Omaha Beach’s First Rising Star Ready for Next Step

The Starlight Racing and Harrell Ventures partnership was always excited about their well-bred son of Omaha Beach named Pirate, but their anticipation for the colt's debut reached an all-time high when he was assigned the infamous first stall adjacent to Todd Pletcher's office at his barn on the Oklahoma.

“We've been working with Todd for 23 years and it's hard to get him to get really excited about a horse,” joked Starlight's founder and managing partner Jack Wolf. “But you could tell that he liked ours from the get-go.”

Pirate fulfilled all expectations in his debut last Saturday when he rolled to a three-length victory to earn 'TDN Rising Star' honors. The Peter Blum-bred half-brother to GI Preakness S. winner National Treasure (Quality Road) was not only the first Rising Star of the Saratoga season, but also the first to earn the accolade for his freshman sire Omaha Beach.

Spendthrift sire Omaha Beach received a warm welcome at stud in 2020 as a three-time Grade I-winning son of War Front from the family of influential broodmare Take Charge Lady (Dehere). Omaha Beach now has four winners on the year so far, include Group 3-placed Launch.

Frankie Brothers, who is now retired as an agent and member of the Keeneland inspection team, was the one who encouraged the Starlight team to pursue the first crop of Omaha Beach.

“I give all the credit to Frankie Brothers,” said Starlight's racing manager Corbin Blumberg. “Prior to the sale, he called me and told me that the Omaha Beach horses were standouts physically. So going into the September Sale, we definitely had our eye out and were lucky that [Pirate] was the one that we were able to get. We really liked him and we were thrilled to get him for $350,000. To be honest, we thought we were going to have to stretch a bit for him. Doug Cauthen loved him as well. Physically, he was really correct. He had a great hind end and a really good top.”

“Personality-wise, too, he's just a real laid-back, cool horse,” added Wolf.

Wolf shared that Pirate came out of his first race in good order and that Pletcher has indicated that the colt will point to either the Aug. 12 GII Saratoga Special S. or the Sept. 4 GI Hopeful S.

“As usual, Todd will let the horse tell him, but just hanging out this morning, he looks like he's ready to do something again,” Wolf said.

The Starlight team is looking forward to finding out how Omaha Beach's best qualities will develop in this promising young son of his.

War Front gets a lot of early 2-year-olds and Omaha Beach had that class on dirt,” explained Blumberg. “I think Pirate has the best of both worlds. He's obviously a precocious 2-year-old, but he showed on Saturday the ability on dirt that we love.”

Until Pirate's return to the starting gate, his connections will continue to celebrate a memorable Saratoga debut.

“For him to win like he did and become a Rising Star is super exciting,” said Blumberg. “Hopefully the rest of the meet goes as we hope. We're excited to have a horse like him in the barn with the Harrells and Todd.”

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Weekly Stewards and Commissions Rulings, July 11-17

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.

The TDN will also post a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from the same week. These will include decisions from around the country.

New York
Track: Saratoga
Date: 07/12/2023
Licensee: Tyler Gaffalione, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Mr. Tyler Gaffalione is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days for careless riding during the running of the 2nd race on July 14th 2023 at Saratoga Racecourse. Having appealed a stay has been granted.
Gaffalione is appealing this ruling.

NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS
The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit's “pending” and “resolved” cases portals.

This does not include the voided claim rulings which were sent to the TDN directly. Some of these rulings are from prior weeks as they were not reported contemporaneously.

One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race.

Violations of Crop Rule
Colonial Downs
Jose Lucio Riquelme – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 1-3 excess strikes

Delaware Park
Richard Mitchell – violation date July 12; $500 fine and three-day suspension, 10 strikes
William Humphrey – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes
Jhonatan Freddy Mendoza – violation date July 13; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Horseshoe Indianapolis
Eduardo Perez – violation date July 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Presque Isle Downs
Martina Rojas – violation date July 11; $250 fine and one-day suspension, 7 strikes

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 06/25/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from American Cat, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/25/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/23/2023
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Facts Matter, who won at Los Alamitos on 6/23/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/20/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Classy American, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/20/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/18/2023
Licensee: Joseph Taylor, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methylphenidate and Clenbuterol—both banned substances—in a sample taken from Cajun Cousin, who finished second at Parx Racing on 6/18/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Juan Quintana, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from La Castiglione on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Arcadio Lopez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Flunixin—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Mo Crazy Blues who won at Finger Lakes on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/11/2023
Licensee: Guadalupe Munoz Elizondo, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Metformin—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Quinton's Charmer on 6/11/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212—Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers.

Date: 06/10/2023
Licensee: Javier Hernandez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Chief Mystique who won at Belterra Park on 6/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/10/2023
Licensee: Javier Hernandez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fast Fall who won at Belterra Park on 6/10/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/8/2023
Licensee: Climaco Galindo-Torres, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Salicylic Acid—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Delaney's Grace who finished eighth at Belterra Park on 6/8/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 06/14/2023
Licensee: Richard Shaffer, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Devious Mo, who won at Finger Lakes on 6/14/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled

Date: 06/13/2023
Licensee: Jeffrey Englehart, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Methocarbamol—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Bold Victory, who finished third at Finger Lakes on 6/13/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled.

Date: 06/5/2023
Licensee: Scott Lake, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation:  For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)— in a sample taken from Louella Street, who won at Parx Racing on 6/5/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

Date: 06/2/2023
Licensee: Arnoud Dobber, trainer
Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points.
Alleged Violation: For the presence of Phenylbutazone—Controlled Medication (Class C)—in a sample taken from Fast Fixer, who finished first in Race 8 at Gulfstream Park on 6/2/23. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312—Presence of Controlled Medication Substance.

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Summer Breezes: July 20, 2023

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at both Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits.

   Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. To follow are the horses entered for Saratoga Thursday:

Thursday, July 20, 2023
Saratoga 2, $83k, 2yo, (R), 5 1/2f, 1:44 p.m. ET
Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze
Catire Vicaya (Anchor Down), OBSMAR, 50,000, click
C-Golden Rock Thoroughbreds; B-Hablau Los Caballos LLC

Saratoga 5, $83k, 2yo, (R), 5 1/2f, 3:26 p.m. ET
Cowboy Luke (Girvin), OBSMAR, 37,000, click
C-Little Farm Equine, agent; B-Ashley Quartarolo, agent (PS)
Crown That Saint (St Patrick's Day), OBSMAR, 22,000, click
C-Six K's Training & Sales, agt; B-Raymie Lighnter, agt. R Lipka
Run Jalen Run (Runhappy), OBSMAR, 42,000, click
C-Mason Springs (Marcus & Crystal Ryan); B-Joe Sharp, agent
Threewhitesoldiers (Catholic Boy), OBSAPR, 28,000, click
C-Kinsman Farm; B-J Brocklebank, agent for James Redekop

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Summer Breezes: July 19, 2023

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at both Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits.

Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. To follow are the horses entered for Saratoga Wednesday:

Wednesday, July 19, 2023
Saratoga 6, $83k, 2yo, f, (R), 5 1/2f, 4:00 p.m. ET
Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze
Almond Fudge (Practical Joke), OBSAPR, 50,000, click
C-Sterling Thoroughbreds, Agent; B-Glenn Del Russo
Bertrille (Vino Rosso), FTMMAY, 35,000, see below
C-Top Line Sales LLC, agent; B-Bruce Brown, agent

 

 

Crazy Cami (Audible), OBSAPR, 45,000, click
C-Mayberry Farm, Agent; B-Mike Maker
Tempting Lady (Enticed)–AE, FTMMAY, 40,000, see below
C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Legion Bloodstock, agt. for Ryan Scott

 

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