News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
BARBARO’S FULL BROTHER TO MAKE DEBUT SATURDAY ON DONN DAY AT GULFSTREAM
Just more than two year’s after 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro had to be euthanized due to complications from his injuries in the Preakness, a 3-year-old full brother to Barbaro named Nicanor will make his racing debut in Saturday’s eighth race at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale, Fla.
As was the case with Barbaro, Nicanor is owned by Roy and Gretchen Jacksons’ Lael Stables, trained by Michael Matz and ridden by Edgar Prado. Saturday’s eighth race is a maiden event at one mile on the dirt. Nicanor is by Dynaformer, out of the mare La Ville Rouge. Nicanor is named based on a painting of foxhounds that the Jacksons own. One of the foxhounds depicted in the portrait is named Barbaro. Another is named Nicanor.
Also on Saturday’s momentous Gulfstream card are renewals of the Grade I, $500,000 Donn Handicap for older horses and the Grade III, $150,000 Holy Bull Stakes for 3-year-olds. Both races will be run at 1 1-8 miles.
Einstein and Albertus Maximus are the marquee names entered in the Donn. Einstein will be making his first start since winning the Grade II Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs on November 28. Albertus Maximus, meanwhile, ships East for his first competition since capturing the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on October 25 at Oak Tree at Santa Anita.
VENTURA, INDIAN BLESSING SET FOR REMATCH IN SANTA MONICA
A burgeoning rivalry between 4-year-old Eclipse Award winner Indian Blessing and 5-year-old mare Ventura, who took the champion’s measure in last October’s Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, escalates on Saturday when the two are scheduled to collide in Santa Anita’s 52nd running of the Grade I, $300,000 Santa Monica Handicap at seven furlongs over the Arcadia, Calif., main oval.
Just three days after being voted a 2008 Eclipse Award as outstanding female sprinter, Indian Blessing was a surprise entrant in the Santa Monica by her trainer, Bob Baffert, who had won two of the race’s three previous runnings. Baffert hedged somewhat, however, when he said, “I entered, but I don’t know yet if she’ll run. I’m just going to see how the race shapes up.”
Indian Blessing’s inclusion in the entries appeared to even have caught Bobby Frankel, the trainer of Ventura, a bit off guard. “Even if she runs six lengths slower than she did in the Breeders’ Cup, she still should win,” the Hall of Fame trainer was saying of Ventura to Daily Racing Form earlier in the week.
As the 5-2 second-choice, Ventura dusted 9-5 favorite Indian Blessing by four lengths in Oak Tree’s Oct. 24 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint while running seven furlongs over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride surface in a blistering 1:19 4/5. The Santa Monica stakes record is 1:20 3/5.
The setback notwithstanding, Indian Blessing proceeded to win Santa Anita’s Grade I La Brea Stakes over the Pro-Ride footing on Dec. 27 for her sixth graded stakes victory of the year. She wound up with 138 votes in the Eclipse Award voting for champion female sprinter compared to 88 for runner-up Ventura.
The complete field for the Santa Monica Handicap, in post position order, is: Tizzy’s Tune (jockey: Joel Rosario, weight: 114); So Long Sonoma (Mike Smith, 112); She’s Cheeky (Alex Solis, 113); Indian Blessing (John Velazquez, 122); Wake Up Maggie (Tyler Baze, 115); Jibboom (Rafael Bejarano, 115); Ventura (Garrett Gomez, 123); and Baroness Thatcher (Joseph Talamo, 115).
MIDSHIPMAN HIGH WEIGHT ON EXPERIMENTAL FREE HANDICAP
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman received the high weight assignment of 126 pounds on the 2008 Experimental Free Handicap, released today by The Jockey Club and available at www.jockeyclub.com.
The filly division is headed by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Stardom Bound at 124 pounds.
The Experimental Free Handicap, published annually by The Jockey Club since 1935, is a weight-based assessment of the previous year’s leading 2-year-olds, with the weights compiled for a hypothetical race at 1 1-16 miles on dirt.
The committee weighted a total of 104 males and 87 fillies. Eligible for weighting were all 2-year-olds of 2008 that finished among the top four in graded or other unrestricted races with an added value of at least $75,000, run in the continental United States.
Midshipman won three of his four starts last year for earnings of $1,380,200. In addition to his 1 ¼-length victory in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he also won the Del Mar Futurity and finished a close second in the Norfolk Stakes.
The 126 pounds assigned to Midshipman is 1 pound less than the assignment on last year’s high weight, War Pass, and is the standard impost for top Experimental colts.
Midshipman is weighted 2 pounds higher than Vineyard Haven, also a winner of three of his four starts in 2008, including the Champagne Stakes and Hopeful Stakes. He earned $419,000.
At 123 pounds is J. Paul Reddam’s Square Eddie, winner of the Lane’s End Breeders’ Futurity and runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He won two of his six starts on the year and $767,366.
Street Hero is weighted at 122 pounds. His lone victory from six starts came in the Grade I Norfolk Stakes. He also finished third in both the Del Mar Futurity and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and earned $419,360.
In the filly division, the 124 pounds assigned to Stardom Bound is one pound above the assignment on last year’s high weight, Indian Blessing. Stardom Bound’s three victories from five starts all came in Grade 1 races — the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies, the Oak Leaf Stakes and the Del Mar Debutante. She ended 2008 with earnings of $1,420,600.
