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Baffert Loses Bid To Have NYRA Hearing Stayed

Embattled Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was unsuccessful in his bid to push back a hearing scheduled by the New York Racing Association about whether he should be prevented from racing there. U.S. District Judge Carol Bagley Amon ruled in a hearing on Oct. 5 that Baffert could not hold NYRA in civil contempt and delay the administrative hearing, which has been scheduled for Oct. 11.

“We are gratified by the court's decision allowing NYRA to move forward with its administrative hearing against Bob Baffert,” said Pat McKenna, senior director of communications for NYRA. “The court found that NYRA's actions were consistent with both the letter and spirit of the July 14 order. NYRA's focus in this matter is protecting the integrity of the sport of thoroughbred racing in accordance with the requirements of due process.”

Baffert had prevailed in a previous motion in a civil suit against the racing association, which informed him on May 17 that it was suspending his privileges to enter or stable at its racetracks in the wake of the uproar over a positive drug test from Kentucky Derby victor Medina Spirit. Judge Amon ruled in July that NYRA could not suspend a trainer without a hearing, and that not holding one violated Baffert's rights to due process.

NYRA subsequently drafted rules and procedures for hearings it could use to determine whether it would revoke a trainer's stabling or entry privileges at its tracks and informed Baffert and fellow trainer Marcus Vitali it was moving forward with plans to hold administrative hearings into their cases. Both had been scheduled for pre-evidentiary hearings in late September. Baffert then claimed that NYRA had constructed its hearing procedures just for him, and that the association's intent to proceed with protocol to eject him was a “direct contravention” of the court's order.

According to reporting from the Thoroughbred Daily News, Judge Amon made clear during oral arguments on Oct. 5 that her previous ruling had applied to NYRA's attempt to suspend Baffert without a hearing, but did nothing to preclude the organization from holding a hearing.

After Judge Amon's ruling in July, Baffert was once again permitted to enter horses at NYRA racetracks, and has done so, sending stakes runners to the Saratoga meet over the summer.

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Nine Links, Beyond Comparison Named TAKE2 High-Score Champions For 2021

The TAKE2 High-Score Champions for 2021 are Patricia Hurter's Nine Links, trained by Joe Fargis, in the Jumper Division, and Jaime Gibson's Beyond Comparison, who repeated in the Hunter Division. The High-Score Reserve Champions are John Beebe's Gold Label (Jumper) and Kelly Fleming-Bentz's Purely Grateful. Beyond Comparison, an unraced 14-year-old mare by St. Alydar, dominated her division, winning by 774.5 points, but it came down to the wire in the TAKE2 Jumpers, with Nine Links finishing just 16 points ahead of Gold Label. New York-bred Nine Links was unplaced in seven starts at the racetrack, but has been a consistent performer in the show ring.

Hurter credited the success of “Niles” to riders Christina Severino and Claire Kelley, veterinarians Meredith Boulay and Joe Naranjo, and farriers Jason and Iaian Mulligan, with a special shout-out to “his Thoroughbred-loving trainer Joe Fargis.”

She added: “Niles has a huge team behind him. It takes a village to keep a Thoroughbred happy and healthy and fit and Niles has the best team ever. Everyone was super thrilled to hear the news! He has placed in the top 10 pretty consistently in the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League over the past few years, but this is the first time he's managed to come out on top.”

Hurter would encourage everyone to ride a Thoroughbred.

“They are lovely horses, so brave and fun,” she said. “And you can't beat their incredibly gorgeous fine coats and elegant look. There are so many lovely horses out there looking for a good home, it just seems like a great thing to do, and I love the way they are so sensitive and intelligent and forward. No kicking required!”

Click here for the Final Standings for the TAKE2 Thoroughbred League.

