Tomas Mejia | Horse Racing Free Tips

What Did You Read? Paulick Report’s Top Stories Of 2021

As we prepare to close the book on 2021, it's time for our traditional look back on the most popular stories of the year by traffic. We've done this for six years now (see previous editions of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020).

This was the year of the litmus test for Thoroughbred racing: from the ongoing federal doping case against Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis to the actions of the sport's top jockeys, as well as the ongoing drama surrounding Kentucky Derby first-place finisher Medina Spirit.

Reports: Navarro Sobs In Court As Judge Sentences Him To Five Years In Prison For PEDs Case: This aggregation of the results of Jorge Navarro's sentencing hearing – in which the former trainer became emotional and eventually began openly weeping in court as Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil characterized his actions – was far and away our most-read story of 2021. Other stories about the Navarro were also well-read this year, including the feds' argument that performance-enhancing drugs “have corrupted much of the horse racing industry,” the news that Navarro's attorney believes he is facing “almost certain deportation” after his prison sentence is completed, and a recap of the prosecution's sentencing letter for Navarro which calls his use of PEDs “animal abuse in the service of greed.”

The federal trials are expected to continue through 2022, with another prominent former trainer, Jason Servis, among those who have entered a not guilty plea and are awaiting trial.
Report: Irad Ortiz Jr. Fined $1,000 For Punching Paco Lopez: Actions of the sport's jockeys were a particularly hot topic this year, with reigning Eclipse Award winner Irad Ortiz, Jr. on the top of that list. Other news about the elder Ortiz brother that made it into our most-read stories includes: a video and opinion piece about Ortiz' dangerous riding that caused another jockey to fall (and later resulted in a 30-day suspension for Ortiz), his escape from serious injury in a June fall at Belmont Park, and a three-day suspension for his ride in the G1 Vosburgh Stakes.
Medina Spirit Collapses, Dies After Santa Anita Workout: The tragic death of the Kentucky Derby first-place finisher was a shock to the racing community, and another hit at the end of a year in which the colt failed a post-race drug test after the Run for the Roses, trainer Bob Baffert's record of five positive tests in the preceding year was examined, Baffert issued a public apology for his handling of the scandal, Churchill Downs banned Baffert for two years, bettors filed lawsuits against Baffert in attempt to recoup losses on the Kentucky Derby, and Baffert filed a lawsuit against the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for extra testing of Medina Spirit's samples.

