Thoroughbred Daily News

Bidding for Phase I of the dispersal of the Estate of Glen Todd is now open at digital.fasigtipton.com. This first phase of the dispersal includes horses of racing age, 2-year-olds in training and yearlings. Pegasus Training Center will be acting as agent for the dispersal.

A fixture on the racing scene in British Columbia, Canada, John Glendon 'Glen' Todd passed away Mar. 27 at the age of 75. Todd was involved with Thoroughbred racing for the better part of 50 years and since 2006, campaigned nearly 50 black-type winners in the name of North American Thoroughbred Horse Co., as well as in his own name and in partnership.

“Glen Todd was a titan of the British Columbia Thoroughbred industry and a wonderful supporter of Thoroughbred racing and breeding as a whole,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We are honored that his estate has entrusted Fasig-Tipton Digital with the dispersal of his stable.”

Some 31 horses will be offered–without reserve–over the next week on the Fasig-Tipton Digital Platform, including 10 horses of racing age, 14 2-year-olds in training and seven yearlings. All the juveniles have been broken and are galloping. Bidding will close at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday, May 3. All horses are located at the Pegasus Training Center in Redmond, WA, and are available for inspection. Prospective buyers may contact Pegasus at (425) 898-1060.

The post Bidding Opens For Todd Dispersal on Fasig-Tipton Digital appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Judge O. Peter Sherwood, the retired New York Supreme Court justice who served as the hearing officer in NYRA's dispute with Bob Baffert, has issued his report, recommending that Baffert receive a two-year suspension.

“NYRA has reasonably concluded that it will not condone Baffert's reckless practices, outrageous behavior and substance violations, each of which compromises the integrity of the sport,” Sherwood wrote. “I conclude that NYRA has reasonably determined that he should be excluded from the Racetracks for a lengthy period.”

The report has been sent to a three-person panel that has been convened to consider whether or not Baffert should be penalized by NYRA. Each side will have 14 days to respond to the report. After the 14 days, the panel will have 10 days to make a final decision.

The panel consists of attorney John Carusone Jr., New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Executive Director Will Alempijevic and Humberto Chavez, who heads the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy of America program.

On May 17, NYRA suspended Baffert, but had to drop the ban when a federal judge ruled that NYRA could not take such steps without first holding a hearing for Baffert or for anyone else the racing organization sought to suspend. Because of its affiliation with the state of New York, NYRA, unlike privately owned tracks like Churchill Downs, does not necessarily have the right to ban someone without due process. Churchill's two-year ban of Baffert is currently in place. He is also currently serving a 90-day suspension handed down by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The hearing commenced in January with NYRA attorney Henry Greenberg stating that Baffert had taken a “wrecking ball” to the sport's integrity because of his record of repeated drug violations. NYRA charged that during a 14-month span, Baffert-trained horses tested positive for prohibited medications seven times. The most high-profile offense occurred in the 2021 GI Kentucky Derby in which Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for betamethasone.

NYRA released Sherwood's 54-page report Wednesday.

In asking the hearing officer to recommend a suspension for Baffert, NYRA said that his conduct was detrimental to the best interests of racing, the health and safety of the horses and NYRA business operations. Baffert's team countered, arguing that NYRA's characterizations of the offenses were misleading and that NYRA “grossly overstates” the seriousness of the substances involved in the many positive drug tests. Citing expert testimony presented at the hearing, Baffert contended that the substances were not performance-enhancing and would not mask injury.

Sherwood did not seem to give much merit to those arguments or any others made by the Baffert team, writing that NYRA had met its burden of proof in respect to all charges it made against Baffert.

“NYRA maintains (and the record shows) that Baffert has engaged in a pattern and practice of unlawful conduct that has no parallel in the modern history of Thoroughbred racing,” Sherwood wrote.

He continues: “NYRA also proved that each time Baffert was charged with a violation he provided an implausible excuse, and blamed others for conduct that he, as the trainer, was responsible for as a matter of law.”

Sherwood agreed with NYRA's contention that a failure to suspend Baffert would have negative consequences for the racing association and the sport in general.

“In NYRA's reasonable judgment, a failure to suspend Baffert could result in public scandal and ultimately a decrease  in spectatorship, loss of revenues to the State and NYRA's racetracks and even a decline of Thoroughbred racing as a sport,” Sherwood wrote. “I find that NYRA need not continue to suffer Baffert's defaults and to bear the risk of loss of public confidence.”

NYRA had proposed that Baffert be banned for “a lengthy period” and did not suggest a specific length of suspension. Citing the Churchill suspension and writing that “Baffert has not established grounds for any shorter period of exclusion at the NYRA Racetracks,” Sherwood recommended the two-year suspension.

