Thoroughbred Daily News

New York-bred Fingal's Cave (Carpe Diem), perfect in four career starts in the Big Apple, takes on graded stakes company for the first time in Saturday's GII Lexus Raven Run S. at Keeneland.

The bay cuts back in distance to seven furlongs after capturing her stakes debut in Saratoga's Fleet Indian S. versus state-breds going 1 1/8 miles in the mud Aug. 26.

“At some point, we will challenge her and this seems to be a good spot,” trainer David Donk said. “The Raven Run is for straight 3-year-olds, it's graded and it is a good spot to see where we stand.”

He added, “I am not sure what her best distance is. She ran so well sprinting in her first two starts, and she has been training really well the past few weeks.”

Wicked Halo (Gun Runner) puts a three-race winning streak on the line following a narrow score in Saratoga's GII Prioress S. with the rail-drawn Union Lake (Speightster) back in third.

Smash Ticket (Midnight Lute) is two-for-two since joining the Rob Atras barn, including a big-figure 6 1/4-length tally in Pimlico's Weather Vane S. Sept. 24. She is the 5-2 morning-line favorite.

Shamrock Rose (First Dude) used the 2018 Raven Run as a springboard to a 25-1 upset in that term's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

The 10-race Belmont at the Big A card, meanwhile, will feature a wide-open renewal of the GII Hill Prince S. for sophomore turfers; and the grassy GIII Noble Damsel S. for fillies and mares. Saturday's graded action is rounded out by Woodbine's GIII Ontario Matron S.

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Wertheimer and Frere's homebred Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Happy Saver (Super Saver–Happy Week, by Distorted Humor) will retire to Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky following this year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Airdrie Stud announced Friday. He will stand for an initial fee of $12,500 LFSN.

Undefeated in his first five starts, Happy Saver's signature victory came in the historic GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, where he won the race as a 3-year-old in his fourth career start. Most recently, Happy Saver has finished second in each of the last four Grade I races he has contested. Those efforts include runner-up finishes to Flightline (Tapit) in the GI Metropolitan H. and Life Is Good (Into Mischief) in the GI Whitney S., races in which he finished in front of GISWs Olympiad (Speightstown), Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) and Aloha West (Hard Spun), among others.

Trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher throughout his career, Happy Saver will take a lifetime record of five wins and six graded stakes placings from his 12 lifetime races and earnings of nearly $1.2 million into an expected start in the $6,000,000 GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland Nov. 5.

A regally bred son of the multiple Eclipse Award-winning sire Super Saver, Happy Saver's female family stands as one of the breed's most important. Out of the sprinting black-type Distorted Humor mare Happy Week, Happy Saver's third dam is Broodmare of the Year Weekend Surprise, dam of the champion racehorse and leading sire A.P. Indy, as well as Classic winner Summer Squall.

(Watch Happy Saver's Keeneland work Friday morning)

“Happy Saver has been a priority for our farm since the day we watched him break his maiden in his debut at Belmont,” said Airdrie's Bret Jones. “He won by five lengths that day and ran the same 1:21 and two-fifths as the seven-furlong Grade I Woody Stephens run on the same card at the same distance. It was a `wow' performance and he has validated that early impression by becoming one of the best racehorses in America. He's a direct descendent of Weekend Surprise and when you combine his female family with that of Super Saver's, it's as rich a genetic bank as any horse that will ever retire to stud. He exemplifies the Wertheimer family's best-in-class breeding program and we are so grateful that they have allowed us to partner with them on a stallion that has the speed, class and charisma to be a really special sire.”

“Winning the Jockey Club as an undefeated 3-year-old takes a very special horse, and that's exactly what we've always believed Happy Saver to be,” added Pletcher. “He's a tremendous talent and runs with as much heart as any horse we lead over. He has all the characteristics I think any breeder would look for in a young stallion.”

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A 2023 race dates template for the Northern California circuit came closer to being finalized at Thursday's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting, with commissioners unanimously voting to largely mirror the framework of the 2022 schedule.

The lone exception was that the board held off on a decision on whether Ferndale (Humboldt County Fair) would once again have to run its second of two weeks of racing at the end of August against overlapping competition from the commercial licensee Golden Gate Fields.

