NEWS AND NOTES FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

BINGO COALITION SUES TO BLOCK TRC DECISION ON HISTORICAL RACING
A second lawsuit has been filed to try to stop the Texas Racing Commission from moving ahead with approval of Historical Racing at Texas racetracks.

About two dozen organizations that run bingo halls across Texas filed suit in Travis County on Tuesday, arguing that a rule adopted by the commission violates the Texas Constitution, the Texas Racing Act, and the Administrative Procedures Act. The rule approved nearly unanimously by the commission, with only one member voting “no,” is set to take effect this month.

TEXAS JUDGE DECIDES NOT TO STOP HISTORICAL RACING MACHINES
State Representative. Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) sued in August to prevent the Texas Racing Commission from implementing rules for Historical Racing Terminals. Yesterday, State District Judge David Evans decided not to issue the injunction Krause requested. In his letter opinion, the judge said Krause did not have standing to bring the suit as a legislator.

For the full story, see http://www.star-telegram.com/2014/09/18/6132237/historical-racing-lawsuit-dismissed.html.

FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD HOPES TO KEEP CHURCHILL RECORD INTACT
As the 2/1 morning line favorite, three-time stakes winner Fiftyshadesofgold will look to keep her Churchill Downs win record intact when she tops the field of 10 fillies entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Dogwood Stakes (gr. III).

The Dogwood, for 3-year-old fillies going seven furlongs, is the ninth race on the card, with an approximate post time of 4:55 p.m. (EDT).

Trained by Bret Calhoun for Douglas Scharbauer, the Texas-bred daughter of My Golden Song has won both her starts under the Twin Spires, including a half-length triumph over Dogwood entrant Milam in the Eight Belles Stakes (gr. III) on the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) card. She also took the Debutante at Churchill last year.

Fiftyshadesofgold is coming off consecutive fourth-place finishes in the Test Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga and the Acorn (gr. I) at Belmont   In both races, she set the pace before succumbing late, with Sweet Reason victorious in both.

In preparation for Saturday’s race, Fiftyshadesofgold breezed a half-mile in :47 2/5 on September 13th, the fastest time for 57 workers at the distance.

MORO TAP TO BECOME FIRST SON OF TAPIT TO STAND IN TEXAS
Moro Tap, a graded stakes-placed son of North America’s leading sire Tapit, has been retired to stud and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Double Infinity Ranch in Texas. His stud fee will be $2,500 live foal, and Double Infinity Ranch will be offering a limited number of shares in Moro Tap through its “Breed to Infinity” program. Please visit www.DoubleInfinityRanch.com or call 903-885-7280 for more information.

FRED HUTTON NAMED NEW RACING SECRETARY AT SAM HOUSTON
Fred Hutton, currently the Director of Racing at Zia Park, will seek to make his mark in Texas when the Sam Houston Race Park stables open December 4th. In his new position at SHRP, Hutton will also coordinate stall applications that are due on November 3rd. A longtime racing official and former jockey and trainer, Hutton has previously served in Racing Secretary roles at Zia Park, Prairie Meadows and Remington Park.

“I’m excited to grow my role at Penn National Gaming by joining a track of Sam Houston Race Park’s caliber as its Racing Secretary. The clear leader of Texas racing, I have been impressed by the quality program they have developed over the past several seasons and will aim to build upon it going forward” said Hutton.

OAKLAWN TO OFFER PURSE BONUSES FOR LASIX-FREE WINNERS
In 2015, Oaklawn Park will become the first in America to offer a 10% bonus to the winner’s share of the purse for all horses that run and win without Lasix.  The total potential bonus supplement of $1.4 million will be provided by Oaklawn itself and will not come out of the purse fund.

Note: Arapahoe Park in Colorado began offering bonuses to trainers who run their horses without Lasix in June.

FOAL CROP PROJECTED TO REACH 22,000; DOWN SLIGHTLY FROM 2013
According to statistics compiled through September 9th, The Jockey Club has reported that 2,230 stallions (down 6.8%) covered 36,656 mares (down 3.3%) in North America during 2013, resulting in 21,697 live foals (down 1.4%) of 2014 being reported.

The Jockey Club estimates that the number of live foals reported so far is approximately 90% complete. Ultimately, the 2014 registered foal crop is projected to reach 22,000.

NOTES: A ballot measure to allow Instant Racing in Nebraska may have died in court this year, but supporters are already looking ahead to press the issue in 2016…The New Jersey Racing Commission on Wednesday adopted a set of medication rules that has been endorsed by most major racing organizations, including a new penalty schedule applying to repeat offenders…Last week it was announced that CDI is seeking to sell Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots for a reported $125 million. This week, citing pending litigation from Louisiana Quarter Horse owners, Fair Grounds announced that it will withhold $2.7 million in purse supplements at the upcoming meet… Since September 10th, the Texas Animal Health Commission has received confirmation of three new cases of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) in horses. One premises is located 3 miles north of Bastrop in Bastrop County, one is located 5 miles east of Bastrop in Bastrop County, and the other is located 10 miles northeast of Giddings in Lee County… Saturday is Customer Appreciation Day at Lone Star Park and one lucky customer will win a trip for two to the 2014 Breeders’ Cup World Championships…Congratulations to Jerry Durant, whose 2-year-old colt Lucky Player won the Iriquois Stakes(gr. III) at Churchill Downs, giving him an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.  The colt is trained by Steve Asmussen.