Thoroughbred Daily News

The final deadline to nominate foals born in 2023 to the Breeders' Cup program for a one-time fee of $1,500 is Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

The $1,500 nomination fee entitles each foal to lifetime eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup racing programs. All foals sired by a fully nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth and up to Feb. 28 of their yearling year.

Breeders' Cup foal nominators will earn $10,000 for every victory in the Breeders' Cup Win and You're In Challenge Series, and every horse that starts in a Breeders' Cup World Championship race will earn a nominator award. The individual nominating the foal receives these nominator awards even though the horse may change hands throughout its racing career.

For more information and to nominate online, visit members.breederscup.com.

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Nine-time winner Uncaptured Storm (Uncaptured)–who changed hands five times last year, winning at least once for each owner–has been selected the 2023 National Claiming Horse of the Year by the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association. The NHBPA presents the award annually to shine the spotlight on horses that are exceptional at their level of competition, with claiming horses comprising the largest segment of racing across America. Uncaptured Storm and his connections will be honored at the NHBPA annual conference to be held at Iowa's Prairie Meadows in July.

Uncaptured Storm, now four, is currently owned by Rick Burnsworth and Bush Racing Stable and trained by the Mid-Atlantic-based Anthony Farrior.

“He just brings his race with him wherever he goes,” Farrior said. “This award is terrific. It's hard to get stakes horses. But if you can claim a horse and still get a little publicity over it, that's great.”

Burnsworth, the president of Douglas Explosives, said, “He loves to win. Heart of gold. Temperament is incredible. Beautiful animal. I've played a lot of sports in my life, and he's what we call a winner.”

Uncaptured Storm won nine of 18 starts last year, with four seconds and a third while racing predominantly against older horses at Laurel Park, Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and Timonium Race Track. All his wins and $208,726 of his $220,476 came in 2023. The nine victories tied for second-most in North America, as the gelding raced from $12,500 maiden-claiming up to $40,000 claiming to an entry-level allowance, back to $10,000 claiming and back up to $40,000.

Uncaptured Storm was claimed five times: for maiden-claiming $12,500 on Jan. 8, $10,000 on July 29, $20,000 on Sept. 8, $16,000 on Nov. 5 and $20,000 on Nov. 12. Each time he won at least once before being claimed again.

Farrior has had the gelding more than anyone, claiming Uncaptured Storm three times, including for himself at the beginning of the year. Farrior lost the horse via claim to trainer Mario Serey, Jr. and owner John Chamatsos twice, claiming him back both times for Burnsworth, who at the end of the year sold part-interest to Bush Racing Stable.

Burnsworth has dozens of horses in training, plus more on a farm he and Farrior bought near Charles Town in the lower Shenandoah Valley. He tied for seventh in victories in last year's North American owner standings with 80 wins out of 301 starts for purses exceeding $1.35 million, according to Equibase statistics. Burnsworth won another 18 races in 2023 in partnerships, including with fiancee Kristina Buyea.

Claiming accounts for about 70 % of his horse business, he said, but he does buy some young horses and he is also acquiring broodmares.

Burnsworth owned horses for several years when his toddler daughter, Kelsey, was diagnosed with leukemia. He got almost completely out of racing to concentrate on Kelsey's health, a battle the animal lover and aspiring photographer lost at age 18 in 2011 after twice seemingly beating the blood cancer.

Burnsworth said that he and Buyea, along with his former wife Jessica Burnsworth, began teaming with North Mar Church in Warren, Ohio, on an initiative called Kelsey's Angels, which assists families staying around the clock at hospitals to be with their critically ill children–an underserved need he saw first-hand.

A chance encounter with Farrior at Charles Town led to Burnsworth plunging back into racing in a big way in 2022.

“… Since Anthony and I hooked up two years ago, it's been a blast,” he said.

He added, “Kristina and I got blue silks with a white cross. These are God's creatures. He's just letting me borrow them, and I've got to treat it that way.”

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The Jockey Club has released its 2024 Industry Impact Report. The report, which has traditionally been released at The Jockey Club's annual Round Table Conference in August, details how at least $7 million will be used in the coming year to support initiatives ranging from equine safety and aftercare to industry promotion and national and international collaboration, according to a Tuesday press release from the organization.

“The initiatives supported by The Jockey Club, together with others or wholly backed by The Jockey Club, have increased substantially in the last decade and a half,” said James Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “They reflect the commitment by the board of stewards to invest our profits into a wide array of projects and activities that may serve as catalysts for growth of the sport and for ensuring the safety and welfare of its participants.”

The Jockey Club, a non-profit organization, has created a group of for-profit subsidiaries and partnerships, including the The Jockey Club Information Systems (TJCIS), InCompass Solutions, Equibase Company, and The Jockey Club Technology Services (TJCTS). These companies provide the industry with technology services and products and the profits they create are dispersed to The Jockey Club for investment back into the sport.

