February, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

PA Horse Breeders Announce 2YO Stallion Series

Edited press release

Taking the next step in utilizing the state's lucrative Breeding Fund to enhance the breeding industry, the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has established its first-ever 2-year-old PA-sired PA-bred stallion series, with $600,000 in stakes purses to be offered in 2022.

The series will consist of two stakes races on each of two race days at Parx Racing. One race each day will be open to all 2-year-olds and the other for 2-year-old fillies.

In January, the PHBA Board asked the stallion principals for suggestions on how to enhance the program and build it. The board immediately and overwhelmingly acted on the PA-Sired PA-bred stallion series idea presented by the racing committee.

“This is a collaborative effort between the PHBA and reaching out to people who know best what's the best way to attract new stallions and breed more mares in the state,” said PHBA President Greg Newell. “Part [of this new series] is to have an immediate impact, and part is to encourage people over the next three or four years to breed in the state.”

All registered PA-sired, PA-bred 2-year-olds are automatically eligible. The horse must be registered with the PHBA, and must have been conceived by a registered Pennsylvania stallion. In 2022, there are no nomination, entrance or starter fees.

The first races in the series will be run on Pennsylvania Day at the Races, August 22. The two $100,000 stakes will be contested at 5 1/2 furlongs.

One month later, PA-sired PA-bred juveniles will be running for $200,000 purses on the Pennsylvania Derby Day card, September 24, at a distance of 6 1/2 furlongs.

“I think this is the most exciting thing to happen in the state of Pennsylvania in breeding and horse racing in 20 years,” said Bob Hutt, president of Uptowncharlybrown Stud LLC, which owns and manages Uptowncharlybrown, one of the state's most successful sires. “We will have broodmares staying in Pennsylvania and being bred to Pennsylvania sires, which will only improve the stallion colony as more and more people see what we're doing with the series.

“Other states have done this, particularly Florida, which has done it successfully for 40 years,” said Hutt. “Breeders with eligible Pennsylvania-sired 2-year-olds will get offers, at the 2-year-old sales or after breaking their maidens early. Buyers and trainers are going to be aware that the series races will be coming in years to follow. Now we have a series where we can showcase them.”

The series will expand in 2023 with three days of PA-Sired PA-Bred Stallion Series stakes.

“We're getting [our 2-year-old stakes schedule] moving along faster,” said Newell. “And these races will blend in nicely with the existing PA-Bred stakes schedule.

“This isn't a one-year one-hit wonder,” Newell continued. “Our message is anything with breeding needs to have long-term commitment in order to take the risk. We're really committed to helping our stallion owners and our farms succeed. This is a start. Next year we'll refine it more and we'll keep doing that to improve it.”

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Pimlico Spring Schedule Includes 16 Preakness Weekend Stakes

Highlighted by the 147th running of the Preakness Stakes (G1) for 3-year-olds, Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, the Maryland Jockey Club will present 16 stakes, 10 graded, worth $3.8 million in purses over Preakness weekend, May 20-21, at historic Pimlico Race Course.

The Preakness Meet at Pimlico is scheduled to open Thursday, May 12 and run through Tuesday, May 31.

With a history that dates back to 1873, making it the second oldest of the Triple Crown races, the $1.5 million Preakness going 1 3/16 miles anchors a program of 10 stakes, six graded, worth $2.75 million Saturday, May 20.

Rombauer's victory in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields earned him a spot in the 146th Preakness last May, where he sprung an 11-1 upset defeating nine rivals including millionaire graded-stakes winner Midnight Bourbon and Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit.

Leading the undercard stakes on Preakness Day is the $250,000 Dinner Party (G2) for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the turf. To be run for the 121st time, the Dinner Party is Pimlico's oldest race and the eighth-oldest in the country, first run in 1870.

Other graded supporting stakes are the $200,000 Chick Lang (G3) for 3-year-olds sprinting six furlongs, $150,000 Gallorette (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/16 miles on the grass, $150,000 Maryland Sprint (G3) at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Arabian Derby (G1) for Arabian 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles.

Sophomores will also be in the Preakness Day spotlight in both the $100,000 Sir Barton going 1 1/16 miles on dirt and $100,000 James W. Murphy at one mile on the grass. Rounding out the stakes are the $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint, a five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up, and $100,000 Skipat for females 3 and older sprinting six furlongs.

The 98th running of the $250,000 Black-Eyed Susan (G2), one of the premiere events in the country for 3-year-old fillies and contested at 1 1/8 miles, will once again be in its traditional spot as the feature a Friday, May 20 Preakness Eve card boasting six stakes, four graded, worth $1.05 million in purses.

Also on the program are the historic $300,000 Pimlico Special (G3) for 3-year-olds and up at the Preakness distance of 1 3/16 miles, $150,000 Miss Preakness (G3) for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs, and $150,000 Allaire du Pont (G3) for fillies and mares 3 and up going 1 1/8 miles.

