american racehorse - january/february 2016

WWW.AMERICANRACEHORSE.COM

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

IN THIS ISSUE:MEET RACINGS NEXT GENERATION LADYS SECRET: OKLAHOMAS IRON LADYTEXAS-BRED ASSAULT AS ART WHY OTTBS NEED PAPERS

All fees are stands and nursesAll stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Bred Program, Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and the Breeders Cup

Mighty Acres675 W. 470 rd. Pryor, oklAhoMA 74361Phone: 918-825-4256 cell: 918-271-2266 FAx: 918-825-4255WWW.MightyAcres.coM

A Division of Center Hills Farm

KIPLING (Gulch-Weekend Storm, by Storm Bird)

Sire of Breeders Cup winner and all-time leading Oklahoma-

bred KIP DEVILLE ($3.3 million in earnings)

2016 FEE: $2,500

SAVE BIG MONEY (Storm Cat-Tomisues Delight, by A.P. Indy)

Oklahomas leading second-crop stallion and sire of stakes winner

MAMAS MAD MONEY and stakes-placed Rich Uncle

2016 FEE: $2,000

THE VISUALISER (Giants Causeway-Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull)

$1 million yearling and graded stakes-placed son of GIANTS CAUSEWAY

Sire of ZEALOUS VISION, a three-time stakes winner with earnings of $194,998

2016 FEE: $1,500

POLLARDS VISION (Carson City-Etats Unis, by Dixieland Band)

NEW TO OKLAHOMA FOR 2016! Sire of Eclipse Award champion and six-time G1 winner

BLIND LUCK ($3.2 million in earnings)2016 FEE: $3,000

AMERICAN RACEHORSE 2016 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1

TOO MUCHBLING

CONGAREE$5,000

GRASSHOPPER$3,500

Owner - W. S. Farish | Manager - Danny Shifflett | 26685 Mitchell Rd. | Hempstead, TX 77445 (979) 826-3366 | Cell: (713) 303-8509 | Fax: (979) 826-9405 | E-mail: [email protected]

TOO MUCH BLING$4,000

RUBIANO ROSE COLORED LADY, BY FORMAL DINNER

LEADING SIRE IN TEXAS Earnings $1,686,585Stakes Winners 5Average Earnings Index 1.23Average Earnings/Starter $55,772

002118-LE-American Racehorse FP-Too Much Bling.indd 1 1/20/16 3:36 PM

The Estate of Clarence Scharbauer, Jr.Ken Carson, General ManagerDonny Denton, Farm Manager David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian

Post Office Box 966 Pilot Point, Texas 76258(940) 686-5552 Fax (940) 686-2179www.valorfarm.com www.facebook.com/valor.farm

HES COMIN IN HOT G3

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GILDED TIME BISTRA, BY CLASSIC GO GO

EARLY FLYERSire of EIGHT stakes horses in 2015 alone,

including HES COMIN IN HOT, winner of the Grade 3 Bashford Manor at Churchill Downs

2016 Fee: $2,500

BERNARDINI FOREST HEIRESS, BY FOREST WILDCAT

CROSSBOW

Look for his first crop on the track in 2016!

2016 Fee: $1,500

PHONE TRICK JET ROUTE, BY ALYDAR

JET PHONE

The sire of four stakes horses from his first 19 starters

2016 Fee: $2,000

PHONE TRICK JET ROUTE, BY ALYDAR

JET PHONE

The sire of four stakes horses from his first 19 starters

2016 Fee: $2,000

The Estate of Clarence Scharbauer, Jr.Ken Carson, General ManagerDonny Denton, Farm Manager David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian

Post Office Box 966 Pilot Point, Texas 76258(940) 686-5552 Fax (940) 686-2179www.valorfarm.com www.facebook.com/valor.farm

MY GOLDEN SONGstacks up well against other sons of Champion

UNBRIDLEDS SONG, with the highest percentage of SWs and GSWs

MY GOLDEN SONG sired TWO Texas-bred graded stakes winners G2 winner and G1-placed THEGIRLINTHATSONG ($479,945) and G3 winner FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD ($420,521) from his 2011 crop of 21 foals and 18 runners.

He achieved all this with the poorest opportunity of all, with the fewest foals per crop (16) and the mares he bred had the second-lowest CI of 1.06.

His 2014 crop has 23 foals, and his 2015 crop has 32 foals. 2016 is a great year to breed to MY GOLDEN SONG and follow two of his largest crops.

MY GOLDEN SONG

STALLION % SW # GSW % GSW CI

MY GOLDEN SONG $2,500 16 13.0% 2 3.3% 1.06EVEN THE SCORE $15,000 45 3.8% 4 1.4% 1.16FIRST DEFENCE $7,500 42 6.2% 4 3.1% 1.62HALF OURS $4,500 62 5.2% 0 0% 1.26MIDSHIPMAN $15,000 57 7.0% 0 0% 1.32OLD FASHIONED $12,500 72 2.8% 3 2.1% 1.35POLITICAL FORCE $15,000 37 4.3% 0 0% 2.00SILVER CITY $2,000 16 2.6% 1 2.6% 0.92SONGANDAPRAYER $6,500 78 5.0% 9 1.2% 1.49ZENSATIONAL $25,000 42 2.4% 0 0% 1.60

(through early January 2016)

UNBRIDLEDS SONG GOLDEN PAR, BY GOLD MERIDIAN

2016 Fee: $4,000

FEE UPONENTERING STUD

FOALS/CROP

4 AMERICAN RACEHORSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a American RacehorseAmerican RacehorseP.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683

Physical AddressAmerican Racehorse1341 Meadowild Drive Round Rock, TX 78664

Editor/PublisherDenis Blake [email protected] Art DirectorAmie Rittler [email protected]

Graphic DesignerJulie Kennedy [email protected]

CopyeditorJudy MarchmanContributorsMary CageJohn Alan Cohan

Annie JohnsonPatricia McQueenJen Roytz

PhotographersDenis BlakeBarry BornsteinMary CageTerri Cage PhotographyCoglianese PhotoMadison FeldhahnHodges PhotographyPatricia McQueenBert MorganCari MorseAshley MuellerDustin Orona Photography

Cover PhotoRacing on the frozen lake of St. Moritz in SwitzerlandHorsephotos.com

Online: www.americanracehorse.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/americanracehorseTwitter: @AmerRacehorseEmail: [email protected]/Text: (512) 695-4541 Fax: (512) 870-9324

CONNECT WITH AMERICAN RACEHORSEH H H

Copyright 2016 American RacehorseAll rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. American Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. American Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads.

