Nyquist may be the early favourite for the 2016 Kentucky Derby but he better keep his head up as Toews on Ice will be heading for the same net and he’s got a couple of other buds in Baffert’s barn.

Bloodhorse – Angst – Mr Maybe Leaves No Doubt in Red Smith

TwinSpires Blog – Mr Maybe unequivocally bursts onto turf scene in Red Smith, eyes bigger prizes in 2016 

DRF – Litfin – Mr Maybe snares Red Smith in stakes debut

I’ve always had the notion that people go to spectator sports to have fun and then they grab the paper to read about it and have fun again.

Red Smith

Black is Black

FiveThirtyEight – Aschwanden – How To Tell Good Studies From Bad? Bet On Them

DRF – Hovdey: Veteran used horses, black marble to heal

Remember, the storm is a good opportunity for the pine and the cypress to show their strength and their stability.
Ho Chi Minh

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Regally Ready a winner again at Churchill

Phil’s Vignette of Canadian History:

Canadian War Museum – Canada & The South African War, 1899-1902

The Globe and Mail – South African historian revisits Canada’s role in Boer War after discovery of hidden grave

All wars are planned by old men in council rooms apart.

Grantland Rice

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Paris: the racing world reacts

Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.
George S. Patton

Good Vibrations

But turning a profit is tricky. “It is so challenging to train and race a horse that is as delicate as a piece of fine crystal,” Mr. Turner said.

“We don’t represent it as a tax investment,” said Mr. Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds. “That should not be the reason you get in. People come to me and say ‘I want to make money,’ or ‘I want to use this as a tax write-off,’ and I say, ‘No, I wouldn’t advise this investment for either one.’ ”

“You have to be an optimist, and you’ve got to be a dreamer in order to own horses,” Mr. Finley added. “We are finding when we look at the demographics of people who are coming to us and inquiring about partnerships, we’re seeing people who are getting a little bit older and have the wherewithal and have always loved the horse business. They watched the Derby and might have gone to the races when they were a kid with their mother, father, uncle or aunt and had an introduction, now they are looking for a whole new world to get into.”

NY Times – Hannon – Investing in Racehorses, Despite the Long Odds

DRF – Simon: Coolmore skilled at turning risk into reward

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Haigh – The relentless worldwide advance of big-spending China Horse Club shows no sign of easing off

Bloodhorse – Ramsey Buys Historic Kentucky Estate

Lady and the Track – Smith – A Girl and “Her” Horse

The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending against all hazards: And it is our duty to defend them against all attacks.
Samuel Adams

TDN – The Mo-Mentum Continues at Laurel

TDN – Uncle Mo Filly Goes Gate-to-Wire at Aqueduct

Phil has a question:

What does the Esquirol Farms Complete Thoroughbred Dispersal Sale say about the health of the thoroughbred industry in Alberta under the tutelage of Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur.

Has anybody at Horse Racing Alberta including Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur contacted Pierre Esquirol to discuss why he’s having a Complete Thoroughbred Dispersal Sale.

If Not, why not.

Is Esquirol Farms Complete Thoroughbred Dispersal Sale not just another in a long line of instances where the standardbred biased policies at Horse Racing Alberta under the tutelage of Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur benefit other thoroughbred jurisdictions while damaging the Alberta thoroughbred racing industry.

Does anybody at Horse Racing Alberta including Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur know how many thoroughbreds Pierre Esquirol purchased at the recent Keeneland Sale.

If Not, why not.

Does anybody at Horse Racing Alberta including Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur know how many thoroughbreds Pierre Esquirol purchased privately while down at the recent Keeneland Sale.

If Not, why not.

Does anybody in the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta not believe that the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta would be be better served by Pierre Esquirol staying and Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur going.

Going, Going Gone

The 2015 CTHS Ontario Winter Mixed Sale features a Dispersal of Bear Stables Ltd.’s breeding stock.

Phil’s Comments on the Serecon Report

MMA Mania – Stets – Miesha Tate slams Ronda Rousey after UFC 193 knockout loss: ‘You just got beat, b*tch!’

MMA Mania – Richardson – UFC 193 results recap: Ronda Rousey vs Holly Holm fight review and analysis

ESPN – Okamato – Holly Holm KOs Ronda Rousey to win women’s bantamweight title

I fought Sugar Ray Robinson so many times, it’s a wonder I don’t have diabetes.

Jake LaMotta

TDN – Tapit Colt Beats Winners at Churchill

Bloodhorse – Toews On Ice All Heart in Bob Hope Victory

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Toews on Ice guts out win in Bob Hope

DRF – Privman – Toews On Ice wins third straight stakes in Bob Hope

While Bob Baffert was accepting an award from his alma mater the University of Arizona Drefong completed the Baffert 2 year old daily double at Del Mar adding another arrow to his Kentucky Derby quiver.

TDN – Gio Ponti Colt Becomes Newest ‘Rising Star’ at Del Mar

Bloodhorse – Balan – Emails, Texts Released in Borell-Gallery Suit

DRF – Hegarty – Borell files suit seeking compensation for training Runhappy

Phil has a question:

If this matter ever gets to trial can Borell call the thirty plus other trainers that McIngvale stiffed as Expert witnesses on the industry practice of the trainer receiving 10% of the winnings.

Another of McIngvale’s former clients, trainer Charles Simon, also provided documentation to Borell’s attorney saying Wohlers was “extremely difficult” to work with before he was able to “extricate myself” from a similar situation.

