April 14, 2011 Download Notebook
News and notes from around the Thoroughbred racing world, compiled by NTRA Communications, (914) 481-8390.
SANTIVA HEADS DOZEN IN SATURDAY'S TOYOTA BLUE GRASS STAKES
Santiva, winner of the Kentucky Jockey Club last fall at Churchill Downs, heads a field of 12 horses entered for Saturday's 87th running of the Grade I, $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky. A total of 19 horses that ran in the Toyota Blue Grass went on to win the Kentucky Derby, with Street Sense in 2007 the most recent.
The Toyota Blue Grass will be video streamed live at NTRA.com on a special NTRA Live! Webcast hosted by Randy Moss. The Webcast is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. (ET) with post time for the Blue Grass slated for 5:45 p.m. (ET). The race also will be televised live on TVG.
Santiva, installed as the 3-1 favorite on the morning line, returns to Keeneland's Polytrack surface for the first time since finishing second in last October's Dixiana Breeders' Futurity. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, Santiva finished second in the Risen Star at Fair Grounds on February 19 in his lone 2011 start.
"We wanted to have a fresh horse coming into the Blue Grass. He's only had one start so far this year and it was a good race. He ran second at the Fair Grounds. So he's a fresh horse," said Kenneally.
Julien Leparoux will be aboard Santiva for the first time on Saturday. The pair will break from post position three.
Second choice on the morning line at 5-1 is West Point Thoroughbreds' King Congie, who is named for the late Congie DeVito, West Point's communications director who died in February after battling his entire life of 35 years with osteogenesis imperfecta…(a.k.a. brittle bone disease.)
King Congie was scheduled to run three weeks ago at Turfway Park in the Vinery Racing Spiral, but a strained hind muscle knocked him out of that race. In his most recent start, King Congie was disqualified out of the victory in the Hallandale Beach on turf at Gulfstream Park on February 6.
"It's been a wild ride for everybody but the horse. It's going to be a very emotional day," said Jeff Lifson, Executive Vice President of West Point Thoroughbreds.
Rajiv Maragh has the mount on King Congie, who will break from post position two.
The complete field for the Toyota Blue Grass, from the rail out, is: Newsdad (jockey: Jesus Castanon, morning line odds: 20-1), King ongie (Rajiv Maragh, 5-1), Santiva (Julian Leparoux, 3-1), Joes Blazing Aaron (Garrett Gomez, 12-1), Brilliant Speed (Joel Rosario, 6-1), Sensational Slam (Jose Lezcano, 10-1), Twinspired (Robby Albarado, 12-1), Willcox Inn (Rosie Napravnik, 10-1), Wilkinson (Jamie Theriot, 6-1), Praetereo (Edgar Prado, 15-1), Crimson China (Alan Garcia, 10-1) and Queen'splatekitten (John Velazquez, 12-1). All starters will carry 123 pounds.
Horse Racing Radio Network (HRRN) will provide live coverage of the Toyota Blue Grass, Commonwealth, Jenny Wiley and Shakertown Stakes on Saturday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. (ET) The two-hour broadcast, which also will include coverage of the Arkansas Derby, can be heard on various HRRN radio affiliates as well as on the HRRN website, www.horseracingradio.net. HRRN will also host a special Toyota Blue Grass edition of "Equine Forum" live from Keeneland on Saturday morning from 8:00-10:00 a.m. (ET).
THE FACTOR COULD CEMENT KENTUCKY DERBY FAVORITISM SATURDAY IN ARKANSAS
He took the first round by more than six lengths and has since been tabbed a potential Kentucky Derby favorite, but The Factor did not scare the competition away for Saturday's Grade I, $1 million Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.
Shipped back and forth from California by trainer Bob Baffert after winning the Rebel Stakes convincingly last month at Oaklawn, The Factor drew post 3 in a 13-horse field that features most of the top performing 3-year-olds from this season in Arkansas. The Factor was installed as the 7-5 morning line favorite and will team with jockey Martin Garcia in the 1 1/8-miles contest on closing day of the 2011 season.
In addition to the Rebel winner, Smarty Jones Stakes winner Caleb's Posse is back with jockey Eddie Razo Jr. and will break from post 6 while Southwest Stakes winner Archarcharch returns with jockey Jon Court and will break from post 10. Both were second and third, respectively, behind The Factor when he romped in the Rebel in front-running fashion.
Two closely watched Arkansas Derby runners exit the Louisiana Derby in Nehro, who was a surprising second-place finisher at the Fair Grounds, and Elite Alex, the fourth-place finisher in New Orleans after two troubled trips at Oaklawn with jockey Calvin Borel. Nehro and jockey Corey Nakatani break from the rail and Elite Alex is in post 2.
