Month: July 2017

READY PROSPECTOR, SHE’SCREATIVE win D.S. “Shine” Young Futurities

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READY PROSPECTOR STRIKES GOLD IN THE COLT DIVISION

 SHE’SCREATIVE TRIUMPHANT IN THE FILLIES DIVISION

READY PROSPECTOR
Ready Prospector wins the Colt and Gelding Division of the 2017 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity. Coady Photography

 

D.S. Shine Young Futurity 
Colt and Gelding Division
Evangeline Downs, 7-29-17, 5 1/2 furlongs, dirt
2YO colts and geldings, Purse $75,000

READY PROSPECTOR
Custom for Carlos–Vera Belle, by Not For Love
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

2nd
I Want A Picture
Redding Colliery–Bond’s Babe, by Johannesburg
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Flurry Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: J. R. Caldwell
Jockey: Danny Sorenson

3rd
Cajun Creed
Jimmy Creed–Surprise Squall, by Stephen Got Even
Breeder: Danny M. Brown & Donna B. Brown
Owner: Horseplayers Racing Club LLC
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Roberto Morales

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable’s Ready Prospector was able to survive an early speed duel and then withstand a furious charge from the favored I Want a Picture to prevail in the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity for Colts & Geldings on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Ready Prospector was sent right up into the fray by jockey Gerard Melancon at the start and engaged with another longshot in Piranha Tough through solid early fractions of 22.02 for the quarter-mile and 46.04 for the half-mile. When the field entered the stretch, Ready Prospector had put away Piranha Tough, holding a 3-1/2 length lead, but the 9-5 favorite, I Want a Picture came running in the final furlong and just came up a head short. Ready Prospector finished the 5-1/2 furlongs in a final time of 1:05.46 over the wet-fast racetrack.

A 10-1 longshot, Ready Prospector, returned $22.60 to win, $8.40 to place and $5.40 to show. I Want a Picture paid $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show, while Cajun Creed rallied for third and returned $2.80 to show.

Ready Prospector scored the first win of his brief career in the “Shine” Young Futurity. He was bred in Louisiana by Virginia Lazenby and is trained by Oscar Modica. The maiden-breaking win earned Ready Prospector the $45,000 first-place purse and increased his lifetime earnings to $50,200. He is a two-year-old gelding by Custom for Carlos and out of the Not For Love mare, Vera Belle.

 

SHE'SCREATIVE
She’screative wins the Filly Division of the 2017 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity. Coady Photography

 

D.S. Shine Young Futurity 
Filly Division
Evangeline Downs, 7-29-17, 5 1/2 furlongs, dirt
2YO fillies, Purse $75,000

SHE’SCREATIVE
Creative Cause–She’s a Rebel Too
Breeder: T L Holyfield Racing Stable LLC
Owner: Thomas L. Holyfield
Trainer: J. R. Caldwell
Jockey: Dusty Ryder Shepherd

2nd
Eye Craft
Songandaprayer–Ihavemyeyeonyou, by Crafty Prospector
Breeder: Coulee Croche Thoroughbred, LLC
Owner: Brad Raney
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Born to D’ Wild
D’wildcat–Jasmine Gardens, by Mineshaft
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms, LLC
Owner: Brava Stables LLC
Trainer: Patrick Devereux, Jr.
Jockey: Diego Saenz

The fillies division of the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity was also run on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. The original field of twelve was scratched down to six and the best of that half-dozen was She’screative. The filly assumed the lead shortly after the start and led through a quarter-mile of 22.31 seconds and a half-mile of 46.19 seconds. She received a challenge from Eye Craft, who briefly took the lead in the stretch. However, She’screative re-rallied on the rail to win by 2-1/4 lengths in a final time of 1:06.53 for the 5-1/2 furlongs.

She’screative was the even-money favorite in the “Shine” Young Futurity and returned $4 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Eye Craft paid $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Born to D’wild paid $2.60 to show.

