Every week, the TDN publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky.

 Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where.

California

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Edwin Maldonado, jockey
Penalty: $750
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Edwin Maldonado is fined $750.00 for violation of California Horse
Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–second offense within the past 60 days) during the fourth race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Tyler Baze, jockey
Penalty: $1,000
Violation: Excessive use of the whip
Explainer: Jockey Tyler Baze is fined $1,000.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1688(b)(8) (Use of Riding Crop–more than six times–third offense within the past 60 days) during the seventh race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022.

Track: Santa Anita
Date: 02/06/2022
Licensee: Drayden Van Dyke, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Drayden Van Dyke, who rode Disco Ball in the third race at Santa Anita Park on Feb. 5, 2022, is suspended for three racing days (Feb. 13, 18 and 19, 2022) for failure to make the proper effort to maintain a straight course in the stretch, causing interference which resulted in the disqualification of his mount from first to second. This constitutes a violation of California Horse Racing Board rule #1699 (Riding Rules–Careless Riding). Pursuant to California Horse Racing Board rule #1766 (Designated Races), the term of suspension shall not prohibit participation in designated races.

Florida

The following rulings were reported on the ARCI's “Recent Rulings” webpage. All but one of the rulings, however, show “no penalty” for the medication violations. According to a spokesperson for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the rulings that indicate “no penalty” are from samples collected prior to May 20, 2021, when the Division adopted new testing procedures on the back of litigation.
“As a result of litigation, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering developed and adopted new administrative rules regarding testing methodologies, measurement uncertainties, and screening limits for racehorses. These new requirements have been in effect since May 20, 2021,” the spokesperson wrote.
“Cases involving samples collected prior to that date were resolved pursuant to negotiated agreements between the Division and trainers. Relying on these new requirements, the
Division continues to help protect the safety and welfare of racehorses and the integrity of the races themselves,” the spokesperson added.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Oscar Gonzalez, trainer
Penalty: $500 fine and 15-day suspension
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – 2021-053658 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. $500 fine 15-day suspension (dates to be determined). “SPECIAL MEISTER”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 02/03/2022
Licensee: Benny Cadahia, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Stipulation and Consent Order – Case #2021-003167 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = ALBUTEROL. NO PENALTY “ULTRACONFIDENT”
The following were displayed on the ARCI's “recent rulings” webpage but have subsequently been removed. The TDN, however, confirmed their veracity with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2021-003148 – F.S. -550.2415 – Violation = Clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “RESIDENT”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2021-013088 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = Clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “HAPPY CHAMP”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-03789 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY. “CREA'S BKLYN LAW”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Darien Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent order – Case #2019-012095 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY. “GENERAL PADDY”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Ricko Maragh, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order Case #2019-002516 – F.S. – 550.2415 – NO PENALTY. “VINNIE VAN GO”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Anthony Quartarolo, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2019-015584 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = dexamethasone. NO PENALTY. “MISS HEART”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-022161 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY “MI TRES POR CIENTO”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2020-054352 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “AYCAPOTE”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2021-005604 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = methocarbamol. NO PENALTY “DIAMONDS ENJOY”
Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2021-016608 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = flunixin, phenylbutazone. NO PENALTY “COLTONSTHEADMIRAL”

Track: Gulfstream Park
Date: 01/31/2022
Licensee: Peter Walder, trainer
Penalty: N/A
Violation: Medication/drug violation
Explainer: Consent Order – Case #2019-027648 – F.S. 550.2415 – violation = clenbuterol. NO PENALTY “DIZZY GILLESPIE”

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Suspended were Georgina Baxter, Rohan Crichton, Daniel Pita, Peter Walder and Gilberto Zerpa. The suspensions range from 10 to 40 days depending on the number of violations a trainer and went into effect Oct. 1. Gulfstream did not identify the length of each trainer's suspension. The trainers also have been fined $1,000 per violation, with the money going directly to support Thoroughbred aftercare initiatives.

Gulfstream Park enacted the restriction on clenbuterol as a house rule at the beginning of the 2019/2020 championship meet to further address and implement improved safety, transparency and accountability standards.

“As we have said before, individuals who do not embrace the rules and safety measures that put horse and rider safety above all else will have no place at any 1/ST racetrack,” said Aidan Butler, chief operating officer, 1/ST Racing, which owns Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita, Pimlico, Laurel Park, and Golden Gate Fields.  “At 1/ST we are committed to achieving the highest standard of horse care and safety. We expect that the stakeholders who race and train at our facilities share in that commitment.”

Horses entered by the suspended trainers will be scratched and they will not be permitted to enter any horse they train for any race at 1/ST Racing venues until the completion of the suspension.

On Oct. 1, six horses were listed as stewards scratches, including three trained by Crichton, two by Baxter, and one by Walder.

To return to racing, the horses must also submit to follow up testing and have clean blood and urine samples. The twelve affected horses will be permitted to train as a part of their daily care and exercise routines.

Because of the absence of a racing commission and deregulation imposed by former Gov. Rick Scott, many of the rules that govern Florida racing are done by the racetracks in the way of house rules. It isn't clear if suspensions resulting from violation of house rules are automatically recognized by other racing states. Gulfstream Park did not indicate whether a suspended trainer's horses (those that did not test positive) would be allowed to race under the name of another trainer during the period of suspension.

Additional barns have been tested, with results pending.

Click here for the current Gulfstream Park Condition Book Rules.

The post Gulfstream Park Suspends Five Trainers For Violating Clenbuterol Policy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Trained by Brittany Russell, Wondrwherecraigis enters the six-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up who have not won a graded race in 2021 from a 5 3/4-length optional claiming score on July 18 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Md.

The 4-year-old dark bay or brown son of Munnings, who garnered a 102 Beyer Speed Figure in his most recent effort, returns to stakes company on the NYRA circuit after being disqualified from second to third in the Gold Fever in July 2020 at Belmont Park ahead of finishing fourth behind three next-out winners in the Grade 2 Amsterdam last August at Saratoga.

Wondrwherecraigis is owned by Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, The Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.

“It was a big race. He's doing really well,” said Russell. “We figured we would take a look. It looks like the race will set up for him, so we're shipping him up and giving him a chance.”

Jockey Sheldon Russell will ride from post 5.

Trainer Ray Handal will saddle last-out stakes winner Foolish Ghost, who defeated his New York-bred counterparts in the John Morrissey on July 29. The son of Mineshaft was claimed by Handal and owner Ken Russell and Richard Newman Racing last August and has since won four times for his current trainer.

“He's doing well,” Handal said. “There aren't too many sprints for him in the northeast area. On his best day, he can run with some of the good ones, so we'll see.”

Jockey Joel Rosario retains the mount from post 6.

Daniel Alonso's Wind of Change arrives at the Tale of the Cat off a sharp win in the Mr. Prospector on May 29 at Monmouth Park for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. The Brazilian-bred Forestry bay seeks his sixth stakes victory, which include four triumphs at such level in his native land.

Jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. will ride from post 4.

My Boy Tate will seek a sixth stakes victory for Little Red Feather Racing and trainer, breeder, and co-owner Michelle Nevin. The 7-year-old son of Boys At Tosconova was second in the 2018 and 2020 Tale of the Cat.

Breaking from post 1, My Boy Tate will be ridden by Manny Franco.

Multiple stakes-winner Bon Raison [post 3, Jorge Vargas, Jr.] seeks a non-consecutive win in the Tale of the Cat, previously scoring in 2019. Trained by Jack Sisterson, Bon Raison brags the highest bankroll in the field with $685,874.

Completing the field is David Bernsen's Shashashakemeup [post 2, Ricardo Santana, Jr.], a four-time winner for trainer Peter Walder.

The Tale of the Cat is carded as Race 9 on Friday's 10-race program at Saratoga Race Course. First post is 1:05 p.m. Saratoga Live will present daily television coverage of the summer meet on FOX Sports. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule.

The post Russell Brings Wondrwherecraigis To Saratoga In Search Of First Stakes Win appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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On Aug. 11, 2020, the Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering (DPMW) filed a complaint against trainer Peter R. Walder after the state's testing laboratory at the University of Florida detected 74.5 picograms of clenbuterol in the post-race blood sample of Crea's Bklyn Law, winner of the 11^th race at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Fla., on July 11.

The lab notified DPMW director Louis Trombetta on July 28. Typically, a case will then get assigned to an attorney within the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, a complaint is filed and a state investigator is directed to serve the trainer with the complaint.

Under Florida law, the state has 90 days from the date the alleged violation occurred to begin prosecution. If the state has not begun to prosecute the case within 90 days, it's dropped. According to Florida Statute 550.2415 (4), “Service of an administrative complaint marks the commencement of administrative action.”

Walder said he was never served with the complaint because he was out of state when process servers began to visit his stable at Gulfstream Park last summer.

“A detective came to my barn a few times and my assistant told them, 'He's in Saratoga.'” Walder said. “They called and said they need to see me, that they need to give me some papers.”

Officials could have hired a process server in New York to serve Walder with the complaint, but apparently never did.

“They knew where I was,” Walder said. “I was at my barn every day in Saratoga, barn 15. Do you think I'm going to go running to them so they can serve me?”

At one point, Walder said, an investigator “tried handing something to my assistant (at Gulfstream Park), but that wasn't me.”

As the clock starting winding down to the 90-day cutoff, Walder added, officials became more agitated. “One guy cursed out my assistant, calling him a liar and saying I was hiding somewhere in the barn. They couldn't find me because I wasn't there, but it's not like I was hiding.”

On Oct. 8, Walder said, while at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, he contacted a state official in Florida and said he would be returning to Gulfstream Park that weekend. The following day, Friday, Oct 9, was the 90^th day after the alleged July 11 violation. By Saturday, Oct. 10, the case would have to be closed.

Or would it?

Patrick R. Fargason, deputy communications director for the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, said the Crea's Bklyn Law case remains open, despite Walder's insistence that he has not been served with the complaint.

“The administrative complaint in this case was effectively served,” Fargason wrote in an email, without further explanation.

That's news to Walder.

“I've never signed anything,” he said. “The law states that they have to give (the complaint) to the trainer. By their letter of the law, the 90 days is up.”

Walder has another clenbuterol complaint, this one filed on Feb. 5 for Resident, who was found to have 246 picograms of the bronchodilator in a urine sample taken after the horse won the seventh race on Dec. 27, 2020, at Gulfstream Park.

Attorney Bradford Beilly is handling that case for Walder and said he has requested a split sample after the complaint was served within 90 days of the alleged violation.

Walder, who's won the last seven races at Gulfstream Park in which he's had a runner, said he stopped using clenbuterol at the end of 2020. Gulfstream instituted house rules prior to the championship meet that began Dec. 2 requiring a prescription for its use and a negative drug test prior to being entered to race for any horse administered the drug.

“I don't use it anymore,” Walder said. “You can't get it from the manufacturer anymore and I refuse to use the compounded stuff.”

Walder said some will try to connect his win streak with clenbuterol. He insists that is not the case, that he's always been a streaky trainer and has gone through both long slumps and hot spells. Walder said he's one of a handful of trainers who “aggressively” play the claiming game. “I'm getting good rides and have patient owners and great help,” he said. “You can't do anything without good help.”

The post Is Florida Clenbuterol Positive An Open Or Shut Case? appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“Everything is clicking. The right races are coming at the right time. Horses are just doing good,” Walder said. “The game is a rollercoaster. I'm a streaky trainer to begin with. I don't want to curse myself, but I might go 0-for-the-next month. I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.”

Walder saddled one winner from one starter last Wednesday and last Thursday before going 3-for-3 Friday and scoring with his only starter on Saturday.

Walder's streak of winning starters was also broken in Race 2 when stablemate Surf Shack finished second, a neck behind High Heater. However, the veteran trainer can extend a winning-races streak with Time to Two Step in Friday's Race 2.

Gaffalione Notches Career Win No. 1500 at Gulfstream
Tyler Gaffalione has notched yet another career milestone at Gulfstream Park, where he rode his 1,500th winner while guiding Awesome Pudding to a debut victory in Wednesday's Race 4, a six-furlong dash for $50,000 maiden claimers.

The 26-year-old native of Davie, Fla., rode his first winner, Holdin Bullets, at Gulfstream September 7, 2014, and reached the 1,000-win milestone Aboard Mission From Elle at the Hallandale Beach track Dec. 30, 2018.

Gaffalione, who won the Eclipse Award as the nation's leading apprentice while riding full time at Gulfstream in 2015, teamed with trainer Ralph Nicks for three victories on Wednesday's program.  They scored back-to-back victories with Shoug ($5.60) in Race 3 and Awesome Pudding ($28.60) in Race 4 before winning Race 6 with Dassult Mirage ($9).

“I've been so fortunate during my career. I've always gotten tremendous support from the owners and trainers. I owe a lot to my agent Matt Muzikar. These horses keep showing up,” Gaffalione said. “I'm just living the dream.”

Tyler also holds a share of the Gulfstream Park record for most wins on a card, becoming only the second jockey with seven winners July 4, 2017. Jerry Bailey (3/11/1996), Luis Saez (1/24/2018 and 3/29/2018) and Paco Lopez (3/11/2020) have also ridden seven winners in a day.

Thursday's Rainbow 6 Jackpot Pool Guaranteed at $300,000

Gulfstream Park's 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot pool will be guaranteed at $300,000 Thursday.

The popular multi-race wager went unsolved for the second racing day since a lucky bettor broke the jackpot for $712,824.06 Saturday. Multiple tickets with all six winners were each worth $5,000.14 Wednesday.

The jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

WHO'S HOT:  Irad Ortiz Jr. reached the 100-win plateau for the Championship Meet while riding Fulmini ($6) to victory in Race 10. The two-time defending titlist also scored aboard Kate's Kingdom ($11) in Race 1.

The post Gulfstream Park: Walder Win Streak Hits Seven, Gaffalione Reaches 1,500 Milestone; Thursday’s Rainbow Jackpot Has $300,000 Guaranteeth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The sequence included the Royal Delta (G3), won by longshot Queen Nekia who returned $60.60, and eighth-race winner Quantum Leap, who returned $47.20.

There will be a guaranteed pool Sunday of $200,000.

The jackpot pool is only paid out when there is a single unique ticket sold with all six winners. On days when there is no unique ticket, 70 percent of that day's pool goes back to those bettors holding tickets with the most winners, while 30 percent is carried over to the jackpot pool.

WHO'S HOT:  Trainer Peter Walder extended his hot streak of consecutive winners to six Saturday, visiting the winner's circle with Northern ($9.80) in Race 5 and Ludington ($13.60) in Race 6. Corey Lanerie was aboard for both victories.

Walder won with his only starter Thursday and notched a three-win day from three starters on Friday.

Jockey Corey Lanerie, who won the Royal Delta (G3) aboard 25-1 shot Queen Nekia ($60.60), also won aboard Northern and Ludington.

The post $712,824 Rainbow 6 Payout At Gulfstream Park appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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“I was a little worried at the three-eighths pole, because (Newyearsblockparty) was going between horses and I had to start working,” Camacho said after posting a 2 ¾-length victory aboard the 13-10 favorite at the Oldsmar, Fla., track. “But I hit him once at the top of the stretch and he responded, and when he switched leads in the stretch it was 'Bye.'”

Nova Rags completed the seven-furlong distance of the $125,000 Pasco Stakes in 1:24.55 on a fast track. Newyearsblockparty continued on willingly under jockey Jose Ferrer, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of Foreman in the 23rd running of the 3-year-old event.

The victory was the second from three lifetime starts for the Michael Shanley-bred and owned Nova Rags, who showed signs he will enjoy going even farther as he continues his development.

Nova Rags' performance was one of numerous highlights on a partly sunny, windy Skyway Festival Day afternoon. In the previous race, the 37th running of the $125,000 Gasparilla Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, Special Princess staged a whirlwind rally on the outside to forge a dead heat with pace-setter Adios Trippi.

Both Special Princess and Adios Trippi are Florida-breds, meaning both earned $32,500 through additional money provided by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association. Special Princess, bred and owned by J D Farms and trained by Walter Woodard, was ridden by Ademar Santos.

Adios Trippi, who is owned in partnership by Paradise Farms Corp., Brian Hanley, Greg Boyer, Scott Estes and Walder Racing, is trained by Peter Walder and was ridden by Antonio Gallardo.

The co-winners finished in a time of 1:24.89. Feeling Mischief, the betting favorite, flattened out through the stretch, finishing third.

In the third main-track stakes on the card, the 37^th running of the $50,000 Wayward Lass for older fillies and mares, heavy favorite Lucky Stride wore down her competition to post a 2 ¼-length victory from On the Town. Estilo Talentoso finished third.

Gallardo rode Lucky Stride for owner Sonata Stable and trainer Michael Trombetta. The winner's time was 1:44.24, .97 seconds off the stakes record set in 2019 by Tapa Tapa Tapa.

Meanwhile, the Pasco victory by Nova Rags, a son of Union Rags out of the Smart Strike mare Wishful Splendor, should open more doors for the colt who finished fourth in his previous start, the Grade 3 Nashua Stakes at Aqueduct in November. “It's what we were hoping for,” said Mott's assistant, Mark Schreiber. “His last race was a little disappointing, but he was kind of shying from horses on the outside of him and he needed to mature a little.

“Samy rode him perfectly today and it looks like he will stretch out. All along, Bill (Mott) saw a lot in this horse,” Schreiber said.

All of the winning connections were ecstatic after the Gasparilla, even though a solo victory is always preferable. The victory was the first career stakes triumph for Woodard and the first stakes triumph at Tampa Bay Downs for Santos.

“This puts me on the map,” Woodard exulted. “I told everyone before the race they were going to know (Special Princess) was there, and Ademar did a hell of a job. She's really come into herself and I was very confident coming into the race.”

Santos was riding Special Princess for the first time, but he'd noticed she had started slow in her two previous Oldsmar starts and suggested to Woodard they work her from the starting gate a few days before the race to put more speed into her. “She broke a lot better today and got the job done,” Santos said. “I thought we beat (Adios Trippi), but it feels good because you don't have too many chances to ride this kind of horse. I told the pony rider to turn her loose in the post parade and she put her head down and got busy, and I knew she had her mind on business.”

Woodard and Santos had teamed to win the previous race on the card, the fifth, with 3-year-old claiming filly Peaceful Way, also owned by J D Farms.

Walder, who engineered the private purchase of Adios Trippi after her impressive maiden score Oct. 5 at Parx Racing in Philadelphia, was, like Woodard, just this side of over the moon after the result was posted.

“This is the happiest I've ever been for a dead-heat. I thought (Special Princess) nailed her, but my filly ran an awesome race because she took the beating up front (posting demanding fractions of 22.57 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 45.65 for the half),” Walder said.

“She just ran against a tough group at Gulfstream two weeks ago (finishing third in the Cash Run Stakes) and it was kind of a quick turnaround, but I liked the idea of wheeling her back from a mile to seven furlongs. She's getting better with each race,” Walder said.

Gallardo shared Walder's excitement. “She did the job, and it's better than second,” he said.

Lucky Stride improved to 9-for-16 with her Wayward Lass victory. “She hasn't done a darn thing wrong since we got her,” said Trombetta, who watched from Gulfstream Park. He had taken over her training last summer but had yet to win with her in four starts, all in stakes competition. “We tried her on turf a couple of times and she did fine, but we'd put this race on the calendar a while back and it worked out.”

Lucky Stride, who trailed by as much as 11 or 12 lengths in the early going, benefited from a quick pace set by long shot No Mercy Percy (who held on well for fourth), but Gallardo wasn't sure if she would get the job done as On the Town and Estilo Talentoso both finished with good energy. “I had to work with her. Michael told me she was kind of a one-paced horse, and I had to stay on top of her the whole time. But when I put her in the clear, she finished strong,” Gallardo said.

“She got floated out so wide on the turn, I was worried she wouldn't be able to get there,” Trombetta said. “It was very nice to see her finish so well.”

The post Tampa Bay Downs: Union Rags Colt Nova Rags Rallies To Win Pasco For Mott appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Not only was this a day when a horse claimed six weeks ago for $6,250 could win an $80,000 race, but this was also a day when a Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) runner-up could prep for the $3-million Pegasus World Cup (G1).

“No question, this event has evolved,” said Dan Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA). “I thought Saturday's fields, from top to bottom, were some of the best we ever had.”

Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), which partners with TOBA on the Claiming Crown, believes the event is looked upon differently now that it is at Gulfstream.

“I believe in the past some people looked at it as a year-end blowout. But I see it as the launch of a new year,” Hamelback said. “The Breeders' Cup kind of wraps up the year. But because it's at Gulfstream, and the opening weekend of the Championship Meet, I think it's become the beginning of a new year. I think if it was earlier in the fall or summer, you wouldn't have the buildup or the quality you have. The job [vice president of racing] Mike [Lakow], [stakes coordinator] Eric Friedman and, of course [executive director of Florida racing operations] Billy Badgett did was incredible.”

In the nine years the Claiming Crown has been held at Gulfstream, handle on the day's program has increased each year. Prior to 2012, the largest handle on the previous 13 Claiming Crown programs – Claiming Crown races only – was $4,906,096. On the nine Claiming Crown races held at Gulfstream Saturday, handle was $12,074,238.

“The support of the fans who set a record for total wagering is a testament to the competitive and quality fields,” Metzger said.

Along with Breeders' Cup Mile runner-up Jesus' Team prepping for the Pegasus World Cup with a victory in the $150,000 Jewel, there were 10 other horses that won or placed in graded stakes participating in the Claiming Crown. In total, there were 108 horses entered in the nine Claiming Crown races.

“When the card was drawn we knew we had something special to offer,” said Lakow.

Along with those graded-stakes winners and placed horses, there were also stories like Descente, claimed for $6,520 in October, winning the $80,000 Glass Slipper; the 55-1 longshot High Noon Rider winning the $95,000 Emerald; the promising 3-year-old Fiya remaining undefeated on turf winning the Canterbury; and the former $16,000 claimer Krsto Skye winning the $75,000 Express.

“I think at the beginning not a lot of people targeted [the Claiming Crown],” said trainer Peter Walder, who won his second consecutive Glass Slipper with Descente. “But now that it's at Gulfstream, a lot of people are shipping in for the Championship Meet, and there's a lot of owners who want to come here. Why wouldn't you?”

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The Canterbury was one of nine stakes in the 22nd edition of the Claiming Crown, an annual event that pays tribute to claiming horses that provide the backbone of day-to-day racing programs at racetracks throughout the country.

Tom Albertrani-trained Fiya was in control throughout the five-furlong turf race for horses that started for a claiming price of $25,000 or lower in 2019-2020, scoring by 1 ½ lengths while providing jockey Luis Saez with his fifth of six victories on Saturday's program.

“He really is an incredible turf horse, since we've seen him go from dirt to turf, he just does things so easily,” Albertrani said. “From the first day I got him in the barn, I fell in love with him. He got my attention right away and looked like a superstar.”

Fiya broke cleanly from his No. 1 post position and quickly opened a clear lead on the backstretch and was never threatened thereafter.

“He's a special horse. When I rode him for the first time at Belmont, he showed me a lot of ability. I couldn't wait to be on him today,” Saez said. “He broke from there fast and took the lead. I know he was rolling, but he loves to run. I just let him run into the stretch and he just took off by himself.”

Fiya, who ran five furlongs in 55.63 seconds, finished second and third on dirt in his first two career starts at Laurel, where he came back to break his maiden in his turf debut and  win an allowance race. Purchased for $400,000 during the July 2020 Wanamaker's Online Auction and transferred to Albertrani, Fiya captured a Belmont allowance and the Maryland Million Turf Sprint at Laurel before capturing the Canterbury.

“Competition-wise for Claiming Crown, this was a good group of horses. He's an impressive horse,” Albertrani said. “Every time he runs, he just seems to run better and better. I think we'll give him a break now and bring him back later next year.”

Fully Loaded, who was closest in pursuit of Fiya throughout the race, finished second 1 ¼ lengths ahead of Harry's Ontheloose.

Jakarta Rallies to Win Distaff Dash
Three Diamonds Farm's Jakarta, third in the Buffalo Trace Franklin County (G3) in October, rallied under jockey Luis Saez to win the Distaff Dash, covering five furlongs in :56.48 over a firm turf course.

A 5-year-old mare who won the Powder Break over this course in May, Jakarta provided trainer Mike Maker with his record 18^th victory in the Claiming Crown.

“Claiming Crown is always a fun day, a little different without fans this year,” Maker said. “I was glad to do it with Jakarta. She's been a great filly for us all year, so it's very rewarding. She didn't get away today as quick as she usually does, but her class prevailed.”

Jakarta raced third entering the turn behind the pacesetter My Sarasota Star before driving to the lead inside the final eighth. It was Jakarta's eighth victory in 18 starts. The Distaff Dash was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 less in 2019-20.

Jakarta, who returned $3.60, was 2 ¼ lengths in front of Unaquoi, who rallied from 10^th for the place. Thinkin Cowtown was third.

Walder's $6,250 Claim Wins $80,000 Glass Slipper
Walder Racing's Descente, claimed for $6,250 Oct. 18, drove past favored stablemate and defending champion Liza Star around the turn to win the $80,000 Glass Slipper by 3 ¾ lengths. Don't Get Khozy was second and Sky Chaser third.

Trained by Peter Walder and ridden by Miguel Vasquez, Descente was rated in second behind Liza Star past an opening quarter in :23.58 before taking the lead around the turn past a :45.89 half mile. The 4-year-old daughter of Bodemeister was driven home from there and returned $9.20.

The filly, who had been claimed in six of her last eight starts, covered the mile in 1:36.99. It was her seventh victory in 24 starts, boosting her earnings to $176,260. The Glass Slipper was for fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $12,500 in 2019-2020. Walder also won the Glass Slipper in 2015 with Moonshine Promise.

Queens Embrace Wears the Tiara
Spedale Family Racing LLC and Flying P Stable's Queen Embrace, claimed out of her last race at Aqueduct for $80,000, provided jockey Luis Saez with his fifth winner of the day, closing from eighth to win the $95,000 Tiara by 2 ¾ lengths over favored Sugar Fix.

Queens Embrace covered the 1 1/16 mile turf course in 1:40.26. It was the 3-year-olds sixth win in 12 starts. The daughter of Real Solution broke her maiden at Tampa in January for a $16,000 claiming tag. The Tiara was open to fillies and mares who had started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less the last two years.

The post Claiming Crown: Fiya Wins Fifth In A Row; Jakarta Rallies In Distaff Dash appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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