JOHN DOYLE WINS FINAL RACE TO CAPTURE $500,000 GRAND PRIZE IN 2011 DRF/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
John Doyle of Scottsdale, Ariz., won the $500,000 first-place prize and title of DRF/NTRA Handicapper of the Year at the 12th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC) Saturday night.
The 49-year-old Doyle, a longtime IBM account executive who resigned to become a fulltime horseplayer roughly one year ago, amassed a winning score of $234.80 from 30 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers over the two-day tournament held at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas.
Doyle, an NHC rookie who qualified for the NHC at NHCQualify.com, never led until the contest was over, scoring with Santa Anita race 10 winner Dapper Gene ($13.20 to win, $5.40 to place) in the event’s final race to leapfrog eventual second place finisher Ron Geary, who had led for much of Day 2. The consistent Doyle tallied a solid $91.00 on Day 1 and added another $143.80 to his contest total today, putting himself atop the field of 301.
"This is just incredible, especially winning on the last race like that,” said Doyle. “I actually visualized this moment when I left work about a year ago. I’ve always loved betting the horses, but had never gotten involved in tournament play until this past year."
Geary, a Louisville, Ky., resident who owns Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky., finished with a score of $226.40 to win the second-place prize of $150,000, after having qualified for the NHC at Fairplex Park. Thomas Anderson, a Burnsville, Minn., resident who qualified at Canterbury Park was third at $213.40 to collect $100,000 plus another $2,500 for having the top Day 1 score of $182.00. Jon Cianci of Seal Beach, Calif., (qualified at Surfside Race Place) was fourth at $211.60 to take home $55,000 as well as another $3,000 for having Saturday’s second-highest score ($170.20). Jim Templin of West Chester, Pa., (qualified at Horsemen’s Park) was fifth at $194.00. That score was good for $40,000 plus $2,500 for having Saturday’s second-highest score.
The NHC XII finals paid out to the top 30 finishers from a record total purse of $1,050,150. Including $75,000 awarded to Tom Noone, the winner of the year-long NHC Tour, the aggregate payouts this weekend to contestants totaled $1,125,150.
The highest finish by a previous NHC winner at this year’s event was recorded by 2006 winner Ron Rippey, who checked in 40th. Last year’s winner, Brian Troop, finished tied for 234th place. No one has ever won the NHC more than once in the event’s 12-year history.
By virtue of his victory, Doyle also automatically earns an exemption into next year’s NHC finals, where the purse is projected to rise to $2 million with $1 million to the winner.
Registrations for the 2011 NHC Tour are now being accepted at www.ntra.com/nhctour. Full standings and results for this weekend’s just completed NHC can be found at www.ntra.com and www.drf.com.
In just its 12th year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. West Point Thoroughbreds, Inc., is a supporting sponsor of the NHC.
The NTRA is a broad-based coalition of horse racing interests consisting of leading thoroughbred racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers, horseplayers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity of horse racing and improving economic conditions for industry participants. The NTRA has offices in Lexington, Ky., and Rye Brook, N.Y. NTRA press releases appear on the NTRA web site, NTRA.com.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Local Leading NHC After Day 1
Canterbury's own Tom Anderson of Burnsville is the leader after day one of the $1,000,000 Daily Racing Form / NTRA National Handicapping Championship at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas.
For complete coverage and to see the leader board go to DRFs site.
The annual tournament concludes Saturday. First prize is $500,000 and an Eclipse Award.
jm
For complete coverage and to see the leader board go to DRFs site.
The annual tournament concludes Saturday. First prize is $500,000 and an Eclipse Award.
jm
In The Money Contest Saturday
The final IN THE MONEY Handicapping contest is Saturday. The prize pool will be a minimum of $1,000. As this is the final contest of the series, the prize pool must be paid. Entry fee is $10.
Entrants win if they correctly select a horse that finishes in the official top three in each race at the contest track. Saturday is Santa Anita. This Saturday, if no one makes it through all 10 races, the winner(s) will be the player that lasts the longest. Post time at Santa Anita is 2PM.
Best of luck.
Beginning Feb 3 are the HPWS Super Satellite Contests.
Entrants win if they correctly select a horse that finishes in the official top three in each race at the contest track. Saturday is Santa Anita. This Saturday, if no one makes it through all 10 races, the winner(s) will be the player that lasts the longest. Post time at Santa Anita is 2PM.
Best of luck.
Beginning Feb 3 are the HPWS Super Satellite Contests.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Canterbury Park 2011 Quarter Horse Stakes Schedule
Canterbury Park’s American Quarter Horse stakes schedule was announced today and will feature the $20,000 added Northlands Futurity (G3) on July 2. Canterbury’s 62-day mixed meet begins Friday, May 20 and concludes Monday, Sept. 5.
Last year the number of quarter horse races increased by 22% compared to the prior season and as a result handle increased both on-track and out-of-state. “We expect this meet to be comparable to last year,” Canterbury President Randy Sampson said. “Quarter Horse racing is an important part of our racing schedule and the quality here makes for competitive races.”
The 350-yard Northlands Futurity has long been a fixture on the suburban Minneapolis racetrack’s schedule, allowing highly regarded 2-year-olds to compete for the largest purse of the summer. The 2002 winner, Capones Vault, went on to win the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), then the richest race in Texas’ history with a $1 million purse.
Stall applications, due April 1, will be available February 21, the same day the first condition book will be online at www.canterburypark.com .
The entire stakes schedule can be found here.
Last year the number of quarter horse races increased by 22% compared to the prior season and as a result handle increased both on-track and out-of-state. “We expect this meet to be comparable to last year,” Canterbury President Randy Sampson said. “Quarter Horse racing is an important part of our racing schedule and the quality here makes for competitive races.”
The 350-yard Northlands Futurity has long been a fixture on the suburban Minneapolis racetrack’s schedule, allowing highly regarded 2-year-olds to compete for the largest purse of the summer. The 2002 winner, Capones Vault, went on to win the Texas Classic Futurity (G1), then the richest race in Texas’ history with a $1 million purse.
Stall applications, due April 1, will be available February 21, the same day the first condition book will be online at www.canterburypark.com .
The entire stakes schedule can be found here.
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
TOP HORSEPLAYERS TO VIE FOR $500,000 FIRST PRIZE, RECORD $1.1 MILLION PURSE AND TITLE OF "HANDICAPPER OF THE YEAR" IN 12th ANNUAL DAILY RACING FORM/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
Defending champion Brian Troop heads a record field of 305 horseplayers who will gather at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa on January 28-29 to vie for horse racing's official title of "Handicapper of the Year" and a first-place prize of $500,000 in the $1,125,150 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). The total purse represents an NHC record.
The NHC has enjoyed outstanding growth since its inception. By way of comparison, the first NHC in January 2000 carried a total prize pool of $200,000 and a winner's share of $100,000.
"We are delighted to return to Red Rock in Las Vegas for what has become the most anticipated tournament in the world among horseplayers," said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the NTRA. "This year's field of 305 is our biggest ever, which means this year's NHC will be not only the richest but the most competitive in the event's history."
As the 2010 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship winner, Brian Troop of Barrie, Ontario, Canada received a special exemption into the tournament to defend the title he won last January when he bested 301 other horseplayers in the two-day competition. The 62-year-old accountant won by amassing a mythical bankroll of $266.00 from a total of 30 $2 win-and-place wagers pared from a mind-numbing menu of more than 130 races run at seven different tracks. Troop, who took over the lead last year early on in Day One and never looked back, will look to become the first ever two-time winner of the NHC, but he will face five other past champions who qualified for the finals this year. Judy Wagner, Steve Wolfson Jr., Ron Rippey, Stanley Bavlish and Richard Goodall—the winners of NHC II, NHC IV, NHC VII, NHC VIII and NHC IX, respectively—will all be in the field with the same goal of a historic win in Las Vegas.
Contestant Tom Noone of Redondo Beach, Calif., will be hoping to make NHC history of a different kind. As the winner of the third annual NHC Tour in 2010, Noone not only won a $75,000 bonus for his top scores in the year's NHC qualifying events, he is eligible to receive a $2 million bonus should he emerge victorious in the January 28-29 competition. So a win by Noone in Las Vegas would result in a payday of $2.5 million ($500,000 first-place NHC purse + $2 million NHC Tour bonus).
In its 12th year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino racebooks, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. This year's finalists advanced from one of 109 local tournaments held at more than 50 different sites across North America since January 2010.
So far, more than 100,000 people have participated in these local tournaments. Red Rock will also host the second annual "Red Rock Shootout" on Sunday, January 30. The Sunday contest is a qualifying event for the 2011-12 contest year.
The tournament format for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is meant to be the best possible test of overall handicapping ability. Players attempt to earn the highest possible bankroll based on 15 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers on each day of the two-day tournament. Eight of those wagers will be on mandatory races as selected by a panel comprised of Daily Racing Form National Handicapper Mike Watchmaker, NTRA Senior Director of Media Relations Eric Wing and Red Rock Casino Director of Race and Sports Jason McCormick.
The remaining seven races each day are optional plays to be made on races at one of eight designated NHC tournament tracks: Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Turf Paradise.
Regular Championship updates will be posted on the Internet throughout the two-day contest at both www.ntra.com and www.drf.com.
ZENYATTA TO BE BRED TO BERNARDINI
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced yesterday that Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year, will be bred to Bernardini in 2011.
A son of two-time leading sire A.P. Indy, Bernardini was named champion three-year-old colt in 2006 following a campaign that included a victory in the Preakness Stakes. In 2010, with his first crop to race, Bernardini was the leading freshman sire by number of graded stakes winners and by number of stakes winners.
Zenyatta is boarded at Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky.
