June, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Study: Does Staying In A Stall Affect Bone Strength?

While it may be tempting to keep a horse in his stall to prevent unwanted injuries, this bubble-wrap approach isn't always the best for keeping a horse safe in the long term. According to academic research, stalling a horse can lead to loss of bone mass and bone strength.

Dr. Brian Nielsen has conducted multiple studies funded by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Foundation regarding bone mass and his findings have been consistent – and surprising. Though horses kept in stalls may be muscularly strong, their bones may be weak. Bone mass and strength can begin dissipating in as little as two weeks.

Though living outside 24/7 isn't a necessity to healthy bones, the ability to sprint is. A study of Nielsen's out of Michigan State University involved long yearlings kept on pasture that had normal bone growth. Half the horses were put in stalls and walked on a walker for an hour every day. The other half remained living outside.

The researchers monitored the horses' bone mass and discovered that horses living in the pastures continued to increase cannon bone mass, but the stalled horses had an immediate drop in bone mass which persisted for the next three months.

The horses then began under-saddle training as 2-year-olds. During their two months of walking, trotting and cantering under saddle, their cannon bones were monitored. The exercise was not enough to cause an increase in stalled horses' bone mass. Bone mass in the stalled horses decreased to the point where it was less than when the study began.

More studies found that sprinting – short, intense running sessions – was key to healthy bone that increased in mass. Horses must have the ability to sprint on their own or while in training, or they will lose bone mass.

Sprinting exerts force on the bone and causes it to bend, encouraging the body to lay down more bone and make the bones stronger. If horses are not allowed to sprint and their bones are prevented from bending, the body will actually take up minerals, believing the bones are strong enough for the work being asked of them.

For horses that are engaged in high-impact activities like racing and jumping, keeping horses in stalls may contribute to injuries as the horses lose bone mass. Additional research shows that adult horses who are stalled also experience bone loss.

Racing Supports Amendment on Transport for Slaughter

Several horse racing professionals in the U.S. have given their support to a U.S. House amendment that would ban the transport of American slaughter-bound horses across state lines and over the borders for butchering abroad. Led by U.S. Representatives, Troy Carter (D-LA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and John Katko (R-NY), the amendment will be offered to the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST) Act, H.R.3684, which is slated to be on the House floor in the next few weeks.

Last month, the Save America's Forgotten Equines (SAFE) Act, H.R.3355 was introduced in the U.S. House. If passed into law, it would prohibit horse slaughter facilities from opening on U.S. soil and ban the export of horses across the borders.

“After years of pressing for a ban on the slaughter of our American horses, I am thrilled with this latest development and applaud our leadership in Washington for their commitment to the issue. Stopping the transport of slaughter-bound horses will be a game changer,” said Stone Farm's Staci Hancock. “It is time to end this brutal practice in the U.S. once and for all. Horses are bred for sport, competition, and companionship, not to be part of the food chain. As owners and breeders we must be the stewards of our horses' safety and welfare. They look to us for their care and protection and to allow them to go to a horrific slaughter is unconscionable.”

Industry Professionals who support the amendment:

“We had a close call this year getting our Grade I Santa Anita Derby winner The Deputy released from a kill pen. And this was far from our first rodeo,” said Team Valor's Barry Irwin. “I support any initiative that will end this cycle.”
Trainer Graham Motion said, “It is high time that we end the transport of American slaughter bound horses across state lines and over the borders. We at Herringswell are committed to finding other careers for Thoroughbreds once their racing days are over. The practice of transporting horses for slaughter is abhorrent and it must come to an end.”
“Now that the state legislators of New York have done the right thing, I would hope that the Federal Government will join and ensure that our racehorses are provided a fitting home when their careers are over,” said Jeff Gural, proprietor of Allerage Farm and owner of the racetracks, Meadowlands, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs. “Allowing them to be sold for slaughter should have been eliminated years ago.”
“As a multiple Kentucky Derby winning jockey and a person who has enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, my passion for my outstanding equine athletes has never wavered. The Carter, Fitzpatrick, Katko amendment to the INVEST Act that will stop interstate travel across state and international borders for horse slaughter is a must,” said Gary Stevens. “There is always a place for our beautiful friends to retire and live out the life they all deserve.”
“Everyone in racing should support the Carter, Fitzpatrick, Katko amendment–and every effort to end the slaughter of our horses. Aftercare organizations work tirelessly and at great expense but the slaughter of our horses, or the extortion of our horses under threat of slaughter, will never end until slaughter is stopped at the federal level,” said Victoria Keith, President of the National Thoroughbred Welfare Organization. “We urge every racing entity to step up now and make this push together to stop this profound injustice to our horses and public relations nightmare for racing.”
“If at the very least, you care about horses, and at the very most, you make your living working with horses, then providing support to the Carter, Fitzpatrick, Katko amendment is so obvious that one should not have to think twice about it,” said Dr. Patty Hogan of Hogan Equine. “Welfare issues are at the absolute forefront of public concern for any sport or industry associated with horses in this country, and to ignore that fact is to do so at your own peril and demise. Getting this amendment passed will finally close the dangerous loopholes that still exist out there for our most vulnerable members of the U.S. equine population.”