That part of the vote was parsed out and will instead be taken up by the CHRB at the December meeting, leaving time for those two license applicants to possibly reach a compromise so commissioners don't have to impose one.

A separate lengthy discussion during the nearly 3 1/2-hour meeting involved whether Sacramento (the state fair at Cal Expo) would retain its contiguous three-week block of dates during July, or if Santa Rosa (Sonoma County Fair) would instead be allowed to expand its own August block from two weeks to three.

Commissioners ultimately decided that issue by voting to leave Cal Expo's three-week slot intact, based partially on the Sacramento track's stated commitment to try night racing this year. Lights are already installed and used at that oval for harness racing.

“We are going to actively pursue looking at night racing,” said Larry Swartzlander, the executive director California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF). “Night racing could be very lucrative financially,” he added, from the perspective of Sacramento not having to go up against major earlier-slotted simulcast signals like Saratoga and Del Mar.

However, the board did indicate that in 2024, that sought-after third week could get awarded to Santa Rosa, which offers the appeal of being the only NorCal fairs meet that has a turf course. Exactly how that third week would be carved out of the current schedule would have to be decided next year.

“We know the horsemen would much rather be in Santa Rosa than here in Sacramento,” said Rebecca Bartling, Sonoma County Fair's chief executive officer. “The weather's much better. We also feel that the purses would be much stronger.”

Alan Balch, the executive director of the California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), was among those who advocated for Santa Rosa to get a third week of racing in 2024, but said, “where it comes from and how it's structured is something else again, because you have so many competing factors to deal with.”

CHRB vice chair Oscar Gonzales said that at this time, the board couldn't technically make a promise to Santa Rosa that commissioners would vote in 2023 for a three-week meet there in 2024. But he did want it on record that the board would strive to “strike a balance” on the issue.

“It's been a very difficult last couple of years for all parties involved,” Gonzales said, alluding to the pandemic. “And it's very clear stakeholders love Santa Rosa, us included.”

Gonzales then called on CHRB staffers and its legal team to come up with “a motion that can kind of hold us to the [Santa Rosa] commitment, but without making, you know, an outright promise.”

Bartling then respectfully interjected: “Isn't a commitment a promise? Or a promise a commitment?”

The CHRB then proceeded to vote on the NorCal dates, minus the Ferndale/Golden Gate impasse that had already been kicked back to the December meeting. But commissioners apparently acted without realizing no actual motion had been verbalized and/or read into the record. Nor were the actual race dates for any of the other NorCal tracks specifically referenced during the meeting prior to the voting roll call.

After the meeting, TDN contacted CHRB spokesperson Mike Marten, who said that the commissioners had intended to vote upon the slate of dates that were printed in the meeting packet, with the non-binding commitment that Santa Rosa would get three-week consideration for 2024.

So the 2023 schedule reads as follows (the dates are awarded in blocks to determine simulcast host status and do not reflect the actual schedule of race dates):

Golden Gate-Dec. 22, 2022 to June 13, 2023

Pleasanton-June 14 to July 11

Cal Expo-July 12 to Aug. 1

Santa Rosa-Aug. 2 to Aug. 15

Ferndale-Aug. 16 to 29 (potential week overlap with Golden Gate TBD)

Golden Gate-Aug. 23 to Oct. 3 (potential week overlap with Ferndale TBD)

Fresno-Oct. 4 to 17

Golden Gate-Oct. 18 to Dec. 19

Regarding the Ferndale/Golden Gate standoff, several stakeholders discussed the main issues.

Jim Morgan, the legal counsel for the Humboldt County Fair, pointed out that Ferndale needs two weeks of live racing and simulcasting revenues with host status just to survive.

Morgan also explained that, unlike Golden Gate's commercial meet that he believes primarily serves as an exported simulcast product, Ferndale draws bigger live crowds that grow on-track interest in the sport, and its meet better dovetails with neighboring Oregon's fairs season, meaning those horses often ship to and stay in California, bolstering the field sizes at other tracks.

“We're talking one week. Golden Gate has all of the rest of the year,” Morgan said. “The county can't keep paying us a grant every year to stay alive, and [the continued overlap] would kill off this venue. And I don't believe, percentage-wise, that one week's revenue for Golden Gate Fields makes a big difference in their livelihood or outcome. But it makes a world of difference for Humboldt County Fair. We should not be penalized because we're smaller.”

