WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION
 
Gate-to-Wire Newsletter
News from the WTBOA
November 13, 2014

Calendar
 

Wednesday, November 5 - Saturday, November 15, 2014

KEENELAND NOVEMBER BREEDING STOCK SALE

Lexington, KY (800) 456-3412; keeneland.com

 

Sunday, November 23, 2014

$21,000 STALLION STAKES

Portland Meadows, OR

(503) 285-0658 or [email protected]

 

Monday, December 15, 2014

2014 BREEDERS CUP LATE FOAL DEADLINE

Lexington, KY

(800) 722-3287 or (859) 223-5444; breederscup.com

 

Monday, December 15, 2014

2014 BREEDERS CUP STALLION NOMINATION DEADLINE

Lexington, KY

(800) 722-3287 or (859) 223-5444; breederscup.com

 

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

NORTHWEST RACE SERIES NOMINATION DEADLINE

WTBOA, Auburn, WA

(253) 288-7878; [email protected]

wtboa.com 

 

Monday, January 12 - Friday, January 16, 2015

KEENELAND JANUARY HORSES OF ALL AGES SALE

Lexington, KY (800) 456-3412; keeneland.com

 

Saturday, January 31, 2015

NORTHWEST RACE SERIES LATE EXTENSION DEADLINE

WTBOA, Auburn, WA

(253) 288-7878; [email protected]

wtboa.com 

 


HORSES FOR SALE

 

Washington-bred yearling filly and weanling colt out of Miss Wagon Lode and sired by Harbor the Gold. Half to stakes-placed winner of $114,932, Royal Moses. Nice racing prospects! Call Craig Harder (509) 760-2819.


Winning 5YO daughter of In Excess (Ire) ($45,800,000 foal earnings). Half-sister to SW Gadget Queen ($309,030) and SP Zillah's Knight (87,626). First two dams produced over $925,000 in earnings in the Northwest. Never bred. Located in Oregon. Priced to sell. (801) 866-6928. [email protected] for price, pictures and pedigree page.


Storming Slew, 11YO mare, by Crowning Storm out of Lyphard's Angel, by Lyphard's Wish (Fr) with nice eight-month-old colt by Northern Indy, by A. P. Indy, at side. Bred back to Sixthirteen. $3,000 for package. Click here for photos. Contact Keith Marks (509) 582-9396.
 

 

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Muckleshoot Tribe Acquires Emerald Downs
   Emerald Downs' press release (Nov. 13, 2014): Tribe will own and operate the Northwest's Premier Thoroughbred racing facility.

  The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has reached agreement in principle with Northwest Racing Associates to acquire Emerald Downs, the Northwest's premier Thoroughbred racing facility.

  When the transaction closes in the next 60 to 90 days the Tribe will assume full ownership and operational control from Northwest Racing Associates, which has operated the racetrack since its beginning in 1996.

  This transaction is the culmination of the Muckleshoot Tribe's support of Thoroughbred racing in Washington State over many years. The Tribe has been Emerald Downs' landlord since 2002, when it acquired the 157-acre property on which Emerald Downs sits, and since 2004 the Tribe has invested more than $11 million in purse enhancements at Emerald Downs. Also, the Muckleshoot Tribal Classic has been the cornerstone of the Washington Cup series for Washington-bred horses.

  "The Tribe's long-standing support of the state's Thoroughbred racing industry continues with this transaction," said Muckleshoot Tribal Council Chair Virginia Cross. "It is the Tribe's goal to keep the Thoroughbred horse racing industry as a viable part of our state's economy. Emerald Downs sits in the center of the Tribe's historical homeland and this transaction makes it an important part of our economic development program."

  After the transaction closes the Tribe will undertake an evaluation of steps to strengthen the performance of Emerald Downs. Notwithstanding a number of legislatively authorized enhancements over the years, and the tremendous efforts of Northwest Racing Associates' President Ron Crockett and his partners, Thoroughbred horse racing has struggled in an increasingly difficult environment both in Washington State and nationally.

  "My goal has always been to preserve this important industry," Crockett said. "I have accomplished that goal and this is a now good time for the Tribe to step in and bring Emerald Downs to the next level."

  Crockett has agreed to serve as a consultant to the Tribe to help with the transition to new ownership and the current management team will remain in place. 

  The 2015 live racing season, the 20th in track history, is scheduled to run 70 days from April through September, including the 80th running of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile in August. The stable area opens February 1.
Breeders' Cup World Championships XXXI
  The 2014 Breeders' Cup World Championships were held at Santa Anita Park on October 31 and November 1.

  The gala racing event started off with the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), a mile race for colts and geldings. A field of 14 took the challenge, but it was Wesley Ward runners, who finished in the top two positions, in what would prove to be the start of a stellar two-day run for the now Florida-based trainer. Hootenany, a colt from the first crop of Quality Road, won the race by three-quarters of a length for his Coolmore connections, with Ken and Sarah Ramsey's homebred Luck of the Kitten, by Kitten's Joy, following him home second. World traveler Hootenany, who had won the Windsor Castle Stakes during the Royal Ascot meet and then finished second in the Group 1 Darley Prix Morny at Deauville, improved his record to 3-1-1 from five starts and upped his earnings to $751,975. Daddy D T, by Scat Daddy, finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in third.