Two grass races round out the Black-Eyed Susan Day card – the $100,000 Hilltop for 3-year-old fillies going a mile and $100,000 The Very One, a five-furlong dash for fillies and mares 3 and older.

Live racing is currently being conducted in Maryland at Laurel Park, which will host a special nine-race Presidents Day holiday program Monday that begins at 12:25 p.m.

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The Week in Review: Though Defeated a Huge Race for Smile Happy

The chart of the GII Risen Star S. run Saturday at the Fair Grounds will show you that the race was won by Epicenter (Not This Time) and that runner-up Smile Happy (Runhappy) was never a serious threat to win. It's just that there is a lot more to this story.

Expectations were high for Smile Happy coming into the Risen Star. He was 2-for-2 last year and his win in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. came at the expense of Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) and White Abarrio (Race Day). Classic Causeway won the GIII Sam F. Davis S. in his next start and White Abarrio captured the GIII Holy Bull S. in his 3-year-old debut. Colleague T.D. Thornton had Smile Happy on top in his TDN Derby Top 12 and Mattress Mack was out there doing his thing, helping to promote the horse who may be Runhappy's best offspring.

Smile Happy was made the 2-1 favorite, but with the way the race unfolded, he never had a serious chance.

Epicenter, a quality horse, was sent to the front by Joel Rosario and, going into the first turn, it looked like he might face some pressure. But Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) and Boddock (Street Boss) backed off. That left Epicenter alone on the lead. When he got through an opening half-mile in :47.94, it was clear that he was going to be hard to beat.

Meanwhile, Smile Happy was eighth in the 10-horse field down the backstretch. He probably could have won from there if the rest of his trip broke his way, but that didn't happen. Entering the far turn, jockey Corey Lanerie found himself bottled up between horses. Throughout the turn, he couldn't find a running lane and once he did he was still eighth. It looked the best he could do was fourth or fifth. But Smile Happy managed to close a good amount of ground inside the final 100 yards or so and was beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.

Finishing third, Zandon (Upstart) also put in a strong effort. He hopped at the start and was last early behind the slow pace. Despite all that, he lost by just 3 1/4 lengths.

After the race, trainer Ken McPeek said he had yet to decide what would be next for Smile Happy. The GII Louisiana Derby on Mar. 26 would be the logical spot. He'll surely get one more race before the Kentucky Derby to show why so many people were so high on him. Next time, he won't get beat.

Speaking of the Runhappys

Smile Happy, Runhappy's best colt, may have been beaten in the Risen Star, but it was far from a lost day Saturday for Jim McIngvale's favorite sire. At Oaklawn, the 3-year-old filly Happy Soul (Runhappy) came off a layoff of more than eight months to beat a good field in the Dixie Belle S. A decisive winner, she turned in an impressive effort.

When last seen, Happy Soul scored an 11 1/2-length win in the Astoria S. at Belmont. Considering that Happy Soul has never gone beyond six furlongs, a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks might be a stretch, but trainer Wesley Ward said the race is under consideration. Ward said she will make her next start in either the GI Ashland S. at 1 1/16 miles or the Apr. 10 GIII Beaumont S. at seven furlongs. Both races are at Keeneland. A start in the Ashland would mean that Ward is serious about the Oaks.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Starters Continue to Come Up Short

When Pappcap (Gun Runner) finished eighth in the Risen Star, it marked the latest loss by a horse who had run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Pappacap was second in last year's Juvenile.

There were 11 starters in the Juvenile and not one has won since that race. They are a combined 0-for-9. Five Juvenile starters have not run since the Breeders' Cup, a list that includes winner Corniche (Quality Road). He has not had a workout this year and there have been no updates on his schedule. It is unlikely that trainer Bob Baffert will have him ready for the Derby.

Perseverance Pays Off For Cordmaker Connections

He may not be a superstar, but there are few horse in the sport that are more admirable than the 7-year-old Cordmaker (Curlin).

He was bought for $150,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Fall yearling sale by owner Ellen Charles and sent to trainer Rodney Jenkins. It was apparent early on what they had. Cordmaker, who was gelded before his career debut, was one of those tough old pros who just went out there and tried every single time.

He came into Saturday's GIII General George S. at Laurel with 13 career wins overall and nine stakes victories. But he had never won a graded stakes.

As last, he got it done, winning the General George by three-quarters of a length. It was his fourth straight win, all of them coming in stakes. At seven, he's never been better and with $989,640 in career earnings he could go over the $1-million mark in earnings in his next start.

The Marcus Vitali Meth Case

Marcus Vitali should have been thrown out of this sport a long time ago. His record is as bad as it gets. And shame on tracks like Turf Paradise and Presque Isle Downs that have opened their doors to him.

