Tag: thoroughbred

‘Side By Side’: Fever Temple’s Half-Brother, Even Fever, Ponies Him To The Gate At Indiana Grand

Fever Temple and DeShawn Parker stepped onto the track for the afternoon's fourth race Tuesday, July 28 and were greeted by a familiar face. The pony horse assigned to take them to the gate was none other than half-brother Even Fever, a retired racehorse who recently joined the pony horse team of Liz Klopp at Indiana Grand.

“I knew Even Fever was being used for outriding at Ellis Park, but I didn't know he was here at Indiana Grand until a few weeks ago,” said Brandi Steele, trainer of Fever Temple. “Liz (Klopp) came up to me and told me she had just bought him (Even Fever) to add to her pony horses. It was pretty cool to see them side by side on the track today.”

Although Even Fever is grey and Fever Temple is dark bay, Steele sees the family resemblance in the two geldings. They all hail from her owner Jim Edgar's mare, Cecilia's Fever, and with six foals of racing age, four are currently or have been under the care of Steele. Even Fever was trained by Tom Dorris in Illinois for Edgar.

“We have had four in the barn by Jim (Edgar's) mare Cecilia's Hope and they are all dark bay and all look the same in the face,” noted Steele. “Looking at Even Fever, even though he's grey, he has the same facial features as all the others.”

Even Fever completed his racing career in 2018, racing primarily in Illinois. The now 10-year-old son of Even the Score won 10 races during his career and earnings in excess of $167,000. He is now excelling as a pony horse in his second career on the track.

Fever Temple, Lucky Fever, and Cecilia's Hope are all part of Steele's barn and currently racing. Fever Temple finished fourth in his start Tuesday. Lucky Fever has had four starts this year. Cecilia's Hope, a two-year-old, will make her racing debut Monday, Aug. 3 at Indiana Grand in the afternoon's third race.

Steele has been training for Edgar, former Governor of Illinois, for the past three years. Edgar has been a longtime proponent of horse racing and still owns part of a Standardbred, but his main focus these days is in the Thoroughbred industry.

“Jim has a farm around the Springfield (Illinois) area, but he breeds here in Indiana and his horses stay over here,” said Steele. “He has seven or eight brood mares right now.”

Although retired, Edgar is still actively involved on numerous boards and lends his expertise as a consultant. He was inducted into the Lincoln Academy of Illinois as Laureate and awarded the Order of Lincoln in 1999, the state's highest honor. He also has a state park named in his honor, the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area located in central Illinois. The stakes winning owner remains passionate about horse racing and attends the races frequently to watch his horses compete at Indiana Grand. His best horse to date was Fighting Fever, who won in excess of $276,000 before her retirement to the brood mare ranks in 2006.

The post ‘Side By Side’: Fever Temple’s Half-Brother, Even Fever, Ponies Him To The Gate At Indiana Grand appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Colonial Downs Increases Takeout Rates, Bumps Tuesday Post Time Due To Heat Wave

Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va. was scheduled to begin live racing on Monday, July 27, but a heat wave in the area forced that card to be rescheduled. On Tuesday, track officials decided to push post time back to 6:30 p.m., according to drf.com.

In addition, the Daily Racing Form reported that Colonial Downs has raised wagering takeout rates for its 2020 meet. The new rates will be as follows:

  • Win, Place, Show Wagers: 18 percent (2019: 16 percent)
  • Exotic Bets: 22 percent (2019: 20 percent)
  • Pick 5: eliminated (2019: 12 percent)

Colonial is racing on a Monday through Wednesday schedule this season, a change from last year's Friday to Sunday schedule. That places the track around a different set of competitors with higher takeout rates, explained John Marshall, executive vice president of operations.

“We felt like [Colonial's new rates] are still the most competitive in that set,” Marshall told the Daily Racing Form. “We just didn't feel the need to go super low this year.”

