Wandering Eyes

Race 2 ICON SECURITY SYSTEMS MAIDEN 1400 MORLICH (R Elliot) – Trainer Mr. G Old advised Stewards he was satisfied with the post-race condition of gelding, and it is his intention to carry on with MORLICH’S preparation. The post Racing Tauranga, Friday, 15 December 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Santa Anita Park kicks off its 89th anniversary year of operation Dec. 26 with a traditional day-after-Christmas opening-day program.View the full article

Santa Anita Park will again honor and reward vital members of its workforce beginning with its Classic Meet opener Dec. 26, as one groom per race will receive a $50 gift card via the track's "Best Turned Out" program, presented by AVION LAW. View the full article

Zarica etched her name in French racing history at Marseille Pont de Vivaux the evening of Dec. 19 when recording a 12th success for 2023.View the full article

1/ST Racing announced Dec. 20 the newly upgraded Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational (G2T) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 27 will become an automatic qualifier for the Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood Racecourse.View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment announced Dec. 20 the 2023 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of CA$613,125,180. 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 the key rulings from the last seven days is the saga surrounding Tankinator, a horse at the centre of two positfives within 17 days. On Oct. 21, Tankinator finished 6th at Delaware Park. Tankinator was claimed out of Webster Gayle's barn that day before running again on Nov. 7 for Bonnie Lucas at Parx Racing. Tankinator was pulled up and vanned off in that race. It's unclear whether Tankinator was euthanized. In pending rulings posted on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) website, the 5-year-old gelding's post-race sample after his Oct. 21 appearance tested positive for the corticosteroid Dexamethasone, a controlled drug commonly used as an anti-inflammatory. Tankinator's post-race sample after his Nov. 7 run tested positive for Xylazine, a controlled drug that can be used to sedate or tranquilize horses. According to a HIWU spokesperson, the notice for the first positive test was sent out after the horse ran again on Nov. 7, as the post-claim owner would not have had the option to void the claim through HISA without being aware of the first positive test. Gayle and the post-claim owner were alerted to the dexamethasone positive at the same time, the spokesperson added. In a separate case, trainer Michael Lauer was handed down a two and ½ month suspension after his horse, Mowins, had tested positive for the diabetes drug, Metformin, after finishing third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Aug. 5. He was also fined $2,600. Lauer's suspension began on Oct. 12. HISA lists Metformin as a banned drug, meaning it comes with a possible two-year suspension. According to the case resolution posted on HIWU's website, the groom looking after Mowins had a prescription for Metformin, which he took twice daily. The day of the race, the groom, Jorge Ceballos, took the medication during lunch, before preparing Mowins for the race, “which included putting the bridle in Mowins' mouth,” according to the case resolution. HIWU agreed that “Mr. Lauer was able to establish the source of Metformin by a balance of probability was unintentional contamination by Mr. Ceballos during his pre-race grooming preparations,” according to the case resolution. Trainers Jeffrey Englehart and A. Ferris Allen were each issued seven-day suspensions and $1,000 fines for Phenylbutazone positives. Phenylbutazone is a Class C controlled medication. For both trainers, the sanctions handed down constituted their second Class C substance violations under HISA. 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: 11/05/2023 Licensee: Anthony Farrior, trainer Penalty: No penalty. Equine anti-doping charges withdrawn. B Sample volume insufficient for analysis. Explainer: For the presence of Metformin-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Geothermal, who raced at Laurel Park on 11/5/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Read more on the story here. Date: 10/28/2023 Licensee: Tony Lello, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Reel Em In. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 10/25/2023 Licensee: Joe Pizzurro, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Atlantic Firestorm. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/28/2023 Licensee: Terry Eoff, 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 Methocarbomal-Controlled Medications (Class C)-in a sample taken from Kentucky Dawn, who finished second at Remington Park on 9/28/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/01/2023 Licensee: A. Ferris Allen, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 13, 2023; 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 $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Aristocratic, who finished second at Colonial Downs at 9/1/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 08/05/2023 Licensee: Michael Lauer, trainer Penalty: Two and ½ month (i.e., 75-day) period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on October 12, 2023; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on August 31, 2023 (already served); Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results obtained on 08/05/23 and 08/23/23, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,600. Final decision of HIWU, and admission. Explainer: For the presence of Metformin-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Mowins who finished third at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/5/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Date: 07/17/2023 Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility, beginning on December 13, 2023; 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 $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Graywing, who finished fourth at Finger Lakes on 7/17/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. Pending ADMC Violations Date: 11/29/2023 Licensee: Lacey Gaudet, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Graceful Union. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 11/25/2023 Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314-Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method-on the horse, Hello Jack. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222-Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 11/14/2023 Licensee: Robert Lucas, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Shake N Fries. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/13/2023 Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sugar Fish. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/13/2023 Licensee: Librado Barocio, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Barristan the Bold. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/13/2023 Licensee: Ron Rozell, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Pemoline-a banned substance-in a sample taken from Bavaria. This was a possible violation of Rule 3212-Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/08/2023 Licensee: Ilmar Loaiza, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Roseinthesky, who finished second at Finger Lakes on 11/8/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 11/07/2023 Licensee: Bonnie Lucas, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Xylazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tankinator, who was pulled up and vanned off in a race at Parx Racing on 11/7/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 10/21/2023 Licensee: Webster Gayle, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Tankinator, who finished sixth at Delaware Park on 10/21/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 09/21/2023 Licensee: Bret Calhoun, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Diclofenac-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Ain't Broke, who won at Churchill Downs on 09/21/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312-Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Los Alamitos Diego Herrera – violation date Dec 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 2 strikes over limit Giovanni Franco – violation date Dec 16; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 1 strike over limit Kyle Frey – violation date Dec 17; $250 fine, one-day suspension, 1 strike over limit OTHER KEY RULINGS The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. New York Track: Aqueduct Date: 12/14/2023 Licensee: Manuel Franco, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Manuel Franco is hereby suspended for three (3) NYRA racing days January 1st 2024, January 4th 2024, January 5th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 6th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on December 9th 2023. Track: Aqueduct Date: 12/18/2023 Licensee: Junior Alvarado, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: For having waived his right to an appeal Jockey Mr. Junior Alvarado is hereby suspended three (3) NYRA racing days January 1st 2024, January 4th 2024, January 5th 2024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 9th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on December 16th 2023. The post Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Dec. 12-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gulfstream Park's GII Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational, just upgraded this week from a Grade III to Grade II event, got another boon Wednesday when 1/ST Racing announced the race will serve as an automatic qualifier for the G1 Qatar Nassau S. at England's Qatar Goodwood Festival Aug. 1. The Filly & Mare Turf will be held Jan. 27 as part of Gulfstream's Pegasus World Cup Day presented by Baccarat, which features the $3 million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational and six other graded races. “Goodwood Racecourse is one of the crown jewels in global racing,” said 1/ST Racing & Gaming CEO Aidan Butler. “It's an honor to work together with Goodwood on growing each of our events and brands at home and abroad.” Goodwood's Director, Lord William Gordon Lennox, concurred: “Goodwood is thrilled to be partnering with 1/ST on this exciting initiative. This is a great first step in what we hope will be an exciting partnership over the coming years.” 