HPNOW Magazine August 2015 by Horse Player NOW

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CONTENTS AUGUST 2015 4

From The Publisher

The Teaser

Topics that titillate the racing mind.

Head of the Class

A look ahead at our August lineup.

Jen Perkins explains the rise of the great 3-year-olds in AQHA racing.

Back to Night School

West Virginia Derby Preview Jeremy Plonk goes horse-

by-horse through the Aug. 1 feature at Mountaineer & undercard hints.

Can The Pizza Man Deliver?

Arlington Park analyst Brian W. Spencer looks ahead to Million Day.

Meet Our Team: Handicapper

Jerry Shottenkirk goes under the spotlight this month.

Galloping Out:

What will be the next chapter for casino tracks when the cash dries?

From the Publisher The older you get, the more sentimental you get as well. It’s part of the deal. Try and deny it, but it’s true. I know I have. And so we turn to August and I’m not only excited about the racing on the calendar, but actually more excited FOR the people who love these races. I’ve worked in the racing industry more than two decades now and have made a lot of friends. To see their big races this month lights up my outlook because I know how much these races mean to them. So here’s to all my great friends in the AQHA game, at Mountaineer Park, Arlington Park and the bigtime events coming at Monmouth, Saratoga and Del Mar, plus opening day at Remington. Enjoy the great racing festivals you have this month and take a reminder from an old friend: In the process of all the hard work, take at least a few minutes to get lost from your co-workers, wander around the great horses in the paddock and just thank the good Lord for your position in life. Treat it with its due - JP reverence.

Editor, Publisher, Designer Jeremy Plonk Contributing Writers Candice Hare Jen Perkins Brian W. Spencer Photography Chief Enzina Mastrippolito (Photosbyz) Contributing Photographers Adam Coglianese/NYRA Coady Photography Gay Harris/Ruidoso Downs Four Footed Photos/Arlington Park Reed Palmer/Churchill Downs

THE TEASER:

From a new name to an old crime Teaser, definition: A male to hunger pains at horse used at breeding farms to determine whether the Austrian entry a mare is ready to receive a stallion. Also, perhaps the box, eventually it most unfulfilling occupation in the universe. will all make sense. Willful Pulling of the Reins When asked why he robbed banks Willie Sutton (pictured) got it right, “because that’s where the money is.” Same goes for track mutuels and fixing races. Although Teaser hasn’t attempted either gambit, he guesses that fixing a race would be easier than robbing a bank. Even though both are guarded by video surveillance, it’s easier to see when a masked man orders a teller to fill a sack with small bills than it is to tell when a jockey’s trying to get one beat.

A racetrack proverb advises that there are a thousand ways to lose a race. A corrupt jock merely needs to pick one. Knock the favorite out of the money and cash when the longshots come in. What could be easier? Following an extensive investigation by the Louisiana State Police Gaming Enforcement Division, three Louisiana jockeys were arrested and charged for their roles in an alleged race-fixing scheme. Troopers cuffed 46-yearold Joseph Patin Jr. of Opelousas, 51-year-old Billy Patin of Opelousas, and 24-year-old LeSean Conyers of Lafayette on charges of Willful Pulling of the Reins and Cheating and Swindling. Teaser gets the Cheating and Swindling charges, but the Willful Pulling of the Reins is a new one.

In hundreds of Law and Order episodes, no perp ever has been booked because of it. In fact, if that’s really a crime, there’s a grandstand-full of jocks from coastto-coast that ought to be in shackles. Not because they’re part of any conspiracy to fix races, but because they needlessly strangle mounts out of the gates. Besides, can you imagine a case of Unwillful Pulling of the Reins?

device) in two separate races while competing in Evangeline Downs’ races July 4.

Additionally, Joseph Patin, Jr. and Billy Patin were arrested on warrants for the Unnatural Stimulation of Horses (possession of hand-held electronic shocking

Patin was suspended for the remainder of 1999 by stewards and the Arkansas Racing Commission extended his suspension to May 2004.

Teaser doubts the latter charges will stand. After all, it’s a basic American right on the Fourth of July to ignite fireworks!

