Tag: Top News

Bolt d’Oro Filly Harnesses Lightning Late In Spa Thursday Opener

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y–As part of his wife Audrey's birthday celebration Thursday, Martin Schwartz took her to the winner's enclosure after the opener at Saratoga Race Course. They know the space well, but It was their first visit there in four years.

The Schwartzes walked their 2-year-old filly Gold Lightning (Bolt d'Oro) in from the track after she won the 1 1/16-mile turf maiden by 2 1/4 lengths. She reached the wire on the inner turf course 1:45.93 and paid $31.40.

Under jockey Manny Franco, Gold Lightning delivered a solid off-the-pace run between horses in the stretch to overtake Positive Carry (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) at the sixteenth pole.

Martin Schwartz said he had no idea what to expect from the bay filly he purchased as a yearling for $150,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October sale. He said that trainer Brad Cox told him Wednesday that the filly was going to compete Thursday, regardless of whether the race was run on turf as scheduled or moved to the main track, as has happened so often during this wet Saratoga summer.

“All I know is where she was broken, at Paul Sharp's farm in Ocala, he really liked her and he's a hell of a horseman,” Schwartz said. “So I was hoping, but it's been a little while in between drinks.”

Gold Lightning was Schwartz's first winner in nine starts in 2023 and the 137th of his career–36 in graded stakes–outside of partnerships. His last winner at Saratoga, where he has not had many starters in recent years, was Mascha (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) July 31, 2019.

Schwartz found great success buying fillies racing in Europe and importing them to the U.S. He said he has returned to that formula and made some purchases this year. Gold Lightning came out of yearling auctions.

“I bought some in '21 and '22,” he said.

Schwartz noted, with a laugh, that about a dozen years ago he said in a magazine article that he was not going to go back into yearling market.”

“Somehow, I lost my mind and bought them again,” he said.

Gold Lightning, bred by Cypress Creek Equine LLC., is out of Acting Class by Distorted Humor.

“I'm hoping this is a start of something big,” Schwartz said. “I went back to buying horses in Europe, I was so depressed this past month. I spent a boatload of money.”

After she broke in at the start, Franco set Gold Lightning up near the rear of the field of nine. Sitting fourth, 3 1/2 lengths back, at the top of the stretch, she darted through the field willingly to get to contention and then the lead.

“She seems like she's very straightforward,” Franco said. “She did everything the right way. I just was a passenger on her today.”

1st-Saratoga, $105,000, Msw, 8-31, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:45.93, gd, 2 1/4 lengths.
GOLD LIGHTNING (f, 2, Bolt d'Oro–Acting Class, by Distorted Humor) was overlooked at the windows as a 14-1 first time starter here. The bay colt raced greenly into the first turn, but settled midpack up the backstretch. Heading into the lane, she began to uncork a strong turn of foot and passing Sassy Princess (Cairo Prince) she graduated by 2 1/4 lengths over the late running Positive Carry (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}). Acting Class was in-foal with the winner when she was sold to Bluewater for $180,000 at the '20 Keeneland November Sale. Gold Lightning is a half-sister to Classy Act (Into Mischief), MGSP, $328,443. Her dam foaled a colt May 14 by Medaglia d'Oro and she visited Keepmeinmind for next year. Sales History: $150,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $57,750. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
O-Martin S. Schwartz; B-Cypress Creek Equine, LLC (KY); T-Brad H. Cox.

Race report by J. N. Campbell

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`The World Awaits.’ Letter to the Editor from Grant Pritchard-Gordon

Raceday fatalities create powerful news stories anywhere. Social Media has ensured that our world of racing is now a global community, with news and videos dispatched within minutes to knowledgeable audiences in countries far beyond the American shores. However, shock will have reverberated throughout  horse communities of many nations at the recent tragedies that have occurred on the racetracks at Saratoga and Churchill Downs. We all wait with bated breath to hear the steps that the major U.S. racecourses will take to remedy a very challenging moment for our sport, industries and livelihoods. It is essential that the boards of the racecourse groups make both speedy and correct decisions, for their actions will impinge on the lives of all horsemen and women far beyond the US of A.

In the past year, nearly every major racing nation has suffered the unwanted attention of idealistic and disruptive 'animal rights' activists. If not actually detailed in agenda meetings, the subject of Welfare has been the elephant in the room for practically every board of directors/trustees of racing and breeding activities around the world. If American racetracks make the wrong decision, then these elephants will grow into dinosaurs for everyone. Maintaining the status quo and traditions of US Racing is unlikely to be an option, for these diligent activists feast on statistics to bend an interpretation to their own agenda. However, there is strong statistical evidence out there to suggest that there is a more acceptable solution, as highlighted recently by Mark Casse and Graham Motion.

There is little doubt that the 'animal rights' activists in Europe or Australia mimic and use similarly informed campaigns to like-minded individuals in America. Their disruptive ambitions will have been reinforced by the horrific experiences viewed by huge numbers of racegoers at Saratoga and Churchill Downs. When the time suits them best, provocative agendas will inevitably be pumped into the world of social media by re-fueled keyboard warriors. A resulting tsunami of unwanted activity will surely ensue at our major racing festivals. US Racecourse boards and executives have the tools in their hands to change the narrative. The world awaits.

