Wandering Eyes

Loft is edging closer to a raceday return. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) JD Hayes expressed satisfaction with Loft, a one-time Melbourne Cup contender, following his third-place finish in a 1000-metre trial at Geelong yesterday. Loft is on the path to recovery after sustaining a tendon injury just days before his Australian debut in the 2022 Melbourne Cup (3200m). Undergoing rehabilitation with Lee Evison, Loft is set for a comeback, with an eye on the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) in April and the Melbourne Cup as a long-term goal. “I was really happy with that. He showed enough speed for a horse that the minimum distance that he won over before is 2800 [metres], so he’s very much just building in the right direction,” Hayes said of his trial. “He was clean in the wind, and he didn’t look like he wanted to stop past the line either. So, he got a big pass mark. “We’ll give him a couple of runs well short of his distance to make sure he is rock-hard fit and then hopefully he will end up in the Sydney Cup. “The main goal with him is still the Melbourne Cup; that was what he was bought for, so this is very much preparing him for that.” Loft is a +5000 chance in the Sydney Cup futures market with online bookmakers. More horse racing news View the full article

Wrote To Arataki ridden by Jamie Kah returns to the mounting yard after winning the 2023 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Sandown. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Trainer Matt Williams, based in Warrnambool, is eyeing another triumph with his prized mare Wrote To Arataki in this Saturday’s Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), aiming to replicate last year’s success in the same race. “She’s coming off that short break where she went pretty deep into the spring, so there’s not a lot of turnaround time there, so there’s a bit of natural fitness still under her belt,” Williams told Racing.com. “She’s just had the one trial so there should be a bit of improvement to come. Last week she had a little jump-out at Warrnambool and came through that well and she had a gallop on the grass this morning and all reports she came through that well, so she should be there to take her spot.” With optimism in his tone, Williams conveyed his confidence in Wrote To Arataki’s readiness for the upcoming Group 3 assignment on Saturday at Caulfield. Wrote To Arataki is a +210 favourite with top horse racing bookmakers for the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes. More horse racing news View the full article

Thomas Stockdale returns to the mounting yard on Primal Spirit (NZ) after winning a Maiden Plate at Benalla Racecourse on January 30, 2024. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos) Primal Spirit, a Charm Spirit gelding and half-brother to the late Group 1 victor I’m Thunderstruck, marked a successful debut at Benalla yesterday. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, who also handled I’m Thunderstruck, the three-year-old by Charm Spirit started as the +170 favourite and finished strongly to secure victory by a nose over the +10000 outsider Grisbi’s Pal. Replay of Primal Spirit’s win at Benalla Winning jockey Thomas Stockdale shared his surprise, stating, “I wasn’t expecting him to finish so strongly. “It’s good to see him put a win up on the board, and once he learns his caper, he is going to be an even better horse. “When they went to steady, he was a bit reactive, but I think that’s going to come with experience.” Primal Spirit was acquired for $240,000 by Mick Price and Ace Bloodstock at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. More horse racing news View the full article

Hakadecree will contest the Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto Trainer Terry Kennedy is hoping the addition of some headgear will help sharpen his promising three-year-old Hakadecree for Saturday’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1500m) at Wingatui. The son of War Decree has impressed in his four starts to date, posting two wins and two runner-up performances, including a last start second to Aberlour in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m). Kennedy was pleased with the result but said he got distracted in the closing stages of the race, which he thinks cost the gelding victory. “He got to the front and gawked around and didn’t concentrate that much, but he still went a good race,” he said. “He has got blinkers on this week so hopefully he concentrates a bit better when he gets there.” Hakadecree has drawn a wide alley of 10 in the 14-horse field, but Kennedy believes he will still be able to find a handy position from that gate. “He has got plenty of gate speed, so he should get across and be out of trouble somewhere, fifth or sixth,” he said. “He is getting better and better each time. He is going to be very competitive.” Kennedy’s plan is to compete in all three southern Guineas races with Hakadecree and is hoping to snare the lion’s share of the prizemoney in the latter two races before potentially sending his charge for a spell. “It is great money – $80,000, $100,000, and Invercargill is $120,000. If everything goes well on Saturday, he will head to Invercargill after that,” Kennedy said. “He is going to be a better horse next year, so I don’t want to overtax him this year.” The Wingatui horseman will also be aiming to gain some black-type with his last start winner Nobellem in the Group 3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m). “She won nice last start. I know it is a big step up in grade and she hasn’t run over further than 1335m, but the way she won the other day I think she deserves her chance to have a go at trying to get some black-type for her broodmare career,” Kennedy said. “It is always good to support the White Robe Day. Take the top three or four out and they are all pretty even horses.” Kennedy said he will wait and see how Nobellem handles the mile on Saturday before mapping out her future targets. “We will just play it by ear,” he said. “We are not quite sure whether she will get a mile. There is some pretty good racing coming up for her up to 1400m if she doesn’t get the mile, so we will work that out after Saturday.” Kennedy will line-up nine other runners on Saturday, and rates Bourbon Chique in the Steve Anderton Memorial 65 1200m and Gordon in the Grand Casino Maiden (1400m) as his two best chances. “I have only had Bourbon Chique for one start and she went a really good race for second,” he said. “I have got a maidener called Gordon who went quite well on debut for fifth, and should be a good chance. The rest are all chances if everything pans out on the day.” Meanwhile, Kennedy was a proud father over the weekend when his jockey daughter Jayla rode her first Melbourne metropolitan winner when victorious aboard Ceerseven at The Valley on Saturday, coincidentally beating Brookly Boss, a son of Zoe Brook, who Kennedy trained in New Zealand. “She only just made it but that is where you have got to win, on the line,” Kennedy said. “It was a big thrill for Debbie (wife/mother) and I, she is going really well over there.” More horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Ari Herbertson lost a civil rape case and will owe the unnamed plaintiff $9 million, according to an email from Diane Rames, law office administrator at the Oakland firm Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer, APC. According to the firm's email, Jane Doe was attending live racing at Golden Gate on Jan. 12, 2019 when she was drugged and raped by Herbertson. The latter was first criminally prosecuted and plead no contest to a lesser charge of assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to one-year incarceration and two years' probation in that case before Alameda County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Brand ruled in the civil case Jan. 17. The civil action alleged various torts related to the rape. Judge Brand awarded the