Former NYTB executive director Jeffrey Cannizzo will also receive a special award for his exemplary service.

The honorees will be recognized at the NYTB's Annual Awards event, held in a special virtual format on Monday, April 5 at NYTBAwards.com. The 2020 New York-bred divisional champions and New York-bred Horse of the Year will also be unveiled during the event sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund.

“On behalf of our board of directors we are proud to honor each of these noteworthy individuals for their contributions and service to the New York racing and breeding industry,” said NYTB president Tom Gallo. “Each one of them has made significant efforts as owners, breeders and administratively helping to make New York the best and most lucrative state-bred program in the country.”

Patricia Generazio and her husband Frank Generazio, Jr., who passed last November at the age of 91, campaigned a number of homebred multiple graded stakes winners. Mr. Generazio, who owned New England Sand and Gravel company, first got his start in the Thoroughbred industry in his native New England and was a trainer at Rockingham Park and Suffolk Downs before he and his wife built a successful breeding operation that notably made an impact in New York, New Jersey and Florida.

Outstanding New York homebreds campaigned by the Generazios include multiple graded stakes winners Discreet Marq and Disco Partner. Subsequent homebred standouts include multiple graded stakes winner Pure Sensation, Precious Passion, Dowse's Beach and Saratoga Treasure.

“We've always been big supporters of the New York-bred program and will continue to breed in New York year-round,” said Patricia Generazio. “Frank always selected our breedings, and he loved the New York-bred program. I'm very thankful and appreciative to receive this award on behalf of both of us. His loss still hurts and our stable will be reduced substantially, but we already have many Disco Partner babies and we will continue to have a presence in New York.”

Ellen Bongard, who passed away at the age of 77 last December, was a pioneer in the New York Thoroughbred industry and her family owned one of the oldest active breeding farms in the state.

The daughter of the late attorney Bertram F. Bongard, who played a key role in the formation of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., Ellen and her sister Barbara Bongard owned Rojan Farm in Pine Plains, a flagship New York farm and a staple to the New York breeding industry for many years before moving to the Town of Northumberland near Saratoga Springs.

The Bongards stood many successful stallions at their Rojan Farm including Santa Anita Derby winner An Act, Northern Dancer's son Kick, Rare Earth, Back Bay Barrister and many others. Ellen was also credited with the creation of The Bongard Room at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. The room is used for conferences and honors pioneers and legends of the state's breeding industry.

“She would definitely appreciate this,” said Barbara Bongard. “She's certainly done a lot for the New York-bred program. I like to say our father started our family's influential success in the industry and Ellen took the reins and continued on. We're thankful she's receiving this recognition.”

Jeffrey Cannizzo served as executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. for nearly 13 years before leaving to join the New York Racing Association, Inc. as senior director of government affairs in January. During his tenure, the New York-bred program gained significant exposure, stability and continued development and success. He elevated the position of executive director to one of leadership and national recognition for the New York Thoroughbred breeding program.

“New York's breeding industry has flourished in recent times and I feel very fortunate to​  have played a small role in that success story,” said Cannizzo. “I'd like to thank the NYTB board of directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York. The success of the state-bred program comes with the tireless efforts of so many stakeholders. Being able to represent so many wonderful people and speak on their behalf for over a decade is something I will always cherish. The many relationships formed during my time with NYTB will always be important to me. The New York-bred program will always hold a special place.”

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“On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are proud to honor each of these noteworthy individuals for their contributions and service to the New York racing and breeding industry,” said NYTB President Tom Gallo. “Each one of them has made significant efforts as owners, breeders and administratively helping to make New York the best and most lucrative state-bred program in the country.”

The honorees will be recognized at the NYTB's annual awards event, to be held virtually Monday, Apr. 5, at www.NYTBAwards.com. New York-bred divisional champion and the state-bred Horse of the Year will also be announced at the ceremonies.

Patricia and Frank Generazio, who passed away at the age of 91 last November, have campaigned the likes of Disco Partner, Discreet Marq, Pure Sensation and Presious Passion, to name a few of their standouts.

“We've always been big supporters of the New York-bred program and will continue to breed in New York year-round,” said Patricia Generazio. “Frank always selected our breedings, and he loved the New York-bred program. I'm very thankful and appreciative to receive this award on behalf of both of us. His loss still hurts and our stable will be reduced substantially, but we already have many Disco Partner babies and we will continue to have a presence in New York.”