Additional supporters who endorse the amendment: Additional horse racing professionals who endorse the amendment include; Claiborne Farm, Cobra Farm, Crawford Farms, Equine Advocates, Fawn Leap Farm, Foxie G Foundation, Gainesway Farm, Jack Knowlton-Sackatoga Stable, Lael Stable, Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds, NP Zito Racing Stable, Neil Drysdale, Pin Oak Stud, R.A.C.E. Fund, Shadowlawn Farm, Shaun Dugan Agent, Tranquility Farm, U.S. Harness Racing Alumni Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, and numerous others.

To add a farm or organization name in support of HR3684, 'Carter, Fitzpatrick, Katko amendment,' click here.

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NYRA Unveils New Hospitality Venues at Saratoga

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced three new hospitality areas at Saratoga Race Course set to debut during the upcoming 2021 summer meet. The Spa Verandas at the Top of The Stretch, Tailgate at the Turn picnic area and the newly expanded section of The Stretch will be available for the first time Opening Day, Thursday, July 15. Reservations for all three areas will be available beginning Thursday, June 24 at 10:00 a.m. at www.NYRA.com/Saratoga.

“As we prepare to welcome fans back to the Spa for the first time in two years, we are excited to introduce three additional areas where our guests can enjoy a day at Saratoga,” said NYRA Senior Director of Communications Pat McKenna. “The Spa Verandas and Tailgate at the Turn will undoubtedly be popular additions to our group hospitality offerings. And as one of our most in-demand destinations, the expansion of The Stretch will be met with equal enthusiasm. We look forward to the debut of these areas this summer.”

Spa Verandas at The Top of the Stretch – Modern amenities and casual setting with trackside views. Replaces the former Top of the Stretch reserved picnic areas with six new, partially covered sections offering a modern and casual outdoor experience. Designed to accommodate up to 45 guests each, the Spa Verandas will feature comfortable lounge furniture, mounted televisions, betting machines and private access to the track apron for rail side viewing (final turn). Each package comes with admission and programs. Food and beverage packages may be purchased separately.
Tailgate at the Turn Drive-up Picnic Area – Fans experience a day at the Spa from a casual atmosphere offering a unique vantage point of the first turn. The hospitality area will feature a total of 16 designated picnic areas where parties of up to six fans can drive up to their trackside reserved section overlooking the rail adjacent to the 1863 Club. Fans may bring in their own food and beverage. In addition to a private picnic table, fans in the Tailgate at the Turn area will enjoy a hospitality tent with large-screen televisions, betting machines and bar service. Each six-person section must be reserved in full.
The Stretch – Features 15 new lounge boxes – Feature an additional 15 lounge boxes located in Section T of the Grandstand. The private hospitality area–located at the Top of the Stretch–features upscale amenities in a casual environment with outstanding views of the final turn. Each lounge box seats four to six guests with comfortable bench seating and access to personal tablets. Ticket holders to The Stretch enjoy exclusive access to a full-service bar, kitchen and concessions, high-definition televisions and video screens, and private restrooms. Fans also enjoy a relaxed dress code at The Stretch.

The lifting of all COVID-19 protocols, including the requirement for fans to provide vaccination status, applies to all hospitality areas and venues within the facility, including these three new sections as well as the popular Saratoga backyard.

Non-vaccinated individuals will be required to wear a facial covering during their day at Saratoga Race Course, in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

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Stradivarius Poised For Historic Feat

It's Thursday at Royal Ascot, which can only mean that it's time for Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) with the Gosden titan now bidding for a record-equalling fourth renewal of the G1 Gold Cup. As Yeats (Ire) did before him, Bjorn Nielsen's stayer supreme just keeps coming back to deal with the latest set of opponents looking to stretch him. In his inaugural triumph in 2018, it was the French doyen Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) who felt his breeze as Frankie's favourite winning post loomed, while a year later it was Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) who tasted the same medicine. Last season, in front of the vacant stands, the chestnut had no meaningful competition and duly opened up to put on a rare show with a 10-length success despite the soft ground. Never at his best when there is cut underfoot, he glided through the “summer soft” as Gosden Sr termed it at the Royal meeting but when it got testing in the autumn it found him out and he went into winter quarters having beaten only one of his 13 rivals in the G2 QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup. If the expected thunderstorm misses or fails to deliver the quantities of rain forecast and it stays good-to-firm, as it was when he won the G3 Sagaro S. on his return here Apr. 28, there may be little hope for the rest so it is in the lap of the gods now.

