Wandering Eyes

Friday, December 22 promises an exciting day of horse racing with seven meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Cranbourne meeting. Friday Racing Tips – December 22, 2023 Cranbourne Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For December 22, 2023 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $27.04 odds return: Friday, December 22, 2023 Cranbourne – Race 3 #7 The Mansman Cranbourne – Race 5 #5 Speranzoso Wagga – Race 3 #2 Underpants Mackay – Race 7 #5 Devil Kick | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on December 22, 2023, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. More horse racing tips View the full article

Star sprinter’s Group One wins, progressive Encountered’s black-type victory and governing body’s new criteria prolong 66-year-old handler’s careerView the full article

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission has suspended Danny Hamilton, the clerk of scales at Presque Isle Downs, for 30 days following his failure to weigh out jockeys before the eighth race at the Erie, Pa., track Oct. 11.View the full article

City Of Troy (Justify), a winner of the G1 Dewhurst S. and the Cartier Champion 2-Year-Old Colt, will likely not have to contend with stablemate and fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, Aidan O'Brien confirmed. The former, all being well, would then head to the G1 Derby at Epsom, while the latter, a winner of the G1 National S., is possible for the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas before a crack at the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot in June or the G1 Prix du Jockey Club in France. Both Coolmore partners' colts received heavy praise from O'Brien during their juvenile seasons. “I'd imagine that City Of Troy and Henry Longfellow will be kept apart for as long as the lads want to do that,” O'Brien told Sporting Life. “We're obviously thinking that City of Troy will be trained for Newmarket and then Henry Longfellow might be trained for France. “If everything went well with City Of Troy at Newmarket, he could go straight on to Epsom whereas the other horse could do the Curragh and Ascot or something like that. There's lots of scenarios that could happen I suppose.” Out of Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), City Of Troy has yet to taste defeat in three starts, while also sporting a win in the G2 Superlative S. and has continued to draw attention and rave reviews from the master of Ballydoyle. He added, “He's the first horse we've had come along to show such class and courage, without us feeling that we've got to the last gear yet. “He always had lovely balance, a lovely shape and a lovely mind. He was a lovely size of a horse, not too big and not too small. He looked the ideal horse all the way along really.” The post City Of Troy And Henry Longfellow To Likely Be Kept Separate During Classic Campaigns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last December, Sibelius used a victory in the $125,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park as a segue to a whirlwind winter campaign that culminated with a winning performance in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) in March.View the full article

The 19th season of horse racing at Zia Park was a record-setting one on several fronts with new standards set for average daily handle, purses and safety on the racetrack during the 30-day mixed Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred meet.View the full article