1/ST also began a partnership this year with Royal Ascot, making Gulfstream's Royal Palm Juvenile and Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies races automatic qualifiers for entry into one of six 2-year-old races during Royal Ascot in June. Crimson Advocate (Nyquist) won both the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Ascot's G2 Queen Mary S. The Goodwood partnership will include a $25,000 travel stipend to the winning connections of the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf. The post Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf Tabbed as Automatic Qualifier for Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Trainer David Butcher says there is a very good reason he isn’t driving Caulfield on his home track at Cambridge today. “I thought I should put Benjamin on to keep him happy since we working together now,” laughs Butcher. The father and son (Benjamin Butcher) have kind of teamed up at David’s property, where they both have horses. “I’d say we are working in together,” says Butcher. “Ben has a few of his and helps with mine and he does the odd breaker too. “A while back we had too many horses but the numbers are about right now.” The best of them is Hooray Henry, who is being aimed at the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup, taking on Akuta on New Year’s Eve. But one of the most honest members of the stable is Caulfield, who is falling into a familiar patttern: he goes to Alexandra Park and tends to be outsprinted but returns home and can outstay his local rivals. The Butchers will be hoping that continues today as Benjamin has barrier 2 to use over the 2700m mobile conditions Caulfield won over five starts ago. He comes out of a race at Alexandra Park last Friday where he battled bravely into fifth but outsprinted by sharper, younger horses who will probably go further in life. Today he meets horses like him, no stars but ones who take their chances at Cambridge and Caulfield’s chance don’t get much better than today so ff he can lead or trail he becomes the horse to beat. Butcher also thinks he has a chance in Race 3 at today’s twilight meeting, with Romeo Foxtrot off the front over 2200m and also dropping back from Auckland company. “I have been trying a few different things with him and he will go well but it is not a field he stands out in. “It is very even so will come down to manners and who gets the right run.” The stable also have Changealot in what shapes as a very competitive Race 2, a field of maidens without great recent form but many of whom probably won’t be maidens by the end of the summer. “He is the sort of horse who needs the speed on all the way, 30 quarters (400m sectionals) to run the sprint out of the other horses.” The other stable to follow today is another local trainer in Nicky Chilcott, who has strong chances right across the card but particularly in the trotting races. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Colin DeFilippi would love to give Katie Cox a small Christmas present at Ashburton today. DeFilippi and his wife Julie are looking after talented two-year-old pacer It’s Tough for regular trainer Cox as she undergoes treatment for cancer. Cox’s battle is well known in harness racing and the DeFilippis have three of her horses to in work until Cox is back ready to resume training. “Katie used to work for us and we loved having her here,” says Colin. “We were admant she should go to university as well as do the horses and she just flew through her degree here. “But is always a pleasure to be around and how she handled herself through all this, she has the heart of a lion. “I talk to her quite often and ask her how I should drive her horses.” DeFilippi will have to pass those instructions on to Bob Butt today as he is driving It’s Tough as Colin recovers from surgery himself that will keep him out of the sulky for another three weeks. The DeFilippis have found the right race today as It’s Tough drops back from the two-year-old boy’s pace on Grand Prix Day and taking on Major Hot the start before at Timaru. “I knew a long way from home he was in trouble on Grand Prix Day because they were on and off the pace. “He hasn’t got that really sharp sprint yet but I think he will develop it with more racing. “But he is dropping back in grade this week and after two starts back I think he is ready to do some work now.” A fresh-up winner of the Welcome Stakes back in May, It’s Tough meets only one other race winner today, Laurence Hanrahan’s colt Mighty Flying Lou, who finished seventh in the same Timaru race that It’s Tough ran fourth in last time they met. Today’s twilight meeting, which runs alongside one at Cambridge, has 10 races but smaller fields than usual at Ashburton yet still has an even look to it so punters will be able to get some value. One of the better bets could come early in George Eliot, who drops a long way in class to a maiden mobile trot. She raced well out of her grade against Eurostyle at Addington last Friday while the start before was sixth in the NZ Trotting Oaks won by Sunny’s Sister. The fillies who finished in front of George Eliot that night excelled in the NZ Trotting Derby that Sunny’s Sister won on December 10. View the full article