A trainer since 1999, Simon did so publicly for McIngvale but said, “In fact, I do not know of any trainers, ‘public or private,’ currently training that do not get a percentage of purse winnings, and any contrary argument would certainly not be withstanding with the longstanding thoroughbred industry customs and practices as to compensating horse trainers.”

Louisville Courier-Journal – McPeek would testify for ex-Runhappy trainer

When good people in any country cease their vigilance and struggle, then evil men prevail.
Pearl S. Buck

Phil has a question:

For $61.00US do you at least get a a fifth of that $150.00 turkey.

Wouldn’t you be better off buying a fifth of Wild Turkey and skipping the buffet.

Washington Post – Benwick – How does a $150 turkey taste?

I am mentally bifocal.
Pearl S. Buck

Carryovers

Sunday November 15 2015

Churchill Downs
Pick 6 Jackpot    $74,569.00
Super High Five     $4,374.00
Del Mar

Pick 6    $230,700.00
Super High Five     $24,940.00
Golden Gate Fields
Pick 6 Jackpot    $71,470.00
Gulfstream Park West
Pick 5    $20,926.00
Pick 6 Jackpot    $15,117.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $4,675.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $3,144.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,493.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,490.00
Laurel Park
Pick 6    $8,831.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,775.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,693.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,627.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $1,277.00
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $856.00
Los Alamitos
Pick 6    $2,899.00
Woodbine
Super High Five Jackpot    $174,602.00
Zia Park
Super High Five     $1,474.00

Monday November 15 2015

Mahoning Valley Race Course
Pick 4    $1,201.00

Tuesday November 15 2015

Hawthorne
Super High Five Jackpot    $80,929.00
Pick 6 Jackpot    $1,590.00

Wednesday November 18 2015

Remington Park
Pick 5    $9.00

Guaranteed Pools

Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools

According to Schneiderman’s interpretation of state constitutional law, he considers fantasy sports as presently constructed to be illegal gambling, which, in our view, it is.

Fantasy Sports is a game a chance predicated on the result of an uncertain outcome, certainly no more skillful in nature than divining today’s Late Pick 4 at Aqueduct.

Fantasy players have to deal with salary cap limitations; horseplayers have to deal with their bankrolls. Is there an appreciable difference here?

New York was the second state to declare fantasy illegal, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board being the first. Authorities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania could be the next to do so.

Here’s the real issue concerning the positions taken by Nevada and New York: They derive no monetary benefit from fantasy sports. With nothing to gain but something to lose, fantasy sports shouldn’t be allowed.

Horse Racing Insider – Pricci – Stop Betting? You Talkin’ to Me?

Bloodhorse – New York Racinos Approve Move to Halt Fantasy

NY Times – Glanz and Williams – DraftKings Leaves Door Unlocked for Barred Fantasy Sports Players

NY Times – Drape and Williams – FanDuel and DraftKings Prepare for Court Fight in New York

NY Times – Bogdanich, Drape and Williams – Attorney General Tells DraftKings and FanDuel to Stop Taking Entries in New York

ESPN – Purdum and Rovell – New York sends cease-and-desist notices to DraftKings, FanDuel

Bloodhorse – Fantasy Sports Operators Make Case in NJ

Phil has a question:

Where can I find the odds and bet on the outcome of this battle.

Lady and the Track – Hammer – Dortmund, Hoppertunity, Keen Ice Headline Clark Handicap Nominees

Bloodhorse – Keen Ice ‘Strong Possibility’ for Clark

Louisville Courier-Journal – ‘Big races’ planned for Ride On Curlin

Bloodhorse – Colonial Downs Pursues Dates Through Court

Phil has a question:

When Phil puts in a quote, question, comment or song not intending any simple yet far-fetched, obtuse allusion, but just cuz Phil wants to put that quote, question, comment or song in and the reader in his own mind imagines an unintended complex, far-fetched, obtuse allusion can Phil take credit for that allusion.

Black Sheep

Upcoming Stakes

Nov 15
Aqueduct
New York Stallion Series (Staten Island Div.) $125,000 3&up Fillies & Mares R 7f Dirt
Del Mar
Desi Arnaz Stake (L) $100,000 2yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Fukushima Kinen GIII $723,000 3&up 10f Turf
Queen Elizabeth II Cup GI $1,636,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 11f Turf
Parx
Christopher Elser Memorial (South Carolina Residency) $75,000 2yo Colts & Geldings R 6.5f Dirt
Donna Freyer Stake (South Carolina Residency) $55,000 2yo Fillies R 6.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Bessarabian Stake CDN-GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 7f AW

Nov 20
Remington Park
Silver Goblin stake $50,000 3&up State/Prov 6.5f Dirt
Nov 21
Aqueduct
Artie Schiller stake $100,000 3&up 8f Turf
Notebook stake $100,000 2yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Camden
Colonial Cup Steeplechase Handicap GI $100,000 4&up 22f Turf
Raymond G. Woolfe Memorial Hurdle $25,000 3yo 16f Turf
Churchill Downs
Bet On Sunshine stake #$80,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Cardinal Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Charles Town
West Virginia Futurity $50,000 2yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Delta Downs
Delta Downs Jackpot Stake GIII $1,000,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt
Delta Downs Princess GIII $400,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Delta Mile Stake (L) $250,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Louisiana Jewel $150,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Legacy $150,000 2yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 8f Dirt
Orleans $75,000 3yo Fillies R 7f Dirt
Sam’s Town $75,000 3yo R 7f Dirt
Treasure Chest (L) $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
Del Mar
Red Carpet Stake GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 11f Turf
Gulfstream Park West
My Charmer GIII $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Tropical Turf Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 8.5f Turf
Hong Kong
Bochk Wealth Management Jockey Club Mile GII $516,000 3&up 8f Turf
Bochk Wealth Management Jockey Club Sprint GII $516,000 3&up 6f Turf
Longines Jockey Club Cup GII $516,000 3&up 10f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
First Lady stake $75,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Glacial Princess stake $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Woodbine
Glorious Song stake $125,000 2yo Fillies 7f AW

