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The Jockey Club reported, September 21, that 1,863 stallions covered 36,045 mares in North America during 2016, according to statistics compiled through Sept. 13, 2017. These breedings have resulted in 21,624 live foals of 2017 being reported to The Jockey Club on Live Foal Reports.
The Jockey Club estimates that the number of live foals reported so far is approximately 90 percent complete. The reporting of live foals of 2017 is down 1.7 percent from last year at this time when The Jockey Club had received reports for 21,991 live foals of 2016. In addition to the 21,624 live foals of 2017 reported through Sept. 13, The Jockey Club also received 2,467 No Foal Reports for the 2017 foaling season. Ultimately, the 2017 registered foal crop is projected to reach 22,500. The number of stallions declined 3.1 percent from the 1,923 reported for 2015 at this time last year, while the number of mares bred declined 2.5 percent from the 36,964 reported for 2015. The 2016 breeding statistics are available alphabetically by stallion name through the Resources – Fact Book link on The Jockey Club homepage at jockeyclub.com. “It is important to note that the live foals reported in The Jockey Club breeding statistics are by conception area and do not represent the state in which a foal was born,” said Matt Iuliano, executive vice president and executive director, The Jockey Club. “Breeding statistics also are not a representation of a stallion’s fertility record.” Kentucky annually leads all states and provinces in terms of Thoroughbred breeding activity. Kentucky-based stallions accounted for 49.7 percent of the mares reported bred in North America in 2016 and 57.3 percent of the live foals reported for 2017. The 17,912 mares reported bred to 245 Kentucky stallions in 2016 have produced 12,396 live foals, a 1.7 percent increase on the 12,184 Kentucky-sired live foals of 2016 reported at this time last year. The number of mares reported bred to Kentucky stallions in 2016 increased 1.8 percent compared to the 17,598 reported for 2015 at this time last year. Among the 10 states and provinces with the most mares covered in 2016, only three produced more live foals in 2017 than in 2016 as reported at this time last year: Kentucky, California, and Maryland. The following table shows the 10 states and provinces, ranked by number of state/province-sired live foals of 2017 reported through Sept. 13, 2017.
The statistics include 394 progeny of stallions standing in North America but foaled abroad, as reported by foreign stud book authorities at the time of publication.
The report also includes 92 mares bred to 25 stallions in North America on Southern Hemisphere time; the majority of these mares have not foaled. As in years past, a report of mares bred will be released in October. |
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Year: 2017
Fair Grounds to Host 57 Stakes Worth $6.69 Million in 146th Thoroughbred Season
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a comprehensive stakes schedule with 57 stakes worth more than $6.69 million for the 146th Thoroughbred racing season at the New Orleans oval. Opening Day is slated for Saturday, Nov. 18 and will include four overnight stakes.
The stakes schedule will mirror several past seasons with a major focus on big event days, including the meet’s centerpiece, Louisiana Derby Day, which will again include eight stakes worth $2.36 million, highlighted by the 105thrunning of the Grade II $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on March 24. The Grade II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the Grade II $400,000 New Orleans Handicap and the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial will also be run the same day along with four additional undercard stakes.
Leading into the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds will also host a pair of major stakes days designed as part of The Road to the Kentucky Derby, beginning with Road to the Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone on Jan. 13. The Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes will be the first race on the Fair Grounds stakes schedule to offer qualifying points for the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The Grade III $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes will complement the afternoon’s action alongside three other undercard stakes.
Five weeks later on Feb. 17, the track will host Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford Lincoln. The day’s highlight will be the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes that will offer qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and will also include the Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap and the Grade III $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap.
Another mainstay on the Fair Grounds Stakes Schedule, Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance Service, will be held for the 27th time on Dec. 9. The day will feature 11 stakes races across varying divisions restricted to Louisiana-breds worth a total of $1.1 million.
Two new overnight stakes races will be held in honor of local mainstays who passed away in 2017. The $50,000 Richard R. Scherer Memorial Overnight Stakes will be held Dec. 2 for fillies and mares at 5½ furlongs on the turf, and the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Overnight Stakes will be run at the same distance for older fillies and mares on March 10.
The complete 2017-2018 stakes schedule can be found at: https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-wagering/stakes.