The Jockey Club supports two charities: the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and the The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation.

Other Jockey Club initiatives include the multi-media fan development platform, American's Best Racing, while its aftercare efforts include support of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, as well as the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program.

According to the impact report, The Jockey Club's 2024 investments in racing include over $3.5 million in industry growth initiatives and over $1.5 million in aftercare initiatives.

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At a make-or-break time for Northern California racing interests as they attempt to build a racing circuit in the void left by Golden Gate Fields's imminent closure, two key players in those efforts have been on the receiving end of public records requests from Benbrook Law Group, a law firm well-known for their involvement in high-profile political campaigns, including the failed effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom.

Some Northern California stakeholders said they suspected political intimidation was the motive for the request when the balance of the industry's economic power in California is up for grabs, and at a time of heightened tensions between industry interests in the North and South of the state.

“This constant back and forth that's happened is really unfortunate. It's not sustainable,” said owner-breeder Justin Oldfield, who chairs a working group to help facilitate ongoing racing in the North. “Racing in California is in jeopardy here. We need the North. We need the South. We need to figure out a way to make this all work.”

It's currently unclear who or what entity hired Benbrook Law group to file the 10-page Public Record Act (PRA) requests sent to the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) and the Alameda County Fair.

Broadly speaking, the PRA requests ask for records and communications related to the closure of Golden Gate Fields, and to the continuation of Thoroughbred racing after the closure of Golden Gate Fields. This includes any records related to the creation of a new entity, “whether public or private,” that would “participate in hosting or conducting Thoroughbred racing,” and the allocation of wagering proceeds once Golden Gate closes.

Aside from its role in the campaign to recall Gov. Newsom, Benbrook Law Group has been involved in several high-profile politically-driven legal campaigns with a right-wing bent, including in recent years challenges to affirmative action programs, and a lawsuit against the state by the Firearms Policy Coalition challenging gun and ammunition disclosure laws.

After a Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled to give supporters of the effort to recall Gov. Newsom more time to collect the necessary signatures for a special election, it transpired that the judge and Bradley Benbrook–who founded Benbrook Law Group–were once attorneys at the same Sacramento law firm, and had served as co-counsel on at least two cases.

Before last month's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), The Stronach Group (TSG) Los Alamitos and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) issued a joint submission to the CHRB, asking the regulator to allocate race dates for the last 14 weeks of 2024 and for 2025–beyond the Northern fair meet dates–with operations concentrated in the South.

Citing the tough economics of maintaining parallel North-South racing circuits, the letter also outlined a broader set of proposals, including a possible legislative change to permit Los Alamitos to card night Thoroughbred races beyond 4 1/2 furlongs for $5,000 claimers and below, and $8,000 maiden claimers.

Against a backdrop of strong vocal support from NorCal stakeholders, representatives from CARF unveiled during the CHRB January meeting possible plans for a racing circuit in the North to be based at Cal Expo in Sacramento or at Pleasanton, which hosts the Alameda County Fair.

Stakeholders in the North appear to have until the March 21 CHRB meeting to assemble a concrete proposal for extended racing operations beyond the summer fairs.

According to Jerome Hoban, CEO of the Alameda County Fair and CARF board chair, Pleasanton has become the primary focus for a racing HQ in the North.

“CARF Board voted last week to support Pleasanton as being a potential hub for Northern Racing,” wrote Hoban, in an email on Feb. 11. He added that “many details need to be worked out to make this a reality,” including contract negotiations related to the property and on financing.

One such negotiation would appear to concern Pleasanton Golf Center Driving Range, which currently operates within the fairgrounds.

“The Alameda County Fair Board will need to approve the plan and ultimately, the CHRB would need to allocate the dates and license the meeting,” wrote Hoban. “We know that Northern California racing is vital to the entire industry as well as the Fairs. The economic impact of Northern racing is staggering and has a broad reach across several states.”

Prior to the January CHRB meeting, three TOC board members resigned from the organization in protest at the joint submission to the state regulator.

“It is clear to us that the current leadership is not being transparent and not working to represent the entire state of California,” wrote Lindsay LaRoche, Johnny Taboada and Ed Moger, in their resignation letter.

TOC leadership subsequently pushed back against several claims made in the letter.

Another point of leverage in the ongoing negotiations concerns legislation passed last September that means if Golden Gate Fields is not licensed to operate beyond July 1, proceeds from simulcast wagering in the north are funnelled south when there is no live racing in the northern half of the state after that date.

It is currently unclear who or what entities have hired the Benbrook Law Group to issue the PRAs. The TOC, TSG, DMTC, Los Alamitos and PETA have all denied hiring the firm. Benbrook declined to answer the same question.