Balch, of the CTT, weighed in with support for Golden Gate keeping its week of racing and host status instead of having Ferndale get it.

“I think it's extremely important to remember that Golden Gate Fields is the anchor and the fundamental foundation for fair racing in Northern California, because Golden Gate is the track that keeps the industry going on a year-round basis,” Balch said, adding that  “there's always been tension in balancing the interests of Golden Gate with the fairs.”

Craig Fravel, chief executive officer at 1/ST Racing, spoke on behalf of Golden Gate. Under questioning from commissioners, he conceded that his organization would likely “be supportive” of an idea that got brought up whereby Ferndale got its unopposed second week of live racing while Golden Gate retained simulcast host status during the same time.

“Everyone keeps expecting us to stay open for training while meets are taking place at fairs, [so] being compensated for [that expense] would certainly be something that we would welcome, and [having] a break in the calendar is not a negative for us,” Fravel said.

Swartzlander, of CARF, urged everyone to look at the overall picture.

“We all have to understand that racing in Northern California is a continuum,” Swartzlander said. “Like any major sports, we have our AAA, AA and A teams. [The smaller entities] support the Del Mars and the Santa Anitas. We need to keep the fairs in strength, and we support what goes on in all racing.”

The CHRB had already finalized the Southern California racing schedule at its September meeting.

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Ryan Norton, who previously served as stallion director at Darby Dan Farm, has been named the new stallion director at Gainesway, the farm announced Thursday. Norton had been at Darby Dan since 2002, starting in the sales division before being named stallion director in 2005.

“Ryan brings with him over 20 years of experience in his field,” said Gainesway General Manager Brian Graves. “Ryan's meticulous nature will make him the perfect person to give our clients and customers a great experience conducting business with Gainesway Farm.”

A native of Winchester, Ky., Norton grew up on a cattle and tobacco farm. He received his bachelor's degree in finance from Transylvania University in 1997.

“I am excited to join the Gainesway team and have an opportunity to promote the best up-and-coming stallion roster in the industry,” Norton said. “My enthusiasm for the art of breeding has never waned and I am looking forward to new challenges.”

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A host of juveniles from the Todd Pletcher barn gearing up for engagements on Friday of Breeders' Cup championship weekend worked at Keeneland Thursday.

Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte (Violence) and Harrell Ventures' Lost Ark (Violence), the respective winner and sixth-place finisher in the Oct. 8 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, breezed a half-mile together in :49.20 immediately after the track's second renovation break at 9 a.m. Both are candidates for the $2-million GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Keeneland clockers caught the two in fractions of :13.40, :25, and out in 1:02, 1:15.80 and 1:30.20. (Click here for a video of the work).

“That was a pretty standard breeze from them,” Pletcher said. “They're both solid work horses and are always willing. We were just hoping to see more of what they normally do.”

Pletcher was happy with the colts' performances in the Breeders' Futurity.

“We felt like [Forte] handled the added distance [of 1 1/16 miles] and the two turns; he certainly looked like he relished it,” Pletcher said. “Lost Ark had a rough trip into the first turn and that kind of took him completely out of position. He finished up with some interest, so that was encouraging.”

Also working Thursday, GI Frizette S. winner Chocolate Gelato (Practical Joke) worked in company with Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. winner Atomically (Girvin) following the first renovation at 7:30 a.m. Pointing towards the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the pair clocked the half-mile in :49 flat (11/26).

Fractions for the work, according to Keeneland clockers, were :13.20, :25.20, and out in 1:01.80, 1:15.20 and 1:30.

“I thought it was perfect,” Pletcher said. “Went off nicely, finished up well, good strong gallop out. Both got over the track [as if] they like it. It was a well-executed breeze.”

Thursday's work tab at Keeneland also included GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Slammed (Marking), who worked three furlongs in :36.80 (6/9) for trainer Todd Fincher.

“That was a good way to start the day. She was very happy out there,” said jockey Florent Geroux, who was aboard for the work.

Slammed earned a berth in the F/M Sprint with her victory in the GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. at Keeneland Oct. 8.

