BREAKING NEWS – KENTUCKY DERBY POSTS

WAR OF WILL draws post 1 for trainer Mark Casse and owner Gary Barber

Horse Points Owner Trainer Gr. Stakes Earnings last 3 Beyer Speed Figures (most recent is first) Jockey if known

1 War of Will – 60 Gary Barber Mark Casse $450,840 – 78, 90, 94

2 Tax – R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill), Reeves Thoroughb, Hugh Lynch & Corms Racing Stable (Lucas – Stritsman) Danny Gargan $307,500 – 95, 96, 93

3 By My Standards – 100 Allied Racing Stable LLC (Chester Thomas) Bret Calhoun $600,000 – 97,86, 73 Gabriel Saez

4 Gray Magician – 41 Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Eclipse Thoroughbrd & Gary Barber Peter Miller $526,000 – n/a,80, 73

5 Improbable – 25 WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt), China Horse Club) & Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf et al) -Bob Baffert $389,520 – 95, 96, 93

6 Vekoma – 110 R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill) & Gatsas Stables (Mike Gatsas) George Weaver $747,600 – 94, 90, 97

7 Maximum Security – 100 Gary L. & Mary E. West Jason Servis $582,800 – 101, 102, 83 Luis Saez

8 Tacitus – 50 Juddmonte Farms Inc. (Prince Khalid Abdullah) Bill Mott $210,000 – 93,75, 77

9 Plus Que Parfait – 104 Imperial Racing LLC (Michael Foley) Brendan Walsh $1,540,400 – n/a, 58, 83

10 Cutting Humor – 50 Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf) Todd Pletcher $462,467 – 95, 76, 85

11 Haikal – 50 Shadwell Stable (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum) Kiaran McLaughlin $247,500 – 95,84, 85

12 Omaha Beach – 37.5 Fox Hill Farm (Rick Porter) Richard Mandella $450,000 – 96, 90, 83 Mike Smith

13 Code of Honor – 74 William S. Farish Shug McGaughey III $432,070 – 91,95, 77 John Velazquez

14 Win Win Win – 50 Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte C. Weber) Mike Trombetta $316,000 – 88,89, 99

15 Master Fencer (JPN) Katsumi & Yasuyo Yoshizawa Koichi Tsunoda $234,392 Japan

16 Game Winner – 45 Gary L. & Mary E. West Bob Baffert $1,610,000 – 96, 93, 97

17 Roadster – 100 Speedway Stable LLC (Peter Fluor & K.C. Weiner) Bob Baffert $636,000 – 98, 93, 89 Florent Geroux

18 Long Range Toddy – 53.5 Willis Horton Racing LLC Steve Asmussen $830,000 – 95, 87, 83

19 Spinoff – 40 Wertheimer et Frere (Alain & Gerard Wertheimer) Todd Pletcher $224,000 – 96, 84, 75

20 Country House – 30 Mrs. J.V. Shields, E.J.M. McFadden Jr. & LNJ Foxwoods Bill Mott $120,000 – 87, 86, 80

IT’S KENTUCKY DERBY POST POSITION DRAW DAY

11 a.m., watch at www.kentuckyderby.com

Free Brisnet past performances:  http://www.brisnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Derby19Points.pdf

Can Gary Barber’s WAR OF WILL bounce back in the Kentucky Derby? The Mark Casse trainee had one of the more eyecatching workouts this week – VANESSA NG PHOTO – HORSE-RACES.NET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

KENTUCKY DERBY PROBABLES ALPHABETICALLY
List is alphabetical and complete with recent Beyer Figures

Horse (Sire)  Points Owner Trainer Gr. Stakes Earnings last 3 Beyer Speed Figures (most recent is first) Jockey if known

