Month: April 2017

Equine Sales Company Now Accepting Consignments to the 2017 Consignor Select Yearling Sale

louisianathoroughbred

Equine Sales Company is now accepting consignments to the 2017 Consignor Select Yearling Sale to be held Thursday, August 31, 2017 in Opelousas, Louisiana. Consignment contracts are available for download by following this link:

2017 Consignor Select Yearling Sale Consignment Contract

 

 

REMINDER
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE UPCOMING
2017 TWO YEAR OLD IN TRAINING SALE WITH RACE AGE HORSES
SALE DATE: MAY 9, 2017
BREEZE SHOW: MAY 7, 2017

Young Sires Highlight Equine Sales Company 2-Year-Old Catalog Equine Sales Company has released a catalog of 67 head for its 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses of Racing Age Sale set for May 9 in Opelousas, Louisiana. The breeze show is scheduled for May 7.

While the catalog has a strong offering of established stallions, it also stands out for its selection of young sires with promising futures like Orb, Violence, Bullet Train, Power Broker, Jimmy Creed, Flashpoint, Data Link, Flat Out, To Honor and Serve, Tapizar, Point of Entry, Bind, Dialed In and Redding Colliery.

The catalog also includes many of the leading juvenile and overall sires in Louisiana, including Yankee Gentleman, Songandaprayer, Star Guitar, Custom for Carlos, D’Wildcat, Closing Argument and Run Production. Prominent national sires are also represented, including Tale of the Cat, Eskendereya, Dunkirk, Discreet Cat, Lookin at Lucky and El Corredor, a former leading stallion in Louisiana.

“The catalog is comprised mainly of Louisiana-breds, and that remains the main focus of the sale, but we also have some nice Kentucky-breds this year,” said Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “We are still accepting supplements, and I expect several more horses to be added in the coming weeks.”

All graduates of the sale will be eligible for the $75,000 Equine Sales Derby and $75,000 Equine Sales Oaks to be run in 2018 at Evangeline Downs.

For more information and to view the online catalog, go to
Equine Sales Company
or contact us EQUINE SALES COMPANY 337-678-3024

Nominations to Open for the Second Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

louisianathoroughbred

 

Nominations will open May 8 for the 2017 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards which were held in North America for the first time in 2016. Nominations can be submitted until Aug. 1. This year, there will be a total of six awards which will carry prize money of $128,000, an increase of $13,000 over last year.

Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the awards in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.

Godolphin also sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Ireland, Australia, Britain, and France.

Dan Pride, COO of Godolphin in America, said, “On behalf of Godolphin, we would like to thank everyone that made the first year of the TIEA a huge success, including the nominators. The involvement of The Jockey Club, the National HBPA and TOBA, as well as media support from BloodHorse, the TDN, Daily Racing Form, and TVG, was instrumental in bringing these awards to fruition. The first group of nominees were so impressive across the board and we fully expect to see that again this year. It’s heartwarming the hardworking men and women in our industry receive the recognition that they truly deserve.”

Dan Metzger, president of TOBA, commented, “To be in the audience as the awards were announced was a special moment for everyone in the room. It was a well-deserved acknowledgement of those dedicated employees who are often overlooked, but are so vital in making our industry a success.  We strongly encourage everyone to nominate deserving individuals they know who are doing their part to take care of our equine athletes.”

A new award category has been added, “The Newcomer Award,” which will recognize an individual who has been working in any area of Thoroughbred racing and/or breeding for less than five years as of May 8. In addition to the prize money for this award, the winner will also receive a five-day educational tour to Dubai with flights and accommodation included.

The Keeneland Association is honored to host the awards again this year which will take place Oct. 13.  Bill Thomason, president and chief executive officer of Keeneland, said, “Keeneland is privileged to be part of this very special program. These nominees are the true heroes of our industry and deserving of recognition for their commitment to excellence in racing.”

For more information and to nominate online, go to www.godolphinusawards.com.

Twelve Congressmen Sign Letter Urging Treasury To Enact Recently Proposed Tax Reporting, Withholding Regulations

louisianathoroughbred

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Wednesday, April 12, 2017) – Twelve members of Congress from a number of key racing states have signed a letter delivered to the Department of Treasury requesting that recently proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations relating to the way pari-mutuel winnings are calculated for tax withholding and reporting purposes be finalized as soon as possible.

