Runners take the top turn at Plumpton racecourse on January
30, 2012 in Plumpton, England (Photo by
Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Europe)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
VA-BRED WINNERS
Armarante (f, 4yo), Tale Of The Cat - Silent Greeting by
Secret Hello. B - Lazy Lane Farms, Inc. Penn National, 1/28/2012, alwc,
$20,400, 6 f, 1:12.14.
Celestial Fields (c, 4yo), Bluegrass Cat - May Star by
Unbridled. B - Audley Farm. Charles Town, 1/26/2012, clmg, $10,540, 6.5 f,
1:20.54. ($170,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)
Class Hex (f, 4yo), Alphabet Soup - Class Award by Class
Chief. B - Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud LLC. Laurel Race Course, 1/28/2012,
mdn clmg, $5,700, 8.5 f, 1:51.00.
Diplomatic Lover (g, 6yo), Not For Love - Diplomatic Cover
by Roberto. B - Iselin C. Oliver Mr. & Mrs. III. Penn National, 1/26/2012,
clmg, $7,200, 8 f, 1:41.21. ($10,000, yrlg, 2007, keesep)
Dominix (f, 5yo), Orientate - Eugapae by El Prado (IRE). B -
English II Sam E. Charles Town, 1/24/2012, clmg, $6,600, 7 f, 1:29.35.
Melrose Woods (f, 3yo), Broken Vow - Charitabledonation by
Saint Ballado. B - Edward P. Evans. Santa Anita, 1/27/2012, mdn sp wgt,
$33,600, 6.5 f, 1:15.47. ($40,000, 2yo, 2011, keenov)
Valiant Star (f, 4yo), Grand Slam - Classic Contender by
Buckfinder. B - Mrs C Oliver Iselin III. Penn National, 1/26/2012, clmg,
$9,000, 5.5 f, 1:06.85.
Valter (c, 4yo), Boastful - Snooks Five by Wheaton. B -
Bryan R Baker. Gulfstream Park, 1/25/2012, clmg, $14,000, 5 f, 0:56.08.
Wickedly Bold (f, 4yo), Jump Start - Bold Horizon by Deputy
Minister. B - Mullins Michelle. Charles Town, 1/26/2012, mdn clmg, $6,600, 6.5 f, 1:24.45.
MORGAN’S FORD-BRED REDEEMED LEADING VA-BRED EARNER IN 2011
 |
| REDEEMED (NYRA Photo) |
By Include, out of Early Mass by Pleasant Tap, the then
three-year-old Redeemed started his sophomore season by breaking his maiden at
Gulfstream Park in March. He followed that
win with two allowance win at Belmont in April and July.
In August, the $50,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic yearling, made
his stakes debut finishing second to the talented Calebs Posse in the $150,000
Amsterdam Stakes Gr.2 at Saratoga. He
followed up that effort with a second in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes at
Parx.
In October, owner Jay Em Ess Stable and trainer Dick Dutrow shipped
Redeemed out to Remington Park where he captured the listed $400,000 Oklahoma
Derby. That win set him up for his
season finale, a win in the $100,000 Grade 3 Discovery Handicap at Aqueduct.
For the year, Redeemed made seven starts with five wins and
two seconds and total earnings of $479,040.
His career earnings were boosted to $484,140.
The second leading Virginia-bred earner in 2011 was the
multiple Grade 1 winner Winchester bred and raced by Mr. and Mrs. Bert
Firestone. Winchester added to his
resume with another Grade 1 win when he captured the $500,000 Sword Dancer
Invitational at Saratoga. The son of
Theatrical (IRE), out of Rum Charger (IRE) by =Spectrum (IRE) also finished
second in the $100 Stars and Stripes Gr.3 and the $150,000 W.L. McKnight Gr.2.
 |
| HER SMILE (NYRA Photo) |
Bill Backer bred Her Smile and sold her privately to
celebrity chef Bobby Flay. In Flay’s
colors she won Grade 1 Prioress Stakes at Belmont, placed second in the
$150,000 Comely Stakes Gr.3 and third in the $300,000 TVG Acorn Stakes Gr.1 and
the Sentient Jet Breedeers’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint Gr. 1.
At season’s end, the filly by Include out of Hepburn by
Capote had earned $349,180 a mere $20 less than earnings runner-up
Winchester. At the end of 2011, Her
Smile had career earnings of $435,540.
