Thoroughbred Daily News

TIMONIUM, MD – Despite a smaller catalogue, the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale produced an average and median in line with its 2023 edition Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

“It was fine. It wasn't exceptional, it wasn't terrible. It was a solid day of work,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. at the close of business Tuesday. “There was significant demand for what were perceived to be the better horses. The lower end, the horses that were either considered conformationally lacking or were lacking in terms of commercial pedigrees, were difficult to sell. It was the same trends that we have seen in recent years and that I think we will continue to see. It was a satisfactory exercise.”

A total of 180 yearlings sold Tuesday for a gross of $4,267,700. The average of $23,709 dipped 2.9% from a year ago, while the median rose 25% to $15,000.

In 2023, 290 horses grossed $7,082,000 for an average of $24,421 and a median of $12,000.

A filly by City of Light, one of six yearlings to bring six figures Tuesday, topped the auction when selling for $165,000 to the bid of trainer Butch Reid on behalf of LC Racing.

For the third straight year, the Midlantic Fall catalogue size decreased. There were 412 yearlings catalogued last year and 284 this year.

“The catalogue size is down a little bit, which I think is reflective of the regional markets right now,” Browning said. “They are not easy.”

Plans for the redevelopment of Pimlico Racecourse and the consolidation of racing under the umbrella of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority, may have encouraged more local participation in the auction this year, Browning speculated.

“There was a good crowd here today,” Browning said. “I was a little concerned, honestly, coming in with the smaller catalogue about what kind of attendance and participation we would have. It seemed to me that there might have been a little uptick in local participation from the Marylanders, which might be a ray of sunshine. The sentiment might be a little more of a sense of optimism and hope with the changes which are taking place here which would be a good sign for the industry.”

Browning said the survival of the regional marketplace in Maryland might hinge on the cooperation of the neighboring racing districts which face stiff competition from strong racing structures in Kentucky and New York.

“Hopefully there is some opportunity and hope in the Maryland racing industry,” Browning said. “We see some good things that are happening in Virginia. There are some things happening in the Delaware program. Let's hope that we continue to see increased strength in the racing product in the region.

“Frankly, it is incumbent on the racetracks and the breeding organizations to help create more of a regional perspective than an individual state perspective,” Browning continued. “It needs to happen in those areas. The Kentucky program is so strong right now and the New York program is really successful. It's hard to compete with those two areas, particularly east of the Mississippi. And in order to do that, you are going to need to have cooperation with Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, to say how can we be competitive on a racing and breeding perspective with our competition. There are only so many wagering and racing dollars out there and so many mares that are going to get bred, so you are going to hopefully begin to see some higher level of cooperation and collaboration among them from both a racing and breeding perspective.”

A filly by City of Light (hip 49) was the first to breach the six-figure mark at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale Tuesday when bringing a sale-topping final bid of $165,000 from trainer Butch Reid, bidding on behalf of Glenn Bennett' LC Racing LLC.

Bred by Bowman and Higgins Stable and consigned by Becky Davis, the yearling is a half-sister to Monday Morning QB (Imagining), who was a two-time stakes winner for Bennett and Reid. She is also a half to last year's Midlantic sale-topping colt by Nyquist, who sold for $205,000 in Timonium before reselling for $550,000 at OBS this April.

“We had her big brother Monday Morning QB and we have her next brother, too, his name is Papa Lapa,” Reid said. “So we know the family very well.”

Hip 49 f. CITY OF LIGHT sold for $165,000 at Midlantic Fall Yearlings! Congrats to the connections:

B: LC Racing
C: Becky Davis, agt
Br: Bowman & Higgins Stable (MD)#FasigMD @LanesEndFarms @MarylandTB pic.twitter.com/qjT8Olo7M5

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 1, 2024

LC Racing and Cash Is King purchased Papa Lapa (Arrogate) for $180,000 at the Midlantic sale in October 2022. That colt was a runner-up on debut at Parx in July.

Of similarities he sees in the family, Reid said, “This filly is a little smaller. Monday Morning QB was a huge horse. He was 17 hands. She's a little smaller. Very typey. I loved her frame. She is really deep through the chest and has a big butt on her. So we liked a lot about her.”

Reid had to see off an internet bidder to secure the filly and momentarily thought he had lost out on the youngster when bidding skipped ahead.

“The bidding got a little messed up and they went by me and we were done,” Reid said. “And then we got a reprieve. So we were very lucky to get her.”

Earlier in the session, Reid went to $40,000 to acquire a filly by Tapwrit (hip 11) for LC Racing.

“You have to be selective, I think,” Reid said of the market. “We might even be done. We got two, spent $200,000, and it's been a nice day so far.”

LC Racing added a third yearling to its Midlantic haul late in the session when going to $27,000 to acquire a colt by Maximus Mischief (hip 282), a graded-stakes winner the operation campaigned in partnership with Cash is King.

Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell secured a pair of six-figure yearlings for the Gatsas family's Gatsas Stables during Tuesday's Midlantic sale, going to $125,000 for a colt by Vekoma (hip 87) from the Marshall Silverman consignment and securing a filly by McKinzie (hip 105) for $120,000 from Becky Davis's consignment.

“We got beaten up in September,” Farrell admitted. “We weren't going to do this sale, but I said why don't we go and see. It's a small sale and it had some pedigrees that I targeted.”

Hip 87 is out of Mamasan (First Samurai), a half-sister to stakes winner and graded-placed P.S.U. Grad (Harlan's Holiday) and from the family of Grade I winner Richter Scale.

