April, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Bloodlines Presented By Mill Ridge Farm: Arkansas Derby Winner Cyberknife’s Roots In Claiming Races

The rich get richer, and the Gun Runners get more victories. Or something to that effect.

Gun Runner (by Candy Ride) had his third Grade 1 winner on April 2 when Cyberknife won the Arkansas Derby. It was the winner's first stakes, his third victory from six starts.

Cyberknife has been maturing steadily since his debut on Sept. 25 last year. He finished first in that race, but was disqualified to second for interference in that maiden special, then finished second in another on Nov. 5. The colt won his maiden on the day after Christmas and kept it.

Starting as the third choice on Jan. 22 at the Fair Grounds, Cyberknife finished sixth in the G3 Lecompte Stakes that Call Me Midnight (Midnight Lute) won by a head from Epicenter (Not This Time). Then on Feb. 19, the son of Gun Runner won a Fair Grounds allowance by three lengths in 1:42.53 for 8 1/2 furlongs.

The Arkansas Derby was the colt's next race.

Bred in Kentucky by Kenneth L. Ramsey and Sarah K. Ramsey and sold for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton select yearling sale of 2020, Cyberknife is out of the Flower Alley mare Awesome Flower. The dam won 11 races out of 33 starts from three to six, including a half-dozen stakes, and was placed second in the G3 Sixty Sails and third in the G2 Chilukki Stakes. She earned $556,593.

Sold to Arnold Heft for $45,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Eastern September yearling sale, Awesome Flower was a $30,000 claim for the Ramseys on Dec. 28, 2012 at the end of her 3-year-old season. Off until April 5, 2013, when she was once again risked for $30,000 claiming, Awesome Flower improved and won four of her next six starts, including the Lady Canterbury Stakes on July 13.

Ten of the mare's victories and nearly all her half-million in earnings came for the Ramseys and trainer Mike Maker.

That racing record made the chestnut mare one of the top dozen performers by her sire, the Distorted Humor horse Flower Alley.

A good-sized, strongly made son of leading sire Distorted Humor (Forty Niner), Flower Alley sold twice. He had been bred in Kentucky by George Brunacini and Bona Terra Farms, and Flower Alley went through the Paramount Sales consignment for $50,000 as a weanling at the 2002 Keeneland November sale, then returned to Keeneland the following year and sold for $165,000 to Eugene Melnyk. The colt went on to become one of the most successful racers for Melnyk's stable, winning five races and earning more than $2.5 million.

As a 3-year-old, Flower Alley was at the top of his crop. He ran second in the 2005 Arkansas Derby, then was ninth in the Kentucky Derby, but later in the year Flower Alley won both the G2 Jim Dandy and the G1 Travers, then finished his year with a second in the 2005 Breeders' Cup Classic, beaten a length by Saint Liam (Saint Ballado).

Flower Alley came back at four, made four starts and was unplaced in three, winning only the G3 Salvator Handicap at Monmouth.

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Even so, the classically inclined son of leading sire Distorted Humor went to stud in 2007 at Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., and sired a quartet of Grade 1 winners. Bullards Alley (Canadian International), Lukes Alley (Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap), and Lilacs and Lace (Ashland) were very good representatives for their sire, but the colt who put Flower Alley's name in lights on the Las Vegas strip was I'll Have Another.

Three times a winner at the Grade 1 level, I'll Have Another was bred in Kentucky by Harvey Clarke, and the good-looking chestnut won the Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby, and Preakness. A winner in five of his seven starts, I'll Have Another earned more than $2.6 million and was named champion 3-year-old colt of 2012. After being declared out of the Belmont Stakes and the potential for a Triple Crown, I'll Have Another was sold to stand at stud in Japan; he was sold and was returned to the States for the 2019 breeding season and stands at Ocean Breeze Ranch in California.

Just a few years earlier, Flower Alley had gone the other way. The stallion was sold to stand in South Africa at Wilgerbosdrift Stud for the 2015 breeding season, and he stands there for 80,000 rand (approximately $6,000) live foal.

None of those scenic locales are the destination of Gun Runner, the leading freshman sire of 2021 by a walloping $2 million over his nearest competitor and now the sire of 10 stakes winners. He remains a homebody at Three Chimneys Farm. The stallion's first crop are now three, and his son Cyberknife will be among the well-regarded starters for the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May.

The post Bloodlines Presented By Mill Ridge Farm: Arkansas Derby Winner Cyberknife’s Roots In Claiming Races appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Weekly Rulings: March 29-April 4

Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

CALIFORNIA
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/02/2022
Licensee: Bob Baffert, trainer
Penalty: Ninety-day suspension
Violation: Reciprocity of out-of-state medication violation penalty
Explainer: Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1484 (Evidence of Unfitness for License) the following ruling is issued in reciprocity after receiving notice of suspension from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, ruling (21-0009) dated February 21, 2022, issuing Trainer/Owner Robert Baffert ninety suspension days. Robert Baffert is suspended for 90 days (April 4, 2022, through and including July 2, 2022).

