Month: October 2023

Australia: Raf Attack vs. Tom Kitten In Spring Champion Stakes

A pair of AU$2-million races heads another high-quality program of racing at Randwick this Friday night in Sydney, Australia. Apart from sharing top billing in purse money, the Spring Champion Stakes (G1) and The Invitation have the common denominators of a Godolphin-owned horse and a Chris Waller-trained horse among the top three in wagering. A trio of supporting stakes embellishes Royal Randwick's ten-race card, which attracted an average of 12 horses per race. The wagering value and exciting spectacle of Sydney racing commences with a first post of 6:30 p.m. Pacific, 9:30 p.m. Eastern and will be broadcast live by FanDuel TV and Sky Racing World.

Tom Kitten wasn't purring from the half-mile to the quarter pole of the Gloaming Stakes on the undercard of The Everest two weeks ago. After checking, then racing in tight quarters, the Godolphin colt bumped heavily and was unbalanced straightening for home. A furious rally came up a neck short of Raf Attack, who made his own luck on the lead. The G3 Gloaming, at 1 1/8 miles, is the traditional prep for Friday night's G1 Spring Champion Stakes, as early (southern hemisphere) season 3-year-olds stretch out in distance.

Raf Attack, who was 8-1 when upsetting Tom Kitten, can be expected to lead again but might have to be used early from post position 11. Meanwhile, Tom Kitten will have an extra furlong to claw back the margin. The Gloaming Stakes result was Tom Kitten's third straight defeat as favorite, but there has been merit in each of those beaten performances. He will again carry the weight of public support (6-5), with Raf Attack quoted 6-1 to repeat. While six other runners exit the Gloaming Stakes, trainer Chris Waller provides an intriguing alternative form line with the field's only filly. Tutta La Vita (6-1) finished third in the G1 Flight Stakes, at a mile against her own sex, giving every indication that she'll relish the additional real estate. Waller trained her sire, The Autumn Sun, to become champion 3-year-old colt during a season that included a Group 1 win at 1 1/4 miles.

The Spring Champion Stakes (Race 7) will be immediately followed by The Invitation (Race 8), a seven-furlong race for fillies and mares being run for just the third time. Global powerhouse Godolphin and Sydney's perennial leading trainer Chris Waller again clash near the top of the market. Waller's 5-year-old mare Espiona exits a very creditable midpack finish in The Everest (six furlongs), when never totally clear in the stretch of the world's richest turf race. On Friday night, Espiona (3-1) steps back up to her “pet” distance: she boasts a 4-for-7 career record at seven furlongs. The “Godolphin blue” will be carried by Parisal (6-1), a consistent 4-year-old with a 9: 4-4-0 career record. However, she must reverse two exacta results (including last start) versus Magic Time, who heads wagering for The Invitation at 5-2.

Countdown to the $10 Million Golden Eagle

Australia's second-richest race, restricted to 4-year-olds, is just a week away on Friday night, Nov. 3 (U.S. time).

  • An already strong prospective field has been bolstered by the addition of brilliant Perth mare Amelia's Jewel. A shock last-start failure had blotted a previous 11: 9-2-0 career record and thrown plans into disarray, but trainer Simon Miller was overflowing with superlatives in describing her recovery from a suspected “low-grade bug” (virus) and the mare's subsequent workout.
  • The news that Amelia's Jewel is “totally back on board” saw her immediately take over favoritism in future book wagering at 7-2.
  • The Chris Waller-trained Kovalica, who is bursting to win a race this campaign, has firmed to 4-1.
  • New Zealand mare Legarto has drifted to 5-1, the same odds as Hawaii Five Oh.

The Randwick card will be broadcast live on FanDuel TV this Friday night (First Post: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT) alongside cards from Doomben, Kembla Grange and Ascot. All races will be live-streamed in HD on the new Sky Racing World App, skyracingworld.com and major ADW platforms such as TVG, TwinSpires, Xpressbet, NYRABets, WatchandWager, HPIbet, FanDuel and AmWager. Wagering is also available via these ADW platforms. Fans can get free access to live-streaming, past performances, and expert picks on all races at skyracingworld.com.

