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Horse racing at Rillito Park Race Track hasn’t even begun and many are already champing at the bit to discuss its future — or lack of a future — at the historic site.
Patti Shirley a horse trainer and a member of the Pima County Horsemen’s Association, isn’t optimistic about the future of thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing at Rillito Downs.
Plans to tear down stables and the grandstands after the racing season is over in late March, she said, make it impossible to move forward on a renewal of her group’s lease of the county-owned facility.
Publicly, the county is only planning on tearing down one barn damaged by a monsoon several years ago.
An inspection by the county’s risk management department found the stable was not safe enough to be used and unsuitable for rehabilitation, county records show.
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the county has no current plans to tear down the grandstands and would relocate the older and dilapidated barns from the west end of the park to the east end of the park.
There is a deep mistrust of the county’s long-term plans among local horse racing enthusiasts, who believe the county’s plans to build several new soccer fields on the 88-acre site later this year are designed to ultimately push them out.
The county plans to build an 18-field tournament soccer complex on the grounds, but those plans were shelved when the economy turned for the worse a few years ago.
A 1984 initiative approved by voters secured a future for horse racing at Rillito Park for a twenty-five year period, but the legal obligation expired in 2009.
“They just want to get rid of horse racing,” Shirley said. “It has nothing to do with the barns.” Huckelberry said the county had been negotiating with the Pima County Horsemen’s Association up until two weeks ago. He said the officials with the group abruptly stopped returning calls from county staff.
However, another group is interested in continuing the 72-year tradition of horse race at the Rillito Park Race Track.
Jaye Wells, the director of the Rillito Park Foundation, said his group has a plan to increase the number of horse races held at the site.
Wells proposes expanding the dates when horse races would be held as well as offering simultaneous television broadcasting to increase revenue.
Other plans include building a Western heritage, art, and history museum close to the J. Rukin Jelks Stud Farm, create a site for a weekly farmers’ market and build additional soccer fields.
The racetrack is considered to be the birthplace of quarter-horse racing and one of the oldest racetracks in the West.
Rillito, which was founded in 1943, is the place where the photo finish was created. Part of the track — the quarter-horse “chute” — is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Still, Shirley said there in a small chance her group will be racing next year.
“Government officials don’t do what they say they are going to do,” Shirley said.
Future of racing a Rillito in question
Patti Shirley a horse trainer and a member of the Pima County Horsemen’s Association, isn’t optimistic about the future of thoroughbred and quarter-horse racing at Rillito Downs.
Plans to tear down stables and the grandstands after the racing season is over in late March, she said, make it impossible to move forward on a renewal of her group’s lease of the county-owned facility.
Publicly, the county is only planning on tearing down one barn damaged by a monsoon several years ago.
An inspection by the county’s risk management department found the stable was not safe enough to be used and unsuitable for rehabilitation, county records show.
County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry said the county has no current plans to tear down the grandstands and would relocate the older and dilapidated barns from the west end of the park to the east end of the park.
There is a deep mistrust of the county’s long-term plans among local horse racing enthusiasts, who believe the county’s plans to build several new soccer fields on the 88-acre site later this year are designed to ultimately push them out.
The county plans to build an 18-field tournament soccer complex on the grounds, but those plans were shelved when the economy turned for the worse a few years ago.
A 1984 initiative approved by voters secured a future for horse racing at Rillito Park for a twenty-five year period, but the legal obligation expired in 2009.
“They just want to get rid of horse racing,” Shirley said. “It has nothing to do with the barns.” Huckelberry said the county had been negotiating with the Pima County Horsemen’s Association up until two weeks ago. He said the officials with the group abruptly stopped returning calls from county staff.
However, another group is interested in continuing the 72-year tradition of horse race at the Rillito Park Race Track.
Jaye Wells, the director of the Rillito Park Foundation, said his group has a plan to increase the number of horse races held at the site.
Wells proposes expanding the dates when horse races would be held as well as offering simultaneous television broadcasting to increase revenue.
Other plans include building a Western heritage, art, and history museum close to the J. Rukin Jelks Stud Farm, create a site for a weekly farmers’ market and build additional soccer fields.
The racetrack is considered to be the birthplace of quarter-horse racing and one of the oldest racetracks in the West.
Rillito, which was founded in 1943, is the place where the photo finish was created. Part of the track — the quarter-horse “chute” — is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Still, Shirley said there in a small chance her group will be racing next year.
“Government officials don’t do what they say they are going to do,” Shirley said.
Future of racing a Rillito in question
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2006/12/07
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Racing authorities fear that a dangerous new drug that stimulates the body to produce more erythropoietin is being used by trainers in Australia and they admit they do not have the means to test for it, or the jurisdiction to punish offenders if a positive test is found.
Victorian racing investigators now use human laboratories or overseas testing facilities in a bid to apprehend horse trainers who are using the drug cobalt chloride.
And stewards are unable to charge trainers with the use of the substance because the appropriate threshold levels are still to be determined.
In 2005 scientists in Europe discovered that cobalt chloride had similar effects on humans to the endurance-boosting drug EPO. Use of the drug has been detected in racing in the United States and there have been six positive tests to cobalt chloride in NSW harness racing.
Those tests prompted harness officials to rush through a decision on the threshhold for the drug; they set it at 200 micrograms per litre, a level some veterinary experts believe is generous. In Hong Kong the threshhold is 100 micrograms per litre. The positive tests uncovered in NSW have revealed horses with levels exceeding 3500.
A harness racing official said that one horse ''went around the track like a new Learjet'' after being treated with cobalt chloride.
Victorian chief steward Terry Bailey said there has been extensive testing for cobalt chloride and racing authorities are on high alert in Melbourne and Sydney, believing that some trainers are willing to risk using the drug because investigators might struggle to make a case against them stick.
It is understood that racing investigators are closely monitoring one veterinary surgeon.
''If we discover very high levels we'll be asking many, many questions,'' Bailey said.
''But before a rule can be established, extensive expert research must be undertaken before someone can be found guilty. If we didn't adopt that sort of scrutiny on establishing rules we will run a long second.''
Cobalt chloride can be given to horses as a powder or a feed supplement, or it can be injected.
It is a mineral supplement used on cattle and sheep which are grazing on cobalt-deficient soil.
Bailey said Racing Victoria had been warned a year ago about the effects of cobalt chloride, and that he instructed his panel to test extensively over the spring carnival. He said no high readings have been discovered. ''It was a very broad approach we had. We were told about cobalt and we saw what happened to harness racing in Sydney. They now use a Sydney-based laboratory to examine all of their swabs,'' he said.
Cobalt chloride is not a prescription medication, so it can be easily obtained, although there are reports that the drug is currently in short supply in Australia.
In the US, the owners of the Meadowlands racetrack in New Jersey banned two trainers after some of their horses were found to have elevated levels of cobalt.
In California, there is a renewed investigation into the deaths of seven racehorses trained by world-renowned trainer Bob Baffert.
An initial investigation and post-mortem did not reveal anything suspicious and Baffert was cleared of any wrongdoing. But there are reports that tissues from some of these horses have been sent off for testing for heavy metals including cobalt.
Cobalt chloride makes the body believe that it is not receiving enough oxygen, which results in the body producing more EPO, the hormone responsible for controlling red blood cell production.
Excess EPO production has been linked with the deaths of several athletes and cyclists since the 1980s.
Read more: Racing struggling to counter new drug fear
Victorian racing investigators now use human laboratories or overseas testing facilities in a bid to apprehend horse trainers who are using the drug cobalt chloride.
And stewards are unable to charge trainers with the use of the substance because the appropriate threshold levels are still to be determined.
In 2005 scientists in Europe discovered that cobalt chloride had similar effects on humans to the endurance-boosting drug EPO. Use of the drug has been detected in racing in the United States and there have been six positive tests to cobalt chloride in NSW harness racing.
Those tests prompted harness officials to rush through a decision on the threshhold for the drug; they set it at 200 micrograms per litre, a level some veterinary experts believe is generous. In Hong Kong the threshhold is 100 micrograms per litre. The positive tests uncovered in NSW have revealed horses with levels exceeding 3500.
A harness racing official said that one horse ''went around the track like a new Learjet'' after being treated with cobalt chloride.
Victorian chief steward Terry Bailey said there has been extensive testing for cobalt chloride and racing authorities are on high alert in Melbourne and Sydney, believing that some trainers are willing to risk using the drug because investigators might struggle to make a case against them stick.
It is understood that racing investigators are closely monitoring one veterinary surgeon.
''If we discover very high levels we'll be asking many, many questions,'' Bailey said.
''But before a rule can be established, extensive expert research must be undertaken before someone can be found guilty. If we didn't adopt that sort of scrutiny on establishing rules we will run a long second.''
Cobalt chloride can be given to horses as a powder or a feed supplement, or it can be injected.
It is a mineral supplement used on cattle and sheep which are grazing on cobalt-deficient soil.
Bailey said Racing Victoria had been warned a year ago about the effects of cobalt chloride, and that he instructed his panel to test extensively over the spring carnival. He said no high readings have been discovered. ''It was a very broad approach we had. We were told about cobalt and we saw what happened to harness racing in Sydney. They now use a Sydney-based laboratory to examine all of their swabs,'' he said.
Cobalt chloride is not a prescription medication, so it can be easily obtained, although there are reports that the drug is currently in short supply in Australia.
In the US, the owners of the Meadowlands racetrack in New Jersey banned two trainers after some of their horses were found to have elevated levels of cobalt.
In California, there is a renewed investigation into the deaths of seven racehorses trained by world-renowned trainer Bob Baffert.
An initial investigation and post-mortem did not reveal anything suspicious and Baffert was cleared of any wrongdoing. But there are reports that tissues from some of these horses have been sent off for testing for heavy metals including cobalt.
Cobalt chloride makes the body believe that it is not receiving enough oxygen, which results in the body producing more EPO, the hormone responsible for controlling red blood cell production.
Excess EPO production has been linked with the deaths of several athletes and cyclists since the 1980s.
Read more: Racing struggling to counter new drug fear
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2006/12/07
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RACING has been left devastated by the death of prominent figure Lucy Stack.
The winning owner and breeder died on Sunday at her home near Cashel in tragic circumstances at the age of 28.
