BloodHorse.com

Equine Grass Sickness Reviewed

A fatal gastrointestinal disease once limited to Scotland is being seen more frequently in certain parts of the world due to geographical progression, said British researchers.

Kip Deville Making Good Progress

Kip Deville, who has been battling laminitis for more than a month, has made "significant improvement" at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.

And They're Off: January 6, 2010

Topics include the upcoming year in racing, the potential of the A.P. Indy / Azeri colt Take Control, who's responsible for synthetic surfaces at Santa Anita, and the decision to give an Eclipse Award to ESPN/ABC.

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Furthest Land Back in Action in San Pasqual

Surprise winner of the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) two months ago, former claimer Furthest Land returns to Santa Anita Jan. 9 for the $150,000 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II).

Milch to Produce HBO Show on Racing

Horse owner and Hollywood producer David Milch has created a show titled "Luck" that will be shown on HBO, Variety reported Jan. 6.

Speedy Bold Union Draws Rail in Sugar Swirl

George and Lori Hall's Bold Union, a four-time stakes winner in 2009, leads a field of nine in the $100,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (gr. III) for older fillies and mares Jan. 9 at Gulfstream Park.

3YO Stakes Series Kicks Off at Gulfstream

Three-year-olds, both males and females, get their first chance to face stakes competition at Gulfstream Park in 2010 when they run a pair of six-furlong sprints on Jan. 9.

Munnings, 'Carlos Duel in Mr. Prospector

Munnings, a sharp winner of consecutive grade II races last year, kicks off his 2010 campaign in the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (gr. III) at Gulfstream Park Jan. 9.

Chelokee to Arizona Equine Center

Graded stakes winner Chelokee will stand at the University of Arizona Equine Center near Tucson.

KY: Instant Racing Legal But Not Permissible

The Kentucky attorney general's office has issued an opinion stating that although there is nothing in state law prohibiting a form of electronic gaming called Instant Racing, it is not currently permissible.

Cosa Vera to North Cliff in Virginia

Cosa Vera, a 5-year-old son Dynaformer, will enter stud at North Cliff Farm near Rixley, Va.

Eclipse Awards Finalists Announced

Female superstars Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta lead an all-star cast of finalists for the 2009 Eclipse Awards, recognizing excellence in Thoroughbred racing.

Forest Danger to WinRich in Indiana

Grade I winner Forest Danger has been relocated to Thomas Wente's WinRich Farm near North Vernon, Ind.

Injured Straight Has Movement in His Toes

Jockey Michael Straight made positive progress in his recovery from four fractured vertebrae and other injuries when his toes moved on their own Jan. 5.

Leading Sires of 2009: Offlee Wild

Offlee Wild, leading first-crop sire and leading sire of 2-year-olds for 2009, at Darley with commentary by Darley COO Oliver Tait. Sire of Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies winner She Be Wild.

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U.S. Wagering Declined by Nearly 10% in 2009

Wagering on U.S. racing in 2009 declined by 9.9% to total $12.3 billion, compared with $13.7 billion the previous year, according to figures released Jan. 6 by Equibase Company.

Adena No. 1 in Breeders Earnings Once Again

Adena Springs topped the list of leading individual breeders in North America in 2009 with earnings of $12,853,329, according to statistics released by The Jockey Club Information Systems Jan. 6.

CTHS Announces Top 2009 Ontario Earners

The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (Ontario Division) has announced the top earners in the Ontario Sired Racing Rewards Program for 2009.

Headway's Brother Tops Magic Millions Opener

Bay colt brings Aust$500,000 ($456,500 in U.S. funds).

Breeder/Owner J. Robert Harris Jr. Dies

J. Robert Harris Jr., breeder/owner of 2005 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year Baby Zip, died Jan. 1 at age 91.

3,000 Derby/Oaks Tickets Go Quickly

Churchill Downs reported that its online sale of 3,000 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) reserved seat packages sold out Jan. 6 in 48 minutes.

Sale of Pimlico, Laurel Postponed to Jan. 21

A Delaware bankruptcy judge Jan. 5 agreed to postpone Magna Entertainment Corp.'s sale of two horse racing tracks in Maryland and rejected a bid by the former track owners to lock up slot machine gambling rights at one site.

Steps to Keep Your Newborn Foal Healthy

Knowing how a normal foal should behave and when to call the veterinarian can go a long way toward avoiding a trip to an equine neonatal intensive care unit.

Vaccination, WNV, and Colic Fact Sheets Available

TheHorse.com is getting 2010 off to a great start with three more Fact Sheets on topics that are important to our readers:

CANTER Opens Kentucky Chapter

CANTER is now offering its nationally-recognized Thoroughbred networking service to Kentucky horseman with the opening of CANTER-Kentucky. Watch for volunteers as they begin track visits immediately to offer free sales listings, including photography, to trainers and owners looking to move their ex-racehorses onto second careers. Horses listed for sale wi...