About Michael Wrona

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Michael Wrona has called races in six countries. Michael's vast U.S. experience includes; race calling at Los Alamitos, Hollywood Park, Arlington and Santa Anita, calling the 2000 Preakness on a national radio network and the 2016 Breeders' Cup on the International simulcast network. Michael also performed a race call voiceover for a Seinfeld episode called The Subway.

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Friday Insights: Homebred Curlin Colt Debuts For Gary And Mary West

1st-KEE, $100K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:00 p.m.

A Gary and Mary West homebred, HOLLYWOOD ENDING (Curlin) makes the races Friday for trainer Brad Cox. The colt is the fifth foal out of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal making him a half-brother to MGSW Actress (Tapit), herself the dam of GIII Withers S. winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). On a steady work tab at both Turfway Park and, more recently, Churchill Downs, Hollywood Ending comes in with a good foundation and picks up Flavien Prat for his debut. TJCIS PPS

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HISA Introduces First-Ever National Concussion Protocol For Jockeys

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has introduced U.S. Thoroughbred racing's first-ever recommended national concussion protocol for jockeys. Under HISA's Racetrack Safety rules, racetracks are required to implement a concussion protocol for jockeys. HISA's recommended protocol released Thursday would become mandatory for all racetracks under HISA's jurisdiction when and if the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approves HISA's proposed changes to its Racetrack Safety rules submitted last month.

HISA's national concussion protocol was developed in consultation with leading experts to protect the health and safety of jockeys across the country and brings racing in line with the nation's other major sports, all of which have uniform concussion management protocols. HISA's concussion protocol includes clear step-by-step instructions for racetrack medical personnel to follow when evaluating and monitoring riders for potential head injuries.

The new protocol also incorporates the digital concussion management platform HEADCHECK into its reporting process. Under the protocol, racetrack medical staff will use HEADCHECK to document medical evaluations, possible concussion symptoms and written releases permitting a jockey to return to riding after being cleared by a qualified medical provider knowledgeable in concussion management and the skills needed to perform as a jockey. HEADCHECK's implementation will also see to it that concussion-related medical records follow a rider from track to track and ensure continuity of concussion care across the country. HISA has been working to implement HEADCHECK at racetracks across the country for the last several months.

“In a sport like racing where athletes are at high risk for concussion, it's crucial for every racetrack to have an established concussion protocol in place to respond to head injuries,” said HISA National Medical Director Dr. Peter Hester. “HISA's national protocol requires prompt and correct care and clear documentation, which are essential to ensuring jockeys have the best opportunity to make a full recovery from a concussion. To prioritize jockey health, HISA strongly encourages racetracks to adopt this protocol now to help optimize safety throughout the sport.”

Jockeys and their families are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with HISA's national concussion protocol and will be notified via the HISA portal when updates are made to the protocol. Racetracks under HISA's jurisdiction are encouraged to post a concussion protocol in a prominent place in the jockeys' quarters.

HISA is working with racetracks to help educate medical staff and riders on the importance of concussion prevention, diagnosis and treatment – including the new national protocol and its requirements.

About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 2023.

The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures.

The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.

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Asmussen-Trained Go Otto Go Favored Among 10 2-Year-Olds In Friday’s Clever Trevor Stakes

Go Otto Go, a Steve Asmussen shipper, has been made the 5-2 morning line favorite for Friday night's $75,000 Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park. The race for 2-year-olds drew a fairly wide-open field of 10 to go seven furlongs.

The race is named for the first winner ever of the Oklahoma Derby in 1989 (then called the Remington Park Derby). Clever Trevor was trained by Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famer Donnie Von Hemel and the popular gelding raced in the Kentucky Derby, the Travers Stakes and the Breeders' Cup Sprint during his long career. He is currently No. 4 on the all-time Oklahoma-bred list of earners, behind only Kip Deville, Lady's Secret and Shotgun Kowboy.

