"Off-Season"

As fall continues to trundle along here in Minnesota heading toward our inevitable date with winter (side note: two reports have indicated the upcoming winter to be "possibly the worst on record" and "milder than normal" - take your pick!), I'm spending time trying to streamline the operation a bit.

Crowded and hectic are only two words that could describe how things are.  Between our groups, the Canterbury Club, the new gig for slotmaker Incredible Technologies (or for the non-gamers, the force behind Golden Tee golf), the breeding operation and serving on the Board of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association, life has gotten a bit crazy. Heather has been a big help but you can only give attention to so many things before there is some deterioration.

MTA

Obviously work can't deteriorate, that has to be the first priority.  The rest of it needs to be streamlined.  To that end, as my term ends on the MTA board I decided not to run again.  I'll continue to be a member and help out where I can, but my time on the Board is over...for now anyway.  I loved my time on the Board and I'd encourage any of the over 200 members to run.  I heard a lot of constructive criticism of the MTA in my three years on the board and I would encourage any of those dozens of folks to go ahead and run.  Try and make a difference, don't just complain and then do nothing to affect change.  This is a wonderful time for Minnesota racing and a crucial time for Minnesota breeding so go ahead and run, get involved and make an impact.

BREEDING

Additionally, as I've mentioned, we're working on selling Tabby Lane.  That may be getting closer as activity and interest in that regard has picked up significantly on several fronts in the last week.  It really is bittersweet for me on a couple of fronts.  It's not secret that I love that mare and George (the future Tabby Dacat), her first foal, is just a joy.  Throw in the fact that the foal she is carrying is by multiple graded stakes winner Doneraile Court, they both exceled between 7 furlongs and a mile and 70 and are an A++ True Nick and I think that whoever gets her is going to have one helluva runner on their hands (preference will go to the buyer that allows us to be listed as co-breeder).

So why sell her?

I love racing.  I'd like to be proven right on the match but I love racing.  I don't have the patience for the development time it takes for breeding.  Georgie we will keep and race - watch for him to become part of a group late next year as he moves from yearling to a 2-year old in training.  Selling Tabby and the foal-to-be will help me finance the racing operation.  We're not independently wealthy and as such we can't do all things so for now we will streamline the operation to racing.  That's not to say we won't be back to breeding at some point in the future but right now the money in Minnesota is skewed toward racing and not breeding so we're going to focus on that aspect of the industry.

RACING

Heather is working with Ellie a bit now that she's had 30-days to come down from being at the track.  Not a lot of heavy work, but just some lunging to keep her active and get her mind active.  Ellie is an immature 3-year old and is almost ADD!  She's learning focus and concentration and hopefully getting a bit more independent.  She finally showed some promise going a route the end of last summer and I want her to come to the track next year as a completely different horse.

The Canterbury Club is starting to wind down as well.  We still have our two runners, Maryjean and Terice, but hopefully not for long.  Both are doing well and continue to hit the board but that elusive 2nd win for the Club has been tough to come by.  Hopefully we can pick up a couple before the end of the meet for the folks.

We'll also be looking to get ready for the 2015 season now that Bourbonology has retired and pull together another group to go after a runner to compete next season.  If there is some interest, please go ahead and email me and I'll give you the details.

The off-season really is a bit of a misnomer since there really is a lot going on, though hopefully in the next few months our focus can get sharpened up and we can head into 2015 ready to rock.

Minnesota Races, Racing and Perceptions

My last post generated a comment that I was not sure I would post.  I don't like when folks use anonymity to make accusations or sweeping statements, but this comment was very typical of some of the comments I've been hearing as a member of the Board of the Directors of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association so I decided to pull out the comment and make a blog post out of it.  My response is not meant to be the be all, end all but simply my view on what seems to be a very large misperception out there about Minnesota racing.

Given the shrinking of the Minnesota foal crops over the last decade, there were bound to be issues at some point filling Minnesota bred races and with the 2013 foal crop likely being the smallest on record, the problem is going to get worse before it gets better: you simply cannot fill maidens, maiden claimers, three allowance levels and three different claiming conditions over five or six claiming prices, short and long (of course) only bringing 80 or so horses to the races every year.  This will change in a few years with the 2014 foal crop poised to be the first increase in years and 2015 promising to be even bigger, but until then Minnesota bred races will continue to be difficult to fill.

Here is the comment and then my response.

Anonymous wrote:

Good luck with Ellie and Bourbonology in 2014!

Hopefully Ellie is able to compete at the allowance or stakes level. Otherwise, you can look forward to the following, if 2014 is anything like 2013:

-MN bred claiming purses that are actually lower than they were in 2012.