Trainer Todd Pletcher used a runner-up finish in the Arkansas Derby to propel Super Saver to a Kentucky Derby victory last year. The five-time Eclipse Award winning conditioner sends a pair of contestants this year including Super Saver's half-brother Brethren and Dance City. Brethren will be ridden by reigning Eclipse champion jockey Ramon Dominguez and will wear blinkers for this trip while Javier Castellano will be aboard Dance City.
While The Factor is the most prominent Californian, two other contenders originally from the West Coast should keep the pace honest. J P's Gusto, second to Archarcharch in the Southwest in February and a Grade 1-winning 2-year-old, gets a new jockey in Cliff Berry and blinkers added by trainer Joe Petalino. Meanwhile, Sway Away will also wear blinkers for California-based conditioner Jeff Bonde and jockey Patrick Valenzuela. He remained in Arkansas after a troubled trip in the Rebel while J P's Gusto was shifted here in early February to take on the 3-year-old series at Oaklawn.
The complete field for the Arkansas Derby, in post position order, is: Nehro (jockey: Corey Nakatani, morning line odds: 5-1); Elite Alex (Calvin Borel, 8-1); The Factor (Martin Garcia, 7-5); Brethren (Ramon Dominquez, 10-1); Sway Away (Patrick Valenzuela, 6-1); Caleb's Posse (Eddie Razo Jr., 10-1); Truman's Commander (Israel Ocampo, 30-1); Alternation (Luis Quinonez, 10-1); Dance City (Javier Castellano, 15-1); Archarcharch (Jon Court, 12-1); J P's Gusto (Cliff Berry, 15-1); J W Blue (Joe Rocco Jr., 30-1); and Saratoga Red (Terry Thompson, 30-1).
SPACY TRACY, QUALIA SQUARE OFF AGAIN IN DISTAFF
Spacy Tracy and Qualia, who faced each other at Aqueduct Racetrack in November, return to the Ozone Park, N.Y., oval to compete in Saturday's Grade II, $150,000 Distaff Handicap.
Spacy Tracy capped a three-race win streak when she took Aqueduct's Top Flight Handicap in November by three-quarters of a length, with Qualia finishing two lengths behind the winner in third. Sent to Oaklawn Park for the winter, Spacy Tracy breezed five times prior to finishing last of seven in the Azeri at Oaklawn Park on March 19.
"The Top Flight was at the end of the year, and it was a good time to give her a break," said Tony Dutrow, who trains the 6-year-old mare. "She got tired in the Azeri, but she has been continuing to train well."
Jeremy Rose has the assignment aboard Spacy Tracy, who will leave from post position 4 as the 117-pound highweight and 3-1 morning-line second choice.
Marc Keller's Qualia, second by a head in the Bed o' Roses Handicap at Belmont Park in July, finished eighth after her saddle slipped in the Ballerina at Saratoga Race Course in August, with Bed o' Roses winner Rightly So drawing off to score by four lengths.
"Qualia had a very busy year last year," said Ribaudo. "She was supposed to go the Breeders' Cup but was on the ‘AE' [also eligible] list, so we waited for the Top Flight. By the time we got to the Top Flight, she had been in training for over a year."
With that in mind, Ribaudo decided to freshen Qualia over the winter, with the 5-year-old daughter of Saarland turning in eight workouts at Gulfstream Park in anticipation of a comeback start in the Distaff.
The complete field for the Distaff, in post position order, is: Wild News (jockey: C C Lopez, morning line odds: 6-1); Kid Kate (Cornelio Velasquez, 5-1); Qualia (Alex Solis, 7-2); Spacy Tracy (Jeremy Rose, 3-1) and Nicole H (Channing Hill, 8-5).
FINGER LAKES ACCREDITED BY NTRA SAFETY AND INTEGRITY ALLIANCE
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced this week that Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., has been fully accredited by the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance following a complete review of all racing operations at the facility.
The accreditation of Finger Lakes was the culmination of a lengthy certification process that began with the track's completion of a 48-page written application and continued as Finger Lakes hosted several meetings with Alliance officials. The on-site review included inspections of all facets of the racing facility, and interviews with track executives, racetrack personnel, jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards and fans. The inspection team was comprised of Ronald Jensen, DVM; racing official Richard Lewis; and Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
"Finger Lakes was reviewed late last year during the conclusion of its 2010 meet," said Ziegler. "It received ‘Best Practice' ratings in several areas including post-race veterinary examinations; safety vest usage; substance abuse and addiction prevention; catastrophic injury planning and procedure; anabolic steroid testing; jockey disability support; and most notably, aftercare and transition of retired racehorses. The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program is the top such program we have ever reviewed."
