dr. stuart brown | Horse Racing Free Tips

Keeneland’s Dr. Stuart Brown Joins ‘TDN Writers’ Room’ Podcast

At Keeneland, they take the safety of the horses and the jockeys very seriously, the reason why Dr. Stuart Brown was brought on board in 2020. As Keeneland's Vice President of Equine Safety, it is Brown's job to do whatever is necessary to protect the sport's competitors. Brown was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland and he gave our team a tutorial on all Keeneland is doing to promote safety.

The effort includes the usage of StrideSAFE, which uses sensors to analyze the gait of horses and can find early signs of problems that can be avoided and should keep a horse off the racetrack while it recovers. At the upcoming Keeneland spring meet, all starters will be wearing the StrideSAFE sensors.

“They're all wearing it when they race,” Brown said. “So, currently, the application is for every runner that competes at our meet will be carrying one of those sensors in the saddle towel. The idea is to use the technology and then to provide the information that can be used as the tool that then can kind of give direct feedback to the to the trainers and their veterinarians. The wearable technologies hold a lot of promise for us.”

When asked about synthetic surfaces, Brown said the goal for Keeneland is to make their main dirt track as safe as any synthetic track. He also discussed efforts to keep jockeys healthy, both mentally and physically.

“The University of Kentucky in conjunction with the UK health care professionals come here and help us on race day and then take metrics,” he said. “We're able to look at our riders and see from race one to race 11 how those riders are doing. And we've had really good engagement with the rider colony here about participating in those activities. They look at balance and reaction time and all those aspects sort of translate into safety. It's been really interesting to kind of look at the feedback that they've been able to get back from the riders and the types of things they are looking for.”

In our breeding spotlight section, we took a look at the Coolmore stallion Echo Town and the WinStar stallion Constitution.

Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, Coolmore, 1/ST Racing, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and XBTV.com, the team of Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman took a look back at the major races run last weekend, including the tour-de-force and redeeming victory turned in by Fierceness (City of Light) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby. They also looked ahead to the major races set to be run this weekend. Moss loves Impel (Quality Road) in the GI Ashland S. and Cadman loves Just F Y I (Justify) in the same race. That led to a friendly wager between the two.

For the podcast video, click here. For the audio version, click here.

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Bush Tracks, Host Of Other Investigative Topics Covered On ORI Day Two

The Organization of Racing Investigators opened the final day of its Parx conference with another set of timely presentations.

Topics included the impact of bush track racing, and a variety of legal and scientific case studies, which were all geared for the investigator's toolkit.

With varied backgrounds in law enforcement and security, many attendees have experience growing up around horses. Investigators work for tracks and racing commissions, but they can never turn their backs on the chance to improve their techniques and plug into the ORI network fiber.

Kassie Creed, a Safety and Compliance Associate who works at Keeneland under Dr. Stuart Brown in equine safety, attended her second ORI meeting. She is part of the up-and-coming generation who is learning from those with decades of experience.

ORI Conference at Parx | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

“Something I've noticed as a woman, thinking about my age, things that are relevant now will hit my generation in a different way,” she said. “I'm a small-picture person and my local horse population is my chief concern. So, when I came last year to ORI I added new skills and was able to apply what I learned here to my day-to-day processes, which really helps.”

The group began the day by hearing a talk on unregulated horse racing in North America by the USDA's Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey. The epidemiologist has found 191 'bush tracks' across 30 states, and though all of them are racing Quarter Horses, she said that it is entirely possible that Thoroughbreds could be present too.

“Every time I go looking for these unregulated places, I find more, and if you think they are not in your backyard, like in New England, you'd be wrong,” she said. “The spread of diseases, the use of dirty needles, is a crisis, and there is no federal law that makes this racing illegal.”

The Association of Racing Commissioners International's Ed Martin added during his session, “We are being lumped in with unsanctioned racing and the public sees the videos and they share them. We are going to have to deal with this. It's here. This industry needs to be talking to one another. We need to get together. We need certainty.”

Presenter Ismael Navarreto | Bill Denver/Equi-Photo

Other presentations were offered by seasoned experts who work with Comisión de Juegos de Puerto Rico and from across the state of Pennsylvania. Their specialist's view concerning case studies went to the heart of equine health by examining everything from how pathology can be utilized in court cases, illegal horse ownership, and situational awareness when conducting interrogations.

