American Racehorse - May/June 2016

W W W. A ME RI CA NRA CEH ORSE. C OM MAY/JUNE 2016

IN THIS ISSUE: HOPE AT MICHIGAN’S HAZEL PARK HOW TO TAKE BETTER HORSE PHOTOS OTTB FINDS CAREER AFTER HOLLYWOOD

A Division of Center Hills Farm

KIPLING (Gulch-Weekend Storm, by Storm Bird)

POLLARD’S VISION (Carson City-Etats Unis, by Dixieland Band)

A Top 10 Oklahoma sire year after year!

Oklahoma’s #1 sire in 2016 and already the sire of 8 worldwide stakes horses this year alone with more than $1 million in earnings!

Sire of G1 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner KIP DEVILLE ($3,325,489)

Sire of the Eclipse Champion and 5-time G1 winner BLIND LUCK ($3,279,520)

2016 FEE: $2,500

2016 FEE: $3,000

SAVE BIG MONEY (Storm Cat-Tomisue’s Delight, by A.P. Indy)

THE VISUALISER (Giant’s Causeway-Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull)

2016 FEE: $2,000

Sire of 3-time SW ZEALOUS VISION ($197,998), with 5 wins in 15 starts

Ranked #1 or #2 as Oklahoma’s first-, secondand third-crop sire in 2013-15!

Already the sire of four horses with $100K+ in earnings, plus SW MAMA’S MAD MONEY ($98,954)

His newest stakes winner is WELDER ($80,727), a winner of 3 of 4 starts who scored an easy win in the TRAO Classic Sprint at WRD!

2016 FEE: $1,500

All fees are stands and nurses All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Bred Program, Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup

Mighty Acres

675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Cell: 918-271-2266 • Fax: 918-825-4255 www.mightyacres.com

RUBIANO – ROSE COLORED LADY, BY FORMAL DINNER

TOO MUCH BLING LEADING GENERAL SIRE IN TEXAS $7,300,000+ in Earnings 19 Stakes Winners 1.22 Average Earnings Index $56,662 Average Earnings/Starter

CONGAREE $5,000

GRASSHOPPER $3,500

TOO MUCH BLING $4,000

Owner - W. S. Farish | Manager - Danny Shifflett | 26685 Mitchell Rd. | Hempstead, TX 77445 (979) 826-3366 | Cell: (713) 303-8509 | Fax: (979) 826-9405 | E-mail: danishfflett@aol.com AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 1

002198-LE-American Racehorse FP-Too Much Bling.indd 1

3/14/16 11:25 AM

HERE’S THE NEWS! The first Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale operated by the Texas Thoroughbred Association was a smashing success!

Check out these headlines:

H $95,000 sale-topping Texas-bred by Too Much Bling

H Average of $18,515—perennially the highest in the region and up more than 5% from last year H Buyback rate of just 19.7% H Texas Thoroughbred Futurity for sale grads, with $100,000 estimated in each of two divisions, set for this summer at Lone Star Park With that one in the books, the TTA and Lone Star Park are pleased to announce the…

Texas Yearling Sale

August 29, 2016 Lone Star Park

With its central location, covered walking ring and top-notch sale pavilion, Texas is the place to buy and sell Thoroughbreds in the Southwest.

Entries Due June 6 For more information and consignment forms, contact Tim Boyce at 972.523.0332 or go to ttasales.com.

A Texas-bred filly by Too Much Bling sold for $95,000 to top the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

THANK YOU TO OUR CUSTOMERS, BOTH OLD AND NEW, FOR A GREAT BREEDING SEASON!

EARLY FLYER

MY GOLDEN SONG

CROSSBOW

JET PHONE

GILDED TIME – BISTRA, BY CLASSIC GO GO

BERNARDINI – FOREST HEIRESS, BY FOREST WILDCAT

UNBRIDLED’S SONG – GOLDEN PAR, BY GOLD MERIDIAN

PHONE TRICK – JET ROUTE, BY ALYDAR

WATCH FOR YEARLINGS BY VALOR FARM STALLIONS AT THE TEXAS SUMMER YEARLING SALE ON AUGUST 29 AT LONE STAR PARK! The Estate of Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm

ABOUT AMERICAN RACEHORSE

American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse) covers Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the Southwest, Midwest and Midsouth regions. The magazine is mailed to all members of the following associations: • Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association • Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association • Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association • Georgia Horse Racing Coalition • Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association • Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Minnesota Thoroughbred Association • North Carolina Thoroughbred Association • Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma • South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Texas Thoroughbred Association • Plus hundreds of Louisiana horsemen.

For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or visit www.americanracehorse.com.

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Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a American Racehorse American Racehorse P.O. Box 8645 • Round Rock, TX 78683 Physical Address American Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive • Round Rock, TX 78664

Contributors Mary Cage Tim Carroll John Alan Cohan Judy L. Marchman Jen Roytz

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Photographers Denis Blake Mary Cage Coady Photography Linscott Photography Joe Nevills Dustin Orona Photography

Graphic Designer Julie Kennedy • julie@digitalcitydesigns.com

Cover Photo Horsephotos.com

Editor/Publisher Denis Blake • info@americanracehorse.com

Copyeditor Judy L. Marchman

Copyright © 2016 American Racehorse All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. American Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. American Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads.

4 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

WHAT’S INSIDE

American RACEHORSE

May/June 2016

20

Michigan’s Hazel Park

27Eating as a career

Departments Fast Furlongs 10 State Association News

42

The Marketplace Classifieds

50

Features The Little Racetrack that Could Michigan horsemen persevere to keep racing alive at Hazel Park

20

Getting Fed a New Career Oklahoma-bred Hollywood Extra finds a unique job both before and after racing

27

Tax Talk: IRS Audits Are more horsemen being audited in the startup phase?

30

Picture Perfect 31 Simple photography tips can help you portray a horse in the best possible light Four Score 38 Oklahoma-breds score stakes wins at Will Rogers, and Texas-breds kick off the Lone Star meet

31 How to take better photos

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 5

CARTER SALES CO

Entries at www.cartersalesco.com Terri (405) 640-8567 (405) 288-6460 Fax (405) 288-6865 email: terri.carter@okequine.com 2652 Reece Lake Road•Washington, OK 73093

AdVERTISEmENT

Illegal DopIng Meets Its Match trainers praise natural alternative By: Mark hansen

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent sale…even if it means putting their horses’ lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, “It’s a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.” So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horse’s muscles require oxygen for fuel.

Red blood cells are the body’s oxygen-carrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural “blood builder.”

With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. That’s one reason why it’s illegal.

Fortunately there’s another option. EPOEquine® is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses.

A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, “I don’t want my competition to know about this.” He found EPO-Equine® to be

so effective that he’s dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine® once a month. Now he’s ordering several CASES each month. And he won’t tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, “Sorry – no way.”

Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and it’s working miracles for top athletes and amateurs around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals.

That’s when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal bloodbuilding results. EPO-Equine® is based on the blood-boosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea that’s astounding researchers and trainers alike. (It’s not a strain you can find at the local health store.)

Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine® in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPOEquine® and another group of horses was given a placebo.

The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance.

The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine® contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell production…for remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate.

Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine® to the horse’s daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road.

Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula.

Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPOEquine® is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPOEquine® can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

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No other regional or national racing and breeding publication reaches more area horsemen and horsewomen than American Racehorse!

We make it easy to get your message out to thousands of horsemen in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas.

In This Issue:

Layman Exams for the • PrepurchaseBush Track Rider Won Big s • Oklahoma IRAs and S Corp • Understanding

Our ad rates are affordable, and we can design an ad for you at no charge!

To view a complete list of ad rates or for more information, go to www.americanracehorse.com/advertising Contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@americanracehorse.com 8 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

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Stallions Services . Mare & Foal Care . Yearling Sale Prep . Boarding “I’ve been taking my mares to CLR for a few years now, you won’t find people more passionate and professional. Top notch staff always willing to do anything for you.” –T.L.

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fastfurlongs Texas 2-Year-Old Sale Posts Increased Average, Yearling Sale Announced The April 4 Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, the first conducted and a very low buyback rate, I think that proves there is still strength in by the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park without the industry here.”

Fasig-Tipton as a partner, posted similar results to last year’s auction Asmussen Horse Center, agent, topped the list of consignors with with an increase in average. Buybacks improved significantly from 33.3 10 of 11 head sold for a total of $262,900, and Danny Keene was the percent last year to 19.7 percent this year. leading buyer with four head purchased for $198,900. Texas stallions Total sales for this auction came in at $981,300 with 53 of 66 head performed particularly well and ranked as the top four among those with two or more offspring sold. Too Much Bling had eight sold for sold for an average of $18,515 and a median of $12,000.

Last year’s sale, run by Fasig-Tipton, saw 66 head sell for $1,161,900 an average of $26,388, followed by Intimidator with four sold for an from 99 offered. The average for that sale was $17,605 with a median average of $25,625, Valid Expectations with three sold for a $20,333 average and Grasshopper with three sold for an average of $15,667. of $13,000.

Two horses at this year’s sale eclipsed the $75,000 top price from last The TTA also announced that it will hold a yearling auction on August year. The high sell29 at Lone Star. Like er was a Texas-bred the 2-year-old sale, the filly by Too Much yearling sale will take Bling who worked the place of the aucthe fastest time of tion formerly operated :10 1/5 in the under in partnership with tack show. ConFasig-Tipton. signed by Asmus“The TTA is comsen Horse Center, mitted to advancing agent, the filly sold the Texas racing and for $95,000 to breeding industry, and Danny Keene. She part of that commitis out of the Acment includes giving tion This Day mare horsemen a venue to Soft Music, whose buy and sell horses in first two starters this state,” said Ruyle. are both multiple “In advance of this winners. decision, we found sigThe secondDenis Blake nificant interest from highest price was A Texas-bred daughter of Texas stallion Too Much Bling sold for $95,000 to top the sale.

Texas breeders with also a filly, a Kentucky-bred by Henny Hughes who went for $80,000 to yearlings to consign, and with the central location and quality facility Hebert Bloodstock, agent, from the consignment of Oak Haven Farm, at Lone Star we also expect to attract quality consignments from around agent. She is out of the stakes-winning Saratoga Six mare Playcaller, who has the region. We were lucky to have Tim Boyce on board to manage this produced Grade 1 winner Diplomat Lady and Grade 2 winner Dream Play. sale for us, and he will do the same for the yearling sale.”

“Especially considering we got a bit of a late start in putting this sale More information about the August yearling sale, including the together, we could not be more pleased with the results and the increase consignment form, is posted on a new website dedicated to the TTA in average over last year,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the auctions at ttasales.com. Hip-by-hip results of the 2-year-old sale are Texas Thoroughbred Association. “With a Texas-bred topping the sale available on the website.

10 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Hall of Fame Jockey Calvin Borel Retires

2001. He began riding regularly at Oaklawn in 1990, recording 947 victories, including 51 in stakes, in Hot Springs.

The Hall of Famer won all five of Oaklawn’s major Racing Festival of the South events at least once, including the $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G2) in 1993 aboard 108-1 long shot Rockamundo.

Borel’s 50th and 51st Oaklawn stakes victories came aboard the popular sprinter Ivan Fallunovalot, a Texas-bred by Valid Expectations, in consecutive runnings (2015 and 2016) of the $100,000 King Cotton for trainer Tom Howard of Hot Springs.

“His professional input and feedback on a horse has been invaluable,” said Howard’s wife and assistant, Kathy. “He drove over from Louisville to Keeneland and galloped Ivan for the Breeders’ Cup. How strong is that? He’s been so good to us.”

Coady Photography

Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel retired March 26 at Oaklawn Park, according to his agent, Larry Melancon.

Borel, Oaklawn’s leading rider in 1995 and 2001, couldn’t be reached for comment and no reason was given for the retirement. Melancon said Borel, 50, informed him the previous afternoon that he was retiring.

The two talked again about 40 minutes before the track opened the next morning, Melancon said, and nothing had changed.

According to Equibase, Borel retires with 5,146 career victories—the 27th-highest total in North American history—and purse earnings of $127,087,376. He rode his first winner in 1983.

A native of St. Martinville, Louisiana, Borel earned the nickname “Bo-Rail” for his daring ground-saving rides, a style that carried him to an unprecedented three Kentucky Derby victories in four years (2007, 2009 and 2010). He also won the Preakness aboard 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2013. On March 7, 2013, he reached 5,000 victories, becoming only the 26th jockey in North American history to do so.

Borel enjoyed immense success at Oaklawn, recording his 3,000th, 4,000th and 5,000th career victories there. He ended Pat Day’s 12-year run as Oaklawn’s leading rider in 1995 and captured his second title in

The now retired Calvin Borel celebrates a second consecutive win in the King Cotton Stakes aboard Texas-bred Ivan Fallunovalot.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 11

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Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Old Sale Records Big Gains Equine Sales Company’s 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale, held May 10, recorded impressive increases with double-digit gains in gross, average and median. From 92 head offered, 60 sold for gross receipts of $918,300 with an average of $14,811 and median of $11,000. The gross jumped 27.4 percent from last year’s $720,700 on 54 of 75 sold. This year’s average increased 11 percent from $13,346, and the median soared 60.6 percent from $6,850. Buybacks came in at 32.6 percent, up from 28 percent last year.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of this sale,” Sales Director Foster Bridewell said. “This was our third juvenile auction, and I think it has really established a foothold in the region in that short time. It helped having the Equine Sales Derby and Equine Sales Oaks last week at Evangeline Downs to showcase the quality of horses to come out of this auction.”

The new races for sale graduates were held for the first time this year, and horses that went through the ring in this auction will be eligible for the 2017 runnings of those $75,000 stakes.

This year’s sale topper at $57,000 was a Louisiana-bred colt

by Grade 1 winner and leading Louisiana stallion D’wildcat named D’digger. The chestnut worked :11 flat in the May 8 under tack show and sold to Rodney Verret from the consignment of Twin Oaks Training Center LLC, agent.

