Meanwhile, at Churchill Downs, the prep seasons officially open for 2-year-old colts and fillies, who are seeking to bank points for next May's 150th editions of the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks.

There is much to get to with Belmont at the Big A, Pimlico and Hastings, all carding graded races as well.

Appleby Looks to Repeat in Woodbine Mile

Last year, trainer Charlie Appleby sent MGISW Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to Toronto for the Woodbine Mile and the now-retired globetrotter with William Buick aboard brought home the prize en route to another win in the Breeders' Cup.

With a trip to the FanDuel GI Breeders' Cup Mile on the line, this time around the Godolphin conditioner ships in multiple-group winner Master of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was well-beaten last March on the World Cup undercard in the G1 Dubai Turf, but won the G2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile S. by four lengths at Ascot July 15.

“He has natural pace and travels well,” said Charlie Appleby. “The E.P. Taylor is a nice conventional track which suits him. It is a fair track with a nice straight that gives you a chance.”

The 5-year-old morning-line favorite will face five others, including MGSW War Bomber (Ire) (War Front), whose stalking trip led to a key victory in the Aug. 19 running of the GII King Edward S. That race saw 'TDN Rising Star' and GI Maker's Mark Mile hero Shirl's Speight (Speightstown) run fourth, which was the 6-year-old's first attempt since finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai Turf.

Also scheduled, trainer Mark Casse has almost half of the field looking for a trip to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in the GI bet365 Summer S. Out of his entries, My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) was certainly eye-catching when he won against restricted company by 14 lengths in the Simcoe S. over the Tapeta at Woodbine Aug. 27. The gray upstart will do battle with Catch a Glimpse S. victor Airosa (Uncle Mo), who is looking to take on the boys.

The fillies will get their chance for a trip to Santa Anita and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf on Saturday in the GI Johnnie Walker Natalma S. Airosa could run in this spot, but it is an incredibly open race with Appleby's import Dazzling Star (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) present and the Christophe Clement-trained Ozara (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who broke her maiden by a neck Aug. 6 at Saratoga.

“We liked this horse from day one,” said Miguel Clement, son and assistant to the trainer. “She'd been working well on the grass, and we were actually quite confident in her. She's a gutsy little filly, with tactical speed and a turn of foot that makes her very dangerous.”

Switching to the Tapeta, Woodbine rounds out their graded races with the GIII Vigil S. Seven sprinters will try to derail the early speed of Patches O'Houlihan (Reload), who stepped up to win the GIII Bold Venture S. in Toronto Aug. 20.

The Roads Begins Where It Ends at Churchill

Less than nine months from now, the 150th GI Kentucky Derby and GI Kentucky Oaks will be crowned. The roads start at Churchill Downs on Saturday as points of 10-5-3-2-1 will be distributed to the top five finishers.

For the colts, the GIII Iroquois S. includes Winchell Thoroughbred's Risk It (Gun Runner), who sprinted home a winner at first asking Aug. 19 at Saratoga for trainer Steve Asmussen. The morning-line favorite will try to outrun WinStar and Siena Farm's Gettysburg Address (Constitution), who won in his first career race for trainer Brad Cox at Ellis Park Aug. 6.

As for the fillies, their race is no-less competitive as nine will be sent on their way in the GIII Pocahontas S. V V's Dream (Mitole) makes her return to the races after garnering 'TDN Rising Star' honors when she debuted for Kenny McPeek back in mid-May at Churchill Downs. The gray filly was second in her last effort to the undefeated GISW Brightwork (Outwork) at Ellis July 2 in the Debutante S. Facing her will be a number of contenders on the make, including SW Hot Beach (Omaha Beach), Empire Island (Classic Empire) and Peignoir (Mendelssohn).

Rounding out the first Saturday of racing at Churchill's September meet is the GIII Locust Grove S. Out of these older females, the two-turn test welcomes back GISW and MGSW Pauline's Pearl (Tapit). The Stonestreet homebred will once again do battle with the likes of MGSW Search Results (Flatter) and GISW A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo).

Grade III Tests at BAQ, Pimlico and Hastings

Swinging up to Aqueduct for the BAQ meet that just opened, we find the final leg of the Turf Triple Series for the fillies in the GIII Jockey Club Oaks Invitational.

Charlie Appleby will look to make his presence felt here too when he sends out Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Last seen running third Aug. 20 at Deauville in the G2 Prix Alec Head S, she will match wits with Graham Motion trainee Speirling Beag (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who was second by a nose at Laurel Park Aug. 13 in the Searching S.

Speaking of racing in Maryland, Pimlico's short September meet continues and featured on Saturday is the GIII Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup S., which includes MSP Smokin' T (War Front), GSP Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) and SW King Vega (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}).

