December, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Equine Property Planning: Black Cherry Trees Can Pose Serious Health Risks

Black cherry tree leaves can be troublesome to deal with for horse owners: these leaves don't always pose a risk to horses, but are particularly dangerous when wilted.

Black cherries are members of the Prunus family, which also include peach, plum, chokecherry, and fire cherry trees. Leaves of these trees contain cyanogenic glycosides, which convert to cyanide when the leaves wilt. Ingestion of wilted leaves can lead to cyanide poisoning in animals that ingest it, reports The Horse.

Native to Central America, North America, and Mexico, dead, dried or crumbling cherry tree leaves don't pose as much of a threat to horses, but wilted leaves can be lethal if ingested in high enough doses. Horses that are fed well will rarely ingest wilted leaves if they have access to adequate forage, which may include supplementation of free-choice hay in the fall when grass is sparse.

Some horses, if inquisitive, may eat the leaves to try them, even if offered adequate hay. Luckily, a few mouthfuls shouldn't hurt – a 1,200-pound dairy cow must ingest between 1.2 and 4.8 pounds of wilted leaves to receive a lethal dose.

Of greater concern than ingestion is the possibility of trees harboring the Eastern tent caterpillar; these trees are the favored food source of the insects. Eastern tent caterpillars pose a great risk to pregnant mares: if ingested, they can cause early- and late-term fetal losses, late-term foal losses, and weak foals. It is recommended that any black cherry trees near pregnant mare fields be removed.

If you're unsure whether black cherry or any other toxic plants may exist near equine pastures, contact a local extension agent or botanist to be sure exactly which types of trees you have. A toxicologist, often found at veterinary diagnostic labs, can assist in determining whether the trees are poisonous.

Rea more at The Horse.

The post Equine Property Planning: Black Cherry Trees Can Pose Serious Health Risks appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Keeneland Library Lecture Series To Include Four Events During Winter/Spring 2024

Keeneland Library's popular Lecture Series returns in winter/spring 2024 with four ticketed events that celebrate recently published works about Thoroughbred racing whose authors conducted research at Keeneland Library. For event details and to purchase tickets, please visit Keeneland.com/library.

During programs planned from January through May, the following authors will discuss their books, with each presentation followed by a reception and book signing:

Jan. 24 – Kim Wickens, Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse.
Feb. 21 – Fred M. Kray, Broken: The Suspicious Death of Alydar and the End of Horse Racing's Golden Age.
March 7 – John Paul Miller, False Riches.
May 9 – Avalyn Hunter, The Kentucky Oaks: 150 Years of Running for the Lilies.

“The authors in this lineup cover varied and engrossing territory,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “From a chronicle of legendary racehorse and sire Lexington to a gripping account of superstar Alydar, and from a novel of race track intrigue to a comprehensive history of the Kentucky Oaks, this series is sure to please our fans of racing and newcomers alike.”

Released in July, Wickens' Lexington has become a national bestseller and earned a nomination by the publisher for a Pulitzer Prize in the historical nonfiction category.

“I love Keeneland Library not only for the wealth of information housed there, but because this award-winning library opens its doors and knowledge to everyone, whether a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, unpublished author, sportswriter, historian or fan who just wants to find out a little more about that horse, jockey or trainer,” Wickens said. “Keeneland Library is a special place and one that is dear to me. I spent many weeks there in this home away from home leafing page by page through some of the oldest sports periodicals in existence. Only because of Keeneland Library was I able to piece together Lexington's history.”

Hunter's The Kentucky Oaks, set to release next spring, traces the evolution of the classic through the stories of the men, women and fillies who made the race a symbol for women's growing participation in the sport.

“I'm delighted to be part of the Keeneland Library Lecture Series,” Hunter said. “The Library is a treasure to any researcher interested in the history of the Thoroughbred and has been generous with its help on research issues. I'm glad to have the opportunity to share some of what I have learned about the history of the Kentucky Oaks and to contribute to the Library's unique place in the Thoroughbred community.”

All programs will be held at Keeneland Library from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET.