Maybe it's their shared youthful exuberance, but the compatibility of Thoroughbreds and Junior Riders is off the charts. Just ask this year's winners of the TAKE2 High-Score Junior Rider Awards, presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA). Alyssa Paulette partnered with Check the Label to win the TAKE2 Junior Rider Award in the Hunter Division, and SeaSea Dance captured the Jumper Division with Dandelion Dust.

This is the second TAKE2 Junior Rider Award for Paulette, who earned the honor with Always Drama in the Jumper Division two years ago. “Warmbloods are fun, but I still prefer the sports car ride of a Thoroughbred,” she said.

Dance, who also finished fourth in the Hunter Division of the TAKE2 Junior Rider standings on Dandelion Dust this year, has nothing but praise for the Thoroughbred.

“I've had the opportunity to show and train so many Thoroughbreds in my junior years, and I give these horses credit to helping me become the rider I am today,” she said. “I think every kid should work with this breed for at least one chapter in their journey.

“When you step into the ring with 'Dandy,' you feel her change, she truly has a competitive edge,” she added. “The more you challenge her, the better she gets. She's quick, brave, and has all the heart for this sport. I don't doubt for a minute that that's the Thoroughbred in her; they just have this drive in them that really brings so much to the ring.”

The TAKE2 Junior Rider Award, presented by TCA, was created to recognize the juniors competing on Thoroughbreds in nationwide TAKE2-affiliated Hunter and Jumper classes, and to encourage young horsemen and horsewomen to consider the Thoroughbred when looking for their next sport horse. The award is just one example of the many ways TCA supports the racing industry and retired racehorses.

“TCA is thrilled to once again support the TAKE2 program by sponsoring the Junior Rider Award,” said Erin Crady executive director of TCA. “TCA believes strongly in supporting not only the organizations that are rehabbing, retraining, and rehoming Thoroughbreds, but also organizations like TAKE2 that are working to create a demand in the marketplace for off-track Thoroughbreds. We congratulate Alyssa and SeaSea on their accomplishments this year and applaud their support of Thoroughbreds in the Hunter/Jumper rings.”

TAKE2 Executive Director Andy Belfiore said, “We're really proud to partner with Thoroughbred Charities of America to put the spotlight on the Junior Riders, who prove day in and day out that a Thoroughbred can be the perfect horse for riders of all ages. TCA has been a staunch supporter of TAKE2 for many years, and is helping us to fulfill our mission of ensuring happy and healthy lives for retired racehorses.”

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British Royalty Crowned The Winner Of Breeders’ Stakes

It was coronation day for British Royalty, who closed out the OLG Canadian Triple Crown with an impressive triumph in the 130th running of the $401,600 Breeders' Stakes, Sunday at Woodbine.

A bay son of English Channel, British Royalty, who had been claimed away from trainer and co-owner Barb Minshall this summer, made his Triple Crown series debut a successful one, sprinting away from his rivals with ease to win the race for Canadian-foaled three-year-olds.

Facing a field that included Queen's Plate winner Safe Conduct, Plate runner-up Riptide Rock, Prince of Wales Stakes champ Haddassah, and a host of other talented turf types, British Royalty had his work cut out for him.

On an overcast day at the Toronto oval, he came shining through with a top-shelf score.

It was Safe Conduct who seized control of the 1 ½-mile grass marathon, as Haddassah, in second, and Keep Grinding, in third, kept close tabs on the leader, while Patrick Husbands had British Royalty comfortably settled in seventh spot through an opening quarter in :25.00.

The Plate winner continued to call the shots through a half-mile reached in :51.53 as Collective Force, now second, shadowed the pacesetter's every move. Husbands guided British Royalty into sixth spot, as the gelding and Riptide Rock started to gain momentum on the frontrunners.

Safe Conduct soon found himself under siege from both sides, as Collective Force battled on gamely, and British Royalty found another gear, blasting to the lead and holding a one-length advantage on a surging Riptide Rock at Robert Geller's stretch call reached in 2:09.05.

At the wire, British Royalty was a convincing and deserving four-length victor.