It isn't over yet. The KHRC has yet to schedule a hearing that may disqualify Medina Spirit from his Derby win, and the New York Racing Association has been legally required to hold a hearing to determine whether Baffert will be allowed to race at their tracks. It remains unclear when, whether, or how Baffert could fight CDI's action against him, or what the future holds for his stable's top 2-year-olds as owners contemplate the Derby.
Beloved Son Of Secretariat Passes At 30: One of the four final offspring of the legendary Secretariat passed away at the beginning of 2021. The Darley-bred Secret of the Sea, from Secretariat's final crop, fell victim to Cushing's disease at the age of 30.
Linda Rice's License Revoked, Trainer Fined $50,000: The New York State Gaming Commission revoked trainer Linda Rice's license for a period of three years and issued her a $50,000 fine for “actions inconsistent with and detrimental to the best interest of racing generally and corrupt and improper acts and practices in relation to racing.” The NYSGC first launched an investigation into Rice's operation in early 2018, on the claim that she traded money for information from the racing office, and an eight-day hearing at the end of 2020 concluded with a hearing officer's report that Rice's misconduct – which involved receiving and requesting confidential entry information in overnight races – was intentional, serious and extensive. Rice was subsequently granted a temporary restraining order on the license revocation until her appeals process is played out in court, and has continued to train in New York.
Mejia Taken Off Monmouth Park Mounts, Has Hearing Scheduled After Suspicious Photo Surfaces: A photo of jockey Tomas Mejia taken by the track photographer was posted on Monmouth Park's Facebook page, but it was subsequently removed after officials were alerted to what appeared to be an object in Mejia's left hand. The jockey was later handed a 10-year ban by the Monmouth Park stewards for possession of an electrical device.
Racehorse Escapes To Expressway At Ellis Park: The aptly-named Bold and Bossy drew widespread media attention for her jaunt down the interstate after getting loose at Ellis Park. That night, the 2-year-old filly survived a barn fire with some minor burns. The Paulick Report followed up on Bold and Bossy's condition and learned more about her trainer a few weeks later.
Joel Rosario Fined For Misjudging Finish At Oaklawn: A curious incident in Hot Springs resulted in Rosario receiving a $200 fine. Aboard Oaklawn Mile second-place finisher Rushie, Rosario rode his mount out for another sixteenth of a mile past the wire, apparently forgetting that a one-mile race at Oaklawn finishes at the first wire.
Owner Placed On No-Entry List At Fair Grounds After Horse Turns Up In Bail Pen: This Paulick Report investigation resulted in Churchill Downs Inc. placing owner Kim Jackson on the no-entry list at Fair Grounds after her horse appeared in a Texas bail lot while still in the entries at the New Orleans track. Little Red Kid was advertised on social media Jan. 30 by a kill pen, but at that time was still supposed to be headed to the ninth race on Feb. 3. Trainer Jacoby Landry was fined $500 for “entering a horse no longer under his care.”
Meet Kong, The Pony Who Stole The Show On Breeders' Cup Weekend: If you found yourself distracted during the horseback interviews of this year's Breeders' Cup winners, you weren't the only one. This year, people were interested in Donna Brothers' mount, black and white pinto – both readers and Paulick Report staff members. Kong is a 10-year-old American Spotted Draft/Percheron cross trainer Kristin Mulhall picked up at an auction. He was a pick-up horse at rodeos for many years, and the Breeders' Cup was his first weekend working the races. What a star!

We at the Paulick Report could not do the work we do without our readers and our advertisers. Thank you this holiday season (and always) for your support.

The post What Did You Read? Paulick Report’s Top Stories Of 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Stronach Group Warns About Buzzer Use in Training and Racing

September was a busy month for buzzers.

On Sept. 15, the Monmouth Park board of stewards suspended jockey Tomas Mejia for 10 years and fined him $5,000 for possessing an electrical device–commonly referred to as a “buzzer”–during a race run there Sept. 3.

That same day at Indiana Grand, leading Quarter Horse jockey, Sammy Mendez, was “summarily suspended for actions not in the best interest of racing,” and is awaiting a full hearing before the track's board of stewards. According to the Paulick Report, the suspension is connected to use of an illegal electrical device.

Citing these two cases, The Stronach Group–under its 1/ST moniker–circulated at the end of September a memo among the company's racing offices and veterinarians warning that such devices are “illegal and will not be tolerated” in racing, training or on site at any TSG facility.

“Any exercise rider, jockey or horsemen who is found to be using any type of electrical device on a horse will receive a ban from all 1/ST Racing and Training facilities and be escorted off the premises immediately,” wrote Aidan Butler, the company's chief operating officer.

The memo was subsequently circulated among California horsemen.

Butler explained in the memo that it came about after consultation with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, and the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent Protection Association.

“I am asking each of you and your track employees (e.g., outriders, etc.) to be vigilant during training and racing in watching for these devices. If anyone observes horses that are acting unusually such as tail flagging among other behaviors, please follow up with the exercise rider/jockey immediately,” wrote Butler, in the memo. “Enough is enough.”

Stronach Group-owned training and racing facilities include in California Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields and San Luis Rey Downs. In Florida: Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream Park West and Palm Meadows Training Center. And in Maryland: Laurel Park, Pimlico, Rosecroft Raceway and the Bowie Training Center.

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) already prohibits use of electrical devices like buzzers–used to shock horses into going faster–during “recognized” meetings within the state.