Stardom Bound is weighted four pounds higher than Dream Empress , who won the Darley Alcibiades Stakes and was runner-up to Stardom Bound in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. She won two of her five starts on the year and banked $756,914.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
BREEDERS’ CUP WIN BY ZENYATTA VOTED 2008 NTRA MOMENT OF THE YEAR
The victory by Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic —- a win that culminated a perfect seven-for-seven 2008 campaign —- has been voted the 2008 National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Moment of the Year. The connections of Zenyatta will be honored at the Eclipse Award ceremony Monday, January 26, in Miami with the "NTRA Moment of the Year" award. Balloting was conducted at the NTRA Web site, ntra.com. The images and events that fans chose from were:
* Pyro charges past all 10 of his foes in the stretch to take the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds
* Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin dominates the Dubai World Cup
* Big Brown powers home from post 20 to take the Kentucky Derby
* Exhilaration turns to heartbreak as Eight Belles suffers a fatal injury following the Kentucky Derby
* Big Brown spurts away from his opponents in the Preakness Stakes
* Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown is eased as Da' Tara wins the Belmont Stakes
* Red Rocks spoils Curlin's grass debut in Belmont's Man o' War Stakes
* Curlin wins the Jockey Club Gold Cup to become North America's first $10 million earner
* Peppers Pride stays perfect and sets a modern North American record with her 17th straight victory
* Zenyatta caps her undefeated season with a resounding, last-to-first win in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic
* Goldikova unleashes a powerful stretch burst to defeat defending champ Kip Deville in the Breeders' Cup Mile
* Raven's Pass culminates a big day for the Europeans, defeating Henrythenavigator and Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic
The winning entry received 24% of the votes cast. The runner-up was Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby victory, which received 18%. Finishing third in the vote with 15% was the tragic injury suffered by Eight Belles following the Kentucky Derby. In fourth place, with 11%, was the Jockey Club Gold Cup win that made Curlin North America’s first $10 million earner.
The first-ever “NTRA Moment of the Year” was the scene involving Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes. The following year’s winner was the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which saw Tiznow hold on for a dramatic victory against Giant’s Causeway. Tiznow won again the following year as fans selected his stirring repeat victory in the Classic over Sakhee. In 2002, fans cited the passing of the last living Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. In 2003, the popular Kentucky Derby win by Funny Cide was selected. Birdstone’s upset win in the Belmont Stakes over Smarty Jones took down top honors for 2004. In 2005, fans selected Afleet Alex’s spectacular victory in the Preakness Stakes. In 2006, fans paid tribute to the emotional scene at the New Bolton Center as Barbaro recovered from the serious injury he suffered during the Preakness Stakes. Last year, voters chose the Belmont Stakes victory by Rags to Riches over Curlin.
"The NTRA Moment of the Year award is a great way for the fans to play an active role in the Eclipse Awards ceremony," said Keith Chamblin, NTRA senior vice president. “Fans clearly love Zenyatta, and we are delighted to salute her convincing Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic victory as the latest NTRA Moment of the Year.”
MAHAN, PART OWNER OF FUNNY CIDE, DEAD AT 61
Dave Mahan, a member of the Sackatoga Stable partnership that campaigned 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide, passed away Wednesday morning in a Waterbury, Conn., hospital due to a brain tumor. He was 61.
A caterer, Mahan met Sackatoga principal Jack Knowlton while playing the races at Saratoga. Through their friendship, Mahan began investing in Sackatoga purchases, including Funny Cide, who was acquired for the bargain price of $75,000 and went on to earn over $3.5 million.
ENGLISHMAN LANDS JOB AS TRACK ANNOUNCER AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Mark Johnson, one of the most popular and acclaimed horse racing commentators in Britain, will bring his talents to America in 2009 as the new track announcer for Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
“In our eyes, Mark Johnson is the complete package when it comes to a track announcer,” said Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton. “He is a unique, polished and passionate talent with an absolutely infectious personality. His race calls and pre- and post-race commentary are supremely accurate, descriptive and colorful, and his knowledge of the sport of horse racing and its historical perspective is vast. It all makes for a wonderful and unique entertainment mix and we’re thrilled to showcase his talents to an American and worldwide audience in 2009.”
Johnson becomes only the sixth track announcer in Churchill Downs history and “Voice of the Kentucky Derby”. The 42-year-old native of Skegness, Lincolnshire, England replaces the late Luke Kruytbosch, who unexpectedly passed away July 14 from an apparent heart attack at age 47.
When he provides on-track call and commentary for this year’s 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, Johnson will become the first announcer to have called the action in both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.
“Never in a million years did I ever think I would be in this position,” said Johnson. “It is a dream come true.”
Johnson was part of a select group of five talented guest announcers who each spent one week behind the binoculars and microphone at Churchill Downs during the 2008 Fall Meet. The others were Larry Collmus, Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone and Michael Wrona.
During and after the Fall Meet, opinions from customers were gathered through online surveying, emails and in-person discussions, which played an important role with the selection committee.
