January 14, 2011
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications, (914)481-8390.
BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC NARROWLY VOTED 2010 NTRA MOMENT OF THE YEAR
The exciting victory by Blame over the previously undefeated Zenyatta in the Breeders' Cup Classic has been voted the 2010 National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Moment of the Year. The connections of Blame will be honored at the Eclipse Award ceremony Monday, January 17, in Miami Beach, Fla., with the "NTRA Moment of the Year" award. This year's balloting was conducted at the NTRA Web site, NTRA.com, and offered voters 12 different images illustrating a wide range of human emotions as well as outstanding displays of equine athleticism. Finishing a close second was Zenyatta's victory in the Vanity Handicap.
The images and events that fans chose from, with percentage of votes they received in parentheses, were:
- Rachel Alexandra is upset in her 2010 debut at Fair Grounds by Zardana (0.4%)
- Eskendereya rolls home in Aqueduct's Wood Memorial by nearly 10 lengths (1%)
- Blind Luck catches Evening Jewel at the wire in the Kentucky Oaks (2%)
- Borel works his Derby magic again as Super Saver captures the Run for the Roses (1%)
- Lookin at Lucky avenges Derby loss in taking the Preakness stakes (0.3%)
- Zenyatta registers win #17, nailing St. Trinians in the final yards of the Vanity Handicap at Hollywood (33%)
- Lookin at Lucky demolishes the field in the Izod Haskell Invitational at Monmouth (0.6%)
- Blame runs down Quality Road in the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga (0.8%)
- Calvin Borel and Javier Castellano fight in the winner's circle following the Breeders' Cup Marathon (1%)
- Uncle Mo stays undefeated with convincing triumph in Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (1%)
- Goldikova unleashes powerful turn of foot to win her third straight TVG Breeders' Cup Mile (19%)
- Blame wins Breeders' Cup Classic, denying Zenyatta's attempt for a 20th consecutive victory (36%)
The first-ever "NTRA Moment of the Year" was the touching scene involving Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes. The following year's winner was the stretch run of 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 2005 Preakness Stakes. Voters in 2006 chose Barbaro's gallant struggle to recover from his Preakness injury while at the New Bolton Center. The 2007 Moment of the Year was Rags to Riches' historic victory over Curlin in the Belmont Stakes. In 2008, it was Zenyatta's win in the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic. Last year, Zenyatta "repeated" as fans selected her triumph in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
"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. "The memory of Blame's resolute win over a hard-charging Zenyatta will undoubtedly last a lifetime, and we are delighted to salute last November's Breeders' Cup Classic as the latest NTRA Moment of the Year."
TVG will televise this year's Eclipse Award ceremony live from Miami Beach, Fla., with coverage beginning at 6:00 p.m. (ET).
TVG TO PRESENT EXCLUSIVE LIVE TELEVISION COVERAGE OF ECLIPSE AWARDS
The 40th annual Eclipse Awards, scheduled for next Monday at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach, is shaping up as the most anticipated in the event's history. The reason: the hotly contested battle for Horse of the Year between America's sweetheart, Zenyatta, and Blame, who nipped her in last year November's Breeders' Cup Classic. Also a finalist for Horse of the Year is the French mare Goldikova, who won an unprecedented third straight TVG Breeders' Cup Mile last November.
Capturing the entire evening's activities, both pre and post-event, will be TVG, America's Horseracing Network, which has exclusive coverage.
With Todd Schrupp, Simon Bray and Christina Olivares serving as host, analyst and on-site interviewer, respectively, TVG's broadcast will begin at 6:00 p.m. (ET) with a one-hour pre-show program that will capture the arrival of the evening's key participants.
After the pre-show, TVG will telecast the awards ceremony, at which the sport's 2010 champion horses and humans will be announced. Concluding the festivities will be a post-show segment, highlighted by live reactions from the connections of the newly crowned Horse of the Year.