An Arkansan leads the Oaklawn owner's standings through the first five days of the 2023-24 meeting, but it is not record-setting John Ed Anthony or 2022-23 champions Heath and Sheena Campbell. It is Staton Flurry of Hot Springs, Ark.View the full article

Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) will undergo a number of structural and personnel changes in the Racing Department, the organization announced Wednesday. With effect from Mar. 1, Jason Morris, who has been Director of Racing since 2002, will become Horse Racing Ireland's Director of Strategy where his focus will be on the delivery and execution of HRI's strategic plan for 2024-2028, which will be launched early in the New Year. Also with effect from Mar. 1, Jonathan Mullin, who has served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs since 2017, will be taking over the position of Director of Racing. HRI has begun recruiting for a new Director of Communications and Public Affairs. From Jan. 1, Shane Doyle will be moving to the position of Breeding Development Manager with Andrew Finnegan, currently Assistant Race Planning Manager and Scheduling Manager, succeeding Shane as Race Planning Manager. For more information, click here. The post HRI Outlines Racing Department Changes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Japan's Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has been named Horse Of The Year by Timeform–besting G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–in the inaugural Timeform Awards, it was announced Wednesday. Trained by Tetsuya Kimura, the colt earned a 136 rating in his career finale in the G1 Japan Cup. Equinox, who also stood atop of the Leading Male 3yo/up category, also garnered the Champion Of The Rest Of The World award, ahead of Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro), who equalled his highest ever rating (129) with a score in this month's G1 Hong Kong Mile, and GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish (Curlin) (129), who finished as joint runners up. Leading the fray in other divisions: G1 Dewhurst S. victor City Of Troy (Justify) earned a 125 rating thus securing the Leading 2YO award. Ace Impact (133) was crowned Champion Of Europe ahead of Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (131) and Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (130) Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) (126) led her John and Thady Gosden-trained stablemate Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (125) in the Female 3yo+ Category Timeform's Leading First-season Sire of 2023–based on an average Timeform master rating of a sire's top 10 progeny in Britain and Ireland–was Too Darn Hot (GB) Dubawi {Ire}) (99), who claimed top honours ahead of Blue Point (Ire) Shamardal) (96) in second place, while Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never) tied for third place (93). The race of 2023 was determined based on an average Timeform master rating of the first three horses. Longchamp's Arc came out on top with the first three finishers–Ace Impact, Westover and Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB})–earning the race an average rating of 130, 1 lb higher than Kyoto's G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, which finished joint-second. For the complete results of the Timeform Awards, click here. The post Equinox Earns HOTY Honours at Inaugural Timeform Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance voted at its Dec. 14 meeting to elect six new directors for 2024, the non-profit said in a release Wednesday afternoon. Directors beginning service in 2024: Christina Blacker, Racing Host and Analyst at FanDuel Jay Privman, Former National Correspondent at Daily Racing Form Dean Roethemeier, Assistant Director of Sales Operations at Keeneland Barbara Vanlangendonck, Owner of Summerfield Sales Directors returning for a second term in 2024: Walter Robertson, Attorney at Stites & Harbison Yvonne Schwabe, Owner of Persley Den Farms Each Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance director may serve for up to five consecutive years. Upon completion, each is required to rotate off the board for at least one year before becoming eligible for renomination. Having dedicated five years of their time, expertise and resources, Craig Bandoroff, Simon Bray, Donna Brothers, Boyd Browning, Chip McGaughey and Tom Ventura will conclude their service at the end of 2023. For a third consecutive year, Jeffrey Bloom, Managing Partner of Bloom Racing Stable, will serve as TAA President. The post New Directors Elected To Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The series follows United States syndicate manager Harlan Malter's ambitious quest to return to Royal Ascot with a horse sired by his 2018 King's Stand Stakes (G1) runner, Bucchero.View the full article

