MARCH 23, 2009

Who will be on top in 2009?

JANUARY 24, 2009

As a horse racing journalist, I consider my annual vote in the Eclipse Awards to be one of my greatest professional privileges. Since the 2008 trophies are scheduled to be handed out in Florida on Monday evening, I thought it would be fun to offer a peek at my ballot, and the thought process I used to determine my personal slate of winners.

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Midshipman

Second Choice: Vineyard Haven

Third Choice: Square Eddie

Honorable Mention: Street Hero

When the field for the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) streamed onto the track at Santa Anita for their post parade, I sent my husband straight to the betting window. Midshipman looked like a man against boys out there, and he ran to his appearance. I only hope he doesn’t disappear now that he’s in Dubai, like so many other promising 2-year-olds have done in the past (See: Etched, 2008).

Two-Year-Old Filly: Stardom Bound

Second Choice: Mani Bhavan

Third Choice: Maram

Honorable Mention: Several contenders, but Heart Shaped impressed me the most

Stardom Bound is a freak. And I can’t wait to see what Bobby Frankel can do with her in the Las Virgenes (G1) next month.

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Big Brown

Second Choice: Raven’s Pass

Third Choice: Colonel John

Honorable Mention: Conduit (Ire)

Oh, Colonel. You did almost everything I wanted you to do last year. Almost.

You won the West Coast’s biggest springtime 3-year-old race on all-weather in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), the East Coast’s biggest summertime 3-year-old race on dirt in the Travers (G1), and you didn’t disgrace yourself after Bob Black Jack took you out when the gates opened for the Kentucky Derby (G1). So there I was, all ready to defy popular opinion and put you ahead of Big Brown on my year-end ballot, but then you had to go and run poorly in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), and then even worse against your own age group in the Malibu (G1).

That’s okay. I still love you.

Three-Year-Old Filly: Music Note

Second Choice: Goldikova (Ire)

Third Choice: Indian Blessing

Honorable Mention: Eight Belles, Proud Spell, Pure Clan, Ariege

Without a doubt, the toughest category this year. I will be thrilled if any one of my top three choices is honored with an Eclipse, although I doubt any of them will be.

In my view, Music Note sealed her bid when she outran her talented elders, such as Ginger Punch and Hystericalady, in the loaded Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), ultimately finishing third behind the mighty Zenyatta (yes, I said Distaff — not Ladies’ Classic). Goldikova ran the older boys off their feet in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1), on top of her smashing European campaign, and Indian Blessing…well, she’s Indian Blessing, and she’s as honest as they come, with nine wins and three seconds from 12 lifetime starts.

Several other fine females didn’t make it on my final ballot. Eight Belles beat every single filly that faced her during her 2008 run-up to the Kentucky Derby, and then she beat 18 colts on the day she died. She was amazing. Grade 1 winners Pure Clan and Ariege are personal favorites, because of their versatility. And Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Proud Spell is to be admired for her tough campaign, but she lost to Music Note by a wider margin (3 ½ lengths) than Music Note lost to her (head-bob) in their two meetings. Proud Spell also didn’t show up for the year-end championship race, so she loses points on that issue. However, she will still likely get the Eclipse.

Older Male: Curlin

Second Choice: Well Armed

Third Choice: Heatseeker (Ire)

Honorable Mention: Einstein (Brz), Go Between

For those who still claim there is not an East Coast bias in horse racing, please explain to me how Commentator (G1 win, G2 win, G1 second, G2 third) ended up among the top three Eclipse Award finalists for this category, while the West Coasters Well Armed (G1 win, two G2 wins, G1 second, G1 third, G2 second) and Heatseeker (G1 win, G2 win, two G2 seconds, G2 third) did not…?


Older Filly/Mare: Zenyatta

Second Choice: Cocoa Beach (Chi)

Third Choice: Ginger Punch

Honorable Mention: Nashoba’s Key

Simply put, Zenyatta is the most talented racehorse I have ever had the pleasure of seeing in person. When she gets that big frame rolling, and those long ears flicked forward, it’s sayonara time, baby.

