Top News | Horse Racing Free Tips

Bird Song Represented By First Winner at Churchill

Marylou Whitney Stables' homebred Pretty Birdie (Bird Song) became the first winner for her expatriated sire (by Unbridled's Song) with a good-looking box-to-wire tally on Churchill debut Friday afternoon.

Taking good pari-mutuel action as a 43-10 chance, the gray filly hit the ground running and clicked off an opening couple of furlongs in :22.16. Traveling well within the grasp of Joe Talamo for the run around the turn, Pretty Birdie was ridden hands and heels into the final eighth of a mile and was kept to her task to score by 3 3/4 lengths. Penny Saver (Super Saver), backed into 2-1 from a 6-1 morning line, rallied from fourth to be second ahead of the regally bred Speedometer (Tapit), who checked into the turn and raced greenly in the lane.

Pretty Birdie is also the first starter for Bird Song, a son of GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Bird Town (Cape Town), who posted one of his two career graded victories in the 2017 GII Alysheba S. beneath the Twin Spires. Bird Song stood early days at Gainesway before being sold to continue his stud career in Saudi Arabia last fall. Bird Song's 2-year-olds were well-received at public auction this spring, with a pair reaching six-figure pricetags.

Bird Sense, a two-time winner at the races, is a half-sister to GSP Bird Maker (Empire Maker) and foaled a full-brother to Pretty Birdie Jan. 21.

2nd-Churchill Downs, $99,058, Msw, 6-18, 2yo, f, 5f, :57.28, ft, 3 3/4 lengths.
PRETTY BIRDIE (f, 2, Bird Song–Bird Sense, by Street Sense) Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,488. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-Marylou Whitney Stables (Hendrickson); B-Marylou Whitney Stables LLC (KY); T-Norm W Casse.

The post Bird Song Represented By First Winner at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Original Artwork Donated to Derby Museum

Kentucky artist Kacy Jackson has donated original artwork entitled “Legacy,” which features early Kentucky Derby jockeys, to the Kentucky Derby Museum. The artwork now hangs in the museum's permanent Black Heritage in Racing exhibit.

“Art, and how it has been used to document Black heritage in racing, is a key component of the museum's newest exhibit,” said Director of Curatorial & Educational Affairs Chris Goodlett. “Placing some of the greatest jockeys in history against the backdrop of the iconic twin spires and the noted garland of roses illustrates how African-American riders laid the foundation for the Kentucky Derby.”

Posters of “Legacy” have been donated by Churchill Downs and are available to museum guests for free on Juneteenth.

The post Original Artwork Donated to Derby Museum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Equine Workforce Development Launches Data Collection Project

The Equine Workforce Development Initiative, a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Foundation Workforce Center, has launched a Thoroughbred industry workforce data collection effort for the state of Kentucky to better identify employer needs and fill staff shortages.

The goal of the initiative is to understand the needs of employers andy use that information to better inform educational and community partners who can assist with filling gaps in the equine industry's workforce. In a 2019 study conducted by the Thoroughbred Farm collaborative, it was projected by just 10 farms that there was a need for 255 new and replacement grooms before 2021.

“Like many states and industries around the country, the equine industry in Kentucky is struggling to find qualified workers to fill its ranks,” said Laurie Mays, Equine Talent Pipeline Project Manager with KEEP and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. “However, the lack of concrete data needed to substantiate the current workforce crisis has hindered progress in equine workforce development. The creation of the Thoroughbred Data Collection Project survey will allow the industry to obtain the vital information needed to advance crucial conversations with organizations and individuals who support workforce growth in our unique industry.”

The data collection process, completed by Thoroughbred Farms around Kentucky, will occur through a brief online survey developed collaboratively with the University of Louisville Equine Industry Program. The anonymous survey will identify the size of farms and demand projections for particular positions, analyze trends in recruitment and hiring, as well as understand staff retention and reasons for turnover. After analysis from the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program, the information provided will form an industry baseline to enhance existing projects and assist in identifying new programs and initiatives that need to be implemented.

For more information about the Thoroughbred Data Collection Project or to participate in the survey, contact Laurie Mays at lmays@kychamber.com.

The post Equine Workforce Development Launches Data Collection Project appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Purse Increase for Indiana Grand

Indiana Grand Racing & Casino has announced purse increases for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing, effective Tuesday, July 6. The increase will add 10% onto all Thoroughbred overnights and roughly $1,000 to each Quarter Horse overnight and trials, which reflects approximately a 6% increase for the sprinters.

“We have had a great season so far in 2021 and we are pleased to announce this purse increase across the board for our horsemen,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “This boost is a direct result of elevated business levels that continue to be strong this year. We appreciate the support from our racing fans, and we are working hard to continue offering a solid, competitive program for both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing.”

The purse increase will go into effect two days before Indiana Grand's biggest race of the season, the 27th running of the GIII Indiana Derby set for Wednesday, July 7. Stakes purses will remain at their current levels and will not be affected by the purse increase.

The post Purse Increase for Indiana Grand appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post