NEWS AND NOTES FOR JANUARY 10 2014

NEWS AND NOTES FOR JANUARY 10, 2014

MATTHEWSBURG TO STAND AT SWIFTRUN THOROUGHBREDS
Matthewsburg, a Grade 3-winning son of 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, will stand his first season at stud at Swiftrun Thoroughbreds in Bulverde, Texas, for a $2,500 fee as property of Dale Swift.

Bred by Adena Springs out of the stakes-placed A.P. Indy mare Romantic Comedy, Matthewsburg compiled a career record of 23-4-4-3 with earnings of $171,985. He placed in three stakes and recorded a victory in the Kentucky Cup Sprint Stakes (G3) at Turfway Park.

For more information, contact Dale Swift at swiftrun_thoroughbreds@yahoo.com or (901) 487-1086.

RETAMA NAMES LEADING TRAINER, JOCKEY AND OWNERS
Dan Pish cemented his name into the Retama Park record book for the 14th time in 19 years of racing when he was presented with Leading Trainer honors as the track concluded its 2013 live Thoroughbred Meeting.

Gerardo Mora defended his Leading Jockey title while Terry Eoff and Johnny Evans teamed up to win Leading Owner honors. Eoff, a veteran conditioner, had a career year highlighted when he saddled his own Sky’s Goldmaker to win the $75,000 M2 La Senorita Stakes.

SAM HOUSTON MEET SET TO OPEN JANUARY 17
The 2014 Thoroughbred racing season at Sam Houston Race Park gets underway on Friday, January 17. Post times are set for Friday and Saturday (7 p.m.); Monday (1 p.m.) and a newly-added Tuesday afternoon card (1 p.m.). The meet will feature 24 stakes races and average daily purses in excess of $165,000.

Opening night for the 32-day Thoroughbred season kicks off with Texas Champions Weekend, shining the spotlight on Texas-breds with seven stakes worth a total of $350,000. Fillies and mares will compete in the $50,000 Bara Lass; $50,000 Yellow Rose and $50,000 San Jacinto Stakes. On Friday, January 17, Sam Houston Race Park offers Free Admission for Military with Military ID. It will also be the first night of the ongoing promotion entitled 50 Cent Beer Fridays featuring 50 Cent Draft Beer and $1.50 Wine Specials every Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Saturday, January 18 card features four stakes as part of Texas Champions Weekend. Colts and geldings will compete in the $50,000 Groovy Stakes, $50,000 Spirit of Texas, $50,000 Richard King and $50,000 Star of Texas.

SPECIAL HOUSTON HOTEL RATES FOR TTA MEMBERS
Hampton Inn Houston Brookhollow located at 12909 Northwest Freeway is now offering special rates of $69 per night on King Rooms and $79 per night for Queen Double Rooms, with Hampton’s free hot breakfast.

For individual reservations please call the hotel directly at 713-939-7100 and request the Sports Rate.  Be sure to make your reservations now for opening weekend at the track.

REDESIGNED WEBSITES FOR THE JOCKEY CLUB
The Jockey Club rolled out two website redesigns this week—one that highlights industry service activities, advocacy efforts, and provides information about its affiliates: www.jockeyclub.com, and www.registry.jockeyclub.com for the registry side of the company.

“With two separate websites, owners and breeders can go directly to the registry site to conduct registration-related business electronically while those seeking information about The Jockey Club or the Thoroughbred industry can go directly to The Jockey Club site,” said Jim Gagliano, president and chief operating officer for The Jockey Club.

The Registry’s website now provides easier navigation for customers needing registration information and services, such as registering foals and naming and identifying horses.  And, to help consolidate information, the report of mares bred and breeding statistics have been moved to the breeding section of the “Fact Book” and the rule book and fee schedule have been moved to The Jockey Club Registry website.

NOTES: Best of luck to Hall’s Family Trust’s homebred Texas Bling running for trainer Danele Durham in the $100,000 Fifth Season S. at Oaklawn on Saturday…Check out this great article in the Paulick Report about Deshawn Parker, one of horse racing’s all-time leading jockeys, who will be riding at Sam Houston Race Park on opening weekend: http://www.paulickreport.com/features/the-breeders-cup-forum/the-breeders-cup-forum-deshawn-parker/…Internet bidding for the TTA auction of 2014 breeding seasons is now closed with all remaining seasons available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis; if you are interested in purchasing a season, check the list of available seasons at www.texasthoroughbred.com and contact Mary Ruyle in the TTA office at 512.458.6133… The next meeting of the TTA Board of Directors is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29 in Austin…Casino operator The Genting Group has entered into an arrangement with the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Gulfstream Park and the Florida Horsemens’ Benevolent and Protective Association in an effort to build a waterfront “slots only” thoroughbred inspired resort to be located in the downtown Miami area with an emphasis on economically growing the Florida Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry…The Association of Racing Commissioners International has added nasal decongestant methylhexaneamine, already banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency and many U.S. sports leagues, to its list of prohibited substances…Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, in conjunction with the Breeders’ Sale Company of Louisiana, will host the Stars of Tomorrow 2-year-olds in Training Sale on Sunday, March 9th…Fasig-Tipton has cataloged 522 entries for its Kentucky winter mixed sale that will be expanded to two days and conducted Feb. 9-10…