The 19th season of horse racing at Zia Park was a record setting one on several fronts with new standards set for average daily handle, purses and safety during the 30-day mixed Quarter Horse/Thoroughbred meet, the PENN Entertainment-owned track said in a release Thursday afternoon. An average daily handle of $830,371 was up 72% from the 48-date meet in 2022 to set a new track record and was the highest daily handled recorded by a racetrack in the state of New Mexico since 2010. Live handle was up an equally impressive 47% from 2022. Five of the tracks ten all-time highest daily handles were recorded in 2023 and all coming in the last 15 days of the meet. Purses were a big reason in driving the average Thoroughbred field size to nearly nine horses per race (8.91) versus last year's 7.45 per race figure. Average daily overnight purses totaled $344,067, both a track and New Mexico record. Total average daily purses, including stakes, was $432,767. Racing safety also set records with only two racing catastrophic injuries the entire meet resulting in a rate of 0.74 per 1000 starters–the lowest ever recorded for Zia Park and nearly 50% lower than the national average for dirt races as published by the Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database. There was one training catastrophic injury during training which began Oct. 1. “From all metrics the meet was a great success–records set for wagering, purses and in safety as well,” said Lauren Barrows, Vice President and General Manager. “We thank all our guests, horsemen and racing participants and team members for having a part in delivering those impressive numbers.” Todd Fincher won his third straight training title, while jockey Luis Fuentes secured his second straight leading rider title. The leading Thoroughbred owners were J. Kirk and Judy Robison. The post Wagering And Purse Records Fall At Zia Park’s 2023 Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Stable Recovery is a rehabilitation program in Lexington, Kentucky that provides a safe living environment and a peer-driven, therapeutic community for men in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Along with going to 12-step meetings and support groups, residents attend the School of Horsemanship at Taylor Made Farm to learn a new vocation in the Thoroughbred industry. The School of Horsemanship is a project that was created by Taylor Made two years ago and has since seen over 100 men go through the program. Many of those graduates have gone on to pursue a career in an equine-related field. Spy Coast Farm, Brook Ledge, Hallway Feeds, Will Walden Racing, Rood & Riddle, WinStar Farm and Godolphin have recently partnered with Stable Recovery as the program looks to expand its reach throughout Lexington. In this month's installment of TDN's series, 'The Road Back,' we introduce you to graduate Joshua Franks, now program coordinator for the School of Horsemanship. When Joshua Franks speaks about horses and the impact they've had on his life, the passion reverberates through every spoken word. But it was only a year and a half ago that Franks first laid a hand on a horse, a moment he remembers vividly. “It was at Keeneland, in Barn 10, and the horse was Big Lake [American Pharoah]. It was like I touched a ghost. Walking up to that horse, it was just magical.” It marked a turning point in Franks' life. A page was opening to the start of a new chapter, one driven by faith, purpose and passion, that would pave over a past marred by drug addiction and incarceration. Taylor Made Stallion Complex sign | Sarah Andrew “I was born in California, but my mom and dad separated at a young age and then my mom moved back to Kentucky, so I grew up in Boone County. I lived with a single mom and two younger brothers. We lived in poverty,” said Franks. “In my household, I didn't grow up with goals. My mom didn't know how to love, there wasn't a lot of love in the home, so growing up, I felt lost and alone. I got addicted to drugs at a young age and from there it spiraled out of control.” His issues with drug use eventually led him to prison, where he served a 10-year sentence. After he was released in 2020, he entered Recovery Works, a comprehensive inpatient addiction treatment center in Georgetown, Ky. It was there that he heard about Stable Recovery and its partner, the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship. At this point, according to Franks, God stepped in. Because though he'd fallen down a path that many don't come back from, the light that kept him going was a hope that one day he would end up working within the Thoroughbred industry in some capacity. And the inspiration behind that? It was none other than the queen herself, Zenyatta (Street Cry). “I believe she kind of changed the whole direction of my life. I used to watch Zenyatta race and she was electric. She touched me in a way that I can't even describe. She would bring tears to my eyes. Every hair on my arm would stand up when I watched her, and when she lost her last race, it just captured my heart,” said Franks. “I always wondered how to get here, how to get to Lexington to work with horses, but I never had that outlet. I think God knew in the depths of my heart what I truly loved. He met me where I was.” Franks came to Taylor Made to enter Stable Recovery and partake in the School of Horsemanship program in July of 2022, soaking up everything he could in the barn and on the farm, before graduating and heading out to join fellow School of Horsemanship graduate Will Walden at the track. He worked as the foreman of the young trainer's stable, a time highlighted by a first stakes victory for the Walden team when Kate's Kingdom (Animal Kingdom) took the 2022 My Charmer Stakes at Turfway Park. Joshua Franks | Kelcey Loges/Taylor Made Farm Though Franks did struggle with a two-day relapse while on the road, he returned to Taylor Made last December to continue to work on himself, his sobriety and his career as a horseman. “I