VA-BRED WINNERS

Christmas For Liam (c, 4yo), Saint Liam - Gone For Christmas by Gone West. B - Edward P. Evans. Gulfstream Park, 2 /27/2011, alwc, $24,300, 8 f, 1:35.90.

Lady Rococo (f, 4yo), Louis Quatorze - Sure Can Purr by Tale Of The Cat. B - Ross David A. Penn National, 2 /22/2011, clmg, $7,800, 5.5 f, 1:06.32.

My Friend Bernie (c, 4yo), Domestic Dispute - Boltin' Bride by Runaway Groom. B - Anne N Tucker. Beulah Park, 2 /21/2011, clmg, $2,378, 6 f, 1:12.59. ($65,000, yrlg, 2008, ftkjul)

Porch Sitting (f, 4yo), Albert The Great - Flying Yolanda by Launch A Dream. B - Nellie M Cox.
Charles Town, 2 /23/2011, mdn clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:32.66.

Smiling Vicki (f, 5yo), Speightstown - Vicki Vallencourt by Regal Classic. B - Audley Farm.
PRX, 2 /26/2011, clmg, $13,200, 7 f, 1:24.93.

Stormy The Cat (c, 3yo), Storm Cat - Unrestrained by Unbridled. B - Edward P Evans. Gulfstream Park, 2 /26/2011, mdn clmg, $17,000, 7.5 f, 1:28.49.

Yellattheminister (g, 4yo), Roaring Fever - Corinthian Star by Salt Lake. B - Nancy M Rizer & Eric A Rizer. Charles Town, 2 /24/2011, clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:30.06. 

SEND US YOUR FOAL PHOTOS

Somewhere in Texas?

Send us photos of your new arrivals.  Please include foaling date, foaling location and breeding.  Email to VTA-at-vabred.org.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Archarcharch and jockey Jon Court (6) outpaces JP's Gusto and jockey Ramon Dominguez (5) down the stretch to win the $250,000 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., Monday, Feb. 21, 2011.

In this photo provided by New York Racing Association, Be Bullish, with jockey Junior Alvarado aboard, wins The Hollie Hughes Stakes at Aqueduct, Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, in Jamaica, N.Y.

Wayne Hutchinson riding Bunglasha Lady (C, pink) on their way to winning The totesport.com Supporting The Racehorse Sanctuary Novices' Hurdle Race at Fontwell racecourse on February 27 2011 in Fontwell, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, Jerry and Ann Moss' Cozi Rosie, left, outrun Malibu Pier with jockey Rafael Bejarano, right, to win the Grade II, $150,000 Buena Vista Handicap, Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

This photo released by Gulfstream Park shows Flashpoint capturing the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday Feb. 26, 2011.

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Goombada Guska, right, with Jose Valdivia Jr. aboard, captures The Stymie horse race at Aqueduct race track in New York, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011.

J J's Lucky Train and Jose Ferrer got back to winning on Saturday, cutting back to seven furlongs to win the $51,500 Miracle Wood by a neck over the odds-on Bandbox at Laurel Park.  (Photo by Jim McCue/MJC)

A muddy Jimmy McCarthy at Fontwell racecourse on February 27 2011 in Fontwell, England. (Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)

In this photo provided by Coglianese Photos, Little Mike, with Joe Bravo aboard, captures The Canadian Turf Stakes Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011.

In a photo provided by Benoit Photo, Quick Enough and jockey Patrick Valenzuela, right, outrun Amazombie, with Mike Smith, left, to win the $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

This photo released by Gulfstreams Park shows Soldat capturingthe Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park Saturday Feb. 26, 2011.

This photo released by Benoit Photo shows Nels Erickson's Ultra Blend and jockey Joel Rosario winning the $100,000 Valentine Dancer Handicap, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Calif.

HB1832 PASSES FINAL VOTE IN HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Once amended by the Senate, HB1832 had to return to the House of Delegates for a final approval.  The bill was offered today and passed by a vote of 95-2.  A motion was made for reconsideration and the bill passed 86-10.

We are not aware of any further details at this time.

The bill now moves to the Governor's desk for his signature.


YEAS--Abbott, Albo, Alexander, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Carrico, Cline, Cole, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Englin, Filler-Corn, Garrett, Greason, Habeeb, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Joannou, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Morrissey, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Pogge, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Robinson, Rust, Scott, E.T., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Surovell, Tata, Torian, Toscano, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O., Watts, Wilt, Wright, Mr. Speaker--86.


