NEW!!! LTBA LEGISLATIVE ALERT! Senate Bill 226

This Bill ELIMINATES the Video Draw Poker Purse Supplement Fund which will reduce Louisiana Bred Purses and Breeders Awards paid

Senate Bill 226 by Senator Sharon Hewitt is scheduled for Monday morning (May 15th @ 10:00 AM) in the Senate Finance Committee

Please contact members of the Senate Finance Committee (see list below) and ask them to support our Horse Breeding & Racing Industry by voting NO on Senate Bill 226.
Thank you,
Louisiana Thorougbred Breeders Association 

SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE

Senator Eric LaFleur (Chairman)
P. O. Box 617
Ville Platte, LA 70586
(337) 363-5019
(877) 396-4600
lafleure@legis.la.gov
Senator R.L. “Bret” Allain, II (Vice-Chairman)
600 Main Street
Franklin, LA 70538
(337) 828-9107
(985) 850-2738
allainb@legis.la.gov
Senator Conrad Appel
721 Papworth Avenue
Suite 102A
Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 838-5550
appelc@legis.la.gov
Senator Regina Barrow
4811 Harding Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70811
(225) 359-9400
(225) 359-9332
barrowr@legis.la.gov
Senator Wesley Bishop
7240 Crowder Blvd.
Suite 402
New Orleans, LA 70127
(504) 242-4198
bishopw@legis.la.gov
Senator Jack Donahue
P.O. Box 896
Mandeville, LA 70470
(985) 727-7949
donahuej@legis.la.gov
Senator James R. “Jim” Fannin
320 6th Street
Jonesboro, LA 71251
(318) 259-6620
(800) 259-8694
fanninj@legis.la.gov
Senator Sharon Hewitt
2055 2nd Street
Suite A
Slidell, LA 70458

100 Port Boulevard
Suite 20
Chalmette, LA 70043

(985) 646-6490 Slidell
(504) 278-6530Chalmette
hewitts@legis.la.gov
Senator Ronnie Johns
1011 Lakeshore Drive
Suite 515
Lake Charles, LA 70602
(337) 491-2016
johnsr@legis.la.gov
Senator Gregory Tarver
1024 Pierre Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71103
(318) 227-1499
tarverg@legis.la.gov
Senator Mack “Bodi” White
808 O’Neal Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 272-1324
whitem@legis.la.gov
Senator Norbèrt N. “Norby” Chabert (Interim Member)
P.O. Box 2417
Houma, LA 70361
(985) 858-2927
chabertn@legis.la.gov
Senator Dan “Blade” Morrish (Interim Member)
119 W. Nezpique Street
Jennings, LA 70546-5356
(337) 824-3979
(888) 824-3979
morrishd@legis.la.gov
Senator Francis Thompson (Interim Member)
Box 68
Delhi, LA 71232
(318) 878-9408
(800) 259-9408
thompsof@legis.la.gov
Senator Mike Walsworth (Interim Member)
101 N 2nd Street
Suite 208
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 340-6453
(866) 518-8573
walsworthm@legis.la.gov

Louisiana bill would cut subsidies to horseracing purses

IMMEDIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED! HB585. THIS LEGISLATION WILL KILL HORSE RACING IN LOUISIANA!

 May 11, 2017

ATTENTION LOUISIANA HORSEMEN 

House Bill 585 by Representative Jay Morris is assigned to be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday May 15th at 9:00AM. This bill will reduce by half the Slot Purse Supplement Funds. It only takes funds from purses; it takes nothing from the Race Track’s revenue. It takes funds that are generated exclusively at Horse Race Industry Owned facilities. This would devastate our industry. Please contact members of the Appropriations Committee (listed below) and ask them to support the Horse Racing Industry by maintaining these dedicated Purse Funds. Our industry generates over 1 Billion Dollars a year in economic impact and more than 73 Million Dollars in taxes paid to Louisiana. YOUR CALLS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Ask the committee members to please vote NO on House Bill 585.

Thank you,
Louisiana Thorougbred Breeders Association

THIS LEGISLATION WILL KILL HORSE RACING IN LOUISIANA! 