The high-selling filly is from the first crop of four-time Louisiana Horse of the Year and all-time leading Louisiana-bred earner Star Guitar. Named Shamrock Star and consigned by Benchmark Training Center Inc., agent, the Louisiana-bred sold for $45,000 to Carl Moore Management LLC after working a furlong in a co-fastest :10 1/5.

For hip by hip results, go to equinesalesofla.com.

Texas’ Arlington Downs Racetrack Recognized with Historical Marker

The historical marker for Arlington Downs is in front of a concrete water fountain from the 1930s era track.

Special Collections Division, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries

12 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Courtesy Martha May Martin

The city of Arlington, Texas, held a special ceremony on April 9 to dedicate Arlington Downs as a local landmark by placing a marker where the racetrack once stood. The location is now occupied by Everest College–Mid Cities Campus.

Arlington Downs, which cost more than $2 million when it opened in 1929, enjoyed considerable success despite operating as a racetrack for less than a decade. In fact, pari-mutuel wagering was not legal at the time so a “no bet meet” was conducted that commenced on November 6, 1929.

Pari-mutuel wagering was passed in 1933 and another $1 million was spent to improve the facility, which featured a 6,000-seat grandstand. Some of the top horsemen of the time raced there, including trainer Ben Jones and jockeys Tommy May, Eddie Arcaro, George Woolf, Buddy Haas, George Seabo and Johnny Longden. The Texas Derby became an important race on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

Arlington Downs was built by oil and cattle magnate William T. Waggoner, who also owned the famed Three D stock farm. The farm’s brand “DDD” was well known for racing success as well as with other equine endeavors.

Despite the popularity of Arlington Downs and other Texas tracks of the time, such as Alamo Downs in San Antonio, Fair Park in Dallas and Epsom Downs in Houston, the state of Texas outlawed pari-mutuel wagering in 1937, effectively killing the horse racing industry. Pari-mutuel wagering did not become legal again in the state for another 50 years.

The historical marker is in front of a concrete water fountain with images of horses and jockeys. It is the last intact artifact from the track in its original location. The marker and dedication ceremony serve to inform present and future generations about the impact that W.T. Waggoner and Arlington Downs left on local, state and national history. The state of Texas also placed a historical marker for Arlington Downs in 1978.

For a short time the Texas track was among the best in the country.

y.

Courtesy Across the Board

St. Louis-based Across the Board Is off to the Races with Kentucky Derby Game

The release of the handcrafted Kentucky Derby-themed board game was bittersweet for Kim McDaniel, as her husband did not live to see it.

Kim McDaniel and her extended family are not only keeping her husband Ryan’s memory alive, they are racing to the finish line with Across the Board’s new officially licensed Kentucky Derby board game.

In February, St. Louis-based Across the Board, a handcrafted wooden board game company, received the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs license to produce the official horse racing board game for the event known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.”

The excitement of the news was only dampened by the fact that McDaniel’s husband, Ryan, did not live to see his dream come to fruition. After battling colon cancer for 20 months, Ryan passed away in May 2015 at the age of 44. He left behind his wife, Kim, and their three young children: Ayden, 11; Mallory, 10; and Jake, 4.

After getting inspiration from playing a game at Ryan’s mom’s home during an after-dinner party in 2008, the couple began making games in their garage.

“Ryan had so many ideas and couldn’t wait to create something different,” McDaniel said. “He was a perfectionist when it came to woodworking and it shows in all of the game designs.”

The couple combined Ryan’s construction background and interest in woodworking with Kim’s experience in marketing and business.

“Then in 2012 we decided to take a leap of faith and moved the business from our home to a workshop in Crestwood, Missouri,” McDaniel said. “It was just the two of us and we had big hopes and dreams for our family.”

But then tragedy struck.

Ryan was diagnosed with colon cancer and their plans to pursue licensing of their various games were abandoned and Kim was forced to take a full-time job. Friends, family and especially their brother-in-law, Bill Wilson, helped keep the company running while McDaniel tended to her job and family and took care of her husband. Today, Wilson is a partner in the company.

In January, Kim pitched Ryan’s custom-designed, handmade wooden board game to Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs officials and was granted a license. The game is a redesign of the

couple’s first board game, a horse racing game.

“To receive the license now is so bittersweet,” McDaniel said.

“This is the result of Ryan’s talent and hard work and we wish he was here to see it. It’s exciting for our entire family. And I love that his legacy lives on in our children and in the business we built.”

The game board is a maple wood veneer playing surface built for longevity. A computerized router cuts out the wood frames for all of the company’s board games. McDaniel, Wilson and their five employees hand-sand every game, personally insert the metal eyelets into each hole and assemble all of the game pieces. The games are finished with an environmentally friendly water-based clear acrylic.

All horse racing games include a deck of cards, a pair of dice and 11 numbered horses. The Kentucky Derby game board is approximately 15 ½ inches x 28 inches x ¾ inches and weighs nearly 8 pounds.

Additionally, unbeknownst to McDaniel, Wilson asked that Ryan’s initials—RMM—be placed on the front of the packaging for the official Kentucky Derby game as a tribute to him. The cost of each officially licensed Kentucky Derby horse racing game is $110.

The Kentucky Derby game and other board games can be purchased online at acrosstheboardgame.com.

All Across the Board products are made in America. The games do not require batteries, computer screens, televisions or an electrical outlet. Instead, they are intended to encourage personal interaction.

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800.544.6773 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 13

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Graded Stakes Winner Lockout to Stand at Caines Stallion Station, Norfield to EquiTech Services Lockout, a Grade 2-winning earner of more than $520,000, has been retired to stand his first season at stud at Caines Stallion Station in Wynnewood, Oklahoma. The son of millionaire and four-time graded stakes winner Limehouse will stand for a $1,000 fee.

Lockout hit the board in all three of his starts as a 2-year-old with runner-up finishes in two stakes, including the Grade 3 Grey Stakes on the synthetic surface at Woodbine in Canada. He broke his maiden on the dirt as a 3-year-old at Churchill Downs and later that season took the $125,000 Remington Green Stakes on the turf in Oklahoma City. He spent most of his remaining career in Canada, where he placed in two Grade 2 events and scored a victory in the Grade 2 Connaught Cup Stakes at Woodbine, all on the turf.

A winner on turf, dirt and synthetic, Lockout won from seven furlongs to 1 1/16 miles and posted a 115 Beyer Speed Figure during his career. He retired with a record of 24-6-7-2.

In other Oklahoma stallion news, Norfield, a winning son of Golden Missile, will stand the 2016 breeding season at EquiTech Services in El Reno. The 14-year-old stallion will stand for a $650 fee as property of Denise Cope, who stood Going Wild until his death earlier this year.

A son of the Grade 1-winning A.P. Indy stallion Golden Missile, Norfield broke his maiden going 1 1/8 miles at Calder Race Course and then scored an allowance victory at Gulfstream Park at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Norfield is out of the Forty Niner mare Nine Trumpets, who produced stakes-placed Digimon.

Coady Photography

NFL Star Vince Wilfork Wins Delta Downs Stakes with Great Minds

Pro football player Vince Wilfork (right) was on hand for Great Minds’ first stakes win.

Delta Downs closed out its 2015–16 Thoroughbred season on March 12 with a card featuring the $75,000 Borgata Stakes won by the Al Stall Jr. trainee Great Minds, who is owned by two-time Super Bowl champion Vince Wilfork.

It took the gelded son of Stroll nine tries to find the winner’s circle for the first time, and since then he has had his picture taken

four more times in 10 outings. After his first stakes win at Delta, Great Minds shipped to Lone Star Park and captured the Grade 3, $200,000 Texas Mile.

“I realize racing is a gamble,” said Wilfork in a Sports Illustrated article. “But this is one way that I can actually spend my money. I could just give it to some guy who is probably running a Ponzi scheme and he just sends me fake statements every month. Or I can buy horses and go watch them race. That’s a lot more enjoyable.”

The article said Wilfork became interested in racing after watching Big Brown win the 2008 Kentucky Derby, and that he watched last year’s Run for the Roses with fellow NFL star Rob Gronkowski in the suite of American Pharoah’s owner Ahmed Zayat.

Wilfork, a nose tackle who played his college football at the University of Miami, won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and played 11 seasons there after being drafted in the first round. The five-time NFL Pro Bowl selection signed with the Houston Texans last season.

Lone Star Park Hires Jim Byers as Track Announcer Jim Byers was hired by Lone Star Park as its track announcer prior to the April 7 start of the Thoroughbred meet. He replaces John Lies, who resigned in March.

“I couldn’t be happier to be back in racing,” Byers said. “I’ve always thought very highly of Lone Star Park and the Metroplex and can’t wait to get started.”

Byers brings 33 years of sportscasting experience to the position, with 15 years as a track announcer. A graduate of San Diego State University, Byers began his career in 1983 in the publicity department at Caliente Race Track in Tijuana, Mexi-

14 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

co. Later that year, he joined the Los Angeles circuit as backup announcer at Del Mar and Santa Anita before being named Hollywood Park’s track announcer in 1984.

After four years at Hollywood Park, Byers became the first voice of Remington Park in 1988 and served 11 years as Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse announcer for the Oklahoma City track until embarking on a 16-year run as a radio play-by-play broadcaster in 1999. Byers spent 11 seasons in baseball with the Oklahoma City RedHawks, then the top affiliate of the Texas Rangers, in the Pacific Coast League. He

later switched sports, handling broadcasts for the American Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Barons from 2010 to 2015, when the team ceased operations.

In recent years Byers has returned to racing as a substitute announcer at various tracks in the region, including a 13-night stint at Lone Star Park in 2015.

During his career he has also hosted a variety of horse racing

Coady Photography

Bravura Named Sam Houston Horse of the Meet

Bravura, the only winner of two stakes races in the 2016 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meet, was named Horse of the Meet at the Texas track.

Bred and owned Texas-bred Bravura earned top honors as the only horse to win two stakes during the Sam

by Victoria AshHouston meet. ford of Dallas, Bravura is a 3-year-old son of Valor Farm stallion Early Flyer out of the Hadif mare Coryphee. Trained by Bret Calhoun, the chestnut colt broke his maiden at first asking last June at Lone Star Park and competed in stakes at Monmouth Park, Retama Park and Remington Park.

Calhoun sent him to Sam Houston Race Park where he won the $50,000 Groovy Stakes on January 23 and lived up to his heavily favored status in the $75,000 Jim’s Orbit division of the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes in February.

Jockey C.J. McMahon guided the chestnut colt in both wins, and his time of 1:10.59 in the Jim’s Orbit was one of the quickest times of the meet.

Ashford has bred racehorses for 25 years and was thrilled to learn of the honor.

“I am thrilled as so many outstanding horses ran in Houston this year,” she said. “Bravura was foaled at Valor Farm, and I remember seeing him the day after he was born. He is a very sweet horse, almost like a puppy dog. I share this with Bret; we have worked together through thick and thin and stayed loyal to each other.”

Bravura’s career record stands at four wins from eight starts and earnings of $139,752. He is a half brother to 2014 Sam Houston Horse of the Meet Triumph and Song.

The leading owner, trainer and jockey awards were also presented on the final day of the meeting. Steve Asmussen won his eighth training title at the northwest Houston racetrack, finishing the meet with 26 wins. Asmussen was also the leading owner for the fourth time with 13 victories.

“Houston has always been very good to us,” Asmussen said.

“I cannot state enough how kind the surfaces continue to be.

I can run older horses like Pedrolino (10) and Caberneigh (11).

telecasts and replay shows, including a pair of current web TV series covering Quarter Horse racing.

Lies, Lone Star Park’s announcer from 2005 to 2015, left the Grand Prairie track to accept the position of racing secretary for both Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs in Claremore and Fair Meadows in Tulsa. He is also the announcer for those Oklahoma tracks as well as for Kentucky Downs.

Our younger horses get a good start and do extremely well as they continue their campaigns as the year progresses.”

The two-time Eclipse Award winning conditioner relied on his longtime assistant, Pablo Ocampo, to oversee the Houston barn.

“He does a tremendous job,” said Asmussen of Ocampo, who ran the Houston string and was headed next to Lone Star Park.

“Without a doubt, Pablo has played an important role in each of the Houston titles.”

Jockey Iram Vargas Diego clinched the first leading rider title of his career. The 35-year-old jockey was born in Guerrero, Mexico, and came to the United States in 2001. He began hot walking horses in Illinois and started galloping at Fairmount Park. Diego has ridden in Texas for the past three years.

He finished fifth in the standings last year, but Asmussen tabbed Diego to ride first call for the 2016 Sam Houston meet, citing his work ethic and consistency. From January 15 through March 8, Diego rode 214 horses, winning the title with 48 victories.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 15

fF

Coady Photography

Canterbury Park to Offer Lowest Takeout in the Nation

Canterbury’s takeout rate on win, place and show bets will be just 15 percent with the rate for exotic bets set at 18 percent.

Canterbury Park racing officials announced a sweeping reduction in pari-mutuel takeout that will result in the Minnesota racetrack offering a wagering product priced lower, on average, than any track in the country. With win, place and show takeout set at 15 percent and all exotic wagers at 18 percent, Canterbury Park will be the best horse racing wagering opportunity in the United States when its 69-day race meet begins May 20.

“Canterbury Park has long strived to be the most horsemen-friendly track in the country. Now, we want to be the most horseplayer-friendly racetrack in America,” Vice President of Racing Operations Eric Halstrom said. “With the growth in the quality of our racing program we, with the support of our horsemen, are taking the next step and making our races the most profitable wagering opportunity. By changing our takeout to the lowest in the United States, we’re giving horseplayers worldwide great value and drawing attention to what is

Oaklawn Enjoys Across the Board Increases

16 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Creator, with Oaklawn’s leading rider Ricardo Santana Jr. up for leading trainer Steve Asmussen, capped off a blockbuster meet with a victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby. grow to $76,000 after starting out at $68,000, and allowance race purses increased to $85,000 after starting at $75,000. The purses also contributed to a record-setting season at the claim box with 492 horses claimed for just over $7 million.

Trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. both enjoyed highly successful meets topped by Creator’s lastto-first victory in the Grade 1, $1 million Arkansas Derby.