The panel could give Baffert credit for the 59 days he was suspended before the judge ruled that NYRA had to give him a hearing. Should the panel vote to suspend Baffert, his NYRA ban would go into effect on July 2, following the end of his 90-day suspension issued by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. That would mean the next running of the GI Belmont S. that he can participate in would be in 2025.

Baffert attorney Clark Brewster issued a statement that read: “Despite the fact that Bob has never had a single medication violation in New York, we expected this interim recommendation to the panel, which is not NYRA's final decision. We will contest this recommendation until we ultimately find a neutral, detached decision-maker that doesn't rubber stamp the NYRA lawyers' demands.”

The post NYRA Hearing Officer Recommends Two-Year Suspension for Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

As part of its wagering menu for Kentucky Derby day May 7, Churchill Downs will offer an 'All 3-Year-Old' Pick 3 and an all-dirt Pick 5 wager, both of which close with the Run for the Roses.

The 3-year-old Pick 3 will have a minimum $3 stake and includes the $500,000 GII American Turf and the GII Pat Day Mile before concluding with the Derby. Like all rolling 50-cent Pick 3s, the wager will have a 22% takeout.

An all-dirt, all-stakes Pick 5 will have a 50-cent minimum and 15% takeout while including the $160,000 Knicks Go S., the $750,000 GI Derby City Distaff, the $750,000 GI Churchill Downs S., the Pat Day Mile and the Derby.

Along with the track's jackpot bet, the Derby City 6, Churchill will once again offer the two-day Oaks/Derby Pick 6 with a $2 minimum (2019 handle $479,561). The wager begins on Friday, May 6 with the $750,000 GI La Troienne S. and the $1.25-million GI Longines Kentucky Oaks before concluding on Saturday with the Derby City Distaff, Churchill Downs S., the $1-million GI Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic and the Derby.

There will be four traditional Pick 5 and Pick 4 wagers on Kentucky Derby Day. The third Pick 5 (2019 handle: $3,980,809) and third Pick 4 (2019 handle: $4,091,771) will feature an all-stakes sequence and culminate in the Derby.

Superfecta wagers will be a $1 minimum on Kentucky Derby and Oaks days but will be a 10-cent minimum on all other days.

For the full wagering menu and post times, click here.

The post Churchill Unveils New Derby Day Multi-Race Wagers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will make single-day tickets for reserved seats in the clubhouse, grandstand, and Cutwater Stretch for the summer meet at Saratoga available Wednesday, May 4, at 10 a.m. In addition, single-day tickets for reserved tables in the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar, with tables for two, four, or six, will be available Wednesday, May 11. The Pick Six Picnic Paddock, with tables available with paid reservation and accommodating up to six, will be on sale Wednesday, May 18. Tailgate at the Turn tickets, which has 16 sections for six people each, will also be available May 18.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

The Saratoga meet opens Thursday, July 14, and continues through Monday, Sept. 5, which is also Labor Day. Following a four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, until the last week when the meet concludes on Labor Day.

For more information, visit NYRA.com/Saratoga.

The post Saratoga’s Single-Day Tickets on Sale May 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Jockey Club (TJC) has selected the recipients of its five annual academic scholarships, which will be awarded for 2022-23. TJC's college scholarships total $76,000 for the upcoming academic year that begins in the fall.

“We received a deep pool of applicants for this cycle of scholarship applications and are pleased to be able to assist the five selected individuals in funding their education,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “Our goal in administering these awards is to support dedicated individuals from a range of backgrounds to reach their academic and career goals.”

The Jockey Club Scholarship, which provides $15,000 to a student who is pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher at any university and has demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry, will go to Julia DiFiore. The veterinary student at Mississippi State University hopes to focus her practice on Thoroughbreds.

The $20,000 Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship will be given to Elisabeth Carter. Carter graduated with honors from the University of Arizona in 2020 with bachelor's degrees in veterinary science and law. She will begin law school this fall, with an interest in equine regulatory law.

Autumn Charley will be awarded $20,000 The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship for students from a minority racial or ethnic group who are pursuing a career in the Thoroughbred industry. Charley is working toward her Master of Business Administration through an online program at Arizona State University while working as a racing official at tracks around the country and hopes to focus on marketing upon graduation.

The Jockey Club Benevolence Scholarship, worth $15,000, is a need-based award to enable a student to attend a full-time program at a college, university, or trade program, with preference given to children of backstretch and farm workers. The winner, high school senior Efrain Cortes, Jr., whose family works on the New York racing circuit, is interested in becoming a physical therapist.

For the third straight year, Eric DeCoster has been selected for The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship. Worth $6,000, it is awarded annually to a student enrolled in the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). DeCoster is currently a sophomore in the RTIP and would like to pursue a career in racing operations.

