From CHRB DEL MAR, Calif. (July 8, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, July 14, beginning at 9:30 a.m., while the Race Dates Committee will meet Wednesday, July 13, at 1 p.m. Both meetings will be held at Del Mar’s Surfside Race Place. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The Board agenda and supporting package of materials as well as the committee agenda and package are available on the CHRB website. ...

By Beefmagazine.com In just about any place that cattle graze, venomous snakes slither and that means the chance for snakebite is ever-present. And anyone who has seen the after-effects in a snakebitten cow, horse or dog knows just how toxic the venom can be. http://beefmagazine.com/pasture-range/how-treat-prevent-snakebite-cattle-and-horses?PK=UM_BEFTop5-062016&NL=BEFTop5&utm_rid=CPG02000000210990&utm_campaign=10356&utm_medium=email&elq2=8f996f2d64fc4b008c713aefcc6f9d0c ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 30, 2016) —Santa Anita Park June 29 completed the installation of its new turf course, which will be ready for use for the Southern California track’s fall meet, which begins Sept. 30. Including the hillside component, Santa Anita’s unique turf course covers approximately nine acres of surface area, which has now been amended and covered. The Bandera Bermuda turf mixture was grown in La Quinta, Calif., approximately 120 miles east of the Arcadia racetrack. “This has been a major undertaking and we’re very pleased with how the entire project has progressed,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for The Stronach Group. “The hillside portion of the course was completed about three weeks ago and the oval was finished late yesterday. This particular turf has proven very resilient in our immediate area and right now, with the warm temperatures we’ve been experiencing, conditions are optimal for fast growth. “The hillside has already begun to root, so that’s great news. About 40% of... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (June 24, 2016) — Del Mar will reduce overnight purses for a second consecutive year, according to Del Mar Thoroughbred Club vice president of racing and industry relations Tom Robbins. Robbins said the drop will be “about 10% across the board.” The most noticeable decrease in the first condition book for the summer meet is in maiden special weight events, which will dip from $70,000 to $63,000, the lowest those races have been since 2011. “The reasoning is, we can only pay out what we generate from handle,” Robbins said. “We’ve paid out, in the last two years, a little more than we’ve generated. This is not only set by us, but also the (Thorougbred Owners of California).” Robbins pointed to several factors to explain the decrease—including heavy rains during Del Mar’s opening weekend in 2015 and the first season of dirt racing after an extended period of racing on a synthetic main track—but the most influential aspect, as it has been for the whole Southern California... ...

PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 24, 2016) – California stallion Unionize was represented by his first winner when Katy in Cahoots won the eighth race at Oak Tree at Pleasanton on Thursday. Katy in Cahoots is out of the Tomorrows Cat mare Miraloma Park, was bred by Angel Vera, is owned by Maureen Morley, Arturo Ponce and Allen Rogers and is trained by Rogers. Unionize, a 10-year-old son of Dixie Union, stands at Summer Wind Farm. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 23, 2016) –Robert Troeger couldn’t escape the proximity and immediacy of the nearby Complex fires as he drove away from Santa Anita Park late in the afternoon of June 22. “We’ve got a front-row seat for the air show,” said the former trainer, who now serves as Santa Anita’s stable superintendant, as he watched DC-10 airplanes drop flame retardant on the San Gabriel Mountains that overlook the Arcadia, Calif. racetrack. The fires, which have burned through nearly 5,000 acres since June 20 according to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, have come up against many horse farms in the San Gabriel foothill communities like Duarte, Monrovia, Azusa, and Bradbury—and the effort to shelter horses being evacuated from those areas has been a concerted one. Santa Anita has taken in 40 horses from the evacuated areas, according to Troeger. Renee Hernandez, a spokesperson for the now-closed racetrack at Fairplex Park in Pomona said they currently have just less than 200 horses on the grounds. “Thank God Pomona is still there to... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 22, 2016) –The Thoroughbred Owners of California elected Joe Ciaglia and re-elected incumbents Nick Alexander, Ron Ellis, Billy Morey, and Samantha Siegel to its board of directors. All five were elected to three-year terms. The new board officially takes office July 1. . Ciaglia is chief executive officer of California Landscape & Design and California Skateparks. He has owned Thoroughbreds since 1999 and has campaigned several graded stakes winners, including Weemissfrankie, Dance With Fate, and Ashleyluvssugar. Alexander, who is elected to his second three-year term, serves as secretary/treasurer as well as chair of the finance committee. Ellis has served on the board for eight years as an owner-trainer representative and is a member of the Racing Affairs and Medication & Integrity committees. Morey, who is an owner-trainer member and Northern California representative, has been on the board since 2012. Siegel was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in January of this year. A total of 6,980 ballots were mailed out to eligible voters, and 1,513... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 21, 2016) — The seventh Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, will be streamed live at grayson-jockeyclub.org/WelfareSafety/default.asp?section=50. (A link to the live stream will be available at jockeyclub.com.) The summit, underwritten and organized by The Jockey Club and Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, is being hosted by Keeneland Association in the Keeneland sales pavilion in Lexington, Ky. Biosecurity, respiratory health, racetrack surfaces, equine injuries, nutrition, use of the crop, and rider safety are among the topics to be covered by noted industry and equine professionals. Donna Barton Brothers will once again act as master of ceremonies. The summit is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. EDT and conclude at 5:00 p.m. EDT. It is free and open to the public, and registration is recommended for in-person and online. Registration and a complete agenda for the summit are available at grayson-jockeyclub.org/WelfareSafety/default.asp?section=50. If you have questions for the speakers before or during the summit, please email horsesummit@jockeyclub.com or tweet using... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (June 18, 2016) –The 2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships return to Los Angeles, CA and Santa Anita Park this fall on November 4 & 5 and volunteers are needed! The Breeders’ Cup is an annual year-end affair for those at the absolute pinnacle of the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. This Olympic-esque event held at premier North American racetracks is where participants from all over the world converge to compete for $28 million in purse money. Operated by Breeders’ Cup Limited, the World Championships were first held in 1984 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, CA. A one-day event until 2006, the Breeders’ Cup is now spread over two highly anticipated days of racing that produce some of the most exciting moments of the year. Santa Anita, or “The Great Race Place,” as it is commonly referred to, opened in 1934 and sits atop 320 acres of land at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Arcadia, CA. The Art Deco designs throughout remind even... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (June 17, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, June 16, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        The Board approved a regulatory amendment requiring that authorized bleeder medication be administered only by independent, third-party veterinarians. The rule, which now goes to the Office of Administrative Law for review and final approval, conforms to recommendations by the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium and Racing Commissioners International. The rule was supported by the California Veterinary Medical Board and will bring California into line with 14 other state racing jurisdictions. ·        The Board heard a report from the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau that identified four of the 56 hubs sending wagers to California host tracks as being habitually 8 to 12 seconds... ...

From Ballena Vista Farm ARCADIA, Calif. (June 16, 2016) — Ballena Vista Farm freshman sire Calimonco was represented by his first winner when 2-year-old filly My California powered to a 9 1/4-length, wire-to-wire victory in a $57,035 maiden special weight at Santa Anita on Thursday in her second start. Her time for the 5 furlongs over a fast track was 58.06. Bred in California by owner Mercedes Stables, LLC and trained by Robertino Diodoro, My California is the first foal from Give My Regards, a winning daughter of Smart Strike and half-sister to graded winner Broadway Empire and Grade II-placed Cinderella’s Dream. Calimonco, a Grade II-placed, stakes-winning full brother to Storm Cat’s grade I winners and Breeders’ Cup champions Sweet Catomine and Life Is Sweet, retired with earnings of $391,486. He currently stands at Ballena Vista Farm in Ramona for a stud fee of $1,500 live foal. ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 16, 2016) The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations today passed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2017.  This bill makes appropriations for the United States Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and certain other government agencies and, similar to a companion bill passed out of committee in the U.S. House of Representatives last week, includes language that encourages the IRS to modernize regulations for withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings. Recent actions by the Senate and House are the latest in a concerted, industry-wide effort to modernize regulations relating to pari-mutuel winnings. Updates proposed by the NTRA would clarify regulations by redefining the “amount of the wager” to include all of a bettor’s investment into a single pari-mutuel pool, and not simply the base amount of the winning combination. The effort has received support from Members of Congress as well as all segments of the horse racing industry, including customers, who last year submitted nearly 12,000 comments to the Treasury and... ...

