NYRA

In this continuing series, we examine the past winners of significant filly/mare races by the lasting influence they've had on the breed. Up today is Saratoga's GI Personal Ensign S., renamed in 1998 to honor the undefeated Hall of Fame Phipps mare. Originally known as the Firenze H. and then the John A. Morris H., the Personal Ensign dates to 1948. While members of the Phipps family have won six editions of the race which now holds one of the greatest names associated with the stable, Personal Ensign never actually...

She may not have been the longest shot on the board--that title fell to intent-on-the-lead pacesetter and 55-1 shot Sister Bridget (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB})--but Mertkan Kantarmaci's 29-1 trainee Evvie Jets (m, 5, Twirling Candy--Natchez Trace, by Consolidator) was still an afterthought in the public eye's at 29-1 behind a trio of Chad Brown entrants and one shipped stateside by Ireland's Joseph O'Brien in Saratoga's GII Mohegan Sun Ballston Spa S. Thursday. Longshot or not, Evvie Jets set the Spa lawn on its ear with a bold win up the...

Norm Casse trainee Burning Bright (Empire Maker) crashed through the temporary rail in Wednesday's race 7 at Saratoga, the 1 5/8-mile John's Call S. on the grass, with all early reports indicating the 6-year-old gelding, who collapsed and died, sustained a probable cardiac event. The Equibase chart stated Burning Bright "suffered a fatal cardiac event on the second turn and hit the rail then fell." Jockey Luis Saez was alert and conscious following the spill, but was strapped to a backboard by attending paramedics and sent by ambulance to Albany...

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and the state of New York asked the Supreme Court of New York Aug. 18 to dismiss a lawsuit filed by two residents that is attempting to block the $455 million state loan to NYRA that will renovate Belmont Park. In addition, both the state and NYRA want to quash a motion for preliminary injunction that the plaintiffs initiated back on June 22 to try to halt any state money for the project from flowing to NYRA. The Belmont renovation was approved back in...

The New York Racing Association will pay tribute to GI Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide (Distorted Humor), one of the most successful and popular New York-breds of all time, on New York Showcase Day, Aug. 27, at Saratoga Race Course. Funny Cide, who died earlier this summer due to complications from colic, earned more than $3.5 million during his six-year  career, including when he became the first New York-bred to win the "Run for the Roses". He was later named the 2003 Eclipse Award winner for Champion 3-Year-Old Colt. "Few...

Throughout two weeks in early August at Saratoga, which included Whitney Weekend and the Fasig-Tipton sales, the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA) made a significant impact through multiple avenues, the organization reported in a press release late Thursday. NYRA's Community Outreach Booth showcased TAA's efforts and accomplishments. Honored with the distinction of having two named races on Aug. 5-6, drawing attention to their vital work. Received a $25,000 donation from James and Shari Ough. Facilitated a memorable experience for the winners of the VIP package in the Off to the Races...

Friday's first race at Saratoga is named in honor of Bob Coglianese, the late NYRA track photographer who passed away in December. Coglianese, who would have been celebrating his 89th birthday, spent more than half of a century documenting racing history. Friends from his decades at the track are welcome to join in the winner's circle presentation following the race and all are encouraged to turn their attention to the on-track screens for a video tribute. If you would like to honor his legacy, the Coglianese family recommends donations to...

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...

There's no easy fix for the Triple Crown or one that satisfies all three tracks. But a fix is needed. With most trainers reluctant to run their horses back on just two weeks' rest, the GI Preakness S. is reeling. The connections of Rich Strike (Keen Ice), the GI Kentucky Derby winner, committed what would have been considered blasphemy 20 years ago and skipped the Preakness to rest up for the GI Belmont S. This year, Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) was the only Derby starter to run back in...

It wasn't that Deterministic (Liam's Map) blew away the field in Saturday's fifth race at Saratoga, enroute to earning 'TDN Rising Star' honors. The $625,000 Keeneland September purchase won by just a half-length over 24-1 shot Hurricane Nelson (Khozan). But considering who he beat and how he did it, Deterministic very well may have a bright future. "There's so much promise when you win a race like this," said co-owner and NYRA Board member Steven Duncker. "This was a war out there today. Everybody liked their horses and they ran...

by Alan Carasso & Patrycja Szpyra Displaying some single-minded ways in the post parade, where he proved himself quite the handful, St Elias Stable, Ken Langone, C. Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable's Deterministic (Liam's Map--Giulio's Jewel, by Speightstown) was off slowly on top of his pre-race antics, but he overcame it all to relentlessly grind his way to 'TDN Rising Star' honors in Saturday's fifth race from Saratoga. Clearly last from the stalls, the dark bay colt lingered at the back of the field for a time, then was content...

NYRA officials scratched a pair of horses from the third race at Saratoga Friday because their last start, the GIII Robert G. Dick Memorial S. at Delaware, has seen four horses encounter problems in their next starts back. The Daily Racing Form was the first to report the story. Both of the top two finishers, winner Sopran Basilea (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and runner up Ever Summer (Summer Front) suffered fatal injuries over the Saratoga turf in the last week. Sopran Basilea finished fourth in the GII Glens Falls S. Aug. 3...