The post Jockey Club’s Scholarship Recipients Named appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) last week voting to rescind the whip ban, which had been in place at Monmouth Park since the 2021 season, the Jockeys' Guild Board of Directors has voted to reinstate benefits to its members who choose to ride at Monmouth in 2022. The Guild had not been covering insurance policies for Monmouth riders since July 1. New Jersey was the only state in the country where whipping was banned.

The NJRC had adopted Monmouth's request for a “House Rule,” allowing riders to utilize the riding crop in an overhand fashion for six times in a race, though not more than two times in succession without a pause. The House Rule is in line with the Use of Riding Crop Regulation established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which is set to supersede regulations put in place by state racing commissions this summer.

“While the Monmouth Park House Rule for the riding crop addresses our safety concerns, the decision by the NJRC to implement the House Rule's more extreme penalties than those called for under the HISA Riding Crop Rules are a concern,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO of the Jockeys' Guild. “Members should be aware of these excessive penalties should they choose to ride at Monmouth Park.”

The 2022 Monmouth meet begins May 7.

The post Jockeys’ Guild Reinstates Benefits for Monmouth Riders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The West Virginia Racing Commission (WVRC) on Tuesday opted to take no action either way on whether to collect and remit fees on behalf of the new Authority created by the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA).

States are facing a May 1 deadline to declare “in or out” middleman status pertaining to the safety portion of the HISA program that will go into effect July 1. This first phase-in of oversight does not include HISA's drug testing and medication control programs, which aren't expected to be up and running until 2023.

“I'm not going to make a decision to say yes to that today,” said WVRC chairman Ken Lowe Jr., adding that he wants feedback from the state attorney general and/or the governor's office on how to proceed on the matter.

Over the course of the past year, Lowe has repeatedly spoken out against HISA, portraying it as a federal statute crafted by elitists within the racing industry whose interests aren't aligned with the realities of small-circuit racing in West Virginia.

But since the input that Lowe wants from West Virginia's state officials is unlikely to materialize in the next four days, the HISA Authority will likely treat the WVRC's in-limbo response to the May 1 opt-in deadline as a “no.”

According to WVRC executive director Joe Moore, “The one real issue here by not agreeing to it, what [the HISA Authority] will do is now pass [responsibility and costs] to each of our tracks, Charles Town and Mountaineer.”

Last week California and Minnesota became the first two state racing commissions to agree to work with HISA by paying their pro-rated portions of costs. They also have to figure out how to use state employees (like stewards) to enforce federal-level safety rules (like whip-use guidelines).

Racing commissions in New Jersey, Maryland and Texas have already said no to HISA, with several citing as a reason that they don't have the statutory ability to make budgetary and spending changes that involve federal or private entities.

West Virginia is also a plaintiff in an active federal lawsuit joined by several other states aiming to get HISA voided for alleged constitutional violations before the Authority even goes into effect.

That case is currently facing a motion to dismiss; it is separate from the federal lawsuit spearheaded by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) that got thrown out of court several weeks ago.

Charles Town HBPA president Jim Miller told commissioners that HISA was “a great overreach” that amounted to an “abomination.”

But Miller was also cognizant that by not signing off on acting as an intermediary, the WVRC will be essentially passing on the Authority's costs to the horsemen on a per-start basis.

“If [the commission or the tracks] don't pay HISA, we lose our right through the Interstate Horse Racing Act to simulcast, which, of course, is a big issue for us as well,” Miller said.

“We're looking at what revenues we trade one way to go the other way,” Miller continued. “This will be a big burden for both the tracks and a huge burden on horsemen. We definitely cannot afford it at a time when, hay, oats, feed, veterinary; all those costs have gone up dramatically in the past couple months.”

Moore also articulated a concern that opting into the safety part of the Authority's program would bind the WVRC to also go along with the medication and doping controls, too.

“We can't even tell anyone how much this is going to cost,” commissioner J.B. Akers added, alluding to the drug and medication control assessments that would follow.

Akers also questioned “the so-called equitable nature of this assessment,” which he said seemed to be calculated too high for a relatively small state like West Virginia.

Added Moore: “This is a mess whether you agree to do their work for them [via] this voluntary agreement or not. Because whether or not our stewards are carrying out their functions, if here's a violation under their code, the recourse of appeal is not to our stewards at Charles Town or Mountaineer Park. It automatically goes to a HISA-appointed Authority.”

With regard to the costs borne by the horsemen and the tracks, Moore said there could be a possible state legislative solution in the pipeline, but that it would be at least two years before it could be implemented.

Tracks and horsemen having to pay directly “could be avoided in future years should we all agree on some additional revenue stream to the racing commission passed through legislation,” Moore explained.

“We could work together on figuring out a revenue stream that gave the racing commission an amount of money to absorb that assessment that would then come back from the racetracks and the horsemen [in a way that] wouldn't be as sudden and impactful as maybe just a direct assessment,” Moore said.