-MN bred claiming races that fill but the racing secretary decides not to use them, time and time again.

-MN bred claiming races only being used on Thursday and Friday nights and only at 5 1/2 or 6 furlongs on the dirt. Best of luck to you if it turns out Ellie likes the turf, is a router or doesn't run well under the lights.

The good news is if this doesn't change you will be able pickup yearlings even cheaper this year than they were last year. Was anyone really surprised the sales results were so poor last year given how difficult it is to actually get your MN breds in a race that fits them? Something needs to change or there will be no more MN breds in training before we know it.There is absolutely no loyalty to MN bred owners by track management or the racing secretary.


Thanks for the good wishes and for reading.

My perception on your points are the following:

- Because of the ongoing dispute with Running Aces, nearly a million dollars in purse money is being withheld from their card club revenues that should be going to Canterbury.  The SMSC money makes up this shortfall, but doesn't exceed it.  Purses will at least be level to 2013 which were higher than 2012.

- The accusation that the racing secretary is not using MN bred claiming races "time and time again" does not hold up from what I was able to see.  The number of MN bred races per card has been constant over the last several years even as the foal crops continued to dwindle and the crop up for sale this year will be the bottom, The number of MN breds racing is just going to keep decreasing over the next couple of years before it begins to rise again.  If your definition of "filled" is 4 or 5 horses, our definitions differ considerably. The draw process is relatively transparent so if I were you, I'd watch the races as they fill (you can do that in the racing office on the backside by watching the TV monitor) and make notations of full races that aren't used to bring to the track's attention.  The times that I did this, the MN bred races were not getting more than 5 entries - and even then the track let a few of them go, passing over open races of 9 or 10 horses which did not go over well with owners and trainers of open horses.

I understand that there will be some changes coming this year to try and consolidate the MN bred claiming ranks as well as widen the tag discrepancy between MN bred and open horses when running in open company to help MN bred claimers be more competitive and provide them more racing opportunities.

- While I agree that there seemed to be a considerable number of MN bred claiming races late - especially on Thursday nights; these races were full fields (10 - 12 horses) and placed at a time on the card to give them maximum exposure on TVG at a time when few - if any - thoroughbred tracks were running which resulted in considerably higher handle year-over-year. That's a win for everyone.

If anything, the track has tried very hard to provide racing opportunities for MN breds in the face of precipitously declining numbers. 

The problem is going to be worse the next two years before it starts getting better so I would suggest stepping out behind the wall and join the dialogue.  We (the MTA board) held an open meeting at Canterbury to discuss changes in black type requirements with owners, breeders and track management and many of these issues came up and we had a very lively, interesting and informative discussion that will result in changes that will help us get through this period.  Please come out and join us next time.

Meet the Parents

TABBY LANE (Photo: Wendy Wooley)

EASTWOOD DACAT (Photo: Bleu Valley Farm)

Tabby Lane is going to be a mother.  Many of her partners decided that the breeding end of the business was not for them but a few of us will soldier on and we’ll see what we can do with her.  At first blush we really thought we would have to send her Kentucky to find a stallion that nicked up with her nicely.  And matings I tried ended up with a “C” rating or worse.  Then we found a local Storm Cat son that matched up really well for a fraction of the costs of a Kentucky sire and none of the transportation: Eastwood Dacat (Storm Cat- Western Eternity- Gone West)

Eastwood Dacat had a promising debut at 3 at Oaklawn Park where he had led the field for a while in a Maiden Special Weight sprint before finishing 3^rd, beaten only 1 ¼ and earning a debut Beyer of 67.  All seemed poised for a strong second start but something went wrong.  There was no zip in the race at all and he was badly beaten…and injured.  The decision was made to retire him and try and pass along some of those Storm Cat/Gone West genes down the line.  That would have been the end of the story except when he arrived at Bleu Valley Farm in Minnesota, the young stallion showed plenty of zip and that got folks thinking.  Eastwood Dacat tried to come back one more time at five.  He was brought along slowly and led a MSW field at Hawthorne through the turn and then faltered badly.  Reinjured, he was brought back to Bleu Valley and now will try to establish himself as a stallion.

We bought the season to him at the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association's Stallion Services Auction and Tabby will head over to Dove Hill, who will be handling his season, in February to be covered.  Their progeny will be eligible for the 2017 MTA Stallion Services Auction Stakes – hopefully a black type affair by then.

