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Fingal’s Cave Returns From 432-Day Layoff ‘With Flying Colors’; May Target Races Like Madison, Ruffian

Alifyfe Racing's graded stakes-placed Fingal's Cave appeared to have a daunting task ahead of her when racing from a 432-day layoff against stakes company in Thursday's $100,000 Bay Ridge, but responded to the challenge with ease as she posted a frontrunning 4 3/4-length victory in the one-mile test for New York-bred fillies and mares at Aqueduct Racetrack.

“It [the layoff] was longer, and the plan was to have her back over the summer and it got delayed,” said trainer David Donk. “It was the goal to get to a race and we targeted this race a couple of months ago. Fortunately, she was able to do it and she came through with flying colors.”

Ridden by Jose Lezcano, the 4-year-old Carpe Diem bay was engaged in an early battle for the lead with Bustin Bay through an opening quarter-mile in 23.30 seconds before Venti Valentine was asked to take up second position and apply pressure through a half-mile in 46.52. Fingal's Cave easily shook off her rival at the top of the lane and drew clear when asked by Lezcano, coasting under the wire in a final time of 1:37.45 and earning a 79 Beyer Speed Figure.

“She came out of it well and cooled out well, and it wasn't as hard of a race as I thought it might be,” said Donk. “She galloped out well, too, and I was pleased with it all. It was easy enough and wasn't a hard race on her and she was certainly fit enough to handle it, which is the main thing.”

Fingal's Cave made her first start since a game runner-up effort in the seven-furlong Grade 2 Raven Run last October at Keeneland where she was squeezed at the start and trailed the field 9 1/4 lengths off the pace before moving four-wide into the stretch and making a strong run down the lane. She rallied past all but one foe, finishing four lengths behind the victorious Wicked Halo. Fingal's Cave was later diagnosed with bone bruising and subsequently dealt with a minor foot issue before returning to regular training with Donk at Belmont Park.

Donk said he is still discussing future plans with the filly's owner, but said the Ruffian this spring at Belmont at the Big A could be a long term target. Donk also did not rule out a potential return trip to Keeneland for the Grade 1 Madison on April 6, or a try in the seven-furlong Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie on February 17 at Laurel Park.

“I'm not quite sure what we do from here. The focus is going to be from April to November I think, so we'll see,” said Donk. “There will be a lot of discussion. Maybe it's too far-fetched, but a race that intrigues me is the Ruffian at a flat mile in the beginning of May. [The Madison] is a good possibility – it's not an easy race, but who knows. We'll just have to see. We're just pleased she came back and ran so well.”

Bred in the Empire State by Chester and Mary Broman, Fingal's Cave has banked $370,500 in total purse earnings with wins in 5-of-6 lifetime starts, including an additional state-bred stakes score last August in Saratoga Race Course's Fleet Indian. A $75,000 purchase at the OBS Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Fingal's Cave's third dam is Antespend, a multiple graded stakes-winner who produced Grade 1-winner Friends Lake and graded stakes-winner Seeking the Ante.

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Fingal’s Cave Scores Off 432-Day Layoff In Thursday’s Bay Ridge

Alifyfe Racing's graded stakes-placed Fingal's Cave made a successful return to the races after a 432-day layoff to post a strong victory in Thursday's $100,000 Bay Ridge, a one-mile test for New York-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Trained by David Donk, the 4-year-old daughter of Carpe Diem had not raced since posting a deep-closing runner-up effort after a troubled start in the Grade 2 Raven Run last October at Keeneland, but showed not signs of rust when coasting to a frontrunning victory over multiple graded stakes-placed Venti Valentine.

“432 [days]? I heard someone say the number and I tried not to dwell on it. As a trainer, boy could I have worked her a couple more times,” Donk said, with a laugh. “She's got a lot of class, so I think the class prevails.”

Guided to victory by Jose Lezcano, Fingal's Cave broke evenly from post 2 in the field of six and steadily inched to the front exiting the chute to establish command over the sharp-starting Bustin Bay through an opening quarter-mile in 23.30 over the muddy and sealed main track.

Venti Valentine tracked between Fingal's Cave and Bustin Bay down the backstretch before being asked to take up second position by jockey Manny Franco as Fingal's Cave maintained her advantage and quickened to mark the half-mile in 46.52. Approaching the turn, Fingal's Cave was met with the challenge from Venti Valentine as a patient Bustin Bay reengaged three-wide under Kendrick Carmouche and was asked for her best.

Venti Valentine came under a strong ride from Franco in the turn with Bustin Bay attempting to rally in the three-path, but Lezcano remained motionless aboard a loaded Fingal's Cave into the stretch after three-quarters in 1:11.46. Lezcano shook his reins at the eighth pole and Fingal's Cave responded with aplomb, drawing off strongly from Venti Valentine and pricking her ears just before crossing the wire 4 3/4 lengths in front in a final time of 1:37.45.

Venti Valentine preserved place honors by 1 1/2 lengths over the late-running Cairo Sugar, who bested Bustin Bay by a neck. Know It All Audrey and Sweetie completed the order of finish. Sweet Mystery was scratched.

Donk said he left race tactics in the capable hands of Lezcano.

“I thought there would be more pace. I was satisfied that horses could close today and that it wasn't a biased rail. Sometimes, when it gets wet and dries out, it changes throughout the day. But horses were closing,” Donk said. “I told him to ride her the way he thought was best. Jose is a really good rider and really kind. But she broke sharp and I thought being off the long layoff, she'd be a little fresh. I thought maybe one or two might be in front of her but when she was there, he did the right thing.”

Lezcano, who was aboard for the first time in the afternoon, said Fingal's Cave was highly professional.

“When we broke out of the gate, my filly did everything herself,” Lezcano said. “She's got a lot of class and broke pretty good and put herself there. I didn't ask her for nothing. When I asked her at the quarter [pole] she went on and won the race.

“When I got to the quarter, I still felt I had a lot left in the tank,” Lezcano continued. “When I asked her she went on well. I think she's very classy.”

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, the talented Fingal's Cave has now won 5-of-6 lifetime starts, including an additional state-bred stakes triumph in the Fleet Indian last August at Saratoga Race Course. She earned $55,000 for her Bay Ridge triumph, boosting her total purse earnings to $370,500 while returning $6.20 on a $2 win ticket.

Franco, aboard the Jorge Abreu-trained Venti Valentine, said the multiple stakes-winning daughter of Firing Line gave her best effort with a trip that went to plan.

“I didn't want to be too far [back] – the track was carrying the speed. I was where I wanted to be and I was second best,” said Franco. “She was doing it by her own. She was taking me there. I thought it was Lezcano and me and I wanted to put the pressure, but the filly [Fingal's Cave] was ready.”

Live racing resumes Friday at the Big A with an eight-race card, featuring the $100,000 Alex M. Robb in Race 2. First post is 12:50 p.m. Eastern.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

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Promoting the American Thoroughbred Industry: Letter to the Editor, Justin Casse

During the recent holiday season, I had the opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions with my 13-year-old son, Max, about his future aspirations. As he approaches an age where decisions about higher education and career paths come into focus, we've delved into conversations about his collegiate preferences and professional ambitions.

It is not uncommon for adolescents at this stage to express a desire to emulate the occupational choices of family members. Max, in particular, has conveyed an interest in following in the footsteps of his father, cousin Norm, uncle Mark, and his late grandfather Norman.

Now over the past few days I have had time to reflect on the thoughts and proposals brought forward by Boyd Browning and Nick de Meric. I believe the appropriate route going forward is for American Racing to have a parallel initiative to that of AUSHORSE in Australia. AUSHORSE is the gold standard of Thoroughbred marketing globally. They are frequently advertising the amazing statistics regarding the most buoyant racehorse industry in the world. This is exactly what we need. An enterprise like this would aim to promote the American Thoroughbred industry, encourage investment from both domestic and international sources, and introduce new owners to the excitement of racehorse ownership. Funding the initiative would occur through a small percentage taken from purse structures, sales purchases, or commissions.

This type of initiative could bring several benefits to the American Thoroughbred industry:

Promotion and Branding: A centralized marketing arm can effectively promote the industry, showcasing destinations for racing and sales. As well as the heartfelt stories that occur within our industry (i.e. Cody's Wish) and the amount of jobs it creates and economic impact it has.
International Investment: By actively encouraging investment from overseas, the industry can attract a broader range of participants, boosting competition and raising the profile of American horse racing on a global scale. Again, American involvement in Europe both at their sales and at Ascot is at an all-time high. As well as Europeans shipping to Australia for the Melbourne Cup and other races. It's time we flip the script here.
Introduction to Ownership: Helping newcomers navigate the world of racehorse ownership can foster increased participation and interest in the sport. This could include educational programs, networking events, and other initiatives to make ownership more accessible and enjoyable. I understand we've tried this in some capacity in the past but to include this under one uniform umbrella could create a stronger reputation via a name and likeness to refer to when speaking to the layman about our industry.
Sustainable Funding: By allocating a small percentage from relevant revenue streams, the initiative can secure a consistent and sustainable source of funding for its activities. This ensures the longevity and effectiveness of the marketing efforts.

However, it's important to consider a few key factors in implementing such an initiative:

Industry Collaboration: Success would likely depend on widespread industry collaboration. Ensuring that major stakeholders and participants are on board is crucial for the initiative's effectiveness. But making sure that the funding comes from a broader scale and not from a few wealthier individuals will insure a non-bias representation.
Transparent Governance: As an independent, not-for-profit entity, transparency in governance is essential to maintain trust and credibility. Clear guidelines on fund allocation and decision-making processes should be established.
Adaptability: The racing industry is dynamic, and the initiative should be adaptable to changing circumstances and market trends. Regular evaluations and adjustments may be necessary to ensure ongoing success.

If implemented thoughtfully, a marketing initiative like this one could contribute significantly to the growth and sustainability of the American Thoroughbred industry.

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2023 Eclipse Awards Preview: Trainers Bill Mott, Brad Cox Enjoy Success at the Top Level

The 2023 Eclipse Awards, recognizing this year’s champions in the sport of horse racing, will be held Jan. 25, 2024, and as in every year there will be several very competitive divisions. One of those for 2023 was Outstanding Trainer, where three nominees will be narrowed down from a dozen or so worthy recipients.