UPI Horse Racing Roundup – August 4, 2014
August 4th, 2014By ROBERT KIECKHEFER
UPI Racing Writer
Palace Malice threw in a clunker in Saturday’s Whitney at Saratoga but Palace jumped up to win the Woodward on the same card at the Spa, highlighting a palatial weekend of racing.
In England, Glorious Goodwood drew to a close with several of the races potentially pointing the way toward year-end classics on both sides of the Atlantic
Palace Malice’s first defeat of the year opened the door to others looking toward the Breeders’ Cup Classic and year-end honors. Among those moving forward were Tapiture and Candy Boy, who finished 1-2 in the West Virginia Derby.
Meanwhile, Iotapa zig-zagged to victory in the Clement Hirsch at Del Mar, making a case for leadership in the filly & mare ranks, and Big Blue Kitten showed he’s ready to make waves among the turf runners.
Jess’s Dream has arrived at Saratoga. See the 2-year-old section below to understand the significance of that.
Those confused about the Palace and Palace Malice coincidence at Saratoga could be excused for not even knowing there is another Thoroughbred named Palace currently in training. The Irish-bred, 3-year-old daughter of Fastnet Rock finished 10th in the Irish Oaks in late June but earlier posted two wins and two seconds against easier.
And in what might be the most significant development of the weekend, twenty-five trainers, including some of the sport’s top names, Friday called for phasing in a ban on race-day medications — a gutsy call that could advance this important debate. See more in News and Notes.
Classic
Moreno shot to the lead in Saturday’s $1.5 million, Grade I Whitney Handicap at Saratoga and wasn’t caught, winning by 1 1/4 lengths while the odds-on favorite, Palace Malice, showed little and finished sixth, ending a four-race winning streak and jeopardizing his Horse of the Year chances. Itsmyluckyday continued to show he has arrived at the top of the class ladder, rallying from just off the pace to finish second, 3 lengths in front of Will Take Charge. Prayer for Relief and Last Gunfighter both passed Palace Malice late to finish fourth and fifth. Moreno, a 4-year-old Ghostzapper gelding, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:48.05 with Junior Alvarado rationing his speed. Moreno had been chasing many of Saturday’s rivals in earlier races the relatively uncontested lead let him turn the tables. It was only his third win from 19 starts and first in a Grade I.
“It’s funny,” winning trainer Eric Guillot said of his horse’s ability to make the lead, “because pace makes the race, inner fractions make the race. The farther they go, the better. The softer fractions, the better he is. He feels and waits on horses behind him. That’s the kind of horse he is … It was great. How can it not be? It’s the Whitney.”
Guillot said Sunday the horse returned happy and he will look at the $600,000, Grade I Woodward on Aug. 30 or the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont in September.
Reminded reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan might be in the Woodward field (see below, Turf Mile), Guillot said, “I’m not scared of anyone.”
Palace Malice’s jockey, John Velazquez, said he had no explanation for his mount’s lack of effort. “He didn’t run at all,” Velazquez said. “He went through the whole race not paying any attention. He trained great. He warmed up great. He just didn’t run today.”
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Sunday morning Palace Malice seemed fine. “Sometimes they throw in a dud,” he said.
Tapiture outfinished Candy Boy to win Saturday’s $750,000, Grade II West Virginia Derby at Mountaineer by a dramatic nose. Vicar’s In Trouble led the way but faded to finish third, 2 lengths farther back. Tapiture, a Tapit colt, ran 9 furlongs on a fast track in 1:50.66 with Rosie Napravnik at the controls. Napravnik had to alter course to the outside in deep stretch to find running room when the tiring Vicar’s In Trouble shut off the rail. Tapiture, trained by Steve Asmusssen for Winchell Thoroughbreds, took the Arkansas path to a 15th-place finish in the Kentucky Derby. Since then, however, he is undefeated in two starts, also including the Grade III Matt Winn Stakes at Churchill Downs. Candy Boy, trained in California by John Sadler, was 13th in the Run for the Roses, then second to Shared Belief in the Grade II Los Alamitos Derby before Saturday’s struggle. Vicar’s In Trouble finished last in the Kentucky Derby and third in the Grade III Iowa Derby and could be looking for something shorter.
