WASHINGTON THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION
 
Gate-to-Wire Newsletter
News from the WTBOA
December 24, 2014

Calendar
 

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


Sunday, February 1, 2015

EMERALD DOWNS BACKSTRETCH OPENS FOR TRAINING

(253) 288-7000; emeralddowns.com


Friday, February 13, 2015

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers, 

25 West Main St., Auburn, WA 

(360) 459-6462


Monday, February 23, 2015

BARRETTS SELECT 

TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE

Fairplex, Pomona, CA

(909) 629-3099; [email protected];

barretts.com


 

Saturday, February 28, 2015

WASHINGTON ANNUAL AWARDS

Emerald Downs, Auburn, WA

(253) 288-7878; wtboa.com;

[email protected]


 

Friday, March 13, 2015

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers,

25 West Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462


 

Friday, April 10, 2015

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers,

25 West Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462


 

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

BARRETTS MAY TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING SALE

Del Mar, CA

(909) 629-3099; [email protected]; barretts.com


 

Friday, June 12, 2015

WASHINGTON HORSE RACING COMMISSION MEETING

Auburn City Council Chambers,

25 West Main St., Auburn, WA

(360) 459-6462


 

Sunday, July 19, 2015

BARRETTS PADDOCK SALE AT DEL MAR

Del Mar, CA

(909) 629-3099; [email protected];

barretts.com

 

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2015 WTBOA Membership Renewal
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Northwest Race Series Nomination Deadline: 
December 31, 2014
Click here to nominate

Purses Boosted for 2015 Emerald Downs Racing Season 

  It was announced on December 19, 2014, that the average daily purse distribution will increase approximately 20 percent for the 2015 live racing season at Emerald Downs.
  Horsemen were notified of the increase when stall applications were mailed in preparation for the 70-day live racing season. The increase will be made possible by ongoing purse enhancements from the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, which has provided Emerald Downs with $11,954,825 in purse supplements since 2004.
  Pending approval by the Washington Horse Racing Commission, the meet will run April 18 through September 27 with racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 2015 season marks the 20th season of live racing at Emerald Downs.
  In November it was announced that the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe had agreed in principle to acquire Emerald Downs and its assets. The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe is expected to obtain the WHRC license necessary to own and operate Emerald Downs and its off-track wagering facilities. The process is ongoing and the license is expected to be awarded early in 2015.
  Emerald Downs' stable area opens January 31 with training beginning February 2. The 2015 stakes schedule, including the 80th running of the Grade 3 Longacres Mile, will be announced early next year.
  Stall applications are available online at emeralddowns.com in the horsemen section. 

WTBOA Sales Graduates in the News

   Scott Center's Arrom Bear became the fourth two-year-old winner of 2014 for his second crop sire Nationhood after breaking his maiden by 3 1/4 lengths at Golden Gate on December 13. Trained by Frank Lucarelli and ridden by Isaias Enriquez, Arrom Bear was bred by Rick and Debbi e Pabst, who stand his sire at their Blue Ribbon Farm, and is one of nine winners out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Lite Nite.

  Karen Kirshner's Private Lane became the fourth juvenile winner of the year for El Dorado Farm LLC's 2014 juvenile sire leader Private Gold when he won a maiden special weight race at Portland Meadows on December 21. Bred in Washington by Nina and Ron Hagen, the Robert Baze-trained gelding is out of Lois Laner, by Cutlass Reality.

Oregon Championship Day 2014

  Sunday, December 14 marked Oregon Championship Day at Portland Meadows. The ten-race card featured five Thoroughbred stakes, as well as the Quarter Horse Memorial Stakes - won by Ronald Raley-owned, -trained and -bred Thinkin of Girls - and the $33,900 Baxter Andruss Oregon Bred Futurity - which was won in gate-to-wire fashion by Jaime Leon and Martiniano Leon's Lil Touch of Dixie, a filly from the first crop of Bar C Racing Stables' Thoroughbred stallion Sixthirteen. It marked Lil Touch of Dixie's second stakes win and third stakes placement in six starts.

  Progeny from the second Oregon crop of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Grindstone dominated the five Oregon champion races with three winners and three other placements, including a sweep of the Janet Wineberg Stakes.