American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse) covers Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the Southwest, Midwest and Midsouth regions. The magazine reaches more than 6,500 readers and is mailed to all members of the following associations:

Alabama Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders and Horsemens Association Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association Georgia Horse Racing Coalition Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Minnesota Thoroughbred Association North Carolina Thoroughbred Association Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Texas Thoroughbred Association Plus more than 1,200 Louisiana horsemen. For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact Denis Blake at

(512) 695-4541 or visit www.americanracehorse.com.

ABOUT AMERICAN RACEHORSE

AMERICAN RACEHORSE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 5

32A mare unlike

any other

American RACEHORSE

January/February 2016

DepartmentsFast Furlongs 10

State Association News 19

The Marketplace Classifieds 66

FeaturesLadys Secret: Oklahomas Iron Lady 32A look back at the only Horse of the Year to come from the Sooner State

Remembering a Texas Legend 40Texas-bred Assault still attracts attention more than 70 years after his birth

Paper Trail 45The importance of passing on Jockey Club papers with a retired Thoroughbred racehorse

Racings Future 51Meet two teenage racing fans from Texas

Tax Talk: Record Keeping and the IRS 58What you need to know about records and paperwork for your equine business

American Racehorse Stakes Roundup 63Oklahoma-bred stakes winners at Remington Park highlight recent action

WHATS INSIDE

40Triple Crown winner lives on in art

51A couple of racings young fans

6 AMERICAN RACEHORSE 2016 JANUARY/FEBRUARY

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Murphy Trailer Sales carries a wide variety of horse trailers, livestock trailers, flat beds, living quarter trailers, enclosed

cargo trailers and various trailer parts

Trade Ins Welcome

Financing & Delivery Available

Murphy Trailer Sales, Inc.3000 Industrial Blvd.

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Fax: 765.361.8806 #1 Dealerfor 4 Star Trailer Mfg. 2014 and 2015

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent saleeven if it means putting their horses lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, Its a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.

So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horses muscles require oxygen for fuel. Red blood cells are the bodys oxygen-carrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural blood builder.

With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. Thats one reason why its illegal.

Fortunately theres another option. EPO-Equine is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses.

A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, I dont want my competition to know about this. He found EPO-Equine to be

so effective that hes dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine once a month. Now hes ordering several CASES each month. And he wont tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, Sorry no way.

Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and its working miracles for top athletes and amateurs around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals.

Thats when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal blood-building results. EPO-Equine is based on the blood-boosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea thats astounding researchers and trainers alike. (Its not a strain you can find at the local health store.)

Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPO-Equine and another group of horses was given a placebo.

The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance.

The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell productionfor remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate.

Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine to the horses daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road. Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula.

Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPO-Equine is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPO-Equine can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Illegal DopIng Meets

Its Match

trainers praise natural alternative

By: Mark hansen

AdVERTISEmENT

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent saleeven if it means putting their horses lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance.

Veterinarian Gary Smith said, Its a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.

So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function.

Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horses muscles require oxygen for fuel. Red blood cells are the bodys oxygen-carrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural blood builder.

With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. Thats one reason why its illegal.

Fortunately theres another option. EPO-Equine is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses.

A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, I dont want my competition to know about this. He found EPO-Equine to be

so effective that hes dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine once a month. Now hes ordering several CASES each month. And he wont tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, Sorry no way.

Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and its working miracles for top athletes and amateurs around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals.

Thats when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal blood-building results. EPO-Equine is based on the blood-boosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea thats astounding researchers and trainers alike. (Its not a strain you can find at the local health store.)

Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPO-Equine and another group of horses was given a placebo.

The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance.

The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell productionfor remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate.

Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine to the horses daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road. Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula.

Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPO-Equine is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPO-Equine can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.

Illegal DopIng Meets

Its Match

trainers praise natural alternative

By: Mark hansen

AdVERTISEmENT

A WINNING TRIFECTA OF STALLIONS AT OKLAHOMA EQUINE!

DIAMONDMr. Prospector Pure Profit,

by Key to the Mint

A stakes winner and millionaire sire!

2016 Fee: $1,000/LFG

LIQUOR CABINET (IRE)Hennessy Key Hunter, by Jade Hunter

A Grade 3 winner (by 9 lengths) and sire of Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

winner HARD CIDER ($175,691)!

2016 Fee: $1,000/LFG

MISTER LUCKY CATStorm Cat Get Lucky,

by Mr. Prospector

New for 2016!

One of the most impressive pedigrees you will find anywhere!

2016 Fee: $1,500/LFG

Standing at:OKLAHOMA EQUINE REPRODUCTIVE CENTERInquiries to Cyndi Compton or Heather Serrano2652 Reece Lake Road Washington, Oklahoma 73093Email: [email protected] Website: www.okequine.com Phone: (405) 288-6460All stallions are accredited Oklahoma stallions and nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

palaMOUNTAINS

All Natural Equine ProductsClinical Studies done for palaMOUNTAINS

Corporate Offices in New Zealand at the Center for Veterinary Sciences in Palmerston North, and carried out at

the Tararua Breeding Center demonstrated overall positive benefits of the palaMOUNTAINS Equine formulations on sperm production

in large breeding animals. In all of these studies, the improvements were most noticeable for large animals that initially had poorest semen quality.

One test animal averaged a 469% IMPROVEMENT while the second test animal averaged a 273% IMPROVEMENT over initial collections at the start of the trial.

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Remarkable Products!!Remarkable Results!!

1. Assists Digestive Efficiency / Increased Appetite / Palatable (Finicky Eaters)

2. Provides Quick Re-Hydration for Work Recovery / Energy Output & Production

3. Supports Ulcer Protection / Studies by Dr. Ken Reed, Louisiana confirm such

4. Provides Joint Support & Anti-Inflammatory

5. Assists Normal Growth & Development in mares and foals

6. Quiets Temperaments / Moodiness / Stress under travel

7. Supports Immune Systems

8. Supports Healthy Skin & Coat

9. Supports Semen Production / Increases Fertility in Stallions and Mares

10. Affordable / Long Shelf Life / At Maintenance Dose - $1.30 per day

ALL AGES

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Call for Considerations

to Approved Mares

palaMOUNTAINS

All Natural Equine ProductsClinical Studies done for palaMOUNTAINS

Corporate Offices in New Zealand at the Center for Veterinary Sciences in Palmerston North, and carried out at

the Tararua Breeding Center demonstrated overall positive benefits of the palaMOUNTAINS Equine formulations on sperm production

in large breeding animals. In all of these studies, the improvements were most noticeable for large animals that initially had poorest semen quality.

One test animal averaged a 469% IMPROVEMENT while the second test animal averaged a 273% IMPROVEMENT over initial collections at the start of the trial.

