Among this week's rulings, trainer Lorenzo Ruiz was issued a combined 7-year suspension and charged a total of $95,000 in fines for three separate post-race positives for Diisopropylamine, a banned substance under HISA.

The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) classifies Diisopropylamine as a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer.

The three Ruiz-trained runners–Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter–ran at Los Alamitos last June and July. American Cat and Facts Matter won their respective races, while Kant Beat the Rock finished second.

For these three positives, Ruiz was suspended a combined six years and charged a total of $90,000 in fines and arbitration costs.

Ruiz was also issued an additional year suspension and $5,000 fine for breaching his provisional suspension by continuing to work as an outrider at Los Alamitos.

Trainer Bernard Dunham was also suspended for 30-days and fined $2,500 after his trainee, Shanghai Superfly, tested positive for an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) when finishing fourth at Penn National on Dec. 8.

High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as milkshaking–which can neutralize the buildup of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance.

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

Resolved ADMC Violations
Date: 04/05/2024
Licensee: Gustavo Rodriguez, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Flint Ridge on 3/1/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer
Penalty: Accumulated 7-year suspension, $95,000 fine
Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine–a banned substance–in samples taken from Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter who ran at Los Alamitos respectively on 7/4/23, 6/25/23 and 6/23/23. These were all possible violations of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3227–aggravating Circumstances (in connection with Rule 3212 ADRVs).

Resolution Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Mary Pattershall, 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. Admission.
Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/28/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Adan Farias, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Misty Rain on 2/25/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Michelle Nevin, trainer
Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU.
Explainer: For the presence of Betamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everlys Girl on 2/19/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Resolution Date: 04/03/2024
Licensee: Bernard Dunham, trainer
Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on 4/4/24; 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 $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel.
Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221–Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)–on Shanghai Superfly, who finished fourth at Penn National on 12/8/2023. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3313–Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period.

Pending ADMC Violations
Date: 03/05/2024
Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dixon Tuff on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/05/2024
Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Fire When Ready on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/13/2024
Licensee: John Cortez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from It'sanybodysgame on 03/13/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 02/26/2024
Licensee: Candelario Villamar, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Olivia's Choice, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 02/26/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/02/2024
Licensee: Bill McLean, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Street Tiger, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 3/2/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/14/2024
Licensee: Ruben Alvarado, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, One Smokin Moon. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

Date: 03/08/2024
Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Grey Princess, who won at Gulfstream Park on 03/08/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 01/28/2024
Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Prodigy Doll, who won at Laurel Park on 1/28/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker.

Date: 02/09/2024
Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer
Penalty: Provisionally suspended
Alleged Violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Determined Driver, who won at Laurel Park on 2/9/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker.

Date: 02/01/2024
Licensee: Andres Gonzalez, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Medication violation
Explainer: For the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Let There Be Peace, who won at Sunland Park on 02/01/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List).

Date: 03/21/2024
Licensee: Richard Mandella, trainer
Penalty: Pending
Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation
Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Ice Dancing. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout.

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

Oaklawn Park
Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Martin Chuan–violation date Apr. 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension

Tampa Bay
Pablo Morales–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension
Carlos Rojas–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension

OTHER KEY RULINGS
The TDN also 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.

California
Track: Santa Anita
Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Neil Drysdale, trainer
Penalty: $2,500 fine
Violation: Program Training
Explainer: Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with the California Horse Racing Board, Trainer Neil Drysdale, who was named as trainer in the official program for 'M Is For Magic (While still in the care of the previous trainer), in the fifth race at Del Mar Race Track on 11/11/23, is fined $2,500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1502 (Program Training Prohibited).

New York
Track: Aqueduct
Date: 04/04/2024
Licensee: Eric Cancel, jockey
Penalty: Three-day suspension
Violation: Careless riding
Explainer: Jockey Mr. Eric Cancel for having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days 4/14/24, 4/18/24, 4/192024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 8th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on 3/14/24.

The post Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Apr. 3-9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Sporting his standard duds, including a ball cap, creased jeans and shades, Fincher has his modular phone slung on his belt, ready to be drawn from its holster.

“Busy,” replies the New-Mexico based trainer when asked about how it's all going. “It's just been such a non-stop crazy time, but coming back to Sunland Park, this is my bread and butter.”