COALINGA, Calif. (June 16, 2016) — Mark your calendar now for Friday, October 7, as the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association will sponsor a seminar on current breeding issues at the Harris Ranch Inn in Coalinga. The CTBA is reinstituting this annual seminar, which will consist of a full day of valuable information and has been popular for members and people in the California breeding and racing industry. Details for the event will be available soon. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 15, 2016) — Greg Avioli, who has served as a senior adviser to the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors, has been named to the new post of chief executive officer of the organization effective July 16. Avioli, according to a June 15 release, has assisted the TOC with gaming legislation, advance deposit wagering issues, and strategic planning. He has held other racing industry positions, including CEO for The Stronach Group, president and CEO of Breeders’ Cup, chief operating officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, and president of Horse PAC. “Given the many opportunities and challenges now facing the organization, we felt it was important to bring in additional executive experience on the management team,” TOC board chairman Mike Pegram said. “Greg has decades of experience at the highest levels of our industry and proven leadership in legislative and regulatory affairs.” Avioli said he will work to “improve the overall racing experience for owners in California.” ...

From TOC             PLEASANTON, Calif. (June 10, 2016) — All horsemen are invited to join TOC for an Open Forum at the Pleasanton Satellite Wagering Facility at the Alameda County Fair on Saturday, June 18, at 10:30 a.m. Meet TOC Directors for discussion of current events and an opportunity to have your questions answered. ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 9, 2016) — The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations Wednesday passed the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill for fiscal year 2017. This bill makes appropriations for the United States Treasury, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and certain other agencies and includes language that encourages the IRS to modernize regulations for withholding and reporting pari-mutuel winnings. Last year the IRS and the Treasury began an examination of current pari-mutuel tax withholding rules at the request of the NTRA and numerous Members of Congress. Also last year the IRS and Treasury began a rulemaking process to examine the tax treatment of certain wagering winnings including pari-mutuel. NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop addressed the issue at a hearing before Treasury and IRS officials on June 17, 2015, when he outlined how wagering habits have changed in the 21st century and how current regulations are punitive. Updates proposed by the NTRA would clarify regulations by redefining the “amount of the wager” to include... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (June 9, 2016) — Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be honored this summer by the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation at its annual fundraising and awards dinner. The event will take place Aug. 15 at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Resort, located just a few miles south of Del Mar. “I’m honored to be recognized by the Gregson Foundation and to stand alongside past honorees who are truly a who’s who of California racing,” Baffert said in a release. Among the Gregson Foundation’s past honorees are Baffert’s fellow trainers Jack Van Berg, Ron McAnally, Mel Stute, and the late Warren Stute, in addition to such industry leaders as Ann and Jerry Moss, Mace and Samantha Siegel, Dr. Jack Robbins, and Joe and Barbara Harper. Last summer, the foundation saluted jockeys Mike Smith and Gary Stevens while raising money to provide college scholarships to the children of California’s backstretch community. “It’s pretty remarkable to see how the Gregson Foundation’s scholarship program has grown through the years,... ...

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (June 8, 2016) – Robert Sweeney, former executive vice president and general manager of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away last week. He was 89. A California native, Sweeney spent 11 years with the CTBA, seven as executive vice president and general manager, and retired in 1989 to San Juan Capistrano. Sweeney, who would go on to be editor of the CTBA’s California Thoroughbred magazine, wrote his first article for the publication when he was in the army during World War II. After graduating from USC, Sweeney spent 19 years as director of industrial relations with Robertshaw, then with Buzza Cardozo Greeting Card Company. He turned down a vice presidency when the company was relocated to Cincinnati through a merger and, having already owned and bred a pair of mares, joined a horse sale company in Pomona. Four years later, he was hired as assistant to then-CTBA general manager Brian Sweeney (no relation), and took over as executive vice president and general manager in 1982. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 6, 2016) –Tickets for this year’s two-day Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park are now on sale to the general public, officials said June 6. The event will be held Nov. 4-5. It will be the record ninth time Santa Anita will host the Breeders’ Cup, which offers 13 races and purses totaling $26 million. Ticket prices range from $25-$750 for Friday’s program and from $50-$850 for Saturday. General admission prices are $10 per pass on Friday and $25 per pass on Saturday when purchased in advance. General admission passes will be available at the gate on event days for $15 per pass Friday and $40 per pass Saturday. The passes don’t include a reserved seat. All fans that attend the World Championships will receive free track programs Friday and Saturday upon entering Santa Anita. Tickets can be purchased online at www.breederscup.com/tickets or by calling toll-free at 877-849-4287. In related business, Breeders’ Cup and Santa Anita have again enlisted QuintEvents as the official... ...

By DRF.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 5, 2016) — Santa Anita is adjusting its first post to 1:30 p.m. Pacific, beginning Thursday for the remainder of the spring-summer meeting through July 10. The only exception will be Saturday, when first post time is noon to coincide with the simulcast of the Belmont Stakes program in New York. Track officials are hoping an earlier post time will boost handle. Santa Anita marketing director Nate Newby said the previous first post time of 2 p.m. produced situations when handle on late races did not live up to expectations on occasions. Through the Memorial Day program on May 30, the 17th day of the 40-day meeting, on-track handle was down 3 percent from a comparable period in 2015, Newby said. All-sources handle was down 2 percent, while on-track attendance was up 6 percent. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (June 2, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board will again consider adopting a third-party Lasix administration policy at its regular meeting June 16. The rule on third-party Lasix administration on race day is on the agenda for the June 16 CHRB meeting, confirms spokesman Mike Marten. The rule would meet the standards of the Association of Racing Commissioners International model rule and the National Uniform Medication Program in that independent veterinarians, rather than track veterinarians, would administer race-day Lasix. It would be similar to New York in that veterinarians employed by the racing association would conduct the race-day administrations. In California, like all other U.S. racing states, Lasix (furosemide and formally called Salix) is allowed to be administered on race day as a way to prevent or reduce the severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage. Many states have had third-party Lasix administration policies in place for several years now, as the trend has been to shift away from track veterinarians to independent vets administering race-day Lasix (furosemide, officially... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 30, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board would like to clear up any confusion over the vote at last Thursday’s Board meeting to amend Rule 1688, the riding crop rule. The vote did not change the current three-strike rule that was adopted at the November 2014 meeting of the CHRB. The vote merely authorizes a 45-day period for the public to comment on the proposed change. Following the 45-day public comment period, after considering input from all who wish to submit opinions, the Board will once again vote on whether or not to amend the current three-strike rule. The CHRB has set the standard by adopting several rules designed to protect horses, such as the establishment of safety requirements for the construction of the riding crop and the adoption of  Rule 1688, which prohibits using the crop more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. The proposed amendment would further state “except in the last 16th of a... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2016) – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, May 26, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        With a 4-3 vote, the Board approved for 45-day public notice a proposed regulatory amendment governing use of the riding crop in races. Current restrictions prohibit using the crop more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. The amendment would further state “except in the last 16th of a mile in a thoroughbred race, at which time a jockey is prohibited from using a riding crop more than four times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond before using the riding crop again.” The Board will conduct a public hearing on... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (May 27, 2016) — Kaleem Shah successfully bid $290,000 for a son of Candy Ride   at the Barretts May sale of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age, and immediately pointed to his 20-year-old daughter, Sophie. “She bought the horse,” Shah said, grinning, shortly after he signed Sophie’s name to the sales slip. Bob Baffert usually buys horses for the owner, and Shah said the trainer was watching the sale closely on video. The May 27 sale at Del Mar ran concurrently with an afternoon of racing at Santa Anita Park about 100 miles to the north. John Stephens’ Stephens Thoroughbreds consigned the sale topper, who is out of stakes winner She’s Sensational, by Point Given  . Baffert trained Point Given, the 2001 Horse of the Year. “Bob liked the horse very much,” Shah said. Breeder Farm III Enterprises bred the Candy Ride colt in Florida. He sold for $140,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale and went through the 2016 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s... ...

From TOC             PLEASANTON, Calif. (May 27, 2016) — All horsemen are invited to join TOC for an Open Forum. Meet TOC Directors for discussion of current events and an opportunity to have your questions answered. The event will be held Saturday, June 18, in the Pleasanton Satellite Wagering Facility at the Alameda County Fair at 10:30 a.m. Registration is now open online. Sign up at http://www.toconline.com/events/. RSVP suggested but not required. We look forward to seeing you there. Have a hot topic? Email us in advance at info@toconline.com. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 25, 2016) –Seven people and two horses — including California-bred Lava Man — were inducted into the Arcadia Historical Society Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions during a gala celebration May 24. Zenyatta joined Lava Man along with Chris McCarron, Ron McAnally, Gary Jones, Mike Mitchell, Mel Stute, Buddy Johnston’s Old English Rancho, and Joe Burnham—honored by more than 200 people, most from the Southern California racing community, gathered at the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden across the street from Santa Anita Park. Jockey Victor Espinoza also received special recognition for his recent achievements with Triple Crown winner American Pharoah   and Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner California Chrome  . Alan Balch, executive director of California Thoroughbred Trainers, emceed the event. Patterned after Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame, the Walk of Champions was created in 2014 and consists of bronze plaques installed on the sidewalks of downtown Arcadia that memorialize important horses, people, and other racing industry entities. Connections of all of the honorees attended, ranging... ...

