Enhanced medication policies will be in effect at all the major auctions in the U.S. beginning July 1, leading North American sales companies Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company jointly announced Tuesday morning. The changes were made in an effort “to safeguard the welfare of the horse while creating greater clarity and consistency among the nation’s three major U.S. Thoroughbred auction houses,” according to the release, and are the result of meetings between the three companies begun last October at the behest of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
The new rules enhance current medication policies, reducing the number of permitted therapeutic medications while increasing the number of prohibited medications to include all substances currently banned under HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control program. The penalties for violation of rules will also be increased.
Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin, Fasig-Tipton President Boyd T. Browning Jr. and OBS President Tom Ventura said in a joint statement:
“We continue to refine our policies with the goals of protecting the well-being of the horse and providing our customers with transparency and the best opportunity for success at the race track. Horse safety and welfare must be a collaborative effort across our sport, which includes the sales ring. We take our leadership roles toward that mission seriously and remain united in our advocacy to serve the best interest of the horse.”
Among the listed highlights of the new medication reforms: no non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be administered to a horse within 48 hours of an under-tack performance; no NSAID may be administered to a horse after 6 p.m. the day prior to sale; NSAIDs permitted for use on the sales grounds are Phenylbutazone (Bute), Flunixin Meglumine (Banamine) and Ketoprofen (Ketofen), at or below manufacturer’s recommended dosage (MRD). Only one such NSAID can be administered at any one time (stacking is prohibited).
No corticosteroid may be administered to a horse within 48 hours of an under-tack performance. No corticosteroid may be administered to a horse within 24 hours of the start of the session in which that horse is scheduled to sell.
The 152nd racing season saw stakes purses rise to $9.95 million, the richest in Louisiana’s history
New Orleans, La (March 27, 2024) –Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots wrapped up its 152nd season of racing on Sunday, March 24, having offered the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history at $9.95 million. The 2023 – 2024 trainer, owner, and jockey title winners all extended from one barn, as Shane Wilson finished atop all conditioners, first call Jose Guerrero earned top pilot honors, and Brittlyn Stable hoisted the owner’s title.
Brad Cox swept Fair Grounds’ “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series presented by Fasig-Tipton, sending out Alpine Princess in the $100,000 Untapable Stakes, West Omaha in the $150,000 Silverbullerday, and Tarifa who took both the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) and the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)..
The meet began as it did the year prior, with Louisiana Champions Day Preview Weekend on Nov. 17-18, featuring six stakes written for horses bred in the Pelican State. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown was held at Fair Grounds, the first time since 2011, followed by Louisiana Champions Day on Dec. 9. The pinnacle of the meet was Louisiana Derby Day on March 23, when eight stakes were carded, including four graded affairs. The 111th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) was the highlight of the 73 stakes contested over the 76-racing day meet. Trained by Brad Cox, Albaugh Family Stable’s Catching Freedom put on a stellar performance to go from last to first and catapult to the top of the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Standings.
The 2023-2024 meet began with unveiling two new barns, erected to replace those wrecked in 2021 by Hurricane Ida. The Stall-Wilson turf course maintained its integrity throughout the meet, showcasing many of the sport’s best grass runners, like the rising star I’m Very Busy who dazzled the full field of older males to win the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation on March 23.
Another race that will be forever remembered took place on Louisiana Derby Day, as Set-Hut’s Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar ran his heart out on the lead only to be chased down late by Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Red Route One for trainer Steve Asmussen in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard.
The 76-day meet featured all the traditions that horsemen, horseplayers, and fans adore: Miles Ahead won the 99th running of the $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic for trainer Paul McGee; the Road to the Derby series saw Track Phantom walk over from Steve Amsussen’s barn to score the first two legs with the Gun Runner and the Lecomte; Chad Brown shipped Sierra Leone in to take the Risen Star. Low takeout in the 50-cent Pick 5 and $1 Pick 6 pools remained at 15%.
Coinciding with the Black Gold Stakes, on March 2 Fair Grounds celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold becoming the first Louisiana Derby champion to win the Kentucky Derby. His connections’ family were in attendance as the ceremonial wreath was placed at Black Gold’s grave in the infield.
Celebrating its 25th year, the Claiming Crown returned to Fair Grounds on Dec. 2. With purses ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, the card showcased Money Supply from trainer Joe Sharp who scored in the $200,000 Jewel, and later won the $300,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3). Sharp had another strong meet, finishing sixth in the standings with over $1 million in purse earnings.
Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the meet, Fair Grounds announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes.
Fair Grounds meet leading trainer Shane Wilson (right) and son Conner. Hodges Photography.