Don’t know if ‘priors’ come in to play in Louisiana like they do on Law and Order, but if they count for anything, Billy Patin’s got an uphill struggle. He was suspended Allegedly, the three suspects in 1999 after stewards at Oaklawn engaged in Park ruled that he questionable carried an illegal riding tactics that Don’t know if ‘priors’ come electrical device affected the in to play in Louisiana like outcome of a race they do on Law and Order, while riding 30-1 longshot Valhol to at Evangeline but if they count for victory in that year’s Downs Race anything, Billy Patin’s got Arkansas Derby. Track and Casino an uphill struggle. Television coverage June 19. Through showed a black interviews and object appearing to evidence obtained from track fall from Patin’s hand, and an officials, law enforcement Oaklawn Park tractor driver later determined the jockeys willfully found a device – batteries wrapped schemed to hold back a favorite to in electric tape with prongs on win while utilizing an agent to each end – on the ground in that place unusual bets in an attempt to area. maximize winnings.

It’s a shame that there apparently are at least four individuals involved in the race-fixing scheme, because one of them is liable to turn state’s evidence and sing like Andrea Bocceli. The chances of any equine accomplices cutting a deal and testifying for the prosecution are minimal. Guilt and innocent are a slippery slope. Even Jack McCoy knows that. Take a gander at the headon race replay of the race in question, originally uploaded by Paulick Report, and see if you can spot any Willfull Pulling of the Reins. Vet, Steward, Stakes … White, Wheat or Rye There basically are three types of scratches in racing:

Veterinarian—when a licensed

veterinarian determines that a horse is not healthy enough to race.

Steward —when something is

wrong with a horse, owner or trainer’s paperwork, licensing, etc.

Stakes—when a horse is entered in a stakes race and connections exercise the option to scratch.

Last month at an Austrian track, a novel excuse for an approved scratch—actually three of them— was born when trainer Bryce Stanaway demanded that a trio of his runners be scratched from an afternoon’s card. Trainer Stanaway already had started two unplaced runners on the afternoon when he got into a row with a Pakenham Racing Club Official over a sandwich. When Stanaway’s request for one was denied, he demanded that his remaining three runners be scratched. Two entries were removed from the afternoon’s final race and one came out of the penultimate dash. Based on Teaser’s observation of the quality of food at most North American racetracks, there’s a better chance in the States of an irate trainer scratching horses because they delivered his sandwich! - THE TEASER

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MOUNTAINEER PUTS ITS BEST FEET FORWARD AUGUST 1 By Jeremy Plonk

ew cards in America pack as many as the 9 stakes races that comprise West Virginia Derby Day on Aug. 1 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort. The all-in mentality literally applies here as the track’s entire 2015 stakes schedule compresses into a single showcase afternoon.

When most think “Mountaineer,” they think blue-collar horses running under the lights. But for one, all-important marketing

opportunity each year, the daylight shines on star stakes horses at the West Virginia panhandle venue on the banks of the Ohio River. Despite a thunderstorm that saw 17 scratches on the card and turf races lost, last year’s West Virginia Derby Day handle topped $2.8 million. In fact, handle on the 9race stakes bonanza has topped $2 million every year since going to the all-stakes, 9-race format in 2005. A record $3.2 million was bet in 2009 when Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird brought added attention to the card. Last year’s West Virginia Derby saw a trio of Grade 2 winners throw it down in a 1-2-3 finish that will be tough to duplicate for excitement. Trainers like Steve Asmussen, John

Sadler, Mike Maker and Larry Jones filled the Derby program with class. Asmussen has taken particular shine to the WV Derby, winning the race 5 times from 10 starters and never once saddling the morning line or post-time favorite. Last year, his Tapiture overcame a tough trip to edge Candy Boy in a thrilling renewal (pictured). Tapiture joined past Asmussen stablemates Real Dandy (’05), Zanjero (‘07), Soul Warrior (’09) & Macho Macho (’12) among those to scale the ‘Mountain’s biggest race. But there’s a noticeable absence from the Asmussen barn in the 2015 West Virginia Derby, while no shortage of top-name stables remain in the mix. Todd Pletcher entered 3 runners, including Tommy Macho, Stanford and Madefromlucky, though Stanford is expected to scratch and remain at Saratoga. Dallas Stewart has Preakness runner-up Tale of Verve set to go

from his Kentucky homebase and should vie for favoritism. Jockey Robby Albarado, who won the WV Derby two years ago aboard fellow Bluegrass shipper Departing, picks up the mount at Mountaineer. The Hall of Fame tandem of trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Mike Smith team up with rising player Iron Fist. Smith was a close-up third in this race in ’09 when aboard Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Eddie Plesa directs Souper Colossal on path from Monmouth, and Eddie Kenneally raids from Kentucky with Iowa Derby champ Bent on Bourbon, who looks to make it back-to-back derbies.

