Among this week's rulings, trainer Daniel Kenney has been banned18 months and fined $12,500 for possession of the thyroid drug, Levothyroxine, which HISA has listed a banned substance. Kenney's ban began on Oct. 5, 2023.

In a brief explainer on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) website, HIWU Investigators allegedly found the Levothyroxine—otherwise known as Thyro-L—in one of Kenney's tack rooms at Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colorado on Aug. 25, 2023.

The case was resolved without a hearing after Kenney admitted to the possession error, according to HIWU.

In a curious chain of developments, possible sanctions have been issued against trainer Joel Gonzales, after the horse Desert Danger returned a Phenylbutazone (bute) overage, from a sample dated Dec. 6, 2023.

Originally, charges were filed against Patricio Venzor, who is listed as Desert Danger's owner on Equibase. The charges were recently withdrawn against Venzor, though there's currently no explainer on the withdrawal of the charges on the HIWU website.

On Jan. 22 this year, HIWU filed new charges for Desert Danger's Phenylbutazone overage against trainer Joel Gonzales. On Equibase, Desert Danger's trainer is listed as trainer Andres Gonzalez.

When asked about these developments, a HIWU spokesperson wrote in an email that Venzor was listed in the HISA portal as the horse's “Responsible Person” at the time of the phenylbutazone positive.

“Following the service of the Charge letter, HIWU was able to get in touch with all the relevant parties in this case and determined that Joel Gonzalez was the appropriate Responsible Person. There was no intention to specifically pursue a violation against Desert Danger's owner, which remains Venzor,” the HIWU spokesperson wrote.

The spokesperson added that “it is the responsibility of the owner and/or trainer connected with a Covered Horse to ensure that the information associated with the horse is up to date in the HISA portal. In this vein, Covered Persons must contact HIWU as soon as possible should they receive a Notice or Charge that they believe was sent in error.”

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS

The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

Resolved ADMC Violations

Date: 12/27/2023

Licensee: John Kimmel, trainer

Penalty: A fine of $3,000; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Im Just Kiddin. This was also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 12/06/2023

Licensee: Gerald Brooks, trainer

Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Jareth, who won at Turfway Park on 12/06/23. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 08/25/2023

Licensee: Daniel Kenney, trainer

Penalty: 18-month period of Ineligibility, beginning on October 5, 2023; a fine of $12,500. Admission.

Explainer: For the possible possession of Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). This was a possible violation of Rule 3214(a)–Possession of Banned Substances.

Pending ADMC Violations

Date: 01/05/2024

Licensee: Carlos Gonzalez, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Pre-workout intra-articular injection violation

Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314—Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method—on the horse, Suertuda. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222—Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 11/09/2023

Licensee: George Weaver, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Typhoon Fury, who won at Aqueduct on 11/09/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/24/2023

Licensee: David Geofroy (listed as the horse's owner on Equibase)

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of 5-Hydroxy Dantrolene—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Typhoon Fury. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 12/09/2023

Licensee: Salvador Naranjo, trainer

Penalty: Pending

Alleged Violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221—Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)—on Fever, who finished fifth at Los Alamitos on 12/9/2023. This is also a possible violation of Rule 3313—Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Date: 12/06/2023

Licensee: Joel Gonzales, trainer (Desert Danger's trainer is listed on Equibase as Andres Gonzalez)

Penalty: Pending

Alleged violation: Medication violation

Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Desert Danger. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Violations of Crop Rule

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Santa Anita

Santiago Gonzalez – violation date Jan 20; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

The post Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Jan. 16-22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“I am new here,” the 37-year-old jockey said through an interpreter. “I am not expecting to ride the best horses. I will try my best. But I know I am starting from the bottom. I think I will build my business little by little.”

He doesn't have much to lose. If things don't work out, he can always go back to Turkey. But that's not what he wants. He wants to prove to people that he belongs here and can compete against what is, even in the winter, a very good riding colony at Aqueduct. He's hoping to make New York his new home base.

Kocakaya, who began his career in 2006, got the idea of riding in the U.S. when he came here to visit trainers Ilkay and Mertkan Kantarmaci, brothers who also emigrated from Turkey to New York. He has also ridden in Macau, Dubai, France and Germany.

“I made the decision to come here because I like how the racing is here,” he said. “I think that it's as good as anywhere in the world.”

He said he also wanted his children, who are six and 12, to have the chance to get an education in the U.S.

“I always wanted to raise my kids in a different country and I chose here,” he said. “That has nothing to do with Turkey. I just wanted them to see other parts of the world.”

Kocakaya spent a few weeks here last winter and failed to win a race in from 10 mounts. He returned in December and has gone 1-for-7 since. His win came on Jan 4. with Bustin Shout (Bustin Stones), who is trained by Rudy Rodriguez. Rodriguez's son, Rudy Jr., is Kocakaya's agent. It is believed that he became the first Turkish-born jockey to win a race in the U.S.
“I won around 3,000 races when you include other countries I rode in,” he said. “But I'm new here. No one knows me and I don't get many chances. So I was happy to win that race and am still excited about it. It was a special win.”

It is Rodriguez's job to find him mounts. He will get some from his father and will ride for the Kantarmaci brothers. He also picked up a mount from John Kimmel.
“It has been tough, especially because we're here in New York, one of the premier jockey colonies in country,” Rodriguez Jr. said. “It's definitely not easy. People have been very kind to him. They want him to work horses in the morning. I do understand there are some issues, including him still learning English. He's trying. He's taking English courses. I think he's starting to gain people's trust.”

Over the last five years, Kocakaya has averaged 246 winners a year in Turkey, tops among all riders.

There's very little chance he'll reach those numbers here in the U.S. But his goals are far more modest. He just wants to be given a chance.

The post Gokhan Kocakaya, Leading Rider in Turkey, Looking to Make It In New York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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At deadline for this story, Prado had not returned a phone from the TDN, but told the Blood-Horse that he wanted to spend more time with his family.

“It was getting harder and harder and I was wasting the time that I spent with my family, with my loved ones,” he told the Blood-Horse. “I saw my kids in my house having a great time and I decided to call it off. I've been very blessed throughout my career.”

Prado's decision to retire came after one of the roughest stretches of his career. He won just 15 races in 2021 and another 11 in 2022. This year, he was 0-for-2.

“They all wanted new riders,” he told said. “I totally understand that. When I was 20, I took somebody's place and now somebody is taking my place.”

Prado was born in Lima, Peru, where he rode his first winner in 1983. He began riding in the U.S. in 1986, starting out at the Florida tracks before moving on to Suffolk Downs. He had his breakthrough at the Maryland tracks, where, in 1997, he won 536 races. He was the leading jockey in Maryland six times, 1991 through 1993 and 1997 through 1999. Prado led all riders in the nation in wins three times, in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

In 1999, Richard Migliore, who was riding regularly for trainer John Kimmel had a spill and Kimmel needed a new rider. He summoned Prado from Maryland and that began a very successful run at the NYRA tracks for the talented Peruvian jockey. He would go on to win 11 riding titles at the NYRA tracks.

He won the 2002 GI Belmont S. with Sarava (Wild Again), the longest shot ever to win the race, and the 2004 Belmont with Birdstone (Grindstone). He also won five Breeders' Cup races. But Prado will always be best known as the rider of the ill-fated Barbaro (Dynaformer). After a rousing win by Barbaro in the 2006 GI Kentucky Derby with Prado aboard, the colt appeared ready to sweep the Triple Crown, but he broke down in the GI Preakness S. and was euthanized several months later.

Prado won an Eclipse Award in 2006 as the nation's leading rider and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.

The post Hall of Fame Jockey Edgar Prado Has Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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OCALA, FL-The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which had four million-dollar juveniles a year ago, has matched that mark with another day to go as a colt by Good Magic topped Tuesday's trade with a sale co-record final price of $2 million. Bob Baffert, sitting in the press box alongside Donato Lanni while on the phone with Amr Zedan, made the winning bid, which matched the $2-million price tag of Chestertown (Tapit), who sold at the auction in 2019.

“It was a good day,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “We equaled a March sale record and there were two other million-dollar sales. It shows that consignors are not afraid to bring a nice horse to the March sale. They know they can get the money for them.”

OBS president Tom Ventura added, “And the horses' race records is what brings the buyers back, so it's a good combination.”

Through two sessions, OBS has sold 293 head for a gross of $46,044,500. The two-day average of $157,148 is up 17.8% from last year's two-day auction, while the median is up 13.3% to $85,000.

With 110 horses reported not sold during the two sessions, the buy-back rate of 27.3% continued to be well ahead of last year's figure of 13.7%.

“The good horses are selling well, and some of them may be even over-selling,” consignor Eddie Woods said. “There are a lot of very average horses here and they are bringing what they are supposed to bring. Just because they go really quick doesn't mean they are nice. So when the whole package shows up and it vets well and it looks and acts like a runner, the money shows up.”

The OBS March sale concludes with a final session beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday.

$2-Million Good Magic Colt Lights Up OBS

The topper's :9 3/5 work last week | Photos by Z

Bob Baffert sat in the press box on the phone with Saudi businessman Amr Zedan as Donato Lanni handled the bidding, ultimately securing a colt by Good Magic (hip 546) for $2 million late in Tuesday's second session of the OBS March sale. The bay colt, who turned heads with a :9 3/5 furlong work followed by a monster gallop-out during last week's under-tack preview, was consigned by Torie and Jimbo Gladwell's Top Line Sales.

“I kind of expected it because good horses command good prices and he was a standout,” Zedan said by phone Tuesday. “We were just waiting for this moment to come to get the opportunity to bid for him. He demonstrated an amazing breeze and he looked the part. And most importantly, Bob just fell in love with him. Donato flagged the horse. Bob–we call him the boss–arrived and he basically loved what he saw. We huddled up and the rest you know.”

Zedan was asked if either he or Baffert had hesitated at any point in the bidding as they saw off every volley of trainer Steve Asmussen, who sat in the pavilion on the phone.

“Not at all,” Zedan said. “It's very difficult to find this quality of horse. And if there is a horse that we like, our motto is we stop when we own him. I think we've demonstrated that in the past. I don't mean to come across as arrogant, but good horses command a premium and that's what it takes to get winners. Let's just hope he demonstrates that on the racetrack and he makes us all proud.”

The colt's attributes were in plain sight, according to Lanni.

“Everybody saw what he did,” Lanni said. “You come to the sales long enough, you see few horses do what he did. His breeze was extraordinary and how he came back from his breeze and how he handled himself. We are here to buy the top-end horses and he was one of the top-end horses, I believe. He did everything right.”

Zedan has made no secret that his goal in racing is to win the Kentucky Derby.

“Absolutely,” he confirmed. “That's the dream. That's our program. We start with the Derby in any given year, and we work backwards.” @JessMartiniTDN

More Magic for Gladwells

Jimbo Gladwell and Donato Lanni | Photos by Z

Torie and Jimbo Gladwell had already had success with a son of Good Magic at this OBS March sale–selling a colt by the champion for $725,000 during Monday's first day of the auction–but that result proved just a warm-up for the Top Line Sales team which watched as the colt the family's pinhooking partnership purchased for $190,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale sold for an eye-popping $2 million to Amr Zedan.

“I could cry, easy,” Jimbo Gladwell admitted after watching the colt sell. “We are just thrilled. It's just an unbelievable result.”

Zedan has made a habit of purchasing seven-figure juveniles out of the Top Line consignment. He gave the Gladwells their first million-dollar sale when buying future Grade I winner Princess Noor (Not This Time) for $1.35 million at the 2020 OBS April sale and he acquired this year's GIII Southwest S. winner Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo) for $2.3 million at OBS last April.

“This game is not easy by any means,” Torie Gladwell said. “Every day you wake up knowing something is not going to go right. We just pray every day that we have good luck. And we have a very good team behind us. We are very blessed.”

The $2-million juvenile, bred by Don Alberto Corporation, is the first foal out of Hoppa (Uncle Mo), a 7-year-old mare who won once in just three starts for the Solari family's operation.

“We took a shot buying that horse at the Keeneland sale,” Torie Gladwell said. “He was a little light on page, but his physical is just an 11+–that horse is just amazing on the shank. Good Magic was kind of so-so at the time that we purchased the horse. So we took a little bit of a risk. Good Magic is hot right now and the horse just bloomed into an amazing athlete. He is an average-sized horse, but he has a huge stride. And he does it so effortlessly. He is just a machine on the track. It will be fun to watch him progress.”

Don Alberto purchased the mare Handoverthecat (Tale of the Cat), with Hoppa in utero, for $170,000 at the 2015 Keeneland November sale. The mare produced a filly by Violence last year and was bred back to Tacitus. @JessMartiniTDN

Arrogate Colt Heads to Japan

Shingo Hashimoto | Photos by Z

A colt by Arrogate (hip 489), who topped last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings sale when selling for $700,000 just days after his full-brother Cave Rock debuted with a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy victory, will be heading to Japan after selling for $1.05 million to the bid of Northern Farm's Shingo Hashimoto.

“Obviously, I thought he was the best horse in the sale,” Hashimoto said. “He's from the last crop of Arrogate. We are going to take him back to Japan.”

The dark bay colt is out of graded-stakes winner Georgie's Angel (Bellamy Road). Since the colt was purchased as a yearling last summer, Cave Rock has gone on to win the GI American Pharoah S. and GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity and was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile.

Hip 489, who was consigned by Tom McCrocklin on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine, worked a quarter-mile last week in :21 1/5.

“The time itself wasn't fast,” Hashimoto said. “But he was very well balanced and he looked very attractive. When we saw him at the sales barn, he walked very nicely, which I liked a lot.”

Asked if expected the seven-figure price tag, Hashimoto said, “Yes. We were trying hard to buy yesterday and we couldn't end up with some of the good ones, so we are happy to get this good colt.” @JessMartiniTDN

Arrogate Pays for McCrocklin

Tom McCrocklin | Photos by Z

After watching a colt by Arrogate he had purchased for $700,000 last August at the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling Sale bring a final bid of $1.05 million Tuesday in Ocala, bloodstock agent Tom McCrocklin said, “This is a success story.”

The colt was one of several high-end yearlings McCrocklin purchased last year on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine.

“It was a game plan that may not work consistently over time, but it worked today,” McCrocklin said. “I think we sold a very classy, Classic-type horse to some really good people. My goal is that he's a very good racehorse for them. The money comes and goes and pinhooking is a high wire act to begin with, but it feels really good when you bring a good, sound, beautiful horse to the sale and he is well-received and somebody takes him home. My end-goal is to sell those people a really good racehorse. It's not about me, it's about the horse and it's about the horse going forward.”

McCrocklin had more success with Arrogate just a few hips later when selling a filly by the late stallion for $950,000 to Lee Searing's CRK Stables. The filly, who worked a quarter-mile in :20 4/5 last week, was acquired on behalf of Champion Equine for $250,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale.

“Class and quality,” McCrocklin said when asked what he saw in Arrogate's offspring. “They are quality horses. And they show up when you need them to show up. And they sustain their weight and their mental toughness and they are extremely sound. They are very willing, genuine horses.” @JessMartiniTDN

Twirling Candy Colt Lights Up OBS

Hip 433 | Photos by Z

Solidly into Tuesday's session, the first juvenile of the day to realize seven figures lit up the board with a $1-million final bid for a son of Twirling Candy (Hip 433). Securing Hip 345–a filly by Bernardini–earlier in the day for $600,000, Sean Flanagan was back in action later to land the day's third-biggest prize. John Kimmel signed on the day's second-leading filly earlier in the session, while Jeff Mackor was on-hand to handle the signing duties on the son of the Lane's End stallion.

“I have always wanted a Twirling Candy–he's a fantastic sire,” said Flanagan, who was flanked by trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. and Mackor during the bidding. “I didn't think he would go that high..but we're here having fun. That's the main thing.”

The Feb. 11 foal is out of GSP Divine Dawn (Divine Park), a full-sister to GSW and GISP Divine Miss Grey.

“I have a great team,” added Flanagan. “John Kimmel is a dear friend of mine and he also signed on a couple of them today. And Saffie will train all of them.”

Consigned by Eddie Woods, the colt breezed an eighth in :9.4 last week. Bred by International Equities, the grey was a $200,000 purchase at Keeneland last September.

“This horse is a magnificent horse,” said Woods. “He's been a lovely horse from the first day we worked him. He showed up every day and worked fantastic and he galloped out really well. We had a lot of the top-end people on him.”

He continued, “I didn't think he'd bring seven figures. I thought maybe he'd bring $750,000, if everyone went in on him. Twirling Candy is a very good stallion. But to say you're going to get a million might be a stretch. When you're dealing with Uncle Mo, Arrogate, Curlin, Into Mischief and all those fancy stallions, you can expect to get a million for some of them because it happens. But for this horse, I was just delighted. He's been a smart horse all year, he's found a good spot and I hope he's good to them.”  @CBossTDN

Searing Gets His Arrogate Filly

Hip 526 | Photos by Z

Lee Searing of CRK Stables had his eye on a small group of horses, but he came away with his pick of the group when acquiring a filly by Arrogate (hip 526) for $950,000 Tuesday in Ocala. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the gray filly is out of graded-placed Heart of Paradise (More Than Ready). She worked a quarter-mile last week in :20 4/5.

“We came here to look at four or five horses,” Searing, who did his bidding while sitting alongside trainer John Shirreffs, said. “But we loved this horse from the minute she breezed to the time we bought her. She didn't turn a hair. And Arrogate is a top sire. It's such a shame he died.”

Searing was prepared for the filly's final price tag.

“I knew it,” he said with a rueful smile. “That was the horse. We bought one other one, but that was the horse [we wanted].”

CRK Stables has been represented over the years by Grade I winners Express Train, Switch, Beyond Brilliant and Honor A.P.

“It's always fun,” Searing said of Tuesday's bidding. “I've bought some expensive horses before, but when I can get John Shirreffs a really nice horse, it's really nice to be able to do it.” @JessMartiniTDN

Curlin Colt Brings $900K at OBS Tuesday

Hip 505 | Photos by Z

The fireworks continued late into the session with Hip 505, a colt by Curlin, realizing a $900,000 final bid. Terry Finley, situated out back, signed the ticket on behalf of a partnership between Talla Racing, Woodford Racing and West Point Thoroughbreds. Consigned by Al Davis's Old South Farm, the Florida-bred is out of GI Alcibiades S. winner Gomo (Uncle Mo). The colt will be trained by California-based John Sadler.

“He is a beautiful physical and is very well bred,” said Will Farish III, speaking on behalf of Ingordo Bloodstock. “We're really excited we had the chance to buy him.”

When asked about the price, he said, “We thought it would be somewhere in that range, and we were hoping it wasn't going to get out of control.”

He continued, “He was just an amazing mover. He looked great during the breeze and we went to see him a few times at the barn and we just loved the way he was walking.”

Bred by Bridlewood Farm, the bay was a $250,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Hoby Kight on behalf of Beryl 'Sonny' Stokes, who just passed away last week at age 89. According to Kight, Stoke's daughter Lauren is expected to take over her father's equine operation.

“I was expecting north of $500,000 by the amount of play at the barn and as well as he worked,” said Kight, who was visibly moved by the passing of his longtime friend. “He's such a beautiful horse with pedigree and everything went his way.”

He added, “I like to buy fast horses with pedigree. Every once in a while one falls in my lap. I try to scatter them out with good guys and I hope I come out with a runner.” @CbossTDN

Nyquist Colt to Ryan

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, purchased a colt by Nyquist (hip 472) for $600,000 during Tuesday's second session of the OBS March sale.

“I am very partial to Nyquist–I pinhooked him as a yearling to 2-year-old a number of years ago,” Ryan said. “He's a sire that we feel has tremendous upside potential. He has a couple Grade I winners in his first crop. And this colt is out of a very good mare–she won $600,000 on the dirt and was Grade I placed and a stakes winner in New York. This is a horse who is going to go two turns. That's what we are looking for, 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/4 miles, we hope he has that potential.”

The colt, consigned by Wavertree Stables, is out of Flora Dora (First Dude), who was third in the 2016 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. He was bred by Coffee Pot Stables and RNA'd for $185,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

Asked if a trainer had been picked out for the juvenile, Ryan said, “We are not sure. I will let the owner decide that.” @JessMartiniTDN

Flanagan Stays Active Day 2 at OBS

Sean Flanagan | Photos by Z

In addition to Tuesday's third highest-priced colt, Sean Flanagan also secured the session's second-leading filly, a daughter of Bernardini out of SW Cartwheelin Lulu (Bustin Stones). Consigned by Gene Recio, Hip 345 brought $600,000. Flanagan also purchased a filly by Midnight Lute (Hip 223) for $370,000 on Day 1.

“Gene had said to me what a nice filly she is,” explained John Kimmel. “And from a physical standpoint, she really looks the part. In this marketplace, even though it's a big price, it's kind of what you need to spend to acquire these kind of horses. I can't say anything other than at least he got himself a horse that's physically beautiful and very appealing and has the ability to be a nice 2-year-old with enough substance that can race on as a 3-year-old.”

Kimmel, acting as an agent for Flanagan at OBS, signed for both the Bernardini filly in addition to a colt by Laoban (Hip 168, $425,000) during Monday's session.

“To me he was a smacking, good-looking colt,” said Kimmel of Monday's purchase. “He looked like a racehorse and he was super clean, passed the vet and looked great on the racetrack. I was done at $300,000 and Sean carried it the rest of the way.”

He added, “He was also the underbidder on the Uncle Mo of Hartley/DeRenzo and he was the underbidder on Jimmy Gladwell's Good Magic colt [Monday]. But he's got a filly who would be a nice horse to add to his collection as a broodmare.” @CBossTDN

Vino Rosso Colt Reels in $550K on Day 2

Hip 544 | ThoroStride

In the waning moments Tuesday, Hip 544, a colt by Champion older horse Vino Rosso, brought $550,000, leading the Spendthrift stallion's offerings through the second day of selling. Purchased by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, the colt was consigned by Brandon and Ali Rice's RiceHorse Stable.

“He looked like a 3-year-old among 2-year-olds,” said Alex Lieblong. “I really think Vino Rosso has a good shot at being a really good stallion. I liked the pedigree, but to me, the consignors count even more than that.”

When asked who the colt would go to, he said, “I haven't made up my mind yet who he will go to yet. I have two or three trainers, Norm Casse and Riley Mott, a couple of guys starting out, so I have to figure that one out now.”

He added with tongue firmly planted in cheek, “They're both on the plane home so they'll be arguing all the way home!”

The colt is out of the Smoke Glacken mare Hookah Lady, who is already responsible for multiple graded stakes winner Get Smokin (Get Stormy). This is also the family of female grass champion Dayatthespa (City Zip) and GSW Clev Er Tell (Tell).

The sale also represented a coup for Dr. David Suarez Fuentes, who was represented by his first yearling-to-2-year-old in training pinhook.

Explaining how his relationship began with the Rice family and his foray into the pinhooking game, the veterinary surgeon said, “I started pinhooking two years ago with [Dr. William] 'Bo' Rainbow, who introduced me to Brandon. But I have been around horses my whole life. My dream was always to be able to buy and sell horses.”

A $32,000 RNA at Keeneland November, the bay was secured for $35,000 at Keeneland last September by Establo Rafanil, Suarez Fuentes's family operation in Puerto Rico.

“He had some little things, but nothing major,” he said when asked about the bargain yearling price. “But he was beautiful and sound. After I looked at the horse and pedigree myself, and I looked at the scope since I'm my own vet, I made the decision to buy him.”

He continued, “Last year was the first time I was free to [physically] go to the sale to buy horses myself. I had been doing my residency the past few years which was very intensive. We didn't get many breaks. So, I was finally able to go to the sale and buy horses, and I selected this Vino Rosso colt.”

The Mar. 8 foal worked :9.4–the co-second fastest time for an eighth–during last week's breeze session.

“From the beginning, he looked like he would be a star by the way he looked and trained,” he said. “And the Rices have done an amazing job with him.”

Of the colt's sire, he added, “He was an amazing horse. Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode for us in Puerto Rico, so I followed Vino Rosso [ridden by Ortiz] from the beginning. That's why he was always at the front of my mind when I looked at the sale catalogues. I always looked for something by him.” @CBossTDN

Going Rogue

Most of the stallions are already well established as either sires or on the racetrack (or both) by the time they make it onto the OBS catalogue page. Freshman sire Rogueish (Into Mischief), responsible for Hip 320, was clearly not among those. However, after the sole offering by the sire to sell drew a $220,000 final bid from Michael Sucher's Champion Equine LLC Tuesday, that may have all changed.

A $1,500 OBS Winter yearling purchase, the Apr. 3 foal returned to the ring to bring $50,000 from South Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. at OBS later in October. According to Joseph, he subsequently sold the son of Born to Jazz (Student Council) to a few of his partners, and they decided to run him through the sale to see if they could get a fair price. And if not, they were happy to keep him and put him in training.

Consigned under the Golden Rock Thoroughbreds banner, the Florida-bred worked an eighth in :10 flat during last week's breeze show.

“He's a big colt but he's also very forward,” said Joseph. “He's a big, good-looking horse. You would never think he should be doing what he's doing.”

The 2-year-old's sire, Rogueish, was trained by Steve Asmussen and campaigned by Ed and Krista Seltzer and Beverly Anderson. The son of GSW Verdana (Rahy), he sparkled in what would be his sole career start, a 6 3/4-length victory going six furlongs at Fair Grounds in the fall of 2018.

Retired after that due to injury, the Kentucky-bred took up stud duties at the owner's Solera Farm in Williston, Florida. The 7-year-old stands the current season for $2,500.

“I was introduced to him by Ed Seltzer, who I train for. When I saw the stallion at the farm, I looked at his record and saw that he had been trained by Steve Asmussen and he won his first start impressively. He was also by into Mischief, so I was very impressed by him,” said Joseph of the juvenile. “So when I went to the sale, I thought I could buy value by the stallion. He was obviously talented and had his career cut short by injury. I was intrigued by the horse.”

With 32 foals to his credit and 14 of racing age, the stallion was represented by six yearlings to sell in 2022 at an average of $18,783, while a total of eight weanlings averaged $22,437. Hip 320 was the stallion's highest priced sale last season. @CBossTDN

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Earlier in the session, Flanagan, who has horses in training with Saffie Joseph, acquired a filly by Bernardini with John Kimmel advising. He also purchased a colt by Laoban for $425,000 and a filly by Midnight Lute for $370,000 during Monday's first session of the auction.

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A graded stakes winner who retired with a 4-2-1 record from 15 starts and $345,882 in earnings, The Lieutenant stood just a single season at Sequel Stallions New York where he bred a reported 46 mares before shipping south to Peru where, just four months later, he would be killed in a break in along with three other stallions at Haras Barlovento, which has since closed its operation.  His only crop of foals, numbered just 32, included Sunday's winner Vacation Dance.

After failing to meet his reserve at OBS March (:10), Vacation Dance brought $90,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale (:10.1) earlier this year. Making his career debut Sunday at 8-1, he was slow into stride and settled mid-pack in fifth while racing in the clear to the outside. Under a ride midway around the turn, Vacation Dance bid three wide past the quarter pole to take command at the top of the lane and, despite drifting out in the final furlong, he held steady to the line to just hold off Disarmed (Maclean's Music) by a head.

From the extended family of GI Woodward S. winner Art Collector (Bernardini), Vacation Dance has a yearling half-sister by Mucho Macho Man and a weanling half-sister by Heart to Heart. His dam was sent to Combatant for the 2023 season.

1st-Saratoga, $88,000, (S), Msw, 9-4, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.52, fm, head.
VACATION DANCE (c, 2, The Lieutenant–Matinee Express, by Zensational) Sales History: $45,000 Ylg '21 EASOCT; $140,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSMAR; $90,000 2yo '22 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $48,400. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Sleeping Giant Stables, LLC, America's Pastime Stables & KimDon Racing, LLC; B-Harry Landry & James Hogan (NY); T-John C. Kimmel.

The Lieutenant holds a special place in our hearts. We couldn't be happier to see his first MSW winner at Saratoga @kendrick_carmouche @jkimmelracing Sleeping Giant Stables, America's Pasttime Stables and KimDon Racing. Bred by Harry Landry and James Hogan
: @barbaradlivingston pic.twitter.com/e83AcXsPnU

— Sequel New York (@sequelnewyork) September 4, 2022

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After an opening day of casino and conventional gaming panels, the focus of Wednesday sessions was on developments in racing, including a review of the newly launched Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act and a thoughtful panel on how fixed-odds betting can positively impact the American horseracing industry.

Lisa Lazarus, newly appointed CEO of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) spoke of the challenges her organization has faced in launching the initial phase of the Federal Statute that created HISA.

Of the 21 states that host live racing, 17 state racing commissions have signed on and voluntarily registered with HISA, with over 34,000 horses and 28,000 owners on board. Yet there have been federal court cases filed in Texas and Kentucky challenging the constitutionality of the federal statute, and a more recent case in Louisiana seeking a temporary restraining order on the implementation of HISA regulations in that jurisdiction.

All three cases lost in the first round but are being appealed. To date, HISA has incurred over $1.8 million in legal fees fighting these legal challenges, making a considerable dent in the organizations initial $14 million annual budget.

The HISA Board anticipates further legal challenges, but has committed to implementing corrections to many of the issues that have generated complaints from various sectors of the racing industry.

“We still have several transparency issues that need to be addressed, said Lazarus, ” and we will.”

“We are a very young organization created by federal statute,” Lazarus continued, “but we are learning as we go and it will get better.”

Fellow panelist Ed Martin, President and CEO of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) commented, “It's been a little messy [with the start-up], but it's gotten much better since Lisa showed up.”

At the heart of the disagreements over HISA, across all facets of the industry, is the process of turning over what has aways been a state regulated industry to a federal agency. However, owners, trainers, racing commissioners and multiple industry bodies are all in agreement that uniformity of regulations is essential for racing to thrive, grow, attract new fans and shed some of the negative images that have arisen over the past decade.

Speaker John Kimmel, a leading trainer and licensed veterinarian commented, “On the surface, two barometers here at Saratoga look good: NYRA stands to handle over $850 million for the meet and the average price of yearlings at the recent sales was over $400,000. But, there are looming problems out there.

“Lack of uniformity in state regulations creates havoc for horsemen that race in multiple jurisdictions. We need uniform medication withdrawal times. We also need to overcome differences in managing enforcement for on-track versus off-track stabled [race] entrants.”

HISA can resolve these multitude of different regulatory matters, but all states must come on board for the process to be effective.

Kimmel also suggested the HISA must do a better job of communicating with industry stakeholders and perhaps could create a marketing and public relations department.

“There are lots of rumors out these and complexly inaccurate statements,” Lazarus agreed. “We want to make racing better through uniformity and stability.”

New York is one of the four state racing commissions yet to come to an agreement to fully embrace HISA. Speaker Rob Williams, Executive Director of the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC), explained, “NYSGC has not accepted two of the tasks requested by HISA [registering participants by NY State employees and fully staffing drug testing collection].”

Overall, though, NYSGC has been supportive, providing staff and professional expertise to assist HISA in developing rules and regulations. Williams and Lazarus both anticipate that the differences can be worked out and that NYSGC and HISA will resolve the issues over funding and that New York State will eventually join the fold.

Panel moderator Alan Foremen, Chairman and CEO of Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, “The road to uniformity is so difficult.”

“We are making even more effort to listen to the industry on the pending anti-doping programs,” Lazarus stated. “We are a young organization created by Federal Statute; learning as we go. It will get better.”

Perhaps most encouraging was the level of respect that all panelists and their respective organizations had for Lazarus' efforts to date. All seemed to reflect that all will improve once the growing pains of HISA are worked out.

Ed Martin concluded, “Once the industry begins to trust HISA, that's the key to getting there.”

“Fixed Odds and the Future of Horseracing” the concluding panel on Wednesday, brought together racing executives, service providers and fixed-odds operators to offer their opinions on the current state of fixed-odds horse betting, but more importantly where and how the racing industry can capitalize on the stratospheric growth of legal sports betting by coupling both pari-mutuel and fixed odds betting to the current sports betting content menus.

Dallas Baker, Head of Business Development for BetMakers US, the operator first to market with fixed-odds betting at Monmouth Park, was adamant. “This is THE MOMENT for racing in the USA. We are at a critical point moment.”

“Just think how Illinois Horsemen felt watching the Arlington Million at Churchill Downs this past weekend!” Baker exclaimed.    Baker contended that like in his native Australia, fixed odds betting – primarily on win and place markets only–can revitalize a declining USA racing industry, capture younger bettors and fairly remunerate horsemen for purses, so long as the commercial and tax structures are on a level playing field for all operators and content providers.

Colorado is the only state besides New Jersey to have approved and regulated fixed odds on horse racing. Moderator Dan Hartman, Director of the Colorado Division of Gaming, explained how his agency consulted all segments of the racing industry, especially horsemen, and established a tax and regulatory scheme that returns a fair share to purses at Colorado's racetrack. The fixed-odds law sunsets in 18 months unless renewed by the Colorado Legislature. All stakeholders will be asked to weigh in on the future of fixed odds in Colorado at that point.

David O'Rourke, President and CEO of the New York Racing Association, believes that sports betting is a massive distribution channel for racing. NYRA plans to work with all current sports betting operators on ways in with NYRA pari-mutuel content may be added to current platforms and then see where fixed odds fits in.

