A couple more days in the New Year and virtually every New Years resolution made around the world will have been broken.

Global News Edmonton – Future of Horse Racing Up In The Air In Alberta

Phil has a question:

How did Rick Lelacheur and Shirley McClellan get horse racing in Alberta into the mess it is in.

Tom Coughlin had the decency to resign. Why don’t Shirley McClellan and Rick LeLacheur have a similar common decency and resign for the benefit of the thoroughbred industry in the province of Alberta.

Why doesn’t the media interview a knowledgeable thoroughbred trainer or owner who doesn’t sing from the prescribed Captain and Tennille songbook.

I prefer to call the day after the N.F.L. season ends Gloomy (not Black) Monday. What strikes me each season in the annual carnival of firings is that the owners often escape responsibility for failure.

…

Within and outside the N.F.L., the organizations that work thrive on continuity, longevity and accountability — beginning at the top. Fans did not hear a lot of top-down accountability over the last three days.

What they did hear, and will hear, are names of potential successors. Kelly reportedly has reached out to the 49ers. The Eagles are said to be looking at a group of N.F.L. assistants. The Browns have given no one any confidence they will make a smart hire.

NY Times – Rhoden – N.F.L. Owners Find Fault, Take Action and Steer Clear of Blame

Phil has a question:

How much top down accountability is there at Horse Racing Alberta.

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Now Wise Dan is ready for a new job

This is Horse Racing – Kimmitt – Independent George thrives in new life

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Shea – Call to owners: do your racehorse a big favor – retire him while he’s still sound

Horse Racing Nation – Top 10 List – 10 Tracks That Should Be On Your Bucket List

There are hardly five critics in America; and several of them are asleep.
Herman Melville

TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – American Pharoah’s Breeders’ Cup Classic Crowned Performance of 2015

Louisville Courier-Journal – Adams – Your chance to meet American Pharoah

DRF – Free – Wet weather muddies enticing $378,188 pick six carryover

LA Times – Xia, Lin II and Meija – ‘A brash El Niño’: Storm season begins with record rainfall and mudslide fears

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – The golden goose that put British racing in the driving seat on TV rights

Carryovers

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Aqueduct
Pick 6    $15,706.00
Delta Downs
Super High Five     $1,396.00
Fair Grounds
Pick 5 Jackpot    $1,452.00
Golden Gate Fields
Pick 6 Jackpot    $18,729.00
Gulfstream Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $6,107.00
Hialeah Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $7,535.00
Laurel Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $499.00
Super High Five     $3,090.00
Los Alamitos
Pick 6    $4,270.00
Santa Anita Park
Pick 6    $56,040.00
Sunland Park
Pick 6 Jackpot    $2,900.00
Turfway Park
Super High Five     $709.00

Friday, January 15, 2016

Sam Houston Race Park
Z-5 Super Hi-5     $170.00

Guaranteed Pools

Equibase Carryovers and Guaranteed Pools

RT – ‘Name new heavy metal element after Motörhead’s Lemmy,’ says physics professor

Change.org – Support Lemmy tribute, help make ‘Lemmium’ the new chemical name for Heavy Metal in the Periodic Table

Overkill 

Bloodhorse – Hangin With Haskin – Why Women Will Keep Racing Alive

TwinSpires Blog – DeRosa – New Year’s Wagering Revolution

National Post – Boston – Washington Post – Five resolutions health experts hate to hear – and what to do instead

I abhor averages. I like the individual case. A man may have six meals one day and none the next, making an average of three meals per day, but that is not a good way to live.

Louis D. Brandeis

Horse Race Insider – Indulto – Stakes Scheduling for 2016 and Beyond?

To think is to differ.
Clarence Darrow

Bloodhorse – Mitchell – Riding the Growth Curve

Horse Race Insider – Pricci – Record 2015 Handle Validates Gulfstream’s Elite Status

Despite more than 2,300 fewer races compared with 2014, commingled pari-mutuel handle on United States races inched up 1.18% to $10,676,223,640 in 2015. It is the first year-over-year increase since 2012.

Bloodhorse – LaMarra – Handle Inches Up, Purses Drop Slightly

TwinSpires Blog – U.S. Thoroughbred handle rises 1.18 percent in 2015

DRF – Hegarty – U.S. betting handle up 1.2 percent in 2015

Phil has a question:

Did the handle in Alberta both live and simulcast both thoroughbred and standardbred rise or fall in 2015.

What happened to the handle figures that the Undertaker was posting.

