Event: FREE Derby Prep Race Handicapping Seminar

When: Saturday April 8th from 11 AM – 12 Noon

Event Details: What better way to start a day that features 3 huge Kentucky Derby prep races than with a handicapping session to break down the fields of those races and discuss ways to maximize your financial return.

The panel includes three popular experts — “Derby Bill” Watson, Peter Kreutzer and Frank Vespe. The Derby preps that day include the $1 Million Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (Gr. 2) from Keeneland, $1 Million Santa Anita Derby (Gr. I) and $750,000 Wood Memorial (Gr. 2) from Aqueduct. Stick around after the seminar and play these races along with the big under card stakes. This is racing’s biggest day yet of 2016!

Location: Ponies & Pints Off Track Betting Center in  downtown Richmond at 110 N. 18th Street in Shockoe Bottom.

Going 1200m (about six furlongs) on the turf straight of Meydan, the Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments had the potential to deliver an exciting finish.

On Saturday afternoon it outdid itself when French-trained The Right Man (GB) held on by a diminishing nose over American invader Long On Value (USA) in a thrilling finish in a swift 1.09.59.

Ridden by Francois-Xavier Bertras in the colours of Pegase Bloodstock, the son of Lope de Vega won for the ninth time in 17 starts, and at the top level for the first time. Previously he was a Group 3 victor in France last November.

Long On Value was a close second in the $1 Million Al Quoz Sprint March 25th in Dubai. Photo by Andrew Watkins.

It was another length and a quarter back to the Bill Mott-trained runner-up , with Ertijaal (IRE) in third. Multiple European Group 1 winner Limato (IRE) and highly regarded Hong Kong gelding Amazing Kids (NZ) failed to factor.

The Right Man prepped for the Al Quoz with a course and distance try in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint earlier in the month, finishing third behind Jungle Cat (IRE), who finished a nose behind Ertijaal in fourth.

“I was always confident,” Bertrand said. “I knew in the prep race that the horse was not 100 per cent fit and would come on from that. I got a good position (behind Ertijaal) and my horse was very brave right to the end. You live your life for moments like this.”

Guillemin added through a translator: “I was very emotional because it was an honour to be invited. To have such a finish and win it is absolutely amazing. We’re very proud of the horse. When he finished third here, we were very happy with that result and even happier that he’s won here tonight.

“Twenty years ago I would have never thought we would come here and win a Group 1,” Guillemin continued. “It’s absolutely majestic. I would like to thank the organisers. It’s fabulous what they do here.”

Guillemin confirmed that travelling to Hong Kong and possibly Royal Ascot are on the docket for his five-year-old bay gelding.

Riley Mott, assistant to trainer and father Bill Mott, was overjoyed with the the effort of Long On Value, whose finish was the best in Al Quoz Sprint history by an American horse. Previously, Stateside-conditioned contestants had finished third twice, with California Flag (USA) in 2010 and Green Mask (USA) in 2015.

“We’re speechless,” Mott said. “To come over here, half-way across the world, and compete with the top sprinters on the globe, we are just absolutely thrilled. I know it’s a loss, but it feels like a win. The owners were true sportsmen to bring him over here and he did not let us down whatsoever.”

The following appeared on the www.bloodhorse.com. Fans can watch & wager Dortmund’s race  Saturday April 1st on the same day as two huge Million Dollar Derby preps —the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds & the Florida Derby at Gulfstream. On line betting is available thru TVG.com, XPressBet.com, TwinSpires.com and NYRABets.com. The 2 new Off Track Betting Centers in Richmond will also carry the action — Ponies & Pints (downtown) and Breakers Sports Grille (west end).  

Kaleem Shah’s Dortmund sent a clear message to trainer Art Sherman after the son of 2008 Kentucky Derby  Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner Big Brown   finished last by more than 10 lengths in his turf debut in the grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile March 11.

