Horse Racing News 7/14

[Justpat]

http://www.bloodhorse.com has a story up today about Mike Lakow,
the racing secretary at Belmont, being fired and escorted off the
grounds this morning. Celeste Kuntz, the head state vet, was also
fired. Mr Charles Haywood, the new CEO of NYRA, made the announcement
to the press today. Too bad he didn't have the decency to tell
Lakow and Celeste ahead of time about their firing. It makes me
sick.

[nosmokes]

1. it's a shame

that attitude that is one of the many reasons this great sport is dying here in the states

[Justpat]

2. NYRA hired some new CEO eight months ago.

I guess this is how the corporate world fires people. No one knows
why they were let go.

I know a lot of people were upset with the new detention barn
which is a real headache for us trainers, but Mr. Lakow and the
vet weren't the ones who came up with the idea. I cannot understand
the need to treat both of them like criminals.

[two gun sid]

3. I'm sorry Old Broad I didn't see this post and I started another ...

thread. Shit.

From DRF:
Working class has its day

SHAKOPEE, Minn. - There is more than $650,000 at stake Saturday in the seventh annual Claiming Crown.

For the men and women who have converged on Canterbury Park in suburban Minneapolis, there is the opportunity to prove to the racing public that there are capable horsemen out there besides guys named Frankel, Pletcher, or Dutrow.

There also is the matter of regional pride, as horses have come from a wide range of racing circuits for the seven-race series.

"Let me tell you about northern California," said an adamant Art Sherman, who will run Desert Boom as a prime contender in the program anchor, the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel. "Horses can go anywhere from there and win."

http://www.drf.com/news/article/66805.html

[u4ic]

4. Stop the Music euthanized at 35:

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56030&subsec=6

[Justpat]

5. He was a good broodmare sire.

That is really old for a horse.

[u4ic]

6. His paddock mate, Lyphard died a month or so back

I remember this story from Barbara Livingston's book Old Friends: http://www.barbaralivingston.com/gallery/oldffriends/Fanfreluche_OptGal

I can't help but wonder if the older ones die of loneliness, like some humans do when their long time partner passes. Maybe I'm anthropomorphisizing...:shrug:

[u4ic]

7. Btw...her site is awesome

for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. http://www.barbaralivingston.com/

[two gun sid]

8. Alex Harthill dead at 80

From DRF:
Dr. Alex Harthill, perhaps the most famous equine veterinarian in the world and one of the most legendary and controversial figures in American racing history, died early Saturday in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., from complications of a stroke. He was 80.

"Doc" Harthill, as he was known to racetrackers everywhere, died at 6:05 a.m. Eastern at Hospice and Palliative Care in downtown Louisville. He had suffered a major stroke several weeks ago and was stricken with pneumonia at the time of his death, according to a family friend, Skip Fischer.

Harthill had a role in innumerable major racing events, including the infamous disqualification of the 1968 Kentucky Derby first-place finisher, Dancer's Image, for whom Harthill served as the attending veterinarian. By his own count, he treated at least 26 Derby winners, from Citation to Northern Dancer to Sunday Silence.

A tireless worker who had no hobbies besides his work with racehorses, Harthill made hundreds of friends in the racing industry, most notably jockey Bill Shoemaker and trainer Charlie Whittingham, both of whom preceded him in death. His offices at The Harthill Co., the successful veterinary-supply company that was headquartered just outside the stable gate of Churchill Downs, were packed with photos and memorabilia from his nearly six decades in racing.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/66869.html

[two gun sid]

9. Grade 3 winner Desert Boom takes Claiming Crown Jewel

From Thoroughbred Times:
Anyone still wondering why trainer Art Sherman has such high regards for Desert Boom did not watch the $138,000 Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes on Saturday at Canterbury Park.

The Grade 3 winner who twice has been claimed by his barn boss used a front-running effort to hold off Grade 2 winner Lord of the Game and earn a 2 3/4-length win. A slow pace prompted Desert Boom to take the lead at the start of the 1 1/8-mile race and extend his winning streak to three straight races by prevailing in 1:47.32.

"I always have liked this horse,’’ Sherman said. "He’s got a lot of class.’’

Desert Boom’s desire was displayed throughout the race for three-year-olds and older who started for a claiming price of $25,000 or less in the last year. The California shipper and jockey Roberto Gonzalez opened a 1 1/2-length lead on Lord of the Game at the start and refused to be caught.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56048&subsec=2

[two gun sid]

10. English Channel impressive in Virginia Derby victory

From Thorobred Times:


English Channel took his second step toward a whopping $3-million payday on Saturday, shooting down eight rivals in a 3 ¼-length victory in the $750,000 Virginia Derby (G3) at Colonial Downs.

The three-year-old son of Smart Strike, winner of the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes on June 25, now needs victories in the Secretariat Stakes (G1) on August 13 at Arlington Park and the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) on October 29 at Belmont Park to collect the hefty bonus, which was designed to reward the horse that could sweep the Grand Slam of Grass.

James Scatuorchio’s English Channel, who has won five of six career races on the turf, entered the 1 ¼-mile test off three straight victories by a combined 13 ¼ lengths, including an impressive 3 ½-length romp over Exceptional Ride in the Colonial Turf Cup Stakes in his previous start.