THE USUAL Q.T., EVENING JEWEL GIVE CASSIDY SOLID HAND IN SATURDAY'S SUNSHINE MILLIONS TURF & DISTAFF AT SANTA ANITA
With multiple Grade I winners The Usual Q. T. and Evening Jewel, New York City-born trainer James Cassidy figures to be a force Saturday in Santa Anita's portion of the 9th Sunshine Millions, a competition conducted in concert with Gulfstream Park.
In the bicoastal event offering purses of $1.8 million and comprised of six races exclusively for California and Florida-bred Thoroughbreds, The Usual Q.T. will be the leading challenger to Floridian multi-millionaire Presious Passion among eight entrants in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf. Evening Jewel heads a cast of nine in the $300,000 Distaff. The $200,000 Sprint, featuring Cost of Freedom, completes the Sunshine Million races at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
They will be interspersed among the three stakes taking place at Florida's Gulfstream Park, with the afternoon's headliner being the $500,000 Classic. Gulfstream will also present the $300,000 Filly & Mare Turf and the $200,000 Filly & Mare Sprint.
The Turf, at 1 1/8 miles on the grass, has attracted a formidable lineup that includes such notables as Florida-bred Jeranimo and Cal-bred Caracortado, in addition to Presious Passion and The Usual Q. T.
A gelded 8-year-old son of Royal Anthem trained by Mary Hartman for Patricia A. Generazio, Presious Passion has amassed $2,679,099 in earnings while racing 49 times. His record is 14-7-2. He will be joined by Elvis Trujillo, aboard for his last 16 races.
Presious Passion won Oak Tree's Clement L. Hirsch by 2 ½ lengths over the Santa Anita turf in October of 2009 before losing by one-half length to Conduit in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. No stranger to The Great Race Place, he was second to Soldiers Dancer in the Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita in January of that year.
The veteran campaigner, who clearly likes the grass course at Santa Anita and who does his best running on the front end, will be attempting to end a five-race losing streak when returning to Southern California. The Usual Q.T., a gelded 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat, has earned $1,423,240 from an 8-5-2 record in 19 career starts for Don Van Racing and partners. Regular rider Victor Espinoza will be in the saddle.
After finishing third to the remarkable Goldikova and Gio Ponti in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on November 6, The Usual Q.T. went to the sidelines for a freshening. He returned as the 7-10 favorite in Santa Anita's San Gabriel Handicap on December 27, but was upset by Jeranimo when fading to third.
The San Gabriel was the second win in as many tries on turf for the 5-year-old son of Congaree who had taken Santa Anita's prestigious Strub Stakes last year at odds of 11-1. Jeranimo has compiled a 5-3-2 record in 15 starts for earnings of $429,400.
Caracortado was an impressive winner in his only race on turf, a sprint at Hollywood Park last November. He came back to run third at seven furlongs in the Malibu Stakes behind Twirling Candy and Smiling Tiger on Santa Anita's opening day, December 26.
Trained by Michael Machowsky for Blahut Racing and Lo Hi Racing, the 4-year-old Cal-bred son of Cat Dreams has won 6 of 10 starts while banking $326,520. Caracortado captured the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old to extend an unbeaten streak to five races.
The complete field for the Sunshine Millions Turf, with jockeys and weights in post position order, is: Pickapocket (Joel Rosario, 122); Mobilized (Alonso Quinonez, 122); Jeranimo (Rafael Bejarano, 122); Soul Candy (Garrett Gomez, 122); Caracortado (Joseph Talamo, 120); No Inflation (David Flores, 122); The Usual Q.T. (Victor Espinoza, 122); and Presious Passion (Elvis Trujillo, 122).
Evening Jewel, whom Cassidy trains for the Tom and Marilyn Braly, has not raced since finishing third behind Dubai Majesty and Switch in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs on November 5. Cassidy expects her to be fit enough for the 1 1/16 miles of the Distaff.
The 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Northern Afleet hasn't been off the board since her maiden debut at Del Mar in August of 2009. While earning $1,015,943 from a 6-5-2 record in 14 races, Evening Jewel posted Grade I triumphs in the Del Mar Oaks and Ashland Stakes at Kentucky last year while banking $915,343.
Her primary competition might come from trainer Vladimir Cerin's Briecat, a 6-year-old Florida-bred mare who won the Las Palmas Handicap at Hollywood Park last October before venturing to Delta Downs where she took the $125,000 Treasure Chest Stakes by 5 ½ lengths. Patrick Valenzuela, who was aboard for both those wins, has the return call.
The complete field for the Sunshine Millions Distaff, with jockeys and weights in post position order, is: Camille (Alonso Quinonez, 120); Warren's Blossom (Martin Pedroza, 120); Briecat (Patrick Valenzuela, 122); Amazing ( Rafael Bejarano, 122); Antares World (Frank Alvarado, 120); All Due Respect (Joseph Talamo, 120); Evening Jewel (Victor Espinoza, 120); Lady Railrider (Russell Baze, 122); and Ultra Blend (Joel Rosario, 122).
In search of his fourth straight win, Cal-bred 8-year-old Cost of Freedom will take some beating in the six-furlong Sprint. The Cee's Tizzy offspring, trained by John Sadler for Gary and Cecil Barber, has won 11 of his 21 starts including the 2008 Ancient Title Stakes at Santa Anita two races after being claimed for $50,000.
After finishing fourth in the following year's Ancient Title, Cost of Freedom subsequently ran a bang-up third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita when crossing the wire just a head behind victorious Dancing in Silks. Joe Talamo, aboard for Cost of Freedom's last three wins late last year that included the Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood Park, will be back at the controls of the gelding who has earned $857,983. He drew post position three.Quick Enough, who finished 4 ½ lengths behind Cost of Freedom when second in the Dec. 11 Miles Tyson Stakes at Hollywood Park, may be among the most formidable challengers on Saturday.
The complete field for the Sunshine Million Sprint, with jockeys and weights in post position order is: Amazombie (Mike Smith, 122); Cayambe (Garrett Gomez, 122); Cost of Freedom (Joseph Talamo, 122); Don Tito (Joel Rosario, 120); Excessive Passion (Russell Baze, 120); Quick Enough (Patrick Valenzuela, 122); Apriority ( Rafael Bejarano, 120, and Dance With Gable (Victor Espinoza, 122).
FIRST DUDE HEADS FIELD OF TEN IN SUNSHINE MILLIONS CLASSIC
Donald Dizney's homebred colt First Dude became a familiar name on the national scene last season placing in the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and other major 3-year-old events. Now the 4-year-old gets his 2011 campaign going as one of the choices in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
The 1 1/8 miles test is the richest of the three Sunshine Millions races to be run at Gulfstream while three others races in the Florida-bred vs. California-bred series will go that afternoon at Santa Anita. The other Gulfstream races will be the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at 1 1/8 miles and the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at six furlongs.
First Dude drew post 1 in a field of 10 with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard for trainer Dale Romans. Florida-breds are assured of a sweep in the Classic as there are no California-breds entered. First Dude makes his first start since finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6 behind Blame and Horse of the Year Zenyatta.
A son of Stephen Got Even, First Dude had a productive but frustrating season for his connections as he placed in five straight Grade I stakes, including the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga following the Triple Crown events. He also lost a neck decision when second in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park in September prior to the Breeders' Cup.
First Dude faces a number of highly-accomplished rivals in the Classic led by Duke of Mischief, Dry Martini and Birdrun.
Duke of Mischief has won two of three starts over the Gulfstream track for trainer David Fawkes, including a victory in the off-the-turf Fort Lauderdale Stakes early last year. The 5-year-old son of Graeme Hall scored his biggest career victory in the Oaklawn Handicap in early April and later scored in the Philip H. Iselin Handicap at Monmouth in August.
Dry Martini is the veteran in the field as the 8-year-old gelding by Slew Gin Fizz will bid for a 10th victory in 36 career starts while posting earnings of over $1.3 million as he makes his first start since a close-up third-place finish in the Mad Hatter overnight stakes at Aqueduct on November 20. Trained by Barclay Tagg, Dry Martini scored his biggest career victory in the 2009 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.
Birdrun came to hand late last season for trainer Bill Mott, winning an allowance race at Belmont in September and taking his game to another level winning the $150,000 Carl Rose Classic last time out at Calder on November 13 by 4 ½ lengths. The 5-year-old son of Birdstone ran twice over the Gulfstream track last year, finishing second and winning an allowance, both races going a mile.
The complete field, from the rail out, for the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic is: First Dude (jockey: Kent Desormeaux); Duke of Mischief (Eibar Coa); Tackleberry (Javier Santiago); Black Hills (M. Hernandez); Birdrun (Rajiv Maragh); King Ghidorah (Jose Alvarez); Cigar Man (Julian Leparoux); Dry Martini (Javier Castellano); Dream Maestro (Juan Leyva); and Honour the Deputy (John Velazquez).
Defending champion Brian Troop heads a record field of 305 horseplayers who will gather at Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa on January 28-29 to vie for horse racing's official title of "Handicapper of the Year" and a first-place prize of $500,000 in the $1,125,150 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). The total purse represents an NHC record.
The NHC has enjoyed outstanding growth since its inception. By way of comparison, the first NHC in January 2000 carried a total prize pool of $200,000 and a winner's share of $100,000.
"We are delighted to return to Red Rock in Las Vegas for what has become the most anticipated tournament in the world among horseplayers," said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the NTRA. "This year's field of 305 is our biggest ever, which means this year's NHC will be not only the richest but the most competitive in the event's history."
