RELEASE

The 2008 NATC Colt and Filly Futurities will be run Saturday, September 27 at Monmouth Park, the National Association of Two-Year-Old Consignors has announced.

The two six-furlong contests will once again be worth $200,000 guaranteed. The Futurities have been a fixture on the late summer/early fall racing scene for the past six years, and the NATC has awarded nearly $3-million in purse monies since 2002.

The Futurities will once again be held at Monmouth Park, which will play host for the fourth time.

“Racing Secretary Mike Dempsey does such a great job putting together the fields, and Monmouth obviously is experienced handling big race days, exemplified by the Breeders’ Cup last year,” said NATC President Mike Mulligan. “We are looking forward to yet another terrific series of races.”

The Futurities are open to juveniles who were catalogued during 2008 and whose owners have made them eligible. Fields are limited to 14 starters, with preference given to those with the highest earnings.
NATC

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear said his administration has asked a Franklin County Circuit Court judge to give the state control of 141 gambling Web site domain names. Beshear said he’s looking to restrict Kentuckians’ access to Web sites with names that include some of the most popular gambling sites for U.S. players: bodoglife.com, doylesroom.com and fulltiltpoker.com.

A hearing is scheduled for Thursday before Judge Thomas Wingate.

Beshear believes Kentucky is the first in the country to attempt to block online gambling by taking over Web domain names of gambling sites.

“Unlike casinos that operate on land or on riverboats in the United States, these operations pay no tax revenues, provide no jobs and yield no tourism benefits,” Beshear said at a Monday afternoon Capitol press conference. “They are leeches on our communities.”

Kentucky already has a state lottery and allows gambling at horse tracks and bingo halls. Blocking internet gambling sites in Kentucky would “protect the signature industry,” Beshear said.

Such sites “siphon off money from regulated and legal games such as Kentucky’s Thoroughbred racing industry, our lottery and charitable gaming activities,” Beshear said.

Although Kentucky officials did not have a definite estimate of how much money is being lost to online gambling in Kentucky, Beshear claimed residents were wagering millions online.

Justice Secretary J. Michael Brown said the state is asking the court to forfeit control of the domain names to Kentucky state government. Brown said if successful, the domain names would then controlled by Kentucky state government and subsequently blocked.

“There is gambling going on on the Internet and we know that that gambling is illegal in the commonwealth of Kentucky,” Brown said.

Beshear, a Democrat, largely based his campaign for governor last year on a pledge to push for an amendment to the state constitution legalizing casino gambling in Kentucky. Beshear was unable to persuade Kentucky lawmakers earlier this year to put a proposed gambling amendment on the ballot this fall.

Beshear claimed casino gambling could bring state coffers about $500 million per year in money that could be used to bolster state spending in areas such as education or health care.

Mike Jackness, co-owner of Costa Rica-based pokersourceonline.com which is not mentioned in the pending Kentucky lawsuit, said through a spokesman that he was disappointed in Kentucky’s move. Online gambling faces regulation elsewhere, Jackness said in a statement read by spokesman Dan Cypra.

“I’m disappointed that Gov. Beshear would choose to prohibit what grown adults have access to in the comfort of their own homes,” Jackness said in the statement. “Online poker is enjoyed by millions of Americans as a recreational sport.”

John Pappas, executive director of the Washington D.C.-based Poker Players Alliance, said in a statement that the move was “extraordinary and ill-conceived.” Pappas said he does not believe that Internet poker violates state or federal law.

“Poker has a proud heritage in Kentucky and simply because the game has evolved into the 21st Century, it should not be treated as suspect activity,” Pappas said.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Voting for the eight-man Brisbane Racing Club (BRC) board has been completed with four members elected from both the Queensland and Brisbane Turf Clubs.

The new board consists of Paul Williams, Kevin Dixon, Peter Tighe and Wayne Milner from the Brisbane Turf Club while Neville Bell, David Dawson, Eddie Kann and Bill Sexton were elected from the Queensland Turf Club.

The new BRC board will meet in the near future to commence planning for the new club and elect a chairman.

Various conditions such as approvals from the ACCC, Australian Taxation Office, the Queensland Government and Queensland Racing Limited have to be met before the merger is finalised.

The new Brisbane Racing Club becomes operational on July 1 next year.
(Source: AAP)

Big names line up for 32nd Asian Racing Conference being held in Tokyo, Japan 9th – 14th November 2008.

Leading figures from the fields of sport, business, marketing and technology will be sharing their expert insights at the 32nd Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Tokyo between November 9th -14th 2008.

The Asian Racing Conference has in recent years grown to the point of becoming the world’s pre-eminent racing forum. The theme of the Tokyo ARC is “NEW HORIZONS FOR RACING” and it will see some of the sport’s best minds come together with experts in the fields of business, marketing, science and technology to explore the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for racing in the 21st century.

Over the course of the conference some 80 people will participate as key note speakers, presenters or panellists, including:

Hiroshi Okuda - Father of the ‘Hybrid’ car - PRIUS. Chairman Toyota Motor Corporation 1999 – 2006 Chairman Japan Automobile Manufactures Association 2000 – Member Prime Minister’s Economic Strategy Council of Japan 2001 – 2006

Dr. Robyn Williams AM Science journalist and broadcaster United Nations Media Peace Prize Reuter Fellow - University of Oxford Author of 10 books including: “The uncertainty principle”, “Preconceived Notions” “Unintelligent Design: Why God isn’t as Smart as She Thinks She Is”

Terry Lanni Chairman and CEO, MGM Mirage (US)

Michael McHugh QC AC Former Justice of the High Court of Australia Current Justice of the Hong Kong Court of Appeal

John Wheeler Leading New Zealand Trainer (Rough Habit, Veandercross) Winner Japan Nakayama Grand Jump (St Steven 2002)

James Murdoch QC Senior barrister and licensed horse trainer. Ronald R. Haddock Partner of Booz & Company

David Aaker Emeritus Professor of Marketing and Public Policy Haas School of Business University of California Berkley Author of “Managing Brand Equity” and “Building Strong Brand”.

