Breeders' Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Forte Eyes Fountain of Youth

Forte (Violence), the soon-to-be-named champion 2-year-old male of 2022, will kick off his 3-year-old campaign in the GII Fountain of Youth S. at Gulfstream, reports trainer Todd Pletcher. The Mar. 4 race will be his first since he won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

“I like the timing of the Fountain of Youth for his first race back,” Pletcher said in a text message.

Pletcher has won the Fountain of Youth three times. He said that after the Fountain of Youth he will look to run Forte in either the GI Blue Grass S. or the GI Florida Derby.

“I like the Grade I status of those races and the timing. As for the Blue Grass, he certainly seems to like the track at Keeneland,” Pletcher said.

In addition to the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Forte won this year's GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland.

At 10-1, Forte was made the individual betting favorite in the first round of the Derby Future Wager bet.

Owned by Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, Forte was a $110,000 purchase at Keeneland September. After breaking his maiden at Belmont, he finished fourth in the GIII Sanford S. before winning the GI Hopeful S. Facing Cave Rock (Arrogate), who was sent off at 2-5, in the Juvenile, Forte bested the previously undefeated colt at 5-1.

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Merryman Wins John Deere Award

Edited Press Release

Elizabeth M. Merryman, who bred Caravel (Mizzen Mast), winner of the $1-million GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint Nov. 5 at Keeneland Race Course, has been named the 2022 recipient of the John Deere Award, in recognition of the breeders who participated this year in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In and in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

The John Deere Award, presented by Breeders' Cup Limited and NTRA Advantage, emphasizes the contributions of breeders to the Breeders' Cup program. The industry's breeders and nominators provide funding for the purses of the World Championships through the annual nominations of foals and stallions.

NTRA Advantage and John Deere will award a John Deere TS Gator Utility Vehicle to Ms. Merryman.

This year's John Deere Award winner was determined by a drawing from all breeders who won either a Breeders' Cup World Championships race or a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

“We congratulate Ms. Merryman on being this year's recipient of the John Deere Award in recognition of Caravel's outstanding victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint,” said Dora Delgado, Breeders' Cup Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer. “The John Deere Award is a tribute to the importance of the breeders in our sport and whose annual contributions have been the backbone of our funding for the Breeders' Cup racing programs and the World Championships. We also thank John Deere and NTRA Advantage for their sponsorship of this award and their salute to the breeding industry.”

“I am very happy to accept the John Deere Award on behalf of Caravel in honor of her thrilling win in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, and in recognition of all breeders who participated in the World Championships,” said Merryman.

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‘Ring The Bell’ Program Returns to Oaklawn to Benefit Aftercare

After some test rings last spring, Oaklawn's fund-raising efforts for local Thoroughbred aftercare began in earnest Dec. 9 with the opening of its scheduled 68-day live racing season. The final six days of the 2021-2022 meeting raised $14,000 through the new “Ring the Bell” program, which gives winning connections following each race an opportunity to donate at least $100 toward aftercare.

Money raised is earmarked for the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program and Rehabilitation Foundation Inc., a collaboration between the Arkansas division of the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and Oaklawn. It was recently established as a safe path to a second career for Oaklawn-raced horses upon retirement.

Donations are signaled–loudly–by hand ringing a large copper-colored bell hung in the back of the Larry Snyder Winner's Circle. The idea of intertwining a bell with aftercare was the brainchild of trainer Ron Moquett, best known for his work with Whitmore, a seven-time Oaklawn stakes winner and 2020 Eclipse Award Champion male sprinter.

“I wanted to bring attention and give everybody the opportunity to, when they're at their happiest, they can help right then,” Moquett said. “Ring that bell and it starts up a conversation. 'Hey, that bell is ringing for the respect and love of the horse.' The bell is symbolic and it teaches everybody through the whole grandstand that whenever you hear that bell, that means somebody has donated money to the retired racehorse program. We'd like to hear the bell ring every race, every day. What the sound means is we're helping retired racehorses.”

For more information about the organization, visit the Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement Program website.

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Gary Barber Appointed to TOC Board

The Board of Directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) unanimously named Gary Barber to fill the board vacancy created by the recent resignation of Bill Strauss. Barber is a long-time Thoroughbred owner, both on his own and in partnership with others, whose stars include Grade I-stakes winners/champions: War of Will, Got Stormy, Belvoir Bay, Salty, The Deputy, Wonder Gadot, Lexie Lou, Comma to the Top, Tourist, Catch a Glimpse, Becrux, Cost of Freedom, Jack Milton, Channel Maker, Get Her Number, Vequist, and Gretzky the Great. In addition to being an owner, Barber is also a breeder and holds significant interests in several stallions.

Per the bylaws, Barber will be required to run in the 2023 board election, when Strauss' term would have expired.

“My passion for Thoroughbred racing is steadfast,” said Barber. “I look forward to joining the Board of the TOC and hope to make a meaningful contribution to the health and welfare of our sport and help attract a new generation of fans.”

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