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Updated: 2 days 7 hours ago

Handle Drops by 3.7% in 2023 as Purses Also Take a Slight Dip

Fri, 2024-01-05 13:46

According to data released Friday by Equibase, handle in 2023 fell by $447,759,362 for a decline of 3.7 percent. Had handle not rebounded in December, which saw a 6.62% increase, the figures would have looked much worse.

Outside of the COVID year of 2020, this was the steepest decline based on percentage of handle since 2011. A total of $11,658,624,859 was wagered in 2023.

“I think we got quite a blip coming out of the pandemic when we were the only game in town,” said Marshall Gramm, an economics professor, horseplayer and the managing partner of Ten Strike Stable. “Now, I think we are feeling the real competition from sports betting. It's proliferated everywhere and at such a cheaper price point. Then we have small field sizes and the quality of the product is deteriorating. A lot of things have come together. The game is getting ever tougher for the real hardcore weekend warriors who would handle a couple hundred thousand to a million a year. They're finding this market to be a lot tougher. It's shark eats shark out there.”

In a surprising development, U.S. purses fell from $1,309,888,791 to $1,305,772,102, for a decline of .31 percent. With so much money being funneled into purses accounts from alternative forms of gambling, purses rose by 35.8% in 2021, the year after COVID. They were up 10.9 percent in 2022. With the casino market pretty saturated in this country, massive year-over-year increases in purses may be a thing of the past.

There was a reduction of 5.48% in the category of U.S. Race Days and a dip of 3.34 percent in U.S. starts.

In a somewhat encouraging development, the average field size actually showed a slight increase from 7.3 to 7.43.

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2023 Media Eclipse Awards Winners Include TDN Writers’ Room Podcast

Fri, 2024-01-05 13:19

The Thoroughbred Daily News was among six 2023 Media Eclipse Award winners Friday when the awards were announced by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters.

The 2023 Media Eclipse Award winners are as follows:

Multimedia – TDN Writers' Room Podcast“Wade and Carson Yost,” Sept. 20, 2023; Thoroughbred Daily News

Gulf War veteran Wade Yost and his son, Carson, joined TDN Writers' Room podcast hosts Bill Finley, Randy Moss, and Zoe Cadman on Sept. 23 for an in-depth and emotional discussion of Carson, a 31-year-old stricken with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome and a Grade I-winning 2-year-old, Carson's Run, named in his honor.

“I was watching the NYRA show the day that Carson's Run made his first start at Saratoga, and Maggie Wolfendale interviewed Terry Finley in the winner's circle after he won, and they talked about the story behind the naming of the horse,” said Susan Finley, Thoroughbred Daily News Publisher. “Bill Finley contacted Terry and wrote a story for that day's TDN, and when Carson's Run won the GI Summer S., Bill decided to invite Wade Jost onto the Writers' Room. We were all very moved by his openness and honesty, and his willingness to discuss Carson's situation and struggles, and what Terry's friendship and the naming of the horse has meant to him.

“All the credit to Wade Jost, and the incredible team that combines to produce the TDN Writers' Room every week; our hosts Bill Finley, Randy Moss, and Zoe Cadman, to our producers, the TDN's Katie Petrunyak and Anthony LaRocca, and our editors Alia LaRocca and Nathan Wilkinson from the Patty Wolfe Media Group.”

Wade Jost added, “It's phenomenal. Overwhelming is the only word I can use. It makes us feel good that people look at this and hear this type of story and say, 'you know what, we have a story we want to tell, too.' That's awesome. It's about Carson, but also the stories written about him and, of course, your podcast. You did a great job with that and I appreciate the opportunity to have had that conversation. We continue to grow with Carson's Run and the whole horse racing industry and can't wait to see where it takes us and where it takes Carson. All the stories that go along with him are pretty phenomenal.”

Honorable Mentions in the Multimedia category went to TDN for “Will Walden Racing Gives Fresh Start to an Improbable Team,” published on Jan. 11, 2023, Katie Petrunyak, Producer: and to America's Best Racing for “Experience the Thrill of Winning the Kentucky Derby with Ramiro Restrepo,” which appeared on Bloodhorse.com and on NBCSports.com on May 9, 2003, Greg Charkoudian, producer. 

Writing – Feature/Commentary – Tim Layden, NBCSports.com“Maple Leaf Mel and the long arc of a horse racing tragedy,” Nov. 1, 2023

Tim Layden, a writer-at-large for NBC Sports, won his fourth Media Eclipse Award for “Maple Leaf Mel and the Long Arc of a horse racing tragedy.” Layden related the story of Melanie Giddings, the trainer and cancer survivor of undefeated 3-year-old filly Maple Leaf Mel–named after Giddings–who suffered a fatal injury while leading the GI Test S. at Saratoga Aug. 5.

Writing- News/Enterprise – Sean Clancy, The Saratoga Special “The Worst Test,” Aug. 6, 2023

Sean Clancy was not originally assigned to cover the Test S. at Saratoga on Aug. 5, but sprang into action and wrote a news account of the race of the tragic consequences of the fatal accident to Maple Leaf Mel and the reactions of individuals surrounding the event.