Disco Partner stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY.

Bongard, who died last December at the age of 77, was the daughter of the late attorney Bertram F. Bongard, who played a key role in the formation of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Bongard and her sister Barbara owned Rojan Farms in Pine Plains, NY, before moving to Northumberland near Saratoga Springs.

“She would definitely appreciate this,” said Barbara Bongard. “She's certainly done a lot for the New York-bred program. I like to say our father started our family's influential success in the industry and Ellen took the reins and continued on. We're thankful she's receiving this recognition.”

Cannizzo served as the NYTB executive director for nearly 13 years before leaving that position to join the New York Racing Association.

“New York's breeding industry has flourished in recent times and I feel very fortunate to have played a small role in that success story,” said Cannizzo. “I'd like to thank the NYTB Board of Directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York. The success of the state-bred program comes with the tireless efforts of so many stakeholders.”

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“For almost 13 years along with our board of directors, Jeff has been instrumental in navigating the most challenging times for New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing. Jeff’s knowledge of the industry and his ability to forge consensus among regulators and elected officials has allowed the NYTB to reach new heights as an organization. These attributes will serve him well at NYRA, and we wish him all the best in the future,” said NYTB President, Thomas Gallo.

A search for a new Executive Director will begin immediately.

Cannizzo said, “New York’s breeding industry has flourished over the last decade, and I feel fortunate to have played a role in that success story. I’d like to thank the NYTB Board of Directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York. Thoroughbred racing is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to New York. The sport creates good jobs in every corner of the state and sustains hundreds of small businesses. NYRA is the engine of that economy and continues to set the standard for safety and integrity at its three historic tracks. I look forward to advocating on their behalf to help shape the future of Thoroughbred racing in New York.”

“Jeff’s knowledge and understanding of the Thoroughbred racing industry and its importance to the New York state economy make him an ideal fit to lead NYRA’s legislative efforts in Albany,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O’Rourke said. “NYRA remains the cornerstone of a sport that creates jobs and supports families throughout New York. Jeff’s ability to effectively communicate the industry’s many benefits to New Yorkers will be a valuable addition to the NYRA team.”

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Jeff has served as Executive Director of NYTB since 2008. Previously, he had a successful 10-year career, working in business development and management consulting for Lockheed Martin, Dell and Microsoft.

“For almost 13 years along with our board of directors, Jeff has been instrumental in navigating the most challenging times for New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing. Jeff's knowledge of the industry and his ability to forge consensus among regulators and elected officials has allowed the NYTB to reach new heights as an organization. These attributes will serve him well at NYRA, and we wish him all the best in the future,” said NYTB President, Thomas Gallo.

A search for a new Executive Director will begin immediately.

Jeffrey Cannizzo, NYTB Executive Director said: “New York's breeding industry has flourished over the last decade, and I feel fortunate to have played a role in that success story. I'd like to thank the NYTB Board of Directors for their commitment to those working every single day on the 250 farms throughout New York.” “Thoroughbred racing is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual economic impact to New York,” Cannizzo continued. “The sport creates good jobs in every corner of the state and sustains hundreds of small businesses. NYRA is the engine of that economy and continues to set the standard for safety and integrity at its three historic tracks. I look forward to advocating on their behalf to help shape the future of thoroughbred racing in New York.”

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In late August, the rule changes hit the public comment period with the goal of expanding the number and quality of broodmares entering the state, while also rewarding owners and breeders who support New York sires. Breeding farms producing nearly 20 percent of the state's foal crop are being run by people approaching retirement, so the need to refresh the broodmare population and maintain a foal crop large enough for NYRA tracks to continue carding 600 state-bred races per year was imperative.

The proposal would create an exemption to the rule requiring incoming pregnant mares to breed back to a New York stallion in order to earn “resident” status so long as they were purchased for $50,000 or more at auction, or a threshold determined by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. Mares purchased under the threshold will still be subject to the “breed back” rule to attain residency, as they had before.

The revisions would also extend the time a mare can be out of the state to be bred from 90 days to 120 days. Another significant change would create a $5,000 purse bonus for New York-sired runners who break their maiden in-state. If all runs on-schedule, the new rules could be in place in time for the November mixed sales.