She’screative is a 2-year-old filly bred in Louisiana by T.L. Holyfield Racing Stable, LLC. She is owned by Thomas L. Holyfield, trained by J.R. Caldwell and was ridden to victory by Dusty Shepherd. Her record is now a perfect two-for-two and the $45,000 first-place purse increases her lifetime earnings to $60,600. She’screative is by Creative Cause and out of the Two Punch mare, She’s a Rebel Too.

 

 

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.

August Calendar of Events

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 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.Brought to you by Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Whispering Oaks Farm, Texas Thoroughbred Assoc., and Equine Sales Company. Click images to link to more information

August 1

  • Jockey Club Report of Mares Bred Due 

 

August 5

  • Stallion Awards to be Mailed

 

August 5

  • LTBA Board of Directors Meeting.  Holiday Inn Express, Bossier City,12:00 noon.
  • Louisiana Cup Day. Louisiana Downs, Bossier City. 1st Post 3:15 p.m.Six stakes races for Accredited Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds worth total purses of $300,000

 

August 14

  • Delta Downs stall applications due for 2017-18 Thoroughbred Meet

August 21

 

August 18

  • Fair Grounds Quarter Horse Meet Opens

 

Aug 31

 

 

Reminder: 2017-18 LTBA Regular Membership Applications and Renewals Due.

$75 before Sept. 30/$85 after Sept 30.

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach more than 3,000 readers.

Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.comfor consideration.

 

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676, 800-772-1195

Daily Racing Form Purchased By Z Capital Partners

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by | 07.26.2017 | 8:17am

Private equity management company Z Capital Partners has purchased Sports Information Group, the parent company of Daily Racing Form.

The purchase was announced in a July 25 press release from Z Capital Partners, the private equity management arm of Z Capital Group, which describes itself as “a leading global alternative investment manager focused on opportunistic, value-oriented private equity and credit funds” with $2.3 billion of regulatory assets under management.

“The big opportunity for us is to digitize the print side of the business, which the former owners started to do—it’s expensive and there is still a way to go to make it fully function, and then the online gaming offering,” said Z Capital Group CEO James Zenni in an interview with Bloomberg’s Jason Kelly on Bloomberg Markets. Zenni said his company started watching Daily Racing Form about four years ago.

The release said terms of the deal would not be disclosed.

“We are thrilled to join the Z Capital family,” said SIG chairman and CEO John Hartig. “Z Capital’s financial strength, experience, insight, and operational expertise will help Daily Racing Form and the company’s other platforms continue to enhance and expand our digital offerings and better serve our loyal readers and customers, while staying true to the publication’s rich history and its market-leading brand.”

Daily Racing Form was advised in the transaction by JEGI I Clarity.

Daily Racing Form has covered horse racing since 1894, publishes up to 2,000 unique pages of statistical and editorial copy every day, in as many as 20 daily editions, 364 days a year, and includes a companion website that provides news coverage, race results, exclusive handicapping tools, as well as sales and auction coverage through DRF Breeding, and access to the account deposit wagering site DRF Bets.

In February Z Capital Partners completed a purchase of Las Vegas-based Affinity Gaming in a deal that valued the casino owner at $580 million. At the time Affinity Gaming owned 11 casinos, including five in Nevada.

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Will Award Scholarships at Louisiana Cup Day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

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(New Orleans, La.) – Louisiana Cup Day will take place Saturday, August 5, at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will be between the fifth and sixth races. The races begin at 3:15 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2017.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present at the drawing location to win.
  • Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is pleased to continue making an investment in the future of our state by investing in the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

The Louisiana Cup Day annual event features seven stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and total purse money of $360,000. The highlight of the evening will be the $60,000 Super Derby Prelude for 3-year-olds competing at 1-1/16 miles.