Is the Undertaker too busy scurrying around ratting on Phil to post the handle figures.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go

The majority is always wrong; the minority is rarely right.
Henrik Ibsen

DRF – Hovdey: Good karma pre-installed for Hope’s Love

Bloodhorse – Hope’s Love Returns at Golden Gate

TwinSpires Blog – Handicapping Insights – Powell – Counterintuitive factors in Handicapping

Lady and the Track – Mendoza – Santa Anita Park Saturday Picks & Plays January 9, 2015

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – Ft. Lauderdale, Sham ripe for first-time stakes winners 

This Weekend’s Stake Races

Jan 8
Delta Downs
By the Light $75,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt

Jan 9
Aqueduct
Interborough Stake (Listed) $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Delta Downs
Big Drama $75,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Fort Lauderdale Stake GII $200,000 4&up 8.5f Turf
Hal’s Hope Stake GIII $150,000 4&up 8f Dirt
Marshua’s River Stake GIII $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Santa Anita Park
San Pasqual Stake GII $200,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
Sham Stake GIII $100,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Turf Dash (Listed) $100,000 4&up 5f Turf

January 10

Aqueduct
Ladies Handicap (Listed) $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.32f Dirt
Sunland Park
Pepsi Cola stake $85,000 3yo State/Prov 6f Dirt

Jan 15
Delta Downs
Eldorado $70,000 4&up Fillies & Mares R 8f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Dixie Belle Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt

Jan 16
Aqueduct
Jazil Stake $125,000 4&up 8.32f Dirt
Delta Downs
Fremont $70,000 4&up R 8f Dirt
Fair Grounds
Col. E.R. Bradley Handicap GIII $125,000 4&up abt 8.5f Turf
Louisiana Stake (Listed) $75,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stake $60,000 4&up Fillies & Mares abt 8.5f Turf
Silverbulletday Stake (Listed) $150,000 3yo Fillies 8.32f Dirt
TwinSpires.com Lecomte Stake GIII $200,000 3yo 8.32f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
California Derby (Listed) $100,000 3yo 8.5f AW
Gulfstream Park
Sunshine Millions Classic $250,000 4&up State/Prov 9f Dirt
Sunshine Millions Distaff $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 7f Dirt
Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Sunshine Millions Sprint $100,000 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Sunshine Millions Turf $100,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Sunshine Millions Turf Sprint $100,000 4&up State/Prov 5f Turf
Laurel Park
Fire Plug Stake $75,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Frank Whiteley Jr. Stake $75,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Marshua Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Fifth Season Stake (Listed) $100,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
La Canada Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sunland Park
Albert Dominguez Memorial Handicap $85,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Turfway Park
Forego Stake $50,000 4&up 6.5f AW
Turf Paradise
Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile $75,000 4&up 8f Turf
Glendale Handicap $35,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf

Jan 17
Aqueduct
Ruthless Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo Fillies 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Pippin Stake (Listed) $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Astra Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 12f Turf

Jan 18
Aqueduct
Toboggan Stake GIII $150,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Smarty Jones Stake (Listed) $150,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Megahertz Stake GIII $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf

Jan 22
Sam Houston
Bara Lass Stake $50,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
San Jacinto Turf Stake $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Yellow Rose Stake $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt

Jan 23
Aqueduct
Busanda Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 8.32f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
H. Allen Jerkens Stake $100,000 4&up 16f Turf
Sam Houston
Groovy Stake $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
Richard King Turf Stake $50,000 4&up Colts & Geldings State/Prov 9f Turf
Spirit of Texas Stake $50,000 4&up Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
Star of Texas Stake $50,000 4&up Colts & Geldings State/Prov 8f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
American Beauty Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Santa Monica Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
Sunland Park
Winsham Lad Handicap $65,000 4&up 8f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Gasparilla Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Pasco Stake $100,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Wayward Lass Stake $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Hank Mills Sr. Stake $35,000 4&up 5.5f Dirt

Jan 24
Sunland Park
Enchantress Stake $85,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Dirt

Jan 26
Ocala Training Centre
OBS Championship Stake $100,000 3yo Colts & Geldings R 8.5f Dirt
OBS Championship Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies R 8.5f Dirt
OBS Sprint Stake $50,000 3yo Fillies R 6f Dirt
OBS Sprint Stake $50,000 3yo Colts & Geldings R 6f Dirt
Portland Meadows
Columbia River Stake $15,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Portland Distaff Stake $15,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Dirt
Portland Mile Handicap $25,000 4&up 8f Dirt

