As much as the main focus of attention among promising 2-year-olds at this time year is testing them around two turns, sprinters are still a highly desirable commodity. In Sunday’s Bob Hope Stakes, a race named for the legendary comedian, it will be no laughing matter when seven speedy juveniles square off in a seven-furlong contest that may or not be a springboard to two-turn success.
Month: November 2022
Dave Litfin, Former Handicapper for the Form, Dies at 64
Dave Litfin, the widely respected former handicapper for the Daily Racing Form, died Thursday night in Saratoga Springs after a long battle with cancer. He was 64.
The news was announced by his wife of 39 years, Robin, on her Facebook page.
Litfin was a call-taker with the Form and joined the New York Racing Association's publicity staff as the press box manager in 1984. He went to work for the DRF in 1990 where he wrote the “Handicapper's Corner” column. He was the author of two books, “Dave Litfin's Expert Handicapping” and “Real-Life Handicapping” and contributed chapters to “Champions” and both volumes of “Bet With the Best.” He most recently worked for Equibase and wrote handicapping columns for the Blood-Horse.
His friend John Scheinman wrote on Facebook, “I and my racing friends and racing as a whole have lost the nicest of guys, David Litfin. As the New York handicapper for years at the Daily Racing Form, you could argue that for a long time he was the most important public handicapper in the country–maybe just behind Beyer–because he was on the top beat for the top publication. You would be crazy to bet New York without seeing who he liked. I always considered Dave's press box presence as one of diligent work but also bemusement. He saw the humor in the whole insane parade of horse racing, it's characters, including up in that room and yet thankfully never seemed to be a lightning rod for any friction. He was gentle, intelligent, caring, inquisitive and fun.”
Litfin is survived by his wife; two daughters, Addy and Marne; a son, Sam, and a daughter-in-law, Maggie. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Liftin's name to Old Friends, which has equine retirement facilities in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Lexington, Ky.
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IHRB Apologise To Connections Of Rosscarbery Over Group 1 Disqualification
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has issued an apology to trainer Paddy Twomey, jockey Wayne Lordan and owner Robert Moran over an error to the weighing out process of Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) that led to the filly being disqualified from finishing third in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh back in June.
Rosscarbery justified Twomey's decision to supplement at a cost of €30,000 for that Group 1 contest when running a gallant third behind stablemate La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World).
However, she was later thrown out after Lordan weighed in 5lb light, after which Twomey said he was convinced the error was not the fault of his or his rider's, and went on to blame “a technical glitch with the scales”.
Rosscarbery, one of the star attractions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale later this month, went on to achieve Group 1 black-type when beaten just a neck into second in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August.
A statement published by Irish racing's regulator on Friday revealed that the connections of the filly have now withdrawn their appeal in light of the IHRB's apology and Twomey described himself as happy that the issue is now resolved.
He said, “It was a pity that it happened. Having a first and third in a Group 1 race is a very hard thing to do and it was unfortunate that she was disqualified. It is what it is and we're moving on. Thankfully we had a good year on the whole and we're just happy that this issue is resolved.”
An independent investigation carried out by Grant Thornton found that no blame could be attributed to Twomey or the connections of the filly, who would have bagged €30,000 in prize-money for her third-placed effort.
The statement read, “The IHRB has established that the disqualification of Rosscarbery from the race resulted from an error in the weigh out process which it accepts was not the fault of the owner, the trainer or the rider. The IHRB very much regrets the incident and unreservedly apologises to Mr Moran, Mr Twomey and Mr Lordan.”
It added, “Following the finish of the race in question, the stewards received a report from the IHRB clerk of the scales that Wayne Lordan, rider of Rosscarbery, who had placed third, had weighed in almost 5lbs light.
“Having considered the evidence on the day, the stewards disqualified Rosscarbery from third place in accordance with the provisions of Rule 231(i) in that he weighed in at more than 1lb light. They also referred the matter to the Chief Executive Officer of the IHRB for further investigation.
“The IHRB immediately began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the weighing-out and weighing-in of the rider of Rosscarbery on the day. On Monday, June 27 2022, the IHRB appointed Grant Thornton to carry out an independent expert technical investigation while also carrying out an internal review of IHRB systems, processes and procedures for the weighing-out and weighing-in of riders.
“On September 6 2022, following a thorough forensic investigation, Grant Thornton issued the IHRB with their report and findings, which the IHRB shared with Mr Moran and Mr Twomey's representatives.”
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Cody’s Wish, Flightline, Rich Strike Nominees for Secretariat Vox Populi Award
Online voting is now open to select the winner of the 13th annual Secretariat Vox Populi Award. Created by Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery, the Vox Populi, or “Voice of the People” award recognizes the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport during the past year.