It will be back to square one when the 2015 Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner runs in the $75,000 Santana Mile for older horses on Santa Anita Park‘s main track April 1.

Kaleem Shah’s Dortmund and jockey Martin Garcia, right, hold off Firing Line and jockey Gary Stevens to win the Grade III $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes February 7, 2015 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA.

“We tried the grass and it didn’t work,” Sherman said. “The horse has breezed well since then for Saturday’s race and he’s right on schedule to run.”

Dortmund posted a bullet four-furlong work at Los Alamitos Race Course in :46 flat to be the fastest of 21 at the distance March 25.

The Kilroe Mile marked the first race for Dortmund under Sherman’s direction. The 5-year-old chestnut was previously trained by Bob Baffert until Shah moved his horses to Sherman and Doug O’Neill at the beginning of the year.

In 2016 Dortmund did not post a win, but finished second in the Awesome Again Stakes (G1) Oct. 1 and the San Diego Handicap (G2) July 23 behind California Chrome  . He also finished third in the $1 Million TVG Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) Aug. 20, this time behind California Chrome and champion mare Beholder, and fourth in his last start of 2016 in the Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1).

There’s a lot of buzz in the racing world about Breeders’ Cup Classic and Pegasus World Cup winner Arrogate competing against 13 others in a start studded $10 Million Dubai World Cup, this Saturday March 25th.

Virginia-bred Long On Value will also be competing Saturday as part of World Cup under card at Meyden Racecourse in Dubai. The 6 year old Value Plus horse is entered in the $1 Million Al Quoz Sprint, which features a field of twelve at six furlongs.

Long On Value winning the Canadian Turf at Gulfstream. Photo courtesy Adam Coglianese.

Bred by the Snow Lantern Thoroughbreds, Long On Value has earned $691,093 from 26 starts and was most recently third in the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes. He has collected a pair of graded stakes wins in his career — the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita (October, 2014) and the Grade 3 Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park (February, 2015). Long On Value’s first stakes win came at Colonial Downs in the Jamestown Stakes on July 6, 2013.

Long On Value won the Jamestown Stakes at Colonial Downs in 2013. Courtesy of Coady Photography.

Long On Value is trained by Bill Mott and he will be ridden by Joel Rosario. This will be race 5 on the Dubai card and is slated for 10 AM departure (east coast time). Fans can wager via on line betting partner companies TVG.com, XPressBet.com,  TwinSpires.com and NYRABets.com. The two Richmond area Off Track Betting Centers — Ponies & Pints and Breakers Sports Grille — will simulcast races 7, 8 and 9 from Dubai beginning at 11:30 AM Saturday. The $10 million Dubai World Cup is slated to go off as the 9th race at 12:45 (EDT).

3 Saturdays In April, 6 HUGE Derby Prep Races! The top Kentucky Derby prep races of the season will be held the first three Saturdays in April. Three year old horses will be  looking to secure a spot in the starting gate on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs! Each track hosting one of these key preps has an under card filled with graded stakes too!

Bet the action at one of the two new Richmond area OTBs — at Breakers Sports Grille in the west end or at Ponies & Pints downtown in Shockoe Bottom. Virginia residents can  also bet on line at TVG.com, XPressBet.com, TwinSpires.com and NYRABets.com.

Here’s the impressive lineup:

Virginia-breds have been collecting wins all over the country in early March, from nearby Charles Town to distant venues like Sunland, Turf Paradise and Fonner Park. In all, seven Commonwealth-breds have connected at six different tracks.

The month started with a win by Hot and Dangerous at Turf Paradise. The 6 year old daughter of First Samurai led by a head throughout in a modest five horse field, then pulled away in deep stretch of her six furlong sprint. Bred by DSR Limited Liability Corporation, she earned her third career triumph and has now bankrolled $84,840.

