Mike Man's Gold Palmer Photography

   The April 25 Emerald Downs card saw the return to action of Swag Stable and Gallo Stable's four-time Emerald stakes winner Mike Man's Gold. The five-year-old son of Liberty Gold-Chedoodle, by Slewdledo, was making his first start back since taking the September 7, 2014, Muckleshoot Tribal Classic. Ridden by Javier Matias, Mike Man's Gold won the $21,000 Muckleshoot Casino Purse, an allowance/$40,000 optional claiming race, by a half-length over Luigi DiPietro and Diana DiPietro's Botch. Trained by David Martinez, Mike Man's Gold has earned $187,524 in 22 starts with a record of 8-3-2.

  Also on the Saturday card, jockey Joe Steiner rode winners 1,001 (Raised On Robbery) and 1,002 (Doctor Susan). Both runners hail from Frank Lucarelli's barn. Trainer Beverly Hamilton saddled her first Emerald winner when Don Bruckner's eight-year-old Own It, ridden by Eliska Kubinova, took the third race.

  Three other first-timers won on Sunday. Apprentice jockey Cerapio Figueroa had his initial career victory aboard One Horse Will Do Corporation, Brewer Thoroughbreds LLC and Caden Riendi's Wedding Cake. English-bred Bird in Love, who races for Purple Rose Ranch, took her rider, Alexia Batista, and trainer Mike Pierce, to the Emerald winner's circle for their first wins at the Auburn oval.

Washington Honors for Week One

  Washington-bred horse honors for week one (April 18-19) of Emerald Downs' 20th season of racing went to four-year-old Trick Or Retreat, a gelded son of Harbor the Gold who won a six-furlong allowance on April 19 by a half-length in his first start of the year. Trained by Doris Harwood and ridden by Francisco Duran, Trick Or Retreat races for his breeder Mark Malnati and Robert McKay.  

  Trick Or Retreat placed in four consecutive maiden special weight races at Emerald before winning a race of that same caliber on June 1 of his three-year-old season. The 2014 allowance winner also finished second in the Chinook Pass Stakes to champion Noosito. In nine starts, Trick Or Retreat has a record of 2-3-2 from nine starts and earnings of $55,909.

  Trick Or Retreat is the first foal and winner out of Retreat After Me, a daughter of Liberty Gold who won four races and earned $50,412. Retreat After Me has two other named offspring, both by Harbor the Gold: three-year-old gelding My Pal Mal and the yearling filly Retreat Yourself. Retreat After Me is the leading earner from the three foals and winners out of the Fred Astaire matron Prithee, who ended up as a broodmare in Great Britain.

  Jockey of the week honors went to Joe Seiner, who took his 1,000th win aboard trainer of the week Arturo Arboleda's Gold Boom. Jody Peetz's One Horse Will Do Corporation started the year right with two wins, to be named owner of the week. Groom of the week honors went to Ramon Espinoza, who works for trainer Mike Puhich. New category winner Josh Metz, who contributes to his father Jeff Metz's success, earned the exercise rider of the week title.

 Sun Downs' middle weekend of racing (April 25-26) offered 17 racing opportunities, split 11 runs for Thoroughbreds and six chances for Quarter Horses. Both a four-furlong and a six-furlong Thoroughbred allowance were offered on Saturday with Preston Boyd-owned and -trained My Chief going gate-to-wire to win the shorter event by three lengths. Unraced since last August, the four-year-old Washington-bred son of Harbor the Gold-Ms Melange, by Slewdledo, who has now won half of his six starts, including two races at Emerald Downs last spring, was bred by Bar C Racing Stables. Louis Zacherie was aboard the dark bay gelding.

  Homer Thoroughbreds won the first and last race on the Saturday card, Washington-bred The Motion Man, a six-year-old gelding by Chumaree-Gotta Motion, by Casa Dante, won the six-furlong allowance test by 1 1/4 lengths. Trained by Jason Homer, The Motion Man had Jake Samuels in the saddle.

  Sunday's top race was the $4,200 Quarter Horse Derby, a 350-yard event won by race favorite Bh Lisas Boy, an Idaho-bred son of Mighty Invictus out of the Snowbound mare Apollo Snowbound, who races for owner/breeder/trainer Bill Hoburg and owner/breeder Barbara Davis.

