Meadow Magic named MTOBA’s 2010 Horse of the Year

The connections of Michigan Horse of the Year Meadow Magic celebrate their victory with MTOBA president Patti Dickinson.

Meadow Magic took his place among Michigan’s elite after earning Horse of the Year honors at Sunday’s Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association year-end awards dinner.

The three-year-old Meadow Prayer gelding punched his ticket on the strength of his wins in this year’s Dowling Stakes and Michigan Sire Stakes, along with finishes on the board in the Mackinac Handicap and Lansing Stakes, all at Pinnacle Race Course. He was the only horse to win multiple stakes races during Pinnacle’s 2010 meet.

Meadow Magic is owned by Laura Jackson and Red Riding Hood Stable, the nom de race of George and Chrissy Kutlenios. He resides in the barn of trainer James Jackson. Those connections celebrated another award earlier in afternoon when Paris Prayer was named champion two-year-old filly.

Arnold Farm, perennially successful at the year-end awards, had another strong showing in 2010. The Hillsdale Mich. farm accounted for four trophies on the afternoon, including Breeder of the Year. Co-Stallion of the Year Meadow Prayer, who stood at Arnold Farm, sired the most award-winners in 2010, with three divisional champions, as well as the horse of the year.

Also taking home their fair share of awards was Owner of the Year Mast Thoroughbreds, who earned honors in both older horse divisions.

On a personal note, I took home my usual awesome haul in the silent auction. I came home with box seats and a dinner package from Arlington Park (got this last year and it was awesome), a gift basket from Hoosier Park and an American Racing Manual from 1972.

As one of the people who helped broker donations for the silent auction, I would like to personally thank Arabian Finish Line Magazine, Midwest Thoroughbred Magazine, Hoosier Park, ThoroFan and Hello Race Fans for their generosity. Others who donated include publications Thoroughbred Times, Blood Horse and Daily Racing Form; information services Equineline and BRISNet; racing organizations Breeders’ Cup and NTRA; stallion farms Adena Springs, Darley America, Hill ‘n Dale Farm and Winstar Farm; and many more, including contributions by several MTOBA members.

One final note related to the silent auction – The Zenyatta Breyer Christmas ornament is easily the Tickle-Me-Elmo of the 2010 holiday season. Its combination of low supply, high demand and the white-hot popularity of its subject make it a coveted item. There was one offered in the silent auction, and it did not take long for it to surpass its Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. For those that seek it, I can only wish them good luck on their journey.

For a list of all the nominees and winners from the 2010 MTOBA year-end awards, click the link below.

Valient Tenobob raw but effective in Michigan Futurity

Despite his best efforts to do otherwise, Valient Tenobob could not stop himself from running away with Saturday’s $50,000 Michigan Futurity at Pinnacle Race Course.

The Service Stripe colt was unhurried out of the gate and settled into last on the rail, as Buy The Law, Duty Calls and Duncan took to the lead heading into the first turn. Post time favorite Duty Calls emerged from that group in the turn and led by a length heading into the straightaway. He was chased by Duncan across the backstretch, who quickly gave way heading into the final turn. However, Valient Tenobob was on his way to take Duncan’s place and flew past the leader on the outside.

Valient Tenobob opened up multiple lengths in the turn and moved onto the rail, then things got interesting. As he approached the quarter pole, Valient Tenobob shied away from the whip of jockey Tommy Molina and almost slowed to a halt entering the stretch. That loss of momentum allowed Noequal to get within striking distance at the top of the stretch, but Valient Tenobob re-rallied and left that rival behind. He weaved greenly through the stretch, but did it far enough ahead of his foes that it did not matter, as he crossed the wire seven lengths ahead of Noequal. Equal To finished 8 3/4 lengths behind the runner-up for third.

The final time for the one mile race was 1:45.23 over a fast dirt surface. He was the betting public’s second choice at odds of 2.70-to-one.

Valient Tenobob was homebred in Michigan by trainer James Jackson and Laura Jackson. He is also co-owned by Red Riding Hood Stable LLC.

With the victory, his first in stakes company, Valient Tenobob improved his career record to a perfect three-for-three for earnings of $48,222.

For an Equibase chart of the race, click here.

4 – Valient Tenobob (Tommy Molina) 7.40 / 4.80 / 3.40
1 – Noequal (Federico Mata) 3.80 / 2.80
5 – Equal To (Ricardo Barrios) 3.20

One Mile
Time: 1:45.23

Stakes winners face off in Michigan Futurity

The winners of Michigan’s first two stakes races for Juvenile males will meet for a rubber match in Saturday’s $50,000 Michigan Futurity at Pinnacle Race Course.

