Canterbury Park Increases 2022 Participation Incentives For Thoroughbreds

Canterbury Park racing officials have announced an increase in participation incentives designed to reward owners of Thoroughbred racehorses arriving from the most distant locations.

Owners of horses that race at Canterbury during the month of May that made their most recent start at a racetrack located more than 1,500 miles from Shakopee, Minn. will receive $1,250, an increase of $250 over the amount announced previously.

Owners of horses that race May 18 through May 29 most recently starting at tracks nearer to Canterbury will continue to receive $1,000. These bonuses are in addition to any purse money earned.

The bonus increase is intended to, in part, alleviate the impacts of runaway inflation in the U.S. and fuel prices that have increased more than 40 percent over last year. Canterbury regularly has starters from Golden Gate Fields in California, Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs in Florida and Turf Paradise in Arizona.

The bonuses are made possible with the cooperation of the Minnesota HBPA, the organization which represents racehorse owners, trainers and their employees.

Announced earlier this year is an additional bonus program designed to encourage participation by owners who raced horses in Illinois. A Thoroughbred starter that raced in Illinois in 2021 or 2022 but has not previously started at Canterbury will be eligible for a $1,000 bonus in their first start of the 2022 season through July 17.

All information, the first condition book and racing office contacts can be found at www.canterburypark.com/horsemen. Canterbury's 65-day season runs from May 18 through Sept. 17. Racing will be conducted on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 5 p.m. central time and Sundays at 1 pm.

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Nature Strip Joins Life Is Good Atop LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings; Speaker’s Corner Jumps To Third

Following his easy victory in the Furphy T J Smith Stakes (G1), Nature Strip (AUS) [124] has joined Life Is Good (USA) [124] at the top of the second edition of the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings for 2022.

Nature Strip drew clear in the T J Smith, posting a 3 ¼ length victory in the sprint contest. In doing so, he raised his rating to 124 from 119. Based off this performance, trainer Chris Waller has indicated Nature Strip will now race internationally and is being pointed toward the King's Stand Stakes (G1) during Royal Ascot.

Speaker's Corner (USA) [123] moves into third position following his 4 ½ length score in the Carter Handicap (G1). Previously rated at 119, Speaker's Corner is undefeated in three starts in 2022. His earlier victories came in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) and Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3).

Stalwart Hong Kong runner Golden Sixty (AUS) [122] joins the 2022 rankings in the fourth spot after returning to winning form in the Chairman's Trophy (G2) in his third start of the year. He won the race by two lengths.

Two runners, Country Grammer (USA) [121] and Golden Pal (USA) [121], are the co-fifth highest rated horses in the world. Country Grammer improved his rating to 121 from 119 by taking the Dubai World Cup (G1) over Hot Rod Charlie (USA) [118]. Country Grammer came into the race having finished second behind Emblem Road (USA) [120] in the Saudi Cup (G1). Golden Pal is ranked following his victory by 4 ¾ lengths in the Shakertown Stakes (G2). It was his first start since winning the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) last November, and Golden Pal is now expected to face Nature Strip at Royal Ascot.

Country Grammer was not the only horse to impress in Dubai. Shahryar (JPN) [120] is joint seventh in the rankings after winning the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) over Yibir (GB) [119], Authority (JPN) [118], and Pyledriver (GB) [118]. Meanwhile, A Case Of You (IRE) [118], Lord North (IRE) [118], and Panthalassa (JPN) [118] are also all ranked following their victories. A Case of You won the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), while Lord North and Panthalassa made history with a dead heat in the Dubai Turf (G1).

In addition to Nature Strip, a number of other runners in Australia have also impacted this month's rankings. Think It Over (AUS) [120] improved his rating to 120 from 118 and is now in co-seventh following his half-length victory over Zaaki (GB) [120] in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). Zaaki had come into the race off a win in the All-Star Mile. Anamoe (AUS) [119], meanwhile, joins the rankings following his victory by 6 ½ lengths in the Rosehill Guineas (G1).

Elsewhere, O'Connor (CHI) [118] joins the rankings after taking the Longines Gran Premio Latinoamericano (G1); Potager (JPN) [118] was the upset winner of the Osaka Hai (G1); and Trueshan (FR) [118] kicked off his 2022 season with a victory in the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes.

LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings

Leading Horses

click here for complete rankings

Rank Horse Rating Trained
1 LIFE IS GOOD (USA) 124 USA
1 NATURE STRIP (AUS) 124 AUS
3 SPEAKER'S CORNER (USA) 123 USA
4 GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS) 122 HK
5 COUNTRY GRAMMER (USA) 121 USA
5 GOLDEN PAL (USA) 121 USA
7 EMBLEM ROAD (USA) 120 KSA
7 HOME AFFAIRS (AUS) 120 AUS
7 SHAHRYAR (JPN) 120 JPN
7 THINK IT OVER (AUS) 120 AUS
7 ZAAKI (GB) 120 AUS

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International Forum For The Aftercare Of Racehorses’ Second Virtual Session Goes Live On April 19

After a successful opening on April 5, the 2022 International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) conference series will host its second and final virtual session live on April 19 at 11 a.m. GMT (6 a.m. Eastern). IFAR partnered with the Japan Racing Association (Japanese Consultative Committee on Aftercare of Racehorses) to put on this year's event.

