Doncaster Welcomes Back Logician

While Thursday’s action at Doncaster boasts the G2 bet365 Park Hill Fillies’ S. and G2 bet365 May Hill S., last year’s G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returns to the scene of his greatest success to steal the show after his long absence. Facing just one rival after a credible threat in Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) was scratched due to a bruised foot, Khalid Abdullah’s unbeaten grey has a distinct edge over Mythical Magic (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) in the 10-furlong Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Conditions S. Teddy Grimthorpe said, “It truly is good to see him back. It has been well-documented he did have a serious illness, peritonitis, over the winter, so we are going slightly into the unknown with him. All the indications have been positive in terms of his well-being. His work has been progressive. He’s never been a fancy worker, so it’s always hard to tell what level he’s at, but John [Gosden] is happy enough with him, certainly. I think the most important thing is to get him back on track. There are all sorts of scenarios afterwards, so there’s not much point in saying this or that. It’s a triumph in itself getting him back on track and in good form. Hopefully whatever he does, he will come on significantly for the race.”

The Park Hill, or “Fillies’ St Leger”, sees Kirsten Rausing’s Aug. 13 Listed Upavon Fillies’ S. winner and G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) scratched on Wednesday. Instead, Koji Maeda’s rapidly-improving Believe In Love (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) whose four successive handicap wins include a last-time 10-length success at Newmarket over this 14-furlong trip Aug. 29, is one of the star attractions. Her rider Andrea Atzeni commented, “She’s a very progressive filly who has won her last three races. It’s a big step up from a handicap to a Group 2, but she’s the second top-rated horse in the race after Sir Mark’s filly, who is the one to beat after chasing home Love at York. We don’t really know how good Believe In Love is, as she’s improving all the time.” Scott Heider’s Pista (American Pharoah) is another filly on the up and comes here on the back of a win in Leopardstown’s Listed Vinnie Roe S. also over this trip Aug. 13. Of the older fillies and mares, Duke of Devonshire’s G3 Prix Belle de Nuit scorer Monica Sheriff (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) put in a highly encouraging effort on her belated return when fourth in the Ebor H. at York Aug. 22. Her trainer William Haggas said, “She came out of the Ebor well and I’m very happy with her going into the race. I just wouldn’t want to see the ground dry out too much, but she’s very well.”

In the May Hill, two fascinating novice winners square up in Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s July 25 seven-furlong Ascot scorer Zabeel Queen (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and George Strawbridge’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Indigo Girl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The latter could be more precocious than her high-class full-sister Journey (GB) based on the manner of her debut success over this mile trip at Yarmouth Aug. 30. Andrea Atzeni said of Zabeel Queen, “We were hopeful going to Ascot, but you never really know when you’re taking on horses with more experience. She was a bit green, but she did it well and Charlie Appleby’s two fillies who finished behind her [Renaissance Rose and Creative Flair] have both won since, I believe. Stepping up to a mile on a flat track like Doncaster shouldn’t be a problem. It is a step up in grade, but she’s entitled to be there and I’m looking forward to it.” Of those with experience, Teruya Yoshida’s Star of Emaraaty (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) sets the standard following her 1 1/4-length defeat of the re-opposing Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G3 Sweet Solera S. over seven furlongs at Newmarket Aug. 8.

ParisLongchamp stage their stepping stones to the upcoming G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day in the G3 Prix des Chenes for colts and geldings and the G3 Prix d’Aumale for the fillies. There are only four in the Chenes, with Pierre Beziat’s Aug. 4 Deauville conditions scorer Mouillage (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) looking to back up the impression of that 5 1/2-length success for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. He has ‘TDN Rising Star’ Midlife Crisis (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) to  contend with and Shigeo Nomura’s bay is looking better all the time after the colt he beat by five lengths over 7 1/2 furlongs on debut Deauville Aug. 4, Bouttemont (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), won here on Sunday. Another ‘TDN Rising Star’ in Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) lines up in the d’Aumale, with the Niarchos Family’s homebred relative of Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) cutting an instant dash with her winning debut over seven furlongs at Chantilly July 19. She has to reach the form standard set by the July 14 Listed Prix Roland de Chambure winner and Aug. 22 G2 Prix du Calvados third King’s Harlequin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and the Aug. 1 G2 Prix Six Perfections third Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}).

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Uncertain Future for Arizona Racing Industry

At the Arizona Racing Commission meeting last month, representatives from the state’s flagship racetrack, Turf Paradise, announced that they wouldn’t be running their scheduled 2020-2021 race meet between November and May, blaming a variety of factors including health concerns due to the global pandemic, and economic question marks surrounding the operations of Off Track Betting (OTBs) facilities.

That decision has sown seeds of confusion and doubt among many involved in the state’s racing industry–a scenario complicated by ongoing friction between the horsemen and Turf Paradise management.