Nov 22
Aqueduct
Key Cents stake $100,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Del Mar
Cary Grant stake $100,000 3&up State/Prov 7f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Mile Championship GI $1,808,000 3&up 8f Turf
Woodbine
Kennedy Road Stake CDN-GII $200,000 3&up 6f AW
Nov 23
Japan Racing Association
Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stake GIII $580,000 2yo 9f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Distaff $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Steel Valley Sprint $200,000 3yo 6f Dirt

Nov 25
Penn National
Blue Mountain stake $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Fabulous Strike (L) $200,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Swatara (L) $100,000 3&up 8.5f Dirt
Woodbine
Sir Barton stake $125,000 3&up State/Prov 8.5f AW
Zia Park
Eddy County stake $140,000 2yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Zia Park Championship (L) $150,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Zia Park Derby $200,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Zia Park Distaff stake $100,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Zia Park Oaks $300,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Zia Park Sprint $100,000 3&up 6f Dirt

Nov 26
Aqueduct
Fall Highweight Handicap GIII $250,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Furlough stake $150,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Falls City Handicap GII $200,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 9f Dirt
River City Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 9f Turf
Del Mar
Hollywood Turf Cup GII $250,000 3&up 12f Turf
Fair Grounds
Thanksgiving handicap $60,000 3&up 6f Dirt

Nov 27
Aqueduct
Go for Wand Handicap GIII $300,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
King’s Swan stake $150,000 2yo 6f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare GI $500,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Commonwealth Turf GIII $100,000 3yo 8.5f Turf
Dream Supreme stake #$80,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Del Mar
Seabiscuit Handicap GII $250,000 3&up 8.5f Turf
Remington Park
Don C. McNeill $75,000 2yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Slide Show $75,000 2yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt

Nov 28
Aqueduct
Cigar Mile Handicap GI $500,000 3&up 8f Dirt
Comely Stake GIII $300,000 3yo Fillies 9f Dirt
Demoiselle Stake GII $300,000 2yo Fillies 9f Dirt
Remsen Stake GII $300,000 2yo 9f Dirt
Churchill Downs
Golden Rod Stake GII $200,000 2yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Kentucky Jockey Club Stake GII $200,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt
Del Mar
Hollywood Derby GI $300,000 3yo 9f Turf
Jimmy Durante Stake GIII $100,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Native Diver Handicap GIII $150,000 3&up 9f Dirt
Fair Grounds
Battle of New Orleans stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares abt 5.5f Turf
Golden Gate Fields
Golden Gate Debutante $50,000 2yo Fillies 6f AW
Gulfstream Park West
Buffalo Man stake $75,000 2yo 6f Dirt
House Party stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Hut Hut stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Pulpit stake $75,000 2yo 8f Turf
Smooth Air stake $75,000 2yo 8f Dirt
Wait a While stake $75,000 2yo Fillies 8f Turf
Hawthorne
Blackhawk handicap $50,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap GII $250,000 3&up 10f Dirt
Pershing handicap $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Japan Racing Association
Radio Nikkei Hai Kyoto Nisai Stake GIII $580,000 2yo 10f Turf
Mahoning Valley Racecourse
Ruff/Kirchberg Memorial handicap $75,000 3&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Queen of the Green stake $35,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Walter R. Cluer Memorial stake $35,000 3&up 8f Turf
Woodbine
Kingarvie stake $125,000 2yo State/Prov 8.5f AW
Woodbine
Ontario Lassie stake $150,000 2yo Fillies R 8.5f AW

Nov 29
Aqueduct
New York Stallion Series (Thunder Rumble Div.) $125,000 3&up R 7f Dirt
Del Mar
Cecil B. DeMille Stake GIII $100,000 2yo 8f Turf
Matriarch Stake GI $300,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Golden Gate Fields
Berkeley Handicap GIII $100,000 3&up 8.5f AW
Japan Racing Association
Japan Cup GI $5,426,000 3&up 12f Turf
Keihan Hai GIII $685,000 3&up 6f Turf
Woodbine
Display stake $125,000 2yo 8.5f AW
Valedictory Stake CDN-GIII $150,000 3&up 14f AW

Nov 30
Colonial Downs
*Buckland stake $50,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Turf
*Kitten’s Joy stake $50,000 3&up 12f Turf

Dec 1
Portland Meadows
Detroit Lake handicap $9,000 g 3&up 6f Dirt
Foster Lake handicap $9,000 g 2yo 6f Dirt
Paulina Lake handicap $9,000 g 3&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Roberts and Taylor – Is this the world’s most beautiful racecourse?

Black

Bloodhorse – Marialite Denies Nuovo Record in QE II Cup

It contributes greatly towards a man’s moral and intellectual health, to be brought into habits of companionship with individuals unlike himself, who care little for his pursuits, and whose sphere and abilities he must go out of himself to appreciate.
Nathaniel Hawthorne

WJLA – Papst – After severe horse abuse case momentum builds to change Va. laws

Dogster – Savas – Commentary: PETA Should Stop All Its Dealings With Dogs and Cats

San Diego Union-Tribune – McDonald – Volunteers object to animal shelter practices

Phil has a question:

Who’s to blame. PETA and The Animal Shelters for being forced to euthanize dogs and cats that cannot be adopted or the owners and breeders who are breeding the dogs and cats that PETA and the Animal Shelters are compelled to euthanize as they cannot be adopted.