Wrapping up the graded day of racing, Hastings Racecourse will put on the GIII British Columbia Derby. Morning-line favorite SW Sunbird (Orb) will look to rebound after the bay gelding ran fifth in the GIII Canadian Derby.

The post Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series Back At Woodbine, Derby-Oaks Roads Begin At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The memory of what COVID-19 restrictions did to Canada's racing industry during the past 18 months, allied to the looming spectre of the troubling new variant, has done little to dispel the general uncertainty surrounding the sport north of the 49th parallel.

However, if the results of what was a truncated season are to be believed, there is cause for optimism over the manner in which the sport, especially at the country's flagship Woodbine facility in Toronto, bounced back in 2021.

Indeed, rumours of Canadian racing's demise appear to have been largely exaggerated. Most provinces, and especially Ontario/Woodbine, demonstrated impressive tenacity to not only survive the COVID-19 onslaught but also begin to 'build back better'.

Woodbine did an extraordinary job under the guidance of Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG) CEO Jim Lawson–initially turning the world-class Toronto facility into something of a poster boy for how sports could continue to operate under COVID-19 protocols, and then doggedly lobbying for some common sense when the government temporarily shut down the track.

Fortunately, the two-month delay to the start of the Woodbine campaign could not prevent the 2021 Thoroughbred season generating an all-sources handle of more than $505 million, the third-highest season total in Woodbine Thoroughbred history.

Woodbine's stellar facilities helped ensure trainers were happy and that contentment resulted in an enviable average field size of nine. In turn, that helped generate a 4.8% increase in average per-race handle–an impressive $534,194 in 2021.

Talking at an end-of-season meeting, Lawson said: “Our racing team did a great job in creating appealing and competitive races throughout the entire season. The support of the owners and trainers through these hard times deserves recognition and our commitment to providing the best overall experience to those racing at Woodbine will only heighten in 2022.”

He continued: “Growing and strengthening the Woodbine brand across North America has been a focal point of our day-to-day activities over the past several years and we're proud of our success in this area, as it's evident these efforts continue to raise the profile of our world-class racing product at Woodbine.”

Woodbine racing | WEG/Michael Burns

Away from Woodbine, and despite the sudden and permanent closure of Marquis Downs in Saskatchewan, there were some positive signs for Canada's supporting cast of racing venues.

Century Mile Racetrack, Alberta's fledgling facility in Edmonton, continues to bed in and, conveniently located by an international airport, is slowly building a facility that has impressed the local horseracing community and attracted plenty of raiders from further afield. Century Mile hosts the Canadian Derby, which this year fell to Uncharacteristic (Texas Wildcatter), a horse claimed for $8,000 by his connections earlier in the season and whose victory in the Grade III contest came on the heels of a Manitoba Derby win the previous month.

Manitoba, like Alberta, endured stop-start scenarios of its own. But, when the province was finally up and running, organisers at Assiniboia Downs were rewarded with more of the eye-catching handles ($2.5 million on Derby Day alone) that began the previous year when the track benefitted from a continental shutdown of most other sports.

West of the Rockies, Hastings Racecourse also endured the shuttering of casinos that, in turn, temporarily halted virtually all funding for the sport across Canada. Thanks in large part to the lobbying by the British Columbia Horse Racing Industry Management Committee and other industry groups, there was a significant cash injection from the government ($3 million, divided equally between the Standardbred and Thoroughbred disciplines). The initiative enabled the picturesque track not only to keep racing going this summer, but also plan for a full slate of stakes races for 2022 and two days racing a week between May and October.

It was touch and go at Hastings for a while, with one industry stalwart needing to personally underwrite the season with his own money.

Glen Todd | Horsephotos

A self-described “glass half-full” man, Glen Todd, owner, trainer, breeder and the man behind the North American Thoroughbred Horse Company (NATHC) that remains such a driving force in BC racing, shrugged off the need to dig into his own pocket in typically modest fashion. Todd said he was content that, after a lot of hard work behind the scenes, the 2021 season, albeit severely truncated, was saved and the immediate future of the sport in BC secured.

“There were obviously moments when it was very dark,” Todd told the TDN this week, “but I'm not a doom and gloom person and I was always confident that we'd be back.”

Todd said he is also optimistic that the new owner of Great Canadian Gaming Corporation, which was bought out earlier this year by Apollo Global Management, represents an opportunity to press the reset button on the relationship between Hastings' front and back sides.

“We've had a few meetings already,” explained Todd, “and I'm optimistic. Talks about the future have been positive and encouraging, but only time will tell.”

Although not unique to Canada, the horse population, along with owner numbers, continues to be a concern in every racing province, even Ontario, and it's fair to say that the country's breeding sector was navigating turbulent seas even before the pandemic hit.