Jan 30
Aqueduct
Withers Stake GIII $250,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Forward Gal Stake GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Holy Bull Stake GII $350,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Kitten’s Joy Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo 8f Turf
Swale Stake GII $150,000 3yo 7f Dirt
Sweetest Chant Stake GIII $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Turf
Sam Houston
Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint $75,000 4&up 5f Turf
Houston Ladies Classic GIII $400,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
John B. Connally Turf Cup GIII $200,000 4&up 12f Turf
Space City Stake $50,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Laurel Park
Conniver Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 7f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
King Cotton Stake (Listed) $100,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
California Cup Derby $250,000 3yo State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
California Cup Oaks $200,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8f Turf
California Cup Sprint $150,000 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
California Cup Turf Classic $250,000 4&up State/Prov 9f Turf
Sunshine Millions Filly/Mare Turf Sprint $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov abt 6.5f Turf
Sunland Park
El Paso Times Handicap $65,000 3yo Fillies 6.5f Dirt
Riley Allison Derby $100,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Turfway Park
WEBN Stake $75,000 3yo 6.5f AW

Jan 31
Aqueduct
Maddie May Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 8.32f Dirt

Feb 6
Aqueduct
Fred Cappy Capossela Stake $100,000 3yo 6f Dirt
Gander Stake $100,000 3yo State/Prov 8.32f Dirt
Delta Downs
Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Championship $200,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Distaff $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Gentlemen Starter $65,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter $65,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Matron $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Prince $125,000 3yo State/Prov 7f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter $50,000 4&up State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Sprint $100,000 4&up State/Prov 5f Dirt
Louisiana Premier Night Starlet $125,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 7f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
California Oaks $50,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f AW
Gulfstream Park
Donn Handicap GI $500,000 4&up 9f Dirt
Fred W. Hooper Handicap GIII $100,000 4&up 8f Dirt
Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap GI $350,000 4&up 9f Turf
Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint (Listed) $75,000 4&up 5f Turf
Ladies Turf Sprint Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 5f Turf
Suwannee River Stake GIII $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 9f Turf
Oaklawn Park
Martha Washington Stake (Listed) $100,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Las Virgenes Stake GII $300,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Robert B. Lewis Stake GIII $150,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
San Antonio Stake GII $500,000 4&up 9f Dirt
San Marcos Stake GII $200,000 4&up 10f Turf
Sunland Park
Red Hedeman Mile $85,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Dirt

Feb 7
Aqueduct
Biogio’s Rose Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Palos Verdes Stake GII $200,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Sunland Park
Mt. Cristo Rey Handicap $85,000 3&up State/Prov 4.5f Dirt

Feb 9
Fair Grounds
Mardi Gras Stake $60,000 4&up Fillies & Mares abt 5.5f Turf
Portland Meadows
Mioland Starter Handicap $8,500 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oregon Derby $20,000 3yo State/Prov 8f Dirt
Revillew Slew Starter Handicap $8,500 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt

Feb 13
Aqueduct
Broadway Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 6f Dirt
Haynesfield Stake $100,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
El Camino Real Derby GIII $200,000 3yo 9f AW
Gulfstream Park
Royal Delta Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sam Houston
Houston Distaff $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Houston Turf Stake $50,000 4&up State/Prov 8.5f Turf
Sam Houston Sprint Cup $50,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Laurel Park
Barbara Fritchie Stake GII $300,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 7f Dirt
John B. Campbell Stake $75,000 4&up 9f Dirt
Maryland Racing Media Stake $75,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Essex Handicap (Listed) $100,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Arcadia Stake GII $200,000 4&up 8f Turf
Santa Maria Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sunland Park
Budweiser Handicap $75,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Lambholm South Endeavour Stake GIII $150,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Turf
Sam F. Davis Stake GIII $250,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Suncoast Stake $100,000 3yo Fillies 8.32f Dirt
Tampa Bay Stake GIII $150,000 4&up 8.5f Turf
Cincinnati Trophy Stake $50,000 3yo Fillies 6.5f AW
Turf Paradise
Phoenix Gold Cup $75,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Sun City Handicap $35,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Turf Paradise Handicap $35,000 4&up 8.5f Turf

Feb 14
Aqueduct
Rego Park Stake $125,000 3yo State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Bayakoa Stake GIII $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8.5f Dirt
Sunland Park
El Diario Handicap $75,000 3&up Fillies & Mares 6.5f Dirt

Feb 15
Aqueduct
Hollie Hughes Handicap $100,000 4&up State/Prov 6f Dirt
Golden Gate Fields
Lost in the Fog $50,000 4&up 6f AW
Laurel Park
General George Stake GIII $250,000 4&up 7f Dirt
Miracle Wood Stake $75,000 3yo 8f Dirt
Wide Country Stake (Listed) $75,000 3yo Fillies 7f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Southwest Stake GIII $500,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
San Vicente Stake GII $200,000 3yo 7f Dirt

