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Month: August 2018

Breeders’ Cup Host Sites Announced Through 2021

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Breeders’ Cup officially announced Santa Anita Park, Keeneland, and Del Mar as the host sites for the next three editions of the World Championships.

In a press conference Aug. 17 at Santa Anita, it was announced the Arcadia, Calif., track would host the two-day event for a record-setting 10th time Nov. 1-2 in 2019. Keeneland, which hosted its first Breeders’ Cup in 2015, will welcome the 2020 edition Nov. 6-7. Del Mar—a first-time host in 2017—gets the event back Nov. 5-6 in 2021.

All three tracks planned press conferences Friday to announce Breeders’ Cup plans.

“Everybody knows how great Santa Anita is, so it’s never a question of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ for this place,” Breeders’ Cup president and CEO Craig Fravel said after the announcement Friday at Santa Anita. “Given the success of Del Mar and Keeneland, the same holds true for those.”

Churchill Downs is hosting the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Nov. 2-3, the ninth time the Louisville oval has put on the fall spectacle. With Friday’s announcement confirming a California-Kentucky rotation for the next three seasons, the two states will have combined to host 14 consecutive editions of the event.

“The Bluegrass served as the ideal backdrop for the 2015 Breeders’ Cup, and we could not be more excited to have Keeneland serve as the host of the 2020 edition of the World Championships,” said Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason. “Building on the success of the event for the industry and the community, we anticipate an even greater spectacle in 2020 and look forward to the Breeders’ Cup returning home once again.”

The last time the Breeders’ Cup was held at a track outside of Kentucky or California came in 2007, when Monmouth Park hosted the first year the event was expanded to a two-day format, and Fravel said Friday there is still interest from tracks outside of the two states.

“When I started in 2011, there was an option of two places, and there wasn’t anybody else in the mix to hold an event like this. One of the things we tried to do with Keeneland and Del Mar was to validate the different track model for holding the event, and that’s what happened,” Fravel said. “To me, we have greater and greater options going forward. We have inquiries from Laurel Park, who has made no secret of their interest, and our friends at Monmouth Park, now that they have sports wagering and some new dollars coming in … I think they’d like to be considered, and obviously we’ve talked about New York.

“I don’t think it’s going to be a static rotation. I hope to create an environment where people are wanting us to be there, asking us to be there, and doing what’s best for racing to encourage us to come.”

Tim Ritvo of The Stronach Group, which owns both Santa Anita and Laurel, said he would have liked for Laurel to be one of the three future sites but was hopeful for a 2022 bid for the Maryland track.

“We were hoping to get (Laurel) involved in this round, but we’re eager to make a strong bid for 2022,” Ritvo said. “We weren’t really ready yet, with the facility, but we had a great meeting yesterday about the build-out will look like, and the state is going to put together an advisory committee to give a really big push for 2022.”

Ritvo also said there will be $5 million in renovations at Santa Anita before the 2019 Breeders’ Cup, including new open-air suites in the grandstand and improvements to the upper levels of the clubhouse area. He said the upper-level grandstand suites would be like a “deck at your house, where you can sit and be casual.”

Regarding a potential Breeders’ Cup at a New York Racing Association track, Fravel said “capital improvements” would likely be required for a successful bid.

“I know they have a plan. It’s just the timing that’s unclear,” Fravel said. “I’m hopeful that within the next six months or so, we’ll have a clear picture of what their plan is. … There would have to be more concrete indications of what would happen and when. The experience, unfortunately, in New York is that best-laid plans get waylaid by factors outside of people’s control.”

KHRC Funds Catastrophic Injury Study at UK Gluck Center

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By Jenny Evans

 

LEXINGTON, Ky., (Aug. 17, 2018) – The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission recently voted unanimously to fund a project at the University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center examining inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers as early indicators for potential catastrophic (life-ending) injury in racehorses.

The occurrence of injuries in horses and jockeys during training and racing is a significant economic and welfare concern for the Thoroughbred industry. While there has been increased interest in the development of techniques to identify individual horses at risk for injury, these approaches have not been widely adopted.

“We have a method to detect inflammation in horses and are proposing to determine its utility in the early detection of an impending catastrophic injury,” said Allen Page, principal investigator and scientist/veterinarian at the Gluck Equine Research Center.

Scientists have made multiple attempts to use biomarkers as indicators of injury, but the data thus far has shown this isn’t reliable. Instead, researchers will rely on measuring mRNA, or the precursors to proteins, from circulating white blood cells.

“Our theory is that these cells pass by areas of bone or soft-tissue damage, which are activated by the damage, and begin producing inflammatory or anti-inflammatory mRNA, which we then measure,” Page explained. “Based on this, our hypothesis for the study is that those Thoroughbred racehorses that experience a catastrophic injury while racing will have evidence of increased inflammation when compared to non-injured horses.”

