Muzi Yeni put in a sterling effort in the 2nd race at the Vaal Classic track today to prevail on the Roy Magner-trained John Finlayson-owned Coup De Grace colt Here With Me (JC Photos).

Yeni And Matchett Hot Form Continues

Racing champions are often underspoken, because they have learnt from experience how great a leveller this sport can be.

Muzi Yeni was underspoken about his chances of winning the South African Jockeys Championship a week or so ago, but he is riding with immense determination and the dividends are being yielded.

The championship is not won in August, although last season the first month made a big contribution to the eventual outcome.

Keagan de Melo was 14 clear of Richard Fourie at the end of August last season and in the end he only won by 19, so stealing a march proved to be ultimately important.

Yeni is five clear of Gavin Lerena at the top of the table at present and he is eight clear of the favourite for the title, Richard Fourie.

And that is despite having had to already sit out a one week suspension.

He followed a four-timer at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday with a double at the Vaal Classic track today (Thursday).

He is on 14 wins so far this season, achieved at a strike rate of 25.45%.

Both of his wins today came in ding-dong tussles and, with great determination, vigour and skill, he got his horse up on both occasions.

If a big yard or two sit up and take notice and offer him a position it could enable him to give Richard Fourie a run for his money.

The latter has big yard support from all over the country and it is just a matter of time before he kicks into gear.

Fourie had some bad luck on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Wednesday with two horses looking likely to have gone close to winning if they had been able to get runs.

An inquiry has been opened into Wednesday’s race 6 in which one horse appeared to drift outward and then angled back in, shutting the door on Fourie’s mount.

Meanwhile, former Zimbabwean champion trainer Paul Matchett is punching above his weight as usual in the sense that he is not a yard with big spending power, but is invariably prominent.

A couple of seasons back he was prominent through horses like War Of Athena and last season he was prominent through 64 wins.

He had a positive figure if a R1 win was put on each of his runners last season and it would have returned R17.

This season he has had the most wins of any trainer in the country with ten at a strike rate of 29.41% and his figure for a R1 win is currently on R35.20.

Matchett scored a double today.

He has formed a fine partnership with Philasande Mxoli. There are more than a few who are predicting a bright future for the latter.

Mxoli is alone in third place on the national log at the moment with eight wins scored at a strike rate of 33.33%.

Today the Matchett/Mxoli partnership combined to win the last race with the five-year-old Capetown Noir gelding Funky Music.

The latter has had five starts since joining Matchett and won four of those and finished second in the other. Funky Music has won all four of the Highveld starts he has had for the Matchett yard. His first win with Matchett was off a 61 merit rating and he won off a 79 today.

The handsome Master Of My Fate gelding Atticus Finch is Summer Cup bound. He was well named by Varsfontein Stud. The poem Invictus, from which the phrase Master Of My Fate comes, was an inspiration to Nelson Mandela while in prison and the fictional character Atticus Finch was also a champion of human rights as the defense lawyer in the famous novel “To Kill A Mockingbird.”

Alec Laird Targeting Big Races With Promising Bunch

Alec Laird has a handful of nice horses at present and he has set them some big race targets.

Billy Bowlegs, who was a hard knocker in the Autumn’s big three-year-old races last season, qualified for the Hollywoodbets Durban July and wasn’t disgraced in eleventh place, beaten 7,10 lengths.

However, Alec was disappointed with the run and said, “He seems to be a better horse at Turffontein, but also the July became an add on target for him. I tried to make a plan to get him there in good shape after an extended season in Johannesburg, but it was not a proper preparation for the July.”

The The United States colt came into the July off a 63 day layoff.

Alec added, “He is in good shape now. He will go for the Summer Cup via the Victory Moon.”

Alec is targeting the Gauteng Summer Cup for two other horses too, Atticus Finch and Star Coin.

Atticus Finch has always struck as classy.

He returned “sore” after a disappointing run in the Gr 2 WSB Gauteng Guineas.

Alec decided to rest him and it has paid dividends because he has come back after a five month layoff to record two eyecatching handicaps wins, both over 1600m, off merit ratings of 92 and 96 respectively.

Alec is eyeing the Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission Charity Mile as Atticus Finch’s spring board into the Summer Cup.

The progressive Master Of My Fate gelding was raised to 101 after his last win.

Gold Standard gelding Star Coin was last seen finishing a decent 4,25 length sixth in the Gr 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m, beaten just 2,50 lengths by third-placed stablemate Billy Bowlegs.

He has won three times in eight starts and copped an eleven point raise for his SA Classic run to go to 109.

Alec will run him in the Gr 3 Victory Moon over 1800m, which takes place three weeks (20 days) before the Summer Cup.

