Wandering Eyes

Saratoga Springs, N.Y. — It is no surprise that Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas is confident that his GI Preakness Stakes winner Seize the Grey (Arrogate) is up to the challenge he will face Saturday at Saratoga Race Course in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes. Never shy about touting his horses, Lukas, 88, said that the MyRacehorse colt is ready to take on beaten GI Kentucky Derby favorite Fierceness (City of Light) and beaten GI Belmont Stakes favorite Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the local prep for the GI Travers. Fierceness, whose three career wins all came when he was on or very near the lead, will be making his first start since the Derby. Sierra Leone has been never worse than third in six starts. He was second by a nose in the Derby and third in the Belmont. Seize the Grey has worked five times since finishing seventh in the GI Belmont Stakes, which was run June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. The most recent was a half-mile in :47.99 Tuesday. When he shipped in from Kentucky in early July, Seize the Grey has also had breezes of five furlongs and six furlongs. “He's doing really well,” Lukas said. “I'm really pleased with where I have him. I have no excuses.” Lukas considered running in the GI Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park July 20, but opted to keep Seize the Grey at his summer home and give him another week from the Belmont. In addition to Sierra Leone and the Repole Stable homebred Fierceness, the Jim Dandy drew GIII Ohio Derby winner Batten Down (Tapit) trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott. Seize the Grey drew Post 2 in the field of six. “I feel very comfortable running in that with him,” Lukas said. Seize the Grey will be Lukas's 19th starter in the Jim Dandy and his first since Sporting Chance was fifth in 2018. He has won the race twice–with Is It True in 1989 and Scorpion in 2001–and has been second four times. Since his first Saratoga start in 1984, Lukas has won 264 races at Saratoga, 74 of them in stakes. When it looked like Seize the Grey might not have enough points to make it into the Derby field, Lukas ran him in the GII Pat Day Mile, which he won by 1 1/4 lengths at 9-1. Two weeks later at Pimlico Race Course, he surprised in the Preakness, leading from gate to wire, again at more than 9-1. The Belmont was a different story. He had company up front with Dornoch (Good Magic), and could not sustain the pace in the stretch. Lukas discounted fatigue was a factor in Seize the Grey's sixth start of 2024. “I don't think it was that,” Lukas said. “I think he was a little flat in the Belmont.” Lukas said he expects that Seize the Grey will be an improved horse for the Jim Dandy. “Oh, better than the Belmont,” Lukas said. “I'm thinking he might even be better than the way he went into the Pat Day Mile.” The post Lukas Likes What Sees from Jim Dandy-Bound Seize the Grey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The problematic, $10-million turf course that was installed at Churchill Downs prior to the 2022 spring season will be getting another maintenance break that will mean no grass racing in Louisville for the upcoming Sept. 12-29 meet. Usage of the Churchill turf course has been curtailed on several occasions over the past two years because of concerns over its growth, maturity and root establishment. Darren Rogers, Churchill's senior director of communications, told TDN on Thursday that track management expects the course to be usable in time for the autumn meet that spans Oct. 27-Dec. 1. “Absolutely. That won't be a problem,” Rogers said. September, Rogers said, “is just a three-week meet, and with the plethora of grass opportunities at [the tail end of the] the Ellis Park meet, plus all the [grass-only] racing at Kentucky Downs, and then Keeneland starting, we thought it's best not to run over the turf to try to maximize what we're doing to enhance it for the fall meet and next spring.” There was no turf racing in 2021 from September through November while Churchill installed the new course. Then in the spring of 2022, six weeks after the course was unveiled, management capped grass races to a maximum of two per day and moved 19 races listed in the condition book to the main dirt track in order to give the grass a better chance to grow. The track later suspended turf racing for a brief period that same season and subsequently cancelled several stakes at an August mini-meet. The course didn't get fully used at the 2023 spring meet because Churchill cut its meet short and moved all of its racing to Ellis Park in response to the deaths of 12 Thoroughbreds. In the fall of 2023, Churchill conducted just 20 turf races at the September meet and another 20 at the October/November meet. After winter and spring maintenance to start 2024, the course was able to handle 74 grass races at the recently concluded spring season, but the turf showed signs of strain from the usage. “As you know, we've had our challenges along the way,” Rogers said. “And we're committed to getting it to perform to its maximum [by] doing whatever it takes. It's a work in progress. “This year, for the spring meet, it was much improved from last fall,” Rogers continued. “But frankly, we're still dissatisfied with the course's status. We had a number of talks with our team–consultants, engineers, horsemen–and the remedies that we introduced this spring kind of have us heading in the right direction. And we said at that time that our plan is going to be more vigilant in the management of the organic materials.” Rogers detailed the most recent work to the course that was completed over the first two weeks of July. “We closed June 30, and on July 1, we scalped the turf course, cutting the grass real low. That exposes the stems of the grass and the soil to sunlight so it stimulates growth. We did a technique known as verticutting. The blades kind of knife through the soil, and they remove organic buildup, which basically allows it to breathe better. “Next we [aerated] the soil vertically and horizontally,” Rogers said. “That kind of redistributes it across the surface and removes soil from the root zone. And then, like we did this past March, we did this process called DryJect. It's a procedure where you inject different angular sand that goes down about six inches deep and provides stability and eliminates the looseness. Apparently, that enhances the root zones, and increases oxygen levels and nutrient retention. “And then lastly, we sprigged about a thousand bushels of Iron Cutter Bermuda grass around the course, then fertilized it,” Rogers said. At the moment, Rogers said, “It looks brown and yellow. But the green's coming back right now, so the team is hopeful that these remedies kind of have us heading in the right direction. It's been very hot and humid, but that's pretty typical this time of year. That's one of the challenges with this turf course, is we really go through three different seasons: the early spring, the summer, and the cold fall.”' Trainer Mike Maker, who leads all conditioners in both starts and wins over the new Churchill course with a 23-for-107 strike rate since 2022, told TDN that, “Thankfully, Kentucky Downs will be in September. We'll try to run as much as we can there. Of course, fields are going to be full and they're not going to run everything that we want, but it is what it is. If Churchill is ready for November, then we'll be okay. We can't worry about stuff we don't have control over.” The post No Turf Racing at Churchill During September Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

