Month: March 2016

Nearly 100 Head Consigned to Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Old Sale

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sent on behalf of Equine Sales Company

Nearly 100 Head Consigned to Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Old Sale
A total of 93 horses have been consigned to the catalogue that is now available online for the Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale set for Tuesday, May 10, in Opelousas, Louisiana. The breeze show will be held May 8. The sale company is still accepting supplements, and the auction will also include horses of racing age.
“We have a solid catalogue of what should be well-prepared 2-year-olds,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director for Equine Sales Company. “Many of these horses will be ready to go right to the track to take advantage of the lucrative purses offered for Louisiana-breds and the variety of juvenile stakes later this summer and fall.”
As usual, the catalogue includes progeny of the leading sires in Louisiana as well some top Kentucky stallions and young sires in both states. Graduates of this sale will be eligible for the 2017 Equine Sales Derby and Equine Sales Oaks to be run at Evangeline Downs for $75,000 per division.
Last year’s sale topper, a colt by Gold Tribute named Cale’s Gold, has already earned back his $65,000 purchase price for owner Jerry Namy. The Louisiana-bred, who was consigned by Boutte Sales, agent, banked $95,135 last year with a victory in the $100,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs and placings in the Kip Deville Stakes at Remington Park and Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes at Louisiana Downs.
For more information and to view the online catalogue, go to equinesalesofla.com.
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Denis Blake
Editor/Publisher
American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse)
info@americanracehorse.com
512-695-4541

Looking towards Louisiana Derby Day

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FAIR GROUNDS BARN NOTES: March 20, 2016

Submitted by michael.adolphson on March 20, 2016 – 6:19pm
Michael Adolphson
  • ·        Asmussen Looking for Progress from Gun Runner
  • ·        Dazzling Gem Could Run in Both Louisiana and Arkansas Derbies
  • ·        Dream Dance Kicks off Campaign in Fair Grounds Oaks
  • ·        Louisiana Derby and New Orleans Handicap Runners Top Work Tab

READ HERE

 

RACING REGULATORS TO MEET IN NEW ORLEANS

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By Frank Angst

Racing regulators will hear from a wide range of industry voices when they meet in New Orleans March 22-24, as the sport continues to pursue the ever-elusive goal of uniform rules. The Association of Racing Commissioners

International Conference and Continuing Education on Racing Regulatory Matters will begin with organizational meetings the afternoon of March 22 before two full days of sessions. ARCI approves model rules that its racing commission members are encouraged to adopt.

Read More Here

Fair Grounds Changes Closing Day First Post

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In order to accommodate a 14-race closing day card, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has changed first post time for Sunday, March 27, to 12:30 p.m. CDT.
All wagering pools must be paid out on closing daym including the 50-cent Black Gold 5 which will begin on race 10.

 

4 Louisiana Bred Stake Races at FG this Saturday, March 26

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The 11th running of the Crescent City Oaks (PT 6:07 pm), The 44th running of the Crescent City Derby (PT 2:24 pm), The 6th running of the Costa Rising Stakes (5:41 pm), and The 7th running of the Star Guitar Stakes (PT 12:59 pm) for Accredited Louisiana Breds will all be run on Saturday, March 26, 2016 at the Fair Grounds. Post time will be at 12:30. Good luck to all the connections

Vicar’s in Trouble Succumbs to Laminitis

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Vicar’s in Trouble Succumbs to Laminitis

Laminitis claims Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Vicar’s in Trouble, winner of the 2014 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) and . . .

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/98430/vicar . . .

MELANCON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS EARN LEADING HORSEMEN HONORS AT DELTA DOWNS FOR 2015-16

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Leading jockey Gerard Melancon and leading trainer Karl Broberg accepting honors

 

 

86-DAY SEASON CAME TO A CLOSE SATURDAY NIGHT

 

 VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2015-16 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with some familiar names making it to the top of the horsemen standings. Jockey Gerard Melancon claimed the title of leading jockey; Karl Broberg took home the hardware for leading trainer; and End Zone Athletics Inc. finished off the meeting at the top of the owner standings. 

Melancon led all jockeys in terms of wins with 78 and total mount earnings with $1,947,925. The 48-year-old Scott, Louisiana resident scored four stakes tallies on the meet. His richest wins came in the My Trusty Cat with La Appassionata and the Louisiana Jewel aboard Giant Cruiser. Each race was worth $150,000.

Overall it was Melancon’s fourth leading jockey title at Delta Downs dating back to the 2007-2008 season when he set a track record with 146 trips to the winner’s circle and his mounts earned a record $2,815,690. During his illustrious career Melancon has won 4,481 races and will most likely reach the 4,500 win plateau at Evangeline Downs during their 2016 season which gets underway on April 6.

 Following Melancon in the jockey standings this year were Ashley Broussard (66 wins), C. J. McMahon (66), Eddie Martin, Jr. (62), Emanuel Nieves (39), Chris Rosier (37), Steve Bourque (37), Kirk LeBlanc (35), Colby Hernandez (34) and Alex Cortez (25).

 Broberg dominated the trainer standings from start to finish at Delta Downs while breaking the track record for most wins in a single season with 93. The Arlington, Texas resident also set a new mark for success by a leading trainer with a 33% win rate. Broberg has now won five consecutive leading trainer titles dating back to the 2011-2012 season.