Fincher returned only a week ago from his second Middle East junket which capped Senor Buscador's (Mineshaft) successful two-race sojourn to that part of the world. Unless you have resided under an igneous rock, then you know that Joey Peacock's 6-year-old stalwart won the G1 Saudi Cup and then finished third in the G1 Dubai World Cup.

“The experience was great and even though the result in Dubai wasn't what we wanted, everyone was incredibly welcoming,” he said. “Even in a race as big as that one was, I don't get disappointed because at least 75 percent of the time you are going to lose in racing, so getting down like I used to serves no purpose whatsoever.”

Don't misinterpret Fincher's words because he wanted Buscador to win the World Cup. He wants to win them all and badly. Feigning disappointment is his prosaic outlook shining through. You have to have this kind of attitude, which hails from a special place inside and comes from a host of life experiences.

Like a character out of an Ace Reid Cowpoke cartoon, the horseman has a thin build which is a reminder that he used to ride for a living. The mental toughness he developed in the saddle while breaking young horses and as a New Mexico jockey some 30 years ago has served him well, especially in a business like conditioning.

Todd Fincher (left) with Only One America in the Island Fashion S. | Coady Photography

“I'd win three races riding and think I was on top,” he said. “And then that would dry up and I would get really, really down on myself, so you can't do that. It's a humbling sport with so many factors out of your control. You always have to be thankful for wins like Buscador delivered and he is not done yet, we hope.”

Fincher confirmed that Senor Buscador has arrived safely at Peacefield Farm in Temecula, California and will be given several weeks off before a new training cycle could start.

“Just like always, we are going to let him tell us,” he said. “I think the GII Pat O'Brien S. could be possible, we'll see, and then long term, the GI Breeders' Cup Classic.” Two years ago at Del Mar, Buscador finished third in the O'Brien to Laurel River (Into Mischief), who ran away with this year's Dubai World Cup.

While the Saudi Cup champ gets a break, his trainer will be doing nothing of the sort. With Sunland complete, Fincher's stable shifts to SunRay Park up in Farmington, New Mexico, but he loaded up a trailer bound for Hot Springs, Arkansas to start this week.

“We have a couple that I am taking to Oaklawn and I will be there all week,” he said. “I don't like hauling them this far, but it is going to be good to run against competition like this.”

Fincher is entering Perfect Dude (Majesticperfection)–who shifted from Vann Belvoir over to him in February–in Saturday's GIII Count Fleet S. It's a race which will feature Skelly (Practical Joke), who is making his first U.S. start since the gelding ran second in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint in Saudi Arabia.

Making the some 900-mile trip to Oaklawn for the GI Apple Blossom S. is Flying Connection (Nyquist). Last year, the filly won the Island Fashion S. and then netted the Sunland Park Oaks, which earned her a spot in the starting gate for the GI Kentucky Oaks. She ran a game sixth in defeat that Friday.

“Perfect Dude is a fairly new acquisition, but I can tell he has a ton of talent and he is really quick out of the gate,” said Fincher. “I think Flying Connection has developed a real tactical advantage and she has really come far since last year when she just went straight to the front all the time.”

Flying Connection is co-owned by Brad King, Randy Andrews, Chris Coleman, Jim Cone, Suzanne Kirby and Lee Lewis, which is the same group who invested in another Fincher-trained runner, Olivia Twist (Mshawish). Incidentally, King, Andrews, Cone and Lewis are a part of MSW Candy Aisle (Gun Runner), who was ninth in Oaklawn's GII Fantasy S. Mar. 30, and who Fincher will possibly send to the Valley of the Vapors S. Apr. 20.

A half-sister to MGSW/MGISP Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator), Olivia Twist already made the trip to Hot Springs to join Candy Aisle and put in a six-panel work over the weekend. According to her trainer, the 4-year-old could be ready for the April 27 running of the Dig A Diamond S., but for now Fincher is taking a wait-and-see approach when it comes to her next start.

Olivia Twist working with Cristian Torres aboard at Oaklawn | courtesy of Robert Yates

“She raced a ton starting as a 2-year-old,” he said. “I really think she needed a good rest and got it during the second half of last year. I really like the way she carries her weight and she's developed over the winter, she has continued to be aggressive in the mornings, so we'll see if that continues to translate to the afternoons.”

