Month: August 2023

Unbeaten New York Thunder Tragically Breaks Down in Deep Stretch in Allen Jerkens Memorial; Longshot One in Vermillion Inherits Win

The sensationally fast New York Thunder (Nyquist) was well on his way to a fifth victory from as many starts in Saturday's GI H. Allen Jerkens S. at Saratoga, but fell when well clear at the sixteenth pole and suffered a life-ending injury in scenes eerily reminiscent of those three weeks ago when Maple Leaf Mel (Cross Traffic) catastrophically broke down just before the wire of the GI Test S. One in Vermillion (Army Mule) found his best stride in the stretch and inherited the victory at odds of 19-1.

The second-longest shot on the board, One in Vermillion was content to drop out to the back of the field as New York Thunder, so impressive in running his winning streak to four in the GII Amsterdam S. July 29, took pace pressure to his outside from GI Woody Stephens S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify) through wicked fractions of :22.29 and :44.40 over a track that had been drying out from earlier showers, but had been sealed after another bit of rainfall a short time prior to the Jerkens. New York Thunder proved best in the pace battle and began to open up on his five rivals, carrying an unassailable advantage into the final furlong. But tragedy struck soon after, as New York Thunder fell and ultimately could not be saved. Verifying (Justify) outfinished Arabian Lion for the most minor of minor awards.

“Per NYRA Sr Examining Vet, New York Thunder sustained a catastrophic injury to his left front in the stretch run of the @TheNYRA #Saratoga 9th & was humanely euthanized on track,” NYRA's Keith McCalmont tweeted. “Jockey Tyler Gaffalione is up and walked to the ambulance. He will visit first aid.”

McCalmont later added that Gaffalione, who had no other mounts on the card, was uninjured.

A two-time stakes winner at Turf Paradise last winter, One in Vermillion won the May 6 Laz Barrera S. at Santa Anita while still under the care of Eric Kruljac, then won a Canterbury allowance and was runner-up in the grassy Canterbury Derby June 21 in his first two starts for the Esteban Martinez barn. Disqualified after dead-heating for the win in the Iowa Derby July 8, the chestnut led past the eighth pole in the Aug. 6 GIII West Virginia Derby before yielding late to finish third to Red Route One (Gun Runner).

“I feel really bad about the rider [Tyler Gaffalione] and the horse [New York Thunder],” Martinez said. I thought this horse could run well in here. He tries hard all the time. He came from the back and he did great.”

Added jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr.: “It's sad. He [New York Thunder] was already a winner I think, to be honest. Unfortunately, that happened. I asked about the rider, they say he's OK, so I'm glad Tyler is okay. He's a friend of mine. It's not the way you want it to happen.”

Pedigree Notes:

One in Vermillion is the first Grade I winner and second graded winner overall for Army Mule. Dam Given Star was purchased by Richard Barton Enterprises for $4,500 with the Jerkens winner in utero at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale and One in Vermillion changed hands for $26,000 at the 2021 Arizona Fall Mixed Sale. One in Vermillion is out of a half-sister to MSW King Henny (Henny Hughes) and MSP Honey Pants (Cairo Prince), who is also responsible for the Cal-bred 2-year-old filly Raspberry Wine (Cat Burglar).

Saturday, Saratoga
H. ALLEN JERKENS MEMORIAL S.-GI, $485,000, Saratoga, 8-26, 3yo, 7f, 1:22.63, my.
1–ONE IN VERMILLION, 118, c, 3, by Army Mule
          1st Dam: Given Star, by Any Given Saturday
          2nd Dam: Queens Carousel, by Afternoon Deelites
          3rd Dam: Irving's Girl, by Badger Land
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. ($26,000 Ylg '21 ARZNOV). O-Jonathan Kalman; B-Richard Barton Enterprises (CA); T-Esteban Martinez; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $275,000. Lifetime Record: 12-6-3-1, $653,840. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Verifying, 120, c, 3, Justify–Diva Delite, by Repent. ($775,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Jonathan Poulin, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor; B-Hunter Valley & Mountmellick Farm, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $100,000.
3–Arabian Lion, 124, c, 3, Justify–Unbound, by Distorted Humor. 'TDN Rising Star'. ($600,000 2yo '22 OBSAPR). O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Bonne Chance Farm LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $60,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 12. Odds: 19.70, 4.80, 1.90.
Also Ran: Fort Bragg, Drew's Gold, New York Thunder.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Letter to the Editor: The Future of the North

Behind the scenes there is a battle taking place for the future of racing in Northern California.