think God took my pain, with addiction and all of that, and gave me something that would really touch my heart. It's really special,” said Franks. Things have come full circle for the 37-year-old, who now works full-time as the program coordinator for the School of Horsemanship. “The biggest thing about this program is that we're trying to help people stay sober. It isn't necessarily about trying to change the horse industry, you know that comes with it along the way, but first and foremost we want to save lives,” said Franks. “The best advice I'd give people is to seek God and trust God. That's something I've done every day. I hit my knees, day and night, and throughout the day. He's developed something that's astronomical for a guy like me.” Franks spends day in and day out with the men in the program that spans 90 days, teaching recovering individuals' life skills and employable skills through working with the horses on the farm, participating in support groups and attending 12-step meetings. “When they come in, I try to lead them in recovery first and then into horses. I tell them all the time, 'This job will always be here.' When it comes down to it, I want them to stay sober and develop a good foundation,” said Franks. One of the most crucial aspects of the program is instituting structure, something that a lot of the participants have never had in their lives. During the program they go to work daily, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while also keeping up with a schedule throughout the week that includes Monday Motivation classes, School of Horsemanship meetings on Wednesdays, Community meetings on Thursdays and in-house meetings, called 'Off to the Races,' on Saturdays. “A lot of us didn't grow up with that stuff, we didn't grow up with structure, so it's a really intense 90 days. This program is like no other. [CEO] Christian [Countzler] is very stern, he expects things to go a certain way, which I appreciate. I've been other places where as bad as it is, there's drugs filling these places, there's no accountability, while here, Christian demands that. All the outside issues, we don't have to deal with those. We're here to recover and to help each other recover,” said Franks. “It goes hand-in-hand with how detailed the horse industry is. From the way the blankets are folded, to bandages, to medical charts, to bringing your horses in in the morning and checking to make sure they're well, with no cuts or swelling. It all comes down to structure and accountability.” As much as the program places an emphasis on the individual's well-being and progress in their journey to sobriety, it also helps them build comradery and a recovery network amongst their peers and the staff. Joshua Franks | Kelcey Loges/Taylor Made Farm “What I try to do in my barn is to gain momentum behind guys, find out what they're good at and team build around them, getting them pointed in the right direction. Getting them to work together, lean on each other, that's important. Sometimes throughout the day I might stop the barn, get them all together and rally them. I think momentum is key with recovery,” said Franks. “When they get out of treatment, most of them haven't seen the doctor, or maybe they have court stuff going on, so we try to get all of that taken care of in those 90 days. That way, when they gain full-time employment, they already have that foundation set. “They come in here broken, they need to feel good about themselves, so I try to place them in good positions to help build themselves up.” Franks, who is just days away from celebrating his one-year anniversary of sobriety on Dec. 24, admits that if he'd told his younger self that this is where he'd be at this point in his life, he would have never believed it. But when he looks back on the places he's been, a valley of lows and lower, Franks knows he has found renewed purpose and a true home in the presence of horses. “I heard Will Walden say this and it's so true: the horse doesn't ask where I'm from or what I've done, they accept me as who I am. They are the heroes. They are the therapeutic value in this thing for guys like me,” he said. “What I've noticed is that most of your broken souls don't have any family support, just like myself when I came into this. My mother is deceased, my father is deceased, I never really had family growing up, that was nonexistent, so the horses became my friends. It was tough for me sitting here when they would have family days and I would have no one show or call, but the horses, they're the ones that were there for me.” If you come out to Taylor Made and look around, you'll likely see someone working on the farm that is in recovery. But it's not until you've seen a man working with a horse, standing there with a glimmer of hope in his eye, that you understand the true impact of the program developed by Frank Taylor and Countzler. A shining testament to that, Franks gives the utmost credit to the program, Taylor Made and the Thoroughbred industry as a whole for where he is today. “Nobody could put this together but God. He takes our pain and he develops it into something magnificent,” he said. “I will say this. Though I loved her dearly, my mom and I weren't close and she didn't know how to express her love. But the only thing I knew about my mom was that her favorite animal was a horse. I'm not sure if that was passed on to me, but I do believe she looks over me every day on this farm. “Everyone has been so supportive of Stable Recovery. This is a non-profit organization and to know that there are people around the world that care about us enough to help get us back on our feet and heading in the right direction, it's special. I'm very grateful.” The post The Road Back: Joshua Franks, A Story Of Horses, Hope And Healing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dynamic One hasn't raced since finishing sixth in the 2022 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).View the full article

