Wandering Eyes

Trainer Andrew Perdon (left) with Starspangled Baby after winning the Bairnsdale Cup on March 24, 2024. (Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Sale trainer Perdon will have three starters — Starspangled Baby, Faberge Tzar and Dummy Spit — in Alice Springs on Saturday as preparations for the forthcoming Darwin Cup Carnival continue. Perdon, 51, left Sale in eastern Victoria on Monday and stopped at Murray Bridge and Coober Pedy before arriving in the Red Centre on Wednesday afternoon. Alice Springs received some 30mm of rain from the front that is currently crossing Australia, and subsequently Pioneer Park was closed for track work. With rain easing on Friday and sunny weather tipped for Saturday, Perdon remains hopeful his trio will step out on Pioneer Park before the meeting this weekend. “The plan was to come here to mainly try and get them acclimatised, and give them a run on a dirt-and-oil-based track,” he said. “Then head to Darwin and give them a few weeks up there to acclimatise before they run again. “Hopefully, it clears up and I can work them before Saturday’s program. “Starspangled Baby, she’s heading hopefully to the Darwin Cup, and for Faberge Tzar, it’s the Guineas and Derby. “Dummy Spit, just find the appropriate races where he can pay his way. “It’s more like just giving them that experience on the dirt surface this weekend to see how they go. “Come to Alice Springs first, a few days on the track, race them, give them a break, and take them to Darwin. “Whether they’re good enough and measure up is the key — they’ve also got to handle the travel, the Darwin heat and Fannie Bay.” Starspangled Bay, a six-year-old mare, features in the Pioneer Park Anniversary Cup (1400m) at BM76 level; Faberge Tzar, a three-year-old gelding, runs in a 1400m BM54; and Dummy Spit, a four-year-old gelding, starts in a 1100m Class 2. Starspangled Baby won the Bairnsdale Cup (1600m) before finishing eighth in the Country Oaks (1950m) at Yarra Valley in March, while Faberge Tzar and Dummy Spit both raced twice during May. Leading Darwin jockey Jarrod Todd, who rode for Perdon when he was based in Victoria, will partner the trio on Saturday. “Jarrod actually rang me, he contacted me because we have history,” Perdon said. “He’s also one of the better jockeys up here, so he’s the one to probably get.” Horse racing news View the full article

Due to a drop in ticket sales for the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival, the centrefield at Fannie Bay will be closed throughout. With the 2024 Cup Carnival imminent, the Darwin Turf Club Board met this week before agreeing to make a significant change to its format. It was decided to take a cautious approach to operational and infrastructure investment due to a general decline in ticket sales. This decline is attributed to limited interstate access to the Northern Territory, cost-of-living pressures, and other economic challenges reducing discretionary spending. Attempts to secure additional funding from stakeholders to enhance the carnival have been unsuccessful. Consequently, the Board elected to close the centrefield at Fannie Bay and focus resources on improving service delivery to all guests on the grandstand side of the track. This decision follows consultation with the accommodation, events, and hospitality sectors, reflecting a softer than expected tourism uptake during this year’s dry season. Despite these challenges, DTC Chairman Craig Trezise remains optimistic about the success of the Darwin Cup Carnival. “We remain extremely confident we can produce an exceptional event keeping with the highest quality and services that our stakeholders have come to expect from one of the NT’s largest events,” he said. The 2024 Cup Carnival, which accommodates eight meetings, starts on July 6 and culminates with the running of the Darwin Cup on August 5. It was only recently that the DTC announced four new board members following its annual general meeting. New board members on the 10-member panel include Carol Need, Molly Upstill, Raymond Bail and Skefos Tsoukalis. Trezise made special mention of the efforts of previous board members and added that he is looking forward to working with current and newly appointed board members in facilitating further growth opportunities for the club. “I’d like to pass on my thanks to our former board members Daniel Banks and Donna Murray for their commitment and their contribution over the last three years,” he said. “I now look forward to working with our new board members to further enhance our racing product for both industry and our members whilst providing a fantastic customer experience in the coming years for our general racing public.” Meanwhile, Bronte Pearson, who hopes to be a sports presenter, is the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival Ambassador. Pearson, who is studying for her Bachelor of Media Communications degree, proved to be the outstanding candidate from a strong list of applicants for the coveted role. “Having been born and raised in the Territory, I have a deep understanding of the local culture values and community spirit that define our region,” she said. “I can’t wait to represent the Darwin Turf Club and contribute to the success of this prestigious event, whilst also showcasing some of our wonderful retailers and designers during the carnival.” 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival schedule July 6 – Darwin Guineas Day July 13 – Chief Minister’s Cup Day July 17 – Ladies Day July 20 – NT Derby Day July 27 – Metric Mile Day July 31 – Corporate Cup Day August 3 – Palmerston Sprint Day August 5 – Darwin Cup Day Horse racing news View the full article

David Hall has Chairman’s Sprint Prize victor primed for Group Three sprint this weekendView the full article

The GI Belmont S. lost a major contender Thursday when trainer Todd Pletcher revealed that last year's juvenile champion Fierceness (City of Light) will pass the final leg of the Triple Crown and will instead point for the GI Haskell S. on July 20 at Monmouth Park. The Daily Racing Form's David Grening was first with the story. “We felt like Fierceness needs more time and will point for the Haskell,” Pletcher said in a text message. Fierceness has not run since finishing 15th as the beaten favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby, repeating a pattern where he seems to run his best every other race. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, he won the GI Florida Derby by 13 1/2 lengths. Pletcher still has three horses pointing for the Belmont in GIII Peter Pan S. winner Antiquarian (Preservationist), maiden Protective (Medaglia d'Oro) and recent allowance winner Mindframe (Constitution). All three will work Saturday. Though he has yet to announce his final decision, trainer Kenny McPeek said Thursday he is leaning toward running Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) in the final leg of the Triple Crown. He also said he will point for the GI Travers S. “The Belmont actually seems to be a little more attractive because I don't have to ship, it is Grade I, obviously the prestige is a no-brainer,” said McPeek, who has already shipped Mystik Dan to Saratoga. “We want to run, we do, we just got to make sure that all boxes are checked, t's are crossed and i's are dotted.” The post Fierceness to Pass Belmont, Point to Haskell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As is often the case, the opponent that may well have Ryan Moore looking over his shoulder as he attempts to win Coolmore yet another Classic could be coming from the same stable on Friday with Aidan O'Brien readying two salvos at the G1 Betfred Oaks. While there is no disputing that on the formbook, the G1 Fillies' Mile-winning TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the number one, there is a sense of stealthy acceleration through the ranks for the yard's regally-bred maiden Rubies Are Red (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). A full-sister to the Arc heroine Found (Ire), the latter was impossible to ignore as she steamed through the line in the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial. Interestingly sent to the same Leopardstown maiden in April used for last year's Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Rubies Are Red almost denied You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) her sensational success three weeks ago with barnstorming final splits. What played against her was her inability to travel down Lingfield's descent to the straight, so that might be a sticking point on these similar undulations, but equally that could have been down to inexperience. Forever Together (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won this for Ballydoyle as a maiden and it is intriguing that she has been selected to come to Surrey despite the presence of the favourite. Ylang Ylang goes up four furlongs in trip, having run truer to her pedigree when fifth in the G1 1,000 Guineas four weeks ago than she did when beating the speedy Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in the seven-furlong G3 Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown last July. If she was able to brandish her zealous nature in winning that prize, that side of her nature quickly led to a mid-season slump before a calmer, more tractable version of her was displayed in her Fillies' Mile success. Despite her obvious credentials, Ryan Moore's selection meets genuine mile-and-a-half-plus candidates here so she has something else to prove. Perhaps the devil was in the detail in Thursday's words on Rubies Are Red from O'Brien. “She is definitely an Oaks-type filly,” he declared. “Her running style is like Found's, in that she takes her time and comes late. Ryan said she was very green at Lingfield and he nursed her.” Of Ylang Ylang, he added, “We were very happy with her in the Guineas. We thought going to the Guineas that she was an Oaks filly given the way she had been working and that is how she ran. Her run in the Moyglare was a shocker. She was able to reverse it when she got into the right mindset and I imagine some of the fillies that were behind her in the Guineas were ahead of her in the Moyglare, so it's amazing the way things can swing around.” Ryan Moore seems confident that he has picked the right one and said, “It's an open Oaks, I suppose, but I'd say Ylang Ylang fully deserves her place at the head of the market. She was doing all her best work at the finish when winning the Fillies' Mile on soft ground last season and she again shaped as if a greater test of stamina would suit when fifth in the Guineas and that is the best form on offer going into this race. By some way. The mile-and-a-half trip is not certain on pedigree, but I'd be positive on that front and she is clearly the one to beat for me.” More Aga Khan Classic Glory In 2024? The Aga Khan's season has already started brighter than any in recent memory, with Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) winning the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, and it is fair to say that the operation's candidate Ezeliya (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) has Oaks written all over her. From the stamina-packed family of the G1 Gold Cup-winning half-siblings Enzeli (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) and Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) and the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), the Dermot Weld project won a key trial in the 10-furlong G3 Salsabil S. at Navan looking for all the world like this Epsom test would suit. “I've had 24 winners of English and Irish Classics, but Blue Wind was the first and so that was a very special day for me,” Weld said as he reflected on his 1981 breakthrough winner. “She was a very good filly who went on to win the Irish Oaks and ended the season the champion filly of Europe. She was a big, strong filly and she won by seven lengths from Madam Gay, who went on to win the Prix de Diane. I've only had a few runners at Epsom, but it's been lucky for me. I also won the Derby with Harzand and we were second in the Oaks with Tarfasha, who was beaten only by another very high-class filly in Taghrooda.” “The Salsabil form was let down a little bit in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but I'm satisfied with my filly,” the master of Rosewell House added. “She's a medium-sized filly with quality and I expect her to run a good race. She's never been over a mile and a half, but she gives every impression that the trip will suit. We hope it will, but I can assure you she isn't short of pace.” Continuing Of A Trend? Fascinatingly, both English Classics staged so far this term have gone to those who started on the all-weather during the winter and it would really be something if the unbeaten Forest Fairy (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}) could carry on that quirk here. Dazzling on debut at Wolverhampton in February, the least-exposed of Ralph Beckett's four runners had to work for her follow-up three months later in the Listed Cheshire Oaks. What that form is worth remains to be seen, with Aidan O'Brien opting not to send the runner-up Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}) into action here, but it is notable that the filly that beat Rubies Are Red at Leopardstown, Galileo Dame (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), was well-beaten. On pedigree, she is a far more suitable Oaks candidate than the G3 Musidora S. winner Secret Satire (GB) (Advertise {GB}) or Godolphin's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), so it could be that she holds the key to the British defence from a stable that excels with middle-distance fillies. Can Emily Repeat? Anyone who knows anything about sectional timing knows that the 2023 G1 Coronation Cup success of TDN Rising Star Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) marked her out as one of the race's very best winners and she is back to defend her title on Friday. Her stunning 10.52 split between the three and the two went unmatched over the two days, including in the Derby and while it is true that her overall form is patchy, this is an elite performer so it is welcome that connections have kept her in training at five. Triptych won this as a five and six-year-old, so the ball is in the court of the Gosdens' mare to get some consistency in 2024. Like Emily Upjohn, fellow TDN