January, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dr. Daryl Tropea Joins TRF

Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., who served for more than a decade as the equine program director of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS)–a well-regarded international accreditation organization that evaluates the extent to which animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations meet standards of humane and responsible equine care–has joined the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation as a member of its Board of Directors, the TRF announced Friday.

In her role at GFAS, Dr. Tropea visited and assessed hundreds of equine facilities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, including 14 of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's Second Chances Programs and Sanctuary Farms located across the United States.

In collaboration with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), she has also presented more than 20 workshops stressing risk management for equine rescues and sanctuaries. Dr. Tropea has had a lifelong interest in horses, having served as president of an equine rescue organization, competed on the hunter and jumper circuits, and volunteered by helping horse owners care and train their horses.

Dr. Tropea holds a master's degree in education and a doctorate in epidemiology and biostatistics, from the University of Toronto.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Dr. Tropea to the TRF Board and feel very fortunate that she has accepted the position,” said Patrick Mackay, Chairman of TRF. “We look forward to having her share her vast knowledge of Thoroughbred aftercare with us. Her experience and skills will be invaluable to the TRF.”

The mission of the TRF is to provide sanctuary for retired racehorses no longer able to compete on the racetrack and to save them from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter.

Dr. Tropea said, “I am thrilled to be utilizing my experience and knowledge from accrediting animal rescue organizations and Thoroughbred aftercare as a member of the TRF board. Having visited the TRF sanctuaries and Second Chances Programs, I have seen firsthand, the amazing work of the TRF and am proud to be joining them in their mission.”

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Gunnevera, Curlin’s Honor Headline Florida-Sired Results At OBS Winter Mixed Sale

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Winter Mixed Sale is among the first opportunities for young Florida stallions to show their foals off in the commercial market, and a pair of newcomers from Pleasant Acres Stallions led the way among the Sunshine State residents.

Newly-turned yearlings by Gunnevera and Curlin's Honor drew the sale's two highest prices by rookie Florida stallions during the two-day sale, led by a Gunnevera colt who drew the sales' overall second-highest price at $100,000.

That Gunnevera colt, offered as Hip 29, sold to Machmer Hall early Tuesday during the auction's consignor preferred session.

The dark bay or brown colt is out of the Roar of the Tiger mare Emotional Roar, whose two foals to race are winners. Bred in Florida by Ivan Carrera, the colt hails from the family of Grade 2 winner Roar Emotion and Grade 3 winner Myakovsky. Silver Oaks Farm consigned the colt, as agent.

“We were so excited when the Gunnevera colt reached the $100,000 mark at the OBS sale this week,” said Helen Barbazon of Pleasant Acres. “He had his first weanling to be auctioned for $50,000 in New York so there is a lot of interest in his foals. They are big, long-legged, and have excellent conformation just like him. He is such a kind, sweet horse and we are so happy to have him in our stallion barn. There's been so much interest in him since he arrived and after this week, we are confident he will continue to get lots of quality mares.”

Gunnevera, a 9-year-old son of Dialed In, will stand the upcoming breeding season for an advertised fee of $6,000.

He amassed earnings of $5,561,800 over the course of his four seasons on the track, racking up victories in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Stakes and Fountain of Youth Stakes, as well as the Grade 3 Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes. He was consistently in the mix in some of the sport's biggest races, finishing in the money in Grade 1 tests including the Breeders' Cup Classic, Travers Stakes, Florida Derby, Woodward Stakes, Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, and Dubai World Cup.

Gunnevera is out of the Unbridled mare Unbridled Rage, from the family of Canadian champion Van Lear Rose.

Later in Tuesday's session, P & G Stables secured J J's Honor, a first-crop filly by Curlin's Honor, for $37,000.

Offered as Hip 52, the dark bay or brown filly is the first foal out of the Liam's Map mare J J's Spirit, hailing from the family of Grade 1 winners Siphonic and Laragh, as well as Grade 2 winner Summer Front. The Florida-bred from Thomas Ralph Equi and Sharon Jones Equi was consigned by Abbie Road Farm, agent.

“There are so many great things to say about Curlin's Honor – from his pedigree, his conformation and his overall good looks – but what I love best about him is how much the breeders love his babies,” Barbazon said. “Every single one of our clients who have Curlin's Honor babies have only positive things to say about the foals. He is throwing a lot of himself at his progeny including gorgeous Curlin bodies with those big rear ends for speed. He is truly a top-notch stallion for Florida.”