  2014 Oregon leading sire Harbor the Gold had his 21st stakes winner when Rancho Viejo's Suddenly Adele traveled gate-to-wire to win the $11,000 Oregon Hers Stakes by a whopping 11 1/2 lengths. It marked the third win for the sophomore filly that was bred by Neil Knapp, is trained by Rigoberto Velasquez and was ridden by Jennifer Whitaker. Out of the Speed Jaro (Fr) mare Sudden, Suddenly Adele has earned $20,081 in her dozen starts. Running second in the mile race, run in 1:42.21, was Anne Wisdom and Ellen Moore's Aphiemi (Slew's Saga-Chancy Chancy), who was a half-length the better of Margaret Root's race favorite Dreamstone Cowgirl (Grindstone-One Fast Cowgirl) in the field of six. Both Aphiemi and Dreamstone Cowgirl hail from trainer Roddina Barrett's stable.

  The $13,000 Janet Wineberg Stakes went forward with a field of seven juvenile fillies. Even-money favorite Kozzys Kitkat came from mid-pack to draw away with a 4 1/2-length tally. Owned by Mike Cosgrove, bred by Patrick Cosgrove and trained by Jonathan Nance, it marked the second win in four starts for the daughter of Grindstone-Karlee's Kitten, by Pioneering, who was ridden to her 1:12.40 clocking by Leonel Camacho-Flores. Margaret Root's first-time starter Steamnstone (Grindstone-Steam Iron) ran second, 7 1/4 lengths in front of Lindsey Luke and Barrett's third placed Latta Stone (Grindstone-For Latta). Barrett also trains the second place runner.

  The $13,000 Bill Wineberg Stakes was won by Larry and Gay Welliver's homebred gelding Hornfel, who was breaking his maiden in the six-panel race. The Debbie Van Horne trainee, who was guided by rider Javier Matias, posted a 5 1/2-length victory in 1:11.1. Hornfel is a juvenile son of Grindstone-X Slews Me, by Can't Be Slew. Neil Knapp-owned and -trained Gilly Gone (Harbor the Gold-Levitate) - the $1.20-to-one favorite in the field of seven - ran second, 2 1/2 lengths in front of Badrock Racing's Badrock Canyon (Grindstone-Workin the Glory), who races out of Bonnie Jenne's barn.

  A field of six contested the always contentious Lethal Grande Sprint Championship Handicap, a six-furlong event for three and up with an $11,000 purse. Though 2012-13 Sprint Championship winner Midda's Gold Touch was among those facing the starter, Rancho Viejo and Lisa Baze's Carl Command went off at 30 cents on the dollar and secured a gate-to-wire victory for trainer Velasquez and rider Whitaker, giving each their second stakes win on the Sunday card. It marked the sixth win for the four-year-old gelding by Rogue S.-Commodora, by Sultry Song, who was bred by James E. Lea Jr. Chris Dale and trainer Margie Cantrell's five-year-old Captain Gavel (Tribal Rule-Woman's Work) ran 1 1/4 lengths behind Carl Command, but four lengths the better of Hurliman Enterprises LLC's third place Midda's Gold Touch, a six-year-old champion son of Harbor the Gold-Ashley's Attitude. The race was run in a quick 1:10.24.

  The final stakes was the $11,000 Oregon His Stakes, which featured the largest Thoroughbred stakes field of the day, with nine sophomores. For the third time on the championship card, a horse trained by Rigoberto Velasquez and owned either outright or in partnership with Rancho Viejo took home the first place prize. In the mile His, the win went to Rancho Viejo and Herman Torres' Stoney River, who had already placed in a trio of Portland stakes, including a second in the 2013 Bill Wineberg Stakes in his racing debut. His three-length win gave rider Camacho-Flores his second stakes tally on the card. A three-quarter brother to Hornfel, the son of Grindstone-Cant Woman, by Can't Be Slew, was also bred by the Wellivers. Race favorite Maddie's Gold, a son of Harbor the Gold-Moonlit Maddie who races for Hurliman Enterprises LLC, finished second, 11 1/4 lengths the better of Horseplayers Racing Club LLC's third place Nosetodagrindstone, a son of Grindstone and out of Maxie's Night Cap. Final race time was 1:36.65.

More Racing News

   Karl Krieg's homebred Lady Rosberg, a four-year-old Washington-bred daughter Rosberg-Enter Laughing, by Distorted Humor, who had won the Queen of the Green Stakes at Turf Paradise in late November, next ran third in the $35,000 Kachina Handicap at the Arizona track. In ten lifetime starts, the Valorie Lund trainee has a 4-1-2 record and $57,597 in earnings. 

