GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR WOODBINE THOROUGHBREDS.. LOTS OF CANADIAN HORSES TO WATCH TODAY IN FLORIDA AND NEW ORLEANS…
DAIJIN’S LAST FOAL… a colt by Zensational. DAIJIN has been a blue-hen mare for HIll ‘n’ Dale Farms, in Kentucky and Canada. She produced many good foals but then had much trouble producing one for seven years. Recently, she had a Zensational colt by C-section but then died soon after because of colic. This little fella looks he’s doing okay though and there will always be fond memories we’re sure for Daijin from her owners.
PURSES CUT AT WOODBINE FOR START OF THOROUGHBRED SEASON
Stakes events could also have cuts
As noted by Rolph Davis in a Thoroughblog comment recently, the purses at Woodbine seem to have been cut approximately 2% as noted in the first condition book.
Thorougblog will continue to attempt to get Woodbine to comment.
Commenters to Thoroughblog have also intimated that stakes races at Woodbine will have purse cuts and this will be announced on Tuesday.
BETTER NEWS – 167 RACE DATES FOR NEXT 5 YEARS!
WEG, HBPA sign 5-year agreement
The local industry is still quite healthy thanks to a super racing product and interest from folks in other locales. Yesterday, the HBPA and Woodbine got together to sign a contract for 5 years that ensures the same number of racing dates for the next 5 years.
That is good news considering shortening the season from May to October has always been an idea that has floated around for years.
It is good news for horsemen and WEG employees who also get a share in track profits.
TORONTO, February 18 – Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) have signed an agreement ensuring 167 dates of thoroughbred racing at Woodbine every year for the next five years.
“In an environment of short term contracts and reduced race days, the HBPA is pleased to get this agreement signed with Woodbine,” said HBPA President, Sue Leslie. ” It gives the horsepeople the security of knowing there will be 167 dates of racing at Woodbine for the next five years, and sets in place the framework to allow the industry to grow and prosper. It also allows Owners and Breeders to develop a longer term plan with some confidence, knowing they can rely on racing opportunities.”
The current agreement was due to expire on March 31, 2011.
“We’re delighted to enter into this long term agreement with the HBPA,”said Jamie Martin, WEG’s Executive Vice-President of Racing. “The agreement gives us stability on race dates and horsemen’s relations for the next five years, and allows us to focus on building on the successes we’ve realized with our on-track thoroughbred product.”
The 2011 racing season launches on April 2 and concludes December 4.
BIG CARD AT FAIR GROUNDS TODAY
Canadian-bred Inglorious in tough
Saturday, Fair Grounds, post time: 4:11 p.m. EDT
RACHEL ALEXANDRA S.-GIII, $150,000, 3yo, f,
1 1/16m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Gran Lioness K Lion Heart Theriot Calhoun 5-1
2 Chloe Kate K Afleet Alex Lanerie Howard 10-1
3 Kathmanblu K Bluegrass Cat Leparoux McPeek 6-5
4 Bouquet Booth K Flower Alley Bridgmohan Margolis 7-2
5 Inglorious Hennessy Sutherland Carroll 5-1
6 Tapit Dancer Tapit Graham Asmussen 10-1
7 Lilacs and Lace K Flower Alley Smith Terranova II 12-1
Saturday, Fair Grounds, post time: 5:46 p.m. EDT
RISEN STAR S.-GII, $300,000, 3yo, 1 1/16m
PP HORSE OWNER BREEDER TRAINERJOCKEY ML
1 Rogue Romance K Catesby W Clay Runnymede Farm Inc/Catesby W Clay-KY McPeek 3-1
(c, Smarty Jones–Lovington, by Afleet) Leparoux
2 Liondrive Thomas Amenta/Tom Amenta II Rebecca Farms Inc–LA Ice 50-1
(c, Lion Tamer–Outta the Park, by Grand Slam) Sutherland
3 Decisive Moment Just for Fun Stable Just for Fun Stables-FL Arias 9-2
(c, With Distinction–Lady Samira, by Dehere) Clark
4 Pants On Fire George & Lori Hall K & G Stables-KY Breen 6-1
(c, Jump Start–Cabo de Noche, by Cape Town) Bravo
5 Mucho Macho Man Reeves T’bred Racing/Dream Team 1 John D & Carole A Rio-FL Ritvo 4-1
(c, Macho Uno–Ponche de Leona, by Ponche) Coa
6 Machen Courtlandt Farms Courtlandt Farm-KY Howard 6-1
(c, Distorted Humor–Ready’s Gal, by More Than Ready) Theriot
7 Santiva Tom R Walters Paget Bloodstock-KY Kenneally 6-1
(c, Giant’s Causeway–Slide, by Smarten) M Smith
8 Action Ready K Wayne R Sanders/Larry Hirsch Respite Farm Inc-KY Calhoun 12-1
(c, More Than Ready–You Again, by Wild Again) Napravnik
9 Justin Phillip K Zayat Stables LLC Oakbrook Farm-KY Asmussen 8-1
(c, First Samurai–Ava Knowsthecode, by Cryptoclearance) Bridgmohan
10 SorghoK T & C Bowling/William D Bennett Juddmonte Farms Inc-KY Bennett 30-1
(c, Storm Cat–Gombeen, by Private Account)
ROGER, MARK AND IAN SQUARE OFF AT THE STREAM!