"All of us here at Finger Lakes are extremely proud that we have received this designation from the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance," said Chris Riegle, Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack President and General Manager. "I salute the many staff here who worked so hard to achieve this accreditation, and I'm particularly gratified that the Alliance was so impressed with the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. We are eager to discuss the Program further with other interested racing facilities in order to secure the long term welfare of all Thoroughbreds as they transition off the track."
Finger Lakes is now the 20th racing facility to receive full accreditation, joining Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Belmont Park, Delaware Park, Hollywood Park, Monmouth Park, Arlington Park, Saratoga Race Course, Calder Race Course, Turfway Park, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Oak Tree at Santa Anita/Santa Anita Park, Fair Grounds, Aqueduct Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, Woodbine, Pimlico, Canterbury Park and, most recently, Sunland Park.
The Alliance, formed in October 2008 with the goal of establishing national uniform standards in the areas of safety and integrity, includes 55 racetracks in North America and every major national horsemen's organization. Alliance certification standards cover six broad areas: injury reporting and prevention; creating a safer racing environment; aftercare and transition of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing and penalties; safety research; and wagering security.
SOVEREIGN STABLE TO SERVE AS PRESENTING SPONSOR OF THE DAILY RACING FORM/NTRA NATIONAL HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced this week that Sovereign Stable, Inc., a horse racing management company specializing in Thoroughbred partnerships, will serve as a Presenting Sponsor of next January's $2 million (estimated) Daily Racing Form/NTRA National Handicapping Championship (NHC). The January 2012 NHC will take place for the first time at Treasure Island Las Vegas, where the grand prize will be a record $1 million (estimated).
As part of its sponsorship, Sovereign Stable will receive year-round exposure through a variety of NTRA media platforms, including all NHC promotional materials, NTRA.com, NTRA Live! Webcasts, NTRA e-newsletters and other social-networking and direct-mail communications.
Sovereign Stable will also host an online qualifying tournament for next January's NHC at a still-to-be-determined date.
"We are delighted to welcome Sovereign Stable as a Presenting Sponsor of the NHC," said Keith Chamblin, Senior Vice President of the NTRA. "The event is embarking on an exciting new period. We now have a million-dollar grand prize, a new home on the Las Vegas strip at Treasure Island and an exceptional ongoing partnership with Daily Racing Form, which has been the NHC's title sponsor since the event's inception. We look forward to partnering with respected organizations such as Sovereign Stable that are eager to be part of the NHC's explosive growth."
"We are extremely excited about becoming a presenting sponsor of the National Handicapping Championship," Sovereign Stable President Matt Gatsas said. "Without question, owners and horseplayers are the lifeblood of our sport. During the past decade, our partnerships have enabled many people to experience the unique thrills of racing. It is great to be able to support the handicappers and their championship, which has grown so impressively. We look forward to being part of this great event for many years to come."
GET ON TRACK TO BEAT CANCER -TAKE A WALK DOWN SANTA ANITA STRETCH SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Racing fans are invited to make a difference and make history this Sunday, closing day at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., to get ON TRACK TO BEAT CANCER and support the Women's Cancers, Women's Cures program at City of Hope. Joining the walk will be jockeys, trainers and celebrities.
Following the last race on Sunday, April 17, walkers will take a quarter-mile walk down the Santa Anita stretch and exit through the winner's circle; the same stretch and winner's circle that hosted Zenyatta, John Henry, Seabiscuit and every champion in between. Walkers are encouraged to raise your banners, bring your cameras, shoot video, get autographs, run like a racehorse, shout out loud and proudly honor those who have been affected by cancer.
A donation of $10 to City of Hope will grant a walker a wristband providing access to the track after the last race. An interactive City of Hope wellness center will be situated in the infield, where walkers and race fans can learn more about Women's Cancers, Women's Cures, register to become a bone marrow donor, and get tips on cancer prevention.
DOCUMENTARY, THOROUGHBRED, TO DEBUT ON PBS DERBY WEEK
THOROUGHBRED, a primetime PBS documentary that is a production of Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and is produced and directed by Academy Award® Winner, Paul Wagner will premiere on PBS Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 9:00 p.m. (ET) (check local listings) – two days prior to the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby.
THORUGHBRED captures the beauty of the breed, reveals the people whose lives revolve around this legendary creature, and explores the history and traditions of the Thoroughbred world.