From Breeders’ Cup ARCADIA, Calif. (May 24, 2016) — The Breeders’ Cup World Championships are returning to sunny California and Santa Anita Park on November 4 and 5. We’re excited to offer you an exclusive ticket pre-sale window that begins now and ends on Sunday, June 5 at 11:59 p.m. ET.  To purchase tickets, click http://www.breederscup.com/tickets/?utm_source=toc&utm_medium=email&utm_content=window_open&utm_campaign=pre-sale_3 and use promo code THEBEST or call (877) 849-4287 now. Don’t miss out on your chance to be there and experience the 2016 Breeders’ Cup World Championships as the best of the best compete in 13 championship races, including the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic. ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 10, 2016) — Legislators who chair the United States Senate and House of Representatives Agricultural Committees are expected to speak at the American Horse Council National Issues Forum June 14 in Washington, D.C. Republican Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas, chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is confirmed as the leadoff speaker. U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway of Texas, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, has also been invited. “We would be very fortunate to have the chairmen of both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees address us,” AHC president Jay Hickey said May 9. “The $102 billion equine industry is an important sector of the agriculture community, not only when horses are in their breeding life, but also when they move into their racing, showing, work, or recreation careers. “The equine world is still regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in terms of disease control, import/export, interstate movement, and research. The congressional agriculture committees are important to the horse industry.” The National Issues Forum will also feature... ...

 From CHRB                 ARCADIA, Calif. (May 6, 2016) — The date for the monthly meeting of the California Horse Racing Board originally scheduled May 19 has been changed to May 26. That meeting location remains at Santa Anita Park. The agenda for this meeting, including the start time, will be posted on the CHRB website by May 16. ...

ALBANY, Calif. (May 1, 2016) – California stallion Coil was represented by his first winner when the 2-year-old filly Recoiling, his first foal to race, won Sunday’s third race at Golden Gate, a maiden special weight,  at first asking. Recoiling is out of the Pentelicus mare Chanceofalifetime, was bred by Martin Bach, is owned by Bach, Lynn Gitomer and Daniel Weiner and is trained by William Morey. Recoiling ran the 4 ½ furlongs in 52.29 and won by 1 ¾ lengths at odds of 2-1 in a field of eight. Coil, a son of Point Given, stands at Magali Farms. ...

ALBANY, Calif.  (May 1, 2016) – California stallion Unusual Heat was represented by three winners on the nine-race card at Golden Gate. Unusual Storm, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Storm Queen, won the first race, a $12,500 claimer. She was bred by Gordon Bithell. Lily Kai, out of the Northern Afleet mare Amadamprez, won the fourth race, a Cal-bred allowance. She was bred by owner Donald Dizney. Cheekaboo, out of the Souvenir Copy mare Sandy Cheeks, won the eighth race, the $100,000 Campanile Stakes. She was bred by Madeline Auerbach, Richard Rosenberg and Barry Abrams. ...

From CTFMA      Sid Huntley passed away at age 79 on January 23 in Weatherford, Texas. Sid was a former president of the CTFMA and was a fine individual.  He was born in Colfax, Washington, but  spent the majority of his life in California. His parents started racing Quarter Horses in 1950 and went on to win the All American Futurity three times. Their initial win was in 1959 with Galobar, in 1961 they won with Pokey Bar and in 1963 they won again with Goetta. The All American Futurity is the world’s richest horse race for two year olds. In 1964 Goetta was named the World Champion Quarter Horse. Their ranch stood several great stallions including Depth Charge, Feast, and the great Sugar Bars. Sid was a member of the Rancho Vistadores.  He loved roping, dutch oven cooking and leather tooling. He especially loved spending time with his family.  He leaves his wife Charlton, eight children and seven grandchildren. Sid was a kind man and will be missed by all... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 29, 2016) — Former trainer and Santa Anita Park stall manager Donn Luby died in his sleep April 26 from complications of cancer at the Life Care Center in Bridgeton, Mo. He was 71. An avid golfer, Luby, who frequently had a tobacco pipe in-hand, was a well-respected horseman and friend to many in Southern California’s large racing community. “He was a good guy,” trainer Jerry Fanning said. “He was a good stall man. He trained—did everything.” An assistant to Gary Jones in the late 1970s, Luby took over the training of Eleven Stitches in the spring of 1981 and sent him out to victory with Sandy Hawley aboard in the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) that summer. Seven years later, he would go on to train Flying Julia, who won the Santa Margarita Handicap (gr. I) under Frank Olivares in 1988. “He was one wonderful person and a fair stall man,” said Santa Anita assistant starter Huey Barnes. “In that job, you have to... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Apr. 29, 2016) — California stallion Empire Way   got his first winner April 29 when his son Dutt Bart, out of Applaud Dubai, by Essence of Dubai, won a  4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight at Los Alamitos Race Course in his first start by 2 1/4 lengths. The final time was :52.07. A grade II-placed full brother to three-time champion Royal Delta, Empire Way stands at Lovacres Ranch in California for $5,000. Dutt Bart was bred by Lovacres Ranch owner Terry Lovingier and is co-owned by Lovingier and Albert Chou. The colt had been offered by Lovacres at the 2015 Barretts October yearling and horses of racing age sale where he was sold for $50,000 to agent Mike Harrington, who is Dutt Bart’s trainer. The colt is the first foal bred by Lovingier out of winner Applaud Dubai and is the mare’s second winner out of three foals of racing age. Applaud Dubai was a winner at 2 but found only modest success at the track. Her dam, Miss... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 28, 2016) — The catalog for the 27th Annual Barretts May Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age is now on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction of 138 head will be held on Friday May 27 beginning at 1:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.   The interactive on-line catalog can be viewed now here.   The May Sale catalog is also available for your Ipad.  Click here for details.   The official training preview is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, May 25 on the Del Mar Racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m.   The preview will be streamed live http://www.barretts.com/sales/ViewSale/index.asp.  Video clip for each preview will be posted shortly after each horse previews here.   Among the many top stallions represented in the sales catalog are Acclamation, Afleet Alex, Archarcharch, Bodemeister, Broken Vow, Candy Ride, City Zip, Creative Cause, Discreet Cat, Drosselmeyer, Empire Way, Exchange Rate, First Dude, First Samurai, Friesan Fire,... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Apr. 28, 2016) –The seventh Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will feature a mix of updates on previous summit topics such as racing surfaces, rider safety, and equine injuries and new topics including nutrition, biosecurity, and respiratory health. The summit, organized and underwritten by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club, will be hosted by Keeneland Association on June 28 and will be open to the public. It will also be streamed live on the Jockey Club website and the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation’s website. Those interested in attending the summit can register for free here. The event will again be emceed by Donna Barton Brothers, former jockey and current NBC racing analyst. Brothers is on the advisory board for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and is the author of the horse racing guide “Inside Track.” Other new topics include an update from the American Association of Equine Practitioners racing committee, a progress report on biomarker research, and discussions regarding compounded medications, nutraceuticals, lameness,... ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Apr. 28, 2016) — Del Mar and The Stronach Group have announced an offer of a $1-million bonus to a horse who sweeps this year’s TVG Pacific Classic, the Xpressbet Awesome Again Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. The three Grade I races, all open to 3-year-olds and up, are scheduled to be run on Saturday, August 20 (TVG Pacific Classic at Del Mar), Saturday, October 1 (Xpressbet Awesome Again Stakes at Santa Anita Park) and Saturday, November 5 (Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park). The $1,000,000 TVG Pacific Classic and the $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic are both run at a mile and one quarter. The $300,000 Xpressbet Awesome Again is contested at a mile and one eighth. “A big part of our business is to bring our fans the stars of the game,” said Del Mar’s executive vice president for racing Tom Robbins. “A bonus like this is an extra added incentive for the best horses to come to Southern California and aim... ...

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Apr. 23, 2016) – Arizona-bred Scrap Iron, from the first crop of California stallion Informed, became his sire’s first stakes winner with his victory in Saturday’s $50,076 Gene Fleming Breeders’ Derby at Turf Paradise. His time for the 1 1/16 miles on the main track was 1:44.98. The 3-year-old gelding, bred by owner Roger P. Downes and trained by Kevin Eikleberry, is the second foal from the Atticus mare Pagan Baby. Informed, a graded stakes winner of $521.349 by Tiznow, stands at Ridgeley Farm near Hemet, Calif., for $2,500 live foal. ...