The post West Virginia in Limbo Over HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Two weeks before he's supposed to report to federal prison to serve a 15-month sentence, Jordan Fishman, the convicted Massachusetts-based drug formulator who made illicit substances that were later injected into racehorses, asked the judge to delay his reporting date by one month.

The reason? More than 2 1/2 months after his sentencing, the Bureau of Prisons still hasn't told Fishman which facility he's supposed to turn himself in to May 9.

Fishman also wants the judge to consider a pandemic-related health concern that would give him an extra month of freedom.

Patrick Jouyce, Fishman's attorney, articulated his client's concerns in a one-page letter filed Apr. 25 in United States District Court (Southern District of New York).

“I also regret to inform the Court that Jordan's ex-wife, with whom he works in close proximity at his business, has just contracted COVID-19 and in all likelihood, Defendant has as well even though as of today, he tested negative. For these reasons, Defendant respectfully requests that the Court adjourn Jordan's surrender date until June 9, 2022.

Back in October, Fishman, 64, had pleaded guilty to one count of adulteration and misbranding of purportedly performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Jordan Fishman is unrelated to–but had a professional working relationship with–Seth Fishman, the convicted veterinarian who is awaiting sentencing and faces 20 years in prison for his role in the horse-doping conspiracy.

Lisa Giannelli, an assistant to Seth Fishman, was supposed to go on trial at the same time as Seth Fishman back in January. But she had her case declared a mistrial after her attorney tested positive for COVID-19. Her new trial begins Apr. 27.

The post Jordan Fishman Wants Prison Delay appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With zero debate or discussion preceding unanimous votes on two separate agenda items, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) on Tuesday adopted rewritten rules aimed at increasing transparency.

The major changes include lifting prohibitions on the public disclosure of alleged violations, new guidelines that establish a 60-day time frame for holding hearings, and the opening of those hearings to anyone who wants to observe them.

Tweaks to the equine drug-testing process are also in the pipeline. They include a requirement for owners and trainers to select an approved lab for split-sample testing within five days of being provided with the list of accredited facilities, and for the KHRC to send off the sample within seven days instead of “as expeditiously as possible.”

The KHRC on Apr. 26 approved the set of proposed changes that had been hammered out and unanimously recommended during a meeting of its rules committee one week earlier.

Rules changes at the commission level in Kentucky typically take about seven months to implement because the measures have to go through the state's separate administrative certification process.

The post KHRC Approves Transparency Regs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Keeneland has added 11 more entries to its April Horses of Racing Age Sale to be held this Friday at the conclusion of the venue's spring race meet. The auction will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET.

The latest supplements are as follows:

• Atras, a 3-year-old gelding by Astern (Aus) who scored a 2 1/2-length victory at Keeneland on Apr. 23. He is consigned by Oliver Racing Stable, agent.
• B Dawk, a 3-year-old colt by Gormley who won at Keeneland by 11 1/4 lengths on Apr. 24, earning a 9 Ragozin. Consigned by Bluewater Sales, agent, B Dawk is from the family of Grade I winner Bullards Alley, Grade II winner Karibu Gardens and Grade III winner Nessy. (B Dawk's catalog page will be online Wednesday.)
• Brody's Jessica, a 3-year-old winning, stakes-placed filly by Brody's Cause consigned by Buckland Sales, agent.
• Frageelay, a 3-year-old daughter of Union Rags from the family of multiple Grade I winner Paradise Woods and Grade III winner Tajaweed. She is consigned by Buckland Sales, agent.
• Ibrim, an undefeated 3-year-old colt by Cairo Prince out of stakes winner Strut the Canary (Mineshaft). Hunter Valley Farm, agent, consigns Ibrim, who is from the family of multiple Grade I winner Island Fashion. He captured races on Mar. 2 at Turfway Park and Apr. 17 at Woodbine.
• Mine for Passion, a 4-year-old daughter of Mineshaft consigned by Paramount Sales, agent. Out of the Not For Love mare For Passion, she is a half-sister to stakes winner Soul Driver and from the family of Grade I winner Victor's Cry.
• Niceno, a 5-year-old winning daughter of Karakontie (Jpn) consigned by Hunter Valley Farm, agent. A half-sister to Grade II winner Hillhouse High, she is out of the stakes-placed Coronado's Quest mare Pleasant Laughter.
• Shannon, a 3-year-old Nyquist filly who won at Keeneland Apr. 22. Consigned by I.C. Racing, agent, she is a half-sister to stakes winner Fact Finding out of the stakes-winning, Grade II-placed Sweet Belle by Deputy Commander.
• Speaks for Itself, a 4-year-old Malibu Moon filly who won her April 14 debut at Aqueduct by 5 1/2 lengths to earn a 9 3/4 Ragozin. Consigned by ELiTE, agent, Speaks for Itself is out the Giant's Causeway mare Una Mac Cool and from the family of Grade I winners Secret Status and Dunbar Road along with Grade II winner Private Mission.
• Stay Restless, a 3-year-old Empire Maker colt consigned by ELiTE, agent. Out of the Salt Lake mare Saltendipity, Stay Restless is from the family of Grade I winners Fantastic Look and Designed for Luck, as well as Grade II winner Macho Macho.
• Winward Flo, a 3-year-old two-time winning daughter of Verrazano. Consigned by Foundations Farm, Winward Flo is out of stakes winner Wind Flow, by Indian Charlie.