Part of the rule for “possession of contraband” states: “No person shall have in his possession on the premises during any recognized meeting any electrical stimulating or shocking device commonly known as a battery, or any mechanical stimulating device, or any other appliance, which might affect the speed or actions of a horse.”

According to CHRB spokesperson Mike Marten, in roughly 40 years no jockey in California has been found guilty of actually using an electronic device in a race. Rather, relevant cases have related to possession–or suspected possession–of such a device.

On Wednesday, the TDN asked the CHRB for any recent rulings against license holders believed to have contravened that rule.

“To the best of our knowledge,” the following is accurate, said Marten, who explained that it isn't a comprehensive overview of such cases due to the time given to compile the list and the accuracy of agency records.

The agency's database shows that jockey Carlos Bautista was suspended for one year–between July of 2007 and July of 2008–having been suspected of possessing an electronic device at Fairplex Park in September of 2006.

Pony person Jose Barajas was summarily suspended having failed to appear before the board of stewards at Golden Gate Fields in November of 2012, having been suspected of possessing electronic “contraband.”

In 2018, jockey/valet Pablo Fernandez-Macias was summarily suspended–and his case referred to the CHRB–having failed to appear before the board of stewards at the Los Angeles County Fair Meet at Los Alamitos, again for alleged “possession of contraband.”

On or around Mar. 1 of last year, jockey Cesar Franco was summarily suspended after a buzzer was found in his car at Los Alamitos.

The post Stronach Group Warns About Buzzer Use in Training and Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Bret Calhoun Joins Writers’ Room

On the heels of a breakout performance from his juvenile filly Hidden Connection (Connect) in Saturday's GIII Pocahontas S. at Churchill, trainer Bret Calhoun joined the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland Wednesday morning to talk about his new barn star, upcoming career milestones, the closure of his old home track Arlington Park this weekend and more.

Calling in via Zoom as the Green Group Guest of the Week, Calhoun was asked about how Hidden Connection's 9 1/4-length tour de force beneath the Twin Spires compared to his expectations for the filly.

“Trainers have got a million excuses, we're always nervous. We don't have quite what we want. Nothing rarely goes perfect,” Calhoun said. “But this filly showed a lot of talent early on. She breaks her maiden impressively, very easily. But we've got basically 30 days from a 5 1/2[-furlong] maiden race at Colonial to come to the Pocahontas at a mile and a 16th. So there wasn't a lot of time to prepare like I wanted. She always looked like she wanted to go two turns in the morning, but until you do it, it's a

lot to ask. With that being said, I did have a lot of confidence in her going in and I really felt like she would run really, really well that night. I thought she would get a good position on the first turn,and we really thought she wanted to go on. But like I said, until they prove it, you're not for sure.”

Calhoun has accomplished a lot since taking out his trainer's license in 1994, and currently has 3,308 wins to go along with over $92 million in earnings. He expressed gratitude and said he's far from done when asked to reflect on those numbers.

“It's been an unbelievable run. I'm hoping to reach 4,000 wins and $100 million in earnings. I love the sport. I love the horses. And it's provided a good living for me. I can't say enough about the business and what it's done for me. A lot of people have to go to job every day that they can't stand. I go to a job every day that I love.”

Elsewhere on the show, which is also sponsored by Spendthrift Farm, West Point Thoroughbreds and Legacy Bloodstock, the writers returned to the studio to discuss trainer Charlie Appleby's dominance in America, Tomas Mejia's 10-year suspension for using a buzzer, Bob Baffert's scratch of Medina Spirit (Protonico) from the GI Pennsylvania Derby and more. Click here to watch the podcast; click here for the audio-only version or find it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

The post Bret Calhoun Joins Writers’ Room appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Baffert Should Be Allowed To Run in Breeders’ Cup

The Week In Review, by Bill Finley

The Breeders' Cup announced Saturday that it had begun a review process to determine whether or not trainer Bob Baffert will be allowed to compete in this year's championship event. The outcome of that review is pending.

