Raceday 360

Jackson Profiled

2009-07-04T14:00:00Z

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Julian Guthrie profiles Jess Jackson for the paper. Among other tidbits, Guthrie confirms what many in racing knew about the prominent owner, but never mentioned in the trade press:

Jackson heads back to his car to continue up the mountain, which reaches 3,800 feet. Tall and still athletic, Jackson had a mane of silver hair now gone, the result of a round of chemotherapy completed earlier this year for skin cancer. He says he has been given a clean bill of health.

More on family, farming, and Rachel Alexandra ...

Kentucky Slots Digest

2009-07-02T22:30:00Z

A roundup of recent news and opinion on expanded gaming in Kentucky:

- No proof, but certainty: State senator Alice Forgy Kerr, who opposed slots legislation, believes retaliation is a factor in her nephew leaving his job as general counsel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. "Any person who can figure out two plus two can figure this out."

- Know your friends, writes Ray Paulick.

- Owner Ken Ramsey, considering culling his broodmare band and already shipping horses to run at racetracks with slots-fueled purses, aptly notes, "I think a mature industry like the horse industry should be able to support itself," and offers several alternatives to expanded gaming, including reduced taxes and takeout, to provide additional revenue to bolster Kentucky's signature industry.

- Beyond slots: State senator Damon Thayer, disparaged by expanded gaming advocates for his perceived inaction during the slots debates, discusses the state of the horse industry and mentions alternate initiatives during a floor speech made last week (video to the right).

- In an editorial in Thoroughbred Daily News, breeder Arthur Hancock prescribes eliminating the cheats and breeding fewer horses as solutions to the industry's decline. "[R]acetracks, KEEP, and other elements are trying to convince horsemen and Kentuckians alike that it is 'slots or die.' Don't buy this. Slots are a short-term gain and a long-term drain."

- Jennie Rees share an email exchange with a former horse owner tentatively considering getting back into the business, "but with the likely breakdown of the Kentucky circuit ..."

- Ellis Park opens on July 11 for what could be its final meet. Owner Ron Geary, who previously said he would close the track if slots legislation failed, said on Wednesday that there's a longshot possibility racing at the Pea Patch will return in 2010. "I can't imagine any developments that will allow us to remain open," Geary told press assembled for media day at Ellis, "but on the other hand, miracles do happen."

- The competition: A riverboat casino with decks wider than an aircraft carrier, 3200 slots machines, and room for 9000 people opens in Indiana, 90 minutes from Louisville.

- What if slots did come to Kentucky? Money for purses and breeding, yes, but of a precarious percentage. In states with expanded gambling, "racing's share is getting a closer look."

Hard Feelings, Likely to Linger

2009-07-01T12:00:00Z

On June 24, the day after the Kentucky Senate Budget Committee quashed legislation that would have authorized slots at racetracks across the state by a vote of 10-to-5, the legislature passed an economic incentive package that included a tax credit for the Breeders' Cup, which returns to Churchill Downs next year. "Senator Damon Thayer Secures Breeders' Cup Incentive Package," declared a short statement from the senator's office, provoking an email response from Blood-Horse features editor Lenny Shulman:

Damon,

Thank you for your leadership on the slots bill. It is heart-warming and gratifying to see you stand up for the industry that has provided you with a living for the past decade-plus.

As one of 50,000 people in Kentucky whose job is less secure today because of your (in)action, I want to congratulate you for placing politics before people, and for having the guts to speak up and do what is necessary to not only help the horse business, but to aid in improving education for a state that perpetually ranks 48th or 49th in school spending in the United States.

Not that I would be cynical enough to think your release concerning the Breeders' Cup would be a feeble attempt by you to divert attention from your turning your back on the issue that is most important to the horse industry, but let me tell you, on behalf of the racetracks that will be closed and the jobs that will be lost before the Breeders' Cup gets here in 2010, we don't give a rat's ass about that tax credit.

If there is any justice, the next job that will be lost because of you and your buddies, will be yours.