Approximately 30 million dollars is at the center of the battle, the projected net revenue from wagering derived in the north. The projection is derived from past revenues generated annually through Thoroughbred simulcast, ADW and live racing wagering in the north.

Under current law, these funds must remain in the north, for the benefit of the north–both for horsemen and any race meet that continues to offer Thoroughbred racing in the future. The powers that be in the south, 1/ST Racing and The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club are pushing to change the law so they can use those monies “to boost” racing in the south.

At the end of the day, these changes are political–the law must be changed. Experience tells me political contributions will certainly flow, if not are flowing already, to influence legislative changes that will undercut the investment and livelihoods of hundreds of horsemen in the north.

Curiously, and disappointingly, the leadership of both the CTBA and the TOC were supportive of the change even before their members learned of it. Each personally offered statements of support to 1/ST Racing that were included in the release announcing the closure of Golden Gate. Even now I find that troubling because, to my knowledge, neither has made any effort to convene their affected members in the north to ascertain first-hand our feelings, ideas, or concerns. No efforts whatsoever.

Without use of the revenues generated in the North, the Thoroughbred industry in the north will disappear. The significant investments made by many of us will be lost without any apparent regard by leadership elected by and for the purpose of representing our interests too.

I'm told neither board has even taken a vote on these issues, yet their chairs and paid executives open and privately advocate for the plans laid out by 1/ST Racing.

Having previously spent time myself on both these boards, I cannot recall a single instance prior leadership ever committed those organizations to such important positions without first having convened membership, held meaningful discussion and debate, then taken action/a vote of the board then made public to their members.

When did the genuine concerns and interests of TOC and CTBA members cease to matter to the leadership of those organizations?

When members' interests are no longer valued by the chair, the chair really should ask themselves, am I still the right person for this job?

Should this become the end of racing in the north, California Thoroughbred owners will have less than half the opportunities to run their horses and breeders will have lost venues that previously hosted races filled by nearly 70% Cal-breds.

All of us should be asking TOC and CTBA leadership why these issues have not come to the forefront in direct discussion and engagement with affected members.

Northern California horsemen and women have a right to know what the lobbyists for these organizations are saying and doing about these legislative changes. We should know how each board member voted on these issues and the minutes of each organization should explain to members why each organization has determined–for the benefit of all its members–to act as they are.

Members of each organization should openly question and challenge those boards and hold them accountable just as we do other elected representatives. They voluntarily chose to represent our collective interests. They have a duty and obligation to explain why they are proceeding in the manner they seem to be, while what seems like a majority of us believe otherwise.

As one owner to another, one breeder to another, I ask you to think about these issues and then join me in asking some serious questions of the TOC and CTBA boards.

–Tom Bachman, Owner and Breeder

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Gunite Upstages Elite Power In Gate-To-Wire Forego Romp

Gunite turned the tables on familiar rival Elite Power when defeating the reigning champion male sprinter in a tour de force performance in the $500,000 Forego (G1) Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

Second to Elite Power in an epic duel in the Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) July 29 at the Spa, Gunite was too strong Saturday when leading at every point of call, shaking off an inside challenge from his foe in the stretch, and drawing off for a 1/3/4-length victory under Tyler Gaffalione.

Gunite returned $4.60 after covering the seven furlongs for 4-year-olds and older in 1:21.53. While pursued by Pipeline, Gunite clocked early fractions of :23.16 for the opening quarter mile and :46.20 for the half before shaking off Elite Power, who tracked from third before challenging in the stretch,  and cruising clear for the win.

High Oak finished third, four lengths behind stablemate Elite Power, the 3-5 favorite.

A Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred trained by Steve Asmussen, Gunite added a second Grade 1 win to his record after taking the 2021 Hopeful, also at seven furlongs. Overall, the 4-year-old Gun Runner colt out of the Cowboy Cal mare Simple Surprise has a 9-6-2 record from 19 career starts.

Forego Quotes

Steve Asmussen, winning trainer of Gunite (No. 2, $4.60): “Gunite is just a very special horse to race at the level he has for as long as he has and do it consistently. It was a very tough defeat for him in the Vanderbilt and for him to not blink an eye, come back and lay it down again today just proves what a special horse he actually is.

“Elite Power is a great champion. I can't say how much I respect him, being by the unbelievable Curlin. But Gunite has seen good horses and he doesn't blink. That's what makes him so special. He came out of the box trying to prove who Gun Runner was as a 2-year-old, had six runs as a 2-year-old, two of them were here, and he's still winning Grade 1s at 4. Those horses are hard to come by right now.