A month after the Breeders’ Cup, “Zenny” was further flattered by runner-up Cocoa Beach’s facile victory in the talent-filled Matriarch (G1). Much respect also to 2007 Eclipse Champion Ginger Punch for her illustrious career.

The loss of California-bred Nashoba’s Key was immensely sad to her many fans, especially here in her home state. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve decided to personally immortalize her, above all others, in our new company logo for TIA, which we’ll introduce on our homepage in February.

Male Sprinter: Street Boss

Second Choice: Midnight Lute

Third Choice: Benny the Bull

Honorable Mention: Bob Black Jack

Last year, Street Boss danced every dance — except one. Unfortunately for him, “that one” happened to take place in front of a worldwide audience on Breeders’ Cup day, which means he faces an uphill battle in sprinting away with the trophy. Midnight Lute deserves credit for his incredible effort in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), but if a horse who runs only twice in 12 months for a Grade 1 win and a Grade 2 10th (10th!) gets an Eclipse Award, I think it shows there are serious cracks in the foundation of the awards themselves, which are supposed to honor racing achievements from all year, and not just one day.

Female Sprinter: Indian Blessing

Second Choice: Ventura

Third Choice: Intangaroo

Honorable Mention: Zaftig

In another tough category, reigning Eclipse champion Indian Blessing deserves a second award for another stellar year. If her La Brea Stakes (G1) win — her sixth graded victory of 2008 — had occurred earlier in the year, rather than in late December, when many Eclipse voters had likely already submitted their ballots due to the holidays, she would have had a better shot at winning over the impressive Ventura.

Male Turf Horse: Einstein (Brz)

Second Choice: Conduit (Ire)

Third Choice: Dancing Forever

Honorable Mention: Daytona (Ire), just because I’m fond of him

Einstein is Mr. Reliable, and deserves to take this category for 2008. But it was a motley bunch last year, wasn’t it?

Female Turf Horse: Goldikova (Ire)

Second Choice: Forever Together

Third Choice: Wait a While

Honorable Mention: Cocoa Beach (Chi), Black Mamba (NZ)

Wow! If Goldikova was this good against our best turf males, then exactly how good was Zarkava, who beat her — twice?

Steeplechase: Good Night Shirt

Second Choice: Be Certain

Third Choice: Sovereign Duty

Honorable Mention: Dark Equation

I am not a regular fan of steeplechasing, but even I know that Good Night Shirt is a no-brainer here.

Trainer: Steve Asmussen

Second Choice: Todd Pletcher

Third Choice: John Shirreffs

Dishonorable Mention: Rick Dutrow, for his sexist comments about the quality of female trainers and female Thoroughbreds alike during last year’s Triple Crown media frenzy. Hey, Rick: Did you notice that 3-year-old filly who ran right past your boy Kip Deville in the Breeders’ Cup Mile?

Back on topic, if Steve Asmussen does not win this Eclipse Award after the record-breaking year he had, not to mention his expert management of his once-in-a-lifetime horse, Curlin, then he never will.

Apprentice Jockey: Abstain

I didn’t recognize any of these riders, so I didn’t feel it was my place to judge them. Congratulations to the winner!

Jockey: Garrett Gomez

Second Choice: Rafael Bejarano

Third Choice: Alan Garcia

Honorable Mention: Mike Smith

I just know my second and third choices will have Eclipse Awards of their very own some day. But how can they compete against the red-hot Gomez?

The man literally crashes to the turf when his 2-year-old tries to hurdle the inside rail — breaking several teeth, suffering obvious cuts and bruises and being carried off the track without any feeling in his legs — on Saturday, then he climbs back in the irons and wins two races on Monday after undergoing dental surgery on Sunday. You just can’t compete with that kind of ambition.

Breeder: Stonerside Stable

Second Choice: WinStar Farm

Third Choice: Adena Springs

Honorable Mention: Juddmonte Farms

One final round of applause for the Texas-owned Stonerside Stable, a classy operation which has bowed out of the game. Enjoying two impressive Breeders’ Cup winners on the same day is not a bad way to go out, actually.

