thoroughbred | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘This Is About To Become A Crisis’: COVID Restrictions May Affect Woodbine’s Opening Day

Opening day at Woodbine Racecourse is scheduled for April 17, 2021. However, the Thoroughbred Daily News reports that the Ontario track is currently designated a coronavirus “Grey Zone,” where racing is among the activities that is not allowed. This is the same restriction that forced the track to close two weeks early at the end of 2020.

“I am very concerned and this is about to become a crisis for us,” Woodbine CEO Jim Lawson told the TDN. “It's a crisis because soon there will be 2,000 people back there looking after these horses. If these people lose their jobs, there's nothing else that they can do. Especially after I had heard from trainers that may not come back, I am trying to impress upon people that we are on the cusp of a very big problem that could do irreparable damage to us as a business. We will need some answers very soon as to whether or not we can make an Apr. 17 opener.”

The Woodbine backstretch is open and horses are able to train; it is the afternoon racing which is currently restricted by the provincial government.

“We have made the argument all along that this is an outdoor activity and we wouldn't be allowing spectators,” Lawson said. “Our risk profile in the afternoon is the same as our risk profile in the morning. We should be able to run.”

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post ‘This Is About To Become A Crisis’: COVID Restrictions May Affect Woodbine’s Opening Day appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Ramseys Hit With Two Civil Suits Seeking Nearly $2 Million In Unpaid Training Bills

Multiple Eclipse Award-winning owner/breeders Ken and Sarah Ramsey have been hit with a second lawsuit from one of their trainers while in the process of settling a separate suit filed last week by another. Wesley Ward filed suit against the Ramseys in Jessamine County Circuit Court March 19, while Mike Maker filed suit in Fayette Circuit Court a week earlier. Each case centers around just under $1 million in delinquent training bills.

Ward alleges that the Ramseys owe $974,790.40 in unpaid training bills, trainer's portion of winning purses, and interest. Invoices attached to Ward's suit show balances stretching back to June 2020. Although Ward concedes Ramsey has made payments in the months since, with one $50,000 payment days before the lawsuit was filed, the balance has remained in the high six figures throughout that period as training bills continue to mount.

Maker's suit alleges the Ramseys have been delinquent on training bills in his case for “almost four years” and their current balance owed to him is $905,357.29 – down from the $1.25 million they owed last summer. Maker's suit stated the couple promised to pay him in full by the end of 2020, but that did not happen. According to the complaint, Maker said $543,597.26 is more than 90 days past due.

When reached by phone last week, Ramsey said he was surprised to learn Maker had filed suit against him and was eager to work out a deal to pay Maker in full in exchange for the suit being withdrawn. As of press time, Maker's suit remained open per digital court records.

“I thought we had things worked out and I thought I had a schedule to get things worked out on,” said Ramsey, citing his long-standing relationship with the trainer. “I'm shocked. I didn't think he'd file a lawsuit because my assets well exceed what I owe him, by far.

“It's not that I'm not paying, it's just that I guess I'm not paying fast enough. I have never beaten anybody out of a dime.”

Ward and Maker both filed UCC-1 financing statements with the Kentucky Secretary of State to create liens against the horses which had racked up the unpaid invoices. Maker placed liens on 27 horses, while Ward placed liens on a separate group of 44 horses. Both trainers have had some of those horses leave their possession through retirement or claiming, with Maker down to just three still in his barn: Artie's Rose, Risk Manager, and Telephone Talker. Ward's suit seeks a court order to sell the horses named in his lien, with proceeds being applied to the unpaid balance, as well as any ongoing expenses from his day rate of $110.

The Ramseys have won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Owner four times (2004, 2011, 2013, and 2014) and the award for Outstanding Breeder twice (2013 and 2014). Since 2000, Equibase reports the couple has won 2,217 races from 9,790 starts for total earnings of more than $97 million. Their annual earnings have fallen from their peak in 2013 of over $12 million, and last year the stable brought in $2.3 million from 274 starts. Their Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., was the longtime base for the operation's homebred and centerpiece stallion, Kitten's Joy, who relocated to Hill 'n' Dale in 2018.