Feb 20
Aqueduct
Franklin Square Stake $125,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Fair Grounds
Daisy Devine Stake $60,000 4&up Fillies & Mares abt 8.5f Turf
Duncan F. Kenner Stake $60,000 3&up 6f Dirt
Fair Grounds Handicap GIII $125,000 4&up abt 9f Turf
Mineshaft Handicap GIII $125,000 4&up 8.5f Dirt
TwinSpires.com Rachel Alexandra Stake GII $200,000 3yo Fillies 8.5f Dirt
Veterans Ford Risen Star Stake GII $400,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Gulfstream Park
Melody of Colors $75,000 3yo Fillies 5f Turf
Sam Houston
Jim’s Orbit Stake $75,000 3yo Colts & Geldings State/Prov 6f Dirt
Two Altazano Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies State/Prov 6f Dirt
Oaklawn Park
Spring Fever Stake $100,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 5.5f Dirt
Santa Anita Park
Buena Vista Stake GII $200,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 8f Turf
Sunland Park
Island Fashion Stake $75,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Mine That Bird Derby $100,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt
Tampa Bay Downs
Minaret Stake $50,000 4&up Fillies & Mares 6f Dirt
Pelican Stake $100,000 4&up 6f Dirt
Turf Paradise
Arizona Oaks $35,000 3yo Fillies 8f Dirt
Turf Paradise Derby $75,000 3yo 8.5f Dirt

Bloodhorse – KY Derby, Oaks Anchor Churchill Spring Meet

TwinSpires Blog – Churchill announces Spring stakes, Firecracker renamed Wise Dan 

LA Times – Cherwa – Which Santa Anita horses have the best chances of winning the Kentucky Derby?

Bloodhorse – Mohaymen Breezes; Holy Bull the Target

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Mohaymen begins build-up to Holy Bull

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Derby odds | Price shortens on Flexibility

Horse Racing Nation – A New York State of Racing – Shifman – New York’s 2016 Kentucky Derby Contenders II (The Jerome)

TwinSpires Blog – Dolphus under consideration for Lecomte

Wouldn’t it be something if the curse of Apollo and the drought of Dubai were put to rest in the same year?

Horse Racing Nation – Zipse at the Track – Zipse – 2016 Kentucky Derby: Blue Creek is Flying Under U.S. Radar

TwinSpires Blog – Scully – Kentucky Derby Report (1/7): January brings a sense of anticipation

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
Sham Santa Anita Park Jan 9, 2016 10-4-2-1
Lecomte Fair Grounds 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 Jan 30, 2016 10-4-2-1
Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita Park Feb 6, 2016 10-4-2-1
El Camino Real Derby Golden Gate Fields Feb 13, 2016 10-4-2-1
Southwest Oaklawn Park Feb 15, 2016 10-4-2-1
Risen Star Fair Grounds Feb 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park Feb 27, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gotham Aqueduct Mar 5, 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
Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Florida Derby Gulfstream Park 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

TDN – Finley – By Way of Golden Gate, Nyquist Headed to Florida Derby

Horse Racing Nation – Kentucky Derby 2016 Contenders

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – 10 names to know on the 2016 Ky. Derby trail

Lady and the Track – Hammer – Kentucky Derby Road Continues with Sham Stakes at Santa Anita

Bloodhorse – Balan – Dressed in Hermes Seeks Turf-Dirt Double

Bloodhorse – Johnson – Baffert, O’Neill Look Strong in Sham Stakes

Little Red Riding Hood

TDN – Candy Ride Colt Raises the ‘Bar’ in Hallandale

2016 Road to the Kentucky Oaks

Race    Track    Date      Points
Silverbulletday Fair Grounds Jan 16, 2016 10-4-2-1
Busanda Aqueduct 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
Rachel Alexandra Fair Grounds Feb 20, 2016 50-20-10-5
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
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
Fair Grounds Oaks Fair Grounds Mar 26, 2016 100-40-20-10
Bourbonette Oaks Turfway Park Apr 2, 2016 50-20-10-5
Gulfstream Park Oaks Gulfstream Park 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

Horse Racing Nation – Top 21 List – HRN’s Favorite Races of 2015

TwinSpires Blog – Reilly – Reilly Turf Awards – U.S. Edition

NY Times – Kang – How the Daily Fantasy Sports Industry Turns Fans Into Suckers

Louisville Courier-Journal – Lintner – Blue Grass highlights Keeneland stakes schedule

DRF – McGee – Shakertown, Jenny Wiley stakes get purse increases

TwinSpires Blog – Purses rise for several Keeneland Spring meet stakes

Bloodhorse – Keeneland Spring to Offer Over $4M in Stakes

Long time receptionist at Horse Racing Alberta and horse racing industry friend Donna Rogers passed away suddenly this week.

