Breeders Cup Cuts 2009 Purse Supplements

Citing an anticipated reduction in revenues due to the dismal worldwide economy, the Breeders’ Cup has suspended its $5 million program providing supplements to stakes purses at 40 race tracks in 2009.

The Breeders’ Cup also approved of increasing the entry fees to 0.5-point for the 2-day card of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships and reducing nomination fees for horses of racing age.

Purses for the 14 Breeders’ Cup races of $25.5 million remain the same as this year for the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita Park.

“Even with the difficult economic circumstances, the board was committed to holding the line on championship purses,” said Breeders’ Cup’s chief executive, Greg Avioli, referring to the 14 races, in a prepared statement. “While the financial results for the 2008 championships were solid, the combination of the economy and its effects on the sales and breeding segments of our business provides a challenging environment, and we’ve had to take steps to ensure that we emerge positively from the current atmosphere.”

The $5 million supplemental stakes program provides up to $100,000 in purse supplements for designated stakes races. Horses who are nominated to the Breeders’ Cup are eligible to earn the purse money from the supplements, while non-nominated horses run only for the base portion of the purse.


Nomination fee for horses of racing age whose sires were not nominated to the Breeders’ Cup will be reduced from $250,000 to $200,000, the Breeders’ Cup said. For horses of racing age who were not nominated as foals but whose sires were nominated, the fee will drop from $150,000 to $100,000. Breeders’ Cup said that it decided to reduce the fees as an incentive for non-nominated horses to participate in the 14 year-end races.

In addition, entry fees for all horses will be increased from 2.5% of the purse to 3%. Entries fees were reduced to 2.5% in 2005.

"Breeders Cup Cuts 2009 Purse Supplements" was posted on Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 10:15 pm and is filed under Breeders' Cup, Horse Racing Industry, Race Tracks News, Stakes Races, USA Horse Racing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Breeders' Cup Suspends Stakes Program

By Lenny Shulman

Breeders’ Cup officials have decided to suspend the entire Breeders’ Cup stakes program for 2009, according to a memo sent to racing secretaries, stakes coordinators, and officials Dec. 11.

The memo, from Breeders’ Cup senior vice president of operations Pam Blatz-Murff, said that the organization was projecting a reduction in overall Breeders’ Cup revenues of more than $10 million next year due to the global economic downturn and a likely shortfall in nominations revenue. It goes on to state that in order to maintain the Breeders’ Cup Championship purses at their current levels, television and marketing spending will be slashed by more than $5 million. In the last two years, the Championships have expanded from one day to two, and from eight races to 14.

Previously, according to the memo, the Breeders’ Cup had committed to allocating funds for 2009 races, but now those allocations are suspended.

Blatz-Murff would not comment pending an expected release from Breeders' Cup.

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Laragh Faces a Promising Starlet Field

by Jack Shinar


Laragh can put a grade I exclamation point on a busy juvenile campaign when she faces six other fillies in the $429,500 Hollywood Starlet Dec. 13.

The gray/roan daughter of Tapit returns to Southern California for trainer John Terranova following her third-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Santa Anita Oct. 24. She switches from the grass to Hollywood Park's Cushion Track surface for the 1 1/16-mile Starlet. She is one of two stakes winners entered.

The other is Darley Stable's Pamona Ball, who won the Sharp Cat at the Starlet distance at Hollywood Park Nov. 1. Also in the field is Alpha Kitten, a highly regarded Jerry and Ann Moss homebred who is coming off a second-place finish as an odds-on choice in the Anoakia Stakes at Oak Tree, and the surprising Dave's Revenge. Trainer Bob Baffert has two entries -- Toro Bonito and Wynning Ride.

Laragh was to be shipped west for the second time this year Dec. 10 following a four-furlong breeze in :48 1/5 on the Belmont Park training track Dec. 9. Prior to the Breeders' Cup, she captured the 1 1/16-mile JP Morgan Chase Jessamine Stakes on the Keeneland lawn by nearly five lengths.

Named after a town in Ireland by breeder Mike Ryan, Laragh has won two of five starts and leads the field in earnings with $246,365. She began her career in Canada for trainer Mark Casse, breaking her maiden at second asking on Polytrack at Woodbine in August. She followed that with a fifth-place finish in the Natalma Stakes (Can-IIIT) in her first try on grass.

Laragh led all the way in both her victories and took the Juvenile Fillies Turf field into deep stretch while setting a rapid pace before being passed in the final strides.

She is co-owned by IEAH Stables, Gary Tolchin, and Pegasus Holdings, which purchased her privately after her maiden victory at Woodbine and transferred her to Terranova.

Edgar Prado, who has ridden Laragh in her last two outings, has the Starlet mount. They will break from post 2.

The Hollywood Starlet is featured on this week's edition of That Handicapping Show.
Pamona Ball comes into the Starlet with back-to-back wins for trainer Eoin Harty. The daughter of Pleasantly Perfect, a $380,000 Barretts purchase in March, broke her maiden going 1 1/16 miles in her third start by two lengths Oct. 10 at Santa Anita. She came right back to post a one-length win in the Sharp Cat, bidding along the inside to gain the lead in deep stretch.

“She didn’t have any trouble negotiating two turns in her last two starts," Harty said. "It’s just a big jump up in quality. Either she’s good enough or she isn’t.”

Rafael Bejarano, who won last year's Starlet aboard Country Star for trainer Bobby Frankel, has been aboard Pamona Ball in both of her victories.

Dave's Revenge comes out of a fourth-place finish in the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), rallying from far back at odds of 64-1 to lose by three lengths to the victorious Stardom Bound. In her only other start, the Bob Hess Jr. trained daughter of The Cliff's Edge broke her maiden by 1 1/2 lengths in a one-mile race at Del Mar at 37-1.

"She was beaten three lengths in the Breeders' Cup and was an inch away from being grade I stakes-placed," said Hess. "She ran a fantastic race. She's a very good filly."

Based at Santa Anita, Dave's Revenge worked four furlongs at Hollywood Dec. 8 in :48 4/5. Kent Desormeaux, who has ridden three Starlet winners, will be aboard Dave's Revenge for the first time.

Dave's Revenge was purchased at the Keeneland 2007 September yearling sale for $45,000 by Dave Rippey of Del Mar.

"She was the second horse he ever bought," said Hess. "He was going through a divorce, and this was his revenge."

Like Dave's Revenge, Alpha Kitten has had two starts. The gray/roan daughter of Tale of the Cat broke her maiden in her debut at Del Mar for trainer John Sadler with a powerful late move prior to her runner-up effort in the Anoakia, in which she also rallied late. This will be her first try beyond six furlongs.

Mike Smith picked up the mount on Alpha Kitten in place of Tyler Baze, who suffered three broken ribs and a fractured shoulder in a spill at Hollywood Dec. 5. Alpha Kitten worked six furlongs in 1:12 2/5 at Santa Anita Dec. 6.

Baffert, seeking his third Starlet win and his first since Habibti in 2001, has a pair of live shots.

Toro Bonito, an El Corredor filly owned and bred by Hal and Patti Earnhardt, is making her fourth consecutive stakes appearance after breaking her maiden at Del Mar. In her last start, she finished second by one length to Pamona Ball in the Sharp Cat.

Wynning Ride, an Ontario-bred daughter of Candy Ride owned by Arnold Zetcher, came from far back to finish fourth in the seven-furlong Moccasin Stakes at Hollywood Nov. 16. In her only other start, in which she ran for trainer Ron McAnally, she proved a handy maiden winner at Santa Anita.

The maiden Black Magic Mama, trained by Doug O'Neill for J. Paul Reddam, rounds out the field. Corey Nakatani, returning to action after sustaining a collarbone injury Sept. 24, has the ride.

$429,500 Hollywood Starlet (gr. I, Race 9, 4:35 p.m.), 2-Year-Old Fillies, 1 1/16 Miles (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Jockey
1. Toro Bonito (KY), David R. Flores
2. Laragh (KY), Edgar S. Prado
3. Alpha Kitten (KY), Mike E. Smith
4. Wynning Ride (ON), Joseph Talamo
5. Dave's Revenge (KY), Kent J. Desormeaux
6. Pamona Ball (KY), Rafael Bejarano
7. Black Magic Mama (FL), Corey S. Nakatani
Each assigned 120 pounds.

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Vote for NTRA'S MOMENT of the YEAR!!

Here, you and other racing fans have the opportunity to vote for Thoroughbred racing's most memorable moment of 2008. Those selecting the winning image automatically will be entered into a random drawing for Toshiba flat-screen TV, courtesy of NTRA Advantage
The first-ever "NTRA Moment of the Year" was the touching scene involving Charismatic and jockey Chris Antley following the 1999 Belmont Stakes. The following year's winner was the stretch run of the 2000 Breeders' Cup Classic, which saw Tiznow hold on for a dramatic victory against Giant's Causeway. Tiznow won again the following year as fans selected his stirring repeat victory in the Classic over Sakhee. In 2002, fans cited the passing of the last living Triple Crown winner, Seattle Slew. In 2003, the popular Kentucky Derby win by Funny Cide was selected. Birdstone's upset win in the Belmont Stakes over Smarty Jones took down top honors for 2004. In 2005, fans selected Afleet Alex's spectacular victory in the 2005 Preakness Stakes. Voters in 2006 chose Barbaro's gallant struggle to recover from his Preakness injury while at the New Bolton Center. Last year's Moment of the Year was Rags to Riches' historic victory over Curlin in the Belmont Stakes.
If you don’t already have an E-Club id and password, click on “Sign-Up Now” to get one. It’s quick and easy and entitles you to a number of benefits. Good luck!

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Hayward: NYRA Has Big Plans, Wary Eye

by Tom LaMarra

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The rejuvenated New York Racing Association has big plans for its new 25-year franchise, but president and chief executive officer Charles Hayward said Dec. 9 the organization has to plan wisely should revenue sources dry up.

Hayward, who spoke during the University of Arizona Symposium on Racing and Gaming in Tucson, Ariz., said NYRA would not be “overly cautious” and would make “bold, innovative moves” when it realizes revenue from a video lottery terminal casino expected to open in the second quarter of 2010 at Aqueduct, one of three racetracks operated by NYRA. But he tempered that with a prediction the money could disappear in a decade.

“I don’t think this VLT revenue to purses and NYRA is going to be there 10 years from now,” Hayward said. “I think the pressure will be on state government to subsidize racing will be too great.”

Hayward’s view is shared by others in the industry that fear state legislatures eventually will question the amount of money horse racing gets from gaming subsidies when other state programs are suffering from funding deficits. It already has played out in West Virginia, where tens of millions of dollars in purse money was used to support a statewide workers’ compensation program.

Racing’s share of Aqueduct VLT revenue is as follows: 6.5%-7.5% for purses, 4% for capital expenditures, 3% for NYRA operating expenses, and 1%-1.5% for breed development. Hayward said that based on a win-per-machine of $300 per day, purses would get another $32 million a year for a total of $150 million at Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga.

How that money will be spent remains to be seen. There could be $100,000 maiden special weight events at Saratoga, or maybe a $2-million purse for the Travers Stakes (gr. I). Hayward said “strategic options” must be studied given the chance the VLT revenue could be diverted at some point.

The key, he said, is to use purse increases to bolster field size, which in turn would hopefully increase pari-mutuel handle—racing’s committed funding source.

“We will be studying this and working with horsemen to take purse money and do something good with it,” Hayward said.

NYRA this year hired Turnberry Consulting to develop a strategic plan for improvements at its tracks. Hayward discussed three aspects of the plan, one of which is keeping dirt surfaces at the tracks.

Hayward said there is no current plan to install artificial surfaces for training or racing at Aqueduct, Belmont, and Saratoga. He said there is “insufficient empirical data on safety” thus far and no definitive information on whether soft tissue injuries have increased on synthetic surfaces.

The plan includes major improvements to stable-area living quarters, and it’s possible NYRA tracks could be eligible for state and federal loans or subsidies because many workers qualify as low-income, Hayward said.

NYRA also has plans to provide “upscale for major events” and add “festivals of racing,” Hayward said.

On a related note, Hayward said he believes stakeholders in New York will succeed in improving the off-track betting system in the state. The goals, he said, are to maintain the six OTB regions but have one tote provider, one advance deposit wagering system, and one television strategy, all of which could add up to more revenue for the state and racing.

“There’s no agreement as to how we’re going to do it, but we know we need to do it and we’re going to get it done,” Hayward said.

Keeneland vice president Harvie Wilkinson spoke on the panel along with Hayward. He outlined a master plan devised by HOK Sports, which was hired by the Lexington racetrack earlier this year.

Customer surveys reflected a desire for convenience, comfort, entertainment, and more opportunities for business and social networking. Wilkinson said Keeneland would like to double or even triple the number of special events it offers each year, primarily in the off season.

Ideally, box seats would have wagering terminals and food and beverage service; corporate suites, of which there are 23, would be doubled in size and have more amenities; more sports bars would be added—“We could have six sports bars at Keeneland and that might not be enough,” Wilkinson said; and more tailgating and outdoor green space would be added.

“Hopefully, we’ll be able to do this over the next five to 10 years,” Wilkinson said.

Keeneland currently has seating and dining for 11,000 people. Its average daily attendance is 14,000, but there have been crowds in excess of 30,000. Wilkinson acknowledged the track sometimes can’t property accommodate patrons, which drives them to arrive late and leave early.

Overall, a Keeneland renovation and expansion would produce an environment “similar to what you see at a new sports stadium,” Wilkinson said.

When Keeneland announced the master plan, there was talk about the track making a bid to host the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Officials said that’s not out of the question, but the project is really needed to handle regular race-meet crowds and to expand opportunities to host special events.

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Derby Hopefuls Clash at Fair Grounds

by Steve Haskin

In what has to be one of the strongest and deepest 2-year-old allowance fields ever assembled at Fair Grounds, nine juveniles will go to the post in Thursday’s one-mile test, several of whom have already excited fans with their dazzling performances.

The headliners are Indygo Mountain, the Bret Calhoun-trained son of A.P. Indy who demolished his opponents in a one-mile maiden event at Churchill Downs Nov. 19; stakes-placed Friesan Fire, whom trainer Larry Jones feels is one of the most promising young colt’s he’s ever had and who has been working lights out at Fair Grounds with the addition of blinkers; Doc’s Friend, another Jones-trained colt, who was third behind eventual Remsen (gr. II) winner Old Fashioned before breaking his maiden by 3 1/2 lengths; Map of the World, a Hennessy colt who broke his maiden at first asking at Keeneland before finishing third in a seven-furlong allowance race at Churchill in a swift 1:22 2/5; Uno Mas, a Steve Asmussen-trained son of Macho Uno, who dusted a maiden field by 4 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs in his dirt debut; and the California invader Escalon, trained by Doug O’Neill, who finished third in the Cal Cup Juvenile and was beaten less than five lengths in both the Del Mar Futurity (gr. I) and Real Quiet Stakes.

Indygo Mountain, owned by Clarence Scharbauer of Alysheba fame, finished second over Keeneland’s Polytrack in his career debut before breaking his maiden in magnificent style by 6 1/2 lengths in 1:35 2/5 for the mile. Scharbauer purchased the colt at the Keeneland September yearling sale for $600,000.

Friesan Fire, who is coming off a bullet breeze in :47 flat, fastest of 89 works at the distance, has responded to blinkers in the morning after finishing third in the Futurity Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont and fourth in the Nashua Stakes (gr. III). Jones will equip the son of A.P. Indy with blinkers for the first time, feeling the colt’s tendency to goof off in the stretch in his last two races greatly compromised his chances.

Jones, who also trains the exciting Old Fashioned, has entered Doc’s Friend, a son of Friends Lake, who has never been out of the money in four starts, all at Delaware Park and all at six furlongs or shorter.

Uno Mas began his career with two seconds at Arlington before breaking poorly and finishing sixth at Keeneland. Sent to Fair Grounds, he made his dirt debut and won going away after splitting rivals in the stretch.

Also entered are Code of Honour, a 4 3/4-length maiden winner at Remington Park; Devil Approved It, who will be making his eighth start, breaking his maiden by 3 3/4 lengths at Presque Isle Downs four starts back; and Southern Anthem, a three-length maiden winner at Churchill for a $30,000 claiming tag.

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Smooth Bayakoa Win for Speedy Briecat

by Jack Shinar

Upsetter Briecat used her speed to best advantage in Hollywood Park's $150,000 Bayakoa Handicap (gr. II) (VIDEO) Dec. 7, turning back a challenge from even-money favorite Model in the homestretch and posting a 2 1/4-length front-running win.

Ridden by Jon Court, the 3-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Adcat was sent off at odds of 13-1. The lone 3-year-old in the field, she earned her first graded stakes win for owners David and Holly Wilson and trainer Vladimir Cerin over a Cushion Track playing well for early speed.

Briecat, who has now won three in a row, completed the 1 1/16-mile test against older fillies and mares in a strong time of 1:40.38. She became the fourth 3-year-old to win the Bayakoa in the past five years.

“She just keeps getting better and better," Cerin said. "When they win a couple in a row their mind changes, and they become confident. It sure looked like Model would blow by her at the quarter pole, but all of a sudden she didn’t."

Cerin said Briecat would be freshened a bit and brought back at Santa Anita to race in the El Encino (gr. II) against 4-year-old fillies Jan. 18.

Model was a clear second by three lengths under Michael Baze, with Wake Up Maggie and David Flores edging Baroness Thatcher for third by three-quarters of a length.

Briecat broke to her inside leaving the gate, bumping with Double Trouble before getting straightened out and heading quickly for the lead. With Baroness Thatcher and the outsider Bai and Bai in pursuit, Briecat clicked off solid early fractions of :23.41, :46.01 and 1:09.79. On the turn for home, Bai and Bai was the first to give way. Baroness Thatcher fought to stay close to Briecat, who was traveling comfortably.

Model, swinging wide rounding the turn with an early move from mid-pack under urging from Baze, advanced on the outside of Baroness Thatcher to challenge Briecat in upper stretch. But Briecat had more than enough left to repel Model and won under a vigorous hand ride in the final sixteenth of mile to record her fifth lifetime victory in 10 starts.

"She was uncontested, and you always want that as the lone speed because it helps at the end," Court said. "She was out there setting her pace, not pressured too much. I never had them more than a length or two away from me. I tried occasionally to open up and make it a little more comfortable margin and just finish in front of them. I called on her in the lane, and she gave me a little kick away from them and held 'em off."

The Irish-bred Wake Up Maggie trailed the field early and made a three-wide move in the stretch to gain the show spot over Baroness Thatcher, who was pulling jockey Victor Espinoza along early.

Coming off a win in a minor stakes at one mile on the grass at Turf Paradise Nov. 15, Briecat has found her best form since Cerin returned her to route distances this fall. She began her winning streak with a victory over Hollywood's Cushion Track against second-level allowance horses at the Bayakoa's 1 1/16-mile distance Oct. 30. Briecat earned $90,000 for the win, boosting her career bankroll to $226,800.

Ocala Oaks and Don R. Graham bred the winner. She is out of Silk Briefcase, by Marlin.

Briecat carried 114 pounds to victory and paid $28.80, $8.80 and $4.60, topping a $2 exacta worth $77.60.

Model, who was a handful while being saddled, had to have her blinkers attached at the starting gate. She returned $3.20 and $2.20. Trained by Neil Drysdale, she was favored off a smart stakes win over the Hollywood surface Nov. 2. She had also finished second in Keeneland's Spinster (gr. I) earlier this fall.

"She was nervous in the paddock but as soon as she hit the track she was great," Baze said. "She relaxed well, warmed up good. She was a lot better when they put the blinkers on. It was a picture perfect trip. A couple of them went and she was sitting perfect on the outside. She made a tremendous move in the middle of the turn, but that other filly just re-broke."

Wake Up Maggie, trained by Julio Canani, was $2.80 to show.

Baroness Thatcher was followed by Double Trouble, Spenditallbaby, and Bai and Bai. Lady Digby scratched.

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NO PICKS TODAY

A little under the wheather.