Let’s take a look at the WV Derby field for 2015, horse-by-horse, with an eye on whittling the contenders.

NOT ON MY TICKETS THIRTYSILVERPIECES: Former Wesley Ward/Ramsey runner was claimed for $25,000 at Keeneland off a big drop-and-win and has picked up minor stakes checks twice since then to reward the investment. Continues to work well at Thistledown for high-percentage local barn, but his inability to stay the trip and class in the Ohio Derby doesn’t bode well here. ALL I SEE IS GOLD: Top 3YO at Thistledown is drawn well inside to show his customary speed, though his pedigree boasts milers top and bottom with Purge and Forestry. Distance and class concerns, but veteran Mario Pino aboard is a master on the front. WAR STORY: He seems to have gone backwards since the winter at Fair Grounds. Ohio-based owner Ron Paolucci has moved the horse from Tom Amoss to the OH/WV barn of Jeff Radosevich. He’s never found a comfort level for his best. The good War Story (pictured) factors with a solid pace set-up, but he’s difficult to trust.

BENT ON BOURBON: Off 3 straight wins, he’ll be bet solidly in the WV Derby and has the right kind of pressing style to be in the mix. But I was very off-put by the quality of this year’s Iowa Derby, a race that almost had to be won by a fresh face like Bet On Bourbon (pictured below) based on the stakes veterans who lined up. The Iowa Derby has been a solid leadin to this race. I’m rolling the dice.

EXOTICS CONTENDERS TALE OF VERVE: Deep-closing style may be compromised a bit over what figures to be a speedy main track on Mountaineer’s biggest day. Gets WV Derby-winning rider Robby Albarado (pictured) and that helps. Fluky track in the Preakness monsoon makes his biggest resume builder difficult to rate. Regardless of what you think of his ability, he likely will be over-bet based on that third Saturday in May runner-up. He will appreciate the class relief from the Triple Crown, but not necessarily the pace. Minor share. MADEFROMLUCKY: Trainer Todd Pletcher entered three in the WV Derby, but is expected to scratch Stanford for a race at Saratoga the same weekend. He’ll also be represented by Competitive Edge in Sunday’s G1 Haskell at Monmouth. It’s good to be the king, right? It’s worth nothing that Pletcher is 0-for-8 in the WV Derby all-time with 3 runner-ups and

notably lost the race with G1 Arkansas Derby champ Overanalyze in 2013. Madefromlucky has a similar grinder’s style to Overanalyze and that hasn’t been the best of recipes in this race historically. Outfitted with an outside post position and a style that could see him hung wide on the turns, Madefromlucky merits respect, but a risk-reward factor that puts him on the exotics edge.

WIN CONTENDERS SOUPER COLOSSAL: Speedy War Front colt (pictured above) has never missed the exacta except for a failed bid in last fall’s G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Patient Eddie Plesa barn has brought him along nicely this year with some turf sprints before a good second in the Long Branch at Monmouth routing on dirt. Stablemate Mr.

Jordan stays home to tackle American Pharoah in the sameweekend G1 Haskell. Difficult post, but speed-intense rider Paco Lopez should be sending from the bell and cross over most of the field. If he gets into rhythm without significant ground loss, project him the best of the quality speed in this field and to be difficult to catch. IRON FIST: Son of red-hot sire Tapit has won his last two going a mile at Santa Anita and returns for his first stakes engagement since finishing third behind American Pharoah in last year’s G1 Del Mar Futurity. For Mike Smith to give up a big day at Del Mar, it says a lot about his chances. Recall this duo of Jerry Hollendorfer (pictured) and Mike Smith’s last trip to West Virginia – a nightmare in the Charles Town Classic when Shared Belief was injured. Iron Fist’s 3 races in 7 weeks in May-June look nicely spaced out to build a foundation for this additional distance, though it’s fair to question his damside pedigree for 1-1/8 miles. West coast shipper Candy Boy missed by a zot in this

race last year and Bob Baffert has had multiple successes here coming from California, so the the geography shouldn’t play against him if he’s good enough.