defendant $3 million in general damages and $6 million in punitive damages. “I commend Jane Doe for pursuing her civil case,” said attorney Randall Strauss of Gwilliam Ivary Chiosso Cavalli & Brewer, who represented the plaintiff throughout her civil case. “She was viciously and violently attacked, yet she was unafraid to pursue her attacker in court. Her bravery helps send a message that our society will not tolerate sexual battery and will work to seek justice for victims of sexual abuse.” According to equineline.com, Herbertson trained from 2016-21 and compiled a record of 134 wins from 447 starts. Click to see a copy of the court order. The post Golden Gate Trainer Ruled Against in Rape Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Livid Sky will contest the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Stephen Autridge is in the enviable position of having a pair of well-performed three-year-olds in his stable and, if all goes to plan, they will give him a strong hand in the autumn fillies’ feature at Trentham. The Matamata trainer has Livid Sky and Still Bangon tracking toward the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) on March 16 and he has confidence in their ability to see out the trip. “I think they will both run the mile and a-half and after Ellerslie (last Sunday), a few fillies stepped up and a few didn’t and may not be going to the Oaks, so it could be a bit wider open,” Autridge said. To continue her preparation, Livid Sky will head south this week for a crack at Saturday’s Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth with the booking of Craig Grylls another plus for the daughter of Proisir. “She’s come a long way after a few problems with her in the early days, she was immature,” Autridge said. “Mentally and physically, she has turned the corner and we keep her to a set pattern. We don’t change anything because she doesn’t like change and she handles everything well now.” Livid Sky broke her maiden in the spring and in her last three appearances has matched up encouragingly in strong age group company. The filly finished third in the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), fourth in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and then made a good fist of her middle-distance debut when third in the Group 2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2050m). “It was a good run last start and I think she is going to continue improving,” Autridge said. “She’s the first Proisir I’ve had and she has come on in leaps and bounds and, looking at the sale results, everyone else wants one so it’s good to have her.” Safely through the weekend, Livid Sky is likely to have one more outing before the Oaks while stablemate Still Bangon will target Saturday week’s Group 2 David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic (2000m) ahead of her Trentham grand final. “She will go around at Te Rapa and she has been going terrific,” Autridge said. Still Bangon has won twice from nine appearances and is another to have shed her maiden status before quickly proving her quality in stakes company. The daughter of Proisir’s hot stallion associate Satono Aladdin triumphed in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and then came from last to finish third in the Sir Patrick Hogan. More horse racing news View the full article

Karis Teetan has 40 wins this season. Karis Teetan believes Star Mac can measure up in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) this Sunday at Sha Tin. The lowest rated runner in the race on 64 and without a win from four starts in Hong Kong, Star Mac has the joint-least experience among the entries, however, continues to showcase an electrifying late burst which has returned two fast-finishing third placings in Class 3. “I am really happy to be riding him. I think he’s an improving horse, I think he is improving with each run – it’s not a big field,” Teetan said. Helios Express tops the entries on a towering mark of 102, while the rest rate 74 or above in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the first leg of the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Classic Series which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 3 and HK$26 million 147th Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 24. “I think he’s one of those who can surprise. The race is wide open if you take out Helios Express. He’s happy wearing cheek pieces and I am happy to be on him,” Teetan said. Star Mac won once in Australia pre-import, scoring at Seymour over 1400m as a two-year-old. He’s now trained by David Hayes in Hong Kong, who won Sunday’s contest in 1999 with Resfa and in 2001 with Charming City. More horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Wednesday, January 31 will feature four meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and provided free quaddie tips for the meetings at Randwick-Kensington, Sandown and Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday Horse Racing Tips – January 31, 2024 Randwick-Kensington Racing Tips Sandown Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For January 31, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $150.06 odds return: Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Randwick-Kensington – Race 4 #5 Ironton Randwick-Kensington – Race 7 #5 Hanau Sandown – Race 1 #5 Limburg Sandown – Race 6 #11 The Devil In Her | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on January 31, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

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2021 Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant. One of Australian racing’s most popular modern-day champions Verry Elleegant will have a Group 1 race permanently named in her honour at the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. The Group 1 $1 million Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) will be run at Royal Randwick on Saturday March 2, replacing in name the Chipping Norton Stakes. Verry Elleegant won the race named in her honour twice at Royal Randwick in 2021 and 2022 during a stellar career which included eleven victories at Group 1 level, eight on Australian Turf Club tracks. Trained by Sydney’s 13-time premiership winner Chris Waller, Verry Elleegant also won a Caulfield Cup (2020) and Melbourne Cup (2021) and in a 40-start career won 16 races and total prizemoney of $14.9 million. She retired from racing in 2022 and in coming weeks is due to give birth to her first foal sired by famed northern hemisphere stallion Sea The Stars. Australian Turf Club Chairman Peter McGauran said Verry Elleegant deserved a Group 1 race named in her honour. “Verry Elleegant ranks amongst the greatest champions we were privileged to watch in Sydney in recent decades,” Mr McGauran said. “Her versatility across all tracks, distances and right through her entire racing career saw her win a host of Group 1 races from 1400m to 3200m. “The ATC is delighted to make this announcement in naming a Group 1 race in her honour especially as she continues her remarkable life with the imminent arrival of her first foal.” Verry Elleegant’s managing owner Brae Sokolski said he and fellow owners were forever grateful for the deeds of the champion thoroughbred. “We are truly humbled to have this illustrious Group 1 race named in honour of our magnificent mare,” Mr Sokolski said. “As significant as Verry Elleegant’s achievements were, her legacy will not be measured in races won or prizemoney amassed but in the sheer joy she bought her legion of fans, and her indomitable will to win that was an inspiration to us all. “I sincerely thank Peter McGauran and the ATC Board and look forward to many future champions being added to the honour roll of the Verry Elleegant Stakes.” More horse racing news View the full article

A victory in the Jan. 27 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) propelled National Treasure into first place in the initial National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