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An 8-year-old son of Curlin, Curlin's Honor will stand the upcoming season for $2,500. He won five of 17 starts and made $356,545, highlighted by wins in the Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine and the Artie Schiller Stakes at Aqueduct, along with six graded stakes placings.

Curlin's Honor is out of the Stormin Fever mare Franscat, making him a half-brother to stakes winners Swinger's Party and Hubba Shake, as well as Grade 3-placed Powhatan County. His extended family includes Grade 1 winners Fappiano and Ogygian.

“Curlin's Honor and Gunnevera coming to Pleasant Acres Stallions has been an exceptional addition to our roster,” said Pleasant Acres director of stallion services Christine Jones. “Their owners have given lots of support to each of their stallions and this season we have some wonderful incentives to offer. It's going to be a great year.”

The post Gunnevera, Curlin’s Honor Headline Florida-Sired Results At OBS Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Quarter Horse Jockey Charged With Felony Related To Buzzer

A month after being summarily suspended by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, jockey Cody Rodger Smith has been charged with a felony related to use of a buzzer in a horse race on Nov. 15, 2022.

Smith was charged on Jan. 24 and arrested the following day, according to online court records. He has since made his $2,000 bond. His arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 31 in Roger County District Court.

A probable cause affidavit dated Jan. 5 narrated the investigation conducted by law enforcement. Smith rode Zbars Live Wire to victory in the Grade 1 Speedhorse Paint and Appaloosa Futurity at Will Rogers Downs in Claremore, Okla., on Nov. 15. Afterwards, police were contacted by the owner of Speedhorse magazine, which had a photographer on site for the event. According to the affidavit, the photographer's images “show a large bulge in Cody's left gloved hand with two metal prongs protruding from the glove, which is consistent with an electronic device.”

Additional photo evidence from the official track photographer showed the same outline and prongs protruding from Smith's gloved hand.

The Speedhorse photographer told police that after she posted her images on social media “Haley Luneack contacted her to take the picture off face book [sic] as it shows the device.”

According to her Facebook profile, Luneack is in a relationship with Smith.

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The affidavit went on to state that police interviewed Luneack, who said “she received several messages from other people pointing out the device in Cody's glove.”

In an interview with police Smith stated “it's not what it looks like,” according to the affidavit.

“Cody later admitted to taking the buzzer with him when he left the jockeys' room after the races,” the affidavit stated.

Smith was summarily suspended in December for “conduct detrimental to horse racing, possession of contraband, and prohibited use of equipment.” The stewards denied an appeal of Smith's summary suspension on Dec. 12 and he has not ridden since.

Smith is one of the top Quarter Horse riders in the country, having been ranked 24th by earnings in 2022 and fourth in 2019.

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From the TIF: Fixed-Odds in NY Could be Next

Fixed-odds betting options on horse racing could come to New York residents if a new bill introduced by Senator Joseph Addabbo, Chairman of the state Senate's Racing, gaming and Wagering Committee, is passed, according to a story from the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation.

Senate Bill 2343 is similar to a measure introduced a year ago, also by Sen. Addabbo, but which was never advanced for a vote, TIF reports.

“There should be no doubt amongst racing stakeholders that our existing pari-mutuel offerings are not enough in today's competitive market,” said Thoroughbred Idea Foundation executive director Patrick Cummings.

“Fixed odds bets for racing won't replace pari-mutuel wagering, but rather complement our existing offerings, and meet modern customers with a modern product that they currently enjoy with widespread sports betting options.

“After adjusting for inflation, we estimate that mainstream handle on U.S. racing has declined by roughly two-thirds over the last 20 years. The pari-mutuel status quo with high takeout rates and the constant promotion of low-churn exotic bets have depleted our mass market customers. Fixed odds betting offers racing a chance to recapture those that drifted from the sport while introducing our product to new audiences.”

In a statement from the New York Racing Association published earlier this week by DRF, spokesman Patrick McKenna indicated the measure had NYRA's support and “presents an enormous opportunity for horse racing to share in the rapid growth and unrivaled success of New York State's mobile sports wagering marketplace.”

“Allowing mobile sports wagering platforms to offer premium horse racing content would generate untapped gaming revenue for New York State, attract new fans to horse racing, and deepen the sport's overall economic impact.”

TIF supported the expansion into complementary fixed odds options in its 2019 white paper, which can be reviewed here.

Last year was the first full season with fixed odds offerings for on-track customers at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, where the offering is managed by Australian firm BetMakers. Wider distribution to New Jersey customers, including ADW betting via fixed odds on Monmouth races and simulcasted races, is expected in 2023, the TIF reported.

The post From the TIF: Fixed-Odds in NY Could be Next appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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