February 22, 2014

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Absolutely Cool Takes Phoenix Gold Cup

  After finishing second by a nose to Derive in the 2012 Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap and then being runner-up to his nemesis L. A. Weekend by a length in the 2013 version of Turf Paradise's premier race, Karl Krieg's Absolutely Cool proved that the third time was indeed the charm when he took the six furlong Gold Cup by two lengths over Rick Weist's L. A. Weekend (by Tribal Rule) on February 15.

   One of three stakes to be run on the Arizona track's Saturday card, Absolutely Cool, ridden by Rocco Bowen and trained by Valorie Lund, raced mid-pack for the first half-mile before gaining momentum to pull clear in a time of 1:08.54. REV Racing's Valiant Flame, by Eddington, who is also trained by Lund, finished another length back in third place in the field of nine runners aged four and up.

   Washington's 2012 champion handicap horse, Absolutely Cool is a homebred for Krieg, as is the runner's younger half-brother Makors Mark, who was voted Washington's horse of the year in 2012.

It was the third stakes win and 17th stakes placement since the now seven-year-old gelded son of Absolute Harmony began to run exclusively in stakes races beginning with his second place finish in the March 26, 2011, Coyote Handicap. Out of Coup de Foudre, a daughter of Basket Weave who was named 2012 Washington broodmare of the year, Absolutely Cool has earned $205,103 from a 7-8-6 record in 26 lifetime starts. He is currently the second leading earner, behind Lazy Daisy May, at the meet.

   Also featured on the card was the $35,000 Sun City Handicap, a mile turf race for older fillies and mares. Frank Lucarelli-owned and -trained Ronda Rocks, a five-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Rockport Harbor who was ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, won the race by a half-length over Lund-trained Vonn Nez, who was ridden by Bowen.

   The $35,000 Turf Paradise Handicap, was won by a neck by Az Ridge. Finishing a half-length back in third in the 1 1/6-mile turf event was Peggy Hopwood's multiple stakes winner Red Zeus, a four-year-old son of Red Sky's out of Crimson Cricket, a Washington-bred daughter of Crimson Satan. On February 18, Red Zeus's six-year-old half-brother Rich's Boy, by Decarchy, won a six-panel allowance at the track for his owner/breeder Richard Vlosich.

   On February 19, Janice A. Elliot and Terra Firma Farm's five-year-old Cu At Sunup, won a 7 1/2-furlong allowance over the Arizona track's turf course for trainer Joe Toye. It marked the third win for the daughter of Delineator-Little Sunrise, by Proud Truth, who was bred in Washington by Daniel McCanna.

   As of February 19, Emerald Downs leading trainer by wins in 2013 Jeff Metz ranks second in wins (58) and third in money ($424,327) for the Arizona meet which began on October 15, 2013, and ends on May 6, 2014. Other successful trainers with connections to our state include: Valorie Lund (fifth in money and has 20 wins); Mike Chambers (fifth in wins with 27 and seventh in money); Frank Lucarelli (tenth in money and has 11 wins); Joe Toye (15th in money and has eight wins); and Jonathan Nance (18th in money and has five wins). Among the riders, Emerald regulars Rocco Bowen ranks fourth in money ($426,910) and sixth in wins; and Gallyn Mitchell sits in eighth place in both the money and win standings. Akifumo Kato, the most successful rider in Playfair history and who has won 2,007 races, now 62, has one win to his credit this season at Turf Paradise. 

Hastings Racecourse Receives Three-year Live Racing Deal

   A multi-party agreement has paved the way for a three-year funding model for British Columbia's Hastings Racecourse. The 2014 Thoroughbred meet is expected to begin in late April or early May and continue into October..

   The British Columbia Horse Racing Industry Management Committee (BCHRMC) made the announcement on the deal, which involves Hastings, Fraser Downs (Standardbreds) and track operator Great Canadian Gaming Corporation.

   "The funding model will be an extension of arrangements that have been in place since 2012 whereby pooled income from all of the industry's revenue sources is allocated to industry participants," stated BCHRMC chairman Douglas Scott. "Income from a portion of slot-machine profits at the casinos at Hastings Racecourse and Fraser Downs will continue to be divided equally between the Thoroughbred sector and Standardbred sector."

   Hastings could race up to 55 live days this year over a six-month period; four of the days are conditioned upon income during the meet. Fraser Downs was assigned 71 days over eight months.

   "This race-day calendar will allow us to put on a first-rate racing product on a consistent basis," said Darren MacDonald, interim general manager at Hastings. "We'll be rolling out numerous new initiatives this season to attract a wider base of racing fans and look forward to working with our horsemen throughout the 2014 race meet."

   In 2013, Hastings offered 63 days of racing for total purses of $7.84 million with a field size averaging 7.12 horses per race. 

2014 Sun Downs Dates

  The Washington Horse Racing Commission granted six days of live racing in 2014 to Tri-Cities Horse Racing Association to operate Sun Downs at the Benton County Fairgrounds. The 2014 Kennewick meet will be held over three consecutive weekends: April 19-20, April 26-27 and May 3-4.