“The most common thing that we heard and saw in the responses from customers was the sense that he was painting a picture of the races before, during and after like nobody else was,” said Tom Aronson, Churchill Downs Inc. Vice President. “His passion for horse racing really comes through the microphone and he brings a unique play-by-play approach to the announcer’s booth that covers much more than just the race itself. All of us noticed his pre-race commentary on movements in the odds of horses and other developments of interest to casual fans and players alike, observations that clearly added entertainment and insight to their handicapping efforts and got everyone more engaged. We came to feel, as many others did, that Mark Johnson is a special, standout talent with great upside for Churchill Downs and the sport of horse racing.”
SQUARE EDDIE TAKES AIM ON TRIPLE CROWN IN SAN RAFAEL SATURDAY
Preparations for this year’s Triple Crown begin in earnest on Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., with the Grade III, $100,000 San Rafael Stakes part of a graded stakes tripleheader that includes a pair of Grade II events, the $150,000 San Fernando for 4-year-olds and the $150,000 Santa Ynez for 3-year-old fillies.
Square Eddie, runner-up to Midshipman as the 7-2 favorite in October’s
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, likely will be an odds-on choice among eight 3-year-olds in the one-mile San Rafael, a race that has produced six Santa Anita Derby winners during the past 19 years.
El Gato Malo, winner of last year’s Lone Star Derby and the beaten favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, continues on the comeback trail in the 57th running of the San Fernando at 1 1/16 miles.
His primary competition among 12 entrants includes Oak Tree Derby winner Muny, Del Mar Derby winner Madeo, Swaps Stakes winner Tres Borrachos and Booted, a son of A.P. Indy who will be making his stakes debut following a pair of impressive comeback victories.
Trainer John Sadler sends out a pair among ten aspirants in the 55th Santa Ynez at seven furlongs, including multiple stakes winner Evita Argentina, the 123-pound high weight, and Alpha Kitten, fourth in Hollywood Park’s Grade I Starlet in her last start.
Trained by Doug O’Neill for J. Paul Reddam, Canadian-bred Square Eddie scored a stunning 4 ¾-length victory in Keeneland’s Grade I Breeders’ Futurity, his U.S. debut early last October after four earlier starts as a 2-year-old in England.
Impressive enough to earn favoritism in the Breeders’ Cup, Square Eddie responded with a game second to Midshipman. Despite the 1 ¼-length defeat in his first start for O’Neill, Leandro Mora, deputizing for a Chicken Pox-stricken O’Neill, was pleased. “That was phenomenal,” Mora said after the event. “In the stretch, I thought he had a chance to go by, but he hesitated because the winner was too close to the rail. But I was pleased. He ran a huge race.”
Rafael Bejarano, aboard in the Breeders’ Cup hosted by Oak Tree at Santa Anita, will be back atop the chestnut son of Smart Strike who has earned $767,366 from a 2-2-1 record in six career starts.
Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, whose partnership sold top 2-year-old Vineyard Haven to Godolphin Racing last November, is hopeful that he may have an adequate replacement in Brother Keith, who makes his stakes debut in the San Rafael following a single start.
“You gotta try him someplace,” Frankel said of the colt who pulled away to take his debut by 2 ¼ lengths at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8 for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. “We’ll learn more about him this weekend,” said Frankel. Garrett Gomez, the nation’s leading rider in purse earnings the last three years, will be in the saddle.
The complete field for the San Rafael Stakes, in post position order, is: The Pamplemousse (jockey: Alex Solis); Fiddlers Afleet (Michael Baze); Brother Keith (Garrett Gomez); Ryehill Dreamer (Mike Smith); Papa Clem (Tyler Baze); Square Eddie (Rafael Bejarano); Charlie’s Moment (Joel Rosario); and Feisty Suances (David Flores).
ALICE CHANDLER TO RECEIVE ECLIPSE AWARD OF MERIT
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and The National Turf Writers Association have announced that Alice Headley Chandler, owner of Mill Ridge Farm and preeminent industry leader, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing.
Mrs. Chandler will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit on Monday, evening January 26 at the 38th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
“I am just thrilled to be honored with the Eclipse Award,” said Chandler, of Lexington, Ky. “I have had a wonderful life with Thoroughbreds.
Chandler’s father, Hal Price Headley, was a successful horseman and a co-founder of Keeneland Association. Following her father’s death in 1962, with four broodmares, Mrs. Chandler started Mill Ridge. She made a bold move by mating one of her broodmares, Attica, to multiple stakes winner Sir Gaylord. “I was short on money because I had just built a new barn,” said Chandler. “I thought it would be a good match, but didn’t expect how good.”
Sir Ivor was sold to for $42,000 Arthur “Bull” Hancock at Keeneland’s July 1966 sale on behalf of Raymond Guest.” Sir Ivor won the 1968 Epsom Derby for Guest and was later named England’s Horse of the Year.
“Sir Ivor’s influence provided a major turning point in opening up the American market to the European market,” said Keeneland Association President and CEO Nick Nicholson. “It convinced foreign buyers that North American pedigrees could be adapted to European training methods and win Classic races.”
In addition to Sir Ivor, Mill Ridge has than bred, raced or sold a stellar collection of stakes winners, including 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given, Japanese Horse of the Year Symboli Kris S,1999 Kentucky Oaks winner Keeper Hill, 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, and five Breeders’ Cup winners: Artie Schiller, Sweet Catomine, Round Pond, Spain and Johar.
