June, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Ward Hit With 15-Day Suspension For Monmouth Positives

Trainer Wesley Ward has begun serving a 15-day suspension after a horse he trained tested positive for the substances naproxen and metformin following a July 15, 2022, race at Monmouth. Ward's suspension began June 23 and ends July 7. He was also fined $2,000.

The Paulick Report was first with the story.

The infraction occurred in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on the turf with the gelding Insanity It Seems (Tale of the Cat), who won by 2 1/4 lengths. The horse, who is also owned by Ward, has not run back since.

Ward said he did not consider filing an appeal.

“What are you going to do?” he said. “When you appeal and go down that road things can get tough and you wind up paying a lot in lawyer bills.”

Because there were positives for two drugs, the penalties could have been more harsh, but, according to co-counsel Drew Mollica, the Monmouth stewards concluded that the presence of metformin in and of itself did not warrant a significant fine or suspension.

“The science proved that the metformin was at such a trace amount that they concluded there were mitigating circumstances,” said Mollica, who was co-counsel along with Darrell Vienna. “They took into account that metformin was a derivative of contamination. The penalty is indicative of the finding that only the naproxen was an issue and that the metformin was a result of contamination. Without the mitigation, the penalty could have been much harder. So we are appreciative of the New Jersey Commission paying attention to the science and buying into our argument.”

Naproxen, also known as the over-the-counter analgesic Aleve, is a regulated anti-inflammatory drug. According to the website Equimed.com, it can be used in horses to treat lameness, musculoskeletal pain from soft tissue injury, muscle soreness and bone and joint problems. Metformin is a human drug prescribed for type II diabetes. In horses, it may be prescribed if a horse cannot exercise due to laminitis, or if insulin levels are very high.

Ward said he did not know how the naproxen got into the horse's system.

“I shipped to Monmouth to another trainer's barn and his staff ran the horse for me,” he said. “He's a great friend of mine and when the results came back, I was surprised to hear what happened. I know the rules are rules and the stewards have to do what they have to do. I'm just going to try to keep doing the best I can.”

The Monmouth race marked the second time Ward has had a positive for metformin. His Averly Jane (Midshipman) tested positive for the drug in the April 28, 2021 Kentucky Juvenile S. at Churchill Downs. That offense resulted in a 15-day suspension.

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National Museum of Racing Celebrates Secretariat With New 50th Anniversary Exhibit

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will present special exhibitions celebrating the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's 1973 Triple Crown and chronicling renowned photographer Bert Morgan's career covering the racing and social scenes at Saratoga. Both exhibits open July 13. A third special exhibition featuring several works by iconic artist Saul Steinberg is already open in the Museum's Link Gallery.

Cox: ‘Pace Could Set Up Well’ For West Will Power In Stephen Foster

Big weekends in horse racing are usually synonymous with several entries from the Brad Cox barn and that is the case for Saturday's Steven Foster Day at Ellis Park where the Louisville-based conditioner has five stakes entrants including West Will Power, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds in the $1 million Stephen Foster (Grade 1).

“We're looking forward to this weekend at Ellis. There are some really fun races and we have a lot of horses ready to compete from our barn,” Cox said Wednesday from his Churchill Downs base. “We've got five entered in the stakes Saturday and two stakes starters on Sunday with Zozos (in the Hanshin Stakes) and Squire Creek (in the Maxfield).”

In the Stephen Foster, Gary and Mary West's West Will Power was tabbed as the 7-2 second choice on the morning line odds behind Lucky Seven Stable's multiple graded stakes winning colt Smile Happy (3-1). West Will Power dueled on the lead in the $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs but gave way late to Smile Happy. Prior to the Alysheba, West Will Power dominated six rivals by 4 ¾ lengths in the New Orleans Classic (G2) at Fair Grounds.

“I think the pace could set up well for him in the Foster,” Cox said. “He's the type of horse that likes to be either on the lead or sit just off the leader's hip. He was impressive at Fair Grounds this winter and ran well last time at Churchill. I think he got a lot out of that race and fits well moving forward in the Foster.”

Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster will go as Race 10 of 12 at 4:26 p.m. (all times Central). First post is 11:45 a.m. The Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events Saturday at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (G2), the $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), the $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed) and the $225,000 Tepin.

Cox will also send Set Piece (GB) to post in the Wise Dan Stakes as the heavy 4-5 morning line favorite.

“He's such a cool horse and developed into a barn favorite,” Cox said. “He always shows up and runs hard. We'll see how the pace shakes out in this race. He likes to come from off the pace but has been training well at Churchill out of the Arlington Stakes (G3).”

Hunter Valley Farm's A Mo Reay was tabbed as the 8-5 favorite in the Fleur de Lis (G2) where she will take on a well-matched field of eight fillies and mares.

“I think the mile-and-an-eighth distance in the Fleur de Lis should suit her well,” Cox said. “She's a Grade 1 winner and a very consistent filly.”

Cox's other Saturday stakes starters are Godolphin's Wadsworth as the 9-5 favorite in the American Derby and Miacomet Farm's Heavenly Sunday, the 5-2 second choice in the Tepin Stakes.

“I think both Wadsworth and Heavenly Sunday both have big shots Saturday,” Cox continued. “Wadsworth ran a big race last time out to just miss in the Caesars Stakes. Heavenly Sunday is quick from the gates and we'll see how the pace shakes out early in the Tepin.”

Here are the full fields, with morning line odds, for all six stakes Saturday from Ellis Park:

The $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (GI), Race 10:

1. Proxy (Joel Rosario, Mike Stidham, 4-1)

2. Stilleto Boy (Kent Desormeaux, Ed Moger Jr., 6-1)

3. Speed Bias (Luis Saez, Ron Moquett, 12-1)

4. Rattle N Roll (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 4-1)

5. Smile Happy (Corey, McPeek, 3-1)

6. West Will Power (Prat, Cox, 7-2)

7. Last Samurai (Cristian Torres, Wayne Lukas, 6-1)

8. Happy American (James Graham, Neil Pessin, 20-1)

The $400,000 Wise Dan (G2), Race 9:

1. Harlan Estate (Declan Cannon, Whit Beckman, 10-1)

2. Tut's Revenge (Francisco Arrieta, Shea Stuart, 20-1)

3. Camp Hope (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek, 5-1)

4. Get Smokin (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mark Casse, 5-1)

5. Play Action Pass (Tyler Gaffaione, Robert Medina, 12-1)

6. Kittansett (Cristian Torres, Paulo Lobo, 12-1)

7. Cowboy Justice (GB) (James Graham, Conor Murphy, 20-1)

8. Set Piece (GB) (Geroux, Cox, 4-5)

9. Stitched (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Gregory Foley, 20-1)

10. Hozier (Julien Leparoux, Rodolphe Brisset, 15-1)

The $400,00 Fleur de Lis (G2), Race 8:

1. Bellamore (Martin Garcia, Simon Callaghan, 5-1)

2. Moon Swag (Luis Saez, Brendan Walsh, 6-1)

3. Royal Take Charge (Cristian Torres, Al Stall Jr., 6-1)

4. Soul of an Angel (Luis Reyes, Gerald James, 30-1)

5. Pauline's Pearl (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 3-1)

6. A Mo Reay (Flavien Prat, Cox, 8-5)

7. Heartyconstitution (Tyler Gaffalione, Joe Sharp, 5-1)

8. Music Street (Julien Leparoux, Whit Beckman, 30-1)

The $225,000 Kelly's Landing (Listed), Race 6:

1. Fortin Hill (Gerardo Corrales, Paulo Lobo, 12-1)

2. Bango (Tyler Gaffalione, Greg Foley, 2-1)

3. Miles Ahead (Martin Garcia, Paul McGee, 9-2)

4. Happy Jack (Rafael Bejarano, Doug O'Neill, 5-1)

5. Marsalis (Joel Rosario, Steve Asmussen, 6-1)

6. Surveillance (James Graham, Keith Desormeaux, 6-1)

7. Tejano Twist (Francisco Arrieta, Chris Hartman, 3-1)

The $225,000 American Derby (Listed), Race 3:

1. Mo Stash (Luis Saez, Vicki Oliver, 2-1)

2. Wadsworth (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 9-5)

3. Desert Duke (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 8-1)

4. Gigante (Tyler Gaffalione, Steve Asmussen, 4-1)

5. Hidden Path (Flavien Prat, Todd Pletcher, 6-1)

6. Sharar (Julien Leparoux, Todd Pletcher, 8-1)

The $225,000 Tepin, Race 11:

1. Sandra D (David Cohen, Steve Margolis, 20-1)

2. Safeen (Luis Saez, Eddie Kenneally, 5-1)

3. Heavenly Sunday (Geroux, Cox, 5-2)

4. Wonderfull Lady (FR) (Tyler Gaffalione, Brendan Walsh, 8-1)

5. Xigera (Julien Leparoux, Phil Bauer, 2-1)

6. Meta Physical (Adam Beschizza, Jeff Hiles, 20-1)

7. Girl Named Charlie (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss, 6-1)

8. Santa Fe Gold (Francisco Arrieta, Bret Calhoun, 15-1)

9. Klassy Bridgette (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 15-1)

The Stephen Foster is a “Win and You're In” Challenge Series event for the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The winner of the Stephen Foster will receive an automatic entry to the 2023 running of the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic and have their pre-entry and entry fees waved along with a travel stipend if they are traveling outside the state of California. The Breeders' Cup World Championships will be held at Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4.

Fans can watch and wager on Stephen Foster Day on www.TwinSpires.com, the official wagering provider of Churchill Downs Incorporated. The Ellis Park simulcast signal will feature expert handicappers Scott Shapiro and Kaitlin Free along with live interviews from Ellis Park by Joe Kristufek.

The entire Stephen Foster Day card will be broadcast on FanDuel TV and the FanDuel TV+ app. Live on-site coverage will begin Friday with Caleb Keller. He'll be joined Saturday and Sunday by Todd Schrupp, Gabby Gaudet, Scott Hazleton and Caton Bredar.

For more information about Stephen Foster Day, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.

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Secretariat, Morgan, Steinberg Highlight Summer Season At National Museum Of Racing And Hall Of Fame

Here is an overview of each exhibit:

A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Secretariat's historic 1973 Triple Crown sweep — in which he set records that still stand in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes — the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame presents a special exhibition honoring the accomplishments and enduring legacy of the famed Meadow Stable colt.

A Tremendous Machine: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown will be on exhibition in the Peter McBean Gallery, coinciding with opening day at Saratoga Race Course on July 13. The exhibit will feature Secretariat's 1973 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Belmont Stakes, and Triple Crown trophies. A video component will take fans through Secretariat's unique journey through the Triple Crown races, as well as tell the stories of the people who guided the horse through his remarkable career. In addition to the trophies and video components, the exhibit will include an extensive array of artwork, artifacts, photography, and pop culture items. On exhibition July 13 through December 2023

The Summer Place to Be: Bert Morgan's Focus on Saratoga

Bert Morgan was one of the most prominent photographers of thoroughbred racing and American society in the 20th century. He got his start by photographing the racing and social scene at Hialeah Park in Florida. By 1940, Morgan was hired as the official photographer for the tracks in New York (later the New York Racing Association). His son eventually joined him to open Bert and Richard Morgan Studio in 1956. Together they captured some of the most significant moments in thoroughbred racing history.

In 2021, the Museum was fortunate to receive a donation of more than 4,000 photographic negatives by Bert Morgan from Patrick Montgomery. The images in the exhibition highlight the Museum's newly conserved and digitized images of scenes at Saratoga Race Course from the 1930s to the 1980s. On exhibition July 13 through October 2023

At the Races with Saul Steinberg

In 1952, artist Saul Steinberg visited Saratoga Springs on commission from Harper's magazine to provide drawings for an article about the Spa. Though he previously produced a series of drawings of horses and their riders in the 1940s, this visit may have prompted his interest in thoroughbred horse racing.

The drawings featured in this exhibition span a period of four years from 1955 to 1959. Three were published in his book The Labyrinth in 1960. One was later published in the 1963 Sports Illustrated article “Steinberg at the Races” that featured scenes at racetracks from Paris to Los Angeles. On exhibition now through December 2023

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