704.588.5590 www.palaMOUNTAINS.net

Remarkable Products!!Remarkable Results!!

1. Assists Digestive Efficiency / Increased Appetite / Palatable (Finicky Eaters)

2. Provides Quick Re-Hydration for Work Recovery / Energy Output & Production

3. Supports Ulcer Protection / Studies by Dr. Ken Reed, Louisiana confirm such

4. Provides Joint Support & Anti-Inflammatory

5. Assists Normal Growth & Development in mares and foals

6. Quiets Temperaments / Moodiness / Stress under travel

7. Supports Immune Systems

8. Supports Healthy Skin & Coat

9. Supports Semen Production / Increases Fertility in Stallions and Mares

10. Affordable / Long Shelf Life / At Maintenance Dose - $1.30 per day

ALL AGES

PROVEN RESULTS

ALL NATURAL


fastfurlongsOklahoma-bred Shotgun Kowboy Named Horse of the Meeting at Remington

Shotgun Kowboy, undefeated in three starts during the 2015 Rem-ington Park Thoroughbred season, was a unanimous selection as the Horse of the Meeting.

In balloting by media and Remington Park racing department per-sonnel, Shotgun Kowboy was the easy choice by virtue of his wins in the Grade 3 Oklaho-ma Derby, Oklahoma Classics Cup and an allowance event.

Owned, trained and bred in Oklahoma by Edmond resident C.R. Trout, Shotgun Kow-boy was also a unanimous selection as the seasons Champion 3-Year-Old Male and as Champion Oklahoma-bred. Shotgun Kow-boy was ridden to his Oklahoma Derby and Classics Cup scores by Cliff Berry. Jockey Luis Quinonez had the helm for his allow-ance win at the beginning of the season.

A gelding by Kodiak Kowboy, Shotgun Kow-boy is now pointed to a 4-year-old campaign in the handicap division series at Oaklawn.

In the only other unanimous vote, My Master Plan was the selection on all ballots for Champion 2-Year-Old Female. She com-pleted a perfect season at Remington Park with four wins, including the E.L. Gaylord Memorial and Trapeze stakes. Owned and bred by Joyce and Dan McGough of Granbury, Texas, My Master Plan is trained by Donnie Von Hemel. She was bred in Texas and sired by Oklahoma stallion Oratory.

Despite missing the victory in the seasons biggest 2-year-old race, Suddenbreakingnews got the nod in the voting for Champion 2-Year-Old Male. Owned by Samuel Henderson of Odessa, Texas, and also trained by Von Hemel, Suddenbreakingnews lost the $250,000 Springboard Mile by a nose to Discreetness. His victory in the $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes in November proved to be the edge in winning the vote.

Grade 1 winner Include Betty made one start during the season but made enough of an impression in winning the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks to gain the honor as Champion 3-Year-Old Female.

Owned by the partnership of Brereton Jones and Timothy Thornton, Include Betty won the Grade 3 Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn in April and

then the Grade 1 Mother Goose Stakes at Belmont Park in June before finding her way to Oklahoma City. Trained by Tom Proctor, Include Betty was handled by Drayden Van Dyke in the Remington Park Oaks.

Sweeping the top sprint races of the season, Ivan Fallunovalot won the vote for Champion Sprinter and Cham-pion Older Male for his perfect two-for-two record in Oklahoma City. Owned by Lew-is Mathews Jr. of Bismarck, Arkansas, and trained by Tom Howard, Ivan Fallunovalot had the services of Hall of Fame Jockey Calvin Borel in winning both the $75,000 David M. Vance Sprint Stakes in August and the $150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup in September. Bred in Texas by Eileen Hartis, Ivan Fallunovalot used the Reming-ton Park races to ready for an appearance in the Breeders Cup Sprint (G1) at the end of October. The now 6-year-old gelded son of Valid Expectations was in contention until early stretch in that race before fading.

Zeta Zody earned top Champion Old-er Female honors thanks to a victory in an open-company allowance race for older fe-males, followed by a pair of Oklahoma-bred stakes wins on the lawn. Triumphant in the

Bob Barry Memorial Stakes in August and the Oklahoma Classics Dis-taff Turf in October, the daughter of Omega Code enjoyed her best season yet at Remington Park.

Zeta Zody, now 5, is owned by Al and Bull Ulwelling of Elk River, Minnesota, and is trained by Michael Biehler. She was bred by Robert Zoellner.

Victories in the seasons top two grass events made Cougar Ridge the Champion Turf Performer. Owned by Richard Bahde of Omaha, Nebraska, and trained by Randy Morse, Cougar Ridge won the Edward J. DeBartolo Memorial Handicap in August and the Remington Green Stakes in September. Jockey C.J. McMahon was up for both scores.

A winner in four of five starts during the Remington meet, Treacher-ous won the voting for Champion Claimer. The gelding, now 7, raced for trainer Karl Broberg and owner End Zone Athletics.

For a recap of the statistics and leading horsemen at the Remington meet, see the TRAO News section on page 23.

Shotgun Kowboy, winner of the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby and Oklahoma Classics Cup under Cliff Berry, took top honors at Remington Park.

Dustin Orona Photography


fastfurlongs The Greater Kansas Racing Alliance has announced Race for Kansas, an initiative that seeks to revitalize the horse and Greyhound racing industry in Kan-sas. Race for Kansas volunteers recently participated in the Topeka Farm Show and will exhibit during Equifest in late February at the Kansas Expo Center in Topeka.

The Kansas Legislature resumed on January 11, and the alliance began encouraging lawmakers to update state statutes to allow Kansas racing venues to operate at a sustainable tax rate.

Revitalizing the racing industry in Kansas will create more than 3,000 new jobs and offers a new revenue source for lawmakers to reduce the states budget gap, according to the alliance. The restored industry would also support countless allied businesses, vendors and family farms across rural and urban Kansas.

In 2007, the Legislature passed a bill that allowed electronic gaming machines at racing venuespermitting tracks to offer greater purses there-by attracting a larger number of entriesbut nearly doubled the state tax rate. The increased tax rate was unsustainable for racetrack owners and all tracks, including The Woodlands in Kansas City, closed within a year of

the tax increase. Race for Kansas encourages lawmakers to pass legislation this session

putting electronic gaming at racing venues on par with the state tax rate afforded to the rest of the gaming industry in Kansas, said a Race for Kansas news release.

For more information, visit raceforkansas.com.

Race for Kansas Initiative Announced to Bring Live Racing Back to the State


fFEquine Sales Company will hold its 2016 2-year-olds in training

sale on Tuesday, May 10, in Opelousas, Louisiana, with the breeze show set for Sunday, May 8. The company also announced that the inaugural running of the Equine Sales Oaks and Equine Sales Derby for 3-year-olds will be held on May 6 and 7 at Evangeline Downs.