“He worked on the July Course last week and I was very happy with him,” John Gosden said. “Touch wood, we're ready to go again. He has been remarkable. His win in the Sagaro was tidy, pleasant, and Frankie didn't ask him too much so let's hope he's ready for the big one again. I fear one thing for Stradivarius–thunderstorms–because he has this wonderful turn of foot after two and a half miles but the wet ground, soft ground, blunts it, so we'll see how we go.”

When it was deep ground on Champions Day, it was Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) who excelled with a 7 1/2-length romp in the Long Distance Cup as Stradivarius floundered. While that was a marked upgrade on his previous form, the Alan King-trained 5-year-old had previously hinted that he was at least not out of place in that line-up. Proving it was no fluke when 3/4-of-a-length second to Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) attempting to give that rival five pounds in the G3 Ormonde S. over an extended 13 furlongs at Chester May 6, he will not run if the rain fails to arrive in sufficient quantities to ease the current quick conditions. “I was extremely happy at Chester–it was a great performance giving weight to a Group 1 winner,” jockey Hollie Doyle said. “He's come out of that very well apparently and a bit of ease in the ground would be lovely.” Alan King added, “He's been declared, but we are very reliant on thunderstorms hitting Ascot. He's in great nick and I couldn't be happier with him, but if it doesn't rain he doesn't run. It will have to go to good, or good-to-soft.”

Mark Johnston likes to have a go at the reigning champion and tries again with the G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), who came back this year just as strong when winning the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Mar. 27. Back in fifth on that occasion was Team Valor Llc and Gary Barber's Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}), who has since beaten Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) in the G2 Yorkshire Cup over 14 furlongs May 14. “He did have an injury in that Dubai race,” Johnston said. “It's taken him a little while to come back from that and as a result we haven't had any race in between. I think this is the best horse I've gone to war with Stradivarius with. We know what a tall order that is–we've finished second to him so many times before. I won't be looking at tactics to beat Stradivarius, we've just got to hope that we've got the best horse on the day.”

Santiago is one of a trio from Ballydoyle and is reunited with Seamie Heffernan for the first time since winning last year's G1 Irish Derby. Relishing the soft ground when successful in the G2 Queen's Vase at this meeting 12 months ago, he will be interesting going over this marathon trip along with his G1 Epsom Derby-winning stablemate Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Supplemented last week, the latter is a rare blue riband winner tackling this prestige event and adds another dimension. “Obviously we won't know if Serpentine stays the trip until he runs over it, but we always thought he'd stay further than a mile and a half,” Aidan O'Brien said. “He seems to be in good form at home, he's had a run this season and we're hoping he'll run well. Santiago is in good form and this has always been the plan for him. He's had his two runs already this season and we've been happy with him since his last run at York.”

Andrew Balding said of Spanish Mission, “I thought it was a really good effort at York, but he faces some mighty opponents here in the likes of Stradivarius, Subjectivist, and Santiago, not to mention Serpentine, who I wasn't expecting. It's a really intriguing race, as a Gold Cup should be, but Spanish Mission is in great form. It's another two furlongs further than the Doncaster Cup, which he won last year, but I'd be hopeful that he'll stay.”

Ward Looks To Get Off The Mark

The day's action starts with the five-furlong G2 Norfolk S. for the 2-year-olds, where Wesley Ward and John Velazquez combine with the May 9 Belmont Park maiden special weight winner Lucci (Not This Time) who races for Andrew Farm, Forthepeople Racing Stable and Windmill Manor. Velazquez is hoping he will be able to cope with the ground if the forecast rain arrives. “He won very nicely on the grass in New York. It seems like we're probably going to get a little bit of rain tomorrow and hopefully he can handle that,” he said. Ward, who also saddles the Apr. 14 Keeneland maiden special weight winner Nakatomi (Firing Line) who races in the Qatar Racing silks, is still looking for his first winner of the week and said of his duo, “At home, we have been working Lucci and Nakatomi together. Nakatomi was coming out on top, but then they had a workout in Newmarket on the Limekilns and Lucci turned the tables. He just bounced straight through to the front and would not give up the lead.”

