Track executives disclosed the pre-condition book figures during the Feb. 1 Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory board meeting.

Keeneland expects to write $100,000 MSW races for 3-year-olds and older horses, with 2-year-olds competing for $80,000, according to Gatewood Bell, Keeneland's vice president of racing.

Continuing a condition that Keeneland tried last fall, Bell added that there will also be four maiden-auction races written for $70,000, one for each sex going both short and long.

Back during Keeneland's 2021 spring meet, the comparable MSW purse levels were $79,000 and $60,000 for older and juvenile races, respectively.

Keeneland's $100,000 and $80,000 levels have been in effect since 2022.

Churchill's MSW races for older horses will remain at the $120,000 purse level this spring, according to Ben Huffman, the track's vice president of racing. He did not state an amount for 2-year-old races.

In the spring of 2021, Churchill carded two levels of MSW money. For the lead-in week to the GI Kentucky Derby, the purses were $115,000. After that, MSW races were written for $100,000.

In 2022, Churchill's MSW purses for older horses got raised to $120,000 for the spring meet.

The purse levels stayed that way in 2023, even after Churchill's corporate ownership opted to move the remainder of the meet to another Kentucky track in its portfolio, Ellis Park, in the aftermath of 12 equine fatalities that occurred in the first six weeks of the Churchill season.

Bill Landes III, the chairman of the KTDF advisory committee, who represents the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (KTOB) association on the KTDF board, briefly addressed both Keeneland and Churchill about potentially increasing those MSW purse levels in the future.

“If things come good for you, we would be amenable to any hike or anything you could afford us,” Landes said.

Braxton Lynch, who also represents the KTOB on the KTDF board, suggested that any available purse money would be better spent on upping the amounts carded for allowance races.

“As much as Bill likes to focus on the MSW numbers, [and] I think we're really lucky to be where we are on the MSW numbers, if we ever got a chance [to] put [a purse] increase somewhere, I'd love to see a bigger gap between MSW and allowance, with allowances going a little higher. They become so much harder to win that I think there should be a little more reward there.”

KTDF board member Rick Hiles, who serves as the president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent & Protection Association, agreed with Lynch.

“I've been saying for years there should be a bigger gap between maidens and the non-winners of two or 'a-other-than' [allowance conditions].”

The KTDF is funded by three-quarters of 1% of all money wagered in the state on both live Thoroughbred races and historical horse race gaming, plus 1% of all money wagered on Thoroughbred races via inter-track wagering and whole-card simulcasting.

On Thursday the KTDF advisory committee approved the recommendation of allotment requests that the Churchill and Keeneland purse estimates were based on, but the full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission still has to vote on final approval of the funding.

The post For Third Straight Spring, MSW Purses at Keeneland and Churchill Projected to Remain Level appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Chip Bach, Turfway's general manager, reported that projection during the Oct. 3 Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory board meeting.

The overall purse structure, Bach said, will also be “similar” to the previous meet “even though we're adding days and races.”

Bach said Turfway plans on running Wednesdays through Saturdays with a 5:55 p.m. Eastern first post, with the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. program a traditional afternoon racing exception.

Exact 2024 racing dates have yet to be awarded by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, but Turfway's corporate parent, Churchill Downs, Inc., lists Mar. 23 as the date of the 2024 edition of the Jeff Ruby on its “Road to the GI Kentucky Derby” points races calendar.

In the recent past, Turfway has experimented with various under-the-lights first post times, and also tried running during some afternoons on Saturdays. This year management wants to establish a more consistent niche, timing-wise.

“We confuse the handicappers if we're all over the place,” Bach said. “We found once we start building a consistent pattern for them, it's better for us,” he noted, citing Turfway's 5:55 p.m. slot as being more profitable.

“We believe we have enough not only in purse money, but horse population to keep us running four days a week,” Bach said.

“We are planning on running nine races a day in December and January,” Bach said, adding that track management will evaluate that number mid-season to see if carding nine races nightly is still sustainable heading into February.