Eli’s Coming

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, “My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!”

Sean Connery

Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Casse juveniles, Dothraki Queen gearing up for Churchill runs

TDN – Awesome Again Colt Game in Maryland

2016 Road to the Kentucky Derby

The 142nd running of the $2 million guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (Grade I) will be run Saturday, May 7, 2016, and for the fourth consecutive year, a tiered point system in select races will determine who qualifies to America’s greatest race.
Race    Track    Date    Points
Delta Downs Jackpot Delta Downs Nov 21, 2015 10-4-2-1
Remsen Aqueduct Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos Race Course Dec 19, 2015 10-4-2-1
Jerome Aqueduct Jan 9, 2016 10-4-2-1
Sham Santa Anita Park Jan 16, 2016 10-4-2-1
Smarty Jones Oaklawn Park Jan 18, 2016 10-4-2-1
Holy Bull Gulfstream Park Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Withers Aqueduct Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita Park Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Southwest Oaklawn Park Feb 15, 2016 10-4-2-1
El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate Fields Feb 20, 2016 10-4-2-1
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Risen Star Fair Grounds Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gotham Aqueduct Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
San Felipe Santa Anita Park Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Rebel Oaklawn Park Mar 19, 2016 50-20-10-5
Sunland Derby Sunland Park Mar 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Spiral Turfway Park Mar 26, 2016 50-20-10-5
UAE Derby Meydan Racecourse Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Florida Derby Gulfstream Park Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Wood Memorial Aqueduct Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Blue Grass Keeneland Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park Apr 16, 2016 100-40-20-10
Lexington Keeneland Apr 16, 2016 10-4-2-1

Bloodhorse – Lukas Recognized for Texas A&M Donation

2016 Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Race    Track    Date      Points
Delta Downs Princess    Delta Downs Nov 21, 2015 10-4-2-1
Demoiselle    Aqueduct Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Golden Rod    Churchill Downs Nov 28, 2015 10-4-2-1
Starlet    Los Alamitos Race Course Dec 12, 2015 10-4-2-1
Santa Ynez    Santa Anita Park Jan 9, 2016 10-4-2-1
Busanda    Aqueduct Jan 16, 2016 10-4-2-1
Silverbulletday    Fair Grounds Jan 23, 2016 10-4-2-1
Forward Gal    Gulfstream Park Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Martha Washington    Oaklawn Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
Las Virgenes    Santa Anita Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
UAE Oaks    Meydan Racecourse Feb 25, 2016 50-20-10-5
Busher    Aqueduct Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Davona Dale    Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Rachel Alexandra   Fair Grounds Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Santa Ysabel    Santa Anita Park Mar 5, 2016 50-20-10-5
Honeybee    Oaklawn Park Mar 12, 2016 50-20-10-5
Sunland Park Oaks    Sunland Park Mar 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Bourbonette Oaks    Turfway Park Mar 26, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gulfstream Park Oaks    Gulfstream Park Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Fair Grounds Oaks    Fair Grounds Apr 2, 2016 100-40-20-10
Santa Anita Oaks    Santa Anita Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Gazelle    Aqueduct Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Ashland   Keeneland Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Fantasy    Oaklawn Park Apr 9, 2016 100-40-20-10
Beaumont    Keeneland Apr 17, 2016 10-4-2-1

The arrival of Giacomo also will be exciting for the Roots because he’ll be the farm’s second Derby winner standing at stud, making the farm the first one outside of Kentucky to stand two Kentucky Derby winners at the same time. Oakhurst has been standing 1996 Kentucky Derby winner Grindstone since 2009. Two other farms will stand at least two Derby winners in 2016—Darley America (Street Sense   and Animal Kingdom  ) and Ashford Stud (Fusaichi Pegasus   and American Pharoah  ).

Bloodhorse – MItchell – Giacomo Heading to Oregon

Del Mar – The Breeders’ Cup Reveals the Official Logo for the 2017 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Lady and the Track – Isabella Sings for Siena Farm in Mrs. Revere Stakes 

TDN – Eskendereya Filly Runs Away With the Mrs. Revere

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Isabella Sings posts front-running Mrs. Revere upset

Bloodhorse – Angst – Mrs. Revere New High Note for Isabella Sings

Kicks

From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter

RAILBIRD NOTES

BY GLEN TODD

HASTINGS NEWS BY GREG DOUGLAS

Bloodhorse – Balan – Gentlemen’s Bet Takes De Francis Dash Via DQ

TwinSpires Blog – Kid causes Trouble, Gentlemen’s Bet given win in De Francis 

TDN – Lucky Folie Wires the Desi Arnaz S.