Clancy is the co-editor and publisher of The Saratoga Special along with his brother, Joe, which they co-founded in 2001. This is the second Eclipse Award for Clancy.

Live Television Programming – NBC Sports – “The Breeders' Cup World Championships,” Nov. 3-4, 2023; Lindsay Schanzer, Senior Producer

For the fourth consecutive year, NBC Sports has won the Eclipse Award for Live Television Programming for its broadcast on NBC, Peacock, and the USA Network, of the two-day coverage of the 40th Breeders' Cup World Championships from Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

Feature Television Programming – Woodbine Entertainment: “SECRETARIAT The Last Race,” – Oct. 8, 2023. Airing on TSN (The Sports Network) in Canada. Tammy Gillanders, Producer

“In SECRETARIAT The Last Race,” the Woodbine Entertainment broadcast team produced a retrospective of the last race of the 1973 Triple Crown winner's career in the Canadian International on the turf at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto. The feature aired on Oct. 8, 2023, on TSN (The Sports Network) during the 2023 running of the Canadian International.

Photography – Carolyn Simancik“Trading Horse Paint,” (Cody's Wish/National Treasure battle in Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile) The Press Box, Nov. 4, 2023

Carolyn Simancik, who has been photographing for Eclipse Sportswire since 2018, captured the most dramatic finish of the 2023 Breeders' Cup World Championships in “Trading Horse Paint,” which appeared on the Press Box website on Nov. 4, 2023.

Media Eclipse Award winners will be presented their trophies at the 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards Ceremony and Dinner at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida on Thursday, Jan. 25.

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Framework in Place to Enable MTROA to Rebuild Pimlico, Conduct Maryland Racing

Fri, 2024-01-05 12:42

Edited Press Release

The Stronach Group, the Maryland Jockey Club, and the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (“MTROA”) today announced they have reached the framework of an agreement in principle to preserve and enhance the Thoroughbred racing industry in Maryland.

The understanding, subject to the negotiation of definitive agreements, legislative authorization, and all required governmental approvals, will enable the MTROA to design and build an iconic racing venue at Pimlico and take over day-to-day racing and training in Maryland.

“The Authority's report represents an important next step for the industry, and I look forward to working with the General Assembly and the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority to finalize an agreement that ensures this important industry continues to create jobs and drive economic growth for years to come,” said Governor Wes Moore, whose office issued the release.

The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club, as the owners of the real property assets located at Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course and the intellectual property assets comprising the GI Preakness S., the GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and related festivals, will be working with the MTROA to implement terms for the use of these assets in the short and long term.

“The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club remain deeply committed to reinvigorating Thoroughbred racing in Maryland, and this framework agreement represents an important first step in that process,” said Belinda Stronach, Chairwoman, Chief Executive Officer and President, The Stronach Group.

The agreement will allow a fluid transition from The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club as operators to the MTROA in 2025, as well as allow the time needed to develop a new training facility and modernize Pimlico Race Course. The Stronach Group and the Maryland Jockey Club will retain ownership of the intellectual property associated with the Preakness S. under a license to MTROA.

“On behalf of the MTROA, I'm delighted that we were able to chart a course forward for Maryland racing that will ensure the industry continues to thrive for decades to come,” said Greg Cross, Chairman of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority.

Click here to access the MTROA report.

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WinStar Farm Open House Dates Scheduled For Jan. 7-11

Fri, 2024-01-05 10:26

WinStar Farm will host an Open House for breeders from Sunday, Jan. 7 through Thursday, Jan. 11, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET. each day, the farm said in a release Friday.

The open houses will be held at the farm's stallion complex on Paynes Mill Road in Versailles, Kentucky. Visitors are welcome without an appointment to view the WinStar roster for the 2024 season, led by Constitution ($110,000 S&N) and Life Is Good ($85,000 S&N).

Breeders will also be able to see WinStar's newest additions for 2024: Country Grammer ($10,000 S&N) and Two Phil's ($12,500 S&N).

The open house events will include lite fare and refreshments for those in attendance.

For more information about the open houses, or about WinStar's 2024 stallion roster, contact WinStar Farm at (859) 873-1717.

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Spendthrift Donates $50,000 To Light Up Racing Initiative

Fri, 2024-01-05 10:03

Spendthrift Farm has made a $50,000 donation to the Light Up Racing initiative, the community-driven organization said in a release early Friday morning.

Founded by a group of horse racing advocates, Light Up Racing's primary mission is to educate both the industry and the public on evidence-based practices, with a strong emphasis on horse welfare and transparency. The organization seeks to reshape perceptions and foster a well-informed community.

“Our donation demonstrates our commitment to upholding the highest standards of horse welfare, fostering transparency, and driving positive perception change for our industry,” said Spendthrift's Eric Gustavson. “We were inspired to contribute by Boyd's [Browning] call to action. Our only reason for agreeing to a press release is to hopefully inspire others as well. If not us, who? If not now, when?”

By providing accurate, scientifically-backed information, Light Up Racing will empower community members to become knowledgeable industry ambassadors and ensuring a sustainable and thriving future for horse racing.

Click here for more information about Light up Racing.