From the Derby Bar and Grill Newsletter

RAILBIRD NOTES

BY GLEN TODD

HASTINGS NEWS BY GREG DOUGLAS

Bloodhorse – Fans, Horsemen Asked to Submit Pharoah Photos

Racing Post – Pennington – Animal Kingdom debut yearlings lure Motion

America’s Best Racing – Returning Stars for 2016

Bloodhorse – Pedulla – Jockey Desormeaux Still Hungry for More

Lady and the Track – Macatangay – The Eclipse Awards: A Beginner’s Guide

TwinSpires Blog – Pugh – Three Categories the Eclipse Award Voters Got Wrong

Bloodhorse – Novak – Love the Chase in Kentucky, Going to Tapit

Bloodhorse – Dacus – Aiello Excited About New Oaklawn Role

ESPN – In The Gate – Making a first impression

TwinSpires Blog – Sully – Will California Chrome be rusty or sharp off shelf?; upset pick in Sham

LA Times – Cherwa – California Chrome, his fans and his favorite cookies are ready for a Santa Anita comeback

TwinSpires Blog – California Chrome ready come rain or shine

Bloodhorse – Balan – ‘Chrome’ May Encounter Wet Track in Return

Lady and the Track – Macatangay – California Chrome a ‘Must-use’ in San Pasqual at Santa Anita

TwinSpires Blog – Hanson – California Chrome returns in San Pasqual; nine line up in Sham

Bloodhorse – Taylor Made Launches California Chrome Site

The Champ Is Back

Now Accepting Trainer Applications

For The Hastings Racing Club II

The Hastings Racing Club II is seeking a trainer for the 2016 season at Hastings Racecourse.  The Club intends to race two horses in 2016 and currently has the horse Shooting Jacket.  Another horse will be acquired prior to the 2016 season commencing.

Qualifications:

1. Experience and success training thoroughbreds.
2. A commitment to race the entire 2016 season at Hastings Racecourse.
3. An outgoing, communicative personality and the willingness to receive and interact with the 200 Club members.

Applications may be submitted to Richard Yates who will serve as Club Manager and Authorized Agent for the Hastings Racing Club II.  An independent committee will make the selection after considering all applications.

Please Complete & Submit By January 15/2016

Name: ____________________________________________________________________

Street Address: ______________________________________________________________

City: ___________________________________               Postal Code: __________________

Years Training Thoroughbreds: ___________

Number of Horses on 2016 Hastings Stall Application: ____________

Forward Application To:

Richard Yates

Box 28530   Burnaby, BC   V5C 6J4

Or email to:   rayates@shaw.ca

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Sexton – Ten lots set to attract the big-hitters at this week’s first super-sale of 2016

TDN – A$1.5 Million For Vancouver’s Brother at Magic Millions

TDN – Another Millionaire For Snitzel

Phil has a question:

Is not the function of the qualifying race rule for standardbreds and the qualifying work rule for thoroughbreds to protect the betting public and give the betting public more information to allow them to decide how to wager.

If you relax the qualifying race rule for standardbreds does that not reduce the protection for the betting public and give them less information.

Is the Alberta betting public so desperate for $40k in handle standardbred racing that the rule needed to be relaxed.

Why is the period of time when a work or qualifying race is required if a horse has not raced 30 days for thoroughbreds and 45 days for standardbreds.

Does that sound fair to the standardbred betting public that Horse Racing Alberta is mandated to protect.

Do you wonder why the handle in this province continues to decline under the auspices of the current Tory cronies.

Is Doug Fenske by any chance related to Jacquie Fenske who was just posting some twitter comments about horse racing in Alberta on the horses.com.

You’ll have to scroll down to find her twitter posts.

Phil has a comment:

How about not starting the 2016 standardbred season at Century Downs until there are sufficient properly qualified horses to fill the cards.

Another Brick In The Wall

Bloodhorse – American Pharoah Team Tops Eclipse Finalists

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Sexton – Guess who’s No.1 on the list of the most exciting new stallions for 2016

TwinSpires Blog – Coverage of historic Belmont Stakes gives NBC 12th Media Eclipse

Bloodhorse – NBC Sports Wins 12th Television Eclipse Award

Bloodhorse – Television Eclipse Award for Feature on Ouzts

TwinSpires Blog – Hennegan Brothers, Simon earn 2015 media Eclipse Awards

Bloodhorse – Third Eclipse Award for Mary Simon

Bloodhorse – Serio Earns Media Eclipse for Photography

Bloodhorse – Sullivan Earns Media News/Enterprise Eclipse

Bloodhorse – Rees Earns Eclipse Award for Romans Feature

TwinSpires Blog – Rees, Sullivan garner 2015 Media Eclipse Awards

January 15 – 17 2016

Sheraton Red Deer

3310 – 50 Avenue
Red Deer, Alberta, T4N 3X9 Canada

Bloodhorse – Sol Kumin Named New Owner of the Year

Bloodhorse – TCA Stallion Season Auction Underway

Bloodhorse – Oakford – Larger Keeneland January Sale Begins Monday

TDN – DeBernardis – Leigh Dispersal Small, But Mighty

Omega Code

Bloodhorse – Group I Winner Hampton Court to Spendthrift

Declassify

Orientate – Mir Cat by Tale Of The Cat

2016 FEE: $2,000 ($200 booking fee, balance due live foal).

Declassify

Stone Ranches Ltd.