But that doesn't mean Vitali is guilty of the latest charge, a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine handed down by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission after a horse he ran last summer at Presque Isle Downs tested positive for methamphetamine. Going to bat for Vitali, Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen at Penn National and Presque Isle Downs, said that the methamphetamine positive was a result of environmental contamination and that Vital should not have been suspended

He very well could have a point. Common sense says that giving a horse meth would not result in an improved performance and use of the drug by humans is rampant.

But the bigger issue is whether or not Vitali is being treated differently because he is, well, Marcus Vitali. Mostoller said there have been “three or four” other methamphetamine positives in recent months at Penn National and in all those cases it was ruled that the positive test was the result of environmental contamination and the trainers were not suspended.

In 2017, a Peter Miller-trained horse tested positive for methamphetamine after running in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National. The Pennsylvania Racing Commission ruled that there were “mitigating circumstances” and fined Miller $1,500 but did not suspend him.

Vitali does have rights and should be treated like any other trainer. He's going to fight this and he may just win.

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50 Years After First Oaklawn Winner, John Ed Anthony Sitting Atop Owner Standings

Plainsman beat one horse in his first career start. He beat every horse in his last, a gritty neck decision over Thomas Shelby in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Ark., on Feb. 12.

The victory in the 1 1/16-mile race for older horses made Plainsman a millionaire and came almost exactly 50 years after his owner, John Ed Anthony of Hot Springs, won his first race at Oaklawn. Now among the most celebrated owners in Oaklawn history, Anthony's Shortleaf Stable, boosted by runners like Plainsman, topped the 2021-2022 meet standings in victories (eight) and purse earnings ($919,116) through Saturday.

“Just proud we could get a graded stake for him here,” said two-time reigning Eclipse Award winner Brad Cox, who trains Plainsman. “It was big. And this horse, he's a cool horse. We had him before, he left us for a while and he came back. He really, really seems like a horse that's gotten better with age.”

Anthony purchased Plainsman, 7-year-old son of Flatter, for $350,000 at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Plainsman began his racing career with now-retired trainer Will VanMeter and finished ninth in his October 2017 debut at Keeneland.

After breaking his maiden for VanMeter in 2018 at Oaklawn – Plainsman earned a Lasix-free bonus, 10 percent of the first-place share, for winning without the anti-bleeder medication – he ran sixth in the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) later in the meeting and captured the $200,000 Discovery Stakes (G3) for Cox in November 2018 at Aqueduct. Plainsman made all three 2019 starts in New York for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and finished seventh in his 2020 debut, a February allowance route at Oaklawn, for McGaughey's son, Reeve, who had just gone out on his own. Plainsman returned to Cox later in 2020.

A physical issue (hind feet) has limited Plainsman to just 28 lifetime starts. Now healthy, he's in the best form of his career with nine consecutive 90-plus Beyer Speed Figure ratings, including a preliminary 99 for his Razorback victory. He paid $5.80 as the 9-5 favorite. Plainsman earned a career-high 100 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the $300,000 Ack Ack Handicap (G3) Oct. 2 at Churchill Downs under Joel Rosario, who also rode him in the Razorback. Plainsman entered the Razorback off a troubled third-place finish in the $750,000 Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) Dec. 4 at Aqueduct. He also received a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in the Cigar Mile.

John Gasper, Anthony's racing manager, called Plainsman's 7-year-old debut “amazing” because it wasn't certain the nine-time career winner could remain in training roughly a year ago because of feet issues. The Razorback was his fifth career stakes victory and third in a Grade 3 event. He's bankrolled $1,203,207.

“It's like Brad and I were talking after he ran in the Cigar Mile,” Gasper said. “That was the best race, probably, of his life and he got beat. Then the other day, Joel told me after the race, he said: 'This horse wanted to win today.' He just has that kind of fighting instinct in him, I guess.”

Cox said Plainsman, first, second or third in 20 of 28 lifetime starts, could “very well” make his next start in the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) for older horses at 1 1/16 miles March 19. The Essex is a major local prep for the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 23.

Anthony's first Oaklawn winner (P. F. Mayboy) came Feb. 16, 1972, in a $15,000 claiming event for older horses at 1 mile and 70 yards. The purse for $7,500. Anthony has since campaigned Eclipse Award winners Temperence Hill, Vanlandingham and Prairie Bayou. Temperence Hill and Vanlandingham also are Oaklawn stakes winners.

Born on the Bayou
Major stakes winner Wells Bayou is scheduled to launch his second comeback in Monday's featured eighth race, a stakes-level $101,000 allowance for older horses at 1 mile. Probable post time is 4:39 p.m. (Central).