The probable most expensive horse in his yard is Royal Guide.

He is well bred being by champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight out of Al Mufti Gr 1 Thekwini winner Royal Fantasy, who has produced two black type winners.

Jehan Malherbe’s Form Bloodstock purchased him for R1,4 million at the BSA National Yearling Sale and it is not surprising that one of the colt’s owners is Mauritzfontein Stud because he is from the family of their Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara heroines Summer Pudding and Cherry On The Top.

However, he only made his debut as a four-year-old in April this year, so off a current 90 merit rating has a bit to do to get into any big races.

He has won three of his six starts and his only defeat since winning his maiden has been to the smart R7 million horse Celestial City.

Alec felt he had excuses that race though and he proved it by winning his next too starts over 1700m at the Vaal and 1600m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in dominant style.

Alec will be trying to qualify him for the Charity Mile.

He has a promising three-year-old in the yard in William Iron Arm.

This rangy and progressive son of William Longsword was stepped up to 1600m in just his second start as a two-year-old and duly won.

He followed up by easily beating older horses in a handicap over 1700m off an 88 merit rating.

The form of that last win has worked out quite well and he looks to be a middle distance to staying type with a bright future.

He is merit rated 94 and Alec said, “I might possibly run him in the Dingaans, but next year’s SA Classic and SA Derby are his main targets.”

It will be good to see the Laird name in the limelight again, especially as Alec is the only active trainer remaining of this famous 16-times July-winning racing dynasty.

SA Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo will likely make his Hong debut at Sha Tin on September 10, the opening meeting of the new season on the island.

Keagan’s Hong Kong Jockey Club Profile Is Up

South African Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo has been in Hong Kong for about a week preparing for the his first race meeting on the island at Sha Tin on September 10.

His Hong Kong Jockey Club profile has the above picture attached to it and reads as follows (surprisingly no mention of his champion jockey status):

Keagan De MeloAge: 30

Background:
Keagan De Melo is a product of the world-renowned South African Jockey Academy. Previously based in Durban, South Africa, De Melo boasts in excess of 1,200 career wins, including nearly 50 at black type level, and has forged strong partnerships with a variety of trainers, notably Dean Kannemayer. He was also the retained rider for Khaya Stables. Since the 2016/17 South African racing season, De Melo has ridden over 100 winners on six occasions, while his big-race triumphs through 2023 include the Golden Horse Sprint, Premier’s Champions Challenge, Cape Flying Championship and South African Derby. De Melo’s first win came in 2010 aboard Western Gem at Scottsville. His minimum riding weight is 116lb.

Notable Wins Include:
Garden Province Stakes (2020 Temple Grafin, 2021 Zarina), Paddock Stakes (2021 Queen Supreme), Summer Cup (2022 Puerto Manzano), Golden Horse Sprint (2023 Gimme A Prince), Premier’s Champions Challenge (2023 Puerto Manzano), Cape Flying Championship (2023 Gimme A Prince), South African Derby (2023 Son Of Raj).

Hong Kong Career Wins (at start of 2023/24 season):
Debut season

Paddington after his courageous Sussex Stakes victory (Goodwood.com).

Bear Necessities: From Humble Beginning To Best Of His Generation – Amazing Paddington

Superstar all set for Juddmonte at York

Sam Morgan (The Sun)

THERE was little to suggest an ordinary handicap in Ireland would produce the horse of a generation.

Of the 20 runners that sunny October day last year, only five have ever won a race.

Paddington won £8,000 when seeing off Rochester Mike.

In his next six races he would win £1,636,680.

Rarely has there been such a rapid rise as that of Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old.

And that includes the likes of Derby winner Auguste Rodin.

Paddington is the main man now at Ballydoyle, there’s no doubt.

And his trainer has confirmed he is all set for York’s blockbuster Juddmonte next Wednesday.

Already odds-on with Coral, Paddington has turned into a relentless winning machine.

It didn’t look that way when, in O’Brien’s own words, the horse got ‘stage fright’ as a first-time-out two-year-old at Ascot.

Since then he has loved the big occasion, winning four straight Group 1s from 1m to 1m2f and never looking really, really hard pressed in doing so in any of them.

Paddington, by Siyouni, won the Irish 2000 Guineas in May then bagged the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

He saw off Emily Upjohn to win the Coral-Eclipse in July then landed the Sussex Stakes over soft at Goodwood earlier this month.

You wonder where and whether his magnificent winning streak is going to end – or if he will ever get tired.

But he simply looks to love his racing and O’Brien has absolutely no doubts about running him again at the Ebor Festival.