In response to claims that the company had been hired to intimidate Northern racing interests at such a sensitive stage of negotiations, Benbrook wrote that it is “hardly political bullying or intimidation” to ask a public entity to comply with its public record disclosure obligations.

“All the more so considering that these public entities appear to be using public resources to figure out how to make money from gambling proceeds,” Benbrook wrote. “Your questions suggest that some parties think all of this should be happening outside the public's view; we respectfully disagree with that.”

Long-time Northern California owner-breeder Tom Bachman said that “there's a lot of skulduggery going on” as the fight over the future of horse racing in California plays out.

“I think they're going to make whatever push they can to collapse the North,” Bachman added. “If they threaten Pleasanton, that's the heart of being able to keep the North up and going.”

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Joel Rosario has picked up the ride on RRR Racing's Isolate (Mark Valeski) for Saturday's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, his agent Ron Anderson confirmed in a text message Monday.

The 6-year-old Isolate made the first 12 starts of his career in the U.S. for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, winning two from his first five for trainer Kathy Ritvo before joining the barn of Tom Amoss. The Florida-bred posted four victories from seven outings for that barn, winning the Work All Week S. at Hawthorne and the Tale of the Cat S. at Saratoga ahead of a runner-up effort in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in 2022.

Subsequently acquired by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing and turned over to trainer Doug Watson in Dubai, Isolate was runner-up in a pair of group sprint races at Meydan, then stretched out in distance to post an impressive win in the G2 Godolphin Mile with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons. He has made just one appearance since, a handy success in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan Dec. 22.

Isolate did not originally draw into the Saudi Cup, but gained a run when Aidan O'Brien elected to re-route the gifted multiple Group 1-winning turf horse Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) to the G2 Neom Turf Cup.

Rosario will also take the ride aboard Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber's Bold Journey (Hard Spun) in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Anderson also reported. Winner of the GIII Fall Highweight H. and Gravesend S. in his two most recent appearances, Bold Journey carried Rosario to a first-level New York-bred allowance victory at the Big A in 2022. Bold Journey is trained by Bill Mott.

Rosario rode no fewer than six stakes winners over the weekend, including Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GIII Fair Grounds S. He was runner-up in the GII Risen Star S. atop Track Phantom (Quality Road).

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L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' Eclipse Award-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee), was euthanized Sunday at the Chino Valley Equine Hospital in Southern California. Daily Racing Form was first to report the news. Trainer Steve Asmussen told the Form's Steve Andersen that the filly became cast in her stall and injured herself when trying to get back on her feet.

“She was beyond special. My condolences to all who loved her,” Asmussen told the Form.

David Fiske, who has served as the racing and farm manager for Winchell Thoroughbreds for 44 years, told TDN via phone on Monday what he knew about the Feb. 18 accident, his voice at times cracking with emotion.

“What I was told–since I wasn't there, I don't have firsthand knowledge–is that she got cast in her stall [Sunday] evening and broke her leg above the plate that had been inserted, and [worsened the injury] trying to get up. There was no real option other than euthanasia.”

Bred in Kentucky by Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby, Echo Zulu was hammered down to Winchell Thoroughbreds for $300,000 from the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Sale. A highly impressive debut winner at Saratoga in July 2021, Echo Zulu took the GI Spinaway S. and GI Frizette S. by open lengths and locked up the Eclipse Award with a dominating 5 1/4-length success in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar.

Kept around two turns for the first half of her sophomore season, the bay wired the GII Fair Grounds Oaks, but didn't see out the nine-furlong trip of the GI Kentucky Oaks and finished a close third. Returned to sprint trips for the rest of the season–and her career–she posted a towering victory in the GIII Dogwood S. that September and ran Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) to 2 1/2 lengths when runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Kept in training at four, Echo Zulu took out the GIII Winning Colors S. with a then career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure, but she upped her game further still, romping by 7 1/4 lengths in Saratoga's GII Honorable Miss H. in July before overpowering Goodnight Olive in the GI Ballerina H. She earned 112 Beyers for both efforts. She was training towards a start in the Breeders' Cup when she suffered fractured sesamoids in an October workout, underwent surgery and had remained at the clinic since.

In the estimation of 70 voters, Echo Zulu was the top filly and mare sprinter of 2023, but Goodnight Olive secured 142 first-place votes after defending her Filly & Mare Sprint title at Santa Anita and took home the statuette for the second straight year.

Up until the stall accident, Fiske said Echo Zulu's post-surgery recovery had been progressing on an optimistic arc.

“It had been going really well,” he said. “Steve [Asmussen] and I had been talking about her on Saturday morning, how she was getting very close to being able to travel. We kind of saw on the horizon her getting to a point where she could walk onto an airplane and come back to Lexington. So she was very close.”

Fiske added that the reality of Echo Zulu's passing still hasn't sunk in for him or those directly involved in her care.

