Month: October 2017

The Jockey Club Releases 2017 Report of Mares Bred Statistics

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The Jockey Club has released Report of Mares Bred (RMB) statistics for the 2017 breeding season. Based on RMBs received through October 17, 2017, The Jockey Club reports that 1,342 stallions covered 31,863 mares in North America during 2017.

Based upon historical reporting trends, The Jockey Club estimates an additional 2,000 to 3,000 mares will be reported as bred during the 2017 breeding season.

The number of stallions declined 5.7% from the 1,423 reported at this time in 2016, and the number of mares bred decreased 5.6% from the 33,746 reported last year. The number of stallions covering 125 or more mares decreased from 64 in 2016 to 60 in 2017.

Further book size analysis shows a 3.3% decrease in the number of mares bred to stallions with a book size of 125 or more in 2017 when compared to 2016 as reported at this time last year; a 13.0% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 100 and 124; a 27.4% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 75 and 99; a 11.5% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 50 and 74; a 14.9% increase in mares bred to stallions with a book size between 25 and 49; and a 4.7% decrease in mares bred to stallions with a book size fewer than 25.

When comparing statistics based on reports received through the same day (October 17) from previous breeding seasons, the percentage of broodmares covered by large book size (125 or more) stallions increased from 19.3% in 2013 to approximately 29% in 2015 where it has remained over the past three seasons.

The proportion of stallions with book sizes of 125 or more mares grew from 2.6% in 2013 to 4.5% in 2015. It has remained constant at that rate over the past three breeding seasons.

 

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017
% stallions with book size >125

2.6%

3.1%

4.5%

4.5%

4.5%
% mares covered by stallions with book size >125

19.3%

20.5%

29.1%

28.7%

29.4%

Note: Statistics summarized as of October 17 of the breeding seasons indicated in the columns above; as reports of mares bred continue to be received, final statistics are subject to change.

RMB statistics for all reported stallions in 2017 are available through the Fact Book section of The Jockey Club’s website at jockeyclub.com.

The stallion Into Mischief led all stallions with 235 mares bred in 2017. Rounding out the top five by number of RMBs were Dialed In, 231; American Pharoah, 214; Uncle Mo, 204; and, Bodemeister, 192.

Kentucky traditionally leads North America in Thoroughbred breeding activity. During 2017, Kentucky’s 229 reported stallions covered 17,275 mares, or 54.2% of all of the mares reported bred in North America. The number of mares bred to Kentucky stallions decreased 2.7% percent compared with the 17,750 reported at this time last year.

Of the top 10 states and provinces by number of mares reported bred in 2017, Ontario, Pennsylvania and Indiana stallions covered more mares in 2017 than in 2016, as reported at this time last year. The following table shows the top 10 states and provinces ranked by number of mares reported bred in 2017:

State/Province

2016 Stallions

2017 Stallions

Pct. Change

2016 Mares Bred

2017 Mares Bred

Pct. Change
Kentucky

227

229

.88%

17,750

17,275

-2.68%
California

156

137

-12.18%

2,543

2,356

-7.35%
Florida

107

92

-14.02%

2,757

2,073

-24.81%
New York

55

58

5.45%

1,510

1,326

-12.19%
Louisiana

102

93

-8.82%

1,332

1,235

-7.28%
Ontario

38

38

0.00%

761

810

6.44%
Maryland

32

30

-6.25%

913

768

-15.88%
New Mexico

72

58

-19.44%

692

605

-12.57%
Pennsylvania

41

36

-12.20%

489

563

15.13%
Indiana

48

59

22.92%

386

554

43.52%

Note: Each incident in which a mare was bred to more than one stallion and appeared on multiple RMBs is counted separately. As such, mares bred totals listed in the table above may differ slightly from counts of distinct mares bred.

In addition, Report of Mares Bred information on stallions that bred mares in North America is available through report 36P or a subscription service at equineline.com/ReportOfMaresBred.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans and farms. It is the sole funding source for America’s Best Racing, the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing. You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.

Former racing executive Al Stall Sr. dies at 85

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By Marcus Hersh

Albert Stall Sr., a former longtime chairman of the Louisiana Racing Commission and a prominent Thoroughbred owner, died Sunday in New Orleans at 85. He was the father of four children, including the Breeders’ Cup Classic-winning trainer Al Stall Jr.

Al Stall Sr. was born in Cairo, Ill., but came to New Orleans with his family as a child. Stall’s father worked in the Louisiana oil fields, and Stall got into the oil business himself after becoming a geologist. Stall first went to the races at Fair Grounds as a teenager in New Orleans and quickly was smitten with the racing bug. He became chairman of the LRC in 1972 and during more than 20 years in that position helped introduce turf racing, Sunday racing, and exotics betting to Louisiana racetracks.

