Paul Moran at the races

Supplying the demand: What a concept!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:13:00 +0000

It was not a major point of consideration in the decision to relocate from the Queens-Nassau County border to Saratoga Springs but leaving Cablevision in the rear-view mirror is among the unanticipated perks.

Restriction to the NYRA signal in the best of times made in necessary for home-based bettors to subscribe to TVG, which of late provides the only access to the racing at Belmont Park for residents of Nassau County held hostage by a dispute between NYRA and Nassau OTB over unauthorized streaming video on its website, a transgression that resulted in a blackout of in-home access to the signal.

None of this applies to the cable channel operated by Capital District OTB. The NYRA races are the focus of the daytime product but the signal from every racetrack on its betting menu it shown, most live, some briefly delayed. The programming does not vanish at about 7 p.m., as it does on Long Island, but moves on to the tracks in Western time zones, then harness and nighttime thoroughbred racing.

Bottom line: From a player’s standpoint, they do in-home simulcasting far better here than on Long Island or in New York City for that matter and it amounts to nothing more than providing product. Simplicity is a wonderful concept. -- PM

Rachel's travel plans set

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Stonestreet Stables’ Rachel Alexandra, the Kentucky Oaks and Mother Goose winner who beat colts in the Preakness Stakes, will take on the boys again in the $1 million Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park on Sunday, Aug. 2, it was announced late Tuesday by Jess Jackson, who owns the filly.

Trainer Steve Asmussen said Wednesday that he plans to send Rachel Alexandra to Monmouth early in the week preceding the mile and an eighth Haskell.

“Depending on the weather, we’ll ship in on Tuesday of race week,” Asmussen said. “If everything goes to plan, we’ll breeze her (at Saratoga) on Monday and ship on Tuesday. We’ll continue to breeze her on Mondays up to the race.”

Asmussen said the distance of the Haskell was perfect for the filly, who has won twice at nine furlongs this year.

“With her race in the Mother Goose at a mile and an eighth,” he said, “this should suit her very well.”

Asmussen brought Curlin to Monmouth Park in 2007, and the colt’s victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic sealed his Horse of the Year title that season.

“I guess along with the World Cup (in Dubai), the Breeders’ Cup win at Monmouth was the biggest of my career,” Asmussen said. “I’m looking forward to being back there.”

A winner of nine races in 12 career starts, Rachel Alexandra burst onto the national scene with a dominating score in the Kentucky Oaks on May 1, this year. She was subsequently sold to her current connections, who took their superstar to Pimlico where she became the first filly in 85 years to capture the Preakness Stakes, the second jewel of racing’s Triple Crown. She followed that up with another tour de force performance against 3-year-old fillies when she posted a nearly 20-length score in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on June 27, her most recent start.

Rachel Alexandra, by Medaglia d’Oro * Lotta Kim, by Roar, has earned $1,798,354 on her way to becoming a national sensation. As proof of her celebrity, she is currently featured in the August issue of the worldwide magazine Vogue.

“Bringing the biggest names in sports and entertainment to the Garden State is what the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority is all about,” said Dennis R. Robinson, president and CEO of the NJSEA, which owns and operates Monmouth Park. “Having a superstar of Rachel Alexandra’s caliber in the starting gate for the Haskell only adds to the rich tradition of that race and will certainly bring national and international attention to Monmouth Park.

“While the economic impact of the filly’s entrance in the Haskell may never be quantified, clearly, the big winners here are the people of New Jersey. From hoteliers to restaurateurs, the additional revenues and subsequent taxes generated from Rachel Alexandra’s presence in New Jersey will be a big boost to the state coffers.”

Waiting to take on Rachel Alexandra in the mile and an eighth Haskell is Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird, who shipped to Monmouth Park on July 3. Also expected in the starting gate for the Grade 1 Haskell are Arkansas Derby winner Papa Clem, Long Branch Stakes winner Atomic Rain and Continental Mile Stakes winner Bunker Hill.

Considered possibles for the Haskell are Munnings, who just won the Grade 2 Tom Fool Handicap over older horses for trainer Todd Pletcher, and the David Fawkes-trained pair of Red Legend Stakes winner Big Drama, and Iowa Derby winner Duke of Mischief.

Tim Ice, trainer of Summer Bird, said he anticipated meeting Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell when he shipped in for the race.

“The good horses should meet each other,” Ice said. “The Haskell will be a good race.

“I’m certainly not going to run away and look for another spot because the filly’s coming,” he said. “If we beat her, then Summer Bird is the best 3-year-old. If she beats us, well, she was supposed to win.”

Summer Bird continued his Haskell training with a five-furlong breeze in 1:01.40 here on Sunday with jockey Eddie Castro aboard.

“Eddie did a good job,” Ice said. “The colt finished up strong * the last quarter in :24 2/5 * which is what I wanted to see. He’s doing really well here so far.”m-- NJSEA

Road to the Million: Einstein vs. Gio Ponti?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Who’s the best turf horse currently in training in North America? Is it Midnight Cry Stables’ Einstein, the reigning grass horse king, or is it Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti, Einstein’s young lion of a challenger with teeth bared – figuratively at least – for their projected fight in the upcoming Arlington Million XXVII on Aug. 8?

Or could it be Jonathan Sheppard’s Just as Well – well under the national radar until his impressive late run to victory in last weekend’s Grade III Arlington Handicap as the final local preview for the centerpiece race of Chicago’s Thoroughbred racing season?

The 27th running of the Arlington Million, which annually attracts some of the world’s best turf horses, will go to the post late in the afternoon on the second Saturday in August, preceded by the 20th anniversary edition of the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes for the world’s best grass-favoring fillies and mares and the 33rd running of the Grade I Secretariat Stakes, restricted to 3-year-olds of international turf caliber.

Together, the only three Grade I races contested in Illinois on an annual basis make up Arlington’s one-day International Festival of Racing, and this summer’s Arlington Million gets added international prestige because the winner will receive an automatic invitation to the Group I Japan Cup when it is run in Tokyo later in the year.

Einstein, winner of Churchill’s Grade I Woodford Reserve Turf Classic on Kentucky Derby Day May 2, was most recently third beaten only a length in the Grade I Stephen Foster Handicap on the main track at the Twin Spires oval June 13. However, in that effort the 7-year-old bobbled early and then was checked and bumped repeatedly during subsequent nightmarish traffic problems.

The Brazilian-bred son of Spend a Buck, on course to make his next start in the Million, quietly breezed a half-mile in :52.80 at Churchill July 12 in a maintenance move for his upcoming Chicago appearance.

Gio Ponti, however, won his third straight Grade I race July 11 when he came from off the pace to capture the $500,000 Man o’ War at Belmont Park by 1 3/4-lengths. Previously, the 4-year-old son of Tale of the Cat won the $400,000 Woodford Reserve Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day June 6, as well as last winter’s $300,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap at Santa Anita.

“This just confirms that at the moment, I’m afraid, he’s got to be the leader of the turf division here” said Gio Ponti’s trainer Christophe Clement following last weekend’s East Coast outing in the Man o’ War.

Now joining those two as a new Arlington Million threat following last Saturday’s Arlington Handicap triumph is Just as Well, who closed with a rush to be best by a length in that $200,000 turf test at the Arlington Million distance of 10 furlongs.

Two weeks ago Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard wasn’t sure his son of A. P. Indy was even ready for last week’s race, but following that excellent outing, Just as Well is under prominent consideration for the Million.

Also deserving that consideration is Patricia Generazio’s Presious Passion, front-running hero of Monmouth’s Grade I United Nations Stakes July 4. The 6-year-old Royal Anthem gelding won that same race on The Jersey Shore last summer, but trainer Mary Hartmann decided to forego the Million in favor of Saratoga’s Grade I Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap, where Presious Passion finished fourth. This year, however, Hartmann is giving the Million a second look.

In California on The Fourth of July, Irish-bred Artiste Royal, owned by David and Jill Heerensperger and conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Neil Drysdale, appears to be on his way to the Million

“We’re probably headed that way,” said Drysdale, speaking over the phone from California earlier this week.

In Kentucky, Circle E Racing’s Mr. Sidney, winner of Churchill’s Grade II Firecracker Handicap July 4 and Keeneland’s Grade I Makers Mark Mile April 10, now appears likely for the Arlington Million, according to Lee Einsidler of Circle C Racing.

“Bill Mott called me and said it (the Million) makes all the sense in the world,” Einsidler told Blood-Horse early this week referring of Mr. Sidney’s Hall of Fame trainer who saddled Masayuki Nishiyama’s Paradise Creek to win the 1994 Arlington Million.