  Parker's Storm Cat's leading runner Ben's Cat, along with two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan, two-time 2014 classic winner California Chrome, multiple Grade 1 winner Game On Dude, 2014 pro tem sophomore filly leader Untappable and 2013 champion juvenile colt Shared Belief - who counts Dr. George Todaro as one of his owners - are the six horses on the ballot for the 2014 Secretariat Vox Populi ("voice of the people") award.

  Lawrence R. O'Brine and breeder Marvin Pietila's Washington-bred stakes winner Society Girl took a six-furlong Portland Meadows allowance by nearly three lengths on December 21. The four-year-old daughter of Soft Gold (Brz) out of Portland stakes winner Crimson Date, by Encino, is trained by Jim Fergason and was ridden by Jorge Rosales. She has earned $38,656 and improved her record to 6-2-1 in 13 starts.

  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, added a victory in a mile allowance/$62,500 optional claiming (N) race on December 14 and improved his record to 3-2-2 from nine starts and earnings to $126,250.

Dedomenico, Dan Hoefflin and Hollendorfer's three-year-old My Lady's Holiday, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Harlan's Holiday, won a 1 1/16-mile allowance race at Golden Gate on December 12 and increased her earnings to $70,690. On December 13, Dedomenico, Todaro and partners' three-year-old Sarahline took a mile maiden special weight race at Golden Gate. The daughter of Northern Afleet was bred in Ontario.

  Billie Klokstad and Helen Sherry's homebred Special Summer, a four-year-old daughter of pensioned Free At Last-Summer Sails, by In Excess (Ire), took her fourth win in 10 lifetime starts at Golden Gate Fields when she won a $12,500 claimer for trainer Tim McCanna. The Washington-bred has earned $56,755.

  2011 Pegasus Thoroughbred Sale graduate Eltoninadress took her eighth win in a 5 1/2-furlong starter allowance at the Thoroughbred meet at Los Alamitos on December 12. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Songandaprayer had broken in her maiden by four lengths in a $25,000 claimer.

  Karen and Mickey Taylor LLC's four-year-old They Call Me Mr. P, a California-bred gelding by the Taylors' Council Member, won a mile maiden special weight race at Golden Gate on December 14. The new winner is trained by Larry Ross and was ridden by Leslie Mawing.

  High Dollar Woman, the highest priced juvenile daughter of Super Saver sold in 2014 ($675,000, Ocala March), won a mile allowance race by three lengths at Parx Racing on December 13. It marked her second win in four starts and upped her earnings to $81,570. The filly is out of multiple graded stakes-placed Melissa Jo, by Fusaichi Pegasus, who along with Washington champions No Giveaway and Youcan'ttakeme, is out of 2005 Washington broodmare of the year Takeaway.

  Former Longacres Park CEO and current Florida Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association CEO Lonny Powell was appointed chairman of the Florida Horse Park board of directors and as a new board member for the Chamber and Economic Partnership of Ocala in December.

  Oaklawn Park announced in mid-December that in 2015 the Arkansas track will put in place a three-month trial in which any horse that wins without Salix (Lasix) in their system will receive a ten percent first-place purse bonus. Last summer Arapahoe Park offered a similar bonus for Salix-free runners.

Three-year Tax Depreciation for Racehorses Passes Congress

   A provision that retroactively extends three-year tax depreciation for all racehorses was passed by the United States Senate on December 15, 2014, as part of bill HR 5771, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The bill, which extends retroactively through the end of 2014 numerous provisions which expired or were reduced at the end of 2013, passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming support on December 3 and is expected to pass into law with President Obama's approval.

 Maintaining the three-year recovery period for racehorse purchases has been a top legislative priority for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) since the provision's initial enactment as part of the 2009 Farm Bill.

 "The renewal of three-year tax depreciation for racehorses indicates that lawmakers understand the contributions our industry makes to job creation and the country's overall economic health," said Alex Waldrop, NTRA president and CEO. "We are especially grateful to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky) and Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky) for their leadership and support of this provision which is so important to horse owners and breeders."

  The provision allows taxpayers to depreciate racehorses 24 months of age and younger when purchased and placed into service on a three-year schedule as opposed to a seven-year schedule. The accelerated schedule better reflects the length of a typical racehorse's career and is more equitable for owners.

 HR 5771 also retroactively extends two other provisions that spur investment in racehorses.

