July, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Discover Florida: State Partnership With University Of Florida Benefits All

The following sponsored article is from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner.

As COVID-19 upends the Florida economy, hurting agricultural businesses across the state, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services continues to strengthen its strong partnership with the University of Florida and its Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).

“This unprecedented pandemic has taken its toll on Florida's agricultural community, including farmers, ranchers, breeders and aquaculturists. As a result, we need detailed, accurate information to effectively impact our recovery efforts,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. “The University of Florida's IFAS study on the pandemic's impact has helped our local, state and federal government to take action.”

Within days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a collaborative effort was quickly established between the agencies to inform the equine and farm communities across Florida on a number of essential issues including: care of horses and other livestock during a pandemic, owner preparedness, access to feed and farm supplies, sanitation practices, emergency veterinary services and biosecurity.

Working in partnership with University of Florida assistant professors Drs. Carissa Wickens, PhD and Sally DeNotta, DVM, the Florida Department of Agriculture together with its animal industry division were able to share important information with Florida horse owners and farmers across the state.

The COVID-19 pandemic study represents just one of the ways in which UF/IFAS and FDACS have continued to work together to share vital scientific information and knowledge to assist Florida's agriculture and equine industries.

As another example, the agencies have fostered close collaborations through the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) program. The program was developed in partnership with the Florida Farm Bureau and Florida sheriffs.

“The main objective of the program is to provide law enforcement and state attorney personnel with rigorous and relevant training curriculum to better understand livestock production, animal well-being practices, and to acquire knowledge during litigation proceedings,” said Dr. Carissa Wickens, Assistant Professor and State Extension Horse Specialist with the University of Florida.

“Participation offers law enforcement personnel a great opportunity to increase their knowledge and skills regarding livestock animal production and handling, with an emphasis on cattle and equine behavior, health, and welfare assessment.”

Additional joint programs also focus on best management practices related to manure and pasture management for equine operations leading to positive benefits for the environment and horse health. These include important variables applicable to Thoroughbred owners, breeders and facilities.

UF/IFAS researchers have also helped Florida farmers identify areas where the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services can assist horse owners and managers in improving the management of both their animals and facilities.

UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project

The second year of the UF/IFAS Industrial Hemp Pilot Project has also kicked off and continues to move forward. The project's official website contains in-depth coverage regarding the goals of the project, how to stay up to date on the latest information, and opportunities to help support continuous research. In addition, a statewide hemp communications team comprised of local and regional UF/IFAS county extension agents, faculty and researchers has been established to provide information, guidance and presentation materials.

The Florida Department of Agriculture has also launched the state's online Hemp Cultivation Licensing Portal, allowing interested growers to apply for a license to grow the crop for the first time. The FDACS hemp website contains information on rules and regulations, established guidelines and more.

The post Discover Florida: State Partnership With University Of Florida Benefits All appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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This Side Up: Whitmore Seeks Fresh Honors For Class of 2013

The seven-year itch, in the current racing herd, represents the best kind of mid-life crisis: reinventing yourself as a champion.

An Eclipse Award would certainly be a credible aspiration for Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect) should he derail the Volatile (Violence) express in the GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. at Saratoga Saturday. Next weekend, another flourishing 7-year-old, Tom’s d’Etat (Smart Strike), will seek to consolidate his ascent to the top of his own division in the GI Whitney S. Over the past two weeks, meanwhile, their contemporaries Zulu Alpha (Street Cry {Ire}) and Aquaphobia (Giant’s Causeway) have won the GII Elkhorn S. and the GI United Nations S., respectively.

All four, remember, belong to the same 2013 crop as Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}) and the lamented Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song). Whitmore, with his feasible pedigree, actually rolled the dice in the GI Kentucky Derby won by Nyquist (Uncle Mo). All praise, then, to the patient horsemanship of their connections, in coaxing off a chrysalis that many others might long ago have mistaken as confining, not the wings of a butterfly, but simply a limited talent.

Mike Maker, Ron Moquett and Al Stall Jr. would have the breed’s lasting gratitude if their endeavors help us think afresh about the proper span of a Thoroughbred’s development. A decade ago, researchers analysed 274 American racehorses and concluded that the typical age for peak performance was 4.45 years. Moreover they found that the rate of improvement to that point exceeded the rate of decline thereafter.