Researchers in the two-year, $164,488 study, titled “Inflammation in Catastrophically Injured Thoroughbreds,” have been collecting samples since January with the help of multiple state and local racing jurisdictions. Page recently spoke with regulatory racing veterinarians to encourage additional participation in the study, as the ultimate goal is to sample 150 catastrophically injured horses, as well as approximately 1,000 non-injured horses, from across North America.

“By using non-injured horses from the same race, as well as horses in the general racing population, we anticipate identifying patterns of inflammation which may be indicative of a specific injury type,” said David Horohov, co-principal investigator, Gluck Equine Research Center director and Department of Veterinary Science chair. “This may then be of use in the future to help identify horses that need additional examination before a race.”

Page said, while there has been a significant amount of work in the past two decades to take large amounts of data and create models for determining risk factors for racehorse injuries, those models are not being used on a widespread basis yet.

“It’s exciting to think that a single blood sample may be all we need to help identify an individual at-risk horse as we work with the racing industry to further improve the safety and welfare of these incredible athletes,” Page said.

The mission of the Gluck Center, a UK Ag Equine program in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses. The Gluck Center faculty conducts equine research in seven targeted areas: genetics and genomics, immunology, infectious diseases, musculoskeletal science, parasitology, pharmacology/toxicology and reproductive health. Their continuing efforts build upon a tradition of excellence in equine research dating back to 1915. For more information on the Gluck Center, visit http://gluck.ca.uky.edu.

 

JOCKEY EMANUEL NIEVES SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Native of Puerto Rico in Pursuit of His First Leading Rider Title

 

Bossier City, LA – Emanuel Nieves is a young rider with a tremendous work ethic coupled with plenty of skill in the saddle. He is 25-years-old, but many people mistake him for a teenager. However, he is quietly earning the respect of many horsemen and horseplayers in Louisiana with his versatile riding style and well-timed finishes.

 

Born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, a municipality south of San Juan, Nieves had an opportunity to attend Puerto Rico’s Escuela Vocational Hipica, the famed jockey school with a noted list of graduates that have reached the top ranks in North America.

 

“It is a two-year program and I was there at the same time as Jose Ortiz,” said Nieves. “His brother Irad was there the year before and I got to know them both. They are really good people.”

 

In 2012, Nieves made his United States debut at Finger Lakes in New York. He rode his first winner on December 5, guiding Wachiwi to victory in a $9,000 claiming race. Louisiana-based agent Angel Cordero called him and offered to take his book at Delta Downs, so he headed south and has ridden at each of the four Louisiana racetracks in the past six years.

 

Last year, Nieves got the call from respected former rider and jockey agent Ronald Ardoin encouraging him to come to Louisiana Downs.

 

“I was doing well at Evangeline Downs, and still ride there on my days off,” said Nieves. “Ronald has such good relationships with horsemen, I felt it would be a good move.”

 

Last year, Nieves won 47 races, finishing sixth in the standings. He is the current leading jockey with 56 wins, seven more than last year’s top rider, Gerardo Mora.

 

Nieves has not had a slew of stakes wins at Louisiana Downs, but scored with Sunny Oak last year in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.

 

Two weeks ago, he guided Cabo’s Rumor owned by Northpointe Thoroughbreds to victory in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenilefor Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings.   The son of Amanecer de Oro ran fourth to the highly regarded Pickett in the D S Shine Futurity last month at Evangeline Downs and Nieves felt he and his mount learned from that stakes foray.

 

“He’s a pretty nice baby,” stated Nieves. “He didn’t like the dirt hitting him at Evangeline, so in the Louisiana Downs stakes, I tried to keep him clear of the field. At the 3/8th pole, I asked him and he responded perfectly.”

 

Nieves appreciates the hard work of his agent in getting him an abundance of quality mounts. He rides for a multitude of trainers including Joey Foster, Al Stall, Jr., Karl Broberg, H. B. Johnson, Joe Duhon, Beverly Burress, Jose Camejo, Sarah Delany, Tommy Ives and Michael McEachern.

 

On Monday’s card, Nieves rode three winners for three different barns, including a game victory in the fourth aboard Pickett’s Deelite ($17.60) for trainer Joey Foster.

 

Foster knows Nieves well and is a prominent supporter of the young rider.

 

“Every day he shows up at the barn, even on his days off.” explained Foster. “He has an excellent work ethic; he’s polite and very professional.”

 

This would be the first leading rider title for Nieves, and Foster is optimistic that it will come to fruition.

 

“He deserves it,” said Foster. “Emanuel might look like a kid, but sure doesn’t act like one. This is what he loves to do; we would all be happy to see him become the leading rider.”

 

With the Louisiana Downs meet continuing through September 27, Nieves is not over confident, but hopeful that he will win the first title of his career.

