December, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Reeves Will Not Pursue Legal Action Over Aqueduct Disqualification

Owners Dean and Patti Reeves, whose Reeves Thoroughbred Racing's Brick Ambush was disqualified from second and placed last in a highly controversial decision by stewards last Saturday at Aqueduct in South Ozone Park, N.Y., will not pursue legal action, they indicated in a statement issued on Tuesday by attorney Drew Mollica.

Brick Ambush was racing on the outside turning into the stretch of the Great White Way Division of the $500,000 New York Stallions Series, when several horses to his inside were involved in a bumping incident that appeared to be caused when eventual winner Antonio of Venice came off the rail while tracking behind the front-running Heavyweight Champs.

The inquiry light indicated stewards were looking into the actions of Antonio of Venice, ridden by Manny Franco, but after a lengthy delay opted instead to disqualify runner-up Brick Ambush, who was ridden by Junior Alvarado and appeared to be clear of the incident.

Mollica, on behalf of the Reeves, filed an appeal of the decision with the New York State Gaming Commission, as did the connections of fourth-place finisher The Big Torpedo, whose jockey, Javier Castellano lodged a claim of foul that apparently was not relayed to the stewards.

The appeals were denied on Monday by the NYSGC, which said judgment calls by stewards cannot be appealed, making the disqualification final. Braulio Baeza Jr., the steward with the most authority by virtue of his employment with the NYSGC, had previously told Daily Racing Form's David Grening Brick Ambush “caused the pressure” that led to the incident. The other two stewards are employed by the New York Racing Association and The Jockey Club.

“After receipt of the letter from the NY Gaming Commission and further discussion with our attorney Drew Mollica, our trainer Danny Gargan, Patti and I have decided to not to pursue any further action regarding the disqualification of Brick Ambush in the ninth race at Aqueduct on Dec. 16, 2023,” Dean and Patti Reeves said in the statement.

“We maintain our belief that Brick Ambush caused no interference in the race, however, we recognize that all owners who enter a race must adhere to the rules of racing in the State of New York, However it is our hope that by shining light on this unfortunate disqualification we, in someway, help to improve our industry moving forward for the betterment of all of us who love this sport, not only owners, trainers, and jockeys, but those who wager as well. (Bold face emphasis was indicated in the statement.)

“Patti and I have enjoyed racing in New York, and we value our relationship with everyone at NYRA.

“We would like to thank the racing community for all their support and encouragement as a result of this disqualification.”

The disqualification relegated Brick Ambush from a $100,000 payday for finishing second to a $2,142 purse. Had Antonio of Venice been disqualified and Brick Ambush declared the winner, first place money of $275,000 would have been awarded to the Reeves.

The post Reeves Will Not Pursue Legal Action Over Aqueduct Disqualification appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Breeder Awards For New York-Breds To Be Increased In 2024

At the December 12 meeting of The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund's Board of Directors, a motion was unanimously approved to increase the breeder award rates for all New York-breds competing in New York starting January 1, 2024.

The increase in breeder award rates was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected by the Fund in 2024.

An increased holdback rate from 10 percent to 15 percent will also be implemented to ensure that the Fund can pay out awards up to the new advertised rates. We anticipate being able to return the holdback in its entirety upon completion of the fiscal year.

The new breeder award rate schedule for New York-breds in 2024 is as follows:

2024 New York-Bred Program Breeder Awards

New York-Sired*              '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate
First Place 40% 30%
Second Place 20% 15%
Third Place 10% 15%
Cap per Award $40,000                                       $40,000
Non-New York-Sired*    '24 Award (% Earned) 2023 Rate
First Place 20% 15%
Second Place 10% 7.5%
Third Place 5% 7.5%
Cap per Award $20,000 $20,000

*A breeder is the owner of the mare at the time the mare foals in New York State. There are two tiers of breeder awards for all races run in New York State:

*A New York-sired New York-bred is sired by a registered New York stallion. A non-New York-sired New York-bred is sired by an out-of-state stallion or a non-registered New York stallion.

The New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund Corporation administers program awards and incentive programs for thoroughbreds foaled in New York who race on New York tracks. The program, which provides incentive awards to participants and purse enhancements for races restricted to New York-breds, was developed in 1973 to encourage the establishment of thoroughbred farms in New York and to protect and expand green space.

The post Breeder Awards For New York-Breds To Be Increased In 2024 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Well-Related Daughter of Kingman Set for Belated Debut

18.30 Kempton, £6,800, Mdn, 2yo, f, 8f (AWT)
George Strawbridge's homebred FRIENDLY SOUL (GB) (Kingman {GB}), one of two nominees from the John and Thady Gosden stable, is a half-sister to six stakes performers headed by elite-level winners We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She was scratched from her intended debut at Lingfield earlier this month, having become distressed in the stalls during the loading process, and faces one dozen rivals here. Opposition includes Roger Varian trainee Lightning Touch (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a once-raced daughter of dual group-winning G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and G1 Prix de l'Opera third Legerete (Rahy).