Keeneland will continue to accept approved supplemental entries up until the date of the sale. Click here for more.

The post 11 More Added to Keeneland April HRA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Broodmare Wrong Color (Gemologist) topped the Fasig-Tipton April Digital Select Sale, which closed Tuesday. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, Agent II as hip 4, the stakes-placed earner of $122,838 was picked up by Anglo Saxon Bloodstock for $400,000. Having produced a War Front colt this term who was not part of the offering, the 6-year-old was sold on a Mar. 22 Caravaggio cover.

The mare's stock has risen of late as her 3-year-old half-brother Jean Gros (More Than Ready) capped a three-race win streak in the Apr. 9 G2 New Zealand Trophy in Japan. He is expected to next contest the G1 NHK Mile Cup. Bred and campaigned by Blackstone Farm, Wrong Color is also a half to MGSW millionaire Tom's Ready (More Than Ready).

The second-priciest lot of the digital auction was 3-year-old racing/broodmare prospect Power Surge (Straight Fire), who was last seen belying 76-1 odds to take the Evening Jewel S. for Cal-breds Apr. 9 at Santa Anita. Consigned by her trainer Blaine Wright as hip 22, Power Surge fetched $370,000 from Samantha Siegel's Jay Em Ess Stable.

“Timing is everything. We had the right horse to sell–a filly by a hot sire, just won a stake, good looking and with clean vetting. All too often this update is lost waiting for a sale,” said Jason Litt, who was one of the partners in Power Surge. “The Fasig-Tipton Digital auction platform gave us exposure to the top buyers from around the world and our filly didn't miss any training and got to sleep in her own stall. I would encourage anyone with the right horse to sell on the platform.”

Siegel said, “The digital format was seamless and easy to use, and the bidding process was exciting!”

“We were very pleased with the April Digital Sale,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We are continuing to grow and seeing new clientele. It was great to see the spirited bidding in California and we are happy for both Samantha Siegel and the partners in Power Surge.”

Would-be topper Philanthropic (Malibu Moon) was a $590,000 RNA. Offered with her Not This Time filly foal at her side, the stakes-placed 6-year-old from the immediate family of Curlin was offered back in foal to another in-demand young stallion in Constitution. Philanthropic was consigned by Bedouin Bloodstock as hip 12.

In total, 15 horses changed hands for gross receipts of $1,664,000 at an average of $110,933.

The next Fasig-Tipton digital sale, a dispersal of the late Glen Todd's Thoroughbred holdings, will open Wednesday, Apr. 27 and conclude May 3.

The post Half to Jean Gros Tops Fasig April Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) affirmed lifetime bans for two sibling jockeys from the Patin family on Tuesday related to the brothers' criminal convictions for possessing illegal horse-shocking devices in races at Evangeline Downs in 2015.

The hearings concluded in bizarre fashion when Joseph Patin Jr., 58, apparently slipped out of the meeting room without telling anyone after first hearing that his younger brother, Billy Patin, 53, wasn't going to be allowed to work as an exercise rider despite Billy previously agreeing to a lifetime ban of his license as a jockey.

LSRC commissioner Eddie Delahoussaye, a retired Hall of Fame jockey, addressed Billy Patin directly prior to the vote on his request. But he then launched into an admonition aimed at all jockeys who cheat and harm the reputation of the sport.

“I want to ask something. Billy, why would you want to be on this racetrack?” Delahoussaye said.

“Just to make a living,” Billy Patin replied in a barely audible voice. “I do kind of landscaping, but…”

“You know, you guys–I rode, and I tried to respect the rules [and] the integrity of this racing industry,” Delahoussaye interjected, frustration evident in his tone.

“And all y'all do is blackball it,” Delahoussaye continued. “My opinion is, why would you want to come back here? The temptation is too much here for you. That's my feeling. You've been caught–I don't know how many times–with a 'machine' trying to fix a race. And I just can't see you coming back, myself. That's up to the commission. I know you're a nice guy and stuff. But the temptation's too great for you.”

The Patins are no strangers to brushes with the law and racing infractions.

