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Rowman & Littlefield Purchases Eclipse Press Equine Book Division From TOBA

Rowman & Littlefield (R&L) has acquired the trade list from Eclipse Press, an equestrian publisher established by The Blood-Horse, Inc., in 2000 and based in Lexington, Ky. The titles have been acquired from the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), which had sole oversight of the Eclipse program since 2015.

Eclipse Press publishes titles dedicated to the enjoyment and welfare of the horse. The purchased publications range from practical aspects of hands-on horsemanship to equine art and retrospectives on the great Thoroughbred racehorses, rivalries, and races. Among the titles acquired are more than 20 books in the “Thoroughbred Legends” series, featuring biographies of legendary horses such as Man o' War, War Admiral, Nashua, Secretariat, Alydar, Affirmed, Ruffian, Spectacular Bid, and Seattle Slew. Eclipse authors include Edward L. Bowen, Timothy Capps, Bill Heller, Sue McConnell, the late John McEvoy, Lenny Shulman, Milt Toby, and Bonnie S. Urquhart.

R&L's trade division will reissue selected titles under the Eclipse Press name beginning in Fall 2021.

Jed Lyons, CEO of Rowman & Littlefield, has had ties with Eclipse Press for some time. He says, “NBN used to distribute Eclipse Press for The Blood Horse organization. We remember those days fondly and are pleased to have Eclipse back in the family.”

“Eclipse Press served as an important part of TOBA for over two decades and many of its titles were highly acclaimed and well received by Thoroughbred racing enthusiasts,” said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. “We are excited to pass the torch to Rowman & Littlefield and look forward to seeing Eclipse Press books in the marketplace for years to come.”

Rowman & Littlefield is one of the largest independent book publishers in North America. Located just outside Washington, DC, the company has strengths in academic publishing in the humanities and social sciences, government and official data, educational publishing for K-12, outdoor guides, sports recreation and trade publishing. Rowman & Littlefield publishes approximately 2,000 new books annually along with electronic editions. R&L also owns National Book Network (NBN), which offers distribution services to other book publishers. www.rowman.com

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Horsemen, Fans Embrace Claiming Crown At Gulfstream Park With Big Fields, Record Handle

By the time the Claiming Crown had ended Saturday at Gulfstream Park – after a record $14.6 million was wagered on the event – it was clear how much the Claiming Crown had grown over the past nine years at the Hallandale Beach, Fla., track.

Not only was this a day when a horse claimed six weeks ago for $6,250 could win an $80,000 race, but this was also a day when a Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) runner-up could prep for the $3-million Pegasus World Cup (G1).

“No question, this event has evolved,” said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). “I thought Saturday's fields, from top to bottom, were some of the best we ever had.”

Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), which partners with TOBA on the Claiming Crown, believes the event is looked upon differently now that it is at Gulfstream.

“I believe in the past some people looked at it as a year-end blowout. But I see it as the launch of a new year,” Hamelback said. “The Breeders' Cup kind of wraps up the year. But because it's at Gulfstream, and the opening weekend of the Championship Meet, I think it's become the beginning of a new year. I think if it was earlier in the fall or summer, you wouldn't have the buildup or the quality you have. The job [vice president of racing] Mike [Lakow], [stakes coordinator] Eric Friedman and, of course [executive director of Florida racing operations] Billy Badgett did was incredible.”

In the nine years the Claiming Crown has been held at Gulfstream, handle on the day's program has increased each year. Prior to 2012, the largest handle on the previous 13 Claiming Crown programs – Claiming Crown races only – was $4,906,096. On the nine Claiming Crown races held at Gulfstream Saturday, handle was $12,074,238.

“The support of the fans who set a record for total wagering is a testament to the competitive and quality fields,” Metzger said.

Along with Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Jesus' Team prepping for the Pegasus World Cup with a victory in the $150,000 Jewel, there were 10 other horses that won or placed in graded stakes participating in the Claiming Crown. In total, there were 108 horses entered in the nine Claiming Crown races.

“When the card was drawn we knew we had something special to offer,” said Lakow.

Along with those graded-stakes winners and placed horses, there were also stories like Descente, claimed for $6,520 in October, winning the $80,000 Glass Slipper; the 55-1 longshot High Noon Rider winning the $95,000 Emerald; the promising 3-year-old Fiya remaining undefeated on turf winning the Canterbury; and the former $16,000 claimer Krsto Skye winning the $75,000 Express.

“I think at the beginning not a lot of people targeted [the Claiming Crown],” said trainer Peter Walder, who won his second consecutive Glass Slipper with Descente. “But now that it's at Gulfstream, a lot of people are shipping in for the Championship Meet, and there's a lot of owners who want to come here. Why wouldn't you?”

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Thoroughred Industry Employee Awards Winners Announced Thursday

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its fifth year in the United States, concluded Thursday afternoon with winners being announced via a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Studio 46 Media in Lexington, Kentucky. Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, was once again the master of ceremonies.

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin in America commented: “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone's lives in so many ways. But in our industry, we are all very fortunate to have an enormous group of talented and dedicated frontline workers who have continued their hard work, often requiring endless hours, to provide the care for our equine athletes. The Thoroughbred business could not function without them and we truly appreciate what they do.”

