thoroughbred | Horse Racing Free Tips

Buck Davidson, Neil Agate, Jodie Vella-Gregory Elected To Retired Racehorse Project’s Board

The Retired Racehorse Project (RRP) is pleased to announce the election of three new members to the board of directors: Neil Agate, Buck Davidson, and Jodie Vella-Gregory. Each has agreed to serve for a three-year term and is eligible to serve up to two terms concurrently. They replace board members Christy Clagett, Rosie Napravnik and Steuart Pittman, whose terms have expired.

Neil Agate is the founder of Four Gates, LLC, a business and technology services firm; he also serves as the President of the Maryland Horse Council and guided the organization through two major initiatives: the acquisition and management of the Equiery publication, and the formation of a safety net program for horses and owners called Maryland Equine Transition Service (METS). Neil is an avid polo player, and in 2015 was the top amateur in the Thoroughbred Makeover's polo discipline.

Buck Davidson is an international event rider and coach, having competed at the highest level all over the world and ranked in the top 10 eventing riders globally (he was ranked #1 in 2012). He has coached numerous riders to the Olympic Games and the 5* level. Buck has enjoyed success a the top levels with numerous Thoroughbreds, including one of his current mounts Jak My Style. He is the co-presenter of the RRP's annual charity golf event in Ocala, Florida and served as a clinician in an RRP Master Class.

Jodie Vella-Gregory currently works in the Office of Innovation for 1/ST Racing (formerly The Stronach Group), working in member services and hospitality, marketing, new business, community relations, and more. Previously, she worked for Breeders' Cup Limited and still contracts with them to assist in the annual event. Jodie has been instrumental in helping to expand the RRP's reach to the West Coast, which in a non-pandemic year would have included several Master Class events. She grew up riding off-track Thoroughbreds in eventing.

Agate, Davidson and Vella-Gregory join current RRP board members Carolyn Carlson (president), Sue Smith (vice president), Amanda Dabruzzo (treasurer), Carrie Brogden, Richard Lamb, Graham and Anita Motion, Pavla Nygaard, and Jen Roytz (who serves as the RRP's executive director and non-voting member of the board).

The RRP board also voted to extend the title of board member emeritus to Steuart Pittman, the organization's founder, past executive director and past board chair. Pittman, who stepped down from the executive director role within the organization in 2018 to run for political office in Anne Arundel County in Maryland, where he is currently serving his first term as County Executive. As a lifelong equestrian and skilled community organizer, Pittman created the Retired Racehorse Project in response to the growing need to reinvigorate the demand for Thoroughbreds after racing in equestrian sports. Over the past decade, Pittman has served in a variety of roles with distinction for the Retired Racehorse Project and his wealth of knowledge and experience will remain valuable to the organization.

“We're thrilled to welcome Neil Agate, Buck Davidson, and Jodie Vella-Gregory to the RRP Board,” says board chair Carolyn Karlson. “They each bring a unique background and professional experience in various parts of the racing and equestrian industries to the table, which positions the RRP to continue to meet the challenges facing Thoroughbred aftercare. I'm equally pleased to retain Steuart Pittman's involvement for the RRP's next chapter.”

The post Buck Davidson, Neil Agate, Jodie Vella-Gregory Elected To Retired Racehorse Project’s Board appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Team Up To Provide Vaccines

The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation announced today that it has received more than 500 essential equine vaccines from Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. These vaccines will be used on retired Thoroughbred racehorses in the care of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation (TRF), the oldest and largest aftercare organization for retired Thoroughbreds in the United States.

“Helping organizations like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is at the core of what we do at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health,” said Steve Boren, Vice President of the U.S. Livestock and Equine businesses at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “We are honored to support an organization that makes a difference in the lives of horses.”

As a global leader in equine health, Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to equine research and giving back to help communities understand, diagnose and prevent disease

“Equine veterinarians are one-of-a-kind caregivers who put the health and welfare of the horse above everything else,” Boren said. “We wanted to thank them for their passion and devotion both today and every day.”

“As soon as the TRF Team connected with the Boehringer Ingelheim equine team and realized the impact that their generous gift could make on our herd of TRF horses, we began connecting the team at Boehringer Ingelheim with our colleagues in the world of equine therapy and Thoroughbred aftercare,” said Anita Motion, TRF Board Member. “Our goal was to ensure that as many horses as possible benefit from this donation. We are so pleased to have played a part in extending Boehringer Ingelheim's gesture beyond our herd of 500 to thousands of other deserving horses in the care of charities across the United States.”

About the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation

Founded in 1983, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation is a national organization devoted to saving Thoroughbred horses no longer able to compete at the racetrack from possible neglect, abuse, and slaughter. As the oldest Thoroughbred rescue in the country, the TRF provides sanctuary to retired Thoroughbreds throughout their lifetime.

