One of the biggest changes for the 2023 racing season is the addition of several Saturday dates from June 3 through Sept. 2. Five of those dates are allotted for Quarter Horse racing with a first post time of 10:45 a.m. Five dates in that time frame will be Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing with a first post of 5:30 p.m., while two dates, July 8 and Aug. 26, will have an earlier post time of 12 p.m. The July 8 date will be the track's signature event, the GIII Indiana Derby.

The general racing calendar will begin with a Monday through Thursday schedule with Monday racing dropped in the summer to accommodate Saturday racing. In September, the schedule will go back to the original format of Monday through Thursday.

In addition to Indiana Derby, the fourth annual Indiana Champions Day, also featuring stakes races in excess of $1 million, is slated for Saturday, Oct. 28 with a first post of 12 p.m.

Horseshoe Indianapolis will also conduct live racing on three holidays during the meet. Racing will be held Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day and Tuesday, July 4 for Independence Day with a first post of 12 p.m. Racing will also be held Saturday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day, featuring an all-Quarter Horse card beginning at 10:45 a.m.

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“This colt is very correct, and has been the best foal to be the first one born on our farm,” says farm co-owner Brandi Steele. “Momma is a wonderful maiden and handles his feisty attitude very well.”

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In this edition, Tony Wolfe DVM of Wolfe Equine Services, discusses Charming Kitten, a graded stakes-winning son of Kitten's Joy who stands at Breakway Farm in Dillsboro, Ind. Charming Kitten's  first foals are yearlings of 2022.

Charming Kitten
Dk. b. or br. h., 2010, Kitten's Joy x Iteration, by Wild Again
Race Record: 33-8-8-3; $1,018,701
Advertised Fee: $2,500

Question: Charming Kitten was Indiana's most active stallion by mares bred in 2021. To what do you attribute that popularity?

Tony Wolfe, Breakway Farm: I think the simplest reason is that he's the total package. He's a gorgeous horse – correct conformation, built right, and very easy on the eyes. When you look at him, you don't even have to know what you're looking at, you just know you're looking at a true athlete.

He has the pedigree to back it up: A direct son of Kitten's Joy – if you don't know about Kitten's Joy, then COVID has had you isolated for too long. On top of the pedigree, he has a proven record. He earned over $1 million. He won the Grade 3 W.L. McKnight Handicap, and combined won or placed in 15 stakes races. He raced against tough fields and proved his worth.

He also crosses well with most pedigrees, so it opens him up to being versatile for breeders and trainers when looking where to go with their mares. For what he brings to the table, you'd be hard pressed to find a better value for your money.

If I've got a mare that could use help from a stallion physically, what can Charming Kitten best contribute to the equation?

Wolfe: The feedback we have received from the breeders of his first crop (now yearlings), is that he improved every mare – no joke. Large, correct foals with great minds. Strong foals with great bone from the start. And, to be fair, these are reports from owners that bred one or two mares to him – not just a single owner. He has 15 or so yearlings from just as many owners.

What would a breeder looking to harness the Kitten's Joy sire line find familiar in Charming Kitten?

Wolfe: After seeing this first crop hit the ground, and mature into yearlings, all I can say is that a breeder will realize quite quickly that Charming Kitten will continue the legacy of producing winners. I have full confidence in that. His prowess and demeanor are immediately evident, but the real kicker is that he's passing that on as a sire. He is most definitely producing athletes.

What makes Charming Kitten a good fit for the Indiana program?

Wolfe: He's a great fit for the Indiana program because he's a unique pedigree with a lot of class. Indiana is growing. Better class horses are coming to the state, as it should be, and he's a perfect example of that. He brings athleticism that will be successful at long and short distance. He's improving mares, and he's going to produce horses that can win in conditioned or opened races. Why not have an Indiana-sired condition advantage on top of a horse that can win an open race?

Why should a breeder outside of Indiana consider Charming Kitten?

Wolfe: Similar concept to the last question. The horses produced by Charming Kitten will be versatile. Kitten's Joy has shown us without a doubt the success that this pedigree brings to the table. Do you want to pay $50,000 for Kitten's Joy in 2022, or do you want to produce a similar athlete for $2,500 by breeding to Charming Kitten?  Charming Kitten is worth way more, but we want people to feel safe and good about breeding to him – so, let's do it.

Charming Kitten did his best work going over especially long routes of ground. How do you think that should inform the types of mares that breeders should send to him to best fit Indiana's stakes program, where turf races top out at 1 1/16 miles?

Wolfe: We're seeing a lot of “speedballs” in Indiana. Break fast, quick start, and then die out. We're breeding too much speed and no endurance. These mare owners need to look at outcrosses that make sense to improve a mare's produce record. Charming is versatile, and his pedigree is as well. It's not restricted to just long routes, but he certainly can help improve that for mare's when it comes to their offspring and it should be considered.

