AC @ FL ....... and a winners circle photo!!!!

In just one week is the biggest racing event of the year; the Breeder's Cup World Championships, this year at Santa Anita Park. We've been watching all the prep races leading up to the 15 stake races next Friday and Saturday, with the 180 horses pre-entered announced this past Wednesday. It is the biggest two days in thoroughbred racing, but there are also other "big" days in the sport and this past Monday was a personal one for myself and a little partnership I know.

Last Thursday, just before I wrote my weekly column, I was notified via my Equibase Virtual Stable e-mail that Ausable Chasm would be racing at Finger Lakes Racetrack in western New York on Monday afternoon. It was her first start outside the NYRA race circuit and one that I've been waiting for several months. Our Dee Tee Stable color bearer had not seen the winner's circle since her 2nd career start over two years ago at Saratoga Race Course. Although she would show flashes of life last Fall and winter at Aqueduct on their Inner-track, she was way off form and desperately needed a change of scenery and class relief.

It looked like she would be shipping to Finger Lakes just before this summer's Saratoga meet. But, it wasn't until a few week's ago that she made the trip upstate and westward to the Farmington racetrack, twenty miles south east of Rochester New York. With her trip upstate, she would be conditioned by trainer; Michael LeCesse, currently the 4th leading at Finger Lakes in 2012.

Class wise, she was dropping from 20k claimer - non-winners of two races lifetime, to a 4,500 claimer same condition. Plus, she was going from turf to dirt and turning back a panel, sprinting (7 to 6 furlongs). Her last "decent" effort was on New Year's Day of this year, where she just missed underneath Jackie Davis on the Aqueduct Inner-track. That was 11 starts ago and in that time, was only once under double digit odds.

So, it was only natural off her form that the Finger Lakes odds maker had her at 20-1 morning line odds. But, I thought otherwise and knew that she fit with this group and at this track. So, Karen and I made the trip late Sunday night to Victor N.Y. only 15 minutes from the track. It was a beautiful Fall day in western New York , warm and sunny and I was quite confident that Ausable Chasm would improve in her new surroundings.


I met up with one of the partners of the group and a friend of his and the four of us made it toward the paddock and little winners circle near the finish line. The first "flash" on the tote board she was at 3-2 odds, dropping from the high 20-1 morning line. The horses at Finger Lakes make their way to the paddock, coming down the track and up by the finish line. That's where I saw her and knew that she was sharp and "on her toes". Going off at final odds of 7-2 (3rd choice in a 8 horse field), she broke sharply just off the "speed" of the race; the even money favorite; Miss Directed.

On the far turn, she blew past the leader and drew off to a two & a half length victory. She finally found the winner's circle for her 2nd career victory in 27 lifetime starts. It took a LONG time, but was well worth it. The class relief was needed and also the change of sceneray under new connections. It was a happy winner's circle photo with me, Karen, Dave, Bill and trainer/ jockey. It was so nice that this little filly, found herself back to good form and a victory. It's something I thought could happen and I was right about it (for once!). Picking "winners" and cashing tickets, is a great feeling. But, getting that "winner's circle" photo is even better!

My take on the future of thoroughbred racing in the Empire State

It's been quite a while since I wrote a column just giving my thoughts on the sport I've loved for over twenty five years, thoroughbred racing. The memories throughout the years, have had their ups and downs. I went from a casual observer, to a public handicapper and columnist. I've learned a lot about the sport, through following it on a daily basis and the teaching's of the experts that have been around long before I wagered my first $2.00 bet. I've been blessed for all the good fortunes that I've achieved though hard work and learning the sport from following it. Living only 45 minutes from the " Mecca " of thoroughbred racing; Saratoga , I've been fortunate to see the BEST that thoroughbred racing has to offer. But, even though I had these blessings, the sport in my opinion has changed very much and in my eyes, not for the better.

