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Kentucky Derby Consignor Standings Presented By Keeneland: Final Countdown Sees Sequel New York, Taylor Made On Top

When a young horse goes through the ring at any auction, a few cents of every dollar in the hammer price is spent on the hope that the horse will one day end up in the Kentucky Derby. Before they can be bought, though, they have to be found.

At the end of a Derby trail that had a four-month detour, we have a final picture of which consignors had the most success producing horses who earned Derby qualifying points for this year's race, both in quantity and quality. Of the 18 horses with intentions to run as of Monday afternoon, 15 went through the ring at least once at public auction, and all but two of those earned points for their consignors in this year's Kentucky Derby Consignor Standings.

Tiz The Law has been the de facto leader of his division for much of the Derby prep season, and when he ascended to the top of the points standings, his consignor Sequel New York joined him. The son of Constitution was Sequel's only graduate to earn points on this year's Derby trail, but the postponement of the race from May to September left him and Sequel with an astronomical 372 points as the runners descend on Churchill Downs.

Tiz the Law's accumulation journey began at Churchill Downs, where he earned two points for a third-place effort in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He then picked up 10 points when he won the G3 Holy Bull Stakes, and he cemented himself as a top contender following a 100-point triumph in the G1 Florida Derby. From there, Tiz the Law piled it on during his summer campaign, earning 150 points by winning the Belmont Stakes, and another 100 points in the G1 Travers Stakes.

Sequel was the top consignor by Derby points, both in the overall standings and among consignors of yearlings. The top point-getter among consignors specializing in 2-year-old sales was Randy Bradshaw, who had 150 points on the lone strength of Nadal.

A son of Blame, Nadal picked up 40 points in the G2 Rebel Stakes, then earned 100 points by winning the second division of the G1 Arkansas Derby.

Nadal was an incredibly successful pinhook for Bradshaw, who bought him for $65,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, then sold him for $700,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Selected 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Taylor Made Sales Agency led all consignors on this year's Kentucky Derby trail by the number of horses that earned qualifying points, with nine.

The group was led by Shotski, a Blame colt who picked up 19 points with a win in the G2 Remsen Stakes, a second in the G3 Withers Stakes, and a fourth in the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Taylor Made Grade 1 graduate board added another name last fall when Eight Rings, by Empire Maker, won the G1 American Pharoah Stakes and earned 10 points. Texas Swing, a son of Curlin, also earned 10 points with a third in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Other Taylor Made graduates to pick up points on the Derby trail include Three Technique (Mr Speaker, 9 points); Scabbard (More Than Ready, 9 points); Arkaan (Into Mischief, 4 points); Cosmo (Distorted Humor, 4 points); Earner (Carpe Diem, 2 points); and Super John (Super Saver, 2 points).

Taylor Made will also send graduate Mr. Big News, a son of Giant's Causeway, into the Derby starting gate without any qualifying points.

A pair of juvenile consignors tied for the most point-earners, each with three.

Top Line Sales graduates picked up a combined 131 points on the Derby trail, led by Ny Traffic, a son of Cross Traffic who earned 110 points with runner-up efforts in the G1 Haskell Stakes, G2 Louisiana Derby, and G3 Matt Winn Stakes, along with a third in the G2 Risen Star Stakes.

The Top Line consignment also featured Candy Tycoon, an earner of 20 points by Twirling Candy, and Gozilla, by Flatter, who earned one point.

Wavertree Stables also saw three graduates earn points, including Country Grammer, a first-crop Tonalist colt who got 50 points for winning the G3 Peter Pan Stakes.

Independence Hall, also from a first-crop sire in Constitution, picked up 14 points with a win in the listed Jerome Stakes and a runner-up effort in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes. Rounding out the trio of first-crop point-earners was Wrecking Crew, who picked up five points with a third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and a fourth in the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity.

Though the horse enters the first Saturday in September with no qualifying points, Wavertree Stables' graduates on this year's trail also include Money Moves, a son of Candy Ride who is a likely Derby starter.

As the field of potential Derby starters stands through Monday afternoon, Lane's End is the only consignor with multiple graduates scheduled to enter the starting gate.

Max Player, a first-crop son of Honor Code, has 60 points after winning the G3 Withers Stakes and finishing third in the Belmont Stakes and G1 Travers Stakes. Sole Volante, also a first-cropper by Karakontie, picked up 30 points with a victory in the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and a runner-up effort in the G2 Tampa Bay Derby.