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association, Gulfstream Park, and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association announced an unprecedented $2.1 million Florida-Bred Incentive Fund for overnight race conditions beginning Jan. 1.View the full article

An unprecedented $2.1 million will fill the Florida-Bred Incentive Fund (FBIF) for overnight race conditions to start the new year, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association (FTBOA), Gulfstream Park and the Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association said in a combined release Wednesday. Independently, the FTBOA revealed that an additional $1.3 million of Florida-bred race incentives on Gulfstream Park stakes and selected overnights to complement the expanded FBIF and longstanding Florida-Sire Sire Stakes 2-year-old series is on tap. The combined programs, totaling $4.6 million, are substantially enabled by HB 7063, a 2023 Florida tax package directing more than $55 million into the Thoroughbred industry over two years. In addition to the FBIF, the total pool of $5,000 bonuses for 2-year-old Florida Sire Stakes eligible winners in maiden special weights will triple to $300,000 from the $100,000 total bonus pool offered in prior years. In overnight conditions, the FTBOA will boost maiden special weights, allowances and handicaps with $5,000 win bonuses for Florida-breds in open races and Florida Sire Stakes eligible winners in restricted races. The post 2024 Florida-Bred Incentives At Gulfstream Park Released appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2023 Longines World Racing Awards will be held at London's Savoy Hotel Jan. 23, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities announced Wednesday. The event, co-hosted by the Swiss watch brand Longines, will honour the highest-rated horse in the 2023 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings as well as the Longines World's Best Horse Race. The Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings are established by international handicappers according to the performance of the horses in top races. The highest rated race is determined by averaging the rankings of the first four placed horses. The trophies are engraved with the name of the Longines World's Best Racehorse and Horse Race, respectively, and the representatives of the winners are presented with Longines timepieces. The complete list on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings is available at http://www.ifhaonline.org. The post Longines World Racing Awards Set for London’s Savoy Hotel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine Entertainment's 2023 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $613,125,180 CAD, which was the second largest single-season recorded, but that overall number was down $8 million from 2022, the organization said in a release Wednesday. In 2023, a total of 1,180 races were contested over 128 dates of racing compared to 1,198 races over 132 dates in 2022. Woodbine ran four less dates and 18 less races in 2023 due to an unprecedented number of cancelled race cards (five) because of extreme heat and poor air quality caused by smoke from forest fires across Canada. The average field size for those races was 8.2, the same as 2022, and above the industry average. In Ontario, wagering on Woodbine Thoroughbred racing by customers across the province was down 6.2% ($81.8 million this season vs $87.2 million in 2022). The decline in home market wagering was partially mitigated by a foreign market handle of $512 million, a decrease from $515 million in 2022, though still a remarkable gain from the previous record of $420 million in 2021. The $512 million in foreign market handle was supported by a strong U.S. dollar. The average handle per race in 2023 was a record $519,597. This is an increase of $580 per race from 2022. To address the increased competition from an emerging licensed sports betting market, Woodbine Entertainment announced a partnership with global sports betting leader bet365 prior to The King's Plate. “We are operating on a very solid foundation that positions us well to manage the current industry and economic trends,” said Michael Copeland, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment. “We also have opportunities before us that have not been fully realized yet, like the integration of racing into licensed sportsbooks, which will have a positive impact.” The post Woodbine’s 2023 Thoroughbred Meet Produces Mixed Results appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After playing a starring role in a story that the racing world–and many circles outside the equine industry–will not soon forget, Cody's Wish will now work toward cementing his legacy as he takes up stud duty at Darley's Jonabell Farm. With a $75,000 initial fee, the son of Curlin is the priciest newcomer to join the Kentucky stallion ranks this year, but also the only one to boast five Grade I victories. His resume is further enhanced