NAYS--Abbitt, Armstrong, Edmunds, Gilbert, Johnson, Nutter, Plum, Poindexter, Scott, J.M., Ware, R.L.--10.

TURF TEN

Pluck

By Nick Hahn

A top ten look at three-year old turf winners in the United States within the last six months, perhaps with thoughts of the Twin Turf at Colonial Downs.

Just this week: No Virginia-bred has ever won the Colonial Turf Cup or the Virginia Derby. However with Swagger Jack’s maiden breaking score at Gulfstream Park, Silverton Hill has a Virginia-bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans that will be one to watch throughout the spring. The Smart Strike-sired colt doesn’t make the Turf Ten list yet but is on the radar.

1) PLUCK – The Juvenile Turf winner breezed 5 Furlongs on the turf at Palm Meadows on February 11th. The Racing Post quotes trainer Graham Motion as using the Transylvania on April 8th at Keeneland as a tune up for the Irish 2000 Guineas.

2) SOLDAT – The following day after Pluck’s work runner up, Soldat worked 5 Furlongs at Palm Meadows. A return to the turf doesn’t look favorable anytime soon with McLaughlin’s sights squarely focused on the Fountain of Youth after a 10+ length win in the Gulfstream slop in an allowance win.

3) ROGUE ROMANCE – McPeek turned this Smarty Jones colt to the dirt for the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile and ran a respectable third. The 2010 Bourbon winner at Keeneland for the moment will likely stay on the dirt after running third in the Risen Star with no clear shot at the wire until late in the stretch.

4) ADIRONDACK SUMMER – Although not much has been said about Clement’s Thunder Gulch colt since winning the $100,000 Dania Beach at Gulfstream. Perhaps his fourth career start won’t involve a troubled trip as his first three have, two of those resulting in wins.

5) KING CONGIE – Despite being placed third appropriately for interference in the stretch, Albertrani’s Tropical Park Derby winner still crossed the wire first in the Hallandale.

6) MASTER DUNKER – Don’t let the fact that “The Master” was put up as the Halladale Beach winner make you think less of him. He has been steadily showing results since being switched to the turf.

Silver Medallion

7) SILVER MEDALLION – The El Camino Real Derby winner on synthetic also won a New Year’s Eve turf race at Santa Anita (Eddie Logan). Is Asmussen really going to take his Derby contender to Dubai?

8) BRILLIANT SPEED - Albertrani’s Dynaformer had to go to Tampa to break his maiden but had credible outings in the Dania Beach and Hallandale.

9) CRIMSON CHINA – His first US start was an optional allowance win on the turf at a mile and an eighth over former Turf Ten participant Ari C. Motion’s Giant Causeway is tentatively fingered for the Spiral or the Bluegrass.

10) QUEENSPLATEKITTEN – Ken and Sara Ramsey’s Canadian-bred is sired by 2004 Virginia Derby winner Kitten’s Joy and won at a mile at Gulfstream early this month.

VA-BRED QUIET GIANT WINS RARE TREAT

Heavily favored Virginia-bred Quiet Giant stretched her winning streak to three at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday afternoon, drawing off to a commanding nine-length victory over Mined Over Matter in the 39th running of the $65,000 Rare Treat for fillies and mares.

Ridden by New York’s leading jockey, Ramon Dominguez, the 4-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway assumed command at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race to lead through an opening quarter-mile in 23.49. Joined on the backside by Opus A, Quiet Giant continued to roll easily through a half-mile in 48.74 and three-quarters in 1:13.69, opening up on her rival on the turn and then cruising to the wire in 1:53.22 over a fast inner track.

Bred by the late Edward P. Evans and now racing for the Edward P. Evans Foundation, Quiet Giant is by Giant’s Causeway, out of Quiet Dance by Quiet American and a half-sister to Horse of the Year St. Liam.

The win boost her record to fine wins in eight starts with earnings of $172,050.

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

Boone's Babe (f, 5yo), Bop - Booneton by Boone's Mill. B - Waln Gary Ray. Charles Town, 2 /18/2011, clmg, $6,600, 4.5 f, 0:54.14.

