News and Media

SAM HOUSTON BARN AREA TO OPEN ON SATURDAY
Sam Houston Race Park: Coady Photography
The 2012 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred meeting will kick off on Friday, January 20. The 31-day meeting will offer in excess of $160,000 in purses each day and will feature 14 stakes races with more than $1.1 million in purses. The Thoroughbred season will conclude on Monday, March 12.

The barn area will open on Saturday, December 17 and training hours will begin on Tuesday, December 27. Eric Johnston, Sam Houston's vice president of racing, reports that over 1,500 stall applications were received from both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse trainers.

"We are pleased to open our barn area a week earlier this year," said Johnston. "With Remington Park wrapping up their meet on December 10, we felt that this would be beneficial to both the Oklahoma contingent as well as horsemen from Texas looking to get their barns set for our January 20 opener."

Returning horsemen include last year's leading conditioner Karl Broberg as well as five-time leading trainer Steve Asmussen, Danny Pish, Cash Asmussen, Brent Davidson, Joe Offolter, Kari Craddock, Andy Konkoly, Dallas Keen, Eleuterio Martinez, Charles Hukill, Mindy Willis, Randy Mayfield, Paul Pearson and Jerenesto Torrez.

Opening weekend will be highlighted by the running of the inaugural two-day Texas Champions Day. The stakes shine the spotlight on accredited Texas-breds with the "ladies" featured on Friday evening and the colts/geldings and $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes, taking center stage on Saturday, January 21. For more information on racing, stakes and special events, visit shrp.com.

TRAINER HEATH TAYLOR TO BE INDUCTED INTO RUIDOSO HALL OF FAME

Heath Taylor: Coady Photography On December 12, it was announced that trainer Heath Taylor and Four Sixes Ranch, currently owned and operated by Anne Burnett Windfohr Marion, will be inducted into the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame as part of the 2012 class.  The jockey and horse also to be enshrined during the June induction ceremony will be announced the week of December 19.  The Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame is dedicated to educating the public about horseracing and preserving racing’s history. It features a collection of very rare pieces of racing memorabilia located at Ruidoso Downs and is free to the public. All donations to the Racehorse Hall of Fame are tax deductible and help promote the Hall of Fame’s mission.

Taylor has become one of the most important trainers in quarter horse racing. He is the all-time third-ranked trainer of stakes winners behind Hall of Fame conditioners Paul Jones and Blane Schvaneveldt, and the fourth-ranked trainer of all-time money earners behind Jones, Schvaneveldt and Jack Brooks.

Taylor saddled Jerry Windham’s Stolis Winner to victories in the Grade 1 All American Futurity and Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity on his way to being honored as the 2008 world champion as a two-year-old. He is now the all-time leading money earning quarter horse at $2,235,161.

Well known to Texas racing fans, Taylor has won the Sam Houston Derby in 2005 and 2007 as well as four editions of the Sam Houston Classic. He and Windham captured the Grade 1, $414,045 Dash for Cash Juvenile on October 8 with Sixes Streak at Lone Star Park.  Taylor and his wife, Tracy, and their two sons reside in Ledbetter, Texas.

SSTRICKORTREAT AND JESS TEE OFF TO RUN IN SATURDAY'S $161,950 EVANGELINE DOWNS FUTURITY

Sstrickortreat 2011 Evd Futurity: Evangeline Downs Sstrickortreat, trained by Janet Van Bebber, was the fastest qualifier of the 63 juveniles who competed in eight trials for Saturday night's $161.950 Evangeline Downs Futurity. Ridden by leading rider Alfonso Lujan, the Texas-bred gelding covered 400 yards in 19.903. The son of Zoomin for Bux, is owned by VanBebber's father, Gene Newcomb and will break from post position nine.

"He's doing really well," said VanBebber. "I was pleased that he handled 400 yards and came out of the trial in great shape."

Sadly, Lujan suffered a broken ankle in an accident in morning works on December 9 and will be sidelined for a month. VanBebber has named Gilbert Ortiz to ride Sstrickortreat on Saturday night.

This has been an excellent month for VanBebber as Coors Select captured the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2) on December 10 at Fair Grounds. Owned by Polly Coleman and ridden by Ortiz, Coors Select has won five races this year and earned $253,277. Bred by Narciso Flores, of Houston, Coors Select won the Louisiana Juvenile Stakes earlier this year at Delta Downs.

"This has been a great year for our 2-year-olds," said VanBebber.

Jess Tee Off, winner of the 2011 Sam Houston Futurity, was the seventh fastest qualifier for the Evangeline Downs Futurity. The Texas-bred son of Tres Seis, remains undefeated this year for trainer Judd Kearl and owner L. B. Ranch LLC in Mission Texas. Rodrigo Vallejo will ride Jess Tee Off, who has been installed as the 5-2 morning line choice.

Saturday is closing night for the Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse meet. Next up is Louisiana Downs on January 4.

JOCKEY PATRICK VALENZUELA RETIRES
Continental Red: Coady Photography
Nationally prominent Thoroughbred jockey Patrick Valenzuela announced his retirement last week citing health issues, including chronic knee pain. His battles with substance abuse and personal problems have been widely chronicled, but he was a highly talented and competitive rider throughout his 33-year career.  He began as an apprentice, riding for acclaimed conditioners including Charlie Whittingham and D. Wayne Lukas. When he was just 17, Valenzuela won the Grade 1, Santa Anita Derby aboard Codex.

His career highlights included seven Breeders' Cup stakes and a victory in the 1989 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes with Sunday Silence. Valenzuela earned 15 riding titles in Southern California tracks.  He retired with a record of 28,164 mounts, 4,333 wins and earnings in excess of $163 million.

"P Val" made one foray to Sam Houston Race Park in 2002 when the track hosted the Great State Challenge, a stakes-filled day featuring horses from Florida, Kentucky, New York, Maryland and California. He rode California-bred Continental Red to victory in the $275,000 Great State Challenge Classic and was affable and articulate in the post race interview I conducted.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK: $75,000 BONAPAW STAKES
Despite its $75,000 purse, Saturday's Bonapaw Stakes has attracted a Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner and a runner-up. The field of nine includes Chamberlain Bridge, who won the 2010 Breeders' Cup Sprint for trainer Bret Calhoun and has bankrolled $1.6 million in his stellar four-year career. Country Day, a 5-year-old son of Speightstown, ships in off a runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs. He will be ridden by James Graham, who is ruling the Fair Grounds turf this meet. Saturday afternoon's 13-race card will also feature the $75,000 Tenacious Handicap, the $60,000 Sugar Bowl Stakes and the $75,000 Blushing K. D. H. Post time is 12:40 p.m (CT).

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Manny, who asked the following:

How do you evaluate horses from different tracks competing at Sam Houston Race Park?”

Martha says:  Manny, excellent question as once Thoroughbreds return to Sam Houston on January 20, you will see shippers from many tracks competing on the dirt and turf track surfaces. Historically, horses who have been running in Louisiana or Oklahoma, have the best win percentages. Louisiana tracks include Delta Downs, Evangeline Downs and Louisiana Downs, and most who come from Fair Grounds merit consideration.

Don't ask me why, but the Remington Park shippers do EXTREMELY well when on a sloppy track, so if rain is in the forecast, make sure you include the horses that have been running in Oklahoma.  My experience with horses coming from Zia Park in New Mexico is that they need a race over the Sam Houston oval before factoring in the top placements. 

With expected full fields in the upcoming Sam Houston meet, there will be great betting opportunities in exacta, trifecta, superfecta and pick 3 wagers.

Good luck and feel free to submit any questions to info@shrp.com.

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN ON THE BRINK OF WINNING HIS 6,000TH RACE

Steve Asmussen: Coady Photography Trainer Steve Asmussen is approaching a personal milestone of 6,000 all-time wins. Through Thursday, November 17, Asmussen stands at 5,996 wins. He has five scheduled starts for today; one at Aqueduct; one at Woodbine and three at Remington Park. Interestingly, his starter in Remington Park's eighth race is Scrappy Roo, who is familiar to Sam Houston Race Park fans for his victory in the 2008 Connally Turf Cup, the only Thoroughbred graded stake at the northwest Houston track.

Asmussen has won five leading trainer titles at Sam Houston Race Park and has been one of the top conditioners in the country for the past decade. He trained Curlin, 2008 Eclipse Award winning Horse of the Year as well as the talented mare, Rachel Alexandra, who earned her  Eclipse Award Horse of the Year in 2009. Most recently, Asmussen won the  $2,000,000 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with the undefeated My Miss Aurelia.

Good luck, Steve!

Lindey Wade: Coady PhotographyLINDEY WADE ON A ROLL AT REMINGTON PARK
Thoroughbred jockey, Lindey Wade, who tied with Quincy Hamilton for leading rider honors earlier this year at Sam Houston Race Park, is on a roll at Remington Park.  Currently third in the standings with 33 wins, Wade had some outstanding results last weekend.

On Friday, November 11, Wade piloted Officer Prado to victory in the $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes for 2-year-olds. Riding for Asmussen, Wade was over five lengths behind the early leader Sword Trick, when Officer Prado unleashed a huge run and crossed the wire a half-length in front of Isn't He Clever.

The following night, Wade was aboard Guanabara Gal in a $30,000 turf allowance and prevailed in a four-way photo-finish.  The Kentucky-bred filly was the favorite, but Wade knew that the race was far from a cinch.
"I was shocked that the filly ran so huge," admitted Wade. "I was sitting fourth on the turn and was trying to keep my position. I never even had a chance to uncock my whip, but somehow we got to the wire."

Galloping back, Wade was still not sure he had won, but when his number came up on the big screen, he was elated.


Officer Prado: Dustin Orona Photography "Coming from behind to win the photo was so exciting," said Wade. "It was crazy!"
Sadly for Sam Houston Race Park racing fans, Wade will not defend his title when the Thoroughbred meet gets underway on January 20, 2012. He has decided to ship his tack to Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

"I love Houston," said Wade. "The track surface is great and that turf course is the best. But I have an opportunity to ride for Donnie K. (Von Hemel) and Chris Richard at Oaklawn. I will be a small fish in a big pond, but I am looking forward to the challenge."

KARL BROBERG, LARRY TAYLOR AND ANJO RACING TOP RETAMA PARK THOROUGHBRED MEET
The 2011 Retama Park Thoroughbred meet wrapped up on November 5. Trainer Karl Broberg won his second consecutive training title with 20 wins, topping Danny Pish, who finished the meet with 16 victories.

Larry Taylor topped the jockey standings, riding 29 winners from his 170 mounts to finish six winners ahead of Junior Chacaltana, who made 23 trips to the winner's circle.

There was a tie for the leading owner with Anjo Racing, Inc. and End Zone Athletics Inc. each winning six races during the 23-day season.

SURE SHOT B NAMED HORSE OF THE MEET AT LONE STAR PARK

Sure Shot B: Reid PalmerSure Shot B, winner of the richest race in Texas, the Grade 1, $1,158,941 Texas Classic Futurity, was named the Horse of the Meet on Saturday night when Lone Star Park concluded its 26-day Fall Meeting of Champions.

Owned by Dr. Tommy Hays, of Elgin, Texas, and  Charles Forbes, Jr. Sure Shot B, ridden by Salvador Martinez for trainer John Stinebaugh, broke superbly and won the 400-yard stakes in :19.425.  Algorithmic, from the barn of John Buchanan, finished a half-length behind in second, and Special Royal Corona was third.

Sure Shot B ($20.00) has won five of his six career starts and picked up a check for $501,163.
Lone Star Park honored Sure Shot B as Horse of the Meet, and also presented trophies to Trey Wood as leading trainer, Ricky Ramirez, top rider of the meet and A.D. Maddox, who claimed his sixth leading owner title.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK: $1 MILLION DELTA JACKPOT
Delta Downs will host the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot on Saturday, November 19.  Top contenders include Drill, who won the Grade 1, Del Mar Futurity for trainer Bob Baffert. Installed as the 2-1 morning-line choice, Drill and his rider, Martin Garcia have been assigned the high weight of 122 pounds. Sabercat, from the barn of Steve Asmussen, drew off to a six-length romp in the Garden State Stakes last month at Monmouth Park. Jake Mo, a son of Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, was fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, and will be ridden by Don Simington, who is a former leading rider at Sam Houston Race Park. Prominent national jockeys including Julien Leparoux (Seven Lively Sins); Joel Rosario (Longview Drive) and Corey Nakatani (Basmati) will travel to Vinton for the million dollar feature.

Since its inception in 2002, the Delta Jackpot has featured many exceptional 2-year-olds that have fared well in Kentucky Derby prep races. Previous winners of the Delta Jackpot include last year's champion, Gourmet Dinner; Rule, who won in 2009 and Big Drama, who won in 2008 Jackpot and went on to capture the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
The stakes-filled day will get underway at 1:15 p.m., a departure from their usual evening post time.