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Godolphin Tops 2023 North American Breeders List, Calumet Runner-Up

Fri, 2024-01-05 09:36

Godolphin topped the individual breeders list in North America in 2023 with $20,911,250 in earnings, according to statistics from The Jockey Club Information Systems, the organization said in a release early Friday morning.

After topping the list in 2021 and 2022, this past year Godolphin bred 201 starters with 175 wins, 176 seconds, and 131 thirds out of 1,007 starts. Calumet Farm was second for the third consecutive year with earnings of $16,660,472 with 510 wins out of 3,435 starts.

Godolphin also led the breeders list that includes partners with $24,338,099 in earnings and 260 wins from 1,684 starts. Calumet Farm was second with $16,925,070 in earnings and 524 wins out of 3,517 starts.

Rounding out the top 10 individual breeders were:

  • Brereton C. Jones, $12,372,560 (228 wins / 1,597 starts)
  • Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, $11,770,430 (148/798)
  • WinStar Farm, LLC, $9,449,289 (202/1,201)
  • Spendthrift Farm LLC, $8,785,519 (123/813)
  • Don Alberto Corporation, $8,275,833 (119/854)
  • Gary & Mary West Stables Inc., $7,237,300 (158/915)
  • Kenneth L. Ramsey & Sarah K. Ramsey, $7,165,616 (186/1,358)

Completing the list of the top 10 breeders including partnerships were:

  • Brereton C. Jones, $12,607,514 (235 wins /1,667 starts)
  • Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, $12,398,035 (158/870)
  • WinStar Farm, LLC, $11,967,721 (283/1,569)
  • Spendthrift Farm LLC, $8,788,859 (123/816)
  • Don Alberto Corporation, $8,366,697 (120/868)
  • Kenneth L. Ramsey, $7,312,363 (189/1,382)
  • Sarah K. Ramsey, $7,312,363 (189/1,382)

The complete lists of the top 100 breeders of 2023 are accessible through Equineline.com.

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Jimmy Corrigan Vows to Fight HIWU Suspension

Thu, 2024-01-04 17:27

When Jimmy Corrigan was informed after an Oct. 7 race at Belterra Park that his horse Stay Lost (Bernardini) had tested positive for the banned substance methamphetamine he was shocked. The native of Ireland had been training in the U.S. since 1992 and had never had a drug positive of any kind. He said he is careful who he hires and that he's sure that no one in his barn had ever touched the drug.

But, at least initially, these things don't matter under the rules of the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). Corrigan's horse had tested positive and he would be held responsible. With the B sample having come back and also containing methamphetamine, his suspension has taken effect. He faces a suspension of up to two years.

“This has to stop now, not just for me, but for racing,” Corrigan said. “I'm not walking out on this. But things have to change. People are scared and what they have done is create a toxic environment for everyone. People come to me and say they are scared. Is that what they want, where everyone is paranoid? It used to be that when you lost races you worried. Now, when you win races you worry as well.”

Corrigan, 63, who never trained in Ireland, opened up his stable in 1992. He has 315 career winners, including 13 in 2023. His best year was in 2011 when he won 32 races. According to the Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Regulatory Rulings page, Corrigan has never had a positive test. There's nothing about him or his record to even remotely suggest that he cheats.

But that's not something that enters in the picture when a trainer gets a positive test from HIWU for a banned substance. Six trainers have been sanctioned by HIWU for methamphetamine positives, including one trainer, Dick Clark, who has three separate positives for the drug.

Corrigan believes these are all cases of environmental contamination. He said that at Belterra one of the bathrooms is filthy, a reason why some urinate in the stalls. On top of that, he said dozens of people might handle the horse between the time it gets to the track and when it runs.

“They want me to control that. I can't,” he said. “It's environmental contamination. That's what happened. I can't be responsible for what other people are doing. So many different people touch the horses by the time they get to the starting gate. It's ridiculous that this can be penned on anyone.

“We know we're being scrutinized under HISA,” he said. “We're like fish in a bowl. We're under a microscope. Why would anybody give a horse anything when they know they're going to be tested. There's no logic to this, no commonsense. They want you to be responsible for what other people may or may not be doing. That's impossible, they're ignoring science and what you've got is people who don't know what they're doing patting themselves on the back.”

For Corrigan, the next step is to have a hearing which he said will cost him $8,500. If he loses the hearing he can always take his case outside of racing and to a court, which will cost even more money.

“I am not quitting,” he said. “I love the game and have been at it a long, long time. I've got the greatest owners and greatest staff in the country. Nobody has it better than me. I love the game.”

In the meantime, since the suspension went into effect on Dec. 27, he has had to disperse his horses to other trainers. He hopes commonsense will prevail and HIWU will cut him a break. But he can't be sure.

“Yes, I am worried I will get the full two years,” he said. “But to do so they're going to have to ignore that in the 30 years I've been training I've never had a bad test. And 30 years later, I am going to start cheating? It's mind boggling.”

Asked to comment on the Corrigan suspension, Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications & Outreach of the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, provided the following statement:

“There were 10 reported methamphetamine findings (five positives from the same trainer, and two positives from Belterra) from 34,470 horses tested through October 7, the date of sample collection for Stay Lost. Therefore, the methamphetamine positivity rate was 0.029%.