On the European front, remaining under strong consideration for the Arlington Million is Teruya Yoshida’s Cima de Triomphe, fourth in Great Britain’s Group I Coral-Eclipse July 4 at Sandown behind three of Europe’s best, and a winner of Sandown’s Group III Brigadier Gerard Stakes May 28 before that.

Now mentioned as a possibility for an Atlantic crossing in less than three weeks for the Million is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s Imbongi, third at Ascot in the Group II Summer Mile Stakes July 11 and winner of Newmarket’s Group III Criterion Stake before that on June 27. The South African-bred is trained by Mike de Kock, who brought that same ownership’s Archipenko to Chicago to finish second in last summer’s Million.

Also possible for the Million from Great Britain is Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Tazeez from the yard of John Gosden. That Kentucky-bred son of Silver Hawk out of a Nureyev mare was fifth in the Group I Prince of Wales’s Stakes June 17 during the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting, beaten four lengths at the wire.

A huge positive development concerning the upcoming $750,000 Beverly D. Stakes as the Arlington Million’s sister race involves the expected participation of Doubledown Stables’ Black Mamba, winner of the last two renewals of Hollywood Park’s Grade II Beverly Hills Handicap. The 6-year-old mare, bred in New Zealand, is now on a course for a Beverly D. run.

Trained by California-based John Sadler, Black Mamba stayed on the West Coast last summer to win Del Mar’s Grade I John C. Mabee Handicap following her 2008 Beverly Hills win but is more probable for the Beverly D. this year.

“Right now, I’m leaning toward the Beverly D. with her,” said Sadler last weekend on a brief trip to Chicago to saddle Michael Talla’s Oil Man in Arlington’s Grade II American Derby. “Mr. Templer (owner Richard of Doubledown) is from Chicago and I think he’d like to see his horse run here.”

A second major addition to the Beverly D.’s probable list is Lewis Lakin’s Pure Clan, two and a half lengths the best in last weekend’s Grade III Modesty Handicap as a Beverly D. prep.

“We sure plan to (run in the Beverly D.) if things stay the way they are,” said Pure Clan’s trainer Robert Holthus, speaking over the phone from Louisville the day after her Modesty score.

Among Pure Clan’s other graded stakes victories are tallies in Hollywood’s Grade I American Oaks Invitational last year, Churchill’s Grade II Golden Rod Stakes in 2007, as well as Grade III wins in the 2008 Regret Stakes and 2007 Pocahontas Stakes at the Twin Spires oval.

In a final late Beverly D. update, Live Oak Plantation’s Points of Grace won the Grade II Dance Smartly Stakes last weekend at Canada’s Woodbine Race Course, and is being considered as a late nomination to Arlington’s main grass test for fillies and mares.

“We’ll either point for the Beverly D. or the (Saratoga’s Grade I) Diana Handicap (Aug. 1),” said Malcolm Pierce, trainer of Points of Grace. “If the owners are up for it, I’d rather come to Arlington and get her the extra week. The Beverly D. is definitely under heavy consideration.”

Finally, in updates for the Grade I Secretariat Stakes for grass-favoring sophomores, last weekend’s Grade II American Derby hero Reb, owned by Ashbrook Farm, would appear likely for a for a return in the final leg of Arlington’s Mid-America Triple, although trainer Rusty Arnold is reportedly on a vacation in the Bahamas and unavailable to confirm that assumption.

Virginia Tarra Trust’s Giant Oak, winner of the 75th anniversary edition of the Arlington Classic as the Triple’s first leg, came out of his fifth-place finish in the roughly run American Derby without problems and remains on course for the Secretariat.

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds’ Oil Man, winner of Hollywood’s Grade III Cinema Handicap June 21, came to Chicago to finish third in the American Derby before being disqualified and placed fifth, but remains at Arlington under the care of Chicago-based conditioner Mike Stidham for a projected next run in the Secretariat.

Finally, the Secretariat Stakes could still easily get a tangy additional appetizer in the form of Lael Stable’s Nicanor – the late beloved Barbaro’s turf-favoring little brother. Nicanor is currently undefeated on the grass and slated to go to the post in Saturday’s Grade II Virginia Derby.

Should Nicanor run well at Colonial Downs this weekend, trainer Michael Matz would still have three weeks to prepare him for the $400,000 final leg of Arlington’s Mid-America Triple. Matz, it will be remembered, saddled Brushwood Stable’s Kicken Kris to win the Secretariat Stakes six years ago.-- ARLINGTON PARK

'Stars' dominates Cartier standings

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:38:00 +0000

Sea The Stars (128 points) continued his flirtation with greatness at Sandown Park on July 4 with a thrilling triumph in the Group One Coral-Eclipse. Yet despite the brilliant colt surging to a clear points lead in the race to be crowned Cartier Horse of the Year and champion Cartier Three-Year Old Colt, a raft of tremendous displays from his pursuers mean that there is still all to play for in the quest for these two coveted accolades.

The Cartier Racing Awards, now in their 19th year, are horseracing’s equivalent of the Oscars and are determined by points earned in Pattern races combined with the opinions of a panel of racing journalists, as well as votes from readers of the Racing Post and The Daily Telegraph.

European horseracing’s most prestigious accolades will be presented during a glittering ceremony before invited guests at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, London, on Tuesday, November 17, 2009.

Sea The Stars, the first horse to win the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and Investec Derby at Epsom Downs since 1989 when Nashwan completed the same Classic double, was widely expected to add to his haul in the Group One Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 28. However, rain-softened ground prompted trainer John Oxx to redraw his plans for the Cape Cross colt.

It was left to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Fame And Glory, runner-up at Epsom, to uphold the form of the English Classic in the Irish equivalent. The imposing Montjeu colt did not disappoint as he stormed to an impressive five-length triumph over Golden Sword and took his Cartier points accumulation to 88.

The Curragh’s loss was clearly Sandown Park’s gain. Fully 20 years had passed since Nashwan added the Coral-Eclipse to his Classic victories and Sea The Stars was attempting to succeed where others had failed. Erhaab, Benny The Dip, Motivator and Authorized, Derby winners all, could not add the 10-furlong showpiece to their Epsom triumphs.

Sea The Stars made no mistake as he emulated Nashwan’s formidable achievement in the style we have come to expect. After travelling smoothly throughout, he dug deep and asserted, holding Rip Van Winkle by a length with Grade One Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Conduit fully four and a half lengths further adrift in third.

The Derby winner is now 32 points ahead of nearest challengers Mastercraftsman and Ghanaati in the Cartier Horse of the Year standings. Sea The Stars and Mastercraftsman are also the front two in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Colt category, with Fame And Glory in third and Prix du Jockey Club winner Le Havre sitting fourth (72).

After the inspiring victories of Sea The Stars and Fame And Glory, it was the turn of Investec Oaks heroine Sariska to put her reputation on the line in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 12. Michael Bell’s charge, owned and bred by Lady Bamford, had seen off Midday by a head at Epsom, despite running around in front, and that rival was out to avenge the defeat.

Sent off the even money favourite, Sariska was expected to confirm herself the superior middle distance filly but few could have imagined the Pivotal three-year-old would produce such a display of complete dominance as she delivered at the Curragh.

Sariska travelled supremely throughout the race, cruising to the lead past toiling rivals. Her rider, Jamie Spencer, did not move as the filly crossed the line at least three lengths clear, having never approached top gear. She now has 81 points and sits second in the Cartier Three-Year-Old Filly category behind Ghanaati. Prix de Diane heroine Stacelita (64) is third, one place ahead of Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Elusive Wave (62).

Another filly, Fleeting Spirit, announced her claims for Cartier Awards recognition during the Champagne Lanson July Festival at Newmarket on July 10. Jeremy Noseda’s charge had run Australian speedster Scenic Blast (32) to three quarters of a length when second in the Group One King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot and comprehensively turned the tables on that rival with a heart–stopping success in the Group One Darley July Cup over an extra furlong.

Fleeting Spirit veered left and then right, hampering rivals in the process, before stretching out for a length and a quarter victory over Main Aim. Tom Queally’s mount survived a stewards’ enquiry to leap to the head of the Cartier Sprinter Award standings with 64 points.

Paco Boy flew home in the Darley July Cup to finish fourth and the top-class miler now has 58 points. That places him third behind Fleeting Spirit and Vision D’Etat (84) in the Older Horse category.

The juvenile scene is beginning to take shape now that we have hit high summer and the Clive Brittain-trained Misheer (24) stormed to the head of the Cartier Two-Year-Old Filly standings with a comprehensive victory over Albany Stakes winner Habaayib (16) in the Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes on July 8. Misheer had previously chased home Jealous Again (16) in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Five horses are currently inseparable on 16 points in the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt division. Canford Cliffs was impressive when winning the Group Two Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, while Radiohead appeared exceptionally tough and speedy when surviving interference to win the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at the same meeting. The O’Brien-trained Alfred Nobel won the Group Two Railway Stakes at the end of June. The Champagne Lanson July Festival also showcased a pair of exciting juvenile colts as the Brian Meehan-trained Arcano carried the Sangster colours to victory in the Group Two TNT July Stakes, while Silver Grecian gave trainer John Ryan a first Pattern race success when showing a fine turn of foot to win the Group Two Meydan Superlative Stakes.