The letter was in response to actions taken by the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in late December when the Treasury issued proposed regulations relating to withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel winnings. The 31-page Treasury document, entitled “Withholding on Payments of Certain Gambling Winnings,” accomplishes the goals championed by the NTRA nearly three years ago to modernize regulations related to pari-mutuel winnings. The proposed regulations will positively impact a significant percentage of winning wagers, particularly those involving multi-horse or multi-race wagers, and are expected to result in tens of millions of dollars in additional pari-mutuel wagering.

The proposed regulations 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 totalizator ticket if the wager is placed onsite or through a single account if the wager is placed electronically.

The letter, which garnered bipartisan support, was co-authored by Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) and Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA). The additional signatories are Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY), Rep. James Comer (R-KY), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Rep. Donald Norcross (R-NJ), Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA), Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), Rep. Thomas Rooney (R-FL), Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), and Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY).

“As you know, these regulations would update existing Treasury rules (Treas. Reg. Sec. 31-3402(q)-1) governing the reporting and withholding of certain pari-mutuel wagers. These rules have not been updated since the 1970s and we were pleased that Treasury responded to our requests to bring these regulations up to date,” the Congressmen wrote in a letter dated April 4, only days after a 90-day public comment period concluded. “The proposal better reflects the current pari-mutuel wagering environment and will lead to increased compliance while reducing burdensome paperwork, creating an overall system that will be more accurate and equitable for taxpayers.

“We look forward to these modernized rules being fully implemented and request that you act on this matter as quickly as practicable,” the letter concluded.

A copy of the full letter can be accessed at the following link: https://www.ntra.com/wp-content/uploads/2017.04.04-Treasury-Pari-Mutuel-Winnings.pdf

“There is widespread agreement that these newly proposed Treasury regulations will reduce burdensome paperwork while creating a new system that is more accurate and equitable for taxpayers,” said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. “Throughout this process, the issue has received bipartisan support from members of Congress and we thank Representatives Yarmuth and Meehan, along with the other co-signatories, for leading the effort to modernize these regulations related to pari-mutuel winnings.”

About the NTRA

The NTRA, based in Lexington, Ky., is a broad-based coalition of more than 100 horse racing interests and thousands of individual stakeholders consisting of horseplayers, racetrack operators, owners, breeders, trainers and affiliated horse racing associations, charged with increasing the popularity, welfare and integrity of Thoroughbred racing through consensus-based leadership, legislative advocacy, safety and integrity initiatives, fan engagement and corporate partner development. The NTRA owns and manages the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance, NTRA.com, the Eclipse Awards, the National Handicapping Championship, NTRA Advantage, a corporate partner sales and sponsorship program, and Horse PAC, a federal political action committee. NTRA press releases appear on NTRA.com, Twitter (@ntra) and Facebook (facebook.com/1NTRA).

Native Son Harry Connick Jr. to Perform National Anthem at Derby

louisianathoroughbred

Churchill Downs Racetrack has announced that multi-platinum recording artist Harry Connick Jr. will sing our national anthem at the 143rd Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) on Saturday, May 6, 2017.

The multiple Grammy and Emmy award-winning entertainer and host and executive producer of his own nationally syndicated entertainment show HARRY, will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” live for more than 160,000 fans at the Kentucky Derby. The performance will take place in the Kentucky Derby Winner’s Circle just after 5:00 p.m. EDT and be broadcast live as part of NBC’s Kentucky Derby coverage.

“We are excited for Harry Connick, Jr. to perform our national anthem for the millions of Derby fans across the globe,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “He’s one of the finest entertainers in the world and his performance will help make 2017 another great year at the Kentucky Derby.”

Harry Connick, Jr. has exemplified excellence in every aspect of the entertainment world. He has received recognition with multiple Grammy and Emmy awards as well as Tony nominations for his live and recorded musical performances, his achievements on screens large and small, and his appearances on Broadway as both an actor and a composer. The debut season of his new daytime TV Show HARRY was recently recognized with five Emmy nominations, including a nomination for best host.

Harry Connick Jr. is the ninth artist to perform the national anthem since Churchill Downs began the tradition in 2009.  Past artists who performed the national anthem are Lady Antebellum (2016), Josh Groban (2015), Jo Dee Messina (2014), Martina McBride (2013), Mary J. Blige (2012), Jordin Sparks (2011), Rascal Flatts (2010) and LeeAnn Rimes (2009).