When a trainer is notified that a Covered Horse under their care has tested positive for a human substance of abuse such as methamphetamine, the positive test will not be publicized, and a Provisional Suspension will not be imposed, unless/until the B Sample result confirms the A Sample finding. This rule was modified to give trainers time while the B Sample analysis was being completed to provide information to HIWU that indicates that the positive test result was likely due to unintended transfer or contamination.

Mr. Corrigan did not provide any information to HIWU while waiting for B Sample analysis. The ADMC Program's adjudication procedures for alleged Anti-Doping Rule Violations include the right to request a hearing before the Arbitral Body, and Mr. Corrigan has informed HIWU that he is exercising that right.”

HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus added, “HISA and HIWU have gone to tremendous efforts to make resources available to trainers to bring information to our attention if a horse tests positive. We made Alan Foreman available as an ombudsman, we launched a panel of free lawyers for trainers who can't afford representation, and our staff is always available to answer questions and liaise with horsemen. When Mr. Corrigan was notified of his positive test he was asked by HIWU to provide any information that would help in the evaluation of his case. He ignored the request and never answered HIWU or provided any information whatsoever. The first time we learned that he believed the positive test was caused by contamination was when we were asked to comment on the case by the TDN. It is very hard to help trainers if they do not communicate with us or use the resources available to them.”

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Veteran Trainer Eddie Truman Retires

Thu, 2024-01-04 16:51

A former assistant to Bobby Frankel and a licensed trainer for more than 50 years, Eddie Truman announced on Monday that he had sent his final horse to the track on New Year's Eve morning at Santa Anita—ending a racetrack run that dates back to the early 1960s.

A winner of 763 races from 5,334 starters, with purse earnings of $15.7 million, Truman said that with his 77th birthday fast approaching Jan. 23, the time was right for him and his wife Elizabeth to step away from a way of life that dates back to his teenage years, when, as an apprentice jockey in 1963 at Sportsman's Park in Chicago, he led all riders.

“I've been blessed to have a great group of owners, some of them for 40 years,” Truman said. “I believe the great horses, the great jockeys, here in a great setting is something we could never replace and that Santa Anita will continue forever.”

Truman, who following an initial run as a licensed trainer for one year in Detroit, MI and a subsequent trip to Europe, came to Southern California in 1972. His first stop was the backstretch at Hollywood Park, where he introduced himself to Frankel, in the hopes of securing a job as an exercise rider, assistant, or whatever might be available.

“When I came back from Europe, I decided I wanted to be a trainer and that I wanted to go with the best…Forget everything I thought I knew and try to learn from the best. And so, it was Charlie Whittingham or Bobby Frankel,” said Truman. “I happened to walk into Bobby's barn first and I asked him if I could get on some horses or if there were any jobs available. He said 'Who are you?' And I said 'Eddie Truman.' And he said 'Oh my God, you were riding when I was walking hots at Tropical Park in 1963!' So then, he told me to go get on a horse and I was in.”

He continued, “I've just been associated with such great people and they were not only clients, but really nice friends. All these people and of course, the horses, have made it spectacular, a dream come true for me.”

Truman's top horses include Go West Marie ($452,600); Irish-bred Casino King ($328,689); Moonless Sky ($269,120) and With Iris ($251,740).

courtesy Mike Willman, Santa Anita Stable Notes

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Still Sidelined After Run-In with Gulfstream Geese, Sutherland Fears She’ll Never Ride Again

Thu, 2024-01-04 15:31

For Chantal Sutherland, it started out as a freakish accident. She rode Haruki (Karakontie {Jpn}) in the May 6 English Channel S. at Gulfstream and as the horses were pulling up she encountered a bunch of geese who were crossing over the turf course. Spooked by the birds, the horse stopped abruptly and sling shotted Sutherland to the ground.

The result was that she broke the humerus bone completely off from her shoulder. She said that her left arm snapped at the base of the shoulder and that it went up into her collarbone. She also broke her left pelvis.

Early estimates were that she would be out about three months. More than seven months later, the 47-year-old jockey has not ridden, there is no timetable for her return and she fears that she will never ride again.

“I'm working on my range of motion,” she said. “I feel like I'm at a certain point and it's not getting better right now. My doctor said it will need time. Obviously, when you're a jockey, time is not your friend. I would love to be able to ride again. That's the dream. But the reality is I really don't know.”

“I hope it doesn't come to that, that I have to retire,” she said. “I'm not in any position to ride at a top level. There's no way. It would be dangerous and I have to get to the point where I can use my left arm. I can't. My arm won't straighten and I have a three second delay from my brain to arm. It needs a lot more work. I've been working really hard at it. I dream of racing again, but I don't know.

“It's my range of motion,” she continued. “I can't get my arm above my head. My shoulder only goes to a certain point with my muscles and my range motion. I can't lift a two-pound weight above my head. I can't get my arms above my head. I practice laying down, like a swimmer, my left arm low to the side. My right arm is perfectly strong. I could hold a horse if I wanted with reins with my right arm. But my left side is awkward. Nothing is in sync. I have no control of that.”