Trainer Mike Lauer is now a month past serving what he believes was an unjust 75-day suspension because a Thoroughbred under his care at Horseshoe Indianapolis tested positive last summer for metformin, a drug used to treat diabetes in people. With more 20 million patients taking it, metformin ranks as the nation's third-most-prescribed human medicine, according to the consumer healthcare website Healthgrades. Before Lauer's case made it to an official arbitration hearing, the 72-year-old conditioner with five decades of licensure was able to present enough evidence to the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) for the agency to conclude that the likely source of the metformin was “unintentional contamination” by a groom who had ingested his doctor-ordered blood sugar-regulating tablet at lunch, then touched the mouth of Mowins (Mohaymen) while fitting the gelding with a bit and bridle for an Aug. 5 race. But even though that negotiated HIWU resolution stated that “Mr. Lauer's degree of fault is in the light range” and that he “fulfilled his personal responsibility to be knowledgeable of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program and to inform all personnel associated with the care, treatment, training, or racing of his Covered Horses,” the evidence was only enough to reduce–not eliminate–Lauer's potential penalties of a two-year suspension and $25,000 fine, which are HIWU's standard sanctions for banned substances. The “banned” category is the most serious class of drug offences under Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) rules. Those substances are considered the most harmful and egregious, and are never supposed to show up in tests on any covered Thoroughbred. Lauer and his wife, Penny, detailed to TDN how they spent $45,838 over a five-month span trying to clear Lauer's name and keep his training business afloat while fighting the ruling, which ended up with a $2,600 fine in addition to the 2 1/2-month suspension. But, the Lauers said, they can't calculate the direct costs of the logistical headaches they endured while trying to temporarily disperse a 50-horse racing stable among five new trainers for the time that Mike was ineligible to compete. Nor, the Lauers added, does the financial outlay take into account the lost income from Mike's being unable to ply his trade, purse money from two of Mowins's races that had to be forfeited, or the credibility blow the ruling inflicted upon the outfit's reputation. They also aren't sure that their groom was even the correct source of the metformin positive, even though the groom came forward and volunteered the timetable of events that Mike Lauer agreed to when signing his “case resolution without a hearing/final decision” document. Lauer told HIWU investigators that he, too, takes metformin as prescribed by a doctor, although he said he had not touched Mowins anywhere near the gelding's face in the week before the positive test. The Lauers also said they paid $1,100 to have testing done on the Shelbyville, Indiana, water source that supplies the track's stable area, and it revealed traces of metformin. Mowins | Coady As a trainer since 1976 with an 11.7% win rate from 9,988 starts that is not suggestive of performance-enhancing drug use, Lauer's stock in 2023 was spread across three divisions stabled in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana, and his entrants ranged from a horse who ran third in the GI Man o' War S. at Belmont Park to lower-end claimers who routinely competed at Belterra Park. Lauer has only three previous medication violations listed against him on The Jockey Club's online rulings database. All were for penalty category C (the lowest level of severity) infractions that occurred in races in 2009 and 2018 (twice). They resulted in fines of $250, $1,000, and $1,500 as per then-in-effect racing commission standards in Kentucky and Indiana, plus a 10-day suspension for the latter positive because it was his second violation within a one-year period. Lauer said he's doing the best he can to put HIWU's bureaucratic rodeo behind him while focusing forward now that he's permitted to train again. But it seems every time he tries to clear his mind of the ordeal, some little reminder of it pops up to skewer him anew. Like a couple weeks back when Lauer was attending a horse auction, and an industry acquaintance approached him and said by way of greeting, “Well, I see they caught ya!” Lauer ignored the wiseguy's remark. Still, the stigma of it stung. “You get little cracks like that,” Lauer said. “But we lost clients. We lost a ton of money, and I mean a ton. And we went through a ton of aggravation. My life's not back to normal, and I don't know when it will be.” Penny Lauer, a part-owner of Mowins, the gelding whose urinalysis came back positive for metformin after he ran third at 21-1 odds in an allowance sprint, put it this way: “Just the fact that Mike's name was plastered all over having a positive test, people take that info and run with it. Everybody thinks you're cheating. We had to change so many things [for horses owned by Penny and other longtime clients] to be able to run, and pay people that we wouldn't normally had to pay if Mike was able [to train]. We did nothing wrong, yet took a big hit for it. Metformin is not cheating. We didn't put it there. It was just there.” Penny Lauer continued: “There are so many people that touch and care for a horse every day, and even more people on a race day, that a trainer, no matter how much care you take with safe protocol, it is impossible to even know what you come into contact with. “If you want to believe what HIWU laid out regarding the probability of where this metformin came from, we are talking about possibly a dusting from a pill, on the hands of the groom that transferred it to the bit that the groom put in the horse's mouth, and the horse eventually peed out, and [was] not [detected in tests of] blood,” Penny Lauer said. “And you think this actually made a difference in the performance of this horse?” Penny Lauer asked rhetorically. “Ridiculous!” And confusing. The Lauers said that even after hiring an attorney and having their own back-and-forths with HIWU, plus a pre-conference call with an arbitrator, and after speaking to scores of veterinarians, stewards, and racing commission officials in an effort to seek supporting information to bolster their case, they still don't have a clear understanding of why metformin is considered a purported performance-enhancer. Nor do the Lauers know why the diabetes drug's presence in a horse carries such draconian penalties. They also said they have no clue as to why the five positive tests for metformin since HIWU took over the sport's drug testing in May 2023 have resulted in widely varying outcomes. In October, two trainers–Javier Morzan of the mid-Atlantic region and the New Mexico-based Guadalupe Munoz, Jr.