LETTER FOR A SUNDAY MORNING…
Hi, Jennifer:
It’s wonderful news that this filly ended up safe and sound – congratulations to her connections for stepping in! I have personal knowledge that John Hillier has always been a generous supporter of thoroughbred retirement.
It is also my understanding that there was actually signed documentation that, when she left the track, she would be going to a home as a companion animal and that she was never to be sold for slaughter. I am not aware of the subsequent circumstances which ended up putting her in harm’s way but I do know that, in this harsh economic climate, it has become much more difficult to place horses, even sound ones, in good and loving homes.
I do hope that anyone rehoming a horse will have a document or bill of sale signed by the new owner which has a definitive no slaughter clause in it. Also, it would perhaps be a help to know the names and addresses of any persons shipping your horse off the track and, of course, the name and address of the person to whom the horse is being shipped.
LongRun, like the many other retirement and rescue organizations both here and in the U.S., has budgetary restraints which prevent us from being able to take in every horse in need but where we can help in situations like this is to provide suggested documentation to owners and trainers, as well as have our volunteers do a follow-up on horses placed outside of our program. I encourage anyone who needs helps with this to give our office a call – 416-675-3993 ext. 3440.
LongRun – V. Pappas
THOROUGhBLOG will be back tomorrow for a weekend re-cap – in advance of a trip to FORT ERIE for Ladies night 2morow!
SATURDAY JULY 30th it’s almost August! eeks! horse lovers won’t be happy today but hopefully the big story in the Toronto Star (2nd time this topic has been on the front page of the Star in 3 years) will wake up horse owners who don’t take the time to find their animals good homes..read more below…
Dave Landry photo
IT IS 11 A.M., ANYWHERE, DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR HORSES ARE?
It is a super duper big weekend of racing all around the continent and in Canada, the holiday weekend (Civic Holiday, Simcoe day in downtown Toronto) gives us an extra day of racing and stakes action.
I don’t want to put a downer on any of this excitement, indeed we all love the sport and our equine athletes but there is a story to be told and a lesson to be learned (again) from an event that occurred here in Ontario/Quebec this week.
Don’t worry, it has a happy ending.
A notice from SECOND START THOROUGHBREDS, a placement group for racehorses off the track, popped up on Facebook the other day about a filly, CASH IS IN THE BOX, who went through the Olex sale near London, Ontario and had slipped through, was sold and was awaiting certain slaughter in a feedlot in Quebec.
I have seen many notices of horses looking for homes on Second Start’s website and FB pages, and certainly, there are always more horses than there are people to take them, rehabilitate them or just stare at them in a field.
But this one caught my interest for some reason.
I looked her up and had found that this Sez Who-bred gal by Outofthebox, had won $24,000, and had run very recently at Fort Erie.
She was just 4 years old.
The filly, a $19,000 buy back at auction, won her maiden for $16,000 by more than 5 lengths last year at Woodbine but fell on hard times this year and was well beaten for $5,000 claiming in 2 starts, her latest on July 3.
Somehow, in 3 weeks, she wound up at Olex, where so many thoroughbreds seem to end up still.
Thanks to connections, Second Start Thoroughbreds got wind of the filly selling and moving on to Quebec. The notice was put on Thoroughblog and immediately, phone wires and the internet were abuzz.
And the cavalry came riding in. Let’s face it, we all want to help every horse that ends up cast away, often it is by accident. When someone gives a horse away, do we know to whom it is going, and where? And then after that, does the horse get transferred again. Indeed, it is a grey area that a lot of times, is clouded enough that it’s not the owner, or trainer’s fault. But it is also sometimes a careless move.
Cash is in the Box, who raced for Quintessential, Who Next Racing, Debutante Stable and John Hillier, had several trainers too. When the folks involved in Debutante found out about this filly, Hillier stepped up to the plate and paid for her safe return. There are others who were involved, they know who they are, and they were not the ones at fault. However, there needs to be some close scrutiny once you give that horse away, you never know where it may end up.
And if the horse is unable to race, or even live comfortably, take matters into your hands and do the humane thing – sending a horse to auction where it can be shipped for slaughter is not humane.
The following letter was received from CTHS Ontario president Glenn Sikura, who points out at least two of the heroes:
“The horse was located by Julie Coulter and the CTHS office staff and was in Quebec. There was a lady in there who was very helpful. John Hillier was notified and he immediately volunteered to purchase her from the “farm” that she was located at. He has now done so and she will be shipped to St. Jacobs and then Fort Erie where a suitable home will be sought. John was under the impression that when she left his ownership she was going to be a companion horse. I don’t know what happened to change this but he was unaware of her fate until today. I think he acted promptly, generously and humanely.”