The program will explore Aqueduct's backside, where viewers are introduced to an eclectic community of grooms, jockeys, trainers and owners as they prepare for the races. These charismatic characters are joined by bettors, breeders and journalists, who give viewers a glimpse into the fascinating, intense and sometimes heartbreaking world of Thoroughbred racing. The excitement at Aqueduct reaches a climax with a thrilling come-from-behind win byI Want Revenge at the 2009 Wood Memorial Stakes.
"The film takes you into the hidden world of the Thoroughbred –– the places, the people, the history and culture of America's oldest sport," said Wagner. "Although THOROUGHBRED focuses on a year of racing, breeding and sales leading up to the 2009 Kentucky Derby, our hope is that we've created a timeless film, as relevant in 10 years as it is today."
THOROUGHBRED also reveals the serene quiet of the picturesque Kentucky Bluegrass region. Breeder Arthur Hancock introduces a promising brown mare named Cerise and discusses his storied family history of breeding and racing Thoroughbreds, including the 1989 Kentucky Derby winner,Sunday Silence.
From Kentucky, viewers are transported to the Arabian desert, where the origins of the Thoroughbred are explored and one of the industry's titans –– Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai –– oversees extravagant stables and the richest series of horse races in the world.
THOROUGHBRED culminates at Louisville's Churchill Downs for the 2009 Kentucky Derby. During the preparations and celebrations of Derby week, owners share their hopes and disappointments, and horses seem to revel in the spotlight as everything comes down to who stands in the winner's circle. As the excitement of the Derby passes, the program ends with a new beginning and new potential: the birth and wobbly first steps of Cerise's foal.
TVG'S LATE DDOUBLE SHOW RETURNS FRIDAY AT KEENELAND
TVG's innovative Late DDouble show, which premiered in 2010, returns this Friday from Keeneland Race Course inLexington, Ky. The show will feature the Grade I, $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile.
Hosting the Late DDouble show from Keeneland will be Greg Wolf, Christina Olivares, Michelle Yu, Dave Weaver and Tim Bader.
"Unlike TVG's other programming that caters to the avid player and horseracing fan, the Late DDouble show was designed to appeal to a young demographic and to bring more females to our audience," said Tony Allevato, TVG senior vice president and executive producer. "We were very pleased that the show delivered that audience last year, and look forward to expanding its reach in 2011."
The show will air on Fridays and will once again feature contests, trivia, Top 40 music with a live DJ and a younger vibe. The Keeneland show's segments will include a feature on Ben Creed, the 27-year-old jockey who was the leading rider at the recently concluded Turfway Park Winter/Spring meet.
RACING TO HISTORY
April 14, 1936: The first Maryland race result ever decided by a photo-finish camera took place at Havre de Grace in the second race, in which a 7-1 shot, Alit, was declared the winner.
April 15, 1940: With the start of the racing season at Jamaica, New York became the last major racing state to adopt electronic parimutuel wagering, thus eliminating on-track bookmaking.
April 15, 1941: In preparation for the May 3 Kentucky Derby, Whirlaway worked 1 1/8 miles in 1:52 at Keeneland.
April 15, 1943: With many of the country's young men joining in the war effort, women exercise riders were first employed at Pimlico Racecourse.
April 15, 2004: Jerry Hollendorfer became just the sixth trainer in history to win 4,000 races.
April 16, 1995: At age 25, Kent Desormeaux became the youngest jockey to reach the 3,000-win mark when he rode Maisonaire to victory at Santa Anita Park.
April 17, 1972: Future champion filly Ruffian was foaled at Claiborne Farm, Paris, Ky.
April 18, 1970: The New York State Legislature passed a bill enabling off-track betting.
April 19, 1952: Native Dancer won his first race, at Jamaica racetrack.
April 19, 1969: Bill Veeck, promoter and president of Suffolk Downs, staged a $10,000 race featuring all female jockeys, then a novelty in racing. Called the Lady Godiva Stakes, the event attracted such riders as Diane Crump, Tuesdee Testa and Robyn Smith. It was Penny Ann Early, however, who won the race—her first career victory. The previous year, Early had attempted to ride at Churchill Downs, but the male jockeys boycotted and the race was canceled.
April 19, 2000: Jockey Pat Day guided first time starter Unbridled Time to victory in the second race at Keeneland, giving the 46-year-old a record 717 victories at the Lexington, Ky. track.
April 20, 1949: Jockey Bill Shoemaker won his first race, aboard Shafter V, at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, Calif.