Carl Pascarella Former President and CEO of VISA Corp. (Major sponsor of the Triple Crown (US)) Andrew Main Business Editor - The Australian newspaper Author: “Other people’s Money” and “Rivkin Unauthorised”

John Stuart Director of International Business – Phumelela (South Africa)

Yasin Kadre Ekinci President - The Jockey Club of Turkey

Park Yang-Tae International Manager - Korean Racing Authority

Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation, believes that the range and quality of speakers will guarantee that the Tokyo ARC will deliver maximum benefit to the sport of racing.

“For ARF members it is a great opportunity to benchmark against the best in Asian and world racing, and for our colleagues around the world it is a window into Asia’s fast developing racing industry. With the support of the Japan Racing Association, the host country, the 32nd Conference will undoubtedly be a most productive and memorable event.”

Update on the Conference Programs
Sunday 9th November, 2008 11:00 ~17:00 Attend races at Tokyo Racecourse (32nd ARC Commemorative Trophy Race)

Monday 10th November, 2008 10:00 ~12:00 ARF-GRPC
13:00 ~15:00 ARF Executive Council
15:30 ~17:30 ARF Management Committee
8:30 ~16:30 Asian Stud Book Committee
8:30 ~16:30 ARF Stewards Meeting
18:00 ~18:45 32nd ARC Opening Ceremony
19:00 ~22:00 Welcome Dinner

Tuesday 11th November, 2008 8:30 ~12:00 Plenary Session 1 (Business)
13:00 ~15:00 Plenary Session 2 (Marketing & Customer Experience)
15:30 ~17:00 Selective Session 1 (Developing Racing in ARF Region)
15:30 ~17:00 Selective Session 2 (Track, Rails & Rider Safety)

Wednesday 12th November, 2008 8:30 ~12:00 Plenary Session 3 (Racing)
13:00 ~15:00 Plenary Session 4 (Informing the Customer)

Thursday 13th November, 2008 8:30 ~12:00 Plenary Session 5 (Wagering)
13:00 ~15:00 Plenary Session 6 (Sales & Breeding)
15:30 ~17:00 Selective Session 3 (New Technologies & Racing Applications)
15:30 ~17:00 Selective Session 4 (Equine Veterinary Science)
19:00 ~23:00 Closing Ceremony and Farewell Dinner

Friday 14th November, 2008 9:30 ~11:30 ARF Executive Council (De-briefing)

Other Events Tuesday 11th November 18:00~21:00 Evening races at Oh-i RC (Hosted by NAR)
Wednesday 12th November Tokyo Bay Cruise or Tokyo Disneyland® Tour
Friday 14th November 9:30~16:00 Miho Training Center Tour
Friday 14th ~Saturday 15th November Overnight Hokkaido Breeding Establishments Tour (Additional Cost)

For more information click on: www.arctokyo2008.com

Racing Hall of Fame jockey Earlie Fires retired on Sunday at Arlington Park following a fifth-place finish with Manchu Prince in the fifth race.

Fires, 61, ended his professional career ranked ninth by career wins among North American jockeys with 6,470 victories during his 43-year career.

“I wanted to retire on my terms,” Fires said. “I don’t have any regrets. I will miss the Illinois people, especially at Arlington Park. This crowd has always been a good crowd and I love that more than anything in the world. I’m going to travel but I’ll still be around to visit.”

Despite not winning a Triple Crown race or a Breeders’ Cup race, Fires earned a reputation as one of the Midwest’s most consistent winners. He was inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.

Fires won his first race as a 17-year-old apprentice jockey at Oaklawn Park in 1965. He went on to win 224 races that year and was the nation’s leading apprentice by wins. He subsequently moved his tack north to suburban Chicago, where he still lives today.

Fires was a mainstay at Arlington Park, winning riding titles in 1966, ’69, ’75, ’79, ’83, and ’84. Fires also won riding titles at Hawthorne Race Course, Hialiah Park, Gulfstream Park, Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs, Keeneland Race Course, and Miles Park.

A tribute to his durability and longevity, Fires won racing titles in four different decades at those various tracks.

“I ride as hard as anyone can ride,” Fires said prior to his induction into the Racing Hall of Fame in 2001. “I may not be the best rider, I may not be riding the best horse, and I may not win, but I give that horse every chance to win.”

Fires said the best horse he rode was probably In Reality, who won six stakes as a three-year-old in 1967 but was overshadowed by legendary Hall of Famers Dr. Fager and Damascus. In Reality finished second to Damascus in the 1967 Preakness Stakes and American Derby and was the runner-up to Dr. Fager in the New Hampshire Sweepstakes Classic that year.

In 1991, Fires won the George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award, which honors a rider whose career and personal character reflect positively on themselves and the sport. He was elected into the Racing Hall of Fame ten years later.

Arlington Park chairman emeritus Richard L. Duchossois said the track will hold Earlie Fires Day on May 1, 2009.

Fires was born in Rivervale, Arkansas and is one of 11 children. He has two daughters and one son with his wife of 38 years, Kathy, who died from cancer in October 2005.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

It remains uncertain whether jockey Piere Strydom will ride Tropical Empire in Saturday’s Emerald Cup at the Vaal. Strydom was injured just after the start of Race 5 at Turffontein on Saturday when his mount, Sirius Star, jumped outwards and made contact with Urban Reason. Sirius Star became unbalanced, stumbled and dislodged Strydom.

Strydom was taken to the Union Hospital in Alberton where he underwent tests and x-rays. Fortunately there are no broken bones but he does have a mild concussion.