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Arc De Triomphe On The Table For Stradivarius After Record Fourth Goodwood Cup Victory

It was a case of different year but definitely the same old Stradivarius as the champion stayer broke yet more records by securing a fourth Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup on Tuesday.

It wasn't all plain sailing as it has been in previous renewals, however, as a moderate pace and trouble in running meant he wasn't allowed smooth passage in the home straight.

His superior class prevailed however as his trademark turn of foot saw him get out of trouble midway through the final furlong.

Stradivarius sat in fourth for most of the race, with Nayef Road leading them round in a modest gallop. This continued well into the straight before the front runner began to press, turning the race into a sprint finish.

As Spanish Mission and Eagles By Day made their move from the back it caused what seemed like major traffic problems for the serial champion, who became very boxed in. Now held on the rail, Frankie Dettori was unable to push the button when he wanted with little daylight and major rival Santiago getting clear first run.

However once Dettori was able to get racing room Stradivarius showed the class and turn of foot that has made him a household name. The afterburners came into full flow on the favorite and he cruised past Nayef Road and Santiago with little fuss to win reasonably comfortably. Nayef Road was once again gallant and stuck on to finish second.

Trainer John Gosden surprised many by indicating the Prix de l'arc de Triomphe would be a an end of season target in the post-race interviews.

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Joel Dominguez Relishing ‘Very Special’ Four-Win Saturday At Louisiana Downs

Jockey Joel Dominguez is still smiling as he reflects on winning four races on Saturday's seven-race card at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

His successful afternoon began in race two with Don Guillermo ($8) for trainer James “Sweet” Hodges and three for Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen; All Bizness ($3); American Dream ($5) and Curlin Beauty ($11.80). Curlin Beauty, a 4-year-old daughter of Curlin, drew off to an eight-length score in her third career effort, but it was American Dream, a filly by Triple Crown champion American Pharoah, that really impressed her rider.

“She's still learning, but what a powerful filly,” stated Dominguez.

The 30-year-old Dominguez was born in Durango, Mexico, but never rode as a child. He was very athletic, playing soccer and was a standout boxer in his weight class. His experience in the saddle began in Kentucky, galloping for both Asmussen and veteran Kentucky-based conditioner, Neil Howard.

“Riding for Steve this meet means a great deal to me,” stated Dominguez. “When I was in Kentucky, I worked hard and tried to learn everything. As I progressed, Steve began to trust me galloping some of his top horses; I remember the first time I worked Rachel Alexandra. That was very special and gave me so much confidence!”

This is the fourth year Dominguez has been based at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. He began in 2017 as an apprentice, winning 31 races that year and returning in 2018, losing his bug on May 22, but transitioning smoothly to the journeyman ranks. Maybe more than smoothly as he won six races on the June 23, 2018 card at Louisiana Downs. But winning four races in this very challenging 2020 live racing season was an even bigger accomplishment.

“It hasn't been easy,” he responded when asked about the impact of COVID-19. “When we were in quarantine, I just tried to get things done at the house and spend time with my family (wife Janet and two sons). I was missing getting on horses.”

The resumption of live racing on June 6 was a big relief to Dominguez and he has been winning plenty of races for this season for Asmussen. Misty Drinkwater is serving as assistant again this year and she appreciates what Dominguez brings to the Asmussen barn.

“He's hard working and very professional, “she said. “We get along very well and he has been a big part of our team here.”

Dominguez is represented by former jockey, Don Simington, and the two have a strong bond.

“Don gives me great advice and feedback,” explained Dominguez. “I admire that he is the first one to arrive in the morning and the last to leave. Trainers know him well and he works hard to book me on good horses.”

Dominguez won 91 races here last year, finishing second in the standings to Carlos Lozada who made 96 trips to the winner's circle. He appreciates that the racing officials at Harrah's Louisiana Downs have worked hard to maintain the recommended protocols for COVID-19.

“I ride with a mask and shield protector,” he said. “Everyone here is trying to make it safe for us, so each of the riders are making adjustments and doing what we need to do.”

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