Month: September 2017

KARL BROBERG DOMINATES THE 2017 THOROUGHBRD SEASON AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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LOUISIANA NATIVE TIM THORNTON WINS FIRST EVANGELINE RIDING TITLE

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – The 2017 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs concluded this weekend and the entire season could really be encapsulated in one name: Karl Broberg. He won his seventh training title from 2011-2017 this summer and his ownership group, End Zone Athletics, Inc., also took down the leading owner honors.

The numbers by which Karl Broberg absolutely dominated the summer at Evangeline Downs are staggering. His horses won 86 races from 246 starts for a winning percentage of 35% and his runners also earned $1,010,580 for the season. Broberg finished 65 wins ahead of the tie for second place in the standings between, Allen Landry and Sam Breaux with 21 winners each. These figures were a marked improvement over Broberg’s 2016 title-winning season, when he won just 49 races and $657,910 in purse money and finished 11 wins ahead of runner-up, Eduardo Ramirez.

The complete top ten trainers’ standings were: Broberg (86 wins), Landry and Breaux (21), Eduardo Ramirez (20), Shane Wilson (19), Jose Camejo (18), Al Stall, Jr. and Dale White, Sr. (tied at 16), Scott Gelner (15), and a three-way tie for ninth between Howard Alonzo, Danny Pish, and Lee Thomas at 14 wins each.

The owners’ standings tell the same story with the End Zone Athletics, Inc. pairing of Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson outdistancing the competition with 52 wins from 133 runners for a winning percentage of 39% and earnings of $538,465. The margin of victory in the standings was an amazing 42 wins, as Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC came in second place with 10 wins from 56 starters.

The complete top ten owners’ standings were: End Zone Athletics, Inc. (52 wins), Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC (10), Elite Thoroughbred Racing, LLC (9), a five-way tie for fourth at eight wins each for Brittlyn Stable, Inc., Wayne T. Davis, Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable, LLC, Red Rose Racing, and Lee Young Farm, and a three-way tie for ninth at seven wins each for Circle H Farms, Double Dam Farm, LLC, and Norman Stables, LLC.

Jockey Tim Thornton, a Louisiana native, benefited from working as the main rider for Karl Broberg during his first full season riding at Evangeline Downs. That certainly helped him immensely as he won the riding title with 119 wins from 423 starts for a winning percentage of 28% and earnings of $1,377,442. Diego Saenz was the runner-up in the jockeys’ standings for the third consecutive season with 92 wins from 411 starts.

The complete top ten jockeys’ standings were: Thornton (119 wins), Saenz (92), Ashley Broussard (72), Colby Hernandez (71), Roberto Morales (38), Steve Bourque (32), Alexis Batista (30), Kerwin Clark and Gerard Melancon (tied at 29), and a tie for 10th between Jansen Melancon and apprentice Jarred Journet at 28 wins each.

Evangeline Downs will resume live racing with the start of the 46-day American Quarter Horse racing season on October 4. The premier night of the season will be Saturday, December 16 with four major stakes races taking place that evening. The finals for the $1,000,000 Louisiana Million (RG1), the $300,000-estimated LQHBA Breeders Derby, the $100,000-added Evangeline Downs Futurity, and the $50,000-added Evangeline Downs Derby all will be run that night. Post time for the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

For more information on the American Quarter Horse 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.

 

READY PROSPECTOR IS READY AGAIN IN THE EVANGELINE DOWNS PRINCE

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Evangeline Downs Prince Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 9-2-17, 6 furlongs

READY PROSPECTOR
Custom for Carlos – Vera Belle
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

READY PROSPECTOR Prince

OPELOUSAS, LA – Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable’s Ready Prospector was able to add a second stakes victory of the Evangeline Downs season to his steadily improving resume’ with a win in the $50,000 Evangeline Downs Prince. Ready Prospector had previously won the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on July 29.

Sent right into contention by jockey Gerard Melancon, Ready Prospector allowed Calimor to take the lead on the backstretch and settled into second. The early fractions were strong as the quarter-mile was covered in 22.20 seconds and the half-mile went by in 45.74 seconds. Ready Prospector reclaimed the lead on the far turn and then turned away late challenges by Land Battle and Hardworkcleanlivin to win by 2-1/2 lengths. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:11.41 over the fast track.

Ready Prospector was bred in Louisiana by Virginia Lazenby and is trained by Oscar Modica. He has won two of his three lifetime starts and the $30,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $80,200. Ready Prospector is by Custom for Carlos and out of the Not For Love mare, Vera Belle.

Ready Prospector paid $9 to win, $5.60 to place and $4 to show. Land Battle rallied late for second and paid $10.20 to place and $6.20 to show. Hardworkcleanlivin paid $3.60 to show.

Equine Sales Company Records Across-the-Board Gains in Consignor Select Yearling Sale

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17-yrlg-sale-topper

Equine Sales Company on Thursday posted gains in every meaningful category in its Consignor Select Yearling Sale in Opelousas, Louisiana. All told, 138 of 193 head sold for a total of $1,636,400 with an average of $11,858 and median of $7,000. That represents a gain of 8.8 percent in sales compared to last year’s total of $1,503,900 with an identical number of horses sold. This year’s average of $11,858 was an increase of 8.8 percent from last year, and the median of $7,000 is 27.3 percent better than last year’s $5,500. The buyback rate this year was 28.5 percent compared to 33.7 percent last year.