Rising Star Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman (GB) also needs to find a more level way of operating with his impressive G1 Grand Prix de Paris success now feeling more and more like a distant memory. His latest third in the 10 1/2-furlong G1 Prix Ganay gave hope that he is on the way back and it is worth remembering that Pascal Bary talked often of him being a “next-year horse” despite his 3-year-old exploits. Connections have come here looking for a mile-and-a-half test and with the likes of Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in attendance, he should get that. This was a race the French, and in particular Andre Fabre, at one time dominated with seven wins between 1986 and 1996. Epsom Dodges The Rain… While the forecast last week suggested this could be one of those soggy Derby festivals, Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper had some welcome news on Thursday. “We haven't seen a lot of rain yet here today. It was a cloudy morning with a few light showers, which gave us about a millimetre and it actually ended up being quite a pleasant, dry afternoon. I think we've got some showery rain heading our way this evening, there's still some potential for that here, so watch this space on that, but I don't expect it to be thundery heavy or anything like that.” “I've left the ground for now at good-to-soft, which is where we were at first thing this morning, because prior to this morning, we'd basically been dry since Tuesday afternoon. There was nothing I'd really call soft, so I think good-to-soft remains a fair call as it is. It will have dried a fraction during the course of the day here, but it wasn't the kind of temperature or dry enough for it to dry very quickly. Tomorrow, there looks a lot of dry weather but we could have a kind of drizzly spell through the morning potentially.” “It's not a completely dry picture, but there doesn't look anything particularly heavy and Saturday looks dry. In Flat-racing terms, I think most people would say slightly faster ground would be perfect, but I think if it stays dry, we would be heading towards good, certainly. Whatever it ends up, it's a nice, consistent surface–it's not erratic and it walks very consistently.” The post “Her Running Style Is Like Found’s” – Has Moore Chosen Right In The Oaks? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tracks and horsemen are voicing concerns about possible negative consequences for Louisiana following rule changes that will roll back restrictions on controlled medications and allow increased use of substances of high concern such as clenbuterol.View the full article

7th-Gulfstream, $43,000, (S), Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($20,000), 5-30, 3yo/up, 1mT, 1:34.53, fm, 1 length. QUESTER (c, 3, Into Mischief–Osare {SW, $234,605}, by Medaglia d'Oro), third in his debut going 5 1/2 panels for Todd Pletcher on the main track here in March, came back to score extending to 8 1/2 furlongs Apr. 19. Given a 4-1 chance to make it two straight switching to the care of Heather Smullen, he stalked the early pace, took over in the stretch and inched clear late to score by a length over Dear Dad (Khozan). The victory represented the first victory for Smullen, former assistant to Ralph Nicks. During her tenure with Nicks, she also served as an exercise rider to champion 2-year-old filly Caledonia Road and GI Florida Derby and GI Travers S. winner Tiz the Law. “It feels great. I've been really lucky,” she said after her win Thursday. “I have a lot of owners and managers and people who have supported me over the years. I've been lucky to have the opportunity to have nice horses,” she said. Smullen's career as an exercise rider ended following an accident on Labor Day morning at Saratoga in 2022 that left her with a broken fibula and tibia in her right leg. She has served at Gulfstream Park as an assistant for Arindel Farms, as well as for trainers Dale Romans and Phil Serpe over the past several years. “I've worked as an assistant for about 20 years,” said Smullen, a niece of Tagg's assistant trainer Robin Smullen. “I've been lucky to have been around good horses.” Smullen currently has a stable of 12 horses at Gulfstream. Osare produced a full-brother to the winner in 2022 followed by a filly by Gun Runner last season. She was bred back to Life Is Good. Sales history: $775,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $100,000 3yo '24 KEEAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $58,740. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Lawana L. and Robert E. Low; B-Bridlewood Farm (FL); T-Heather Smullen. The post Into Mischief’s Quester Gives Trainer Heather Smullen Her First Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Bill Finley and Dan Ross The Louisiana Racing Commission has put in place what it is calling “Active Emergency Rules of Racing,” to go into effect on June 8. These new regulations have raised the permissible dosage and shrunk the allowable withdrawal times for several medications, most notably the bronchodilator Clenbuterol and corticosteroid Depo-Medrol. The decision by the Louisiana Racing Commission–which has already garnered significant push-back from within and without the industry–was done in an attempt to make the sport safer, the Commission's Executive Director Stephen Landry told the TDN. That thinking runs counter to what has become conventional wisdom in racing–that restricting drug use is the best way to make the sport safer. But Landry said he was confident that the direction the Commission has taken will prove beneficial to the horses competing in the state. “The rules were changed to allow trainers to train their horses and veterinarians to treat their horses in a way they felt would increase safety,” said Landry. Landry, who has held his current position for about two months, said he understands why there has been a backlash after the new rules were released. But he said he wants people to understand that the changes were made with good intentions. “We're very hopeful that there won't be a statistical anomaly that shows we did the wrong thing. We will monitor that,” said Landry. “We want to promote horse racing and safety. The last thing that I'd like anybody to believe is that we in Louisiana don't care about the horse or are looking to allow cheaters to have a place to operate.” Landry said that Dr. Steven Barker was instrumental in writing the rules. Barker was the Commission's chief chemist for 29 years. He is now a Professor Emeritus at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Like Landry, he said he expects the changes will prove to be beneficial to the well-being of racing's athletes. “The rules had become more and more strict about when and how much or if you can use therapeutic medications that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” Barker said. “This was in response to that.” As testing thresholds have lowered and testing equipment has gotten more sensitive, “we're at a point where you can get a positive for picograms of a commonly used therapeutic. At those levels you have absolutely no pharmacology. This is an adjustment in response to that. The pendulum in these things always swings to the left or