“The horse gives us a tremendous amount of confidence. Tough defeat in the Vanderbilt, but the next day all he wanted was another chance at him. Today was his chance and he proved how truly good he is.

“Seven-eighths is probably his distance. His other Grade 1 win was the Hopeful which was seven-eighths of a mile. Yes, he can three-quarters and yes, he can mile, but seven-eighths is ideal for him.

“It's amazing what Gun Runner is as a sire. It brings back great memories. His summer here winning the Whitney and the Woodward was just magnificent. For us to be so blessed to get to have multiple Gun Runners. We have three Grade 1 contenders and all three are Gun Runners.”

On training up to Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Sprint: “He likes racing. He's never been a flashy trainer. I believe he'll need another race.”

Ron Winchell of winning owner Winchell Thoroughbreds of Gunite (No. 2): “Very redeeming. Obviously, we came up a little short in the last one after having the lead. So this was definitely redeeming from the last race. I think he's getting better over time. With the Gun Runners, like you see with Echo Zulu also, their last few races just seem to be getting better and better as they get older.”

Tyler Gaffalione, winning jockey aboard Gunite (No. 2): “He broke alertly, put himself in a good spot. The difference between today and last time was, going the three quarters, you've got to use him a little more than you'd like to. Seven-eighths suits him a little bit better. He's a big colt, just let him get into his stride and let him do his thing.”

On riding against Elite Power: “You try to just ride your own horses, but these kind of races against this group of quality, you've got to pay attention [to] who you're running against.”

On Gunite's response in the stretch: “I slapped him on the shoulder, threw him his head, and he exploded. Especially after he switched leads late, he found another gear.

“I think [last time] I used him a little too much early on and I wanted to get a little bit of separation coming into the stretch last time, might've cost us a bit. He definitely made up for it today. He's such a tremendous horse. All the credit goes to Steve and his team.”

On his trip last time: “There wasn't a lot of pace. I was drawn outside of Elite Power that day so I wanted to kind of keep him bottled up. My horse didn't really get underneath himself until we got him to the three-eighths pole, and it's not like I can take a hold there.”

Bill Mott, trainer of runner-up and beaten favorite Elite Power (No. 3) and third-place High Oak (No. 1): “Maybe I've seen him [Elite Power] run a little better before, but I can't give any big excuse. We gave the winner six pounds, I don't know if that's enough to use as an excuse.”

On if Elite Power will have another race before the Breeders' Cup Sprint: “Probably not.”

On High Oak [No. 1]: “It was a short field and Lee [Einsidler, co-owner] wanted to take a shot at it and the horse ran well. He justified being in there.”

Katie Davis, jockey of third-place High Oak (No. 1): “It was just a very patient ride. There was a lot of speed in the race, so turning for home he was really engaged and it was something you really wanted to see in him after these last couple of races. He's changed completely and we're looking forward to moving forward with him. He tried his heart out and I couldn't ask for anything else.”

Winning margin: 1 3/4 lengths

Final time (seven furlongs): 1:21.53

Fractions: 23.16, 46.20, 1:09.67

Full order of finish: 2-3-1-4-5

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Promising Juvenile Pastor T Suffers Catastrophic Injury

Pastor T (Into Mischief–Top Quality, by Quality Road), named a 'TDN Rising Star' for a 4 1/4-length debut victory at Del Mar Aug. 12, was euthanized Saturday after sustaining fatal injuries in a workout.

Bred by WinStar Farm and campaigned in partnership with Siena Farm and trainer Bob Baffert, Pastor T was nearing the conclusion of his workout when he suffered the injury. Pastor T was a likely starter in the GI Del Mar Futurity.

California Horse Racing Board chairman Greg Ferraro confirmed that Pastor T suffered an irreparable injury to his right front fetlock joint, involving the sesamoid and canon bones, at the end of a routine workout.

“It happened right at the wire. He looked like he was going easy, too,” said Ferraro. “The rider came off. The rider seems to be okay. Complained about a stiff neck, but he didn't fall that hard so I think he'll be okay. Of course, Bob [Baffert] was quite upset.”

Ferraro added: “Hard to predict sometimes. We do everything we can to avoid these things.”

Pastor T is the fifth horse death–racing and/or training–during the current meeting at Del Mar which began July 21, according to CHRB records.

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