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).
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR ASMUSSEN
When Steve Asmussen won his 556th race of 2008 on Nov. 23 to break his own record for North American training wins in a year, he was asked about reaching the 600-win mark. His response? “Five-ninety…maybe.
So much for predictions. Last Thursday night at Delta Downs, Asmussen became the first North American conditioner to win 600 Thoroughbred races in a single year after saddling three winners at Fair Grounds earlier in the afternoon.
It didn’t take long to add to his total on Friday, as Asmussen won the opener at Fair Grounds with Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Tactical, then captured the sixth with another for Winchell, Talon.
Asmussen said the run to 600 began with a pair of stakes wins on the Delta Jackpot undercard Dec. 5 at Delta Downs. “We had a three-day span where we won 16 races,” he said. “We made a huge run.”
Asmussen entered Thursday four wins shy of 600, but quickly cut the countdown in half with impressive performances by a pair of 2-year-olds – Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s filly East Breaks and Bob Zollars and Mark Wagner’s colt Uno Mas.
In a two-turn maiden race, East Breaks, sent off as the odds-on favorite in a field of nine juvenile fillies, drew off to win by eight lengths.
“She’s a nice filly,” Asmussen said. “I thought she looked a lot better going long, and that’s a good thing.”
A half-hour later, Uno Mas overtook the highly touted Freisan Fire to win a first-level allowance race. The son of Macho Uno had broken his maiden at Fair Grounds on opening weekend.
In Thursday’s eighth race, Asmussen moved within one of the milestone when Coastal Racing’s Stungbythestorm registered a 2 1/2-length score. About four hours later, Storm Trust captured the fifth race at Delta Downs for No. 600.
So now it’s on to 610, or 620, or some other number that may become untouchable.
“It’ll hang on the wall real pretty and we’ll just stare at it,” he said.
2,000 CAREER VICTORY FOR HOMEISTER
Eclipse Award-winning jockey Rosemary Homesister Jr., earned her 2,000 North American victory last Thursday when Rustyshouldrun posted a 1 ¼-length win in the seventh race at Tampa Bay Downs, Fl.
“It felt like it took forever to get that last win,” Homeister said to the Thoroughbred Times. “I can’t even explain the feeling-it’s like winning your first race.”
In 1992 Homeister became the first woman to win an Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding apprentice jockey. She retired from race riding in November 2004 to become a real estate agent, but returned in June ’06.
Homeister has made 14,996 starts and her mounts have earned $34,527,601 through Monday. She has posted 80 of her wins in stakes races, including seven graded stakes victories, and considers riding Supah blitz to an unplaced finish in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (GI) to be a career highlight.
A Hollywood, Florida, native, Homeister earned her most lucrative victories in a pair of $300,000 races, the 1999 princess Rooney Handicap (G3) at Calder Race Course aboard Princess Pietrina and the 2008 Robert G. Dick Memorial handicap (G3) at Delaware Park aboard Palmilla.
Homeister led all riders in victories as an apprentice at Calder’s Tropical meeting in 1992-’93, and also topped the jockey standings in 2001 at the now-shuttered Hialeah Park. She became the first female jockey to win the Clasico Interactional del Caribe in 2001, when she guided Alexia (Pan) to victory at the former El Comandante Race Track-now known as Hipodromo Camarero, in Puerto Rico.
COLONEL JOHN HEADS MAILBU AS SANTA ANITA OPENS 72ND SEASON
Santa Anita Derby and Travers Stakes winner Colonel John leads seven 3-year-olds into Friday’s Grade I, $250,000 Malibu Stakes as Santa Anita traditionally opens its 72nd season on the day after Christmas with first post at 2 p.m. central time.
The 57th Malibu, at seven furlongs, is one of three stakes races on the nine-race program that ushers in the track’s 84-day run over Santa Anita’s new Pro-Ride synthetic surface that was successfully introduced during the track’s recent Oak Tree meeting. The nine races attracted 103 entrants, an average of 11 per race.
A winner of 5 of 10 starts while earning $1,468,830, Colonel John has been assigned co-high-weight of 123 pounds and has the glossiest dossier of the Malibu entrants. However, the Kentucky-bred son of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow has not contested a sprint distance since breaking his maiden in his second start on Oct. 7, 2007.
