Tag: Horse Racing

Giant Mischief Back With A Vengeance at Churchill

8th-Churchill Downs, $132,590, Alw (NW2X), Opt. Clm ($125,000), 9-20, 3yo, 6f, 1:09.15, ft, 2 3/4 lengths.
GIANT MISCHIEF (c, 3, Into Mischief–Vertical Oak {MGSW, $773,095}, by Giant Oak) made a triumphant return off a near seven-month absence, landing this stakes-quality sprint in sharp fashion. The 7-5 favorite was off fairly and was hustled along early, but did not quite have speed enough to head them off and settled on the heels of the leaders to the turn. Angled away from the inside and into the four path going ominously well at the five-sixteenths pole, the $475,000 Keeneland September grad swept to the lead with a furlong and a half to race and kicked home to score by an impressive 2 3/4 lengths over fellow comebacker Two Eagles River (Cloud Computing). A debut winner at Horseshoe Indianapolis this time last year, Giant Mischief outgamed future GI Woody Stephens S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Arabian Lion (Justify) in a seven-furlong allowance at Keeneland on Breeders' Cup Friday. A troubled-trip second as the 4-5 choice in the Dec. 17 Springboard Mile S. at Remington, the bay was a latest sixth in a sloppy-track renewal of the GII Rebel S. at Oaklawn Feb. 25. The winner's dual graded stakes-winning dam was a acquired for $700,000 with this colt in utero at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale and is also the dam of a yearling Curlin filly and a weanling colt by Quality Road. Vertical Oak, a daughter of MSW Vertical Vision (Pollard's Vision), was covered by Into Mischief this season. Sales history: $475,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SP, 5-3-1-0, $285,320. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Steve Landers Racing LLC, M Schwartz, M Dubb, Ten Strike Racing, J Bakke., Titletown Racing Stables, Kueber Racing, LLC, Big Easy Racing LLC, Winners Win, M Caruso & Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Brad H Cox.

 

 

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Open Letter To The Industry: Lisa Lazarus

Dear Thoroughbred racing participants,

HISA's most important mission is to protect the health and wellbeing of the horses participating in Thoroughbred racing. Over the past few months, the challenges of that mission–and the critical importance of it–have never been more apparent.

The events at Churchill Downs, Laurel Park and Saratoga Race Course this spring and summer were a sobering reminder that we must further prioritize creating a culture of safety and an ecosystem of care that takes into account all factors contributing to equine fatalities. And it is the responsibility of all racing participants to do their part.

HISA's investigation into the circumstances surrounding equine fatalities at Churchill Downs earlier this year did not identify any singular explanation for the fatalities, despite extensive investigation and analysis of the track surface, veterinary records, necropsies and whether any rule violations occurred. The absence of a singular explanation underscores the urgent need for further action and analysis to mitigate risk stemming from several factors potentially contributing to equine fatalities. HISA's full report on the findings was released publicly last week and can be found here.

HISA's strategic recommendations and next steps moving forward–also announced last week–include the following:

  • A sophisticated data analysis effort to explore critical questions facing the sport to yield new, actionable insights, made possible by uniform reporting requirements under HISA.
  • The creation of a committee to work toward the study and ultimate introduction of more synthetic surface options in Thoroughbred racing.
  • Improved veterinary screening and diagnostic procedures, including:

–Making PET scans more accessible to racetracks across the country;

–Conducting a research study to examine the causes of exercise-associated sudden deaths;

–Further use of wearable technology as an injury detection tool;

–An examination of whether there are any other equine fitness tools worthy of investment and deployment

HISA has also formed a new Track Surface Advisory Group comprised of seasoned track superintendents to assist in surface analysis and make recommendations on an ongoing basis.

This moment is and should be a turning point for our sport. It is essential that all corners of the racing world come together to do their part to reduce equine fatalities and protect these magnificent athletes.

HISA is grateful for the work of everyone involved in the sport whose job it is to protect the health and wellbeing of Thoroughbreds. We know that you share in our cause and that together, we can make racing the safest, and best, version of itself.