   "Bonus depreciation" remains set at 50 percent and may be used by business owners who purchase and place in service qualified new depreciable property. This investment incentive permits taxpayers to depreciate in the first year 50 percent of qualified property purchased and placed into service. Yearlings that an owner purchases and puts into a training program are one example of eligible property.

   The "Section 179 expense allowance" remains set at $500,000, with a $2-million threshold for qualified new or used property purchased and placed in service by small business owners in many industries. Total purchases of qualified property that exceed $2-million reduce the taxpayer's expense allowance dollar for dollar. Broodmares may be eligible for expensing and are an example of used property because of their prior use as a racehorse or broodmare.

  Information on HR 5771 can be found on the US Congress website at www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/5771. The sections of key interest to the Thoroughbred industry are Item 121 (racehorse depreciation), Item 125 (bonus depreciation) and Item 127 (expense allowance). 

Equibase Now Providing Leaders Lists by Foal Crop

  Ever wonder which horse was the greatest of its foal crop - which horse earned the most money, won the most races or had the most stakes wins among its foal crop?

  The answers to these questions, plus easy access to much more data of this type, is now available with the introduction of leaders' lists by foal crop in the Stats Central section on equibase.com.

  "Comparing professional athletes by their draft year has always made for interesting water-cooler conversations and great debate on sports radio talk shows," said Equibase Company President and COO Hank Zeitlin. "Michael Jordan, for instance, is considered one of - if not the best - basketball players ever, yet he was just the third pick in the 1984 NBA draft. Now, horse racing fans have the data to spark similar dialog about which horses were the best of their respective crops - not only by wins and earnings, but by age, on dirt vs. turf, etc."

  Anyone visiting equibase.com to view the standings for horses by foal crop can sort the information by a variety of categories, including sex, age, surface and grade. The customized data set can then be sorted in ascending or descending order by column (1st, 2nd, 3rd, earnings, etc.). 

  Equibase's North American racing leaders' lists include every human and equine starter annually back to the year 2000. Viewing leaders by foal crop is available back to the 1998 foal crop.

  The interactive "ranking" feature on individual horse profile pages introduced earlier this year was also enhanced with the ability to rank by foal crop.

January 23 Deadline for 2015 AHP Student Award Contest

  Are you a student with a passion for horses and publishing? The 2015 AHPStudent Award Contest recognizes the talents of students by awarding up to three $750 travel awards to attend the AHP Annual Seminar in San Antonio, Texas, on June 18-20, 2015. Travel award winners have an opportunity to meet leading equine publishing professionals and discuss career possibilities during the three days of educational sessions and related activities. One travel award winner will be selected at the seminar as the 2015 Student Award winner and win a cash award of $1,000. Additional cash awards may be awarded at the discretion of the judges. All cash awards are sponsored by AIM Equine Network.  

   Students are eligible to enter the contest if they are a high school senior or an undergraduate college student during the 2014-2015 year, with at least one semester before graduation at the time of application. All qualified applicants will receive a complimentary student annual membership, a complimentary student registration certificate for the annual seminar, and a critique of their resume. The AHP Student Award Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only.             Student award applicants are required to send a completed application form, plus additional information, by January 23, 2015Eligible students may access guidelines and application at the AHP website at http://www.americanhorsepubs.org/students/student_award/   

   For 2015 Student Award Contest guidelines or more information on American Horse Publications and its programs, visit their web site at www.americanhorsepubs.org or contact: Judy Lincoln, American Horse Publications, 49 Spinnaker Circle, South Daytona, FL  32119; phone (386) 760-7743; fax: (386) 760-7728; e-mail: [email protected].
 

Old Friends to Receive Special Eclipse Award

   The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters announced on December 19, 2014, that Old Friends, the nonprofit Thoroughbred retirement center, will be presented with the special Eclipse Award during the 44th annual Eclipse Awards on January 17, 2015, at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

   The special award honors extraordinary service, individual achievements in or contributions to the sport of Thoroughbred racing.

  The special award will be given for the 24th time since it was inaugurated in 1971 to honor Robert J. Kleberg, manager of the famed King Ranch. Subsequent recipients have included racing luminaries such as Bill Shoemaker, C.V. Whitney, Edward J. DeBartolo, Richard Duchossois, Russell Baze, Laffit Pincay Jr., Dale Baird, Team Zenyatta and last year's recipient, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA). Old Friends will be the third aftercare-related recipient.