  That race was followed by the $1-million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1), which for the second year in a row was taken by Goldencents, who finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Tapiture, by Tapit. Third place Pants On Fire, by Jump Start, trailed Tapiture by five lengths. Goldencents, a four-year-old son of Into Mischief, has earned $3,044,000 in 18 starts with a 7-7-0 record. Both Into Mischief and his two-time champion half-sister Beholder - who was derailed from her third Breeders' Cup appearance due to illness - are out of $187,014 stakes winner Leslie's Lady, whose grandam was stakes-placed One Last Bird, a 1980 daughter of One for All whose final five foals were bred in Washington and included $311,152 stakes winner Melanyhasthepapers.

  Thirteen fillies lined up for the $1-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Race favorite Lady Eli, by Divine Park, won the mile race by 2 3/4 lengths over early leader Sunset Glow, with Osaila (Ire), by Danehill Dancer - fresh off a win at Newmarket - 2 1/4 lengths further back in third. Gary Stevens-ridden Sivoliere (Ire) finished another half-length back in fourth. Del Mar Debutante Stakes (G1) winner Sunset Glow, by Exchange Rate - who also hails from Ward's barn - has earned $557,640 for Woodinville resident Dave Mowat's Ten Broeck Farm.

  The first day of the World Championships festivities ended with $2-million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), a nine-furlong event for three and up fillies and mares. With the defection of Beholder, Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC's sterling Untapable cemented her three-year-old championship with her 1 1/4-length tally over the steadily improving Don't Tell Sophia, by Congaree. Iotapa, by Afleet Alex, finished a nose back in third. In winning the Distaff, Untapable propelled her sire Tapit - who stems from 1968 Washington broodmare of the year and Reine-de-Course Beadah - into a new North American single-season earnings record, which through November 2 is $15,246,849. It was announced on November 3 that the 13-year-old stallion - who has now sired five Breeders' Cup winners - will have his stud fee doubled to $300,000 in 2015.

  Saturday's Breeders' Cup card began with the $2-million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), a 1 1/6-mile race in which $61.70-to-one longshot Take Charge Brandi, by Giant's Causeway, led at every call to defeat Top Decile, by Congrats, by a half-length. Finishing another half-length behind in third was Wonder Gal, by Tiz Wonderful. It was the third stakes win for Take Charge Brandi and the 20th for her Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Mark Dedomenico's Majestic Presence ran ninth of 12.

  Five-year-old Dayatthespa became the first of two Breeders' Cup winners for City Zip on the card when she defeated Stephanie's Kitten, by Kitten's Joy, by 1 1/4 lengths in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Irish-bred Just the Judge finished a half-length back in third in the ten-furlong race. Chad Brown trains the first two place holders.

  The slight favorite in the field of ten running in the $1-million DraftKings Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1), Wesley Ward-owned and -trained Judy the Beauty prevailed by a head over $23.50-to-one longshot Better Lucky, with $39.70-to-one Thank You Marylou, by Birdstone, running 3 1/2 lengths back in third place in the seven-furlong event.

  Both Judy the Beauty and runner-up Better Lucky are five-year-old daughters of 2004 Horse of the Year and Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Ghostzapper. Judy the Beauty, who had finished second in the 2013 Filly and Mare Sprint to champion Groupie Doll and has now earned $1,662,146, was purchased by Ward - who was the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey of 1984 - for $20,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. Former Longacres riding champ Gary Boulanger finished fifth aboard Leigh Court.

  After two seconds, breeders/owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey won the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) with three-year-old Bobby's Kitten, a son of their 2013 leading sire Kitten's Joy. Also trained by Brown, Bobby's Kitten came from near the back of the pack to defeat race favorite No Say Never, a three-year-old Group 1-winning son of Scat Daddy, by a half-length. Finishing a nose back in third place was four-year-old Undrafted, by Purim. Both No Say Never and Undrafted hail from the Ward stable.

  Two-year-old colt Texas Red, by Afleet Alex, scored the most dominating win of the day by taking the $2-million Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) by 6 1/2 lengths over race favorite Carpe Diem, a son of Giant's Causeway. Finishing a nose back in third was Upstart, by Flatter. A $17,000 Keeneland September sale yearling, Texas Red aced $1.6-million Florida two-year-old purchase Carpe Diem in a time of 1:41.91.

  The $3-million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), a mile and a half journey, was taken by turf "tour de force" Main Sequence who was winning his fourth consecutive US Grade 1 turf event since returning from two years spent in England. He had begun his winning skein with a victory in the United Nations Handicap in early July. The six-year-old gelded son of Aldebaran - who defeated Flintshire (GB), by Dansili (GB), by a half-length with Twilight Eclipse, by Purim, another 11/4 lengths back in third place in his latest tally - has earned just shy of $3.3-million.

  Work All Week, who raced alongside early leader Fast Anna for the first half-mile of the six-furlong stakes, became the second offspring of City Zip to score during BC '14 when he defeated 2013 Xpressbet Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Secret Circle, by Eddington, by a half-length in the 2014 edition of the $1.5-million race. Private Zone, by Macho Uno, finished another 1 1/2 lengths back in third place in the 14-horse field. It marked the first graded win for the Illinois-bred Work All Week, who has a record of 12-2-0 in 15 starts.