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Vince, who asked the following:

Whatever happened to the former racehorse and stallion, Hadif?

Hadif: Valor FarmMartha says:  I remember when I first started working in Texas racing that any Thoroughbred with Hadif in the lineage won a very high percentage of sprint races.

Hadif, a Kentucky-bred son of Clever Trick, was purchased by Clarence Scharbaurer, Jr. and became one of the most prolific sires at Valor Farm in Pilot Point Texas. Ken Carson, the general manager of the top Texas breeding farm, had high regard for Hadif.

"He has some absolutely incredibly fast runners," said Carson. "His foals would be yelling before they got out of the mare. All were good looking; some could get a mile, but at 5 1/2 to six furlongs, they were deadly."

Hadif  sired 22 stakes winners and 30 other racehorses who earned black-type.  He was pensioned from stud in 2006 after producing earners of  more than $12,500,000.

As with many of the retired Scharbauer racehorses, including Sixarun (QH), and broodmares Running Victory and Stalwart Sal, they were well taken care of and enjoyed life in the pristine setting of Valor Farm.  Sadly, last September, at the age of 24, Hadif died. He was one of the top ten Texas sires and will always be one of my favorite Thoroughbred racehorses and stallions.

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

CLAIMING CROWN SET FOR SATURDAY AT FAIR GROUNDS
The nation's top “blue-collar” Thoroughbred warriors will share the spotlight on Saturday afternoon when Fair Grounds hosts the 2011 Claiming Crown. Six stakes with $500,000 in purses will be contested. The marquee event is the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel with trainer Michael Maker sending out the entry of Al Muhtasib and Isthmus in the nine furlong main track feature.

The Claiming Crown is a partnership between the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Patterned after the Breeders’ Cup, the Claiming Crown was designed to reward Thoroughbred racing’s claiming horses and offer races at varying distances on both dirt and turf. This will mark the first time Fair Grounds has hosted the event, which debuted at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota in 1999. Canterbury has hosted 10 of the first 12 renewals of the event. The Claiming Crown was held at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) in Bensalem, Pennsylvania in 2002 and at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky in 2007.

Post time for Saturday's Fair Grounds card is 12:10 p.m. The first Claiming Crown stakes, the $50,000 Claiming Crown Iron Horse is slated as the fourth race of the afternoon, with a 1:30 p.m. post.

TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN WINS HIS 6,000TH RACE

Basalt, with Lindey Wade: Dustin Orona Photography Trainer Steve Asmussen became just the fifth trainer in the history of Thoroughbred racing to win his 6,000th career race. The milestone came in the first race on the Remington Park card, Friday, November 18, when Basalt scored under 2011 Sam Houston Race Park leading rider, Lindey Wade.

Asmussen, 46, has won five leading trainer titles at Sam Houston Race Park and has been one of the top conditioners in the country for the past decade. He trained Curlin, 2008 Eclipse Award winning Horse of the Year as well as the talented mare, Rachel Alexandra, who earned her Eclipse Award Horse of the Year in 2009. Most recently, Asmussen won the $2,000,000 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with the undefeated My Miss Aurelia.

He was honored as the Eclipse Award winning Trainer of the Year in 2008 and 2009. In addition to his leading trainer honors at Sam Houston Race Park, Asmussen has topped the standings at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn, Lone Star, Retama, Ellis Park and Remington Park. He will have a full barn of horses at Sam Houston Race Park for the 2012 Thoroughbred season, which commences on January 20. 

GLEN MURPHY AND LARRY TAYLOR AMONG RIDERS FOR THE 2012 SAM HOUSTON THOROUGHBRED MEET

Glen Murphy: Coady Photography Glen Murphy and Larry Taylor, who have both captured leading rider honors at Sam Houston Race Park, are expected to ride in the upcoming Thoroughbred meet. Murphy, who is currently in action at Remington Park, was leading rider in the 1999-2000 Thoroughbred season. Taylor won the title here in the 2006-2007 meet and comes to Houston fresh off capturing leading rider honors at Retama Park.

Other jockeys expected to join the colony include Chris Landeros, Erik McNeil, Bobby Walker, Jr., Jose Figueroa, Gerardo Mora, Roberto Villafan and apprentice rider, Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez.

SAM HOUSTON FUTURITY AND DERBY NOMINATION PAYMENTS DUE TODAY
The first payments for the 2012 Sam Houston Futurity (G2) and Sam Houston Derby (G3) are due on December 1. The fee of $200 will ensure horsemen the opportunity to participate in trials for the two graded stakes. The final purse for the 2011 Sam Houston Futurity was $600,000; the Derby purse was $152,800. Trials for the 330-yard Sam Houston Futurity will take place on March 31 with the finals set for April 14. The 350-yard Derby trials will be contested on March 30 and the finals will also take place on April 14. For more information, contact Shyrl Hopkins in the Sam Houston Racing office at (281) 807-8836 or shopkins@shrp.com.

JESS TEE OFF TO RUN TONIGHT AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

Jess Tee Off with Rodrigo Vallejo: Coady Photography Jess Tee Off, winner of the 2011 Sam Houston Futurity, will be in action on December 1 at Evangeline Downs in trials for the $161,950 EVD Futurity. The Texas-bred son of Tres Seis, remains undefeated this year for trainer Judd Kearl and owner L. B. Ranch LLC in Mission Texas. Rodrigo Vallejo will ride Jess Tee Off in the ninth race on the Thursday night card, one of eight trials to determine the ten fastest qualifiers. The final of the EVD Futurity will take place on Saturday, December 17.

PRAIRIE MEADOWS TO HOST THE 2012 BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The American Quarter Horse Association has awarded the national finals of its 2012 Challenge Championships to Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. The event, pending approval by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, will take place on Saturday, October 27, closing night of Prairie Meadows' 2012 Quarter Horse meet.

This will be the first time that the Iowa track has hosted the national event which rotates from tracks across the country including Los Alamitos, Lone Star Park, Fair Grounds and Evangeline Downs.  Sam Houston Race Park was the host site in 2004 for Quarter Horse racing's version of the Breeders' Cup.  Regional qualifying events are held at tracks the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil with the finalists competing for over $1 million in purses.

Sam Houston Race Park will hold regional qualifying races for the six major Bank of America Challenge races in April, 2012 as part of their live American Quarter Horse meet.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK: $100,000 SPECTACULAR BID
Saturday is opening day at Gulfstream Park in Hallendale, Florida. The opening day feature is the $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 2-year-olds at six furlongs.

Luke of York has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Trained by James DeVito, he is undefeated in his two career starts on Polytrack and will be making his first on dirt with Rajiv Maragh in the irons. The field of eight also includes Vexor, who won the Grade 2, Nashua Stakes at Belmont Park on October 2, prior to a disappointing ninth place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs. The Florida-bred colt is trained by John Kimmel and will be ridden by Javier Castellano, who is certain to be one of the top riders throughout the Gulfstream Park meet. Ancient Rome, a son of Roman Ruler, ships in from Delaware Park where he romped by seven lengths in his debut for trainer Anthony Dutrow.

Gulfstream Park is one of the top winter Thoroughbred destinations. The Grade 1, $1 million Florida Derby will be run on Saturday, March 31 as is always one of the major prep races for the Kentucky Derby

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Blair, who asked the following:

What are you most excited about in the upcoming meet at SHRP?”

Martha says:  Blair, I agree with you and so many of our emailers and Facebook friends that we are more than ready for the return of live racing.  One of the weekends that I am most excited about is January 20-21. It is opening weekend, with a great new twist: the inaugural two-day Texas Champions Day featuring the fillies on Friday evening and the colts/geldings and the $100,000 Star of Texas Stakes on Saturday. The stakes action always includes some deserving favorites, but there is always a longshot that spices up the betting opportunities.  Last year's price play was Valid Stripes, who won the $50,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes, rewarding his believers with a $55.60 win ticket.

Much more on Texas Champions Day in the weeks to come.

Another date I always look forward to is January 29 when Sam Houston presents the running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup. This is a special evening featuring some of the nation's top grass specialists running a mile and one-eighth on one of the Connally Turf Course, one of the finest turf ovals in the country.

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

TWO TEXANS HAVE BREEDERS' CUP CLASSIC CONTENDERS

Flat Out: Adam Coglianese -NYRA Art Preston, who divides his time between the Woodlands, Texas and Kentucky and Kenny Trout of Dallas, both have legitimate contenders in Saturday's $5 Million Breeders' Cup Classic, the richest of the two-day Breeders' Cup stakes.

Preston and his wife, Stephanie, own Flat Out, who won the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational at Belmont Park on October 1 and was assigned odd of 6-1 in the Classic. Stephanie rode professionally and Art and his brothers, Jack and J. R. owned 1987 sprint champion Groovy; 1998 Belmont Stakes and 1999 older male champion Victory Gallop; and two-time Breeders' Cup Mile winner Da Hoss. In 2007, Art and Stephanie were the leading Thoroughbred owners at Sam Houston Race Park with 14 wins for the season.

Kenny Troutt who resides in Dallas is the owner of Drosselmeyer, who was the upset winner in the 2010 Belmont Stakes. The 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor is trained by Bill Mott, and could very well outrun his morning-line of 15-1 under Mike Smith. He returns to Churchill Downs, where he broke his maiden in November, 2009.

Of course, as reported in my September 8 blog, Houston Texans owner, Bob McNair will have the favorite in Friday's $1,000,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). His filly, Elusive Kate, which he owns in his Magnolia Racing partnership, has been impressive in Europe, winning her last four starts, including her first Group One Stakes at Longchamp, France on October 2. Noted European conditioner John Gosden trains the Kentucky-bred filly, who will make her first start in the United States under jockey William Buick. The one-mile Juvenile Fillies Turf will run as the sixth race on the Friday Breeders' Cup card.

TRAINERS STEVE ASMUSSEN AND BRET CALHOUN HOPE FOR BREEDERS' CUP WINS

My Miss Aurelia: Adam Coglianese -NYRA Trainer Steve Asmussen, who has won five leading trainer titles at Sam Houston Race Park, will saddle seven horses in the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. Perhaps his most likely win candidate is the talented filly, My Miss Aurelia, who will try to remain undefeated in the $2,000,000 Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Friday's Ladies Day card. Owned by George Bolton and Stonestreet Stables, the Smart Strike filly is the 5-2 choice, based on three consecutive wins; her latest was a five-length score in the Grade 1, Frizette at Belmont Park.

Asmussen has started 17 horses in previous editions of the Breeders' Cup. His only win was with Horse of the Year, Curlin, who captured the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic.

Sam Houston Race Park fans are also very familiar with trainer Bret Calhoun, who won two Breeders' Cup stakes last year with Dubai Majesty in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint and Chamberlain Bridge, who came from off the pace to capture the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint.

Chamberlain Bridge, owned by Texan Carl Moore, won from the far inside post last year, will break from post 14 in the five-furlong turf sprint. Jamie Theriot stays aboard on the capable 7-year-old, who has earned $1.6 million since making his debut in 2007. His morning-line was set at 5-1; he won last year at odds of 7-1.

In addition to Chamberlain Bridge, Calhoun will saddle Grandacious, a 3-year-old filly also owned by Moore, in the $85,000 The Dream Supreme, which will run as the second race on the Saturday card.

Incidentally, Euroears, who is 4-1 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, was trained by Calhoun for several years. He won back-to-back races at Lone Star Park in 2010, but Last July, he 7-year-old was sent to the barn of Bob Baffert.
Good luck to all the Texas connections in this year's Breeders' Cup!

EARLY BIRD BREEDERS' CUP WAGERING AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast the entire two-day event from Churchill Downs. Post time for Friday's card is 1:00 p.m. with the first Breeders' Cup feature, the Sentient Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, set for 3:10 p.m.
Post time for Saturday is 11:05 a.m. with 12 races carded. The $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic will run as the 11th race at 6:00 p.m.

Early bird wagering is available, beginning at 7:30 am at the valet oval on both Friday and Saturday. Houston racing fans can also place their Breeders' Cup Saturday wagers throughout the day on Friday, November 4.

SIXES STREAK FASTEST QUALIFIER TO THE TEXAS CLASSIC FUTURITY AT LONE STAR PARK
Sixes Streak, owned by Jerry Windham and trained by Heath Taylor, continues to show his dominance at Lone Star Park. The 2-year-old Texas-bred won the $414,045 Dash for Cash Futurity (G1) on October 8 with G. R. Carter in the irons. Two weeks later, he topped 124 juveniles in trials for the richest race in Texas, the $1,242,909 Texas Classic Futurity (G1).

"That was something," said Windham, of his colt's victory in the 13th and final trial. "We will just hope for a good, clean trip in the final."

