Best in Show

   The always popular Equine Art 2014 art show and sale was showcased at Emerald Downs from Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13.

  On Thursday, judges Gary Boone, Karla Laird and Alan Newberg awarded over $5,000 in prizes in more than a dozen categories, including the Stanley A. Gilman Best in Show Award which was given to Jayne Wozow's charcoal drawing "Saved." 

  In addition, the other major award winners and first-place works, along with the artist and the name of their piece, are as follows:

Morris and Joan Alhadeff Purchase Award: Mindy Z. Colton's "Racing Destiny" (Sculpture)

Angie Crockett Memorial People's Choice Award: Maria Toro's "Woodrow Harrington."

Equine Art Purse Trophy Purchase Award: Diane Frederick's "Best Buddies Box" (Object d'Art)

Washington Thoroughbred Publication Award: Nina Mikhailenko's "Filly," which also took first place in the Jean G. Barclay Memorial Award for Pastel and Drawing division.

Equine Art Committee Poster Awards: Elena Eros' "The Last Furlong," Carol Walker's "Splash" and Ginger Reddington's "Now It's a Horse Race." Reddington's piece also received first place in the Dr. Donald & Beverly Turner and Phil & Sarah Saitta Award for Acrylic division.

The Campbell Award for Oil: Karen Lebeck's "Equine Siesta"

Vivian McMurry & Pat Hallowell Memorial Award for Watercolor: Ekena Balekha's "Sunny Morning"

Doctor Pav Award for Mixed Media: Bobbi Loudon's "Wild Run"

Pegasus Thoroughbred Training & Rehabilitation Center Award for Sculpture: Mindy Z.  Colton's "Enchanted Spirits, Mare & Foal"

David L. Parks Memorial Award for Object d'Art: Diane Frederick's "Celebrating Zebras"

Makors Finale Award for Photography in memory of Duane Hamamura: Cheri Wicklund's  "Cinnabar Enchantment"

A-One Ornamental Iron Works Inc. (Gordy Jarnig & Connie LaBrie) Award for Digital:  Kari Nantad's "Quarter Racing Blues"

El Dorado Farms Intermediate Division Award (13 to 18 years): Joshua Gerald's "Sunrise Trot"

Griffin Place Pre-teen/Children's Division Award (12 and under): Isha Sangari's "Jamie's Hello"

  According to co-chairperson Anne Sweet, there were 230 pieces of art on display, 30 of which represented the kids (12 and under) and intermediate (ages 13 to 18) categories.
  The Washington Thoroughbred Foundation in conjunction with Emerald Downs and the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association presents Equine Art 2014. For a list of all the winners and placements, please visit: www.wtboa.com and click on Equine Art Show 2014 Award Winners. 

  In week 12, another WTBOA sale alumnus continued the sales horse streak as five-year-old Mr. Top Kat scored his fourth victory at the 2014 meet with a head win in a $5,000 claimer on June 29. The son of Katowice-Czechmate Miss, by He's Tops, is owned by trainer Alan Bozell and was bred by John and Doris Konecny. Ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, Mr. Top Kat upped his earnings to $35,705 and improved his record to 9-0-1 from 23 starts. Mr. Top Kat is the first foal for his dam, which is the final foal (2005) out of Washington broodmare of the year Whimsical Aire.

  David G. Lopez was named top jockey for the final week of June, with Jim Penney and Neil Knapp sharing trainer honors. Todd and Shawn Hansen were named owners of the week and Lisa Martin, who hails from Knapp's barn, was groom of the week.

  Washington-bred of the week for week 13 is the eight-year-old mare Seattle Game, who won for the 17th time, and 14th time at Emerald, after going gate-to-wire to take a $3,500 claiming race by nearly two lengths on July 6. The daughter of Seattle Shamus-A Good Plan, by Game Plan, also had a trio of wins at Canterbury Park as a five-year-old. Bred by Larry and Veralene Hillis, for whom she won her first four races, Seattle Game took her most recent outing for Saratoga West, Vito Cavello and Generoso Tandiama. The now $112,888 earner hails from Jeff Metz's barn and was ridden by Rocco Bowen.

  Other weekly honors went to jockey Jennifer Whitaker, owner Benchmark 28 Syndicate, trainer Bob Meeking and  groom Ramon Fernandez, who works for trainer Howard Belvoir.

    On June 20, six-year-old Stephanie Plum, who was bred and sold by the Dr. Duane and Susan Hopp, won an allowance/$25,000 optional claimer at Emerald Downs by 5 1/2 lengths. It marked the seventh victory for the Washington-bred daughter of Memo (Chi)-Almost Skint (Ire), by Last Tycoon (Ire), who has now earned $77,022. Stephanie Plum races for trainer Pat Mullins and his partners R. A. Larson and Ed Zenker.