Stall had a long and successful career as a horse owner, winning many major races alone or in partnerships. His Lady Vi-E captured the 1970 Kentucky Oaks, and Combat Ready won the New Orleans Handicap in 1973.

Stall had been living with Alzheimer’s for more than a decade, according to Al Stall Jr., who said services were to be arranged Monday.

NUBIN RIDGE RALLIES TO CAPTURE THE $100,000 GOLD CUP AT DELTA DOWNS

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7-YEAR-OLD GELDING RIDDEN TO VICTORY BY JOCKEY ASHLEY BROUSSARD

 NUBIN RIDGE - Gold Cup-The 15th Running - 10-21-17 - R08 - DED-01

Gold Cup Stakes
Delta Downs, 10-21-17, 1 Mile
Three Year Old and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse $100,000

NUBIN RIDGE
Gold Tribute–So Sorry
Breeders: Neal McFadden & Mary McFadden
Owner: Circle H Farms
Trainer: Alan Klanfer
Jockey: Ashley Broussard

2nd
Sir Genghis
Tale of the Cat–Staria
Breeder: Randel Stutes
Owner: Gillian and Kirk L. Harris
Trainer: Kirk Harris
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

3rd
Underpressure
Birdstone–Charming Colleen
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: Mallory Greiner
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey: Diego Saenz

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $100,000 Gold Cup Stakes on Saturday night as the track closed out the first week of its new Thoroughbred season. The one-mile Gold Cup for Louisiana-breds was won by Circle H Farms’ Nubin Ridge under jockey Ashley Broussard.

After breaking from post five in a field of 10, Nubin Ridge settled into stride while stalking the early leaders through fractional times of 23.88 seconds for the quarter-mile, 48.47 for the half, and 1:13.01 for three-quarters. As the field turned for home Broussard gave her mount the cue and he responded by running down pacesetter Sir Genghis and winning by a half-length. Race favorite Underpressure finished another ¾ of a length behind in third.

Nubin Ridge, who is trained by Alan Klanfer, covered the eight furlongs in 1:39.65 over a fast track.

The win by Nubin Ridge was the 10th of his 60-race career. He earned $60,000 for the score and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $573,015.

Bred in Louisiana by Neal McFadden and Mary McFadden, Nubin Ridge is a 7-year-old gelding by Gold Tribute, out of the The Prime Minister mare So Sorry. He was purchased as a yearling in 2011 for $2,500.

Sent to the gate as the third choice of the wagering public, Nubin Ridge returned $14.20 to win, $8.60 to place and $5.40 to show. Sir Genghis paid $5.80 to place and $3.60 to show. Underpressure was worth $2.60 to show.

MR. AL’S GAL RECORDS IMPRESSIVE VICTORY IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA AT DELTA DOWNS

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3-YEAR-OLD FILLY NOTCHES HER SEVENTH WIN FROM NINE CAREER STARTS 

 MR AL'S GAL - Magnolia Stakes- 15th Running - 10-20-17 - R08 - DED-01

Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 10-20-17, 1 mile
Three Year Old and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies
Purse $100,000

MR. AL’S GAL
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice
Breeders: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer:  Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: D. Saenz

2nd
Pacific Pink
Private Vow-Truly Romantic
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez

3rd
Another Pinot
B. J.’s Mark-Pinot Pals
Breeders: Dr. Glen Warren DVM & Andy Leggio
Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: J.A. Guerrero

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and it was the 3-year-old filly Mr. Al’s Gal who came away the win in the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The tally marked her fifth stakes win and seventh victory overall from nine lifetime starts. The Justin Jeansonne trainee was ridden to victory by Diego Saenz.

After breaking sharply in the one-mile headliner, Mr. Al’s Gal volleyed for the lead with Another Pinot until the pair hit the top of the homestretch. The duo carved out fractional times of 24 seconds for the quarter-mile, 50.19 for the half, and 1:15.78 for three-quarters before Mr. Al’s Gal began to pull away in the final furlong. That’s when race favorite Pacific Pink came storming from well behind but could not get to the winner and had to settle for second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths. Another Pinot held on for third another half-length behind the top pair.

Mr. Al’s Gal, who is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., covered the eight furlongs of the Magnolia in a time of 1:42.18 while racing on a track listed as muddy.

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Neal McFadden, Mr. Al’s Gal is a daughter of Salute the Sarge out of the Spanish Steps mare Spanish Ice. She was purchased at the bargain basement price of just $1,000 as a yearling in 2015.