Trained by Brad Cox, Wells Bayou appeared headed for the 2020 Kentucky Derby following a front-running victory in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) that March at Fair Grounds. Then COVID-19 hit hard, the Kentucky Derby was moved to September, Wells Bayou finished a disappointing fifth in the second division of the rescheduled $500,000 Arkansas Derby (G1) that May and bone bruising sidelined the son of champion Lookin At Lucky for the remainder of 2020.

Wells Bayou resurfaced with a third-place finish in the $125,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) for older horses in January 2021 at Fair Grounds before illness and a foot issue put his racing schedule on hold. Wells Bayou returned to run a good third in last April's $400,000 Oaklawn Mile but came out of the race with a leg injury that required surgery. Monday's race marks a return to the allowance ranks for the first time since a powerful first-level score at 1 mile in his January 2020 3-year-old debut at Oaklawn.

“We're just hope he runs his race,” co-owner Lance Gasaway said Saturday morning. “More than likely, it's going to take a race to get him back. He's been working good. Look forward to it.”

Before returning to Cox late last year, Gasaway said Wells Bayou was in light training at LaCroix Equine, a rehabilitation breaking/early training facility in Kentucky, following the surgery. Wells Bayou has three published works this year at Oaklawn, including a half-mile move in :47.80 Feb. 15, in advance of his 5-year-old debut.

Despite just eight career starts, Wells Bayou has earned $912,793. He also finished second in the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) for 3-year-olds in February 2020 at Oaklawn.

“Obviously, we want to get him back into graded company, graded stakes races,” Gasaway said. “Hoping to try and make him a millionaire. That's kind of the goal.”

Oaklawn's two-turn stakes series for older horses includes the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) March 19, $400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) April 2 and the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 23.

Wells Bayou is 9-2 on the morning line for Monday's race, which also drew, among others, Grade 3 winner Mo Mosa, millionaire multiple Grade 2 winner C Z Rocket, Grade 2 winner and stablemate Concert Tour and the speedy Mucho, runner-up in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes for older horses Jan. 15 in his last start. Mucho is the 5-2 program favorite. Concert Tour adds blinkers.

On the advice of bloodstock agent Liz Crow (BSW/Crow Bloodstock), Gasaway and his father, Clint, both lifelong southeast Arkansas residents, purchased Wells Bayou for $105,000 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-year-old in training sale. Crow brokered a deal before the Louisiana Derby to bring in BSW/Crow clients Sol Kumin (Madaket Stables) and Marc Lore (Wonder Stables) as partners.

Clint Gasaway named Wells Bayou after a small community about 70 miles southeast of Little Rock, Ark.

The Gasaways also are scheduled to send out first-time starter Coach Happy, a 3-year-old son of champion Runhappy, in Monday's seventh race, a maiden special weights sprint. Lance Gasaway named Coach Happy after the late Star City (Ark.) High School football coach Happy Grayson. Gasaway graduated from Star City and worked an assistant coach there in the late 1990s under Grayson. Cox trains Coach Happy, a $165,000 OBS April 2-year-old in training purchase.

Finish Lines
David Cabrera rode four winners Saturday, taking the third race aboard Lord M ($7) for trainer Ron Moquett of Hot Springs, fourth race aboard River Echo ($9.80) for trainer Karl Broberg, seventh race aboard Novel Squall ($14.20) for trainer John Ortiz and the eighth race aboard Trident Hit ($9.40) for Moquett. … Trident Hit represented the 13^th victory at the meeting and 290^th overall at Oaklawn for Moquett. … Francisco Arrieta rode two winners Saturday. Arrieta won the fifth race aboard favored Royal Daaher ($6.80) for trainer Jimmy DiVito and the sixth race aboard favored Eastside Cool ($5.20) for trainer Scott Becker. Royal Daaher ran the fastest 6 furlongs of the 2021-2022 meeting (1:09.23) in the 1 ¼-length allowance victory. … Heavily favored Happy Soul ($4) became the first Oaklawn stakes winner sired by sprint champion Runhappy with a three-length victory in Saturday's $150,000 Dixie Belle for 3-year-old filly sprinters. Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, Happy Soul's regular rider, was aboard for trainer Wesley Ward, who said in a telephone interview following the race that she will return Tuesday to her Keeneland base. Ward said he was using the Dixie Belle, Happy Soul's first start since June, as a prep for Keeneland's $600,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) April 8 or its $400,000 Beaumont Stakes (G3) April 10. The Ashland, a major Kentucky Oaks prep, is 1 1/16 miles. The Beaumont is about 7 furlongs on the main track. Happy Soul has never raced around two turns. The Dixie Belle gave Ward an Oaklawn stakes victory for the third consecutive year after Kimari captured the $100,000 Purple Martin for 3-year-old filly sprinters in 2020 and the $200,000 Spring Fever for older female sprinters last February. Happy Soul's winning time in the Dixie Belle was 1:10.44. The track was fast.

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