He told At The Races: “He’s an amazing horse really and is progressing from run to run, that’s all he has done all year.

“We thought he was a very good two-year-old, he went to Ascot first time out but he got stage fright and just never performed so we gave him a good break.

“He went to the Curragh after that and won very easily. Because of that we left him alone.

“He was trained for the Classics in the spring but we started as low as we could because we had a lot of horses to get out.

“Ryan Moore was very impressed with him. As you know, Ryan doesn’t say much but he was very impressed with him in the Sussex.

“He would have preferred a lead but there was nobody else prepared to so that was why he went on.

“John Magnier always felt on pedigree he would get a mile and a half.

“He went to the Eclipse for his first run over a mile and a quarter so this is a little bit further on a flatter track.

“It will be interesting to see and we’ll take it race by race with him at the moment.”

Frankie Dettori gets the ride on Mostahdaf, the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes winner whose regular rider Jim Crowley is banned.

While former Derby hero Desert Crown, Bay Bridge, and Andrew Balding’s course and distance winner The Foxes are among the eight set to line up.

Bonnaroo can win again at Friday’s Fairview turf meeting. (Pauline Herman Photography)

Banker Bonnaroo and Bournemouth

Jack Milner (Tab4Racing)

Alan Greeff could provide bettors with two Pick 6 bankers at Fairview on Friday where they are carded to race on the turf.

Both Bonnaroo and Bournemouth has been revelations since joining Greeff’s yard and they both look hard to oppose.

Bonnaroo steps out in Race 8, a MR 8 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, and looks the standout bet on the card.

The Rafeef filly arrived in his yard a one-time winner after seven starts with a merit rating of 67.

Now a four-year-old, she is a three-time winner with a merit rating of 87 after 13 starts.

Her current rating of 87 also looks very generous if her last run is to be believed.

Bonnaroo chased home highly talented Phedra and was only beaten one length over 1000m on the Polytrack.

Phedra is as good a sprinter as you get in the Eastern Cape and has a rating of 103. She has just completed a hat-trick of wins off that mark.

The step up to 1200m and a return to the turf holds no fears for Bonnaroo as she has won on the surface and has won twice over the distance on the Polytrack.

Bournemouth is another success of Greeff’s as he arrived a battling maiden and has won three races with more in the pipeline.

The Canford Cliffs gelding has always given the impression we would see the best of him when put over a bit of ground and the 2200m on the Polytrack last time out did just that as he won full of running.

The 2000m on turf in Race 6, a MR 74 Handicap, looks just fine for Bournemouth, and he will be finishing best of all.

Richard Fourie is aboard both runners.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 7 The Lady Love, 6 Bella Attrice, 8 Fire Chaser, 4 Mia Ragazza

Race 2: 9 Single File, 1 Miraculous Man, 5 Bennelong Point, 13 Miss Tucker

Race 3: 2 Global Avenue, 4 Afrodite, 7 Forty Hot, 5 Anna Karenina

Race 4: 3 Gunsmoke, 1 Green Falcon, 11 Grand Destiny, 8 Homer Fidget

Race 5: 7 Saint Anastasia, 3 Unyielding, 9 Trip To Barberton, 4 Opera Swing

Race 6: 1 Bournemouth, 2 Double Check, 10 Ellis Island, 7 Downing Seven

Race 7: 11 Dawn Of A New Era, 3 Alingalonga, 4 Prince Vihaan, 1 Moon Game

Race 8: 1 Bonnaroo, 8 Baubles And Beads, 7 Princess Deb’s, 9 Madame Vicki

Race 9: 12 Great Melody, 2 Angel Deb’s, 15 Arverni Warrior, 3 Cool Winter

BEST BET

Race 8 No 1 Bonnaroo

VALUE BET

Race 7 No 11 Dawn Of A New Era

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 6×7

BIPOT

R324

Leg 1: 1, 5, 9

Leg 2: 2, 4, 7

Leg 3: 1, 3, 11

Leg 4: 3, 4, 7, 9

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 3, 4, 11

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R216

Leg 1: 2, 4

Leg 2: 1, 3, 11

Leg 3: 3, 7, 9

Leg 4: 1

Leg 5: 3, 4, 11

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 2, 3, 12, 15

PICK 6

R1050

Leg 1: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11

Leg 2: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 1, 3, 4, 5, 11

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15

JACKPOT 1

R25

Leg 1: 3, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5, 11

Leg 4: 1

JACKPOT 2

R35

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 1, 3, 4, 5, 11

Leg 3: 1

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 7, 12, 13, 15

Bournemouth has been tipped by the At The Races tipster (Pauline Herman Photography)

Fairview Turf Friday August 18 Formguides And Selections

www.attheraces.com

1 11:40 AM – Welcome To Nelson Mandela Bay Maiden Plate (F & M)

A weak race. THE LADY LOVE was a disappointment last time out but never really travelled in the going. She can bounce back to win this. BELLA ATTRICE shows good pace on the Polytrack and blinkers up last time seemed to work to a degree. She will give them something to chase down. FIRE CHASER has been unreliable on the Polytrack but could like it being on the turf for the first time. MY MISTRESS and FOR THE BOYTJIES are two newcomers who could be ready for their debuts.

