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TTA Adds Derby and Oaks

The Texas Thoroughbred Association stakes series will now include a TTA Derby and Oaks, it was announced Tuesday. The new TTA stakes schedule will offer purses totaling more than $500,000 and is restricted to graduates of the Texas Summer Yearling Sale Aug. 30 or Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale next spring. It will feature Futurity divisions for both colts/geldings and fillies, worth $150,000 apiece (up from $100,000), on closing day weekend of the 2022 Lone Star Park Thoroughbred meet; and a $100,000 Oaks and Derby to be contested at a mile or more at Sam Houston Race Park in 2023. Horses need not be Texas-bred, and the previous payment schedule has been eliminated.

“In the last two years, Texas Thoroughbred racing has shown a resurgence due to the increased purse money at Lone Star Park and Sam Houston Race Park,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the TTA. “To continue to build on that progress, the TTA has revamped the Futurity and created a Derby and Oaks with significantly increased purses for all those races. We look forward to our yearling sale on August 30. Our goal is to create greater value for breeders, consignors and buyers.”

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Jockey Club Elects Six New Members

Six new members have been elected to The Jockey Club, it was announced Wednesday: Gayle Benson, Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Drew Fleming, Kevin Lavin, Anthony Manganaro and Adam Wachtel.

Gayle Benson established GMB Racing Stables in 2014 with her husband, Tom Benson. Horses campaigned by GMB Racing include Grade I winner Tom's d'Etat (Smart Strike) and graded stakes winners Tom's Ready (More Than Ready), Mo Tom (Uncle Mo) and Lone Sailor (Majestic Warrior). She owns Benson Farm in Paris, KY, which is active in Thoroughbred breeding and sales, having more than 20 broodmares on the farm. Benson is the only female to solely own an NFL and NBA franchise, providing leadership for the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA). Through the Tom and Gayle Benson Foundation, her sports organizations, and other business enterprises, Benson annually puts tens of millions of dollars back into the community in financial support, in-kind donation, charitable appearances, and donations of goods and services. Benson also oversees Benson Capital Partners, a multi-million-dollar investment arm deploying millions to start-up businesses in the state of Louisiana and the Gulf South.

Dr. Jeffrey Berk is a past president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and current chair of their Racing Committee. He began his career as an attending veterinarian at Thistledown Racetrack near Cleveland, OH before starting his own practice in Ocala, FL. He ran the practice for 19 years before merging with and becoming a partner in Ocala Equine Hospital in 2000. In 2010, he joined Equine Medical Associates PSC in Lexington, KY, where, in addition to his sales work, he does pro bono work for New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program.

Drew Fleming is the president and chief executive officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. He spearheads the general day-to-day operations of the company, including host track relations, long-term planning and business growth, finance, sponsorships, marketing and legal. Prior to joining the Breeders' Cup, Fleming practiced corporate law, focusing on mergers and acquisitions. Fleming serves on the board and executive council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the board of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and chairs its Governance Committee and the board of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition.

Kevin Lavin is a partner and the director of Equine Insurance at Sterling Thompson Company. He also serves as vice chairman of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. He was a past director of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, Kentucky Derby Museum, Backside Learning Center at Churchill Downs, Thoroughbred Club of America, Longfield Farm and Lavin Bloodstock Services.

Anthony Manganaro founded Siena Farm, located in Paris, KY, with partners Nacho Patino and David Pope. He is also the founder of Siena Corporation, a real estate development company based in the Baltimore/Washington corridor; and Boston Medical, an international medical supply company based in Columbia, MD. Horses raced by Siena Farm alone or in partnership include Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming (Bodemeister); Travers winner Catholic Boy (More Than Ready); additional Grade I winners Angela Renee (Bernardini), Bal a Bali (Brz) (Put It Back) and Dayoutoftheoffice (Into Mischief); Grade II winners Isabella Sings (Eskendereya) and Royal Ship (Brz) (Midshipman); and Grade III winner First Captain (Curlin).

Adam Wachtel is a longtime owner and breeder, racing under Wachtel Stables. Top horses he has raced in partnership include Breeders' Cup winners Tourist (Tiznow) and Vequist (Nyquist) and Grade I winners Bolo (Temple City), Channel Maker (English Channel), Exaggerator (Curlin), Ron the Greek (Full Mandate), Sharla Rae (Afleet Alex) and Spiced Perfection (Smiling Tiger). Outside of racing, he is involved in private equity investments.

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Trio of New Owners Buy Minority Interest in Bella Sofia

Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, and Barry Fowler have purchased a minority interest in the GI Longines Test S. winner Bella Sofia (Awesome Patriot). The deal was brokered by bloodstock agent Nick Sallusto.

Medallion, Parkland, and Fowler join original owners Michael Imperio, Vincent Scuderi, Sofia Soares, Gabrielle Farm, Mazel Stable Partners, and Matthew Mercurio in campaigning the filly, who is trained by Rudy Rodriguez.

“Nick Sallusto and I talked after the filly broke her maiden. I felt she was one to keep an eye on,” said Medallion Racing's Mark Taylor. “And her Test was a jaw-dropper. She showed freakish talent, and she's got a sneaky good pedigree. We are grateful for the opportunity to be in on her.”

Sallusto and Hanzly Albina bought Bella Sofia for the original ownership group for $20,000 at last year's OBS June Sale.

“She was an extremely fluid mover at the breeze-ups before the sale, and was a flawless physical at the barn,” Sallusto said. “Her talent was obvious from the first time I breezed her at the farm. Rudy Rodriguez has done an excellent job of advancing her talent.”

The Sept. 26 GII Gallant Bloom H. at Belmont may be next for Bella Sofia, with an eye toward the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint Nov. 6 at Del Mar.

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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.

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