“Even though I knew about the situation [Sunday] evening, and had anticipated having to deal with these questions and text messages and whatever else today, even with the lead time, I still don't have the vocabulary to adequately express what she meant to us and what she meant to our program,” he said.

In a social media posting on the X platform, Michael Levinson, the racing manager and a partner of L & N Racing, wrote: “Extremely sad and upset about the passing of Echo Zulu, she was a true champion and will forever be in our hearts at L & N Racing. Rest in peace champ.”

Added Ron Winchell: “It's devastating and beyond sad for our team. This happened at a point when we were just starting to feel good about her recovery. She is absolutely irreplaceable.”

A half-sister to fellow 'Rising Star' Echo Town (Speightstown) and GSW J Boys Echo (Mineshaft), Echo Zulu posted a record of 9-1-0 from 11 starts and amassed earnings of $2,640,375.

–Additional reporting by T.D. Thornton

Extremely sad and upset about the passing of Echo Zulu, she was a true champion and will forever be in our hearts at L&N Racing. Rest in peace champ pic.twitter.com/KknoiTyxsa

— Michael Levinson (@mikelevytu) February 19, 2024

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Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who captured the GII Risen Star S. Saturday, was the 6-1 individual favorite when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 closed Sunday evening. The pari-mutuel field of 'all other 3-year-olds' closed as the 5-1 favorite.

Other horses who attracted interest from bettors: Dornoch (Good Magic) (9-1), the GII Remsen S. winner and full-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage; GI Champagne S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief) (15-1); GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Locked (Gun Runner) (16-1); and champion 2-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) (16-1).

Total handle for the Feb. 16-18 KDFW pool–the fourth of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of this year's Derby–was $408,422 ($309,393 in the Win pool and $99,029 in Exactas). That was a 20% increase from last year's $340,880 ($259,489 in the Win pool and $81,391 in Exactas).

Through the first four pools, a total of $1,218,084 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 26% surge from last year's $964,540.

Other Future Wager dates are set for Mar. 15-17 (Pool 5) and Apr. 4-6 (Pool 6). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5.

For the complete Pool 4 betting field, visit  KentuckyDerby.com/FutureWager.

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Edited Press Release

Awards are on the way to Kentucky's Thoroughbred breeders participating in the commonwealth's Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund (KTBIF) program. The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) announces the release of $16.2 million through the KTBIF.

“Our horse farm families are the backbone of our racing industry, and I'm proud to support the Incentive Fund that keeps mares and foals in Kentucky,” said Gov. Andy Beshear.

According to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Kentucky Equine industry generates $6.5 billion and supports more than 60,000 jobs.

In fact, 2023 was a good year for business. Highlights include:

• Kentucky-bred horses won 63% of all graded stakes races in the U.S.
• Kentucky-bred horses won 298 graded stakes races with 68 of them held at one of Kentucky's five Thoroughbred racetracks.
• Kentucky-bred horses have won the last nine Kentucky Derbies and last seven Kentucky Oaks.
• Kentucky-bred horses took home the hardware in all three legs of the Triple Crown: Mage (Good Magic) won the Kentucky Derby; National Treasure (Quality Road) won the Preakness and Arcangelo (Arrogate) won the Belmont S.
• Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) won the Kentucky Oaks.
• Kentucky-bred Cody's Wish (Curlin) won the 2023 Horse of the Year Eclipse Award Winner.
• Mage and Pretty Mischievous both will receive a $50,000 KTBIF bonus.

The KTBIF was implemented in 2005 to ensure the strength of Kentucky's equine industry by awarding funds to individuals who choose to breed a Thoroughbred mare in Kentucky. To qualify, the mare must be bred to a Kentucky registered stallion, remain in the state during her full gestation and foal in Kentucky.  Final award amounts are then based on the foal's eventual earnings at the racetrack.

The KTBIF is funded through a percentage of the sales tax paid when a stallion is bred to a mare in Kentucky. Since the fund's inception, more than $234 million has been distributed to Kentucky breeders for winning eligible races worldwide.

A list of the 2023 award winners, along with the amount awarded and other interesting statistics, can be found on the KHRC website by clicking here.

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The Road to the Kentucky Derby heats up further still on Saturday, as the $400,000 GII Risen Star S. is the first of six prep races that will offer the winner 50 points, virtually locking up a berth in the field for the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 4.

Track Phantom (Quality Road) will look to continue his domination among the local 3-year-olds as he looks to remain unbeaten around two turns in trying to add to his victories in the Dec. 23 Gun Runner S. and a front-running success in the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 20. The $500,000 Keeneland September grad is one of two in the race for three-time Risen Star winner Steve Asmussen.

“It was great to see him win the race against a talented field, but especially with going as fast as they did early and showing enough quality to still respond,” the Hall of Famer commented. “I think the Lecomte was as easy on him as you could have wanted it to be, with him still getting something out of it.”