FINAL TWO STAKES OF THE HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS 2017 THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON TO BE RUN ON SATURDAY
Bossier City, LA –The final two stakes of the Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs, the $75,000 Elge Rasberry and the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin, will be run on Saturday, September 23. Both stakes are written for 3-year-old graduates of the Louisiana-bred Sale and will be run at the distance of one mile on the Franks Turf Course.
Bermuda Star Leads the Field in the $75,000 Elge Rasberry
The 23rd running of the $75,000 Elge Rasberry drew a field of 12 fillies. Bermuda Star, owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., is the 6-5 morning line favorite. Trained by Victor Arceneaux, she has won three of her six starts this year, most notably the Equine Sales Oaks on May 5 at Evangeline Downs. Sired by Star Guitar, the gray filly will be ridden by Diego Saenz, who piloted three stakes winners on Super Derby Day.
“She’s only run once on the turf, but won the race easily,” said Arceneaux. “Diego didn’t even push her.”
Chases Dixie Belle, winner of the 2016 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies for owner Bobby Salome, is also entered. The daughter of My Pal Charlie prepped for this stakes in an allowance on September 11. Trainer Charles Hukill will give a leg up to jockey Aubrie Green. She will break from post position six as the 4-1 second choice.
Louisiana Downs leading trainer Joey Foster will saddle Big Game Baby, a Gold Tribute filly who has two wins this meet. Owned by Eat My Dust LLC, Big Game Baby ran fifth in the Opelousas Stakes on Louisiana Cup Day. Gerardo Mora, the meet’s top jockey, has the call.
The Elge Rasberry will run as race 5, The field, in post position order, with riders, from the rail is:
Swifty Cat, Emanuel Nieves; Bless d’Cat, Williams Naupac; Tinkerbella, Tim Thornton; Sabe Marcelete, Kevin Smith; Our Sweet Syndi, Gerard Melancon; Chases Dixie Belle, Aubrie Green; Debbyz Wingz, Jose Guerrero; Casual Cool, Jansen Melancon; Blessed Song, Alfredo Contreras; Bermuda Star, Diego Saenz and Big Game Baby, Gerardo Mora.
Magic Vow Gives Turf Another Try in the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin
Colts and geldings will compete in the second feature of the afternoon, the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin.
Trainer Allen Landry conditions Magic Vow, the high-earner in the 12-horse field. The son of Private Vow out of the Broad Brush mare Whitewashed has earned $206,500 for Brittlyn Stable, Inc. This will be the second turf start for the bay gelding, who ran a game third to Super Derby champion Mr. Misunderstood in the August 5 Super Derby Prelude.
“There’s no shame in running third to a horse who is undefeated on the turf,” said Landry. “Boo Boo” (jockey Kerwin Clark) said he ran a little green the first time on the grass, but thinks he will improve on Saturday. He fits him well.”
Landry ran second in last year’s edition of the stakes with He’s a Lady Tamer, who left the gates at odds of 26-1 with jockey Steve Bourque in the irons.
Fee Do brings a three-race win streak into this one-mile turf stakes. Owned by Keith Plaisance, the gelded son of Forefathers has risen up the ranks from claiming to the allowance level nicely for trainer Edwin J. Johnston. The second choice in the morning line, at 7-2, will break from post position 11 in his stakes debut with jockey Emanuel Nieves aboard.
Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds LLC’s homebred Culp’s Hill will make his stakes debut for Joey Foster. The son of Eddington has won three races this meet, and prepped for this with a gate-to-wire turf allowance victory on August 23. Rider Tim Thornton has the call.
“He may be in a little deep, but gives a solid effort every time he runs,” said Foster.
The field for the A. L. (Red) Erwin, from the rail is: Magic Vow, Kerwin Clark; Tigerstorm, Alexander Castillo; Culp’s Hill, Tim Thornton; Paddy O’Lionel, Gerardo Mora; Fireblaster, Diego Saenz; Im a Cowboy Too, Arturo Aparicio; Score’s Choice, Aubrie Green; Jack Snipe’s, Denny Velazquez; Calmack, Jarred Journet; Impressive Student, Gerard Melancon; Fee Do, Emanuel Nieves and Drewmisterio, Roberto Morales.