The conference wrapped with Ann McGovern, the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority's Director of Racetrack Safety. Her presentation addressed last year's catastrophic injuries at Churchill Downs by highlighting the techniques which were implemented during the assessment.

“The process led us to found the HISA Track Surface Advisory Committee and expand on tools like an individual horse's exercise signature and their past performances,” she said.

As for ORI's next conference location, Keeneland was named as the site for 2025 with Dr. Brown serving as the conference chair.

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An Invitation To Keeneland Opening Day

Everyone's invited, as 2023 Opening Day at Keeneland has arrived. Certainly, there are swollen pools for wagering, the canorous voice of track announcer Kurt Becker, the fine warp and weft of Sunday's best worn mid-week and enough to feast on, even if you don't have the foggiest what's in burgoo.

We already know that the Spring meet at the old Keene Farm, hosted by the Association will card its share of tough, competitive fields. Before the 86th running of the $600,000 GI Central Bank Ashland S., spring has not officially 'sprung' until the 15-day season opens Friday, Apr. 7 with that feature. To say that this year's edition is stakes-laden would be a massive understatement, as it will present 19 black-type races, including five Grade I events, worth a season record $8.05 million.

“For Central Kentucky and fans of Thoroughbred racing around the world, April means Keeneland,” said the track's President and CEO, Shannon Arvin. “We are excited once again to offer world-class racing to horsemen, horsewomen, horseplayers and fans and to present a fantastic experience for our guests that is centered around outstanding hospitality and the best in Thoroughbred racing.”

Keeneland Spring meet | Keeneland

Keeneland is all about being 'world class' and there is a reason that the best come to participate. Trainers like Todd Pletcher, Chad Brown and Brad Cox will look to topple the hegemony of Wesley Ward, who has held the top spot these past few years. Speaking to TDN's Writers' Room this week, Cox said he held the meet in high regard and earning the top prize would be yet another feather in his cap.

“Yeah, there's no doubt. I mean, obviously I'm from Kentucky,” he said during the podcast. “It means a tremendous amount to me. We try to come out and with some of our better horses and we point for the meet. Listen, Turfway has really gotten good in the winter, but I mean, it's almost like it's the start of the spring, basically, for racing.”

Cox added, “Obviously you've got Chad [Brown] and Todd [Pletcher] who play huge roles in that meet [Keeneland]. They're two of the best there are and they bring their best for that meet. So, the spring and fall meet are extremely tough to win at and we definitely try to be competitive and one of the players there for sure.”

One of those players for Cox is Punch Bowl (Uncle Mo), who is entered in the Ashland against Mark Casse's Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) and Pletcher's Julia Shining (Curlin). He also has undefeated Wonderful Justice (GB) (Justify) in the $600,000 GIII Kentucky Utilities Transylvania S. going a mile and sixteenth on the Haggin Turf Course. The 3-year-old colt will face Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a 'TDN Rising Star' trained by Brown.

As for others with high hopes, you do not have to crane your neck through the double doors marked Jockey's Quarters just off the palatial paddock at Keeneland to know that there is much on the line when it comes to this title. It might be a short meet compared to others, but with Irad Ortiz Jr., the reigning Eclipse Award winner who just wrapped up another leading rider ribbon at Gulfstream Park in attendance for the duration, plus with last year's victor Tyler Gaffalione, we know it's going to be another rumble.

One of the many jockeys who is looking to put his own stamp on the meet is Reylu Gutierrez. The 27-year-old from New York had a banner year in 2022, which included time at Keeneland in both the fall and the spring. He recently won the riding title at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans over the winter, which was a milestone first. Coming back to Lexington with confidence packed neatly in his suitcase, he is looking to sharpen his skills and prove something.

Reylu Gutierrez | Nicole Thomas

“When you are at the top of the standings like I was at the Fair Grounds, it pushes you further to maintain that steadiness,” he said by phone. “That's when you have to be at your best and I'm very confident in my program.”

Gutierrez will face the likes of Ortiz and Gaffalione, but also Hall of Famers like John Velazquez, Javier Castellano and Frankie Dettori, plus a host of other seasoned pilots, including Luis Saez, Joel Rosario, Flavien Prat and Florent Geroux. The pressure is real.