Alamo Heights rallied late to catch pacesetting favorite Ide Be Cool and win Saturday’s $100,000 Super Derby Prelude at Louisiana Downs by 1 1/4 lengths over that one. Louies Flower finished third. Alamo Heights, a Dunkirk colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:47.12 while toting Richard Eramia. It was his third win from six starts and first stakes score.
Carve dueled down the stretch with Adirondack King before prevailing by a neck in Saturday’s $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes at Mountaineer. The favorite, Mylute, settled for show money. Carve, a First Samurai gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on a fast track in 1:44.44 with Jesus Castanon in the irons. Carve came into the race off a victory in the Grade III Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap and now boasts three straight victories. Moonshine Mullin, riding a five-race winning streak including the Grade I Stephen Foster, was a late scratch.
On Sunday at Woodbine, His Race to Win did just that in the $125,000 (Canadian), Grade III Seagram Cup, rallying five wide from the back of the field to score by 1 1/4 lengths. Sky Captain got place money, a head in front of Peyton, with the favorite, Alpha Bettor, last after being caught in traffic in the lane. His Race to Win, a 4-year-old Stormy Atlantic colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.35 under Eurico Da Silva.
“I think he’s still going to improve,” said da Silva. “When he was a 2-year-old, I loved this horse and I’m so happy to see him winning stakes now.”
Distaff
Iotapa tracked the pace set by Broken Sword in Saturday’s $300,000, Grade I Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar, moved to the lead outside that rival and prevailed by 1/2 length despite shying out a couple times during the stretch run. Parranda stumbled at the start and made up some ground late to salvage third. Iotapa, a 4-year-old Afleet Alex filly, ran 1 1/16 miles on the all-weather track in 1:43.04 with Joe Talamo in the irons. The reliable filly now has six wins, four seconds and a third from 12 career starts. The victories also include the Grade I Vanity at Santa Anita in her last previous start. Larry Benavidez, assistant to winning trainer John Sadler, said he was mystified by his filly’s stretch antics.
“My thought process down the stretch was ‘Yes-No-Yes-No-Yes-No,’ he said. “I don’t know what was going on. Maybe she was a little tired, maybe she was looking at things, but all I know is she got there first. Sometimes she’s thought of as a speed-type filly but she showed another dimension today and went to the top of her division for sure.”
Talamo said vaguely he let Iotapa drift out to avoid contact with Broken Sword.
Our Quista led all the way in Saturday’s $150,000 Elge Rasberry Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Louisiana Downs and jetted off at the end to win by 11 3/4 lengths. Indian Wind beat the other 10 with Blading Wild Cat third. Our Quista, a Louisiana-bred filly by Half Ours out of the Conquistador Cielo filly Quista, ran 1 mile and 70 yards on a fast track in 1:43.72 with Richard Eramia in the irons. The race had been carded for the grass. It was the third win from six starts for Our Quista and her first stakes score.
Turf Sprint
Free as a Bird, who normally attends the pace, got a tardy start in Friday’s $100,000 Smirnoff Sorbet Caress Stakes at Sarotoga and had only one beaten turning into the stretch. But jockey Joel Rosario calmly steered the 5-year-old Hard Spun mare outside the bulk of the field and she accelerated sharply to get home first by 3/4 length in 1:01.98 over good turf.
“The filly’s been doing extremely well,” said winning trainer Ian Wilkes. “This year, she’s stepped her game up. She’s matured, she’s a 5-year-old, and just getting a little better. You learn something every time you run. At least she’s not one-dimensional and has to be close.”
At Goodwood in England, 7-year-old Take Cover, with Andrea Atzeni up, tracked a hot early pace before rallying to win Friday’s Group 2 Betfred King George Stakes by a neck over Extortionist. Moviesta was just whiskers farther behind in third. Take Cover, trained by David Griffiths, ran 5 furlongs on good to firm going in 56.47 seconds.
“He likes York and, as long as we get him back and everything is fine, then hopefully we will go for the Nunthorpe,” Griffiths said. That Group 1 event in the north also is expected to include Exortionist and Moviesta.