by a Grade I-winning dam–a distinction that only one other incoming stallion can claim and it's another member of the Darley roster. Proxy, a son of 2007 GI American Oaks Invitational S. and Juddmonte Spinster S. victress Panty Raid (Include), earned his own Grade I status in last year's Clark S. The son of Tapit will launch his stud career at $25,000. With two homebreds joining the stallion barn on the heels of champion Essential Quality and MGSW Maxfield getting started last year and Grade I winners Mystic Guide and Speaker's Corner coming in for 2023, there will be plenty of activity at Jonabell once the shed doors open for 2024. “For our operation to have produced two homebreds that hit these high notes on the racetrack and then complete the circle and come to the stallion barn is hugely gratifying and hugely exciting,” said Darley Sales Manager Darren Fox. There was no shortage of demand as Fox and the rest of the team fielded calls from eager breeders when Cody's Wish arrived at Jonabell following his hard-fought Breeders' Cup victory. The back-to-back Dirt Mile champ quickly accumulated plenty of high-caliber race mares and producers. “We are very pleased with breeders' reception to him and the book of mares he has assembled,” said Fox. “It is going to be a very strong book of young mares, a lot of graded stakes winners and producers, and Grade I winners. It certainly is going to set him up for every success going forward.” Over his three-year career Cody's Wish earned eight triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures including a standout 112 in this year's Met Mile, so breeders were more than familiar with the multi-millionaire's race record. Fox said that breeders studying the horse during the busy open house season at Jonabell over the past few weeks only served to further interest. “Cody's Wish is just an imposing, jaw-dropping physical,” he explained. “He's quite a good-sized horse–16'3 and three quarters. So he's a substantial horse, but he is so well balanced and so well proportioned. From afar, you would be forgiven for not thinking he was that big at all. He is just so well made with the depth of his shoulder, the strength of his hip, the length of his limbs and how he carries himself.” The only son of Curlin on the Darley America roster, Cody's Wish's pedigree suggests an appealing blend of speed and stamina. His dam Dance Card (Tapit) won the 2012 GI Gazelle S. as a 3-year-old going a mile and an eighth but turned back to finish third in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint the next year. While Cody's Wish didn't break his maiden until October of his 3-year-old year, his half-brother Endorsed (Medaglia d'Oro) won on debut at Saratoga as a juvenile and has been a presence for the last six seasons since, this year claiming the GIII Fred W. Hooper S. and GII Gulfstream Park Mile S. “Curlin as a sire of sire is one of the most sought-after lines in North America currently, so it's very exciting to add a son of Curlin to our roster both for our own broodmare brand and our clients and to complement our existing roster,” said Fox. “Being by Curlin out of a Tapit mare, he certainly is a little sharper in terms of his distance aptitude than one might initially expect based on a cursory glance of his pedigree. But when you delve a little deeper into his dam's race record and you watch his replays and see the speed he had from seven furlongs to a mile, it makes him a very exciting stallion prospect to mix that stamina and speed crossed with some of the best mares in the country. It really sets him up to have a very exciting stallion career going forward.” Across the barn aisle, Cody's Wish's new studmate Proxy has also garnered plenty of looks during open houses. Most breeders can quickly recall the talents of not only his dam, but also his half-sister Micheline (Bernardini), a Grade II winner for Godolphin who was runner-up in the 2020 GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S., as well as Panty Raid's full-sister St. John's River (Include), who was second by a neck in the 2011 GI Kentucky Oaks. Proxy at Jonabell Farm | Sara Gordon “Proxy is a horse who has definitely attracted a lot of fans from people viewing him in person,” said Fox. “He is a stunning-looking horse. 16'3, a lot of class and quality, very sharp and attractive with a lot of shoulder and a lot of shape. I've said repeatedly during our open house season that anyone who brings a yearling version of Proxy to the sales will be very handsomely rewarded. He is just that commercial type and breeders have recognized that and supported him accordingly. He's got the multiple Grade-I winning race mare, he's a half to a really good filly and he is a very high-performing racehorse in his own right.” Fox said that many might forget how Proxy showed brilliance at two, breaking his maiden in November and following that effort with a two-and-a-half length allowance win at Fair Grounds a month later. A presence on the Triple Crown trail early on at three and the winner of the GI Clark S. over GISW West Will Power (Bernardini) at four, Proxy continued his upward trajectory