Paulick Report bloodstock editor Joe Nevills spoke with NYTB executive director Jeffrey Cannizzo about the proposed rule changes, the reasoning behind them, and how they'll help the New York-bred program.

Question: What were some of the motivating factors behind the proposed rule changes?

Jeffrey Cannizzo: The demographics of the people that are breeding and owning farms is dramatically changing, such that people are of the age that they're leaving our industry – not because of their desire or interest, just purely based on where they are in life, and whether they're going to be here long-term from now.

It's quite scary, when five of the leading perennial breeders are of the age where they're not going to be in this industry five to seven years from now, nor is anyone in their families picking up their farms or businesses. It's going to leave a major void. This is exactly the same void that's happening in every state. I'm attempting to be in front of a problem.

Over a year ago, we asked what type of tweak or rule change could we look at that doesn't jeopardize the program, that doesn't dramatically hurt one interest or entity. Realistically, some of the things that other states

are doing might be a good idea, and this is what we came up with. The one hole that we had was that mares from public auction, the influx that would come in to New York, was a marginal number.

In 2019, for example, there were only 98 mares that were bought from auction that actually came into the state of New York. If you went back six years from 2019 to 2014, the average number is right around 100.

So, we're basically bringing in 100 mares a year from bloodstock sales, which is a tiny number. The average price of those mares was $30,000, and there was only 20 of them that were bought for over $50,000. We saw this as an opportunity that if we tweak a rule that everyone would buy into and agree with, perhaps there would be more interest in bringing more mares into the state of New York and dropping foals here, and participating in the program.

Q: The proposal opens “resident mare” status to mares purchased at public auction for $50,000 or more, or a price determined by the New York-Bred Fund, without breeding back. Why is it important to have a minimum purchase price on incoming auction mares for this rule?

Cannizzo: The $50,000 threshold is being put in place if the rule is adopted so we can attract quality mares. New York is not necessarily similar to a lot of the other regional programs. It's become ultra-competitive. It's based on a commercial marketplace, and you have people from all over the country having foals in New York and participating in our commercial market. The point is, we're trying to attract quality. We're not looking to bring $500 mares into the state of New York. We're looking for people to upgrade their stock and for people from outside to participate with quality mares.

At the same time, this was one of the requests from our stallion population, because technically, it protects them to a certain extent. Like many other regional states, the stallion population obviously is a fraction of what Kentucky is, and the sire power isn't necessarily the same, nor will it ever be. So, what we're trying to do here is not devalue any of those stallions, because these mares under the current rules would be forced to be bred to the New York sires.

This is where it goes hand in hand with the commercial mar- ket and this is no different than any state, or the laws of economics for our industry – if you buy a mare of 'X'-value, you're not going to devalue her by breeding to 'Y'-value stallions.

The threshold was created as such so if people are going to participate and use New York sires, they're not going to be devalued in any sense, and if you are going to bring in a mare of significant value, realistically, you're not going to breed her down from what her value or price point was, and you're not going to get hurt under this circumstance.

It's protecting the commercial market and protecting the stallions in the state of New York, and it's the reality of our landscape.

We're looking to take that '20' number [of incoming mares to New York purchased at $50,000 or more] and realistically multiply it by five times or 10 times, based on how successful it goes. The good thing about the rule is if it for some reason doesn't work, the rule allows the Breeding Fund board to modify that initial price every year if they'd like. If the commercial landscape or the stallion industry changes, that level can go down and up.

Q: What was the scope of people who were consulted when forming the proposed rules, and how did the rules evolve throughout the feedback, if at all?

Cannizzo: This started over a year ago. There were several stakeholder meetings with all the stallion interests, key commercial breeders, our board of directors, and people that were elected into their roles by our constituents. NYRA, the horsemen, literally all participants played a part in the discussion dialogue, along with the Breeding Development Fund. It's their rule and their proposal change as well.

What happens now, there's a 60-day public comment period, which started on Aug. 26, and it'll go through the end of October. That period is for anyone in the public to write a written comment to Tracy Egan, the executive director of the Breeding Fund, and those comments will be reviewed after 60 days by the Breeding Development Fund board. The board will either choose to move forward with the rule as-is, or they'll choose to adopt some of the comments if they feel they're necessary and modify the rule if need be.

Q: Realistically, how much could the plan change during the public comment period?

