thoroughbred | Horse Racing Free Tips

Reader Mail Bag: Adieu To Arlington

The following is a collection of letters we've received from readers in recent days as the permanent closure of Arlington Park seems imminent. If you'd like to submit a letter to our editors, Please click/tap here.

Would create lots of controversy if I had written this in the former comments boxes you had, but the fall of Arlington Park (sorry I was never there) followed the only business rule under profit-oriented capitalism, which is always to endeavor to make the highest rate of profit you can get. It's America's real national religion.

Racing has declined to the point at which the large land areas, which most big tracks possess, is worth more if sold to real estate or developer interests. I fully expect downstate New York racing to go the same way one day. I always thought Aqueduct would go first, but I'm beginning to think Belmont might also be either shrunk dramatically or sold in total to developers. They certainly have declined horribly, both in terms of track accommodations and attendance. Back in the day, tracks were owned by sportsmen and women could never have foreseen this day — but unfortunately, it's here.

–Michael Castellano
Racing fan since the 1960s

Hi Ray, Just wanted to say thank you for your piece about the bitter fall of Arlington.

(If you missed it, it's available here.)

I, too, fell in love with racing there in the 1970s. Over the years, I got to see Secretariat, John Henry, and local legend Rossi Gold, and my cousin and I were present for the “Miracle Million.” I am absolutely heartsick about what has happened. It feels as if COVID-19 has stolen the present and the future, and now, even the past is being taken away.

–Lori Barron
Racing Fan

Hi Ray, Been a long time reader and appreciate the work you do! Just read your Arlington Park story “The Bitter End.” I live close by so it's my home track. What you wrote is so perfect and spot on. When I first heard of this being the last year, my only thought was I need to go one last time. I've been asked a few times by friends but I can't do it. It's not only the bad management as you stated or Churchill Downs greed, it's just to hard to see that beautiful place one last time knowing it's coming down. My wife, my son, my friends have so many great memories and just wish we could continue them at Arlington. I know there are other great and fun tracks but there not close to me like Arlington. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and listening to mine.

–Tom Horak
Racing Fan

I'm not sure what your coverage has been about Arlington but I would suggest looking into the political side of the story based on the state refusing to allow slots for so many years I just believe CD got fed up and walked away. I wanted to blame CD at first glance, however “after further review“ I lay the blame on the crooked politicians of Chicago and the state.

As we say in the Midwest “everything in Chicago is fixed except the roads.”

–Thom Albright
Former owner and racing fan

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Horse Racing Alberta Allocates $1.5 Million To 2021 Thoroughbred Program

Horse Racing Alberta has released the details of the 2021 Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program. The total Thoroughbred allocation for breeders, owners, and stallion owners has been increased to CA$1,581,465 for this season.

Breeders will share in CA$340,233 available to breeders of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place, and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum CA$7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum CA$6,250 claiming price. The bonus will be paid after the conclusion of the Alberta racing season. Bonuses will not be paid for eligible races that have four or fewer starters unless it is an open stakes race, the CTHS Sales Stake, or stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds.

Owners will share in support of CA$240,232 for owners of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum CA$7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum CA$6,250 claiming price. The bonus will be paid after the conclusion of the Alberta racing season. Bonuses will not be paid for eligible races that have four or fewer starters, the CTHS Sales Stakes, or stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds.

The program also includes owners' breeding support of CA$300,000 designated for the restricted Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic races, which will have a minimum purse of CA$50,000 each.

Stallion owners' breeding support includes a stallion bonus of CA$65,000 to be paid proportionately to stallion owners whose stallions have eligible Alberta Thoroughbred progeny with earnings of CA$10,000 or greater during the calendar year. Stallions must have stood in the province of Alberta for the entire calendar year of conception for each year's crop to be eligible.

The Breed Improvement Program works to reward quality in Alberta bred Thoroughbreds performing at the highest level of racing.

Visit the CTHS Alberta website at www.cthsalta.com to read further details.

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2021 Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program Announced

Horse Racing Alberta has released the details of the 2021 Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program. The total Thoroughbred allocation for breeders, owners and stallion owners has been increased to $1,581,465 for this season.

Breeders' will share in $340,233 available to breeders of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $6,250 claiming price. The bonus will be paid after the conclusion of the Alberta racing season. Bonuses will not be paid for eligible races that have four or less starters unless it is an open stakes race, the CTHS Sales Stake, or stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds.

Owners' will share in support of $240,232 for owners of horses of all ages foaled in Alberta placing win, place and show in all sanctioned races in Alberta having a minimum $7,000 purse and where entered at or above a minimum $6,250 claiming price. The bonus will be paid after the conclusion of the Alberta racing season. Bonuses will not be paid for eligible races that have four or less starters, the CTHS Sales Stakes, or stakes races restricted to Alberta-breds.

The program also includes owners' breeding support of $300,000 designated for the restricted Alberta Breeders' Fall Classic races, which will have a minimum purse of $50,000 each.

Stallion owners' breeding support includes a stallion bonus of $65,000 to be paid proportionately to stallion owners whose stallions have eligible Alberta Thoroughbred progeny with earnings of $10,000 or greater during the calendar year. Stallions must have stood in the province of Alberta for the entire calendar year of conception for each year's crop to be eligible.

The post 2021 Alberta Thoroughbred Breed Improvement Program Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Stronach Group To Ban Owners And Trainers Who Ship Horses Via Cargo Ship, Citing Welfare Concerns

1/ST Racing Chief Operating Officer Aidan Butler distributed the following letter to racing connections at facilities owned by The Stronach Group on Aug. 17. The movement of horses via cargo ship has recently become a topic of discussion in the equine welfare community, as it has been the chosen method of transport for some entities moving horses from the mainland United States to Puerto Rico.

To Our Valued Owners, Trainers and Connections,

At 1/ST RACING, one of our top priorities is to protect the welfare and safety of horses that train and race at our venues. We believe this duty of care extends to horses during their racing careers and beyond, as they leave our facilities to race and train elsewhere or to retire.

As part of 1/ST RACING's ongoing and steadfast commitment to achieving the highest standard of horse care and safety in Thoroughbred racing, we reviewed the shipment of horses via cargo ship to race and train in other parts of the world. In consultation with our Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Dionne Benson, we have determined that the conditions in which these horses are transported via cargo ship are inappropriate, inhumane and represent a significant risk to their health and welfare.

Accordingly, effective immediately, any trainer or owner who is associated with shipping horses via cargo ship will no longer be welcome at any of our training or racing facilities. Trainers and owners shipping horses are responsible for performing the required due diligence to ensure horses in their care are transported in safety by humane methods.

Failure to prevent the shipping of horses via cargo ship will result in the immediate removal of the associated owner or trainer's horses from any, and all, 1/ST RACING venues.

I have communicated with the horsemen's groups in each of our jurisdictions in California, Florida and Maryland and have received their full support on this issue. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please connect with me directly via email at aidan.butler@1st.com. As industry stakeholders, it is our collective responsibility to protect these amazing athletes and we thank you for your joint commitment to their health and welfare.

–Aidan Butler

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