“We really like this Vekoma colt,” Farrell said. “He needed a little bit of time. He is out of a First Samurai mare and he's all First Samurai. He is a beautiful, big easy mover with a great brain. I loved him every time I saw him. They were excited to get him.”

Mike and Matt Gatsas were already familiar with the colt's sire, having campaigned multiple Grade I winner Vekoma in partnership with R. A. Hill Stable.

“I had a list of pedigrees that I looked for, but they also liked the Vekoma,” Farrell said.

By hot-starting freshman sire McKinzie, hip 105 is out of multiple stakes-placed Moon Virginia (Jump Start).

“The filly was just beautiful,” Farrell said. “Her sire is on the up and up and she's stunningly gorgeous. She's a deep shouldered, beautiful filly. She goes directly back to My Dear Girl, the dam of In Reality. It's a beautiful pedigree that's not on the page. If she can run to her pedigree, they are going to have a lot of fun.”

Hip 105 f. MCKINZIE sold for $120,000 at Midlantic Fall Yearlings! Congrats to the connections:

B: Gatsas Stables
C: Becky Davis, agt
Br: Bowman & Higgins Stable (MD)#FasigMD @Gainesway @MarylandTB pic.twitter.com/VHuM5qOpPw

— Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) October 1, 2024

Farrell said she sees all the ingredients lining up for a potentially vibrant marketplace in Maryland.

“I love coming up here and I have gotten to know a lot of breeders over the years,” Farrell said. “There are serious breeders here who are really good at what they do. They breed good horses on a national scale. They know their pedigrees, they know their horses and they bring a good product to market. I think they just need to get a few things in place to help these breeders to continue to support the Maryland program. And the number one thing, in my opinion, is purses. I think there are a lot of positive things in the works with [interim CEO of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority] Corey Johnson  heading this new redevelopment initiative. I think he can change things for the good in Maryland given his track record with Kentucky Downs and Lone Star.”

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The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation has announced a special collaboration with Stable Recovery for the upcoming John Hall Memorial Golf Tournament. A Constitution halter, donated by WinStar Farm, will be shared with Stable Recovery and auctioned at the event to raise funds to support their mission.

Originally intended for the TRF's Stallions for Second Chances Halter Auction, the halter has become a symbol of the relationship between the organizations.

“We felt that sharing this halter with Stable Recovery would be a meaningful way to honor the close ties we've built and to mark the beginning of an impactful partnership,” said Maggie Sweet, Executive Director of the TRF.

The third annual John Hall Memorial Golf tournament, presented by Heider Family Stables, is being held on Monday, Oct. 14 at Thoroughbred Golf Club in Nicholasville, KY. All proceeds, including those from the silent auction, will go to help Stable Recovery.

The Lexington-based Stable Recovery, Inc. provides individuals in early recovery from substance abuse the opportunity to live in a sober and supportive environment while training to become horsemen.

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Graded stakes winner Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile–Magical World, by Distorted Humor), winner of the 2024 GIII Fair Grounds S. and a half-brother to MGISW Guarana (Ghostzapper), has been retired from racing. The 6-year-old will be offered as a stallion prospect at the 2024 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

Consigned by Lane's End as Hip 3083, the dual-surface winner will be available for pre-sale inspection in Barn 6. He enters the auction ring Nov.  12.

Bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and originally sold for $2.1 million as a Keeneland September yearling, Beatbox won six of 20 career starts and earned $427,248. He was campaigned by owners Jeff Ganje and Rob Comestro.

“Beatbox is the type of horse you love to train,” trainer Cherie DeVaux said. “He was solid and consistent in his races, and a joy around the barn.”

Ganje added, “Beatbox had a little setback in training, so our team collectively felt it was time to retire him We believe he is an outstanding and well-rounded stallion prospect, and we are excited to point him toward this next stage of his progression.”

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Tony Cissell has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer and General Manager at Three Chimneys, the farm announced Tuesday. Cissell, who has managed the likes Crescent Farm, Calumet Farm and WinStar Farm, has been at Three Chimneys running the Big Sink division for the last five years.

“I've known Tony for over a decade and have always admired his high level of horsemanship and his excellent people skills,” said Chairman and Three Chimneys owner Goncalo Torrealba. “He has done an outstanding job running our yearling division for five years, and has the proven background to take on the added operational responsibilities across the entire farm. He is supported by a tremendous divisional manager team, and I look forward to the future because I am confident they will continue to produce Grade I winners.”

Cissell stated “It is an honor to accept this position at Three Chimneys, and I am grateful to the Torrealba family, my co-workers, and our clients for all of their support in this transition. I have had many great jobs and a lot of experience at all levels, starting with my first job working for Lee Eaton who was a pioneer at consigning and preparing future racehorses.  I have learned something from every job I've had, and I look forward to taking on the operational reins at Three Chimneys. It is an exciting time to be at Three Chimneys, particularly with the rise of Gun Runner and the outstanding broodmare band to support him and our other stallions. The team at Three Chimneys is outstanding, and I am excited to work with them to get Grade I results.”

Previous COO Chris Baker is resigning from his position after more than a decade at Three Chimneys.