“Definitely a huge impact,” said trainer Jared Brown, who ordinarily is based in Canada during the summer and at Turf Paradise in the winter. Brown’s southern sojourn is usually a time for restocking his stable for the year ahead, but without that opportunity this winter, “it will impact my business a big deal,” he added.

With the next commission meeting looming this Thursday, perhaps the most pressing issue is this: What may happen to the 2020-2021 race dates, seemingly up for grabs?

“I don’t know what the future is,” said Kevin Owens, an Arizona-based breeder and former president of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ATBA). “I think it’s important to get Arizona open. Give some hope to the people.”

Tom Auther, an owner and partner in Arizona Downs, said that he has informed the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) that his track could be in a position to conduct a truncated meet this winter. But first, funding would have to be secured–another bone of contention thanks to a fight over who controls the funds in the purse account.

According to Vincent Francia, Turf Paradise general manager, the funds contractually belong to Turf Paradise. “The purse monies are for a specific purpose,” said Francia. “And that is for the horsemen that race at Turf Paradise.”

The horsemen, however, argue that they have control over the purse account. As per a prior arbitrated settlement, “that purse money belongs to the horsemen,” said Leroy Gessman, president of the National HBPA, who added that the account currently totals an estimated $2.1 million. “It’s the property of the HBPA,” he said.

The AZHBPA has asked the racing commission to make a ruling on the dispute, said Gessman, who added that the issue is an item on the agenda at the October racing commission meeting. However, “it is still unclear if they have the authority or not” to make that ruling, he wrote, in a follow-up email.

Indeed, according to Francia, such a dispute can only be settled through third-party arbitration, conducted separately from the commission. If the purse money is released to the AZHBPA, that would pave the way for Arizona Downs to possibly stage a truncated meet this winter, said Gessman.

For that to occur, the facility would need about two months of preparation to make it safe for training and racing, said Auther, who added that Dennis Moore, the Southern California-based expert in racetrack surfaces, recently visited Arizona Downs to examine the track surface.

“We’ve never raced in the winter before,” said Auther, explaining some of the racetrack surface safety issues that would need to be navigated. Ultimately, he added, ongoing uncertainty in the state makes planning difficult. “We just don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said.

What’s more, the door appears to remain ajar for Turf Paradise to reverse course and conduct a race meet this upcoming winter.

“I don’t want to give our horsemen false hope,” Francia said, stressing the unpredictable nature of the pandemic. “What I am saying is we’re keeping all of our options open.”

These developments form just the latest chapter in a fraught relationship between the horsemen and Turf Paradise. When the facility officially closed its doors at the beginning of May, for example, track management gave the AZHBPA 30 days to remove its belongings from its Turf Paradise office.

These tensions persisted prior to the August commission meeting, when the AZHBPA emailed the operators of Turf Paradise a list of 17 questions and demands surrounding such issues as the multi-year agreement that the HPBA entered into with Turf Paradise, stable area renovations, and contingency plans in the event of a second wave of COVID-19 infections this winter.

A number of horsemen interviewed for this story voiced concern about Turf Paradise management recently selling off track equipment and certain items of the facility–a possible indication, they said, of the track’s lack of long-term commitment to the sport.

“This is something we do every year,” Francia explained. “If we had to conduct a race meet, I would need a couple weeks to put it together, but we could do that.”

When asked if Turf Paradise is indeed for sale, Francia responded that Turf Paradise owner Jerry Simms is open to offers. “That’s certainly one of the options we’d look at,” said Francia. “But there are no buyers out there right now for Turf Paradise.”

Others have more immediate concerns. According to Arizona racing commissioner Rory Goree, stakeholders need to “put their differences aside” in order to thrash out a way forward “that works for all of us.”

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Delaware Stewards Suspend Trainer Gaffney Through Remainder Of The Year For Numerous Rule Violations

Stewards in Delaware have suspended trainer Hubert Gaffney through the end of 2020 and issued a $2,500 for conduct detrimental to racing last week. The Aug. 31 ruling cites a long list of Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission rules Gaffney allegedly violated, including entering/aiding in the entry of ineligible horses, assuming responsibility for horses not in a trainer's own active care, conduct/utterance which adversely affects public confidence in racing.

According to the ruling, Gaffney's license had been granted conditionally due to a prior violation.

“Mr. Gaffney will no longer be entitled to a license at Delaware Park,” the ruling read. “Hubert Gaffney is denied access to all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.”

Sarah Crane, investigator and acting executive director for the commission, indicated Gaffney is appealing the ruling and therefore the commission could provide no additional details about the source of the alleged rule violations.

As reported here on Aug. 20, Gaffney's name came up in the course of an investigation by the Maryland Jockey Club (MJC) as its officials examined the activities of Wayne Potts. MJC determined Gaffney had been serving as a program trainer for Potts at several tracks where Potts was not permitted to participate.

The complete ruling is available here.

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