Sweet Brown Sugar upsets East View

March 17th, 2024

Sweet Brown Sugar adds Sunday’s East View to her victory last season in the Shesastonecoldfox Stakes at Finger Lakes. NYRA Photo.

Richie Rich Racing Stable’s Sweet Brown Sugar made a significant improvement off her first try in stakes company on the New York Racing Association circuit with a victory in Sunday’s $100,000 East View for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies.

The daughter of Collected, fifth in the Franklin Square Stakes in mid-January for Finger Lakes-based trainer Paul Barrow, used a pair of preps in allowance-optional company for her second stakes victory Sunday. Sweet Brown Sugar won the 6-furlong East View under Jose Lezcano, coming up the inside on the far turn and drawing off by 4 lengths over Bernietakescharge.

“We’ve won a few stakes at Finger Lakes, but this is the first good horse we’ve had at NYRA,” said Barrow, celebrating his first stakes score on the NYRA circuit. “It’s unbelievable; it’s great. When you start training, you want to win these races. I’m a big New York-bred guy, so to win it with a New York-bred, it’s great.”

Sent off as the 6-1 third choice in the field of seven and just two weeks after winning an allowance-optional on a muddy track, Sweet Brown Sugar raced third early as Bustin Time and Bernietakescharge sparred through the opening quarter-mile in :22.48.

Lezcano kept Sweet Brown Sugar down on the inside heading into the far turn and slipped through an inside at the midpoint of the bend to take the lead. Sweet Brown Sugar led by a half-length after a half in :46.12 and spurted clear turning for home.

“She doesn’t like the dirt too much in her face, and I got lucky with [Bustin Time], she stayed way out and I was able to keep [her] face clean,” Lezcano said. “She responded and came up with a good race and is feeling very good. I had a lot of horse when I asked her.”

Sweet Brown Sugar, winner of the Shesastonecoldfox Stakes back home at Finger Lakes to closer her 2-year-old season, widened through the lane and won in 1:10.55. Bernietakescharge held second as the 4-5 favorite, a length in front of 8-5 second choice Caldwell Luvs Gold. Thirteen Red Flags, Bustin Time, Ruming and Soloshot completed the field.

Barrow was quick to credit Lezcano, aboard Sweet Brown Sugar in her last two races before the East View.

“If you watch the race, Jose did keep her very clean in the race,” he said. “It was key to her finishing. The rider made the difference in this case, and she’s improving. Masterful ride. When he’s on the inside like that, it’s very tough to keep them clean, but I thought he did a great job.

“My biggest concern was her getting trapped behind a wall of horses and the kickback and all that, for him to [have to] negotiate a way to get outside. But he was smart enough to stay inside and keep her clean.”

Barrow said he’d ship Sweet Brown Sugar back to Finger Lakes and “give her a little time off” after coming back on short rest to win back-to-back starts. Sweet Brown Sugar picked up $55,000 for the East View and boosted her bankroll to $150,500 from a record of 4-0-1 in six starts.

Bred by Chester and Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, Sweet Brown Sugar originally sold for $10,000 through the Sequel New York consignment at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. She was then offered as part of the Scenic Sales consignment at the 2023 OBS June sale and brought $32,000 from Nick Hines, agent for Richie Rich Stables.

Sweet Brown Sugar is the first and lone foal out of the Broman’s homebred Bodemeister mare Rachel’s Blue Moon, the winner of two of 11 starts and $97,096. Rachel’s Blue Moon is out of the Broman’s homebred multiple stakes-winning and Grade 1-place El Corredor mare Beautiful But Blue, who is also the dam of stakes-placed Montebello. Beautiful But Blue won five of 17 starts and earned $395,450. She’s out of the multiple stakes-winning Dixie Brass mare Beautiful America, who won six of 21 starts and earned $523,927 for the Bromans from 2002 to 2004.

Antonio of Venice dominates Damon Runyon

March 17th, 2024

Antonio of Venice and jockey Manny Franco cruise to victory in Sunday’s Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct. Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo.

Antonio of Venice enjoyed a much smoother trip this time around and turned the tables on Mischief Joke in Sunday’s 49th renewal of the $93,000 Damon Runyon for 3-year-old New York-breds at Aqueduct.

Second by a length to that foe in the Rego Park in late January, Antonio of Venice took command shortly after the start and stayed in control through the 6-furlong stakes for his second stakes victory. Owned by Michael Imperio, Robert Cotrone, Hibiscus Stables and trainer Rudy Rodriguez, the 3-year-old son of former New York-based sire Laoban won by 9 1/4 lengths and improved to 3-for-8 with three placings in the Damon Runyon.

“He is a versatile horse,” winning jockey Manny Franco said. “He can do whatever you ask him to do. Today was a short field, I had to play the break and he broke that fast so I just went on with him, because I knew he could be on the front end, too. That is what we did. We got it done.

“You can see at the eighth pole that I just eased him down. I think I hit him once, but after that I did nothing. I just eased him down. He did it so easily.”

Antonio of Venice went to the post as the even-money second choice in the field of four reduced after the scratch of morning-line favorite Heavyweight Champs. Antonio of Venice and jockey Manny Franco led Mischief Joke by a half-length through the opening quarter in :22.96, with Mad Banker not far back and Aelfgar fourth of the quartet.

Antonio of Venice and Mischief Joke started to separate from the other two around the far turn and the former edged away from his rival after a half in :46.09. Antonio of Venice cruised from there, turning for home well clear, sliding past 5 furlongs in :57.81 and drawing clear late to win in 1:10.35 over the fast track. Mischief Joke finished second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Aelfgar with Mad Banker fourth.

“Those were the two best horses in the race,” Rodriguez said of Antonio of Venice and Mischief Joke. “I said to Manny, ‘if you hook up together, let it be,’ but I didn’t want to hook up with the one horse. When Manny asked him at the three-eighths pole, it looked like he had a lot of horse. I felt really confident when he asked him and he opened up half a length. He looked very comfortable.”

Bred by Cypress Creek Equine LLC, Antonio of Venice sold for $35,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale and for the same price at this year’s OBS March sale. Antonio of Venice is the third foal out of Stella Performance, who also produced winning full siblings to the Damon Runyon winner in New York-breds Modern Midas ($78,200 in earnings) and I’m Wide Awake ($144,228).

Stella Performance is also the dam of a New York-bred yearling colt by McKinzie and filly by Keepmeinmind born February 18 in New York, and both bred by Cypress Creek Equine LLC.

A maiden winner at Saratoga Race Course in his third start, Antonio of Venice finished off the board in his first two stakes tries before a victory in the $500,000 Great White Way division of the New York Stallion Series Stakes in mid-December. The victory in the Damon Runyon boosted his earnings to $425,744

Pair bring six figures to close OBS March

March 15th, 2024

Hip 766, a filly by Munnings bred by Triumphant Trio, sold for $170,000 Thursday at the OBS March sale. Photo courtesy of Pick View.

A pair of New York-breds – a filly by Munnings and a colt by Goldencents – elicited six-figure final bids during Thursday’s final session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March 2-year-olds in training sale.

Those two added to the others from the prior to sessions, including a $700,000 colt by Justify out of champion New York-bred Pauseforthecause, to bring the sale total to 11 New York-breds that brought $100,000 or more.

Hip 766, a daughter of Munnings out of the winning Tizway mare Tizsomethingroyal, led the way Thursday on a bid of $170,000 ffrom Gary and Janet Anderson.

Bred by Triumphant Trio, foaled at Edition Farm in Hyde Park and consigned by Pick View LLC, agent, the filly originally sold to Stock Thoroughbreds for $130,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. She’s the third foal out of the $103,067-earner Tizsomethingroyal, who is also the dam of the New York-bred 3-year-old Practical Joke colt Yo Banana Boy who is placed in three starts and sold for $160,000 at last year’s OBS April sale.

Triumphant Trio also bred a yearling colt by New York-bred classic winner and Horse of the Year Tiz the Law out of the mare.

Hip 825, a daughter of Goldencents bred by Patricia Generazio, sold for $150,000 Thursday at OBS. Photo courtesy of Cesar Loya Training & Sales.

Ken McPeek, agent, signed for the top-priced New York-bred colt Thursday, going to $150,000 for Hip 825, a son of Goldencents out of the stakes-placed Midshipman mare Wave of Glory.

Bred by Patricia Generazio, foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort and consigned by Cesar Loya Training & Sales, agent, the colt previously sold for $80,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He also brought $85,000 during the Generazio dispersal at the 2023 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

Wave of Glory, a debut winner at 2 in 2015 and third in that season’s Furlough Stakes at Aqueduct for Generazio, is the dam of stakes winner and $154,058-earner Treasure King and the winner Glorious Wave. Wave of Glory sold for $40,000 at last year’s Keeneland January sale.

OBS reported sales on 10 of the 14 New York-breds through the ring Thursday for a total of $695,500, an average price of $69,550. Overall, 41 New York-breds sold for a total of $3,907,500, an average price of $95,305.

A colt from the first crop of New York-based stallion King for a Day brought the third highest price Thursday when J U Racing Stables went to $80,000 for Hip 731. Bred by Our Blue Streaks Stable and S G V Thoroughbreds, foaled at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater and consigned by Steven Venosa’s S G V Thoroughbreds LLC, agent, the colt is the first foal out of the winning Freud mare Swayed.

King for a Day, an 8-year-old son of Uncle Mo, stands for $5,000 at Irish Hill & Dutchess Views Stallions LLC in Stillwater.

Hip 539, the first foal out of Pauseforthecause, landed the sale’s top price for a New York-bred during the second session. Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing, signed for the colt offered by Pick View LLC, agent. Bred by Chester and Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, the colt is the first foal out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Pauseforthecause, a multiple stakes winner and earner of $546,093.

Pauseforthecause, campaigned by the Bromans, earned champion New York-bred older dirt female and female sprinter championship honors in 2019. She went 3-2-2 in nine starts that season, including victories in the Iroquois Stakes at Belmont Park and Garland Of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct. She placed in six other stakes during her career and retired with seven wins in 25 starts.

Justify colt sells for $700,000 at OBS March

March 14th, 2024

Hip 539, a colt by Justify out of Pauseforthecase bred by Chester and Mary Broman, sold for $700,000 Wednesday at OBS March. Photo courtesy of Pick View.

A New York-bred colt by Triple Crown winner Justify out of New York-bred champion Pauseforthecause sold for $700,000 to highlight bidding during Wednesday’s second session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March 2-year-olds in training sale.

Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Racing, signed for the colt offered as Hip 539 by Pick View LLC, agent. Bred by Chester and Mary Broman and foaled at their Chestertown Farm in Chestertown, the colt is the first foal out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Pauseforthecause, a multiple stakes winner and earner of $546,093.

The colt, the seventh most expensive juvenile sold during Wednesday’s strong session, originally sold to Hoby Kight, agent for Halona PH, for $100,000 at last year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.

Pauseforthecause, campaigned by the Bromans, earned champion New York-bred older dirt female and female sprinter championship honors in 2019. She went 3-2-2 in nine starts that season, including victories in the Iroquois Stakes at Belmont Park and Garland Of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct. She placed in six other stakes during her career and retired with seven wins in 25 starts.

Pauseforthecause is also the dam of a New York-bred yearling colt by Gun Runner and a filly by undefeated Horse of the Year Flightline born February 19, both bred by the Bromans.

The Justify colt was one of four six-figure New York-breds sold Wednesday and OBS reported sales on 19 of the 24 New York-breds through the ring for $1,887,000, an average price of $99,316. Overall, 31 New York-breds have sold for $3,212,000, an average price of $103,613.

Hip 362, another Broman-bred and a daughter of Uncle Mo and Khancord Kid, sold for $200,000. Photo courtesy of Sequel Bloodstock.

The Bromans also bred the session’s second highest-priced New York-bred juvenile, Hip 362, a filly by Uncle Mo out of their stellar producer Khancord Kid, who brought $200,000 from Starship Stables.

Consigned by Sequel Bloodstock, agent, the filly is the ninth foal out of the stakes-winning Lemon Drop Kid mare Khancord Kid and a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner and New York-bred champion female sprinter and champion older dirt female Bar of Gold, stakes winner Spirit of St Louis and stakes-placed winners Land Mine and Homeland.

A filly from the second crop of New York-based sire Solomini also landed among the day’s top sellers. Hip 486, a filly out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Myself, sold for $75,000 to Joseph Brocklebank, agent. She was the second most expensive New York-bred filly through the ring Wednesday.

Bred by and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, the filly was consigned by Silvestre Chavez Thoroughbreds, agent. Solomini, a 9-year-old Grade 1-placed son of Curlin and the Empire State’s leading freshman sire in 2023, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs.

The OBS March sale concludes with the final session at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Honest Mischief filly highlights OBS March opener

March 13th, 2024

Hip 243, a daughter of New York-based freshman sire Honest Mischief, sold for $310,000 Tuesday at the OBS March sale. Photo courtesy of Coastal Equine.

A filly from the first crop of New York-based sire Honest Mischief commanded a bid of $310,000 to spark the opening session of the Ocala Breeders Sales Co.’s March 2-year-olds in training sale Tuesday.

McMahon and Hill Bloodstock, agent, landed the winning bid for the co-fourth most expensive filly sold during the opening session. Offered as Hip 243 and consigned by Jesse Hoppel’s Coastal Equine LLC, the filly is the fourth foal out of the winning Distorted Humor mare Forget It. Hoppel purchased the filly for $40,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

Bred by Scott and Debbie Pierce and foaled at River Valley Farm in Gansevoort, the Honesty Mischief filly is a half-sister to stakes winner and $541,672-earner Red Danger and the winner How Sweet She Is. Forget It is also the dam of the 3-year-old New York-bred Maximus Mischief gelding Sorority Prank, who is twice placed after selling for $75,000 at last year’s OBS April sale.

Honest Mischief, an 8-year-old son of Into Mischief out of the Grade 1-winning Seattle Slew mare Honest Lady, stands for $6,500 at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson.

The filly also ended the day as one of five New York-bred juveniles that sold for $100,000 or more. OBS reported sales on 12 of the 16 New York-breds through the ring Tuesday for $1,325,000, an average price of $110,417.

Hip 130, a filly by Bee Jersey, sold for $275,000 Tuesday. Photo courtesy of Tom McCrocklin.

Lane’s End Bloodstock, agent for West Point Thoroughbreds and C J Stable LLC, went to $275,000 to purchase Hip 130, a filly by Bee Jersey out of the winning More Than Ready mare Christmas Cove.

Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, agent, the filly was bred by Spruce Lane Farm, America’s Pastime Stable, All My Hart Racing, et al. She originally sold to Bronco Bloodstock for $30,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale before McCrocklin, agent for Champion Equine, purchased her for $110,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, the filly is the seventh foal out of Christmas Cove, who is the dam of stakes-placed winner and $316,940-earner No Sabe Nada and the winner Chris Cove Town.

Kimmel Salusto, agent for Flanagan Racing LLC, landed the session’s top-priced New York-bred colt, going to $105,000 for a son of New York-bred Grade 1 winner Audible.

Offered as Hip 64 and consigned by de Meric Sales, agent, the colt is out of the wining Not For Love mare Bitterroot. Bred by Lambholm South and Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, the colt is a half-brother to one winner out of the full sister to stakes winner, 18-time winner and $693,252-earner Clubman.

The OBS March sale continues at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the second of three sessions.

Kinza stays unbeaten in Santa Ysabel

March 9th, 2024

Kinza improves to 3-for-3 with dominating victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Santa Ysabel at Santa Anita. Benoit Photo.

Kinza continued her ascent to the top of Southern California’s 3-year-old filly division with a powerful victory in Saturday’s Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Michael Lund Petersen’s daughter of Carpe Diem took command at the start under Juan Hernandez, controlled proceedings from there and rolled to a 5-length score over Where’s My Ring in the 1 1/16-mile stakes.

Kinza improved to 3-for-3, adding the Santa Ysabel to her victory last month in the Grade 3 Las Virgenes. She’s won her starts by a combined 14 1/2 lengths, and the way trainer Bob Baffert sees it, there’s room for improvement.

“She is just so naturally fast, she gets wound up,” said Baffert, winning his fourth straight Santa Ysabel and eighth in his Hall of Fame career. “She is getting better. Her worst enemy is that she is just so cranked up. My team and my staff everyone works hard to school her and spends time with her.

“She is just a naturally gifted speed horse. She has a beautiful way of moving and just gets over the ground really nice and with her speed and the way she gets going it’s just perfect.”

A $350,000 purchase at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale, Kinza set strong fractions of :22.53, :45.98 and 1:10.55 under light pressure from She’s a Tempest.

Hernandez gave Kinza her cue to kick on at the top of the stretch and the chestnut filly responded, drawing off to win in 1:44.16.

“She was feeling very sharp today in the post parade,” Hernandez said. “She was just feeling a little fresh and now she knows she was going to race, so she was feeling a little hot. I didn’t want to go that fast in the beginning, I wanted to go nice and easy.

“I just let her go, I didn’t want to fight her. She was really comfortable. I felt the pace fast earlier, so I said, ‘I’m just going to wait I’m not going to move.’ I was just checking making sure no one got too close to me and when she switched leads that’s when she picked it up again and gave me another gear. She is a nice filly.”

Bred by JD Business Ventures, Brushy Hill Stables and the Carpe Diem Syndicate and foaled at Schuylerville Thoroughbred Farm in Fort Edward, Kinza is the first foal out of the winning Quality Road mare Secret Wonder.

Kinza sold at auction three times before her debut. She brought $17,000 as a weanling from Marysue Stable at the 20121 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale. She was later purchased by Grassroots Training and Sales for $30,000 at the 2022 OBS October yearling sale. Grassroots Training and Sales consigned the filly at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale of 2-year-olds in training, where she brought $350,000 from agent Donato Lanni.

The second most expensive New York-bred at the May sale, Kinza picked up $60,000 for her Santa Ysabel victory to boost her earnings to $159,000.

Secret Wonder, a $100,000 Keeneland September yearling and half-sister to the stakes-placed Mylastfirstkiss, is also the dam of a 2-year-old New York-bred filly by Instagrand bred by JD Business Ventures LLC.

Horse Racing in New York brings $3 Billion to the NYS Economy

February 29th, 2024

Today results from the American Horse Council (AHC) Economic Impact Study for New York State were released by the equine advocacy group SaddleUpNY!

The report shows New York’s racing sector remains an important hub of Thoroughbred & Standardbred racing in North America. This provides New York State with over $3 billion in economic impact and more than 19,000 jobs.

“The findings from the American Horse Council’s economic impact study for New York report that the breeding and racing industry is an invaluable asset to our state,” said NYTB President Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, D.V.M. “Our state-bred program has positioned itself as the leading regional program in the nation, and we look forward to continuing to work with our fellow stakeholders to ensure that the additional investment in breeding and racing in New York will result in added revenue for all areas across the state.”

SaddleUPNY! Press release continues below
Horse Racing in New York brings $3 Billion to the NYS Economy
New York is one of the largest racing hubs in the United States, and the recent results of the American Horse Council (AHC) Economic Impact Study, along with those of the associated New York State ‘breakout’ study, document the strength and importance of the racing sector in New York’s Equine profile. Together, the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Racing sectors in New York bring an economic impact of $3 billion (inclusive of tourism impact) and employment impact of 19,785.

With 11 pari-mutuel racetracks (four Thoroughbred and seven Standardbred), New York hosted 1078 live race days in 2022, with avtotal handle reaching $2.7 billion and purses topping out at $295 million. In addition to race days, New York hosts some of the top sales in North America. The Thoroughbred sales venue at Saratoga’s Fasig Tipton lands in the top 10 for both the Saratoga Sale and the New York Bred Yearling Sale, both of which take place in August. In Middletown, NY, the Goshen Standardbred Yearling Sale in September is among the Top 10 public Standardbred yearling sales in North America.

Horse racing has a long and robust history in New York, drawing tourists to tracks, farms, towns and communities. The economic value of tourism is part of the $3 billion total impact, as $575 million of that $3 billion comes from racing tourism. Saratoga, as the preeminent and oldest Thoroughbred track in the country, attracts more than a million visitors a year. The Goshen Historic Track in Goshen, NY, established as a Standardbred facility in 1838, is the oldest continuously operated track in North America, regardless of breed. Although horse training occurs year round at the half-mile oval, it is a tourism hub for Orange County during its summer race
meet. Because of the historic nature of both racing venues, Saratoga Springs and Goshen are home to their respective sports’ Hall of Fame Museums, a further tourism draw for New York.

While most of the highlights of racing come on the track at the sport’s various race meets, the behind-the-scenes work of the people that care for the horses – day and night – is what makes it all possible. That work takes place at home farms, stables and practice tracks across New York, including the rolling fields where young foals first stretch their legs, learning the basics and growing strong to one day become racing prospects. According to Tom Grossman, owner of Blue Chip Farms in Wallkill, NY, “our standardbred nursery boasts an average population of 150 mares and their youngsters with enormous trickle-down economic benefits supporting agricultural entities like hay growers, grain and bedding suppliers, and equipment providers (tractors, trucks, hay balers etc.).” The expanded impact of horse farms is an often unrecognized benefit –including the impact on land preservation and associated capital improvement of the land. Based on the AHC study results, 51% of New York horse owners own or lease a farm, barn or stable, with total acreage estimated at 303,000. And while breeders hope those foals will make it to the track, that doesn’t always happen. Thoroughbred and Standardbred race prospects are highly desired for their ability to transition to new careers, however. New York was an early adopter of mechanisms to support such transitions, with programs such as Take2, TAKE THE LEAD, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Purple Haze Standardbred Adoption, and the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program. In addition, the NY Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund has provided well over a million dollars to Thoroughbred aftercare facilities in the state, and annually provides more than $100,000 to facilities that re-train Thoroughbreds or provide sanctuary homes for those that cannot have a useful second career.

This summer, New York will see an additional boost to racing’s economic impact, with Saratoga playing host to the Belmont Stakes – the third leg of the famed Triple Crown. According to Najja Thompson, Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, “Last summer, the Saratoga County Industrial Development Agency (SCID) found that the Thoroughbred meet at Saratoga generated $371 million in economic impact and provided 2,900 jobs across the Capitol Region alone.” Those numbers will no doubt rise dramatically with the Belmont, and the buzz is growing around the potential for those figures. “The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce
thinks the four-day Thoroughbred meet in June for the running of the Belmont Stakes will pump $50 million into the area – and that’s just an estimate of the tourism dollars,” says Tracy Egan, Executive Director of the NY Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund. Enthusiasm for horses in New York is strong, with 2.4 million households (30% of all households) containing a horse enthusiast – and New York racing has something for everyone. Racing schedules for Thoroughbred racing in the state can be found at the NYRA website (www.nyra.com) and the Finger Lake Racetrack website www.fingerlakesgaming.com. The Standardbred racing schedule can be found at www.nysirestakes.com
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The New York State Economic Impact study was commissioned by SaddleUpNY! and made possible through the generous contributions of the following industry partners and friends: New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund, New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Old Field Farm, Ltd, Blue Chip Farm, John Madden Sales, Cornell University Hospital for Animals, New York Farm Bureau, New York State Horse Council, Karin Bump, Timothy Williams, Sally Lynch, Kent Nutrition and Triple Crown Nutrition. In addition, a linked GoFundMe campaign was also utilized for essential broader support from individuals across the state.
This is the second in a series of press releases focusing on the results of the study. Additional highlights of the New York State Economic Impact study will be released in the coming weeks. Questions can be directed to Dr. Karin Bump, Executive Director of SaddleUpNY!, at Dr.kbump@gmail.com
Photo credit: Photo Courtesy of Blue Chip Farms, Wallkill, NY. Photo credit to Tammie Jean Photography.

NYTB Member Benefit: 10 percent discount Walker’s Farm, Home & Tack Shop

February 28th, 2024
Members:

We are pleased to announce that all new and renewed 2024 NYTB members are now eligible to receive a 10 percent discount for purchases at Walker’s Farm, Home & Tack Shop located in Fort Ann, NY.

The NYTB member discount does not apply to items on sale. The member discount will be applied when presenting your 2024 NYTB Membership card at the counter when making purchases.

nytb-walker

Walker’s Farm, Home & Tack Shop is a family-run business that prides itself on creating a friendly shopping experience. The store is a one-stop shop for customers offering quality products from top-name brands and products for all of your farm needs.

Walker’s Farm, Home & Tack is located at 5565 State Route 4 Fort Ann, NY 12827. Store hours are Mondays – Fridays: 8am – 6pm, Saturdays: 8a – 5p and Sundays: 9a – 4p. Their phone number is 518-639-5223.

We hope you appreciate this added NYTB membership benefit. To join or renew your NYTB membership for 2024, to take advantage of this special offer, please visit nytbreeders.org/membership.

Pandagate storms to victory in Gander Stakes

February 25th, 2024

Pandagate improves to 2-for-3 with victory in $100,000 Gander Stakes at Aqueduct. NYRA Photo.

Christophe Clement shipped Pandagate back to his native state with confidence for the Arrogate ridgling’s first foray into stakes company and was rewarded.

Pandagate overcame a hard bump at the start and powered to a 5 ½-length victory in Sunday’s $100,000 Gander Stakes, improving to 2-for-3 in the process and giving his connections reason to think about bigger things down the road.

“He’s been training very, very well at Payson Park and we were excited to see him run,” Clement said. “Thank you to all the owners to be so patient. He’s a stakes winner and a New York-bred going long on dirt, so it’s a lot of fun for us.”

A 9-length winner in his debut under Dylan Davis during the Belmont at the Big A meeting, Pandagate reunited with that rider for the 1-mile Gander. He was ridden by Victor Carrasco when second in a 1 1/16-mile allowance-optional in early December. Davis liked the reports from Clement and his team and also came into the Gander with confidence aboard the morning-line pick and eventual post-time 7-5 favorite.

“He’s been training down at Payson Park with Clement’s crew,” Davis said. “They did a great job getting him ready. He had a little layoff, but I just wanted to break him well and not get too much distance from the front leaders. That is what the boss said.

“I haven’t seen him in a while, but the Clement crew gave me videos of him working and in the paddock. It was nice to see him again, he’s still the big horse that I knew before, but he was a little more mentally better today. Just hopefully will keep on improving.”

Pandagate wound up squeezed between Bali Amour and Brown Don’t Stop at the break and was last while The Big Torpedo, Liberty Central and Doc Sullivan scrimmaged through the opening quarter in :24.42.

The Big Torpedo, a 10-length maiden winner last time out and the 5-2 third choice, continued on the lead through the half in :48.55. Liberty Central, who hounded the leader most of the way on the backstretch and on the far turn, took the lead just before hitting 6 furlongs in 1:14.15 just as Pandagate found his best stride several paths off the rail. Pandagate widened his advantage all the way through the lane, kept to task by Davis to win in 1:40.67 over the fast track.

Doc Sullivan finished second, a neck in front of Liberty Central with Brown Don’t Stop fourth. The Big Torpedo and Bali Amour completed the field.

Pandagate’s connections celebrate victory in Sunday’s Gander Stakes. NYRA Photo.

“He did get a little bump there at the break but he got into stride, got on the bridle, and switched off, then at the three-eighths pole, I turned him out,” Davis said. “It took a little while to get going but once he did that, he was game. I kept him to task all the way to wire because he is still a young horse that doesn’t know what is going on, but he has a nice big stride and galloped out, not really that tired.”

Clement also heaped praise on Davis’ effort.

“Dylan knows him well and it was a perfect ride,” he said. “He was a little bit lost coming out of the gate and Dylan got him to settle. Then he got into a very good rhythm and when he decided to pick it up, he finished well. He’s a nice horse and by Arrogate – it’s a nice family. Everything seems to be working out nicely, and I’m just very grateful to the owners. I’m delighted to train this kind of horse.”

Bred by Fred Hertrich III and out of the stakes-placed New York-bred Sky Mesa mare Kitty Panda, Pandagate sold to Clement, as agent, for $130,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale. He races for Adelphi Racing Club, Madaket Stables, Corms Racing Stable and On The Rise Again Stable.

Pandagate is one of three winners – all New York-breds – out of Kitty Panda. She’s also the dam of three-time winner and $151,380-earner Panster and the two-time winner Countable. Kitty Panda is also the dam of a 2-year-old colt by City of Light. Hertrich purchased Kitty Panda, in foal to Blame, for $160,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky winter mixed sale.

Pandagate picked up $55,000 for the Gander victory, boosting his bankroll to $101,650.

Clement didn’t commit to any specific for Pandagate’s next target, but is thinking about some lucrative summer stakes in the New York-bred 3-year-old division.

“At the moment, he just won, so we are going to enjoy that for 24 hours,” Clement said. “The way the program is made, the two New York-bred races going long on the dirt are the New York Derby at Finger Lakes or the Albany at Saratoga. That’s a long way down the road, so let’s try to find him something in late March or early April going long on dirt. Let’s keep him eligible for everything and enjoy this for a moment.”

Whittington Park gets up in time to win Haynesfield

February 24th, 2024

Whittington Park (left) gets past Anejo in the final stages of the Haynesfield. Chelsea Durand/NYRA Photo

By Melissa Bauer-Herzog

Whittington Park became a stakes winner in the $100,000 Haynesfield Stakes for New York-breds at Aqueduct Saturday, but it wasn’t easy.

The Midnight Lute 5-year-old broke a step slow from the inside post of a six-horse field and was last after a few strides. He refused to stay there for long, working his way outside and into a settled spot in fourth down the backstretch as the front runners caught up after Mama’s Gold went the first quarter-mile in :23.72 and opened 2 ½ lengths on the field. The pacesetter refused to bow to the early pressure when keeping a half-length on the field through a half-mile pole in :47.80.

By the turn, Mama’s Gold finally gave in as Anejo flew past to quickly open 5 ½ lengths on the field at the top of the stretch. Anejo looked like an easy winner near the wire, but Whittington Park didn’t give up and closed with every stride.

Racing down the center of the track on the leader’s outside for jockey Kendrick Carmouche, Whittington Park got to Anejo just in time to win by a half-length in 1:39.88 for the mile. Dr. Ardito finished third, 11 ¼ lengths behind.

“He just seems like he has a lot more desire and knows what he wants to do,” trainer Jeremiah Englehart said. “You give him a target now and he wants to run the horse down. Last year, a couple races, Kendrick would say he would just wait and make spotty moves. Now, he’s putting himself in the position rather than having to have Kendrick urge him somewhere. A lot of those Midnight Lutes seem to get better as they get older.”

Bred by Marshall Gramm and Clay Sanders, and racing for Gramm’s Ten Strike Racing, Whittington Park improved to 2-for-2 this year with six wins overall and six other top three finishes for $335,810 in 17 starts.

Whittington Park is the third stakes winner for six-time winner See The Forest, also the dam of New York-bred stakes winners Looms Boldly and Critical Value among her seven winners from seven to race. See The Forest is out of dual Grade 1 winner Critical Eye, who saw another daughter produce stakes winner Little Kansas and Grade 3-placed Headline Report.

After a few years without foals reported after Looms Boldly was foaled in 2020, See The Forest produced a New York-bred Constitution colt for Ten Strike Racing last year. The mare visited Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions’ Warrior’s Charge’s last year in his first season at stud.