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Lone Star Cancels Through Week; Melancon Tests Positive for COVID-19

With Lone Star Park officials having little to say about the abrupt shut down of racing after Sunday’s first race, it was unclear when racing would resume at the Dallas area track or if the meet will be canceled.

Citing a conversation with racing secretary Tim Williams, the Daily Racing Form reported Monday that the three days of racing scheduled for this week would not be held.

Lone Star’s decision to stop racing may be related to the news that jockey Gerard Melancon has tested positive for the coronavirus. A regular at Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs, Melancon last rode June 28 on shipper Mocito Rojo (Mutadda) in the Lone Star Mile.

According to multiple reports, a person working in the jockey’s room who was responsible for handling the silks, also tested positive.

After the first race was run Sunday, the rest of the card was canceled. The only explanation was a post on Lone Star’s twitter account that read: “Due to an overabundance of caution and due to the coronavirus, racing for today has been cancelled. Racing will resume on a date to be determined.”

As of deadline for this story, Lone Star had yet to make any announcements concerning the shut down. Lone Star President Scott Wells had not returned phone calls seeking clarification of the situation.

“They had some people at the track test positive and they learned of this Sunday, shortly after the horses came out of the gate for the first race,” said Mary Ruyle, the executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association. “They’ll need to do a good number of tests on people and also do a deep clean and disinfect areas. They are looking at how long that will take.”

With no word out of Lone Star, many trainers were left to wonder if the meet will resume and, if so, when. It is scheduled to conclude Aug. 11.

“You know the racetrack, you hear 100 different things,” trainer Robertino Diodoro said. “But I have been told by my sources that they have every intention of finishing the meet and that right now the target date to resume is the 19th. I’ve been told they will finish the meet. Hopefully, this is nothing more than a hiccup.”

Others weren’t so sure.

“I think that’s a safe bet, that they won’t run again this year,” trainer Karl Broberg said. “When you realize what is happening in Texas and that cases are just going to continue to grow. I’m a pessimist by nature, but that’s where I would put my money. They’re going to have to stay shut because other people are going to test positive.”

Texas has become a hot spot for the coronavirus. According to the New York Times, there were 6,289 new cases of the virus reported Saturday and total coronavirus-related deaths in the state have been 2,667.

According to sources, anyone involved in racing at Lone Star that came in touch with those who have tested positive for the virus will have to self quarantine for 14 days. Indiana Grand announced Monday that any jockeys, exercise riders or grooms who had been working at Lone Star will not be allowed on the racetrack property until after they had self quarantined for 14 days.

Melancon, who is 53, said he is not sure if he got the virus during his trip to Lone Star. He said he began to feel sick the following day, after he returned to Louisiana.

“Nobody knows for sure where I picked this up,” he said.

Melancon said he is feeling better and looking forward to riding again.

“I want to make sure it is safe before I ride again,” he said. “I don’t want to be around people if I am going to be sick. I want to feel 100%. People are scared to death of this.”

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Legacy Equine Academy’s Ronald Mack Working To Increase Diversity, Inclusion In Thoroughbred Racing

Earlier this year in an effort to take meaningful strides toward increasing diversity and inclusion in Thoroughbred racing, the NTRA began working with the Legacy Equine Academy to create a scholarship through the University of Kentucky that would support students of color who show an interest in a career within the equine industry.

The Legacy Equine Academy, which encourages students in grades 6 – 12 to attend college and pursue equine, agriculture, natural resources, and environmental science degrees, is the brainchild of Ronald Mack. Mack recently shared with the NTRA his inspiration behind the Legacy Equine Academy and some of the long-term hopes he has for the program.

Q: What was the impetus behind your decision to found the Legacy Equine Academy?

A: “As a kid, I literally grew up on the grounds of the old Kentucky Association in the Eastend of Lexington, KY. The street I lived on (Aspendale Drive) was an oval. We were aware that our street was an old horse racing track. However, we had no idea that when we played in the field out back, we were playing on the infield of a historically famous racecourse.

“A few years ago, I read a book titled Perfect Timing to my son Stoney. The book is about the life of Isaac Murphy. Many consider Murphy, a Black horseman, the greatest jockey of all time. Inspired by Murphy's story, I began to research Thoroughbred racing in the late 1800s and early 1900s era. The names, stories and accomplishments of hundreds of Black horsemen in and around Lexington, KY may be lost but there is little doubt of their significance to Thoroughbred racing. Through my research, it was obvious to me that the Thoroughbred industry, and indeed, the wealth and success found today would not exist without the Black horsemen's hard work and expertise! These Trailblazers overcame adversity and found great success, which quickly vanished from memory in the early 20th century.

“Much of that history happened where I played as a kid. I wanted to establish a grand event (The Legacy Ball) to pay homage to those Thoroughbred legends. I also founded The Legacy Equine Academy, Inc. to connect African American and other racially diverse youth to their heritage of the Black horseman.”