Olivia Twist started eight times from when she broke her maiden at Remington Park late in her juvenile year through last summer at Del Mar. The biggest puzzle for Fincher is to figure out what distance she wants.

“That will come,” he said.

In the interim, Todd Fincher has plenty more puzzles to solve as Saudi Arabia and Dubai are now firmly in the rearview mirror. The road to Oaklawn beckons, and that means it is an opportunity to develop some more bread and butter.

The post Fincher Back To ‘Bread & Butter’ After Dubai, Oaklawn Road Beckons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The homebred arrived in El Paso with two wins to her credit in as many races. Breaking her maiden by nine lengths in mid-December at Remington Park, the filly shipped to Houston and passed the two-turn test when she cleared the allowance ranks with a 4-3/4 win Jan. 21.

Sent on her way at odds of 2-1 here, the 3-year-old established a lead heading into the first turn and continued to modulate the pace up front along the backstretch. With the field bearing down on her position around the far turn, Recharge responded to Joel Rosario's urging past the eighth pole, turned back a major challenge from Candy Aisle (Gun Runner) and poked her head across the wire in time.

The winner has a 2-year-old full-brother named Remix and a yearling half-brother by Silver State. A full-sister to MGSW and sire Tapiture, and also to SW Retap and GSW Rotation, Remit was bred to Epicenter for this season.

SUNLAND PARK OAKS, $250,000, Sunland, 2-18, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:37.27, ft.
1–RECHARGE, 121, f, 3, by Gun Runner
                1st Dam: Remit (MSW, $257,556), by Tapit
                2nd Dam: Free Spin, by Olympio
                3rd Dam: Spin n Win, by Private Account
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen; J-Joel Rosario. $148,500. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $189,498. *1/2 to Reride (Candy Ride {Arg}), MSW-USA, GSP-UAE, $461,010; 1/2 to Finite (Munnings), MGSW & GISP, $849,869.
2–Candy Aisle, 121, f, 3, Gun Runner–Rosalie Road, by Street Cry (Ire). ($250,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $350,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). O-Randy Andrews, Jim Cone, Brad King and Lee Lewis; B-Gun Runner Syndicate & C. W. Swann (KY); T-Todd W. Fincher. $54,450.
3–Simply Enchanting, 121, f, 3, Nyquist–Enchante, by Bluegrass Cat. ($475,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-MyRacehorse, Old Bones Racing Stable, LLC and Platts, Joey; B-Jumping Jack Racing LLC (KY); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,750.
Margins: NK, 4, 4. Odds: 2.30, 2.30, 0.90.
Also Ran: Methods, Raspberry Wine. Scratched: Floating Beauty.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

“Recharge won it in a thrilling display of courage!”

#5 Recharge ($6.60) sets the pace and wins the battle of the Gun Runner fillies in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks. She earns 20 points on the @SpendthriftFarm Road to the Kentucky Oaks for Steve Asmussen and @JRosarioJockey. pic.twitter.com/f7cHSreleL

— TVG (@TVG) February 18, 2024

The post Winchell Homebred Recharge Collects 20 Kentucky Oaks Points At Sunland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Raffle prizes included VIP packages at Sunland Park, a Professional Bull Riding event, the Ruidoso Jockey Club and Del Mar Racetrack, as well as a $2,000 saddle, a $1,000 pallet of horse feed and $3,500 custom boots by Mario Garcia.

Raffle tickets are available at the Sunland Park Turf Club, with the drawing scheduled for Apr. 1.

Bryce Bourdieu was injured last August in Texas, where he worked as an exercise rider and assistant starter. The son of popular Sunland Park Racetrack Handicapper Julie Renee Farr and jockey Martin Bourdieu, Bryce is recovering from extensive injuries, two back surgeries and a lower leg amputation. His medical bills are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Joree Scriver was seriously injured during a New Year's Day race when the horse she was riding suddenly fell. She had emergency back surgery to repair several fractured vertebrae and continues to suffer from the surgery, broken ribs a collapsed lung, facial lacerations and a severely bruised spinal cord. She has been receiving rehabilitation care in Colorado.