He spent the night in hospital for observation and was released yesterday afternoon. “Piere is okay but obviously still a little sore,’’ said Tex Lerena, chairman of the South African Jockeys Association, yesterday. “He aims to take it one day at a time and will assess his situation as the week goes on as to when he will be able to ride again.’’

Strydom would be looking for a third Emerald Cup should he ride. He won the race last year on Narc and in 2006 aboard National Spirit.
(Source: Tabonline)

USE, or overuse, of the whip is going to be the major agenda item for the national stewards’ conference in Darwin today.

It’s been a contentious issue bubbling under the surface for some time.
Several high-profile riders, including Queensland star Glen Colless, have switched to a softened version called the Pro-Cush whip which has a bigger, softer flap.

The impact on a horse is not nearly as severe as the traditional whip but the larger surface of the flap generates more noise.

Calls for a minimum number of hits is not a fair ruling.

As they say different strokes for different folks. Some horses respond more to the whip than others.

A seasoned older stayer might require a bit more persuasion than a free-running younger sprinter.

But there will be some who would welcome the introduction of a minimum number of hits prior to the 200m.

Aussie punters have been accustomed to seeing our riders virtually flog horses in the home straight.

That trend has diminished in the past decade as international racing and trends have gained wider exposure in Australia.

Expect jockeys to embrace further subtle changes in the future.

THE chairmen of stewards from each state will attend the conference.

Interestingly, Rockhampton was the home town of two of the non-Queensland chairmen.

Terry Bailey, now the boss in Melbourne, started on the panel at Rocky until he was lured to Sydney more than 20 years ago.

And South Australia’s No. 1 steward Graham Loch came on board as a day steward in Rockhampton soon after Bailey moved on.

RACETREE Stud prepared a Redoute’s Choice filly for the Magic Millions yearling sales in 2006.

The filly, bred by the Gundaroo syndicate headed by Len Hoyle, had a stifle imperfection which showed up on X-rays and consequently she attracted little attention in the sale ring.

Racetree principal Kevin Dixon liked the filly and had advice the problem could be overcome with ample time.

He put on a successful bid of $50,000 which was less than her residual broodmare value.

The filly was named Bonne Affaire and she made her racetrack debut at Doomben last Wednesday as a four-year-old.

Bonne Affaire won – and beat My Request raced by the Gundaroo syndicate.
(Source: Courier Mail)

Duke Of Marmalade is surely the equine equivalent of Ernest Tidyman’s 1970s fictional gritty hard-man detective John Shaft whose rhetorically-posed catch-phrase begged no reply — “Who delivers ten-out-of-ten?”

Ballydoyle’s own bullet-proof, uncompromising hard-man is only five-out-of-five when it comes to Group Ones in 2008 but even that seemed improbable on the basis of last year’s evidence when he drew a blank from six attempts at the highest level — twice suffering the humiliation of following home a fellow Tipperary team-mate. Indeed, before this campaign’s flawless nap-hand of Group Ones, the Duke’s only previous win had been a neck verdict in a two-year-old Curragh maiden.

So whilst this year’s exploits might have seemed improbable to those who measure life with a slide-rule, it came as nothing more than a final effulgence of a flame — damped by injury — they always saw flicker at Ballydoyle.

The Duke may well have made it a six-pack had he been permitted to compete in the rescheduled Irish Champion Stakes on ground that ultimately returned closer to good than the forecast near untraceable. In fact, in a season of supreme sure-footedness, Champion weekend will register as a rare slip in the Coolmore think-tank as it threads a path to a world-record number of Group Ones in a season. With Henrythenavigator on what ultimately proved a fool’s errand at Longchamp, and the Duke confined to barracks, a valuable contribution to the G1 World Record Benevolence Fund might well have gone abegging.

The same mistake is unlikely to occur in the Arc with Coolmore apparently possessing a man — or a colt at least — for all seasons. Although the longer lens for Duke Of Marmalade is focused on the Breeders’ Cup Classic (on the more Euro-friendly Polytrack for the first time), a closer-to-home shot at Europe’s most prestigious championship race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in a fortnight’s time fits right into the schedule if the ground is goodish.

Slow ground could bring Irish St Leger winner Septimus into calculations. His Melbourne Cup aspirations (for which he has already entered quarantine) could well be swapped for the Longchamp spectacle if weather conditions persuaded. Either way, Soldier Of Fortune — Johnny Murtagh’s selected from the Aidan O’Brien raiding party last year, and shortest of the trio currently for this year — is set to line up whatever the weather, having been saved for the Arc following his surprise defeat behind Youmzain in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud at the end of June.

No doubt O’Brien will be twice as keen for victory this year as he was last year with Dylan Thomas — given that prize-money has been doubled with the advent of a five-year sponsorship with Qatar. A prize-fund of €4m for the race makes it unique in Europe and added an extra dimension to last weekend’s series of traditional Arc trials, also sponsored by Qatar.

The talk of the trials was the visually “scintillating” (to use the Racing Post’s Monday headline) performance of the Aga Khan’s Zarkava in the Group One Prix Vermeille. In spite of doing the best impression of the old Hamlet ad ever seen on the Paris circuit — where she dozed off in the stalls — the unbeaten filly still managed to win eased down in a record-equalling time on her first ever attempt at the trip. This, in spite of the fact she had worked moderately the previous Tuesday, her trainer Alain de Royer Dupre claiming she would be rusty. She still had all rivals to pass with just 400 metres to run; and that she may have been in season makes the performance all the more sensational.

But perhaps what spoke the most about her performance was what partner Christophe Soumillon did not say — but rather communicated non-verbally — in the direct aftermath. He shook his head as the filly crossed the line and puffed his cheeks with air of disbelief at what Zarkava had just accomplished. And instead of the routine of making himself the centre of attention all the way to the winners’ enclosure, for once, all he could do was point at the filly. If the bookmakers’ reaction was to make her a 2/1 shot for the Arc, behavioural scientists would certainly have made her odds-on.