–had metformin charges against them withdrawn after an internal HIWU review of its six accredited laboratories discovered different limits of detection in blood for metformin, a problem that HIWU officials said has since rectified by harmonizing those detection values across all labs. In November, Angel J. Castillo Sanchez, a conditioner based in the mid-Atlantic, resolved a metformin positive in one of his trainees by signing an “admission of rule violation and acceptance of consequences” agreement with HIWU that resulted in an 18-month suspension and $12,500 fine. In December, Anthony Farrior, the leading trainer at Charles Town, had charges from a metformin positive triggered at Laurel Park dropped. He had requested testing of the split sample, but HIWU determined the specimen's volume was “insufficient for analysis,” so the complaint was withdrawn. Another metformin positive from June has yet to be resolved by HIWU. Trainer Jonathan Wong remains under provisional suspension in a case involving a test from a maiden-breaking filly at Indiana Grand. Jonathan Wong | Benoit Wong, too, faces up to a two-year suspension and a $25,000 fine. He has publicly disclosed that he has a valid metformin prescription to control his own diabetes. Despite being out of work since July 2 while his case makes its way through the system, Wong told TDN back in August he had “zero problems” with the concept of HISA, and that its oversight was “much needed.” But, added Wong, “when you're completely not awarded any opportunities from day one until your hearing, that's pretty much being charged as guilty until proven innocent. I feel like I've been locked up and had the key thrown away.” Perspective is Everything Widening the lens, the metformin positives can be grouped into a broader issue that involves other drugs ingested by people whose residues sometimes show up in equine drug tests. Some of those substances, like methamphetamines and cocaine, are drugs of human abuse with a low likelihood of having been intentionally administered to enhance a horse's performance. But because of their illegal and dangerous nature, they are in the “banned” category. For example, there are currently five pending methamphetamine violations awaiting adjudication by HIWU. Five others have already been ruled upon, all from horses in the stable of Prairie Meadows trainer Dick Clark, who admitted the violations and accepted the consequences of being ruled off for 90 months and a $62,500 fine, the largest penalties on record since the inception of HIWU. Lauer told TDN he believes HIWU is going after easier human-drug contamination targets rather than rooting out true horse dopers. His belief is that anxiety over getting caught for something that is essentially out of one's control is causing innocent horse trainers to get out of the business. “I wish HIWU would catch somebody,” Lauer said. “All they're catching is [the equivalent of] parking tickets. That's all they're passing out, and they're just crucifying trainers for things like metformin and meth.” TDN emailed Lisa Lazarus, the chief executive officer for the HISA Authority, asking if she'd answer several overarching questions: Is this the way HIWU and HISA are really supposed to work? Are the Authority and HIWU comfortable with the idea that trainers–even some who were initially supportive of HISA–are expressing legitimate fear over getting their lives derailed by accidental contaminations? Lazarus agreed to a phone interview to discuss the situation. Over the course of about 35 minutes one morning last week, she gave her perspectives on metformin, inadvertent contamination cases, and the evolution of her agency. Opponents of HISA might not like some of what she said. But give Lazarus credit: This sort of back-and-forth dialogue about real-life concerns over medication control policies had been notoriously difficult for TDN (and other media outlets) to engage in with racing commission personnel prior HIWU's advent, back when those agencies controlled the nation's drug testing under state-by-state rules. (Disclaimer: Because Lauer opted not to give permission for Lazarus to speak to TDN about any aspects of his case that haven't already been made public via HISA and HIWU documents, Lazarus was unable to go too deeply into specifics about Lauer's negotiated settlement.) And before Lazarus would tackle any general questions, she wanted to get a few points on the record for perspective and background. She asserted that HISA and HIWU are not tone-deaf to industry complaints, and she said there is evidence to show that the agencies have been proposing new policies when they realize the original ones aren't working the way they were intended to. Those changes, Lazarus said, have included altering how provisional suspensions for likely inadvertent contaminations get reported, providing ombudsman assistance and pro-bono legal resources for trainers who can't afford to hire a lawyer, and a renewed focus on getting racetracks to clean up receiving barns and other common areas where horses might be subject to environmental contamination. Lisa Lazarus | The Jockey Club photo Lazarus also stressed that while catching alleged cheaters and keeping them from getting an illegal edge is a main concern for HISA and HIWU, the agencies are also mandated to focus on horse welfare, which drives some of the reasoning on how substances that are generally considered human drugs of abuse are handled. “Somebody who's on meth shouldn't be walking a 1,200-pound animal around the backside,” Lazarus said, underscoring the obvious safety hazard that scenario presents. “Horses shouldn't have to be exposed to drugs that the trainers and grooms are taking,” Lazarus explained. “There should be some degree of care, even if it's not obviously anywhere near the culpability of an intentional administration to get a performance advantage. “Trainers tell me all the time that they treat their horses better than they treat their children,” Lazarus said. “Well, you wouldn't let your child be exposed to meth. And so it's a professionalization that we're trying to achieve and we think is important.” Lazarus continued: “I don't doubt that you have trainers that share with you the concerns that you've raised. And we try to be really responsive to those and to show empathy and engage, and where we need to make changes, we do. “But I've also had so many trainers call me and say that for the first time, they feel like they have a chance when they compete, that they don't feel like they have to use substances or compete with somebody else's pharmacy,” Lazarus said. “I've also heard anecdotally that there are a number of horsemen that had artificially high win percentages that have now been normalized,” Lazarus said. “The most objective thing in the universe, in my view, is you take a sample from the horse, it goes to the lab, and it comes back positive or negative,” Lazarus said, defending HIWU's methodology. “There's no subjectivity in that. There's no judgment. We can only be governed by that,” Lazarus said. “Otherwise you get into this–what I think was a problem with the state racing commissions–'Who's a good guy/who's a bad guy? He had a clean record/He didn't have a clean record.' “We can't operate like that, because you lose all credibility,” Lazarus said. “You're not objective. One of the best things about HIWU is that they're a totally objective organization. They don't have local relationships. They don't know, most of the time, who these trainers are. The sample, the positive test, is always adjudicated the same way.” The Fault Continuum Still, Lazarus said, HISA and HIWU have recognized that changes are needed with regard to human-drug positives that are likely caused by contamination, and she said the agencies have responded by proposing fault-based rule changes that are expected to be approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). At the same time, Lazarus added, HIWU is holding off on adjudicating exposure cases for human drugs of abuse until the FTC makes a decision on the proposed rule tweaks. “In that sense, trainers have been able to benefit from what we expect to be these new relaxed rules without having to wait for the FTC to approve them,” Lazarus said. “We're going to continue to try to bring in ideas like that, to lessen the burden [on trainers] and to help us really identify what needs to be addressed and to take care of what doesn't need to be addressed… “Our new system is all about fault,” Lazarus continued at a different point in the interview. “And when you have a high degree of fault, you'll have a higher penalty. When you have a low degree of fault you'll have a much lower penalty.” But while those changes will, in theory, mitigate positive tests from illegal street drugs like methamphetamines and cocaine, the new standards won't apply to a commonly prescribed diabetes pill like metformin. Why not? “We look at [metformin] as a potential risk, so we don't put it in that category,” Lazarus said. “We do have intelligence that metformin is being used intentionally to enhance performance.” HISA and HIWU aren't obligated to