What are some of the common traits that you've seen among Charming Kitten's first foals?

Wolfe: The breeders have all said the same thing: The foals are large, strong, great bone and correct conformation. Excellent demeanor and easy to work with. We didn't get a single criticism from any breeders this year; just that they absolutely loved their foals (now yearlings).

Charming Kitten was Grade 1-placed over synthetic and ran respectably over dirt in the 2013 Kentucky Derby. Do you see reasons for optimism that he might be able to sire successful runners on surfaces beyond turf?

Wolfe: Most definitely. His record shows his prowess over dirt and synthetic. He finished third in the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes over the synthetic at Keeeneland. He finished ninth in the Kentucky Derby on the dirt (outracing Palace Malice and Goldencents). He's a versatile horse and we're going to see that in his offspring.

What's something about Charming Kitten that you think goes overlooked?

Wolfe: His demeanor. It may not be the “top of the list” for breeders, but it should be. This horse is nothing but class. You can handle him with ease, he's respectful, listens, and knows his job. His foals have shown the same demeanor, so we have very trainable, correct athletes. Total package.

What else should breeders know about Charming Kitten before picking up the phone?

Wolfe: We're here to ensure success. We're a part of the team, and we're all friends. When you breed to Charming Kitten, we'll be here for you through it all.

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While a cause to the fire has yet to be confirmed, clean up will soon begin on the more than 100-year-old barn.

On Friday, Michael Lauer, in partnership with Calumet Farm, announced that a season to leading Indiana sire Ready's Image (More Than Ready – Clever Phrase, by Clever Trick), standing at Swifty Farms, will be auctioned off during the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners' and Breeders' Association Annual Banquet. The banquet will be held at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino on Saturday, Jan. 15. All proceeds from the season auction will go to Springcliff Farm.

Anyone interested in bidding on the season to Ready's Image, but cannot attend the ITOBA Banquet, they can contact Michael Lauer with a maximum bid by calling: 502-639-1536

Other fundraising efforts for the farm include efforts on GoFundMe, which looks to reach and surpass its goal of $10,000. Also, custom t-shirts featuring the Springcliff Farm logo and the words “#SpringcliffStrong” are being sold for $20 each, with all proceeds going towards the family. Information on the t-shirt can be found on the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance website or by ordering online: https://springcliffstrong.link/or4ebg2

The Cagles have been overwhelmed by the response and support from the entire Thoroughbred industry, including farms and owners in Indiana, Kentucky and Florida.

The post Season To Ready’s Image To Be Auctioned As Fundraiser For Springcliff Farm Barn Fire appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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ITOBA is proud to offer a lineup of 80 stallions from Indiana, Kentucky, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

Buying a season in the ITOBA Stallion Season Auction has benefits. The resulting Indiana-bred foals of the auction are eligible for over $250,000 in purses, breeders, owners and stallion awards and bonuses. It is the only stallion season auction that puts money in Indiana purse accounts.

ITOBA is excited to partner with Starquine to provide the opportunity to promote these stallions and provide these benefits.

The post Indiana Stallion Season Auction Runs Through January 10 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“The camaraderie in Indiana this season was unprecedented and as a result, we undoubtedly had our best year to date,” said Elmore. “We started out with an extensive planning project and were able to achieve everything on the list thanks to everyone coming in and doing their part with one goal in mind – what was best for Indiana.”

Elmore noted the partnership with the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee, led by Jessica Barnes, Indiana Grand led by Joe Morris, Senior Vice President of Racing, and Halstrom, Joe Davis, president of the Indiana HBPA and the board of directors, members of the Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA), and members of the Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) all contributed to the success from all angles. As a result, the state established numerous records, including the highest amount of money paid for Indiana bred and sired overnights and stakes ($9,096,200), a record for highest amount of money paid in breeders awards ($3,274,045), a record number of Thoroughbred Breed Development races run (400), and a record for highest amount of money paid in stallion awards ($777,205), showing the continued growth and investment in the state's breeding and racing industries.

“Our board really worked hard to ensure we had everything in the right place for racing in 2021,” said Davis. “We spent a lot of time working out details with Indiana Grand track management as well as the Breed Development committee members and it really paid off. We want to thank everyone involved for their time and commitment to Indiana racing.”

Along with state records, Indiana Grand also hit several new marks, including a record for all sources handle ($223,204,265), a record single day handle during Indiana Derby ($6,292,388), and a record number of purses paid at $36,035,650.

“We had a large number of people engaged in our product from the start of the meet,” noted Halstrom. “From the horsemen to racing fans, we had great momentum carrying us through the 123-day racing season. It set the tone as our company continues on the path of expansion and enhancements directly related to the racing program. We have a lot to celebrate.”