"If we can get him trained up a little bit, by the time (my daughter Edy) is ready for a proper horse he should be ready," said Brittany Russell.View the full article

The 14-strong Darley Japan roster and fees for 2024 were announced on Thursday morning. Leading the way with a ¥4 million fee is GI Forego S. victor Pyro, who is standing his 14th season in Japan. The sire of eight stakes winners is joined by former American-based transplants and Yoshida (Jpn), who will stand for ¥3.5 million and ¥1.5 million, respectively. Palace Malice, a half-brother to Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Iron Barows (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) who will face off in Sunday's G1 Arima Kinen, sired his second top-level winner, the Asahi Hai Futurity S. hero Jantar Mantar (Jpn), just this past weekend. The other pair of newcomers will be standing their first seasons in 2024, with G1 Derby and G1 King George hero Adayar (Ire) priced at ¥1.8 million. The 2023 King George winner Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a full-brother to the crack miler Baaeed (GB), is priced at ¥1.2 million. The complete roster and fees for Darley Japan are as follows: Pyro, ¥4 million Palace Malice, ¥3.5 million Thunder Snow (Ire), ¥2 million Fine Needle (Jpn), ¥1.8 million Adayar (Ire), ¥1.8 million Yoshida (Jpn), ¥1.5 million Tower Of London (Jpn), ¥1.5 million American Patriot, ¥1.5 million Will Take Charge, ¥1.2 million Talismanic (GB), ¥1.2 million Hukum (Ire), ¥1.2 million Hawkbill, ¥500,000 Furioso (Jpn), ¥500,000 Admire Moon (Jpn), private. Shotaro Kajiya, Darley Japan nominations manager, said, “We are proud to announce the addition of four new stallions next season, two from Europe and two from the U.S., making for an attractive line-up covering a wide variety of bloodlines and racing categories. We would like to thank you for the many applications we have already received, especially for Palace Malice, who is rapidly gaining popularity. “Next year will also be an important year with the debut of Tower Of London's first crop, who is highly regarded by all. We will continue to strive to meet the expectations of owners and breeders by introducing the best stallions from around the world while offering attractive terms. “We look forward to your continued generous support.” The post Pyro Leads Darley Japan Roster, Which Features Quartet Of New Recruits appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Champion reinsman Blair Orange has won nearly all of New Zealand’s most prestigious races in recent seasons, but if he is able to claim victory in the Canada Stakes it might just top them all. Orange will compete in the newly conceived event named after Canada Broad, who has been battling terminal cancer this year. Canada’s father, Jason Broad, is not only a very popular figure in southern harness racing circles, he is the general manager of the Southern Harness Racing organization and a good friend of Orange’s. The pair’s friendship has strengthened, with the reinsman staying with Broad on his trips south to drive over the past several seasons. Given his association with the family, Orange would dearly love to win the Canada’s special race. “For sure, it would be right at the top of the list,” the reinsman said. “It is going to be a very emotional race whoever wins it.” “Jase and I have become really good mates; I have been staying with him the last few years on my trips down.” “He keeps me informed, and I always ask him how things are going with Canada.” “It is a really hard thing their family is going through.” “It is going to be a really special day on Friday, and as I’ve said, it is going to be very emotional no matter who wins the race.” Canada Broad will be with her family at Invercargill’s huge Group One Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup Day meeting to watch the race named after her. She will be presenting race winners with a trophy, flower garland, and dress rug. Orange links up with the Kirstin Green-trained Bettor Sensation in the feature event. While the filly isn’t rated among the top picks for the race, she has legitimate winning hopes. “She is in with a chance; she is a handy wee horse,” Orange said. “If she gets a bit of luck, she should go a nice race.” “It would definitely be a huge thrill to be able to win the race, and I’ll be doing everything I can to do it.” As well as competing in the Canada Stakes, Orange was involved in the organising of the race, canvassing trainers to nominate their fillies for the event. That work has helped produce a stellar field for the three-year-old fillies’ feature. Amore Infida looks the horse to beat in the race for Mark and Nathan Purdon from barrier 1. Treacherous Gall beat the All Stars pacer home in her latest start in the New Zealand Oaks and she looks a huge winning threat despite drawing barrier 8. View the full article