We pushed the date of the sale back a little bit in 2016 to allow more time for buyers and consignors who might also be participat-ing in earlier sales, said Foster Bridewell, sales director for Equine Sales Company. We had a lot of interest in this auction last year with the addition of the Sales Stakes, and we expect that interest to continue to grow this year.

This will mark the third juvenile auction for Equine Sales

Company with the 2015 edition, held in April, recording a 7 per-cent increase in gross sales compared to the first auction in 2014.

The Sales Stakes are restricted to graduates of any of the three annual Equine Sales Company auctions, starting with the auctions held in 2015, and will offer two divisions at $75,000 each going 1 1/16 miles. The fillies division has been set for May 6, Kentucky Oaks Day, with colts and geldings running on May 7, Kentucky Derby Day. Graduates of the 2015 Stars of Tomorrow 2-year-old sale at Evangeline will also be eligible for the 2016 races, however, that auction will not be conducted in the future. Graduates of the 2016 Equine Sales Company 2-year-old sale will be eligible for the 2017 races as 3-year-olds.

Consignment forms are available at equinesalesofla.com.

Equine Sales Company Sets Date for 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale and Sales Stakes

The final evening program of the Remington Park Thoroughbred season on December 12 doubled as Cliff Berry Appreciation Night. The retiring jockey was honored with a series of presentations throughout the race card, less than 24 hours before he wrapped up his riding career the following afternoon. Berry ended his remark-able career with an all-time record 2,125 wins in Oklahoma City.

Berry has ridden first-call for trainer Bret Cal-houn for well over a decade at Remington Park, Oaklawn and Lone Star Park (where he is also the all-time leading rider). Calhoun was in attendance and presented Berry, an avid golfer, with a $1,000 gift certificate for a custom set of golf clubs.

The second presentation came after race six as Kelly Cathey, executive director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, honored Berry with a bronze horse trophy for his 30 years of racing in the state. Matt Vance, Remington Parks vice pres-ident of operations, followed with a framed pho-tographic depiction of Berrys three Oklahoma Derby victories. He won the richest Thoroughbred race at Remington Park three times: in 2003 with Comic Truth, in 2006 with Mr. Pursuit and in 2015 with Shotgun Kowboy.

The final presentation took place after the seventh race. Berry was joined in the winners circle by his wife, Kim, sons Baylin and Cale, the entire jockey colony, track management and the starting gate crew for a feature video depicting the highlights of Berrys Remington Park career.

After the video Berry mentioned he will miss winning races and the camaraderie of the racetrack community: Every morning I enjoy seeing everyone, the grooms, the hot walkers, gallop boys, every one of them.

While wearing the silks of Toby Keiths Dream Walkin Farms during the final presentation, Berry was asked what it was like to ride horses over the years that were bred and owned by the country music superstar. A musician himself, Berry mentioned his appreciation to ride for that operation, adding that he wished he could sing and play guitar like him.

At that point Toby Keith, a huge supporter of racing at Rem-ington Park, emerged from the crowd and gave Berry one of his acoustic guitars bearing his autograph.

Congratulations on being the winningest jockey in Remington Park history, Keith said. Second of all, as you ride off into the sunset, I need a backup guitar player and Id be honored if youd come join our band.

Berry was temporarily caught off guard by the moment but quickly recovered to tell Keith that might not be the best idea.

All told, Berry won 4,457 races from 27,906 mounts with lifetime earnings of more than $67.3 million.

Remington Celebrates Cliff Berry Night

Cliff Berry, with a signed guitar presented by country music star and racehorse owner Toby Keith, was joined by the Remington Park jockey colony and track management in the winners circle.

Dustin O

rona Photography


A flurry of stallion news came in after the publication of the American Racehorse Stallion Register, including the relocation of Magna Graduate, a six-time graded stakes winner with more than $2.5 million in earnings who will stand the 2016 breeding season at Dr. Robert Zoellners Rockin Z Ranch in Beggs, Oklahoma. The son of Honor Grades, who previously stood in Florida, will stand for a fee of $2,500 and join a stallion roster that includes Notional and Kennedy.

A winner of 10 of 35 starts with six seconds and six thirds, Mag-na Graduate recorded graded stakes wins at 3, 4 and 5. His richest victory came in the Grade 2, $573,500 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs. He also finished third in the Group 1, $6 million Dubai World Cup.

From four crops to race, Magna Graduate has sired nine stakes winners and the earners of more than $5.3 million. Among his leading runners are Iowa Derby (G3) winner Jessicas Star, Debu-tante Stakes (G3) winner Blueeyesintherein and Hopeful Stakes (G1) runner-up Magna Light.

For more information, go to rockinzranchok.com.Sweet Return (GB), the three-time Grade 1 winner owned by

John J. Brunetti Sr.s Red Oak Farm, will stand the 2016 breeding season at Nicks Farm in Sellersburg, Indiana, located 15 miles north of Churchill Downs in nearby Louisville, Kentucky.

The upcoming breeding year will be the ninth season at stud for the son of Elmaamul. Sweet Returns offspring have accounted for 15 victories in 2015 and they won 16 races in 2014, including a runaway debut by the 2-year-old colt Wild-ling at Del Mar.

Sweet Return won five graded stakes on the turf: the Holly-wood Derby (G1) at 3, the Frank E. Kilroe Mile Handicap (G2) and San Marcos Stakes (G2) at 4, and the Eddie Read (G1) and Charles Whittingham Memorial (G1) handicaps at 5. Overall, Sweet Return won eight races and earned $1,801,377.

Sweet Return will stand for a $2,000 fee. For more information, go to nicksfarm.com.

Mister Lucky Cat, a son of Storm Cat, has joined the stallion roster at Oklahoma Equine Reproductive Center in Washington, Oklahoma, for 2016.

The 8-year-old stallion is out of the Grade 3-winning Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky, who is a full sister to champion 2-year-old colt Rhythm and is the dam of graded stakes winners Girolamo, Daydreaming and Accelerator as well as Supercharg-er, the dam of 2010 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver.

Mister Lucky Cat was a winner on both dirt and turf before his career was cut short by a trailer accident. His stud fee will be $1,500.

Mister Lucky Cat joins a stallion roster at Oklahoma Equine that also includes Diamond and Liquor Cabinet (Ire). For more information, go to okequine.com or oklahomabred.com.

Five Iron, a multiple Grade 3 winner by Sharp Humor, has

been retired to stand at Starfish Stallions in Hot Springs, Arkansas, for a $1,000 fee.

