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EST. $50,000 TO BE UP FOR GRABS IN 2010 LOS ALAMITOS CLAIMING FUTURITY - Nominations are due on Monday, April 12. - COURSE, CYPRESS, CA... One of the exciting new events in the 2010 Los Alamitos Race Course stakes schedule is the $50,000 estimated Claiming Futurity for 2-year-olds. To be held for the first time at the Orange County this year, the Los Alamitos Claiming Futurity trials will be held on Friday, May 28.
 
8% Purse Reinstatement begins on Sunday
Future wagering on Kentucky Derby/Oaks open through Sunday - $86,854 West Texas Maturity stages on Saturday
- Sunland Park, NM - March 5, 2010 - Officials at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino announced an 8% purse reinstatement this week. The positive purse adjustment takes place on Sunday and will remain in effect for the remainder of the meet. The reinstatement will amount to $16,000 more per day in purses.
 
TTA - DAVE HOOPER'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE - MAR. 5 - SAM HOUSTON SET TO LAUNCH MONDAY AFTERNOON LIVE RACING EXPERIMENT - February 5, 2010 - The first of four Monday afternoon live racing programs begins at Sam Houston Race Park on March 8 at 1:20pm with the simulcast signal sent nationwide on a day when there are no major racetrack signals originating from Florida, New York or California.
 

 

TTA Awards Banquet & Tx Stallion Stakes from Greg Thompson on Vimeo.

 

 

Snow, Snow, Go Away!
-Aqueduct -Coglianese Photos
Handle, Purses Hit Hard by Drop in Race Days
By Tom LaMarra - BLOODHORSE

 
TWO DAY PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $332,613 INTO FRIDAY, TOTAL SANTA ANITA POOL COULD REACH $1 MILLION - ARCADIA, Calif. (March 4, 2010)—A massive two day Pick Six carryover of $332,613 will await players at Santa Anita on Friday and it is expected the total pool could exceed $1 million.
 

Sixteen-year-old apprentice jockey Tyler Kaplan
lived the dream on Thursday, March 4, 2010, as he won with the very first mount of his career aboard a 5-year-old mare named Soldier Betty, in the fifth race at Santa Anita Park, Arcadia, CA. - BENOIT PHOTO
 
Remington Park to honor trainer Brooks with bronze - OKLAHOMA CITY - (March 4, 2010)-Remington Park is honoring retired quarter horse trainer Jack Brooks during an awards banquet prior to the start of the track's annual quarter horse racing meet.
 
CONTINGENCY PLAN IN EVENT OF SATURDAY RAIN OUT WOULD MOVE GR. III SHAM TO SUNDAY IN ADDITION TO JOE HERNANDEZ STAKES - ARCADIA, Calif. (March 4, 2010) – As a contingency plan should weather on Saturday lead to a second cancellation of the $150,000 Sham Stakes at 1 1/8 miles, the Grade III event for 3-year-olds would become an additional race, the 10th, on Sunday’s Santa Anita program.
 
Churchill Downs' Numbers Show Wagering Shift
By Ron Mitchell - BLOODHORSE
March 3, 2010 - When Churchill Downs Inc. released its 2009 annual report March 2, it offered a clear picture of the shift in wagering trends from racetracks to online and telephone wagering.
 
Stronach: No surface change -By Brad Free - as reported by California TB Racing ARCADIA, Calif. - In a reversal of a January announcement that the Pro-Ride surface would be replaced at the conclusion of the winter meet, Santa Anita will keep the surface in place for the time being, Frank Stronach, the chairman of the two companies that control the track, said on Sunday.
 
Alameda County Fair announces dates, includes 15 days of horse racing - 03/03/2010 PLEASANTON — A combination of more horse racing and the return of fireworks plus a break on the weather helped the Alameda County Fair set record attendance last year, and the formula worked so well that fair officials won't tweak much to this year's edition.
 
WALK THRU FIRE COLT HAS FASTEST TIME ON FIRST DAY OF WORKS AT LOS ALAMITOS - CYPRESS, CA. - MARCH 3, 2010 - Workouts for the 2-year-old class of 2010 got underway on Tuesday, March 2 at Los Alamitos with 25 promising runners posting qualifying gate works at 220 yards. The morning standout came from the barn of all-time leading trainer Blane Schvaneveldt, as he watched the sorrel colt Leave The Scene scorch the track to the tune of a :12.2 workout. Purchased for $19,200 by Ronnie Brooks and Ron Keller from the Ed Allred consignment at the 2009 Los Alamitos Equine Sale, Leave The Scene outworked Schvaneveldt's Delightful Check by 1/10th of a second. She covered the distance in :12.30, tying the Check Him Out filly for the second fastest time of the morning.
 
MINNESOTA QHRA EXTENDS DEADLINES, HONORS AWARD WINNERS - March 3, 2010 - The Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association will extend the nomination deadline from March 1st to the new date of March 15th for three stakes races. The races include the Canterbury Park Derby, Northlands Futurity and North Central Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity.
 
Portland Meadows switching to equine friendly riding crops - Portland, OR., February 3, 2010 - Starting on March 8th, 2010, all jockeys at Portland Meadows will be required to use equine friendly riding crops that conform to a new house rule at the North Portland race track. Portland Meadows along with the help from horse people Ron Sutton of Sutton Tire and Chain in Portland and Debbie Funk of the Vince Funk All State Agency in Olympia, Washington, have purchased sixteen of the new softer equine friendly riding crops from four different companies. Riders will use these crops in all races conducted at Portland Meadows beginning on March 8th.
 
Racino's live-racing plans appear ready to shift; State hopes for April start of simulcasting
By Todd Wildermuth - Editor, The Raton Range
March 3, 2010 - The New Mexico Racing Commission hopes simulcast wagering on horseracing from other tracks will begin at the temporary tent casino in south Raton by early April, but the commission and the financier of the planned La Mesa Race Track & Casino are no longer promising that live horseracing will break from the gate beginning Memorial Day weekend this year.
 
The widely criticized all weather track at Santa Anita is set to stay -as reported by the Herald Sun
March 3, 2010 - In a surprise development, Santa Anita's owner Frank Stronach said on Tuesday the Pro-Ride track will stay at the California venue for the foreseeable future for economic reasons.
 
Horse Racing: Iowa group's lead steed has Derby Dreams - By Dan Johnson for the Des Moines Register
March 3, 2010 - Jerry Crawford has caught Derby fever. The Des Moines attorney heads the Derby Dreams partnership, whose Vow to Wager won Saturday's $100,000 Battaglia Memorial at Turfway Park in Kentucky. Now the 3-year-old is on the Triple Crown trail, with his next race being the $500,000 Lane's End Stakes on March 27. Should he win or place, Vow to Wager would be entered in the Kentucky Derby on May 1.
 
REMINGTON PARK PRESENTS LIVE STREAMING OF RACES BEGINNING OPENING WEEKEND - OKLAHOMA CITY – Remington Park starts 2010 live racing this Friday night with the beginning of the American Quarter Horse & Mixed-Breed Season. Remington Park will also begin a new era in technology and fan service as the season gets underway.
 

RACHEL ALEXANDRA FINISHES FAST IN SIX-FURLONG BREEZE -NEW ORLEANS (Tuesday, March 2, 2010) – Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra worked six furlongs in company Tuesday morning, blowing past her stablemate nearing the eighth-pole and finishing in a final quarter-mile of :22 3/5 to post an official final time of 1:13 3/5, breezing, over a fast main track. Fair Grounds clockers caught fractions of :13, :25 3/5, :38 2/5, :51 and 1:02 1/5. The 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly galloped out seven-eighths in 1:26 2/5 and one mile in 1:41 1/5.
Rachel Alexandra with Dominic Terry up puts in a private work at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
Fair Grounds Photo by Lynn Roberts

 
Track’s future still uncertain; lease is under review - by Sally Maxwell, Sequoyah County Times (March 1, 2010) - Blue Ribbon Downs will not be a pari-mutual racetrack again, Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation principal chief, told the Associated Press last week.
But there is a chance that horse owners and trainers won’t have to leave the area if the Cherokee Nation agrees to a lease proposed by Joel Pierce of Sallisaw.
 
More than $45,000 raised at Sunland benefit
Jockey Carlos Rivas didn’t think he was going to make it to the hospital. “I was unconscious most of the time in the ambulance but at one time I did hear the medics say I had no pulse and that they were worried,” Rivas says.
That was on Friday, Jan. 29. A horse he was riding in a race at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino had fallen and rolled over him. Rivas suffered several broken vertebrae, fractured ribs and a ruptured aorta.
 
fast Alex wins Monday to climb into Louisiana derby picture - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, March 01, 2010) – Jim Tafel’s Fast Alex did not make it to the races as a 2-year-old, but as a 3-year-old he is fast becoming a rising star.
Ridden by Curt Bourque and trained by Greg Geier, Fast Alex was unhurried early but closed with a bold late rush to capture Monday’s $41,000 allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds at a mile and 40 yards by a length and a half.
 
National presence wanted for Apple Blossom telecast - by Jeff Lowe - Thoroughbred Times
March 01, 2010 - Six weeks away from the “Race for the Ages” showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta, Oaklawn Park officials were working to firm up live television coverage of the $5-million Apple Blossom Invitational Stakes (G1) on April 9.
 
Dates Set For 2010 Ruidoso Horse Sales - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (March 1, 2010) – The Ruidoso Select Sales Company has announced the dates of the 2010 sales for yearlings and quarter horses this summer at the sales pavilion adjacent to Ruidoso Downs.
 
clear sailing for ‘rachel’ in new orleans ladies?
NEW ORLEANS (Monday, March 01, 2010) – Will Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra enjoy clear sailing in Fair Grounds’ upcoming $200,000 New Orleans Ladies March 13 when she makes her first start of the 2010 racing season?
 
HORSE RACING: Santa Anita's latest washout is a Sham By Art Wilson - San Bernardino County Sun
ARCADIA - February 27, 2010 - Mike Machowsky is sensitive to the welfare of horses and jockeys. He knows Santa Anita had no recourse but to cancel Saturday's nine-race card when the synthetic Pro-Ride surface did not drain properly after early morning rain.
 
Trainer John Shirreffs to send Zardana from California to face Rachel Alexandra at Fair Grounds By Bob Fortus, The Times-Picayune  - New Orleans, LA - February 28, 2010 - Trainer John Shirreffs, who is preparing Zenyatta for a showdown with Rachel Alexandra in the Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park, has another “Z’’ mare to run against her at the Fair Grounds.
 
RECORD PICK FOUR POOLS ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT LOS ALAMITOS - CYPRESS, CA. - FEBRUARY 28, 2010 - A new record pool for the early Pick Four at Los Alamitos Race Course was set when $133,486 was wagered on the popular exotic on Sunday night. The pool broke the previous track record of $129,640 set on Sunday, April 15, 2007.
 
COMPARI OVERPOWERS FOES IN CRYSTAL WATER FOR FIFTH IN ROW - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 28, 2010) – After finishing third in his racing debut, 4-year-old gelding Compari powerhoused to his fifth straight victory Sunday with a stunning 3 ¼-length triumph in Santa Anita’s 13th running of the $100,000 Crystal Water Handicap for California-breds at one mile over a “yielding” turf course. ©Benoit Photo
 
Queen Greeley toys with rivals in $50,000 Island Fashion Stakes - Sunland Park, NM - February 28, 2010 - Queen Greeley made short work of her rivals in the $50,000 Island Fashion Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. The El Paso Times Stakes winner delivered a signature performance with an expansive 4 and 1/4 length victory in her first test at one mile. - Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography
 
BROOKLYN BOY SETS NEW MAIDEN STAKES RECORD
CYPRESS, CA. - FEBRUARY 27, 2010 - Felix Aguallo Gonzalez's Brooklyn Boy set a new stakes record in the $134,000 Los Alamitos Maiden Stakes after outdueling the Blane Schvaneveldt-trained Howlin Mad by a neck on Saturday at the Orange County track.
 
Storming Saint wins $100,000 Borderland Derby through disqualification - Sunland Park, NM - February 27, 2010 - After a stirring stretch drive with his stalemate Raise The Bridle, Storming Saint was placed first through disqualification in the $100,000 Borderland Derby sponsored by Casa Ford at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday.
-
Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography
 
tizaqueena rules over rivals in Lacombe memorial - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, February 27, 2010) – Darley Stable’s Tizaqueena, who began a four-race win streak at Fair Grounds last season that culminated with a score in Churchill’s Grade II Distaff Turf Mile on Kentucky Derby Day, began another one at Fair Grounds Saturday with a three-quarter length tally in the third running of the $60,000 Allen Lacombe Memorial Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles. - photo by Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
Arky-bred Comedero Easily Scores in Mountain Valley - Hot Springs, AR. - February 27, 2010 - Peter Redekop B. C. Ltd.'s Comedero score one for the home folks when the three-year-old Arkansas-bred son of Posse easily romped to a four-and-a-half lengths victory on Saturday in the $60,000 Mountain Valley Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Comedero's win was accomplished before an enthusiastic crowd of 17,122, gathered in spring like weather. - Coady Photography / Will Kenser
 
Track's future likely to be decided soon
as reported idaho press-tribune
GARDEN CITY, ID- February 27, 20210 -  Is the long wait for Treasure Valley horse racing fans about to end?
A decision on the fate of racing this summer at Idaho Downs — formerly Les Bois Park — could come as soon as next week, as several hurdles to reopening the track have been cleared.
 
Chance of gambling bill's passage dims; lawmakers cite impropriety in plan to generate millions - By Lynn Campbell - Iowa Politics
2/26/2010 - Iowa lawmakers have backed away from plans that would have generated tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of dollars for the state through gambling proposals, two legislators key to the discussions revealed Friday at an IowaPolitics.com forum.
 
Door still open for horse racing  - CEO wants to restart Kalispell track by next year - LYNNETTE HINTZE / Daily Inter Lake
February 26, 2010 - Flathead County has not completely ruled out horse racing at the fairgrounds, but the mantra remains: Show me the money. “We’re not against horse racing, but it’s got to be feasible,” Interim Fair Manager Ted Dykstra Jr. said. “If it were even close to breaking even we’d be doing it.”
 
Remington Park Hosts A Night of Legends, Honoring Oklahoma Horsemen - (Oklahoma City, OK ) - Remington Park kicks off its upcoming Quarter Horse Season with an awards banquet honoring Oklahoma’s Quarter Horse Heritage. A Night of Legends will recognize Oklahoma horses, trainers, owners and jockeys who have made major contributions to the Quarter Horse industry.
 
calliope jane wins Fair Grounds friday feature
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, February 26, 2010) – Circustown Stables’ Calliope Jane, always among the leaders, continued willingly when set down for the drive to be best by three-quarters of a length in Friday’s $43,000 six-furlong feature for accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares.
 
MERRIDOC HAWK WINS HER SECOND HANDICAP OF THE SEASON - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA... EG High Desert Farm's Merridoc Hawk became the meet's first two-time handicap winner after the Hawkinson mare outdueled Sergio Morfin's Shoal to win the $15,000 Florentine Handicap Friday at Los Alamitos.
 
Borel to be Honored at March 25 Hartack Gala
Two-time Kentucky Derby Winner Calvin Borel to Receive Bill Hartack Award - NEW ORLEANS - February 2010 - Each year the Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation hosts an Award Ceremony to honor the Kentucky Derby’s winning jockey. This year’s recipient, Louisiana native and two-time Kentucky Derby winner, Calvin Borel, will be recognized at the Bill Hartack Charitable Foundation Reception and Award Ceremony, part of Louisiana Derby week at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the Churchill Downs-owned facility in New Orleans.
 
CLAIBORNE FARM'S LEGENDARY SWALE FEATURED ON HRTV'S "INSIDE INFORMATION" DOCUMENTARY THIS SUNDAY AT 9 P.M. ET/6 P.M. PT - Arcadia, CA, Feb. 25 -- The intriguing story of Claiborne Farm's star-crossed double classic winner, Swale, will be subject of a half-hour documentary on HRTV's (R) "Inside Information" this Sunday, February 28 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
 
New Internet gambling bill offered in Washington February 25, 2010 - from the American Horse Council - Washington, DC --- Another bill has been introduced in Congress to license and regulate Internet gambling. This bill is in the Senate.
The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed in 2006. UIGEA does not prohibit Internet wagering; it bars banks and credit card companies from processing payments for such wagering by prohibiting the use of credit in connection with unlawful Internet wagering. The law excludes from the definition of “unlawful Internet wagering” “any activity that is allowed under the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978,” thus protecting racing’s interstate wagering activities by maintaining the status-quo with respect to such activities under the Interstate Horseracing Act.
 
Lawmaker backs racinos to bolster budget in MN
By Heather J. Carlson - The Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN
February 25, 2010 - An Austin lawmaker is helping lead the charge to bring racinos to Minnesota to help solve the state's budget deficit and potentially build a new Minnesota Vikings stadium.
 