After a 30-1 win by the maiden Valhol in the 1999 Arkansas Derby, Billy Patin served a five-year suspension after a video showed him dropping an electrical item that was later recovered on the track at Oaklawn Park.

Joe Patin's riding career was interrupted several times by lengthy suspensions and arrests related to narcotics abuse. In 2013, he was escorted from Evangeline in handcuffs after an altercation with jockey Diego Saenz.

In 2015, the two Patin brothers, plus a third jockey, LeSean Conyers, were arrested by Louisiana State Police and charged with “willful pulling of the reins and cheating and swindling” in relation to a June 19 race. Later, the Patin brothers were additionally charged with “unnatural stimulation of horses” related to separate incidents July 4.

According to evidence read into the record at the Apr. 26 LSRC commission, the race-fixing charges were later dropped by the prosecutor, but the charges related to the shocking device resulted in felony convictions for the Patin brothers (the status of Conyers' case was not a part of Tuesday's proceedings).

“Evidence in two separate races on July 4, 2015, revealed that the [Patins] possessed hand held shocking devices,” a state police press release had stated at the time of the arrests.

Initially, the commission-level adjudication of the Patin brothers' licensure came up at the January 2022 LSRC meeting.

At that time, Billy agreed to a lifetime ban as a jockey. But, having already completed his probation and having received a first-time-offender pardon, he wanted the commission's approval to go back to work as an exercise rider. That request was tabled until April's meeting, as was the entire matter of Joe's jockey license adjudication.

Now fast-forward to Tuesday, when Joe Patin's adjudication first came back up. He at first could not be located, even though LSRC members and staffers had initially seen him enter the meeting room.

So Joe's case got pushed back until after a brief recess while the LSRC attempted to figure out if he was going to speak on his own behalf or be represented by the attorney that Billy had retained.

The commission then moved on to other business and eventually heard Billy's request for exercise rider licensure. After Delahoussaye's terse comments, a motion was quickly made to deny Billy Patin the privilege of going to work exercising horses. It passed via voice vote with one (or possibly two–it was difficult to hear amid crosstalk) commissioners voting “no.”

Joe's case was then called for the second time. He had been located during the timeout and it was affirmed that he would not be sharing a lawyer with his brother. But an attorney speaking on behalf of the LSRC seemed newly flustered in noting that–once again–the older Patin had apparently pulled another disappearing act without notifying anyone on the commission.

Without Joe Patin being in the room to answer to the allegations, the LSRC–on the basis of Joe having been convicted of the same electrical-device crimes as Billy–voted unanimously to give him the same lifetime ban as a jockey.

The post Lifetime Bans Upheld for Buzzer-Toting Patin Brothers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Louisville's Mitch Dennison has been named general manager of racing at Louisiana Downs. Dennison will oversee racing, mutuels, facility projects, and sponsorships at the Bossier City racetrack and casino.

Dennison has served as an assistant to Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen for the past 13 years, overseeing strings at Ellis Park and Louisiana Downs. He had also previously been affiliated with the D. Wayne Lukas barn. Despite his experience on the backside of the track, Dennison said he had an eye on racetrack management.

“I have been active in both Kentucky and Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) for many years,” said Dennison. “Understanding the concerns of horsemen is very important and should be vital to racetrack management. Kevin [Preston, owner of Louisiana Downs] is new to racing, but immediately recognized that. I have never been more excited about working in this industry!”

The Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs kicks off on Kentucky Derby Day. The 84-day live racing season will run Saturdays through Tuesdays until Sept. 27.

“Mitch is extremely knowledgeable and shares my commitment to showing respect to each of the horsemen and their workers as well as ensuring the safety and integrity of our racing operation,” said Preston. “I like his energy and look forward to a very successful racing season.”

The post Louisiana Downs Appoints Mitch Dennison to General Manager of Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Medina Spirit (Protonico) was named the 2021 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors and announced at the FTBOA Awards Gala held Monday night at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala.

Bred in Florida by Gail Rice, who was honored with her second consecutive Needles Award Monday evening as the Association's small breeder of the year, and Medina Spirit's dam Mongolian Changa (Brilliant Speed) was also named the FTBOA Broodmare of the Year in a vote by the board.

Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg's Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) was the most decorated Florida-bred on the night having been named the Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-Old Male, Florida-bred Champion Sprinter and Florida-bred Champion Male Turf Horse.

Trained by Wesley Ward, Golden Pal became the first Florida-bred to win two Breeders' Cup events when he dominated the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar. In 2020, the first foal out of Lady Shipman (Midshipman) won the GII Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint at Keeneland.

