Seattle Wildcard

Deb's Wildcard Palmer Photography

  The $50,000 Seattle Handicap drew a field of nine sophomore fillies to the May 31 test. Gary Barber's Santa Anita ship-in Suva Harbor (Rockport Harbor-Queen Dido) went off as the $1.60-to-one favorite in the 6 1/2-furlong stakes.

  Todd and Shawn Hansen's 2014 Washington champion two-year-old filly Ethan's Baby (Offlee Wild-Hope and Vow) was first out of the gate, setting early fractions of :22.96 and :45.75 over the fast track. Meanwhile, Deb's Wildcard, ridden by Ricardo Gonzalez, settled in mid-pack with a furlong to run and then held off a game Ethan's Baby, who had re-rallied, by a nose. Suva Harbor finished 2 3/4 lengths behind them in third in a race run in 1:16.34.

  "Deb's Wildcard is a tough filly," said her 20-year-old rider. "As soon as she felt (Ethan's Baby) she kicked right back on. I saw someone was coming because the crowd was yelling. I looked over my shoulder and Ethan's Baby was coming."

  Owned by Robert Jones, of San Leandro, California, and trainer Lloyd Mason, of Walnut Creek, Deb's Wildcard - who up to this time had raced exclusively at Golden Gate Fields - came into the race off a 2 1/2-length tally at the Albany track in an allowance/$40,000 optional claiming (N) race on April 18.The consistent runner improved her record to 4-2-2 from nine outings and has earned $113,924.

  Though bred in California, the daughter of millionaire Desert Code - a multiple Grade 3 winner by E Dubai - has a strictly Washington female line. Deb's Wildcard is one of five winners from starters out of six-time winner and $143,770 earner Deb's Royal Flush, who placed in a trio of Golden Gate stakes. Bred in Washington by Richard Petitt, the daughter of Demons Begone was raced by David and Trisha Currie, who had purchased her for $2,000 out of a 1999 WTBOA sale. Deb's Royal Flush was one of nine winners, including $318,827 stakes winner Slew of the Night, by Slewdledo, and minor Turf Paradise stakes winner Mobius, by He's Tops, out of Mystery Night, a winning half-sister to stakes winner Spanish Mischief and four stakes-placed winners. Deb's Wildcard's fourth dam was Filly Will Fight, dam of the 1972 Longacres Mile winner and Washington champion Red Wind.

  Emerald Racing Club's (ERC) Charlie Thomas made his debut on May 30 for his over 180 syndicate members with the four-year-old Seeking the Dia gelding finishing fifth behind winner Pete's Slew in the 6 1/2-furlong, $15,000 claiming sprint. As he was haltered for $15,000 out of the race by trainer Frank Lucarelli for Sabers Drawn Racing, ERC was temporarily down to one horse, four-year-old gelding Tribal Waters.

  Also on the May 30 card, trainer F. C. Frazier scored his first win at Emerald Downs with Linden Hatch and Brent Stapley's Cup of Soup, a three-year-old Kentucky-bred daughter of Einstein (Brz).

  On the Sunday, May 31 card, seven-year-old Making Fire set an Emerald record win payoff when the Washington-bred gelding paid $153 after winning a $2,500 claiming race by three-quarters of a length. Owned by Petra Lewin - who bred him in the name of her Rainbow Meadows Farm - and Donna Tollett, the son of state champion Makors Mark out of Unaflame, by Far Out East, is trained by Bill Tollett and was ridden to victory by Diego Sanchez. It marked Making Fire's sixth win in 28 starts and upped his earnings to $35,710. Making Fire also set a new place payoff of $63.20. The previous record win payoff came on July 27, 1997, when May Lady Boots paid $142 and Georgia Echo's record $58 place payoff had been set on October 6, 1998.

  Nelson Family Racing's good three-year-old Thetrailerguy improved his record to 2-1-0 from three starts after narrowly defeating Awesome Indian in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on the final day of May. Trained by Monique Snowden and ridden by Julien Couton, the gelded Kentucky-bred son of Henny Hughes, who was a $75,000 Ocala June Two-year-old Sale graduate, has earned back $26,925 of his purchase price.

  Hilton Stables and Gary McNeil's Calculated Chaos, a five-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Notional, became the meet's first three-time winner after taking the eighth race on May 31. The Jeff Metz trainee was ridden to his half-length win in the $25,000 claimer by Juan Gutierrez.

Blu Two

Kikisoblu Palmer Photography

  After her easy 4 1/4-length win in the Hastings Handicap in May, Dr. George Todaro's talented Kikisoblu provided her connections with an even easier victory in the June 7, Washington State Legislators Handicap when the daughter of Kodiak Kowboy cruised to a 6 1/4-length trouncing of six other rivals. Her winning margin bested the brilliant Ema Bovary (Chi)'s previous top winning distance of six lengths in the stakes was set in 2003. Final race time was 1:15.80.

  Valene Johnson and John Zervos' Lady of the Nile (Pioneerof the Nile-A. P. Cindy), finished second, 2 3/4 lengths ahead of Jeffrey Stoddard's multiple stakes winner I Think So (Proud Citizen-Steve's Lil Girl), who he had claimed for $40,000 in the mare's previous winning start.

  It marked trainer Tom Wenzel's third consecutive win in the 6 1/2-furlong stakes, coming behind Stopshoppingdebbie in 2014 and Exclusive Diva in 2013. In 20 Emerald stakes, Wenzel and Bowen have put together a dozen wins. Wenzel has now escorted 33 stakes winners to the Emerald winner's circle, to rank in fourth place all-time and Kikisoblu's most recent victory gave Seattleite Todaro his sixth stakes victory at the Auburn oval.

  Kikisoblu, a four-year-old Kentucky filly, is out of Washington-bred stakes winner and multiple stakes producer Horse B With You, a 2003 daughter of four-time leading Washington sire Slewdledo. Kikisoblu, who was a $10,000 Keeneland September sale yearling in 2012, has won four of her five lifetime starts, was third in her other race, and earned has $72,029.

    For the first time since 2010, trainer Steve Bullock returned to racing and the winner's circle when Mike Strickland and Angie Wilson's Won Won Oh Five, a six-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Lawyer Ron, took the third race on June 5.