Bloodhorse – Balan – Lucky Folie Steals the Show in Desi Arnaz

DRF – Litfin – Sheriffa doesn’t need lead to win Staten Island

DRF – Dunleavy – Eighth Wonder dominates Donna Freyer Stakes

TDN – Pioneerof the Nile Filly Remains Unbeaten at Parx

Bloodhorse – Lewyn – Risque Comes From Behind in NZ 1000 Guineas

Bloodhorse – Hangin with Haskin – American Pharoah Deserves SI Award

Del Mar – Wesch – Kenny Black Focused on Raising Old English Rancho Banner

TDN – Victory is Sweet in Unveiling for Blame Filly

Bloodhorse – Oakford – Keeneland: Average, Gross Up, Median Declines

Lady and the Track – Hammer – Keeneland November Sale Produces Solid Results

October / Breeders Cup Newsletter

Bloodhorse – Owner Gural Asks Tracks to Lead on Integrity

Gelding

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Hayward – This patchwork system of medication polices will be U.S. racing’s downfall

Colt

Racing Post – AAP Racing – Neil – Hopes found guilty of administering cobalt

Gelding

San Diego union Tribune – Zieralski – Desormeaux questioned for ride

Phil has a question:

Who is looking after the interests of the horse player.

Colt

Racing Post – Clower – Jockey given 90-day ban for dropping his hands

Horse Racing Insider – Pricci – Stop Betting? You Talkin’ to Me?

A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.

Grantland Rice

DRF – Privman – Santa Anita: Santa Margarita gets $100K boost

TwinSpires Blog – Santa Anita Winter Meet features eight Grade 1 stakes

TwinSpires Blog – NYRA releases Aqueduct winter & spring stakes schedule 

Black Magic Woman

The Ontario CTHS Fall Mixed Catalogue uses the terminology Black-Type winner rather than Stakes winner. The North American International Catalogue Standards Committee establishes the requirements for non-Listed black type races in sales catalogues produced in North America that are compliant with guidelines required by the Society of International Thoroughbred Auctioneers (SITA) and has issued NORTH AMERICAN BLACK-TYPE REQUIREMENTS.

Black Type requirements in non-listed Stakes races allow for easier comparison of a thoroughbred’s quality of racing than trying to fathom if a Stake win at Desert Park in Osoyos is of the same quality as one at Assinibioa Downs in Winnipeg or Marquis Downs in Saskatoon. Purse money matters, but for Black Type so does the quality of the racing.

NAICSC like the Graded Stakes committees understands that not all $1,000,000.00 races are equal. That’s why the Delta Downs Jackpot Stake GIII $1,000,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt is a GIII while the Remsen Stake GII $300,000 2yo 9f Dirt and Kentucky Jockey Club Stake GII $200,000 2yo 8.5f Dirt with purses significantly lower are graded higher. Money matter but quality is paramount.

Bear’s Little Angel is shown to be a Black Type winner. As the only Stakes race she won was the 2003 Sturgeon River at Northlands Park in Edmonton that is her claim to Black Type Winner status. Today the Sturgeon River Stake at Northlands Park in Edmonton no longer qualifies for Black Type status – Northamericanicsc – non-Listed Stakes – Black Type (BT) Status.

The winner of the 2015 Sturgeon River – Onestaratatime does not receive Black Type Winner status from her victory in the 2015 Sturgeon River Stake. Onestaratatime has Black Type placed status from other races she ran in that she did not win.

Onestaratatime’s  sire Cape Canaveral  can show Onestaratatime as a Stake Winner, but he cannot show her as a Black Type winner. Loss of Black Type for the Sturgeon River Stakes and the other 20 or so stakes races in Alberta that have or may lose Black Type status has had and continues to have a negative effect on the value of thoroughbred racing and the thoroughbreds that race in the province of Alberta.

Yet to date Horse Racing Alberta would rather do busy work like the numerous trivial self serving posts about horses in Alberta or the very poorly commissioned Serecon Report rather than tackle a problem that has immense significance to the thoroughbred industry in the province. What Horse Racing Alberta has done is shuffle the problem off to CTHS Alberta, the organization that represents the thoroughbred breeders in Alberta. Too bad that neither Shirley McClellan nor Rick LeLacheur are not cut from the same cloth as Harry S Truman.

Wonder if the names Uncle Buckpasser or Uncle SpendaBuck have been reserved yet.

Last week in Phil’s Comments on the Serecon Report Phil opined that the powers that be at Horse Racing Alberta have not followed its legislated mandate as set out in the Horse Racing Alberta Act, but continually wander off on too many tangents du jour. You don’t need Spock’s logic to understand that the solution to the loss of Black Type status to many thoroughbred racing in Alberta has to come from Horse Racing Alberta working with both Alberta HBPA, the body that represents the thoroughbred racing participants in the province of Alberta and also CTHS Alberta.

CTHS Alberta has prepared some reports to try and convince the NAICSC that Alberta thoroughbred racing is actually better than NAICSC’s Race Quality Score (RQS) that uses four speed figures provided by Bloodstock Research Information Services (BRIS), Daily Racing Form (Beyer), Equibase and Thoro-Graph states it is. Any one that thinks that CTHS Alberta will have success convincing NAICSC that the figures provided by the 4 main thoroughbred racing information providers in North America are incorrect and the races that lost Black Type should be re-instated please contact Phil at ps@holybull.ca as he’s got an opportunity for you to invest in some swamp land in the Everglades.

What is required to get the racing quality up and Black Type re-instated for the thoroughbred races that have lost Black Type status while Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan were in charge at Horse Racing Alberta is to get purses up to a level that encourages owners to spend more money acquiring better thoroughbreds.

If the thoroughbreds return to Calgary at Century Downs a Stakes race that is new or has conditions changed has to have a purse of $75,000.00 before it will be considered for Black Type status.

Note to the Undertaker.

Phil may have one more for you before you scurry down the hallway to the QKB’s office.

Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word.

Charles De Gaulle

Paint It Black

DRF – Beyer: Change coming to turf Beyer figures

Bloodhorse – Sauer – Tapit Leads by 2015 Book Quality

The Ennead understands how the above 2 articles relate to CTHS Alberta’s position on racing quality in Alberta.