Lane's End finished with the second-most point-earners on this year's Derby trail, with five.

The group was topped by Wells Bayou, a Lookin at Lucky colt with 104 points from winning the G2 Louisiana Derby and running second in the G3 Southwest Stakes. Arkaan, by Into Mischief, who earned four points with a third in the listed Pegasus Stakes. Express Train, by Union Rags, earned one point for running fourth in the American Pharoah Stakes.

The post Kentucky Derby Consignor Standings Presented By Keeneland: Final Countdown Sees Sequel New York, Taylor Made On Top appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Derby Notes: Asmussen ‘Extremely Excited’ About Max Player After Final Breeze

George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred's Max Player completed his major preparations for Saturday's $3 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) by working a half-mile in :49.80 over a fast track.

Late Monday morning, a total of nine fillies, headed by Gamine and Swiss Skydiver were entered for Friday's 146th running of the $1.25 Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Also announced Monday morning, Allied Racing Stables' Mr. Big News will target Saturday's Kentucky Derby instead of the $500,000 American Turf (GII).

ART COLLECTOR – They made not be visible beneath their masks, but Bruce Lunsford's homebred Art Collector continues to inspire a round of smiles around Churchill Downs' Barn 3.

The son Bernardini had another solid, routine morning in advance of the Kentucky Derby as he jogged a mile, then galloped 1 1/8 miles during the special training period reserved for Derby and Oaks horses at 7:30.

“Today was his first day back galloping since his breeze (five furlongs on Aug. 28) and I thought he looked fantastic,” trainer Tommy Drury said. “Everything seems to be in good order. From here on out, we're back in a normal gallop routine and just try to stay out of his way for a few more days.”

Drury added he would likely do some paddock and gate schooling with Art Collector “Wednesday or Thursday.”

ATTACHMENT RATE – Jim Bakke and Gerald Isbister's Attachment Rate walked trainer Dale Romans' shedrow Monday morning.

The Ellis Park Derby runner-up is expected to go back to the track Tuesday.

AUTHENTIC – Grade 1 winner Authentic was slated to arrive in Louisville along with his Bob Baffert-trained stablemates around 3 p.m. (all times Eastern). The son of Into Mischief turned in his final major breeze in preparation for the Kentucky Derby on Sunday, covering six furlongs at Del Mar in 1:12.40.

ENFORCEABLE – John Oxley's Enforceable galloped about a mile and a half under assistant trainer David Carroll on Monday, two days after breezing a half-mile in his final serious move in preparation for the Kentucky Derby.

“He's in great shape, this is the best he's trained,” Carroll said.

High expectations literally run in the family where Enforceable is concerned as he is a full brother to graded stakes winner Mohaymen — the fourth-place finisher in the 2016 Kentucky Derby — and a half sibling to New Year's Day, sire of champion Maximum Security, who crossed the wire in front in the 2019 Kentucky Derby before being disqualified because of interference.

After finishing fifth in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (GII) on March 21, however, Enforceable was a horse who needed all the extra time he could get if he were to make his own presence felt in the Run for the Roses.

“Oh if it (the Kentucky Derby) had been in May, he wouldn't have ran,” trainer Mark Casse said of Enforceable. “He came out of the Louisiana Derby tired and beat up and there is no way that I would have ran him in the Derby. It took him a long time. We brought him home (to Ocala, Florida) and it took us about two months to get back to where I was happy training him.”

Enforceable returned to run fourth in the July 11 Blue Grass Stakes (GII), a finish his Hall of Fame trainer feels is better than it looks given that the colt was basically on the farm for two months.

“I kind of feel like each day, he's gotten bigger and better. And his race in the Blue Grass, I thought it was a good race,” Casse said. “Obviously speed is dangerous at Keeneland and there was no way that he could have been 100 percent ready for that given that he had two months off. I thought it was a good comeback race. He was probably 80-85 percent and I feel he's 100 percent now. That's why we're trying it.”

FINNICK THE FIERCE – Arnaldo Monge and trainer Rey Hernandez's Finnick the Fierce galloped at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington on Monday morning and then vanned to Churchill Downs.

“Everything is good,” Hernandez said.

Martin Garcia has the Derby mount.

HONOR A. P. – C R K Stable's Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner was en route from California Monday morning along with a large contingent of West Coast horses.

KING GUILLERMO – Victoria's Ranch's King Guillermo galloped 1 ½ miles Monday under exercise rider Edgar Garcia.