Top Tip: FOR THE BOYTJIES (2)

Watch out for: MY MISTRESS (5)

2 12:10 AM – www.soccer6.co.za Maiden Plate

SINGLE FILE takes a while to find his best stride and is clearly looking for further but he may still cut them down and win over this distance. MIRACULOUS MAN has been getting lost on the Polytrack and will prefer it back on the turf and has a winning chance. TIGER IN RED makes his local debut and could be ready to strike. WESTERN JACK ran his best race on the turf so will be a danger. BENNELONG POINT was not disgraced last time but should also like it back on the turf and deserves respect. MIDNIGHT ADVOCATOR showed good improvement in his second start and could have more to offer.

Top Tip: MIRACULOUS MAN (1)

Watch out for: TIGER IN RED (2)

3 12:40 AM – Tab 4Racing App Open Maiden (F & M)

GLOBAL AVENUE was doing her best work at the finish last time and although badly drawn she can go one better. HEART OF ETERNITY steps up in distance and could like it. OCEANS APART was not disgraced on debut and could make enough improvement to be competitive. AFRODITE has been a disappointment but could earn some money. ANNA KARENINA is better than what she has been showing of late and could finish in the money. FORTY HOT returns to the turf and could earn some money.

Top Tip: GLOBAL AVENUE (2)

Watch out for: OCEANS APART (3)

4 1:10 PM – Tab Telebet 0861 000 822 Mr 66 Handicap

GREEN FALCON did not show his best side last time but from a good draw and back on the turf he would not be a surprise winner. HUMBLE TUNE is clearly unreliable but is capable of earning money. GUNSMOKE was a winner the last time he was seen on the turf. JEAN PAUL has been unreliable but effective over 1200m and deserves respect trying further. PATH OF CHOICE and GREAT ECSTASY are perhaps better than their last run would suggest. EMPIRE BLUE runs in his first handicap so could be the surprise package. GRAND DESTINY is in good form and should fight out the finish once again.

Top Tip: GREEN FALCON (1)

Watch out for: HUMBLE TUNE (2)

5 1:50 PM – 4racing.tv Fm 68 Handicap (F & M)

Trainer Alan Greeff should have a good Friday and UNYIELDING looks ready to step up and fire. She did not enjoy the Polytrack and 1200m of her last two starts and will do a lot better this distance on the turf. Stable companion SUGARBERRY is a lot better on turf and is nice back-up to have in the race. OPERA SWING has been good this year and can pop up. SARAJEVO and SAINT ANASTASIA are holding form and should not be out of it. TRIP TO BARBERTON could be the surprise package returning to the turf after a modest Polytrack run. KAVIAN’S CARA is another who returns to the turf and could surprise.

Top Tip: UNYIELDING (3)

Watch out for: OPERA SWING (4)

6 2:25 PM – Racehorse Owners Association Mr 74 Handicap

BOURNEMOUTH liked the step up in distance last time out and was an easy winner the last time he was seen on the turf so could defy a 4-point penalty for an easy last win. He does give weight to all his rivals and DOUBLE CHECK has proven effective at this course so should be a threat. ELLIS ISLAND has won a couple of times at this track and is clearly not out of it. ALADO’S PRIDE is in good heart and quickened nicely to win his latest start on the Polytrack. DOWNING SEVEN should like this longer distance and could finish in the money.

Top Tip: BOURNEMOUTH (1)

Watch out for: DOUBLE CHECK (2)

7 3:00 PM – Play Soccer 6, 10 And 13 Mr 86 Handicap

A very open-looking race and we need to load up runners for the exotics like the Pick 6. ALINGALONGA is in good form but has a wide draw to overcome. MOON GAME is in good form but will be giving weight to his rivals. PRINCE VIHAAN is holding form and is in with a winning chance. BRENDEN JAMES did not show his best last time out but did win his previous three starts and can bounce back. PUTINS PROMISE makes his local debut and can win. DAWN OF A NEW ERA and WIND SOCK are both in good form and are capable of winning.