Now is the time for the owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, stable staff and associated bloodstock trades of America to make their voices heard loud and clear by racecourses. They have the support from thousands of like-minded and employed people from around the world. The wrong decision from racecourses could create an existential threat to a wonderful global industry and community.

Grant Pritchard-Gordon is a U.K.-based bloodstock agent, and the principal in Badgers Bloodstock Consultants. He is the former longtime racing manager for Juddmonte Farms.

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Pink Lloyd’s Full-Brother Tops Canadian Yearling Sale

At the Woodbine Sales Pavilion Aug. 30, a full-brother to Canadian Horse of the Year Pink Lloyd (Old Forester) led the way with $150,000 at this year's Canadian Premier Yearling Sale, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS)'s Ontario Division said in a release Thursday morning.

With 68 RND'd, gross sales out of 168 increased by 4.6% to $4,017,790 from $3,837,700 a year ago when 150 went through the ring. Seven hips sold for $100,000 or more (three in '22), while the average was $23,915 and the median $15,000.

The top three yearlings were: Pink Lloyd's full-brother (hip 82), a gray colt out of Gladiator Queen (Great Gladiator) consigned by agent John Carey on behalf of T.C. Westmeath Stud Farm which went for $150,000 to Nancy Guest; a bay filly by War of Will (hip 14) out of Avie's Mineshaft (Mineshaft) consigned by agent Richard G. Hogan which sold for $135,000 to Goldmart Farms; and a bay colt by Mo Town (hip 199) out of Samsal (Consolidator) consigned by agent Huntington Stud Farm which was purchased for $120,000 by Paul Braverman.

“This year's catalogue was one of the largest in recent years attracting over 250 entries,” said Peter Berringer, President and Sales Chair of the CTHS. “One of those entries was a half-sister to this year's Kings Plate S. winner. Selling as hip 174, his half-sister, sold to Gary Barber for $100,000. This year's sales topper a full-brother to classic champion Pink Lloyd sold for $150,000.”

Click here for full results.

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HISA In Depth: The Procedures Surrounding A Provisional Suspension

Editor's note: This is the latest in a series in the TDN to help industry members better understand the procedures under the new HISA and HIWU regulations.

TDN: Please explain the rules on what happens during a Provisional Suspension. Are my employees still allowed to care for my horses? Can my assistant trainer be in charge? Or do I have to have them moved to an entirely new barn with new help?

HISA:It is true that there have been some changes in the procedures surrounding a Provisional Suspension, along with a lot of misinformation. Here is what happens when your horse tests positive for a Banned (not Controlled) Substance.

First, when you receive notification of a positive test, you can decide if you want to have the split, or B sample, tested.

If you do want to have it tested:

  • Your Provisional Suspension will not start until your B sample result comes back. During this time, you may continue to train and race your horses without interruption.
  • You must pay the B sample analysis fee ($2,000) within seven calendar days of requesting it. In cases of financial hardship, a payment plan may be available.
  • If your B sample result does not confirm the A sample finding, the case against you is dismissed and you are refunded the $2,000 for the B sample analysis.
  • If your B sample result confirms the A, you will be allowed to race any horses that you had already entered prior to notification of the B sample confirmation. In all other respects, your Provisional Suspension goes into effect when you are notified of the B sample results.

If you do not want to have the B sample tested:

  • You may race any horses entered to race prior to Notification of the positive test.
  • However, in all other respects, your Provisional Suspension goes into effect when you either waive your right to have the B sample tested or do not notify HIWU of your decision within five days of being notified of the A sample result.

It should be noted that there are exceptions to the opportunity to postpone the implementation of a Provisional Suspension:

  • There is a subset of Banned Substances that will trigger an immediate Provisional Suspension upon notice of the A sample result.
  • If a trainer has more than one horse test positive for the same Banned Substance within a six-month period or has received notices for potential violations related to a Banned Substance in addition to a positive test result (e.g., possession or use), they are not eligible for the delayed imposition of a Provisional Suspension.

TDN: What happens when your Provisional Suspension goes into effect?

HISA: You and your staff can continue looking after the horses under your care, however, these horses cannot breeze or be entered to race unless they are transferred to another responsible person (a trainer, for example) in a bona fide transfer approved by the stewards and registered in the HISA Portal.

You also:
a) must take down or cover any personal signage bearing your name or related to your operations where horses are located at the racetrack
b) cannot claim horses or bring new horses into your barn
c) cannot be employed within the Thoroughbred horseracing industry in any other capacity where you come into contact with covered horses (including, but not limited to acting as an agent for an owner or working as an exercise rider.
d) After the imposition of the Provisional Suspension, you can request a Provisional Suspension Hearing (limited to the issue of whether to lift the suspension) or a final hearing to conclude your case as soon as possible. A Provisional Suspension Hearing may be convened as soon as 48 hours after it is requested.

TDN: How long is my suspension for a banned substance?

HISA: A first offense for the presence (positive test result) or possession of a Banned Substance may result in a suspension of up to two years. The suspension may be shortened based on the specific circumstances of the case.

For example, the arbitrator hearing a case may issue a shorter suspension in their Final Decision based on the Covered Person's degree of fault for the positive test result or possession.

Suspensions may also be shortened if, the Covered Person:
1) agrees to an admission and acceptance of Consequences, or
2) provides Substantial Assistance to HIWU.

Time served under a Provisional Suspension is counted toward any final suspension (period of Ineligibility).

 

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