Louisiana Native Hernandez Opts To Stick With McCraken in the Kentucky Derby

louisianathoroughbred

by

Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. is the regular rider for a pair of 3-year-old colts with enough points to enter the Kentucky Derby starting gate, and knew he would have to choose which to ride if both came through their final prep races without issue. According to drf.com, Hernandez ultimately made the decision to stick with the Ian Wilkes-trained McCraken, despite the son of Ghostzapper’s third-place finish in the G2 Blue Grass Stakes.

“It was a really, really tough decision because both trainers and owners have been extremely loyal to me throughout the year,” Hernandez told The Courier-Journal. “It was one of those decisions that took a whole lot of time and a whole lot of talking with my agent. And we went with McCraken.”

That left Girvin, winner of both the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby, without a rider for the first Saturday in May. Despite several light-hearted rumors that trainer Joe Sharp’s wife, the famed female jockey Rosie Napravnik, might come out of retirement to ride the son of Tale of Ekati, the mount will go to Hall of Famer Mike Smith (Napravnik intends to stay retired, according to her Twitter account).

 

Both McCraken and Girvin have only lost once in their respective careers, but McCraken is more likely to be one of the top choices for the Derby because of relatively slow finish times in Girvin’s Fair Grounds efforts. Take nothing away from Girvin: the lightly-raced colt has done nothing wrong and just keeps improving with each start.

That said, McCraken’s third-place effort in the Blue Grass may have some fans questioning their belief in the previously undefeated star. Based on Wilkes’ record, including derby winners Unbridled and Street Sense (during which time he served as assistant to trainer Carl Nafzger) and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Fort Larned, a sub-par effort prior to the big dance is nothing to be concerned about. Both Unbridled and Street Sense lost in the Blue Grass before winning the Derby, and Fort Larned finished third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup before winning the Classic.

Jockey Club Publishes Instructional Microchip Video

louisianathoroughbred

The Jockey Club has produced and made available a three-minute instructional video that illustrates the implantation of microchips, which became a condition of registration starting with foals born in 2017 or later.

The video is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USJockeyClub/posts/1367410333345505
and directly at: https://vimeo.com/212142590.

It has also been tweeted at https://twitter.com/jockeyclub/status/851465724430348288.

THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO EVANGELINE DOWNS FOR 2017 SEASON

louisianathoroughbred

NEW RECEIVING BARN AND TOP-NOTCH JOCKEY COLONY READY TO GO

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – A long-standing Louisiana tradition returns as the 52nd season of Thoroughbred racing at Evangeline Downs will kick off on Wednesday night, April 12 with a nine-race program. It will be the first of 84 racing days for the 2017 season to be run on a Wednesday through Saturday weekly schedule. Post time each night will be 5:40 pm Central Time.

There will be a 24-race stakes schedule at Evangeline Downs in 2017 with purses totaling $1,695,000. The highlights of the stakes schedule include the $100,000 Evangeline Mile for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the main track on Saturday, June 3 and Louisiana Legends Night, which will be Saturday, July 8. Legends Night will feature eight stakes races restricted to Louisiana-breds with total purses for those eight races at $750,000.

Evangeline Downs horsemen will be able to use a new receiving barn this season. The new barn was constructed over the winter break and can house up to 70 additional horses on the grounds. New automated hotwalkers have also been installed in the barn area for the horsemen to take advantage of.

Louisiana has a strong history of producing excellent jockeys and the jockey colony at Evangeline Downs will definitely be one of the strengths of the 2017 season. Colby Hernandez is a native of the Lafayette, Louisiana area and he returns to Evangeline Downs this season to try and defend the riding title he won in 2016 with 90 victories from 420 starts. Hernandez is the brother of one of the top riders in the nation, Brian Hernandez, Jr., who won the 2017 Louisiana Derby aboard Girvin and also has another Kentucky Derby candidate in McCracken.

Racing is also a family affair for the Melancons. Father Gerard has long been one of the top riders at racetracks throughout Louisiana, winning 4,582 races in his career and over $78 million in purses. He finished fifth at Evangeline Downs in 2016 with 48 wins from 288 starts.  His son, Jansen, is one of the up-and-coming riders in the state as well. Jansen finished 14th in 2016 at Evangeline Downs with 17 wins from 218 starts and had a strong season at Delta Downs this winter, winning 20 races in 182 starts at the Vinton racetrack.

The Louisiana connection is also strong in the Evangeline Downs jockey colony with one of the finest young female jockeys in the country riding here in Ashley Broussard. Broussard finished fourth in the standings in 2016 with 71 wins from 417 starts. Broussard also finished second to Diego Saenz at Delta Downs this winter. Saenz will be part of the excellent Evangeline Downs jockey colony as well.