As the 2010 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship winner, Brian Troop of Barrie, Ontario, Canada received a special exemption into the tournament to defend the title he won last January when he bested 301 other horseplayers in the two-day competition. The 62-year-old accountant won by amassing a mythical bankroll of $266.00 from a total of 30 $2 win-and-place wagers pared from a mind-numbing menu of more than 130 races run at seven different tracks. Troop, who took over the lead last year early on in Day One and never looked back, will look to become the first ever two-time winner of the NHC, but he will face five other past champions who qualified for the finals this year. Judy Wagner, Steve Wolfson Jr., Ron Rippey, Stanley Bavlish and Richard Goodall—the winners of NHC II, NHC IV, NHC VII, NHC VIII and NHC IX, respectively—will all be in the field with the same goal of a historic win in Las Vegas.
Contestant Tom Noone of Redondo Beach, Calif., will be hoping to make NHC history of a different kind. As the winner of the third annual NHC Tour in 2010, Noone not only won a $75,000 bonus for his top scores in the year's NHC qualifying events, he is eligible to receive a $2 million bonus should he emerge victorious in the January 28-29 competition. So a win by Noone in Las Vegas would result in a payday of $2.5 million ($500,000 first-place NHC purse + $2 million NHC Tour bonus).
In its 12th year, the Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino racebooks, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping Web sites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. This year's finalists advanced from one of 109 local tournaments held at more than 50 different sites across North America since January 2010.
So far, more than 100,000 people have participated in these local tournaments. Red Rock will also host the second annual "Red Rock Shootout" on Sunday, January 30. The Sunday contest is a qualifying event for the 2011-12 contest year.
The tournament format for the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship is meant to be the best possible test of overall handicapping ability. Players attempt to earn the highest possible bankroll based on 15 mythical $2 win-and-place wagers on each day of the two-day tournament. Eight of those wagers will be on mandatory races as selected by a panel comprised of Daily Racing Form National Handicapper Mike Watchmaker, NTRA Senior Director of Media Relations Eric Wing and Red Rock Casino Director of Race and Sports Jason McCormick.
The remaining seven races each day are optional plays to be made on races at one of eight designated NHC tournament tracks: Aqueduct, Fair Grounds, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, Santa Anita Park, Tampa Bay Downs and Turf Paradise.
Regular Championship updates will be posted on the Internet throughout the two-day contest at both www.ntra.com and www.drf.com.
ZENYATTA TO BE BRED TO BERNARDINI
Owners Jerry and Ann Moss announced yesterday that Zenyatta, the 2010 Horse of the Year, will be bred to Bernardini in 2011.
A son of two-time leading sire A.P. Indy, Bernardini was named champion three-year-old colt in 2006 following a campaign that included a victory in the Preakness Stakes. In 2010, with his first crop to race, Bernardini was the leading freshman sire by number of graded stakes winners and by number of stakes winners.
Zenyatta is boarded at Mr. and Mrs. William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Kentucky.
THE USUAL Q.T., EVENING JEWEL GIVE CASSIDY SOLID HAND IN SATURDAY'S SUNSHINE MILLIONS TURF & DISTAFF AT SANTA ANITA
With multiple Grade I winners The Usual Q. T. and Evening Jewel, New York City-born trainer James Cassidy figures to be a force Saturday in Santa Anita's portion of the 9th Sunshine Millions, a competition conducted in concert with Gulfstream Park.
In the bicoastal event offering purses of $1.8 million and comprised of six races exclusively for California and Florida-bred Thoroughbreds, The Usual Q.T. will be the leading challenger to Floridian multi-millionaire Presious Passion among eight entrants in the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf. Evening Jewel heads a cast of nine in the $300,000 Distaff. The $200,000 Sprint, featuring Cost of Freedom, completes the Sunshine Million races at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
They will be interspersed among the three stakes taking place at Florida's Gulfstream Park, with the afternoon's headliner being the $500,000 Classic. Gulfstream will also present the $300,000 Filly & Mare Turf and the $200,000 Filly & Mare Sprint.
The Turf, at 1 1/8 miles on the grass, has attracted a formidable lineup that includes such notables as Florida-bred Jeranimo and Cal-bred Caracortado, in addition to Presious Passion and The Usual Q. T.
A gelded 8-year-old son of Royal Anthem trained by Mary Hartman for Patricia A. Generazio, Presious Passion has amassed $2,679,099 in earnings while racing 49 times. His record is 14-7-2. He will be joined by Elvis Trujillo, aboard for his last 16 races.
Presious Passion won Oak Tree's Clement L. Hirsch by 2 ½ lengths over the Santa Anita turf in October of 2009 before losing by one-half length to Conduit in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Santa Anita. No stranger to The Great Race Place, he was second to Soldiers Dancer in the Sunshine Millions Turf at Santa Anita in January of that year.
The veteran campaigner, who clearly likes the grass course at Santa Anita and who does his best running on the front end, will be attempting to end a five-race losing streak when returning to Southern California. The Usual Q.T., a gelded 5-year-old son of Unusual Heat, has earned $1,423,240 from an 8-5-2 record in 19 career starts for Don Van Racing and partners. Regular rider Victor Espinoza will be in the saddle.
After finishing third to the remarkable Goldikova and Gio Ponti in the Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on November 6, The Usual Q.T. went to the sidelines for a freshening. He returned as the 7-10 favorite in Santa Anita's San Gabriel Handicap on December 27, but was upset by Jeranimo when fading to third.
The San Gabriel was the second win in as many tries on turf for the 5-year-old son of Congaree who had taken Santa Anita's prestigious Strub Stakes last year at odds of 11-1. Jeranimo has compiled a 5-3-2 record in 15 starts for earnings of $429,400.
Caracortado was an impressive winner in his only race on turf, a sprint at Hollywood Park last November. He came back to run third at seven furlongs in the Malibu Stakes behind Twirling Candy and Smiling Tiger on Santa Anita's opening day, December 26.
Trained by Michael Machowsky for Blahut Racing and Lo Hi Racing, the 4-year-old Cal-bred son of Cat Dreams has won 6 of 10 starts while banking $326,520. Caracortado captured the Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita as a 3-year-old to extend an unbeaten streak to five races.
The complete field for the Sunshine Millions Turf, with jockeys and weights in post position order, is: Pickapocket (Joel Rosario, 122); Mobilized (Alonso Quinonez, 122); Jeranimo (Rafael Bejarano, 122); Soul Candy (Garrett Gomez, 122); Caracortado (Joseph Talamo, 120); No Inflation (David Flores, 122); The Usual Q.T. (Victor Espinoza, 122); and Presious Passion (Elvis Trujillo, 122).
Evening Jewel, whom Cassidy trains for the Tom and Marilyn Braly, has not raced since finishing third behind Dubai Majesty and Switch in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Churchill Downs on November 5. Cassidy expects her to be fit enough for the 1 1/16 miles of the Distaff.
The 4-year-old California-bred daughter of Northern Afleet hasn't been off the board since her maiden debut at Del Mar in August of 2009. While earning $1,015,943 from a 6-5-2 record in 14 races, Evening Jewel posted Grade I triumphs in the Del Mar Oaks and Ashland Stakes at Kentucky last year while banking $915,343.
Her primary competition might come from trainer Vladimir Cerin's Briecat, a 6-year-old Florida-bred mare who won the Las Palmas Handicap at Hollywood Park last October before venturing to Delta Downs where she took the $125,000 Treasure Chest Stakes by 5 ½ lengths. Patrick Valenzuela, who was aboard for both those wins, has the return call.
The complete field for the Sunshine Millions Distaff, with jockeys and weights in post position order, is: Camille (Alonso Quinonez, 120); Warren's Blossom (Martin Pedroza, 120); Briecat (Patrick Valenzuela, 122); Amazing ( Rafael Bejarano, 122); Antares World (Frank Alvarado, 120); All Due Respect (Joseph Talamo, 120); Evening Jewel (Victor Espinoza, 120); Lady Railrider (Russell Baze, 122); and Ultra Blend (Joel Rosario, 122).
In search of his fourth straight win, Cal-bred 8-year-old Cost of Freedom will take some beating in the six-furlong Sprint. The Cee's Tizzy offspring, trained by John Sadler for Gary and Cecil Barber, has won 11 of his 21 starts including the 2008 Ancient Title Stakes at Santa Anita two races after being claimed for $50,000.
After finishing fourth in the following year's Ancient Title, Cost of Freedom subsequently ran a bang-up third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita when crossing the wire just a head behind victorious Dancing in Silks. Joe Talamo, aboard for Cost of Freedom's last three wins late last year that included the Vernon O. Underwood at Hollywood Park, will be back at the controls of the gelding who has earned $857,983. He drew post position three.Quick Enough, who finished 4 ½ lengths behind Cost of Freedom when second in the Dec. 11 Miles Tyson Stakes at Hollywood Park, may be among the most formidable challengers on Saturday.
The complete field for the Sunshine Million Sprint, with jockeys and weights in post position order is: Amazombie (Mike Smith, 122); Cayambe (Garrett Gomez, 122); Cost of Freedom (Joseph Talamo, 122); Don Tito (Joel Rosario, 120); Excessive Passion (Russell Baze, 120); Quick Enough (Patrick Valenzuela, 122); Apriority ( Rafael Bejarano, 120, and Dance With Gable (Victor Espinoza, 122).
FIRST DUDE HEADS FIELD OF TEN IN SUNSHINE MILLIONS CLASSIC
Donald Dizney's homebred colt First Dude became a familiar name on the national scene last season placing in the Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes and other major 3-year-old events. Now the 4-year-old gets his 2011 campaign going as one of the choices in Saturday's $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla.
The 1 1/8 miles test is the richest of the three Sunshine Millions races to be run at Gulfstream while three others races in the Florida-bred vs. California-bred series will go that afternoon at Santa Anita. The other Gulfstream races will be the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf at 1 1/8 miles and the $200,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at six furlongs.
