Month: January 2017

Delta Reschedules Azalea and Pelican Stakes

louisianathoroughbred

Delta Downs has announced that a pair of $100,000 stakes races originally scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, the Azalea and Pelican S., will be rescheduled for Jan. 13 and 14, respectively, because of EHV-1 shipping restrictions that would have resulted in too many scratches.

The Delta Downs overnight for Jan. 12 included a notice that read, in part, “Assuming that no cases of EHV-1 are identified at Delta Downs, we plan to lift the quarantine and resume normal activities on Monday, Jan. 9. Starting on that date, Delta Downs will require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and proof of vaccination for the EHV-1, for any horse that enters our premises. This inspection must be conducted within 48 hours prior to the horse’s arrival. This requirement will remain in place until further notice.”

2016 Economic Indicators: A Positive Outlook

louisianathoroughbred

 

Average daily wagering on Thoroughbred races in the United States rose 2.4% in 2016 while the number of races continues tracking downward. The trend downward in races is expected to continue as three years of foal crops that have bottomed out at around 20,500 since 2014 start maturing to racing age.

The increase in average daily handle during 2016 was not as high as the 5.8% seen between 2014 and 2015, but the decline in live races slowed to a more modest 1.7% decline compared to a 5.65% drop reported between 2014 and 2015.

As the decline in races slowed, so too did the drop in puses paid. In 2016 U.S. purses totaled more than $1.08 billion, down 0.9% from $1.09 billion in 2015. Purses dropped 1.6% between 2014 and 2015. Average purses paid per race day in 2016 rose 0.9% to $232,114. The number of total race days dropped by 85 last year to 4,669, a decline of nearly 1.8%.

In all, the more modest year-over-year changes in the racing and wagering economic indicators were viewed positively by industry leaders.

“The 2016 wagering and purse report suggests that Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. has stabilized from the worldwide economic recession of a few years back,” said Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

“A declining foal crop has challenged the industry to adapt by reducing races and race days and also encouraged innovation,” Waldrop continued. “It is noteworthy that handle increased in 2016 despite 85 fewer race days. Undoubtedly, these results also reflect the fact that our champions such as California Chrome  , Beholder, Tepin, and Songbird, as well as a talented cast of 3-year-old stars headed by Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Arrogate, continued to race through the Breeders’ Cup in November.”

As for the year ahead, Waldrop said proposed regulation changes by the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service affecting the withholding and reporting on pari-mutuel wagers could significantly impact handle in 2017.

“By modernizing tax withholding and reporting to reflect the true cost of a wager, especially exotic wagers, more money will now remain in the hands of our customers who will re-bet most of those dollars for the benefit of all,” Waldrop said. “It’s an important fix that the NTRA has spent years advocating for and will have a positive impact on overall pari-mutuel handle from the moment it’s implemented.”

What is ERU?

louisianathoroughbred

Dr. Boggs explains why your horse’s health could be at risk.

QUESTION 

 

A horse at my barn was diagnosed with ERU – what is it?

 

ANSWER

Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU), also known as moon blindness, is a painful condition where repeated occurrences of inflammation in the eye can cause permanent damage. The inflammation may cause career or even life-ending complications, explains Jacquelin Boggs, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, senior technical services veterinarian with Zoetis. ERU is the most common cause of blindness in horses worldwide.1

 

ERU is characterized by repeated occurrences, or flares, over the course of the horse’s life. The painful flares can reoccur months or even years apart; however, the interval between flares often shortens over the horse’s lifetime. With ERU, the horse’s immune system inappropriately attacks normal or host proteins in the eye, causing damage that can lead to blindness.

 

ERU can affect one or both eyes. You may notice an affected eye appearing cloudy or discolored. Your horse may squint or tear excessively, and the pupil may be constricted. These are frequently the first signs, with more severe changes to the eye developing with subsequent flare-ups. There is no cure for ERU. Even with the best treatment, many horses that develop recurrent uveitis won’t return to their previous level of performance.2

 

Equine recurrent uveitis is a multifactorial disease with a number of initial triggers. While there are many potential triggers, research indicates that the No. 1 trigger is leptospiral organisms, representing up to 70% of the ERU cases.3,4

Potential risk factors for Leptospira-associated uveitis include:

 

–          Access to standing water or ponds

–          Seasons that are wetter than usual

–          Pasture flooding

–          Exposure to skunks, white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums or other wildlife near your horse’s pasture or barn

–          Keeping feed in open containers or feeding on the ground

–          Other animals on the property that have had ERU or mares that have aborted

 

To see if your horse is at risk for leptospirosis and to learn more about this potentially deadly disease, visit www.LEPTOEQINNOVATOR.com. 