The fact is that even the Classic racehorse remains an adolescent. And we have ample evidence, whenever we are prepared to seek it, of the continued progress available through maturity. Without the same commercial prospects at stud, turf horses are often permitted to keep strengthening for years after their dirt cousins. The ultimate evergreen was John Henry, as a 9-year-old Horse of the Year; and, since the turn of the century, the only division to award championships to horses as old as seven is the one that features Miesque’s Approval (With Approval), Big Blue Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) and Flintshire (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

A healthy breeding industry should surely prefer the foundations laid after the manner of Whitmore–a gelding, unfortunately, but averaging $92,540 for the 34 occasions he has left the gate–instead of pretending that every colt that can add a narrow success in one of the Derby trials to a juvenile Grade III is going to end up like Tapit.

Albeit Tom’s d’Etat was held up by one or two issues earlier in his career, as a rule perseverance is about proving soundness as well as class. Some farms, no doubt, would worry about starting a stallion at eight. Well, they might have a point if only they didn’t banish so many horses of that kind of age to Oklahoma or Turkey. If they’re only going to get a narrow window to establish themselves, then what’s the rush? Why not let them build up a resume that genuinely substantiates the kind of genetic assets a breeder should be looking to replicate?

Hats off to WinStar, then, for landing Tom’s d’Etat for their roster. As Elliott Walden remarked, they welcomed Speightstown at seven and Distorted Humor at six. And there won’t be many sires starting out next spring who can match his pedigree: his graded stakes-placed dam is by Giant’s Causeway out of a full-sister to none other than Candy Ride (Arg). And the way he is thriving promises that he can contribute to the legacy of their sire in much the same way as Curlin, Lookin At Lucky and English Channel, all notable for stock that progresses with maturity.

As for Whitmore, his ineligibility for a stud career at least means that fans can continue to enjoy his terrific speed and character. In the process, his trainer is maximizing what remains too rare an opportunity for those barns, across the nation, where skill, industry and honesty are somehow inadequate to tempt enough patrons from either the super-trainers or the pharmacists.

Never mind the small field, this is a wonderfully poised showdown with a much less seasoned but terribly charismatic rival in Volatile. Not that Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior) can be taken lightly. The way he bounced back for his new barn last time, incidentally, is an encouraging template for the most celebrated refugee from the care of their former trainer. But it’s hard to know where to start with Maximum Security (New Year’s Day), the day he makes his debut for Bob Baffert at Del Mar. So we won’t.

Returning to Whitmore, at least we know he’s at home on the track. Though last seen sealing his status as an Oaklawn legend, his only previous start at Saratoga brought his only Grade I success to date–at the expense of the wonderful City Of Light (Quality Road)–in the Forego two years ago. Forego! At seven, he won the GI Woodward for a fourth year running; and, though finally surrendering his Horse of the Year trophy to Seattle Slew, was named champion older male for the fourth time running. He was another gelding, of course, but the fact is that his sheer bulk warranted plenty of time.

“Prematurity” means exactly what it says. Among our brethren in the steeplechasing world, the foals of 2013 are still viewed as relative youngsters. Yet in Europe a number of precocious juveniles have in recent years been retired, completely sound, to cut to the chase at stud. What is flattered, over there, as “commercial speed and precocity” is storing up a terrible harvest for that particular gene pool. In contrast, as I’m always trying to tell them, North American breeders generally want a chance of carrying speed through a second turn.

One of the things that should aid that process is maturity, both physical and mental. So, however Whitmore fares against the prodigy in this one-turn spectacular, let’s celebrate the whole class of 2013. Let’s remind ourselves that there is no inherent virtue in always trying to get ahead of time.

Remember the psychiatrist in The Seven-Year Itch? “My three o’clock patient jumped out of the window in the middle of his session,” he said. “I have been running 15 minutes ahead of schedule ever since.”

The post This Side Up: Whitmore Seeks Fresh Honors For Class of 2013 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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A Spotlight on Stress in the Era of COVID: Graham Motion

Working in racing has always been a stressful occupation; a roller-coaster of emotions, triumphs and tragedies, long hours and travel. Add a global pandemic and unprecedented economic worry, with many participants fearing for their health, livelihoods and businesses, and the stress can become almost overwhelming. It’s the sort of topic many people don’t like to talk about, but we asked several industry participants to open about what particular

GRAHAM MOTION

It is a stressful sport to be involved in, but at the end of the day, it’s still a sport. We represent an important industry, but I think you have to keep things in perspective. I was listening to an interview recently by Chris Martin from Coldplay, and he said, “Every time somebody interviews me they always say, ‘Oh, you must be so stressed, or so tired from traveling.’ And I always think to myself, ‘I’m playing music. It’s what I enjoy. It’s what I do.'” So in the same way, we’re so lucky to do what we do, and we have to keep that in perspective.