  Japanese-bred Karkontie was the only foreign-bred runner to annex one of the 11 Breeders' Cup races this year. The three-year-old son of Bernstein is also the first horse bred in the "Land of the Rising Sun" to score a Breeders' Cup win. Bred and owned by Flaxman Holdings Limited, as is Main Sequence, Karkontie, a 2014 classic winner in France, was making his first North American start in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), in which he defeated Anodin (Ire) by one length. Trade Storm (GB) finished another length behind in third place in the field of 14 turf runners. Karkontie is a great-grandson of 1987-88 Mile heroine Miesque.

  Sophomores swept all the money placings in the $4-million Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), the pinnacle race in Breeders' Cup XXX1. Unbeaten 2013 champion Shared Relief, who has Seattleite Dr. George Todaro among his many owners, went off as the $2.50-to-one favorite in the ten-furlong race, but after a rough and controversial trip, could only manage fourth. In an exciting blanket finish, Bayern, by Offlee Wild, gave trainer Bob Baffert his first Classic score, leading at every call and holding on for a nose tally over Toast of New York, by Thewayyouare, with Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner California Chrome, by Lucky Pulpit, only another neck back.

 

Ward Wrap-up

  Ward, who earned $11,233,180 in his five-year career as a jockey, has since had his North American runners win over $40-million as a trainer, including his over $6-million in purses in 2014. In addition to having all seven of his runners place in 2014 Breeders' Cup races, the now Florida-based conditioner has five other BC placements, starting with Unfinished Symph's third place finish to Barathea (Ire) in the 1994 Breeders' Cup Mile.

Ward stayed home with his children, rather than to make the journey to California. His assistant trainer, Blake Heap, took over the saddling duties.

  The absent trainer commented "My being there wouldn't have made them run faster and the smile on my boy's face couldn't make me happier," after attending his son's cross country meet.

  Plans are to take Hootenany and Sunset Glow back to England to run in Newmarket's 2015 Group 1 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, respectively. Hootenany will probably make his three-year-old debut in the Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland next April before heading off to Europe. Undrafted will go to Ascot, and then on to Newmarket, while No Say Never is being retired to stud by Coolmore. Judy the Beauty had been consigned to the Fasig-Tipton The November Sale on November 3, but after her performance, Ward made the decision to race her in 2015 and then retain her as a broodmare.

Stryker Phd Runs Second in Santa Anita Stakes
  2014 Emerald Downs horse of the meet and Longacres Mile (G3) winner Stryker Phd, in his first start since taking the August 24 Mile, finished a strong second in the $75,000 Big Bear Stakes run at Santa Anita Park in October 30.

  With 2014 Emerald meet leader Leslie Mawing in the saddle, Mona and Jim Hour's champion Washington-bred was narrowly beaten by a half-length by seven-year-old Regally Ready in the mile race after having to swing four wide as the eight-horse field entered the lane. Final race time was 1:35.65.

  "He ran great, the winner was a Breeders' Cup winner a couple of years ago, so you know it was a tough race," said Mawing. "He really gave his best in the last part of the race. He ran great."

  Larry Ross, who has trained Stryker Phd throughout his 2014 season, noted after the race: "I'm really happy. Of course, I would have been happier if he had won it. He made his move and finished ahead of some really nice horses today."

  Even the writers at the Thoroughbred Daily News noted the Pacific Northwest runner's race.

  "GIII Longacres Mile winner Stryker Phd made a race of it late . . ."

  Both the winner and Stryker Phd carried the 124 pound high weight, as did three other runners in the field.

  Bred by Char Clark Thoroughbreds and Todd Havens, both of Spokane, he had been purchased by the Hours at the 2009 WTBOA Sale. Stryker Phd, a five-year-old gelded son of Bertrando-Striking Scholar, by Smart Strike, improved his record to 5-5-4 in 17 starts, which is highlighted by his 3-1-0 from four 2014 outings, and went over the $300,000 with his $15,900 addition to $308,651.
WTBOA Board and Sales Committee Election Results

  The results of the elections for the three-year terms (2015-17) for the four positions on the WTBOA Board of Trustees and three spots on the WTBOA Sales Committee were recently tallied. For the board, incumbents William Brewer, Mary Lou Griffin and Dana Halvorson were reelected. They will be joined on the 12-member board by returnee Stan Gillman. Sales committee incumbents Dana Halvorson and Jenny Webber will be joined by returning member Debbie Pabst.

  Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all who ran this year.

Inaugural Thoroughbred Owner Conference Panel Videos

  The first Thoroughbred Owner Conference was held at Keeneland Racecourse in Kentucky in mid-October. Sponsored by Del Mar Racetrack, Keeneland, the New York Racing Association and The Stronach Group under the auspices of The Jockey Club's OwnerView, the three-day conference offered a well-received first-hand learning experience from racing's leading owners and trainers; insights from sales and bloodstock professionals on finding equine athletes; and behind-the-scenes tours of the world's leading breeding operations.

  According to Gary Falter, the vice president of operations at The Jockey Club, "From all practical measures the conference was a huge success. We plan to hold this national conference annually and will rotate the event to the cities of our presenting sponsors. We are having discussions this week and next week to select the 2015 location of the owner conference.

  "As an important take-away from the 2014 conference, we video recorded each of the panel sessions for the attending owners to review again. It's our hope the videos from the conference can become a useful tool to encourage new owners into our sport."

  Horsemen and potential owners and breeders who could not attend the conference can access the conference sessions by clicking the banner on the WTBOA website, wtboa.com. 