There is no change in the Cartier Stayer Award standings with the great Yeats (48) leading Patkai (40) and Geordieland (28).

Harry Herbert, Cartier’s racing consultant, commented today: “This really is turning out to be a summer of incredible highlights. Sea The Stars is the embodiment of what the Cartier Racing Awards are all about. A dual Classic winner, he has now stamped his authority over his elders by winning the Coral-Eclipse and in doing so overcame a 20-year hoodoo that has haunted Derby winners in that particular race.

“Saying that, he is not alone in his excellence. The sight of Sariska toying with her rivals in the Darley Irish Oaks was spine-tingling stuff and the prospect of Michael Bell’s filly taking on Sea The Stars and Fame And Glory later in the season is extremely exciting.

“Ascot’s King George meeting sponsored by Betfair and Glorious Goodwood are just around the corner and I am sure we are destined to witness plenty more heroics at the Royal course and on the Downs.

“Yeats is hopefully heading for the Coutts Goodwood Cup and the likes of Ghanaati, Rip Van Winkle and Paco Boy are potentially going to lock horns in the BGC Sussex Stakes.”

CARTIER AWARDS LATEST POINTS

CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY

MISHEER 24

HABAAYIB 16

JEALOUS AGAIN 16

LILLIE LANGTRY 12

CARTIER TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT

ALFRED NOBEL 16

ARCANO 16

CANFORD CLIFFS 16

RADIOHEAD 16

SILVER GRECIAN 16

CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY

GHANAATI 96

SARISKA 81

STACELITA 64

ELUSIVE WAVE 62

CARTIER THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT

SEA THE STARS 128

MASTERCRAFTSMAN 96

FAME AND GLORY 88

LE HAVRE 72

CARTIER OLDER HORSE

VISION D’ETAT 84

FLEETING SPIRIT 64

PACO BOY 58

ASK 48

GLORIA DE CAMPEAO 48

PRESVIS 48

YEATS 48

CARTIER STAYER

YEATS 48

PATKAI 40

GEORDIELAND 28

AMERICAIN 17

CARTIER SPRINTER

FLEETING SPIRIT 64

ART CONNOISSEUR 48

SCENIC BLAST 32

JJ THE JETPLANE 28

CARTIER HORSE OF THE YEAR

SEA THE STARS 128

GHANAATI 96

MASTERCRAFTSMAN 96

FAME AND GLORY 88

-- RACENEWS

TOBA sets clinic at Saratoga

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:42:00 +0000

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) announced today that it will hold a Thoroughbred Pedigree and Conformation Clinic Tuesday, August 11 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The clinic, sponsored by Blood-Horse Publications, will feature conformation presentations and live evaluations as well as pedigree discussions that will include nicking, dosage, outcrossing and inbreeding. Clinic speakers include Meg Levy, Byron Rodgers, Lincoln Collins and Dr. John Kimmel. A complete agenda can be viewed here.

The clinic will begin at 8 a.m. at the Fasig-Tipton Sales Pavilion. The registration fee for the clinic is $125 for TOBA members and $175 for non-members and includes all support materials, breakfast and lunch.

TOBA’s next educational event is another Pedigree and Conformation Clinic, October 12-13 in Lexington, Ky. For a complete list of TOBA seminars and clinics visit www.toba.org or for more information, please contact Erin Crady at 859-276-2291 or ecrady@toba.org. -- TOBA

Rachel fires bullet at Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:22:00 +0000

Preakness and multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Rachel Alexandra was back on the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course Monday morning for a more serious workout.

Trainer Steve Asmussen and assistant Scott Blasi watched as the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro breezed five furlongs in 1:01.38, the fastest work of twelve at the distance. She took the first three fractions in :12 3/5, :25 and :37 1/5 before galloping out six furlongs in 1:14 4/5. This was the first time that Asmussen has been at his Saratoga stable since Rachel Alexandra arrived there on June 28.

“She’s tremendous; she’s a beautiful animal; she’s doing great,” Asmussen said. “She was unbelievably light on her feet today and she felt great about doing it. It was about as easy as she could do it. It was exactly what I was hoping to see.”

Rachel Alexandra’s next start remains a question mark, with several races being considered by her connections. One of those races is the Grade 2, $1 million
Delaware Handicap for fillies and mares three-years-old and up going 1¼ miles at Delaware Park this Sunday, July 19.

“I think [a decision] to eliminate the Delaware Handicap will have to be made today or tomorrow from a timing standpoint,” Asmussen said. “They are drawing the entries tomorrow [for the race].”

Along with the Delaware Handicap, owners Jess Jackson, principal of Stonestreet Stables, and Harold T. McCormick and trainer Asmussen may also be considering the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies running 1¼ miles on July 25 at Belmont Park and the Grade 1, $1 million, nine-furlong Haskell Invitational for three-year-olds on Aug. 2 at Monmouth Park.

“It’s a timing thing more than anything,” Asmussen said. “Her being a three-year-old filly that has success outside of her division just gives [us] that many more options. I think the only thing that we can state is the obvious – that’s her and she looks good.” -- NYRA

Belmont winner breezes on Jersey Shore

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird took to the Monmouth Park racetrack just after 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning as the colt by Birdstone continues to prepare for the Aug. 2, $1 million Haskell Invitational, the centerpiece of the Monmouth meeting.

With Eddie Castro in the irons, Summer Bird was caught in 1:01 4/5 by the clockers, going the last quarter in :24 2/5. After overnight rains, the track surface was sealed and wet.

“It was exactly what we wanted,” said trainer Tim Ice, who shipped his Classic winner to Monmouth on July 3rd. “His last two works here pretty easy, so I wanted to get a little something more into him today. This was what I was looking for.”

Summer Bird breezed five furlongs at Louisiana Downs on June 27, going in 1:04 2/5. He had an identical work here on July 6.

A winner of $723,040 with two wins from just five career starts, Summer Bird broke his maiden at second asking on March 19 at Oaklawn Park. He was then third in the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby, beaten a length and a quarter by Papa Clem, who is also being pointed for the Grade 1 Haskell. After running on to be sixth in the Kentucky Derby, Summer Bird went from next to last to first in the Belmont Stakes, winning by nearly three lengths.

Owned by Jayaraman, Kalarikkal and Vilasini, Summer Bird will have two more works before the Haskell.

“He’ll continue to work on Sundays,” Ice said. “Desormeaux (jockey Kent, who was aboard for the Belmont win) will be here for his last work on the 26th.”

Another Haskell hopeful, Big Drama, skipped a workout on Sunday and instead will go out on Monday, just after the break.

“I didn’t like the track condition this morning, so we’ll wait for tomorrow,” said trainer David Fawkes, who conditions the Montbrook colt for Harold L. Queen.

A six-time winner in nine outings, Big Drama boasts earnings of more than $1 million, with a graded stakes win in the Grade 3 Delta Jackpot last December at Delta Downs.

In other Haskell news, trainer Kelly John Breen reported that Atomic Rain came out of Saturday’s Long Branch Stakes in perfect order and is on target for the mile and an eighth Haskell.

With a big run on the far turn, Atomic Rain ran past his rivals and posted a nearly five length score in the mile and a sixteenth Long Branch, Monmouth’s traditional prep for the Haskell. Despite the Odds was second in the Long Branch, with Papa Clem third. -- NJSEA

Belmont jocks test padded crops

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:37:00 +0000

Jockeys at Belmont Park this week began testing padded crops designed to be gentler on horses, with the goal of fully implementing the new equipment by the start of The New York Racing Association, Inc.’s six-week Saratoga meeting on July 29.

Changes to the design of the crop include a new maximum length of 30 inches and maximum weight of eight ounces. The “popper” – the end of the crop that touches the horse – has been lengthened to seven inches and cushioned to absorb shock.

“They are softer than the regular [crops] and it’s definitely not as hard on the horses,” said jockey John Velazquez. “I rode with them at Keeneland and you just have to get used to the feeling – it’s a little bit lighter than my other [crop].”

The cushioned crops are recommended in the safety guidelines issued by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association’s Safety and Integrity Alliance and conform to new guidelines developed by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI). Belmont Park was fully-accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance on May 29, with NYRA’s Aqueduct Racetrack and Saratoga Race Course expected to be certified later this year. -- NYRA

Big Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:46:00 +0000

At Hollywood Park

Life Is Sweet will attempt to become the first filly in 41 years to win the Grade I, $700,000 TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup to be run at a mile and a quarter on Cushion Track Saturday at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. The 13-horse Gold Cup field is the largest since Quack topped a 14-horse field in 1972.

