Month: December 2020

Tom Amoss Named Big Sport Of Turfdom Recipient By Turf Publicists

The Turf Publicists of America (TPA) announced that trainer Tom Amoss is the recipient of the 2020 Big Sport of Turfdom award, which recognizes a person or group of people who enhances coverage of Thoroughbred racing through cooperation with media and racing publicists.

The announcement was made as part of NYRA's America's Day at the Races on FOX Sports Saturday afternoon.

Amoss has amassed more than 3,800 victories and earnings of more than $107 million during his training career, highlighted by Serengeti Empress, winner of the 2019 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and 2020 Ballerina Stakes (G1) and Azeri Stakes (G2), among others; 2020 Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Claiborne Farm (G1) winner No Parole; and 2020 Ohio Derby (G3) winner Dean Martini.

In addition to his training career, Amoss has served as a racing analyst for TVG, ESPN, NYRA TV and FOX Sports.

“Tom Amoss' passion for racing, and his generously sharing his knowledge with fans through his broadcast work, is the embodiment of the Big Sport of Turfdom award,” TPA President Amy Gregory said. “He understands the importance of educating fans and conveying why they should love this sport. We congratulate Tom on his racing success and on winning this year's award.”

A native of New Orleans, Amoss began his racing career in high school working for Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg. After graduating from Louisiana State University, he worked for trainer Frank Brothers, as a veterinary assistant for Backstretch Surgery & Medicine and as an assistant trainer to both Larry Robideaux and John Parisella. He took out his trainer's license in 1987.

In addition to the aforementioned Serengeti Empress, No Parole and Dean Martini,  Amoss trained Grade 1 winners Heritage of Gold and Big World as well as such graded stakes winners Chocolate Martini, Lone Sailor, Mo Tom, Venus Valentine, Grand Contender, Delaunay, Sum of the Parts, Backtalk, Rush and Baghdaria. Amoss finished third in the 2013 Preakness Stakes (G1) with Mylute.

Inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame in 1998, he has earned leading trainer titles at Fair Grounds, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Kentucky Downs, Hoosier Park, Indiana Grand and Presque Isle Downs.

This year has marked a time of professional highs and personal lows for Amoss. His father, Walter James Amoss Jr., died of COVID-19 in late March at the age of 95. Amoss himself quarantined in March after being exposed to the virus.

“I am humbled and honored to be the recipient of the Big Sport of Turfdom award,” Amoss said. “Please be assured I will wear it proudly and respectfully.”

The Big Sport of Turfdom award is presented to the winner at the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program's annual awards luncheon, which is part of the Symposium on Racing & Gaming. Due to cancellation of this year's Symposium as a result of the pandemic, Amoss will be recognized next year along with the 2021 Big Sport of Turfdom award winner.

The Big Sport of Turfdom has been presented annually since 1966. Trainer Mark Casse received the award last year, joining such previous winners as jockeys Mike Smith, Pat Day, Chris McCarron, Bill Shoemaker, Angel Cordero Jr., Eddie Arcaro and Gary Stevens; trainers Art Sherman, Bob Baffert, D. Wayne Lukas and Jack Van Berg; two-time winner Penny Chenery, owner of Secretariat; announcer Tom Durkin, author Laura Hillenbrand, broadcaster Jim McKay, Turf writer Joe Hirsch and actors Tim Conway and Jack Klugman.

A complete list of Big Sport of Turfdom winners is available online at http://www.turfpublicists.com/awards.html.

The post Tom Amoss Named Big Sport Of Turfdom Recipient By Turf Publicists appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

True Timber Relishes the Slop in Cigar Mile Romp

True Timber (Mineshaft) has been knocking at the door of a Grade I win throughout his career, including in-the-money finishes in the last two renewals of the GI Cigar Mile H. The Calumet Farm runner broke through at the highest level in a big way at Aqueduct Saturday, romping in the mud to take this year’s edition of the prestigious Cigar Mile.

With his last victory coming in a Belmont optional claimer in September of 2018, True Timber was overlooked at 7-1 in this event, which lost three contenders Saturday morning due to track condition, including second-choice Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior). Racing two-wide, the bay stalked from third as come-backing sophomore King Guillermo (Uncle Mo) and hard-knocking New York-bred Mr. Buff (Friend of Foe) battled through a :22.89 first quarter. Mr. Buff edged ahead of his younger foe through a half in :45.82 with True Timber maintaining his position in third and favored Performer (Speightstown) trailing the field.