The mating was rated by Werk as an A and the blend of her stamina, remarkable stability and desire to win (25% of her starts) combined with his speed should give us a nice foal.  For you pedigree folks out there here are some of the particulars:

Dosage Index: 4.0

Center of Distribution: 1.0

Werk Quality Rating: Q7 (total points 34)

5-Generation Inbreeding: GONE WEST - 3f x 4m NORTHERN DANCER - 4m, 4f x SECRETARIAT - 4f, 5f x

Stakes winners from the Storm Cat/Unbridle’s Song cross include:

A SHIN TOP                         2010 C   G2

ALPHA KITTEN                  2006 F   G2

BUTTERFLY SOUL             2010 F  

ELUSIVE LADY                  2005 F   G3

ETCHED                               2005 C   G2

HOLD ME BACK                 2006 C   G2

MEAL PENALTY                 2005 C

NECESSARY EVIL              2007 F   G3

ONCE WERE WILD             2006 F

OUT OF BOUNDS                2009 C   G3

PUISSANCE DE LUNE        2008 C   G3

WILD BOUT TIFFANY        2008 F

You will, of course, be subjected to following the progress right here as the time passes!

Birthday Ramblings

(Photo credit: Annie Ringwelski)

 

Unlike my horses, I officially change the year on my actually birthday as opposed to January 1.  This year brings to 47 the number of times that I’ve flipped the calendar and I’m greyer, fatter and sorer than I’ve ever been (thankfully I still have a crapload of Greek hair)!  I’m also deeper into racing than I ever thought I would be – so the tradeoff is equal in my book.

We’re examining possible breeding options for our mare; we have a two-year old that is showing some ability; we nearly have a 2013 claiming group full; I’ve celebrated two seasons with the DRF covering the greatest little racetrack in America; the good folks at Canterbury let me on the air on a semi-regular basis; I’ve spent a wonderful year on the board of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association (and hope they’ll have me for many more); and nearly got our little posse on the map as part of a new reality series.  I’m a quasi-regular helping out with my picks sure to go wrong with Hello Race Fans and this blog has developed a solid following (love you mom!).  The cherry on the cake is that Minnesota racing is looking as good as it ever has with a future as bright as can be and I’m lucky enough to be involved in it, even in some small way.

I look back at this and realize I barely even dreamt it was possible I was punching tickets at Pimlico on Preakness Day back in 1988.  I loved racing so much and kept close tabs on it for years and nearly always went to bed thinking that it would be great to actually be involved; to be a part of the action; to be on the inside looking out rather than on the outside looking in; to make some kind of a living on the game/industry/sport I love so very much. 

I can’t say that I made it – I still have a “regular” job that, thankfully, allows me to do the rest – but I can say that I’m a lot closer than I ever dreamed possible.  Over the years I kept it in my sights and in the back of my mind.  I had some very, very lucky breaks and some key people (David Miller and Jeff Maday immediately spring to mind) that came along at the right time to help me – debts I can never properly repay.  But when I saw an opportunity to move forward in racing I tried to seize it – some that worked and some that didn’t. 

Failure is always a step away.  If you fail 80% of the time in this game you’re doing pretty well.  Only 70% failure rate? You’re amazing.  Tabby Lane won 25% of her career races and, as a stable over the years we’ve been able to win just shade under 20% with our in the money percentage at 51%.  Horses that we’ve been involved with have won nearly $200,000 and that’s not bad when you consider that we’ve never run in a single stakes race.  Yup – I’ve been mighty lucky and I appreciate every little bit of it.

To close my birthday ramblings, I want to throw one piece of advice (I know, I shouldn’t be giving advice until I hit 50…): while you can’t be afraid to fail, never be afraid to succeed.  As you get more successful you’ll generate more opportunities to be even more successful and they may be a bit out of your comfort zone.  Take them.  Get over it and take them.  You’ll grow from the experience and you’ll gain confidence along the way.  It will be breed more success.  Get out of your own way and just make it happen.  I’ve tried to do that this year and, for the most part, it’s worked out pretty well.  There may be more failure ahead – undoubtedly so – but it won’t come from never having tried.

Curtain Closes on 2012 at Canterbury with Bright Future Ahead

A year removed from a season that was marred by a 3-week government shutdown and ended with trepidation for the future of Minnesota racing, Canterbury Park recently concluded a record breaking year and will approach the 2013 season with renewed optimism and hope for the future.

Under the provisions of an agreement between the track and the casino-owning Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, the Community will provide $81 million over the next 10 years with 90% of the payment going to fund purses.  The remaining 10% will be set aside for marketing initiatives designed to increase attendance and handle at Canterbury.  In return, Canterbury Park has agreed to drop the pursuit of a racino and will be working with the Nation’s two casinos, Mystic Lake and Little Six, on joint marketing initiatives.