The biggest wins of the season for the Broberg barn came with Leave Em Counting and Tough Jeans on Louisiana Premier Night, February 6. Leave Em Counting scored in the $50,000 Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter while Tough Jeans notched a victory in the $65,000 Louisiana Premier Night Starter.

 In addition to tremendous success at Delta Downs, Broberg has also made a big impression across North America in recent years. The 45-year-old led all trainers with 325 wins in 2014 before repeating that feat last year with 420 trips to the winner’s circle.

 Rounding out the top 10 trainers at Delta Downs this year were Brett Brinkman (36), Sam Breaux (34), Tom Amoss (31), Eduardo Ramirez (26), Joey Foster (23), Henry B. Johnson, Jr. (22), Scott Gelner (20), W. Bret Calhoun (19) and Keith Bourgeois (16).

End Zone Athletics Inc., which is made up of Broberg and Matt Johanson, made off with their fourth leading owner title this season as they saw 21 of their horses tally victories. The barn is made up of primarily allowance and claiming horses who tallied total earnings of $321,315.

The owner with top earnings this year was Big Chief Racing LLC (Matthew W. Bryan) who saw their charge Exaggerator invade Delta Downs on November 21 and take the season’s richest event, the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. III). Exaggerator, who is currently vying for a spot in the Kentucky Derby starting gate on May 7, took home $600,000 for his Jackpot victory.

Rounding out the top 10 owners for the meet were Maggie Moss (17), Midwest Thoroughbreds Inc. (12), Circle H Farms (8), Dale White, Sr. (8), Brian Schweda (7), Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. (7), Randy J. Stone (7), Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (6), and Red Rose Racing (6).

Delta Downs is now preparing for its 2016 American Quarter Horse season, which gets underway on Friday, April 22. The 46-day stand will run through July 9 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night starting at6:15 pm CT.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4 off I-10.

 

FORMER TRAINER COLE NORMAN DIES

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Cole Norman, who for many years had trained successfully in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas, has died at age 47.

According to a report in the Daily Racing Form, Norman, who had been breaking young horses at a training center in Benton, La., did not show up for work Monday. A friend went to check on him, and he was found dead.

Jorge Lara, a longtime friend and former assistant to Norman, told the DRF that he had last spoken with Norman on Saturday.

“He was real happy because he was going to break 20 babies,” Lara told the Form. “It’s sad to hear this. He went through a lot of things. He was trying to get back in the game, and he was working hard. He was a good boss to me, a good friend. I owe a lot to him.”

Norman was an assistant trainer to his father, Gene C. Norman, then took over his stable in 1994 when the latter died of a heart attack at the age of 67. He  trained for over a decade and had great success, winning 16 training titles while training in Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. He saddled his last winner in Feb. 2007, at Oaklawn.

Around that same time, Norman was involved in a traffic accident in Hot Springs that killed 86-year-old Virginia Heath. Norman was found to have painkillers, which were prescribed, in his system. He pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and served nine months in prison.

As a result of his felony conviction, Norman was not permitted to be licensed as a trainer. He did not need a license to work at private farms or training centers.

Norman is survived by his daughter, Cheyenne, and a son, Presley.

Read more in the Daily Racing Form

 

Believeinsomething Wins 2016 Red Camelia Stakes

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Believeinsometihing with Mitchell Murrill aboard captures the 40th running of the Red Camillia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Believeinsomething won the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Fair Grounds. The four-year-old filly went straight to the front setting the pace and leading the entire trip for owner/trainer Brian Schweda.

The Red Camelia, carded for 7 1/2 furlongs on turf was contested at one mile on dirt due to the wet course. Believeinsomething went a half-mile in 48.55 seconds, and was never seriously threatened, running out a three-length winner over Another Pinot. Safari Calamari was three lengths further back in third. The winning time was 1:39.55 on a fast track.

Believeinsomething (Etbauer-Ls Believeinmagic) was bred in Louisiana by Margie K. Averette Previously placed in the 2015 Lookout Stakes at Delta Downs, her race record improved to 10-5-2-2 with earnings of $154,790.

16th Annual Lone Star Park Trainers’ Exam Prep Class – March 30-April 1. Grand Prairie, Texas

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The 16th annual Lone Star Park Trainers’ Exam Prep Class is scheduled Wednesday through Friday, March 30 to April 1. Class will begin Wednesday at 8:30 AM and continue until 4:00 PM, followed by an 8:00 AM to 4PM schedule on Thursday and conclude with an 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM session on Friday. Class will be held in the chaplain’s classroom in the Racing Office at Lone Star Park. . Tuition is $350 at the door. Those that register early (by March 24th) pay SPECIAL EARLY BIRD TUITION of $299.
Enrollment is limited to 12 participants. The 2015 class at Lone Star reached its enrollment limit in the final week, so register as soon as possible to guarantee your spot.

Seven, all of whom had recently completed Groom Elite 101 and/or 201 attended the Gulfstream Park 2016 Trainers’ Exam Prep Class. During class days, four of the participants had a horse racing and we arranged lunch time around two of those races. Three of those “graduates” plan to take their Trainers’ Exam within the next few weeks. Three are planning to take the Assistant Trainer exam and 1 is going to wait until next year as he continues to enjoy working in the stable area at GP West.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Mailing Address:
C. Reid McLellan, PhD
2575 US Highway 150 W
Stanford, KY 40848

Telephone: 859-321-4377

For more information
http://www.purplepowerracing.com/