The post Sunland Park Hosts Fundraiser for Injured Riders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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After a brief gate delay caused by One in Vermillion (Army Mule), the speed took off with top choices Hard to Figure and Henry Q taking it to one another from the opening strides. Wild On Ice was three wide with that pair into the first turn but wisely took back under jockey Ken Tohill to race with Low Expectations (Nyquist) in the second flight. The first quarter blitzed by in :20.58 but the top four stayed compact with two rivals distanced out the back.

Kept outside in the clear the whole way, Wild On Ice stayed right off the favorite's flank into the far turn and pounced as the speed began to fade with a quarter to run. Low Expectations kept him honest to the line but Wild On Ice was clearly best to win going away. The gelding, who is not currently nominated to the Triple Crown, picked up 50 points for his effort.

Pedigree Notes:

GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tapizar, who we tragically lost in 2020, is best known for siring dual Eclipse champion Monomoy Girl. Wild On Ice becomes the 7th individual graded-stakes winners for his sire who has one more crop of 2-year-olds to race. Dam Slamitagain, herself a half-sister to the dam of MGSP Pioppo (Brz), has now produced three winners from as many foals. This is also the family of GI Florida Derby and GI Fountain of Youth hero Vicar (Wild Again) as well as French Two Thousand Guineas winner Astronomer Royal (Danzig).

Sunday, Sunland Park
SUNLAND PARK DERBY-GIII, $600,000, Sunland, 3-26, 3yo,
1 1/8m, 1:51.39, ft.
1–WILD ON ICE, 122, g, 3, by Tapizar
          1st Dam: Slamitagain, by Grand Slam
          2nd Dam: Oonagh, by Wild Again
          3rd Dam: Escrow Agent, by El Gran Senor
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O/B-Frank
Sumpter (TX); T-Joel H. Marr; J-Ken S. Tohill. $356,400.
Lifetime Record: SP, 5-3-0-1, $405,400. Werk Nick Rating: A+.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Low Expectations, 122, g, 3, Nyquist–Eloquent Tribute, by
Tapit. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($192,000
Ylg '21 FTKOCT; $17,000 RNA 2yo '22 OBSOPN). O-Reddam
Racing LLC; B-Mount Riga Bloodstock (KY); T-Antonio C. Garcia.
$130,680.
3–Henry Q, 122, c, 3, Blame–Lunar Empress, by Malibu Moon.
1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($125,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP). O-The
Del Mar Group; B-Fred W. Hertrich lll & John D. Fielding (KY);
T-Todd W. Fincher. $59,400.
Margins: 1 1/4, 2HF, 6 3/4. Odds: 35.40, 21.00, 1.60.
Also Ran: How Did He Do That, One in Vermillion,
Hard to Figure. Scratched: Fort Bragg.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

The post Hometown Hero Wild On Ice Stuns In Sunland Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“My wife and I were very emotional after the win,” said Pierre Amestoy. “It was phenomenal. It was exhilarating. We're just elated.”

“I guess we're heading to the Kentucky Derby!” he laughed.

Adding some dramatic flavor to the story, the Amestoy's trainer, Tim Yakteen, had just taken over several of Bob Baffert's Classic contenders, including three colts that would make it into the San Felipe lineup on race day.

Was Amestoy worried?

“It was all about the trip,” he said. “As long as we didn't get stopped, or bumped or fall down out of the gate. It was more about something silly happened rather than fearing any of the other horses.”

He added, “Tim told us that this horse has been maturing and coming along, getting stronger and better. We were really confident in our horse going into the race.”

“He will point him toward the Santa Anita Derby [Apr. 8], that is the right progression. Hopefully, everything goes good there and then on to the Kentucky Derby. And if we can get a good trip there and get up to the top third of the pack, then I think we have a real chance. I think our style has been working and I think it often works in the Kentucky Derby too.”

Coming up Aces in the First Sales Foray
Up until last year, the Amestoys bred their own state-foaled runners at their five-acre farm in Albuqurque, New Mexico. However, once they determined they wanted to dive into the 2-year-olds in training sales scene, and branch out beyond the New Mexico racing scene, it didn't take long to hit paydirt.