 

1 Dwyer AE, Crockett RS, Kalsow CM. Association of leptospiral seroreactivity and breed with uveitis and blindness in horses: 372 cases (1986-1993). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1995;207(10):1327-1331.

2 Gerding JC, Gilger BC. Prognosis and impact of equine recurrent uveitis. Equine Vet J. 2016;48(3):290-298.

3 Polle F, Storey E, Eades S, et al. Role of intraocular Leptospira infections in the pathogenesis of equine recurrent uveitis in the southern United States. J Equine Vet Sci. 2014;34(11-12):1300-1306.

4 Borstel MV, Oey L, Strutzberg-Minder K, Boeve MH, Ohnesorge B. Direkter und indirekter Nachweis von Leptospiren aus Glask perproben von Pferden mit ERU. Pferdeheilkunde. 2010;2(M rz/April):219-225.

 

All trademarks are the property of Zoetis Services LLC or a related company or a licensor unless otherwise noted.
© 2016 Zoetis Services LLC. All rights reserved. LEI-00058

 

Delta Downs To Prevent Horses From Entering Or Leaving Backside

louisianathoroughbred

As of 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, Delta Downs in Vinton, LA is no longer allowing horses on or off the backside. According to stall superintendent Tami Myers, the action is not a result of of any equine herpesvirus outbreak at the track.

“We are taking this action purely as a precaution, trying to prevent an infection,” said Myers. “Horses that are currently on the grounds will be allowed to race.”

Fair Grounds Racecourse, approximately 3 1/2 hours away from Delta by car, has reported four positive tests for EHV in the past several days, and is also under quarantine with no horses allowed on or off the grounds.

FAIR GROUNDS BACKSTRETCH UNDER QUARANTINE, Racing Continues

louisianathoroughbred

Fair Grounds continues racing but no horses will be permitted to ship in or out of the facility

Two more horses on the backstretch at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots spiked temperatures Jan. 2 and as a result the entirety of the Fair Grounds backstretch is under quarantine.

No horses will be permitted to ship in or ship out of Fair Grounds. Track o cials, in concert with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, continue to monitor the situation and follow all protocols as directed by those two governing bodies.

Oaklawn Park, working in conjunction with the Arkansas State Racing Commission, is restricting horses from Louisiana. No horses that have been in Louisiana in the past 30 days will be permitted on the grounds until further notice.

 

Mr. Al’s Gal and Jack Snipe Take Respective Divisions of the 2016 Louisiana Futurities

louisianathoroughbred

mr-als-gal_12-31-2016

Louisiana Futurity (filly div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YO fillies

MR. AL’S GAL
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Rodney Virgadamo & Keith Bonura
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne; Jockey: R.E. Eramia

2nd
Princess Samurai
First Samurai-Interruption, by Conquistador
Breeder: Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Owner: Darlene & Mike Peterson
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; Jockey: M. Mena

3rd
Quarter Carat
Tiz Wonderful-Diamondinthestream, by Smart Strike
Breeder: Stacy Moak
Owner: Stacy Moak
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.; Jockey: F. Geroux

1:10.64, Track: good, Margins: 12 3/4, 3/4, 3/4

jack-snipes

Louisiana Futurity (colt & gelding div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YOs

JACK SNIPE’S
Half Ours-Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Jeff Drown & Gary M Scherer
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer; Jockey: D.J. Meche

2nd
Run Away Ralph
Custom For Carlos-Lucky Haley, by Forty Won
Breeder: Trey LaVoice
Owner: Energy Solutions Consultants, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston; Jockey: R. Alvarado

3rd
Street Honor
Street Boss-Noon Delight, by Broken Vow
Breeder: Darlene & Jeff Wahman
Owner: Norman Stables, LLC
Trainer: Lonnie Briley; Jockey: G. Saez

1:11.68, Track: good, Margins: nk, 2, 1

 

Louisiana-bred juveniles had their last chance at stakes money in 2016 in sex-divided divisions of the Louisiana Futurities over six furlongs on the main track.