From CHRB ALBANY, Calif. (Apr. 25, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, April 21, at Golden Gate Fields. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, and Jesse Choper also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        The Board approved a joint request by the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) and San Joaquin County Fair to reallocate two weeks of race dates (September 21 through October 4, 2016) to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton after San Joaquin officials indicated they did not wish to run those dates in Stockton as previously allocated. ·        The Board approved for public notice various regulations and amendments requiring that all horses be microchipped by January 1, 2018, in order to race in California. ·        The Board approved a request by management and horsemen at Los Alamitos to immediately suspend authorization for the use... ...

From OwnerView ARCADIA, Calif. (Apr. 21, 2016) –Today OwnerView officially opened registration for the third edition of the Thoroughbred Owner Conference being held at Santa Anita Park, October 31 – November 3, 2016, the same week as the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. The upcoming conference promises to entertain attendees, to inform them about important issues related to Thoroughbred ownership, and to provide multiple opportunities for guests to network and socialize with industry leaders, speakers and other owners. The business panels, topics and speakers have been finalized, and this next conference is shaping up to be another great event for owners on every level. Some of the speakers invited are top industry trainers, jockeys and owners, including Bob Baffert, Richard Mandella, Art Sherman, Gary Stevens, Mike Smith, Laffit Pincay, Dean Reeves, Barbara Banke, and John Amerman. As an added bonus, on behalf of the Breeders’ Cup, you will receive one Grandstand Reserved seating ticket as part of your Thoroughbred Owner Conference registration for both Breeders’ Cup World Championships racing days on November... ...

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Mar. 31, 2016) — Marjorie (Margie) Lambert owner of Ren-Mar Thoroughbreds, Inc., died March 23 at her home in Los Angeles. A Celebration of the Life of Lambert will be held on Monday April 4, at 2:30 p.m., at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations in memory of Marjorie D. Lambert be sent to United Pegasus Foundation in Tehachapi or The Sweet Water Ranch in Chatsworth. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2016) — Del Mar will present 43 stakes events during its 39-day season worth a total of $7.55 million, highlighted by the seaside course’s ‘piece de resistance’ – the $1-million TVG Pacific Classic, scheduled for Saturday, August 20. The track’s 77th summer gathering alongside the blue Pacific will take place from Friday, July 15 through Labor Day Monday, September 5. The shore oval’s 33 major, or “advertised,” stakes again will carry purses ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000, while its 10 “overnight” stakes each will be worth $75,000. Further, the racing headquarters “where the turf meets the surf” will provide its horsemen with projected purses of more than $525,000 a day, the richest incentives of their kind in California and among the most lucrative of any race meet in America. Del Mar will present 21 graded stakes in all – six of them (including the TVG Pacific Classic) Grade I, 11 valued at Grade II and four at Grade III. The Classic, run at... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 30, 2016) — Click here to view the 2015 NTRA Legislative Action Campaign Annual Report Features of the report include: ·        Federal legislative summary ·        List of 2015 contributors to the Legislative Action Campaign ·        Videos explaining NTRA legislative fundraising and advocacy ·        Membership benefit information for contributors The NTRA thanks all individuals, farms, racing stables/partnerships, bloodstock services, sales companies and industry organizations who contributed to one or more of the NTRA’s legislative fundraising programs.  This support allows the NTRA’s federal legislative team to represent the horse racing and breeding industry in Washington, D.C. and is crucial to the team’s success there. ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 30, 2016) — A son of first-crop sire The Factor   who previewed with a furlong work in :09 4/5, brought $460,000 to top the Barretts select 2-year-old sale at Del Mar March 30. A daughter of Smart Strike was the highest-priced filly at $450,000. The sale topper is headed to Japan, while the Smart Strike filly will remain in California. Dr. Riki Takahashi, who has been successful buying future stakes winners out of the Barretts March sale, purchased the colt by The Factor, while trainer Bob Baffert bought the Smart Strike filly. The sale averaged $124,558 for 43 sold, down 8.8% over 2015, when 45 averaged $136,622. This year Barretts held the sale at Del Mar in late March, whereas the corresponding sale last year was held at Fairplex in Pomona in late February. With 62 withdrawals, the sale grossed $5,356,000 in 2016, compared to $6,148,000 in 2015. “We were a little stronger on the top this year, and the higher-end horses did well,”... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, March 24, at Cal Expo. Vice Chairman Richard Rosenberg presided. Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, and Jesse Choper also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: The Board approved the Sahara Dunes Casino (Lake Elsinore Hotel) to accept wagers on horse racing. Ten other minisatellites already are operating within California private businesses, such as card cards, sports bars, and restaurants, so this will be the 11th. Wagering also is offered at 29 other racetracks and simulcast facilities throughout the state. The Board approved for public notice a proposed regulatory amendment to both encourage the proper use of the whip and reduce its use in harness racing by, for example, prohibiting drivers from using the whip more than three times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond. A similar rule governing use of the riding crop already... ...

From TOC             ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 25, 2016) — The Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) has announced the winners of its 2015 statistical awards for leading California owners. Reddam Racing LLC was leading owner in purse money won in California as well as leading owner by number of wins; Watson, Pegram and Weitman led all owners by number of California stakes wins; and Kings River Ranch was leading owner by number of California starts. David and Mark Greco, Patrick Grohl and Brent Malmstrom were selected as Rookies of the Year.   Reddam Racing runners earned a total of $2,922,316 in California last year, with 49 wins from 251 starts. Top earners were Nyquist, winner of the Del Mar Futurity and the FrontRunner and Best Pal stakes, Mrazek, winner of the Graduation Stakes, and Found Money, winner of the King Glorious and Santa Anita Juvenile Stakes.   The partnership of Karl Watson, Michael Pegram and Paul Weitman won a total of 10 California stakes races in California last year. Their leading... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2016) — Los Alamitos Race Course intends on running the next edition of the Los Alamitos Derby (gr. II) during its September meet, a track official said during a California Horse Racing Board meeting March 24 at the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento. Los Alamitos for 2016 lost its July meet—which featured the Los Alamitos Derby the last two years—but gained spring dates through negotiations with Santa Anita Park and Del Mar, so the Orange County track had to move one of its signature races either to its upcoming April-May meet, or meets later in the year, in September or December. BALAN: CHRB Approves 2016 California Race Dates With the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) running April 9, Brad McKinzie, Los Alamitos general manager of Thoroughbred racing, said September would be the best fit. “In cooperation with the Thoroughbred Owners of California, they have requested that we continue to run the Los Alamitos Derby,” McKinzie said. “Obviously, the Los Alamitos Derby doesn’t... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 24, 2016) — Golden Gate Fields announcer Michael Wrona has won the contest to take Trevor Denman’s position as Santa Anita Park‘s permanent race caller. The 49-year-old native of Australia was handed the job after a worldwide search in which three others—Frank Mirahmadi and international announcers Craig Evans and David Fitzgerald—auditioned for the job at Santa Anita. The announcement was made March 24. “It was an exceptionally close decision, but Michael just raised his game here at Santa Anita,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast Operations for The Stronach Group. “We are honored to welcome him to the historic fabric of ‘The Great Race Place.’ He has earned the right to make that booth his own.” Wrona will continue calling Santa Anita’s races through the end of the winter/spring season April 10. He begins his full-time position May 5 when Santa Anita opens its spring/summer meet. Wrona’s replacement at Golden Gate will be named in the next few weeks. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ATOKA, Okla. (Mar. 24, 2016) — Tough, dedicated, and determined are how friends remember Jeff Lukas, who died this week at age 58. Also being remembered is the brilliant training career cut short by the aftermath of severe brain injuries Lukas suffered in December 1993, when he collided with Tabasco Cat, loose and in full stride through the Santa Anita Park barn area. “I started off with Jeff as an exercise rider, at the bottom, and I mean he was tough,” said trainer Dallas Stewart, who rose through the Lukas Racing Stable organization to become an assistant under Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas, Jeff’s father. “He was focused and a really great horseman.” When Stewart started with the Lukas stable, he worked with Winning Colors, the 1988 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Jeff Lukas is credited with developing. “To be the kind of trainer he was, you just have to have it in you—it can’t be taught. He had it,” Stewart said. “And after the accident, he... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 22, 2016) — Ten quality two-year-olds have been supplemented to the 2016 Barretts March Select Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training to be held on the grounds of the Del Mar racetrack.   These supplemental horses will be sold directly after the end of the main catalog on Wednesday, March 30.  A complete list of the catalog supplement is shown at the bottom of this e-mail.  The entire supplement in PDF can be found at http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catmar2016/documents/B116_Supplements.pdf   Hard copies of the supplemental catalog will be found both in the Santa Anita racing office in Arcadia and on the sales grounds located on the Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California later this week.  They will show up in the Ipad version by tomorrow.   The entire sale catalog can be viewed at http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catmar2016/catalogTABLE.asp   The official training preview is scheduled to be held on next Monday, March 28 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m.   The preview will be streamed live at http://www.barretts.com/sales/ViewSale/index.aspVideo clips for... ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Mar. 21, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board will conduct its regular monthly meeting Thursday, March 24, at the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento beginning at 10:00 a.m. The public is encouraged to attend. An audio-only webcast of the Board meeting can be heard through a link on the CHRB website (webcast). The meeting agenda and supporting package of materials also are available on the CHRB website. ...

