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Stadium Plan for Arlington Could Be In Trouble

The Chicago Bears' plans to build a stadium in Arlington Heights, Illinois on the site of the former Arlington Park has reached a “stalemate,” Bears president Kevin Warren told local residents at a public forum, according to a report from Front Office Sports.

Warren told the crowd that an ongoing tax dispute has halted stadium development efforts there, even while demolition continues on the former racetrack, the outlet reported.

At issue is a tax assessment on the racetrack land that would raise the annual property tax from $2.8 million to $16.2 million. Other towns continue to try to lure the Bears to their towns and cities, including Chicago, Naperville and Waukegan, according to Front Office Sports.

“We've had a stalemate and a lack of communication, and it's a little more convoluted at this point in time than I thought it would be,” Front Office Sports quotes Warren as saying. “If we're not communicating, which we haven't been, there's not going to be much progress made.”

Plans have called for a sports entertainment complex, including a domed stadium and other attractions.

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Ward Hit With 15-Day Suspension For Monmouth Positives

Trainer Wesley Ward has begun serving a 15-day suspension after a horse he trained tested positive for the substances naproxen and metformin following a July 15, 2022, race at Monmouth. Ward's suspension began June 23 and ends July 7. He was also fined $2,000.

The Paulick Report was first with the story.

The infraction occurred in a five-furlong maiden special weight race on the turf with the gelding Insanity It Seems (Tale of the Cat), who won by 2 1/4 lengths. The horse, who is also owned by Ward, has not run back since.

Ward said he did not consider filing an appeal.

“What are you going to do?” he said. “When you appeal and go down that road things can get tough and you wind up paying a lot in lawyer bills.”

Because there were positives for two drugs, the penalties could have been more harsh, but, according to co-counsel Drew Mollica, the Monmouth stewards concluded that the presence of metformin in and of itself did not warrant a significant fine or suspension.

“The science proved that the metformin was at such a trace amount that they concluded there were mitigating circumstances,” said Mollica, who was co-counsel along with Darrell Vienna. “They took into account that metformin was a derivative of contamination. The penalty is indicative of the finding that only the naproxen was an issue and that the metformin was a result of contamination. Without the mitigation, the penalty could have been much harder. So we are appreciative of the New Jersey Commission paying attention to the science and buying into our argument.”

Naproxen, also known as the over-the-counter analgesic Aleve, is a regulated anti-inflammatory drug. According to the website Equimed.com, it can be used in horses to treat lameness, musculoskeletal pain from soft tissue injury, muscle soreness and bone and joint problems. Metformin is a human drug prescribed for type II diabetes. In horses, it may be prescribed if a horse cannot exercise due to laminitis, or if insulin levels are very high.

Ward said he did not know how the naproxen got into the horse's system.

“I shipped to Monmouth to another trainer's barn and his staff ran the horse for me,” he said. “He's a great friend of mine and when the results came back, I was surprised to hear what happened. I know the rules are rules and the stewards have to do what they have to do. I'm just going to try to keep doing the best I can.”

The Monmouth race marked the second time Ward has had a positive for metformin. His Averly Jane (Midshipman) tested positive for the drug in the April 28, 2021 Kentucky Juvenile S. at Churchill Downs. That offense resulted in a 15-day suspension.

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Two Phil’s Retired

Patricia's Hope LLC, Phillip Sagan and Madaket Stables' Two Phil's (Hard Spun–Mia Torri, by General Quarters), a two-time graded winner and runner-up in the GI Kentucky Derby, has been officially retired from racing after suffering an ankle injury during the June 24 GIII Ohio Derby. Daily Racing Form was first to confirm the news.

Bred by Sagan from his dual-stakes winning mare Mia Torri, Two Phil's graduated at second asking at Colonial Downs last July before romping by nearly 10 lengths in the Shakopee Juvenile at Canterbury Sept. 17. A wide-trip seventh behind Forte (Violence) in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity Oct. 8, the chestnut belied odds of 7-1 to take out the GIII Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs 22 days later before hitting the shelf.