2-YEAR-OLD WORKOUTS AT LOS ALAMITOS TO BEGIN NEXT WEEK - CYPRESS, CA… California's 2-year-old Quarter Horse crop of 2010 is expected to begin their qualifying workouts next week at Los Alamitos. The workouts could begin as early as Tuesday, March 2. Racing fans are invited to visit the Los Alamitos track kitchen, Schwanie's Grill at the Gap, to enjoy the babies and their workout drills. Video of these drills will be available at losalamitos.com later in the week. Two-year-old sprinters will begin racing in April. For more info, call 714-820-2690
 
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's licensing database Hacked: Victims of cyber hacking in Iowa brace for ID theft - By WILLIAM PETROSKI - Des Moines Register
February 24, 2010 - An unsettling image has tormented state Sen. William Dotzler Jr. ever since he learned a hacker, possibly from China, broke into a state database containing his personal information.
 
Cherokee chief: Racing done at Blue Ribbon Downs By MURRAY EVANS, Associated Press Writer The Oklahoman
CATOOSA, OK—February 24, 2010 - The Cherokee Nation has no plans to reopen Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw as a racetrack, although the facility could be used as a training track, tribal Chief Chad Smith said.
 
Paul "Dink" Prather passes - 2:15 CST Feb. 23rd Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Texas. The last seven months of his life was a big battle in which he put on a hell of a fight. He was a very loving, caring and giving man. He will be missed by many. We weren't just father and son we were business partners for over 32 years. We also enjoyed raising and racing horse together.
Services are set for Saturday, Feb. 27th at First Baptist Church in Eunice N.M. at 11:00am.
"I want take thank everyone for their well wishes, prayers and thoughts. God Bless" - Steve Prather - Doubletree Farm, NM
 
RACHEL ALEXANDRA UP TO SIX FURLONGS IN WEDNESDAY BREEZE - NEW ORLEANS (Wednesday, February 24, 2010) – Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra had her furthest workout yet Wednesday in advance of the March 13 New Orleans Ladies, breezing a businesslike six furlongs in 1:14 over a fast main track at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. The 4-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly accomplished the time through fractions of :13, :25 1/5, :37 3/5, :49 4/5 and 1:02. A stout gallop-out around the Clubhouse turn was caught by Fair Grounds clockers in :13 for a seven-furlong gallop-out time of 1:27.
 
Latest horse fatality statistics fuel more debate - as reported by Brent Schrotenboer, UNION-TRIBUNE
February 24, 2010 - California horse racing reported more racehorse deaths over the previous two years, 645, than any other reported two-year period, according to data released yesterday in the annual report by the California Horse Racing Board.
 
Rillito Park ‘small but important’ piece of Tucson - Tucson, AZ - February 24, 2010 - Every January and February, Rillito Park hosts three weekends of horse racing. As a newcomer to the world of horse racing, I had no idea what to expect when I walked into the park Sunday. Entering the gates half an hour before start time, I found myself engulfed in the Tucson of old. Surrounded by cowboys, purebred horses and lots of dirt, I had no idea how exciting the experience would end up being. Editorial - By Joe Dusbabek - AZ. Wild Cat
 
Ag Park board authorizes HBPA pact
- as reported by the Columbus Telegram
COLUMBUS -- The race is on. Tuesday, Feb 23, 2010 - The Platte County Agricultural Society Board of Managers voted unanimously Monday evening to authorize the contract with the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) to hold live horse racing in 2010 to ensure that simulcast horse racing will continue through the year.
 
Racino efforts race into Minnesota Capitol
 - as reported by INFORUM
St. Paul, MN. - February 24, 2010 - Lack of money may convince Minnesota legislators to back the long-proposed, often-failed racino concept this year, supporters of the concept say.
 
Princess Haya Named 2009 Texas Horse-Of-the-Year - Houston, TX. February 23, 2010 - Princess Haya was named 2009 Texas Horse of the Year and champion female at the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s annual meeting and awards banquet February 20th.
 
La Cresta-bred Ca Flag wins Horse of the Year  
-
CA. February 23, 2010 - La Cresta-bred racehorse California Flag will have to share the honor of California-bred Horse of the Year for 2009. In the first tie since the award’s inception, members of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association equally supported California Flag, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and Dancing in Silks, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint, as well as the California Cup Sprint. - California Flag © BENOIT PHOTO
 

RR Red Rocket springs an upset to win the Portland Meadows Championship - Portland, OR. February 23, 2010 - RR Red Rocket broke beautifully and never looked back powering to an impressive two-and-one-quarter length win in the $10,950 Portland Meadows Championship on Monday. 

 
BUYER & SELLER BONUSES ANNOUNCED BY ECLIPSE SALE COMPANY - GRAND PRAIRIE, TX—FEBRUARY 22, 2010—Eclipse Sales Company has announced a new "Buyer and Sellers Bonus" and a "Mixed Session" to their annual Select Yearling Sale schedule in 2010.
 
Fasig-Tipton Texas 2-year-old in training sale has 223 Entries - Grand Prairie, TX - February 22, 2010 - Fasig-Tipton has 223 entries for its 2010 Texas 2-year-old in training sale at Lone Star Park March 30. The sale begins at 10:00 a.m. The under-tack show will be held March 28 on the main track at 10 a.m.
 
Horse racing backers cheer new Missoula deal
MISSOULA, MT - Feb 22, 2010 - The return of horse racing to Missoula has some enthusiasts cheering the impact it could have on the industry statewide.
 
Racing Quarter Horses and Horseshoe Toe Grabs - February 22, 2010 - Originally published on TheHorse.com
You've probably heard the old adage from mule fanciers: "Mules is just different." Well, it seems that the same principle holds among racehorses; racing Quarter Horses, it seems, are just different. From racing Thoroughbreds, that is. Researchers presented results from their study of racing Quarter Horse injuries and horseshoe toe grabs at the 2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) convention, held Dec. 5-9 in Las Vegas, Nev., revealing that they found very different effects of toe grabs than researchers found in previous research on racing Thoroughbreds.
 
Louisiana derby preview day winners emerge unscathed sunday - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, February 21, 2010) – Risen Star Stakes winner Discreetly Mine, Mineshaft Handicap hero Stonehouse, Silverbulletday Stakes heroine Jody Slew and Fair Grounds Handicap victor Blues Street all came out of their respective victories in Saturday’s graded stakes in good order and were doing well Sunday morning.
 
BOURBON BAY BURSTS AWAY FROM RIVALS IN SAN LUIS OBISPO WIN - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2010) – After closing strongly to win his first test at 1 ½ miles in an allowance event last month, Bourbon Bay established his stakes credentials as a marathoner Sunday when running away with Santa Anita’s 54th running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Luis Obispo Handicap at 1 ½ miles on turf.
© BENOIT PHOTO
 
One Hot Mecanic springs upset in $125,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes - Sunland Park, NM February 21, 2010 - Dismissed at nearly 15-1, One Hot Mecanic outran his odds and sped to a neck victory in the $125,000 NMHBA Quarter Horse Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday. - Lisa Dominguez / Coady Photography
 
TRAINER BRET CALHOUN & JOCKEY BOBBY WALKER, JR. SWEEP BOTH STAKES RACES AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK - HOUSTON, TX (February 20, 2010)—Sam Houston Race Park hosted an exciting evening of live racing with over $300,000 in purse money on Texas Stallions Stakes Day this Saturday, February 20, 2010. The premier race day featured 10 live Thoroughbred races including the $125,000 Jim’s Orbit Stakes and the $125,000 Two Altazano Stakes, along with a FREE handicapping seminar featuring ESPN’s Fred Faour and SureBet Racing News’ Martha Claussen & Greg Thompson. Photo Credit: Coady Photography-Coyote Legend pictured
 
FREAKY IS PHENOMENAL IN
WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP
CYPRESS, CA. FEBRUARY 20, 2010 - Armando Aguirre's World Champion Freaky looked unbeatable once again after posting his seventh win in a row while setting a new stakes record in the $228,450 Los Alamitos Winter Championship on Saturday.
 
CALVIN BOREL WINS 2010 SANTA ANITA WOOLF AWARD
ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2010)—Two-time Kentucky Derby winning jockey Calvin Borel has been selected by a vote of his peers as the 2010 winner of the Santa Anita George Woolf Memorial Jockey Award. Borel’s Woolf victory was announced live on HRTV from the Fair Grounds in New Orleans by retired Hall of Fame jockey and current HRTV analyst Gary Stevens. Stevens won the Woolf Award himself in 1996. photo by SureBet
 

CONNEMARA CARRIES BAZE TO ANOTHER VICTORY IN EL CAMINO REAL DERBY - ALBANY, CA. Feb 20, 2010 - Jockey Russell Baze won the $150,000 El Camino Real Derby for the fifth time in six years when he guided 6-to-5 favorite Connemara from last to first in Saturday's 29th running of the feature.

 
BOB BLACK JACK RETURNS FROM 14 MONTHS ON SHELF TO BLITZ OPPONENTS BY 2 ¼ LENGTHS IN GRADE II SAN CARLOS HANDICAP - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 20, 2010) – Last seen approaching Spectacular Bid’s stakes record in Santa Anita’s Grade I Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26, 2008, Bob Black Jack returned from 14 months on the sidelines Saturday to absolutely blitz a field that included the 2009 Breeders’ Cup Sprint champion in Santa Anita’s Grade II, $150,000 San Carlos Handicap. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
DIXIE COMMANDER takes win IN $50,000 TURF PARADISE DERBY; TORNADO BETTY dominates in $27,500 ARIZONA OAKS - PHOENIX, AX – February 20, 2010 – Steven Miyadi’s trained Dixie Commander, bested betting favorite Indian Firewater,  by an impressive 3 ¼ length victory in the $50,000 Turf Paradise Derby at Turf Paradise  on Saturday. - Coady Photography
 
La Sorpresa finishes fast to win $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap - Sunland Park, NM - February 20, 2010 - Under a cool ride from Alejandro Medellin, La Sorpresa finished with a flurry to win the $100,000 Sydney Valentini Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. The durable New Mexico-bred-mare saved her best strides for the final quarter mile and pulled clear by one and one-quarter lengths to defeat Negotiablafections and Let the Musicbegin in the one mile feature.
Molly Jones / Coady Photography
 
Discreetly Mine Gate to Wire in Grade II Risen Star - New Orleans, LA., February 20, 2010 E. Paul Robsham Stables’ Discreetly Mine took advantage of an unexpectedly soft pace and led gate to wire while winning Saturday’s Grade II Risen Star Stakes by 1 ½-lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans.
photo by Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
Jody Slew Runs Down Quiet Temper in Grade III Silverbulletday - New Orleans, LA., February 20, 2010 - Martin Racing Stable and Dan Morgan’s Jody Slew came from more than 20 lengths back to run down Mark H. Stanley’s Quiet Temper, who led for every step but the last one, in a thrilling renewal of the Grade III Silverbulletday Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. photo by Lynn Roberts
 
Preview Day Undercard: Stonehouse Steals Mineshaft; Blues Street Takes FG 'Cap - New Orleans, LA., February 20, 2010 - The predicted duel between last winter’s Grade II Louisiana Derby winner and last spring’s Grade I Blue Grass Stakes winner got shot down Saturday when Richard Rudolph and Michael Vranich’s Stonehouse snuck up to steal the gold medal in the Grade III Mineshaft Handicap. photo by Lynn Roberts
 
Southwest Goes to Conveyance, Spring Fever to One Smokin' Lady on Saturday - Hot Springs, AR., February 20, 2010 - Speed was the best friend of many runners at Oaklawn on Saturday and that was never more evident as when Zabeel Racing International's 9-5 favorite, Conveyance, scooted to the lead, then held off the late charge of Robert Baker & William Mack's Dublin to take Saturday's featured $250,000 Southwest Stakes at one mile. Coady Photography
 
HEADTURNER LOOKS IMPRESSIVE IN WINTER DERBY VICTORY - CYPRESS, CA., FEBRUARY 19, 2010 - Headturner made heads swivel with surprise after he spoiled the expected coronation of the heavy 2-5 favorite Princelike in Friday's Grade 1 $201,750 Los Alamitos Winter Derby.
 
CORONA CZECH GELDING SETS NEW TRACK RECORD AT 330 YARDS - CYPRESS, CA., FEBRUARY 19, 2010 - Ramiro Leira's Pappyscoronalilbro set a new track record at 330 yards after winning the second race on Friday night in a time of :16.259 at Los Alamitos. Pappyscoronalilbro beat the mark of :16.288 held by Boys All Jacked Up since November of 2008.
 
Horse racing returns to the Western Montana Fair this Aug. 13-14 By KIM BRIGGEMAN of the Missoulian
February 19, 2010 - There was nary a hoofbeat on the frozen racetrack at the Missoula County Fairgrounds on Thursday morning, but Kim Bagnell heard thundering hooves anyway.
 
A JEALOUS WOMAN EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO FOUR IN TURF ROUTE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2010) – After running second in her debut, A Jealous Woman rolled to her fourth straight victory Friday while leading every step of the way in Santa Anita’s allowance feature, a $62,872 event for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
 
Horses put out to pasture in Kingman Erin Taylor, Kingman Daily Miner  - Annual races cancelled for now - KINGMAN, AZ., - February 19, 2010 - The economy has claimed another victim. This time, it's what would have been the 44th Annual Hualapai Downs horse racing at the Mohave County Fairgrounds.
 

West Texas Maturity Trials - Sunland Park, NM - Final 3/6/2010
For Quarter Horse Three Year Old and Upward - 400 yards

Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography

qualifiers below

 
Horse
Time
Owner Trainer
Jess Dellaree
:18.910
Maria G. Gonzalez Andres Gonzalez
Wr Okie Smoker
:19.038
Juan Carlos Moraga Dennis Marsteller
Sea Ola Go
:19.115
Orozco, Alonso and 21 Partnership Alonso Orozco
Featurel
:19.124
Rosa A. Barroteran Alfredo Sanchez
Brown Eye Suze
:19.128
Joe Rios Alonso Orozco
Jess Sporty, 6
:19.134
Patrick L. Sanchez Owner
Mr Jesses Corona
:19.178
A. Barroteran Ralph Muniz
Neds Easter Fol
:19.207
Jose Angel Esparza Salvador R Soto
Hez Our Rock
:19.223
Jose Angel Esparza Salvador R Soto
Fire Above
:19.225
Linnette Sanchez Alfredo Sanchez
 
Racino bills head out of the gate next week
by Charley Shaw - Politics In Minnesota
February 19,2010 - State Rep. Al Juhnke, DFL-Willmar, plans to unveil the so-called racino bill next week. Juhnke said bill language is being drafted and he plans to unveil the proposal on Tuesday.
 
12-HORSE FIELDS DRAWN FOR BOTH TEXAS STALLION STAKES DIVISIONS - TTA Update - February 19, 2010 - The third leg of the Texas Stallion Stakes Series for foals of 2007 asks nominated horses to try two turns for the first time in the 4-race program and there are full fields of 12 in both $125,000 divisions of the Saturday night one-mile co-features at Sam Houston Race Park.
 
Track bill goes to NM Senate floor - Santa Fe, NM - A bill in the state legislature, that supporters argue is necessary to keep the Ruidoso Downs Race Track and Casino in Ruidoso Downs, was expected to go before the full Senate last night or sometime today.
 
Fonner races to start on time despite weather
By Mike Patterson - WORLD-HERALD - Grand Island, NE. - February 18, 2010 - Fonner Park racing secretary Doug Schoepf is used to dealing with cold and snowy weather.
 
Some worry financial issues could kill horse racing in Fargo - A proposed sale intended to help the nonprofit behind horse racing in Fargo pay off about $200,000 in bills is drawing some criticism in the wake of a report detailing concerns with the group’s financial oversight. Fargo, ND - February 18, 2010 - A proposed sale intended to help the nonprofit behind horse racing in Fargo pay off about $200,000 in bills is drawing some criticism in the wake of a report detailing concerns with the group’s financial oversight. By: Dave Roepke, INFORUM
 
UNBEATEN WITTY PICKS UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF IN ALLOWANCE WIN - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2010) – A stellar sprinter in her 3-year-old division last year, unbeaten Witty returned from nine months on the sidelines Thursday to pick up where she left off while gaining her fourth victory with a handy 1 ¼-length triumph in Santa Anita’s $55,308 allowance feature for fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs.
 
Oklahoma gaming payment inquiry sought Racing: Groups say only tribal payments declined - February 18, 2010 - newsok.com Two Oklahoma horsemen’s groups are calling for a state investigation into whether one or more American Indian tribes have been shortchanging state racehorse owners on required gaming payments in the Tulsa area.
 
Racing commission OKs 2010 Emerald Downs meet - AUBURN, WA. February 18, 2010 - The Washington Horse Racing Commission on Thursday approved an 89-day schedule for Emerald Downs and 19 days for tracks in Kennewick, Walla Walla, Waitsburg and Dayton.
 
Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra continued to work forwardly Thursday morning in advance of the March 13 New Orleans Ladies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, breezing five furlongs on a fast main track in 1:00 1/5 with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard. The 4-year-old filly broke off rather keen from the five-eighths pole but settled into herself around the far turn, working through fractions of :12, :23 4/5, :35 3/5 and :47 3/5. The final time made it the second-fastest five-furlong move of 19 on the morning. Photo by Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
Shame on Rosie much the best in the Oregon Ms. Stakes - Portland, OR - February 17, 2010 - Shame on Rosie had to overcome a torrid pace battle throughout the early stages of the $10,000 Oregon Ms. Stakes, but was able to find her stride and hold off all challengers as she won the one mile race by three and one quarter lengths. Sent off as the 2/5 favorite in a field of six Oregon bred three year old fillies, Shame on Rosie went right out for the lead.
 
Louisiana derby preview day showcases six strong stakes - NEW ORLEANS (Tuesday, February 16, 2010) – Jack Hammer’s Ron the Greek, 3-1 morning line favorite for Saturday’s Grade II Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds, breezed a half-mile in 49.60 on Mardi Gras morning with regular rider James Graham in the irons, and also on the Tuesday tab was Risen Star entrant Mountain Justice, owned by Blu Shu Stables, who accomplished the same distance in 50.40 in his final tune-up for Saturday’s centerpiece event.
 
Horse Racing In Nebraska Finished Without New Betting - February 17, 2010 - Lawmakers consider bill to allow betting machines at tracks Nebraska lawmakers were told Wednesday the horse-racing industry in the state could wither and nearly die without a new form of betting.
 
Kansas City, Kan., casino developers oppose legislative efforts to change gambling regulations - Topeka (LJ World.com) — Developers of a casino in Kansas City have asked legislators not to change the rules governing gambling in Kansas to benefit a potential competitor to the detriment of their $386 million project.
 
chantilly Nayla wins mardi gras stakes tuesday at fair Grounds - NEW ORLEANS (Tuesday, February 16, 2010) – Salman Rashed’s Chantilly Nayla outgamed Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Kinsolving and Robert Pierz’ Hathors Legacy respectively in a three-horse pinball finish to Tuesday’s 66th running of the $60,000 Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds.
 - Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts
 
SIDNEY’S CANDY SOARS BACK INTO DERBY PICTURE, TAKES SAN VICENTE BY 4 ½; TUSCAN EVENING KEEPS ROLLING IN BUENA VISTA - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 15, 2010) – Sidney’s Candy regained a huge measure of the high expectations he had generated following a dazzling maiden victory last summer at Del Mar with a comparable triumph on Monday in Santa Anita’s 69th running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
Races 5-10 Cancelled on Monday; Southwest Stakes and Progressive Cash Giveaway Rescheduled for - Saturday, February 15 - Due to potentially hazardous racetrack conditions, officials of Oaklawn Park cancelled races five through ten on the Monday card. The holiday card has annually brought out a large crowd and did once again this year, but the severe wind and wind chill created a condition which made the track unsafe for jockeys and horses.
 
Portland Mile purse increased to $50,000 - February 15, 2010 - Portland Meadows has announced that the purse for their signature race, the Portland Mile has been increased from $40,000 to $50,000 for the 2010 edition of the race, to be held on Wednesday April 28th. This year’s Portland Mile will be the 45th running of the annual event for older horses and is contested over a one mile distance.
 

 

Champion Brenda Beautiful Retired, Will Be Bred To Favorite Trick - RUIDOSO DOWNS (February 15, 2010) – R.D. Hubbard and Johnny T.L. Jones Jr.’s homebred Brenda Beautiful, the 2008 champion 2-year-old filly, has been retired from racing and will be bred to Favorite Trick (tb).

- photo by Ty Wyant

 
STRIKING DANCER GAINS FIRST STAKES VICTORY IN LA CANADA; FIVE WINNING TICKETS IN PICK SIX PAY $313,721 - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 14, 2010) – After having raced predominantly on turf, Striking Dancer stormed home under jockey Alex Solis Sunday to capture the Grade II, $150,000 La Canada Stakes for 4-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles over Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride synthetic surface and gain her first stakes victory in her 11th career start. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
PRINCELIKE WILL HEADLINE THE GRADE 1 WINTER DERBY ON FRIDAY NIGHT - CYPRESS, CA. - FEBRUARY 14, 2010 - From Co-World Champion Whosleavingwho in 2001 to champion Panther Mountain in 2002 to World Champion Be A Bono in 2004 to PCQHRA champion A Tempting Dash in 2009, the list of winners of the $201,750 Los Alamitos Winter Derby is choke-full of great names from racing's recent past. The name of a new young star will be added to this list on Friday, February 19 following this year's running of the Los Alamitos Winter Derby.
 
Red Lead takes commanding win in $50,000 Curribot Stakes - Sunland Park, NM - February 14, 2010 - Red Lead rocketed to a commanding 2-length win in the $50,000 Curribot Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday. Under a thoughtful ride from 5-time Sunland Park riding champ Ken Tohill, Red Lead surged from off the pace to earn his first career stakes win. The four-year-old gelded son of Red Bullet exploded from fourth position at the half mile marker to first place while racing into the stretch. Molly Jones / Coady Photography
 
Maximus ruler gets sunday breeze for saturday’s risen star - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, February 14, 2010) – Don Benge’s Maximus Ruler, runner-up in Fair Grounds’ Grade III Lecomte Jan. 23 after inheriting an unwanted pacesetting scenario, breezed five furlongs in 1:02.60 Sunday morning in preparation for next Saturday’s Grade II Risen Star Stakes as the showcase race on Louisiana Derby Preview Day.
 
CAN ANYBODY STOP FREAKY IN WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP? CYPRESS, CA. FEBRUARY 13, 2010 .. Can they beat him? "They" are the nine horses that qualified two through 10 to the $228,450 Los Alamitos Winter Championship that will be held on Saturday night, February 20. "Him", of course, is none other that the sport's World Champion Quarter Horse sprinter, the irresistible Freaky, who posted the fastest qualifying time to the Winter Championship back on January 30. Freaky's fastest time that night of :19.315 was 14/100ths faster than the second fastest qualifier, the quick-breaking Bloke. Impressively, Freaky did what he did despite nearly falling leaving the gate.
 
Cal-bred now on Derby trail - Arcadia, CA. - February 13, 2010 - Maybe it was the relatively modest California breeding or the obscure jockey that dimmed the perfect record going into Saturday's Grade II, $150,000 Robert. B. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, but Caracortado emerged as a bona fide Kentucky Derby prospect after knocking off such consensus top 10 designees as 11-10 favorite Tiz Chrome and 5-2 second choice American Lion.
 
CARACORTADO BECOMES DERBY PROSPECT IN LEWIS; ST TRINIANS NODS MISREMBERED; BLIND LUCK WINS BARELY; JERANIMO UPSETS IN STRUB - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 13, 2010) – Maybe it was the relatively modest California breeding or the obscure jockey that dimmed the perfect record going into Saturday’s Grade II, $150,000 Robert. B. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita, but Caracortado emerged as a bona fide Kentucky Derby prospect after knocking off such consensus top 10 designees as 11-10 favorite Tiz Chrome and 5-2 second choice American Lion. - St Trinians © BENOIT PHOTO
 
BAZE, SHERMAN TEAM UP TO WIN THREE STRAIGHT RACES - ALBANY, CA. February 13, 2010 - Jockey Russell Baze and trainer Steve Sherman teamed up to win three straight races at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.
 
STRONG PERFORMANCES FOR TIE ROD IN TURF PARADISE HANDICAP - Phoenix, AZ (February 13, 2010) – Enjoying an excellent comeback win, after a disappointing fifth at Gulfstream Park in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes, Tie Rod posted his win in the Turf Paradise Handicap, defeating twelve rivals in the $28,000 feature on Saturday. Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
Ez WINNER SCORES AGAIN WITH PHOENIX GOLD CUP WIN at TURF PARADISE - Phoenix, AZ, (February 13, 2010) — The 5-year-old son of Irish bred In Excess raced to a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $75,000 featured 7th race at Turf Paradise on Saturday marking his second stakes win in a row. Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
MARKMELAURAS EARNS FIRST STAKES WIN AT TURF pARADISE - Phoenix, AZ. (February 13, 2010) – Ernie J. Turner’s Markmelauras set the pace throughout the one mile distance on the turf in Saturday’s $27,500 feature at Turf Paradise earning her first stakes in the Sun City Handicap. Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
Stormy Express holds on by a neck to win $50,000 El Diario Stakes - Sunland Park, NM - February 13, 2010 - Stormy Express bounced back nicely from a 4-month layoff to take a driving win in the $50,000 El Diario Stakes on Saturday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Racing at nearly 6-1 odds against a stellar field of fillies and mares, Stormy Express broke alertly and quickly assumed a stalking position down the backstretch run of the six and one-half furlong race. Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography
 
CLEAR SAILING WINS FG’S pELLETERI WITH SHANE SELLERS UP - Result Sets Up Possible Meeting with Rachel Alexandra in the New Orleans Ladies - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, February 13, 2010) – Veteran jockey Shane Sellers, lately surging as “The Comeback Kid” after being away from competition for four-and-a-half years, came from worst to first astride the appropriately-named Clear Sailing to win Saturday’s featured $60,000 Pelleteri Stakes by a neck to give Sellers a riding triple for the day. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
hotep, ‘general’, ‘jody’ get louisiana derby preview day works - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, February 13, 2010) – Two prominent 3-year-old colts pointing toward Fair Grounds’ Grade II Risen Star Stakes Feb. 20 were given their last significant works Saturday morning in advance of next weekend’s final major prep for the Grade II Louisiana Derby March 27.
 
Decelerator Holds Off Eve Giselle for Martha Washington Win - Hot Springs, AR. - February 13, 2010 - Westrock Stable's Decelerator used her experience with two-turn races to her advantage as she rallied through down the rail to hold off the challenge of Bean Counter Stable's Eve Giselle and capture the 32nd running of the $75,000 Martha Washington Stakes before a crowd of 20,178 gathered at Oaklawn Park on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
 
Texas Thoroughbred Association Update - FEB. 12 TTA AWARDS DINNER, ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING NEXT SATURDAY AT SHRP - The Texas Thoroughbred Association will take time next Saturday, February 20, to honor the owners and breeders of the 2009 Texas-bred champions of all racing divisions headed by Eileen Hartis’ homebred Princess Haya, the Texas Horse of the Year and Champion Older Filly/Mare. The presentations will take place during an awards dinner at Sam Houston Race Park beginning at 7pm following a cocktail reception starting at 6pm. AUCTION OF RACHEL ALEXANDRA SADDLE TOWEL WILL BENEFIT EDUCATION FUND - New TTA Life Member Hal Wiggins, the original trainer of Rachel Alexandra, is procuring the autograph of jockey Calvin Borel on the saddle towel worn by Rachel Alexandra when she won last year’s Fair Grounds Oaks. TRC REVISES FINGERPRINT POLICY AND SETS MANOR DOWNS BARN ENTRY RULES
 
SUTHERLAND GETS IRISH-BRED PORTO MARMAY HOME AT 11-1 IN WISHING WELL HANDICAP - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The only entrant to have taken part in the race last year when finishing fourth at odds of 17-1, Porto Marmay captured Friday’s sixth running of Santa Anita’s $68,200 Wishing Well Handicap for fillies and mares when she defeated She’s Cheeky by one length after going off at odds of 11-1. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
THOROUGHBRED TIMES launches Triple Crown website
The prep season is under way for contenders pointing for the 2010 Triple Crown, and THOROUGHBRED TIMES will keep racing fans informed daily of any and all news, workouts, races, and other developments through its Road to the Triple Crown website.
 
GGF ANNOUNCES PURSE REDUCTIONS, CANCELATION OF THREE STAKES - ALBANY, CA. -February 12, 2010 - Golden Gate Fields announced Friday that it is reducing purses by an average of 7.5 percent, canceling three stakes and reducing the purses of two other stakes. The reductions, prompted by a significant reduction in betting handle at the current meeting, begin with the Feb. 18 racing program.
 
Handleman wins friday feature at fair grounds
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, February 12, 2010) – Gold Square LLC’s Handleman made the pace and increased his margin in the final furlong to win Friday’s $41,000 six-furlong allowance sprint at Fair Grounds by three-and-a-quarter lengths at the wire.
 
RACHEL ALEXANDRA DRILLS IN DRIZZLING RAIN FRIDAY MORNING - NEW ORLEANS (Friday, February 12, 2010) – Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, aiming once again for an anticipated confrontation with her older rival Zenyatta in Oaklawn’s Grade I Apple Blossom April 9, worked Friday morning at Fair Grounds in advance of her scheduled seasonal bow March 13 in the $200,000 New Orleans Ladies at the Crescent City oval.
 
Grade 3 $800,000 Sunland Derby attracts 130 nominees - Sunland Park, nm - Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 - 130 three-year-olds are nominated to the Grade 3 $800,000 Sunland Derby to be run on Sunday, March 28. The list of sophomore thoroughbreds is an impressive array of talent. Ten of the twelve horses listed on Steve Haskin’s Kentucky Derby Dozen published in Bloodhorse Magazine are nominated to the Sunland Derby. 85 of the Sunland Derby eligible's are nominated to this year’s Triple Crown
 
RACHEL ALEXANDRA POINTING TO MARCH 13 NEW ORLEANS LADIES - Horse of the Year’s 4-Year-Old Debut Will Serve as Prep for Showdown with Zenyatta - NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, February 11, 2010) – Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra will make her 4-year-old debut in the March 13 New Orleans Ladies, assuming she continues to progress as expected, owner Jess Jackson of Stonestreet Stables confirmed Thursday. The $200,000 New Orleans Ladies is for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on the main track.
 
Rachel Vs. Zenyatta Showdown is Back On
By The Associated Press - February 11, 2010
Charles Cella said the owners of both champions agreed Feb. 11 to run their horses in the Apple Blossom Invitational Handicap (gr. I) on a new date of April 9, for a $5 million purse.
 
CHURCH CAMP TRANSFERS CHURCHILL FORM TO SANTA ANITA  - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 11, 2010) – Church Camp, purchased privately after winning her maiden debut on Nov. 19 at Churchill Downs by 4 ¾ lengths, transferred her ability west to Santa Anita on Thursday with an impressive 1 ¼-length victory in the featured $47,504 first condition allowance race for 3-year-old fillies.
 
It’s A Wonderful Life, Ruidoso Style
RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (February 11, 2010) – It’s A Wonderful Life in Ruidoso, but will it last?
Director Frank Capra’s legendary 1946 film It’s A Wonderful Life showed how in the small fictional community of Bedford Falls everyone’s life was connected. The main character George Bailey (played by James Stewart) is deeply troubled, considering suicide. Angel second class Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers) earns his wings by showing Bailey how Bedford Fall is a better community because he is alive.
- photo - Cody Jensen by Ty Wyant - Paul Jones' Tularosa training facility
 
Horse-racing supporters say new betting needed or industry could wither in Nebraska - LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) February 10, 2010 - Nebraska lawmakers were told the horse-racing industry in the state could wither and nearly die without a new form of betting.
 
Rachel Alexandra out of Apple Blossom
by Frank Angst - Thoroughbred Times
February 10, 2010- T
he connections of Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra on Wednesday turned down a $5-million purse offer from Oaklawn Park to face champion Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Stakes (G1), but they did express interest in a three-race series.
 
Horse Racing Radio Network begins broadcasts February 20 - TB Times - February 10, 2010 - The Horse Racing Radio Network will broadcast more than 100 races in 2010, beginning with a two-hour broadcast that will include the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on February 20 at Gulfstream Park.
 
SIZZLING CERIN WINS PAINTED WAGON PURSE WITH CIGAR MAN AT 11-1 - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2010) – Vladimir Cerin, one of the hottest trainers at the Santa Anita meet, brought Cigar Man back from a two-month freshening to score an 11-1 upset Wednesday in the track’s one-mile feature, the $54,000 Painted Wagon Purse.
 
Seven Torrents dominant again in the Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders’ Derby - Portland, OR. February 9, 2010 - Seven Torrents went right to the front and never looked back as he scored wire to wire to win the $49,600 Oregon Thoroughbred Breeders’ Derby at Portland Meadows. The three year old son of Cascadian broke perfectly and was able to navigate moderate fractions of 48.49 for the opening half and three quarters in 1:13.21. As the field approached the quarter pole, Seven Torrents began to slowly pull clear of second choice Smoken Sham who chased for most of the way. Promiscuous Lad was able to come up the rail to rally into the second spot, well clear of Cascade Carson who finished third.
 
LARRY BORTSTEIN MEMORIAL SET FOR FEB. 24, VETERAN TURF WRITER PASSED AWAY JAN. 31 - A memorial service for longtime turf writer Larry Bortstein, who passed away at age 67 on Jan. 31, will be held in Santa Anita’s FrontRunner Restaurant on Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 5 p.m., following the afternoon’s races.
 
NM Legislators Consider 4 Racing Bills
By Charles D. Brunt - Albuq. Journal - February 9, 2010 - Four horse racing-related bills, including a convoluted tax break for Ruidoso Downs and allowing wagers on televised dog races at racinos, are tracking their way through the state Legislature.
 