Saturday, Gulfstream Park, post time: 5:26 p.m. EDT
MAC DIARMIDA S.-GII, $150,000, 4yo/up, 1 3/8mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Pool Play K Silver Deputy Husbands Casse 12-1
2 Gabriel’s Hill A.P. Indy A Garcia Benzel 15-1
3 Rahy’s Attorney Crown Attorney Prado Black 8-1
4 Free Fighter Out of Place Marquez Jr Block 20-1
5 Ordination (Ire) Fantastic Light Madrid McPeek 15-1
6 Musketier (Ger) Acatenango (Ger) Solis Attfield 6-1
7 Prince Will I Am Victory Gallop Velazquez Nihei 4-1
8 Stately Victor K Ghostzapper Lopez Maker 12-1
9 Perfect Shower Perfect Soul (Ire) Castanon Attfield 15-1
10 Simmard K Dixieland Band Lezcano Attfield 8-1
11 Mint Chip K Johar Cruz Arnold 20-1
12 Al Khali K Medaglia d’Oro Desormeaux Mott 7-2
13 Citrus Kid K Lemon Drop Kid Castellano Terranova 10-1
BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY TOPS QUEEN’S PLATE CONTENDERS
A fast maiden win at 1 1/8 miles in February puts the long striding colt BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY on the top of the contenders list for the Queen’s Plate in June at Woodbine.
The colt is owned by Martin Scwartz, who has raced many European champions plus American stars such as Bowman’s Band.
The Daily Racing Form has an item on the colt who is headed to some of the big U.S. races but essentially has the Plate on his radr:
Queen’s Plate, not Derby, is the goal for Bowman’s Causeway
By Mike Welsch
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – Bowman’s Causeway is a promising and improving 3-year-old who is coming off a maiden win going 1 1/8 miles here at Gulfstream Park earlier this month. He’s just the type of horse one might expect to be on a path that could ultimately lead him along the trail to a possible berth in the Kentucky Derby.
But Bowman’s Causeway could prove to be the exception to the rule for one good reason. He’s a Canadian-bred whose ultimate goal during the first half of the season is not the Kentucky Derby but to win the Queen’s Plate at Woodbine in late June.
Patrick Biancone trains Bowman’s Causeway for owner-breeder Martin Schwartz and at this point is uncertain what might be next for his well- bred colt, who is a son of Giant’s Causeway out of the Grade 1-winning mare Victory Encounter.
RETIREMENT PROGRAM AT GULFSTREAM
Stronach Creates Gulfstream Retirement Program
02/17/2011
HALLANDALE BEACH, FL – Frank Stronach, an industry leader in the retraining and rehabilitation of thoroughbred race horses and an advocate and supporter of several retirement programs, announced today the formation of the Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program.
Stronach, Chairman and CEO of MI Developments Inc., parent company of Gulfstream Park, said the After-Care Program will help match horses with loving owners who will make a lifelong commitment to their health, safety and well being.