Asmussen earned his seventh leading trainer title with 46 wins and an Oaklawn record $3,448,729 in earnings, while Santana earned his fourth straight leading riding title with 80 wins and $4,064,073, also an Oaklawn earnings record.

Oaklawn’s 2017 live racing season begins January 13 and runs through Saturday, April 15.

Coady Photography

One year after launching American Pharoah’s successful Triple Crown bid, Oaklawn Park concluded the 2016 live racing season April 16 with across-the-board increases in handle, attendance, average field size and Oaklawn Anywhere business.

Oaklawn enjoyed good weather all season long and saw total attendance grow 12 percent to 559,650. All-sources handle on Oaklawn racing increased 4 percent to $180,582,197 thanks to competitive races and a field size increase to 9.62 horses per race, among the largest in the nation.

On track, fans wagered $38,173,563 on the Oaklawn product, an increase of 8 percent. Overall, Arkansans responded in a big way. Oaklawn Anywhere, the track’s account wagering service for in-state residents that has already generated more than $1.5 million in purses, saw the biggest growth during the season with total handle up by nearly $15 million. Handle on just Oaklawn’s races grew 35 percent over last year to $8.9 million.

Horsemen racing at Oaklawn benefited from three purse increases during the meet and saw maiden special weight purses

sure to be the finest racing season in Minnesota history.”

Racing and gaming industry economists suggest that handle will increase substantially as takeout is reduced. Canterbury officials are confident that bettors will embrace the lower takeout and continually improving quality of racing with a field size that regularly exceeds the national average. Horsemen purses have increased by 91 percent since 2010 due to tribal purse enhancements, and out-of-state handle on Canterbury’s races has risen by 114 percent over that same time period.

Tom Metzen, president of the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association, which represents trainers and owners racing in the state, is in agreement with the takeout changes.

“Racing at Canterbury Park continues its upward trend and the Minnesota HBPA supports the idea of a reduced takeout for our horseplayers,” Metzen said. “It will not only increase handle but show race fans everywhere what a jewel Minnesota racing is on the national scene.”

The reduction in takeout has also been met with widespread approval from major racing organizations including the nation’s premier horseplayer advocate group, the Horseplayers Association of North America (HANA).

“Canterbury Park has made a bold gesture for 2016, lower takeout for all,” HANA President Jeff Platt said. “Their new wagering menu offers tremendous value. It also tells me they want my business. I’ll be giving Canterbury a long, hard look this year and would encourage horseplayers everywhere to do the same.”

Coady Photography

Steve Asmussen, Rachel Alexandra Among Hall of Fame Inductees

Two of the 2016 inductees into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame have strong ties to the Southwest, as champion Rachel Alexandra and her primary conditioner, multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen, joined champion Zenyatta and Steve Asmussen, a perennial multiple Eclipse Award-winleading trainer at tracks in the Southwest and around the nation, ning jockey Ramon Dominguez has nearly 7,300 career wins to in the contemporary category. rank second all time.

The electees will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on August 12 in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Asmussen, 50, a native of Gettysburg, South Dakota, who now resides in Texas, ranks second all time in career wins (7,295 through early May) and fourth in earnings ($241,026,551) in a training career that began in 1986 after a brief stint as a jockey.

The Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer in 2008 and 2009, Asmussen has led all North American trainers in wins nine times and earnings three times. He has ranked in the top 10 in both wins and earnings every year since 2000. In 2004, Asmussen won 555 races to surpass the single-year record of 496 that had been held by Jack Van Berg since 1976. Asmussen broke his own

record in 2008 with 621 wins and topped it once again with 650 wins in 2009.

A winner of five Breeders’ Cup races, Asmussen trained Curlin to Horse of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008 and Rachel Alexandra to the Horse of the Year title in 2009.

He earned a record 17th leading trainer title at Churchill Downs in the 2015 fall meeting, and he has won 13 training titles at Fair Grounds, 11 at Remington Park, 11 at Lone Star Park, eight at Sam Houston and seven at Oaklawn Park. He was the first trainer to surpass 1,000 wins at Lone Star. Asmussen has won a total of 190 graded stakes.

Asmussen is the son of Keith and Marilyn Asmussen, who own and operate Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center in Laredo, Texas, and the brother of former jockey Cash Asmussen, who won the Eclipse Award as Outstanding Apprentice Jockey in 1979 before becoming a top jockey in Europe.

Rachel Alexandra posted a career record of 13-5-0 from 19 starts and earned $3,506,730. Bred in Kentucky by original owner Dolphus Morrison, Rachel Alexandra was trained by Hal Wiggins, now the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s president, until a private sale to Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables and Harold McCormick following her 20 ¼-length victory in the 2009 Kentucky Oaks (G1). From then on, she was trained by fellow 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Asmussen. The daughter of Medaglia d’Oro received her early training in Texas at Diamond D Ranch in Lone Oak.

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The Little Racetrack that Could

Courtesy Hazel Park Raceway

Michigan’s Thoroughbred industry has been struggling to keep its head above water for years now, but the return of the breed in 2014 to Hazel Park Raceway near Detroit provided a welcome respite for the state’s horsemen. After the first Thoroughbred meet in 30 years at Hazel Park was deemed a success, all signs looked good for 2015, but purse shortages and struggles to level the regulatory playing field forced horsemen to dig in once again. However, for the past two years, there has been one very bright spot at Hazel Park: Michigan fans will come out to watch and bet on live Thoroughbred racing. And that gives track officials and local horsemen hope for the future.

Michigan horsemen persevere to keep racing alive at Hazel Park Thoroughbreds Return to the Motor City

•

By Judy L. Marchman

20 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

“For a day-to-day type of crowd, we’re one of the top tracks with live attendance,” said Mike Stommen, assistant director of racetrack operations at Hazel Park. “We’ll typically have a few thousand people on a Friday night.”

Business was certainly hopping at the track on the evening of Friday, July 17, 2015, with people continuing to arrive throughout the night. The sight of the bustling, happy crowd was bittersweet for both track management and horsemen given the upbeat ending to the prior year’s meet, which welcomed Thoroughbreds back to Hazel Park for the first time since 1984. The track originally opened in 1949 with a Thoroughbred meet and then started offering Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing in 1953. Returning to Hazel Park offered a

and again another big crowd. But after those two big weekends, no one knew if the people would continue to come. They did.

“We had no idea that every Friday and Saturday night this

Joe Nevills

After the closure of Detroit Race Course, Michigan horsemen bounced around several tracks, including Pinnacle Race Course and Mount Pleasant Meadows before landing at Hazel Park.

Joe Nevills

chance for Michigan horsemen to come home after years of a nomadic existence both within and outside of the state.

“All Michigan horsemen since the closing of Detroit Race Course [in 1998], all our lives have been in turmoil,” said Mary Ann Barron, Hazel Park’s racing secretary and a lifelong Michigan horsewoman.

After a nine-year stint at Great Lakes Downs in Muskegon and then a brief sojourn to Pinnacle Race Course, which failed after hopes for a casino fell through, Michigan horsemen wound up at Mount Pleasant Meadows, a half-mile state fair track, “which was like purgatory,” Michigan HBPA President George Kutlenios said.

“But when Pinnacle closed, I realized that if we didn’t find a place to race, or even took a year off, Thoroughbred racing in Michigan would be dead.”

While Thoroughbred racing was secured at Mount Pleasant, Kutlenios wanted to get Thoroughbreds and Michigan’s horsemen back to the Detroit area and to a much larger and more knowledgeable audience. In 2014, Hazel Park’s management agreed to bring Thoroughbred racing back to the track, and upon approval from the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), which regulates horse racing in the state, work began that May to convert the five-eighths-mile racetrack and make the necessary infrastructure changes.

“We took most of June to convert the track over [from a Standardbred racing surface to a Thoroughbred one],” Stommen said. “We had to move the rails and re-anchor them, and we had to take the banks out of the turns and bring in about four inches of sandy loam.”

The track also did some repairs and made some improvements to the barn area to get it ready for horses again, as the Standardbreds were all ship-ins.

“The entire conversion was all a little over $300,000,” Stommen added.

Barron pointed out that many of the oak barns that date to the track’s original opening in 1949 were still in good shape, even after going unused for so long. Only about a third of the barn area is left, though, with a training center and a number of barns having been torn down in the intervening years. But for Michigan horsemen, it’s been a chance to return home, at least for a short while.

“It was wonderful last year, seeing a lot of old friends,” said Ernesto Scarpetti, who owns a farm in Ocala, Florida, and trains horses for several clients including Kutlenios.

He had eight horses stabled at Hazel Park during the 2015 meet, but as a former jockey, his connection to the track goes much further back.

“I rode here for the first time in 1976, went out west and then came back in 1980 until it closed,” he said.

Hazel Park held its 2014 opening night on June 27, and more than 10,000 people turned out, greatly exceeding all expectations.

The next weekend was Fourth of July with fireworks on that Friday

place was going to be wall-to-wall people; it was like magic,” Barron said.

Even with the challenges of running only two nights a week—getting enough barn help and jockeys to come in to ride were constant struggles—races filled well for the most part, given the lower purse structure (average overnights of $50,000) than other area tracks.

“The live handle was doing very well,” Kutlenios said. “We were averaging $100,000 a night on live. We had other tracks calling and saying, ‘What are you guys doing out there?’ ” AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 21

Current Struggles

“escrow fund” held by the MGCB. The funds were generated at Hazel With the 2014 meeting a success, Hazel Park and the Michigan Park from the Standardbred meetings and, by statute, are allocated to HBPA applied for and were granted 40 days of racing for 2015. The Hazel Park for Standardbred racing. However, with Standardbreds positive momentum, however, was derailed by a shortage of overnight no longer running at the track, the Michigan HBPA anticipated that purse funds of between $400,000 and $500,000 that dictated an the MGCB would appropriate the funds for the active Thoroughbred early end to the 2015 meet. The 2015 Hazel Park meet began with a 7 and Standardbred meets occurring in the state.

On July 7, the Michigan HBPA and Hazel Park sent a request percent reduction in overall purse money from the previous year, and to the MGCB offering two options: (1) the track closes on the track had to reduce starting fees and purses three times through August 8 instead of the original September 12, or (2) the funds the meet to continue funding overnight purses.

Exacerbating the issue was the loss of expected simulcast revenue could be split on a 50-50 basis between the Thoroughbred and Standardbred horsefrom the harness men, which would track, Sports Creek allow Hazel Park to Raceway. Standardfinish the full meet. bred horsemen failed “Releasing even to sign an agreement some of the escrow with that harness money would have track to race in 2015, helped,” Kutlenios and the MGCB subsaid. “It would have sequently shut down gotten us to the 40 Sports Creek on Jandays.” uary 1. The closure The MGCB’s reresulted in a loss of sponse came on July $400,000 in expect22, declining the reed purse money for quest to release the Thoroughbreds at funds and ordering Hazel Park.

Hazel Park to end Having to end the the meet early. A meet early was a bitpress release from the ter pill for Michigan MGCB stated, “Achorsemen to take, cording to the Michparticularly when igan Horse Racing combined with the Courtesy Hazel Park Raceway Law of 1995, over lack of assistance Thoroughbred racing at Hazel Park has $1 million is availfrom the MGCB. attracted crowds that would be the able for Standard“We have a regulaenvy of most other tracks. bred racing should tor that has not been very cooperative for Thoroughbred racing; that makes it difficult,” said Kutlenios, explaining that the racing industry had been under the aegis of the Office of Racing Commissioner under the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development before being moved under the MGCB, which oversees the state’s casino industry, in 2010.

As a way to save an estimated $150,000 in purse money, the Michigan HBPA proposed to the MGCB reducing the number of races per day from nine to eight, something that has been done in the past in Michigan and is currently done in other racing jurisdictions such as Illinois and California. The request was denied.

Another avenue the Michigan HPBA pursued was a million-dollar 22 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association sign a contract with Hazel Park Raceway in the future.” The Michigan HBPA currently has a five-year contract with the track for Thoroughbred racing.

“I have to take my hat off to the people at Hazel Park who tried very hard to make this happen and the Michigan horsemen who have stuck with this program, even when it didn’t make economic sense,” Kutlenios said. “They just believed in their home state and believed in the Michigan product enough and they saw the fans here…That’s why it’s so sad to see this meet cut short.

“So that’s where we’re at as for the state of racing right now,” Kutlenios added. “The upside of that is that we’ve spent three years working with our state legislators.”

Setting an Example

Michigan Sire Stakes Showcase State’s Best While the Michigan Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry has experienced a severe contraction in the past few years, that hasn’t kept a core group of horsemen from continuing to support the Michigan Sire Stakes series as a showcase for their best runners.

The Michigan Sire Stakes is a six-race series held at Hazel Park and includes divisions for 2-year-old colts/geldings and fillies at four furlongs, 3-year-old colts/geldings and fillies at six furlongs, and 3-year-old and up males and females at 1 1/8 miles.

“To be eligible, a horse must be sired by a registered Michigan stallion,” said Lee Schostak, longtime office manager for the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

MTOBA uses a Jockey Club list of registered in-state stallions for each foaling year to verify eligibility.

All but one of the 2015 Sire Stakes winners took home year-end honors from MTOBA. Among them was older female champion Comeflywithanangel, who won the Sire Stakes’ 3-year-old and up filly and mare division as well as the Larkspur Stakes earlier in the meet.

Moving Style, last year’s Michigan-bred Horse of the Year and champion older male, was the only champion who didn’t compete in the Sire Stakes, but he was at Hazel Park in July to take home the Michigan Breeders Governor’s Cup for the second year in a row and set a track record for six furlongs in the process.

The gelding, now 7, won six of 11 starts in 2015, earning $95,290, with his other victories coming in allowance-optional claimers at Mahoning Valley, Indiana Grand and Tampa Bay Downs, plus a starter allowance at Thistledown. Bred by James and Marcia Arnold, Moving Style runs for Moving Style, the 2015 MichiganMerril Spiess and is trained by the bred Horse of the Year, is closing owner’s son Shane. in on $250,000 in career earnings Moving Style’s sire, the deceased with 13 wins in 39 starts through Meadow Prayer, ranked third on late April. the 2015 Michigan sire list with earnings of $327,892. The leading sire was Unbridled Energy with total earnings of $1,075,921. The son of Unbridled’s Song stands at Hubel Farms in Clare.