A winner of five races and $557,923 in 17 starts, Five Iron earned stakes victories on both synthetic and turf surfaces at Woodbine, Saratoga and Belmont Park. He ended his career with a third in the Grade 2 Bernard Baruch Handicap at Saratoga behind two-time Horse of the Year Wise Dan.

The 6-year-old stallion is out of Tee Off, a Thunder Gulch mare who is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Tactile.

For more information, call (859) 229-7743.Also new to Arkansas is millionaire and Grade 1 winner Moon-

shine Mullin, who will stand his first season at Lake Hamilton Equine in Royal, Arkansas.

One of the most lucrative claims in recent history, the son of Albert the Great was haltered by trainer Randy Morse and own-er Randy Patterson for $40,000 in November 2013 at Remington Park. After finishing third in his 2014 debut, Moonshine Mullin embarked on a five-race win streak culminating with victories in the Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes and Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs. The $40,000 investment returned $641,627 in earnings that year, and Moonshine Mullin retired with a bankroll of $1,014,361 with nine wins from 32 starts.

Moonshine Mullin will stand for a fee of $1,000 as property of Randy and Sara Pattersons Cedar Run Farm LLC.

For more information, contact Sara Patterson at (620) 770-6036.

Plenty of New Stallions for 2016 Breeding Season

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fFOklahoma-bred Heykittykittykitty, a multiple stakes-winning

and multiple graded stakes-placed mare, has been retired to be bred, said trainer Ron Moquett, according to an Oaklawn Park news release. Owned by Little Rock, Arkansas-based Westrock Stables LLC (Joe and Scott Ford), Heykittykittykitty retires with a 10-8-1 record from 21 lifetime starts and earnings of $495,161.

The 5-year-old daughter of Tactical Cat won two allowance races at the 2015 Oaklawn meeting before capturing two consec-utive stakes in the fall to close her career, including the $75,000 Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff in Ohio in what was her final start.

She retired sound, Moquett said. Youd like them all to go out like that. Shes done all she needs to do here.

Moquett indicated that Heykittykittykitty will be bred to Sky Kingdom.

Heykittykittykitty won five stakes, including divisions of the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes at Remington Park and Will Rogers Downs. She also won the 2015 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint at Remington and finished second in a pair of graded races in Kentucky, the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) at

Keeneland and the Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. Her sire Tactical Cat stands in Oklahoma at Raywood Farm, and

she was bred by Diamond G Ranch Inc.

Top Oklahoma-bred Mare Heykittykittykitty Retired

Pete Aiello was in the booth when Oak-lawn Park opened for live racing on Janu-ary 15 as only the fifth track announcer in the tracks history. Aiello replaces Frank Mirahmadi, who resigned his position to share the race-calling duties at Santa Anita Park with Michael Wrona.

Announcers from the four corners of the continental United States had expressed a desire to call races at the premier winter track, according to Oaklawn Director of Racing David Longinotti.

The number of talented race callers ex-pressing an interest in this job was astound-ing, Longinotti said. Weve had our eye on Pete for quite some time. We are always tuned in to young talent in our indus-try and Pete was at the top of our list. We believe he has the brightest future of any track announcer in the nation and couldnt be happier to welcome him into the Oaklawn family. Were confident Arkansas racing fans will greet him with open arms.

A native of South Florida, Aiello, 30, is a 2007 graduate of the

University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program. His experience in the industry runs deep and wide, working at racetracks throughout the country in numerous ca-pacities. He currently holds multiple posi-tions, including announcer, at two Florida tracks, Hialeah Park and Casino and Gulf-stream Park.

To say that Im excited about joining the Oaklawn team would be a vast understate-ment, Aiello said. To be able to be part of such a special race meet at such a storied facility with some of the most passionate people the industry has to offer iswell, pardon the clichbut its like a dream. I owe a special thanks to the management and ownership of Hialeah Park for under-standing and allowing me to pursue this great opportunity. Ive always heard Hot

Springs has some of the best racing fans in the world and now I get to experience it for myself. Im truly honored to be joining the team and appreciate the entire Oaklawn family for giving me this opportunity.

Pete Aiello Selected as New Announcer at Oaklawn

Pete AielloCourtesy Oaklawn

Heykittykittykitty

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With TCAs support, we can provide...programs and services to more than 2,000 backstretch workers each year. TCA allows us to give back to those who are the backbone of the industry we love.

Wade Haga BLUE GRASS FARMS CHARITIES

Thoroughbred Charities of America is about more than just improving the lives of Thoroughbreds. Almost half of TCAs grants support nonprofit backstretch and farm employee programs that provide a variety of health and human services.

Since 1990, TCA has awarded more than $21 million to nonprofits whose missions support backstretch and farm employee programs, post-racing careers for Thoroughbreds, equine research and therapeutic riding programs. We extensively vet the organizations we work with, so you can rest assured that your donation95% of which is passed on to the programswill have maximum impact.

Improving Lives

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Make your tax-deductible donation online at www.tca.org, call (859) 276-4989 or send your donation to the address below.

One. Helping Many.

P.O. Box 910668, Lexington, Kentucky 40591 | www.TCA.org | E-mail: [email protected] |

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TCA-Backstretch25Anniv_HorsemensJournal-FPAd.indd 1 7/17/15 2:35 PM

ALABAMA HBPA NEWSBuggin Out Wins the Magic City Classic Again

For the second consecutive year, Dennis Murphys homebred Bug-gin Out captured the $57,000 Magic City Classic Stakes on December 11 at Fair Grounds in New Orleans. The one-mile event for registered Alabama-bred 3-year-olds and up was sponsored by the Birmingham Racing Commission.

Buggin Out, a now 5-year-old gelding, took the 2014 edition by more than seven lengths. It wasnt quite as easy this time around, but the heavy betting favorite prevailed by three-parts of a length with Richard Eramia in the irons for trainer Ken-

neth Hargrave. This improved Buggin Outs record to 18-5-3-4 with earnings of $138,130. Buggin Out is by the A.P. Indy stallion Indy, who stands at Murphys Longview Farms in Vandiver, Alabama.

Jerry Hackett and Tracy Nunleys Ira, a son of J Be K bred by Hack-ett Brothers Thoroughbred Inc., finished a game second in the Magic City and also sports an impressive record of 19-4-5-3 with earnings of $78,005. Ira, who came in after a successful campaign at Delaware Park and Laurel Park, won the 2014 renewal of the Kudzu Juvenile, which was not run in 2015.

Reesa Morris Alabama Brass, bred by Darrel Jackson, finished third followed by B Street Blues, Royal Punter and Silver in Excess.