HEMET, Calif. (Mar. 17, 2016) — California stallion Daddy Nose Best has sired his first foals, both colts. BG Stables is the breeder of the colts, one out of the mare Rachel Jones, delivered Feb. 7, the other out of the mare Huera Bonita, delivered Feb. 16. Daddy Nose Best stands at BG Thoroughbred Farm. ...

By Bloodhorse.com COALINGA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2016) — The first reported foals for California stallion Clubhouse Ride are two fillies each born the week of March 7. A bay filly out of the Stormin’ Fever mare Fever’s Bet was bred and is owned by Michael Frazee and Neale Jensen, and a bay filly out of the Decarchy   mare Oscillator was bred and is owned by Rick Seidner of Six S Racing Stable. An 8-year-old son of Candy Ride  —Seeking Results, by Seeking the Gold, Clubhouse Ride stands at Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif. as the property of Six S Racing Stable and Craig Lewis. His 2016 fee is $2,500. Clubhouse Ride won back-to-back editions of the Californian Stakes (gr. II) in 2013 and 2014 and finished second in the 2013 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) and 2014 Gold Cup at Santa Anita (gr. I). He retired with a 5-9-10 record from 43 career starts and $1,341,131 in earnings. ...

Barbara Kelly, owner and breeder of the California stallion Fullbridled and a longtime member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, passed away Friday. Funeral services will be Saturday at noon at Forest Lawn in the Hollywood Hills. Fullbridled, a 15-year-old son of Unbridled’s Song, stands at Daehling Ranch. ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 13, 2016) — Barretts Sales has announced that Greg Baugh has been hired to the newly created position of Director of Business Development. The Del Mar resident also serves as Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s customer service manager during its race meets. Baugh, 50, will be in charge of Barretts auction operations at Del Mar as well as overseeing its outreach program in the sizeable San Diego equine community. He additionally will ensure that the needs of auction consignors and purchasers are properly met at the group’s six local venues. “Greg brings to this position a solid history of success in operations, customer service and sales,” said Kim Lloyd, Barretts general manager. “His knowledge and relationships within the Thoroughbred racing industry will be important resources for generating new business for Barretts as well as expanding the Barretts at Del Mar brand.” Baugh has worked with Barretts’ staff members over the past year as they have made the transition from presenting their sales at Fairplex Park... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ALBANY, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2016) — Golden Gate Fields will begin to broadcast its races using high-definition cameras and video March 17, The Stronach Group announced March 10. The new high-definition Golden Gate signal also will feature three new cameras—one on the starting gate, a camera near the walking ring for paddock coverage, and a scenic camera. The track will implement a new high-definition graphics package, similar in format to the one currently in use at Santa Anita Park. More cameras will be added in the future., the track said in a release. On-track patrons will be able to watch Golden Gate’s races on 500 new high-definition televisions that have been installed on the Turf Club tables, in the Top of the Stretch betting carrels, and throughout the Golden Gate facility. “Taking the Golden Gate broadcast signal HD is another example of The Stronach Group’s continuing commitment to long-term racing in California,” said Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations for the company. “Golden Gate, with... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Mar. 10, 2016) — The Medication and Track Safety Committee will conduct a public meeting March 16 in the Baldwin Terrace Room at Santa Anita Park beginning at 10 a.m. The agenda and package of materials, which are for discussion only, focus on horse welfare and expanded out-of-competition testing, including a ban on anabolic steroids. The horse welfare items would mandate the transfer of records pertaining to joint injections for claimed horses, require trainers to maintain records of veterinary treatments, and insure that all treatments are justified by a medical condition and based on advice from a veterinarian.  ...

From TOC CYPRESS, Calif. (Mar. 9, 2016) — All horsemen are invited to an open forum at Los Alamitos Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m. in the Post & Paddock Room. Meet TOC staff and directors for a discussion of current events and a chance to have your questions answered. For more information or to register for this event, click http://www.toconline.com/events/open-forum-at-los-alamitos-2/. Registration opens March 23. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Mar. 8, 2016) — Ernie Myers, a San Diego media star whose two great passions in life were radio and horse racing, died Tuesday morning of the effects of Parkinson’s disease at his home in La Mesa. He was 86. Myers, who at one point was the top radio DJ in San Diego over a career that spanned nearly four decades, died in the company of his longtime friend Onyx Novelle Jones. She said he had been fighting Parkinson’s for the past four years and had just recently entered into a hospice care arrangement. He grew up in Glendale and aspired to be an actor as a teenager, landing parts in several movies. Subsequently he did a four-year tour in the Army, then turned to the radio business. The affable and smooth-toned Myers was a “DJ” from the 1950s through the 1980s. He started playing big band music, then transitioned to “rock” and subsequently talk radio and was the leading radio personality in San... ...

From NTRA WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 2, 2016) — The NTRA’s federal legislative team relies on the NTRA Legislative Action Campaign’s ¼% Check-off Program and the Foal Program for funding of its effort to advocate for Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Washington, D.C. In 2015, the Campaign realized a double-digit percentage increase over 2014 from nearly 900 industry members worldwide. Thank you to all who contributed in 2015. The NTRA also recognizes the following industry partners for their support: Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, Barretts, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association and Breeders’ Sales Company of Louisiana. Other organizations supporting the Campaign include (in alphabetical order): The Blood-Horse, California Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (CTBA), Daily Racing Form (DRF), Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA), New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB), Santa Anita Park, Texas Horsemen’s News, The Saratoga Special, Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN), Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association (TOBA) and Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC). Learn more about how you can join your peers... ...

From E. A. Ranches RAMONA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2016) — Forty Niner grandson and Grade 1 stakes winner Haimish Hy (by Ecton Park), will stand his first season at stud in California at E.A. Ranches in Ramona. The Art Sherman-trainee won the 2010 Grade 1 Hollywood Derby and placed in the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo Stakes, the Grade 2 Jim Murray Handicap, and the Grade 3 El Camino Real Derby for total earnings of $360,988. During a campaign that was conducted exclusively in California and spanned four years, Haimish Hy competed in 13 stakes, of them graded, and was on the board in 10n of his 19 career starts. Retired to present owner George Krikorian’s private farm in Kentucky, the now 9-year old dark bay or brown horse returns to the state of his impressive racing career to embark on his stallion career. His first foals will arrive in 2017.Haimish Hy will take up stud duty at E.A. Ranches to continue a sire line that also produced millionaire and... ...