The WinStar Farm runner, trained by Eoin Harty, is cutting back in distance from the 1 ¼-miles of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, in which he finished sixth following a nose victory in Saratoga’s Grade I Travers at the same distance.
Garrett Gomez, currently America’s leading rider with earnings of over $23 million, will be reunited with Colonel John on Friday. Ridden by Edgar Prado in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gomez was aboard in the Travers victory on Aug. 22.
Opponents include Eastern invader Golden Spikes, also assigned 123 pounds; Georgie Boy, a leading Triple Crown candidate earlier this year before sidelined by a hind end injury; 2007 Hollywood CashCall Futurity winner Into Mischief and Bob Black Jack, winner of the Sunshine Millions Dash and a close second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby.
The complete field for the Malibu Stakes, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Into Mischief, Victor Espinoza, 119; Colonel John, Garrett Gomez, 123; Bob Black Jack, David Flores, 119; Golden Spikes, Joel Rosario, 123; Hownownow, Joseph Talamo, 115; Guns On the Table, Rafael Bejarano, 117, and Georgie Boy, Edgar Prado, 119.
In addition to having won his only start at the Malibu distance when breaking his maiden, Colonel John has developed an affinity for synthetic surfaces, posting a 4-2-1 mark in eight starts over them with his sixth behind Ravens Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic his only off-the-board finish. He has been training rapidly for his return to sprint competition.
Before falling off the Derby trail earlier this year, Georgie Boy reeled off three successive graded stakes victories that began with the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and was followed by Grade II events, the San Vicente and San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Kathy Walsh for George Schwary, Georgie Boy returned to action in Oak Tree’s $133,000 Damascus Stakes as the 7-5 favorite on Oct. 25. But the California-bred son of Tribal Run had to settle for fourth behind victorious Into Mischief.
Georgie Boy has posted two swift six furlong breezes in preparation for the Malibu with esteemed Eastern-based jockey Edgar Prado set to ride. With a 4-2-1 record in eight starts, the bay gelding has produced earnings of $503,634.
The lightly-raced Into Mischief is scheduled to make his final career start in the Malibu before heading for stallion duty in Kentucky. He has never finished worse than second in five career starts that have earned $547,080 for owner B. Wayne Hughes. In addition to defeating Georgie Boy when taking the seven-furlong Damascus by two lengths, Into Mischief registered a 13-1 upset by 1¼ lengths over Colonel John in Hollywood Park’s Grade I, CashCall Futurity at 1 1/16 miles last December. Victor Espinoza rides the Harlan’s Holiday colt trained by Richard Mandella.
Golden Spikes will be making his first start on the West Coast for trainer Marty Wolfson. He arrives with a 4-3-0 record in 13 races for earnings of $383,095. His most notable victory was achieved in Calder’s Grade II Carry Back Stakes at six furlongs in July. Joel Rosario will be aboard for the first time.
After winning the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes by 6¼ lengths on last year’s opening day at Santa Anita, Bob Black Jack proceeded to capture the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash by 3½ lengths. He most recently finished 1½ lengths behind victorious Johnny Eves when a close fifth in Hollywood Park’s Grade III Vernon O. Underwood Stakes on Nov. 27 following a six-month sabbatical. David Flores rides for trainer James Kasparoff. With a 3-2-1 record in nine starts, Bob Black Jack has banked $444,925 for owners Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparoff.
ANOTHER BIG DAY FOR ASMUSSEN
When Steve Asmussen won his 556th race of 2008 on Nov. 23 to break his own record for North American training wins in a year, he was asked about reaching the 600-win mark. His response? “Five-ninety…maybe.
So much for predictions. Last Thursday night at Delta Downs, Asmussen became the first North American conditioner to win 600 Thoroughbred races in a single year after saddling three winners at Fair Grounds earlier in the afternoon.
It didn’t take long to add to his total on Friday, as Asmussen won the opener at Fair Grounds with Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Tactical, then captured the sixth with another for Winchell, Talon.
Asmussen said the run to 600 began with a pair of stakes wins on the Delta Jackpot undercard Dec. 5 at Delta Downs. “We had a three-day span where we won 16 races,” he said. “We made a huge run.”
Asmussen entered Thursday four wins shy of 600, but quickly cut the countdown in half with impressive performances by a pair of 2-year-olds – Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s filly East Breaks and Bob Zollars and Mark Wagner’s colt Uno Mas.