the right. There is such a thing as being too conservative or too liberal. We're trying to come back to something that is more reasonable, rational and scientifically based,” said Barker. “It takes a while for these things to clear down to the levels that have been set. Inflammation itself is one of the more damaging afflictions in athletes because it causes tissue damage. Not treating it adds to the possibility that it will have some detrimental effect in the future,” he added. The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has no jurisdiction over racing rules and regulations in Louisiana. Larry Findley is a licensed veterinarian who sits on the Louisiana State Racing Commission. Findley said he stands fully behind the new set of “emergency” medication rules passed by the Commission, at the same time rebuffing criticisms that the new rules could lead to an increase in equine fatalities. “God gave us these beautiful creatures and we are here to take care of them, not to abuse them. So, the withdrawal times that they've come up with in my experience are not going to increase breakdowns,” said Findley. Among some of the more controversial aspects of the rule changes concern the corticosteroid Depo-Medrol, permitting its intra-articular use at 200 mg seven days before a race. The current rules in Louisiana limit a 100 mg injection of Depo-Medrol 21 days before a race. Depo-Medrol is a long-acting corticosteroid. Studies have shown it to have a potentially detrimental effect on the joints if not used judiciously. Nevertheless, Findley said that the new rules around Depo-Medrol are adequately restrictive, arguing that the drug is not commonly used on the backstretch anymore, replaced by more effective corticosteroids like Triamcinolone. “Now, if you inject that horse [with Depo-Medrol] once a week, you're going do damage,” said Findley. “But one injection of Depo-Medrol is not going to hurt a horse.” Findley said he similarly disagrees that collectively, the new rules surrounding corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) won't mask the sorts of injuries that can turn catastrophic during fast works or racing. Instead, they are designed, said Findley, to be used in conjunction with other approaches to diagnosing injuries. “If the horse is sore, somebody ought to be X-raying and determining, 'Is this a chip? Is this nothing? Is it just inflammation? Does he need operating on? Do you need to rest him?' Those kinds of things need to be made by the veterinarian taking care of the horse at the racetrack.” Modern advances in diagnostic equipment illustrate that those subtle bone changes proven to lead to catastrophic breakdowns–many of which are not visible to the naked eye–are often missed by more common approaches like X-ray and nuclear scintigraphy, and can only be picked up by more cutting-edge diagnostic equipment like PET and MRI. These machines are readily available to the racing industry at only a few places around the country. Evangeline Downs | Courtesy Evangeline Downs Findley said that if the Commission sees an up-tick in equine fatalities subsequent to the new rules going into effect, the Commission would return to these rules for possible revision. The Louisiana Racing Commission does not currently make equine fatality data public on its website, as many other jurisdictions do. Nor do Louisiana tracks publicly post their equine fatality statistics on The Jockey Club's “Equine Injury Database.” Several prominent trainers who routinely ship into Louisiana Thursday voiced concern and frustration with the new rules, one saying it might create an “unfair playing field” for them, and others pointing to the headaches of trying to navigate a fractured set of rules. When asked about these trainers' concerns, Findley disagreed that the new rules make operating a barn more difficult for them. “Not to me it doesn't,” said Findley. “It's common sense to me. You should know you should look it up. It's available. And we do it for them. We take care of them. We tell them what to give.” In April, HISA issued a report showing how racetracks operating under its rules reported 1.23 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts in 2023, while non-HISA tracks reported a rate of 1.63 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts. Findley said that he did not believe HISA's much stricter medication rules led to a safer sport. “I think they can make data do whatever it wanted to do, but I don't think those rules are any safer personally,” said Findley. “The government tries to control too much, in my opinion, the federal government. And that's what HISA is,” Findley added. “You can tell everybody in the whole world, I'm totally against HISA.” When asked if the Louisiana government would try to intercede if the privately run Churchill Downs sought to institute its own tighter house medication rules, Findley said that would be his “personal preference,” but he added that such a scenario was very much a hypothetical. “Churchill Downs is not a veterinarian,” Findley added. Disagreement Other veterinary experts around the country strongly disagree with the stance taken by the Louisiana Racing Commission, many of them describing the new rules as a drastic reverse step in terms of equine and human welfare and safety. “Quite frankly, it's a major step backwards as far as horse health and safety is concerned, as well as for the riders,” said Jeff Blea, the California Horse Racing Board's Equine Medical Director. Among Blea's most pointed concerns with Louisiana's new rules is the loosening of restrictions around NSAIDS, allowing their use 24 hours from a race. “That has a very profound effect on regulatory vet exams on race day,” said Blea, explaining how these anti-inflammatory drugs can mask the potential presence of a brewing injury, one that might prove catastrophic under high stress. The same principle applies to Blea's condemnation of Louisiana's new rules surrounding intra-articular corticosteroid injections. California regulators have long stressed their belief the state's strict rules on joint injections implemented several years ago significantly contributed to a much reduced equine fatality rate. “We had a lot of these same rules in place for a lot of years and look where it got us, as far as fatalities,” said Blea, looking back at the rules in place in California prior to the well-advertised rash of fatalities at Santa Anita in 2019. “But we made a lot of drastic changes, and they are drastic, but they made a huge difference in drastically reducing fatalities.” Similarly, Blea disagrees with the emergency rules around Clenbuterol. Come June 8 in Louisiana, the drug can be given to a horse within 72 hours of a race. Currently in Louisiana, the withdrawal time for Clenbuterol is 14 days before a race. Under HISA, Clenbuterol can be prescribed by a veterinarian for a duration not to exceed 30 days in a six-month period. After administration, the horse is placed on the veterinarians' list and is not eligible to participate in a workout or race until blood samples have been taken that show that the drug is no longer in the horse's system. “It's got a known anabolic effect,” said Blea, of the drug. “It has a history of being