Mine That Bird named NM horse of the year - SANTA FE, NM February 9, 2010 — The New Mexico House of Representatives on Friday named Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird its 2009 Horse of the Year.
- photo by Ty Wyant - Ruidoso Downs Racetrack, NM - 2009
 
Total sales, average increase at Fasig-Tipton
Good News from Kentucky - by Pete Denk - Thoroughbred Times
February 8, 2010 - Buoyed by better quality at the top of the market, the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale experienced a 36.9% increase in average price on Monday at Newtown Paddocks in Lexington.
 
Maria Margarita makes it two in a row with another win - Portland. OR. February 8, 2010 - Maria Margarita was impressive again as she held off the favored Virginia Girl to win the day’s fourth race and her third race of the season. Maria Margarita improved her season earnings to $9,095 with the win and seems to be hitting her stride.
 
Cupids Dash wins the Memorial as the huge favorite - Portland, OR. February 8, 2010 - Cupids Dash was bet down to overwhelming favoritism at odds of 1/5 by his backers, but he didn’t disappoint as he pulled away late to win the $10,000 added Memorial at Portland Meadows on Monday. The 3 year old has now won three races in a row which includes a win in the prestigious Far West Futurity back on December 15. Joe Crispin was again on board for the win for trainer Scott Raley and owner/breeder Gary Chumbley.
 
FRIESAN FIRE, GENERAL QUARTERS HEADED FOR REMATCH IN MINESHAFT - By Graham Ross - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, February 08, 2010) – Fair Grounds’ upcoming Grade III Mineshaft Handicap on Louisiana Derby Preview Day Feb. 20 is shaping up as one of the most anticipated races of the season – no matter who ships in from out of town.
 
All American Numbers Rise Despite Economic Downturn - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (February 8, 2010) – The nominations to the 2011 All American Triple Crown are up over at least the past five years, despite the international economic recession, and there is still time to nominate foals of 2009.
 
Jon Arnett now king of New Mexico trainers
Like father, like son.
Sunland Pk. NM - February 8, 2010 - Bob Arnett was at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino when it opened in 1959. He was an immediate hit as a trainer and went on to be the leading trainer at the track an amazing 12 different times. By Ray Sanchez
 
RICHARD’S KID SOARS HOME ALONG THE RAIL IN SAN ANTONIO - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 7, 2010) – An owner and jockey change notwithstanding, Richard’s Kid resorted to what he does best when storming from far behind Sunday to capture Santa Anita’s 72nd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Antonio Handicap. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
HOLLENDORFER, MAWING RECORD TRIPLES AT GGF
ALBANY, CA. February 7, 2010 -- Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and jockey Leslie a Mawingcelebrated Super Bowl Sunday by winning three races apiece at Golden Gate Fields.
 
SUCCESSFUL MISSION WINS AT FAIR GROUNDS ON SUPER BOWL SUNDAY - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, February 07, 2010) – Live Oak Plantation’s Successful Mission won Sunday’s $42,500 feature at Fair Grounds in what New Orleans native hunch players hoped would be prescient of a victory by the New Orleans Saints some hours later in Super Bowl XLIV.
 
JUS LEDOUX IT IS FASTEST QUALIFIER TO $134,000 MAIDEN STAKES - CYPRESS, CA. - FEBRUARY 6, 2010 - The partnership of Vessels Stallion Farm and Los Bustardos has enjoyed great success over the years with the outstanding champion Little Bit Of Baja, the winner of the 2007 Los Alamitos Super Derby and a two-time runner-up in the Champion of Champions.
 
Horse Racing to Return to Missoula - Missoula, MT. February 6, 2010 - At one time, the state had 20 operating race tracks. In 2009, there were only 3. But this year, you can add another to the list.
 
American Classic surges in deep stretch to win $50,000 Budweiser Stakes - Sunland Park, NM - February 6, 2010 - Dismissed at over 10-1 odds, American Classic surged in deep stretch to gain a dramatic victory in the $50,000 Budweiser Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. Under a courageous ride from former Southern California jockey Agapito Delgadillo, American Classic dug in determinedly to fight off a serious challenge from Sky Jedi. PHOTO Credit - Molly Jones/ Coady Photography
 
Hall of Fame horse trainer Anderson fined, suspended -By ART HOVEY / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Saturday, February 6, 2010 - The Nebraska Racing Commission struck a blow for the integrity of horse racing Friday, and the blow landed squarely on a Hall of Fame thoroughbred owner and trainer from Ashland.
 

speedy royal express steals black Gold at fair grounds - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, February 06, 2010) – Richard Rudolph’s Royal Express gave trainer Spanky Broussard an early birthday present Saturday when he made the pace throughout in the $56,400 Black Gold Stakes for 3-year-olds at five and a half furlongs and won by three and a half lengths. The sprint, scheduled for the Stall-Wilson turf course, was taken off the grass after a deluge of rain two days ago in southeastern Louisiana.
Photo by Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts

 
Santa Anita has canceled its Saturday card due to heavy rains in Southern California. The wash out of the program impacts important prep races for both the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) and Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). SANTA ANITA RESCHEDULES THREE GRADED STAKES, THE LAS VIRGENES, STRUB AND LEWIS TO GO SATURDAY - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2010)—Santa Anita Park has announced that three graded stakes: the Gr. I Las Virgenes, the Gr. II Robert Lewis and Gr. II Strub Stakes which were cancelled Saturday due to rain, have been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 13.
 
2/6/2010 - Exercise rider Dominic Terry pilots Horse of the Year winner Rachel Alexandra down the Fair Grounds stretch in an early morning workout.
photo by Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
Schwartz resigns as Thoroughbred Owners of California president Posted: Thoroughbred Times
February 05, 2010 - Steve Schwartz resigned as president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California on Friday, effective immediately.
 
MOBILIZED MOWS DOWN TOTAL BULL AS BEJARANO TRIPLES - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2010) – With Rafael Bejarano gaining his third win of the afternoon, Mobilized mowed down 11-10 favorite Total Bull in the final strides of Friday’s $56,984 allowance feature at Santa Anita while running seven furlongs in 1:21.73.
 
seEking ms shelley wins friday feature at fair grounds - NEW ORLEANS (Friday, February 05, 2010) – Dream Walking Farms’ Seeking Ms Shelley, allowed to settle just behind the early leaders, launched a bold bid outside those when set down for the drive and held on late for a three-quarter-length tally in Friday’s $44,500 five-and-a-half-furlong sprint for fillies and mares at Fair Grounds.
 
APPRENTICE JOCKEY GONZALEZ WINS THREE RACES IN A ROW - ALBANY, CA. February 5, 2010 -  -- Apprentice jockey Alex Gonzalez, an 18-year-old native of Hollywood, Florida, won three consecutive races Friday at Golden Gate Fields.
 
Remington to eliminate Sunday racing this fall - Oklahoma City, OK - February 5, 2010 - With the exception of Oklahoma Derby day Oct. 10, Remington Park will eliminate Sunday racing from its fall Thoroughbred schedule, track officials said.
 
JESUS ALFREDO SOTO DIES - February 4, 2010 - Jesus Alfredo Soto, 58, who with wife Sandra owned champion Royal Quick Dash, died January 28 of a heart attack. Soto had triple bypass surgery about a year ago, and that surgery was followed by a kidney transplant.
 
JOCKEYS, HOLY ANGELS CAGERS TO MEET FEB. 25,
DELAHOUSSAYE, GOMEZ, PINCAY TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS

ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 5, 2010)—The 43rd annual Holy Angels-Santa Anita Jockeys Charity Basketball Game will take place Thursday, Feb. 25, 7:15 p.m., at La Salle High School in Pasadena. Proceeds will benefit the Holy Angels athletic department and legendary Hall of Fame jockeys Eddie Delahoussaye and Laffit Pincay will be on hand along with four-time national money-won champion Garrett Gomez to sign autographs, beginning at 6:15 p.m.
 
WORKOUTS BEGIN FOR 2010 RACING SEASON, JIM BEAN HAS FIRST OFFICIAL CLOCKING - OKLAHOMA CITY – February 5, 2010 - Remington Park’s racing surface opened for morning training today after winter weather forced a delay in the proceedings from earlier this week. Jim Bean posted the first workout of the year with the 2010 American Quarter Horse & Mixed-Breed Season set to begin in one month.
 
AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE RACING: 2009 NUMBERS IN REVIEW - As reported by The American Quarter Horse Racing Journal, February 4, 2010 – In a non-recession year, 2009’s figures would have been considered lukewarm for American Quarter Horse racing. However, in a very difficult season for horse racing overall, the sprinters continued to weather the storm well, as the number of starters, total purses and added money rose, while the number of races and total handle dipped slightly.
 


Planning next move for Mine That Bird - February 4, 2010 - While most eyes are on the Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra camps for news about when they'll make their 2010 debuts, there's another racing star who'll soon be ready to make his first start of the year.
 
ADDED DISTANCE AIDS UPSETTER SNOWMASTER IN LONG WALK HOME PURSE AT 1 ¼ MILES - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 4, 2010) – Rallying from last in a field of six, Darley Stable’s Snowmaster relished the added distance of Santa Anita’s $48,400 The Long Walk Home Purse on Thursday to capture the mile-and-one-quarter feature by 1 1/2 lengths over Mr. Hot Stuff.
 
ROMAN LADY COMES THROUGH FOR BETTORS IN DEBUT AT GGF - ALBANY, CA. - February 4, 2010 - Roman Lady, a half-sister to millionaire multiple stakes-winner Bold Chieftain, made a winning career debut at Golden Gate Fields Thursday.
 

Charles J. CellaOaklawn Announces $5 Million Apple Blossom - Hot Springs, AR, - February 04, 2010 - Calling it “one of the most important moments at Oaklawn and in Arkansas sports,” Oaklawn President Charles J. Cella announced Thursday that Oaklawn will increase the purse of the April 3 Grade I Apple Blossom to $5 million provided champions Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta both start.
- Charles J. Cella pictured

 

Mine That Bird still on R&R February 3, 2010 - And that’s what the 2009 Kentucky Derby winner will continue to do, down at the Double Eagle Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico.
 
Monarchos Cassie cruises wire to wire to win the City of Roses Handicap - PORTLAND, OR. February 3, 2010 - Monarchos Cassie went right to the front and stayed there as she cruised to an impressive three and three quarter length win in the $18,000 City of Roses Handicap. Jockey Troy Stillwell was able to rate the daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos on the front end and slowed the pace down, with a slow opening half mile of :49.36 seconds. Turning for home there was little doubt that Monarchos Cassie still had something left in the tank as she exploded away from the two wagering favorites, Gameshy and Eloisa, who were left behind in second and third respectively.
 
VICTOR’S CRY FLIES HOME OVER HILLSIDE TURF COURSE FOR UPSET - ARCADIA, Calif. (Feb. 3, 2010) – Unable to make much impact with Grade II company in his previous two starts, Victor’s Cry uncorked a furious rally on Wednesday to capture Santa Anita’s $55,554 allowance feature at 6 ½ furlongs over the track’s hillside turf course.
 
Vital Winner TaKes Third Stakes Victory at hialeah - HIALEAH, FL. - FEBRUARY 3, 2010 – Debra Gotovac’s, Vital Winner showed his stuff on closing day at Hialeah Park by winning the inaugural running of the $30,000 Sailfish Stakes. Jockey Alex Baldillez, Jr. piloted the gray gelding to victory leaving his mark in the first-ever Quarter Horse meet in Hialeah history. Coady Photography | Kurtis Coady
 
Plan B for Ruidoso Downs Racetrack bill Jim Kalvelage reporting for the Ruidoso News - Ruidoso Downs, NM - February 3, 2010 - After tax parity for racinos appeared doomed, new legislation would provide a local option, via an election, to raise GRT rate.
New legislation that could provide a tax break for racinos in New Mexico, through a county gross receipts tax, has been introduced at the Roundhouse.
 
Wowzer Won Repeats With Hialeah Invitational Championship Win - HIALEAH, FL. - FEBRUARY 2, 2010 - Kathleen O. Matey's homebred mare Wowzer Won raced to a decisive three-quarter-length victory in the $75,000 featured 8th race on a sloppy track Tuesday at Hialeah Park. Coady Photography | Kurtis Coady
 
rachel alexandra’s halter goes up for auction at fair grounds - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, February 01, 2010) – Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra had her first recorded work of the 2010 racing season at Fair Grounds Sunday morning, but beginning Friday a special commemorative stable halter once worn by the magnificent filly will go on display in Fair Grounds clubhouse.
 
Hotep enters louisiana derby picture after Monday’s fg feature - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, February 01, 2010) – Sam-Son Farms’ Hotep proved no disappointment to those Fair Grounds fans who backed him down to odds-on favoritism in Monday’s $40,000 feature for 3-year-olds and may now have entered the long-range picture for the Grade II Louisiana Derby March 27.
 
THE HORSES ARE BACK! TRAINING BEGINS FOR 15TH SEASON
AUBURN, Wash. (Feb. 1, 2010) – The horses were back on the track Monday morning as training began for the 89-day meeting that begins Friday, April 9.
Emerald Downs stable superintendent Vern Baze said 328 horses were on the grounds, as of Monday morning. Training hours are 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily.
 
EL CABALLO TO PASS FAIR GROUNDS ’CAP, AWAIT MUNIZ MEMORIAL - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, January 31, 2010) –James Spence’s El Caballo, winner of the Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap at Fair Grounds last week on Road to the Derby Kickoff Day, will not be a candidate for the Grade III Fair Grounds Handicap as the next leg of the Crescent City oval’s grass series on Feb. 20.
 
FREAKY CREATES RARE MINUS WIN POOL IN TRIAL VICTORY - CYPRESS, CA. - JANUARY 31, 2010 - World Champion Freaky was such an overwhelming favorite to win his 2010 debut his Saturday's trial to the Grade 1 $228,450 Los Alamitos Winter Championship that he created an ultra rare Quarter Horse minus win pool of approximately $67 in the race. A minus pool is caused when one horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association, in this case Los Alamitos, had to make up the difference. Place and show wagering was not offered in the Freaky race. - TVG will air the new "Los Alamitos Weekend Preview Show" on Friday mornings with host Ed Burgart and the Dr. Les Onaka. Check your TVG program listing for the start time for this new show.
 

 

Inthegate.net's Coverage of the Gr.3 Connally Turf Cup from SHRP from Greg Thompson on Vimeo.

 
VETERAN TURF WRITER BORTSTEIN DIES AT 67, WROTE FOR O.C. REGISTER, CAL BREEDERS - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2010)—Veteran turf writer Larry Bortstein passed away early Sunday morning at Arcadia Methodist Hospital after sustaining a pulmonary embolism Jan. 23. Bortstein, 67, never regained consciousness and had been on life support since being transported to Methodist following the embolism.
 
GABBY’S GOLDEN GAL PROVIDES RIDER GARCIA WITH FIRST GRADE I
VICTORY WHILE SCORING 11-1 STUNNER IN SANTA MONICA HANDICAP
- ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 31, 2010) – After faring poorly as the 5-2 favorite in the Grade I La Brea Stakes five weeks before, Gabby’s Golden Gal dramatically rebounded with an 11-1 stunner in Sunday’s 53rd running of the $250,000 Santa Monica Handicap for fillies and mares to provide 25-year-old jockey Martin Garcia with his first Grade I victory.
© BENOIT PHOTO
 
STRONG PERFORMANCE BY MAIDEN SOPHISICATED SNOW IN SOUTH FLORIDA QH DERBY - HIALEAH. FL. (January 31, 2010) – Enjoying the best run of his racing career, Sophisticated Snow posted his first win of his racing career on Sunday afternoon, defeating ten rivals in the $143,650 Florida Quarter Horse Derby at Hialeah Park.
- Photo credit - Linda Coady / Coady Photography
 
One Tough Dude Rallies To Win Sunshine State Stakes at Hialeah Park - HIALEAH, FL. (January 31, 2010) — Ramon Gallegos’ One Tough Dude made a last ditch effort, surging at the wire to win the $27,500 Sunshine State Stakes over 220 yards on Sunday afternoon at Hialeah Park.  - Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
Favored CHI TER Wins sOUTH fLORIDA qh INVITATIONAL at HIALEAH - HIALEAH, FL. (January 31, 2010) — The 3-year-old gelding Chi Ter raced to a decisive one-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $30,000 South Florida Quart Horse Invitational Stakes with veteran jockey Alex Baldillez aboard at Hialeah Park on Sunday.
Linda Coady / Coady Photography
 
RACHEL ALEXANDRA enjoys Saturday gallop - By Graham Ross - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, January 30, 2010) – Reigning Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra enjoyed a spirited gallop over the sealed Fair Grounds racing strip Saturday morning with regular exercise rider Dominic Terry aboard for the move.
“She came out on the track at 6:25 this morning accompanied by (assistant trainer) Scott Blasi on a pony,” said Fair Grounds clocker Billy Pettingill. “After she broke off from the pony she dropped in to the rail and stretched her legs in an open gallop all the way around the course.
“I can tell you that she was a very happy horse coming off the track,” Pettingill said. “She enjoyed being out there and never turned a hair. I would say she was going about 60 percent.”
Blasi said that Rachel Alexandra would “pick it up” more on Sunday morning as she continues building up to an official breeze in coming days. Two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen was out of town Saturday but, according to Blasi, “the boss will be back tomorrow.”
 