Portland Meadows Concludes 2013-14 Meet

  The 2013-14 Portland Meadows 49-day meet ended on Sunday, January 26. Jim Fergason took the Thoroughbred training title with 34 wins. Art McFadden and Howard Belvoir shared top honors for Thoroughbred owners with nine wins each. Eliska Kubinova, Emerald Downs leading apprentice rider in 2012, was Portland's top Thoroughbred jockey, with 55 wins to her credit. Trainer Juan Sanguino and jockey Joe Crispin led the Quarter Horse ranks.

   "We worked together with our partners in racing and with their financial support along with a reduction in live race days we were able to significantly raise purses on a daily basis," said Portland Meadows general manager Will Alempijevic.  "The increased purses had a clear positive affect on the quality and appeal on our live races.  Combined with a shift in our racing schedule to focus on customer demand and the availability of horse supply we realized significant year over year increases in handle."

   All sources handle totaled $22,438,272 during the meet for an average daily handle of $457,924. This represents a 49.56 percent increase from the average daily handle of $306,182 from the 60 live race day 2012 summer/fall meet.

   A total of $2,722,760 was paid in out in purses during the season for an average purse payout of $56,724 per race day.  This represents an increase from last season's per race day payout which was $39,558. 

  The average number of starters per race increased from 6.72 during the track's previous meet to 7.56 this season.

WTBOA Sales Graduates in the News

  Five-year-old Right to Vote, a stakes-winning son of Political Force, won the $100,000 1 1/16-mile Essex Handicap at Oaklawn Park on February 15. Both Right to Vote and his graded stakes-winning three-quarter brother What a Song are sons of Washington-bred stakes winner and 1991 WTBA sale graduate What a Knight, by Tough Knight, a full or three-quarter sister to three other Washington-bred stakes winners, including state champion Time of Sale. Right to Vote improved his record to 6-2-4 from 18 starts and earnings to $345,124.
  Fred and Cindy Desimone, Glyn C. Kelly and Anne MacLennon's three-year-old Chilcotin won a $12,500 maiden claiming race at Golden Gate on February 15. The daughter of Cahill Road--Courtroom Charmer, by Tribunal, who is a full sister to $59,894 stakes-placed Cariboo Road, was bred in Washington by Ron Crockett Inc. and Mr. and Mrs. William T. Griffin.

Emerald Downs Salutes the 12s

Other News

  Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's A Toast to You, who they had claimed for $50,000 out of his previous start in January, won an allowance/$65,000 optional claiming race on February 14 over Santa Anita's turf course. It was the seventh win in 22 starts for the five-year-old California-bred stakes winner by Tribal Rule and pushed his earnings over the $400,000 mark.

  Todaro and Hollendorfer's multiple stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Zeewat took the six-furlong $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at Golden Gate on February 17. Ridden by Russell Baze, the four-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Harlan's Holiday-Delizia has now won seven of 14 starts and earned $361,450.

   Herman Sarkowsky and Martin Wygod's homebred Browsing added her second win in a mile starter/optional claiming (N) race at Santa Anita on Valentine's Day. The three-year-old Kentucky-bred filly is a daughter of Sarkowsky-bred and -raced Grade 1 winner Dixie Chatter and out of Kris Star, by Kris S.

   Ron Maus's Candy for Debbie, a six-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Candy Ride (Arg)--Crown of Gold, added his 12th win on February 16 when he took a 1 1/16-mile $25,000 Golden Gate claimer by 1 1/4 lengths. The Frank Lucarelli trainee has earned $149,799.

In Memoriam

Emerson Baze

   Emerson Baze, 90, passed away on February 11, 2014, in Puyallup. Emerson was one of five sons and two daughters born to R. L. Baze and his wife. Emerson was born and raised in Sunnyside and graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1943. During World War II he served with the US Navy.

   He spent his life in the horse racing industry as a horseshoer, horse trainer and was involved in all aspects of Thoroughbred racing

As a young man he rode Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses on Washington and Oregon's bush tracks. He also competed in pony express races and drove in chariot races. Outside of his years of service during the war, Baze spent his adulthood as an accomplished and respected farrier. Among his "horse clients" were Steel Blade, Trooper Seven, Crafty Patient, Captain Condo and Firesweeper.

   He and his first wife Viola, a trainer who died in 1984 after 43 years of marriage, raced under the name of Bumble Bee Stable. Among his favorite runners were Watered Spirits, Level Off's Star and Dumbs Hit.

   Emerson's last 28 years were spent in Puyallup with his second wife Mary. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Mary; daughters Reggie (Terry Bonny) and Tessa (Eugene Glidden); son Anthony, six grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

  He's gone to greener pastures where horses need no shoes. As Emerson would say: "That's all she wrote, send my saddle home."

  A memorial will be held at the WTBOA Sales Pavilion located on Emerald Downs racetrack in Auburn at on March 21, 2014, at 1pm.