From Unusual Heat Syndicate ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 29, 2016) – Perennial California leading sire Unusual Heat has passed the $50 million mark in cumulative progeny earnings, becoming the first sire in the history of California breeding to achieve this while standing his entire career in the Golden State. Unusual Heat has sired 18 crops, and his 16th crop of 2 year olds will hit racetracks in 2016. As of today he boasts $50,158,241 in earnings. It was only fitting that the race putting Unusual Heat over the milestone was the stirring stretch drive victory by his son Boozer in the Sensational Star Stakes (Listed-Restricted) at Santa Anita Park down the hill on February 27. Unusual Heat is the all-time leading sire in California in total progeny earnings, California-bred earnings and career progeny turf earnings. He set the all-time single season California record for progeny earnings in 2008 with over $5.8 million and was again the California earnings champion for 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, achieving the milestone of being... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 26, 2016) — The catalog for the 27th Annual Barretts March Sale of Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training is on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction of 121 two-year-olds will be held on Wednesday, March 30 in the Surfside RacePlace located on the grounds of Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California beginning at 2:00 p.m.   The catalog can be viewed now at http://www.barretts.com/sales/Catalogs/catmarch2015/catalog.asp   The March Sale catalog is also now available for your ipad.  Click here for details.   The official training preview is scheduled to be held on MONDAY, March 28 on the Del Mar racetrack beginning at 10:00 a.m.   The preview will be streamed live at http://www.barretts.com/sales/ViewSale/index.asp  Video clips for each preview can be viewed on-line by the following morning the preview at http://www.barretts.com/sales/TrainingPreviews/index.asp   Since its inception, the Barretts March Sale has been the leading producer of top quality race horses west of Kentucky.  Among the many Grade One winners are Awesome Gem, Brocco, Brother Derek, Dubai Escapade, Henny... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, February 25, at Santa Anita Park. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian, and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: * A representative of the Thoroughbred Racing and Protective Bureau (TRPB) reported industry progress in updating odds postings more rapidly, so that significant odds changes late in the running of the race have been greatly reduced. Efforts are continuing to further speed up final pool reports from all locations after the start of the race. * The TRPB also reported that 90 percent of wagering locations now are providing Santa Anita with sufficient data for the track to post the details of noteworthy winning Pick 6 tickets as they occur – nearing the level of transparency that the CHRB has been advocating for many... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 25, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board Feb. 25 approved a proposal from Santa Anita Park to offer gambling on an Arabian race in April, with pending legislation on the topic expected to pass soon in Sacramento. Santa Anita representative Scott Daruty said a group from Abu Dhabi is willing to contribute $175,000 to a potential April 2 race, with $100,000 going to the purse and $75,000 going to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys’ Fund. The pending legislation, AB 558, would allow Santa Anita to conduct six Arabian races a year with wagering, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Northern California fair circuit, which also puts on races for the breed, and gets approval from the CHRB and the Thoroughbred owners of California. But there were still concerns expressed on the board and by industry stakeholders about how Santa Anita should go about carding the Arabian race during its Thoroughbred meeting. “I don’t have a problem with this, per se. What I would have... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 24, 2016) — As America’s first Triple Crown-winning jockey in 37 years, Victor Espinoza helped Thoroughbred racing project a positive image far beyond the confines of the industry throughout 2015. Accordingly, Espinoza, a 43-year-old native of Mexico City, has been selected by a vote of jockeys nationwide as the winner of Santa Anita Park‘s highly coveted 2016 George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. “It’s quite an honor for any rider to be selected by his peers as the winner of such a prestigious award,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “And I would like to congratulate Victor on this great achievement.” In addition to numerous national television appearances through the 2015 Triple Crown and last fall’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Espinoza also remained tireless in his efforts on behalf of cancer-stricken youth, donating a percentage of his winnings to support pediatric cancer research at City of Hope, in Duarte, Calif. In addition to winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes (all... ...

By Bloodhorse.com ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 23, 2016) —Santa Anita Park plans a complete overhaul of its turf course and officials will meet Feb. 25 to decide details and timing of the plan. The Stronach Group senior vice president of West Coast operations Joe Morris said Feb. 23 that track executives will discuss details of the plan, including timing. Morris said the course has not been completely redone in 20 years. Santa Anita will host this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships Nov. 4-5. Should the track opt to completely renovate the turf course before Breeders’ Cup, the longest gap of time without live racing is July 11 to Sept. 29. With heavy rains associated with El Nino hitting Santa Anita this year, races have been taken off the course several racing days at the current meet. Beyond the races taken off the main turf course, additional races using the hillside turf course also have been moved to the main track. ...

By Bloodhorse.com ELK GROVE, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2016) — Canadian champion Alpha Bettor and grade I winner Mast Track have joined the stallion ranks at Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove, Calif., Adena Springs announced Feb. 16. Adena Springs’ homebred Alpha Bettor, Canada’s champion older horse of 2013, retires to stud with a 12-5-3 record from 40 career starts and earnings of $838,275. By Alphabet Soup—Scatter Buy, by Relaunch, he was a winner every year he raced from ages 2 to 8. Over the course of his championship season, Alpha Bettor won the Eclipse Stakes (Can-II), Autumn Stakes (Can-II), and the Seagram Cup (Can-III), a race in which he was victorious in the previous season, all on Woodbine‘s all-weather track. In his final start this year, Alpha Bettor rallied determinedly to capture the Portland Meadows Mile Handicap in just his second effort on dirt. Mast Track, a 12-year-old son of Mizzen Mast  —Nawal, by Homme de Loi, entered stud in 2011. His top offspring include multiple stakes-placed Shez a Masterpiece, an earner... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2016) — Joseph LaCombe Stables, Inc.’s Typhoon Slew had his first foal drop on February 6, a gray colt out of Babes Bridge It. Typhoon Slew is a graded stakes-placed winner by Stormy Atlantic and is a half-brother to Slew’s Tiznow, the 2015 leading freshman sire in California. “The new Typhoon Slew colt is very forward acting and has that terrific balanced appearance and scope of his sire,” said Clay Murdock, farm manager. Babes Bridge It is by Maria’s Mon and she earned over $103,000 in her racing career; her first foal was a $62,000 Barretts yearling by Slew’s Tiznow. Her newborn colt was bred by Eagle Ridge Racing LLC. Typhoon Slew will stand his second year at stud for the fee of $1,000 live foal. For additional information contact Rancho San Miguel farm manager Clay Murdock at (805) 467-3847. ...

From EAS Equine Alliance TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 16, 2016) — EAS Equine Alliance announces the release of 2016 breeding season shares for the royally bred Storm Cat son Big Surf. Already an international sire of winners, Big Surf’s 2017 foals will be eligible for California-bred incentives and the Breeders Cup. Available for the first time to Cal-bred breeders, this regally bred, winning son of Storm Cat brings a top black-type, champion, racing female line to California. Big Surf’s dam Surfside was a champion 3-year-0ld filly, and 4-time Grade 1 winner of $1,852,987. His grand dam Flanders was a champion 2-year-old filly, three-time Grade 1 winner and Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies winner of $805,000. A limited number of breeding season shares are available for approved mares, which include: stakes winners and producers, proven crosses and high nick ratings. All shares come with live foal guarantees. Big Surf stands at Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula, California. For viewing information call Special T at (951) 303-0313. To purchase shares or discuss other breeding... ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2016) — Five stakes—two of them graded—worth $625,000 highlight the inaugural spring Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos Race Course. The 12-day meet will begin April 14 and continue through May 1 on a Thursday-through-Sunday schedule. At 6 1/2 furlongs, the $200,000 Great Lady M. Stakes (gr. II) is the richest event on the schedule. For fillies and mares, the Great Lady M. will be run April 23. A longtime fixture at now-closed Hollywood Park, the race had been run during Los Alamitos’ summer Thoroughbred meet in July the previous two years. Los Alamitos ran in the summer during each of its first two years putting on afternoon Thoroughbred races, but will run the spring dates instead in 2016. BALAN: CHRB Approves 2016 California Race Dates The $100,000 Los Angeles Stakes (gr. III)—run previously at Hollywood Park and Santa Anita Park (2014-2015)—is the other graded race on the schedule. For 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs—a sixteenth of a mile shorter than in the past—the... ...

From Ridgeley Farm HEMET, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2016) – He Be Fire N Ice, a stakes winner and multiple Grade II-placed son of dominant California sire Unusual Heat, sired his first foal on February 4 at Ridgeley Farm. The big roan colt born out of multiple stakes winner and Grade III-placed Smoke Glacken mare Dimple Punch was bred by Cicero Farms. Dimple Pinch’s 2014 Uncle Mo colt sold for $170,000 at the Keeneland September Sale last year. He Be Fire N Ice’s first filly foal arrived on Super Bowl Sunday, out of Quiet Optimism, a Deputy Minister mare with five prior winners, also owned by Cicero Farms. He Be Fire N Ice burst upon the national scene in the summer of 2013 when the handsome gray won three straight races in electrifying come-from-behind style culminating in a victory in the California Dreamin’ Stakes at Del Mar. In his next two starts, He Be Fire N Ice made his usual thrilling stretch runs but lost by a head in both the... ...

DEL MAR, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2016) — The Barretts sales calendar will again feature an August selected yearling sale at Del Mar and a Fall yearling sale in October. Last year’s select sale was held after the races at Del Mar’s Surfside RacePlace ITW, but this year’s sale will be conducted during daylight hours on Tuesday, August 30th. Barretts general manager Kim Lloyd: “Despite the fact that we had an all-time California yearling record median sales price in our inaugural August sale last year, it made for too long of a day for both buyers and consignors. The move to a dark day of racing will benefit everyone involved in this sale.” Due to stabling concerns in Southern California resulting from the Breeders’ Cup, the October Yearling Sale will be held at the Los Angeles Fairgrounds in Pomona on Monday, October 17th. Yearlings will be stabled in the Barretts barns. Nominations for the Select Yearling Sale close April 1, 2016. ...

From Special T Thoroughbreds TEMECULA, Calif. (Feb. 9, 2016) — EAS Equine Alliance welcomes to California multiple graded stakes winner Balance the Books, the son of champion and Belmont Stakes winner Lemon Drop Kid, and winning Storm Cat son Big Surf, whose dam is the Champion 3-year-old filly and four-time Grade I winner Surfside, and grand dam is the champion 2-year-old filly and three-time Grade I and Breeder Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Flanders. The stallions will stand at Rick Taylor’s Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula. For viewing information call Special T at (951) 303-0313. To discuss breeding options contact Crystal Conway at (845) 332-8292 or (760) 239-0004. ...