In a two-turn maiden race, East Breaks, sent off as the odds-on favorite in a field of nine juvenile fillies, drew off to win by eight lengths.
“She’s a nice filly,” Asmussen said. “I thought she looked a lot better going long, and that’s a good thing.”
A half-hour later, Uno Mas overtook the highly touted Freisan Fire to win a first-level allowance race. The son of Macho Uno had broken his maiden at Fair Grounds on opening weekend.
In Thursday’s eighth race, Asmussen moved within one of the milestone when Coastal Racing’s Stungbythestorm registered a 2 1/2-length score. About four hours later, Storm Trust captured the fifth race at Delta Downs for No. 600.
So now it’s on to 610, or 620, or some other number that may become untouchable.
“It’ll hang on the wall real pretty and we’ll just stare at it,” he said.
2,000 CAREER VICTORY FOR HOMEISTER
Eclipse Award-winning jockey Rosemary Homesister Jr., earned her 2,000 North American victory last Thursday when Rustyshouldrun posted a 1 ¼-length win in the seventh race at Tampa Bay Downs, Fl.
“It felt like it took forever to get that last win,” Homeister said to the Thoroughbred Times. “I can’t even explain the feeling-it’s like winning your first race.”
In 1992 Homeister became the first woman to win an Eclipse Award as North America’s outstanding apprentice jockey. She retired from race riding in November 2004 to become a real estate agent, but returned in June ’06.
Homeister has made 14,996 starts and her mounts have earned $34,527,601 through Monday. She has posted 80 of her wins in stakes races, including seven graded stakes victories, and considers riding Supah blitz to an unplaced finish in the 2003 Kentucky Derby (GI) to be a career highlight.
A Hollywood, Florida, native, Homeister earned her most lucrative victories in a pair of $300,000 races, the 1999 princess Rooney Handicap (G3) at Calder Race Course aboard Princess Pietrina and the 2008 Robert G. Dick Memorial handicap (G3) at Delaware Park aboard Palmilla.
Homeister led all riders in victories as an apprentice at Calder’s Tropical meeting in 1992-’93, and also topped the jockey standings in 2001 at the now-shuttered Hialeah Park. She became the first female jockey to win the Clasico Interactional del Caribe in 2001, when she guided Alexia (Pan) to victory at the former El Comandante Race Track-now known as Hipodromo Camarero, in Puerto Rico.
COLONEL JOHN HEADS MAILBU AS SANTA ANITA OPENS 72ND SEASON
Santa Anita Derby and Travers Stakes winner Colonel John leads seven 3-year-olds into Friday’s Grade I, $250,000 Malibu Stakes as Santa Anita traditionally opens its 72nd season on the day after Christmas with first post at 2 p.m. central time.
The 57th Malibu, at seven furlongs, is one of three stakes races on the nine-race program that ushers in the track’s 84-day run over Santa Anita’s new Pro-Ride synthetic surface that was successfully introduced during the track’s recent Oak Tree meeting. The nine races attracted 103 entrants, an average of 11 per race.
A winner of 5 of 10 starts while earning $1,468,830, Colonel John has been assigned co-high-weight of 123 pounds and has the glossiest dossier of the Malibu entrants. However, the Kentucky-bred son of 2000 Horse of the Year Tiznow has not contested a sprint distance since breaking his maiden in his second start on Oct. 7, 2007.
The WinStar Farm runner, trained by Eoin Harty, is cutting back in distance from the 1 ¼-miles of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, in which he finished sixth following a nose victory in Saratoga’s Grade I Travers at the same distance.
Garrett Gomez, currently America’s leading rider with earnings of over $23 million, will be reunited with Colonel John on Friday. Ridden by Edgar Prado in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Gomez was aboard in the Travers victory on Aug. 22.
Opponents include Eastern invader Golden Spikes, also assigned 123 pounds; Georgie Boy, a leading Triple Crown candidate earlier this year before sidelined by a hind end injury; 2007 Hollywood CashCall Futurity winner Into Mischief and Bob Black Jack, winner of the Sunshine Millions Dash and a close second to Colonel John in the Santa Anita Derby.
The complete field for the Malibu Stakes, with jockeys and weights in post position order: Into Mischief, Victor Espinoza, 119; Colonel John, Garrett Gomez, 123; Bob Black Jack, David Flores, 119; Golden Spikes, Joel Rosario, 123; Hownownow, Joseph Talamo, 115; Guns On the Table, Rafael Bejarano, 117, and Georgie Boy, Edgar Prado, 119.