Teaming up with Beasley last spring at the OBS Spring Sale, the Amestoys extended to $230,000 for the son of Practical Joke, who was represented by his first 3-year-olds in 2022. The final price represented the second highest priced offspring by his sire at that venue. Offered as Hip 97 by Eisaman Equine, the late Apr. 30 foal covered an eighth of a mile in :10.1 during the breeze show.

“That was the only box we could not check,” said Amestoy of the late foaling date. “We much would have preferred to have had a Feb. 30 colt than an April foal. But physically, he didn't look behind. Yes, it was a concern at first, but Tim said, “let him take us there.” If we needed to, we were prepared to back off and wait. We let him tell us.”

Extolling the colt's virtues, he continued, “He was never undersized and we could see the maturity in him even at that point. He was big enough, he had enough bone and a great foot. He had the scope and the walk. Most importantly, he had the mentality. We went and saw him every day we were there. We watched him and we thought there would be room to improve being that he was young.”

Ack Naughty selling at the 2023 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale | Keeneland

Adding some nuance to the colt's page, New York-based Ack Naughty had amassed over $300,000 during her racing career while competing mainly on the turf for Sol Kumin and partners and trainer Chad Brown, who had Practical Joke in the barn at the same time. Later combining their resources when both sire and dam had retired, Brown and Kumin are registered as the colt's breeders

After producing a Complexity colt in 2022, Ack Naughty sold for $500,000 at this year's Keeneland January sale, however, the foal she was carrying at the time was stillborn. Practical Move is from the family of champion Vino Rosso.

“We liked his sire because he was a speed sire,” he said. “He was a good miler and a three-time Grade I winner and by one of the hottest horses in the world, Into Mischief. So the top side was strong. On the bottom, we liked that the mare was stakes placed and earned over $300,000. She is by Afleet Alex, so there was distance there. We were hoping that the top side would bring the speed and the bottom side the stamina. So this time, it looks like it worked out.”

Once hitting the racetrack, Practical Move showed talent early, finishing second behind the Bob Baffert-trained Cave Rock (Arrogate)–a subsequent dual Grade I winner–going 6 1/2 furlongs in his debut at Del Mar before finishing third next time over that same track and distance. Second under the wire but later promoted to first after the disqualification of Baffert trainee Fort Bragg (Tapit) while stretching to a mile at Santa Anita last October, he was third behind two more Baffert runners–Havnameltdown (Uncaptured) and Newgate (Into Mischief)–in the seven-panel GIII Bob Hope S. at Del Mar Nov. 20. Given one more start at two, the bay proved an easy winner of the 1 1/16-mile GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 17.

“After the Los Alamitos Futurity we gave him a little time off, and he actually blossomed over that time,” said Amestoy. “He put on 45 pounds and he kept it. He is all muscle and has turned into an absolute specimen.”

“We've always been Thoroughbred people”
Following their latest win, much has been made of the  Amestoy's involvement in Quarter Horse racing. Indeed, they have held a significant stake in the Quarter Horse industry over the past two decades, having campaigned the likes of champions First to Flash (2002) and First Moonflash (2009). However, Amestoy is quick to point out that Thoroughbreds was always the main attraction.

“Even when my wife trained in the 70s and 80s, she trained Thoroughbreds. And even today, we probably have 3 to 1 more Thoroughbreds than Quarter Horses,” said Amestoy.

He continued, “We have done very well in the Quarter Horse industry. We've had two champions, lots of graded and Grade I wins, but Thoroughbreds have always been our first play.”

Explaining the decision to venture into Quarter Horses over a decade ago, he explained, “When you race in New Mexico, there is a lot of Quarter Horse racing. So even though we were winning Thoroughbred races in New Mexico, there were still four to five races a day for Quarter Horses. So, we thought, 'Heck, why don't we play in there?' There are a lot of races and money we can be playing for and it's right at home.”

Practical Move's co-owner Pierre Amestoy, Jr. and jockey Ramon Vazquez | Benoit Photo

Following the Amestoy's marriage in 1988, the couple purchased a farm in Paris, Kentucky, Lobo Farm, while choosing to reside in New Mexico, where Pierre operated his construction and development company.