Madden, Alberta, Canada

Tina & Gerald Stone at 403-946-5703 or by email at stnranch@airenet.com

Queens’ Plate – Woodbine Oaks Syndicate Opportunity

Bloodhorse – Balan – Dortmund Works, Will Skip San Pasqual

TwinSpires Blog – Dortmund out of San Pasqual following work

DRF – Free – Touched by Autism running for a cause for Taboada

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Valid, Matrooh and Mshawish headline graded trifecta at Gulfstream

Bloodhorse – Mshawish Stays on Dirt for Hal’s Hope

Bloodhorse – Hammonds – Marshua’s River Cast Deep and Wide

TwinSpires Blog – Mucciolo – Headley sends out a couple horses to watch as well as Midnight Lute winner San Onofre

Bloodhorse – Lochte Headlines Ft. Lauderdale Stakes

TwinSpires Blog – Mucciolo – Flexibility impresses in Jerome; bettors adjust to varying conditions at Aqueduct

. . . but less than two months to spring training!

Escape winter’s wrath for a few hours tonight at the prime rib buffet WITH A TOUCH OF THE TROPICS in the Terrace Dining Room from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring:

and, of course, melt-in-your-mouth certified Angus prime rib plus pasta bar and much more including self-serve ice-cream.  All you can eat $26.95.  Phone 204-885-3330 to reserve.  Wearing a grass skirt or Hawaiian shirt are optional.

Bullet briefs . . .

• How to stream four tracks at once on your HPIbet site

Wayne Misko receives Handicapper of the Year trophy and Vegas trip from tournament director Dawn Forbes

From left: John Urbanski (2nd), Neville Walters (3rd) and, inset, Larry Liebrecht (1st)

Electrician Larry Liebrecht (inset) knows a lot about a certain rule for picking maiden winners.  He hears about it every Saturday at the “I won big” group workshop.  But on Boxing Day that rule also helped him win the final Player’s Choice Horseplayer Tournament of the year which included $500 and a trophy. The rule horse he played, #1 Glacial Ocean, at Tampa Bay in race 5 paid $26.40 and $12.60. What’s the rule? (Shh!  Don’t tell anyone!) You add up two numbers for each horse in a maiden claiming race. The horse with the lowest number has the best chance of winning.  You add where a horse finished in his last race with where the horse was at the first call in the previous race. Liebrecht’s winning horse had added up numbers of  2 + 2 = 4.)

Liebrecht’s final total was $73.60, John Urbanski was second with $67 and received $250 and Neville Walters was third with $63.60 and received $100. Full results.  The next Player’s Choice tournament will be held on Saturday, January 30.

	DO THE DOWNS Carryovers
Click for schedule		Do the tropics! Dig into Hawaiian ribs tonight!
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

Official stations of horse racing. Click to listen

	2015
David Loch Biggest score		Cole Bennett Teen phenom

BEST IDEA OF THE YEAR: A three-way tie.  The Downs launches cash-back betting bonuses and introduces Festival of Racing weekends centred around Derby Day and

A 20-cent straight superfecta netted Mel Peddle–with wife, Jan–$685

Labour Day.  And the HBPA launches the Assiniboia Racing Club where 40 shares at $500 each are sold, including 23 shares to brand new horse owners.  The inaugural meeting, led by a highly motivated John Field, is this Sunday.

Bob Baffert’s donation

MOST COMPASSIONATE ACT: The outpouring of support from all over North America for paralyzed jockey Alyssa Selman, 29, that includes trainer Bob Baffert sending American Pharoah’s halter to auction off on eBay.  With some $120,000 in donations, Alyssa has moved into a totally wheelchair accessible house on four acres in Stephenfield, MB with her husband, Rumesh, and their two kids.  The donations covered about half the cost of the house and land.

TEEN PHENOM OF THE YEAR (ASD): Days after his 18th birthday, trainer Cole Bennett wins his very first race at the Downs then shows it was no fluke by winning five more and logging an impressive record of 24-6-8-4.  And what did YOU accomplish last year?