Wilson’s hot start to the meet never cooled off, and the trainer put a bow on his first Fair Grounds title winning three races in a row on Closing Day, including two stakes with Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged and Behemah Star. Tallying 50 on top finishes, Wilson earned over $2 million in purses. Having transferred her string to Wilson’s care prior to the meet, with 14 wins Evelyn Benoit of Brittlyn Stable was awarded her second owner’s title in the last three years. Also stabling Thoroughbreds with Shane Wilson, owner Wayne T. Davis finished in second with 12 wins.
Leading Jockey, J.A. Guerrero. Hodges Photography.
Jockey newcomer Jose Guerrero piloted 48 to the winner’s circle for Wilson, plus four for other connections, to take the riding title with 52 in total. The title for leading rider came down to the last day as fans saw Guerrero win three races in a row on Closing Day’s 15-race card, edging out Jareth Loveberry by one win. Three new additions to the jockey colony finished at the top of the standings, as Ben Curtis and Jaime Torres joined Jose Guerrero in the top five. On Dec. 3 jockey James Graham brought home his 3,000th career win, piloting Vortex for trainer Keith Desormeaux.
Having achieved a 5,000th career win prior to the meet, Corey Lanerie added 49 more to his tally, finishing third in the standings–very much in striking distance of his first ever local title. No win was more special than in the final race of the meet when he piloted Chasey Pomier’s Free Like a Girl to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial, which is named in honor of Corey’s departed wife.
Donned the “Cajun Queen” by track announcer John G. Dooley, Brittlyn Stable’s 6-year-old mare Ova Charged took the title in four stakes for a perfect meet, highlighted by beating open company fillies and mares sprinting across the Stall-Wilson Turf Course in the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes.
The veteran turf router trained by Tanner Tracy, Joel B. Hunsburger’s Niles Channel was the first to four wins this meet (from six tries). Only to be outdone by Ova Charged’s perfect record and gaudy speed figures. Thirteen different Thoroughbreds won three races each, including Dream Walkin’ Farms’ Wardy for Joe Duhon and Rigney Racing’s Speedy Traveler for Philip Bauer. Those two joined Tarifa and Ova Charged with perfect records on the meet. Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar reigned supreme as the top Louisiana-bred, winning the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. The $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes went to Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star.
Many famed connections continued their tradition of remarkable success at Fair Grounds. Tom Amoss finished second in the trainer standings with 28 wins and over $1 million in purse earnings. At a 28% strike rate, Brad Cox was right behind with 27 on the meet. Having saddled Catching Freedom ahead of his Louisiana Derby victory, Cox was also celebrated for repeating an Oaks-Derby prep sweep on Louisiana Derby Day, which he also accomplished in 2020 with Bonny South and Wells Bayou. New Orleans-natives Dallas Stewart (15 wins) and Al Stall Jr. (14) also finished in the top ten of the trainer standings.
New barns which had headline-grabbing meets included two young and hungry trainers from the NYRA circuit, as Rob Atras won an impressive 43% clip with 6 scores and Robert Falcone Jr. finished at 31% with 5.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, Fair Grounds honored the equine athletes with the fourth annual “New Vocations Day at the Races.” Jockey Rosie Napravnik, a four-time local champion, joined Fair Grounds personality Joe Kristufek on-air to raise money for all aspects of racehorse aftercare.
At season’s end, four of the top ten and six of the top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard ran in Fair Grounds’ prep series. Last year Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire, and Disarm traveled Fair Grounds’ road to the Derby starting gates to finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively. If recent history is any inclination, many of the top performers from Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 meet will go forward to snatch purses and grab headlines on horse racing’s national scene.
The Jockey Club announced Monday, March 25th, that the 2024 edition of the Fact Book is available in the Resources section of jockeyclub.com.
The online Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America and is updated quarterly.
This edition of the Fact Book includes a new page with an estimate of the total number of registered Thoroughbreds in North America based on 25-year periods. Other updates to the fact book will be published throughout the year, including exports by age and average earnings per starter by various sire metrics.
The Jockey Club is continually seeking ways to provide information in novel formats concerning the Thoroughbred industry to the public. Please email Shannon Luce, vice president, Communications, with your ideas: sluce@jockeyclub.com.
The 2024 State Fact Books, which feature detailed breeding, racing, and auction sales information specific to numerous states, Canadian provinces, and Puerto Rico, are also available on The Jockey Club website. The State Fact Books are updated monthly.
The 2024 edition of The American Racing Manual will be available as part of the Fact Book in the coming weeks.
The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds. In fulfillment of its mission, The Jockey Club, directly or through subsidiaries, provides support and leadership on a wide range of important industry initiatives, and it serves the information and technology needs of owners, breeders, media, fans, and farms. It is the sole funding source for America’s Best Racing, the broad-based fan development initiative for Thoroughbred racing. You can follow America’s Best Racing at americasbestracing.net. Additional information is available at jockeyclub.com.