Top Tip: MOON GAME (1)

Watch out for: ALINGALONGA (3)

8 3:35 PM – Racing240 For Racing. For You Open Fm 87 Handicap (F & M)

BONNAROO has been a revelation on the Polytrack this year. She seemed to run well above her merit-rating when chasing home the very good Phedra last time out and unless the turf is a problem for her she should be hard to beat. CHERE FOR ME is capable of better than what she has been showing of late and can earn some money. STOLEN KISS will like it back on the turf and can contest the finish. PRINCESS DEBS was not far behind BONNAROO last time out and can earn some more money. BAUBLES AND BEADS and MADAME VICKI are two others that could get some money for their connections.

Top Tip: BONNAROO (1)

Watch out for: STOLEN KISS (4)

9 4:10 PM – Next Fairview Racemeeting Friday 25 August Mr 78 Handicap

A tough race to end the nice card and we will need to go as wide as possible in the Pick 6. FIRST ORIGIN was a disappointment last time out when tiring badly late. This course and distance suits and he could bounce back to win. Stable companion GREAT MELODY has been very consistent of late and has a winning chance. QUEEN’S WOOD is very unreliable but ran well last time out and is not out of it. ANGEL DEB’S has ability and is not out of it. COOL WINTER has been a disappointment of late but could like it back on the turf.

Top Tip: COOL WINTER (3)

Watch out for: QUEEN’S WOOD (6)

Hall Of Fame trainer Mark Casse (NBC Sports/Getty Images)

Joint Injections: “Litmus Test” for HISA

TDN

By Dan Ross

Last month, California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) chairman Greg Ferraro scratched a persistent industry itch.

While discussing his thoughts on the rollout of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act’s (HISA) drug control program, Ferraro shared his fears that the new federal rules on joint injections were weaker than had previously existed in California.

“It’s a step backwards,” Ferraro said. And this regulatory reshuffle, he added, could lead to an increase in California of irreparable musculoskeletal injuries, especially of the fetlock joint.

“California is the point of the spear in terms of dealing with the public and the liability of horse racing,” said Ferraro, advocating for federal adoption of California’s joint injection regulations. “I think they should use us as a sort of leader in animal welfare and jockey welfare.”

Ferraro’s comments re-ignited a debate that has been simmering away in some fashion or other for decades. Just take the New York Task Force report into the rash of fatalities that bedeviled Aqueduct during the winter of 2011-2012.

“The Task Force believes that the use of systemic or intra-articular corticosteroids may have impaired veterinarians and trainers in accurately assessing horses’ soundness leading up to a race,” the report found.

“The Task Force also believes that the use of these medications too close to the race may have limited the ability of the NYRA veterinarians to identify the presence of pre-existing conditions disposed to progressing to catastrophic injury.”

The New York Task Force’s findings frame a key bone of contention among trainers, veterinarians and regulators: What is a smart regulatory timeframe for limiting joint injections before workouts and race days?

HISA’s joint injection rules bar joint injections within 14 days prior to post-time, and within seven days of an official workout.

In California prior to HISA, the intra-articular corticosteroid fetlock injection rule mandated a 30-day stand down period prior to racing, and all corticosteroid joint injections had a 10-day stand down before workouts.

After those rules were adopted, the number of irreparable fetlock injuries in California had fallen off precipitously. Experts point to this as a prime example of the long-term systemic effects from corticosteroid usage.

Even so, there remains some skepticism within the industry that California had indeed got it right.

“Thirty days is ridiculous,” said trainer Mark Casse, who argues that such a rule is difficult to police. “What happens is, when you make rules that you cannot really enforce, it only makes the bad guys better because they don’t care.”

Another key point in this whole debate? Not all joint injections are made equal.

In the decade since the New York report was issued, veterinary experts describe a shift away from corticosteroids towards hyaluronic acid joint injections, and biologic therapies like IRAP and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

They don’t mask injuries the way corticosteroids can and are better at promoting joint health and healing in a way more advantageous to the horse in the long term, say proponents of these therapies.

Nevertheless, these same proponents voice frustration that the rules governing joint injections often treat corticosteroids and biologic therapies as equals.

“A lot of these injections are actually helpful, especially when you’re doing PRP or you’re putting [hyaluronic] acid in there,” said Casse, about biologic therapies. “I can tell you for a filly like Tepin, we would put acid in her ankles. We probably did it 20 times and she ran for years.”

Corticosteroids

Internationally renowned orthopedic surgeon Larry Bramlage is among those experts who believe HISA has got its rules surrounding corticosteroid joint injections about right.