 

“It would be amazing and mean a lot,” said Nieves. “I could not have gotten this far without the support of a great team behind me. I work hard every day and am very thankful the opportunity to ride so many good horses.”

 

Nieves remains close to both Ortiz brothers and cites John Velazquez as another jockey he respects. Jose Ortiz, currently the #1 ranked rider in earnings, according to Equibase statistics, took time from his base in Saratoga to compliment Nieves.

 

“Emanuel is a great person and after two years at the Jockey School, he is like a brother to me,” said Ortiz. “He always wanted to help others and I am very proud of him!”

 

Noon Post Time Set for Super Derby Day

The Louisiana Downs racing office is preparing for their next big stakes day on Sunday, September 2. An early post time of 12:00 pm(Central) is planned for the Super Derby card. Nominations close on August 18 for the seven stakes, which include:

 

$60,000 Unbridled                                          3 YO & Up                             1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 River Cities                                       3 YO & Up F&M                    1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Happy Ticket                                    2 YO Fillies                             One Mile (T)

$60,000 Sunday Silence                                 2 YO                                       One Mile (T)

$300,000 SUPER DERBY (G3)

 

3 YO                                       1 1/16 miles

$60,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin                             3 YO LA-Bred                        One Mile (T)

$60,000 Elge Rasberry                                   3 YO Fillies, LA-Bred            One Mile (T)

 

 

Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament Set for August 23

The Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, August 23, at Querbes Golf Course in Shreveport, Louisiana.

 

The event will benefit Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk & The Winner’s Circle Church, which provides assistance to the Louisiana racing community and backstretch workers. It serves as one of the special events saluting the annual Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, the marquee race of the Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, set for Sunday, September 2.

 

Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m.  The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap.

 

Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.

 

The deadline for registration is August 16. Hole sponsorships for $100, including a sign, are available, but must be purchased by August 1.

 

For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol, Louisiana Downs Racing Office Manager at (318) 741-2512.

 

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.

 

Funeral Services for Former LQHBA President Paul Ryder Set Saturday

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Funeral services for former LQHBA President Paul Ryder are set Saturday at the First United Methodist Church in Pineville, Louisiana
© Courtesy Gallagher Funeral Home

 

PINEVILLE, LA—AUGUST 10, 2018—Funeral services are set Saturday for Louisiana horseman Paul Rudy Ryder, 85, who passed away Tuesday, August 7 at the at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Services for Mr. Ryder will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday (Aug 11) at First United Methodist Church in Pineville, Louisiana. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball, Louisiana, under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home and Crematory.

Visitation for Mr. Ryder will be on today (Aug 10) at Store Front Church in Pineville, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Mr. Paul Ryder was a loving father, grandfather, and brother. He was a graduate of Bolton High School and earned a degree in Animal Husbandry at LSU. After graduating from college he enlisted and proudly served his country in the United States Army.

Mr. Ryder was one of the founding members of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association, served as President of the LQHBA, and was employed there as the out of state mare inspector until his passing.

He was a very accomplished RCA Rodeo cowboy as a bareback rider, bull rider, and bulldogger. Mr. Ryder owned and operated Waddle Inn and Grill and Poor Paul’s Steakhouse for many years as well as worked with Western Tact Store at Dominic’s. He also owned the first salad bar in Rapides Parish and the second steakhouse in Louisiana to sell Dry Aged Prime Beef. He will forever be missed by those that loved and knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents A.L. Ryder and Ruby Paul Ryder and his brother Firal Ryder.

Mr. Ryder is survived by his sons, Brandon Kurt Ryder (Karla) of Alexandria, Bryan Kent Ryder (Leila) of Pineville and Stacey Blake Ryder (Rhonda) of Deville; daughter, Lisa Ryder Buckley (Thomas) of New Iberia; sister Jacquelyn Ryder Mertens of Pineville; 17 grandchildren; and 11 great – grandchildren; and a host of other family and friends.

Pallbearers honored to serve are Stacey Ryder, Brandon Ryder, Preston Ryder, Casey Ryder, Gilliam Guillot, and Scott Michiels. Honorary Pallbearers are Tony Patterson, Mike Hayes, Wayne Roberson, Lynn Richard, Donnie Mattheson, Don Kelley, Sonny Harris, Gerald McCrea, Rick Bouttee, Brad Michiels, and Robert Parker.

Mobile Bay Retires to Breeding Shed

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Mobile Bay_9-12-2015-F
Mobile Bay with jockey Edgar Prado aboard wins the 36th running of the Grade II $400,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

After an outstanding racing career, Mobile Bay, two-time Accredited Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year, has been retired from the track.   He will soon take up residence at Carrol Castille’s showcase breeding facility, Whispering Oaks Thoroughbred Farm in Carencro, Louisiana.  There he will begin preparation for his stud career for the 2019 breeding season.  Mobile Bay is owned by Irwin Olian’s Tigertail Ranch and was trained for his entire career by popular local favorite Victor Arceneaux. 