  North American Thoroughbred Horse Company's 2011 Washington champion three-year-old filly Castinette Dancer, a six-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat out of stakes winner Premo Copy, by Supremo, bred by John Roche, earned her tenth stakes placement and upped her earnings to $206,409 when she finished third, for the second year in a row, in the Monashee Handicap run on Canada Day, July 1. Maderia Park won the 1 1/16-mile race by a neck with Wando Woman running a length ahead of Castinette Dancer in the seven-horse field.

  On June 28, multiple stakes winner Right to Vote, a five-year-old gelding by Political Force, finished second, beaten a neck by Carve, in the $300,000 Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap and increased his earnings to $472,124. He is one of two stakes winners out of 1991 Washington sale weanling and stakes winner What a Knight, a daughter of Tough Knight who was one of six Washington-bred stakes horses out of the Run for Nurse mare Run Tara Run.

  Seamist Racing LLC's Chilcotin, a three-year-old Washington-bred filly by Cahill Road-Courtroom Charmer, by Tribunal, bred by Ron Crockett Inc. and Terry and Mary Lou Griffin, won a mile and 70 yard, $16,000 claiming race at Oak Tree at Pleasanton on June 27. It was her third win in nine starts. The following day at the same Northern California track, WTBOA-sold Little Jack finished second in a six-furlong allowance. The four-year-old California-bred son of Tribal Rule improved his record to 3-3-5 from 14 starts and earnings to $84,865.

  Sale graduates ran one-two-three in an allowance/$40,000 optional claiming race at Emerald Downs on June 28, as Dr. William Lien and Neil Knapp's Oldtimers Vision, by Pollard's Vision, defeated One Horse Will Do Corporation, Saxwold, Saxwold and Stenslie's Stikine Slough, by Harbor the Gold, by a length in the mile race with Grasshopper Stables' Hillside Select, by City Zip, taking third.

  Six-year-old Justanother Bob won the nine-furlong Millarville Derby by one length on July 1. Bred in California by Terry Brooks, the son of Game Plan-Sister Adiba, by Pirate's Bounty, has now won seven races and earned $35,404. The gelding had broken his maiden at Emerald Downs in 2011 while racing for trainer Roy Lumm and his longtime partner Mort Robbins.

  Tom Grether Farms, Inc.'s two-year-old Boss Lori ran second in her debut, the $22,425 Chris Christian Futurity run at Les Bois Park on July 5. Bred in Washington by Bar C Racing Stable Inc., Boss Lori is a daughter of Harbor the Gold out of Oregon champion Silver Patrona, by Tiffany Ice.

  Four-year-old gelding Three Bales Left, who was bred in Washington by Jerry and Peggy Woods, won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Marquis Downs on July 5. The son of Katowice-Foxy Penny, by Tally Ho he Fox, took the race by 1 1/4 lengths.

  El Dorado Farms LLC stallion Private Gold was represented by his third juvenile winner of the season -all at Emerald Downs - when Benchmark Twenty Eight's Cadenza scored a 1 1/2-length victory in his first race, a $25,000 maiden claiming race on July 5. Bred in Washington by Nina and Ron Hagen out of the Slewdledo mare Slew Tunes, his half-sister by Abraaj sells at the 2014 WTBOA sale next month.

  REV Racing's 2013 Gottstein Futurity runner-up Mebossman took a 6 1/2-furlong allowance/$40,000 optional claiming (N) race by 6 3/4 lengths on July 6, pushing his earnings to the $68,667 level.  The gelded son of Petionville is one of 11 winners out of Rick and Debbie Pabst's 2011 Washington broodmare of the year Peaceful Wings, by Halo.

   After many discussions between the Stronach Group - owner of Portland Meadows and five other US racetracks - and the Oregon HBPA, dates for the 2014-15 Portland Meadows meet have been agreed upon. The Rose City track will run 36 live race dates, on basically a Sunday/Wednesday schedule, beginning Sunday, October 12 and racing through Wednesday, February 11, 2015. Daily post time will be at 12 noon.

  The stakes schedule, along with promotions and events, will be announced shortly.

  For more information go to: www.portlandmeadows.com.

  On the same day as the Portland Oregon dates became public, July 1, it was announced that a deal was approved that will end the head-to-head competition between the Stronach-owned Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs-owned Calder Casino & Race Course. When live racing returns to Calder in October, it will be under the operation of The Stronach Group and Gulfstream Park, and will ring in a "new era" for Thoroughbred racing in Florida.