Partial proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Keeneland Library Foundation, which supports the Library's preservation, education and outreach mission and funds projects to expand access to its collections.

Founded in 1939, Keeneland Library is one of the world's largest repositories of information related to Thoroughbred racing, housing nearly 30,000 books, more than 1 million photographic negatives and prints, and thousands of newspaper and magazine articles about all aspects of the equine industry. At the globally renowned public research institution, Library staff has assisted thousands of journalists, writers, academics, historians, racing fans and others with research.

The Library is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To reach the Library, enter Keeneland at Gate 1 (Man o' War Blvd.) on Keeneland Blvd. and take the first right on Entertainment Ct. The Library is to the left of the Keene Barn and Entertainment Center.

For more information, visit Keeneland.com/library.

The post Keeneland Library Lecture Series To Include Four Events During Winter/Spring 2024 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

FanDuel Joins John Deere, Keeneland, The Jockey Club As Presenting Sponsors Of 53rd Eclipse Awards

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) has announced that FanDuel will be joining John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club as presenting sponsors of the 53^rd Annual Eclipse Awards, honoring Thoroughbred racing's champions of 2023, which will be held Thursday, January 25, 2024, at The Breakers Palm Beach in Florida.

“We are extremely grateful to our newest presenting sponsor FanDuel in joining John Deere, Keeneland, and The Jockey Club to partner with the NTRA in presenting the Eclipse Awards to the whole of the thoroughbred racing industry,” said Tom Rooney, President and CEO of the NTRA. “Together with our other many supportive partners, we are excited to bring the Eclipse Awards back to the Breakers Palm Beach for the second consecutive year to celebrate another exhilarating year of racing.”

FanDuel will also broadcast live the Eclipse Awards ceremony on January 25.

In addition to the presenting sponsors, many other organizations have pledged their support and are serving as official partners of the event. Official Partners for the event include 1/ST, Breeders' Cup, Churchill Downs Incorporated, Daily Racing Form, Dean Dorton Equine, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, Hallway Feeds, Monmouth Park, New York Racing Association, Oaklawn Park, Palm Beach Kennel Club and Poker Room, Racetrack Television Network, Rood and Riddle, Spendthrift, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

FanDuel Group is an innovative sports-tech entertainment company that is changing the way consumers engage with their favorite sports, teams, and leagues. The premier mobile gaming destination in the United States, FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands across sports betting, iGaming, horse racing, advance-deposit wagering and daily fantasy sports. In addition, FanDuel Group operates FanDuel TV, its broadly distributed linear cable television network and FanDuel TV+, its leading direct-to-consumer OTT platform. FanDuel Group has a presence across all 50 states with approximately 17 million customers and 25 retail locations. FanDuel Group is a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment plc, (LSE: FLTR) the world's largest sports betting and gaming operator with a portfolio of globally recognized brands.

John Deere is the Official Equipment Supplier of agricultural, turf, and construction equipment to the NTRA and Breeders' Cup, and the proud Tractor Supplier of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Deere & Company (www.JohnDeere.com) is a world leader in providing advanced products, technology, and services for customers whose work is revolutionizing agriculture and construction — those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich, and build upon the land to meet the world's increasing need for food, fuel, shelter and infrastructure. For additional information and savings, contact Equine Benefits at 866-678-4289.

Since its founding in 1936, Keeneland has devoted itself to the health and vibrancy of the Thoroughbred industry. Keeneland plays a prominent role in both breeding and racing, serving as the world's largest Thoroughbred auction house and conducting world-class racing twice annually during its Spring and Fall Meets. In furtherance of its mission, Keeneland reinvests its earnings in the form of higher purses and support of horse industry initiatives and charitable contributions focused on education, research, the arts, and health and human services throughout the Central Kentucky community.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club (www.jockeyclub.com), directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans, and farms.

Information about the Eclipse Awards, including host hotels, can be found at https://www.ntra.com/eclipse-awards/. Hotel room blocks will be closing in the coming weeks, so please secure your accommodation soon. Should you have any questions please reach out to Michele Ravencraft at mravencraft@ntra.com.

