North American Trainer - Fall 2011 - Issue 22

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North American Trainer ISSUE 22 (FALL / WINTER 2011)

North American

ISSUE 22 – FALL/WINTER 2011 $6.95

www.trainermagazine.com

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED

THE NAME’S BOND

James Bond in profile

GOING GREEN

Reducing the carbon hoofprint

TOM PROCTOR

Publishing Ltd

The Trainer with the larger than life personality THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE

HORSES GOING ALL THE WAY

From claimers to grade 1 winners

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GILES ANDERSON Spotlight on trainers with Breeders’ Cup success on their minds It was certainly a tough call deciding just who should be on the cover of this issue of North American Trainer. Three trainers who I’ve been keen to profile – Don Warren, James Bond and Tom Proctor are all featured in this issue and each in their own rights are worthy of the cover slot.

But with a likely starter in the Breeders’ Cup Classic I’ve chosen James Bond to have the cover position. He’s a trainer who has been quietly going about his business for some time and has built up a solid reputation for being able to bring along good horses and come the first Saturday in November I feel he has a big chance to shine at Churchill Downs. Reading his profile, one gets the feeling of a calm and unfazed trainer who likes to let his horses do the talking. Sit back and read about the horses he has handled over time and then consider that it has been 11 years since he started a horse at the Breeders’ Cup meeting.

Tom Proctor, like Bond, is an institution in the training ranks and is blessed with a sharp sense of humor. Unlike Bond, Proctor has already tasted Breeders’ Cup glory when One Dreamer won the Distaff back in 1994 and this year could well be represented at his home track with the progressive Marketing Mix. With a larger than life personality, Tom Proctor has built up a loyal client base over the years and by all accounts had our senior writer, Frances Karon in stitches when she spent two days with him at his Del Mar barn this summer.

Many trees have been lost and many words written on the subject of how sports need to captivate their fan base to retain them. Racing certainly hasn’t been immune to this and my personal opinion is that no matter how much money you throw at it, some people simply won’t like or engage with particular sports. For me that sport is soccer and for many that sport may be racing. Each to their own. But these days its not necessarily about how many people your message can reach but more about how you can engage with those who you reach. Racing has a perfect medium to connect and engage with its fan base – Twitter. Its appeal has been quietly growing over the last couple of years and for many it’s now a major source of news and opinion. In this issue, one of racing’s leading “Twitterati,” Sid Fernando, examines its impact and growing appeal to our sport.

This year, I couldn’t but help feel that there has been an increase in the number of horses who have risen from the claiming ranks up to the top of the graded scale and in this issue Bill Heller looks at some of the horses who have “gone all the way.” What makes horses improve like this has been the subject of much debate over time and will be in the future, but these successes goes to show that the claiming ranks are a good trading zone and that ambitions can be realized if you’re a savvy trainer with the guts to enter into this market.

At whatever level your horses will race this fall, good luck! n

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WILL’S WAY The views of William Koester Golden Promises I am honored to have the opportunity to speak on a subject that is important to me as a life-long enthusiast of Thoroughbreds and racing. I currently chair the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI), but the opinions and ideas expressed in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily represent either the RCI or the members themselves.

V

ideo lottery terminals (VLTs), or slot machine revenue, have tremendously increased the purse accounts and breeding funds in multiple states, and is expected to do so in Ohio, the state where I live, as well. After three years of regulating horseracing and playing a part myself in the pursuit of the gaming pot of gold, I would like to share my experience and insights.

In Ohio, horsemen, track owners, and legislators are in the homestretch, all jockeying for position in the negotiation for VLTs at the three Thoroughbred and four harness racetracks. But before any revenue can be conjured, the horsemen and the racetrack owners must come to an agreement of what precise percentage of revenue will be earmarked for horseracing. What has become clear now is that the horsemen hold little or no power in the negotiations. The voices of horsemen will be even weaker in the time of VLT revenue production.

The horsemen are a dedicated group who hope to ensure an increase in purses and race days. Most horsemen believe that once VLTs are installed and the lights are lit, all will be right with horseracing. They dream of racing 365 days a year with Saratoga-size purses. They

believe that in states where racinos are in place, the streets will be paved with gold. They will someday find that the streets are not paved at all, and that the burden of paving will be on their backs.

In Ohio, most of the racetracks are now owned by gaming companies. As in other states, racetracks have been purchased in recent years by gaming companies. Gaming companies have invested money on the speculation of gaining entry into untapped gambling markets. The low price paid for faltering racetracks allowed them entry into a market where gambling is only allowed at racetracks.

What will be the implications on horseracing of racetracks owned and managed by gaming companies?

The VLT or slot machine player is much more reliable, predictable, and controllable than horseracing fans. Cover the machines with new themed graphics, offer different payouts, use anything in the marketing or behavioral psychology arsenal to coax the coins. There are no organized groups of VLT players to make demands. There are myriad ways that VLTs are easier to manage than live racing.

But once horseracing is under the control of gaming companies, the relative ease of VLT revenue will endanger horseracing. If horseracing does not provide a return on investment as great as that provided by VLTs,

gaming companies will resolve their loss.

My fear is that down the road, the gaming companies will marginalize horseracing at their gambling facilities and may even prove to undo horseracing in certain states. If, as I believe, gaming companies will be interested in marginalizing horseracing to bolster their balance sheet, it will be easy to enact. They will be able to decrease race days or put less investment in the racetrack.

They will be able to show losses through accounting. And from there it will be easy to convince politicians. Just as they’ve already influenced politicians to allow them to re-locate racetracks and waive bidding regulations, the gaming companies will exercise their power to reach their goals. Their goals are not the goals of horsemen.

I, like so many other horsemen, am anxiously awaiting gaming revenue. I expect that it will jolt our beloved sport with a shot of money. I, too, dream of more Graded stakes races, state breeding incentives, and racetracks that people will once again want to attend to watch healthy racing competition.

In this glow of anticipation, we must remember that if horseracing is not profitable on its own, without the support of casino revenue, it is not sustainable. We must continue searching for answers to our complex problems. n

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Issue 22

CONTENTS...

2 Will’s Way The views of William Koester.

10 California Thoroughbred Trainers Alan Balch on racing’s ‘Champions’; Don Warren in the spotlight.

14 TRM Trainer of the quarter Southern Californian trainer Pete Eurton.

16 James Bond Alan Shuback profiles James ‘007’ Bond, trainer of Breeders’ Cup Classic contender Tizway.

24 The Safety & Intergrity Alliance Now in its third year, K.T. Donovan takes a look at how racetracks are responding to the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance program.

34 Biomechanics Dr. Jill Esz Smith examines the biomechanics of the horse’s pelvis, the fluidity and ease of motion of which can differentiate a good horse from a claimer.

40 Tom Proctor A profile on Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer Tom Proctor, by Frances J. Karon.

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Issue 22

...CONTENTS 46 Taking claimers to Grade 1 glory Bill Heller chronicles some of the claimer-to-Grade-1 winner success stories.

52 Social Network What is the Twitter social media phenomemon? Sid Fernando breaks down its use in the racing industry.

58 Lymphatic drainage Rebecka Blenntoft on the benefits of a therapy that can decrease a horse’s recovery time from exertion or injury.

68 Nutrition Catherine Dunnett reviews some of the more interesting developments to come out of the annual Equine Science Society conference.

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72 The work visa threat to trainers The latest threat to trainers finding and keeping good help is coming from the U.S. Government, who has made it more difficult for foreigners to obtain work visas. By Bill Heller.

76 Carbon hoofprint How could racetracks and farms be more environmentally friendly? Ken Snyder writes of two Kentucky-based places that are ahead of the curve.

82 Product Focus 84 Stakes Schedules Forthcoming stakes races from North America and around the world.

88 Arnold Kirkpatrick The story behind Black Bess.

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CONTRIBUTORS Publisher & Editorial Director Giles Anderson Editor Frances Karon Executive Assistant Alice Jefford Design/Production Neil Randon Advertising Sales Giles Anderson Photo Credits

Benoit Photo, Rebecka Blenntoft, Tom Cooley Photography, Todd Dorstal, Drew Harris, Horsephotos.com, Frances J. Karon, Walter Knobbe, Reed Palmer Photography Churchill Downs, Shutterstock

Cover Photograph Horsephotos.com

North American

An Anderson & Co Publishing Ltd publication Main Address – United Kingdom 3 Stibb Hill, West Lavington SN10 4LQ Representative Address – North America PO Box 13248, Lexington, KY 40583-3248 Contact details Tel: 1 888 218 4430 Fax: 1 888 218 4206 info@trainermagazine.com www.trainermagazine.com

North American Trainer is the official magazine of the California Thoroughbred Trainers. It is distributed to all ‘Trainer’ members of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and all members of the Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association

Alan F. Balch was hired as Executive Director of California Thoroughbred Trainers in April 2010. His professional career in racing began at Santa Anita in 1971, where he advanced to the position of Sr. Vice PresidentMarketing and Assistant General Manager, and was in charge there of the Olympic Games Equestrian Events for Los Angeles in 1984. He retired in the early 90s to become volunteer president of the national equestrian federation of the USA, as well as of the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden. He remains volunteer president of USA Equestrian Trust, Inc. Rebecka Blenntoft trained in human manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) at the Vodder Schule in Austria and is qualified to treat lymphatic disease and administer combined decongestive therapy.

She is a member of the British Lymphology Society and MLD UK, where she acts as their editorial assistant for the quarterly journal.

Rebecka is based in Oxfordshire and treats both humans and horses involved in a variety of disciplines.

K. T. Donovan travels domestically and internationally to cover racing through writing, television, and video, and markets farms, stallions, and events, while regularly working sales to make sure she can still put her hands on the horse, the center of it all. As a freelancer, she has written for most of the major racing publications around the world, and contributed in various capacities to live shows and documentaries on several American television networks, as well as for Sky, and RTE (Irish television). She is based in Lexington, Kentucky.

Dr Catherine Dunnett BSc, PhD, R.Nutr. is an independent nutritionist registered with the British Nutrition Society. She has a background in equine research, in the field of nutrition and exercise physiology, with many years spent at The Animal Health Trust in Newmarket. Prior to setting up her own consultancy business, she worked in the equine feed industry on product development and technical marketing.

Sid Fernando (@sidfernando) is president of eMatings LLC and Werk Thoroughbred Consultants, Inc. He is the former bloodstock editor of Daily Racing Form and also blogs about racing and breeding.

Bill Heller, Eclipse-Award winner Bill Heller's 22nd book, "Above It All; The Turbulent Life of Jose Santos," was published in March, 2011. Heller, a member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame Communicators Corner, is 58 and lives in Albany, New York, just 30 miles south of Saratoga Race Course, with his wife Anna and their 22-year-old son Benjamin, a senior honor student at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

Frances J. Karon is a native of Puerto Rico and graduate of Maine’s Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She operates Rough Shod LLC based in Lexington, Kentucky and specializes in sales, pedigree research and recommendations.

Arnold Kirkpatrick in more than 45 years of involvement in the thoroughbred industry, Arnold Kirkpatrick has accumulated a vast experience in most aspects of the business – from being executive vice president of a major breeding farm to president of a race track. He has won major industry awards both as a writer and as a breeder.

Dr Jill Esz Smith operates Berkshire Animal Chiropractic & Sports Therapy. She is board certified in chiropractic and physiotherapy and certified in animal chiropractic by the AVCA. Her special interest is in proprioceptive and cerebellar function and their involvement in athletic performance and injury prevention.

Alan Shuback, for 20 years the foreign correspondent of the Daily Racing Form, writes a weekly column for the Thoroughbred Times. The author of Global Racing: The Complete Guide to the Greatest Foreign Racecourses, he also served as the American Correspondent for the British racing daily The Sporting Life and was the New York representative for the International Racing Bureau in the 1990's.

Ken Snyder is a Louisville, Kentucky based freelance writer.

He is a regular contributor to several other racing publications, a feature writer and essayist for some non-racing magazines, and an advertising marketing writer, as well.

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North American

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CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS

Racing’s ‘Champions’

T

he way it is in racing these days, the past seems a wonderful refuge. And the older one gets, the more it might seem that way.

But is it?

Consider the Breeders’ Cup. Do you really know about life in racing before its first edition, in 1984? Do you really know where it came from? Do you know how we determined our “champions”?

Most of us still remember the late John Gaines, and his inspiration. John Nerud is still among us and thriving. Nelson Bunker Hunt, ditto. But what was the case before them?

Whence (how’s that for an ancient word) their inspiration and opportunity?

As a mere lad, I joined Santa Anita in 1971.

Oak Tree Racing Association had been founded a couple years before. There were some days in its fall season I wondered if anyone would show up at the races, especially by comparison with the traditional winter meeting. A big weekend crowd was in the 20,000 range, a Thursday crowd early in the year, and the single-day record for Oak Tree was around 30,000.

However, there had never been major racing in Southern California in the fall dates. Ever.

College and pro football dominated the national sports landscape, following the World Series, concluding then in mid- October. As for racing, attention invariably shifted east, to Belmont’s rich meeting – highlighted by the Marlboro and Jockey Club Gold Cup. Most in California felt it was foolish to attempt to compete with its schedule.

Racing’s intersectional rivalries of the day were, if anything, more vitriolic than they are today. Shipping was much more difficult, and expensive. The planes seemed to fly only from West to East, not the other way. Especiall y late in the year. For California-raced horses, they went to Belmont or weren’t champions (even if they really were), since those were decided by labyrinthine voting among “experts.” The lack

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By Alan F. Balch CTT Executive Director

“Racing’s intersectional rivalries of the day were, if anything, more vitriolic than they are today” of “structure” in our racing was almost universally decried, especially in comparison to the other sports.

Frank E. “Jimmy” Kilroe had found a rare wrong-way plane from New York to California in the 1950s at the behest of the Strub family.

Along with leaders of Oak Tree, specifically Clement L. Hirsch and Louis R. Rowan (whose Quicken Tree had ventured East to win the Gold Cup, virtually the only California horse ever to do so up to that time), he saw no reason that California shouldn’t compete. They developed the nationally televised $350,000 National Thoroughbred Championship on CBS, to be inaugurated in 1975 at Oak Tree. I was just along as Kilroe’s chauffeur, celebrating my 30th birthday at Twenty-One the night we signed the television deal. The network was a major financial participant.

Before you sneer at the paltry purse, the winner’s share of $240,000 would be $1-million in today’s money, and the total purse works out to about $1,474,500 in 2011! By comparison, the fabled Santa Anita Handicap’s purse that year was “only” $170,000. The gross value exceeded the nation’s second biggest purse that year – for the Kentucky Derby – by almost $100,000, and the Gold Cup’s was less than half. It was far and awa y the largest American purse in history not reliant on funding from the runners and nominees, since it was a true invitational with no nomination or starter fees.

Money made the mares go: Dulcia won it for the lethal Whittingham/Shoemaker combine, with the great Tizna and Allez France in the field. But despite a formidable race of 11, also including Royal Glint, Ancient Title, L’Enjoleur, and Forceten, we didn’t see Wajima in it, nor Forego and Foolish Pleasure. Wajima had won the Gold Cup the week before, in a four-horse field. The latter two were on the sidelines.

Live national television on CBS contributed mightily to the NTC’s allure in the sport, but the founding executives there were shocked that that kind of money just couldn’t produce all the sport’s stars in one race. They had named it!

Whittingham advised them how quickly our strawberries can spoil, but it just wasn’t enough ...so hard was it for them to understand horses as athletes subject to injury, and to differentiate racing from franchised team sports.

In 1976, with no national television in the offing, we renamed it The Champions, and Kilroe assembled another stellar field. But Forego had won the Marlboro Cup on a sloppy track with Shoemaker and a lot of lead combining for 137 pounds a month earlier. No more handicaps for him, particularly 3,000 miles away, thus freeing Whittingham (and Shoe) to get King Pellinore home by a nose over L’Heureux among nine others.

What were the consequences?

The Gold Cup’s purse doubled in 1976. The Marlboro Cup stayed at $250,000 added (or $550,000 added between them). More important, all of racing now realized that its champions should be determined on the track, head to head, not simply by ballots, no matter how the voting groups might be structured.

And Oak Tree, along with the importance of racing late in the year in California, had been established. So had its market.

Gaines announced his vision for the Breeders’ Cup in 1982, just a few years later. In the interim, the seed that had been planted had taken root... that racing’s champions – now the “World’s Champions” – should be determined in a television showcase. But how and where?

After the ensuing and endless argument, Gaines’ thinking leap-frogged everyone else’s.

Why not have championships on one day for every major division to maximize impact, and why shouldn’t television and sponsors join to finance it, stimulated by the breeders’ own major financial contributions?

Not every result and decision of the Breeders’ Cup has been positive for the rest of racing, to be sure. Yet Gaines knew (and taught those of us who were paying attention) that nothing will ever be accomplished if all possible objections must first be overcome. n

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CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS

It’s fame at last for Don Warren

WORDS: Steve Schuelein PhOtOS: hORSePhOtOS.cOM

I

t took four decades for trainer Don Warren to become an overnight success.

That is how it must seem for Warren, who is suddenly adapting to the glare of the national spotlight after years of relative obscurity quietly plying his trade in California.

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Warren, who turned 60 in September, can attribute his meteoric rise to Acclamation, a five-year-old horse who earned “Horse of the Year” whispers after capturing the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar in August, his third straight Grade 1 stakes victory and fourth straight graded score.

“I can’t believe it’s happening to me, actually,” said the modest, down-to-earth trainer in September of his brush with fame. “It’s happening to me for once.”

No matter what decision owner-breeder Bud Johnston makes as to whether to run Acclamation in the Breeders’ Cup, Warren cherishes a thrill that may occur only once in a lifetime.

“You only hope that if you train 30 or 40 years, one good one comes along,” said Warren.

“And I know if I never have another one like Acclamation, I know I’ve had that experience.

That’s what feels good.”

Warren is as California-bred as Acclamation, a son of Unusual Heat bred at the Johnston family’s Old English Rancho in Sanger, Cal. Warren was born in Covina, graduated from Norco High School, and has lived in the

Golden State his entire life.

Warren became interested in racing through family members, who were avid weekend fans.

“In 1968, I got a job on the backside at Del Mar for a trainer named Bill Morris,” said Warren of his introduction to racing.

“After that summer, I went back to complete my senior year of high school and taught myself how to ride,” continued Warren. “My father bought me a filly that was half thoroughbred and half quarter-horse, and I taught myself with her.”

Warren returned to the Morris stable at Del Mar during the summer of 1969 prepared to gallop his horses. From there, he moved to Northern California with Morris and his sixhorse stable, looking for a larger outfit.

“At the time, Old English Rancho had stables in Northern and Southern California,” said Warren. “I asked their trainer in the North, Earl Bryant, if they had room for me in the South. I was hired by their Southern trainer, Freddy Miquelez. On January 1, 1970, I began working for Old English Rancho.”

Warren has never worked for anyone else since. He worked his way up to head exercise rider and assistant before Ellwood “Pie Man” Johnston, Bud’s late father and founder of Old English Rancho, promoted him to trainer in 1978. (The elder Johnston founded Old English Rancho in 1948 in Ontario, Cal. The younger Johnston moved the farm north to Sanger in 1997.)

The diminutive Warren at a young age envisioned becoming a jockey, but soon grew too heavy to pursue the dream. “In the old days, we had trial races in the morning: that’s as close as I came to riding,” said Warren.

“Ellwood used to say, ‘nobody is better at that than Don.’ “I was good at getting my times right,” said Warren about the clock in his head. “That’s what they liked about me. If they said a minute, I would be right at a minute or very close. But I knew every horse, so it was easier.”

Warren used his riding skills to exercise his own horses for many years. “When I became trainer I used to get on horses, 15 or 16 head a day, with another rider,” said Warren.

That part of his career came to an end about 10 years ago. “I’ve had some soreness in my back for many years, but pulling a horse up at Santa Anita, I had a tweak in my lower back and felt paralyzed. I didn’t know if I could get the horse back to the barn.”

The problem eventually led to the hospital. “I had back surgery where they fused four vertebrae a couple of years ago,” said Warren.

“It basically failed. It relieved some sciatica, but I am still hurting every day. I need four or five pain pills a day to get through.”

Warren has a bad back and Johnston, 74, has a bum knee. But luckily, Acclamation is totally sound.

“When I first got him at the track, Bud had already given me the heads-up that he was one of the best in that crop,” said Warren. “When he

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DON WARREN saw him under tack on the ranch, he thought he would be something special.

“I didn’t know then that he would be a horse that would win a Grade 1,” added Warren. “He looked good breaking his maiden (in his third start and first on turf on December 21, 2008 at Hollywood Park). I just hoped he would become a good horse. It’s a long road to a Grade 1.”

Warren noticed in that maiden victory that Acclamation resented being whipped and ever since advised jockeys not to hit him. “Mike Smith rode him that day, hit him left-handed 100 yards from the wire, and he ducked out and clipped his front ankle,” said Warren.

“Since then, I’ve run him in vet wraps for his front ankles.”

Warren was not surprised with Acclamation’s penchant for turf because of his pedigree: by the Nureyev stallion Unusual Heat out of the Silveyville mare Winning in Style. “When this horse ran a big third in the (2009) Del Mar Derby, that was the first time I thought he had a great future,” said Warren of the effort, beaten by three-quarters of a length at 60-to-1 odds.

Acclamation served notice of his arrival in the upper echelon of grass horses with back-toback victories in the Grade 2 Jim Murray Memorial Handicap and Grade 1 Charles Whittingham Memorial Handicap on the Hollywood Park turf in 2010.

He raised his game to an even higher level this year, becoming the first horse to repeat both stakes wins at Hollywood Park before journeying to Del Mar to add the Grade 1 Eddie Read Stakes on grass and Pacific Classic on Polytrack to his glittering resume, while boosting his earnings over the $1.5 million mark.