In addition to having won his only start at the Malibu distance when breaking his maiden, Colonel John has developed an affinity for synthetic surfaces, posting a 4-2-1 mark in eight starts over them with his sixth behind Ravens Pass in the Breeders’ Cup Classic his only off-the-board finish. He has been training rapidly for his return to sprint competition.
Before falling off the Derby trail earlier this year, Georgie Boy reeled off three successive graded stakes victories that began with the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and was followed by Grade II events, the San Vicente and San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita. Trained by Kathy Walsh for George Schwary, Georgie Boy returned to action in Oak Tree’s $133,000 Damascus Stakes as the 7-5 favorite on Oct. 25. But the California-bred son of Tribal Run had to settle for fourth behind victorious Into Mischief.
Georgie Boy has posted two swift six furlong breezes in preparation for the Malibu with esteemed Eastern-based jockey Edgar Prado set to ride. With a 4-2-1 record in eight starts, the bay gelding has produced earnings of $503,634.
The lightly-raced Into Mischief is scheduled to make his final career start in the Malibu before heading for stallion duty in Kentucky. He has never finished worse than second in five career starts that have earned $547,080 for owner B. Wayne Hughes. In addition to defeating Georgie Boy when taking the seven-furlong Damascus by two lengths, Into Mischief registered a 13-1 upset by 1¼ lengths over Colonel John in Hollywood Park’s Grade I, CashCall Futurity at 1 1/16 miles last December. Victor Espinoza rides the Harlan’s Holiday colt trained by Richard Mandella.
Golden Spikes will be making his first start on the West Coast for trainer Marty Wolfson. He arrives with a 4-3-0 record in 13 races for earnings of $383,095. His most notable victory was achieved in Calder’s Grade II Carry Back Stakes at six furlongs in July. Joel Rosario will be aboard for the first time.
After winning the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes by 6¼ lengths on last year’s opening day at Santa Anita, Bob Black Jack proceeded to capture the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Dash by 3½ lengths. He most recently finished 1½ lengths behind victorious Johnny Eves when a close fifth in Hollywood Park’s Grade III Vernon O. Underwood Stakes on Nov. 27 following a six-month sabbatical. David Flores rides for trainer James Kasparoff. With a 3-2-1 record in nine starts, Bob Black Jack has banked $444,925 for owners Jeff Harmon and Tim Kasparoff.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Live Racing 2009
By Jim Wells
There will be a different start and ending to the 2009 live racing season from those Canterbury Park fans have become accustomed to over the last several seasons.
The track typically opened on the first Saturday in May, to take advantage of the Kentucky Derby that day, and closed on Labor Day. Both days drew large crowds and big wagering handles. Kentucky Derby day annually was the largest or one of the largest days on the calendar, in attendance and wagering.
The 2009 meet will not follow those plans, however. The live meet will begin on May 15, a Friday and the eve of the Preakness Stakes, two weeks later than usual. The meet will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 30, eight days earlier than usual.
Nonetheless, the changes reduce the meet by only five days from 2008 and will enable the track to offer purses similar to those that averaged around $141,000 a day last season.
The meet will include familiar post times _ 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 1:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Declining revenues tied to the economy and increased competition made the changes necessary to avoid a purse reduction.
"We were going to have to cut days or purses,'' said track president and CEO Randy Sampson. "The horsemen felt it was important not to reduce the purses so we went with that choice.''
Sampson said that eliminating Kentucky Derby day and Labor Day as live racing dates was a difficult decision on one hand. "Both have drawn some of our biggest crowds and wagering of the season. It will be hard not to have that,'' he said.
On the other hand, opening on Kentucky Derby day created problems recruiting horses because many horsemen are still competing at other tracks.
"That's why we ran two-day weeks for the first two weeks,'' Sampson said. And that created salary and other economic snags for Canterbury since expenses for a short week were nearly the same as a full week but revenue was not.
Canterbury's revenues for 2008 were down for two primary reasons, a declining national economy and increased competition with the opening of Running Aces Harness Park and its card club in the northern suburbs. A smoking ban that affects Canterbury but not Indian gaming casinos also had an impact on attendance.