 

Louisiana House of Representative
Appropriations Committee

Abraham, Mark 
130 Jamestown Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 475-3016
abrahamm@legis.la.gov

Amedée, Beryl 
302 School St., Houma, LA 70360
(985) 858-2967
amedeeb@legis.la.gov

Armes, James K. 
2255 University Pkwy., Leesville, LA 71446
(337) 238-7004
armesj@legis.la.gov

Bacala, Tony
15482 Airline Hwy., Suite A, Prairieville, LA 70769
(225) 677-8020
bacalat@legis.la.gov

Bagley, Larry 
671 Hwy. 171, Suite E, Stonewall, LA 71078
(318) 925-9588
bagleyl@legis.la.gov

Barras, Taylor F. 
800 S. Lewis Street, Suite 206, 2nd Floor, New Iberia, LA 70560
(337) 373-4051
barrast@legis.la.gov

Berthelot, John A.
1024 S. Purpera, Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-5646
berthelotj@legis.la.gov

Billiot, Robert E.
#10 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA 70094
(504) 436-8929
billiotr@legis.la.gov

Carter, Gary
3520 General DeGaulle, Suite 3071, New Orleans, LA 70114
(504) 361-6600
carterg@legis.la.gov

Chaney, Charles R.
P.O. Box 8, Rayville, LA 71269
(318) 728-5875
chaneyb@legis.la.gov

Edmonds, Rick
3931 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 295-9240
edmondsr@legis.la.gov

Foil, Franklin J.
412 N. 4th St., Suite 220, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-6777
foilf@legis.la.gov

Harris, Lance
P.O. Box 13555, Alexandria, LA 71315-3555
(318) 767-6095
harrisl@legis.la.gov

Henry, Cameron
1539 Metairie Road, Suite A, Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 838-5433
henryc@legis.la.gov

Hensgens, Bob
407 Charity Street, Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 893-5035
hensgensb@legis.la.gov

Hodges, Valarie
35055 La. Hwy. 16, Suite 2A, Denham Springs, LA 70706
(225) 791-2199
hodgesv@legis.la.gov

Leger, Walt III
935 Gravier St., Suite 2150, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 556-9970
legerw@legis.la.gov

McFarland, Jack
P.O. Box 143, Jonesboro, LA 71251
(318) 259-4275
mcfarlandj@legis.la.gov

Miguez, Blake
410 N. Broadway St., Erath, LA 70533
(337) 937-8827
miguezb@legis.la.gov

Miller, Dustin
1115 S. Union St., Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 943-2900
millerd@legis.la.gov

Pylant, Steve E.
805 Jackson St., Suite A, Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318) 435-7313
pylants@legis.la.gov

Richard, Jerome
907 Jackson Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 447-0999
richardj@legis.la.gov

Schroder, John M.
522 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, LA 70433
(985) 893-6262
schrodej@legis.la.gov

Simon, Scott M.
P.O. Box 1297, Abita Springs, LA 70420
(985) 893-6246
simons@legis.la.gov

Smith, Patricia Haynes
251 Florida Street, Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
(225) 342-7106
smithp@legis.la.gov

Zeringue, Jerome
423 Goode St., Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-8823
zeringuej@legis.la.gov

For more information, please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit louisianabred.com.

IMMEDIATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION NEEDED! HB585. THIS LEGISLATION WILL KILL HORSE RACING IN LOUISIANA!

May 11, 2017

ATTENTION LOUISIANA HORSEMEN 

House Bill 585 by Representative Jay Morris is assigned to be heard in the House Appropriations Committee on Monday May 15th at 9:00AM. This bill will reduce by half the Slot Purse Supplement Funds. It only takes funds from purses; it takes nothing from the Race Track’s revenue. It takes funds that are generated exclusively at Horse Race Industry Owned facilities. This would devastate our industry. Please contact members of the Appropriations Committee (listed below) and ask them to support the Horse Racing Industry by maintaining these dedicated Purse Funds. Our industry generates over 1 Billion Dollars a year in economic impact and more than 73 Million Dollars in taxes paid to Louisiana. YOUR CALLS MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Ask the committee members to please vote NO on House Bill 585.

Thank you,
Louisiana Thorougbred Breeders Association

THIS LEGISLATION WILL KILL HORSE RACING IN LOUISIANA! 