By Michael Guerin If you have a trotter who isn’t quite doing things right here is your early Christmas present: The Master has room at the inn. Freakish trainer of trotter Paul Nairn was doing what he does best at Ashburton on Thursday, training and driving El Conqueror to win a lower grade trot. But while Nairn is absolutely still the man with trotters, due to a few unforseen circumstances he has a couple of stalls free, which is rare for him. “This time last year I had too many horses and couldn’t get enough staff but now I have good staff and things are well set up but less horses,” says Nairn. The dip in horsepower has nothing to do with demand, more than Nairn only usually trains a small team and rarely says yes to many new owners so they stop asking. “We have lost a few horses, all for good reasons,” explains Nairn. “Head Em Up was sold to Australia and has gone to Queensland after his big win at Addington. “And Confessional was just going through a patch of not racing as well as he can so we have decided to turn him out for a long spell. “Then we sent Resolve north where she will stay with John Dickie, all going well, until Rowe Cup time. “So I have less numbers than usual and while I have a few to come back after Christmas, now I think about it, I suppose we could take a few more.” El Conqueror’s programme next week sums up Nairn’s unusual ways after his last-stride win on Thursday. “He will go to Westport but he won’t race on the first day,” says Nairn. “He has this race today so I will let him have the first day off then he can run the second day and at Reefton.” That doesn’t mean Nairn will be short of firepower in the main trot on Tuesday though as he is taking Tu Tangata to the meeting as well as a maiden named High Noon. Tu Tangata will undergo one of the great class drops of the year when he lines up in a R51 and faster trot off a 10m handicap after having finished seventh in the Dominion at his previous start. “He should be suited over there,” says Nairn in typcial understatement. Other highlights on the Ashburton card included four driving successes for John Dunn, three of them trained by Dunn racing. And Joseph Gray extending his personal best season when he trained Motor Mouth to win the last for his 9th win of the year, which is two more than last season which was, in turn, one more than the season before. View the full article

By Michael Guerin In a sport of great comebacks few, maybe none, can match Ricky May. The enormously popular Mid-Canterbury horseman heads to Invercargill today to partner favourite Beach Ball in the $110,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup, the only group 1 race in New Zealand this weekend. May is enjoying being a serious player in our biggest races again, a role he held for three decades thanks to horses like Inky Lord, Iraklis, Christian Cullen, Monkey King and Terror To Love. They helped make May the most successful reinsman in the history of our biggest race, having driven a record seven New Zealand Trotting Cup winners, and that was going to be his most famous accomplishment until January 2, 2000. In less than two weeks it will be four years since May collapsed and for a very short time died, falling from the sulky when leading a race at Omakau in Central Otago, saved by the quick actions of those on track and later by having an operation on his heart. After being diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, which can cause the heart to stop with no warning, May had a cardioverter defibrillator implanted in his chest. It delivers a shock through a wire which runs into a chamber of the heart if it plays up again. Nearly four years later it is so far, so good even though May hasn’t strictly stuck to the doctor’s guidelines. “I did all the stuff they told me, like not driving a car and I didn’t drive in a race for over six months,” May tells the Herald. “But they told me to be careful around some electrical stuff like electric fences, chainsaws and even welding. “So I am careful around the fences but I have to admit I use the chainsaw because nobody else here (family farm) wants to do that. “But to be honest I have had no real issues with my heart at all since it all happened and I try not to think about it much. “My health is pretty good, my work load isn’t as big at it used to be but that is also because I am 65 now.” So does a racing champion who has been to death’s door and is now at many people’s retirement age still look forward to a day at the Invercargill trots? “I am still really enjoying the driving and if I thought I was losing it I’d give up. “But we have Maurice (McKendry) and Tony (Herlihy) out there still driving group 1 winners so I can do the same. “It definitely helps being behind a good horse too.” Beach Ball is better than a good horse, finally developing the manners to match his motor and has been harness racing’s most dramatic improver this spring. He was third in the New Zealand Cup and smashed Self Assured when able to lead last start and May says he would like to be in front at some stage over the 3200m at today’s twilight meeting. “If he can get around to lead he will be very hard to beat because he seems to be a good space at the moment. “I think most of those on the front line (Beach Ball starts on 10m) would hand up if we take off and the key for us will be staying in front of Self Assured.” The latter has also staged a comeback this spring, although nothing to match May’s, after looking finished as an open class force before a stunning NZ Free-For-All win in November. Tempo and tactics should determine whether he can overcome his 20m backmark today in a race where Mossdale Ben and American Me appeal as the dangers and best place bets. Also facing a challenging handicap today is Dominion hero Oscar Bonavena (R6, No.10) but he is aided by having only eight rivals and the only one really capable of beating him would seem to be the enigmatic Smokin Bandar if he can behave himself and eventually reach the lead from the 10m mark. The open class races aside the meeting runs very deep, with class age group performers in most races. View the full article