That said, she has history to master. The last Vermeille winner to score in the Arc was Three Troikas in 1979. The last three-year-old filly to win was another Aga Khan bred, Akiyda, but that was in 1982. And

the last filly to land France’s finest was Urban Sea back in 1993. So although fillies like Aquarelliste and Leggera have represented their sex with placed efforts in recent years, the Arc winners’ roll of honour has been populated exclusively by colts in recent years.

The Prix Niel, on the other hand, has almost patented the knack of throwing up the Arc winner. The race has accounted for seven of the last 10 Arc winners including, most recently, Rail Link as well as the likes of Hurricane Run, Dalakhani and Montjeu. If Zarkava delivered with a bang, then Niel winner Vision d’Etat arrived with a whimper. His nose verdict over Ideal World was hardly inspiring either in manner or on the book but his career unbeaten record is identical to Zarkava (six from six). Descending unbeaten from the provinces, he was both unfathomably bred and unfashionably connected. Some wondered if either trainer or jockey even has a passport. He started at 14/1 when he won the French Derby and most bookmakers were unmoved by his workmanlike win last Sunday.

However, Jimmy Fortune was allowed a very easy lead on Centennial and slowed the game considerably in the false straight to try to nick it from the front in a sprint to the line. Consequently, the visual impression of the race (by contrast to Zarkava) is exceedingly misleading and therefore there might be a little extra juice in the price of Vision d’Etat (11 on Betfair) versus the filly for value-hunters.

The value of the form of the third trial, the Prix Foy, is neatly summarised in Betfair’s current Arc odds for the winner Zambezi Sun. 120. So enough said.

Finally, my attention was drawn to the quote from last Sunday’s press conference where vice president of Qatar’s Racing and Equestrian Club, Sheikh Mohammed bin Faleh al Thani, spoke of his “satisfaction of associating the name of Qatar with this mythical race”. Does that make the Arc a virtual race then?
(Source: Irish Independent)

John Sadler, the leading trainer at the Hollywood Park spring-summer and Del Mar meetings this year, had four horses test in excess of the permitted levels of anabolic steroids at Del Mar in early August, the California Horse Racing Board announced on Saturday.

Sadler will not face a suspension or a financial penalty for the excessive tests, but will appear before the Santa Anita stewards on Oct. 2 for a hearing. Pending that hearing, Sadler is likely to have the four excessive tests appear on his permanent record as warnings.

In the past year, the California Horse Racing Board has enacted rules that will essentially ban steroids. Only four steroids are now allowed to appear in post-race tests  boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone  and only in minute quantities.

Through the summer, penalties were phased in. Trainers that had horses test in excess of the permitted levels in July were issued notices. In August, the excessive tests resulted in official warnings. Beginning with races run on Sept. 4, trainers face suspensions and/or financial penalties as well as a loss of purse for excessive levels of steroids.

The racing board filed complaints against Sadler for excessive levels found in post-race urine tests taken from Soupy, the winner of the third race on Aug. 1; Tizsweetdreams, who finished third in fourth race on Aug. 1; Chanjo, the winner of the 10th race on Aug. 2; and Sunshine Ridge, the winner of the fifth race on Aug. 3.

Sadler said on Saturday that as a result of the complaints he is no longer administering steroids to his horses.

“We’re completely out of it,” he said. “We’re not going to use any of it. We’ll keep it simple.”

Sadler said that he will present his case before the stewards.

“I’ve got to get with the legal guys and figure out how we’re going to do this,” Sadler said. “We’re going to get our hearing with our lawyers and medical guys and make our points and we’ll move on.”

Zenyatta cranks it up

Zenyatta, the leading older female in the nation, worked six furlongs in 1:12.80 at Hollywood Park on Saturday, preparing for a start in the $250,000 Lady’s Secret Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday.

The Grade 1 Lady’s Secret, run over 1 1/16 miles, will be Zenyatta’s final start before the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic on Oct. 24, a race known in past years as the BC Distaff.

Saturday, Zenyatta worked in company with stablemate Bronzino. Zenyatta started three lengths behind Bronzino, caught up with him on the turn and pulled about four lengths clear. Bronzino was timed in 1:14.60.

“We’re just doing the same thing, steady and maintaining her condition,” trainer John Shirreffs said. “She acts like it was a two-minute lick. Her stride just increases the farther she goes.”

Zenyatta, who races for Jerry and Ann Moss, will be a strong favorite in the Lady’s Secret. Her principal rival will be Hystericalady, the multiple graded stakes winner.
(Source: ESPN)

Nearly 3 1/2 years after being arrested in an investor fraud case, prominent Thoroughbred owner Gary Tanaka finally gets his day in court when his federal trial convenes with jury selection Sept. 22 in New York.

Tanaka, 64, and his partner in Amerindo Investment Advisors, Alberto Vilar, face charges of scheming to defraud, obtaining money by false pretense, and wiring investor funds across state lines with the intent of converting the money to personal use. Tanaka was also accused by the federal government of allegedly using funds to buy racehorses, but he said the government has dropped that charge.

“This is almost anti-climactic after this long,” Tanaka said from his son’s New York City apartment, where he’s been living under semi-house arrest for the past few years. “It’s good, it’s great that it’s finally going to trial, but, gosh, three-and-a-half years kind of shot to hell at my age. It’s one thing if you’re a kid and you can go that long without thinking anything of it…”

Tanaka said the trial will run for an estimated eight weeks. He has maintained that the prosecution repeatedly delayed the trial while trying to bolster a weak case.