Louisiana Downs Trainer and Jockey Standings
Through September 18, last year’s leading trainer Joey Foster continues to hold a commanding lead over his fellow conditioners with 62 wins. H. B. Johnson is second with 26 wins to date and Ronnie Ward is in sole possession of third place with 18 wins. Sarah Delany follows in fourth; she has each saddled 15 winners.
Gerardo Mora has taken the lead in the jockey standings with 71 wins. Aubrie Green continues her strong showing and has moved into second place with 60 trips to the winner’s circle. Richard Eramia, who was on top for much of the season before he departed to ride at Remington Park, is third with 59 victories. Jose Guerrero rounds out the top four with 51 wins.
The very tight battle for leading owner honors continues with Jorge Gomez on top with 11 wins. Red Rose Racing follows closely with ten wins and Patti Turner, Beverly Burress, Jamie C. Pastor and Anthony Faulk have each won nine races each in the 2017 Thoroughbred meet.
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 |
Nearly 200 Head Consigned to Equine Sales’ Open Yearling and Mixed Sale
(Opelousas, Louisiana — September 19, 2017) — A catalogue of 195 head has been released for the Equine Sales Company Open Yearling and Mixed Sale. Approximately 10 late supplements are being added, which will bring the total catalogue to more than 200. The auction will be held Sunday, October 15, at 10 a.m. in Opelousas, Louisiana.
The auction will start with an offering of 73 yearlings followed by a mixed session with 122 head. The mixed session includes 31 weanlings and six 2-year-olds along with broodmares, a stallion and horses of racing age.
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.
“We had a very good select yearling sale in August, so I think that momentum will continue with this one,” said Sales Director Foster Bridewell. “This catalogue has something for everyone in all price ranges, and we expect to have some new buyers who couldn’t make it to our last sale due to Hurricane Harvey.”
To view the catalog, go to www.equinesalesofla.com.
Major Gain to Stand at Indian Creek
Grade 3 winner Major Gain has been purchased by Mark and Ashley Dison and will stand the 2018 breeding season at their Indian Creek Farms in Spearsville, Louisiana.
The 10-year-old son of More Than Ready entered stud in 2016 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in New York before moving to Nicks Farm in Indiana for the 2017 Season. His first crop will be yearlings of 2018.
Major Gain won three of 21 starts during his on-track career, including the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity; he earned $161,115 as a homebred for Gary and Mary West. He also finished third in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.
Major Gain is out of Grade 3-placed stakes-winning Old Trieste mare Dream Lady, whose three foals to race are all winners. He is a full brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Room Service and a half-brother to Grade 2-placed stakes winner Oscar Party. The extended family includes Argentine classic winner Zapata and Grade 3 winner Lilly Capote.
Major Gain will stand for an advertised fee of $1,000. The first ten approved mares will receive a free breeding.
Irwin Olian, 2017 Louisiana TOBA Award Recipient
Each year, TOBA honors owners and breeders from 23 states and Canada. The 32nd annual National Awards Dinner was held on Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Calumet Farm in Lexington, Ky.
Irwin Olian was selected as the Louisiana TOBA award recipient.
Study Of Inflammatory Markers Leaves Researchers With More Questions About Predicting Racehorse Injury
by Natalie Voss | 09.14.2017 | 6:59pm
For years now, researchers have been searching for some kind of agent detectable in horses’ blood to warn them of an impending injury. Research presented by Dr. David Horohov of the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky at a recent Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council meeting shows the quest has continued to be a challenging one.
“The theory has been advanced that in fact, visible injury is a result of chronic accumulation of damage that exceeds the healing capacity of the tissue. And indeed, the whole process of conditioning an animal is actually one of breaking down and rebuilding tissue so that it’s stronger,” said Horohov. “If we could identify techniques to tell when that process has become imbalanced, where there is weakness rather than strength, we could begin identifying horses in advance.”
Initially, Horohov said scientists wanted to look for cytokines – biological message-carriers – associated with damage to bone and cartilage. This proved challenging because bones are constantly in a cycle of breaking down and building up in response to exercise. It is the remodeling process that prepares an equine (or human) skeleton to hold up to future impacts, based on past experience. This approach also did not seem sensitive enough and might miss other types of stress in the body, so Horohov set out to study the behavior of cytokines related to inflammation.