About The Eclipse Awards

The Eclipse Awards are named after the great 18th-century racehorse and foundation sire Eclipse, who began racing at age five and was undefeated in 18 starts, including eight walkovers. Eclipse sired the winners of 344 races, including three Epsom Derbies. The Eclipse Awards are bestowed upon horses and individuals whose outstanding achievements in North America have earned them the title of Champion in their respective categories. Those awards are voted by NTRA, Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters (NTWAB). Eclipse Awards also are given to recognize members of the media for outstanding coverage of Thoroughbred racing.

About The Breakers Palm Beach

Originally built in 1896, The Breakers remains one of America's legendary resort destinations. Renowned for its seaside glamour and world-class service, the 538-room, Italian Renaissance-style hotel resides on 140 acres of oceanfront property in the heart of Palm Beach. With unapologetic luxury, Resort amenities feature a private beach, four oceanfront pools, five whirlpool spas, 25 luxury beach bungalows and a variety of watersports; a new luxury spa; indoor-outdoor Ocean Fitness center; 36 holes of championship golf, including the Ocean Course and The Breakers Rees Jones® Course; 10 Har-Tru tennis courts; a Family Entertainment Center; an array of on-site boutiques; and nine acclaimed restaurants, with settings ranging from casual beachfront to stylishly sophisticated.

The post FanDuel Joins John Deere, Keeneland, The Jockey Club As Presenting Sponsors Of 53rd Eclipse Awards appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Jockey Of The Week: Assael Espinoza Leads All North American Riders With 10 Wins

Assael Espinoza put an exclamation point on Golden Gate's closing week posting 10 winners including a stakes race and a five-win day on Saturday. Espinoza's 10 wins led all North American jockeys. The panel of racing experts voted Espinoza Jockey of the Week for December 4 through December 10.

The honor recognizes jockeys for riding accomplishments and who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 1,050 active, retired and permanently disabled jockeys in the United States.

Espinoza began the race week on Friday with three wins from eight mounts. Riding for trainer Steve Sherman, Espinoza won the second race with Sir Greyson. His second win came in the third race for trainer Reid France aboard Roses R Blue and his third winner was race eight for trainer Matthew Troy aboard Beaudacious.

With a mount in every race on Saturday's card, Espinoza won five races starting with the second aboard Gonna Getcha Good for trainer Jack Steiner. Riding again for Steiner, Espinoza won the fourth race with Auspicious Style. Back-to-back wins came in race six for trainer Steven Specht with Mother's Prayer and race seven riding Imperial Hornet for Leonard Powell. Espinoza finished the day in race 10 with Roister for trainer Ruby Thomas.

Espinoza continued his winning ways on closing day Sunday with eight mounts on the 10-race card. He started the day with a win in the first race aboard Thirsty Thursday for Reid France. Espinoza saved his biggest win for the day's feature race, the Miss America Stakes riding Signorina Merisi (GB) for Manuel Badilla. Espinoza has been Signorina Merisi's rider in all nine of her starts in the United States. Signornia Merisi closed from fourth in the field of nine fillies and mares to win over race favorite Anthonys Cleopatra by a length in 1:44.11 for the 1 1/16 miles main track event.

Espinoza will celebrate his 24th birthday on December 30 and is the nephew of Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza. The Arcadia, California native scored his first career victory at Santa Anita in February 2018. He moved his tack to Northern California in 2021. He won his second Golden Gate riding title for the 2022-2023 Winter/Spring meet; he finished atop the standings during the 2022 Summer Meet. He won his first graded stakes race November 27, 2021 with Freeport Joe in the G3 Berkeley Handicap for trainer Gloria Haley.

Other contenders for Jockey of the Week included Juan J. Hernandez who won the G2 Starlet, Chris Landeros with a stakes win at Oaklawn Park, Julien Leparoux who also won a stakes race at Oaklawn Park where he is riding for the first time, and Irad Ortiz, Jr. with two stakes wins at Gulfstream Park.

The post Jockey Of The Week: Assael Espinoza Leads All North American Riders With 10 Wins appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post