This season will be Turfway's second with its entirely rebuilt racing facility.

Prior to upping MSW purses to $70,000 last season, Turfway paid out $62,000 in MSW purses in 2021-22. The dual meets that season were conducted with temporary trackside amenities as the multi-year grandstand rebuild was nearing completion.

In 2020-21, Turfway paid just $32,000 for MSW races, when the dual meets were heavily compromised by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial phases of the grandstand construction that kept the northern Kentucky oval closed to on-track spectators.

During the 2019-20 season, Turfway paid MSW purses in the $46,000-48,000 range.

The KTDF advisory committee approved the requested recommendation of the Turfway allotment that the MSW purse estimates were based on. The full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission still has to vote on final approval of that funding.

The post Turfway MSW Purses Projected to Hold Steady at $70,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

You probably won't get 10-1 again on her anytime soon. Ridden by Julien Leparoux, Wonder Ride was never far back, but the jockey remained patient. She got rolling near the top of the stretch, split horses and then took over in the final yards to win by a half-length over race favorite Stellamaris (Catalina Cruiser). She covered the distance in 1:24.60.

“We weren't surprised at all,” McPeek said. “She's done everything from the beginning really well.”

That Wonder Ride was able to sit behind horses and allow her jockey to be patient was exactly what McPeek was expecting.

“We want them to sit behind horses and learn to relax,” he said. “I think Julien had the chance to take the bait and send her up in there but he stayed steady and relaxed. That's my typical instructions to my riders. Be patient with young horses and teach them to finish. She's learned her lessons and she's fast and smart. I think she wants to go longer than this.”

Wonder Ride is owned by Scott Leeds's Walking L Thoroughbreds. Leeds is the co-breeder along with Fest Miles. Leeds owned and McPeek trained Wonder Ride's dam, Wonderment (Cosmonaut), the winner of the GIII Bourbonette Oaks.

“Scott has put a lot of heart, energy and money into this game and now he has this filly who has been training like a really good thing,” McPeek said. “I really need to get him a Grade I winner. Fingers crossed, maybe this one is the one. He puts a lot of energy into this game.”

Just a week earlier, Leeds sold Wonder Ride's full sister at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale for $650,000.

1st-Saratoga, $111,300, Msw, 8-13, 2yo, f, 7f, 1:24.60, ft, 1/2 length.
WONDER RIDE (f, 2, Gun Runner–Wonderment {GSW, $394,870}, by Cosmonaut) went off as the 10-1 shot in this debut and though she bobbled at the start, the first timer rated along the rail just off the speed up the backstretch. Rounding the far turn, the gray filly built a head of steam, was initially in tight at the eighth pole, but once she tipped to the outside, she ran on nicely to win by half a length over the favorite Stellamaris (Catalina Cruiser). The winner, whose yearling full-sister was bought for $650,000 by Barstool's Dave Portnoy at last week's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, is out of a GIII Bourbonette Oaks winning dam who visited Medaglia d'Oro for next year. Third dam SP Video Babe (T.V. Commercial), a half-sister to GII Forego H. hero Ziggy's Boy (Danzig), is responsible for MGISW Videogenic (Caucasus). Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Walking L Thoroughbreds, LLC; B-Walking L Thoroughbreds LLC & Fest Miles (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek.

The post A Winning Ride For Wonder Ride In Spa Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Those figures were revealed by representatives of the two tracks Thursday during a meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory committee.

The Churchill MSW purses for this year's two fall meets (Sep. 14-Oct. 1 and Oct. 29-Nov. 26) have been unchanged since 2020.

In 2020, Churchill offered split MSW purse values in September-$97,000 during the pandemic-rescheduled GI Kentucky Derby week, then $75,000 for the balance of that month. In November 2020, Churchill's MSW races were $85,000.

Keeneland's fall meet this year spans Oct. 6-28. The MSW races there were worth $84,000 back in 2021. In 2020 they were $70,000 after the track lost the entire April meet to COVID-19 and instead ran during July.

