NEWS AND NOTES FOR JANUARY 9, 2015
TTA STAFF MEMBER LOSES HOME
On January 3rd, the home of Texas Thoroughbred Association’s Accreditation/Racing Manager Jennifer Gibbs was struck by lightning and totally destroyed by fire. She and her husband, Sand, got out safely, but they have lost literally everything.
Jennifer has a big heart and is dedicated to helping the people involved in the Texas racing and breeding industry. TTA is very fortunate to have her.
If you are so inclined you may make a contribution through http://www.gofundme.com/jrx1ws to help this wonderful couple begin to rebuild their lives.
Also, stallion seasons to Too Much Bling and Wimbledon have been donated to benefit the recovery fund. For details, visit the TTA website at http://texasthoroughbred.com/stallion-season-to-leading-texas-sire-too-much-bling-available-to-benefit-fire-recovery-fund-for-tta-employee-jennifer-gibbs/.
LIVE RACING RETURNS TO SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
Next Friday and Saturday mark Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston Race Park, with seven $50,000 stakes races for Accredited Texas-breds on tap. Fillies and mares will be in the spotlight on Friday with the Bara Lass Stakes, San Jacinto Turf Stakes and the Yellow Rose Stakes. On Saturday, the boys will compete in the Groovy Stakes, Richard King Turf Stakes, Spirit of Texas Stakes and the Star of Texas Stakes.
Make your reservation for the Winner’s Circle restaurant today by calling 281-807-8760.
NEW STALLION TO SEGUIN HORSE CENTER
Immaculate, a son of leading stallion Distorted Humor out of Eclipse Award winner Folklore, will stand the 2015 breeding season at Don and Leah Ford’s Seguin Horse Center in Texas. The 6-year-old stallion will stand for a fee of $1,000.
A $450,000 yearling purchase and two-time winner on the track who broke his maiden against special weight company at Santa Anita, Immaculate is by Distorted Humor, who recently surpassed $100 million in progeny earnings and will stand the 2015 season for a $100,000 fee. Immaculate’s dam is the Tiznow mare Folklore, who in 2005 won the Grade 1 Matron Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies to be named that year’s champion 2-year-old filly.
Immaculate joins Gaff and Dynameaux at Seguin Horse Center
CHANGES TO PERMISSIBLE MEDICATION LEVELS IN TEXAS
Texas Racing Commission Executive Director Chuck Trout has issued a memo detailing revisions to the list of approved therapeutic medications. The revisions took effect January 1, although enforcement will not begin immediately. During the first Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse meets of 2015, the TRC will provide feedback to trainers and veterinarians regarding any overages related to newly implemented medication levels, with enforcement beginning in April for Thoroughbreds and in June for Quarter Horses. However, the Commission reserves the right to enforce the limits prior to that time against a trainer and/or veterinarian who repeatedly or excessively exceeds the newly implemented permissible levels.
For details, see: http://www.txrc.texas.gov/agency/news/news.php
TOBA OWNERSHIP SEMINAR AT LONE STAR PARK
The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) has announced the 2015 schedule for its seminars and clinics, with a Thoroughbred Ownership Seminar set for March 29 at Lone Star Park. These educational events are sponsored by Blood-Horse Publications and feature various topics for prospective, new and established Thoroughbred owners and breeders.
“We are very excited to offer educational opportunities to owners and breeders across the country,” said TOBA president Dan Metzger. “Our seminars and clinics are open to both TOBA members and non-members and the primary focus is to increase knowledge of our sport.”
To register online, go to http://www.toba.org/programs/seminars-and-clinics.aspx
ACCREDITED TEXAS-BREDS IN UPCOMING STAKES
Multiple stakes-placed Nublado Bling (Too Much Bling – General Reunion) will take on five opponents in Saturday’s $75,000 Big Drama Stakes at Delta Downs. The 3-year-old colt was bred by Thomas Castoldi and runs for owners Bronce-Plamat Stables and MTZ Racing. He is trained by Jr. Martinez.
Robert Luttrell’s homebred multiple stakes winner Promise Me Silver (Silver City – Uno Mas Promesa) is entered in the $100,000 Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Originally scheduled for today, the race has been moved to Thursday, January 15th. The Bret Calhoun trainee is undefeated in four starts, including wins in the $50,000 Letellier Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds in December, the $75,000 Darby’s Daughter division of the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes at Retama Park in November and the $100,000 Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs in June. She boasts career earnings of $154,355.
NOTES: A bill has been filed in the Kentucky State Senate to pave the way for EquiLottery in the state. EquiLottery would allow users to purchase a ticket which would be split between the state lottery and a horse racing win wager. The new game, created by former Paulick Report CEO Brad Cummings, is designed to provide states with extra revenue while drawing new fans into horse racing…The Keeneland January sale will take place from Jan. 12-15 in Lexington, with 1,610 head cataloged… The Keeneland Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale originally slated for April 6 will be put on hiatus for 2015, due to a “lack of critical mass”… The TTA Board of Directors will meet on Saturday, January 16 at Sam Houston Race Park…Breeding season is nearly here, so now is the time to find that perfect match for your mare. If you need some help, go to the online version of the American Racehorse Stallion Register at americanracehorse.com/stallion-register where you can browse through dozens of stallions in the region and use the free hypomating feature to aid in your research.
Immaculate, a son of leading stallion Distorted Humor out of Eclipse Award winner Folklore, will stand the 2015 breeding season at Don and Leah Ford’s Seguin Horse Center in Texas. The 6-year-old stallion will stand for a fee of $1,000.