  In an inspired offering on what turned out to be an historic and highly emotional event, Emerald Downs gave away 5,000 winning tickets on American Pharoah in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (G1). Many fans chose to keep their tickets to commemorate the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

  Trainer Tim McCanna earned his 900th win at Emerald Downs with Crazy Al Stables' Crazy Al, an Arizona-bred gelding by Top Hit, in the tenth race - which honored longtime track announcer Robert Geller on his final day of calling races at Emerald on June 7. On the same card, eight-year-old Kentucky-bred gelding Buddy Dave, by Five Star Day, took his 15th win at Emerald Downs. The Kingsport Syndicate #9 runner and Vince Gibson trainee is the current active leader in wins at the Auburn track. 

He's Back

Stryker Phd Palmer Photography

  The "Big Horse," 2014 Washington horse of the year and popular Longacres Mile (G3) winner Stryker Phd, returned to running at his favorite track in the $50,000 Budweiser Handicap on June 14. The Jim and Mona Hour-owned runner, who was vying for his fifth consecutive stakes win at Emerald Downs, had used his victory in the 2014 Budweiser Handicap to begin his assault along the Mile trail.

  In an exciting finish, Stryker Phd, carrying the highweight of 122 pounds and ridden by Leslie Mawing, held off two other Washington champions to take the eight-panel stakes in 1:35.57, which was 1.42 seconds slower than his stakes record time last year.

  Scat Daddybaby broke first in the field of 11 and led through the first six furlongs. Last Rose Stables' four-year-old Noosito (Harbor the Gold-Julia Rose) gained a brief lead in mid-stretch and only went down to his rival by a neck in a "game effort." Karl Krieg's eight-year-old homebred Absolutely Cool (Absolute Harmony-Coup de Foudre) came from off the pace to finish another 2 1/2 lengths in third place. All three of the top three finishers are products of Washington broodmares of the year - who have produced seven state champions among them.

  "It was all the horse today, I was just along for the ride," said Mawing. "He knows where the finish line is. He has his quirks, but I just like to ride the horse. I don't like to change his style," the 2011 and 2014 Emerald riding champ added.

  Trained by Larry and Sharon Ross, Stryker Phd has earned $348,151 in 19 starts with a 6-5-5 record. Going into the 2015 Budweiser, Doris Harwood, who trains Noosito, and Larry Ross held a three-way tie for most wins in the race. Stryker Phd joins Noosa Beach (2010-11) and Kid Katabatic (1998 and 2000) as the third two-time winner of the handicap, the second stakes in the series leading up to the now 80th running of the Longacres Mile.

  Bred by Char Clark Thoroughbreds and Todd Havens, both of Spokane, Stryker Phd and his two-time champion half-sister Madame Pele - as well as Budweiser second Noosito - are products of the WTBOA Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale. The 59th edition of the champion producing venue will be held on August 18, two days after the historic Mile, at the Morris J. Alhadeff Sales Pavilion located on the north end of Emerald Downs.

  Scott Stevens, the older brother of Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens, and who just took the 2014-15 Turf Paradise riding title, made his Emerald Downs debut with Mebossman (who finished sixth) in the Sunday stakes.

  On the same June 12 card which saw trainer Rigoberto Velasquez have his 200th Emerald Downs winner (Rancho Viejo and Hernan Torres' Call Me Cinderella in the third), Emerald newcomer Dickie Martinez saddled his first winner at the track with Bobbie-Jo and Bailey Thibeault's Northern Force in race two. Jockey Osvaldo Gomez also had his first Emerald Thoroughbred winner when he rode Warlock Stables, Horseplayers Racing Club #144 and James Broussard's Another Winter in a gate-to-wire tally in the fifth.

  On June 13, Saratoga West's Rio Hondo, by Awesome Again, became the second three-time winner at the current Emerald meet.

  Emerald Racing Club's (ERC) Tribal Waters finished fourth in his debut in the tenth race on June 14. One race earlier, ERC claimed back former runner Charlie Thomas out of a fourth place finish.

  Through June 14 - the first nine weeks of the meet - Julien Couton continues to lead all riders with 35 wins. He is followed by Juan Gutierrez with 32. Mawing currently sits third with 26 wins.

  Jeff Metz continues on top of the trainer standings with 21 wins, eight more than second place Blaine Wright. Howard Belvoir holds down third with ten wins.

Emerald Downs Statistics through June 14 (25 days of racing)

Total races: 227

Total Washington-bred races: 4

Total Entries: 1,645

Total Starters: 1,524

Total Washington-bred Entries: 871 (53%)

Total Washington-bred /starters: 804 (53%)

Total Washington-bred winners: 101 (44%)

Total WTBOA-sold winners: 46 (20%)

Average starters per race: 6.7

   Week seven horse honors (May 29-31) went to Blue Ribbon Racing #12's five-year-old mare Finding More, who annexed her first start of the year in a May 30, $25,000-$22,500 claiming race. It was also her first start under the new partnership, though she returned to trainer Jim Penney's barn. Eliska Kubinova rode the dark bay to her three-quarter length victory over seven other distaffers.

  Bred by Rick and Debbie Pabst at their Buckley nursery, Blue Ribbon Farm, the daughter of Trickey Trevor-Greenmountain Girl, by Green Dancer, was sold to Kentuckian Dan Kenney for $4,500 at the 2011 WTBOA Summer Yearling Sale. She won the Letellier Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds at two en route to being named Washington's champion two-year-old filly of 2012. She also finished third in the Indiana Grand Stakes for Kenny before being privately repurchased by the Pabsts in early 2014 after being an $42,000 RNA at the February Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale. She then raced for Blue Ribbon Racing #11, for whom she finished third in the Pegasus Training Center Stakes last summer. Put on the auction block for BRR #11 at the 2015 Barretts January sale, she was again purchased by the Pabsts, this time for $2,000.

  The first stakes winner sired by Allaire Farms' Grade 2 stakes winner Trickey Trevor, Finding More is a half-sister to stakes-placed Jabunkov Pass and three other winners. Finding More improved her record to 5-0-2 in 19 starts and has earned $159,246.

  Owner honors went to Hilton Stables and Gary McNeil, trainer honors to Jeff Metz and the jockey title to Juan Gutierrez. Freelance rider Eladio Camacho was named exercise rider of the week and Angela Powell, who works for Monique Snowden, was named groom of the week.