Also Thursday, two Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” victors owned by Susan Moulton and trained by Wayne Catalano–Manny Wah (Will Take Charge) and Andthewinneris (Oscar Performance)–returned to the work tab following their victories during Fall Stars Weekend.

Manny Wah, winner of the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Oct. 7, worked a half-mile in :47.40 for the second-fastest move of 26 at the distance. Manny Wah is headed for the $2-million GI Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race in which he finished fifth in at Keeneland in 2020.

The GII Castle & Key Bourbon winner Andthewinneris worked a half-mile in :48.60 (8/26) with splits of :12.40 and :24.40. Andthewinneris is a candidate for the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf that will close Future Stars Friday Nov. 4.

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Recently retired Daily Racing Form National Correspondent and Racing Hall of Fame inductee Jay Privman will be honored  Saturday at Santa Anita, as the track has named the day's fourth race in his honor and will present him with a plaque acknowledging his 40-plus years of covering the Sport of Kings.

Inducted into the Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in August, 2021, Privman began his journalistic journey in racing while an undergrad at Cal State Northridge.

“We're honored to be able to name a race for Jay and to acknowledge his contributions to racing,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager.  “Jay's love of the game and his professionalism through these many years are what made him stand out. He covered our sport with a steady hand and was always fair.

“Although we certainly miss him in print and as a regular voice on radio, we're happy that with all of his newly found free time as a retiree, he'll be able to spend significant amounts of quality time with us as a fan and horseplayer. He's truly a Hall of Famer and we wish him and [his wife] Anne all the best in the years to come.”

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Champion Midnight Bisou (Midnight Lute–Diva Delite, by Repent), in foal to leading sire Tapit, has been supplemented to the Book 1 section of the upcoming Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The 7-year-old will be consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa.

“It's impossible to describe what she's meant to me, my family and my partners,” Jeff Bloom of co-owner Bloom Racing Stable said. “She took us on an incredible journey and created so many amazing experiences for us across the globe. All those memories I will treasure the rest of my life.”

Midnight Bisou, who earned over $7.4 million during her racing career, won the 2018 GI Cotillion S. and GI Santa Anita Oaks, as well as the 2019 GI Apple Blossom S., GI Ogden Phipps S. and GI Personal Ensign S. She was named champion older mare of 2019.

She produced her first foal, a colt by Curlin, earlier this year.

“She effortlessly transitioned to life as a broodmare with the same elegance, class and intelligence that she displayed as a racehorse,” Bloom said.

Out of Grade III winner Diva Delite, Midnight Bisou is a half-sister to recent GI Champagne S. runner-up and GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile candidate Verifying (Justify).

“Midnight Bisou represents the very best of Thoroughbred racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “She is a world-class racehorse from an active, talented family who is in foal to one of the industry's premier stallions. Keeneland is delighted to offer her during Book 1 of our November Breeding Stock Sale.”

Diva Delite, who is in foal to Gun Runner, is also cataloged to Book 1. Out of the winning Tour d'Or mare Tour Hostess, she is consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent.

Keeneland November's Book 1 starts Nov. 7 at 1 p.m. ET. Keeneland will accept supplements to Book 1 until the auction begins.

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The Oct. 19 CTHS Ontario Mixed Sale saw three individuals share the top price of $35,000. The first was a yearling filly by Cairo Prince consigned by Richard G. Hogan, Agent, second a Kantharos yearling filly consigned by Hill 'N' Dale Sales Agency, Agent and Blurricane (Rebellion {GB}), a stakes-winning broodmare by Rebellion (GB) consigned by Ballycroy Bloodstock, Agent for Ken Lee, Dennis Mitchell and Dan and Gaye Bell.

The average selling price of $9,396.00 was up significantly over 2021($4,251.64). The median this year was $6,250.00 versus ($2,000.00) last year.

“This year's sale offered a good selection of quality horses to meet the needs of the Ontario Breeders. On behalf of the Board of Directors and myself, I want to thank the Ontario Breeders, the Consignors and those who supported our Mixed Sale, commented Peter Berringer, President of the CTHS Ontario Division.”