Intrinsic took an unplotted left turn in the final furlong of Saturday’s 6-furlongs 32Red Cup, otherwise called the Stewards Cup, at Goodwood, but still managed to get home in front by 1 length. Ninjago and Alben Star finished 2-3. Intrinsic, a 4-year-old Oasis Dream colt, scored his fourth straight win, dating back to last October, and looks primed to move into pattern races. He finished Saturday’s event in 1:10.27, defeating 23 rivals with Richard Hughes riding.
“I thought that he was a certainty over the past couple of days,” Hughes said, “and somebody said, ‘What about the big field?’ And I said the bigger the field, the bigger the certainty because he has so much quality.”
Turf mile
Filimbi, after racing with some distinction in France last year, now has two straight wins for trainer Bill Mott in New York after taking down Saturday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes for fillies and mares at Saratoga. The 4-year-old Mizzen Mast filly, out of the Seattle Slew mare Flute, overhauled front-running favorite Dayatthespa in the final sixteenth and went on to win by 1 3/4 lengths over that one. Pianist rallied from far back to finish third in her first start since December. Filimbi, with Joel Rosario in the irons, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.42.
“You always hope they keep improving a little bit at a time,” said winning trainer Bill Mott. “I think this was a very solid field. No one could deny there were some very nice fillies in here.”
Red Avenger added blinkers to take Friday’s Betfred Mile at Goodwood, reporting home a short head in front of a gaggle of competitiors. Heavy Metal and Magic City were sorted out as second and third. Red Avenger, a son of War Front, got the 1 mile on good to firm going in 1:37.40. Trainer Ed Dunlop said he wearied of Red Avenger’s lackluster ways.
“So I worked him in blinkers earlier in the week and he took off like a Ferrari. He’s got an excellent temperament, though, and I can well see why Mr. Magnier and his friends like to buy these War Fronts,” Dunlop added.
Wise Dan, the two-time reigning U.S. Horse of the Year and two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Mile, will not make his comeback from colic surgery in the Grade II Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga next weekend, trainer Charles LoPresti said this week. The Wiseman’s Ferry gelding also has won the Fourstardave two years running. LoPresti said he was very happy with a Saturday morning workout on the main track that found Wise Dan going 5 furlongs in 1:02.04, looking to do more. He said he will await the Grade I Bernard Baruch or the Grade I Woodbine Mile but is keeping an open mind about putting Wise Dan back on the main track for the Grade I Woodward. His last two losses have come on the main track, at Churchill Downs and the Keeneland all-weather.
“If he keeps going the right way, he’ll either run in the Baruch or the Woodward, and I like what I saw today on the dirt,” LoPresti said. “I wouldn’t rule (the Woodward) out.”
Turf
In Saturday’s $100,000 Lure Stakes at Saratoga, Big Blue Kitten had to shift out in the lane to gain position but then rallied by the leaders to score by 3/4 length over Bio Pro. Legendary finished third. Big Blue Kitten, a 6-year-old Ramsey homebred by Kitten’s Joy, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:41.09 with Joe Bravo handling the reins for trainer Chad Brown. It was his first start of the year, following a highly successful 2013 campaign that included victories in the Grade I United Nations and Grade I Sword Dancer before a slight misfire in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
“What a great horse,” Brown said. “I wasn’t quite sure if I had him fit enough off the layoff, but it seemed like a good spot to get him started. I told Joe if he won, it’d be terrific, but as long as he finished well we had some big plans for this horse later in the year. Lo and behold, he got through anyway on heart.”
Pether’s Moon held off 2012 St Leger winner Encke for a 1 1/4-lengths victory in Friday’s Group 3 Coutts Glorious Stakes at Goodwood, raising hopes for a raid down under for the Caulfield Cup. Pether’s Moon, a 4-year-old Dylan Thomas colt, ran 1 1/2 miles in 2:35.63. Aussie Reigns, ironically, finished third.
“There are plenty of options for him abroad and the Caulfield Cup is one we’re considering,” said winning trainer Richard Hannon. “We don’t have many that go on this sort of trip but this is a fine horse and he’s got the constitution for that sort of venture.”
Encke, a 5-year-old son of Kingmambo, was making his first start since the St Leger win over Camelot and trainer Charlie Appleby said he was ecstatic with the effort.