  Founded in 2003 by former Boston Globe film critic Michael Blowen, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Old Friends based in Georgetown, Kentucky, cares for more than 150 rescued and retired horses, including several pensioned stallions. This year Old Friends became the new home for two of racing's biggest stars from the past 20 years, bringing 1997 Kentucky Derby hero Silver Charm back to his native state after retiring from stud duty in Japan and acquiring three-time Santa Anita Handicap winner Game On Dude after the seven-year-old gelding finished racing.

  Other American Grade 1 winners currently residing at the main farm include Amazombie, Affirmed Success, Afternoon Deelites, Bonapaw, Commentator, Dinard, Early Pioneer, Fabulous Strike, Geri, Gulch, Hidden Lake, Kiri's Clown, Kudos, Ogygian, Sarava, Sean Avery, Seek Gold, Special Ring, Tinners Way, Wallenda and former Washington leading sire You and I.

  "This is just unbelievable," Blowen said. "We started with one horse just over 10 years ago and now we have 166 retirees. We have several Eclipse Award winners already at the farm; I can't wait to show them mine!"

  Additional fan favorites include Rapid Redux, winner of 19 consecutive races in 2011, and Little Silver Charm, the operation's miniature mascot and the farm's only non-Thoroughbred. Old Friends also operates Old Friends at Cabin Creek: The Bobby Frankel Division near Saratoga Springs in upstate New York, where past Travers winners Thunder Rumble and Will's Way greet the public, along with infamous 100-time loser Zippy Chippy.

   Even while working full-time for the Globe as a staff writer, Blowen would spend mornings at Suffolk Downs working for veteran trainer Carlos Figueroa. Mucking stalls and walking hots aren't typical side jobs for journalists, but for Blowen they were excuses to satisfy his growing fascination with horses. Shortly after Blowen retired from the Globe he accepted a position in Kentucky as operations director for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation.

  In 2002, the news that 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand had perished in a slaughterhouse spurred Blowen to form his own operation, with an emphasis on retired stallions. Old Friends would be accessible to the public as a way of raising awareness for racehorse retirement and improving racing's image. The presence of high-profile stars would help to raise money and give comfortable homes to lesser names.

  "It allows us to take other horses that really didn't do as much but deserve a retirement just as well," Blowen said. "I want people to come away with really good feelings about the sport of horseracing because I adore it and we've made some inroads in that direction."

  The farm is run by five full-time employees, four part-time employees and a dedicated group of 24 volunteers. Blowen praised his team, particularly the cast of volunteers.

  Old Friends offers daily tours and attracts up to 1,000 visitors per week during their busiest times of the year.

  "Our industry has made significant progress in allowing former racehorses to live out dignified retirements thanks to Old Friends and likeminded organizations," said NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop. "We are grateful to Michael and his dedicated team of staff and volunteers for the positive impact they've had on our sport's commitment to aftercare and on the lives of hundreds of Thoroughbreds."

  For more information, including how to donate or volunteer, visit OldFriendsEquine.org.

 A complete list of past Eclipse Award winners, including the Special Award recipients, can be accessed online at http://ntra.com/en/eclipse-awards/history. For more information on The Eclipse Awards, visit ntra.com/eclipse-awards.

Domestic Horse Slaughter Ban Continues

  With President Obama signing the $1.1-trillion omnibus spending bill in mid-December 2014, the United States will continue to forbid the domestic slaughter of horses for human consumption. The language specifically bans the use of federal funding for inspections at such facilities, maintaining the de facto ban on domestic horse slaughter and saving taxpayer dollars, and thwarts efforts in at least three states to start killing horses on US soil for export to foreign nations.

  Earlier this month, the European Commission decided to suspend horsemeat imports from Mexico due to food safety concerns. US horses account for 87 percent of the horses slaughtered in Mexico for export to the EU and are regularly administered drugs and other substances over the course of their lives that are potentially toxic to humans. A recent audit conducted by the EU also noted issues with inhumane treatment of American horses in holding pens on US soil and during transport to slaughter.

  The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society Legislative Fund are now calling on Congress to pass legislation to ban horse slaughter outright, including the export of American horses for slaughter abroad.

  The omnibus spending bill included strong fund levels for enforcement of animal welfare and anti-wildlife trafficking programs, as well as helpful provisions to encourage more humane management of wild horses on public lands, development of alternatives to animal testing and updated regulations on treatment of captive marine mammals. However, it also contained adverse provisions to benefit the gun lobby (restrictions on regulating the lead content of ammunition) and the farm lobby (restrictions on regulating greenhouse gas emissions from CAFOs and overseeing the beef check-off program).