Saturday is shaping up to be a big day of racing at “Belmont at the Big A,” a meeting in which traditional Belmont Park races are being hosted by Aqueduct as the former completes a construction project.
Month: September 2022
Horowitz On OTTBs, Presented By Excel Equine: OTTBs Inspired Fawcett To Jump Into Racehorse Ownership
The Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover has led more people to find their next sporthorse at the racetrack, providing more homes and new careers for OTTBs. It also goes the other way, and the off-track Thoroughbreds are inspiring new people to head to the racetrack.
Like Samantha Fawcett, a lifelong equestrian from Ontario, Canada, who won the Show Jumper discipline for the class of 2020 at last year's Mega Makeover with Canton Comet. In 2021, Fawcett also decided to breed the first OTTB that she ever sourced from the racetrack. Rather than taking Talize to a Warmblood stallion as she originally intended, Fawcett opted to mate the unraced Ontario-bred chestnut Thoroughbred mare with Ontario-bred Thoroughbred stallion Passion for Action. She said her goal is to learn more about horse racing by having her own racehorse before the foal eventually transitions to show jumping.
“This is really jumping into the deep end,” Fawcett said with a laugh.
Fawcett is an example of how participating in the Thoroughbred Makeover has led to trainers with sporthorse backgrounds wanting to become more involved in racing. While the Thoroughbred Makoever primarily focuses on racehorses' viability to transition to new careers, it also sets up a potential for sporthorse trainers to transition to new careers in racing.
This new pipeline can grow the horse racing industry. It can bring the racehorse and sporthorse worlds closer together, united by how incredible Thoroughbreds are as athletes overall, whether that athleticism happens to feature best in racing, eventing, jumping, polo, or any of a number of careers in which the breed can excel.
“Racing has a potential to attract the next member of the industry because of their love for these horses,” said Kirsten Green, executive director for the Retired Racehorse Project. “It could be your next track vet. It could be your next marketing and PR person that works at your farm. It could be any of these people that are out here riding Thoroughbreds and love them. They are all primed to join the industry in some way, shape, or form, whether as a fan or actively working in the industry.”
In November 2017, Fawcett, whose primary sporthorse disciplines are hunter/jumpers and dressage, started training her first Thoroughbred off the track after the connections of Talize decided to forgo a racing career for her following an injury. Until this point, Fawcett's exposure to racing included occasionally attending Woodbine Racetrack as a fan.
She intended to take Talize to the 2018 Thoroughbred Makeover but said her plans changed after her father passed away that year.
However, Fawcett was in Kentucky in 2019 for her first Thoroughbred Makeover with Hemmin and Hawin, a grey Ontario-bred gelding, finishing 13th of 94 in show jumping.
Fawcett was then part of the class of 2020 at last year's Mega Makeover with Canton Comet and won the Show Jumper discipline as part of a field of 38.
Being part of the Thoroughbred Makeover and embracing the racing background of her OTTBs led Fawcett to rethink her original breeding plans for Talize.
“I thought that I would breed her to a Warmblood and cross her to have a nice jumper,” Fawcett said. “I kind of got talking and was like, 'You know, it might actually be interesting to breed her to another Thoroughbred and bring up our own racehorse.' And, I also was really thinking that would be an interesting way to get a different perspective on the racing industry.”
Fawcett bred Talize to Passion for Action with the vision that the foal would become a show jumper after racing. Fawcett can cite several racehorse breeding lines that she believes produce strong sporthorse prospects, like Storm Cat, Stormy Atlantic, and Speightstown. Speightstown is the sire of Passion for Action. There's a potential market for racehorse stallion owners to promote their horses as sporthorse sires as well.
In addition to breeding Talize, Fawcett acquired the stallion Muskoka Storm with the idea of introducing prominent racehorse lines for breeding sporthorses.
“We purchased [him] for the Makeover,” she said, “but we were also thinking of being able to offer him as a stallion to cross with Warmblood mares as a way to bring in a very high-quality breeding line into the sporthorses in a way that you're not going to spend $150,000 to breed your Warmblood mare to Medaglia d'Oro.”