Lenny Shulman

Thayer, contacted for comment, has not responded.*

A Republican representing a deeply conservative district, the senator is a former Turfway Park and Breeders' Cup executive and a marketing consultant with several clients in the horse industry; earlier this year, Thayer advocated instant racing machines, similar to those at Oaklawn, as a slots alternative. Since the failure of the slots legislation for which racing and breeding interests aggressively lobbied, "the Senator from Scott" has been the focus of much criticism, despite not being a member of the committee that killed the bill, assailed for remaining silent on the issue and apparently declining to use his influence within the senate to affect the vote outcome for slots.

Thayer doesn't come up for re-election until 2012, but slots foes whose terms expire in 2010 are now the targets of expanded gambling supporters. "Elections do matter, and who we have representing us in Frankfort does matter," said Patrick Neely, executive director of KEEP. "It is imperative to have elected officials who would support the industry as a whole."

"This Senate has been very positive in its policymaking decisions over the past several years for the horse business," Thayer told the Courier-Journal. "[It won't do] the horse industry any good to take a scorched-earth approach in the 2010 elections."

The senator, presumably trying to balance party allegiance and constituent concerns, policy considerations and business interests, hopes slots advocates cool off and come to the same conclusion. But if the turnout at a Keeneland rally last week -- or the anger of the email above -- is any indication, grudges will be held, especially against those who so visibly gain from a viable Kentucky horse industry and yet aren't viewed as supportive of expanded gaming.

* 9:45 AM update: Thayer responds, pointing to an article that appeared in the Blood-Horse last week addressing the criticisms directed at the senator. "There's a lot of anger about it not getting out of committee, but I still believe there were only 16 or 17 votes for slots [in the full Senate]," Thayer told reporter Tom LaMarra. "I do have allegiance to the horse industry, but I took an oath to uphold the constitution of Kentucky. I take that oath seriously, and I think that position ought to be respected."

Furosemide "Might Be Justifiable"

2009-06-29T15:05:00Z

According to the results of a study released today,

Furosemide [Lasix/Salix], used in the United States and Canada to treat bleeding into the airways in thoroughbred racehorses, decreases the incidence of hemorrhage according to results of a recent study....

The study involved 167 horses randomly allocated to race fields of nine to 16 horses each. Each horse raced in two races, one week apart, in the same field and in races of the same distance. In the blinded study, each horse received furosemide before one race and saline solution before the other race. Horses raced under typical racing conditions. Endoscopy was performed within 30-90 minutes after racing to identify the presence of blood in airways.

The research showed that giving furosemide before a race dramatically decreased the incidence and severity of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, or EIPH. Horses were three to four times more likely to have any evidence of bleeding without furosemide ... seven to 11 times more likely to have severe bleeding without it.

The study, conducted by researchers at Colorado State University, the University of Melbourne and the University of Pretoria, concludes,

Results of the study provide strong evidence that furosemide can help prevent the development of EIPH in Thoroughbred racehorses. As such, its use in racehorses might be justifiable, assuming that other regulatory and policy issues important to the integrity of the sport are adequately addressed.

That last is a key phrase.

The study will be published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association on July 1, 2009. Interested readers can download a PDF already available.

Record Setting

2009-06-27T21:55:00Z

Even geared down, Rachel Alexandra can't help impressing. In winning the G1 Mother Goose Stakes by 19 1/4 lengths and in a final time of 1:46.33, the filly set two new records: Her winning margin was the largest since the 13 1/2 length romp scored by Ruffian in the 1975 Mother Goose, and her time broke the stakes record of 1:46.40 set by Lakeway in the 1994 renewal.

Rachel Alexandra was also responsible for creating a rare minus win pool of $18,698 ($597,576 of the $726,260 wagered to win on the race was wagered on the filly, who paid $2.10). Reports Jerry Bossert in the New York Daily News,

Patrick Mahony, senior vice president of pari-mutuel operations at the New York Racing Association, could only recall one other minus win pool, when Honest Pleasure won the 1976 Florida Derby.