Buster's Ready (f, 3yo), More Than Ready - Beatem Buster by Honour And Glory. B - Edward P Evans. Aqueduct, 2 /16/2011, str alwc, $25,200, 8 f, 1:38.13.

Hey Jack (c, 4yo), Strategic Mission - Kayjack by Cozzene. B - Carl Buhr & Keith Early. Laurel Race Course, 2 /17/2011, mdn clmg, $7,410, 7 f, 1:28.39.

Imperial Moment (f, 4yo), Mr. Executioner - The Fighting Chief by Aggressive Chief. B - Page Calvin Mr. & Mrs. Charles Town, 2 /19/2011, clmg, $6,600, 6.5 f, 1:24.22.

Its Mr. Cat To You (g, 5yo), Tale Of The Cat - Unrestrained by Unbridled. B - Evans Edward P. Turfway Park, 2 /20/2011, clmg, $3,900, 5.5 f, 1:07.82. ($140,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)

Quick Delivery (c, 5yo), Distorted Humor - Penny Marie by Sky Classic. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. Gulfstream Park, 2 /17/2011, alwc, $24,300, 8 f, 1:35.30.

Quiet Giant (f, 4yo), Giant's Causeway - Quiet Dance by Quiet American. B - Edward P. Evans.
Aqueduct, 2 /20/2011, stk, $39,000, 9 f, 1:53.22.

Storm The Field (g, 6yo), Stormin Fever - Biding Time by Seeking The Gold. B - Edward P.  Evans. PRX, 2/15/2011, clmg, $18,000, 7 f, 1:23.32. ($100,000, yrlg, 2006, keesep)

Swagger Jack (c, 3yo), Smart Strike - Lyrical Prayer by The Minstrel. B - Edward P Evans. Gulfstream Park, 2 /19/2011, mdn sp wgt, $23,000, 8 f, 1:34.84. ($280,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)

Tiz Hidden (f, 4yo), Tiznow - Hidden Ransom by Silver Ghost. B - Evans Edward P. Turfway Park, 2/18/2011, clmg, $4,500, 8 f, 1:43.81. ($12,000, rac age, 2010, keenov)

HB1832 PASSES SENATE

HB1832 passed the Virginia Senate this afternoon by a vote of 31-8.  The bill now goes back to the House floor for final approval as it now includes a Senate amendment relevant to ADW licensing.  

YEAS--Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Herring, Howell, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, McDougle, McEachin, McWaters, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stanley, Stosch, Ticer, Vogel, Watkins--31.

NAYS--Hanger, Houck, Newman, Reynolds, Stuart, Wagner, Wampler, Whipple--8. 

RTD IN SUPPORT OF PARI-MUTUEL EXPANSION

The Richmond Times Dispatch had this to say on its editorial page last Monday:

Virginia’s affectionate ties to horse racing date to the Colonial era.  The commonwealth has produced Secretariat and other premier thoroughbreds.  Pari-mutuel racing was intended to boost the state breeders.  Colonial Downs is an attractive site, but tracks across the country – including legendary – venues typically do not rely on bets at the track alone.  Off-track betting parlors have grown essential to racing’s prosperity.  Tracks in neighboring states use casinos to lure players.  Virginia’s horsemen do not ask for slots at Colonial Downs and associated OTBs.  They would benefit, however, from procedures to make it easier to open parlors in such potentially lucrative regions as Northern Virginia.  The OTBs in the Richmond area have not posed a problem. 

AAEP RELEASES GUIDELINES

The American Association of Equine Practitioners has developed guidelines to help veterinarians and adoption groups successfully transition retired racehorses to new homes and new careers. "Transitioning the Retired Racehorse:  Guidelines for Equine Practitioners, Adoption Organizations and Horse Owners" provides an overview of the common physical challenges affecting some former racehorses and helps establish expectations for a horse' future capabilities.

Developed by the Transitioning Subcommittee of the AAEP Racing Committee, the guidelines grew from a need expressed by rescue and retirement organizations at the 2010 Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit. In addition to criteria for physical assessments, the guidelines include estimated cost-of-care data from CANTER, a non-profit organization that provides retiring Thoroughbred racehorses with opportunities for new careers.