Ranging up outside the top two approaching the far turn, True Timber turned for home in front and splashed clear of the field in the lane under confident handling from Kendrick Carmouche to pull off the upset by 5 1/2 lengths. Snapper Sinclair (City Zip), a 13-1 shot, completed the exacta and Performer got up for third.

“I’ve got to give credit to True Timber, the farm, the incredible staff I have, and of course Kendrick [Carmouche],” said winning trainer Jack Sisterson. “I had all the confidence in the world when Kendrick texted me, ‘I got you brother, don’t worry’, with a little peace sign.”

He continued, “As soon as I got the horse [this spring], the Cigar Mile was a year-end goal. A lot of emphasis has to be put on how good a trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is. He had this horse before I did and had him sent him to me in such good shape. This really shows how good of a trainer he really is.”

The Cigar Mile was the first Grade I score for the popular Carmouche, who currently sits atop the fall meet standings with one day left in the meet.

“I owe it all to my fans, my wife and kids and how much they stuck with me and kept me pushing and fighting in this game,” said Carmouche. “This means so much to me. This is the biggest win of my career and I hope I have many more blessed ones.”

As for his trip aboard True Timber, Carmouche said. “We got an outside position this time with the horse being inside the last two times that I rode him at Saratoga and Belmont. I was very pleased with the draw we got and we had a couple scratches because of the sloppy track. I had perfect position leaving the gate and all the way around there. Right before we got to the quarter pole, I pulled the trigger and I knew they were going to have to run me down from here.”

Second in the 2018 Cigar Mile and third to champion Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) in last year’s edition, True Timber kicked off 2020 with an eighth-place finish in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. Jan. 25 and was fourth in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile Feb. 29. Transferred to Sisterson after McLaughlin retired from training to take the book of jockey Luis Saez Apr. 1, the 6-year-old was third behind subsequent MGSW C Z Rocket (City Zip) when cut back to a sprint distance in a Keeneland optional claimer July 12. Completing the trifecta in a sloppy renewal of Saratoga’s GI Forego S. Aug. 29, True Timber was fourth to Firenze Fire in Belmont’s GII Vosburgh Invitational S. Sept. 26 and was second in the Lafayette S. at Keeneland on Breeders’ Cup Saturday Nov. 7.

Pedigree Notes:

True Timber is the seventh Grade I winner, 22nd graded victor and 52nd black-type scorer for Mineshaft, who, along with Honor Code, looks to carry on the legacy of his legendary late sire A.P. Indy at Lane’s End. The winner’s dam Queen’s Wood (Tiznow) was purchased by Haymarket Farm for $47,000 in foal to Quality Road at the 2016 Keeneland November Sale as part of the complete dispersal of VinMar Farm LLC. The resulting foal is the now-3-year-old gelding Motown Music, a $250,000 KEESEP acquisition by China Horse Club and WinStar Farm, who won two of his three starts this year. Her unraced juvenile colt by Into Mischief was purchased by the same connections for $560,000 at KEESEP and is named Floodgate. Queen’s Wood did not have a foal in 2019 and aborted her Malibu Moon foal this year. The 12-year-old mare was bred back to Omaha Beach earlier this term. True Timber hails from the family of MGISW stallion Pleasantly Perfect (Pleasant Colony); European champion Elusive Kate (Elusive Quality); and Group 1-winning sire Distant View (Mr. Prospector).

Saturday, Aqueduct
CIGAR MILE H.-GI, $250,000, Aqueduct, 12-5, 3yo/up, 1m, 1:36.49, sy.
1–TRUE TIMBER, 119, h, 6, by Mineshaft
1st Dam: Queen’s Wood, by Tiznow
2nd Dam: Salon Prive, by Private Account
3rd Dam: La Trinite (Fr), by Lyphard
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I
WIN. ($170,000 Wlg ’14 KEENOV). O-Calumet Farm; B-Mr. &
Mrs. Marc C. Ferrell (KY); T-Jack Sisterson; J-Kendrick
Carmouche. $137,500. Lifetime Record: 29-5-5-9, $1,215,150.
Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Snapper Sinclair, 117, h, 5, City Zip–True Addiction, by Yes
It’s True. ($30,000 Ylg ’16 KEESEP; $180,000 2yo ’17 OBSAPR).
O-Bloom Racing Stable LLC (Jeffrey Bloom); B-K & G Stables
(KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $50,000.
3–Performer, 118, c, 4, Speightstown–Protesting, by A.P. Indy.
O-Phipps Stable & Claiborne Farm; B-Phipps Stable (KY);
T-Claude R. McGaughey III. $30,000.
Margins: 5HF, NK, 6HF. Odds: 7.30, 13.40, 0.85.
Also Ran: King Guillermo, Mr. Buff, Bon Raison. Scratched: Firenze Fire, Majestic Dunhill, Mind Control.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

The post True Timber Relishes the Slop in Cigar Mile Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Jesus’ Team Triumphs In Claiming Crown Jewel On His Way To The Pegasus

Prepping for a planned start in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (Grade 1) Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park, Grupo 7C Racing Stable's Jesus' Team returned to winning form in Saturday's $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at the historic Hallandale Beach racetrack.

