Southern Racehorse - January/February 2013

w w w . s o uthernracehorse.co m JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

COVERING THE THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY IN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA

In This Issue: Texas Bling Upsets Springboard Mile Valor Farm Runners Score Big on Texas Champions Weekend A Look at the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program The Importance of Colostrum to a New Foal

A Division of Center Hills Farm

Breeding • Boarding • Foaling • Lay-ups • Sales Prep Standing:

• Air Commander (Point Given-Santaria, by Star de Naskra) A Grade 2-winning son of Horse of the Year POINT GIVEN Sire of a 2yo stakes winner in his first crop to race 2013 Fee: $1,500

• Save Big Money (Storm Cat-Tomisue’s Delight, by A.P. Indy) Versatile, record-setting multiple stakes-placed runner out of G1 millionaire First foals to race are 2yos of 2013 2013 Fee: $2,000

• The Visualiser (Giant’s Causeway-Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull) $1 million yearling and graded stakes-placed son of GIANT’S CAUSEWAY First foals to race are 2yos of 2013 2013 Fee: $2,000

• Toccet (Awesome Again-Cozzene’s Angel, by Cozzene) Multiple G1 winner with progeny earnings of more than $10 million The leading sire in Oklahoma for the last two years 2013 Fee: $2,500

• Kipling (Gulch-Weekend Storm, by Storm Bird)

Now standing in Oklahoma at Mighty Acres!

Sire of Breeders’ Cup winner and all-time leading Oklahoma-bred KIP DEVILLE ($3.3 million in earnings) 2013 Fee: $2,500 All fees are stands and nurses All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and the Breeders’ Cup

Mighty Acres

675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Cell: 918-271-2266 • Fax: 918-825-4255 www.mightyacres.com

THE LANE’S END TEXAS STALLIONS FOR 2013 VALID EXPECTATIONS Valid Appeal-Mepache Fee: $7,500 Live Foal

TOO MUCH BLING Rubiano-Rose Colored Lady Fee: $4,000 Live Foal

GRASSHOPPER Dixie Union-Grass Skirt Fee: $3,500 Live Foal

SING BABY SING Unbridled’s Song-Roll Over Baby Fee: $2,500 Live Foal

TOUCH TONE Pick Up the Phone-Super Seniorita Fee: $1,500

SUPREME CAT Hennessy-Sweet Little Lies Fee: $1,000

Owner - W. S. Farish | Manager - Danny Shifflett | 26685 Mitchell Rd., Hempstead, TX 77445 (979) 826-3366 Cell: (713) 303-8509 Fax: (979) 826-9405 | E-mail: danishfflett@aol.com Photo: Margaret Kempf

VALOR FARM BRED AND RAISED THREE OF THE SIX 2012 TEXAS CHAMPIONS AND OUR STALLIONS SIRED FIVE OF THE SEVEN STAkES WINNERS ON TEXAS CHAMPIONS WEEKEND, JAN. 19 & 20 AT SAM HOUSTON

my golden song

$15,250 e averag xas e T -T F at rling 2012 Yea l Sa e!

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian

A talented son of sire of sires UNBRIDLED’S SONG, MY GOLDEN SONG ran third to BARBARO in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3). Texas’ leading freshman sire in 2011 and leading secondcrop sire last year is represented by 2012 Texas Champion 2YO Filly PLATINUM SONG. 2013 Stud Fee: $2,000

PLATINUM SONG Reed Palmer Photography

Scott Brown’s PLATINUM SONG, a filly by MY GOLDEN SONG, won a division of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes last year at Lone Star Park and placed in two other stakes to earn more than $85,000 and the title of Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Filly!

She just kicked off her 3-year-old season with a win in the $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes on January 19 at Sam Houston to push her earnings to $115,936.

COWGIRL N UP

WIMBLEDON

Wild Rush – Strawberry Clover, by Darn That Alarm Formerly Texas’ leading freshman and second-crop sire, WIMBLEDON has eight stakes horses, including 2012 Texas Champion 2YO Colt/Gelding WORLDVENTURER.

2013 Stud Fee: $1,500

Coady Photography

Caroline Dodwell’s COWGIRL N UP, a filly by MY GOLDEN SONG, picked up her third career stakes win in the $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes at Sam Houston to increase her lifetime earnings to $165,966. She also captured last year’s $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes and $100,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Darby’s Daughter division).

$7,500 averag e at F-T Texas 2012 Ye arling Sale!

Reed Palmer Photography

WORLDVENTURER Wesley Melcher’s WORLDVENTURER, a gelding by WIMBLEDON, earned $127,432 last year with a victory in the $94,420 TTA Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park, a second in the $75,000 El Joven Stakes on the turf at Retama Park and a third in the $300,000 Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park, plus the title of Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding! He won again in his 3-year-old debut with an easy victory in the $50,000 Groovy Stakes at Sam Houston, and he has now earned $157,432!

EARLY FLYER HAD THREE HORSES ON THE BOARD IN STAKES RACES ON TEXAS CHAMPIONS WEEKEND

EARLY FLYER

Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go The #3 overall sire in the state of Texas, EARLY FLYER has already sired 23 stakes horses with average earnings per starter of over $33,000!

EARLY FLYER is the sire of three Texas Champions: FORMAL FLYER ($247,479), SWORD TRICK ($210,130) and TAMTASTIC ($126,004).

$29,000 average xas at F-T Te g lin 2012 Year Sale!

2013 Stud Fee: $3,000

INDYGO MOUNTAIN

A.P. Indy – Mountain Girl, by Mountain Cat A winning son of the great A.P. INDY, INDYGO MOUNTAIN brings an impeccable pedigree to the Lone Star State. His female family includes Grade 1 winners SIPHONIC and LARAGH and millionaire DIXIE DOT COM. 2013 Stud Fee: $1,000

JET PHONE

Phone Trick – Jet Route, by Alydar JET PHONE’S first runner, 2010 Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding ACES N KINGS, is burning up the track with four stakes wins and earnings of more than $245,000. JET PHONE has the speed and pedigree to get you a runner!

2013 Stud Fee: $1,000

SILVER CITY

Unbridled’s Song – Proposal, by Mt. Livermore From a family loaded with speed and soundness, SILVER CITY was a brilliant sprinter who had the stamina to go around two turns (second in the G3 Southwest Stakes at a mile). His dam’s full brother, G3 winner and G1-placed MULTIPLE CHOICE, raced until age 8! His first foals look great!

2013 Stud Fee: $2,000

Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com

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Created and Produced by LOPE Texas LOPE Texas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with the Texas racing industry to help find racehorses of all breeds new careers. As part of its mission, LOPE provides ongoing public education on horsemanship techniques.

WHAT’S INSIDE

Southern

Racehorse January/ February 2013

45

Horsemen helping horses

Departments

36

Stem cell therapy enters its second decade

Editor’s Letter Letters to the Editor Fast Furlongs TTA News TRAO News The Marketplace Classifieds

7 8 12 20 21 58

Features Super Bling 22 Texas-bred Texas Bling pulls off a monumental upset in Remington’s $300,000 Springboard Mile Intimidation at Retama 29 Progeny of Intimidator sweep the Texas Stallion Stakes in San Antonio Medals of Valor 32 Offspring of Valor Farm stallions dominate Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston as trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Cliff Berry team for three wins Stemming the Risk of Re-Injury 36 From much-loved ponies to million-dollar racehorses, stem cell therapy is among the most advanced treatments for equine tendon and ligament injuries Lone Star Pedigree 42 Consignor Bethe Deal has deep roots in Texas racing

42 Committed to Texas

Fostering New Lives 45 The Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program helps give racehorses a second chance Is Your Equine Liability Signage Current? 53 Knowing the laws in Texas can protect you from legal problems The Importance of Colostrum 54 Fast and safe delivery of the antibodies in colostrum can put a new foal on a healthy track Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 5

Southern Racehorse Advertisers Index 7S Racing Stables............................58 Asmussen Horse Center......10, 11, 13 Betty Matthews Racing Silks...........58 Biomedical Research Laboratories....9 Caines Stallion Station....................24 Diamond G Ranch..........................50 Ellerton..............................................19 Equine Partners America................26

ADVERTISE IN SOUTHERN RACEHORSE! Southern Racehorse magazine is the most effective and affordable way to reach owners, breeders, trainers and others involved in the horse racing industry in Texas, Oklahoma and the surrounding region. Southern Racehorse goes to more than 4,000 members of the Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO), making it the region’s largest racing magazine.

For more information about advertising in Southern Racehorse, including ad rates, deadlines and specifications, go to www.southernracehorse.com/advertising or contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@southernracehorse.com.

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm...........40 Homer the Racehorse....................15 JEH Stallion Station – Oklahoma..... BC Keen Farms......................................48 Lane’s End Texas...............................1 LOPE Texas.........................................4 Mighty Acres.................................. IFC Mojo Racing Partners.....................17 Oklahoma Equine...........................31 palaMOUNTAINS..............................49 Prime Ltd. Horse Transport..............58 River Oaks Farms.......................41, 50 HB Robeson......................................59 Rockin’ Z Ranch............................ IBC Silver Spur Ranch Services..............58 State City..........................................25 SureBet Racing News......................51 Texas Thoroughbred Association.....44 Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma.........30, 52

Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a Southern Racehorse Southern Racehorse P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683 (512) 695-4541 www.southernracehorse.com Physical Address Southern Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive Round Rock, TX 78664 Editor/Publisher Denis Blake info@southernracehorse.com Art Director Amie Rittler • arittler3@gmail.com

Contributing Writers Lucy Graham Heather Smith Thomas Lindsay Whelchel Tammy Wincott Photographers Denis Blake Coady Photography Linda Early Dana Kirk Dustin Orona Photography Grossick Photography Merri Melde Cover Photo Merri Melde

Copyright ® 2013 Southern Racehorse All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission.

Southern Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. Southern Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful, but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads.

Udderly EZ........................................35 Unbridled’s Heart............................49 Univ. of Arizona Racetrack Industry Program.............................28

CONNECT WITH SOUTHERN RACEHORSE ONLINE! HHH

Valor Farm......................................2, 3 Wincott Law Firm, P.C.....................16

For the most up-to-date racing and breeding news for Texas and Oklahoma, visit Southern Racehorse online at www.southernracehorse.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/southernracehorse.

You can also sign up for the free monthly email newsletter, the Southern Racehorse Express.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Editor’s Letter

If you read the first two regular issues of Southern Racehorse, you might notice something different about this issue. Instead of having 44 pages, you’ll find a total of 60 pages. While that might not seem like a big difference, it is significant when you consider that only a few months ago the storied print publication Thoroughbred Times went bankrupt and other racing publications seem to be continually cutting pages or moving their content online.

The response to those first two issues has been tremendous, both from people who have said they enjoy reading the articles and are glad to have a magazine The response to covering Texas and Oklahoma racing and from advertisers who see the value in the first two reaching more than 4,000 horsemen and horsewomen in the region. issues has been The influx of new advertisers since the magazine launched has allowed us to add more editorial content, and in this issue you’ll find coverage of all the stakes action tremendous, and at Remington Park, Retama Park and Sam Houston Race Park. Plus you can also the influx of read about the advances in stem cell therapy, the importance of colostrum to a new new advertisers foal, consignor Bethe Deal’s Lone Star heritage and how the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program is helping horses in the Sooner State. has allowed us Perhaps the most surprising comment I’ve received about the magazine has to add more come from people asking if they could make a contribution to ensure that editorial Southern Racehorse continues to operate. First, I want to assure all the readers of and advertisers in the magazine, as well as the board members and staff of both the content. Texas Thoroughbred Association and the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, that Southern Racehorse is financially sound, and we look forward to publishing it for years to come. With that said, we are always looking for ways to expand the magazine’s distribution and enhance its content, both in terms of quality and quantity.

To that end, we have launched a new program that allows you to become a Southern Racehorse Supporter. For a contribution of $60 (or other amount of your choice), you can help support the continued operation of the magazine and at the same time help support the industry as a whole. Half of your contribution will be passed on to a non-profit equine-related program, such as the TTA or TRAO scholarship program or The Paddock Foundation or Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program to help former racehorses. You can also choose any other equine-related program based in Texas or Oklahoma. Please turn to page 60 for more information.

Thank you again for your support of this publication, and as always we welcome any comments or suggestions.

Denis Blake, Editor/Publisher

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 7

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letters to the Editor Best of luck with the magazine

I received the first three issues of Southern Racehorse. I was completely blown away by the quality of the magazine, the terrific photography and wonderful writing, and I look forward to sharing many, many issues.

Best of luck to you in this new venture. This is what all of racing needs – a cohesive cooperation to better the racing game in not just local areas but national as well. Magazines are not a dead source of information and never will be. I do appreciate the online info as well, but the magazine remains my favorite source.

P.S. I LOVED the article on Clever Trevor. I am old enough to remember his racing days and it does the heart good to know that he has been well taken care of and appreciated by his connections. I wish all owners, breeders and trainers were as attentive to horses after their racing careers are over.

Jean Derench A “Northeast” racing fan Methuen, Massachusetts

Congrats on a GREAT magazine

The new magazine is as good as The Texas Thoroughbred magazine (and the The Homestretch magazine). I have really missed those magazines. One of my favorite things is at the end of a long day of practice is to sit down and eat dinner slowly while reading a magazine like the TTA magazine or Thoroughbred Times, both of which are now gone. I only get on the Internet once a week if I have time and reading the small print online was frustrating.

Your stallion issue was much needed for Texas and Oklahoma, and the magazine covering both states as well. If you don’t get enough revenue from advertising, I would certainly pay for a subscription like I do for Track magazine. I would think others would feel the same who are older and not so savvy on the computer.

I hope that you can keep up the good work and can continue to publish Southern Racehorse. It is a job well done!!

Katie Hayes, DVM Denison, Texas

Southern Racehorse welcomes letters from any TTA or TRAO member on any topic related to the magazine or racing and breeding.

Letters can be submitted by email to info@ southernracehorse.com or by regular mail to Southern Racehorse, P.O. Box 8645, Round Rock, TX 78683. Letters may be edited for clarity and length.

RUN YOUR CLASSIFIED AD IN THE NEW

SOUTHERN RACEHORSE FOR AS LITTLE AS $50 PER ISSUE! Contact Denis Blake at info@southernracehorse.com or (512) 695-4541

Editor’s Note: Thank you for the kind words about the magazine. Southern Racehorse will always be free to members of the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma as a member benefit, but certainly there are challenges with launching and sustaining a print publication. If you would like to help ensure the success of the magazine and also make a donation to a worthy cause, we invite you to become a Southern Racehorse Supporter. The program entails paying a $60 “subscription” fee to Southern Racehorse with half going to support the magazine and the other half being passed on to an organization of your choice. Four options are the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund, TRAO scholarship fund, The Paddock Foundation or Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program. This program is completely optional and you will still receive every issue of the magazine without participating. For more information, turn to page 60.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

ASMUSSEN HORSE CENTER IS STILL GOING STRONG AFTER 50 YEARS! Keith and Marilyn Asmussen

For more than five decades, Asmussen Horse Center has flourished.

We have irrigated and grown our program in the Texas heat, survived the hard times and are committed to the future and the good times that are coming.

Horses are, and always have been, our ONLY business!

We offer an affordable and accomplished stallion roster and a full range of services, from transportation to breaking to tack and more.

Coady Photography

ATOR INTIMID oth divisions of b f winners o 0 Texas Stallion 0 ,0 5 7 . the $ etama Park Stakes at R to breeder/owner tions Congratula cherr on new stakes S ie n n o TOR C STRICKA winners E ALATOR! and ESSC

Coady Photography

ASH! NEWS FL sired the

Estrickator

Esscalator

LITTLEEXPECTATIONS

Valid Appeal – Mepache, by Iron Constitution

2013 Fee: $1,500

INTIMIDATOR

Gone West – Colonial Play, by Pleasant Colony 2013 Fee: $1,500

PRIMAL STORM

Storm Boot – Primistal, by Stalwart

2013 Fee: $1,500

Asmussen Horse Center • Keith Asmussen • P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 • www.asmussens.com • kaasmussen@aol.com

Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center would like to take this opportunity to congratulate trainer Steve Asmussen and his entire team on passing the $200 million mark in career earnings with more than 6,300 wins! Only four other trainers in the history of horse racing have achieved that milestone.

We would also like to congratulate breeder/owner Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC on winning the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) with El Primero Training Center graduate TAPIZAR. Congratulations also go out to breeder/owner Connie Scherr, who swept both divisions of the $75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes on December 8 at Retama Park with ESTRICKATOR and ESSCALATOR, both talented runners by Asmussen Horse Center stallion INTIMIDATOR! Go to www.asmussens.com to see our full list of 2-year-olds for sale, including siblings of recent stakes winners ESTRICKATOR and WESTERNATOR. Asmussen Horse Center • Keith Asmussen • P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 • www.asmussens.com • kaasmussen@aol.com

fastfurlongs Texas, Oklahoma set 2013 race dates

July 6 to August 25 with racing every other weekend.

Sam Houston will run Quarter Horses for 24 days from March 28 to May 24, Retama will offer a 20-day Quarter Horse meet from June 7 to August 20, and Lone Star will have 26 days of Quarter Horse racing from September 13 to November 9.

Also at the meeting, the commission approved Nevada-based Pinnacle Entertainment’s request to purchase 75.5% of the racing assets of Retama Park. The transition is expected to be completed by On December 18, the Texas Racing CommisFebruary 1. sion approved a total of 109 live Thoroughbred The Oklahoma Horse Racing dates for 2013 among the state’s three major Commission also approved dates Thoroughbred tracks, roughly on par with the for the state’s racetracks. number of 2012 dates.

Sam Houston Race Park 2013 Texas and Oklahoma Thoroughbred Racing Dates Remington Park will offer a total of 117 live dates, starts off the year with H with 67 Thoroughbred a 33-day Thoroughbred Sam Houston Race Park: Jan. 18 – Mar. 17 (33 days) days, primarily four days meet running four days Will Rogers Downs: Mar. 4 – May 18 (32 days) a week, from August 16 a week, from January 18 Lone Star Park: Apr. 11 – Jul. 6 (50 days) to December 15 and Qua to March 17. Lone Star rter Horse and mixed breed Park will begin its 50-day Fair Meadows (mixed): Jun. 6 – Jul. 27 (34 days) Thoroughbred meet on Gillespie County Fairgrounds (mixed): Jul. 6 – Aug. 25 (8 days) racing for 50 days from March 8 to June 2. Will April 11 and run through Remington Park: Aug. 16 – Dec. 15 (67 days) Rogers Downs has schedJuly 6, also running Retama Park: Oct. 4 – Dec. 28 (26 days) uled 32 Thoroughbred four days a week, with some exceptions. Retama Park’s 26-day Thoroughbred meet is sched- dates from March 4 to May 18 with generally three days per week, with a Quaruled to commence October 4, running on Fridays and Saturdays until ter Horse and mixed breed meet from August 25 to November 9. Fair Meadows December 28. The Gillespie County Fairgrounds will offer its traditional will offer 34 days of all-breed racing from June 6 to July 27 on a mostly foureight days of Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing from day-per-week schedule.

Millionaire State City to Caines Stallion Station in Oklahoma State City, winner of the $2-million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), has been relocated to stand the 2013 season at Caines Stallion Station near Wynnewood, Oklahoma. An earner of $1,375,993 with six wins in 17 starts, State City took champion sprinter honors in Dubai and also set a track record at Nad al Sheba racecourse. In limited action in the United States, the sprinter finished third in the True North Breeders’ Cup Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park.

Bred in Kentucky by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Darley Stud Management, State City is by Carson City out of the 12

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

stakes-winning Nureyev mare Wajna, who is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Navarone and Grade 2 winner Moon Spirit.

He formerly stood in Kentucky and Australia. His progeny have earned $3.9 million and include Group 2 winner What Now and Strong Response, runner up-in this year’s $75,000 Van Berg Stakes at Fair Grounds.

State City will stand for a $1,000 stud fee, and Caines Stallion Station is offering a special incentive to introduce him to area breeders with one complimentary 2013 season with each paid season. For more information, go to www.cainesstallionstation.com.

s

Erlton to stand in Texas

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Coady Photography

Established stallion Erlton, a multiple stakeswinning son of Buckaroo, has been relocated to stand in New Berlin, Texas, as the property of James Jolley. He will stand for a $500 fee.

A winner of eight of 27 starts with earnings of $352,339, Erlton set a track record in his career debut when he broke his maiden by 11 lengths at Delaware Park with a clocking of :51.80 for 4 ½ furlongs. He went on to win four stakes as a 2-yearold at Woodbine, Laurel Park and Delaware and also finished second in the Grade 3 Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park. As a 3-year-old, he picked up two more stakes wins at Pimlico Race Course and the Ocala Training Center while also taking second in the Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes (G3) at Monmouth.

Erlton comes to Texas from Louisiana, where he sired numerous horses that have eclipsed $100,000 in earnings, including Dessy, Smith B Quick, Elroy and Forget It Erleen. Erlton’s progeny earnings are approaching $3 million.

For more information, contact Jolley at (210) 215-0434.

Texas-bred Ol Winedrinker Who, a Sligo Bay (Ire) gelding bred and owned by Sam E. and Sammy L. Stevens, drew clear to win the $150,000 Zia Park Derby in New Mexico on December 1. The gelding, who earned Texas Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding honors last year, also won the $40,000 Norgor Derby at Ruidoso Downs and has banked $180,713 in 11 starts. Joel Marr trains Ol Winedrinker Who, and Carlos Madeira rode him to victory.

Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 am – 5:30 pm Saturday: 9 am – 5 pm • Closed Sundays • Janie Stewart – Manager 4707 E. Saunders • Laredo, TX 78044 Phone: 956-722-1601 Mail Orders: asmussen.js@hotmail.com Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 13

ff

Alsvid named Horse of the Meeting at Remington

Champion Older Male – Alternation Narrowly defeated in the 2011 Oklahoma Derby at Remington, Alternation returned to Oklahoma City to win the $200,000 Governor’s Cup on August 11 in his only local start of the season.

Owned by Josephine Abercrombie’s Pin Oak Stable of Versailles, Kentucky, and trained by Donnie Von Hemel, Alternation had made himself a nationally recognized older horse earlier in 2012 by virtue of three graded stakes wins at Oaklawn Park and another at Pimlico Race Course.

The win in the Governor’s Cup made Alternation a millionaire and bettered his Remington Park lifetime record to two wins, a second and a third from four attempts. He was ridden to his Governor’s Cup win by Luis Quinonez.

Champion 2-Year-Old Male – Texas Bling In one of the biggest upsets in Remington Park’s history, Texas Bling won the $300,000 Springboard Mile at odds of 128-1. The score in the richest 2-year-old stakes of the season earned the Texas-bred the Champion 2-Year-Old Male title.

Owned and bred in Texas by the Hall’s Family Trust of Fort Worth, the colt by Lane’s End Texas stallion Too Much Bling is trained by Danele Durham and was ridden in his Springboard win by Erik McNeil.

Champion 2-Year-Old Female – American Sugar A win in the $50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes on October 26 was enough to gain the Champion 2-Year-Old Female award for American Sugar.

Owned by Poindexter Thoroughbreds of Springfield, Missouri, and trained by Lynn Chleborad, American Sugar was ridden to her lone score of the season by Alex Birzer. A daughter of Harlan’s Holiday, the filly ran one more time, finishing fourth in the $50,000 Mistletoe Overnight Stakes.

Champion 3-Year-Old Female – Sticks Wondergirl Leading from the starting gate to the finish line, Sticks Wondergirl was triumphant in her lone start of the season, the $250,000 Remington Park Oaks. She impressed enough to win a season title as Champion 3-Year-Old Female after winning the richest race for fillies by three-quarters of a length 14

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Dustin Orona Photography

Alsvid swept the two main Remington Park sprint stakes of the season and the feat was enough for him to be selected as the 2012 Remington Park Horse of the Meeting for the recently concluded Thoroughbred season.

Owned by Black Hawk Stable of Elk City, Oklahoma, Alsvid is trained

by Chris Hartman and was ridden to both of his Remington wins by Chris Landeros. Alsvid won the $100,000 David M. Vance Sprint on the opening weekend of the season, then followed up with a score in the $200,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup on September 29.

A winner of four of five Remington Park starts in his career, Alsvid was also voted the season’s Champion 3-Year-Old Male and Champion Sprinter. The Kentucky-bred gelding by Officer was the only horse to pick up more than one award as voted on by Remington Park officials and media covering the season.

Alsvid while never seriously challenged throughout the 1 1/16-mile Oaks.

Owned by Alvin Haynes and Beth Burchell of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Sticks Wondergirl is trained by Greg Burchell and was handled by Jon Court in the Oaks.

Champion Older Female – She’s All In Possibly the top Oklahoma-bred runner in training, She’s All In won the Older Female title after winning three races during the season, including her score in the $128,900 Oklahoma Classics Distaff on October 19, her third consecutive win in the race.

A graded stakes winner, She’s All In often moves around the country for stakes competition for her owner and breeder, Robert Zoellner of Tulsa.

Trained by Donnie Von Hemel, She’s All In was ridden throughout this season by Luis Quinonez. She won all three of her local starts in 2012 to run her career total at Remington Park to nine wins from 11 attempts.

A now 6-year-old mare by Include, She’s All In has now earned more than $766,000 overall.

Champion Turf Performer – Lockout Shipping to Oklahoma City from Woodbine in Toronto, Lockout made the trip worthwhile to win the $125,000 Remington Green Stakes on the undercard of the Oklahoma Derby on September 30.

Owned by Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame Member John Oxley, Lockout is trained by Mark Casse and was ridden by Jermaine Bridgmohan to his Green score. A Kentucky-bred 4-year-old colt, Lockout is

by Limehouse.

Champion Oklahoma-bred – Okie Ride A three-race win streak that included another victory in the $111,100 Oklahoma Classics Sprint earned Okie Ride the title as the season’s top Oklahoma-bred. He also won the Classics Sprint in 2011.

Owned and bred by the Richter Family Trust of Perkins, Oklahoma, trained by Kenny Nolen and ridden in all starts this fall by Luis Quinonez, Okie Ride added an open-company allowance event and the $50,000 Silver Goblin Stakes against Oklahoma-breds to his season win streak. He was a solid second to Alsvid in the $100,000 David M. Vance Sprint on opening weekend, adding to his credentials.

A 6-year-old gelding by Candy Ride (Arg), Okie Ride has earned over $294,000 overall and has seven career wins at Remington Park.

Champion Claimer – Fifth Date Busy throughout the entire season with seven overall starts, Fifth Date was very consistent in racking up three wins, a pair of seconds and one third to help get the claimer’s award.

An Oklahoma-bred 9-year-old, Fifth Date was claimed from owner-trainer Larry Brown on August 25 for $18,000. New owner Danny Caldwell took over the Fifth Date campaign, and along with trainer Federico Villafranco, moved the veteran from sprinting to races over a mile with success. Just two starts after the claim, Fifth Date won the richest race on Oklahoma Classics Night, the $155,500 Classics Cup at 1 1/16 miles. Jockey Alex Birzer rode Fifth Date primarily with Lindey Wade up for his final win of the season during the final week of the meeting.

A gelding by Cherokee Five, Fifth Date has now won 11 Remington Park races from 37 local starts.

Cliff Berry – 15th Remington Park Jockey Title Jockey Cliff Berry secured his 15th Pat Steinberg Award. The Jones, Oklahoma, resident won two races on the final day of the meet to end with 72 wins.

Berry has won three consecutive Steinberg Awards, which denote the leading rider for the Thoroughbred season. The honor is named after the late rider who dominated the early years of Remington Park racing before his passing in 1993.

Luis Quinonez was second with 67 wins while Lindey Wade was third with 51 victories.

While Berry won the battle for wins, Quinonez led the way in mount earnings with $1,776,044. Berry was second in earnings with $1,603,044 with Wade third at $1,360,988.

Steve Asmussen – 9th Remington Park Training Title Trainer Steve Asmussen clinched his ninth Chuck Taliaferro Award as leading trainer at Remington Park days before the final afternoon of racing had taken place. He ended the season with 47 wins.

Asmussen, who lives in Arlington, Texas, has now won six consecutive

training titles at Remington Park dating back to the 2007 season. He won his very first seasonal training title at Remington Park in 1991. This fall he was inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park.

Donnie Von Hemel was second in the trainer standings with 27 wins with Chris Hartman third at 26.

The Chuck Taliaferro Award is named in honor of one of the early training stars in Remington Park history who had a long and successful career nationally before returning to his home state of Oklahoma once Remington Park opened. Taliaferro sat atop the local trainer standings twice before passing in 1994.

Asmussen led all trainers with $1,064,400 in earnings and was the only trainer to top the million-mark. Von Hemel was next with $938,106 while Hartman was third with $591,737.

Danny Caldwell – 4th Remington Park Leading Owner Title The Ran Ricks Jr. Award for leading owner went to Danny Caldwell of Poteau, Oklahoma, who visited the winner’s circle 21 times. This is his third consecutive leading owner title and his fourth since 2008.

Caldwell runs an operation that is strong in the claiming department, often purchasing runners out of races and then immediately moving them up in class while gaining victory. He claimed Fifth Date, an 8-year-old Oklahoma-bred, for $18,000 on August 25 and then won the $155,500 Oklahoma Classics Cup just two starts later with the gelding.

Caldwell’s horses are primarily trained at Remington Park by Federico Villafranco. He won his first Thoroughbred owner title in 2008 and picked up two more in 2010 and 2011.

Black Hawk Stable was second in the owner standings with 13 wins while the Richter Family Trust and Clark Brewster shared third place with 11.

The Richter Family Trust led the way for earnings by owners with $511,790. Caldwell was second in earnings with $380,080 while Black Hawk Stable was third with $361,642.

Homer the Racehorse is winning over audiences of all ages!

“Homer the Racehorse is fantastic.

I think you should read it because it is caring and funny but at the same time you might cry. There are pictures that are really good. It is an easy book to read. It talks about how even if you don’t win that’s okay. It talks about his childhood all the way to being a grownup. Homer the Racehorse by Linda Baten Johnson and Katherine Loughmiller is a phenomenal book. Did you know that horses go to places where they help people in wheelchairs?

That’s something I learned from this book. Make sure you read it.”

By Hannah Blake, Age 8 Homer the Racehorse, co-written by Texas Thoroughbred Association member Kathy Loughmiller, is available at Amazon.com, iTunes.com, Barnesandnoble.com and other book retailers.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 15

ff Coady Photography

Heritage Place holds inaugural Thoroughbred-only sale

APG Holdings Ltd.’s homebred Sarah’s Chief (inside) got up to capture the $35,000 Wounded Warrior Mile Stakes for Texas-breds on December 29 at Retama Park. A $25,000 gift from an anonymous donor was presented to the Wounded Warriors Project following the race. “We are very pleased to arrange this significant gift from an anonymous donor to wounded heroes who engage in combat in faraway lands to protect our freedom at home,” said Bryan Brown, chief executive officer of Retama. A gelding by Texas stallion Chief Three Sox, Sarah’s Chief won with Ivan Arellano aboard for conditioner Christie Grisham.

Heritage Place in Oklahoma City held its first Thoroughbred-only sale on December 8 in conjunction with closing weekend at Remington Park and the annual TRAO membership meeting.

The company reported a total of 116 horses sold for $227,300, an average of $1,959. Of the 181 consigned, there were 22 repurchases, 14 withdrawn and 29 with no bids.

The high-seller was a 6-year-old mare

by Champali in foal to Flower Alley who brought a final bid of $9,500 from Ronald Blalock. Ellen Caines, agent for Pam Davis, consigned the mare.

For complete hip-by-hip results, go to www.heritageplace.com.

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Remington Park addresses integrity and welfare issues In anticipation of the March 8 opening of the American Quarter Horse and mixed breed meet at Remington Park, track management has announced new policies to take effect immediately. The policies will also apply to the Thoroughbred meet staring August 16.

“We are committed to ensuring that the racing programs we conduct reflect the highest standards of safety and integrity,” said Scott Wells, president and general manager of Remington Park.

“Toward that end, any horsemen on the suspended list from either the American Quarter Horse Association or The Jockey Club will not be allotted stalls, nor allowed to participate in any way at Remington Park.”

Accordingly, the Remington Park racing office staff will not knowingly accept entries from horsemen who are either on the suspended lists or who have unresolved positive-test issues on Class 1 or Class 2 substances that have been confirmed in split-sample testing (or which are uncontested) but not yet adjudicated by the ruling authority. According to Wells, horsemen fitting these descriptions will not be permitted access to any part of Remington Park. In order for any horse to receive a preference date, that horse’s registration papers must be filed in the racing office in a timely manner by a trainer in good standing.

In an additional effort to ensure the highest degree of safety for

Retama Meet posts impressive gains

Retama Park posted impressive increases in handle and attendance for the 2012 live Thoroughbred meet. Total on-track handle for the 26-day meet was up a healthy 22% while export handle (money wagered at off-track locations on Retama Park) was up a huge 49%. Live handle at Retama was up 6% with live attendance showing a 2% increase. Simulcast handle also increased by 29%.

Purse payouts soared to their highest level since the track’s opening season in 1995. An average daily total of $109,000 went to the track’s horsemen.

“It was great for our owners and trainers to see purses climb past the $100,000 level,” said Retama Park Racing Secretary James Leatherman. “It gives us all a positive attitude as we prepare for 2013.”

the horses and their jockeys, Remington Park, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, will be implementing a pre-race examination program. All horses entered in races at Remington will be subject to pre-race inspection at the discretion of the stewards or the official state veterinarian. All finalists for Quarter Horse futurity or derby races will be examined as will all Grade 1 Quarter Horse race participants, plus the horses from additional overnight races on each program.

The procedure for identifying the overnight races that will be subject to inspection for each racing program will be randomly drawing specific races that will be subject to examination. These races will be identified by the stewards at the conclusion of the draw for each racing program. The race numbers will be listed on the overnight so those horsemen will have adequate time to ensure their arrival at the track not less than four hours prior to the first post of that day’s or evening’s program. Officials may identify and select, at their discretion, additional horses and will notify the trainers of those horses to present them for examination.

“Remington Park is committed to having the finest meet in the nation, both in terms of purse money and the quality of racing we present for our fans,” said Wells, “and we are very appreciative of the leadership of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission in implementing these new policies.”

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Sam Houston implements mobile wagering The 20th annual live racing season at Sam Houston Race Park got underway on January 18, and racetrack officials are pleased to announce a major innovation and a first in Texas.

Sam Houston has implemented on-track mobile wagering, a new service that will allow on-track customers to place wagers on both simulcast and live races using their smartphone, iPad or tablet. The Texas Racing Commission granted its conceptual approval so that the new system could be in place in time for opening day.

The new service will be implemented in conjunction with the track’s tote company, Sportech, which will oversee the development of a mobile website specifically for Sam Houston customers. As part of the project, Sam Houston is in the process of upgrading its existing Wi-Fi network to accommodate the expected usage.

“This is an exciting advancement for our racing fans,” said Andrea Young, Sam Houston Race Park’s president. “We know that mobile technology offers tremendous convenience and feel that this will be well-received by both existing patrons and new fans. We are excited to be the first track in Texas to be able to offer this amenity.”

Sam Houston has also enhanced and streamlined its player-friendly wagering format. Rolling daily doubles will be offered at an industry low takeout of 12% and will now be offered on all live races (except the last). The takeout on the Pick 4 has been reduced to 12% so that all multi-race wagers offered at Sam Houston Race Park are at the industry low of 12%. In an effort to create larger payouts for fans and players, a carryover will be added to the popular Pick 5 wager in the event that there are no winning 5-of-5 tickets.

The 2013 Thoroughbred racing season continues through March 17.

Former TTA board member Robert Gentry dies Robert Allen Gentry, 81, passed away January 7 in Lubbock, Texas. He was born July 2, 1931, in Sinton, Texas, to Bruce E. Gentry Sr. and Freda Chauncey Gentry. A star athlete in basketball and football, he graduated from New Deal High School.

In 1961, he started Great Plains Distributors, a Coors wholesale beer distributing company, with his brother Bruce Gentry Jr. He also co-founded and remained an owner of Heritage Place Equine Sales Company in Oklahoma City. Gentry was a lifetime member of the TTA and served on the board of directors from 2001 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2008.

Throughout his life, he remained active in farming, ranching and all aspects of the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred industries. He received numerous awards recognizing his achievements in his varied interests. In 2011, he was honored with the prestigious Miller-Coors Legend Award at the national convention in San Antonio.

He is survived by three children: daughter LaDanna Gentry of Lubbock; daughter Robbi Force and her husband, Stuart, of Charleston, South Carolina; and son Kirk Gentry and his wife, Cynthia, of Lubbock. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kristen and Taylor Force and Maile and Chase Gentry, as well as his former wife, Johnnie Sue Corcorran, of Lubbock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are encouraged to the charity of your choice.

Gentry

Get all the Texas and Oklahoma racing and breeding news you need to know at www.southernracehorse.com Texas trainer Ralph Arnold Jr. dies at age 62

Arnold 18

Texas trainer and stallion owner Ralph Arnold Jr. died December 31 of a possible aneurysm. He was 62.

A native of San Antonio, Arnold recorded his first win as a trainer at Bandera Downs on May 26, 1991. Arnold was perennially among the leading trainers and owners at Retama Park and also raced at Sam Houston Race Park, Lone Star Park and other tracks in the region. Last June he claimed Early M for $8,000 for his wife, Kathy Stephens-Arnold, and Frank Nieschwietz and then sent the Early Flyer mare out to win the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes at Lone Star in her next start.

According to Equibase, Arnold saddled 269 winners during his career with total earnings of nearly $3 million. Last year was the best of his career with 42 winners and earnings of just over $600,000.

Arnold was also a successful businessman outside of racing.

Arnold is survived by his wife, Kathy Stephens-Arnold, a leading owner in Texas. He also is survived by five adult children: Weylan Arnold, Tashlyn Smith, Jana Wallace, Tymonee Piel and Tyson Stephens.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

texas Thoroughbred Association News

Letter from TTA Executive Director Mary Ruyle There is nothing like the sight of new foals to spark a sense of optimism. While Texas horse racing has many challenges ahead, there are several small, positive things to be thankful for and to build upon: • For calendar year 2012, the Texas Racing Commission reported total wagers at all Texas horse tracks increased by almost 4%, while total wagers on Texas races was up 6.42%.

• The recently concluded Retama Park Thoroughbred meet recorded average daily purses of $109,000, the highest since 1995, with increases in both handle and attendance. Live handle was up 6%, total on-track handle increased by 22% and attendance was up 2%. Most impressive was the 49% increase in wagering on the export signal.

• New stakes were carded, including the inaugural running of the Lane’s End Stallion Scholarship Stakes at Lone Star Park and the Wounded Warrior Mile at Retama.

• Sam Houston Race Park’s 2013 stakes schedule includes the richest Thoroughbred race in Texas and in the track’s history, the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic on January 26. In total, the meet will feature 23 stakes, including four new stakes for Texas-breds, and will pay more than $1.7 million in purses. The track will also debut on-track mobile wagering, a new service that will allow ontrack customers to place wagers through Sam Houston on both simulcast and live races using their smartphone, iPad or tablet.

• Saddle Brook Jockey Club, a temporary simulcast facility in Amarillo, opened in December and immediately began generating purse money for Saddle Brook Park, other Texas tracks and horsemen.

• Since 2005, the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund has awarded more than $213,000 in scholarships to TTA members and their children, and we look forward to continuing to help young Texans on the road to success.

• The Paddock Foundation, TTA’s non-profit organization with a mission to promote the lifelong welfare of the Thoroughbred horse, got off to a good start in 2012 by partnering with the TAKE2 program in sponsoring the Thoroughbred Jumper Challenge over five horse shows in Texas. The Foundation hopes to expand its reach in 2013.

• We have a revamped website, thanks to Denis Blake, and are pleased to be able to provide Southern Racehorse to our members.

• The legislature is back in session, and hope springs eternal.

Now, send in those foal photos!

Sincerely, Mary Ruyle TTA Executive Director

Results of TTA Board of Directors Election to Serve 2013–2015 Ballots in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Board of Directors Election were tabulated in the TTA offices on December 17.

Delwin Lovell was re-elected to represent the Northeast Region, and Richard Hessee was re-elected to represent the South Region.

With five at-large board positions available, incumbents John Adger, Phil Leckinger, Heidie Maikranz and Dr. David Stephens were re-elected. There was a tie between candidates Eileen Hartis and Larry S. “Stan” Huntsinger for the remaining at-large position. A run-off election was held to determine the winner. Results were not available by press time, so check www.texasthoroughbred.com for the outcome.

We would like to thank all candidates for their interest in serving on the board and look forward to their continued participation in association activities.

The TTA would like to congratulate the 2012 Texas Champions as determined by the points system based on stakes performances. The champions will be honored at the TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on February 16 at Sam Houston Race Park and will be profiled in the March/April issue of Southern Racehorse.

• 2-Year-Old Filly – Platinum Song (My Golden Song – Rocket Launch); 10 points; Bred by Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Owned by Scott Brown • 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding – Worldventurer (Wimbledon – Better Than Most); 12 points; Bred

by Clarence Scharbauer Jr.; Owned by Wesley Melcher • 3-Year-Old Filly – Color Code (Too Much Bling – Amazing Trace); 8.5 points; Bred/Owned by W.S. Farish • 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding – Ol Winedrinker Who (Sligo Bay [Ire] – Silverup); 13 points; Bred/Owned by Sam E. Stevens & Sammy L. Stevens • Older Mare – Patty’s Pride (Special Rate – Solo Rolo); 15 points; Bred/Owned by Brian Schartz • Older Male and Horse of the Year – Coyote Legend (Gold Legend – Coyote Cafe); 15.5 points; Bred/Owned

by Clarence Scharbauer Jr. • Broodmare of the Year – Coyote Cafe, owned by Clarence Scharbauer Jr. • Claimer of the Year to be determined by online poll.

for more, visit www.texasthoroughbred.com

20

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

h

2012 Texas Champions Named

Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma News

Congratulations to the TRAO Owner/ Breeder Board of Directors

Letter from TRAO President Donnie K. Von Hemel Dear Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma Members, As a crucial segment of the agricultural

Randy Blair Ellen Caines Boyd Caster Joan Charlton

Dave Faulkner John Smicklas C.R. Trout Robert Zoellner

industry, equines and equine operations make a significant contribution to the quality of life in Oklahoma. The equine industry is

Will Rogers Downs: March 4 to May 18 (32 Race Days)

essential to the economy in Oklahoma, and it is imperative we continue to be an “equine-friendly state.”

As an important component of the economy in Oklahoma, we must measure its impact and collect data to continue equine endeavors in Oklahoma. In addition to the expenditures in the equine industry (racetracks, equine show, competition facilities, breeding, training and boarding), we attract thousands of participants from outside of Oklahoma. Not only does the equine business directly provide jobs for thousands of Oklahomans, but also indirectly through feed, bedding, veterinarian services infrastructure.

On February 1, the TRAO will mail an Oklahoma Equine Survey to all TRAO members. The survey has been designed

extremely important everyone participate

in this survey to have an accurate scope of the equine community in Oklahoma.

Thank you for your participation.

June: 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 July: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 August: 1, 2

Remington Park: August 16 to December 15: (67 Race Days) August: 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30, 31 September: 2, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, 29 October: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31 November: 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 29, 30 December: 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15

h

to determine the inventory and economic contribution throughout the state. It is

March: 4, 5, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 April: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 May: 4, 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 18

Fair Meadows: June 8 to August 2 (34 Race Days)

to promote the growth and support of all

and other sectors of the equine industry’s

2013 Oklahoma Thoroughbred Race Dates

Important Stallion Stakes Deadlines

Stallion Stakes V Foal Nomination Deadline:

By January 31, 2013 $150

By June 1, 2013 $350 (DOES NOT INCLUDE START FEES)

By December 31, 2013 $750 (DOES NOT INCLUDE START FEES)

By June 1, 2014 $3,500 (DOES NOT INCLUDE START FEES) Entry Day $10,000 (STARTER FEES INCLUDED)

for more, visit www.traoracing.com

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 21

Super Bling

Texas-bred Texas Bling pulls off a monumental upset in Remington’s $300,000 Springboard Mile

By Denis Blake

Texas Bling (#8) bursts through an opening to win Oklahoma’s richest 2-year-old event at odds of 128-1.

Upsets happen every day at tracks from coast to coast, but rarely does a horse with odds reading 99-1 on the toteboard even come close to finding the winner’s circle, especially in a major race like the $300,000 Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park on December 9. Not only did Texas-bred Texas Bling win the prestigious 2-year-old stakes at the incredible odds of 128-1, but he did it convincingly despite having to wait for an opening in the stretch under jockey Erik McNeil.

Trained by Danele Durham for breeder/owner Hall’s Family Trust of Fort Worth, Texas Bling came into the race after breaking his maiden at Remington and then running sixth in the El Joven Stakes on the Retama Park turf. While he looked like a horse on the improve, his single victory in nine prior starts made him a big longshot. He enjoyed a stalking trip around the Remington oval until the top of the stretch.

“I was just trying to look for a place to go; there was no room,” a jubilant McNeil said from the winner’s circle. “I was on Cliff’s (jockey Cliff Berry aboard Worldventurer) heels pretty much the whole way. It was just one of those things when you pick After winning the Springboard, Texas Bling moved on to Oaklawn Park and finished a game second in the $150,000 Smarty Jones Stakes.

22

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Dustin Orona Photography

$300,000 Springboard Mile Stakes Texas Bling (2-year-old colt by Too Much Bling out of Anythingmore, by Country Pine) Breeder: Hall’s Family Trust (Bred in Texas) Owner: Hall’s Family Trust Trainer: Danele Durham • Jockey: Erik McNeil

Dustin Orona Photograph

Dustin Orona Photograph

up your head and a hole opens. He just shot through there for me and ran a huge race. Pinch me if this is real.”

Although most in attendance were shocked by the $259.60 returned by Texas Bling for a $2 win ticket, his trainer had confidence in the horse before he hit the wire 1 ¾ lengths in front with a one-mile clocking of 1:39.96.

“We’re not stunned,” said Durham, who later indicated Texas Bling would be aimed at Oaklawn Park’s series of 3-year-old stakes. “We knew this colt could do it all along.”

The victory was worth $180,000 and instantly made Texas Bling the leading runner by emerging young sire Too Much Bling, who stands at Lane’s End Texas and topped all Lone Star State stallions with six stakes winners in 2012. A multiple Grade 2-winning and Grade 1-placed son of Rubiano, Too Much Bling has sired the earners of more than $2.3 million in his first three crops.

Willis Horton’s Churchill Downs shipper Will Take Charge, a son of Unbridled’s Song out of Grade 1 winner Take Charge Lady, finished second for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Another Texas-bred longshot completed the trifecta as Wesley Melcher’s Worldventurer held on for third after having a short lead in midstretch. Bred by Clarance Scharbauer Jr. and sired by his Valor Farm stallion Wimbledon, Worldventurer also took a division of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star Park and finished second in the El Joven at Retama.

The gelding completed his 2-year-old campaign with a record of 8-2-2-1 and earnings of $127,432, plus the title of Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding.

Also on the card, Kelly Thiesing’s homebred Lady Jensen captured the $50,000 Useeit Stakes for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-old fillies and Dr. Robert Zoellner’s homebred Z Rockstar scored in the $50,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes for Oklahoma-bred 3-year-old males. Iowa-bred Cat Five’ O, running for breeder Lane Thoroughbreds LLC, got up to take the $50,000 Mistletoe Stakes for 2-year-olds. H

$50,000 Jim Thorpe Stakes (Oklahoma-breds)

Z Rockstar (3-year-old gelding

by Rockport Harbor out of Nasty Little Star, by Nasty and Bold) Breeder: Robert H. Zoellner (Bred in Oklahoma) Owner: Robert H. Zoellner Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel Jockey: Luis Quinonez

$50,000 Useeit Stakes (Oklahoma-breds)

Lady Jensen (3-year-old filly

by Bob and John out of Heather’s Dancer, by Gate Dancer) Breeder: Kelly Thiesing (Bred in Oklahoma) Owner: Kelly Thiesing Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel Jockey: Luis Quinonez

Dustin Orona Photograph

Dustin Orona Photograph

Remington Park President and General Manager Scott Wells presents the hardware to jockey Erik McNeil and trainer Danele Durham.

$50,000 Mistletoe Stakes

Cat Five’ O (2-year-old filly by Pleasantly Perfect out of Triple o’ Five, by Elusive Quality) Breeder: Lane Thoroughbreds LLC (Bred in Iowa) Owner: Lane Thoroughbreds LLC Trainer: Clinton Stuart Jockey: Cliff Berry Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 23

Caines Stallion Station 2013 Stallion Roster

STATE CITY – New for 2013!

Carson City – Wajna, by Nureyev A G1-winning millionaire! $1,000 LFG

Receive another complimentary season with each paid season

PODIUM – New for 2013!

Pulpit – Zing, by Storm Cat A son of the great PULPIT from the family of YANKEE GENTLEMAN! $1,000 LFG

WAUPACA

Forest Wildcat – Champagne Cakes, by Cormorant His first foals hit the track this year! $1,000 LFG

SERVICE STRIPE

Deputy Minister – Wedding Picture, by Blushing Groom (Fr) The sire of 39 stakes horses and progeny earnings of more than $15 million! $1,000 LFG

JACK WILSON

Encino – Ahpo Hel, by Mr. Leader Average earnings per starter of nearly $70,000! $1,000 LFG

SCOTTISH HALO

Jolie’s Halo – Scottische, by Deputy Minister A stakes winner at ages 2, 3 and 4! $1,000 LFG

LEAVE A LEGACY

Marquetry – Fantasy Cat, by Cougar II A durable and sound earner of more than $500,000! $800 LFG

WAR MACHINE

Explodent – Billy Jane, by Wig Out Stakes-placed earner of more than $200,000! $800 LFG All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes and are accredited Oklahoma stallions. All stud fees due Oct. 1.

Caines Stallion Station

Inquiries to Ellen Caines • P.O. Box 695 • Wynnewood, Oklahoma 73098 Phone: (405) 826-5549 • Fax: (405) 665-2782 Email: fatima@brightok.net • Website: www.cainesstallionstation.com

STATE STATECITY CITY

1999 Chestnut - Dosage Profile: 20-11-21-6-0; DI: 2.52; CD: +0.78

RACE AND (STAKES) RECORD Age

2 3 4 5

Starts

2 5 8 2 17

(in England, N.A., U.A.E.) 1st 2nd 3rd

1 3 2(2) 0 6(2)

0 0 0 0 0

1 1(1) 1(1) 0 3(2)

Raise a Native

Earnings

$9,585 72,653 1,292,469 1,286 $1,375,993

Mr. Prospector Gold Digger Carson City (1987)

Native Dancer Raise You Nashua Sequence Red God

Polynesian Geisha Case Ace Lady Glory *Nasrullah Segula Count Fleet Miss Dogwood *Nasrullah Spring Run Wild Risk Aimee Northern Dancer Flaming Page Crozier Hillbrook Nearco *Lady Angela Native Dancer Almahmoud Aristophanes Trevisa Nantallah *Rough Shod II Prince Rose *Cosquilla Sir Cosmo Feola Never Say Die Myrtle Charm Chanteur II Minaret

Blushing Groom (FR) At 2, WON a maiden race at Nad Al Sheba (1,600 meters, Runaway Bride (GB) defeating Test the Rest, Mr. Fear (ARG), Let’s Roll MagBlushing Promise gie, etc.).

Nijinsky II At 3, WON an allowance race at Nad Al Sheba (1,200 meSummertime Promise ters, by 3 3/4 lengths, defeating Mutamayyaz, San SalPrides Promise vador, Crystal Magician, etc.), an allowance race at Nad State City Nearctic Al Sheba (1,400 meters, by 3 1/4 lengths, defeating Northern Dancer Fueguino (ARG), Assaaf, Class Leader, etc.), an alNatalma lowance race at Nad Al Sheba (1,300 meters, defeating Nureyev Fueguino (ARG), Outpoker, Francal, etc.), 3rd U.A.E. *Forli Special Two Thousand Guineas-G3 at Nad Al Sheba (1,600 Thong meters, to Essence of Dubai, Firebreak, defeating Henri Wajna (1987) Lebasque, etc.). *Princequillo At 4, Highweighted older horse in U.A.E., WON DuRound Table bai Golden Shaheen-G1 at Nad Al Sheba (1,200 *Knight’s Daughter Wind Spirit meters, equal top weight of 130 lbs., defeating AvanNever Give In zado (ARG), Captain Squire, Belle Du Jour, etc.), Jebel *Moon Dancer II Ali Sprint at Jebal Ali (1,000 meters, defeating Proud *Mamounia Irishman, Conceal, Mugharreb, etc.), 3rd Tom Fool H.-G2 at Belmont Park (7 fur., to Aldebaran, Peeping Bonesinabox (2008 c., Silver Ghost). 4 wins at 4, 2012, CITY ZIP. 9 wins at 2 and 3, $818,225, Hopeful S.-G1, Tom, defeating Najran, etc.). $31,080.

Saratoga Special S.-G2, Amsterdam S.-G2, etc. Sire.

Sinful State (2007 f., Copelan). 3 wins to 6, 2013, $29,231. GOOD AND TOUGH. 9 wins at 3 and 4, $809,341, ComIN THE STUD April Halo (2008 f., Southern Halo). Winner at 4, 2012, monwealth Breeders’ Cup S.-G2, etc. Sire.

STATE CITY entered stud in 2005. $24,547.

PROMENADE GIRL. 8 wins, 2 to 4, $678,990, Molly STATISTICAL SUMMARY Gold Hill (2007 c., Mutakddim). Winner at 4, placed at 5, Pitcher Breeders’ Cup H.-G2, Nellie Morse S.-L, etc.

6 crops Lifetime Lifetime 2yo 2012, $24,135.

LORD CARSON. 12 wins, 2 to 4, $654,742, Boojum H.-G2, Foals of racing age 273 273 Hunter’s Roar (2007 c., Roar). 3 wins at 3 and 4, $22,151.

Kentucky Cup Sprint S.-L-etr, Aristides H.-L, etc. Sire.

Starters (/Fls) 153(56%) 44(16%) Foggystateofmind (2008 c., Ide). 4 wins to 4, 2012, $14,643. ORMSBY. 12 wins, $611,593, Excelsior Breeders’ Cup H.Winners (/Str) 76(50%) 7(16%) G2, Alex M. Robb H.-LR, Kingston H.-LR, etc. Sire.

Babylon (2007 c., Moscow Ballet). Winner at 4, $13,520.

Total Starts 1,852 135 Julie’s Cadice (2007 f., Light of Morn). Winner at 4, placed CITY BAND. 6 wins, 2 to 4, $607,419, Oak Leaf S.-G1, etc.

Total Wins (/Starts) 197(11%) 10(7%) at 5, 2012, $12,816.

HEAR NO EVIL. 6 wins, $599,415, Criterium S.-L, etc. Sire.

Total Earnings $3,829,155 $362,542 Four One One (2007 c., Out of Place). Winner at 3, $12,791. CARSON HOLLOW. 6 wins, $500,110, Prioress S.-G1, etc.

Avg. Earnings (/Str) $25,027 $8,240 Avg. Earnings (/Start) $2,068 $2,685 City Ransom (2008 f., Red Ransom). 2 wins at 4, 2012, FEMALE LINE Stakes Wnrs (/Str) 2(1%) 0(0%) $12,535.

Stakes Horses (/Str) 4(3%) 0(0%) Brother Larry (2007 c., Strike the Gold). Winner at 4, $10,731. 1st dam Avg. Earnings Index 0.67 0.79 Bold Digger (2009 c., Conquistador Cielo). 2 wins at 3, WAJNA, by Nureyev. Winner at 2 and 3 in England, FosComparable Index 1.02 ter's Silver Cup S., etc. Dam of 6 winners, incl.-2012, placed at 4, 2013, $8,810.

STATE CITY. Subject stallion.

Joe the Hat (2008 c., Quest for Fame (GB)). Winner at 3, $8,505.

STATE CITY HAS SIRED Broodmare Sire REIMBURSEMENT (2006 c., dam by At Talaq). 10 wins, Sweetheart City (2007 f., Captain Bodgit). Winner at 4, $7,305. NUREYEV, 1977. Among the leading broodmare sires, sire 3 to 5 in Australia, APH Contractors Bunbury S., 2nd Prince of Bethany (2007 c., Stalwart). Winner at 4, $7,108. of 383 dams of 3082 foals, 2356 rnrs (76%), 1641 Wolf County (2008 c., Wolf Power (SAF)). Winner at 4, Belmont Sprint-G3, KBRC-Hannans H. wnrs (53%), 410 2yo wnrs (13%), 1.82 AEI, 1.49 2012, placed at 5, 2013, $6,794.

WHAT NOW (2007 c., Grosvenor (NZ)). 6 wins at 4 and 5 CI, 215 stakes winners.

Iva State (2007 f., Clever Trick).

Winner at 3, $5,732. in Singapore, E. W. Barker Trophy-G2.

2nd dam Gotham City (2006 c., Carry A Smile (AUS)). 5 wins, 3 to Three Legged Gravy (2007 f., Cartwright). Winner at 4, $5,100. WIND SPIRIT, by Round Table. 3 wins at 2 and 3, $15,941.

5 in Australia, 3rd Summer Scorcher.

MALE LINE Dam of 14 foals, 11 to race, 9 winners, including-Stay Lady Stay (2008 f., Blackfriars (AUS)). 4 wins to 4 in STATE CITY is by CARSON CITY, stakes winner of 6 races, NAVARONE (c. by Irish River (FR)). 8 wins, 3 to 6, Australia, 3rd WATC Ascot One Thousand Guineas. $710,325, Oak Tree Invitational S.-G1, etc. Sire. $306,240, Sapling S.-G2, Fall Highweight H.-G2, Rocketman Rob (2007 c., Irish River (FR)). 4 wins, 2 to 5, MOON SPIRIT (c. by Hatchet Man). 3 wins at 2 and 3, Boojum H.-G3, etc. Sire of 100 stakes winners, incl.-2012, $90,926. $124,821, Lawrence Realization S.-G2, etc. Sire.

SMALL PROMISES. 8 wins, 2 to 6, $567,913, champion She’sathink’n (2007 f., Salt Lake). 6 wins to 4, $60,912.

WAJNA (f. by Nureyev). Stakes winner, above. older mare in Canada, Shady Well S.-LR, Algoma S.-LR, Green N Goldie (2007 c., Gilded Time). 5 wins to 4, $49,212.

Lapidist (f. by Inverness Drive). Winner at 2, $25,850, H. A. Hindmarsh S.-R, 2nd Maple Leaf S.-G3, etc.

Carson’s Dash (2007 c., Evansville Slew). 3 wins, 3 to 5, ISLAM. 16 wins in Peru, champion miler, Clasico OSAF3rd Sorrento S.-L. Producer.

2012, $41,096.

Flying Linnet. 2 wins, $27,080. Dam of Brookshire (c.

G1, 3rd Clasico Gustavo Prado Heudebert-G2, etc. Sire.

Spark City (2008 f., Tale of the Cat). 3 wins at 2, $40,468. STATE CITY. Subject stallion.

by Floating Reserve, $173,218, 3rd Sun Beau S.).

Bellachino (2009 c., Whitesburg). Winner at 3, 2012, $38,220. POLLARD’S VISION. 6 wins, 2 to 4, $1,430,311, Illinois Windrifter. Winner at 3, $54,975. Dam of Thealka (f. by Snowscape (2007 f., Snow Chief). 2 wins at 3, $37,297.

Crafty Prospector, 5 wins, $132,505), Masters Derby-G2, Leonard Richards S.-G3, Walmac Lone Star Strong Response (2010 c., Tale of the Cat). Winner at 2, Crownjewel (f. by Crafty Prospector, $21,964).

Derby-G3, National Jockey Club H.-G3, etc. Sire.

2012, $35,944.

2013 FEE: $1,000 – LIVE FOAL Receive another complimentary season with each paid season

CAINES STALLION STATION

Inquiries to Ellen J. Caines P.O. Box 695 • Wynnewood, Oklahoma 73098 Phone: (405) 826-5549 • Fax: (405) 665-2782 Email: fatima@brightok.net • Website: www.cainesstallionstation.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallion • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

Is your name on this list of breeders and owners who have earned money through the Accredited Texas-Bred (ATB) Program for 2011 racing?

Please call the TTA’s Accreditation Department at 512.458.6133 so we can complete your paperwork…and so you can collect your ATB earnings!

Name of Recipient (person or entity) Total $ Due of an ATB Awar Award

MICHAEL ANTWINE RODERICK T ARMSTEAD & RONNIE E CRAVENS II BAR STOOL STABLES ERICH BREHM CARAIMONT LLC JAIME CASTELLANOS CHARLIE DAVIS END ZONE ATHELTICS INC DBA WINNING CONNEC END ZONE ATHLETICS INC DBA KARL BROBERG FIDEL H ESPINO JOSE LUIS ESPINOZA MARK FELD DBA LUCAS DOWNS LTD FLETCHER PROPERTIES INC JOAQUIN GARZA DEWAN GODFREY NICHOLAS GRANADOS PEGGY HAMMOND CAROLYN HANAK DBA H & H RANCH MATTHEW S HERRIDGE ESTATE OF KENDALL HILL CHARLES HUKILL JANET JEANES JOE DALE JOHNSON DALLAS & DONNA KEEN LAW OFFICE OF D FETTNER PC RCVR AUBURN CR CATHY & MARGUERITE LOKEY MAGNOLIA RACING STABLE & JIM WARD L A ‘TREY’ MALECHEK III RENIA MANN E MARTINEZ JR JUAN ESPINOZA MARTINEZ VICKI LEA MCILVAIN MIDWEST THOROUGHBREDS VICKIE MOSIER RAMON MUJICA RONALD G NELSON CARL NOWIK RALPH S O’CONNOR PERUVIAN GLASS & MORE INC CARLA J AND ROBERT J PICKARD WILLIAM T REED RELIANCE RANCHES LLC ANTONIO RIVERA TBD TRAINING FACILITY JERRY TODD CARY R WHITE JOHN W WILKE JUSTIN WILLIAMS & CANUTO SOLIS DEBORAH K WILSON TERRY K WOOD & DERRICK BOYD

$153.55 $312.39 $81.75 $48.86 $1,008.68 $551.31 $305.66 $3,618.14 $1,266.42 $1,191.14 $781.14 $100.67 $177.17 $131.70 $215.15 $442.93 $196.33 $2,652.59 $252.86 $309.61 $59.06 $457.35 $81.20 $1,368.23 $224.88 $205.26 $1,530.04 $31.73 $51.68 $107.38 $381.19 $141.76 $81.20 $429.51 $210.78 $319.72 $1,067.84 $838.62 $977.87 $51.68 $87.24 $354.34 $25.25 $349.99 $51.68 $237.12 $295.70 $1,407.65 $296.89 $486.30

We have your money…

You have our information!

For various reasons, the TTA has been unable to pay the individuals listed below.

Usually the problem is very simple to correct.

Perhaps a transfer form was never completed when you purchased your money-earning Texas Thoroughbred, or we might need a copy of a Jockey Club certificate. Perhaps you have moved and forgotten to tell us.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 27

RACE TRACK INDUSTRY PROGRAM

What Career Track Are You On?

TM

Intimidation at Retama Progeny of Intimidator sweep the Texas Stallion Stakes in San Antonio

Ashley Bowen/Coady Photography

By Denis Blake

$75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (Darby’s Daughter Division)

Ashley Bowen/Coady Photography

Esscalator (2-year-old filly by Intimidator out of Esseneca, by Seneca Jones) Breeder: Connie Scherr (Bred in Texas) Owner: Connie Scherr Trainer: Steve Asmussen • Jockey: Glen Murphy

$75,000 Texas Stallion Stakes (My Dandy Division)

Estrickator (2-year-old gelding

by Intimidator out of Estrick, by Clever Trick) Breeder: Connie Scherr (Bred in Texas) Owner: Connie Scherr Trainer: Steve Asmussen • Jockey: Glen Murphy

One of the goals of the Texas Stallion Stakes Series is to showcase the sires in the Lone Star State, and the two $75,000 divisions run on December 8 at Retama Park shined a spotlight on a rising star as offspring of Intimidator captured both events for breeder and owner Connie Scherr. Both winners are products of Keith and Marilyn Asmussen’s Asmussen Horse Center in Laredo, where the son of Gone West stands.

In the Darby’s Daughter division for fillies, Scherr’s Esscalator jumped out to an early lead under jockey Glen Murphy and ran off to a 4 1/2-length win in 1:11.16 for six furlongs. The Texas-bred trained by Steve Asmussen shipped in after a maidenbreaking win at Remington Park just nine days earlier. This victory boosted the filly’s earnings to $64,457 in three starts as a juvenile.

Less than an hour later, Scherr, Murphy and Asmussen teamed again to take the My Dandy division with Pennsylvania-bred Estrickator, who also led from wire to wire and stopped the timer at 1:11.63. This marked Estrickator’s third win of the year after breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs and annexing an allowance contest at Remington. The gelding also hit the board in three stakes to finish the season with a bankroll of $117,418.

Both of Scherr’s winners are closely related as Estrickator is out of the Clever Trick mare Estrick, who is the dam of Esseneca, who in turn produced Esscalator. Esseneca is by the late Asmussen Horse Center stallion Seneca Jones, perennially one of the leading juvenile sires in Texas. And both winners are by Intimidator, who finished second on the Texas sire list for 2-year-old earnings last year. The stallion also sired Louisiana stakes winner Westernator, and his juveniles banked nearly $400,000 in 2012.

“This is the most amazing day I’ve ever had,” Scherr said to the San Antonio ExpressNews. “I’ve never won two stakes in the same day before.”

In addition to the Texas Stallion Stakes, Retama presented the $50,000 Fiesta Mile Stakes for Texas-bred fillies and mares. Sylvia Baird’s homebred Smiles Golden Song, a daughter of Valor Farm stallion My Golden Song, earned her first career stakes win and fifth victory from 11 starts on the year. Ridden by Weldon Cloninger Jr. and trained

by Larry Stroope, the filly won by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:35.55 for one mile on the turf. H

Ashley Bowen/Coady Photography

$50,000 Fiesta Mile Stakes (Texas-breds) Smiles Golden Song (3-year-old filly by My Golden Song out of Texas Smile, by Smile) Breeder: Sylvia Baird (Bred in Texas) Owner: Sylvia Baird Trainer: Larry Stroope Jockey: Weldon Cloninger Jr.

Texas stallio n Inti capped a stro midator with two stak ng year es win at Retama Park ners .

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 29

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MEDALS OF

offspring of Valor Farm stallions dominate Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston as trainer Bret Calhoun and jockey Cliff Berry team for three wins

By Denis Blake Race photos by Coady Photography

Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s homebred Coyote Legend, the 2012 Texas Horse of the Year, begins his 2013 campaign with a victory in the $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes during Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park.

H H Valor Farm stallion My Golden Song had two stakes winners on opening day at Sam Houston as his daughters Platinum Song and Cowgirl N Up won the $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes and $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes, respectively.

32

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

H

H

H $100,000 Stars of Texas Stakes

Coyote Legend (6-year-old gelding

by Gold Legend out of Coyote Cafe, by Seeking the Gold) Owner: Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Trainer: Bret Calhoun • Jockey: Cliff Berry

Sam Houston Race Park kicked off its Thoroughbred meet with Texas Champions Weekend on January 18-19 featuring seven stakes and $400,000 in purse money for accredited Texasbreds, and a big chunk of that went to horses sired by stallions at Clarence Scharbauer Jr.’s Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas.

Three of those winners were saddled by trainer Bret Calhoun and piloted by jockey Cliff Berry.

In the biggest race of the weekend, Scharbauer’s homebred Coyote Legend, a son of former Valor stallion Gold Legend, led from wire-to-wire in the $100,000 Stars of Texas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Saturday. The recently crowned 2012 Texas Horse of the Year and Texas Champion Older Horse boosted his bankroll to $670,979 with his 16th win from 30 starts. With Berry in the irons for Calhoun, the 6-year-old gelding got the distance in 1:45.74.

About 30 minutes earlier, Berry and Calhoun scored with another Texas-bred champion as Worldventurer, a 3-year-old gelding by Valor stallion Wimbledon, drew clear to a 4 ½-length win in the $50,000 Groovy Stakes. Owned by Wesley Melcher and bred by Scharbauer, Worldventuer pushed his earnings to $157,432 with three wins in nine trips to the post. He earned Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding honors last year with a victory in the Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity and two stakes placings.

The Calhoun-Berry triple began with Wimp Free Racing Stable’s Gold Element taking the $50,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes.

This marked the second career stakes win for Gold Element, a Gold Legend gelding bred by John Goodman who also took last year’s Premiere Stakes at Lone Star Park. The 6-year-old has won eight of 13 starts with earnings of $175,572.

Berry, a perennial leading rider at Remington Park, just surpassed the 4,000-win career milestone and picked up three

$50,000 Bara Lass Stakes

H H

Platinum Song (3-year-old filly by My Golden Song out of Rocket Launch, by Relaunch) Owner: Scott Brown Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Trainer: Danny Pish • Jockey: Gerardo Mora

$50,000 San Jacinto Stakes

Vilao (4-year-old filly by Grave Digger out of Toogoodtobe Easy, by Easy Goer) Owner: Rugged Cross Racing Breeder: Richard Rowan Trainer: Rebecca Baker • Jockey: Ramon Luna

$50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes

Cowgirl N Up (4-year-old filly by My Golden Song out of Pure Mischief, by Wayne’s Crane) Owner: Caroline Dodwell Breeder: Diamond D Ranch Trainer: Caroline Dodwell • Jockey: Larry Taylor Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 33

H $50,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes

Gold Element (6-year-old gelding by Gold Legend out of Five Elements, by Comic Strip) Owner: Wimp Free Racing Stable Breeder: John B. Goodman Trainer: Bret Calhoun • Jockey: Cliff Berry

H H

$50,000 Groovy Stakes

Worldventurer (3-year-old gelding by Wimbledon out of Better Than Most, by Elusive Quality) Owner: Wesley Melcher Breeder: Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Trainer: Bret Calhoun • Jockey: Cliff Berry

$50,000 Richard King Stakes

Skip a Smile (6-year-old gelding by Skip Away out of Strawberry Smile, by Strawberry Road [Aus]) Owner: Rose Mary Chandler Breeder: Rose Mary Chandler Trainer: Steve Asmussen • Jockey: Glen Murphy 34

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

more big ones with Calhoun at Sam Houston.

“Cliff has been with us for many years,” said the trainer. “He is riding at Oaklawn Park but agreed to come to Houston when we asked. My owners really appreciate his loyalty, and our association with Cliff means a great deal.”

Likewise, Calhoun and Scharbauer have enjoyed a long association with a distinguished list of Texas-bred stakes winners.

“We’ve had some wonderful mares for years,” said Valor Farm General Manager Ken Carson about the breeding program.

“Worldventurer’s dam’s pedigree goes back to Alysheba. Clarence has been a great benefactor to Texas racing.”

The only race on Saturday that Calhoun and Berry did not win was the $50,000 Richard King Stakes going 1 1/8 miles on the turf, and the race featured one of the most impressive performances of the weekend as Rose Mary Chandler’s homebred Skip a Smile drew clear to win by 6 ½ lengths. The 2011 Texas Horse of the Year picked up his 10th career victory, and the son of Skip Away has earned $434,639.

Glen Murphy rode for “We’ve had some wonderful mares for years,” said Valor trainer Steve Asmussen.

Farm General Manger Ken On Friday, opening Carson about the breeding day of the meet, fillies and program. “Worldventurer’s mares were showcased dam’s pedigree goes back with three stakes events, to Alysheba. Clarence and Valor stallion My has been a great benefactor to Texas racing.”

Golden Song had two winners. The first came with last year’s Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Platinum Song, who began the defense of her title with a 1 ½-length win in the $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes. Bred by Scharbauer and owned by Scott Brown, Platinum Song was saddled by Danny Pish and ridden by Gerardo Mora. Also the winner of a division of the Texas Stallion Stakes last year at Lone Star, Platinum Song picked up $30,000 for the victory to improve her earnings to $115,936.

My Golden Song struck again in the $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes as his daughter Cowgirl N Up scored for trainer and owner Caroline Dodwell, who also bred the horse in the name of her and her late husband Ed’s Diamond D Ranch. Ridden by Larry Taylor, last year’s Bara Lass Stakes winner has now earned $165,966 with four wins in 10 outs.

The $50,000 San Jacinto Stakes went to Rugged Cross Racing’s Vilao, who won by three lengths with Ramon Luna in the saddle for trainer Rebecca Baker. This was the first stakes win for Vilao, a daughter of the Red Ransom stallion Grave Digger bred by Richard Rowan who came into the race off a second-place finish in the Fiesta Mile Stakes at Retama Park. The 4-year-old filly has four wins and three seconds in 10 starts with earnings of $89,633. H

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Invented for horsemen by a horseman

Grossick Photography

Shortly after National Hunt racehorse Nomecheki (Fr) was brought from France, it was discovered that he had damage to his SDFT.The horse’s owner was keen to use stem cell therapy and his veterinarian, Dr.Tim Beauregard, advised that it would be the best course of treatment. ‘Cheki’ was soon back to work following VetCell’s rehabilitation program to get to full fitness again. He made a winning return to the racetrack at Plumpton in England in November 2009 in heavy going and since then has had another win, two seconds, two thirds and a fourth from 14 runs.This picture above shows him at Cheltenham in November 2011, clearly loving his job having led the field for the majority of the race.

Stemming the Risk of Re-Injury

From much-loved ponies to million-dollar racehorses,

stem cell therapy is among the most advanced treatments for equine tendon and ligament injuries • By Lucy Graham •

36

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

The most commonly injured tendon in horses is the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), which is most frequently injured in the mid-cannon region. Tendon and ligament injury can occur due to a repetitive strain injury (RSI) or from direct trauma. When you see the extent to which a tendon stretches during galloping, racing or during take-off and landing over a fence, you can understand how an RSI-type problem can occur. Under normal circumstances, the horse’s fetlock joints, both front and hind, will virtually touch the ground at the point of take-off over a fence, as the horse pushes down with its front end, lifts its shoulders and transfers its weight onto the hind end to push of the ground. The same is true on landing as the forelimbs take the strain. Racing and training on the flat exerts similar strains and pressures on these joints.

This force on the tendon has been measured at about 5,000 pounds per square inch of tendon, both when jumping and also when at a full gallop (bear in mind that the SDFT is actually only about four-tenths of an inch in cross-sectional area).

It has also been shown under lab conditions that the SDFT breaks when approximately one ton of stretching force is applied to it. This, therefore, means that the tendon is close to the breaking point whenever the horse is galloping or jumping.

It’s easy to see why these injuries are common and have a high chance of re-injury after treatment or rest.

Stem cell therapy has now become the treatment of choice for many veterinarians when faced with equine tendon and ligament injuries. Stem cells have the ability to self-renew and become specialized cells within the body. These cells are essentially the

body’s own repair kit and allow the body to naturally regenerate tissue that has been damaged. Unfortunately in some cases of tissue injury, naturally occurring levels of stem cells cannot cope with the level of damage that they face. In these instances, stem cell therapy can be used to multiply the stem cells and implant them into the damaged region.

Some stem cell technologies, such as those described in this article, use bone marrowderived mesenchymal stem cells that are taken from the injured horse’s own bone marrow.

This provides the best chance of regeneration. The improved quality of repair and the reduced chance of re-injury mean that horses treated in this way are more likely to return to their previous performance level and are also far less likely to suffer further injury to the leg.

This is because the stem cells encourage the tendon or ligament to heal in a more normalized fashion, which has far better functionality than the scar tissue that would develop if the stem cells were not there.

Knowing the Basics So what does stem cell treatment involve? Once the veterinarian and owner have agreed that stem cell therapy is the way they want to proceed, the horse undergoes a bone marrow aspiration procedure.

This is done under standing sedation and using local anaesthetic. A sample of bone marrow is taken from the horse’s sternum or tuber coxa (hip bone) using a specially designed needle.

Dr. Kristi Underwood, who is the coordinator of regenerative medicine at Elgin Veterinary Hospital outside of Austin, Texas, says that she prefers to harvest bone marrow from the sternum, although the tuber coxa is a good alternative site.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 37

Implanting the stem cells into the superficial digital flexor tendon using a needle.

Ultrasound guidance is used to position the needle in the appropriate place for the injury.

VetCell

“While harvesting from the sternum is technically more difficult and potentially risky if you do not have experience, I feel that this method is the quickest and least painful for the horse,” she said.

Dr. Underwood went on to say that she always uses an ultrasound examination of the sternum to find the correct site for aspiration.

“The ultrasound exam allows visualization of each of the sternebrae, and measurements can be taken to know exactly how deep the needle needs to be inserted to obtain the bone marrow sample,” she said.

A horse undergoing stem cell therapy need not visit the veterinary clinic at all. If your veterinarian has a mobile scanner, everything can be done in a clean stable at any farm or location using good aseptic technique.

The bone marrow is sent off to the laboratory (in a specially insulated container) so that the stem cells can be separated and then cultured to increase their numbers. After two to three weeks, the cells will have multiplied up to a quantity of 10 million (sometimes the culture takes longer if the veterinarian has requested more than 10 million for a larger lesion). They are then returned to the veterinarian so that he or she can implant them into the injured horse. Like the aspiration, this implantation procedure is done under standing sedation so there is no need for any general anaesthetic and the associated risks that would bring. Occasionally there can be an inflammatory response following the injection, which Dr. Underwood says is the only complication she has encountered.

“This may happen in approximately three to five percent of cases and can usually be managed with NSAIDs (e.g. Banamine),” she said, adding that inflammation such as this shouldn’t cause any long-term problems for the horse.

Following implantation, the horse has a couple of days of stall rest and then starts a gradual rehabilitation program with the aim of 38

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

being back to the racetrack, competition arena or riding trail within one year of stem cell implantation.

“The rehab protocol will depend on the extent of the injury that we are treating,” Dr. Underwood elaborated. “Most horses that have an injury that justifies stem cell use will have six to 12 months off before returning to full work.”

The principles behind stem cell treatment mean that the rehab time will not be shortened, but stem cell therapy offers a better fix rather than a quick fix.

“We want complete healing of the injury with minimal scar tissue and a lower re-injury rate once the horse is back in full work,” Dr. Underwood explained. “In most cases, we start rehabbing immediately with walking and slowly increase the duration and intensity of work based on repeat examinations every two to three months to assess healing.”

Ten Years and Running The patented VetCell stem cell techniques were developed more than 10 years ago by a team at the Royal Veterinary College in London headed by Professor Roger Smith. Their first stem cell case was treated in August 2002, so 2012 marked the 10-year anniversary.

In that time, the procedures have been honed and the quantity of cells has increased from two million up to 10 million, which is now the standard dose. The latest research (taken from VetCell’s database of treated horses) has shown that there is a clear dose response (horses treated with 20 million cells or more have a much lower chance of re-injury than those treated with 1-19 million cells). For this reason, the company is now recommending that veterinarians use at least 20 million cells. In some cases, this is done as a two-stage implantation – 10 million followed by another 10 million a month or so later.

At the Elgin Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Underwood and her team may recommend multiple injections depending on the severity of the injury.

“VetCell offers packages for one injection, two injections or more, or cryopreservation of stem cells,” she said. “Prices will vary based on the above criteria, but generally treatment ranges from $2,000 to $5,000.”

Stem cell therapy, as with most other tendon and ligament treatments, is often covered by insurance policies as part of the veterinarian’s fees.

VetCell’s database feedback has also shown that there is a relationship between time delay and the chance of re-injury.

Non-racing sport horses treated within one month of injury showed just a 13% chance of re-injury. This increased to 23% for those treated one to two months after injury and 29% for those treated over two months after injury.

So far this relationship has not been clearly shown in racehorses, but there is an advantage to early treatment before too much scar tissue develops to fill the lesion.

Dr. Underwood has found that quick treatment is often important with the horses she sees.

“Best case scenario, the horse is diagnosed within a week of the injury, the bone marrow is collected, and the first stem cell injection occurs within one month of injury,” she said. “However, there are plenty of horses that have been treated by other means unsuccessfully, and then have stem cell injections months after the original injury and do just as well.”

In addition to investigating the effect of time delay on treatment success, VetCell has also recently made direct comparisons between their data and that collected by B. O’Meara, et al., in his 2010 paper looking at stem cells versus more conventional SDFT treatments.

This research has shown that although the return to racing and the racing records of stem cell treated racehorses are very similar to those of O’Meara’s conventionally treated horses, the overall re-injury rate of stem cell treated horses is just 29% compared with 53% found by O’Meara. This data will be published soon, but so far O’Meara has

checked it against his own data and given his approval.

Although stem cell therapy was initially developed to treat tendon and ligament injuries, veterinarians around the world are starting to use stem cells to treat a wide range of injuries and ailments. In Elgin, they currently use stem cells for musculoskeletal injuries, however, as Dr. Underwood explained, “There are new advances everyday, and we have even treated one spinal cord injury with success. The most common musculoskeletal injuries that we treat are suspensory ligament tears, deep and superficial digital flexor tendon bows and

www

Just before the stem cells are implanted, the scan shows a clear core lesion in the center of the superficial digital flexor tendon.

www

One month after stem cell implantation, there is some infilling of the lesion and a less defined lesion border.

www

Three months after stem cell implantation, the scan shows almost no noticeable difference between the healthy tendon and the area of injury.

VetCell

meniscal tears in the stifle.”

Horses treated with VetCell’s technique have gone on to win the Welsh Grand National, European silver medals in eventing, races at Cheltenham, Pony Club two-day events and one even finished with an excellent placing at the London 2012 Olympics. As well as eventing and racing, VetCell has also treated stars of show jumping, dressage, reining, showing, polo, barrel racing and even cutting horses, plus many much loved family pets that have returned to full soundness and gone on for many more years of giving their owners lots of fun at riding or pony club level, hacking or hunting.

It really does make perfect sense that the body’s own building blocks should be used to help healing. Stem cells are frequently in the news in human medicine, but the equine world is already ahead of the game as far as tendons and ligaments are concerned; VetCell has treated more than 2,000 horses in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. Without a doubt, stem cells will become increasingly common in both veterinary and human medicine over the next few years and will provide cures for many illnesses and injuries that are currently proving difficult to treat. It’s remarkable really, for something so tiny. H Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 39

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm Proudly standing:

ORATORY

Pulpit • Arrested Dreams, by Dehere

The leading sire in Texas with 2012 progeny earnings of more than $1.4 million!

ORATORY, a son of PULPIT, won the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park in stakes-record time.

As a stallion, ORATORY already has 13 stakes horses in his first three crops with total progeny earnings of nearly $5 million.

2013 Fee: $3,500/LFG ANGLIANA

Giant’s Causeway • Pratella, by Jade Hunter A durable and sound son of GIANT’S CAUSEWAY! ANGLIANA, a listed stakes winner and four-time

G2 and G3-placed runner, faced the starter 31 times and hit the board in 18 of those starts while racing until age 8 and earning nearly $400,000. Look for his first 2-year-olds to hit the track in 2013!

2013 Fee: $1,500/LFG Eureka Thoroughbred Farm

Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com Website www.eurekathoroughbreds.com

River Oaks Farms

STANDING FOUR OF THE TOP STALLIONS IN OKLAHOMA!

LATENT HEAT

Maria’s Mon • True Flare, by Capote

A Grade 1 winner off to a fast start as a stallion!

New to Oklahoma for 2013!

LATENT HEAT won the prestigious Malibu Stakes (G1) and San Carlos Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita, both at seven furlongs, and also placed in two other graded races going two turns. From just two crops, he has sired the earners of more than $2 million, including four stakes horses (two graded).

2013 Fee: $3,500/LFG

READ THE FOOTNOTES Smoke Glacken • Baydon Belle, by Al Nasr (Fr) A leading sire in Oklahoma with progeny earnings of nearly $7 million!

READ THE FOOTNOTES, who captured the Remsen Stakes (G2), Nashua Stakes (G3) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) during his brilliant career, has sired 14 stakes horses, including Grade 1 winner RIGHTLY SO. His average earnings per starter is $44,809!

2013 Fee: $3,500/LFG

TIZ WEST

Gone West • Tizso, by Cee’s Tizzy

A Grade 3 winner from one of the best female families of all-time!

TIZ WEST proved himself as a racehorse with a Grade 3 win at Hollywood Park, and his pedigree is second-to-none. He is a half brother to Haskell Invitational (G1) winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up PAYNTER, and his dam is a full sister to Horse of the Year and two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner TIZNOW and $2.8-million earner BUDROYALE!

2013 Fee: $2,000/LFG

CHITOZ Forest Wildcat • Wichitoz, by Affirmed A lightning-fast son of FOREST WILDCAT! CHITOZ was fast enough to set a 5 ½-furlong turf course record at Monmouth Park in a stakes and had the stamina to finish second by a neck in the Grade 3 Kentucky Cup Juvenile going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. His first foals are 2-year-olds of 2013!

2013 Fee: $2,000/LFG

River Oaks Farms Inc.

3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Phone: (940) 367-4380 or (940) 367-4457 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com • Website: www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com

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Lone Star pedigree Consignor Bethe Deal has deep roots in Texas racing

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By Denis Blake

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

The Thoroughbred auction industry is all about pedigrees, but for Bethe Deal, it’s not just about those printed on the catalogue page. The Texas horsewoman has her own racing lineage that goes back decades, starting with Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame member Emerson F. Woodward. Now Deal is carrying on the family’s horse heritage as a leading consignor at sales in Texas and around the country.

“The one thing that I’ve always heard about him is that he was a very serious man who loved his horses and shunned publicity,” said Deal about her great-grandfather, who was one of racing’s dominant owners in the late 1930s and early 1940s.

“From all I know, he loved his horses more than anything.”

Woodward, who owned the massive Valdina Farms in South Texas, campaigned top horses like Valdina Myth, the 1940 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and 1941 Kentucky Oaks winner, and the Irish-bred Rounders, who defeated Triple Crown winner Whirlaway in the 1942 Arlington Handicap.

Although Woodward, who made his fortune in oil and is also a member of the national Trapshooting Hall of Fame, died in a car-train accident in 1943, his influence was still felt by Deal and helped shape her career choice.

“I have a lot of pictures of him at Valdina Farms, where I grew up on 18,000 acres,” she said. “My father would always preface something he was trying to teach me with, ‘Grandpa always said…’

“I always knew I wanted to do this from the time I was very little; I grew up on a horse,” added Deal, who in 1990 took over the horse farm of her father, Robert “Bob” Woodward, and then started consigning horses as Inside Move Inc. in the late 1990s. “My mother used to always joke about my obsession with horses, and it would drive her crazy. Finally when I turned 35, she said, ‘I always thought you’d outgrow

this, but now I don’t think that’s going to happen.’” announcer made a comment of how she was making a big inside move, Deal indirectly picked up some of her horsemanship skills from so it’s kind of corny but that’s where the name came from,” said Deal. her great-grandfather through Tommy Oliphant, another Texas Horse That race at Retama helped give Deal the Inside Move name, and the Racing Hall of Fame member, who operated Sunny Clime Farms.

San Antonio-area track also helped her find her husband, Scott.

“I think one of Tommy’s first jobs was galloping for my great-grand“He owned some racehorses, and I met him for the first time at father, and he was also a very close friend with my father,” she said. Retama,” she recalled. “I talked to him one day at the track, and he “When I started in this, I was working for my father, and Tommy was came to the farm and looked at one I had for sale. We had a lot of the just six miles down the road. I learned a lot from both of them.” same friends, and he lived 20 miles down the road, but I just didn’t Although Deal someknow him. times consigns for outside “He’s got an onion farmclients or in partnership, ing business which keeps most of the horses under the him busy at around the Inside Move banner are her same times that I’m busy,” own. She does not have the she added. “As the kids were sheer numbers to top the growing up, he stayed there leading consignors’ list, but and made sure everything she’s a consistent presence ran smoothly at both farms. at the Texas yearling and He loves horses too.” juvenile sales, as well as Like many others in at auctions from coast to the Texas racehorse induscoast. try, Deal has been faced Deal, whose opwith the temptation of eration is based in moving to the greener Sabinal about 20 miles financial pastures of Louisifrom where she grew up, ana or elsewhere outside of had success right from the the Lone Star State. Despite start as a pinhooker. being in the same state as “I wasn’t even sure what the Fasig-Tipton Texas sales, pinhooking was at first Deal’s farm is nearly 350 but decided to try it,” she miles away, and of course, recalled. “One of my first the sales in California, Flortwo Thoroughbreds was ida and Kentucky are even a Kentucky Jazz colt that further.

I bought for $6,000, and “I live so far away from I think I got $22,000 for everything that it’s difficult, Denis Blake him. Then the other one but this is my home and the was a Derby Wish filly I Deal indirectly picked up some of her horsemanship kids and grandkids are here,” bought for $5,500. I actushe said. “I love it here, so I skills from her great-grandfather through Tommy ally had somebody try to don’t see myself leaving.”

Oliphant, another Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame buy her later that day, and Deal has been active with member, who operated Sunny Clime Farms.

I could have made a little the Texas Thoroughbred bit, but I decided to run Association, Texas Horseher.” men’s Partnership and the Race Track Chaplaincy at Retama, and she That filly, named Cypress City Queen, went on to win three stakes hopes to see brighter days for the industry in her home state. with nearly $250,000 in earnings, plus the title of Texas Champion “Texas is my home, and I’ll keep trying to help something happen 2-Year-Old Filly in 1997. She also gave Deal the Inside Move name for here,” she said. “We need to stay in it. I’m a South Texas girl, and I have her sale operation. no plans of moving. I’m here because I want to see good horses come “She won the Texas Open Futurity at Retama Park, and the back and give Texas a chance.” H Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 43

The Texas Thoroughbred Association has you covered with the information you need to know!

Texas Thoroughbred Association Check out the TTA website for Texas racing and breeding news, TTA registration and race forms, a daily list of entries and results for all Texas-breds running in North America and much more.

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Check out www.texasthoroughbred.com TTA is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texasthoroughbredassociation

The Paddock Foundation The Paddock Foundation is a non-profit corporation with a mission to support and advance the care of Thoroughbred racehorses after their racing careers by supporting rescue, retirement, rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming.

To learn more about The Paddock Foundation and how to donate, visit www.facebook.com/thepaddockfoundation

Southern Racehorse Magazine Southern Racehorse is a new bi-monthly printed magazine that will go to all TTA members as a free member benefit. This publication, which also covers Oklahoma and goes to all members of the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO), also will produce produces aa Stallion StallionRegister Registerin inDecember December to cover the entire Southwest.

Find out more about Southern Racehorse at www.southernracehorse.com or www.facebook.com/southernracehorse

Fostering New Lives The Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program helps gives racehorses a second chance

By Lindsay Whelchel

On a farm in Guthrie, Oklahoma, sits CK Thoroughbreds, the successful breeding operation of Larry and Nelda Kettles. Here, you will find stallions, broodmares and foals with winning bloodlines. What you might not expect to find, however, is a horse like Loves Bonus.

“Bonus,” as he’s called these days, is an easygoing bay gelding. Yes, he’s got an ancestry that traces back to greats like Storm Cat, Northern Dancer and Secretariat, and yes, his race record boasts 14 wins and earnings of more than $300,000, but what separates the 11-year-old Oklahoma-bred from the horses you might expect to find on a Thoroughbred farm is what he doesn’t have, at least not anymore, and that is a career as a racehorse.

Linda Early

Multiple stakes-winning Oklahoma-bred Loves Bonus is now enjoying retirement in his home state and ready to embark on a second career.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 45

Dustin Orona Photography

Loves Bonus made 14 trips to the winner’s circle, but the most important trip of his life might just be through the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program.

Amid the competitive duties of running a business, the Kettles, like others in the racing industry, have found a way to give back to the horses that provide them so much enjoyment. By offering a rehabilitative foster farm for injured Thoroughbreds, the couple aids the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program (OTRP), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in rescuing and re-homing retired racehorses.

Tackling a Growing Problem

The OTRP has helped facilitate new opportunities and homes for 72 horses since it began in 2007 under the direction of founders Robin Brookins and Royce Clay. The organization has 31 horses currently in their care with the number of horses waiting for help constantly increasing.

These are horses who, like Bonus, are no longer able to race, whether from age, injury or both. Bonus came to the Kettles’ farm with a suspensory injury from his former career. He was given to the OTRP by his former owner and trainer, said Brookins.

Bonus began his career at Blue Ribbon Downs in 2005 and broke his maiden for a $7,500 claiming tag that year at Remington Park in Oklahoma City. The gelding spent much of the next three years on the Oklahoma circuit and proved to be a solid claiming horse while competing at Blue Ribbon, Remington, Fair Meadows and Will Rogers Downs. In 2008, he shifted to New Mexico, added several stakes wins to his résumé, including one in an 870-yard event (just short of four furlongs) against a field that included American Quarter Horses,

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

and set a new track record for five furlongs at Ruidoso Downs.

Needless to say, Bonus had paid his dues by the time injuries finally caught up to him. He made his final start back in his home state at Remington Park in November 2011, and his final impressive record showed 65 starts, 14 wins, 15 seconds and 11 thirds with a bankroll of $320,855.

After his last race, Bonus joined the large number of other racehorses at the end of their careers who become subject to the question of “What’s next?”

With the U.S. foal crop averaging about 25,000 annually over the last five years and with the average racing career for a horse ending by the age of 5, the need to find new homes and vocations for these retired horses has become a national issue.

“Because of the amount of horses that are being retired, we feel there should be a good home for these horses,” said Larry Kettles of the desire he and his wife, Nelda, had to get involved.

Since the Kettles have been fortunate with their success on the track, they wanted to give back to horses that are now off the track. The couple talked with the OTRP to find a way to help. Their experience with these types of horses turned out to be just what was needed.

“Of course, being in the racehorse business, we are fairly experienced in rehabbing horses, so we take them here,” he said.

They now have five OTRP horses, including Bonus. The Kettles’ farm is set up with appropriate barns and paddocks to aid in the rehabilitation process for the horses that come in. These former

racehorses are in need of a variety of things, from simple rest for bad knees or tendons to more complex attention for more serious issues.

This is an opportunity for the Kettles to get to know the horses and see their potential as loving family pets, pleasure horses or competitive show horses.

Of Bonus in particular, Kettles said his good attitude shines through his injuries.

“We were cold-watering on his legs, and he loved the attention,” he said. “He’s a real joy to work with.”

It’s clear that helping the horse is a win-win for the Kettles and for Bonus.

“We feel very proud that we can help these horses because of our attachment to our own horses,” he added.

Training for a New Career

from Padilla, the Kettles and others in the industry, but she says there are plenty of opportunities and a need for others to volunteer.

Specifically, she says one of their current biggest needs is for more people in the racing industry to offer foster farms. Because the OTRP does not have its own farm like some similar organizations, Brookins is always looking for experienced horsemen and horsewomen who are willing to help out.

“We put out a plea that we needed help with places for these horses to go,” Brookins said. “It’s been very welcoming to have people with their knowledge willing to help. It takes a great weight off of us because that’s been a big issue and there is always the need for more places to take these horses straight from the track.”

Getting the Word Out

With the issues Juan Padilla is another surrounding the indusindustry professional try, Brookins says that finding a way to do his increased awareness is part to help, and the the key and that change trainer sees a bright fuis happening. ture for these horses that “More and more peofinish racing and become ple are getting on board known as OTTBs, or offto help and support the-track Thoroughbreds. these horses, and that’s “When we break racebeen very encouraging,” Dana Kirk horses, we break them she said.

Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame member and forever,” he said of the solFor example, through OTRP horse Highland Ice entertains an admirer id foundation a racehorse recent legislation, the on Oklahoma Derby Day at Remington Park. usually has when coming OTRP has become off the track and seeking a new career. “I see a lot of people who do a recipient of funds through the Oklahoma-Bred Special trail rides and jumping.”

Development Fund. Through the fund, the OTRP is able to apPadilla works with the horses in the OTRP’s program to assess their ply for monetary help that is available to qualified Oklahoma-bred temperaments and soundness in the hope that they can be adopted horses to provide for aftercare and adoption after retirement from the and move on to their new lives. Padilla explains that by the time he racetrack. gets the horses, they have had a chance to recoup and settle down At racetracks, racing commissions and racing organizations around from their old habits as racehorses. He then works to help them the country, there is an increase in similar provisions with a percentbecome regular horses again. age of handle or registration fees being directed toward retirement The trainer has a clear sense of modesty in his work, putting his efforts. Still, the issue persists. confidence and praise in the horses themselves.

For this reason, public awareness events and donation drives are a “These horses; they’re pets basically,” he stated. “They’re good large part of the OTRP’s efforts. The organization has worked hard animals; they’re not going to try to hurt somebody. I like to see these to increase the general public’s knowledge of the issues surrounding horses have a second chance. So I’ve got a place to do that, and I the long-term opportunities for racehorses after they are done on the thought it was a good deal for the horses.” track. To reach people outside of the racing industry, the OTRP has Brookins speaks highly of the help the organization has received expanded its reach through social media, including a Facebook page.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 47

Last fall, the OTRP brought Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame inductee Highland Ice, a current OTRP retiree, to Remington for Oklahoma Derby Day, where he was honored and led the post parade for the Remington Park Sprint Cup. The now 20-year-old Oklahoma-bred was a dominant sprinter at the track in the late 1990s and earned nearly $500,000 in his career. The OTRP also aired a commercial during the Derby Day broadcast.

All of this is important in getting others to understand the need for help, Brookins explained. “A lot of these horses don’t have a place to go when their racing careers are over,” she said. “When you see pictures of horses that are starving and emaciated, people’s hearts go out to them. But you see a picture of a horse coming off the racetrack, and it looks like a million bucks. Many people don’t know that a lot of these horses don’t have any place to go.”

There is an endless supply of success stories associated with the OTRP’s horses. Many have been adopted and gone on to competitive careers as show horses or productive lives as family pets. One particularly stout gelding is now a working cow horse on an Oklahoma ranch.

Some of their horses have worked at the Tulsa Boys’ Home, aiding in a rehabilitation program as the therapeutic friends of teenage boys who are dealing with a variety of behavioral and mental health issues or drug addictions. Other horses still are waiting for their new homes

Keen Farms

Dallas and Donna Keen Burleson, Texas

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Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

in the OTRP program.

For now, Bonus is resting happily in a turnout paddock at the Kettles’ farm, but soon he too will be up for adoption. It’s safe to say that this retired racehorse is on a new track, and thanks to help from the OTRP, he’s in the lead. H

For more information on how you can help with donations and fostering or in other ways, visit www.otrp.info or search for the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Retirement Program on Facebook.

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RIVER OAKS FARMS INC. The Premier Thoroughbred Farm in Oklahoma proudly offers:

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Is Your Equine Liability Signage Current?

Knowing the laws in Texas can protect you from legal problems

By Tammy L. Wincott, Attorney & Counselor at Law

Looking for information regarding the laws in Oklahoma on liability signage?

Look for an article in the March/April issue of Southern Racehorse.

Did you know that in June 2011 the Texas Liability Act was amended and your liability signs are required to reflect the new language? Without the correct language, you are exposed to increased risk of liability. The new language required for a farm animal professional has been broadened from “equine” to “farm animal” and is as follows:

WARNING UNDER TEXAS LAW (CHAPTER 87, CIVIL PRACTICE AND REMEDIES CODE), A FARM ANIMAL PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO OR DEATH OF A PARTICIPANT IN FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF FARM ANIMAL ACTIVITIES. As a farm animal professional, you are required to post and maintain a sign that contains the warning if you, as the professional, manage or control a stable, corral or arena where you conduct a farm animal activity. The professional must post the sign in a clearly visible location on or near the stable, corral or arena.

In addition, a farm animal professional shall include the warning above in every written contract that the professional enters into with a participant for professional services, instruction or the rental of equipment or tack or a farm animal. The warning must be included without regard to whether the contract involves farm animal activities on or off the location or site of the business of the farm animal professional. The warning must be clearly readable.

A farm animal professional means a person engaged for compensation: • To instruct a participant or rent to a participant a farm animal for the purpose of riding, driving or being a passenger on the farm animal; • To rent equipment or tack to a participant; • To examine or administer medical treatment to a farm animal as a veterinarian; or, • To provide veterinarian or farrier services.

A farm animal activity includes training or teaching activities involving farm animals, boarding a farm animal, including daily care, riding, inspecting, evaluating, handling, loading or unloading a farm animal belonging to another, without regard to whether the owner receives monetary consideration or permits the prospective purchaser of the farm animal to ride, inspect, evaluate, handle, load or unload the farm animal. It also includes placing or replacing horseshoes on an equine animal, as well as examining or administering medical treatment to a farm animal by a veterinarian. For a complete list of activities, check the Texas Equine Liability Act. Liability is not limited by this statute where the farm animal professional knowingly provided faulty tack or equipment, fails to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the activity, owns or otherwise is in lawful possession of the land or facilities upon which the participant sustained injuries because of a known, dangerous latent condition, or if he or she commits an act or omission that constitutes willful or wanton disregard for the safety of a participant or intentionally injures the participant.

The change in law made by this Act applies only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of the Act. A cause of action accruing before the effective date will be governed by the law in effect at that time.

For a complete reading of the Act, go to www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/bills/sb/SB479.pdf.

The issue of whether or not an employer can be held liable by an employee or independent contractor who is injured while working with horses on their employer’s premises under this Act is still unsettled. Texas equine businesses should not rely solely upon the Act to provide immunity from suits brought by employees or independent contractors.

As a business, you should take several steps to minimize liability, including but not limited to obtaining insurance to cover employee or independent contractor injuries, having independent contractors and/or employees sign a liability release, as well as forming limited liability companies. H Attorney Tammy L. Wincott of The Wincott Law Firm, P.C., has offices in San Antonio and New Braunfels. For more information, visit www.wincottlaw.com or call (210) 732-8477.

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 53

Merri Melde

The Importance of Colostrum Fast and safe delivery of the antibodies in colostrum can put a new foal on a healthy track by heather smith thomas

54

Most horsemen and horsewomen realize that newborn foals need colostrum within the first few hours after birth, but the sooner the foal ingests the colostrum, the better. Several studies have shown the importance of this form of antibody-rich milk in helping prevent disease in young foals. John Madigan, DVM, from the University of California, Davis, says the amount of colostrum a foal has ingested can be quantified with an IgG test to know if the foal has obtained adequate antibodies.

“There are many other things that colostrum does locally in the gut, however, to help the foal,” he said. “It’s a natural laxative and also has glucose and energy that give the foal more strength to stand and nurse or deal with inclement weather or other stresses. It stimulates systemic immune response; there are activated immune cells that transfer right across the intestinal tract and trigger rapid development of the immune response. All of these factors suggest that early ingestion of colostrum would be good.”

Several years ago, he started recommending hand-feeding colostrum before the foal gets up.

“This was based on evidence that foals, during the process of seeking the udder, can acquire bacteria that go into the intestinal tract and cross what we call the open gut,” said Dr. Madigan. “The intestinal lining is permeable for a short time, to allow the large molecules of antibodies in colostrum to slip through into the bloodstream and lymph system, but this also enables bacteria to slip through.

“On a farm where we experienced a large salmonella outbreak, we began this process of getting colostrum into the foals before they nurse the mare, along with washing the mare down and having a clean udder before the foal nurses,” he continued. “After a mare passes her placenta, there’s a lot of contamination; because mares defecate in stage two labor, there is bacteria on her and on the afterbirth. Having a clean spot for the foal to nurse is very important. Once the udder is cleaned up, we milk the mare (obtaining anywhere from two to eight ounces of colostrum).”

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

He recommends use of the Udderly EZ Milker, a hand-held, trigger operated pump with a bottle attached. This makes the milking much easier, faster and safer, and it’s less irritating to the mare than using your fingers because there is no friction on the teat.

The bottle can be filled within seconds, and then it can be detached from the pump, a nipple put on it and the colostrum fed to the foal.

“While the foal is still lying there and starting tongue movement and suck reflex, we feed him from a bottle,” he stated. “He may have tried to get up but hasn’t gained his feet, yet has already started making sucking motions. We just put the bottle in his mouth. We found that these foals take a bottle very readily, before they stand up.”

Once they’ve tried to stand up, they have too much mental activity geared toward getting up, and may not be as cooperative; they are focused so strongly on getting up and going to the mare.

But the suckle reflex is very strong right after birth, and foals will readily suck a bottle that is offered, before they get up.

He cautions horsemen to be careful in trying to feed a foal that does not have a strong willingness to suck.

“Weak foals without a good suckle reflex should not be bottle-fed, as they might aspirate some of the milk (it may go down the windpipe instead of being swallowed, setting the stage for aspiration pneumonia),” he advised. “Healthy newborn foals with a strong suckle reflex prior to standing, however, can be safely offered a bottle for them to suck and ingest colostrum.”

This will not confuse them nor prevent them from going ahead in their urge to find the udder.

“At that stage, this does not disorient them from finding the udder,” he said. “They don’t know where that milk came from; it merely stimulates them to want to get up and look for more.

So this was part of our treatment in prevention strategy, to protect the foal from early infection with salmonella, and it was very effective.”

Since then, Dr. Madigan has found that some other veterinary practitioners’ farms have done this successfully for many years.

“A lot of farms have implemented this and feel that it has great benefit,” he said. “It’s a very

Although many foals will nurse immediately after birth, the use of a product such as the Udderly EZ Milker can greatly reduce the risk of bacteria being ransmitted from the mare to the foal.

Courtesy Buck Wheeler

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 55

Dr. John Madigan recommends bottle-feeding a new foal before it stands up to ensure that colostrum is introduced into the foal’s system as quickly as possible. simple thing to do.”

When a foal is born, it’s a race between the pathogens and the antibodies. This simple technique gets the colostrum into the gut ahead of the bacteria. It stimulates systemic immunity and gives local coating of the gut, providing antibodies to combat pathogens that are ingested during udder-seeking. The laxative effect also helps with meconium passage. These are all good things that can be gained by early ingestion of colostrum.

Septic foal syndrome If the foal encounters bacteria (and their toxins) that slip through the gut wall into the bloodstream, he may become acutely ill. Septicemia (generalized infection throughout the body) is difficult to treat and is the major cause of foal deaths.

“The GI tract is the leading source of infection in foals,” said Dr. Madigan. “The umbilicus is not the primary site of infection, as was once thought. So-called navel ill (infection that enters via the umbilical stump and gets into the bloodstream to attack multiple organs or settle in the joints) affects a certain percentage of foals, but most septicemias do not start this way. We believe the gastrointestinal route is the source of most cases.”

The foal goes through several stages: early sepsis and SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) and then the foal goes into septic shock.

Once the foal goes into shock, it is very difficult to reverse the condition and have a good outcome, so you want to prevent this. Getting colostrum (and its antibodies) into the foal before the pathogens are ingested is probably the best prevention measure that horse breeders can use.

Heading off the pathogens If the “good guys” (the antibodies in colostrum) get to the gut first, they tend to close the door, so to speak, on the pathogenic organisms that might cause serious disease, preventing penetration of the intestinal lining by bacteria and their toxins.

“It has been shown in experimental models in other species that absorption of antibodies from colostrum inhibits what’s called bacterial translocation,” said Dr. Madigan. “The colostrum provides a local antibody, IgA, which is present in the gut (besides IgG molecules that go through into the bloodstream). The IgA stays in the gut to give protection. There is enough evidence in experimental literature to say that colostrum prevents and reduces bacterial translocation in foals as well.”

Mother Nature has everything programmed very well to protect the newborn. A number of circumstances, however, can delay a foal in 56

Southern Racehorse • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013

Courtesy Buck Wheeler

getting the colostrum quickly, or he may lick the ground or contaminated objects before he actually nurses.

“If the foal is weak, a little short on oxygen at birth or has angular limb problems, adverse environmental conditions, or the mare has a sore and tender udder—anything that slows the getting up and delays the first nursing—this can interfere with protection,” Dr. Madigan explained. “If the foal is slow to find the udder, he’s hungry and may be licking on anything and more at risk for bacterial translocation.

“If you can get some colostrum into the foal soon after birth, he’ll have a better chance of accomplishing a proper nursing and be off to a healthier start,” Dr. Madigan advised. H

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