That the accident was so avoidable continues to haunt Sutherland. She said a trainer stabled near the clubhouse turn feeds the birds during the last break during morning training and again late in the day. The geese live in the infield lake and cross the racetracks to get fed, she said. She doesn't understand why Gulfstream didn't take steps to keep the geese off of the track.

“Am I really pissed off? Yes,” she said. “I've gone through a lot of anger with this. I was alone. I never got a phone call from the trainer. Never got a text. I heard from no one. I'm still emotional about it. I went through a lot of anger and I was really depressed. I wanted to give up. I think I am pretty stable, but talking about it is too hard. I had a good five, seven years left as a jockey. It hurts a lot.”

She is currently working as an assistant trainer to Jorge Delgado and recently took out her real estate license, but that's not what Sutherland wants to do. She wants to ride again.

“It's just that right now it doesn't look good,” she said. “I am praying for a miracle.”

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Grade I Producer Sophia Mia Among 10 Final Supplements Added to Keeneland January

Thu, 2024-01-04 14:33

Keeneland will begin a new year Jan. 8 with the first of four sessions of the 67th January Horses of All Ages Sale. A total of 1,477 horses–broodmares and broodmare prospects, recently turned yearlings, horses of racing age, stallions and stallion prospects–have been cataloged to the auction.

Offerings include 10 additional supplements highlighted by Sophia Mia (Pioneerof the Nile), whose first foal is recent GI Malibu S. winner Speed Boat Beach (Bayern). In foal to leading young sire Not This Time, the 9-year-old mare is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Each session of the January Sale will start at 10 a.m. ET. The entire auction will be livestreamed at Keeneland.com and aired on the FanDuel TV+ OTT app. FanDuel TV will have live hits throughout Book 1.

Joining Sophia Mia in the latest round of additions to the January Sale are:

Angel Nadeshiko, who won the Dec. 30 GIII Robert J. Frankel S. at Santa Anita. From the family of champion Proud Spell, the Carpe Diem mare is consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Areuhavingfunyet, a daughter of Mucho Macho Man who was runner-up in her most recent race at Churchill Downs Nov. 12. She is consigned by Lane's End, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Coastal Charm, a Ghostzapper mare whose four wins in 2023 include the Dig A Diamond S. at Oaklawn Park and the Iowa Distaff S. at Prairie Meadows. From the family of Grade II winner Alpha Kitten and two-time 2023 stakes winner Downtown Mischief, she is consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent.

Happy Valentine, a daughter of Runhappy who was a three-length allowance winner at Woodbine Dec. 16. She is consigned by Highgate Sales, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Juniper's Moon, a graded stakes-placed, winning daughter of Galileo (Ire) and multiple Grade I winner I'm a Chatterbox who was third in the 2023 GIII Florida Oaks. A racing or broodmare prospect, Juniper's Moon is consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.

Leslie's Loot, who won the Dec. 23 Letellier Memorial S. at Fair Grounds to cap her three victories at two. By Fast Anna and from the family Grade II winner Paid Up Subscriber, she is consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Meow Meow Hiss, a filly by Creative Cause who is a half-sister to Wine Me Up, runner-up in the 2023 GI American Pharoah S. Highgate Sales, agent, consigns her as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Saddle Up Jessie, a daughter of More Than Ready whose four wins in 2023 include the Dec. 23 Carousel S. at Laurel Park. A half-sister to King's Gamble, third in the 2023 G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack S. at York in England, she is consigned by Indian Creek, agent, as a racing or broodmare prospect.

Saffron Moon, a daughter of Malibu Moon who was second in the Nov. 23 GIII Cardinal S. at Churchill. A three-time winner, she is from the family of Grade I winner Vacare. Saffron Moon is consigned by Indian Creek, agent, as a broodmare prospect.

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Annapolis Retired to Claiborne Farm for 2024

Thu, 2024-01-04 13:44

'TDN Rising Star' Annapolis (War Front–My Miss Sophia, by Unbridled's Song), winner of the 2022 GI Coolmore Turf Mile S. in a stakes-record time of 1:33.29 at Keeneland, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., for the 2024 breeding season.

A graded stakes winner at two and three in the barn of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Annapolis earned over $1.5 million as a homebred for Bass Racing. Annapolis was produced by My Miss Sophia, winner of the GII Gazelle S. and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Oaks. Carrying Annapolis, My Miss Sophia brought $4 million from agent Steve Young on behalf of the Bass family at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale.

Annapolis has been a star since the day he was born,” said Claiborne Farm President Walker Hancock. “Being a $4 million in utero purchase, the bar was high and he lived up to his lofty expectations. He was a graded stakes winner at two, a record-setting Grade I winner at three, and hails from an incredible dirt family.”

Hancock continued, “His dam was a graded stakes winner on dirt and was runner up in the Kentucky Oaks. Also in the family are Florida Derby winner Materiality, Alabama winner Embellish the Lace, and Travers winner Afleet Express. With his imposing physique, we believe his offspring will be a success in the sales ring and on the racetrack.”

Annapolis, winner of the 2021 GII Pilgrim S. and 2022 GIII Saranac S., will stand for a fee of $12,500 LFSN.

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Eclipse Finalists To Be Announced on FDTV Jan. 6

Thu, 2024-01-04 11:33

The finalists for the 2023 Eclipse Awards will be announced live on FanDuel TV Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, at noon ET, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) announced Thursday. Eclipse Award ballots were due by Jan. 3.

The awards, which honor excellence in Thoroughbred racing, are voted upon by the NTRA, represented by member racetrack racing officials and Equibase field personnel, NTWAB and DRF, and are produced by the NTRA. The announcement of the Eclipse Awards finalists on FanDuel TV is sponsored by John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club.

The 53rd Annual Eclipse Awards Presented by FanDuel, John Deere, Keeneland and The Jockey Club will be televised live on FanDuel TV Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, from The Breakers Palm Beach. The evening begins with the Keeneland Red Carpet show at 6:30 p.m. followed by the awards at 7:30 p.m. Britney Eurton, Acacia Courtney Clement and Nick Luck will co-host the ceremony and Caton Bredar will once again serve as announcer.

The evening will be capped by the announcement of 2023 Horse of the Year, the finalists for which will first be revealed during the ceremony.

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Letter to the Industry: Roderick Wachman

Thu, 2024-01-04 10:19

The Thoroughbred industry continues to shrink and has a massive damage control and marketing issue.

As things stand, we look like a passenger ship on a collision course with an iceberg. There are many screams, but no well-funded, established industry organization appears to want control of the wheel.

Clearly the anti-racing lobby is well supported and now getting prime time slots on mainstream media.

If you are making a living from this industry as a sales company, stallion owner, farm owner, trainer, agent, pinhooker etc; or a provider such as a vet, feed company, van company, industry publication, supply vendor etc, you have a stake in its destiny. This is our livelihood and you likely have a substantial investment that is in grave danger of being significantly devalued at the very least.

We've all seen what happened to Greyhound racing, and horse racing seems to be on the same fateful path.

Anyone reading this should be asking themselves: What drew me to this wonderful industry and what am I doing to insure its future?

It is time for the agenda-driven squabbling to stop and for everyone to put their shoulders to the wheel and try to take control of our industry's destiny.

Light Up Racing has been started based on the successful Kick Up For Racing model in Australia in an effort to find alignment and provide a voice through fact based resources for those who want positive change as well as to protect and preserve this industry for future generations. For more information visit www.lightupracing.com.

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CHRB Advisory Warns ‘EPO’-Labelled Supplement Contains Caffeine

Wed, 2024-01-03 18:00

In an advisory issued to trainers just before Christmas, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) warned that caffeine had been detected in two supplements marketed to performance horses analyzed by the Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab at UC Davis.

“As such, Horsemen are advised to exercise extreme caution when using these products in close proximity to a race,” the advisory states.

Under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), caffeine is a Class B controlled substance, which comes with a possible 15-day suspension and $1,000 fine for a first offense.

The advisory shows pictures of two tubs of substances broadly labelled “EPO-Equine,” each labelled to sell for $525. EPO is the shortened version of Erythropoietin, a type of protein called a growth factor.

EPO stimulates the bone marrow to make red blood cells, which contain a protein called haemoglobin that carries oxygen around the body. As such, EPO is widely known as a performance enhancing substance.

When asked if EPO had also been detected in the two substances, CHRB equine medical director, Jeff Blea, simply said that “just caffeine” was detected.

The two substances, said Blea, were found during a barn search conducted at Los Alamitos. “It was not related to a caffeine positive,” he said, declining to say whose barn was searched.

“This one I think has been around for a long time,” said Blea, about the “EPO-Equine” product. “The caution is, be careful what you're giving your horses.”

When asked about the suggestive labelling, Blea said that he had called and emailed the company but didn't receive a response.

“It's all about marketing, right?” said Blea. “They're trying to sell a product.”

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Mating Plans, Presented By Spendthrift: Wasabi Ventures

Wed, 2024-01-03 17:43

by George Adams, Housatonic Bloodstock

Wasabi has been focused on upgrading the quality of the foals that it's breeding over the last few years, and to that end will be using some higher-end stallions in 2024 than what we've bred to in the past.

A stallion that we'll be patronizing heavily this year is Maclean's Music.  He's about to jump from a crop of 2023 2-year-olds numbering 41 and conceived off of a $20,000 stud fee (out of which he already has nine winners, three of whom have also picked up black-type), to a crop of 2024 2-year-olds numbering around 182 and conceived off of a $25,000 stud fee, which will be followed by two more triple-digit crops conceived off of $50,000 stud fees.

His 2024 2-year-olds include 113 that sold at yearling sales this year for an average of $118,636 (up over last year's average of $100,857 for 21 sold), including individuals that brought $625k, $500k, $460k, $400k, $350k, $310k, $300k (x4), etc. Purchasers of Maclean's Music yearlings in 2023 include the likes of the “Avengers” group, Stonestreet, Klaravich, WinStar, Rigney Racing, Cherie DeVaux's Belladonna group and Mike Ryan.

Wasabi will be sending four young mares to Maclean's Music, including their first stakes winner Why Not Tonight (as a daughter of Tapiture, her foal will be bred on one of Maclean's Music's most successful crosses, that with A.P. Indy-line mares), as well as Floral Hall (half to three black-type winners, one of which is the granddam of '23 GISW Wet Paint) and American Thriller (by American Pharoah from a deep Michael Tabor family), who are both Unbridled-line mares, and the Juddmonte-bred Kitten's Joy filly Paw Prints.

   A year ago, Wasabi purchased a Gun Runner filly named Gun Slingin with the hopes that her full-brother Disarm could make some noise on the Triple Crown trail this year.  After a solid fourth in the Kentucky Derby, he won the GIII Matt Winn S. and finished second in the GI Travers S., and will hopefully make plenty of noise in 2024 when Gun Slingin will visit Authentic.  He's another that had a great sales year in 2023, with an excellent average and individuals purchased by some of the top connections in the industry, and we'll be shocked if he's not at the top of the Freshman Sire List at this time next year. He's a gorgeous individual who will suit her physically, and he was a heck of a racehorse by the best stallion in the country. There's really nothing not to like about him.

One of the incoming stallions of 2024 that we were very impressed by–both as an individual and his race record– was Gunite, and Wasabi will be sending their newly acquired Justify filly Itgetsgreaterlater to him after she delivers a Practical Joke foal this January.

We also believe very strongly in the chances of Up to the Mark to become an important stallion. Despite his success as a turf horse, Up to the Mark has an undeniably dirt pedigree, being a son of leading sire Not This Time out of a mare by leading sire Ghostzapper, who is herself a full-sister to a dirt sprint stakes winner, the pair of them, in turn, out of the wickedly fast GI Test S. winner Capote Belle. Given that he himself was a winner at six furlongs on dirt at Saratoga in his debut before eventually scoring top-level wins on turf at eight furlongs, nine furlongs and 10 furlongs, plus an excellent placing against the highest company at 12 furlongs, Up to the Mark possessed a dazzling amount of versatility in addition to his obvious quality and turn of foot. We think he has every shot to make it, and the package he brings to stud makes him strong value at his first-year $25,000 fee.

Wasabi will be sending four mares to Up to the Mark, including a pair of well-bred maiden mares in Calling All Angels (Ire) (a Dark Angel half to a Group 2 winner by Lope de Vega) and Saucily (a Curlin filly bred by Stonestreet from the family of Uncaptured and Interstatedaydream), as well as the Juddmonte-bred Tapit filly Prosperity (a half to Fulsome) and the Godolphin-bred Desert Rendezvous (a half to GISW Better Lucky and to the dam of Grade III winner Prevalence).

Other stallions that will see multiple Wasabi mares in 2024 include Nashville, who should have a great shot to make it as a wickedly fast and gorgeous son of the sire-of-sires Speightstown, and the promising young Maryland sire Blofeld, who continues to put up excellent statistics from small crops of modest mares in a state-bred program that is solid, but without the hugely inflated purses of some of the neighboring states.

   Editor's note: As breeding season approaches, the TDN is asking breeders where they are sending their mares in 2024. To participate in the series, email suefinley@thetdn.com or katiepetrunyak@thetdn.com.

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Cyberknife’s First Foal a Filly

Wed, 2024-01-03 17:27

The first foal for GI Arkansas Derby and GI Haskell Invitational S. winner Cyberknife (Gun Runner) was reported Jan. 3 when a filly was born at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater, New York.

Bred by Clay Scherer, the bay is the first produce of the unraced Hildee John (Gormley), a half-sister to five-time stakes winner and GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint runner-up Chalon (Dialed In).

“This filly has a good rear end and a nice round shoulder, a lot like Cyberknife,” said Irish Hill Century Farm's Rick Burke. “She has good size, leg and bone. She's a nice foal especially for a maiden [mare].”

Also runner-up in the GI Travers S. and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, Cyberknife will stand his second year at Spendthrift Farm for a fee of $25,000, stands and nurses.

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Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings Dec. 26–Jan. 1

Wed, 2024-01-03 16:49

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country.

Among the key rulings from the last seven days, trainer Jimmy Corrigan has been provisionally suspended as a result of his trainee, Stay Lost–who won at Belterra Park on Oct. 7 last year–testing positive for Methamphetamine.

HISA currently lists Methamphetamine–a common human recreation drug–as a banned substance, which comes with a possible two-year suspension. With banned substances under HISA, responsible parties are subject to a provisional suspension, prior to a full hearing, if the B sample confirms the positive test result from the A sample.

As part of a list of proposed rule changes before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), drugs like Methamphetamine could be re-categorized as human substances of abuse.

If the FTC accepts this rule change, the trainer could still possibly face a provisional suspension for a “human substances of abuse” violation, if the B sample analysis confirms the original positive test result.

“However, the trainer would not be subject to a suspension of more than 60 days (for a first violation) if HIWU accepts that the positive test was more likely than not the result of unintentional transfer or contamination,” wrote a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit spokesperson.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 08/16/2023

Licensee: Robert Leaf Jr., trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medications (Class C)–in a sample taken from Laddie Dance, who won at Delaware Park on 8/16/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/29/2023

Licensee: Lacey Gaudet, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Graceful Union. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/14/2023

Licensee: Robert Lucas, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Shake N Fries. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/21/2023

Licensee: Webster Gayle, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Tankinator, who finished sixth at Delaware Park on 10/21/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 12/08/2023

Licensee: Kevin Martin, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Strings. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 12/06/2023

Licensee: Patricio Venzor (listed on Equibase as owner, listed on the HISA portal as trainer)

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Desert Danger. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/03/2023

Licensee: Angel Sanchez-Pinero, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Le Vin, who finished second at Laurel Park on 12/3/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/25/2023

Licensee: Jesus Romero, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Blake B, who won at Aqueduct on 11/25/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/01/2023

Licensee: Steve Miyadi, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dimethylsulfoxide—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Dorie Miller, who won at Golden Gate on 12/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/25/2023

Licensee: Jaime Ness, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Ournationonparade. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/21/2023

Licensee: David Meridyth, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Omeprazole—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Wild Firewater, who won at Zia Park on 11/21/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 11/17/2023

Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Soy Una Dama, who won at Gulfstream Park on 11/17/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 10/07/2023

Licensee: Jimmy Corrigan, trainer

Penalty: Provisionally suspended

Alleged Violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Stay Lost, who won at Belterra Park on 10/7/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Violations of Crop Rule

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Golden Gate Fields

Jose Carlos Montalvo–violation date Dec 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension

Santa Anita

Edwin Maldonado–violation date Dec 26; $250 fine, one-day suspension, one strike over the limit

Jose Verenzuela–violation date Dec 31; $500 fine, one-day suspension, five strikes over the limit

OTHER KEY RULINGS

The TDN also 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: 12/30/2023

Licensee: Umberto Rispoli, jockey

Penalty: Four-day suspension

Violation: Careless riding

Explainer: Jockey Umberto Rispoli, who rode Mo Fox Given in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park on December 29, 2023, is suspended for FOUR (4) racing days (January 6, 7, 12 and 13, 2024) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules-careless riding–second offense in the last sixty (60) days).

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Cox, Baffert, Pletcher Aiming For More Pegasus Glory

Wed, 2024-01-03 16:05

Trainers Brad Cox, Bob Baffert and Todd Pletcher all have victories to their credit in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. and each of the three champion trainers will have an opportunity to add to those numbers in this year's $3-million feature Saturday, Jan. 27 at Gulfstream Park.

Cox, who won the the 2021 renewal with Knicks Go (Paynter), looks set to be represented by a pair of entrants in the nine-furlong contest. Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming), front-running winner of the GI Pennsylvania Derby last September, will seek to become the second Saudi-owned winner of the Pegasus as he looks to bounce back from a 10th in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense) is also among the 12 invitees and will have the chance to turn the tables on Trademark (Upstart), who beat him a nose when last seen in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Nov. 24.

National Treasure (Quality Road), whose sire accounted for 2019 Pegasus winner City of Light, can give Baffert a third Pegasus, joining inaugural winner Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) as well as Mucho Gusto (Mucho Macho Man). Winner of last year's GI Preakness S., the bay was just touched off by Cody's Wish (Curlin) when last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

Pletcher is represented by Grand Aspen (Dialed In) in the main body of the race, who earned his ticket to the Pegasus with a narrow defeat at the hooves of O'Connor (Chi) (Boboman) in the GIII Harlan's Holiday S. at Gulfstream Dec. 30.

In addition to O'Connor, the Saffie Joseph, Jr. trainee might be joined by his stable companion Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), the GII Charles Town Classic winner who was last seen finishing third in the Dirt Mile.

Also among the invitees are Hoist the Gold (Mineshaft), winner of the GII Cigar Mile H. trying to stretch out to nine furlongs; Newgrange (Violence), last-out winner of the GII San Antonio S.; Cigar Mile runner-up Senor Buscador (Mineshaft); GIII Smarty Jones S. hero Il Miracolo (Gun Runner); and multiple Argentinian Group 1 winner Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify), fourth in the San Antonio.

Defending champion Atone (Into Mischief) is among a dozen invitees to the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, but looks to face a field much stronger on paper than 12 months ago. Chief amongst the opposition is Godolphin's Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who might make another trans-Atlantic trip having taken a photo in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been kept busy by trainer Aidan O'Brien, as she proved an unlucky loser in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in November ahead of a third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase last time. Arguably the most intriguing among any of the Pegasus invitees is Integration (Quality Road), who was unbeaten in three smashing victories at three in 2023, including the GIII Virginia Derby and GII Hill Prince S. Webslinger (Constitution) won three of his nine starts last term, a season that might have been even more productive but for near misses in the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational S. and GI Hollywood Derby. Main Event (Bernardini) earned his spot in the field with an all-the-way success over Kingmax (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the GII Fort Lauderdale S. Dec. 30.

Chad Brown won the inaugural GIII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf with Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) in 2022 and has two chances to double his tally in the form of GI Matriarch S. runner-up Fluffy Socks (Slumber {GB}) and MGSW Consumer Spending (More Than Ready). Queen Goddess (Empire Maker) is winless in four starts since defeating the Brown-trained Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) in last year's renewal.

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