Baker stated, “First and foremost, I want to thank the Torrealba Family for all the outstanding opportunities they have given me over the past 11 years. From Champions and Classic winners like Gun Runner, Wonder Wheel and Early Voting to Grade I winners like Carina Mia, Guarana, Volatile and Gun Pilot, it has been my privilege to work alongside such a great family, great team, and great horses operating at the highest level of our sport. The passion, guidance, resources and trust bestowed on the Three Chimneys team by Goncalo and his siblings has provided all of us the chance to do meaningful things–the connection to Gun Runner being the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I am at a career stage where I want to use my skills, knowledge and experience in a different way,” Baker continued. “As a result, I've made the hard decision to step away from an everyday role as COO to start my own venture as an advisor where I will help people reach their goals in all facets of the industry. Under Tony's leadership, I anticipate continued if not greater success at the highest level for Three Chimneys. I am equally optimistic for the future of Baker Thoroughbred Advisory, working with clients to reach their Grade I goals in breeding, racing and sales.”

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The National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA) on Monday urged the United States Supreme Court not to grant the stay of an unconstitutionality mandate that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit is waiting to issue regarding the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA).

That mandate, stemming from a July 5 unconstitutionality opinion on HISA by the Fifth Circuit, was administratively stayed by the Supreme Court on Sept. 23. The HISA Authority had requested a stay on Sept. 19 pending the filing and disposition of its broader petition for a writ of certiorari that the Authority will be seeking to get the Supreme Court to take the underlying case.

The NHBPA actually agrees with the Authority that the Supreme Court should take on the case. But it further advocated in its Sept. 30 filing that if the Supreme Court grants the question concerning the delegation of executive powers, it should also “grant a second question presented to resolve the confusion among the circuits on private delegates' exercise of legislative powers as well.”

Three federal appeals courts (the Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Circuits) have already opined in three different lawsuits that HISA's rulemaking provisions are constitutional. Only the Fifth Circuit has opined that HISA's enforcement mechanisms are unconstitutional.

The administrative stay that the Supreme Court put into effect one week ago is a type of stay used to freeze legal proceedings until a court can more fully consider and then rule on a party's more detailed request for expedited relief. An administrative stay is not the same thing as a court issuing an injunction or making a ruling in an overall case.

“The Fifth Circuit correctly concluded that level of private delegation violates Article II [of the U.S. Constitution],” the NHBPA's Sept. 30 filing stated.

“When asked to review this decision en banc, not a single judge requested a poll,” the NHBPA filing continued. “And the Fifth Circuit also rejected a request to stay the mandate. Now, the Authority comes to this Court and asks permission to continue trampling on the Horsemen's constitutional rights while the [Supreme] Court considers this case.

“While the case deserves this Court's consideration, the Authority fails to justify its demand for a stay for the mandate,” the NHBPA filing stated.

“Most obviously, that demand is premature: the Authority's imagined harms all stem from hypothetical injunctive relief that has not been granted-or even sought,” the NHBPA filing stated.

Back on Sept. 19, the HISA Authority had explained its reasoning for wanting the Fifth Circuit mandate stay.

“Three federal courts (including the Sixth Circuit) have now resolved materially identical challenges to the amended Act and reached the same conclusion: HISA is constitutional,” the Authority's Sept. 19 filing stated. “But the Fifth Circuit recently contradicted that consensus, holding that HISA's enforcement provisions facially violate the private-nondelegation doctrine…The Fifth Circuit's outlier decision should not be permitted to trample other courts' considered judgments pending disposition of the Authority's forthcoming petition for a writ of certiorari.

The NHBPA disagreed in its Sept. 30 filing: “A stay is unwarranted in any event. The Horsemen won [in the Fifth Circuit] for a good reason-what the Authority is doing here is unconstitutional. And letting the Authority exercise government enforcement power irreparably harms the Horsemen's constitutional rights.

“The Authority hardly tries to identify any irreparable harms facing itself, instead painting a generalized and unjustified picture of chaos if regulation returns to the states, which had regulated horseracing for over a century,” the NHBPA filing stated.

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TIMONIUM, MD – The Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale, featuring a slimmed-down catalogue this year, has its one-session run Tuesday at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. Bidding on the first of 284 catalogued yearlings begins at 11 a.m.

Activity on a drizzly and overcast day at the state fairgrounds was steady Monday and consignors are expecting the action to heat up heading into sale time Tuesday.

“We have had good activity,” said consignor Bill Reightler. “Yesterday, I thought we were a little busier than normal, with all-shows, and we have more of them today. We are starting to see more of the local trainers coming in and we will probably have more local trainers come in tomorrow.”

Consignor Clovis Crane was expecting to see plenty of activity at the barns Tuesday.

“I feel like people come late to this sale all the time,” Crane said. “The consignors start to get nervous, but it's a smaller sale. It doesn't take as long to get through, so a lot of people come late. Right now, it's midday Monday and it's pretty steady. Traffic picked up and I think people got done with their training and they are coming in. And tomorrow I think it will be all-day busy.”

The Midlantic Fall sale has been held over two days–with an abbreviated first session, followed by a full day of sales–in recent years, but as the size of the catalogue continued to shrink, the auction will be held in just one session this year. The 284 yearling catalogued in 2024 is down from 412 a year ago and 526 the year before.

“We have fewer people breeding horses right now,” Reightler said of the smaller numbers. “And we have virtual sales that are competing with the live sales. My numbers are down about 20% as far as what we usually offer for this sale. One thing you can expect is change, but there is no problem yet. You probably have to work a little harder if you are tailoring your horse for the market. You are going to be fine, but you have to work pretty hard on the selection of your stallions and assessing the horses you are bringing to the market. I have horses here that a couple breeders thought would sell better here than in Kentucky. Frankly, that always works because if you have a nice yearling by a Kentucky sire, a national sire, you're already in the top 10% or 20% of the horses.”