Cannizzo: Given it's taken over a year to get to this point, there was a lot of due diligence involved with this, even the threshold number. There were a lot of analytics involved with it; it wasn't just throwing at a dart board. You had all the participants involved in the state, and a lot of attorneys and a lot of due diligence. Realistically, people could bring up a lot of good points that we're not aware of, but at the end of the day, there was a lot of homework done behind this, so that remains to be seen.

The problem is, if there is a justified comment to change this, it starts the process over again. Don't get me wrong, it'll be a dramatically shorter process, but we'll have to rewrite the rule, it'll have to go back to the governor's legal review team, and then they've got to give us the go-ahead to re-publish it, and then there's another public comment period based on that. We've got a long-term approach to this, so we want to get it right, which is why you have a process like this where anybody from the public can comment.

Q: What are the benefits of extending the time a mare can leave New York to be bred from 90 days to 120 days?

Cannizzo: The thought is that because there are so many people partaking in breeding and conceiving the foals in Kentucky for example, those foals are being forced to ship from a younger age. The thought process in having the extra month is it's going to be better for the mares and better for the foals.

It's just the reality of our landscape, versus when the first rule was done 40 years ago, and in the '90s when it was modified.

The landscape has dramatically changed, and you have people that are participating in our program who want their foals at their farm, so they have to come back to New York. It's basically allowing people to utilize the program a little more from a flexibility standpoint, and realistically, from what we've been told from a veterinary component, it could be better for the horses themselves.

Q: How would funds be distributed under the proposed bonus for state-sired maiden winners?

Cannizzo: This was an idea for another carrot for the stallion industry and people that are supportive of New York- sired horses. This rule was important to NYRA. They're looking to increase our foal crops as much as we are, so they were willing to offer up $5,000 to winners in maiden special weight races if you're New York-sired. So, New York-sired horses in open or state-bred competition, the winner's share will be $5,000 more.

The trickle-down effect reaches the breeders, too, because if you're the breeder of a New York-sired horse and you're getting a 30-percent bonus for a win, now you're getting 30 percent of $5,000 more in purse money, too. It's the same deal for stallion awards. The 10-percent bonus for stallion awards will based on $5,000 more money.

The point is, because it's being paid through the purse structure, it's actually touching all the participants in that horse – the breeder, stallion, owner, and so on.

Q: Are you concerned that lifting the “breed-back” rule for non-resident mares purchased for over $50,000 might take some control away from the state's stallion owners, since they'll have a less captive pool to draw from than before?

Cannizzo: This is based on data and analytics. There were 20 mares that would fall under this category today, and of those mares, they were bought by stallion owners, anyway. So, the truth of the matter is that those mares weren't going to New York stallions right now, from the bigger picture of this. What's happening is the mares that are go- ing to be over this threshold that come in, it's all new-found mares and participants in the program. They're not necessarily being hurt because it's not happening today.

At the same time, the view is if we're increasing the mare population in New York state, those stallions have a better chance of actually acquiring or breeding to some of them down the road, too. If we're not increasing the mare population, they won't have a shot to begin with, so that's another factor to this.

At the end of the day, the stallion owners; the majority of them have farms, and those handful of farms control a large percentage of the mare population themselves, so they're participating in this as well.

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An unprecedented auction season rolls into more uncharted territory this week with the newly-formed Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase Sale, and the Paulick Report is on it with the latest edition of the PR Special newsletter.

The Selected Yearling Showcase kicks off Wednesday with an offering of New York-breds, representing a program that has some significant proposed changes to its breeding rules on the horizon. Bloodstock editor Joe Nevills has a detailed Q&A with New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. executive director Jeffrey Cannizzo about the proposed rule changes, and how they stand to help grow the New York-bred program.

The Stallion Spotlight focuses on the reliable Midshipman, with comments from Darley's Darren Fox. Bryce Burton of Muirfield Insurance runs down what a buyer needs to have in order for proper coverage ahead of the sales in the latest Ask Your Insurer, and Ray Paulick looks at Social Paranoia's road from the yearling sales ring to the Kentucky Downs winner's circle in Honor Roll. Finally, we look at the rookies in the catalog in First-Crop Sire Watch.