Purses for the Sire Stakes are allocated through Michigan’s Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund and come from a percentage of in-state wagering revenue, both live and simulcast.

“The fund also allocates monies to supplement purses for Michigan-breds,” Schostak said, adding that line items are included for stallion owner awards and breeder and owner awards.

Michigan stallion owners receive awards based on a points system for a stallion’s winning progeny and the percentage of funds allocated each year. Breeders of Michigan-breds receive 10 percent of the purse when horses they bred win at a licensed meet in the state.

Joe Nevills

Hazel Park and the Michigan HBPA have been working closely with state legislators to educate them on Thoroughbred horse racing and its viability as an agricultural product and revenue generator for the state.

Kutlenios remains hopeful that those efforts will pay off in the near future in a couple of ways.

First, the Michigan HBPA is supporting legislation that would redefine how money earned from racing would be distributed in the state.

“It’s called a breed-specific distribution model,” Kutlenios said.

Money spent on Thoroughbreds would be designated for Thoroughbred purses, and money spent on Standardbreds would go to Standardbred purses. Under the current law, which went into effect when the state had seven Standardbred tracks and two Thoroughbred tracks, the distribution of funds is roughly 60 percent to Standardbreds versus 40 percent to Thoroughbreds.

“And right now, about 62 percent of all money in Michigan is bet on Thoroughbreds, and 38 percent is bet on Standardbreds,” Kutlenios pointed out. “We just want to fix that to make it realistic and reflect today’s market.”

In September, Senator David Robertson introduced Senate Bill 504 in the Michigan Legislature to address this issue, as well as look at the amount of money being split between the racetracks and the race purses. On April 21, the bill was reported favorably out of the Committee on Agriculture with a vote of 4 yes, 0 no and 1 pass. The bill now goes to the Senate floor to await further action.

Also on the wish list is to finally get advance deposit wagering (ADW); a pilot product at Hazel Park has been awaiting approval from the MGCB for more than a year.

“We’re one of the few states that doesn’t have an active ADW program in place,” Kutlenios said.

The upside to closing early, Kutlenios pointed out, is that they would be able to fill the purse pool for the 2016 season. In addition, the Department of Agriculture’s enacted 2015–16 budget provides an additional $600,000 to the state’s Agriculture Equine Industry Development Fund for horse purse supplements, and 60

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 23

percent of that ($360,000) was expected to be earmarked for Thor- backside has been especially well received. oughbred racing.

“We have my superstar horses back there who are really good with In October, the MGCB approved a 30-day Thoroughbred meet at people. They all take pictures and have a great experience with the Hazel Park for 2016. As in the previous two years, racing will be held horses,” he said, adding that getting people in touch with the horses is on Friday and Saturday nights with no less than nine races per date. what sets the racetrack experience apart from casinos. “Many people The meet is set to begin Friday, May 27, and run through Saturday, have never touched a horse.”

September 3.

He has also reached out to local businesses for sponsorship “We’re still here, and we’re still fighting,” Michigan HBPA opportunities. One such example is Valentine Distillery, which Executive Director Gary Tinkle said. “Our horsemen have just sponsors the Paddock, the open area underneath the clubhouse where been unbelievable, being dedicated to spending the money to party suites have been set up for groups to reserve for the evening. keep themselves going in anticipation of something happening, and I In early August, mobile wagering on live and simulcast races was just can’t give enough praise for that. It helps us do our job when we approved, which Stommen thinks will appeal to the younger demographic as well. know we can depend on our horsemen to “It keeps people from having to interrupt support what we’re trying to do.” their conversations with their friends to go “Michigan has struggled, but you “If there’s bet, so hopefully the younger crowd will get know what? The horsemen have just not an upside to into that,” he said. “We have to face that it’s given up. It’s been a struggle for several a changing market, and we’re in the enteryears with the purse money, and yet the this whole tainment industry now.” perseverance has just been incredible,” said Julie Atwood, a Michigan native who Kutlenios echoed Stommen’s remark story, it’s that has been in racing for 12 years as an owner about the changing market of racing, from I think and, as of this year, as a trainer with a string bringing in other forms of entertainment to at Hazel Park. making the sport more understandable for we’ve built In the meantime, Hazel Park officials are new fans. a case that “I would hope other states would stop proud—and rightfully so—of the public looking in the past at what racing used response to the live racing program.

Thoroughbred to be and be realistic and accept horse “We are getting a younger demographic,” racing for what it is today,” he said. “We Stommen said. “The young professionals racing is still won’t ever run 160 days of live racing seem to be starting to come.” a popular Upstairs in the clubhouse, veteran horsein Michigan again, but whatever days we do players can hunker down for an afternoon run, we should make them productive, proffan sport.” itable and entertaining and safe. Those are and/or evening of betting, keeping an the important things moving forward.” eye on the wall of TVs broadcasting — George Kutlenios Even through all the purse and regulatory races from all over. But on Friday and struggles, knowing that Michigan fans have Saturday evenings during the live meet, responded so enthusiastically to live racing the rest of the plant is dedicated to keeps Hazel Park and Michigan horsemen drawing in and entertaining a broader audience, from those curious about horse racing to families look- motivated to ensure a successful live meet for 2016.

“If there’s an upside to this whole story, it’s that I think we’ve ing for an economical night out to office groups or friends having a party. Fridays are $1 nights ($1 popcorn and sodas, $2 beers, built a case that Thoroughbred racing is still a popular fan etc.) and also include the Action on the Apron program, with sport,” Kutlenios said. “Hazel Park certainly proves that. We bring activities and music, as well as the important beer and hot dog people out every Friday and Saturday to watch these magnificent horses run without additional incentive, such as slots, and I think stands.

A big believer in customer education and word-of-mouth pro- that’s important.” H motion, Stommen has put together a popular program called Night Judy L. Marchman is an Austin-based freelance writer and editor, at the Races, which includes a tour of the facility and backside and serves as copy editor for American Racehorse. She worked for The (which he usually conducts), a food voucher, a betting voucher, pro- Blood-Horse in Lexington, Kentucky, for 15 years before returning to grams and some betting instructions for newcomers. The visit to the Texas. You can follow her on Twitter @judy_writes.

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Getting Fed a New Career

Courtesy Purina Animal Nutrition Center

Mike Jerina of Purina Animal Nutrition with Oklahoma-bred Hollywood Extra, a former racehorse who now helps the company develop feed for his fellow horses.

Oklahoma-bred Hollywood Extra finds a unique job both before and after racing •

By Jen Roytz

There are plenty of second careers for retired Thoroughbred racehorses—barrel racing, showing, trail riding or simply being a pasture pet. There is one occupation though that every horse owner has probably had several excellent candidates for—taste tester.

When it comes to companion animal nutrition, the Purina brand is one of the strongest. Their product lineup includes several popular brands of horse feed, including Omolene, Race Ready and Strategy.

Just like “Little Mikey” with his bowl of Life cereal in the iconic commercials from the 1970s (“He likes it! Hey, Mikey!”), Purina works to develop feeds that animals like to eat, while ensuring the products are also nutritious. The only way to test that is with professional taste testers.

When it comes to horse feed, those taste testers are a herd of horses at the Purina Animal Nutrition Center, a 1,200-acre farm in Missouri.

“The horses are utilized for feed research and development in the areas of palatability, growth AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 27

Dustin Orona Photography

and development and exercise physiology,” said Mike Jerina, manager

Hollywood Extra never visited the winner’s circle at the racetrack, but he’s still a star in his own right.

Hollywood has been a true star, eager to work and personable to be around.

“Hollywood’s willingness to adapt to new environments is outstanding,” he said. “The degree of success one can experience with an off-track Thoroughbred, or any horse previously owned, largely depends on how that horse has been trained and treated by his previous owner. Our experience [with Hollywood and others] has been very good. It’s obvious the people had the horse’s best interest at stake.”

Horses in the Purina herd are given feeds and variations of feeds the company is hoping to bring to market. Jerina and his team collect data from the horses to tell them not only if they are enjoying the food but also what nutrients, minerals and energy they get from it.

“Feeding horses on the farm is complex because we have to practice with such precision in terms of data collection,” Jerina said.

“In the equine unit, we have X-ray and ultrasound machines, indirect calorimetry machines to measure caloric output during exercise and EKG monitors to measure heart rate. It’s crazy the amount of testing we do before a product is offered to the public, but the time and effort pays off. Our products are successful in the marketplace because they work.”

Mike says the true customer for Purina is the horse. The herd tries

facility in Missouri.

28 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Courtesy Purina Animal Nutrition Center

and development and exercise physiology,” said Mike Jerina, manager of equine research at Purina Animal Nutrition.

Most of the horses in the 76-head Purina herd are American Quarter Horses, but they do have several off-track Thoroughbreds. One of the team’s favorites is Hollywood Extra, a 5-year-old Oklahoma-bred by the A.P. Indy stallion Indy Thunder.

“Hollywood got his start as an extra in the movie ‘War Horse,’ and then he had a relatively short racing career,” said Jerina, who holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri–Saint Louis.

The racing career of “Hollywood” was uneventful at best. His first start came as a 3-year-old in a Remington Park maiden special weight, but the gelding broke badly and was bumped, losing his rider in the process. After two more unsuccessful attempts at that level, he was dropped down into maiden claiming company at Will Rogers Downs, where he fared no better, finishing sixth for a $15,000 tag and then ninth in his final start for a $7,500 claiming price. In five starts, he banked a total of $415. Not exactly a blockbuster racing career.

“Hollywood” is one of several former racehorses on the 1,200-acre Purina But Jerina says that since arriving at Purina,

“War Horse,” which was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture, grossed nearly $80 million in the U.S. and approximately $177 million worldwide.

Touchstone Pictures

A Star Off the Track

out new diets and concentrated feeds to see if they like eating them.

“If our horses don’t like it or the diet doesn’t perform as designed, it never makes it to market,” he said. “If we can create happy, healthy horses that can perform to their maximum potential through their diets, then we have been successful.” H Jen Roytz is a freelance writer and marketing and public relations consultant for various entities, both equine and non-equine. She can also be found on the back of an OTTB most days. This article originally ran in the Paulick Report’s “Aftercare Spotlight” at paulickreport.com. If you have or know of a retired Thoroughbred with an interesting story to tell, we’d love to hear about it! Just email Jen Roytz (jenlroytz@gmail.com) with the horse’s Jockey Club name, background story and a few photos.

This section is sponsored by the Retired Racehorse Project, which works to facilitate placement of Thoroughbred ex-racehorses in second careers by increasing demand for them in the marketplace and inspiring an army of equestrians to provide the training that secures their futures. RRP programs include online educational resources, programs at major horse expos, interactive databases including a Bloodline Brag and Retired Racehorse Resource Directory, featuring 300 farms and organizations, and more than 200 online horse listings, with most of the horses having some second career training. For more information, go to retiredracehorseproject.org.

Although Hollywood Extra did not earn much fame (or money) on the racetrack, he has proven to be a star off it. In addition to his work with Purina, Hollywood played a role in the Steven Spielberg film “War Horse,” which was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. There were several horses used in the production to portray the main equine character “Joey,” and Hollywood played the role of Joey as a newborn foal.

Hollywood, and his dam Timeforamakeover, shipped from Oklahoma to California under the care of the movie’s animal trainer. He was away from his breeders and owners, Larry and Nelda Kettles, for about two weeks. The Kettles operate CK Thoroughbreds in Guthrie and have long been proponents of finding second careers for racehorses, but in this particular situation their young colt had not even embarked on his racing career and wasn’t even two weeks old.

“We got a call saying someone was looking for a bay colt for a Spielberg movie,” Larry told The Oklahoman in a feature article about the horse. “I thought it was a joke.

“We e-mailed some pictures and they told us it was between two colts, but they took ours,” he added. “The next thing we know this big fancy van pulled up.”

Shooting the birth scene took just one day, but the Oklahoma-bred managed to make an impression on the film’s famous director.

After one of the takes, the colt got up and ran off toward Spielberg.

“We had been told to leave Mr. Spielberg alone,” trainer Robin Pettigrew told the newspaper. “But after that, he came out and asked if he could pet the baby. Before we were finished he was petting all the horses.”

Following his movie role, Hollywood even posed for photos as part of a meet and greet at Remington Park as a yearling.

Even though the Thoroughbred’s movie and racing careers were both short-lived, his breeders are happy to see him succeed in another endeavor after donating him to the Purina Animal Nutrition Center. The couple works to help other horses as well through the recently formed Horse and Hound Rescue Foundation (horseand houndrescue.com), a nonprofit 501(3)(c) organization to give all breeds of horses and dogs a place to stay until their forever family is found.

“We hear he is doing an outstanding job,” Larry said about Hollywood Extra. “My wife and I are so pleased to find a home and a future for him.”—Denis Blake AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 29

Tax Talk:

Are More Horsemen Being Audited in the Startup Phase?

By John Alan Cohan, Attorney at Law

I have been asked to comment on what appears to be an upsurge in audits by the IRS with respect to startup horse and farming activities. During the past few years there have been an unusually high number of taxpayers in the early startup phase of their activity being subjected to audits. Is this a trend?

Is there some reason for this, or is it simply a coincidence?

People who conduct horse businesses have always experienced audits at a higher rate than other categories of taxpayers. For some time, IRS data has shown that horse owners were being audited at a greater rate than other taxpayers making $100,000 or more.

But in the past such audits pertained to horse owners who had sustained losses for a period of years rather than those who were just starting up. I do not have a ready answer as to why the IRS appears to be auditing more people in the early startup phase, but I do know that many of these people have succeeded in convincing the IRS that their activity was conducted as a business, although a number of reported U.S. Tax Court cases spoke of situations where taxpayers have lost even in the early startup phase.