Crane admitted the smaller catalogue may dissuade some buyers from attending, but the success of the sale's graduates should make the auction a must-attend for local buyers.

“The reality of it is, it is going to hold some buyers back from coming, but this has gotten to be a great regional sale,” Crane said. “There are so many good horses who have come out of this sale, that people in the region have to come. We have a bunch of PA-bred, PA-sired horses and those horses are running for huge money. So the trainers and the owners who run in the Midlantic need to be here.”

Following record-setting yearling sales in New York and Kentucky, consignor Chris Gracie expects plenty of buyers who still have orders to fill to be shopping in Maryland.

“A lot of people came up here who couldn't get horses bought in September,” Gracie said. “People still need horses. Hopefully, we brought them the right ones.”

A total of 290 yearlings sold at the Midlantic Fall sale in 2023 for a gross of $7,082,000. The average was $24,421 and the median was $12,000. Twelve horses brought six figures at the auction, led by a $205,000 son of Nyquist who returned to the sales ring to sell for $550,000 at this year's OBS April sale.

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Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be onsite at Woodbine Racetrack for the fourth annual Woodbine Aftercare Day on Saturday, Oct. 5. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, which will present the GII Nearctic Stakes, will make the presentation to the winning connections, offering a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance branded blanket and gift bag.

Additionally, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will present Best Turned-Out Horse Awards, sponsored by Josham Farms Limited, for all stakes races on Saturday. Winners of the awards will receive a gift bag featuring Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-branded merchandise and a cash prize.

Throughout the day, jockeys and valets will have the chance to donate a portion of their race earnings to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for any races ridden on Woodbine Aftercare Day.

“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is extremely thankful to Woodbine Racetrack for their contribution and commitment to accredited aftercare,” said Stacie Clark-Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “This day is dedicated to promoting and celebrating the Thoroughbred, both on and off the racetrack, and presenting the Best Turned Out Horse awards is a wonderful way to highlight that.”

Woodbine Racetrack will also make a donation to TAA during the event.

“Woodbine Racetrack is honored to host Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance for Woodbine Aftercare Day,” said Martha Wakely, Thoroughbred Racing Operations, Woodbine Entertainment. “We have a strong community of accredited aftercare supporters here at Woodbine, and this event is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the incredible work being done for Thoroughbreds both on and off the track.”

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Catesby W. Clay, who ran Runnymede Farm in Paris, Kentucky, for more than six decades in what is now a four-generation family operation that dates to 1867, died peacefully in his sleep Sept. 29 at age 101.

The Blood-Horse first reported Catesby Clay's passing, citing confirmation from his son, Brutus Clay III, who is Runnymede's chief executive officer.

Brutus Clay told the Blood-Horse that his father, the farm's chairman emeritus, died in the same home and in a room beneath the one in which he was born more than a century ago.

As TDN's Chris McGrath wrote in a 2023 profile of the Clays, “The history of this family is a prism for the history of Kentucky; and much the same might be said of Runnymede, as a bedrock of the evolving American Thoroughbred.”

After the Civil War, Col. Ezekiel “Zeke” Clay was gifted the family property by his father, and he named his new estate Runnymede after the site in England where the Magna Carta was signed. A decade later, Zeke Clay began breeding Thoroughbreds, and Runnymede's early equine standouts included Hanover, Agile, Ben Brush, Buddhist and Sir Dixon.

His grandson, Catesby Clay, a graduate of Georgetown University's School of Diplomacy, took over the farm's operations in the 1950s. According to a profile on Runnymede's website, during his tenure as Runnymede's president, Catesby Clay enhanced the farm's tradition of breeding top Thoroughbred racehorses.

Individually and in partnerships, Runnymede has bred more than 50 stakes winners, including 20 graded winners, five Grade I winners and a champion and earner of more than $8-million. Under Catesby Clay's leadership, the farm's breeding success was extended internationally, beginning in Europe in the 1970s with Full Extent, and eventually to Japan, where Agnes Digital reigned as champion in 2001.

Catesby Clay's many industry posts included appointments to Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and to the board of directors of Churchill Downs, which he served for more than 40 years.

Clay was also associated with the Kentucky River Coal Co. for over 50 years, where he served as president and chairman of the board. His numerous honors in the energy industry included induction into the Kentucky Coal Hall of Fame.

According to the Blood-Horse, Clay is survived by his wife, eight children, and 15 grandchildren. Visitation will be Oct. 3 from 4-7 p.m. at the Runnymede House with a funeral Mass scheduled at 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at the Church of the Annunciation in Paris.

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The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has established a Veterinary Advisory Committee that will be made up of regulatory and private practice racetrack veterinarians from around the nation. The committee will provide feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of HISA's regulations and protocols related to veterinary care, medication, racetrack safety, equine research and other relevant issues.

“I look forward to the essential perspectives the HISA Veterinary Advisory Committee will bring as we continue to evolve and fulfill our mandate,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “The veterinarians who care for equine athletes day in and day out are critical to our collective efforts to surround horses with an ecosystem of care, and their on-the-ground insights will make us smarter and more effective.”

