Tag: The Biz

Cody's Wish, the gutsy 5-year-old winner of four of five stakes races this year and beloved equine pal to the late Cody Dorman, has been voted the first back-to-back winner of the Secretariat Vox Populi Award.

Secretariat's late owner Penny Chenery created the award in 2010 to annually recognize the racehorse whose popularity and racing excellence best resounded with the public and gained recognition for the sport.

Cody's Wish's story is inextricably linked with that of his namesake, who lived courageously with a rare genetic disorder and passed away on Nov. 5, just six weeks shy of his 18th birthday and only a day after witnessing Cody's Wish battle to a nose victory in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) at Santa Anita.

Representatives of the Cody's Wish team will return to Santa Anita Park on Jan. 13 for the Vox Populi Award trophy presentation as part of the day's activities.

Owned and bred by Godolphin, trained by Bill Mott, and ridden by Junior Alvarado, Cody's Wish won the 2023 Churchill Downs Stakes (G1), Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap (G1), Vosburgh Stakes (G2), and, for the second straight year, the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He also placed third in the Whitney Stakes (G1).

Beyond his victories and grit on the track, it was the horse's connection to Cody Dorman that elicited widespread admiration and affection from fans.

“Cody's Wish embodies all that the Secretariat Vox Populi Award represents. He has wowed us with his performances on the racetrack and touched countless people's hearts with his profound connection with Cody Dorman,” said Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of Penny Chenery. “In this 50th anniversary year of Secretariat's Triple Crown, it is inspiring to see the twin legacies of Cody and Cody's Wish honored through this award.”

For five years, Cody's Wish and Cody Dorman shared a unique connection, beginning with their first encounter in 2018 at Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm, a visit made possible by Keeneland's Make-A-Wish Day. Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome had relegated the then-12-year-old Cody to a wheelchair and rendered him unable to speak. An inquisitive 5-month-old foal—by leading sire Curlin out of the Tapit mare Dance Card—was introduced to Cody and put his head in the boy's lap. With that, the bay colt earned his name: Cody's Wish.

Over the next few years, a number of such sweet interactions occurred and the special rapport between the two continued to their earthly end—Cody's Wish ran his final race on Nov. 4 and Cody Dorman passed the next day—but their bond endures for those who know their story, beginning with Cody's family:

“We want to thank everyone who voted for Cody's Wish to help him achieve his second consecutive Vox Populi Award,” wrote Cody Dorman's father Kelly, mother Leslie and sister Kylie in a special message (below). “The feeling of amazement and happiness has never changed from the first moment we met Cody's Wish to this day and beyond. Seeing his performances on the track and his enduring love for Cody in person will be branded into our hearts forever.”

A fifth-generation great-grandson of Secretariat, Cody's Wish twice has earned the award that bears his forefather's name and represents the vox populi, Latin for “voice of the people.”

The owners of Cody's Wish shared their appreciation as well.

“Everyone at Team Godolphin is honored to see Cody's Wish voted by the fans as the winner of the 2023 Vox Populi Award. Both Cody's Wish's achievements on the racetrack and his relationship with Cody Dorman have touched the lives of so many both inside and outside of the industry. It has been an incredible journey and one we were delighted to share with Cody and his family. We are looking forward to seeing what Cody's Wish can do in his second career in the breeding shed. Thank you to the Secretariat team, the Chenery Family and to everyone that voted for Cody's Wish.”

Retiring with 11 wins in 16 starts and career earnings of $3,106,030, Cody's Wish will begin his stud career at Godolphin's Jonabell Farm, home of Darley's American stallions in Lexington, Ky.

Nominees for the award were submitted by the Vox Populi Committee, comprised of distinguished personalities from within and outside the racing industry. Voters also had the option to write in their own favorite candidate to recognize other exceptional horses.

In winning the Vox Populi Award last year, Cody's Wish joined the celebrated roster of racing stars who had received it previously: Hot Rod Charlie (2021), Authentic (2020), Bricks and Mortar (2019), Winx (2018), Ben's Cat (2017), California Chrome (2016 and 2014), American Pharoah (2015), Mucho Macho Man (2013), Paynter (2012), Rapid Redux (2011), and inaugural winner Zenyatta (2010).

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the stakes schedule for the 2024 winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack.

The 47-day Big A winter meet, which will feature 26 stakes races worth $3.5 million in purses, begins Monday, January 1 and runs through Saturday, March 30. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday for the first three weeks of January and Friday-Sunday from January 26 through the first week of March. Aqueduct will host a Presidents' Day card on Monday, February 19. Four-day race weeks resume on March 7.