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Stuart Fitzgibbon has been named Stallion Director of Darby Dan Farm. He previously served as stallion seasons sales manager at Ashford Stud and Coolmore, and as general manager, commercial, at Castleton Lyons.

“I am delighted to be joining the team at Darby Dan headed by John Phillips,” Fitzgibbon said. “Darby Dan has a very celebrated history in the world of bloodstock racing and breeding and continues to offer breeders stallions the caliber of Dialed In and Tapiture that are proven on the track. It's an exciting time to become a part of this venture with newer additions, including Flameaway who had a tremendous start with his first-crop yearlings, and Mutasaabeq, who commences his breeding career in 2023.”

“Stuart is a perfect fit for Darby Dan given our goals for the future,” said John Phillips. “His experience at Coolmore, Ashford, and Castleton Lyons aligns with our desire to increase the quality and number of our stallion ranks. Stuart is accomplished, knowledgeable, and immensely personable. We are thrilled with our association.”

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Three horses, including a Grade III-winning juvenile filly, have been supplemented to Book 1 of the Keeneland November Sale.

• American Apple (American Pharoah), a 2-year-old filly who won the Oct. 8 GIII Matron S. at Belmont at the Big A and is a contender for the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland. KatieRich Farms consigns American Apple, who is cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect.
• Princess Julia (Distorted Humor), a daughter of champion Folklore, who is in foal to Medaglia d'Oro. She is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for STH LLC.
• Wakanaka (Ire) (Power {GB}), a 4-year-old filly who won this year's GII Dance Smartly and was second in the GI Just a Game S. and the GI Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Cataloged as a racing or broodmare prospect, she is consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent.

Keeneland will accept supplements to Book 1 until the November Sale begins.

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GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown–Without You Babe, by Lemon Drop Kid) and GISW Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy–Natalie Grace, by First Dude) will stand at Ballcroy Bloodstock in Ontario for 2023.

Collusion Illusion captured five of 13 races with three of those wins coming in graded events. His career high was a win in the GI Bing Crosby S. and he earned over $480,000. He will stand for $6,000.

“Collusion Illusion is an exciting stallion prospect, and we are thrilled to have him standing in Ontario,” said Ballycroy Director of Bloodstock Michaela Kemp. “He is a great addition to our stallion roster, and we look forward to filling his first book of mares this season.”

Tamarkuz, who is in his third year at stud, won eight of 20 races and earned over $1.8 million. He concluded his career with a victory in the 2016 BC Dirt Mile and will stand for $4,000.

“Tamarkuz has been well supported in Kentucky by Shadwell and their mares,” said Kemp. “We are looking forward to seeing his progeny progress more on the track with time as the Speightstowns do.”

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OwnerView is taking nominations for the 2022 New Owner of the Year Award, sponsored by 1/ST RACING. Nominees must have made their first start as an owner since 2019, had an ownership stake in a horse at the time it won a stakes race in the past 12 months, and had a verifiable owner license in 2022. Previous winners have included Boat Racing, MyRacehorse, Larry Best, the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Charles and Susan Chu, Sol Kumin, and LNJ Foxwoods.

Anyone can nominate an owner who meets the criteria. To submit a nomination, contact Gary Falter at (859) 224-2803 or gfalter@jockeyclub.com for a nomination form. Nominations close Nov. 6.

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MSW Alternate (Seattle Slew–Strike a Balance, by Green Dancer), dam of MGSW and Grade I-producing sire Alternation (Distorted Humor), died Oct. 15th at her lifetime home, Pin Oak Stud. She was 23 years old. She will be buried at her birthplace.

The Pin Oak homebred won six races and placed another 11 times, seven in stakes, including the GII Monmouth Breeders' Cup Oaks, GIII Delaware Oaks, GIII Bewitch S. and the GIII Glens Falls H. She was trained by Graham Motion and earned over $550,000.

The dam of nine winners from 12 foals, Alternate produced three stakes winners, including two millionaires. GII Peter Pan S. winner Alternation won or placed in seven stakes, including the GII Oaklawn H., GIII Pimlico Special and GIII Razorback H. At stud, Alternation is the sire of 25 stakes horses to date, including multiple Grade I winner Serengeti Empress, who earned nearly $2.2 million. Alternate also produced Grade I winner and $1.6-million earner Higher Power (Medaglia d'Oro), winner of the GI Pacific Classic S. and Interrupted (Broken Vow), a Pin Oak homebred who scored five wins, was graded stakes-placed and earned over $250,000.