There are two Louisiana legends that will be riding at Evangeline Downs with Kerwin “Booboo” Clark and Steve “Boudin” Bourque on the grounds this season. Clark has been riding for 40 years and has won 3,016 races and over $52 million in purses. Bourque has won 4,053 races in his lengthy career with over $35 million in earnings. In fact, Bourque passed the 4,000 win milestone last season at Evangeline Downs, getting that historic victory aboard Space Book on July 27, 2016.

One name that will be new to the jockey colony at Evangeline Downs is Tim Thornton. Thornton is a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana, but has made his name racing in other jurisdictions, most notably Illinois. He returned to Louisiana this winter and had success at Delta Downs, finishing sixth in the standings with 52 wins from 232 starts. Thornton will begin the Evangeline Downs season as the main rider for the 2016 leading trainer, Karl Broberg.

Broberg is a perennial candidate for leading trainer honors at Evangeline Downs. He won the title for the 2016 season with 49 victories from 191 starters. However, the 2017 season certainly will present some challengers to the crown, as Efren Loza, Jr. is bringing a strong contingent of horses, as is J.R. Caldwell. Loza trained Fear The Cowboy to a win in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile in 2016 and posted a remarkable 50% win percentage at Delta Downs this winter. Caldwell, who trains Grade 3 Super Derby and Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby winner, Texas Chrome, is currently in the top ten in the trainer’s standings at Oaklawn Park.

Silks Clubhouse will be open for each live racing night this season at Evangeline Downs and will feature a buffet offering many different dining options each night as well. On Wednesday and Thursday, the buffet will be offered for $12.99 per person, while the Friday and Saturday price will be $17.99 per person. The Friday and Saturday buffets will be offering a larger selection of items for patrons to dine on. Children are welcome in the Silks Clubhouse and the kids buffet price will be $6.99 each night.

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

 

 

About Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.  Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com.  Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.

Race Track Chaplaincy of America Founder Roberts Dies

louisianathoroughbred

 

Horace William “Salty” Roberts, founder of Race Track Chaplaincy of America, died April 7 in Hollywood, Fla., after a sustained illness. He was 85.

Roberts witnessed and experienced firsthand the needs of what he considered to be his family—the workers who care for horses on a daily basis on the backside of racetracks. Following a spiritual conversion, he began ministering to track workers in 1968. Roberts took the first step toward establishing the first recognized worship services on the backside of a Thoroughbred race track in 1970.

His efforts spread to other tracks and led to the establishment of the RTCA in 1972. From that early beginning, the RTCA today supports 43 chaplains ministering at 36 tracks and training centers throughout the nation.

“Salty had a real burden on his heart for the people that he worked with,” said long-time friend Pat Day, a Hall of Fame jockey and currently president of the Kentucky chapter of RTCA. “He eagerly shared that burden by establishing a ministry to serve them right where they worked and often lived—on the backside of racetracks.”

“Countless lives and generations to come have been and will be impacted by the Christ-centered work of Salty Roberts,” said Dan Waits, executive director of the RTCA. “We stand on his shoulders, and RTCA will continue to honor his legacy by carrying out the mission he established.”

“I never did become a top jockey or a leading trainer, but God has given me something better than all that,” Roberts once said. “He gave me the gift of salvation through his Son, and at the end of my life, when I hear him say, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant,’ I’ll know I’ve won my race. That’s the greatest honor I could ever receive.”

Roberts is survived by his wife Dallas, three sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Equine Sales Stakes to Run on Kentucky Derby Weekend at Evangeline Downs

louisianathoroughbred

Kentucky Derby weekend at Evangeline Downs will not only include the simulcast of the Run For The Roses from Churchill Downs, but also the Equine Sales Oaks on Friday, May 5 and the Equine Sales Derby on Saturday, May 6.

The Equine Sales Oaks is a restricted stake for 3-year-old Fillies which are sales graduates from any Equine Sales Company of Louisiana sale or have passed through the 2015 Louisiana Breeders Sale Company auction. The Equine Sales Oaks will run on Friday, May 5 at 1-1/16 miles on the main track.

The Equine Sales Derby is a restricted stake for 3-year-old Colts and Geldings which are sales graduates from any Equine Sales Company of Louisiana sale or have passed through the 2015 Louisiana Breeders Sale Company auction. The Equine Sales Derby will run on Saturday, May 6 at 1-1/16 miles on the main track.