“We stood stallions, had broodmares and pinhooked yearlings, we just about did it all,” said Amestoy of his Kentucky-based operation.

Despite all their success with Quarter Horses, it was their Thoroughbred operation that yielded of the couple's biggest coups in either industry. In 2008, Irish Cherry (Irish Open) sold for $2.7 million at the Keeneland January sale. Sold in partnership with Mike Abraham, the then 14-year-old mare was best known for producing MGISW Spun Sugar and GSW Daaher.

“We bought Irish Cherry in foal to Storm Cat [for $800,000 at KEENOV in 2006] and we bred her back to Ghostzapper. We had a very nice pinhook there. We did very well at the sales. We also sold several high-dollar yearlings in Kentucky as well.”

After selling Lobo farm in 2011, the Amestoys opted to focus on their Quarter Horse operation as well as their small group New Mexico-based Thoroughbred mares, usually numbering about five to six. The resulting yearlings were sent to the Amestoy's training center next to Sunland Park, and from there, the youngsters would either go to the sales or the remain in training with the Amestoy's New Mexico-based trainer, Todd Fincher.

When asked why much of the post San Felipe news led with the narrative describing the Amestoys as 'Quarter Horse owners', he said, “We had the farm in Kentucky for 12 years. We bred there, we raced there. We've done it all there. We have a substantial background with Thoroughbreds. It's probably because this is the first time that we got to this level [in Thoroughbred racing]. But we've been doing this a long time and have been good at it.”

Sales Savvy
While all roads lead to Thoroughbreds, the Amestoy's most important Thoroughbred to date was derived through a connection made via their Quarter Horse dealings. And that important alliance spearheaded the decision to take a swing at the Thoroughbred sales in search of a Classic horse.

“After we sold our farm, we concentrated on racing in New Mexico because the purses were very good. That's when I met my current partner, Roger Beasley, through a mutual friend and we bought some Quarter Horses together. We did really well together. [Early last year, we were just talking and [Beasley] said, 'Pierre, why don't we get a couple of Thoroughbreds and let's try and go for the big races.' So I said, “I have the experience and I'll do the work.” There was a sale [OBS] coming up in Florida and Leslie and I said we would go down for a week and find a couple.”

And the venture proved fruitful.

“We went out there, and found Practical Move and we found another, Blessed Touch [Girvin], who ran third [in the GIII Santa Ysabel S.] last Sunday.”

The $140,000 OBS Spring buy, who won second time out at Santa Anita last October, subsequently finished runner up in the Desi Arnaz S., in November. Additionally, the partnership purchased a colt by Valiant Minister for $38,000 and, in conjunction with Mike Abraham, secured a $50,000 colt by Munnings, who had been slated to run on the San Felipe undercard and was scratched because of a minor issue but is expected to return.

“He appears to have some talent,” said Amestoy of the Munnings colt.

While breeding to race had been the Amestoy's M.O. for much of their past involvement in the Thoroughbred game, the sparkling success of their first foray into public sales last season makes it a safe bet that they will be returning to the well this year.

“Roger and I were just talking the other day and he asked, Partner, do you want to go back [to OBS]? In order to find another one we would have to go back!” he said with a laugh. “We might go back to OBS and sniff around and see what we can find.”

The post OBS Grad Practical Move Looking for Roses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“In my 18 years working in various roles with track maintenance, I've been able to gain valuable knowledge at tracks like Del Mar, Turf Paradise, Zia Park, Sunland Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows which will serve me well as Track Superintendent for Prairie Meadows,” Noffsinger said.

Prairie Meadows Vice President for Racing Derron Heldt added, “Ryan brings so much to the table with his experience, dedication and love of the industry as a third-generation horseman and having worked in various roles in track maintenance, I feel confident in his abilities to provide a solid and consistent racing surface for the horses, jockeys and racing industry participants that come to race in Iowa.”

Prairie Meadows' live racing season begins with 20 days of Thoroughbred-only racing from May 12-June 17 and is followed by a mixed Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse schedule of 60 race days from June 18-Sept. 30.

The post Noffsinger Named Prairie Meadows Track Superintendent appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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On Saturday, six days after Joree Scriver got hurtled to the Sunland Park dirt in a violent, one-horse spill, the 21-year-old jockey was able to report good news: For the first time since her accident and emergency surgery to fix spinal damage, she was able to discern a bit of sensation in each of her legs.