The KTDF is funded by three-quarters of 1% of all money wagered on both live Thoroughbred races and historical horse race (HHR) gaming, plus 2% of all money wagered on Thoroughbred races via inter-track wagering and whole-card simulcasting.

The KTDF advisory committee approved the recommendation of the fall meet allotment requests that the Churchill and Keeneland MSW purse estimates were based on. The full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission still has to vote on final approval of that funding.

The post Fall MSW Purses At Churchill ($120k), Keeneland ($100k) To Be Level With ’22 Money appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The bay colt settled mid-pack as the leaders tried to slow the pace down the backstretch. Into the far turn, Taking Candy looked for running room along the rail, cut to the three path at the top of the lane, but finding a gap past the eighth pole, dove towards the fence and rallied past 2-1 favorite St. Neots (Flintshire {GB}) for a 1 3/4-length victory.

Second dam Winning Call (Deputy Minister) is responsible for the terribly missed GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Tapizar (Tapit) and his full-sister Tamboz, who produced the likes of GISP Creative Minister (Creative Cause) and MGSP Oceanwave (Harlan's Holiday).

The winner is his dam's first offspring, but the $200,000 '19 Fasig-Tipton Winter sale purchase by KatieRich Farms has produced an unraced 2-year-old named Rascality (Into Mischief). That filly, who worked out at Santa Anita on Sunday going three furlongs (:38.40, 21/31), was bought by Legacy Ranch at the '22 Fasig-Tipton October Yearling sale for $190,000. Taking Aim also has yearling filly by Speightstown.

Sales History: $155,000 Ylg '21 FTKJUL; $400,000 2yo '22 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $70,050. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Lael Stables; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux.

The post Son Of Twirling Candy Swipes Churchill Finale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Violence’s Arden’s Assault Alone On The Wire To Break Her Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Those figures were disclosed by representatives of those tracks Wednesday during a meeting of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) advisory committee.

The projected Ellis MSW purses will be a boost from the $60,000 offered in 2022.

Kentucky Downs will remain year-over-year level at $150,000 after last bumping up MSW purses from $135,000 in 2021.

Ellis will be running its first meet under the ownership of the gaming company Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI), which last September announced a $79-million buy of Kentucky's only Thoroughbred venue in the western part of the state.

Ellis executives said changes for 2023 will include an attempt to run nine races daily instead of eight.

The Ellis racing secretary, Dan Bork, said the stakes program will also be importing the GIII Pucker Up S., which had formerly been run at Arlington International Racecourse until CDI shuttered the historic Chicago track in 2021.

In 2022, the Pucker Up was initially scheduled to be run as part of the GI Arlington Million undercard at Churchill Downs. But the nine-furlong turf race for 3-year-old fillies was one of two races scrapped in an effort to preserve Churchill's slow-to-grow, new $10-million grass course.

Bork said moving the race to Ellis will come with a purse increase to $300,000 from last year's scheduled $200,000, and will place that stakes as the centerpiece of a two-day, seven-stakes turf weekend Aug. 5-6. The remaining six grass stakes will all have purses of at least $200,000.

As far as facility improvements, Jeff Inman, the Ellis general manager, said there is a lot of work going into the “water and drainage situation” that has long been a problem at Ellis.

“Churchill is taking some major steps to come up with a whole solution as opposed to the piecemeal ones that we have done in the past,” Inman said.

Inman also noted that “continued construction work on the grandstands” will start Apr. 6. “We are currently working on our entryway canopy to make a more pleasing entrance.”

CDI will be rebranding the Ellis simulcast presentation to standardize the signal with other tracks in its corporate portfolio, including transferring on-air talent from Churchill Downs to Ellis.

A new video board will be installed in the Ellis infield.

Kentucky Downs will race seven days again in 2023 after going from six dates to seven in 2022.

Ted Nicholson, the senior vice president and general manager at Kentucky Downs, said to expect the standard 10 or 11 races on weekdays, and 11 or 12 on weekends.

Nicholson said the hotel on the property will finally be open for the first time during a race meet.

