Tag: Top News

Two-Time Graded Winner Kanthaka Retired

West Point Thoroughbreds' Kanthaka (Jimmy Creed–Sliced Bread, by Noonmark), a dual graded-stakes winner on dirt and Grade I placed on turf, has been retired. According to a tweet from the New Jersey-based partnership, John H. Haines, a partner in the 6-year-old gelding, adopted Kanthaka and moved him to a ranch in Oregon, where he arrived Sunday.

A $140,000 purchase out of the 2017 Barretts March Sale, Kanthaka was at first based in California with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, for whom he won the GII San Vicente S. and GIII Laz Barrera S., both at seven furlongs, in 2018. Placed three times at the graded level at four, including a third when trying the turf for the first time in the GIII Daytona S. in 2019, Kanthaka was sidelined for better than a year and made his return to action in the 2020 GI Jaipur S., his first start for trainer Graham Motion. Sent off at 16-1, the chestnut made a run to the lead inside the final furlong, only to be caught late by Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom).

Winless in three trips to the post this term, Kanthaka retires with three wins from 17 starts and earnings of $456,635.

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Safety Initiatives Paying Off in California

Edited Press Release

The state of California has seen a 50% decline in equine fatalities over the last two fiscal years, owing to steps taken by the industry to increase safety at the state's racetracks. In fiscal year 2018-2019, a total of 144 horses died from racing or training injuries or other causes while stabled at CHRB facilities. The number dropped to 72 in fiscal year 2020-2021.

According to information provided by the California Horse Racing Board, equine fatalities have been trending downward since 2005, but the last fiscal year marked the most significant improvement in a single year. Continuing the actions of previous Boards, which included establishing an entry review panel for Santa Anita at the direction of Governor Gavin Newsom, the current commissioners expanded the review panel program to all tracks to make certain that entered horses are fit to compete.

Over the last 19 months, CHRB Chairman Dr. Greg Ferraro, Vice Chairman Oscar Gonzales, and Commissioners Dennis Alfieri, Wendy Mitchell, and Alex Solis, later joined by Commissioners Damascus Castellanos and Brenda Davis, have taken more than 40 regulatory actions intended to either directly or indirectly protect horses, thereby reducing fatalities and protecting riders. Among the more significant actions, the commissioners:

 

  • Adopted rules limiting the use of the riding crop, which at the time were the strictest rules in the nation, while enhancing penalties for violation of those rules.

 

  • Required trainers to participate in a full postmortem examination review to make them aware of the nature of the injuries and to discuss ways to prevent such injuries in the future. This has helped lead to a culture change in the California horse racing industry whereby participants are placing a higher priority on the protection of horses.

 

  • Allowed Official Veterinarians to require diagnostic imaging prior to removing horses from the restrictive Veterinarian's List and permitting them to train or compete.

 

  • Prohibited or severely restricted the use of bisphosphonates, thyroxine, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and intra-articular injections prior to workouts and racing.

 

  • Took significant steps to make veterinary treatments transparent to authorities and in certain cases new owners.

 

The CHRB recently created the new position of Chief Official Veterinarian, naming Dr. Timothy Grande to oversee veterinarians, veterinary procedures and practices throughout the state. Dr. Jeff Blea was also appointed to the role of Equine Medical Director.

“I took this job a year-and-a-half ago because I recognized this Board's and the Administration's commitment to real, significant, long-term reform in the arena of animal welfare,” said CHRB Executive Director Scott Chaney. “It has been gratifying to be a part of this sea change in racing, and the results are undeniable. We clearly have more work to do, but with this reform-minded Board, dedicated staff, and committed stakeholders, the future is bright.”

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Recio Fundraiser An Unqualified Success

An event held Sunday, Aug. 1 at McCarthy's Irish Bar in downtown Lexington raised better than $83,000 to benefit the family of Mike Recio, the part-owner of the South Point Sales Consignment, who is battling sepsis in the intensive care unit at Central Baptist Hospital.

Spendthrift Farm's Mark Toothaker, a friend of Recio's who helped organize the event, estimates that better than 200 people attended the event at the popular bar and “you couldn't get another person in there with a shoehorn.”

A vast array of experiences, services, unique items and horse memorabilia were offered during a live auction Sunday evening, donated by Central Kentucky businesses from within the Thoroughbred industry and also from without. Bottles of Pappy Van Winkle 20-year bourbon fetched final bids of $7,500 and $10,000, respectively, while a season to Spendthrift's Jimmy Creed was knocked down for a final bid of $6,000. A halter worn by Stonestreet Stable standout Lady Aurelia realized a final bid of $3,200, a pair of barbecues for 50 donated by Proud Mary BBQ combined to raise $8,200 and two sets of five walking videos provided by ThoroStride sold for a total of $4,750. When all was said and done, $83,850 was raised for the Recios.

A separate online auction concluded Monday afternoon, raising an additional $69,000. A GoFundMe page has also been set up to assist the family.

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CTBA To Participate In NTRA Checkoff Program

The California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA), which hosts a pair of Thoroughbred sales annually, will participate in the NTRA Legislative Action Campaign's 1/4% Checkoff Program, which supports the NTRA's federal lobbying efforts.

Beginning with the Aug. 10 Northern California Sale at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, buyers and consignors/sellers at may elect to have 0.25% of the sale price of each horse donated to the Legislative Action Campaign. This percentage equals $2.50 for every $1,000 in sale price. The CTBA joins Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders' Sales Company and the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association as Thoroughbred sales companies that participate in the Campaign's fundraising efforts.

“The CTBA recognizes the importance of having the NTRA's skilled and consistent presence in Washington, D.C., on federal legislative matters,” said CTBA President Doug Burge. “We are glad to be able to help support the NTRA by offering our buyers and sellers the opportunity to contribute to the voluntary 1/4% Check-off Program.”

“We are pleased and grateful to have the CTBA participate in our Legislative Action Campaign's 1/4¼% Check-off Program,” said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop. “CTBA membership, president Doug Burge and his team and the CTBA board of directors are long-time supporters of the NTRA's programs and this enhances the relationship with our Western region constituents.”

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