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Month: March 2019

G3 Stakes Winner One Liner Retires to Whispering Oaks

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Grade 3 Southwest Stakes winner One Liner has retired from racing and will stand stud at Whispering Oaks Farm, the farm of his owner Carrol Castille, in Carencro, Louisiana starting immediately.

 

Undefeated through his three-year-old year, One Liner was among Steve Haskins “Derby Dozen” before an injury took him off the Kentucky Derby trail. At four he ran second in the G3 Pimloco Stakes. Trained by Todd Pletcher, One Liner accumulated $475,250 in earnings from nine starts with four wins.

 

He is the only son of top sire and sire of sires Into Mischief (currently ranked #4 for 2019) standing in Louisiana. Into Mischief son Goldencents is the current leading second crop sire in North America and concluded 2018 ranked #2 among first crop sires in the country.

 

Bred in Kentucky, One Liner is out of the winning Cherokee Run mare Cayala and is from the family of Donn Handicap winner Albertus Maximus.

 

One Liner will stand for a 2019 fee of $3,500 live foal.

The Jockey Club Calls for Dramatic Reforms to Protect Racehorses

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Thursday, March 28, 2019
The Jockey Club today released a major white paper calling for comprehensive reform of the U.S. horse racing industry including a major overhaul of drug use and uniform out-of-competition drug testing, citing the need for “transparency into the medical treatment, injuries, and health of all racehorses.”

The paper’s release follows the death of 22 racehorses at California’s Santa Anita Park in less than three months. The Jockey Club wrote that “it would be a mistake to view the Santa Anita fatalities as an isolated situation — spikes in the deaths of horses have occurred at other tracks and they will continue to occur without significant reforms.”

The Jockey Club was particularly critical of drug use in the horse racing industry saying that “improper drug use can directly lead to horse injuries and deaths. Horses aren’t human and the only way they can tell us if something is wrong is by reacting to a symptom. If that symptom is masked, the results can be devastating.” And that “we lag behind cheaters and abusers and by the time we have caught up they have moved on to the next designer substance.”

The Jockey Club expressed its strong support for federal legislation citing the Horse Racing Integrity Act of 2019, H.R. 1754, which would create a private, independent, horse racing anti-doping authority responsible for developing and administering a nationwide anti-doping and medication control program. The program would be administered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, the body responsible for administering anti-doping programs for human athletes including the U.S. Olympic teams.

“For far too long, cheaters have been abusing the system and the horses are most often the ones to suffer,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. “It is particularly disturbing that there is little out-of-competition drug testing in the United States. U.S. horse racing lags far behind international standards. It’s time we joined the rest of the world in putting in place the best measures to protect the health and safety of our equine athletes.”

In addition to reforming how drugs are used and monitored, The Jockey Club is calling for other reforms targeted at health of equine athletes, including:

  • Enhanced Race Surface Analysis
  • Reporting of all Injuries During Racing and Training
  • More Comprehensive Pre-race Veterinarian Examination
  • Use of Approved Medications Only
  • Confirmed Fitness to Train
  • Industrywide Contributions to Aftercare

“Will we ever know the exact cause of spikes in horse fatalities? Unless there is change in the industry that answer is, sadly, probably not,” wrote The Jockey Club. “A key to this change is the requirement of full transparency into the medical treatment, injuries, and health of all racehorses. Today, we can’t fully see what is going on with a horse because of differing state and track practices, antiquated practices, and purposeful deceit about what drugs are given to horses at what times.”

The Jockey Club is the breed registry for Thoroughbreds in North America. Since its founding 125 years ago, it has been dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, focusing on improvements to the integrity, health, and safety of the sport. The Jockey Club has long held that horses must only race when they are free from the effects of medication.

Download the report: Vision 2025 – To Prosper, Horse Racing Needs Comprehensive Reform. For additional information, please visit The Jockey Club or the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity.