The best strategy if you are selected for audit is to observe time-proven methods of aggressive defense and preparation of a convincing and professional offense. The principal issue is whether losses in the horse activity are deductible or whether they are “hobby losses” that are not deductible. It is important to hire a professional accountant to attend to the audit and to interface with the IRS revenue agent. Many of the best accountants are former IRS agents who have gone into private practice. In larger cases, I have been asked to represent taxpayers together with or instead of an accountant.

The revenue agent will be initially concerned with verifying the accuracy of deductions that you have claimed. To avoid the inconvenience of scrambling around to get your ledgers, bank statements and credit card receipts organized, you should be doing this on a day-to-day basis. In addition to verifying expenditures, the revenue agent will want to see how these expenses relate to some sort of plan or strategy that you have developed. In that regard, once you start a horse activity, it is imperative that you have a business plan and that you organize documents that show what your plan is and how it is progressing. Ideally, you should be able to show through documents, letters and other evidence what you did prior to 30 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

starting the activity—that is, what sort of research and investigation you conducted before deciding to engage in the venture.

There should be no evidence of commingling of funds. One of the simplest ways of avoiding this is to have a separate bank account for the horse activity. There should be evidence that you obtained a business license from the local municipality if needed and that your farm is properly zoned for the activity.

During the audit, your representative should provide only those documents specifically requested. Your representative should ascertain beforehand the specific issues involved in the audit.

One crucial area of concern to the IRS is whether you have consulted experts or whether you yourself have become an expert. They will want to know the names of trainers whom you have employed and how you decided to hire them. Many of my clients obtain a tax opinion letter from me in which I analyze the activity, make recommendations on the business plan and provide legal points and authorities in support of my conclusions. This is evidence that you have consulted an expert and that you have proceeded to implement any recommendations given.

Sometimes the revenue agent will ask you to waive the statute of limitations, which I usually do not recommend, although in some instances it may be appropriate, depending on the circumstances. For example, if your audit is a complex one that may take considerable time, the revenue agent may genuinely need additional time and, if all is proceeding fairly well, it may be appropriate to allow for an extension of the statute of limitations.

It appears to me that the apparent trend of the IRS to audit activities in the early startup phase will continue in the foreseeable future because I continue to be contacted by taxpayers who are precisely in that situation.

The taxpayers who succeed at the audit phase are those who have had the best tax planning. Taxpayers who go to the trouble and expense of obtaining a formal tax opinion letter usually do very well because they are able to show more clearly that their activity is conducted in a businesslike manner. H John Alan Cohan is a lawyer who has served the horse, livestock and farming industries since 1981. He serves clients in all 50 states and can be reached at (310) 278-0203 or by email at johnalancohan@ aol.com. His website is johnalancohan.com.

L ighting

and setup can make a world of difference in stallion photos , as shown in these two shots of the same horse . bridle path should also be clipped well enough so that no distracting whiskers and hairs will be apparent in the photos.

Also important in terms of the horse’s appearance is the halter it should wear for the photos. Do not use a bright-colored halter and lead, as that would draw attention away from the horse.

Plain, well-fitting leather halters look best and provide little to no distraction. If you want to keep the lead or do not have the ability to edit the image to remove it, be certain to use a lead that matches the halter.

Various items will be needed to help pose the horse. Pest repellent should be applied prior to the horse being photographed and should be kept on-hand during the photo session. This will make the job of keeping the horse still much easier. The horse’s ears should be perked in photos, so a variety of objects may be used to try to get the horse’s ears up. These objects can include a pom-pom, broom, mirror or stick horse. Animal sounds, particularly horse sounds, can be effective in getting a horse’s ears to prick forward; these can be accessed through various smartphone apps or through toys that make such noises.

When taking a conformation shot, the horse should be set up properly so that it is in the most flattering position possible. This position is achieved by standing the horse with its legs offset.

The front and hind leg on the side of the horse’s body farthest from the camera should be closer together than the legs on the side closest to the camera. The legs on the same side of the body as the camera should not be stretched too far apart or that could give the horse’s body an elongated appearance.

This set-up ensures that each of the horse’s legs will be viewable in the picture and will not be positioned in a manner that falsely portrays the horse’s conformation. If the horse’s legs were set up in a position opposite of the aforementioned proper one, the horse would appear awkward and possibly disproportionate. In another scenario, if a horse’s legs were set up squarely, an optical illusion in the resulting 32 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

photo would make the horse appear to have only two legs.

Take several shots with the horse’s neck at different levels. The neck should be neither too high nor too low, but it may require a variety of different shots to determine which level works best for the horse. After all, what looks good in person may look different in the subsequent photos.

However, it is not only the positioning of the horse’s body that plays a critical role in getting the perfect photo. The setting in which the photo is taken can also make or break the picture. The horse should stand on a clean, flat surface—preferably pavement, although freshly mowed grass is satisfactory. The photo should not be taken in tall grass, as this would cover the horse’s hooves and lower legs.

Make certain that the background is clean rather than busy or distracting. The horse should be the focus of the photo; no attention should be drawn elsewhere. The photo should be taken in a location in which there is a simple, plain background. While trees and fences may be in the background, take care that these objects will not appear to be protruding from the horse.

If you are regularly taking these photos on the same property, once you have identified a good location for photos, it is in your best interest to stick with that location. Doing so is a form of branding yourself as a seller, breeder or farm, as people will come to recognize that particular location and connect it with you.

You or your designated photographer must also position yourselves well. You should be far enough away from the horse when taking the photo to capture the entire horse in the frame without cutting off the ears or hooves. Being too close could also distort the horse’s size and conformation. Position yourself even with the girth area of the horse rather than shooting from too close to the horse’s head or rear, which would cause a distorted angle. Be perpendicular to the horse.

When taking the photo, do not stand, as this would make the horse look smaller than its actual size. Rather, lower yourself closer

to the ground by kneeling or crouching. Doing so can also be helpful in making the background less distracting.

Lighting is another significant factor. Early morning and late afternoon or evening are the best times of day to take the photo. Sunny days are the best days to take these photos, but try not to capture them midday, as the sun is too bright and will cause unwanted shadowing and blown-out highlights. When photographing at the correct times of day, shoot with your back to the sun, as shooting into the sun will cause harsh shadows that will not allow the details of the horse to be preserved. Also make sure that you or the horse’s handler do not cast a shadow in the image.

Finally, be patient and take your time. Professional photographers sometimes spend an entire day shooting and still don’t get the perfect image, so don’t expect a five-minute photo shoot. If the stallion you are photographing gets agitated or a foal gets rambunctious, try taking a break and making another attempt later that day or even the next day.

Each horse, setting and situation can present a different challenge, but they also can come together to achieve the perfect photograph. By following these steps and techniques, you can present your horse in the most appealing way possible, while making the process less stressful for all involved. H Mary Cage, a 19-year-old horse racing fan, has been around horses her entire life, including owning and showing. She has maintained the horse racing blog, Past the Grandstand at pastthegrandstand.blogspot.com, since August 2011 and has been published in America’s Horse and the Appaloosa Journal, as well as on the websites of The BloodHorse and The Equine Chronicle. She attends the University of North Texas, where she is studying photojournalism.

Picking the Right Equipment It used to be that you needed an expensive camera to capture quality images, but thanks to digital technology you can still get good results with a smartphone or a standard “point and shoot” digital camera. If you want to take it up a level, you should have a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. DSLRs are cheaper than ever, but an entry-level model will still set you back about $500. Buying a used model that is a couple years old can slash that price by more than half.

If you do make an investment in a DSLR, here are a few tips: • Keep your aperture at F/5.0 or F/5.6. Doing so will help blur any distracting background but keep the full body of the horse in focus.

• To keep a good, sharp image, your shutter

speed should be at least 1/400th of a second or faster. Shooting at a time of day with good light will make this easy.

• A 200mm focal length is recommended for

photographing conformation shots. This is relative to positioning yourself far away from the horse, as you should be far enough back to zoom all the way in and still be able to see the entire horse and fill the frame.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 33

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE ASMUSSEN ON HIS INDUCTION INTO THE NATIONAL RACING HALL OF FAME! • 7,287 career wins (second all-time) • $241 million in purse earnings (fourth all-time)

• Two-time Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Trainer

• Single season record of 650 wins

Steve, a true horseman through and through, will be joined in the 2016 class by his trainee RACHEL ALEXANDRA.

Congrats to Steve and his entire team!

Here’s another rising star from Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center!

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Four Score Last spring proved to be especially fruitful for horses bred in the states covered by American Racehorse, as Colorado-bred Get Happy Mister won a graded race in California, Texas-breds Promise Me Silver and Texas Air captured graded events in Kentucky and the Lone Star State, respectively, and Oklahoma-breds and Texas-breds picked up several open company stakes wins. This March and April saw only a handful of state-bred stakes winners at Lone Star Park and Will Rogers Downs, but with racing now underway in several states in the Midwest, the list figures to grow considerably in the next issue of the magazine.

For recaps and photos of all stakes run in the Midwest, Southwest and Midsouth regions, go to americanracehorse.com. (For a recap of the Arkansas-bred stakes at Oaklawn Park, please turn to page 42.)

Dustin Orona Photography

Oklahoma-breds score stakes wins at Will Rogers, and Texas-breds kick off the Lone Star meet

A lready a two - time stakes winner at R emington P ark in O klahoma , T exas - bred MY MASTER PLAN earned her first stakes win in her home state at L one S tar P ark .

SUPERMASON

$55,000 Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs Classic Distaff Sprint Stakes Will Rogers Downs • 4yo filly by Ellerton Owner: Robbin Caldwell • Breeder: Chuck Bowlan (Oklahoma) • Trainer: Mark Buehrer Jockey: David Cabrera Ellerton stands in Oklahoma at Rockin’ BB Ranch

MY MASTER PLAN

$50,000 Wayne Hanks Memorial Stakes Lone Star Park • 3yo filly by Oratory Owner: Joyce McGough • Breeder: Dan McGough (Texas) • Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel • Jockey: Luis Quinonez The late stallion Oratory stood in Oklahoma at River Oaks Farms

$50,000 Premiere Stakes • Lone Star Park 4yo gelding by Grasshopper • Owner: Brad Grady • Breeder: W.S. Farish & E.J. Hudson Jr. Irrevocable Trust (Texas) • Trainer: Bret Calhoun • Jockey: Lindey Wade Grasshopper stands in Texas at Lane’s End Texas

WELDER

$55,000 TRAO Classic Sprint Stakes Will Rogers Downs • 3yo gelding by The Visualiser • Owner: Ra-Max Farms LLC Breeder: Center Hills Farm (Oklahoma) Trainer: Theresa Luneack Jockey: Travis Cunningham The Visualiser stands in Oklahoma at Mighty Acres

O klahoma - bred GOODHEARTEDGIRL

N ow a three - time stakes winner in T exas , SUPERMASON boosted his bankroll to more than $180,000 with a victory in the P remiere S takes to open the L one S tar P ark meet .

Coady Photography

scored a mild upset at W ill R ogers D owns to record her first career stakes win and become the first stakes winner for her sire E llerton .

Dustin Orona Photography

GOODHEARTEDGIRL

a son of T he V isualiser , won for the third time in four starts as he rolled in his stakes debut at W ill R ogers D owns with a quick six - furlong clocking of 1:08.70.

38 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Coady Photography

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STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS

42 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Maize Road, Seeking Angels, Weast Hill Win Arkansas-bred Stakes at Oaklawn

Coady Photography

Oaklawn Park presented a trio of Arkansas-bred stakes in early April with one familiar face and two new stakes winners emerging with victories.

Randy Patterson’s Maize Road had to survive an objection, but it was the only real challenge he encountered in his 3 1/2-length victory in the $100,000 Rainbow Stakes for 3-yearold state-breds.

Maize Road, the 9-5 favorite, relaxed nicely for jockey Alex Canchari and sat just off the pace set by Handsome Roy. The winner came four wide around the turn for home to assume the lead and continued to draw away from his six other rivals, completing the six furlongs in Maize Road 1:11.04.

Carson’s Suspect had to settle for second after the objection lodged by jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. was not allowed. Mr Ark closed well from seventh to get third.

Trainer Randy Morse Seeking Angels was following in the footsteps of his father, W.R. “Charlie” Morse, who won this race in 1982 with Jef Fix. Maize Road, a 3-year-old Afleet Alex gelding bred by McDowell Farm, improved his record to Weast Hill two wins from five starts and has now earned $119,800 for his connections. This was his first stakes win.

Seeking Angels may have been one of the least experienced fillies in the field, but she proved to be the most talented with an easy win in the $100,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Under jockey Walter De La Cruz, Seeking Angels, a heavy 4-5 favorite for trainer Bill Martin, shot out of the gate and took control early. Sadie Be Mine, who had been tracking in second, came within a head of the leader at the half-mile mark but

Coady Photography

The second Kenneth Cotton Memorial was run April 23 at Evangeline Downs. It was an exciting race for Alabama-bred 3-year-olds and up, non-winners of two, going six furlongs for a $25,000 purse.

Uncle Drossel, a 3-year-old son of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Drosselmeyer owned by Thomas Holyfield and bred

by Carl and Daryl Tuttle, laid off the pace, took the lead in the stretch passing the early leader Menewa, and held off Branchwater by a nose. Branchwater, a homebred for Dennis Murphy, came from nearly 10 lengths out at the half-mile pole to just miss at the wire. Menewa, owned and bred by Bobby Pruitt, finished third, with Alabama Brass, owned by Carol Howell and bred by Darrel Jackson, running fourth. Uncle Drossel, who sold for $27,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September yearling sale, has earned $45,136 with a record of 9-2-3-1. Many thanks go out to the Louisiana HBPA for their help and support in making this a successful race.

As of this writing, details are being worked out whereby the Alabama HBPA will put up funding with the four Louisiana tracks for the purpose of added monies to be paid to Alabama-bred horses running in open company. The Louisiana HBPA, once again, is coming to the plate with the logistics and will disburse the added Alabama-bred funds of $2,000 maximum per race until all funds have been paid out.

What this means to Alabama-bred owners is that if your horse were to win an open company race at any of the four Louisiana tracks, you would be entitled to your pro rata share of the $2,000 added money, and if you finish fourth or better, you would also receive your share of the Alabama-bred supplemental purse funds currently in place. So, if your Alabama-bred wins a race at a Louisiana track, you would be entitled to $1,200 added money (60 percent of $2,000) plus an $800 Alabama-bred supplement.

