SATURDAY MORNING UPDATES: Arkansas Derby will likely be run on a very sloppy track today, the last major Kentucky Derby stakes ‘prep’. At Keeneland, Canadian owned ANOTHERTWISTAFATE must win the Lexington Stakes at 1 1/16 miles to be assured a spot in the Derby field.
11 a.m. this morning, an important information session at Woodbine in the backstretch from the AGCO REGARDING THE RACE-DAY MEDICATION BAN.
WINX, WINX WINX!
Just after 1 a.m. EST the great Australian mare WINX ended her racing career with a performance we have all come to regale, respect and, well, expect.
With jockey Hugh Bowman giving her an early cue to begin her launch around rivals, the 7-year-old Street Cry (Ire) mare charged past many wonderful horses who have tried to keep up with her lo’ these last few years.
If you did not wake up to see it, HPIBet.com has the replay which also includes the several minutes after the race when Bowman brings Winx back to gallop in front of the delirious crowd. Trainer Chris Waller is emotional in his post race interview as was Debbie Kepitis, one of the mare’s owners along with Peter Tighe and Richard Treweeke.
As WINX came back to the crowd, Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best” blared from the grandstand speakers and a plane write “Immortal” in the sky.
It was an incredible send off to a remarkable racehorse who brought her country to a stand still race after race. She won 33 straight races, 24 of those Group 1’s and became the richest racehorse in the world with just over $18 million (US) in earnings.
Here is the race and Twitter link to the crowd receiving her:
What scenes! A final lap of honour for the wonderful Winx… pic.twitter.com/3zuvyMuZGG
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 13, 2019
Sydney Morning Herald story:
HRAP RULING ON WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT VS. DR. BRIAN VAN AREM
More than two months after a two-day hearing for an appeal lodged by Woodbine Entertainment Group from a decision by AGCO stewards
to fine Dr. Brian Van Arem $7,500 for treating horses trained by Norm McKnight with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy within the 96 hour deadline from when they were entered to race, the ruling has been issued.
A ” majority ruling [by] the Panel grants the appeal in part and varies the penalty to include a stayed 30-day full suspension effective upon any further violation of the ESWT Rule(s) by VAN AREM, a monetary penalty of $7,500 (already paid) and the conditions of licence set out above.”
You can read the 6 pages including reasons for the decision at this link:
2019 TB HRAP 06002, Woodbine Entertainment Group