Last year, Maker was also one in a long line of horsemen who were carrying outstanding balances by Zayat Stables. Ahmed Zayat filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in September 2020, listing an outstanding balance of $120,921.88 to Mike Maker among other creditors.

Maker trained a number of the Ramseys' graded stakes winners, including Vicar's In Trouble, International Star, Oscar Nominated, Admiral Kitten, Al's Gal, Kitten's Dumplings, Furthest Land, and Shining Copper.

Ward has trained graded stakes winners Artie's Princess, Emotional Kitten, Holiday for Kitten, and Pleasant Prince for the Ramseys. Ward was also tasked with accomplishing Ramsey's goal of getting a winner at Royal Ascot, which Ramsey has yet to attain.

The post Ramseys Hit With Two Civil Suits Seeking Nearly $2 Million In Unpaid Training Bills appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Dubai World Cup Notes: Favored Mystic Guide Exits Final Blowout ‘In Great Shape’

The following notes detail contenders in Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse, and were provided by members of the Dubai Racing Club media team:

Ajuste Fiscal – Uruguay's hope cantered a lap on the dirt track this morning.

Trainer Antonio Cintra, who has been based at Meydan Racecourse with his five-strong Dubai World Cup Carnival team since December, said: “The two horses, Ajuste Fiscal and El Patriota (who runs in the UAE Derby) will continue like this until race day. They both did their last piece of fast work on Tuesday last week and we are very happy with them. Today we went from the 1200m pole (six-furlong), stopped at the 800m (half-mile) pole and just walked back.”

Ajuste Fiscal, Uruguay's 2019 Horse of the Year, is Cintra's first Dubai World Cup runner although the Brazilian handler has previously had runners in the UAE Derby and won the 2006 Al Shindagha Sprint on Super Saturday with Heart Alone.

“He is the first Uruguayan-bred horse to compete in the Dubai World Cup and we had been planning this campaign for him since March 2019,” he said.

Capezzano – The course and distance winner was fourth behind Salute The Soldier in the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 last month. The 2020 Group 3 Firebreak Stakes winner is trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer.

Chuwa Wizard – Chuwa Wizard hit the Meydan dirt track after 5am and cantered lightly to warm-up for tomorrow's final gallop under his regular work rider Kota Kato.

“He is very fresh this morning and is in good condition. Jockey Keita Tosaki will ride tomorrow to breeze,” Kato said.

Gifts Of Gold – Coming off a winning run on grass in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup last month, Gifts Of Gold breezed at Godolphin's Al Quoz base last Thursday.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who has won a record nine Dubai World Cups, said: “We are very happy with him, he will canter for the rest of the week and we are just hoping for a good draw now.”

Great Scot – Placed third in the Saudi Cup last month, the Saudi Arabian representative breezed 1000m (five furlongs) on Friday morning at home.

Trainer Abdullah Mishriff reported: “He shipped in from Riyadh yesterday morning, travelled fine and is settling into the quarantine center. We breezed him over five furlongs on Friday morning and we are all very happy with him. Frankie Dettori has said he will have a sit on the horse this week ahead of racing on Saturday.”

Great Scot was hand walked today inside Dubai World Cup Quarantine and will be out on the main track on Tuesday morning.

Hypothetical – The former John Gosden trainee made an impressive debut in Dubai for current handler, Salem Bin Ghadayer, when a three-and-a-half length winner over a mile in January this year. He continued to progress over the season and comes to the Dubai World Cup via a one-and-three-quarter length second behind Salute The Soldier on Super Saturday.