“I'm a little rough, but I'm alright,” Scriver told TDN via phone from the intensive care unit at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, about five miles over the New Mexico border from the track.

“The surgery went well. I had a few vertebrae cracked in my back. And then I cracked a few ribs. My lung wanted to collapse. It didn't quite collapse, but I'm good now. I have air in my lungs.

“They're waiting for the swelling to go down in my back. That's pretty much it right now. But actually, everything's turning out pretty good. I've been getting better and better each day,” Scriver said.

That's immense improvement from even just the day before, Friday, when Daily Racing Form quoted Scriver's sister, Nicole West, as saying Joree had no feeling from her belly button down.

“As of [Saturday], I felt a little tingling on my left leg, early in the morning,” Scriver explained. “It was like when your leg falls asleep. You know that fuzzy feeling? Like it's trying to [wake up]? And I'm hoping that the swelling's going down, and that's why it's doing that. And then my right leg did it later on [Saturday] afternoon.”

Given the gravity of her injuries, a TDN reporter didn't expect to be speaking with Scriver on Jan. 7 when he phoned her boyfriend, the jockey Luis Fuentes, seeking an update. But instead of Fuentes answering his own phone, Scriver took the call herself.

Fuentes, 22, said well-wishers who called hm and instead got Scriver this past weekend had been pleasantly surprised to hear her voice.

“When people call, they're like, 'Wait, is this actually Joree?'” Fuentes said. “They're surprised because her voice sounds so good. Her progress looks good. The swelling in her face is going down, too. She's been able to move a lot better. So we're hoping for recovery, and she's in really good spirits right now.

“For her only being in horse racing for about three years, she's had a lot of [racetrackers from around the country] caring about how she's doing, and that's nice to hear,” Fuentes said.

Fuentes has been by her side in the hospital for the better part of a week. He was also by her side, nearest to the rail, when Scriver's mount, No Huddle, went down abruptly nearing the entrance to the far turn in Sunland's third race Jan. 1.

That contest was a six-furlong NW3L $5,000 claimer. The 4-year-old No Huddle had been in good form, winning his most recent two starts at Zia Park in November and December. Fuentes himself had even ridden the gelding on four previous occasions, never finishing worse than second.

It is impossible to tell what happened from the pan shot. The head-on replay has been removed from the sites of at least three major industry replay providers. The Equibase chart caller's comment was simply “raced in mid-pack early, fell and was vanned off.” TDN could not obtain a veterinary update for No Huddle in time for deadline for this story.

Asked if she felt up to talking about the spill, Scriver didn't hesitate.

She said remembers everything about the race right up until the fall. Then “only flashes.”

“All I remember is my horse's head went down, and I went down,” Scriver said. “I don't remember going down, but I remember seeing my horse's head dip down. I remember being in the ambulance. And then going for surgery, I remember them putting on that breathing mask thing that makes you go to sleep. And that was it. Then I was out of it.”

For Fuentes, the aftermath of the accident was also a blur. His mount finished last, and all he could think about was dismounting and getting out to see Scriver as fast as possible.

“I was right next to her. It was like a freak accident that happened so fast. The horse never gave her a warning or anything, just went down,” Fuentes said.

'All smiles and ponytail'

Read through news clippings about Scriver that track her progress from tracks in the Pacific Northwest to New Mexico, or scan through the comments written about her on a GoFundMe page that has been set up to help pay for her recovery costs, and determination, work ethic, a passion for going fast on horseback, and a genuine love all things equine are what shine through.

The New York Times even profiled Scriver barely two years into her career within a larger piece about women and the horse-first culture at Grants Pass Downs in Oregon written in 2021. “In the mornings, the track's leading jockey, Joree Scriver, all smiles and ponytail, pedals a banana bike from barn to barn,” wrote Joe Drape.

That profile detailed how Scriver “has been atop a horse since learning to walk,” advancing from 4H Club riding near her home up by the Canadian border in Curlew, Washington, (population 51) to barrel racing as an adolescent, then galloping Thoroughbreds by age 16 for twelve bucks a pop while also competing on her high school's volleyball, softball and basketball teams. She got her jockey's license at 18, and won for the first time with her 11th mount on Aug. 10, 2019, at Oregon's Tillamook County Fair.