If there has ever been a quintessential Saturday afternoon sire–as well as Breeders' Cup sire and champion sire–Curlin would have to be at the top of the list. He tends to churn out top-level horses at a dizzying rate. “Not to take anything away from other great stallions, but I don't believe Curlin is second to anybody when you speak of Grade I performers and accomplishments,” said John Sikura, who stands the 2007-08 Horse of the Year at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. “If you think of the Breeders' Cup, he takes something that's never been done before, accomplishes it, and then equals it the next year. It's hard to put into words.” Sikura is, of course, speaking of one of the most remarkable feats in modern history. In 2022, Curlin was responsible for three Breeders' Cup winners in a single day. It was an unprecedented accomplishment, something never before done and something so singular it was unlikely to ever be duplicated–or so it was thought. Unbelievably, Curlin repeated that extraordinary feat in 2023. With eight individual Breeders' Cup victories, Curlin leads all sires, living or dead, by wins on the sport's championship days. When a sire breathes such rarified air, expectations grow heavy, whether that's fair or not. Might there be extra pressure in standing a stallion like Curlin and feeling the weight of those expectations? “No,” said Sikura, “because his legacy and his achievement absorbs any pressure there might be. It's the unique thing about greatness: the higher he reaches, the more he delivers. He's one of the world-class elite horses who is achieving the multiplicity of success. “The standard of excellence he delivers is not random, but consistent. I read something once and I never forgot it, something like greatness is so elusive that you really don't think it even exists but every once in a while it does, just to remind you it does. That's Curlin.” Curlin's regular prowess was on display last weekend when champion Idiomatic kicked off Saturday with a thrilling victory in Monmouth's GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes, then Solo Album followed shortly after with Woodbine's GIII Trillium Stakes, giving Curlin wins in 20% of the graded stakes in North America Saturday. On Sunday, only one graded event, the GII Shuvee Stakes at Saratoga, was contested on the continent. Was it any surprise to see the Hill 'n' Dale super sire's daughter Raging Sea adding to his weekend tally? If that wasn't a big enough weekend, Curlin's debuter Getaway Car was dubbed a 'TDN Rising Star' at Del Mar and his son Good Magic was the sire of GI Haskell Stakes winner Dornoch. TDN Stallions: Curlin from Thoroughbred Daily News on Vimeo. “We're very proud of the horse and very thankful to [Stonestreet's] Barbara Banke and her team,” said Sikura. “We've had a great relationship of success with Barbara with Curlin, Maclean's Music, and Good Magic. I think there a synergy when you have good people who get along and respect each other with no ego involved; it's not science but that environment of compatibility. All that karma works for the favor the horse. “We all support the horse with our best mares. We're cheerleaders for the horse with the same goals in mind. It's a great reward for everyone. They trust these horses to us and then support them it. I don't take any personal credit. We're lucky enough to have a great horse that people recognize as a rare stallion. Early in a career with a stallion, you're waiting for a horse's limitations to present, but with him limitations don't exist. All those things that start to emerge as self-limiting factors for most horses do not apply to him. He seems limitless and boundless in his ability to achieve. It's so rare. You're waiting for the door to close, but it doesn't with him. “We're lucky to have him and continue to support him with the best mares.” For most stallions, it's often a metric of how many Grade I winners one has sired that emphasizes success. Curlin has 22, which puts him tied for third among all living North American sires with his 13th crop now aged two. Twelve of those 22 have won two or more Grade I events. There's a sheer volume in quantity as well as in quality when it comes to Curlin. His runners have won or placed in 128 Grade I races in the dozen years he's had runners. For a hint of what a remarkable number that is, one only needs realize there are 93 Grade I races in the U.S. carded for 2024. Not too many of them haven't been impacted by Curlin progeny in the last dozen years, some several times over. “It's not bias or any emotion on my part, strictly on fact,” said Sikura. “Some sires jump up and have a banner year, but he's consistently a sire of Grade I horses. It's now almost commonplace for him. He's just a great sire and now his son [fellow Hill 'n' Dale stallion Good Magic] has two different Classic winners in two crops. “Not to take away from anyone else, but obviously Good Magic is another supernatural horse and we hope that's the heir apparent for Curlin. He's still at a relatively young age for a great stallion, but now with his sons winning Classic races, it looks like it's going to perpetuate his legacy.” In addition to the aforementioned Dornoch, who won this year's GI Belmont Stakes, Good Magic also sired his full-brother Mage, who won last year's GI Kentucky Derby. The year before that, Curlin's son Keen Ice sired Derby winner Rich Strike. Curlin himself had a Classic winner in his first crop with Palace Malice in the 2013 Belmont. He would add a second Classic winner from his fourth crop in 2016 with Exaggerator in the GI Preakness Stakes. He has come tantalizingly close to many more: his progeny have an additional two Preakness placings, three more Belmont placings, and two runner-up finishes in the Kentucky Derby. “I think everyone is probably aware of everything the horse is,” said Sikura. “If you point to his accomplishments, you might be somewhat surprised at his versatility. He gets colts and fillies. He may not have as many good 2-year-olds as his horses get better over time. Just look at Idiomatic [maiden winner at three, eight-for-nine champion at four, Grade I winner this year at five]. “They're ascending in their ability as they age. When they're retired, it's often due to the economics and their value as a stallion or broodmare. When you're as good at five as you were at three, that's pretty unique. “Every year, his horses are as good or even better than they were the year before. There's no limit. They're tougher, faster, sounder, and more durable each year, which is probably something you don't see with a lot of horses.” Champion Idiomatic (rail) battles to a gutsy Molly Pitcher win Saturday | Sarah Andrew Overall, Curlin has an enviable body of work. He has eight individual U.S. champions and one Canadian champion among his 105 black-type winners. In addition to those eight individual Breeders' Cup wins already mentioned, his 59 graded winners have another nine Breeders' Cup placings. There's a GI Kentucky Oaks win, a GI Travers Stakes win, and the list goes on. Is there anything the son of Smart Strike cannot do? “He's not a turf specialist,” said Sikura, “but the only reason he doesn't have turf horses is he doesn't have turf mares. When he has the opportunity, he's gotten graded winners on the turf.” He has, indeed. Curlin has six graded winners on the grass. He had the opportunity to run just once on the lawn himself, finishing second in the GI Man o' War Stakes in 2008. It was one of the few losses in a Hall of Fame career that encompassed wins in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, the Preakness, the G1 Dubai World Cup, and a number of other races at the highest echelon. The two-time Horse of the Year, who retired as North America's all-time leading money winner, was responsible for three individual Eclipse Award winners of 2022 and three in 2023. Only one of those was a repeat winner (Elite Power); another was named Horse of the Year, as well as older dirt male (Cody's Wish). In the history of the Eclipse Awards, only five former Horses of the Year have themselves sired a Horse of the Year. Curlin joined Saint Liam (Havre de Grace), A.P. Indy (Mineshaft), Seattle Slew (A.P. Indy), and Secretariat (Lady's Secret) when he did it last year. Sikura said that