The 4-year-old daughter of Storm Cat, who opted to face the boys rather than run a second time against unbeaten stablemate Zenyatta two weeks ago in the Vanity Handicap, will be the 29th female starter in the Gold Cup and the first since Kilijaro finished seventh in 1981. Princessnesian became the third female to win the Gold Cup in 1968, joining Happy Issue (1944) and Two Lea (1952).

Life Is Sweet was assigned 113 pounds, just one less than high weight Parading (119) when the five-pound female allowance is considered. Hollywood Park oddsmaker Russell Hudak established her as the second choice at 9-2 on the morning line. Eastern shipper Parading is the 4-1 morning-line favorite.

Life Is Sweet, trained by John Shirreffs, has five wins and three seconds in 11 starts for earnings of $570,810. One of ten graded/group stakes winners in the Gold Cup field, she won three consecutive graded races and was named outstanding older female at the Santa Anita winter/spring meeting. Her biggest victory came at nine furlongs in the Grade I Santa Margarita Handicap. She will be one of several contenders trying ten furlongs for the first time on Saturday.

Another interesting contender is Informed, who scored a 14-1 upset The Californian at Hollywood and will try to maintain trainer Doug O'Neill's perfect record in the Gold Cup. O'Neill is four-for-four with a win by Sky Jack in 2002 and three consecutive victories by Lava Man from 2005-2007. “It would be great if we could do it again,” O'Neill said.

The complete TVG/Betfair Hollywood Gold Cup field, in post position order, is: Autism Awareness (jockey: David Lopez, morning line odds: 30-1); Big Booster (Joel Rosario, 12-1); Mast Track (David Flores, 20-1); Bullsbay (Jeremy Rose, 8-1); Parading (Kent Desormeaux, 4-1); Dakota Phone (Rafael Bejarano, 6-1); Song of Navarone (Victor Espinoza, 12-1); Rail Trip (Jose Valdivia Jr., 5-1); Tres Borrachos (Joseph Talamo, 30-1); Life Is Sweet (Garrett Gomez, 9-2); Global Hunter (Corey Nakatani, 20-1); Informed (Tyler Baze, 6-1); and Magnum (Martin Pedroza, 12-1).

At Calder

Benny the Bull, Eclipse Award winning Sprint Champion of 2008, will continue on his comeback trail on Saturday when he attempts to defend his title in the Grade II, $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course in Miami. The Smile Sprint Handicap is but one of eight stakes races on Saturday’s 10th annual $ Summit of Speed card, with seven of the eight stakes being run at sprint distances. Total purses on the day exceed $1.65 million.

Benny the Bull enjoyed a perfect four-for-four campaign last year, which concluded with a two-length score in the 2008 renewal of the Smile. However, the six-year-old suufered an ankle injury after the Smile and was briefly retired before his ownership group, led by IEAH Stables, decided to bring him back to the races following his recovery. Benny the Bull’s 2009 debut came on Belmont Stakes day when he ran a strong second to multiple graded stakes winner Fabulous Strike in Belmont’s True North Handicap on June 6.

Putting in his final preparations for the Smile, Benny the Bull worked three furlongs this morning at Calder in a brisk :35.60, which was the fastest time of 15 workouts at that distance at Calder on Thursday. -- NTRA

NYRA, horsemen, jocks pledge $100K to TRF

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:11:00 +0000

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and many members of the Jockeys’ Guild who ride at its three racetracks, along with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) and The Jockey Club, have jointly pledged more than $100,000 in financial support in 2009 to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), which provides humane retirement options for Thoroughbreds at the end of their racing careers, it was announced today.

NYRA will contribute $50,000 while NYTHA and The Jockey Club will donate $25,000 each. All 29 of the regular NYRA-based riders have pledged to donate, through a voluntary checkoff program, $1 from each mount.

“This is an example of industry stakeholders working together to do the right thing for the welfare of racehorses when they can no longer race,” said Diana Pikulski, executive director of the TRF. “We are very grateful to NYRA, NYTHA, The Jockey Club and the Jockeys’ Guild and we would encourage organizations and individuals at other racing circuits around the country to follow their example.”

“This is an interim step while the New York racing community works out a more comprehensive and detailed plan to deal with this issue,” said Hal Handel, executive vice president and chief operating officer of NYRA. “We want to have something in place that we can all be proud of.”

“We make our living because of these horses,” said John Velazquez, four-time leading NYRA jockey. “Because of that, we love to be a big part of helping out with retired horses and enabling them to be better cared for.”

“After the situation with the Paraneck horses, I felt strongly that we needed to do something to make sure these horses are well taken care of after their racing careers,” said Richard Migliore, a fixture of the NYRA jockey colony. “They give us so much that it is really important we try and take care of them when they are done racing.”

The NYRA jockeys’ donations will be retroactive to June 27. The Kentucky Derby jockeys contributed $75,000 earned through their Derby sponsorships to the TRF earlier this year.

“Ensuring the proper care of Thoroughbreds after their racing careers are over is obviously a very serious issue and it’s good to see it move from the back burner to the front burner,” said Rick Violette, president of NYTHA. “NYTHA and its horsemen are proud to lend a hand in the effort.”

In January, The Jockey Club instituted a voluntary retirement checkoff option for owners and breeders that benefits Thoroughbred Charities of America and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, with The Jockey Club matching the checkoff donations with up to $200,000 in 2009.

“Regardless of the amount raised through the checkoff, we will guarantee our $100,000 matching donation to each of those two charities,” said Alan Marzelli, president of The Jockey Club. “In so doing, we will earmark $25,000 of the contribution to TRF for this New York-based effort.” -- THE JOCKEY CLUB

Man o' War next for Gio Ponti

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:07:00 +0000

Saturday’s 51st running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Man o’War has drawn able invaders from across the United States and Europe, but local turf talent is coming up strong in the 1 3/8-mile contest over Belmont Park’s inner turf course. Run as the day’s seventh race, the Man o’War is the opening leg of The New York Racing Association,
Inc.’s $350,000 guaranteed late pick four on races 7-10.

Castleton Lyons Farm’s Gio Ponti enters the race off back-to-back Grade 1 scores for trainer Christophe Clement in the Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park on June 6 and the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap at Santa Anita in March.

“He’s a very good horse, very consistent,” Clement said. “[The distance] is testing him a little bit, but if the ground [stays] firm he should be able to get a mile and three-eighths.”

The ultimate goal for Gio Ponti is the Grade 1 Arlington Million on August 8, and Clement feels that a New York prep schedule for the Chicago race will suit the colt well.

“He won the Manhattan and the Hill Prince [in 2008], so he likes Belmont Park,” Clement said. “It’s nice in the summer not to have to ship too much [since he is]stabled in New York. It’s also nice to win in New York.”

Fitting for a horse who is 3-for-4 at Belmont Park, Gio Ponti will reunite with Belmont Park’s leading rider Ramon Dominguez and will break from the far outside in the field of nine.

Potentially poised for an impressive effort is Phipps Stable’s Dancing Forever, making his second start of 2009 for trainer Shug McGaughey and looking again toward the 2009 Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 7.

After a strong start in 2008, including a win in last year’s Grade 1 Manhattan Handicap at Belmont Park, Dancing Forever turned in disappointing performances in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer and Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational, then ran third in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf at San Anita on Oct. 25.

“He [is] a big horse and it took him a while to get things together in his career,” McGaughey said. “He had a break over the winter, and whatever bumps and bruises he had, had a chance to go away. I made the mistake of running on soft turf a couple times last year, and I won’t make that mistake again heading into the Breeders’ Cup. If he gets a firm turf course, he’ll be tough.”

The six-year-old son of Rahy saved ground throughout in his last start, an allowance race at Belmont on May 31, and got up for third with a late burst of energy.

One trainer who is actually hoping for slightly softer ground is Bobby Ribaudo, conditioner of Marc Keller’s six-year-old Grand Couturier (GB).

“We like it a little softer than harder,” Ribaudo said. “It will be his second start of the year, and I think he needs another race to be at his best. I hope after this race we’ll have that confidence going into the Sword Dancer (Grade 1, $500,000 Saratoga Race Course Aug. 15) – that’s still the main objective.”

Given nearly eight months off after a last place finish in the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Turf, Grand Couturier ran fifth in the Monmouth Stakes last month, his first start back. Ribaudo hopes Grand Couturier will be at his sharpest when he makes his fourth consecutive start in the Sword Dancer as he is trying for an unprecedented third straight victory.