Sent to the gate as the second choice of the wagering public, Mr. Al’s Gal returned $4.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Pacific Pink was worth $2.40 to win and $2.10 to show. Another Pinot paid $4.20 for the show spot.

Louisiana Champions Day Early Bird Nominations

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Horses that have been nominated to Louisiana Champions Day through the Early Bird Nomination Deadline of October 2, 2017 have been posted to the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association website and can be found by clicking on the following link: Louisiana Champions Day Nominations

Final Nomination Deadline is November 15, 2017. For nomination form click here.

Louisiana Champions Day will be run Saturday, December 9, 2017 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

Free Online Course Offered on Colic Prevention

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Three-week online course will run this winter from Jan. 22-Feb. 11.

Health & Colic Prevention’ online course to the first 50 grooms and trainers to register from each racing sector in Ontario: Standardbred, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The three-week online course will run this winter from January 22 – February 11, 2018 on Equine Guelph’s new online training platform, The Horse Portal.

According to the 2016 Equine Guelph Horse Racing Industry Survey, gut issues were ranked as the number three health issue behind respiratory issues and injuries. Not only is colic the number one killer of horses, but it is a major issue facing the horse racing industry. Excessive amounts of grain in the diet and forage variation are thought to contribute to an increased risk of colic and other gut issues. Changes in stabling, exercise level and stress may also cause an increased risk of colic.

“Educating the horse racing community on how to reduce the risk of colic and gut issues will be extremely valuable to grooms and trainers,” says Hugh Mitchell, Chair of Ontario Racing. He adds, “This training will also benefit the health and well-being of the elite equine athletes as well.”

The three-week online short course will be flexible and practical with content appropriate for the racing industry. The course will be delivered from respected experts from the horse racing community. For the first time, trainers and grooms from the three sectors will come together in discussion groups to share expertise and experience with each other.

“Offering the ‘Gut Health & Colic Prevention’ course at no charge will be an appealing way to engage the racing community to try out flexible, online learning on The Horse Portal,” says Gayle Ecker, director of Equine Guelph.

To register, go to www.TheHorsePortal.ca/OntarioRacing and apply the appropriate coupon code for the free course valued at $95. Registration for the 150 free courses will be administered on a first-come-first-served basis to the first 50 trainers and grooms from each sector.

This program is an online training partnership between Ontario Racing and Equine Guelph, with funding provided by Grand River Agricultural Society. Project partners include: Central Ontario Standardbred Association, The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario, Ontario Harness Horse Association, Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario Inc. and Standardbred Canada. The online course is sponsored by Intercity Insurance Services Inc. and Capri Insurance Services Ltd.

EQUINE SALES COMPANY 2017 OPEN YEARLING & MIXED SALE, Sunday, October 15, 2017

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Sale and webcast will begin at 10:00 AM

Equine Sales Company will hold its 2017 Open Yearling and Mixed Sale, Sunday, October 15, 2017 beginning at 10:00 a.m. in Opelousas, Louisiana.

With supplements to the original catalog, a total of 221 head will be offered. Among the sires represented in the yearling session are Justin Phillip, Lookin at Lucky, Custom for Carlos, Songandaprayer, Half Ours, Guilt Trip and Star Guitar. Many of those same stallions are also represented among the in-foal offerings. The sale will begin with the yearlings followed by the mixed session.

The sale catalog as well as the supplements are  now online, and the auction will be live-streamed at www.equinesalesofla.com. Sale and webcast will begin at 10:00 AM

For more information visit the Equine Sales website:  www.equinesalesofla.com
or contact:
Equine Sales Company
337-678-3024 or email:  sales@equinesalesofla.com.

 

DELTA DOWNS SET TO BEGIN 2017-18 THOROUGHBRED SEASON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

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– 84-DAY MEETING RUNS THROUGH MARCH 10 –

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will kick off its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Wednesday, October 18. The 84-day stand will feature live racing Wednesdays through Saturdays with first post time set for 5:30 pm each night.

This year Delta Downs will offer a stakes schedule that features 24 races and at total of $1.975 million in total purse money. The stakes activity kicks off on opening weekend with the $100,000 Magnolia on Friday night and the $100,000 Gold Cup on Saturday. The Magnolia is a one-mile affair for fillies and mares 3-year-old and up and the Gold Cup is also an eight-furlong race for horses 3-year-olds and older. Both races are restricted to Louisiana-bred runners.

The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, February 10 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The exciting card will feature some of the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes races worth total purse money of $895,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship.