Joel Rosario will likely get after Track Phantom again from gate 11, but it was Asmussen's other winner on the Lecomte undercard who achieved the faster figure. Hall of Fame (Gun Runner) was trying a route of ground for the first time that afternoon and looked sensational doing it. His final time was 0.46 quicker than the Lecomte while his 94 Beyer was four points superior to Track Phantom en route to earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors.

“He was ridden much more aggressively (in his maiden win) because he's playing a little catch up on a horse like Track Phantom, but the ability is there,” Asmussen said of the $1.4-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate.

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) topped the Saratoga Sale on a bid of $2.3 million and came running late to graduate by 1 1/4 lengths at first asking at Aqueduct Nov. 4, also earning the 'Rising Star' designation. When last seen, the dark bay rallied from last to lead into the final furlong of the GII Remsen S. Dec. 2, only to be outbattled to the wire by Dornoch (Good Magic).

“He was the only horse that day that made up any ground and that's an important thing to note,” trainer Chad Brown told Bill Finley earlier this week. “He had every chance to win. I was pleased with the effort, though disappointed by the outcome.”

Brad Cox has won the Risen Star three times in the last four years, including Angel of Empire (Classic Empire) last winter. Albaugh Family Stables' Catching Freedom (Constitution) flies the flag for the barn after posting a 2 1/2-length victory in the Smarty Jones S. at Oaklawn Park Jan. 1.

“We're going to need to improve off the Smarty Jones,” Cox said. “Physically he looks great. He's had a good bit of time between races, he shipped back here and is moving well, so we'll see if he's up for it.”

The sophomore fillies' counterpart to the Risen Star is named in honor of the romping winner of the 2009 GI Kentucky Oaks and has been an exceptionally productive steppingstone to the first Friday in May. Dating back to 2014, no fewer than four winners of the Rachel Alexandra have gone on to success at Churchill Downs, including 'TDN Rising Star' Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief) last year.

Brad Cox saddled Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) to take the 2018 Rachel Alexandra and Kentucky Oaks, and the stable relies upon Alpine Princess (Classic Empire) in this spot. Beaten a long way from home when seventh in the GI Darley Alcibiades S. last October, the bay has since won two straight, both around two turns, including a two-length score over West Omaha (Omaha Beach) in the local Untapable S. Dec. 30. The latter flattered the form with a five-length romp over Perfect Shot (Gun Runner) in the Jan. 20 Silverbulletday S.

“She's always been a pretty good workhorse,” Cox said. “That's how she came to us back in the spring. She likes the track here. It's a step up. We'll give her another opportunity at the graded stakes level and hopefully she can get it done.”

'TDN Rising Star' V V's Dream (Mitole) lived up to that honor with a dominating victory in the GIII Pocahontas S. last September and a runner-up effort in the Alcibiades, but connections elected to pass the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. She was never truly a factor when beaten 9 1/2 lengths into third as the heavy favorite in the Oct. 29 Rags To Riches S., but her trainer has not lost faith in her.

“We're really excited,” Ken McPeek said. “She's been working super. She's as strong as ever right now. [Assistant trainer] Greg Geier has got her here in good order. She's really a high-level filly, and I'd love to think this is just one stepping stone to getting her to the [Kentucky] Oaks.”

With Florent Geroux committed to Alpine Princess, fellow Frenchman Flavien Prat takes over for Cox on the rail-drawn 'Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini). A disappointing second in Churchill allowance company behind next-out SW Denim and Pearls (Into Mischief), the Godophin homebred set the record straight with a solid victory in her two-turn debut on the Lecomte undercard.

A little more than two weeks after opting out of what turned out to be a one-horse race in the GIII Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita, Stronghold (Ghostzapper) ships into New Mexico to tackle Sunday's $800,000 GIII Sunland Derby for trainer Phil D'Amato. A second-out maiden winner over Churchill's one-turn mile, the homebred got a good look at the hind end of 'TDN Rising Star' Nysos (Nyquist) when a distant second in the GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar last November and was forced to settle for second in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity in his juvenile finale Dec. 16. Antonio Fresu flies in from California for the ride.

Informed Patriot (Hard Spun) has only a maiden win to his credit from five starts, but has acquitted himself well in stakes company, finishing third in the GIII Street Sense S. Oct. 29 before filling the same spot in the Smarty Jones.

Lucky Jeremy (Lookin At Lucky) won his maiden in a restricted event going a mile on the Street Sense undercard and came away late to best Alotluck (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) by two lengths in the local Riley Allison Derby Jan. 19. It was a large expanse back to Surroundedbyangels (Smiling Tiger) that afternoon.

The Sunland Derby is also a Derby points race, with 20 points going to the winner.

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The road to the GI Kentucky Derby has been unkind to Todd Pletcher so far this year, but that may be about to change. The Hall of Fame trainer is ready to regroup and will look to win the March 30 GI Florida Derby with Fierceness (City of Light) and the March 2 GII Fountain of Youth with Locked (Gun Runner).