Dan Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, said: “It doesn't matter if we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals in person or through a virtual platform, we are still reminded how important they are to the Thoroughbred industry. Their passion and commitment cannot be understated, nor can we say and do enough to show our appreciation. Metzger further commented, “And on behalf of TOBA, the Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club and the HBPA, thank you to Godolphin for asking us to be a part of such an important program that rewards these fine men and women for their significant contributions to our great sport.”

The recording of the Virtual Ceremony is available at www.tiea.org. The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:

Administration Award
Winner: Dionne Johnson, Business Manager, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc. (NYTHA)
(Runners-up: Lynelle Fox Smith, Executive Director, Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Michele Holbrook, Office Manager, Silver Springs Stud)

Dedication to Breeding Award
Winner: Helen Otero, Stallion Administrator, Coolmore America
(Runners-up: David Kyle, Plant Manager, Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc.; Steve Avery, General Farm Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency)

Dedication to Racing Award
Winner: Gregory Smothers, Head Rider, Niall Brennan Stables
(Runners-up: Marcelo Arenas, Assistant Trainer, Leah Gyarmati Stables; Patrick “Shawn” Autry, Assistant Stable Manager, McPeek Racing)

Leadership in Breeding Award
Winner: Wayne Clem, Assistant Yearling Manager, Claiborne Farm
(Runners-up: Matt Lyons, VP and COO, Candy Meadows Farm; Christy Holden, General Manager, Country Life Farm LLP)

Leadership in Racing Award
Winner: Carmen McShane, Assistant Trainer, D/M Racing
(Runners-up: Roy Smith, Track Superintendent, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Cindy Hutter, Assistant Trainer, George Weaver Racing)

Newcomer Award
Winner: Aaron West, Racing Operations Manager, Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC
(Runners-up: Robert Cole, Intern/Co-op Program Student, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association; Alexis Kolasa, Administrative Assistant, Denali Stud)

Community Award
Winner: Maria Cristina Silva, Backstretch Program Coordinator, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

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Claiming Crown Worth $835,000 Returns To Gulfstream Park On Dec. 5

The Claiming Crown, a nine-race event offering $835,000 in purses to the blue-collar horses that are the backbone of the Thoroughbred industry's day-to-day racing schedule, will return to Gulfstream Park for the ninth consecutive year Saturday, Dec. 5.

The 22nd edition of the Claiming Crown, which has undergone a dramatic revitalization since being moved to Gulfstream in 2012, will highlight the opening weekend of the 2020-2021 Championship Meet that will get under way Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Handle on the Claiming Crown has climbed each of the last eight years since being held at Gulfstream.

The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA).

“The Claiming Crown from its inception has been a unique way to celebrate these blue-collar horses,” said Gulfstream's Vice President of Racing Mike Lakow. “It's a fantastic day of racing and a day racing fans look forward to. We're excited to once again be part of this great event.”

“We want to express our sincerest appreciation to Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA for their continued commitment to the Claiming Crown,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA. “With all of the challenges we're facing as a sport and country this year, it's very gratifying to be able to host the 22nd running of our event.”

Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA, said: “The National HBPA Board of Directors with President Leroy Gessmann and our Regional Vice Presidents are extremely pleased to once again announce the 2020 Claiming Crown, along with our partners TOBA, the Florida HBPA, and Gulfstream Park. We continue to see this event grow in popularity with owners, trainers, and horseplayers, all of whom are without question the backbone of our industry. The Claiming Crown has always recognized the excellence of Thoroughbred racing's stalwarts. Even amid today's trying circumstances, it's a priority for us to provide this day showcasing the blue-collar horses and their owners and trainers who make racing programs across America possible. While we understand this year is a year like no other, we all feel it is important to also see this amazing day of races take place as it has been for over 20 years, and we hope by doing so to bring a sense of stability for horsemen.”

“The FHBPA is also excited to work with our partners to present this year's Claiming Crown series,” said Kevin Scheen, Executive Director of the Florida HBPA. “It's a great concept. These hard hitting claiming horses will have a chance to be featured, racing for purses ranging from $75-150K. It should be a fun day of competitive racing; a great way to kick off the first Saturday of the Championship Meet.”

The $150,000 Jewel will headline the Claiming Crown program. The 1 1/8-mile route will be contested by 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $35,000 or less.

The $95,000 Tiara for fillies and mares that have raced for a claiming price of $25,000 or less will be run at 1 1/16-miles on turf, as will the $95,000 Emerald, which will be contested by 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a $25,000 claiming price or less.

The $90,000 Canterbury for 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $25,000 or less and the $90,000 Distaff Dash for fillies and mares that have run for a claiming price of $25,000 or less are both scheduled to be run at five-furlongs on turf.

The Claiming Crown program will also include the $85.000 Rapid Transit, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $16,000 or less; the $80,000 Glass Slipper a mile event for fillies and mares that have raced for a claiming price of $16,000 or less; the $75,000 Express, a six-furlong dash for 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $8,000 or less; and the $75,000 Iron Horse, a 1 1/16-mile route for 3-year-olds and up that have raced for a claiming price of $8,000 or less.

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