TOMMY MACHO: On a Belmont Stakes Day card loaded with 3YO races at all levels, he was the one who caught most onlookers’ eyes with an impressive allowance score. While his class rise in the G3 Dwyer was not met with success, a third-place finish behind unbeaten rising superstar Speightster and reigning BC Juvenile winner Texas Red was hardly a smack to the reputation. Todd Pletcher had many options this weekend and this placement seems the most intelligent and well-meant of all the horses he could run between the

Curlin, Jim Dandy, Haskell and West Virginia Derby. Tommy Macho should be forward throughout and turn out to be a major second-half of the year player for a barn that could use an injection in the handicap division. He’s my best bet of the day at Mountaineer on Saturday. Some undercard notables: Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Work All Week headlines the Senator Robert L. Byrd Memorial at 6 furlongs… Commanding Curve, runner-up in the 2014 Kentucky Derby, is part of a deep and talented field in the West Virginia Governor’s Stakes at 1-1/16 miles on the main track…

Undercard Handicapping Tips:  Look for an exceptionally fast track by local standards and for speed horses to fare well.  Kentucky-based shippers have dominated the 2-year-old stakes, particularly the Mountaineer Juvenile for the colts/geldings.  Stick to pure dash specialists in the 4-1/2 furlong Chairman’s Cup, a race where shippers from Charles Town can display their speed and fit better than in other spots from across the state.

Get Jeremy Plonk’s full-card stakes picks for WV Derby Day only in the Aug. 1 edition of the BUZZ Report. -HPN

$750k $200k $100k $100k $100k $100k $100k $100k $100k $100k

AUG-1 MNR STAKES SCHEDULE West Virginia Derby (3yo, 9f) WV Governor’s Cup (3up, 8.5f) Byrd Memorial (3up, 6f) President’s Cup (f/m, 1m70y-T) Speaker’s Cup (3up, 1m70y-T) Chairman’s Cup (3up, 4.5f) Secretary of State (f/m, 6f) Byrd Memorial (3up, 6f) Mountaineer Juvenile (2yo, 6f) Mnr Juvenile Fillies (2yof, 6f)

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CAN THE PIZZA MAN DELIVER? By Brian W. Spencer Arlington International Racecourse will play host to the International Festival of Racing on Saturday, August 15, showcasing the most prestigious races, richest purses, and biggest stars anywhere on the Illinois racing calendar. Storylines are always abundant at the International Festival, and perhaps no story this year could wind up being bigger than Midwest

Thoroughbredsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; The Pizza Man. The Illinois-bred runner by champion turf sire English Channel began his career the way most Illinois-breds do, in the sometimes humble maiden ranks in Chicago. That race, on the final day of 2011, was anything but humble as it spawned the career of The Pizza Man and also included future Grade 1 winner King David. The Pizza Man's success story has been a beacon of hope in his

hometown, where the current state of Illinois racing can at best be described as “uncertain,” but after capturing his second consecutive running of the Grade 3 Stars and Stripes in front of a thundering hometown crowd, his connections reiterated their plan to chase the big one this year – taking aim at the best in the Grade 1 Arlington Million. Should The Pizza Man prove victorious, it would surely cement his spot among the best Illinois-breds of all time as well as laying claim to one of the most inspiring stories in the state's racing history.

courageously for fourth in his first attempt against Group 1 company when chasing Free Eagle and The Grey Gatsby home in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. Despite having never tallied a Group victory across the pond, The Corsican may wind up being one of the biggest players in the day's feature event.

The Pizza Man, and more broadly the International Festival of Racing, are reminders of this game's greatness in an otherwise dire time in Chicago, and that offering of hope and inspiration for local racing fans cannot be undersold.

While each of the Festival races wind up being playable, one of the more intriguing battles should play out in the Secretariat, a 10furlong test for sophomores. Red-hot Force the Pass will again meet Divisidero, and those two will face off against the top two from the local prep, the American Derby. Those runners, World Approval and Crittenden, put on a show down the stretch last month and appear to have upside.