It’s not realistic to think that this can, should? happen all the time, but it did in this instance and how great is it that we have people in the business who will step up.
Congratulations to Second Start’s Alexis Kacho-Sinke and everyone mentioned above. Good luck Cash!
THIRD JEWEL OF CANADA’S TRIPLE CROWN in a week’s time…
BREEDERS’ STAKES – AUG. 7
NOMINATIONS
BLACKSTONE BAY
b.c.3 by Stormy Atlantic(Storm Cat) – South Sea Blues(Cure the Blues)
WinStar Farm LLC (Lessee) Mark E. Casse
BOWMAN’S CAUSEWAY
ch.c.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Victory Encounter(Victory Speech)
Martin S. Schwartz Chad C. Brown
CELTIC CONVICTION
ch.g.3 by Strut the Stage(Theatrical (IRE)) – All My Lovin'(Cat’s Career)
Dura Racing & M.J.Doyle Racing Stable Ltd. Michael J. Doyle
CHECK YOUR SOUL
dk b/.c.3 by Perfect Soul (IRE)(Sadler’s Wells) – Unchecked(Unbridled)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
CLEAN HOUSE
ch.g.3 by Flower Alley(Distorted Humor) – Classical Romance(Regal Classic)
Earle I. Mack Josie Carroll
CONTROL
dk b/.g.3 by Survivalist(Danzig) – Queen Marge(Grindstone)
W.S. Farish, Jr. Mark E. Casse
CROWN’S PATH
dk b/.c.3 by Trajectory(Gone West) – Crown’s Believer(Believe It)
J. M. Stritzl Stable Gregory de Gannes
DELAWANA
b.g.3 by Langfuhr(Danzig) – Dake(Gulch)
Gustav Schickedanz Michael Keogh
DIEGO BAY
b.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Elloluv(Gilded Time)
Stronach Stables Roger L. Attfield
GHOST GUNNER
b.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Golden Corona(Gulch)
Stronach Stables Sean Smullen
GOOD BETTER BEST
dk b/.c.3 by Best of the Bests (IRE)(Machiavellian) – Miss Crissy(Bold n’ Flashy)
Harlequin Ranches Roger L. Attfield
GRAND STYLE
dk b/.f.3 by Giant’s Causeway(Storm Cat) – Dancethruthestorm(Thunder Gulch)
G. Watts Humphrey, Jr. Michael J. Doyle
HEAD HONCHO
b.g.3 by Strut the Stage(Theatrical (IRE)) – Cherokee Treasure(Cherokee Run)
Annecchini & D’Alimonte Holdings Inc & Kingfield R/S Ltd Catherine Day Phillips
HIPPOLYTUS
dk b/.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Danzatara(Ascot Knight)
Horse’nAround Racing Stable & R. Lederman Mark E. Casse
KUROGANE
dk b/.c.3 by Niigon(Unbridled) – Eclipse Bay(Hennessy)
Chiefswood Stable Paul Attard
MOLINARO REMARKS
b.g.3 by Line of Departure(A.P. Indy) – Closing Remarks(Ascot Knight)
Molinaro Stable Vito Armata
NANAIMO
ch.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Hippicritical(Hail the Ruckus)
Raymond Noble Barbara J. Minshall
PENDER HARBOUR
ch.g.3 by Philanthropist(Kris S.) – Uproar(Hail the Ruckus)
D. Andrews, S. Lazaruk & R. & R. Giffin Michael P. De Paulo
QUEEN’SPLATEKITTEN
dk b/.c.3 by Kitten’s Joy(El Prado (IRE)) – Iteration(Wild Again)
Mill House LLC Todd A. Pletcher
RUNAWAY WHIZ
b.c.3 by Old Forester(Forestry) – Devaluation(Conquistador Cielo)
Whizway Farms Mark R. Frostad
STUNNING SPLIT
b.c.3 by Awesome Again(Deputy Minister) – Split the Arrow(Smart Strike)
Sam-Son Farms Malcolm Pierce
DUCHESS STAKES AT WOODBINE
This is a personal favourite. It is a 7 furlong event for 3yo fillies, kind of like Woodbine’s own version of the Grade 1 Test, except not quite as good. But there are always some intriguing shippers for this dash.
I have narrowed the field down to four gals that I likely will box for the triactor.
I think DELIGHTFUL MARY is good enough to win this race and the distance might hit her squarely – her sire Limehouse was proably better in one-turn events/ She has not raced since April and has some gaps in preps, but she should be included.
I like ANNE’S BEAUTY too, she won a stake as a 2yo at this distance and she has been messing around with route races and turf this year but should be forceful with the turn-back in distance.