OAKLAWN GETS A NEW NAME

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One of the most iconic names in Thoroughbred racing and Arkansas tourism is adding a new level of excitement to its storied 115-year history. Oaklawn Racing & Gaming will now be known as Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. As a full-service casino, Oaklawn will begin offering live craps, live blackjack, and continue offering popular slot games Monday, April 1. It will be adding sports betting in the coming weeks.

“There has never been a more exciting time in Oaklawn’s history than right now,” Oaklawn’s President Louis Cella said. “We are already reaping the benefits of racing all the way through May 4 with amazing crowds and world-class racing. We couldn’t be more thrilled about our future as we continue to elevate Thoroughbred racing and strengthen regional tourism in Hot Springs and Arkansas.”

Oaklawn announced a $100 million expansion last November and will begin construction in early May. This expansion includes 28,000 square feet of additional gaming space that will open prior to the 2020 live racing season. The expansion also includes a 200-room luxury hotel with pool, spa and fitness center, a 14,000 square foot, multi-purpose entertainment center to open prior to the 2021 racing season along with additional dining options, and more.

New Vocations to Open Satellite Facility in Louisiana

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March 28, 2019 – LEXINGTON, KY – New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced they have expanded their efforts by opening a satellite facility in Covington, Louisiana. The new facility will focus solely on taking in horses retiring from one of the four Louisiana racetracks as well as training centers and farms within the state.

Last November former jockey Rosie Napravnik initiated talks with both New Vocations and the Louisiana HBPA, expressing her concern for the need to create more aftercare options for retired racehorses in the state. Those talks lead to what will now be the New Vocations Louisiana facility located at the Equi-Best Equestrian Center.

To date the expansion has been well received and supported by both the industry and an outside granting source. Napravnik will be spreading awareness and seeking further funding to ensure the facility is sustainable long term. The New Vocations Louisiana facility is open and has already taken in a handful of horses. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or donating a horse should visit www.newvocations.org or call 859-252-9574.

Founded in 1992, New Vocations is the largest racehorse adoption charity in the country. Its mission to rehabilitate, retrain and rehome retired racehorses has led to the placement of nearly 7,000 individuals, with almost 500 retirees served by the program each year. With six facilities in Kentucky, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, New Vocations serves over 40 racetracks, working directly with owners and trainers in need of equine aftercare options. To learn more about the program visit newvocations.org.

The Elite Program Offering Two April Classes

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Subject: April classes

Trainers’ Exam Prep class at Lone Star Park – April 15-17

Basic Grooming 099 – Lexington, Kentucky – April 22-26

Information and registration:
http://www.purplepowerracing.com ; http://www.groomelite.com

The Elite Program, Inc. through its Groom Elite Education programs has opened registration for two April classes open to the public. A critical current topic in racing is the lack of qualified help to fill open positions in the racing industry. For the third year in a row, The Jockey Club, Magdalena Farm, National HBPA and Keeneland are sponsoring Groom Elite’s Basic Grooming 099 (BG099) April 22-26 at Keeneland and Magdalena Farm in Lexington, Ky.

Basic Grooming will provide anyone wanting to work with racehorses some basic skills necessary to work safely with regal Thoroughbred athletes. Those meeting minimum skill levels in haltering, leading, brushing and picking feet are virtually assured of being offered a job. If you have a strong work ethic, are physically able to walk several miles a day and are willing to start work at 5 AM you will be offered a position with opportunity to move up rapidly from entry level hotwalker to groom, senior groom, shedrow foreman and even assistant trainer if that is a goal. Previous BG099 graduates (with minimal previous horse experience) have become shedrow foremen within 4 months of completing this class. Tuition is only $99 and many employers will reimburse that tuition after the first month of employment. Tuition assistance is available (request an application) for those seriously seeking a job in the racing industry. Class size is limited to 20, so sign up right away to guarantee your spot.

Also, April 15-17, the 18 th Lone Star Park Trainers’ Exam Prep Class will be offered at the Grand Prairie Track. For anyone interested in the Rules of Racing, this class is 3 days of discussion, demonstrations and practice of barn test skills (bandaging) as well as an intensive review of the law under which racing is conducted. With constantly changing rules, particularly medication and claiming rules as well as other rules regarding the welfare and safety of racehorses, this class provides information helpful to owners and others desiring to understand the rules of racing whether they plan to take a trainer’s exam or not.