Eight Michigan-bred two-year-olds nominated earlier this year will contest the one mile race. Last year’s rendition was won in a bank-breaking fashion by Sahmmy Falls.

Michigan Sire Stakes winner Noequal will try to solidify his two-year-old male of the year credentials with a strong showing in Saturday’s race. The Equality gelding picked a big race to graduate from the maiden ranks, with a 3 1/4 length score in the Oct. 16 Sire Stakes. He also finished third in the Sept. 19 Patrick Wood Stakes. Regular rider Federico Mata will have the mount for owner Daniel McCarthy and trainer Ronald Allen, Sr..

Noequal was beaten in the Patrick Wood by Duty Calls, who will get the chance to do it again in the Michigan Futurity. The Service Stripe gelding took the Patrick Wood in a front-running fashion to prevail by 4 3/4 lengths in his most recent start. Duty Calls is owned by Mast Thoroughbreds LLC and trained by Robert Gorham. Jeffrey Skerrett will have the riding assignment.

Also entered is undefeated Valient Tenobob. The Service Stripe colt is a perfect two-for-two following a Sept. 4 maiden score at Pinnacle and a 2 3/4 length victory in an Oct. 2 allowance race at Mountaineer Racetrack and Casino in West Virginia. James Jackson will give Tommy Molina the leg up aboard Valient Tenobob for owners Laura Jackson and Red Riding Hood Stable LLC.

#. Horse / Jockey / Trainer / Odds

1. Noequal / F Mata / R D Allen, Sr. / 5-1
2. Native Niko / R D Allen, Jr. / J R Jackson / 7-2
3. Buy The Law / J E Collazo, Jr. / R J Rettele / 12-1
4. Valient Tenobob / T Molina / J R Jackson / 8-5
5. Equal To / R Barrios / D Foggiano / 20-1
6. Equal By Design / O Bernal / L Penner / 20-1
7. Duty Calls / J Skerrett / R M Gorham / 3-1
8. Duncan / A O Stanley / J R Jackson / 10-1

Noequal draws off in juvenile males Sire Stakes

Last year’s Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Yearling Sale topper Noequal delivered on his high bid status with a driving win in Saturday’s $50,000 Michigan Sire Stakes for two-year-old colts and geldings.

The Equality gelding was forwardly placed out of the gate and held a slim margin between rivals in the race’s early goings. As the field made its way across the backstretch, Noequal led by a half length over Pooling Factor on the inside and Buy The Law and Gainon not far behind on the outside. Pooling Factor drew even with Noequal heading into the turn and took a slim lead as they entered the bend. The pair dueled throughout the turn, and was pressured from behind by post time favorite Duncan.

Noequal came back to even terms with Pooling Factor at the top of the stretch and battled with that rival until pulling away at the eighth pole. He continued to carry on past his foe and drove to the wire under left-handed urging from jockey Federico Mata to win by 3 1/4 lengths. Duncan overcame an awkward start to finish second, a neck ahead of Pooling Factor.

Noequal completed the six furlong race in 1:14.83 over a fast dirt surface. He was the betting public’s second choice at odds of 2.30-to-one.

Bred in Michigan by Opportunity Lane, Noequal was saddled by Ronald Allen, Sr. for owner Daniel McCarthy. The Sire Stakes was the gelding’s first victory from three career starts for earnings of $37,400.

For an Equibase chart of the race, click here.

3 – Noequal (Federico Mata) 6.60 / 3.40 / 3.00
2 – Duncan (Tommy Molina) 6.20 / 5.20
1 – Pooling Factor (Ronald Allen, Jr.) 7.60

Six Furlongs
Time: 1:14.83

2010 Sire Stakes Preview: Juveniles

Paris Prayer seeks three-for-three in Juvenile Fillies

Paris Prayer will try to lock down her division’s top honors while maintaining her perfect record in Saturday’s $50,000 juvenile fillies division of the Michigan Sire Stakes at Pinnacle Race Course.

The six furlong race drew eight two-year-old fillies sired by Michigan-based stallions. Last year’s installment of this division’s Sire Stakes was won by Hustle Now, who went on to be named Michigan’s juvenile filly of the year.