A total of six stakes received a purse increase at the winter meet, topped by the Listed $150,000 Interborough, which saw it's purse improved by $50,000. Five other featured events received an increment of $25,000 in the Grade 3, $175,000 Toboggan and Grade 3, $175,000 Tom Fool Handicap along with three Listed stakes now worth $150,000, including the Heavenly Prize, Stymie, and Excelsior.

The Aqueduct winter meet stakes action kicks off on Saturday, January 6, with a pair of $150,000 stakes events, including the nine-furlong Ladies for older fillies and mares and the one-mile Jerome, which will be the first of three Kentucky Derby prep races at the meet. The Jerome will offer 10-5-3-2-1 qualifying points to the top-five finishers.

The nine-furlong $100,000 Busanda for sophomore fillies on January 13 will provide 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-five finishers. The following week will offer the Listed $150,000 Interborough on January 20 as older fillies and mares sprint seven furlongs.

Graded action for the winter meet kicks off on February 3 with the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers at nine-furlongs offering 20-10-6-4-2 Kentucky Derby qualifying points and the Grade 3, $175,000 Toboggan, a seven-furlong sprint for older horses. On February 10, the Listed $150,000 Heavenly Prize will see a field of older fillies and mares travel a one-turn mile.

The centerpiece of the March stakes calendar is the one-mile Grade 3, $300,000 Gotham on March 2, providing 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Derby qualifying points. The Gotham Day card includes the Grade 3, $175,000 Tom Fool Handicap for 4-year-olds and up going six furlongs, the Listed $150,000 Stymie at one mile for older horses, and the Listed one-mile $200,000 Busher for 3-year-old fillies, offering 50-25-15-10-5 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points.

Closing Weekend of the winter meet will feature the Listed nine-furlong $150,000 Excelsior for older horses on Saturday, March 30.

For the complete winter meet stakes schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/stakes-schedule/.

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The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will play host to the second annual “Countdown to the Triple Crown” fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 3. This winter fundraiser, scheduled exactly three months prior to the 150th Kentucky Derby in 2024, will feature dozens of silent auction items and an online auction of unique items and experience packages to benefit the Museum. 

Guests can attend the event in person at the Museum from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. or bid on special packages online. The early-bird event at the Museum will feature beer, wine, soda, light refreshments, and entertainment. Cost to attend the event is $15 for Museum members and $30 for non-members. Many of the auction items will be displayed throughout the Museum galleries during the event. 

To purchase tickets, visit: http://1049a.blackbaudhosting.com/1049a/2nd-Annual-Countdown-to-the-Triple-Crown or call (518) 584-0400.

The Museum is asking for support from the thoroughbred racing industry and businesses throughout the Saratoga Springs area and nationally to help make this event a success. Businesses are encouraged to donate an item, experience, or gift card. Contributing businesses will be promoted by the Museum leading up to the event through the Museum's social media channels and through database distribution. Additionally, the Museum will provide contributing businesses with two complimentary tickets to the event. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to preserve and promote the history of thoroughbred racing in America and honor the sport's most accomplished participants in the Official National Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame. All proceeds from the event will fund new and exciting exhibits, educational programming, and help us provide the best experience to thousands of visitors annually. 

For more information about the event or donating an item or experience, please contact Maureen Pasco at (518) 584-0400 ext. 109 or mpasco@racingmuseum.net. 

For more information about the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, including upcoming events, please visit www.racingmuseum.org or call (518) 584-0400. 

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Trainer Phillip Aristone, a member of the Parx Racing Hall of Fame, has been suspended for 105 days and fined $7,500 over a pair of positive tests for lamotrigine, according to the public disclosures section of the website for the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), the enforcement arm of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA).

Lamotrigine is an anticonvulsant which can be used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. HISA regulations classify the substance as a Class A controlled medication, while lamotrigine is listed as a Drug/Penalty Class 3A on the Uniform Classification Guidelines for Foreign Substances list maintained by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).

Aristone trainee Field Letters tested positive for lamotrigine after winning a $4,000 claiming race at Penn National on Aug. 4, while stablemate Jewels in the Bay tested positive after winning a $16,000 maiden claiming race at Parx on Sept. 6. Both horses were disqualified with purse money ordered returned.

After admitting to the violation and accepting the consequences, Aristone was suspended 30 days, fined $2,500, and assessed 3 Penalty Points for the first violation. The second violation triggered a 45-day period of ineligibility, a $5,000 fine, and assessment of 3 more Penalty Points. The accumulation of 6 Penalty Points resulted in an additional 30-day period of ineligibility; Aristone will remain suspended through March 21, 2024.

Aristone has saddled the winners of 1,681 races, according to Equibase, through a career dating back to the late 1970s.