“The feds will hang in there and hang in there even if they have a bad case,” Tanaka said. “They have deep-pocket funding. Uncle Sam lets them keep going. They are going to call a lot of witnesses; they’ve filed 60 charges against us and they’re just trying to get something to stick.”

Tanaka, who has raced such standouts as Gourmet Girl, Donna Viola, Sarafan, Snow Polina, Squeak, Star Parade, Dreams Gallore, Millkom, Single Empire, Golden Apples, and King’s Drama, made fortunes for his clients when Amerindo invested in semiconductor technology firms like Microsoft and Cisco in the 1980s and 1990s.

But Tanaka and Vilar ran into trouble with the dot.com crash that began in 2000 when their main fund, which had, at its peak, been valued at $10 billion, lost some 85% of that value.

Although Tanaka is a private, soft-spoken man, his former partner is a high-profile target who has contributed more than $100 million to universities and the arts. Vilar was accused by his one-time friend Lily Cates, widow of prominent Thoroughbred owner Marshall Naify, of transferring funds she had invested into his own personal checking account and using the funds to pay business and personal expenses. Tanaka is accused of helping transfer a portion of those funds into Vilar’s personal checking account.

Tanaka, a resident of London, had his passport revoked and has not been able to see his wife or youngest children since his arrest. He is allowed to travel about during the day, but must be back in his son’s apartment each evening.

Tanaka, who is of Japanese ancestry, was born in a relocation camp in Idaho two years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, even though his parents were both U.S.-born natives of Seattle, Wash. Tanaka attended MIT and the University of London’s Imperial College, and worked in the institutional investment field for a decade before forming Amerindo with Vilar.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

The 2008 Eclipse Awards will be presented on January 26 in Miami Beach, returning the ceremony to South Florida for the first time since ‘04.

The event has been held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the last four years.

“The Eclipse Awards return to Florida after a strong, four-year run in Southern California,” said Keith Chamblin, senior vice president of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “The newly remodeled Fontainebleau Miami Beach will be a memorable venue at which to celebrate our 2008 Eclipse Champions.”

The NTRA, Daily Racing Form, and National Turf Writers Association present the Eclipse Awards, which will head back to Beverly Hills in 2010.
(Source: Thoroughbred Times)

Slot machines can’t be the main sources of revenue if Canada’s racetracks want to stay in business, says a horseracing industry analyst.

Canadian thoroughbred and standardbred racehorse owners, breeders, trainers and other industry insiders hope an increasing number of “racinos” - racetracks with casinos that have slots - will boost their sagging business hopes.

Richard Thalheimer, president of Lexington, Ky.-based Thalheimer Research Associates, says off-track casino and lotteries have caused 35 to 40 per cent declines in betting at racetracks across North America.

“The fundamentals for the long-term existence of the industry require that more money come from the horserace-wagering side,” says Thalheimer, a retired University of Louisville equine economics professor who now advises racetrack operators.

Thalheimer made the comments in the wake of Vancouver’s Hastings Park thoroughbred track opening a new 42,000-sq.-ft. racino that features 600 slots.

The Vancouver launch means all of Canada’s major racetracks now have hundreds of slot machines onsite or, in the case of Calgary’s Stampede Park, located nearby.

By allowing racinos, provinces and states have enabled racetrack operators to compete with off-track casinos and gain more revenues from simulcast wagering, says Thalheimer, who has studied the horseracing industry in the U.S. and Canada.

Under provincial and U.S. state regulations, a portion of casino revenues go toward horseracing prizes, or purses. As a result of more on-track slots, he adds, owners, breeders and trainers have benefitted from purse increases. At some U.S. tracks, purses have increased dramatically, to as much as $220,000 from $19,000 per day.

“It doesn’t turn back the decline in wagering, but it does infuse money in terms of purses into the industry, which buys the industry time to change the product so that more people are interested,” says Thalheimer, whose firm advises racetrack operators.

“That (purse increase) is the key to saving the horseracing industry … If (breeders, owners and trainers) were just subject to casino competition outside the racetracks, essentially, in almost all locations here (in the U.S.) and there (in Canada) they would be gone today.”

But, he adds, racetrack operators must change their betting products to appeal to slot players, who typically are not interested in horseracing, although racetrackers like to play slots. On-track slots, he says, have also sparked a resurgence in breeding after sharp declines prompted many breeders to leave the sector.

After a four-year struggle that included an unsuccessful Supreme Court challenge from residents, Vancouver’s racino opened in mid-August. Hastings Park joins major tracks in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec that have housed slots for most of the past decade.

Howard Blank, vice-president of Richmond, B.C.-based Great Canadian Gaming Corp., which owns and operates Hastings Park, says the new casino will boost the province’s horseracing industry.

The slots have already prompted Hastings to increase its race purses.

“This (racino), we hope, will be a catalyst to bring back people back to us because, with the purses being larger, more races and more bigger (stakes) races will bring back more quality horses,” says Blank.

Blank says the addition of slots at Edmonton’s Northlands Park and Calgary’s Stampede Park led to an exodus of quality owners, trainers and horses from Hastings.

Now Great Canadian, which owns other racetracks and on-track and off-track casinos across North America, is hoping the slots will spark more investment in the industry, as well as betting at Hastings Park.

“In the old days, horseracing was it,” says Blank. “There was that, or perhaps bingo. Now, people have a number of options when they want to spend their entertainment dollar on gambling.”

Great Canadian, a publicly traded company, also owns and operates Fraser Downs in the Cloverdale area of Surrey, B.C., Sandown Park at Sydney, B.C., Flamboro Downs in Hamilton and Georgian Downs in Barrie, Ont., as well as casinos in B.C., Nova Scotia and Washington state.

Blank says slots have become an important staple of the horseracing sector because they have attracted a new market and given fans a chance to enjoy many amenities at a facility.

He points to Barrie’s Georgian Downs as an example of a track that has gained considerably from slots.