The guidelines are available on the AAEP website at http://www.aaep.org/images/files/TransitioningGuidelines2011.pdf. Members of the AAEP's Transitioning Subcommittee are Virginian Reynolds Cowles, DVM, chair; Jay Addison, DVM; Foster Northrop, DVM; Mary Scollay, DVM; John Stick, DVM; and Carol Swandby, VMD.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Alma d'Oro and Cornelio Velasquez winning the $75,000 John B. Campbell Handicap at Laurel Park.

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Champ Pegasus, left, and jockey Joel Rosario, hold off Bourbon Bay, center ridden by Rafael Bejarano, to win the Grade II San Luis Obispo Stakes horse race, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Calif.

With a late charge Anna Napravnik, left, aboard Demarcation passes Mission Impazible and jockey Rajiv Maragh in deep stretch to win the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap horse race at Fair Grounds, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Hodges Photography, Lynn Roberts)

In this photo released by Hodges Photography, Due Date, left, with Jockey Tony Farina aboard turns for home and goes on to win the 24th running of the Colonel Power Stakes horse race at Fair Grounds race course Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011 in New Orleans, Sweetsouthernmoon, right, and jockey Anna Napravnik finished third.

Expansion, left, with jockey Gerard Melancon aboard, moves its head out in front of Sleepless Knight (obscured) and Dubious Miss, right, to win the Fair Grounds Handicap (GR III) horse race on Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La.

In this photo provided by Coglianese Photos, Keertana, ridden by Jose Lezcano, captures The Very One Stakes horse race, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla. Zapparition (5), with jockey Julien R. Leparoux aboard, gives chase.

Mucho Macho Man, foreground center, with Rajiv Maragh aboard, turns for home at the top of the stretch on its way to winning the Risen Star Stakes (Gr II) horse race at the Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La., Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011.

No Advantage and Manuel Chavez won the $150,000 General George Handicap Gr. II by a neck February 21, 2011 at Laurel Park.

In this photo released by Benoit Photo, Smiling Tiger with jockey Joel Rosario wins the Grade II, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap horse race, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011 at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia Calif.

Riders and horses run for the 72. Grand Prix of St. Moritz on the frozen lake on the third weekend of the White Turf races in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. The race was won by Winterwind, ridden by Georg Bocskai, third from left.

In this image released by Benoit Photo. The Factor, with jockey Martin Garcia aboard, runs to the finish line to win the Grade II, $150,000 San Vicente Stakes, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

It’s Tricky recorded her third consecutive victory and first in a stakes as she drew off to an authoritative eight-length triumph in the $65,000 Busher Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Horses and jockeys jump the second to last during the Countryside Alliance Handicap Steeple Chase race run at Fakenham Racecourse on February 18, 2011 in Fakenham, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe)

Recession Proof ridden by Dougie Costello (C) wins the 1.50 totesport Trophy Hurdle Race ahead of Bothy ridden by Danny Cook (L) and Notus De La Tour ridden by Tom Scudamore (R) at Newbury Racecourse on February 18, 2011 in Newbury, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)

A general view of a horse in the parade ring at Newbury Racecourse on February 18, 2011 in Newbury, England. ( Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images Europe)

STALLION AUCTION WINDING DOWN

A hard working crew of volunteers including Debbie Easter, Will Massey, Wayne Chatfield-Taylor, Susie Chatfield-Taylor, Jill Gordon Moore, Frank Shipp, Louisa Lenehan, Carol Holden, Tommy Lee Jones and Sara Collette worked the annual VTA Stallion Auction which finished up around 6pm on Thursday.

Lenehan, along with VTA staffers Heather Stanley and Pat Faramarzi, manned the phones all three days!

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"From the moment he was born here to the moment he left, he did everything right. He was a great horse to be around. He was very well-made and did everything right. You had to wear sunglasses to look at him. He had an all-white face and four white socks up to his hocks and knees. We used to call him Bling."

-- Jill Gordon Moore to the Thoroughbred Daily News regarding Free Entry (see below).

EIGHT VIRGINIA-BREDS AMONG TRIPLE CROWN NOMINEES

Free Entry

By Nick Hahn

A diverse group of eight Virginia-breds were among the 364 nominees to the Triple Crown. In alphabetical order, the Old Dominion hopefuls are B.F. Byrd, Complete Dyno, Dance City, Dominus, Free Entry, Indian Knight, Mac’s Surprise and Roman Classic.