These messengers would be aware the body was recruiting inflammatory cells to deal with an injury but would not be involved in the inflammatory process themselves. Theoretically, he thought, low levels of inflammatory cytokines should indicate some degree of normal response to training, while high amounts might be a sign the body was not adjusting to the stress of training, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Between 2015 and 2016, Horohov and his team studied two groups with a total of 130 horses over two years: one group, scattered across different trainers, at Keeneland‘s synthetic training track, and another group on a lighter workout program (working on turf once per week) on a nearby farm. The results were somewhat surprising.
Immediately after exercise, horses typically have an increase in inflammatory biomarkers, which come back down over time and usually go below their original level – thought to be a sign the horses’ tissues were adjusting to exercise. Horohov’s group did find a difference between the horses at the track and those trained on the farm – over time, horses training on the track saw their base level inflammatory index increase, rather than decrease.
“To us, this raises more questions than it answers,” he said.
Horohov said it was impossible to tell whether the increase in inflammatory index was a sign of an increased risk for injury, or if it was simply a normal response to training. Both groups of horses had just begun the process of breezing.
Horohov also hopes in the future, the study of inflammatory cytokines could be finessed to predict specific types of injuries.
Besides the somewhat puzzling results, studies like this one are challenging because in order to get a group of horses in a true racetrack setting, scientists must give up control of the horses’ environments. Across the group of 130 horses studied, many were with different trainers and different feeding programs (including different supplements); those on the farm were getting turnout, while those at the track were not. It’s difficult to draw broad conclusions when variables like these place horses in mini sub-groups.
“One of the problems, too, about sampling horses is they leave,” said Horohov. “You get something you’re really interested in, you go back and they’re not there anymore.”
Horohov estimated about 25 percent of horses came up with some kind of lameness during the study period, but they were split between so many different trainers and programs it was impossible to say with certainty whether their cytokine levels rose before their lamenesses, or when.
From here, Horohov’s team hopes to expand the study to try to minimize some of these variables and to see whether an exaggerated inflammatory response does, indeed, preempt injuries.
Study Suggests Need For Another Revision To Uniform Drug Guidelines
by Natalie Voss | 09.14.2017 | 12:48pm
Recommended withdrawal guidelines for detomidine, commercially known as Dormosedan, may face review after a recent study suggested horses could test positive while adhering to the guidelines. The current guideline from the Racing Medication Testing Consortium suggests the threshold for a positive be set at 2ng/ml in urine and 1 ngl/ml in blood, with the recommended withdrawal for a 5 mg intravenous dose set at 48 hours.
Detomidine is a relatively short-acting sedative with some analgesic properties and may be used to reduce stress during medical procedures or travel, or in hospital settings.
Recently, the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council funded a study to examine the behavior of a 20 mg dose (given intravenously or intramuscularly), which some veterinarians say is also used in the field, depending upon the situation.
For tests of the drug using a blood sample, a 20 mg dose was well below the recommended threshold by 48 hours post-administration; in some cases the drug was almost undetectable. In the case of urine tests for detomidine however, several samples were over the threshold at 48 hours.
Unfortunately, the study was designed to stop at 48 hours post-administration, and therefore did not shed light on whether extending the window to 72 hours would be sufficient to avoid accidental positive tests.
“The dose that was investigated initially was a 5 mg dose. A lot of our veterinarians use a 5 mg dose. Dr. [Andy] Roberts and some other veterinarians wanted to know if they could use a 20 mg dose. It’s going to give a bigger effect,” he said. “Very few of these substances that affect the central nervous system have a dose that’s fixed. It’s a dose range, and I think it’s a legitimate question on Dr. Roberts’ part about using that 20 mg dose.”
Sams, who is a member of the RMTC’s Scientific Advisory Committee, said these types of revisions are to be expected as more information comes to light about different drugs and their behavior in horses. Unfortunately, there is a disparity between the public’s thirst for uniform regulations and the amount of time (and money) it takes to complete studies like this one, which ultimately highlights the need for more research.
“The process was moving very slowly years ago and the RMTC came under enormous pressure to move forward and have thresholds for all of these substances that veterinarians had identified. The future of the RMTC, I think, was on the line at that point,” Sams remembered. “We made some less-than-optimal choices with regard to doses, but veterinarians were involved in every step of the way.”
