Articles posted August 19, 2009

Talkin' Horses Podcast with Jim Squires

• August 19, 2009

Jim Squires answers questions about his new book, including reactions from the Thoroughbred industry, ideas for change, Monarchos, and much more.

Transcript Now Available!

Well Monied Heads Full Field for Del Mar Oaks

• By Jack Shinar
• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Racing, West Region

American Oaks (gr. IT) runner-up Well Monied heads a full field of 3-year-old fillies for the $350,000 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT) Aug. 22 on the turf at the seaside track.

Bold Truth to Stand in Ohio

• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Breeding, Midwest Region

Grade II stakes-placed Bold Truth, sire of Ohio stakes winner Bold Captain from his first crop, will stand in 2010 at Steve and Theresa Belford's farm near Gilead, Ohio.

Monitor Closely Adds to Dream Year for Sire

• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Breeding

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Oasis Dream (GB) was considered a mildly-successful sire after his first two crops reached the track. An explosive year including the emergence of recent group II victor Monitor Closely (IRE) guarantees Oasis Dream more respect in Europe and internationally.

Bork Named Gulfstream Park Racing Secretary

• August 19, 2009
• Southeast Region

Gulfstream Park announced Aug. 19 that Dan Bork will serve as racing secretary during the 2010 meet.

All Goes Well for Worstcasescenario at Spa

• By Jack Shinar
• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

Worstcasescenario enjoyed a best-case trip with jockey Alan Garcia to spring a 13-1 surprise in the $150,000 Adirondack Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 19.

Alabama: No 'Rachel,' But Still a Solid Field

• By Jason Shandler
• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

There are two ways to look at the field for the $600,000 Alabama (gr. I): It could be a disappointment that the nation's top 3-year-old filly, Rachel Alexandra, is not included in the field. Or, a more optimistic view would be that many of the talented fillies entered for the prestigious race are only there because Rachel Alexandra is not in the field.

Shippers Dominate Canadian Derby Field

• By Jack Shinar
• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Racing

Delaware shipper It Happened Again, making his first start for trainer Terry Jordan, is among the favorites for the $300,000 Canadian Derby (Can-III) Aug. 22 at Northlands Park in Edmonton, Alberta.

Coal Play Looks to Stay Hot in Iselin

• By Jason Shandler
• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Racing, Northeast Region

Robert LaPenta Coal Play, best known for nearly shocking Big Brown in last year's Haskell Invitational (gr. I), will look for his fourth win over the Monmouth Park main track when he takes on six rivals in the $300,000 Philip H. Iselin Stakes (gr. III) on Aug. 22.

Trainer John E. Churchman Jr. Dies

• August 19, 2009
• Kentucky

Midwest trainer John E. Churchman Jr., who started two horses in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), died Aug. 18 after a long illness.

HealthWatch: Colicking Horses at Risk

• August 19, 2009
• Horse Health

Horses with colic are at a higher risk for developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a life-threatening blood-clotting disorder that can cause excessive bleeding or excessive clotting.

Double-Digit Increases at Del Mar

• August 19, 2009
• West Region

At it passed the mid-point of its 2009 meet, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club reported double-digit increases in on-track attendance and wagering.

Hoosier Park Decides to Increase Purses 12%

• By Tom LaMarra
• August 19, 2009
• Midwest Region

Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will raise purses 12% beginning Aug. 19, citing a "conservative approach" taken with the purse account when the meet began in late July.

U.S. Steeplechase Championships Unveiled

• August 19, 2009
• Northeast Region

The National Steeplechase Association announced Aug. 19 the inaugural running of the U.S. Steeplechase Championships on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.

Keeneland to Accept Online Bids for RNAs

• August 19, 2009
• Thoroughbred Sales, Kentucky

Keeneland is unveiling technological innovations and features for all its sales, including a new service to promote the sale of horses that did not reach their reserve in the auction ring, as well as the re-launch of its mobile site.

Horses Read Human Body Cues, Researchers Say

• By Christa Lesté-Lasserre
• August 19, 2009
• Horse Health

Do you ever feel like your horse might be watching your every move? He very well might be, according to a new behavior study by British scientists. Their research indicates that horses are highly sensitive to the attention we attribute to them, including our gaze.

In a series of tests involving 36 horses and ponies aged 10 months to 38 years, two ...