Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features half-siblings to two Group 1 winners.
1.35 Lingfield, Nov, £5,300, 2yo, f, 7f 1y (AWT)
Cheveley Park Stud’s hitherto unraced DEGREE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a homebred half-sister to G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) out of G1 Matron S. victress Echelon (GB) (Danehill). Declared to race in a first-time hood, she represents the Sir Michael Stoute stable responsible for those Cheveley Park luminaries and faces a cast of 10 rivals which features Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s twice-raced Bint Al Anood (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a John Gosden-trained half to MG1SW sire Pride of Dubai (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}).
The $200,000 Remington Springboard Mile Stakes Friday evening at Remington Park is a traditional December showcase for 2-year-olds who are just starting out on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, as this race awards a total of 17 points including 10 to the winner.
According to The Louisville Courier-Journal, the future of the horse racing community in Kentucky could be at stake after a recent state Supreme Court ruling on historical horse racing (HHR). The supreme court dealt a blow to the racing industry in September when it ruled that one manufacturer's HHR terminals don't comply with the legal definition of pari-mutuel wagering in the state.
Supporters and opponents of HHR appeared before the General Assembly's Interim Joint Committee on Licensing, Occupations and Administrative Regulations to discuss the path forward for HHR.
Racing industry representatives warned that the loss of HHR would seriously cripple Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry. The machines have provided $717 million in direct revenue to the horse industry so far.
Representatives from the Family Foundation, which brought the original suit questioning the legality of the machines, say a constitutional amendment would be required to change the state's definition of pari-mutuel wagering to accommodate HHR. The group opposes the machines, which resemble slot machines but use video of previously-run races to determine winning number combinations.
“We're not looking for an expansion of gambling here,” Thayer said. “All we're looking to do is to put in statute that historical horse racing meets the definition of pari-mutuel wagering and this body has the authority to do that.”
As of Monday, no bill had been prefiled by a legislator regarding pari-mutuel racing in Kentucky. The next legislative session begins in January.
A founder of TOBA, strong advocate for the creation of the Breeders' Cup and a member of countless industry boards, Fred W. Hooper was the first industry leader to foster Latin American jockeys to race at Florida tracks.
Hall of Fame jockeys Laffit Pincay, Jr., Braulio Baeza and Jorge Velasquez among others got their start with Hooper.
Living to be 102, Hooper's own rags-to-riches story of hard work, to always look ahead, and don't look back, is a truly Florida tale. Hooper later received racing's highest honor, an Eclipse Award of Merit.
Hooper's profile is the third in the Florida Thoroughbred History Moment series that has expanded into history profiles. The first two profiles featured Lugusta “Gus” Gray who actually worked for Hooper for more than 30 years and who still retells the legendary stories of Hooper and his horses in their heyday.
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association has launched a digital campaign promoting the successful history of Florida-breds born and raised in the Sunshine State.
The series titled “Florida Thoroughbred History Moment” features an opening and closing image of an old-timey newsreel much like those featured in movie theaters in the 1940s. Along with the sound of the whirr of the newsreel, each video is narrated by the distinctive voice of Hugh Kelly giving an even more nostalgic feel. Based in Florida, Kelly lends his voice perfectly to the series.
Each 'Florida Thoroughbred History Moment' vignette highlights a significant achievement in Florida-bred history focusing on the people, the horses and the farms that have contributed to its success since the industry kicked off in earnest after Needles' 1956 Kentucky Derby win.
Check out the previous installments of Florida History Moments here:
