“It is incredibly special and humbling to be honored with this prestigious award that honors a horseman I greatly admired,” Huffman said.

The post Ben Huffman Named Recipient Of Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman Of The Year Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The new series, produced and promoted by World Horse Racing, will run from July through November, with a final episode produced at Keeneland Race Course previewing the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, Nov. 4 and 5. New episodes will be released at the beginning of each month. Host Rosie Tapner will introduce the top performances from prior Challenge Series races, as well as identify unique storylines based around the Thoroughbred athletes and their connections.

“We are delighted to partner with World Horse Racing to bring international racing fans a lot closer to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, and tell the fascinating stories of the people behind these great horses as they are being prepared for this year's World Championships,” said Justin McDonald, Breeders' Cup Chief Marketing Officer. “Among our highest priorities each year is to expand the global reach of the Breeders' Cup, and we look forward to doing that with this new series.”

The post Breeders’ Cup Digital Series Highlights International Challenge Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Keeneland offered a race meet record of $6 million in stakes purses and an expanded stakes schedule of 22 races this fall to further elevate its racing program throughout the meet. Fans responded enthusiastically.

All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the 17-day Fall Meet, held Oct. 8-30, totaled $181,009,626, smashing the record of $164,680,229 set during the 2021 Spring Meet and the previous Fall Meet record of $160,207,916 set in 2019. The total represents a 22 percent increase over last fall's $148,229,708.

“We are so appreciative of the tremendous support from our fans, our horsemen, the Central Kentucky community, our horseplayers, and our corporate partners,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “Welcoming fans back to Keeneland this fall, along with the return of our special events and tailgating on The Hill, felt like a breath of fresh air after the restrictions of the past year and a half. It was a terrific way to mark our 85th year of racing and to celebrate the important role Keeneland plays in our community and the horse industry.”

Wagering was boosted when on Fall Stars Saturday, Oct. 9, Keeneland established records for Fall Meet single-day all-sources and Pick 5 wagering, besting previous records set on Fall Stars Saturday in 2019 and 2020, respectively. All-sources handle totaled $20,926,640, surpassing the $18,392,756 set in 2019. Wagering on the All-Stakes Pick 5 totaled $1,255,080 to shatter the former Fall Meet record of $868,303 from 2020.

Keeneland introduced a new wager, the Keeneland Turf Pick 3, with a $3 minimum and 15 percent takeout, tying together the final three turf races of each day. The wager was well received by the public, netting a total handle of $1,683,502, or an average of $112,233 per day. The average payout was over $1,300 for a $3 wager.

On-track wagering for the Fall Meet totaled $15,162,221, for an average of $2,477,890.

Memorable Racing Moments and Milestones

Purses at Keeneland this fall remained among the richest in North America, averaging $880,511 per day, up 29 percent over the 2020 Fall Meet. Average starters per race was 8.7.

To enhance the final days of the season, Keeneland scheduled two new $150,000 juvenile stakes, the Myrtlewood and Bowman Mill; revived the Perryville and Bryan Station, both fixtures for 3-year-olds, and scheduled the Grade 3 Rubicon Valley View and Grade 2 Hagyard Fayette to create multiple stakes cards.

Keeneland featured a deep turf schedule with 12 of its 22 stakes held on the grass, headlined by three Grade 1 events: $750,000 Keeneland Turf Mile, $500,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana, and $400,000 First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare.

The Fall Meet showcased a number of Breeders' Cup-bound horses in 10 Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” races. Among those winners pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup are Grade 1 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity winner Rattle N Roll (TVG Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance); Grade 1 Darley Alcibiades winner Juju's Map (NetJets Juvenile Fillies); First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare winner Blowout (GB) (FanDuel Mile Presented by PDJF); Indian Summer (L) Presented by Keeneland Select winner Averly Jane (Juvenile Turf Sprint); Grade 2 JPMorgan Chase Jessamine winner California Angel (Juvenile Fillies Turf); Grade 1 Juddmonte Spinster winner Letruska (Distaff); Grade 1 Keeneland Turf Mile winner In Love (BRZ) (Mile) and Grade 2 Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix winner Special Reserve (Qatar Racing Sprint).

Another Fall Meet stakes winner pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup is Grade 2 Woodford Presented by TVG winner Golden Pal (Turf Sprint).

“Fans enjoyed a spectacular fall season of racing, and we say a sincere 'thank you' to our owners, trainers, and jockeys for their loyalty and support,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “We are proud of the lucrative purse money and expanded racing opportunities offered during the Fall Meet, and look forward to continuing to strengthen the quality of our program.”

This fall, Keeneland also welcomed two new race sponsors. Castle & Key Distillery, one of Central Kentucky's most popular distillery destinations, sponsored the Grade 2 Bourbon, a Breeders' Cup Challenge event won by Tiz the Bomb, who is pre-entered in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Rubicon, a Lexington-based software company known as “America's technology company” that provides smart waste and recycling solutions to businesses and governments worldwide, became the new sponsor of the Grade 3 Valley View, won by Navratilova.

Among the racing highlights, two owners – Godolphin and G. Watts Humphrey Jr. – achieved their eighth graded stakes win at Keeneland to each earn a Keeneland Tray as part of the track's Milestone Trophy Program. Both were accomplished with homebreds – Godolphin with Caramel Swirl in the Grade 2 Lexus Raven Run and Humphrey with Navratilova in the Rubicon Valley View.

Fall Meet Leaders

The nation's top owners, trainers, and jockeys competed at Keeneland this fall, and their participation heightened the excitement surrounding the title races.

Eclipse Award-winning rider Tyler Gaffalione dominated a deep jockey colony with 29 wins to earn his second consecutive, and third overall, Fall Meet title. He was also leading rider during Keeneland's 2020 Summer Meet. Gaffalione's record was enhanced by five days on which he rode three or more winners, and he notched a win aboard Averly Jane in the Indian Summer Presented by Keeneland Select.

Florent Geroux finished second in the standings with 16 wins, highlighted by the Darley Alcibiades with Juju's Map and the Perryville with He'smyhoneybadger.

Among the jockeys to notch stakes wins during the Fall Meet were brothers Brian Hernandez Jr. and Colby Hernandez, Corey Lanerie, Flavien Prat, Joel Rosario, John Velazquez, Irad Ortiz Jr., Julien Leparoux, Rafael Bejarano, and Javier Castellano.

The battle for leading trainer honors between Brad Cox and Wesley Ward was decided in the final race on closing day. Cox prevailed with 14 victories to secure his second consecutive Fall Meet Keeneland title. Cox also earned the title in the 2018 Spring Meet. Cox's stakes wins were the Darley Alcibiades with Juju's Map and the Perryville with He'smyhoneybadger.

Ward, a seven-time leading trainer at Keeneland, won 13 races, including the Woodford Presented by TVG with Golden Pal and Indian Summer Presented by Keeneland Select with Averly Jane, to rank second in the standings.

Chad Brown and Kenny McPeek were among the other trainers to win two graded stakes this fall. Brown took the First Lady Presented by UK HealthCare with Blowout and the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana with Shantisara (IRE). McPeek scored with Rattle N Roll in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and with Tiz the Bomb in the Castle & Key Bourbon.

Brad Kelley's Calumet Farm and Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's Godolphin tied for leading owner with four wins each. It is the first Keeneland owner title for Calumet under Kelley's ownership and the second for Godolphin, who also won in the 2017 Spring Meet.

Fall Meet Special Events Offer Fun and Philanthropy

Keeneland welcomed the on-site return of its popular special events calendar, which exemplified philanthropic goals in keeping with the track's mission to support the Central Kentucky community and horse industry.

Keeneland partnered with valued race sponsors to support community initiatives. Juddmonte and Keeneland donated $10,000 to the Kentucky Equine Management Internship Program. Lexus and Keeneland contributed $5,000 to The MAP Foundation to benefit the Woodhill Community Center.

Current members of the Keeneland jockey colony joined retired riders for an autograph session on Oct. 9 that raised $6,372 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

On Make-A-Wish Day, Oct. 14, Keeneland teamed with local Thoroughbred farms and organizations to grant wishes for 10 deserving children, who, along with their families, enjoyed a VIP day at the races. More than $8,000 was raised from fans who placed donations into the “Wishing Well” near the Keeneland Paddock.

The following day, Keeneland hosted College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane's End. Full-time college students were eligible to win one of 10 $2,000 scholarships provided by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and one of two $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane's End.

Heroes Day Presented by Rubicon on Oct. 24 honored members of the military and first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and health care workers) and their families with free general admission and access to reserved Grandstand seats. The afternoon featured lunch provided by City BBQ, children's activities, a spectacular flag unfurling on the main track, and special recognitions and remembrances throughout the day. Keeneland and Rubicon donated $5,000 to the Fraternal Order of Firefighters.

The post Keeneland’s 85th Anniversary Meet Sees Record Handle Of $181 Million appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Trained by Wesley Ward, he covered 6 furlongs in 1:10.33.

Nakatomi was relegated to fifth in the early stages of the Bowman Mill while Chattalot and Hope in Him battled on the early lead through an opening quarter-mile fraction of :21.92. Around the far turn, Hope in Him began to fade while Freelancer and My Prankster moved in tandem in their attempt to catch Chattalot on the lead.

Meanwhile, Nakatomi began his charge around horses at the top of the lane, following a half-mile time of :45.29. Nakatomi surged past My Prankster inside the final eighth-mile for a three-quarter-length win.

Nakatomi paid $6.20, $3.20, and $2.40. My Prankster, the slight post-time favorite with John Velazquez in the saddle, paid $3.40 and $2.60. Chattalot, with Brian Hernandez Jr. in the irons, held third to return $2.60.

Freelancer faded to fourth and was followed by Lucky Shot, Hungry Henry, and Hope in Him.

A Keeneland November Sale graduate, Nakatomi is a 2-year-old gelding by Firing Line out of the Flatter mare Applelicious. His Bowman Mill victory was worth $90,000, which increased his bankroll to $175,400 with a record of 5-2-1-1.

The post Nakatomi Wins Bowman Mill On Keeneland’s Closing Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Trained by Kenny McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr., Camp Hope covered the mile over a turf course rated yielding in 1:38.32.

Dreamer's Disease had a clear lead over the Bryan Station field through an opening quarter-mile in :24.62. Camp Hope and Hernandez tracked in second, one length off Dreamer's Disease. Following a half-mile split of :49.04, Camp Hope moved to the outside of the tiring pacesetter and spurted clear for a comfortable victory.

Camp Hope paid $7.00, $4.80, and $3.40 for the win. Like the King and jockey John Velazquez finished second and returned $6.60 and $4.00, while Yes This Time and Tyler Gaffalione rallied for third and paid $2.80.

A Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale graduate bred in Kentucky by Bret Jones, Camp Hope is a 3-year-old son of Summer Front out of the Pulpit mare Praising. He received $90,000 for today's win, which improved his overall record to 9-3-0-2 with earnings of $225,557.

Charles Chrome was a nose back in fourth and was followed by Hush of a Storm, Point Me By, Scarlett Sky, Gallant Guy, and Dreamer's Disease.

The post Camp Hope Cruises To Victory In Bryan Station At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

At Keeneland today, fans may donate wagering tickets by dropping them in the “Race to Give” donation box inside the Grandstand East Gate entrance. Funds will go directly to TCA.

Hagyard Equine Medical Institute began sponsoring the Fayette in 2013. The stakes is the ninth race on the 10-race card (post time 5:16 p.m.).

Preceding the Hagyard Fayette are two additional stakes: $150,000 Bowman Mill (Race 7; post time 4:12 p.m.) and $150,000 Bryan Station (Race 8; post time 4:44 p.m.).

The post Keeneland Fans Can Donate To Race To Give Campaign Saturday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Over a good turf course at the Lexington, Ky., track, the 5-year-old mare did not let a delayed start deter her in the 1 1/2-miles stakes. Under jockey Corey Lanerie, Summer in Saratoga broke cleanly and settled in toward the back of the field of 10. Eesha My Flower led the way, setting fractions of :23.80 for the first quarter, :48.93 for the half-mile, and 1:14.77 for six furlongs, an easy pace that allowed her to run on the lead around the far turn and into the stretch.

Lanerie angled Summer in Saratoga off the rail on the far turn and then angled her out again in early stretch, finding a clear running lane two paths off the rail as Eesha My Flower flattened out and gave way. Summer in Saratoga overtook her midstretch, getting out to a two-length length as Luck Money accelerated to her outside. Summer in Saratoga held on to win the G3 Dowager, with Luck Money and Micheline rounding out the top three.

The final time for the 1 1/2 miles was 2:30.02. Find this race's chart here.

Summer in Saratoga paid $12.80, $5.20, and $4.20. Luck Money paid $3.40 and $2.80. Micheline paid $5.20.

Bred in Kentucky by My Meadowview LLC, Summer in Saratoga is by Hard Spun out of the Arch mare Love Theway Youare, a Grade 1 stakes winner. Owned by Highlander Training Center, the 5-year-old mare is trained by Joe Sharp. Consigned by Denali Stud, she was purchased by Larry Hirsch for $165,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Summer Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. With her win in the G3 Dowager, Summer in Saratoga has three wins in six starts in 2021, for a lifetime record of six wins in 16 starts and career earnings of $479,572.

The post Summer In Saratoga Shines In Dowager At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“He's a cool little horse and he really tries every time,” Cox said of the son of Daredevil, who is owned by Steve Landers Racing.

The Perryville victory marked the first stakes triumph for He'smyhoneybadger.

“I don't know what's next for him, but I would like to find another race like that one,” Cox said.

The post He’smyhoneybadger Doing Well After Perryville Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The victory kept Caramel Swirl's record at Keeneland perfect as she had posted a 10¼-length maiden-breaking score at the Lexington, Ky., track in April.

The Lexus Raven Run also featured another bang-up effort by Team Hanley and Parkland Thoroughbreds' Joy's Rocket, who in her other Keeneland start posted a three-length victory in the Songbird Stakes on the Breeders' Cup undercard last November.

“It was a head bob; her head was up and the other filly had her head down at the wire,” said Ronny Werner, assistant to Joy's Rocket's trainer, Steve Asmussen. “She is fine this morning. She ran hard. She loves this track and she showed it when she won that stakes last year.”

The post Caramel Swirl Returns To Churchill Downs After Raven Run Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Scheduled to be run at 6 furlongs on the main track, the Myrtlewood will go as the eighth race on Friday afternoon's 10-race program with a 4:44 p.m. ET post time. First post Friday is 1 p.m.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Jester Calls Nojoy won her second start by 10 lengths at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and then finished sixth behind division leader Echo Zulu in the Grade 1 Frizette in her most recent start.

Joel Rosario will have the mount Friday and break from post position one.

Chief among her rivals is Randy Patterson's Verylittlecents.

Winner as the favorite of the Ellis Park Debutante, Verylittlecents is trained by Randy Morse and will be ridden by Joe Talamo from post position six.

The field for the Myrtlewood, with riders and weights from the inside, is: Jester Calls Nojoy (Rosario, 118 pounds), Jumeirah (Francisco Arrieta, 118), She's Pure Silver (Luan Machado, 118), Blazing Summer (Reylu Gutierrez, 118), Kant Believe It (Jose Ortiz, 118), Verylittlecents (Talamo, 120), Majestic d'Oro (Tyler Gaffalione, 118), You Look Cold (Paco Lopez, 120), Chi Town Lady (Florent Geroux, 120), Sweet Dani Girl (Martin Garcia, 118), Towser (James Graham, 118).

The post Jester Calls Nojoy Looks For First Stakes Win In Friday’s Myrtlewood appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post