ARKANSAS THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND HORSEMENS ASSOCIATION NEWSArkansas-bred Stakes at Oaklawn

Five restricted stakes races for registered Arkansas-breds will be conducted during Oaklawn Parks 2016 live meet. The race purses have been raised from $75,000 to $100,000 each.

Following is a schedule of the Arkansas-bred stakes:February 27 Downthedustyroad Breeders Stakes (3yo and up, fil-

lies and mares, 6 furlongs)February 28Nodouble Breeders Stakes (3yo and up, 6 furlongs)April 1Arkansas Breeders Stakes (3yo and up, 1 116 miles)April 2Rainbow Miss Stakes (3yo fillies, 6 furlongs)April 3Rainbow Stakes (3yo, 6 furlongs)To encourage owners to run their horses in open company races, the

Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders and Horsemens Association will pay a $5,000 incentive supplement to the owners of registered Arkansas-breds that win an open company race at Oaklawn Park during the 2016 season. This is an increase over the $2,000 that was paid in 2015.

The annual awards banquet will be held the evening of Friday, April 1, at the Clarion on the Lake. Anyone interested in attending should

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWScontact the ATBHA office for reservations by noon on Tuesday, March 29. The featured guest speaker will be the new voice of Oaklawn, an-nouncer Pete Aiello.

GEORGIA HORSE RACING COALITION NEWSGeorgia Horse Racing Coalition Unveils 21st Century Track Design

The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition, a group of leading business and civic leaders dedicated to bringing first-class horse racing to Georgia, has unveiled plans for a groundbreaking mixed-use racetrack devel-opment designed by Populous, a global architecture and urban plan-ning firm known for revolutionary entertainment and sports designs.

Our vision has always been for more than just a racetrack in Georgia, said Dean Reeves, coalition president and owner of 2013 Breeders Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man. Our goal is to reinvent horse racing by combining a racetrack with a mixed-use development and park to create the ultimate fan experience at no expense to taxpayers. If horse racing is approved by voters, Georgia would become the home of a state-of-the-art track that is just as in-novative as the new facilities for the [Atlanta] Falcons and Braves.

Populous, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has designed more than 2,000 projects worth $30 billion, including horse race-tracks on five continents. The firm is dedicated to creating environ-ments that draw people and communities together for unforgettable experiences. Populous projects include the Braves Sun Trust Park, Ascot Racecourse in the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Yankee Stadium and many other facilities in the worlds top cities and on more than 120 university campuses.

What makes this design so unique is that on race days, the Geor-gia facility is a fully activated, high-tech experience connecting fans and racing like no other racetrack in the world, but on non-race days, the park is a destination for concerts, festivals, dining, shopping, pub-lic events and other activities, added Reeves.

Our hope is that Georgia voters understand that no taxpayer dol-lars will be needed to build a track and more than 5,000 jobs will be created through this development, and they will urge their legisla-tors to support our bill to bring horse racing to Georgia, said Jack Damico, coalition vice president and managing partner of the Posse Racing Stable. This will be a year-round facility that Georgians will be proud of.

Alabama-bred Buggin Out, by Alabama stallion Indy, has banked nearly $140,000.

Hodges Photography

Construction of a new racetrack in Georgia would begin immediately if pari-mutuel wagering is approved by voters.

Courtesy Populous

Dear Iowa Racing Participant,

The horse racing industry in Iowa is stronger than ever before. A 16.7 percent increase in track attendance

at Prairie Meadows and a significant increase in Iowa breeders over just five years show that a growing

number of people here are looking to horse racing for business and entertainment.

Horse breeders and owners around Iowa are helping

to support our states ag-centric economy by providing

the basis for thousands of skilled jobs and millions in

revenue each year. In light of this valuable contribution,

legislation was created in 2011 that protects purse

allocations for the sport with no effective end date.

This legislation ensures that, short of a major change

in the law, our ability to own, breed and race horses will

remain unchanged through 2019 and beyond. There is

currently no plan to reconsider this law in 2019, and by

showing your support of this legislation, you have the

power right now to make sure it is renewed for many

years to come.

As someone who is close to horse breeding and racing

in Iowa, your voice is needed to help educate the public

about the great economic importance of this unique

industry to our state.

To help lead this effort, the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, the Iowa Quarterhorse

Racing Association and the Iowa Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association are launching a media

campaign in central Iowa this November. The campaign will use television, online, direct mail/email and social

media marketing to educate the general public about the broad economic benefits of horse racing in Iowa.

This represents a big push for our industry, and we need everyone to be a part of it.

You know better than anyone that the horse industry in Iowa is an important economic engine that supports

the entire state please help spread the word!

Sincerely,

Deb Leech Tom Lepic Leroy Gessmann

President, ITBOA President, IQHRA President, IAHBPA

P.S. Your participation is important! To discuss it further, please contact me directly at [email protected],

or Tom Lepic at [email protected], or Leroy Gessmann at [email protected].

HORSEPOWERNO LIMITATIONS

MORE

HOW YOU CAN HELP Become an advocate of the valuable economic and agricultural impact horse owning, breeding and racing has on Iowa. Some things to keep in mind:

Horse racing purses are allocated by law and have no end date, 2019 or otherwise.

Owning, breeding and racing horses in Iowa employs 2,100 people every year.

Track attendance at Prairie Meadows is up 16.7% over the past 5 years.

The combined number of registered thoroughbred and quarter horse breeders in Iowa has risen significantly over the last five years.

I.T.B.O.A.

Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and O

wners

Asso

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Raising Iowas Standards.


If horse racing is approved by voters, construction of the track would begin immediately and would be expected to take two years. A site for the facility has yet to be determined.

The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) orga-nization whose mission is to educate Georgians about the value of the great American sport of horse racing and what it will bring to the state by generating jobs, tax revenues for scholarships and tourism. The coalition is working with state leaders to pass legislation allowing pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia in order to encourage and support a statewide racing industry. Learn more at gahorseracing.org.

INDIANA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSIndiana Horse Racing Summit Attracts More Than 100 Horsemen

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission hosted the states first Horse Racing Summit November 20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in In-dianapolis. The open-invitation public meeting provided participants an opportunity to share their thoughts, concerns and suggestions with members of the IHRC.

The more than 100 individuals in attendance represented all three breeds racing in Indiana (American Quarter Horse, Standardbred and Thoroughbred). Also present were representatives from Indianas two pari-mutuel racetracks, Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park, along with IHRC staff and racing officials. Topics of discussion included IHRC rules, breed development programs, marketing and methods to grow the industry.

We are very pleased with the number of horsemen who took time out their busy schedules to share their thoughts with us, said IHRC Chairman Thomas Weatherwax. They are a vital piece of our horse racing industry, and we will be looking into the many suggestions made today.

