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TAA Launches ‘Off To The Races’: Inaugural Online Auction Campaign Of Bucket List Experiences

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) announced Thursday the launch of Off to the Races, an online auction campaign which offers the public an opportunity to bid on VIP experience packages on 12 major race days in 2022 and 2023. Each experience package offers a unique itinerary of horse racing-related bucket list activities and tickets to the specified race day(s).

Go to https://www.32auctions.com/taa_auction to view and bid on all items. Bidding opens Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 at noon EST / 9 AM PST and closes Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022 at 2:59 AM EST / 11:59 PM PST.

Featured Experiences:

§ 2022 Florida Derby
§ 2022 Arkansas Derby
§ 2022 Blue Grass Stakes
§ 2022 Santa Anita Derby
§ 2022 Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby
§ 2022 Preakness Stakes
§ 2022 Haskell Stakes
§ 2022 Whitney Stakes
§ 2022 Queen's Plate
§ 2022 Pacific Classic
§ 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships
§ 2023 Pegasus World Cup

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to present the inaugural 'Off to the Races' online auction,” said TAA president and managing director of Bloom Racing Stable, Jeff Bloom. “Featured items include VIP access to the racing industry's most sought after premier events. This is a huge opportunity to increase the awareness of aftercare while raising critical funds for the ongoing support of retired racehorses. All of this made possible by the support of our wonderful racetrack and industry sponsors.”

“The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is excited to kick off the new year with a brand new auction campaign to support our growing number of accredited organizations and the thousands of Thoroughbreds in their care,” said TAA Funding and Events Manager Emily (Dresen) Scandore. “We are thrilled with the support we've received from our auction donors and look forward to sharing some of racing's best days with industry participants and fans.”

About the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, Ky., the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, rehome, and retire Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, the TAA is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, the TAA has granted more than $24.5 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 82 aftercare organizations supporting approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about the TAA, visit ThoroughbredAftercare.org.

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Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. To Take Over For Panza As NYRA’s Senior Vice President Of Racing Operations

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced today the appointment of Frank G. Gabriel, Jr. as Senior Vice President, Racing Operations. Gabriel succeeds Martin Panza, who departed NYRA in October 2021, and will assume his responsibilities on Feb. 3.

Gabriel is deeply experienced in Thoroughbred racing having served as CEO of Dubai Racing Club from 2005-2014 and, most recently, as the Executive Director of Racing for Dubai Racing Club from 2014-2020. As CEO, Gabriel oversaw the project to construct Meydan Racecourse, which opened in 2010 featuring a 60,000-seat grandstand, five-star hotel and numerous restaurants and amenities. Gabriel then led the transition of the Dubai World Cup Carnival and Dubai World Cup from Nad al Sheba to Meydan Racecourse. Since its completion in 2010, Meydan has become one of the world's premier racing and entertainment venues.

The appointment marks a return to NYRA for Gabriel, who was Director of Racing from 1998 to 1999 and Racing Secretary for Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course in a seasonal capacity in 2014. Gabriel also spent 16 years at Arlington Park, serving as Vice President of Racing Operations from 2003 to 2005; and worked previously in various capacities at Timonium Race Track, Keystone Racetrack [now Parx Racing], Atlantic City Race Course, Meadowlands Racetrack, Garden State Park, Hialeah Park and Gulfstream Park.

“We are pleased to welcome Frank Gabriel back to NYRA at this important time in the history of the organization,” said NYRA President and CEO David O'Rourke. “His passion for racing is matched by a deep knowledge of the current dynamics of the sport. Frank is a proven leader with expertise in nearly every aspect of racing who will continue the successes achieved at NYRA in recent years.”

As SVP of Racing Operations, Gabriel will be responsible for leadership and oversight of racing functions at NYRA, including the overall development, planning, and execution of NYRA's premier stakes offerings, marquee events and daily racing programs.

“NYRA is the premier racing circuit in the country, and it is a high honor to accept this position,” said Gabriel. “Our sport continues to evolve and change in meaningful and important ways, and I look forward to joining a team that successfully balances history and traditions while embracing the changes that will benefit the sport for decades to come.”

A native of Pennsylvania, Gabriel has served as a member of the Breeders' Cup Selection Committee. In addition, he has been a member of the Dubai World Cup Committee, Meydan Management team, and Emirates Racing Authority.

In his more than four decades in the Thoroughbred industry, Gabriel has served as well on the Asian Racing Federation Executive Council; as Vice Chairman of the International Grading and Racing Planning Advisory Board; as Chairman of the Asian Pattern Committee; as representative for the Emirates Racing Authority at the International Federation Horse Racing Authority Conference; and as Chairman of the UAE Pattern Committee.

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Destin Colt Tops Open Session Of OBS Winter Mixed Sale

Hip No. 505, a son of Destin named Last Drink consigned by Sue Vacek, Agent, went to Rosewood Farm for $95,000 to top Wednesday's Open Session of the 2022 OBS Winter Mixed sale. The gray or roan yearling colt is out of I Drink Alone, by Intidab, and is a half-brother to stakes winner Bust Another.

Hip No. 454, a yearling daughter of Mendelssohn consigned by Vargas Sales, Agent, was sold to Brookdale Farm for $75,000. The dark bay or brown filly is out of Charming Becky, by Dixie Union, from the family of Grade 1 winner Mandy's Gold.