  For the first weekend in June (June 5-7), eighth week Washington-bred horse honors go to Les Lynd and Richard Sena's Grinders Sparksaglo, a four-year-old gelding bred by Sena and Marvin Lynd. The runner, who is conditioned by trainer of the week Robbie Baze and was ridden by Juan Gutierrez, took an allowance/$40,000 optional claiming race by 3 1/4 lengths on June 6. The winner of the 2014 Stallion Stakes at Portland Meadows, Grinder Sparksaglo is the second foal and first runner out of winner Cule Flyer. Sired by the A. P. Indy stallion Matricule, Cule Flyer is one of four winners from five starters out of three-time Yakima Meadows stakes winner Flyer Aglo, who won a total of ten races and earned $74,599. In his dozen starts, Grinder Sparksaglo has only finished off the board twice and has earned $56,936. The runner is from the first Pacific Northwest crop of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Grindstone.

  Jockey honors for the week went to Rocco Bowen. Three Springs R & R was named top owner. Carlos Suarez, who works for Bill Tollett, was named groom of the week and Juan Madrigal, who hails from Tom Wenzel's stable, was named top exercise rider.

  Weekend nine honors went to John E. Parker's Among the Stars, who recorded her fourth win in seven 2015 starts in a $15,000 claiming race on June 13. The four-year-old daughter of Harbor the Gold-Sweethrtofsigmachi, by General Meeting, who is trained by Candi Tollett, won the 6 1/2-furlong sprint by four lengths. Stakes-placed in the 2014 Comcast SportsNet Handicap last year and a Turf Paradise allowance winner in 2015, Among the Stars has earned $31,607 of her $87,156 total this year. She has an overall record of 6-2-5 from 2 starts. Among the Stars, who was bred by Dr. Duane and Susan Hopp at their Castlegate Farm in Graham, was a 2012 WTBOA Sales purchase. She is a half-sister to $118,051 stakes winner Memphis Mobster, stakes-placed Inhoc Signo Vinces and 2014 Washington plater of the year and $144,156 earner Touch the Sun.

  Michael Pollowitz was named owner of the week and trainer of the week honors went to Among the Star's conditioner Candi Tollett. Diego Sanchez was awarded jockey of the week. Exercise rider Brian Allen and groom Jose Espinoza, who both work out of Larry and Sharon Ross's barn, were voted tops in their divisions for the June 12-14 weekend.

Palmer Photography

  In early June, and just before he was due to leave to begin his new job as Woodbine's Thoroughbred track announcer, Robert Geller was honored by being named the eighth recipient of the special lifetime achievement in the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. Geller, 55, had been hired on when Emerald Downs opened in 1996 and had called some 16,000 races, including over 665 stakes, in his 20 seasons at the track. His accurate and descriptive calls, as well as his English/Australian accent made him a fan favorite.

  "That's too much, just exceptional," said an emotional Geller after Emerald Downs founder Ron Crockett made the presentation in the winner's circle. "It's been an amazing run here at Emerald Downs. To be honored like this is unbelievable."

  Following the Sunday races (on June 7), a reception was held in Geller's honor where he was presented a custom-designed crystal microphone emblematic as the voice of Emerald Downs.

 Get well wishes go out to Washington Racing Hall of Fame trainer Jim Penney. The five-time Longacres Mile-winning trainer suffered a broken pelvis on June 15 while loading a horse in a trailer.

 The Battle of the Horse Racing Nations featured a highly popular three-day contest at Emerald Downs with a trio of two-mile heats (horses were exchanged every half-mile) each day beginning on June 12.

  According to the promotion information offered by the Professional Indian Horse Racing Association, "The exchange is one of the most exciting parts of the race, and is best described as organized mayhem."

  Each race featured riders in full regalia, riding bareback, in teams of three horses and four men - the rider, the mugger (who was in charge of stopping incoming horses at the beginning of the exchange), the setup man (who held additional horses for the rider to mount) and the holder (who controlled the extra horse before the exchange).

  The Friday heat winners were: Grizzy Mt. (Columbia River Basin), rider Oliver Pakootas with a winning time of 3:48.52; Old Elk Relay (Crow Nation), rider Ashton Old Elk, who finished in 3:50.47; and Omak Express (Columbia River Basin), rider Tyler Peasley with a 3:44.60 run.

  On Saturday, the heats were taken by: Omak Express, rider Tyler Peasley in 3:47.32; WarMan (Crow Nation), rider J-Ree OldBull, in 3:47.17; and Grizzy Mt., rider Oliver Pakootas, in 3:35.46 (the fastest relay time of the contest)..

  Sunday's championship race went to Carlson (Blackfoot Nation), rider Chazz Racine in 3:36.03. The first consolation race was won by Old Elk Relay, rider Ashton Old Elk, who finished in 4:02.97. The second consolation race was won by Rides the Pretty Horse (Crow Nation), rider Clyde Jefferson in 4:00.42. 

  Now in its ninth year, Emerald Down will honor its Latin workers and the Hispanic community in general with Fiesta Premio Esmeralda. Entire families enjoy their afternoon with horse races, mariachi music, authentic Mexican food, horse show and activities for the children. The attendance last year was over 12,000 people and even more is expected this year.

  Sophia McKee, Emerald Downs director of marketing 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. This event has tremendous significance for all of us here at Emerald Downs, so we really go all out to make sure the Latino community has an awesome and culturally relevant experience. It is very important to us that everyone enjoys this event, as together we share a love for the horse culture and equestrian sports."

  Emerald Downs will open its doors for the Sunday, July 19, event at 9:30 am with T-shirt giveaway to commemorate 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. This show is a demonstration of what can be accomplished with love and dedication to these noble and intelligent animals.  

  Morales, one of the organizers commented, "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 the fabulous Banda Vagos."

  And as in previous years, this event is tons of fun for the kids, with free activities like jumping castles, giant slides, face painting and pony rides among other activities.

  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 should be accompanied by a parent or representative; and only those older than 18 years old can place bets on the races. For more information visit fiestapremioesmeralda.com.

   A field of seven two-year-olds made their debuts in the first juvenile race of the season at Emerald Downs on June 13 in a $12,500 maiden claiming race. Trainer Howard Belvoir and David Matsumoto's Work With Me went gate-to-wire to draw off with an eight-length tally "as the handiest of winners" in the 4 1/2-furlong race to become freshman sire Gold Aly's initial winner. Ridden by Julien Couton, Work With Me was bred by Steve and Sally Meredith, who stand Gold Aly at their Lucky Acres in Yakima. The new winner, who is the first foal out of the unraced Matty G mare Glorified G - a half-sister to Washington champion Best Judgement and to $112,539 stakes-placed Mashiko - was a $3,000 RNA at the 2014 WTBOA August sale.