The leading horsemen from last year at Delta Downs are expected to vie for top honors once again this year. Diego Saenz will be seeking his fourth leading rider title while Karl Broberg will compete for this seventh consecutive leading trainer title during the meet. Broberg has been the leading trainer in North America for three straight years and currently leads all conditioners in 2017 with nearly 400 winners thus far.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

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.

 

Louisiana Breds Exceed OBS Select Yearling Average

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Louisiana-breds continue to show their strong marketability on the national level as four Louisiana-breds sold through the OBS Select Yearlings Session on Tuesday, October 10. Three of the four sold above the average of $45,247 for the session, with one bringing $75,000 and two selling for $50,000 each. Together the average of the four, $49,750 was above the session average.

 

Hip# 186, a colt by New Year’s Day-Moon Larry colt was purchased for $75,000 by Redwings Enterprises for $75,000. Select Sales, agent was the consignor. G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile winner New Year’s Day is ranked among the leading first crop sires in North America. The dam is a stakes placed half sister to stakes winner Why Wear Shoes.

 

Hip# 85 a colt by Strong Mandate-Carson Copy was purchased by Big D Stable purchased from the Pelican State Thoroughbreds, agent consignment for $50,000. The colt is from the first crop of G1 stakes winning, Breeders Cup Juvenile placed Strong Mandate. The dam, who has produced three winners from as many runners, is an unraced daughter of Carson Copy and a half sister to stakes winner, Shezacrazygirl.

 

Hip# 129, a Star Guitar-Geiger Geisha colt sold for $50,000 with EQB, Inc., Patrice Miller, Agent signing the ticket. The colt, by Louisiana’s all time top money earner and current leading second crop sire, is a half brother to stakes winner My Friend Flavin and a ¾ brother to 2017 juvenile stakes winner Aceguitar.

 

Additionally Hip# 168. Sallee Sumthing, a filly by Sum of the Parts-LaSalle Glory was purchased for $24,000 by Jason Hall, agent. Select Sales, agent was the consignor.

 

Former United Tote Employee Charged With Extortion; Allegedly Stole Social Security Numbers

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by

 

A Kentucky man who formerly worked for Churchill Downs Inc.’s bet processing company, United Tote, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on extortion charges.

Ethan C. Fey has been charged in United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky in Louisville with one count of Hobbs Act extortion and one count of possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices.

According to an indictment unsealed when he was taken into custody on Aug. 30, Fey allegedly had “previously stolen personally-identifying information” of a company’s clients and “on or about June 5, 2017, he threatened to release that information unless the company paid Ethan C. Fey 50 bitcoins.”

Count two of the indictment alleges Fey, between June 8, 2016, and June 5, 2017, “knowingly and with intent to defraud, possessed more than 15 Social Security numbers of different customers of a company, operating in interstate commerce, said possession affecting interstate commerce, in that Ethan C. Fey threatened to release the Social Security numbers to the public unless the company agreed to pay Ethan C. Fey 50 bitcoins.”

The name of the company was not disclosed in the indictment. The alleged crimes took place in Louisville, Ky.

Bitcoins are a digital currency described by Bloomberg as the “currency of choice for hacker blackmailers who steal huge amounts of sensitive data.” Fifty bitcoins is currently estimated to be worth approximately $230,000.

According to his profile on the Linkedin social network, Fey was a senior operator for United Tote from July 2014 until sometime in 2016. Prior to that, the profile says, he was a United Tote operator at Churchill Downs-owned Fair Grounds in Louisiana from October 2012-July 2014; a United Tote hub operator from September 2010-October 2012; and a member of the Churchill Downs simulcast department from 2004-2010. Churchill Downs Inc. acquired United Tote in 2010 as part of a deal to purchase the advance deposit wagering company Youbet.com.

An alumni page for Colorado Technical University in Colorado Springs, Colo., also lists Fey as having worked for United Tote. His Linkedin profile says he earned a bachelor’s degree at Colorado Technical University in cyber/computer forensics and counterterrorism.

In addition to United Tote, Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs racetrack, Churchill Downs Inc. owns the TwinSpires advance deposit wagering company – which is a customer of United Tote – and the online gaming company Big Fish Games. TwinSpires previously suffered a security breach in 2012. Big Fish Games reported in 2015 that some customer payment information may have been intercepted after malware was installed on certain pages.

Fey was released on his own recognizance after an Aug. 30 court appearance in which he pleaded not guilty. A trial has been scheduled for Nov. 6, 2017, with Judge David J. Hale presiding. Fey faces up to 20 years in prison on count one and 10 years on count two with fines up to $250,000 on each count.