“He’s the sweetest stallion you’d ever want to be around,” said Warren. “He feels good all the time. He doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.

He’s bright and alert and always at the front of his stall. He’s a real people person.”

Acclamation has developed a reputation of being as fond of carrots as Bugs Bunny. “Some stallions can be mean, but he just wants to check your back pockets if you have a carrot,” said Warren.

“He loves to eat,” added the trainer. “I asked Bud if he was a good horse because he eats so much or if eats so much because he’s a good horse.”

About the only puzzle about Acclamation that Warren has been unable to solve is the horse’s disappointing performances the two times he has shipped: to New Jersey for the United Nation Stakes at Monmouth last year and to West Virginia for the Charles Town Classic in April.

“He didn’t run well at all, but I haven’t figured out why,” said Warren. “He’s not a nervous horse. He’s not afraid of flying. He ate up after each race.”

Warren credits much of the horse’s development to the work of his groom, Delores Molina, and his exercise rider, Tim Reavey. “Tim

Acclamation (right) wins the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, boosting his earnings to more than $1.5 million

has been with us a long time and does a real good job,” noted Warren. “I appreciate him quite a bit because he shows up every single day and is never late.”

Warren also appreciates Johnston scaling down his workload to a dozen horses, about half of what it once was, a size he can better manage with his ailing back.

Although Acclamation has taken Warren to rarefied heights he could once only imagine, he has enjoyed his share of graded stakes success.

“Something Lucky won the Will Rogers and (Grade 2) Cinema on the turf at Hollywood Park and was named the top Cal-bred threeyear-old in 1987,” said Warren of the colt who earned $269,875.

“Somethingmerry won the most exciting race for me before the Pacific Classic,” added Warren. “(Jockey Laffit) Pincay rallied from 15 lengths out of it and nailed (jockey Corey) Nakatani on the wire (aboard Countus In) in the (G2) Palomar Handicap at Del Mar (in 1991).”

Somethingmerry also won the Grade 3 Golden Poppy Stakes at Golden Gate Fields that year and earned $485,050 during her career.

Warren has been to the Breeders’ Cup once, finishing fourth with Flying Sensation in the 1993 Juvenile at Santa Anita. Flying Sensation rallied from 10th in a field of 11 to finish behind Brocco, Blumin Affair, and Tabasco Cat. “We hooked up with Tabasco Cat again that winter in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields, and he beat me a head,” said Warren of the future Preakness Stakes winner.

“We were thinking about going to the Kentucky Derby with Flying Sensation, but he had a minor leg injury about a month before, and we had to stop on him.”

Overshadowed by the accomplishments of Acclamation this year has been the emergence of another five-year-old stakes winner, the gelding Norvsky. The son of Vronsky completed a dream weekend at Del Mar on July 24 when he won the $100,000 California Dreamin’ Handicap the day after Acclamation won the Eddie Read. Norvsky has recorded four firsts, six seconds, and three thirds in 14 starts and earned more than $260,000.

Warren lives near Santa Anita in Temple City with his wife of 38 years, Patty. They have three daughters and five grandsons. n

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Pete Eurton (left) with owner Joe Ciaglia after Weemissfrankie won the Grade I $250,000 Del Mar Debutante (inset)

TRM Trainer of the Quarter

PETE EURTON

The TRM Trainer of the Quarter award has been won by Pete Eurton. Eurton and his team will receive a selection of products from the internationally-acclaimed range of TRM supplements worth €2,000, as well as a bottle of select Irish whiskey.

WORDS: FRANCES J. KARON

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S

outhern California trainer Pete Eurton just wrapped up his best summer, culminating in the first and second Grade 1 stakes wins of his career, in 26 years as a trainer. Going into the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Grey Goose Juvenile Fillies championship decider, his Weemissfrankie is a leading contender. The daughter of Sunriver is undefeated in three starts, including the Del Mar Debutante S.-G1 on synthetic at Del Mar and the Oak Leaf S.-G1 on dirt at Santa Anita Park, with earnings of $337,800.

Weemissfrankie is owned by Eurton’s

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longtime supporters Sharon Alesia, Bran Jam Stables, Ciaglia Racing, LLC, and Rob Dyrdek, and her success has been gratifying and a great emotional reward for the group. Frank Alesia, husband to Sharon, died in February, and the filly, picked up out of the OBS April sale of two-year-olds in training for $175,000

by Eurton and Larry Zap – who “is always the one that brings the horses to” Eurton on a short-list – on behalf of Ciaglia, was named in his honor.

“When Frank passed away,” Eurton says, “that was really hard to take. Sharon wanted to stay in the game just to kind of hold his name and his legacy out there. Everybody that met Frank always loved him. We bought a couple of horses at the sale, a filly and a colt, and we named them after Frank, one being Weemissfrankie and then the other one being Chickie Charms.” Her name Weemissfrankie, he says, is “because we do.” Contrary to the spelling of “wee,” the filly is “by no means small.”

Eurton was on fire at the recently concluded Del Mar race meeting, with eight wins, seven seconds, and two thirds in 25

starts for a 68% in-the-frame figure.

Weemissfrankie, who broke her maiden there, accounted for two of those wins, as did Mega Heat (Alesia/Ciaglia/Dyrdek), while another went to Mr. and Mrs. Marc C. Ferrell’s Joker Face, who under Mike Smith won the “Battle of the Exes” match race between Smith and Chantal Sutherland. Grade 1-placed She’s Cheeky, owned by Alesia, Bran Jan, and Ciaglia, finished second in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap.

This Del Mar season was a far cry from Eurton’s 2010 meet, when he was seriously savaged by one of his own horses who dumped his rider on the track then grabbed Eurton by his back off his pony.

A California native who has been married to Lisa for 27 years, Eurton was raised by his father, who loved racing and would take his son with him to the track. He decided at 15 he wanted to be a rider, but had to wait until he was 16 before Rex Ellsworth’s jockey school in Chino could accept him. That was also the age when he discovered that his stepfather, Steve Ippolito, was a trainer, and he went to work for him. “We got along really

well, me and Steve,” he says. “He kind of took me on as his son; my respect for Steve is high.”

Eurton rode professionally from 19791981, winning, he says, “maybe a bit over a hundred races, or 125-ish. That number always seems to get higher as years go on.” He rode freelance for Bobby Frankel before striking out as a trainer in 1985, hooking up with Frank Alesia around 1989.

Through October 10, the Eurton stable has 23 wins from 115 races. He has had a good start to the Santa Anita meeting, with Weemissfrankie’s Oak Leaf victory and an allowance won Mega Heat, the gelding’s third win in his last three starts.

Eurton’s best horses prior to Weemissfrankie have been stakes winners Masterpiece (Arg), Cee Dreams, and Star Nicholas. She’s Cheeky has been knocking on the door in graded stakes races and may yet give the 30-horse stable another boost.

Of course, the ultimate would be seeing Weemissfrankie win the Juvenile Fillies at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 4. n

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PROFILE Bond with his Breeders’ Cup Classic hope, Tizway

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JIM BOND

JIM BOND His mission? To go all the way with Tizway The name is Bond...Jim Bond, not to be confused with that of James Bond, the fictional daredevil and high-tech knight errant of international spymaster fame. Not for the exotic climes of London, Paris or Rio is our Jim. Raised in the small western New York town of Victor, Jim Bond has ventured no further geographically than a few hundred miles east to the decidedly unromantic sounding Mechanicville, the smallest incorporated city in the state, one named after the profession of its original occupants. But Mechanicville does have the saving grace of lying just 15 miles from racing’s magical summer capital, Saratoga Springs.

WORDS: ALAN SHUBACK PHOTOS: HORSEPHOTOS.COM

F

rom that modest point on the globe, Jim Bond, the trainer, oversees a racing and breeding empire that is in the midst of preparing for the biggest operation of its existence. D-Day is November 5, when Tizway is being aimed for the Breeders’ Cup Classic. It is a race Bond came perilously close to winning in 1995 with L’Carriere, who was beaten to the line only by the great Cigar.

In Tizway, Bond has a horse that is physically and temperamentally suited to the trainer’s methods, which derive directly from those of Hall of Fame conditioner Allen Jerkens.

“Jerkens is my idol,” Bond says. “If I could be one-tenth of the trainer he was, I would consider myself a success.”

Suffice it to say that Bond is considerably more than one-tenth of the way to achieving his goal, Tizway alone giving credence to that

assessment. The winner of the second fastest Metropolitan Handicap in history in May, he followed that victory with a decisive threelength triumph in Saratoga’s Grade 1 Whitney Handicap. Bond now has the six-year-old exactly where he wants him, and exactly where he has always thought he could be.

“I train horses hard, very hard,” he explains, “but I had to train Tizway safely rather than the hard way I would have liked to earlier in his career. He suffered from a series of minor little things, and I could only start to

“Jerkens is my idol. If I could be one-tenth of the trainer he was, I would consider myself a success”

go 100 percent with him this spring.”

A $140,000 Keeneland purchase by Bond’s principal owner, William “Bill” Clifton Jr., Tizway may be the fruition of a partnership between the owner and trainer that began in 1991. It was May 15, 1991 to be exact, as Bond’s wife and keeper of stable purse strings Tina Marie, whom he met when she was waiting tables in a Victor restaurant, remembers. “That was the date on the first bill we sent Mr. Clifton,” she recalls. In the late nineties the Clifton-Bond team produced three-time Grade 1 winner Behrens, who is probably better remembered for his six second-place finishes at the highest level, one of them behind the incomparable Dubai Millennium in the Dubai World Cup. Clifton and Bond pulled off a grand Saratoga double when Will’s Way won the 1996 Travers Stakes, landing the Whitney a year later.

“Behrens was the most athletic horse I’ve

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PROFILE

Above: Bond’s interest in Thoroughbreds includes breeding. His 100-acre breeding farm, Song Hill, is home to nine weanlings, six yearlings, and 20 broodmares Main photo: Tizway wins the Whitney Handicap at Saratoga

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ever owned,” Clifton says of the horse that was named after his family’s wholesale pharmaceutical company, “while Will’s Way had the most heart. If Tizway proves to have the athleticism of Behrens and the heart of Will’s Way – and I think he might – then he will be the best I’ve ever had. But he’ll have to prove it in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.”

Bond’s job in getting Tizway to Churchill Downs on November 5 hit a snag on September 22 when the horse spiked a fever at Saratoga, forcing him out of the Jockey Club Gold Cup, the race he was to have used as a Classic prep.

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JIM BOND “It would have been unfair to him to work him 70 percent up to a tough race like the Gold Cup,” Bond lamented. Yet the trainer will not let go of his Breeders’ Cup dreams, having set himself the task of getting Tizway to the Classic off a two-month absence off works alone.

“He had been training brilliantly and will be ready for a mile and a quarter on November 5,” Bond said with charachteristic confidence.

The key to understanding Bond’s success with means that pale in comparison to those possessed by the Maktoums, Abdullahs and Magniers of this world, lies in the trainer’s seemingly out-of-date love affair with stamina.

In an age when the average distance of all races run in America lies a bit south of the seven-furlong mark, Bond scours bloodlines in search of pedigrees that might yield the elusive quality that will enable a horse to stay a mile and a quarter, or further.

His racetrack beginnings might not lead one to expect such a trait. The son of Harold George Bond, the owner of Finger Lakes Racetrack where the sport might be termed a local curiosity, H. James Bond (“The ‘H’ stands for Harold, a name I don’t like,” he says) got his start working with a small string of show horses, a field that requires the strictest discipline. His father died when he was just 11 years old, and he soon found himself running his mother’s small stable.

“On my sixteenth birthday the stewards at Finger Lakes gave me a license to train,” he recalls, “although I’d been saddling horses for at least a year before.” There is something about learning a trade in the hinterlands that brings out the best in a young man who has no intention of remaining in the provinces. Of that theory, Jim Bond is a perfect example.

Growing up in the suburbs of Rochester, Jim pored through the pedigree pages of The

“If Tizway proves to have the athleticism of Behrens and the heart of Will’s Way – and I think he might – then he will be the best I’ve ever had”

Thoroughbred Record when it was a thick weekly magazine with a distinctive dark blue cover. “I would go down to our cellar and cut out the pedigrees of all the big race winners and tack them up on the wall.” From this esoteric pastime arose a beautiful racing mind.

“I love classic pedigrees,” he says, and he used that devotion to buy his first horse at a dispersal sale at the New Hampshire State Fair in 1986. He honed in on a weanling from the family produced by Pittsburgh Pirates owner John Galbreath of Darby Dan Farm and Roberto fame. The colt was by Murtagh (named for Pirates’ manager Johnny), who was by Galbreath’s Preakness and Belmont winner Little Current. “One of my favorite broodmare sires, Princequillo, was on his female side, and I bought him for $700. His name was Murtie and he won over $200,000 for us, running mostly at Finger Lakes.”

Some have questioned Tizway’s ability to get the Breeders’ Cup Classic distance of ten furlongs, but don’t count Bond among them.

“If I didn’t think he could stay, I wouldn’t have run him in the Jockey Club Gold Cup when he was four,” the trainer says. “As it was he finished a good third behind two pretty good horses in Summer Bird and Quality Road.”

By two-time Classic winner Tiznow, Tizway is out of a mare by champion European sprinter and unlucky Breeders’ Cup Sprint runner-up

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PROFILE

Above: Bond’s training operation, H. James Bond Racing Stables, has its headquarters on the backstretch at Saratoga Left: Bond in his Saratoga office, with his faithful companion, Charley

Dayjur. That is a combination of speed and stamina that doesn’t always produce tenfurlong types, but Bond is confident, and for good reason.

“His dam is Bethany, and she’s a half sister to Will’s Way,” he points out in a reference to his Travers winner, the implication made that there is a stamina influence on both sides of Tizway’s pedigree.

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Bond’s interest in Thoroughbreds encompasses not merely the training aspect, but breeding and ownership as well, making himself something of a triple threat in the mold of his namesake. His training operation, H. James Bond Racing Stables, has its headquarters on the backstretch at Saratoga Race Course with a winter getaway at Palm Meadows Thoroughbred Training Center in

Boynton Beach, Florida.

The Bonds are also owners of Song Hill Farm in Stillwater, New York, a few miles north of their home in Mechanicville. A 100-acre breeding farm, Song Hill is, according to bookkeeper Tina Marie, home to nine weanlings, six yearlings, and 20 broodmares.

The Bonds are members of that dwindling

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JIM BOND

fraternity of American breeder- owners who once in the fast-receding past dominated racing under the names of Whitney, Vanderbilt, Mellon, Galbreath, and Calumet.

While not so presumptuous to lay claim as the heir to that illustrious group, Bond is fighting the good fight in an industry that has committed itself to the vagaries of speed, speed, and more speed.

Top: Watching his horses at work Above: Bond with his wife, Tina

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PROFILE “I enjoy training horses with a stamina pedigree,” he states. “They are tough and can stand the tough training regimen I expect from them.”

He considers himself lucky in having been blessed with owners who feel the same way.

His first major supplier was Virginia Kraft Payson, a 26-year veteran outdoors writer for Sports Illustrated who succeeded Greentree Stables co-owner and New York Mets owner Joan Whitney Payson as the wife of Charles Shipman Payson. While still stabled at Finger Lakes, Bond was surprised to receive a telephone call from Aqueduct at five o’clock one morning. It was Mrs. Payson. She said she was in need of a trainer at Finger Lakes for some of her lesser horses and wondered if Bond was interested.

A few days later she sent him Wondrous Wise, who in his first run for Bond set a track record.

Their relationship would last for 14 years, during which time the lesser supply improved to greater, especially in the form of L’Carriere, who would follow his Breeders’ Cup Classic second to Cigar with a game third-place finish behind the same horse in the inaugural Dubai World Cup. In the meantime Bond had brought Paul Rudder on board. Rudder was co-owner of Equix Biochemics with Bill Clifton. Under the nom de course of Rudlein Stable, he shared ownership with Clifton of both Behrens and

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JIM BOND's GraDeD stakes wINNers: Behrens G1 Buddha G1 Cozzy Blues G3 Devious Course G1 Dewars Rocks G3 Fortuitous G3 Hostess G3 L’Carriere G3

Legislator G3 Mongoose G1 Mr. Groush G3 Pleasant Breeze G2 South Salem G3 Tizway G1 Will’s Way G1 Val’s Prince G1

“I enjoy training horses with a stamina pedigree.

They are tough and can stand the tough training regimen I expect from them” Will’s Way among others until his death in 2009.

Bond has 40 horses in his stable, eight of which are owned by Clifton. It is a family affair for the man who was not the least bit reticent to capitalize on his famous name.

“As I was growing up, all the kids called me 007, the code number by which British secret agent James Bond goes,” the trainer said. “My dear Aunt Barbara suggested to me that I take advantage of it, and so I did.”

It was good advice. The numbers 007 appear on all of his horses’ saddle blankets as well the busy van which ships his horses from Saratoga to Belmont and from Palm Meadows to Gulfstream. It is great publicity, as it is sure to turn the heads of even people who are clueless about horse racing.

Bond’s elder son Kevin has been his assistant for two years, while his younger son Ryan adjusts his winter class schedule at Florida Atlantic University to enable him to help out at Palm Meadows and Gulfstream.

Meanwhile, Tina Marie keeps an eye on the budget, pinch-hitting for Jim when he is away from home for a Keeneland yearling sale or a trip to Dubai or Japan with one of the family’s big horses.

A wise man once said that getting there is half the fun. The hope that springs up in the heart as the journey to the coveted goal is now propelling Bond and family on the road to the Breeders’ Cup Classic. ‘Tis the way led by Tizway on a road that leads to Churchill Downs and the fulfillment of a glorious dream.

Bond puts it in perspective: “I want to be known as the most famous James Bond in the world!” n

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INDUSTRY

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SAFETY AND INTEGRITY

Setting standards with the Safety & Integrity Alliance

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INDUSTRY

Mike Ziegler, Executive Director of Safety & Integrity Alliance

Churchill Downs is accredited despite not having a safety rail on the inside of the turf course

To many, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) and its various programs have done little to change endemic problems associated with American racing.

However, the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance has gained traction quickly, making actual improvements while simultaneously bringing together all parts of the industry toward a common goal. Not everyone is on board, but the gap between intent and actual practice has been surprisingly narrow for a program only three years old.

WORDS: K.T. DONOVAN PHOTOS: HORSEPHOTOS.COM

I

n the wake of the dual blows to the industry’s public image delivered

by Richard Dutrow’s admission that he, along with most trainers, administered steroids on a regular basis and the death of Eight Belles, the NTRA formed the Safety & Integrity Alliance in October, 2008, to “establish standards and practices to promote safety and

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integrity in horse racing and to secure their implementation.” Every major horsemen’s organization joined the Alliance, and Pfizer Animal Health was the original Equine Health Promotional Partner, with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute joining in that role in September of 2011.

The first year, 16 tracks were accredited, plus four more the second year -- twenty tracks that

account for 70% of the national handle.

Joe Santanna, National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) President and Chairman of the Board, helped form the goals and standards of the Alliance, and calls it “one of the best things the NTRA has done in a while,” a sentiment echoed by many throughout the industry.

A survey in 2009 indicated that 55% of racing fans felt that racing was safer than in 2008, when they were shocked by the nationally televised death of Eight Belles right on the heels of Barbaro’s demise.

What about the other 45%? Most horseplayers see it as another waste of money and time, many trainers have never heard of it, and other industry insiders are not sure what the Alliance has accomplished. However, this impression owes more to a lack of proper promotion by the NTRA of what the Alliance does than to the Alliance itself.

“The idea is to make the bar high enough that even tracks like Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita have to make some effort, but not so high that others feel it is out of reach,” explained Executive Director Mike Ziegler, the only paid employee of the Alliance. “Even if everyone – commissions, horsemen – agrees, to ask the tracks to move the ball forward is a process.”

To pass accreditation, the process begins with a 48-page written application, followed by several meetings, then an on-site review of six areas: wagering security; injury reporting and prevention; a safer racing environment; jockey health and safety; aftercare/transitioning of retired racehorses; uniform medication, testing, and penalties; and safety research.

The reviews are undertaken by contracted veterinarians, related experts, and Ziegler. For example, Keeneland was inspected by Ziegler; Ron Jensen, DVM; racing official Richard Lewis; and Mike Kilpack of the Organization of Racetrack Investigators (ORI). These contractors are where the costs assessed go, and why the Alliance needs additional funding by the NTRA to continue.

A track can be accredited without passing every guideline with flying colors, which is why some trainers have objected to Churchill being accredited while still not having a safety rail on the inside of the turf course. One trainer pointed out that even on the Northern California fair circuit, whose California Authority of Racing Fairs represents six of the original 55 tracks that pledged support yet never applied to be accredited, there are safety rails.

One track that never pledged to join the Alliance and is adamant that it has no desire to do so is Oaklawn Park in Arkansas. Assistant general manager David Longinotti insists that Oaklawn values safety regardless of NTRA approval.

“We already follow the NTRA guidelines,” Longinotti said. “We have a state vet who tests horses, and we have an association vet who examines every horse. We have EMTs on site,

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INDUSTRY not just in the afternoon, but during training hours. I don’t think we need an independent monitor telling us what we need to do about safety.”

Ziegler views the situation differently, arguing that, “At Oaklawn, there is no TCO2 testing, crops aren’t regulation, and for me, the EID (Equine Injury Database) and no pre-race exams are dealbreakers. Woodbine puts their EID stats on their website, and have since 2007.”

“We don’t enter our horses in the EID because I find it meaningless,” Longinotti said, citing Dr. Rick Arthur’s study that 90% of fatal breakdowns have a pre-existing injury. “We don’t think we are gaining any information from the EID. We have a slew of vets at all times, morning and afternoon. There is no equine surgical center in Hot Springs. The closest one is Stillwater, Oklahoma. We run one 56-day meeting. We don’t have horses here year-round.

