Paulick Report

03/02/2025

Former Kentucky Senate Majority Floor Leader Damon Thayer explains why Florida’s legislature should vote for its horse-racing industry by not passing HB 105: https://bit.ly/3EwUgdU

03/02/2025

The HISA world is now working with a methodology that, in the past, has generated fewer milkshake “positives” than its alternative. Were all of those positives false ones in a sense? Does this heralded uniformity mean that fewer trainers who milkshake their horse before a race will now be caught and punished for doing so? Will the new uniform methodology generate results that act as a deterrent to trainers who might be considering milkshaking their horses?

https://bit.ly/4aGg3vT

03/02/2025

[Patreon Bonus Stream]
Ray writes: "American racing will never be like the JRA because the federal government is not going to get into the racing and gambling business (the FTC's oversight of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority is as close as the feds are going to get). But there would be so much to be gained by forming some type of private entity that could do some of the things the JRA does. The NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, PGA Tour and others have shown the effectiveness of creating a league office to operate and market a major league sport. As our game grows smaller in both size and market share, wouldn't it be wise for industry interests to work together toward a common goal?"

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03/02/2025

The Texas Racing Commission alleges that the non-FDA approved bronchodilator carmoterol and d-methamphetamine were found in 23 drug tests from horses running at Lone Star Park: https://bit.ly/3EwKzMx

03/02/2025

J.G. Torrealba, voted an Eclipse Award finalist, was incorrectly designated as an apprentice through Sept. 16; his actual last ride as an apprentice was May 9.

For statements from the Eclipse Awards Steering Committee and the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/eclipse-awards-steering-committee-clerical-error-led-to-incorrect-apprentice-jockey-stats

03/02/2025

Trainer Bob Baffert says Citizen Bull is doing well after his victory in Saturday’s Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita. Baffert also mentioned it’s uncertain whether the 2-year-old champion will have one or two more races before the 151st Kentucky Derby on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

For more from the connections, check out the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/wait-and-see-champion-citizen-bull-garners-98-bsf-for-lewis-win-possible-for-san-felipe

02/02/2025

Cipriano Gil, a 25-year-old jockey from Venezuela, has been working to establish himself at Tampa Bay Downs while improving his English and preparing for fatherhood. With over 500 wins in his homeland and strong determination, he has quickly made an impact. Since Jan. 4, he has won 10 of 40 races, including a recent victory on Top Recruit. His success has earned him the Tampa Bay Downs Jockey of the Month Award.

For more details, visit the link in our bio.

https://paulickreport.com/news/people/its-about-not-giving-up-on-his-dream-venezuelan-import-cipriano-gil-picking-up-steam-at-tampa

02/02/2025

Whitham Thoroughbreds’ homebred Burnham Square backed up his impressive maiden win with a strong performance in the $265,000 G3 Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park. The c**t took command from favored Tappan Street at the top of the stretch and pulled away for the victory.

“The key is the blinkers. I had to put the blinkers on because he wasn’t helping me at all. I had to help him,” said trainer Ian Wilkes.

For the full recap and to hear more from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/burnham-square-goes-last-to-first-in-holy-bull

02/02/2025

Gate to Wire, owned by Donegal Racing, made a strong dirt debut with a 13-1 upset victory in the $165,000 Swale Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the son of Munnings had previously raced on turf and Tapeta but closed powerfully off a fast pace to win by five lengths in the seven-furlong race.

For the full recap and to hear from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/these-munnings-run-on-anything-gate-to-wire-rolls-home-in-swale-in-main-track-debut

01/02/2025

Citizen Bull, last year’s champion 2-year-old c**t, kicked off his 2025 season with a victory in the Grade 3, $200,000 Robert B. Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old secured 20 Kentucky Derby points.

“The champ is back,” said trainer Bob Baffert from the winner’s circle.

For the full recap and to hear more from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/the-champ-is-back-citizen-bull-gives-baffert-seventh-consecutive-robert-b-lewis-triumph

01/02/2025

St. Elias Stable’s Captain Cook made a strong statement on the Kentucky Derby trail with a victorious stakes debut in Saturday’s $250,000 Withers Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack. The nine-furlong race, a prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, awarded qualifying points to the top five finishers (20-10-6-4-2) toward the Grade 1 classic on May 3 at Churchill Downs.

For the full recap and to hear from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/triple-crown/he-ran-big-captain-cook-nails-first-two-turn-test-in-withers

01/02/2025

Kaopion shocked bettors at 37-1 with her upset victory in the G1 La Brea Stakes on Santa Anita’s opening day, Dec. 26. However, on Saturday, horseplayers took notice, making Spendthrift Farm’s 4-year-old Omaha Beach filly the 6-5 favorite in the $200,000 G2 Santa Monica Stakes at Santa Anita, where she faced a trio of Bob Baffert trainees.

For the full recap and to hear from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/kopion-cruises-to-victory-over-baffert-trio-in-santa-monica

01/02/2025

V***n, owned by D. J. Stable LLC and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, rebounded from a sixth-place finish in the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with an impressive 2025 debut in the $165,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The Grade 1-placed daughter of leading first-crop sire Vekoma cruised to a 2 1/4-length victory under John Velazquez with minimal urging. Trained by Mark Casse, she went off as the 4-5 favorite in a field of six.

For the full recap and to hear from the connections, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/shes-still-learning-vixen-scores-stakes-breakthrough-in-sweetest-chant

01/02/2025

Eagles Flight, a 4-year-old half-brother to undefeated 2022 Horse of the Year Flightline, will make his second attempt against allowance competition in Santa Anita's seventh race on Sunday. The son of Curlin, campaigned by Hronis Racing, is the 6-5 morning line favorite in a field of eight for the 1 1/16-mile race.

For more details, visit the link.

https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/regally-bred-eagles-flight-returns-sunday-in-santa-anita-allowance

31/01/2025

Summary suspension was issued by Texas Racing Commission, but Quarter Horse world has been in turmoil since the AQHA announced it was awaiting results from drug tests from several states before announcing 2024 champions: https://bit.ly/40X7wkU

31/01/2025

At an emergency meeting Jan. 30, the New Mexico Livestock Board voted to approve emergency rules defining the state's response to equine infectious anemia (EIA) positives. According to a spreadsheet provided in response to a public records request, New Mexico saw 17 different outbreaks, some involving more than one horse, in 2024. Nearly all of those outbreaks dealt with racehorses, primarily Quarter Horses: https://bit.ly/3CwOQz4

31/01/2025

Byrnes will continue in his role until the end of the 2025 Saratoga Race Course summer meet and will assist in interviewing, selecting and training a new stakes coordinator following a national search that will commence in the coming weeks. https://bit.ly/42BwhEE

31/01/2025

Three prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (20-10-6-4-2) highlight this weekend's stakes action in North America, led by the 3-year-old debut of last year's Juvenile champ Citizen Bull in the G3 Bob Lewis at Santa Anita.

Several more promising sophomores will get their seasons underway in South Florida (Holy Bull), including G1-placed Ferocious and stakes winner Guns Loaded. The Gulfstream feature drew a field of seven.

Also drawing seven was the Withers Stakes at Aqueduct, led by Smarty Jones runner-up Mo Quality and impressive maiden winner Captain Cook.