The front-running California invader, Juddmonte Farms’ homebred Midships brings a string of three consecutive graded stakes victories on grass to the Man o’War. Victor Espinoza was on board for all three of those wins and will again pilot the four-year-old son of Mizzen Mast for trainer Bobby Frankel.

From Europe, Quijano (GER), a two-time winner of the Group 1 Gran Premio Di Milano at San Siro (Italy) will make his first start in the U.S. for trainer Peter Schiergen and owner Andreas Jacobs. With 14 wins in 27 lifetime starts on the turf, Quijano is by far the richest horse in the field with more than $2 million bankrolled.

Completing the field are Johanna Louise Glen-Teven’s Musketier (GER), Robert S. Evans’ Marsh Side, Elliot Mavorah’s Interpatation and Darpat S.L. Stables’ Chinchon (IRE). -- NYRA

Road to the Million: Archipenko out

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:59:00 +0000

Globetrotting Archipenko, runner-up in last year’s Grade I Arlington Million and the projected European-based Million favorite this year, was a late withdrawal from last weekend’s Group I Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown due to a swollen fetlock, forcing an end to an upcoming second attempt for victory in the Arlington Million Aug. 8.

“I haven’t got absolute confirmation, but it seems quite possible that Archipenko is facing retirement,” said Alastair Donald, director of the International Racing Bureau, speaking over the phone from IRB’s Newmarket headquarters in England. “At any rate he’ll have quite a long layoff so it looks as if the Million is out of the question.”

Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum and Dr. A. H. Parker’s Archipenko was the runner-up in last summer’s Arlington Million after suffering traffic problems that may have cost him the win in that renewal of Chicago’s showcase Thoroughbred attraction. The Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo took down winning honors in Hong Kong’s Group I Audemars Piquet Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse earlier last year.

Despite Archipenko’s forced withdrawal from Arlington Million XXVII on the second Saturday in August, North American Million updates are of a more positive nature.

Castleton Lyons’ Gio Ponti, winner of the Grade I Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day June 6, breezed a half-mile over the Long Island lawn in :51.04 Sunday and will be entered in Belmont’s Grade I Man o’ War Stakes this Saturday on his projected path to the Million.

“He’s a very good horse, very consistent,” said French-born trainer Christophe Clement of Gio Ponti. “The sequence of the Manhattan, the Man o’ War and the Arlington Million fits nicely.”

The 27th running of the Arlington Million, which annually attracts some of the world’s best turf horses, will go to the post late in the afternoon, preceded by the 20th anniversary edition of the Grade I Beverly D. Stakes for the world’s best grass-favoring fillies and mares and the 33rd running of the Grade I Secretariat Stakes, restricted to 3-year-olds of international turf caliber.

Together, the only three Grade I races contested in Illinois on an annual basis make up Arlington’s one-day International Festival of Racing, and this summer’s Arlington Million gets added international prestige because the winner will receive an automatic invitation to the Group I Japan Cup when it is run in Tokyo later in the year.

This Saturday in Chicago, Arlington Park hosts its “Million Preview Day,” featuring the Grade III Arlington Handicap as the local preview of the Arlington Million, the Grade III Modesty Handicap as a designed tune-up for the $750,000 Beverly D., and the Grade II American Derby as the final local prep for the $400,000 Secretariat Stakes.

Among those slated for Saturday’s $200,000 Arlington Handicap is Chrysalis Stables’ Silverfoot, most recently winner of Arlington’s $54,100 The Tin Man Stakes June 6, winner of last year’s Grade III Stars and Stripes Handicap locally and fourth in last year’s Million.

Fab Oak Stable, Bobby Hurley and John Goldthorpe’s Stream Cat, winner of the 2008 Arlington Handicap and sixth in last year’s Million is also a projected Arlington Handicap starter, as is Flying Zee Stable’s Cosmonaut, second behind Stream Cat in last year’s Arlington Handicap but the winner of its two previous renewals.

In positive European-based Beverly D. developments, the latest Irish-bred member of the distaff set under strong consideration for the Beverly D. Stakes is Moyglare Stud’s Mad About You, trained by Ireland’s all-time leading trainer Dermot Weld. The 4-year-old daughter of Indian Ridge out of a Danehill mare was most recently fourth in Leopardtown’s Group III Amethyst Stakes May 10 but was runner-up in a Group III at The Curragh six days earlier. She is also a possibility for another stakes this weekend at The Curragh.

Those projected for Saturday’s $200,000 Modesty Handicap on “Million Preview Day” are headed by Lewis Lakin’s Pure Clan, beaten a neck when runner-up behind Beverly D. prospect Acoma, owned by Helen Alexander, in Churchill’s Grade III Mint Julep Handicap June 6.

Among Pure Clan’s graded stakes victories are tallies in Hollywood’s Grade I American Oaks Invitational last year, Churchill’s Grade II Golden Rod in 2007, as well as Grade III wins in the 2008 Regret Stakes and 2007 Pocahontas Stakes at the Twin Spires oval.

Heading the field for Saturday’s $300,000 American Derby as the middle leg of Arlington’s Mid-America Triple is Virginia Tarra Trust’s Giant Oak, who won the 75th running of the $150,000 Arlington Classic as the Triple’s first leg May 23. The Chris Block trainee is seeking to become the first horse in 12 years to sweep the Triple that concludes with the Secretariat Stakes.

The sophomore son of Giant’s Causeway breezed five furlongs in 1:02.60 at Arlington Park Monday, getting early splits of :13.60, :25.80; :38 and :50.60 before galloping out three-quarters in 1:15.80.

Most prominent among those who will face Giant Oak Saturday is Tommy Town Thoroughbreds and Michael Tala’s Oil Man, who captured Hollywood’s Grade III Cinema Handicap at last asking June 21.

Oil Man, trained by California-based John Sadler, is an Irish-bred son of Pyrus out of a Batshoof mare. The 3-year-old colt worked six furlongs handily in 1:13.60 over Hollywood Park’s synthetic surface July 4 before shipping to Chicago.

On the European front for Saturday’s American Derby, the Irish-bred Mr Topaz, owned by Dr. Michael Smurfit, trained by Dermot Weld and previously projected for Saturday’s middle leg of the Mid-America Triple, has been withdrawn and will continue his career in Hong Kong once the details of a transfer of ownership are completed.

In addition to Saturday’s trio of preps for the International Festival of Racing, three other stakes races will be offered, including the $200,000 Arlington Sprint for 3-year-olds and up to be contested at 5 1/2-furlongs on the turf. The Arlington Sprint is slated as a “Win and You’re In” prep for the $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint later this year at Santa Anita.

The other two stakes this Saturday on “Million Preview Day” are the $50,000-added Pink Ribbon Stakes for fillies and mares at five furlongs on the turf and the $50,000-added Diamond Ring Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16-miles on the turf.

Serious Thoroughbred handicappers should note that Horsplayerpro.com, featuring Arlington handicappers Joe Kristufek and Brian Spencer, will conduct a live “Million Preview Day” chat Friday from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to field questions and provide analysis on all six of Saturday’s stakes races. -- ARLINGTON PARK

Belmont notes: Rachel in Spa breeze

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Rachel Alexandra put in her first workout this morning over the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course since winning the Grade 1 Mother Goose in a record-setting performance eight days ago.

Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, and his lead pony Dakota guided Rachel Alexandra, with exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard, onto the training track at 5:50 a.m. The sensational three-year-old filly owned by Jess Jackson breezed four furlongs in 50.67 seconds over a track labeled as “fast.” Rachel Alexandra took the first quarter in :25 and galloped out five furlongs in 1:05.

“She went in an easy half mile to get her accustomed to her surroundings and the track,” Blasi said. “It was a maintenance breeze. We weren’t out there to impress anyone today.”

Jackson, Asmussen, and Blasi sent Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga last Sunday after winning the Mother Goose by a stakes-record margin of 19¼ lengths. The previous record for the Mother Goose (13½ lengths) was set by Ruffian in 1975. The trio wanted to get her acclimated to training at Saratoga.

The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro also ran a stakes-record time of 1:46.33 for 1 1/8 miles, surpassing Lakeway’s 1994 record of 1:46.58.

“That why we brought her up here after that race so she could have her full week galloping over it,” Blasi said. “It’s pretty normal for her. I get nervous every time she walks out of the barn. We want every thing to go right. We don’t want loose horses around her. We want to take care of her.”

A small, but anticipated, crowd waited for Rachel Alexandra to arrive on the track. Besides the usual horsemen like trainer Todd Pletcher and former trainer Elliott Walden, a father and his young daughter watched the workout along the outer rail.

“It’s a blessing to have her; it’s great for everybody,” Blasi said. “Nothing surprises me with horses like her. It's the anticipation and excitement she brings. When you see a kid up at 5:30 in the morning to come out and watch Rachel breeze, that sums it up.”