BIBI’S DOLL is a longshot play, another one doing the turn-back from a race too far.
and finally MISS INCLINED is another price play, coming of a freshening and returning to Polytrack.
WOODBINE FRIDAY
They don’t call it FREAKY FRIDAY for nothing. Punters at Woodbine have long called it freaky friday as wacky results occur a lot on this day of the week, who knows why.
Yesterday, a very hot and humid day, was no exception. A lightning fast Polytrack which strongly favoured speed (a couple of winners came from 2 lengths back early) greeted bettors.
Other than the norm – LUIS CONTRERAS won 3 races, there were few logical winners – PAIGE’S BOOK won her 3rd in her last 4 in race 1 and CARBON FOOTPRINT won off the layoff in race 2 for $40K claiming.
Race 5, a turf maiden allowance went to 50 to 1 shot BRAIN POWER (Najran), with blinkers on for trainer Dave Cotey and his Dominion Bloodstock. He was eager on the pace and battled favoured RIOPELLE all the way and then edged clear.
WICKET EWOK posted a 78 Beyer Figure to win the 8th race off the claim for Tucci Stables. The 3yo gelding beat a handsome field under Jesse Campbell.
Not crazy about the result of race 3 in that DUBAI DOT was eased in a previous outing and then she comes back to win with only a slight class drop from allowance to $40,00 claiming.
MO STAR rode the speed bias to win the last race at 35 to 1 for George Billers on the drop to claiming $12,500.
JIM DANDY PREVIEW FROM THE SARATOGIAN
http://saratogian.com/articles/2011/07/29/sports/doc4e333fdd0b7fd511843506.txt
Saturday, Saratoga, post time: 5:12 p.m. EDT
DIANA S.-GI, $500,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Unbridled Humor Distorted Humor Velazquez Motion 4-1
2 Jstarndmdnight (Ire) Dnehill Dancer (Ire) Bravo Biancone 20-1
3 Dyna Waltz (GB) Dynaformer Prado Sheppard 12-1
4 Zagora (Fr) Green Tune Castellano Brown 6-1
5 Bay to Bay K Sligo Bay (Ire) Garcia Lynch 6-1
6 Aruna Mr. Greeley Dominguez Motion 3-1
7 Aviate (GB) Dansili (GB) Leparoux Mott 5-1
8 Giants Play K Giant’s Causeway Maragh Clement 8-1
9 Mekong Melody (Ire) Cape Cross (Ire) Solis Attfield 10-1
10 Romacaca Running Stag Baird Canani 15-1
Saturday, Saratoga, post time: 5:45 p.m. EDT
JIM DANDY S.-GII, $500,000, 3yo, 1 1/8m
PP HORSE SIRE JOCKEY TRAINER ML
1 Moonshine Mullin Albert the Great Wilson Baker 15-1
2 Dominus K Smart Strike Leparoux Asmussen 3-1
3 Brilliant Speed Dynaformer Velazquez Albertrani 7-2
4 Scotus K Successful Appeal Garcia McPeek 8-1
5 Will’s Wildcat K Eurosilver Albarado Baker 15-1
6 Stay Thirsty K Bernardini Castellano Pletcher 5-2
7 Alternation Graham Motion Distorted Humor Dominguez Von Hemel 7-2
By NICOLE RUSSO
nrusso@saratogian.com
This weekend, most eyes will be on the clash between classic winners in the Haskell Invitational at Monmouth. However, those looking to handicap the Travers Stakes later this month would be wise to keep their focus squarely on Saratoga, as the local prep, the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, is set for this afternoon.
Although the Haskell has produced more divisional Eclipse champions (seven, counting horses who started in both races) than the Travers (three) in the last decade, the Jim Dandy has still been the more significant Travers prep, producing five winners of the Mid-Summer Derby to the Haskell’s two.
Overall, the Jim Dandy has produced 15 Travers winners, including eight who have competed the double.
*see link above to read the rest of the story..
Hot Canadian-breds of 2011
1. Inglorious (96)
2. Pool Play* (100)
3. Embur’s Song (100)
4. Fifty Proof (96)
5. Pender Harbour (93)
6. Society’s Chairman (95)
7. Stunning Stag (100)
8. Bear It’s Time (86)
8. Bowman’s Causeway (92)
9. Hippolytus (83)
10. Joyful Victory (83)
** CHECK OUR MORE LISTS AND LINKS ON THE HOME PAGE OF THOROUGHBLOG!!
TORONTO STAR FEATURE TODAY..HORSE SLAUGHTER UNDER FIRE
“If we ended slaughter of horses in Canada tomorrow, those who are over-breeding horses would have to become more responsible. Responsibility would become part of the horse industry.”
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1032379–shooting-horses-canada-s-slaughter-industry-under-fire?bn=1