First Dude drew post 1 in a field of 10 with jockey Kent Desormeaux aboard for trainer Dale Romans. Florida-breds are assured of a sweep in the Classic as there are no California-breds entered. First Dude makes his first start since finishing eighth in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 6 behind Blame and Horse of the Year Zenyatta.
A son of Stephen Got Even, First Dude had a productive but frustrating season for his connections as he placed in five straight Grade I stakes, including the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and the Travers Stakes at Saratoga following the Triple Crown events. He also lost a neck decision when second in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at Philadelphia Park in September prior to the Breeders' Cup.
First Dude faces a number of highly-accomplished rivals in the Classic led by Duke of Mischief, Dry Martini and Birdrun.
Duke of Mischief has won two of three starts over the Gulfstream track for trainer David Fawkes, including a victory in the off-the-turf Fort Lauderdale Stakes early last year. The 5-year-old son of Graeme Hall scored his biggest career victory in the Oaklawn Handicap in early April and later scored in the Philip H. Iselin Handicap at Monmouth in August.
Dry Martini is the veteran in the field as the 8-year-old gelding by Slew Gin Fizz will bid for a 10th victory in 36 career starts while posting earnings of over $1.3 million as he makes his first start since a close-up third-place finish in the Mad Hatter overnight stakes at Aqueduct on November 20. Trained by Barclay Tagg, Dry Martini scored his biggest career victory in the 2009 Suburban Handicap at Belmont Park.
Birdrun came to hand late last season for trainer Bill Mott, winning an allowance race at Belmont in September and taking his game to another level winning the $150,000 Carl Rose Classic last time out at Calder on November 13 by 4 ½ lengths. The 5-year-old son of Birdstone ran twice over the Gulfstream track last year, finishing second and winning an allowance, both races going a mile.
The complete field, from the rail out, for the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic is: First Dude (jockey: Kent Desormeaux); Duke of Mischief (Eibar Coa); Tackleberry (Javier Santiago); Black Hills (M. Hernandez); Birdrun (Rajiv Maragh); King Ghidorah (Jose Alvarez); Cigar Man (Julian Leparoux); Dry Martini (Javier Castellano); Dream Maestro (Juan Leyva); and Honour the Deputy (John Velazquez).
Who's Who at NHC XII
The 12th annual Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship begins tomorrow at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. The two-day event offers $1 million in prize money with a half-mil going to the winner. NTRA's Eric Wing provides some facts about the field's makeup. Many of these notes serve as myth-busters for the public perception of a horseplayer.
Best of luck to those that qualified at Canterbury Park: David Walczak, Tom Anderson, Jason Ige, Joe Gauthier, and Tim Stupka. Other locals that qualifed include Cara Yarusso, Mike Ferrozzo and Brian Chenvert. Canterbury's 2006 Handicapper of the Year, Jerod Dinkin, also will be competing.
You'll have your chance to qualify at Canterbury Park for the 2012 NHC which will feature an estimated $2 million in prizes. The annual Road to Kentucky Tournament, with first prize being an NHC berth, begins Feb. 12. jm
WHO'S WHO AT NHC XII
by Eric Wing NTRA Posted: Wednesday, January 26,2011
FAMILIAR FACES – RETURNING NHC CHAMPS
Defending champion Brian Troop is not the only former winner to be returning to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. There are five others: 2008 winner Richard Goodall; 2007 victor Stanley Bavlish; 2006 Champion Ron Rippey, 2003 kingpin Steve Wolfson Jr. and 2001 victress Judy Wagner also have qualified. The best performance in the NHC by a former champion, thus far, is the 11th place effort in 2005 turned in by 2004 winner Kent Meyer.
$2 MILLION BONUS AT STAKE FOR ONE PLAYER
As the winner of the NHC Tour in 2010, Tom Noone not only won $75,000 and an NHC berth. Should he go on to win this year’s NHC, he would receive a $2 million bonus in addition to the NHC grand prize of $500,000.
FREQUENT ’FIERS
Approximately 155 participants—or slightly more than half the NHC XII field—have qualified for the NHC in previous years (pending the Last Chance Tournament), and no fewer than 31 of this year’s field of 305 have qualified six or more times. They are: Sally Wang Goodall (9 times), David “Trey” Stiles (9-all in a row), Robert Bertolucci (9), Paul Shurman (9-all in a row), William Shurman (8-brother of Paul, William has made last 8 in a row), Rich Nilsen (8, including last 5 in a row), Richard Goodall (8- husband of Sally Wang Goodall), Judy Wagner (8-including 5 in a row), Louis Constan (8), Mike Mayo (8), Mike Labriola (8), Craig Kaufman (7-and last 6 in a row), Duke Matties (7-all in a row), Ron Rippey (7-last 6 in a row), Ron Geary (7-all in a row), Dave Gutfreund (7), Bryan Wagner (7), former NHC champ Steve Wolfson Jr. (7), Mark Bertolucci (6), Dennis Decaauwer (6), Les Harris (6), Steve Hartshorn (6), Howard Hong (6), Dane Moore (6), 2010 NHC Tour champ Tom Noone (6),. Damian Roncevich (6), Joe Scanio (6), H. Mitchell Schuman (6), Kevin Geraghty (6), Chris Larmey (6) and Paul Weizer (6). The husband and wife combination of Sally Wang Goodall and Richard Goodall have qualified a combined 17 times, as have brothers Bill and Paul Shurman. Judy and hubby Bryan Wagner have reached Las Vegas on a combined 15 occasions.
YOUTH VERSUS EXPERIENCE
This year’s NHC contestants range in age from 21-year-old college student Chris Bertolucci to 79-year-old author Frank Jakubowsky, who considers himself an expert on the spirit of truth. Jakubowsky uses astrology, numbers and the qualities of horses’ names to help him handicap.
THE FAIRER SEX
What are the odds that a woman wins NHC XI? About 14-1. That’s because no fewer than 21 females will be in the field of 305
A GOLDEN NHC STATE
California is the home state of 50 of this year’s 305 contestants—nearly one in six. Second in the parade of states is New York with 27 representatives, followed by Texas (16), Kentucky (15), Illinois (12) and Ohio (10). Canada is represented by 13 competitors who will try to keep the crown north of the border. Eight of the Canadians reside in Ontario, three in British Columbia and two in Alberta.
THOSE BETTIN’ BERTOLUCCIS
The Bertolucci family of California has managed to qualify four members to this year’s NHC. The clan is led by Robert Bertolucci, who is one of four 2011 competitors playing in a record ninth NHC. Other Bertoluccis in this year’s field are Chris Bertolucci, Mark Bertolucci and Tosca Bertolucci. For Mark, this will be his sixth NHC appearance. Because four Bertoluccis have qualified, Bertolucci is officially tied with Turner as the surname most likely to be on the NHC grand prize check this year.
HE WROTE THE BOOK
Noel Michaels has chronicled the NHC for publications, including Daily Racing Form and American Turf Monthly, since the event’s inception in 2000. In 2003, he authored the respected “Handicapping Tournament Handbook” which has helped guided countless players through the nuances of tournament play. This year, Michaels will make his second appearance as an active NHC contestant.
INDUSTRY BIGWIGS
It’s a good thing Ellis Park is not open during the NHC. If it were, Ron Geary might have an advantage. He owns the Henderson, Ky. track. Ron’s son Mark Geary is an executive there.. Steve Wolfson Jr.’s grandfather was Louis Wolfson, the owner of Affirmed. Corey Johnsen is the president of Kentucky Downs. Noel Michaels works for Nassau OTB. Howard Hong is the TV commentator at Turf Paradise. Ron Rippey, the 2006 NHC champ is the handicapper for the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger, the 10th largest newspaper in America. Rich Nilsen, at the NHC for an eighth time, is the marketing director for Brisnet. Before he recently became the Executive Director of the Ohio HBPA, David Basler was an Equibase chartcaller for 15 years and a freelance reporter for Daily Racing Form. Gary Johnson would like to add an NHC title to the 26 meet training titles he has won at tracks including Thistledown and Mountaineer Park. Scott Carson is the founder of publichandicapper.com. And while Howard Dennis, a five-time NHC qualifier, and Monte Engler do not work in the racing industry per se, both have achieved coveted distinctions within it. Dennis once owned a share in the great stallion, Mr. Prospector. Engler was a part owner of Tale of the Cat. (Engler also was a bigwig in another industry—he helped create the first cellular telephone company in the U.S.) Toby Turrell is the publisher of the popular Winners Card sheet in California. Brian Wayne occasionally appears on TVG under the moniker “Exactor Man”. Richard Goodall, the 2008 NHC winner, had his first job in the racing industry, but you wouldn’t have exactly called him a bigwig. He was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms at Pocono Downs.
GOOD WITH NUMBERS
Making his sixth NHC appearance is Dennis Decauwer, who is in the Accounting Hall of Fame at Cal Poly Pomona.
TOURNAMENT SPECIALISTS
Mark Heider won the 2010 Horseplayer’s World Series. By Mike Labriola’s count, he has won 14 horse racing handicapping tournaments over the past 27 years. Ken Seeman has finished in the top 15 in the last two NHCs.
A BREED APART
Gary Schulz has yet to win a horse handicapping tournament, but he has won several Greyhound racing handicapping contests.
COMFORTABLE TAKING A STAND
Robert Hansan achieved his greatest business success perfecting the software that enables citizens to easily contact their elected officials online. In last November’s Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, he finished in first place thanks to a $7,000 win bet on Blame in the tournament’s final race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER…
There also are several husband and wife qualifiers in this year’s tournament including Bryan and Judy Wagner, Richard and Sally Goodall, Mike and Marsha Mayo, Rich and Marta Nilsen, Edward and Yu’Min De’Ath, Howard and Jacque Hong, Daven and Gina Turner, Kevin and Lee Geraghty, Kevin and Fatma Englehard and James and Roberta Templin. Bill and Paul Shurman are brothers. So are Myles and Mark Richards and Duke and Paul Matties.. Mike Harrington’s wife did not qualify. But the two Harringtons live in a bus and travel from track to track together.