abused in the industry, which is one of the biggest reasons for moving the regulations out to 21 days.” The new rules also remove any restrictions on the use of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium (CMPK) solutions, which are believed to have a calming effect on horses. “If there are no regulation over that on race day, how do you protect the integrity of the horse and people betting on the horse?” said Blea. Ryan Carpenter, a Southern California-based veterinarian, takes a similar position to Blea. “It's kind of what you'd expect coming from an anti-HISA state,” he said. At the same time, Carpenter described the cultural shift in horsemanship that has taken place in California since the advent of much tighter medication rules some five years ago–an evolution in veterinary care that ultimately benefitted the horse, he said. “One thing very discouraging to me is this idea you can't train horses without medication,” said Carpenter. “We all felt that way 10 years ago here in California, but then realized pretty quickly that you can do a good and effective job without overloading them on corticosteroids and non-steroidals. They don't have to have it.” Carpenter added how he used to give Lasix and Banamine (an NSAID also referred to as flunixin) routinely to horses that worked, believing these drugs to be beneficial to their recovery. “I felt that if I did that, the horses would work better, would be less sore the day after they worked, and therefore, could maintain an active training regimen more consistently, and better prepare for a race with less problems,” said Carpenter. “When we removed Banamine or Bute 48 hours before a work, I thought I'd be checking a bunch of sore horses the day after they worked. But they actually were no different than when I gave it. So, clearly the Banamine that I thought was so important before the work really didn't do a whole lot,” Carpenter said. The main thing for the industry, including Louisiana, is a veterinary approach prefaced upon individual horse needs, rather than a “paint brush of what you can give,” said Carpenter. “That's where we have been as an industry for a while–we give it because we can, and not because the horse necessarily needs it.” Former LRC equine medical director Tom David said that he believes the new rules set Louisiana racing back “about 50 years” on medication usage. “In 1968 at Evangeline Downs, these rules are about what we were racing off of then. I just think it's terrible,” said David. “Louisiana has got this idea, the [Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association] and a couple veterinarians on the Racing Commission now, that they think they know more than the rest of the country. But that absolutely makes no sense,” said David. The new withdrawal time for Clenbuterol opens the door for trainers to use it for performance-enhancing purposes, rather than as a bronchodilator, said David. “Clenbuterol has a definite anabolic property, and when you race on it with that short of an interval, that's what they'll be giving it for,” he said. And because both the fetlock joint and sesamoid bones are a key focal point for catastrophic injury, the new rules on corticosteroid intra-articular injections in particular could lead to an increase in equine fatalities, warned David. “You're going to inhibit the ability of the examining veterinarian of identifying if a horse has a problem,” said David. “There's much more research to support what HISA is doing. And this thing that Louisiana has come up with, it smells.” Kevin Dunleavy is a Kentucky-based veterinarian who for many years practiced at Fair Grounds during its annual winter meet, though didn't travel to Fair Grounds for the last meet. Dunleavy called the rule changes a “dramatic swing away” from the increasingly conservative prevailing approach to medication regulations elsewhere in the U.S. Dunleavy leveled his “biggest concern” for the connections of horses shipping into and out of Louisiana from HISA-regulated jurisdictions, where the medication rules are more stringent. Because of that, these horses could be seen to be at a “perceived disadvantage” performance-wise against horses stabled year-round in Louisiana. “You've got to be really careful about withdrawing,” said Dunleavy, pointing specifically to Clenbuterol. “We like to think that everyone using it is using it therapeutically. But in the same respect, we know that not everyone does.” The post Louisiana Racing Commission Says New Rules Will Make the Sport Safer, Other Veterinary Experts Say the Opposite Will Happen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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By Brigette Solomon Ardmore-based trainers Brian and Gareth Hughes line up two runners at Cambridge tonight, including the well-bred two year old Captain Sampson who makes his race debut. Captain Sampson is by Captaintreacherous and out of Millie Sampson, an eight race winning mare who also placed third in the 2014 New Zealand Yearling Sales Series Championship. The gelding, to be driven by Tony Cameron, starts from barrier three in Race two, the Hamilton Fencing Swift Stride Mobile Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings. The five horse field consists entirely of first starters with Captain Sampson having several educational workouts under his belt with good results. “He’s trialled up nicely and with each trial he’s got a bit better,” says Gareth Hughes, “his workout on Saturday where he finished second was good and he just blew out a little so it will have sharpened him up a bit for tonight’s race.” Captain Sampson will start a $3.60 second favourite, with Bar Louie at $1.60. “He’s a nice, progressive type and the Captaintreacherous progeny are doing a great job on the track.” The Hughes partnership’s second runner is the five-year-old trotter Grace N Elegance who lines up in Race five, The Gavelhouse.com Handicap Trot over 2200 metres. “She has been going good honest races although tonight’s race is a step up for her,” says Hughes, “no doubt she will give another honest performance though.” The lightly-raced mare won her maiden race at Cambridge over the same distance at her last start and has been a consistent performer from limited outings. Grace N Elegance starts tonight’s race off a 10 metre handicap and is driven by Joshua Dickie. The evening’s higher rated pace and trot races also see the resumption of several competitive horses including four-year-old mares Kourtney Kardash and Mhai Surfer Girl in Race seven, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. Meanwhile Aflyin Spur, a winner of seven races, resumes fresh up off the 20 metre line in Race eight, the Betavet Prepare Handicap Trot. Tonight’s meeting gets underway with Race one at 5.26pm. View the full article