“By integrating the expertise of veterinarians across the country, we aim to continue developing and refining best practices that prioritize the health and well-being of equine athletes,” added Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Equine Safety and Welfare. “Our goal is to ensure that every decision we make is grounded in science and reflects the latest feedback from the veterinarians who work with these remarkable horses every day.”

HISA is currently seeking qualified veterinarians to serve on the Veterinary Advisory Committee. The committee will consist of both regulatory and attending veterinarians from diverse professional backgrounds and geographies, ensuring a broad representation of perspectives. The group will be expected to meet monthly to provide feedback to HISA's leadership.

Interested candidates are invited to submit an application (available HERE) to Dr. Shari Silverman at shari.silverman@hisaus.org with the subject line “VAC Application” by Oct. 25.

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The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium's (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) has developed a withdrawal guidance for two additional substances, Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) and Pentosan (Zycosan) following an analysis of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) screening limits and detection times.

“The intention is for the RMTC to provide the industry with scientifically derived information to aid attending veterinarians and horsemen in making medication decisions and to avoid preventable errors and promote compliance with HISA's regulations”, said Dr. Michael Hardy, Executive Director, “The RMTC has been providing such guidance to the racing industry since the inception of its Scientific Advisory Committee and remains committed to providing relevant scientific information to the racing industry going forward.”

Following review of all available data, given a dose of 70 mL of 90% DMSO in 500 mL LRS IV single administration, the SAC recommends a withdrawal guidance of 120 hours with the understanding that the recommendation only applies to the FDA approved medical-grade product (e.g., RIMSO-50). For Pentosan (Zycosan), given a dose of 3 mg/kg IM once weekly for four (4) weeks, the SAC recommends a Restricted Administration Time (RAT) of 48-hours.

Additionally, RMTC's SAC reviewed its withdrawal guidance of dantrolene. Previously, the SAC provided withdrawal guidance of 96 hours for dantrolene, based on the administration data of both FDA approved capsules and compounded paste dosing forms. Further review of administration data of FDA approved capsules, in both blood and urine, supports a 48-hour detection time.

As a result of the potential variables associated with use of compounded substances, given a 500 mg oral dose once daily for three (3) days, using the agreed-upon methodology, RMTC's SAC recommends a withdrawal time of 72 hours. The recommendation, which only applies to the FDA approved capsules, does not apply to compounded products.

Further, there are risks associated with use of compounded products as drug concentrations in a formulation may differ from that declared on the product label, and from batch to batch for a single product. There is no reliable withdrawal guidance for the use of any compounded product.

The RMTC Withdrawal Guidance is subject to change. As new research becomes available for each medication, the RMTC may extend or decrease the time listed in the Withdrawal Guidance. Any subsequent change in this information based upon new research will be provided upon review by the Scientific Advisory Committee and approval by the RMTC Board. The complete Withdrawal Guidance of HISA's ADMC Detection Times document reflects these updates.

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Thirteen broodmares, in foal to the likes of Good Magic, Life Is Good and Not This Time, and a pair of broodmare prospects will be catalogued as part of the Complete Dispersal of Breeding Stock for prominent Thoroughbred owner, breeder and executive Stuart S. Janney III at the upcoming Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale in Lexington. The sale begins Tuesday, Nov. 5 and runs nine sessions through Wednesday, Nov. 13. Claiborne Farm will handle the consignment for its long-time client.

Janney, who serves as chairman of The Jockey Club, was introduced to racing through his parents Stuart and Barbara, who bred and raced the legendary and beloved Ruffian, a member of racing's Hall of Fame who was foaled at Claiborne and who has since been returned to her birthplace. The elder Janneys were also represented by the likes of Icecapade and Private Terms. The Janney Family has boarded mares at Claiborne for many years.

In partnership with Phipps Stable, Stuart Janney III campaigned 2013 GI Kentucky Derby winner Orb (Malibu Moon) and his other top horses include Ironicus, Data Link, Hit It Rich, On Leave Hymn Book and Air Support.

“The relationship between the Janney family and Claiborne goes back even before the days of Ruffian,” said Claiborne Farm's Seth Hancock. “No one has shown more energy, passion and love for the game than Stuart.”

Three of the Janney mares will be consigned in Book One of the November Sale on Nov. 5:

• The stakes-winning and multiple graded-placed In A Hurry (Blame) in foal to Claiborne's War Front;

• Mata Mua (Arch), the dam of Grade III winner Scarlett Sky (Sky Mesa), whose current weanling is a colt by Not This Time and who sells in foal to Life Is Good;

• Secure Connection (Data Link), a half-sister to Scarlett Sky and carrying a foal by Not This Time

The Nov. 6 session includes the following Janney horses:

• The winning and stakes-placed Gun Boat (War Front), a daughter of Grade III winner Onus (Blame) offered as a broodmare prospect;

• Hold Harmless (Blame), the dam of Limited Liability (Lemon Drop Kid), recent winner of the Nashville Gold Cup and seven times placed at the graded level;

• Grade III winner My Impression (Sky Mesa) carrying to Candy Ride (Arg);

• MGSW On Leave (War Front), a half-sister to no fewer than four graded stakes winner and selling in foal to Street Sense;

• Onus in foal to Violence;

• Pruning (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to Onus pregnant to Good Magic

Additional Janney mares in the catalog are in foal to Maclean's Music, Munnings, Silver State and War of Will. The second broodmare prospect is Take a Break, a 4-year-old winning filly by Quality Road out of On Leave.