W.D. North Thoroughbreds LLC paid $55,000 for Hip No. 442, a son of The Factor consigned by Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent. The yearling bay colt is out of Blameitonthebadboy, by Blame, a daughter of graded stakes placed Sky Haven.

Hip 472, a yearling son of Yoshida (JPN) consigned by Summerfield (Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck), Agent, was purchased by Machmer Hall for $40,000. The dark bay or brown filly is out of De Marquee, by Tiz Wonderful, from the family of Canadian champion Bold Ruritana.

More Than A Party, Hip 562, was the top selling broodmare of the open session for $52,000. Consigned by Abbie Road Farm (Lisa McGreevy), Agent, the graded stakes placed stakes winning bay mare is by More Than Ready and out of Party to Party, by Jules, from the immediate family of In Summation. She sold in foal to Jess's Dream.

For the Open session, 186 horses sold for a total of $2,075,600 compared with 236 horses bringing $2,023,500 in 2021. The average price was $11,159 compared with $8,574 last year, while the median price was $7,000 compared with $4,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 8.8 percent; it was 19.7 percent in 2021.

For the Consignor Preferred session, 150 horses sold for a total of $3,117,800, compared with 99 horses grossing $1,896,300 in 2021. The average price was $20,785 compared with $19,155 a year ago, while the median price was $10,000 compared with $10,100 last year. The buyback percentage was 12.2 percent; it was 30.3 percent last year.

For the Horses of Racing Age session, 81 horses grossed $1,499,700 compared with 73 selling for a total of $1,692,500 in 2021. The average was $18,515, compared to $23,185 a year ago, while the median price was $11,000. It was $13,000 last year. The buyback percentage was 10 percent; it was 12 percent in 2021.

For the entire Winter Mixed Sale, 417 horses sold for a total of $6,693,100, compared to 408 horses bringing $5,612,300 last year. The average was $16,051, up from $13,756 in 2021 while the median price was $8,500, compared with $6,000 a year ago. The buyback percentage was 10.3 percent; it was 21.3 percent in 2021.

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Sophomore Doppleganger Tops Field Of Five For Saturday’s San Vicente

Winning from the rail like a seasoned pro in his first start, Doppelganger retains the services of Flavien Prat as he heads a field of five sophomores going seven furlongs in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes at Santa Anita. One of three Bob Baffert trainees, Doppelganger, a bay colt by Into Mischief, appears headed to the Kentucky Derby Trail in what will be the 80th running of the San Vicente.

Baffert's Pinehurst, a winner of the G1 Del Mar Futurity in his second start, will no doubt vie for favoritism with Doppelganger as he cuts back in distance following a fifth place finish in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Baffert will also send out McLaren Vale, who broke his maiden at first asking with John Velazquez and will be ridden by Abel Cedillo on Saturday.

Richard Mandella's Forbidden Kingdom, second to highly regarded Messier in a G3 stakes Nov. 14, has plenty of early speed and rates a big chance with Juan Hernandez back aboard.

A $570,000 purchase as a yearling, Doppelganger, who is out of the Quiet American mare Twice the Lady, was shuffled well back in his debut Dec. 11 at Los Alamitos, but was in-hand with Prat as he cruised into contention and responded with an impressive stretch kick when called upon to win off by 3 ½ lengths going six furlongs. Owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, et al, Doppelganger earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure and appears to have any kind of future.

A first-out maiden winner going five furlongs on Aug. 1 as the 8-5 favorite, Pinehurst was off at 4-1 in the Del Mar Futurity and won with consummate ease by 4 ½ lengths. With regular rider Mike Smith committed to ride eventual winner Corniche in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, John Velazquez took over and although Pinehurst was attentive to the pace, he tired through the lane to be beaten 8 ½ lengths at a mile and one sixteenth.

A $385,000 Keeneland September Yearling, Pinehurst, who is owned by SF Racing, LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, LLC, et al, is easily the leading money earner in the field with $272,000 and will be reunited with Smith for what will be his fourth start.

An impressive first-out maiden winner going 5 ½ furlongs on Aug. 21 at Del Mar, Forbidden Kingdom, a $300,000 yearling purchase who is by 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, transitioned to five furlongs on turf in the ungraded Speakeasy Stakes here on Oct. 1 and was third, beaten 3 ¼ lengths as the 9-5 favorite.

Subsequently second, beaten 3 ½ lengths on dirt going seven furlongs by Baffert's Messier in the Grade III Bob Hope Stakes Nov. 14, Forbidden Kingdom will also be making his fourth start on Saturday. Owned by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, LLC, Forbidden Kingdom is out of the Five Star Day mare Just Louise.

THE GRADE 2 SAN VICENTE WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 4 of 9 Approximate post time 2 p.m. PT

Forbidden Kingdom—Juan Hernandez—120
Pinehurst—Mike Smith—124
McLaren Vale—Abel Cedillo–120
Doppelganger—Flavien Prat—120
What in Blazes—Tyler Baze–120

The San Vicente, an important prep for the Grade 1, $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, is one of three graded stakes on Saturday. First post time for a nine-race card is at 12:30 p.m., with admission gates opening at 10:30 p.m.

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