More Portland Stakes Results and Date Changes

  Portland Meadows ran a trio of $20,000 stakes on November 2.

  The first, the 5 1/2-furlong Willamette River Stakes for two-year-olds, was taken by David Gregory's Hastings Racecourse stakes-placed Oh Derek, a Kentucky-bred son of Brother Derek-Try a Gator Girl, by Copelan, who defeated Neil Knapp's Gilly Gone, by Harbor the Gold, by 4 1/2 lengths with Luke Lindsey's Iwannbeadivatoo, by Preachinatthebar, another two lengths back in third place in the field of seven. Sahin Civaci was aboard trainer Sylvea Gregory's Oh Derek for the win. Oh Derek has a record of 3-1-1 from six starts and earnings of $51,198.

  The Gregorys and Civaci also teamed together to take the Mt. St. Helens Handicap with Lady Henrietta. The four-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Forest Danger-Condeleezza S., by Alydeed, who was also stakes-placed at Hastings, defeated Lawrence O'Brine and Marvin Pietila's Society Girl, by Soft Gold (Brz), by a neck. Michael Pollowitz's Seventyprcentcocoa, by Private Gold - who had won the Diamond Lake Handicap in her previous outing - finished another three lengths back in third in the six panel race. The win improved Lady Henrietta's record to 5-6-4 from 21 races and she has earned $92,932.

  The final stakes on the Sunday card, the six-furlong Mt. Hood Stakes for runners three and up, was won by Rancho Viejo and Pam Tumminello's seven-year-old Memphis Mobster. The Rigoberto Velasquez-trained runner was ridden by Leonel Camacho-Flores to his 3 1/4-length win over Jaqueline Smith's Red Defense, by Redattore (Brz), who defeated Sam Stephenson's Spot of Salt, by Salt Lake, by a nose, with Maddie's Gold a neck back in fourth in the field of ten. Memphis Mobster, a California-bred son of Memo (Chi) out of multiple stakes producer Sweethrtofsigmachi, by General Meeting, has earned $113,954 with his 14-8-3 record in 48 starts.

  Beginning on November 18, Portland Meadows has decided to switch from a Sunday-Wednesday two-day live schedule to a Sunday-Tuesday two-day live schedule. The 12:00 pm starting time will continue for all cards.

" We expect to handle significantly more by racing on Tuesdays" said Portland Meadows general manager William Alempijevic. "We will work with the few tracks running on Tuesday to stagger our posts and complement them." The new closing day for the 2014-15 meet will be February 10.

  While Sunday cards will continue to contain a mixture of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races, Tuesday cards will feature all Thoroughbred racing.
WTBOA Sales Graduates in the News

  Seven-year-old campaigner Newfound Gold improved his 2014 record to 5-3-3 from 13 starts when he won a $12,500 claiming race, ridden by Tyler Baze, at Santa Anita Park on October 30. The Kentucky-bred gelding by Newfoundland-Binntastic, by Lyphard's Wish (Fr), has a lifetime record of 11-15-9 from 43 starts and has earned $184,459, of which $82,220 has been earned this year.

  Two-year-old Brewinintheblue took his first win, via the benefit of the stewards' decision due to his being bumped by original first-place finisher Homefel, in a five-furlong maiden special weight race at Portland Meadows on November 2. Owned by Tom Grether Farms Inc. and trained by Robert Lawrence, Brewinintheblue, a Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold-Bluledo, by Slewdledo, was bred by Bar C Racing Stables Inc.

  Three-year-old Aerial Dancer, a gelded son of Cahill Road bred by Mary Lou and Terry Griffin, finished second by a nose in a maiden/$30,000 optional claiming (N) race at Turf Paradise on November 1. The full brother to Washington champion Spanish Highway and stakes winner Ashby Hill races for Sheehy LLC and trainer Cal O'Callaghan, who also had the winner in the about 7 1/2-furlong turf race, Persisting.

  Trainer Frank Lucarelli, Custom Truck Accessories and Scott Center's three-year-old gelding Can't Get Enough finished second in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance test at Turf Paradise on November 5. The gelding by Harbor the Gold-Silver City Lilly, by Tiffany Ice, bred in Washington by Bar C Racing Stables Inc., has a record of 4-3-3 from 12 starts and has earned $42,537. Finishing third was Lucarelli-trained Songandabullet, a four-year-old son of Songandaprayer who races for Ron Hagen.

  Z Thoroughbred Racing Partners III's Sunpenny earned her second stakes placement when she finished third, 1 1/4 lengths behind the Valorie Lund-trained winner Bear Facts, in the $35,000 Chandler Stakes run at Turf Paradise on November 8. Trained by Frank Lucarelli and bred by Debbie and Rick Pabst in Washington, the three-year-old daughter of Good Reward-Cascade Corona, by Pine Bluff, has won or placed in eight of her 12 starts and earned $52,697.
Fasig-Tipton The November Sale

  Fasig-Tipton's select The November Sale got the Kentucky breeding stock sales underway on November 3. From the 200 horses cataloged, 152 went through the sales ring and 108 sold for a $63,678,000 gross and a $589,611 average, which was up three percent over the 2013 venue. Unfortunately, the median dropped 20 percent from $250,000 in 2013 to $200,000 this year. RNAs rose from 20.9 percent to 28.9 percent and among the high-priced buybacks was 2012 Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Believe You Can, who bred to 2014 leading sire Tapit, was a $4.9-million RNA. Triple Grade 1 winner Turbulent Descent, bred to War Front, who started her race career in 2010 under a partnership that included WTBOA board member Steve Zerda, was a $2,450,000 RNA. Also not selling was $593,000 multiple stakes winner Lady of Fifty, also bred to Tapit, who raced for partners Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. The half-sister to 2014 Washington Oaks winner Lady Fifty Two was a $975,000 RNA.