“Stuart Janney and his horses have long represented quality and class, and Keeneland is honored to present this dispersal at the November Sale,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “Mr. Janney has developed these bloodlines for generations and these families will be highly prized by breeders and owners.”

The November Sale catalog will be available online Tuesday. Print catalogs will be mailed Oct. 11.

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Big Brown (Boundary), impressive winner of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, has arrived at Old Friends in Kentucky where he will live out his days.

Bred in Kentucky by Monticule LLC, Big Brown was a $60,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling and was purchased by the late Paul Pompa, Jr. for $190,000 at the Keeneland April Sale in 2007. Winner of a two-turn turf maiden by better than 11 lengths for trainer Patrick Reynolds, Big Brown made his next start for Rick Dutrow, Jr. after IEAH Stable joined the ownership group.

Named a 'TDN Rising Star' after winning a mile allowance on the dirt by nearly 13 lengths, he added a five-length victory in the GI Florida Derby and gave Kent Desormeaux the third of his three Kentucky Derby victories in 2008. An easy winner at Old Hilltop, he was plagued by a quarter crack in the days leading up to the GI Belmont Stakes and remained in contention to the top of the stretch before being eased home. He took out the GI Haskell Stakes and Listed Monmouth Stakes on the grass and was being pointed for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic before injury forced his retirement.

Big Brown entered stud at Three Chimneys and stood there from 2009-2014 while also shuttling to Australia. In 2015, Andrew Cohen's Sunrise Stables and Gary Tolchin's Golden Goose Enterprises, who were also part of the group that raced Big Brown, announced his relocation to Dutchess View Farms in New York. In 2018, Dutchess View teamed up with Irish Hill Century Farm for breeding and Big Brown was New York's leading sire of 2020.

Big Brown is the sire of 35 stakes winners, including fellow 'Rising Star' Dortmund, one of nine of his runners to score at the graded level. Others include the New York-bred standout Somelikeithotbrown and $1.3-million 2-year-old in training purchase Darwin. Big Brown was pensioned from stud duties earlier this year.

Big Brown is the fifth Derby and Preakness winner to be retired to Old Friends, joining Silver Charm, War Emblem, Charismatic and I'll Have Another.

“We are excited beyond measure to welcome Big Brown as an honored member of the Old Friends family,” said John Nicholson, President and CEO of Old Friends. “We are deeply grateful to Andy Cohen and all of Big Brown's connections for choosing to share this great horse with racing fans everywhere. I know his legions of fans will love having the chance to visit him throughout the year. Big Brown will be an awesome ambassador, not only for Old Friends, but for the sport of Thoroughbred Racing.”

“It doesn't seem that long ago when we would visit Big Brown in the middle of the night and just hang out with him,” said Andy Cohen, Managing Partner of the Big Brown Syndicate. “He was like a puppy and especially loved it when the young children would come over to pet him.

“After visiting Old Friends and getting to know John Nicholson and Michael Blowen I couldn't be more comfortable knowing Big Brown will get the love and care he deserves at Old Friends where the horse is the boss.”

Old Friends will host a Big Brown Barn Bash on Friday, Oct. 18.

Thrilled beyond words to welcome 2008 @KentuckyDerby & @PreaknessStakes winner BIG BROWN to OF retirement! Thank you Big Brown Syndicate, @IrishHillFarm & Morrisseys Horse Transport. Come out & celebrate with us on Oct 18 for the Big Brown Barn Bash! https://t.co/1jvxczfs6N pic.twitter.com/wUtvDc2nPb

— Old Friends (@Oldfriendsfarm) September 30, 2024

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Britney Eurton and EMMY Award-winning broadcaster Lindsay Czarniak will host the 54th Annual Eclipse Awards to be held Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida. Caton Bredar will once again serve as the announcer for the ceremony.

Eurton, the daughter of California trainer Peter Eurton, will be co-hosting the Eclipse Awards for the fifth consecutive time. Previously of FanDuel TV, Eurton is now a host and a reported for NBC, Amazon Prime and other independent networks. She currently covers the National Women's Soccer League and is a board member for New Vocations, one of the industry's leading aftercare organizations.

Czarniak will be co-hosting the Eclipse Awards for the first time. This year she has served as host of NBC Universal's coverage of the Paris Olympic Games on USA Network. Her reporting and hosting roles have included spots on the Today Show's 3rd Hour, the Indy 500 Victory Celebration as well as the host of the National Grocers Association's annual Best Bagger Championship. She also became the first woman to host coverage of the Indianapolis 500.

“We are thrilled to have Britney Eurton back to co-host her fifth consecutive Eclipse Awards and to be joined by first time host Lindsay Czarniak,” said NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney. “These two women are incredible ambassadors for our sport, and together their headlining the Eclipse Awards will bring the 2024 champions into the households of everyone watching from home and make for a great night.”

Tickets for the black-tie Eclipse Awards will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Click here for additional information.

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Edited Press Release

The board of the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation is delighted to announce the two recipients of its Irish National Stud tuition and placement scholarship for 2025.

Josefina Posada has traveled extensively in her quest to learn and progress in the bloodstock world. The Bogota, Columbia, native, attended Hartpury University in Gloucester, England, graduating with first class honors in Equine Science. She has also gained valuable experience at Barton Stud in England and is currently an intern at Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky. In the future while aiming to develop a role with bloodstock development, Josefina would also like to encourage and inspire Columbian people to have an opportunity to pursue an equine career.