Owner: Stronach Stables

Second Choice: IEAH Stables

Third Choice: Jerry and Ann Moss

Honorable Mention: Jess Jackson/Stonestreet Stables

This was a tough call. IEAH had a fantastic year, with Big Brown and seven other Grade 1 winners photographed in their silks; the Mosses’ quality program exhibited itself through the likes of Zenyatta, Tiago, Madeo and others; and Jess Jackson reminded us all of the glorious era of Thoroughbred racing, back when the best horses competed past the age of 3. But Frank Stronach’s massive operation gets the nod from me by sheer statistical analysis.

Plus, I appreciate the way he keeps his top Adena racemares (Ginger Punch, Sugar Swirl, etc.) in training, year after year.

Horse of the Year: Zenyatta

Second Choice: Curlin

Third Choice: Big Brown

Honorable Mention: Indian Blessing

The girls were better last year, and Zenyatta beat them all. She remains perfect. ‘Nuff said.

JANUARY 9, 2009

NOVEMBER 1, 2008

Hello, and welcome to the new home of Thoroughbred Information Agency (TIA) and www.thoroughbredinfo.com!

When it came to our attention in August that the original founder of TIA, Don Engel, had decided to retire and discontinue this website (also known as The Thoroughbred Showcase of the West), we knew, as longtime fans of the site, that we had to do something. So, we decided to make a strong commitment to our industry by purchasing the company and website from Don and his wife, Jean, and by pledging to operate the website at the same level of excellence that Don has achieved throughout the years.

Starting today, we are the new owners and managers of Thoroughbred Information Agency and www.thoroughbredinfo.com. You can read about our background here, in addition to a complete history of the company and website.

You have probably noticed that we have adopted a new look for the website. We are busy working to improve the site, so we can offer more services to our clients and visitors by utilizing high-tech advances and expanding certain sections. During this transitional stage of ongoing, "behind-the-scenes" work, we appreciate your patience while we upgrade the site, page by page. If you encounter any errors, incorrect links or any other major problems in the meantime, please let us know.

If you are a current client with a custom-built Showcase website, you can rest assured that the personal service you have experienced through Don will not change, and that the specific website address that you are currently publishing for your stallion, farm or business will remain the same. That's important to know as publishing deadlines for the various 2009 stallion and farm directories are already upon us.

If you are not a current client, we hope you will consider joining our stable of Thoroughbred stallion, farm and business owners who benefit from the international exposure this website provides. On average, our site receives more than 15,000 unique visitors each month, and 180,000 visitors each year. By reading our daily, exclusive Showcase updates, these visitors have access to the internet's most current, up-to-date information about the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in the Western Region of the United States. Our site also features a friendly community of horsemen and horsewomen who regularly share their opinions and concerns about the industry in our popular "Voices" section.

We hope you enjoy the enhanced website. Thanks to Don's vision, we believe you will not find a better, more efficient online advertising resource for your Thoroughbred stallion, farm or business than www.thoroughbredinfo.com.

Don has certainly left big shoes to fill. We wish him and Jean well in retirement, and we hope they will continue to check in on the website from time to time, to keep us all informed of their post-TIA pursuits, and to keep us on our toes!

Thank you for your support of www.thoroughbredinfo.com. We look forward to getting to know you, and to offering you the best possible online advertising venue for your stallions, farms, products and services. For less than $1 per day, the price of having your own website hosted and maintained at www.thoroughbredinfo.com cannot be beat.

— Lisa Groothedde & Thoroughbred Information Agency

OCTOBER 30, 2008

The Barretts mixed sale this week produced these results from 436 horses through the ring: 141 no-bids (nobody bid the upset price of $1,000), 9 others bought back by a consignor at $1,000 (the same as a no-bid), 145 others that got a final bid of less than $2,000. That's 295 horses that couldn't draw a $2,000 bid--68.8% of the horses that went through the ring. Under $2,000.