“It’s standing-room only on weekends, and that’s why we’re adding a number of components with our partners - including more (slot) machines,” says Blank.

He says slots appeal to racetrackers because they know revenues will directly affect the quality of horseracing and the facilities they enjoy visiting.

But slots could not save live harness racing, or sulkies, at Alberta’s major tracks in Edmonton and Calgary.

Northlands announced in June that it will only run thoroughbreds between 2009-2012. Calgary’s Stampede Park stopped running sulkies in 2006, forcing owners to send their horses to small-market tracks where betting handles are much lower.

Now breeders of Alberta standardbreds say they are struggling just to stay in business.

“Even though the racetracks have a casino, they’re just another casino,” says Charlie Maze, co-owner of Dreamway Farm near Sherwood Park. “I don’t think they’re drawing many new race fans. If anything, they’re taking true horse fans down to the casino and they’re spending their money there.”

The slots at Northlands, he adds, have failed to attract a younger market, and the operator has few incentives to promote live racing.

“If (Northlands) can run chickens around the racetrack and make money, they will do that,” says Maze. “They’re an entertainment facility.”

Of this year’s 178 standardbred yearlings to be auctioned at Alberta standardbred horse sale in October, he estimates only 40 to 50 will be sold for more than $10,000 apiece. The rest will fall under that benchmark As a result, he plans to split sales of his foals between Alberta, Ontario and Pennsylvania.

Meridian Farms of High River, near Calgary, the largest commercial breeding farm in Western Canada, is also reducing its operations in the west and sending six broodmares to its Eastern Canadian base in Prince Edward Island in order to take advantage of perks offered by the P.E.I. and New York state governments.

But Mona Hill, co-owner of Spruce Grove-based Barona Yearlings, says slots are keeping the Alberta standardbred industry alive.

“The slot machines have helped us survive,” she says.

But Hill, who plays the machines, says Northlands promote slots more than live racing.

“It’s upsetting,” she says, “because we’re local. Local people. Local horses. Local businesses.

“We’re supporting Alberta and they’re promoting a simulcast race coming from the U.S. somewhere. Promote our product. This is what gets the locals to come to the track … It’s all gone technical (with) video games and slot machines. But without them, we won’t survive right now.”

Meanwhile, a new $240-million track next to a huge new $1.5-billion shopping mall in Balzac, located between Calgary and Red Deer, will open next year, along with 625 slot machines.

If all goes according to plan, says Max Gibb, chairman of Calgary-based United Horsemen Association (UHA), the group building the new Balzac track, the new facility will stage 100 live harness racing dates next year and provide both thoroughbred and sulky races by 2010.

Gibb, who also owns Whoop-Up Downs in Lethbridge, says slots are critical to the growth of the horseracing industry. He notes they have made significant impacts at racetracks across the continent, especially at Toronto’s Woodbine, which offers the richest purses in Canada.

Like Ontario, he says, Alberta will see significant upgrades in breeding, farm development transportation, and all other facets of racing.
(Source: Business Edge)

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Ten men were rounded up in Tainan and Taichung yesterday for cheating a dozen people out of NT$30 million by talking them into investing in a Hong Kong horse-racing league.

A Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) spokesman said the scam was masterminded by a suspect, named Lin, 34.

The identities of the other nine were withheld.

Lin was able to persuade the victims to pay advances and commissions for their “investment” in the former British crown colony, the CIB spokesman said.

Moreover, he said, Lin has a criminal record of dope addiction.

CIB agents, with the help of Tainan and Taichung police, made the round-up.

“Most of the money the victims were cheated out of went to China,” the spokesman added.
(Source: The China Post)

The last glance at this year’s Cartier Awards, after York’s Ebor meeting was washed out, showed that only one British-trained horse, Mick Quinlan’s Langs Lash, led a category – for the leading Two-year-old Filly, and she actually only shared the lead.

Three weeks on and it is worse. Langs Lash , has slipped to joint-third and no British horse has even a share of a lead. We look particularly weak in the Three-year-old Fillies’ category, where we don’t have a horse in the top five, which are deservedly headed by the thoroughly consistent Lush Lashes, trained by Jim Bolger.

It is not all bad news though because John Gosden’s Rainbow View has moved into second in the Two-year old Fillies and looks like a good thing to land a Group One. Aidan O’Brien still has a strong hand in most categories. Mastercraftsman, with two Group Ones, the Phoenix and National Stakes, is in a strong position at the top of the table for Two-year-old Colts. Otherwise Duke of Marmalade still has a useful lead in the race to be leading older horse and the most prestigious award, Cartier Horse of the Year. But there’s a chink of light for New Approach, the leading Three-year-old Colt, who has whittled down the Duke’s lead to 44 points in the Horse of the Year with his win in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Duke of Marmalade’s next outing may be in a non-scoring race at Great Leighs next week as he gears up for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Current standings

2YO Filly: Again 48, Rainbow View 24, Cuis Ghaire 20, Langs Lash 20, Madame Trop Vite16.
2YO Colt: Mastercraftsman 80, Bushranger 48, Shaweel 36, Art Connioisseur 32, Prolific 24.
3YO Filly: Lush Lashes 112, Goldikova104, Zarkava 104, Halfway To Heaven 84, Natagora 84.
3YO Colt: New Approach 140, Henrythenavigator 136, Ravens Pass 74, Tamayuz 72, Conduit 64.
Older Horse: Duke Of Marmalade 184, Marchand D’Or 80, Phoenix Tower, 80, Darjina 64, Yeats 64
Stayer: Yeats 64, Coastal Path 40, Geordieland 40, Septimus 28, Royal And Regal 24.
Sprinter: Marchand D’Or 80, African Rose 48, Equiano 44, Borderlescott 40, Kingsgate Native 40.
(Source: Telegraph)

Northern racing has been shocked by the sudden resignations of two well-known figures on the circuit. The British Horseracing Authority yesterday confirmed that former jockey Phil Tuck has left his post as stewards’ secretary, along with the starter, David Hancock.