Windham's homebred will return to Lone Star Park on Saturday, November 12 for the 400-yard final, which is also closing night of the 2011 Fall Meeting of Champions for Quarter Horses.
The complete list of top 10 qualifiers for the Grade 1, $1,252,909 Texas Classic Futurity follows: 
Horse                                     Time                Jockey                         Trainer
Sixes Streak                          19.228             G.R. Carter, Jr.            Heath Taylor
The Long Knife                    19.291             Alex Baldillez, Jr.         Sleepy Gilbreath
Fast Prize Jordan                 19.330             G.R. Carter, Jr.            Heath Taylor
Sure Shot B                          19.332             Salvador Martinez       John Stinebaugh
Linda Tee Fire                      19.375             G. R. Carter, Jr.           Michael Joiner
Tee Cos                                 19.394             Esgar Ramirez             Paul Jones
DM Strait Up                         19.410             Ramon Sanchez          Heath Reed
Algorithmic                            19.488             Russel Hadley             John Buchanan
Special Royal Corona         19.490             Saul Ramirez               Felipe Garza
Jess A Comment                  19.510             Luis Ramirez               Guy Hopkins

TRAINER JUDD KEARL GETS TOP HONORS AT THE BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE

Judd Kearl: Coady Photography The 19th Bank of America Challenge Championships took place on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, California. The event was the culmination of regional trials and stakes run at over 20 racetracks in the United States, Mexico, South America and Canada.

Throughout the year points are accumulated in regional Bonus and Maiden and Challenge events. At an Awards Brunch at Los Alamitos, with the support of generous corporate partners, AQHA recognized the leading breeder, owner, trainer and jockey for the 2011 Bank of America Racing Challenge.

Judd Kearl soared to the top as the Vetrolin Champion Trainer.  Kearl, who was born in Treemonton, Utah and now makes Madisonville, Texas his home, has been one of the top horsemen in Texas and Oklahoma. Kearl was the conditioner of Comin Thru, a top Bank of America Challenge competitor; Eyes Blew By You, who won the Adequan Texas Derby Challenge; Ms Riptide, qualifier in the Merial Distaff Challenge and Speedin Streak, who will compete in the $75,000 John Deere Challenge Championship. He received $5,000 cash, a Tex-Tan saddle, products from Vetrolin as well as a custom buckle from Montana Silversmiths.

“I am very grateful to AQHA and to my owners, who I share this award with,” said Kearl from his barn at Lone Star Park. “They let me run my horses where they belong, even if it means shipping them across the country. I also need to thank my entire team, including assistants, Arturo Carillo and Brad Mason. We covered a lot of miles this year, and I couldn’t have done it without good help from everyone who works for me.”

Another first-time award winner was Mickey Tiner of Angleton, Texas, who earned the John Deere Champion Owner award. Tiner ran horses in Texas, Oklahoma, Iowa and Fort Erie, Canada. His Challenge participants included Comin Thru, who ran in the Bank of America Challenge (G1) at Sam Houston Race Park and Fort Erie, Feature Showtime and Time to Zoom. Tiner was awarded with a John Deere Gator utility vehicle and a custom buckle from Montana Silversmiths.

The Nutrena Champion Breeder award went to Vessels Stallion Farm LLC of Bonsall, California. This was the fourth time they have been the top breeder, with previous honors in 2007, 2009 and 2010.  AQHA champion rider G.R. Carter attended the brunch and received his sixth Wrangler Champion Jockey award.

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Diamond M Racing, who wanted to talk selections for the Breeders' Cup.

Martha says: I will post my Friday Breeders' Cup picks on Thursday and the picks for the Saturday races, including the Breeders' Cup Classic on Friday. There is a 90% chance of rain on Thursday, which could have a big impact on the turf course. The European invaders do very well on soft or yielding turf so the weather tomorrow will be important to making some choices in the very challenging full fields.

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

TIN TOP CAT WINS FLASHY LADY STAKES AT REMINGTON PARK

Tin Top Cat: Coady Photography
Tin Top Cat, the talented Texas-bred filly trained by Bret Calhoun, racked up another stakes win last weekend at Remington Park. She made the most of her debut at the Oklahoma City racetrack, rallying from off the pace to win the $50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes by a neck.

Sam Houston Race Park fans might remember seeing the bay filly return off a five-month layoff to capture the $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes as part of the 2009 Texas Champions Day program. Owned by the Texans Jerry Durant and Bill Jordan, the 4-year-old filly has improved her career record to 8 wins from 17 starts. Her winner's share of $30,000 for the Flashy Lady Stakes increased her total lifetime earnings to $374,774.

Hopefully, Houston racing fans will have an opportunity to see Tin Top Cat on January 20, opening night of the 2012 Sam Houston Race Park Thoroughbred racing season. For the first time in the history of Texas Champions Day, the filly and mare stakes will be contested on Friday evening with the colt, gelding and open stakes set for Saturday, January 21.

RAMSEY FILLY WINS TURF FEATURE AT RETAMA PARK

Sisterhood: Coady Photography
Retama Park presented two turf features on Saturday, October 15. Top Thoroughbred owners and breeders, Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey shipped in one of their rising 2-year-old stars, Sisterhood and she made the most of her first visit to Texas winning the $75,000 M-2 Technology La Senorita. Trained by Wesley Ward, Sisterhood covered the mile on the firm turf course in 1:37.27 under rider Julio Garcia. The La Senorita was the first turf race of the meet at Retama, which had been unable to race on the grass because of drought conditions in Texas. Tequila Factor, trained by Ingrid Mason and ridden by Gerard Melancon, won the $50,000 El Joven Stakes for colts and geldings.

Sisterhood, is a daughter of the Ramsey's standout sire, Kitten's Joy and a full sister to Grade 3-placed juvenile Becky's Kitten. Kitten's Joy won nine of his 14 career starts and was honored as Eclipse winning turf champion.  He has already produced 17 juvenile winners, on turf, dirt and synthetic racing surfaces.

Ramsey sent two horses to Retama Park in 2009 for their turf stakes and swept both with Lisa's Kitten and Kera's Kitten who captured the M2 Technology La Senorita and EL Joven. Standout Kentucky rider, Julien Leparoux made the trip to San Antonio and to ride both winners.

Live Thoroughbred racing continues at Retama Park through November 5.

 DELTA DOWNS THOROUGHBRED MEET BEGINS THIS WEEK
Delta Downs in Vinton, Louisiana, kicked off its 22-week Thoroughbred racing season on Wednesday, October 19.  In 2002, Delta Downs introduced their marquee race for 2-year-olds as a potential Kentucky Derby preview. The stakes is called the Delta Downs Jackpot and boasts a million dollar purse. Top trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen have run horses in the Jackpot which is set for Saturday, November 19, with a special afternoon post time of 1:15 p.m. Other than November 19, racing begins at 5:45 pm and will continue through March 17.

TRIALS FOR THE TEXAS CLASSIC DERBY AND FUTURITY THIS WEEKEND AT LONE STAR PARK

Jess Tee Off: Coady Photography
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie will host trials this weekend for their Texas Classic Derby (G1) and $1 Million Texas Classic Futurity (G1).  Friday night's card will feature four trials for the Derby, with an estimated purse of $400,000. Cold Cash 123, winner of the Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs, is the even-money favorite in the fifth race with a post time of 8:11 pm (CT). Trained by native Texan, "Sleepy" Gilbreath, Cold Cash 123 was the fastest qualifier to the All American Derby, but had a troubled break and finished seventh in the Grade 1 stakes. Other notable 3-year-olds entered in the Derby trials include Llano Teller, currently the top ranked older horse on the AQHA/Horseplayer.now Poll; American Runaway, who finished second in the 2010 Texas Classic Futurity and Eyes Blew By You, winner of the Adequan Derby Challenge at Sam Houston Race Park in May.   

Jess Tee Off, winner of the $600,000 Sam Houston Futurity, will run in trials for the Texas Classic Futurity on Saturday at Lone Star Park. Owned by L.B. Ranch, LLC, Jess Tee Off has only made two career starts, winning his trial on March 25 and the final on April 9.

Kearl, who will saddle four horses in the Derby trials on Friday and 12 on Saturday for the Texas Classic Futurity, has been pleased how Jess Tee Off has handled his layoff.

"We decided right after the Sam Houston Futurity that we were not going to run him until the Texas Classic," said Kearl. "He's been working well and I know I will have a very sound and fresh horse on Saturday night."

Jess Tee Off drew post position six in the third trial of the evening. A total of 13 trials will be run for the Texas Classic Futurity on Saturday, beginning at 6:35 pm (CT). Sixes Streak, who won the $414,045 Dash For Cash Futurity (G1) on October 8, will run in the final trial. The Jerry Windham homebred broke his maiden in April at Sam Houston Race Park and has won five of his seven starts to date for trainer Heath Taylor.

BANK OF AMERICA CHALLENGE SET FOR OCTOBER 29 AT LOS ALAMITOS

Cat Five Storm: Coady Photography
The Bank of America Racing Challenge will take place on Saturday, October 29 at Los Alamitos Race Course in Southern California. The event is the richest and most successful program in American Quarter Horse racing today, a championship series developed for the "World's Fastest Horse."

The Bank of America Racing Challenge program provides more racing opportunities and bigger purses for older American Quarter Horses than any other program throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and South America.

Regional winners from across the country, Mexico and Canada will compete in six stakes; the winner of the $350,000 Bank of America Challenge Championship (G1) will earn a berth to the prestigious $750,000 Champion of Champions. 

Several horses who compete in the Challenge last April at Sam Houston Race Park will represent Texas on October 29. Houston racing fans can root for the following horses: Acorn in the Bank of America Challenge Championship; Cat Five Storm in the Red Cell Distance Challenge; Differently in the Adequan Derby Challenge Championship and Speedin Streak in the Pfizer Allowance Starter Challenge Championship.

The draw for the Bank of America Challenge Championships will take place on Wednesday, October 26. For more information, visit www.aqharacing.com.

FULL FIELD ASSEMBLED FOR THE $250,000 LEXUS RUN AT KEENELAND
Just two more weekends remain in the Fall Keeneland meeting. On Saturday afternoon, the Grade 2, $250,000 Lexus Raven Run will feature a contentious field of 3-year-old fillies at a distance of seven furlongs.

Chantal Sutherland, who is arguably the top female jockey in the country, will make the trip to Lexington to ride Great Hot (BRZ), who exits a third place finish in the Lady's Secret (G1) at Santa Anita on October 1. Trained by A.C. Avila, Great Hot may find the Keeneland surface to her liking as she won the 2011 Torrey Pines, which was run on the Polytrack at Del Mar.

Leading Keeneland rider Julien Leparoux has been named on Roman Treasure, who posted a bullet work on Tuesday. The daughter of Roman Ruler won the Positive Gal Stakes on September 23 at Belmont Park for trainer Michael Hushion. Another top contender is California-bred Mizdirection, who ran second in the Grade 2 San Clemente last July and followed that with a victory on the Del Mar turf in the Sandy Blue. She is owned by a group of investors, including sports broadcaster Jim Rome. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, The Jim Rome Show, "The Jungle" daily on ESPN.

Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast the full Keeneland card; post time for the Raven Run is 4:23 (CT).

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Blake, who asks the following:

Dear Martha, Thanks for your Breeders' Cup update on winning trainers. Which jockeys have been most successful in the series?

Blake, Thanks for the question and it has been a challenging weekend for many of the most noted riders. When the Breeders' Cup began in 1984, it was a one-day event. It has expanded to two-days, with this year's edition at Churchill Downs set for November 4 and 5. In addition to the top North American riders, we will see many European jockeys crossing the Atlantic to compete in the esteemed racing event.

Retired riders, Jerry Bailey and Pat Day, set the bar very high, and both lead all jockeys in Breeders' Cup earnings with $22 million and $23 million, respectively. Interesting that Calvin Borel only has one Breeders' Cup winner: Street Sense in the 2006 BC Juvenile, as does rising star, Javier Castellano, whose only victory was aboard Ghostzapper in the 2004 BC Classic.

Leading Breeders' Cup Trainers                       # of Wins
Jerry Bailey (Retired)                                               15
Mike Smith                                                                13       
Pat Day (Retired)                                                     12       
Garrett Gomez                                                          12
Frankie Dettori                                                          10
Chris McCarron (Retired)                                         9
John Velazquez                                                         9                   

More on the Breeders' Cup November 3 blog, but feel free to send in any and all questions!

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

KEENELAND OPENS ON FRIDAY
Keeneland, the exceptional racetrack located in Lexington, Kentucky, kicks off its 75th anniversary meet this Friday, which will run through October 29. FallStars Weekend features five Grade 1 stakes beginning with the 60th running of the $400,000 Darley Alcibiades (G1).

The Darley Alcibiades showcases 2-year-old fillies and the winner earns a berth into the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) to be run November 4 at Churchill Downs, as part of the Breeders' Cup “Win and You’re In” program.