This was the worst sale that I can remember. It was probably the worst in California history. Surely it is proof that the California breeding industry is in serious trouble. Moribund, maybe.

I don't know how breeding industries go about dying. I've never seen it happen. Maybe, like General Douglas MacArthur's old soldiers, they never die. They just fade away. Sorry to leave you-all in such bad shape, but I've got to move on.

— Don Engel

OCTOBER 29, 2008

OCTOBER 27, 2008

OCTOBER 26, 2008

OCTOBER 22, 2008

OCTOBER 21, 2008

OCTOBER 20, 2008

OCTOBER 18, 2008

     ". . . it is vital that we stabilize the annual number of live foals, while continuing to strive to breed a better horse; one that can compete on the tough California racing circuit.
     "To do so, we must provide further incentive for those to invest in the breeding and development/racing of California-breds. While the $40 million Racing and Incentive Program in the state continues to be one of the leaders in the country, we do need to look at both more opportunities and perhaps a more creative approach to increase the financial return for breeders/owners of Cal-breds. These concerns have everyone's attention.
     "We continue to remind and educate the various racing executives as to the importance of Cal-breds to the racing cards offered daily and the impact that a declining foal crop will have in the future.
     "With that said, together with the Racing offices and the TOC (Thoroughbred Owners of California), we continue to explore ways by which we can expand the opportunities and financial return for state breds. Unfortunately, we are dealing with declining purse revenues and thus monies would need to be shifted in order to increase the pie available for Cal-breds.
     "We are also looking at various ways of possibly tweaking the incentive awards program in order to enhance the worth of Cal-breds. We took such action in the mid-90's which sparked the demand for Cal-breds and provided major boosts in quality production of foals, and increased opportunities and return at the track and sales ring. Due to rising costs of production and ownership, these positive trends have disappeared. It is time for economic adjustments to again jump start the industry. We will continue toward that goal."

     There are suggestions of a possible course of action encased in that editorial, which appears to be a tentative move toward serious action. I'm eager to hear more.

OCTOBER 17, 2008

OCTOBER 16, 2008

     1. Does the present condition of the industry require remedial action?
     2. If so, does the CTBA have the power to do anything to make the situation better?
     3. If it has such power, how is it going to use it, and when?

     I'd just like some assurance that somebody is thinking about these things.

OCTOBER 15, 2008

     "Here are a few thoughts from me. 
     "I don't agree with Will that California land is too expensive. The problem is more the water availability on the good land. But San Joaquin Valley land with water can still be purchased at levels that are competitive with Kentucky. Better overall weather here and California can sure compete, if someone picks where they go carefully. Kentucky does have a much deeper pocket clientele (the Arabs, East Coast old/big money, etc), wonderful and very well developed farms with great heritages, plus a status as a world trading post for good horses. 
     "But the real problem is that the total horse racing industry is in a very serious financial crisis. We are dependent on revenue from a form of gaming that is expensive to stage, and a fan base that is aging, and younger potential  fans with little knowledge of horse racing. Plus the animal rights folks always have us to beat up on, as they think we are a cruel sport. Plus the media is mostly oblivious to horse racing and buy into the concept that it is not a sport unless it has a ball.
     "Every time some new concept comes up one or all of the various stakeholders first thought is "what's in it for me?" rather than if this is something that can help horse racing in general out of its malaise. 
     "I hate to say it, but I think racing has to downsize in California to remain at least somewhat viable. Horse owners and breeders simply cannot continue to take the losses that exist here now. I see fewer racing days, but more full card simulcasting to generate purse monies not paid out on dark days. Then more big festive, fun, well publicized days with exciting cards to generate fan support.  Plus better capitalization of ADW to increase wagering and revenues and get our sport into more homes and gathering places. 
     "I do think it important to maintain viable circuits both North and South, but they will be different than what we remember from the past. Not sure exactly how to get there, but we can't just go on as we have." 

     Those three are the only responses that I've received. I hope there'll be more, but maybe three out of 16 (15 directors plus Doug Burge) is better than it could have been.
     After all, I did ask a tough question. But a necessary one.

