Tag: People

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., and the State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill's accredited course designed to expose upper-class students in the Animal Science program to various segments of the Thoroughbred industry started last weekend at Saratoga Race Course.

The visit by students focused on the culmination of the breeding and racing industries and allowed for observation of the finished product during morning training and afternoon races. Students received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Oklahoma Training Track Saturday during training hours led by NYTB President Tom Gallo.

The group spent the afternoon at the races, with visits to the paddock, watching from the rooftop and helping the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.) selected the “Best Turned Out Award” for the day.

“The NYTB, through Tom Gallo's leadership, provided SUNY Cobleskill students an experience at Saratoga Race Course that was second to none,” said Raymond Whelihan, SUNY Cobleskill Associate Professor in Animal Science who collaborated with Gallo to develop the program. “Time spent observing training at the Oklahoma track, lengthy discussion with a Hall of Fame trainer, comped racetrack entry and seats, a roof top view and the opportunity to enter the paddock and select the groom of the day. Every student was enthusiastic and appreciative. What a wonderful way to kick off the new Thoroughbred Industry course at SUNY Cobleskill.”

The pilot program is offered to 15-20 junior undergraduate students that have met prerequisites. The course, which runs from late August to early December, falls in line with the NYTB's goals to make outreach with upper-level science students majoring in equine studies and finding the next generation of the industry's workforce and leaders in racing and breeding.

“When I first introduced the idea of the NYTB educational seminars years ago, along with raising the standard of care and awareness for the general population of the New York breeders, my ultimate goal was to use these seminars for the education of young people who may be interested in coming into our industry,” Gallo said. “This could not have been done without the help of NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson and our forward-thinking board members. With the help of my longtime friend, Ray Whelihan, we were able to put together a program which not only exposes these students to many different aspects of the horse industry in New York, but also allows them to gain college credits for their participation. These are seniors in college, and they have participated in the equine studies program for the length of their college career. This is a targeted-interested and engaged group of students, who hopefully will find one aspect of our industry interesting enough for them to enter with career expectations. I can't tell you how happy I am that this is finally happening.”

The course continues through the remainder of the year, with a guided tour of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame led by legendary announcer Tom Durkin along with a tour Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga in Saratoga Springs in late September. In October, the students will attend the NYTB Annual general membership meeting, educational seminar and the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Sale. The course concludes in November with a tour of a Thoroughbred breeding farm and a visit to Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs.

The post SUNY Cobleskill’s Thoroughbred Industry Course Launches With Behind-The-Scenes Day At Saratoga appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Ancient Rome poked his head out of his stall on a steamy Sunday morning at the isolation barn at Kentucky Downs. The 4-year-old colt looked like a million bucks. How about two?

The day before, the son of War Front had captured the Grade 3, $2 million Mint Millions at the FanDuel Meet at Kentucky Downs and had pocketed the winner's share of $1,176,600, boosting his career earnings to $1,528,247.

The English invader had taken down the richest turf race in the United States outside of the Breeders' Cup with Jamie Spencer also making the trip across the pond to ride him.

On the morning after, there was no big entourage waiting to see the big winner. Trainer Charlie Hills was back home in England; Dr. Jim Hay and his wife Fitri, the owners, were in Budapest when the big horse was rolling down the stretch to win the Mint Millions by a half-length.

Ancient Rome was with 26-year-old Kayleigh Stephens, who calls herself a work rider for Hills. She has been the constant companion of Ancient Rome, who arrived in the United States a couple weeks ago.

They flew from England to Indianapolis and then vanned to Churchill Downs, where they stayed for a week. Then they shipped south to Kentucky Downs, staying here for a week and then taking all the money.

Stephens expected that Ancient Rome would run well in the Mint Millions. But win? If she thought that going in, she wasn't telling anyone.

“When you come out for these trips abroad, it's so tough to know how the horse is going to handle it,” Stephens said after watching Ancient Rome munch on some carrots. “You could have every chance going … but if these horses come out and they don't eat or if they have a setback or things are not straightforward, it's a big change. Routine for these horses is massive.

“To come to another country and completely change their routine is a big ask to say you could be confident about them running well,” she said. “But, I would be silly to say we did not expect it. We hoped for it and we wanted it. We were quietly optimistic.”

What is next for Ancient Rome is unclear. Stephens said the colt will head home to England earlier this week. A return trip to the United States for the Breeders' Cup could certainly be possible, but Stephens said that decision would come from Hills.

Ancient Rome began his career in France, running for Coolmore and trainer Andre Fabre. After being sold to the Hays, Ancient Room eventually came into the Hills barn and the Mint Millions became an end of summer goal.

When he raced in France, the majority of Ancient Rome's starts on grass came on soft courses. Twelve of his 15 lifetime starts have come on wet turf and he has four wins to show for that. Stephens wasn't sure what to expect when they got to Kentucky Downs and found a very firm turf to run on.

“On his breeding, it would suggest he would like the quick ground,” Stephens said. “Soft ground in France is soft ground and he ran pretty well on it. It's pretty hard to say how he would handle it.”

Ancient Rome liked it just fine. Stephens said she was rooting her boy home through the stretch of the Mint Millions. She said she was “cantering home with him.”

“When I watched this turning and he's coming now, and I'm thinking, 'We're going to win this,'” Stephens said. “'No, we can't win this.' 'We're going to win this $2 million race.' It was up and done. You're almost disbelieving. You're thinking, 'We can't do this. We can't do this.' But he did. Full credit to the horse, everybody at home. Great training performance. Great ride.”

Then it was her and the horse afterwards. Following the pictures in the winner's circle, Stephens didn't stick around for any interviews. She immediately led the horse back to the barn. She did that because there was no one else here.

“My main priority was that horse,” Stephens said.

She has been working in the industry for 10 years. She was once a jockey and rode some winners. For the past two years she has worked for Hills. Being at Kentucky Downs was the first time she had ever been to the United States.

So, she and Ancient Rome disappeared from the paddock, made the short walk back to the barn and that was it.

Ancient Rome, who was bred in Kentucky is now 2-for-2 since transferring to Hills' barn. Overall, he has five wins, three seconds and two thirds in 15 starts.

“Brilliant,” Stephens said, looking at her horse. “Could not have expected anything better. Really, he has done all you could ask of him.”

The post ‘You’re Almost Disbelieving’: Work Rider Kayleigh Stephens Enjoyed Career Thrill With Ancient Rome appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has named Beth Bungert to the role of safety steward.

In June, the lead safety position was established to ensure compliance of both Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and KHRC standards and rules at licensed Thoroughbred racetracks and training centers. As safety steward, Bungert will monitor regulatory and safety compliance and ensure that information is being shared with all parties.

Bungert comes to the KHRC with experience in the barns, on the track and in regulatory and administrative positions. In her 20-year career in racing, she has worked as a groom, exercise rider, veterinary assistant, assistant trainer, racing official, and program director at several Kentucky racetracks.

“Safety is the responsibility of everyone involved in racing. Centralized communication between officials, racing participants and track management is a key aspect of both safety and compliance. We're excited to have Beth join us, because she is someone who understands daily operations and can identify potential improvements in safety protocol. And, importantly, she is a long-time horsewoman who cares about the safety of the sport.” said Jamie Eads, executive director of the KHRC.

“This position is the culmination of a career on the racetrack. I have been involved in almost every aspect of racing and look forward to bringing those experiences together for the safety of both horse and rider,” said Bungert.

The safety steward will make recommendations to racetrack management and regulators for the welfare of horses and riders, integrity of racing and compliance with horse racing laws and regulations.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) is an independent agency of state government charged with regulating the conduct of horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing and related activities within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The KHRC is a leader in the welfare of horse and rider and the safety and integrity of horse racing.

The post Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Names Beth Bungert To Role Of Safety Steward appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The race for the training title at Saratoga Race Course came right down to the final race of the 40-day meet that ran from July 13 through Monday ending with Linda Rice finishing in a tie with Chad Brown at 35 wins apiece.

The title was the sixth for Brown at the Spa and the second for Rice, who has dominated the NYRA circuit since last fall, earning the titles at the past four NYRA meetings at Aqueduct fall, Aqueduct winter, Aqueduct spring, and Belmont spring/summer, respectively. Rice entered the day with a two-win deficit behind Brown, but closed the gap with wins from Pioneering Spirit in the Bernard Baruch and Lt. Mitchell in the Race 11 night cap.

“We won three yesterday which gave us a chance,” said Rice. “I thought it was pretty unlikely, but you never know. The day before we were second beaten a neck, fourth beaten a head. But then yesterday after winning three, I thought, 'well, maybe we have a chance.' It's been a tremendous year. A lot of highs and lows in racing. We've all seen them and we've all experienced them. Today was a good day.”

Rice, 59, completed the meet with a record of 147-35-31-23, good for a win percentage of 23.81 and in-the-money rate of 60.54 percent with total purse earnings of $2,640,777. In addition to her score with Pioneering Spirit in the Bernard Baruch, Rice enjoyed an additional stakes win with Ichiban in the state-bred Fleet Indian on August 27.

Rice, who earned the 2009 Spa training title with 20 wins, said both achievements are important to her and her team.

“They were both really special in their own way. You never take the fun out of the first one and, of course, this is a win and a tie at the same time,” said Rice. “It's been a great year, it's been a lot of fun, there's always a little heartache in the middle and would've, could've, should'ves. But it's been a great meet.”

Brown, 44, notched his third consecutive Spa training title with a record of 183-35-41-33 and earnings of $5,487,603, good for a win rate of 19.13 percent and in-the-money percentage of 59.56. His top wins at the meet came with Grade 1 triumphs by Randomized in the Alabama, Whitebeam in the Diana, and Program Trading in the Saratoga Derby Invitational.

“It was a great meet and I'm proud of my team,” said Brown. “The Alabama and Saratoga Derby at the top, those were huge wins. My team persevered through the weather – we had a record number of off-the-turf races and second-places, and they were still able to grind out a tie for the win, which is amazing. Hopefully, we can continue that into the fall.”

Additional stakes wins for Brown came in the Grade 2 Lake Placid [Aspray], Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame [Carl Spackler], Grade 2 Glens Falls [McKulick], Grade 3 Lake George [Surge Capacity] and Grade 3 Saranac [Carl Spackler], as well as the Wilton [Randomized], De La Rose [Technical Analysis] and Evan Shipman [Dr Ardito].

Todd Pletcher finished third with a record of 144-28-19-29.

Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. successfully defended his status as the Spa's leading rider after registering 62 wins to earn the title in a runaway victory over his brother Jose Ortiz [37 wins] and third-place Manny Franco [36 wins]. Irad Ortiz secured his second consecutive Spa riding title after guiding 55 winners last year, and his fifth overall after clinching additional titles in 2015, 2018 and 2020.

“It means a lot, it means everything,” said Ortiz, who is represented by agent Steve Rushing. “It's a special place and it's a lot of work. My agent does a great job and I have big support from trainers and owners.”

The native of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico enjoyed 14 stakes wins at the meet, including Grade 1 scores in the Whitney [White Abarrio], Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap [Elite Power], H. Allen Jerkens Memorial [One in Vermillion] and Spinaway [Brightwork]. He notched additional graded scores in the Grade 2 Shuvee [Nest], Grade 2 Jim Dandy presented by DK Horse [Forte], Grade 2 Glens Falls [McKulick], Grade 3 Caress [Roses for Debra] and Grade 3 Adirondack [Brightwork].

Irad Ortiz also enjoyed stakes wins in the Wilton [Randomized], Quick Call presented by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation [Uncashed], Rick Violette [Ramblin' Wreck], Bolton Landing [Amidst Waves] and Smart N Fancy [Roses for Debra].

He cited his second career Whitney triumph by 6 1/4 lengths with the Rick Dutrow Jr.-trained White Abarrio, as well as a gutsy nose victory by Forte in the Jim Dandy, as key races for him this summer.

“A few of them were very special,” he said. “The Whitney, the Jim Dandy – those are special and they're some good races.”

Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables completed the meet with a 77-22-15-16 record, securing the owners' title over Repole Stable in second [10 wins] with Michael Dubb, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing and St. Elias Stable in a three-way tie for third [7 wins]. With their 22 victories, Klaravich Stables has tied the record for most wins by an owner at a Saratoga meet, which was set by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey in 2013.

Among Klaravich Stables' victories at the meet were Grade 1 triumphs with Program Trading in the Saratoga Derby Invitational and with Randomized in the Alabama, along with additional scores in the Grade 2 Glens Fall [McKulick], Grade 3 Lake George [Surge Capacity], Wilton [Randomized] and De La Rose [Technical Analysis].

Klarman said it was meaningful to earn his first win in the Alabama with Randomized.

“Winning at Saratoga is always special,” said Klarman. “Winning a race that's as historically important as the Alabama will always be a highlight of my ownership career.”

Brown spoke volumes of Klarman, whose six stakes winners at the meet are each trained by Brown.

“He's great,” Brown said. “He's a wonderful client of ours and a good partner – we run it together and I'm happy to see him have so much success with me.”

Klaravich Stables now boasts 23 owners' titles at NYRA tracks, and six consecutive at Saratoga.

The post Rice, Brown Tie For Saratoga Training Title, Irad Ortiz Jr. Dominates For Jockey Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post