Month: April 2023

Godolphin LLC's homebred Proxy ran down the leaders late to prevail in a three-horse photo finish for the victory in Saturday's $1-million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) before an on-track crowd of 36,000 at Oaklawn Park.

Proxy, ridden by Joel Rosario, settled into fifth-place early as Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Stilleto Boy set the early pace, while pushed by Classic Causeway through fractions of :23.23 and :47.64 for the first half mile. The winner was still fifth as the horses entered the stretch, but quickly gained ground after going six wide and got up in the final strides to prevail by a head over defending Oaklawn Handicap winner Last Samurai, who was closing quickly up the rail. Stilleto Boy finished a nose behind in third. The final time was 1:49.68 over a fast track.

“I thought we would be a little closer than we were,” said winning rider Joel Rosario, who was winning his second straight $1-million race at Oaklawn following the victory last Saturday in the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) aboard Clairiere. “We always try to be in the clear on the outside. It looked like for a second when we hit the last turn, he took himself back a little bit. But he came back and when hit the stretch turning for home, he's got that long stride and he kept getting to them, getting to them. Finally, he got them at the wire. It was a good race.”

Senor Buscador, Charge It, Classic Causeway, and Rated R Superstar completed the order of finish.

“I knew there was enough speed to set up his late run,” winning trainer Michael Stidham said. “The way it went, with Charge It sitting right in behind them (speed horses) and us outside of him, the only concern was turning for home it looked like he was trying to drop out of it again. But Joel (Rosario) had him out there for a reason, to stay out from behind the dirt.”

Proxy, who was coming off a narrow second behind Stilleto Boy in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) March 4 improved his record to 5-6-2 in 16 career starts and has now earned $1,775,970. The Kentucky-bred son of Tapit out of Grade 1 winner Panty Raid, by Include, returned $9.40 for the win.

The post Proxy Scores Hard-Fought Win In Oaklawn Handicap Thriller appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Maryland Jockey Club has canceled its Thursday, April 27 racing program at Laurel Park due to insufficient entries. The racing office will be open and taking entries Sunday for the Friday, April 28 program.

We acknowledge the recent statements in the press regarding the safety of our racing surface. However, we want to emphasize that 1/ST Racing and the Maryland Jockey Club prioritize safety above all else, and continually engage in proactive analysis of our racing and training surfaces. To this end, we have engaged the services of Dennis Moore, a renowned industry expert, who has been conducting routine testing of the Laurel Park racing surface for the past three days. Dennis, along with independent engineering experts, have performed a comprehensive battery of tests during this time, to ensure the safety of our racing surface.

• Particle size distribution via the following methods:

• • Laser diffraction.
  • Sieve and hydrometer

• Orono Biomechanical Surface Test (ASTM Standard F3400)

• • Peak Vertical Load
  • Peak Fore-Aft Load
  • Peak Vertical Deacceleration

• Ground Penetrating Radar
• Percentage surface crossfall
• Bulk Density
• X-ray diffraction
• Base inspection

The results of these tests were all within industry norms. Based on these tests and their professional knowledge, our track experts have advised that there are no issues with the track and that it is safe to race and train.

In addition, Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, Director of Equine Safety and Welfare with HISA, has at our request reviewed Laurel's fatality data and stated: “I've reviewed the data provided to me this morning by the Maryland Racing Commission and find a racing fatality rate at Laurel of approximately 1.3/1,000 starts since January 1st. By comparison, the Equine Injury Database shows a rate of approximately 1.98/1,000 at this same point (through April 21) last year.” As stated the current fatality rate has decreased from last year at the same point.

Even though the track surface is within industry standards certain Horseman have determined not to submit entries for this Thursday's racing card. Hopefully after reviewing the facts live racing will proceed.

We hope that all stakeholders will be able to come to a consensus and adopt the enhanced veterinary and safety protocols that have been implemented with great success in California. MJC has made repeated requests of the horsemen and are still waiting for their approval to be able to move forward with their implementation.

While we all know that catastrophic injuries will not be eliminated completely it is clear from the above that our track is not the issue, and we urge the Commission and the MTHA to take advantage of the proven enhancements to improve horse safety.

The post MJC Statement: Experts’ Battery Of Tests On Laurel Surface Show Track Is Safe To Race, Train appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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