Among the Virginia-bred field, Gary and Mary West’s Free Entry appears to be the leading candidate to find a Triple Crown starting gate with two Gulfstream Park wins in his three starts. In his first start, the Tale of Cat sired colt ran fourth to current Kentucky Derby favorite Uncle Mo at Saratoga. Free Entry was bred by Corner Farm (Jill Gordon Moore and Dr. Ned "Carlos" Moore) and Raul Lottero and trained by Chad Brown.

With two wins in the last three weeks, Brown told the Daily Racing Form that he will likely pass on Gulfstream’s Fountain of Youth Stakes and is considering the Florida Derby. His last start was a 1 ¾ length allowance win at a mile. Free Entry is out of Preachtothechoir by Pulpit.

Dance City is owned and bred by the Estate of Edward P. Evans and recently broke his maiden at a mile and an eighth at Gulfstream Park. The City Zip three year old is out of Ballet Colony by Pleasant Colony.

The remaining Virginia-breds nominees are sired by a diverse group of stallions such as Birdstone (B.F. Bird), Dynaformer (Complete Dyno), Smart Strike (Dominus trained by Steve Asmussen), Indian Charlie (India Knight trained by Bob Baffert), Stormy Atlantic (Mac’s Surprise) and Roman Ruler (Audley Farm’s Roman Classic trained by Barclay Tagg).

HB1832 MOVES FORWARD

Yesterday, HB1832 was reported out of the Senate General Laws Committee and his headed to the floor of the Senate for a final vote.  

An amendment was offered by Sen. J.C. Miller which would have removed the section of the bill calling for the VTA to receive .05% of the handle on simulcast races.  The amendment was defeated 11-3.  Delegate Ed Scott (the patron of the bill in the House of Delegates) and Senator Jill Vogel were once again instrumental in speaking in defense of the Thoroughbred industry and the VTA.

Once the amendment was defeated, the bill quickly passed by a 13-2 vote.

If you emailed a Senator encouraging he or she to vote "yes," it would be appropriate to email a "thank you" for supporting the bill. 

YEAS -- Locke, Colgan, Houck, Stosch, Martin, Ruff, Herring, Petersen, Barker, Vogel, Miller, J.C., Marsden, Stanley--13.

NAYS--Wampler, Wagner--2.

For more info, click here.

NICK HAHN'S LETTER REGARDING HB1832

The Virginia Horse Racing Industry, comprised of many groups and parties, works very hard to speak in one voice when it comes to its legislative agenda.  Unfortunately this may not be one of those times. Many outside the industry may think that the marketing efforts of Colonial Downs and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association are the same.  Although they both work hard to present a united campaign, there are differences in their goals.

The Virginia Thoroughbred Association is seeking your support on HB 1832, a bill that would ensure that a larger cut of the Virginia Breeder's Fund would not needed to be made for marketing and administrative purposes.  Instead, the Virginia's Breeder Fund formula would continue to be used as an beneficial incentive for breeders.

As an example, during a single week in 2010, Virginia-breds won 3 top level races (Grade I) races-a phenomial feat considering the current state of Virginia breeding.  Those wins by Quality Road, Winchester and Victor's Cry were accomplished at racetracks outside of Virginia-in New York and in California-not at Colonial Downs.  This accomplishment brought national attention to the quality of Virginia breds and was capitalized in the marketing efforts of the VTA to encouraging economic growth in this native Virginia industry. 

The owners and personnel of these breeding farms are not master marketers.  They run on nature's clock and perform work that nature does not.  They are foaling mares in the middle of the night in a snowstorm, or dealing with fungus in the fescue, or cleaning stalls.  Their voice is carried by the Virginia Thoroughbred Association. The VTA brings in out of state interest to Virginia breeders and their stallions, allowing Virginia breeders to focus on their work-breeding quality thoroughbreds.

Colonial Downs marketing efforts are encouraged to promote pari-mutuel wagering at its facilities in Virginia.  As the operator of Virginia's sole racetrack and holder of Virginia's sole license, they are natural seeking to make ends meet.  I understand their position in regard to their bottom line, however I think any opposition they have toward this bill is a mistake.  They should be MORE inclined to help Virginia breeders especially those that bring thoroughbred to their track to race, not LESS.

House Bill 1832 which dedicates a modest portion of the handle of certain wagers to the VTA similar to other equine groups such as the Virginia Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, the Virginia Horse Center Foundation or the Virginia Horse Industry Board.