We aren’t responsible for the aftercare of a horse once he leaves our grounds, or before he gets here.”

Some industry insiders were outraged that pre-race exams did not stop Life At Ten from embarrassing the sport on Breeders’ Cup Friday last year despite Churchill’s accreditation.

Ziegler pointed out that most speculation with Life At Ten came with hindsight, and that improved communication could have prevented the public relations disaster that ensued.

“Nobody owned the situation, so the explanations weren’t in place,” he said. “The horse wasn’t lame, and had warmed up exactly like that twice before, and even won. The vets couldn’t scratch her on lameness, and the jock thought the horse was going to warm up out of it, break running, and go on to perform well, as she had in the past. The jock and trainer should

“The idea is to make the bar high enough that even tracks like Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita have to make some effort, but not so high that others feel it is out of reach” Mike Ziegler have communicated (her peculiarity) to the vets ahead of time, and the vets to the stewards.”

Instead, the public was caught off guard, and no immediate statement regarding the horse’s well-being was made. The Alliance was not to blame, nor pre-race exam failure, but rather a lack of proper, early, and transparent explanation.

The other significant practice, injury reporting, looks toward preventing equine injuries. The information is completely confidential to encourage comprehensive reporting by trainers. Injuries will never cease entirely, but veterinarians believe the EID will give accurate information that can produce measurable results for the first time.

“The EID has a minimum standard for the afternoons, and in the morning it’s trackable if a horse is vanned off, if the ambulance drivers are keeping logs, and the association vet is following

up,” explains Ziegler. “It’s about changing culture, which takes time and education. There are issues in the claiming game of not wanting certain things known about individual horses, and trainers claim privacy. But the practicing vets are reporting injuries anonymously, so it’s not pinned to any individual. There is no way to single out a trainer for any injuries.”

According to one report from Evangeline Downs, which never pledged to join the Alliance, when pre-race exams started in 2008, the breakdown rate dropped from eight per 1,000 to two per 1,000. This is the trackable information the EID can help maintain.

The insistence the Alliance gives to pre-race examinations requires all horses to be examined both before and after each race by an “official veterinarian,” but tracks often cannot afford the personnel, so many check two horses a day, or have someone other than a vet do the examination.

“Pre-testing horses becomes a question of whether the person testing is actually qualified,” Arkansas HBPA head Bill Walmsley noted. “We do it for graded stakes races – beyond that it’s a personnel issue. We have the track vet pretesting, so we feel we are taking care of it. To have every horse tested, I see nothing wrong with it, but it’s not essential for safety, particularly if people with no special expertise are doing it.”

Walmsley makes clear that he has no problem with what the Alliance is trying to achieve, admitting there are good characteristics, but still questions whether a portion of it is form over substance.

“I would recommend it if I thought Oaklawn was unsafe, but I don’t,” he states emphatically.

“We’ve had safety meetings since before there

Oaklawn Park is not involved in the Alliance, insisting its safety standards follow NTRA guidelines

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INDUSTRY NTRA SAfETY & INTEgRITY AllIANcE AccREDITED AND NON-AccREDITED RAcEcOURSES

KEY REQUIREMENTS Report equine injuries and fatalities to help create and maintain a national database.

Conduct pre-race, post-race, and post-mortem veterinary examinations. l Adhere to ARCI safety standards regarding toe grabs, riding crops, helmets, vests, as well as padded starting gates. l Provide on-track emergency medical care for humans and equines, including an equine ambulance. l Conduct safety research and training for track employees who are in contact with horses. l Implement medication rules and penalties consistent with Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) rules. l Allow for out-of-competition testing, including for blood and/or gene doping agents. l Support state racing commission’s program for freezing and retrospective testing of postrace samples. l Participate in security assessment of track’s facility, security, and medication and drugtesting standards. l Adhere to ARCI safety standards for jockey weights and licensing. l Affiliate with recognized placement/adoption programs for retired racehorses. l Adopt totalisator technology and “stop wagering” protocols. l Promptly conduct thorough investigation into suspected wagering incidents. l l

PlEDgED TRAcK

AccREDITED

RE-AccREDITED

Aqueduct

3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3

3

3

3 3

3

Arlington Park Belmont Park Calder Race Course Canterbury Park CARF – Ferndale CARF – Fresno CARF – Pleasanton CARF – Sacramento CARF – Santa Rosa CARF - Stockton Charles Town Churchill Downs Colonial Downs Delaware Park Del Mar Ellis Park Emerald Downs Fair Grounds

3

Fairplex Finger Lakes Golden Gate Fields

3 3

Gulfstream Park Hastings Park Hollywood Park

3

3

3

3

Hoosier Park Indiana Downs Keeneland Kentucky Downs Laurel Park Lone Star Park Louisiana Downs Monmouth Park

3

Mountaineer Oak Tree/Santa Anita

3

Penn National Philadelphia Park (Parx) Pimlico Race Course

3

3

3

3

Pinnacle Racecourse Portland Meadows Presque Isle Downs Remington Park Ruidoso Downs Sam Houston Race Park Saratoga Racecourse Suffolk Downs Sunland Park

3

Thistledown Turfway Park Woodbine

3 3

Zia Park

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was an NTRA. We have a track committee which meets every year in November – trainers, owners, management, track superintendent – and then we meet once a week to discuss anything anyone feels needs to be addressed. We pick up information from exercise riders and jockeys, and have a good interchange between horsemen and executives. It accomplishes the same thing without an outside source. We know best what our track and our people need.”

The Alliance does not make its own medication rules, instead adopting the model rules of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC). It set its own Code of Standards based on the minimum practices set forth by advisors from different roles in the industry and implements those agreed-upon standards. Members are encouraged to exceed these minimums.

“When the Alliance recognizes a ‘best practice,’ you can move industry standards towards that, and the industry as a whole becomes an amalgamation of all the best practice standards,” Santanna explains. “We are still in the first stage of re-accreditation. The whole program is in its infancy, and it’s a huge effort.

We are putting in the structure. As a joint effort, it’s been terrific; we have brought together regulators, trainers, racetrack operators, security, jockeys, owners – this is a clear example of us all working together.”

Arlington Park was re-accredited in July and given “best practice” in cushioned riding crops and safety vests, padded starting gate, safety research, catastrophic injury planning and procedures, fire safety, paddock safety protocols, anabolic steroids and out of competition testing, security assessments and training, jockey health info, ambulance/med support, jockey disability supports, substance abuse program, aftercare, wagering security, and stop-wagering protocols.

Some tracks among the original 55 to pledge support are no longer racing, while more than half of the accredited ones have already achieved re-accreditation. Of the 20 that received twoyear accreditation the first time around, only casino-operated Delaware Park did not re-apply.

New on the list is Suffolk Downs, which began the process of its first accreditation in the summer of 2011.

The Alliance relies on tracks to enforce the rules themselves. Outriders and clerks of scales make sure everyone is wearing a helmet and gate crews are wearing vests – the largest source of objection to compliance. Track security monitors wagering and use of medication and shockwave therapy on the grounds. Safety meetings with jockeys and others are one of the requirements, and these discussions help tracks become aware of problems they can fix on their own.

Terry Meyocks, head of the Jockeys’ Guild, declares that Ziegler’s efforts have made a noticeable difference. Meyocks’ experience dealing with hospitals and the aftermath of accidents make him particularly interested in rider and gate crew safety.

“A lot of racetrack executives don’t know about these problems -- they come from casinos or other industries, and the Safety & Integrity Alliance has done a great job of educating them on what the issues are and what needs to be done,” Meyocks said.

“Mike Ziegler is very open to input from riders, and always asks who the jockeys are to talk to whenever he goes somewhere,” Meyocks said. “He listens to them individually, and in full rooms, and then takes the suggestions to the racetracks. He has surrounded himself with experts, and brought in the right people, like Dan Fick, Doc Jensen, and others. He follows through.”

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INDUSTRY

Arlington Park was re-accredited in July

Meyocks expressed frustration at tracks that are unwilling to spend money where people’s well-being is concerned, noting that studies have shown the danger starting gates impose. “It costs an extra $20,000-$30,000 to pad the starting gate properly, and some tracks say they can’t afford it.” Turfway improved the padding on its starting gate after a review by the Alliance.

Even major tracks like Del Mar have found they could improve on issues like padding after listening to the input from an Alliance review.

“It’s a costly process, but it’s hard to put a price on safety,” Sunland Park Director of Racing Dustin Dix said. “Sunland has always made safety a priority and taking care of the horsemen. Our jocks’ insurance is $1-million.

We try to go above and beyond, and the Alliance helped us go in the right direction.”

Some tracks object to the fees. If all the tracks supported the program, it would break even, using a sliding scale based on purses paid so smaller tracks pay less than major ones. Fees for NTRA members are $15,000-$7,500, with those fees credited against their NTRA dues.

Non-members like Churchill Downs pay $40,000-$10,000, not outrageous compared to other business consultants. The fees go toward the reviews conducted by the contracted consultants and veterinarians, and associated costs, with the NTRA making up the difference.

The Alliance fees do not support the NTRA; it’s the other way around.

“Everything in this industry moves slower than we’d like, but this is the best step that’s happened in 20-30 years on safety issues,” Meyocks declared. “There is a cost to it, but at the end of the day, it’s beneficial. It’s a liability issue for tracks, but it’s preventive medicine, and if they don’t have the money, they shouldn’t be in racing.”

Some smaller tracks like River Downs and Tampa Bay Downs never signed onto the pledge. They know the improvements required might be beyond their capacity to afford, including working ambulances, and EMTs on-

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“Everything in this industry moves slower than we’d like, but this is the best step that’s happened in 20-30 years on safety issues” Terry Meyocks site. Ziegler sees that tracks get out of it what they put in, and feels it’s in everyone’s best interests and shameful if they don’t participate.

Nevertheless, he’s working on incentives, which he expects to finalize and announce in the coming months.

Casino gaming is a common denominator among tracks that have declined to participate.

Whereas Oaklawn representatives pleasantly explained their thoughts on why they did not want to participate, repeated attempts to speak to track managers at venues like Delaware Park, Parx Racing, and Penn National were ignored.

On the other hand, Sunland used the opportunity offered by the Alliance to go to the New Mexico Racing Commission and repair regulations that were way out of sync with the rest of the country. For example, Banamine levels were 50 times what any other state would allow. To not be seen as some rogue track out in the bush leagues was important to Sunland, now a player in the Triple Crown scene and growing in prestige. Stymied in the past by needing the Commission to enact change, the pressure of the Alliance requirements forced the Commission’s hand and Sunland brought all of New Mexico racing up to appropriate standards, including matching medication levels to California’s.

Sunland’s Dix said he hasn’t had any

horsemen say they want to run at Sunland just because it’s accredited, but it hasn’t hurt as far as being viewed on a par with the major tracks.

“Getting that grade for the Sunland Derby (which was elevated to Grade 3 status in 2010) was very important to us, and we want to keep it,” Dix said. “The Graded Committee hasn’t said we needed to be accredited, but we’re trying to do everything we can to get and keep that grade.

The Safety & Integrity Alliance was a big step toward that, and put us ahead of the curve.”

Ziegler uses Sunland as an example to tracks like Suffolk Downs that have to make an effort to match major tracks, explaining that not everything has to be corrected immediately, but showing a willingness to try is important.

“Right now Suffolk is provisionally accredited, so they can go to the Commission to make the necessary changes with accreditation as a carrot,” Ziegler said. “Some changes are small – there is currently no safety committee program.

We want security, EMTs, jockeys and others to be weighing in with track management on what they need. Other changes are significant – Bute is allowed on raceday in Massachusetts, and we want to change that.”

As the Safety & Integrity Alliance continues to make progress, there are further improvements that people want to see. Meyocks wants to expand it and make it a condition of licensing at tracks – the “stick” that goes with the “carrot” that Ziegler will offer. ”High on my list of what we need to improve upon are minimum standards for ambulances, and trauma centers,” Meyocks said. “What NYRA can afford, and what the Fairmount Parks can afford, are two different things. But it’s not that much money to hire a medical director, to have appropriate people on hand. An EMT can save a jockey’s life. We need to communicate better, educate the public better. And within racing, we need to remember people like Rene Douglas, Ron Turcotte, Mike Straight.”

Santanna wants to include racetrack surfaces in the reviews, with ongoing analysis, regular logs, and maintenance evaluations.

“Under the current guidance of the team, we continue to improve and expand,” he said.

“There are two things I want to see: I want some element of evaluating the racetrack surface, which could be cost prohibitive, and I want eventually all major tracks that are not accredited to embrace the program.”

Despite being initially viewed with such skepticism, to have all major factions participate and produce so much progress in a short period of time has been almost as remarkable as the ignorance of what it does by the general public and even racing participants. Ziegler’s willingness to have a dialogue with any member of track personnel and industry insiders has helped tremendously. Even dissenters don’t deny its value, but merely question the cost-benefit of the program. If the Safety & Integrity Alliance is the first step toward unifying the sport, and lets the public know what racing does right, don’t the benefits surely outweigh the costs? n

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The biomechanics 34 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

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of suspension ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 35

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T

he research on the gait of a galloping horse spans several decades. As early as 1959 Milton Hildebrand wrote, “Motions of the running cheetah and horse,” a study actually inspired by a Walt Disney film, “African Lion.” The study compares the running styles between the cheetah and the horse, and distinguished the differences in the gait that make the cheetah faster. Using the common understanding that speed = stride length x stride rate, Hildebrand theorizes that flexion and extension in the back contribute to speed by increasing the swing of the limbs, thus increasing the duration of the suspended phase of the stride.

He also found that advancing the limbs more rapidly required a combined effort from not only the intrinsic muscles of the limb but also the muscles supporting the spine. Today professionals refer to these supporting muscles as “the core.” More current research supports these early theories. According to Hilary Clayton, a leading expert on equine gait analysis today, “Most of the increase in stride length is achieved as a result of prolongation of the aerial phase.” We know that speed can be increased by increasing the stride length. Therefore,

VETERINARY

HangTime is a smartphone application that uses the internal accelerometers to measure how long the phone is in free fall from the time you throw it in the air to the time you catch it again (assuming you catch it). MerriamWebster defines hang time as the length of time a leaping athlete is in the air. I personally think of hang time as the suspension phase of the gait of a galloping horse as it flexes its body and tucks its hind legs up underneath its belly reaching for the dirt farthest away just like a long jumper would. As a chiropractor and sports therapist dedicated to working with equine athletes, I have come to believe that it is the ability of the horse to correctly perform this motion that separates the elite from the novice.

WORDS: DR. Jill ESz Smith DC

increasing the suspension phase of the gate will increase the stride length and increase overall speed. Now going back to Hildebrand’s research, changes in two variables lead to

The spine is noticeably dipped prior to back lift

With back lift the abdominal muscles tighten and the back rises

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prolonging the suspension phase of the gallop.

The first modification is to increase or maintain the flexion and extension in the equine spine, and the second is to strengthen the muscles that support the spine or “core” musculature.

So, how do you increase motion in the equine spine? Although, maybe the more important question is, “How you do prevent it from diminishing?” First let’s consider the spine and joint physiology of the horse’s back. The thoracic and lumbar spine is a relatively ridged unit. The rib cage limits motion in all direction.

Therefore, most flexion and extension occurs in the thoracolumbar junction and in the lumbosacral junction. These are also the areas where most injury occurs because they are not protected by the rib cage. Trainers need to pay special attention to this area of the spine as it is prone to injury and is critical to correct biomechanics.

You can check for signs of injury by running your thumb and finger with moderate pressure down the horse’s back on either sides of the spine. If the horse drops their back away from the pressure and/or of you see the muscles of the back tighten this is a good indication that there is an injury that needs to be addressed.

When an injury occurs, it could be from a fall, slip, saddle, or rolling in turnout. Whatever the case may be, a cascade of events ensue, beginning with locally or regionally restricted vertebral motion which leads to a compensatory hypermobility in the segments above and below the restricted area. The body responds to hypermobility as instability by tensing the surrounding muscles in an attempt to stabilize the area. Inflammation and pain are often associated with this type of injury. However, because the horse is an animal of prey, it is not

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inclined to reveal its discomfort but injury will most likely cause an alteration in gait and an increase in concussive forces and even lead to lameness. Additionally, if the injury is not addressed the body will actually start to deposit calcium at the hypermobile areas also in an attempt to stabilize them. This is how bone spurs occur and calcium deposits end up in tendons and muscles. You can easily see the potential to limit flexion and extension in the spine that this scenario poses. Therefore, to optimize the suspension phase it is critical to address and monitor the ability of the horse to flex and extend its thoracolumbar spine.

To more deeply examine the second variable for increasing speed, let’s look specifically at developing the spine stabilizing muscles or “core.” Core training was originally the focus of rehabilitating back problems. Now sports medicine doctors and professionals have been using core training not only for rehabilitation, but also to prevent injury and improve performance. The same strategy can be applied to the racing horse.

The biomechanics of the horse’s core musculature is referred to as a bow and string model. The spine and associated ligaments make up the bow and three muscle groups make up the strings. The dorsal epaxial muscles help to straighten the bow and stabilize the curve. The muscles of the ventral surface of the spinal column – the longus coli and psoas – help to flex the bow and stabilize the column.

The major muscle group that facilitates flexion at the thoracolumbar junction of the spine is the abdominal muscle group. Only when there is unrestricted movement in the spine and tension in this string, can the bow flex. Therefore, if abdominal muscles are weak there will not be enough tension to flex the back and draw the pelvis to the sternum. It is this combined movement of flexion in the back and bridging

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between the pelvis and the sternum that needs to occur during the suspension phase of the gait. In my experience, core strength, in particular the strength of the abdominal muscles, is often overlooked and can easily be added as part of the daily training regime.

Teaching your grooms two simple exercises can have far-reaching (no pun intended) results.

The response should be smooth and slow; if the horse responds in a jerky manner the pressure should be reduced. Hold this for approximately 10-15 seconds, then release and repeat. There should be little to no movement in the stifle and lower leg. This exercise can be performed every time the horse is groomed.

The Rounding Reflex

Place your fingers or the dull end of a hoof pick(s) under the horse's chest and belly. Press into the sternum and upper abdomen. The horse’s abdominal muscles should tighten and the back should rise. You may need to scratch its belly a little while applying upward pressure.

Again, hold this position for 10-15 seconds, then release and repeat. This too can be performed every time you groom the horse.

Incidentally, both of these exercises can be used as assessments for the horse’s ability to flex its thoracolumbar spine. If the horse is unable to perform these exercises or displays a reluctance to do so it is most likely due to restrictions in the spine and pain present in the area.

In addition to these two specific exercises, I have found it helpful to use Kinesio taping techniques. [For more on Kinesio tape, please refer to “Working the Kinesio tape therapy magic on equine athletes” by Ken Snyder in issue 17 of North American Trainer]. Kinesio Tape is a unique therapeutic tool that has provided new options in rehabilitation and sports medicine throughout the world. The tape has many applications depending on how it is utilized. In this case, it would be applied to provide structural support to joints and muscles without restricting a healthy range of motion and correct improper muscle function by providing neurosensory feedback during movement.

I encourage preventative care through regular chiropractic treatments. If you’re not familiar

There are two ways to do this exercise. Stand to the side facing the horse at his croup. Start by locating the spinus processes of the vertebrae from the dock of the tail up. Apply pressure with your thumb or fingers to the tips of the processes until the horse responds. Or you can locate the “valley” of the hamstring muscles and draw an imaginary line from the dock of the tail on both sides of the horse towards the hip, approximately four inches. Mark two quartersized spots and using your fingers, thumbs, quarters, or the dull end of two hoof picks, make a little scratching motion. Start with light pressure, like scratching a mosquito bite, and increase until the horse engages its abdominals, arches its back and tucks its hind end down.

“In my experience, core strength, in particular the strength of the abdominal muscles, is often overlooked and can easily be added as part of the daily training regime”

The Back Lift

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BIOMECHANICS Epaxial musculature of spine

Retractors of foreleg

Protractors of hindleg BOW

Sternum and abdominal muscles

Protractors of foreleg

STRIN

G

Retractors of hindleg Abdominal viscera

with chiropractic care it involves the mobilization of the spinal joints and extremities to restore proper biomechanics and nervous system function. Chiropractors apply a specific force in a specific vector to a joint to restore normal function. The intent is to elicit a therapeutic response via induced changes in articulations, muscle function, and neurologic reflexes. While chiropractic is considered to be an alternative medicine, research has proven that it is the most effective treatment option for low back pain in humans.

Current veterinary research is indicating that

“Current veterinary research is indicating that the effects and benefits of chiropractic care for horses are similar to that of people”

the effects and benefits of chiropractic care for horses are similar to that of people. In 1997 a study by Gal, Herzog, and Kawchuk found that “segmental spinal motion characteristics induced during chiropractic manipulations in horses are similar to those reported in humans.”

Dr. Kevin Haussler, DVM, DC, PhD and faculty at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University from 1999 - 2005, studied the effects of spinal manipulative therapy on horses.

According to Haussler’s research, “the spinal manipulative technique increased vertebral flexibility and increased tolerance to pressure in the thoracolumbar portion of the spine.” Other studies conducted by Dr. Haussler find that “direct measures of chiropractic manipulations demonstrated substantial induced segmental spinal motion in these horses…the induced spinal motion supports current theories on the effects of chiropractic manipulations on joint physiology.” These are important findings not only for increasing the suspension phase of the gallop, but also for equine athletes in general because the prevalence of back problems in horses is reported as high as 94%.

