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Fishman Asks for Yet Another Sentencing Delay

The veterinarian Seth Fishman–who is facing 20 years in prison, has an active motion asking for the first of his two convicted counts to be dismissed, and has already been granted one sentencing delay because he is allegedly having trouble filling out federal probation paperwork–again on Tuesday requested another delay of his sentencing.

The half-redacted letter motion filed by his attorney in United States District Court (Southern District of New York) on May 17 suggests that a COVID-19 outbreak where he is being detained at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn is the reason.

“Dr. Fishman's tier is currently in 'lockdown' status and, apparently, will remain in that position for the foreseeable future,” wrote attorney Maurice Sercarz.

Although the letter motion itself does not mention the pandemic in its unredacted portions, the internet home page for the prison features a prominent notice that “Operations are being modified at this facility due to COVID-19. All visiting at this facility has been suspended until further notice.”

Fishman was convicted Feb. 2 on two felony counts in an international equine performance-enhancing drug doping conspiracy. The judge in the case has yet to rule on Fishman's motion asking for the first of his two convicted counts to be dismissed on the basis that he was allegedly charged twice for the same crime.

Fishman's sentencing was supposed to be May 5 but got pushed back to May 26 when he claimed he did not receive financial forms from the feds that are necessary for his pre-sentencing report. Now he's requesting a new date in the range of June 20-24. Federal prosecutors have consented to this request, according to Tuesday's motion.

Although a number of defendants named in the wide-ranging racehorse doping conspiracy pleaded guilty prior to Fishman, he was the first from a federal sweep of several dozen individuals indicted in 2020 to stand trial and to be found guilty by a jury.

Fishman's case has been notable thus far because of the breadth of his legal maneuverings and some courtroom drama, which included the Florida-based veterinarian being inexplicably absent from court during his sentencing. A cryptic comment from Fishman's attorney to the judge during closing arguments led to speculation that Fishman had to be hospitalized.

In December 2021, the judge in Fishman's case modified his bail conditions after federal prosecutors alleged he was still selling PEDs while awaiting trial.

And in January 2022, one week before his trial was scheduled to start, Fishman had unsuccessfully asked the judge to delay the trial over concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Derby Form Front and Centre on FWD Champions Day

While the ongoing complications caused by COVID-19 have resulted in no overseas competition, Sunday's FWD Champions Day meeting at Sha Tin will not lack for intrigue, as the region's top horses face a real challenge from the first two home in last month's BMW Hong Kong Derby.

Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) is the afternoon's pin-up horse as he seeks an unprecedented 21st career victory when he goes in defence of his crown in the G1 FWD Champions Mile. The 6-year-old suffered the second and third losses of his career in the G1 Stewards' Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup, respectively, but bounced back with a resounding success in the G2 Chairman's Trophy last time Apr. 3. He's drawn ideally in barrier two and it's full steam ahead, according to his connections.

“We've got a good draw and obviously there should be two or three horses that will have some good pace,” said regular rider Vincent Ho. “Draw two is perfect for us and we can just track up to them and run them down in the straight. Since [his] last start, he's brought on his fitness more and we're confident going into this race.”

California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) cuts back to the mile after finishing a gallant second in the 10-furlong Derby. He was unlucky to lose the Hong Kong Classic Mile after setting the pace from a horror draw and bounced back in the Classic Cup over 1800 metres before just giving in late in the Derby. He will have to be caught.

“It's an exciting part of it,” said jockey Zac Purton. “I don't know where we stand against Golden Sixty–he could just be better than us and that might be the case on the weekend, but we're not going to know until we race against him and I feel that my bloke has still got room to improve.”

Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) looks to become the first 4-year-old since Werther (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) in 2016 to win the Derby and double up in the G1 FWD QE II Cup. After rallying to best California Spangle in the Classic Mile, he was dealt a bad draw of his own and worked home well to be a close fourth in the Classic Cup. He knuckled down late to grab his rival in the shadows of the post in the Derby and will try to keep the ball rolling Sunday.

“Stepping up to open age…will be a big challenge for him, because he won the Derby and it was only against 4-year-olds,” said trainer Danny Shum. “Now, he's against Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is very good over 2000 metres, so it's a big challenge for him.”