Q: A major objective of the Legacy program is to encourage and expose students in grades 6-12 to the equine and agricultural industries. What can the Thoroughbred industry do specifically to help advance that objective?

A: “We encourage the Thoroughbred industry to support our efforts! Both financially and by providing resources and industry related activities, such as apprenticeships, job shadowing, tours, etc., to help potential future industry leaders. We welcome opportunities for our LEA students to discover firsthand how equine and agriculture technology relate to the world around them and discover the excitement of academic excellence, leadership, technical development, and teamwork. In turn, LEA provides a 'pipeline' of qualified and certified student leaders for career employment opportunities in the Thoroughbred and Agriculture industries.”

Q: So much of the Thoroughbred industry is rooted in the contributions of the African-American community and people of color. How can the racing community better amplify those voices?

A: “Reaching out and supporting an organization like LEA is an example of how the industry can solidify their commitment of exposing two of the world's most prominent industries to a new audience and a new generation. As an industry partner, LEA fosters a commitment to young people that promotes the Equine and Agriculture industries and career related opportunities it offers. These industries take a special kind of skill, passion and patience. As a community partner, the racing establishment could begin to set a standard throughout the world by exemplifying the importance of greater professional workforce racial diversity.”

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your work with the students in the Legacy program?

A: “To experience the moment when a young person has a 'discovery' of new ideas and opportunities as a result of our program makes it worth the hard work, commitment and dedication to the LEA mission. As I mentioned before, bridging the rich heritage of the Black Horsemen to today's standards in the industries they help build, has been a mission that, hopefully, will become my 'Legacy'.”

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Shackleford Filly Fastest In Opening Session Of OBS July’s Under Tack Show

Hip No. 15, Shack's Lil Mishap, a daughter of Shackleford consigned by Coastal Equine LLC (Jesse Hoppel), Agent, breezed a quarter in :20 4/5 to post the fastest work at the distance at the opening session of the Under Tack Show for Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's 2020 July Sale of Two Year Olds in Training & Horses of Racing Age. The bay filly is out of Peace Queen, by Indian Charlie, a half sister to graded stakes winner Tizaqueena.

Hip No. 120, a dark bay or brown colt by Air Force Blue consigned by Brick City Thoroughbreds, Agent, turned in a quarter in :21 flat. He's a half brother to stakes placed Take Ten out of Savviest, by El Corredor, from the family of grade one winner Tactical Cat.

Five youngsters worked quarters in :21 1/5.

Hip No. 51, consigned by G. A. Thoroughbred Sales, Agent, is a bay filly by Jack Milton out of Purely Promising, by Pure Prize, a half sister to stakes winner Code Satan.
Hip No. 103, a bay colt by Not This Time consigned by Ocala Stud, is a half brother to stakes winner Softly Lit out of Running Creek, by Cape Town, a daughter of graded stakes winner Palliser Bay.
Hip No. 107, consigned by Goldencents Thoroughbreds, is a dark bay or brown filly by Itsmyluckyday out of Sadie, by In Summation, a half sister to stakes placed Lucky Peridot, from the family of champion Storm Song.
Hip No. 113, a dark bay or brown filly by Raison d'Etat consigned by RiceHorse Stable (Brandon & Ali Rice), is out of stakes placed Sally's Dream, by Utopia (JPN), a half sister to stakes winner Shot Berry.
Hip No. 130, consigned by Blue River Bloodstock, Inc., Agent, is a dark bay or brown filly by Summer Front out of Second Cousin, by Purim, a daughter of stakes placed Aidan's Bella.

There were five quarters in :21 2/5.

Hip No. 72, a dark bay or brown colt by Palace consigned by Hoppel's Horse & Cattle Co., Inc., is out of Reamidst, by Repent, a full sister to graded stakes winner Atoned.
Hip No. 75, a gray or roan colt by Shanghai Bobby consigned by Whitman Sales LLC, Agent, is out of Red Hot Maria, by Maria's Mon, a half sister to stakes winner Red Hot Buddha.
Hip No. 88, consigned by Golden Noguez, Agent, is a bay colt by Upstart out of Ron's Girl, by Lawyer Ron, a half sister to graded stakes placed stakes winner Mindy Sue.
Hip No. 158, a dark bay or brown filly by Medaglia d'Oro consigned by All In Line Stables, Agent, is out of Sigurwana, by Arch, a half sister to stakes winner Token of Love (GB).
Hip No. 29, Platino Tiara, a daughter of The Factor consigned by All Dreams Equine, Agent, worked the session's fastest three eighths, clocked in :33 1/5. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Platinum Bride, by Alphabet Soup, a daughter of graded stakes placed stakes winner Pia Bride.

Six horses shared honors for the session's fastest eighth, stopping the timer in :10 flat.