Best known for its pioneering TRF Second Chances program, the organization provides incarcerated individuals with vocational training through its accredited equine care and stable management program. At seven correctional facilities and one new juvenile justice facility, this nationwide program offers second careers to its horses and a second chance at life for individuals upon release from these correctional programs. TRF cares for 500 rescued and retired Thoroughbreds at Second Chances prison farms and Sanctuary Farms across the country. The organization is funded entirely by private donations. The TRF is accredited by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and has a Platinum rating with Guide Star.

For more information visit: http://www.trfinc.org/

The post Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Team Up To Provide Vaccines appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Jockey Of The Week: Eric Cancel’s Big Sunday Nets Emotional First Aqueduct Riding Title

Capping a remarkable week in the 24-year-old's riding career, Eric Cancel was voted Jockey of the Week for March 22 through March 28. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

Cancel entered the 8-race card on Sunday in second place in the jockey standings four victories behind Kendrick Carmouche. In dramatic fashion through rainy and foggy conditions, Cancel won the opener on Sono Grato for trainer Cleveland Johnson. Starting in race three, he reeled off five winners in a row, riding Lobsta for Gary Sciacca, Kith for Robert Ribaudo, City Temper for Jorge Abreu, Make Mischief for Chris Englehart and My Boy Tate for Michelle Nevin in the Haynesfield Stakes. He finished in-the-money in all eight races. Six wins for six different trainers catapulted Cancel to the top of the standings at Aqueduct's winter meet and his first leading jockey title at a NYRA track.

“I'm filled with emotions. I worked very hard for this and being able to compete with a guy like Kendrick, who is a very hard-riding guy, it feels wonderful,” said Cancel. “Yesterday (Saturday) I didn't think I was going to get it. But today (Sunday) I just woke up and said to keep on swinging and go for it. I want to thank my agent and all the owners and trainers who gave me the opportunity to be here and win this meet.”

Cancel continued: “I was just trying to win as much as I can and go home happy.”

Cancel had two stakes wins on Saturday during New York Claiming Championship Day with Air Attack for John Toscano, Jr. in the Stud Muffin and Fox Red for Linda Rice in the Dads Cap.

Weekly stats for Cancel were 28-13-4-3 for a 46.4% win percentage, an impressive 71.4% in-the-money percentage and total purses of $509,975.

Cancel out-polled jockeys Adam Beschizza who tied for second in wins with 10, Julien Leparoux who won two graded stakes races, Irad Ortiz, Jr. with two stakes wins including the Grade I Florida Derby and set a single season win record at Gulfstream Park and Jose Ortiz who won three stakes including the Gr. II Gulfstream Park Oaks.

The post Jockey Of The Week: Eric Cancel’s Big Sunday Nets Emotional First Aqueduct Riding Title appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Houston Showcase Night: Trio Of Stakes Races Close Out Thoroughbred Season

Sam Houston Race Park will close out its 2021 Thoroughbred racing season on Saturday, April 3 with three stakes and the presentation of the end of the meet awards to the leading owner, trainer and jockey. The newly formed Houston Showcase Night is a trio of stakes: two on the Connally Turf Course and a seven furlong test on the main track.

Saturday's card gets underway at 6:45 pm (Central).

A compact but potent field will compete in the $75,000 Bucharest Stakes, which will run as the fourth race of the card. Two rivals from the $75,000 Stonerside Sprint, which took place on January 31, will meet again, this time at the distance of seven furlongs.

Sky Ride, a Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride, closed powerfully to dead-heat with Hollis in the Stonerside. The 4-year-old gelding, trained by J.R. Caldwell for owner Triple V Racing LLC, was ridden by Leandro Goncalves, who notched his 2,000th career win here last Saturday night. The finish was memorable for the winners and the Houston Racing Festival fans.

Caldwell has no issue with the added distance for Sky Ride, and will also test the waters with Good Scout, who has won his last two starts at Sam Houston Race Park for Farmer Fillies Racing.

“Sky Ride is a closing sprinter and should be within striking distance at seven furlongs” said Caldwell. “Nitrous is the horse we fear the most, but fans better watch out for Good Scout.”

Nitrous, a 5-year-old son of Tapit, owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Stonestreet Stables LLC finished second behind Sky Ride and Hollis in the Stonerside. Stewart Elliott has the return call aboard the stakes winner for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen. The gray, who has earned $555,716 in 19 starts, will break from post position five. Asmussen also trains Mike McCarty's Gold Street, a 4-year-old colt by Street Boss, who ships in from Oaklawn Park and will be ridden by Reylu Gutierrez.

“He's a Winchell homebred and seven-eighths of a mile suits him,” said Asmussen of Nitrous. “I look forward to running Gold Street as well. He had success at the stakes level at Oaklawn.”