OCTOBER 14, 2008

     "The breeding industry is contracting and will centralize in Kentucky, where land, water, feed and labor are plentiful along with very strong political support for their industry. All regional markets are going to continue to contract, even those with major racing such as California, Florida, New York and the Mid-Atlantic region. 
     "Over the past 47 years, since you became a CTBA member, California's population has grown enormously. As a consequence, much of the suitable land has been built on, take for example the area where Old English Ranch used to be and just think how many thoroughbred farms there were in that area 40 years ago that serviced Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. They are all gone because the land has been built on.
     "After the sale in Santa Rosa I spent some time looking at land in that area. Land with a good water supply is $100,000 per acre due to the wine industry. 
     "The economics of breeding horses in California are incredibly bad and they are not going to improve. Land cost, water, feed, labor are all way out of line to support breeding horses. In addition to this, the sons and daughters of many of our horsemen and women are not attracted to the breeding industry or the way of life that comes with running a horse farm. The likes of John Harris and John Mabee will not be replaced. It is simply too expensive and too difficult to operate farms of this scale.
     "Invariably we are going to have a much smaller racing industry in California and a much smaller breeding industry.
     "There will be less racing dates, less races and less horses running in the near future. We have an opportunity to reinvent our racing industry, an opportunity to create a product that that is better than what we have today. Less is more. Quality racing on the weekends, no on the expansion of Pomona, etc.
     "In my experience, the CTBA is a very hard-working group of people who are confronted with a very difficult situation. The CTBA spends most of its time defending the California Breeder's interests and trying to protect the breeder's piece of the pie.
     "What can or should the CTBA do about this? 
     "The CTBA must prepare for a much smaller racing and breeding industry in California.
     "The CTBA needs to study the thoroughbred marketing groups from the other breeding industries around the world who have made a great impact on their industries and succeeded in gaining significant government support. (We are a large employer. I estimate that each California-bred horse that makes it to the track supports a minimum of 3 employees.  We have done a very poor job of justifying to the state the importance of our industry, lose the horse breeding industry, the state loses a lot of payroll tax.
     "The CTBA has to be modernized to meet these challenges. This means a staff with the experience to help develop and manage a new marketing plan for the California breeding industry.
     "Please take a look at the three marketing groups web sites below.

     To be continued, as other responses arrive.

OCTOBER 13, 2008

     "It would be wonderful if, as Don seems to suggest, that the CTBA is powerful enough to save the California breeding industry. However as we all know too well there are just way too many forces involved here. I think that our magazine staff should take this response and develop it into a full fledged editoial to be published in our magazine and placed on the website. We need to confront publicly what is going on and get this subject out in the open. We need to discuss what Kentucky is doing to benefit themselves to the detriment of the regional markets. We need to talk aboout how the philosophy of the TOC is pro- Kentucky and adverse to our interests. We need to state how we attempt to influence the players and how difficult it is to have any impact in these many arenas and areas. By doing so we can anticipate the arguments of Don (who I think hasn't owned a broodmare for some time) and the Michael Powers of our world who have plenty of ammunition to say things that are detracting about our industry and the CTBA. We need to anticipate the results of the October mixed sale, etc., etc. There is plenty of talk going on in various corners about what is going on (cf The Paulick Report), and we need to be proactive instead of just acting like nothing is wrong. It would be great if we could get people like Don to open up their pocketbooks and go to the October sale and buy a broodmare and invest in the California breeding industry but given what everyone, including Don, knows is going on how can you expect people to make that investment? My two-bits."

     I'll post other responses as they arrive.

OCTOBER 12, 2008

     "I have been a CTBA member for 47 years, and I can't remember a time when the California breeding industry was in greater peril.
     "Prices and values are low and falling, breeders are dropping out, farms are closing.
     "Only the CTBA has the status and the resources to rescue our industry.
     "What is your plan?"

     I'll let you know what I learn.

OCTOBER 10, 2008

OCTOBER 8, 2008