“He's in top form and breezed last Saturday,” said Bin Ghadayer who is based at Fazza Stables. “The Jebel Ali track just didn't suit him (when fourth in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile) but he's doing well back over the 2000m (1 1/4 miles) and proved that on his last run. We are expecting a big run from him.”

Jesus' Team – Shortly after 5am on Monday, 4-year-old Pegasus World Cup Invitational runner-up Jesus' Team took a turn and a half around the Meydan dirt track with his customary draw reins and blinkers applied. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo watched from the rail.

“We went to the track with him very early, because I want him to know the lights when we're going to run,” he said. “It will be his first time running under the lights. Jesus did it perfectly. The horse is 100%. He loves Dubai, the weather, the water and the environment. I think he's ready with that last work at Palm Meadows over seven furlongs under his belt.”

Venezuela's 2018 leading trainer, D'Angelo moved his tack to the USA in 2019, saddling his first local runner at Gulfstream Park during the summer of that year. In the spring of 2020, Jesus' Team joined his stable and the pair have clocked up extensive miles ever since. Naturally, they never ventured as far as the UAE.

D'Angelo continued: “With Jesus, I've learned a lot about travelling all over the United States, especially in the truck. Travelling on an airplane is very different, but he arrived well. I liked the experience.”

Magny Cours – The André Fabre-trained Magny Cours arrived in Dubai last Friday after travelling from France via Belgium and the UK. However, despite the long travel, the 6-year-old was in fine form, as confirmed Richard Lambert, the travelling head lad of the French handler.

“He travelled really well and took the trip in his stride,” he said.

Mystic Guide – Godolphin's Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide had an easy day on Monday morning, one day after blowing out 600m (three furlongs) down the Meydan stretch. Ridden by jockey William Buick in said gallop, he will instead be piloted by Luis Saez in the big race on Saturday.

Assistant trainer Ben Trask has been in charge of the early Dubai prep of the emblazoned chestnut, a son of multiple Grade 1 winners Ghostzapper and Music Note.

“He just walked and grazed here today,” Trask said. “He came out of the work in great shape.”

Trask, a native of Southington, Ohio, who heads the Tampa Bay Downs (Florida) and Monmouth Park (New Jersey) strings of Stidham, is enjoying his first trip to Dubai and taking the pressure of Mystic Guide's favoritism in stride.

“It's been great to be here,” he said. “I have no complaints.”

Salute The Soldier – Saturday's challenger represents the epitome of international racing having been foaled in Germany, initially campaigned in Britain before transferring to Bahraini Fawzi Nass to be teamed up with Dutch jockey Adrie de Vries.

The 6-year-old Sepoy gelding arrives at the big race having won the traditional Super Saturday dress rehearsal, the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, having also landed the 1900m Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 on his previous outing. Had the 2020 Dubai World Cup meeting gone ahead, Nass' charge would have been among the main contenders for the Godolphin Mile, now he goes to the big race itself with a live chance.

Nass said: “We are looking forward to it and his season has gone as we had hoped, probably better! He showed last year he handled the Meydan dirt so that was not an issue but we needed to test his stamina.

“The Godolphin Mile was always an option but he has earned his place in the big race and proved he stays. His work has been good and we are very pleased with him so just hope for a reasonable draw.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd – The horse of a lifetime for trainer Miguel Angel Silva, Sleepy Eyes Todd returned to the international quarantine barn in peak order after putting in his final breeze during the second training slot.

Silva said: “He did a two-minute mile and finished the last half a mile very strongly. He went beautifully. I really liked it. Today was the last day of working. From now on, we just wait for the big race.”

A frequent traveler, Sleepy Eyes Todd has already visited a variety of racecourses during his career and rider bookings have also changed with every track.

“He likes to travel,” Silva said. “Alexis Moreno is coming here on Wednesday, he will ride the horse for us on Saturday. (In) nearly every single race, Sleepy Eyes Todd has had a different jockey. We want somebody who knows the horse and how he likes to be ridden. Moreno just won the big race a couple of days ago in Saudi. He's a great jockey.”