Racing Post – Irish foal crop up ten per cent from last year

Phil received a response from Alberta Finance Minister Ceci with respect to a recent e-mail to Minister Ceci about Phil almost never receiving responses to his questions sent to Rick LeLacheur and Shirley McClellan. Phil was impressed by the fact that Phil received a response and thanks the Minister, but the Minister should take a lesson from Harry S. Truman and put the same sign on his desk.

California Girls

DRF – Sparkman: Line still flying after all these years

Rhythm of Life

The first thing I do in the morning is brush my teeth and sharpen my tongue.

Bloodhorse – Student Council to Stand in Saudi Arabia

Bloodhorse – Castleton Lyons Announces 2016 Stud Fees

Bloodhorse – The Big Beast Heads Ocala Stud Roster

Bloodhorse – Majestic City to Questroyal North in 2016

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DELICIOUS DECISIONS!  Which of the various combinations of toppings and pasta will you request at tonight’s pasta bar at the weekly certified Angus prime rib buffet?  Download a $10-off coupon here to give yourself that delicious money-saving dilemma. BONUS BUCK$$$ FOR YOUR BETS CONTINUE with a deposit into your HPI account every Friday depending on your wagering level.  See levels here. TOURNAMENT TIGERS Move over, tigers!  There’s a tigress on the prowl! Take that, guys!  Perhaps appropriately in a week in which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed 50 per cent women to his Cabinet, Anne Jenkins, the lone woman in the monthly Player’s Choice horseplayer tournament Saturday, outplayed the guys to become the first Tournament Tigress of the year.  How did she do it?  See The Week That Was. Bullet briefs . . . • Why are race fans angry at a Houston mattress salesman? • Will the next Big Story be about a filly winning the Triple Crown? • ‘Twas a good week for females — equine and human • “Pre-gift” — a unique way for you to give for Xmas but before  Xmas • Desormeaux’s ride angers players but he escapes punishment by 2-1 • Despite successful debut at Northlands, former ASD trainer isn’t happy TRIPLE 50 HAS ENDED — EXCEPT FOR HALL OF FAME INVITE:  I’ve been impressed.  Many of you have shown you have what it takes to make at least $100 profit by fictitiously betting $50 on three horses in Saturday’s Triple 50 Challenge.  Maybe you’ve proven something to yourself, too. Which brings us to step 2:  Make three REAL $50 plays on any three Saturdays to be the first to make it into The Insider Hall of Fame.  Are you up to the challenge? (Ask for an entry form from the mutuel supervisor on Saturdays and give your tickets to the supervisor on each Saturday in which you earn at least $100 profit.) ENTER NEW PICK-3 CHALLENGE THAT BEGINS TONIGHT!  Predict the pick-3 in these three races at Charles Town tonight and submit your picks in the subject line of your email BY 8:30 PM to theinsider@ASDowns.com. Please include your phone number. Prize: $20 in betting vouchers with a bonus $20 if the winner is present Saturday in the Race Book between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Prize will increase weekly up to $100 if not won. Prize will be divided when there is more than one winner.  Good luck!  (One entry per person and per email address please. Players submitting an entry on behalf of someone else will be disqualified.) DO THE DOWNS Carryovers Click for schedule Popular pasta bar tonight CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE Happiness is . . . betting $5 to show on a horse as you’re leaving the track and getting back $122 as ASD regular Roy Hunchak did Sunday night. He had noticed bridgejumpers had heaped a pile of show money on a Mohawk horse racing at Pompano Park in Florida.  So he bet, instead, on a long shot horse that formerly raced at Rideau in Ottawa — which ended up paying $49 to show when the Mohawk horse faltered and finished out of the money. “A great way to be leaving for home,” Roy said.  Agreed! Runhappy trainer Maria Borell (in the white hat) was fired by Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale (right) the day after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Everybody’s buzzing . . .  . . . about Runhappy’s trainer being fired the day after ‘Cup win You wouldn’t think Winnipeg horseplayers would be talking about a Houston furniture store owner last week — but they were.  Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, the owner of the Furniture Gallery retail chain in Houston, Texas, was reported as firing Maria Borell, the trainer of a horse he owns, Runhappy, the day after Runhappy won the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint. And that was without giving her the 10 per cent share of the purse a trainer usually receives when a horse wins a stakes race.  Seems there was a dispute on whether Runhappy should be galloped the day after his big win; Borell was against it. So Borell is now suing McIngvale who has a history of having gone through many trainers. It’s a case of Runhappy degenerating into a case of Leavingsad …. and mad. And everybody’s talking . . .  . . . about Desormeaux’s suspect ride in losing to a 40/1 shot Kent Desormeaux “Sorry for not being perfect”. By a 2 to 1 vote, Del Mar’s three stewards decided against disciplining jockey Kent Desormeaux for his ride in which his favourite in race 4 Saturday, What a View, lost by a nose to 42/1 long shot Professor Berns that caught him in a quick move up the rail.  But players at ASD would have thrown the book–and whatever else they had in hand–at Desormeaux that afternoon.  And I would have been with them because of one telling move:  Desormeaux suddenly flicks the reins to urge his horse on at about the instant he catches a glimpse of Professor Berns flying up the inside.  He should have been doing that kind of urging all the way to the wire. In a tweet, however, Desormeaux says: “I’m sorry for being expected to be perfect. Sometimes i zig not zag. Know I was all out.”  He also says he was yelling at the horse. What’s your view?  Do you think Desormeaux stopped urging his horse too early, thinking he was a winner?  Watch that race at Calracing.com (Nov. 7, race 4) Songbird (left) ran one second faster (five lengths) than her male counterpart, Nyquist (right). Click to enlarge. FEMALE PHENOMS ‘Twas a good week for the gals • Breeders’ Cup: Two-year-old filly Songbird wins the Juvenile Fillies, running the 1 1/16-mile five lengths faster than her male counterpart, Nyquist, in the Juvenile. Four-year-old filly Tepin wins the turf Mile against the boys. • Nov. 2 Melbourne Cup: Michelle Payne becomes the first female jockey to win the storied ‘Cup in its 155-year history • Nov. 3:  Half the Cabinet ministers appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are women • Nov. 7:  First woman wins Players Choice tourney WILL A FILLY WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN? With no apparent world-beating 2-year-old colt in sight, will a filly win the Triple Crown in the spring?  