NYRA recently concluded partnership deals with Caesars Entertainment and BetMGM to add NYRA horse racing content to those sports betting platforms. Regulatory and banking/funding roadblocks have so far limited the launch to only two states.

Paul Hannon, Senior Vice President Corporate development for PointsBet USA, is also bullish on fixed odds attracting a new audience to racing and building on the growth of online and retail sports betting in 30 states just four years after The Supreme Court overturned the Federal Law {PASPA] prohibiting sports betting in all States except Nevada.

“Racing must reap the benefits of Sports betting's growth,” Hannon said. “I believe that within two years of launch, fixed odds sports betting on racing will become the fifth-most wagered on sport, after NFL, NCAAB football, NBA and NCAA basketball.

“Racing fills a content void, especially this time of year between the end of NBA and the start of NFL when sports betting revenue and interest typically decline.”

Michelle Fischer, Vice President for SiS Content Services, also agrees that fixed odds on horse racing will be a successful product and generate new interest in racing from a younger audience.

“Adding fixed odds racing to existing sports betting platforms will only increase the pie,” Fischer stated.

She agreed with Hannon about the massive potential for racing, essentially a 24-hour per day global sports, nicely filling in the down time between more conventional sports. It has done so in the United Kingdom, Australia and much of Europe. It should be successful in America as well.

“Americans want to bet of American sports and American racing,” Fischer said. “We as an industry must give them the opportunity to do so.

“But we need an open market for content and a fair pricing model [as compared to conventional sports betting] to make this successful.”

O'Rourke summed up NYRA's position on the opportunity for racing to offering fixed odds to reach a newer and younger demographic.

“Racing is essentially an entertainment product, but you cannot lose control of your content.”

Tuesday sessions focused on downstate casino development in New York, with most speakers concluding that two of the three licenses are heavily favored to be warded to Genting Resorts World at Aqueduct and MGM Empire City Casino at Yonkers, both of which are well-established VLT “racino” facilities.

The third, and final downstate license is up for grabs, but unlikely to be situated in Manhattan due to community and business opposition.

At a Tuesday panel on “Sports Betting: What's Next?” speakers reflected on the excessive 51% tax rate in New York on mobile sports betting operators and how that may eventually lead to market decline and further competition. Panelists also echoed many of the same sentiments as expressed at the Wednesday Fixed Odds and the Future of Horse Betting session, as the conclusion of most regulators, including in New Jersey, is that “racing is a sport.”

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1st-SAR, $88K, Msw, 2yo, f, (S), 5 1/2f, 1:05 p.m.
  IM JUST KIDDIN (Justify), a homebred for prolific breeders Chester & Mary Broman, is a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint upsetter Bar of Gold (Medaglia d'Oro), who earned over $1.5 million in her career. She herself went on to produce GSW Coinage (Tapit) and $825,000 Fasig-Tipton Select Yearling Sale purchase Chulligan (Justify). Trained by John Kimmel, who also oversaw the career of her successful half-sister, Im Just Kiddin picks up jockey Jose Ortiz for her debut.  TJCIS PPs

1st-MTH, $55K, Msw, 2yo, 5fT, 2:00 p.m.
   Another homebred, Colts Neck Stables's NETWORKING (Speightstown), goes to the races for the first time on the Jersey Shore. The bay is a son of multiple turf graded winner Social Queen (Dynaformer), who has produced four winners from five to race including this colt's full-brother, GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. winner and $1.3 million earner Force The Pass, as well as 'TDN Rising Star' Affable Monarch (Arrogate). Networking is also from the female family of MGISP Wonder Gal (Tiz Wonderful). He fired a bullet over the grass July 2, working four furlongs in :52 3/5 (1/5) for trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr. TJCIS PPs

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It could be a similarly emotional afternoon Saturday when the 7-year-old Pacific Gale returns to Gulfstream with a chance to defend her title in what will be the final start of a long and successful career.

The 43rd running of the seven-furlong Inside Information for fillies and mares 4 and older is among seven graded-stakes worth $5.2 million in purses on a blockbuster 12-race Pegasus World Cup Invitational Series program featuring the $3 million Pegasus World Cup (G1) presented by 1/ST BET on dirt, $1 million Pegasus World Cup Turf (G1) presented by Baccarat and inaugural $500,000 TAA Pegasus Filly & Mare Turf (G3) presented by PEPSI.

First race post time is 11:30 a.m. EST. NBC will provide live national coverage from 4:30 to 6 p.m. EST.

Kimmel said Holly Hill Stables' Pacific Gale will be bred to champion Uncle Mo following the Inside Information, a race she won by 2 ¾ lengths at odds of 16-1 last winter after finishing sixth in 2019. Pacific Gale was booked to Not This Time for 2021, but was doing so well that Kimmel convinced the late Mike Morton's widow, Tobey, to give her another try.

“The owner had passed away and she hadn't won a race in two years at that point. I was very close with Mr, Morton and he had died in December. His wife was basically looking to disperse all the holdings and I've basically done it,” Kimmel said. “I told her it would take me about a year. He had like 30 horses and that's how long it took me to get it done.”

Pacific Gale was sold after the Inside Information to Holly Hill, and she paid immediate dividends by winning Gulfstream's Hurricane Bertie (G3) in her subsequent start – the first time she had ever won back-to-back races.

“We sold her to these new clients and she won for them first time out in the Hurricane Bertie. She's been running for them all year and she's got a date with Uncle Mo this winter,” Kimmel said. “This will be her last start. I've had her since she was 2.”

Pacific Gale has gone winless in five tries since the Hurricane Bertie, beaten 2 ¼ lengths when third to Victim of Love after a belated start in the Vagrancy (G3) last May at Belmont Park, and four lengths when second to Chub Wagon in the Roamin Rachel last fall at Parx. Most recently, she finished fifth in the Oct. 21 Floral Park at Belmont.

“I think she's doing well. We gave her a little freshening at the end of the fall and she went to the farm. I think she was there for six weeks or eight weeks. They started breezing her and got a couple breezes into her and sent her in to me and I've given her four breezes now,” Kimmel said. “I think she's ready to go. For an older mare, she likes that racetrack. She's run very well at Gulfstream. We'll be looking forward to the engagement.”

Overall, Pacific Gale has five wins, seven seconds and six thirds with $651,160 in purse earnings and six other graded-stakes placings. Junior Alvarado is named to ride from Post 6 in a field of 10.

“She's just a class act. She's really a kind hose to be around. Some owners bring their little kids around and she'll come up and nuzzle them. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body,” Kimmel said. “Any horse that's stayed healthy for that many campaigns, you hope she can pass that on to her offspring. She's just a nice physical specimen. She's stayed sound, raced multiple campaigns, she's a multiple stakes winner, a Grade 2 winner, a Grade 3 winner and multiple graded-stakes placed. She always showed up and gave it a good effort.”

Whitham Thoroughbreds' homebred Four Graces is also a dual graded-stakes winner, having captured the seven-furlong Dogwood (G3) and Beaumont (G3) in successive starts in the summer of 2020. She ran twice more than year, finishing second in the Eight Belles (G2), before going to the sidelines.

Four Graces raced just once last year, finishing fourth in the mid-June Roxelana behind Bell's the One, who would go on to win three more stakes including the Honorable Miss (G2) and TAA (G2). Four Graces made her 5-year-old debut in a six-furlong optional claiming allowance Jan. 6 at Gulfstream, running second by a nose as the favorite to Starship Nala, who also returns in the Inside Information.

“We were very happy with her race, except for not getting the bob of the head. I actually thought I did, but that's racing,” trainer Ian Wilkes said. “That was just her second race in 15 months. It was good that that race went. We were able to use it to just knock the cobwebs off and as a way to get ready for this next race.

“She's always shown ability and been very talented, just unfortunate to have been on the sidelines a few times,” he added. “We're still getting there. We've had that one race now. Do I think that she's at 110 percent yet? No, but she's better. She's doing good. The only way I'm going to get her there is to get some races into her.”

Julien Leparoux has the assignment from Post 5.

Prior to going after a second straight victory in the Pegasus World Cup with Knicks Go in what will be the presumptive 2021 Horse of the Year's final start before starting a stud career, trainer Brad Cox will send out multiple stakes-winning homebred Just One Time in the Inside Information.

The 4-year-old daughter of Not This Time was purchased privately following her victory in the Oct. 22 New Start on the dirt at Penn National, her second stakes victory over fellow Pennsylvania-breds. The other came over the all-weather surface at Presque Isle Downs.

“She's doing really well. I like her a lot. This is going to be our first opportunity to run her. I think she's going to be a good filly. She pretty much hasn't run farther than three-quarters, so the seven-eighths is always a question mark until you try it. She showed me enough in the mornings to put her on a van and lead her over there,” Cox said. “She's a pretty good work horse. She showed me training what I like to see in regard to making the jump and attacking graded-stakes company.”

Joel Rosario, the favorite to win his first Eclipse Award as champion jockey, will be the irons from Post 8.

A five-time winner of the Inside Information, most recently with Ivy Bell in 2018, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher chases No. 6 with St. Elias Stable's A G Indy. Like Just One Time, the 5-year-old Take Charge Indy mare is a recent private purchase that will be making just her second start on dirt after 12 consecutive tries on the turf, where she had a record of 4-4-2.

Last out, A G Indy won the Senator Ken Maddy sprinting five furlongs Nov. 5 at Del Mar. She has been on the work tab since late December in South Florida, including a sharp half-mile breeze with 5-year-old gelding Fearless, whose graded-stakes wins include the Dec. 18 Harlan's Holiday (G3) at Gulfstream.

“She's been training superbly on the dirt, so we're excited about that. She put in another good work with Fearless the other day and looked good doing it, so we're going to give her a try on the dirt,” Pletcher said. “She was kind of purchased with the idea of seeing if she might transition to the dirt, and every breeze that we've had with her so far has been really, really strong on the dirt.

“I just feel like it's a good opportunity,” he added. “We can always go back to the grass, but she's certainly been training like a horse that appreciates the dirt. To work head and head in company on the dirt with a horse like Fearless, who's coming off the Harlan's Holiday, kind of emphasized to us that she'll seem to handle it well.”

Luis Saez rides A G Indy from Post 2.

Three Diamonds Farm's Jakarta is a 7-year-old mare with three previous stakes wins, including the Dec. 28 Mrs. Claus at Parx in her first start for trainer Mike Trombetta. Third in the 2020 Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) at Keeneland, Jakarta is 3-for-5 lifetime at Gulfstream including wins in the 2020 Powder Break and Claiming Crown Distaff Dash.

“She worked the other day and she worked good,” Trombetta said. “I didn't have her real long. I only had her two weeks and the first time she ran, she just ran lights out. What I've learned is it looks like she enjoys the dirt as much as anything. I'm looking forward to running her.”

Three-time defending Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz Jr. has the call from Post 7.

Crumb Bun, on a two-race win streak; Dance d'Oro, exiting a victory in the one-mile Rampart Dec. 18 at Gulfstream; Starship Nala, seeking her first stakes win after seven runner-up finishes; Family Time, making her stakes debut off a Jan. 7 allowance win at Gulfstream; and Mon Petit Chou, third in Gulfstream's 2021 Game Face, complete the field.

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