The foundation's second scholarship recipient is Eric Resendiz, a graduate of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College's equine program in Lexington, Kentucky.

He has already diligently pursued many avenues of work experience and education with Godolphin, WinStar, St George Sales and Amplify Horse Racing. Eric values observation of horsemen and horsewomen that he admires and relates to as being very important in his quest for further knowledge. Despite hailing from a non-horse background, Eric is steadfast in his determination to become the best horseman he can be.

For further information on scholarships available please go to www.gerrydilgerequine.com.

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Hit Show got up late to cap a huge day for Wathnan Racing with a win in the GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs Saturday night. The 3-1 shot angled to the rail under the wire the first time and into the first turn while many of his foes opted to angle outside over the sloppy going. Settled in fourth off the pace down the backstretch as Cooke Creek set a moderate pace, the gray began making forward progress approaching the far turn. He rolled up five wide approaching the stretch and reeled in the pacesetter and outbattled that game foe to the wire.

“That was a huge effort,” winning jockey Florent Geroux said. “He had to battle late and really dug in to get his head in front. We were in a great spot early and I got to save a lot of ground. He has a lot of class. I think he's improving a lot this year.”

Winning trainer Brad Cox added, “He ran great. Florent gave him a perfect trip and he was able to save ground in the first turn and come home running. Once he tipped out, he really came with a huge run. We'll talk about next steps with the owners and make a plan. Whether it be the Breeders' Cup or races here locally is still up in the air.”

Wathnan Racing of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, had a monster Saturday, with Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify) winning the GI California Crown Stakes and Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) and Cagliostro (Upstart) finishing two-three in the GIII Ack Ack Stakes.

Racing in the colors of his breeders, Gary and Mary West, Hit Show won the 2023 GIII Withers Stakes and missed by a nose when second in the GII Wood Memorial Stakes. He won his last start for the Wests in the Aug. 4 GIII West Virginia Governor Stakes last time out.

Pedigree Notes:

Actress, a multiple-graded stakes-winning daughter of Canadian champion Milwaukee Appeal, has a 2-year-old filly by Medaglia d'Oro named Blind Faith who was third for the Wests and Cox in her debut at Horseshoe Indianapolis Sept. 17. With no reported foals in 2023 and 2024, the mare was bred to Curlin this year.

Saturday, Churchill Downs
LUKAS CLASSIC S.-GII, $500,000, Churchill Downs, 9-28, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:50.44, sy.
1–HIT SHOW, 123, c, 4, by Candy Ride (Arg)
                1st Dam: Actress (MGSW, $545,150), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Milwaukee Appeal, by Milwaukee Brew
                3rd Dam: Appealing Forum, by Open Forum
O-Wathnan Racing; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY);
T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $300,560. Lifetime Record:
13-6-1-0, $1,079,515. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
   Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cooke Creek, 121, g, 5, Uncle Mo–Genre, by Bernardini.
O-Flying P Stable; B-Candy Meadows LLC (KY); T-Michael J.
Maker. $97,600.
3–Rattle N Roll, 121, h, 5, Connect–Jazz Tune, by Johannesburg.
($55,000 Wlg '19 KEENOV; $210,000 Ylg '20 KEESEP). O-Lucky
Seven Stable (Mackin); B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-Kenneth G.
McPeek. $48,800.
Margins: NK, 3HF, NK. Odds: 3.28, 4.29, 4.57.
Also Ran: Disarm, Warrior Johny, Bolzy, Stilleto Boy, Happy American. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has moved Sunday's featured GII Miss Grillo Stakes [eighth race], a 1 1/16-mile turf test for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont at the Big A, due to significant rainfall and is now scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 6, the track said in a release early Sunday morning.

The Miss Grillo offers a “Win and You're In” berth to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 1 at Del Mar.

The graded race, which will be offered as an extra and redrawn, will join a card that also includes the GII Beldame Stakes and GIII Matron Stakes. Entries for the Sunday, Oct. 6 card will be taken on Wednesday, Oct. 2.

On Saturday, NYRA said that the four other turf races on Sunday's card [Races 3,5,6 and 9], which was originally scheduled for nine races, had been moved to the main track.

The Sunday eight-race card will kick off as scheduled with the first race at 1:05 p.m. ET. Post time for ninth, initially scheduled for 5:13 p.m. ET, has been moved to 4:48 p.m. ET.

Any multi-race wagers that include the eighth race have been canceled and will be refunded.

The $1 Pick 6, which was to include an $83,911 carryover, has been moved to Thursday, Oct. 3, and will begin in the third race at 1:42 p.m. ET.

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7th-Horseshoe Indianapolis, $32,000, Msw, 9-26, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:38.10, gd, 1 1/2 lengths.
INDIGO STUNNER (f, 2, Authentic–Blue Gallina, by Street Sense) became the 10th winner for her freshman sire (by Into Mischief) with a good-looking victory trying two turns for the first time. A promising third going a mile at Kentucky Downs Aug. 31, the $310,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase argued the early pace and was eased back into third by Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. as they hit the backstretch. Traveling comfortably on the back of the leaders through the middle stages, the 9-10 chalk was asked for a kick in upper stretch, hit the front with about a furlong to race and inched clear. The winner is a half-sister to Flat Out Speed (Flat Out), GSW, $364,916, winner of the 2020 GIII Iowa Oaks; and she is also closely related to Can Group (Good Samaritan), GSW, $371,858, who took last year's GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes over the Keeneland turf course. Blue Gallina is also represented by a weanling Jack Christopher colt and was covered by Life Is Good this past breeding season. Sales history: $310,000 Ylg '23 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $36,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart.
O-Harrell Ventures LLC & Starlight Racing; B-Wynnstay Inc & H Allen Poindexter (KY); T-Brendan P Walsh.