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/02/2022
Licensee: Mario Gutierrez, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mario Gutierrez, who rode ARDIS in the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on April 1, 2022, is suspended for 3 racing days (April 9, 10 and 15, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from second to third place. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules – Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/03/2022
Licensee: Jonathan Wong, trainer
Penalty: $400 fine
Violation: Late registration of Lasix
Explainer: Trainer Jonathan Wong is fined $400.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1845 (Authorized Bleeder Medication – late registration) of My Kentucky Girl in the eighth race on April 2, 2022, at Santa Anita Park.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/03/2022
Licensee: Ryan Curatolo, jockey
Penalty: $750 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Ryan Curatolo is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–second offense within the past sixty days) during the third race at Santa Anita Park on April 2, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/03/2022
Licensee: Diego Herrera, apprentice jockey
Penalty: $500 fine
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Apprentice Jockey Diego Herrera is fined $500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8)(d) (Use of Riding Crop – more than six times) during the ninth race at Santa Anita Park on April 2, 2022.

NEW YORK
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/03/2022
Licensee: Kendrick Carmouche, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: For having waived his right to appeal Jockey Kendrick Carmouche is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days April 14th 2022, April 15th 2022, April 16th 2022 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the eight race at Aqueduct racetrack on March 31st 2022. Suspended: 04/14/2022 to 04/16/2022 (3 days).

Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/03/2022
Licensee: Wayne Potts, trainer
Penalty: Forty five-day suspension
Violation: Discovery of non-FDA approved drug on trainer grounds
Explainer: Trainer Mr. Wayne Potts for having waived his right to appeal is hereby suspended 45 calendar days April 10th 2022, through May 6th 2022 inclusive, and again June 6th through June 23rd 2022 inclusive, due to a previous ruling (suspension) handed down by the New Jersey Racing Commission. This for the finding of a drug in your tackroom that has not been approved by the FDA for use in Thoroughbred horses. Ordered that during your period of suspension, you shall not directly nor indirectly participate in New York State pari-mutuel horse racing. You are denied the privileges and use of the grounds for all racetracks in New York State. You are forbidden to participate in any share of purses or other payments. Every horse is denied the privileges of the grounds and shall not participate in pari-mutuel racing in New York State, that is (a) owned or trained by you, or by individuals who serves as your agent or employee during your suspension; or (b) for which you during your suspension are directly or indirectly with training, including any arrangements to care for, train, enter, race, invoice, collect fees or other payments, manage funds, employ or insure workers, provide advice or other information or otherwise assist with any aspect of the training of such horses. Suspended: 04/10/2022 to 06/23/2022 (45 days).
Read more about the issue here.

The post Weekly Rulings: March 29-April 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Kentucky Chaplaincy Looking Forward to Race for Grace

The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy will host their 20^th annual Race for Grace, a dinner and fundraising event to support the ongoing work of the chaplaincy, on Monday, May 2 at 6:00pm. As a kickoff to Kentucky Derby week, the event will be held on Millionaires' Row in the clubhouse at Churchill Downs.

Nationally-recognized pastor Bob Russell will be the keynote speaker of the event and Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day will be the Master of Ceremonies.

“20 years ago, we said let's do this thing called the Race for Grace as a fundraiser on the Monday of Derby week and it's been a tremendous hit since,” Day said. “We've had some wonderful speakers and it's been very well-supported. It's a great way to kick off Derby week for a wonderful cause.”

Pat Day has been a devoted supporter of the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy for many years and recently stepped down from a six-year stint as the group's President.

“The Race Track Chaplaincy of America started over 50 years ago by an exercise rider named Salty Roberts,” Day explained. “He had a burden on his heart for the people he was working with at the racetrack, realizing that the hours that backside workers have limit their opportunity to go to a church of their choice. Salty's vision was to have a chaplain at every racetrack and training facility in the world. From that idea, the Race Track Chaplaincy of America was born.”

“They currently have over 50 chaplains ministering throughout the U.S. and affiliation with chaplains in other countries,” he continued. “The idea was based on being a ministry of presence. The chaplains walk through the barn area during training hours, being seen, cultivating relationships and providing hope and help.”

The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy has chaplains on the grounds of Churchill Downs, Kentucky Downs, Ellis Park, Turfway Park and Belterra Park. In addition to holding weekly church services, chaplains host bible studies, meet with the jockey colony and gate crew at the start of each race day and more.

In 2006, the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy opened Christ Chapel, which was completely funded by donations from the community, on the backside of Churchill Downs. That same year they launched a Women and Children's Ministry, which now has two full-time staff members.

Joseph Del Rosario serves as the full-time chaplain at Churchill Downs. He spoke on the many activities hosted by the Chaplaincy throughout the year.

“We have our weekly chapel services, with one in English and one in Spanish,” he explained. “In between the services, we have a dinner to facilitate togetherness. We have our clothing closet, which is a free thrift store where people can get toiletries, bedding and clothes if they need it. Throughout the year we have cookouts, Bible studies, Easter celebrations and a Christmas party. Everything is community-wide; it's open to everyone.”

The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy's Children's Ministry hosts many activities throughout the year | Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy

Rosario estimated that an average of 50 to 60 people attend each week's church service, although attendance fluctuates throughout the year to follow the racing calendar at Churchill Downs.