WHATEVER IT TAKES
For good luck, Robin Buser carries a “DNA card” produced by Upper Deck. The card contains hair strands of Smarty Jones.
FINAL ANSWER?
James Dickson was a contestant in 2000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but he was eliminated on the $32,000 question.
DON’T PARK NEAR THIS GUY
Dan Weisenburger was once a champion Demolition Derby driver.
INTERESTING OCCUPATIONS
The NHC always seems to have its share of CEOs, professional horseplayers and postal workers, and this year is no exception. But NHC contestants truly come from all walks of life. Don Allen is a logger. Timothy Herboth, like Homer Simpson, works in a nuclear power plant. Patrick Gianforte owns a utility company called Pic Six LLC. Speaking of electricity, Dane Moore doesn’t mind taking a few risks—he is a high voltage line foreman. Daniel Lavine raises avocados. Les Harris is a pilot. Don Johnson is a geologist. Darrel Lerner is the co-founder of an online dating company. Stephen Diaz is the master carpenter at the world famous Metropolitan Opera House.
NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT
Actor Joe Scanio is currently appearing in the off-Broadway show, “My Big Gay Italian Wedding”.
SEE THESE MEN IF YOU WIN
Louis Constan is a tax professional. Fred Siu is a financial consultant.
AVOID THIS MAN IF YOU WIN
Nathaniel Gines is an I.R.S. agent.
Best of luck to those that qualified at Canterbury Park: David Walczak, Tom Anderson, Jason Ige, Joe Gauthier, and Tim Stupka. Other locals that qualifed include Cara Yarusso, Mike Ferrozzo and Brian Chenvert. Canterbury's 2006 Handicapper of the Year, Jerod Dinkin, also will be competing.
You'll have your chance to qualify at Canterbury Park for the 2012 NHC which will feature an estimated $2 million in prizes. The annual Road to Kentucky Tournament, with first prize being an NHC berth, begins Feb. 12. jm
WHO'S WHO AT NHC XII
by Eric Wing NTRA Posted: Wednesday, January 26,2011
FAMILIAR FACES – RETURNING NHC CHAMPS
Defending champion Brian Troop is not the only former winner to be returning to the DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. There are five others: 2008 winner Richard Goodall; 2007 victor Stanley Bavlish; 2006 Champion Ron Rippey, 2003 kingpin Steve Wolfson Jr. and 2001 victress Judy Wagner also have qualified. The best performance in the NHC by a former champion, thus far, is the 11th place effort in 2005 turned in by 2004 winner Kent Meyer.
$2 MILLION BONUS AT STAKE FOR ONE PLAYER
As the winner of the NHC Tour in 2010, Tom Noone not only won $75,000 and an NHC berth. Should he go on to win this year’s NHC, he would receive a $2 million bonus in addition to the NHC grand prize of $500,000.
FREQUENT ’FIERS
Approximately 155 participants—or slightly more than half the NHC XII field—have qualified for the NHC in previous years (pending the Last Chance Tournament), and no fewer than 31 of this year’s field of 305 have qualified six or more times. They are: Sally Wang Goodall (9 times), David “Trey” Stiles (9-all in a row), Robert Bertolucci (9), Paul Shurman (9-all in a row), William Shurman (8-brother of Paul, William has made last 8 in a row), Rich Nilsen (8, including last 5 in a row), Richard Goodall (8- husband of Sally Wang Goodall), Judy Wagner (8-including 5 in a row), Louis Constan (8), Mike Mayo (8), Mike Labriola (8), Craig Kaufman (7-and last 6 in a row), Duke Matties (7-all in a row), Ron Rippey (7-last 6 in a row), Ron Geary (7-all in a row), Dave Gutfreund (7), Bryan Wagner (7), former NHC champ Steve Wolfson Jr. (7), Mark Bertolucci (6), Dennis Decaauwer (6), Les Harris (6), Steve Hartshorn (6), Howard Hong (6), Dane Moore (6), 2010 NHC Tour champ Tom Noone (6),. Damian Roncevich (6), Joe Scanio (6), H. Mitchell Schuman (6), Kevin Geraghty (6), Chris Larmey (6) and Paul Weizer (6). The husband and wife combination of Sally Wang Goodall and Richard Goodall have qualified a combined 17 times, as have brothers Bill and Paul Shurman. Judy and hubby Bryan Wagner have reached Las Vegas on a combined 15 occasions.
YOUTH VERSUS EXPERIENCE
This year’s NHC contestants range in age from 21-year-old college student Chris Bertolucci to 79-year-old author Frank Jakubowsky, who considers himself an expert on the spirit of truth. Jakubowsky uses astrology, numbers and the qualities of horses’ names to help him handicap.
THE FAIRER SEX
What are the odds that a woman wins NHC XI? About 14-1. That’s because no fewer than 21 females will be in the field of 305
A GOLDEN NHC STATE
California is the home state of 50 of this year’s 305 contestants—nearly one in six. Second in the parade of states is New York with 27 representatives, followed by Texas (16), Kentucky (15), Illinois (12) and Ohio (10). Canada is represented by 13 competitors who will try to keep the crown north of the border. Eight of the Canadians reside in Ontario, three in British Columbia and two in Alberta.
THOSE BETTIN’ BERTOLUCCIS
The Bertolucci family of California has managed to qualify four members to this year’s NHC. The clan is led by Robert Bertolucci, who is one of four 2011 competitors playing in a record ninth NHC. Other Bertoluccis in this year’s field are Chris Bertolucci, Mark Bertolucci and Tosca Bertolucci. For Mark, this will be his sixth NHC appearance. Because four Bertoluccis have qualified, Bertolucci is officially tied with Turner as the surname most likely to be on the NHC grand prize check this year.
HE WROTE THE BOOK
Noel Michaels has chronicled the NHC for publications, including Daily Racing Form and American Turf Monthly, since the event’s inception in 2000. In 2003, he authored the respected “Handicapping Tournament Handbook” which has helped guided countless players through the nuances of tournament play. This year, Michaels will make his second appearance as an active NHC contestant.
INDUSTRY BIGWIGS
It’s a good thing Ellis Park is not open during the NHC. If it were, Ron Geary might have an advantage. He owns the Henderson, Ky. track. Ron’s son Mark Geary is an executive there.. Steve Wolfson Jr.’s grandfather was Louis Wolfson, the owner of Affirmed. Corey Johnsen is the president of Kentucky Downs. Noel Michaels works for Nassau OTB. Howard Hong is the TV commentator at Turf Paradise. Ron Rippey, the 2006 NHC champ is the handicapper for the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger, the 10th largest newspaper in America. Rich Nilsen, at the NHC for an eighth time, is the marketing director for Brisnet. Before he recently became the Executive Director of the Ohio HBPA, David Basler was an Equibase chartcaller for 15 years and a freelance reporter for Daily Racing Form. Gary Johnson would like to add an NHC title to the 26 meet training titles he has won at tracks including Thistledown and Mountaineer Park. Scott Carson is the founder of publichandicapper.com. And while Howard Dennis, a five-time NHC qualifier, and Monte Engler do not work in the racing industry per se, both have achieved coveted distinctions within it. Dennis once owned a share in the great stallion, Mr. Prospector. Engler was a part owner of Tale of the Cat. (Engler also was a bigwig in another industry—he helped create the first cellular telephone company in the U.S.) Toby Turrell is the publisher of the popular Winners Card sheet in California. Brian Wayne occasionally appears on TVG under the moniker “Exactor Man”. Richard Goodall, the 2008 NHC winner, had his first job in the racing industry, but you wouldn’t have exactly called him a bigwig. He was responsible for cleaning the bathrooms at Pocono Downs.
GOOD WITH NUMBERS
Making his sixth NHC appearance is Dennis Decauwer, who is in the Accounting Hall of Fame at Cal Poly Pomona.
TOURNAMENT SPECIALISTS
Mark Heider won the 2010 Horseplayer’s World Series. By Mike Labriola’s count, he has won 14 horse racing handicapping tournaments over the past 27 years. Ken Seeman has finished in the top 15 in the last two NHCs.
A BREED APART
Gary Schulz has yet to win a horse handicapping tournament, but he has won several Greyhound racing handicapping contests.
COMFORTABLE TAKING A STAND
Robert Hansan achieved his greatest business success perfecting the software that enables citizens to easily contact their elected officials online. In last November’s Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge, he finished in first place thanks to a $7,000 win bet on Blame in the tournament’s final race, the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER…
There also are several husband and wife qualifiers in this year’s tournament including Bryan and Judy Wagner, Richard and Sally Goodall, Mike and Marsha Mayo, Rich and Marta Nilsen, Edward and Yu’Min De’Ath, Howard and Jacque Hong, Daven and Gina Turner, Kevin and Lee Geraghty, Kevin and Fatma Englehard and James and Roberta Templin. Bill and Paul Shurman are brothers. So are Myles and Mark Richards and Duke and Paul Matties.. Mike Harrington’s wife did not qualify. But the two Harringtons live in a bus and travel from track to track together.
WHATEVER IT TAKES
For good luck, Robin Buser carries a “DNA card” produced by Upper Deck. The card contains hair strands of Smarty Jones.
FINAL ANSWER?
James Dickson was a contestant in 2000 on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but he was eliminated on the $32,000 question.
DON’T PARK NEAR THIS GUY
Dan Weisenburger was once a champion Demolition Derby driver.