#3 INDIGO STUNNER ($3.80) prevails in the final surge of @HSIndyRacing 7 with @jockeypedrozajr in the saddle for trainer @brenpwalsh. Congratulations to the connections with this 2yo daughter of Authentic, who stands at @SpendthriftFarm. pic.twitter.com/vcvQtCthuq

— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) September 26, 2024

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One of trainer Peter Miller's barns at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in Southern California has been placed under quarantine, after a horse in his care diagnosed with the equine herpesvirus (EHV-1) was euthanized this week at a veterinary clinic, as first reported by the DRF.

California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) equine medical director, Jeff Blea, said Thursday that the quarantine period started Saturday Sept. 21. Blea added that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has yet to determine how long the barn will be under quarantine.

“Movement [of horses] from that barn off the racetrack is forbidden until the quarantine is released,” said Blea, adding that a perimeter around that barn is either erected, “or is being erected today.”

There are similar restrictions on what personnel are permitted into the quarantined barn, said Blea.

“Each individual taking care of the horses will have PPE such as gloves, foot baths, essential biosecurity equipment necessary. Good biosecurity, good hygiene. That's what's critical,” said Blea.

“The people in the quarantine barn will essentially be the only people in that quarantine barn,” said Blea. “If you've got riders and hotwalkers in the non-quarantine barn and they need to go to the quarantine barn, once they go into the quarantine barn, they do not go back into the quarantine barn. They go home… It's a one-way traffic. There's no return.”

Blea added that while Miller has horses stabled in at least one other barn at San Luis Rey, only the one barn has been placed under a quarantine order. Blea added that he wasn't aware of the infectious EHV-1 having spread to other horses in Miller's care, or to horses in separate barns.

“All the horses are being closely monitored for any neurologic deficits, temperatures, dribbling-any sort of neurologic condition, any sort of temperature,” said Blea.

According to Blea, Miller's barn at Santa Anita is under no access restrictions. Miller's sole entry this weekend is on Saturday at Santa Anita, Ransom the Moon mare Ivory Moon in the first. Ivory Moon shipped in recently from Kentucky.

EHV-1 is a potentially fatal contagious equine virus that can also cause neurological and respiratory disease, along with newborn death and abortion.

The most common way for the virus to spread is through direct horse-to-horse contact, though experts say that it can also be spread though infected air droplets and contact with nasal discharge from infected horses.

Typical symptoms include fever, coughing and nasal discharge. If the virus manifests as a neurological problem, usual symptoms include hind-end weakness, loss of coordination, and leaning against walls or fences for balance.

Blea said he did not know the identity of the horse euthanized. “It wasn't a CHRB necropsy because it was after the 72 hours,” explained Blea, referencing state law which dictates that every horse that dies or is euthanized in California within 72 hours of leaving a facility is under the jurisdiction of the CHRB. “The horse went to a hospital clinic. That's where it was put down,” he said.

“The CDFA, myself and 1/ST Racing, Dr. [Dionne] Benson, we've been working together to make sure that we come up with a plan, and we execute that plan. Right now, we're looking in quite good shape,” said Blea. “We've just got to stay on top of it and keep vigilant.”

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MGSW War Dancer (War Front–Deed I Do by Alydeed) will return to Rockridge Stud in 2025, it was announced Thursday.

The millionaire, who began his stud career at Rockridge Stud in 2017, led New York's turf sire since his first foals hit the track in 2020, with current progeny earnings nearing $10 million.

“We are thrilled to once again partner with Rockridge in standing War Dancer, who has proven himself as a top turf sire,” said Robin Malatino. “With the introduction of Tapeta at Belmont, he can only improve on his already great stallion career.”

Rockridge's Lere Visagie added, “The War Dancer Team supports their stallion at every level and we are looking forward to contributing to War Dancer's continued success.”

War Dancer and Rockridge also announced a program that will provide breeders the opportunity to participate in War Dancer's success. Limited share availability in the newly formed “War Dancer Legacy Club” is now being offered to select breeders.

For more information, contact Belinda Thomas (802 430 9959) or Erin Robinson (859 421 7531).

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Multiple Graded Stakes winner Linda's Gift (Arrogate–Americana, by Tapit) has been retired from racing and will be offered through Taylor Made Sales Agency at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale on Nov. 4. Out of stakes-placed Americana, Linda's Gift was trained by Hall of Famer Richard Mandella. The 5-year-old mare won last year's GIII Red Carpet Stakes at Del Mar before returning this season to win the GIII Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita. The Calumet Farm-bred mare finished fifth, beaten less than three lengths in the May 27 GI Gamely Stakes.

“Linda's Gift represents something of a collector's item” said Taylor Made's Steve Castagnola. “He left us with just four crops to race and Linda's Gift is one of only four fillies or mares by Arrogate to win a Graded Stakes race in 2024. Arrogate has cemented his legacy and I can guarantee there will not be many other Graded Stakes winning daughters of his to be offered at public auction.”

Campaigned by John Cronin, Anthony DiMarco, Michael Mandara, Fred Nicotra and Vincent Varvaro, she retires with six wins from 16 starts and earnings of $400,936.

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