Mobile Bay, a 2012 dark bay or brown son of Lone Star Special out of Tranquility Bay,  ran from ages three to six, hitting the board in 21 of 29 lifetime starts. He won eleven stakes, often showing speed in route races of 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles, including the G2 Super Derby, open company stakes such as the Sunland Park Handicap, the Maxxam Gold Cup and the Zia Park Derby, as well Louisiana Bred Stakes including the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at the Fair Grounds twice.  He placed in another five stakes including the G3 Oklahoma Derby.  His Lifetime earnings of $1,246,440 rank him 4th among all-time Leading Accredited Louisiana Bred Runners. A multiple Accredited Louisiana Bred Champion, Mobile Bay was named 2015 3YO Colt or Gelding and Horse of the Year, 2016 Older Male and Horse of the Year, and 2017 Older Male.

Mobile Bay was a tremendous, durable competitor, shipping to win stakes at half a dozen different racetracks across the South and Southwest, while showing amazing heart and athleticism. Good bone, conformation and intelligent mind have enabled him to stay sound and compete at very high levels into his 6 y.o campaign. “He is a gorgeous, imposing individual standing 17 hands, weighing 1300 pounds, with textbook conformation.” says Olian. 

Tigertail Ranch will be offering free breeding service to approved mares for the 2019 season, with only a modest $350 booking fee. Olian wants to attract a large book of mares to enable Mobile Bay to compete as a sire at the national level.  At the same time, he appreciates the great thrills and excitement that Mobile Bay has given him and the horse’s many fans in Louisiana and elsewhere.  He wants to give something back to breeders in the Louisiana breeding program in gratitude for all the benefits he received as well as to attract mares from breeders in other states such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.

“He is a remarkable individual, an outstanding and durable athlete and specimen with text book conformation,” says Olian. “Mobile Bay has the capacity to hold his own physically against any stallion in the country. His sire Lone Star Special has the rare quality of moving up his mares. I expect Mobile Bay will move up his mares significantly as well. Both represent the best of the Unbridled sire line and I believe will serve to establish a new branch of that line.”  

RTCA Seeks Nominations for White Horse Awards

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This year’s ceremony scheduled for Nov. 1 at Churchill Downs.

 

A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. There are heroes all around the horse-racing industry and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) wants to recognize these selfless servants.

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA) is currently seeking nominees for our 16th Annual White Horse Awards (WHA). These awards are presented annually at the White Horse Awards program. This year’s program will take place Thursday, Nov. 1, in the Triple Crown Room at Churchill Downs Racetrack in Louisville, Ky., just prior to the beginning of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships being held at the same track. It is a way to recognize those unsung heroes of horse racing, whether their actions are headline-grabbing or the quiet and not-so-obvious kind of heroism.

Nominees are being sought for the following three awards:

•    White Horse Award: An award given to individuals who have done something heroic on behalf of human or horse;
•    Tribute to Excellence Award: A posthumous award given to an individual who has consistently demonstrated professional excellence and leadership in the horse racing industry;

•    Community Service Award: An award given to an individual who has made significant contributions to the welfare of racetrack chaplaincy ministries.

To submit a nomination for either the White Horse, Tribute to Excellence, or Community Service Awards, visit http://www.rtcanational.org/events for a complete list of rules and selection criteria, as well as nomination forms.  The deadline for submission is September 14th, 2018.  For more information, please contact the RTCA National Service Center at (859) 410-7822.

More about the White Horse Award: The WHA was established in 2003 to recognize individuals within the horse racing industry for their acts of selflessness and bravery.  The most recent recipient was Angie Cheak who was instrumental in saving 43 Thoroughbreds that were abandoned in desperate conditions on a Kentucky farm.

More about the Race Track Chaplaincy of America: The overall mission of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), through its Councils and Chaplains, is to minister to the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs of those persons involved in all aspects of the horse-racing industry.

SEVERAL FROM THE $60,000 SUPER DERBY PRELUDE SET THEIR SIGHTS ON THE GRADE 3, $300,000 SUPER DERBY AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

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Lone Sailor Nominated to the Super Derby by Trainer Tom Amoss

 

Bossier City, LA – A full field in last Saturday’s $60,000 Super Derby Prelude put on quite a show at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. Three of the top four finishers from the Prelude now have their sights set on the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derbyon Sunday, September 2.  The richest race of the 2018 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred racing season will also be contested on the main track at a distance of a mile and one-sixteenth.