Locked, who is the 10-1 favorite beyond the “all others” option in the latest round of the Derby Future Wager, was originally scheduled to make his debut in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. but Pletcher withdrew him from the race after he spiked a temperature and missed a work. Pletcher had Locked back on the work tab Friday morning and said he was pleased with the move.

Locked won last year's GI Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland before finishing third in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Fierceness, last year's champion 2-year-old male, kicked off his 2024 campaign with a lackluster third-place finish in the Holy Bull S. in which he was beaten 3 1/2 lengths. Afterward, Pletcher said his next race was up in the air, but confirmed Friday that he will go next in the Florida Derby. Fierceness will have his first work since the Holy Bull next week.

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Progress towards a new School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University continues to be made, as the Kentucky House of Representatives passed House Bill 400 Feb. 15, the institution of higher learning said in a release late Thursday.

After advancing from the House Agriculture Committee Feb. 7, the bill, introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chair Richard Heath, would amend the existing state statute to allow Murray State to offer doctoral degrees required to become licensed in veterinary medicine.

A complementary piece of legislation, Senate Bill 189, was introduced by Senator Jason Howell.

“We are very grateful for the support of our legislators in working toward the development of a new School of Veterinary Medicine at Murray State University,” Murray State President Dr. Bob Jackson said.

Kentucky is one of more than 20 states without a School of Veterinary Medicine. In the United States, there are only 33 veterinary colleges accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 86,300 veterinarians in the United States and this occupation is expected to grow by over 19% by 2031. The BLS also reports a total of 122,800 veterinarian technologists/technicians are working today and the field is expected to grow by 20% by 2031.

Murray State's Hutson School of Agriculture has the largest estimated pre-veterinary medicine/veterinary technology enrollment of any university in Kentucky, and is just one of three programs in Kentucky that is fully accredited by the AVMA.

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Woodbine's GII Bessarabian S. and the GII Royal North S. will be downgraded to Grade III status, The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee said via a press release early Friday.

After their annual review of the Graded and Listed Stakes slate, the organization added that all three of the top levels will remain at 42 races.

The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures and the Race Quality Scores (RQS) for all Graded, Listed, and potentially Listed races in Canada. Based on this data, they also determined that the Century Mile H., Hamilton S. and Speed to Spare Championship will be upgraded to Listed status.

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Edited Press Release

The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association will run 23 stakes at Pennsylvania tracks throughout 2024, including five for PA-Sired, PA-Bred runners.

2-year-olds will have added opportunities, as the PA-Sired, PA-Bred Stallion Series returns in its third year with four stakes worth $400,000. The Series will continue into 2025 with races for 3-year-olds, with a $50,000 breeder bonus paid out to the top three point-earning horses after the third leg.

The first of 23 stakes with purses of $100,000 will be run April 22 at Parx Racing: the Unique Bella for fillies and mares, and the Page McKenney H., each at seven furlongs for older horses.

Penn National will host two $100,000 stakes on its Penn Mile card Friday, May 31–on the turf for older horses.

State-bred stakes action continues at Parx and Presque Isle Downs throughout the summer, with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association's signature event, Pennsylvania's Day at the Races, to be held Aug. 26 at Parx. Four $100,000 stakes are on the card that celebrates state-bred runners.

Kicking off the PA-Sired, PA-Bred Stallion Series are the Whistle Pig and Miss Blue Tye Dye (the latter for fillies), both worth $100,000 and run at a distance of six furlongs. They are among the four state-bred stakes offered on Pennsylvania Derby Day Sept. 21 at Parx.

Presque Isle Downs will host five $100,000 Pennsylvania-bred stakes starting in July and two for juveniles on back-to-back weeks in October. The $100,000 Shamrock Rose S. for juvenile fillies will once again be run on Thanksgiving Eve at Penn National in November, followed by the $100,000 Pennsylvania Nursery at Parx one week later.

Over a five-week span at the end of the year, $400,000 in purses for juveniles is up for grabs as the PA-Sired PA-Bred Stallion Series continues Dec. 30. The $100,000 Wait For It S. and $100,000 Miss Behaviour S. (for fillies) will be contested at seven furlongs.

View the complete list here.

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John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock has purchased 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint champion Caravel (Mizzen Mast) in a private sale conducted early in 2024. Resolute's breeding director Chelsey Stone said the 7-year-old mare will visit Juddmonte's champion sire Frankel (GB) in 2024.

Bred and initially campaigned and trained by Elizabeth Merryman, Caravel earned nearly $2 million and amassed 15 career victories. In addition to her Breeders' Cup score, she earned a second Grade I win in the 2023 Jaipur S. In her final career start at the 2023 Breeders' Cup, the mare was campaigned by the ownership group of Qatar Racing, Madaket Stables and Marc Detampel. She then RNA'd for $2.4 million at the Keeneland November Sale.