  A total of 33 horses brought a selling bid of $500,000 or more, down from 45 in 2013.

  Topping the exclusive sale was multiple Grade 1 winner and broodmare prospect Princess of Sylmar, who was purchased by Japan's Shadai Farm for $3.1-million. Also changing hands for $3-million were two young mares bred to War Front: Test Stakes (G1) winner Sweet Lulu and Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner and Grade 1-placed Wine Country, a daughter of Horse of the Year Azeri.

  2013 Eclipse Award-juvenile filly She's a Tiger, who was bred by Dr. Rodney Orr and raced in partnership by Dr. Mark Dedomenico, was sold to Katsumi Yoshida of Japan as a broodmare prospect for $2.5-million.

  Among the other 23 mares bringing $1-million or more was 2008 Emerald Downs Handicap winner Lemon Kiss, a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid who is the dam of 2014 Grade 1 stakes winner Lochte. She was sold mated to Distorted Humor for $1,325,000.

  2011 Pegasus Thoroughbred Sale two-year-old, two-time 2014 Grade 1 winner and $1.1-million earner Belle Gallantey, who began her racing career at Hastings Racecourse and ended it in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on November 1, sold for $750,000. Her weanling half-brother by Gio Ponti sold for $175,000 earlier in the sale.
Keeneland November - First Ten Days

  Keeneland's 2014 November Breeding Stock Sale got underway on November 4 with the first of its 4,026 offerings. Several connections to Pacific Northwest owners and horses were note.

  Among those selling were Andele, a Bernardini half-sister to Roz Barclay's 2011 British Columbia Horse of the Year and new stallion for 2015 Northern Causeway. The four-year-old winner, which had been bred to the late Street Cry (Ire), brought $450,000.

  WTBOA sales topper and stakes winner Collect Call, the dam of Grade 2 winner Old Fashioned, sold bred to Tiznow for $115,000. Her four-year-old unraced daughter Spit Curl, bred to Graydar, was purchased for $150,000.

  $1-million stakes winner Halo Dotty, who raced for Dr. George Todaro and partners, sold as a broodmare prospect for $300,000.

  Grade 3 stakes winner Naples Bay, a Giant's Causeway half-sister to three-time Grade 1 winner and major sire Medaglia d'Oro, sold bred to War Front for $3.6-million. The half-siblings are out of Al and Joyce Bell's 1991 Washington-bred Mercer Girls Stakes winner Cappucino Bay, a half-sister to Washington champion juvenile male Maharesred.

  Grousemont Farm sold two weanling daughters of 2014 North American leading sire Tapit. The first sold was the initial foal out of $342,123 stakes winner J Z Warrior, which was purchased by Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables LLC for $575,000. Debbie Oxley paid $400,000 for the filly out of Rose of Killarney, a winning half-sister to Grade 1 winner Laragh (also by Tapit) and Grade 2 winner Summer Front. A Pioneerof the Nile weanling colt, whose dam was Grousemont Farm's stakes-winning and stakes-producing Fortune Pending, sold for $300,000.

  Dr. Rodney Orr of Oregon sold a Giant's Causeway half-sister to 2013 champion She's a Tiger and to triple Grade 1 winner and WTBOA sales alumni Smiling Tiger for $400,000. Shandra Smiles, the Emerald Downs stakes-winning daughter of Cahill Road who foaled the two Grade 1 winners, is also the dam of Pure Smiles, a five-year-old daughter of Pure Gift, who carrying her first foal, by Candy Ride (Arg), sold for $190,000.

  2008 WTBOA sale graduate and four-time Grade 2 winner City by City, bred to War Front, was a $1,250,000 RNA.

  A weanling colt by War Front out of Oakhurst Thoroughbred stallion Grindstone's stakes-producing daughter Stone Hope topped the third session for $850,000.

  Mini Chat, a two-time stakes producer out of the late Herman Sarkowsky's national two-year-old filly champion Phone Chatter, sold bred to Union Rags for $340,000. Another horse with close ties to the Seattle businessman, a weanling colt by Into Mischief out of a half-sister to Washington champions No Giveaway and Youcan'ttakeme, brought $80,000. Union Chatter, a three-year-old granddaughter of Phone Chatter's Grade 2-winning and Grade 1-producing daughter Cat Chat, sold bred to Swagger Jack for $27,000.

  A Group 2-winning daughter - Strawberrydaiquiri, bred to classic winner and leading European sire Dubawi - of Strawberry Morn, who won the first race and stakes at Emerald Downs back in 1996, sold for $1,450,000.

  Getback Time, a $384,050 stakes-placed daughter of 1995 WTBOA sales graduate and Emerald stakes winner Shay, sold bred to Point of Entry for $42,000.

  Three-year-old Dharana, a daughter of Street Cry out of Oak Crest Farm-bred and -raced 2006 Frizette Stakes (G1) winner Sutra, sold bred to Kentucky Derby (G1) Animal Kingdom, for $50,000.