disclose the exact nature of such intelligence. That would be akin to handing over their enforcement playbook to alleged dopers, the reasoning goes. When asked specifically what metformin might do to make a horse run faster, Lazarus said she believed it might be able to improve endurance. She later had a HISA staffer email supporting information that stated metformin “does impact glucose metabolism, so it could have an effect on overall performance.” Those views aren't widely shared by everybody, though, and published research on metformin's alleged role as a performance-enhancer (in either humans or horses) is not definitive. In human athletics, metformin is not prohibited by either the World Anti-Doping Agency or the United States Anti-Doping Agency. Anecdotally, some bodybuilders take it because they believe it helps them appear more “cut” in terms of reduced body fat, which has led to misperceptions that it can build muscle. Other broad claims contend that metformin can reduce inflammation or provide anti-aging benefits in people. In U.S. horse racing, metformin has been listed as a Class 2/Penalty Category B drug under the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) classification system since 2018. A mid-level designation, Class 2 drugs are defined by ARCI as substances “that have a high potential to affect performance, but less of a potential than drugs in Class 1. These drugs are 1) not generally accepted as therapeutic agents in racing horses, or 2) they are therapeutic agents that have a high potential for abuse.” But are the positive tests for metformin being triggered more by coincidental contaminations or by intentional administrations? The winter 2023-24 issue of The Horsemen's Journal contained a “Fact or Fiction” article that touched on veterinary perspectives of the five recent HIWU positives for metformin. The article stated that “Metformin is so ubiquitous in the environment that it can be found in drinking water whenever it is looked for, including at the racetrack [Horseshoe Indianapolis] where two of the violations were found. Metformin use is so common in humans that many studies have been conducted to determine if it has an effect on athletic performance, and the overall conclusion of those studies is that the only measurable effect is increased perception of exertion. This effect would detract from performance rather than enhance it.” Lazarus said that HIWU's methodologies for metformin testing are designed to screen out accidental contaminations and to differentiate them from intentional administration. “I'm not saying that every horse that tests positive for metformin is an intentional abuse,” Lazarus explained. “Obviously, there are very innocent explanations, and there are explanations where that fault continuum should be in the [trainer's] favor. I'm just saying that there are situations where it is being used to enhance performance, and that's where we have to be more careful about it than we might have to with meth or cocaine… “The level at which the laboratories have agreed to call metformin a positive, in their view, sort of rules out inadvertent exposures,” Lazarus said. “It doesn't necessarily rule out someone putting their hand in the horse's mouth after they take metformin. But it's intended to really limit it to either a gross negligence or an intentional situation… “Mr. Lauer's [test on Mowins] wasn't one of them, because it was obviously above [the limit for a positive],” Lazarus said. Lazarus dismissed the contention that metformin in a water supply can cause a violation. “It's not possible to get a positive test through metformin in the water,” Lazarus said. “The [testing] level that we have excludes the possibility.” That's why achieving harmonization on testing levels at laboratories is so crucial for HISA and HIWU, Lazarus said. “We're harmonized on more than 300 [substance levels] right now,” Lazarus said. “But obviously, some substances that are prohibited have never been detected. So they have to be detected first for the labs to agree on a level of detection. So there is some degree of that that is always going to be ongoing, as science tries to catch up with the very small percentage of the industry than might be trying to use substances nefariously for gain. There's always a risk that those folks are sometimes a little bit ahead of the labs… “However, because the system is based on fault, if you do come, like Mr. Lauer did, with an explanation, and that explanation is credited, then obviously you are going to get a more lenient sanction,” Lazarus said. “So in [Lauer's] case, his suspension was 2 1/2 months out of a potential of 24 months,” Lazarus said. “And his fine was about 10% of the maximum fine. So that just shows how HIWU viewed his fault on that continuum.” 'Happy' or 'Hell'? Lauer steadfastly believes he was wronged by HIWU and HISA, while Lazarus firmly asserts the systems at those agencies worked exactly the way they were intended to. Surely, there must be a middle-ground perspective. TDN sought out Alan Foreman, who is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading racing law and equine attorneys, to see what he had to say on the subject. In September 2023, Foreman, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, agreed to serve as an impartial go-between, or ombudsman, on behalf of HISA, HIWU, and horsemen. In this role, he provides confidential advice and assistance at no cost to trainers, owners and other HISA-covered persons, while communicating feedback to the agencies about how they can improve their programs. When Foreman took the job, he pledged to donate all compensation paid by both sides to the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. Alan Foreman | Horsephotos This means Foreman is usually the first person trainers contact when HIWU notifies them of an alleged infraction. Lauer sought him out, and he said they spoke for several hours when Lauer first learned of the ruling against him. But in keeping with his obligations as an ombudsman, Foreman told TDN he would not be able to discuss Lauer's case in detail because of confidentiality requirements. However, one of the first general points Foreman made about Lauer's case that he said should be heartening to horsemen is that Lauer was able to resolve his charge without having to go through with the full-blown hearing process. “Up until now, it's required a trainer to go through the expense and the difficulty of prevailing in an arbitration,” Foreman said. “There are changes in the pipeline,” Foreman said. “We've been discussing this and pushing for these changes for some time. There is a change presently that has been submitted by HISA to the FTC with respect to the drugs of illicit human use that would give to HIWU the discretion to resolve those cases, and they can do so by concluding that it is more likely than not that the positive was the result of contamination. 