Woodbine’s Jackpot Hi-5 payouts in 2015

5. $87,511.41 (ticket cost $1,080) June 12

It was a family affair — another sad passing Track historian Bob Gates sends this sad note and picture: Anna Selyem, longtime horse owner with her late trainer husband, Louis, passed on Dec. 29. They were married for 61 years. Louis passed in 2006. Pictured here from left is Louis, Mrs. Selyem, her brother Joseph Pocker, the Selyem’s horse Kelsey Dancer with son Joseph in the irons. The family photo is from June 1967.  This was son Joseph’s first win as a jockey.  ASD CEO Darren Dunn and jock’s room supervisor Dwayne Addison will be among the pallbearers at the funeral mass which will be held this morning at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Cooks Creek.

FIRE CLAIMS 42 HORSES IN ONTARIO: The racing community has been shocked and saddened to hear of the loss of 42 standardbred horses including $1-million earner Apprentice Hanover in a fire Monday night that swept quickly through one of five barns at Classy Lane Stables Training Centre, a top harness-training facility that opened in 2003 near Guelph, Ontario.  Prominent standardbred trainers such as Roger Mayotte, Dan Lagace and Ben Wallace lost horses in the blaze. Facility owner Jamie Millier was reported as saying the fire wiped out the business of five companies who now have no horses to train and race.  The last serious fire in Ontario was at Woodbine in 2002 when 32 thoroughbreds perished.

C’mon down!

“I WON BIG” CONTINUES WITH TAMPA; YOU’RE INVITED!  Playing Tampa Bay Saturdays by the “I won big” group appears to be a good strategy.  The group is one for two in winning the pick-5 (last five races).  What is particularly heartening to hear is Larry Liebrecht winning the December Player’s Choice tournament and $500 using the group’s rule for picking maiden winners.  Never attended?  Drop in this Saturday:  Clubhouse plaza at 10:30 a.m.  Each $20 share is topped up generously with a $5 contribution from the Downs.  Coffee and pastries served.  Analyze the last five races at Tampa.

HOW TO KEEP YOUR MUG OFF BULLETIN BOARD IN 2016:  Remember, your body repairing itself in a healthy way depends on your being active (brisk walking?) every two days.  And a new study shows a sharp mind and reduced disease progression into your senior years depends on your doing regular resistance training (light weights, stretchy band, etc.)  If that was your New Year’s resolution, are you carrying through?

Where are they now? by Rob MacLennan

At Turf Paradise, Don Schnell’s I Am Awesome won the first leg of the dirt marathon series to return to his winning form. On Tuesday, Winnipeg Futurity winner Heber ran second in a claiming race. The Schnell barn has two horses entered Sunday including Calex who drops in class and should be formidable. Jared Brown also is moving at a steady pace. Scene Queen picked up a win just after Christmas to break a long string of defeats. This Saturday look for Tom Kha in the eighth race.  She partners with Adolfo Morales who rode her to victory in the last race of the year at ASD. An exciting development overseas: The Dubai Carnival begins today and there will be weekly racing until the Dubai World Cup Mar. 26. A contingent of European horses have already declared for the World Cup and California Chrome and Effinex are being pointed in that direction.  Just a quick reminder about the Sham Stakes at Santa Anita Saturday — a prep race on the road to the Kentucky Derby.  Major contenders appear to be Dressed in Hermes and I’malreadythere — my choice.

YOU NAMED ME WHAT?  Remember Benghazi.  What’s this?  A 3-year-old gelding–bred in California and racing at Portland Meadows–associated with a political event?  Sounds like a slight against Hillary Clinton, who’s been heavily criticized by Republicans following the death of a U.S. ambassador in an attack on a U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya.  Thankfully, the vast majority of horse-namers keep politics out of racing–where it should remain.

“TIPS ‘N’ TRICKS” with Marshall Posner Q. How do I use the Live Video Streams most effectively? A.  The new HPIBet offers a real upgrade over the previous version. You can now access up to four live video streams instead of just one. To get started, click on the yellow VIDEO tab in the upper left side of the site (see image here). This will open a new window called the STREAMING CENTRE that will be layered on top of your main betting window. Before selecting a video stream from your first track, it’s a good idea to unlock the Video Window from the rest of the site by making it a standalone pop-up window (this feature will not work on smartphones and tablets). To do this, simply click on the arrow icon in the top right hand corner of the STREAMING CENTRE window – (view image here). This will prevent you from having to close and re-open the video window when you want to access other aspects of the website such as Pool Total, Entries, etc. Furthermore, if you’re using multiple screens or a large monitor, you can them move the video stream window alongside the browser window so you have access to the video streams and your wagering window at the same time (view image here). The STREAMING CENTRE window is divided into four quadrants with one main viewing stream and three ancillary streams. You can now have up to four live tracks being streamed. To change any of the bottom three video streams into the main viewing screen, simply click on the Swap Screen icon in the top left corner of the smaller video windows (view image here). Lastly, any time you put your mouse cursor over the main viewing screen a small set of screen controls will appear along the bottom of the main viewing screen to enable you to adjust the volume as well as make the window go full screen by clicking the arrows facing opposite directions (view image here). Send your questions for Marshall to theinsider@ASDowns.com