Scriver rode as an apprentice on the Oregon fairs circuit, at Emerald Downs, and Turf Paradise, which is where she and Fuentes first met. They started dating a bit later, after they each moved their tack to Zia in New Mexico.

Fuentes was born and raised in El Paso and comes from a racing-centric family of horsemen and jockeys, with a father, three uncles, and two brothers in the business ahead of him. He started riding at Sunland in 2018, then traveled to Parx, Santa Anita, Oaklawn and Prairie Meadows, among other venues, before settling in back home on the New Mexico circuit.

After closing out the Zia meet on a high note Dec. 20 (Fuentes won with his final four mounts to be leading rider; Scriver also won on the last day of the season and was fourth in the standings),  the couple had taken a brief break before looking forward to the Sunland meet's opening. As fate would have it, they got caught in a travel snafu.

“We flew back home to her house in Washington and spent the holidays there,” Fuentes said. “They cancelled our flights coming back on Southwest. So we had to drive, and it was like a 27-hour drive. And because there was a bunch of snow, the only thing the car rental had available to rent was a rear-wheel-drive truck.”

Fuentes isn't the type to complain. He instead referred to their travel ordeal as a “strong week” that at least ended favorably with them being able to celebrate New Year's Eve safely back home with his family.

In Sunland's first race of 2023, Fuentes and Scriver ran second and third, respectively.

“We were ready to start off the new racing year good,” Fuentes said. “Now I'm just glad she's alive and here.”

'Thankful for everyone'

The first week of the New Year in America was dominated by the devastating news of a 24-year-old National Football League player suffering cardiac arrest on national TV Jan. 2 after making a tackle.

Inside the stadium, tens of thousands watched as medical workers performed CPR and used a defibrillator to restore his heartbeat. Players and coaches wept and prayed, as did millions watching the tragedy unfold live and via social media.

Toward the end of the week, Damar Hamlin began showing remarkable progress, just like Scriver has.

The difference, of course, is that while one athlete's pain and recovery played out squarely in the media spotlight, another's unfolded privately and with little news coverage.

Fuentes said he was well aware of the juxtaposition of the two medical emergencies each athlete suffered. But he chose not to dwell on those differences.

“It's crazy…” he said, his voice trailing off in thought when asked about was going through his mind when he compared the two cases. “The risks we take as jockeys…”

Scriver's family had rushed down from Washington to be with her as soon as they got the news. But on Saturday, Scriver said she might be on the move soon.

“I'm thinking of going to Colorado, to Craig Hospital,” Scriver said, referring to the world-renowned spinal and brain injury rehab center just outside of Denver.

Although initially the online fundraising effort was established to defray travel costs for Scriver's family to make it to El Paso, donations are now being redirected to help Scriver's rehab.

“I'm thankful for everyone that's reached out to me,” Scriver said. “There's been a lot of people from everywhere. There's a GoFundMe account, and I know that some people have helped out in that sort of way, and it's really much appreciated.”

The post Jockey Scriver From ICU: ‘Getting Better And Better Each Day’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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More than 800 new toys are expected to be given away during the event to children selected by the local schools in Sunland Park, Santa Teresa, and La Union. The Christmas Toy Giveaway is a long-standing tradition of the Sheriff's Posse, who first began distributing toys to Sunland Park children during the 1960's. Over 1,100 toys will be given to children who might not otherwise have a present under the tree this Christmas through this program.

“Giving back to the community is a part of our workplace culture and we enjoy hosting the toy giveaway here,” said Mark Hettinger, General Manager at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino.

The post Santa to Make Early Visit to Sunland Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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More than 800 new toys are expected to be given away during the event to children selected by the local schools in Sunland Park, Santa Teresa, and La Union. The Christmas Toy Giveaway is a long-standing tradition of the Sheriff's Posse, who first began distributing toys to Sunland Park children during the 1960's.

This year's toy giveaway will also benefit The Armed Services YMCA and several local charities and shelters.

The post Santa to Appear at Sunland Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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