In the $100,800 fillies division, Rodney Virgadamo and Keith Bonura’s Mr. Al’s Gal broke sharply and was never headed in a runaway win. Trained by Justin Jeansonne, the daughter of Salute the Sarge was racing beyond five furlongs for the first time, but it mattered little as she quickly assumed command of the early pace under Richard Eramia, turned away an early challenge from longshot Star Guitarist through splits of 21.83 and 45.65, and finished full of run to stop the clock in 1:10.64 with a 12¾-length victory

“She broke really sharp and we tried to relax,” Eramia said. “I didn’t know I was going that quick until after the race, because she didn’t feel like she was going that quick, and at the eighth-pole she took off again. She’s a nice filly and will have some good races later.”

Darlene and Mike Peterson’s Bret Calhoun-trained Princess Samurai settled in mid-pack under Miguel Mena before offering a modest rally to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Stacey Moak’s Al Stall Jr.-trained Quarter Carat, who saved ground inside under Florent Geroux but could not match strides late.

Mr. Al’s Gal won for the second time in three career starts, earned $60,480 to boost her career bankroll to $85,280 and returned $15, $7.80 and $5.20. Princess Samurai paid $5.60 and $4.40, and Quarter Carat returned $3.20.

Sharp Henny, Singing a Song, Foxy Miss, Actif Storm, Star Guitarist, Southern Gold and Hot and Ready completed the order of finish.

Two races later in the $100,000 colts and geldings division, Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer’s Jack Snipe’s overcame the widest draw when parlaying a good break into a perfect, pressing trip to score. Ridden by Donnie Meche for trainer Gary Scherer, the 8-5 wagering favorite prompted Tigerstorm through splits of 21.61 and 45.88 before edging clear into the stretch and turning away a challenge from Energy Solutions Consultants’ Eddie Johnston-trained Run Away Ralph and Robby Albarado to score by a neck at the wire in a final time of 1:11.68. It was another two lengths astern to Norman Stables’ Street Honor in third under Gabriel Saez for trainer Lonnie Briley.

“It was an awesome trip,” Meche said. “He’s such a great horse to ride, he does anything you want. We got in the gate and he was just waiting for it to open, so he broke well and that made the trip easy. He saw (Run Away Ralph) on the outside (in the stretch) and was never going to let that horse by.”

The son of Half Ours won for the third time in six career starts and earned $60,000 to increase his lifetime bankroll to $141,800. He returned $5.40, $3 and $2.80, with Run Away Ralph paying $8.80 and $6.20 and Street Honor returning $5.80.

Tigerstorm, Just Due, Charlie Ballado, Set Hut, First After Break, Il Est Vite, Tooth, Run Bayou, Pops Legacy and Armanno completed the running order.

Favorite Believe In Bertie Proves Best in Pago Hop

louisianathoroughbred

believe-in-bertie-ir_12-31-2016

Pago Hop Stakes
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
Abt 1 Mile, Turf, Purse $75,000
3YO fillies

BELIEVE IN BERTIE
Langfuhr-Saint Bertie, by Street Cry (IRE)
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein (LA)
Owner: Richard and Bertram Klein
Trainer: Brad H. Cox; Jockey: S. Bridgmohan

2nd
Gianna’s Dream
Twirling Candy-Untamed Beauty, by Rahy
Breeder: Center Hills Farm & Randy Blair (OK)
Owner: Jordan V. Wycoff
Trainer: Michael J Maker; Jockey: F. Geroux

3rd
Frozen Hannah
E Dubai-Hanna’s Harmony, by Storming Fever
Breeder: David A. Ross (KY)
Owner: Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch
Trainer: Joe Sharp; Jockey: G. Saez

1:34.22, Track: firm, Margins: 7 3/4, no, 3 1/2

 

Richard Klein and Bertram Klein’s Believe in Bertie backed up her morning-line favoritism and popped the cork on her connections’ New Year’s Eve celebration with a track record-setting performance in the 33rd running of the $75,000 Pago Hop Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan for current meet-leading trainer Brad Cox, the 3-year-old daughter of Langfuhr was dominant throughout, leading through fractions of 24.01, 47.27 and 1:10.85 for six furlongs. With 8½ lengths to spare and her pilot motionless in the stretch, she maintained powerfully through a final quarter-mile in 23.37 to win the about one-mile event on the Stall-Wilson turf course by 7¾ lengths in 1:34.22, breaking the record of 1:34.51 set by 6-year-old campaigner Paroled in 2015.

