Author: News

Eyes Fixed On Texas Yearling Sale At Lone Star Park

At 271 head, one of the largest catalogs in its history, the Texas Thoroughbred Association's (TTA) single-session Yearling Sale will be held Monday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. (CT) at Lone Star Park Sales Pavilion.

The 2022 edition, which reported a buy-back rate of 24%, saw 161 yearlings out of 211 sell for a total of $3,416,000–up almost 6% from the previous year when 177 out of 228 grossed $3,229,600. Growth was also seen in last year's average of $21,217, an increase from $18,246 in 2021, while the median was $13,500, up from $10,000 the year prior.

Based on current trends, Mary Ruyle, the Executive Director of the TTA, is banking on the Texas racing and sales landscape continuing to blossom.

“The Texas Thoroughbred Association is very optimistic–particularly given the strong catalog for the upcoming Yearling Sale which includes what is likely the best group of Texas-bred yearlings offered,” Ruyle said. “Every horse that passes through the ring at this sale will be eligible for the $150,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity at Lone Star Park in 2024 and either the $100,000 Derby or Oaks at Sam Houston Race Park in 2025. The Derby and Oaks were run for the first time this year and were very well received.”

First made available in 2020, funds from the Horse Industry Escrow Account have been used to increase purses in Texas and provide additional Accredited Texas-Bred incentive awards to breeders, owners and trainers.

“We expect to have a good crowd in attendance and we will again have online bidding available for approved buyers. A break from our never-ending heat wave would be most appreciated,” said Ruyle.

For the second year in a row, Highlander Training Center, a state-of-the-art facility just south of Sulphur Springs outside of Dallas, Texas, is represented at the sale. This year's draft is made up of 36 yearlings, stabled in Barn E3 at Lone Star.

“We had the $100,000 sales topper last year with Too Much Kiki [Too Much Bling] who ended up winning a stakes this past season at Lone Star,” said Highlander CEO, Jeff Hooper. “Foster Bridewell, who coordinates and runs the sale for the TTA, has been able to really bring in a good mix of buyers and we saw several top pinhookers from Ocala, plus some others from around the country, at this sale.”

Out of the Highlander consignment, Hooper said that hip 149, a Louisiana-bred colt by Unified out of Mirabeau (Bind), will be among those to watch.

“He's the first foal out of a very fast young stakes-winning mare,” said Hooper. “He has a lot a class and walks like a panther. I think he will be very popular with both pinhookers, as well as people looking to buy to race.”

Click here to access the TTA website and the online catalog.

 

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Champ Elite Power Likely To ‘Go Straight To Breeders’ Cup’ After Forego Second

Trainer Bill Mott reported that Juddmonte's reigning champion male sprinter Elite Power will likely train up to his Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) title defense following a runner-up effort in the Forego (G1) Saturday at Saratoga Race Course.

The chestnut 5-year-old son of Curlin entered the Forego from an eight-race winning streak, which included last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint as well as a victory in the last-out Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) on July 29 at Saratoga. In the Forego, he raced along the rail in third before launching an inside rally in the stretch to finish 1 3/4 lengths behind the victorious Gunite.

Mott said Elite Power would probably not target the  $250,000 Vosburgh (G2) on Sept. 30 at Belmont at the Big A, a race he won last year en route to his Breeders' Cup accolade.

“He seemed fine,” Mott said of how Elite Power emerged from the Forego. “He'll more than likely go straight to the Breeders' Cup.”

The post Champ Elite Power Likely To ‘Go Straight To Breeders’ Cup’ After Forego Second appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Funny Cide’s Ashes Buried in Public Location at Track

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – During a ceremony Sunday morning prior to the annual upstate New York Showcase Day, some of the ashes of the late GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness winner Funny Cide (Distorted Humor) were interred at Saratoga Race Course.

The popular New York-bred foaled at the nearby McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, and owned by the New York-based Sackatoga Stable, died at the age of 23 on July 17 from complications of colic at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. He won the 2003 Derby and Preakness and his attempt to sweep the Triple Crown series ended with a third-place finish in the GI Belmont S.

While five other Thoroughbreds are buried under markers on the grounds of America's oldest racetrack, Funny Cide is the first to be placed in a location–under a tree just behind the clubhouse–that is accessible to the public. Sackatoga managing partner Jack Knowlton said he is pleased the that New York Racing Association agreed to his request to place the memorial where it did. Knowlton said he worked with NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke, NYRA executive VP Glen Kozak and Najja Thompson, the executive director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.

“I think they got the right spot,” Knowlton said.

Four horses–Fourstardave, APhenomenon, Mourjane and Quick Call–are buried near the jogging track in Clare Court in the backstretch. Hall of Famer and champion Go for Wand is buried in the infield. Knowlton said he pushed back on the suggestion to put Funny Cide's ashes in Clare Court.

“Different people said, 'Oh, great horses are buried there, do that. Maybe do something in the walking ring,” Knowlton said.  “He's the people's horse and we wanted people to have access and let the fans see him. That's what was agreed upon and I think it's a great spot. All racing fans are going to have access to it and hopefully have good memories. Right now, we need good memories.”

Knowlton and Sackatoga partner Lew Titterton placed the metal box with the ashes in the site that had been prepared as Thompson addressed the crowd of about 50 people who attended. Trainer Barclay Tagg and his assistant Robin Smullen and his regular rider, Hall of Fame jockey Jose Santos, participated in the event.

Later, Knowlton said that some of the gelding's ashes will be buried at the Kentucky Horse Park, where he lived for 15 years and was a favorite of visitors, and at the McMahon farm.

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