  Work With Me's consignors and owners also became the first beneficiaries of the Buy Here/Win Here Bonus Program initiated at Emerald Downs this year. Any horse which went through the summer yearling session in 2014, who then breaks its maiden at Emerald Downs - at any age and at any level - makes its owners and consignor eligible for a one-time bonus, split equally between the consignor of record and the horses' owners at the time of the win. A bonus of $3,675 was equally split for Work With Me's convincing victory.

  Gold Aly is an $80,160 Hollywood Park allowance-winning son of major sire Medaglia d'Oro. Sold for $120,000 at the 2008 Barretts March two-year-old sale, Gold Aly is a half-brother to Florida Oaks (G3) winner and Grade 1-placed Anklet, stakes winner and stakes producer Spangled and stakes-placed, Grade 2 stakes producer Awe That. His unraced dam, Bangled, is an Alysheba-sired half-sister to Acorn Stakes (G1) winner and $1.3-million earner Grecian Flight and $300,000-plus takes winners Grecian Comedy and Evzone.

  The 2015 Oregon Fair circuit will offer 23 days of racing beginning with the Eastern Oregon Livestock Show on June 12 and ending on September 13 at the Harney County Fairgrounds.

  The Eastern Oregon Livestock Show in Union offered two additional dates (June 13-14), before racing moved on to Southwest Oregon and the Grants Pass meet, which will run for nine days (June 20-21, June 27-28, July 3-5, July 11-12) at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. Next up racing criss-crossed back to Eastern Oregon for the four-day (July 15-18) Crooked River Roundup in Prineville. The circuit returns to the western half of the state for the four-day (August 5-8) Tillamook Fair run before heading east to Burns for the end of summer (September 11-13) Harney County Fair.

   Tropics, a seven-year-old gelded son of Speightstown out of Washington-bred stakes winner and broodmare of the year Taj Aire, by Taj Alriyadh, set a new course record of 1:09.58 when he defeated 11 other sprinters in the six-furlong Weatherby's Private Banking Leisure Stakes at Royal Windsor in England on June 1. It marked the fourth stakes win for $700,000 Keeneland September sale yearling, which also finished second in both the Group 1 July Cup Stakes and Group 2 British Champions Sprint Stakes last year.

  Tropics had been shipped to Dubai late last fall by owner/trainer Dean Ivory to prepare for the Dubai World Cup Carnival, but was unable to run due to an injury. Shipped back to England he won the Leisure Stakes by a half-length in his 2015 debut.

 "Mentally, it's the best I've ever had him and he looked like a million dollars," commented Ivory of the runner he purchased for $4,185 at the 2011 Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale. "We're going to try and win that Group 1 I've always dreamt of now and the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes [June 20 at Royal Ascot] is the one I'd like to win."

   Tropics, who was bred by Doris Konecny in partnership with her daughter and son-in-law Susan and Allen Branch, has earned $587,523 in 28 starts with an 8-5-1 record. He is one of four stakes winners, including Washington champion Handyman Bill and Grade 3 stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Exclusive Diva out of the granddaughter of 1978 state older filly champion Silky Steel.

  The previous day at Santa Anita, Roy H, a three-year-old Kentucky-bred son of More Than Ready out of Elusive Diva, went gate-to-wire to win an about 6 1/2-furlong turf maiden special weight race The $310,000 Keeneland April Two-year-old Sale graduate is one of four winners out of Elusive Diva.

   Selah native Wesley Ward had his fifth stakes winner at the posh Royal Ascot meet when Mrs. G. Smith, Mrs. D. Tabor and Mrs. J. Magnier's two-year-old Scat Daddy filly Acapulco won the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) in only her second start. The imposing Kentucky-bred filly took the June 17 stakes by 1 1/2 lengths while ridden by Ryan Moore - in one of his record-making victories at the exclusive meet. She had run third in her debut at Churchill Downs on May 8. Out of the Pentelicus mare Friendly Wave. Acapulco, who was a $750,000 OBS March Two-year-olds in Training Sale graduate, is a half-sister to $138,750 stakes winner Prenuptial. Ward had won the 2009 Queen Mary Stakes with Jealous Again. 

   Nineteen-year-old Mackenzie Clayton, of Lake Forest Park, has been awarded the 2015 Washington Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship, which this year offered a $2,000 endowment.

  Clayton, who graduated from Shorecrest High School in June, plans to pursue a career as an equine veterinarian through studies at Washington State University and hopes to eventually practice veterinary medicine at Emerald Downs.

  The young horsewoman has been working with OTTBs for the past three years and currently owns and is training a five-year-old Thoroughbred mare she got through Rolling Bay Rescue. They competed in The Prodigious Fund's Thoroughbred and Half-Thoroughbred Show held at Donida Farms last October.

  The Washington Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship is one of two scholarships sponsored through The Race For Education each year by the WTF, the other being Equine Art Committee's  Washington Scholarship for the Arts, the Horse and a Whole Lot More!

  The Washington Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship is available to Washington state residents or students attending a Washington school from any background who wish to pursue a career in pre-veterinary medicine (equine practice only), equine science, racetrack management, equine business management or pasture management as it pertains to horse farms, equine or racetrack marketing and/or communications and other related fields.

  For further qualifications and deadlines on both WTF scholarships or to download applications, go to: raceforeducation.org/. For more information, contact The Race For Education at 1818 Versailles Rd, Lexington, KY 40504 or phone (859) 252-8648. 

   Primal Instinct, a son of multiple champion and three-time champion sire Giant's Causeway, has been retired to stud at Robert Chapman's Tip the Hat Farm in Ellensburg where he stands for $2,500 live foal with no service fee.

  Bred by Aaron and Marie Jones, Primal Instinct is the first foal out of three-time New York stakes winner and twice Graded 2-placed Distorted Passion. Foaled in 2005, the daughter of Distorted Humor won five races and earned $294,271 Distorted Passion was one of four winners produced out of $204,110 Primonetta Stakes winner Arianna's Passion, a filly by Unbridled's Song who won seven races and earned $204,110.  Third dam, multiple stakes-placed Impassion, by Shadeed, also produced Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Warbling, a full sister to Arianna's Passion who earned $352,293. This is also the immediate family of stakes winners Stoller, Autumn Mood, Indian Gracey and Miss Mary Pat.