"This marks the seventh consecutive year that TVG has aired the Eclipse Awards show and there's a level of excitement this year that exceeds any we've done in the past," said Tony Allevato, executive producer and senior vice president for TVG. "We look forward to capturing that excitement for our viewers."
"Bringing the Eclipse Awards to fans at home is something we feel strongly about," said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the NTRA. "We are delighted to once again partner with TVG on what promises to be a historic night for Thoroughbred racing."
The Eclipse Awards show is produced by NTRA Productions in association with TVG.
FIVE DRESSED FOR SUCCESS IN EVENING ATTIRE
Five older horses who have combined to win 33 races from 132 starts will attempt to open their 2011 seasons with a victory when they compete in Saturday's $65,000 Evening Attire over 1 1/16 miles at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozon Park, N.Y.
Trainer Todd Pletcher will send out a pair of late-bloomers in Heart Butte and Alma d'Oro, both winners on the inner track in December in their most recent starts.
Claude Paul's Heart Butte has blossomed since he was fitted with blinkers: finishing fifth over Keeneland's Polytrack in October; running away to a 6 ½-length allowance score when switched back to dirt at Churchill Downs on November 7; and pouncing to a three-length decision in an Aqueduct optional claimer on December 5.
"He has improved as he has matured and with the addition of blinkers," said Pletcher. "He's probably like other sons of Empire Maker who have gotten better with age. It was a pretty good field he beat the other day, and the fact he ran so well in his first start at Aqueduct is encouraging."
Heart Butte drew post position 2 and will be ridden by David Cohen as the 5-2 second choice.
Alma d'Oro became a stakes winner in his 14th start when he captured the Grover Delp Memorial at Delaware Park on October 6, and, following a fourth in Delaware's Brandywine on October 30, came to Aqueduct to take the Forty Niner by 4 ¼ widening lengths on December 19.
"We were really pleased with his last race," said Pletcher, who trains the 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro for Robert J. and Mary Ellen Bourque and Stuart and Shari Goldstein. "He settled well and closed strongly, and he's always been a promising horse. Everything has gone according to plan since that race."
Alma d'Oro, tabbed as the 3-1 third choice on the morning line, will be reunited with Fernando Jara, who rode the colt in the Delp and Brandywine. The duo will leave from post position 3.
More Than a Reason and Arson Squad, respectively first and third in the Queens County at Aqueduct on December 11, will square off once again in the Evening Attire.
After More Than a Reason earned his first stakes victory in the Queens County, trainer Randi Persaud considered giving the Anthony Calabrese color-bearer a brief respite from racing before electing to run him back eight days later in the Forty Niner, in which the durable veteran finished third in what was his 19th start of 2010 and 61st race in his four-year career.
"I take my time with the horse and train him lightly," said Persaud. "We're very high on him right now as he is doing very well."
Eddie Castro will ride More Than a Reason, 10-1 on the morning line, from the rail.
The connections of Arson Squad, a seven-time stakes winner who lost as the odds-on favorite in the Queens County, hope their charge will get a cleaner trip on Saturday as he attempts to push his lifetime earnings over the $1.2-million mark.
"He probably didn't like being between horses last time," said Samantha Siegel, managing partner for Jay Em Ess Stable. "He's always been pretty tractable, and Ramon [Dominguez] will ride him once again."
Arson Squad, the 8-5 morning-line favorite, will leave from post 5.
Navesink Breeders' Goombada Guska, who ended his sophomore season with an easy win against 3-year-olds in the Cosmic Bob at Aqueduct on December 15, will take on older horses in a stakes for the first time since winning the Charles Hess III Handicap for New Jersey-breds at Monmouth Park in September.
"The light bulb has gone on with him recently," said trainer Scott Volk. "If he can get something to run at, he'll pick up the pieces."
Jose Valdivia, Jr. will ride Goombada Guska, installed at 5-1 on the morning line, from post four.