Bill introduced could affect Ruidoso Downs Racetrack - Santa Fe, NM - January 31, 2010 - A bill that would pave the way for an increase in the gross receipts tax, and which could possibly be applied to Ruidoso Downs Race Track, was introduced in the New Mexico Legislature Thursday.
HB 203, the Business Retention Gross Receipts Tax and Gaming Tax, was sponsored by Thomas A Garcia, a Democrat representing District 68 in northern New Mexico.
 
Front-Running Acting Zippy Captures the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf at Sam Houston Race Park - By Martha Claussen - Saturday, January 30, 2010 – Near freezing temperatures could not cool off the redhot performance of Acting Zippy as he led gate to wire in the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf, the richest race of the Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meeting. Photo Credit: Coady Photography/Kris Davis
 
FREAKY OVERCOMES TROUBLED START TO POST FASTEST TIME TO LOS ALAMITOS WINTER CHAMPIONSHIP - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA. JANUARY 30, 2010 - For the first time since Armando Aguirre's Freaky began his torrid winning streak some eight months ago, he encountered some trouble in a race. It did not matter. The World Champion still crushed to victory, as he posted the fastest qualifying time in Saturday's trials to the $228,450 Los Alamitos Winter Championship.
 
MILLIONAIRE BOLD CHIEFTAIN BEST IN SUNSHINE MILLIONS CLASSIC AS 11-10 CHOICE THE USUAL Q. T. FADES TO LAST TO END WIN STREAK - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 30, 2010) – Trainer Bill Morey Jr. said his millionaire California-bred Bold Chieftain does things that “take your breath away,” and on Saturday the 7-year-old warhorse knocked the wind from the sails of 11-10 favorite The Usual Q.T. and seven others with a rousing neck victory over Palladio in Santa Anita’s $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic presented by Pepsi-Cola.
© BENOIT PHOTO
 
Blumin Beauty Holds On To Win Mesa Handicap at Turf Paradise - Phoenix, AZ. (January 30, 2010) — Viola Oliver’s  Blumin Beauty vied inside in the turn and held her lead through the stretch to win the $27,125 Mesa Handicap over six-and-half furlongs on Saturday afternoon at Turf Paradise.
Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
Rylees Boy surges late to win $50,000 KOFX-Radio Handicap Ballistic Heat wins $30,000 SPRC Claiming Series – Phase #1 - January 30, 2010 - Rylees Boy exploded in deep stretch to win the $50,000 KOFX-Radio Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. Under jockey Joe Ruiz, the 2009 runner-up in the $350,000 Championship at Sunland Park showed his class in the 350 yard feature. The rapidly improving Arizona-bred son of Heza Motor Scooter kicked into high gear in the final 100 yards to sweep by his opponents. The five-year-old gelding edged past Shy Ann Jess the final jumps to win by a neck. The winner sped through the race in good 17.23 seconds, good for a 92 speed index. Photo Credit Given To: Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography
 
Bubbler Noses Never Retreat in Marie Krantz Memorial 'Cap - New Orleans, LA. - January 30, 2010 - Bubbler burst forth and Never Retreat just missed in the final jump after a hard-fought two-horse stretch duel that was Saturday’s $57,600 Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds. - Photo by Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
 
Saturday and Sunday Live Racing Now Cancelled at Oaklawn
In response to a request by officials of horsemen, Oaklawn Park officials have announced that Oaklawn Park will be closed for live racing on Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31. President Bill Walmsley of the local division of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen across the country, polled his membership on Saturday morning and brought the request for cancellation of the Sunday program to track management.
“We certainly understood their concerns and agreed to cooperate,” noted Oaklawn general manager, Eric Jackson.Track stewards responded quickly to the request and cancelled the scheduled the Sunday program.
Oaklawn will remain open on Sunday for Simulcasting and Gaming, with gates opening for Gaming at 10:00 a.m. and for Simulcasting at 11:00 a.m.Gaming will remain open until 2:00 a.m. on Monday
 
PRINCELIKE IS THE KING OF THE WINTER DERBY TRIALS - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA.... Ed Allred's Princelike emerged as the supreme leader of the Los Alamitos Winter Derby trials after demolishing his rivals while posting the fastest qualifying time of :19.421 on Friday night to the $201,750 final to be held on February 19.
 
ANDINA STRIDES AWAY FROM RIVALS TO GO TWO-FOR-TWO IN U.S. - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 29, 2010) – Purchased privately by Arnold Zetcher following a third-place finish when debuting in England, Irish-bred Andina made it two-for-two in the United States Friday when she mowed down her competition in Santa Anita’s $50,000 optional claiming feature for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on turf.
 
southern style wins friday feature at fair grounds - NEW ORLEANS (January 29, 2010) – Maynard Chatters Jr.’s Southern Style, allowed to settle early, rallied outside the leaders when set down for the drive and won Friday’s $29,000 optional claiming sprint at Fair Grounds by two and a quarter lengths.
 
MANOR DOWNS RELEASES PIROPLASMOSIS REGULATIONS FOR TRACK ENTRY - January 29, 2010 - Because of recent cases of Equine Piroplasmosis within Texas and the Southwestern United States, Manor Downs is establishing a critical tick disease control program. 
 
EMERALD DOWNS ANNOUNCES 89 RACING DAYS IN 2010 - AUBURN, Wash. (Jan. 28, 2010) – The 75th running of the $250,000 Longacres Mile (GIII) will highlight an 89-day race meeting at Emerald Downs in 2010.
The 15th season at Emerald Downs will open Friday, April 9, and continue through Sunday, Sept. 26, pending approval by the Washington Horse Racing Commission. Racing will be held Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Thursday racing will begin June 10 and continue through Aug. 26.
Special holiday racing will be offered on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, and Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6.
The Longacres Mile, the richest race in the Northwest, is Sunday, Aug. 22.
The Emerald Downs stable area opens Friday, Jan. 29, with training beginning Monday, Feb. 1.
 

NMHBA HONORS ITS STATE-BRED CHAMPIONS - January 29, 2010 – Reigning AQHA champion aged stallion First Moonflash was among the 12 state-bred horses honored during the New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association Zia Awards banquet in Albuquerque on Thursday. NMHBA BOARD OF TRUSTEES WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS GONCHAROFF, TRUJILLO - January 29, 2010 – The members of the New Mexico Horse Breeders’ Association on Thursday elected Tom Goncharoff and John Trujillo, both of Tularosa, to the organization’s board of trustees.

 
Canterbury Park’s 2010 Stakes Schedule - Claiming Crown and Minnesota Festival of Champions are Highlights - Shakopee, MN -January 29, 2010- Canterbury Park’s thoroughbred stakes schedule this year features 34 races totaling $1.71 million in purses, including six Claiming Crown races and seven on Minnesota Festival of Champions Day. The 62-day meet begins Friday night, May 14 and closing day, Festival Day, will be Sunday, August 29. The Minnesota Festival of Champions, now in its 17th year, will offer purses of $345,000 for horses bred in the state. 2010 Stakes Schedule
 
LOS ALAMITOS RTCA AUCTION RAISES OVER $26,000 - CYPRESS, Ca. JANUARY 28, 2010 - The Los Alamitos division of the Race Track Chaplaincy of America raised $26,670 at its live/silent auction held as part of the PCQHRA Awards Banquet on Tuesday, January 26.
 
RUBIO'S WORK HAS PAID OFF IN BIG WAY - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA.... Francisco Rubio was honored as the recipient of the 2009 Val Tonks Awards for top young rider at the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association's banquet - a well-deserved honor for a pilot who just a year earlier was better known for riding mules than Quarter Horses. In 2009, Rubio was known as the winning rider aboard the nation's top sprinter, the World Champion Freaky. Rubio still can't believe how far he has come in such a short amount of time. Rubio and Freaky won the Champion of Champions, Robert L. Boniface Los Alamitos Invitational Championship, Vessels Maturity and Spencer Childers Championship - four races that most grizzled veterans would die to have on their resume. Rubio will now pilot Freaky in Saturday's third trial to the Los Alamitos Winter Championship.
 

Texas Thoroughbred Association and SureBet Racing News Reach An Agreement - January 27, 2009 - SureBet Racing News has reached an agreement with the Texas Thoroughbred Association to be recognized as the officially endorsed publication of the Texas Thoroughbred Association.
       With the agreement SureBet Racing News will devote an entire section to the Texas Thoroughbred Association per quarter for their publication that posts distribution numbers of 5000 magazines published per month.  The sections will be giving coverage to sponsored Texas Thoroughbred Association events, Texas thoroughbred related articles,  a letter from the TTA’s executive director, and race recaps for Texas racing action.  Also, Texas Thoroughbred Association members will receive a subscription to SureBet each month in the absence of the award-winning Texas Thoroughbred Magazine which halted operation in the third quarter of 2009. 

 

Arizona County racing funding issue - Arizona - January 28,2010 - County fair horse-racing in Arizona relies heavily on state funding, especially if their meets are not held at commercial tracks such as Turf Paradise and Yavapai Downs where operational costs for the county races are not such a big issue. This year’s independent county meets are on the ropes because of reduced funding and prospects for the future are not great because of the state’s ongoing financial crisis.

 
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK REQUESTS ADDITIONAL RACES DATES FOR THE 2009/2010 THOROUGHBRED MEET - The Park Requests Inclement Weather Make Up Dates and Additional Live Race Dates for Monday Live Racing Events in March  - HOUSTON (January 28, 2010)—Sam Houston Race Parkhas requested the addition of four live racing dates, to take place on Mondays in the month of March, for the 2009/2010 Thoroughbred schedule.
Two of the requested dates are make up dates due to the inclement weather and freezing track conditions that caused the cancellation of live racing on January 8 & 9. The Park has requested an additional two live race dates to round out the live racing schedule. The requested race dates are March 8, 15, 22, & 29. Monday live racing events will feature a post time of 1:20 p.m.
The request for live racing dates for Sam Houston Race Park is subject to the review and approval by the Texas Racing Commission.
 
FREAKY IS PCQHRA HORSE OF THE YEAR - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA... Armando Aguirre's AQHA World Champion Freaky added more trophies for his mantle piece after being named the 2009 Horse of the Year at the Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Racing Association's annual awards banquet held on Tuesday, January 26.
 
HRTV TO PROVIDE COVERAGE OF DUBAI RACING CARNIVAL FROM MEYDAN RACECOURSE
10-Date Carnival Begins Tomorrow  - Arcadia, CA, Jan. 27 -- Once again this season, HRTV (R) will provide live coverage of the 10-date Dubai International Racing Carnival from the sparkling new Meydan Racecourse, beginning tomorrow, Thursday, January 28, and culminating with the prestigious Dubai World Cup program on Saturday, March 27. This marks the fourth consecutive year HRTV has covered the Carnival.
 
HRTV TO AIR "MAGNA 5 PREVIEW SHOW" THIS FRIDAY - Half-Hour Show to Offer Expert Analysis of Five-Race Sequence - Arcadia, CA, Jan. 27 -- The popular Magna 5 wager returns to the nation's wagering docket this Saturday, January 30, and HRTV (R) will provide horseplayers with expert analysis and insight into playing the unique exotic bet when it airs a "Magna 5 Preview Show" on Friday, January 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT.
 
Maria Margarita impressive in victory at Portland Meadows - Portland, OR. - January 27, 2010 - Maria Margarita sat a perfect trip for much of the way, took command midway on the far turn and pulled away into the lane as she cruised to an easy victory in today’s third race.
Jockey Juan Gutierrez got the 4 year old filly to settle into a good easy stride in 3rd place for much of the race as she sat right behind two dueling leaders. Gutierrez guided Maria Margarita off the fence midway on the turn as she exploded past the early leaders. The race favorite Table for Two made a mild move at Maria Margarita down the stretch, but the race was never really in doubt.
 
ALFARABI PREVAILS AT EVEN-MONEY IN DECORATED HERO PURSE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2010) – Alfarabi, exiting three stakes races including a fast-closing second most recently in the Eddie Logan Stakes, proved too much for his rival 3-year-olds Wednesday as the even-money favorite in Santa Anita’s $49,088 Decorated Hero Purse at 1 1/8 miles on turf.
 
Horse race satellite wagering proposed - LINCOLN, Neb. - January 26, 2010 - Supporters of Nebraska's horse racing industry are pushing for more gambling to help their sport.
 


Tedesco Assumes Role of Track Superintendent at Del Mar - January 26, 2010 - Veteran track maintenance specialist Richard Tedesco has taken the reins as track superintendent at Del Mar in anticipation of the 2010 racing season, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club has announced.
 
Fair grounds to REDUCE PURSEs STARTING SUNDAY - NEW ORLEANS (Tuesday, January 26, 2010) –Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will reduce purses of overnight races by nine-percent, effective Sunday, January 31, and trim the value of 12 stakes events.
 
HORSEMEN BEGIN SET UP FOR 2010 REMINGTON PARK SEASON - OKLAHOMA CITY – Remington Park’s 2010 American Quarter Horse & Mixed-Breed Season is still a little more than a month away. However, preparations are underway for many horsemen as they arrived this morning to ready their operations.
 
RON THE GREEK: A RISING STAR FOR THE RISEN STAR STAKES? NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, January 24, 2010) – Jack Hammer’s Ron the Greek, who went from worst to first to win Saturday’s Grade III Lecomte Stakes at a mile and 40 yards with a dominating stretch rally, looks like a horse that will like even longer distances, so trainer Tom Amoss was asked Sunday morning if his colt might be pointed for Fair Grounds’ Grade II Risen Star Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth Feb. 20.
 
jody slew would be welcome addition to fg’s silverbulletday - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, January 25, 2010) – Last weekend’s $75,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes provided one welcome surprise for the barn of conditioner Bret Calhoun when Martin Racing Stable and Dan Morgan’s Jody Slew got up in time to win the local oval’s first prep for the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks March 26.
 
FREAKY'S CHASE FOR ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP BEGINS - CYPRESS, CA. - JANUARY 24, 2010 - Armando Aguirre's World Champion Freaky will begin his title defense when he headlines the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship on Saturday night. Freaky's schedule for 2010 will depend largely on what happens Saturday night.
 
GOMEZ, LOUP BRETON BREAK THROUGH TO CAPTURE SAN MARCOS - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 24, 2010) – Blocked behind horses in midstretch, Garrett Gomez managed to propel Loup Breton to the outside and the 3-5 favorite overpowered High Court Drama Sunday to win Santa Anita’s Grade II, $150,000 San Marcos Stakes by one-half length while running the 1 ¼ miles over a turf course termed “good” in 2:00.94. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
Queen Greeley posts upset win in $50,000 El Paso Times Stakes - Sunland Park, NM - January 24, 2010 - Trained by red hot Todd Fincher, Queen Greeley launched a wide run on the far turn to take an upset win in the $50,000 El Paso Times Stakes at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday.

Tommie Morelos/ Coady Photography

 
Papa Clem, 2009 Arkansas Derby Winner, Retired - HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - January 24, 2010 - Hirsch's homebred Papa Clem, winner of the 2009 Arkansas Derby, and who appeared poised for a big four-year-old campaign after his victory in the January 16 San Fernando S. has been retired, trainer Gary Stute said.
 
KINSALE KING ADDS ANOTHER UPSET WIN IN PALOS VERDES WITH BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT CHAMPION DANCING IN SILKS A VICTIM - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 23, 2010) – Gaining his third straight upset victory under the care of trainer Carl O’Callaghan, lightly-raced 5-year-old gelding Kinsale King scorched the four-race winning streak of Breeders’ Cup Sprint Champion Dancing in Silks Saturday when triumphant in Santa Anita’s 58th running of the Grade II, $150,000 Palos Verdes Handicap at six furlongs. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
Chuchuluco speeds to victory in $125,000 Pepsi Cola Stakes - Sunland Pk, NM - January 23, 2010 - Chuchuluco made his Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino debut a winning one and scored a dominating two and one-quarter length victory in the $125,000 Pepsi Cola Stakes on Saturday. Under a thoughtful ride from Isaias Enriquez, Chuchuluco exploded to the front with a quarter mile go and raced away to an expansive victory. He pulled well clear of both Rig’s Runner and Huntin The Trash to win the 6 furlong New Mexico-bred feature. Tommie Morelos/ Coady Photography
 


Friesan Fire Takes Louisiana 'Cap; El Caballo Wins Bradley - NEW ORLEANS - January 23, 2010 - James Spence’s El Caballo, unraced since sustaining an injury last June, returned from that long layoff to win Saturday’s Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap while drawing off by 3 1/4-lengths under a confident ride by jockey Robby Albarado.
 