  Primal Instinct was purchased as a yearling for $300,000 - in a year when his sire's yearlings averaged $151,418 - at the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He made his only start, at two, in an August six-furlong maiden special weight race at Del Mar where he finished fifth in the field of ten, but was injured late in the race after he "went up to duel between horses on the backstretch and turn." Trained by Bob Baffert, he was campaigned by Gary and Mary West.

  An impressive chestnut son of Grade 1 stakes winner, champion sire and noted sire of sires Storm Cat, Giant's Causeway is considered by many to be Storm Cat's best son at stud. Rated at 132 on Timeform, Giant's Causeway won nine of his 13 starts and finished second in his other four outings. All but two of his races were ranked Group or Grade 1 events and led him to being named Horse of the Year in Europe and champion three-year-old colt in England and France in 2000. At stud he has sired 167 stakes winners, including nine champions. Among his ten stakes winners in 2015 - seven who have won graded races - is Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Carpe Diem, who is out of an Unbridled's Song mare.

  Among Giant's Causeway's most successful sons at stud are classic winners Shamardal and Footstepsinthesand, Grade 1 winner and the promising second crop sire Eskendereya and Grade 2 winner Frost Giant.

  Giant's Causeway, who was also North America's champion two-year-old sire in 2005 and 2014, has sired the earners of over $136-million. His 2015 stud fee is $85.000.

   Ron Crockett Inc.'s John's Not Bluffin took a six-furlong maiden special weight race by a half-length at Emerald Downs on May 31. The three-year-old son of Crocket-raced stallion Raise the Bluff, who stands at El Dorado Farm LLC, was bred in partnership by Crocket and Robin Mason's Carnation Racing Stables Inc. Trained by Frank Lucarelli and ridden by Joe Steiner, John's Not Bluffin is out of the Majesterian mare Dark Diva, a full sister to the stakes-winning brothers Mr. Makah, Colony Lake and Larron and a half-sister to six-time stakes winner Highland Games.

  Giannonatti, a five-year-old daughter of Marino Marini-D. J,'s Chocolate, by Vigors, earned her sixth win in a $12,500 claiming race at Golden Gate Fields on June 4, upping the Griffin Place-consigned runner's earnings to $77,605. The California-bred also has ten seconds and six thirds in her 27 lifetime starts.

  The first two winners on the June 6 card at Northlands Park provided a bit of a WTBOA Sales and Slewdledo daily double, as each was a sales graduate or out of a mare who went through the Washington sales program and both are out of Slewdledo mares. The first race, a maiden/waiver claimer was won in gate-to-wire fashion by She's Original, a four-year-old Alberta-bred daughter of Cape Canaveral out of seven-race winner and $67,983 earner Another Lovelysong - who was bred by Paulson Brothers -  whose dam is a half-sister to Washington champions Makors Mark and Clair Annette. Three-year-old Washington-bred Evening Light also went gate-to-wire in her winning jaunt around the Canadian track. Bred by Bar C Racing Stables Inc. and raced by Darrell Landry, it was the second win in four starts for the Greg Tracy trainee who is by Harbor the Gold and out of multiple champion Slewsbox's full sister Ms. Melange.

  Mark Dedomenico LLC and North American Thoroughbred Horse Company's Legion of Boom - a full brother to Washington champions Couldabenthewhisky and Del Rio Harbor - ran third in the $40,191 River Rock Casino Handicap at Hastings Racecourse on June 6. The partnership also finished third with Saffron in the Emerald Downs Handicap on the same card. Bred by Bar C Racing Stables Inc., Legion of Boom, a three-year-old colt by Harbor the Gold-Bahati, by Horse Chestnut (SAf), has earned $25,509.

  Sue and Tim Spooner's Raspberry Road was a convincing six-length winner of a $25,000 maiden claiming race on the June 6 card at Emerald Downs. The three-year-old son of Bellamy Road was bred in Washington by (William) Brewer Thoroughbreds LLC and Terry and Mary Lou Griffin. He is one of three winners from three starters out of the late Washington champion racemare Marva Jean, a daughter of West by West.

  Both winners of the two divisions of the $7,200 claiming stakes run at Les Bois Park have connections to Washington, they are each eight years old and it is not the first stakes win for either runner. Salty Le Mousse, a son of Salt Lake bred in California by Dale Mahlum out of his multiple stakes producer Chasseur Dame, by French Legionaire, won the first division of the 6 1/2-furlong race. It marked the 2008 WTBOA sales graduate's eighth win and upped his earnings to $49,620. Posse Power, who won the 2010 Auburn Stakes at Emerald Downs for his breeders Dr. Jack and Claire Lein's Willow Creek Farm Inc. and who would later run third in the 2011 Longacres Mile (G3), took the second division by 1 1/4 lengths. The Kentucky-bred son of Posse-Stellarina, by Pleasant Colony, has earned $228,213. Running third in Posse Power's division was six-year-old Lookin At Gold, a son of Polish Miner-Shumka, by Banker's Gold, bred in Washington by Doris Konecny and sold through the 2010 WTBOA Winter Mixed Sale. Both Salty Le Mousse and Posse Power were claimed for $2,500 out of their winning efforts.

  Stakes-placed Among the Stars has now won four of her seven 2015 starts after the four-year-old Washington-bred daughter of Harbor the Gold-Sweethrtofsigmanchi, by General Meeting, took the June 13 feature at Emerald Downs. Bred by Dr. Duane and Sue Hopp, Among the Stars took her latest win by four lengths for trainer Candi Tollett and owner John Parker and pushed her lifetime earnings to $87,156.

  Ten Broeck Farm Inc.'s (David Mowat) Moment Is Right took the $250,000 Astoria Stakes at Belmont Park by 1 1/4 lengths over favorite Decked Out on June 4. The Kentucky-bred daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is one of three winners from three foals out of two-time Grade 2 winner and $399,303 earner Rite Moment, by Vicar. Moment Is Right, who is undefeated in two starts, is trained by Wesley Ward and has earned $151,600.

  Quatre Cat, a daughter of El Dorado Farms LL's Abraaj, added her third stakes win on June 6 when she scored a 1 1/2-length win over 2014 British Columbia champion two-year-old filly Finality's a Charmer in the Emerald Downs Handicap run on the June 6 Hastings Racecourse card. Quatre Cat upped her earnings to $109,363 with her fourth win in seven starts.