It's been an on going "soap opera" in New York with the New York Racing Association (NYRA). For almost ten years, and four governors, thoroughbred racing has been in a whirl world of controversy. An organization on the brink of bankruptcy, the state has bailout out NYRA on several occasions and NOW is under full control by the state and governor's office. New rules and regulations were set in forth last week and a new appointed ruling board has been put in place by Governor Cuomo. A large board with many names who really do not have much expertise on thoroughbred racing. Hand picked by the governor, one wonders whether the "best interests" of thoroughbred racing are really the utmost importance in Governor Cuomo's world of thoroughbred racing.

I've never been sold on the true aspirations of what Governor Cuomo wants thoroughbred racing to be New York . He talks a good game and says he has the best interests in the sport and I guess since he is governor and now the state runs NYRA, we have to believe him and take his word. But, the last thing I want to see is the "on track" sport of New York 's thoroughbred racing damaged because of political shenanigans.

As I've said in the past, NYRA's problems were created by themselves. Years of mismanagement and mistrust of the public has damaged it's reputation. With the organization being a non-profit and taking public funds, the state has had a watchful eye over it. Governor Cuomo has taken full reign over thoroughbred racing in the state and hopefully he's not only taking in consideration of getting the sport more reputable, but also keeping the world class aspect of the sport "on track".

Thoroughbred racing has been a declining game sport for several years. The introduction of VLT's and casinos in our state has been the money maker for the gambling revenue the last ten to fifteen years. While attendance and handle has dipped in two of the three NYRA tracks. All this puts the thoroughbred racing in New York at a crossroads. The goal is to make NYRA good in the public's eyes and also to bring the revenue to the state's coffers. But, with NYRA's past record, it's going to be another entity running thoroughbred racing in New York for a while.

This crucial time for racing in New York and the direction the sport will be going in the future. It is my hope that the governor and this new appointed board will do everything in it's power to continue the top level of thoroughbred racing that New York has been the leader in throughout the years. But, I remain very skeptical of the governor's true intentions of what he wants racing in the Empire State , hopefully I'm dead wrong. Only time will tell and the real results will be "on track".

New rules put forth ....... to improve racing in New York!

This past week, the New York State Racing and Wagering board approved new sets of rules in response to the reported high number of thoroughbred break downs at NYRA this past winter. The changes will provide more disclosure to the public on the use of corticosteroids and other types of substances that can mask the pain in thoroughbreds. This should provide greater safety to horses in lower claiming races also. With the recent increase in purses on the NYRA circuit do to the VLT revenue at Aqueduct, there more lower level thoroughbreds racing for bigger purses versus higher quality racehorses. This is thought for the increase breakdown rate last winter at Aqueduct.

These rules changes will serve as a model for all racing jurisdictions and will significantly increase the safety of horses and riders. Here are the rule changes, set forth by the task force committee on horse race health and safety. Rule one; "Allowing voiding of claims of horses that are vanned off the track after a race, requiring disclosure of corticosteroid administrations and drug treatments to stewards and claimants, expanding the Racing and Wagering Board’s out-of-competition drug testing program, implementing stricter and lengthier time frames for the administration of corticosteroids and Clenbuterol before a race." These new rulings will apply to all thoroughbred racing in New York State ; including Saratoga Race Course, Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Finger Lakes Race Track.

This also includes; Voiding a claim for a horse that is vanned off the track, within one hour of the race. The existing rule where a claim is voided if a claimed horse dies on the track remains in place. Providing proof to the claimant of a horse shall be notified, within 48 hours after the claim is finalized, of any corticosteroid administrations to the horse within 30 days of the race and providing that the trainer shall maintain accurate records of all corticosteroid joint injections to horses trained by them.

The leader of the state racing and wagering board, chairman of the task force on racehorse health and safety and Chief Operating Officer of The Jockey Club all alluded these new rules and changes for the betterment of the sport. It's the first of many thoroughbred related rulings that Governor's office has set forth to improve the racing image in New York . This and the ongoing saga of NYRA has gotten the attention of many state officials, especially the governor. While these new measures will improve the safety of thoroughbreds, riders and owners claiming horses; the main reason it was brought to light was because of the increased purses in low level claiming races. Cheaper horses running for higher purses, will the future not bode well for the lower level claiming races then?