Blasi suggested that Rachel Alexandra will have another workout next Monday around the same time.

Edward P. Evans’ Quality Road, winner of the Grade 1 Florida Derby, breezed Sunday for the first time since being transferred to the stable of trainer Todd Pletcher on June 15.

Belmont clockers caught the Elusive Quality colt covering four furlongs on the main track in 49.72 seconds.

“We thought it was good and it puts us in a position to start picking it up a little and see where we are,” Pletcher said. “I’d say it’s going to be a tall order to make the Jim Dandy [1 1/8th miles, Grade 2, $500,000 at Saratoga Race Course Aug.1]. The most likely scenario, if he’s going to run that weekend, would be in the Amsterdam [6½ furlongs Grade 2, $150,000 Aug. 3], but we’ll just have to play it by ear. He’s got three or four more breezes between now and then, so we’ll see.”

An early favorite for the May 2 Kentucky Derby while under the care of Jimmy Jerkens, Quality Road developed a quarter crack in his right front foot just before the race. He returned to the worktab on June 8, breezing three furlongs in 38.83, and was transferred from Jerkens to Pletcher the following week.

“His feet look great,” Pletcher reported. “He was shod [on Friday] and, knock on wood, the quarter crack issues appear to be behind him.”

All four of Pletcher’s stakes starters from the weekend, including Sunday’s Grade 2 Tom Fool winner Munnings, were said to be doing well on Monday morning.

The field for Saturday’s 51st running of the Grade 1, $500,000 Man o’War is drawing turf talent from all over, with eight probable starters eying the 1 3/8th-mile race: Chinchon (IRE), Dancing Forever, Gio Ponti, Grand Couturier (GB), Marsh Side, Midships, Quijano (GER) and Thewayyourare.

New York Racing Association Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes said trainer H. Graham Motion confirmed Sunday that 10-year-old Better Talk Now would skip the Man o’ War. Scratched from Saturday’s Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park after injuring a hind splint bone, Better Talk Now will likely start next in the Grade1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 15. Better Talk Now has run in the Sword Dancer twice before, winning the race in 2004 and finishing second in 2008.

The trio of stakes winners from Saturday’s Independence Day card at Belmont Park were all said to be doing well Monday morning.

Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Lance Robinson’s Gulf Coast Farms’ Kensei, winner of Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Dwyer, has taken up residence in trainer Steve Asmussen’s Saratoga barn according to New York assistant Toby Sheets.

“He left Sunday,” Sheets said. “He’s excellent.”

Trainer Tony Dutrow reported that Grade 1 Prioress-winning filly Cat Moves “seems to have come out of the race well” and said that he was still discussing her next move with owner Edward P. Evans.

Carol Nyren’s Dry Martini may have become a millionaire with his impressive last-to-first win in Saturday’s Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban, but it’s done nothing to change his demeanor.

“He eats when he’s supposed to eat, exercises when he’s supposed to exercise, sleeps when he’s supposed to sleep, and runs when he’s supposed to run,” trainer Barclay Tagg said after the race.

Monday was no different, according to assistant trainer Robin Smullen, who said of the gelding: “He came out of the race great and he’s doing very well.” -- NYRA

Musket Man out for the season

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:35:00 +0000

Musket Man, third in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, will miss the Aug. 2 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park and the rest of the 2009 racing season with a bone bruise in his left front foot.

“It’s nothing major,” said Derek Ryan, who conditions the colt for Eric Fein and Vic Carlson. “We could run him in the Haskell, but that extra kick he gives in the stretch probably won’t be there. It wouldn’t be fair to him.

“Instead, he’ll go to the Vinery in Ocala where he’ll get some rest for this year. We’ll bring him back at Tampa next year and pick out five or six races for a 4-year-old campaign. What those races will be, I’m not sure, it’s way too early. Dubai could be a possibility. The main goal, with the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill, is to get to the Classic.”

With five wins and three seconds in eight career starts, Musket Man, a Yonaguska colt, has earned $893,600 for his connections.

But even with “the big horse” out of the Haskell, Ryan won’t have to miss the centerpiece of the Monmouth Park racing season, as he has Bunker Hill ready to go in the mile and an eighth Grade 1 event.

“I’m really just fortunate enough to have two really nice 3-year-olds,” Ryan said. “It’s a good position to be in, that’s for sure.”

Bunker Hill, a colt by Trippi, worked on Sunday morning at Monmouth, going five furlongs in :59 3/5, best of 37 on the worktab.

“We worked him in blinkers today for the first time,” said Ryan. “Carmouche (jockey Kendrick) has ridden him three times and kept saying to put blinkers on him. It looks like he was probably right because he worked great today. He’ll wear blinkers in the Haskell.

“Right now, I’m not sure if he’ll run before the Haskell. I’m leaning toward working him up to the race.”

From eight lifetime outings Bunker Hill sports a record of 3-3-0 for earnings of $195,804. He is a stakes winner over the Monmouth main track, taking the 2008 Continental Mile before winning a stakes at Delaware. Last out, he was second in the Red Legend Stakes at Charles Town, beaten seven lengths by Big Drama, who is also expected for the Aug. 2 Haskell.-- NJSEA

Update

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 15:48:00 +0000

While we have made the transition from New York to Saratoga Springs unscathed, the process and considerable detail of relocation continues, the anticipated return of activity to this space remains a about a week away. Thank you for your indulgence. -- PM

Emirates sponsors three summer broadcasts

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:56:00 +0000

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced today the broadcast schedule for “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA” to air on the ESPN networks beginning Saturday, July 25. The series will provide comprehensive, live coverage of Grade I summer racing fixtures from three of America’s most loved racing venues.

Beginning with the Grade I, $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the turf from Del Mar, “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA” will take viewers from coast to coast as it showcases some of racing’s biggest stars—many of whom will go on to compete in the November 6-7 Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

On August 8, the scene shifts to Arlington Park outside Chicago for the Grade I Arlington Million, which annually attracts top grass runners from around the world for its seven-figure purse. The Arlington Million also serves as a Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” event for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.

The series concludes on August 29 with the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes from Saratoga. Known as the “Mid-Summer Derby”, the 2009 Travers could bring together all three winners from this year’s Triple Crown events—Derby winner Mine That Bird, Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird.

“We are very pleased to once again partner with ESPN in bringing racing fans key summer contests from three of the sport’s showpiece racetracks,” said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA. -- NTRA

Superfecta players get more action

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:01:00 +0000

The New York State Racing and Wagering Board today enacted new directives that lay the groundwork for more Superfecta wagering opportunities for both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing fans.

“Superfectas are popular with some racing fans because if you’re lucky enough to hold a winning ticket, the payoff can be a princely sum,” Racing and Wagering Board Chairman John D. Sabini said. “We are looking constantly for ways to help the fans, the tracks and the horsemen. When we rewrite guidelines in a way that have a positive impact on overall handle, everyone comes out a winner.”

Winning a Superfecta bet requires having the first four finishers of a race in the correct sequence.

Under the new directives, which are effective immediately, the Racing and Wagering Board is authorizing the conduct of Superfecta wagering with fewer betting interests. In other words, the Board is reducing the number of horses that must start a race in order for tracks to offer Superfecta betting. The new directives also correct inequities that had existed in Superfecta wagering in New York.

For Thoroughbred racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta Wagering where there are seven programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if six betting interests remain in the event of a scratch after the horses have left the paddock.

For harness racing, the Board is permitting Superfecta wagering where there are eight programmed betting interests. The Superfecta will still be viable if seven betting interests remain in the event of a scratch in the paddock or on the track. --NYSRWB

Rachel in summer quarters at the Spa

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:03:00 +0000

Scarcely 12 hours after her record-setting victory in Saturday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose at Belmont Park, Rachel Alexandra stepped onto a van that carried her up the Northway to Saratoga Race Course, which will be the base for her summer campaign.

“She ran a big race,” said trainer Steve Asmussen of the three-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who set a stakes record of 1:46.33 for the nine furlongs, along with establishing the largest margin of victory (19¼ lengths) in the 53-year history of the race. “I think (jockey) Calvin (Borel) said it best – she’s not normal.”

Asmussen, still wearing one of the 10,000 pink “Rachel Alexandra” bracelets that were given away on Saturday, said he had watched the replay of the Mother Goose several times, and was still bowled over by the ease of her victory.

“The best way to describe it is that she’s got an extremely high cruising speed,” said Asmussen of the filly, co-owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stable and Harold McCormick. “But obviously, we’ve known that about her for a long time.”

Rachel Alexandra, who extended her record to 9-2-0 from 12 starts with earnings of $1,798,354, arrived at Saratoga mid-morning and took up residence in Curlin’s former stall in Asmussen’s barn near the Oklahoma training track.