Photo by Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts

 
Ron the Greek Last to First in Grade III Lecomte - NEW ORLEANS, January 23, 2010 - Jack T. Hammer’s Ron the Greek rallied past nine other 3-year-olds in the final half-mile of Saturday’s Grade III Lecomte Stakes to score by 1 ½ lengths in the first of three races in the Road to the Derby series at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Photo by Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts

 

 
Jody Slew Surprises in Tiffany Lass - NEW ORLEANS - January 23, 2010 - Martin Racing Stable LLC & Dan Morgan’s Jody Slew, the longest shot in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies, surprised her connections as much as bettors when she prevailed by a half-length over Coteau Grove Farms LLC’s Bella Medaglia in Saturday’s $75,000 Tiffany Lass Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
 
Jewels St Patrick Rallies To Win Sparkling Tip Stakes at Hialeah Park - HIALEAH, FL. , (January 23, 2010) — Chester Kight’s homebred Jewels St Patrick made a late rally just jumps from the wire to win the $22,500 Sparkling Tip Stakes over 350 yards on Saturday afternoon at Hialeah Park. 

Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
TaptamTAPTAM SPLASHES THROUGH SLOP

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - Saturday, January 23, 2010 - Jockey Corey Nakatani capped a three-bagger on Saturday's with an exceptional ride to bring home Sanders & Hirsch's Taptam to victory in the featured $75,000 Pippin Stakes at Oaklawn Park.  Travelling over a track made sloppy by a heavy rain only a half hour before the race, Taptam scored her first Oaklawn stakes win, outgaming Pin Oak Stable's 13-10 favorite, Euphony, at the end of an extended battle.

 
LOS ALAMITOS TO RACE FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY UNTIL APRIL - CYPRESS, CA…JANUARY 22, 2009 -  Los Alamitos will race temporarily on a Friday through Sunday basis effective with next week’s racing program. No racing will be held on Thursday nights until April when the new crop of two year olds starts racing. Following this week's racing action, Los Alamitos will return on Friday, January 29 with a first post time of 7 p.m. Friday’s program will feature the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Derby. On Saturday night, the newly crowned World Champion Freaky is expected to make his season debut in the trials to the Grade 1 Los Alamitos Winter Championship.

NO HABRAN CARRERAS LOS JUEVES
Los Alamitos competirá temporalmente solo de Viernes a domingo efectivamene con los programas de la semana próxima programa. No habran carreras los Jueves por la noche hasta el mes de Abril cuando la nueva cosecha de caballos dos añeros comenzaran a competir. Despues de esta noche, la carreras en Los Alamitos regresarán el Viernes, 29 de Enero a las 7 de la tarde. El programa del Viernes representará las carreras de calificacion del Derby de Invierno de Los Alamitos. El Sábado por la noche, el nuevo campeón mundial Freaky correra el Sabado en las carreras de de calificacion del Campeonato de Invierno de Los Alamitos.
 
striking hight wins at Fair Grounds friday - NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 22, 2010) – Team Block’s Striking Hight rallied boldly under a strong ride by Fair Grounds leading jockey James Graham to capture Friday’s $45,000 optional claiming feature by a length and a quarter for trainer Richie Scherer.
The winner, an altered son of Smart Strike, paid mutuels of $16, $7.20 and $4.40, toured the about 1 1/16-mile distance over the Stall-Wilson turf course in 1:49.64 and increased his career earnings to $58,011 with his second victory in five lifetime starts.
Mike McCarty’s Pegasus Prancer, also without speed, challenged in the final furlong to gain the place by a half-length but could not catch the winner. Pegasus Prancer returned $8.20 and $6.40.
Michele Rodriguez’ Why Not Be Perfect finished third, paying $15.80 in the show position.
Team Block’s Ice Climber, coupled in the wagering with Striking Hight, made the pace with splits of 26.16 and 52.84 before tiring to finish seventh.
 
SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK AND GALLERY FURNITURE CONTINUE EFFORTS FOR
2010 STAKES RACE FEATURING ZENYATTA & RACHEL ALEXANDRA
- The Park & Mattress Mack Pursue $1.5 Million Race Between Thoroughbred Powerhouses and Top International Horses for Premier Live Racing Event for March 27, 2010
HOUSTON (January 22, 2010)—Sam Houston Race Park and Gallery Furniture  continue to step up efforts to bring super star racers Zenyatta and the recently named Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra together in a high-dollar stakes race to take place at The Park as part of the MAXXAM Gold Cup Stakes event on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
 
POPULAR SUNSHINE MILLIONS TO BE RUN JAN. 30, FIRST POST TIME AT SANTA ANITA SET FOR 11:30 A.M. - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 22, 2010)—The popular Sunshine Millions, which pits California-bred horses versus those bred in Florida, will be conducted for the eighth time on Saturday, Jan. 30, at both Santa Anita Park in Southern California and at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, with early first post time set for 11:30 a.m. at Santa Anita.
 
Sam Houston Race Park  - HOUSTON, TX - January 22, 2010 — Each May, during the “fastest two minutes in sports,” the nation’s top horses compete at the Kentucky Derby for the coveted blanket of roses. And while the rest of the nation has cheered on their favorites from their own tracks, until a few years ago, Houston was left out of the action.
But when the Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994, the horse racing culture still had not arrived in the Space City.
 
Genetic Test for Thoroughbred Racehorse ‘Speed Gene’ Ready for Commercial Launch in Ireland - "It might be a stretch for him to get that distance." "There's distance back in his pedigree, you know..." "Don't run a square peg in a round hole." You hear trainers and owners and breeders and pedigree analysts mull over the distance factor in a racehorse's pedigree all the time.
 
Bad weather forces cancellation of horse racing at Rillito Park - Friday, January 22, 20100 Rillito Park Racetrack is holding its horses this weekend.
Rain has rendered the track unsafe for racing this weekend, general manager Pat White said.
"The track was sealed, but so much rain came down that it was just soggy - too dangerous for jockeys to ride," White said.
Racing will return Jan. 30. Gates will open at 11a.m., and post time is 1 p.m.
 
SUMMER BIRD BASKING IN LIMELIGHT - News from Oaklawn Park - January 22, 2010 - Summer Bird, who received the Eclipse Award as the top 3-year-old male on Monday evening, was back in his stall this morning after a walk, being spoiled by his owners, Drs. K. K. and Vilasini Jayaraman. “He’s the champion carrot eater,” said K. K. Jayaraman, as Summer Bird emptied a bag of carrots and was starting on peppermints. The Jayaramans and trainer Tim Ice travelled to Beverly Hills to pick up the award for Summer Ice, a maiden at this time last year at Oaklawn. The sophomore was third in the Arkansas Derby before going on to win the Belmont Stakes, the Travers and the Jockey Club Gold Cup and bankrolling $2,323,040 along the way. He finished his season with a fourth-place finish behind Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
 
Horsemen’s Group in the Crosshairs - January 22, 2010 - Few outside of the horse racing industry have ever heard of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. But the nonprofit LHBPA, which represents the interests of the state’s race horse owners and trainers in their dealings with racetracks and regulators, has been at the center of an 18-month-long probe by a federal grand jury in New Orleans, and indictments are expected soon, according to sources familiar with the case.
 
HENSON NAMED RATON GM - RATON, NM - January 22, 2010 - Racing at Raton now has a general manager on board, but there’s no definite date yet for the opening of the casino for New Mexico’s newest racetrack.
Rick Henson, a familiar name in New Mexico horse racing circles, has been hired by the Raton group to be the track’s general manager. He expects to relocate to Raton – from Tennessee—in the near future and his first priority will be to start working on getting a simulcast facility up and running, according to Canadian investor Michael Moldenhauer.
 
SHRP Officials shoot to lure Zenyatta, Rachel Alexandra - Houston, TX - Jan. 22, 2010 - Two retirement parties weren't enough for Zenyatta. She will race again in 2010.
The undefeated 6-year-old mare opened the new year by “running” second to Rachel Alexandra in Monday's Horse of the Year balloting. The 3-year-old filly defeated Zenyatta by a 130-99 vote.
 
Ex-Gambling Operator Contests ND Tax Claim - Former North Dakota off-track horse betting operator contests $6 million state tax claim - BISMARCK, N.D. January 21, 2010 - An attorney for a company that handled almost $100 million in horse-racing wagers asked the North Dakota Supreme Court on Wednesday to revive a lawsuit that claims the state illegally taxed the company and drove it out of business.
 
Fair grounds donates saints tickets to young cancer patient - Track President Miller Will Host Mother and Daughter at NFC Championship Game - NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, January 21, 2010) – A nine-year-old Drew Brees fan staying at New Orleans’ Patrick F. Taylor Hope Lodge while undergoing cancer treatment will attend Sunday’s NFC Championship Game with her mother courtesy of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
 
New Mexico Horse Breeders Association “ZIA” Awards, January 28th - Albuquerque, NM – January 21, 2010 - The New Mexico Horse Breeders Association will hold its annual ``Zia’’ Awards Banquet on Jan. 28 at the Marriott Hotel in Albuquerque.
A total of 24 trophies—12 for each breed—will be presented to honor champion New Mexico bred horses, their owners and breeders. But this year, the event will also feature an appearance by Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach, the owners of Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird, and jockey Calvin Borel.
 
34 AUCTION ITEMS AVAILABLE AT LOS ALAMITOS RTCA SILENT AUCTION - LOS ALAMITOS RACE COURSE, CYPRESS, CA. January 21, 2010 .. The following is the list of auction items that will be available for bidding at the 2010 PCQHRA Awards Banquet. Funds raised from the auction will benefit the Los Alamitos division of the RTCA. For more info, please call 714-820-2690.

2010 AUCTION ITEMS AS OF JANUARY 21, 2010
 
Stealth Attack back to his old self as he wins the Invitational Handicap - Portland, OR. - January 20, 2010 - Stealth Attack returned to his winning ways as he made a big winning move on the far turn to win the $9,000 Invitational Handicap at Portland Meadows on Wednesday. The win was the thirteenth of Stealth Attack’s career and he has now earned over $128,000 in his solid career for owner Jim Gilmour and trainer Sue Gilmour.
 
Canterbury Park To Host Claiming Crown in 2010 - Shakopee, MN -January 20, 2010- Canterbury Park will host the 12th running of the Claiming Crown on Saturday, July 24, 2010. Patterned after the Breeders’ Cup, Claiming Crown was designed to reward thoroughbred racing’s “blue-collar” horses and will offer six races at varying distances on both dirt and turf with purses totaling $500,000. The inaugural Claiming Crown was held at the suburban Minneapolis racetrack in 1999. This year will be the 10th time Canterbury Park has played host to the event.
 
January 20, 2010 - New Mexico Livestock Board Proposes several eva rule changes. SCOPE: All owners, transporters or handlers of equine or equine semen in the state of New Mexico and those that apply to bring equine or equine semen into the state for any reason. All accredited veterinarians handling EVA vaccine. OBJECTIVE: To establish restrictions to protect the equine industry of the state of New Mexico. Clinical disease due to EVA infection is a reportable disease to the New Mexico state veterinarian. Equine viral arteritis (EVA) is an infectious contagious disease of horses caused by the equine arteritis virus (EAV). EVA is of special economic concern because it can result in abortion in pregnant mares, illness and death in young foals and the establishment of the carrier state in stallions. Further, to prevent the introduction of EAV and control subsequent spread of EAV within New Mexico.
 
Del Mar has no plans to drop synthetic track - Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - Santa Anita may revert to dirt. But Del Mar remains sympathetic to synthetic.
      Del Mar Thoroughbred Club President and CEO Joe Harper said yesterday that while Santa Anita appears likely to end its forced engineered-surface era after three years, such a move isn’t even up for consideration at Del Mar.
 

Rachel Alexandra
Named Horse of the Year
-
Beverly Hills, Ca. - January 19, 2010 - In one of the most highly anticipated announcements in Thoroughbred racing history, Rachel Alexandra was named 2009 Horse of the Year at the Eclipse Awards Jan. 18th in Beverly Hills, California.


List of award winners
 
Horse racing groups remain 'very far apart'
- Idaho Statesman - Published: 01/19/10 - Ada County awarded Idaho Entertainment a lease for the Garden City race track last summer. The group plans to call the park Idaho Downs at Idaho Expo.

But Idaho Entertainment - owned by California-based Oneida Capital and Connecticut-based Plainfield Racing - has been unable to reach an agreement with the Idaho Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association.

"The farther we go into the year, the more concern I have. We have no agreement," Idaho Racing Commission President Dennis Jackson told a House committee Monday. The groups remain "very far apart," he said.

Jackson believes there will be racing in 2010 on a limited schedule. "If we do, it will be a conservatively shorter meet, maybe 15-20 dates," he said. "That's my hope."

He told the Statesman he expects at least two racing-related bills this year: one to allow fewer racing dates at high-revenue parks and one to allow simulcasting where there is no live racing.
 
Turf Paradise cuts stakes purses - Phoenix, Az. - Jan. 19, 2010 - The effects of a down economy in the Phoenix area and and lower OTB in-state handle figures, Turf Paradise has cut purses for six upcoming stakes races in 2010.
 
Santa Anita track surface to be replaced before Oak Tree Meet - ARCADIA, CA. Jan. 19, 2010 - A drainage problem Monday forced the cancellation of horse racing at Santa Anita, and officials - fed up with lost race days - announced they will replace the synthetic surface before the Oak Tree Meet in the fall.
 
BAY AREA NEWCOMER HERNANDEZ WAS LEADING APPRENTICE IN MEXICO - ALBANY, CA. Jan. 18, 2010 -- Juan Jose Hernandez, a new addition to the Northern California jockey colony, introduced himself to Bay Area racing fans with victories Sunday and Monday at Golden Gate Fields.
 
Snip N Dale and Seven Torrents dominate the stakes action at Portland Meadows - Portland, OR. Jan. 18, 2010 - Both Snip N Dale and Seven Torrents went off as prohibitive favorites in their respective stakes races, and neither disappointed as Snip N Dale powered home to win the $10,000 Directors Handicap and Seven Torrents drew off to win the $16,500 added OTOBA Stallion Stakes.
 
DryflyDryfly Wires Field in Monday's $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes - HOT SPRINGS, Ark. - January 18, 2010 - Oaklawn owner and track President, Charles J. Cella, has long worked to find a three-year-old to wear his colors to victory in pursuit of Triple Crown success.  On Monday he finally saw his dream begin to unfold as his three-year-old, Dryfly, wired the field at one mile in the featured $100,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.  In travelling the distance in 1:41 3/5 over the good surface, Dryfly topped eleven rivals, finishing two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Vickie Fixley's Pleasant Storm and an additional length-and three-quarters in front of third place finisher, Seldin Revocable Trust's Kitty's Turn. 
 
Northern California Fair Dates Settled - January 18, 2010 - The California Horse Racing Board gave approval to a Northern California fair racing dates program for 2010 during its meeting at Santa Anita Park Jan. 15th.
The summer fair schedule, endorsed by board chairman John Harris, was approved by a 4-3 split vote, with vice chairman David Israel and commissioners Jesse Choper and Bo Derek in opposition.
 
PCQHRA TO HAVE ITS ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET ON JANUARY 26 - Los Alamitos RTCA Silent Auction to take place as part of the banquet - CYPRESS, CA. JANUARY 17, 2010 - The Pacific Coast Quarter Horse Association will conduct its annual Quarter Horse awards banquet on Tuesday, January 26 in the Finish Line Room at Los Alamitos Race Course.
 


SUTHERLAND STRIKES AGAIN IN EL ENCINO STAKES, AND IT’S PRETTY UNUSUAL - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 17, 2010) – Jockey Chantal Sutherland, who won her first graded stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, wasted little time in adding a second Grade II on Sunday when striking with the aptly named 29-1 outsider Pretty Unusual in the 48th running of the $150,000 El Encino Stakes for 4-year-old fillies.

© BENOIT PHOTO
 


fAIR GROUNDS RESIDENT ‘RACHEL’ UP FOR ‘HORSE OF THE YEAR’ MONDAY
Rachel Alexandra Will Increase Gallops to 1 ½ Miles That Morning - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, January 17, 2010) – Superstar filly Rachel Alexandra, undefeated in eight starts as a 3-year-old including an unforgettable win in the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks, could be named Horse of the Year at the annual Eclipse Awards ceremony Monday night in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Photo by Lou Hodges Jr./Lou Hodges Photography
 
Track Record for 440 Set at Hialeah - HIALEAH, FL. (SUNDAY, JAN. 17, 2010) Five-year-old Feature Jess Rockin eclipsed the track record for 440 yards when she clocked a time of :21.498 in winning the $22,500 Sawgrass Stakes at Hialeah Park Jan. 17th.

Kurtis Coady / Coady Photography
 
power surge, anything but quiet win ‘JACKSON’-‘TICKET’ STAKES - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, January 16, 2010) – Marcia LaMarche’s Anything But Quiet heard the roar of the crowd Saturday afternoon at Fair Grounds when she lit up the tote board with mutuels of $120, $44.60 and $16.80 after winning the 37th renewal of the $60,000 Happy Ticket Stakes.
 



