(Sarah K. Andrew)

Much to the delight of this horseplayer, the Breeders’ Cup announced today that it’s finally adopting the standard saddle cloths! Anyone who’s read this blog for any length of time knows that this is an issue I’ve been whining about discussing for quite some time. So a hearty “Thank You” to Breeders’ Cup for listening to fan feedback and taking action!

The Breeders’ Cup made its decision to switch to the standard colored system following discussions with its Fan Advisory Council and with horseplayers across the U.S. and Canada and as part of the long-range planning being undertaken by the organization.

A big thanks also goes out to all who signed the Take Back the Race Petition last year. Because of the petition a few of us were lucky enough to be some of the horseplayers to meet with the Breeders’ Cup face to face to discuss many issues effecting fans.

Point 2 of the Take Back the Race Petition stated:

Create a fan committee representing the diversity of the racing audience to provide ideas and feedback on proposed changes and marketing plans to the Breeders’ Cup

The Fan Advisory Council, which they mention in the press release, is just that. I’m lucky enough to be a member along with Patrick of TBA/Handride, Ernie of TRNY, some HANA members and a wide cross section of fans and players. No doubt there are more changes that we’d all like to see, but the changes have started and there’s a mechanism for feedback and dialog.

It’s nice to have something to be cheerful about, especially in combination with some of the other recent unexpected good news. As Swifty is fond of saying, who deserves it more than us?

Posted by dana on Aug 11 2009    
Filed Under: Industry, 2009, HANA, Take Back the Race, :), Fans, Breeders' Cup, Sarah K. Andrew, Racing

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Into the clubhouse turn at Saratoga (Sarah K. Andrew)

Sure, there’s Saratoga and Del Mar, the premiere boutique summer meets, but they’re not the only game in town! I left this poll a little loose on purpose so you can interpret it as either as the track you most like to go to or the track you most like to play… it’s your call!

In my case they’re are one in the same… Saratoga. Of course, I haven’t been to that many tracks so maybe I would love Colonial Downs, Canterbury, Ellis or Emerald Downs just as much. In fact, maybe I’ll find out tomorrow, at least about playing Canterbury and Ellis, as I plan on playing the Claiming Crown and the HANA Pool Party race!

Is your favorite track to attend different from your favorite track to play? Feel free to elaborate!

In our last poll, Fav Triple Crown Race of 2009, 67 of you said the Derby, 51 of you said the Preakness, 19 of you said you loved them all equally and 12 of you said the Belmont. As always, thanks for participating!

Here’s to a prosperous, fun summer of racing… or, pari-mutually speaking, “here’s mud in your eye“!

Posted by dana on Jul 24 2009    
Filed Under: 2009, Colonial Downs, Del Mar, Poll, Monmouth Park, Saratoga, Turf, Sarah K. Andrew, Racing

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Lawyer Ron working at Belmont (Sarah K. Andrew)

How odd that not one but two posts this week reminded me of Lawyer Ron. First was the sad and unexpected news of Papi Chullo’s death as Papi looked to be in great form going in to the 2007 Whitney. The second was that the Whitney will be a Breeders’ Cup W&YI race, in fact I almost used a photo of Lawyer Ron for that post.

I was lucky enough to be at the 2007 Whitney on my first trip to Saratoga when Lawyer Ron had his coming out party by way of romp and track record. Swifty, Joan and I were stunned by his performance, primarily because we all had completely dismissed him but also because his win was so emphatic.

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It’s amazing how many horses from the 2007 Whitney are no longer with us. First Wanderin’ Boy, next Papi Chullo and now Lawyer Ron…. it wasn’t THAT long ago. Let’s take a moment to be thankful for Dry Martini, shall we? Horses, like celebrities and sports figures, seem to be dying at a quicker than normal pace these days.

Lawyer Ron was no slouch as a 3yo winning the Risen Star, Rebel, Southwest and St. Louis Derby.

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But the switch to Pletcher seemed to help him bring it all together. Sure, he still had trouble settling down on occasion but he won the Whitney, Woodward and Oaklawn and ran a very game second to HOY Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup.

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If you haven’t seen it already, The First Saturday in May featured Lawyer Ron and then trainer Bob Holthus on the Derby trail. Lawyer Ron’s groom Chuck Chambers was one of the more memorable characters in the film. It was clear how much he loved Lawyer Ron and I felt bad for him when Lawyer Ron got transferred to Pletcher.

Apparently the Champion Older Horse of 2007 was making quite an impression as stallion. Clark Shepherd, manager of Stonewall Farm Stallions noted.

His first foals are tremendous. When breeders call in to report their Lawyer Ron foals being born, they all have a story to tell.

Many people loved Lawyer Ron and you see plenty of great shots of him at flickr. Rest in Peace Lawyer Ron and condolences to Stonewall Farm and all of his previous connections.

Update: Steve Haskin’s tribute to Lawyer Ron is not to be missed.