“I think it is a good approach to being able to treat the joint that has been properly examined,” said Bramlage, who explained that corticosteroid joint injections should never be part of a “routine training program,” no matter the stand down time. “You want plenty of time to reassess the condition of the joint without the corticosteroid masking anything.”

Part of Bramlage’s reasoning is how the marketplace for corticosteroids has evolved from high-dose, long-lasting versions like Methylprednisolone acetate–also called Depo-Medrol–to lower-dose, shorter acting corticosteroids like Betamethasone and Vetalog.

What kind of difference are we talking about? “We tend to think in terms of volume injected into a joint,” said Bramlage. Depo-Medrol can come in doses as strong as 40 milligrams per milliliter (mg/ml). Betamethasone, on the other hand, typically comes at a strength of 6 mg/ml.

“The original one–and as it turns out the most harmful one–was Depo-Medrol. When I was a student, we would put as much as two cc’s [cubic centimeters] of Depo-Medrol when we were treating a joint,” explained Bramlage.

“But it’s very long acting,” he added. “Its crystals are absorbed very slowly, so it can be found up to three months in the joint after you put it in. And that is a big disadvantage.”

Bramlage believes that the new wave of corticosteroids continues to play a role in managing the sorts of routine aches and pains that accompany high stress training programs.

“If you let inflammation go unchecked within a joint, it can eat up the articular cartilage. So just leaving a joint seriously inflamed without treating it with anything is also not the best route once you know there is no structural damage,” he said.

And the use of a low-dose, short acting corticosteroid like Betamethasone within a week of a timed workout, Bramlage said, is “a medically sound” approach if the joint has been properly assessed beforehand.

If the corticosteroid is eliminated from the horse’s system enough to be undetectable in a test, he added, and the horse is still exhibiting signs of lameness, then there is a strong possibility the lameness is tied to some deeper-seated structural problem. A burgeoning stress fracture, for example, or abnormal bone remodeling. “That is the rationale for the stand down time,” he said.

The modern short-acting corticosteroids “reduce the inflammation and then get out of the way so you can read the joint again,” explained Bramlage. “And if there is a physical injury, a structural problem of some kind, it’ll show up again.”

Other veterinary experts in the field have a slightly different take.

Though a corticosteroid won’t necessarily show up through testing after seven days, it can still impart a systemic effect on the horse through effects like decreased inflammation in the joint and reduced lameness, said veterinarian Wayne McIlwraith, a distinguished professor at Colorado State University and like Bramlage, internationally renowned in the field.

As an example, McIlwraith cited a study he was involved in from 1997 where researchers studied the effects from triamcinolone acetonide joint injections–drugs which come under the trade names Vetalog or Kenalog. The horses were suffering osteoarthritis in the knee and were injected at 14 days and 28 days after the study start.

“We showed that lameness was significantly reduced at day 70–42 days after the second injection,” said McIlwraith. He described these effects as reduced inflammation in the joint fluid and in the joint lining membrane, as well as beneficial effects on the articular cartilage.

These effects were seen “whether we injected the osteoarthritis joint or we injected the opposite normal joint,” McIlwraith said. “In other words, a systemic effect that was very long lasting.”

McIlwraith and his fellow researchers used the same study design on Depo-Medrol–then considered the most potent corticosteroid available. They found “significant deleterious effects” to the joint cartilage in both the osteoarthritic joint and the opposite “good” joint, he said.

“The bottom line is that all the tissues of the musculoskeletal system are being exposed to the multiple complex effects of corticosteroids,” he said.

The fetlock has long been the Thoroughbred racehorse’s Achilles heel. As an example, fetlock failures constituted in California nearly 60% of all musculoskeletal injuries that proved fatal during the 2018-2019 fiscal year, according to CHRB data.

The CHRB instituted its 30-day standdown regulations for corticosteroid fetlock injections on Oct. 19, 2021.

In the 20 months preceding that date, there were 83 catastrophic fetlock failures statewide, according to CHRB data. In the 19 months after that date, there were 24 catastrophic fetlock failures statewide.

Zeroing in specifically on Los Alamitos, the number of catastrophic fetlock failures dropped from 21 to just three during those two same periods of time bookending the rule change.

California’s tightened joint injection rules have been just one part of a suite of stricter drug and equine welfare and safety rules instituted in the state over the past few years.

Fairview Turf Fields – Friday

Omaha, the Belair Bullet, at Ak-Sar-Ben race track (BloodHorse Library)

Today’s Question

What are three things that make the 1932-born Omaha unique among USA Triple Crown winners?