If it does go soft, that will count against Ballydoyle's Cadamosto (Ire) (No Nay Never) who has been withdrawn several times both before and after his impressive win over this trip on Dundalk's Polytrack Apr. 10. “This horse has missed a lot of potential engagements since winning on his debut at Dundalk in April and I really hope that the rain that is forecast from Wednesday night all through Thursday is not as bad as some are suggesting,” Ryan Moore said. “This is a colt we like and he really impressed me when beating a fair sort in Silver Surfer at Dundalk. He has a lot of class and speed and I expect him to go well.” Bond Thoroughbred's Project Dante (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) proved on his winning debut at York May 12 that he handles good-to-soft and his defeat of the re-opposing Korker (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) looks better now that the runner-up has won at Carlisle May 28.

Stars On The Rise

In the G2 Ribblesdale S., Juddmonte's 'TDN Rising Star' Noon Star (Galileo {Ire}) bids to go one better than her half-sister Mori (GB) who went under by a neck to Coronet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in this four years ago. At the time of her 3 3/4-length second to Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G3 Musidora S. over an extended 10 furlongs at York May 12, there was an air of disappointment but subsequent events have since proven that to be highly respectable. In front of the subsequent G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) there, the daughter of Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) comes into this fresh after a late setback ruled her out of the Epsom Classic.

Aidan O'Brien saddles Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who ran third in the Oaks and who as a daughter of Red Evie (Ire) (Intikhab) has limitless potential. Ryan Moore said of her, “Aidan was expecting an improved performance from her at Epsom and she duly delivered it, again not having the best of passages but sticking on really well to be third. I know she was beaten a long way and she probably has something to find with the likes of Noon Star, a filly I have a lot of time for, but any rain won't bother her and she has a fair shot at this.” The Gosden stable has won three of the last four renewals and seems best-represented by Bjorn Nielsen's Gloria Mundi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was a neck second to Shadwell's Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over 10 furlongs May 15.

William Haggas will be hoping the rain fails to materialise for another Shadwell jewel in Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who was forced to miss the G1 Epsom Derby when the storms hit Surrey and who heads the cast for the 10-furlong G3 Hampton Court S. Provided the ground stays at least good, his five-length defeat of the re-opposing Secret Protector (War Front) in the May 1 Listed Newmarket S. over this trip should be enough to see the famed silks back in the winner's enclosure at this meeting. William Haggas is again looking at his best plans being waylaid by the changeable weather and said, “He looks absolutely fantastic, he's ready to go. He obviously doesn't want much rain but he'll run, I promised Sheikha Hissa he'd run at Ascot regardless. It's just the way it is, it's typical. Everything has been good with him, he's in great form and he really is a lovely horse, we just won't see him at his best on soft ground but that's the way it is. He'll still run a good race, he's very well.”

If Mohaafeth underperforms, the answer could be One Ruler who did run in the Derby won by his stablemate Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Godolphin's G3 Autumn S. winner and G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up is back quickly after Epsom, in which he was a well-beaten sixth having looked unhappy on the track. Also sixth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket May 1, he will be at home if it rains and Charlie Appleby has now won the G2 Dante S. and G2 Queen's Vase alongside the Derby. “One Ruler has come out of the Derby in good shape and will appreciate the drop back to a mile and a quarter, together with any ease in the going,” he said. “We are confident that he can be very competitive under a [four-pound] penalty.” Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Movin Time (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) comes here with abundant potential, having beaten Wednesday's G2 Queen's Vase winner Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by four lengths in a 10-furlong Newmarket maiden May 13 and Roger Varian has a useful bunch of 3-year-old colts to measure him against.

Varian also supplies a live contender for the Britannia H. over a mile in Amo Racing's Raadobarg (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}), who is looking for a fourth consecutive win, while Aidan O'Brien has opted to run the one-time Derby contender Sir Lamorak (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) under top weight in the 12-furlong King George V H. The latter looks a particularly strong renewal, but Ballydoyle ran Constantinople (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to be second two years ago giving weight away to all rivals. He went on to place in the G2 Great Voltigeur and G3 Gordon S. and it is easy to imagine Sir Lamorak treading the same path. “He also doesn't want much rain, but I think he has a big run in him if the ground remains decent,” Ryan Moore said. “He may be 15 pounds higher than when winning for me at Leopardstown back in April, but you had to be very impressed by what he did that day and I think he is a good colt and hopefully one better than his current mark of 100.”

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