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Fonner Files: One For The Ages, Again, At Fonner Park

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak shares slices of life from the Grand Island, Neb., racetrack throughout the 2021 meet in the Fonner Files.

In 2021, one Thoroughbred ran in all three of the most important multi-million-dollar races in a three-month span: the $3-million Pegasus World Cup, the $20-million Saudi Cup and the $12-million Dubai World Cup. That's quite a feat.

The horse that won the Bosselman Pump and Pantry / Gus Fonner Stakes in 2020 is back to defend his crown in 2021; that's nice, although not quite as significant.

But, what's so incredibly remarkable is that both endeavors tie to the same horse: Sleepy Eyes Todd. And, what is even more impressive is that Fonner Park – “The little track that could” – is back in the horse racing limelight.

Fonner Park forged through an unthinkable 2020 racing season that found the tiny five-eighths-mile racetrack on the world stage as one of a very few tracks to continue racing during a global pandemic. Sleepy Eyes Todd also achieved the unforeseen after his 2020 Bosselman /Gus Fonner win by racking up three more mighty stakes wins on the way to his recent trilogy of appearances against some of the best Thoroughbreds throughout the world. Stranger things have happened in horse racing, although this is certainly one of the most unexpected turn of events.

But can Sleepy Eyes Todd win this race in a stroll with his eyes closed? Many will think so and believe him to be a deserving heavy favorite. However, will the weight of the grandstand and the toll of traveling nearly 20,000 miles by air and 635 miles by trailer from Dallas to Grand Island be just enough to open the door for his rivals? It sure could.

That's why they open the starting gate and run the races on the racetrack and not off past performances.

And, order of finish is how they payout the purse money, not off reputation. Hats off to the connections of Sleepy Eyes Todd for returning to Fonner Park as part of his planned 2021 racing campaign, and kudos to the connections of those who entered to race against a foe who is the returning champion. There are hundreds of ways to lose a horse race and only a few ways to win. And there is no predicting the pendulum of luck.

Safe travels to the horses and riders and thank you to all the horsemen, staff, fans and friends of Fon for yet another memorable season. We couldn't have done it without all of you.

P.S. Don't forget about the mandatory payout in the Dinsdale Late Pick 5; the Saturday carryover starts at $129,454.

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All-Sources, Average Daily Wagering Jumps at Keeneland

The 15-day Spring meet at Keeneland Race Course concluded Friday, with total all-sources wagering reaching $164,680,229, an improvement of 7.55% versus the 2019 Spring meet, when all-sources handle totaled $153,116,119. The 2020 Spring meet was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Average daily wagering on the Keeneland product was $10,978,682, an increase of 14.72 when compared to $9,569,757 during Spring 2019.

A limited number of patrons were allowed on track during the 15-day stand. Attendance totaled 96,243 for a daily average of 6,416.

With four winners on Friday's closing-day program, trainer Wesley Ward finished well ahead of the competition for leading trainer. Ward saddled 20 winners during the meet, double that of runner-up Brad Cox. Ward's four stakes winners (Kimari, GI Madison S; Bound For Nowhere, GII Shakertown S.; Twenty Carat, GIII Beaumont S; Chasing Artie, Palisades Turf Sprint) equals the record for Spring stakes victories shared by Ben Jones (1948), Todd Pletcher (2011) and Chad Brown (2018).

Luis Saez won his first Keeneland riding title with 29 trips to the winner's circle, seven better than Joel Rosario. Saez (three) and Rosario (six) teamed to win all nine stakes on opening weekend. Saez's marquee win came aboard champion and likely GI Kentucky Derby favorite Essential Quality (Tapit) in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S., while Rosario rode five winners on Blue Grass day, including the GI Ashland S. and Madison S. in a streak of four consecutive stakes rides.

There were no racing incidents during the meet.

“We thank our fans, both near and far, the Central Kentucky community, our horseplayers, our corporate partners and our loyal horsemen for a fantastic racing season,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Keeneland's continued success is built on the contributions of many, and we extend our appreciation to all those who make racing at Keeneland such a memorable experience.”

Added Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell: “Keeneland sincerely appreciates the loyalty and support of our horsemen, not only this spring but throughout the challenging past year. Our goal is to offer the opportunity for the best to compete against the best, which continues to produce thrilling performances and memorable accomplishments.”

The post All-Sources, Average Daily Wagering Jumps at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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COVID-19 Outbreak At Woodbine Closes One Barn, Increases Monitoring In Others

With the start of the 2021 race meet delayed by a provincial stay-at-home order, Woodbine has been dealt another blow this week as a COVID-19 outbreak forced the closure of Barn 33. According to the Daily Racing Form, the horses in that barn have been shipped out temporarily, and all the personnel are in quarantine.

Several workers in other barns have shown positive tests for COVID-19 as well, and CEO Jim Lawson said increased monitoring will be taking place in those barns. Other measures include medical mask mandates and a push for vaccination of backstretch workers.

“We're going into a critical period here for the next few weeks, until we can get [everybody] vaccinated,” Lawson told the DRF. “We've taken every measure that we can, and we'll get through this.”

No date has been officially named for the start of Woodbine's 2021 season. The current stay-at-home order is scheduled to be lifted on May 20, but there is no guarantee the order won't be extended.

Equipment Check: Mandaloun Gallops In Bit Designed For ‘Tough Horses’

Sporting a rather unique bridle during morning training hours at Churchill Downs has been Kentucky Derby contender Mandaloun, a flashy bay son of Into Mischief trained by Brad Cox.

“We call it a gag bit,” Cox explained Friday morning. “He's a strong horse to gallop, so it just kind of gives the rider a little bit more control. It slows him down a little bit, so that's the reason for using that. We use in on several of what we call 'tough horses,' horses that kind of want to over-train at times.”

Cox said the 3-year-old homebred for Juddmonte Farm has been wearing the bridle during morning training since at least January, but the colt breezes and races in the more traditional ring bit.

The sharp-looking Mandaloun has been training forwardly since his last race, a race Cox called “a clunker,” when he ran sixth as the heavy favorite in the G2 Louisiana Derby. Prior to that race, Mandaloun had finished third by a length in the G3 Lecomte, and won the G2 Risen Star by 1 1/4 lengths.

“He was training so well leading up to the Louisiana Derby, and he was the favorite; we thought he would perform well, and he just didn't,” said Cox. “He was a little flat in the race, but he bounced out of it in great order, so that's why we're here.

“He deserves the right to run as long as he's doing well, and he's doing fantastic… He's definitely the question mark in the field as to if he's going to show up. If he does, he's a contender. If he runs the Louisiana Derby race, he's not.”

Mandaloun gallops on Friday morning at Churchill Downs

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