INTERESTING OCCUPATIONS
The NHC always seems to have its share of CEOs, professional horseplayers and postal workers, and this year is no exception. But NHC contestants truly come from all walks of life. Don Allen is a logger. Timothy Herboth, like Homer Simpson, works in a nuclear power plant. Patrick Gianforte owns a utility company called Pic Six LLC. Speaking of electricity, Dane Moore doesn’t mind taking a few risks—he is a high voltage line foreman. Daniel Lavine raises avocados. Les Harris is a pilot. Don Johnson is a geologist. Darrel Lerner is the co-founder of an online dating company. Stephen Diaz is the master carpenter at the world famous Metropolitan Opera House.
NOT THAT THERE’S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THAT
Actor Joe Scanio is currently appearing in the off-Broadway show, “My Big Gay Italian Wedding”.
SEE THESE MEN IF YOU WIN
Louis Constan is a tax professional. Fred Siu is a financial consultant.
AVOID THIS MAN IF YOU WIN
Nathaniel Gines is an I.R.S. agent.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Steward Wanted
Presiding Steward
The Minnesota Racing Commission is accepting applications for the contractual position of Presiding Steward at Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota during the 2011 live race meet.
The 2011 meet runs from May 20 through September 5, 2011. According to Minnesota Rule, to serve as a State Steward, an individual must have received steward accreditation from the University of Louisville or Arizona.
The deadline for submission of letter of application and resumes is 3:30pm CST Friday, January 28, 2011. For further information contact: Richard Krueger, Executive Director at (952) 496-7950
The Minnesota Racing Commission is accepting applications for the contractual position of Presiding Steward at Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota during the 2011 live race meet.
The 2011 meet runs from May 20 through September 5, 2011. According to Minnesota Rule, to serve as a State Steward, an individual must have received steward accreditation from the University of Louisville or Arizona.
The deadline for submission of letter of application and resumes is 3:30pm CST Friday, January 28, 2011. For further information contact: Richard Krueger, Executive Director at (952) 496-7950
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Three Derby Future Wager pools planned; Oaks pool to offer exactas
by Marty McGee - Daily Racing Form
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs has set the dates for the three three-day pools in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager while announcing that exacta wagering will be offered for the first time in the single Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool.The dates are Feb. 18-20, March 11-13, and April 1-3.
This is the 13th year for the Future Wager, which has undergone a number of changes through the years. The latest is exactas in the Oaks pool, which will again run concurrently with Derby Pool 2. Exactas were first offered on Derby futures during Pool 2 of 2009.
All Derby pools will open at 11am Central on the corresponding Fridays and close at 5 p.m. on the corresponding Sundays. The Oaks pool will have a 5:30 p.m. Sunday close. READ MORE HERE
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs has set the dates for the three three-day pools in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Future Wager while announcing that exacta wagering will be offered for the first time in the single Kentucky Oaks Future Wager pool.The dates are Feb. 18-20, March 11-13, and April 1-3.
This is the 13th year for the Future Wager, which has undergone a number of changes through the years. The latest is exactas in the Oaks pool, which will again run concurrently with Derby Pool 2. Exactas were first offered on Derby futures during Pool 2 of 2009.
All Derby pools will open at 11am Central on the corresponding Fridays and close at 5 p.m. on the corresponding Sundays. The Oaks pool will have a 5:30 p.m. Sunday close. READ MORE HERE
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Nolan Returns To The Saddle Friday
Jockey Paul Nolan will enter the starting gate Friday night for the first time since being injured on July 2.
It has been a long road to recovery but the Canterbury stalwart is again ready for action and will find plenty of it at Sam Houston Race Park where he was leading rider last year. Nolan has been named on three horses Friday and three on Saturday. First post is 7pm and you can watch and wager in the Canterbury Racebook.
It has been a long road to recovery but the Canterbury stalwart is again ready for action and will find plenty of it at Sam Houston Race Park where he was leading rider last year. Nolan has been named on three horses Friday and three on Saturday. First post is 7pm and you can watch and wager in the Canterbury Racebook.
Canterbury Announces 2011 Stakes Schedule
Canterbury Park’s 2011 thoroughbred stakes schedule features 28 races worth $1.215 million in purses. The 62-day race meet begins Friday night, May 20 and concludes Monday, Sept. 5. The 18th Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the Minnesota breeding industry, is Sept. 4. Festival day’s seven stakes offer purses of $345,000.
This season, Canterbury Park will host an event new to the calendar. Fillies Race for Hope, July 31, is a breast cancer awareness fund-raiser that will benefit Hope Chest, a local organization whose mission is to help under-served or financially distressed individuals and their families touched by breast cancer. The day will feature nine races for fillies and mares including the Lady Canterbury, Hoist Her Flag, and Princess Elaine Stakes. “Canterbury Park has been active in the community through the Canterbury Park Minnesota Fund. This year we wanted to find a way to include our fans and horsemen and make an impact in others’ lives,” Canterbury President Randy Sampson said.
Absent from the calendar is the Claiming Crown. This is the third time in 12 years it has not been hosted by Canterbury. The event will be held at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans on December 3. Claiming Crown is scheduled to return to Canterbury in the summer of 2012.
Stall applications will be available February 21, the same day the first condition book will be online at www.canterburypark.com .
The entire stakes schedule can be found HERE.
This season, Canterbury Park will host an event new to the calendar. Fillies Race for Hope, July 31, is a breast cancer awareness fund-raiser that will benefit Hope Chest, a local organization whose mission is to help under-served or financially distressed individuals and their families touched by breast cancer. The day will feature nine races for fillies and mares including the Lady Canterbury, Hoist Her Flag, and Princess Elaine Stakes. “Canterbury Park has been active in the community through the Canterbury Park Minnesota Fund. This year we wanted to find a way to include our fans and horsemen and make an impact in others’ lives,” Canterbury President Randy Sampson said.
Absent from the calendar is the Claiming Crown. This is the third time in 12 years it has not been hosted by Canterbury. The event will be held at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans on December 3. Claiming Crown is scheduled to return to Canterbury in the summer of 2012.
Stall applications will be available February 21, the same day the first condition book will be online at www.canterburypark.com .
The entire stakes schedule can be found HERE.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Minnesota connections run first-second in Oaklawn stakes
Win Willy, owned by Jerry and Marlene Myers (Jer-Mar Stables LLC) of Minneapolis, won the $75,000 Fifth Season Stakes on Sunday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred thoroughbred is trained by Mac Robertson and was ridden by Cliff Berry.Win Willy rallied from the back of the pack to beat Stachys by a neck. Stachys is owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling of Elk River and is trained by Mike Biehler.
As the betting favorite, Win Willy returned $3.20.
The 5-year-old Kentucky-bred thoroughbred is trained by Mac Robertson and was ridden by Cliff Berry.Win Willy rallied from the back of the pack to beat Stachys by a neck. Stachys is owned by Al and Bill Ulwelling of Elk River and is trained by Mike Biehler.
As the betting favorite, Win Willy returned $3.20.
Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest coming soon....
The annual Road to Kentucky Handicapping Contest begins Saturday, February 12.
The free-to-enter contest offers $30,000 in cash and prizes.
This year the top prize will be an entry to the $2,000,000 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship 2012.
Have a look at the R2K schedule here and mark your calendars.
The free-to-enter contest offers $30,000 in cash and prizes.
This year the top prize will be an entry to the $2,000,000 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship 2012.
Have a look at the R2K schedule here and mark your calendars.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Q-Racing Video Offers Free Coverage of the 2010 AQHA Racing Champions Announcements
Watch the 2011 AQHA Racing Champions announcements live January 12 from Heritage Place in Oklahoma City for free on Q-Racing Video! The program begins at 6 p.m. CST, and will be available worldwide and free of charge at https://prds.aqha.com/PRDS_videostream/.
This year’s event will be hosted by Tom Dawson and co-hosted by Remington Park’s Dale Day. There are a few changes in store this year:
• 2010’s new Champion Race Horses and Dams of Distinction will be recognized
• Stolis Winner will be lauded as the new all-time leading money earner
• Cartel Caliente will receive recognition as the latest AQHA Supreme Champion
Click here for a list of the nominees in the various champion categories. The public is invited to attend the show! Admission is free, but seating is limited. Gentlemen are asked to wear a coat and tie.
Guests who wish to view Q-Racing Video free of charge this weekend will only need to provide a valid e-mail address at login. For more information, visit https://prds.aqha.com/PRDS_videostream/.
Q-Racing Video shows actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It feels like you're watching a monitor in the clubhouse of your favorite track, but the action is right on your computer from anywhere there's Internet access. If you like what you see during the free preview, you can subscribe to the service and watch unlimited live and archived American Quarter Horse racing. Enjoy the subscription service for as little as $14.95 per month. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video.
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.
This year’s event will be hosted by Tom Dawson and co-hosted by Remington Park’s Dale Day. There are a few changes in store this year:
• 2010’s new Champion Race Horses and Dams of Distinction will be recognized
• Stolis Winner will be lauded as the new all-time leading money earner
• Cartel Caliente will receive recognition as the latest AQHA Supreme Champion
Click here for a list of the nominees in the various champion categories. The public is invited to attend the show! Admission is free, but seating is limited. Gentlemen are asked to wear a coat and tie.
Guests who wish to view Q-Racing Video free of charge this weekend will only need to provide a valid e-mail address at login. For more information, visit https://prds.aqha.com/PRDS_videostream/.
Q-Racing Video shows actual live video from the racetracks, including post parade and racing action. It feels like you're watching a monitor in the clubhouse of your favorite track, but the action is right on your computer from anywhere there's Internet access. If you like what you see during the free preview, you can subscribe to the service and watch unlimited live and archived American Quarter Horse racing. Enjoy the subscription service for as little as $14.95 per month. Subscribers have unlimited live access to almost every Quarter Horse simulcasting signal in the United States, plus unlimited access to archived race video.