 King Leatherbury's wonder horse Ben's Cat finished second by a nose to the five-year younger Amelia's Wild Ride, a colt by D'wildcat, in the May 30 Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Stakes, a $100,000 turf sprint at Hollywood Casino at Penn National. Ben's Cat is a son of Gibson Thoroughbred Farm's four-time Washington leading sire Parker's Storm Cat.The multiple stakes winner has earnings of $2,396,005 with a 29-8-4 record from 49 lifetime starts.

  Among the 26 racing facilities that raised more than $32,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund (PDJF) on the first Saturday in May 2015 were Emerald Downs, Portland Meadows, Les Bois Park and Santa Anita Park. Since its founding in 2006, the PDJF has disbursed more than $6-milliom to permanently disabled jockeys. For more information go to pdjf.org.

  Mark Dedomenico LLC's three-year-old Rosary Man scored his second win in an mile turf allowance race at Golden Gate Fields on June 14. The Louisiana-bred Songandaprayer gelding, which was ridden by Russell Baze and is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, has placed in all six of his lifetime starts and earned $50,920. Also racing in California that Sunday, but at Santa Anita, Dedomenico, Dr. George Todaro and Hollendorfer's multiple graded stakes winner Sam's Sister finished third in the $82,000 Desert Stormer Stakes. The four-year-old daughter of Brother Derek has earned $465,010 in her nine starts, which includes five wins.

 Charlie Dunn, Gordon Jarnig and Ray McCanna's five-year-old California-bred gelding Atomic Rule, by Tribal Rule, won mile starter allowance by three lengths at Golden Gate on June 11. It was the eighth win in 23 starts for the Tim McCanna trainee, who has now earned $135,173.

  Three of the nine winners on the June 14 card at Arapahoe Park have dams sired by Washington sires. In the first Thoroughbred race, a five-furlong maiden special weight race or two-year-olds, Mr Poker Man, by Grand Minstrel, won his first start by four lengths. He is the second foal and winner out of $57,357 earner Poker Gift, a Washington-bred daughter of Poker Knight, by Tough Knight. Poker Gift is an older full sister to former WTBOA general manager Ralph Vacca's one and only racehorse Dah Gift. The next race was won by Lion's Prey, a seven-year-old gelding by Lion Heart out of the Cahill Road mare Yuki No Princess. The featured $40,000 Molly Brown Stakes became the sixth stakes victory for Lady Jila, an eight-year-old Arizona-bred daughter of Jila (Ire), who has a record of 20-6-8 from 48 starts and earnings of $234,118. Lady Gila is out of $27,059 Washington-bred winner Papparratzi, a daughter of Katowice-Lady Hawkster who sold as a yearling at the 2002 WTBOA Summer Yearling Sale.

  Horseplayers Racing Club LLC's (HRC) multiple stakes-placed Glamoride took an about 7 1/2-furlong turf allowance/$17,500 optional claiming (N) race at Louisiana Downs on June 10. It was the fifth win for the Louisiana-bred daughter of Ide who has earned $168,525. 

 Hillbilly Royalty, the three-year-old son of Langfuhr who took the $75,000 Prairie Mile Stakes at Prairie Meadows on May 30, is out of Aptiseno, by Aptitude, a winning half-sister to stakes winner Minery. Their dam Orseno, by In Reality, is a half-sister to champion Unbridled and Grade 1 winner and former leading Washington sire Cahill Road.

  Charismatic Pulpit, a five-year-old out of 2005 Emerald Downs champion older mare Karis Makaw - a half-sister to Blue Ribbon Farm stallion and leading sire Nationhood, took his sixth win in a six-furlong allowance test at Mountaineer Park on June 8. The Kentucky-bred gelding by Pulpit has earned $136,226.

  Washington champion racemare Aunt Sophie, by Altazarr, produced a colt by Atta Boy Roy on April 10 for Barbara Barth. The mare was returned to Atta Boy Roy.

  A two-year-old half-sister to stakes winner and Dream Star Farm stallion Council Member brought $65,000 at the Barretts May 28, 2015, two-year-old and horses of racing age sale at Del Mar. The April 24, 2013, filly is from the third crop of champion and classic winner Lookin At Lucky. Two juveniles brought over $200,000: a colt from the first crop of Del Mar Futurity (G1) J P's Gusto out of Iny Belle, by Lord Carson, which was purchased by Dennis O'Neill for $230,000; and a Kittens' Joy colt out of Surpriseinthebox, by Outofthebox, for which Daniel Kramer had the winning $225,000 bid. Nine other two-year-olds sold for $100,000 or more. Of the 156 horses cataloged, 92 juveniles sold for $4,199,000 gross, $45,641 average and $30,000 median, with an additional two horses of racing age bringing a $17,000 total. The 2014 venue saw 70 two-year-olds exchange hands with a $43,307 average and $30,000 median.

  Three-year-old Seattle Firm, a California-bred daughter of Council Member-Summerfield, by Affirmed, raced by Steve Melen, Mark Schlaich, Dr. George Todaro and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and ridden by Russell Baze, improved her record to 3-3-2 from ten starts and upped her earnings to $70,659  after she won a mile $20,000 claiming race over Golden Gate's turf course on May 29.

  Among the 34 interns in the 22-week Kentucky Equine Management Internship (KEMI) this spring is recent Washington State University Animal Science graduate Brooke Lillengreen. The Washington native will be working at Pin Oak Stud. Lillengreen, who plans to return to WSU to obtain a degree in veterinary medicine, would like to work with horses and other livestock.

   The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced on June 3, 2015, that upon conclusion of a 90-day comment period, nearly 12,000 comments had been submitted directly to the US Treasury in support of a measure seeking to modernize tax regulations related to pari-mutuel wagering.

  The proposed changes would clarify withholding and reporting rules by redefining the "amount wagered" to include all of a bettor's investment into a single pari-mutuel pool, and not simply the base amount of the winning combination. Because of the wide scope of the economic benefits, support for the proposed modification came from all segments of the horse racing and breeding industry.

  In addition to a nine-page submission by the NTRA, dozens of organizations, representing every sector of the Thoroughbred, Quarter Horse and Standardbred industries, submitted letters to the Treasury in support of the proposed change. A total of 11,665 comments were submitted by individual horseplayers, fans and stakeholders through a submission process established on NTRA.com.

  The effort also received strong backing from dozens of state and federal legislators who realize the economic benefits derived from a healthy and vibrant horse industry in their home states.

  Editorials and columns supporting the measure appeared in numerous publications, including The Washington Post.