A Garda spokesman said: "A woman in her late 20s has died in a tragic incident. There are no suspicious circumstances."
Lucy, daughter of trainer Denise 'Sneezy' Foster and the late top eventer David Foster, was married to Fozzy Stack, son of trainer Tommy Stack. She is survived by her mother, sister Jessie and brother Nick.
Hailing from Enfield, County Meath, Lucy saw her pink and black colours carried to victory twice by the Flat stayer Parkers Mills. She also bred Clenor, the prolific US miler who was eighth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Tamso Doyle, a family friend, said: "Shock is the word that comes to mind, shock and deep sadness.
"Lucy was one of the most beautiful, confident and fun girls I knew. I have known Lucy since she was a young girl as we all grew up in the horse world of eventing and racing together.
"The Fosters are are such a close family, my heart goes out to Lucy's mum Sneezy, sister Jessie and brother Nick, this is just devastating for them and all her many many friends.
"Lucy always looked so stylish at the races, I remember she won the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady in Fairyhouse at the Irish Grand National a few years ago looking so smart and she got a great kick out of that. "It is going to take everyone a while to comprehend this awful news and my thoughts are with her husband Fozzy and her family, she will be most terribly missed by all who knew her."
On Monday night, the families said in a statement: "The Foster and Stack families are shocked by this terrible tragedy. Lucy was a beautiful girl and a real lady. Fozzy is now back in Ireland and the families would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to respect their privacy at this sad time."
Racing shocked by death of Lucy Stack | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The winning owner and breeder died on Sunday at her home near Cashel in tragic circumstances at the age of 28.
A Garda spokesman said: "A woman in her late 20s has died in a tragic incident. There are no suspicious circumstances."
Lucy, daughter of trainer Denise 'Sneezy' Foster and the late top eventer David Foster, was married to Fozzy Stack, son of trainer Tommy Stack. She is survived by her mother, sister Jessie and brother Nick.
Hailing from Enfield, County Meath, Lucy saw her pink and black colours carried to victory twice by the Flat stayer Parkers Mills. She also bred Clenor, the prolific US miler who was eighth in last year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Fillies for trainer Doug O'Neill.
Tamso Doyle, a family friend, said: "Shock is the word that comes to mind, shock and deep sadness.
"Lucy was one of the most beautiful, confident and fun girls I knew. I have known Lucy since she was a young girl as we all grew up in the horse world of eventing and racing together.
"The Fosters are are such a close family, my heart goes out to Lucy's mum Sneezy, sister Jessie and brother Nick, this is just devastating for them and all her many many friends.
"Lucy always looked so stylish at the races, I remember she won the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady in Fairyhouse at the Irish Grand National a few years ago looking so smart and she got a great kick out of that. "It is going to take everyone a while to comprehend this awful news and my thoughts are with her husband Fozzy and her family, she will be most terribly missed by all who knew her."
On Monday night, the families said in a statement: "The Foster and Stack families are shocked by this terrible tragedy. Lucy was a beautiful girl and a real lady. Fozzy is now back in Ireland and the families would appreciate it if you would be kind enough to respect their privacy at this sad time."
Racing shocked by death of Lucy Stack | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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2006/12/07
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NEWBURY'S clerk of the course Richard Osgood will wake up on Wednesday morning anxious to check the rain gauge after one local newspaper reported flood warnings and a deluge of up to 70mm in the coming days.
The Berkshire racecourse stages what is dubbed Super Saturday this weekend featuring the prestigious Betfair Hurdle and was on Tuesday reporting official going of soft, heavy in places.
According to the Met Office, heavy rain was expected to begin in West Berkshire from 9pm on Tuesday evening and continue all day Wednesday. Further rain, sometimes heavy, was forecast for the early hours of Friday and Saturday.
"We remain soft, heavy in places," said Osgood. "The forecast is going to remain unsettled. It is due to be its wettest tonight and tomorrow then the way I look at it, it will be more showery up to Saturday."
Osgood was shocked to hear that a local newspaper website was reporting up to 70mm of rain for the Newbury area, with residents urged to prepare for flooding, based on Met Office predictions.
He added: "I've not seen that much [forecast]. We could get anything up to 15mm tonight and we'll just have to see how it goes."
Wednesday's racing at Ludlow was subject to an 8am inspection, with clerk of the course Bob Davies reporting: "We're in the lap of the gods and it all depends how much rain we get."
Thursday's racing at Taunton was also at risk, with parts of the track waterlogged. An inspection was called for 7am on Wednesday.
Newbury braced for wet run in to Super Saturday | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The Berkshire racecourse stages what is dubbed Super Saturday this weekend featuring the prestigious Betfair Hurdle and was on Tuesday reporting official going of soft, heavy in places.
According to the Met Office, heavy rain was expected to begin in West Berkshire from 9pm on Tuesday evening and continue all day Wednesday. Further rain, sometimes heavy, was forecast for the early hours of Friday and Saturday.
"We remain soft, heavy in places," said Osgood. "The forecast is going to remain unsettled. It is due to be its wettest tonight and tomorrow then the way I look at it, it will be more showery up to Saturday."
Osgood was shocked to hear that a local newspaper website was reporting up to 70mm of rain for the Newbury area, with residents urged to prepare for flooding, based on Met Office predictions.
He added: "I've not seen that much [forecast]. We could get anything up to 15mm tonight and we'll just have to see how it goes."
Wednesday's racing at Ludlow was subject to an 8am inspection, with clerk of the course Bob Davies reporting: "We're in the lap of the gods and it all depends how much rain we get."
Thursday's racing at Taunton was also at risk, with parts of the track waterlogged. An inspection was called for 7am on Wednesday.
Newbury braced for wet run in to Super Saturday | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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The nine-year-old maintained his unbeaten start over fences when winning a match with Mr Mole at Doncaster and is as short as 6-1 (Coral, Paddy Power) for the Arkle Trophy Chase.
In the 2011 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle, Rock On Ruby was caught by First Lieutenant in the final stride but returned 12 months later to claim the Champion Hurdle.
He put up a brave defence of his crown last year when finding only Hurricane Fly too good.
Jockey Noel Fehily, who passed 100 winners in a single season for the first time recently, said of yesterday’s 10-length winner: "He jumped very well and we've quickened up nicely. I thought he was very good on his feet today and he's a different horse to what he was before Christmas."
Trainer Harry Fry, relieved to see his stable star win impressively, added: "Noel was happy, so we're happy.
“Noel said he feels a better horse than 12 months ago and that emphasises how he turns the corner from January onwards. March brings the best out of him. We have four or five weeks to put the finishing touches to him. "He's gone and attacked every fence and he just pecked after the last, so it's all systems go now.”
First Mohican, a Group 3-placed performer on the Flat, made a stylish winning debut over hurdles – on his first run since moving from Lady Cecil to Alan King.
His trainer said: "I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won, it looked a good race on paper but he's very smart.
"He'll go to the Dovecote (Kempton, February 22) now, that has always been the plan. I'd love to get another run into him as I imagine he'll take it all very well.
"For a novice first time out that was as good a round of jumping as you could get."
First Mohican was trimmed from 20-1 to 16s with the sponsors for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival. Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "We knew First Mohican had an engine from the Flat and that was a very encouraging start to his hurdling career.”
Nicky Henderson favours Aintree over Cheltenham for Vaniteux, who appreciated the step up in trip to 2m3f when making it two wins from three outings since transferring from France in the Eventmasters Novices’ Hurdle.
Another win makes Rock on Ruby Arkle Trophy Chase favourite | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
In the 2011 Neptune Novices’ Hurdle, Rock On Ruby was caught by First Lieutenant in the final stride but returned 12 months later to claim the Champion Hurdle.
He put up a brave defence of his crown last year when finding only Hurricane Fly too good.
Jockey Noel Fehily, who passed 100 winners in a single season for the first time recently, said of yesterday’s 10-length winner: "He jumped very well and we've quickened up nicely. I thought he was very good on his feet today and he's a different horse to what he was before Christmas."
Trainer Harry Fry, relieved to see his stable star win impressively, added: "Noel was happy, so we're happy.
“Noel said he feels a better horse than 12 months ago and that emphasises how he turns the corner from January onwards. March brings the best out of him. We have four or five weeks to put the finishing touches to him. "He's gone and attacked every fence and he just pecked after the last, so it's all systems go now.”
First Mohican, a Group 3-placed performer on the Flat, made a stylish winning debut over hurdles – on his first run since moving from Lady Cecil to Alan King.
His trainer said: "I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won, it looked a good race on paper but he's very smart.
"He'll go to the Dovecote (Kempton, February 22) now, that has always been the plan. I'd love to get another run into him as I imagine he'll take it all very well.
"For a novice first time out that was as good a round of jumping as you could get."
First Mohican was trimmed from 20-1 to 16s with the sponsors for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival. Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "We knew First Mohican had an engine from the Flat and that was a very encouraging start to his hurdling career.”
Nicky Henderson favours Aintree over Cheltenham for Vaniteux, who appreciated the step up in trip to 2m3f when making it two wins from three outings since transferring from France in the Eventmasters Novices’ Hurdle.
Another win makes Rock on Ruby Arkle Trophy Chase favourite | Horse Racing | Sport | Daily Express
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A big night of racing at Miami Valley Gaming ended up leaving crowds disappointed when the lights wouldn't come on Friday night.
A packed facility at the new casino waited to see horse races, but about 20 minutes before the first race, everything went dark. About 700 people were told after a two-hour wait that the power outage would not be repaired, and unfortunately, no races would run.
Virginia Nesbitt said, "I think it's a flop. A lot of people are disappointed they came out in this cold weather and it's been hyped up for a while."
The track will try to kick off the races again Saturday, but Nesbitt said she likely won't be back.
Another man was there for his 60th birthday. Dale Kostoff said they'll have to get things straightened out before he revisits.
As for the Miami Valley Gaming staff, they're determined to work out the kink.
"We are very disappointed, we had a great crowd," Jeff Nelson said. "Technical issues didn't feel safe with the horses and drivers out there without the course properly lit."
Later Friday night, the cause of the power outage was found to be a blown fuse on equipment.