AQHA news and information is a service of AQHA publications. For more information on The American Quarter Horse Journal or America’s Horse, visit AQHA Publications.
Win Willy Hopes for Better Oaklawn Weather
A winter storm dumped about five inches of snow on Hot Springs, Ark., and forced the cancellation of training at Oaklawn Park Jan. 10, but improving conditions should produce temperatures in the 40s for the Jan. 14 opening-day program.
Oaklawn will begins its meet with the $75,000 Fifth Season Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. Track officials said 26 horses were nominated, including Jer-Mar Stables’ Win Willy, who won the 2009 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) as a 3-year-old at Oaklawn.
“We will probably run, but we have to see how much time we might miss because of the track,” trainer MacLean Robertson said Jan. 10.
Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60688/win-willy-hopes-for-better-oaklawn-weather#ixzz1ApZ9HKnN
Oaklawn will begins its meet with the $75,000 Fifth Season Stakes for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. Track officials said 26 horses were nominated, including Jer-Mar Stables’ Win Willy, who won the 2009 Rebel Stakes (gr. II) as a 3-year-old at Oaklawn.
“We will probably run, but we have to see how much time we might miss because of the track,” trainer MacLean Robertson said Jan. 10.
Read more: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/60688/win-willy-hopes-for-better-oaklawn-weather#ixzz1ApZ9HKnN
Friday, January 7, 2011
How Horse of the Year voters play the game
published in Daily Racing Form and http://www.drf.com/
By Marcus Hersh
Yelling has been heard on most every corner in horse racing’s little village the last two years.
“How could Zenyatta not have been named Horse of the Year in 2009?” comes an angry shout from somewhere in the darkness of the World Wide Web.
“Championships are decided on the racetrack,” another voice sternly intones. “Blame cannot be denied Horse of the Year honors in 2010.”
And who’s that over in the back, their hand determinedly raised? “Horse of the Year to Goldikova, I tell you! That French filly ran the race of Breeders’ Cup Day. Three years in a row she beat the boys in the Mile.”
Go ahead, racing people – keep arguing. READ THE ENTIRE STORY
By Marcus Hersh
Yelling has been heard on most every corner in horse racing’s little village the last two years.
“How could Zenyatta not have been named Horse of the Year in 2009?” comes an angry shout from somewhere in the darkness of the World Wide Web.
“Championships are decided on the racetrack,” another voice sternly intones. “Blame cannot be denied Horse of the Year honors in 2010.”
And who’s that over in the back, their hand determinedly raised? “Horse of the Year to Goldikova, I tell you! That French filly ran the race of Breeders’ Cup Day. Three years in a row she beat the boys in the Mile.”
Go ahead, racing people – keep arguing. READ THE ENTIRE STORY
Thursday, January 6, 2011
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
BLAME, GOLDIKOVA AND ZENYATTA LEAD ECLIPSE AWARD FINALISTS
Led by Horse of the Year finalists Blame, Goldikova (IRE) and Zenyatta, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters today announced the finalists for 2010 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in all 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards dinner ceremony on Monday evening, January 17, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
Record participation of 238 out of 251 voters (94.8%) representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form took part in this year's voting. Finalists were determined in each category by voters' top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first place votes. The voting was audited by the Louisville accounting firm Strothman & Company.
Blame, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic; Goldikova (IRE), the French mare who captured the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile; and Zenyatta, the Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up, are the three finalists for the coveted title of Horse of the Year.
The 4-year-old Blame, owned and bred by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, held off the fast closing 6-year-old mare Zenyatta by a head in the Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Blame, who won four races in five starts in 2010, is also a finalist for champion Older Male. Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider are also finalists in both the Champion Owner and Champion Breeder categories.
As a 5-year-old, Goldikova captured her unprecedented third consecutive Breeders' Cup Mile last fall in a season in which she won five group or grade I races. Goldikova is also a finalist in the Female Turf category. Owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, Goldikova has already won the 2010 Cartier Racing Award as the European Horse of the Year.
Zenyatta, runner up for Horse of the Year in 2008 and 2009, was undefeated in 19 career races prior to the Classic. A winner of five grade I races in 2010, she is also a finalist in the Older Female category, an award she has won the past two years. Zenyatta's, owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, are finalists for Champion Owner, and Zenyatta's trainer, John Shirreffs, is a finalist for Champion Trainer.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Horse of the Year: Blame, Goldikova (IRE), ZenyattaTwo-Year-Old Male: Boys at Tosconova, To Honor and Serve, Uncle MoTwo-Year-Old Filly: Awesome Feather, R Heat Lightning, Turbulent DescentThree-Year-Old Male: Eskendereya, Lookin At Lucky, Paddy O'PradoThree-Year-Old Filly: Blind Luck, Evening Jewel, Havre de GraceOlder Male: Blame, Quality Road, Richard's KidOlder Female: Life at Ten, Unrivaled Belle, ZenyattaMale Sprinter: Big Drama, Majesticperfection, Smiling TigerFemale Sprinter: Champagne d'Oro, Dubai Majesty, Rightly SoMale Turf Horse: Dangerous Midge, Gio Ponti, WinchesterFemale Turf Horse: Goldikova (IRE), Proviso (GB), Tuscan EveningSteeplechase Horse: Arcadius, Percussionist, Slip AwayOwner: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, WinStar Farm Breeder: Adena Springs, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Brereton C. JonesTrainer: Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, John ShirreffsJockey: Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, John VelazquezApprentice Jockey: Forest Boyce, Omar Moreno, Angel Serpa.
TEAM ZENYATTA TO RECEIVE SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters announced yesterday that Team Zenyatta-the individuals who helped the 6-year-old mare become one of the most recognizable sports stars of 2010-will be honored with the Special Eclipse Award at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony on Monday, January 17 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla.
The Special Award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Team Zenyatta is led by owners Jerry and Ann Moss; trainer John Shirreffs; jockey Mike Smith; racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs; exercise rider Steve Willard; groom Mario Espinoza, hotwalker Carmen Zamona and assistant trainer Michelle Jensen.
In 2010, Zenyatta moved Thoroughbred racing off the racing pages and into the mainstream and social media spheres.
The year began with the unexpected decision by owners Jerry and Ann Moss to bring the undefeated Zenyatta out of a brief retirement following her dramatic victory in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic. Zenyatta continued that unbeaten streak in 2010 by winning her first five races of the season, all grade I stakes, at Santa Anita Park, Oaklawn Park, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. She delighted fans with her signature dance in the paddock before each race and with her electrifying finishes. As the year progressed, Zenyatta's popularity grew into a cultural phenomenon. More than 60,000 fans attended the Apple Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn in April, and her Facebook had more than 58,000 "friends".
During the course of the season, trainer John Shirreffs offered extraordinary access to racing fans around the country who wanted to get close to Zenyatta at her barn and pose for pictures with her. At Churchill Downs in Louisville, crowds lined up along the barn area fence line to say good-bye to her on the day following the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Throughout 2010, the star power of Zenyatta transcended Thoroughbred racing. She was selected to Oprah Winfrey's "O Power List" as one of the 20 most influential women of 2010. She was also featured in a photo spread in W Magazine. On October 31, more than 10 million viewers tuned in to CBS's "60 Minutes" to watch a feature on Zenyatta and her amazing popularity.
Zenyatta's participation in the Breeders' Cup Classic helped to nearly triple the national ratings for the ESPN telecast compared to 2009 levels. The telecast was also the highest rated Breeders' Cup since 1992. Her near miss against Blame in the Classic was repeatedly cited as one of the greatest moments in sports during 2010. Zenyatta finished second in The Associated Press's 2010 Female Athlete of the Year balloting behind only Olympic gold medal winning skier Lindsey Vonn. In 2009, Zenyatta also finished second in the same ranking, behind tennis star Serena Williams.
The 40th Annual Eclipse Awards will be held on Monday, January 17 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla.
CLAIBORNE FARM TO RECEIVE ECLIPSE AWARD OF MERIT
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters announced yesterday that Claiborne Farm, celebrating its 100th year as one of the most influential and successful international racing and breeding farms, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing.
The owners of Claiborne Farm-Seth Hancock, along with his sisters Dell and Clay-will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit on Monday, January 17 at the 40th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
"It's more of a tribute to my grandfather and father," said Seth Hancock on the Eclipse Award. "My grandfather started all this over here in Kentucky, and my dad built it up into what it was, and I'm just trying to keep it going."
Claiborne Farm, based in Paris, Ky., came into prominence through the strong leadership of Arthur B. Hancock, son of Virginia Civil War Captain and breeder Richard Hancock. In the first half of the 20th century, Arthur Hancock launched a breeding program that strongly influenced the path of American breeding Imported European horses Sir Gallahad III and Blenheim II sired Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox and Whirlaway, respectively. Meanwhile, Hancock's bloodstock advice to many of America's leading breeders added to his influence. Following his death in 1957, the English annual Bloodstock Breeders' Review described him as "probably the most influential breeder in the history of the American Turf." His son then stepped up to match that status in his own era.
Arthur B. (Bull) Hancock Jr. continued the pattern of breeding major winners, importing influential stallions, and conducting business with the elite among American breeders. Nasrullah led the sire list five times, and his son Bold Ruler-who led the list eight times-sired the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Hancock also bred and stood Round Table, syndicated Nijinsky II, and managed the career of Buckpasser.
Following his father's death in 1972, Seth Hancock, 23, syndicated Secretariat for a then-record $6 million, and established a new era for Claiborne. Hancock continued the family's success, managing its own and clients' high-quality broodmare bands, while such stallions as Mr. Prospector, Danzig, and Seeking the Gold continued to make headlines. In all, Claiborne stood the year's leading sire a record 27 times. Some of the farm's top victories on the racetrack were recorded by 1984 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Swale; homebred Forty Niner, the 1987 2-year-old champion; and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Lure. Claiborne also demonstrated its international influence as the breeder of the stallions Nureyev and Caerleon, and of the dam of stallion Sadler's Wells.