As a dedicated fan that has attended and covered every Virginia Derby and Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs and numerous Triple Crown events I encourage you to keep HB 1832 AS IS and encourage you to find more ways to support this beneficial, native Virginia industry.

VIRGINIA-BRED WINNERS

April's Dixie Bell (f, 4yo), Parker's Storm Cat - Kim's Victory by Spartan Victory. B - Sandy Valley Farms. Laurel Race Course, 2 /10/2011, clmg, $5,700, 6 f, 1:15.35.

Jackrabbit Fast (g, 3yo), Aldebaran - My Own Lovely Lee by Bucksplasher. B - Mrs C Oliver Iselin III. Sunland, 2 /6 /2011, mdn clmg, $6,600, 6 f, 1:11.08.

Listentothewindblo (f, 5yo), Partner's Hero - Star Kell by Star De Naskra. B - R. Larry Johnson.
Charles Town, 2 /11/2011, alwc, $16,200, 6.5 f, 1:22.21.

Magic Norman (g, 4yo), Songandaprayer - Vicki Vallencourt by Regal Classic. B - Audley Farm. Laurel Race Course, 2 /9 /2011, clmg, $10,830, 7 f, 1:26.46.

My Friend Bernie (c, 4yo), Domestic Dispute - Boltin' Bride by Runaway Groom. B - Anne N Tucker. Beulah Park, 2 /8 /2011, clmg, $2,340, 6 f, 1:13.06. ($65,000, yrlg, 2008, ftkjul)

Talented Nut (f, 3yo), Horse Chestnut (SAF) - Talent by Cryptoclearance. B - William M. Backer. Laurel Race Course, 2 /12/2011, mdn clmg, $8,550, 6 f, 1:16.06. 

WAGERING UP SLIGHTLY IN JANUARY

After several years of declines, wagering in Virginia’s OTBs increased in January according to the Virginia Racing Commission last week.  At its monthly meeting last Tuesday, the VRC released figures showing that total OTB handle increased 8.53% from $6,943,037 in January of 2010 to $7,535,480 in 2011.

However, at the same time, ADW handle decreased 8.8% from $4,557,603 in 2010 to $4,172,179 this January. While EZ Horseplay (55%) and TVG (10%) saw gains, Twinspires (-37%) and Xpress Bet (-14%) posted big declines.

Total handle for the period increased from 1.6% from $11,520,640 last  year to $11,707,659 this year.

A REMEMBERANCE OF NICK ARUNDEL

When I got out of college, my first real job was as Horse Sports Editor for the Fauquier Democrat, the weekly paper published in Warrenton, VA.  The publisher of the paper was Arthur W. “Nick” Arundel.

While I knew who “Mr. Arundel” was I don’t believe I had ever met him when one Monday afternoon as we were working toward our deadline, he ran into the newsroom.  Now by newsroom, I mean one room about 20 x 20 with six desks complete with a reporter and an electric IBM typewriter. The editor occupied a glass enclosed corner of the space as if he were a dispatcher of some sorts.

Now by "he ran into” I literally mean he ran into the room. Think about that for a moment…When is the last time you recall anybody running into a room to make an announcement who was older than twelve?

But “Mr. Arundel” came charging into the room and all looked up from their IBM Selectrics wowed by the sudden presence of the “publisher.”  When your 22-years-old with a degree in journalism, the publisher of the newspaper you work for is rock star.

Arundel ran in and stopped. The electric typewriters stopped, and Mr. Arundel proclaimed, “The biggest tree in Fauquier County just got hit by lightning!”  He was enthusiastic, but he didn't over sell it.

And then, just as abruptly, he left the room.

Now needless to say, I had questions.  Trained as a journalist, I had mastered the obvious questions and was striving toward the more informative.  The first question was generic and not worthy of my journalism degree: “What just happened?”

The IBM Selectric Typewriter

The second was more succinct and had multiple parts: “How did he know it was the biggest tree in the county, and where is it? Or were we supposed to know? Is there a list or a memo of such important things that I don’t know about?”

(Knowing what I know now about Arundel, he knew - or was at least supremely confident - that it was the biggest tree in the County, and he had documented it somewhere in writing that someone in that newsroom knew about...)

Of course, before I could verbalize any of this, Arundel was gone.  As I recall, somebody went running after him to gain the answers to the questions that had me frozen in my chair. Evidently, they had seen this before.