Robert Guidry’s Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stable Inc’s homebred Autumn Warrior was sent off as the even-money favorite in the Prelude. Stretching out for the first time for trainer Al Stall Jr.,  the son of Orb out of the Posse mare, Kinsolving entered the Prelude off two convincing wins, but his trip on Saturday was far from simple! He stumbled out of the gate and found himself seventh heading into the far turn. Jockey Colby Hernandez remained patient and guided his charge to the outside where he was finally able to shake free, winning in a photo-finish.

Stall was at Saratoga on Saturday and had a few anxious moments as he watched the race.

“At the five furlong mark, I didn’t think he would even hit the board,” acknowledged Stall. “He missed the break, which was an issue as he had previously run forwardly placed. Colby did a good job, but I give a lot of credit to the horse. He handled adversity for the first time; that will help him as he goes forward.”

Stall added that Autumn Warrior came out of the Prelude in good order.

“He was on the muscle; sound and eating well,” he said. “He’s a bull of a horse!”

G’s Turn with rider Thomas Pompell in the saddle, ran a game second. Owned by Tom Galvin of Dallas, Texas, the son of Alternation was making his 14th career start in the Prelude. Campaigned on both turf and dirt by trainer Patricia West, G’s Turn was dismissed by the betting public at odds of 23-1. He had a similar challenging trip to that of Autumn Warrior, but finally got clear and rallied for second.

“He was stuck behind a wall of horses and couldn’t get clear,” said West. “Tom is a strong rider and makes good decisions; he did a good job on Saturday.”

West has 11 horses in her barn, and stated she will nominate G’s Turn for the Super Derby.

“We will run as long as he stays healthy and we feel he can be competitive,” she added.

Rosemont Farm’s homebred Zanesville ran third, by  a nose, for trainer Tom Amoss. The son of Tiznow was ridden by Gerard Melancon.

“He made a brilliant move at the half-mile pole to the head of the stretch,” said Amoss. “He’s back in Kentucky now and we have not made a decision yet about the Super Derby.”

However, Amoss does have one of his top 3-year-olds possibly headed to the Super Derby.

“I nominated Lone Sailor this morning,” Amoss reported from his base at Saratoga.

G M B Racing’s Lone Sailor, a colt by Majestic Warrior, ran eighth in the Grade 1, Kentucky Derby and followed that with solid efforts in the Preakness Stakes, Ohio Derby and most recently, the Grade 1, Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, where he finished third.

Oakwood Stable Inc.’s McFeely completed the superfecta in the Prelude and is also on target for the Super Derby. The colt by Scat Daddy was making his stakes debut last weekend under jockey Ashley Broussard. He broke his maiden at Evangeline Downs on May 25, adding an allowance win three weeks later for trainer John Ney.

David Heitzmann, Louisiana Downs Director of Racing, was pleased with the quality of the Louisiana Cup Day card and response from horseplayers locally and across the country.

“We were up a little over 18% per race, from last year,” said Heitzmann. “The Prelude was an excellent race and served as a great springboard to the Super Derby. My staff is already working on the Super Derby Day card and we are hopeful that we will run 13 races on September 2.”

 

Noon Post Time Set for Super Derby Day

The Louisiana Downs racing office is preparing for their next big stakes day on Sunday, September 2. An early post time of 12:00 pm (Central) is planned for the Super Derby card. Nominations close on August 18 for the seven stakes, which include:

 

$60,000 Unbridled                                          3 YO & Up                             1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 River Cities                                       3 YO & Up F&M                    1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Happy Ticket                                    2 YO Fillies                             One Mile (T)

$60,000 Sunday Silence                                 2 YO                                       One Mile (T) $300,000 SUPER DERBY (G3)              3 YO                                       1 1/16 miles

$60,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin                             3 YO LA-Bred                        One Mile (T)

$60,000 Elge Rasberry                                   3 YO Fillies, LA-Bred            One Mile (T)

 

 

Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament Set for August 23

The Super Derby Charity Golf Tournament will be held on Thursday, August 23, at Querbes Golf Course in Shreveport, Louisiana.

The event will benefit Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk & The Winner’s Circle Church, which provides assistance to the Louisiana racing community and backstretch workers. It serves as one of the special events saluting the annual Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, the marquee race of the Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, set for Sunday, September 2.

Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m.  The fee is $80 per personor $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap.

Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.

The deadline for registration is August 16. Hole sponsorships for $100, including a sign, are available, but must be purchased by August 1.

For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol, Louisiana Downs Racing Office Manager at (318) 741-2512.

 

Trainer, Jockey and Owner Standings

As of August 7, Al Stall, Jr. and Karl Broberg top the trainer standings with 17 wins each.  Danny Pish is second with 14 victories and Jorge Lara and Joe Duhon have each saddled 13 winners.