Curlin is not slowing down at age 20. “I guess there's always some physical changes to a degree, but his fertility is excellent, his libido is excellent, and his performance on the racetrack is still elite. I hear the word 'age' a lot in different contexts, but you're only old in anything when you can no longer do it. There's always outliers with the greats in any field. Tom Brady, Muhammad Ali… They didn't do what the normal athlete does under normal expectations. “It really doesn't matter how old Curlin is, but whether he's still accomplishing at the same level. We manage him closely, he covers about 100 mares [a season]. We don't overbreed him. He has a fantastic book, supported by the world's best breeders.” Standing for $250,000, the co-highest published fee in North America, Curlin's first foals raced in 2012. That was the same year as Into Mischief, the other U.S. stallion at $250,000 in 2024, had his first runners. Each has been extraordinary and each has sire sons proving themselves at the top level. Curlin, who had the top-priced yearling in the U.S. last year (a colt out of champion Beholder who brought $4 million at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga), has four sons at stud (Good Magic, Keen Ice, Connect, and Palace Malice) who have already sired Grade I winners. He also has a number of top young sons coming up, including two of his best runners–Cody's Wish and Elite Power–who stood their first seasons in 2024. It's safe to say the sport will feel the long-reaching effects of Curlin's influence for a long time to come. Sikura has a long history himself at the heights of the sport, including co-owning and consigning Better Than Honour, the 2007 Broodmare of the Year who produced back-to-back Belmont winners and still holds the world record for a broodmare at public auction when selling for $14 million in 2008 at Fasig-Tipton. He was asked how he believes standing Curlin will rank among his own lifetime accomplishments. “My goal every year is to be accomplishing things that I haven't accomplished in the past, so how the story is last written will have to wait and see, but certainly nothing will be more rewarding than standing Curlin, although you can't really compare or contrast it. It's singularly its own special achievement indelibly etched in whatever we have accomplished or will still accomplish. I've had Better Than Honour and other proud moments, for lack of a better word, but nothing competes with or takes away from the Curlin legacy. It's like with your kids–you're proud of the one who just graduated law school and also of the daughter who just had her first child. “Curlin having three Breeders' Cup winners in a day is an almost-impossible thing to do, and then he did it again. Great horses drag you along with them. Their rarity and greatness is what makes it all so special.” The post Saturday Sires: Curlin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A small, but very select field of five 3-year-old colts is set to face the starter in Friday's $200,000 GII Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga, a contest in which an argument could be made for each of the entrants. Godolphin's Jefferson Street (Street Sense) broke his maiden by nine lengths as a 1-4 mortal at Keeneland in April and after stubbing his toe when third to next-out Maxfield Stakes hero Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) in the race immediately following the GI Kentucky Derby May 4, defeated older allowance foes by some eight lengths over this course and 6 1/2-furlong distance June 7, good for a field-best 102 Beyer. “I thought he ran very well. He ran very good,” said Mott of Jefferson Street, who is bred on the successful cross over Bernardini. “He's maintained everything pretty well, I just hope he runs as well as he did last time. They get stronger as they go along, and he's slowly worked his way to that.” His off-pace running style could suit him well in a field that looks to contain plenty of early types. 'TDN Rising Star' World Record (Gun Runner) flaunted his speed to graduate by an eased-down 6 1/4 lengths going seven furlongs in Louisville May 27, but he was outrun early in the Maxfield and ended up a clear third. Trainer Rodolphe Brisset puts the blinkers on the $410,000 Keeneland November purchase. Donegal Momentum (Uncle Mo) broke his maiden with consummate ease first time out to earn his 'Rising Star' at Aqueduct May 16 and looked like he got a bit lost out in front in a one-mile allowance against older rivals June 27 and was run down close home. The cutback in trip can aid his cause here. With 10 career starts under his belt, Valentine Candy (Justify) is easily the most experienced of Friday's runners, and he's shown a fair bit of talent to boot, with a pair of black-type scores at two at Oaklawn Park and a victory over subsequent GIII Chick Lang Stakes winner Frost Free (Frosted) in the Bachelor Stakes in Hot Springs Apr. 27. The Heiligbrodt runner exits an even fourth to recent Jersey Shore Stakes hero Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes June 8. Juddmonte Farms' Pure Force (Constitution) is perfect in two starts to date, an easy debut success on Derby Day followed by a five-length allowance tally June 19 in which he enjoyed a soft time of things on the engine. The 9-2 longest shot on the board is not completely out of this, but will need to improve by several lengths on his figures. The post Jefferson Street Faces ‘Rising Star’ Duo in Amsterdam appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reversing plans to use its troubled turf when it resumes racing, Churchill Downs now will race strictly on dirt during its Sept. 12-29 meet, according to Darren Rogers, the track's senior director of communications and media services.View the full article

Conor Wixted has quickly climbed the ranks at Goffs. In three years with the company, he has quickly become a familiar face within the company, and currently holds the role as Senior Bloodstock Executive at just 28 years of age. Outside of Goffs, Conor holds the position as chairman of the ITBA Next Generation and has already proved himself as a shrewd judge of young stock through his successful pinhooks and breeding ventures. What can you tell us about your role as Senior Bloodstock Executive at Goffs? What would a typical week look like for you? It is quite a varied role, it really depends on the time of the year. We are always working towards the next sale. From mid-January to March I would be on the road looking at stores for the Arkle Sale. It's then on to viewing yearlings in May and June ahead of the Orby [yesterday, we finished finalising what is an exciting catalogue and it should be online very soon]. Throughout August we will be working towards the November Foal and Breeding Stock Sale. When I went for my first interview at Goffs with Nick Nugent and Mary Kilduff, Nick compared the role to a chef working in a kitchen, in that there is often a lot going on in the background that you don't see. In September during the yearling sales, we will be finalising foal placings and entries while the sale is happening. Outside of Goffs, you are the driving force behind the ITBA Next Generation, which has made massive strides in recent years. The seminars and events have been a huge success but what other things are in the pipeline for the Young ITBA? Since it's revival two years ago, there has been a huge appetite from young people-not just from those in the industry but also from those solely with an interest in the game. I must say we have huge support from some of the biggest players in the game which has been massively appreciated. It is heartening that they give up their time and recognise the importance of helping and supporting the future of the industry. One of Cathy Grassick's goals as Chair of the ITBA was to relaunch the Next Generation Internship. The internships will be a year-long, fully paid, offering successful candidates invaluable experience working