Class size is limited to 12 to facilitate opportunity for questions and maximum participation. Tuition is $299 if paid online or $330 at the door.

For information or to register, go to or Anyone without internet access may call Dr. “Mac” at 859-321-4377 and sign up over the phone.

April Calendar of Events from the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders

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 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.Brought to you by Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Whispering Oaks Farm, Daaher and Equine Sales Company. Click images to link to more information

March 31

  • NEW DATE! LTBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet, NEW DATE! Equine Sales Pavillion, Opelousas. 3:00 p.m. Featuring music by Rick Mocklin and Southern Voice. NEW DATE!
  • Equine Sales Company Two Year Old In Training Sale and Horses of Racing Age. Breeze Date 10:00 A.M.

April 1

  • Louisiana Downs racing surface opens

April 2

  • Equine Sales Two Year Olds In Training Sale, 11:00 A.M. Opelousas

April 3

  • Evangeline Downs 2019 Thoroughbred Season Opens  – For any accreditation stamps and any other LTBA needs, please see Michelle Benoit at the EVD HBPA office

April 7

  • Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Under Tack Show, 10:00A.M., Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie

April 10

  • Texas Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale, 12:00 noon, Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie

April 11

  • LTBA Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 A.M. Landry’s, Breaux Bridge
  • LTBA to mail checks for Open Breeders Awards earned at the Delta Downs Meet

April 15

  • Tax Day – Taxes due
  • Louisiana State Racing Commission meeting, 9:00 a.m. at Monteleone Hotel, New Orleans

April 19

  • Good Friday

April 21

  • Easter Sunday

April 23-26

  • Ocala Breeders’ Sale, Spring Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale

April 26

  • Evangeline Downs Distaff Stakes

April 27

  • Evangeline Downs Classic Stakes

April 25, 26, 27, 28
May 2, 3, 4, 5

  • New Orleans Jazz Fest at the Fair Grounds

No visitors will be allowed access to New Orleans Office during these days.
We apologize for any inconvenience.

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach over 2,500 readers.

Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.comfor consideration.

 

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676, 800-772-1195

THOROUGHBRED RACING RETURNS TO EVANGELINE DOWNS FOR 2019 SEASON

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LEADING JOCKEY TIM THORNTON AND LEADING TRAINER KARL BROBERG WILL ATTEMPT TO DEFEND THEIR 2018 TITLES

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – The 54th season of Thoroughbred racing will be getting started at Evangeline Downs on Wednesday, April 3. It will be the first of 84 evenings of racing action held on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule with a nightly first post time of 5:50 pm Central Time.

The 20-race stakes schedule will feature purses totaling $1,375,000 and will begin the final weekend of April with the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Distaff on Friday, April 26 and the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Classic on Saturday, April 27. The highlight night of the stakes schedule is Louisiana Legends Night on Saturday, May 25. Louisiana Legends Night will feature eight stakes races for Louisiana-breds with purses valued at $550,000.

The richest stakes race of the season will be the $100,000 Evangeline Mile at one mile on the main track for three-year-olds and up to be run on Saturday, June 22. The 2018 edition of the Mile might have produced a 10-1 upset winner in Mocito Rojo, but the colt has gone on to prove that he is one of the best horses running in Louisiana right now. Since his win in the 2018 Mile, Mocito Rojo has captured four more victories, including scores in the $75,000 Delta Mile and the $60,000 Owner Appreciation Cup, both at Delta Downs. Mocito Rojo was bred in Kentucky by Paul and Andrena Van Doren. He is owned by Wayne T. Davis and trained by Shane Wilson.

There were three jockeys that managed to eclipse 100 victories during the 2018 season at Evangeline Downs. Tim Thornton led the way with 141 wins, while Colby Hernandez had 122 wins and Diego Saenz scored 119 times last summer. Thornton then went on to win his first-ever riding title at Delta Downs over the winter as well. His 142 wins at the Vinton, LA track were a stunning 56 wins better than the runner-up, Saenz.