Texas horsemen who will run horses at Keeneland include Steve Asmussen, Bret Calhoun, Ronny Werner and Michelle Lovell, who had three winners in the Fall, 2010 Keeneland Meeting.

KIP DEVILLE STAKES SET FOR FRIDAY NIGHT AT REMINGTON PARK
Friday night's feature at Remington Park is the $75,000 Kip Deville Stakes, a six-furlong main track feature for 2-year-olds. The stakes is named in honor of Oklahoma-bred Kip Deville, who had a remarkable career, winning 12 of his 30 lifetime starts. The striking gray son of Kipling won his stakes debut in the 2006 Texas Heritage Stakes under Quincy Hamilton at Sam Houston Race Park. He earned $3.3 million and won four Grade 1 stakes, most notably the 2007 Breeders' Cup Mile at Monmouth Park where he defeated 12 national and international turf specialists.  Sadly, Kip Deville succumbed to laminitis in 2010; he was just 7-years-old.

The field of 11 includes Sum Of The Parts from the barn of Tom Amoss, the 3-1 morning-line favorite; Officer Prado, trained by Steve Asmussen, who is currently the  leading trainer at Remington Park and Jake Mo, who breaks from the far outside under Quincy Hamilton. 

Hamilton would relish the stakes win, but has another momentous event coming up this month. He will marry Mandi Yanez on October 15 in Ocala, Florida. Congratulations to Mandi and Quincy, who began his career at Sam Houston Race Park!

The marquee race of the Remington Park 2011 Thoroughbred meet is the 23nd running of the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, October 16. The special Sunday afternoon card will also feature the $250,000 Remington Park Oaks and the $125,000 Remington Green Stakes.

Look for Schramsberg, Sam Houston Race Park's Thoroughbred Horse of the Meet, to run this month at Remington Park. The 5-year-old son of Storm Cat won the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston. He is training at Remington Park, and was third in the $100,000 Edward DeBartolo Handicap on September 2 on the Remington turf course.

The Remington Park Thoroughbred meet concludes on December 10, and Sam Houston Race Park fans will see many of the connections ship in for the 2012 meet, which kicks off on January 20. 

DASH FOR CASH HEADLINES SATURDAY'S CARD AT LONE STAR PARK
Quarter Horse stakes action will be plentiful on Saturday night at Lone Star Park when the Grand Prairie racetrack hosts the finals of the $414,045 Dash For Cash Futurity (G1) and $153,300 Dash for Cash Derby.

Sixes Streak was the fastest qualifier in 13 trial races run on September 24. Bred and owned by Jerry Windham, the gelded son of Streakin Sixes won his trial impressively by two lengths, covering 400-yards in :19.304 under rider G.R. Carter Jr.

Trained by Heath Taylor, Sixes Streak broke his maiden on April 10 at Sam Houston before heading to Ruidoso Downs where he competed in trials for both the Rainbow (G1) and All American (G1) Futurities at Ruidoso Downs.

"He's an incredible little horse," said Windham. "He won his trial for the All American Futurity (on August 18), but ended up being the 14th fastest qualifier. We decided against running him in the consolation and just sent him back to Texas for the Dash for Cash."

Jacky Martin rode Sixes Streak in Ruidoso; G. R. Carter, who had the mount in trials, remains on board for Saturday night.

Windham has high hopes for another one of his homebreds, Texas Icon, who will run in the Grade 2, $153,300 Dash for Cash Derby, to be contested as the eighth race on Lone Star's Saturday night card. 

Texas Icon was the fastest qualifier in both the $152,800 Sam Houston Derby (G2) year and the Heritage Place Derby at Remington Park. He finished in a dead-heat for third in Houston and second at Remington, so Windham hopes that the Dash for Cash will finally reward his 3-year-old with a stakes win.
"He's a hard luck horse," notes Windham. "We thought he had a big chance in the Heritage Place, but drew outside and couldn't get it done. All you can hope for is for no bad luck in the final."

Texas Icon will break from post position nine on Saturday and may have his toughest competition from Eyes Blew By You, who breaks to his outside. Trained by leading Sam Houston conditioner, Judd Kearl, Eyes Blew By You has been sensational over the last three months. He set a track record at Retama Park on August 27 in the $70,000 Sires Cup Derby, and is seeking his fourth consecutive win.

JOCKEYS TO RIDE FOR JACKY MARTIN ON SATURDAY
A national fundraiser for seriously injured jockey Jacky Martin will be held at racetracks across the country on Saturday, October 8th. To bring awareness to Martin, and in his honor, jockeys will be riding with a boot decal with Jacky’s name.

Both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse jockeys are being asked to contribute a losing mount fee to help with costs associated with the long-term care for the champion quarter horse jockey who was paralyzed after a spill at Ruidoso Downs, and is currently hospitalized at the TIRR Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston; the same facility that treated Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.

“It is critically important that the funds raise enough money to help with the long-term care for Jacky,” said Terry Meyocks, national manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “Insurance only covers so much of the needed costs. We are asking jockeys and individuals to help Jacky carryon his life after this catastrophic event. All donations are appreciated.”

Racing fans are encouraged to make a contribution by sending a tax-deductible check to the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chaplaincy and indicate on the memo line it should be for the benevolence fund. Checks then should be sent to Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chaplaincy, Ruidoso Downs, P.O. Box 449, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346.


BELMONT PARK AND KEENELAND OFFER PIVOTAL WEEKEND STAKES
In addition to FallStars Weekend at Keeneland, Belmont Park is serving up a compelling stakes program on Saturday afternoon with the Grade 1, $300,000 Champagne, the $300,000 Frizette, and the $250,000 Jamaica for sophomore grass horses.

One year ago, Uncle Mo won the Champagne as a prep to his victory in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. In its 141st running, a field of nine 2-year-olds will compete in the Champagne, one of two Grade 1 “Win and You’re In” races at Belmont for the upcoming Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs, The colt to watch is Union Rags, from the barn of Barbaro's trainer, Michael Matz. The son of Dixie Union broke his maiden at Delaware Park, and showed his mettle as a stakes-caliber runner when on August 15 with a commanding win in the Grade 2, Saratoga Special. Top New York rider, Javier Castellano, retains the mount on Union Rags, the 7-5 morning-line choice.

Uncle Mo was a maiden winner in the 2011 Champagne, and this year's field includes several promising colts seeking their first stakes score. Alpha, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, broke his maiden by six lengths at Saratoga on September 3. The son of Bernardini will be ridden by Alan Garcia. Others to watch include Speightscity, an 11 ½-length maiden winner at Saratoga on September 2; Takes the Gold, a 3 ¼-length maiden winner at Belmont and Right to Vote, who recently won at Belmont on September 17.

Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast the full Belmont card; post time for the Champagne is 4:18 (CT).

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Candy, who asks the following:

Dear Martha, With the Breeders' Cup coming up next month, I was just curious as to which trainer has the best overall record?

Candy, interesting topic as we have just one month to go until the big two-day event at Churchill Downs.  Since the first running of the Breeders' Cup in 1984, the dapper D. Wayne Lukas remains the all-time leader with 18 titles; his last victory was in 2005 with Folklore in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.

Interesting note is that many of the country's best Thoroughbred trainers began their careers as assistants to Lukas. The impressive list includes Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Dallas Stewart, Mark Hennig and Mike Maker.

Leading Breeders' Cup Trainers                       # of Wins
D. Wayne Lukas                                                      18
Claude "Shug" McGaughey                                   9
Bob Baffert                                                                7
Todd Pletcher                                                           6
Bill Mott                                                                      6
Richard Mandella                                                    6
Neil Drysdale                                                            6
Bobby Frankel (Deceased)                                    6         

More on the Breeders' Cup in the October 20 and November 3 blogs, but feel free to send in any and all questions!

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

THE LATEST WITH TRAINER BRET CALHOUN AND CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE

Chamberlain Bridge: Coady Photography
Chamberlain Bridge, owned by Texan Carl Moore and trained by Bret Calhoun, won the 2010 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs in riveting fashion. It was the first Breeders' Cup win for Calhoun, who has stabled a nice group of horses each winter at Sam Houston Race Park.  

On February 12, the resplendent Chamberlain Bridge entered the Sam Houston saddling paddock in his Breeders' Cup blanket as the prohibitive favorite in the $75,000 Rail Splitter Stakes.Under Jamie Theriot, the 7-year-old gelded son of War Chant circled the field and won the five furlong turf sprint by one length.

However, that was his last victory for the year. He finished fourth in the Grade 3, Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland; third in the Grade 3, Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes; sixth in the Parx Dash Handicap and third in the Grade 3, Turf Monster Handicap on Labor Day, also in Philadelphia.

Calhoun is in Kentucky, getting his barn set for the upcoming Keeneland meet which gets underway on Friday, October 7.

“I haven't been all that happy with his recent races," admitted Calhoun. "He has lost a little of his fire as a 7-year-old and not does seem as determined as he was last year. Physically, the horse is great and he did take a step forward in the Turf Monster."

So now, the plans for Chamberlain Bridge, who has earned $1.6 million since making his debut in 2007, are a little uncertain. Calhoun is not sure if he will run in Keeneland or train up to the Breeders' Cup. Points wise, Chamberlain Bridge may not even qualify based on this year's record, but Moore and Calhoun are hopeful.

"Winning not one, but two Breeders' Cup stakes last year was very special," said Calhoun. "No matter what happens this year, Chamberlain Bridge's win will always be one of my most memorable career highlights."

Calhoun has had a solid year, with horses running in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. He even had his first starter at Saratoga this summer. He is currently the tenth-leading trainer in the country by earnings with his runners bankrolling $4.2 million. Steve Asmussen leads the nation in wins with 249 wins from 1,201 starts; Calhoun is fourth saddling 614 horses in 2011 resulting in 145 victories.

ALFONSO LUJAN HOPING TO CLINCH LEADING RIDER HONORS SATURDAY AT FAIR GROUNDS

Alfonso Lujan: Coady Photography
Fair Grounds in New Orleans will wrap up its Quarter Horse season on Saturday, September 24 with a 13-race card. Jockey Alfonso Lujan started the meet with a bang, winning five races on opening day and hopes to conclude the meet with his second Fair Grounds leading rider title.

Saturday's feature is the $276,833 LQHBA Sales Futurity, with fastest qualifier The Real Game entering the final off a scorching fast 350-yard time of :17.522 under Danny Lavergne. Lujan will pilot the second fastest qualifier, Toast to Patriot, who finished second to The Real Game in :17.551. Trainer Janet VanBebber will saddle two in the final:  fifth-fastest qualifier, Little Bit Trashy and Coors Select, who qualified in the ninth-fastest time of :17.689.

Lujan, 33, who makes his home in Elgin, Texas, has won races for eight different conditioners at Fair Grounds and is pleased that the meet has gone so well.

"I had a little break before heading to Fair Grounds and was excited about the meet," said Lujan. "Winning five on the first day was awesome; everything went right for me. I had good, clean trips and my horses performed to the best of their ability. Sometimes, you go into a day knowing you are on live mounts, but you get bumped or run over and cannot win a race."


Acorn: Coady Photography
In addition to the $276,852 LQHBA Sale Futurity, the 13-race card includes three additional stakes: the $49,833 LQHBA Sale Invitational, the $30,000 DeSaix Stakes and the $30,000 Fair Grounds Bank of America Bonus Challenge. Acorn, who is familiar to Houston racing fans, with four of his 11 career wins on the Sam Houston oval, is the 8-5 morning-line favorite in the 350-yard Bonus Challenge. The 4-year-old is trained by Janet VanBebber and will be ridden by Lujan.
The Real Game: Lynn Roberts/Lou Hodges Photograph

RACING COMEDY TO DEBUT NEXT MONTH
A new comedy about the Sport of Kings, And They're Off, will hit theatres on October 28, the week before Breeders Cup. The main theme focuses on a struggling trainer played by Sean Astin who hopes that jockey and ex-girlfriend, Cheri Oteri (from Saturday Night Live) can turn his luck around.

Veteran comedians Martin Mull and Kevin Nealon are in the cast and racing fans will recognize "real" California jockeys, including Joe Talamo and Martin Garcia, as well as Hall of Famer, Bob Baffert.

Check out the trailer at http://andtheyreoffmovie.com/

TURALLURE WINS THE WOODBINE MILE AND IS BREEDERS' CUP BOUND
Talented turf specialist Turallure showed that he is a miler to be reckoned with as he captured the $1 million Ricoh Woodbine Mile on September 18.  Sent off at odds of 6-1, and ridden confidently by Julian Leparoux, the handsome gray Turallure came from off the pace to defeat heavily favored Courageous Cat by a neck. The victory, a "Win and You're In" stakes on the Breeders' Cup trail, gave Turallure an entry to the Grade 1, TVG Breeders' Cup Mile at Churchill Downs on November 5. Trained by Charles Lopresti and owned by Four D Stable, the 4-year-old earned $600,000 for the Woodbine victory, and improved his career record to six wins from 15 starts. Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast both full cards of the 2011 Breeders' Cup World Championships from Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5.