UNDEFEATED CHAMPION MARE ZENYATTA TO RACE IN 2010 - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2010)—Zenyatta will race in 2010. The first female to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and a finalist for 2009 Horse of the Year, Zenyatta’s retirement had been announced following her dramatic last-to-first victory against a stellar field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on Nov. 7. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
BAFFERT’S CONVEYANCE GETS EDUCATION IN SAN RAFAEL WIN; PAPA CLEM, AMEN HALLELUJAH VICTORIOUS IN GRADE II EVENTS - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 16, 2010) – Unbeaten Conveyance, one of trainer Bob Baffert’s top Triple Crown candidates behind his pro-tem leader, Lookin At Lucky, won Saturday’s Grade III, $100,000 San Rafael Stakes at Santa Anita as expected, but the 3-10 favorite gained an education in the process.
- Conveyance© BENOIT PHOTO
 
RANGER HEARTLEY GAMELY HOLDS ON TO WIN CALIFORNIA DERBY AT GGF
ALBANY, CA. January 16, 2010 -- Ranger Heartley, with challengers attacking inside and outside of him down the stretch, gamely held on to win the $100,000 California Derby at Golden Gate Fields Saturday.
 

On My Dime wins Cotton Fitzsimmons - PHOENIX, AZ (January 16, 2010) - On My Dime rallied strongly through the lane to capture Saturday's $75,000 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap by a head at Turf Paradise.

Coady Photography

 

Dextera Shows Her Stuff again - PHOENIX, AZ (January 16, 2010) German born, Dextera, showed her stuff on the Turf Paradise turf course today as she captured Saturday's $50,000 Glendale Handicap.

Coady Photography
 
Glory Be Mine dominates foes in $125,000 La Senora Stakes - Sunland PK., NM - January 16, 2010 - The superlative filly Glory Be Mine dominated her foes by over 4 lengths to capture the $125,000 La Senora Stakes on Saturday at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino. Under a cool ride from jockey Martin Bourdieu, the New Mexico-bred sensation slipped through along the rail down the backstretch and secured her stranglehold on the 6 furlong stakes race for three-year-old New Mexico-bred fillies. Coady Photography
 
Northern Belle Takes American Beauty in Final Stride - HOT SPRINGS, Ark. Saturday, January 16, 2010 - Martin Henry's homebred Northern Belle uncorked a furious stretch rally and caught Cash Is King Stable's 2-1 favorite, One Smokin' Lady, in the final stride to capture the victory in Saturday's featured $50,000 American Beauty Stakes. Northern Belle topped five rivals in front of a crowd of 18,592 gathered on a chilly day accompanied by light rain throughout.
 

Mr Brimmerton Top in South Florida Derby Qualifiers - HIALEAH, FL—JANUARY 16, 2010— Mr Brimmerton, trained by eight-time AQHA champion trainer Paul Jones, showed his true form by scoring the fastest qualifying time in the South Florida Derby trials on Saturday at Hialeah Park.
+ (list of qualifiers)
 Coady Photography
 
Shotgun Gulch scores on opening day at Oaklawn - HOT SPRINGS, Ark. January 15, 2010 - Jockey Luis Quinonez guided Shotgun Gulch to a nose victory over favorite Decelerator in the $50,000 Dixie Belle, on opening day at Oaklawn Park. The opening-day program drew 20,311 patrons to the refurbished facility.
 
STARLIGHT racing lights up new orleans - NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 15, 2010) – The first of three Starlight Racing programs at Fair Grounds this season on Friday night had track management describing the event as successful beyond expectations – and that was despite increasingly rainy weather and a temporary late afternoon local power outage that caused a one-hour delay before the first race of the evening.
 
Keeneland January closes down 27.2% in total sales, average remains level - The 2010 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale finished on Friday with an overall 27.2% decrease in total sales but an average price nearly equal to last year. as reported by the Thoroughbred Times 01/15/2010
 
FRENCH TEENAGE JOCKEY PRAT SCORES FIRST U.S. WIN WITH $103 STUNNER TO SET THE TONE FOR PICK SIX CARRYOVER OF $69,998 - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2010) – Flavien Prat, a 17-year-old apprentice rider from France, registered his first United States victory Friday with a $103.40 stunner in the third race at Santa Anita that led to a Pick Six carryover of $69,998 into Saturday’s nine-race program.
 
43-1 LONGSHOT UPSETS SNOWBOUND SUPERSTAR AT 550 - CYPRESS, CA…JANUARY 15, 2010 - Double Bar S Ranch’s Bud Cheeks posted the biggest upset of the new decade so far at Los Alamitos after defeating the great Snowbound Superstar at 550 yards in the $20,000 Barbra B Handicap at 42-1 odds on Friday.
 
hrtv to rerun ‘fair grounds during katrina’ show sunday night- NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 15, 2010) – For the benefit of Fair Grounds’ faithful fans who may have missed it the first time around, HRTV will air a special encore presentation of “Inside Information: Nowhere to Run” this Sunday at 7 p.m. CST.
 
Prairie Meadows to Run Split Meets - January 15, 2010 - Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino for the first time will completely separate its Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing this year.
 
2010 LONE STAR PARK THOROUGHBRED MEET FEATURES 21 STAKES WORTH MORE THAN $2.2 MILLION - GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas (Friday, Jan. 15, 2010) – Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie announced today that the track’s 2010 Spring Thoroughbred Season will feature 21 stakes, including four Grade 3 races, worth more than $2.2 million in purses. The 60-day meet is scheduled for Thursday, April 8 through Sunday, July 18, 2010.
 
SANTA ANITA, JOCKEYS TO ASSIST WITH HAITIAN AID, RED CROSS TO COORDINATE EFFORT ON TRACK SUNDAY - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 15, 2010)—As news of the devastating 7.3 earthquake which struck the Caribbean island nation of Haiti on Tuesday continues to unfold, the Santa Anita jockeys’ colony and Santa Anita Park have joined forces to send aid via the American Red Cross beginning on Sunday.
 
BLAZING FINISH GETS MONZANTE BACK IN WINNER’S CIRCLE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 14, 2010) – After competing against Grade I or Grade II competition in 9 of his previous 11 starts, 6-year-old grey gelding Monzante mowed down five allowance level rivals with a blazing final eighth Thursday to capture Santa Anita’s $56,400 one-mile turf feature by a nose over Red Alert Day.
 
Ruidoso Downs Grade 1 Stakes Produce Champions of 2009 - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (January 14, 2009) – Once again in 2009 the six grade 1 races at Ruidoso Downs produced champions, headed by All American Futurity winner Runnning Brook Gal and two-time derby winner Inseperable.
 
FREAKY NAMED 2009 WORLD CHAMPION RACING AMERICAN QUARTER HORSE
January 13, 2010 – The 4-year-old gelding Freaky was voted the 2009 World Champion Racing American Quarter Horse after a spectacular year. The award topped all the AQHA racing champions, which were announced tonight at Heritage Place Sale Co. in Oklahoma City.
Freaky (TR Dasher-Chickasecret by Raise A Secret), owned by Armando Aguirre of Surprise, Arizona, won six of nine starts and earned $580,860 in his championship season. Voters also honored him as champion aged horse and unanimously as champion aged gelding. - as reported by the AQHA Racing Journal
 
Rillito opens January 16th with added purses - Tucson, AZ - January 13, 2010 - Rillito Racetrack the first regulated racing Quarter Horse facility in the United States, opens January 16th with added purse monies.
 
Jonathan Nance sets a new record with six wins in a day at Portland Meadows - Portland, OR. January 13, 2010 - Jonathan Nance was in Kentucky at Keeneland, looking for new racing prospects today at the Keeneland January Sale as his current string of horses were shattering records at Portland Meadows. Nance saddled six winners on the nine race program. The six wins marks a new record for training wins in a day.
 
JERANIMO EXITS MALIBU SETBACK WITH ALLOWANCE RACE WIN - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 13, 2010) – Jeranimo, who failed to keep up with the competition in the Grade I Malibu Stakes on opening day, found the opposition in Wednesday’s $46,676 allowance feature at Santa Anita much more compatible and closed strongly in the 6 ½-furlong event to score by a widening 2 ½ lengths.
 
Board tries to bolster county fair's fortunes - January 13, 2010 - The San Joaquin Fair is staggering a bit in the buildup to celebrate its 150th anniversary, but organizers finally expect to know by Friday when the fair will take place.
 
Early Returns Show Superb All American Triple Crown Nominees - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (January 13, 2010) – The deadline for the 2011 All American Triple Crown races, headed by the Grade 1, $2,400,000 All American Futurity, approaches on January 15 and already some of quarter horse racing’s leading breeders have nominated their premier foals of 2009.
The 440-yard All American Futurity is quarter horse racing’s richest event.
 
Leading Trainer Paul Jones Heads Ruidoso Hall of Fame Class - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (January 12, 2009) – Paul Jones, the all-time leading money-earning quarter horse trainer, heads the 2010 class to be inducted into the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame during the induction banquet on June 26.
 
Attention AQHA Members and Residents of Southern New Mexico - Ruidoso Backs Our Track - The Ruidoso Backs Our Track initiative is a concerted informational and educational effort designed to create a call-to-action among our membership and all citizens within Southeastern New Mexico to keep Ruidoso Downs.
Click here to learn more.
 
American Quarter Horse Association leader joins CSU staff - FORT COLLINS, CO. (January 12, 2010) — Gary Carpenter, executive director of the American Quarter Horse Association Foundation, has been named the outreach and industry liaison director for the Colorado State University equine sciences program.
 
Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino Responsible Gaming Scholarship winner Arthur Pegg conducts training meetings - Sunland Pk. NM (January 12, 2010) Arthur Pegg, the 2009-10 Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino Responsible Gaming Scholarship Award winner, conducted responsible gaming training meetings at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Monday and Tuesday.
 
Settlement Reached in Magna Entertainment Corp. Bankruptcy - Magna to retain Gulfstream Park, Golden Gate Fields, and Santa Anita Park as well as advance deposit wagering outlet XpressBet and AmTote International. Wilmington, Del. - January 12, 2010 - Creditors of Magna Entertainment Corp. have agreed to the outlines of a reorganization plan that would end the horse-track operator’s bankruptcy and settle a lawsuit against billionaire owner Frank Stronach, attorneys said.
 

Surge in simulcast betting surprises Sunland - Surprise, surprise. Sunland, Pk., NM - January 12, 2010 -Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino officials were worried that revenue from simulcasting of its live racing would drop from last season. After all, simulcast wagering was extremely successful during the 2008-09 campaign.

By Ray Sanchez
 
Maria Margarita breaks poorly, ends up finishing fourth - Portland, OR. (January 11, 2010) Maria Margarita was slow out of the gate and relegated to last in the early goings of today’s fourth race. She was stuck behind horses after the poor beginning and the early pace setters O’s Golden Mink and Splash Power, who set very slow fractions of 25.10 for the first quarter and 51.13 for the half mile. Favorite Polish Star received a comfy trip under jockey Jose Zunino, who geared that one to the outside and pulled away through the stretch to win by a comfortable two length margin. Maria Margarita rallied outside rivals but could only manage to finish fourth.
 
CHURCHILL DOWNS & NBC SPORTS PARTNER FOR “ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY” SERIES - Three Broadcasts Encompassing Six Derby Prep Races Airing on NBC Sports & USA Network This Spring - Including Louisiana Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Toyota Bluegrass Stakes, Arkansas Derby - New York and Louisville, Ky – (January 11, 2010) – Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ: CHDN) and NBC Sports today announced a partnership to present three broadcasts featuring six Kentucky Derby and Triple Crown prep races this spring leading up to the Kentucky Derby on NBC Sports on Saturday, May 1. The three one-hour broadcasts, two on NBC and one on USA Network, will include the Louisiana Derby, Lane’s End Stakes, Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, Toyota Bluegrass Stakes and Arkansas Derby. The announcement was made today by Bob Evans, President and CEO, Churchill Downs Incorporated and Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports.
 
Remington Park is on a new track Casinos: Race track’s owners expand games and plan to spend millions to regain winning legacy
January 11, 2010 - At midnight on New Year’s Eve, a Chickasaw Nation subsidiary took over ownership of Oklahoma City’s Remington Park racetrack and casino, ushering in an era of local control for the casino. as reported by the Oklahoman - BY RANDY ELLIS
 
Another run at helping Neb. horse racing - LINCOLN -January 10, 2010 A Nebraska lawmaker is making another run at helping the state's ailing horse-racing industry.
 
QUIRKY CRISP RUNS STRAIGHT INTO GRADE III SANTA YSABEL STAKES WINNERS’ CIRCLE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 10, 2010) – Crisp, who bore out so badly on the far turn of her second maiden start that she completely blew the far turn before somehow miraculously recovering to gain a narrow victory, ran straight into the winner’s circle Sunday when making her first stakes start in Santa Anita’s 43rd running of the Grade III, $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
SIXTEEN NOMINATED TO CALIFORNIA DERBY - ALBANY, CA. (January 10, 2010) -- Connemara, an undefeated colt trained by Todd Pletcher, and Macias, a two-time stakes-winner from the Bob Baffert barn, are among the 16 runners nominated to the $100,000 California Derby.
 
caspian wins sunday’s fair grounds feature - NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, January 10, 2010) – Away alertly and quickly in command, S N R Investment’s Caspian continued willingly throughout and withstood a late bid by Maggi Moss’s Free Brave to win Sunday’s $47,000 5 1/2-furlong sprint feature at Fair Grounds by one length.
 

Movie to tell story of jockey legend Krone - Sunday, January 10, 2010 -CARLSBAD, CA — Jockey Julie Krone doesn’t don her racing silks anymore, but her megastar status has not waned.
The story of the sports icon who smashed sexist walls in the racing world and overcame debilitating injuries on the track captured the attention of Gravity Films. The studio plans to make a movie, titled “Freak,” on Krone’s life. Shooting is scheduled to begin in April.

By Christina Macone-Greene / Photo - Charlie Neuman /
Union-Tribune
 
NEKO BAY TURNS TABLES ON WELL-BEATEN BREEDERS’ CUP CHAMPION FURTHEST LAND IN SAN PASQUAL - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2010) – Seven-year-old Neko Bay, unable to keep up with 21-1 upsetter Furthest Land in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile two months ago, dramatically turned the tables on Saturday when gaining his first stakes victory in Santa Anita’s 73rd running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap.
© BENOIT PHOTO
 
Black Hills mows down rivals in $50,000 Winsham Lad Handicap - Sunland Pk., NM (January 9, 2010) Black Hills mowed down his rivals with a devastating kick and rolled to a dominant 3-length win in the $50,000 Winsham Lad Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino at Saturday. Under jockey Catalino Martinez, Black Hills handed Song of Navarone his first defeat over Sunland Park soil since 2006.  Lisa Dominguez/ Coady photography
 
Hallway defeats ‘wheat’ by a
whisker at Fair Grounds -

NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, January 9, 2010) – Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Hallway and odds-on favorite Desert Wheat both launched late bids in the stretch run of Saturday’s $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at Fair Grounds, but it was the overlooked Hallway, trained by Eclipse-Award winning trainer Steve Asmussen and ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, who proved best by a nose at the wire.
Photo by Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts
 
vital winner dominates in moonstone Stakes at hialeah park - Hialeah, FL – January 9, 2010 - The classy Vital Winner used his explosive acceleration to take the win in the 1st running of the $22,500 Moonstone Stakes at Hialeah Park on Saturday.

Photo Credit Given To: Kurtis Coady / Coady Photography
 
The Tradition Continues at Oaklawn Park - Hot Springs, AR. (January 9, 2010) - Once again over 3,000 applications for horses awaited Oaklawn Park Racing Secretary Pat Pope, who has the difficult task of sorting out the assignments for the 1,500 available stalls in the Oaklawn stable area for the 2010 live racing season, which begins on January 15.
 
Raton Racino documents filed; state eyes Jan. 31 goal - January 8, 2010 - Horse Racing at Raton recently submitted to the New Mexico Gaming Control Board documentation aimed at providing financial assurances concerning the Raton racino project, which still has a lot to be done "in a short amount of time," according to the chairman of the gaming board.
 
Baze Wins 3 at Golden Gate, to push all-time total to 10,780 - ALBANY, CA. (January 9, 2010) The 51-year-old Baze won three races at Golden Gate Fields on Jan. 7 to push his all-time world-leading total to 10,780. He said he's feeling great and has been fortunate to remain remarkably injury-free during a durable 35-year racing career. Baze began riding at Yakima Meadows in Washington in 1974 and has spent most of his time racing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
LOS ALAMITOS HORSES OF THE DECADE - CYPRESS, CA. - JANUARY 8, 2010 - We are now well into the first month of a new decade in the 21st century. And as Los Alamitos embarks on a new decade, here's a toast to this great track showcasing twice as many great stars as it had the honor of displaying during the first decade of the 2000s!
 