  The nine-race card also featured a four-furlong allowance, which was won by Ann Juarez-owned and Sylvester Juarez-trained Epic Cast, a seven-year-old California-bred son of Freespool who was partnered in his 3 1/4 length victory by Ruben Camacho; and a like distance maiden special weight race which Georgia Peon's three-year-old Boss Talk won by the same margin. Bred by Terry and Mary Lou Griffin in Washington, the Alfred Peon trained Boss Talk, who was ridden by Samuels, is a son of Lucky Acres' Matty G out of Marylou's Girl, by Demons Begone.

  The Rolex Three-day Event, America's only CCI4* (International Three-day event - Concours Complet International) event, was held in the Kentucky Horse Park just outside of Lexington from April 23-28. A total of 88 teams of top riders and their mounts from all over the world competed in the three fields of cross country, dressage and stadium jumping, all vying for the $100,000 winner's prize. The prestigious event, one of only six CCI4 competitions held worldwide, was first held at the Horse Park in 1978.

  Among those horses entered were 24 Off the Track Thoroughbreds (OTTBs), including two Washington-bred competitors and a trio of others with a connection to the Evergreen State.

  After the grueling challenge was finished, 40 teams of riders and horses qualified, including 14 of the OTTBs competing.

  Michael Jung of Germany won the event aboard his ten-year-old mare Fischerrocana FST, who scored a one point advantage (39.3 versus 40.3) over early leader Tim Price, of New Zealand, and his mount Wesko. Jung also finished third aboard La Bisothetique - Sam FBW.

  The best finish for a US-based rider was the fifth place ending for Phillip Dutton aboard Fernhill Cubalawn.

  According to Vancouver, Washington, native and horsewoman Melissa Bauer-Herzog in her Aftercare Blog, titled "Donner Leads Thoroughbred Charge at Rolex," for America's Best Racing, "After the first day of dressage two of the top five in the standings were off-the-track Thoroughbreds. While none were in the top five after the second day of tests, Anthony Patch, who raced as Alex's Castledream, went into the cross country phase in seventh with four others in the top 30 as well.

  "Cross country on Saturday was a trying experience for all of the Rolex entries with storms rolling through Kentucky and drenching spectators and competitors alike. Between the rain that had hit the state in earlier weeks and Saturday's storms the footing proved to be a challenge with 25 pairs going back to the barn without finishing the cross country course."

  Among those retiring during the cross country phase was Emerald Downs- and Portland Meadows-raced Sound Prospect (Eastern Echo-Miner's Girl, by Miner's Mark), who was ridden by Alexandra Knowles.

  The OTTBs which finished among the top 40 were led by rider Lynn Symansky and her mount Donner (The Jockey Club registered Smart Gorky) in the 12 spot. They were followed by Buck Davidson and Petite Flower (13th); Colleen Rutledge and Shiraz (Bold and Burley) (14th); James Alliston and Parker (Eastside Park) (15th); Elisa Wallace and Simply Priceless (Kalinga Damo) (17th); and Sara Kozumplik; Fly Me Courageous (Truly Improper) (19th) and Never Outfoxed (20th).

  The best finish for a Washington-bred was the 27th placement by Elizabeth Snow and Coal Creek, a 16-year-old son of Devil On Ice-Hard to Fathom, by Search for Gold, who ran under the name of Frank J and was bred by Robert Newport and Jeff Ranger. The ex-runner has a USEA record of 4CCI3*, 7CIC3* and 15 Advanced HT.

  Twelve-year-old Pistol Pakin Pete and his rider Anna Collier finished 32nd. Bred in Washington by Saundra Kirkwood, the son of Cahill Road out of $215,966 stakes winner Aspiring Proof, by Proof, was one of the better OTTBs as a runner, winning three races and earning $19,638.  

  Angela Grywinkski and her mount Novelle (Cupid's Tart), who finished 38th, was bred by former Washingtonian Jim Plemmons.

  The other OTTBs which had qualifying performances were: Pirate (Pirate's Gold Star), 21st; Trabuco Kid (Rise Against), in 24th; Anthony Patch (Alex's Castledream), in 29th and Imperial Melody, in 34th.

  The American Horse Council (AHC) has announced in late April that its theme for this year's National Issues Forum, sponsored by Luitpold Animal Health, is "Protecting and Promoting the Horse." The issues that the horse industry has faced over the last decade have changed, but there are several consistent challenges. These include federal regulatory challenges, attracting newcomers to horses and equine activities, maintaining equine activities that we enjoy, and welfare initiatives to protect our horses. But as with any challenges, they also create opportunities. The Forum will focus on how the industry is dealing with them. 

