Each week, members of the national media vote on the nation's top contenders on the Triple Crown trail in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll. Week 15 of the 2023 NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Thoroughbred Poll, covers racing performances through May 7. Based on his victory in the Kentucky Derby, Mage rocketed up the charts to No. 1 while former leader Forte moved to the second spot. Other top finishers from the Kentucky Derby, Two Phil's, Angel of Empire, and Disarm also made the list.
Month: May 2023
Western Canadian Racetracks Team Up To Present New ‘Triple Crown’ With $100,000 Bonus
The new Western Canadian Triple Crown in Thoroughbred racing not only has a nice ring to it, there is also an awareness of companionship attached that transmits goodwill within the sport.
That is precisely the feeling shared among Assiniboia Downs, Century Mile, and Hastings Racecourse as the three western racetracks band together to present a combined Derby extravaganza during the 2023 live racing season.
The Western Canadian Triple Crown connects the $125,000 Manitoba Derby (Aug. 7), the $200,000 G3 Canadian Derby in Alberta (Aug. 26) and $125,000 G3 British Columbia Derby (Sept. 16).
In addition to $450,000 in purse money, there will be an additional $100,000 bonus should a horse win all three of the prestigious Derby events.
“To link a meaningful financial bonus to the already robust purse offerings should only elevate the participation and competitiveness of the races,” says Darren Dunn, Assiniboia Downs Chief Executive Officer. “It also results in a rewarding outcome for both the racing fans and related horse connections. We are excited to work collaboratively with our western provincial partners who are so energized to put an even brighter spotlight on these historic Derby events.”
Allen Goodsell, Racing Manager at Century Casinos, saluted officials at both Assiniboia Downs and Hastings Racecourse for their participation. “This initiative will bring additional fanfare and excitement to Western Canada's premier races for 3-year-olds,” Goodsell said. “We look forward to additional collaboration in the future which only strengthens our collective industries.”
Nichelle Milner, BC Director of Racing, is pleased Manitoba and Alberta asked Hastings Racecourse to be involved in the concept. “A Western Canadian Triple Crown has such great potential. I can see eventually awarding points for first, second and third place finishes and have the top three connections profit from it. We're thrilled to be part of it.”
Western Canadian Triple Crown
$125,000 Manitoba Derby Assiniboia Downs Monday, August 7, 2023
$200,000 Canadian Derby (G3) Century Mile Saturday, August 26, 2023
$125,000 BC Derby (G3) Hastings Racecourse Saturday, September 16, 2023
$100,000 bonus to the owner who wins all three of the 2023 Derby events.
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Pleasant Valley State Prison To Host ‘Open Barn’ Event On May 12 Showcasing Innovative Equine Care Program
Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) and the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF) is hosting an “Open Barn” event to celebrate the fourth anniversary of the innovative PVSP Second Chances Program on Friday, May 12, 2023, from Noon – 2 p.m.
This innovative vocational training program provides incarcerated participants with life-changing job skills through its accredited equine care and stable management courses. TRF program providers work closely with participants to train horses that live on institution grounds. This valuable training can lead to employment opportunities upon release.
The “Open Barn” is being held to demonstrate the powerful impact this program has had on the students' lives and to also celebrate the anniversary of this successful program. Attendees will have the opportunity to interview and photograph program providers and participants as well as meet the horses that reside at PVSP. During the event, students will showcase their skills with live horse shoeing as well as an exhibition of basic grooming care.
WHERE: Pleasant Valley State Prison 24863 W. Jayne Avenue Coalinga, Calif. 93210 (559) 935-4900
Prohibited attire: Clothing that resembles state-issued population clothing (blue denim, blue chambray), shorts, open-toed shoes, clothing that resembles law enforcement or military-type clothing, tight-fitting or revealing clothing.
Please RSVP no later than close of business on May 10, 2023 in order to process security gate clearances. CLICK HERE TO RSVP. Media attendees must reply by COB May 8, 2023 to obtain media clearance.
About TRF: Founded in 1983 and currently celebrating its 40th anniversary, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides lifelong sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime. In 2023, the TRF celebrates four decades of Saving Horses and Changing Lives with gratitude for all who have made this possible.
Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances Program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with life-changing vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At eight correctional facilities across the US, including one juvenile justice facility, this program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for program graduates upon release from prison. The TRF Second Chances at Pleasant Valley State Prison began in October 2019 with support from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, West Hills Community College, and Harris Ranch Horse Division. For more information visit: www.trfinc.org
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‘He’s A Magical Horse’–Head Delighted With Big Rock
If there was any doubt who was the Cork Of The North among the French 3-year-old middle-distance colts heading into Tuesday's G3 Prix de Guiche, Yeguada Centurion's Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}–Hardiyna {Ire}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) provided the emphatic answer with a dominant display at a rain-soaked Chantilly. Compared to Frankel (GB) by the commentary team of Racing Galop afterwards, the homebred first foal out of the owner-breeder's €72,000 Goffs November purchase from The Aga Khan's draft was more Old Vic (GB) as he sliced through the testing ground to kill off all threats without Aurelien Lemaitre needing to delve into the deep reserves. Out on his own for the entirety of the nine-furlong G1 Prix du Jockey Club prep, the 6-5 favourite was sauntering late on with his peers coming home behind him at margins more akin to steeplechases.