For the fourth consecutive year the track set a record for average annual attendance at 6,595, up 7.3% over last year’s season.  Additionally, the average daily on-track handle of $189,973 was also a 7.3% increase year over year while the average daily all source handle on Canterbury races of $452,405 was up 12.9% over 2011.  Total all source handle for the meet was up 25% to $28,049,108 with six additional racing days in 2012.  These are nothing to sneeze at.  Even with the 6 less racing days of 2011 the comparison is impressive. 

I found it interesting that the increase in on track attandance and handle moved in synch - that folks just continue to bet the same amount per capita no matter how many we pull in, but track President and CEO Randy Sampson pointed out, "We've had increased attendance each of the alst few years and handle has been flat.  This is definitely a good sign"

The claiming box was more active this season as well.  In both 2010 and 2011, 27 horses were claimed at each meet.  For the 2012 season that number doubled to 54 horses as trainers looked for better quality stock to compete for the increased purse money. A quick look at the claims report shows that while there are many familiar names on the list, there are quite a few who are not.  It may be a bit premature to think that we’re suddenly attracting new owners into the game, it does show a renewed level of interest. 

When the agreement was first inked, purses were increased 35% retroactive from the start of the meet.  For the 2013 season the purses will increase approximately another 25%. This should lead to more stall applications for the track resulting in fuller fields and increased wagering opportunities for the bettor.  The track has already begun work on recruiting not only owners and trainers for next season, but increasing the availability of the Canterbury signal to draw more wagering interest from across the country.  More wagering will result in increased revenue and will help to grow racing in the state.  The Festival Day crowd of over 17,000 shows that Minnesotans will come to the races FOR the races; there were no gimmicks on Festival Day, just gorgeous day featuring great racing – and the people came.  I don’t think the track can expect that kind of crowd every weekend, but it’s good to know that a good product brings in the people.

The optimism even permeated the annual Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s annual yearling sale.  With the same number of horses sold as the 2011 sale, 31, the average selling price increased 61% to $10,332 and the median increased 45% to $5,500.  Even the sale topper was up 86% with a colt by Holy Bull out of Run With Joy selling for $56,000 to Barry & Joni Butzow, part owners of Graded Stakes winner Hamazing Destiny.

“The momentum really built through the season and really culminated yesterday with the record Festival Day crowd,” said Sampson.  “You can tell that we’re on the verge of things going up considerably as the agreement gets fully implemented over the next few years.”

DIVISIONAL TITLES

The 2012 Divisional Champions were announced by Canterbury Park on Sunday.  Horse of the Year was also the three year old champion and champion sprinter, the undefeated Heliskier.  Heleiskier was 4-4 on the season taking an allowance followed by three stakes, the Victor S Myers, the MTA Stallion Laddie and the Minnesota Derby, by a combined total of 33 ¾ lengths.  Heliskier earned $103,056 on the season. As you know, I have a great love for this three year old gelding and I’m very excited to see him run for years to come.

Other divisional winners include: Older and Grass Horse – Tubby Time; Older Filly or Mare – Ruthville; 3-year old filly – Keewatin Ice; 2-year old – Badge of Glory; and claimer of the meet – Patriate.

Mac Robertson was the leading trainer for the 8^th consecutive year with 53 wins and newcomer to Canterbury Tanner Riggs dethroned defending champion jockey Dean Butler with 74 victories to Butler’s 65.  The jockey race was a lot of fun this year with some newcomers entering the fray and I hope that an influx of new trainers can bring in some fresh faces in the jockey colony as well.  It’s always fun to see new talent and Canterbury has the potential to once again be a breeding ground for young jockey talent before they shift tack to California or New York (anyone remember Mike Smith at Canterbury?).

IT’S A WRAP

The bow is on the 2012 season but, as I mentioned, work is already underway to capitalize on the momentum Randy mentioned.  I’ve said before that the agreement is only the beginning and that there is still heavy lifting to do: feelers to trainers and owners need to translate into commitments and stall space; we need to have Canterbury broadcast from coast-to-coast to generate a following amongst the lifeblood of racing – the gamblers; it’d be great to be able to see Canterbury on TVG – handle does improve on nights that we’re broadcast; getting some simulcast centers out in some of the more distant Tribal locations would be great – broadcast centers in Bemidji and Duluth would do very well; and I’d like to see, though it won’t happen, the asinine restriction on internet wagering in the state of Minnesota.  That regulation’s time is clearly passed and the state needs to join most of the rest of the country in allowing wagers via ExpressBet, TwinSpires and the other legal advanced deposit wagering platforms.

If interest in our 2012-13 racing partnership is any indication, there is a spike in interest in owning horses and racing at Canterbury.  There is a lot to love about Canterbury and I look forward to helping to keep the momentum rolling through the next decade – and more.  Think I’m being a homer?  Check out what Brian Zipse had to say over at Horse Racing Nation. 