100% OWNER’S BONUS BACK AT COLONIAL DOWNS FOR 2012
The 100% bonus increases the purse for Colonial Downs’
$24,000 open maiden race to $48,000 for registered Virginia-bred or
Virginia-sired horses. In 2010, the
bonus paid just 60% for first through fourth.
“The 100% bonus continues to create a great deal of buzz and
helped generate full fields in 2011, so we were delighted to bring it back,”
said VTA Executive Director Glenn Petty.
“The economic situation we have been facing the past few years caused
wagering declines that made it difficult to fully fund the program, but the
shorter race meet and a steady increase in advanced deposit wagering the past
few years allows us to bring this popular program back once again.”
The Breeder’s Fund will also provide a 25% purse supplement
for all Virginia-bred restricted races, other than stakes races. For example, a $5,000 claiming race normally
offers a purse of $8,600. The
Virginia-bred 25% supplement increases that to $9,850.
The number of Virginia-bred/sired restricted overnight races
offered has yet to be determined, but horsemen and breeders expect fewer than
in the past.
“The 100% bonus has always been a deterrent to filling
Va-bred restricted races,” Petty said.
“When we combine that with an ever-declining population of horses, it
gets tougher every year.”
Like, 2011, a 10% Breeders Award will also be paid during
the meet. The breeders of the horses
that win the 100% owners bonus will receive a payment equaling 10% of each
bonus won.
In addition the Breeders Fund and the Virginia H.B.P.A’s
purse account will fund six stakes races restricted to Virginia-bred and
Virginia-sired horses.
2012 COLONIAL DOWNS MEET OPENS WITH STRAWBERRY HILL
 |
| (Susan M. Carter Photo) |
Fans of Strawberry Hill will find the celebratory tailgating atmosphere they expect from the event, along with more affordable pricing, a packed afternoon of racing, and flexible admission options. Horse racing aficionados can kick off the season wagering both live and simulcast races from tracks around the country and enjoy the added excitement of Strawberry Hill.
“By partnering with Colonial Downs, we are able to offer an
exciting and extended race card, along with the traditional festivities of
Strawberry Hill,” said Curry Roberts, president of the State Fair of Virginia
Inc., producer of the Strawberry Hill Races, “We hope the reduced prices and
new options for admission will encourage more people to enjoy the 80th running
of the Races.”
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. for reserved tailgate space
holders, with general admission beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the front grandstand
doors. The first of five steeplechase races begins at 12:55 p.m.,
interspersed with seven flat races run on the turf and dirt tracks.
Because of the increased racing schedule and use of both tracks, the location
of reserved tailgating spaces is reconfigured. 2011 space holders are
able to select their new spaces during a renewal period prior to general
sales. All reserved tailgating spaces are more affordable than last year
and must be purchased in advance from Strawberry Hill Races. Specific
sale dates and an event map can be found at www.strawberryhillraces.com.
Outdoor entertaining options for large corporate groups and alumni
organizations are available.
Advance general admission, Jockey Club, Turf Club, sky
suites, and reserved box seats may be purchased from Colonial Downs at www.colonialdowns.com, or by
calling 804.966.RACE (7223), beginning April 2nd.
More details can be found at www.strawberryhillraces.com, by
visiting the Strawberry Hill Races Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StrawberryHillRaces),
or by calling the Strawberry Hill Races Ticket Office at 804.994.2900.
RETIRED RACEHORSE TRAINING PROJECT UNDERWAY
The RRTP’s stated mission is “to facilitate the placement of
retired Thoroughbred racehorses in second careers by educating the public about
the history, distinctive characteristics, versatility of use, and appropriate
care and training of the iconic American Thoroughbred.” One part of this is to
create a bridge between the racetrack and qualified trainers who have students
and clients looking for horses. Another part is to educate people transitioning
ex-racers with a minimum of stress or drama.
 |
| PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK |
Although this is styled as a competition, the mission is
really education – by showcasing how racehorses can apply their energy and
athleticism in a whole new way, each of the trainers is going to win.
The RRTP has a Facebook page
where you can follow the process.
To read more from the Chronicle of the Horse, click
here.
To track their progress on the Thoroughbred Daily News’
blog, click here.