Tuck should have been officiating on the opening day of the Western meeting at Ayr yesterday. “We have Adrian Sharp and Adie Smith in that role,” said Ayr’s clerk of the course Katherine Self.

“I can confirm we have accepted the resignations of Phil Tuck and David Hancock,” said BHA spokesman Paul Struthers. “That is all I am able to say on the matter.” Neither Tuck nor Hancock was available for comment yesterday.

Tuck, 52, made his name as a respected jumps jockey in the eighties, his career highlight coming with victory on Burrough Hill Lad in the 1984 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Tuck got the ride after Burrough Hill Lad’s usual jockey, John Francome, chose to ride Brown Chamberlin, who finished second.

Tuck also had the distinction of equalling the record number of 10 consecutive wins by a jumps jockey when he set up the sequence during an 11-day spell in 1986.

As a stewards’ secretary, Tuck’s job involved travelling to racecourses and working closely with local stewards on applying the rules of racing. Tuck, who went close to winning the 1985 Grand National aboard Mr Snugfit, runner-up to Last Suspect, retired from race riding in 1990. He had a brief spell as a starter in 1994 before becoming a stewards’ secretary a year later.

Meanwhile, the stewards at Ayr yesterday had to look into an incident where jockey Tony Hamilton narrowly escaped injury when his mount, Ulysees, collided with the running rail and came down in the MacB Selling Stakes.

The race was won by the friendless 80-1 shot, Jim Martin, whose trainer Linda Perratt will be double handed in tomorrow’s Ayr Gold Cup with Appalachian Trail and Burnwynd Boy, who are drawn 14 and 15, respectively.

Most trainers who enjoyed early picks in the draw for the big race went for high numbers, and the well-backed Confuchias will start from stall 27.

Local trainer Jim Goldie took the oppositie view, however, and went for low numbers with his fancied runners River Falcon and Dhaular Dhar. “My theory is that it may be fresher ground on the far side,” he explained. “I’ve been drawn high before and never got a run.”
(Source: Guardian)

AJC Australian Derby winner Nom Du Jeu is one of three horses from the Murray Baker stable to have tested positive to a banned substance with his trainer devastated by what he says is a mistake.

Nom Du Jeu, Fully Fledged and Mountain Road were all routinely swabbed after they won races at Te Rapa on September 5 and all tested positive to the prohibited substance Ranitidine, a drug used to treat stomach ulcers.

“We have stuffed up unfortunately, given it too close to race day and we have to wear it,” Baker told NZPA.

Baker stressed Ranitidine was not performance-enhancing and was a common treatment for horses with ulcers.

Racing’s rules dictate that horses must be drug-free on race days. Trainers are guided by withholding times for the medical drugs they administer to horses between their races.

Baker said that what had happened was a mistake over the withholding times.

“It was a staff error,” he said.

“It’s not a nice thing to have this thing hanging over your head. I have not had a positive test in 30 years training.

“I like to think I am straight up and down. I’m not a shonky guy, I don’t have to be.”

Baker said his three horses would run at Hastings on Saturday. Nom Du Jeu is second favourite for the Group One Stoney Bridge Stakes.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing is inquiring into the positive tests and hasn’t yet decided whether the Baker stable will be charged.

The stable faces the prospect of the horses being disqualified from the races and a fine or disqualification if charged.

Nom Du Jeu won the AJC Australian Derby from fellow kiwi Red Ruler who is also engaged in the Stoney Bridge.
(Source: AAP)

Jockey Frank Alvarado, known as a strong finisher, displayed his skill while recording his 2,000th career victory Sept. 18 at Golden Gate Fields.

The 39-year-old Alvarado scored the milestone win aboard 13-1 shot Skimasco, who battled gamely along the rail to win the 5 1/2-furlong fourth race by a nose over Special Therapy. Skimasco responded to strong urging from Alvarado down the stretch to pull out the victory.

Upon returning to the winner’s circle, Alvarado was surprised to see Golden Gate Fields personnel holding a sign that read, “Congratulations jockey Frank Alvarado - 2,000 wins.”

“I didn’t know I was one (win) away and I’m glad I didn’t know,” said Alvarado. “This way I didn’t worry about it. I knew I was getting close but I had no idea I was that close. It’s great.”

Alvarado already has sights set on his next goal.

“If I can stay safe and healthy, I want to try to win 3,000 races,” he said. “I’d like to win No. 3,000 right here at Golden Gate.”

Steve Specht, a veteran conditioner who often employs Alvarado to ride his horses, saddled Skimasco.

“I’ve had a lot of success with Frank,” said Specht, who teamed with Alvarado to win the $1 million Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park in 2007 with McCann’s Mojave. “He’s a very strong finisher and he’s patient. He doesn’t run and gun with a horse and have them fall apart on him late in the race. He’s a smart rider.”

Skimasco, a 2-year-old gelding who was making his career debut, paid $28.60 to win.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

Vanilla Bally is looking to make sporting history by becoming the first Israeli horse to win a race in England.

Trained and owned by Oren Sada, the three-year-old filly was bred at Bally Stud in Pardess Hanna near Hadera. Sada made the purchase when the horse was aged six months, and built a stable in his garden in Ramle near Tel Aviv.

Vanilla Bally will be trained by George Baker, who trains around 60 horses at his professional racing stables near Stratford-Upon-Avon, and will be the first Israel-based runner to attempt to win in England since Yafayfiya tried and failed in the early 1980s.

Her journey to the UK was hit by delays as after flying from Ben Gurion Airport she was held up in Belgium by the Channel Tunnel fire. She was forced to kick her heels in quarantine in Liege.