Chandler is equally proud of her leadership role in many equine organizations. She has served as Chairman of the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation, president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and a director of the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and a member of the Equine Drug Council and the Gluck Research Center. “I believed it was important for me to take an active leadership role for these important programs and organizations,” she continued. “All of this has made for a terrific life.”
“Alice Chandler richly deserves to be honored for her lifelong contributions to the Thoroughbred industry,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Her remarkable achievements as an owner and breeder, and her service to a wide range of racing organizations over many decades, make her an exemplary choice for the Award of Merit.”
BREEDERS’ CUP WIN BY ZENYATTA VOTED 2008 NTRA MOMENT OF THE YEAR
The victory by Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic —- a win that culminated a perfect seven-for-seven 2008 campaign —- has been voted the 2008 National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Moment of the Year. The connections of Zenyatta will be honored at the Eclipse Award ceremony Monday, January 26, in Miami with the "NTRA Moment of the Year" award. Balloting was conducted at the NTRA Web site, ntra.com. The images and events that fans chose from were:
* Pyro charges past all 10 of his foes in the stretch to take the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds
* Reigning Horse of the Year Curlin dominates the Dubai World Cup
* Big Brown powers home from post 20 to take the Kentucky Derby
* Exhilaration turns to heartbreak as Eight Belles suffers a fatal injury following the Kentucky Derby
* Big Brown spurts away from his opponents in the Preakness Stakes
* Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown is eased as Da' Tara wins the Belmont Stakes
* Red Rocks spoils Curlin's grass debut in Belmont's Man o' War Stakes
* Curlin wins the Jockey Club Gold Cup to become North America's first $10 million earner
* Peppers Pride stays perfect and sets a modern North American record with her 17th straight victory
* Zenyatta caps her undefeated season with a resounding, last-to-first win in the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic
* Goldikova unleashes a powerful stretch burst to defeat defending champ Kip Deville in the Breeders' Cup Mile
* Raven's Pass culminates a big day for the Europeans, defeating Henrythenavigator and Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic
The winning entry received 24% of the votes cast. The runner-up was Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby victory, which received 18%. Finishing third in the vote with 15% was the tragic injury suffered by Eight Belles following the Kentucky Derby. In fourth place, with 11%, was the Jockey Club Gold Cup win that made Curlin North America’s first $10 million earner.
The first-ever “NTRA Moment of the Year” was the scene involving Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes. The following year’s winner was the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic, which saw Tiznow hold on for a dramatic victory against Giant’s Causeway. Tiznow won again the following year as fans selected his stirring repeat victory in the Classic over Sakhee. In 2002, fans cited the passing of the last living Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. In 2003, the popular Kentucky Derby win by Funny Cide was selected. Birdstone’s upset win in the Belmont Stakes over Smarty Jones took down top honors for 2004. In 2005, fans selected Afleet Alex’s spectacular victory in the Preakness Stakes. In 2006, fans paid tribute to the emotional scene at the New Bolton Center as Barbaro recovered from the serious injury he suffered during the Preakness Stakes. Last year, voters chose the Belmont Stakes victory by Rags to Riches over Curlin.
"The NTRA Moment of the Year award is a great way for the fans to play an active role in the Eclipse Awards ceremony," said Keith Chamblin, NTRA senior vice president. “Fans clearly love Zenyatta, and we are delighted to salute her convincing Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic victory as the latest NTRA Moment of the Year.”
MAHAN, PART OWNER OF FUNNY CIDE, DEAD AT 61
Dave Mahan, a member of the Sackatoga Stable partnership that campaigned 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide, passed away Wednesday morning in a Waterbury, Conn., hospital due to a brain tumor. He was 61.
A caterer, Mahan met Sackatoga principal Jack Knowlton while playing the races at Saratoga. Through their friendship, Mahan began investing in Sackatoga purchases, including Funny Cide, who was acquired for the bargain price of $75,000 and went on to earn over $3.5 million.
ENGLISHMAN LANDS JOB AS TRACK ANNOUNCER AT CHURCHILL DOWNS
Mark Johnson, one of the most popular and acclaimed horse racing commentators in Britain, will bring his talents to America in 2009 as the new track announcer for Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands.
“In our eyes, Mark Johnson is the complete package when it comes to a track announcer,” said Churchill Downs President Steve Sexton. “He is a unique, polished and passionate talent with an absolutely infectious personality. His race calls and pre- and post-race commentary are supremely accurate, descriptive and colorful, and his knowledge of the sport of horse racing and its historical perspective is vast. It all makes for a wonderful and unique entertainment mix and we’re thrilled to showcase his talents to an American and worldwide audience in 2009.”
Johnson becomes only the sixth track announcer in Churchill Downs history and “Voice of the Kentucky Derby”. The 42-year-old native of Skegness, Lincolnshire, England replaces the late Luke Kruytbosch, who unexpectedly passed away July 14 from an apparent heart attack at age 47.
When he provides on-track call and commentary for this year’s 135th running of the Kentucky Derby, Johnson will become the first announcer to have called the action in both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby.
“Never in a million years did I ever think I would be in this position,” said Johnson. “It is a dream come true.”
Johnson was part of a select group of five talented guest announcers who each spent one week behind the binoculars and microphone at Churchill Downs during the 2008 Fall Meet. The others were Larry Collmus, Bobby Neuman, Travis Stone and Michael Wrona.