Nicholson said Kentucky Downs “had tornado damage on a couple barns, so we're in the process of shoring those up.”

A new horsemen's “perch” is being built for 2023. Nicholson said it will be located between the paddock and the stewards' stand, with the weighing-in scale for riders being moved elsewhere to fit in the two-story, 25-by-25-foot viewing stand.

“It will allow for horsemen to go up and watch the race and get a better bird's-eye view of it than what they've been getting,” Nicholson said.

The KTDF advisory committee approved the recommendation of allotment requests that the Ellis and Kentucky Downs purse estimates were based on, but the full Kentucky Horse Racing Commission still has to vote on final approval of the funding.

The post MSW Projections: Ellis $70,000, Kentucky Downs $150,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

HEJAZI (c, 3, Bernardini–G Note, by Medaglia d'Oro), the $3,550,000 EASMAY sale-topper, finally got the monkey off his back Sunday, winning a rescheduled maiden special weight contest at Santa Anita. Bested by SW Classical Cat (Mendelssohn) after a slow start when first seen at Del Mar Aug. 20, it took a track-record setting effort by stablemate and GSW Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) to best him again Sept. 10. Third in a Bob Baffert exacta topped by Cave Rock (Arrogate) in the GI American Pharoah S., Hejazi returned to the favorite's role in an overmatched field Sunday as the 1-2 favorite. Breaking just a half-step slow from the inside gate, Mike Smith allowed his mount to move up to set the tempo with Sully (Uncle Mo) pressuring to his outside. Still in command as he swung for home, Hejazi had enough of a gap built up through the final sixteenth to safely hold off a closing Worcester and win by 1 1/4 lengths.

“We gave him some time, gave him a chance to re-boot,” said winning trainer Bob Baffert. “We wanted to get some weight back on him. We put him through a pretty ambitious (three-race sequence). Mike got him to relax a little bit. Once I saw him out there cruising… We're gonna have fun with him.”

G Note, herself a half-sister to the dams of GSW Un Ojo (Laoban) and SW & GSP Fingal's Cave (Carpe Diem), traces back to MGISW Antespend (Spend a Buck) and GI Florida Derby winner Friends Lake (A.P. Indy). She produced a 2-year-old colt by Practical Joke, a yearling colt by Improbable, and was barren to Rock Your World for 2023. Sales History: $3,550,000 2yo '22 EASMAY. Lifetime Record: GISP, 4-1-2-1, $108,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-Zedan Racing Stables, Inc.; B-Chester & Mary R. Broman (NY); T-Bob Baffert.

The post High-Priced Hejazi Breaks Maiden At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

ADORA (f, 2, Into Mischief–Southern Ring {MGSW-Can, SP-USA, $343,998}, by Speightstown) was heavily favored in this debut and ran to the money with a decisive graduation. Dueling on the front end early, the $450,000 FTSAUG buy sauntered clear with ease in the lane to win by 4 3/4 lengths in :52.41. Delilah's Revenge (Good Magic) closed greenly late to get the better of a photo for second at 44-1 for her freshman sire (by Curlin).

The victress is her young dam's second foal with a 3-year-old unraced older sister named Ladywearsthering (Uncle Mo) the only other of racing age. She has a yearling full-brother on record and their dam is expecting a foal by Authentic this season. Adora hails from a productive female family being out of MGSW Southern Ring (Speightstown), herself a daughter of a stakes-winning full-sister to Canadian Champion 3-year-old filly Catch The Ring (Seeking the Gold). The aforementioned filly produced another Canadian champion with her daughter Catch the Thrill (A. P. Indy) securing juvenile honors and who went on to produce a pair of stakes fillies.

This is the family of Messier (Empire Maker), Forest Uproar (Forest Wildcat) and no less than 25 black-type earners. Sales history: $450,000 Ylg '21 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $47,886. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

O-Tracy Farmer; B-Sam-Son Farm (ON); T-Mark E. Casse.

The post Pricey Into Mischief Filly Scores at Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

The post Speightster Filly Impresses at Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post