  National and Washington Hall of Farm rider Gary Stevens, 51, announced in early July that he will be having knee replacement surgery and be out of the saddle for a minimum of six months. The Idaho native had retired in both 1999 and 2005, but still hopes to once again return to race riding. "In my mind, I'm not finished right now," he said. Stevens had hoped to make it through this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita, where he won both the Breeders' Cup Classic and Distaff last year. His current goal it "to get to get rid of that pain and see where we are from there." The champion jockey had returned to riding in January 2013 at Santa Anita and added a win aboard Oxbow in the Preakness Stakes to his already luminous résumé.

   The Communication Alliance to Network Thoroughbred Ex-Racehorses (CANTER), Inc., has recently expanded to include a Washington chapter. Washington is the 12th affiliate of the nationally-based program which began in Michigan in 1997. CANTER's stated mission is to "provide retiring Thoroughbred racehorses with opportunities for new careers."

  CANTER programs are all-volunteer organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.  For more information on the program and horses available go to: www.canterusa.org and click on Washington listings.

   Now in its eighth year, Emerald Downs will honor its Latin workers and the Hispanic community with Fiesta Premio Esmeralda, to be held on Sunday, July 20. Entire families will be able to enjoy an afternoon at the races, which will also feature mariachi music, authentic Mexican food, a horse show and activities especially for the children. The attendance last year was over 12,000 people and they expect that the attendance will grow this year.

  Emerald Downs Marketing Director Sophia McKee stated, "Here at Emerald Downs we have a strong relationship with the Latino community, as a huge number of our workers are of Hispanic descent." McKee continued, "It is very important to us that everyone enjoys this event as together we share the love for the horse culture and equestrian sports."

  Emerald Downs will open its doors at 9:30 am with a T-Shirt giveaway commemorating the event. At noon the "Charros de Washington" will present their Mexican Equestrian Show with their magnificent dancing horses, including Martin Morales with his horse El Mariachi, Don Ramón Mejía (from Rancho Alegre) with his horse El Peter and José Gutiérrez ("el  7 Veredas") with his horse Mil Amores. The show is a demonstration of what can be accomplished with love and dedication to these noble and intelligent animals. Morales, one of the event organizers said, "Our horses are taught to dance by following a series of rules and educating them properly. This year we will be accompanied by the Mariachi Guadalajara from Juan Garcia."

  And as in previous years, this event provides a lot of fun for the kids with free activities like jumping castles, giant slides, face painting and pony rides.

  The first live race will go off at 2 pm.

  The adult ticket price is $7 and the entry is free for those 17 and younger. There is also free parking. Kids younger than 13 need to be accompanied by a parent or representative and only those older than 18 years of age can place bets on the races.

  Emerald Downs will offer the opportunity for men and women alike to dress up in beautiful clothes and watch three-year-old fillies compete in the $65,000 Washington Oaks on Saturday, August 9.

  "Hats & Heels" is an afternoon in which people of all ages are encouraged to dress their best and enjoy an afternoon of food and activities  - all centered around the Washington Oaks live racing program.
  Over 20 vendors will showcase booths on track level, including TapSnap Photo, Silpada Jewelry, Like Love Mobile Boutique, Nerium Skin Care and Sisters Soaps.
  Emerald Downs also will present "EmD Afternoon Tea" in the trackside tent. Priced at $45 for adults ($20 children ages 5-10) the per-person package includes a special buffet lunch, seating in the trackside tent, an official program and tip sheet, discount in the Gift Horse, expert handicapping advice, service charge and tax.
  General admission tickets, providing access to the facility, track level booths and the live racing program, are only $7. Tent access begins at 1 p.m. The first live race begins at 2 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased in advance online at  http://www.emeralddowns.com or by calling (253) 288-7700.
  Hats & Heels benefits Valley Girls & Guys, one of the largest Susan G. Komen Walk for a Cure teams in the nation. Ten percent of vendor booth fees and $5 from each ticket sold to the afternoon tea in the trackside tent will be donated to Valley Girls & Guys.

  As of July 1, 2014, the retirement of Australian racehorses must be reported by their owners within 30 days in a rule introduced by the Australian Racing Board (ARB).

  The managing owner of each racehorse is now responsible for advising the industry's data provider Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) the reason for their horse's retirement and their plans for the horse beyond its racing career.

  Owners will indicate whether their racehorse was retired due to illness, injury, for breeding purposes or at their request and whether the horse will be re-homed as an equestrian or pleasure horse, enter an official retirement program or be sent to a livestock sale.