The field for the Evening Attire, in post position order, is: More Than A Reason (jockey: Eddie Castro, morning line odds: 10-1); Heart Butte (David Cohen, 5-2); Alma d' Oro (Fernando Jara, 3-1); Goombada Guska (Jose Valdivia, Jr., 5-1); and Arson Squad (Ramon Dominguez, 8-5).
NEW BREEDERS' CUP INTERNATIONAL NOMINATIONS PROGRAM PAYING DIVIDENDS
The Breeders' Cup announced this week that 160 stallions have already been nominated to its new international program since nominations opened seven days ago. The Breeders' Cup expanded its nominations program this year to broaden international participation in its racing programs and increase the number of the world's best horses eligible to participate in its year-end Championships.
Thus far, stallions from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been nominated from 35 stud farms worldwide.
Beginning this year, all foals sired by Breeders' Cup nominated international stallions will be automatically eligible to participate in Breeders' Cup World Championships races. To qualify for the new program, owners of stallions standing outside of the United States and Canada in the Northern Hemisphere will pay an annual nomination fee equal to 50% of their stallion's published stud fee and owners of stallions standing in the Southern Hemisphere will pay a nomination fee equal to 25% of their stallion's published stud fee.
To jumpstart the international nominations program and increase the numbers of eligible runners for the 2011 Championships from overseas and in the U.S. and Canada, Breeders' Cup is offering a special one-time, fee-based "open enrollment" program this year for previously non-nominated horses. This open enrollment program, beginning February 1 and continuing through June 30, is available to any horse sired by stallions nominated to the Breeders' Cup according to the following fee schedule: yearlings for $3,000, two-year-olds for $6,000 and three-year-olds and up for $25,000.
"We are extremely encouraged by the enthusiastic response from the international breeding community for our new global nominations program," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Greg Avioli. "The new stallion program and the open enrollment of horses in training have great potential in strengthening the international participation and competition for the Championships."
In connection with the changes in the nominations program, Breeders' Cup also will enhance the benefits for winning one of the Breeders' Cup Challenge qualifying "Win and You're In" races by paying the entry fees and subsidizing travel costs to the Championships for all Challenge winners who are Breeders' Cup eligible. Breeders' Cup also will pay a new $10,000 award to the nominator of any U.S. or Canadian foal that wins a Challenge race.
RACING TO HISTORY
Jan. 13, 1978: Seattle Slew, in training for his four-year-old seasonal debut at Hialeah, first displayed symptoms of the deadly virus Colitis X. The colt was sidelined until May 14, when he won an allowance race at Aqueduct Racetrack as the 1-10 favorite.
Jan. 13, 1989: Jockey Brian Peck was injured when his horse, Top Booking, collided with a deer in the fourth race at Turfway Park. The deer jumped onto the track from the infield, where it had gone to drink from a man-made lake. Top Booking was unharmed, but Peck suffered a broken arm.
Jan. 13, 1997: The National Steeplechase Association became the first horse racing organization in the U.S. to require jockeys to wear "certified" safety helmets, beginning with the 1997 NSA season.
Jan. 13, 2001: Judy Wagner, a grandmother from New Orleans, captured the second annual $212,000 Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Wagner received a check for $100,000 and was presented with the "NTRA Handicapper of the Year" award on Jan. 30 during the Eclipse Award ceremonies.
Jan. 13, 2003: Hall of Fame jockey Eddie Delahoussaye announced his retirement. Delahoussaye won 6,384 races and his horses earned $195,881,170.
Jan. 14, 1932: Jockey Eddie Arcaro rode his first career winner, at Agua Caliente.
Jan. 14, 1953: Pimlico's Preakness Stakes, originally slated for May 16, was switched to May 23, allowing for the first time a three-week break after the Kentucky Derby.
Jan. 14, 1998: Jockey Patricia Cooksey became the second female rider to win 2,000 races when she guided Noble Annie to a five-length victory in the second race at Turfway Park.