From Brazeau Thoroughbreds HEMET, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2016) — Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms stallion Indian Gods was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Silent Deposition, a winning daughter of Breeders Cup Turf Champion Silic (FR). ...

From CHRB SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2016) — The California Horse Racing Board’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2014-15 and racing year 2015 is available on the CHRB Website. The CHRB no longer publishes a print edition. ...

By Paulick Report For many foals born on farms too remote to easily access an equine hospital with ventilators and round-the-clock care, the inability to catch their breath can spell big trouble. The Horse reports that a group of Australian veterinarians have recently modified a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine to help foals breathe better. This machine could allow veterinarians to provide respiratory support in the field, without sending the neonatal foal to a hospital. At the 2015 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention, Rosemary McKean, BVetBio/BVSc (Hons. 1), explained the system’s design, which utilizes a human sleep apnea machine attached to an equine anesthesia mask. The machine uses mild air pressure to keep the airways open, which can help prevent airway collapse, decrease the effort needed to take a breath, increase oxygenation and reduce lung inflammation. The Horse reports that the CPAP research team determined that: The system was effective and had no adverse effects on the foals’ heart rates, blood pressure, or other measurements Treatment improved foals’ oxygen extraction... ...

From Rancho San Miguel SAN MIGUEL, Calif. (Jan. 28, 2016)-Graded stakes winner Northern Causeway, standing at Rancho San Miguel, sired his first foal on Jan. 28, a filly out of the stakes-placed Swiss Bliss. Mike Harrington bred the filly, whose multiple winning dam won $122,210. Farm manager Clay Murdock said, “I see lots of Giant’s Causeway expressed in her with that beautiful face and body.” Northern Causeway, owned by Rozamund Barclay, is a graded stakes winner of $265,367 by sire-of-sires Giant’s Causeway, out of Getaway Girl (Silver Deputy). This is the immediate family of successful sires Ghostzapper and City Zip. Northern Causeway covered 35 mares in 2015 and will once again stand for a $2,500 live foal fee payable October 1 of the year bred with no booking fee. For additional information contact Rancho San Miguel farm manager Clay Murdock at (805) 467-3847. ...

COALINGA, Calif. (Feb. 1, 2016) — California stallion Lakerville had his first foal when a filly out of the Smokester mare Craven Cottage was delivered Jan. 25 at Harris Farms, bred by Barry Abrams. ...

From Richill Farms HIGHLAND, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2016) – Stimulus Plan will stand the 2016 breeding season at Richard and Hilary Trower’s Richill Farms for pirvate treaty. Stimulus Plan is a multiple graded stakes placed winner of almost $300,000, by Jump Start and out of Dutchess Alexandra by Judge Smells. Richard Trower said, “If you are looking for stimulating horsepower on both sides of a pedigree then Stimulus Plan is the horse for you. His sire, Jump Start, has average earnings per starter of $78,128 and progeny earnings in excess of $4 million for six of the past seven years. Jump Start is from the very sought after A.P. Indy – Storm Cat cross. Stimulus Plan’s dam, Duchess Alexandra, is from the bloodlines of the great race mare and Racing Hall of Fame inductee Searching through the 1993 Broodmare of the . year Admiring.” Jump Start is the sire of Grade 1 winners Livingstone in Argentina, millionaire Pants on Fire (third-place finisher of the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile-G1), 3-year-old graded... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2016) — The California Thoroughbred Business League (CTBL), a group comprised of racing associations, horsemen’s organizations and fairs, is responsible for overseeing funds that are to be utilized for providing workers’ compensation insurance relief to horsemen. Working with Finish Line Self Insurance Group (FLSIG), which has handled workers’ compensation for the Thoroughbred horsemen for the past five years, the CTBL has been dealing with the issue of skyrocketing workers’ compensation rates. The cost of the 2016 program for Thoroughbreds is estimated to be $12,670,322. As a result, the program has been revamped, and the changes will go into effect at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields beginning February 1. The problem is by no means specific to California, as workers comp insurance costs have skyrocketed for horsemen across the nation. The outcome is that owners will now have $95 automatically deducted from their paymaster account every time they start a horse. Up until January 2013 owners paid a per-start fee (which was $105... ...

By Bloodhorse.com DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2016) — A 2-year-old Florida-bred daughter of High Cotton   topped the Barretts January mixed sale, selling for $55,000. The sale, held at Del Mar Jan. 20, had an average of $8,239, down 2.9% from the 2015 average of $8,487. Elena Crim’s H & E Ranch consigned the High Cotton filly, and Kristina and Jerome Russell of Lincoln, Neb. purchased her. The filly is out of the stakes-placed Crafty Prospector mare Think Fast, who has also produced Canadian stakes winner Ciaran’s Prize. The Russells were the sale’s leading buyers, with six horses purchased for a total $134,000. They also went to $35,000 for a 2-year-old son of War Chant from the consignment of Mary Knight, the leading seller. The top-priced 2-year-old colt of the sale, he is out of the Bernardini   mare Primp. Knight also sold the second-highest-priced horse, a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Eskendereya. Ted Aroney’s Halo Farms paid $45,000 for the filly, who is out of the stakes-placed Old Trieste mare Sandra’s... ...

From TOC ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2016) — The board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) voted to appoint Samantha Siegel to fill a vacancy on the board created by the recent resignation of George Todaro.  Siegel, who races as JayEmEss Stable, is an active owner and breeder whose family has been involved in California Thoroughbred racing for more than five decades. Her late father, Mace, was a founding member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. JayEmEss has campaigned many graded stakes winners, including multiple Grade I winners Urbane, I Ain’t Bluffing, and Include Me Out, Grade I Hollywood Gold Cup winner Rail Trip, 2004 champion juvenile colt Declan’s Moon, multiple Grade 2 winner Arson Squad, and homebred Grade I winner By the Moon. Siegel is also passionate about horse retirement and serves on the board of CARMA and as Treasurer of that organization. She resides in Beverly Hills. “We are very pleased to welcome Samantha and feel that, with her involvement and experience as an owner... ...

From Santa Anita Publicity ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2016) — California-bred Lava Man and the sensational Zenyatta are among the honorees being inducted in the Arcadia Historical Society’s Thoroughbred Racing Walk of Champions at a gala on Tuesday evening, May 24. The event will be held from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the historic core of the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, site of Lucky Baldwin’s landmark Queen Anne Cottage and matching Carriage Barn and birthplace of racing in Southern California. The theme will be “Salute in Red and Black,” honoring Baldwin’s racing colors. Champion jockey Chris McCarron, training stars Gary Jones, Ron McAnally, Mike Mitchell, and Mel Stute, and breeder/owner Buddy Johnston’s Old English Rancho also will be honored. Victor Espinoza, the only active jockey to have won racing’s Triple Crown, and who just piloted California-bred California Chrome’s comeback win at Santa Anita Saturday, will receive special recognition for his achievements in the sport and community service. Proceeds from the celebration will fund the placement of 24″... ...

From CHRB ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 11, 2016) — Notice is hereby given that the regular meeting of the California Horse Racing Board scheduled for Thursday, January 21, 2016, in the Baldwin Terrace Room at the Santa Anita Park Race Track, 285 West Huntington Drive, Arcadia, California has been canceled. The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for February 25, 2016 at Santa Anita Park Race Track. Additional information regarding this meeting may be obtained from the CHRB Administrative Office, 1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300, Sacramento, CA 95825; telephone (916) 263-6000; fax (916) 263-6042. This notice is located on the CHRB website at www.chrb.ca.gov. *Information for requesting disability related accommodation for persons with a disability who require aid or services in order to participate in a CHRB public meeting, should contact Jacqueline Wagner. ...

From DMTC Publicity DEL MAR, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2016) — Rich Tedesco, one of the nation’s top track maintenance men with an extensive job history stretching back more than 50 years, has stepped down from his day-to-day role as Del Mar’s track superintendent and now will serve as a consultant for the shore oval. Steven Wood, Tedesco’s track foreman during his Del Mar tour, will assume the role of track superintendent. Tedesco, 78, has been Del Mar’s head maintenance man for the past six years. Over the course of his professional career, the California native has headed up the track crews at all of Southern California’s major racetracks — Santa Anita, Hollywood Park, Los Alamitos and Del Mar. “Rich has been solid for us since he came on board in 2010,” said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club’s president Joe Harper. “He helped oversee our Polytrack years, then was instrumental in guiding us through our return to dirt. We are delighted he’s agreed to stay on in an advisory role and we... ...