Go Otto Go, a 2-year-old colt by Bolt d'Oro, out of the War Chant mare Court Dancer, was a $180,000 purchase in the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale in 2022. Go Otto Go immediately showed promise, raising eyebrows with a four-length victory in his first career start at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

Go Otto Go was sent off at 9-5 odds that day on May 25 when jockey Florent Geroux guided this colt to the easy win over five furlongs. He has yet to repeat that effort, however, after being shipped to Ellis Park in Kentucky, Saratoga in upstate New York and Kentucky Downs for a turf race. He has raced in nothing but stakes races since breaking his maiden. Remington Park leading rider Stewart Elliott gets aboard for the first time in the Clever Trevor. Go Otto Go's best finish since his career debut was a fourth at Ellis Park in the $225,000 Bashford Manor Stakes on July 2. He has earned $90,150 for owner Three Chimney Farms. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Sun Valley Farms.

General Shipman has been named the second favorite at 4-1 odds by oddsmaker Jerry Shottenkirk and is undefeated after two starts at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. This 2-year-old colt by Midshipman, out of the Into Mischief mare Impish, broke his maiden going five furlongs on July 17 by one length. He followed up with a three-quarters length victory in the $100,000 Prairie Meadows Freshman Stakes on Aug. 26 at six furlongs.

Casey Schleis, in his first full year as an official trainer, sends out General Shipman for owner Jason Cline. Cline also is the breeder for this Nebraska-bred. General Shipman has earned $78,300 in two starts. Ken Tohill, who was aboard for this colt's two trips to the winner's circle will ship into town for the mount. Schleis is a former clocker-turned-trainer. He was a longtime clocker at Prairie Meadows, but didn't start training full-time until this year at 47 years old. He has primarily trained at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., and Prairie Meadows. His record overall is 27 starts, six wins, three seconds and six thirds for horses' earnings of $158,485. Schleis' late father, Jim, was a trainer and Casey started his career as an assistant to the late Jim Arnett, a longtime trainer at Remington Park. Arnett retired after 2006.

The third choice in the morning line is Vino Bianco, a 2-year-old colt by Vino Rosso out of the Forest Wildcat mare Painted Woman. He was made 5-1 in the morning line after breaking his maiden last time out for owner Richard Davis by 6-1/4 lengths in his second start at Remington Park, his fourth try lifetime. Elliott was in the irons for the impressive win, but he will get a new rider, Nik Juarez, for the Clever Trevor. He is trained by J.R. Caldwell. The colt was bred in Kentucky by Jim and Janie Wells. He was purchased for $40,000 at the Keeneland January Mixed Sale in Kentucky. Prior to breaking his maiden, he had run second at Lone Star Park and second at Remington Park against maidens.

The field for the Clever Trevor by program and post-position order with trainer, jockey and morning-line odds is:

  1. Devil's Mischief, Terry Eoff, Sofia Barandela, 20-1
  2. Go Otto Go, Steve Asmussen, Stewart Elliott, 5-2
  3. Third Street, Shawn Davis, Jose Alvarez, 8-1
  4. My Buddy Mel, Danny Pish, Jermaine Bridgmohan, 12-1
  5. Vino Bianco, J.R. Caldwell, Nik Juarez, 5-1
  6. General Shipman, Casey Schleis, Ken Tohill, 4-1
  7. Wish Man, Brent Davidson, Harry Hernandez, 10-1
  8. Sweet Soddy J, Raymond Ginter, Floyd Wethey, Jr., 6-1
  9. Magic Grant, Eddie Milligan Jr., Richard Eramia, 20-1
  10. Specialsortastorm, Ray Ashford, Jr., Elvin Gonzalez, 8-1

Remington Park racing continues this week with racing Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. First post time nightly is 7:07 CDT.

Remington Park has provided more than $331 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District, Remington Park is home to the Springboard Mile, a Kentucky Derby points-qualifying race, on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023. Remington Park presents simulcast racing daily and non-stop casino gaming. Parking and admission are always free. Must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

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