Behemah Star with J.A. Guerrero (pink cap) aboard turns for home and goes on to win the Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker
With the 2022 edition already on his resume, Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star scored his second $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Sunday. The son of Star Guitar beat four older Louisiana-bred males, putting 2 1/2 lengths between he and Budro Talking to complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05.
Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Behemah Star’s pilot was Jose Guerrero.
“I knew he was ready,” Guerrero said. “Last time he got tired but today I knew he was ready. I was really comfortable the way he did it. I really appreciate this opportunity from Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. It’s really nice to ride for these kinds of people.”
Breaking to the lead and setting an opening call in :26.17, soon Behemah star was taken over by Budro Talking who led the way from the rail through a second quarter of :50.17. Comfortable to stalk in second, Behemah Star saved his run for the end, bidding by Budro Talking who finished second. Blue Cheese came late for third.
Behemah Star completed the Star-Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double, as Ova Charged won the Page Cortez sprinting on the turf the race prior.
“These Star Guitars can do everything,” Wilson said. “He’s had stakes winners on the dirt, on the turf. Every week he’s producing another one. He’s the best sire in the state. We’re thankful Ms. Benoit has given us a chance this meet. It’s been a blast to run in these kinds of races and get the job done for her.”
The versatile 6-year-old has a career record of 23-7-7-4 with $435,421 in the bank.
Britlyn Stable’s Ova Charged with jockey J.A. Guerrero aboard pulls away to win the 3rd running of the $100,000 -+Page Cortez Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
For her fourth stakes win of the 152nd Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet, Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged shot out of the gates and never looked back, winning the $100,000 Page Cortez Stakes by 12 1/2 lengths. Stablemate Rue La La ran second to complete the Brittlyn Stable-homebred, Star Guitar-sired exacta in the 5 1/2-furlong turf contest. One race later in the Star Guitar Stakes, Behemah Star added to the sire’s flair to complete the Star Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double.
“She’s a special, special horse,” owner Evelyn Benoit said. “So sweet. So calm. She’s just a sweetheart and so is Rue La La. She is the gift from Star Guitar that keeps giving. Star Guitar is the gift that keeps on giving–Al Stall said that years ago and it’s true. Ova Charged’s sister, Manama Gold is the talk of Dubai, undefeated. It makes me feel so good to have (Ova Charged) known internationally.”
Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Ova Charged took jockey Jose Guerrero along for the ride, clocking in at 1:01.90.
“She broke really fast this time,” Guerrero said. “I think she outbroke me. That is a nice, nice filly to ride. I want to thank Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. I looked back and didn’t see anyone coming and I thought we’ll get this one easy like the last time.”
Last out in the Mardi Gras Stakes, Ova Charged asserted her dominance, beating the field of eight open company fillies and mares by 5 1/4 lengths.
Brittlyn Stable won the owner’s title, the second in the last three years for Evelyn Benoit.
Ove Charged gifted the public $2.20, $2.20, and $2.10.
In 15 starts, the “Cajun Queen” has a 12-1-0 record and $608,780 in jewels and riches.
Brian’s Iron Mike with jockey Ben Curtis aboard captures the 14th running of the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lily Weir
Hat Racing’s Brain’s Iron Mike produced a resolute late move to leave no doubts about which older turf sprinter was best in the $100,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Winning by 2 1/2 lengths Brian’s Iron Mike beat a field of five male rivals.
Trained by Allen Landry and piloted by Ben Curtis, the gray son of Iron Fist covered the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:03.71 to win his first across the sod. With the portable rails down, the Stall-Wilson turf course was rated “yielding.”
“He had a little time off and we’ve been getting him back right,” Landry said. “He loves the grass, it seems like that’s the spot for him.”
With the scratch of several pace presences, it was Unified Report who made the lead and set modest opening fractions of :22.57 and :46.12. Brain’s Iron Mike settled second to last, staying several paths off the rail. With a furlong to go, he kicked past Unified Report who held all other bids at bay to run second. Mangum rounded out the trifecta.
“I thought we’d be further back but he broke and got into stride very quickly today,” Curtis said. “I always say when riding on a short-priced favorite, one back and one out and no excuses up the stretch is the way to ride them. I got a lovely tow around, he traveled beautifully. When I asked him in the stretch, he put them to bed very well.”
Bet down to odds-on favoritism, Brian’s Iron Mike paid $3.20, $2.60, and $2.20.
Adding the Costa Rising to his stakes resume, Brian’s Iron Mike now sports a 18-5-5-2 career record, including the 2022 Monte Man, and stacks $281,500 in career earrings.