Ring Knocker continued an impressive run at Aqueduct’s winter meet, gaining her sixth straight “in the money” finish with a one length win in a $67,000 allowance race March 3rd. The 5 year old daughter of Birdstone, bred by Morgan’s Ford Farm, came four wide midway through the turn of her six furlong test, then passed four frontrunners in deep stretch. Ring Knocker has a pair of wins, three runner-ups and a third during the meet. She is out of the Black Tie Affair mare, Pearls.

Ring Knocker’s win at Aqueduct March 3rd pushed her bankroll to $269,144. Photo courtesy of Adam Coglianese.

Magicians’ Truce has improved in each of her three outings this year, and after a third and second, there was only one place else to go. Breeder/owner Larry Johnson’s charge powered her way to a 1 1/2 length triumph over Up The Power March 4th at Charles Town in a maiden claiming race. The Suzanne Dempsey trainee was best of eight entrants and finished the seven furlong event in 1:30.14. The 5 year old gelding is by Street Magician out of Broken Treaty by Chief Seattle.

Magician’s Truce broke his maiden in a seven furlong race at Charles Town March 4th. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.

American Dubai was on the Derby trail early in 2016, then after finishing eighth in the Grade 3 Pat Day Stakes  May 7th, was off the rest of the year. Fast forward to 2017 where the 4 year old E Dubai colt has found the groove at Sunland Park. He started the year with a second in an allowance test and has recorded back to back wins in allowance optional claiming company, each with a $31,400 purse. His most recent success came March 7th in track record time at the one mile distance—1:34.50. American Dubai was bred by Mrs. C. Oliver Iselin.

American Dubai has won two straight this winter at Sunland Park. Photo courtesy of Coady Photography.

This past weekend also saw wins by Moonlight Meeting (Los Alamitos), Nice Try (Charles Town) and Born Force (Fonner Park).

Since opting for the short 4 1/2 furlong distance at the Los Alamitos quarter horse session, Moonlight Meeting has a pair of wins and runner-ups in his six most recent starts. Bred by the Hart Farm, the 6 year old Malibu Moon gelding has bankrolled over $70,000.

Nice Try was winless in his first ten starts, but a recent change of scenery from Laurel, Maryland to West Virginia has changed his fortunes. He has two straight wins at Charles Town including a tight one by a neck March 10th in a $15,500 claiming race. The 4 year old Giant’s Causeway gelding was bred by the William Backer Revocable Estate.

Born Force competes in the Canterbury Park/Fonner Park circuit. After trailing a Fonner allowance race Saturday by seven at the top of the stretch, the 8 year old Political Force gelding came back to also score a tight neck triumph. That was his first start of 2017, which followed nine “top three” finishes in ten starts in ’16.  Bred by Mr. & Mrs. C.W. McNeeley, Born Force has amassed $143,061 in earnings out west.

As Leeanne Ladin looked at the calendar, planning ahead for the upcoming Virginia Horse Festival at the Meadow Event Park, she realized she had a problem. Ladin is Secretariat tourism manager at the park, which sits on the site of Penny Chenery’s Meadow Farm. As she brainstormed ways to get festival attendees to interact with the historic buildings on the property, she realized she needed help from a horse.

Secretariat’s birthplace may have ceased to be a working farm years ago, but that doesn’t mean Virginia horse lovers have forgotten about Big Red. In fact, the Park has prepared a special program to be held during the festival, which takes place the weekend before Secretariat’s birthday (this year, March 25-26). That was where Ladin’s problem came in.

Miniature horse Mia has become a companion to Groundshaker at The Meadow. Courtesy of The Paulick Report.

The park is home to Groundshaker, the last homebred of Penny Chenery and great-great granddaughter of Big Red. The 6-year-old arrived at the property to live out her retirement in 2016, and while she is used to greeting tours, Ladin needed a horse that could handle being a little more up close and personal with people, including children. And Groundshaker needed a buddy.