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Friday, January 27, 2012
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Monday, January 23, 2012
VA-BRED RACE WINNERS
Blueskiesnrainbows (c, 3yo), English Channel - Cho Cho San
by Deputy Minister. B - Edward P Evans. Santa Anita, 1/20/2012, str alwc,
$18,000, 8 f, 1:36.91. ($33,000, yrlg, 2010, keesep)
Catale Key (f, 4yo), Mineshaft - Key Causeway by Giant's
Causeway. B - Edward P Evans. Sam Houston, 1/22/2012, alwc, $12,540, 5.5 f,
1:04.81. ($7,000, yrlg, 2009, keesep)
Valued Assets (g, 5yo), Value Plus - Shallows by Cox's
Ridge. B - Donna M Hayes. Sam Houston, 1/22/2012, mdn sp wgt, $11,040, 5.5 f, 1:05.90.
SIEGEL ELECTED VRC CHAIRMAN
Stuart Siegel of Richmond, who was appointed to the Virginia
Racing Commission in 2009, was elected chairman and that regulatory agency’s
January meeting.
A former Thoroughbred owner and breeder, raced 1988 Cicada
Stakes winner Turn To Money among others.
Siegel raced and bred horses at Running Cedar Farm in Goochland, has served as the chairman of the board of S&K Menswear since 1977 and is the former chief executive officer. The forty-two-year-old discount men’s wear company closed its retail outlets in 2009.
Siegel raced and bred horses at Running Cedar Farm in Goochland, has served as the chairman of the board of S&K Menswear since 1977 and is the former chief executive officer. The forty-two-year-old discount men’s wear company closed its retail outlets in 2009.
Seigels prior business experience and his knowledge of the
industry made him a natural choice when former chairman Clint Miller was not reappointed
by the Governor.
VRC APPROVES BREEDERS FUND PAYMENTS
The Virginia Racing Commission approved the a resolution at
the January meeting which included the following:
The Thoroughbred Sub-Committee of the Virginia Breeders Fund
voted unanimously to recommend the following expenditures from the Thoroughbred
portion of the Virginia Breeders Fund for 2012:
1. $325,000 for the year-end breeder and stallion awards
based on the results of races run in 2011;
2. Approximately $700,000 for the 100% owner’s bonus program
and restricted race supplements of 25%;
3. $131,000 to partially fund the purses of six VA-bred
Stake races to be contested during the 2012 race meeting at Colonial Downs;
4. Approximately $65,000 for breeder’s bonuses based on 10%
of the 100% owner’s bonuses earned;
The final VTA report concerning Breeder and Stallion Awards
for 2011 will be submitted to the VRC staff for approval and funding by tomorrow,
Tuesday, January 24, 2012.
EVANS LEADING BREEDER FOR 2011
 |
| BUSTER'S READY |
2011 Leading breeders of Virginia-breds and their leading
earner:
Edward P. Evans, $2,553,428, Buster's Ready
Lazy Lane, $1,099,494, Hot Summer
Morgan's Ford Farm & partners, $926,045, Redeemed
Audley Farm, $830,699, Wardelle
R. Larry Johnson & Legacy Farm, $545,557, Victor's
Cry
Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin III, $538,020, Seaside
William Backer, $509,442, Her Smile
Mr. & Mrs. Bert Firestone, $388,662, Winchester
Atkins Homes, $263,019, Camp Victory
Donna Hayes & partners, $254,759, Big D
Lady Olivia at North Cliff LLC, $245,477, Tirion
VA Tech Foundation, Inc., $216,499, Big Notion
Mede Cahaba Stable & Stud LLC, $203,263, Complete Zen
Carolyn Nicewonder Beverly, $199,769, Powder Mountain
Mr. & Mrs. C.W. McNeely III, $176,548, Aster Cornith
Althea Richards, $156,222, Boxer Shorts
Corner Farm, Jill & Ned Moore & Partners,
$145,141, Free Entry
James S. Carter & partners, $140,757, Water Of Life
Bryan R. Baker, $117,807, Valter
Chance Farm, $110,720, Lunar Mist
David Ross, $105,887, Classy Zip
Dixie Noffsinger, $103,245, Leobuster
Hart Farm, $101,210, Sugadadeze
Magalen O. Bryant, $96,732, Deputy Fling
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Rogers, $90,900, Silver Tie Affair
Keswick Stables, $87,908, I'm Unforgettable
Albert Coppola, $85,954, Virginia Cavalier
Heidi Overfelt, $70,804, Cobbley's Breeze
PICTURES OF THE DAY
Monday, January 16, 2012
PICTURES OF THE DAY
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