Northlands will be busy this long weekend with the 15th running of "The Bird of Pay" on Friday, August 1, the 23rd running of "The Count of Lathum" on Saturday, August 2 and the 61st running of "The Birdcatcher" on Sunday, August 3rd. On Monday, August 4th the 32nd running of "The Sun Sprint Championship" will be held.The five Alberta-breds running in "The Bird of Pay" have a chance to share in the added $47,750.00 payout for Alberta-breds. On Saturday, Alberta-bred Arkhill will be running in "The Count of Lathum". This race was won in 2007 by Footprint. Unfortunately, there are no Alberta-breds entered in "The Birdcatcher" so the $26,000 added to the race for Alberta-breds will hold for another year. Last year this race was won by Just Call Me Duke. An added $40,000 is available for Alberta-breds running in "The Sun Sprint Championship". Best of luck to all our Alberta-breds who are running this weekend!
In other weekend racing, Sunday will see Big Brown in the 4 post position at the $1 million Haskell at Monmouth Park. The Haskell will be carried live on ESPN Classic. (Posted August 1, 2008)
Results from the first day of the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearlings sale at Saratoga Springs are now available. Monday night saw yearlings by A.P. Indy and Storm Cat each bringing seven-figure final bids. Monday night's sale had the average price increasing 15.8% to $302,667 while the median improved 13.3% to $235,000. Final results will be in tomorrow as the sale continues today. (Posted August 5, 2008)
An interesting article entitled, "He gets it: Run horses, save sport," was published at www.timesunion.com/saratoga/ The article is an interview with Curlin horse owner, Jess Jackson. Mr. Jackson is quoted as being one of the owners working at the request of Congress to "reform the industry and help raise it out of its current malaise. The financial model is broken." Mr. Jackson says that he is on a quest to "create a league for older horses, with purses that would prompt owners to keep thoroughbreds on the track beyond their fourth birthday."(Posted August 7, 2008)
An announcement from the Maryland Jockey Club this week has stated that due to deteriorating finances, it can no longer subsidize training and stabling at the Pimlico track. It was also announced that along with the closing of Pimlico for stabling and training, the track, in agreement with the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, has cut 11 live racing days from the fall calendar and also canceled four major stakes races. (Posted August 8, 2008)
In 2004 the Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack started the first Thoroughbred adoption facility. This was a joint effort between racetrack management and local horsemen. The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) has now helped in the adoption of more than 350 retiring horses that raced at Finger Lakes. In April 2008 they opened the Purple Haze Center, becoming the first racetrack to build an adoption facility on its own grounds. For further information check the article at www.thehorse.com (Posted August 11, 2008)
The 2008 Summer Yearling Sale is fast approaching. Please make sure that you check the updates page for any recent information regarding the upcoming sale. If you did not receive a catalogue, please contact the CTHS office and one will be mailed out to you. (Posted August 12, 2008)
A recommendation has been passed by the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council calling for a ban on anabolic steroids for thoroughbred and standardbred racing. This will be reviewed by the Horse Racing Commission on August 25. The Drug Council also recommended strengthening the penalties for detection of anabolic steroids. (Posted August 14, 2008)
The Jockey Club's annual roundtable discussion was held in New York on Sunday where several recommendations were presented. These included moving toward a top-level system of labs for equine drug testing, adopting uniform rules on license suspensions, the collection of injury data, and checking for a type of cheating called “milkshaking.” (Posted August 18, 2008)
Results from three days of the OCALA yearling sale are now coming in. So far 226 horses have been sold for $2,036,000, down 19 percent from last year's third day, when 193 horses sold. With three days of results available, the average has fallen 30 percent, from $12,946 to $9,009, and the median dropped 27 percent, from $7,500 to $5,500. The sale concludes on Thursday, August 21. (Posted August 21, 2008)
A transcript of The Jockey Club's 56th Annual Round Table Conference which was held on August 17th in Saratoga Springs is now available on their website at: http://www.jockeyclub.com/roundtable_08.asp This conference covered topics on equine health and safety, medication and Thoroughbred breeding and included updates and additional recommendations from The Jockey Club's Thoroughbred Safety Committee. (Posted August 22, 2008)