Other winners from FTBOA's Awards Gala included: Shifty She (Gone Astray), Champion Turf Female and Older Mare; Pappacap (Gun Runner), Champion 2-Year-Old Colt; Outfoxed (Valiant Minister), Champion 2-Year-Old Filly; Livingmybestlife (The Big Beast), Champion 3-Year-Old Filly; Firenze Fire (Poseidon's Warrior), Champion Older Male; Sound Machine (Into Mischief), Champion Female Sprinter; Khozan, Stallion of the Year; Live Oak Stud, Breeder of the Year.

The post Medina Spirit Named Florida-Bred Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association is hosting an Ownership Seminar on Wednesday, May 4, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Attendees will learn insights on different aspects of Thoroughbred ownership from industry professionals and enjoy a day of racing at Churchill Downs during the week of the Kentucky Derby. Topics include, but are not limited to, Thoroughbred veterinary care, aftercare, purchasing & managing of racehorses, equine insurance, and handicapping basics. Some of the speakers include trainer Kenny McPeek, Erin Halliwell of Thoroughbred Charities of America, and Dr. Russell Freeland, DVM, DACVS-LA from Hagyard.

The TOBA Ownership Seminar is aimed towards all levels of education – from prospective to new owners, to knowledgeable owners or industry professionals and enthusiasts looking to continue their education. The seminar is open to the general public, with a special discount for TOBA members. Meals, materials, access to racing in the afternoon, and a TOBA gift bag are included with registration. Registration is available online until Sunday, May 1 at toba.memberclicks.net/seminars-clinics.

The post Speakers Announced for TOBA Seminar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Officials at Keeneland announced it will offer a share in Upstart (r, 10, Flatter-Party Silks, by Touch Gold), sire of leading classic prospects GISW Zandon and MGSW Kathleen O. in his second crop, at its April Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held following the races on closing day Friday, Apr. 29 . The share will be the final offering of the sale. Shareholder involvement will begin with the 2023 breeding season.

Upstart, who stands at Airdrie Stud in Midway, Kentucky, is a graded stakes-winner who earned $1.7 million. Other notable progeny includes 'TDN Rising Star' Green Up, a 3-year-old filly with two wins and a second in three career starts, including a four length allowance victory at Gulfstream Apr. 21; MGISP and 'TDN Rising Star' Reinvestment Risk, a 4-year-old colt who was second in the recent GI Carter H.; and Masqueparade, winner of the 2021 GIII Ohio Derby.

“What Upstart is doing right now is really pretty incredible,” Airdrie Stud Vice President Bret Jones said. “Zandon and Kathleen O. are the headliners, but there's so much depth in each of those first two crops. Reinvestment Risk, Green Up and Masqueparade all look poised for breakout seasons, and Upstart's 2-year-olds have averaged over $300,000 at the juvenile sales this year. He throws beautiful sales horses that can handle their early training and get better with racing. And he's shown the ability to sire not only quality horses, but elite horses. He's on that climb right now that the really top sires all make.”

The winning bidder will have the right to offer to purchase the share for the hammer price subject to a 24-hour post-auction inspection period during which the winning bidder may review all applicable documentation. The winning bidder may only purchase the share upon satisfactory review by the parties and the satisfaction or waiver of any applicable rights of first refusal or other restrictions under the syndicate agreement. Interested parties should contact Bret Jones or Ben Henley at Airdrie Stud at (859) 873-7270 for additional information regarding the share, or to inspect the stallion.

The post Share in Upstart Offered at Keeneland April appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

8th-Keeneland, $100,000, Msw, 4-24, 3yo, 7f, 1:27.05, ft, 11 1/4 lengths.

B DAWK (c, 3, Gormley–Mott N Hester, by Super Saver) closed to get up for third debuting at five furlongs on the Del Mar turf Nov. 14 and improved a spot switching to dirt at Santa Anita on New Year's Eve. Bombing at 1-2 when sixth switching to Tapeta at Golden Gate, he ran a distant third behind impressive High Connection (Connect) back on the Arcadia main track Mar. 26 and was dispatched at 44-5 shipping in for this spot. Hustled for position early, the $425,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic buy pressed the pace from a close-up second through a quarter in :22.88. Cruising to the lead three deep entering the turn, the chestnut blew the race open in early stretch, belatedly switched leads just inside the eighth pole and rolled home a sharp 11 1/4-length winner. Favored firster Exact Estimate (Into Mischief) completed the exacta. The victor's dam produced a filly by Classic Empire last season before visiting Tiz the Law. Sales History: $77,000 Ylg '20 KEEJAN; $140,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP; $425,000 2yo '21 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 5-1-1-2, $88,415. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-West Point Thoroughbreds & Joseph E. Besecker; B-Small Batch Thoroughbreds & Robert Fetkin (KY); T-Doug F. O'Neill.

The post Gormley Colt Runs Them Off Their Feet at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Klaravich Stables' Consumer Spending (f, 3, More Than Ready-Siempre Mia, by Scat Daddy) defeated returning GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca to win the Memories of Silver S. at Aqueduct Sunday to cap a spring meet where her connections won both leading trainer and owner titles.