HISTORY ON THE HOOF: The best of Bob Did you know . . .   that from August 2007 to May 2009 Charlie Smith and Terry Propps’ Miss Missile went undefeated at the Downs, reeling off six straight wins which included five stakes victories, the Debutante, Chantilly, Canada Day, Assiniboia Oaks and the Jack Hardy Stakes?  Read “Miss Missile:  A love story” here.

TwinSpires Blog – Caldwell – Eclipse Award finalist La Verdad makes 2016 debut in Interborough

Bloodhorse – Angst – La Verdad to Open 2016 in Interbourough

Bloodhorse – Fletcher Takes Uruguay’s Clasico Ramirez

National Post – CP – At least 43 racehorses die in Ontario barn fire at Classy Lane Stables Training Centre

The Globe and Mail – More than 40 racehorses die in Ontario stable fire

Bloodhorse – Woodbine to Honor Horses Lost in Fire

Funeral held for Toronto police horse Viscount

NY Times – Belson – For Some N.F.L. Coaches, Black Monday Has Already Come and Gone

Phil has a question:

When will Black Monday finally come for the Chair and CEO of Horse Racing Alberta.

NY Times – Pennington – Giants Close Door on Tom Coughlin Era, Ushering In Uncertainty

Phil has a question:

If we closed the door on the Rick LeLacheur – Shirley McClellan era in Horse Racing Alberta wouldn’t that usher in an era of hope for the thoroughbred industry in Alberta.

NY Times – Jones – Saudi Arabia’s Dangerous Sectarian Game

Phil has a question:

Could someone please tell me the difference between Donald Trump’s stoking the fire of hatred against immigrants and Muslims and the Saudis’ stoking the fire of hatred toward the Shiites.

Could someone please explain to Phil why the US and its media can see the folly of the Saudi plan so clearly yet are myopic to what is happening in their own country.

The Globe and Mail – Sanger – U.S. struggles to explain allegiance to Saudi Arabia

The Globe and Mail – John Doyle: Always at war – a hard look at Benjamin Netanyahu

National Post – Jen Gerson: Anger over Notley government leads to growing fringe protests, threats of violence

National Post – Ujjal Dosanjh: By silencing white men, Canada can’t have an honest debate about equality, race and culture

Train in Vain

Phil’s Drink and a Flick:

Eskimo Slugger

Heathers

The Mighty Quinn

There is no dignity in wickedness, whether in purple or rags; and hell is a democracy of devils, where all are equals.
Herman Melville

NY Times – Rhoden – Jets’ High Hopes End in Same Place: Out of the Playoffs

An audience is so important. I would never have had the guts to dub in that big a laugh.
Desi Arnaz

NY Times – Onishi – Nigeria Goes to the Mall

NY Times – Chang – Behind a Shopping Center in New Jersey, Signs of a Mass Extinction

NY Times – Powell – Finding a Common Thread in the Al Jazeera Doping Report

ESPN – Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Howard file defamation suits vs. Al Jazeera

Lawyers in Love

True patriotism hates injustice in its own land more than anywhere else.
Clarence Darrow

LA Times – Healy – Losing weight: There’s a good way and a bad way, and the bad way won’t help

LA Times – Savage – Is Ted Cruz, born in Canada, eligible for the presidency? Legal experts say yes

The Globe and Mail – Stephenson – Ted Cruz’s Canadian origins could be a ‘big problem’, Trump says

NY Times – Santora and Nir – In Lois Colley Murder Investigation, 2 Are Accused of Stealing Hay From Farm

The Globe and Mail – Kelly: Anthopoulos’s alleged Dodgers deal raises more queries than answers

Phil has a question:

Will the Dodgers be bringing in the Wild Thing for relief help.

National Post – Saskatchewan premier tells 115 inmates refusing to eat how to avoid prison food — don’t go to jail

The Globe and Mail – Brady – CWHL’s Japanese skaters driven by passion for Olympic hockey podium

National Post – Telegraph – Llewellyn – Can an affair save a marriage?

California Dreamin

Rainy Day Woman

Phil M Stockmen