  "We thank the thousands of individuals and dozens of organizations that took the time to submit a comment to the Treasury in support of this important effort," said NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Alex Waldrop. "The diversity, scope and sheer volume of the responses are reflective of the fact that the change we are proposing is widely supported by a multi-billion dollar industry and will positively impact tens of thousands of individuals as well as state and federal government. The time to modernize tax regulations is now."

  In response to efforts spearheaded by the NTRA and horse racing's advocates within the federal government, the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on March 3 issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Public Hearing (Notice) that opened the door to the possible addition of pari-mutuel gambling winnings to updated reporting and withholding requirements being developed for bingo, keno, and slot machine players. The specific references relating to pari-mutuel wagering can be found in a section of the notice entitled "Gambling Winnings Other Than Bingo, Keno and Slot Machine Play."

  For more than a year, the NTRA has sought updated guidelines related to reporting and withholding of pari-mutuel winnings. A clarification by the Treasury and the IRS was formally requested in June 2014 by Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky., and Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., and co-signed by a bi-partisan group of 15 other members of the US House of Representatives. In their letter, the 17 congressmen urged the Treasury and IRS to consider the inclusion of a bettor's entire investment in a single pari-mutuel pool to determine the amount reported or withheld for tax purposes, as opposed to only the amount wagered on the correct result. This issue typically arises in the context of increasingly popular multi-horse or multi-race wagers.

  For example, the amount wagered by a Pick Six player who hits with one of 140 combinations on a $1-minimum wager would be $140, which is the total amount bet into the Pick Six pool. Currently the amount wagered is calculated using only the $1 bet on the single winning combination. By understating the amount wagered in this manner, the IRS is imposing significant additional reporting and withholding obligations on horseplayers while creating unnecessary paperwork for the IRS.

  A clarification would directly benefit pari-mutuel customers by reducing burdensome tax obligations. The proposal also aims to lessen racing's competitive disadvantage against other forms of gaming that are not subject to such aggressive tax treatment related to reporting and withholding.

  A Change.org petition posted by the NTRA last year received nearly 8,000 signatures in support of the clarification in only a few months. Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear sent a letter to the Treasury last fall seeking the clarification on behalf of his state's signature industry. In November, the NTRA teamed with Rep. Yarmuth to request a meeting with Treasury officials in Washington, DC, to further raise awareness of the issue. A subsequent meeting, held in January on Capitol Hill between Rep. Yarmuth and a high-ranking official at the Treasury, also included two horseplayers (NTRA Board Member Judy Wagner and National Handicapping Championship Players' Committee Chairman Chris Larmey) and an executive from Churchill Downs, which is in Yarmuth's home district.

  Even though the June 2 deadline has passed, the NTRA will continue to push for modernization of tax regulations in a variety of ways. 

   A diverse group of horse racing and animal welfare organizations announced on May 29, 2015, the launch of a coalition to support uniform medication standards for Thoroughbred racing and the formal introduction of proposed bipartisan legislation that would grant independent authority over rule-making, testing and enforcement oversight to an entity created by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

  The groups will work with Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) and other lawmakers to file common-sense legislation to bring long-needed reforms to horse racing.

   The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (www.horseracingintegrity.com) is comprised of two major Thoroughbred racing organizations (Breeders' Cup Ltd. and The Jockey Club), an animal welfare group (The Humane Society of the United States), with grassroots support from the more than 1,000 members of the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

  The House bill will be known as the Thoroughbred Horse Racing Anti-Doping Act of 2015.

  The USADA administers the anti-doping programs - including education, sample collection, results management and drug reference resources - for athletes in US Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Sport, including all Olympic sport national governing bodies, their athletes and events throughout the year. 

  "It is USADA's hope that the model of independence and national harmonization envisioned through this legislation can be realized for the long term good of this sport," said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart.  "As we have done with other sports, USADA would be focused on creating a robust program that can protect the rights of competitors and the integrity of competition."

  "In a sport built on the integrity of competition, nothing is more important than a level playing field for the horses, jockeys, trainers, owners that compete and for the fans who wager on our sport," said Arthur Hancock III, co-founder of the grassroots organization WHOA. "The creation of this coalition now provides all interested parties with a unique opportunity to support a single, national approach to medication, drug testing and penalties with strong, independent oversight and enforcement"

  Among the provisions in the proposed legislation by US Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY), USADA would create the Thoroughbred Horseracing Anti-Doping Organization (THADO), an independent, non-governmental non-profit governed by a board comprised of six USADA board members and five independent individuals from the Thoroughbred racing industry. This organization would work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country. 

  THADO would develop and administer a nationwide anti-doping program that would go into effect beginning January 1, 2017, following input from the Thoroughbred industry and the public.

  The horse racing industry has been working to advance better rules pertaining to drugs, drug testing and penalties through the National Uniform Medication Program (NUMP) on a state-by-state basis.

  "The racing industry has taken thoughtful and significant steps toward medication reform in recent years and we believe that the creation of this coalition demonstrates widespread support for further changes, changes that can be  made in a more timely fashion," said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. "We deeply appreciate Congressmen Tonko's willingness to help us bring about reform."

  The Coalition also credited the efforts of Congressmen Ed Whitfield (R-KY) and Joe Pitts (R-PA) and Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), who have been on the forefront of efforts to reform the current medication system.

  "Without the leadership of Congressman Whitfield, Congressman Pitts and Senator Udall, the industry may not have taken this problem head on," said Gagliano. "This new coalition wants to bring all lawmakers interested in racing reform together and find a common solution that will further ensure the safety of our athletes and the integrity of our sport for our participants and our fans."

  "The current system of state-by-state regulation of medication across 38 states has inherent inefficiencies and a newer, modern and efficient approach is vital to the growth of our sport," said Craig Fravel, president and chief executive officer of Breeders' Cup Ltd. "We are pleased to partner in support of this legislation and we look forward to adding more coalition members in the weeks and months to come."

  Millions of people participate annually in American Thoroughbred racing as owners, trainers, veterinarians and industry support professionals, and as fans and bettors. The industry contributes $25-billion to the US economy annually and generates 380,000 domestic jobs, with 38 states participating in pari-mutuel racing and American Thoroughbreds traveling and racing overseas in Europe and on growing racing circuits in Asia and the Middle East.

  Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com.

NHBPA Statement on Thoroughbred Horse Anti-Doping Act of 2015

  The National HBPA, on behalf of its affiliates and 30,000 members, would like to address the announcement made by Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY) May 29, 2015. We are the largest horsemen's group in North America and we have long been supporters of national uniformity in medication policies. However, we are opposed to any legislation that interferes with the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (IHA).