The IHRC and staff will now begin the process of analyzing the in-put received to assist them in identifying ways in which Indianas rac-ing industry may be improved.

Today was an important step in moving forward with the Com-missions goal of creating an open dialogue between all facets of the industry, Weatherwax added. The Commission hopes to expand upon what weve accomplished here today by considering additional summits in the future.

2016 Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program Approved

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the 2016 Thor-oughbred Breed Development Program at its meeting in December. An additional $1.4 million will be available for the program due to a legislative change passed during the 2015 session.

The approved program includes increasing purses for 20 stakes races from $85,000 to $100,000. In addition, the states four Signature Stakes will continue to be contested at $150,000 each. The overnight program

will also benefit from the additional funding with an increase of 30 ad-ditional scheduled races and the flexibility to write approximately 48 more races using a Breed Development discretionary fund. In total, this will give the track an opportunity to run approximately 322 Breed De-velopment overnight races during 2016, an increase of more than 15 percent from 2015.

The additional funds gave the Thoroughbred Breed Development Advisory Committee an opportunity to look at how we can make an already good program even better, noted IHRC Director of Racing and Breed Development Jessica Barnes. We are all very excited to be able to offer these improvements, and we hope that horsemen will take advantage of this lucrative program by making plans to invest and race in Indiana.

Collaborative efforts between the Thoroughbred Breed Develop-ment Advisory Committee, racetrack management at Indiana Grand and the horsemens associations made these improvements possible.

To find out more about the program, visit the IHRCs website at in.gov/hrc/tb.

ITOBA Stallion Season Auction InformationThe annual ITOBA Stallion Season Auction was held online at

starquine.com in late January with dozens of stallion seasons on offer from around the country.

Stallion owners who donated to the auction received an opportu-nity to showcase their stallions in auction promotions. Participation in the auction also increased the earning potential of a stallions 2017 progeny. The purchase of a season will make all of that stallions 2017 Indiana-bred foals eligible for nomination to the 2020 Indiana Stallion Season Auction Stakes races for fillies and colts/geldings.

In addition, ITOBA provided two charitable options during the auc-tion for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and local rider Oriana Rossi. ITOBA committed to matching the first $1,000 collected for each cause to aid our fallen athletes.

The PDJF is a public charity that provides financial assistance to some 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. ITOBA, in conjunction with Indiana Grand, will present the PDJF with a check during the 2016 Jockeys and Jeans event at Gulf-stream Park on February 28.

Rossi was injured on July 22, 2015, when the horse she was rid-ing fell over a fallen horse and sent her flying to the ground. She is Indiana Grands all-time leading female jockey and is ranked 16th on the overall list with 103 wins and more than $2.3 million in earnings. She has 292 career wins with more than $5 million in purse earnings.

ITOBA will present a check to Rossi in 2016.Please check the ITOBA website at itoba.com for any seasons that

may still remain for purchase after the online auction.

Important Date RemindersPlease mark your calendars for these important upcoming dates.April 16ITOBA Annual Awards Banquet at Indiana GrandJune 11 ITOBA Stallion Season Auction Stakes for 3-year-old fillies

and 3-year-old colts/geldings at Indiana Grand

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWSJune 12 ITOBA Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training and Horses

of Racing Age on the grounds of Indiana Grand (more in-formation coming soon)

IOWA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWSITBOA Stallion Season Again Successful

As of January 8, the 2015 ITBOA online auction of stallion seasons reported 115 seasons sold for a total of $178,012, numbers that are slightly lower than 2014, when 123 seasons brought $194,884. How-ever, stallion owners may still pay the minimum bid ($500) to make offspring of their stallions eligible for the series of three restricted races, so the final 2015 numbers may still increase.

ITBOA Advertising CampaignThe ITBOA, with supplementary support from the Iowa Quarter

Horse Association and the Iowa HBPA, has launched a multimedia ad-vertising campaign that will use television, online, direct mail/email and social media marketing platforms to educate the general public about the broad economic and cultural benefits of horse racing and breeding in Iowa.

The campaign is the brainchild of ITBOA member and horse owner Aaron Kennedy, executive vice president at the Des Moines advertis-ing firm of Flynn Wright. According to Kennedy, the campaign has two phases. The first, which began last November, was designed to introduce three basic themes to a broad audience of Iowans: eco-nomic development, the ag-centered nature of horse racing in a pri-marily agricultural state and the positive trends in attendance at Prai-rie Meadows, and all-sources handle and the number of registered breeders in the state.

The second phase, which got underway in late January, will primar-ily target lawmakers and focus specifically on the industrys role in creating jobs and employment opportunities. The centerpiece of the campaign is a 30-second video spot titled Horsepower. The video has aired on broadcast, cable and satellite television and may also be viewed on the ITBOA website, iowathoroughbred.com.

So far the feedback weve had on the ads has been very positive, said ITBOA President Deb Leech. Our paid 2016 membership num-bers as of January 8 are way up compared to a year ago, 275 versus 218, and 122 of those are two-year memberships. I dont know if thats attributable to the ad campaign or not.

MICHIGAN THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWSBoard of Directors Election Results

The MTOBA would like to congratulate the winners of our 2016 election:

President: Patti M. DickinsonVice President: Deborah Arnold-MileySecretary: Laura JacksonTreasurer: Rick McCune

Directors: Judy Campbell, Lisa Campbell, Cliff Compton, Cindy Da-vidson, Luella Hall, James Jackson, Frank Nickels, DVM, Steve Prain, Deborah Russell, Teri Traxler, Virginia Uelmen, Kathleen A. White, DVM, Daniel S. McCarthy (alternate)

Dates Approved for Hazel ParkHazel Park Raceway has been approved by the Michigan Gaming Con-

trol Board for 30 days of racing to be held on Fridays and Saturdays from May 27 through September 3. No other details are available at this time.

2015 MTOBA Year-End AwardsCongratulations to the following MTOBA year-end award winners

for 2015. 2-year-old Filly: High Legend (Elusive HourHarlan Cat, by Harlan)

Owner/Breeder: Elkhorn Oaks, Inc. 2-year-old Colt/Gelding: Gun Powder (Gun PowerValley Loot, by

Demaloot Demashoot) Owner/Breeder: Felicia Campbell 3-year-old Filly: Trinity Revealed (EqualityC R Emmaus Road, by

Rehaan) Owner: Marion F. Gorham Breeder: Guy D. and Deb-orah R. Russell

3-year-old Colt/Gelding: Runnin Fun (EqualityHavin Fun Now, by Quiet Enjoyment) Owner/Breeder: James Griffin

Older Filly/Mare: Comeflywithanangel (EqualityC R Emmaus Road, by Rehaan) Owner: Antonio Flores Breeder: Guy D. and Deborah R. Russell

Older Horse/Gelding: Moving Style (Meadow PrayerStylish Fac-tor, by Native Factor) Owner: Merril L. Spiess Breeder: Arnold Farms (Deborah Arnold-Miley)

Broodmare: Harlan Cat (HarlanCandis Parfait, by Alysheba) Owned by Elkhorn Oaks Inc.