As if there were any doubt Rachel Alexandra is developing into a champion for the ages, she's putting herself in excellent company by every measure.

Mother Goose field down to three

2009-06-27T15:45:00Z

From the NYRA press office:

The field for today's 53rd edition of the Grade 1, $300,000 Mother Goose Stakes was reduced to three Saturday morning with the scratches of Don't Forget Gil and Hopeful Image, leaving Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra to face only Flashing and Malibu Prayer.

Alan Brodsky's Don't Forget Gil was scratched due to an elevated temperature, according to trainer Mark Hennig, while Hopeful Image had not recuperated sufficiently from a mild case of colic she suffered Wednesday evening, said trainer Gerald Procino.

"We did everything we could to keep her in the race, but yesterday, she spiked a temperature and we had no choice but to give her antibiotics," said Procino, who co-owns the filly with Linda Sullivan and Joseph McMahon. "She'll be fine, but the veterinarian advised that we scratch."

With three betting interests, there will be win betting only on the race, with no exacta or trifecta wagering. Multi-race wagering is not affected.

How disappointing.

The two remaining starters against Rachel Alexandra are Nassau County winner Flashing, and Malibu Prayer, a Todd Pletcher trainee coming off an allowance win at Philadelphia Park.

A Rider's Perspective

2009-06-26T18:05:00Z

Rudy Gallegos, the first exercise rider to sit aboard both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winners in the same year since Joanne McNamara rode Thunder Gulch and Timber Country for trainer D. Wayne Lukas in 1995, compares Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra:

So, if the two Classic winners were sitting in an automobile dealer's showroom, what models would they be? "Rachel would be a Lamborghini," Gallegos said. "It would be like when you'd go to shift gears, everything would be so smooth, so precise. Mine That Bird would be a Ferrari, just pure class."

Lucky man to get a chance on two such thrilling rides in such a short time.

'Rachel' to Mother Goose

2009-06-17T16:15:00Z

Owner Jess Jackson confirmed today that Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra will start next in the Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park on June 27.

"Rachel is rested, healthy and ready to run," said Jackson in a statement announcing the move.

Rachel Alexandra, who breezed six furlongs in 1:12 at Churchill Downs on Monday morning, is expected to arrive at Belmont on Tuesday, June 23.

The Mother Goose will be Rachel Alexandra's first start against fillies since winning the Kentucky Oaks by an easy 20 1/4 lengths. Nominations for the race closed with 24 named, including Nassau County Stakes winner Flashing.

'Jump Tweets

2009-06-16T15:00:00Z

Here's a brilliant use of Twitter: If you're on the micro-message service, follow Bridgejumper Alert, a group Twitter feed "for horseplayers looking to bet against bridgejumpers in parimutuel pools." More information about the how and why of the alert feed on PaceAdvantage.

Mine That Bird WV-Bound

2009-06-12T14:25:00Z

Churchill Downs reported this morning (via Twitter) that trainer Chip Woolley plans to send Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, who returned to the track on Thursday for the first time since finishing third in the Belmont, to the August 1 West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer, then to the August 29 Travers at Saratoga. While that means there will be no Haskell rematch with Summer Bird, there is yet another reason to look forward to the Mid-Summer Derby.

Like Summer Bird, Mine That Bird's year-end goal is the Breeders' Cup Classic. But how he'll get there after the Travers is uncertain. "The Breeders' Cup is 10 weeks after the Travers," said Woolley said. "He does not need an out on the Pro-Ride. He has been on the artificial and he won four in a row over the synthetic last year at Woodbine. I'd like to fly him in there two or three weeks before and have two breezes over the track, but we can sneak a race in there if we need it."

Wishing Douglas Well

2009-06-11T19:00:00Z

At racetracks across the country last Saturday, jockeys honored Rene Douglas and other injured riders by holding winner's circle tributes and wearing patches on their boots in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. At Belmont Park, many also wished Douglas well in a video card put together by Ricmo1, friend of the Bug Boys:

Douglas, hurt when his mount clipped heels and fell during the Matron Stakes at Arlington Park on May 23, was moved out of intensive care earlier this week. While his overall health continues to improve, the rider still has no feeling in his legs due to spinal injury.