 

Louisiana House of Representative
Appropriations Committee

Abraham, Mark 
130 Jamestown Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605
(337) 475-3016

Amedée, Beryl 
302 School St., Houma, LA 70360
(985) 858-2967

Armes, James K. 
2255 University Pkwy., Leesville, LA 71446
(337) 238-7004

Bacala, Tony
15482 Airline Hwy., Suite A, Prairieville, LA 70769
(225) 677-8020

Bagley, Larry 
671 Hwy. 171, Suite E, Stonewall, LA 71078
(318) 925-9588

Barras, Taylor F. 
800 S. Lewis Street, Suite 206, 2nd Floor, New Iberia, LA 70560
(337) 373-4051

Berthelot, John A.
1024 S. Purpera, Gonzales, LA 70737
(225) 647-5646

Billiot, Robert E.
#10 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA 70094
(504) 436-8929

Carter, Gary
3520 General DeGaulle, Suite 3071, New Orleans, LA 70114
(504) 361-6600

Chaney, Charles R.
P.O. Box 8, Rayville, LA 71269
(318) 728-5875

Edmonds, Rick
3931 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd., Suite 200, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
(225) 295-9240

Foil, Franklin J.
412 N. 4th St., Suite 220, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-6777

Harris, Lance
P.O. Box 13555, Alexandria, LA 71315-3555
(318) 767-6095

Henry, Cameron
1539 Metairie Road, Suite A, Metairie, LA 70005
(504) 838-5433

Hensgens, Bob
407 Charity Street, Abbeville, LA 70510
(337) 893-5035

Hodges, Valarie
35055 La. Hwy. 16, Suite 2A, Denham Springs, LA 70706
(225) 791-2199

Leger, Walt III
935 Gravier St., Suite 2150, New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 556-9970

McFarland, Jack
P.O. Box 143, Jonesboro, LA 71251
(318) 259-4275

Miguez, Blake
410 N. Broadway St., Erath, LA 70533
(337) 937-8827

Miller, Dustin
1115 S. Union St., Opelousas, LA 70570
(337) 943-2900

Pylant, Steve E.
805 Jackson St., Suite A, Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318) 435-7313

Richard, Jerome
907 Jackson Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301
(985) 447-0999

Average and Median Jump at Equine Sales 2-Year-Old Auction, Record High Price Set

(Opelousas, Louisiana — May 10, 2017) Equine Sales Company on Tuesday held its 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age sale in Opelousas, Louisiana, and recorded a significant increase in average and median while setting a record high price. All told, 41 of 60 2-year-olds offered sold for $832,300 with an average of $20,300 and median of $13,000. 
With a larger catalog last year, 60 of 92 head sold for $918,300. This year’s average jumped 37.1% from last year’s $14,811, and the median increased 13% from last year’s mark of $11,500. Buybacks for this year were 31.6% compared to 32.6% last year.
The record price for a 2-year-old at the sale had been $69,000 from the first year the sale was held in 2014, and that number was easily eclipsed twice with horses from the consignment of Pike Racing, agent. The sale topper was hip 29, a Louisiana-bred daughter of multiple Grade 1 winner Flat Out who worked an eighth-mile in a co-fastest time of :10 1/5 on Sunday. The April foal sold for $110,000 to Keith and Ginger Myers’ Coteau Grove Farms. Hip 45, a Louisiana-bred colt from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Violence, brought a bid of $100,000 from Matt Bowling’s Bowling Bloodstock. The January foal galloped in the breeze show.
“I think we have continued to improve the quality of this sale and that shows in the results this year,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director. “We are very pleased with the results and are looking forward to our consignor select and open yearling/mixed sales later this year.”
All graduates of this sale are eligible for next year’s Equine Sales Derby and Equine Sales Oaks to be run at Evangeline Downs.
For hip-by-hip results, go to www.equinesalesofla.com.

H-2B Provision Stays in Congress-Approved Spending Bill

An industry-supported provision that could allow additional foreign, seasonal H-2B visa workers made it through Congress as part of the government-funding bill signed by the Senate May 4.

As the House of Representatives approved the spending bill earlier this week, it now awaits an expected quick signature from President Donald Trump.

Currently only 66,000 H-2B seasonal work visas are allowed to be granted this year, but a provision in the spending bill, which funds the government through the fiscal year that ends in September, would give the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, the authority to nearly double the H-2B cap when it’s determined there is an economic need.

National Thoroughbred Racing Association president Alex Waldrop said the NTRA will now work with the administration to get the H-2B provision implemented.

Horse racing is just one of many industries that relies on the H-2B visa program, joining businesses such as landscaping and seasonal resorts.

Congress in 2016 failed to renew the “returning worker exemption” that permits H-2B workers from the previous three years with clean records to enter the country again without counting against the 66,000 cap. That exemption had effectively raised the number of workers under H-2B from 66,000 to approximately 190,000.

MAGIC VOW DAZZLES IN THE EQUINE SALES DERBY

MAGIC VOW
Magic Vow wins the Equine Sales Derby. Coady Photography

Equine Sales Derby
Evangeline Downs, 5-6-16, 8.5f (dirt)
Three-Year-Olds, Purse: $60,000

MAGIC VOW
Private Vow–Whitewashed, by Broad Brush
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Breeder: J. Adcock
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

2nd
Paddy O’Lionel
Paddy O’Prado–Dana’s Lucky Lady, by Lucky Lionel
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges
Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Cash First
Quality Road–Financingavailable, by Kiridashi
Owner: LA Bred Equine Enterprises, LLC
Breeder: LA Bred Equine Enterprises, LLC
Trainer: Ray Sibille
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

 

OWNER BRITTLYN STABLE INC. SWEEPS THE TWO WEEKEND STAKES

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – It was quite a first weekend in May for the Brittlyn Stable, Inc. ownership of Evelyn Benoit. They first won the $60,000 Equine Sales Oaks on Friday with Bermuda Star and they doubled down on that by winning the $60,000 Equine Sales Derby with Magic Vow on Saturday night. Magic Vow earned a convincing 4-3/4 length victory in a final time of 1:46.04 for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track.

Magic Vow settled in at the rail in the early stages as a 45-1 longshot, They Call Me Seb and the 3-5 favorite, Sheer Mayhem dueled through early fractions of 24.19 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.97 for the half-mile. Magic Vow continued to make steady progress on the rail and overtook Sheer Mayhem at the top of the stretch and drew away to win easily. Paddy O’Lionel also rallied up the inside to take second and Cash First rallied from last early on to finish third.

Magic Vow returned $7.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Paddy O’Lionel paid $4.80 to place and $4.00 to show, while Cash First paid $7.20 to show.

Magic Vow was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock, Allen Landry is the trainer and Kerwin Clark was the winning rider on Saturday night. The 3-year-old gelding is by Private Vow and out of the Broad Brush mare, Whitewashed.

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

BERMUDA STAR SPARKLES IN THE EQUINE SALES OAKS

BERMUDA STAR
Bermuda Star wins the Equine Sales Oaks. Coady Photography

 

Equine Sales Oaks
Evangeline Downs, 5-5-17, 8.5f (dirt)
Three-Year-Old Fillies, Purse $60,000

BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar-Bermuda Bride, by Runaway Groom
Owner: Brittany Stable, Inc.
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd
Madame Begue
Afleet Alex–More Angels, by Slew of Angels
Owner: Mintmere Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Summergrove Farm & Terry Gabriel
Trainer: Glenn Delahoussaye
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Red La Rosa
Harborage–Ziarita, by Maria’s Mon
Owner: Sandra Domiano
Breeder: Royal B. Kraft Sr.
Trainer: Corale A. Richards
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Bermuda Star has won twice in her brief career, one was a maiden-breaking score on the turf at Fair Grounds in February and the second came Friday night in the $60,000 Equine Sales Oaks at Evangeline Downs. On both occasions, Diego Saenz was in the saddle. The Oaks victory was just part of a stellar Friday for the jockey, who won a total of three races on the program.

Bermuda Star was able to relax off of a trio of pacesetters through easy early fractions of 24.26 for the quarter-mile and 48.78 for the half-mile. She advanced nicely on the far turn and was able to take the lead at the top of the stretch. Once Bermuda Star made the lead, she moved toward the rail and momentarily crossed paths with Madame Begue, who was one of the early leaders. Bermuda Star drew off to win by three lengths at the finish in a final time of 1:46.58 for the 1-1/16 miles over the fast track. She did have to survive a steward’s inquiry and rider’s claim of foul to preserve the victory.

Bermuda Star was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. She is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and trained by Victor Arceneaux. She is by Star Guitar and out of the Runaway Groom mare, Bermuda Bride. Bermuda Star has two wins in six lifetime starts and the $36,000 first-place purse she earned on Friday night pushes her lifetime earnings to $74,530.