Louisiana Cup Juvenile 2 Y.O. LA-Bred Six Furlongs $50,000
Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies 2 Y.O. Fillies LA-Bred Six Furlongs $50,000
Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint 3 Y.O. & Up F&M LA-Bred Six Furlongs $50,000
Louisiana Cup Sprint 3 Y.O. & Up LA-Bred Six Furlongs $50,000
Louisiana Cup Turf Classic 3 Y.O. & Up LA-Bred 1m 1/16 (Turf) $50,000
Louisiana Cup Distaff 3 Y.O. & up F&M, LA-Bred 1m 1/16 (Turf) $50,000
Super Derby Prelude 3 Y.O. LA-Bred 1m 1/16 (Turf) $60,000

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

Nearly 140 Head Consigned to Texas Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale

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(Austin, Texas — July 25, 2017) The Texas Thoroughbred Association has announced a catalog of 139 head for its Texas Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale on August 21 at Lone Star Park. There are 102 yearlings in the catalog with a mixed session of 37 head. The catalog is nearly identical in size to last year’s, which offered 105 yearlings and 37 head in the mixed session. This will mark the second yearling sale operated by the Texas Thoroughbred Association after it took over operation of the Texas auctions from Fasig-Tipton.

 

Leading Texas sire Too Much Bling is well represented in the sale with 10 yearlings, and there are eight yearlings and three weanlings from the first crops of Texas stallion Moro Tap, a son of Tapit and half brother to Grade 1 winner Ascend. Top regional sires including Custom for Carlos, Grasshopper, Half Ours, My Golden Song and Songandaprayer are represented, as are national prominent stallions Strong Mandate, Graydar, Majesticperfection, Take Charge Indy, Sky Mesa, Stay Thirsty, Liaison and Overanalyze.

 

All yearling graduates of this sale will be eligible for the 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity to be run in two divisions at Lone Star Park. The 2017 editions of the race were run on Saturday, and both were won by horses who had been through the Texas Summer Yearling Sale and the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

 

“We are coming off a big weekend for Texas racing as Keene Thoroughbreds’ Texas Chrome, who sold here as a yearling for $10,000, became just the second Texas-bred millionaire in history, and we had two of the best runnings of the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity in many years,” said Mary Ruyle, executive director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

 

The $105,600 colts and geldings division went to Galactica, a Texas-bred son of Uncle Abbie who originally sold for just $1,000 as a yearling from Serenity Farm to Thomas Julian and then came back to sell for $52,000 as a 2-year-old from the consignment of Twin Oaks Training Center to Brad Grady and Carl R. Moore Management LLC. Bret Calhoun trains the earner of $79,820 in three starts.

 

Janae, a Louisiana-bred daughter of Closing Argument, took the $97,525 fillies division for owner Susan Moulton and trainer Brandon Jenkins. Janae sold from Benchmark Training Center to Moulton’s Safari Bloodstock for $16,000 as a yearling, and then when consigned by Inside Move as a 2-year-old did not meet her reserve at $35,000. She has now earned $77,123 in four starts.

 

“The goal for this sale has been to increase the quality every year, and I think we’ve accomplished that,” said Tim Boyce, sales director. “Direct Dial, who topped last year’s yearling sale, already broke his maiden impressively at Keeneland and then finished second in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont, and we’ve got several horses of similar quality this year.”

 

The online sale catalog features photos and videos along with other enhancements, such as the ability for consignors to easily share information about their horses on social media. The sale is still accepting supplements and those will be added to the website.

 

The TTA will hold a New Owners Seminar with a panel of industry experts on Sunday, August 20, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. A Pre-Sale Party is set for that night at 6 p.m. Both events are free to attend and will be held in the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion.

 

For  more information, go to www.ttasales.com.

NOMINATIONS CLOSED FOR LOUISIANA CUP DAY AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Nine Stakes to be Contested on Saturday, August 5 

Bossier City, LA – Nominations for the annual Louisiana Cup Day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on Saturday, August 5 have closed with tremendous interest from horsemen.

The Louisiana Cup Day program will feature six divisional stakes for horses bred in Louisiana, with four six-furlong main track stakes as well as the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic and the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff on the turf. Two additional turf stakes, the $50,000 John Henry and the$50,000 Opelousas, originally scheduled at Evangeline Downs, will also be on the Louisiana Cup Day card.  Purses for the all-stakes August 5 program will total $460,000.