A Louisiana-bred, Believe in Bertie ($5, $3.40 and $2.80) won for the fourth time in nine starts and annexed her second career stakes event and first in open company, earning a state-bred bonus-inflated $62,640 to increase her career bankroll to $271,522. She is the first foal out of unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Saint Bertie and a granddaughter of four-time graded stakes-winning mare Allamerican Bertie, runner-up by less than a length in 2002’s Grade I Alabama Stakes.

“She’s got such a high cruising speed, so I just wanted to stay out of her way and be a good passenger,” Bridgmohan said. “She was doing it so easily. I never even had to pull the stick on her.”

“She went out fast and kept going fast. She came home 11 and change and looked great,” Cox added. “She’s the kind who likes to get into a rhythm and carry her speed and she’s super-talented; as talented as any horse in the barn.”

Chasing throughout and holding on for second was Jordan V. Wycoff’s Mike Maker-trained two-time stakes winner Gianna’s Dream ($4.20 and $4) under the meet’s current leading rider, Florent Geroux. A nose behind her was Wayne R. Sanders and Larry Hirsch’s Joe Sharp-trained longshotFrozen Hannah ($9.80 to show) under Gabriel Saez.

“I had a good trip and was trying to get to the winner, but we were second-best today,” Geroux said. “The winner ran a huge race.”

Local stakes winner Princess Erindelle rallied from last to fourth, followed by Inconclusive, Most Beautiful(GB), Always Right, Ready for Chianti, Nobody’s Fault, La Peregrina, Motown Lady and School Board Prez to complete the order of finish.

Mageez Takes B-Connected Stakes at Delta

louisianathoroughbred

mageez-b-connected-stakes-9th-running-12-31-16-r08-ded_2

B-Connected Stakes
Delta Downs, December 31, 2016
1 Mile, Purse $65,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 3YO and Up

MAGEEZ
Musket Man-Spaseeba, by Spectacular Bid
Breeder: James A. McGehee, Jr
Owner: Double Dam Farm, LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell; Jockey: Ashley Broussard

2nd
Southern Argument
Closing Argument-Southern Sandra, by Dixie Brass
Breeder: DocAtty Stables
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable, LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica; Jockey: R. Morales

3rd
Fort Pulaski
Any Given Saturday-Jazznwithcandy, by Jambalaya
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish; Jockey: D.Saenz

1:37.90, Track: muddy, Margins: 1 1/2, 1/2, 1 1/4

MAGEEZ GIVES BROUSSARD BACK TO BACK  LOOKOUT AND B-CONNECTED WINS

VINTON, LA. – For the second consecutive year jockey Ashley Broussard has won the Lookout and B-Connected Stakes at Delta Downs on the same weekend. Saturday night’s triumph in the $65,000 B-Connect came with Double Dam Farm LLC’s Mageez, who used a last-to-first rally to score in the one-mile race for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and up who had never won a stakes race.

Much like her win with Illussion Artist in Friday night’s Lookout Stakes, Mageez showed very little early speed in the B-Connected. Lingering in last position, 11 lengths behind the early leaders, Mageez used a strong rally around the second and final turn to inhale the leaders turning for home. It didn’t hurt his cause that the early fractions set by Zendelphian were quick, as he went the opening quarter-mile in 22.92 seconds and the half in 47.09. The three quarter-mile clocking was 1:12.56 and by that time Mageez was well on his way to victory.

When the finish line was reached Mageez was 1-1/2 length to the good of Southern Argument, who finished second. Fort Pulaski, who went off as the wagering favorite at 7-5 odds, finished third another half-length behind the runner-up. The final time for Mageez over a sealed muddy track was 1:37.90.

Mageez, who is trained by Delmar R. Caldwell, has now won five of 15 starts. His first place paycheck of $39,000 on Saturday increased his overall bankroll to $118,280.

Mageez is a 3-year-old colt by Musket Man out of the Spectacular Bid mare Spaseeba. He was bred in Louisiana by James A. Mcgehee, Jr.

Sent to the gate at odds of 3-1, Mageez paid $8.20 to win, $5.20 to place and $2.80 to show. Southern Argument was worth $6.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Fort Pulaski paid $2.20 to show.