Riptide Rock and Collective Force, second and third respectively, were well ahead of their nearest rivals. Harlan Estate was fourth in the race contested over yielding ground. The final time was 2:34.00.

Sent off at 24-1, British Royalty returned $51.20 for the win, marking his second victory in nine career starts.

For Minshall, who lost the horse to a claim on July 11 and then claimed him back on July 24, the win was one of the most rewarding of her career.

“I was looking to win a race, and I took a chance, and I was very upset with myself for taking such a chance,” recalled the champion conditioner, who co-owns the horse with Bruce Lunsford. “And lo and behold, the horse is back in the next time, he runs two weeks later, and I couldn't get in there fast enough to get him back. I knew I made a huge mistake. So, I'm really happy.”

Husbands, who won the 2003 Canadian Triple Crown with Wando, and recorded his fifth Breeders' Stakes title, was understandably thrilled to partner with the Richard Lister-bred sophomore for the first time.

“My agent (Leroy Trotman) came to my house, and he said to me, 'I got a ride for you, but will you look at the form?' I said, 'Leroy, that's what I pay you for. I want to get your opinion.' He said that Barb (Minshall) said you can come and work the horse and if you don't like it, she won't be mad at you. I came and breezed the horse, about 20 minutes later my agent asked me how the horse went. I said please don't tell Barbie, but this horse is light. I've ridden him the last two breezes, and he went twice on softer turf, and he ran (today) the way I expected he would run.”

Emma-Jayne Wilson, aboard Safe Conduct, had high praise for the eighth-place finisher.

“I mean, he's fantastic. I followed him since last year. Obviously, the trainer asked about me about riding him when he was a two-year-old. I've been keeping close tabs on him ever since. So, I mean kudos and congratulations for winning the (Queen's) Plate. I was hoping I could get them another jewel of the crown, but it wasn't our day to day.”

The Breeders' win marked an outstanding weekend for Lunsford, whose homebred Art Collector took yesterday's Grade 1 Woodward at Belmont.

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Battle Is On Between Hernandez Jr., Gaffalione For Churchill Meet Title

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. entered Sunday's closing day program of the September Meet in pursuit of his second leading rider title at Churchill Downs and held a two-win margin, 14-12, over five-time titlist Tyler Gaffalione.

Hernandez, who recorded his 700th career win beneath the Twin Spires Thursday and winner of the 2018 Spring Meet title, had mounts in Races 8-10 while five-time local leader Gaffalione had calls in Races 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

Jockey Joe Talamo entered Sunday in third with 10 wins but would have to win with all five of his mounts (Races 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10) to surpass Hernandez.

In the leading trainer standings, Kenny McPeek held an 8-7 win lead over Steve Asmussen. McPeek, a three-time Churchill Downs leading trainer, had four horses entered across three races (7, 8 and 10) while record 24-time leading trainer Asmussen had six runners in four races (6, 7, 9 and 10). Dale Romans, a 14-time Churchill Downs top trainer, was third in the standings with six wins and could tie McPeek with two entries (8 and 10).

The partnership of WinStar Farm (2018 September Meet co-leading owners) and Siena Farm led all owners with three wins but does not have any entries Sunday. Columbine Stable and Lothenbach Stables were both one win behind. Columbine Stable, winner of the 2019 Fall Meet title, had one entry in Race 6 while Lothenbach Stables had runners in Races 3 and 10. Courtlandt Farms could tie WinStar Farm and Siena Farm with entrants in Races 9 and 10.

All presentations for the September Meet champions will take place in the Woodford Reserve Winner's Circle immediately after the final race of the meet.

Racing in Kentucky will transition to Keeneland for their Fall Meet beginning on Oct. 8. The Churchill Downs Fall Meet will begin Sunday, Oct. 31 with “Stars of Tomorrow I” featuring all 2-year-old races. For more information, visit www.churchilldowns.com.

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