Henry Argueta, formerly the assistant to the now-imprisoned trainer Jason Servis, was sentenced to a prison term of “time served” and two years of supervised release after working out a cooperative plea bargain with prosecutors in the wide-ranging 2020 racehorse doping conspiracy case that has already netted several dozen convictions. The sentencing paperwork filed Dec. 21 for Argueta's final judgment in United States District Court (Southern District of New York) stated that he pleaded guilty to three felony charges listed in a superseding information document in exchange for other charges in a separate indictment being dropped. The court records did not state how much time Argueta had already served. The judgment also stated that Argueta must pay more than $28 million in restitution to an undisclosed list of victims. The documentation did not list a specific payment plan. It is common for convicts of federal crimes who don't have the means to pay exorbitantly large restitutions to never pay more than a fraction of the court-ordered amount, although the penalty is never legally forgiven and the government can continue to try and collect it up to 20 years after a criminal's sentence expires. Separately, Argueta's court filing stated that, “As a result of the offenses charged in Counts One and Two of the Information, to which the Defendant pled guilty, a money judgment in the amount of $311,760 [representing] the amount of forfeitable property involved in the offenses charged [is] jointly and severally liable with the Co-Defendants…” But the documentation went on to state that because Servis, who got sentenced to four years in prison on July 26, has already paid that $311,760, “the Government shall credit the Servis Payment against the Money Judgment and the [Argueta] Money Judgment will be fully satisfied.” Argueta's name surfaced on multiple occasions in a trove of wiretapped evidence that prosecutors had planned to introduce at trails. But the feds didn't have to use the vast majority of those taped telephone phone conversations and intercepted text messages, because the highest-profile defendants in the case all ended up cutting guilty-plea deals instead of taking their chances facing a jury. On July 10, 2019, Servis and Argueta were listed in a transcript allegedly discussing concerns about getting caught administering performance-enhancing drugs to Thoroughbreds. Servis: Be careful man, Henry, with that. Really careful, because … Argueta: Yes? Servis: Because we are getting really good. Argueta: Yeah, no. Servis: All we need is a problem like that. Oh, with [Maximum Security crossing the finish wire first but getting disqualified for interference in the] Derby and [expletive]. Oh, my God! Argueta and Servis then discussed the likelihood that authorities would be on the lookout for them to see if they were doping horses. Argueta: Yeah, but what are they going to see? Nobody going to see nothing. What are they going to see? Nothing. Servis: Right. Argueta: We don't do nothing–ha, ha! They can look wherever they want to look. The post Argueta, Assistant To Trainer Servis, Sentenced To ‘Time Served’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Almost €15,000 was raised at the Octobre Rose fundraising initiative in association with the Centre Francois Baclesse in the fight against cancer during the Arqana October Yearling Sale, the sales company announced on Thursday. Beginning on Monday, Oct. 16 and lasting through Friday, Oct. 20, vendors and members of the Arqana team took part in a charity step challenge. Their participation and the sale of 556 caps, raised a total of €14,329.89 for charity, with all proceeds going to the cause. The Centre Francois Baclesse, located in Caen, Normandy, is one of 18 cancer centres in France. The funds raised will support the centre's triple mission of care, research and teaching. The post Octobre Rose Cancer Fundraiser A Success appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A longtime racetrack employee and the current Clerk of Scales at Churchill Downs Inc.-owned Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania was suspended by the State Horse Racing Commission's Bureau of Thoroughbred Horse Racing for 30 days beginning Jan. 8. Danny Hamilton was found by the stewards to have neglected to weigh-out jockeys before the eighth race Oct. 11. Director of Enforcement Jason Klouser, who led the investigation, said, “The Racing Commission's investigators observed Danny Hamilton failing to weigh-out the jockeys for race 8, which is a violation of numerous sections of Pennsylvania's rules of racing.” Klouser added, “At this point, the investigation into Hamilton's activities is ongoing to determine if there were any other violations.” According to the stewards ruling which is posted on the commission's website, part of the duties of the clerk of the scales and/or their assistant is to preside over the racing process from when the jockeys assemble before the race to weigh-out, all the way through its conclusion when they come off the course to weigh-in. Hamilton appeared this past summer on an episode of Horse Racing Today co-hosted by Jamie Martinez in which he discussed his experiences and delved into his duties as a clerk. On that program, Hamilton