  Two descendants of 1968 Washington horse of the year Hooplah brought six figures. Access to Charlie, a $260,220 stakes-winning daughter of Indian Charlie, bred to Tiznow, brought $400,000. Her stakes-winning dam is a granddaughter of Hooplah's Grade 1-winning daughter Afifa. $107,981 stakes-placed Coconut Shrimp, bred to Stay Thirsty, sold for $290,000. Her grandam Whow was a stakes-winning half-sister to Afifa and group or graded winners and sires Auction Ring and Alias Smith.

  A weanling City Zip colt out of $207,867 winner Miss Pauline - a half-sister to Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Union Rags and to $104,458 winner Tempo West, dam of European and Irish highweight and Group 1 winner Declaration of War, stakes winner Vertiformer, two stakes-placed runners and Gibson Thoroughbred Farm stallion War Power - brought $62,000.

  Six-year-old Sister Kate, a $282,186 stakes winner bred by Mary Caldwell - and full sister to $1.6-million earner and sire Brother Derek and half-sister to $402,365 stakes winner Don'tsellmeshort - sold, bred to Scat Daddy, for $180,000. The trio of stakes winners' grandam was Oregon champion filly Solamente Un Vez.

  Stakes-placed Among the Willows, a half-sister to Champagne Stakes (G1) winner and sire Havana and to Vital Sign Stable broodmare Follow Your Shot - whose two-year-old Val de Saire placed in two 2014 Emerald Downs stakes - sold for $37,000 while covered by Gemologist.

  Casperette, a winning daughter of Ghostzapper out of Washington champion, Grade 2 stakes winner and stakes producer Classy Cara, sold bred to Discreet Cat for $22,000.

  $101,723 stakes winner Cougartown, a daughter of Speightstown raced by Edward and Theresa DeNike, was sold bred to More Than Ready for $85,000. Her $328,765 stakes-winning dam, Fair Apache, was a WTBOA sale alumni.

  The winning Tiz Wonderful mare Oblahlah, bred to Graydar, was sold for $85,000. Her Grade 3 stakes-producing dam Lady Nichola is a half-sister to three-time leading Washington sire Parker's Storm Cat.

  Wildcat Melody, a daughter of Unbridled's Song bred to Data Link, brought $22,000. Her dam, Grade 1 winner Celtic Melody, is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes winner and Washington horse of the year Delicate Vine.

  Cathy's Crunches, a four-time stakes winner of $323,298 who raced for Mark Dedomenico and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, sold bred to Tale of the Cat for $50,000.

  $229,505 stakes winner Hungarian Boatman, a daughter of Silver Ghost out of Washington champion and Grade 2 winner Zama Hummer, by Knights Choice, was purchased for $40,000 while carrying a foal by Uncle Mo.

  Justmeandmyshadow, a daughter of Tiznow bred to Yes It's True, sold for $77,000. The half-sister to Grade 1 stakes winner and sire Officer is out of stakes winner and WTBOA sales graduate St. Helens Shadow.

  $155,300 Grade 3-placed Mr Hall's Opus, a daughter of 2003 Barbara Shinpoch Stakes winner Sala de Oro and a half-sister to $230,800 stakes winner Truth and Justice, sold as a broodmare prospect for $90,000. Her stakes-winning second dam, Kildare, was Washington's broodmare of the year in 2002 and also produced Washington champion sophomore filly No Turbulence and stakes winner Hall of Gold.

  Stakes-placed No Lullaby, a daughter of Brahms out of 2003 Washington broodmare of the year Taj Alriyadh, sold bred to Mizzen Mast for $48,000.

  A weanling colt from the first crop of champion Hansen and out of $124,747 stakes winner Slewville - a granddaughter of Washington champion three-year-old filly Chalk Box, brought $47,000.

  Seven-year-old Alki Point, a full sister to Washington champions Noosa Beach and Music of My Soul and multiple stakes winner Noosito, carrying a foal by Lucky Pulpit, sold for $17,000. The mare's first foal, a filly by Stormin Fever, had been purchased by trainer Doris Harwood at the 2014 WTBOA sale.

  Dr. Mark Dedomenico and Glen Todd sold unraced Beneficial Friend, a three-year-old daughter of Street Boss out of $111,898 stakes winner Friendofthefamily, bred to Afleet Alex, for $23,000.

  Dynachick, a three-year-old filly by Dynaformer and half-sister to $187,533 stakes winner Fusa Code, out of four-time Emerald Downs stakes winner Lasting Code, was sold for $28,000 carrying her first foal by Fast Bullet.

  Fast Laner a stakes-winning and stakes-producing daughter of El Dorado Farms' broodmare Lois Laner, sold bred by Liaison for $40,000.

  La Strada, a winning daughter of Street Sense out of Washington-bred stakes winner and $231,226 earner Deputy Sue, sold bred to Einstein (Brz) for $37,000. The sale also included a 2015 no guarantee breed back to Macho Uno.

 

Buyers

 Jerre Paxton's Northwest Farms LLC purchased $91,620 stakes winner Bow Bells, a four-year-old daughter of Giant's Causeway out of Grade 1 winner Marylebone, carrying her first foal by Shanghai Bobbie on day one.