Russian Emperor steps back up in trip, having finished a sound runner-up to Golden Sixty in the Chairman's Trophy over a distance that is clearly short of his best. Prior to that, the former G3 Hampton Court S. hero took out the Gold Cup, leaving Golden Sixty in his wake.

The third of the day's Group 1s is the Chairman's Sprint Prize, headed by its defending champion Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard {Aus}). It figures to be something other than a straight-forward task, however, given the presence of G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint hero Sky Field (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}) and Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca {Aus}), who was the $3.20 (11-5) favourite in the Sprint, only to go down in that horrific spill at the 400-metre mark.

Click here for the group fields.

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Croke Park Tops Goffs UK Aintree Sale

Back after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus, the 2022 Goffs UK Aintree Sale was topped by the winning point-to-pointer Croke Park (Ire) (Walk In The Park {Ire}) (lot 8) at £400,000. A 4-year-old gelding who ran second at Lingstown on debut in March, the Ballyboy Stables-consigned bay was purchased by Gordon Elliot Racing. His half-brother, Etre Francais (Ire) (Anzillero {Ger}), has placed third in a French listed hurdle. This is the family of the graded-winning chaser Oiseau de Nuit (Fr) (Evening World {Fr}).

Second on the buyers' sheet was lot 1, the high class Put The Kettle On (Ire) (Stowaway {GB}), who is the only mare to win the Cheltenham Festival G1 Champion Chase. Offered by Henry De Bromhead's Knockeen Racing, she was purchased by Highflyer Bloodstock on behalf of Simon Davies for £380,000. Broodmare duty is next for the 8-year-old and she will visit Davies's stallion Planteur (Ire) at Chapel Stud.

Deep Cave (Ire) (Court Cave {Ire}) (lot 17) changed hands for £235,000. Part of the Charlestown Racing draft, the 4-year-old gelding caught the eye of Henry De Bromhead. The grandson of listed hurdle winner Soupinette (Fr) (Presenting {GB}) won a maiden point-to-point at Belclare by six lengths at first asking on Mar. 20.

Of the 32 horses catalogued, 31 went through the ring and 27 sold (87%) for a gross of £3,656,000. The new record average was £135,407 (+6%) and the median dipped to £95,000 (-10%). A baker's dozen (13) of lots made six figures, with seven of those reaching £200,000 or more.

Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent commented, “It's great to be back. That was how we marketed this sale in the build-up as we have missed it over the last two years and to see it produce new records on what was a very important return this year is a wonderful feeling. Of the 13 six-figure lots, seven made £200,000 or more, clearly demonstrating the quality that was on offer and the demand for these top-class horses.

“We are in debt to our vendors for their support once again. Aintree is a proven world-class venue and the sale's two-year absence had no impact on their desire to send their best. We would also like to extend our thanks to the Aintree Racecourse executives for their continued partnership and support. Today has been a great day and we are looking forward to our next major NH Sale–the Spring Sale–in Doncaster in May.”

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Capacity Crowds Expected For DWC Night

The Mar. 26 Dubai World Cup night, which features $30.5 million in purses spread across nine races, is expected to attract a full house of fans for the 26th edition. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, race meetings have been conducted with restrictions placed on the number of people allowed to attend, but for the first time since 2019, there are no restrictions at a Meydan race day. Meydan Racecourse can hold up to 80,000 spectators.

Sheikh Rashid bin Dalmook Al Maktoum, the Chairman of Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are so happy to have everyone back here for what will be a fantastic 26th running of the Dubai World Cup meeting. The atmosphere will be absolutely electrifying.

“The quality of the horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have assembled is better than ever and we are looking forward to a superb day of racing with our guests from all over the world.

“I would like to thank our partners for their support and also the team at Dubai Racing Club, who have worked so hard to bring this meeting together.”

For the first time, the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale will be held on Mar. 23 leading up to Dubai World Cup night. The sale will be held at Meydan Racecourse, with the breezes conducted over the Tapeta track.

He added, “The first-ever Dubai Breeze-Up Sale is something we are all looking forward to eagerly as well, as it gives owners and connections in the region the chance to view and purchase some of the best bred 2-year-old horses in their backyard. It is something that will further cement Dubai's position as one of the main centres for racing, not just in the region, but globally too.”

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