in three different industry areas for four months each. One of the internships will focus on an office placement and working with businesses within the industry. While the second placement will be a practical placement with work on stud farms offering hands-on experience. The interviews have been completed and the successful candidates will be announced in the coming weeks. And you couldn't work for Goffs and be the chairman of the ITBA Next Generation without having some skin in the game! I gather you have had quite a bit of success at pinhooking in recent times and I know you work closely with Clare Manning of Boherguy Stud. It would be hard not to be involved in some way or another. It's exciting watching foals and yearlings develop. It's not always simple but that's what makes it all the more interesting and all the better when it works out. I couldn't do it without the help of my parents and sister at home in County Clare and of course Clare Manning who does the foaling and prep. Last year, we took the plunge on a foal in America so that's exciting. She's by Vino Rosso and is based with Adrian Regan and Fergus Galvin at Hunter Valley who have been extremely helpful. That has been a completely different experience for us and let's see how it goes. What has bee your best result/greatest day in the sport? To date, it has been selling a foal to one of the most successful breeding and pinhooking operations, Ballyphilip Stud [Paul and Marie McCartan]. I have respect for Paul and Marie-they have bred so many brilliant horses and came up with the goods again this year with Royal Ascot winner Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). For people like that to have bought a foal off me was quite humbling. What it is about the trading aspect of the game that appeals to you. If anything, it must be an excellent way of getting out and about and meeting people, which can only be beneficial for your role with Goffs. You're not always going to get it right but, when you do, it's very satisfying. I think by doing some breeding and trading, you can really understand both the challenges and opportunities involved. Chatting about stock is always a great talking point and can often be a good conversation breaker. You come from a sport horse background. What principals have you carried over from your sport horse days and how have you refined your eye to working with thoroughbreds. I did a lot of showing and hunting when I was younger. A lot of the principals are the same, particularly from a management perspective. Attention to detail is everything and a nice horse is a nice horse. The Horse Sport Ireland and Teagasc Young Breeder programme was a great grounding, I learned a huge amount about conformation, movement and showing in hand and in 2019 I was lucky enough to win the National Young Breeder competition. If Goffs handed you a hypothetical €100,000 sales voucher to be spent at any of the sales–be that yearling, foals or mares–what would you seek out and whose advice would you call upon? I'd love to buy a stakes-placed filly off the track by a proven broodmare sire with the help of John O'Connor [Ballylinch Stud] because they are excellent breeders. Best advice you have ever been given? In this business, hard work and honesty are imperative. Henry is always telling us that auctioneers trade on their integrity and that is our biggest asset as we work for the vendor and the purchaser acting as the honest broker between the two. Give us one horse to follow for the remainder of the Flat season? The Lion In Winter (IRE), a two-year-old by Sea The Stars who was a very impressive maiden winner last Saturday at the Curragh. He's actually a TDN Rising Star, has a Goffs Million entry and is the favourite for next year's Derby, so he's probably one of the most exciting colts in training right now. I suppose I'm talking with my Goffs hat on here as well as he was a €375,000 graduate from the Orby Sale, which makes it extra special following his career. And a young person in the industry to keep an eye on… Ben Hensey-he's currently doing an internship with us in Goffs and he'll go far! The post Young Guns: Getting To Know Goffs Senior Bloodstock Executive Conor Wixted appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup issued a reminder that Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET is the deadline to nominate foals born in 2024 to the Breeders' Cup program at the one-time nomination fee of $400. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Arabian Knight returns to the sight of his biggest victory while making his 4-year-old debut in the $300,000 San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar July 27.View the full article

Coming off a Curragh maiden success last month, the Silverton Hill Partnership's Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Azenzar {GB}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) was on top at the end of Leopardstown's G3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes to provide the Jessica Harrington stable with a double on Thursday. Settled in the wake of the Ballydoyle pace-setter Swagman (Ger) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) throughout the early stages, the 100-30 second favourite was sent upsides that rival by Shane Foley at the furlong pole and asserted to score by 1 1/2 lengths, with another 2 1/2 lengths back to Ballydoyle's 5-6 favourite Surpass (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in third. Hotazhell The son of Too Darn Hot is a two-year-old going places and scoops the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes for @Jessica_Racing at @LeopardstownRC. A good day at the office for the trainer & Shane Foley. pic.twitter.com/I9KSHOpsVx — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024 The post Too Darn Hot’s 200K Craven Breeze-Up Graduate Hotazhell Wins the Tyros appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Simply a nice introduction and a placing would have been encouraging for Cheveley Park Stud as they unveiled their unraced homebred Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Newbury's seven-furlong fillies' maiden on Thursday evening, so an impressive win for the first foal out of their G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) made her instant TDN Rising Star material. Held up initially by Jason Watson, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained 6-1 shot was delivered to swamp Juddmonte's experienced 8-15 favourite Glistening (GB) (Frankel {GB}) without being asked a serious question approaching the furlong marker en route to a cosy 1 1/4-length success, with 4 1/4 lengths back to Qilin Queen (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}) in third. Beautifully bred winner! Formal – daughter of Falmouth Stakes winner Veracious – strikes on debut in eyecatching fashion at @NewburyRacing for @_JasonWatson and Sir Michael Stoute… pic.twitter.com/WVVeAkIaM4 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 25, 2024 2nd-Newbury, £12,000, Mdn, 7-25, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.41, g/f. FORMAL (GB), f, 2, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Veracious (GB) (G1SW-Eng, $597,607), by Frankel (GB) 2nd Dam: Infallible (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Irresistible (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £6,480. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Jason Watson. The post Latest TDN Rising Star for Dubawi as Formal Dazzles at Newbury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Downs plans to increase purses for nine of its 18 stakes by a total of $3.7 million from what was originally announced, pending regulatory approval, including the Nashville Derby Invitational (G3T) bumped from $2.5 million to $3.1 million.View the full article

Nearly half of Baby Yoda's wins and earnings have come at Saratoga, and he seeks his second graded stakes victory, and first grade 1 in the July 27 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap (G1).View the full article