Emanuel Nieves has been steady throughout the 2018 Thoroughbred meet and is the current leader in the jockey standings with 52 wins. He guided Cabo’s Rumor to victory in Saturday’s $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Northpointe Thoroughbreds and trainer Steven Duke. Last year’s leading jockey Gerardo Mora is second with 47 trips to the winner’s circle and Joel Dominguez, who lost his bug on May 24, is third with 43 wins. Rounding out the top four is Richard Eramia, who has won 33 races this season.

End Zone Athletics, Inc. has won 11 races to take the lead in the owner standings. Dream Walkin Farms, Inc. follows closely with 10 wins and Jorge Gomez, Patti Turner and Indian Creek Thoroughbred Farms LLC  are tied for third with seven wins each.

 

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.

 

Louisiana Cup 2018 Winners

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Louisiana Cup Distaff 
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 8 1/2 furlongs, turf,  $60,000
3YO and Upwards Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies and Mares

Bermuda Star_8-4-2018
Brittlyn Stable’s Bermuda Star with Diego Saenz aboard captures the LA Cup Distaff at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd
Eskenformore
Eskendereya–Madel
Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbred, LLC
Owner: Sugarland Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: Richard E. Eramia

3rd
Ourgoldshalaylee
Mauk Four–Miss Goldwin
Breeder: Leighton Hall Dunham Jr.
Owner: Pedigo Family Racing
Trainer: Randy Pedigo
Jockey: Jose Andres Guerrero

 

Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 6 furlongs, $60,000
3YO and Upwards Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies and Mares

P Boo- Thomas Pompell
P Boo with jockey Thomas Pompell aboard gets a head in front of Dixie Brees to win the LA Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at LA Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

P BOO
Dominus–Paraiba
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm LLC
Owner: Robert Lestz, Gillian and Kirk L. Harris
Trainer: Kirk L. Harris
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell

2nd
Dixie Brees
Good and Tough–Shes Dixies Eskimo
Breeder: John Luck
Owner: Crusaders Stable LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Richard E. Eramia

3rd
Frolic
Custom for Carlos–Comehomewithasmile
Breeder: Bill Langford
Owner: Bill Langford and Roland Bruno
Trainer: Roland L. Bruno
Jockey: Alexis X

 

Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 6 furlongs, $60,000
2YO Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies

Silvercents_8-4-1018
Jockey Sasha Risenhoover pilots Silvercents to victory in the 8th running of the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies at LA Downs. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

SILVERCENTS
Goldencents–Carl’s Frosty Girl
Breeder: Steve E Holliday
Owner: Johnny B. Evans and Terry Eoff
Trainer: Terry Eoff
Jockey: Sasha Risenhoover

2nd
Raising the Ante
Cross Traffic–Ante Up Annie
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Sturges J. Ducoing
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

3rd
Whodatwhodat
Custom for Carlos–Answer to Me
Breeder: Whitney J Zeringue
Owner: Denise Schmidt
Trainer: Denise Schmidt
Jockey: Richard E. Eramia

 

Louisiana Cup Juvenile 
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 6 furlongs, $60,000
2YO Accredited Louisiana Breds

Cabo's Rumor_8-4-2018
Cabo’s Rumor pulls away to win the 8th running of the Louisiana Cup Juvenile at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

CABO’S RUMOR
Amanecer de Oro–The Rumor’s True
Breeder: Northpointe Thoroughbreds
Owner: Northpointe Thoroughbreds
Trainer: Steven Duke
Jockey: Emanuel Nieves

2nd
Beto
Custom for Carlos–Bella Moneta
Breeder: Jason Hall & BCS Thoroughbreds LLC
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Victory Trip
Guilt Trip–Anne Margaret
Breeder: Terry Adcock
Owner: Norman Stables
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Ashley Broussard

 

Louisiana Cup Sprint
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 6 furlongs, $60,000
3YO and Upwards Accredited Louisiana Breds

Monte Man_8-4-2018
Monte Man with Gerard Melancon (blue cap) aboard turns for home and goes on to win the 40th running of the Louisiana Cup Sprint at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Sam Switalski

MONTE MAN
Custom for Carlos–Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

2nd
Cheers to Berti
Ready’s Image–Chef Bertie
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Red Rose Racing
Trainer: Brian A. Huval
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Divine Bean
Star Guitar–Good Human Bean
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

 

Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
Louisiana Downs, 8-4-18, 8 1/2 furlongs, turf,  $60,000
3YO and Upwards Accredited Louisiana Breds

In The Navy_8-4-2018
In The Navy with Colby Hernandez aboard captures the 35th running of the Louisiana Cup Turf at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photograhy / Ann Switalski

IN THE NAVY
Midshipman–Southern Princess
Breeder: Ken Standlee
Owner: Kendel D. Standlee
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

2nd
Magic Vow
Private Vow–Whitewashed
Breeder: J. Adcock
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

3rd
Sir Genghis
Tale of the Cat–Staria
Breeder: Randel Stutes
Owner: Gillian and Kirk L. Harris
Trainer: Kirk L. Harris
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell

AUTUMN WARRIOR PUNCHES HIS TICKET TO THE GRADE 3, $300,000 SUPER DERBY WITH A VICTORY IN THE $60,000 SUPER DERBY PRELUDE AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS

louisianathoroughbred

Undefeated Colt Overcame a Troubled Trip to Win His Second Stakes

 

Bossier City, LA – A very exciting edition of Louisiana Cup Day at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs took place on Saturday, August 4. The card featured seven stakes and purses of $420,000, highlighted by an exciting running of the $60,000 Super Derby Prelude.