“After being off for such a long time, we will see how he progresses over the next couple of weeks,” Appleby said.
Adding he will discuss the issue with Sheik Mohammed, Appleby commented, “Ideally, he is a horse who wants to go up to a mile and six furlongs. We could look at something like the Irish St Leger but he has got plenty of options – there is also the Grand Prix de Deauville.”
The long absence from the track was occasioned in part because Encke was one of the horses banned for 6 months after being caught up in a doping scandal involving a former Godolphin trainer.
Filly & Mare Turf
Sultanina stumbled at the start of Saturday’s Group 1 Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, collected herself under jockey William Buick and surged to the fore in the late going, winning going away. The 4-year-old New Approach filly, winning for the third time in just four career starts, finished 1 1/2 lengths to the good of Narniyn with Venus De Milo 3 lengths further in arrears in third. Sultanina ran 1 1/4 miles on good to firm going in 2:06.58.
“The Aga Khan’s filly (Narniyn) was a really good filly to come over here and she is a really tough nut to break,” said winning trainer John Gosden. “The last furlong and a half was a right duel between the pair of them.”
He said he may rest Sultanina before the Group 1 Qipco Champions Fillies & Mares stakes in October, which could be her last race.
Congratulated on winning three Group 1 events in the space of a week, Gosden commented, “It’s the sort of thing you don’t forget when you’re an old guy in your rocking chair.”
Narniyn will point to the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville late this month, said trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre.
Aidan O’Brien said Venus De Milo likely will contest the Yorkshire Oaks.
Esoterique outfinished stablemate Miss France to take down Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville, winning by 3/4 length. The favorite, Integral, finished third and L’Amour de Ma Vie completed the order of finish. Esoterique, a 4-year-old daughter of Danehill Dancer, defeated Integral in the Grade III Group III Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket but then finished ninth in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge at Ascot. She now has four wins from nine starts.
Cat’s Claw took a wide route in Sunday’s $100,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya Stakes at Saratoga and got home first by 1 1/4 lengths over Viva Rafaela. English Class finished third and the favorite, Cushion, led the way before fading to finish 10th. Cat’s Claw, a 4-year-old Dynaformer filly, ran 1 1/2 miles on firm turf in 2:27.08 with Cornelio Velasquez in the irons. She had won at the distance earlier this summer at Belmont Park but recorded her first stakes win.
“This is a huge step up, and none of us were really sure how she’d handle it,” said winning trainer Jonathan Sheppard.
Sprint
Palace came and caught pacesetting favorite Happy My Way in the closing yards of Saturday’s $350,000, Grade I Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga, winning by 1 length. Happy My Way, who set a torrid pace, held on for second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Falling Sky. With Cornelio Velasquez timing the move just right, Palace finished 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:08.56. The winner, a 5-year-old son of City Zip, captured the Grade II True North at Belmont on June 6, then finished second to Clearly Now in the rich Grade III Belmont Sprint Championship a month ago. The New York-bred, claimed by trainer Linda Rice for $20,000 in October of 2012, also won the Grade III Fall Highweight Handicap at Aqueduct last December.
“This horse really has a strong finish,” said Rice. “Once he switched to his right lead and he was in reach of (Happy My Way), he’s such a tremendous competitor, I knew that he would get to him.”
Happy My Way’s trainer said his horse, coming off a 2 1/2-months layoff wasn’t fully cranked up for the race because, “My big picture is November … Of course we’d like to win, but all the connections understand what we did and where we’re at. I’m very happy with the horse.”
Filly & Mare Sprint
Sweet Reason stumbled at the start of Saturday’s $500,000, Grade I Test Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga, exchanged bumps and then went on to win by a late-running 1 length over Miss Behaviour. Little Alexis was up for third at a big price and Fiftyshadesofgold finished fourth after showing the way. Sweet Reason, a Street Sense filly, backed up her win in the Grade I Acorn last time out while dropping back a furlong in distance. She ran 7 furlongs on a fast track in 1:22.31 for jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.
Winning trainer Leah Gyarmati said the Test “was probably her biggest test yet, in my opinion. She was doing really well, though, so win, lose, or draw, I felt I’d done everything I could and she was as good as I could get her. I went in feeling good about the race.”