“It's a fun pressure,” Gutierrez was quick to point out. “I've had the opportunity to ride for a number of different trainers at the Fair Grounds this past year, so that's given me a great base and coming to Keeneland, where you know everyone wants to win, is a blessing to have.”

While the trainer and jockey standings will be closely watched on Opening Day, something the multitude can trust is that Keeneland will continue its devotion to the health of the horse. When it comes to safety and security, Keeneland is one of the leaders.

Dr. Stuart Brown, Vice President of Equine Safety, is full of gusto on the subject and he backs it up with a positive message about the plan. “Foundationally for the horse, previous experience tells us that it is in their best interest to have lots of surveillance, and that's where our vet cameras that look at all angles become an important tool for us, but that's not all.” said Dr. Brown.

Keeneland assails the prosaic and builds its own culture from the bottom up, brick-by-brick. “Everyone that works here knows we prepare and prepare by training ourselves to watch for what might happen,” he said. “Whether you are the head of equine safety or a crossing guard, we are always looking in our rearview mirrors to be an advocate for the horse.”

Dr. Stuart Brown | Keeneland

While Keeneland is racing this month, the track will employ three full-time ambulances with state-of-the-art equipment, which can whisk Thoroughbreds to nearby equine hospitals that are only minutes away. That is how Epicenter, who was injured in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last November, received the effective treatment that he needed. “Our risk strategies help guide us, but we also stay nimble by being intentional with everything we do,” Dr. Brown said. “This isn't about striving to be the best, it's about driving to be the best, and the horses are worth it.”

Opening Day will offer a unique challenge to the trainers and the jockeys when the Spring meet gets underway Friday. However, Keeneland is also much more when it comes to honoring the sport of Thoroughbred racing. It's a place where the cutting edge is drawn comfortably alongside a timeless tradition. April means Keeneland, as Shannon Arvin put it so succinctly.

Your invitation is issued.

Keeneland's Spring meet races for 15 days from Apr. 7-28. No racing Mondays, Tuesdays and Easter Sunday, Apr. 9. Click here for more information.

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Keeneland Completes Construction Of Six New Barns, Other Enhancements At Thoroughbred Center

Keeneland today announced the completion of construction of six new barns and other enhancements at The Thoroughbred Center (TTC), its 245-acre, year-round training facility on Paris Pike on the northeast side of Lexington.

The six new barns contain a total of 240 stalls and feature:

· Wider shedrows to accommodate safe winter training for horses housed year-round;

· Interior and exterior wash stalls;

· Dedicated interior feed rooms along with dedicated hay/bedding storage;

· Office tack rooms for trainers; and

· A stall layout design that maximizes lighting and airflow with spacious windows and doors to the benefit of a healthy training environment for both horses and people.

Additionally, improved and dedicated parking was created throughout the facility, and new muck pit construction segregates horse traffic from human and equipment traffic for safety during training hours.

“This investment reflects Keeneland's confidence in the future of the Thoroughbred industry and the strength of Kentucky racing,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “TTC is critical to the continued health of the Kentucky racing circuit. We are excited to make these improvements as part of our commitment to the horses and the people we serve.”

Funding for the TTC barn construction project was aided by $500,000 from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, which included a matching program with counties in the region with residents who benefit from this investment by Keeneland in the TTC. Each county that collaborated on the project – Fayette, Lexington, Woodford, Scott and Jessamine – and the Kentucky Agriculture Development Board has a correspondingly designated barn named in appreciation of their commitment.

“We especially thank Commissioner of Agriculture Ryan Quarles for his help in securing funds toward completion of this project, which benefits all of Kentucky racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Equine Safety Dr. Stuart Brown said. “This partnership represents the first significant equine-related collaboration for a facility construction project in animal agriculture. It also helps grow the equine footprint in Kentucky's agriculture space, and enhances reinvestment in animal agriculture for the Commonwealth to approach $100 million in overall support.”

Keeneland has owned The Thoroughbred Center, which originally opened in 1969, since April 2000. The facility has two dirt tracks: 5 furlongs and 7½ furlongs. Located within a six-hour drive of 10 race tracks, TTC is home to 831 horses, many of whom reside there year-round.

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