This is a trial run, which if successful we would like to pursue expanding to other states with the permission of those respective HBPA affiliates.

We do not see any changes to the Alabama situation with gaming no longer on the legislative agenda. With no active discussion of live racing at the Birmingham Race Course, the Alabama HBPA is trying to do what we can to support the horsemen who continue to run Alabama-bred horses. In the meantime, we will keep travelling to other states in hopes of getting a share of the glory of owning a racehorse.

Please continue to notify Executive Director Nancy Delony when your Alabama-bred runs on the board in open company races at nancy.m.delony@ms.com or (205) 969-7048.

ARKANSAS THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS

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ALABAMA HBPA NEWS Kenneth Cotton Memorial Recap, Incentives for Alabama-breds in Louisiana

began to fade at the top of the stretch as Seeking Angels drew off to win by 1 ½ lengths over a fast-closing Avisionofchocolate. Aunt Gayle came from sixth to get third. The winning time was 1:11.17.

Seeking Angels, a daughter of Bob and John who broke her maiden at Oaklawn in February, has now won two of three starts and has earned $115,400. She was bred by Dr. Dan White and is owned by White and Martin Brothers Inc. Odds-on favorite Weast Hill answered a big question when he improved his Oaklawn record to a perfect five-for-five with his victory in the $100,000 Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes, his first start beyond six furlongs.

Under jockey Joe Rocco Jr., Weast Hill assumed his usual position at the front of the field and led through an opening quarter mile in :23.18. He allowed Indygo Bo to take over for a half-mile in :47.46 but quickly took command rounding the turn and was never seriously challenged as he drew off to win impressively by four lengths for his second consecutive Oaklawn stakes win and third overall. He completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.06.

Mallard’s Bro came from eighth place early in the race to be second, a half-length in front of third-place finisher Meanbone.

Trace Creek, last year’s winner, was fourth.

“Joe did a good job,” said winning trainer Brad Cox, who conditions the 4-year-old Rockport Harbor gelding for owner/ breeder Starsky Weast. “We knew he would break sharp and put himself on the pace. Joe did the best he could idling him down. He showed up and ran a big race.”

Weast Hill has won six races from eight starts and has earned $279,710.

INDIANA THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS 2015 Indiana Champions Honored

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ITOBA honored the state’s top horses and horsemen at its annual awards banquet on April 16 at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino.

Lady Fog Horn, a daughter of Zavata running for breeder/owner The Elkstone Group LLC, earned Horse of the Year honors as well as the 3-Year-Old Indiana-sired Filly title.

Lady Fog Horn recorded four consecutive stakes wins at Indiana Grand and concluded her campaign with a solid second-place finish against Grade 3 company in the $100,000 Cardinal Stakes on the Churchill Downs turf course. All told, she won six of nine starts and banked $354,335 on the year. She kicked off her 4-yearold season with a decisive win in an allowance/optional claiming race on April 20 at Indiana Grand to push her lifetime bankroll to $434,166. Her dam, the Northern Spur (Ire) mare Titia, was named Broodmare of the Year.

This year’s winners really highlighted the earning potential for an Indiana-bred and/or Indiana-sired horse and the rising profile of the Indiana racing and breeding program. This not only benefits the ownLady Fog Horn ers, breeders and stallion owners, but it also adds opportunity for the trainers of Indiana-bred and -sired horses. The entire system trickles down, adding opportunities for the farms and suppliers that support the Indiana horse Arkansas-breds Earn $50,000 in Bonus Money industry. at Oaklawn ITOBA is excited to see that it goes on and on as one positive Registered Arkansas-breds performed quite well during the feeds another. When Lady Fog Horn’s trainer, Anthony Granitz, Oaklawn Park meet, and on 10 occasions they won in open took the microphone to accept the award, he explained how company to earn a $5,000 incentive bonus. That bonus is up from Indiana racing is positively affecting his family. He told us that $2,000 last year. Congratulations to the following owners during because of the potential here, his family just broke ground to build the meet, some of whom were also listed in the previous issue of a new home in the Hoosier State. They are illustrating just one of the many ways that Indiana horse racing impacts our state the magazine: economy.

We are grateful to all of the many components that have worked Date Horse Owner together to create this opportunity. We currently have the best 1/24 Allreadytogo Eugenia Benight and most cooperative relationship between the horsemen, tracks, 1/29 Weast Hill Starsky Weast breed development and the racing commission. It is very fitting 1/31, 3/3 Carmen’s Picture Four Horsemen Stable LLC that the combined efforts of the Thoroughbred Breed Develop (Mike Simpson and ment Program and Indiana Grand have created an advertising Jackie Lackie) campaign with the slogan, “There is no better time to buy, breed 2/11 Pink Flash Michael Mazoch and race in Indiana.”

2/19 Mae B Johnson William S. Sparks Congratulations again to all the winners, who are listed below.

3/11 Innocent Storm Danny Caldwell 3/24 Golds Venice Randy Exelby, Charles Garvey 2-Year-Old Indiana-sired Colt: Derby Express and Rollingson Racing Stable Breeder: Greenhill Racing • Owner: Sherri Greenhill 3/25 More Than Krazy End Zone Athletics Inc. 2-Year-Old Indiana-bred Colt: Brothers Dryden 4/16 Beguiling Creek Ernie Witt Breeder: L.J. Gaudreau • Owner: Irish Whisky II AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 43

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS 2-Year-Old Indiana-sired Filly: Easy Victory Breeder: Circle S Ranch • Owner: Shawn Strain

Indiana’s Thoroughbred Industry: Now Is the Time to Invest

2-Year-Old Indiana-bred Filly: Special Talent Breeder: Larry Goodwin • Owner: Daniel Bell

(from the Indiana Horse Racing Commission) Now is the time to get involved in Indiana’s Thoroughbred horse racing industry, specifically Indiana’s Thoroughbred Breed Development Program. During 2015, more than $15.6 million was distributed to owners, breeders and stallion owners participating in the program. Due to legislative action taken last year, the program will offer even more for 2016.

Legislative changes enacted in 2016 will result in an additional $1.4 million available to the Thoroughbred Breed Development Program annually. When combined with continuing support from Indiana Grand, we were able to make the following improvements to the program for 2016: • Increased purses for 20 stakes races, from $85,000 to $100,000 each.

• The ability to offer a 15 percent increase in the number of overnight races restricted to Indiana-bred horses (approximately 48 more than 2015), resulting in a total of 322 restricted races offered.

And, don’t forget about these additional benefits of breeding, owning and racing an Indiana-bred/-sired horse: • Four Signature Stakes races contested at $150,000 (includes an additional 25 percent supplement for Indiana-sired horses finishing first, second or third).

• Breeder Awards where payments are calculated at 20 percent of the total purse for eligible races.

• Out-of-state Breeder Award payments that are 10 percent of the winner’s share of the purse for eligible races.

• An additional 40 percent in purse money for Indiana-bred horses that finish first, second or third in eligible open races at Indiana Grand.

• Stallion Owner Awards with 10 percent of the total purse for eligible races.

It’s not too late to enjoy the benefits this program has to offer. Indiana continues to improve its lucrative Thoroughbred Breed Development Program, and if you are not already breeding, buying or racing in Indiana, now is the time to become involved. Make plans to breed, buy or race in Indiana today.

We will be happy to assist you in getting involved with the Indiana program. Please contact Director of Racing and Breed Development Jessica Barnes at (317) 233-3119 or jbarnes@hrc. in.gov. Additionally, information about the 2016 Thoroughbred Breed Development Program may be found on our website at in.gov/hrc/tb.

3-Year-Old Indiana-sired Colt: Daddy Justice Breeder: Justice Farm (Greg Justice) • Owner: Cindy Patrick 3-Year-Old Indiana-bred Colt: Bucchero Breeder: Southern Chase Farm Inc. and Karen Dodd Owner: Ironhorse Racing LLC (Malter) 3-Year-Old Indiana-sired Filly: Lady Fog Horn Breeder/Owner: The Elkstone Group LLC 3-Year-Old Indiana-bred Filly: I’m Workin On It Breeder: B.A. Man Inc. and Richard Maynard Owner: William Oswald Older Indiana-sired Horse: Country Minister Breeder: Swifty Farms Inc. Owner: Dan and Tosha Smart and Southwest Racing Stables Older Indiana-bred Horse: Runaway Raj Breeder: Joe Dodgen • Owner: GTG Racing LLC Older Indiana-sired Mare: Angel Choir Breeder: Connie and Richard Snyder • Owner: Up Hill Stable Older Indiana-bred Mare: Wild Swava Breeder: John O’Meara • Owner: Naveed Chowhan Broodmare of the Year: Titia Stallion of the Year: City Weekend Horse of the Year: Lady Fog Horn Blood-Horse Presentation of Julep Cup for Breeder of the Year: Justice Farm (Greg Justice) Indiana Breed Development Awards: Breeder of the Year: Justice Farm (Greg Justice) Stallion Owner of the Year: Larry Ernst

Dates to Remember

June 11: ITOBA Stallion Season Auction Stakes with the $75,000 colts/geldings division in memory of Jim Elliott and $75,000 fillies division in memory of Linda Swingley June 12: ITOBA 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale (itobasales.com) July 16: Indiana Derby Day at Indiana Grand 44 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

IOWA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWS 2015 Iowa-bred Champions

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Shady Bend Thoroughbreds’ homebred Sumting Wong, with $129,920 in earnings for 2015, was named both Champion Iowa-bred Older Filly or Mare and Iowa-bred Horse of the Year at the combined Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners and Iowa HBPA awards banquet at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino on May 14.

Sumting Wong is a 6-year-old daughter of Pikepass out of Nut N Better (by Miracle Heights), herself a twotime Iowa champion who was also bred by Shady Bend and currently is owned by Brandi and Joe Sumting Wong Fett. Nut N Better added another honor to her record by being named Iowa Broodmare of the Year based on total 2015 earnings of her offspring at Prairie Meadows.

Missouri resident Allen Poindexter was both the leading breeder of Iowa-breds, with $499,587 in progeny earnings, and the leading owner with $513,038.

The complete list of winners follows.

2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Cornfed Breeder: Jeff Hartz • Owner: Runaway Racing 2-Year-Old Filly: Dreamin Breeder/Owner: Donald Downing 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Net Gain Breeder: Lane Thoroughbreds • Owner: Winstar Farm 3-Year-Old Filly: Colorful Bride Breeder: Lloyd DeBruycker • Owner: Black Oak Farm Older Colt or Gelding: Caiman Breeder: Linda Leech • Owner: James Leech Older Mare and Horse of the Year: Sumting Wong Breeder/Owner: Shady Bend Thoroughbreds ITBOA Sales Graduate: Shock Hazard Breeder: Burden Creek and Clifton Farm • Owner: Jody Mueller Stallion of the Year: Added Edge • Owner: Special K Stables Broodmare of the Year: Nut N Better Owner: Brandi and Joe Fett Leading Owner and Breeder: Allen Poindexter

Prairie Meadows Unveils Upgrades for 2016 Season In advance of the 2016 live racing season, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino put the finishing touches on multimillion-dollar upgrades, improvements and renovations in television and hospitality. The Iowa track worked in partnership with American Teletimer during the offseason to convert the entire television department to high definition.

When racing returned on April 28, on-track fans and off-site viewers could immediately notice major changes to the infield tote board and a fresh new look on the simulcast feed.

Two 9’ x 33’ high-definition information boards are located on either side of the new LED odds and wagering totals in the center of the tote board. A jumbo 18’ x 31’ high-definition Daktronics video screen, similar to those installed at major tracks like Keeneland and Del Mar, sits atop the tote board to provide a crystal clear view of every live race.

“We will have expanded capabilities all over the facility,” said Television Manager Ryan Dunn. “We will have the ability to incorporate multiple assets into the race-day television programming, including social media content. We will be able to take viewers into new places they’ve never seen before on a simulcast signal.”

Dunn added that the system-wide high-definition upgrade increases the total number of cameras on the signal from nine to 14, including new cameras on the starting gate, in the stewards’ stand, in the announcer’s booth and a wireless camera that will provide coverage of the entire track apron and infield.

On the hospitality side, AJ’s Steakhouse—a favorite gathering place for Prairie Meadows horsemen—has undergone significant expansion and renovations since the end of the 2015 racing season with a larger bar and lounge area and an increased seating capacity.

With changes to the racing schedule, including Saturday afternoon racing, AJ’s has adjusted its hours and the backside kitchen has re-opened to meet the needs of horsemen.

Just inside the track apron doors, Hop’s Lounge—another popular race-day spot for horsemen and fans alike—has also undergone renovation for the 2016 racing season.

MICHIGAN THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Stakes Schedule for Hazel Park The stakes schedule has been set for the Thoroughbred meet at Hazel Park Raceway that kicks off May 27 and runs through September 3. The closing day card will feature six Michigan Sire Stakes races.

MTOBA members are also reminded that we have a new phone number: (231) 457-4979.

Following is the stakes schedule for 2016.

Date Race Age/Sex 7/1 Regret Stakes 3-Year-Old Fillies 7/2 Lansing Stakes 3-Year-Old Colts/Geldings 7/8 Larkspur Stakes 4 & Up Fillies/Mares AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 45

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS 7/9 8/19 8/19 8/19 8/20 8/20 8/20 9/3 9/3 9/3 9/3 9/3 9/3

Michigan Breeders Gov. Cup 4 & Up Colts/Geldings Prep Race 2-Year-Old Fillies Prep Race 2-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Prep Race 3-Year-Old Fillies Prep Race 3-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Prep Race 4 & Up Fillies/Mares Prep Race 4 & Up Colts/Geldings Michigan Sire Stakes 2-Year-Old Fillies Michigan Sire Stakes 2-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Michigan Sire Stakes 3-Year-Old Fillies Michigan Sire Stakes 3-Year-Old Colts/Geldings Michigan Sire Stakes 4 & Up Fillies/Mares Michigan Sire Stakes 4 & Up Colts/Geldings

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MINNESOTA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Minnesota Champions Honored The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s summer calendar is filled with opportunities for breeders, owners and race fans!