The Chosen Vron, a California-bred Horse of the Year and winner of 13 out of his 14 last races, will try for a second consecutive victory in the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Niigata Racecourse, two debuting both Saturday and Sunday: Saturday, July 27, 2024 2nd-NII, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT JASPER DIVINE (c, 2, Frosted–Rocket Reload, by Reload), whose dam was stakes-placed on the turf at two in the five-furlong Woodbine Cares Stakes, debuts in the colors of Kazuo Kato, who also campaigns Frosted's multiple Japanese group-winning turf sprinter Jasper Krone. The latter's trainer Hideyuki Mori signed the ticket on Jasper Divine at this year's OBS March Sale at $255,000 after the Mar. 14 foal breezed an eighth of a mile in :9 4/5. Jasper Krone was a $90,000 buy at OBSMAR in 2021. B-Denny Andrews (KY) 3rd-NII, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200m ECORO AZEL (c, 2, Shancelot–Cicada's Song, by Twirling Candy) was an OBS April acquisition by the aforementioned Hideyuki Mori, who gave $215,000 for the colt after he covered a furlong in :10 flat. The transaction made for a nice profit for pinhooker and consignor Jose Munoz, who parted with $17,000 for the colt at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. Crawford Farms, who campaigned this GII Amsterdam Stakes romper and MGISP sire in partnership, purchased Ecoro Azel's twice stakes-placed dam for $52,000 carrying to Practical Joke at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale. B-Crawford Farms (KY) Sunday, July 28, 2024 2nd-NII, ¥10,480,000 ($68k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200m JASPER SOLEIL (c, 2, Mitole–Hen Escape, by Henny Hughes) is the lone firster in a field of nine and also goes out for Mori, who gave $135,000 on behalf of Kazuo Kato at OBS March (:10 flat). Carlo Vaccarezza had previously purchased the close relation to the stakes-winning Extreme Lyra (Eskendereya) for $52,000 at Keeneland September last fall. The Jan. 28 produce is out of a half-sister to champion and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Benbaun (Ire) (Stravinsky) and the third dam bred MGSW GI Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Hawksley Hill (Ire) (Rahy). B-Brandywine Farm (Jim & Pam Robinson) (KY) 3rd-NII, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT LARGE GALLERY (f, 2, American Pharoah–Scarlet Color {Jpn}, by Victoire Pisa {Jpn}) is the first foal from his dam, a North Hills homebred who recorded the most important of her three career victories in the G2 Fuchu Himba Stakes in 2018, defeating champion Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) in the process. A victory here would make Large Gallery the first winner for her sire from a Sunday Silence-line dam. B-North Hills Co Limited (KY) The post Freshman Sire Shancelot Represented by First Japanese Starter at Niigata appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two-year-old filly Tenacious Candy (Twirling Candy) endured an extended hospitalization at UC Davis's veterinary hospital to survive tetanus and is now on her way to a racing career, according to an article written by Rob Warren and published on the university's website. The article states that after a leg cut exposed her to the bacterium that causes tetanus, Tenacious Candy was taken to UC Davis's Large Animal Clinic where specialists in the Equine Internal Medicine Service observed classic signs of the disease–a prolapsed third eyelid, a rigid mouth, and a stiff body and tail. As Warren explains, tetanus is potentially fatal and is characterized by muscular spasms caused by a neurotoxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium tetani. The organisms are abundant in the soil and surrounding environments, where they can survive for years. Horses are especially sensitive to the bacterium. The piece goes on to say that the filly was given tetanus anti-toxin medication and supportive care of fluid therapy, muscle relaxants, and a quiet environment of low light, low noise, and low activity, as tetanic horses are overly sensitive to stimuli. “It is not a recovery that can happen overnight,” said Dr. Emily Berryhill, assistant professor of equine medicine. “Horses recovering from tetanus routinely go through an extensive rehabilitation process. The toxins can be out of their system after being bound with antitoxin, but the damaged neuromuscular junctions need several weeks to regenerate.” Warren's reporting says that 2-year-old sustained significant muscle weakness as part of the disease process and tore a muscle in her hind leg while attempting to stand during rehabilitation. She was taken back to the hospital and placed in a sling to stabilize her and prevent further injury. After nearly a month, she was discharged after being able to lay down and get up repeatedly on her own. “Caring for Tenacious Candy was a labor of love for the veterinarians, students, and staff at the hospital,” Dr. Berryhill stated. “It is not easy for a young, high-energy horse to stay in a stall for that length of time, let alone tolerate a sling. We all grew to love her personality and spark, which helped her survive the worst. She truly lived up her name.” According to the article, tetanus is preventable with vaccination. Even though Tenacious Candy was vaccinated on schedule, it is possible that she did not generate the full immunity needed as a foal, increasing her risk of developing tetanus. The piece goes on to relate that her previous vaccinations did provide partial immunity, which helped her survive, even though they were not enough to fully protect her from the disease. “In addition to vaccination, proper first aid and wound care can help prevent tetanus,” said Dr. Berryhill. “We recommend keeping stalls, paddocks, and other barn areas free of materials that could cause injury and seeking veterinary intervention for wounds, even if small.” “Candy's survival was touch and go that first week,” said owner Mary Ellen Conway. “She is alive today because of the unflagging, over-the-top care given by Dr. Berryhill and the entire UC Davis team. I am beyond grateful they pulled her though.” The post UC Davis Equine Medicine Specialists Help Daughter Of Twirling Candy To Survive Tetanus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

She was highly unlikely to be as impressive as at Royal Ascot, but Ballydoyle's Listed Chesham Stakes-winning TDN Rising Star Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}–Mecca's Angel {Ire}, by Dark Angel {Ire}) duly added Leopardstown's G3 Jockey Club Of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes to her tally in professional manner on Thursday evening. Settled behind her course-and-distance-winning stablemate Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) by Ryan Moore, the 1-16 favourite was pulled out of her slipstream approaching the furlong pole and sent onwards to a 3 1/2-length success. There was another 1 3/4-length margin back to the group 3 yardstick Barnavara (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) in third. Bedtime Story The unbeaten daughter of Frankel follows up her runaway triumph in the Chesham at Royal Ascot with victory in the Group 3 Jockey Club Of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes at @LeopardstownRC under Ryan Moore. pic.twitter.com/lUN10RzAAp — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024 The post Job Done for Bedtime Story in the Silver Flash appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Friday at Saratoga and Del Mar: Friday, July 26, 2024 Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, f, (S), 6f, 4:02 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Accelerating (Mitole), FTMMAY, 325,000, :10 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agent; B-KSI Miss Welch (Maclean's Music), FTMMAY, 190,000, :10 1/5 C-Wavertree Stb Inc (C Dunne), agt; B-Legion BS/Gracie BS, agt