Having said that, of course it’s stressful. Horses are unpredictable. People often look at me and tell me that I look stressed. I am stressed, but a lot of that is intensity. You’re always thinking of the next thing that could go wrong or trying to prevent it. Because with horses, things go wrong. You can’t control that. I have to be able to explain that to an owner, and that can be stressful. Stress at the races occurs because you want the horses to perform well, and you have to be able to explain to their owners when they don’t.

I’m constantly worried about horses getting injured. I feel a tremendous responsibility to my horses, that they stay healthy. The same goes for my riders and my employees. I have a huge payroll, close to 100 employees. I obviously have a responsibility to them and appreciate that they depend on me. When you mix that into the era of COVID and dealing with this present situation, that adds a whole new level of concern. Of course I don’t want my help to get sick. I think that was my biggest worry when this all came about– making sure that we were taking the best precautions to keep everyone healthy.

Sending Alice [Clapham, Assistant Trainer] to England with Sharing was a worry for me, partly because it involved a great deal of traveling for Alice. Of course none of us wanted her to get sick. It was an added responsibility that you feel for your employees.

There was also the stress of not knowing where we were going in terms of racing. There was a payroll to meet and there was a period where we really didn’t know what would happen. But again, you had to put it into perspective. We’re training horses. We’re outdoors. I had extremely supportive owners who never questioned anything when racing was shut down. I’m very fortunate that I play at the level that I do. I’m sure it was not that way for everyone across the board. For someone that might have only six or seven horses, I appreciate that it might have been very different for them.

I’m extremely fortunate because of the support group I have in my family. My wife is incredibly supportive. I think it would be very difficult for me to do what I do without that. When I come home on a Monday morning, after a weekend like I just had where nothing goes right, I’m scratching my head wondering if I know anything about this sport. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been doing it, it sometimes feels like you’re starting over. You have to rise above it, because you know things can and will turn around. We had an amazing run the month after racing started where everything seemed to click, and then a few weeks later you feel like you can’t get anything right. That’s just part of the game, and I’ve been in it long enough to know that.

Throw into that the responsibility you have to the owners, and that you want them to be successful with their investment along with a staff that depends on you success. To come home to a family and staff that supports you, doesn’t question you, and understands the mood swings that you’re going to have is so important. I have a staff that never questions my decisions (perhaps they do to themselves!), but they’re always extremely supportive. In that respect, I’m very fortunate and wouldn’t have it any other way. I can’t imagine doing this on a daily basis and not having a team that supports you because you’re constantly making gut decisions. You’re making decisions a hundred times a day and hoping you are doing the best thing for the horse and your owner’s investment. Surrounding yourself with people who support you is incredibly important.

For people just getting in the game, self-doubt can be tough. So you want people behind you that don’t question you, because you’ll already be questioning yourself enough. You have to make your own gut decisions and stick by them. At the end of the day, you love being around the horses and that’s what you enjoy. We’re so lucky to be doing what we’re doing.

I also have concerns for the jockeys who are put under a huge amount of stress. Not just through riding and wanting to perform well, but also there’s the worry of injury and presently, sickness.

We’re so quick to be critical of jockeys in our sport, and these guys are expected to perform at the top level day in and day out. What they deal with on a day-to-day basis, I don’t think any of us can get our heads around. They are competing and at the same time trying to keep their weight down, keep the owners and trainers happy, all while trying to stay positive. We find it difficult to monitor our weight just going about our daily lives, and then you take these athletes that are on a strict diet trying to stay healthy and perform in an incredibly dangerous sport.

Add to that the recent concerns of the Coronavirus, they are not making a living if they are not riding. I realize that they have a choice and that the rewards can be huge, but so can the risks. I think it’s a shame in our sport that we don’t do more to help these guys because we couldn’t operate without them. We should be doing everything we can to keep them healthy and at the very least, provide them with regular COVID testing. These are complicated times and as an industry, we should be going out of our way to support the participants.

Would you like to share your thoughts on stress during this particularly difficult time? Email the TDN’s Katie Ritz at katieritz@thetdn.com or Sue Finley at suefinley@thetdn.com.

The post A Spotlight on Stress in the Era of COVID: Graham Motion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The Reshuffled Road Ahead for 2020 Kentucky Derby

In 2020, you learn to expect the unexpected. So when the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve announced that it would run on Sept. 5 instead of the traditional first Saturday in May, the schedule of qualifying races included some new summer events that have never had Derby points attached to them before.