Then, Ladin got a call from someone who found a chestnut miniature horse abandoned at a local farm. The mare’s rescuers discovered her tied to a fence and left in the rain. Ladin was happy to take on the spunky little mare, named Mia, but not nearly as happy as Groundshaker was. The two became fast friends from the moment Mia trotted into Groundshaker’s paddock.

“They are inseparable and when they are put in their stalls (rarely except for farrier or vet), Mia will stand on her hind legs looking for Groundshaker,” said Ladin. “They both love peppermint horse treats and carrots, although Groundshaker worries that Mia will get more than she does.”

Mia stands up in her stall to look around for Groundshaker

Groundshaker and Mia make quite a pair. Groundshaker stands around 17 hands tall. Mia is just 9 hands. Mia doesn’t let her size stop her from keeping up with the daughter of Quiet American, who retired after failing to hit the board in two starts. Groundshaker seems to take care to direct her exuberant bucks away from her small friend.

During Secretariat’s birthday celebration, Mia will be decked out in a specially-sized saddle and blinkers in Meadow Stable’s colors, and will greet visitors as they tour the restored barns that once housed the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Although the broodmare barn where Secretariat and Somethingroyal lived no longer stands, the yearling barn and training barn where he grew up are still intact. Visitors to the festival will have the chance to get autographs from Kate Chenery Tweedy, daughter of Penny Chenery, Charlie Davis, Secretariat’s exercise rider, and Otto Thorwarth, who played Ron Turcotte in the Secretariat film. Virginia Horse Festival activities will include demonstrations and clinics from a number of disciplines and will also feature lectures on selecting and training off-track Thoroughbreds from Steuart Pittman of the Retired Racehorse Project.

Ladin said off-campus travels could be in Mia’s future, if it turns out she really embraces her role as an ambassador for Big Red later this month. She has a little more work to do before she’s ready to receive her public, however.

“We’re having a ‘spa day’ tomorrow to trim that bushy mane and get her ‘glammed up’ for her big debut,” Ladin said this past weekend. “As I hope this shows, Mia is well-loved and well spoiled here at The Meadow.”

Do you know a Thoroughbred whose barnyard companion should be featured in Barn Buddies? Email our features editor at natalie@paulickreport.com. All species of barn buddies welcome.

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Copyright © 2017 Paulick Report.

The Virginia Racing Commission (VRC) approved several items in regards to the May 6th Virginia Gold Cup races at its regular meeting, held March 7th in downtown Richmond.

This will be the 92nd running of the Gold Cup and the fifth consecutive edition with pari-mutuel wagering. Commissioners approved a limited license application, a slate of racing officials, and the horsemen’s agreement with the Gold Cup. The agreement will have a three year term. The Virginia HBPA will contribute $500,000 a year toward purses at the Gold Cup; in past years, that figure was $400,000.

Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) Executive Director Jeb Hannum provided an update on recent activities. Two Off Track Betting (OTB) Centers are open in Richmond and doing healthy business. The OTB at Breakers Sports Grille handled over $1.1 million in January and $878,000 in February. The second area OTB opened at Ponies & Pints on January 16th, handled over $300,000 the rest of that month and $668,000 in February. Taking both months into account, 74% of the handle was wagered on thoroughbreds and 26% on harness.

The OTB at Ponies & Pints handled over $668,000 in the month of February.

A third OTB is being planned in Chesapeake, though there is a potential zoning issue that could cause a delay in the project. A provision was added several years ago to address the influx of internet cafes in Chesapeake, and that new language may result in the need to file an application for a conditional use permit. The VEA and  restaurant owner are moving forward with the OTB design and layout.

The VEA has begun planning the second annual fall harness meet at Shenandoah Downs. The season will begin September 16th and run five consecutive weekends, until October 15th. A meeting has already taken place with Shenandoah County and Woodstock tourism and Chamber of Commerce officials. A key discussion topic for the barn area is to move temporary stalls to higher ground this fall to avoid any potential flooding issues. With a 20 year lease already in place, another key initiative is to create a long range master plan.