Hailing from a deep Pin Oak family, Alternate was a half-sister to Pin Oak champion Peaks and Valleys, out of a half-sister to Wedding Picture and Tonka Wakhan, all from the Pin Oak foundation mare Strike a Pose.

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At the quarterly California Veterinary Medical Board (VMB) meeting Wednesday, the board acknowledged that yawning practical and philosophical differences between the agency and the state's equine practitioners urgently need to be addressed.

According to Richard Sullivan, chair of the VMB's Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee, this disconnect concerns approaches to record keeping and the Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), calling efforts to bridge this divide as “a huge task, but a very necessary one.”

During the public comment period at the start of the meeting, former California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) equine medical director Rick Arthur made a series of incendiary claims about the veterinary medical board's handling of the cases being brought against backstretch veterinarians in California, describing the board's actions as “regulatory extortion.”

Arthur's claims stem from the VMB's controversial move earlier this year to temporarily suspend the license of Jeff Blea, who succeeded Arthur as CHRB equine medical director.

Last month, the VMB lifted that suspension. In his settlement with the board, Blea agreed to continuing education classes in record keeping, a remittance to the VMB of $131,464 for the investigation costs and a three-year probationary period.

The VMB has ongoing cases against at least nine other backstretch veterinarians in California, and the nature of some of the accusations–often identical in nature to those leveled against Blea–reveal a yawning schism between the veterinary board and the CHRB concerning approaches to standard equine veterinary care.

The main areas of difference–at least where the CHRB is concerned–surrounds the use of what the VMB terms misbranded drugs like Thyro-L, non-FDA approved compounded drugs and the correct nature of the VCPR. More broadly, the disconnect also ensnares the prophylactic use of medications and record keeping differences between small and large animal veterinarians.

To address these differences, the VMB has assembled a two-person Equine Practice Subcommittee tasked with researching equine practice regulations and statutes, taking input from relevant stakeholders and making recommendations to the board.

In a brief update on the equine practice subcommittee's work to date, Sullivan concentrated on only two of the various bones of contention.

The VMB's statutes on medical records is “very prescriptive,” admitted Sullivan. “Especially compared to other states, and even to other medical professions within our state,” he added.

“And we may have to further define the VCPR to distinguish the difference between patient-cenered cases and client-centred cases,” said Sullivan.

Over the past few weeks, the equine practice subcommittee has met with VMB enforcement staff, the California Veterinary Medical Association, the CHRB and the UC Davis Veterinary Medical School, said Sullivan, who added that the subcommittee's work “is just beginning.”

During public comment at the start of the meeting, Arthur armed his allotted three-minutes with a fusillade of barbed spears directed towards the VMB's regulatory inroads into backstretch veterinary practice.

“I've spoken before to this Board about what are clearly politically motivated attacks on equine veterinarians including some of the leading, most highly respected veterinarians in the country. Some are veterinarians who have advanced high-quality veterinary care much more than any of you associated with CVMB will ever hope to accomplish,” said Arthur.

“This Board's actions are nothing short of regulatory extortion. The irony in all this is that racetrack veterinarians know their patients better than most any other veterinary practitioner,” Arthur added.

Arthur called on a variety of state political figures and regulatory bodies–including California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Department of Consumer Affairs or the state legislature–to investigate the VMB's “regulatory abuse by an ambitious and misguided staff,” saying that he was “working” to have that happen.

“There will come a time when each of you, particularly the veterinary professionals on the board, will need to face your failure to lead,” Arthur added. “I am aware that culturally, state government is loath to admit they screwed up, but this transgression by CVMB should have been resolved a long time ago. Shame on all of you.”

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Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced its 2023 stallion roster and fees, with Horse of the Year and leading sire Curlin (Smart Strike) heading the group at $225,000. The operation's leading stallion stood for $175,000 in 2022.