Some of the enhancements Halstrom referred to include the current construction of a new 100-stall barn and a 50-room dormitory, the completion of a new Equicizer, the addition of a drone during live racing, and a new lighting and paving project in the barn area. In addition, the track introduced several new lower takeout rates which were appealing to handicappers and had a direct impact on purses, which were increased twice during the season.

The HBPA also implemented several programs throughout the year specifically for their membership base, including a produce stand with reduced rates from mid-May through September, three Ice Cream truck events, two large dinners for those living and working on the backstretch, and an active Chaplaincy program which provided a monthly dinner in addition to transportation for food, medical appointments, and overall ministry on an on-going basis for its member base that exceeds 2,000.

“It just goes to show how strong a program can become when everyone pitches in and works toward a common goal,” added Elmore. “And we feel this is just the beginning. With this momentum, we will continue to work with everyone to take racing to the next level in 2022.”

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

The post ‘A Lot To Celebrate’: Indiana Grand Enjoyed Season Of Records, New Concepts appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The inaugural ITA SSA raised more than $36,000, with all of the proceeds going towards aftercare, education and promotion efforts for the Indiana Thoroughbred industry. The ITA has a mission to top the 2020 total to be able to help more Indiana equine industry endeavors.

“Having our auction prior to the holidays is the perfect excuse for some last-minute gift shopping as well as tax deductions prior to the end of the year,” says Christine Cagle, the ITA's Stallions and Services Auction Chairperson.

Money from the 2020 auction went to assist in launching a first-of-its-kind retirement program called the Broodmare Bunch, which  is a program to assist potentially at-risk broodmares in finding homes after their breeding careers have ended. Tri-State Thoroughbred Rehab and Rehoming, Inc., received funds to help less desirable horses retiring from racing that may have physical or mental issues that need rehab before retraining.

“While the ITA is a group of Thoroughbred breeders and owners, we understand that it is our job to also ensure racehorses are able to move on to new lives and careers after the track,” says Cagle. “This is the one big fundraiser we do, and all of the money goes to a greater good.”

Funding from the 2021 auction also assisted:

• The Indiana Horse Council Foundation Scholarship
• Indiana Grand's chaplain Otto Thorwarth and his ministry project
• Children's TherAplay Foundation, Reins of Hope Equine Ministry and Narrow Gate Horse Ranch
• Western Kentucky tornado recovery efforts
• Several educational seminars and farm outreach events throughout the year for the racing industry, as well as general public.

“The ITA's mission is to do more than be a network of breeders, owners and horsemen,” says Tony Wolfe, DVM, president of the ITA. “We know there are so many great things about our state and our industry, and we are working hard to increase that awareness.”

Multiple graded stakes winner and Indiana's All-Time Money Earner, Buccho (Kantharos) represents Florida in the ITA auction. Exciting Indiana stallions being offered for the 2022 event include:

• Sleepy Eyes Todd
• Charming Kitten
• Calculator
• Skylord
• Forever d'Oro
• Qurbaan
• Royal Artillery
• And more…

Kentucky farms have graciously donated services from stallions like:

• Keen Ice
• Firing Line
• Oxbow
• Mshawish
• Spun To Run
• Bee Jersey
• And more…

Services such as hard-to-find transportation services, video creation, a free full page advertisement and veterinary services are offered as part of this unique auction. Halters worn by Horse of the Year Gunrunner and multiple Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy (complete with certificates of authenticity) are also available through the auction.

Updates will be posted on the ITA's social media channels leading up to the auction (search Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance). Bidding opens at 10 am EST December 17.

ABOUT INDIANA THOROUGHBRED ALLIANCE

The Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance (ITA) is a collaboration of breeders and horse enthusiasts dedicated to the continued success of Thoroughbred breeding and racing in the state of Indiana. The not for profit group was formed in 2020 and continues to welcome new members.

More information can be found on the group's website: http://indianatb.org/

The post Second Annual Indiana Thoroughbred Alliance Stallions And Services Auction Begins Dec. 17 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The son of Into Mischief and out of the Limehouse mare, Teroda, retires with earnings in excess of $480,000. This, after a three-year career that saw the precocious colt break his maiden his first time out at Gulfstream Park, winning by 6 1/4 lengths on the dirt for then owner Starlight Racing. He would then finish second in a listed stakes before taking the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, beating eventual Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner Knicks Go and eventual G1 Alfred G. Handicap winner Lexitonian.

At the age of four, Sombeyay hit a staggering 120 Equibase rating winning the G3 Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Sombeyay's first trainer, Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher liked what he saw from the colt while racing under him.

“He's won graded stakes on two different surfaces, and that's hard to do,” he told the media in 2020.

In mid-2020, Swifty Farms purchased the young stallion and continued racing him under trainer Peter Miller, hitting the board in four graded stakes.