The colt trained Monday under the watchful eye of trainer Juan Avila, owner Victor Martinez and jockey Samy Camacho, who arrived Sunday from Florida.

MAJOR FED – Lloyd Madison Farm's Major Fed jogged about 1 5/8 miles and schooled in the new Kentucky Derby 20-horse starting gate.

Major Fed was accompanied to the track by 50-year-old exercise rider Margarito Fierro. The Mexico City-native Fierro has worked for Foley for more than 15 years and Major Fed is the first Derby contender he has ridden.

“Horses are my life,” Fierro said. “I grew up in Mexico and lived and breathed horses from a young age. I credit them with everything I've done in my life. A couple of years ago I was battling cancer and the horses were my therapy. When I'm around them, all the stress of life goes away.”

Major Fed is scheduled to return to the track at his normal training time of 5:15 a.m. on Tuesday.

MAX PLAYER – George Hall and SportBLX Thoroughbred Corp.'s Max Player was the last Derby horse to complete his final work Monday morning, breezing an easy half-mile in :49.80 at 5:50 a.m. with regular exercise rider Juan Vargas aboard.

The Honor Code colt put up splits of :12.40 and :24.40 before completing his work and galloping out in 1:02.80.

“He's continuing to do well,” Hall of Fame trainer Steve

Asmussen said. “I'm extremely excited about how he's going to run in the Kentucky Derby. I love how he looks going over the racetrack. His attitude is really good. He came in with a really good attitude and was moving really well. That has stayed the same.”

Asmussen assumed the training of Max Player from Linda Rice shortly after the horse finished third to likely Kentucky Derby favorite Tiz the Law in the Travers Stakes (G1) Aug. 8.

“The reason he is here is to give him time to acclimate to the track and the surroundings to hopefully make up the difference. He's been third to Tiz the Law in his last two races. That horse is the deserving favorite and a tall task. You only have one chance to run in the Derby and we just wanted to do everything we could to give him his best chance.”

MONEY MOVES – Robert LaPenta and Bortolazzo Stable's Money Moves galloped a mile and three-eighths Monday morning at Saratoga and is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs early Tuesday morning for trainer Todd Pletcher.

Money Moves will be housed in Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas' barn.

MR. BIG NEWS – Allied Family Stables' $200,000 Oaklawn Stakes winner Mr. Big News will enter Saturday's Kentucky Derby (GI), according to owner Chester Thomas.

“I know we don't have some of the numbers like Tiz the Law, Art Collector and Honor A. P. but this horse is improving,” Thomas said. “I think he is absolutely going to love the distance and will make a big run late.”

Trained by Bret Calhoun, Mr. Big News will be ridden by Gabriel Saez in the Derby.

NECKER ISLAND – Raymond Daniels, Wayne Scherr and Will Harbut Racing Stables' Necker Island jogged once around under Hillary Hartman and then stood in the starting gate in the mile chute.

Necker Island was claimed by trainer Chris Hartman in June out of an optional claiming race for $100,000 in which he finished fourth behind Art Collector, who figures to be one of the top choices for Saturday's Run for the Roses.

“The initial goal was we hoped to hold his previous form and not ugly it up,” Hartman said. “We knew we were getting a nice horse who was already proven and obviously we were hoping he would be a Derby horse.”

In two starts for Hartman, Necker Island has earned back $50,455 of his claiming price with third-place finishes in the Indiana Derby (GIII) and the Ellis Park Derby.

NY TRAFFIC – Haskell Invitational (GI) runner-up Ny Traffic continued his Kentucky Derby preparations with a 1 ½-mile gallop at Saratoga Monday and will arrive in Kentucky Tuesday, nearly 24 later than expected.

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said via text that the horse “was doing well” and that he had “no concerns” about the travel delay.

SOLE VOLANTE – Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and Andie Biancone's Sole Volante got his first feel of the Churchill track Monday, one day after vanning from his base at Palm Meadows in South Florida. With his co-owner aboard, the Karakontie (JPN) gelding jogged one mile around the track.

Andie Biancone, also the daughter of trainer Patrick Biancone, said she's seeing signs that her horse is ready for a top effort in the Kentucky Derby.

“Normally, he's the quietest horse in the barn, so yesterday (Sunday) when I took him off the van, I didn't even use a lip chain and he dragged me off the van. This morning (Monday), he felt better than he ever has.”

Biancone said Sole Volante would gallop Tuesday and likely school in the paddock with herself or jockey Luca Panici on board.

