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PTHA Announces Purse Increases, Five New Stakes at Parx in November

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), in collaboration with Parx Racing, has announced several purse increases starting in the November condition book, along with the addition of five new stakes races in late November, including three for Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 23, and two on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

“The increased purses and additional stakes races are the result of higher than forecast handle throughout the year, including the record-breaking handle for Pennsylvania Derby Day,” said Jeff Matty, Executive Director of the PTHA. “Increasing these purses, especially our state-bred purses, will allow us to build on this momentum heading into 2023 while at the same time being very competitive with surrounding state-bred programs. The breeding side of our business has a major impact on the state's agricultural economy and we want to do our part to encourage people to breed, foal, and race Pennsylvania-bred foals.”

This year, the stakes program at Parx added PA-bred and PA-Sired races in coordination with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA). The stakes added in November are, on Nov. 23: the $75,000 Turkey Trot H. for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile and 70 yards, the $75,000 Let's Give Thanks H. for 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs and the $75,000 Cornucopia H. for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward at 6 1/2 furlongs; and, on Nov. 29: the $75,000 Future Stars H. with divisions for 2-year-olds and 2-year-old fillies, each at six furlongs.

The purse increases are for open and PA-bred maiden special weight and allowance races and started with Parx's Nov. 1 card. Parx's new condition book is online here.

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Breeders’ Cup Security Team Assembles Once Again to Protect World’s Horses

Members of the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) are once again working diligently to provide the highest level of security for the world's best Thoroughbreds that have assembled for the 2022 Breeders' Cup.

With a handpicked team of some 30 investigators, the BC Equine Security Team (BCEST) hails from all corners of the United States, and also includes international representation from Canada and Ireland.

Working closely with a local company of security personnel, the BCEST will provide 24-hour round-the-clock care for the horses that will be running on Friday November 4 and Saturday November 5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

With a wealth of experience in law enforcement, members of the BCEST work for racetrack and state agencies back home. The opportunity to come to the Breeders' Cup is the chance to ensure that compliance is of the utmost importance.

Not only will members be working closely with the Breeders' Cup Veterinarian Team to collect samples, ensuring the chain of custody, but they will be onsite to showcase their knowledge and expertise by keeping everyone safe.

“Customer service and experience is so important to us,” said Don Ahrens (Sam Houston Race Park). “Everything we do is for the care of these equine athletes, and making sure everyone is compliant is our top priority.”

Ahrens, along with Mike Kilpack (NTRA), spearhead this operation, having done so for over a decade. “We are driven to provide the Breeders' Cup and its fans with all the security that we can muster, said Kilpack. “Each and every member of this team is the best of the best.” The BCEST assembled on Sunday Night for a 'Meet and Greet,' but the planning takes place months in advance.

Picking a group of investigators from across America is no easy task, but Ahrens and Kilpack have a vast set of experiences in their toolkit.

This year, there are several additions to their squad, including a 'dispatcher' that will manage the day and night shifts, utilizing camera technology that will monitor the stalls.

As the Breeders' Cup does every year, a quarantine area for international runners will also be located in the barn area, with restricted access to a select few.

The BCEST 2022 edition, also includes over 10 'rookie' members at Keeneland. For their first event, it is up to the senior leadership to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.

Ahrens said, “These folks know their business, and are used to the rigors of investigating in their own locales, so that is incredibly helpful when it comes to training them for an event of this magnitude.”

After an orientation on Monday at the Keeneland Sales Ring, BCEST will officially swing into action on Tuesday. Led by Juan Estrada (Arizona Department of Gaming), the 'Night Crew' will acclimatize themselves before their posting begins at 4 p.m. each afternoon.

Both shifts have Saturday after the Breeders' Cup Classic as their target. Until then, paying attention and monitoring their barns will be the focal point. In other words, the best of the best will protect their counterparts to the fullest extent.

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Old Friends Opens Up Halter Auction to Absentee Bidding

Kentucky's Thoroughbred retirement farm Old Friends, which previously announced a Breeders' Cup celebration to be held Sunday, Nov. 6, has opened up absentee auction bidding for halters worn by Affirmed Success, Authentic, Groupie Doll, Gun Runner, Lava Man, Midnight Bisou, Paynter, War Front, and Yoshida (Jpn). Each item is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Interested buyers unable to attend on Sunday can bid by emailing name, address, phone number, and highest bid to: horses@oldfriendsequine.org. For more information on the event, click here. Bidding deadline is Saturday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. ET.

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Slight Changes to Sovereign Award Guidelines

The Jockey Club of Canada, which recognizes outstanding achievements in Canadian Thoroughbred racing and breeding with the annual Sovereign Awards, is implementing changes to the guidelines for some of the awards, effective for the current year.

Directly from the The Jockey Club's Board of Stewards are the following changes:

1). The trophy recipient for the divisional horse awards shall be the owner of the horse as of its last start in the award year and, if the owner is not also the breeder, the breeder listed on the Jockey Club Certificate of Registration may receive a trophy as well.

2). The owner of the Outstanding Broodmare at the end of the award year shall be the only recipient of that award and trophy.

An Outstanding Groom award–not a sanctioned Sovereign Award–is also presented with the awards. Again, from the Board of Stewards:

3). Nominators must hold a valid Thoroughbred license in the province of Ontario.

Nominators were previously restricted to licensed trainers and assistant trainers. The nomination period for the Outstanding Groom award is now open through Dec. 11.

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