Stronach said he will seed the After-Care Program by matching the money currently taken from purses (one-third of one percent) at Gulfstream and distributed to retirement programs by the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (FHBPA).
“This is not a solution to the problem, but we feel it is another step in the right direction,” Stronach said. “While we believe it is the responsibility of every owner to find safe, after-race programs for all thoroughbreds, we also believe in taking the initiative to develop retirement, rehabilitation and retraining programs for these equine athletes who give so much to all of us.”
Stronach set an industry precedent seven years ago by developing the first in-house retirement program, Adena Retirement. Under the direction of a full-time, in-house staff of professional trainers, riders, grooms and veterinarians, Adena Retirement carefully evaluates and retrains horses owned by the Stronach family and Adena Springs before matching them with owners who will provide suitable lifelong adoptive homes. Many of the horses retrained at Adena Retirement have flourished in other disciplines, including hunter, jumper, dressage and pleasure.
The Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After-Care Program will be directed by a committee: Michael Rogers, Director & Vice President of Operations, Gulfstream Park; Tim Ritvo, VP of Racing, East Coast, MI Developments Inc; Stacie Clark, Adena
Retirement; Dan Bork, Racing Secretary, Gulfstream Park; Nicola Kuzoff, Adena Retirement.
The committee will outline the board’s responsibilities and procedures in a constitution. There will be an application process for Florida Thoroughbred Charities with 501c status. Applications will be voted on by the committee and funds distributed accordingly.
“This program shows that Mr. Stronach is a strong supporter of these fine athletes after their careers on the track are over,” Ritvo said. “He still believes the owners are mainly responsible for their own horses, but he’s always willing to contribute toward the betterment of the horse industry.”
RACING COMMISSIONERS INTERNATIONAL concerned about Dutrow
“How many so called honest mistakes can one have before you question whether there has been a total disregard for adherence to the rules. I ask the New York Board to make that determination and examine Mr. Dutrow’s career in racing to see if sufficient evidence exists to say enough is enough,” – Ed Martin president RCI
Things seem to be catching up with Rick Dutrow Jr. The latter sent by Martin to the New York Wagering board doesn’t even cite his WILD DESERT fiasco at Woodbine!
http://www.arci.com/newsitem.asp?story=1043
http://www.arci.com/nysrwbletter.pdf
FORT ERIE RACEBOOK
Upscale digs for racebook
New lounge for off-track betting at OLG slots in Fort Erie
Richard Hutton/Staff…
Off track bettors in Fort Erie who like to follow the ponies year round now have some fancier digs in which to test their handicapping skills.
As a part of ongoing improvements at Fort Erie Race Track, the new racebook lounge has moved into an area at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Slots at the 114-year-old border oval.
“The best part is it’s a great change for the customers,” Elissa Blowe, Media and Marketing Manager for the track said last week.
The new facility is a step up from the racebook’s former home under the grandstand, which was often cold and drafty during the winter months, Blowe said.
http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/article/956180–upscale-digs-for-racebook
BOLD EXECUTIVE – LEADS ALL ‘YA ON POLY
Leading synthetic sire of 2010: Bold Executive
By Glenye Cain Oakford
Bold Executive, North America’s leading sire of runners on synthetic surfaces last year, is still going strong at age 27.
A powerful, 15.3-hand son of Bold Ruckus, he has been Canada’s leading sire twice, in 2003 and 2004, and was an Ontario breeding stalwart well before there were synthetic surfaces and slot machines at Woodbine. The slots, in particular, have helped boost Bold
Executive’s stock recently as racehorse breeders and owners look for lucrative places to run their horses in the struggling economy.
“He just bred his first Indian Charlie mare this week,” said Dr. Michael Colterjohn, owner of Paradox Farm, which stands the syndicated stallion at the former Gardiner Farms in Ontario. “You don’t see too many of those dropping by, not in Ontario. He bred a Dixie Union mare, a sister to a Grade 1 horse, the other day, too. He’s hanging around with chicks he never even thought he’d
get to meet before.”
http://www.drf.com/news/leading-synthetic-sire-2010-bold-executive