Racino power outage puts a stop to horse racing - Butler County Story
A packed facility at the new casino waited to see horse races, but about 20 minutes before the first race, everything went dark. About 700 people were told after a two-hour wait that the power outage would not be repaired, and unfortunately, no races would run.
Virginia Nesbitt said, "I think it's a flop. A lot of people are disappointed they came out in this cold weather and it's been hyped up for a while."
The track will try to kick off the races again Saturday, but Nesbitt said she likely won't be back.
Another man was there for his 60th birthday. Dale Kostoff said they'll have to get things straightened out before he revisits.
As for the Miami Valley Gaming staff, they're determined to work out the kink.
"We are very disappointed, we had a great crowd," Jeff Nelson said. "Technical issues didn't feel safe with the horses and drivers out there without the course properly lit."
Later Friday night, the cause of the power outage was found to be a blown fuse on equipment.
Racino power outage puts a stop to horse racing - Butler County Story
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Of all the horses trained by D. Wayne Lukas, a who’s who list of thoroughbreds that includes four winners of the Kentucky Derby, he has never had one like Will Take Charge.
Then again, no one else has, either.
When the Hall of Fame trainer sends out Will Take Charge in Sunday’s $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, he will be saddling the first horse to capture the Eclipse Award as the nation’s champion 3-year-old despite failing to hit the board — finishing third or better — in all three legs of the Triple Crown.
No wonder Lukas said Will Take Charge has given him so much personal gratification, calling the turnaround by the rangy chestnut colt “the most satisfying situation I’ve had in the last four or five years.”
Will Take Charge is the 9-5 program favorite to win the important 1 1/8-mile stakes for older horses even though he will be required to carry 123 pounds, anywhere from 4 to 11 pounds more than any of his 10 expected rivals.
With success in horse racing comes the burden of added weight.
But Lukas is not complaining, not after Will Take Charge got his act together late on last year’s racing calendar to win divisional honors.
After the horse flopped in the Triple Crown series, “they pretty much gave this horse up for dead,” Lukas said. “But we finished up strong.”
Will Take Charge finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby, seventh in the Preakness and 10th in the Belmont. But, afterward, he won a pair of graded stakes for 3-year-olds, including the Travers at Saratoga, and lost the Breeders’ Cup Classic to Mucho Macho Man by a nose.
Lukas said the colt would have turned in a better showing in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic had he not encountered severe traffic that slowed his patented late run, perhaps costing him victories in both.
“In my eyes, we really believed we would have been first or second in the Kentucky Derby, but he got shut down twice,” Lukas said. “And when you see that aerial view, it’s pretty obvious he was really making a monster move.”
Lukas said the two weeks between the Derby and Preakness wasn’t enough time for the horse to get it out of his system.
“I think it affected him mentally,” Lukas said. “I think he was going around in the Preakness wondering ‘Who’s coming next? Who’s going to blindside me next time?’ It’s like one of those wide receivers who gets blindsided. The next time he goes over the middle, he’s not so sure he wants to be there.”
Still, when all was said and done in 2013, no other 3-year-old — or at least none of the three different winners of the Triple Crown races — could boast such a résumé. Will Take Charge won $3 million in purse earnings last year.
“The Triple Crown group had trouble putting together any consistency,” Lukas said. “We kept waking up to a different scenario every time we ran one [of the three signature races].”
Orb won the Derby but never won another race.
Oxbow, also trained by Lukas, won the Preakness. He, too, did not win again.
Palace Malice managed to follow up his Belmont victory with another in the Jim Dandy Stakes. But that was it.
Will Take Charge took off, and he’s still going.
Lukas, 78, has outlined an ambitious schedule for the star of his 38-horse stable, which he headquarters during the winter at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. After the Donn, he hopes to head to California for the Santa Anita Handicap. Lukas said Will Take Charge might race once every month until summer, gear back for a few months, and rev up again for another attempt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“All these horses dictate their own pace,” Lukas said. “They’ll tell you when they’re ready and when they’re not. People have opinions. Horses have the facts.”
• Two-time Eclipse champion Groupie Doll will race for the last time Sunday in Gulfstream’s Hurricane Bertie at 6 1/2 furlongs. She is being retired.
Read more here: Will Take Charge the favorite for Gulfstream’s Donn Handicap - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
Then again, no one else has, either.
When the Hall of Fame trainer sends out Will Take Charge in Sunday’s $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park, he will be saddling the first horse to capture the Eclipse Award as the nation’s champion 3-year-old despite failing to hit the board — finishing third or better — in all three legs of the Triple Crown.
No wonder Lukas said Will Take Charge has given him so much personal gratification, calling the turnaround by the rangy chestnut colt “the most satisfying situation I’ve had in the last four or five years.”
Will Take Charge is the 9-5 program favorite to win the important 1 1/8-mile stakes for older horses even though he will be required to carry 123 pounds, anywhere from 4 to 11 pounds more than any of his 10 expected rivals.
With success in horse racing comes the burden of added weight.
But Lukas is not complaining, not after Will Take Charge got his act together late on last year’s racing calendar to win divisional honors.
After the horse flopped in the Triple Crown series, “they pretty much gave this horse up for dead,” Lukas said. “But we finished up strong.”
Will Take Charge finished eighth in the Kentucky Derby, seventh in the Preakness and 10th in the Belmont. But, afterward, he won a pair of graded stakes for 3-year-olds, including the Travers at Saratoga, and lost the Breeders’ Cup Classic to Mucho Macho Man by a nose.
Lukas said the colt would have turned in a better showing in both the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic had he not encountered severe traffic that slowed his patented late run, perhaps costing him victories in both.
“In my eyes, we really believed we would have been first or second in the Kentucky Derby, but he got shut down twice,” Lukas said. “And when you see that aerial view, it’s pretty obvious he was really making a monster move.”
Lukas said the two weeks between the Derby and Preakness wasn’t enough time for the horse to get it out of his system.
“I think it affected him mentally,” Lukas said. “I think he was going around in the Preakness wondering ‘Who’s coming next? Who’s going to blindside me next time?’ It’s like one of those wide receivers who gets blindsided. The next time he goes over the middle, he’s not so sure he wants to be there.”
Still, when all was said and done in 2013, no other 3-year-old — or at least none of the three different winners of the Triple Crown races — could boast such a résumé. Will Take Charge won $3 million in purse earnings last year.
“The Triple Crown group had trouble putting together any consistency,” Lukas said. “We kept waking up to a different scenario every time we ran one [of the three signature races].”
Orb won the Derby but never won another race.
Oxbow, also trained by Lukas, won the Preakness. He, too, did not win again.
Palace Malice managed to follow up his Belmont victory with another in the Jim Dandy Stakes. But that was it.
Will Take Charge took off, and he’s still going.
Lukas, 78, has outlined an ambitious schedule for the star of his 38-horse stable, which he headquarters during the winter at Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. After the Donn, he hopes to head to California for the Santa Anita Handicap. Lukas said Will Take Charge might race once every month until summer, gear back for a few months, and rev up again for another attempt at the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
“All these horses dictate their own pace,” Lukas said. “They’ll tell you when they’re ready and when they’re not. People have opinions. Horses have the facts.”
• Two-time Eclipse champion Groupie Doll will race for the last time Sunday in Gulfstream’s Hurricane Bertie at 6 1/2 furlongs. She is being retired.
Read more here: Will Take Charge the favorite for Gulfstream’s Donn Handicap - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
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The last horse trained by Bill Mott to win the Donn Handicap ended up becoming immortalized in a statue that now overlooks the paddock walking ring at Gulfstream Park.
The horse was Cigar. The year: 1996.
It’s a little too early to contemplate any thought of Gulfstream commissioning a statue of Lea, the winner of Sunday’s 56th running of the Donn. But the mere mention of the great Cigar brought a smile to Mott’s face.
Cigar was a two-time Horse of the Year and matched a North American record by winning 16 consecutive races. Lea is riding a considerably-more-modest two-race win streak.
“Wouldn’t it be something if he clicked off a few more?” Mott asked, standing in the winner’s circle after Lea had his picture taken and headed back to his barn. “You know, if you’re going to win 16, you’ve got to start with two.”
Lea looked sensational Sunday, defeating 3-year-old champion Will Take Charge by 1 1/2 lengths and setting a track record in the process, completing the 1 1/8-mile stakes in 1:46.86.
The old mark of 1:47.49 was set in 2010 by Quality Road.
Then again, the racing surface Sunday was producing fast times. The sensational female sprinter Groupie Doll closed out her career by cruising to a lopsided win in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes earlier on the card, missing the track record for 6 1/2 furlongs by just two-hundredths of a second.
She was under a hand ride when she crossed under the wire.
But take nothing away from Lea’s performance.
As darkness was starting to set in, jockey Joel Rosario sent Lea past front-running Uncaptured on the backstretch and held off Will Take Charge’s rally in the stretch to prevail for his first victory in a Grade I event.
It was another 9 1/4 lengths further back to third-place finisher Viramundo.
“They had to set a track record to beat us, so that’s all you need to know,” said D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Will Take Charge, who was making his first start of 2014 as the 3-2 favorite. “Kudos to the winner.”
Lea, a 5-year-old who raced primarily on grass early in his career, was making only his second start for Mott after changing barns in November. But he has won both of those starts: the Grade III Hal’s Hope in January and the Donn.
“It’s always a different challenge when you move to the dirt,” Mott said of Lea’s grass-to-dirt surface change. “I felt he was capable, but the competition was stiff, and we were in against a champion.”
Will Take Charge, winner of the Travers at Saratoga last August and runner-up to Mucho Macho Man in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was a bit closer to the early pace than normal, backed off rounding the final turn, circled horses entering the stretch and didn’t have enough kick to catch the winner.
“We got blocked for a bit and couldn’t get out, so we couldn’t move as quickly as we wanted to,” Lukas said of Will Take Charge. “That’s just horse racing.”
The Donn wasn’t the only Grade I event on Sunday’s card. In the race preceding the Donn, 35-1 long shot Lochte pulled off a stunning victory, charging through on the rail to win the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap by 2 3/4 lengths over Imagining for trainer Marcus Vitali and jockey Orlando Bocachica.
Read more here: Lea sets track record, upsets Will Take Charge - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
The horse was Cigar. The year: 1996.