See you high atop Canterbury Park in May!

A Minnesota Legend in the Making and Future Legends for Sale

MINNESOTA OAKS AND DERBY

Saturday was a very full day at Canterbury Park.  The highlight of the raceday was Minnesota bred superstar Heliskier dominating his 3-year old peers in the Minnesota Derby.  I know I’ve only been in Minnesota for seven years now, but he is clearly the best Minn-bred I’ve ever seen.  Keewatin Ice, winner of the Oaks, was no slouch either, winning in professional fashion and giving Cam Casby an Oaks exacta with her other homebred, Talkin’ Bout, finishing second.

In the Derby, Sue’s Stormy tried to take command early and wire the field while Heliskier tucked in behind and let him set the early pace.  When Derek Bell asked him to go he angled to the outside and was simply gone.  Hand-ridden to the finish, Heliskier pulled away from Sue’s Stormy to win by 13 ¼ lengths and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 87.  It was an absolutely astounding performance.  While it may be premature to call him the best Minnesota bred in history, he is certainly on his way.

Keewatin Ice was also an odds on favorite in the Oaks and was ridden perfectly by Juan Rivera to the victory.  She got out quickly and found herself briefly in an unaccustomed position on the front end before she was settled back heading down the backstretch.  Once she took command in the lane it was all over but the shouting and Keewatin Ice was back in the winner’s circle for the second stake in a row.

MTA SALE

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association held its annual yearling sale last night after the races and the results, while not unexpected, were astounding.

The year over year comparison is particularly apt with 31 horses sold both years. In 2011 the average selling price was $6,403 versus last night’s average of $10,332.  Total proceeds of the 2011 sale were $198,500 (which was 135% of the 2010 total, by the way) while last night’s total was $320,300.  The sale topper was hip #6, a dark bay colt by Holy Bull out of the Ghazi mare, Run With Joy.  Consigned by Oak Tree Farm as agent for Raymond and Karen Wheeler, the colt was sold to Barry and Joni Butzow for $56,000.

The economics of the game are improved, certainly, and a healthy sale is indicative of that.  I don’t think that there was going to be any question that the sale was going to be a good one.  If you take the reduced numbers of foals in this crop along with the increase in purses thanks to the Mystic Lake Purse Enhancement Fund, it all pointed to some expensive yearling purchases.  Those of you reading from New York, Kentucky, Florida and other locations that view our average as a bit small, it represents a staggering increase of 108% over the 2010 number.

With a smaller crop of foals that have hit the ground here this year and the purse enhancement money continuing onward for another 9 years, these yearlings may be a bargain compared to the 2013 sale horses.  The MTA will be bringing back the 2 year old in training sale so there may be some of these horses coming back into the ring next year as well.

I know I have several horses marked in the catalog to follow over the next few years.  It should be an interesting ride.

Busy Weekend On Tap

DARK STAR MEMORIAL

If you're coming down to Canterbury to watch I'll Have Another's pursuit of immortality in the Belmont stakes, try and come out early.  Track officials have announced that at 10:00AM in the paddock they will hold a memorial for the late Dark Star.  There will be plenty of stories and reminiscnences celebrating Dark's life.  It's probably fitting that the memorial be held in the paddock - that's where all of Dark's picks could win. It's a good thing, too, as his spirit probably would have had a tough time finding the winner's circle if it were held trackside!  God bless you, Drk, I hope you know how much you're missed.

NEW OWNERS' SEMINAR

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association is sponsoring a New Owners' Seminar immediately following the Dark Star Memorial (approx. 11 AM) on the second floor of the grandstand.  There will be several speakers talking about legal issues, accounting issues, partnerships, claiming, auctions, training, vet care for the racehorse and more.  If you've ever thought about getting into the game but weren't sure how, this is going to be a great opportunity to listen to experts, ask questions and get a feel for what it's like to be a part of the game.

TRIPLE CROWN?

I'll Have Another's pursuit of the Triple Crown will end one way or another on Saturday afternoon in Elmont, NY.  I'm not sure what I'll do about placing a bet on the Belmont Stakes yet.  I really want to see a Triple Crown and am seriously thinking about purchasing a $2 win ticket on I'll Have Another and root for history.  There may very well be value in trying to bet the colt, but I can't bring myself to do it.  Those that know me know that I would bet against my mom if the line was right (sorry mom - and yes, she does read my posts), so that ought to tell you how badly I want to see a Triple Crown!

