March, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Is There Such A Thing As Too Many Carrots?

Many horse owners and caretakers offer their horses treats as a reward or as a sign of affection, and most horses willingly eat the more-traditional treats of apples and carrots. But is there such a thing as too many treats? Can feeding too many harm a horse's health?

Some horse owners feed up to 10 gallons (or more) of carrots to their horses with no ill effects, reporting that the carrots add weight and are a good water substitute. Kentucky Equine Research notes if the horse doesn't have metabolic issues, there is most likely no harm in feeding that quantity of carrots, but there is concern as to if the horse is obtaining all the dry matter and nutrients needed for a healthy diet.

Carrots are primarily water (85 to 90 percent), so they do assist in keeping a horse hydrated. Assuming one five-gallon bucket of carrots is a meal, the horse would be consuming just 1.5 pounds of dry matter, of which 25 percent is water-soluble carbohydrates. As the horse takes a while to eat through the bucket of carrots, the nearly six ounces of sugar and three ounces of soluble fiber from the carrots slowly enters his bloodstream.

The high amount of water could make the horse's manure loose and provides him with a lot of calories, so he may pack on the pounds. Additionally, the horse's coat may develop an orange tint as some of the beta-carotenes are absorbed as carotenes by body tissues. Carrots do not contain significant amounts of other nutrients.

NYRA: Beginning April 1, Fully Vaccinated Jockeys No Longer Required To Undergo COVID Tests

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys competing at the 2021 Aqueduct Racetrack spring meet, which will run April 1 through April 18.

The 11-day Big A spring meet will include 13 stakes worth $2.7 million in purses highlighted by the 96th running of the Grade 2, $750,000 Wood Memorial presented by Resorts World Casino on Saturday, April 3. Live racing will be conducted on a Thursday-Sunday schedule with a 1:20 p.m. first post.

NYRA will continue to permit out of town jockeys to compete at Aqueduct during the 2021 spring meet. Those jockeys must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in New York State within 48 hours of the day they intend to compete at Aqueduct. Out of town jockeys will be provided isolated jockey quarters at Aqueduct.

Members of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travel to ride at any other racetrack during the Aqueduct spring meet will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in New York State within 48-hours of the day then intend to compete at Aqueduct. Jockeys who have traveled and returned to Aqueduct will be provided isolated jockey quarters at Aqueduct.

Beginning on April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated will no longer be required to undergo COVID-19 testing in order to compete at Aqueduct. Vaccinated jockeys traveling to ride at Aqueduct, as well as members of the NYRA jockey colony who travel outside of New York State, will continue to be provided isolated jockey quarters at Aqueduct.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards.

Beginning on April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines will be permitted to enter NYRA barn areas for morning training. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated will not be permitted in the barn area but can continue to meet horses in the Belmont paddock and utilize the main track.

In accordance with current CDC guidelines, jockeys who have traveled internationally will be required to quarantine for seven days upon their return. Four days after arrival in the United States, the jockey must be tested for COVID-19. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and completion of the seven-day quarantine, the jockey may compete at Aqueduct. All jockeys who have traveled internationally will be provided isolated jockey quarters.

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.

Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

Beginning on April 1, jockey valets who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines may enter the barn area for morning training. In addition, jockey valets that have been working in the barn area and only saddling horses in the afternoon that have not been fully vaccinated may re-enter the jockeys quarters after completing a 10-day quarantine and providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48-hours of their intended return.

For additional information, and the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 Aqueduct spring meet, visit NYRA.com.

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Kentucky Commission Veterinarian John Taormina Passes At Age 57

Dr. John Philip Taormina, D.V.M. passed away in Lexington, Ky. on Tuesday, March 16, at the age of 57.

Dr. Taormina served as a Racing Veterinarian for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission at both Thoroughbred and Harness tracks across the state.

