TEXAS CONNECTIONS IN UPCOMING STAKES
With a slew of stakes races scheduled over the next several days, we want to wish our Texas owners and breeders the best of racing luck:

September 4^th at Churchill Downs:
$400,000 G2 Alysheba S. – Tom Durant owns and Bret Calhoun trains 15/1 Silver Dust (KY).

$250,000 G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint S. – Griffon Farms (Robert Griffon) bred and owns 30/1 Just Might (KY) and 20/1 Chaps (KY). Roy Gene Evans bred and owns 14/1 Chief Cicatriz (KY).

September 4^th at Del Mar:
$100,000 I’m Smokin S. – J. Kirk and Judy Robison bred and own 4/1 Good With People (CA).

September 5^th at Albuquerque Downs:
$100,000 Casino at the Downs Thoroughbred F.- Margaret V. Bloss owns 8/1 Lariat (NM).

September 5^th at Churchill Downs:
$500,000 G2 Pat Day Mile S. – Tom Durant owns and Bret Calhoun trains 12/1 Digital (KY).
$200,000 G3 Iriquois S. – Erv Woolsey and Keith Asmussen own and Steve Asmussen trains 6/1 Super Stock (KY).
$500,000 G2 Churchill Downs Distaff Turf Mile S. – Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) owns 12/1 Harmless (KY).
$500,000 G1 Derby City Distaff S. – CJ Thoroughbreds (Corey and C. J. Johnsen), Casner Racing LP (Bill Casner) and other partners own 12/1 Sally’s Curlin (KY).
$1-million G1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic S. – Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) and other partners own 6/1 Bowie’s Hero (KY).
$3-million G1 Kentucky Derby – Steve Asmussen trains 30/1 Max Player (KY) and Bret Calhoun trains 50/1 Mr. Big News (KY).

September 5^th at Saratoga:
$500,000 G1 Woodward H. – William L. Clifton, Jr. owns 15/1 Prioritize (KY).

September 6^th at Saratoga:
$150,000 G2 Honorable Miss H. – Cleber J. Massey owns 2/1 Blamed (MD).

September 7^th at Kentucky Downs:
$500,000 Mint Juvenile Fillies S. – Susan Moulton owns 10/1 Oliviaofthedesert (KY).
$300,000 One Dream S. – Agave Racing Stable (Mark Martinez) owns 8/1 Harmless (KY).

September 9^th at Canterbury Downs:
$100,000 Princess Elaine Minnesota Distaff Turf S. – Eureka Thoroughbred Farm bred and Michael Grossman owns 15/1 She B Glamorous (MN).
$100,000 Northern Lights F. – Eureka Thoroughbred Farm bred and Michael Grossman owns 10/1 Prince Rama (MN).
$100,000 Northern Lights Debutant S. – Eureka Thoroughbred Farm bred and Michael Grossman owns both 7/2 Star of the North (MN) and 6/1 Rozey Cheeks (MN).

September 9^th at Kentucky Downs:
$300,000 Tapit S. – Carl R. Moore Management (Carl Moore) owns Hierarchy (KY).

A NEW KIND OF MAILBOX MONEY
As you are likely aware, last legislative session Texas lawmakers created the Horse Industry Escrow Account (HIEA). The funds in that account are now being used to strengthen racing purses in Texas and to grow the entire horse industry in our state.

Now, we are pleased to announce a new initiative utilizing HIEA funds – an ATB Breeder Bonus Award to eligible breeders of horses placing 1, 2, or 3 in OPEN COMPANY races in Texas.

Breeder Bonus Awards checks were mailed this week in connection with the 2020 Thoroughbred meet at Sam Houston Race Park. Those eligible for full breeder awards received 32% of purse money earned, and those eligible for one-half breeder awards received 15% of purse money earned. 

ATB Awards for the 2020 Thoroughbred meet at Lone Star Park and for Thoroughbred racing at Gillespie County Fair Grounds are scheduled to mail before the end of September.

NOTES: Our sympathies go out to the family of longtime horseman John Buchanan of Peaster, Texas who passed away recently.