'Inadvertent exposure' is the term I like to use, as opposed to an intentional administration. “So if HIWU is satisfied that the positive test was not the result of an intentional administration, the penalty is now reduced to a maximum of 60 days, and that can be mitigated down based on facts and circumstances. And assuming the FTC approves these changes, that would allow HISA and HIWU to resolve this with the trainer short of having to go to arbitration,” Foreman said. “It would be handled similarly to the way racing commissions handled them before HISA and HIWU went into effect,” Foreman said. “And that was a part of the system that was not broken, and did not need fixing. I think there was satisfaction that the racing commissions were correctly handling those kinds of cases. And the handling was, if a positive test was reported, obviously the horse was disqualified because it had a drug in its system. But the trainer penalty was substantially mitigated. “In many jurisdictions, the trainer was not penalized,” Foreman said. “The disqualification of the horse was deemed to be a sufficient penalty. Some jurisdictions may have imposed a fine or a short suspension. But nothing like the drastic penalties that are being imposed now, which can be career-ending [for] something that a trainer probably could not have prevented.” Foreman continued: “This area of contamination seems to be the most vexing area. My own personal observation, at least based upon the calls that I get, is that the number of banned substance violations has substantially decreased. I'm not seeing that many, at least [for] those where trainers are calling me, or I need to refer people out to attorneys. That seems to have calmed down. What has surprised me [is] I thought that there would be a large number of positive tests in the controlled substance area, the therapeutic medications, because we were going to screening limits, because we were going to international standards. “We were, in many respects, backing out the withdrawal time, or the time within which a drug should be administered to a horse, to 72 hours, as opposed to previously, with the non-steroidals, we had gone from 24 to 48 hours. But that hasn't materialized. There have not been a substantial number–at least compared to prior [findings from] HISA and HIWU–of positives as a result of the new system. Which to me is a very positive indication for the industry,” Foreman said. “The horsemen have been adjusting to the new system, and it's working,” Foreman said. “That doesn't mean that horsemen aren't scared to death when they see these contamination violations and they're concerned about what is happening to these trainers. At least we're attempting to get that under control. And when I say we, I'm certainly trying to do it on behalf of the industry. I don't work for HISA. I don't work for HIWU. But they have been listening. I think they've been coming to grips with the problems they created here. I think they're hearing the outcry from the industry and they are adapting to it… “So slowly but surely, changes are taking place,” Foreman summed up. “That's what I've been advocating for.” Lazarus, in her separate interview, corroborated Foreman's observation that the banned substance violations are decreasing. “When we first launched the program, about 40% of the positives were for banned substances, what we would categorize as doping,” Lazarus said. “That has completely dropped, [so] I think that has had a genuinely important impact. There are also a number of investigations that are ongoing that I believe are going to have a very positive impact. “[HIWU is] only seven months in, so I need a little bit more time to bring some of these things to fruition,” Lazarus said. “But I really believe that this is a strong, fair, balanced, effective program. And we're going to have to continually tweak and evaluate and be open to feedback. But I think overall, I am very happy with where we've stood on that balance.” However, when asked if she concurred with Foreman that the contamination positives were the “most vexing” part of the system, Lazarus had a different take. “I think what happens a lot is when one horseman gets concerned about something, and they speak about it on the backside, it becomes almost like an epidemic of concern,” Lazarus said. “And so that is probably the most difficult thing for us to deal with generally, is some of the misinformation, and some of the, kind of, 'fear-mongering' that I think is sometimes intended by our detractors. “I think when we're at the year mark, there's going to be a fair amount of comfort with where we are,” Lazarus said. “I think if you ask any trainer, they will tell you that on the [controlled] medication side our program is fair and balanced and working. I haven't heard a single complaint about the medication program. The adjustment is the severity and the different system on the doping side. And I think that's important for the evolution of the industry and for us to get to a point where we're protecting the clean trainers. “That's what it's all about, right? Protecting the trainers who are competing fairly, and also who have systems in place to avoid some of the mismanagement of medication or inadvertent exposure,” Lazarus said. “We're going to get better at that, and I think over time trainers are going to feel more comfortable with what they have in place and that the risks to them are very low, and that if they do have an inadvertent exposure, that we'll treat it fairly.” As a way of wrapping up the conversation, TDN proposed an analogy to Lazarus: Would it be fair and accurate to say that in any large enforcement endeavor like an anti-doping control program, there are going to be growing pains as the system gets rolled out, and even if the agencies make corrections along the way, it's inevitable that there are going to be some trainers–like Mike Lauer–who end up being collateral damage as the result of HISA and HIWU's evolving methods of enforcement? Lazarus didn't buy that line of reasoning. “I don't consider him 'collateral damage,'” Lazarus said. “I think he actually received very fair sanctions under the circumstances. Under the previous state racing commissions, fault was never a consideration. It was a pure, strict liability thing [and] the consequences were extreme without any opportunity to defend…. “Mr. Lauer settled his case. That was his choice. He did not have to do that, but he decided to settle his case, and that was the resolution that he was happy to accept,” Lazarus said. “Happy” is not how Lauer would describe the ending to his five-month ordeal with HISA and HIWU. “Hell” was the adjective he chose. “They were going to drag me out,” Lauer said, noting that even though his case never reached an actual hearing, he still got invoiced $13,700 for having initiated the arbitration process. After submitting all his supporting documentation by the first weekend of December, Lauer said the attorney for HIWU “wanted to try and make a deal, and if we couldn't, he was going to ask for more time to submit his brief so the hearing [date] would have to be reset.” Lauer said HIWU's initial offer of a $4,000 fine and 120-day suspension was “not acceptable” to him. The next offer was the $2,600 fine and 75 days with time served, which was to end his suspension by Dec 25, 2023. Essentially, Lauer said, he accepted that settlement just to get his life back. “My attorney said this is the best deal you're going to get without going to the hearing and a possible appeal and all that,” Lauer said. “Plus the money, and the extra time, and you have no idea if you're going to win or lose.” Now that he's back in action, what's Lauer's takeaway message for other trainers who might find themselves in the crosshairs of HISA and HIWU over a metformin positive? “Their whole operation is very intimidating,” Lauer said. “And it's aimed to be intimidating.” The post A Diabetes Drug’s Outsized, Contested Role in Horse Racing’s Anti-Doping Crusade appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Delta Downs will host the richest program of the year, Louisiana Premier Night, Feb. 3, featuring the best Louisiana breds competing in 10 stakes worth $895,000. In addition, the LTBA will award two scholarships, to college students.View the full article

The second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the Prince of Wales Stakes, will hit the border oval at Fort Erie on Sept. 10 for its 89th running.View the full article