“Our first webinar attracted viewers from nearly 20 countries and resulted in engaging discussions with our speakers about global aftercare issues,” said Di Arbuthnot, chair of IFAR. “With the diversity of speakers and panelists that we have assembled for next week, I am looking forward to continuing the dialogue around effective Thoroughbred aftercare programs, which, as mentioned in our first session, are critical for the sustainability of our industry.”

Tuesday's session will be moderated by Australia-based racing broadcaster Caroline Searcy, and planned speakers are Michael Drapac, owner and breeder; Dr. Adrian Farrington, executive manager of Veterinary Clinical Services at The Hong Kong Jockey Club; Kirsten Green, executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project; and Jennifer Hughes, general manager of Equine Welfare for Racing Victoria.

The session will also feature a young professionals panel moderated by Searcy and composed of Godolphin Flying Start trainees George Broughton and Elinor Wolf; Caoimhe Doherty, co-founder of Treo Eile and stud manager at Forenaghts Stud; Natasha Rose, Equestrian Affairs project manager and Retired Racehorse Unit manager for The Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Tom Ward, trainer.

The webinar held on April 5 was moderated by international broadcaster Rishi Persad, and speakers were Di Arbuthnot; Annamarie Phelps, chair of the British Horseracing Authority; Dr. Meredith Flash, lead researcher for the Australian Thoroughbred Wellbeing Project; Jock Hutchison, president and co-founder of Horseback UK; Dr. Jeff Berk, veterinarian for Equine Medical Associates PSC and past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners; and Angela Schuster, managing director of Schuster Consulting Group. Topics discussed included equine-assisted therapy, considerations for euthanasia, and traceability practices.

A recording of the first session can be viewed at internationalracehorseaftercare.com/help-resources/conference-resources/ifar-conference-2022/.

Additional information about the conference, including speakers, moderators, presentation topics, bios, and the link to register can be found at internationalracehorseaftercare.com/virtual-ifar/. All sessions are free, but registration is required. Those who attend the sessions live will be able to ask questions to presenters.

Prior to the virtual conference series in 2021, IFAR had previously been held in conjunction with the Asian Racing Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2020; the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation's General Assembly in Oslo, Norway, in May 2019; the Asian Racing Conference in Seoul, South Korea, in May 2018; and the Pan American Conference in Washington, D.C., in May 2017.

IFAR is an independent forum that recognizes geographical and industry differences among racing countries and is designed to enhance Thoroughbred aftercare worldwide. Working with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, IFAR will raise awareness of the importance of welfare for Thoroughbreds, improve education on lifetime care, and help increase demand for former racehorses in other equestrian sports. For more information on IFAR, visit internationalracehorseaftercare.com.

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Fourth Annual TVG Telethon Raises $383,945 For Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

The Thoroughbred racing industry joined forces on Sunday, April 10, for the fourth annual PDJF TVG Telethon to raise $383,945 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The event was presented by Lane's End Farm.

The event, which brings Hall of Fame jockeys, TVG's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities together to man the phone lines, has grown each year since the inception in 2018.

The event raised $330,000 in 2019, an increase of more than $100,000 over the inaugural event and, after missing 2020 due to the pandemic, returned in 2021 with $339,672 in donations.

“This event has become a rallying point for everyone at TVG and its continuing growth and the way that racing fans and the racing industry have embraced it has been inspiring for everyone here,” said Kevin Grigsby, TVG executive producer. “We are grateful to our friends at Santa Anita, Keeneland and at NYRA for their collaborative efforts to make this event such a success. We're proud to have helped raise more than $1.2 million for the PDJF since we started and we are already looking forward to next year's telethon.”

“The support we received this year was tremendous,” said Mike Joyce, a board member of the PDJF and on-air host at TVG. “Honestly, you can't over emphasize how important every donation is, both large and small. There are entirely too many people to thank for bringing the fund it's largest sum to date on a single telethon. It was such an outpouring of generosity that it really leaves you speechless.”

“On behalf of our recipients and the PDJF Board, we are blessed and so very grateful for the support we received from our industry partners who provided the platform for the Telethon that allowed us to reach so many during the 6-hour broadcast,” said Nancy LaSala, PDJF President. “The needs and journeys of our recipients vary and are ever changing. The message of PDJF recipient Roger Blanco at the end of the broadcast to all who supported the PDJF on this day and in the past is a message that resonates for all PDJF recipients, “We appreciate you and what you have done for us”.”

There were donations from supporters across the country including major donations from Lane's End Farm, Lee, Aimee and Jeffrey Einsidler, Jim McIngval and John Hendrickson on behalf of the Marylou Whitney Foundation. In addition, FanDuel, the parent company of TVG, matched all donations up to $100,000.

This year for the first time the event was simulcast on both TVG and America's Day at the Races in collaboration with NYRA and FOX Sports.

The PDJF is a registered 501(c)3 charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered on-track injuries. Since its foundation in 2006, PDJF has disbursed over $11 million to support disabled jockeys, the organization is 100 percent reliant on charitable donations.

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