“Chelsey and I are were surprised to find out that both Puca (Big Brown) and Caravel had RNA'd,” Stewart said. “We ended up purchasing Puca that night and the idea of having Caravel too haunted me all year. After the first of the year when we heard Caravel was going to be at Fasig-Tipton in November of 2024, we reached out and were able to purchase her in a private sale. We couldn't be happier to have her joining the other mares on our farm.”

Stone said that Caravel will depart from Resolute Farm in early March to visit Frankel. She will be bred back to a stallion in Europe after she foals there and then return to Kentucky next year.

“John and I visited Frankel just last week at Juddmonte and we are very excited to send her to him,” said Stone. “He's big-boned and the shoulder and hip on him is just so impressive. He's every bit of what he's been hyped up to and we are more than thrilled.”

Resolute Farm has also been in the news as of late with the announcement of the retirement of champion female sprinter Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who will visit Taylor Made's Not This Time in 2024.

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Edited Press Release

As California grapples with a budget deficit in the tens of billions of dollars, the horse industry has grown financially for the state over the last five years; responsible for billions of dollars in economic impact and tens of thousands of jobs, according to a report released by the American Horse Council.

In 2023, the equine ecosystem provided a total value of $11.6 billion to California's economy and a direct contribution of $6.5 billion to state GDP, according to the report. This marks a significant increase from the American Horse Council's previous report in 2018, which found a total value of $8.3 billion to the state economy and a direct contribution of $4.5 billion to state GDP.

Through the care of the state's near-500,000 horses, events and recreation, and the ripple effect on other sectors of the economy, the California equine industry generates 132,496 jobs across the state and directly employs 93,467 workers. Five years ago, those numbers were 115,474 and 77,703, respectively.

Horses remain incredibly popular in the state of California. In total, 30.48% of households – 4.1 million in California – have a “horse enthusiast” in their home. No fewer than 220,000 California residents volunteer their time to horses, and the industry generates $6.2 billion in tourism for California.

“The American Horse Council report confirms what those of us in the industry have always known: Horses hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Californians,” said Bill Nader, President and CEO of Thoroughbred Owners of California. “With over 4 million households participating in horse events and activities across the state – 38% of whom are under the age of 18 – it is clear that the equine industry is more than just an impressive economic driver for the state; it is an integral part of California's culture.”

Racing continues to be the greatest contributor to the state in the industry, with a total economic impact of $2.5 billion and a direct value of $1.5 billion to California GDP.

“These data points show that the horse industry's contributions to California are enormous – and growing,” said Amy Zimmerman, of the California Horse Power Coalition. “Our commitment to supporting California's economy and workforce, preserving our state's beautiful land, providing therapeutic services to Californians who need it, and caring for the horses we love has never been greater. We look forward to seeing our industry grow and evolve in the years to come.”

More information and the 2023 Economic Impact Study can be found on the American Horse Council website: https://horsecouncil.org/economic-impact-study/

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The plane carrying the Japanese contingent to Riyadh for next Saturday's Saudi Cup meeting touched down at King Khalid International Airport, and each of the nation's four entrants for the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup appear to have taken the flight in good order.

Looking to make it back-to-back successes in the world's richest horse race following the stunning all-the-way victory by Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) last February are Japan's champion dirt horse Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid); reigning G1 Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}); Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), last year's G2 UAE Derby hero and runner-up to White Abarrio (Race Day) in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic; and the MGSW/MG1SP Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro).

Lightly raced for a 6-year-old, with just 14 starts under his belt, Lemon Pop won last year's G1 February S. and ventured overseas for the first time for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. An outpaced 10th behind Sibelius (Not This Time), the chestnut successfully stepped up in trip and wired the G1 Champions Cup in his first try over nine furlongs last December. Connections have opted for the path of greater resistance for his seasonal debut a week from Saturday.

“There's going to be plenty of competition there and that nine furlongs will test him now because we're not absolutely sure that's his best distance,” Godolphin Japan President Harry Sweeney told the TDN's Emma Berry in a recent interview. “But anyway, the option really is either to stay at home in Japan and run in the February S….or to go abroad and run in the Saudi Cup. So that's what we're doing.”

Say hello to four of Team Japan's G1 Saudi Cup contenders!

LEMON POP #レモンポップ
DERMA SOTOGAKE #デルマソトガケ
USHBA TESORO #ウシュバテソーロ
MEISHO HARIO #メイショウハリオ#サウジカップ | #競馬 | @JRA_WorldRacing pic.twitter.com/iloUlALcVU

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 15, 2024

A field of 16 will be drawn Friday for Sunday's February S., a 'Win and You're In' challenge race that offers a berth in the field for the 2024 Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar. But while the February does not lack for quantity, the racing calendar dictates that the country's stars are elsewhere.