PRINCESS HAYA EARNS TEXAS-BRED HORSE OF THE YEAR HONORS FOR 2009
DAVE HOOPER-TTA - JAN. 8, 2010 - Eileen Hartis’ Texas homebred Princess Haya is the 2009 Texas-bred Horse of the Year based on her 38 Texas-bred Championship Points earned from her Grade 2 Canadian Stakes victory and her Grade 1 E.P. Taylor Stakes third-place finish at Woodbine, plus two other stakes placings at Delaware Park and Monmouth Park. In all, the 4-year-old daughter of Street Cry, out of the Slew City Slew mare Sally Slew, won three of eight starts with four seconds and one third to earn $393,060.
 
SOLIS MAKES RIGHT CALL: IT’S GENERAL CONSENSUS FOR GALLAGHER ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 8, 2010) – Just three-quarters of a length separated trainer Paddy Gallagher’s two longshots, victorious General Consensus and runner-up Exquisite, at the conclusion of Santa Anita’s $56,608 optional claiming feature for fillies and mares at one mile on turf Friday after jockey Alex Solis had to separate the pair when entries were taken.
 
FG Regular Bryan Wagner Wins $100,000 as 2009 NHC Tour Champion
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 08, 2010)
Fair Grounds regular Bryan Wagner, a 66-year-old insurance executive from New Orleans, used a second-place finish at the December 26-27 Surfside Race Place qualifier in Del Mar, Calif., to clinch the 2009 crown as Daily Racing Form/NHC Tour Champion and a $100,000 first-place prize.
 
gentle moment wins friday fair grounds feature - NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 08, 2010) – Ragin Cajun Stable’s Gentle Moment, always well placed, launched a sustained bid when set down for the drive to win Friday’s $47,000 Fair Grounds six-furlong allowance feature restricted to Louisiana-breds by an expanding 5 1 /4-length margin.
Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, scoring his second win of the afternoon, Gentle Moment paid $18, $6.60 and $6, toured the three-quarter mile distance in 1:11.13 and increased his career earnings to $57,149 with his second win in six lifetime starts. Eclipse Award-winning trainer Steve Asmussen is the conditioner of the winner.
Michele Rodriguez’ Mr. Wildlee, who made the pace with early splits of 22.37 and 46.57, held on to be clearly second best at the wire, returning $4 and $3.40 while finishing a length and a half to the good of Cupid’s Hit, who paid $5.80 in the third spot.
 
Irish Company provides Genetic Tests for Thoroughbreds - January 8, 2010 - Dr. Emmeline Hill, a horse genomics researcher, and Irish racehorse trainer Jim Bolger have co-founded a company that will provide genetic tests for thoroughbreds.
The test is based on research by Hill into athletic performance traits in horses conducted and the project was supported by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association which provided the required DNA samples from elite racehorses.
 
Oaklawn Park features Instant Racing - HOT SPRINGS, Ark. January 7, 2010 - Oaklawn Park has opened its expanded electronic gambling parlor, Instant Racing is featured and is a true pari-mutuel terminal with over 60,000 digitized videos of previously run races. 
 
ESPN Radio, NBC win Eclipse Awards  for “The Story of Mine That Bird, 50-1” January 8, 2010 -The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), Daily Racing Form and the National Turf Writers Association announced today that NBC Sports has won the 2009 Media Eclipse Award in the National Television Feature programming category for its documentary “The Story of Mine That Bird, 50-1”, which aired at the beginning of its Preakness Stakes telecast on May 16, 2009.
This is the third National Television Feature Media Eclipse Award for NBC, which previously won the award in 2002 and in 2005.
 
MONEY-MAKING CLAIM DOTSY JEAN UPSETS IN THURSDAY FEATURE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 7, 2010) – Dotsy Jean, claimed by trainer Marty Jones one year ago on behalf of AJM Racing for $16,000, boosted her earnings since the claim to $151,108 with a 5-1 upset victory Thursday in Santa Anita’s $59,102 optional claiming feature for fillies and mares at six furlongs.
 
CITY TO CITY UPSETS JULES J BY A NOSE - ALBANY, CA. (January 7, 2010) -- City to City battled back after being headed in midstretch to win the $30,866 turf feature for 3-year-old fillies by a nose Thursday at Golden Gate Fields.
 
Thoroughbred Racing Industry Veteran Nat Wess Retires 45-year career influenced racing in California and Minnesota - Shakopee, MN. (January 07, 2010) Nat Wess, a fixture on the racing scene in California and Minnesota, retired December 31, 2009, completing a 45-year career in thoroughbred racing. Wess, 70, landed his first racing-related job in 1964 as a publicity assistant at Santa Anita in Arcadia, CA. “I was the low man on a four-person totem pole,” Wess said. Since then he has held positions at Canterbury Park, Bay Meadows, and the California Breeders’ Association.
 
KETTLE RIVER TURNS BACK BAFFERT PAIR IN 3-YEAR-OLD FEATURE - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 6, 2010) – Darley Stable’s Kettle River -- a son of Congaree, winner of a half-dozen Grade I stakes for trainer Bob Baffert – ran down a pair of better-fancied Baffert 3-year-olds Wednesday when scoring an 11-1 upset victory in Santa Anita’s $48,800 allowance feature at 1 1/16 miles.
 
SUREBET ANNOUNCES PHOTO AWARDS - Ruidoso, NM (January 6, 2010) Every race day across the country our hard working track photographers exercise their creative talents with split second timing while fighting wind, rain, shadows and the unexpected antics of our racing stars, SureBet would like to recognize their endless hard work with our choice of "Photos of the Year for 2009".
 
HBO gambling on horse-racing drama - LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – TV veteran David Milch is trying his luck again at HBO, teaming with filmmaker Michael Mann on a horse-racing drama.
"Luck," which has received a pilot order from the cable network, is described as a provocative look at the world of horse racing and gambling told through a diverse group of characters surrounding a racetrack.
 
Nominations Close On January 15 For All-Time Richest Quarter Horse Race - RUIDOSO DOWNS, New Mexico (January 6, 2010) – The nomination deadline for the 2011 Grade 1, $2,400,000 All American Futurity, the world’s richest quarter horse race, is January 15.
 
Finalists for 2009 Eclipse Awards revealed - January 6, 2010 - Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta have been voted as the only two finalists for 2009 Horse of the Year, as revealed Wednesday by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), National Turf Writers Association (NTWA) and Daily Racing Form (DRF), the three presenting organizations of the Eclipse Awards.
 
Veteran horse trainer found dead in mountains - Update - BIG BEAR, CA. (January 6 , 2010) --No foul play is suspected in the death of an Arcadia man whose body was found Monday in a ravine below Highway 18 at Lakeview Point.
Julius Tinsley, 81, was last seen at his apartment New Year’s Eve. His car was found parked at the side of Highway 18 overlooking Big Bear Lake early Monday. Searchers found his body 5-hours later.
 
HORSEMEN EYEING MILESTONES AT LOS ALAMITOS IN 2010  - CYPRESS, CA. (JANUARY 6, 2010) There are many top horsemen approaching notable milestone in 2010. Legendary trainer Blane Schvaneveldt figures to become the first trainer to saddle 4,000 Quarter Horse winners, as he begins the new meet needing only 36 victories to reach the mark. John Cooper, meanwhile, is 23 wins away from become only the fourth trainer at Los Alamitos to reach 1,300 Quarter Horse wins. Jaime Gomez is 50 wins away from become only the sixth trainer to reach the magical 1,000 Quarter Horse wins mark at Los Alamitos. Adan Farias is 53 wins away from being the 10th straightaway trainer with 900 victories, while Jose Flores is 68 victories from also reaching that plateau. In the Thoroughbred ranks, Charles Treece is 27 wins away from becoming the first to 600, while Keith Craigmyle is 39 victories shy of being the third to 200.
 
Veteran horse trainer found dead in mountains - ARCADIA, CA. (January 5, 2010) - Funeral arrangements were pending on Tuesday for a veteran trainer of Southern California race horses who worked for decades at Santa Anita Park.
The body of Julius "Cotton" Edgar Tinsley, 81, of Arcadia was found early Monday about 300 feet below Lakeview Point in the San Bernardino Mountains, a popular turnout on the Rim of the World (18) Highway that affords a landmark view of Big Bear Lake and Bear Valley.
 
Bill Hedge, Bugs Alive in 75 will be inducted into OK. Hall of Fame - Midwest City, OK. -January 5, 2010 - Legendary Oklahoma horsemen and horses will be inducted into the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association (OQHA) Hall of Fame on Jan. 9, including the late William “Bill“ Barney Hedge, founder of Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw.
 
Stay put may await risen star if ‘Bullet’ fires at Lecomte - NEW ORLEANS (Monday, January 04, 2010) – Trainer Steve Margolis and his tight-knit crew were awarded “Barn of the Month” honors Saturday at Fair Grounds, but after Sunday’s 10th race Margolis also became “man of the hour” when his highly regarded 3-year-old prospect Stay Put, owned by Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein, scored a decisive one-length tally in a race with possible long-range Louisiana Derby implications.
 
EQUINE PIROPLASMOSIS - UPDATE - as reported by the International Society for Infectious Diseases - January 4. 2010 - As part of a racetrack screening program, 3 New Mexico horses have been identified as infected with _Theileria equi_, a causative agent for equine piroplasmosis. These infections are noteworthy as these horses are not epidemiologically linked to those involved in a larger ongoing investigation centered on horses from a South Texas ranch.
 
Court says horse track must pay for inquiry State legally required to check background - PHOENIX — The Arizona Court of Appeals has rejected arguments by Turf Paradise, Maricopa County's only horse track, that the company that operates the track should not have to pay for the state to hire someone to investigate its ownership.
 
Horse Racing Off Track - New operator at odds with Boise horse owners - January 4, 2010 - Depending on whom you ask, the prospects for horse racing at Idaho Downs (formerly Les Bois Park) are either slim to none or just a handshake away from becoming a reality.
But five months after Ada County awarded the rights to operate Boise's racetrack to Idaho Entertainment, the company remains stuck in negotiations with a local horsemen's group that must agree to a contract before the state can issue a license for live horse racing. The live-racing license is necessary to get a similar license for simulcast racing, so no racing events of any kind are figuring into the future of Idaho Downs any time soon.
 
MONROVIA WIN SETS UP TUSCAN EVENING FOR GR. I SANTA MONICA - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan.3, 2010) – Sitting just off the early pace, Rafael Bejarano drove 3-2 favorite Tuscan Evening between competitors Sunday in midstretch of Santa Anita’s Grade III, $100,000 Monrovia Handicap and likely right into the Grade I Santa Monica Handicap on Jan. 31.
© BENOIT PHOTO
 

Enchanted Outlaw storms to victory in $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap - Sunland Pk. NM. (Sunday, January 3, 2010) - Enchanted Outlaw stormed home to a dominating four and one-half length victory in the $100,000 Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Sunday. The former $5,000 claimer served notice to his route prowess by snapping the four-year reign of Some Ghost in this race. Photo Credit Given To: Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography

 
Twin sparks best in swift stakes at turf paradise - PHOENIX, AZ. (Saturday, January 2, 2010) – Bobbie Parsons’ Twin Sparks battled his way through the lane to prove the betting public right. The 2-5 favorite, with leading rider Ry Eikleberry aboard for the 5 1/2-furlong distance won Saturday’s $50,000 Swift Stakes at Turf Paradise by a length. Photo Credit Given To: / Coady Photography
 
NY Governor Vows to Save the Historic Belmont Stakes and Triple Crown - January 2, 2010 - As reported in the Cleveland Leader - Bureaucracy has threatened to put an end to the historic Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown of horse racing, after state legislators have been unable to agree on a vendor to provide video lottery terminals (VLTs) at another race track. The proceeds from the VLTs, which have been approved to be installed at Aqueduct, would ensure that the Belmont Stakes and other races throughout the state would continue. Legislators are no closer to reaching an agreement, but Gov. David Paterson promised Friday that he would put an end to the delays and pick a vendor "in the next week or so."
 
TRAINER MIYADI RECORDS 1,000TH VICTORY AT GGF - ALBANY, CA., (January 2, 2010) Steve Miyadi recorded his 1,000th training victory Saturday when his 3-year-old filly Shesgoinghollywood won the first race at Golden Gate Fields.
 
Herpes reported at training center - Evangeline Downs, LA (January 2, 2010) A horse at the Evangeline Downs Training Center has reportedly tested positive for equine herpes, leading to a quarantine of the affected barn and shipping restrictions on all horses leaving the training center.
The infected horse is trained by Steve Asmussen, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, which quoted Louisiana State Racing Commission executive director Charles Gardine. The commission offices were closed late this week for the New Year's holiday, and no one there could be reached for comment. Asmussen's barn is under quarantine, Gardiner said, and horses stabled there are being tested for the virus and must conduct their daily training after regular hours.
While horses in the Asmussen barn can't be shipped into other tracks now, the other horses at the training center, located in Carencro, can enter other Louisiana tracks as long as proof of a recent veterinary exam and a herpes vaccination are provided.
The training center provides a major source of entries for the ongoing meets at Fair Grounds and Delta Downs.
Fair Grounds had a herpes positive during it's 2008-2009 meeting, and two barns there were quarantined for several weeks.
 
STYLISH JESS BR RAISES THE BAR WITH CHARGER BAR VICTORY - CYPRESS, CA. (JANUARY 2, 2010) Benny Rosset's Stylish Jess Br became the first mare to win the three most important races currently offered for distaffers in the nation following her win in the Grade 1 $100,000 Charger Bar Handicap at Los Alamitos.
 
WITH LIFE IS SWEET OUT, CAT BY THE TALE BEST IN SAN GORGONIO - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 2, 2010) – With Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic champion Life Is Sweet a late scratch after she “tied up” with muscle cramps in the morning, third-choice Cat by the Tale stepped up to register her first stakes win with a decisive, 2 ½-length triumph in Santa Anita’s 41st running of the Grade II, $150,000 San Gorgonio Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on turf. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
Mr Regard wins $338,638 Shue Fly - Sunland Pk., NM (Saturday, January 2, 2009) Mr Regard steamrolled to an impressive three-quarter length victory in the 38th running of the $338,638 Shue Fly at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Saturday. Let go at nearly 7-1 in the betting, the sharp grey son of Chicks Regard poured on the pressure early and gained an unassailable lead mid-way through the 400 yard dash.

Photo Credit Given To: Tommie Morelos / Coady Photography
 



Thoroughbred Trainer John Locke Retires - Houston, TX. (January 2, 2010) - John Locke, 67, one of the leading trainers in Texas, has retired effective January 1. Locke ran his last race on December 31 at Sam Houston Race Park before transferring his runners to Karl Broberg. - by Martha Claussen, SureBet Racing News

Photo credit: Coady Photography

 
category seven wins Furl sail following disqualification - NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, January 02, 2010) – James Perron Racing Stable’s Category Seven, overlooked by Fair Grounds racing fans in Saturday’s $60,000 Furl Sail Handicap, ended up paying win mutuels of $34.40, $14.60 and $6.60 following a disqualification of Team Block’s Never Retreat, who was first under the wire a neck in front of the eventual winner.

Category Seven (center, white cap) Photo by Hodges Photography/Lynn Roberts

 
KISS A CORONA SCORE STAKES WIN AT HIALEAH PARK - HIALEAH, FL., (Jan. 2, 2010) – Hialeah Park hosted the $20,000 Davie Stakes on Saturday for three-year-old Quarter Horses going 330 yards with Kiss a Corona the odds-on-favorite scoring the win. 

Photo Credit Given To: Kurtis Coady | Coady Photography
 
COMPARI RUNS OFF WITH SENSATIONAL STAR AS 10-YEAR-OLD SHADOW OF ILLINOIS FAILS IN HIS BID TO MAKE HISTORY - ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan 1, 2010) – Ten-year-old gelding Shadow of Illinois fell well short of accomplishing an unparalleled feat in Santa Anita’s rich 75-year history when a sixth and last-place finish in Friday’s $100,000 Sensational Star Handicap deprived him the distinction of becoming the track’s oldest winner of a stakes race. © BENOIT PHOTO
 
ANTARES WORLD HOLDS OFF FASHION TREND TO WIN OAKS - ALBANY, CA., (January 1, 2010)  - Antares World fought off Fashion Trend through the lengthof the stretch to win the $75,000 California Oaks by a head Friday at GoldenGate Fields.
 
INTIMISSIMI AND HEAR NO ANGEL SCORE STAKES WINS ON NEW YEAR’S DAY
- HOLIDAY PROGRAM KICKED OFF 2010 RACING AT DELTA DOWNS - VINTON, LA. (Jan. 1, 2010) – Delta Downs hosted a pair of $75,000 stakes races on Friday night during a special New Year’s program. The Gardenia Stakes was won by Intimissimi and the Cocodrie Stakes was taken by Hear No Angel.
 
noble’s promise, piscitelli, dublin, backtalk among La. DERBY NOMS
Other standouts include recent FG winners Bravo Whiskey, Miles Heir, Stay Put and Wow Wow Wow
-
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 1, 2010) – New Year’s Day in New Orleans means more than cabbage and black-eyed peas. It also marks the official birthday of all registered Thoroughbred racehorses, including the newly turned 3-year-olds eligible for the Grade II, $750,000 Louisiana Derby on March 27 and, ultimately, the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 1.
 

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