Tabby's Back and Stallions for Sale

TABBY’S BACK

Tabby Lane is back on track – literally.  She’s had two works at Tampa Bay Downs since her 4 – 6 vacation after two mediocre starts at Remington Park.  It’s become pretty obvious over the past two Oklahoma seasons that Tabs is not thrilled with the Remington Park surface.  It happens.  Nothing against the good folks at Remington – heck, Fizzy Pop did just fine there – but this is the corollary of the “horses for courses” adage: a horse that doesn’t care for a particular course!

Tabby hasn’t been pushed too hard, if at all, in her first two works back.  We don’t have a race picked out for her yet since it’s so early in the process and we need to see how far back her ankle has come since the rest.  If you recall, it wasn’t in bad shape, but it is vitally important in a racehorse and certainly could affect her performance and, of course, value as in racing level.  No work can compare to the rigors of racing but so far so good.  Again, for emphasis, I want to add that she has no structural damage and her discomfort was marginal at best, but we thought that a rest and evaluation was in order before we proceed – especially since she doesn’t run well in Oklahoma anyhow. We’ll know more in the next few weeks as her works get a bit more rigorous, but it’s nice to be back in action.

MTA STALLION AUCTION ENDS THIS EVENING

Tonight is the finale of the Minnesota ThoroughbredAssociation stallion auction.  The bidding has been pretty good and there are close to 90 stallions to choose from.  You can bid on-line, as well as at a cocktail reception this evening at Canterbury Park from 6:30 - 9:00 PM.  The auction's on-line home is at www.thoroughlybred.com  (just click on the link at the top of their homepage to the MTA Stallion Auction) and available to folks everywhere, not just here in Minnesota.  Some of the stallion seasons available include seasons to Einstein, Monarchos, AP Warrior, Zanjero, Limehouse, Hold Me Back and Spring at Last.  The bidding has been brisk and ends this evening at 9PM Central Time.  Bid early, bid often and, most importantly, bid last!

A Different Take on Thanksgiving This Year

In many ways, 2011 has really been awful yet in others it has been truly remarkable.  On this day I usually write about what I’ve been thankful but instead of the usual (family, friends, trainer, jockey, horse, etc.), I’m going to go with what I’d like to be thankful for NEXT Thanksgiving. 

• A racino is open at Canterbury Park AND the ramifications to our Native American friends are next to nothing.
• Tabby Lane stays healthy and gets on a roll at Tampa and Canterbury much the same as this year – but with a bit more purse money thrown in!
• The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association looks after the little guy a bit more.  As an example, see the next bullet.
• States ease up a bit on the “registered security” requirement for small partnerships (in most states if you’re in a partnership and not registered as a security you’re violating the law – I know, right, but its true).  The annual financial burden to meet this requirement when running a $10,000 claimer for a group of 9 people is onerous and prohibitive.  (As an aside, if anyone knows how to better handle this, I’m all ears).
• Racing and its partners learn to better market themselves.  ESPN had part of the Breeders’ Cup telecast and there was not a lick of coverage on ESPN Radio leading up to the event.  Nothing.  A bump in ratings means more money for everyone – a little promotion or interview wouldn’t kill anyone.
• The Breeders’ Cup develops a rotation between three or four tracks.
• Maryland racing again becomes the jewel of the Mid-Atlantic.
• Suffolk Downs picks up one of the slot licenses in Massachusetts.

And a few on a more personal level:

• I’ve made a difference as a board member of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association to which I was elected last week.
• We have a few more horses in training and more folks involved in racing.
• I have an agent that gets my work published.
• I celebrate another summer as the Daily Racing Form and Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine writer covering Canterbury Park.
• I’m either working full time on something I love (hard to imagine I haven’t been snatched up yet, huh?) or not having to in order to make a living!

While the holiday has become associated with Pilgrims and, to some, the beginning of the persecution of the Native peoples of North America, please remember that in a time of deep national division President Lincoln established the national holiday we celebrate today.  It’s a time of healing, peace, unity and love.  My best wishes to you all for this and much, much more.

Thank You, Canterbury Park

Usually this space, on the first day after the conclusion of the Canterbury Park live meet, you get all the facts and figures and my ruminations on the season.  That will come soon enough, but this summer at Canterbury Park has done something for me that nothing has over the past six years of living here: it has made Minnesota home.

Wherever I have lived in the past, I have been able to assimilate. I bleed Boston and New England – that will never change - but when I lived in the DC area, I loved the museums, battlefields and culture and felt like a Marylander.  In Las Vegas I became a UNLV fan, as did my kids.  Even when living on Guam I felt a connected to the land and people (tano y chamoru for those of you “in the know”).  No matter what I tried here in Minnesota, that didn’t happen.  When people asked, I was “from” Massachusetts or Nevada, but I “lived” in Minnesota.

That changed this summer and I have a lot of people to thank for that.