Neonatal Isoerythrolysis: Foal Jaundice

Neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI) is caused by an incompatibility of blood types between a mare and her foal. If a foal inherits from its sire a red cell factor (antigen) that the mare lacks, the mare may develop antibodies to that antigen. There is no harm to the foal in utero, as there is no comingling of the mare's blood with that of the fetus. However...

Kentucky Equine Research Projects Approved

Six equine research projects totaling nearly $400,000 over a two-year period have been approved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission following a recommendation from the Equine Drug Research Council.

CA Trainer Hagan Pleads No Contest to Charges

In an order signed by a New Mexico judge Jan. 4, California horseman Michael Hagan pleaded no contest to three criminal charges stemming from a failed deal over a tack business in 2007.

Clutch Player Dead of Pneumonia

Clutch Player, who broke his maiden last month in his first start and was considered a possible prospect for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), died Jan. 4 of pneumonia, Daily Racing Form reported.

Commission Doubles Borel's Suspension

The Kentucky Racing Commission has doubled a suspension levied against jockey Calvin Borel as part of an effort to stop appeals the regulatory body considers frivolous.

Early Triple Crown Nominations Due Jan. 16

The early nomination deadline for the 2010 Triple Crown -- the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) -- has been set for Jan. 16.

NYRA: Toss Out NYCOTB Bankruptcy Petition

The recent bankruptcy petition by the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. should be tossed out of federal court, the New York Racing Association argues in a lengthy legal brief filed Jan. 4 in Manhattan.

Lava Man Retired After Brief Comeback

Lava Man, who returned to racing after a more than 17-month layoff only to finish last in the San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) Dec. 27 at Santa Anita, has been retired after his failed comeback attempt.

Auctions 2010: Have We Hit the Bottom?

Several sale company officials and horsemen talk about what they think will happen in the commercial Thoroughbred marketplace in 2010.

Ghostzapper's Fee Reduced to $30,000

Ghostzapper, the 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older male, has had his 2010 fee reduced to $30,000 from the previously announced $50,000.

Hammer Time: A Report From the Front Lines

Headley Bell of Mill Ridge Farm and Nicoma Bloodstock believes there are some signs that stud fee reductions are working.

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Free Report: New Stallions for 2010

Featuring more than 40 new sires for 2010. Excerpted from the pages of The Blood-Horse magazine, this special report includes a brief bio for each stallion, their 2010 stud fee, and where they're standing.

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Leading Sires of 2009: Medaglia d'Oro

Medaglia d'Oro, leading second-crop sire of 2009, at Darley with commentary by Darley COO Oliver Tait. Sire of superstar Rachel Alexandra and nine other stakes winners for the year.

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Clancy Wins Eclipse Award For Commentary

Sean Clancy has won the 2009 Media Eclipse Award for Writing in the News/Commentary category for his column "Life's Work," which appeared in the Blood-Horse on Jan. 3, 2009

Kentucky Trainer Bobby LaRue Dies

Bobby LaRue, a veteran Kentucky trainer, died Jan. 3 at a Henderson, Ky., hospital.

Bassett Steps Down from Breeders' Cup

James "Ted" Bassett III has stepped down from his position as a member of the Breeders' Cup board of members and trustees it was announced in a Jan. 5 release.

The Jockey Club Renews Retirement Program

The Jockey Club is once again offering owners and breeders the opportunity to contribute, through a voluntary checkoff program, to Thoroughbred aftercare programs at the time they register their foals in 2010.

Britain's 'Racing for Change' Effort Unveiled

The long-awaited first initiatives from the Britain's much-debated Racing For Change program that were announced Jan. 5 are small steps toward making racing more understandable and fun, according to organizers.

Cold Weather Horse Care Review

Winter has an icy grip on most of the United States, and with even sunny Florida facing record freezing temperatures, horse owners across the country need to keep a close eye on their herds to prevent cold-weather related ailments.

Winter Hoof Care Tips

Winter's snow, ice, and mud can present hoof care challenges for horse owners. Bryan Fraley, DVM, whose Fraley and Taydus Equine Podiatry service is associated with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, offers a few tips to help keep your horse sound and healthy:

Retired Trainer Tinsley Found Dead

Retired California trainer J.E. "Cotton" Tinsley was discovered dead Jan. 4, Daily Racing Form reported. Tinsley, who had been missing since New Year's Eve, was 81.

Unbridled Express to Breakway in Indiana

Unbridled Express, a grade I stakes-placed son of Unbridled's Song, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Breakway Farm near Dillsboro, Ind.

New Fasig-Tipton Office Building Opens

The 35,000-square-foot structure is 2 1/2 stories tall.

Eclipse Award to ESPN for Belmont Program

ESPN's telecast of the 2009 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) has won the Media Eclipse Award for National Television - Live Racing. The Belmont Stakes program was aired on ABC on June 6, 2009 from Belmont Park.

JRA Graded Races Open to Foreign Entries

The Japan Racing Association has announced that all JRA graded races will be open to foreign-trained horses starting in 2010.