"We experienced a 15 to 20 percent drop in the card club almost immediately when the card club opened there,'' Sampson said. "The same wasn't true of our simulcast figure, although the general economy caused problems there, too.''
Sampson said he was disappointed that the commission this week approved a 51-day live race meet for Running Aces that virtually coincides with the Canterbury meet. "They'll open on the same day we do,'' he said. "It would be better overall for the horse industry if racing days were spread out more, rather than piled on top of each other.''
Despite the lingering questions the depressed economy poses for all aspects of racing, Canterbury management will not wrestle with the problems facing many tracks around the country that are heavily leveraged.
"We don't have any debt, so that really helps,'' Sampson said. "We're better prepared to weather the storm than many tracks are.''
Sampson has other reasons for expecting a good meet in 2009.
"We've got the Claiming Crown returning, which is always a good day for us. And I truly expect attendance to stay up there as well,'' he said.
Recruiting horses is expected to be tougher next summer, the breeding industry is experiencing declines associated with the economy and owners are reducing the size of their stables, or at least not adding to them."I'm still optimistic that we'll have a meet very similar to last year's, in handle and attendance,'' Sampson said.
There will be a different start and ending to the 2009 live racing season from those Canterbury Park fans have become accustomed to over the last several seasons.
The track typically opened on the first Saturday in May, to take advantage of the Kentucky Derby that day, and closed on Labor Day. Both days drew large crowds and big wagering handles. Kentucky Derby day annually was the largest or one of the largest days on the calendar, in attendance and wagering.
The 2009 meet will not follow those plans, however. The live meet will begin on May 15, a Friday and the eve of the Preakness Stakes, two weeks later than usual. The meet will conclude on Sunday, Aug. 30, eight days earlier than usual.
Nonetheless, the changes reduce the meet by only five days from 2008 and will enable the track to offer purses similar to those that averaged around $141,000 a day last season.
The meet will include familiar post times _ 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 1:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
Declining revenues tied to the economy and increased competition made the changes necessary to avoid a purse reduction.
"We were going to have to cut days or purses,'' said track president and CEO Randy Sampson. "The horsemen felt it was important not to reduce the purses so we went with that choice.''
Sampson said that eliminating Kentucky Derby day and Labor Day as live racing dates was a difficult decision on one hand. "Both have drawn some of our biggest crowds and wagering of the season. It will be hard not to have that,'' he said.
On the other hand, opening on Kentucky Derby day created problems recruiting horses because many horsemen are still competing at other tracks.
"That's why we ran two-day weeks for the first two weeks,'' Sampson said. And that created salary and other economic snags for Canterbury since expenses for a short week were nearly the same as a full week but revenue was not.
Canterbury's revenues for 2008 were down for two primary reasons, a declining national economy and increased competition with the opening of Running Aces Harness Park and its card club in the northern suburbs. A smoking ban that affects Canterbury but not Indian gaming casinos also had an impact on attendance.
"We experienced a 15 to 20 percent drop in the card club almost immediately when the card club opened there,'' Sampson said. "The same wasn't true of our simulcast figure, although the general economy caused problems there, too.''
Sampson said he was disappointed that the commission this week approved a 51-day live race meet for Running Aces that virtually coincides with the Canterbury meet. "They'll open on the same day we do,'' he said. "It would be better overall for the horse industry if racing days were spread out more, rather than piled on top of each other.''
Despite the lingering questions the depressed economy poses for all aspects of racing, Canterbury management will not wrestle with the problems facing many tracks around the country that are heavily leveraged.
"We don't have any debt, so that really helps,'' Sampson said. "We're better prepared to weather the storm than many tracks are.''
Sampson has other reasons for expecting a good meet in 2009.
"We've got the Claiming Crown returning, which is always a good day for us. And I truly expect attendance to stay up there as well,'' he said.
Recruiting horses is expected to be tougher next summer, the breeding industry is experiencing declines associated with the economy and owners are reducing the size of their stables, or at least not adding to them."I'm still optimistic that we'll have a meet very similar to last year's, in handle and attendance,'' Sampson said.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Canterbury To Race 62 Days In 2009
Canterbury Park received approval Thursday, December 18 from the Minnesota Racing Commission to conduct a 62-day thoroughbred and quarter horse race meet in 2009. The meet will begin Friday, May 15 and run through Sunday, August 30 with Thursday and Friday post times of 7:00 p.m. and weekend and holiday post times of 1:30 p.m.