In no particular order:

David Miller and Jim Dunleavy.  My friend David, bloodstock agent and Equibase chart caller, helped me get involved in Minnesota racing which led to Fizzy Pop, this blog, Tabby Lane and, ultimately, a recommendation to Jim, an editor at the Daily Racing Form that got me this freelance gig.  Jim gave me a shot and it worked out well enough that if I’m around, I’ll do this gig again next year.  Thank you, both.

Jeff Maday, Andrew Offerman, Angela Hermann, Paul Allen, Kate Ulrich, Jim Wells and Bruce “The Oracle” Meyer.  The Canterbury Park press box team welcomed me in and, after I proved not to be a real doofus, made me part of the family.  While the night of the shutdown was depressing, being with this group made it bearable and, in fact, will stay with me as one of the best memories – not for the event, but for the camaraderie.  They were also silly enough to put a microphone in my hand and put me in front of a camera.  I loved it like you read about and thank them for the experience.  I’m going to miss this crew terribly and hope that my next “real” job enables me to be back with them next year – and for years to come.

Annie Ringwelski and Jen Selvig (Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project).  These ladies helped me discover a passion for helping retiring racehorses that I never knew I had!  I even made a deal – I help them write grants and wrangle up money and I’ll be taught to ride and take care of a horse.  Ladies, I so got the better end of that deal!  I mean, it’s not curling, but still…  Thank you and you all I won’t miss too much – we’ll be seeing a lot of each other as we move forward.  I promise to try and get there once a week to help out, until a “real” job gets in the way.

Jay & Willa Dailey, Mary Malkerson, Kris Reinman, Tom & Jan Aguilera, Kay King and other owners and MTA members I’m sure I’m inadvertently missing.  Getting to know you all better this year was the gem of the summer and something I’ll always have.  Thank you.

As always, I can never, ever thank Bernell & Cindy Rhone, Dean & Leann Butler and all the barn help for all they’ve done for our horses over the years and especially the patient and near miraculous job they did turning Tabby Lane around.  But they are even better people than they are horsepeople and that’s what makes them special.

Of course, Tabby Lane.  I visited Tabby nearly every race day of the meet.  Sometimes we shared dinner – well, she ate while I yapped.  She always took breaks to nuzzle, though, and I appreciate it.  She taught me that horses have very distinct personalities and that hers was dazzling.  When I’d come by she would stick her head out of her stall and push her forehead up against my chest and I’d nuzzle with her and we’d talk.  She’s a great listener and I love her dearly.  This business may have other plans, but I hope that I get to retire her someday.  She’s a keeper.

Ultimately while what I got paid for covering racing probably barely covered my gas for the summer, it gave me much more than that.  Thank you to all I have mentioned and those that I forgot for doing something in a summer that living here for six years didn’t:  I’m now “from” Minnesota (I’m still a Boston sports fan, let’s not get crazy) and finally feel a sense of belonging.  Thank you for the best summer of my adult life.

Now we’ll see if I can stay.

New Owner Seminar

The Minnesota Thoroughbred Association will be sponsoring a new owner seminar at Canterbury Park on Kentucky Derby Day, Saturday, May 7 at 11 AM.  It'll be upstairs in the grandstand and cover ownership topics such as legal issues, financial considerations, partnerships, buying options, owner/trainer relationships, veterinary care and opportunities for second careers after racing. It's free to attend and I'll even be there to talk about partnerships - not soliciting, mind you, just to discuss the functionality of partnerships in general.

I hope to see you there.  I'll be sticking around after the seminar (or maybe slipping away for a minute and seventeen or so seconds) to watch Tabby Lane face six others at Tampa Bay Downs in the second (preview to come later in the week).  Stick around to wager on and watch the Derby while you there!

I hope to see you on Saturday!

MTA Awards Banquet

Saturday evening was the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association's annual awards banquet. Traditionally the breakfast and now the last few years, dinner, has been the official bow-tying of the previous season and a launch into the next. The 2010 seasonal champions were officially crowned and the last few days to the countdown of the new Canterbury Park season began in earnest (19 days in case you’re scoring at home).

Carin Offerman, a member of the Board of Directors at Canterbury, gave the official welcome and Dick Day and Jeff Hilger briefed the group on the progression of the racino legislation in St. Paul.

The featured speaker of the evening was Minnesota native and TVG personality Matt Carothers. He spent most of his formative years in Minnesota around Canterbury Downs and, later, Canterbury Park. Carothers cut his on-air teeth after Canterbury re-opened as Canterbury Park and it served as a springboard to larger market jobs and, finally, to his joining TVG where he has been since its inception.