A graded stakes winner last year on synthetic, Witwatersrand tests another surface Feb. 3 when she races seven furlongs on dirt in the $125,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Group 1 second Islandsinthestream (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and the group-placed Mythology (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) have both been sold to Hong Kong interests and will race on in that jurisdiction, Joseph O'Brien confirmed to The Irish Field on Tuesday. The former is now in the barn of Tony Cruz, with Mythology settled in with Pierre Ng. “Everybody needs to keep trading for the bottom line,” O'Brien told The Irish Field. “We're lucky to have had 2-year-olds who could compete in those top juvenile races and now it's all about looking forward to the next generation.” Formerly owned by Islandsinthestream Partnership, the dual winner is out of A Mist Opportunity (Aus) (Foxwedge {Aus}), herself a half-sister to three stakes winners. Bred by Haras d'Etreham and Katelanis Bloodstock, the bay brought €135,000 as an Arqana October yearling in 2022. For O'Brien, he broke his maiden at the Curragh, before running second in both the G2 Futurity S. and G1 National S. to Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Successful in an allowance at ParisLongchamp in September, he finished his year with a close second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in October. Sold for 62,000gns out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Mythology made 320,000gns as a juvenile during the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale last April before racing for a Coolmore partnership which included Teme Valley. The second foal of Rely On Me (Ire) (Kyllach {GB}), he was bred by E. Smith and Cloneymore Farm. Second to Henry Longfellow at the Curragh prior to that colt's group heroics, the bay won a maiden at Galway and ran second in the G3 Prix Francois Boutin in his fifth start and 2-year-old finale. Mythology is kin to G1 Italian Oaks heroine Menhoubah (Dixieland Band). The post O’Brien Pair To Race On In Hong Kong appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, February 1, 2024 First Race 5:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble Racing returns to Pakenham on Thursday night for another competitive eight-race meeting, headlined by another two heats of the Pakenham Future Stars Series. A perfect night on the weather front is forecast, and despite the rail coming out 9m the entire circuit, we expect there to be no bias evident throughout the night. Action from Pakenham Racecourse is set to commence at 5:45pm AEDT. Best Bet at Pakenham: Maxxi Bon Maxxi Bon had his colours lowered at Sandown on January 17, but his form prior to that should be more than good enough to account for his BM64 rivals on Thursday. Having won twice and finished second at his three prior starts this campaign, the son of Bon Aurum looks to have found the right race to recapture his winning form. From barrier six, Matthew Cartwright will look to have Maxxi Bon settled midfield with cover, and with a swift turn of foot, the chestnut gelding should have no issue in accounting for his rivals over the mile. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Maxxi Bon (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Wendy Kelly | J: Matthew Cartwright (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Fioreen The Phillip Stokes-trained Fioreen put in a much-improved performance second-up into his career when he was defeated a long neck at Cranbourne on January 19. The three-year-old filly was forced to sustain a long run 600m out from home and was the widest runner when turning for home. He peaked on his run about 50m out, but the way he quickened suggests a maiden victory shouldn’t be too far away. If Zac Spain can keep him covered up until the final 200m, Fioreen seemingly has a good enough sprint to breakthrough on Thursday. Next Best Race 2 – #9 Fioreen (6) 3yo Filly | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Zac Spain (57kg) Bet with Picklebet Next Best Again at Pakenham: Some Sheila Some Sheila was a tough watch for those who were with her on January 18 over the Pakenham 1400m, having been held up for a run in the home straight at a crucial point before hitting the line strongly in tight room to be narrowly defeated. A return to the track and trip on Thursday should see the daughter of Artie Schiller bounce back to the winners stall. Jack Martin will likely look to have her settled one off the fence throughout in a midfield position, and as long as the pair find clear air at the right time in the home straight, Some Sheila looks the goods. Next Best Again Race 6 – #4 Some Sheila (4) 4yo Mare | T: Charlotte Littlefield | J: Jack Hill (59kg) Bet with Playup Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, February 1, 2024 Field 1-3-4 1-9-12-16 3-6-7-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, the seven-day prohibition on intra-articular injections prior to a timed workout continues to trip up stakeholders. Six new individuals are facing possible sanctions for violations of this rule, to go with the 30 individuals whose cases have already been resolved. A typical first-time violation comes with a $3,000 fine. One of the trainers in question is Ignacio Correas, whose trainee Didia violated the intra-articular injection rule prior to a timed workout dated Jan. 11 of this year. Didia subsequently won the GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational S. on Jan. 27. 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: 11/09/2023 Licensee: George Weaver, 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. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Typhoon Fury, who won at Aqueduct on 11/09/23. 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: 12/26/2023 Licensee: Manuel Badilla, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Shana Madel, who finished second at Golden Gate on 12/26/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 01/11/2024 Licensee: Ignacio Correas, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Didia. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 12/14/2023 Licensee: Todd Pletcher, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Give Me Kisses, who finished fifth at Aqueduct on 12/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 01/14/2024 Licensee: James Tsirigotis, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Melancholy Blues. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 01/03/2024 Licensee: Anthony Dutrow, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Past Tense. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 11/23/2023 Licensee: Peter Miller, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from House of Magic, who finished second at Del Mar on 11/23/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 01/05/2024 Licensee: Rohan Crichton, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Oconee Life. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 01/05/2024 Licensee: Jose Delgado, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Justintimeforwine. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 01/14/2024 Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection 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, Uncle Curly. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. 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: 01/27/2024 Licensee: Geovanni Franco, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Geovanni Franco, who rode King Apollo in the sixth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 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 – first offense in the last sixty (60) days). Track: Santa Anita Date: 01/27/2024 Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode Be Punctual in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on January 26, 2024, is suspended for 3 racing days (February 3, 4 and 9 2024) for crossing over without sufficient clearance going into the first turn, causing interference; a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – careless riding). The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Jan. 23-29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Walshtown Stables' yearling colt by Blue Bresil (Fr) brought a sale-topping €62,000 from Glenvale Stud during the Tattersalls Ireland February National Hunt Sale on Tuesday. The son of Maryota (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) (lot 113) is a half-brother to G1 Tolworth Novices' Hurdle third Mr Glass (Ire) (Sholokhov {Ire}). Under the second dam is multiple Grade 1-winning