Featured race days include the 11th annual Claiming Crown Saturday, July 25 and the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the best race horses bred in the state, on the final day of the meet. “We are excited about the opportunity to again host Claiming Crown in 2009,” said Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. “The national spotlight shines on Canterbury Park that day and allows us to showcase our track.”
Canterbury Park will race five fewer days than in 2008. The purse structure is expected to remain similar to last season when a daily average of $141,000 was paid to horsemen. “The current economic situation dictated a shorter race meet next year,” said Sampson. “We are proud of our facility and racing surface and maintain a very good working relationship with the horsemen. I am confident they will continue to race at Canterbury. We also are fortunate to have a strong fan base. In 2008 we had our second highest average daily attendance since reopening in 1995. The public continues to support racing in Minnesota and finds Canterbury to be a great summer entertainment option.”
Featured race days include the 11th annual Claiming Crown Saturday, July 25 and the Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day dedicated to the best race horses bred in the state, on the final day of the meet. “We are excited about the opportunity to again host Claiming Crown in 2009,” said Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson. “The national spotlight shines on Canterbury Park that day and allows us to showcase our track.”
Canterbury Park will race five fewer days than in 2008. The purse structure is expected to remain similar to last season when a daily average of $141,000 was paid to horsemen. “The current economic situation dictated a shorter race meet next year,” said Sampson. “We are proud of our facility and racing surface and maintain a very good working relationship with the horsemen. I am confident they will continue to race at Canterbury. We also are fortunate to have a strong fan base. In 2008 we had our second highest average daily attendance since reopening in 1995. The public continues to support racing in Minnesota and finds Canterbury to be a great summer entertainment option.”
NTRA Thoroughbred Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications.
AXEL FOLEY POISED FOR UPSET IN CASHCALL FUTURITY
Martin Smith, assistant and exercise rider for English trainer John Best, hopes the stable enjoys as much success in the Grade I, $750,000 CashCall Futurity Saturday at Hollywood Park with Axel Foley as it did with Square Eddie in the Breeders Futurity at Keeneland in October.
Axel Foley looms as the mystery horse in the Futurity at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track. "We sent Square Eddie to run in the Futurity in Kentucky and sold him before the race to J. Paul Reddam," said Smith. "We're doing a similar thing with this horse. A few people have inquired, but nothing has been decided."
Axel Foley, who is in the barn of trainer Doug O'Neill, broke his maiden at second asking at seven furlongs on the synthetic surface at Lingfield on October 15. Smith is confident the colt will also acquit himself favorably in the Futurity.
"The jockey who rode him that day just smacked him once and said he could get a mile and a quarter," said Smith of the come-from-behind victory with visions of the 2009 Kentucky Derby in the back of his mind.
First, the Kentucky-bred son of Officer must prove he can get a mile and a sixteenth in the Futurity. "We've been planning on this race since early November," said Smith.
Named for the Eddie Murphy character in "Beverly Hills Cop," Axel Foley was purchased for $165,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale, the same auction at which Square Eddie was purchased for $200,000. Square Eddie is in training here with O'Neill, being pointed for the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita next year.
Meanwhile, O'Neill is busy putting the final touches on two other Futurity entrants. Graded stakes winner Azul Leon has long been pointed to this race, and O'Neill will also send out the maiden Mark S the Cooler.
Azul Leon seeks to become the first Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner to annex the Futurity since Swiss Yodeler in 1996 and also hopes to follow in the footsteps of his sire, Lion Heart, the 2003 winner. "Azul Leon is a proven sprinter and not proven at two turns," said O'Neill. "But he trains like added ground won't be a problem. He's training fantastic and ready to roll."
Mark S the Cooler is owned by Reddam. "The CashCall Futurity is named for Paul's business," said O'Neill of the race sponsor. "He wanted to give the horse a chance. Even though he's a maiden, he has been training well."
Sunday is closing day of the Hollywood meeting, and that day, the Inglewood, Calif., track will feature the Grade II, $150,000 Dahlia Handicap. A large field is shaping up, led by the multiple graded stakes winner Vacare, who has been assigned high weight of 122 pounds for the 1 1/16-miles turf test for fillies and mares. that highlights closing day Sunday.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Vacare has won seven of 13 starts and earned $1,123,706. She won the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland at age three, the Grade II First Lady Stakes at Keeneland at four, and the Grade II Palomar Handicap at Del Mar this year at age five.