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS EDITION OF THE PR SPECIAL

Thanks to our sponsors for making this issue of the PR Special possible:

• Muirfield Insurance
• Spendthrift Farm
• NTRA Advantage/John Deere Equine Program
• Lane's End
• Virginia Thoroughbred Association
• Ashford Stud
• Runhappy Meet at Kentucky Downs
• Ontario Racing
• Shadwell Farm
• Blue Grass Farms Charities

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS EDITION OF THE PR SPECIAL

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Last November I summarized proposals arising from discussions over a year ago among a wide spectrum of program stakeholders about ways to attract new broodmares into New York's program. A shrinking foal crop and the coming retirement of a generation of our most prolific and successful breeders (responsible for as much as 20 percent of our state foal crop annually) make it essential to restock our mare population. The stark reality is that the New York Racing Association's commitment (per the franchise agreement) to run 600 state-bred races annually will no longer be binding if the program cannot sustain a New York-bred population sufficient to fill the races. Breeders and stallion owners alike agreed that it is essential to remove barriers that are currently keeping new owners from bringing mares into the state.

The gaming commission and executive chamber received the proposal in late 2019. We have received notice the executive chamber (regulatory review unit) approved the publication of the draft rule change in the Department of State Register Aug. 26, initiating a period of public comment lasting 60 days when breeders and other interested parties can respond in writing to the proposed rule.

Click here to read the proposed rule.

The public comment period for this proposed rule will run through Oct. 26. After the public comment period runs, the Fund will be in a position to adopt the proposed rule. If there are public comments received before Oct. 26, the Fund board will need to be apprised, evaluate those public comments, and decide whether to accept any of them. If the Fund board wishes to accept a public comment that would result in a modification of the proposal, it may then issue a Notice of Revised Rule-making, which would need to again be approved by the Regulatory Review Unit, be published as a Revised Rule Making in the State Register, and be subject to a further public comment period.

As I outlined last year, the most important change is to open “resident mare” status to “Mares from Public Auction” purchased for at least $50,000 (or an amount to be determined annually by the Fund). After dropping a New York-bred foal, such a mare would not (as currently) be obliged to breed back to a New York sire. Instead, she could go to an out-of-state stallion, but only so long as she returns to New York after that breeding and maintains “Resident Mare” status (according to existing rules) until the birth of that second foal.

This is a rule that many of our competing neighboring breeding states currently follow. In fact, they permit mares to be purchased and brought in their states with no minimum purchase price threshold or floor, such as Pennsylvania and Ontario.

Another change aims to reduce the shipping burden on owners of resident mares who currently raise foals in Kentucky. A resident mare going out of state to be bred would be allowed to stay away for 120 days (rather than 90 days) so her new foal can be weaned before she returns to New York. Finally, the 90-day period that a non-resident mare must currently stay in New York after foaling would begin “on arrival” rather than “after foaling.”

It is important to point out that stallion owners involved in our discussions have endorsed the kinds of measures outlined above, agreeing that attracting new mares or breeders will benefit the program as a whole. At the same time, I've been successful at brokering an agreement between NYRA and the Fund to further support our stallion population, creating a $5,000 owners' bonus (by purse money) for New York-sired winners in various maiden and allowance conditions (both state-bred and open) with a potential value of more than $650,000 annually. This commitment has been signed by both NYRA and the Fund and will be instituted a year after the rule change officially takes place.

None of this, however, means that any rule change has been put in place; this officially kicks off an elaborately choreographed State-controlled process of review, comment, and possible revision before the proposed rule change is adopted or rejected.

I urge you to make your views known during the public comment period. The outcome of this process will be a transparent, open format, in the hands of the entire program and all constituents.   To comment by October 26th you must send in writing to tegan@nybreds.com or by mail:

Tracy Egan, Executive Director
New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund
One Broadway Center, 1st Floor, Schenectady, NY 12305

The timeline is such that if there are no comments requiring a change to the rule, the Fund board could submit its approval to the State for finalization before the November sales. The State will then incorporate the new rules which could take weeks administratively. However, it is important to note the rule as written will apply to all mares bought from public auction 2019 forward who've followed the new protocols.

Lastly, New York has reopened indoor businesses such as bowling alleys, museums, and gyms. Schools are reopening. If they can all open successfully, hopefully the casinos may get their chance to open sooner than a 2021 timeline. NYRA is functioning in this reduced environment and surviving. Yes, it's for reduced days and purses. Rest assured, NYTB and NYTHA are working to ensure there will be a winter meet at Aqueduct under these same principles. You can count on that happening.

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