Question answer at the bottom of the newsletter

ANSWER TO TODAY’S QUESTION

Omaha is the only USA Triple Crown winner to be sired by a USA Triple Crown winner.
He is the only USA Triple Crown winner to cross the ocean to race in England.
He is the only USA Triple Crown winner to not be named the American Horse Of The Year. That retrospective accolade in this case went to Discovery, who dominated American racing for two years and became known as the great weight carrier or “The Iron Horse”.

The following article was written about Omaha by America’s Best Racing:

Omaha: The Belair Bullet

He stands alone in the annals of Thoroughbred racing, the only Triple Crown winner sired by a Triple Crown winner.

Omaha had big shoes to fill when he was foaled at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky. on March 24, 1932. His daddy was 1930 Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox who scored nine victories in 10 races and had become the greatest money winner in the history of American racing.

OMAHA

Born: March 24, 1932

Died: April 24, 1959

Owner: Belair Stud

Trainer: “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons

Race Record: 22 9-7-2

Accomplishments:

Third Triple Crown winner (1935)

Champion 3-Year-Old (1935)

Kentucky Derby (1935)

Preakness Stakes (1935)

Belmont Stakes (1935)

Arlington Classic (1935)

Elected to Racing Hall of Fame (1965)

With a striking blaze down his handsome chestnut face, Omaha also inherited his famous father’s tall, leggy frame and penchant for speed. He was out of Flambino, a successful stakes mare by Claiborne’s top sire Wrack. Like his sire and his dam, the “Belair Bullet” was owned and bred by William Woodward Sr., owner of Belair Mansion and Belair Stud Farm. It was at Belair in 1774 that Samuel Ogle, the three-time provincial governor, imported the first pair of Thoroughbred stallions to America.

A New York investment banker, Woodward took control of the 500-acre tract of land in Bowie, Md. in 1898 after the death of his uncle, James. It was the headquarters for his passion — racing and breeding Thoroughbreds. Throughout much of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, Belair Stud was the premier racing and breeding stable in America, and rivaled any in the world.

Just down the road from Woodward’s stately five-part Georgian-style mansion past a grove of oaks and beeches sat the storied stable. In the spring of 1934, a strapping chestnut 2-year-old was there, too.

Trained by the legendary “Sunny Jim” Fitzsimmons, hopes were high when Omaha ran for the first time at Aqueduct Racetrack on June 18. He lost a photo finish to Sir Lamorah in a maiden race. Five days later he broke his maiden, but failed to win again as a 2-year-old. Omaha’s best race as a juvenile came in the Champagne Stakes. He was much closer to the pace and pushed the season’s top juvenile, Balladier, to a new track record while losing by a nose.

Coming off an unremarkable freshman campaign Omaha stamped himself as a 3-year-old to be reckoned with in a powerful four-length victory in an allowance at the old Jamaica Racetrack on April 22. Then he ran a strong third in the Wood Memorial, losing place money by only a nose.

Though not as precocious as his famous father, still Omaha was a powerful, 17 hands colt who got better with age and distance. By the time the 1935 Kentucky Derby came around on May 4, the “Belair Bullet” was ready to run the race of his young life.

Omaha went to post as the second choice. The favorite was Calumet Farm’s Nellie Flag, a daughter of Man o’ War’s champion son American Flag and Nellie Morse, the filly who had won the 1924 Preakness Stakes. The Calumet entry was the first Derby mount of Eddie Arcaro, who later rode five horses to victory in the run for the roses.

The balance of the field included Wood Memorial winner Today as well as runner-up Plat Eye, Hopeful Stakes winner Psychic Bid, and Saratoga Special winner Boxthorn, who was third choice in the betting. With 20-year-old Willie Saunders in the saddle, Omaha moved up on the outside to take the lead in the backstretch on a muddy track and finished strongly to earn his roses by a length and a half.

The Preakness Stakes was a week later. Warren Wright insisted that his filly Nellie Flag would be dangerous, blaming traffic problems for her fourth-place finish in the Derby. Dick Thompson, the trainer of Boxthorn, stated that his charge was much fitter for the Preakness than he had been at Churchill Downs.

Omaha ran all his rivals off their feet, storming home the winner by six lengths and just missing the Pimlico track record. Tuning up for the Belmont Stakes Omaha was runner-up to Rosemont in the Withers Mile in New York.

When pressed for a comment by turf writers, all William Woodward would say in answer to their comparisons between Omaha and his Triple Crown winning sire was that he hoped Omaha would be “just like him.” They could not get the owner to commit as to whether he thought that likely.

Belmont day dawned gray and damp, and after day-long downpours the track was officially sloppy by post time. In the Belmont’s 67th running just four horses lined up against Omaha: Rosemont, Cold Shoulder, Firethorn, and Sir Beverley. When the gates sprang open Omaha was shuffled back, but jockey Saunders quickly settled Omaha down.