“She shipped great,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi, who accompanied Rachel Alexandra to Saratoga. “She’s settled into Curlin’s old stall, which is now her stall, right next to my office.

“She recovered very well,” added Blasi. “She seemed strong yesterday and was starving when we fed her last night, and ate everything this morning, as well.”

Several possibilities exist for Rachel Alexandra’s next start, including the Grade 1, $300,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles at Belmont Park on July 25, the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy for three-year-olds at nine furlongs at Saratoga Race Course on Aug. 1, and the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational, also for three-year-olds, at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2.

Following one of those, the scenario could next include the Grade 1, $600,000 Alabama Stakes for three-year-old fillies at 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 22, the $1 million Shadwell Travers for three-year-olds going 1¼ miles on Saturday, Aug. 29 at Saratoga Race Course, or even the Grade 1, $400,000 Personal Ensign for fillies and mares, three-years-old and up, going 1 1/4 miles on Sunday, Aug. 30.

Asmussen declined to engage in any speculations.

“I’m well-versed in that with the Curlin-Big Brown thing last year,” he said. “I’m just going to worry about her health and happiness, and then we’ll sit down and decide what’s best for her.” -- NYRA

One singular sensation

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:16:00 +0000

She walks like a supermodel and runs like an Olympic champion, and Saturday afternoon, Rachel Alexandra will make her New York debut when she puts her six-race winning streak on the line in the 53rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park.

The leggy bay daughter of Medaglia d’Oro, who will be making her first start since beating the boys in the May 16 Preakness Stakes, arrived at Belmont Tuesday afternoon to the snapping of camera shutters, and was bedded down at trainer Steve Asmussen’s barn in stall No. 5, the same one occupied by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin.

Not surprisingly, there were more people on hand for her arrival than will be horses facing her in the nine-furlong Mother Goose – just four others were entered in the one-turn race: Alan Brodsky’s multiple stakes-winner Don’t Forget Gil, off the board just once in eight starts; Godolphin Stable’s Flashing, with a three-race win streak of her own; Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer, who has won her last two starts by a combined margin of 20¼ lengths, and Linda Sullivan and Gerald Procino’s Hopeful Image, who is coming off a 1 3/4-length victory in an optional claimer in the mud here on June 12.

Whether any of them are up to the challenge of upsetting Rachel Alexandra, who her jockey, Calvin Borel, calls “the best horse in the country” remains to be seen.

“We’re all kind of in the same boat, with Rachel Alexandra being in the race, of looking at a Grade 1 stakes placing,” said Rick Mettee, the North American racing manager for Godolphin Stable, which won last year’s Mother Goose with Music Note. “Besides Rachel, the other three are pretty good fillies, and they’re all in form. Flashing is doing exceptionally well – after her victory in the (Grade 3) Nassau County (May 2) it was felt this would be a logical spot for her.

“Apparently,” he added, “they thought it was a logical spot for Rachel Alexandra, as well.”

Indeed. After her historic victory over Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the Preakness, her new owners, Jess Jackson and Harold McCormick, considered entering Rachel Alexandra in the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 6. After much consideration, they felt it would be asking too much of her and aimed instead at the Mother Goose, whose roster of victors fillies such as Sky Beauty, Go for Wand, Davona Dale, Ruffian, Shuvee and Dark Mirage, all of whom went on to championship honors.

“This,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi of the Stonestreet Stable miss, “is a stepping-stone, hopefully, to bigger things.”

Rachel’s reign began last Nov. 29, when in her first start for Borel she ran off to a 4 ¾-length victory in the Grade 2 Goldenrod Stakes at Churchill Downs. She piled up impressive victories in the Mount Washington Stakes at Oaklawn Park, the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks and the Grade 2 Fantasy, also at Oaklawn, but it was her 20¼-length tour de force in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks that catapulted her to superstar status.

“Pretty impressive,” said Mark Hennig, trainer of Don’t Forget Gil. “In fact, very impressive.”

Don’t Forget Gil, a New York-bred daughter of Kafwain, owns a pair of stakes victories in the restricted East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, but finished a disappointing eighth in the Grade 2 Black-Eyed Susan at Pimlico the day before the Preakness.

“She got sick a few days after the race, so maybe she was coming down with something,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil. “She’s had a busy year and a few miles on the van, and it kind of made us choose to stay home. This will be her first time running at her home track since she broke her maiden, so we’re coming back to a place where she’s had success.”

Malibu Prayer, a daughter of Malibu Moon, will be making her stakes debut in the Mother Goose after just four starts, including a 13-length maiden victory at Aqueduct on April 17 and a 7¼-length allowance win at Philadelphia Park on June 2.

“The race seems to be more about Rachel Alexandra, but Malibu Prayer is a filly that on her own merit probably deserves a chance,” said Jonathan Thomas, assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher.

Hopeful Image, a daughter of Gulch, has three victories in 13 starts, with her best finish in a graded stakes race a third behind Justwhistledixie in the Grade 2 Bonnie Miss at Gulfstream Park on March 27. Her most recent stakes appearance was a sixth-place finish behind Gozzip Girl in the Grade 2 Sands Point on May 30. -- JENNY KELLNER / NYRA

Rachel completes work toward return

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick’s Rachel Alexandra, winner of the Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) and the Preakness (GI), worked four furlongs in :49.80 at Churchill Downs on Monday in preparation for her scheduled return to racing in Saturday’s $300,000 Mother Goose (GI) at Belmont Park.

Exercise rider Dominic Terry was in the saddle as the 3-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro covered the distance over a “fast” track in fractional times of :13, :25 and :37.40. Her half-mile work ranked as the 17th fastest of 51 at the distance and the Steve Asmussen-trained filly galloped out five furlongs in 1:03.40.

“The filly went beautiful this morning,” said Asmussen. “She looked very happy. Scott (assistant trainer Scott Blasi) and Dominic have done a great job keeping her happy.”

Rachel Alexandra will face 3-year-old fillies in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose, which will be her first race since her win over Kentucky Derby (GI) winner Mine That Bird and 11 other males in the Preakness (GI) on May 16 at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course.

The filly will ship to New York on Tuesday for Saturday’s race. Rachel Alexandra figures to be an overwhelming favorite in the Mother Goose, although she could face such accomplished foes as graded stakes winners Justwhistledixie and Don’t Forget Gil in the race.

“That’s why they’re Grade I’s,” said Asmussen. “We’re not looking to trade her with anyone.”

Her Preakness victory lifted the career record for Rachel Alexandra to 8-2-0 in 11 races with earnings of $1,618,354. -- CDI

A bad (and cold-blooded) call at NYRA

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:44:00 +0000

Fran La Belle, who literally grew up on the backstretches of racetracks from Saratoga to Hialeah Park and spent the last 12 years working for the New York Racing Association in its press office, was dismissed without notice on Friday, a move that sent waves of shock, anger and disbelief well beyond Belmont Park.

Officially, NYRA does not comment on personnel decisions. La Belle, who is a longtime friend of many in every area of racing, has been a loyal and dedicated employee at NYRA and prior to that the Daily Racing Form and newspapers in Florida. NYRA has been beneficiary of his dedication, experience, work ethic and vast network of contacts. The the industry and NYRA's press office will be decidedly poorer for his absence as will those who cover the sport in New York.

This is neither the first nor last bad decision at NYRA but as cold-blooded as any we can recall. La Belle reacted with dignity and has begun preparation to return to his native Saratoga Springs. -- PM

Belmont notes: Rachel's foes line up

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:54:00 +0000

Rachel Alexandra will make her first start since her historic Preakness victory next Saturday at Belmont Park, but her presence in the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose isn’t scaring everyone away.

Trainer Mark Hennig has the Mother Goose under serious consideration for Alan Brodsky’s Don’t Forget Gil, while Kiaran McLaughlin is also mulling a start in the nine-furlong race for West Point Thoroughbreds’ Justwhistledixie. Of the other 22 nominated to the race, Godolphin Stable’s Flashing and Edward P. Evans’ Malibu Prayer are considered probable.

“Mainly, she’s training well, and she loves Belmont,” said Hennig of Don’t Forget Gil, who broke her maiden impressively here last fall and went on to win the East View Stakes at Aqueduct and the Grade 3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. “She’s a pure route horse. Obviously, there’s Rachel Alexandra, but we’re going into the race with our eyes wide open. I’d rather race her here than ship elsewhere, and she could get a Grade 1 placing if she’s lucky enough to hit the board.”

If the weather would cooperate, McLaughlin would be more committed to running Justwhistledixie, a multiple-graded stakes winning daughter of Dixie Union, in the Mother Goose.