  Rozamund Barclay bought three mares and a weanling colt. The mares are a $246,219 stakes-winning daughter of Lydgate bred to Uncle Mo; a winning daughter of Songandaprayer bred to First Samurai; and a broodmare prospect by Unbridled's Song who is out of a stakes-producing, Grade 3-placed daughter of Seattle Slew. It is likely the mares will be among the first book for Barclay's recently retired stallion Northern Causeway. The colt is from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Creative Cause and is the first foal out of $216,550 stakes-placed Witchesofwestfield.

  Dana Halvorson's Halvorson Bloodstock, as agent, signed for a weanling filly by Gio Ponti out of a half-sister to $246,417 stakes winner and stakes producer Summer Rainbow. Halvorson's name also appeared on the ticket for a weanling colt by Munnings. The February 1 colt is out of Grade 3 winner Coronation Cup, a daughter of Grade 2 winner and 1993 broodmare of the year Glowing Tribute.

The Enumclaw-based agent also purchased a $125,921 stakes-placed Sky Classic mare, Classy Landlady, bred to Stormy Atlantic. Another broodmare signed for by Halvorson Bloodstock is the unraced Empire Maker mare Regal Rose, whose winning dam is a half-sister to three stakes horses, including the dam of Preakness Stakes (G1) millionaire Red Bullet. The five-year-old mare was sold bred to Silent Name (Jpn) with a 2015 no guarantee season to Fort Larned.

  Dr. Duane Hopp, who with his wife Susan own and operate Castlegate Farm, signed for a weanling filly from the first crop of Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner Gemologist. The February foal is a half-sister to two-time Grade 2 winner and $683,263 earner Briecat.

  WTBOA member Richard Kessler purchased broodmare prospect Twisted Purpose, a four-year-old filly by Hard Spun who is a half-sister to $425,745 stakes winner Beau Dare, $208,161 stakes winner Turfiste and $236,647 stakes-placed Victoire Bataille. His second purchase was the winning Harlan's Holiday mare Really Charming. The four-year-old mare, a half-sister to Grade 3-placed, $252,723 earner Any Given Royal, is out of $199,604 stakes winner Really Royal and was sold in foal to Shackleford.

  Bar C Racing Stables Inc. will bring back to Oregon a six-year-old daughter of Awesome Again named Clever Bird. Bred to Einstein (Brz) for her first foal, she comes with a no guarantee return breeding to Fort Larned.

If you are aware of other Pacific Northwest connections that we may have missed, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Horse Racing to Return to Great Falls in 2015

  On October 28, the Cascade County commissioners approved a contract with the Great Falls Turf Club to continue racing with a four-day race meet in the Montana city for the third consecutive year. The meet will be held in conjunction with the Montana State Fair on July 18-19 and July 25-26, 2015.

  The contract is subject to the Great Falls Turf Club obtaining approval from the Montana Board of Racing.
Other News

  Leonard Strandley's homebred Triballa, ridden by Leslie Mawing and trained by Larry Ross, won a six-furlong maiden special weight race at Golden Gate Fields on October 31. The new winner is a three-year-old California-bred daughter of Tribal Rule-Safely Home, by Dixieland Heat.

  Undefeated Washington-bred Quarter Horse runner Heza Dasha Fire took the $1,031,100 Golden State Million Futurity (G1) by a half-length at Los Alamitos on November 2. Bred and owned by Don, Kathy and Shawn Meneely's S-Quarter K LLC, the sorrel gelding by Walk Thru Fire is now five-for-five with earnings of $820,352. Last June, he won the Ed Burke Futurity and if he adds a win in the Los Alamitos Two Million Futurity, he will also be the beneficiary of the $1-million Las Alamitos cash bonus for triumphing in the trio of juvenile stakes.

  Four-year-old California-bred gelding Mandala earned his third victory in a six-furlong allowance test at Golden Gate on November 1. The $116,029 earner is out of $112,839 stakes winner Kriskeri, a daughter of Washington sire Rehaan.

  Karl Krieg homebred Lady Rosberg won a six-furlong allowance race by nearly four lengths at Turf Paradise on November. It was the four-year-old Washington-bred's first start since running second in an allowance test at the Phoenix track on January 26. Trained by Valorie Lund and ridden by Gallyn Mitchell, Lady Rosberg has won three races and earned $33,048.

  Southern Freedom, a three-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Pure Prize, who was bred in partnership by Dr. George Todaro, winning trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and two other entities, and races for Todaro, Mark Dedomenico LLC and partners, took a mile allowance race over Golden Gate's turf course on November 7. In eight starts, Southern Freedom has a 2-2-2 record and has earned $107,650. On November 7, Todaro and partners' Heat the Rocks, a two-year-old California-bred daughter of Unusual Heat, won a 6 1/2-furlong maiden special weight race at Del Mar by 7 3/4 lengths. Two days later at the seaside track, Dedomenico and Katy Harty's Grade 1-placed Colonel Joan, a three-year-old filly by Colonel John, won an allowance/$40,000 optional claiming (N) race by 3 1/4 lengths and upped her earnings to $186,344.
  Tempers Flare, a three-year-old daughter of Smart Strike out of Harbor the Gold's stakes-winning half-sister Cloudburst, won a mile allowance at Churchill Downs on November 1. The stakes-placed filly has earned $62,293.