  Of great importance to the horse industry is its relationship to the US Department of Agriculture. "Most horse owners don't understand how and where and why the Department of Agriculture intersects with the horse community," said AHC President Jay Hickey. "Federal authority - and protection and assistance - extends over the horse industry not only on the breeding farms, but also on horses when they race, show and are used for recreation."  

  The AHC's National Issues Forum will focus on answering such questions with high-ranking representatives from USDA responsible for the programs that affect the horse industry present to explain how they view the industry, what they do, how federal programs are changing, and what the department's new five-year plan has in store for the horse industry.

  Programs like the American Horse Council's Time to Ride and its 2015 $100,000 Horse Challenge and others are underway. Updates will be provided that can teach attendees how they might institute similar programs to attract people to the horse industry in its various forms.

  The Unwanted Horse Coalition is celebrating its tenth anniversary and plans a special update on its current activities and initiatives over the last decade to protect horses. More importantly, this will provide an opportunity to review how the horse community has instituted new programs for horses during that period. 

  This year's National Issues Forum will be held on Tuesday, June 16, in Washington, DC, during the AHC's annual convention, which will run from June 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill. 

  The AHC's convention will also include the AHC's Congressional Reception, the Congressional Ride-In, meetings of all AHC committees and the Unwanted Horse Coalition. As always, the AHC's annual meeting brings together the horse industry's leaders, stakeholders, service providers and individuals to discuss common issues of importance. 

  The AHC's Congressional Reception will be Tuesday night, June 17, on Capitol Hill. This is an opportunity for the horse community to visit informally with Members of Congress to renew old friendships, make new ones and discuss industry concerns. 

  The annual Congressional Ride-In will take place all day Wednesday, June 19. The Ride-In allows members of the horse community to meet with their elected representatives and federal officials to discuss important issues affecting them. All members of the horse community are encouraged to participate, even if they don't attend the AHC convention. 

  The Ride-In puts a face on the $102 billion horse industry and the millions of Americans who are part of it. Congress deals with various issues that impact the horse industry, including taxes, gaming, immigration, welfare issues, access to trails and public lands, diseases, and interstate and international movement of horses. This is an opportunity for the horse community to come to Washington in force and meet with their Senators, Representatives and staffs. The Ride-In literally illustrates the goal of the AHC to "Put More Horsepower in Congress."

  More information on these Forums and the entire AHC annual meeting, including registration and hotel information, can be found on the AHC's website, http://horsecouncil.org/events.php or by contacting the AHC.

   Peggy Hopwood's Red Zeus, a five-year-old Arizona-bred gelding by Red Sky's, earned his seventh stakes victory - and 14th stakes placement - in the $35,000 Dwight D. Patterson Handicap held at Turf Paradise on April 25. The $274,393 earner is one of four stakes horses out of Crimson Cricket, a daughter of Crimson Slew bred in Washington by Susan and Richard Vlosich The mare's other stakes horses are $73,586 stakes-placed Getaway Grace, a 2001 daughter of Basket Weave; 15-race and $99,041 Washington-bred stakes winner He's a Flyer, a 2003 gelding by Defensive Play, and 2014 stakes winner and 2015 stakes-placed Best Asset, an offspring of Never Shared.

  Remmah Racing Inc.'s Infosec, a four-year-old stakes-placed California-bred son of Heatseeker (Ire), won a 1 1/16-mile turf allowance by three lengths at Golding Gate Fields on April 26. The Frank Lucarelli trainee has earned $73,942.

  Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer's multiple stakes winner G. G. Ryder earned his first graded stakes victory in the $100,000 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3) held at Golden Gate on April 25. The four-year-old son of former Emerald Downs stakes winner Chhaya Dance improved his record to 9-3-1 in 18 starts and has earned $315,114. Finishing a half-length behind G. G. Ryder in second was six-year-old Summer Hit - in his third consecutive runner-up spot in the turf stakes. Summer Hit, a three-time graded stakes winner of $572,845, was bred in California by Ken and Jan Heidt. He, along with his four-time Emerald Downs stakes-winning half-brother Starbird Road and $140,590 stakes-placed half-sister Light of a Star, is out of the Tough Knight mare Mia F Eighteen, who is a member of the Griffin Place broodmare band.

  Dads Cap, the five-year-old son of Discreet Cat who won the Grade 1 Carter Handicap on April 4 and for the second time, is one of two graded stakes winners out of winner Seeking the Silver, a daughter of Oakhurst Thoroughbreds' classic-winning Grindstone and full sister to $320,609 stakes winner Choctaw Ridge. Grindstone, a 1993 son of Unbridled has sired 25 stakes winners and his daughters have produced another 23.