Some years later, I realized that my first experience with Nick Arundel I had seen what made him such a success at some many different things.   When focused on a particular target, Nick Arundel could generate more energy and enthusiasm that anybody I hand known before or since.

It was interesting to me that I saw that amazing energy and focus in my very first real interaction with him.

The man was a dynamo. -- Glenn Petty

RICHMOND LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

There are several bills still moving forward in the Virginia General Assembly, but none are likely to impact purses or the Breeders Fund if history repeats itself again in 2011.

Del. Ed Scott’s HB1832 passed the House of Delegates by a 99-0 vote. The stripped down version of the bill will give the VRC the right to adjust takeout on live wagering at Colonial Downs.  Lowering the takeout has been tried at other racetracks to motivate additional wagering with limited success.

The bill will also give the Virginia Thoroughbred Association .05% of the simulcast wagers place in Virginia.  This is the same percentage now paid to the Virginia Horse Center and the Virginia Horse Industry Board.  The Virginia/Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech receives .15% as well.

While the bill passed the House unopposed, Colonial Downs has consistently stated their opposition based on the fact that the .05% ultimately comes out of their share of the handle based on the current takeout equation.  

It is Colonial Downs' contention that the VTA is not a stakeholder that should be compensated from the takeout as the other stakeholders currently are.  Colonial Downs’ position is that the VTA should be compensated only from the Virginia Breeders Fund (the smallest stakeholder in the takeout equation in terms of percentage of total handle). The VTA has rejected this proposal stating consistently that it is our goal to put more Breeders Fund money, not less, back in the breeders' pockets.

The VTA’s position is simply that the takeout is for the mutual benefit of all the parties and that such a small percentage is important to the core constituent group the enabling pari-mutuel  legislation is mandated to “promote, sustain and grow.”  The VTA also believes this will ultimately be a wise investment by the New Kent racetrack as the association has long been a good customer, a political ally, a strategic partner and a marketer and promoter of their core business.

The bill will be heard the Senate General Laws Committee on Wednesday.  To contact your Senator or a member of the General Laws Committee click here. 

To confirm who your Senator is, click here. 

Colonial Down's SB1429 narrowly passed the Senate by a vote of 22-18 and his headed to the House General Laws Committee.  This bill would increase the number of traditional OTBs from 10 to 20 along with other technical and political items.  While this bill did pass the Senate, it will face stiff opposition in the House.  Simply put, if the increase in OTBs isn’t removed, it is unfortunately likely to fail. 

Finally, Senator Tommy Norment has once again offer a bill to permit “historic horseracing” or Instant Racing as it is known in Arkansas and other jurisdictions.  SB1347 passed the Senate 21-19, and will likely be blocked in the House of Delegates as it has the past three years.

To read the details of any of these bills, click here and use the bill search box in the lower left.

PICTURES OF THE DAY

In this photo provided by Benoit Photo, Anthony's Cross and jockey Joel Rosario, inside, overpower Riveting Reason ridden by Victor Espinoza, outside, to win the Grade II $250,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.

Potosina and Sheldon Russell produced the same results as they did three weeks earlier by earning a second straight stakes victory in Saturday’s $50,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes at Laurel Park. (Photo by Jim McCue/MJC)

In this photo released by the New York Racing Association, Coax Liberty, with David Cohen aboard, captures The Dearly Precious horse race at Aqueduct race track in New York, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011.

Riders and horses compete during the Grand Prix Christoffel Bau Trophy on the frozen Lake on the second weekend of the White Turf races in St. Moritz, Switzerland, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. The race was won by jockey Eduardo Pedroza on Rolling Home, left.

In this photo provided by Gulfstream Park, Hilda's Passion, ridden by Javier Castellano captures the Hurricane Bertie Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2011 in Hallandale, Fla. (AP Photo/Gulfstream Park)

In this photo provided by Gulfstream Park, Tackleberry, ridden by Javier Santiago goes on to win the Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011 in Hallandale, Fla. (AP Photo/Gulfstream Park)

Vision in Gold and jockey Joel Rosario, right, outrun Zardana ridden by Victor Espinoza, middle, and St Trinians with jockey Joseph Talamo, left, to win the Grade II, $150,000 Santa Maria Stakes, Saturday, Feb. 12, 2011, at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.