Jan. 14, 2003: Citing the devastating effects of mare reproductive loss syndrome (MRLS), Keeneland announced that it would not conduct its July selected yearling sale. It was the first time the auction had been canceled since its inception in 1943.
Jan. 15, 1932: Australian champion Phar Lap arrived in San Francisco. He was shipped by steamship to the U.S., en route to Agua Caliente in Mexico, where he was to make his North American racing debut in the March 20 Agua Caliente Handicap, the continent's then-richest race.
Jan. 15, 1969: Barbara Jo Rubin was named to ride in a race at Tropical Park. Thirteen male riders subsequently boycotted the race rather than compete against a female, and were fined $100 each.
Jan. 15, 2004: Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze won his ninth consecutive Isaac Murphy Award, given to the rider with the year's highest winning percentage.
Jan. 17, 2000: The first ever NTRA "Moment of the Year" award went to the post-race scene after the 1999 Belmont Stakes, when jockey Chris Antley held Charismatic's injured foreleg.
Jan. 19, 1955: Swaps won the San Vicente Stakes, the first race of his three-year-old campaign, by 3 ½ lengths at Santa Anita Park. He went on to triumph over Nashua in the Kentucky Derby, but was in turn defeated by his rival in a $100,000 match race at Washington Park on Aug. 31, his only loss of that year.
Jan. 20, 1972: Secretariat was shipped from Virginia to Florida to be trained by Lucien Laurin.
Jan. 20, 1979: Odds-on favorite Affirmed, with Steve Cauthen aboard, finished second in the San Fernando Stakes at Santa Anita, beaten 2 ¾ lengths by Radar Ahead. It was their fourth consecutive defeat. Cauthen subsequently lost the mount on Affirmed to jockey Laffit Pincay Jr., who rode the horse for the remainder of its four-year-old season, winning seven victories in as many starts. Affirmed was later voted Horse of the Year for 1979. Cauthen had ridden Affirmed to a Triple Crown sweep the previous year and the pair recorded 11 wins in their 16 races together.
Jan. 22, 2005: Jockey Russell Baze passed Bill Shoemaker to take over second place on the all-time win list when he picked up his 8,834th victory aboard Hollow Memoires in the seventh race at Golden Gate Fields.
Jan. 23, 1994: Pat Day, 40, became the tenth rider in North American racing history to ride 6,000 winners, when he rode Miss Popsnorkle to victory in the first race at Oaklawn Park.
Jan. 24, 1974: Jockey Chris McCarron rode his first race, in which he finished last aboard Most Active, at Bowie Racecourse.
Jan. 26, 1950: Citation's 16-race win streak came to an end in the La Sorpresa Handicap at Santa Anita. Despite giving 16 pounds to the winner, Miche, Citation, carrying 130 pounds, lost only by a neck.
WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up)
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Jean Lafitte Stakes, 3yo, $250,000, 1M, Delta Downs
My Trusty Cat Stakes, 3yo fillies, $200,000, 7F, Delta Downs
Fifth Season Stakes, 4&up, $75,000, 1 1-16M, Oaklawn Park
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
San Fernando Stakes, 4yo, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M, Santa Anita Park
Santa Ynez Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, Grade II, 7F, Santa Anita Park
Mr. Prospector Stakes, 4&up, $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Gulfstream Park
Sham Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, Grade III, 1 1-16M, Santa Anita Park
Sugar Swirl Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Gulfstream Park
California Derby, 3yo, $100,000, 1 1-16M, Golden Gate Fields
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16
El Encino Stakes, 4yo fillies, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M, Santa Anita Park
Dania Beach Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 1M (T), Gulfstream Park
MONDAY, JANUARY 17
San Marcos Stakes, 4&up, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-4M (T), Santa Anita Park
Smarty Jones Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 1M, Oaklawn Park
San Pedro Stakes, 3yo, $75,000, 6 1-2F, Santa Anita Park
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