said, “We run a very tight ship here at Presque Isle.” When asked what happens if a rider's weight is off when he or she comes off the course, the clerk said with a laugh, “Well then we have real problems! Then the Racing Commission gets involved and stuff gets really real.” He went on to say, “But we don't have that problem, all the riders come back heavier than what they went out. So, if you go out at 124 [pounds], chances are you're going to come in at 126 [pounds], 127 [pounds], because the saddle towel, the pad, the horse's are sweaty, it soaks up into the pad and saddle towel … it weighs a lot. If they come back lighter than they went out, major problem, if they come back heavier, then you're good to go.” Growing up around racetracks, including Beulah Park and Delaware Park, Hamilton as recently as 2019 served as an inspector for the Ohio State Racing Commission. Since then, he's had several other stops at locations such as Oaklawn Park, where he was an integrity officer. Hamilton was hired as the clerk of scales by Presque Isle Downs earlier this year after he was the horse identifier at the course during the 2022 season. An attempt was made to contact the track's Director of Racing, Matthew Ennis, but several messages were not returned. Currently, Hamilton is serving as a placing judge at Fair Grounds, which is also owned by Churchill Downs Inc. Klouser confirmed that, “We have notified the Louisiana Racing Commission of the pending suspension.” As for the ruling, Hamilton is denied access to all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission and does have the right to appeal. He was unable to be reached for comment. The post Clerk Of Scales At Presque Isle Downs Suspended For Failure To Weigh-Out Jockeys appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Schenectady Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order Thursday that put a halt on the New York Gaming Commission's efforts to disqualify Forte (Violence) from his win in the 2022 GI Hopeful S. at Saratoga and suspend trainer Todd Pletcher. Acting on behalf of Pletcher and owners Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, attorney Drew Mollica filed an Article 78 appeal. Article 78 appeals are lawsuits mainly used to challenge an action, or inaction, by agencies of New York State and local governments. The New York Gaming Commission has alleged that Forte tested positive for meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, widely prescribed to treat osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and is sold under the brand name Mobic. Forte was disqualified and Pletcher was issued a 10-day suspension and fined $1,000. The Forte team has used Dr. Steven A. Barker, considered one of the foremost experts in equine drug testing and research, as a witness and Barker has said that 500 picograms or .5 nanograms of meloxicam was detected in Forte's system. Barker said he believes that such a low level of the medication would not impact a horse's performance and that the small amount is indicative of environmental contamination. A hearing was granted by the Gaming Commission, which voted unanimously to uphold a recommendation from a hearing officer. After that decision, Forte's legal team took the next step and went to court. The case is scheduled to resurface on Jan. 9, at which time the court can issue a permanent injunction. “We look forward to appellate review of one of the most unfair, egregious hearing processes and commission orders that I have ever seen,” Mollica said. “The facts will show that not only did Mr. Pletcher break no gaming commission rule, the rule by which he was charged has no applicability at all and the hearing was constitutionally flawed.” Mollica also argued that the amount found in the horse's system did not merit a violation. He said that Dr. George Maylin, the director of the New York Equine Drug Testing Programs, agreed with that finding and stated as much when going before the hearing officer. “The scientific finding alleged by the Gaming Commission did not meet the standard of a violation,” Mollica said. “Dr. George Maylin, the nation's foremost equine pharmacologist, testified as much at the hearing. It should be noted that Dr. Maylin did not testify for the prosecution, in this case the Gaming Commission, but testified for the defense. That speaks volumes. We look forward to an impartial review of this matter. After reviewing the transcript of the hearing all I can say is that this was a travesty of justice.” Once the positive finding was revealed Repole has been adamant that the disqualification was unwarranted and vowed to fight. “I spent $20 million last year on horses, I can spend $20 million fighting this case,” he said in May. “I think long-term this is going to be good for racing. This whole process, though sad and pathetic, has been a great learning experience for me.” The post Pletcher-Forte Team Granted Temporary Restraining Order On Hopeful DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Windylea Farm holds the distinction of being the only owner to wrest a New York Racing Association meet title away from perennial leaders Klaravich Stables this year when securing honors at the Aqueduct Racetrack winter meet.View the full article