April 20, 1999: Trainer Charlie Whittingham died in Pasadena, Calif., of complications from leukemia. He was 86.
April 21, 1923: Eight-year-old Exterminator won his 34th stakes victory, the Philadelphia Handicap at Havre de Grace, setting an American record.
April 21, 1973: In a surprising defeat, Secretariat finished third to stablemate Angle Light and runner-up Sham in the Wood Memorial Stakes at Aqueduct, his last start before sweeping the Triple Crown. The following day, Secretariat was found to have had an abscess in his mouth, which may have caused him discomfort while racing.
April 21, 1998: Tim Smith was named Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
April 22, 1947: Citation won his first race by ½-length, at Havre de Grace.
April 22, 1970: Governor Nelson Rockefeller signed into law a bill allowing off-track betting in New York.
April 22, 1976: After winning the Florida Derby at odds of 1-20, Honest Pleasure ran in the Blue Grass Stakes as the 1-10 favorite. Only win wagering was allowed on the seven-horse field. Honest Pleasure won, creating a minus win pool of $41,876.20.
April 22, 2002: Ogden Phipps, philanthropist and Thoroughbred owner and breeder, died at age 93 after a short illness. Winner of an Eclipse Award as outstanding owner and breeder in 1988 and again as outstanding owner in 1989, Phipps won nearly every major stakes race on the East Coast as an owner or breeder.
April 23, 1943: Judy Johnson was granted a license to ride in steeplechase races in Maryland, making her one of the earliest female jockeys.
April 23, 1973: Secretariat and his stablemate Angle Light were flown to Louisville, Ky., to prepare for the Kentucky Derby.
April 23, 1977: Seattle Slew won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct Racetrack, his sixth consecutive win and his third win of the season. The race was his final prep for the May 7 Kentucky Derby.
April 24, 2005: Jockey John Velazquez won on his first three mounts of the day at Keeneland, which ran his consecutive race winning streak to eight. Velazquez had won with his final three mounts two days earlier at Keeneland, then he went on to win with both his mounts the following day at Hawthorne. Velazquez's streak ended when e finished fifth on his fourth and last mount of the day at Keeneland on April 24. The North American record for consecutive wins by a jockey is nine, set by Albert Adams in 1930 and equaled by Tony Black in 1993.
April 26, 1853: En route to becoming England's first Triple Crown winner, West Australian won the 2,000 Guineas, the first of three races that comprise England's Triple Crown.
April 26, 1916: The first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton, was foaled at Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky.
April 27, 1973: At Churchill Downs, Secretariat worked six furlongs in 1:12 3/5 in preparation for the May 5 Kentucky Derby.
WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up)
THURSDAY, APRIL 14
Vinery Madison Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $300,000, Grade I, 7F, Keeneland
Count Fleet Sprint Handicap, 4&up, $150,000, Grade III, 6F, Oaklawn Park
FRIDAY, APRIL 15
Apple Blossom Handicap, 4&up (f&m), $500,000, Grade I, 1 1-16M, Oaklawn Park
Maker's Mark Mile, 4&up, $300,000, Grade I, 1M (T), Keeneland
SATURDAY, APRIL 16
Charles Town Classic, 4&up $1,000,000, Grade III, 1 1-8M, Charles Town
Toyota Blue Grass Stakes, 3yo, $750,000, Grade I, 1 1-8M, Keeneland
Sugar Maple Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $250,000, 7F, Charles Town
Jenny Wiley Stakes, 4&up (f&m), $200,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M (T), Keeneland
Sixty Sails Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $200,000, Grade III, 1 1-8M, Hawthorne
Commonwealth Stakes, 3&up, $175,000, Grade II, 7F, Keeneland
Distaff Handicap, 3&up (f&m), $150,000, Grade II, 7F, Aqueduct
Woodstock Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 6F, Woodbine
Shakertown Stakes, 3&up, $100,000, Grade III, 5 1-2F (T), Keeneland
Blue and Gold Stakes, 3yo, $100,000, 7F, Charles Town
Golden Poppy Stakes, 3yo fillies, $75,000, 1 1-16M (T), Golden Gate Fields
SUNDAY, APRIL 17
Beaumont Stakes, 3yo fillies, $150,000, Grade II, 7F, Keeneland
San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap, 4&up, $150,000, Grade II, 1 3-4M (T), Santa Anita Park
Jacques Cartier Stakes, 4&up, $150,000, 6F, Woodbine
Sunland Park Handicap, 3&up, $100,000, 1 1-8M, Sunland Park
THURSDAY, APRIL 21
Appalachian Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Keeneland
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