Ghostzapper (Awesome Again) remains unchanged at $75,000. Rounding out the farm's roster are Army Mule – $12,500; Charlatan – $50,000; Kantharos – $20,000, Lost Treasure – $3,500; Maclean's Music – $50,000; Midnight Lute – $12,500; Mucho Macho Man – $7,500; Violence – $40,000; and World of Trouble – $5,000.

Champion Juvenile Good Magic (Curlin) will be announced at a later date.

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6th-Keeneland, $99,588, Msw, 10-19, 2yo, 1 1/16m, 1:46.95, ft, 5 1/4 lengths.
CYCLONE MISCHIEF (c, 2, Into Mischief–Areyoucominghere, by Bernardini) nearly wired the field at first asking, just getting nailed by a pair of closing ivals on the line to be third by three-quarters of a length at Churchill Downs Sept. 16. With an extra sixteenth to work with Wednesday, the $450,000 Keeneland September grad raced closest to pacesetter Permafrost (Frosted) into the first turn. Settled just a path off the rail for the backstretch run, Cyclone Mischief stuck a head in front with five-sixteenths to run and took full command at the top of the lane, drawing clear under a hand ride to win comfortably by 5 1/4 lengths. 31-1 shot My Imagination (Lea) filled out the exacta. Out of a half-sister to GISP Suddenbreakingnews (Mineshaft), Cyclone Mischief is from the family of MGISW Composure (Touch Gold) and MGISP Centring (A.P. Indy). His dam produced a weanling filly by Street Sense and was bred to Munnings for the 2023 season. Sales History: $450,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $65,625. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC & Castleton Lyons; B-Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate (KY); T-Dale L. Romans.

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Unraced since finishing second in the 2021 GI Mr. D. S. at Arlington Park, Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is being seriously considered for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile, reports trainer Chad Brown. The now 5-year-old gelding had been sidelined with a soft tissue injury suffered prior to last year's Breeders' Cup.

“The horse has really come around well,” Brown said. “Obviously, he's been off a long time and had a serious injury, a soft tissue injury. We gave him plenty of time to rehab and the horse is sound and happy and training well. I really don't see any other races for him. I moved him over to Keeneland and he will have a couple more works. If he continues to work well, I will enter him in the Mile and see if he gets in.”

Domestic Spending returned to the work tab on Aug. 29 at Saratoga. In his most recent workout, he breezed five furlongs on the grass at Keeneland on Oct. 15 in 1:01.

“This has been a pleasant surprise,” Brown said. “I'm not making any predictions on how he'll fare off a layoff of almost 15 months. But he's certainly a world-class turf horse when he's right. We'll have so see if he can come back and perform at the same level. Based on his workouts there's certainly a chance that he will.”

Brown acknowledged that coming into the race off such a long layoff and without a prep could be an issue.

“In a perfect world, you definitely would want a prep,” he said. “It just hasn't been available to us and you have to play the hand you're dealt. You'd only try to do something like this if you had a world-class race horse. Other than that, it would be wishful thinking to think you'd have success doing this. But he's one of the best I've trained.”

Domestic Spending is 6-for-8 lifetime and also has wins in the GI Manhattan S., the GI Hollywood Derby and the GI Turf Classic S. at Churchill Downs.

In other Breeders' Cup news from the Brown stable, the trainer said he has not yet decided which race Jack Christopher (Munnings) will run in. The choices are the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint and the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

“He's undefeated around one turn and his only loss (in the GI Haskell S.) is around two turns,” Brown said. “That said, six furlongs is a little sharp for him. A mile is a good distance for him. I'll observe how he's doing and go with my gut. Its not the first time we've had to figure out a distance on a horse. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong. If there's no perfect fit you try to find the best fit. I want to try to put him in the race where he has the best chance of winning. When you try to jam a square peg into a round hole and take into account too many factors you can get yourself into trouble.”

As usual, Brown will have a deep and talented group competing in this years's Breeders' Cup. In addition to Jack Christopher and Domestic Spending, his list of potential starters consists of: In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire} in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and possibly Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}); Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) in the Mile; Free Look (Tapit) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; Raging Sea (Curlin) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; Oxymore (Austern {Aus}) and I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf; Good Night Olive (Ghostzapper) in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint; Search Results (Flatter) in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff; Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) and Pipeline (Speightstown) are possible starters in the Dirt Mile.