Del Mar, 3, $75k, 2yo, (S), 5f, 8:00 p.m. ET Gozer (Ghostzapper), OBSMAR, 80,000, :10 1/5 C-Scanlon Training & Sales, agent; B-Nick J Hines, agent The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: July 26, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The deadline to nominate foals born in 2024 to the Breeders' Cup program at the one-time nomination fee of $400 is Thursday, Aug. 1 at 11:59 p.m. ET, Breeders' Cup Limited reiterated in a press release Thursday. Any foal being entered in a fall or winter breeding stock sale must be nominated by this deadline for inclusion of the Breeders' Cup Nominated engagement on the catalog page. The $400 weanling nomination entitles each foal with lifetime eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup racing programs. All foals sired by a fully nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth at the weanling rate. If sales foals are not nominated by the Aug. 1 early deadline, foal nominations may still be made in the foal's year of birth with a one-time payment of a $400 nomination fee if made on or before Oct. 15, 2024. That is the final deadline for a $400 lifetime eligibility nomination payment. The post $400 Early Breeders’ Cup Foal Nomination Deadline Closes Aug. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tackling Leopardstown's often-informative Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden with vital experience, Marc Chan's homebred Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}–Emerald Green {GB}, by Galileo {Ire}) made that edge count as he denied a pair of Ballydoyle bluebloods to open his account in the mile contest. Slowly away before rushed up to shadow the leader in second, the Jessica Harrington-trained 11-8 favourite was committed by Shane Foley approaching the furlong pole and stayed on strongly to account for Ryan Moore's pick of the Aidan O'Brien-trained duo Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) by 1 1/2 lengths. That son of Tepin (Bernstein) was in turn 2 3/4 lengths ahead of stablemate Scandinavia (Justify) in a race whose form will need close attention in the weeks ahead. “He's the first horse that Marc Chan has ever bred so he's very excited,” Harrington said of the winner of the race won two years ago by Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “He's a very laid-back horse, a big horse, and he's probably a little bit on the weak side still. We'll give him a bit of time and we probably won't be going anywhere in a hurry. There are plenty of mile races in the autumn. He's got some entries. We'll see how he comes out of this and go from there. Whatever he does now he's going to get better.” Jamie McCalmont Bloodstock purchased the dam for 475,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale in 2021. Green Impact The 11/8 favourite was never far off the pace in the Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden and goes one better than on his debut for @Jessica_Racing and Shane Foley at @LeopardstownRC. This race's roll of honour includes Camelot & Tower Of London. pic.twitter.com/0fBuu7Rx16 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 25, 2024 The post Marc Chan’s First Homebred Son of Wootton Bassett off the Mark at Leopardstown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sara Ben-David has been appointed as the Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC), Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced in a press release Thursday. The NJRC ensures the safety and integrity of the horse racing industry in New Jersey. Ben-David, a seasoned state government attorney with extensive experience in casino gaming and sports wagering as well as horse racing, was confirmed by unanimous vote during Wednesday's NJRC meeting. The NJRC is a nine-member bipartisan body appointed by the Governor. “New Jersey's horse racing culture is a unique one that spans back decades. To ensure that the integrity of the industry remains intact, it's important that we have an honest, devoted, and experienced leader at the helm, which is why I am thrilled to welcome Acting Executive Director Sara Ben-David,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “I am grateful to Interim Director Thomas Salerno for his time and dedication to the Commission over the past few months following the retirement of former Executive Director Judy Nason. The future of our Racing Commission is bright, and I look forward to working with Acting Executive Director Ben-David as we seek to build on its legacy.” “I am so pleased to announce Sara Ben-David as the Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Racing Commission. Horse racing has deep roots in New Jersey, and it's our job to ensure that the sport is administered with integrity, fairness, and safety. I can think of no better person to lead the New Jersey Racing Commission than Sara,” said Attorney General Platkin. “During the past two years I have relied on Sara's judgment and expertise on horse racing issues and complex questions involving sports wagering and internet gaming. And I have no doubt that Sara will approach her work at the Commission with that same dedication and commitment to ensuring the soundness of this crucial industry in New Jersey.” “I also want to thank Interim Director of the Racing Commission Thomas Salerno for his service and leadership,” added Attorney General Platkin. “Tom's work allowed the Commission to continue without interruption during this transition period, building on the integrity and professionalism of Judy Nason, who was an exceptional Executive Director of the Racing Commission for six years before her retirement.” “We're pleased to welcome Sara to the NJRC, and we all look forward to working with her,” said Commissioner Francis X. Keegan, Jr. “She has a big role to fill, and we know her experience and enthusiasm will be an absolute benefit to everyone in the racing world. The NJRC is thankful for the continued support of Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin.” “New Jersey has a long and rich horse racing history, and I look forward to continuing the progress we have made to continually refine and improve the sport for the health and safety for all participants,” said Ben-David. “I want to thank Governor Murphy and Attorney General Platkin for their support and confidence, and for entrusting me with the responsibility to oversee the state's horse racing industry. I'm eager to get to work with new colleagues at the NJRC and its many stakeholders who are passionate about this incredible sport.” Ben-David has served as Counsel to Attorney General Platkin since 2022. From 2013 to 2022, she served as a Deputy Attorney General with the Division of Gaming Enforcement, where she was assigned to the Casino and Employee Licensing Bureaus. In that role, Ben-David handled complex casino licensing hearings before the Casino Control Commission, oversaw the development of the “Jackpot Intercept” for the Child Support Program, and prepared amended regulations enhancing equal employment opportunity protections within the New Jersey casino gaming industry. Interim Director Thomas Salerno, who assumed that role after the retirement of Judy Nason in May 2024, remains in his previous position of Assistant Director. Ben-David will begin her work as Acting Executive Director on August 12, 2024. The post Sara Ben-David Appointed as Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Racing Commission appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 12th annual 'Riders Up!' jockey karaoke contest, benefitting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), returns on Sunday, July 28 at Vapor Night Club in Saratoga Springs, the non-profit said in a Thursday press release. As in previous years, the Saratoga contest will be part of the Battle of East-vs-West with the Del Mar event being held on Aug. 11. Famed track announcer Tom Durkin returns as emcee, and this year's judges include Donna Brothers, Marisa Jacques, Mark Mulholland and