However, imaginative and generous breeding incentives in the four main racing provinces continue to help underpin a delicate sales market after several worrying years. This year's yearling sale in British Columbia, for instance, offered bonuses for BC-bred yearlings that will add as much as 50% to winning purses for qualified horses. The result saw the strongest demand for locally bred runners in years, and will hopefully result in a much-needed boost in backstretch numbers for 2022.

There are a variety of schemes across the provinces and, while some in the racing community have doubted the sustainability of these 'walled garden' incentives, there seems little doubt that, in the short-term at least, they have helped to shore up the residual value of bloodstock.

The average cost of a yearling at September's Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) Yearling Sale in Toronto was, at $20,027, marginally up on the previous year. Averages at the equivalent CTHS sale in Alberta, meanwhile, rose to more than $10,500 from $8,350 in 2020 and, at the CTHS auction in BC, results were even better, with an average price of $15,959 representing a near 20% boost on the same sale 12 months ago.

Like many jurisdictions around the world, Canadian racing has endured a torrid 12 months. However, with the commitment of many and the assured steering of a few others, the sport has, so far, withstood the many blows from COVID-19 and can begin once more to consider the future with real hope.

The post Racing in Canada Remains Resolute Amid COVID Turbulence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The purse account is generally funded by online wagering platforms, the casino, and trackside wagering. With COVID-19 shutting down Hastings in March of 2020, there was only enough money for 25 race dates that summer. This year, again, there was only enough revenue to support 25 race dates from May 3 to Aug. 2.

“People were getting desperate, we were going to have to lay all these people off, they had no where to go with their horses,” Todd told the Sun.

With the additional funding Todd provided, racing will now continue through Aug. 31. David Milburn, president of the local Horsemen's' Benevolent and Protective Association, said the hope is that the extra month of racing in August will allow revenue streams to rebuild enough to continue funding purses through additional race dates in September.

Milburn also said Hastings has received no assistance from the provincial government during the pandemic.

“We are asking the government to step up to ensure the jobs of the people that work with the horses, and the people who live here who call the track home,” Milburn told the Sun. “We continue to engage with government and we are hopeful.”

Read more at the Vancouver Sun.

The post Owner Provides Hastings With $1 Million Interest-Free Loan To Extend 2021 Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Emerald Downs in Auburn, Wash. will not run as scheduled on Sunday, June 27, while Hastings in Vancouver, British Columbia has scrapped Monday's card, reports the Daily Racing Form.

Hastings has also pushed back post time on Tuesday, June 29, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time.

The post Pacific Northwest Heat Wave Forces Cancellations At Emerald Downs, Hastings appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The fourth race on Woodbine's opening day card on June 12 attracted a field 11 fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, including Pipestone, bred and owned by Chiefswood Stables.

A 4-year-old daughter of Munnings, the dark bay departed the gate as the 3-1 second choice in the seven-furlong journey over the Toronto oval Tapeta.

At the wire, Civaci and Pipestone settled for second prize, 4 ¼-lengths behind the favored Shedat.

There was no winner's circle photo, but for Civaci, simply being back in action, to reconnect with the feeling of being in the irons, was a victory in itself.

“Of course, the goal is to always win. But I was happy with the effort and I was happy to ride for Chiefswood and [trainer] Stuart Simon. This mare will be hard to beat next time out. Just to be back racing, it was such a good feeling for myself and for everyone else.”

After a successful run at his hometown oval, Hastings Park, which began in 2014, Civaci made the decision to set up shop in Toronto two years ago.

Being the new jockey on the block presented its share of challenges. But after a modest start at Canada's Showplace of Racing, he would eventually find his stride.

“Coming to a big track like Woodbine can be intimidating to some people, even myself,” who was born in Vancouver but at the age of 10 moved with his parents to their native Ankara, Turkey. “That first year was a little difficult, getting adjusted to a new situation. After I got through all of that, I felt very comfortable. I feel very comfortable now and I'm very happy with where I am at.”

He can readily recall his first trip to the Woodbine winner's circle and the trip itself.

The milestone moment came on June 5, 2019, aboard Phil's Glory, an Ontario-bred daughter of Philanthropist.

Sent off at 7-2, Phil's Glory, bred and then owned by Paul Buttigieg, rallied for a half-length score in the 1 1/16-mile main track race.

“I loved that race. We came from off the pace, we ran down the horse that was on the lead and got them at the wire. It was definitely rewarding. I got a lot of calls from people back at Hastings. I have a lot of support from back there, so it meant a lot to have so many people reach out to congratulate me.”

Civaci has had plenty of other reasons to celebrate since settling in Ontario.