During and after the Fall Meet, opinions from customers were gathered through online surveying, emails and in-person discussions, which played an important role with the selection committee.
“The most common thing that we heard and saw in the responses from customers was the sense that he was painting a picture of the races before, during and after like nobody else was,” said Tom Aronson, Churchill Downs Inc. Vice President. “His passion for horse racing really comes through the microphone and he brings a unique play-by-play approach to the announcer’s booth that covers much more than just the race itself. All of us noticed his pre-race commentary on movements in the odds of horses and other developments of interest to casual fans and players alike, observations that clearly added entertainment and insight to their handicapping efforts and got everyone more engaged. We came to feel, as many others did, that Mark Johnson is a special, standout talent with great upside for Churchill Downs and the sport of horse racing.”
SQUARE EDDIE TAKES AIM ON TRIPLE CROWN IN SAN RAFAEL SATURDAY
Preparations for this year’s Triple Crown begin in earnest on Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., with the Grade III, $100,000 San Rafael Stakes part of a graded stakes tripleheader that includes a pair of Grade II events, the $150,000 San Fernando for 4-year-olds and the $150,000 Santa Ynez for 3-year-old fillies.
Square Eddie, runner-up to Midshipman as the 7-2 favorite in October’s
$2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, likely will be an odds-on choice among eight 3-year-olds in the one-mile San Rafael, a race that has produced six Santa Anita Derby winners during the past 19 years.
El Gato Malo, winner of last year’s Lone Star Derby and the beaten favorite in the Santa Anita Derby, continues on the comeback trail in the 57th running of the San Fernando at 1 1/16 miles.
His primary competition among 12 entrants includes Oak Tree Derby winner Muny, Del Mar Derby winner Madeo, Swaps Stakes winner Tres Borrachos and Booted, a son of A.P. Indy who will be making his stakes debut following a pair of impressive comeback victories.
Trainer John Sadler sends out a pair among ten aspirants in the 55th Santa Ynez at seven furlongs, including multiple stakes winner Evita Argentina, the 123-pound high weight, and Alpha Kitten, fourth in Hollywood Park’s Grade I Starlet in her last start.
Trained by Doug O’Neill for J. Paul Reddam, Canadian-bred Square Eddie scored a stunning 4 ¾-length victory in Keeneland’s Grade I Breeders’ Futurity, his U.S. debut early last October after four earlier starts as a 2-year-old in England.
Impressive enough to earn favoritism in the Breeders’ Cup, Square Eddie responded with a game second to Midshipman. Despite the 1 ¼-length defeat in his first start for O’Neill, Leandro Mora, deputizing for a Chicken Pox-stricken O’Neill, was pleased. “That was phenomenal,” Mora said after the event. “In the stretch, I thought he had a chance to go by, but he hesitated because the winner was too close to the rail. But I was pleased. He ran a huge race.”
Rafael Bejarano, aboard in the Breeders’ Cup hosted by Oak Tree at Santa Anita, will be back atop the chestnut son of Smart Strike who has earned $767,366 from a 2-2-1 record in six career starts.
Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, whose partnership sold top 2-year-old Vineyard Haven to Godolphin Racing last November, is hopeful that he may have an adequate replacement in Brother Keith, who makes his stakes debut in the San Rafael following a single start.
“You gotta try him someplace,” Frankel said of the colt who pulled away to take his debut by 2 ¼ lengths at Churchill Downs on Nov. 8 for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey. “We’ll learn more about him this weekend,” said Frankel. Garrett Gomez, the nation’s leading rider in purse earnings the last three years, will be in the saddle.
The complete field for the San Rafael Stakes, in post position order, is: The Pamplemousse (jockey: Alex Solis); Fiddlers Afleet (Michael Baze); Brother Keith (Garrett Gomez); Ryehill Dreamer (Mike Smith); Papa Clem (Tyler Baze); Square Eddie (Rafael Bejarano); Charlie’s Moment (Joel Rosario); and Feisty Suances (David Flores).
ALICE CHANDLER TO RECEIVE ECLIPSE AWARD OF MERIT
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and The National Turf Writers Association have announced that Alice Headley Chandler, owner of Mill Ridge Farm and preeminent industry leader, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for a lifetime of outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing.
Mrs. Chandler will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit on Monday, evening January 26 at the 38th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
“I am just thrilled to be honored with the Eclipse Award,” said Chandler, of Lexington, Ky. “I have had a wonderful life with Thoroughbreds.
Chandler’s father, Hal Price Headley, was a successful horseman and a co-founder of Keeneland Association. Following her father’s death in 1962, with four broodmares, Mrs. Chandler started Mill Ridge. She made a bold move by mating one of her broodmares, Attica, to multiple stakes winner Sir Gaylord. “I was short on money because I had just built a new barn,” said Chandler. “I thought it would be a good match, but didn’t expect how good.”
Sir Ivor was sold to for $42,000 Arthur “Bull” Hancock at Keeneland’s July 1966 sale on behalf of Raymond Guest.” Sir Ivor won the 1968 Epsom Derby for Guest and was later named England’s Horse of the Year.
“Sir Ivor’s influence provided a major turning point in opening up the American market to the European market,” said Keeneland Association President and CEO Nick Nicholson. “It convinced foreign buyers that North American pedigrees could be adapted to European training methods and win Classic races.”