In a cap to its 100th year, the 4-year-old Blame, bred by Claiborne and Adele Dilschneider, won four graded stakes in 2010, culminating with a neck victory over Zenyatta in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
"Like virtually all racing fans, I grew up watching horses bred and raised at Claiborne Farm win many of our sport's most prestigious races," said Robert N. Elliston, President and CEO of Turfway Park and NTRA Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Later, having worked in the industry, I gained an even greater understanding and appreciation for the decades of sustained excellence Claiborne has compiled. As it enters its second century of operating Claiborne Farm, the Hancock family continues in an unwavering quest to raise quality Thoroughbreds the only way it knows how--that is, the Claiborne way."
BLAME, GOLDIKOVA AND ZENYATTA LEAD ECLIPSE AWARD FINALISTS
Led by Horse of the Year finalists Blame, Goldikova (IRE) and Zenyatta, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters today announced the finalists for 2010 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing. Winners in all 17 horse and human categories will be announced at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards dinner ceremony on Monday evening, January 17, at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
Record participation of 238 out of 251 voters (94.8%) representing the NTRA, the NTWAB and Daily Racing Form took part in this year's voting. Finalists were determined in each category by voters' top three selections, using a 10-5-1 point basis. Eclipse Award winners are determined solely by first place votes. The voting was audited by the Louisville accounting firm Strothman & Company.
Blame, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Classic; Goldikova (IRE), the French mare who captured the TVG Breeders' Cup Mile; and Zenyatta, the Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up, are the three finalists for the coveted title of Horse of the Year.
The 4-year-old Blame, owned and bred by Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider, held off the fast closing 6-year-old mare Zenyatta by a head in the Classic on November 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville. Blame, who won four races in five starts in 2010, is also a finalist for champion Older Male. Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider are also finalists in both the Champion Owner and Champion Breeder categories.
As a 5-year-old, Goldikova captured her unprecedented third consecutive Breeders' Cup Mile last fall in a season in which she won five group or grade I races. Goldikova is also a finalist in the Female Turf category. Owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, Goldikova has already won the 2010 Cartier Racing Award as the European Horse of the Year.
Zenyatta, runner up for Horse of the Year in 2008 and 2009, was undefeated in 19 career races prior to the Classic. A winner of five grade I races in 2010, she is also a finalist in the Older Female category, an award she has won the past two years. Zenyatta's, owners, Jerry and Ann Moss, are finalists for Champion Owner, and Zenyatta's trainer, John Shirreffs, is a finalist for Champion Trainer.
The Eclipse Awards finalists (in alphabetical order) are:
Horse of the Year: Blame, Goldikova (IRE), ZenyattaTwo-Year-Old Male: Boys at Tosconova, To Honor and Serve, Uncle MoTwo-Year-Old Filly: Awesome Feather, R Heat Lightning, Turbulent DescentThree-Year-Old Male: Eskendereya, Lookin At Lucky, Paddy O'PradoThree-Year-Old Filly: Blind Luck, Evening Jewel, Havre de GraceOlder Male: Blame, Quality Road, Richard's KidOlder Female: Life at Ten, Unrivaled Belle, ZenyattaMale Sprinter: Big Drama, Majesticperfection, Smiling TigerFemale Sprinter: Champagne d'Oro, Dubai Majesty, Rightly SoMale Turf Horse: Dangerous Midge, Gio Ponti, WinchesterFemale Turf Horse: Goldikova (IRE), Proviso (GB), Tuscan EveningSteeplechase Horse: Arcadius, Percussionist, Slip AwayOwner: Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Mr. and Mrs. Jerome S. Moss, WinStar Farm Breeder: Adena Springs, Claiborne Farm and Adele B. Dilschneider, Brereton C. JonesTrainer: Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, John ShirreffsJockey: Ramon Dominguez, Garrett Gomez, John VelazquezApprentice Jockey: Forest Boyce, Omar Moreno, Angel Serpa.
TEAM ZENYATTA TO RECEIVE SPECIAL ECLIPSE AWARD
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters announced yesterday that Team Zenyatta-the individuals who helped the 6-year-old mare become one of the most recognizable sports stars of 2010-will be honored with the Special Eclipse Award at the 40th annual Eclipse Awards ceremony on Monday, January 17 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla.
The Special Award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements in, or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.
Team Zenyatta is led by owners Jerry and Ann Moss; trainer John Shirreffs; jockey Mike Smith; racing manager Dottie Ingordo-Shirreffs; exercise rider Steve Willard; groom Mario Espinoza, hotwalker Carmen Zamona and assistant trainer Michelle Jensen.
In 2010, Zenyatta moved Thoroughbred racing off the racing pages and into the mainstream and social media spheres.
The year began with the unexpected decision by owners Jerry and Ann Moss to bring the undefeated Zenyatta out of a brief retirement following her dramatic victory in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic. Zenyatta continued that unbeaten streak in 2010 by winning her first five races of the season, all grade I stakes, at Santa Anita Park, Oaklawn Park, Hollywood Park and Del Mar. She delighted fans with her signature dance in the paddock before each race and with her electrifying finishes. As the year progressed, Zenyatta's popularity grew into a cultural phenomenon. More than 60,000 fans attended the Apple Blossom Stakes at Oaklawn in April, and her Facebook had more than 58,000 "friends".
During the course of the season, trainer John Shirreffs offered extraordinary access to racing fans around the country who wanted to get close to Zenyatta at her barn and pose for pictures with her. At Churchill Downs in Louisville, crowds lined up along the barn area fence line to say good-bye to her on the day following the Breeders' Cup Classic.
Throughout 2010, the star power of Zenyatta transcended Thoroughbred racing. She was selected to Oprah Winfrey's "O Power List" as one of the 20 most influential women of 2010. She was also featured in a photo spread in W Magazine. On October 31, more than 10 million viewers tuned in to CBS's "60 Minutes" to watch a feature on Zenyatta and her amazing popularity.
Zenyatta's participation in the Breeders' Cup Classic helped to nearly triple the national ratings for the ESPN telecast compared to 2009 levels. The telecast was also the highest rated Breeders' Cup since 1992. Her near miss against Blame in the Classic was repeatedly cited as one of the greatest moments in sports during 2010. Zenyatta finished second in The Associated Press's 2010 Female Athlete of the Year balloting behind only Olympic gold medal winning skier Lindsey Vonn. In 2009, Zenyatta also finished second in the same ranking, behind tennis star Serena Williams.
The 40th Annual Eclipse Awards will be held on Monday, January 17 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, in Miami Beach, Fla.
CLAIBORNE FARM TO RECEIVE ECLIPSE AWARD OF MERIT
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers And Broadcasters announced yesterday that Claiborne Farm, celebrating its 100th year as one of the most influential and successful international racing and breeding farms, will be honored with the Eclipse Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in Thoroughbred racing.
The owners of Claiborne Farm-Seth Hancock, along with his sisters Dell and Clay-will receive the Eclipse Award of Merit on Monday, January 17 at the 40th Annual Eclipse Awards ceremony at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach in Miami Beach, Fla.
"It's more of a tribute to my grandfather and father," said Seth Hancock on the Eclipse Award. "My grandfather started all this over here in Kentucky, and my dad built it up into what it was, and I'm just trying to keep it going."
Claiborne Farm, based in Paris, Ky., came into prominence through the strong leadership of Arthur B. Hancock, son of Virginia Civil War Captain and breeder Richard Hancock. In the first half of the 20th century, Arthur Hancock launched a breeding program that strongly influenced the path of American breeding Imported European horses Sir Gallahad III and Blenheim II sired Triple Crown winners Gallant Fox and Whirlaway, respectively. Meanwhile, Hancock's bloodstock advice to many of America's leading breeders added to his influence. Following his death in 1957, the English annual Bloodstock Breeders' Review described him as "probably the most influential breeder in the history of the American Turf." His son then stepped up to match that status in his own era.
Arthur B. (Bull) Hancock Jr. continued the pattern of breeding major winners, importing influential stallions, and conducting business with the elite among American breeders. Nasrullah led the sire list five times, and his son Bold Ruler-who led the list eight times-sired the 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat. Hancock also bred and stood Round Table, syndicated Nijinsky II, and managed the career of Buckpasser.
Following his father's death in 1972, Seth Hancock, 23, syndicated Secretariat for a then-record $6 million, and established a new era for Claiborne. Hancock continued the family's success, managing its own and clients' high-quality broodmare bands, while such stallions as Mr. Prospector, Danzig, and Seeking the Gold continued to make headlines. In all, Claiborne stood the year's leading sire a record 27 times. Some of the farm's top victories on the racetrack were recorded by 1984 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Swale; homebred Forty Niner, the 1987 2-year-old champion; and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Lure. Claiborne also demonstrated its international influence as the breeder of the stallions Nureyev and Caerleon, and of the dam of stallion Sadler's Wells.
In a cap to its 100th year, the 4-year-old Blame, bred by Claiborne and Adele Dilschneider, won four graded stakes in 2010, culminating with a neck victory over Zenyatta in the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.
"Like virtually all racing fans, I grew up watching horses bred and raised at Claiborne Farm win many of our sport's most prestigious races," said Robert N. Elliston, President and CEO of Turfway Park and NTRA Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Later, having worked in the industry, I gained an even greater understanding and appreciation for the decades of sustained excellence Claiborne has compiled. As it enters its second century of operating Claiborne Farm, the Hancock family continues in an unwavering quest to raise quality Thoroughbreds the only way it knows how--that is, the Claiborne way."
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