was she was in-foal to Caravaggio, a gorgeous son of Scat Daddy,” said Foreman. “She's out of a Canadian champion mare [Gold Strike], a Smart

Strike mare. It was a just beautiful page for me to take home to Canada.”

Foreman arranged to look at the mare the following day at the St. George Sales consignment.

“When I got there, it took me two seconds to say, 'I'm not leaving without this mare,'” said Foreman. “She's beautiful. She's 16.1. She's correct and very good looking and had an early

cover date to Caravaggio.”

Unostrike produced a filly by Caravaggio Feb. 17.

“She is a lovely mare to be around, a good mom, and it's a beautiful foal,” said Foreman. “Her nickname's Fancy. She's the niece of the Derby winner out of a hot stallion. I couldn't be

happier.”

Foreman plans to sell the filly as a yearling next year, while Unostrike is currently in foal to Maximum Security.

Ontario Racing's Thoroughbred Improvement Program has $5.89 million available to breeders in the province.

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The Jockey Club has announced it will offer The Jockey Club Fact Book Chronicle as part of its free online Fact Book. The Fact Book Racing Chronicle will offer past performances directly from Equibase, and charts from graded stakes races will be provided through links to equibase.com.

“The information in The Jockey Club Fact Book Chronicle is valuable for everyone from researchers and reporters to handicappers and casual racing fans, and we are pleased to be able to provide this resource as part of our Fact Book,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “In the coming years, we plan to add additional content and make the information more dynamic, and we welcome feedback on potential additions to the Chronicle.”

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Un Ojo (Laoban), upset winner of the GII Rebel S. earlier this year, will not be running in Saturday's GI Preakness S. as he continues to deal with a foot bruise which kept him out of the GI Kentucky Derby.

“This morning his foot was a little warm again,” trainer Ricky Courville told the Preakness media team. “The vets went over him, and he's not 100%. I'm dealing with the same thing. I guess the work [Saturday] kind of re-aggravated it.”

In addition to the defection of Un Ojo, Pimlico officials announced the possible addition of  Villa Rosa Farm and Harlo Stable's Fenwick (Curlin) to the Preakness field. Trained by Kevin McKathan, the colt was a maiden winner at Tampa Bay Downs before finishing 11th in the GI Toyota Blue Grass S.

The post position draw for the Preakness will be held Monday afternoon.

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The under-tack show ahead of next week's Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale gets underway Tuesday morning at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The show continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 8 a.m.

A total of 636 juveniles have been catalogued for the Midlantic sale, which will be held next Monday and Tuesday. Bidding commences each day at 11 a.m.

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Winchell Thoroughbreds' Epicenter (Not This Time) remained on target for Saturday's GI Preakness S. after a 1 1/2-mile gallop at Churchill Downs Sunday morning.

“He seems to be pretty sharp,” Scott Blasi, who oversees trainer Steve Asmussen's Churchill division, said of the GI Kentucky Derby runner-up and likely Preakness favorite. “I love how he's doing. He galloped today like that was nothing; walked off the track with good energy. We'll put a little work in him and go. Not much to do from here on out…. [but] win.”

Epicenter had the lead in midstretch of the Derby before being passed by 80-1 longshot Rich Strike (Keen Ice).

Asked if the defeat stung, Blasi said, “If you don't learn to turn the page in this game, you're going to be a miserable human. What's done is done. Move on.”

Epicenter is expected to have an easy half-mile work at Churchill Monday before vanning to Baltimore Tuesday.

Asmussen won the Preakness in 2007 with 2007-2008 Horse of the Year Curlin and in 2009 with Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra.

Un Ojo (Laoban), upset winner of the GII Rebel S., missed the Kentucky Derby with a foot bruise, but was declared on track for the Preakness following a five-furlong work in 1:02 Saturday at Churchill Downs.

“The next day after we didn't enter [the Derby], he was pretty good,” trainer Ricky Courville said by phone from his Copper Crowne Training Center base in Opelousas, Louisiana Sunday. “We were soaking the foot a couple of days and Tuesday morning he got really good. We just gave him the rest of the week, soaking it, making sure, and went on and sent him back to the track Derby morning. He's been training since. It was just unfortunate. Monday [entry day] he wasn't 100%; Tuesday he was.”

Calumet Farm's Happy Jack (Oxbow) will be getting blinkers back on for the Preakness following his 14th-place effort in the Kentucky Derby.

“In the Derby, you're trying to navigate 1 1/4 miles against 19 other horses,” trainer Doug O'Neill, who won the Preakness in 2012 with I'll Have Another, said. “By taking the blinkers off, I thought it would give him a chance to get a little breather.”

Happy Jack wore the blinkers in his first career start and broke his maiden at Santa Anita Jan. 22. O'Neill kept them on in the Feb. 6 GIII Robert B. Lewis and the colt finished last in the field of five, beaten 27 1/4 lengths. The hood came off in the Mar. 5 GII San Felipe S. and Happy Jack was third, beaten 10 1/2 lengths. They were back on in the GI Santa Anita Derby and he was third again, finishing 12 1/4 lengths behind Taiba (Gun Runner).