At the line, the powerhouse G3 Prix la Force winner whose family includes all The Aga Khan's “H” luminaries headed by the Derby and Irish Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had five lengths to spare over Le Haras de la Gousserie's Patrice Cottier-trained Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), with another four back to Grey Tornado (Fr) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}) from the Henri-Alex Pantall stable. TDN Rising Star Padishakh (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) was beaten 14 1/2 lengths in fourth, with the other big representatives Rajapour (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}) and Flight Leader (GB) (Frankel {GB}) the last two home by unthinkably large margins.
Jockey Club The Aim
It is a big week for Leopoldo Fernández Pujals' breeding operation and the Christopher Head stable, with Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in pole position in Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches now that Big Rock has spurned dreams of a 2023 Classic double.
“He is an amazing horse with such a high cruising speed–he destroys the field,” the trainer said of the homebred, beaten on his inauspicious first three starts for the Mathieu Brasme stable and unbeaten since the switch, including a handicap and the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault at this track. “It's even more amazing on such testing ground. He was really very, very impressive today, more than ever.”
“We got him at the beginning of the season, but he showed his class pretty early on,” Head told TDN Europe of Big Rock.
“Because of the ground, I wasn't expecting such a dominant win. It was a nice result and a proper preparation for the Jockey Club. That's the main aim.”
He added, “It's very important to be able to train this calibre of horse. I really want to thank Yeguada Centurion, and the confidence they have instilled in the stable. Their project is exceptional and will get better and better in time. I'm very lucky to train for them.
“We are looking forward to Blue Rose Cen, running for the same owners, in the French Guineas this weekend.”
Pedigree Notes
Hardiyna, by the aforementioned Harzand's sire, is an unraced daughter of the G3 Silver Flash S. scorer Harasiya (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also second in the G2 Debutante S. and third in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. The third dam is the G3 Athasi S. winner Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}), who alongside Harasiya and Harzand also produced three other black-type performers including the Listed Finale S. winner Hazarafa (Ire) (Daylami {Ire}) who was in turn responsible for the G3 Derby Trial and G3 Amethyst S. scorer Hazapour (Ire) (Shamardal).
Hazariya is a half to Barathea's G3 Blue Wind S. winner and G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks third Hazarista (Ire) and listed-placed Hidden Brief (GB), better known as the dam of last year's G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine and Oaks runner-up Emily Upjohn (GB) also by Sea The Stars. Hardiyna's second foal is a 2-year-old colt by Ten Sovereigns (Ire) who was a potential bargain €20,000 purchase by Emil Zahariev at Arqana Deauville October.
Tuesday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE GUICHE-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 5-9, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:55.48, hy.
1–BIG ROCK (FR), 128, c, 3, by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire)
1st Dam: Hardiyna (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Harasiya (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Hazariya (Ire), by Xaar (GB)
O/B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (FR); T-Christopher Head; J-Aurelien Lemaitre. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-2-0, €134,650. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Horizon Dore (Fr), 128, g, 3, Dabirsim (Fr)–Sweet Alabama (Fr), by Enrique (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€45,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Gousserie Racing, Ecurie du Sud, Ecurie Gribomont, Daniel Dumoulin, Mlle Chantal Becq & Mme Francoise Delaunay; B-Mlle Chantal Becq (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €16,000.
3–Grey Tornado (Fr), 128, c, 3, The Grey Gatsby (Ire)–Veldargent (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€25,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Patrice Bourigault & Mlle Ingrid Pantall; B-Patrick Chedeville & Mme Yvette Pantall (FR); T-Henri-Alex Pantall. €12,000.
Margins: 5, 4, 5HF. Odds: 1.20, 7.60, 15.00.
Also Ran: Padishakh (Fr), Circeo (Ire), Rajapour (Ire), Flight Leader (GB). Video, sponsored by TVG.
[PRETRAINED GROUP WINNER] Spectacular front-running win for BIG ROCK in the G3 Prix de Guiche, confirming his status of hot favorite for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club. Congrats to his owner-breeder @YdaCenturionFan & @HeadRacing1. We were delighted to welcome him in pretraining pic.twitter.com/Vg2YZCNOyO
— The Channel Consignment & ACF Equine (@TCC_AcfEquine) May 9, 2023
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