It’s a little too early to contemplate any thought of Gulfstream commissioning a statue of Lea, the winner of Sunday’s 56th running of the Donn. But the mere mention of the great Cigar brought a smile to Mott’s face.
Cigar was a two-time Horse of the Year and matched a North American record by winning 16 consecutive races. Lea is riding a considerably-more-modest two-race win streak.
“Wouldn’t it be something if he clicked off a few more?” Mott asked, standing in the winner’s circle after Lea had his picture taken and headed back to his barn. “You know, if you’re going to win 16, you’ve got to start with two.”
Lea looked sensational Sunday, defeating 3-year-old champion Will Take Charge by 1 1/2 lengths and setting a track record in the process, completing the 1 1/8-mile stakes in 1:46.86.
The old mark of 1:47.49 was set in 2010 by Quality Road.
Then again, the racing surface Sunday was producing fast times. The sensational female sprinter Groupie Doll closed out her career by cruising to a lopsided win in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes earlier on the card, missing the track record for 6 1/2 furlongs by just two-hundredths of a second.
She was under a hand ride when she crossed under the wire.
But take nothing away from Lea’s performance.
As darkness was starting to set in, jockey Joel Rosario sent Lea past front-running Uncaptured on the backstretch and held off Will Take Charge’s rally in the stretch to prevail for his first victory in a Grade I event.
It was another 9 1/4 lengths further back to third-place finisher Viramundo.
“They had to set a track record to beat us, so that’s all you need to know,” said D. Wayne Lukas, trainer of Will Take Charge, who was making his first start of 2014 as the 3-2 favorite. “Kudos to the winner.”
Lea, a 5-year-old who raced primarily on grass early in his career, was making only his second start for Mott after changing barns in November. But he has won both of those starts: the Grade III Hal’s Hope in January and the Donn.
“It’s always a different challenge when you move to the dirt,” Mott said of Lea’s grass-to-dirt surface change. “I felt he was capable, but the competition was stiff, and we were in against a champion.”
Will Take Charge, winner of the Travers at Saratoga last August and runner-up to Mucho Macho Man in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, was a bit closer to the early pace than normal, backed off rounding the final turn, circled horses entering the stretch and didn’t have enough kick to catch the winner.
“We got blocked for a bit and couldn’t get out, so we couldn’t move as quickly as we wanted to,” Lukas said of Will Take Charge. “That’s just horse racing.”
The Donn wasn’t the only Grade I event on Sunday’s card. In the race preceding the Donn, 35-1 long shot Lochte pulled off a stunning victory, charging through on the rail to win the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap by 2 3/4 lengths over Imagining for trainer Marcus Vitali and jockey Orlando Bocachica.
Read more here: Lea sets track record, upsets Will Take Charge - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
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A Simcoe County harness horse trainer and owner said 10,000 jobs have been lost in the industry and a lot more job losses are coming due to the Liberal government’s decision to end the Slots-at-Racetracks Program (SARP) in 2012.
“The horse-racing opportunity in Ontario keeps dwindling. Now you are seeing the effects of the cancellation of the agreement,” said Mike Sinclair, a trainer and owner based in Cookstown and member of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). “Within two years, 50% of the people in the horse industry will not be in the industry.”
Sinclair named a number of people who have shut down their breeding, training and racing operations and said the loss of SARP has reduced the industry to a shadow of what it once was.
In 2011, the standardbred industry held 1,260 days of racing with prize money totalling more than $165 million, according to records from the OHHA. In 2013, there were 760 days of racing and $92 million in prize money.
Locally, at Georgian Downs, where Sinclair did the majority of his racing, it typically held 118 days of racing with prize money averaging $11 million to $14 million, but in 2013, it held just 29 days of racing with prize money of a little more than $3 million, Sinclair said.
“The guys that are able to survive are hobby horsemen,” he said.
Sinclair saw the impossibility of making a living with harness horse racing under this political climate and changed his game.
“I’m not one of the 50%. I’m going to survive,” he said
He focuses on yearlings now. He’s training, racing and reselling them to larger horse operations in the United States. He has nine horses in his barn. He bought four yearlings last year and sold one when it was two years old. He is buying more “babies” this year.
“I’m going to race in the United States. I’m a small speck, but guys are racing in the United States or they’re selling out,” he said.
The provincial government announced in November race tracks could apply for part of $400 million over five years and it would integrate horse racing with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s modernization plan.
Sinclair said $80 million per year is not enough when it is spread out to thoroughbred, standardbred and quarterhorse breeds with 80% of the money going to major tracks such as Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
“It means the little tracks have to fight over the rest,” he said.
Georgian Downs is the second-best track after Woodbine, Sinclair said, but can only race 29 days in June, July and August.
Georgian Downs has no schedule posted for this year.
Horse-racing industry a shadow of former self | Orillia Packet and Times
“The horse-racing opportunity in Ontario keeps dwindling. Now you are seeing the effects of the cancellation of the agreement,” said Mike Sinclair, a trainer and owner based in Cookstown and member of the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). “Within two years, 50% of the people in the horse industry will not be in the industry.”
Sinclair named a number of people who have shut down their breeding, training and racing operations and said the loss of SARP has reduced the industry to a shadow of what it once was.
In 2011, the standardbred industry held 1,260 days of racing with prize money totalling more than $165 million, according to records from the OHHA. In 2013, there were 760 days of racing and $92 million in prize money.
Locally, at Georgian Downs, where Sinclair did the majority of his racing, it typically held 118 days of racing with prize money averaging $11 million to $14 million, but in 2013, it held just 29 days of racing with prize money of a little more than $3 million, Sinclair said.
“The guys that are able to survive are hobby horsemen,” he said.
Sinclair saw the impossibility of making a living with harness horse racing under this political climate and changed his game.
“I’m not one of the 50%. I’m going to survive,” he said
He focuses on yearlings now. He’s training, racing and reselling them to larger horse operations in the United States. He has nine horses in his barn. He bought four yearlings last year and sold one when it was two years old. He is buying more “babies” this year.
“I’m going to race in the United States. I’m a small speck, but guys are racing in the United States or they’re selling out,” he said.
The provincial government announced in November race tracks could apply for part of $400 million over five years and it would integrate horse racing with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation’s modernization plan.
Sinclair said $80 million per year is not enough when it is spread out to thoroughbred, standardbred and quarterhorse breeds with 80% of the money going to major tracks such as Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto.
“It means the little tracks have to fight over the rest,” he said.
Georgian Downs is the second-best track after Woodbine, Sinclair said, but can only race 29 days in June, July and August.
Georgian Downs has no schedule posted for this year.
Horse-racing industry a shadow of former self | Orillia Packet and Times
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PAUL CARBERRY will be back on board leading Crabbie's Grand National hope Monbeg Dude when he goes on trial for the big race at Haydock on Saturday. Under a classic Carberry ride, Monbeg Dude came from almost last to first to win the 2012 Welsh National (ran on January 5, 2013) before the pair finished third in last year's running of Saturday's Betfred Grand National Trial.
Carberry has been unable to ride since, including when Tom Scudamore proved a winning replacement at Cheltenham in December.
"I heard from Paul Carberry this morning, he'll ride Saturday and we're looking forward to him getting back on board," confirmed trainer Michael Scudamore on Wednesday.
Monbeg Dude was handed a weight of 10st 9lb for the National on Tuesday and is vying for favouritism at a general 20-1. That race has been the target all season and Scudamore said "atrocious ground" on Saturday could see him bypass Haydock.
He added: "With the National in the back of our minds we wouldn't want to go to Haydock and leave our season there if it was completely atrocious ground.
"We want to run there, it works well with timings between now and Aintree but we will be watching the weather closely."
The going at Haydock was described as heavy on Wednesday with up to 30mm of rain forecast before Saturday.
Carberry reunited with Dude at Haydock | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Carberry has been unable to ride since, including when Tom Scudamore proved a winning replacement at Cheltenham in December.
"I heard from Paul Carberry this morning, he'll ride Saturday and we're looking forward to him getting back on board," confirmed trainer Michael Scudamore on Wednesday.
Monbeg Dude was handed a weight of 10st 9lb for the National on Tuesday and is vying for favouritism at a general 20-1. That race has been the target all season and Scudamore said "atrocious ground" on Saturday could see him bypass Haydock.
He added: "With the National in the back of our minds we wouldn't want to go to Haydock and leave our season there if it was completely atrocious ground.
"We want to run there, it works well with timings between now and Aintree but we will be watching the weather closely."
The going at Haydock was described as heavy on Wednesday with up to 30mm of rain forecast before Saturday.
Carberry reunited with Dude at Haydock | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Jose Garoffolo knew Wildcat Red had potential from the moment he laid eyes on him at the Ocala Breeders Sales Co.'s sale last June.
“When you buy a horse and you like the horse and he shows you some talent, you never know how far he can go,” Garoffolo said on a teleconference Tuesday. “That one was the very first time I saw him, [and] I knew he was going to be a decent horse.”
Garoffolo paid $30,000 for the horse, and the results speak for themselves. Wildcat Red has crossed the finish line first in four races but was disqualified from the Juvenile Sprint Stakes and placed second. His sole loss came in the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year’s Day when General a Rod beat him by a head at the line.
Now the 3-year-old will face his biggest test when he lines up in the Grade II Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream on Saturday. The 13-horse field includes some of the most talented 3-year-olds in the nation and is the beginning of a 10-week campaign to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.
“He’s a very sound horse,” Garoffolo said in a phone interview Friday. “All we need to know is if he can go longer. If he handles the two turns, then we can start thinking about going to Kentucky.”
Wildcat Red’s pedigree suggests he would be better as a sprinter, as the son of the champion D’wildcat, and his speed confirms that notion. He has the two highest Beyer speed ratings of the entrants Saturday, a 96 for his win in the Hutcheson earlier this month and a 92 for his near miss in the Gulfstream Park Derby.
Garoffolo said the horse has trained well at longer distances in preparation for the mile and sixteenth he will need to cover Saturday. He originally planned to run the horse in the Holy Bull last month, but an infection kept Wildcat Red out.
The trainer said he was concerned about what could be a logjam at the front with three or four horses attempting to set the pace, which often leads to a quick first half-mile and tires out the leaders. He added he has been focusing on trying to keep his horse calm so he doesn’t have to use too much energy in the early parts of the race.