By Bloodhorse.com MONROVIA, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2016) — Longtime California racing official Dick Wheeler died Jan. 2 at his Monrovia, Calif., home. He was 69. Wheeler worked in several capacities throughout the Golden State for nearly four decades, including at Santa Anita Park and Fairplex Park, where he was racing secretary. Wheeler retired 18 months ago. “He was kind to everybody. Everybody loved him,” said Santa Anita clerk of scales Kevin Colosi, a longtime friend and associate. “He had been sick for a while and stopped eating. He just shut down.” Wheeler requested that there be no services, Colosi said. Added trainer David Bernstein, who knew Wheeler since their teens: “We had a lot of fun. We were young—18, 19 years old—and he and one of my clients, Bob Brown, used to meet in Santa Anita’s infield every Saturday. Brown also passed away. Now I’m the last of the Mohicans.” ...

From NTRA             WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 22, 2015) — Legislation passed by Congress and signed by the president last week includes investment incentives and tax provisions that impact owners and breeders. This legislation provides multi-year benefits made retroactive to January 1, 2015, and includes: * Three-year depreciation for racehorses * 50 percent bonus depreciation for new depreciable property * $500,000 Sec. 179 expense allowance for new or used depreciable property Click here to download a flyer that includes details. The NTRA suggests that owners and breeders consult their tax advisor for additional information. ...

From Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms HEMET, Calif. (Dec. 22, 2015) — Wild in the Saddle, a multiple stakes-winning California-bred daughter of Breeders’ Cup Champion Silic (FR), has been officially retired and will be going to Kentucky to be bred to Archarcharch. Her fairytale racing career and triple comeback gave her owners, trainers, and all her connections the thrill of a lifetime. Retiring 100% sound and looking like a million, Wild in the Saddle is enjoying being let-down at Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms before she heads off Spendthrift Farm. ...

LOS ALAMITOS, CA – The California Horse Racing Board conducted its regular meeting Thursday, December 17, at Los Alamitos Race Course. Chairman Chuck Winner presided. Vice Chair Richard Rosenberg and Commissioners Madeline Auerbach, Steve Beneto, Jesse Choper, George Krikorian, and Alex Solis also were in attendance. The audio of this entire Board meeting is available on the CHRB Website (www.chrb.ca.gov) under the Webcast link. In brief: ·        The Board approved a license for the Los Angeles Turf Club to conduct a race meet at Santa Anita Park beginning December 26 through July 10 after industry representatives indicated they had finalized a vanning and stabling agreement for 2016 providing stabling arrangements in Southern California similar to 2015. ·        The Board approved a license for the Pacific Racing Association (PRA) to conduct a race meet at Golden Gate Fields beginning December 26 through June 12 after industry representatives outlined various scenarios for vanning and stabling in Northern California that hinge largely on proposed legislation. ·        The Board led a discussion of various... ...

From NTRA             WASHINGTON, D.C. (Dec. 18, 2015) – President Obama this afternoon signed into lawH.R. 2029, which includes the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015 and the related omnibus appropriations bill, both of which carry provisions backed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) that will benefit horseracing for years to come. The new legislation includes three-year tax depreciation for racehorses, “bonus depreciation” of 50 percent, the “Section 179 expense allowance” for major purchases, and relief for H-2B visa employers such as horse trainers. For more information please refer to the following releases from earlier today when the bills were passed by Congress: Congress Passes Three-Year Tax Depreciation for Racehorses, Other Incentives http://www.ntra.com/en/news-media/press-releases/2015/12/18/congress-passes-three-year-tax-depreciation-for-racehorses-other-incentives/#sthash.oQsU9Uxc.dpuf Congress Passes H-2B Visa Improvements Backed by NTRA http://www.ntra.com/en/news-media/press-releases/2015/12/18/congress-passes-h-2b-visa-improvements-backed-by-ntra/#sthash.TjPd5uP9.dpuf ...

By Bloodhorse.com CYPRESS, Calif. (Dec. 17, 2015) — Licenses for meets that begin Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields were approved Dec. 17 by the California Horse Racing Board, but not before another lengthy discussion of ongoing issues regarding stabling and vanning among tracks and training facilities. Both tracks are owned and operated by The Stronach Group, which was represented at the meeting by Scott Daruty, president of the company’s Monarch Content Management, and Joe Morris, senior vice president of West Coast operations. They both outlined the parameters of a deal on stabling and vanning but noted future arrangements hinge on legislative action. Under an agreement signed by The Stronach Group and the California Association of Racing Fairs, Pleasanton will remain open for stabling and training during the Golden Gate meet, which runs through June 12, 2016. Golden Gate will then remain open for stabling and training while the Northern California fairs are in operation. Daruty said The Stronach Group and CARF continue to work with the... ...

From NTRA LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 17, 2015) – Provisions backed by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) that offer relief for H-2B visa employers such as horse trainers are included in the comprehensive budget and tax legislation agreed to late Tuesday by a bipartisan group of House and Senate negotiators. Congress is expected to pass the legislation before the year’s end. Of particular interest to trainers and others in the Thoroughbred industry who rely on H-2B workers are these beneficial provisions:   H-2B returning workers are exempt from the annual 66,000 H-2B cap; Those paying H-2B wages are allowed the use of private wage surveys, which are not allowed under current H-2B rules; Seasonal employment is clearly defined as 10 months of employment, as opposed to nine months in the current H-2B rules;    The Department of Labor (DOL) is prevented from implementing the provisions of current H-2B rules related to corresponding employment and the 3/4 guarantee requiring a set number of work hours; and  DOL is prohibited from implementing a... ...

From Barretts DEL MAR, Calif. (Dec. 9, 2015) — The catalog for Barretts January Mixed Sale is now on-line and will be mailed soon.  This auction of 197 head will be held on Wednesday, January 20 starting at 11:00 a.m. on the grounds of the Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California.   The catalog can be viewed here.   The catalog is also available on the ipad using The Jockey Club’s free Ipad ap.  Click here for more information.   Cataloged horse’s Daily Racing Form past performances are here. This sale will feature 18 head, including 11 short yearlings, from The Estate of Ellwood Johnston & Berumen dispersal.  Havens Bloodstock will the selling agent for this consignment.   Among the sires of the 54  yearlings and 63 two-year-olds in the catalog are such stallions asAcclamation, Awesome Gambler, Broken Vow, Champ Pegasus, City Zip, Coil, Discreetly Mine, Dublin, Empire Way, Eskendereya, First Samurai, Good Journey, Jersey Town, Hat Trick, High Cotton, Line of David, Lucky Pulpit, Kafwain, Marino Marini, Mineshaft, Ministers Wild... ...

From ROAP LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 8, 2015) — The Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) announced today five winners of the 2015 Pete Pedersen Award, which is presented annually to stewards who have made important contributions to the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industries. The award is named in honor of the longtime outstanding steward and noted journalist Pete Pedersen, who died in August 2012. The recipients were recognized at the Awards Luncheon at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program’s Global Symposium on Racing and Gaming in Tucson, Ariz. “This is our second year of recognizing horse racing stewards for their dedication and contributions to our great sport,” said ROAP Chairman Hugh Gallagher. “This lady and these four gentlemen have excelled as career racing officials by bringing integrity, consistency and a commitment to a level playing field for all horsemen and women.  Their passion and professional performance are great examples for stewards throughout the country.” The five winners are:   George Slender George Slender is a ROAP-accredited steward with... ...

From The Jockey Club LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 1, 2015) — The Jockey Club reminds owners of unregistered yearlings and 2-year-olds that the requirements for registration must be completed by December 31, 2015, to avoid additional late registration fees. The late registration fee increases from $550 to $800 after December 31 of the yearling year and from $800 to $2,025 after December 31 of the 2-year-old year. Interactive RegistrationTM (IR) is the most efficient means to complete the Application for Foal Registration and other registration requirements. IR enables customers to check the status of their applications and, through the Registration Center, view and resolve outstanding conditions of registration. ...

From DMTC DEL MAR, Calif. (Nov. 30, 2015) — Del Mar raced to a handy conclusion to its 20-day fall race meet – its second “Bing Crosby Season”– Sunday afternoon, buoyed by a high-class racing product, positive results on its racing surfaces and a strong feeling that the fledgling racing session has found a home on both the local and national scene. Total handle for the five-week stand when compared to last fall’s four-week, 15-day numbers showed notable gains in most categories. The total handle for the meet was $195,737,812, a boost of 26.4% over 2014’s final number of $154,914,430. The leader in the handle department was the track’s ADW betting, which jumped up 36.1% for a total of $56,629,676 (as opposed to 2014’s $42,348,298). Average daily handle for the 20 days was $9,786,891. The 15-day average in 2014 was $10,327,629. The track’s overall attendance was 123,608 for a daily average of 6,180. The total in 2014 was 135,829 for an average of 9,055. The track’s attendance was negatively impacted... ...