STORM THE COURT – David Bernsen, Exline-Border Racing, Dan Hudock and Susanna Wilson's Storm the Court is scheduled to arrive at Churchill Downs Monday afternoon from his Southern California base.

Trainer Peter Eurton is scheduled to arrive in Louisville at 10 Tuesday morning and plans to be at the post position draw scheduled at 11 o'clock.

THOUSAND WORDS – Albaugh Family Stables and Spendthrift Farm's Thousand Words was slated to arrive in Louisville along with his Bob Baffert-trained stablemates around 3 p.m.

While the son of Pioneerof the Nile won his first three career starts, including two graded stakes, Thousand Words is among the Kentucky Derby contenders who likely would have had to sit this classic out had it not moved from its usual spot of the first Saturday in May. After starting his sophomore season with a victory in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (GII) in February, Thousand Words went off form, finishing fourth in the San Felipe Stakes (GII) and 11th in the Oaklawn Stakes on April 11, prompting Baffert to give him a brief freshening.

The mid-spring hiatus served Thousand Woods well as he has regained his top form since returning to the races in July. Following a runner-up effort in the Los Alamitos Derby (GIII), the bay colt defeated Santa Anita Derby (GI) winner Honor A. P. to capture the Aug. 1 Shared Belief Stakes.

“There has not been one positive thing from Covid that I can think of other than it allowed us to run in the Kentucky Derby, because we wouldn't have deserved to be in the Kentucky Derby in May,” said Jason Loutsch, racing manager for Albaugh Family Stables. “We would have qualified probably with points but the horse just wasn't doing well in May and after that Oaklawn race, Bob was really frustrated with him, we were frustrated and as a group, so we decided to just give him 30-45 days and get him happy, put some weight on. And we're really happy with the way the horse has come around. The last race, we couldn't be happier with. Obviously Honor A. P. was in there and to compete with those horses and fight and not give up down the lane, that gives us a lot of confidence going into this weekend.”

TIZ THE LAW – With trainer Barclay Tagg already en route to Kentucky, assistant trainer Robin Smullen was left in charge of the presumptive Kentucky Derby favorite's morning training and was aboard as he galloped twice around the Saratoga track.

The flight bringing Tiz the Law from New York to Kentucky has been delayed until Tuesday. Also, on the flight are fellow Kentucky Derby starters Ny Traffic and Money Moves.

WINNING IMPRESSION – West Point Thoroughbreds' and Pearl Racing's graded stakes placed Winning Impression galloped about 1 ½ miles Monday under exercise rider Emerson Chavez.

SHAPING UP: THE KENTUCKY DERBY – Likely starters in the 146th running of the $3 million, Grade I Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve to be run for 3-year-olds at 1 1/4 miles on Saturday, Sept. 5 (in order of preference): Tiz the Law (jockey Manny Franco); Authentic (John Velazquez); Art Collector (Brian Hernandez Jr.); Honor A. P. (Mike Smith); Ny Traffic (Paco Lopez); King Guillermo (Samy Camacho); Thousand Words (Florent Geroux); Max Player (Ricardo Santana Jr.); Enforceable (Adam Beschizza); Major Fed (James Graham); Storm the Court (Julien Leparoux); Attachment Rate (Joe Talamo); Sole Volante (Luca Panici); Finnick the Fierce (Martin Garcia); Winning Impression (Joe Rocco Jr.); Necker Island (Miguel Mena); Mr. Big News (Gabriel Saez); Money Moves (Javier Castellano).

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Officials Announce the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority; Horseracing Integrity Act to Be Introduced in Senate

Backed by the political clout of United States Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), proponents of a federal bill mandating an independent anti-doping and medication control program for horse racing announced at an Aug. 31 press conference at Keeneland that a retooled version of the framework of legislation that has existed since 2015 will be introduced in the Senate in September by McConnell himself.

Backers of the bill spoke Monday of newfound compromise and consensus among the sport’s stakeholders that they said would help to usher the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HSIA) to passage. They also outlined how a nine-member oversight board known as the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority would craft the new program, and how that Authority would contract with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to manage and administer the new set of rules. A fresh component that would also cover racetrack safety standards will also be written into McConnell’s new version of the bill.

But more questions than answers were raised by the half-hour media event. There was no discussion of how this new Authority would be funded, and there was zero mention of the contentious topic of race-day medication (specifically Lasix), the prohibition of which has been a difficult sticking point in previous versions of the bill.