Platinum Minit with jockey Reylu Gutierrez (black cap) aboard wins the 19th running of the Crescent City Oaks after the disqualification of Clearly A Test from first to second. Hodges Photography / Amanda Weir
Kicking into high gear to split foes near the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks wire, Platinum Minit’s bold move was stymied by Clearly a Test who crossed the finish line first on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Inquiry and objections quickly went up and the stewards ruled Clearly a Test interfered with Platinum Minit’s impressive surge, and the filly who walked over from Dallas Stewart’s barn was declared the statebred Oaks champion.
“She’s a tiny little thing but she has a big heart,” Stewart said. “I’m lucky that Mr. [Murray] Valene sends me these great fillies.”
Platinum Minit was guided by last year’s leading jockey Reylu Gutierrez.
Post-time favorite Lightofmaine pressed Sister Ella who set quick early fractions of :23.32 and :47.97. Platinum Minit broke sharply but relaxed to settle on the rail, letting a pocket form around her before tipping out to the center of track to begin her rally. Having tracked the forward fillies through the far turn, Clearly a Test emerged with promise at the top of the stretch but proved green drifting out and finally back in to interfere with Platinum Minit’s late surge. Disqualified from first, Clearly a Test was placed second. Late charger Emily’s Bullet got up for third.
“She settled nicely early on for me,” Gutierrez said. “At the end I wasn’t sure if she’d split the horses but when I asked she did. This filly has a ton of heart and all credit goes to Mr. Valene and Dallas Stewart.”
Though they had to sweat out a steward’s decision, Platinum Minit’s backers breathed a $8.60, $4.00, and $3.00 sigh of relief once the ruling came.
The daughter of Givemeaminit who broke her maiden in an allowance, now has 2 wins from 7 starts and $136,525 in the bank.
El Dinero with James Graham aboard wins the 52nd running of the Cresent City Derby at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lily Weir
New Orleans, La (March 23, 2024) – John Tavormina’s El Dinero rallied up the rail to score the $125,000 Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday. One of eight stakes on Saturday’s “Louisiana Derby Day,” the Crescent City Derby concluded the three Louisiana-bred affairs, including the Crescent City Oaks and Costa Rising Stakes.
Trained by Pat Devereux Jr., El Dinero beat seven statebred 3-year-old males by 4 3/4 lengths. The son of El Deal completed the 1 1/16 miles across the fast main track in 1:45.08.
“It really never felt like he was going to lose all the way around there,” Devereux said. “That doesn’t happen very often. It’s come and gone with him. He’s not always as generous, but we moved back to Evangeline from Delta and he worked awesome two times, so it felt like he was coming into this race the right way.”
Sonofaship hustled hardest to beat the field to the front, clocking in honest opening fractions of :23.82 and :47.51. After positioning mid-pack in the two-path, El Dinero maneuvered far turn traffic with ease, then hugged the rail to quickly cut in line at the top of the stretch and extend his lead down the stretch. Sonofaship stayed on for second. Blue Eyed George finished third.
“He traveled super today,” Graham said. “He carried me the whole way. Whenever I needed an inch I got it. When I squeezed on him into the hole, he accelerated. And then it was over. I don’t think distance is going to be a problem for him.”
El Dinero returned $6.80, $3.20, $2.40.
Never running out of the money, El Dinero’s lifetime record of 9-4-3-2 has earned his connections $293,990.
2024 TEXAS TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE BREEZE SHOW TO BE BROADCAST LIVE!
The 2024 Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Breeze Show will be broadcast LIVE on the TTA Sales YouTube Channel on April 1st. The Breeze Show begins at 8am CT on April 1st.
Stay Tuned to the TTA’s Social Media Channels and TTAsales.com for a link to the live stream (Link will be available one hour before the breeze show begins)!
Late sire and Louisiana champion 3-year-old male Givemeaminit sired his first stakes winner when his daughter Platinum Minit captured the $125,000 Crescent City Oaks for state-bred sophomore fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots March 23.
Plantinum Minit is from her sire’s first and only foal crop of just three registered foals. Givemeaminit, a grade 1-placed son of Star Guitar, succumbed to EPM (equine protozoal myeloencephalitis) during his first season at stud. He stood at his breeder’s farm, Clear Creek Stud, in Louisiana, before his death in 2020.
Platinum Minit’s first black-type score was not without its share of drama. The 3-year-old Dallas Stewart trainee dueled stride for stride to the wire with Clearly a Test, only to be beaten a neck by that rival. She was inevitably declared the winner when stewards ruled she was hampered by Clearly a Test, who failed to keep a straight course the length of the stretch and repeatedly bore into Platinum Minit.
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