The $60,000 Super Derby Prelude for 3-year-olds going a mile and one-sixteenth on the Franks Turf Course closed with 23 nominations. The winner of the stakes receives a berth to the $200,000 Super Derby on Saturday, September 9; the richest race of the 2017 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred racing season. The move to the grass course marks a departure for the track’s signature Super Derby, which had its first running in 1980, and had a noted history as a graded stake contested at nine furlongs on the dirt.

Trainer Efren Loza, Jr intends to run Taco in the Prelude. The Kentucky-bred son of Gio Ponti is owned by V. A. Racing Stables LLC and Amancio Alonzo and has won four of his five turf starts. He has not raced since finishing second in the $103,380 Pasadena Stakes on March 19 at Santa Anita. S”

“He got a small cut on one of his legs so we had to give him some time off,” said Loza.  “He has resumed training and should be ready for the Prelude.”

The nominees include several stakes winners who will be making their debut on grass.

Trainer Allen Landry conditions Magic Vow, the high-earner of the 23 nominated runners for the Prelude. The son of Private Vow out of the Broad Brush mare Whitewashed has earned $199,900 for Brittlyn Stable, Inc. This will be the first turf start for the bay gelding, but Landry believes his charge will handle the surface switch.

“He’s bred for the grass and he has shown us he can route,” said Landry. “We’ll bring “Boo Boo”(jockey Kerwin Clark) as he knows him well.”                           

John S. Turner’s Impressive Student is also nominated and under consideration according to trainer Morris Nicks. Sired by Student Council, Impressive Student had a good meet earlier this year at Fair Grounds, breaking his maiden on the turf on January 29, and scoring again at the allowance level on March 3. He competed at Louisiana Downs in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends, finishing sixth to Trust Factor.

“The older horses might have outclassed him, “said Nicks. “He was training well after a layoff, and we debated running him in the Legends or waiting for the Prelude. We are not 100% certain we will run on August 5, but so far, everything looks good.”

Multiple stakes winner Rumpole, bred and owned by Joe Archer of Fletcher Properties Inc., is another horse making his first start on the grass. The son of leading Texas sire, Too Much Bling won the $65,000 Jim’s Orbit at Sam Houston Race Park and followed that up with a victory in another race for Texas-bred colts, the $50,000 Groovy Stakes. Trainer Robert Young shipped him to Lone Star Park where he won the $65,000 Texas Stallion Stakes under current top Louisiana Downs rider Richard Eramia.

“I was hoping to try him on the turf at Lone Star, but could never get a race for him,” said Young. “I haven’t got a clue if he’ll like it or not, but he’s really training well.”

Loza has also nominated St George Stables LLC’s Jilotepec for the Prelude. The lightly raced colt by Into Mischief, who has won two of his three career efforts.

“He has never run on the grass, but we think he would be good,” added Loza.

Local horsemen who have nominated runners for the Prelude include Louisiana Downs leading trainer Joey Foster with Mizztic Tale; Charles Hukill with Score’s Choice and former jockey, Beverly Burress, who conditions Charlie Ballado.

The draw for the nine features on Louisiana Cup will take place on Saturday, July 29.

Saturday, August 5                           Louisiana Cup Day               

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$50,000 John Henry                                        3 YO & Up                             1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Opelousas                                          3YO & Up F&M                    1 Mile (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Distaff                              3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Super Derby Prelude                         3 Y0                                        1 1/16 miles (T)

Louisiana Downs Trainer and Jockey Standings

Through July 24, last year’s leading trainer Joey Foster continues to hold a commanding lead over his fellow conditioners with 34 wins. H. B. Johnson is second with 14 wins to date and Ronnie Ward took sole possession of third place with 11 wins. Donald Melancon and Jorge Lara have each saddled 10 winners.

 

Richard Eramia continues to lead his fellow riders with 47 wins, and looks also to be in contention for the Lone Star Park riding title when their meet wraps on July 30.  Gerardo Mora moved into second-place in the standings with 36 wins and Alexander Castillo is third with 31 victories. Aubrie Green follows with 30 trips to the winner’s circle. She lit up the toteboard in Monday’s seventh race, scoring with Sailorman ($136), owned and trained by Henry Ray Dunn.

 

Patti Turner, Beverly Burress and Jamie C. Pastor are tied top of the leaderboard in the owner standings with seven wins each. Red Rose Racing, Jorge Gomez, Anthony A. Faulk and Terrell Jarrett, Jr. have all won six races in the 2017 Thoroughbred meet.

 

Post Times and Stakes Schedule

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27. The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 5 and Super Derby Day on Saturday, September 9.  To see a complete list of the 2017 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here. 

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager
O 318-752-6980
8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111
www.caesars.com

Big World to Sell at Fasig-Tipton November

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Maggi Moss will offer this year’s GI La Troienne S. winner Big World (Custom for Carlos–Tensas Wedding Joy, by Broken Vow) at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton November Sale through the Bluewater Sales consignment. The 4-year-old Louisiana bred filly, a five-time stakes winner, captured the 2015 GIII Tempted S. as a 2-year-old. She capped a four-race win streak with a 1 1/4-length victory in the May 5 La Troienne. On the board in all but one of 13 starts to date, Big World has won seven times for earnings of $629,190.

“Big World has taken me on a great journey and her victory in the La Troienne was a highlight of my career as an owner,” Moss said.

Big World’s juvenile full-sibling Gracida, a $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream purchase by Amr Zedan, was a front-running winner of his debut at Del Mar Saturday.

 

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/big-world-to-sell-at-fasig-november/

New Withholding, Reporting Rules Near Enactment

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A document outlining upcoming federal regulatory actions released July 20 by The White House indicates that modernized tax guidance relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings is nearing enactment, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association said.

The “Current Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions” describes the Amendment of 3402(q) Regulations providing new rules for pari-mutuel wagering as in the final rule stage.

The regulation, detailed by the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Treasury in the Dec. 30, 2016 Federal Register in a section titled “Withholding on Payments of Certain Gambling Winnings,” accomplishes goals started and spearheaded by the NTRA three years ago.

“We are pleased to see this latest indication that the regulation continues to make its way toward final approval,” said NTRA president and CEO Alex Waldrop in a release. “We take nothing for granted, though, and will continue to work closely with our allies in Washington, D.C., to get this important change completed. We urge Treasury and the IRS to act quickly so horseplayers, the racing industry, and the federal government can all start benefitting from these landmark rules.”

The proposed regulations, developed with the NTRA’s guidance, clarify “the amount of the wager” to include the entire amount wagered into a specific pari-mutuel pool by an individual—not just the winning base unit as is the case today—so long as all wagers made into a specific pool by an individual are made on a single tote ticket if the wager is placed onsite. The proposed regulations would have the same positive results for advance deposit wagering customers and would not impact how those wagers are currently made.

Currently a $1 trifecta wheel of 10 combinations is viewed as 10 bets of $1 each. If a payout of $600 or more at odds of 300-1 or higher is awarded, that payout must be reported to the IRS. If that same wager pays $5,000 or more on odds of 300-1 or higher, some of the winnings must immediately be withheld for taxes.

The change would affect how the 300-1 threshold is determined. Under the change, the $10 ticket in the scenario above would be considered a $10 wager. To reach 300-1 odds, the payout must be more than $3,010, which means far fewer big payouts will need to be reported.

The NTRA said the regulations will positively impact a significant percentage of winning wagers, particularly those involving multi-horse or multi-race exotic wagers, and result in tens of millions of dollars in additional pari-mutuel churn.

Reports of Mares Bred Due at The Jockey Club by Aug. 1

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The Jockey Club reminds stallion managers to submit their Reports of Mares Bred (RMBs) for the 2017 breeding season by Aug. 1.

“We want the breeding statistics we release in the fall to be as accurate as possible, so we request that RMBs be submitted by August 1,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director of The Jockey Club.

In addition, stallion managers who submit their RMBs by August 1 are among the first to receive their stallion service certificates, which facilitates the timely registration of 2018 foals.

Reports of Mares Bred may be submitted via Interactive Registration at registry.jockeyclub.com or a form is available by email, fax, or mail by contacting inquiries@jockeyclub.com.