In addition to Sir Ivor, Mill Ridge has than bred, raced or sold a stellar collection of stakes winners, including 2001 Horse of the Year Point Given, Japanese Horse of the Year Symboli Kris S,1999 Kentucky Oaks winner Keeper Hill, 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, and five Breeders’ Cup winners: Artie Schiller, Sweet Catomine, Round Pond, Spain and Johar.
Chandler is equally proud of her leadership role in many equine organizations. She has served as Chairman of the University of Kentucky Equine Research Foundation, president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, and a director of the Breeders’ Cup, Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; and a member of the Equine Drug Council and the Gluck Research Center. “I believed it was important for me to take an active leadership role for these important programs and organizations,” she continued. “All of this has made for a terrific life.”
“Alice Chandler richly deserves to be honored for her lifelong contributions to the Thoroughbred industry,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Her remarkable achievements as an owner and breeder, and her service to a wide range of racing organizations over many decades, make her an exemplary choice for the Award of Merit.”
Thursday, January 8, 2009
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
ECLIPSE AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) today announced the finalists for the 2008 Eclipse Awards, as voted on and presented by the three organizations, in recognition of excellence in Thoroughbred racing.
Winners in all categories will be announced at the 38th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held Monday evening, January 26, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
· Two-Year-Old Male: Midshipman, Old Fashioned, Vineyard Haven
· Two-Year-Old Filly: Dream Empress, Maram, Stardom Bound
· Three-Year-Old Male: Big Brown, Colonel John, Raven’s Pass
· Three-Year-Old Filly: Eight Belles, Music Note, Proud Spell
· Older Male: Commentator, Curlin, Einstein (BRZ)
· Older Female: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Ginger Punch, Zenyatta
· Male Sprinter: Benny the Bull, Midnight Lute, Street Boss
· Female Sprinter: Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Ventura
· Male Turf Horse: Conduit (IRE), Einstein (BRZ), Grand Couturier (GB)
· Female Turf Horse: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Forever Together, Goldikova (IRE)
· Steeplechase Horse: Be Certain, Good Night Shirt, Sovereign Duty
· Owner: Godolphin Racing, IEAH Stables, Stronach Stables
· Breeder: Adena Springs, Stonerside Stable, WinStar Farm
· Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Richard Dutrow, Jr., Bobby Frankel
· Jockey: Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez
· Apprentice Jockey: Inez Karlsson, Pascacio Lopez, Abel Mariano
Finalists for Horse of the Year will be announced at the Eclipse Awards ceremony. NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop will present the Horse of the Year trophy to the winning connections at the conclusion of the ceremony.
WELL ARMED RETURNS IN SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL, HEADS FIELD OF 12
WinStar Farm millionaire Well Armed, beaten favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, returns to action at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., in Saturday’s 72nd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap. A field of 12 is set for the mile-and-one-sixteenth event that often serves as a stepping-stone to the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap. After running second to Zappa in last year’s San Pasqual, Well Armed became a major force among older horses. He won Santa Anita’s Grade II San Antonio Handicap, traveled to Dubai to finish third behind Curlin in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, took the Grade II Del Mar Handicap, lost by a neck to Go Between in Del Mar’s Grade I Pacific Classic and captured Oak Tree’s Grade I Goodwood Stakes.
Little wonder Well Armed went to the post as the 6-5 favorite in his Breeders’ Cup competition, but a troubled trip – “It was pretty bad,” noted trainer Eoin Harty – resulted in a well-beaten, ninth-place finish. “The rest helped him and he’s been working super,” Harty said of the six-year-old Tiznow gelding’s activity the Breeders’ Cup performance on October 25. Harty, however, is unsure of Well Armed’s future beyond the San Pasqual. In 2008, the conflicting Dubai World Cup trumped the Santa Anita Handicap, which is scheduled for March 7 this season.
“We’ll get him through Saturday’s race,” Harty stated. “We’ll make a plan after this race.” The Kentucky-bred, who began his career in England, will carry high weight of 121 pounds with regular rider Aaron Gryder in the saddle. After winning but two starts in 11 races overseas for earnings of $35,343, Well Armed the last two years has banked $1,495,460 from nine starts including the trip to Dubai.
Marchfield, an A.P. Indy 5-year-old, could provide stiff competition for Well Armed. Marchfield, who will be ridden by top Canadian jockey Patrick Husbands, is coming off the best race of his career, a victory in the Grade II Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Race Course in Toronto on November 9. Mark Casse trains Marchfield for Melnyk Racing Stables.Ball Four, an 8-year-old gelding, is one of two Todd Pletcher trainees entered in the San Pasqual. He has six wins from 23 lifetime starts for earnings of $621,520. He won Keeneland’s Grade III Fayette Stakes last October. Santa Anita newcomer Chris DeCarlo will ride. The New Jersey-native rides first call on Pletcher horses based in New Jersey. The other Pletcher candidate is the four-year-old Cowboy Cal, who finished second in last year’s Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.The complete field for the San Pasqual Handicap, in post position order, is: Mostacolli Mort (jockey: Garrett Gomez); Marchfield (Patrick Husbands); Informed (Michael Baze); Cowboy Cal (John Velazquez); Noble Court (Mike Smith); Past the Point (Rafael Bejarano); Well Armed (Aaron Gryder); Magnum (Martin Pedroza); Blue Exit (no rider); Ball Four (Christopher DeCarlo); Racketeer (Chantal Sutherland); and Slew’s Tizzy (Joel Rosario).