 

The stakes for 3-year-olds at the distance of a mile and one-sixteenth attracted a competitive field of 11. The top four will receive a berth to the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sunday, September 2, which is the richest race of the 2018 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred racing season. 

Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stable Inc’s homebred Autumn Warrior was stretching out for the first time for trainer Al Stall Jr. Owned and bred by Robert Guidry’s Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables Inc., the son of Orb out of the Posse mare, Kinsolving broke his maiden here on May 5 by 14 lengths and advanced directly into stakes company. He captured the $50,000 Lafayette Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds at Evangeline Downs by an impressive margin of 6-3/4 lengths.

Colby Hernandez had the return call on Autumn Warrior, but had to overcome a challenging trip when In Charge Halo blazed to the front and was followed by several horses covering the first quarter-mile in :24.66. Autumn Warrior was seventh heading into the final turn, and Hernandez found himself behind a wall of horses as he headed into the stretch. He found his stride and won in 1:46.41, a neck in front of a fast-closing G’s Turn and rider Thomas Pompell.

“We had a troubled trip the whole way,” said Hernandez. “Going around the second turn, I swung him outside and when I called on him, he finished really strong, I want to thank Al and Autumn Hill Farms for giving me this opportunity.”

Stall’s longtime assistant Pam Fitzgerald saddled the dark bay colt.

“I thought he did a great job,” she said. “He kind of stumbled out of the gate which is why he had the tight finish.  He’s a beautiful, big, strong horse and kind of a handful to train, but he has the talent.”

Guidry gave Stall his first horse back in 1991 and was proud of both Stall and Autumn Warrior.

“The horse only went seven furlongs before, so this should put a lot more wind into his lungs going further,” said Guidry. “Al has a great operation and a very good woman (Pam) working for him.”

Autumn Warrior was sent off as the favorite and paid $4.00. G’s Turn, at 23-1, followed by Zanesville from the barn of Tom Amoss. McFeely was fourth under Ashley Broussard  with Bode’s Maker, Speedy Fellar, In Charge Halo, Analyze This Jet,  Dream Baby Dream Major Brown and Double Star completing the order of finish. 

 

Silvercents Closes in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies

The first stakes of the afternoon featured a field of six accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies in the six-furlong $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. 

Silvercents, who ran second in $100,000 TTA Sale Futurity for Terry Eoff and Johnny Evans at Lone Star Park on July 15, made the most of her Louisiana Downs debut under rider Sasha Risenhoover. The daughter of Goldencents circled the field with confidence, edging clear of Raising the Ante by a length. The final time over the fast main track was 1:12.93.

“We knew she was capable, said Evans. “We just left her in the hands of the best rider in the country!”

Gerard Melancon rode Raising the Ante for owner Valene Farms. Whodatwhodat under Richard Eramia ran third.  Post time favorite Atchata ran fifth.

This was the second win in four starts for Silvercents, who paid $8.40 for the win, and earned $36,000 today.

 

P Boo Withstands Inquiry in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

The $60,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted six fillies and mares competing at the distance of six furlongs.  P Boo, trained by Kirk Harris and co-owned by Harris, his wife, Gillian and Robert Lestz, had the lead coming down the stretch under Thomas Pompell. The 4-year-old filly by Dominus dueled to the wire with Dixie Brees and jockey Richard Eramia. Eramia lodged an objection, resulting in a steward’s inquiry, but no change was made.

“We always knew this filly could run, but she struggled out of the gate,” said Harris. “We gave her a series of gate works, which really made the difference.”

Efforting was fourth, followed by l’ll Take it All and Fleet Halo. Honest Victory was an early scratch

P Boo ($5.60) crossed the wire in a speedy 1:10.17. The victory was her sixth win and second stakes victory. She increased her bankroll to $178,390.

 

Rail Opened for Bermuda Star in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff

Twelve accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares took to the Franks Turf Course for the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff. 

Bermuda Star, owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., sat off a swift early pace set by Ourgoldshalayee, who set fractions of :23.36 for the first quarter and 46.99 half-mile. Rounding the far turn, jockey Diego Saenz guided the daughter of Star Guitar to the inside, and powered home. Her final time over the mile and one-sixteenth feature over a firm turf course was 1:42.08.