Stallion: Equality (Mt. LivermoreEquilibrate, by Gone West) Owned by Equality Syndicate, standing at Dickinson Farms

Breeder: Campbell Stables LLC (Felicia Campbell)Small Breeder: Guy D. and Deborah R. RussellOwner: Felicia CampbellHorse of the Year: Moving Style

MINNESOTA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWSLooking Forward to a Great 2016

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association is off to a great start in 2016. Were thrilled to be included in American Racehorse and look forward to sharing the excitement of racing in Minnesota. It may be cold now, but things are heating up for this year!

The 2016 MTA Stallion Service Auction offered outstanding stal-lion seasons from 54 farms in 13 states and one province. Sixty-five seasons sold during the auction, and mare owners will have another chance to pick up a season or two during our Book II auction. The MTA was pleased to offer an added incentive for mare owners to pur-chase a season during our auctiona $10,000 bonus. The bonus will be shared between the mare owner purchasing the season and the stallion season donor when the resulting foal wins the 2020 MTA Stal-lion Auction Stakes.


Canterbury Park has released the 2016 stakes schedule (see below) and its better than ever. A new addition this year is the $40,000 MTA Sale Graduate Stakes. On July 30, eligible graduates of the MTAs 2015 Yearling and Mixed Sale will compete in this inaugural five-furlong race. It will be exciting to see what our 2015 sale grads can do on the track as we look forward to the 2016 MTA Yearling Auction on August 22.

There will be so much more than just nice coming out of Min-nesota in 2016, especially in relation to the Thoroughbred horse rac-ing industry. The outstanding 2015 race season at Canterbury Park saw total handle rise 11.3 percent and a record purse distribution of $14.2 million. Minnesota breeders received $407,000 in breeders fund award payments. Its only going to get better in 2016.

Its not too late to have your very own 2016 Minnesota-bred. Stal-lions needed to be registered with the Minnesota Racing Commission by January 31, and mares must be registered with the MRC and in Minnesota prior to foaling or by March 15. Registration materials are available at mrc.state.mn.us.

The MTA will be offering several ownership seminars throughout the spring and summer. These seminars are designed to inspire and educate Thoroughbred enthusiasts regardless of their current owner-ship status. From longtime owners to new owners to potential own-ers, theres always more to learn about the Thoroughbred industry. Our seminar schedule will be released soon on minnesotabred.com.

Minnesota has so much more to offer than just 10,000 lakes. Our Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry is at the top of the list. If youd like to get in on the action, please contact the MTA office at (952) 233-4802 or [email protected].

Canterbury Park Announces Record Stakes Schedule, Names Robert Junk New Racing Secretary

Canterbury Park racing officials announced the 2016 Thorough-bred stakes schedule, which includes 25 races and a record $1.9 mil-lion in purses.

The 23rd Minnesota Festival of Champions, a day of racing reserved for horses bred in the state, will be held Sunday, August 21. The six stakes run that day will pay $410,000 in purse money. The $200,000 Mystic Lake Derby, the largest single-race purse on the schedule, will be run August 28.

We are pleased to offer a record stakes schedule for both Min-nesota-bred and open runners at Canterbury Park in the upcoming season, said Director of Racing Operations Andrew Offerman. The upgrade of the Mystic Lake Derby to listed status is another step in what has been the continued improvement in the quality of horse racing in the state of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Derby and Minnesota Oaks on July 30 will have record purses of $85,000 each. Both races are restricted to horses foaled in Min-nesota in 2013. The foal crop that year increased by 250 percent over the previous year due to the 2012 purse enhancement agreement with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community that adds $75 million to the horsemens purse structure over the 10-year terms of the deal.

Six additional overnight stakes will be run throughout the meet with purses totaling $240,000.

The track also announced that Robert Junk has joined as the new racing secretary. Junk, a 30-year industry veteran who has been in-volved in Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing at the highest levels, succeeds Doug Schoepf, who retired in October after two decades at the track.

Junk, 55, currently holds the position of racing secretary at Sun-land Park Racetrack and Casino in New Mexico. Sunland Park annu-ally hosts the Grade 3 Sunland Derby, a stepping-stone to the Ken-tucky Derby. He also has been racing secretary at Ruidoso Downs and directed 13 runnings of the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing. Earlier in his career, Junk held various positions in racing offices across the Southwest and also worked as a jockeys agent for Canterbury Park Hall of Fame rider Scott Stevens.

Roberts vast experience in horse racing and his ability to com-municate with the stakeholders in the industry, the owners, trainers, jockeys, and employees, will benefit Canterbury Park greatly, Can-terbury Park Vice President of Racing Operations Eric Halstrom said. Canterbury Park has momentum that will continue with Robert as racing secretary.

I am thrilled to be involved with an organization that is moving forward and that is dedicated to improving its racing product, Junk said. I spoke with many horsemen and they all were positive about racing at Canterbury and the direction it is headed. I look forward to the opportunity and the challenge.

The 69-day live racing season begins May 20 and runs through Sep-tember 17.

Condition books and stall applications were available in late Janu-ary. Stall applications will be due March 15. More information is avail-able at canterburypark.com.

NORTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWSPresidents Message

Hope all had a happy holiday season and wonderful new year. Our awards meeting was to be held February 6 (right around the time you are likely receiving this issue) at Finley Golf Club in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We are set to have a very special speaker, Josh Pons, who has been a player in the Thoroughbred business all his life like his father and grandfather before him. He and his brother are own-ers of Country Life Farm in Maryland. Josh is the author of two books and has won two Eclipse Awards for his writing in The Blood-Horse. He is a past president of the Maryland Horse Breeders Association, and serves on the board of the Maryland Million and as secretary of the Thoroughbred Charities of America. I am hoping for a very large crowd to celebrate our 2015 champions, to see old friends and make new friends, along with a wonderful menu created by Executive Chef Matthew Cararella, and to talk Thoroughbred horses all night. We are holding a silent auction with all monies used to pay expenses of the NCTA and to donate to other nonprofit horse projects across the state.

We have some new members who have joined our association. The first is Elizabeth Houck, who lives in Cary and is a breeder. Below is some information a

american racehorse - january/february 2016

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