By My Standards (Goldencents) – 100 Allied Racing Stable LLC (Chester Thomas) Bret Calhoun $600,000 – 97,86, 73 Gabriel Saez
Code of Honor (Noble Mission)– 74 William S. Farish Shug McGaughey III $432,070 – 91,95, 77 John Velazquez
Country House (Lookin at Lucky) – 30 Mrs. J.V. Shields, E.J.M. McFadden Jr. & LNJ Foxwoods Bill Mott $120,000 – 87, 86, 80
Cutting Humor (First Samurai) – 50 Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf) Todd Pletcher $462,467 – 95, 76, 85
Game Winner (Candy Ride) – 45 Gary L. & Mary E. West Bob Baffert $1,610,000 – 96, 93, 97
Gray Magician  (Graydar) – 41 Wachtel Stable (Adam Wachtel), Eclipse Thoroughbrd & Gary Barber Peter Miller $526,000 – n/a,80, 73
Haikal (Daaher) – 50 Shadwell Stable (Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum) Kiaran McLaughlin $247,500 – 95,84, 85
Improbable City Zip) – 25 WinStar Farm LLC (Kenny Troutt), China Horse Club) & Starlight Racing (Jack Wolf et al) -Bob Baffert $389,520 – 95, 96, 93
Long Range Toddy (Take Charge Indy)  – 53.5 Willis Horton Racing LLC Steve Asmussen $830,000 – 95, 87, 83
Master Fencer (JPN (Just a Way) ) Katsumi & Yasuyo Yoshizawa Koichi Tsunoda $234,392 Japan
Maximum Security (New Year’s Day) – 100 Gary L. & Mary E. West Jason Servis $582,800 – 101, 102, 83
Omaha Beach (War Front) – 37.5 Fox Hill Farm (Rick Porter) Richard Mandella $450,000 – 96, 90, 83 Mike Smith
Plus Que Parfait (Point of Entry) – 104 Imperial Racing LLC (Michael Foley) Brendan Walsh $1,540,400 – n/a, 58, 83
Roadster (Quality Road)– 100 Speedway Stable LLC (Peter Fluor & K.C. Weiner) Bob Baffert $636,000 – 98, 93, 89 Florent Geroux
Spinoff (Hard Spun)– 40 Wertheimer et Frere (Alain & Gerard Wertheimer) Todd Pletcher $224,000 – 96, 84, 75
Tacitus (Tapit) – 50 Juddmonte Farms Inc. (Prince Khalid Abdullah) Bill Mott $210,000 – 93,75, 77
Tax (Arch)– R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill), Reeves Thoroughb, Hugh Lynch & Corms Racing Stable (Lucas – Stritsman) Danny Gargan $307,500 – 95, 96, 93
Vekoma (Candy Ride)– 110 R. A. Hill Stable (Randy Hill) & Gatsas Stables (Mike Gatsas) George Weaver $747,600 – 94, 90, 97
War of Will (War Front) – 60 Gary Barber Mark Casse $450,840 – 78, 90, 94
Win Win Win (Hat Trick)  – 50 Live Oak Plantation (Charlotte C. Weber) Mike Trombetta $316,000 – 88,89, 99

 

YOUR GUIDE TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS

Friday May 3

KENTUCKY OAKS entrant LIORA comes off the track on Monday morning – VANESSA NG PHOTO – HORSE-RACES.NET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELLAFINA is the favourite for the KENTUCKY OAKS – VANESSA NG PHOTO – HORSE-RACES.NET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday, Churchill Downs, post time: 6:12 p.m. EDT
LONGINES KENTUCKY OAKS-GI, $1,250,000, 3yo, f, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE                SIRE OWNER TRAINER JOCKEY WT

Odds, last 3 Beyer Figures, summary

1 Out for a Spin    Hard Spun Commonwealth Stbl, Bradshaw, R & Stonestreet Stbls Stewart Ortiz, Jr. 121
15-1 88, 70, 61 * Won the Ashland, she’s a pace presser

2 Chocolate Kisses Candy Ride (Arg) Debby M. Oxley Casse Leparoux 121
20-1 72,85,75 *Honeybee winner was taken out of her game last time, stretch runner

3 Lady Apple K Curlin Phoenix Thoroughbred III and KatieRich Stables Asmussen Santana, Jr. 121
20-1 – 85,80, 81 won Fantasy Stakes, stalker

4 Bellafina K Quality Road Kaleem Shah, Inc. Callaghan Prat 121
2-1; 89, 90, 95 Santa Anita Oaks winner is 6 for 8

5 Flor de La Mar Tiznow Godolphin, LLC Baffert Rosario 121
20-1; 81, 67, 78 maiden winner was 2nd in SA Oaks; stalker

6 Positive Spirit Pioneerof the Nile Ryan, Michael J. and Dilger, Gerry Brisset Franco 121
30-1; 79, 50, 86 2nd Gazelle; stalker

7 Jaywalk  Cross Traffic D. J. Stable LLC and Cash is King LLC Servis Castellano 121
8-1; 85,81, 94; Champion 2yo filly 2018; 3rd Ashland

8 Motion Emotion  Take Charge Indy Mark DeDomenico LLC Van Berg Smith 121
15-1; 83, 83, 89; 2nd Fantasy, pacesetter

9 Liora  Candy Ride (Arg) Coffeepot Stables Catalano Hill 121
20-1 78, 81, 61; 2nd Fair Grounds Oaks stalker

10 Champagne Anyone  Street Sense Six Column Stables, LLC and Bloch, Randall L. Wilkes Landeros 121
6-1 90, 83, 84; Gulfstream Oaks winner; staler, off the pace

11 Jeltrin K Tapizar ADR Racing Stable, LLC Delgado Saez 121
15-1 91, 80, 64; Davona Dale Stakes winner at 50 to 1; idle since March; presser

12 Street Band Istan Francis, Ray, Jones, Cindy & J. Larry, Medallion Racing, Myracehorse.com Jones Doyle 121
15-1; 85, 76, 77; Fair Grounds Oaks winner; stalker

13 Serengeti Empress K Alternation Joel Politi Amoss Ortiz 121
8-1; 7, 89. 66; Rachel Alexandra winner bled in Fair Grounds Oaks