The star power of Million Day extends well beyond the home team's brightest hope, as the European contingent figures to be imposing as always, led by The Corsican, who is likely to make the trip for the Million. His three-race winning streak was snapped last time out, but he ran on

World Approval's regal pedigree left him big shoes to fill, but he has done so admirably in recent starts. The half-brother to Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Miesque's Approval and full-brother to BC Mile runner-up Za Approval seems to just be putting things together and ran a huge race in the local prep, while

Crittenden, racing in the regal Godolphin Blue, showed an impressive turn of foot. With bigger names coming in and a likely European impact at the entry box, the top two in the local prep may offer overlaid prices on the board. The Grade 1 Beverly D. may lure recent Group 1 winner Amazing Maria from overseas and could provide and interesting rematch from her most recent race in which she beat none other than 2014 Beverly D. champ Euro Charline (pictured below), whose

connections have made clear their desire for a repeat bid. If that pair were to show up in the entries, the Beverly D. would seem to be the race in which to rely on the most talented Europeans on top, as they both appear to tower over those who raced in the local prep, the Modesty Handicap. Walk Close and Mango Diva both turned in encouraging efforts in that Grade III tune-up, but they would appear to have their hands full with the Euro class the aforementioned pair would bring.

Rounding out the main four races that comprise the International Festival of Racing is the newly minted Grade 3 American St. Leger. The 1 11/16-miles turf marathon appeared to be an easy playground for globetrotting turfers after Dandino and Jakkalberry made short work of the first two editions, but The Pizza Man's victory in last year's renewal suggested the home team can hang tough with our best. While this year's local prep winner was once again The Pizza Man, he likely won't be back to defend his St. Leger title, and that could leave an interesting look to Calvados, who ran third behind The Pizza Man and Roman Approval in the Stars and Stripes. While Calvados was not able to reel in the leaders in late stretch, there is a fairly easy argument to make that he would have been the winner were it not for a brutal go of things behind the leader in deep stretch. With a clean trip, he could be the horse to watch in this year's American St. Leger. With the Grade 3 Pucker Up, a key prep for the Grade I Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland, also being moved to Million Day, the International

Festival of Racing never fails to offer competitive fields and excellent wagering opportunities while giving Illinois racing fans a day they quite rightly deserve. - HPN

Arlington Park and Fair Grounds paddock racing analyst Brian W. Spencer contributes his daily horses to watch for both tracks year-â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;round in the Horse Player NOW BUZZ Report!

And be sure to check out Caton Bredarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full-card picks for Arlington Million Day in the Aug. 15 edition of the BUZZ!

Head of the Class:

Quarter Horse Sophomores Return to the Winnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Circle By Jen Perkins

In the summer, when many 2year-old Thoroughbreds are just making the first starts of their careers, 2-year-old American Quarter Horses already are hard at work and busy racking up hundreds of thousands of dollars in earnings. For both breeds, summer is also the time for last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s talented 2-year-olds to defend their titles at age 3. Tres Friends (pictured) won the July 19 $1 million Rainbow Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs, narrowly

defeating the winner of the Ruidoso Futurity (G1), First Valiant Sign. This race was not the first million-dollar race of the year for Quarter Horses, nor was it even the first million dollar race of the weekend; Ruidoso hosted the $1 million Rainbow Derby (G1) on the previous day. While the Rainbow Futurity was a full field of new faces and future household names, the field of 3year-olds in the Rainbow Derby looked remarkably familiar.

Rematch of Champions The winner of the 2015 Rainbow Derby was Kiss My Hocks, a striking colt who also won the 2014 Ruidoso Futurity (G1), and ran second in the 2014 Rainbow Futurity (G1). He was named AQHA

Champion 2-Year-Old for 2014. It took him a race to get into form in 2015, but the fan favorite has returned, and if possible, looks better than last year. He earned the celebratory black-flip from jockey G.R. Carter (pictured).

No one shied away from Kiss My Hocks in the Rainbow Derby, including fastest qualifier Bodacious Eagle. He is no stranger to the Ruidoso gate; in 2014, he competed in all three Grade 1 Ruidoso Downs futurities: the Ruidoso, the Rainbow, and the prestigious All American. To complicate things further, Jess Walkin Thru, 2014 Champion 2year-old filly, also qualified. To create the Thoroughbred equivalent of this race, imagine Champion 2-Year-Old Male American Pharoah meeting up with Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Take Charge Brandi and Mr Z, who, like Bodacious Eagle, competed in three Grade 1 events as a 2-yearold. For good measure, add several runner-ups from the Triple Crown prep races and make the purse the same as the Haskell â&#x20AC;&#x201C; now you have the Rainbow Derby. As incredible as the purses and fields were for the Rainbow races, the best of 2015 may be yet to come. Quarter Horse Racing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lucrative at Any Age The All American Futurity, held on Labor Day each year, became the