“We’ve been working on relaxing the horse,” Garoffolo said Friday. “If he can control his pace and he can relax, the better it’s going to be for him. The slower the pace, the better.”
This weekend is the first of the 50-point races in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, a points system to determine the 20 entrants into the race. The winner of Saturday’s race will receive 50 points, which will almost assuredly earn them a spot in the first leg of the Triple Crown. The runner-up will get 20 points, third collects 10 and the fourth-place finisher picks up five.
Read more here: Wildcat Red faces biggest test in Fountain of Youth race - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
“When you buy a horse and you like the horse and he shows you some talent, you never know how far he can go,” Garoffolo said on a teleconference Tuesday. “That one was the very first time I saw him, [and] I knew he was going to be a decent horse.”
Garoffolo paid $30,000 for the horse, and the results speak for themselves. Wildcat Red has crossed the finish line first in four races but was disqualified from the Juvenile Sprint Stakes and placed second. His sole loss came in the Gulfstream Park Derby on New Year’s Day when General a Rod beat him by a head at the line.
Now the 3-year-old will face his biggest test when he lines up in the Grade II Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream on Saturday. The 13-horse field includes some of the most talented 3-year-olds in the nation and is the beginning of a 10-week campaign to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.
“He’s a very sound horse,” Garoffolo said in a phone interview Friday. “All we need to know is if he can go longer. If he handles the two turns, then we can start thinking about going to Kentucky.”
Wildcat Red’s pedigree suggests he would be better as a sprinter, as the son of the champion D’wildcat, and his speed confirms that notion. He has the two highest Beyer speed ratings of the entrants Saturday, a 96 for his win in the Hutcheson earlier this month and a 92 for his near miss in the Gulfstream Park Derby.
Garoffolo said the horse has trained well at longer distances in preparation for the mile and sixteenth he will need to cover Saturday. He originally planned to run the horse in the Holy Bull last month, but an infection kept Wildcat Red out.
The trainer said he was concerned about what could be a logjam at the front with three or four horses attempting to set the pace, which often leads to a quick first half-mile and tires out the leaders. He added he has been focusing on trying to keep his horse calm so he doesn’t have to use too much energy in the early parts of the race.
“We’ve been working on relaxing the horse,” Garoffolo said Friday. “If he can control his pace and he can relax, the better it’s going to be for him. The slower the pace, the better.”
This weekend is the first of the 50-point races in the Road to the Kentucky Derby series, a points system to determine the 20 entrants into the race. The winner of Saturday’s race will receive 50 points, which will almost assuredly earn them a spot in the first leg of the Triple Crown. The runner-up will get 20 points, third collects 10 and the fourth-place finisher picks up five.
Read more here: Wildcat Red faces biggest test in Fountain of Youth race - Horse Racing - MiamiHerald-com
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IRVING surged to the head of the home challenge for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, at least in the bookmakers' eyes, after running out an authoritative winner of the Dovecote.
It was his second success at Grade 2 level and he took his unbeaten record to four over hurdles, all under Nick Scholfield. Sky Bet, who sponsor both the Dovecote and the opening race at next month's Cheltenham Festival, went 4-1 (from 7) with only the Willie Mullins-trained Grade 1 winner Vautour shorter in the betting. "He's got all the speed in the world and will improve for better ground," said his trainer Paul Nicholls. "Faster ground will also sharpen his jumping. I'm thrilled with that and he won't need to do much now before the Supreme. He's a proper horse."
Irving had been due to contest the Betfair Hurdle but missed the race due to the heavy ground. Here, kept in novice company, he proved himself comfortably better than his six rivals, to the tune of at least five lengths although it would not take the most active of imaginations to think he was value for more.
Scholfield always looked confident on the 4-6 favourite and settled his mount in third through the early part of the race as Amore Alato, a pillar-to-post winner over the course and distance at the Boxing Day meeting, was afforded a lead of several lengths.
Turning for home Richard Johnson still held the advantage on the Nick Williams-trained five-year-old and kicked again, having all behind him in trouble.
All that was except Irving, who travelled supremely well and he put the race to bed in a matter of strides. With Amore Alato holding on for second at 8-1 and another five lengths back to Cup Final, also at 8-1, in third, the impression the winner created once allowed to stride on from the second last was seriously impressive.
"It looks like the winner is a very good horse," said Johnson. "I have gone a good honest gallop and he has kept going and run well but the winner has gone past easily."
Amore Alato's trainer Nick Williams added: "That was a great performance, giving 7lb to Cup Final and the others. He hasn't any Cheltenham entries so will probably go to Aintree next." Nicky Henderson, trainer of the third Cup Final, said: "He has run very well as when he was second to Irving something galloped into the back of him and it took a couple of months for him to recover."
First Mohican, the 5-1 second favourite, disappointed in fourth.
Also on Sunday
BetBright Mobile Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 2m4½f, 5yo+
JUST 14 days after winning his first Graded race Balder Succes took his tally to two, taking the step up to two and a half miles comfortably in his long stride as he put in another fine round of jumping to land the Pendil at 9-4 by a length and a quarter from 6-1 shot God's Own. Loose Chips cut out the early running under Noel Fehily, but set nothing more than a solid gallop. As the pace increased five from home all that had happened was Tchang Goon had been shown the back door.
But once Fox Appeal moved alongside Loose Chips the race was on and with the increase in pace Balder Succes's superior jumping saw him ease into contention around the outside of the field.
Once in the home straight there only looked like being one winner, unless the stamina of Balder Succes did not last out. It did. Comfortably. And he won in fine style.
"I don't think he goes to Cheltenham - the owners are not keen," said his trainer Alan King. "There is Aintree and Punchestown and today's win opens up alternatives as he has seen out the longer trip well - we rode him slightly differently today, not quite so aggressively.
"The owners just don't want to go to Cheltenham. It is nothing to do with him not handling the track - he would have bolted up there in October but for the sun in his eyes at the second-last."
Tom George, trainer of the runner-up God's Own, said: "Paddy [Brennan - jockey] just felt that having him to pull him around horses might have cost him in the end but you've got to be delighted. He's still very babyish and is a nice prospect. Going right-handed is key and he's a possible for Punchestown."
On the 5-4 favourite Fox Appeal, who finished third, Emma Lavelle said: "He didn't deserve to be beaten but he's just that bit better on better ground. Aintree is on the agenda but he would want better ground. He was very brave over the last two and is an exciting chaser."
Kempton Irving reigns supreme after hammering rivals | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
It was his second success at Grade 2 level and he took his unbeaten record to four over hurdles, all under Nick Scholfield. Sky Bet, who sponsor both the Dovecote and the opening race at next month's Cheltenham Festival, went 4-1 (from 7) with only the Willie Mullins-trained Grade 1 winner Vautour shorter in the betting. "He's got all the speed in the world and will improve for better ground," said his trainer Paul Nicholls. "Faster ground will also sharpen his jumping. I'm thrilled with that and he won't need to do much now before the Supreme. He's a proper horse."
Irving had been due to contest the Betfair Hurdle but missed the race due to the heavy ground. Here, kept in novice company, he proved himself comfortably better than his six rivals, to the tune of at least five lengths although it would not take the most active of imaginations to think he was value for more.
Scholfield always looked confident on the 4-6 favourite and settled his mount in third through the early part of the race as Amore Alato, a pillar-to-post winner over the course and distance at the Boxing Day meeting, was afforded a lead of several lengths.
Turning for home Richard Johnson still held the advantage on the Nick Williams-trained five-year-old and kicked again, having all behind him in trouble.
All that was except Irving, who travelled supremely well and he put the race to bed in a matter of strides. With Amore Alato holding on for second at 8-1 and another five lengths back to Cup Final, also at 8-1, in third, the impression the winner created once allowed to stride on from the second last was seriously impressive.
"It looks like the winner is a very good horse," said Johnson. "I have gone a good honest gallop and he has kept going and run well but the winner has gone past easily."
Amore Alato's trainer Nick Williams added: "That was a great performance, giving 7lb to Cup Final and the others. He hasn't any Cheltenham entries so will probably go to Aintree next." Nicky Henderson, trainer of the third Cup Final, said: "He has run very well as when he was second to Irving something galloped into the back of him and it took a couple of months for him to recover."
First Mohican, the 5-1 second favourite, disappointed in fourth.
Also on Sunday
BetBright Mobile Pendil Novices' Chase (Grade 2) 2m4½f, 5yo+
JUST 14 days after winning his first Graded race Balder Succes took his tally to two, taking the step up to two and a half miles comfortably in his long stride as he put in another fine round of jumping to land the Pendil at 9-4 by a length and a quarter from 6-1 shot God's Own. Loose Chips cut out the early running under Noel Fehily, but set nothing more than a solid gallop. As the pace increased five from home all that had happened was Tchang Goon had been shown the back door.
But once Fox Appeal moved alongside Loose Chips the race was on and with the increase in pace Balder Succes's superior jumping saw him ease into contention around the outside of the field.
Once in the home straight there only looked like being one winner, unless the stamina of Balder Succes did not last out. It did. Comfortably. And he won in fine style.
"I don't think he goes to Cheltenham - the owners are not keen," said his trainer Alan King. "There is Aintree and Punchestown and today's win opens up alternatives as he has seen out the longer trip well - we rode him slightly differently today, not quite so aggressively.
"The owners just don't want to go to Cheltenham. It is nothing to do with him not handling the track - he would have bolted up there in October but for the sun in his eyes at the second-last."
Tom George, trainer of the runner-up God's Own, said: "Paddy [Brennan - jockey] just felt that having him to pull him around horses might have cost him in the end but you've got to be delighted. He's still very babyish and is a nice prospect. Going right-handed is key and he's a possible for Punchestown."
On the 5-4 favourite Fox Appeal, who finished third, Emma Lavelle said: "He didn't deserve to be beaten but he's just that bit better on better ground. Aintree is on the agenda but he would want better ground. He was very brave over the last two and is an exciting chaser."
Kempton Irving reigns supreme after hammering rivals | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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The Nicky Henderson-trained two-mile king was sensationally pulled up at Kempton on December 27, where he was quickly diagnosed as suffering from an irregular heartbeat.