Also this week, the Equine Anti-Doping notices were withdrawn for trainers Michael Pappada and Carl James Deville, both of whom had positive tests for the banned substance tapentadol, an opioid, and whose trainees were vanned off after their races at Presque Isle Downs.

No further details were released on these cases, though Pappada still has an outstanding positive test for banned substance altrenogest on a gelding.

Deville trainee Eurobeliever had tested positive for both tapentadol and bultalbital (a barbiturate), but it appears as though both of those have been dismissed.

• Trainer Norman Follett will serve a seven-day period of ineligibility (beginning Dec. 5) over Racing Colors testing positive for lidocaine after finishing second in a waiver claiming event at Aqueduct on Sept. 22. Follett has been fined $1,000 and assessed 2 Penalty Points; Racing Colors was disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer Peter Miller has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points for a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Thirsty John on Oct. 25. (FINAL)
• Trainer Jamie Ness has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points for a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Dust Devil on Oct. 24. (FINAL)
• Trainer Gustavo Amaya has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points for a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Sandpiper Memories on Nov. 4. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer John Servis has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points for a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Winnin'onweekends on Oct. 28. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer Michael S. Ferraro has been fined $3,000 and assessed 3 Penalty Points for a violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Princess Sonya  on Oct. 29. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer Ortis Henry has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Empress Palpatine testing positive for glycopyrrolate after finishing second in a $5,000 claiming race at Finger Lakes on Oct. 31. The filly was disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer Wendell McDaniel has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Big Difference testing positive for phenylbutazone after a vet's list workout at Golden Gate Fields on Oct. 28. (FINAL)
• Trainer John Ennis has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Wauhatchie testing positive for diclofenac after finishing second in a maiden special weight at Churchill Downs on Sept. 21. The horse was disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (ADMISSION)
• Trainer Ronnie E. Cravens, III has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Saturday's Gold testing positive for phenylbutazone after winning a starter allowance race at Remington Park on Oct. 11. The horse was disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (FINAL)
• Trainer Jacqueline Falk has been fined $500 and assessed 1.5 Penalty Points over Gold Templar testing positive for methocarbamol after finishing second in a maiden special weight at Finger Lakes on June 28. The horse has been disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (FINAL)
• Trainer Darlene Green has received a written reprimand over Highcotton Justice testing positive for omeprazole after finishing second in an allowance race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Oct. 11. The horse was disqualified with purse money ordered returned. (FINAL)

Pending Violations – Provisional Suspensions For Banned Substances

The following cases include pending violations for banned substances, those that are not permitted in horses. New cases are listed in italics, and active suspensions have the responsible person's name listed in bold.

Postponed suspensions, those for substances yet to be confirmed by split sample, are listed with an asterisk (*).