“Sombeyay is a very correct, well-balanced individual that will catch your eye every time you see him,” says Jerri Harmon, manager at Swifty Farms. “Couple all of that with dual-surface speed…that makes the prospect of his future as a sire just electrifying.”

The colt joins an already established stallion roster that has seen two enticing additions already this year with millionaire Sleepy Eyes Todd and multiple graded stakes placer American Pastime.

“It's very exciting to offer such a diverse group of stallions for 2022,” says Harmon. “Swifty Farms now offers stallions to meet the needs of almost any breeder.”

Sombeyay joins an already full roster at Swifty Farms that includes newcomers American Pastime (Tapizar, $1,500) and Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado, $3,500) and established stallions Guys Reward (Grand Reward, $1,000), Isotherm (Lonhro, $1,500), Pass Rush (Crown Ambassador, $1,500), Pataky Kid (Rockport Harbor, $2,000), Ready's Image (More Than Ready, $2,000) and Unbridled Express (Unbridled's Song, private treaty).

The post Multiple Graded Winner Sombeyay Joins Swifty Farms Roster In Indiana appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“We have established a great spot for our racing cards during the week and wanted to keep those intact, but we also wanted to accommodate our local racing fans with some Saturday racing cards,” said Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing. “We feel our racing schedule offers a great balance that will appeal to a wide range of racing fans in 2022. We want to thank both the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing organizations for their input and assistance with finalizing the request for dates.”

The bulk of the schedule will fall on Monday through Thursday. First post Monday through Wednesday will be at 2:30 p.m. with racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays. A total of six days are dedicated to Quarter Horse racing beginning at 10 a.m. with an additional day set aside for the AQHA Bank of America Challenge Championships coming to Indiana Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Five Saturdays will include Thoroughbred racing with the first set for Saturday, May 7 on Kentucky Derby, historically a large day of activity for Indiana Grand.

The final Saturday of racing is set for Saturday, Oct. 29 featuring Indiana Champions Day. The event will play host to 10 stakes races with purses exceeding $1 million. The afternoon card, which begins at noon, showcases the top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse athletes in the state surrounded by numerous giveaways, contests, and promotions.

Indiana Grand will also offer holiday racing programs for Memorial Day Monday, May 30 and Monday, July 4 beginning at 12 p.m.

The racing season will conclude Wednesday, Nov. 23 with a special racing program the day before Thanksgiving. Dates for stakes races next season, including the Indiana Derby, will be announced at a later date.

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

The post Indiana Grand Approved For 127 Race Dates In 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“I hit the Pick 6 at Aqueduct and that's what put me in the lead,” said Harrell, who is in software sales for health care. “After that, I only made one bet just in case someone came in later and took me off the top.”

Harrell plays in the NHC annually and received a trip to the NHC Finals set for Bally's in Las Vegas Jan. 28 – 30, 2022. The win at Indiana Grand was his second seat, so he has a double shot at a share of the $2.7 million in prize money for the final. This year will mark the fourth time Harrell has qualified for the NHC Final.

In addition to advancing, Harrell received $4,000 in prize money along with a $500 travel stipend to Vegas. By winning the Indiana Grand tournament, his hotel and entry fees for the finals are covered.

The top four advanced to the NHC Finals from the Indiana Grand Qualifier. Also heading to Vegas will be Rich Pawlowski of Pennsylvania, who won $3,000 for second place with a bankroll of $2,707.50; Greg Gass of Zionsville, Ind. who won $2,000 for third place with a bankroll of $1,766.00; and Steven Simonovic of Wisconsin who won $1,000 for fourth place with a bankroll of $1,483. All players received an additional $500 for travel to Vegas along with hotel and tournament fees paid by Indiana Grand.

“I've qualified in the past, but this is my first seat this year,” said Pawlowski. “I actually started out with two entries and at the last minute, went up and bought a third one before the deadline. That third one is the one that got me into second.”

Gass, who is a regular player in the NHC Qualifiers at Indiana Grand, adds his seat in the final to a previously earned seat for the 2022 event. He only played on one account to advance. This will be his second season advancing to the NHC Final.

Simonovic traveled by car all the way from Wisconsin with hopes of picking up a seat for the final. The event in January will be his sixth time qualifying for the final and he will also have two seats to play when the event kicks off at Las Vegas in January.

Of the 135 entries for the NHC Qualifier at Indiana Grand, players came in from 19 states for the tournament, which was a $500 live money event. The contest included races from 11 different racetracks featuring more than 90 races as options in the contest format.

The 20th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is set to resume Tuesday, April 19 and run through Wednesday, Nov. 23. Racing will be held Monday through Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. with Thursday racing beginning at 3:30 p.m. A total of 12 Saturday racing programs will be held in 2022. For more information on events and racing, go to www.indianagrand.com.

The post Kevin Harrell Captures Aqueduct Pick 6 To Earn NHC Berth In Indiana Grand Qualifier appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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