The VLT money from Aqueduct has been a great benefit to the horseman in New York . Increased purses means more trainers and owners will come to NYRA tracks. But at NYRA's lowest levels, there many be caution in the future with high purses and not so healthy horses. Monies may be cut for the lowest level claimers in fear that in will promote unhealthy horses entered. With the new safety rules, this may be eliminated. But, horses do breakdown and with racing year round in New York and under severe weather conditions, the fatality rate may continue. So even with the new rules enacted, thoroughbred racing may still be under the microscope in the future in New York and the almighty dollar will come into question.

Keeneland & Belmont - Mile Turf / 2yr.old preps!

The march toward the Breeder's Cup continues today with key two year old races and turf runners pointing toward the Breeder's Cup Turf Mile. The Keeneland (7th) is the First Lady Handicap a mile on the grass for filly and mares. The race may produce a few runners for either the Breeder's Cup Mile (turf) or the Filly & Mare Turf. Here the match will be between Tapitsfly (#2) and Hungry Island (#4). Both are graded stakes winners on grass at a mile and rivals versus each other four times together this year. But, there is two dangerous opponents they will face and they are also top notch distaff turf runners. Summer Soiree (#5) is making her second start off a layoff and Daisy Devine (#6) returns off a May layoff when she had four race win streak snapped. These four will be tough here and the selections are a "box" of 2/4/5/6.

The Shadwell Turf Mile (9th) at Keeneland has possibly the BEST turf horse in the country. Wise Dan (#5) recently won both the grade I - Woodbine Mile and Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga . He undoubtedly is the "horse to beat" here and my top selection. Horses that rate a upset chance to beat him and can be used underneath with this talented runner are; Doubles Partner (#2) coming off a short layoff, lightly raced; Corporate Jungle (#3) second behind my top pick at Saratoga, Data Link (#7) winner here in spring going this distance for Shug McGaughey and Silver Max (#10) turning back in distance and is a speedy front runner. Numbers here are: 5 with 7/10 with 2/3/11.

At Belmont , three year olds go a mile & a eighth on the weeds in the Jamaica Handicap (9th). All this spring and summer I've been high on the three year old runner named; Summer Front (#5) trained by Christophe Clement. I throw out his last race at Arlington Park in the mile and a quarter Secretariat Handicap, he does not to want to go that far and today is my top selection. Dullahan (#3) is the underlay morning line favorite at 4-5, I'll use him ONLY in my third & fourth slots. For second I'll use the lightly raced European invader; Cogito (#4) making his first U.S. start and Howe Great (#7) who has raced against my top choice this year. The numbers here are: 5 with 4/7 with 1/2/3.

Also at Belmont today are two major two year old stakes both for the fillies and colts. First in the Frizette Stakes (#7) at a mile, we have a prohibited 2-5 favorite in Dreaming of Julia (#7) who has won both of her two lifetime starts by over 27 lengths. I won't try to beat her and she'll be my top selection and likely favorite for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile Fillies race with a victory today. Toasting (#1) is my second selection from the rail and has won at this distance, over the track in her last start. The numbers in this short field are: 7 with 1 with ALL for third & fourth positions.

The boys go in the Champagne Stakes (8th) in a short, evenly matched field with three Pletcher runners. Here I'll go with a price in Bern Identity (#6) who was third recently in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga . He was a sharp winner of the Sanford Stakes in his start before and is a nice 15-1 on the morning line. For second, I find it hard to separate the three Todd Pletcher runners; Shanghai Bobby (#2) Archwarrior (#4) and Micromanage (#7) so the numbers for this grade I event are: 6 with 2/4/7 with ALL in the 3rd and 4th spots.