Mr. Hannum reported that the VEA conducted a meeting with some HBPA and VTA  representatives in Middleburg last week to discuss both short term and long term thoroughbred racing goals since Morven Park is no longer an option moving forward. Georganne Hale from the Maryland Jockey Club was in attendance as was Dr. Charles Steger from the VRC. Attendees were encouraged to look at a macro view of the industry.

Hot Rize roared to victory in the 2014 Virginia Gold Cup. The 2017 edition is May 6th. Photo courtesy Douglas Lees.

Discussion centered around a number of topics including live racing, and the need for it to be unique, credible, and to showcase a quality product that would serve a niche. The traditional model of racing with a big grandstand isn’t practical any more given current funding available. Other topics included revenue generation, reaching new customers and options for live race venues among others.  A sub-committee was also formed to come up with ideas to expand the pool of horses eligible for awards. Virginia raised horses would be considered in addition to Virginia-breds in bonus programs.

Commissioner Van Clief suggested the all parties involved get a sense of what the industry looks like now. Is Virginia a training state, breeding state or racing state? VEA President Debbie Easter noted that trainers like Karen Dennehy have had to change their business model slightly. She is breaking as many horses as ever, but many are for out of state owners. HBPA Executive Director Frank Petramalo added the most encouraging takeaway was that the old business model is not the future of Virginia racing. There was general acceptance on a new way of doing things.

The next Virginia Racing Commission meeting is scheduled for April 26th at 10:00 AM.

The following appeared on Bloodhorse.com over the weekend.

Kaleem Shah’s Dortmund put in a strong workout on the Los Alamitos Race Course dirt March 5, but he’ll step on surface unknown to him in his next start.

In his first start for trainer Art Sherman, after eight wins and two grade 1 victories for Bob Baffert, the hulking son of Big Brown   will try grass for the first time in his 14-race career in the $400,000 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1T) March 11 at Santa Anita Park.

Dortmund, owned by Virginian Kaleem Shah, will compete on turf for new trainer Art Sherman. Photo by Gary Tasich

In his final timed work for the Kilroe Sunday, Dortmund covered seven furlongs in 1:25 4/5 working past the wire under exercise rider Dihigi Gladney. The massive chestnut ran splits of :24 2/5 and :48 1/5 through a half-mile, hit the wire in 1:12 3/5 and continued his work for another furlong.

“He looked really good,” said assistant trainer Alan Sherman. “The horse went really well. We train him similarly to (California) Chrome. These types of horses just want to do more, so you gallop them a little farther than others, too. He’s such a big horse, we’re just trying to get him ready.”

Kaleem Shah’s Dortmund and jockey Martin Garcia, right, hold off Firing Line and jockey Gary Stevens to win the Grade III $150,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes February 7, 2015 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA.

Gladney had to fill in Sunday for jockey Martin Garcia, who was scheduled to be aboard for the workout, but informed the Shermans in the morning that he wouldn’t make it to Los Alamitos. Instead Garcia worked horses for Baffert at Santa Anita, including Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) contender Mastery and world-beater Arrogate. Alan Sherman declined to comment on whether Garcia will ride Dortmund in the Kilroe.

As for the reasons to try turf, the Shermans’ reasoning is twofold.

The 5-year-old’s pedigree has cried out for a grass try, even though his dirt form has been more than impressive. Big Brown won his debut on turf at Saratoga Race Course, before going onto dirt glory on the Triple Crown trail, and as a sire, 11 of his 17 stakes winners have won stakes on the grass.

Dortmund’s dam, Our Josephina, came in fifth in her only turf try at Churchill Downs, but has produced a two-time turf winner from five foals to race. Joseph the Catfish (Mineshaft  ), foaled two years before Dortmund, broke his maiden on the Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort grass in 2013 and then won an allowance on the same surface in his next start.