On the air, while always humorous, Carothers can sometimes be so sure in his opinions that it comes across as arrogant. In person, the first word that comes to mind is engaging. One word that doesn’t come to mind when you watch him on the air is humble, but you can use that word – and every synonym for it – when you hear him speak in person. The obvious love he has for his family comes through in every story, especially those featuring his father. He radiates a sincere thankfulness for all he has obtained, and to those who helped him attain it, even though it is owed mostly to his own talent and hard work.

The stories about old Canterbury Downs were hilarious. Carothers recalled the early years when, “in the days before simulcasting, gamblers actually moved to Minnesota to bet races at Canterbury Downs.” The combination of enthusiastic wagering with a general lack of betting sophistication was simply too hard to resist, so up would swim the sharks and feast on the newbies.

Carothers was generous with his time and answered every question put to him. He came early and stayed late. The question on everyone’s mind was “Who do you like in the Derby?” I like to answer that right now with, “Who don’t you like?”

Given all the recent defections and the horses drawing in, Carothers said that anyone with a decent three year old has to be looking at this year’s Derby and thinking they have a shot. Because of that “this year you’re going to have mile and a sixteenth synthetic horses trying to win the Derby!” His early favorite, absolutely open to change given the length of time before the race: Shakleford. I would tune in to TVG later this week, though, just to be sure.

The awards were presented and several winners had back to back winning years including Win Willy as the top Minnesota owned horse; Bet Your Boots followed up his championship two year old season with a triumph in the two year old colt/gelding category; and Bella Notte returned to claim older filly and mare honors. All three will also be back this season trying for three-peats!

The stallion awards were given out to a pair of repeaters as well. Demidoff took home the top Minnesota Stallion award while Gold Fever was the Thoroughbred Times Stallion award winner. A complete list of winners is at the bottom of the page.

The evening was rounded off by Gary Speich, landscape businessman and horse owner, detailing the Fillies Race for Hope and Dr. Jennifer Selvig, DVM and Annie Ringwelski, Directors of the Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project.

The Fillies Race for Hope is going to be a full day of filly and mare racing at Canterbury Park topped off by the $75,000 Lady Canterbury Stakes. The day will honor those that have fought the battle against breast cancer and combine that with a fun and active day at the races. Sponsorships are available for this event with all proceeds going to benefit the Hope Chest for Breast Cancer Foundation, an organization that helps underserved or financially distressed individuals or families touched by breast cancer (much in the same way that the Cystic Dreams Fund does for families touched by cystic fibrosis). Circle the date on your calendar – July 31. It promises to be a memorable day.

The Minnesota Retired Racehorse Project is a relatively unknown yet extremely valuable resource in the racing community. Founded in August of 2009, the MRRP has directly placed or assisted in the sale of over 50 retired racehorses! All of this is accomplished strictly by volunteers. The organization is run on donations alone and 100% (yup, all of it!) is used directly for the horses. Many of us know that it takes a small fortune to keep a horse in training, but did you know that only a fraction of that can help retrain a horse for a new career or rehab it from injury? A $100 donation would feed a horse for a month. Even $5 would purchase a bale of hay. The MRRP recently received their 501(c)3 designation from the IRS so each and every contribution is tax deductible. A small live auction, run expertly by Jay Dailey, raised over $700 Saturday night, but more help is needed. Racing season is almost underway and their services are always in demand by summers end. I hope you’ll take a moment and click on the link and visit. Dr. Jen, Annie and their staff are doing all they can, but need your help, too.

So it was a night of awards and of giving back; a nod to the past and hope for the future. Canterbury Park opens in 19 days – I hope to see you there…all summer long.

2010 Minnesota Awards

2-year old filly – ESPRIT DE BLEU (Blue Valley Farms LLC breeder/owner)

2-year old colt – BLACK TIE BENNY (Barbara Rehbein breeder/owner)

3-year old filly – HUNTER’S TIGER PAW (Joel & Kris Zamzow breeder/owner)

3-year old colt – BET YOUR BOOTS (Richard Bremer & Cheryl Sprick breeders/owners)

Older filly/mare – BELLA NOTTE (Art & Gretchen Eaton breeders/owners)

Older colt/gelding – NOMOREWINEFOREDDIE (Wind N Wood Farm breeder; Anthony Didier owner)

Broodmare of the Year – MASQUERADE STAR (Joel & Kris Zamzow owners)

Minnesota Stallion Award – DEMIDOFF (Mohamed El Deeb of Cross Creek Farm owner)

Thoroughbred Times Stallion Award – GOLD FEVER (Jeff & Karen Greseth owner)

Minnesota Owned Horse – WIN WILLY (Jer-Mer Stables, LLC owner)

TOBA Award – Jeff & Deb Hilger

Charles Bellingham Award – Jeff & Deb Hilger