“Even when there isn't racing there are still families, particularly moms and kids, that stay back,” he noted. “We still serve them and have activities for them. In the past we've done sewing and knitting classes during that time.”

Rosario said the Chaplaincy aims to fulfill both the emotional and spiritual needs of the backside community.

“A lot of them come from outside the country,” he said. “They've come to take care of their family and their family has stayed back home. There's a lot of loneliness, which becomes the root cause to other secondary issues–substance abuse, people who keep to themselves or people who are more aggressive than they need to be.”

Rosario shared the story of one individual who recently began participating in Chaplaincy activities.

“When we have the clothing closet open, we usually have the kitchen open for a snack or a light lunch. It creates the opportunity for people to come in and sit so we can just talk and catch up. This man came in during one of those. I started talking to him and over time we built a relationship. I would visit him at his barn and he would come to chapel. We would talk about some of the issues he had in his barn. He felt people didn't like him so he would respond in an aggressive manner. We would talk through that and talk about what it means to love our neighbor. He's been getting a lot better with how he's relating to his co-workers.”

“Many backside workers are away from family so there's a great need for fellowship,” Day added. “We're offering programs to address the loneliness and just be a friend to them. The ministry is not just for backside workers, but for the racetrack at large.”

He continued, “For me personally, the racing industry has been so good to me and my family. Not only do I have a burning desire to share the gospel message, but this gives me an opportunity to give back to the industry a little bit of what I've received through it. I feel very privileged and honored to be a part of the Race Track Chaplaincy at large, but more specifically to the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy.”

Race for Grace was held virtually last year and was postponed in 2020, so the team at the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy is looking forward to a rewarding evening on the 20^th anniversary of the successful fundraiser. The event will have a silent auction with a collection of racing memorabilia as well as a live auction featuring a box for the 2023 Kentucky Oaks and Derby.

Individuals interested in ticket purchasing, sponsorships and donations can visit kychapliancy.org/race-for-grace.

The post Kentucky Chaplaincy Looking Forward to Race for Grace appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Claiborne Farm, Kentucky Quarterback Will Levis Form NIL Partnership To Promote War Of Will

Sports management company Athlete Advantage is announcing a newly formed NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) partnership agreement between Claiborne Farm's syndicate-owned stallion War of Will, and University of Kentucky football's most prominent player, quarterback Will Levis.

The agreement will consist of a multimedia advertising campaign that will center on the athleticism of both football players and racehorses and will represent the first NIL deal for any collegiate student-athlete with a syndicate of owners of a Thoroughbred stallion to promote the selling of breeding seasons.

Walker Hancock, president of Claiborne Farm, details the synergy of this partnership and the importance of being the first in his billion-dollar industry to partner with a collegiate student-athlete.

“We are thrilled to be the first farm to partner with a Division I athlete in this newly created NIL space,” he said. “Having a star quarterback help promote one of our young and promising stallions is a new way of advertising that we think provides a perfect synergy of our brands. Will's athleticism and performance displayed on the football field mirrors what we saw with War of Will on the racetrack and the reason he is such an exciting stallion prospect.”

Will Levis is the starting quarterback at the University of Kentucky and is from Madison, Conn. Last year, Levis threw for over 2,820 yards and is attributed with 24 touchdowns.

In his first season in Lexington, Levis earned the reputation as a hard-nosed athlete and leader with unequaled tenacity, both on and off of the field, allowing him to help lead Kentucky to double-digit victories on the way to their second win in the VRBO Citrus Bowl making the past season one of their most successful on record.

War of Will was a Grade 1 winner on both the turf and dirt with earnings exceeding $1.9 million. With his victory in the 2019 Preakness Stakes, War of Will became the first American classic winner sired by internationally renowned stallion, War Front, who also stands at Claiborne Farm. War of Will stands for a fee of $25,000 and his first foals are being born this spring.

Claiborne Farm, which serves as the syndicate manager for War of Will, has been a leader in the Thoroughbred business for over a century. The historic farm in Paris, Ky. has been home to some of the most influential horses to ever grace the turf and dirt, including Bold Ruler, Forego, Personal Ensign, Ruffian, Seabiscuit, Swale, and Secretariat, who is considered by many to be the greatest racehorse of all time.

In the United States alone the Thoroughbred industry has a multi-billion-dollar economic impact, with the vast majority of the breeding operations being located in Central Kentucky right alongside the University of Kentucky and its storied athletic programs.

Representatives of Athlete Advantage, the NIL company responsible for fostering the deal, are excited about the prospects of this partnership.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of such a substantial deal that establishes the connection between the amazing student-athletes at the University of Kentucky and the Thoroughbred breeding business, one of the signature industries of the Commonwealth,” said Athlete Advantage president Ryan Miller. “We believe that Will Levis and War of Will will be considered pioneers in the NIL space, blazing a trail for all those following behind them. We are grateful that Walker and his team at Claiborne Farm had the foresight to see the value in partnering with Will Levis and are confident that all parties involved will be tremendously pleased by the positive impact created by an opportunity of this significance.”

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