Yours in racing, Lisa Lazarus

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Letter To The Editor: A Blueprint for Industry Transformation and Resurrecting True Horsemanship

In a time when true horsemanship is increasingly considered a lost art, and our industry faces a barrage of criticism and skepticism, Frank Taylor's Stable Recovery initiative shines as a beacon of what can be accomplished. This program is not just a cutting-edge approach to addiction recovery; it is a call to arms for an industry that needs both positive PR and meaningful solutions to real-world challenges.

True Horsemanship: The Heart of Stable Recovery

What stands out about Stable Recovery is its focus on horsemanship as a cornerstone of recovery. Horsemanship is an invaluable skill that is slipping through the cracks in our industry. Frank Taylor's initiative serves as an antidote to this trend, emphasizing the healing power of horses and the importance of caring for them in a way that honors their role in our lives and our industry. 

The Power of the Horse in Healing

The industry has long understood the untapped potential for horses to heal the human spirit. Stable Recovery takes this one step further by incorporating addiction recovery into daily life on a Thoroughbred farm. Frank Taylor's insight into the “secret sauce” of combining horse care with a 12-step program exemplifies the symbiotic relationship between horsemanship and healing.

 

Stable Recovery | Stable Recovery

Two-Fold Impact: On People and Industry

Stable Recovery is not only a compassionate endeavor; it is a strategic workforce development for our industry. Participants become not just architects of their recovery, but valuable contributors to an industry that urgently needs passionate, skilled workers.

Our Responsibility to Scale

Programs like Stable Recovery should not be anomalies; they should be models for what our industry can achieve on a larger scale. Frank Taylor envisions a future where more Kentucky thoroughbred farms embrace similar initiatives. Here is where the rest of the industry can make a significant impact.

Actionable Steps:
  • Investment: Financial backing from within the industry can help expand the reach of programs like Stable Recovery.
  • Collaboration and Sponsorship: Involve other key industry players in partnerships to extend these programs' resources and scope.
  • Spread Awareness: Leverage media platforms to make these initiatives well known and well understood.
A Challenge to Fans and Stakeholders

To fans and stakeholders alike, your role is indispensable. Social media advocacy, financial support, and open dialogue about the importance of such programs can propel them into mainstream consciousness.

Conclusion

The Thoroughbred industry has a unique opportunity to not only change its social narrative, but also to lead in transformative programs that benefit both humans and horses. Frank Taylor's Stable Recovery is proof that we can simultaneously resurrect true horsemanship while healing lives.

Let us be part of this impactful change, one horse and one healed soul at a time. God Bless!

–Clark Shepherd is the principal of Shepherd Equine Advisers, Inc.

Editor's Note: To sign up for or sponsor an item in the John Hall Memorial Golf Scramble, click here. To make a donation to Stable Recovery, click here. To learn more, visit stablerecovery.net

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New Chaplain Hired At Churchill Downs

The Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy has named Pavel Urruchi as Churchill Downs's new chaplain, the track said in a release Wednesday morning.

Originally from Lima, Peru, Urruchi has a B.A. in Religion, an M.A. in Divinity, and he is working on a Ph.D. in Applied Theology. Bilingual in Spanish and English, the new chaplain has served for the past five years at Turfway and Belterra Parks.

“I am excited that Pavel has accepted this position, and I can assure you he is eager to build on the momentum of human connections already underway at CDRT alongside Women's Ministry Director Melanie Case, Children's Ministry Director Erica Williamson, and Ministry Coordinator Drew Lindman,” said Rich Gimmel, Director of Ministry Staff. “We are truly blessed to have Chaplain Pavel on our team, and we're excited to see his energy and his love for our Lord and His people brought to our Churchill Downs ministry.”

Chaplain Urruchi will be responsible for developing relationships with everyone in the backside community from the workers in the barns and on the track as well as the various organizations located there serving the racing community.

“Primarily, I am here to show them God's love in tangible ways,” said Urruchi, who is married with two kids. “In the end, I want everyone to experience the love of God, be transformed by Him and find a family to belong.”

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