14 Restless Rider K Distorted Humor Fern Circle Stables and Three Chimneys Farm, LLC McPeek Hernandez, Jr. 121
– 6-1; 88, 75, 85, 2nd Ashland; stalker

15 Dunbar Road K Quality Road Peter M. Brant Brown Ortiz 121
– 5-1; 89, 76 also eligible
16 Point of Honor K Curlin Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners & Stetson Racing, LLC Weaver Velazquez 121
20-1; 87, 82, 76; also eligble

 

KENTUCKY HBPA STATEMENT ON LASIX

 

The Kentucky Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (KHBPA), unalterably opposes the recently announced plan of several North American tracks, including Keeneland and Churchill Downs, to run 2-year-old races without the anti-bleeder medication Lasix in 2020 and all stakes races in 2021. The KHBPA is the recognized representatives at all five Thoroughbred tracks in the Commonwealth.

It is untenable that the majority horsemen’s organization and equine medical professionals were not consulted before a fundamental policy change–banning Lasix on race-day–was unilaterally made by the racetracks. That would have provided the opportunity to stress the efficacy of Lasix in treating exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) in racehorses. Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery, in a meeting with horsemen did indicate a willingness to discuss the issue following the running of the Kentucky Derby.

“Frankly, it is inconceivable to many horsemen and racetrack practitioners that I have talked with that based on the credible evidence of the importance of Lasix in preventing exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage that this is even being contemplated,” said KHBPA president Rick Hiles. “We applaud the actions of both Woodbine Entertainment Group CEO Jim Lawson and Dennis Drazin, the chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, for basically taking a wait-and-see approach and communicating with horsemen prior to instituting such drastic measures.”

The perception that race-day Lasix is implicated in the issues at Santa Anita or any racetrack is misguided. In fact, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), along with other credible scientists, have determined that Lasix provides the most effective treatment and prevention to controlling and/or mitigating the possible disastrous impact of EIPH in racehorses.

In the definitive South Africa study, commissioned by The Jockey Club and authored by Paul Morley, Kenneth Hinchcliff and Alan Guthrie, three scientist with impeccable credentials, they concluded that “pre-race administration of Furosemide (Lasix) markedly decreased both the administration of incidence and severity of EIPH in Thoroughbred race horses.”

Interestingly, the study also points out that “the challenge will be for countries such as Australia, England, Hong Kong and South Africa that do not currently permit race-day use of Furosemide, to balance the animal welfare aspect of being able to prevent or reduce the condition, i.e. EIPH, against the imperatives for drug-free racing.”

The racetracks are quick to point out that any medication policy must place the health and welfare of the equine athletes first. Yet, when proposals are presented contrary to their proclamation, one is left to question the reasoning behind the decision.

Bettors are another group that should have been consulted prior to taking such a drastic measure as eliminating race-day Lasix. Some would have you believe that this will inspire more confidence from the betting public in the sport. In reality, the reverse is true.

Stephen Crist, long-time Daily Racing Form executive and advocate for the betting public, has said that “over the past decade, I have conducted over 100 question-and-answer seminars with tens of thousands of fans and players at tracks and betting parlors across the country. The next player I meet who thinks Lasix is a major issue, or a reason not to play the races, will be the very first. Customers are not shy about voicing numerous complaints about the game, but in my experience, Lasix is not even on their radar.”

Thoro-Graph president Jerry Brown said: “My handle is seven figures a year. I’ve found that people bet when they have an opinion. The stronger the opinion, the more likely they are to bet, and the more money they will bet. There is not a single horse player I have talked with who will bet more if Lasix is banned. Things that create uncertainty hinder investment in business, and the same applies here as well, not knowing whether the reason a horse stopped last time was because he bled and whether the problem has been resolved creates uncertainty.”

The KHBPA looks forward to meaningful discussions with racetracks on behalf of the owners and trainers that we represent, along with the members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and representatives of the wagering public.

50th ANNIVERSARY OF QUARTER HORSE RACING AT AJAX DOWNS STARTS MAY 5

The 50th anniversary of Quarter Horse Racing at Ajax Downs kicks off Sunday, May 5, the first of 25 exciting racing days and special events to celebrate half a century of the popular sport.

What started as friendly match races between horses and their owners became an organized sport in 1969 at Picov Downs, named for one of its founders, Alex Picov. The sport grew under the Picov family and today, Quarter Horse racing is held at the state of the art, five-furlong Ajax Downs, where Sunday afternoons at the races are the best days of the summer.

All of our popular event days are back including Mother’s Day, Craft Beer Day, Family Day and more, plus a special 50th Anniversary afternoon on July 14 complete with Wiener Dog Races.

Top riders Brian Bell, Cory Spataro, Tony Phillips and Ramiro Castillo are back, plus many of the Champion horses from recent years including 3-time Horse of the Year Country Boy 123.

Soak in the scenery, the fun, the food and the great racing at Ajax Downs this year!

For more information please visit www.ajaxdowns.com