Although a representative from Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), was on the sales pavilion stage with the bill’s proponents and the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) was mentioned as a supporter two minutes before the press conference ended, there was no discussion about what tradeoffs had been made to gain the favor of those two entities, both of which had previously not supported federally mandated oversight of the sport.

In addition, the post-conference question-and-answer session with reporters was not made available to journalists working off the internet stream. TDN emailed McConnell’s media liaison three brief follow-up questions about funding, the status of race-day medication, and how the compromises with non-supporters came about. A spokesperson replied without addressing the questions, writing instead that “I will make sure you’re updated with more info when the Senator’s bill is introduced!”

The Blood-Horse subsequently reported that the new bill would still outlaw the use of race-day Lasix, but that states would be allowed to request a three-year waiver for some exceptions. TDN could not independently verify this aspect of the legislation.

McConnell, who is running for reelection to a seventh term, began the introduction of his bill by saying he decided to get involved in the crafting of federal horse racing legislation after reading that the Washington Post had editorialized banning the sport outright.

“We’ve seen painful tragedies on the track in recent years. Doping scandals have rocked the horse racing community,” McConnell said. “These challenges pose a threat, not only to this industry, but also to the 24,000 Kentuckians who work in it…. If we want to preserve horse racing and its future, we [need] to act.”

McConnell said his bill, which is expected to be introduced sometime after the current Congressional break that extends through Labor Day, will give federal recognition and enforcement responsibility for the Authority “to develop uniform, baseline standards. With the weight of the federal government behind the [Authority] we can improve current regulations. We can better protect every competitor and give each of them a fair shot at the winner’s circle.

“I’ve had some preliminary discussions with [Democratic Senator] Dianne Feinstein from California, who’s had an ongoing concern about this and an interest in it,” McConnell continued. “We anticipate we will have bipartisan support. This is not a particularly bipartisan place we’re in right now in Congress, as you may have noticed. But we are hopeful that a subject like this can overcome the partisanship that’s pretty much been on full display as we get closer and closer to the election.”

U.S. Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), who co-chairs the Congressional Horse Caucus and has co-sponsored three previous versions of the Horseracing Integrity Act (2015, 2017, 2019), said that he plans to support an amendment to his existing piece of legislation that is still active in the House “to bring it into mirror-image conformity” with McConnell’s proposed version.

“The consensus we are here to announce and celebrate today not only accelerates our momentum, it is propelling us down the home stretch,” Barr said. “And I’m confident it will advance the safety, integrity, and international competitiveness of American horse racing.”

McConnell’s version, Barr said, “materially improves our bill by adding a focus on track surface safety, and by making reasonable changes that have enabled us to enlarge our coalition of support and bring more organizations with the industry together in support of our legislation…. As I’ve said many times, this legislation is not about more regulation. It is about creating a single, nationwide set of rules that will result in smarter, more effective, streamlined regulation for the industry.”

Barr said the previous three versions of the Integrity Act that he championed served to aid in “educating members [of Congress] about the industry and persuaded our colleagues that horse racing is a matter of interstate commerce, and that Congress has the constitutional authority to regulate it.”

Barr thanked Churchill Downs for working with his coalition and “joining the cause,” and he praised the HBPA for sharing an “influential voice in support of this legislation.”

But Barr did not elaborate on what those “reasonable changes” were that won over those two opponents. And Eric Hamelback, the HBPA’s national chief executive, did not return a voicemail request for comment left by TDN prior to deadline for this story.

CDI chief executive Bill Carstanjen, who as recently as last October said he had “serious concerns” about the Integrity Act and did not think federal legislation was “practical, reasonable, or imminent,” on Monday spoke in favor of McConnell’s forthcoming version of the bill.

“The crux of the bill is that this new entity, the Authority, will have jurisdiction over the design, implementation and enforcement of anti-doping and medication controls, as well as racetrack safety protocols,” Carstanjen said. “With respect to the anti-doping and medication control program, the Authority will contract with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for their services in managing and administering the program developed by the authority. The Authority may also contract with state racing commissions, as it makes sense both with respect to the medication and control program and racetrack safety program.”

Bill Lear Jr., the vice chair of The Jockey Club, detailed how a “blue-ribbon panel” would choose an “independent board” that would, in turn, govern the Authority.

That independent board, Lear said, will be primarily comprised by people outside the industry, and it will be “supported by two substantive standing committees” (one for medication and anti-doping, another for track safety). A third standing committee, he explained, will evolve out of the blue-ribbon panel into a “permanent nominating committee to ensure that we always have top-quality people, the kind we would want to regulate the industry, all with no conflicts.”