“The Breeders' Cup Board has commenced a review process as to whether Bob Baffert will be permitted to participate in this year's Breeders' Cup world championships,” read a statement from the Breeders' Cup. “The process will include an opportunity for Mr. Baffert to present his case and will conclude in advance of pre-entry for the 2021 world championships.”

The statement came shortly after a Breeders' Cup Board of Directors meeting was held Friday. No doubt, Baffert's status was brought up at the meeting. The Breeders' Cup said it has no further comment at this time.

By now, you all know the story. Baffert had five drug positives over a one-year period, including one in the GI Kentucky Derby, where race winner Medina Spirit (Protonico) tested positive for betamethasone. That led Churchill Downs to issue a two-year suspension, which, if not overturned, will keep him from entering in the 2022 and 2023 Derbies, as well as the GI Kentucky Oaks and all other Churchill stakes races. The New York Racing Association has also taken steps to ban Baffert. Other tracks, including Santa Anita, Pimlico, Monmouth and Del Mar have said that Baffert is welcome

Now, the Breeders' Cup will have its say.

There are no easy answers when it comes to Baffert and his situation, but the Breeders' Cup would be doing the wrong thing if it decides the Hall of Fame trainer will not be allowed to enter horses at this year's event.

For one thing, it's too late. If the Breeders' Cup was going to exclude Baffert, it needed to do so shortly after the Medina Spirit positive became public. That's what Churchill and NYRA did. For the most part, nothing has changed since the Derby and there's no reason why a decision couldn't have been made back in May or early June. Now, the clock is ticking, there are fewer than seven weeks until the Breeders' Cup begins and the Breeders' Cup has not said when it will make its decision regarding Baffert. While there's little sympathy in the industry for Baffert's owners, it would be unfair to them to make them switch trainers this close to the event.

And if you want to ban him, be prepared for a court fight that you will probably lose. Baffert and his lawyers have already taken on NYRA and won an early round in their fight against them. To get an injunction that would, at least temporarily, overturn a Breeders' Cup ban probably wouldn't be that hard to accomplish.

But the most important question is this: Does he deserve a Breeders' Cup ban?

While perhaps sounding like a Baffert apologist, which might be an unpopular stance to take, banning him from the Breeders' Cup would be a case of piling on. Yes, he deserves some punishment for all the positives. It's inexcusable for a trainer to have so many in such a short period of time and when you factor in that Baffert has been the face of racing for all these many years, the offense looks all the more serious. This is a sport that has been knocked around pretty good over the last three years or so and all the black eyes have taken quite a toll. Baffert threw gasoline on all the sport's problems.

Still, the punishment is supposed to fit the crime.

What Churchill has done to Baffert will seriously impact his career over the next two years. Not only can't he run in the next two Derbies, but horses he trains will not be eligible to pick up Derby points in the preps. It hasn't happened yet, but there's sure to be a mass exodus from his barn, as no owner with a serious Derby or Oaks candidate will leave their horse in a stable ineligible for those races and not eligible for qualifying points. Expect horses to start going elsewhere early next year. Then there's the potential of a ban at NYRA, which if successful, will keep him out of the GI Belmont S., the GI Travers S. and the dozens of other major races run in New York. That would mean even more horses lost.

That's an awful big bite for a trainer who has been caught only with overages of therapeutic medications. Betamethasone is not a performance-enhancer per se, and neither are the other drugs involved when it comes to the Baffert positives. This is not at all comparable to the Jason Servis-Jorge Navarro situation and all its ugliness.

To have penalized Baffert is fine. But don't keep him out of the Breeders' Cup. At some point, enough is enough.

Europeans Dominate Again…

Walton Street (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is a nice-enough horse, but far from the brightest star in the Charlie Appleby barn. A 7-year-old gelding, he had two wins this year in Dubai before resurfacing last month in Germany, where he finished third in the G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin. Desert Encounter (Ire) (Halling) is a 9-year-old gelding who hadn't won a race in two years. The winner of the Canadian International in 2018 and 2019, his best days seemed to be well behind him.