“We expected to have a strong sale as our consignors really showcased a excellent selection of yearlings,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director. “But I was even a little surprised how good the numbers were considering the region is still dealing with the aftereffects of Hurricane Harvey.”

The sale-topper was Hip 116, a Louisiana-bred colt by 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft out of the stakes-placed Cat Thief mare Noble Bandit. The April 19 foal was consigned by 4M Ranch, agent, and purchased by Louis Roussell III.

Five other horses sold for $50,000 or more with the leading filly being Hip 93, a Louisiana-bred daughter of Violence who sold for $50,000 to O’Brien Bloodstock from Pike Racing, agent.

For hip-by-hip results, go to http://www.equinesalesofla.com.

The Equine Sales Company Open Yearling and Mixed Sale is set for October 15.

TOBA Announces Regional Owners of the Year

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Juddmonte Farms, John Oxley, Spendthrift Farm, Klaravich Stables take the honors.

 

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced Aug. 30 that Juddmonte Farms, John Oxley, Spendthrift Farm and Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence have been selected as the TOBA Regional Owners of the Year.

The TOBA National Owner of the Year will be announced live at the TOBA National Awards Dinner, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 9 at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky.

TOBA will also honor breeders from 22 states and Canada. The National Breeder of the Year and the National Small Breeder of the Year will also be disclosed at the TOBA National Awards Dinner.

Other TOBA winners include Leslie’s Lady, dam of Beholder, who has been named as the National Broodmare of the Year and Royal Posse, who will be honored with Claiming Crown Horse of the Year, presented by the National HBPA.

The Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year will go to Zine Dine, owned by Hailey Rogge.

The Heubeck Family will receive the Robert N. Clay Award, which recognizes a member of the Thoroughbred community who has made an outstanding contribution to preserving land for equine use.

“The winners of the TOBA awards represent extraordinary achievements in our sport,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA.  “We are honored to celebrate with them on what promises to be a memorable evening at Calumet Farm, as Thoroughbred owners and breeders arrive in Lexington for the September yearling sales.”

Tickets to the TOBA National Awards Dinner can be purchased at http://www.toba.org or by calling Meredith Downey at (859) 276-6793.

A complete list of state and regional winners is as follows:

Regional Owners of the Year:
East Region: Juddmonte Farms
Midwest Region: John Oxley
South Region: Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence
West Region: Spendthrift Farm

State Breeders of the Year:
Arkansas: Bill McDowell
California: Heinz Steinmann
Canadian: Adrian and David Munro
Florida: Gilbert G. Campbell
Illinois: Barney and Anne Gallagher
Indiana: Michael E. and Penny S. Lauer
Iowa: Allen Poindexter
Kansas: Lance and Valerie Gabriel
Kentucky: WinStar Farm
Louisiana: Irwin Olian
Maryland: Robert Manfuso
Massachusetts: Ken Posco
Michigan: Lisa Campbell
Minnesota: Rick Bremer and Cheryl Sprick
New Jersey: Daniel Lopez
New York: Chester and Mary Broman
North Carolina: Nancy Shuford
Ohio: Tim Hamm
Oregon: Neil Knapp
South Carolina: Franklin Smith Sr.
Texas: Craig Upham
Virginia: Mrs. William M. Backer
Washington: Jean and Jeff Harris

TOBA National Awards Dinner sponsors include Calumet Farm, Stoll Keenon Ogden, The Stronach Group and Adena Springs, H.E. “Tex” Sutton Forwarding Company, Jackson Family Wines (Official Wine Sponsor of the 2017 TOBA National Awards Dinner), Tito’s Handmade Vodka, West Sixth Brewing (official beer sponsor of the 2017 TOBA National Awards Dinner), National HBPA, FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips, NTRA Advantage and John Deere, The Horse and BloodHorse LLC.

September 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, and Equine Sales Company. Click images to link to more information

September 2

  • Evangeline Downs, final day of 2017 Thoroughbred Meet

 

September 4

  • Labor Day

 

September  8

  • Backside Benevolent Fund at Louisiana Downs, Chaplains Awards Banquet. Horseshoe Casino. Cocktails 6-7. Dinner 7:30.  Tickets $40 each.  Reserved tables for 8 $320. Gold Tables $600. Contact Loretta Romero for tickets or more information. 318-746-6170

 

September 9

  • Super Derby Day, Louisiana Downs, Bossier City
  • National Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Assoc. (TOBA) Awards Banquet;
    Irwin Olian’s Tigertail Ranch to be honored as the recipient of the 2016 TOBA Award for the State of Louisiana.

 

September 23

  • A.L. Red Erwin Stakes, Louisiana Downs, Bossier City
  • Elge Rasberry Stakes, Louisiana Downs, Bossier City

 

September 27

  • Louisiana Downs, final day of 2017 Thoroughbred Meet

 

September 30

  • 2017-18 LTBA Regular Membership Applications and Renewals Due.  $75 before Sept. 30/$85 after Sept 30.

 

October 2

  • Louisiana Champions Day Early Bird Nominations are due

 

October 4

  • Fair Grounds 2017-18 Thoroughbred Stall Applications Due

 

October 5

  • Fairgrounds stalls open on backside.

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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