That problem righted itself, and he has been closely monitored since by equine specialist Celia Marr, steadily pleasing his team and with a racecourse gallop in the offing.
However, the eight-year-old did not show his usual brilliance in a piece of work at Henderson's Seven Barrows base on Saturday, and the decision has been taken to miss Cheltenham and the rest of the season.
Henderson told Press Association Sport: "He worked (on Saturday) as normal, but I just needed to see the old Sprinter back yesterday. Everything had been going very well, his work was building up. It had been OK, but I was looking for that something he shows, he is extraordinary and always used to give us that at home.
"I talked extensively with Caroline and Raymond Mould, who have been very understanding.
"I said the other week it was 50-50 (getting to Cheltenham) but quietly I thought it was above that, I honestly thought we were going the right way.
"It's just not all there and I can't ask a horse of his standing, I can't sacrifice him, I think it is fairer to everybody - the horse told us what he wanted to tell us yesterday. It's not what he's made of."
Henderson went on: "He worked with Triolo D'Alene, Nico (De Boinville) rode him as he has every day for the last three years, and he had his heart monitor on.
"Triolo is a good work horse and anything that works with him has to be good, he is the one horse I use as a lead horse for Sprinter Sacre as he needs a good gallop on the way to the Grand National and wherever he goes before that.
"The old Sprinter Sacre would have found it very easy - if a normal horse works well with Triolo you'd say 'get on that next time' but Sprinter in fairness is unique, it's as simple as that.
"Simonsig used to be his workmate last year but we lost him (to injury). He will be back and I'm confident Sprinter Sacre will be back, too.
"But I can't ask him to go to a racecourse next weekend. We all watch him day in day out, his blood is good and his scopes, and Celia says his heart is good. It's not his heart. He's just missing something, something like 10 per cent, but that is crucial when you are in the zone we are in.
"I don't feel I want to gallop him on a racecourse next week, he needs a racecourse gallop (to get to Cheltenham) and I can't ask him to do it. He is 100 per cent sound, he's above 90 per cent but you need to be 100 per cent, that's where you need to be. He needed to go to a racecourse.
"We talked for a long time last night and again today. We've come up with our decision and that is that, the Moulds have been very understanding. It just shows all the ups and downs.
"Last year was phenomenal, particularly with Sprinter. He took us to places no horse has done for years.
"I can't thank Celia and everybody at home enough.
"At least he is sound and his heart is good, therefore there must be every chance he will be back next season 100 per cent and let's hope the old Sprinter is back in the Tingle Creek in December, that's what matters to us.
"Look out everybody because believe me we will get him there."
The Gary Moore-trained Sire De Grugy, twice a Grade One winner this season, was soon made clear favourite for the Champion Chase at 7/4 with Sky Bet.
Sprinter Sacre misses Cheltenham | Sporting Life - Horse Racing News | Live Racing Results, Racecards, Live Betting Shows
That problem righted itself, and he has been closely monitored since by equine specialist Celia Marr, steadily pleasing his team and with a racecourse gallop in the offing.
However, the eight-year-old did not show his usual brilliance in a piece of work at Henderson's Seven Barrows base on Saturday, and the decision has been taken to miss Cheltenham and the rest of the season.
Henderson told Press Association Sport: "He worked (on Saturday) as normal, but I just needed to see the old Sprinter back yesterday. Everything had been going very well, his work was building up. It had been OK, but I was looking for that something he shows, he is extraordinary and always used to give us that at home.
"I talked extensively with Caroline and Raymond Mould, who have been very understanding.
"I said the other week it was 50-50 (getting to Cheltenham) but quietly I thought it was above that, I honestly thought we were going the right way.
"It's just not all there and I can't ask a horse of his standing, I can't sacrifice him, I think it is fairer to everybody - the horse told us what he wanted to tell us yesterday. It's not what he's made of."
Henderson went on: "He worked with Triolo D'Alene, Nico (De Boinville) rode him as he has every day for the last three years, and he had his heart monitor on.
"Triolo is a good work horse and anything that works with him has to be good, he is the one horse I use as a lead horse for Sprinter Sacre as he needs a good gallop on the way to the Grand National and wherever he goes before that.
"The old Sprinter Sacre would have found it very easy - if a normal horse works well with Triolo you'd say 'get on that next time' but Sprinter in fairness is unique, it's as simple as that.
"Simonsig used to be his workmate last year but we lost him (to injury). He will be back and I'm confident Sprinter Sacre will be back, too.
"But I can't ask him to go to a racecourse next weekend. We all watch him day in day out, his blood is good and his scopes, and Celia says his heart is good. It's not his heart. He's just missing something, something like 10 per cent, but that is crucial when you are in the zone we are in.
"I don't feel I want to gallop him on a racecourse next week, he needs a racecourse gallop (to get to Cheltenham) and I can't ask him to do it. He is 100 per cent sound, he's above 90 per cent but you need to be 100 per cent, that's where you need to be. He needed to go to a racecourse.
"We talked for a long time last night and again today. We've come up with our decision and that is that, the Moulds have been very understanding. It just shows all the ups and downs.
"Last year was phenomenal, particularly with Sprinter. He took us to places no horse has done for years.
"I can't thank Celia and everybody at home enough.
"At least he is sound and his heart is good, therefore there must be every chance he will be back next season 100 per cent and let's hope the old Sprinter is back in the Tingle Creek in December, that's what matters to us.
"Look out everybody because believe me we will get him there."
The Gary Moore-trained Sire De Grugy, twice a Grade One winner this season, was soon made clear favourite for the Champion Chase at 7/4 with Sky Bet.
Sprinter Sacre misses Cheltenham | Sporting Life - Horse Racing News | Live Racing Results, Racecards, Live Betting Shows
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Simon Crisford is to leave his long-standing role as Godolphin racing manager and will take up a new position as a global racing advisor as part of a number of changes in Sheikh Mohammed's equine empire intended to "streamline and improve management oversight", a statement said.
Only last year Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed were hit by the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal that saw the trainer warned off for eight years.
An investigation led by Lord Stevens at Sheikh Mohammed's request recently concluded Al Zarooni had acted alone, but made a number of recommendations including "stronger management, clearer accountability and better internal communication within the equestrian organisation".
A statement released by Dubai-based Falcon and Associates on behalf of Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed's transport company Janah Management said trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby would act as chief spokesmen for their respective stables, and that the position of racing manager "no longer exists".
It read: "A number of changes have been made at Godolphin and Janah in response to the findings and recommendations from the extensive internal review led by Lord Stevens.
"The roles of Saeed bin Suroor of Al Quoz Stables and Stanley House, and Charlie Appleby of Moulton Paddocks and Al Asifa Stables will be re-emphasised as the people ultimately responsible for their particular stables; they hold the delegated authority of the owner as defined by the condition of their licence. They will also serve as the chief spokesmen for their respective stables and Godolphin.
"As a result of these changes, the position of racing manager for Godolphin no longer exists.
"Simon Crisford has left Godolphin and will use his racing expertise in a new role as a racing advisor to the family and their entourage; he will work out of the Darley Stud Office in the UK and the Falcon office when in Dubai."
Crisford, 51, told the Racing Post the move had been "under consideration for some time".
Crisford, who has been with Godolphin since its inception, said: "Having dealt with the events of last year and seen the Lord Stevens inquiry through to its conclusion, I thought this was a good moment to bring my time at Godolphin to a close.
"I had felt for a while I would like a fresh challenge. I think the time is right for a new start for the stable and for me. Sheikh Mohammed has asked me to take on a new role as his global racing advisor.
"This move has been under consideration for some time. It might have happened sooner, but it was my duty to lead the response to last year's problems. It was also important I stayed on to be available to assist Lord Stevens with his inquiry."
Simon Crisford quits Godolphin role | Horse Racing News
Only last year Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed were hit by the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal that saw the trainer warned off for eight years.
An investigation led by Lord Stevens at Sheikh Mohammed's request recently concluded Al Zarooni had acted alone, but made a number of recommendations including "stronger management, clearer accountability and better internal communication within the equestrian organisation".
A statement released by Dubai-based Falcon and Associates on behalf of Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed's transport company Janah Management said trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby would act as chief spokesmen for their respective stables, and that the position of racing manager "no longer exists".
It read: "A number of changes have been made at Godolphin and Janah in response to the findings and recommendations from the extensive internal review led by Lord Stevens.
"The roles of Saeed bin Suroor of Al Quoz Stables and Stanley House, and Charlie Appleby of Moulton Paddocks and Al Asifa Stables will be re-emphasised as the people ultimately responsible for their particular stables; they hold the delegated authority of the owner as defined by the condition of their licence. They will also serve as the chief spokesmen for their respective stables and Godolphin.
"As a result of these changes, the position of racing manager for Godolphin no longer exists.
"Simon Crisford has left Godolphin and will use his racing expertise in a new role as a racing advisor to the family and their entourage; he will work out of the Darley Stud Office in the UK and the Falcon office when in Dubai."
Crisford, 51, told the Racing Post the move had been "under consideration for some time".
Crisford, who has been with Godolphin since its inception, said: "Having dealt with the events of last year and seen the Lord Stevens inquiry through to its conclusion, I thought this was a good moment to bring my time at Godolphin to a close.
"I had felt for a while I would like a fresh challenge. I think the time is right for a new start for the stable and for me. Sheikh Mohammed has asked me to take on a new role as his global racing advisor.
"This move has been under consideration for some time. It might have happened sooner, but it was my duty to lead the response to last year's problems. It was also important I stayed on to be available to assist Lord Stevens with his inquiry."
Simon Crisford quits Godolphin role | Horse Racing News
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Spectacular Royal Ascot winner No Nay Never returns to action in Florida on Saturday after pleasing trainer Wesley Ward in his final workout over the weekend.
The son of Scat Daddy, who is targeting the St James's Palace Stakes or the Jersey Stakes this summer, will run on dirt for the first time in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, where rivals could include Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Havana, though both horses represent the Coolmore team.
No Nay Never was unbeaten in three outings last term, winning his maiden on the Keeneland Polytrack before breaking the track record for a juvenile in the Norfolk Stakes. He then went on to Group 1 success in the Prix Morny.
He completed his preparations for Saturday's race with a 5f breeze in 1min 00.41sec at Gulfstream.