  War Correspondent became the fourth stakes horse out of the Rahy mare Tempo West when he ran second by a neck in his initial stakes attempt - in the $198,407 Autumn Stakes (G2) run at Woodbine on November 9. War Correspondence took his record to 3-2-1 from six starts and has earned $106,170. The four-year-old son of War Front is a full brother to 2013 European highweight and Group 1 winner Declaration of War and to stakes-placed War Fact, and a half-brother to stakes winner Vertiformer and Gibson Thoroughbred Farm stallion War Power.
In Memoriam

Thomas L. Halvorson

  Tom Halvorson, 73, passed away in Spokane in early November 2014.

  He was born in Northwood, North Dakota, to Clarence and Pearl Halvorson. His family moved to Spokane when Tom was very young and he attended Longfellow grade school. The family recently found a note Tom wrote in grade school that said he hoped to be a professional baseball player. He did grow up to be quite an athlete. He attended John R. Rogers High School where he was "All City" in basketball, football and baseball. He set several state records along the way. He graduated from Whitworth College.

  Tom coached the North Central American Legion team and was president of the American Legion Baseball League for a few years. He was an avid handball player at the Spokane club and also enjoyed playing golf.

  He loved horseracing, especially if he could see one of his brother (WTBOA president, longtime horseman and bloodstock agent) Dana's horses run.

  Tom and his wife Joanne spent several years attending Gonzaga Bulldog basketball games and watching their children's and grandsons' sporting events.

  Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joanne; his daughters, Suzanne and Dawn; his son Keith; his grandsons, Deacon and Quinten; and his brother, Dana Halvorson.

 

Herman Sarkowsky

  Noted Seattle businessman and sportsman Herman Sarkowsky, 89, passed away at home in Seattle on November 2, 2014, after a long illness.

  Born on June 9, 1925, in Gera, Germany, his family immigrated to the US in 1934 to escape Nazi Germany. They moved to Seattle in 1937. He graduated from Broadway High School. In 1949, he became he became the first member in his family to earn a college degree, after graduating from the University of Washington. After serving in the US Army Signal Corps, Sarkowsky entered the construction and home building business, founding United Homes Corporation - which became the largest home building company in the Northwest. He also built Key Tower (now Seattle Municipal Tower) and was a partner in the Frederick and Nelson department store chain.

  The president of Sarkowsky Investment Corporation, in his later years he operated a private investment firm and also invested in many local and national businesses, including Starbucks.

  In 1951, he met his future wife of 62 years, Faye Mondschein, and they raised two children.

  Sarkowsky was the co-founder of both the Seattle Seahawks - for which he served as the managing general partner from 1975-82 - and Portland Trail Blazers and at one time also had a stake in the Seattle Sounders.

  He was involved in Thoroughbred racing for five decades, starting with a low level claimer in 1960, and achieved both national and regional honors. Among his local stakes winners was 1984 Washington champion sprinter and successful sire Sharper One, whom he raced with Ned Skinner's Swiftsure Stable. After finishing third in the 1971 Longacres Mile with *Titular II, his homebred No Giveaway gave Sarkowsky one of his most satisfying moments in the sport by taking the 2005 Mile and Washington horse of the year honors. No Giveaway's full sister Youcan'ttakeme was a two-time Washington champion and would produce Emerald Downs stakes winners Super Dixie and Hard Way Ten in Sarkowsky's name.

  In 1993, Sarkowsky's homebred Phone Chatter - who stemmed from Skinner's Reine-des-Chance broodmare Beadah - won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and was accorded national two-year-old filly honors. Sarkowsky was the breeder of Phone Chatter's Grade 2 stakes winner Cat Chat and her Grade 1-winning grandson Dixie Chatter. Sarkowsky also bred and raced Dixie Chatter's Grade 1-winning and major sire Dixie Union with Gerald Ford's Diamond A Racing. Among his other longtime partners were Martin and Pam Wygod. From 2000 until August 22, 2014, when his homebred three-year-old Forest Chatter finished fourth in his debut in a maiden special weight race at Del Mar, Sarkowsky - alone and in partnership - runners earned over $3.4-million, and that doesn't include the $838,742 earnings of Phone Chatter, the $843,454 earned by his Grade 2 winner Supercilious or a host of his other earlier good runners. He also bred multiple graded stakes winner, 1989 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up and sire Mr. Greeley.

  In addition to standing Sharper One, Sarkowsky homebred He's Tops has been among Washington's best sires since entering stud at Woodstead Farm where he has sired three Washington horses of the year.

  Sarkowsky and his family also enjoyed boating and his first boat "Forin Sea" was named after his first racehorse he bred.

  The longtime WTBOA member was also among the founding investors for Northwest Racing Associates LP (Emerald Downs) and among the sponsors contributing to the building of the Morris J. Alhadeff Pavilion, the home of the WTBOA located at Emerald Downs. Sarkowsky also was a supporter of Thoroughbred rescue and retirement.

  A noted philanthropist, he served as an active board member for the Herman and Faye Sarkowsky Charitable Foundation, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Repertory Theater and was a past president of the Seattle arts organization PONCHO. Sarkowsky also served on many corporate boards, including the National Association of Home Builders and WebMD - a company who is chaired by his longtime Thoroughbred partner Martin J. Wygod. Other organizations which benefited from his contributions and service include: the University of Washington School of Medicine, the Seattle Foundation, United Way and the Jewish Foundation.

  He is survived by his wife, Faye; daughter, Cathy; son, Steve and his wife Stacy Lawson; grandsons, Max, Noah and Shiah.