Pizza Bianca, the 4-5 favorite, settled off a mild pace and Consumer Spending, at 7-1, sat just off the Breeders' Cup winner. Consumer Spending tracked as the favorite rolled up three wide on the far turn and engaged her rival while four wide into the stretch. The two fillies went toe to toe before Consumer Spending put Pizza Bianca away late and inched clear to a 3/4-length victory. Consumer Spending, a maiden winner over the Saratoga lawn last Sept. 6, punched her ticket to the Breeders' Cup with a win in the Oct. 2 Selima S. at Laurel. She was a close-up sixth behind Pizza Bianca at Del Mar last November in a blanket finish.

“This filly has really done well over the winter…Trainers will say it, but she really did do what you want to see from two-to-three, both physically and mentally, almost to the point I was almost surprised how much she improved,” said Chad Brown post-race. “I wasn't sure off the Breeders' Cup if she was the type to train on. I was torn between if she was a juvenile that got there early, or is she going to show some good quality down the road. It was pretty apparent from February that this filly was really going the right way and doing everything you need to do to have a nice career ahead of her. She certainly proved it today.”

Her dam's second foal, Consumer Spending has a winning older half-brother named Behavin Myself (Malibu Moon) and a 2-year-old half-brother by Empire Maker named Baba Voss as well as a yearling full-sister. The mare is expecting a 2022 foal by American Pharoah this season. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

MEMORIES OF SILVER S., $100,000, Aqueduct, 4-24, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.59, fm.
1–CONSUMER SPENDING, 122, f, 3, by More Than Ready
                1st Dam: Siempre Mia, by Scat Daddy
                2nd Dam: Shaconage, by El Prado (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Carita Tostada (Chi), by Gallantsky
($200,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Forging Oaks Farm LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Manuel Franco. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $240,000.
2–Pizza Bianca, 122, f, 3, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–White Hot (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Bobby Flay; B-B. Flay Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Christophe Clement. $20,000.
3–Sail By, 122, f, 3, Astern (Aus)–Fly By, by Johar. O-Treadway Racing Stable; B-Jeff Treadway (KY); T-Leah Gyarmati. $12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 3 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 2.45, 0.90, 15.50.
Also Ran: Miss You Ella, Alittleloveandluck, On Alert. Scratched: Waters of Merom.

The post Consumer Spending Bests Pizza Bianca at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

The Retirement Assistance and Care for Equines Fund will launch its 2022 fundraising drive with an online auction opening on eBay May 13 at 8 p.m. ET and ending May 20.

Featured items include: halters of California Chrome, Mohaymen, Serena's Song, Cairo Prince, Keen Ice, Groupie Doll, Yoshida, Quality Road and Medaglia d'Oro.

Other items to be auctioned are farm tours donated by Three Chimneys and Darby Dan, horse shoes worn by Tapit and War Front, and signed pictures by Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel.

More information about the R.A.C.E. Fund can be obtained at www.racefund.org. Any questions about the auction or items can be sent to info@racefund.org or go to the R.A.C.E. Fund Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/race.fund/ to preview the auction items album soon.

The R.A.C.E. Fund, a 501 C3 non-profit organization established in 2004 and accredited by the TAA, raises money for racehorse retirement and rescue.

The post R.A.C.E. Fund Auction Opens May 13 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

5th-Gulfstream, $43,000, Msw, 4-24, 3yo, f, 1mT, 1:36.22, fm, 1 length.

LINDA'S GIFT (f, 3, Arrogate–Americana {SP}, by Tapit)'s career debut rally fell 2 1/4 lengths short behind heavy favorite Wonka (Twirling Candy) last out Mar. 27 at this venue, but the kick carried her home here despite slightly less real-estate to do it in. As the only horse in said last-out race to go without Lasix, she went to post with the diuretic today, and broke fairly to set up shop from fifth behind the first flight of runners. The 5-1 shot was roused for a rally going into the far turn, and had made up one spot at the head of the lane while forced to go wide. Chantal Sutherland asked for more, and the filly responded with a furious rally in deep stretch, overtaking the dueling leaders to win by a length on the wire. Therearenorules (Declaration of War) got the best of her shadow for second.

The winner is out of a daughter of MGSW Arena Elvira (Ghostzapper), herself hailing from millionaire, MGISP Two Item Limit (Twining). Linda's Gift is Americana's only registered foal. She is her late sire's 24th winner. Sales history: $105,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL; $50,000 2yo '21 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $36,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-Lo- Bo Racing, Fred Nicotra, Vincent Varvaro, John Cronin and Anthony Demarco; B-Calumet Farm (KY); T-George Weaver.

The post Arrogate’s Linda’s Gift Dons Cap and Gown at Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.