The Jewel headlined the 22nd edition of the Claiming Crown, a nine-stakes event that pays tribute to the claiming horses that provide the backbone of day-to-day racing programs at racetracks throughout the country.

Jesus' Team hadn't won in six starts since defeating $25,000 claimers at Gulfstream May 8, but the 3-year-old son of Tapiture earned 2-5 favoritism Saturday after finishing third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico and the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Keeneland in his two most recent starts.

“I think the race was good for him because he only had the one work since the Breeders' Cup. After the Breeders' Cup he was in Ocala in a round pen and small paddock,” trainer Jose D'Angelo said. “I think he's going very well into the Pegasus World Cup.”

Ridden by Luis Saez, Jesus' Team saved ground while racing directly behind Storm Runner, who set fractions of 23.14 and 46.40 seconds for the first half-mile of the 1 1/8-mile stakes for horses that had raced at least once for a claiming price of $35,000 or lower in 2019-2020. Storm Runner, who finished off the board in the 2019 Fountain of Youth (G2) and Florida Derby (G1), set an uncontested pace along the backstretch and around the far turn under Corey Lanerie before entering the homestretch with a clear lead. Saez eased Jesus' Team off the rail coming off the turn into the homestretch, and the overachieving colt gradually wore down the pacesetter to prevail by three quarters of a length.

“This is a very nice horse, who ran a very big race last time. I knew today would be a little tough, because he ran so big last time out, but he has such a big heart,” Saez said. “Today, I had to ride him a little hard, but he gave me that kick and always tries. He's a nice horse.”

Jesus's Team ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.30.

“I know the speed might be hard to beat, so I'm very happy with his race,” D'Angelo said.

Dale Romans-trained Storm Runner, who won a $20,000 claiming race and a starter allowance race in his only two starts this year, finished two-lengths ahead of Dack Janiel's, who had stalked the pace outside Jesus' Team.

After winning the $25,000 claiming race in May and finishing second behind graded-stakes winner Sole Volante in an allowance in June at Gulfstream, Jesus' Team finished fourth in the Haskell (G1) and second in the ungraded Pegasus at Monmouth. He went on to finish third in the Jim Dandy (G2) at Saratoga before earning G1 placings in the Preakness and Dirt Mile.

“I am very sure he's going to improve because this race worked out very good for him,” D'Angelo said. “I can give him some days off and prepare him for the Pegasus World Cup.”

D'Angelo was a champion trainer in Venezuela and saddled his first starter in the U.S. after venturing to South Florida in June 2019.

“I feel blessed,” D'Angelo said.

The post Jesus’ Team Triumphs In Claiming Crown Jewel On His Way To The Pegasus appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYRA Announces Jockey Protocols for Aqueduct Winter Meet

The New York Racing Association released their COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys during the 2020/21 Aqueduct winter meet, which will open Thursday, Dec. 10 and run through Sunday, Mar. 28.

In order to mitigate risk and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Aqueduct will be closed to riders that are not regular members of the NYRA jockey colony as of Dec. 31. To account for NYRA’s 10-day holiday break from Dec. 21 through December 30, jockeys interested in being included in the regular NYRA jockey colony must contact NYRA for consideration by Dec. 31.

Members of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travel to ride at any other racetrack during the Aqueduct winter meet will be required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests taken within a five-day window in order to return to ride at Aqueduct. Jockeys traveling out of state who have completed the required testing will then be physically isolated in the jockey quarters for three additional calendar days. All COVID-19 testing must be performed in New York state.

In addition to race day safety protocols which include standard health screening and temperature checks, the jockey quarters at Aqueduct have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Jockeys are not permitted access to the barn area at Belmont Park. Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom. Valets working in the jockey quarters are not permitted in the barn area.

Live racing during the Aqueduct winter meet will generally be conducted Thursday through Sunday until the end of February with the addition of special Monday cards Jan. 18 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Feb. 15 for Presidents’ Day. Live racing will be held Friday through Sunday through the month of March.

The post NYRA Announces Jockey Protocols for Aqueduct Winter Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights