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No Longer Allowed to Race at NYRA, 10-year-old Sent to Parx

Backsideofthemoon (Malibu Moon) has lived on the Belmont backstretch since 2015, but that changed Tuesday when a van picked him up to take him to Parx. It's not where owner Charlie Halas or trainer Pat Reynolds want him to be, but they didn't have much choice in the matter. Even though he finished third in a stakes race, the Queens County S., in his most recent start, Backsideofthemoon is no longer allowed to race or stable at the NYRA tracks because he has turned 10 years old.

“I was emotional having to walk that horse to the chute to get him on the van and I was pissed,” Reynolds said.

Halas claimed Backsideofthemoon for $62,500 out of a Feb. 8 optional claimer last year at Aqueduct. It was the second time he had claimed the horse. Though it is always risky to claim a 9-year-old, particularly one for $62,500, Halas had no reason to believe that his horse was 11 months removed from being ineligible to race at the NYRA tracks. In April, two months after the claim, NYRA announced a new rule that prohibited horses

10 or older from running at its tracks.

“[Halas] loves the horse but he never would have taken him for $62,500 if he knew he couldn't run him here,” Reynolds said. “They make stuff up as the go along here in New York. He claimed the horse and then they come up with the rule that a 10-year-old can't run here. He thought he might be grandfathered in because he had him before the rule was made.”

Backsidfeofthemoon was 0-for-10 in 2021, but still managed to earn $93,800. He finished in the money in three of his last four starts, all of them at the allowance or stakes level. He concluded his 8-year-old campaign with a win in the 2020 Queen's County.

Reynolds said he understands why NYRA put the rule in place, but says an exception should have been made for a horse who is still competitive at the stakes level.

“I understand their point,” he said. “They don't want to be scraping 10-year-olds off the racetrack and have PETA jumping up and down saying 'I told you so,'” the trainer said. “I understand the rule, but in the case of this horse we feel a little slighted. He just ran third in the Queen's County, which shows that he still has some life in him. He has run 94 and 95 Beyers in his last two starts.”

According to the rules, Backsideoftheoon should have vacated his stall at Belmont by Jan. 1, but Reynolds managed to milk out a few more days in New York for him. He's worked him twice this year, most recently on Tuesday prior to his ship when he went four furlongs in :51.90 over the Belmont training track.

Knowing that NYRA wasn't about to let the horse stay at Belmont much longer, Reynolds sent him to Parx where there are no rules that prohibit a 10-year-old from racing. Backsideofthemoon was entered in an allowance there next Tuesday. He will race one more time for Reynolds and then will be turned over to trainer Michael Aro.

“This is such a shame,” Reynolds said. “He's been consistent, is sound and is easy to train. The horse is doing really well right now.”

When asked for comment, NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna provided the following statement: “Horses 10 years of age or older are ineligible to be stabled or compete in races at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. This NYRA rule was implemented in April to enhance equine safety and remains in place today.”

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TDN Oaks Top 10 for Jan. 27

Most of the heavyweights when it comes to the leading contenders for the GI Kentucky Oaks have yet to surface in 2022, but that doesn't mean that there hasn't been any activity. Kathleen O. (Upstart) looked like a filly with unlimited potential when winning the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey and fellow Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen looks to have another top prospect in La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro). A half-sister to Grade I winner Clairiere (Curlin), she won last Saturday's Silverbulletday S. at the Fair Grounds.

But it's hard to imagine anyone replacing Asmussen's Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) in the top spot in these rankings anytime soon. The GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner, who will be named 2021 2-year-old filly champion next month, comes into 2022 with impeccable credentials, which include three Grade I wins.

Here's a look, albeit an early one, at the top 3-year-old fillies who are aiming for the May 6 Oaks

1) ECHO ZULU (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee) 'TDN Rising Star' O-L and N Racing LLC & Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC; B-Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-4-0-0, $1,480,000. Last Start: 1st GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 30.

Asmussen is in no hurry with his 3-year-old filly star, who has yet to have her first work of 2022. He said she will likely make her first start this year in March, which would mean two preps for the Oaks. There's no reason for him to be in a hurry as all he really needs to accomplish during prep season is to make sure he brings her back at the same level she was at the end of last year. If that happens, she's going to be hard to beat in the Oaks. She may have been overshadowed by some of the older male stars that raced in 2021, but Echo Zulu had what was nothing short of a spectacular year. She was four-for-four, won the GI Spinaway S, the GI Frizette S and the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. And they never came close to beating her. Her smallest margin of victory during the year was four lengths, the result in the Spinaway. Asmussen will be seeking his third Oaks win.

2) KATHLEEN O. (Upstart–Quaver, by Blame) O-Winngate Stables, LLC; B-Gainesway Thoroughbreds Ltd. & Bridlewood Farm (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Sales History: $8,000 wnl '19 KEENOV; $50,000 yrl '20 OBSOCT; $275,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $104,760. Last Start: 1st Cash Run S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

While Kathleen O. has not accomplished as much as some on this list, it's all about potential. McGaughey doesn't ordinarily push his young horses, but he had this one ready to break her maiden in her career debut, a Nov. 12 maiden race at Aqueduct. That set her up for a run in the Jan. 1 Cash Run S. at Gulfstream, where she dominated in a very impressive effort. She hesitated at the start and then was bumped and shut off. She overcame all that to win by 8 1/2 lengths. Not bad for a horse who brought just $8,000 at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, the first of three times she was sold at auction. She worked a half-mile on Jan. 22 at Payson Park, which was her first work in 30 days, which may be a cause for concern. She is the first horse ever owned by newcomer Pat Kearney.

3) JUJU'S MAP (Liam's Map–Nagambie, by Flatter) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich III; T-Brad Cox. Sales History: $190,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $300,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $620,800. Last Start: 2nd GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

If not for Echo Zulu she would have been last year's champion 2-year-old filly and the leading contender for the Kentucky Oaks. A member of the potent Brad Cox stable, she broke her maiden at Keeneland in her second career start before winning the GI Darley Alcibiades S. by 4 1/4 lengths. She might have run the best race of her life in the Juvenile Fillies, where she was second, but ran into a buzz saw in Echo Zulu. She has yet to have her first work of 2022 and Cox said he has not decided yet where she will make her 3-year-old debut.

4) EDA (Munnings–Show Me, by Lemon Drop Kid) O-Baoma Corporation; B-Nathan McCauley (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $240,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $550,000 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, $370,000. Last Start: 1st GI Starlet S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Though she was the 11-10 favorite and was facing just five others, Eda picked up a big win in the GI Starlet S. last December at Los Alamitos. She had looked good in her prior two starts, both wins, in the Desi Arnaz and the Anoakia, but both were sprints. Asked to go1 1/16 miles and two turns at Los Al, she passed the test, wining by a half-length for jockey Juan Hernandez and trainer Bob Baffert. For now, she can't run in the Oaks because Churchill Downs has suspended Baffert for two years. That's also why she didn't pick up any points in the Starlet, a race where 10 points is awarded to the winner. But none of that means she won't be in the Oaks. Baffert could still find a court that will rule that he can participate in the Oaks and the GI Kentucky Derby. If not, the owner, Baoma Corporation, has the option of moving her to another trainer.

5) GERRYMANDER (Into Mischief–Ruby Lips, by Hard Spun) O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Pollock Farms (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales History: $375,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $235,500. Last Start: 1st Tempted S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 4.

Chad Brown came very close to winning his first Kentucky Oaks last year when Search Results (Flatter) finished second, beaten just a neck. While Brown is best known for his turf runners, he's perfectly capable of developing top dirt horses and it looks like he has another one in Gerrymander. After finishing second, 7 1/4 lengths behind Echo Zulu, in the Frizette, she came back to win the Tempted S. over a quality field that includes two other members of this Top 10 poll. She's had just one work this year, a three-furlong breeze Jan. 23 at Payson Park in :38 flat. Brown said he has yet to pick out any races for her.

6) LA CRETE (Medaglia d'Oro–Cavorting, by Bernardini) O/B-Stonestreet Stables (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $159,460. Last Start: 1st Silverbulletday S. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Has yet to run that fast. She got a 67 Beyer when breaking her maiden and then a 74 when winning the Silverbulletday in a gutsy effort. She was passed in the stretch by Fannie and Freddie (Malibu Moon) but came back just before the wire to win by a length. Everything about her suggests she will continue to get better. She is a half-sister to the talented Clairiere (Curlin), who was fourth in last year's Oaks before going on to win the GI Cotillion S. at Parx. If she's as good as her big sister she will be a filly to be reckoned with this winter and spring.

7) NEST (Curlin–Marion Ravenwood, by A.P. Indy) O-Repole Stable, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Michael House; B-Ashview Farm & Colts Neck Stables (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 yrl '20 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $205,000. Last Start: 1st GII Demoiselle S. Next Start: Suncoast S., Tam, Feb. 5. KY Oaks Points: 10

Seeking to win his second straight Oaks and his fifth overall, which would tie him with Woody Stephens for most career Oaks wins, Todd Pletcher has taken aim on the race with Nest. After finishing third in the Tempted, she won the GII Demoiselle S., which is contested at 1 1/8 miles. Nest will make her 3-year-old debut Feb. 5 at Tampa Bay Downs in the Suncoast S. The Suncoast is run at a mile-and-40-yards. Pletcher said the GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland will be her next target after that.

8) MAGIC CIRCLE (Kantharos–Magic Humor, by Distorted Humor) O-J.W. Singer LLC; B-Manitou Farm, LLC (KY); T-Rudy Rodriguez. Sales History: $50,000 yrl '20 KEEJAN; $110,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, $194,000. Last Start: 1st Busanda S. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 13.

A $110,000 purchase at the OBS April 2-year-old sale, Magic Circle was trounced by Echo Zulu in the Frizette last year, but has really come on since then. She finished second in the Tempted, third in the Demoiselle and then won the Busanda. Perhaps more of a blue-collar horse, she'll need to do more to be considered a top Oaks candidate, but there's no reason why she can't continue to improve. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez said he's not sure where she's going to run next, but Rodriguez rarely ships out of New York.

9) HIDDEN CONNECTION (Connect–C J's Gal, by Awesome Again) O-Hidden Brook Farm & Black Type Thoroughbreds; B-St. Simon Place (KY); T-W. Bret Calhoun. Sales History: $49,000 RNA wnl '19 KEENOV; $40,000 yrl '20 KEESEP; $55,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSAPR; $85,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $307,525. Last Start: 4th GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Next Start: GII Rachel Alexandra S., FG, Feb. 19. KY Oaks Points: 0.

She blew the competition away when winning the GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill Downs by 9 1/4 lengths for the team of trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Reylu Gutierrez. But she crashed back down to earth when a distant fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Did she not run her race in the Breeders' Cup or was she overmatched after beating suspect competition in the Pocahontas? She's been a regular on the work tab this year with her most recent work coming on Jan. 23 when she went six furlongs in 1:15.20 at the Fair Grounds.

10) ADARE MANOR (Uncle Mo–Brooklynsway, by Giant's Causeway) O-Michael Lund Petersen; B-Town & Country Horse Farms, LLC & Gary Broad (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales History: $180,000 yrl '20 FTKFEB; $190,000 RNA yrl '20 FTKSEL; $375,000 2yo '21 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 3-1-1-0, $56,600. Last Start: 1st MSW. Next Start: To Be Determined. KY Oaks Points: 0.

Another Baffert runner, her status for the Oaks also remains up in the air. Unlike a lot of Baffert horses, she took her sweet time to get good. After finishing second and fourth in a pair of maiden sprints, she exploded in her first try around two turns, winning a one-mile maiden at Santa Anita by 12 lengths. She got a 93 Beyer for the win, a big number considering that Echo Zulu got a 94 in the Breeders' Cup. Will obviously need to prove she can beat better, but is an interesting prospect.

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Book Review: Thoroughbred Investor’s Bible

If you are new to the sport, not fully versed in its ways and want to get involved in racing and/or breeding, where should you start? That hasn't always been the easiest question to answer, at least up until now. Author and former racing manager John Perrotta has filled in the gap with his new book, “Thoroughbred Investor's Bible,” which he calls “an essential tool to avoid the pitfalls of this intricate world.”

Perrotta has had many a job in racing, but is best known as the executive director of Robert Brennan's Due Process Stable, which means he was responsible for overseeing the careers of as many as 300 horses and running three farms.

Perrotta uses the first few chapters to introduce the reader to the sport and to explain the ways of a business that can be very difficult.

He recounts the stories of owners, like those who had Seattle Slew, California Chrome or Sunday Silence, who bought the proverbial winning lottery ticket.

But he isn't afraid to tell the other side of the story, of those many eight-figure yearling buys who never amounted to anything. Throughout the book, he is forthright about how tough the sport can be and how difficult it is to make money. It's an honest assessment that every new prospective owner needs to hear.

“In 2000, it was estimated that owners only recouped 42% of the expense of ownership, a harsh reality that does not even include purchase prices,” he writes. “The percentage has not changed significantly over the first decades of the 21st century. Once again, consider that you are going against the odds at the outset…”

By chapter three, he is doling out advice. He uses the examples of Satish Sanan and Jess Jackson, who, Perrotta writes, were compromised by unethical advisors and agents. If that can happen to two very successful and savvy businessmen, then it can happen to anyone. To avoid that, Perrotta writes that the newcomer to the sport must ask an advisor for references and check them carefully and that he or she shouldn't be shy about asking questions.

“If you decide to use any information in this book, the decision to find competent, honest and serious advisors will be the best thing you can do,” he writes.

Next up is “The Buying Game,” a chapter devoted to explaining the ways a new owner can get into the sport, whether that means buying at auctions, claiming horses or making private purchases. While it's not impossible to have success in the claiming game, it's not for Perrotta. “Always buy quality horses, quality pedigrees and sound individuals,” he writes.

The next step is to find the right trainer. When looking for that perfect fit, Perrotta says a new owner should find someone who will communicate, will provide you with regular reports and will be up front about the costs involved.

And have a game plan, complete with goals and one that includes an estimated budget and a timetable to achieve specific parameters of success.

There are chapters about getting involved in partnerships, the ins and outs of tax laws covering racing, how racing has become an international sport and the importance of Thoroughbred aftercare.

Following Perrotta's rules and advice will not guarantee success at the racetrack. The author readily admits that. But the more you study, the more you align yourself with the right people, the more knowledgeable you are, the more effort you put into finding quality, sound horses, the better your chances are. And, who knows, maybe good luck will also factor into the equation.

It's all about, the author writes, “enabling and fueling your newly found passion to become part of the greatest game played outdoors.”

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Mating Plans: OXO Equine

With the 2022 breeding season right around the corner, we will feature a series of breeders' mating plans over the coming weeks. Today we have Taylor Made's Katie Taylor Whalen on behalf of Larry Best, owner of OXO Equine.

Best retired two stallions to Taylor Made–GISW Instilled Regard (Arch) and GSW/GISP Instagrand (Into Mischief)–for their first seasons last year, with both represented by their first foals in 2022. A majority of his broodmare band, over 50 strong, will go to one of the two and are expecting foals by either of the young sires this year, but Best also supports another former runner who also entered stud last year in MGISP Rowayton (Into Mischief) at Diamond B Farm in Pennsylvania. He also uses a number of outside stallions.

With his first recorded start as an owner in 2017, Best has amassed a large and stellar group of broodmares in a short time, and said, “OXO has three priorities. 1, Quality. 2, Quality. 3, Quality.”

“OXO Equine has collected an unbelievably accomplished, well-bred, and beautiful group of mares,” said Taylor Whalen. “It is a joy to work with such an exceptional group. Larry has done a wonderful job of identifying young mares with active families. Breeders should pay close attention to the depth of his support for Instilled Regard and Instagrand. Both Instilled Regard and Instagrand were precocious accomplished racehorses, and they are receiving a caliber of mares that many stallions don't see until they are well established. Great things are in store for both OXO stallions and mares.”

With an addition of 18 maiden mares currently lined up for this season, in 2021 Best bred 33 mares he boards at Taylor Made. All but one of them went to Instagrand, Instilled Regard, or Rowayton. Every one of his maiden mares in 2022 is going to either Instagrand or Instilled Regard and all but 10 of his other mares will also stay with one of his own stallions.

Said Taylor Whelan, “Though OXO is excited and committed to support their own well accomplished stallions, they see the value in rotating top mares to interesting outside stallions. Essential Quality and Practical Joke both fit the mold. They were accomplished on the track, from the top two most powerful sire lines (Tapit/Into Michief) and have racing and commercial upside. We also learn from what goes well! We are taking Hung the Moon back to Quality Road. Her exceptional yearling colt by Quality Road was purchased last summer at Saratoga by Maverick Racing.”

Following is a selection of some of the biggest names in Best's broodmare band and their plans.

BEAU RECALL (IRE) (m, 8, Prancealot {Ire}–Greta d'Argent {Ire}, by Great Commotion), to be bred to Instagrand

Best acquired this MGSW for $350,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. She went to Instilled Regard for her first season last year and will visit Instagrand this year.

BLUE PRIZE (ARG) (m, 9, Pure Prize–Blues for Sale {Arg}, by Not For Sale {Arg}), to be bred to Practical Joke

Best purchased the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Distaff winner for a sales-topping $5 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. He sent her to Into Mischief for her first foal, now a yearling filly. The MGISW and $2.6-million earner is due to Instagrand this year and will be bred back to Practical Joke. Taylor Whalen said the farm is very high on Blue Prize's yearling by Instagrand's sire.

CAMBIER PARC (m, 6, Medaglia d'Oro–Sealy Hill, by Point Given), to be bred to Instagrand

Out of Canada's 2007 Horse of the Year who has since produced four graded winners, Cambier Parc was a $1.25-million buy for Best at the 2017 Keeneland September sale and turned into a MGISW for him while under the tutelage of Chad Brown. The mare's first foal is due this year–an Instilled Regard foal–and she will be sent to the court of Instagrand.

CONCRETE ROSE (m, 6, Twirling Candy–Solerina, by Powerscourt {GB}), to be bred to Essential Quality

Another GISW in the OXO broodmare band, Concrete Rose was a $1.95-million acquisition by Best at the 2020 Keeneland November sale. The mare recently made headlines again when she delivered her first foal, which also happened to be one of the first reported foals by Instagrand.

FINITE (m, 5, Munnings–Remit, by Tapit), to be bred to Instagrand

Picked up at Fasig-Tipton November just two months ago for $2.2 million, Finite is a MGSW out of a full-sister to MGSW Tapiture. She is one of the maidens headed to Best's Instagrand.

INDIAN MISS (m, 13, Indian Charlie–Glacken's Gal, by Smoke Glacken), to be bred to Practical Joke

A $1.9-million buy by OXO at the 2020 Keeneland November sale, Indian Miss is the dam of 2019 champion sprinter Mitole (Eskendereya) and additional GISW Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), who is slated to contest the G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26. The oldest and most accomplished broodmare to date in the OXO broodmare band, Indian Miss is currently in foal to Instagrand and will go back to Practical Joke. Best also has her yearling colt by Into Mischief.

Let us know who you're breeding your mares to in 2022, and why. We will print a selection of your responses in TDN over the coming weeks. Please send details to: garyking@thetdn.com.

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