ATB’S IN WEEKEND STAKES
Will Kari’s homebred stakes winner She’s Pretty Lucky (Lookin at Lucky – Pretty Amusing) is in a fleld of 8 for Saturday’s $100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (Gr. 3) at Gulfstream Park. The race is for 3-year-old fillies going a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.
She’s Pretty Lucky won the $50,000 Letellier Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds on December 16th and finished 3rd in her last out in the $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes at Houston in January. Trained by Eddie Kenneally, she has odds of 12-1.
TEXAS 2YO SALE CONTINUES TO GROW
A total of 126 head have been consigned for the Texas Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale on April 10 starting at 12 noon at the Texas Thoroughbred Sale Pavilion at Lone Star Park. The under tack show is set for April 8 at 11:00 a.m.
This catalogue represents a 20-percent increase in the number of head compared to last year, and the sale has also eclipsed itself with a considerably-improved quality in pedigrees. Such national sires as Blame, Congrats, Curlin, Flat Out, Gemologist, Into Mischief, Jimmy Creed, Kantharos, Kitten’s Joy, Munnings, Orb, Paynter, Point of Entry, Shanghai Bobby, Stay Thirsty, Street Boss, Street Sense, Tiznow, Twirling Candy and Uncle Mo give evidence that the sale has surged upward after the solid performance of last year’s auction. Cairo’s Prince and Will Take Charge lead a list of first-year sires that includes Can the Man, Cross Traffic, Goldencents, Moro Tap, Shakin It Up and Sum of the Parts. Leading the regional sire contingent is Texas’ leading sire Too Much Bling, with solid company from Closing Argument, Euroears, Grasshopper, Half Ours, Intimidator, My Golden Song and Special Rate.
The sale again features a unique interactive online catalogue where consignors can post photos and videos as well as the pedigrees of their sale horses for buyer perusal prior to the gallop show. This year the gallop show is being filmed by the Ocala, Florida-based group Dillon Video and Photo and is expected to be online shortly after the gallop show on April 8.
“I am very excited about this year’s sale”, commented Sale Director Tim Boyce. “Along with the solid increase in numbers and quality, I look forward to working with the Dillon crew for the production of our under tack show. This is something the market has wanted, and I am glad we are able to give it.”
The cover of this year’s catalogue features the 2017 winners of both divisions of the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park, Carl Moore and Brad Grady’s Galactica and Susan Moulton’s Janae. Both horses went through the ring at last year’s 2-year-old sale and gave early returns to their owners. The two divisions of the race this summer are estimated to have purses of $100,000 apiece.
This will mark the third juvenile sale held by the Texas Thoroughbred Association in partnership with Lone Star Park. The 2016 auction featured 85 head, and the catalogue grew to 105 head last year.
“It’s very gratifying to see that we’ve been able to attract about 20 more head each year,” said TTA Executive Director Mary Ruyle. “Our goal was to re-establish a viable marketplace for consignors and buyers from around the Southwest, and the increased catalogue size each year shows that we are on the way to doing that.”
Catalogues will be mailed out the first week of March. The sale can now be viewed at ttasales.com as well as on the Equineline Sales Catalogue app.
GROOM ELITE ANNOUNCES TRAINERS’ EXAM CLASSES AT LSP ON APRIL 11-13
The Elite Program, Inc. and Purple Power Racing Services owner C. Reid McLellan, PhD has announced a full schedule of classes for the end of winter and beginning of spring. The schedule includes the Trainers Exam Prep Class at Lone Star Park, scheduled for April 11-13.
This is the class that “started it all.” In 1998, the first such program at Lone Star Park sold out. Even with racing’s constant struggle for existence in Texas, Lone Star Park continues to be a popular venue for this class. Limited to enrollment of 12, recent classes in 2015 and 2017 sold out.
Offered immediately following the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Lone Star Park (April 10), classes are conducted Wednesday, April 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Thursday, April 12 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; and Friday, April 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In addition to barn test requirements, Dr. Mac spices up the lectures with philosophy and methods of training. Each year, McLellan updates the 120-page text to keep up with the regulatory changes, particularly claiming as more states change their claiming rules. Medication is always a concern as states work toward a uniform medication policy. As requested by stewards, McLellan emphasizes rules regarding trainers’ daily responsibilities and activities to help cut down on procedural violations.
Early bird tuition of $299 through March 17, and afterwards tuition advances to $349.
For more information and to register, go to groomelite.com or purplepwerracing.com. Anyone without internet access is invited to call Dr. “Mac” at (859) 321-4377 to sign up.
AHCF ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF 2017 ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDY
Via press release, the American Horse Council Foundation (AHCF) has announced the results of its anticipated 2017 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry.
The equine industry in the U.S. generates approximately $122 billion in total economic impact, an increase from $102 billion in the 2005 Economic Impact Study. The industry also provides a total employment impact of 1.74 million, and generates $79 billion in total salaries, wages, and benefits. The current number of horses in the United States also stands at 7.2 million. Texas, California, and Florida continue to be the top three states with the highest population of horses.
For more information or to purchase a copy of the study, go to horsecouncil.org.
NOTES: The Roses to Ribbons Old Fashioned Horse Fair is set for Saturday, March 10 at Sam Houston Race Park. This event is designed to promote Thoroughbred horses moving to new careers after racing. There will be horses available for sale and a chance to meet with racehorse trainers and tell them what kind of horse you are looking for. Racehorse rehoming organizations will be there, as well as merchandise vendors…Kissthatbabygoodby (Sing Baby Sing – Shaved Ice) is the 2017 Texas Champion Claimer. Bred by Tom Durant, the 5-year-old gelding runs for N 2 Win Racing, and will be honored at the June 23 TTA Annual Awards Luncheon.