The Japan Racing Association has formed a joint cooperation committee with the BHA and Horse Racing Ireland with the goal of developing initiatives and working practices for the benefit of the sport.View the full article

Regarding the Great White Way fiasco: The stewards made a huge mistake! We all make them. It happens in football all the time! When it happens there are no calls to remove the Commissioner. As in this situation, there should be no calls to remove Jockey Club leadership. What is needed is to look at the Stewards box. Stewards involved should be interviewed, past decisions reviewed and what we need is industry-wide implementation to improve the process. Possibly a fourth person “in the booth” might help when a foul occurs. Evaluation of current requirements, education, improved training, age requirements, cognitive skills, etc. Whatever blame rests 100% with the stewards in this case! –Jerry Bilinski DVM, former New York Racing Chairman The post Letter To The Editor: Dr. Jerry Bilinski On the Great White Way DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pleasant Acres Stallions welcomed to its roster GISP Simplification (Not This Time), who will stand the 2024 season for $6,500, the Florida farm said in a release Thursday. “We are pleased to bring a talented son of Not this Time into our stallion barn at Pleasant Acres Stallions,” said Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones. “Simplification is a hometown hero for all of us in Florida and we are certain breeders will benefit from breeding to this Champion Horse-of-the-Year, Florida-bred, graded stakes winner.” Bred by France and Irwin Weiner and owned by Tami Bobo, as a juvenile Simplification broke his maiden by an impressive 16 3/4 lengths at Gulfstream Park. The Antonio Sano trainee began his 3-year-old campaign with a front-running four-length victory in the Mucho Macho Man S., then finished as the runner-up in the GIII Holy Bull S. Next, he won the GII Fountain of Youth S., finished third in the GI Florida Derby and was fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby. At four, he placed third in the GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile S. and fifth in the GIII Ghostzapper S. before he retired with career earnings of nearly $900,000. The son of Not this Time is out of the Candy Ride daughter, Simply Confection, who was named 2022 FTBOA Broodmare of the Year. The new stallion joins the likes of Bodexpress (Bodemeister), Doppelganger (Into Mischief) and Gunnevera (Dialed In) at the 220-acre farm located just northwest of Ocala. The post Florida Horse Of The Year Simplification Arrives At Pleasant Acres For Stud Duty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With War Like Goddess scheduled to race next year at age 7 and Just F Y I set to embark on a 3-year-old campaign, owner George Krikorian can look forward to much in 2024. Even late 2023. View the full article

Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Invercargill View the full article

Jonny Turner’s selections for Invercargill. Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 3.36pm 8 Hot Saucy Betty 9 Bill Bootit 16 Joeking Race 2 4.12pm 2 Bowlem Over 1 Scruffy 13 Nek Delight 10 Durrant Race 3 4.44pm 4 Moonlite Dream 8 Aint No Angel 13 Kikorangi Blue 7 Tayla Me Race 4 5.16pm 7 Bring On The Muscle 10 Imperial Man 9 Pyramid Mystic 14 Aroha Kenny Race 5 5.54pm 4 Treacherous Baby 1 Mallory Maguire 7 Ruby Roe 6 Always Ticking Race 6 6.34pm 10 Oscar Bonavena 9 Majestic Man 7 Smokin Bandar 4 Aveross Majesty Race 7 7.02pm 1 Amore Infida 8 Treacherous Gall 9 Takeitout Race 8 7.39pm 8 Beach Ball 9 Self Assured 2 American Me 7 Mossdale Ben Race 9 8.07pm 4 South Seas Rock 10 Pinseeker 14 Jimmy James Maguire 13 Deceptive Lee Race 10 8.32pm 1 Ultimate Weapon 5 Munroe’s Mate 10 Dawson 9 Northview Sweet Race 11 8.59pm 10 Rise Up N Dance 1 Millwood Indie 11 Rakamurph 13 Point Break View the full article