Bred by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson, Bermuda Star is trained by Victor Arceneaux, who captured her sixth career win today.

“I was a little nervous about her getting through on the rail,” admitted Arceneaux. “In the paddock, I told Diego ‘there is a lot of speed in the race’. He smiled and said ‘no problem; I’ve got it.”

Benoit was not in Louisiana Downs as her filly,  Minit to Stardom ran today in the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.

“My thanks to Evelyn for Star Guitar,” added Arceneaux.

Eskenformore, trained by James Hodges, ran second under Richard Eramia. Ourgoldshalayee held for third with Luis Guerrero up and Royal Alexandra completed the superfecta.

Bermuda Star, sent off as the co-third choice in the wagering, paid $12.40 for her win.

 

Game Effort for Cabo’s Rumor in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile

The fourth feature of the afternoon was the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings.  A field of eight competed at six furlongs on the main track.

Cabo’s Rumor owned by Northpointe Thoroughbreds, closed gamely down the stretch under top Louisiana Downs jockey Emanuel Nieves for his first stakes score. The son of Amanecer de Oro ran fourth to Pickett in the D S Shine Futurity three weeks ago at Evangeline Downs.

It was also the first stakes winner for stallion Amanecer de Oro.

“I trained both his sire and dam, so getting this colt to the track means a lot to me,” said trainer Steve Duke. “He’s a nice horse; just needs some time to get going.”

Beto, trained by Steve Asmussen ran second with Diego Saenz up over Victory Trip.  Both also competed in in the D.S. Shine Futurity. Geauxcro completed the superfecta.

Cabo’s Runner scored his first stakes win in a final time of 1:13.01. He paid $21.40.  

Smooth Sailing for In The Navy in the 60,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic

The $60,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted 11 turf runners going a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course. 

In the Navy, owned by Kendel D. Standlee, captured his fifth career win for trainer Scott Gelner. The 4-year-old son of Midshipman broke well and tracked early pacesetter Sir Genghis. Jockey Colby Hernandez patiently guided his mount through the early stages of the race and he strided clear at the sixteenth pole in 1:42.11.  Magic Vow was second by a half-length, followed by Sir Genghis and Theoryintopractice.

“He’s just a great turf horse,” said Gelner. “Always runs well for Colby and I am proud of the fact that he has won on each of the Louisiana turf courses. 

Gelner stated that In the Navy ($11.20) will have a break and return to action at Fair Grounds. 

 

Monte Man Keeps Streak Alive in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint

The $60,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint closed out the card with a gritty performance by Monte Man, who won his sixth consecutive race. Claimed for $25,000 in October, the 5-year-old son of Custom For Carlos is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing and trained by Ron Faucheux. 

Gerard Melancon guided him to the wire of the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs and had the return call today, winning in front-running fashion over Cheers to Berti. He covered six-furlongs in 1:10.17.

“There is always a little pressure with a streak on the line,” said Faucheux. “I didn’t expect him to go to the lead, but he just does everything right. It’s a pleasure training him.”

Cheers to Berti rallied for second under Diego Saenz, followed by Divine Bean and Queeten.

Monte Man ($4.40) will be pointed to opening day at the Fair Grounds, but Faucheux said that an out-of-state stakes is under consideration.

Live racing continues on Monday, August 6. The next major stakes day of the 2018 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet is Super Derby Day on Sunday, September 2.

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. 

Cabo’s Rumor First Stakes Winner for Amanecer de Oro

louisianathoroughbred

By BloodHorse Staff

 

Colt also represented first winner for his sire.

Northpointe Thoroughbreds’ homebred Cabo’s Rumor wore down rivals in the final furlong and drew off for a three-length victory in the $60,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes at Louisiana Downs Aug. 4 to become the first winner and first black-type winner for his sire, Amanecer de Oro.

Sent off at 9-1 odds in the eight-horse field, Cabo’s Rumor stalked the early pace from the outside in fifth and fourth through fractions of :22.59 and :45.23 and steadily advanced on the turn. The 2-year-old bay colt responded when set down for the drive by jockey Emanuel  Nieves and covered the six-furlong distance in 1:13.01 over a track rated fast.

Trained by Steven Duke, Cabo’s Rumor was making his fourth career start. Out of the Kafwain mare The Rumor’s True, Cabo’s Rumor broke his maiden at second asking June 18 at Louisiana Downs.

Amanecer de Oro was a multiple stakes winner, with all his black-type victories coming in the state of Louisiana. The son of Afternoon Deelites retired with seven wins from 31 starts and $401,193 in earnings. He is a half brother to stakes winners Dynamic Time and Tactical Brush.

Amanecer de Oro stood the 2018 season at Holly Hill Farm in Louisiana for an advertised fee of $1,250. He has two starters from his first crop of racing age.

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