Father Jim Sichko. Click here for more information. The post 12th Annual Karaoke Contest Benefitting The PDJF Returns To Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monmouth Park's $1,000 Haskell Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, July 20, saw another record field and finished with New Jersey's own Pete Rogers atop the leaderboard, according to a release on Thursday from the racetrack. Rogers's $6,095.50 bankroll was best of 323 total entries and landed the Summit, New Jersey-resident a first prize of a Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge seat and $21,000. In total, Saturday's Haskell contest awarded 10 BCBC seats, two seats to the National Horseplayers Championship and $50,000 in cash. Monmouth Park's next live-money handicapping contest is Saturday, Aug. 3 and sports a $500 buy-in. Players may participate online through TVG/4NJBETS and Xpressbet or on-site at Monmouth Park. For information on contests, please contact Brian Skirka at bskirka@monmouthpark.com. The post New Jersey Man Wins Haskell Handicapping Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Downs plans to increase purses for nine of its 18 stakes by a total of $3.7 million from what was originally announced, pending regulatory approval, including the Nashville Derby Invitational (G3T) bumped from $2.5 million to $3.1 million.View the full article

Retired MLB star and GI Belmont Stakes-winning co-owner Jayson Werth will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga (RGCS), taking place from Aug. 12-14 at the Saratoga Hilton, the organizers said in a release on Thursday. “I am humbled to be welcomed into the racing community alongside experts passionate about addressing the challenges and opportunities in racing and gaming,” said Werth. “It's an honor to share my own journey with such a remarkable group at the Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga.” The RGCS will present more than 60 expert speakers across a wide range of disciplines, including academics, elected officials, lawyers, regulators, gaming operators and racing officials. The agenda includes 12 panels spread over three days with two evening networking receptions and a day at the races. Space is limited and registration is required. Click here for more information. The post Jayson Werth To Serve As Keynote For Racing And Gaming Conference at Saratoga appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse owner Brent Malmstrom told Wednesday's opening session of the annual National HBPA Conference that he has spent more than $620,000 “with no end in sight” on fighting the two-year suspension handed trainer Jonathon Wong after one of Wong's horses became the first to test positive in a post-race sample for the widely-prescribed diabetes medication Metformin under the HISA era. The comments came during the opening session of the four-day National HBPA Conference at Prairie Meadows. While Malmstrom doesn't own the horse at the center of the case, he has supported his trainer throughout the process. “You can agree with me or not, but I hope we can agree on one fundamental principle: No one should ever be at risk to losing their entire economic viability by no fault of their own. And that is something that is happening and will continue to happen until change occurs. There is fundamental unfairness where you can blatantly label someone a cheater when they've never had any opportunity to defend themselves,” said the West Coast businessman in the tech industry. “Back then you were labeled and branded and suspended as a cheater before you even had the results of the drug analysis… Now I understand the rules have all changed since then. But many of these changes have not helped our situation.” Appearing via Zoom because of flight cancelations trying to get to Des Moines, Malmstrom was part of the conference's opening panel titled “Status Report on HISA – Updates on Issues and Litigation.” Participating in person were Center for American Rights President Daniel Suhr, the lead attorney on the court challenge to the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Act legislation brought by the National HBPA and 12 affiliates in the Fifth Circuit, and prominent Indiana equine attorney Pete Sacopulos, a racehorse owner and breeder who represents the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians in the litigation. National HBPA General Counsel Peter Ecabert moderated the panel. Malmstrom shared his experience as he has financed the ongoing effort to exhaust the new administrative procedures under HISA to get Wong's case into federal court. The trainer's case, from a race June 1, 2023, at Horseshoe Indianapolis, was the first of what has become a spate of Metformin positives. It also was among the earliest medication/drug violations sanctioned under the new policies put in place by the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA) corporation and its enforcement arm, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU). HISA and HIWU ultimately announced that they are not enforcing sanctions on new cases until more research is done on the effect of Metformin on horses. They said the new policy would not be retroactive, so Wong remains suspended, although he subsequently started racing horses in Louisiana, which under a separate court challenge received a stay to prevent HISA's rules from being enforced in that state. “If I knew what I know today back when all of this started, I probably would have just paid Jonathan to sit on the sidelines for the 18 months they originally were offering and I'd have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Malmstrom said. “I know others have received a more favorable outcome. I don't know how our situation is different, other than I continue to be an advocate for all the people who come behind. When you're the first, I think they want to make an example out of us.” HBPA attorney Suhr: Fifth Circuit “a great opinion” Attorney Daniel Suhr spoke about the July 5 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals' finding which found that while HISA's rule-making procedures were constitutional, its enforcement of those rules is not. The suit is in a 45-day period while the Federal Trade Commission and the HISA corporation decide if they will appeal. With the Sixth Circuit upholding HISA's legality, the split among jurisdictions is likely to land the case before the Supreme Court, Suhr said, adding that the additional case in Louisiana is still awaiting a ruling. There also is an Eighth Circuit case awaiting a decision. Even if the Fifth Circuit decision didn't give the horsemen everything they'd hoped for, Suhr called it “a great opinion.” “Judge Duncan gave us everything we need to go on and move forward in a great position,” he said. Suhr said that he was confident that if the case goes to the high court, the majority of justices would rule in favor of the horsemen and strike down HISA. In introducing the panel, National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback called it “a new day” in the wake of the Fifth Circuit opinion. “HISA has become our industry's new four-letter word,” he said. “But I also want to say that the National HBPA had the same mission longer than HISA. We wanted national uniformity. We strived for national uniformity. We even supported the RMTC (Racetrack Medication & Testing Consortium) in an effort to do it in a scientistic fashion. So the mission has been the same. But when we started down this path after the (HISA) bill was signed into law, I felt I made it very clear publicly that the stance of the National HBPA is, and remains, to do our due diligence to protect horsemen. That's what we're doing: We're pursuing this because there was a concerted effort to review the Act, and we did not feel like it was in the best interest of the horse. “We want a level-playing field. We want cheaters out of the game. But how are we going to do it in the best way possible to protect horsemen, and is this Act the right thing to do? I think now we can justly say this act as a whole is not right for horsemen and the horse-racing industry and it's not doing what is necessary to protect the horse.” Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg | courtesy of the HBPA Iowa Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg delivers keynote address Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg thanked the National HBPA Conference for coming to the Prairie Meadows racetrack/casino/hotel complex and praised Prairie Meadows and the Iowa horsemen for their important contributions to the state. In extolling the virtues of the Hawkeye State, he joked, “And, I will say, with apologies to some of your states like Kentucky, Maryland and New York and others, we're also home to the highest-stakes horse race of all: the world-famous Iowa Caucuses, where we help winnow the field in our Presidential nominating process and help choose the next leader of the Free World.” Amplifying horse racing in a new 'Light' Annise Montplaisir, co-founder and executive director of Amplify Horse Racing, and Price Bell, general manager of Mill Ridge Farm and one of the founders of Light Up Racing, talked about the new grassroots initiatives designed to create a new generation of racing fans and potential work force–in the case of Amplify–and to promote horse racing in a positive light while countering misinformation (Light Up Racing). Light Up Racing, patterned off a similar initiative in Australia, launched shortly before the Kentucky Derby. Already, they say they have responded to more than 3,200 inaccurate social media posts, according to Bell. Notably, it quickly launched on social media a video interview with equine surgeon Larry Bramlage about the successful surgery and promising prognosis for Just Steel, who suffered a leg fracture in the Preakness Stakes. The video countered social media posts suggesting that Just Steel was dead or would die shortly, changing the narrative to the care racehorses get and advances in veterinary medicine. Bell said that racing “must get away from sticking its head in the sand” while hoping potential controversy would go away, and instead should face such situations head on with accurate and timely information. “We have the opportunity to grow our sport by sharing the incredible experiences with our horses,” said Bell. “Transparency fosters trust and credibility. Alone, we can do very little; together we can do so much. Bell is a sixth-generation horsemen who also was a founder of the Horse Country program that makes many Kentucky horse farms available for public tours. “It's the power of the horse that brings us together.” Montplaisir, who grew up and became a passionate horse-racing fan in North Dakota, laid out Amplify Horse Racing's efforts in its short existence to become the American racing industry's youth arm through an array of programs and experiences. She said that in 2023, its first year with a full-time staff of two, the non-profit reached more than 17,000 young people with information about the thoroughbred industry. Already in 2024, Amplify Horse Racing has had in-person activities in seven states, with expectations of reaching more than 30,000 people by year's end. Montplaisir said Amplify wants to work with horse groups to bring youths to the track. She cited a recent summer program held at Hawthorne racetrack in Cicero, Illinois, sponsored by the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. She said of the five high school students who participated in the program “four came away wanting to be equine veterinarians.” She said Amplify's next step is employing regional ambassadors to expand the reach nationally. Aftercare, classifying races, Uncaptured Storm also in spotlight The aftercare panel on Wednesday's program has become a staple of the HBPA conference, taking on increasing importance as the racing industry finds ways to give its retired racehorses second careers from accomplished show horses to riding horses to what was affectionately called a “pasture potato.” Anna Ford | New Vocations Anna Ford, who with her mother founded New Vocations Racehorse Adoption in 1992, noted that the term aftercare wasn't used in the industry when they began. She told the audience how in the last 10 years, the awareness “of the need for aftercare has grown greatly. I think it started primarily when social media came on the scene. Even 10-12 years ago, you'd ask trainers, 'What do you do with your horses then they retire?' and most of them really didn't have an answer. Fast forward to 2024 and ask them, they have an answer 99 percent of the time.” Ford said last year that New Vocations' nine facilities took in 618 horses from 70 racetracks and adopted them out to new homes in 38 states. She said the average length of stay to be rehabilitated, if necessary, and retrained is 121 days before being adopted out. The average cost of the stay, including veterinary care is $4,500, with the average adoption fee being $1,400. Kirsten Green, administrator for the Retired Racehorse Project, explained that organization's market-based approach to aftercare, culminating the increasingly popular Thoroughbred Makeover event at the Kentucky Horse Park. That's where horses who had their last race or published work within the prior 18 months are retrained to compete in 10 disciplines for more than $100,000 in prize money. Green said more than 4,700 horses have been impacted by having the Thoroughbred Makeover from its 2013 launch at Pimlico through 2023. The result has been increased demand for retired racehorses, helping to take some of the costs of retraining those horses away from aftercare facilities. Veterinarian Stephanie White, president of Hope After Racing Thoroughbreds (HART), spoke of the importance of Iowa's only accredited aftercare facility. Since HART's 2011 launch, 152 horses have gone through the program, with 127 adopted out, she said. The horses all have a connection to Prairie Meadows. “For our area, I'm quite proud of that number,” White said. “The first five years, we averaged about five horses a year. Since 2018, we've average 19.8 horses.” But like all aftercare facilities, funding remains challenging, along with the need for volunteers, she said. Races and their graded status The final panel of the day featured a detailed explanation of how races are assigned, or stripped of, graded status. The panel included Andy Schweigardt, senior director of industry relations for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA); David O'Farrell, general manager of Ocala Stud and TOBA chairman; and longtime racing official Rick Hammerle, a consultant for 1/ST Racing and director of racing operations at Kentucky Downs. Pat Cummings, executive director of Mike Repole's new National Thoroughbred Alliance, moderated the panel. Pat Cummings | The Jockey Club As part of a conversation on finding other ways to fill races and get larger fields, the panelists broached the exploration of introducing ratings handicap races into American racing. Stressing that it would not replace claiming races, they said ratings handicaps would add a category where the condition of the race is based on performance ratings, not claiming prices. Yet to be determined is what entity and methodology would assign rating classifications to horses. The National HBPA also honored its 2023 National Claiming Horse of the Year in nine-time winner Uncaptured Storm, who won at least once for each of his owners after changing hands five times last year via the claim box. “This is a tradition that is a backbone of the industry, and certainly a backbone of our organization,” said Hambelback, adding that the candidates for the award “are very successful. But it doesn't mean that success is defined by purse account. It's not what they've earned as much as what they've done.” The post HBPA Conference Kicks off in Des Moines; HISA a Central Topic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article