Sada said: “When we first spoke about sending her abroad it was all just a distant dream, and now I can hardly believe it is actually happening. I’m very grateful to the English owners James Dean Partners who have leased her for half a year and have made this possible.

“I’m not saying that she will definitely win,” Sada continued, “but I really believe she will perform well and bring credit to Israeli racing and breeding. The main thing is that she arrives safely, enjoys herself, and then comes home with her head held high.”

Paul Alster, head of media and communications at the Israel Jockey Club, said: “Vanilla Bally has claimed seven victories out of nine in Israel and we believe that she has the quality to compete at a higher level. It will not be easy. The change of weather, stables, food, water, training routine and the marathon journey to England are all significant obstacles to be overcome.

“The main hope is that she acclimatises as well as possible, does herself justice during her stay in England, and then returns to Israel safe and sound.”

Yafayfiya was the first reported Israeli horse to run in England. It is believed that she finished unplaced in one race before returning home.

Alster, who believes Vanilla Bally would be the first Israel-bred racehorse to run in England, is confident that the deal will help raise the profile of the sport in Israel.

He said: “The Israel Jockey Club hosts horse racing but betting is illegal. But there is a law going through the Knesset to legalise it. Hopefully this will put Israeli horse racing and breeding on the map in the next 10 years.”
(Source: Jewish Chronicle)

So often, the Massachusetts Handicap has featured the “big horse,” drawing Triple Crown winners War Admiral, Whirlaway, and Assault, plus the likes of racing legends Seabiscuit, Fort Marcy, John Henry, Cigar, and Skip Away.

This year will be no exception, as owner Tracy Farmer and Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito bring Commentator to the starting gate at Suffolk Downs. A 7-year-old son of Distorted Humor, Commentator has won 12 of 19 career races, including the prestigious Whitney Handicap (gr. I) at Saratoga in 2005 and 2008, while amassing career earnings of $1,541,936.

Then, why should this year’s incarnation of the MassCap be any different than the other 65 events contested beneath the deafening roar of overhead planes from nearby Logan Airport?

The answer is, because, like most mid-level tracks in the United States, Suffolk Downs, while exquisitely run and maintained, is fighting for its existence, and the MassCap is perhaps the most visual way its management team, led by majority owner Richard Fields, chairman William J. Mulrow, and chief operating officer Chip Tuttle, can show the state legislature that the combined Suffolk-Wonderland Greyhound Park team is a viable entity for an expanded entertainment and gaming facility in Massachusetts.

“The MassCap is definitely important,” Tuttle said at the post-position draw luncheon Sept. 17 in the Topsider Room at Suffolk. “Our entire meet builds toward it locally and nationally, as well as to show that Suffolk is a player and entity within the racing industry.”

Without some form of alternative revenue to augment purses, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Suffolk to compete with other Eastern racetracks on a daily basis despite the infusion of capital by Fields in March of 2007 to increase marketing and make much-needed repairs to the backstretch and physical plant.

“From Maine to Florida, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maryland are the only racing states without some form of purse enhancement from gaming,” said Tuttle, who knows the situation all too well. He began as a sports reporter for the Salem, Mass., Evening News in 1991, then was hired as director of marketing and communications at Suffolk from 1993-97. He returned in August of 2007.

“With slots in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Park is raising purses again,” Tuttle said. “There are several New England horsemen at Philadelphia Park who told me they would love to come back home and help Suffolk out, but they can’t afford to go from daily purses of $300,000 to a situation where purses top out at $110,000. It’s becoming increasingly difficult as time goes on.”

That’s one reason why MassCap Day can show the state legislature that Suffolk is just as capable of putting its best foot forward as any big track in the country, as it has in the recent past with Cigar, Skip Away, and Brass Hat last year before a crowd of 19,191, the largest paying crowd since 22,169 greeted Cigar in 1996. Boston-area fans are discerning and will come out for quality racing.

“If you go back to Cigar, both owner Allen Paulson and trainer Bill Mott said that they have never gone to anywhere in the world where more people came up to them and just thanked them for coming,” Tuttle said. “Nick Zito and Tracy Farmer will find out the same thing with Commentator on Saturday. Conversely, when daily purses are only $110,000, fans tend to become simulcast bettors despite our best efforts.”

With a tour de force Sept. 20, the Suffolk management team is hoping the state’s leaders will finally realize that the Massachusetts racing industry–Suffolk in particular–is an entity they can’t afford to lose.
(Source: The Blood-Horse)

The reported make up of the new independent board that will run NSW racing has drawn mixed reactions from within the racing industry.

While the NSW Government is yet to confirm the appointments, the names of the five people selected to make up the restructured board has circulated freely in racing circles in the last 24 hours.

The fear that the breeding sector could dominate the new board is set to be confirmed with the names of John Messara, Philip Esplin and Tim Hughes among the five nominations.

Messara, principal of Arrowfield Stud and chairman of Aushorse and Thoroughbrd Breeders Australia, is favoured to be appointed chairman of the new board.

Joseph Crepaldi, reported to be an influential business associate of Messara, is also among the nominated five. Creplaidi was previously a director of racing broadcaster TVN and has played a consultancy role in establishing international totalisator operations.

Kim Harding, a successful owner and breeder, completes the list as the first woman appointed to the Racing NSW board. She is the founder of a successful national marketing company.

Esplin, a lawyer with extensive breeding interests, is the only member of the previous nine-member Racing NSW board to be nominated for the new regulatory body.

Hughes, a big spending racing investor in recent years, heads the Photon Group.

The five were selected by a group of nine that represented all facets of the racing industry and will create dismay among those hoping the industry’s working ranks along with the provincial and country racing sectors would have a strong voice on the new board.

The selected members will undergo probity checks before their appointments are confirmed by the NSW Government.
(Source: Racing & Sports)