CANTERBURY PARK TO HOST CLAIMING CROWN AGAIN IN 2009
Canterbury Park will host Claiming Crown for the ninth time in the event's 11-year history when the one-of-a-kind program for Thoroughbred racing's "blue-collar" performers is held at the Shakopee, Minn., racetrack on Saturday, July 25. Patterned after the Breeders' Cup, the $600,000 Claiming Crown consists of seven races offered at varying distances on both dirt and turf.
"Claiming Crown annually attracts some of America's winningest horses and trainers, including such leading conditioners as Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake," said Randy Sampson, president and general manager of the track located in the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee. "We are looking forward to their participation again in 2009."
Conditions of eligibility for Claiming Crown 2009 will be identical as in 2008, which means that to be a participant, a horse must have started for or below the specific claiming price since January 1, 2008. The races again will have purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and the claiming levels will range from $7,500 to $35,000.
The seven Claiming Crown races are:
$50,000 Iron Horse, three-year-olds and up, starters for a claiming price of $7,500 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth.
$50,000 Express, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Glass Slipper, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Rapid Transit, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$100,000 Tiara, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$100,000 Emerald, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$150,000 Jewel, three-year-olds and up, starters for $35,000 or less, one mile and one-eighth.
SAM HOUSTON COMMERCIAL SELECTED ONE OF FUNNIEST OF YEAR BY TBS
Sam Houston Race Park's "Here's to Racing: Restroom Race" television commercial has been selected as one of the "Funniest Commercials of the Year" by national cable super station, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). The commercial, available to view at http://www.shrp.com/News_Media.html, will air as part of a TBS special, hosted by comic Kevin Nealon, featuring the funniest commercial spots from 2008 on December 23.
"We are thrilled to have our television commercial recognized on a national level," said Andrea Young, Chief Operating Officer, Sam Houston Race Park. "We are diligently working to change the face of marketing for the horse racing industry with the goal of increasing brand equity, stimulating an interest among new sports fans and driving attendance for The Park's racing, dining and concert business. This kind of recognition is reassuring that we are moving in the right direction."
The campaign, entitled "Let's Make Things Interesting," encourages sports and entertainment fans to see The Park as a unique, affordable and exciting entertainment destination. The branding campaign, designed by the award-winning New Orleans-based Peter A. Mayer Advertising, covers a variety of media, from print and outdoor to radio, television and online outlets.
"Who doesn't like racing?" asked Tony Norman, Group Creative Director at Peter Mayer, "As a kid we all raced, to the car, to the mailbox, everywhere. So we wanted to remind people, through these slightly absurd situations, just how much fun racing is, and that Sam Houston is a place where you can go and recapture a bit of that youthful excitement."
AXEL FOLEY POISED FOR UPSET IN CASHCALL FUTURITY
Martin Smith, assistant and exercise rider for English trainer John Best, hopes the stable enjoys as much success in the Grade I, $750,000 CashCall Futurity Saturday at Hollywood Park with Axel Foley as it did with Square Eddie in the Breeders Futurity at Keeneland in October.
Axel Foley looms as the mystery horse in the Futurity at 1 1/16 miles on Cushion Track. "We sent Square Eddie to run in the Futurity in Kentucky and sold him before the race to J. Paul Reddam," said Smith. "We're doing a similar thing with this horse. A few people have inquired, but nothing has been decided."
Axel Foley, who is in the barn of trainer Doug O'Neill, broke his maiden at second asking at seven furlongs on the synthetic surface at Lingfield on October 15. Smith is confident the colt will also acquit himself favorably in the Futurity.
"The jockey who rode him that day just smacked him once and said he could get a mile and a quarter," said Smith of the come-from-behind victory with visions of the 2009 Kentucky Derby in the back of his mind.
First, the Kentucky-bred son of Officer must prove he can get a mile and a sixteenth in the Futurity. "We've been planning on this race since early November," said Smith.
Named for the Eddie Murphy character in "Beverly Hills Cop," Axel Foley was purchased for $165,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale, the same auction at which Square Eddie was purchased for $200,000. Square Eddie is in training here with O'Neill, being pointed for the San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita next year.