this year with a score in the GII Oaklawn H., a pair of runner-up efforts in the GI Santa Anita H. and GI Jockey Club Gold Cup, and a fast-closing third to conclude his career in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. All in all, the competitive son of Tapit placed in all but four of his 20 lifetime starts and earned over $2.7 million. Kudos to the Darley stallion research team for finding out that Proxy holds an interesting record for their stallion barn. “He defeated 18 Grade I winners throughout his career, which is a record for the barn,” Fox shared. “For context, Medaglia d'Oro lies second on 17. So it really tells you how good of a racehorse this guy was. He kept top company throughout his career and was so consistent. He has that toughness, soundness and durability and certainly has high level form as well. He is a very well-rounded, high-performing horse to bring into the stallion barn.” The post Darley’s New Sires Offer Grade I Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Trainer Jena Antonucci sat down with the NYRA Press Office to discuss her accomplishments, MGISW Arcangelo (Arrogate) and the memorable moments that happened to her this year. NYRA: What did it mean to you personally to win the GI Belmont S. and GI Travers S.? Antonucci: “It opened the window for people to see what we've been doing. I've chuckled a little bit at the people who say, 'Oh, she's only ever had one horse.' No, we've actually had a lot, and have won stakes beforehand. Yes, these are our first Grade 1s, but our goal is to continue doing us. If it has afforded us to have a better quality of horses, then we will just continue to do all of that the best possible way we can. We'll just continue to be true to who we are. “It's honestly most gratifying watching the team. When you take those little moments during an event and look at a team member's face and see how proud they are–to watch that and to see the people accomplish career and lifetime goals and dreams, it's literally the most gratifying part. “I will forever be grateful for the horse and what he gave us, and him believing in us, but to watch your team check boxes in a way that maybe they never thought would happen and to potentially make that happen for them is by far and above the most rewarding and gratifying.” NYRA: You've said before that you would need some time to think about exactly what this means for women in this sport. How have your thoughts come together with time? Antonucci: “I think it's resonated more hearing it from other people and what it means to them. Hearing how it made women who have watched the journey feel and to make people excited about our sport and what we have accomplished is such a gift. “Recently, I was able to speak to an all-girls school from fifth graders to seniors, and did a talk with the group of almost 700 young ladies. To see where their questions fell and what they got excited about, and to be able to speak about what we've accomplished in our sport, it definitely resonates. To be able to look at young girls and say, 'This hadn't happened in 155 years,' and to see how they receive that is special. “You watch other women accomplish things in other sports and careers, but to watch it from the front row is very interesting and a gift that I will absolutely carry with much regard for a very long time to make sure it is meaningful and we can push the ball forward to encourage a young girl to rock on and to do her.” NYRA: One of your most repeated and applauded comments about your accomplishments was your metaphor of making your own seat at the table. What does it mean to you that it resonated so well with so many? Antonucci: “There was a space that was missing something, and that filled that space for people. I like to be behind the scenes making things happen, and we have created what we did because of what we've built. Being able to organize that into something that was short and concise for people is flattering. I hope it helps anybody, any gender or any age, fulfill something and understand that sometimes you've got to do it a different way.” NYRA: Patience and working on the horse's schedule were always central to your plans with Arcangelo and each of your trainees. How does your training program revolve around that model? Antonucci: “Fiona [Goodwin, assistant] and I talk non-stop about every single horse. It's just making sure we are doing our best to tend to each individual horse specifically. If it's a colt or filly that needs a little more time, or something that we need to be a little tighter on and they need to be on a more stringent schedule–we just really try to give the breathing room to each horse. “I greatly understand owners get a little impatient, so I just try to be respectful and mindful of, 'Yes, we need to be running, but here are these things and here is why.' Allowing the owner to be part of the process instead of just, 'No, we're not ready.' I've found over my career that trying to explain it to them and allowing them to be part of the 'whys' is important.” NYRA: After winning two of racing's most prestigious events, what are some other goals you