INDYGO MOUNTAIN SLIGHT CHOICE IN SATURDAY’S LECOMTE AT FAIR GROUNDS
Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s Indygo Mountain is the 3-1 morning-line favorite among the field of nine 3-year-olds entered for the Grade III, $100,000 Lecomte Stakes, the featured event of a six-stakes program Saturday at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.The 65th Lecomte, which starts the Louisiana Derby Series, is the ninth race on an 11-race “Road to the Derby” Kickoff Day program. Trained by Bret Calhoun, Indygo Mountain was scratched during the post parade of a December 18 allowance race at Fair Grounds due to a minor foot problem, but has had a pair of workouts since, including a five-furlong breeze Monday morning at Fair Grounds in 1:03.40 over sloppy going.The son of A. P. Indy won his last start November 19 at Churchill Downs by an impressive 6 1/4-length margin. He was second in his first career start in October at Keeneland.Scharbauer, whose family raced 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba, purchased Indygo Mountain for $600,000 out of the 2007 Keeneland September sale. Jamie Theriot, seeking a second consecutive Fair Grounds riding title, will break Indygo Mountain from the outside post.Capable of providing strong competition for Indygo Mountain is John and Glen Sikura and Dominic Dilalla’s Patena, who captured the Display Stakes at Woodbine by a head in his last trip to the post on December 6. Conditioned by Josie Carroll, Patena is by Seeking the Gold and out of the A. P. Indy mare Handpainted, who was also trained by Carroll and won the 2004 Pan Zareta Stakes at Fair Grounds.Six-time Fair Grounds leading rider Robby Albarado gets the mount on Patena, who will break from post four and is the 4-1 early second choice.Co-third choices in the morning line at 5-1 are Uno Mas and Friesan Fire, the 1-2 finishers in that one-mile December 18 allowance.Uno Mas, who is 2-for-2 at this meet, gets the services of jockey Shaun Bridgmohan for seven-time Fair Grounds leading trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the Lecomte last year with Z Fortune.Friesan Fire, who was third in Belmont’s Grade II Futurity on September 13 and fourth in Aqueduct’s Grade III Nashua Stakes on November 2, has Gabriel Saez up for trainer Larry Jones, who saddled 2007 Lecomte winner Hard Spun.From the rail out, the Lecomte field includes: Friesan Fire (jockey: Gabriel Saez, morning line odds: 5-1); Au Moon (Julien Leparoux, 8-1); Citizen (Francisco Torres, 20-1); Patena (Robby Albarado, 4-1); Big Push (Miguel Mena, 8-1); Dynamic Force (Jesse Campbell, 10-1); Professor Z (Brian Hernandez Jr., 6-1); Uno Mas (Shaun Bridgmohan, 5-1); and Indygo Mountain (Jamie Theriot, 3-1).
ECLIPSE AWARDS FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF) today announced the finalists for the 2008 Eclipse Awards, as voted on and presented by the three organizations, in recognition of excellence in Thoroughbred racing.
Winners in all categories will be announced at the 38th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony, to be held Monday evening, January 26, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
· Two-Year-Old Male: Midshipman, Old Fashioned, Vineyard Haven
· Two-Year-Old Filly: Dream Empress, Maram, Stardom Bound
· Three-Year-Old Male: Big Brown, Colonel John, Raven’s Pass
· Three-Year-Old Filly: Eight Belles, Music Note, Proud Spell
· Older Male: Commentator, Curlin, Einstein (BRZ)
· Older Female: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Ginger Punch, Zenyatta
· Male Sprinter: Benny the Bull, Midnight Lute, Street Boss
· Female Sprinter: Indian Blessing, Intangaroo, Ventura
· Male Turf Horse: Conduit (IRE), Einstein (BRZ), Grand Couturier (GB)
· Female Turf Horse: Cocoa Beach (CHI), Forever Together, Goldikova (IRE)
· Steeplechase Horse: Be Certain, Good Night Shirt, Sovereign Duty
· Owner: Godolphin Racing, IEAH Stables, Stronach Stables
· Breeder: Adena Springs, Stonerside Stable, WinStar Farm
· Trainer: Steve Asmussen, Richard Dutrow, Jr., Bobby Frankel
· Jockey: Robby Albarado, Rafael Bejarano, Garrett Gomez
· Apprentice Jockey: Inez Karlsson, Pascacio Lopez, Abel Mariano
Finalists for Horse of the Year will be announced at the Eclipse Awards ceremony. NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop will present the Horse of the Year trophy to the winning connections at the conclusion of the ceremony.
WELL ARMED RETURNS IN SATURDAY’S SAN PASQUAL, HEADS FIELD OF 12
WinStar Farm millionaire Well Armed, beaten favorite in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, returns to action at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., in Saturday’s 72nd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap. A field of 12 is set for the mile-and-one-sixteenth event that often serves as a stepping-stone to the $1 million Santa Anita Handicap. After running second to Zappa in last year’s San Pasqual, Well Armed became a major force among older horses. He won Santa Anita’s Grade II San Antonio Handicap, traveled to Dubai to finish third behind Curlin in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, took the Grade II Del Mar Handicap, lost by a neck to Go Between in Del Mar’s Grade I Pacific Classic and captured Oak Tree’s Grade I Goodwood Stakes.