Meanwhile, O'Neill is busy putting the final touches on two other Futurity entrants. Graded stakes winner Azul Leon has long been pointed to this race, and O'Neill will also send out the maiden Mark S the Cooler.
Azul Leon seeks to become the first Hollywood Juvenile Championship winner to annex the Futurity since Swiss Yodeler in 1996 and also hopes to follow in the footsteps of his sire, Lion Heart, the 2003 winner. "Azul Leon is a proven sprinter and not proven at two turns," said O'Neill. "But he trains like added ground won't be a problem. He's training fantastic and ready to roll."
Mark S the Cooler is owned by Reddam. "The CashCall Futurity is named for Paul's business," said O'Neill of the race sponsor. "He wanted to give the horse a chance. Even though he's a maiden, he has been training well."
Sunday is closing day of the Hollywood meeting, and that day, the Inglewood, Calif., track will feature the Grade II, $150,000 Dahlia Handicap. A large field is shaping up, led by the multiple graded stakes winner Vacare, who has been assigned high weight of 122 pounds for the 1 1/16-miles turf test for fillies and mares. that highlights closing day Sunday.
Trained by Christophe Clement, Vacare has won seven of 13 starts and earned $1,123,706. She won the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland at age three, the Grade II First Lady Stakes at Keeneland at four, and the Grade II Palomar Handicap at Del Mar this year at age five.
CANTERBURY PARK TO HOST CLAIMING CROWN AGAIN IN 2009
Canterbury Park will host Claiming Crown for the ninth time in the event's 11-year history when the one-of-a-kind program for Thoroughbred racing's "blue-collar" performers is held at the Shakopee, Minn., racetrack on Saturday, July 25. Patterned after the Breeders' Cup, the $600,000 Claiming Crown consists of seven races offered at varying distances on both dirt and turf.
"Claiming Crown annually attracts some of America's winningest horses and trainers, including such leading conditioners as Steve Asmussen and Scott Lake," said Randy Sampson, president and general manager of the track located in the Minneapolis suburb of Shakopee. "We are looking forward to their participation again in 2009."
Conditions of eligibility for Claiming Crown 2009 will be identical as in 2008, which means that to be a participant, a horse must have started for or below the specific claiming price since January 1, 2008. The races again will have purses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 and the claiming levels will range from $7,500 to $35,000.
The seven Claiming Crown races are:
$50,000 Iron Horse, three-year-olds and up, starters for a claiming price of $7,500 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth.
$50,000 Express, three-year-olds and up, starters for $7,500 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Glass Slipper, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$75,000 Rapid Transit, three-year-olds and up, starters for $16,000 or less, six furlongs.
$100,000 Tiara, fillies and mares, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$100,000 Emerald, three-year-olds and up, starters for $25,000 or less, one mile and one-sixteenth on turf.
$150,000 Jewel, three-year-olds and up, starters for $35,000 or less, one mile and one-eighth.
SAM HOUSTON COMMERCIAL SELECTED ONE OF FUNNIEST OF YEAR BY TBS
Sam Houston Race Park's "Here's to Racing: Restroom Race" television commercial has been selected as one of the "Funniest Commercials of the Year" by national cable super station, Turner Broadcasting System (TBS). The commercial, available to view at http://www.shrp.com/News_Media.html, will air as part of a TBS special, hosted by comic Kevin Nealon, featuring the funniest commercial spots from 2008 on December 23.
"We are thrilled to have our television commercial recognized on a national level," said Andrea Young, Chief Operating Officer, Sam Houston Race Park. "We are diligently working to change the face of marketing for the horse racing industry with the goal of increasing brand equity, stimulating an interest among new sports fans and driving attendance for The Park's racing, dining and concert business. This kind of recognition is reassuring that we are moving in the right direction."
The campaign, entitled "Let's Make Things Interesting," encourages sports and entertainment fans to see The Park as a unique, affordable and exciting entertainment destination. The branding campaign, designed by the award-winning New Orleans-based Peter A. Mayer Advertising, covers a variety of media, from print and outdoor to radio, television and online outlets.
"Who doesn't like racing?" asked Tony Norman, Group Creative Director at Peter Mayer, "As a kid we all raced, to the car, to the mailbox, everywhere. So we wanted to remind people, through these slightly absurd situations, just how much fun racing is, and that Sam Houston is a place where you can go and recapture a bit of that youthful excitement."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
