The Week in Review: Some Good News for a Change

Tired of the constant drumbeat of bad news, negativity and scandal? So am I. All the problems the sport is dealing with are not going to go away and they need to be dealt with and reported on. But I thought I'd give you and I a break in this week's edition of “The Week in Review.” So here are some stories we can all feel good about.

Schosberg Claims, Retires Twisted Tom

In his role as the president of Take The Lead, a retirement program for Thoroughbreds based at the NYRA tracks, Rick Schosberg's message has always been that it's better to retire a horse too early than too late. In other words, don't take any unnecessary chances.

So when Schosberg saw that a one-time New York-bred champion, the 8-year-old Twisted Tom (Creative Cause), was entered in  a $10,000 claiming race Saturday at Aqueduct, he decided to act. Schosberg, who had never trained the horse, reached in and claimed Twisted Tom for the $10,000, immediately retired him and sent him off to start the retraining process at ReRun in East Greenbush, New York.

“I like to practice what I preach,” Schosberg said.

Twisted Tom won nine of 42 career starts and earned $939,135. He finished second Saturday, losing by just a half-length.

Twisted Tom's story was a typical one. He debuted in 2016 for trainer George Weaver and broke his maiden in his second start but, in time and after age set in, found himself racing on the bottom.

After his maiden win he moved over to the Chad Brown barn and went on to win five stakes in 2017. The list includes wins in open company in the Private Terms S. and the Federico Tesio S. His 2017 campaign, which included a sixth-place finish in the GI Belmont S., ended with his being named champion 3-year-old male New York-bred.

After a pair of losses in 2018 and after he was moved to the Bill Mott barn on June 19, 2019, he made his first ever start in a claiming race. He was taken that day by trainer David Cannizzo and, in the short-term, proved to be competitive in New York-bred allowance/optional claiming races while bouncing around from the barns of A.C. Avila, Mike Maker, Bruce Levine and Mertkan Kantarmaci.

But in November, after finishing off the board in four straight races, he was dropped in for $10,000. He managed to finish a distant second that day, but followed that up with a 16 1/4-length defeat in a starter allowance at Parx. Kantarmaci then dropped him back in for $10,000 for Saturday's race.

“He's 8 years old and it looked like it was time for him to retire,” Schosberg said. “He had been a voided claim a couple starts back. There were a lot of people who agreed that this was the right thing to do. People came by the barn this morning to say goodbye. He's a real popular horse. I got a lot of messages from prior trainers and connections thanking me for doing this.”

There was a time when there would have been little chance that a horse like Twisted Tom would have been retired when he was. Not that long ago, if a horse couldn't make it on the bottom in New York, they would be sent to a Penn National or a Mountaineer Park. With each race, the risk of injury would grow greater. If a horse couldn't compete on the bottom at the lower tier tracks a trip to the slaughterhouse could be next.

With initiatives like Take The Lead leading the way, the industry ushered in meaningful change. Created by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the program sees to it that all horses racing in New York can enjoy a safe and happy retirement, with many of them going to second careers.

“It's not just me,” Schosberg said. “I have a great team of people helping out. The owners and the trainers, NYRA, everybody in the racing office, the Gaming Commission, veterinarians, van companies, everybody volunteers their time and their efforts to make sure this initiative is at the forefront of the aftercare industry.”

At ReRun, Twisted Tom will be prepared for his second career.

“There are so many things for these retired race horses to do,” Schosberg said. “In his case, 60 to 70% of his life is still ahead of him. There are so many activities now for these retired horses. They don't need to spend the rest of their years standing out in a field somewhere. These are horses that are used to having a job.”

Schosberg said that Twisted Tom was in good order after Saturday's race. He is sound, healthy and is guaranteed a great retirement. It's the perfect ending to his story.

Brook Smith Not Done Trying to Help Churchill's Backside Learning Center

Brook Smith's heart was in the right place when he wagered $10,000 on Tiz the Bomb (Hit It a Bomb) in the second round of the Derby Future Wager. If Tiz the Bomb went on to win the GI Kentucky Derby, Smith would have donated the proceeds from his winnings, $114,000, to the backside center.

The Backside Learning Center serves as a resource center for the equine backstretch community, providing educational programs and services and promoting community amongst the backstretch workers and their families.

After Saturday's GIII Holy Bull S. at Gulfstream, it doesn't look like Smith made what will be a winning wager. Tiz the Bomb was trying the dirt after three straight tries on the turf and didn't fare well, finishing seventh. Though trainer Ken McPeek said afterward that he hasn't given up on getting the colt to the Derby, it looks like Tiz the Bomb's future will be on the grass.

But Smith isn't done. Still hoping to find a way to raise awareness and funds for the Backside Learning Center, he said Sunday that he is looking to buy into a Derby contender. If he can make that happen, he will donate a share of the horse's earnings to the “Purses for a Purpose” program. Started by Smith, Purses for a Purpose involves owners pledging to donate a portion of their earnings to the backside center.

“Why won't or why don't more owners allocate a small percentage of their earnings to similar programs?” Smith said.

Eighteen Months Later, Montanez Is Back

Jockey Rosario Montanez finished sixth in the fifth race Jan, 30 at Laurel, but there was plenty of reason to celebrate. It was his first mount since a July 17, 2020 spill, also at Laurel, that left his career in doubt.

One day after the spill, Montanez, 31, underwent surgery at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He had multiple back fractures and was diagnosed with a brain injury. He was told that these were injuries that could prevent him from making a comeback.

“After so many obstacles, I'm very blessed that I was able to overcome all of them,” Montanez said after his return mount.  “I'm very thankful to all the doctors and nurses and all the staff that helped me make it back.”

This was the second time that Montanez had had a serious injury. He missed 20 months after suffering a concussion, a fractured rib and pelvis and head lacerations that required a plate to be surgically inserted in his face after a July 2014 spill at Saratoga.

His determination and perseverance is admirable. A capable rider, it shouldn't be long until he returns to the winner's circle.

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Unique Unions Tries Winners In NYSSS Great White Way

Unique Unions will vie for his first victory against winners in Saturday's NYSSS Great White Way for eligible state-sired juveniles going seven furlongs over the main track at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The first of two New York Stallion Stakes Series races on Saturday's nine-race card, the Great White Way division is slated as Race 6 with the Fifth Avenue division set for Race 8. With each division offering a purse of $500,000, the New York Stallion Stakes Series rewards owners and breeders for their efforts to breed mares to stallions in the Empire State.

“The New York Stallion Stakes Series works to directly benefit and promote stakeholders in the New York-bred program, especially New York stallion owners and everyone who invests in their progeny,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. which administers the NYSSS. “We're thankful the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund and NYRA continue to partner in supporting this 10-race series totaling $2,300,000 in purses and the ability to earn 20 percent in addition to purse earnings with Open Owner's Awards for finishers first through third.

“The opportunity to breed or purchase a New York-sired New York-bred at auction and compete in the richest juvenile sire stakes races in the country with the $500,000 Great White Way for males and Fifth Avenue for fillies provides tremendous value for New York Sired progeny,” Thompson added. “It's a great example of the opportunities and incentives available by participating in the New York-bred program and NYSSS races.”

Unique Unions, trained and co-owned by Rick Schosberg with Clear Stars Stable and Mitre Box Stable enters the Great White Way off an impressive 4 ¼ length maiden special weight romp at Aqueduct on November 20.

Battling for the lead down the backstretch with two foes to his inside, the son of second-crop sire Union Jackson was asked by jockey Manny Franco to make his move rounding the turn and found a new gear, steadily widening his advantage and stopping the clock in a final time of 1:12.08.

“I was expecting him to run big,” said Schosberg. “Manny worked him for us to get a feel for him and he really liked him. We have had some really nice horses come through this barn and he sure acts the part.”

Unique Union's maiden score came on the heels of a troubled first start at Belmont Park on Sept. 25 when he briefly made a bid for the lead after the break but took an awkward step and was pulled up and vanned off rounding the turn. Schosberg said that the gelding sustained no injuries and was vanned as a precautionary measure.

“There was nothing wrong with him,” Schosberg said “He was bright and standing well. The jockey said he took some funny steps when he tried to switch leads and just wasn't in sync. It's fine he pulled him up. He thought the horse was having an issue and you err on the side of caution no matter what when it comes to the health and welfare of the horse.”

A $60,000 purchase by his owners at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic 2-year-olds in training sale in May, Unique Unions caught the eye of his connections when he posted a 10.1 second furlong at the sale. Schosberg said that the colt has shown enough in the mornings and in his maiden score to warrant a start in stakes company.

“I don't think it's overstepping looking at the nominations,” he said. “I see no reason why we shouldn't be in there. He has not regressed one bit since he broke his maiden. He has moved forward and gained weight. His works have been what we want to see.”

Schosberg also spoke to the purse money offered by the New York Stallion Stakes Series, emphasizing the importance of awarding breeders for their dedication to the New York program.

“These stallion stakes are a huge plus for us,” said Schosberg. “It's fantastic that they can have a purse like this. It's a great opportunity to earn some big money with some horses that have connections that took the time and resources to get through the process. The idea is to keep good stallions here in New York, which is key to our breeding industry. We need mares to breed to New York sires as opposed to shipping elsewhere as it helps the economy here in New York. This is a great way to promote it.”

A win with Unique Unions would provide Schosberg with his second Great White Way victory after conditioning Rush Chairman Bill to take the 1992 edition.

Unique Unions will exit Post 1 with Franco in the irons again.

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Trainer Genevieve Londono will ship in Stirdatpot off a second-place 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight effort at Churchill Downs on November 20.

Stalking the pace in third under Alex Achard, Stirdatpot had some trouble switching his leads in the stretch but held on gamely to secure place honors by a neck.

“Scott Kent broke him in Ocala and he has been growing and maturing ever since” said Londono. “He was a little green in his last race and was rambunctious in the post parade, but he's improving. His dam had a lot of heart too.”

A homebred son of Trinniberg for Londono and Charlie Hancock, Stirdatpot will look to become Londono's second stakes winner from 13 starters.

Stirdatpot breaks from Post 8 with Edgar Morales up.

Iron Lion in Zion also enters the Great White Way off a maiden special weight score last out for trainer Tom Morley in a state-bred seven-furlong contest at Belmont Park November 5.

Fifth on debut after bumping with his inside foe leaving the gate and weakening in the stretch, the son of Bellamy Road took a step forward in his next start, putting together a last-to-first effort to break his maiden.

Positioned at the rear of the field by Dylan Davis in the early stages, Iron Lion in Zion came under a ride at the three-eighths pole before taking command at the sixteenth pole and keeping to task with right-handed encouragement from Davis to win by 2 ¾ lengths.

On Friday, Iron Lion in Zion posted his final work for the Great White Way, breezing a half-mile in 50.85 seconds over Belmont's dirt training track.

A homebred for owner DutchessViews Farm, Iron Lion in Zion will exit Post 9 with Davis aboard.

Cypress Creek Equine's Un Ojo will look to improve off a game fourth-place effort last out in the Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs on November 20. A maiden special weight winner on November 5 at Delta, the gelded son of Laoban gave a stalking performance in the Jean Lafitte with Devin Magnon up.

Roused in the final turn and sent up the middle lane to split horses, Un Ojo weaved his way back down to the inside path to make a final drive to the finish in the stretch, finishing five lengths behind the top three to round out the superfecta.

Now in the barn of Anthony Dutrow after making his first three starts with Ricky Courville, the dark bay breezed five furlongs in 1:02.54 over the main track at Belmont on Sunday.

Trevor McCarthy will guide Un Ojo from Post 11.

The Bruce Levine-trained Bustin Pietre faced a tall order last time out when stepping up from a debut maiden claiming victory to face multiple stakes winner Senbei in the Notebook at Belmont on November 21.

Tracking in second behind Senbei throughout the six furlongs, the Bustin Stones gelding finished well to hold off a late bid from Daufuskie Island to secure second by a half-length at the wire.

Breezing five furlongs over Belmont Park's dirt training track on Friday, Bustin Pietre's time of 1:02.01 was the third-best of 14 works that day.

Kendrick Carmouche gets the call to ride from Post 2.

Completing the field for the Great White Way are stakes-placed Maseta [Post 3, Eric Cancel], maidens Safalow's Mission [Post 4, Jose Ortiz] and Hot Stepper [Post 5, Samuel Camacho, Jr.] Awad runner-up Geno [Post 6, Jorge Vargas, Jr.], Flying P Stable's Hoboken Jack [Post 7, Jose Lezcano], and Morris E. Kerman, Jr.'s and Jagger Inc.'s Kenner [Post 10, Ruben Silvera].

Named for Broadway in Manhattan's theater district, the Great White Way offers a 3:09 p.m. Eastern post. First post for the card is set for 12:20 p.m.

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

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Unique Unions Prepares For NYSSS Great White Way

Unique Unions, trained and co-owned by Rick Schosberg with Clear Stars Stable and Mitre Box Stable, put in his final work Saturday for next Saturday's seven-furlong $500,000 NYSSS Great White Way for eligible state-sired juveniles at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park, N.Y.

The Union Jackson gelding breezed a half-mile in :50.08 over the dirt training track at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.

“It was hard to see because it was so foggy, but he did fine,” Schosberg said. “He doesn't need a whole lot coming off of his last race and I'm very pleased with the way he's coming along.”

Entering the Great White Way off a six-furlong state-bred maiden special weight victory on November 20 at Aqueduct, Schosberg said the gelding is ready for stakes company.

“We always thought he was a real quality horse and he's proving it,” said Schosberg. “He's got a wonderful personality and a good way of going. He stays low to the ground and I was impressed with his maiden victory.”

Unique Union's owners and Schosberg earned a stakes victory this year when A Bit o'Irish Sass won the New York Oaks at Finger Lakes Racetrack in Farmington, N.Y., in July, geared down and 4 1/2-lengths clear of runner-up U Guys Are No Fun.

The 3-year-old daughter of Laoban made her next start in the Fleet Indian at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on August 27, finishing a non-threatening fourth in the field of six. Away from the track since the Fleet Indian, Schosberg said the filly is making steady progress back to the races.

“She had a little issue after her last start and she just needed some time,” said Schosberg. “I was hoping I would have her back in time for the [NYSSS Staten Island] last weekend, but she needed more time. She's coming back to the barn from the farm [Saturday] and we are looking forward to having her back.”

Bossmakinbossmoves, a 2-year-old gelded son of Laoban, most recently finished fifth in a 6 ½-furlong state-bred maiden special weight at Aqueduct on December 5 after a pair of runner-up efforts earlier this year at Belmont.

Schosberg said the gelding could be a special one going forward.

“I was going to run him in the Great White Way also because he's eligible, but that race is going to be too short for him and he wants to stretch out,” Schosberg said. “He's going to be a nice horse, he just needs to cover some ground. He ran a good race last out, but I didn't want to run him in a stakes.”

Schosberg also serves as the president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's Take The Lead program, which helps to facilitate the transition of racehorses from the track to new homes in retirement. Now in its eighth year, Schosberg says the program is continuing to see strong support.

“We are approaching our 900th horse [through the program] very rapidly,” said Schosberg. “At the moment, I have 12 horses who are transitioning off the track. At any time of the week, we have anywhere from five to 10 horses on our list in different phases of transition. We are very busy and have horses leaving for retirement all the time.”

For more information on Take The Lead, visit https://www.take2tbreds.com/about-take-the-lead/.

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The Friday Show Presented By Monmouth Park: Aftercare Education In Saratoga And Beyond

Opening day at the venerable Saratoga Race Course is less than a week away, but trainer Rick Schosberg has his eye further down the road for the horses that will be competing in upstate New York.

On this week's episode of The Friday Show, bloodstock editor Joe Nevills speaks with Schosberg about his role as president of the TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program and TAKE THE LEAD Program in New York, and what makes aftercare such an important issue for him to pursue.

They also discuss the upcoming New York Thoroughbred Aftercare Day to be held at Saratoga on Wednesday, July 21, the importance of full industry cooperation in the aftercare effort, and what elements are important to sustain a reputable aftercare operation.

Defending Canadian Horse of the Year Mighty Heart is our Woodbine Star of the Week, returning to his home country to earn his first graded stakes victory with a front-running triumph in the Grade 3 Dominion Day Stakes.

Watch this week's show, presented by Monmouth Park, below:

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