Gyarmati said Sunday she is not sure where Sweet Reason might surface next.
“There are quite a few options and some of them are two-turn options,” she said.
2-year-olds
Skyway, a Sky Mesa colt, ran a little greenly through the stretch in Sunday’s $200,000, Grade II Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar but had enough to get the job done, winning by 1 1/4 lengths over Henry’s Holiday. Bad Read Sanchez finished third. Skyway, with Stewart Elliot piloting, ran 6 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:16.67. The colt won at first asking over the Keeneland all-weather course, then ran third, beaten nearly 6 lengths in the Grade III Bashford Manor over the Churchill Downs dirt.
Souper Colossal stumbled at the start of Sunday’s $60,000, off-the-turf Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park but dominated in the stretch, winning off by 3 3/4 lengths. Secured Position secured second and Reid the News was third. Souper Colossal, a War Front colt, ran 5 furlongs on the fast main track in 57.75 seconds with Paco Lopez up.
Strong Coffee, a first-time starter, won a Saratoga allowance event convincingly Saturday, scoring by 3 lengths over Face the Music while Cordero, who started his career at Ascot for trainer Wesley Ward, faded from the lead to get home fifth. Strong Coffee, a Warrior’s Reward colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:44.32 with Irad Ortiz up. Trainer H. Graham Motion said he likely will stay on the grass.
Pride of Stride, another Motion trainee, captured Saturday’s other 2-year-old race at the Spa, winning by 1 length while going 6 furlongs on the main track in 1:10.85. Motion said the Candy Ride colt might want two turns and could start in the Grade I Hopeful on Sept. 1.
Hashtag Bourbon drew clear in the stretch run to win Saturday’s $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile by 4 1/2 lengths over Gotta Get Paid, who led briefly. Duff was a long shot third. Hashtag Bourbon, a Kentucky-bred colt by Super Saver, ran 6 furlongs on a fast track in 1:11.45 with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard for trainer Kellyn Gorder. The colt finished third in his only previous start, a Churchill Downs maiden race.
And, looking to the future, Jess’s Dream has arrived on the backstretch at Saratoga. Say what? Well, the colt, owned by Stonestreet Stable, is by 2007 and 2008 Horse of the Year Curlin, out of the 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. Stonestreet campaigned both the parents under the guidance of the late owner Jess Jackson.
“He could race this fall,” said trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. We’re all hopeful. But we’re just getting started.
2-year-old fillies
A.P.’s Glory took the lead turning for home in Saturday’s $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies in West Virginia and kicked away to a 1 1/4-lengths victory over Heart’s Song, remaining undefeated. Rachel’s Ready finished third. A.P.’s Glory, a Mineshaft filly, ran 6 furlongs in 1:11.79 with Corey Nakatani in the irons. She was a dominating winner in her first start over the Arlington Park all-weather track for trainer Jimmy DiVito.
Eff Bee Eye tracked down a win in Sunday’s $125,000 (Canadian) Nandi Stakes at Woodbine. After stalking the pace, the Philanthropist filly made her move at mid-stretch and got home first by 3 1/4 lengths over She’s Explosive. Brooklynsway finished third and the favorite, Mel’s Ring, faded to finish next-last of six. Eff Bee Eye, with Patrick Husbands up, ran 6 furlongs on the all-weather track in 1:11.17.
Elsewhere:
Gulfstream Park
Angelica Zapata stalked the pace early in Saturday’s $75,000 Soaring Softly Stakes for fillies and mares, advanced to the lead four-wide entering the stretch and kicked clear to win by 2 1/2 lengths over E B Ryder. Flower Mart got show money. Angelica Zapata, a 6-year-old Sharp Humor mare, ran 1 mile on firm turf in 1:34.33 with Santiago Gonzalez riding.
Mountaineer
It was a rich afternoon of stakes racing in support of the West Virginia Derby, hampered only slighty when the turf races were moved to the fast main track as a result of a thunderstorm.
Regally Ready tracked a hot pace into the turn in the $100,000 West Virginia House of Delegates Speakers Cup, then heated things up himself, drawing off to win by 12 1/2 lengths over Coalport. Present Course was 6 1/2 lengths farther in arrears in third. The favorite, Free World, carved out the quick early fractions, then faded to finish last of eight. Regally Ready, a 7-year-old More Than Ready gelding who was a Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner earlier in his career, ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:40.94. The race was moved off the turf.