Prior to his tenure as a KHRC vet, Dr. Taormina was a private veterinarian specializing in equine care out of Bowling Green, Ky.

Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on Harrodsburg Rd. is handling arrangements.

We are devastated to hear about Dr. John Taormina passing away. He was such an amazing friend to all of us horsemen, he…

Posted by KentuckyHarness HorsemensAssociation on Wednesday, March 17, 2021

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Plenty of Action During Tuesday Track Work at Meydan

Morning action at Meydan continued apace on Tuesday, with several Dubai World Cup night contenders stretching their legs just a few days before the blockbuster nine-race card on Saturday.

Last year's JRA Champion Dirt Horse and G1 Champions Cup hero Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who goes for the $12-million Dubai World Cup, galloped over the dirt track on Tuesday morning with regular pilot Keita Tosaki in the irons. He was ninth in the Saudi Cup in February.

“He has trained well so far,” said Tosaki. “The trainer told me to start a slow gallop at the beginning and then in the rest of the work I should decide the way he ran. I asked my horse to run comfortably and drive a bit more strongly towards the end of the stretch. He is more enthusiastic about his job compared to last time in Saudi, and I really understand how he is doing well and how good his condition is. He appears ready to race.”

Japan also fields a strong challenge in the $5-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic. Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}), a three-time winner at the highest level in her native land including the G1 Arima Kinen Grand Prix in late December, galloped over the turf track with pilot Yuichi Kitamura on board.

“I picked up from the third bend and drove her comfortably to bring out her flexibility, without having too strong a breeze in the stretch,” said Kitamura. “It was my first ride on the turf track at Meydan, and the ground seems to be firmer than I expected. I thought it would be more cushioned but the grass itself is in really good condition. The ground won't be her issue anyway. I am very proud of how well she has travelled for the first time with a long flight. She feels really good and is settling in well at the quarantine barn.”

G1 Japanese Oaks heroine Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) worked on the dirt track with jockey Oisin Murphy aboard at 5 a.m.

“I have asked Oisin to get a feel for her and he said she was very fresh and sound,” said trainer Yoshito Yahagi. “I want her to put on a bit more weight as she lost some weight while she was isolated in Japan. But her flight experience last year when she came to Dubai helped her a lot this time. Since she arrived in Dubai, she has settled in well and her appetite has been back, and I hope she keeps improving her condition for Saturday's race. Oisin will give her a gallop either on dirt or turf tomorrow. He can choose whichever he likes.”

Simon and Ed Crisford's $4-million G1 Dubai Turf duo Court House (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), who was second in the G2 Al Rashidiya in February and G3 Darley S. third Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) breezed 1200 metres on Tuesday morning. Head lad Dan Hutchinson was on Epic Hero and Ryan Powell rode Court House.

“Both worked very well this morning, they are fit and ready and we couldn't be happier with them.” Simon Crisford said. “Court House has run extremely well on the Meydan turf in his last two starts so we are hopeful he can run another consistent race. He's training well and enjoys racing up with the pace.

“Epic Hero has done very well since his first Carnival race and we are hopeful he can run a nice race. Obviously, he will need to improve on his best form, but he deserves to take his chance.”

Last out G1 Jebel Hatta victor Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) who is also targetting the Dubai Turf, was also in action, and breezed a quarter mile on the Meydan grass.

Trainer David O'Meara said, “Lord Glitters did a nice breeze over 400m on the grass this morning. That will be his final piece of fast work before the weekend and he is in good order.”

Trainer Nigel Tinkler's stakes winner Acklam Express (Ire), from the first crop of leading European first-season sire Mehmas (Ire), breeze on turf under rider Rowan Scott. Second and third in the G2 Meydan Sprint and G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint in February and March, respectively, he is entered for the $1-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Tinkler, who is currently in the UK said, “Acklam Express worked this morning and he worked very nicely as he followed Lord Glitters during his gallop. He has been doing very well in Dubai and seems to like it there.”

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