CHURCHILL DOWNS AND KEENELAND ANNOUNCE HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP TO PROPOSE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO NEW RACING FACILITIES IN CORBIN AND OAK GROVE, KENTUCKY
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) (“CDI”) and Keeneland Association, Inc. (“Keeneland”) announced today an historic partnership to propose the construction of two new state-of-the-art racing facilities. One will be in southeastern Kentucky in Corbin (Knox County), and the second will be in southwestern Kentucky in Oak Grove (Christian County). The proposed facilities will feature live horse racing and historical racing machines for guests from Kentucky and beyond.
To share the news, the two companies released a video featuring CDI Chief Executive Officer Bill Carstanjen, Keeneland President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Thomason, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association Executive Director Chauncey Morris and Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Marty Maline. “Horse racing is a $4 billion industry in the Commonwealth that creates thousands of jobs, strengthens our statewide economy and attracts millions of visitors from around the globe,” Carstanjen said. “Churchill Downs and Keeneland share a deep commitment to making Kentucky’s horse racing industry the very best version of itself, and the new racing facilities in Corbin and Oak Grove will help us achieve this by generating much needed funds to increase purses and breeders’ incentives.” “Keeneland is excited to partner with Churchill Downs on this initiative which builds upon our mission to strengthen the sport and create new opportunities for horsemen and fans,” Thomason said. “Not only will these racing facilities strengthen Kentucky’s vital horse industry, but just as importantly, they will positively impact the Commonwealth and the local communities by stimulating significant economic growth, generating hundreds of new jobs and enhancing tourism and hospitality.” Churchill Downs and Keeneland are working closely with the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet and other state and local officials on a number of incentives and necessary infrastructure improvements to bring the Corbin and Oak Grove facilities to fruition. “Corbin is thrilled to be a part of this historic venture between two of the horse racing industry’s most iconic names,” Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said. “The new racing facility will be a welcome addition to our city’s already long list of sites and attractions for local residents and visitors.” “We are proud of the significant investment Churchill Downs and Keeneland are committed to making in our community, and are excited to see the infusion of tourism, economic development and new jobs it will bring to Oak Grove and Christian County,” Oak Grove Mayor Bea Burt said. Each facility is contingent on receipt of an initial pari-mutuel racing license by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, and Churchill Downs and Keeneland are filing their applications with the commission today. “Churchill Downs and Keeneland have the support of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association as they move forward with their plans to bring two new racing facilities to our state,” Morris said. “The proposed facilities will benefit our industry and the Commonwealth as a whole through new jobs, greater revenues and more tourism.” “The Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association is excited for what this announcement means for our sport,” Maline said. “We represent more than 6,000 owners and trainers who depend on a strong racing industry, and we know this historic partnership will help draw the eyes of millions to Kentucky’s signature industry.” For more information, please watch this short video and visit www.historicpartnership.com.  Initial rendering of the proposed Corbin facility  Initial rendering of the proposed Oak Grove facility
About Churchill Downs Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) (“CDI”), headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is an industry-leading racing, gaming and online entertainment company anchored by our iconic flagship event—The Kentucky Derby. We are a leader in brick-and-mortar casino gaming with gaming positions in eight states, and we are the largest legal mobile betting platform for horseracing in the U.S., through our ownership of TwinSpires.com. We are also one of the world’s largest producers and distributors of mobile games through Big Fish Games, Inc. Additional information about CDI can be found online at www.churchilldownsincorporated.com. About Keeneland Association, Inc. |
Louisiana State Racing Commission Reinstates Piroplasmosis Testing Requirement
Effective October 4, 2017, The Louisiana State Racing Commission has reinstated the Piroplasmosis Testing requirement.
“Based on the recommendation of Dr. Cooley, Equine Medical Director for the Louisiana State Racing Commission, the Louisiana State Racing Commission hereby rescinds Directive No. 2014-01, and reinstates Piroplasmosis Testing as of October 4, 2017.”
Delta and Evangeline advise:
Effective Oct. 4, 2017, the LSRC has reinstated part B of LRC 35.I.1304 thus requiring all horses to have a negative Equine Piroplasmosis (EP) test, for Theileria equi taken within the past 12 months, prior to entering the confines of a racetrack or race in Louisiana.
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