To keep up with news on Douglas and fundraising efforts to aid the jockey and his family, follow the Rene Douglas Get Well Card on Facebook.

Summer Bird to Haskell

2009-06-10T15:45:00Z

Belmont Stakes winner Summer Bird will point to the August 2 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, trainer Tim Ice said on Wednesday, then the August 29 Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Reports Mary Rampellini for DRF (on ESPN):

Plans are to train Summer Bird at Louisiana Downs until the early part of July, at which time he would ship to Monmouth, said Ice. He will stay on the East Coast through the Travers.

"It's an opportunity to win another Grade I for the colt," Ice said (Times-Union).

The November 7 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita is the season-ending goal for Summer Bird.

Also declared for the Haskell are Musket Man, third in the Kentucky Derby, and West Side Bernie. Charitable Man, fourth in the Belmont, has been mentioned as possible for the Haskell or the Jim Dandy (which could also draw Florida Derby winner Quality Road), as has Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. If only Monmouth could lure Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra, said to be prepping for the June 27 Mother Goose or July 25 Coaching Club American Oaks at Belmont, we could see all three Classic winners run against each other in early August, a very exciting prospect.

Dunkirk Sidelined

2009-06-09T15:30:00Z

News that Dunkirk sustained an injury during the Belmont Stakes on Saturday makes his game effort in that race all the more impressive. From a press release sent out this morning:

Dunkirk, the second-place finisher in the June 6 Belmont Stakes, suffered a non-displaced condylar fracture of the left hind cannon bone during last Saturday's running of the 1 1/2-mile Classic. The injury was detected when the colt was slightly off following the race, and x-rays taken June 8 revealed the fracture.

In surgery on Tuesday morning at the new Ruffian Equine Medical Center, a screw was inserted in Dunkirk's cannon bone to repair the fracture.

"It's kind of a bummer, but the important thing is he is going to be OK," said trainer Todd Pletcher. "We anticipate a full recovery."

Although it was initially reported Dunkirk could return to racing in the fall, Pletcher said it was more likely the Unbridled's Song colt would return next year. Until he is ready to resume training, Dunkirk will recuperate at Ashford Stud.

Quality Road works

Florida Derby winner Quality Road, out of training since April due to a quarter crack, resumed training on Monday, breezing three furlongs in :38.83 over the Belmont training track.

After the Race

2009-06-07T11:45:00Z

Two hours after winning the Belmont Stakes, Summer Bird was in his stall, taking in the small crowd gathered in front to admire him.

There was trainer Tim Ice, asking people to keep it down -- "The horse is starting to get worked up" -- and owner Dr. K. K. Jayaraman, beaming at every congratulations offered. Jockey Kent Desormeaux swept in, accompanied by his family, to shake hands and stroke the winner's nose. Summer Bird turned and posed -- snap, flash, went a camera -- turned again and paused, his ears pricked.

Across the way, the blanket of carnations hung over a barn windowsill, representing not only the colt's first stakes win, but his owner-breeders' first Classic victory.

"This was the best to win," said Jayaraman, who -- with his wife, Devi -- has been breeding and racing horses since 1983. "We had one other, 20 years ago ..." That one other was Irish Actor, winner of the 1988 G1 Young America Stakes. Reminiscing with another well-wisher, Jayaraman recalled the horse had finished seventh in the 1989 Kentucky Derby, eighth in the Belmont.

It was time to leave, for most. But not the Jayaramans. The two remained with their homebred winner as the shedrow crowd cleared out. It had taken them two decades to return to Belmont, and they were in no rush to go.

Belmont Day

2009-06-06T22:55:00Z

6:55 p.m. update: The finish ...