Illusion Artist Wins Lookout Stakes at Delta

louisianathoroughbred

illussion-artist-lookout-stakes-11th-running-12-30-16-r08-ded-1Lookout Stakes
Delta Downs, December 30, 2016
1 Mile, Purse $65,000
for Louisiana-Bred Fillies and Mares, 3YO and Up

ILLUSION ARTIST
Drosselmeyer-Art of Illusion, by Forest Wildcat
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Steve Landers Racing LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox; Jockey: Ashley Broussard

2nd
Strike Pleasure
Tenpins-Begue, by My Friend Max
Breeder: Marc Winston and Jill Winston
Owner: Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing LLC
Trainer:Henry B. Johnson, Jr.; Jockey: J. Guzman

3rd
Glide Baby Glide
Honor Glide-Lovely Amy, by Mining
Breeder: Rowell Farms, LLC
Owner: Robert Larry Whitaker
Trainer: Patrick Devereux, Jr.; Jockey: D.Saenz

1:40.71, Track fast, Margins: 1 1/2, 2, 3/4

 

BRAD COX-TRAINED FILLY WINS HER FOURTH RACE FROM FIVE CAREER STARTS  

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the 11th running of the $65,000 Lookout Stakes on Friday night and it was the heavy favorite Illussion Artist who came away with the win under jockey Ashley Broussard. The talented young jockey won the same race last year with Oh Baby Oh Baby, which marked her first career win in stakes company.

Illussion Artist was bet down to 1-5 in the wagering and dazzled her fans with an eye-dropping move turning for home in the one-mile test for 3-year-old and older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. After breaking from the gate in ninth position, Broussard sat patiently aboard her mount until the field of 10 reached the far turn. The early pacesetter Grand Farewell carved out fractional times of 23.19 for the quarter mile, 47.20 for the half, and 1:12.88 for three quarters while the eventual winner raced second last for much of the trip until they reached the homestretch.

At that point Broussard shook the reins and her mount rallied stoutly with a sweeping wide move that put her the lead by the top of the stretch. At the finish line Illussion Artist was 1-1/2 length in front of Strike Pleasure who rallied for second while Glide Baby Glide was another two lengths behind in third.

Illussion Artist covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:40.71.

The win by Illussion Artist marked the fourth of her five-race career and it was her first stakes victory. The $39,000 winner’s prize raised her lifetime bankroll up to $135,320.

Bred in the Bayou State by 4 M Ranch, Illussion Artist is a 3-year-old filly by Drosselmeyer, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Art of Illusion. She was purchased as a yearling in 2014 for $80,000.

Illussion Artist paid $2.60 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Strike Pleasure was worth $11.60 to place and $6.40 to show. Glide Baby Glide paid $3 to show.

Second and Third Horses Test Positive for EHV-1 At Fair Grounds

louisianathoroughbred

A second horse has tested positive for EHV-1 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The strain of the disease can be accompanied by neurological symptoms and can prove fatal in horses. The horse, trained by Jeff Thornbury, was housed in Barn 14 which is currently under mandated quarantine by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. The infected horse has been isolated from the regular barn area and will have no interaction with the rest of the horse population on the backstretch.

A third horse has also tested positive for equine herpes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The horse, trained by Mike Stidham, resides in Barn 36 and contracted EHV-1 nonneurogenic type, also called “wild type” strain. This strain is different than the strain of EHV- 1 that has affected two horses in Barn 14 in the previous week. The infected horse has been isolated from the rest of the backstretch population in a different area than the previously isolated horse due to the differing strains.

The positive test from Barn 36 does not affect the currently mandated quarantine of Barn 14, and that barn’s 14-day quarantine period continues as is. The mandated 14-day quarantine of Barn 14 that originally started on Dec. 26 has

been reset following the second confirmed case and started anew effective Dec. 31. All horses in the affected barn will be monitored, and if no horses test positive for the virus and do not show symptoms, the quarantine may be lifted at the discretion of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.

Fair Grounds officials continue to monitor the situation closely under the guidance of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the USDA, and continue to follow all protocols as directed by those two governing bodies.

At this time, under the direction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, the quarantine continues to have no impact on horses shipping out or shipping in for races as long as they arrive with proper vaccination documents. All horses shipping in will be required to use the Belfort Street entrance.