Hip No. 27, consigned by Bobby Dodd, Agent, is a gray or roan colt by Race Day out of Pistolpackinsenora, by Closing Argument, a daughter of stakes placed Prospective Angel.
Hip No. 49, a bay filly by Into Mischief consigned by Brick City Thoroughbreds, Agent, is a half sister to graded stakes placed Island Saint out of graded stakes winner Prospective Saint, by Saint Ballado.
Hip No. 66, consigned by Grassroots Training & Sales LLC, is a dark bay or brown colt by Ride On Curlin out of Rated Xtreme, by Magna Graduate, a full sister to graded stakes winner Blueeyesintherein.
Hip No. 82, consigned by Eddie Woods, Agent, is a bay filly by Frosted out of Ride to Houston, by a half sister to graded stakes winner Runway Model, dam of grade one stakes winner McKinzie.
Hip No. 115, a chestnut filly Malibu Moon consigned by Wavertree Stables, Inc., (Ciaran Dunne), Agent, is out of Samsational, by Unbridled's Song, a half sister to grade one stakes winner I Want Revenge.
Hip No. 143, a bay filly by Tale of Ekati consigned by Bobby Dodd, Agent, is out of Shelby's Song, by Songandaprayer, from the family of stakes winner Sapphire Beads.

The Under Tack Show continues Tuesday morning at 7:30 a.m. with Hip No.'s 181 – 360 scheduled to breeze.

Under Tack results and videos are posted on the OBS website at obssales.com and can be viewed on kiosks in the breezeway and in the Video Room adjacent to the Horsemen's Lounge. In-room viewing is available at The Courtyard by Marriott, Homewood Suites, Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn and the Ocala Hilton, plus lounge viewing is available at the Hilton.

Current information about OBS sales, consignors and graduates is now also available via social media sites Facebook and Twitter. A link on the homepage directs users to either site.

Sales results will be available on the OBS website, updated hourly during each session of the Spring Sale. In addition, the latest news regarding OBS graduates, sales schedules, nominations, credit requests, travel information and other news relevant to OBS consignors and customers is also available. E-mail should be addressed to obs@obssales.com.

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‘Such A Warrior’: Vekoma Jumps Into Top Three Of NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll

After earning his third straight victory and second consecutive Grade 1 triumph when he captured the Metropolitan Handicap on July 4, Vekoma left no doubt he was among the elite handicap horses in the country. The George Weaver-trainee had that status further validated on Monday when he earned 2 first-place votes and 302 points to move up to third overall in the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Top Thoroughbred Poll.

Vekoma has shown quality throughout his eight career starts, winning the Grade 3 Nashua Stakes as a juvenile and taking the Grade 2 Blue Grass Stakes last April to earn a spot in the Kentucky Derby field. He was put away for the rest of 2019 after finishing 12th in the Run for the Roses and has returned with a vengeance as a 4-year-old, prevailing in each of his three outings. The son of Candy Ride (ARG) opened his 2020 campaign with a win in the Sir Shackleton Stakes on March 28 before taking the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on June 6 and the historic Met Mile this past weekend.

“I think he's the best older horse in the country,” co-owner Randy Hill told the NYRA publicity team about Vekoma. “George (Weaver) is thinking about the Forego or training right up to the Breeders' Cup and we leave all of that up to him. The horse will tell us. He's such a warrior.”

Vekoma's presence was the only major shift near the top of the Thoroughbred Poll rankings as champion Midnight Bisou continues to reign with 24 first-place votes and 375 points. G M B Racing's Tom's d'Etat (8 first-place votes, 333 points) holds in second with Grade 1 winner-Mucho Gusto (171) dropping one spot to fourth.

By My Standards ranks fifth with 157 points followed by top sophomore runner Tiz the Law (2 first-place votes, 130 points) and Code of Honor (1 first-place vote, 123 points). Grade 1-winner Zulu Alpha is eighth with 99 points as Maximum Security (3 first-place votes, 98 points) sits ninth. Instilled Regard, winner of the Grade 1 Manhattan Stakes this past weekend, joins the top 10 in the final spot with a total of 65 points.

Belmont Stakes winner Tiz the Law stays in command of the NTRA Top Three-Year-Old Poll for yet another week, earning 39 first-place votes and 399 points. Santa Anita Derby winner Honor A. P. (1 first-place vote, 358 points) remains second followed by graded-stakes winner Authentic (260 points) and Belmont Stakes runner-up Dr Post (211).

King Guillermo (188 points) ranks fifth and he is followed by the only newcomer to the poll's top 10, Uncle Chuck, who sits sixth with 135 points on the heels of his victory in the Grade 3 Los Alamitos Derby July 4. Top filly Gamine (134 points) dips one spot to seventh with Max Player (82), Charlatan (81) and Swiss Skydiver (67) completing the top 10.

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred polls are the sport's most comprehensive surveys of experts. Every week eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. All horses that have raced in the U.S., are in training in the U.S., or are known to be pointing to a major event in the U.S. are eligible for the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Voting in both the Top 3-Year-Old Poll and the Top Thoroughbred Poll is scheduled to be conducted through the conclusion of the Breeders' Cup in November.

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