THOROUGBRED HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP TO BE DECIDED THIS SATURDAY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
To add to the excitement of the 2011 Breeders' Cup, Sam Houston Race Park hosted four qualifying rounds of the Emirates Airlines Thoroughbred Handicapping Championship. This Saturday is the finale, with top finishers from each week moving on to compete in the championship and win cash prizes and tickets to the 2011 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5.

The contest format for the Championship Round will be a mythical $2 win and place wager on each of 10 designated Contest Races from one or more race tracks. Any races on an applicable day which are part of the Breeders Cup Challenge will be automatically be included as Contest Races.

The person with the highest mythical winnings in each Qualifying Round will win $50 and be designated as the SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapper of the Week.  That person each week will also win two grandstand reserved tickets to the Breeders Cup to be held at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5, 2011.

Congratulations to Joe Cuomo, Anthony LaPietra and Tim Lim who finished as the top three in the September 17 qualifier. They join nine other players in Saturday’s Championship Round. The person with the highest mythical winnings in the Championship Round will be declared the 2011 SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapping Champion and will receive $400 in prize money, a Championship Trophy and four VIP tickets to the Breeders Cup. (If that person previously won a qualifying round, the two grandstands reserved Breeders Cup tickets will be awarded.

Good luck to the finalists on September 24!

PENNSYLVANIA DERBY FROM PHILADELPHIA PARK HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEKEND'S SIMULCAST ACTION
Trainer Bill Mott lost a heartbreaker with Courageous Cat last Sunday at Woodbine, but may be smiling again on Saturday if To Honor and Serve wins the Grade 2, $1,000,000 Pennsylvania Derby. The mile and one-eighth stakes will serve as a final prep race for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 5. To Honor and Serve will face eight rivals including this year's Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler on Ice, Rush Now, Rattlesnake Bridge and JW Blue.

Ruler on Ice, the 5-2 early betting choice, is seeking his first win since pulling the upset in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes last June. He exits a fourth place finish in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga and gets a new rider, Garrett Gomez, who takes over for Jose Valdivia, Jr. To Honor and Serve, who was installed at odds of 3-1, will be ridden by Jose Lezcano as John Velazquez opted to ride the 3-year-old Rattlesnake Bridge for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin. Rattlesnake Bridge, a gray son of Tapit closed gamely at odds of 14-1 to finish second behind the highly regarded Stay Thirsty in the Travers on August 27.

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Brandon, who asks the following:

Dear Martha, I know you are not a Farrier but I have always wondered about horseshoes. Do different types of horses wear different types of shoes? Wide receivers wear different cleats than linebackers, do thoroughbreds wear different horseshoes than quarter horses and how long does a horse stay in the same shoes?

Brandon, This is an excellent question and as you surmised, quite a bit of detail is involved in shoeing racehorses. In addition to your query on Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses, there are also different shoe requirements for Thoroughbreds racing on turf versus dirt.

Aluminum Horse Shoes are the most common; however, there are many different types of racing plates selected for racehorses. Front Regular Toe Aluminum Racing Plates are popular and geared for multiple track surfaces. Front Low Toe Aluminum Racing Plates are used on hard or fast tracks, providing traction with less strain on tendons and ligaments.

Level Grip or Outer Rim Aluminum Racing Plates are considered excellent for turf as the outside rim aids in traction and balance. Front Inner Rim Aluminum Racing Plates are popular for deep sandy tracks. The inside rim allows for good traction and stability.

What happens when heavy rain renders a track as muddy or sloppy? Horsemen might opt for Front Jar Calk Aluminum Racing Plates, which can add stability and traction for the race horse.

Quarter Horses are usually shod with Small Toe Grabs. A toe grab acts as a "cleat" on the toe of the shoe, providing additional traction to aid the powerful Quarter Horse in its explosive start from the gate.

Most shoes are nailed to the hoof's outside wall, but horses with hoof issues may need Glue-On shoes, which are adhered to the hoof using a very strong bonding agent. They are useful on horses with thin hoof walls, and horses which are chronically sore in the soles of the feet.

As far as how often racehorses need to be shod, it varies on the individual, but on average, it is every 30 days. Of course, factors including age, sex, breed and whether the horse has orthopedic imbalances which require a corrective shoe must be considered.

Farriers are unsung heroes in racing; fans rarely see them in action, but trainers acknowledge that their expertise can make a huge difference in both race performance and equine health.

Weighing In with Martha Claussen
September 22, 2011 – Texas Tidings

SCRAPPY ROO VICTORIOUS ON LABOR DAY AT REMINGTON PARK

Dustin Orona Photography/ Remington Park
Texas-bred turf veteran Scrappy Roo made another visit to the winner's circle when he won the $31,500 allowance-optional claiming feature at Remington Park on Labor Day.

The 8-year-old is currently owned and trained by Steve Asmussen, but won the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Turf Cup at Sam Houston Race Park in April, 2008 for trainer John Locke, owner David Taylor and jockey Paul Nolan.  It was the first time in the history of the Connally that a Texas-bred captured the elite turf stakes.

Last Monday, Scrappy Roo, with rider Luis Quinonez aboard, surged past Tiger Lake and held off a late charge from Glenbeigh to win by three-quarters of a length, covering 1-1/16 miles over firm going in 1:41.92.

The 6-5 wagering favorite, Scrappy Roo returned $4.60 to win and improved his lifetime record to 17 wins from 39 starts and earnings of $320,658.

After 12 days of the 2011 Thoroughbred Season, Asmussen leads the trainer standings with 10 wins. In the jockey standings, Quinonez is tied at the top with  Cliff Berry, each with 13 trips to the winner's circle.

UPDATE ON INJURED RIDER JACKY MARTIN
A fund to aid paralyzed jockey Jacky Martin has been established at the Fort Gibson State Bank in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. The 56-year-old jockey has ridden over 3,000 winners since 1972. He was the AQHA Champion Jockey in 2010, member of the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame and holds the record of wins (7) in the prestigious All American Futurity.
         
Martin was seriously injured when he was thrown to the ground after his mount broke down on Friday, September 2 at Ruidoso Downs. He is at the University Medical Center in El Paso and his family is looking into options to transfer him to a rehabilitation center, possibly Craig Hospital near Denver.

Racing fans wishing to make a donation of any amount may send a check to the Tracey Martin Special Account, Fort Gibson State Bank, P.O. Box 130, Fort Gibson, Okla., 74434. The track number for wiring/transferring funds is 103101660.

Well wishes can also be sent on the Jacky Martin Get Well Card on Facebook click here.

RECORD-SETTING VICTORY FOR TRAINER JUDD KEARL AT RETAMA PARK
Retama Park wrapped up their Quarter Horse meet on August 27 and trainers Guy Hopkins and Judd Kearl finished up with key victories.

Hopkins won the Grade 2, $130,541 Sires Cup Futurity with his talented filly, A Game Dame. Bred by Bob and Jerry Gaston, A Game Dame is owned by T.I. Cattle Company who clinched leading owner honors with the stakes victory.

Kearl saddled Eyes Blew Bye You who set a new track record in the $70,000 Sires Cup Derby, sizzling to the wire in 19.54 for 400 yards. His win moved him into a tie for leading trainer of the meet honors with Eusevio Huitron. Rider Luis Ramirez was honored as leading jockey of the meet.

JOCKEY ALFONSO LUJAN OFF TO SENSATIONAL START AT FAIR GROUNDS
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots kicked off their annual Summer Quarter Horse Meet on Wednesday, September 7 and jockey Alfonso Lujan won five of the races on the ten-race card including the $40,000 Treme Stakes. Riders J. R. Ramirez and David Alvarez each won two races on opening day.

Kenny Roberts Sr., the track's all-time leading Summer Quarter Horse trainer, will again be a formidable presence this season. His 36-horse string is the largest on the grounds. Roberts earned his first Fair Grounds title last year with nine wins and will defend that crown against the likes of past Fair Grounds champions Heath Taylor (2009) and Janet VanBebber (2008). Others expected to make an impact at the top of the standings include Anthony Arey, Danny Eldridge, Bobby Martinez and Michael Zingelmann.

The season runs Wednesdays to Saturdays, with a first post of 12:40 p.m. CDT daily through Saturday, September 24.

QUARTER HORSEMAN BENNY PENNINGTON PASSES
Native Texan and longtime American Quarter Horse trainer J. Benny Pennington passed away on Tuesday, August 30. The 64-year-old conditioner stayed positive despite several tough health battles including a heart attack and melanoma.

Pennington was running horses at Retama Park in Selma, Texas last weekend and had a finalist, William Henry, in the TQHA Sires Cup Derby (G3).  Trainer Kie Mushinski, who has known Pennington for 30 years, sat with him during the races.

"Benny told me it was just like old times," said Mushinski. "He loved to sit and talk after the races instead of rushing in and out. Benny was always happy; no gloom and doom with him. He was very knowledgeable about his horses and really loved to be at the track."

Pennington ran horses at Sam Houston Race Park since the track opened in 1994. He had many celebrated champions including multiple distance stakes champion, Windville, Sheza Dashing Disco and JC My Diamond Man. According to AQHA records, Pennington started 4,228 horses beginning in 1977, winning 475 races and purses of $2,839,512.

Eric Johnston, vice president of racing, credits Pennington not only for bringing quality horses each year to Houston, but for his friendly demeanor and engaging personality.

"He was a great supporter of Sam Houston Race Park since the opening quarter horse meet and a true friend to myself and every one he met," said Johnston. "My sincerest condolences go out to Miss Wanda and his family."
"Benny was a horseman that loved the horse racing industry for all of the right reasons," said Rob Werstler, TQHA racing director. "He loved the daily interaction with the people and the horses. He was a great advocate for the racetrack chaplaincy. He was a friend to all, always willing to lend a helping hand or tell a great story. He will be sorely missed."

Pennington is survived by his wife, Wanda and daughters Jill and Arlisa. He was laid to rest on Saturday, September 2 at the Dugger Cemetary in Seguin, Texas.

THOROUGBRED HANDICAPPING CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY AT SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK
Calling all handicappers! Sam Houston Race Park is hosting its 2011 Emirates Airlines Thoroughbred Handicapping Championship. This Saturday is the third of four qualifying rounds, with top finishers from each week moving on to compete in the championship on September 24 and win cash prizes and tickets to the 2011 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5.

The contest format for each Qualifying Round and for the Championship Round will be a mythical $2 win and place wager on each of 10 designated Contest Races from one or more race tracks.  Any races on an applicable day which are part of the Breeders Cup Challenge will be automatically be included as Contest Races.

The person with the highest mythical winnings in each Qualifying Round will win $50 and be designated as the SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapper of the Week.   That person each week will also win two grandstand reserved tickets to the Breeders Cup to be held at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5, 2011.

Twelve persons will advance to the Championship Round. The person with the highest mythical winnings in the Championship Round will be declared the 2011 SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapping Champion and will receive $400 in prize money, a Championship Trophy and four VIP tickets to the Breeders Cup. (If that person previously won a qualifying round, the two grandstands reserved Breeders Cup tickets will be awarded.

Congratulations to Bob Horowitz, Linda Lithman, and Ben Orlando who were the top three finishers in the first qualifying round of the 2011 Emirates Airlines Thoroughbred Handicapping Championship Contest. Each of them advances to the Championship Round on September 24 to compete for $400 cash, a trophy, and four VIP Breeders Cup Tickets. (By being first in the qualifying round, Bob also won $50 and two Breeders Cup grandstand reserved tickets.)

Denny Fehl, Ken Bhala, and Jerry Mantooth were the top three finishers in the second qualifying round.  Each of them advances to the Championship Round on September 24 to compete for $400 cash, a trophy, and four VIP Breeders Cup Tickets. (Denny also won $50 and two Breeders Cup grandstand reserved tickets.) 

The third qualifying round is this Saturday.  Click here for details or check with the Players Lounge Desk. Entry blanks will be available both online and at the Players Lounge Desk.

It's an exciting way to follow the road to the 2011 Breeders' Cup and enjoy great simulcast action at Sam Houston Race Park.

SUPER DERBY FROM LOUISIANA DOWNS HIGHLIGHTS WEEKEND SIMULCAST ACTION
Sadly, Saratoga and Del Mar have concluded their popular racing seasons, but racing fans can enjoy opening weekend at Belmont Park and the return of racing to Fairplex Park on the West Coast. 