“We’re trying to get a work into her,” said McLaughlin of Justwhistledixie, second as the favorite in the Grade 1 Acorn on June 6. “If we can’t, we’re up in the air.”

McLaughlin added that Stewart Armstrong’s Dream Play, winner of the Dearly Precious and the Grade 2 Comely, would warrant a start only if there were a small field.

“If there’s a three-horse field and a chance for black type, maybe,” said McLaughlin.

Asiatic Boy, second in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster to Macho Again in his American debut, could make his next start at Belmont Park on July 4.

Kiaran McLaughlin, who assumed the training of Asiatic Boy on April 23 for Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al-Maktoum, said the Grade 2, $400,000 Suburban Handicap was under consideration for the 6-year-old Argentine-bred, a winner of more than $3 million.

In Dubai, Asiatic Boy won the 2007 United Arab Emirates Derby, and the Al Maktoum Challenge - Round 3 this year at Nad al Sheba Racecourse before finishing 12th in the Dubai World Cup. Last year, he was a distant second to Curlin in the World Cup.

Trainer Christophe Clement has been first or second in the standings ever since the second day of Belmont Park’s spring/summer meet, but that position is becoming increasingly tenuous with every passing weather report.

Heading into Friday’s card, Clement was tied with Barclay Tagg and Gary Contessa for first with 12 victories, of which 11 have come on the turf. With 60 races having been taken off the turf through Friday, and rain forecast for at least the next week, Clement has good-naturedly resigned himself to the prospect of relinquishing his lead, for the time being.

“They’re all catching up to me,” said Clement, who has saddled three winners over the past four weeks, most recently scoring with Laureate Conductor last Saturday. “When we get a break with the weather, when it gets better, maybe we can win a few races.”

On Saturday, the Clement-trained Skagerrak is scheduled to make his American debut in the first race, a one-miler claimer at a mile on the Widener Turf, while Belle Allure (IRE), impressive winner of an allowance here on May 21, is entered in the Grade 2, $150,000 New York on the inner turf. Clement’s three entries Friday were scratched when the races came off the turf.

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird is on schedule for his appearance in the Grade 1, $1 million Shadwell Travers at Saratoga Race Course on Saturday, Aug. 29, trainer Tim Ice reported Friday from Louisiana Downs.

“He’s doing great,” said Ice of Summer Bird, who will use the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitation at Monmouth Park on Aug. 2 to prepare for the 1¼-mile “Mid-Summer Derby.” “I think he misses being up there.”

Ice said he plans to work the son of 2004 Belmont Stakes winner Birdstone four times before the Haskell, with his first move set for next weekend.

“I was going to work him tomorrow (June 20) but I canceled that,” said Ice. “We’ll give him an extra week to keep him fresh, and let him be a happy horse.” -- NYR

Rachel to start in Mother Goose at Belmont

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Rachel Alexandra, will race in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park, Saturday, June 27. She is expected to arrive at Belmont Park on Tuesday, June 23. The race will mark the first competition for the super filly since defeating the colts in the Preakness Stakes. Her last race against fillies was her 20-length romp at the Kentucky Oaks last month.

"Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run," said co-owner Jess Jackson. "On Monday, she turned in a very strong six furlong work galloping out seven furlongs around the clubhouse turn in 1:24.80."

Rachel Alexandra has won eight of 11 career starts. In addition to the Preakness and Kentucky Oaks wins, Rachel Alexandra's major victories include the Golden Rod Stakes (2008), Martha Washington Stakes (2009), Fair Grounds Oaks (2009), and Fantasy Stakes (2009).

Foaled in 2006, Rachel Alexandra is out of Lotta Kim, a daughter of Claiborne Farm's multiple stakes winner, Roar. Rachel Alexandra was sired by Medaglia d'Oro, a multiple Grade I winner who retired with career earnings in excess of $5.7 million. -- STONERSTREET STABLE RELEASSE

An open letter to Kentucky lawmakers

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:29:00 +0000

Members of Kentucky State Senate
702 Capital Annex
Frankfort Kentucky 40601

Members Kentucky State House
702 Capital Annex
Frankfort Kentucky 40601

Dear Sir or Madam,

As the representative organization for the Jockeys nationwide and an active supporter of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, the Jockeys’ Guild, Inc. urges Kentucky legislators to support expanded gaming to benefit Kentucky’s racing and breeding industry. We request your support for legislation to allow Video Lottery Terminals at Kentucky racetracks during the current special session.

Kentucky remains one of only a handful of states in which current law prohibits racetracks from installing slot machines at racetracks and is adjacent to states that have gaming. Neighboring Indiana has allowed multiple casinos to be built along the border it shares with Kentucky, three of which are in close proximity to Kentucky racetracks. As a consequence, Kentucky racing has seen a serious decline in the number of horses racing in the state and gambling money is flowing from Kentucky into other states. The Kentucky breeding industry, the backbone of Thoroughbred racing internationally, cannot afford a collapse of the state’s racing industry. Revenue is being lost and jobs are at stake.

Churchill Downs racing officials were forced to omit an entire racing card from its weekly program due to lack of entries. Other tracks in the state such as Ellis Park in Henderson and Turfway Park in Florence are on the verge of collapse. Ron Geary, owner of Ellis Park, states that unless expanded gaming legislation is passed, Ellis Park will be forced to shut down permanently.

For many jockeys who call Kentucky home, the closure of Ellis Park and the decreased racing dates proposed by Turfway Park for its fall and winter meeting would have a direct effect on their ability to compete on the Kentucky racing circuit year-round.

Our Kentucky-based Guild members offer the following comments in support of VLT legislation in their own words:

“Churchill Downs and Keeneland are two of the top tracks in the country, but we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park and Turfway Park. Together, these tracks provide a year-round racing circuit that keeps horses in Kentucky. Without access to racing, horses and the people that depend on this circuit for their livelihood will have no choice but to go where they can make a living. We need to make sure Kentucky’s Thoroughbred industry stays ahead of the curve.” -- Jon Court

“I moved two weeks ago from Erlanger, Kentucky to Greenfield, Indiana. I used to look forward to the Keeneland and Churchill meets. Now I look forward to the Indiana Downs and Hoosier Park meets. The purses are much better and I still get to ride for the same people. Everyone from Kentucky is coming here because the money is better.” – Orlando Mojica

“I’ve called Kentucky home since 1995 and I say now is the time to act. I think people just assume since we are the home of the Kentucky Derby we are safe, but the mobility of this industry leaves Kentucky in a very dangerous position if we fail to keep pace with the other racetracks." – Calvin Borel

“Kentucky’s Thoroughbreds are second to none. However, with other states using expanded gaming to lure horses and farms away, Kentucky could lose a significant advantage. Once it’s gone, it would be nearly impossible to bring back. Kentucky needs to do something to help keep its racing on top.” – Julien Leparoux

“Every state around us is seeing its racing improve because of expanded gambling. The list of owners, trainers, and breeders that are leaving Kentucky for other states is growing. Kentucky needs to enable its tracks to compete or Kentucky will no longer be known as the horse capital of the world. I love it here. This needs to happen.” – Shaun Bridgmohan

“I moved here from Louisiana for the opportunity to ride better horses. Now those horses are leaving for states with better purses. We have to do something so the tracks here can compete and Kentucky racing can continue to attract the best horses and the best horsemen. I have made my home here and love Kentucky, I want Kentucky to remain on top.” -- Jamie Theriot

Beyond the racetrack, the budget deficits in the state of Kentucky have forced cuts in many social programs throughout the state. One rider in particular has first-hand knowledge of the hardships posed by cuts in these programs. Robby Albarado, one of Kentucky's most notable and established jockeys, founded the Robby Albarado Foundation three years ago with the intention of reaching out to the underprivileged in the Louisville area.

"The reduced spending in education and social services we have seen recently has severely undermined the opportunities made available for young people to break the cycle of poverty. I fear that unless we come up with a solution to the budget deficits we are currently facing, the problems I see on an everyday basis will worsen. Expanded gaming will not only help the horsemen and racetracks and provide jobs in the Louisville area, but it will also fund education programs and other services that are essential to ensuring that those who live below the poverty line are given every opportunity to rise above it." -- Robby Albarado

Thanks you for your consideration of this important matter.

Respectfully,

Terence J. Meyocks (National Manager)
Jeff Johnston (Regional Manager)
Robby Albarado (Board Member)
Jon Court (Board Member)
Orlando Mojica
Calvin Borel
Julien Leparoux
Shaun Bridgmohan
Jamie Theriot

The Spa awaits

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Moran) — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 12:57:00 +0000

For the next three weeks or so this site will be updated infrequently as I prepare for permanent relocation to Saratoga Springs. Your indulgence is appreciated. -- PM