"His last few works have been unbelievable," said Ward, speaking to Horseracingnation-com. "If he runs like he works, we'll be all right.
"He's the most talented horse I've ever had," Ward added. "We're hoping for big things in the future. Hopefully, he stays sound and can go out there and run the best race he possibly can. We'll see what we can do."
Havana also worked, covering 5f in 1min 00.90sec at the Palm Meadows Training Center. "I thought he worked really well and everything looks on schedule for the Swale," trainer Todd Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form.
"We got behind a little bit with him, needed a place to start back and the Swale seemed like the logical place."
USA Exciting No Nay Never set to return on Saturday | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
The son of Scat Daddy, who is targeting the St James's Palace Stakes or the Jersey Stakes this summer, will run on dirt for the first time in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park, where rivals could include Breeders' Cup Juvenile runner-up Havana, though both horses represent the Coolmore team.
No Nay Never was unbeaten in three outings last term, winning his maiden on the Keeneland Polytrack before breaking the track record for a juvenile in the Norfolk Stakes. He then went on to Group 1 success in the Prix Morny.
He completed his preparations for Saturday's race with a 5f breeze in 1min 00.41sec at Gulfstream.
"His last few works have been unbelievable," said Ward, speaking to Horseracingnation-com. "If he runs like he works, we'll be all right.
"He's the most talented horse I've ever had," Ward added. "We're hoping for big things in the future. Hopefully, he stays sound and can go out there and run the best race he possibly can. We'll see what we can do."
Havana also worked, covering 5f in 1min 00.90sec at the Palm Meadows Training Center. "I thought he worked really well and everything looks on schedule for the Swale," trainer Todd Pletcher told the Daily Racing Form.
"We got behind a little bit with him, needed a place to start back and the Swale seemed like the logical place."
USA Exciting No Nay Never set to return on Saturday | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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A stroke has left Irving Liverman paralyzed. He has lost his hearing, much of his sight and has great difficulty speaking. There aren't many good days for the 91-year-old Hall of Fame horse owner from Montreal. Sunday was, perhaps, an exception.
In the morning, Carey Price, the goalie for Liverman's beloved Montreal Canadiens, backstopped Canada to Olympic gold with a 3-0 shutout over Sweden. That night, Liverman's son, Herb, dedicated the United States harness horse of the year award—won by Ontario-sired Bee A Magician—to his ailing father, one of the great gentlemen of the game and a 2002 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee.
Herb said his father would have loved learning Bee A Magician had been named the top horse in the United States.
"That's why I made the dedication," Herb said a few minutes after stepping away from the podium at the Dan Patch banquet held at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware. "We're very, very close. . . . We were a great team.
"He has a kind heart."
Until taking ill a few years ago, Irving had owned horses with Herb going back nearly 45 years, with Herb in charge of managing the stable since the mid-1980s.
Bee A Magician is the latest in a long line of great horses the family has owned. The sensational trotting filly compiled a perfect, record-breaking season in 2013 to earn top horse honours in both Canada and the United States.
Herb shares ownership of Bee A Magician with Mel Hartman of Ottawa and David McDuffee of Florida. Herb and McDuffee also own a major share of Bee A Magician's sire, Kadabra, who stands at Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry, Ont.
Irving Liverman served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. After the war, he started a wholesale appliance business in Montreal initially founded on selling light bulbs. Herb helped Irving build Super Electric into a $30-million-a-year operation by the time it was sold in 1997.
The Livermans got into the horse business in 1969 when Irving paid $4,000 for his first horse, Keystone Wish. The pacing filly was not a star, but she paid her way and in the fall of 1970, Irving upped his investment to $9,500 and landed a colt named Silent Majority that went on to win 19 of 26 starts and earn more than $300,000 on the track. Silent Majority was a success as a stallion, too. He sired a horse named Abercrombie that is regarded as one of the greatest horses in the sport's history.
In 1972, Irving bought a pacing filly named Handle With Care that earned some $800,000 and was twice named Canada's horse or the year. Handle With Care was unbeaten in 17 races as a two-year-old and went 24 starts before finally losing a race in her second year on the track.
By comparison, Bee A Magician has won her last 18 consecutive starts going back to the end of her rookie year in 2012, a skein that includes a perfect 17-for-17 season in 2013. She will make her return to the racetrack this summer.
Beyond being a great friend to horse racing, Irving was personal friends with Montreal Canadiens stars such as Jean Beliveau, Maurice Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Elmer Lach, John Ferguson, Toe Blake, Floyd Curry, and Frank Selke Sr. and Jr. Many of the players shared Irving's passion for horses. Irving was also the general manager of the Canadiens Old-Timers hockey team and was a former secretary for the Hockey Hall of Fame's selection committee.
Sunday, Irving Liverman's two passions came together in spectacular fashion.
One hopes he was able to appreciate it.
Dave Briggs is president of the Canadian chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association. He can be reached by email at [email][email protected][/email]
In the morning, Carey Price, the goalie for Liverman's beloved Montreal Canadiens, backstopped Canada to Olympic gold with a 3-0 shutout over Sweden. That night, Liverman's son, Herb, dedicated the United States harness horse of the year award—won by Ontario-sired Bee A Magician—to his ailing father, one of the great gentlemen of the game and a 2002 Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee.
Herb said his father would have loved learning Bee A Magician had been named the top horse in the United States.
"That's why I made the dedication," Herb said a few minutes after stepping away from the podium at the Dan Patch banquet held at Dover Downs in Dover, Delaware. "We're very, very close. . . . We were a great team.
"He has a kind heart."
Until taking ill a few years ago, Irving had owned horses with Herb going back nearly 45 years, with Herb in charge of managing the stable since the mid-1980s.
Bee A Magician is the latest in a long line of great horses the family has owned. The sensational trotting filly compiled a perfect, record-breaking season in 2013 to earn top horse honours in both Canada and the United States.
Herb shares ownership of Bee A Magician with Mel Hartman of Ottawa and David McDuffee of Florida. Herb and McDuffee also own a major share of Bee A Magician's sire, Kadabra, who stands at Tara Hills Stud in Port Perry, Ont.
Irving Liverman served as a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force in the Second World War. After the war, he started a wholesale appliance business in Montreal initially founded on selling light bulbs. Herb helped Irving build Super Electric into a $30-million-a-year operation by the time it was sold in 1997.
The Livermans got into the horse business in 1969 when Irving paid $4,000 for his first horse, Keystone Wish. The pacing filly was not a star, but she paid her way and in the fall of 1970, Irving upped his investment to $9,500 and landed a colt named Silent Majority that went on to win 19 of 26 starts and earn more than $300,000 on the track. Silent Majority was a success as a stallion, too. He sired a horse named Abercrombie that is regarded as one of the greatest horses in the sport's history.
In 1972, Irving bought a pacing filly named Handle With Care that earned some $800,000 and was twice named Canada's horse or the year. Handle With Care was unbeaten in 17 races as a two-year-old and went 24 starts before finally losing a race in her second year on the track.
By comparison, Bee A Magician has won her last 18 consecutive starts going back to the end of her rookie year in 2012, a skein that includes a perfect 17-for-17 season in 2013. She will make her return to the racetrack this summer.
Beyond being a great friend to horse racing, Irving was personal friends with Montreal Canadiens stars such as Jean Beliveau, Maurice Richard, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Elmer Lach, John Ferguson, Toe Blake, Floyd Curry, and Frank Selke Sr. and Jr. Many of the players shared Irving's passion for horses. Irving was also the general manager of the Canadiens Old-Timers hockey team and was a former secretary for the Hockey Hall of Fame's selection committee.
Sunday, Irving Liverman's two passions came together in spectacular fashion.
One hopes he was able to appreciate it.
Dave Briggs is president of the Canadian chapter of the United States Harness Writers Association. He can be reached by email at [email][email protected][/email]
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The sport of kings will continue to rule over Assiniboia Downs this summer.
The Manitoba Horse Racing Commission (MHRC) announced today that it has issued a licence to the Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC) that will allow the track to conduct horse racing for the 2014 season. The new license replaces the temporary permit that was scheduled to expire Friday.
That temporary licence was granted after the MHRC balked over a pending joint-venture agreement between the MJC and Peguis First Nation. In that deal, which contained a 25-year, $15-million mortgage agreement, the MHRC expressed concerns over the potential for land transfers from the MJC to the First Nation.
Earlier this week, a Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench dismissed a request by the MJC to compel the MHRC to grant a licence, ruling that the commission was entitled to look at a copy of the joint-venture agreement before a racing license was awarded.
Following a negotiation, a licence was granted based on a MJC written statement indicating there is nothing in the deal with the Peguis First Nation that could result in a transfer of ownership (by foreclosure or otherwise) within the mortgage term.
The two sides continue to hold discussions on the joint-venture agreement between the MJC and Peguis, however the agreement contains a confidentiality clause that has not yet been waived by the First Nation. A committee of MHRC and MJC members has been put together to continue to work on the impasse.
"We are working toward a complete resolution of all outstanding issues," MHRC chair Tom Goodman said in a statement. "In the meantime, there must be certainty about the 2014 season."
Horse racing will go on at Downs in 2014 - Winnipeg Free Press
The Manitoba Horse Racing Commission (MHRC) announced today that it has issued a licence to the Manitoba Jockey Club (MJC) that will allow the track to conduct horse racing for the 2014 season. The new license replaces the temporary permit that was scheduled to expire Friday.
That temporary licence was granted after the MHRC balked over a pending joint-venture agreement between the MJC and Peguis First Nation. In that deal, which contained a 25-year, $15-million mortgage agreement, the MHRC expressed concerns over the potential for land transfers from the MJC to the First Nation.
Earlier this week, a Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench dismissed a request by the MJC to compel the MHRC to grant a licence, ruling that the commission was entitled to look at a copy of the joint-venture agreement before a racing license was awarded.
Following a negotiation, a licence was granted based on a MJC written statement indicating there is nothing in the deal with the Peguis First Nation that could result in a transfer of ownership (by foreclosure or otherwise) within the mortgage term.
The two sides continue to hold discussions on the joint-venture agreement between the MJC and Peguis, however the agreement contains a confidentiality clause that has not yet been waived by the First Nation. A committee of MHRC and MJC members has been put together to continue to work on the impasse.