“He is kind of a grinder,” O'Neill said. “I think he has to be more involved early. Hopefully, with a shorter field, a better post position and with the blinkers on, he can be more forwardly placed. He's a trier and a stayer, and I think he can make up more ground more forwardly placed.”

Happy Jack galloped at Churchill Sunday morning and is scheduled to arrive at Pimlico Tuesday.

“Knock on wood, he's doing well,” O'Neill said.

The post-position draw for Friday's GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and Saturday's GI Preakness S. will be streamed live Monday from Citron beginning at 4:30 p.m. on: www.facebook.com/Preakness/ and twitter.com/preaknessstakes/.  In Spanish, go to: https://youtube.com/HipicaTV/live.

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The Roth family's LNJ Foxwoods announced plans to move its Southern California-based horses east and re-focus its racing stable on the East Coast, Canada and Kentucky circuits. A Sunday afternoon tweet from Jaime Roth read, “LNJ Foxwoods has made the difficult decision to take a break from having horses stabled year-round in Southern California. With our family based in New York and one of our advisors, Alex Solis, II of Solis/Litt, having relocated to Lexington, we would like to focus on the East Coast, Canada and Kentucky circuits at this time. Our horses in training in Southern California will be moved east to continue their careers under the care of Josie Carroll, Brad Cox, Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher, and Brendan Walsh.”

Roth continued, “We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Southern California and celebrated many milestones there, including winning the GI Breeders' Cup F&M Sprint with Covfefe at Santa Anita. In particular, we would like to thank Richard Mandella and his team for their tireless work and dedication to our horses and all those in his care. Richard has done a terrific job for our stable and we have enjoyed so much success together.”

In the same tweet, Roth announced the retirement of the family's multiple graded stakes winner United (Giant's Causeway). Trained by Mandella, the 7-year-old gelding won the 2020 and 2021 renewals of the GII John Henry Turf Championship S., as well as the 2021 GII Eddie Read S. He was second in the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Turf. On the board in 15 of 22 starts, United won 10 times and earned $1,813,549.

“He will remain a part of the LNJ family and is being retired as our riding horse in Kentucky, where we hope he will enjoy his second career just as much as his first,” Roth tweeted.LNJ

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Beyond the Wire, a Maryland-based Thoroughbred aftercare program, will be honored with the Maryland Jockey Club's Special Award of Merit during the Alibi Breakfast at Pimlico Thursday.

The Special Award of Merit is presented to those who have made a positive impact on the racing industry. Past winners include Hall of Fame horsemen D. Wayne Lukas, Jerry Bailey, Ramon Dominguez and King Leatherbury; late Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay, founder of the Maryland Million; and MJC track photographer Jim McCue.

“We are honored and really appreciate the recognition, as the program has been a big effort on the part of the Maryland racing industry,” Beyond the Wire's program administrator Jessica Hammond said. “Hopefully, the award will also provide an additional spotlight on the importance of aftercare.”

Launched in 2017, Beyond the Wire reached a milestone in mid-March when 5-year-old gelding Bundi Bundi trained by Pedro Nasario became the 500th horse to move through the program. Hammond said they have since added another 20 horses.

“It's a busy, busy program,” Hammond said. “The good news is that it shows that trainers are prioritizing a good aftercare program for their horses. People are even foregoing getting money for their horses so that they know that they are going to have a safe and secure retirement. Instead of risking having a horse end up in a bad spot, trainers are saying let me just retire them through Beyond the Wire.”

Beyond the Wire is an industry-wide initiative between the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Maryland Jockey Club, 1/ST Racing, Northview Stallion Station, Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland jockeys. The organization is a first exit from racing program designed to facilitate safe and enriching placements for retiring Maryland-based racehorses.

Annual pledges and donations, and owners' contributions of $11 per start, enables Beyond the Wire to place retired Thoroughbreds exclusively with Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited farms. Horses that go through the program receive retraining and rehabilitation as needed.

Partner farms are MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, Foxie G Foundation, New Vocations, Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, After the Races, Equine Rescue of Aiken and Life Horse.

Beyond the Wire will have an information table set up during the Sunrise at Old Hilltop tours which run from 6-9 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information on the program, visit: www.beyondthewire.org.

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Juddmonte Farms' Mandaloun (Into Mischief) turned in his second work since a ninth-place finish in the Feb. 28 G1 Saudi Cup when going four furlongs in :49.20 (19/50) at Churchill Downs Sunday.

“He worked an easy three-eighths last week and we came back with just an easy half-mile [Sunday],” trainer Brad Cox said of last year's GI Kentucky Derby winner. “He got delayed coming back to Churchill from Saudi, so we just wanted to be easy on him for a little while and get him back going. We'll start to get more serious in the next few weeks.”

Cox said no target race had been picked out for Mandaloun, who opened 2022 with a win in the Jan. 22 GIII Louisiana S. at Fair Grounds.

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