In 2019, he won 39 races in 363 starts. Last year, he boosted his win total to 47 from 434 starts.

His goals for this year won't come as a surprise.

“I want win more races than I did in 2020 and to also be in more races, and in the bigger races. I was really happy with last year's performance. Each year, it seems like it is getting better and better, and opportunities are opening up for me. I'm just pleased with how everything is going.”

That would also apply to his life away from the races.

When he's not getting a leg up, Civaci can be found indulging in his passion for gaming, going for a walk with his girlfriend Alyssa, or taking care of their pet hedgehog, Bruce.

“I like going out for walks with my girlfriend, and we'll also watch movies on Netflix too,” said the 27-year-old, who lists the 1996 movie Jingle All the Way as his all-time favorite. “I love to play videogames, too, so I do that a lot. You just really try to take advantage of any downtime you get. It's a good balance to have. I'm very happy with how things are in my life.”

The rider with 202 lifetime wins, including a victory aboard Calgary Caper in the Grade 3 BC Premier's Handicap three years ago, will hope to echo those same words at the conclusion of this year's Woodbine Thoroughbred meet.

He's looking forward to the journey.

“I'm going to continue to work hard to get more opportunities to ride. The key for me is to always do better than the year before. That's what pushes me every time I go into the gate. Win or lose, I always give my best.”

The post ‘Such A Good Feeling’: Jockey Sahin Civaci Glad To Be Back Racing At Woodbine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

But the upholding of the controversial commission-level disqualification of Chief Know It All (Flashy Bull) from western Canada’s most prestigious race might still not end up being the final judgment in a case that has now languished in the courts for three-plus years.

The Alberta Court of Appeal ruling, first reported Nov. 23 by Canadian Press, is the latest twist in the prolonged legal challenge over whether stewards are the final arbiters of foul-related race disqualifications in that province.

This latest judgment–which essentially upholds the right of a quasi-judicial, independent body to overturn race outcome decisions made by track officials in Alberta—stands in stark contrast to the opposite United States federal court ruling from earlier this year that declared Churchill Downs stewards had the full power and final say in DQ’ing the winner of the 2019 GI Kentucky Derby for an in-race foul.

On Aug. 19, 2017, at Northlands Park, Chief Know It All, then owned by Rollingson Racing Stable and trained by Robertino Diodoro, won the $150,000 (CDN) stakes by a half-length.

There was a dead heat for second, and the stewards investigated a foul claim on behalf of one of the runners-up.

The objection focused on whether Chief Know It All came over and impeded rail-running Double Bear (Kentucky Bear) at the head of the stretch or if Double

Bear caused his own stutter-step problem by running up on the left hind of Chief Know It All.

The stewards ruled no foul occurred, leaving up Chief Know It All as the winner.

The connections of Double Bear appealed to Horse Racing Alberta, which has something called an Appeal Tribunal comprised of up to three members who hear appeals on rulings made by horse racing officials, with the ability to render reversals independent of Horse Racing Alberta.

Ten months later, the Appeal Tribunal did indeed reverse the outcome of the 2017 Canadian Derby, DQ’ing Chief Know It All for interference while elevating Double Bear and Trooper John (Colonel John) as dead-heat winners.

Rollingson Racing took the matter to court, seeking a remand back to the original stewards’ decision, but had no luck in two lower court attempts before the case went before the Alberta Court of Appeal, which similarly upheld the tribunal’s power to overrule stewards.

According to Canadian Press, “Rollingson Racing argued that the Appeal Tribunal did not have enough members to make the decision to disqualify, because one of them had been let go partway through the proceedings. The Appeal Court has dismissed the argument [ruling that] a section of Alberta’s horse racing act could be interpreted to allow a former member to return so as to conclude a complaint that was already before the tribunal.”

It was unclear if Rollingson Racing will pursue further legal attempts to fight the DQ.

Chief Know It All has long since left the Rollingson stable and Diodoro’s barn. He won the GII British Columbia Derby at Hastings in his next start after the Canadian Derby, then shipped out to race at Zia, Oaklawn, Prairie Meadows, Canterbury, Turf Paradise and Churchill.

During 2019 and into 2020, he was claimed four times while crossing the finish line first in five of six races at Churchill, Saratoga, Keeneland and Aqueduct.

But in one of those races, on Nov. 14, 2019, Chief Know It All was DQ’d from a 12 1/4-length win at Churchill while also having his claim voided for a Class 3 naproxen positive while under the care of trainer Danny Gargan. The gelding currently competes at the $25,000 claiming level in New York, most recently running third at that level Nov. 13.

The post Controversial 2017 Canadian Derby Declared Official–For Fifth Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post