Is that the next Big Moment in Triple Crown history?  Here are the times of the top filly and top colt in their respective Breeders’ Cup races: Songbird 1:42.73                    Nyquist 1:43.79 One thing to keep in mind, though, is that fillies mature more quickly than colts and some so-so colts will likely show marked improvement in the countdown to the Kentucky Derby in May. FESTIVE COUNTDOWN Give the “pre-gift” of festive fun. An Assiniboia Downs gift card will make it happen. Suggestion:  Give a “pre-gift!” Add ASD’s calendar to your gift card package How’s this for an original idea?  Act now to treat the special persons on your gift list to . . . (1) a Thursday festive buffet on Dec. 10 or 17 (certified Angus prime rib plus roast turkey and other traditional Christmas fixings) and/or (2) the FABulous New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec. 31 . . . by giving them an ASD gift card so they may book these events, with thanks to your thoughtfulness.  And why not include the beautiful Assiniboia Downs 2016-2017 calendar as part of your gift package? Click here for more information. Contact Samantha to make this special “pre-gift” offer happen. *       *       * Festive fun events . . . Thursday, Dec. 10:  The Thursday certified Angus prime rib buffet in the Terrace Dining Room will include turkey, stuffing and other traditional Xmas fixings. All you can eat $26.95. Thursday, Dec. 17:  Same as above. Friday, Dec. 25:  Opening last Christmas Day for VLT play and turkey dinner proved to be very popular. Watch for announcement of open hours. Thursday, Dec. 31:  FABulous New Year’s Eve Gala on the main floor ballroom presented by FAB 94 and Assiniboia Downs featuring an over-the-top feast with multiple specialty food “stations,” DJ and music by Winnipeg’s top Nu Frequency Sound and Light, dancing and party favours. Hosted by FAB 94’s Alix Michaels.  All for just $49.95 per person.  Tickets available at 204-885-3330 and at the VLT cage. Festive parties:  It’s still not too late to book a small or large party in the Terrace Dining Room or the Finish Line Banquet Hall.  Call Abbi in Group Sales at 204-885-3330 ext. 277. ASD will be open Christmas Day for VLTs and turkey dinner and will co-sponsor the FABulous New Year’s Eve Gala on Dec. 31 hosted by FAB 94’s Alix Michaels (inset) 40/1 horse “caught my eye” says tournament winner Occasional horseplayer Anne Jenkins took on ASD’s most experienced horseplayers Saturday in the monthly Players Choice horseplayer tournament–the only woman to do so–and won!  Her $135.40 bankroll beat that of two-time Tournament Tiger Wayne Misko (right, with $103.80) and two-time Handicapper of the Year Ron Phelps (left, with $100.40). Playing 40/1 long shot Pop the Hood at Aqueduct because its quick ascent in odds “caught my eye” put her in control.  She said she also looks at bullet workouts and high-percentage jockey/trainer stats and likes to accompany her husband, Donn Jenkins (who has won a tournament once himself) to such tracks as Belmont and Gulfstream on their travels.  She received $500 in prize money, Misko $250 and Phelps $100.  All won trophies. See full results here and the Handicapper of the Year leader board here.  The next tourney is on the last Saturday of November. THE WEEK THAT WAS Rob Atras Bullring-itis TOP TRAINER SAYS NORTHLANDS “NOT GREAT”:    Rob Atras, a former top percentage trainer at ASD, says his full-season debut at Northlands Park in Edmonton–working for Robertino Diodoro–was “okay” but “I didn’t care much for the track itself. The 5/8-mile ‘bullring’ is not a great track to run on or train on. Too bad because they have a nice long meet (78 days) and plenty of purse money. (All stakes $50k).”  He said he now is joining the Robertino stable in Phoenix “and after that I will be either going to New Mexico, Oaklawn or staying in Phoenix for the winter. No plans have been made for next spring as of yet.”  Despite the limitations, Rob still turned Diodoro into the leading percentage trainer at Northlands, notching 28 per cent wins from 60 starts (60-17-7-8). CAL TRACKS NOW PERMIT FRACTIONAL WAGERS:  Canadians can now bet 20-cent superfectas at all California tracks and 60-cent pick-4s at Del Mar and Golden Gate (but $1 at Los Alamitos). A FIRST!  PLAYER WINS BACK-TO-BACK VLT TOURNEYS:  Congrats to Rhonda Tycholiz!  She became the first-ever ASD VLT player to win back-to-back Friday/Saturday Unleash Your Luck tournaments.  She not only had her entry drawn for $20 in free spins both days but also posted the biggest winnings each of those days — $35 on Friday and $157 on Saturday — which will give her two opportunities to win the grand prize of $250 in the tourney final on the last Saturday of the month.  Unless, of course, she gets even more chances by winning more Friday or Saturday tournaments! “I WON BIG” GROUP POSTS MODEST WIN:  A tricky pick-4 at Woodbine netted last Saturday’s “I won big” workshop group $350 on a minor 20-cent ticket and the group will be back at it again this Saturday with a similar strategy:  Play pick-4s at Woodbine but also look at an “opportunity” track where a pick-6 or pick-4 shows promise because of key horses and/or a sizable carryover.  Last Saturday’s pick-6 at Aqueduct was one such play but an improbable 40/1 winner did the ticket in (although the winner of the Players Choice tournament had it).  See you on the Clubhouse plaza, Saturday 10:30 a.m. to make it happen. Where are they now? by Rob MacLennan Murray Duncan Claims two at Woodbine Murray Duncan has been busy at Woodbine’s claiming box, claiming two horses recently for $32,000 apiece.  In the second race at Woodbine last Thursday, he claimed the Ontario-bred gelding, Bear’s Big Boy, from the horse’s winning race ($3.80) and, on Sunday, claimed the 5-year-old mare Aunt Els. On Friday, Duncan’s Red Wings, at 12/1 in a wide-open $12,000 claimer, ran seventh. Earlier that day, Sugah Sweet owned by Penny Hulme and trained by Duncan ran fourth for $7,500 at juicy odds of 60-1. With Woodbine ending Sunday, Nov. 29, look for Wild’n Crazy to get in one more start for Duncan. Down in the desert, Jared Brown’s maiden, Moonlight Music, races in the third race Saturday at Turf Paradise.  The Don Schnell barn continues in its winning ways.  On Monday Mec Dancer returned to the turf and found the winners’ circle, defeating his stable mate, Runaway Cal, in a three-horse photo. Mec Dancer returned $7.00 to win in his neck victory with Scott Stevens aboard. HISTORY ON THE HOOF: The best of Bob Did you know . . .  that in the 31-year history of Polo Park, two jockeys lost their lives in on-track accidents and the track was the victim of two major fires? Track historian Bob Gates puts the history of the track–situated where Polo Park Shopping Centre now stands–into perspective here.