Muskoka Storm sold for $235,000 as a yearling at Keeneland in 2018. The bay stallion is a grandson of Medaglia d'Oro by Violence.
Fawcett is an example of how the racehorse and sporthorse worlds can come together. She advocates for understanding horses' racing careers, what they learned on the track, and their race record with the belief this can help people decide which OTTB is right for them. She also believes cross-training in other sports can benefit a racing career.
“That is an intriguing aspect of breeding our own Thoroughbred racehorse that interests me,” Fawcett said. “How could some of that cross-training help them? I've heard of a couple horses, not so much recently. On the offseason, we could bring them home and play around. They really start to condition in a different way, and if you can have the Thoroughbreds have a difference in conditioning and you're not always working the same muscles and joints, maybe that helps with some longevity.”
From purchasing her first OTTB from the track less than five years ago, Fawcett said that now 10 out of the 12 horses in her barn are former racehorses. Fawcett will compete in the Thoroughbred Makeover in 2022. In 2023, she will start to undergo her own “makeover” to a racing career.
The post Horowitz On OTTBs, Presented By Excel Equine: OTTBs Inspired Fawcett To Jump Into Racehorse Ownership appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Michael Copeland and Tom Via Promoted at Woodbine
Woodbine Entertainment has made some changes to its senior leadership team, promoting Michael Copeland to President, Commercial and Tom Via to President, Operations. Both will report to CEO Jim Lawson.
“We have a tremendous amount of opportunity before us to grow our business and the horse racing industry in Ontario,” said Lawson. “I strongly believe we have the right leadership and people in place–and now we have the right structure that will enable us to maximize and fully leverage those opportunities.”
Copeland, who joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2021 as Chief Commercial Officer, will lead revenue and brand-driving functions including horse racing, wagering, technology, marketing, broadcast, customer experience, and events. He has previously run his own consulting business in the sports and entertainment sector and has been president and CEO of the Toronto Argonauts, as well as the president and COO of the Canadian Football League.
Via joined Woodbine Entertainment in 2016 as COO and will now lead operations at both Woodbine Racetrack and Woodbine Mohawk Park, while also overseeing hospitality, finance, human resources, legal, and project management. He has previously served as president and CEO of the retail chain Brookstone, been president of the Australian operations of Toys R Us, and held senior management positions at Babies R Us in both the U.S. and Canada.
Property Development at Woodbine Entertainment will continue to be led by Chief Development Officer Will Fleissig.
“While horse racing will always be at the core of everything we do, our business is becoming more and more complex and having strong leadership at the helm of operations and revenue positions us for the future growth we have in our sights,” said Lawson.
The post Michael Copeland and Tom Via Promoted at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Jockey Carlos Lozada, Trainer Shane Wilson Finish Atop Standings At Louisiana Downs
The 2022 Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs concluded on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The meet leaders, jockey Carlos Lozada, trainer Shane Wilson and owner End Zone Athletics, Inc. were honored for their accomplishments on the final afternoon of the 84-day meet, which began on Saturday, May 7.
Kevin Preston, Louisiana Downs owner and president, credited his team, horsemen and local racing fans for their support.
“As we wrap up the live racing season at Louisiana Downs, I want to take a moment to thank those who have contributed to our success,” said Preston. “First, our hard working team who show their commitment to making Louisiana Downs great again and overcome all obstacles thrown their way. Also, to the horsemen, both on the Thoroughbred and Quarter horse side, for showing their support and caring for these amazing athletes. And, finally, to our fans in the Bossier City/Shreveport metroplex. Throughout 2022, we offered live and simulcast racing, sports wagering and many promotions. We are grateful for the positive feedback we have received. I can promise that we will make it even better in 2023!”
Carlos Lozada Wins His Third Leading Rider Title
Carlos Lozada, who won his first title here in 2019, clinched top honors once again. He was involved in a competitive battle with Jose Guerrero entering the final week of the season, but drew off by five wins. Lozada capped his meet by winning the final race of the meet aboard Super Wise ($20.40) on the turf for trainer Al Cates.