Trainer Ron Moquett, who is a dual member of the HBPA board and the HISA Horseman's Advisory Committee, was not charged with any fines nor penalties May 29 by HISA's ADMC program after MGSP Speed Bias (Uncle Mo) was found last fall to have Mepivacaine–a controlled medication–in his system, according to a tweet sent out by the Arkansas-based conditioner on Thursday afternoon. The post-race test was administered after the gelding finished third in the GII Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland Oct. 28. Moquett was informed of the split sample result Nov. 27 and an internal adjudication panel heard his case May 17. “I was shocked at the news and it's something that you don't want to believe,” said Moquett, when he was reached by phone on Thursday. “I began to investigate, but I had never heard of Mepivacaine, so I spoke to my vet and learned that it was used when you castrate a horse.” Moquett's records proved that a 2-year-old colt in his care named Atomic (Mitole) was gelded nine days prior to Speed Bias being in that same stall. “We started by working backwards, but it wasn't just with the help of my staff,” he said. “Keeneland provided the video evidence, which was crucial to showing who entered the stall and when.” According to Moquett, he hired an attorney who put together a witness list, so the trainer could defend himself in front of the adjudication panel. Dr. Nicole Wettstein provided testimony that she performed the surgical procedure known as a “standing castration” and administered 1000mg of Mepivacaine on Atomic. Expert testimony was added by Dr. Foster Northrup, DVM and Dr. Kimberly Brewer, DVM, who corroborated that Speed Bias's lab results were consistent with inadvertent exposure to Mepivacaine. Video evidence provided by Keeneland and testimony by assistant trainer Chance Moquett proved that the stall was thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to Speed Bias's arrival at Keeneland. “Luckily we had the evidence and the opportunity to plead our case,” said Moquett. “It cost resources, but I'm not getting hired because of my win percentage. I'm getting hired because of our commitment to the horse.” In the end, the panel ruled that Moquett did exercise the utmost caution when it came to preparing and attempting to decontaminate Speed Bias's stall. Even though no specific period of ineligibility or financial penalty was levied, Speed Bias was disqualified from the Fayette S., and all purse money, prizes and awards were forfeited. The post No Sanctions For Moquett In Medication Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) will have a presence at Saratoga Racecourse during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the organization announced in a release Thursday. In addition, to highlight accredited aftercare, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) has named a race on the undercard on Friday, June 7 in honor of TAA. A presentation will be made to the winning connections, including a TAA branded blanket and gift bag. “NYRA is pleased to welcome Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for Belmont Week at Saratoga Racecourse, particularly during this historic year when the third leg of the Triple Crown unfolds at Saratoga–an uncommon occurrence, given the traditional venue of the Belmont Stakes,” said NYRA's Vice President of Communications Pat McKenna. “This partnership underscores NYRA's commitment to raising awareness for Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's vital mission of supporting racehorses beyond their competitive careers. Together, we aim to highlight the significance and garner support for the ongoing care of these incredible equine athletes beyond the track, ensuring a brighter future for these Thoroughbreds.” On Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, representatives from the TAA will also host the winners of the VIP experience that was auctioned off earlier in the year in the “Off to the Races” Campaign to support accredited aftercare. The was package donated by NYRA. The post TAA to be On Site at Saratoga for Belmont Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Heather Smullen saddled her first winner as a head trainer May 30 at Gulfstream Park, where Quester put her in the winner's circle following a one length victory in the race 7 feature.View the full article

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A three-year-old filly already named Lady Blackmore (Fr) (Bathyrhon {Ger}) (lot 188) brought a sale-topping bid of €45,000 from Milestone Bloodstock and James Kenny at Thursday's Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale. Consigned by Galbertstown Stables, Lady Blackmore is out of the five-time winner Pennsylvanie (Fr) (Dadarissime {Fr}), a half-sister to the dam of Jango Baie (Fr) (Tiger Groom {GB}), the winner of last December's G1 Formby Novices' Hurdle and a previous graduate of the May Store Sale. “We have bought her with Colin Bowe,” said Kenny. “I love her–she has a very good temperament, has a lovely way of going, walks well and a lovely presence. Her stallion has not done anything wrong, either. She will go to Colin's and, hopefully, we will see her out in the point-to-point field.” Sean Doyle of Monbeg Stables, the session's leading buyer with 15 horses purchased, signed for the second-dearest lot at €42,000, the Lakefield Farm-offered Jack Hobbs (GB) gelding out of the winning bumper mare Penelope Pips (GB) (Presenting {GB}) (lot 187). “He is a big, strong horse and very good mover,” said Doyle. “I looked at him three times today and he stood out every time I saw him. I am delighted to have him on the team. He comes from a good farm and we have had luck with them before. This is the first by the sire we have had and I love to buy horses out of Presenting mares.” Of the 238 lots offered, 169 sold (71% clearance rate) for an aggregate spend of €2,165,750. The average was €12,815 and the median was €10,500. Simon Kerins, Tattersalls Ireland CEO, said, “The trade today has indeed been selective, consistent with what we witnessed at the earlier Store sale this month. However, it was pleasing to see an improvement in our clearance rate compared to last year's sale [69%]. Whilst the market has been challenging at this level there has been a real sense of pragmatism by the vendors. “We're hugely appreciative of the support from both vendors and purchasers this week and the later date in the calendar was well-received by both. This sale has produced some outstanding winners on the track and in the point-to-point sphere, and I wish everyone the best of luck with their purchases.” The post Top Lot At Tattersalls Ireland May Store Sale Set To Join Colin Bowe appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

City of Troy is clinging on to favoritism in the Derby (G1) despite his unfavorable draw in stall 1, but Aidan O'Brien is unconcerned ahead of his bid for classic glory at Epsom.View the full article

After finishing fifth in her sophomore debut in the One Thousand Guineas (G1) last month, Ylang Ylang looks to rebound and give trainer Aidan O'Brien his 11th victory in the Epsom Oaks (G1) May 31. View the full article

Emily Upjohn attempts to become the latest queen of Epsom by making it back-to-back wins in the May 31 Coronation Cup (G1) and she is unlucky not to be coming here unbeaten around the course.View the full article