first race of any breed to offer a purse of $1 million in 1978. In recent years, the purses have continued to grow, and the purse for the 2015 running of the race is $3 million. In addition, 2-year-old horses can run for seven figures in the Heritage Place Futurity, the Texas Classic Futurity, and in three different futurities at Los Alamitos. With this money available for young horses, it is easy to assume that Quarter Horses begin and end at this level, but the real superstars of the sport continue into their 3year-old campaigns and beyond. For older horses, there are plenty of options that are big on prestige and have a purse to match, such as the Champion of Champions (G1) and the Remington Park Invitational Championship (G1). The AQHA Racing Challenge program was designed specifically to help encourage and support horses of all ages race across the country. However, the most lucrative time to run as a Quarter Horse may actually be as a 3-year-old. Derby purses are on the rise, in some instances, dramatically:

Ruidoso Futurity Rainbow Futurity All American Futurity Ruidoso Derby Rainbow Derby All American Derby It is a classic chicken and egg question: do purse increases encourage bright 2-year-olds to return to the track as 3-year-olds, or does the presence of returning champions put pressure on tracks to increase purses to attract the best horses? However you look at it, the theory of supply and demand is at play. Purses for the big three derbies at Ruidoso have increased more than the futurities in the last 10 years. In the case of the All American Derby, the projected purse for 2015 is over 5 times the size of the purse 10 years ago in 2006. In 2015, the purse for the Ruidoso Derby was actually higher than the futurity version of the same race. Filling these races is nearly as competitive as qualifying for the futurities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; there were ten trials to

2006 Purse $500,000 $625,000 $1,900,000 $200,000 $268,335 $406,299

2015 Purse $750,000 $1,000,000 $3,000,000 $815,180 $1,067,907 $2,300,000

Pct. Increase 50.00% 60.00% 57.89% 307.59% 297.98% 466.09%

determine the field for the 2015 Rainbow Derby. Returning Champions It is safe to assume that Champion 2-Year-Old and Triple Crown winner American Pharoah will also be named Champion 3-Year-Old, among other honors. Few Champion 2-Year-Old Thoroughbreds have returned to repeat the title the next year; in the last 10 years, the only other Thoroughbred to do so was Beholder, Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in 2012 and Champion 3-Yearold Filly in 2013. There always will be stars of any breed who are retired early to begin a new career at stud, but many freshmen Quarter Horses return to the track. Since the first running of the All American Futurity in 1959, 18 winners have not only returned to race the next

year, they have been honored as Champion 3-year-olds, and four All American Futurity winners have continued to earn Champion titles as 4-year-olds or older. Of the horses that have won the All American Futurity, 19 have returned the following year to compete in the All American Derby, and six have pulled off the All American Double. All American Futurity-All American Derby Winners

Ochoa Dm Shicago A Delightful Dasher

Winalota Cash Ronas Ryon Higheaster Jet

AA Futurity 2011 2004 1999 1995 1986 1980

Looking back at the fields for the derbies in recent years, so many talented horses return from the previous year that it becomes extremely difficult for a futurity winner to repeat as a derby winner. Each year, the derby fields look stronger, and the number

AA Derby 2012 2005 2000 1996 1987 1981

of talented 3-year-olds returning to the track make repeating difficult. In the last 10 years, only three winners of any of the Ruidoso futurities have returned to win one or more of the derbies: Heartswideopen in 2007-2008, Ochoa in 2011-2012, and now Kiss My Hocks (pictured below in her recent Rainbow Derby score). Heartswideopen completed the Ruidoso Futurity-Ruidoso Derby Double; she also won the All American Futurity, the Rainbow Derby, and just missed in the All American Derby. Ochoa pulled off the All American Futurity-All American Derby Double on his way to earning $2.7 million and being recognized as an AQHA Supreme Race Horse.