Runner-up in the GIII Lecomte S. and third in the GII Risen Star S. to begin his sophomore season, Two Phil's was set a softer task in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks Mar. 25 and he punched his ticket to the Derby with a convincing 5 1/4-length success. One of just four in the Run for the Roses to jump at single digits, Two Phil's was ridden close to a pace that would ultimately prove the undoing of any horse that raced prominently, but was sent up inside to lead on the turn and boxed on determinedly to finish a length behind Mage (Good Magic) in second with Madaket having bought into the colt. Having decided against a trip to the GI Preakness S., connections opted for the June 24 GIII Ohio Derby and he won by an authoritative 5 3/4 lengths beneath Gerardo Corrales, subbing for the injured Jareth Loveberry.

It was first reported that Two Phil's was sent to Rood and Riddle for evaluation of the injury, but DRF clarified that the colt had remained in Rivelli's barn and that images of the ankle were transmitted to Dr. Larry Bramlage at the equine hospital. DRF reports that a fractured sesamoid had been diagnosed and that the prognosis for a full recovery was 'poor to fair,' trainer Larry Rivelli told the Form.

“It's devastating. This is the fastest horse I've ever trained, and he was just blossoming,” the Hawthorne-based Rivelli told DRF.

A stud deal has not yet been finalized, DRF reported, but added that Two Phil's would be sent to Kentucky “sometime in the next week” to be shown as a stallion prospect.

Two Phil's retires with a lifetime record of 5-2-1 from 10 starts for earnings of $1,583,450.

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Fashionable Fillies Luncheon August 7 in Saratoga

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation will host its annual Fashionable Fillies Luncheon in Saratoga at Saratoga National Golf Club on Monday, August 7, TJC announced Wednesday.

The luncheon will honor Libby Imperio, a longtime supporter of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, horse owner, and president of the Belmont Child Care Association. Outside of racing, Imperio has been a member of CME-Nymex for more than 20 years, trading for herself in world energy markets and specializing in precious metals.

Fashionable Fillies Saratoga has traditionally been Safety Net's premier fundraiser.

The theme of this year's luncheon is “A Day at the Spa!” Guests will celebrate and explore the beauty and wellness realm with special guest Heather Thomson, CEO, inventor, health and wellness expert, and reality TV star. Thompson will lead a discussion with Denise Dubois, founder of Complexions Spa & Dubois Beauty & Wellness. The event will also feature teasers of spa and salon services, including skin consultations, and pop-up shopping featuring skincare and relaxation products, loungewear brands from Violet's of Saratoga, and Beyond Fresh, Thomson's premium line of whole food powder supplements.

The luncheon will offer an infused water and herbal tea bar, Jackson Family wines, and a fresh and colorful food menu.

“We are so excited to have a new theme for Fashionable Fillies Saratoga, a city known for being a wellness escape,” said Shannon Kelly, executive director of The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation. “We have partnered with Denise and Complexions Spa over the years, and they have always been an amazing resource. We're especially excited to join forces with Heather and learn more about her experience in the health and wellness sphere. Heather is a native of the Capital Region, and we're excited to welcome her back. Having Libby as our honoree is a great fit, as her dedication to and care for the backstretch community in New York is apparent in her role at Belmont Childcare Association. Libby has supported Fashionable Fillies for many years and always comes dressed to impress!”

A donation to Belmont Childcare Association's Saratoga center, Faith's House, will be made in Imperio's honor.

Tickets ($150) and sponsorship opportunities are available at tinyurl.com/SaraFF23.

The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation is a charitable trust that provides, on a confidential basis, financial relief to needy members of the Thoroughbred industry and their families. Recipients of the Safety Net Foundation's support represent virtually every facet of the Thoroughbred industry, from jockeys, trainers, exercise riders, and grooms to office personnel and other employees of racetracks, racing organizations, and breeding farms. Assistance can come in any number of forms, including financial aid for basic living expenses such as rent and household bills, and for medication, surgical, and hospital costs. Since 1985, The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation has provided more than $16 million in assistance.

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