“In truth, [the Saudi Cup] hurts the February S. a little bit, which is only one of two Grade 1 races in the JRA calendar on dirt,” Sweeney opined. So you have horses like Lemon Pop, Ushba Tesoro, Derma Sotogake all going to Saudi. Whereas in a different era they would all run in the February S.”

The Japanese have been major players in the brief history of the Saudi Cup races, and their other main chances include defending champion Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the G2 1351 Turf Sprint; Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the G3 Saudi Derby; and Remake (Jpn) (Lani), who will try to improve on his third-place effort in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint.

The American representatives also touched down in Riyadh late Wednesday evening, including the Saudi Cup-bound White Abarrio, National Treasure (Quality Road) and Saudi Crown (Always Dreaming).

Three of Team USA's G1 Saudi Cup contenders arriving to quarantine at @JCSA_Racing.

SAUDI CROWN
WHITE ABARRIO
NATIONAL TREASURE #TheSaudiCup | – pic.twitter.com/XMtfiinzPl

— The Saudi Cup (@thesaudicup) February 15, 2024

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Trainer Lauren Robson saddled her first career winner Thursday, bringing a rather extensive resume with her into the Gulfstream Park winner's circle.

“I came over from England in 2004. I worked for various, really good trainers. I was an assistant for Jonathan Sheppard, Wesley Ward and Jerry Hollendorfer,” Robson said. “I galloped for Todd Pletcher. I rode many good horses for him. There were other good trainers I worked for also, like Richard Mandella.”

Robson saddled Jabran to a 3 1/2-length victory under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez in Race 2, a five-furlong maiden claiming event for 3-year-olds on Tapeta.

“I'm really happy Johnny rode him. He's been a longtime friend, he and his wife Leona,” Robson said. “It's great to get the first one under my name.”

A tragic accident that left her husband, former jockey Rudy Delguidice, paralyzed led Robson into training a small stable at Gulfstream.

“I was in Ocala. We were breaking and training horses, and my husband had an accident and broke his neck in July 2022,” Robson recalled. “So, we came down here for him to do his rehab, and I thought to myself, 'Well, since I have these couple horses, I just may as well train them myself.'”

Following her first training success on her own, Robson doesn't aspire to build a large stable in the future.

“This is fun for me and my husband. He comes out in the morning to watch the horses train. It keeps him involved,” she said. “I'm hoping to get a few more, but I'm not looking to have too many. I'd like to be kind of small and be hands-on, get on my own horses and just do good with what I've got. I'd like young horses. I've learned from some good people. It makes me happy to get the best out of each individual.”

Robson owns Jabran, a son of Munnings, and co-owns British Empress, a 4-year-old maiden daughter of Classic Empire. Jabran was only Robson's 10 starter dating back to Sept. 30.

“When you only have two horses, it seemed to take a while,” Robson said. “I guess if you had 20 horses, it would be a week's worth of runners.”

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Popular California-bred Brickyard Ride (h, 7, Clubhouse Ride–Brickyard Helen, by Southern Image) has been retired at age seven after suffering a minor injury in a workout at Santa Anita late last month, trainer Craig Lewis said.

“It was nothing serious,” Lewis said. “But Father Time is catching up with him.”

Brickyard Ride won 13-of-31 starts, including eight stakes, and banked $925,477 for owner-breeder Alfred A. “Sonny” Pais. His resume includes a trio of graded stakes victories–the 2021 GII San Carlos S. and the GIII Kona Gold S. in both 2022 and 2023.

Most recently, Brickyard Ride finished second to The Chosen Vron (Vronsky) in the California Cup Sprint Jan. 13.

“He was a fun horse. A fast horse that won a lot of races,” Lewis said. “All good things come to an end. It sure was fun while he was here.”

Brickyard Ride last week was sent to a farm in nearby Bradbury where he'll remain for the rest of the year.

“He's going to take the year off and then go to stud somewhere next season,” Lewis said.

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A time honored tradition dating back more than five decades, the 54th annual Santa Anita Jockeys vs. Holy Angels Middle School Charity Basketball Game will be held Monday, Feb. 26 at La Salle High School in Pasadena, Ca.

The La Salle High gymnasium will open to the public at 6 p.m. and tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Admission tickets will be available on-site and a $5 donation will generate proceeds to the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) and Holy Angels athletics.

A distinguished group of Hall of Fame jockeys will be on-hand beginning at 6:30 p.m. to sign posters and other memorabilia courtside.

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Tickets for this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships, held Nov. 1-2 at Del Mar, will go on sale April 22. Featuring 14 Grade I races and over $31m in purses, the 2024 World Championships bring together the world's best horses, jockeys and trainers over two days in Del Mar, CA. Fans can view ticket information here.

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