As the 3-year-old division becomes increasingly competitive, true champions will face even more difficult tests. Jm Miracle, winner of the 2014 All American Futurity, has returned to race in trials for both the Ruidoso and Rainbow Derby but has yet to qualify against this tough division. Trendi, last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winner of the Rainbow Futurity, also tried and failed to qualify for the Rainbow Derby. Watch for these horses, the Rainbow field, and more to take on Kiss My Hocks in the All American Derby trials in August as the fields take shape for the All American Futurity and Derby. Enjoy trials live on Q-Racing Video (www.qracingvideo.com), or watch the replays to help with your trip handicapping.

Jen Perkins has been a member of the Wrangler Racing Aces fan education program from the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) since 2010. She completed the Race Track Industry Program at the University of Arizona and has been involved in Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing as an owner, breeder, and handicapper for over 20 years. Be sure to check out the weekly AQHA Racing/Horseplayernow.com National Polls for 2-year-olds and the older horses to keep up with the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top stars!

All American Futurity Trials: August 21-22, 2015 All American Derby Trials: August 23, 2015

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JERRY SHOTTENKIRK Editor’s Note: We continue a season-long series spotlighting the members of the Horse Player NOW staff by introducing you to racing analyst and Night School “Dean” Jerry Shottenkirk. A published handicapper and oddsmaker since 1978, Jerry Shottenkirk is currently the official track morning line maker at Remington Park. He’s covered the Oklahoma City track in some capacity since its 1988 opening and also currently produces the "Top Shot" selections for the on-track crowd at Remington Park. To many Horse Player NOW fans, he’s better known as the Night School “Dean,” having moderated the fan education program’s live chat interaction since its debut in 2011. The role of the “Dean” was a long-kept secret in the early years

of Night School, creating much speculation and fun banter. In episode 100 of the program, Shottenkirk’s identity was revealed for the first time. Having written sports, business, and features for various newspapers since 1976, he has won two National Sprint Awards from the American Quarter Horse Association and various first-place awards from the Associated Press

in Nebraska and Oklahoma, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Oklahoma Press Association and the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Association. In addition to his writing, he was the winner of 1992 Comchek National Handicapping Challenge at Remington Park, defeating the top nationally published handicappers & horse racing authors in the United States. Shottenkirk names trip notes, rider changes, and replays among the keys to his handicapping style when he’s looking over races, often from Remington Park, Gulfstream Park, Oaklawn Park, and Woodbine. “Few things in this sport can be taken for granted and they don't run every day. Take educated, well-researched chances. Go home happy,” says Shottenkirk about betting the races. Gary Stevens and Eddie Delahoussaye are Shottenkirk’s favorite jockeys and he names Ron McAnally, Charlie Whittingham, and

Carl Nafzger as his favorite trainers. His favorite horses are Afleet Alex, Spectacular Bid, Sunday Silence, and Unbridled. He names Sunday Silence’s Kentucky Derby win in 1989 as his most memorable race attended.

For Shottenkirk, the best food at the track was bratwurst with kraut from the Ak-Sar-Ben Race Track and Coliseum in Omaha, Nebraska. Catch Jerry’s selections daily in the HP NOW BUZZ Report, yearround for Oaklawn & Woodbine, as well as the AQHA Race of the Week on our website! You can follow Jerry on Twitter @jlshottenkirk

If an offer seems to good to be true, most often it is. That’s one of the oldest and most accurate axioms, yet still so easy to buy into.

Casinos have propped up horse racing establishments for more than a decade now, and we’re not just talking about tracks like our featured Mountaineer this month or those in New Mexico and far away, dusty locales.

But in doing so, the overall game has not been helped. I’m not an advocate of the political spin doctors who say, “If you think it’s bad now, you should see how bad it would have been had we not taken this action.”

Racing in New York, after all, feels the bump of the casino money at Aqueduct and it’s significant. Maidens on the NYRA circuit run for $90,000 some days and, to be candid, that’s simply ridiculous. The money grab in purse accounts has been nothing short of a free handout.

Now we’re seeing actions in states like West Virginia and my native Pennsylvania where the politicos are re-thinking the way casino money is handed out to racing establishments. The well has run dry in many of these places and big changes loom.

Don’t get me wrong; if they’re giving out money, no one is shamed for stepping up and earning it. The owners and trainers at casino-driven tracks have broken no laws or done no wrong. They’re still running for the money.

Big-event days at casino tracks give us a chance to look hard at the best the track can offer. Now what will be the next step? Without an influx of casino money, a reduction in race dates not only seems inevitable, but practical and what the marketplace is asking for.

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