Bermuda Star was sent off as the 4-5 wagering favorite in the Equine Sales Oaks and she returned $3.60 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.10 to show. Madame Begue finished second and paid $5.60 to place and $3.40 to show. Red La Rosa was third and paid $2.40 to show.

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

 

Louisiana Bred, Louisiana Sired Big World Wins G1 La Troienne

La Troienne02.5-5-17.Barbara Livingston
Louisiana bred, Big World (Custom For Carlos-Tensas Wedding Joy) wins the G1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs, May 5, 2017. Barbara Livingston photo.

Louisiana’s 2016 3YO Champion filly, Big World (Custom For Carlos-Tensas Wedding Joy), won the prestigious  $300,000  La Troienne Stakes Presented by Spirited Funds (G1) at Churchill Downs May 5.

The Tom Amoss-trained Big World showcased her improving ability and mettle. The Maggi Moss colorbearer carved out early fractions of :23.75 and :48.28 and kept on finding more, refusing to let Romantic Vision by in the stretch. She captured the 1 1/16-mile test by 1 1/4 lengths on the undercard of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Amoss says of the win, “I classify Big World’s win in the G1 La Troienne as one of the biggest thrills of my training career and believe I can speak for Maggie [Moss] when I say it was one of her biggest thrills in racing.”

He goes onto say “I credit the Louisiana Bred racing program and how Big World was able to build confidence through the winter before having to face Grade 1 competition.”

Under her previous trainer, Tony Dutrow, Big World hinted at what she was capable of, most notably when she captured the 2015 edition of the Tempted Stakes (G3) in her fourth start. Since being transferred to Amoss by owner Maggie Moss last year, the solidly built filly quietly racked up three wins on the Louisiana circuit and headed into the La Troienne off a win in a 1 1/16 mile allowance race at Oaklawn Park March 30.

Bred in Louisiana by Curt Leake and Elm Tree Farm (Michelle and Jody Huckabay), Big World became the first grade 1 winner for her sire, who stands at Clear Creek Stud. She improved her record to seven wins from 11 starts with $608,820 in earnings.

Big World is the first Louisiana-bred G1 winner since Happy Ticket (Anet) won the 2005 G1 Ballerina Stakes.

Custom For Carlos is the first Louisiana stallion to sire a G1 winner in over 25 years. Free Spirit’s Joy (Joey Bob) won the 1991 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, which at the time was a million dollar G1 Stakes.

To read more:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/221431/big-world-delivers-in-la-troienne

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/custom-for-carlos-filly-steals-la-troienne/#.WRCTmirBAUw.email

http://www.drf.com/news/big-world-goes-all-way-la-troienne

Eight Horses Tie for the Fastest Time at Equine Sales Company Breeze Show

(Opelousas, Louisiana — May 7, 2017) The breeze show for the Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale was held Sunday in Opelousas, Louisiana, and a total of eight horses posted a clocking of :10 1/5 to tie for the fastest time at the eighth-mile distance. The auction is set for Tuesday at 11 a.m. Central.

The eight horses with the fastest time included: hip 6, a colt by Private Vow; hip 13, a filly by Tale of the Cat; hip 17, a filly by Star Guitar; hip 26, a filly by Songandaprayer; hip 27, a filly by Time Bandit; hip 29, a filly by Flat Out; hip 30, a filly by Songandaprayer; and hip 40, a colt by Discreet Cat.

From a handful of horses to work two furlongs, hip 56, a daughter of Tale of Ekati, posted the fastest time of :22 4/5.

“I’m very pleased with the quality of horses we had out on the track today, and I think the times reflect that there are plenty of good runners here,” said Foster Bridwell, sales director. “Plus, we just had another reminder on Friday about how strong the Louisiana breeding program has become with Big World, a Louisiana-bred by Louisiana stallion Custom for Carlos, winning the Grade 1 La Troienne at Churchill Downs. We also have several quality individuals in the sale that were bred outside of Louisiana.”

All graduates of the sale will be eligible for the 2019 Equine Sales Derby and Equine Sales Oaks, which will offer purses of $60,000 apiece at Evangeline Downs. This year’s editions of those races were run over the weekend with Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stable sweeping both stakes with Magic Vow in the Derby and Bermuda Star in the Oaks. The latter also became the first stakes winner sired by Brittlyn-owned stallion and four-time Louisiana Horse of the Year Star Guitar.

Live video of the sale will be available at www.equinesalesofla.com. Videos of the breeze show are also posted now.