Bet Seattle pressed the pace in the $100,000 West Virginia Legislature Chairman’s Cup, got by and won by 2 1/2 lengths over No Distinction. With James Graham up, the 5-year-old Seattle Fitz gelding covered 4 1/2 furlongs in 51.52 seconds.
Sweet Cassiopeia split rivals turning for home in the $100,000 West Virginia Secretary of State Stakes for fillies and mares and outfinished Rusticana for a 1 1/4-lengths victory. Sweet Cassiopeia, a 6-year-old Five Star Day mare, ran 6 furlongs in 1:10.87 under Brian Hernandez Jr.
Sassy Kitten stalked the pace in the $100,000, off-the-turf West Virginia Senate President’s Cup for fillies and mares, moved to the lead on the turn and drew off to win by 2 3/4 lengths over Femme Fatale. The favorite, Moment In Dixie, was away slowly and finished third. Sassy Kitten, a 4-year-old Kitten’s Joy filly, ran 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:43.64 with Alan Garcia up.
Mico Margarita came from off the pace to win the $100,000 Senator Robert C. Byrd Memorial by 1 1/2 lengths over pacesetting Star Harbour. The favorite, Delaunay, settled for third after making a bid at the top of the lane. Mico Margarita, a 4-year-old colt by Run Away and Hide, ran 6 furlongs in 1:09.79 with Rosie Napravnik up.
Monmouth Park
Bern Identity stalked the pace in Saturday’s $75,000 My Frenchman Stakes, then easily cleared the field to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Heaven’s Runway was second and Last Heartbreaker third in the 5 1/2-furlongs event, shortened to five runners when it was shifted off the turf. Bern Identity, a 4-year-old Bernstein colt, finished in 1:03.26 under Charles Lopez.
Santa Rosa
Trend came from last of seven to take Sunday’s $65,000 Joseph T. Grace Handicap by 1/2 length over Black Spirit. Hudson Landing was well back in third. Trend, a 7-year-old Sligo Bay gelding, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.34 for jockey Dennis Carr.
Crushed It outfinished Terrys Tom Cat to win Saturday’s $65,000 Robert Dupret Derby by 1 1/4 lengths over that rival. Reno Rebel led briefly and finished third. Crushed It, a Petionville colt, ran 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.56 under Alejandro Gomez.
News and notes:
Friday, 25 trainers, including many of the sport’s top names, proposed the gradual elimination of race-day medication in United States Thoroughbred racing.
The proposal calls for a ban on race-day medication for 2-year-olds starting next year, with a total ban in 2016. The group also expressed support for model rules for the use of 26 controlled medications proposed by the Board of Directors of the Racing Commissioners International. Some American organizations — notably Breeders’ Cup Ltd., the Jockey Club and the American Graded Stakes Committee — have tried to phase in a ban but met with stiff resistance from other segments of the industry. Signing on to the proposal are Tom Albertrani, Roger Attfield, Christophe Clement, Jose Corrales, David Donk, Neil Drysdale, Jeremiah Englehart, Eoin Harty, Neil Howard, Michael Hushion, Richard Mandella, Shug McGaughey, Kiaran McLaughlin, D. Wayne Lukas, Kenny McPeek, H. Graham Motion, Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher, Kathy Ritvo, Jonathan Sheppard, Albert Stall, Jr., Dallas Stewart, Barclay Tagg, William Van Meter and George Weaver.
Breeders’ Cup Chairman Bill Farish and President and CEO Craig Fravel said in a statement they “acknowledge and applaud the courage of the trainers … and we are committed to provide support, financial and otherwise, to an effort to implement on a national basis phasing out race-day medications.”
There is not universal accord among horsemen, however.
Rick Violette Jr., president of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, responded Sunday, ” Most horses suffer from exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH), and Lasix is the only scientifically proven, truly effective treatment we have to protect them.”
He said a ban would result in trainers resorting to “barbaric” alternatives to prevent bleeding. Most racing jurisdictions around the word ban race-day medications.