hope to achieve? Antonucci: “We're just going to stay present. We have a handful we really like in the barn and the ones we are hopefully getting as 2-year-olds for the coming season, and we're going to let them tell their story like we let Arcangelo tell his. To put a burden on anyone in the team–as far as expectations–I don't think is fair. We'll let them run their races and tell their story.” NYRA: With Arcangelo now retired, what will you remember most about him and his career? Antonucci: “His personality. He's such a cool guy, and his personality was bigger than the stall or the barn. We were able to get him to focus for the two minutes of his races and put that big personality to work. His desire to win and to want to be a Champion is something that you can't bottle. “He still has a ton of personality. I keep in touch with the farm [Lane's End], and the stallion manager and I have some chuckles. His personality is in full effect. He's doing awesome and they're very much enjoying having him there. It will be wild and cool to train some of the kiddos one day.” The post Arcangelo Trainer Jena Antonucci’s Memorable Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The former New York-based veterinarian Alexander Chan has filed a hand-written plea from prison asking for a reduction to his 30-month sentence that was handed down in May as punishment for his role in the wide-ranging 2020 racehorse doping conspiracy case. In December 2022, Chan had cut a deal with prosecutors that involved pleading guilty to a single felony charge of drug adulteration and misbranding in exchange for two other felony counts against him being dropped. Chan's filing with the court on Monday was submitted without an attorney acting on his behalf. But the 10-page motion laid out a cogent case for reconsideration based on an amendment recently adopted by the United States Sentencing Commission that allows for downward revisions of sentencing levels for petitioners who have zero criminal history points on their records. According to Chan's filing, the new sentencing commission guidelines allow, in certain cases, for retroactive recalculation of the “offense levels” that are used to determine prison terms, so long as the offenses didn't involve things like violent behavior, the use of weapons, sex crimes, or hate crimes. Chan is arguing that a recalculated offense level in his instance would reduce his sentence to a 24-to-30 month prison term, and he is asking the court to revise his imprisonment to the lowest end of that tier because of his record of good behavior while jailed at Fort Dix, a low-security federal correctional institution in New Jersey. Chan wrote in his motion that he has “pursued [computer] programming to a greater degree than any other similarly situated inmate and has been free from disciplinary actions.” Chan was arrested in March 2020 as part of a series of coordinated law enforcement sweeps in the years-long federal investigation of a network of more than 30 horsemen, veterinarians, and equine pharmaceutical suppliers who ended up facing charges. Jason Servis | The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia In the lead-up to sentencing, federal prosecutors had described Chan in court documents as “a former veterinarian for the New York Racing Association (NYRA), and a practicing veterinarian for over 15 years [who] abdicated his duty of responsibility to the horses under his care.” The feds' portrayal of Chan continued: “After spending three years as a traveling veterinarian for NYRA, the defendant worked under convicted co-defendant Kristian Rhein at Empire Veterinary Group and soon after began providing and/or administering adulterated and misbranded drugs without valid prescriptions, knowing that their use violated New York's racing rules, medical ethics, and the law.” Chan's own presentence report filed by his legal team had stated that, “Dr. Chan's sterling career and the beautiful young family it supported have since been destroyed because-at the direction of his boss and the owner of the veterinary practice in which he worked, Dr. Kristian Rhein-Dr. Chan participated in the distribution of misbranded substances for use on Thoroughbred racehorses.” According to a trove of wiretap evidence, plus implicating testimony from plea-bargaining defendants, Klein and Chan's client list included the now-imprisoned former trainer Jason Servis, whom the feds alleged doped almost all the horses under his control in early 2019. The post Former Vet Chan Asks For Revision To 30-Month Doping Conspiracy Sentence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a discussion with NYRA publicity, Antonucci reflected on the stellar career of Arcangelo and what her achievements mean for women and the sport.View the full article

The ceremony will honor the highest-rated horse in the 2023 Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings as well as the Longines World's Best Horse Race. View the full article

French jockey thinks the former Hong Kong champion trainer’s in-form recent recruit could be worth setting for Happy Valley’s only black-type raceView the full article