  The announcement by Rep. Tonko says this proposed legislation "does not eliminate or modify any of the consents, agreements or approvals required" with respect to the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978 (IHA). However, the release also goes on to say that the new governing body, THADO, will have control of "the privilege to accept, receive or transmit wagers on Covered Horseraces." It is well understood that horsemen groups, in a working relationship with racetracks, have a veto right by law, under the IHA to designate who transmits a signal from a given racetrack. We will look to Congressman Tonko for clarification of this announcement, as this seems to contradict itself with regards to current law within the IHA.

  With that said, all horsemen represented by the National HBPA along with others within the racing industry, will come together to ensure the industry's largest group, is heard in Washington. This announcement by Congressman Tonko (D-NY) and his proposed legislation do not have the support of the racing industry's majority voice, the horsemen.

Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation Announces Free, Online Courses

  In an effort to enhance equine welfare, health and safety and overall horsemanship skills, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation announced on June 9, 2015, the availability of the first three modules of its Advanced Horsemanship Program.

  Titled, "Understanding & Managing EHV-1," "The Hoof: Inside & Out," and "Understanding the National Uniform Medication Program," the three modules are available as free, online courses to any interested individuals.

  "The need for a 'continuing education' program for licensed trainers was identified at the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit in 2006," said Edward L. Bowen, president of Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. "Many professions, ranging from hairdressers to attorneys, require continuing education, and we certainly feel like this, at least in part, fills a void in the horse racing business."

  The Association of Racing Commissioners (ARCI) has developed a model rule requiring at least four hours of continuing education per year for licensed trainers and encourages racing commissions to adopt that rule.

  The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee subsequently issued a recommendation urging all North American racing authorities to adopt the model rule.

  Each of these first three courses takes approximately one hour to complete, and racing commissions can be notified electronically by the person who has completed the online course.

  The Advanced Horsemanship Program and these three modules were developed in collaboration with the North American Racing Academy (NARA), which is based at Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) in Lexington, Kentucky, and introduced at the RCI Convention in Tampa, Florida, in April.

  Remi Bellocq, executive director of Equine Programming at BCTC/NARA, said "For the past two years, we have shifted our focus from primarily being a riding program toward becoming an overall racing and breeding industry workforce training program. We emphasize with our students that there are many different career pathways to pursue in our industry, beyond those they may have initially chosen. As such, the opportunity to work with Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and The Jockey Club on the creation of this continuing education program is something we very much believe in and we are excited to undertake."

  Future courses may focus on topics such as immigration, medication use, lameness, basic horse health, and rules and regulations.

  To encourage participation, targeted e-mails have been sent to all racing commissions (ARCI), national and local horsemen's groups and regulatory veterinarians.

  Updates and other information about the Advanced Horsemanship Program and other educational efforts will be presented at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit VI on July 8, 2015, at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.

  Committees formed at the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit have previously produced the Uniform National Trainer's Test and Study Guide, which is now used in nearly two dozen states.

  Additional information is available by contacting Cathy O'Meara, Industry Initiatives coordinator, at (859) 224-2728 or comeara@jockeyclub.com.

Lindy Aliment

  Lindy Aliment, 87, passed away peacefully at his home in Renton on May 29, 2015. He was born on November 2, 1927, the last of 11 children of parents who immigrated from Castellamonte, Italy. He was named Lindy because his mother wanted him to have an American name and Charles Lindberg was the most famous one she knew.

  He grew up in Renton, a short distance from Longacres, and on that same block was a boarding house which in the summer was frequented by jockeys and trainers. Lindy graduated from Renton High School where he excelled in football, track and swimming. After high school, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Japan.

 He graduated from the University of Puget Sound where he affiliated with the Kappa Sigma fraternity and played football. It was while he was in college that Lindy owned the winning filly Miss Kalene. He then began his career as a teacher, mentor, coach and counselor to countless students at Highline, Glacier and Tyee high schools. He was the assistant football coach and won the state championship as the head golf coach at Glacier. He loved to ski and for many years, he was an instructor for Fiorini ski school. In retirement, he finally found more time to enjoy his love of golf as a member of Fairwood Golf and Country Club.

  Lindy began his career at a racing official at Longacres in 1955 as a summer job for the then 29-year-old Highline High School teacher and counselor. When Joe Gottstein gave him the job, he suggested that Lindy wear the hat he became known for, because many jockeys were older than him, and Gottstein thought it would be beneficial to his image. Lindy was a fixture at Longacres, then at Yakima Meadows and was on board when Emerald Downs opened in 1996. His familiar presence in the same position lasted until his retirement in 2002. After 46 years, he was the longest tenured clerk of scales in America. When interviewed upon his retirement, a reporter asked him to comment about his job; the place he loved so much. Without hesitation, he said, "It hasn't been a job; it has been the best seat in the house."
  He was awarded a special racetrack achievement award at the 2012 Washington Annual Awards which stated: In recognition of the highest degree of integrity, dependability, consistency and a lifetime of service to the Washington Thoroughbred industry."

  All of the five Aliment family members worked at Longacres at one time or another. Both Marlys and their daughter Karen worked in concessions. Sons Randy and Steve worked the starting gate and in the turf club, respectively.

  The Skelly Award, originally named to honor Longacres Director of Medical Services Dr. Alex Grinstein, was inaugurated in 1986. The award, which annually honors a rider for accomplishment and sportsmanship throughout the meeting was renamed to honor Lindy during Emerald Downs inaugural season in 1996.

  The most important thing to him was the love of his life and best friend, Marlys. They were inseparable -  a true love affair marked by 61 years of marriage, a travel itinerary that would take them to all parts of Europe, Asia, across America. They had a social calendar that his three children collectively could not match. They shared a beautiful life together and brought three grateful children along for the ride.
  Lindy Aliment brightened lives in South King County for 87 years and he leaves a legacy of character, integrity and respect. He was a friend and advisor to many, a wonderful husband and as a father he was simply the best. One sports columnist wrote: "It's not easy measuring a man's heart. If they did, Aliment would need a yardstick."

  Lindy is survived by his wife, Marlys; children Randy (Elaine), Steven (Denise) and Karen (David); and seven grandchildren, Kendall (Adam), Nick, Kevin, Rainier, Ruby, Jack and Paul.
  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the Washington Thoroughbred Foundation Scholarship Fund.in his memory at www.thoroughbredfoundation.org.