He stalked pacesetter Chattahoochee War for the first mile under jockey John Velazquez, never falling more than two lengths back as the leader took the field through a half-mile in :49.96 and a mile 1:38.23 on yielding turf.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56042&subsec=2


Thoroughbred Championship Tour scrapped

Members of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association on Friday abandoned plans to launch the Thoroughbred Championship Tour, a proposed $25-million venture that would have linked major stakes leading up to the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships.

TOBA proposed the tour in 2002, and the venture was incorporated a year later, with owner-breeder Robert McNair as chairman and TOBA President Dan Metzger as chief executive officer. Tour organizers reached agreements in June to work with Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and the New York Racing Association, but they failed to reach formal agreements with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association or any other major racetrack group.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56031&subsec=1


Cacht Wells fights off Relaxed Gesture to win Bowling Green

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56043&subsec=2


R Lady Joy triumphs in stormy Delaware Oaks

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56041&subsec=2

[jakefrep]

11. RockNRoll Hanover grabs $1M Meadowlands Pace...

...more here:

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=10424&z=1

[two gun sid]

12. I think this guy is the real deal, jake...

how'd y'all do at the fair?

[jakefrep]

14. Katie Katie Katie won Wednesday night...

...and our 4-year-old was 4th in one of the free-for-all trots on Friday night. On to Oak Harbor Monday evening.

I look forward to seeing Rocknroll Hanover at the Jug & Lexington.

[Justpat]

15. Congratulations

[two gun sid]

16. Glad Katie Katie Katie won. Congrats.

[u4ic]

18. Congrats!

:toast:

[jakefrep]

13. Classic Photo solidifies his status as Hambletonian favorite...

...by winning the $350K Stanley Dancer Memorial at The Meadowlands Friday night.

more here...

http://www.ustrotting.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp?a=10411&z=1

[u4ic]

17. Ablo wins Prince of Wales Stakes

at Fort Erie - wins it by a neck (weird tv angle, so it may be a head) from Autumn Snow, favourite Wild Desert 3rd. Only about 1 1/4 lengths separated the top 4.

The track was sloppy - with no speed in the race, Ablo went to the lead, kept it slow and held off Autumn Snow. Wild Desert didn't seem to handle the track very well - he really had no response when asked around the far turn, but finally did manage to come on a bit at the end.

Ablo paid around $19 - trainer Roger Attfield now has the record for most PoW's stakes wins (8? can't remember the figure).

Autumn Snow ran a heck of a race...I hope he goes on to the Breeder's Stakes on the turf at Woodbine, pedigree wise he should love the turf and distance, and he sure has the talent.

[two gun sid]

19. Saratoga County sick, racing career up in the air

From Thoroughbred Times:
The racing career of Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) winner Saratoga County is in question due to complications from a bout with colic.

The four-year-old son of Valid Expectations has been treated at the Saratoga Equine Veterinary Hospital in Saratoga Springs, New York, for several weeks.

"The horse is still alive, but he’s not doing all that well," said Dick Pollard, who owns Saratoga County with his wife, Evelyn. "I don’t want to say definitively at this point that he won’t race again, because there is still a chance. It all stemmed from a bout with colic. But he’s still alive and at this point, he’s happy. We’ll make a decision about his racing career later."

Saratoga County has not raced since his one-length victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on March 26 at Nad al Sheba racecourse. He has won four consecutive starts overall for trainer George Weaver, including the Mr. Prospector Handicap (G3) on January 8 at Gulfstream Park and General George Handicap (G2) on February 21 at Laurel Park.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56116&subsec=2


Smokume holds off rivals late to capture Tom Fool

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56095&subsec=2


Full fields, split Oceanside Stakes to greet Del Mar fans

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/todaysnews/newsview.asp?recno=56111&subsec=2

[Justpat]

20. It seems lately that this is the only place I like to be.

The news is making me sick. The sports forum keeps me losing my
mind.

Sorry, just a bit more depressed than usual over the destruction
of our formerly great country.

But, as for the horses - I'll be offline till Sat. We go to
Saratoga Thursday and I don't get my cable put in till Sat.

If anyone can make it to the Spa, let me know.

Keep the racing news going..

[two gun sid]

22. Good Luck at The Spa Old Broad.

I'll be looking for you in the Diana.

[aaronbees]

23. Best wishes to ya...

Hope your steeds do well ... do you have a horse running soon up there?

Hope I can make it up there someday - 'till then I'll have to settle for Oaklawn and Louisiana Downs. :)

[u4ic]

25. Best of luck at Saratoga, Old Broad

Here's hoping your horses run big! :toast:

[two gun sid]

21. We go in the 2YO colt trot at Fowlerville fair Friday.

Our trainer/driver tore his hand up and we need a replacement. I hope Mick learned something from his last race.

[jakefrep]

24. Good Luck!

I hope you guys fare better than we did Monday. "Katie" made two breaks and finished 6th, a very uncharacteristic performance for her.

[u4ic]

26. Best of luck, sid!