Triple Crown season came to an end almost as surprising as its beginning, with 11-1 Summer Bird -- the other 'Bird -- pulling away to a 2 3/4-length win in the Belmont. Dunkirk, the unexpected pacesetter, was game to the end, finishing second, a neck in front of Mine That Bird, who had taken the lead in the mid-stretch and seemed on his way to victory. "He run a great race, he just got beat," said trainer Chip Woolley. "You have to accept that and go on."

5:10 p.m. update: Love for Better Talk Now ...

It has been two years since the 10-year-old Better Talk Now has won a race, but the gelding has his fans. As he circled the paddock, applause and cheers could be heard, as could one woman's plea for a safe trip. "Take good care of the old gentleman, Jeremy."

4:52 p.m. update: A logical play, in hindsight ...

Gabby's Golden Gal goes wire-to-wire in the Acorn, running fractions of :22.61, :45.39, 1:09.01, before finishing in 1:34.79. She pays $28.40, the highest price yet on the day. "Oh, jeez," says an exasperated horseplayer after. "If only I'd noticed this -- she won the Sunland Oaks!" Replies another, "It's the Sunland angle!" Gabby's Golden Gal is also by Medaglio d'Oro, who is proving a superb sire of stakes fillies; she is the second G1 winner for the stallion, the other being Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra.

3:58 p.m. update: In the paddock for the Woody Stephens ...

Everyday Heroes is nervous, pulling at his groom, rolling his eyes at the crowd. Trainer Tim Ritchey has him taken behind the saddling stalls, where he rears and spins.

Comes the call for riders up and one is missing. Triumpant Flight is walking toward the paddock exit without a jockey, but here comes Kent Desormeaux, jogging and apologizing all at once to trainer Eric Kruljac. "Sorry, sorry," he says, and Kruljac hoists him up almost at the last possible moment.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, being interviewed by Jeanine Edwards on ESPN:

3:23 p.m. update: Just a Game upset, early Belmont wagering ...

In the biggest upset of the day yet, 3-5 favorite Forever Together finishes second to 9-1 Diamondrella after getting caught on the rail without room to room. [Said jockey Julien Leparoux afterwards: "I didn't think I had that tough a trip. The only thing I can say is the winner got the jump on us in the stretch." Diamondrella was in the clear, outside.]

Early wagering on the Belmont has Mine That Bird at even money, Charitable Man at 5-1. Dunkirk and Chocolate Candy come in at 6-1, and Mr. Hot Stuff, at 21-1, is the longshot of the field.

Pick Six pool total comes to more than $1.6 million.

2:50 p.m. update: Fast track ...

The Belmont main track was upgraded to fast after the True North Handicap, which was won impressively by favored Fabulous Strike. Jockey Ramon Dominguez wasn't the only one shaking his head in amazement when the 6-year-old gelding crossed the wire in 1:07.25 after running the first half mile in :43.62 while dueling with Sixthirteen. Benny the Bull, making his first start in nearly 11 months, finished a game second while attempting to close on the outside.

1:45 p.m. update: A few quick notes to get started ...

- The track is good, the turf soft, the weather ideal. "It looks like it's going to be speed from the inside all day," jockey Richard Migliore told John Pricci. It would seem so, after the first three dirt races.

- Walked through the grandstand and the backyard and found a happy, growing crowd front and back. A track employee, looking out over the third floor, estimated the final attendance number would come in around 45,000.

- Heading into the stakes portion of the card and only a few scratches to report: I Lost My Choo is out of the Just a Game, Regal Ransom out of the Woody Stephens, and Champs Elysees and Premium Gold out of the Manhattan. Not sure any of those scratches make any of those races easier to play.

- All the Belmont Stakes starters made it into the detention barn without incident, and Mine That Bird appeared to settle into his stall comfortably. Sartorial note: Trainer Chip Woolley, who wore pressed jeans to the Kentucky Derby, is wearing a pair of tan slacks ... and his cowboy hat, of course.

- Calvin Borel, named to ride one horse on the turf today, has taken off his mount. The jockey won't ride before the Belmont.