Little wonder Well Armed went to the post as the 6-5 favorite in his Breeders’ Cup competition, but a troubled trip – “It was pretty bad,” noted trainer Eoin Harty – resulted in a well-beaten, ninth-place finish. “The rest helped him and he’s been working super,” Harty said of the six-year-old Tiznow gelding’s activity the Breeders’ Cup performance on October 25. Harty, however, is unsure of Well Armed’s future beyond the San Pasqual. In 2008, the conflicting Dubai World Cup trumped the Santa Anita Handicap, which is scheduled for March 7 this season.
“We’ll get him through Saturday’s race,” Harty stated. “We’ll make a plan after this race.” The Kentucky-bred, who began his career in England, will carry high weight of 121 pounds with regular rider Aaron Gryder in the saddle. After winning but two starts in 11 races overseas for earnings of $35,343, Well Armed the last two years has banked $1,495,460 from nine starts including the trip to Dubai.
Marchfield, an A.P. Indy 5-year-old, could provide stiff competition for Well Armed. Marchfield, who will be ridden by top Canadian jockey Patrick Husbands, is coming off the best race of his career, a victory in the Grade II Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Race Course in Toronto on November 9. Mark Casse trains Marchfield for Melnyk Racing Stables.Ball Four, an 8-year-old gelding, is one of two Todd Pletcher trainees entered in the San Pasqual. He has six wins from 23 lifetime starts for earnings of $621,520. He won Keeneland’s Grade III Fayette Stakes last October. Santa Anita newcomer Chris DeCarlo will ride. The New Jersey-native rides first call on Pletcher horses based in New Jersey. The other Pletcher candidate is the four-year-old Cowboy Cal, who finished second in last year’s Grade I Toyota Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.The complete field for the San Pasqual Handicap, in post position order, is: Mostacolli Mort (jockey: Garrett Gomez); Marchfield (Patrick Husbands); Informed (Michael Baze); Cowboy Cal (John Velazquez); Noble Court (Mike Smith); Past the Point (Rafael Bejarano); Well Armed (Aaron Gryder); Magnum (Martin Pedroza); Blue Exit (no rider); Ball Four (Christopher DeCarlo); Racketeer (Chantal Sutherland); and Slew’s Tizzy (Joel Rosario).
INDYGO MOUNTAIN SLIGHT CHOICE IN SATURDAY’S LECOMTE AT FAIR GROUNDS
Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s Indygo Mountain is the 3-1 morning-line favorite among the field of nine 3-year-olds entered for the Grade III, $100,000 Lecomte Stakes, the featured event of a six-stakes program Saturday at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.The 65th Lecomte, which starts the Louisiana Derby Series, is the ninth race on an 11-race “Road to the Derby” Kickoff Day program. Trained by Bret Calhoun, Indygo Mountain was scratched during the post parade of a December 18 allowance race at Fair Grounds due to a minor foot problem, but has had a pair of workouts since, including a five-furlong breeze Monday morning at Fair Grounds in 1:03.40 over sloppy going.The son of A. P. Indy won his last start November 19 at Churchill Downs by an impressive 6 1/4-length margin. He was second in his first career start in October at Keeneland.Scharbauer, whose family raced 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba, purchased Indygo Mountain for $600,000 out of the 2007 Keeneland September sale. Jamie Theriot, seeking a second consecutive Fair Grounds riding title, will break Indygo Mountain from the outside post.Capable of providing strong competition for Indygo Mountain is John and Glen Sikura and Dominic Dilalla’s Patena, who captured the Display Stakes at Woodbine by a head in his last trip to the post on December 6. Conditioned by Josie Carroll, Patena is by Seeking the Gold and out of the A. P. Indy mare Handpainted, who was also trained by Carroll and won the 2004 Pan Zareta Stakes at Fair Grounds.Six-time Fair Grounds leading rider Robby Albarado gets the mount on Patena, who will break from post four and is the 4-1 early second choice.Co-third choices in the morning line at 5-1 are Uno Mas and Friesan Fire, the 1-2 finishers in that one-mile December 18 allowance.Uno Mas, who is 2-for-2 at this meet, gets the services of jockey Shaun Bridgmohan for seven-time Fair Grounds leading trainer Steve Asmussen, who won the Lecomte last year with Z Fortune.Friesan Fire, who was third in Belmont’s Grade II Futurity on September 13 and fourth in Aqueduct’s Grade III Nashua Stakes on November 2, has Gabriel Saez up for trainer Larry Jones, who saddled 2007 Lecomte winner Hard Spun.From the rail out, the Lecomte field includes: Friesan Fire (jockey: Gabriel Saez, morning line odds: 5-1); Au Moon (Julien Leparoux, 8-1); Citizen (Francisco Torres, 20-1); Patena (Robby Albarado, 4-1); Big Push (Miguel Mena, 8-1); Dynamic Force (Jesse Campbell, 10-1); Professor Z (Brian Hernandez Jr., 6-1); Uno Mas (Shaun Bridgmohan, 5-1); and Indygo Mountain (Jamie Theriot, 3-1).
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