  The rule requiring trainers to notify authorities of the death of a racehorse in their care has also been strengthened, and trainers will be also be asked to inform authorities of the cause of the death.

  The changes follow the recent publication of a study in the Australian Veterinary Journal, indicating that "horse turnover" - exit rates in the Australian racing industry - approached 40 percent.

  The latest rule changes are intended to provide the industry with greater insight into the reasons why horses conclude their racing careers, as well as their activities post racing, thus supplying statistics which can be used to better direct education and welfare initiatives.

  Racing Victoria (RV) Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services, Dr. Brian Stewart, has welcomed the establishment of what he described as "a significant welfare initiative for the industry."

  "The retirement of racehorse rule is something that Racing Victoria has actively campaigned for and we welcome the ARB's decision to introduce it on a national level. The rule complements the range of initiatives we're undertaking to manage the welfare of our equine athletes.

  "By capturing enhanced information from owners and trainers we'll be armed with accurate data around injuries and deaths, retirements and stable departures," Stewart said.

  "This will then assist us in Victoria to further develop our research and welfare initiatives as well as our Off the Track program which promotes the retraining and re-homing of Thoroughbred racehorses.

  "It's also information which can be fed back to trainers and owners and will be beneficial in assisting them to make informed decisions in the future."

  Stewart said that most owners retire their horses responsibly, often within the broader equine sporting and pleasure markets, but that data could be improved.

  He cited a 2013 University of Melbourne study which found that Thoroughbreds with a connection to racing are the most commonly represented amongst Victoria's 600,000 pleasure horses.

  "Misleading figures and statistics about the destination of retired racehorses are often quoted by animal welfare groups and collating this data will help to ensure the industry is represented truthfully," Stewart said.

  "Ultimately, we are asking owners to take responsibility for providing information about the destination of their horse post racing so that we have accurate information on retired racehorses to better direct welfare programs."

   On June 27, Horseplayers Racing Club LLC's three-year-old filly Glamoride won a mile and 70 yard allowance test at Louisiana Downs. The Louisiana-bred daughter of Ide has earned $96,660.

  On July 1, Quatre Cat, a two-year-old first-time starter by El Dorado Farms LLC's second crop sire Abraaj, won an about six-furlong Hastings maiden special weight race by 1 1/4 lengths. Bred in British Columbia by Rob McDonald, the winning filly is out of the Foxhound mare Four Girls.  Abraaj had his fourth maiden winner at Hastings on July 5 when three-year-old BC-bred filly Four Times Lucky won a maiden claimer. The new winner is a full sister to Quatre Cat.

  Also on July 1, three-year-old Koffee Grinder, a British Columbia-bred son of Oregon-based Oakhurst Thoroughbreds' classic winner Grindstone, added his second stakes win with a 3 1/4-length tally in the $46,860 Chris Loseth Handicap at Hasting Racecourse and improved his record to three wins in five starts for the colt out of Just Pinn'er, by Stephanotis, who has now earned $70,514.

  Carl Seymour's four-year-old Thirst for First went gate-to-wire to take a five-furlong maiden special weight by 4 1/2 lengths at Les Bois Park on July 2. The son of Prospected-Sabotage Power, by La Saboteur, was bred in Washington by Jason Homer.

  On July 4, Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's multiple stakes winner Zeewat, a four-year-old son of Harlan's Holiday, upped his earnings to $371,700 after he ran third in the $75,000 Oak Tree Sprint Stakes run at Oak Tree at Pleasanton.  On July 5, Todaro and partners' 2013 two-year-old champion Shared Belief remained unbeaten after the Candy Ride (Arg) gelding scored his fifth win in the $500,000 Los Alamitos Derby (G2) during the opening weekend of the Thoroughbred meet at the Southern California Quarter Horse track. Ridden to his 4 1/4-length victory by Mike Smith, Shared Belief has earned $772,200.

  Impeached, a three-year-old Washington-bred daughter of Northern Afleet out of 2000 Washington champion two-year-old filly Best Judgement, by Demons Begone, who was bred by Terry and Mary Lou Griffin - as was her dam - took a seven-furlong turf allowance at Mountaineer Casino and Racetrack and Resort by 4 1/2 lengths on July 8. Impeached, who races for Jeffery D. Stoddard, has now won two of her four starts and earned $22,135. Her other win came in a maiden special weight race at Belterra Park (the former River Downs) in May.

  Z Thoroughbred Racing's thee- year-old gelding El Mesano, by Mizzen Mast, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, won a $27,000 maiden special weight race at 1 1/16 miles at Oak Tree at Oak Tree at Pleasanton on Independence Day.