The MTA held its annual Awards Banquet on May 19, the eve of the 2016 live race meet at Canterbury Park. We honored and celebrated the 2015 accomplishments of our equine athletes, owners, breeders and trainers as we look forward to great things during the summer of 2016.

Dale Schenian’s Hold for More, a Hold Me Back gelding bred by WoodMere Farm, was honored as the Minnesota Horse of the Year and top 3-YearOld Male after winning three stakes during the Canterbury Park meet. He also earned Horse of the Meet honors Hold for More at the track.

Congratulations to these champions.

Minnesota Horse of the Year and 3-Year-Old Male: Hold for More Breeder: Wood-Mere Farm • Owner: Dale Schenian 2-Year-Old Female: La Petite Cheri Breeder/Owner: Curtis A. Sampson 2-Year-Old Male: Smooth Chiraz Breeder/Owner: Ann Sachdev and Lori Bravo 3-Year-Old Female: Silver Magna Breeder/Owner: Al and Bill Ulwelling Older Female: Rockin the Bleu’s Breeder/Owner: Jeff and Deb Hilger Older Male: A P Is Loose • Breeder/Owner: Joel Zamzow

46 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

Broodmare of the Year: Miners Mirage Owner: Wood-Mere Farm Minnesota Stallion of the Year: Ghazi Owner: Eugene and Rita Boehlke TOBA Award: Curtis A. Sampson Charles Bellingham Award: Curtis A. Sampson MTA Trainer of the Year: Francisco Bravo MTA Member of the Year: Was to be announced during the awards presentation

MTA Yearling Sale Back at Canterbury in August The 2016 MTA Yearling Sale will be held at Canterbury Park on Monday, August 22, at 5:00 p.m. After two years at an alternate location due to construction at Canterbury, the sale will return to the racetrack.

We are excited by the opportunities having the sale in Canterbury Park’s Expo Center holds. Better lighting, seating, sound and video capabilities will definitely enhance the sales atmosphere. A total of 57 yearlings are being accepted for the sale, with Minnesota-bred yearlings preferred. Non-Minnesota-breds may be accepted if stalls remain available once all Minnesota-bred yearlings have a stall assignment.

All consignment paperwork is available at minnesotabred.com. Consignment deadline is noon on June 15.

Graduates of the 2016 MTA Yearling Sale will be eligible for a special 2-year-old race, in addition to a special bonus upon breaking their maiden at Canterbury Park. Minnesota-bred yearlings that go through the auction ring and sell to new owners during the auction will be eligible for nomination to the 2017 MTA Yearling Sale Graduate Futurity. This race will be run for the first time on July 30 this year at five furlongs for a $40,000 purse. We were very pleased to have 48 horses nominated by the April 1 deadline. We anticipate this race will continue to offer a good incentive for consignors and buyers alike in the years to come.

Also, starting with the class of 2016, sales graduates will earn a bonus for their breeders when they break their maiden at Canterbury Park’s maiden special weight or allowance levels. If the sales grad is sired by a Minnesota stallion, the stallion owner will receive a $1,000 bonus. The breeder of a Minnesota-bred sales grad will receive a $1,000 bonus, and the breeder of a Minnesota-conceived and -foaled sales grad will receive a $2,000 bonus.

There are so many reasons to buy a Minnesota-bred yearling at the MTA Sale. Make plans to visit Canterbury Park and add a Minnesota-bred or two to your racing stable.

NORTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS

Carolina-bred who took a claiming race at Penn National Race Course.

The filly is by Chelsey Cat, who is owned by Nancy and stands in North Carolina at her Rock House Farm. We love having this type of horse who was bred and born in North Carolina. For all who do not know, North Carolina was the number one state in breeding Thoroughbreds before the Civil War. More Than Special, a mare by Artie Schiller, was a winner at Parx Racing. This mare was bred by Beth Muirhead. Beth is one of the founding members of the NCTA and served as president for a good while.

Missdixieactivist, a mare by Activist, was a winner at Penn National.

She was bred by Jim Chandley, our 2015 breeder of the year, and he also bred her mother, Dixie Lass, and stands broodmare sire Misbah in Pennsylvania.

Congratulations to all our winners, both owners and breeders.

For a list of horses running second and third, please visit the NCTA Facebook page.

President’s Message

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We first would like to congratulate all our owners and breeders on an excellent start to the year. Our horses are doing great at the track, and for such a small association we have lots of horses running and winning at very high levels.

My only disappointment this year is that some of our old members did not rejoin us. We miss them and hope they will reconsider and join us again. To all who have joined us and all our new members, you make this association work.

Many thanks to all the people who take their time to send me news, let us know when we have made a mistake, send pictures and volunteer their time to provide us news that keeps our members up to date on what is going on and report on all the happenings with our members. It takes an extra effort on everyone’s part to keep us updated and informed. To all my volunteers, thank you.

I hope to hold a board meeting sometime in May and hope the board and the membership will join us. I will send out information by THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA NEWS email to all members who have provided their email address. If you do 2015 Oklahoma Champions not have email, you can call me and I will give you the time and place.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone there. The meeting will be The TRAO and Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission honored held in Raleigh or near Raleigh, so it will be in the middle of the state. the Oklahoma-bred Thoroughbred champions of 2015 at the Hard I would like to wish all a very good racing year and that all your foals Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa on May 20. and mares have great babies. Please remember to send us the news; Horse of the Year honors, as well as we love to hear from you. the title of Champion Thoroughbred

Joanne Dew, NCTA President Racing Stock and 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Colt/Gelding, went to Shotgun Kowboy. Bred, owned and trained Breeding News

by C.R. Trout, the gelding by Kodiak Sandy and Joanne Dew have had good success with their mares, Kowboy was also named Horse of the with each producing a filly this year. Blues Legend (Mr. Greeley—Cozy Meet at Remington Park after capturShotgun Kowboy Blues, by Cure the Blues) has a very large and nice Tizway filly born on ing the Oklahoma Derby (G3) and Oklahoma Classics Cup Stakes.

March 5 and was successfully bred back to Congrats. Lumina (Devil’s Congratulations to all the champions listed below.

Bag—Bucking the Odds, by Spend a Buck) has a nice Awesome Patriot Horse of the Year, Thoroughbred Racing Stock and 3-Year-Old foal born on March 31 and has been bred back to Gio Ponti.

Thoroughbred Colt/Gelding: Shotgun Kowboy Breeder/Owner: C.R. Trout

Racing News

Our stakes winner for this issue is Speed Seeker, who on April 9 won the $75,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. The 5-year-old Heatseeker (Ire) mare is owned by a partnership that includes our member Frank Coniglio.

Other winners in March and April include Tribal Heat, a filly by Bring the Heat, who won an allowance race at Charles Town. She was bred and is owned by Clinton Lowry, DVM. World Peace, a daughter of Ready’s Image, was a winner at Turfway Park of an allowance race. She is owned by Eclipse Thoroughbreds, and our member Randy Pozar is a member of this syndicate.

Kenan Rand is the owner of This Boy’s Sharp, a Sharp Humor gelding who was an allowance winner at Tampa Bay Downs.

Duke of Luke, a gelded son of Kantharos, was also a winner at Tampa. He was bred by our member Faye Little and her daughter Brooke Little.

Nancy Shuford had another winner in Magpie Maggie, a North

2-Year Old Thoroughbred Filly: Go No Go Breeder/Owner: Forrest Hills Farm LLC 2-Year-Old Thoroughbred Colt/Gelding: Royal Lion Breeder: John James Revocable Trust • Owner: 7 Cedars Farm 3-Year-Old Thoroughbred Filly: Zealous Vision Breeder: Center Hills Farm • Owner: Center Hills Farm and Big Sugar Racing LLC Female Sprinter: Okie Princess Breeder: Raywood Farm and Pick Byrne • Owner: Clark Brewster Male Sprinter and Aged Thoroughbred Stallion/Gelding: Okie Ride • Breeder/Owner: Richter Family Trust AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 47

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS Female Turf Runner and Aged Thoroughbred Mare: Zeta Zody Breeder: Robert Zoellner • Owner: Al and Bill Ulwelling Male Turf Runner: Perfect to Please • Breeder: John and Barbara Smicklas Living Trusts • Owner: Elada Kirk Thoroughbred Claimer of the Year: Hard Cider Breeder: 7 Cedars Farm • Owner: Danny Keene Thoroughbred Horse, Mixed Meets: Johnny Whip Breeder: Robert Zoellner • Owner: George Straw Thoroughbred Mare, Racing Stock: More Than Even Breeder/Owner: Doyle Williams

erations prevent going back into the barns. With those trainers having relatively small operations, that remains a significant financial hit.

“It could have been a lot worse,” said Barber, who praised Will Rogers’ track team for working quickly to minimize potential injury to horses. “Those guys in that barn only have between five and 10 horses. That’s what they do for a living. If they [horses] are all gone, it would be hard to start back. You hope it never happens to you.

But if it does, you hope you’re covered.”

OKC Summer Sale Set for August 14, Entries Due June 10

The entry form for the Carter Sales Co.’s OKC Summer Sale is now available online. The sale, which will feature yearlings and horses of racing age, is set for Sunday, August 14, at the Oklahoma City FairLeading Owner of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: C.R. Trout grounds Sales Arena following opening weekend at Remington Park.

Entries are due by June 10.

Leading Breeder of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Center Hills Farm For more information, visit cartersalesco.com.

Leading Sire of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: Omega Code Leading Dam of Thoroughbred Racing Stock: The Penguin Owner: Robert Zoellner

Tornado at Will Rogers Downs Illustrates Importance of NHBPA’s Disaster Coverage

The recent tornado damage to the barn area at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore illustrates the benefit for racetracks and training centers to participate in the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association’s fire and disaster insurance policy.

Because of its size, the umbrella policy allows racing and training facilities to acquire the coverage at an affordable rate as a benefit to their owners and trainers. As a result of Will Rogers Downs participating in the HBPA’s group plan, insurance will pay for the financial losses incurred by affected trainers and horse owners. The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma is an HBPA affiliate; however, non-HBPA affiliated tracks and training facilities also can participate in the disaster insurance.

“In the case of an emergency, the National HBPA and HBPA affiliates are always standing ready to help,” said NHBPA CEO Eric Hamelback. “One benefit of being a National HBPA member, as Oklahoma and Will Rogers Downs will find out, is the fire and disaster policy that can be acquired through us for racetrack and training facilities.

“Natural disasters strike with little warning,” he added. “Having the benefit of this fire and disaster policy gives you some peace of mind.”

The Will Rogers backstretch was extensively damaged, including the destruction of half of two 36-stall barns, when a tornado hit the area March 30. No humans were injured, with two horses suffering injuries, one relatively minor and the other saved but quite possibly through racing, according to Danielle Barber, executive director of the TRAO. Barber said several trainers lost all of their tack and feed, with the extent of damage still to be determined while safety consid48 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

SOUTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Aiken Trials a Huge Success The 74th edition of the Aiken Trials on March 19 was a great day.

The forecasted rain failed to materialize, the sky cleared and it even got hot. A great thanks goes out to all who entered horses and to their staff for all the hard work that goes with preparing them and racing them on the day.

In particular, a special thanks goes out to Travis Durr, Kenny Huffman and Arch Kingsley for bringing horses from their training centers to Aiken. The effort and the hard work that goes into shipping in to run as opposed to being stabled in Aiken is appreciated. Many thanks. All in all, it was a nice day with exciting racing and everyone, either participating or in the crowd, had a wonderful time.

Following are the results.

First Trial—The Gaver Trophy for 2-Year-Old Maiden Fillies at ¼ mile 1st: Unnamed filly • Owner: John Behrendt • Trainer: Arch Kingsley 2nd: Mygirlfriday • Owner: George Sikora • Trainer: Kenny Huffman Second Trial—The Coward Trophy for 2-Year-Old Maidens at ¼ mile 1st: Aikenetta • Owner: Dogwood Stable • Trainer: Ron Stevens 2nd: Country Dash • Owner: Travis Durr and Dale Martin Trainer: Travis Durr Third Trial—The Post Trophy for 2-Year-Old Maidens at ¼ mile 1st: Unnamed colt • Owner: Webb Carroll • Trainer: Travis Durr 2nd: Artillery Ridge • Owner: Halsey Minor • Trainer: Arch Kingsley Fourth Trial—The Von Stade Trophy for 3-Year-Old and Up Maiden Fillies at 4 ½ furlongs 1st: Sweet Crimson • Owner: Gus Schickedanz • Trainer: Mike Keogh 2nd: Dancin Street • Owner: Eileen Gilbert • Trainer: Brad Stauffer Fifth Trial—The Islin Hall of Fame Trophy for 3-Year-Old and Up Maidens at 4 ½ furlongs 1st: Donaghy • Owner: Dunbarton Stable • Trainer: Cary Frommer 2nd: Bordagaray • Owner: Dogwood Stable • Trainer: Brad Stauffer

Sixth Trial—The City of Aiken Trophy for 3-Year-Old and Up Winners at 4 ½ furlongs 1st: Enoree • Owner: Gus Schickedanz • Trainer: Mike Keogh 2nd: Sweet Grass • Owner: Gus Schickedanz • Trainer: Mike Keogh

Bolton Express Is the 2015 Texas Champion Claimer

1st: Lemesee • Owner: Mason McCutchen • Trainer: Chance Atkinson 2nd: Earned It • Owner: Walker McCutchen Trainer: Travis McCutchen

TTA Launches Revamped Website, Adds Websites for Sales and The Paddock Foundation

Bolton Express (Too Much Bling—Julie Mon, by Maria’s Mon) was chosen as the 2015 Texas Champion Claimer via an online poll on the TTA website. Bred by Fletcher Properties Inc., the 4-yearold gelding is owned by Jose Luis Espinoza. Bolton Express and Beautiful Day for Elloree Trials his connections will be recognized alongside the other 2015 Texas Held the same day as the Aiken Trials, the Elloree Trials also bene- Champions at the TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet at fited from some beautiful weather, attracting a large and enthusiastic Lone Star Park. Congratulations! crowd. Along with the horses, skydivers put on quite a show. Four Lone Star Offers Free Past Performance to Owners and Trainers Thoroughbred trials were held this year along with several Quarter Owners and trainers at Lone Star Park can sign up to receive Horse races. free past performances each time their horse is drawn into a race.