hurdler Yanworth (GB) (Norse Dancer {Ire}). From the same consignment was another Blue Bresil colt (lot 7) which attracted a winning bid of €50,000 from Niall Bleahen. The bay is a half-brother to G1 Ellier Champion Novice Chase winner Feronily (Ire) (Getaway {Ger}), as the duo are out of Vickeeto (Ire) (Old Vic {GB}). Walk In The Park (Ire)'s son of Fleur d'Ainay (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}) (lot 66) caught the eye of Grange Stud at €43,000. His dam captured a Grade 1 chase in France, and is already responsible for Zurekin (Ire) (Martaline {GB}), a listed winner and third in the G2 Prix La Barka Hurdle. The one-day sale grossed €1,039,200 for 93 sold from 162 offered (57%). The average was €11,174 (-10%) and the median was €7,000 (-18%). Tattersalls Ireland's CEO Simon Kerins said, “The February National Hunt Sale marked a satisfactory start to the trade for the beginning of 2024. We would also like to congratulate Walshtown Stables for yet again bringing a quality draft to market.” The post Blue Bresil Colt Tops February NH Sale At Fairyhouse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association today announced the stakes schedule for the 2024 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet, which will open May 2 and include 32 stakes worth more than $6.6 million in total purses.View the full article

Top-class sprinter Highfield Princess will officially be running under a new training partnership this season as Sean Quinn has joined his father, John, on the license.View the full article

This year's renewal of the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale will have extra appeal to buyers with the addition of the dispersal of the late Robert Lothenbach's breeding stock. The dispersal's offerings, most of whom were supplemented to the auction's catalogue, will be handled by Vinery Sales and Taylor Made Sales Agency. Both consignors emphasized what a unique opportunity the dispersal represented. “Mr. Lothenbach was a great ambassador for racing and he strictly bred to race,” Vinery's Derek MacKenzie said. “He also bought a lot of nice yearlings over the years for racing. And so, none of these families–especially some that go back three and four generations–have ever been on the market. There is soundness and plenty of talent within these families. Under unfortunate circumstances, they are available to the public.” Lothenbach, who passed away in November, was among the leading owners in North America for nearly three decades. Over the last 23 years, his Lothenbach Stables celebrated more than 800 wins and earned more than $30 million. He was a top 10-ranked owner nationally in 2020 and 2022. “He is one of the few guys who bred to race exclusively in this era,” MacKenzie said. Among Vinery's 46 offerings from the dispersal are a pair of mares who won graded stakes in the Lothenbach colors. Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) (hip 476) won the 2020 GI Derby City Distaff S., the 2021 GII Honorable Miss H. and GII Thoroughbred Club of America S. and the 2019 GII Lexus Raven Run S. She was third in the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint. The hard-knocking mare hit the board in 21 of 27 races–including three runnings of the GI Madison S.–with 13 wins and earnings of $2,000,675. “Any international buyer that is seriously playing at the top level would want to have this mare,” MacKenzie said. “She was such a good race filly for so long and she looks fantastic right now. They can take her straight to the shed and breed her to whoever they want. I've got to think she appeals to every continent.” The 8-year-old mare, who RNA'd for $2.6 million at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November sale, was bred to Flightline last year, but sells not in foal after aborting in September. “I was a farm manager for a long time before I got into the sales side and a lot of maidens slip their first ones and never have an issue the rest of their career,” MacKenzie said. “I've seen it a lot. So it's not a worry at all for me. I think anyone with experience with broodmares knows it shouldn't be any kind of issue and she'll be fine going forward.” Vinery's offerings also include She Can't Sing (Bernardini) (hip 485), winner of the 2022 GIII Chilukki S. The 7-year-old broodmare prospect raced 39 times in her career, hitting the board 22 times and earning $883,558. “What a beautiful mare,” MacKenzie said of She Can't Sing. “She ran hard for a while and she's by the right sire in Bernardini, a great broodmare sire. And she has leg and scope. She is taller than most Bernardinis. Again, she should fit any continent, any kind of top-level breeder should take a hard look at trying to get her.” Beyond the pair of graded-stakes winning mares, MacKenzie said he thinks there is plenty to appeal to buyers in the dispersal as the breeding season looms. “There is a group of maiden fillies coming off the racetrack that are pretty interesting that have good looks and talent,” he said. “And there are a couple other younger broodmares in foal to the right sires. So it's going to be a strong showing.” Taylor Made Sales Agency got the Lothenbach dispersal started with a week-long digital offering of 76 horses of racing age which opened Monday and closes Friday. During the Winter Mixed sale next week, the consignment will include 19 short yearlings, all bred by Lothenbach. “I think they represent a really good opportunity right now,” Marshall Taylor said of the offerings. “You look down there at all those pedigrees and who they are by, pedigrees that nobody has really had an opportunity to buy into and then it's a group of very good stallions that Mr. Lothenbach bred to. Normally, you get down to this point and you've got the February sale and there are only so many [yearlings] in the sale. So to have this opportunity with some of the stallions that Mr. Lothenbach bred to, it's a huge opportunity.” After a competitive foal market, next week's Winter Mixed sale offers buyers a final chance to buy short yearlings at public auction this year. “I think the foal market, now short yearling, market has been so strong,” Taylor said. “You look at November and it was really hard to buy. The good foals were bringing a lot of money and selling very well. That carried on to January. So having this dispersal with these short yearlings, I think there is going to be a strong market for them. I think there are a lot of people out there that still want to buy a good baby by a good stallion. And I think all of that is just going to carry over to this sale.” With the digital portion of the dispersal in full swing, Taylor said he was seeing plenty of interest for the horses of racing age this week and requests for information on many of those horses' siblings who will be on offer on-site at Fasig-Tipton next week. “Right now, we just started the racehorse dispersal [Monday], so there has been a lot of interest there,” Taylor said. “We've had a lot of calls on the short yearlings, too. People calling us asking what they look like, a lot of different pinhookers have been asking about them. Mr. Lothenbach has a lot of nice horses in the digital sale and a lot of these babies are half-siblings.” From the digital sale through the Winter sale, Taylor kept coming back to that word–opportunity. “From an overall picture on all of Mr. Lothenbach's offerings, from the mares, to the racehorses, to the babies–especially with the fillies–to have the opportunity to buy into these families is a rare thing. Mr. Lothenbach was a straight breed-to-race guy and nobody has ever had the opportunity to buy into these families. He has a lot of nice families, so there are going to be some big opportunities.” The Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday at Newtown Paddocks. Both sessions of the auction begin at 10 a.m. The post Lothenbach Dispersal a Unique Opportunity for Buyers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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