Dr Boehrer, owned and trained by Clifford Dodson, returns off a third-place finish in the $100,000 Spirit of Texas and Trumps Revenge, who completed the trifecta in the $100,000 Star of Texas for Ken Pullen and Christie Love, will also run Saturday night.

The stakes is named in honor of the late Thoroughbred sprinter Bucharest, owned by Israel Flores and trained by Amos Laborde, who set three track records at Sam Houston Race Park, including the lightning fast six furlong time of 1:08.88 on May 11, 1994, as well as his 1:12.29 seven furlong clocking on May 4, 1996.

The popularity of the Connally Turf Course at Sam Houston Race Park has grown in unprecedented fashion this season, so it's no surprise that the interest in the $75,000 Miss Houston Turf was very strong. Twelve fillies and mares, and two also eligibles, will compete at the distance on one mile in what appears to be a wide-open contest.

Raven's Cry (IRE) will be a force if she draws in from the also eligible list. The 4-year-old daughter of Raven's Pass has won three of her eight turf starts for owner Martin S. Schwartz. She's trained by Eclipse Award winning condition Brad Cox and will be ridden by Diego Saenz.

Asmussen will test the turf prowess of Palio Flag, a 4-year-old Curlin filly owned by Stonestreet Stables LLC. She will be making both her turf and Sam Houston Race Park debut after allowance victories at Churchill Downs and most recently, Oaklawn Park. Stewart Elliot will ride the chestnut filly with Ty Kennedy guiding Asmussen's other entrant, Miss Perfecta. She ran second in the $75,000 Miss Bluebonnet Turf here on February 27 for owners Tyree J. Wolesnesky and Jose Silva, Jr.

“Palio Flag is a quality filly,” stated Asmussen. “With Curlin in her pedigree, I expect her to take to the turf. Miss Perfecta is an accomplished turf mare (with five wins from eight starts on the grass).”

Love Partnership Interests LP's Valentines Day, at 21-1, was third in the $75,000 Jersey Lilly on January 31 for trainer Bret Calhoun. He feels that the 4-year-old daughter of Summer Front, will take a step forward on Saturday night. Lindey Wade will guide her from post eight.

“This filly has been one of those gradual improving types,” said Calhoun. “We always thought she wanted to go longer. Lindey has been her regular rider and will try to get her to settle and make a late run. This is a solid group of fillies and it's nice to see the full fields and interest in Sam Houston this year.”

Another experienced turf mare is Curlin's Journey who returns to action for trainer Dallas Keen with jockey Sophie Doyle in the saddle.

Quick Quick Quick looks to be strong contender in the Miss Houston Turf for trainer J.R. Caldwell and rider Leandro Goncalves.

“She was stakes-placed at Remington Park and we got her to settle this meet at Sam Houston,” commented Caldwell. “She tries hard every time and has tactical speed. A mile and one-sixteenth might be a little out of her range, but I think she will have success going a mile.”

Caldwell, whose runners are in the money here at a lofty 57% clip, wanted to convey a compliment regarding the 2021 Sam Houston Race Park meet.

“I want to thank the Sam Houston management and the Texas Thoroughbred Association for their efforts this year,” said Caldwell. “Owners have come out of the woodwork for me, wanting to run here. We will go to Lone Star Park and then Remington Park, but we are already pointing for next year at Sam Houston!”

The $75,000 Bayou City Stakes for 3-year-olds will also be contested on the final night of the Sam Houston Race Park live racing season. Eight are entered in the mile and one-sixteenth turf feature, which will run as the eighth race on the card.

Drivehappy has been an impressive winner in both of his starts this season at Sam Houston Race Park, breaking his maiden on January 28 and drawing off by four lengths in an allowance win one month later. Owned by Holly and David Wilson, Siena Farm LLC, Gary Stevens and Asmussenequine.com, the son of Breeders' Cup Sprint champion Runhappy is trained by Steve Asmussen.

“He won his last two-turn race and I felt this was a good opportunity to step into the stakes ranks against 3-year-olds,” said Asmussen. “(Former top jockey and racing analyst) Gary Stevens and the Wilsons have brought many new owners to partnerships and that is great for our sport.”

Drivehappy's main rival looks to be Royal Prince, who exits a victory in the $75,000 Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds on February 27. Owned by Steve Landers, LLC, the 4-year-old colt by Cairo Prince has won two of his five starts for trainer Brad Cox. Top Louisiana-based jockey Diego Saenz has the call and will break from the rail post as the 2-1 morning line favorite.

Scotty Caroom's Holy Vow brings a two-race turf win streak into the Bayou City. The Kentucky-bred son of Private Vow is trained by Scott Young with Sophie Doyle back aboard. I'm Money, who ran third to Drivehappy last month, is also entered. The son of Bayern is owned and trained by Travis Short.

The post Houston Showcase Night: Trio Of Stakes Races Close Out Thoroughbred Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post