With a half-mile to go, Firethorn, a Sun Briar colt, began moving swiftly forward on the rail. Responding Omaha lengthened stride and the duo rolled past the front-runners and dueled down the stretch. Fifty yards from the finish, Omaha snatched the lead and drew off once in the clear to become the third Triple Crown winner by a length-and-a-half margin.

The BloodHorse reported the wild scene: “Amid hearty cheering, Saunders brought Omaha back to the winner’s circle, the victory being the most popular of the day. There, despite a driving rain, waited Omaha’s owner, William Woodward, and for the second time in his turf career, a horse which had won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes in his colors. Now indisputably at the top of his division, Omaha is the first to be sired by a horse which had won the three events.”

Omaha’s victory was worth $35,480, and brought his career earnings to $106,930. The next time out, he finished third behind Discovery in the Brooklyn Handicap. It cost the colt Horse of the Year honors which went to Discovery and stamped Omaha as the only Triple Crown winner who failed to earn the highest honors.

Following a victory in the Dwyer, Omaha headed west to Chicago where he faced a pair of top-flight 3-year-old fillies in the Arlington Classic. He uncorked an impressive effort whipping both in a time of 2:01 2/5, breaking Sun Beau’s stakes record. With the scintillating victory over the elite fillies, Omaha finally gained status as a national hero. But his American racing days ended when he pulled up lame during a gallop at Saratoga.

TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS

TRIPLE CROWN WINNERS

Year	Horse	Owner	Jockey	Trainer
2018	Justify	China Horse Club, Head of Plains Partners, Starlight Racing, WinStar Farm	Mike Smith	Bob Baffert
2015	American Pharoah	Zayat Stables	Victor Espinoza	Bob Baffert
1978	Affirmed	Harbor View Farm	Steve Cauthen	Laz Barrera
1977	Seattle Slew	Karen Taylor	Jean Cruguet	Billy Turner
1973	Secretariat	Meadow Stable	Ron Turcotte	Lucien Lauren
1948	Citation	Calumet Farm	Eddie Arcaro	Jimmy Jones
1946	Assault	King Ranch	Warren Meehrtens	Max Hirsch
1943	Count Fleet	Mrs. John D. Hertz	John Longden	Don Cameron
1941	Whirlaway	Calumet Farm	Eddie Arcaro	Ben Jones
1937	War Admiral	Samuel Riddle	Charlie Kurtsinger	George Conway
1935	Omaha	Belair Stud	William Saunders	James Fitzsimmons
1930	Gallant Fox	Belair Stud	Earle Sands	James Fitzsimmons
1919	Sir Barton	J.K.L. Ross	John Loftus	H. Guy Bedwell

As a 4-year-old Woodward shipped Omaha to England where he believed his horse’s late running style and ability to get a distance of ground was a good match for that country’s premier races. He triumphed in the Victor Wild Stakes and the Queen’s Plate at Kempton Park. In the prestigious Ascot Gold Cup — in front of 200,000 spectators — he lost by a nose to the filly Quashed on the two-and-a-half-mile race. In the final start of his career, Omaha lost by a neck in the Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket racecourse.

Omaha was the only American Triple Crown winner ever to cross the Atlantic, and his spirited battles earned the praise of the British turf writers. After he injured the tendon of his left foreleg in training, Omaha was sent back to the United States and retired to Claiborne Farm in June of 1937. That same year, his full brother Flares avenged his loss in the Ascot Gold Cup, winning the race in the colors of Belair Stud.

Omaha’s racing record in 22 starts: nine wins, seven seconds and two thirds with career earnings of $154,705. In remembering the champion, the Daily Racing Form’s great turf writer known by the pen name of Salvator wrote: “In action he was a glorious sight; few Thoroughbreds have exhibited such a magnificent, sweeping, space-annihilating stride, or carried it with such strength and precision. His place is among the Titans of the American turf.”

Epilogue

Omaha was sent to stud at Claiborne Farm in 1937 but was not especially successful, siring just seven stakes winners from 206 foals. In 1950, he was moved to Nebraska and spent the last nine years of his life on a farm outside of Nebraska City. During the 1950s, Omaha was often taken to the Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack in Omaha where he had pictures taken with small children on his back and later galloped around the track to the delight of the crowd. He passed away in 1959 and was buried in the circle of champions at Ak-Sar-Ben racetrack.

Omaha was elected into the Racing Hall of Fame in 1965. He also made BloodHorse magazine’s list of the century’s top 100 racehorses, ranking 61st.

Turf Talk Newsletter – 17 August, 2023