Thursday also saw the draw made for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, with Jeff Smith's G1 2,000 Guineas fourth Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) getting an inside post in two. In between the two ParisLongchamp conditions winners Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Look De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), the Clive Cox-trained G2 Royal Lodge S. scorer will at least have a tactical advantage in the 10 1/2-furlong Classic, with his trainer saying earlier this week, “He is very versatile and very balanced, I'm more than happy.” Wathnan Racing's acquisition Fast Tracker (GB) (Churchill {Ire}), who jumped into the picture with a seven-length success in the track's Listed Prix de Suresnes earlier this month, drew stall five and the Henri-Alex Pantall-trained will have James Doyle on board for the first time. Andre Fabre's trio includes Sosie and Baron Edouard De Rothschild's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), who is re-opposed by Ballydoyle's Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who was fourth in that ParisLongchamp feature. Alcantor is in seven, while Diego Velazquez will have to navigate a wide draw in 11. The post Ghostwriter Fares Well In Jockey Club Draw appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With only five starts under her belt, the Tapit filly is the least experienced in the field of nine fillies and mares set to go 1 1/16 miles. View the full article

City Of Troy is clinging on to favoritism in the Betfred Derby (G1) despite his unfavorable draw in stall one, but Aidan O'Brien is unconcerned ahead of his bid for Classic glory at Epsom.View the full article

Trainer Chad Brown plans for Tuscan Gold, fourth in the Preakness Stakes (G1) over a muddy track, to join stablemate and Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up Sierra Leone in the June 8 Belmont Stakes (G1) if Tuscan Gold works to his satisfaction.View the full article

Two animal wellness groups condemned the Louisiana State Racing Commission for passing an “emergency rule” going into effect June 8 which loosen medication rules at Louisiana tracks, according to a press release from Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy. “It's no surprise, since Louisiana has refused to join the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Anti-Doping and Medication Control program (HISA), which is a federal racing authority working to establish national medication rules that will eliminate race-day doping of horses and establish other reasonable horse-safety standards,” says the release, pointing out than in 2023, HISA tracks experieced a 32.5% lower breakdown rate than non-HISA tracks. “Louisiana clearly believes that horses should race on more drugs and wants an open-door policy for cheating and racing without integrity,” said Fred Hudson, director of Equine Welfare for Animal Wellness Action. “If this racing commission were operating under HISA, it would be instead acting in the best interest of horses and preventing future tragic deaths from this kind of liberal use of medications.” Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy called upon the commission to immediately reverse its approval for the new rule, and to join HISA. The post Animal Welless Groups Call La. Rules `Perverse and Tragic’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Tattersalls Online June Sale can now be viewed here, with 140 lots set to be offered when the sale takes place on June 5-6, including 51 two-year-olds in the second edition of the Online Breeze-Up Session. The 51 lots, which include the progeny of first-season sires such as Earthlight (Ire) and Kameko, breezed prior to the sale at Chelmsford Racecourse and Dundalk Stadium. The breeze-up footage and timings for all lots have been recorded and are available on the Tattersalls Online website. Each will also be offered with a Pre-sale Five Stage Veterinary Certificate Of the 71 horses in and out of training set to go under the virtual hammer, Dragon Icon (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (lot 68) is one of the most accomplished having finished fifth in last year's G2 German 2,000 Guineas after winning his first two starts. Consigned by Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables, the four-year-old is a full-brother to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Aunt Pearl (Ire). Baroda Stud will offer a draft of five lots which includes the 87-rated colt Respectful (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) (lot 100), a half-brother to the Group 3 winner Doctor Geoff (Ire) (Fast Company) and the Group 2-placed Show Respect (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}). The draft also features an unraced three-year-old filly named World Vision (Ire) (lot 58), who is by Galileo (Ire) out of the Group 3 winner and dual Group 1-placed Wind Chimes (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Eight broodmares, five point-to-pointers, four stores and one yearling will also be offered for sale when bidding opens at noon on Wednesday, June 5. The post Tattersalls Online June Sale Features 140 Lots And Breeze-Up Session appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday's TDN contains a story by Bill Finley discussing the set of more lenient medication rules that the Louisiana Racing Commission has recently enacted. Louisiana is not a state governed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, and the new rules, which replace the ARCI model rules previously used, are scheduled to go into effect on June 8. In Thursday's story, HISA Chief Lisa Lazarus suggested that there might have to be additional scrutiny on horses coming out of Louisiana races in the spring because of the more lax medication rules. The TDN reached out to several trainers who winter at the Fair Grounds, but do not stable there year-round, to see how they felt about the new medication policies. Steve Asmussen It's obviously concerning. No horse that you're going to plan on running somewhere else would you dare treat with (the new rules) and the people who plan on running anything out of state are not going to jeopardize our whole year with a horse.. I'm interested in what Churchill Downs's policy is going to be. I feel that the Fair Grounds is a great place to winter those horses because of what they get done the rest of the year after coming out of there, and that won't change. But what does it mean for the day-to-day racing? That remains to be seen. Per usual, we're not in the room when these decisions are made. It makes it a topic of discussion between me and every person that I train for. Of course you're not going to do anything to jeopardize a horse's eligibility the rest of the year. This is completely out of our hands. This is another example of “here's policy. Do your best.” What does it mean for our Oaks and Derby races? Our game is run for the Derby and the Oaks and Churchill Downs are in control of them and it will be interesting to see what they choose to do starting with those races. Brad Cox When I was reading the (Thursday) article about this, I felt like I was reading an article that was printed 10 years ago. But it was written yesterday. Michael Stidham I am astonished with the decision. The decision was made with complete reckless abandon. It's a step backwards, in my opinion. Knowing the different properties of Clenbuterol—it can be helpful in the right circumstances, but unfortunately