Posted by dana on Jul 11 2009    
Filed Under: Farewell, Sarah K. Andrew, YouTube, Wanderin' Boy, Steve Haskin, 2009, Oaklawn, Papi Chullo, Todd Pletcher, Saratoga, Breeding, Belmont, Curlin, Race Replay, Lawyer Ron, Racing

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Papi Chullo and Eibar Coa winning the 2007 Birdstone on Belmont Stakes day (Sarah K. Andrew)

Randomly visiting the Mammee Ridge Farm site to see if there were any new photos of Papi Chullo I was stunned to find news of his death!

From Sunday May 10th:

It is with regret that we announce the death of Papi Chullo who died this morning. An necropsy performed by Dr. Clifford Bradford indicated that the young stallion suffered a heart attack.

Papi Chullo, a Graded Stakes winner of 7 races and US$390,062.00 endeared himself to racing fans throughout the United States. He arrived in Jamaica to stand at Mammee Ridge Farm, and became an immediate favourite of the staff and the local community alike.

Two mares have been confirmed to be in foal to the late Papi Chullo.

He will be missed.

Wow, I’m really sorry to find this out! I’ll definitely be getting in touch with the folks from Mammee Ridge Farms to send condolences and ask them to provide updates on Papi’s impending two foals when the time comes.

Some of you may remember that a group of Papi’s admirers at the TRNY Facebook Group mounted an unsuccessful bid to purchase him prior to his retirement.

It goes without saying that many people wanted to make sure the hard knocking, mismanaged horse had a safe landing. While we can’t say how it would have ended if we had been able to purchase him, let’s hope his time in Jamaica was enjoyable. It seems like he charmed the locals the way he charmed all of us.

RIP.

Posted by dana on Jul 08 2009    
Filed Under: Farewell, 2009, Sarah K. Andrew, :(, Papi Chullo, Breeding

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(Sarah K. Andrew)

Sure, there’s the giant deficit and issues with W&YI, not to mention the ongoing call for change with the upcoming board vote. Even Blood Horse, who’s been accused by some of being an industry mouth piece, has been busting BC chops (ok, not really busting chops per se).

While it’s annoying that the BC isn’t running any W&YI races at Saratoga, it certainly doesn’t mean there won’t be great racing at the Spa. I still have my fingers crossed for a 2011 BC at Belmont but there’s plenty of time to get worked up over that one, although I think o_crunk is on to something.

In the meantime, there are few good things worth pointing out in Breeders’ Cup-ville. As mentioned many times before, yours truly is not a sports fan. So when the Breeders’ Cup announced a charity partnership V Foundation I was a little confused. Why are they not supporting a racing charity?

I was chatting about it with Swifty and he clued me in on the V Foundation. For those of you who also don’t give a rat’s ass about sports, The V Foundation is named after Jimmy Valvano, a beloved coach and sports broadcaster who died from cancer. Knowing that one of the Breeders’ Cup missions is to grow the event, this partnership started to made a lot more sense.

One of the perks of this arrangement is that the Breeders’ Cup has an excellent donated auction item in the upcoming annual “Don’t Give Up” auction to benefit the V Foundation and promote the ESPYs. The auction takes place on the Mike and Mike show July 15th at 7:00am (apparently a great morning talk show time slot).

Saddle Up for the Breeder’s Cup! This package includes two (2) tickets in the exclusive Trophy Lounge for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships on Friday, November 6, 2009 and Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Santa Anita Park, California. Also included: two (2) tickets to the VIP Winner’s Circle Celebration Kick-Off event on Thursday, November 5th, a meet and greet with the talent at the celebration, and a visit with the horses in the Saddling Ring prior to the Ladies’ Classic. Winners will get an exclusive meet and greet with a Breeders’ Cup favorite at their stall at Santa Anita AND two (2) spots to watch from the Winner’s Circle for the Ladies’ Classic on Friday and the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday. This experience is non-transferable. Dates and details subject to change. This package is for the winner and one (1) guest.

I wonder if the talent are the horses? I guess so given the saddling ring and stall visit. No matter who runs in the F/M Classic it’s always cool to hang out in the paddock with the fancy people (not like I’ve ever done that). I also wonder which race they’ll pick to visit the favorite prior to the race? Let’s hope that either someone who loves racing and can appreciate it wins OR that whoever wins falls in love with racing after doing those things.

But as I was saying earlier, what about a racing charity? TCA is this year’s Breeders’ Cup racing charity. After seeing the V Foundation news I was curious about what the BC has planned for the TCA so I asked Peter Rotondo, VP of Media and Entertainment.

Besides what he characterized as a “sizable donation”, the BC plans on offering the TCA copious media promotion opportunities during their broadcasts, plenty of on track presence during the event and the general access/exposure that comes along with a big event such as the BC.

So, not ALL bad, right? Supporting the those who support our retired equine stars and getting racing in front of new folks… now if we can just get those new folks to bet! Show parlay anyone?

Full Disclosure - the Breeders’ Cup is a Hello Race Fans advertiser.

Posted by dana on Jul 07 2009    
Filed Under: Sarah K. Andrew, 2009, Santa Anita, Marketing, Breeders' Cup, Racing

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