All three of these riders are expected to return to Evangeline Downs for the 2019 season. They will be part of an excellent jockey colony that will also include veteran riders Gerard Melancon, Kerwin “Booboo” Clark, and Thomas Pompell.

As always, there will be a strong influence of female riders at Evangeline Downs in 2019. Ashley Broussard, who finished fourth in standings in 2018 with 45 wins, is returning, and a new face on the scene will be apprentice Paulina Ramirez, who made her mark at Delta over the winter with 31 wins.

The perennial leading trainer at Evangeline Downs, Karl Broberg, is once again poised to have a successful season in 2019. He won the 2018 training title with 59 victories and a winning percentage for the season of 35%. Sam Breaux, who finished as the runner-up last summer with 32 victories. Also returning are other local top trainers Scott Gelner, who posted 28 victories and Brett Brinkman, who had 27 wins in 2018.

Silks Clubhouse will be open for each live racing night this season at Evangeline Downs and will feature an a la carte menu on Wednesday and Thursday nights and a buffet on Friday and Saturday nights. The buffet price will be $18.99 per person and $9.99 for children. Evangeline Downs has also opened The Café seven days a week once again with extended hours to allow racing fans to enjoy their menu before, during and after the racing program. Also, throughout the month of April, the Crawfish Buffet will be available to all patrons for just $29.99 on Wednesday and Friday nights.

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

 

Grande Basin Takes Star Guitar S.

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Grande Basin_IR_3-24-2019
Grande Basin, with Aubrie Green aboard, pulled ahead in the 10th running of the Star Guitar Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Star Guitar Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-24-19, 8.5 furlongs
4YO and Upwards, $60,000

GRANDE BASIN
Good and Tough–Silver Rail, by Dispersal
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: William J. Deckwa and John Carbo
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Miguel Mena

2nd
Pound for Pound
Redding Colliery–Buttercup’s Song, by Unbridled’s Song
Breeder: J. Adcock & B&B Bloodstock
Owner: Israel Flores Horses LLC,
Trainer: Jose Grimaldo
Jockey: Aubrie Green

3rd
Payday Too
Jimmy Creed–Save My Place, by Out of Place
Breeder: Steve E Holliday
Owner: Windylea Farm, LLC
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Win Lion Win Takes Costa Rising

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Win Lion Win_3-23-2019-F
Win Lion Win with Kevin Smith aboard wins the 9th running of the Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

Costa Rising Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-23-19, @5.5 furlongs (turf)
4YO and Upwards, $60,000

WIN LION WIN
Lion Tamer–Twinwinwin, by Twining
Breeder: Rebecca Farm LLC
Owner: Farm D’Allie Racing Stable
Trainer: Allison Ramsay-Banks
Jockey: Kevin J. Smith

2nd
Monte Man
Custom for Carlos–Sarah’s My Angel, by Sutter’s Prospect
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

3rd
Treys Midnite Moon
Neko Bay–Peace Street, by Street Cry (IRE)
Breeder: David Thomas Rogers
Owner: Snake Racing LLC
Trainer: Corale A. Richards
Jockey: James Graham

Fugitive Lady Wins Crescent City Oaks

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Fugitive Lady_3-23-20190T
Fugitive Lady with Jack Gilligan aboard turns into the stretch and goes on to win the14th running of the Crescent City Oaks at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Britt Benson

Crescent City Oaks
Fair Grounds, 3-23-19, 8.32 furlongs
3YO Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies, $75,000

FUGITIVE LADY
Guilt Trip–Soiled Dove, by Thunder Gulch
Breeder: Leonard Warf & Joe McKellar
Owner: Joe P. McKellar
Trainer: Joe P. McKellar
Jockey: Jack Gilligan

2nd
Cicada’s Song
Twirling Candy–Money for Makeup, by Forestry
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: John F. Youngblood
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Miguel Mena

3rd
Crescentcitypretty
Bernardini–Penelope Plum, by Badge of Silver
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Tyron Benoit
Jockey: Diego Saenz

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