• *Dr. Margaret Smyth – possession of banned substances sarapin and levothyroxine (violation date Oct. 4)
• Trainer Adolfo Macias – possession of banned substance levothyroxine (violation date Sept. 20)
• Trainer Michael Pappada
  • Thisaintjumpstreet, Willie Wando, and Tudox Rue Majestic incurred violations of Rule 3229(b)–Status During Provisional Suspension or Ineligibility
  • Runaway Harry, a gelding, tested positive for altrenogest after winning a starter allowance at Presque Isle Downs on Aug. 28.
• Trainer Daniel Kenney – possession of banned substance levothyroxine (violation date Aug. 25)
• *Dr. Barbara Hippie's provisional suspension has been lifted pursuant to Rule 3247(c)(4), “exceptional circumstances exist that make it clearly unfair, taking into account all of the circumstances of the case, to impose a Provisional Suspension prior to the final hearing on the merits,” after being found to be in possession of banned substances bisphosphonate, pitcher plant extract (sarapin), levothyroxine, and isoxuprine (violation date Sept. 28)
• Dr. Scott Shell – possession of banned substances bisphosphonate; gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), and isoxsuprine (violation date Sept. 28)
• Trainer John Pimental (imposed sanctions were vacated when HIWU accepted the trainer's withdrawal of admission of guilt; adjudication restarted)
  • Possession of Levothyroxine (violation date July 28)
  • Golovkin tested positive for methamphetamine after finishing last (sixth) in a claiming race at Monmouth Park on May 29. A claim on the horse was voided from this race.
• Trainer Michael Lauer – Mowins tested positive for metformin after finishing third in an allowance race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Aug. 5. The 4-year-old gelding has since finished eighth in the Bucchero Handicap on Aug. 23; he remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• *Trainer Hector Palma's provisional suspension was lifted pursuant to Rule 3247(e) after his trainee Baladi tested positive for methamphetamine after finishing fourth in a claiming race at Del Mar on July 30. The 4-year-old gelding remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• *Trainer Randy Preston's provisional suspension was lifted pursuant to Rule 3247(e) after Fly Home tested positive for methamphetamine after winning a maiden claiming race at Belterra Park on July 20.
• Trainer Milton Pineda's admission of guilt has been withdrawn, and thus his provisional suspension has been reinstated. Eight of Pineda's trainees tested positive for the banned substance diisopropylamine, a vasodilator, between June 2 and July 4 of this year.
• Trainer Jim Lewis – Hughie's Holiday tested positive for clenbuterol after winning a claiming race at Ruidoso Downs on July 8. The 5-year-old mare remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Ramon Rechy – Night Livin tested positive for methamphetamine after winning a claiming race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on July 7.
• *Trainer Bruno Tessore's provisional suspension was lifted pursuant to Rule 3247(e) after his trainee Tenebris, a gelding, tested positive for altrenogest on July 18 (no races or workouts listed on that date by Equibase).
• Trainer Lorenzo Ruiz's admission of guilt has been withdrawn, and thus his provisional suspension has been reinstated. Three of Ruiz's trainees tested positive for the banned substance diisopropylamine, a vasodilator.
• Trainer Donald H. Buckner – In the Midst tested positive for clenbuterol after finishing fifth in an allowance race at Thistledown on June 15. The 4-year-old gelding, though listed as provisionally suspended from racing by HIWU, has raced once at Mountaineer Park in West Virginia since the positive, finishing fifth on Aug. 9 (West Virginia is not subject to HISA regulation due to ongoing legal disputes).
• *Trainer Mary Pirone's provisional suspension was lifted pursuant to Rule 3247(e) after her trainee Benny The Jet tested positive for altrenogest after the gelding finished fifth in a claiming race at Emerald Downs on June 24. Under HISA rules, the claim may be voided.
• Trainer Joseph Taylor's admission of guilt has been withdrawn, and his provisional suspension has been reinstated. Two of his trainees tested positive for banned substances methylphenidate and clenbuterol.
• Trainer Milton Pineda's admission of guilt has been withdrawn, and thus his provisional suspension has been reinstated. Eight of Pineda's trainees tested positive for the banned substance diisopropylamine, a vasodilator, between June 2 and July 4 of this year.
• Trainer Reed Saldana – Ice Queen tested positive for the vasodilator diisopropylamine after finishing third in a starter allowance at Santa Anita on June 16. The 5-year-old mare remains provisionally suspended from racing.
• Trainer Jonathan Wong – Heaven and Earth tested positive for metformin after winning a maiden race at Horseshoe Indianapolis on June 1.

Pending Violations – Controlled Substances

The following cases include pending violations for controlled substances of Class B or higher, those that are permitted for therapeutic purposes, but not on race days or during vet's list workouts (new cases in italics).

• Trainer Jeff A. Hiles – violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Blue Devil (Nov. 4)
• Trainer Peter Eurton – Stayincotai tested positive for acepromazine on Oct. 26. (Class B)
• Trainer Gerald Brooks – Breezy Connection tested positive for gabapentin after finishing second in a starter optional claimer at Timonium on Sept. 4. (Class B)
• Trainer Jeffrey Englehart –
  • Mi Tres Por Ciento tested positive for methocarbamol after a vet's list workout at Finger Lakes on Aug. 23. (Class C)
  • Wait A Minute tested positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout at Finger Lakes on July 18. (Class B)
  • Mi Tres Por Ciento tested positive for methocarbamol after a vet's list workout at Finger Lakes on July 18. (Class C)
  • Graywing tested positive for phenylbutazone after finishing fourth in an allowance race at Finger Lakes on July 17. (Class C)
• Trainer Rodolfo Garcia – violation of the intra-articular injection rule within seven days of a timed workout with Castellana (Sept. 15).
• Trainer Ron Moquett – Lundberg tested positive for acepromazine after a vet's list workout at Ellis Park on Aug. 12. (Class B)
• Trainer Carlos Mancilla – Cara in the City tested positive for gabapentin after finishing second in a maiden claiming race at Pimlico on Sept. 10. (Class B)
• Trainer Jason DaCosta – Poker Partner tested positive for gabapentin after winning a maiden special weight race at Parx on July 18. (Class B)
• Trainer Chris Hartman – Necker Island tested positive for acepromazine after winning the Mighty Beau Stakes at Ellis Park on June 18. (Class B)

Last week's edition of the HIWU Weekly Roundup is available here, and all public disclosures can be found on the HIWU website.

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