The enforcement entity will be USADA, Lear said, adding that “the hallmark of this entire program will be independence, industry expertise, and effective enforcement.”

Following McConnell’s introduction of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in Lexington, Monday, industry groups and legislators released statements in support of the bill. Their statements follow.

NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke:

“NYRA has long supported a national approach to medication control and anti-doping across the sport of horse racing. The safety and welfare of the athletes competing at NYRA tracks is our highest priority, which is why NYRA supports the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and urges quick consideration by Congress.

“NYRA is committed to providing the safest possible environment for racing and training by adopting and implementing the best proven safety practices in consultation with independent experts, veterinarians, horsemen and regulators.”

For additional information on NYRA’s industry leading commitment to safety, visit https://www.nyrainc.com/about/nyra-safety.

Craig Fravel, Chief Executive Officer of The Stronach Group’s 1/ST RACING

“1/ST RACING is committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing and we strongly urge Congress to consider the adoption of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act that will introduce national policies to control medication and regulate anti-doping in the sport of horseracing.

At 1/ST RACING our priority is to ensure the safety of our horses and riders and we believe that the investment into equine health and safety is not only the right thing to do, it is crucial to the future of Thoroughbred horseracing. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act recognizes that industry stakeholders including the owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, and racetrack operators must be unified toward a new standard of equine health, safety and welfare.”

Joe Appelbaum, President of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

“Horsemen should view today’s developments with the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act with hope. It’s been clear for a generation that a systematic approach to equine welfare is needed and this effort is a big step in that direction. The broad changes proposed today by Senator McConnell are a significant improvement on previous drafts of legislation and I’d like to personally commend the industry participants for working together to overcome their differences.

The real work starts now, as we will need to not only pass this legislation, but actually implement its proposals. NYTHA looks forward to working with all parties to ensure that horse racing has a worthy system ensuring the safety of our equine athletes and a level playing field. Our primary stakeholders, horsemen and bettors, deserve nothing less.”

Representative Paul D. Tonko (D-NY)

“For nearly six years now, I have led a broad, bipartisan campaign to bring America’s sport of kings into the modern age, including common sense measures to protect our equine athletes and bring greater integrity to the sport of horseracing. Today’s announcement of legislation to be introduced in the Senate means, after all this time, we are rounding the final turn. With the support of Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Churchill Downs, I am confident that this compromise legislation will unite all who are interested in building a strong foundation and a prosperous future for this noble sport. I look forward to advancing this legislation in the House as an amended form of our Horseracing Integrity Act before the end of the year.”

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Equibase to Evaluate GPS Timing System

In light of reports questioning the accuracy of the Gmax timing system, which relies on GPS technology, Equibase announced Monday in a statement that it will conduct an “extensive analysis” of the systems that is in place at 11 racetracks and will look to increase quality control efforts with respect to the GPS timers.

The accuracy of the GPS method became such an issue for the team putting together the Beyer speed figures that they have been hand timing the races from the Gmax tracks and have been using those times when making their figures.

“My colleagues and I are relieved that Equibase has recognized the flaws with its GPS race timing,” Andy Beyer said. “Everybody in the sport should share this relief. Without precise times, nobody can evaluate horses properly. As Equibase moves forward with GPS technology, I hope it will be more careful to vet the product and make sure that any data it publishes will be accurate.”

Equibase said it will consult the figure-makers as it moves forward and attempts to improve the GPS system.

Gmax has been replacing the traditional timing method, which is a teletimer systems that involves beams. Beyer and others have contended that the beam system is more accurate than GPS. Equibase said that it will look to combine the two methods.

“The result should be better overall performance and a more comprehensive data set,” the announcement read.

In addition, Equibase said it will not replace the beam system with Gmax at any additional tracks “until we are satisfied that the replacement provides a similar or better level of accuracy.”

The statement in its entirety reads:

There have been recent reports about the timing accuracy of GPS technology that Equibase has deployed at several tracks. We are conducting an extensive analysis of these installations. In the meantime, we are increasing our quality control efforts with respect to the GPS timing data and have sought input from speed figure makers and others in the racing community. We are also working toward a more integrated timing and tracking solution that combines the times produced by the beam system with the positional data produced by GPS. Finally, we will not replace another beam system

Equibase has served as the official database for Thoroughbred horse racing’s performance data for more than 20 years. It is a responsibility that we take very seriously, and we will provide updates on our progress with GPS timing.

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