Walt Disney probably did not intend to inspire such a discussion with his true life adventure picture but it is interesting how findings from 1959 hold the same significance today. Even with all the new technology that has been developed over the decades, it still takes good biomechanics to make great strides. n

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PROFILE

TOM PROCTOR The horse listener

The son of eight-time Hall of Fame nominee Willard L. Proctor – who was renowned for being a tough, larger-than-life character – Tom Proctor, a Breeders’ Cup-winning trainer, is ploughing his own, gentler path, to success WORDS: FRANCES J. KARON PHOTOS: HORSEPHOTOS.COM/TOM COOlEy PHOTOgRAPHy

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TOM PROCTOR

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T

om Proctor is a tall man, with a booming voice straight out of a John Wayne movie, the drawl transforming words like “you” and “them” into “ya” and “’em.” His father, horse trainer and eight-time Hall of Fame nominee Willard L. Proctor, was a figurative “Marlboro Man,” and neither would this Proctor look out of place in a worn Stetson, punching cows from the broad back of a sturdy Palomino.

But where Willard was known for being a tough old coot – this was a man who made the doctors postpone his surgery from an aortic aneurysm (“You’re supposed to die from that,” says Tom) so he could watch Great Communicator win the Breeders’ Cup Turf and his friend Jack Van Berg’s Alysheba win the Breeders’ Cup Classic in 1988 – his son has a somewhat softer, more playful spirit. He says, “I don’t bother nobody. I just like to have fun. I like to irritate people.” He smiles and peers into a stall at a small, stocky colt. “He’s kind of a cutie.” And then he laughs. Until you get used to this laugh, you will wonder where, exactly, that high-pitched sound is coming from – certainly, not from this big guy.

Proctor is based in Kentucky but has satellites in Chicago and here, in California, where for the summer season he’s stabled in his father’s old barn, Barn P, at Del Mar Race Track. “It used to be a different letter, but when I moved in, they put a ‘P’ where I wouldn’t forget,” he teases, in his typical self-deprecating humor. As he begins to tell stories of his father and his father’s close friend Charlie Whittingham, you realize that this man – this Tom Proctor – is one of, if not the, last vestiges that links the storied heyday of horseracing to its troubled present.

Growing up in Gilman, Texas, about 60 miles

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PROFILE

from Louisiana, Proctor, his two brothers, and two sisters were raised primarily by their mother Margaret, “a tough old bird,” while their father ran his successful stable in California. At three, Proctor contracted rheumatic fever, losing the hearing in his right ear. Not surprisingly, he was, as he is now, a mischievous child. “If we went to school five days a week, I got whippings four,” he says. “I mean, it was like, ‘Okay, I’m ready. You ain’t gonna hurt my ass, it’s got a callous on it.’ They couldn’t beat me like Dad did.”

Proctor grew up working on his family’s farm and spending summers on the racetrack with his father. Once, when he was 16, he infuriated his old man and initiated a beating that sent him flying “out of the tack room in :22,” taking the screen door with him “like a harness.” Later that night, his father sat him down and asked him what he wanted to do. Proctor said, “I want to train horses,” and that was the end of it. “Oh, he was funny. Ahhh, he was tough!”

Between his junior and senior years in high school, Proctor rubbed Convenience, a filly his father had purchased on behalf of Leonard

Below: Proctor’s Keertana and multiple stakes winner You Go West Girl, deadheat for victory in an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs.

Right: The win photo from the race, with the fillies posing on the track facing each other

Lavin’s Glen Hill Farm for $32,000 as a yearling.

“The groom quit the day I got there and they kind of threw me there in the stalls with her.”

Best known on the track for defeating champion Typecast in a 1972, $250,000 winner-take-all match race at Hollywood Park, Convenience was also a two-time winner of the Vanity Handicap, once over champion Susan’s Girl, and was to become a foundation mare for Glen Hill’s breeding program.

One generation or another of Proctors has trained racehorses for Lavin since the owner first ventured into the business, in 1967, and although they (both Willard and Tom) parted company with Glen Hill on a couple of occasions through the years, their continued association is strong through Lavin and now his grandson, Craig Bernick. The ties go even deeper, as Willard’s brother Allen managed Glen Hill’s breeding operation in Ocala, Florida, and when he retired in 1990, Tom’s brother Harry, or “Hap,” took over, a position he holds to this day.

Willard Proctor died in the fall of 1998. If he were to walk into his son’s barn today, “He

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wouldn’t approve. But,” Proctor continues, “I never wanted to be like my dad. I don’t have a problem with that. How could you be like him?

This guy was larger than life. You can’t be like a guy who was larger than life. He had a mystique about him. A lot of people want to be like their dad, but I never – no, I can’t say I don’t want to be like him, but I never strived to be like him, and I think that kind of kept me grounded.”

Some of the differences in their styles are marked. For instance, “Dad had a theory about training horses: you’d get drunk every night and have a hangover the next morning. You didn’t worry about all the little stuff, you were just worried about your head feeling better.”

Proctor, on the other hand, is “not a big drinker.”

When One Dreamer, whose sire Relaunch is one of the few Glen Hill stakes winners not trained by a Proctor and whose dam was trained

by Tom, won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff-G1 at Churchill Downs (Proctor’s home track) in 1994, his father, he says, “liked that,” but never did tell him that he was proud of him.

“You want me to tell you a funny story?” he

asks. “So we win the Breeders’ Cup, and we’re waiting to get that big trophy. I said, ‘I’m going to give it to my dad,’ thinking that’d be great!

They sent it to my house, and here comes this big box. I put it on the desk, got to unwrapping it, it’s got that blue foam that’s tied together,” he says, rubbing his hands together. “So I’m pulling it out, and pulling it out. And it’s hilarious. Everybody assumes the trainer gets a horse like you see on TV, but the marble’s about this big and then the horse, it’s about that big,” he says, holding his fingers close together.

“Well, I wasn’t going to take that out there and give it to him!” He laughs – that high-pitched laugh – at the thought of what his father would have said at seeing that small trophy.

Proctor never misses an opportunity to tell his own children how he feels about them.

Thrice-divorced Proctor is a father of two, both currently in college: Will, who served in Iraq, and Heather, a top young golfer. Lavin says, “He’s proud of them, and they’re proud of him and the father he turned out to be.”

Family loyalty – human and equine – is a common denominator in the Proctor/Glen Hill

Association association. Proctor’s white-and-red webbing with a “P” in a diamond stretches across the stalls of many horses tracing to colts and fillies Willard trained. One such horse was Glen Hill’s Banned, whose third dam Footy won three stakes for W.L. Proctor when he trained her for Cherry Valley Farm. When Banned was up for sale in the Fasig-Tipton October yearling auction in 2009, Proctor went after the Kitten’s Joy colt because of his relation to Footy. Banned won the American Turf S.-G2, Jefferson Cup S.G3, and the Del Mar Derby-G2, earning nearly $600,000 and was shaping up to be the leading U.S.-based turf colt before he sustained a fatal injury galloping at Santa Anita in September.

Proctor eases a fancy new “Glen Hill Farm” golf cart out of his shedrow and drives it (getting admiring catcalls along the way) to the front side to watch two horses work. Lavin is at a table trackside, with his “Breakfast Club.”

When he’s certain he’s within earshot of Lavin, Proctor says, loudly, “Mr. Lavin used to give Dad a Cadillac. I get a golf cart.” Lavin is unfazed; he has known 55-year-old Proctor for almost 45 years. He replies, “His father was a great trainer;

“I never wanted to be like my dad. I don’t have a problem with that.

How could you be like him? This guy was larger than life. You can’t be like a guy who was larger than life. He had a mystique about him” he got a Cadillac. He’s already up to a golf cart.”

It’s this kind of a relationship – teasing banter back and forth, but fundamentally based on a mutual respect – that has forged Proctor’s training career, where he says that the most important thing is to “train good horses and have good owners.” He continues: “I mean, the difference between me and the next guy is that Mr. Lavin is still interested [in racing] and his grandson’s interested.” Thinking of many talented trainers he’s seen who didn’t make it, he says, “It makes you pretty humble. It’s scary.”

Proctor took out his license in 1978, became private trainer to Glen Hill – for whom he had a trained a string throughout most of his career – in 2000, and reverted back to running a public stable in 2005. Included among his

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PROFILE current standouts are Grade 3 winners Broken Dreams (granddaughter of One Dreamer) and Marketing Mix. One of his favorite charges was his first stakes winner, I’m Smokin, who he won three stakes in 1978 and 1981 with and for whom the I’m Smokin Stakes run annually at Del Mar is named. “I get a kick out of having a race named after him here,” he says. So, too, does he “kind of enjoy” Hollywood Park’s Willard L. Proctor Memorial Stakes, although both of these races being restricted to California-bred two-year-olds means that Proctor, who doesn’t have many Cal-breds, has yet to train the winner of either race.

He tells people who are looking to get into training that being a public trainer is “an easy way to make a bad living,” adding, “Anybody can hang up a plaque and be a horse trainer, but then you’ve got a life that’s not easy. You know, you’ve got to be lucky!”

Even better is to be lucky and good. Willard Proctor, a World War II veteran, gave his son a great foundation: the advantage of learning from one of the best in the business. And one thing that he taught was patience – not with people, but with horses. “And very much so.

You know, how Dad really got started is he had a lot of cheap fillies, and he showed up in Kentucky and went to winning a lot of races, and he’d feed them one oat at a time and was easy on them, and next thing you know he had some big jobs,” including for Claiborne before he decided to train from California.

Earlier this season, two Proctor trainees, Barbara Hunter’s homebred mare Keertana and Bernick’s multiple stakes winner You Go West Girl, dead-heated for victory in an allowance at Tampa Bay Downs. The unique win photo from this race, with the fillies posing on the track facing each other, is the only picture in this “basic” Del Mar barn office, highlighting how much the accomplishment means to him. “They didn’t want me to take the picture together. I said, ‘We take it together or we’re going home. I

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TOM PrOcTOr's Graded sTakes winners Banned G2 Bonus Pack G3 Broken Dreams G3 Closeout G3 Concept Win G3 Cryptoquip G3 Dilemma G3 Good Potential G3

Indy Groove Keertana Marketing Mix No Inflation One Dreamer Openstock Purim Rich in Spirit Split Run

G3 G3 G3 G3 G1 G3 G1 G3 G3

don’t want a picture if we can’t get them both together.’ They didn’t understand how important that was.”

In May, Keertana won her fifth Grade 3 event, the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs against colts, with just two noses separating the first three. Keertana carried more actual weight than the second- and third-placed horses, a tall order for a five-year-old mare in open company.

Asked why he chose to run her in the Louisville, Proctor says, “I’m very conservative, but very off the wall.”

When Keertana subsequently came up with a minor injury, he sent her to Hunter’s farm to recuperate. “I could have easily taken care of that ankle,” he claims, “injected her and got some races out of her this year, and I just

One Dreamer, with Gary Stevens on board, wins the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Distaff for Proctor

wouldn’t do it. You know how much I wanted to just do it, because my whole goal this year was a million,” he says of Keertana’s earnings, at $981,938. “But we’ll do things the oldfashioned way.”

Proctor is known for speaking his mind – often with high shock value – but he’s genuine and compassionate, and he’s the first person to judge a man on the merits of his character. “T-ry means a lot with me,” he says. There are no pretentions with him. “I figure, basics is good, in anything you do. It’s kind of funny, this business. Life in general, be happy with what you got.

“If you got a little jon boat and you’re out there fishing and a guy goes by in a yacht, if that jon boat suits your needs, be happy.” And if the yacht gets too close and capsizes his little boat?

“Well then you’d wait till he docks, go onboard and kick his ass. Where I live in the motor home (in California), some of them have got little bitty campers. I’ve got a nice one, but if I think mine’s nice, somebody’s going to pull up in a bigger one. Just be happy with what suits you.”

This ‘back to basics’ aspect of Tom Proctor’s personality is cornerstone of his philosophy and success as a racehorse trainer: “I’ll be honest, it’s kind of cheap now to be a horse whisperer. But I’ve always thought I was a horse listener. You know, if you watch, horses’ll tell you, and if you’ll just listen, they’ll tell you.” n

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TRAINING Former claimer Ask The Moon went wire-to-wire in the Ruffian Handicap at Saratoga, winning by 5他 lengths

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CLAIMERS TO GRADE 1

How to turn a claiming horse into a Grade 1 winner Claiming horses is an optimistic endeavor. It has to be.

Why would any trainer claim a horse if he didn’t think the horse could do better in his barn? But how much better?

WORDS: BILL HELLER

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TRAINING

Above: Lava Man was claimed by Doug O’Neill for $50,000 in 2004 and went on to win seven Grade 1 stakes and more than $5-million in earnings Left: Carter Handicap winner Peeping Tom won more than $1.4 million in career earnings Far left: Bret Calhoun won the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with his claim Chamberlain Bridge

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victory at a higher claiming level and a re-claim for a quick profit? That’s possible. A stakes? That’s a reach. A Grade 1 stakes?

That’s not as delusional as it sounds. In a span of less than three months this summer, trainers Naipaul Chatterpaul, Marty Wolfson, and David Jacobson won Grade 1 stakes with horses they claimed – Mission Approved, Ask the Moon, and Mabou, respectively. Wolfson’s was his second claimer-to-Grade-1-winner in a year following Jessica Is Back.

Last year, Bret Calhoun won the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint – then a Grade 2, but will ultimately be classified as a Grade 1 –

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with his claim Chamberlain Bridge, whom he purchased for $35,000 more than two years earlier. Previously, Doug O’Neill, Pat Reynolds, and Mitch Friedman won Grade 1 stakes with Lava Man, Peeping Tom, and Brutally Frank, all horses they had claimed.

Lava Man could be the poster horse for claimers. After Doug O’Neill claimed him for $50,000 off a second-place finish at Del Mar on August 13th, 2004, Lava Man won seven Grade 1 stakes and a pair of Grade 2s, finishing his career with more than $5-million in earnings.

Pat Reynolds claimed Peeping Tom in his second career start, a $40,000 maiden claimer at Aqueduct, March 24th, 2000, when he won by a length and three-quarters. A little more

than 14 months later, Peeping Tom captured the Grade I Carter Handicap by a length and a half as the 9-5 favorite. He retired with earnings topping $1.4 million.

Brutally Frank, whom Mitch Friedman claimed for $50,000 at Saratoga on July 31st, 1998, captured the Grade I Carter Handicap by a head on May 7th, 2000. He won just one of 16 subsequent starts, finishing his career in a $50,000 claimer on December 19th, 2001, when he was pulled up lame.

But just because these trainers hit grand slams doesn’t mean they didn’t have trepidations when they made their claims. Or that they didn’t envision worst case scenarios.

On June 11th, 2010, Chatterpaul claimed Mission Approved for $35,000 for his brother

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TRAINING

The racing secretary called a couple of times to fill a $25,000 New York-bred claimer. I said, ‘I’m going to the Man o’ War.’ They probably thought I was crazy.”

Naipaul Chatterpaul Terikchand and himself. Mission Approved finished a front-running second by a length and three-quarters as the 8-5 favorite for trainer Gary Contessa, Chatterpaul’s mentor and boss before he opened his own stable in 2009.

“I’m thinking if the horse doesn’t come out of the race well, I’ll run him back in a $25,000 claimer for New York-breds,” Chatterpaul said.

“I figured I’ll win that race and somebody would take him for $25,000. It’s a $42,000 purse. I would have actually made $10,000.”

Chatterpaul, a native of Guyana, was pleasantly surprised when he began training the son of With Approval, a horse he absolutely adored. “I’m a big fan,” Chatterpaul said. “I have all but one of his 23 races on my phone. I watched all his races. He ran second in the (1990) Arlington Million.

“When I took Mission Approved, the first week he was moving forward, showing a lot of potential. The racing secretary called a couple of times to fill a $25,000 New York-bred claimer. I said, ‘I’m going to the Man o’ War.’ They probably thought I was crazy.”

They had lots of company. Not only did Chatterpaul up the ante for Mission Approved’s next start, he changed jockeys from leading rider Ramon Dominguez to journeyman Jose Espinoza and added front bandages.

Twenty-nine days after the claim, Mission Approved went off at 53-1 in a field of eight contesting the Grade 1 mile-and-three-eighths Man o’ War. Mission Approved quickly took the lead and Espinoza cleverly set a glacial pace, a half mile in :52 1/5 and three-quarters in 1:18. So he had plenty left when Gio Ponti tried surging past.

It took Gio Ponti, who would go on to be named Champion Grass Horse for the second consecutive year, nearly the entire length of the long Belmont Park stretch to get by and win by a neck. “Turning for home, I knew he’d be tough,” Chatterpaul said. “He lost by a neck. It was exciting, very exciting.”

Chatterpaul was equally excited about Mission Approved’s next start in the Grade 1 Sword Dancer at Saratoga. But he never made it into the starting gate. “He grabbed his quarter,” Chatterpaul said. “If you patch him,

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Naipaul Chatterpaul with Manhattan Handicap winner Mission Approved

he can get puss. You don’t know, it could get infected. I let it heal on his own. He spent a couple months in Florida.”

Meanwhile, Chatterpaul considered a daunting 2011 debut for Mission Approved: the mile and a quarter Grade 1 Manhattan off an 11-month layoff. “I tried to get him a race, but I couldn’t,” Chatterpaul said. “I figured he didn’t need one. I looked at his charts. He had run well fresh. They had a race two weeks before the Manhattan, an overnight stakes, but it was too short, a mile and a sixteenth. He was training well. I knew he was going to run big.”

Espinoza took him coast to coast on a yielding course, winning by a length and a quarter at 21-1 over Bim Bam. Gio Ponti was another head back in third. “It’s one of the best

feelings I ever had,” Chatterpaul said. “An eleven-month layoff and win a Grade 1. That was an achievement of a lifetime.”

Mission Approved’s next start came in the Man o’ War. He faced more early pressure on the lead than the year before and faltered late, finishing fourth by 4¾ lengths to Cape Blanco.

“He ran his race,” Chatterpaul said. “He got caught in the stretch.”

Both Cape Blanco and Mission Approved moved on to the Grade 1 Arlington Million.

Cape Blanco won, while Mission Approved led before tiring to finish seventh. “I wasn’t badly disappointed,” Chatterpaul said. “The important thing is he came out of the race fine.”

Chatterpaul has claimed several horses since

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CLAIMERS TO GRADE 1 he took Mission Approved. They weren’t all success stories. “I had some bad claims,” he said. “When the good ones come along, you enjoy it.”

Wolfson certainly enjoyed Jessica Is Back’s rise from a $50,000 claimer to Grade 1 stakes winner. Wolfson claimed the mare when she finished second by a head at Aqueduct, April 23rd, 2009. Seven weeks later, he entered her in the Grade 1 Princess Rooney Handicap at Calder. She tired to finish sixth by 11 lengths at 6-1. A year later, she won the Princess Rooney by two lengths at 8-1. “She won over $600,000, then we sold her for $475,000,” Wolfson said.

This year, Wolfson zeroed in on another filly he wanted to claim, Ask the Moon, who showed up in a $75,000 optional claimer at Belmont Park, June 15th, her first start since January 4th.

“We’re always looking for Malibu Moon fillies,” he said. “This was a mare we followed for the last year. “She was working at Parx, and worked 1:12 out of the gate. And they entered her for $75,000.”

Like Chatterpaul, Wolfson did entertain the possibility of a worst case scenario. “If she pulled up, you could always breed her,” he said. “It was really a no-lose situation claiming her.”

She finished second by half a length at 9-1 that afternoon, then, in her first start for Wolfson, was a front-running third by a length and a quarter in the overnight, ungraded Sky Beauty Stakes at Belmont .

Wolfson then went after bigger game at Saratoga: the Grade 1 Ruffian Handicap, July 31st. Sent off at 18-1 in a field of seven, she went wire-to-wire, drawing off to a 5¾-length victory under new jockey Javier Castellano.

Wheeled right back in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign on September 3rd, Ask the Moon again led from start to finish, scoring by 2¾ lengths as the 9-5 favorite.

“It was the most thrilling race I ever won, being he was a jumper. Everyone was scratching their head as to why I claimed a jumper. It was very rewarding” David Jacobson Wolfson was hoping to run the six-year-old mare back either in the Grade 1 Beldame at Belmont or the Grade 1 Lady’s Secret at Santa Anita the same afternoon. “I don’t want to run her one-turn,” Wolfson said. “That’s been a big difference for this filly. She really likes two turns.”

Two turns would seem like a sprint to Mabou, an eight-year-old gelded jumper who arrived in Saratoga off an 82 – that’s not a typo – length victory in a four-horse $20,000 claimer at Malvern, May 21st. The show horse in that race was another 25 lengths back.

Trainer Tom Voss gave Mabou a 10-week freshening and entered him in a $30,000 claimer at Saratoga, August 4th. Trainer David Jacobson was waiting for him, and looking forward to claiming Mabou and returning him to the flats, where he had won three-of-17 turf races and one-of-five dirt starts. “The clincher was he won by 82 lengths,” Jacobson said. “It’s just a horse you want to have in your barn.”

Jacobson, who had never started a horse in a steeplechase race, claimed Mabou for $30,000 that afternoon for Drawing Away Stable and himself. Sent off the 8-5 favorite in a field of eight, Mabou made the lead, but

tired to finish fifth by 8¾ lengths. “I was disappointed with his race,” Jacobson said. “I said, `Now, we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and figure out why he ran bad.’ We had to figure out how to tweak him. I trained him the same way I train a Thoroughbred. Everybody thinks a jumper should be trained differently.

I don’t.”

Mabou began training better, and Jacobson received a phone call from Bill Gallo, the National Steeplechase Association Director of Racing, who was trying to enlarge the field for the Grade 1 $100,000 New York Turf Writers Handicap, August 25th. “Bill Gallo needed him for the race, and he got in at a very low weight (138),” Jacobson said. “We just decided to take a shot. He was training so well.”

He ran even better, exploding late to win by 5¾ lengths at 16-1 in the field of nine. “It was the most thrilling race I ever won, being he was a jumper,” Jacobson said. “Everyone was scratching their head as to why I claimed a jumper. It was very rewarding.”

And very newsworthy. Hall of Famer Jonathan Sheppard and other steeplechase trainers have won graded stakes on the flats, but very few flat trainers have had success in jump stakes, let alone a Grade 1. “I’m surprised that I got that much attention,” Jacobson said. “But I know in the ‘60s and the ‘70s, my father (five-time leading New York trainer Buddy Jacobson) did it. He won a lot of jump races. I’m surprised that it’s such a big deal.”

Jacobson claimed 15 other horses at the 40day Saratoga meet with typical, mixed success.

“The first thing you hope when you claim a horse is that when you get back to the barn that he’s a sound horse,” Jacobson said. “If he’s sound, there’s something to work with. No matter how he runs, if he’s sound, we’re confident we’ll be able to get him back to where he was running well.”

Or even higher. n

victory at a higher claiming level and a re-claim for a quick profit? That’s possible. A stakes?

That’s a reach. A Grade 1 stakes?

That’s not as delusional as it sounds. In a span of less than three months this summer, trainers Naipaul Chatterpaul, Marty Wolfson, and David Jacobson won Grade 1 stakes with horses they claimed – Mission Approved, Ask the Moon, and Mabou, respectively. Wolfson’s was his second claimer-to-Grade-1-winner in a year following Jessica Is Back.

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INDUSTRY

Racing and the

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SOCIAL NETWORK

k r o w t e n l a i c o s rs, with owners, breede e iz al ci so ns fa ng ci : ra r like Imagine this scenario , handicappers, othe ts is ic bl pu ng ci ra s, sional trainers, track profes game through these e th to ss ce ac ct re ; have di ugh conversations ro fans, and journalists th d ne ea gl n io at from inform contacts; make bets racehorse owners or e m co be ly al tu en ev aps ’ve met with them; and perh ng with people they ri ne rt pa by es lv se them industry participants socially.

NANDO

WORDS @SIDFER

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INDUSTRY

Animal Kingdom gained support in the Kentucky Derby after tweets described how well he had handled the dirt in training

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his is a universally desirable model for growing the game on many different levels, from sparking interest in the sport to betting horses to following and owning Thoroughbreds, and it’s an organic way in which things happened in the “old days” when the racetrack was the hub for social activity and an introduction to the sport. These days racetrack attendance is down from the past in many parts of the world, but racing chatter is alive and increasing in social media, especially on the platform of Twitter. And the concepts of the “old” model are a new possibility again through this borderless medium that puts a premium on being social.

Though still in early stages, there are signs that Twitter can positively impact racing as it has other sports whose stars have gravitated to the medium for its real-time interactivity and for its ability to get the word out directly to

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potentially a massive number of people like nothing else out there. Twitter’s appeal to racing, however, is actually more democratic, because there are arguably more “fans” than “stars” using it at present, though names of the stature of Bob Baffert’s are becoming more commonplace in Twitter feeds.

At its essence, Twitter is about conversations, discussions, and the dissemination of information like no platform before it because its low-tech entry and high-degree of functionality make it extremely accessible to a wide range of users.

Like Facebook, Twitter is a free social media service, and it doesn’t take much to get started: sign up (at www.twitter.com), create an account, and establish a “handle” before posting or “tweeting” messages (text, links, photos), which are limited to 140 characters.

Brevity, therefore, is paramount, as is creativity for expressing thoughts in short bursts; and some level of theatricality is necessary for “performing” in front of a “Twitterverse” that

can make a tweet go viral in pyramid-scheme style by a simple function called the “retweet.”

Smart phones, like the iPhone or Android, or a laptop can be used to post or tweet, and there are many free and commercial applications that can and will make the experience fuller, but Twitter’s own interface is basic and easy enough to navigate and sufficient to get its benefits.

Ideologically, Twitter is not the same as its social media cousin Facebook, and one of the best descriptions of their difference was highlighted in a recent blog post about Twitter

by Japanese blogger Hikosaemon, who wrote: “The ability to join in conversations with people with similar tastes and interests is something I really enjoy [on Twitter]. Twitter is hard to get into in comparison to Facebook, because when you start out, you don’t know what to say, who to follow, or who anyone else is. But once you find people that share your interests, and who like what you have to say, Twitter kills Facebook. Where Facebook

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INDUSTRY conversations tend to fade out once you discover what your old high school buddies are doing now, Twitter is like a big room of people, where with the right list of people to follow, you can walk in and have a great conversation almost any time.”

I’ve been on Twitter for more than two and a half years and follow about 850 people, while another 2100 people follow me. My handle is @sidfernando, and some of the people I follow – and here’s a smattering cross-section – include the delightful editor of this magazine, Frances J. Karon, who is @francesjkaron on Twitter and a sardonic and poignant commentator; the publisher, Giles Anderson, who tweets as @trainer_mag (these handles are not case sensitive); trainer Bob Baffert, whose handle, @midnightlute, is named for his top sprinter from a few years back; the Irish-based @coolmorestud, which has more than 3,200 followers; Sheikh Mohammed’s international @darleystallions, with almost 1,800 followers; Craig Bernick, @craigb1818, the president of Glen Hill Farm who tweeted the unfortunate news of their stable star Banned’s injury, the attempt to save him, and the colt’s subsequent loss; @canterburypark; Jen Roytz, @jenroytz, the marketing manager at Three Chimneys Farm; @sagamoreracing, Kevin Plank’s revitalized farm/racing stable from the era of Native Dancer; @fox_hill_farm, Rick Porter’s successful stable that campaigns leading older mare and Horse of the Year candidate Havre de Grace; @teamvalor, the owner/breeder of the Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom; @TampaBayDownsFL, the highly successful winter track; Lisa C. Jung, @lisacjung, who handles press for Meydan in Dubai; @VineryStallions; Ray Paulick, @raypaulick, of Paulick Report; racing fan and critic extraordinaire Chris Rossi, whose no-nonsense tweets are at @o_crunk; owner John Popovich, @horseman724, a corrections officer who put together a syndicate that ran Uptowncharlybrown in the Belmont Stakes last year; freelance journalist Adam Hickman, @ahickman2, from Canada; blogger Brock Sheridan, @theBrocktalk; Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor Mike Curry, @currymj19; and racing fan Derek Brown, @NJDerek, who is in public relations.

It doesn’t take much to imagine that the chatter generated by these and other likeminded but diverse racing folks will create an awfully interesting stream of thoughts, information, and breaking news, which translates into a Twitter “timeline” that becomes an instant social media newswire frequently ahead of traditional newswires or services. “I was skeptical about Twitter at first, but I’m a believer now. I find out about stuff here, before I read it in the media,” says Popovich, who was at Belmont Park on Oct.1 – “Super Saturday” – with a group of friends that he’d met on Twitter.

These types of “tweet-ups,” as they are called, are becoming frequent nowadays on big race days, and I’ve actually been invited to several –

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“In regards to discussing races or requesting results over real time, it’s phenomenal. To speak to people of similar interests around the world, all watching the same champions make history, how good is that?!”

Su-Ann Khaw (@inkmarksofsu), Suez Thoroughbreds including the recent one at Belmont where I met Popovich for the first time in person.

Because this medium is socially based, firsthand information often comes packaged with personal tidbits and opinions, too, part and parcel of the medium. See the following tweets from Baffert, for example: “I'm glad to hear that Belmont Stewards are going to suspend Rajiv for deliberately shutting off Euroears out oh gate in Vosburgh.”

“Rajiv Maragh suspended 7 days for careless riding wiping out Euroears. Belmont Stewards to lite on these jocks. Someone going to get killed.”

“Uncle Mo, Wow” “Today is my little baby girl Savannah birthday.

Bob Baffert (@midnightlute)

she is 18. The cute little girl in the Real Quiet Belmont.”

With only 140 characters to work with per “tweet,” spelling, punctuation, and grammar are not major considerations for most on Twitter – unless you’re the editor of this publication or a literary sort – but content is.

For this reason alone, anyone from anywhere in the world with a knowledgeable and interesting timeline can gain a following and rise to prominence as a “commentator” without having a big name like “Baffert” as an instant entrée.

Su-Ann Khaw (@inkmarksofsu), for example, runs Suez Thoroughbreds, an Australian-based partnership that campaigned Group 1 winner Allez Wonder, who was sold this year for Aus$1,000,000 to top the Inglis Australian Easter Broodmare sale. She follows U.S. racing as well and is a respected and ubiquitous presence on Twitter, an advocate of it, and finds practical use in it. “In regards to discussing races or requesting results over real time, it's phenomenal,” she says. “To speak to people of similar interests around the world, all watching the same champions make history, how good is that?! Plus, breeders looking at sending mares to shuttle stallions may seek advice from NH and SH peeps in a more casual and comfortable setting than sending an email to agents or a farms. It also opens a platform for healthy discussions, and a combination of opinions.”

Khaw noted that the democratic structure of Twitter allowed for interaction between fans and industry insiders, something that had never been available on such a scale before, and she appreciates the transparent nature of the discussions, because anyone can see anyone else’s conversations on Twitter unless they are “direct messages” between two people. “It doesn't matter who you are in the industry, if you're caught tweeting a statement that lacks credibility, someone will beg to differ and call you out on it,” she says.

Credibility on Twitter requires sincerity, honesty, social skills, and the ability to connect with others, just as in face-to-to face interactions. Michele Lee Amundsen (@ThePaperTyger) is a U.S.-based editor/writer and a racing fan who follows many industry insiders, including Khaw and others in Australia and around the world. She says: “The accounts that really have a presence and tweet often create a real draw for fans. Whether it's a professional athlete or a beloved writer, making a connection with the fan base is hugely important. I don't mean just tweeting when you have a new book out or your horse has a race but actually connecting with the fans and people who care about your cause. Su-Ann does a spectacular job and we all feel like we know her horses and are thrilled to cheer them on when they race; similarly with the gang at Raffles Racing (@RafflesRacing) and their horse Shamrocker (@Gr1Shamrocker). With all the issues that confront horse racing, open and

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SOCIAL NETWORK worthwhile communication that makes fans feel like they are in on the action is more important than ever. From small stables that are looking for syndicates to the clever horse Twitter accounts, there are connections to be made and fans ready to be won over.”

Several fans in the U.S. were won over by Twitter after hitting Team Valor International’s 20-1 Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby.

The colt had entered the classic with only four starts, three on the all weather and one on grass but none on dirt. However, clocker Bruno DeJulio (@deJulio), on the scene at Churchill Downs for quite a time before the Derby, tweeted regularly that Animal Kingdom was training better than most of the other runners on track and looked the part, while Uncle Mo, the two-year-old champion who made a successful comeback to the races at Belmont on Super Saturday, was unimpressive. In fact, DeJulio stated several times that Animal Kingdom was handling the surface with aplomb. He was right, and those who followed him on Twitter and had the nerve to listen made money.

It’s access and information flow like this that’s giving the medium credibility, too. But “live” access to the sport is perhaps where Twitter has the most untapped potential. Peter J. Borrelli (@peterjborrelli), an avid racing fan in upstate New York, says, “Simply using Twitter has

“Simply using Twitter has allowed me to elevate my involvement in the game, share my passion for the sport, and connect with others who feel the same way I do” Peter J. Borelli (@peterjborrelli) allowed me to elevate my involvement in the game, share my passion for the sport, and connect with others who feel the same way I do.”

Borrelli said that during the summer of 2009 – when Twitter was just a fraction of what it is now – he was “actively following Saratoga as I do every summer during the Saratoga meet.

In doing so, I became connected with Dan Collins, the owner and manager of Bona Venture Stables (@BonaStables), on Twitter.

From that interaction, Dan invited me and my friends into the paddock for the saddling of his

firster It's the Big Cat – a once in a lifetime experience. Well, hopefully I'll get to experience it again someday!”

Borrelli, who has more than 800 followers, continued: “Then later that summer, when I returned to Saratoga with my family, Dan gave us a personal tour of the Saratoga backstretch.

He is incredibly gracious and we never would have met him – plus the experience never would have happened – without Twitter. More recently, my friends and I created a small, informal group to help organize gatherings and track outings, designed to share our love of the game with family and friends – and friends of friends – with the hopes of creating new fans.

We use Twitter as an outlet because it doesn't require the commitment of a blog, and it makes it quick and easy to connect with others. Our group worked with Finger Lakes Race Track and the Daily Racing Form to bring Steve Crist to town.”

Twitter is a medium that is sweeping through mainstream society on many fronts, including sports, and racing happens to have decent representation on the medium so far. More participation will likely come from all aspects of the business in the future – U.S. trainers are underrepresented versus those in Europe, by the way – and this should increase the racing chatter, which can only be good for the game. n

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VETERINARY

Equine Manual Lymphatic Drainage Clinical applications for the equine athlete Manual Lymphatic Drainage therapy has been established for decades in the treatment of a wide variety of human medical conditions. Developed in Germany, Equine Manual Lymph Drainage (EMLD) is slowly gaining a foothold in veterinary medicine and becoming a popular treatment modality for performance horses on the continent.

WORDS AND MAIN PHOTOS: REBECKA BLENNTOFT

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EMLD

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E

MLD is proving to be effective in the treatment of lymphatic insufficiency as well as improving recuperation times after injury or periods of high exertion. Here we will examine the role of the equine lymphatic system, how it differs from that of the human, and describe the clinical applications of this relatively new therapy..

Understanding the lymphatic system and its function The lymphatic system is an extensive system of vessels and nodes that plays a crucial role in maintaining fluid balance within the body by collecting and returning interstitial fluid to the venous system of the blood. Interstitial fluid fills the spaces between muscles, organs, and other cellular structures, and allows substances such as oxygen and nutrients to travel through it to reach the cells. Arterial filtrate and larger particles such as cell debris, bacteria, dead blood cells, pathogens, toxins, and protein molecules are collected by the lymphatic system from the interstitium through small, initial lymphatic vessels (ILVs). These ILVs begin blind in the tissues rather like the fingers of a glove and are joined by anchoring filaments to the collagen fibers of the connective tissue. These form a network of superficial lymph capillaries draining first to pre-collectors and then to the larger collector vessels. Each single unit, or angion, fills up with lymph until the internal pressure stimulates muscle cells to push it through a valve into the next angion. These valves are designed to prevent lymphatic backflow into the previous angion and therefore they dictate the direction of lymph flow.

The lymphatic system does not have an organ to act as a pump to help with the

VETERINARY

circulation of the lymph. It relies upon extrinsic factors such as muscular contraction, arterial pulsation, the peristaltic action of the intestinal system and increased thoracic pressure during deep respiration to stimulate lymphatic flow. Intrinsic factors include the contractions of the muscle fibers of the collector vessels and the rate of absorption of lymph by the ILVs. Areas of ILVs, pre-collectors, and subcutaneous collectors work together in

“Horses prove to be excellent subjects for EMLD, responding far more effectively than humans. As there is no muscle below the knee or hock it is possible to stimulate both the superficial and deep collectors from the tarsus to the hoof” designated skin territories, delineated by lymphatic ‘watersheds.’ Each of these skin territories drains to a specific group of lymph nodes. Lymph from one skin territory will generally not travel across these watersheds into other skin territories unless the neighboring territory becomes very congested.

In these instances, the lymphatic system can use anastamoses – small connecting vessels – to cross the watersheds and enable lymph to pass.

The superficial lymphatic system drains the

A horse receiving Lymphatic Drainage technique

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dub cutis and the skin, whilst the deep lymphatic system drains the mucosa, nerves, tendons, tendon sheaths, joints, and muscles.

Each internal organ also has its own specific deep drainage pathway. Lymphatic fluid slows and becomes more concentrated when it enters a lymph node. Nodes act as biological filters and play an important part in immunological response, being responsible for the manufacture of T-lymphocytes. The cleaned and filtered lymph re-enters the blood supply via the external jugular veins.

Major differences between human and equine lymphatic systems Although there are similarities between human and equine lymphatic systems, there are some profound differences between them, the misunderstanding of which can lead to the health of the horse being compromised. The horse has evolved from a small flight animal designed to be in almost constant motion, to the animals we utilize today. Although there have been great changes in the external appearance of the horse, its physiology remains largely similar to that of its earlier ancestors.

One study of feral populations of horses have shown them to be walking between 3.5 to 5 miles per 16-hour day, although it must be understood that if flood is limited or scarce, horses can travel over 18 miles a day. Modern methods of keeping horses stabled, with limited time for free exercise and concentrated physical training sessions, can lead to compromised lymphatics and its associated complications.

One of the main differences in the equine lymphatic system is the significantly lower number of smooth muscle cells comprising the wall of the collector vessels. Research has revealed that equine collectors within the cutis are comprised of 40% elastic fibers – markedly

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VETERINARY As swollen legs in horses are generally not considered an illness, many owners will try to reduce swelling by using stable bandages over padding. However, in 2006 a large veterinary study on the effect of different types of bandaging on the lymphatic vessels was undertaken. This involved injecting a continuous stream of contrast medium (dye) into the lymphatic vessels of horses under sedation and x-raying the effects. Horses bandaged with the stable bandages were found to have significantly impeded lymph flow, compared to those bandaged with specially designed compression stockings. Horses’ tendons have been shown to contain a high density of lymphatic vessels to blood vessels.

This highlights the need for further increased awareness of the clinical effects of bandaging on lymphatic performance. The authors of the study recommended that in the future, the materials and construction of both veterinary and equine sports bandages be reconsidered.

Horses are ideal candidates for EMLD Diagram illustrating the lymphatic skin terriories of the horse, delineated by lymphatic watersheds (depicted by white lines)

more than in humans – and the cutis represents the horses’ own “compression bandage.” This means that the horse requires far more physical movement in order to activate its lymphatic retraction apparatus and encourage the transport of lymphatic fluid. The elastic fibers are assisted by a “pump mechanism” in the hoof and the fetlock joint, which assist lymph travel up the collector vessels. This high proportion of elastic fibers may have developed because there are no muscles in the lower limbs of the horse to aid with the contraction of the vessels.

Therefore, when a horse is standing still, the transport capacity of the lymphatic system decreases significantly. The rate of lymph flow

will be reduced and lymph flow by volume will drop. This puts the standing horse at a distinct disadvantage with regard to recovery from injury or exertion. In addition, the horse has an extremely high number of lymph nodes – roughly 8,000 (4,000 of which are in the ascending colon), compared to an average of 600 in the human. The equine lymphatic system is therefore compromised when access to ad lib food is restricted, as the lymphatics of the duodenum are stimulated by the continuous flow of forage through the intestines. As lymph slows down and concentrates upon entering each node, horses have a greater propensity for lymphatic “bottlenecks” than other mammals.

A horse receiving Lymphatic Drainage technique

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Horses prove to be excellent subjects for EMLD, responding far more effectively than humans. As there is no muscle below the knee or hock it is possible to stimulate both the superficial and deep collectors from the tarsus to the hoof. In humans, it is more difficult to stimulate the deep collectors due to a much thicker subcutaneous layer.

How does EMLD work?

EMLD is a highly specific massage technique that works by stretching the skin in the direction of lymphatic flow in a biphasic, rhythmical manner in order to increase the rate of interstitial fluids being drawn into the ILVs. Each movement consists of a “push” phase, whereby the ILVs are emptied into the pre-collectors, and a “relief” phase, whereby the ILVs are dilated by the anchoring filaments in order that fluid can flow into them.

Practical training and experience is required by therapists in order to learn the specialized

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THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE THOROUGHBRED ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 63

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VETERINARY

Representative diagram of a lymphatic collector vessel anchored in the interstitium by filaments (shown in yellow). Shown in a closed position (a) and an open position (b)

hand movements. If EMLD is employed with disregard to the specific direction of lymph flow, the correct rhythm and speed, or to the required relief phase, EMLD can be ineffectual and, at worst, detrimental to administer.

There are specific treatment protocols for each area of the horse, although the therapist will often need to adjust the length of time spent on specific areas depending on the quality and feel of the edematous areas. The first step in treatment requires the activation of the superficial cervical lymph nodes, as this increases the direction of flow from the left thoracic duct to the jugular vein, where cleaned lymph returns to venous system of the blood. Therapists use anastamoses to push lymph from one skin territory to the next.

Myofibroblasts exert a “pacemaker” activity in

“EMLD is a highly specific massage technique that works by stretching the skin in the direction of lymphatic flow in a biphasic, rhythmical manner in order to increase the rate of interstitial fluids being drawn into the ILV” Diagram illustrating the direction of lymph flow and treatment sequences of applied EMLD

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lymphatic vessels, which might explain why EMLD is so effective and is able to stimulate collectors outside, as well as inside, the area where the technique is applied.

EMLD must ideally be performed daily for the first phase, and after results are seen this can be reduced to 2-3 times per week, until the edema has diminished. In cases of chronic cellulitis or lymphangitis, prophylactic EMLD is usually recommended.

Compressive bandaging is used as part of Combined Decongestive Therapy (CDT) for the treatment of edema. Specialized shortstretch bandages are used as they exhibit a low resting pressure when the horse is standing and increase pressure only when the horse is in motion. Bandages are applied over 100% cotton wool roll as it stops the bandage from sliding off, and it is padded out to provide a cylindrical profile. The bandage is applied with graduated pressure from the hoof upwards, to encourage lymph flow out of the limb. Horses are then trotted up to check the efficacy of the bandage, and may be turned out in an arena or dry and even pasture.

Ideally, bandages are applied after exercise and an EMLD treatment, and if possible, the horse is exercised again after bandaging. The most beneficial gait for such exercise is a slow canter, as the negative intra-thoracic pressure generated is higher.

Therapists may augment EMLD with other treatment modalities, such as the use of Deep Oscillation therapy, which uses an electrostatic charge to gently “shuffle” cells and is beneficial in softening protein fibrosis and improving healing times. The use of Kinesio tape (see North American Trainer – Issue 17) can also be used to increase effectiveness by encouraging lymphatic fluid to keep draining after each treatment session. Both Deep Oscillation therapy and Kinesio tape are well tolerated by horses, but there are currently no scientific studies that conclusively prove their effectiveness in augmenting EMLD.

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Indirect lymphangiography with specialized compression stockings. The flow of dye through the collectors is still visible

Diagram illustrating the major groups of lymph nodes in the equine, and the deep drainage pathways returning to the superficial cervical lymph nodes

Therapeutic uses of EMLD The therapy is effective in a wide variety of clinical applications: l Reduction in recovery times after periods of high exertion, leading to less stiffness or soreness. Human MLD used as a prophylactic for professional athletes increases lactate elimination and this has also been confirmed in equines. l Reduction in recovery times from surgery or injury, due to faster removal of exudates and inflammatory cells. EMLD is effective in encouraging the healing of poorly healing wounds and can also reduce scarring. l Significantly reduced recovery times in the treatment of tendonitis. It has been shown EMLD encourages the new collagen fibers to align longitudinally. The horse’s lymphatic system removes and transports the excess interstitial fluid from the tendons, which provdes the first important step in the regeneration of the tendon. l The treatment of acute and sub acute laminitis by reducing the inflammatory response, reducing toxins, and alleviating pressure on the pedal bones and hoof capsule. l The treatment of equine rhabdomyolosis (azoturia) and ‘tying up’ syndrome, with treated horses showing less muscle symptoms and faster recovery. l The treatment of recurrent vasculitis, cellulitis, and lymphangitis, after the infective stage is under control. The treatment of horses on enforced long-term box rest, lessening the chances of developing ventral oedema or swollen legs.

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l

l

l

The treatment of chronic pastern dermatitis (mud fever), which is often a precursor to lymphangitis and can be a sign of an already compromised lymphatic system.

The treatment of ‘filled legs’ (idiopathic or hereditary primary lymphoedema), which may be a precursor to latent primary lymphoedema.

The treatment of equine lymphoedema complex, which is similar in pathology and treatment to human lymphoedema.

Lymphoedema can be divided into primary or secondary types, the former being a congenital insufficiency of the lymphatic system and the latter being as a result of damage from either injury or infection. Primary lymphoedema can be latent, meaning that it is not noticed until the lymphatic system becomes exhausted or is put under increased pressure via injury or infection. Both types of lymphoedema can be classified according to severity on a scale ranging from latent lymphoedema through to elephantiasis.

Indirect lymphangiography without any bandaging. The flow of dye through the collectors is clearly visible

Contraindications of EMLD EMLD is contraindicated in cases of acute infection, as increased rate of flow could potentially cause infection to spread. It is contraindicated in cases of left cardiac insufficiency due to additional lymph fluid increasing cardiac pre-load. Recent thrombosis is contraindicated due to possible risk of dislodging clots, as well as any cancer or neoplastic disease, in case of inducing metastasis.

Indirect lymphangiography with stable bandages. Disruption in the flow of dye in the collectors is clearly visible

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EMLD EMLD trained therapists in the UK Therapists in the UK must first train in Human MLD to CDT level, usually via respected MLD academies such as Vodder and Foeldi.

The EMLD course is run by The European Seminar of Equine Lymphatic Drainage (ESEL) and only therapists who have satisfied the ESEL Board of Examiners will have met the requirements to practice.

Therapists should hold certificates of insurance, and veterinary permission needs to be given before any treatment commences. It is

important to realise that the terms ‘EMLD’ and ‘MLD’ are not protected as pertaining to a certain standard of training in the UK. This allows people to be able to claim to be able to administer MLD, when in fact they are doing something very different.

In conclusion EMLD is a relatively new therapy, but has been used successfully since the 1930s in human medicine. Human MLD has many therapeutic applications. More research is needed in order

to increase the range of clinical applications of EMLD. Horses are very receptive to the therapy as it is gentle enough to work around painful wounds or incision sites. It has no adverse side effects and does not contravene any anti-doping legislation, so it allows horses in competitive sport to be treated at any time. n Acknowlegements The author is extremely grateful to Professor Dirk Berens von Rautenfeld, Ruth M. Negatsch, Stefanie Brandenburger and Sarah Aurenz.

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What we learned from the Equine Science Society While the wheels turn slowly in the world of equine nutrition research, the annual or biannual nutrition conferences usually present some interesting work that either stimulates some new thoughts, or helps refute some previously held beliefs. The Equine Science Society holds an annual conference in the U.S. which is a good sounding board for much that is new in the world of equine nutrition. This article has handpicked those presentations of interest and relevance to racehorse trainers and their associates as discussed on May 30-31 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

WORDS: CATHERINE DUNNETT BSc, PhD, R.Nutr

Traditional sources of calcium may suffice The traditional source of calcium in a racehorse ration is usually either from a natural source such as alfalfa and/or from minerals added to fortified feeds in the form of calcium carbonate (limestone), or occasionally calcium gluconate.

Calcium is of great relevance to horses in training due to its impact on bone strength

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and density and also its intimate involvement in muscle function. Any ingredients therefore that offer a potential improvement in the availability of calcium may be of interest.

Researchers from Texas A&M (Douglas-Fuller et al 2011) presented work on the effectiveness of an organic or chelated source of calcium and/or magnesium in the diet upon

parameters of bone density. Chelated mineral ingredients typically present the mineral, in this case calcium or magnesium, attached to an amino acid or protein fragment.

Despite 120 days of supplementation in this study, bone density measurements did not indicate any remarkable effect of calcium or magnesium proteinates.

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Protein intake – how much is too much and when is best to feed relative to exercise?

The importance of a good supply of dietary amino acids to promote muscle protein synthesis and limit muscle protein breakdown in horses in training is reflected in the relatively high protein content of most racing rations.

However, when is the best time to feed proteinrich concentrates relative to exercise? Researchers in Bristol, Virginia, investigated how to ensure that the plasma pool of amino acids is well primed to support muscle protein synthesis. They researchers found that feeding horses with protein-rich concentrate feed within one hour of exercise ensured that the plasma amino acid pool was primed for 2-3 hours post-exercise. Previous work has established that this 2-3 hour period is important for post-exercise muscle protein synthesis in horses.

While a protein-enriched ration is important for horses in training, the potential negative effects must also be considered. When more protein is provided than is needed, the excess must be reprocessed and then the residual nitrogen excreted from the body. The nitrogen-containing compound ammonia, which is a respiratory irritant, can be lost from the body in the urine, feces, and also, perhaps surprisingly, in sweat. Increased loss of nitrogen in this way is an issue for horses as it can contaminate water, possibly leading to reduced water intake, but can also reduce the air quality of stables, which may affect respiratory health. It is generally accepted that some racing rations may oversupply protein and so researchers from Rutgers University investigated the impact of overfeeding protein on water and air quality in the stable environment.

The result of overfeeding protein by nearly 50% was that nitrogen and ammonia loss in feces was increased and air quality was reduced due to an increased level of ammonia present. Blood urea nitrogen was also significantly higher in those horses on the high protein diet. These results from this study confirm the belief that we should be meeting the protein need of a horse in training but not exceeding it greatly. However, this then leads to the question of how we practically assess whether a ration is acceptable, or too high in protein. In the first instance a simple ration evaluation can help, but this gives limited information regarding how an individual horse handles the protein content of their diet.

Smelly urine can also sometimes be an indication that protein intake is too high. A simple blood parameter that can also be used is the ratio of blood urea nitrogen (BUN, mg/dl) to creatinine (mg/dl).

Ideally this parameter should fall between 10-15:1, but will be greater than this if protein intake is too, or less than this if protein intake is inadequate.

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Fit not Fat for inflammation The importance of body condition score for horses in training has long been appreciated by racehorse trainers.

The most often cited argument on why overweight horses don’t race well is one of biomechanics and energetic. In other words, overweight horses place greater stress on their joints and also expend more energy moving at speed. However, there may also be some further hidden justification for trimming back the quantity of concentrate feed to achieve optimum body condition for racing.

Previous research in humans and dogs has shown that obesity is linked to an increase in the circulating level of substances that promote inflammation (pro-inflammatory cytokines). Obesity in humans is associated with a low-grade but generalized

inflammatory state within the body.

The increase in the level of inflammatory substances with obesity is also now thought to be a factor that hastens the progression of osteoarthritis, by promoting synovial inflammation and increasing the activity of cartilage-degrading enzymes. Researchers at Virginia Tech and Michigan State University (Suagee et al 2011) recently investigated whether obesity in horses also leads to a similar increase in inflammatory mediators.

Serum amyloid A, which increases acutely with inflammation or infection in horses, was correlated to body condition score.

However, other inflammatory proteins that have been observed to increase with obesity in humans were not increased relative to body condition score in horses.

Water holding and releasing capacity Last quarter in North American Trainer we talked about the relevance of gut fill and the pros and cons of reducing forage in the hours prior to racing. Researchers from Michigan State and East Lansing University have recently presented data on the water holding capacity and water releasing capacity of different forage types and also on the effect on forage chop length.

There were a few surprises in the results.

Grass hay, which is a commonly used forage source for horses in training, not only had the highest potential water holding capacity in the gut, but also showed the greatest potential for the early release of this water. In contrast, alfalfa hay had the lowest water holding capacity, with sugar beet being intermediate.

For both grass and alfalfa hay, chop length had a significant effect on water holding and water releasing potential. Longer chopped forage (5mm) was more effective at holding water compared to shorter chopped forage (1mm) and also had a greater capacity for release of that water within the gut.

The relevance to racing of these findings is that although grass has the potential to hold more water in the hindgut it also gives up that water for absorption fairly easily to help offset dehydration. Alfalfa on the other hand holds less water in the hindgut in comparison and so offers a good option to influence gut fill without compromising fiber intake in the 72 hours before racing, although any changes to the diet should always be gradual.

Music to your horses’ ears It is often suggested that life in a racing environment can be stressful; however, I suspect that this will vary considerably between horses and between yards as there are many factors that affect how contented a horse is from day to day. Any measure that can encourage horses to relax in their home environment is a benefit. Whilst deviating slightly from my remit on nutrition, this next piece of research I feel is an interesting aside to wrap up with.

Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia investigated the physiological and behavioral changes in horses exposed to relaxing music. The music that was used in this study was the “Forest Gump” main theme tune and was played for 6 hours during the trial period.

The main result from this study was a

substantially lower daily peak heart rate, as well a reduced time over which heart was raised for a given stressful event within the yard routine. In terms of behavior, the music encouraged more standing still and eating versus standing alert or walking. The conclusion to the study was that relaxing music was beneficial to horse welfare; however, I suspect there will be continued debate on the most appropriate form of music, with perhaps Vivaldi versus Lady Gaga being a future study.

As with all nutritional research initial results need to be viewed with caution until a consensus of opinion is reached on the likely outcome of a particular management change.

Equally, any changes to the diet should also be made slowly and where appropriate with advice from a veterinarian, nutrition advisor, or nutritionist.

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WORK VISAS

Work visa changes and the threat to trainers

Unannounced changes in the standards used to issue work visas for foreigners and a premature increase in the minimum wage for those foreigners who were approved to work in the United States have wreaked havoc on Thoroughbred trainers, many of whom have relied on foreign help for years.

I

WORDS: BILL HELLER PHOTOS: HORSEPHOTOS.COM/SHUTTERSTOCK

“

t’s kind of a two-headed monster,” Rick Violette, president of both the National Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), said October 4th.

Whether or not there has been a formal change in policy by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Labor is difficult to determine. Its effects are not.

“This isn’t about illegal immigration,” Violette said. “These are legitimate people looking for decent wages and they’re being discouraged from coming here. If that happens, then American jobs will be lost. Farms can’t stay open if Americans don’t fill the jobs and they don’t have access to the other avenue. Those places will close.”

To prevent that from happening, six trainers – Shug McGaughey, Kiaran McLaughlin, John Kimmel, Mike Hushion, Bill Mott, and Bruce Brown – filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor and the USCIS seeking a Temporary Restraining Order to stop what Violette terms “the arbitrary denials” of H-2B visas for foreign workers. In prior years, H-2B visas were routinely approved for legitimate employers, including trainers, who filed the extensive paperwork and followed the rules.

The United States set an annual cap of 66,000 H-2B visas in 1990. In 2005, the Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act gave an exemption to foreign workers who had previously been issued those visas. That allowed some 250,000

visas to be issued in 2007, but the cap reverted to 66,000 when Congress did not extend the exemption.

The impact on horse racing was immediate.

“Good, hard-working people who are trying to dutifully follow the law to obtain visas are being denied, while people who are overstaying their visas are being rewarded with jobs,” Will Velie, an Oklahoma attorney who was president of Horsemen Labor Solutions, said in a June 6th, 2008, story in the Philadelphia Daily News. “The horse racing industry faces more than a chronic and urgent need for workers. I would say it is on the verge of collapse.”

“These are legitimate people looking for decent wages and they’re being discouraged from coming here. Farms can’t stay open if Americans don’t fill the jobs and they don’t have access to the other avenue. Those places will close” Rick Violette

A separate lawsuit was filed by NYTHA, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association (HBPA) and others to delay an increase in minimum wage for foreign workers which was supposed to be implemented on January 1st, 2012. With little or no notice, the Department of Labor announced that the new wages would go into effect on October 1st, 2011. This lawsuit succeeded in obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order, delaying the implementation of the new wage requirements from October 1st to November 30th. This issue will be revisited.

The raise in the minimum wage for foreign workers came from U.S. District Judge Louis Pollak in Pennsylvania. In a ruling in 2010, he said current wages provided by the H-2B visa program were low, and that the program could be exploited by employers who want to replace American workers with low-paid foreigners.

The Department of Labor subsequently agreed to an average increase of $4.38 an hour for H2B workers. The rate varied by occupation, be it dishwashers, janitors, landscapers, roofers, or grooms.

Thoroughbred racing is only one of the industries adversely affected by these policy changes. Claiming that the wage changes could cost the state of Maryland as many as 1,000 jobs in its seafood industry, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) is seeking a permanent resolution. The October 1st wage increase would have coincided with the middle of the seafood season. “We got a pause, but I’m going to keep fighting for a long-term situation that is

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fair for workers and viable for preserving jobs,” Mikulski said in a press release. “These are jobs that once they are lost, they will never come back. I will not stop fighting until we have a sensible approach to H-2B wages. The people who work in the seafood industry are in danger of becoming an endangered species themselves.

Their livelihoods, which depend on Mother Nature and require temporary and seasonal workers, are fraught with uncertainty. To change the rules in the middle of the tide is inappropriate.”

Violette is happy to have non-racing allies on the issue; in this case, the senator from Maryland. “She’s in it because of the Maryland crab fishermen,” Violette said. “They’re in the same trap. They introduced legislation to delay it and to re-examine what [the Department of Labor] is doing. We welcome it. This plight is taken very seriously by a number of legislators.

This is obviously a problem across the board.

There is bi-partisan support on this.”

Indeed. Mikulski was one of 48 members of Congress who wrote a letter to U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis contending that business owners should be able to keep the minimum wage at its current level. Another congressman who signed that letter was Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA), normally a critic of permissive immigration who is seeking to preserve small businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Virginian senator Mark Warner, concerned about the seafood industry in Virginia, called for a long-range solution “that is both fair to workers and employers, and helps to preserve jobs not only in the Virginia seafood industry, but other industries that depend on seasonal labor. We look forward to a long-term legislative

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“There’s just not enough American people who want to do the job. We have to have somebody to do it. These people with H-2B visas work hard, save their money, and take it home with them” Shug McGaughey

fix to a regulation that would have cost far more American jobs than it would create.”

Louisiana shellfish packers went one step farther, filing a federal lawsuit to prevent the minimum wage increase.

And while such a stance may appear to be a heavy-handed attempt to take advantage of foreign workers, the reality is that had Americans applied for these low-paying, physically demanding jobs, foreign workers wouldn’t have been hired.

On the racetrack, these rigorous, high-risk jobs can be six or seven days a week. “We can’t get Americans to do the job,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “We tried hiring some kids from Kentucky who came up to Saratoga and they lasted two days or three days or four. I have a very large staff of Mexican employees. We have people who know horses who come back every year. Some of them have been with us for 15 years. Now this change is making people leave or go underground. It’s a real shame.”

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey has gone through a similar experience. “We need these workers for seasonal work,” he said. “We always advertise in all the newspapers for U.S. workers. We get resumes, but they’re not qualified. There’s just not enough American people who want to do the job. We have to have somebody to do it. These people with H-2B visas work hard, save their money, and take it home with them. The government is putting us at a big inconvenience.”

Remi Bellocq, the former CEO of the National HBPA, shared this story in Mark Kram’s June 6th, 2008, article in the Philadelphia Daily News: “We were at a gas station near Monmouth Park once and we saw a guy with a sign that said,

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WORK VISAS `Will Work For Food.’ So we told him, `Come on with us and help us cool out horses.’ And he said, `Oh, no. I would never work in a barn.’”

Apparently, that’s a prevalent perspective. “I can’t get quality help,” trainer Mike Hushion said. “I’ve had people who have worked for me for 10 to 20 years. These guys are stuck in Mexico. They’re as good as any grooms in the country. They’re very important.”

Bellocq told Kram, “New grooms leave on the first cold day for an even lower-paying job at the mall,” which causes the racing industry to “rely on foreign workers from an agrarian society who are used to working outdoors.”

Getting them approved for H2-B visas isn’t an easy process. To qualify a foreigner to be approved as an H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker, the employer must establish: the need for the prospective worker’s service or labor; that the tenure is temporary on a seasonal or peak-load basis; that there are insufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified. and available; and that the employment of H-2B workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

The inconsistency of applying those standards to issue visas this year has Violette and other trainers baffled. “These people come in, work and go home,” Violette said. “This year, especially in the Northeast, there have been many denials. Some trainers have gotten denials and approvals using the same criteria.”

The really bad news for horsemen is that the USCIS is going to make the application more difficult. “Starting next year, they will make the application so burdensome it will discourage people from trying,” Violette said. “Calling for more paperwork has gotten to the point where they are discouraging H-2B visas. It’s so selfserving. We have people doing the right thing.

We do it legally. We put ads in papers.

Americans don’t want to work six, seven days a week at 5 a.m. in the morning.”

Those Americans who do are obviously affected by any wage increases for foreign workers. Usually, the mandated wages are set for foreign workers at the start of the year and don’t change during that year. Not so in 2011. “We’re given a prevailing wage for H-2B workers,” Violette said. “At Saratoga, they increased the minimum wage for H-2B workers from $10 an hour to $12, but our American workers were getting $10. So I had to raise it. Unilaterally, they increased the minimum wage by as much as 40 percent before the period ends, based on unknown criteria and unknown justification. It’s just an incredibly poor way to operate. It also creates a very unsavory workplace.”

But the Temporary Restraining Order obtained just before the new wage requirements were set to kick in at least postponed their implementation. That doesn’t mean they won’t be implemented in the future.

Nationally, immigration continues to be a white-hot issue, one that obviously affects the racing industry. Though it’s more prone to

“ I have a very large staff of Mexican employees.

We have people who know horses who come back every year. Some of them have been with us for 15 years. Now this change is making people leave or go underground.

It’s a real shame.”

Kiaran McLaughlin happen in racing jurisdictions closer to Mexico, immigration officials and police have raided tracks as far north as Saratoga. On July 15th, 2003, a raid on an early Tuesday morning resulted in the arrests of 17 illegal immigrants, 11 from Mexico, four from Chile, and a pair from Guatemala. A month earlier, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) had hired a private security firm headed by former New York City Police Chief Commissioner Howard Safir to advise NYRA on such security matters.

Those workers were illegal aliens. The racetrack workers with H-2B visas are all in the United States legally as part of a carefullymonitored, albeit confusing, system.

Eliminating legitimate foreign workers could only add to the number of illegal aliens, while deeply affecting U.S. workers doing the same job.

“It’s gotten very arbitrary,” Violette said in an August interview in Thoroughbred Times. “The denials are far higher than the approvals. It’s really kind of changed the playing field. I still don’t have enough help to bring in more horses.

Those are the realities I don’t think trainers had to face years ago.”

Here’s another reality: this issue isn’t going away. n

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Reducing the Carbon Hoofprint

Three Chimneys Farm and Turfway Park race track lead the way when it comes to producing organic compost. Both have proved that as well as the environmental benefits of going ‘green’, recycling raw organic waste can also be financially beneficial – whether it is by saving money on fertilizers or by selling it on the open market WORDS: KEN SNYDER

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CARBON HOOFPRINT

A relatively new windrow of mostly straw muck early in the decomposition process is turned at Three Chimneys Farm

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S

avvy racing observers in Kentucky have long referred to Turfway Park in Florence as “The Little Engine That Could.” Dwarfed in size, racing history, and purses by Keeneland in Lexington and Churchill Downs in Louisville, Turfway chugs along, battling competing attractions in nearby Cincinnati and even Ohio racing just around the I-275 beltway at River Downs.

The little engine, however, might be the leader in at least one “green” option to reduce the carbon hoofprint of racing with something right under the industry’s feet... literally.

Turfway and Capstone Auction Services, a concern marketing locally grown produce in nearby Campbellsburg, Kentucky, began this spring producing compost from straw mucked from the track’s 900 stalls. Perhaps surprisingly, Turfway is functioning as far more than the source for raw product; on an eight-acre area adjacent to backside barns, Turfway is managing, monitoring, and making compost that, when ready, is marketed by both the racetrack and Capstone.

While muck recycling is not a new concept, the commitment to it by Turfway could be a capital idea in every sense of the word for tracks across North America, reducing expenses, carbon hoofprint, and even, possibly, generating another revenue stream. For example, Turfway no longer has to spend $220,000-to-$250,000 to have muck hauled away annually to mushroom farms in Pennsylvania. Instead, composting muck is now a $60,000 annual expense. “For $60,000 a year we could turn all this muck into compost and use it on our own property if we had to,” said Daniel “Chip” Bach, Turfway’s director of operations.

“If we had to” are the key words for Bach and Turfway; they don’t. Sales of compost, thanks to the partnership with Capstone, have the potential for revenue generation well beyond the production expense. Bach calls composting a “six-figure opportunity.” Capstone owner David Neville optimistically looks at selling all of the 10,000-12,000 cubic yards of compost Turfway can produce annually once the market is fully developed. At $30 per cubic yard – the price for compost currently sold in bulk at Turfway and Capstone – the potential truly is enormous.

The financial benefits almost obscure the positive effect on the environment. While Turfway’s muck was recycled as fertilizer for mushrooms, such is not the case at all racetracks. Surprisingly, muck taken to municipal landfills is not a beneficial or even a harmless addition. According to Neville, muck deposited in a landfill will, more than likely, be covered by other materials. This will deprive it of oxygen, essential for decomposition into

78 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

INDUSTRY

Two windrows at Three Chimneys Farm in different stages of compost decomposition. As material becomes darker it is closer to being finished compost

The scope of Three Chimneys Farm’s composting is evidenced by the area dedicated to the process and the length of the windrows

compost, and delaying decomposition for as long as 20 years, according to Neville. “All it’s doing is leaching into the run-off to the underground,” he said.

Horse manure uncared for is also neither a beneficial or harmless “natural” agent in the environment. Methane, the greenhouse gas from manure, is 21 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, which has always been the primary culprit in air pollution.

For trainers at Turfway, composting has meant a new standard of care in maintaining stalls to keep extraneous debris like veterinary waste and twine from straw bales out of muck.

The necessity for this was demonstrated early in Turfway’s composting. “We let the parks department use some of our compost and this guy came to me white-faced,” said Bach of compost produced during a trial. “He had put it on some soccer fields and found what he thought was a syringe. It wasn’t; it was one of

those nasal applicators used to put medicine in a horse’s nose.

“We had to tell trainers we cannot tolerate any of this, and if we see it, we won’t pick up the bins if they’re contaminated till they pick through them. Once you get a bin full of flies and it’s stinking, it drives the point pretty quickly.”

Bach is highly complimentary of Turfway trainers overall but points to a “five percent” that can damage the composting program. “We kept security chasing after the five percent, checking bins,” he said. “We have to be vigilant because it can compromise our organic designation.”

That designation, granted by government agencies, signifies that certain steps have been taken beyond debris removal to produce a purely organic product. A pile of muck does not make, on its own, a pile of compost. There is a process to be employed and specialized

CARBON HOOFPRINT NA ISSUE 22_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 17:29 Page 4

CARBON HOOFPRINT

Finished compost is odorless and dirt-like in texture and appearance

“I think just going through the exercise of evaluating what you can potentially do and talking to the smart people out there you can really have a positive impact on your ecological footprint” Three Chimneys’ David Craig, manager of maintenance for the farm, takes the interior temperature of a “windrow” or bank of soiled straw mucked from stalls. The temperature will tell Craig when the windrow should be turned

Daniel Bach

equipment required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specifically, compost must be “worked” with a “turner” tractor attachment dedicated to composting.

“Ours comes right from the horse to the pile to the turner to the truck, and there really isn’t anything that would introduce any kind of contaminant into the process right now,” said Bach.

Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Kentucky, was an early pioneer in production of true organic compost. On a small spread, Manager of Maintenance David Craig supervises long banks or “windrows,” as they are called, of muck, partially decomposed material, and fullfledged compost exactly like those at Turfway.

At a glance, the evolution of compost from mostly straw and manure to an odorless, black dirt ready for spreading on pasture land or vegetable plots is apparent. New windrows are what you would expect: muck as it appears

the benefits are numerous. It reduces the need and expense for fertilizers and, according to Craig, there is nutritional value for the grass.

Craig said he applies compost particularly to weaker places on the farm and some of the paddocks.

The cycle time from raw muck varies depending on temperatures and rainfall.

Generally, raw muck, turned regularly and properly, converts into compost in anywhere from eight to 12 weeks.

Craig, a 66-year-old veteran of both Three Chimneys and farming in Kentucky, said, “You just have to do it and get the feel of it.”

Getting the feel of it for Turfway has meant learning the effect of ambient temperatures.

During an abnormally hot, dry summer last year, Bach and chief compost operator Troy Beach discovered the compost process was slowed when they would have expected it to be accelerated. Conversely, when snows and cold

coming out of stalls. As windrows are turned over a period of weeks they grow darker.

Material also loses 75% of its volume.

Temperatures in the core of windrows is monitored carefully at least every other day with a thermometer approximately three-feet long plunged into the center of piles. “We like to turn it at 140 degrees,” said Craig, who added that if temperatures rise beyond that in the 150°-160° range the compost begins to lose some of its nutrient value.

Once that temperature is reached, windrows are turned to basically take what is on the outside and move it to the inside, and viceversa. To facilitate the process of heat build-up necessary for proper decomposition and compost creation, material from windrows more advanced in the composting process are added and rows are combined.

For a farm like Three Chimneys, recycling compost back into paddocks and pasture lands,

ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 79

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INDUSTRY

A thermometer reads the internal temperature of a windrow

A compost turner essentially turns a windrow of material inside out. The process is repeated once interior temperatures reach 140° indicating proper decomposition in the composting process

came in winter, temperatures inside windrows increased more rapidly and the process returned to a faster, if not normal, rate.

In fact, it was during the winter of 2009 that Bach and Turfway became believers in the process and product. After a presentation by the Thoroughbred Resource Conservation and Development Council of Georgetown, Kentucky, Bach and Turfway agreed to a trial on the grounds during February and March of that year. Turfway experienced unusually hard, cold weather in those months with more than average snowfall. “There was no residue or obnoxious odors or anything like that, and so it worked in the worst weather we had to throw at it,” said Bach. “We were sold from there.”

As with Three Chimneys, the process and product has meant an investment of both capital and human resources to make it work.

After leasing a turner attachment during the

80 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

trial phase, Turfway bought its own for $30,000. Additionally, an operations staff person, Troy Beach, was assigned full time to collect muck and oversee its conversion into compost.

“Chip and the team at Turfway have sort of clenched their jaw and said, ‘We’re going to make this work,’” said David Neville, who outlined the commitment necessary to producing a finished product ready for market.

“There’s a lot more to it than dumping out a load of horse muck. You have to turn it when it needs turning. You have to be on top of it.

That’s one challenge.

“The next challenge is what you do with it once you have it? You can only use so much to spread on your own pasture field. Are there ready outlets for it? Those kinds of considerations are pretty tough,” he added.

A third challenge enumerated by Neville and

met by Turfway might be the toughest: working with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, local water districts, and state agencies. “If you’re composting on your farm, that’s one thing. But if you’re producing 10,000 cubic yards, somebody is going to be looking over your shoulder,” he said.

Having hurdled all these obstacles, Neville points to Turfway’s compost technician as critical to the product. “Troy eats and breathes compost,” said Neville with enthusiasm, an observation that Beach may or may not appreciate. “You’ve got to have someone committed to make it work.”

The commitment from Turfway was born of the financial struggles the racetrack, like others, is facing. “I’d love to say being green was our initial reason for evaluating this but it was really financial,” said Bach. “We were delighted that we found a solution that’s eco-friendly, but we were really challenged to find ways to reduce our expenses. Obviously, a quarter of a million dollars is a big one out there,” he added, referring to the former annual expense of hauling away muck.

Getting the feel of cash-in-hand from something that was formerly an expense is an exciting prospect. With each bite of a backhoe bucket into a compost pile at Turfway and Capstone, another bite is taken out of operating expenses. “It’s already kind of a home run,” said Bach of Turfway’s compost. “We’d like to make it a grand slam.” Capstone and Turfway have plans to brand the compost product and bag it in quantities of either one cubic foot or a footand-a-half.

The implications for other racetracks are obvious. Seen in the light of Turfway’s initiative racetracks actually produce two things: racing and the raw material for compost. Already, Bach has talked to Colonial Downs in Virginia about composting, as well as Thistledown Race Track in Cleveland, which is owned by Caesar’s Entertainment, a co-owner also of Turfway.

“I think just going through the exercise of evaluating what you can potentially do and talking to the smart people out there you can really have a positive impact on your ecological footprint,” said Bach.

How the final bagged, shelf-ready product will be branded has not, as of yet, been determined. Bach prefers that somehow the word “horsepower” be incorporated with either the Capstone or Turfway name and “Compost.”

One individual has already suggested a take-off from horsepower: Horse Poo-er Compost.

Bach sees composting as another part of the “Little Engine” culture at Turfway. “Nick Nicholson [president of Keeneland, a partowner of Turfway] used to call us ‘Keeneland’s laboratory,’” said Bach with a chuckle. The composting experiment at Turfway would appear to be a success that could be duplicated elsewhere, creating a green option for what was formerly just waste and, just as important, green in the coffers of racetracks. n

CARBON HOOFPRINT NA ISSUE 22_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 17:29 Page 6

ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 81

STAKES SCHEDULES NA ISSUE 22 new_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 16:25 Page 1

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STAKES SCHEDULES NA ISSUE 22 new_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 16:25 Page 2

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ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 83

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STAKES SCHEDULES

STAKES SCHEDULES RACES

Races are divided by distance and the relevant surface is indicated as follows: AWT - All Weather Track D - Dirt T - Turf €opean counties covered in this issue are: Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden and United Kingdom. The indexes also include Grade 1 races from North America as well major races from Australia and Japan.

CLOSING DATES

Closing dates for all Irish races are set for international entry dates. For certain races, Irish trained horses, may be able to enter after the published dates. Please check dates with the relevant issue of The Racing Calendar.

All main French races have been given an eight day closing date with provincial races set to a ten day closing

date. The Italian authority (UNIRE) do not publish closing dates for Listed races but we have been advised to set each race closing date ten days in advance of the race.

COPYRIGHT

Under Copyright law, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means. This includes but not limited to; photocopying for commercial redistribution and or facsimile recording without the prior permission of the copyright holder, application for which should be addressed to the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

Whilst every effort has been made to publish correct information, the publishers will not be held liable for any omission, mistake or change to the races listed in all published indexes.

Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Country AUS USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Flemington Churchill Downs Gulfstream Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Gulfstream Park Sam Houston Gulfstream Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) PATINACK FARM CLASSIC Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint L.A Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter L.A Premier Night Bon Temps Starter L.A Premier Night Matron L.A Premier Night Sprint Needles Rail Splitter St Madcap Escapade Azalea Pelican The Ladies Turf Sprint Touch Gold

Class Gp 1 Gr 2

Country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Zia Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds

Race Name & (Sponsor) Lea County Sprint Bonapaw S Esplanade S Pan Zareta St Spring Fever Colonel Power St Happy Ticket S Bayou St. John St

Country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Beulah Park Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Golden Gate Fields Calder Aqueduct Aqueduct Mountaineer Remington Park Woodbine Beulah Park Laurel Park Remington Park Penn National Penn National Penn National Aqueduct Fair Grounds Kyoto Hollywood Park Laurel Park Zia Park Aqueduct Gulfstream Park Turfway Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Nakayama Aqueduct Turfway Park Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Turfway Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Sam Houston Race Park Sam Houston Race Park Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Juv Sprint The Jimmy V Glacial Princess St Breeders’ Cup Sprint The Dream Supreme The Golden Gate Debutante Stakes Jack Dudley Sprint H’cap New York Stallion Series - Fifth Avenue Division New York Stallion Series - Great White Way Division Sophomore Sprint Championship St Oklahoma Stallion S Kennedy Road S Ohio Freshman St The Smart Halo Stakes Oklahoma Stallion S - Fillies The Le Bagoter The Six Bits H’cap Blue Mountain S Fall Highweight H’cap Thanksgiving H Keihan Hai Vernon O. Underwood St The Daves Friend Stakes Zia Park Distaff S Garland of Roses H’cap Spectacular Bid St Holiday Inaugural St Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile S Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint Louisiana Champions Day Lassie S Louisiana Champions Day Sprint Sugar Swirl Capella St Gravesend H’cap Gowell S Louisiana Futurity Mr Prospector Holiday Cheer St Old Hat St Dixie Belle S Yellow Rose S Spirit Of Texas S F.W. Gaudin Memorial S American Beauty S Sunshine Millions Sprint King Cotton S Nodouble Breeders Downthedustyroad Breeders Gazebo Hot Springs S Rainbow S Rainbow Miss S Duncan F. Kenner St

S S S S

S S

Race Date 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 15/01/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 11/02/2012 12/02/2012 03/03/2012 03/03/2012 04/03/2012 25/03/2012

Value AUD $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $60,000 $55,000 $55,000 $100,000 $100,000 $60,000 $75,000 $60,000 $75,000 $75,000 $60,000 $60,000

5f (1000m) Age 3+ 4+ 4+ 4+ F&M 4+ F&M 4+ 3 4+ 3F 3F 3 4+ F&M 4+

Surface T T T D D D D T T T D D T T

Metres 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000

Furlongs 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

Age 3+ 3+ 3+ F&M 4+ FM 4+ F&M 4+ 4+ F&M LA Bred 4+ La Bred

Surface D T D T D T D D

Metres 1100 1100 1100 1100 1100 1100 1100 1100

Furlongs 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5 5.5

Age Surface 2 D 3 D 2F D 3+ D 3F D 2F AWT 3+ D 2F D 2 D 3 D 2 D 3+ AWT 2 D 2F D 2F D 3 3+ 2F D 3+ D 3+ D 3+ T 3 D 2 D 3+ F&M D 3+ FM D 2 D 3+ F&M AWT 2 C&G LA Bred D 3+ F&M LA Bred D 2 F LA Bred D 3+LA Bred D 3+ F&M D 3+ D 3+ D 2F AWT 2 C&G LA Bred D 3+ D 3+ AWT 3F D 3F D 4+ F&M D 4+ D 4+ D 4+ F&M D 4+ D 4+ D 3+ C&G (Ark Bred) D 3+ F&M D 3 D 4+ D 3 C&G (Ark Bred) D 3 F (Ark Bred) D 3+ D

Metres 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200

Furlongs 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

Visit www.trainermagazine.com/america Class

S

Race Date 06/11/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 21/01/2012 19/02/2012 25/02/2012 24/03/2012 01/04/2012

Value $55,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $60,000 $75,000 $60,000 $60,000

84 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

R Gr 1 S S S S Gr 3 R S R Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 3

S S S S S Gr 3 Gr 3 S S Gr 3 Gr 3 S S S S S S S

Race Date 04/11/2011 04/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 12/11/2011 13/11/2011 13/11/2011 15/11/2011 18/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 23/11/2011 23/11/2011 23/11/2011 24/11/2011 24/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 03/12/2011 03/12/2011 03/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 11/12/2011 17/12/2011 23/12/2011 31/12/2011 31/12/2011 31/12/2011 01/01/2012 14/01/2012 20/01/2012 21/01/2012 22/01/2012 22/01/2012 28/01/2012 28/01/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 03/03/2012 24/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 01/04/2012

Value $500,000 $85,000 $50,000 $1,500,000 $85,000 $50,000 $125,000 $100,000 $100,000 $75,000 $50,000 CAN150,000+ $50,000 $75,000 $50,000 $75,000 $200,000 $75,000 $100,000 $75,000 $978,000 $100,000 $75,000 $55,000 $65,000 $100,000 $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $927,000 $65,000 $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 $50,000 $100,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $75,000 $50,000 $200,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $60,000 $75,000 $50,000 $50,000 $150,000

21/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 25/01/2012 18/02/2012 18/02/2012

5.5f (1100m)

Now available for iPhone/iPad via Appstore Class

Closing 20/09/2011 24/10/2011

Closing 25/10/2011

6f (1200m) Closing 24/10/2011 28/10/2011 26/10/2011 24/10/2011 28/10/2011 27/10/2011

01/11/2011 02/11/2011 09/11/2011 10/11/2011 14/11/2011 14/11/2011 14/11/2011 11/10/2011 17/11/2011 15/11/2011 24/11/2011

25/10/2011 15/12/2011 22/12/2011 04/01/2012 04/01/2012

STAKES SCHEDULES NA ISSUE 22 new_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 16:25 Page 4

STAKES SCHEDULES North American Trainer delivered to your door!

Country USA USA USA USA USA

Track Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Duncan F. Kenner BC S Prima Donna S Bachelor Carousel H Count Fleet Sprint H

Class

Gr 3

Race Date 01/04/2012 06/04/2012 07/04/2012 12/04/2012 14/04/2012

Value $150,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $200,000

6f (1200m) Age 3+ 3F 3 4+ F&M 4+

Surface D D D D D

Metres 1200 1200 1200 1200 1200

Furlongs 6 6 6 6 6

Age 2F 2 CG 3+ 4+ F&M 4+

Surface D D D D D

Metres 1300 1300 1300 1300 1300

Furlongs 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5 6.5

Age 2 3+ FM 2F 2 2 2 2 2F 3+ F&M 2F 3+ FM 3+ 3F 3F 3 3+ F&M 2F 2 3+ 2 C&G 3 3+ 2F 3F 3 3F 3 3F 3 4+ 3 4+ F&M

Surface AWT D T D D T D D D AWT D D AWT D D AWT D D D D D T D D D D D D D D D D

Metres 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400 1400

Furlongs 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7

Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Country USA USA USA USA USA

Track Parx Racing Parx Racing Remington Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Donna Fryer SC Residence Race (F) Christopher Elser Mem SC Residence (C & G) Silver Goblin S Hurricane Bertie H Sir Shackleton

Class R R S Gr 3

Country CAN USA JPN USA USA JPN USA USA USA CAN USA USA CAN USA USA CAN USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Woodbine Churchill Downs Kyoto Charles Town Remington Park Tokyo Calder Calder Laurel Park Woodbine Aqueduct Aqueduct Woodbine Delta Downs Delta Downs Woodbine Hollywood Park Hollywood Park Gulfstream Park Parx Racing Remington Park Hanshin Charles Town Sam Houston Race Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Frost King S Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint KBS Kyoto Sho Fantasy St Tri-State Futurity Clever Trevor S Keio Hai Nisai St Jack Price Juvenile Joe O’Farrell Juvenile Fillies The Squan Song Glorious Song S New York Stallion Series - Staten Island Division New York Stallion Series - Thunder Rumble Division Jammed Lovely S Orleans Sam’s Town Bessarabian S Moccasin St Hollywood Prevue St Sunshine State Pennsylvania Nursery St Jim Thorpe S Hanshin Cup Eleanor Casey Memorial Bara Lass S Groovy S Forward Gal S L.A Premier Night Prince L.A Premier Night Starlet Hutcheson St Gulfstream Park Sprint Swale S Inside Information

Race Date 13/11/2011 13/11/2011 25/11/2011 19/02/2012 31/03/2012

Value $75,000 $75,000 $50,000 $150,000 $60,000

6.5f (1300m)

Visit www.trainermagazine.com/america Class R Gr 1 Gr 3 R Gr 2 S S S S S R Gr 3 Gr 3 S S Gr 2 S S S Gr 2 S S Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 2

Race Date 02/11/2011 04/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 11/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 13/11/2011 13/11/2011 13/11/2011 16/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 20/11/2011 20/11/2011 24/11/2011 04/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 20/01/2012 21/01/2012 29/01/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 11/02/2012 18/02/2012 10/03/2012 17/03/2012

Value CAN125,000 $1,000,000 $734,000 $100,000 $90,000 $927,000 $125,000 $125,000 $60,000 CAN150,000+ $75,000 $75,000 CAN150,000 $60,000 $60,000 CAN150,000+ $100,000 $100,000 $60,000 $75,000 $50,000 $1,724,000 $50,000 $50,000 $50,000 $200,000 $125,000 $125,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000

Track Remington Park Gulfstream Park Hollywood Park Laurel Park Laurel Park Hollywood Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Fair Grounds Fair Grounds

Race Name & (Sponsor) Ladies on the Lawn S South Beach S Cats Cradle H’cap The Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship The Maryland Juvenile Championship On Trust H’cap Genesis Triple Sec Black Gold St Allen Lacombe Memorial H’cap

Country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA JPN JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Mountaineer Santa Anita Tokyo Delta Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Delta Downs Kyoto Aqueduct Fair Grounds Hollywood Park Hollywood Park Aqueduct Fair Grounds Hollywood Park Laurel Park Zia Park Laurel Park Remington Park Hanshin Nakayama Gulfstream Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Delta Downs

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile Breeders’ Cup Mile Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Chilukki St Magnolia Gold Cup Mountaineer Mile H’cap The Las Palmas H Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino St Treasure Chest Louisiana Jewel Louisiana Legacy Delta Mile Boyd Gaming’s Delta Princess Mile Championship Go For Wand Hcap Woodchopper S The Matriarch Miesque St Cigar Mile H’cap Pago Hop S Generous St The Jennings H’cap New Mexico Eddy County S The Geisha Stakes Springboard Mile Hanshin Juvenile Fillies Asahi Hai Futurity St Dania Beach B-Connected Lookout Ocala Hal’s Hope H Smarty Jones S Dixie Poker Ace S Lecomte S Sweetest Chant Holy Bull S L.A Premier Night Ladies Starter

Class S S S

Race Date 02/12/2011 11/12/2011 11/12/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 18/12/2011 14/01/2012 14/01/2012 10/03/2012 10/03/2012

Value $50,000 $60,000 $80,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000 $75,000

Gr 2 Gr 3 S S Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 3 S Gr 1 Gr 1 S S S Gr 3 S Gr 3 Gr 3 S

Race Date 04/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 06/11/2011 13/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 20/11/2011 25/11/2011 25/11/2011 25/11/2011 25/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 27/11/2011 03/12/2011 04/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 11/12/2011 18/12/2011 18/12/2011 31/12/2011 31/12/2011 08/01/2012 14/01/2012 16/01/2012 17/01/2012 21/01/2012 22/01/2012 29/01/2012 04/02/2012

Value $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $150,000 $100,000 $100,000 $125,000 $150,000 $927,000 $125,000 $150,000 $150,000 $125,000 $500,000 $2,447,000 $150,000 $75,000 $250,000 $100,000 $250,000 $75,000 $100,000 $75,000 $120,000 $75,000 $300,000 $1,588,000 $1,724,000 $100,000 $60,000 $60,000 $60,000 $100,000 $100,000 $60,000 $175,000 $100,000 $400,000 $70,000

Closing 12/10/2011 24/10/2011 27/09/2011 02/11/2011 27/09/2011 03/11/2011 26/10/2011 26/10/2011 02/11/2011 02/11/2011 02/11/2011

30/08/2011 01/12/2011 08/11/2011 07/12/2011 04/01/2012 04/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012

7.5f (1500m) Age 3+ F&M 3+ F&M 3+ F&M 2F 2 3+ Cal Breds 3F 3 3 3F

Surface T T D D D D D D D T

Metres 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500 1500

Furlongs 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5

Age 2F 3+ 3+ 2 3+ FM 3+ F&M 3+ 3+ 3+ F&M 3+ 3+ F&M 2F 2 C&G 3+ 2F 3+ 3+ FM 3 3+F&M 2F 3+ 3F 2 3+ 2 3+ FM 2 2F 2 No G 2 3+ 3+ F&M 4+ F&M 4+ 3 4+ LA Bred 3 3F 3 4+ F & M

Surface T D T T D D D D T D D D D D D T D T T T D T T D D D D T T T D D D D D T D T D D

Metres 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600

Furlongs 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

North American Trainer delivered to your door!

Class Gr 2 Gr 1 Gr 1 Gr 1 Gr 2 S S

Closing 30/06/2011 30/06/2011 16/11/2011

7f (1400m)

Now available for iPhone/iPad via Appstore Country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Closing

Closing 30/11/2011 08/12/2011 08/12/2011 31/12/2011 31/12/2011

8f (1600m) Closing 24/10/2011 24/10/2011 24/10/2011 24/10/2011 19/10/2011 22/10/2011 22/10/2011 24/10/2011 27/10/2011 27/09/2011 02/11/2011 04/11/2011 04/11/2011 02/11/2011 22/10/2011 04/10/2011

24/11/2011 25/11/2011 01/12/2011 01/12/2011 25/10/2011 08/11/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011

21/01/2012

ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 85

STAKES SCHEDULES NA ISSUE 22 new_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 16:25 Page 5

STAKES SCHEDULES Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Country USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Delta Downs Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Sam Houston Race Park Sam Houston Race Park Oaklawn Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) L.A Premier Night Distaff Tiffany Lass S Martha Washington S Jim’s Orbit S Two Altazano S Southwest S Sabin Davona Dale St Sarah Lane’s Oates S Canadian Turf Gulfstream Park H Texas Heritage Stakes Honey Fox H Crescent City Oaks Appleton H Instant Racing Northern Spur

Country USA USA

Track Aqueduct Aqueduct

Race Name & (Sponsor) East View St Damon Runyon St

Country USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN CAN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA CAN USA USA USA USA CAN CAN CAN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Laurel Park Zia Park Woodbine Woodbine Calder Calder Calder Hollywood Park Hollywood Park Churchill Downs Delta Downs Penn National Fair Grounds Woodbine Beulah Park Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Hollywood Park Woodbine Woodbine Woodbine Hawthorne Racecourse Zia Park Hollywood Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Hawthorne Racecourse Hollywood Park Turfway Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Hollywood Park Gulfstream Park Fair Grounds Aqueduct Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Sam Houston Race Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Sam Houston Race Park Delta Downs Delta Downs Oaklawn Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Sam Houston Race Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Gulfstream Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Commonwealth Turf Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Ack Ack H’cap Breeders’ Cup Juvenile The Find Handicap Veterans S South Ocean S Autumn S Arthur I Appleton Juvenile Turf Elmer Heubeck Distaff H’cap John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Real Quiet St Sharp Cat St Mrs. Revere St $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot The Swatara Mr Sulu Kingarvie S Bobbie Bricker Memorial H’cap Golden Rod St Kentucky Jockey Club St Citation H’cap Display S Sir Barton S Ontario Lassie S Pat Whitworth Illinois Debutante St Zia Park Derby Bayakoa H’cap Louisiana Champions Day Ladies H Louisiana Champions Day Starter Louisiana Champions Day Turf H Jim Edgar Illinois Futurity Hollywood Startlet My Charmer St Tenacious H Blushing K.D. H Harlan’s Holiday Cashcall Futurity Ginger Brew Buddy Diliberto Memorial H Alex M. Robb H’cap Gulfstream Park Derby Marshua’s River St Fifth Season S Marie G Krantz Memorial H Fort Lauderdale St San Jacinto S Col. E.R Bradley Hcp Silverbulletday S Kitten’s Joy Pippin S Star Of Texas S L.A Premier Night Gentlemen Starter L.A Premier Night Championship Essex H Jersey Lilly S Donn H Bayakoa S Mardi Gras St Rachel Alexandra St Risen Star S Mineshaft H’cap Gentilly S Sam Houston Distaff Honeybee S Razorback H New Orleans Ladies St Rebel S Azeri S Arkansas Breeders (Female Division) Red Camelia St Fair Grounds Oaks Bayou H’cap Bayou BC H Costa Rising St Crescent City Derby Arkansas Breeders (Male Division) Wait A While Fantasy S Redbud Apple Blossom H

Class S

R Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 2 S Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 3 S Gr 3

Race Date 04/02/2012 11/02/2012 11/02/2012 18/02/2012 18/02/2012 20/02/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 03/03/2012 03/03/2012 10/03/2012 10/03/2012 18/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 13/04/2012 14/04/2012

Value $150,000 $75,000 $75,000 $100,000 $100,000 $250,000 $100,000 $250,000 $60,000 $150,000 $300,000 $50,000 $100,000 $75,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000

8f (1600m) Age 4+F&M 4 + F&M 3F 3 C&G 3F 3 4+ F&M 3F 3 F LA Bred 4+ 4+ 3+ 4+ F&M 3 la. bred F 4+ 3F 3

Surface D D D D D D D D T T D D T D T D D

Metres 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600

Age 2 F N.Y. Bred 2

Surface D D

Metres 1664 1664

Furlongs 8.32 8.32

Age 3 2F 3+ 2 CG 3+ 3+ 2F 3+ 2 3+ FM 2F 2 2F 3F 2 3+ 3+ LA Bred 2 3+ FM 2F 2 3+ 2 3+ 2F 2F 3 3+ F&M 3+ F&M LA Bred 3+ LA Bred 3+LA Bred 2 C&G 2F 3+ F&M 3+ 3+ F&M 3+ 2 2F 3+ 3+ 3 4+ F&M 4+ 4+F&M 4+ 4+ F&M 4+ 3F 3 4+ F&M 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ F&M 4+ 4+ F&M 4 + FM 3F 3 4+ 3 LA Bred 4+ F&M 3F 4+ 4+ FM 3 4+ F&M 3+ F&M 4+ FM La Bred 3F 4+ FM 4+ F&M 4+ La. Bred 3 La. Bred 3+ C&G 3+ F&M 3F 4+ F&M 4+ F&M

Surface T D D D T D AWT AWT T D T D D T D

Metres 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700 1700

Furlongs 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5 8.5

Visit www.trainermagazine.com/america Class S S

Race Date 04/12/2011 04/12/2011

Value $65,000 $65,000

86 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

S Gr 2 S S S Gr 2 Gr 3 S S R Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 2 S S S Gr 2 S S S S Gr 1 S

Gr 1 S Gr 3 Gr 3 S Gr 3

S S S Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 3 S Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 3 S S Gr 2 S S S Gr 2 Gr 1

Race Date 03/11/2011 04/11/2011 04/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 09/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 13/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 23/11/2011 24/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 27/11/2011 30/11/2011 03/12/2011 03/12/2011 03/12/2011 04/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 10/12/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 17/12/2011 24/12/2011 26/12/2011 31/12/2011 01/01/2012 07/01/2012 13/01/2012 14/01/2012 14/01/2012 20/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 04/02/2012 11/02/2012 18/02/2012 21/02/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 25/02/2012 10/03/2012 10/03/2012 17/03/2012 17/03/2012 17/03/2012 25/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 01/04/2012 01/04/2012 01/04/2012 08/04/2012 11/04/2012 12/04/2012 12/04/2012

Value $100,000 $2,000,000 $100,000 $2,000,000 $60,000 $55,000 CAN125,000 CAN150,000+ $100,000 $150,000 $100,000 $100,000 $100,000 $175,000 $1,000,000 $75,000 $60,000 CAN125,000 $50,000 $150,000 $150,000 $250,000 CAN150,000+ CAN125,000 CAN150,000 $100,000 $150,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 $250,000 $50,000 $75,000 $75,000 $60,000 $750,000 $60,000 $75,000 $65,000 $100,000 $100,000 $75,000 $75,000 $100,000 $50,000 $100,000 $125,000 $100,000 $75,000 $100,000 $70,000 $200,000 $100,000 $50,000 $500,000 $100,000 $75,000 $200,000 $300,000 $125,000 $60,000 $50,000 $125,000 £125,000 $100,000 $500,000 $150,000 $50,000 $60,000 $400,000 $100,000 $100,000 $60,000 $75,000 $50,000 $60,000 $300,000 $100,000 $500,000

Closing 21/01/2012 31/12/2011 31/12/2011

22/02/2012

8.32f (1664m)

Now available for iPhone/iPad via Appstore Class Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 1

Furlongs 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Closing

8.5f (1700m)

T AWT D D D T AWT AWT AWT D D D D D T D D AWT D T D D T T D T T D T T T T D T D D D D D T D D T D D D T D D D D D D D T D T T D D D T D D D

Closing 19/10/2011 24/10/2011 19/10/2011 24/10/2011 27/10/2011 24/10/2011 19/10/2011 26/10/2011

26/10/2011 22/10/2011 14/11/2011 09/11/2011 16/11/2011 09/11/2011 09/11/2011 09/11/2011 09/11/2011 16/11/2011 22/11/2011

01/12/2011

03/01/2012

04/01/2012 21/01/2012 21/01/2012 18/01/2012

08/02/2012

STAKES SCHEDULES NA ISSUE 22 new_Jerkins feature.qxd 14/10/2011 16:25 Page 6

STAKES SCHEDULES North American Trainer delivered to your door!

Country USA CAN JPN USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA JPN USA JPN USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Woodbine Kyoto Churchill Downs Beulah Park Calder Calder Charles Town Tokyo Aqueduct Charles Town Churchill Downs Calder Churchill Downs Churchill Downs Aqueduct Aqueduct Aqueduct Calder Calder Hanshin Hollywood Park Hanshin Zia Park Fair Grounds Turfway Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Fair Grounds Gulfstream Park Sam Houston Race Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Fair Grounds Oaklawn Park Oaklawn Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Ladies’ Classic Coronation Futurity Miyako St Cardinal H’cap Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial St Bonnie Heath Turf Cup Carl G Rose Classic My Sister Pearl Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai St Discovery A Huevo St River City H’cap My Charmer H’cap Falls City H’cap Clark H’cap Gazelle St Demoiselle St Remsen St Fred W Hooper H’cap Tropical Turf H’cap Naruo Kinen Native Diver H’cap Japan Cup Dirt Zia Park Distance Championship Louisiana Champions Day Classic Prairie Bayou St Richard King S Sunshine Millions Distaff Sunshine Millions Turf John B. Connally BC Turf Gulfstream Park Turf H Suwannee River Fair Grounds H’cap Fountain Of Youth St Maxxam Gold Cup The Palm Beach S The Herecomesthebride S The Gulfstream Oaks The Rampart S Florida Derby Louisiana Derby Mervin H Muniz Jr Memorial New Orleans H Oaklawn H Arkansas Derby

Class Gr 1 R Gr 3 Gr 3 R S S S Gr 3 Gr 3 S Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 1 Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 1

Country USA USA

Track Aqueduct Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Queens County H’cap The Skip Away S

Country CAN USA ITY FR JPN USA JPN JPN JPN

Track Woodbine Churchill Downs Rome Saint-Cloud Fukushima Hollywood Park Kokura Kokura Hanshin

Race Name & (Sponsor) Maple Leaf S Breeders’ Cup Classic Premio Roma Criterium de Saint-Cloud Fukushima Kinen Hollywood Derby Chunichi Shimbun Hai Aichi Hai Radio Nikkei Hai Nisai St

Country USA USA JPN USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Aqueduct Kyoto Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf Red Smith H’cap Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup The Very One Mac Diarmida

Country USA USA USA USA JPN USA USA USA

Track Churchill Downs Aqueduct Hollywood Park Calder Tokyo Calder Gulfstream Park Gulfstream Park

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Turf Long Island Hollywood Turf Cup WL McKnight H’cap Japan Cup La Prevoyante H’cap Pan American H Orchid St

Country JPN JPN

Track Tokyo Nakayama

Race Name & (Sponsor) Copa Republica Argentina Arima Kinen (The Grand Prix)

Country USA

Track Aqueduct

Race Name & (Sponsor) Gallant Fox H’cap

Country USA CAN

Track Churchill Downs Woodbine

Race Name & (Sponsor) Breeders’ Cup Marathon Valedictory S

Country AUS

Track Flemington

Race Name & (Sponsor) Emirates Melbourne Cup

Country JPN

Track Nakayama

Race Name & (Sponsor) Sports Nippon Sho Stayers St

S S S S S Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 2 Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 2 Gr 2

Race Date 04/11/2011 06/11/2011 06/11/2011 06/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 12/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 19/11/2011 24/11/2011 24/11/2011 25/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 26/11/2011 02/12/2011 03/12/2011 03/12/2011 04/12/2011 04/12/2011 10/12/2011 17/12/2011 21/01/2012 28/01/2012 28/01/2012 28/01/2012 11/02/2012 11/02/2012 25/02/2012 26/02/2012 03/03/2012 11/03/2012 11/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 31/03/2012 01/04/2012 01/04/2012 01/04/2012 14/04/2012 14/04/2012

Value $2,000,000 CAN250,000 $927,000 $100,000 $75,000 $125,000 $150,000 $50,000 $785,000 $100,000 $50,000 $100,000 $100,000 $150,000 $500,000 $250,000 $200,000 $200,000 $100,000 $100,000 $996,000 $100,000 $3,192,000 $200,000 $150,000 $50,000 $50,000 $300,000 $300,000 $200,000 $300,000 $150,000 $125,000 $400,000 $150,000 $150,000 $150,000 $300,000 $150,000 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $400,000 $400,000 $350,000 $1,000,000

9f (1800m) Age 3+ FM 2 3+ 3+ FM 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ F&M 2 3 3+ 3+ 3+ FM 3+ FM 3+ 3F 2F 2 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ LA Bred 3+ 4+ 4+ F&M 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ F&M 4+ 3 4+ 3 3F 3F 4+ F&M 3 3 4+ 4+ 4+ 3

Surface D AWT D T D T D D T D D T T D D D D D D T T D D D D AWT T D T T T T T D D T T D D D D T D D D

Metres 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800 1800

Age 3+ 4+

Surface D D

Metres 1900 1900

Furlongs 9.5 9.5

Age 3+ F&M 3+ 3+ 2 CF 3+ 3 3+ 3+ FM 2

Surface AWT D T T T T T T T

Metres 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000 2000

Furlongs 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Age 3+ FM 3+ 3+ FM 4+ F&M 4+

Surface T T T T T

Metres 2200 2200 2200 2200 2200

Furlongs 11 11 11 11 11

Age 3+ 3+ FM 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ FM 4+ 4+ F&M

Surface T T T T T T T T

Metres 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400

Furlongs 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

Age 3+ 3+

Surface T T

Metres 2500 2500

Furlongs 12 .5 12 .5

Age 3+

Surface D

Metres 2600

Furlongs 13

Age 3+ 3+

Surface D AWT

Metres 2800 2800

Furlongs 14 14

Age 3+

Surface T

Metres 3200

Furlongs 16

Age 3+

Surface T

Metres 3600

Furlongs 18

Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Class Gr 3 Gr 3

Race Date 10/12/2011 31/03/2012

Value $65,000 $100,000

Gr 1 Gp 1 Gp 1 Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 3

Race Date 05/11/2011 05/11/2011 06/11/2011 12/11/2011 20/11/2011 27/11/2011 10/12/2011 18/12/2011 24/12/2011

Value CAN175,000+ $5,000,000 €297,000 €250,000 $996,000 $250,000 $996,000 $927,000 $785,000

Race Date 04/11/2011 05/11/2011 13/11/2011 25/02/2012 26/02/2012

Value $2,000,000 $150,000 $2,214,000 $100,000 $150,000

Race Date 05/11/2011 12/11/2011 19/11/2011 26/11/2011 27/11/2011 02/12/2011 24/03/2012 31/03/2012

Value $3,000,000 $150,000 $250,000 $150,000 $6,129,000 $100,000 $150,000 $150,000

Race Date 06/11/2011 25/12/2011

Value $1,422,000 $4,894,000

Race Date 31/12/2011

Value $65,000

Race Date 04/11/2011 04/12/2011

Value $500,000 CAN150,000+

Race Date 01/11/2011

Value AUS$6,175,000

Race Date 03/12/2011

Value $1,570,000

15/02/2012

Closing

Closing 19/10/2011 24/10/2011 06/10/2011 26/10/2011 11/10/2011 25/10/2011 08/11/2011 08/11/2011 Closing 24/10/2011 04/10/2011

Closing 24/10/2011

11/10/2011

Closing 27/09/2011 08/11/2011 Closing

Closing 24/10/2011 16/11/2011

16f (3200m)

Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Class Gr 2

04/01/2012

14f (2800m)

North American Trainer delivered to your door!

Class Gp 1

08/12/2011 04/01/2012

13f (2600m)

Now available for iPhone/iPad via Appstore Class Gr 2 Gr 3

25/10/2011 11/10/2011 22/11/2011

12.5f (2500m)

Visit www.trainermagazine.com/america Class

09/11/2011 09/11/2011

12f (2400m)

Call us on 1 888 218 4430 to subscribe from $20 Class Gr 2 Gr 1

09/11/2011 02/11/2011

11f (2200m)

North American Trainer delivered to your door!

Class Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 3 Gr 3

02/11/2011 11/10/2011

10f (2000m)

Now available for iPhone/iPad via Appstore Class Gr 1 Gr 2 Gr 1 Gr 3 Gr 2

Closing 24/10/2011 19/10/2011 27/09/2011 19/10/2011 02/11/2011

9.5f (1900m)

Visit www.trainermagazine.com/america Class

Furlongs 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Closing 01/09/2011

18f (3600m) Closing 25/10/2011

ISSUE 22 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 87

KIRKPATRICK NA ISSUE 22_Jerkins feature.qxd 19/10/2011 16:43 Page 1

THE ARNOLD KIRKPATRICK COLUMN

I

n the interest of full disclosure, I don’t think I’ve ever been referred to in those glowing terms before or since, and I should also probably reveal that my journalistic presence in that particular period of life was more akin to having Hunter S. Thompson at the festival surrounding the Clasico than William Faulkner.

In short, over the four-day celebration which surrounded the race, I made the ugly American look like Raquel Welch – up to and including mistaking the President of Panama for the trainer of Montecarlo, the horse who won the race.

Still, in all my days as a journalist, distinguished or otherwise, I don’t believe I’ve ever received such a positive reaction to any article I’ve written as I got for the one about Sgt. Reckless in the last issue of North American Trainer.

So in an effort to duplicate the good feeling engendered by the Sgt. Reckless piece, this column is also going to be about another mare who became famous for her exploits on the battlefield but is now more famous for other reasons.

Black Bess was the name of a fine mare who was ridden by John Hunt Morgan, the Civil War General, leader of Morgan’s Raiders, who gained fame on a thousand-mile foray in 1863 which took them from Tennessee through Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio – farther behind enemy lines than any other uniformed Confederate company went – where they captured and paroled an estimated several thousand Union troops, before they were captured themselves, trying to cross the Ohio River into West Virginia.

The Union troops had no intention of paroling Morgan or his troops, but he and six of his officers escaped from the Ohio Penitentiary and began raiding again in the area until September 4, 1864, when he was captured and killed near Greeneville, Tennessee.

Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, here’s the rest of the story...

88 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com ISSUE 22

The story of Black Bess Not to toot my own horn, but, in 1973 when I was editor of The Thoroughbred Record, I was invited to Panama for the Clasico Internacional del Caribe, because the organizers wanted a “distinguished journalist” to cover the event for an international publication.

Black Bess is already memorialized in the form of a bronze statue, while the Sgt. Reckless Fund is still trying to raise money to place a bronze statue of the little mare at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. [Sgt. Reckless Memorial Fund, P. O. Box 1125, Moorpark, CA 93020].

In 1911, with the assistance of a number of local Thoroughbred breeders, many of whose antecedents had been forced to ransom some of the finest bloodstock in the state from Morgan’s Raiders, the United Daughters of the Confederacy commissioned a sculptor named Pompeo Coppini to create an heroic statue of Morgan astride Black Bess to stand, as it still does today, on the front lawn of what was then the Fayette County Courthouse. It was the only one of 60 memorials created during those days where the honored hero was portrayed astride his horse.

There was one slight problem, though.

Signor Coppini was of the belief that “No hero should bestride a mare!” and, when the statue was unveiled, it was revealed that Black Bess had been endowed with equipment which, even today, would be the envy of any stallion standing in Kentucky.

So now a tradition has grown up around Black Bess at the University of Kentucky and most of their opponents in athletic endeavors wherein fraternity pledges on both sides of the athletic fields are sent prior to games to paint poor Bess’ balls, prompting an anonymous author, generally believed to have been historian William Townsend, to write The Ballad of Black Bess, which concludes: To truth is all our homage due But scholars must confess, That art o’er fact hath won the day With the balls of good Black Bess.

What saddens every Bluegrass heart Is a continuing tradition For students in their annual pranks To alter Bess’s condition.

Now every year the faithful mare Must suffer violation.

Her balls are painted every hue Known to imagination. n

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