“I want to thank my family, my agent Ronald Ardoin and each of the owners and trainers who gave me such good mounts,” said Lozada. “I worked hard, as did Jose this year at Louisiana Downs. It means a lot to win my third title here.”
Lozada was the leading rider here in 2019 and secured the 2021 title with 84 wins. He rode for a variety of trainers including Greg Tracy, Joe Duhon, Joey Foster, Al Cates and Karl Broberg, completing the 2022 meet with a record of 85 wins, 59 seconds and 61 third-place finishes. His mounts earned $1,097,345.
The 37-year-old native of Puerto Rico began riding in the United States in 2007 after attending Puerto Rico's Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of riders, including Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose Ortiz as well as 2018 Louisiana Downs top-ranked rider, Emanuel Nieves.
Lozada is supported by his wife, Eileen Quinones and their three sons: Anthony; Jean Carlos and Jandriel. While the majority of the Louisiana Downs jockeys will head to Delta Downs, Lozada will return to his home in Tampa and ride some races at Tampa Bay Downs.
Jose Guerrero had an excellent meet, winning 80 races and edging Lozada in earnings with $1,144,805. Joel Dominguez, who was second in the standings in 2021, finished third with 59 trips to the winner's circle. Apprentice Vicente Del-Cid, winner of the 2022 Evangeline Downs leading rider title, was fourth in the standings with 52 victories.
Shane Wilson Honored as Leading Trainer
It was another excellent showing for Shane Wilson who repeated as leading trainer at Louisiana Downs with 50 victories.
The Haughton, Louisiana resident started 217 Thoroughbreds adding 42 runner-up finishes and 33 thirds to earn $762,665 for the meet. He took the lead from the beginning of the meet and was never caught.
“We came in with 58-60 horses; no 2-year-olds,” said Wilson. “The first condition book was super for us and from there we kept our foot on the pedal. We were able to pick up a few horses after Lone Star Park wrapped up. Some of the better horses only got one start, but overall, we were pleased.”
Jockeys Jose Guerrero and Alexander Castillo rode the majority of the Wilson trainees with both riders showing improvement in their skill level.
Of course, Wilson is grateful to his owners, including Wayne T. Davis, Jim and Kathy Reeves, Hugh Moore, Craig Drago and Phyllis Presswood.
“I've been blessed with loyal owners who have supported us for over ten years,” added Wilson. “Tye Smith joined us this year and I am fortunate that they trust me and let me place their horses where they can win, but also let me take some chances. To be able to try a horse on turf or see how they handle going long is important. Everything is about the owners and I wouldn't have won these titles without them.”
It's a family affair at the Wilson barn, with his wife Becky and younger son, Connor, sharing in the key duties. His oldest son, Peyton, is an honors engineering student at LSU.
Wilson will stable at Fair Grounds in New Orleans for their 2022-2023 live racing season.
Joey Foster, who has won the Louisiana Downs trainer title three times, finished in a tie for second with Karl Broberg. Both horsemen won 28 races. Greg Tracy followed with 30 victories and Steve Asmussen won 28 races.
Leading Owner Title Goes to End Zone Athletics, Inc
End Zone Athletics, Inc. claimed its third leading owner title. The highly successful partnership of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson won 21 races this meet, after topping the standings in 2019 and 2020, and finishing second last year to Wayne T. Davis.
Broberg's longtime assistant, Kevin Martin, accepted the award on Tuesday afternoon.
“We are thankful that we got on a roll after a mediocre start to grab this award,” said Martin. “Our thanks go out to everyone involved in our outstanding team, including our grooms, gallop boys and our jockeys.”
Davis, who won the 2021 title, finished in a tie for second with Greg Tracy. Both owners won 15 races. Elite Thoroughbred Racing, Inc. rounded out the top four in the standings with 12 wins.
The post Jockey Carlos Lozada, Trainer Shane Wilson Finish Atop Standings At Louisiana Downs appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