On Saturday afternoon, the national spotlight turns to Louisiana Downs for the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby with a full field of promising 3-year-olds.  Prayer for Relief is the 9-5 morning line favorite for the mile and one-eighth feature. The Bob Baffert trainee ships in from victories in the West Virginia Derby and Iowa Derby this summer. Baffert has summoned top California jockey, Rafael Bejarano to travel to Bossier City.  Other top contenders include Alternation, with Ramon Dominguez, who is the second betting choice at 3-1. The son of Distorted Humor captured the Grade 2 Peter Pan at Belmont Park for trainer Donnie Von Hemel. He ran fourth to rising 3-year-old star, Stay Thirsty, in the $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes on July 30 at Saratoga.

Trainer Al Stall, Jr., who saddled 2010 Super Derby winner, Apart, sends out the lightly raced Trubs, with Shane Sellers in the irons. The Claiborne Farm homebred won the Super Derby Prelude stakes on August 6, defeating 10 rivals. The betting attention will likely go to the shippers, but at 12-1,Trubs might be a nice price horse on Saturday.
Sam Houston Race Park fans can watch and wager on Super Derby (post time 5:21 CT), which is the third leg of an all-stakes, $100,000-guaranteed pick four that begins in race 9. 

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Travis, who asks the following:

Dear Martha, Hi Martha, Does Bob McNair have any more Thoroughbreds in racing after he sold his Stonerside Stable?

Travis, it was a tough loss for Texas and the national racing industry when Houston Texan's owner Bob McNair, and his wife, Janice, sold Stonerside Stable to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Darley in September, 2008.  McNair grew a respected racing empire from 1999 with 280 horses competing at racetracks across the country and in England. Stonerside Stable Thoroughbreds earned more than $30 million, with 60 stakes winners, 12 Grade 1 winners and 8 millionaires.

John Adger, who served as bloodstock and racing manager to McNair, resides in Houston and filled me in on the latest news.

"The McNairs brought a few yearlings last year at the Keeneland sale," said Adger.  "Elusive Kate, a filly in partnership with John Gosden (who trained Raven's Pass and Karen's Caper) has already made her debut in Europe, winning a listed stakes and group 3 at Deauville, France."

Adger also reported on some exciting news on the stallion front, as McNair was fully committed to both racing and breeding with Stonerside Stable.

"There are four stallions that Bob owns, solely or in partnership," said Adger. "In Kentucky, Bob and John stands stud and has already produced five 2-year-old winners.  Cowboy Cal just had his first crop.  Congaree and Stonesider are standing in New York."

McNair was a credit to the racing industry; his decision to sell Stonerside Stable was based on his desire to devote more time to the Houston Texans.  It looks like his NFL team is sitting on a banner year; best of luck to Bob and Janice and thanks to John Adger for helping me answer the question posed by Travis!

QUARTER HORSE NEWS - NO REST FOR TRAINER SLEEPY GILBREATH
American Quarter Horse racing's version of the Kentucky Derby will be run on Labor Day, Monday, September 5 at Ruidoso Downs. The Grade 1,$2.4 million All American Futurity features the ten fastest qualifiers from 26 trial races for 2-year-olds run on August 18.

Noted Texas horseman, Dwayne "Sleepy" Gilbreath will saddle two finalists for the All American, most notably, Ochoa, who topped all 2-year-olds with a time of :21.074. Ochoa, a son of Tres Seis, is one of four Texas-breds to be running 440-yards for the record $1.2 million winner's share. Owned by Gilbreath and Johnny T.L. Jones Jr., Ochoa was ridden to victory by AQHA champion Jacky Martin. 

Last Friday, Gilbreath had another sensational day when his 3-year-old Cold Cash 123 was the fastest qualifier for the Grade 1, $1,316,760 All American Derby. This was the sixth win for the gelded son of Oak Tree Special, who was ridden by Roy Baldillez.

Gilbreath, who has run many quality horses at Sam Houston Race Park, resides in Brock, Texas, gave a great quote to the Ruidoso Downs publicity department following the winning effort of Cold Cash 123 last Friday.
“Well I guess I get to stay around for a couple of more weeks,” Gilbreath quipped after Cold Cash 123’s win. “Besides, it’s too hot back home in Texas.”
Quarter Horse fans can enjoy the All American Futurity and Derby from the air-conditioned comfort of the Sam Houston Race Park grandstand on Labor Day.

Go Sleepy!

 TM FRED TEXAS CONTINUES HIS WINNING STREAK
TM Fred Texas ran second at Sam Houston Race Park on April 9 in the $22,400 H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Arabian Cup, but since then, he has been on a roll.
Bred in Texas by Todd Moak and proudly owned by Sam Vasquez of Galveston, TM Fred Texas has won his last four stakes, including $50,000 stakes at Churchill Downs and Delaware Park. He posed for his picture again last Sunday at  Arapahoe Park in Aurora, Colorado.
"We shipped him to Colorado to get him out of this heat and keep him sharp," said Vasquez. "He is a classy horse and has so much talent. Not many Arabians can come off the pace to win; most only have one gear. This horse is different. He has won at four different racetracks this year with three different jockeys."
He has now improved his record to 9 wins from 11 starts, with career earnings of  $124,080.  Vasquez reports that TM Fred Texas is on his way to Delaware Park and will make his next start there on September 10.

Bryan Pettigrew Takes Senior Vice President Post at NTRA

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced on August 24 that Bryan Pettigrew has returned to the NTRA as Senior Vice President of NTRA Advantage. Pettigrew had spent the previous seven years as President of Affinity Sports Marketing in Southlake, Texas.  Pettigrew was able to attract such Fortune 500 Companies as AT&T, McDonald’s, John Deere, and Best Buy to Affinity and performed various marketing, promotion and consulting duties. From 2000-2004, Pettigrew served as Vice President of Sponsorships and Special Assistant to the Commissioner of the NTRA.  Pettigrew replaces Joe Morris, who resigned last month to take a position with The Stronach Group.

Pettigrew has an esteemed background in racing, serving as the vice president of marketing at Sam Houston Race Park from 1995-2000 before accepting the post at the NTRA in 2000 as sponsorship vice president. In 1997, he returned to Texas to form  Affinity Sports Marketing in Southlake, Texas. 
"I am excited to be back at the NTRA and look forward to working with the industry to develop new corporate partners,” said Pettigrew.
TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN STRONG AT SARATOGA
Thoroughbred conditioner Steve Asmussen, who has won five leading trainer titles at Sam Houston Race Park, is posting solid numbers at Saratoga, Woodbine and Remington Park. He is the leading trainer by wins in North America with 210 victories, and his runners have bankrolled $8.9 million, placing him third in earnings behind Todd Pletcher ($11.8 million) and Bob Baffert ($9.2 million).
Currently fourth in the ultra-competitive standings at Saratoga, Asmussen will saddle two in the Grade 1, $250,000 Foxwoods King's Bishop Stakes, on Travers Day at "The Spa".  Justin Phillip, who won the Grade 2, Woody Stephens in June at Belmont Park, will be ridden by Ramon Dominguez.  Another promising 3-year-old, Dominus, won the Grade 2, Dwyer Stakes on July 2 at Belmont Park and Asmussen retains French rider Julian Leparoux in the seven-furlong King's Bishop. Both will have to contend with Uncle Mo, who makes his first start since the Wood Memorial for trainer Todd Pletcher. Uncle Mo, winner of the 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, was one of the top Kentucky Derby prospects, but did not run due to a liver ailment.

SAM HOUSTON RACE PARK KICKS OFF HANDICAPPING CONTEST THIS SATURDAY: Click Here
Calling all handicappers! In addition to the great Travers card at Saratoga on Saturday, August 27,  Sam Houston Race Park is kicking off its 2011 Emirates Airlines Thoroughbred Handicapping Championship. This Saturday is the first of four qualifying rounds, with top finishers from each week moving on to compete in the championship on September 24 and win cash prizes and tickets to the 2011 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5.

The contest begins with qualifying rounds on Saturday August 27 as well as  Saturday September 3, 10 and 17.  The contest format for each Qualifying Round and for the Championship Round will be a mythical $2 win and place wager on each of 10 designated Contest Races from one or more race tracks.  Any races on an applicable day which are part of the Breeders Cup Challenge will be automatically be included as Contest Races.

The person with the highest mythical winnings in each Qualifying Round will win $50 and be designated as the SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapper of the Week.   That person each week will also win two grandstand reserved tickets to the Breeders Cup to be held at Churchill Downs on November 4 and 5, 2011.

Twelve persons will advance to the Championship Round. The person with the highest mythical winnings in the Championship Round will be declared the 2011 SHRP Thoroughbred Handicapping Champion  and will receive $400 in prize money,  a Championship Trophy and four VIP tickets to the  Breeders Cup. (If that person previously won a qualifying round, the two grandstands reserved Breeders Cup tickets will be awarded. For more information and rules for the contest, Click Here

It's an exciting way to follow the road to the 2011 Breeders' Cup and enjoy great simulcast action at Sam Houston Race Park.

TRAVERS AND PACIFIC CLASSIC HIGHLIGHT WEEKEND SIMULCAST ACTION
A field of ten for Saturday’s Grade 1, $1 million Travers was drawn on Wednesday with Stay Thirsty installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite. Trained by Todd Pletcher for New York owner, Mike Repole, Stay Thirsty will break from post nine under Javier Castellano.  The son of Bernardini ran 12th in the 2011 Kentucky Derby, but has rounded into form this summer, most recently drawing off to a four-length win in the Grade 2, Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 30.   Coil, from the barn of Bob Baffert, stepped up with a determined score by a neck in the Grade 1, $1 million Haskell Invitational on July 31.  The Florida-bred son of Point Given is the 3-1 second choice and California-based rider Martin Garcia will make the trip to Saratoga. Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford was edged by Coil in the Haskell, but cannot be overlooked. The Dale Romans-trainee is the highest earner in the field with $1,701,666 banked in his nine career starts. Ruler On Ice, who pulled off the upset in the Belmont Stakes at odds of 24-1, is also entered in the Travers. He was closing well in the Haskell, but finished third behind Coil and Shackleford under regular rider Jose Valdivia, Jr.

The 142nd Travers Stakes will run as the 12th race of the Saratoga card on Saturday. Post time is approximately 4:45 pm (CT). With a stakes-filled card including the King's Bishop, Ballerina, Ballston Spa and Victory Ride, racing fans should head out to Sam Houston Race Park early and enjoy some of the country's top Thoroughbreds in action.

On Sunday afternoon, the national spotlight turns to Del Mar for the Grade I, $1 million TVG Pacific Classic.  Twirling Candy drew post position 10 and was made the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 21st running of the $1 Million Pacific Classic, Del Mar's signature race, on Sunday, August 28.

Twirling Candy, is trained by John Sadler and will be ridden by Joel Rosario, The 4-year-old son of 2003 Pacific Classic winner Candy Ride (ARG) is 7-for-10 lifetime, including a pair of 1 1/8-mile grade II wins this year in the Strub at Santa Anita in February and Californian at Hollywood Park in June. Game On Dude has excelled at the Classic distance this year for trainer Bob Baffert, winning the grade I Santa Anita Handicap in March and running second by a nose in the grade I Hollywood Gold Cup in July. Rider Chantal Sutherland, who lost to Mike Smith in the August 7 "Battle of the Exes" has the mount.

The winner of the Pacific Classic earns a berth into the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs on November 5.
 
Del Mar's Sunday card will also feature the $250,000 Pat O’Brien at seven furlongs, which will mark the long awaited return The Factor, a highly-touted 3-year-old trained by Baffert. The grade II San Vicente and Rebel winner has been off since running seventh in the grade I Arkansas Derby, where he suffered an injury to his right hind ankle.
 

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Karen, who asks the following:
Dear Martha, Hi Martha, What does a typical diet look like day to day for a race horse and how much does it cost?
Karen, excellent question and proper feeding is one of the most essential elements of good horse health and performance on race day. A horse can be expected to consume a minimum of one percent of its body weight per day in feed. Racehorses weigh anywhere between 1,000 -1,200 pounds, and they are generally fed two to three times a day. The two main staples are hay and grain. A bale of hay averages $10.50 and most horsemen make sure that their runners have a filled hay bag beside their stall.

A fifty pound bag of grain ranges from $10-20, depending on the quality and supplements included. Vitamins, minerals, fiber and electrolytes are also very important dietary elements. In this heat, horses lose significant amounts of electrolytes (sodium, chloride and potassium).  Even if a commercial feed contains salt, horses that work hard and sweat profusely will still need about 90 grams of supplemental salt per day in addition to the salt already in the feed. Another popular staple of a racehorse diet is flax seed, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids and can help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms of allergies.

Karen, another interesting corollary to your question is the amount of water a racehorse drinks, especially in this torrid summer heat.  I posed this to trainer Judd Kearl, who is overseeing a full barn at Retama Park and has 20 Quarter Horses stabled at Prairie Meadows in Iowa this summer. 

"My horses drink a minimum of 20 gallons of water each day," said Kearl. "We make sure that they have plenty of electrolytes as well as salt in their diet due to this extreme heat. "

Live racing will return to Sam Houston Race Park in January, but stay in touch with timely industry news and updates on the top Houston horses, trainers, jockeys and breeders in this bi-monthly posting by Martha Claussen.

JACK COADY INDUCTED INTO THE PRAIRIE MEADOWS' HALL OF FAME

Jack Coady, who has been the photographer at Sam Houston since it opened in 1994, was inducted into the Prairie Meadows' Hall of Fame on Friday, August 5. The annual event, which was created in 1998, honors major contributors to the Des Moines racetrack.  Coady and veteran jockey, Tim Doocy were the 30th and 31st individuals to be inducted into the Prairie Meadows' Hall of Fame.

Coady has been the Prairie Meadows track photographer since 1989, but was completely surprised to hear he was named as an inductee.

"It was a great honor," admitted Coady. "My feet still haven't touched the ground."

Coady met his wife, Mary Lou in Iowa. She is the highly respected media relations specialist at Prairie Meadows and nice enough to share Jack with his Sam Houston Race Park family during the annual Thoroughbred season. Quiet and unassuming, Coady reported that he kept his speech relatively short at the induction ceremony.

"I was pretty nervous, but enjoyed the evening very much," said Coady. "I have been the photographer at Prairie Meadows since 1989 and have made some wonderful friends in Iowa."

Jack and his brother, Jeff, followed their father, Jack Sr., into the racetrack photography business. Since 1962, Coady Photography has firmly established itself among the elite racing photographers in North America. They are currently affiliated with 21 racetracks in the United States including Delta Downs, Sam Houston Race Park, Oaklawn Park, Colonial Downs, Prairie Meadows, Will Rogers Downs, Sunland Park, The Downs at Albuquerque, Indiana Downs, Hialeah Park, Presque Isle Downs and Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky.

Prairie Meadows emcee Steve Berry presents the 2011 Hall of Fame trophy on August 5, 2011 to track photographer Jack Coady.  Photo: Kurtis Coady / Coady Photography.

TRIPLE VODKA SCORES HUGE WIN IN TQHA SALE FUTURITY

Photo: Coady Photography-Retama Park.

Rising Quarter Horse star Triple Vodka remains undefeated following a convincing score in the $400,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG2) at Retama Park on July 30.

The son of Tres Seis, Triple Vodka began his career with a win at Sam Houston on May 13, winning a 350-yard maiden at first asking under rider Luis Ramirez. Jockey J. R. Ramirez was aboard for his trial victory on July 15 and win in the final.

"He is a really sound horse," commented Sanchez.  "We knew he had talent from the first time we worked him.  When he won his first out in Houston, we saw how good he was."

Purchased for just $4,600 at the 2010 TQHA Yearling Sale, Triple Vodka picked up a check in the amount of $178,000 for the TQHA Sale Futurity victory. Sanchez and owner Renee Spiller are in no rush to run their promising colt right back. He will be pointed to the $500,000-estimated Dash for Cash Futurity at Lone Star Park. Trials are set for September 24 with the ten fastest qualifiers returning on October 8.

CHRIS KOTULAK JOINS THE TV TEAM AT REMINGTON PARK
Chris Kotulak, formerly with TVG as a racing analyst and host, is well known to Houston racing fans not only for his commendable work on TVG, but for his visit to Sam Houston for the 2004 Bank of America Challenge Championship. 

"I've seen quite a bit of Sam Houston over the years, so I'm familiar with the Texas racing folks who head north of the Red River," said Kotulak. "We have an Oklahoma versus Texas rivalry weekend planned and plenty more events the whole season long."

Kotulak, 49, looks forward to returning to work at a racetrack and working with Dale Day and Joy Rose at Remington Park.

"I'm just so glad to be working at the track again," admits Kotulak. "I need my horse fix.
 I can't go too long without hugging one."

The Remington Park Thoroughbred meet gets underway on August 18. Several prominent Sam Houston trainers including Bret Calhoun, Danny Pish and Sarah Davidson will run horses at the Oklahoma City track.

The 67-day live racing season will run through Saturday, December. 10. A stakes schedule of 28 events, boasting purses of more than $3.2 million, is headlined by the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, October 16.

ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR LOPE TEXAS SET FOR SEPTEMBER 17
MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® is teaming up with LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers) on September 17th for a very special auction fundraiser to benefit LOPE of Cedar Creek, Texas. MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® is committed to racehorse welfare and milliner Sally Faith Steinmann of MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® has created a one-of-a-kind couture Derby hat for the silent auction with 100% of the proceeds to benefit LOPE.

Under the direction of Executive Director Lynn Reardon, LOPE is the largest racehorse adoption service in Texas. Since 2003, LOPE has found new homes and vocations for over 800 racehorses whose racing days had ended. Several Sam Houston Race Park runners, including 1999 Star of Texas champion, Lightening Ball, have found second careers through Reardon's remarkable program.

The unique Derby hat auction will open for online bidding on September 5, 2011 and then culminate with live bidding at LOPE’s Benefit Horse Show at Hy Court Farm on Sept 17, 2011. It will feature a custom Derby hat design that has been created by Sally Faith Steinmann to honor the beauty and spirit of Wooden Phone, the most famous horse at LOPE. Wooden Phone is best known in the racing world as the horse who defeated the great Hall of Famer and Horse of the Year Tiznow in the 2001 $500,000 Strub Stakes.

Reardon describes Wooden Phone as “a truly classic racehorse -- he loved to run and had a competitive heart so much bigger than his pedigree or conformation would have predicted."

“LOPE is thrilled to offer such a beautiful and elegant tribute to Wooden Phone as part of our silent auction event this year,” said Reardon. “We are so grateful for the assistance of generous donors like MAGGIE MAE DESIGNS® and Sally Faith Steinmann. With their support, we are raising both funds for and public awareness of these magnificent equine athletes!”

To learn more about this unique event that supports the horses of LOPE, please visit the LOPE website at www.lopetx.org, or call them at 512-565-1824.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK
Look for strong European invaders to challenge top American horses this Saturday as Arlington Park presents the Grade 1 Arlington Million and Beverly D.

Cape Blanco (Ire) from the barn of trainer Aidan O'Brien, leads the field for the Arlington Million. The 4-year-old son of Galileo (IRE) won three Group One stakes in Europe in 2010 and most recently, was a game winner in the Man o' War at Belmont Park.  Other European stars include Wigmore Hall, who won the 2011 Dubai Duty Free and Zack Hall, a 4-year-old French-bred, who exits a fourth-place finish in the prestigious Grand Prix de Saint Cloud for trainer Mike Delzangles.

Gio Ponti, the winner of the 2009 Arlington Million, leads the American contingent which includes Dean's Kitten, Mission Approved and Rahystrada, who recently won the Colonial Turf Cup.

Multiple French Group 1 winner Stacelita (Fr) leads the field in the Beverly D.  Fantasia, River Jetez, Dubawai Heights (Gb) and defending Beverly D. champion Éclair De Lune were also entered.
 
Winners of both stakes will receive berths into the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series. The Arlington Million victor will be eligible for the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf and the distaffer who captures the Beverly D., earns a berth into the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.
  
Saturday's action at Saratoga features a field of eight in the Grade 1, $500,000 Sword Dancer Invitational. Teaks North is the 123-pound highweight and will be gunning for his third graded stakes win of the year under jockey Eddie Castro. Stakes winners Winchester, Grassy and Drosselmeyer will also compete in the mile and one-half turf feature.

QUESTIONS? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Chris H, who asks the following:
Dear Martha, How many tracks have hosted the Breeders' Cup?
Since its first running at Hollywood Park in 1984, the Breeders' Cup has been held at a total of ten racetracks in North America. Churchill Downs, the site of the 2011 Breeders' Cup on November 4 and 5, will host the premier Thoroughbred racing event a total of seven times. Santa Anita, announced as the site for next year, has hosted five previous editions. Belmont Park, Gulfstream Park and Hollywood Park have welcomed the Breeders' Cup on multiple occasions. Other tracks with one-time hosting duties include Lone Star Park, Woodbine, Monmouth Park, Arlington Park and Aqueduct.

QUARTER HORSE NEWS - BIG WEEKEND OF RACING AT RETAMA PARK
American Quarter Horse racing will be conducted at Retama Park, near San Antonio, on both Friday and Saturday evening. Friday's card will include the Texas Summer Showdown, a series of races for accredited Texas-breds, and Saturday's card will feature the $400,000 TQHA Sale Futurity (RG2).

Friday night’s $35,000 Ancira Ford Classic has drawn a stellar field of seven top-notch runners. Five of the entrants have earned a combined $1,584,000. The leading money winner in the field is First Klas Fred. Trained by veteran conditioner Heath Taylor, First Klas Fred, who won the 2009 Rainbow Futurity at Ruidoso Downs, has career earnings of $516,000. Acorn, trained by Janet VanBebber, won the 2010 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship, and is very competitive at 400 yards. Also entered are Diamond for Jess, Charal Kid and Endless Ocean in what is shaping up as most significant race of the meet for older horses in 2011.

$400,000 TQHA Sales Futurity Saturday

Saturday night’s $400,000 TQHA Sale Futurity, shines the spotlight on horses purchased at the 2010 TQHA Yearling Sale, which was held last year at Sam Houston Race Park. Last year, the 10th fastest qualifier, Brimmie Alli Bi B, was the winner and paid $42.40!
Will fastest qualifier Triple Vodka prevail, or will another upset take place? Watch and wager at Sam Houston Race Park. Post time for the TQHA Sale Futurity is 10:08 pm and you will hear a familiar voice calling the race as Sam Houston Race Park track announcer, Tom Harris, also has the gig at Retama Park.

The TQHA Sale Futurity has produced some exceptional racing champions in its 12-year history. Oak Tree Special, who won in 2002, was honored as AQHA World Champion and Azoom, the 2004 winner, was voted AQHA Champion 2-Year Old.  Both are successful sires; Cold Cash 123, a son of Oak Tree Special, won the $899,524 Rainbow Derby last weekend at Ruidoso Downs.

Of course, another noteworthy aspect of the TQHA Yearling Sale is the ability for horsemen to spot a rising star without spending a fortune. At the 2006 sale, Ed Peters and Kevin Norris spotted a filly named Dirt Track Date in the TQHA Yearling Sale.  They liked her conformation and knew that her sire, Hotdoggin was blazing fast. They bid $6,800 one year later celebrated her victory as she won the $372,662 TQHA Sale Futurity. Trained by “Tooter” Jordan and ridden by Gaspar Garcia, Dirt Track Date earned $165,834.  Not bad for an investment of less than $7,000!

If you are in the San Antonio area this weekend, stop by the Exposition Center at The Freeman, 3201 East Houston Street on Friday or Saturday. A total of 262 yearlings will pass through the sales ring, beginning at 11:00 am.

REMINGTON PARK NEXT STOP FOR MANY HOUSTON CONNECTIONS
Thoroughbred racing returns to Remington Park in Oklahoma City, and Houston racing fans will see a number of familiar horses, trainers and jockeys when their meet kicks off on August 18.
The 67-day live racing season will run through Saturday, December. 10. A stakes schedule of 28 events, boasting purses of more than $3.2 million, is headlined by the $400,000 Oklahoma Derby on Sunday, October 16.
Look for an exciting announcement about Chris Kotulak, formerly with TVG as a racing analyst and host in my blog on August 13!

SCHRAMSBERG RETURNS TO THE WINNER'S CIRCLE
Schramsberg, Sam Houston Race Park's Horse of the Meet for the 2011 Thoroughbred racing season, returned to the winner's circle for the first time since winning the Grade 3, $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup on January 29.  Sent off as the second betting choice, Schramsberg defeated seven rivals in the $50,000 Omaha Stakes at Horsemen's Park on Sunday, July 24.
It's been a tough six months for the regally bred 5-year-old son of Storm Cat with unplaced finishes in the Dallas Turf Cup and, most recently, the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on June 25.
Congratulations to Schramsberg, owner Bobby Hammer and trainer Chris Hartman.

HAVE YOU TRIED NIGHT SCHOOL?
Each Monday night, racing fans are invited to log on and learn about all aspects of playing the ponies. The free fan education forum entitled “Night School” is a 90-minute program, created by Horse Player NOW, with the goal of broadening horse racing’s fan base through more consumer knowledge and confidence. Presenting sponsors each week are AQHA, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Keeneland and Daily Racing Form.
Night School allows horse racing players of all skill levels the opportunity to interact live with professional handicappers via a live blog and live chat interface. The program, with weekly experts and question and answer opportunities, is free each Monday evening from 7:30-9 pm.
Upcoming Night School topics include:
August 1                    Approaching a Day at the Races
August 8                    Euro Handicapping
August 15                  Money Management
August 22                  Handicapping Tournaments
Visit http://www.horseplayernow.com/cat/school.htm for more information or to sign up for one of the August sessions.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK
Huge weekend of racing with major stakes at both Del Mar and Saratoga. On Sunday, Monmouth Park will present the Grade I, $1 million Haskell Invitational. With Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom retired, the Eclipse Award for top 3-year-old is wide open. The Haskell, to be contested at a mile and one-eighth, will be a very interesting test for Shackleford, who won the Preakness Stakes and Ruler On Ice, who sprung the upset over Shackleford in the Belmont Stakes.

Trainer Dale Romans conditions Shackleford, who was installed as the 5-2 morning line choice. Kelly Breen will saddle Ruler On Ice as well as Louisiana Derby champion, Pants On Fire. Astrology, a son of A. P. Indy, will run for trainer Steve Asmussen and Joe Vann from the powerhouse stable of Todd Pletcher, are entered. Trainer Bob Baffert, who has won four previous editions of the Haskell, will ship in Coil and his first call rider, Martin Garcia. The winner of the Haskell earns a berth to the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic on November 5 at Churchill Downs.

Saturday's action at Saratoga features two graded stakes. Stay Thirsty, Alternation and Brilliant Speed headline the field in the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy for 3-year-olds. The afternoon also features the Grade 1, $500,000 Diana for fillies and mares on the turf. Aviate a Juddmonte Farms homebred, will try to regain her winning form for trainer Bill Mott and Graham Motion has two proven turf fillies in Aruna and Unbridled Humor.

QUESTIONS??? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic.
This week's question comes from Ashley, who asks the following:

Dear Martha, Whatever happened to jockey Ted Gondron?

Ted Gondron had a very successful riding career which spanned over 20 years. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, Gondron began riding in 1987 in Louisiana and joined the Texas circuit when Sam Houston Race Park opened in 1994. He is the all-time leading Thoroughbred rider at Sam Houston with 514 wins from 3,336 starts and was honored as leading rider in 1997.  With forays to Louisiana and the other tracks in Texas, Gondron rode 13,624 Thoroughbreds and won 2,008 races. His mounts won $14,483,815. 

"Sam Houston was great for my career," said Gondron, who selected Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust" as his jockey theme song in the 90's. "The track surface was really good and I loved riding on that turf course."

Gondron, 41, has served as assistant trainer to Texas horseman Danny Pish since March, 2008.  He makes his home in Dripping Springs with his wife, Crista and 3-year-old daughter, Sky.  Gondron works horses every day and Crista coaches aspiring hunter/jumper competitors, so it's no surprise that their daughter is already comfortable on horseback.

"Sky has a pony named Mikey and is getting ready for her first horse show," reports Gondron.

In addition, Sky plays the violin and is already more accomplished than most 6-year-olds.

"Crista's grandmother played violin professionally," explains Gondron. "There is no way Sky got that talent from me, but I am blown away that she is already that good."

BRET CALHOUN AND CLIFF BERRY HOT AT LONE STAR PARK
Many of the Thoroughbreds from Sam Houston Race Park and their human connections went directly to Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie. Their 2011 meet wrapped last weekend and Bret Calhoun locked up the training title with 50 wins and six stakes. Karl Broberg, Sam Houston's leading trainer, finished second, saddling 36 winners since the meet began on April 9. Veteran jockey Cliff Berry had a phenomenal meet, winning 66 races to top Chris Landeros (61), Luis Quinonez (53) and Lindey Wade (46).
Wade made his Texas debut at Sam Houston Race Park in January and tied for leading rider with Quincy Hamilton. He had previously ridden in Chicago and wanted a change from the bitter cold winters at Hawthorne Park.
Since 2007, Wade has ridden over 3,200 horses, winning 373 races on mounts who have earned $6.3 million. The Texas circuit has been profitable for the 20-year-old, who was born in New Orleans. Between Sam Houston and Lone Star, Wade has made 83 trips to the winner's circle with total purses for the past seven months totaling $1,233,440.   

Wade knew it would be competitive at Lone Star Park where he would have to take on 2010 riding champion Landeros, who won 97 races at the Grand Prairie racetrack and veteran riders Cliff Berry and Luis Quinonez. Berry was on fire, winning 66 races, relegating Landeros to second place and Wade in fourth with 46 wins.

"Cliff Berry rocked our world," admitted Wade. "I'd be mad, but Cliff is such a classy guy. Despite his success, he is so humble and still gets out there every morning to work horses."

Wade was pleased overall with his showing at Lone Star, once again, crediting the hard work of his agent, Monty Penny. He did admit that riding in the hot afternoons with blazing sun, was not as easy as he thought it would be.

"It got to me quite a bit," said Wade." I figured I could handle the heat because I hated those cold and windy conditions in Chicago. But some of the weekends at Lone Star were brutal."

Wade will divide his time this month between Louisiana Downs in Shreveport and Chicago, where he still has a home. He will ride full time at Remington Park when their Thoroughbred season gets underway on August 18.

There is one special date marked on his calendar. On Saturday, October 15, he will be a groomsman at the wedding of Quincy Hamilton who will marry Mandy Yanez in Ocala, Florida.

Wade and Hamilton have been close friends since they met at Arlington Park in 2009. He looks forward to standing up for Hamilton, but had one complaint about the wedding date set by Quincy and Mandy.
"It's the same weekend as the Oklahoma Derby," lamented Wade. "Oh well, if I am lucky enough to get a mount, I will just fly back on Sunday."

TM FRED TEXAS RULES
Do you remember the record-setting effort by Arabian star Grilla in the $22,400 H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Arabian Cup on April 9 as part of the Global Arabian Flat Racing Festival?
Well, the TM Fred Texas runner-up in that stakes has gone on to win two $50,000 stakes at Churchill Downs and Delaware Park, upstaging Grilla in both efforts.
Bred in Texas by Todd Moak and proudly owned by Sam Vasquez, TM Fred Texas has won 7 of his 9 lifetime starts and earned $105,705.
Vasquez, a dry wall contractor who resides in Galveston, has a passion for Arabian racehorses. He has bred and owned some nice Arabian allowance and stakes winners, but acknowledges that TM Fred Texas is the most talented racehorse he has ever owned. He credits trainer Ronald Martino for developing the 4-year-old as a router with a closing kick. That was the key to his win in the $50,000 President of United Emirates Stakes at Churchill Downs, where Grilla went to the lead and "Fred" closed powerfully to win by 9 lengths. While Vasquez has run horses at Delaware Park, this was his first trip to Churchill Downs and he was totally impressed with the experience.
"They invited us to Millionaires Row and had caps screened with TM Fred Texas, said Vasquez.”The trophy was beautiful; it weighed 25 pounds and one of the Churchill Downs staffers came up to our suite with a carrying case and white gloves to handle the trophy without fingerprints. We were so proud of Fred; he proved he was a router and showed his class beating older horses. Not only that, but we beat (nationally acclaimed jockeys) Calvin Borel and Corey Lanerie. It was pretty amazing"
Vasquez is pointing TM Fred Texas to a stakes at Retama Park in September, but reported that plans are underway to include a $250,000 Arabian stake as part of the
$26 million Dubai World Cup in March, 2012 at Meydan Racecourse, Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba.

QUARTER HORSE NEWS - ALL AMERICAN FUTURE WAGER BEGINS FRIDAY
Racing fans will have an opportunity to place a future wager on their favorite American Quarter Horse in the second annual All American Future Wager that begins on Friday.

The wager is similar to the Kentucky Derby Future wager with the focus on the Grade 1, $2.4 million All American Futurity on Labor Day at Ruidoso Downs. The All American Futurity is racing’s richest two-year-old race; the purse for the Kentucky Derby is still $1 million!

Sam Houston Race Park will offer the wager beginning on Friday, July 15 through Saturday, July 23.  There are 23 individual horses to choose from in the All American Future Wager and a field bet, which is comprised of all horses who are not individual betting interests.

Mighty B Valiant was established as the 5-2 morning-line choice after impressively winning $780,000 Remington Park Futurity and setting the fastest qualifying time for the Rainbow Futurity.

One very interesting filly, who would be part of the "field wager" is Pandorum, who set a track record at Sam Houston Race Park on May 14 in her John Deere Juvenile Challenge victory. Bred in Texas by her owner, Joe Kirk Fulton, Pandorum was shipped to Ruidoso Downs to train for the All American Futurity trials. Should she record one of the ten fastest times on Thursday, August 18, the Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse of the Meet will earn a coveted starting gate position in the All American Futurity!

JOHN BUCHANAN QUALIFIES RUNNERS FOR THE RAINBOW FUTURITY AND DERBY AT RUIDOSO DOWNS
Also, congratulations to noted Texans: trainer John Buchanan, owner Bobby Cox and rider Russel Hadley for qualifying horses for both the $700,000 Rainbow Futurity and $899,523 Rainbow Derby at Ruidoso Downs.
Bovet, a 2-year-old daughter of Corona Cartel, broke her maiden at Sam Houston on March 25 in trials for the $600,000 Sam Houston Futurity.  She was the fastest qualifier for the 400-yard Rainbow Futurity and the only filly in the final which includes the top-ranked 2-year-old in the nation, Mighty B Valiant in the final.
Dominyun had an outstanding 2-year-old campaign, running third in the $2 million All American Futurity. He stabled at Sam Houston during the first two months of 2011 under the watchful eye of Amanda Buchanan-Hadley, who affectionately refers to the Texas-bred colt as "Tator".
The Rainbow Derby will take place on Saturday, July 23 and the Rainbow Futurity is set for Sunday, July 24, so come out to Sam Houston Race Park to watch and wager on these prestigious Quarter Horse stakes.

TEXAS DERBY IN THE WORKS FOR 2015
John Whisler wrote a column in the Houston Chronicle about a possible new lucrative racing event which could debut in 2015. The Texas Derby with a purse of $5 million would rotate annually between the state's three racetracks:  Sam Houston Race Park, Lone Star Park and Retama Park.
Check the story out here:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/7649068.html

HAVE A QUESTION? ASK MARTHA!
Martha loves questions, so fire away on any Texas or national racing topic by emailing Martha at info@shrp.com or by posting your questing on our Facebook Page.
Our first question comes from Louie, who asks the following:
Dear Martha, please explain the Breeder’s Cup series and how it works. What is the significance?
Since its inception in 1984, the Breeders' Cup World Championships has been recognized as the enthralling year-end Thoroughbred racing championship.  Through the enthusiastic participation of prominent horsemen from around the world, the Breeders' Cup has established a reputation for showcasing Thoroughbred racing at the highest level of international competition.  What makes the Breeders' Cup different from the Triple Crown races is the number of different opportunities for sprinters, milers, turf specialists and older horses. The purse for the Breeders' Cup Classic is $5 million and two of the four past champions Blame (2010); Zenyatta (2009); Raven's Pass (2008) and Curlin (2007), have won Eclipse Awards as Horse of the Year.

This year's Breeders' Cup will feature 15 stakes and total purses of $26 million and Sam Houston Race Park will simulcast the entire two-day event from Churchill Downs on November 4-5. Visit the Breeders' Cup website (http://bcwc11.com/) for a wealth of information on the 2011 event and historical information on each of the previous editions of the prestigious championships.

SIMULCAST RACE OF THE WEEK
As we are discussing the significance of the Breeders' Cup, this Saturday's Grade 2, $750,000 Delaware Handicap will feature two of the top mares in the country, Blind Luck and Havre de Grace. Both will be pointing to the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, where they ran second and third to the resurgent Unrivaled Belle. 
Blind Luck, conditioned by California horseman Jerry Hollendorfer, was honored as the 2010 Champion 3-year-old filly. She has won 11 of her 20 starts and amassed career earnings of $2.8 million.
The rivalry between Blind Luck and Havre de Grace is one of the more compelling match-ups in Thoroughbred racing. Havre de Grace, a 4-year-old daughter of Saint Liam, is undefeated this year with back-to-back stakes wins at Oaklawn Park in the Grade 3 Azeri, where she defeated Blind Luck and a convincing score in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom with a Beyer Speed Figure of 108. Trained by Larry Jones, she returned to Delaware Park with a bullet work on Monday, sizzling five furlongs in :57.4. 
The field for the Delaware Handicap includes defending champion, Life At Ten, who was the center of controversy in the Grade 1, Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic, where both her trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey John Velazquez felt that she wasn't "right" at post time, but neither urged a scratch of the mare. She finished 11th as the second betting choice. The millionaire has made three starts this year, but no wins to date. Trainer Michael Matz will saddle the Thunder Gulch mare, Thundering Emilia, who gets a 13 pound weight break to Havre de Grace, who was assigned 124 pounds and Blind Luck, who will carry 122 pounds, including jockey Garrett Gomez.
With just five fillies and mares, the Delaware Handicap (Saturday's 10th race- post time of 4:18 pm) will not offer much in the way of betting value, but will be a very interesting look at two of the top distaffers in the country.