We very much appreciate the efforts of Goree Smith and his crew.

Please visit the horsemen’s information section of the track website Following are the results. at lonestarpark.com for further information.

3 First Trial—2-Year-Olds at /8 mile

Second Trial—3-Year-Old and Up Maidens at ½ mile 1st: Victor Newman • Owner: Mason McCutchen • Trainer: R.B. McCutchen 2nd: Clearly Love • Owner: Dan Paulk • Trainer: Antonio Najera Third Trial—3-Year-Old and Up Open at 5/8 mile 1st: Closing Hour • Owner: Clarissa and Corey Tisdale • Trainer: John Johnson 2nd: Flatterin Wendy • Owner: Wendy Wright • Trainer: Kendrick Wright Fourth Trial—3-Year-Olds at ½ mile 1st: Smalltimebigtiming • Owner Marina Hammond • Trainer: Robbie Shuler 2nd: Adversary • Owner: Mason McCutchen • Trainer: Jason McCutchen

The TTA has relaunched its website at texasthoroughbred.com with a more user-friendly layout and improved functionality for users accessing the website with tablets or smartphones. In addition, the TTA has launched two new websites: ttasales.com to cover the TTA’s annual yearling and 2-year-olds in training sales, and paddockfoundation.com to provide information on The Paddock Foundation to help find second careers for Thoroughbred racehorses.

The TTA sales website will provide catalogs, results and live video for all auctions, as well as sale forms and information about the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity.

The Paddock Foundation website includes information about the Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair, including the next one set for July 9 at Lone Star Park, plus forms that allow horsemen to submit information to help place horses ready for retirement.

TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Texas 2-Year-Old Sale a Success, Yearling Sale Announced Yearling Accreditation Deadline Reminder The Texas Thoroughbred Association has announced that it will hold a yearling auction on August 29 at Lone Star Park near Dallas. The announcement comes on the heels of a successful Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale in April. Like the 2-year-old sale, the yearling sale will take the place of the auction formerly operated in partnership with Fasig-Tipton.

The entry deadline for the yearling sale is June 6, and entry forms are available at ttasales.com.

For a complete recap of the 2-year-old sale and more information about the yearling sale, please turn to page 10.

The deadline to accredit foals of 2015 for the TTA member rate of $75 is May 31. The form can be found on the TTA website at texasthoroughbred.com, or call the TTA office at (512) 458-6133.

We Have Your Money…You Have Our Information!

Is your name on this list of breeders and owners who have earned money through the Accredited Texas-Bred (ATB) Program for 2014 racing?

For various reasons, the TTA has been unable to pay the individuals listed below. Usually the problem is very simple to correct.

Perhaps a transfer form was never completed when you purchased your money-earning Texas Thoroughbred, or maybe you have TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet moved and forgotten to tell us.

Invitations for the June 18 TTA Annual Meeting and Awards BanPlease call the TTA’s Accreditation Department at (512) 458-6133 quet at Lone Star Park have been mailed to all members. Tickets so we can complete your paperwork…and so you can collect your are $65 per person, with a registration deadline of June 6. Bring ATB earnings! a group of five or more and you will be entered in a special prize MARIO ALVAREZ • $1,945.10 MAGNOLIA RACING STABLE AND BRONCE-PLAMAT STABLES • $995.81 JIM WARD • $317.86 drawing.

R A HILL STABLE & REEVES The Hyatt Place Dallas/Arlington is offering a special rate of KYLE CLEMONS • $114.12 ERNESTO FELIX-SALMON • $1,045.48 THOROUGHBRED • $6,700.30 $119 per night, with a hotel reservation deadline of May 20.

JUAN G. FLORES • $91.72 JAMES A. SCOTT • $86.81 Sponsorship packages are available. Please contact Mary Ruyle JOEL GARZA • $269.38 in the TTA office for information.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 49

TOP REFERENCES • EXPERIENCED REASONABLE RATES

BREEDING • BOARDING • FOALING

Fasig-Tipton, Keeneland, Heritage Place, OBS

Larry and Sammie Procell Owner/Operators

Use the Consignor of Your Choice

500 Joe Bill Adcock Rd. coushAttA, lA 71019 (318) 932-3728 • (318) 220-6748

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the marketpl ace Cl a s sified s

Call for more information about my program Heidi Bailey • Valley View, TX • 940-372-5804

RACEHORSE TRAINING

Dee Martinez Office Manager 956-763-7594

Stephenson Thoroughbred Farms Quality Care for Thoroughbreds

Striving for Excellence MORE THAN 14 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS

Training REASON ABL DAY RAT E E!

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FOAL TO LLC CHANNON FARM YEARLING HALTER

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• Professional Hands-On Mare Care Provided Year Round • Excellent Prospects For Sale at All Times • Horse Transportation KC HORSE TRANSPORTATION

Horsemen: DivisionAttention of Asmussen Horse Center

• Limited RV/Camper now available!

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1914 HIGHWAY 163 • DOYLINE, LA 71023

PROFESSIONAL SALE FITTING • 2YOs For Sale Mares, Yearlings and Thoroughbred and AQHA Prospects

by GOING WILD andRace Others

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by POINT GIVEN, LAC HO UG DS OUIMET, RAHY, SKY CLASSIC, GENTLEMAN, DIAMOND, BEHRENS, Selling TOP horsesREFERENCES due to the death• of stallion GOING WILD EXPERIENCED

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by GOING WILD, Use the Consignor of Your Choice SAVE BIG MONEY and CAVVY. $1,500-$7,500

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• 2-year-olds sired by GOING WILD, KENNEDY and AWESOME CAT. $2,500-$4,000.

Call for more information about my program Gabriel Heidi Bailey • Valley View, TX • Terry 940-372-5804

Pinhookers - Buy Road early! C• all (405) 274-4995 12002 Quagliano Folsom, LA 70437

Cell: (504) 957-8026

4707 E. Saunders Laredo, Texas 78045

Mallory Mallory Farm Farm

SAME HALTER • • •Care • Foaling Boarding • Broodmare • Sales Prep Layups • Equiciser One Halter It All the Does marketpl ace 1-800-331-0413 GILLIAN (JILL) TAYLOR (318) 745-9974 • FAX: (318) 745-9976 .com foaltoyearlinghalter

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SCOTT MALLORY Cl assifieds SCOTT 2672 Newtown Pike •MALLORY Lexington, KY 40511 2672 Newtown Pike • Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 707-6469 (859) 707-6469 malloryfarm@yahoo.com

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in California, Florida, Louisiana, Kentucky and Texas!

Larry and Sammie Procell Owner/Operators ANY HORSE, ANY TIME, ANY WHERE! 500 Joe Bill Adcock Rd. coushAttA,Oklahoma lA 71019 Ardmore, (318) 932-3728 • (318) 220-6748

Mark Miller: (580) 221-7631

Bill Austin: (405) 820-2921

Bethe Deal • Sabinal, TX Cell: (830) 426-1646 • Email: Bethedeal@sbcglobal.net

Stephenson Thoroughbred Farms Quality Care for Thoroughbreds • Professional Hands-On Mare Care Provided Year Round • Excellent Prospects For Sale at All Times • Horse Transportation

Attention Horsemen:

• Limited RV/Camper Hookups now available!

• Conveniently located less than one mile from Evangeline Downs Racetrack in a private, quiet setting • Washer/Dryer-Bath available at facility Pam Stephenson Office: (337) 826-0628 • Cell: (337) 515-5555 P.O. Box 1133, Washington, LA 70589 50 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

CHANNON FARM LLC

• Quality Care for Thoroughbreds

Mallory Farm

the marketpl ace Cl a s sified s CHANNON FARM LLC

7S RACING STABLES

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•

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•

GILLIAN (JILL) TAYLOR (318) 745-9974 • FAX: (318) 745-3660 1914 HIGHWAY 163 • DOYLINE, LA 71023

Want to reach thousands of horsemen in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and around the region?

Advertise in the American Racehorse classifieds for as little as $75 per issue!

7S Racing Stables is located 2 hours west of Lone Star Park in Carbon, Texas. We have for several years been working with young race colts, taking them from breaking to conditioning and race prep while cutting down on owner expense and helping you have your colts prepared for the racetrack experience!

FEATURES: • 5/8th-mile training track • Starting gates • Farrier care • Transportation • Complete vet services • Horses for sale • Breaking fees are $35/day The best price in the area with proven results!

Louisiana- and Oklahoma-bred yearlings and 2-year-olds in training fillies and colts for sale at all times.

Buy your yearlings here at 7S's facilities, have them broke here and save time and money.

2-year-olds in training will be located at tracks in both Louisiana and Oklahoma.

Call us for great colts at reasonable prices

Contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@americanracehorse.com

7S Racing Stables 254-643-2035 5001 Hwy 1027, Carbon, TX 76435 www.7SRacingStables.com

American Racehorse Advertisers Index 7S Racing Stables..................................... 51

Foal to Yearling Halter............................ 50

NTRA/John Deere..................................37

The Art of Horse Racing........................ 50

Glasses Creek Ranch........................... IBC

palaMOUNTAINS................................ 39

Asmussen Horse Center....................34, 50

Going Wild Horses for Sale.................... 50

River Oaks Farms.................................... 26

Biomedical Research Laboratories.......... 7

Harmony Training Center.......................17

Santa Fe Equestrian Services.................. 15

Blueskiesnrainbows..................................52

Heritage Place..........................................25

Santa Fe Horse Transport...................... 50

Brandon Jenkins Racehorse Training.... 50

The Hong Kong Jockey Club..................19

Southwest Shavings LLC........................52

Carter Sales Co..........................................6

Indiana 2-Year-Old and Horses

Stemmans.com.......................................... 13

Channon Farm LLC................................ 51

of Racing Age Sale.............................. 26

Cinder Lakes Ranch..................................9

JEH Stallion Station.............................BC

Equine Equipment Savings.................... 36

Lane’s End Texas........................................1

of Oklahoma..........................................35

Equine Sales Company...........................40

Mallory Farm........................................... 50

Valor Farm................................................. 3

Equiwinner............................................... 11

MBM Horse Transport.......................... 50

Flashpoint.................................................41

Mighty Acres.........................................IFC

Texas Summer Yearling Sale.................... 2 Thoroughbred Racing Association

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016 51

NEW TO INDIANA FOR 2016 BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS SOUNDNESS AND CLASS FOR BOTH SIDES OF THE PEDIGREE! Check out these numbers: • IN TOTAL, ALL THE SIRES ON THE STALLION SIDE, INCLUDING BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS’ SIRE ENGLISH CHANNEL, HAVE PRODUCED A PHENOMENAL 11% STAKES WINNERS FROM ALL FOALS. THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR ALL SIRES IS 3.7%.

• ON THE DAM SIDE, THERE ARE 99 GRADED STAKES WINS UNDER THE FIRST FOUR DAMS. • FOR BOTH SIDES, THERE ARE 94% STARTERS AVERAGING 23 STARTS IN THE 5-CROSS PEDIGREE.

2016 FEE: $3,500 – LIVE FOAL Property of Bad Boy Racing LLC

SWIFTY FARMS INC.

Inquiries to Sue Berger • 351 South U.S. Highway 31 • Seymour, Indiana 47274 Phone: (502) 680-6385 • Fax: (812) 524-1449 Email: swiftyfarms@frontier.com • Website: www.swiftyfarms.com Nominated to the Indiana-bred Program and Breeders’ Cup

BULK SHAVINGS Spending too much on bagged shavings?

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214-638-2288 52 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • MAY/JUNE 2016

(Pulpit-Viviana by Nureyev)

Arguably the most powerful pedigree of any son of Pulpit!

Stakes Winner of $187,950 capturing the Bien Bien Stakes in 1:33.1 Half-brother to Millionaires & Multiple G1 Stakes Winners SIGHTSEEK ($2,445,216) & TATES CREEK ($1,471,674)!

Multiple Stakes Winning Sire of Over $2 Million including PATTY’S PRIDE ($255,113) & SPECIAL U F O ($155,408)!

2016 Fee: $3,000 • LFSN*

Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes. Foals eligible for Iowa Stallion Stakes.

(Elusive Quality-Xtra Heat by Dixieland Heat)

A Classic Speed Pedigree!

By 7-Time Champion Sire ELUSIVE QUALITY ($413,284), one of North America’s leading sires with earnings over $110 Million. Sire of Kentucky Derby Winner SMARTY JONES and Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner RAVEN’S PASS. Out of North American Champion 3-Year-Old Filly XTRA HEAT - Multiple Graded Stakes Winner of $2,189,635.

Full brother to Stakes Winner ELUSIVE HEAT and half-brother to Stakes Winner SOUTHWESTERN HEAT.

2016 Introductory Fee: $1,500 • LFSN* Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

QH si 95, $118,336 (Real Runaway-First By Far by First Down Dash)

Grade 2 Stakes Winner!

G1 Stakes Winning Sire of $1.2 Million, including GONNA CHA CHA si 87 ($225,730), BOY NAMED LOU si 95 (2015, $56,562), DM Ada Kat si 96 (2016, $94,731), Shes A Phoebe si 98 (2016, $93,265), Kiki Kiki si 93 (2015, $96,346), etc.

Half-sister to the dam of Champion EASYGO EFFORT si 108 ($431,551), etc. From the Family of Champion ETTAGO CHICKIE si 96 ($534,465),

2016 Fee: $2,000

Eligibilities: Speedhorse Races, Black Gold & Oklahoma Bred Program

Jinger & Leslie Clemmer • (432) 208-2147 or (432) 208-2146 Frankie Williams, Farm Manager • (580) 263-9224 11499 Highway 199 • Madill, OK 73446 website: GlassesCreek.com • email: GlassesCreek@hotmail.com Created by Speedhorse