Thegreatcollection – Doug Watson's runner has improved throughout the season to earn his place in the big race, winning the Listed Dubai Creek Mile and finishing runner-up in the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge, then fourth on Super Saturday in the third round over Saturday's 2000m (1 1/4 miles) course and distance.

Watson said: “He has been in great form all season and remains so. He has earned his spot on Saturday and hopefully draws well. They should go quick which will help him and, hopefully, he will be staying on in the straight.”

Title Ready – Charles Fipke's homebred Title Ready continued his preparation with his final pre-race breeze on Monday morning. The Dallas Stewart-trained son of More Than Ready worked 800m (four furlongs) in company with the Doug O'Neill-trained 3-year-old Ambivalent, who goes in the UAE Derby. Assistant trainer Marcelino Jacuinde was on hand.

“We just wanted something easy in 49 or 50 seconds and that's what we got,” Jacuinde said. “We just wanted to get some air and get a feel for the track with him. Pedro Velez was on him, who was here the last two times in Dubai and he rode him last week before we came here.

“I thought he went just the way we wanted,” he continued. “He was nice and easy. We'll walk him tomorrow and come back to the track the next couple days.”

Jacuinde came to Dubai with Stewart's two previous Dubai World Cup runners, Forever Unbridled (fifth, 2018) and Seeking the Soul (eighth, 2019).

The post Dubai World Cup Notes: Favored Mystic Guide Exits Final Blowout ‘In Great Shape’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Letter To The Editor: The Place Of The Whip In Horse Racing

The whip in horse racing:

Reading this letter, one is entitled to ask: 'Who are you, to pass comment on such a contentious issue, when you have never ridden in a race?'

This is a fair comment. But as many sportsmen, whether they are golfers, tennis players, or gymnasts know, it's a bit of a not seeing the wood for the trees conundrum: because a jockey, like a boxer in a frantic fight, is often consumed in the moment of a tight finish, driven on by adrenalin, not rational thought. And invariably, when confronted with video evidence, they are most contrite.

Twenty-five years ago, I won an Eclipse Award for a radio broadcast on this very subject. And, listening to the words of Frankie Dettori, Sandy Hawley and Ted Walsh, at that time, it is evident that little has changed in the debate, even though animal rights' activists are far louder in their criticism, these days.

They say that great jockeys have great hands. Hands that immediately convey calm and confidence to any horse that they alight upon. These same hands send messages. Relax. Time to get going. And a whip, for them, is much like a balancing bar for a tight-rope walker: they wave it rhythmically in time with pumping the reins, driving their mounts to the wire.

The whip can get attention. It can steer. Now and again, it can convey urgency. And anyone who has stood at the three-eighths pole, as a field of horses leaves the backstretch and the race gets serious, will hear all manner of chirping, whistling, shouting, and the smacking of whips as riders urge their mounts on. This is natural. This is competition. But what is not acceptable is flogging horses that are well beaten, and/or striking them in the ribs (behind the girth) or even worse, around the sheath or teats.

Having worked as a traveling head lad in a top stable in France many years ago I would see horses returning after races with shocking welts that would put them off their feed and often not disappear for days. And today, at every racetrack, I strongly believe that commission veterinarians should inspect every horse after each race for signs of abuse, taking photos as evidence, and then hand out suspensions and fines based upon what they see, rather than what videos actually show.

As the great Willie Shoemaker once said, 'More horses are beaten out of the winner's circle than into it.'

Every jockey should be reminded of this. And perhaps, remembering what a great jockey he was, they will think twice before beating up an animal that is responsible for their bread and butter.

–Robin Dawson

If you would like to submit a letter to the editor, please write to info at paulickreport.com and include contact information where you may be reached if editorial staff have any questions.

The post Letter To The Editor: The Place Of The Whip In Horse Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post