But when these two finished first and second in Saturday's GI Pattison Canadian International S. at Woodbine, no one should have been surprised. They were the only two European-based horses in the race, and this has been a year where the foreign horses have wiped the floor with their North American counterparts.

About 10 minutes after the Canadian International, Appleby struck again. His 3-year-old gelding Yibir (GB) Dubawi {Ire}) won the $1-million Jockey Club Derby Invitational S. at Belmont Park. He was coming off a win in the GII Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. at York in England. Yibir is a top horse, but no match for stablemates like G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and G1 Cazoo St Leger S. winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) or G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO S. winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). The second string came through again.

European grass horses are supposed to be better than U.S. grass horses. Our best horses run on the dirt and their best horses race on the grass. But, based on the results of this year's grass racing over here, never has the gap been so big. European horses with modest credentials keep coming here and winning rich, important races.

Appleby and the powerful Godolphin Stable has led the way. He first showed up on June 5 and finished one-two in the GI Longines Just a Game S. with Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Six weeks later, the same pair finished first and second again in the GI Diana S. Althiqa, who has not started since the Diana, had won a Group 2 in Dubai and a listed stakes in France. Appleby has had four stakes wins in the North America this year and finished one-two in two Grade I's. He has three Grade I wins and the Jockey Club Derby is not a Grade I only because this was just its second running.

Aidan O'Brien also has three Grade I wins on this side of the Atlantic. He won the GI Belmont Derby Invitational with Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) won the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational and the GI Beverly D. S. He didn't miss by much when Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was second, beaten a neck, in the GI Sword Dancer S. at Saratoga. They're all very good horses, but don't have the star power of some of their stablemates.

O'Brien' s son, Joseph, has also had a remarkable year here. His Baron Samedi (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) won the GII Belmont Gold Cup S. and he won the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational with State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). Perhaps more so than any other horse, State of Rest tells the story of what has been happening this year. Prior to his arrival in Saratoga, he had won just once and was coming off a third-place finish in a listed stakes at the Curragh. He did not look like Grade I material.

After the U.S. based 2-year-old grass horses held their own on Breeders' Cup Friday last year, the Saturday grass races were dominated by the Europeans. They won all four, which included a one-two-three sweep of the GI Breeders' Cup Mile by Aidan O'Brien. The race was won by 73-1 shot Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}).

For this year's Breeders' Cup, the American contingent looks particularly weak. The best U.S.-based grass horse appears to be Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}). He's won a pair of Grade I races this year for Chad Brown, but had to settle for second last time out in the GI Mr. D. S. at Arlington. Beyond Domestic Spending, the list is thin.

Come Breeders' Cup weekend, it could be a long couple of afternoons for the U.S. grass horses.

Mejia Deserves His Punishment…

The Monmouth stewards didn't show an ounce of mercy toward Tomas Mejia, who was hit with a 10-year suspension for carrying a battery in a race earlier this month at Monmouth. They also recommended that the New Jersey Racing Commission take away his license permanently. Either way, at least in this country, Mejia's career is likely over. A 26-year-old journeyman who has never won more than 51 races in a year who now has this on his record, he's not going to be able to launch any kind of comeback ten years from now.

Using a battery on a horse is despicable and it is cruel and there must be zero tolerance for it. It's hard to imagine that Mejia was the only one who had used one during the Monmouth meet, but there's no going back. If other jockeys had used one, they probably have gotten away with it. The New Jersey racing season is almost over, but let's hope that management and the New Jersey Racing Commission will do everything in its power going forward to make sure this never happens again. That should mean frequent shakedowns at the gate.

The 10-year suspension is believed to be the stiffest ever handed down to a jockey for a battery and a lifetime ban by the commission would be unprecedented. But it was the right call. Let's hope that the Monmouth stewards have established a template going forward for others. Ten years should be the minimum penalty for anyone caught with a battery. Better yet, use a battery and you should never be permitted to ride in a race again.

The post Baffert Should Be Allowed To Run in Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post