Louisville Courier Journal – Lintner – Sherman maps out Chrome’s 2016 campaign

Bloodhorse – Balan – California Chrome Works Easy at Los Al

DRF – Gierkink – Trini Brewnette up in time in South Ocean Stakes

Lady and the Track – Hammer – El Kabeir Narrowly Prevails in City of Laurel Stakes 

Bloodhorse – Balan – Miss Mischief Rallies to Take Bessarabian

DRF – Hammersly – Absolutely Cool’s nose hits wire first in Luke Kruytbosch

DRF – Dybal – Star Student captures stakes debut in Oakland

DRF – Pampellini – The Pickett Factor romps in Gold Cup

Mustang Sally

The Ennead knew Phil was letting that opportunity slip by.

NY Times – Paris Gunmen Single Out François Hollande, and Leave Him With Few Palatable Responses

The Glove and Mail – Petrolekas – France will hit back at IS. Will its allies join a bigger fight?

Call Me

Garden and Gun – Lotz – Honoring Henson: A Big Dream and a Little Frog

Here’s some simple advice: always be yourself. Never take yourself too seriously.

And beware of advice from experts, pigs, and members of Parliament.

Kermit

50 ways to Leave a Lover

The Globe and Mail – Cheney – The rise and fall of NASCAR

Part 1 – Willis – The Guns of G – Vegas

Part 2 – Willis – Go Underground or Leave Home

Part 3 – Willis – Southern Poker Refugees

Part 4 – Willis – Final Disclosures

House of the Rising Sun

National Post – Hopper – ‘Sex and pain sometimes go together’: Judge faces possible career ruin over rape trial comments

Washington Post – Thanksgiving Central

Washington Post – Benwick – How does a $150 turkey taste?

NY Times – Thanksgiving for All

San Jose Mercury News – Gignilliat – Thanksgiving dinner made easy (and delicious)

Why Look At The Moon

San Jose Mercury News – Burrell – Butterball turkey hotline’s weirdest questions

And if you still don’t know what make for Thanksgiving take a course. Phil recommends 

Ooh Las Vegas

Phil has a question:

Will these ponies be a Las Vegas or are they waiting for Century Downs next summer

https://youtu.be/X-V3Bsd42sQ

I Came To Dance

Everything will pass, and the world will perish but the Ninth Symphony will remain.
Mikhail Bakunin

LA Times – Sahagun – Researchers determine origin of mysterious stone columns along Crowley Lake

Yr Mother Called Them Farmhouses

“The Navy had very little oversight of the contracting, and even with what it had they could easily be misled,” said Tiefer, the government contracting expert. “The system has a vulnerability here. Making the arrangements called for in husbanding generally involves a relatively small number of Navy officers, who are given very broad discretion.”

San Diego Union-Tribune – Moran – How ‘Fat Leonard’ fleeced the fleet

Shudda asked Dave for help Cutting The Budget and Balancing the Budget.

LA Times – Wilhalme – Jets-Bills uniforms wreak havoc among colorblind viewers of ‘Thursday Night Football’

National Post – AP – Lovan – Massive, 510-foot-long Noah’s Ark on track to open next summer in Kentucky, Christian group says

My Heart Skips a Beat

Wild Thing

Phil M Stockmen