Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation Seeking Donations For ‘Lucky Horseshoe’ Drive

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), an equine retirement facility accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), is asking horsemen to drop off their used horseshoes at trainer Rick Schosberg's barn as part of a fundraising drive.

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) and its horsemen are committed supporters of the TAA, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding.

The TRF is asking that horsemen collect their used horseshoes and drop them off in the blue barrels located outside Barn 42 on the Belmont Park backstretch. The drive ends on Friday, March 12.

Following March 12, the TRF will gather the horseshoes, clean them, and tie ribbons to them in preparation for a St. Patrick's Day fundraiser that will see donors who give $30 or more to the horses of the TRF receive a “lucky horseshoe” from the NYRA racetrack community.

For more information about the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, or to sponsor a horse at Wallkill or at one of the 500+ retired racehorses in the TRF Herd, please visit https://www.trfinc.org/you-can-help.

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Love At First Ride: Retired OTTB Tizno Makes The Leap Into A New Life

It wasn't quite love at first sight for Tizno and his owner, Bernadette Graham.

In October 2019, the 34-year-old Graham, who manages a medical office in Norfolk, Conn.,, was visiting friends and window shopping for a new ride at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in Pawling, N.Y., when she passed by the then 7-year-old gelding's stall and he rebuffed her friendly overtures.

“He tried to bite me,” said Graham with a laugh. “He's a bit of a grouch in his stall.”

Fast forward a few weeks later to the Equine Affaire in Massachusetts – an exposition and gathering for the equine community – and Tizno had his second chance to make a first impression when Graham was offered a trial ride in a busy schooling ring.

“Tizno was certainly a love-at-first-ride horse for me. I knew by the second lap at the trot that this was my horse,” Graham said. “Tizno has a lot of presence. He's a big horse that moves quite well and is super athletic. When I sat on him, I could tell he had a great mind and enjoys working and learning.”

Sired by 2008 Grade 1 Travers-winner Colonel John, the 17-hands tall Tizno is out of the multiple stakes-winning New York-bred mare No Reason, who in 2006 won the NYSSS Park Avenue at Aqueduct, the NYSSS Cupecoy's Joy and Iroquois Handicap at Belmont Park and the New York Oaks at Finger Lakes.

Tizno competed at all three New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) tracks in a brief four-race career for trainer Randi Persaud. Unfortunately, his impressive breeding didn't translate to racing success, with his best result a fifth, via disqualification, in his final start on Sept. 22, 2017 at Belmont Park.

When it came time to transition Tizno off the track, the sizable bay was assessed by Rick Schosberg, a veteran NYRA trainer who oversees the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's TAKE THE LEAD (TTL) program.

The TTL program provides preliminary vet exams and treatment, as well as costs related to transportation and rehabilitation or retraining. With the help of Schosberg, TTL was able to place Tizno at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue in October 2017.

“We try and get horses from a situation where they're not competitive and not happy into a place like Akindale where they can find a life that's more amenable to their needs,” said Schosberg. “For him to find a forever home with a new rider and a new vocation for what really is the longer part of his life to enjoy is great. More than 75 percent of their lifespan is in a second career. So, when I hear a cool story like this it gives me a good feeling about the program.”

Tizno flourished on arrival at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited [TAA] program whose motto is “reinventing racehorses.” The NYRA and its horsemen are committed supporters of the TAA, which accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations using industry-wide funding.

Every owner competing at NYRA racetracks donates $10 per start to the TAA, which funds the aftercare organizations that provide homes for retired racehorses. New York's horsemen also donate 1.5 percent of the purchase price of every horse claimed at a NYRA track to TTL and the TAA.

Monique Coston, who works as a trainer at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue overseeing the rehabilitation of the 120 retirees in the facility's care, said downtime is the first step to a new life for retired thoroughbreds.

“All horses who enter our program are given 60 days of rest and have some let-down time before they enter our retraining program,” said Coston. “This gives them enough time to get acclimated to life outside the track and time for me to get to know them a bit better.”

Coston said Tizno quickly demonstrated a desire to pick up a new trade.

“Mentally, he really thrived when I put him back into work. I think he was bored before,” Coston said. “Once he was into work and had a solid routine, he became much more focused on what you wanted from him and definitely matured.

“Physically, he was always a big boy who was filled out,” continued Coston. “He looked like a million bucks, but when he went back into work you could tell he didn't really know how to use his legs. He had to figure out what to do with all of the power and that took some time.”

Once adjusted to his new routine, Coston said Tizno made it clear that he was destined to be a show jumper.

“From the very first cross rail I took him over, he made it very well known that he was meant to jump,” said Coston. “He was super willing to the jumps from an early stage and was very careful from day one. He probably was a bit too careful to be an eventer, and a bit too exuberant to be a great hunter. Show jumping was 100 percent his calling.”

“It took a good nine months for us to really click over fences and figure each other out,” Bernadette Graham said of Tizno

With his training going well, all that was left for Coston was to help Tizno find a forever home that suited his talents and would allow him to grow and thrive. And then along came Graham, a lifelong equestrian with a wealth of experience and a goal of riding competitively in the amateur jumping ranks.

Coston said Tizno and Graham were a perfect match and the adoption came to fruition in November 2019.

“I always tell people to choose the horse that is best for you today, not tomorrow,” said Coston. “You don't need a reason to fall in love with a particular horse, but you need to love that horse from Day One. When Bernadette fell in love with Tizno, she was already looking at another horse of mine and when she saw Tizno, for whatever reason, that was the horse that made everything click.

“Sometimes you just have to go with your instincts,” continued Coston. “Along with Bernadette being a great rider already, I knew that she would listen to my advice and take her time producing him and the results are the proof. He isn't the easiest horse to ride and she's done a great job with him.”

Relationships are hard work. It took Graham and Tizno time to develop the trust and understanding required to be successful.

“Tizno is a very talented jumper but when I first got him he could kind of scare himself with it,” recalled Graham, who lives in Norfolk with her husband, Jim, and their two dogs. “He'd jump straight up and down, which was impressive because we knew he could jump the big jump, but he'd always try and overjump the fences.”

Graham has been riding horses since she was 5-years-old and has tried everything from eventing to hunter-jumpers and even spent time at Yellowstone Park taking people on wagon and trail rides. Graham had most recently worked with a hunter-type horse and she said learning how to communicate with Tizno became a big part of their development.

“It took a good nine months for us to really click over fences and figure each other out,” said Graham. “He worked hard for me and we kept things really small for a long time, working on his flat work and getting his confidence up. He's the type of horse you could rush because he has a big jump but then he might have backed off and not be so bold as he is now. He had to figure it out in his own time and figure out his legs.”

Graham said she has helped develop Tizno's style in the ring from that of a robust athlete to a more artistic approach.

“At first, going to the jump he'd tense up – not super quick – but tense and then jump straight up and down instead of in a big arc over it like he does now,” said Graham. “He'd jump so high he'd land and kinda scoot away from the fence, but he's improving. Sometimes now we'll celebrate with a little bucking after when he feels like he did a good job.”

Graham, who stands 5'2”, said she adjusted her riding style due to Tizno's tall build.

“I'm really short,” said Graham. “I was not looking for a horse that big but I'm a pretty brave rider and compatibly wise he needed someone who could keep up with that big jump of his and I'm pretty sticky.

“In fact, the saddle fitter is coming out today, so I can get more of a forward flap in the saddle which will help me when we're jumping bigger fences,” she added. “My legs don't come down very far. When you look at the pictures, I've got a good couple inches where the bottom of his belly is.”

Perhaps it's a case of opposites attract, but Graham said the little and large combo is working for them.

“I ride pretty short because he jumps so hard and I have to really put some weight in my stirrups,” said Graham. “He's short backed so he's not a long horse from front to end and that makes it easier for someone my height.”

And just like in human relationships, communication is key.

“I figured out the ride he needed and he figured out what I was asking and now we have a good rapport,” said Graham. “I find he takes me to fences a little more now. He's a little happier about it. He's just more keen on the job and he'll flick his ears as we go around and I don't have to pull or kick as hard or use my leg as much. It just comes together as we go around the course.”

Graham and Tizno, currently jumping at a 0.8 meter level, have their eye on reaching new heights in 2021.

“My ultimate goal would be to compete in the 1.10 m jumpers and go to The Marshall and Sterling finals,” said Graham, referring to an annual showcase held in Saugerties, N.Y. “I would also like to compete Tizno in the Take2 thoroughbred jumper classes.”

The TAKE2 Second Career Thoroughbred Program, which is sponsored by NYTHA and co-founder New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc., as well as supporters from the racing and breeding industries, funds prize money in hunter and jumper divisions restricted to thoroughbreds that are eligible to be registered with The Jockey Club. The program includes $10,000 in year-end high-score awards and the $20,000 TAKE2 Hunter & Jumper Finals.

A show jumping course is vastly different to what Tizno experienced as a racehorse.

“Typically there's eight to 12 fences in a course,” explained Graham. “Each class is a little different. Some are set up to see who can get around clear the fastest, while some are one round and then a jump off. Typically, in those competitions there's more fences and a regular timed round.”

While speed still matters in the show jumping world, Graham explains that being able to clear the jumps efficiently is key – and that's a talent Tizno has demonstrated in spades.

“There are penalties if we knock a jump down or if he refuses at one,” said Graham “We don't get judged on how we look. It's just get around and leave the jumps up.”

Completing a course takes about one minute and Graham said it's quite the ride.

“As I go through the corners, I use my legs to steer him quite a bit and help push him into and then out of the corners,” said Graham. “As we come to a jump I have to consider the distance to the fence – if it's short I put in more contact with the reins and leave leg contact on so he collects his stride more and he gets there at a better distance. At a longer distance, I'd leg him up to it and not quite as much hand.”

It sounds like a lot of work – and it is – but Graham said she loves the experience and the shared communication with Tizno.

“I'll tell him he's a good boy if we jump well or if I make a mistake and he carries me through it,” said Graham. “It's mostly leg commands, setting your body up correctly and using your core. We'll do four rounds at each show and by the end of it I know he's not as tired I am.”

And even though he didn't have his picture taken at the track, Graham is happy to report Tizno is already a winner in the show jumping world.

“He got his first tri-color ribbons this summer and he won a couple of divisions,” said Graham. “It's not always about the ribbon but it's nice when we get them. What I really like is a course that feels good and when every jump you land feels great.”

Graham said Tizno has proven to her that retired racehorses will readily adapt to a new life off the track.

“I think thoroughbreds can do any job after the track. They just have to find their niche,” said Graham. “They're very good jumpers and they have a lot of heart and they're sure a lot of fun to jump around.”

When not in training, Tizno gets to enjoy being a horse and hanging out in the paddock with Ben, an appendix quarter horse, and his stall neighbor Dixie, a warmblood who has warmed up to the former racehorse.

“He loves to roll and he loves his turnout time,” said Graham, who spoils Tizno with carrots and German Horse Muffins. “He's lucky to have a giant stall which is 12 X 14. He's got it pretty made.”

And as much as he enjoys having his own space, Tizno is even learning to enjoy the love and attention he receives from Graham.

“In the stall he's a bit of a grouch. I don't think that will leave him. That's his space and it's who he is,” Graham said. “But when I get him out of the stall he's sweet and cuddly, even if he makes faces when I sing to him and hug him.”

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New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Announces Candidates For 2020 Election

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association has announced the slate of candidates for its 2020 election for President and Board of Directors.

The NYTHA Board is comprised of five Owner Directors, five Trainer/Trainer-Owner Directors and the President. All seats on the Board come up for election every three years. This year, there are two candidates for President, eight candidates for Owner/Director and five candidates for Trainer/Trainer-Owner Director.

2020 Slate of Candidates for NYTHA Board

PRESIDENT

  • Joseph Appelbaum
  • Chad Summers

OWNER/DIRECTOR

  • Tina Marie Bond
  • Daniel Collins
  • Peter Dorsman
  • Jonathan Green
  • Jeanne A. Liddy
  • Robert Masiello
  • Edward J. Messina, Ph.D.
  • Aron S. Yagoda

TRAINER/TRAINER-OWNER/DIRECTOR

  • Leah Gyarmati
  • Patrick J. Kelly
  • John Kimmel, V.M.D.
  • Linda Rice
  • Richard E. Schosberg

To be entitled to vote in the election, a member must:
(A) be currently licensed as of October 9, 2020 as a Thoroughbred owner or trainer by the New York State Gaming Commission and in good standing; AND
(B) have started a Thoroughbred racehorse in a pari-mutuel race at a NYRA track in 2019/2020; AND
(C) be listed as a Thoroughbred racehorse owner or trainer in the Equibase owner or trainer records and in an official NYRA track program in 2019/2020, OR
(D) own a minimum of 5 percent of a Thoroughbred racehorse that started in a pari-mutuel race at a NYRA track in 2019/2020.

If you own 5 percent of a horse that started in a pari-mutuel race at a NYRA track in 2019/2020 and were not listed as an owner in the Equibase owner records and in an official NYRA program and you wish to cast a ballot, you will be required to complete the a NYTHA Self Affirmation Form included with the voting package or upon request.

The election will be supervised by Election Services Co., Melville, NY. Voting packages will be mailed this month. All votes must be cast in person or by proxy during the NYTHA Annual Meeting, which will be held virtually on Monday, December 7, 2020. If you are a NYTHA Member but will not attend the Annual Meeting in person, you must complete and submit the proxy authorization and, when necessary, the self-affirmation form attesting to your eligibility to vote. NYTHA members may complete the proxy authorization and, when necessary, the self-affirmation form provided in the voting package, and return it by mail OR they may complete the proxy authorization and, when necessary, the self-affirmation form ONLINE, using the website address and unique Proxy Control Number that will be provided by Election Services Co. in the voting package. Whether submitted by mail or online, the proxy authorization and, when necessary, self-affirmation form must be received no later than the deadline of 5 p.m., EST, on Dec. 3, 2020.

PROXY AUTHORIZATIONS AND SELF-AFFIRMATION FORMS WILL, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, BE ACCEPTED ONLINE OR BY MAIL AFTER THE DEADLINE OF 5 P.M., EST, ON DEC. 3, 2020.

For those who plan to attend the Dec. 7 Annual Meeting, there will be a secure procedure to allow for in-person online voting.

If you feel you are entitled to vote in the NYTHA Election, but did not receive a voting package, please contact the NYTHA Office by 5 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2020, for a mail-in voting package, and by 5 p.m. on Dec. 2, 2020, for an online voting package. You can contact the NYTHA Office at (516) 488-2337 (before Nov. 1, 2020) OR (718) 848-5045 (after Nov. 1, 2020) or send an email to: Election2020@nytha.com.

All information concerning the election will be posted on NYTHA's website, nytha.com.

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‘Consistent,’ ‘Professional’ John Velazquez Approaching 2,000 Win Milestone At Belmont Park

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez enters Thursday's 10-race card at Belmont Park just one win shy of 2,000 at the historic track, more than any other rider in the facility's 115-year history.

The 48-year-old Velazquez, inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2012, has won 6,237 career races and boasts seven Belmont riding titles [four at the spring/summer meet and three at the fall meet] to his credit.

“He has the ability to ride every type of race smartly,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “He's good on horses that have speed and on horses that come from behind. He's very accomplished on both dirt and turf. Any time you pile up the sort of numbers he's been able to accumulate, it also shows how consistent he is. To perform at such a high level for so long is very difficult, but it's a byproduct of his professional nature and his professional lifestyle on and off the racetrack. That's why he's been able to succeed for such a long time.”

Pletcher, who is 14 victories short of 5,000 for his storied career, has partnered with Velazquez for 1,819 of those wins, including 491 at Belmont of which 57 came in graded events.

Velazquez owns more career graded wins [680] than any other rider, with 170 captured at Belmont, a track Pletcher claims the veteran rider knows like the back of his hand.

“There's an advantage to being familiar with Belmont and the main track mile and a half oval and this has been his base for most of his career,” said Pletcher. “I think his familiarity and knowing how to ride Belmont is part of it, but he's simply just a complete rider wherever he goes, be it here, Dubai, Ascot or anywhere else.”

At closer inspection, it's safe to say Velazquez knows his way to the winner's circle at the Elmont oval.

He leads all riders with five wins in the prestigious Grade 1 Runhappy Met Mile including scores with the Pletcher-trained Quality Road [2010] and Palace Malice [2014] as well as from Honour and Glory [1996], Sir Bear [1999] and Shackleford [2012].

The native of Carolina, Puerto Rico, secured his first of 200 career Grade 1 wins with a victory in the 1995 Turf Classic with Turk Passer at Belmont. He has won the event, now named the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, on more occasions than any other rider, including scores with eventual prominent sires Kitten's Joy [2004], Point of Entry [2012] and two with the Pletcher-conditioned English Channel [2006-07].

His talent with sprinters resulted in Velazquez capturing the Grade 1 Vosburgh Invitational on three occasions, starting with the Pletcher-prepared Left Bank [2001], along with Henny Hughes [2006] and The Lumber Guy [2012].

Velazquez has also shown an ability at the highest level with young horses at Belmont guiding Pletcher trainees Scat Daddy [2006] and Uncle Mo [2010] to Champagne scores in their 2-year-old season. In addition, he called the shots for juvenile scores from Traitor [1996] and Lemon Drop Kid [1998] in the Futurity.

Velazquez has twice won the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, the traditional third leg of the Triple Crown, including with Union Rags in 2012 and in the 2007 edition where Rags to Riches provided Pletcher his first career Classic win while becoming the first filly to capture the “Test of the Champion” since 1905.

Rags to Riches, patiently piloted by Velazquez, overcame adversity and historic competition – including Grade 1-winning multimillionaires Tiago and Hard Spun – before prevailing by a head in a dramatic stretch duel with two-time Horse of the Year and eventual Hall of Famer Curlin.

“That race is a great example of just how great a rider he is,” said Pletcher. “First off, she went to her nose at the start and just staying on board was an accomplishment in its own right. To be able to recover and gradually let her regain position goes back to his knowing Belmont and knowing the circumference of the track and that you can't move too early.

“After that awkward start, he made every right decision that allowed her to recover along the way in a tight finish,” added Pletcher. “He's such a good finisher and so strong. To me, that race is a real tribute to his ability as a world-class jockey.”

Veteran trainer Rick Schosberg, a member of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) board of directors and the Chair of NYTHA's Aftercare Committee, has legged Velazquez up on 70 winners at Belmont Park dating back to May 1991 when Only Above captured a turf claiming route.

“I remember that mare well,” said Schosberg. “My wife and I bought the horse out of a training sale at Belmont Park for $8,500 way back at the beginning of my career.

“We've had such tremendous success together along the way,” continued Schosberg. “And he's obviously taken off to the Hall of Fame where he so richly deserves to be. In a way it came full circle.”

Last year, Schosberg was struggling to get New York-bred maiden winner Mary's Girl, owned by Schosberg in partnership with Clear Stars Stable, back to the winner's circle.

Following a pair of frustrating seconds in allowance company at Belmont, Schosberg asked Velazquez to take the reins in a state-bred allowance tilt at the Big A.

“We were struggling along last year trying to win a race here with Mary's Girl, a filly who loved to be second a lot. Johnny was available to ride her and she won easily,” said Schosberg of the smart three-length score on November 16. “Michael Geraghty, my partner with Clear Stars, said it was just like the old days and that when things aren't working out, go back to what got you here.”

For Schosberg, going back to basics meant a call to Velazquez, who the horseman said is just as effective in a Thursday afternoon claiming race as he is in a prestigious Grade 1 on a marquee Saturday.

“When you're in a bit of a slump with your stable and you need a win or a good race, Johnny on turf, dirt, short, or long and whether the track is sloppy or dry, he always has them in position to run their best,” said Schosberg. “When we put him on Mary's Girl last year, she had hit the board a bunch of times but she had always come up a bit short, but she won for Johnny that day. It's a skilled rider that can have a horse like that feeling confident in themselves. Be it a $25,000 claimer, a New York-bred allowance or a Grade 1, he puts every horse in a position to run its best race and that's all you can ask.”

Schosberg, in his capacity at NYTHA, and Velazquez, as co-Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild, are also doing their part to better the sport they love.

“It's been an honor to work with him both on and off the racetrack as a representative of the horsemen for the last decade or two and with Johnny as a representative of the jockeys through negotiations on so many different initiatives,” said Schosberg. “The art of getting projects and initiatives moved forward for the good of this sport with so many different stakeholders is a tribute to him and his skills and demeanor as a person. I just wish his 2,000th win at Belmont could be with one of mine.”

Velazquez has seven scheduled mounts on Thursday's 10-race program, which offers a first post of 12:50 p.m. Eastern, including Vermont Billy [Race 1, George Weaver], Hayabusa One [Race 3, Mark Casse], Vintage Hollywood [Race 5, Orlando Noda], High Tide [Race 6, Pletcher], Tiergan [Race 8, Bill Mott], Festina Plente [Race 9, Michael Stidham], and Panster [Race 10, Christophe Clement].

America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the 27-day fall meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete America's Day at the Races broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit https://www.nyra.com/belmont/racing/tv-schedule.

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