“He’s out of a Tale of the Cat   mare and Big Brown won easy on turf,” Alan Sherman said. “Obviously they made the right choice to put him on dirt, but there’s definitely something there.”

The Shermans also hope the grass could be easier on Dortmund’s notoriously bad feet. Now with special shoes to cushion his hind feet and hopefully prevent quarter cracks, his hoofs are doing much better.

“He gets quarter cracks—more with his hind feet,” Alan Sherman said. “He’s good now—knock on wood. The cushion shoes give him some relief.”

The Shermans were considering the seven-furlong Triple Bend (G1) on the Santa Anita main track, also March 11, for Dortmund’s return, but again took the chestnut’s condition into consideration, and how racing against speedy sprinters like Masochistic might take a toll coming off a layoff. Dortmund last raced in the Nov. 4 Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), where he engaged Runhappy   on the front end and tired to finish fourth.

“There are some good, fast horses in that race,” Alan Sherman said of the Triple Bend. “I mean, they could be going :21 and change for that first quarter mile. On the grass going two turns should be easier on him.”

Rapid Rhythm and Sambrook Edge, both bred by the Lazy Lane Farms LLC, got to the winners circle in the final days of February.

Rapid Rhythm celebrated Fat Tuesday,(February 28th) in grand fashion by winning the 5 1/2 furlong, $75,000 Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 5 year old daughter of Successful Appeal won by a neck over Wheatfield in a come from behind effort. She was sixth at the top of the stretch in a field of eight, swung seven wide shortly after and rallied on the far outside. Out of the Quiet American mare, Patriot Miss, Rapid Rhythm won $45,000 for the effort in her first start of 2017.  She has now won three straight and all have been stakes races. The first two came in the Oakley Stakes (Sept. 24) at Laurel and in the Battle of New Orleans at Fair Grounds (Dec. 3). The Michael Stidham trainee has earnings of $245,903 from 19 starts.

Rapid Rhythm, bred by the Lazy Lane Farms, LLC, won the Oakley Stakes at Laurel last fall, which kicked off her current three race win streak. Photo by Jim McCue.

Sambrook Edge is trained by Dale Romans and is a 4 year old son of Afleet Alex. He did an about face after the half to earn his first lifetime victory in the one mile, $18,000 maiden claiming race. He was seventh at the half, in last place, and crossed in front by 7 3/4 lengths over the next closest rival. Sambrook Edge, sent off as the heavy betting choice, stumbled at the start and was unhurried trailing early on. He stayed along the rail in the final turn and found an opening early in the stretch to power home. The victor, who was making his 10th start, is out of Kate C. by Mineshaft.

Street Miz and Peace of Green Rvf each picked up their second career wins in action last week. The former  connected in a 1 1/16th miles claimer at Laurel while the latter was successful in a 4 1/2 furlong claiming sprint at Charles Town.

Street Miz, bred by Larry Johnson, won her second career race Feb. 25 at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.

Street Miz, bred by Larry Johnson, beat Weatherurnot by a length but had to stage a big comeback to pull it off. The 4 year old daughter of Street Boss was 11 lengths behind at three-quarters, moved to fifth entering the stretch, then angled out and passed the frontrunners. Street Miz, who is out of Miz Magician by Mizzen Mast, has bankrolled $54,704 from 20 starts.

Peace of Green Rvf beat Hosway by three-quarters of a length in his respective six horse field. Bred by Rose Ann Howell, the 3 year old colt sat fourth at the top of the stretch, dug in and battled the runner-up to the wire. The winner, who is by The Green Monkey out of Belle Peach by Jazz Club, broke his maiden November 25th at Penn National.

The owners of both each scored a 25% bonus on top of the purse earnings courtesy of the HBPA/VTA Mid-Atlantic incentive program. Owners of Virginia-breds that win an overnite race in Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York are awarded the bonus. Street Miz is owned by Dr. Rick Katchuik and Peace of Green Rvf is owned by Riverview Farms.