“We have come into the Breeders' Cup with more favorites than we'll have this year,” Brown said. “I'm not going into any particular race with a Lady Eli, a Rushing Fall or a Newspaperofrecord. But we have a lot of nice horses and definitely have some live shots to add another Breeders' Cup win. No matter how many you run you just hope to win one.”

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Stable Recovery, Inc. (Stable Recovery) hosted the inaugural John Hall Memorial Golf Scramble at Thoroughbred Golf Club in Nicholasville, Kentucky Oct. 10. Nearly one hundred people attended the event and over $90,000 was raised from more than 50 sponsors and participants. All contributions went to Stable Recovery to fund its ongoing operations.

“We were really pleased to be able to honor John Hall and to raise money to support a program we believe he would be really happy with,” said Christian Countzler, President and CEO of Stable Recovery. “With the money we raised today we will not only be able to give a lot of men and women an opportunity at recovery but we will be able to give back to the industry by providing well-trained and reliable horsemen and horsewomen who are willing to work hard and do the right thing.”

Added Frank Taylor of Taylor Made Farm, “John Hall was a great horseman, but an even better human being. We feel his presence daily at Taylor Made through the people he mentored and helped. I know John is smiling down as we play his favorite game of golf while raising money for such a great cause.”

Godolphin served as the primary sponsor for the event. Other equine industry sponsors and participants included Breeders' Cup, Brook Ledge Horse Transport, Coolmore America, Duncan Taylor, Equus/Standardbred Station, Inc., Fasig-Tipton, Frank & Kim Taylor, Hallway Feeds, Joel Politi, Keenland Association, Len Green, M&J Insurance, Marie Jones, King's Equine, Ready Made Racing, Romans Racing Stables, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Rood & Riddle Veterinary Pharmacy, Sequel Bloodstock, Spendthrift Farm, Taylor Made Farm, Town & Country Farms, Trysting Tree Farm, WEM Racing, West Bloodstock, WinStar Farm and Woodstock Farm.

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Classic Sir Winston (Awesome Again–La Gran Bailadora, by Afleet Alex) has been retired from racing and will stand stud next year at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm. The Tracy Farmer homebred is out of the Grade-III winning and Grade-I placed mare La Gran Bailadora.

“Sir Winston showed us incredible talent right from the start and we think his progeny will do the same,” said Farmer. “We will be supporting him both with mares in the breeding shed as well as in the sales ring down the road.”

A stakes winner and graded placed at two, the chestnut recorded his most important victory in the 2019 GI Belmont S. Sir Winston also took the GIII Valedictory S.

Sir Winston retired sound with six wins from 20 starts with earnings of $1,277,623.

“Sir Winston was pure class,” said trainer Mark Casse. “Mark Casse said. “He had as good a mind of any horse I have ever trained. He showed a lot of talent right from the start, which is why he was a stakes winner at two, Classic winner at three, and trained on to win graded stakes as an older horse.”

Pope McLean said, “We are thrilled to add Belmont winner Sir Winston to our Stallion roster. Sir Winston is a phenomenal physical; he's 16.2, correct and a Classic-type, with a lot of length and scope. He is also by elite Sire Awesome Again, sire of Ghostzapper, 15 Grade 1 winners, and multiple champions. We think breeders will be impressed with his physical, his Classic race record and his pedigree.”

His fee will be $7,500 Live Foal Stands and Nurse. Share the Upside will be available.

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International sire War Front leads Claiborne's stallion roster yet again, remaining at a fee of $100,000 for 2023. His son War of Will, whose first weanlings will be on offer at the upcoming breeding stock sales, will stand for $25,000.

Champion Blame will have his fee increased for 2023 from $20,000 to $25,000. Fellow Eclipse winner Runhappy's fee also went up from $12,500 to $15,000.

GI Met Mile victor Silver State will stand his second season for $20,000. MGISW Catholic Boy's fee was decreased from $20,000 to $15,000 and Demarchelier (GB) remains at $5,000. Both stallions will be represented by their first 2-year-olds in 2023.

Mastery will have his fee decreased from $10,000 to $7,500, as will First Samurai, while Lea remains at $5,000. New addition Art Collector's fee has yet to be announced. All fees are LFSN.

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