"We are working toward a complete resolution of all outstanding issues," MHRC chair Tom Goodman said in a statement. "In the meantime, there must be certainty about the 2014 season."
Horse racing will go on at Downs in 2014 - Winnipeg Free Press
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THE Crabbie's Grand National comes into sharp focus five weeks before the big day with nine contenders, including Welsh and Scottish National winners, bidding to boost their Aintree credentials.
Most have been waiting for ‘good' to feature in this wet winter's going reports, including classy Wayward Prince. He had no luck when trying to win the Listed chase at Aintree's December meeting for the second year running, having again finished second in the Charlie Hall, this time to Harry Topper, after chasing home Silviniaco Conti the year before.
Former Welsh and Scottish National winners Monbeg Dude and Godsmejudge are the other two runners certain to make the 40-strong field at Aintree.
Paul Nicholls had last year's Grimthorpe favourite Join Together, who was pulled up, and runs two this year in Mon Parrain and Harry The Viking.
Court By Surprise is back with the good ground. Aintree is in mind, but he is not guaranteed a run and has had the bet365 Gold Cup as his season's target.
Start at the bottom
Those towards the bottom of the weights have a good record, with three of the last five winners carrying the minimum and another, Wogan, just 10st 2lb. Two others, Grey Abbey and Cloudy Lane were topweights, but in single-figure fields.
Like son like father?
While trainer Keith Reveley has not won the race, jockey James Reveley has winning form, having partnered John Wade's 2011 winner Always Right. The Reveleys team up with Night In Milan.
What they say
Hilary Parrott, trainer of Wayward Prince
Hopefully the ground will stay good, which is what he likes. If he's going to run in the National he needs a run. It wasn't his fault last time as he jumped into the back of one and had to pull up.
Alan King, trainer of Godsmejudge
He was disappointing when our horses were just starting to go wrong but has been working well and skipped Haydock last week because of the heavy ground. He has the right conditions.
Michael Scudamore, trainer of Monbeg Dude
He's going to improve for his first race since December, having had a break, but is in good form. This is another step up but he looks to still be improving and he seems to handle most ground.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Mon Parrain and Harry The Viking
Mon Parrain has had a few problems but if he runs a tidy race in this he'll go for the Grand National. Harry The Viking has struggled with the heavy ground, but conditions will be in his favour. He likes Doncaster and if he can build on his last run then he must have a good chance.
Richard Newland, trainer of Mart Lane
He burst last time when some of mine were under the weather and the trip might stretch him, but if he picked up where he was before the last run and stays he would have a chance.
Keith Reveley, trainer of Night In Milan
The ground was a bit soft for him in the Sky Bet Chase and the race didn't suit the front-runners. He still jumped well and loves the track, but I'm not convinced he's well handicapped.
Emma Lavelle, trainer of Court By Surprise
He's in good nick, is better on the better ground and has won at the track. Barry [Geraghty] knows him.
Alan O'Keefe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Golden Call
He has good course form and the ground will suit, but it's a step up in grade, having been put up 8lb, which was pretty harsh.
Donald McCain, trainer of Real Milan
We've been waiting for this going. He's always flattered to be nice and probably been a little disappointing, but he's been waiting for these conditions. We're happy with him at home.
Going
Doncaster good
Newbury heavy
Kelso good to soft, soft in places
Lingfield standard
Navan soft to heavy, soft in places
Today's key pointer
Since 2007 Nick Williams' runners in novice chases at Newbury have finished 1142115P2. Un Bon P'tit Gars goes for him at 4.25
Real Milan has chance to show how nice he is | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
Most have been waiting for ‘good' to feature in this wet winter's going reports, including classy Wayward Prince. He had no luck when trying to win the Listed chase at Aintree's December meeting for the second year running, having again finished second in the Charlie Hall, this time to Harry Topper, after chasing home Silviniaco Conti the year before.
Former Welsh and Scottish National winners Monbeg Dude and Godsmejudge are the other two runners certain to make the 40-strong field at Aintree.
Paul Nicholls had last year's Grimthorpe favourite Join Together, who was pulled up, and runs two this year in Mon Parrain and Harry The Viking.
Court By Surprise is back with the good ground. Aintree is in mind, but he is not guaranteed a run and has had the bet365 Gold Cup as his season's target.
Start at the bottom
Those towards the bottom of the weights have a good record, with three of the last five winners carrying the minimum and another, Wogan, just 10st 2lb. Two others, Grey Abbey and Cloudy Lane were topweights, but in single-figure fields.
Like son like father?
While trainer Keith Reveley has not won the race, jockey James Reveley has winning form, having partnered John Wade's 2011 winner Always Right. The Reveleys team up with Night In Milan.
What they say
Hilary Parrott, trainer of Wayward Prince
Hopefully the ground will stay good, which is what he likes. If he's going to run in the National he needs a run. It wasn't his fault last time as he jumped into the back of one and had to pull up.
Alan King, trainer of Godsmejudge
He was disappointing when our horses were just starting to go wrong but has been working well and skipped Haydock last week because of the heavy ground. He has the right conditions.
Michael Scudamore, trainer of Monbeg Dude
He's going to improve for his first race since December, having had a break, but is in good form. This is another step up but he looks to still be improving and he seems to handle most ground.
Paul Nicholls, trainer of Mon Parrain and Harry The Viking
Mon Parrain has had a few problems but if he runs a tidy race in this he'll go for the Grand National. Harry The Viking has struggled with the heavy ground, but conditions will be in his favour. He likes Doncaster and if he can build on his last run then he must have a good chance.
Richard Newland, trainer of Mart Lane
He burst last time when some of mine were under the weather and the trip might stretch him, but if he picked up where he was before the last run and stays he would have a chance.
Keith Reveley, trainer of Night In Milan
The ground was a bit soft for him in the Sky Bet Chase and the race didn't suit the front-runners. He still jumped well and loves the track, but I'm not convinced he's well handicapped.
Emma Lavelle, trainer of Court By Surprise
He's in good nick, is better on the better ground and has won at the track. Barry [Geraghty] knows him.
Alan O'Keefe, assistant to Jennie Candlish, trainer of Golden Call
He has good course form and the ground will suit, but it's a step up in grade, having been put up 8lb, which was pretty harsh.
Donald McCain, trainer of Real Milan
We've been waiting for this going. He's always flattered to be nice and probably been a little disappointing, but he's been waiting for these conditions. We're happy with him at home.
Going
Doncaster good
Newbury heavy
Kelso good to soft, soft in places
Lingfield standard
Navan soft to heavy, soft in places
Today's key pointer
Since 2007 Nick Williams' runners in novice chases at Newbury have finished 1142115P2. Un Bon P'tit Gars goes for him at 4.25
Real Milan has chance to show how nice he is | Horse Racing News | Racing Post
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Awesome Baby beat Artemis by 2¾ lengths Saturday at Santa Anita in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.
Ridden by Mike Smith, Awesome Baby ran 1 1/16 miles in driving rain in 1:41.58. She paid $6.20, $3.60 and $2.80 for her third win in five starts.
Artemis returned $3.60 and $2.80, and Swiss Lake Yodeler paid $2.40 to show.
Awesome Baby earned $60,000 to push her earnings to $230,250.
Read more here: ARCADIA, Calif.: Awesome Baby wins Santa Ysabel Stakes | Horse Racing | The Sun Herald
Ridden by Mike Smith, Awesome Baby ran 1 1/16 miles in driving rain in 1:41.58. She paid $6.20, $3.60 and $2.80 for her third win in five starts.
Artemis returned $3.60 and $2.80, and Swiss Lake Yodeler paid $2.40 to show.
Awesome Baby earned $60,000 to push her earnings to $230,250.
Read more here: ARCADIA, Calif.: Awesome Baby wins Santa Ysabel Stakes | Horse Racing | The Sun Herald
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The number of race horses in the city state has doubled since 2007 to 1,400 and the market is now starting to attract more international patrons, according to Wade Burridge, managing director of PremierRacingPartnerships-com.
"Ownership used to be dominated by the locals but due to incentives from the turf clubs and prize money increases, all of a sudden, Singapore has become a lot more affordable. It gives [owners] a bit more of an outlet from markets like Australia, New Zealand and South Africa to own horses in Singapore. Now, I would say it would be a 60 to 40 ratio, 60 percent local, 40 percent international." As an Australian expat in Singapore, Mr. Burridge has worked in both markets and says when it comes to cost, Singapore is the better place to race.
"In Australia most training bills are between $5,000 and $10,000 a month, per horse. In Singapore, they are between $1,500 and $3,500."
Singapore worked hard to cultivate its racing scene. Yet, while the Singapore Turf Club has been in existence decades longer than the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and similar centers in Australia and Japan, it still lags in fourth place when it comes to betting turnover and the number of races.
Debra Hawkins, senior manager of horse ownership at the Singapore Turf Club says recent success stories are starting to help lift its standing. "I think with the emergence of stars like Rocket Man and our exposure over in Dubai and the fact that our racing gets telecast to many countries in the world, it has put Singapore on the map," she said.
Incentives and rebates from the Turf Club, along with an increase in prize money also makes Singapore a more attractive destination for race horse owners. "In Singapore, we don't limit the number of horses people have, so it's very open. Prize money is probably the most important thing an owner looks at when they want to race and our prize money at the moment is $62 million a year. That doesn't include an owners' rebate. Every time a horse races, the owner gets paid a $900 rebate from the club, unless the horse wins or comes last. This is a huge benefit to owners because it comes directly off their training bill," she added.
These changes are also having an impact on the socio-economics of horse racing, Burridge says. Those interested in the sport no longer see racing as an exercise in extravagance for high net worth individuals.
"You don't have to be a king or a queen to own a horse, there's companies out there like Premier Racing Partnerships who offer people small shares in horses. We started with seven owners about 16 months ago, now we've got 524. They range from holding a 1 percent stake, all the way up to 100 percent." Hawkins told CNBC that Singapore's racing industry will benefit from this shift in 2014, and to expect more races and more winners in the coming years.
"We have an opportunity to race nearly a thousand races a year; our prize money in comparison to our stabling is huge. I think [Singapore] can only be on the up," she added.
Singapore