sometimes in our industry the people who are using it are not using it for the best reasons. To be bringing that back and allowing people to use it potentially for the wrong reasons is a big step backwards. My home is a block from the Fair Grounds, and the Fair Grounds has been my winter base for over 25 years, and this is going to cause big problems for me personally when I leave the Fair Grounds. I'm not a year-round Louisiana trainer. I won't be using Clenbuterol on my horses, so I'll be at a disadvantage. When I do leave, there are just going to be a lot of negatives to this decision they have made. I don't even know what to say or why they would think that this would be helpful for the industry. I just don't see it. I certainly have not used Depo in any of my horses' joints over the last 10 years or more and I certainly don't have any intentions of re-introducing it to my horses. Depo is considered detrimental to the joint and there wouldn't be a case where I would want to use it again. Unfortunately, there is a certain group in our industry that will do that. It's unfortunate but it happens and yes, there will be people trying to use it to their advantage. It's going to create lots of problems for the trainers that use the Fair Grounds for their winter stabling. I'm just shocked that they would be doing this or thought that it's helpful. I'm just hoping that they can see the light and realize this is not a move in the right direction. Tom Amoss | Sarah Andrew photo Tom Amoss Two weeks ago, I heard about this and I immediately called the Louisiana Racing Commission. I know both the head of the Commission, Steve Landry, and Gerald Calogero, the number two guy there. and I called Gerald and said literally verbatim what the (TDN) article said (Thursday). And he said, `boy, I wish you'd said something before we made this official.' I said I didn't even know. Then later that evening Steve Landry, the new Executive Director called me. I've trained a few horses for him, and I repeated my concerns with their decision. He said, `look, we never knew there was anybody against this.' I have the strong sense that there was nothing sinister, and they just rubber -stamped what came along. They seemed to think it was the Louisiana HBPA's decision, and someone there was trying to push it through. As for the vets on the Commission, I 've never heard of these guys. Two of them are Quarter Horse vets and one is a farm veterinarian. There's one former racetrack vet, and he was against it. I've been around Louisiana racing a long time, and I didn't recognize any of them. I do find it disappointing and embarrassing but rather surprising that Steve (Landry), who has been a horse owner for years, would agree with this. I told them both, first of all, you've created an unfair playing field, People who don't race outside of Louisiana are going to take advantage of thes rules. And for the ones who compete under HISA, they're not going to do that. The major trainers, who have the majority of the stalls, are not going to do this. And that creates an unfair playing field. Breeders with yearlings bred in Louisiana bring those yearlings to the Keeneland September sale, because they realize far more money for them than they would in Louisiana. But who in the world is going to buy a Louisiana-bred racehorse under these circumstances? It's so far-reaching and such a baffling decision. I grew up in Louisiana. My first job was at the age of 15 at the Fair Grounds and I'm proud of Louisiana racing. But today is a day that I am embarrassed for it. Al Stall They are tweaks from last year's rules, when we had the ARCI model rules. Without looking at it super-close, I'm not going to say the whole thing is great or the whole thing is horrible. I imagine it will look a little bit different by the time we get to the Fair Grounds. Obviously, the elephant in the room is the Clenbuterol. These are things that are out of our control. I'll be at the Fair Grounds, I'll tell you that. I'm going to let it roll and see what happens. I'm comfortable using what we're using now. I haven't used Depo in such a long time that it's not even on my radar. The person behind a lot of this in my mind is the leading expert in horse pharmacology, Dr. Steven Barker, and I'm not going to question what he has to say. The clenbuterol is the grey area. The Depo all depends upon the horse and what is going on with the horse. I can't remember the last time we had Depo. It's been a long, long time. The horses who go into the starting gate without a drop of Clenbuterol as opposed to those who withdrew at 72 hours? I'm not sure there's empirical data but there's sure talk around the track. Clenbuterol is actually a very helpful drug for horses with dirty tracheas, but it got abused. I don't think that what you see on this piece of paper that came out is going to be the Bible, so to speak. But I may be wrong. The powers that be in Louisiana understand what could happen with us going to different jurisdictions, and we're all hoping this will be ironed out before we go down there. Dallas Stewart It's quite concerning. I just don't know that that's the right route to go. I think most horsemen that are coming from Kentucky think that it will be a setback. We're in the shock stage right now, so I'm hopeful that we can get something ironed out, and stay in a positive way. We're shocked. The Clenbuterol is something we don't need to be dealing with. We all know that it was a drug that was abused. We've got to get that off the table. Listen, we all love racing there, I have owners that love going there, but they're going to be quite concerned. We've got to get to work on it and get to talking so hopefully we can get a middle ground that's good for everybody and good for the horse. A lot of daggers are being thrown at this point, and we've got to get to the right person to fix this, but I don't even know who that is right now. I'm very concerned. Cherie DeVaux Listen, we all have to go down there and abide by Kentucky rules. The rules that they had prior to passing this weren't reckless. Some of the rules made more sense than HISA rules. But this is to me a lack of regard for the safety of the horse and the riders and it's borderline negligent. Since we took away Depo, we've had a lot fewer breakdowns. We're just there for a short amount of time in their year of racing and these rules are not directed toward the transient trainers. They're more structured for those that are there year-round. It impedes what we do and our standards to run, we're at a disadvantage. It is what it is, and there are times when you just have to go on and do what's right, which is to abide by the standards we're held to when get back to a HISA state. It's a step backwards. Their rules were (already) more lenient, and this is going backwards. Maybe those who passed this didn't look into the statistical data or don't know how to interpret the statistical data to show that the rules they're implementing are a risk and a harm and negligent on their part. Dan Ross contributed to this story. The post `Concerned’ and `Embarrassed’: Ship-In Trainers React to Louisiana Medication Rules Changes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article