The division’s leader heading into the race is Paris Prayer. The Meadow Prayer filly won Michigan’s lone stakes race for Juvenile fillies so far, the Sept. 18 Sickle’s Image Stakes, in emphatic style by five and a quarter lengths. That race was also her most previous start. Paris Prayer is owned by Laura Jackson and Red Riding Hood Stable. James Jackson will give Tommy Molina the leg up in Saturday’s race.

This Cats On Fire will make her first start at Pinnacle following two starts at Mountainer in West Virginia. The Fire Blitz Filly followed up a length and a quarter score in maiden special weight company with an inside trip leading to an unplaced finish in the Aug. 7 Mountaineer Juvenile Fillies Stakes, her most recent start. Patrick White will saddle This Cats On Fire for owner Lisa Campbell. Ronald Allen, Jr. comes in to take the riding assignment.

Also entered is Carol Rettele’s Ittybittyprayer. The Meadow Prayer filly is still seeking her first victory, but has finished no worse than third in her last four starts, including a third place finish in the Sickle’s Image. She enters the Sire Stakes off another third-place effort in an Oct. 2 maiden special weight race at Pinnacle. Jose Delgado picks up the mount for trainer Richard Rettele.

#. Horse / Jockey / Trainer / Odds
1. Evil Secret / F Mata / P L White / 5-1
2. Paris Prayer / T Molina / J R Jackson / 8-5
3. Ittybittyprayer / J J Delgado / R J Rettele / 9-2
4. Harlan Trace / A O Stanley / J R Jackson / 12-1
5. Countess Of Music / R Barrios / A Talsma / 15-1
6. Waxies Willie / W P Rini / G R Fiesman / 10-1
7. Equal Reign / A A Marin / L Penner / 20-1
8. This Cats On Fire / R D Allen, Jr. / P L White / 3-1

Evenly matched field in Juvenile Colts & Geldings

A field of two-year-olds with similar resumes will compete for a crucial first stakes victory in Saturday’s juvenile males division of the $50,000 Michigan Sire Stakes at Pinnacle Race Course.

Eight Michigan-sired males will face off in the six furlong race. Hour By Hour claimed the 2009 running of this Sire Stakes race.

Noequal enters the Sire Stakes as one of only two horses in the field with blacktype experience. The gelded son of Equality finished third in the Sept. 19 Patrick Wood Stakes at Pinnacle in his most recent start. He still seeks his first win following the Patrick Wood and a runner-up finish in a Sept. 4 maiden special weight race. Daniel Mccarthy owns Noequal, who is trained by Ronald Allen, Sr.. Federico Mata will be in the saddle for Saturday’s race.

James Griffin’s Buy The Law will make his first stakes try in Saturday’s race. The colt by The Deputy (IRE) enters the Sire Stakes off a two length victory in a Sept. 25 maiden special weight effort after two third place tries, all at Pinnacle. Richard Rettele will give Wade Rini the leg up aboard Buy The Law.

Gainon represents his sire Gainango’s first crop to hit the racetrack. He was also Gainango’s first winner, following a three length triumph in a Sept. 25 maiden special weight race. Robert Gorham trains Gainon for Marion Gorham and will send Jeffrey Skerrett to the post.

#. Horse / Jockey / Trainer / Odds

1. Pooling Factor / R D Allen, Jr. / P L White / 15-1
2. Duncan / T Molina / J R Jackson / 4-1
3. Noequal / F Mata / R D Allen, Sr. / 5-2
4. Buy The Law / W P Rini / R J Rettele / 7-2
5. Commanding Factor / R Barrios / D D Waite / 12-1
6. Equal By Design / O Bernal / L Penner / 10-1
7. H H A Quiet Cruise / A O Stanley / D D Waite / 15-1
8. Gainon / J Skerrett / R M Gorham / 3-1

Duty Calls clear winner in Patrick Wood Stakes

Duty Calls started fast and never looked back to win Sunday’s $50,000 Patrick Wood Stakes at Pinnacle Race Course.

The two-year-old Service Stripe gelding broke in second, but quickly made his way to the front, a length ahead of Noequal. The pair opened up a length and a half across the backstretch ahead of post time favorite Native Niko in third. Duty Calls began to separate from Noequal heading into the turn, who was joined on the outside by a gaining Native Niko. A length separated Duty Calls and Noequal as the field entered the bend. Five lengths back, Call Me Quincy led the rest of the pack in fourth.

Duty Calls exited the turn 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Noequal and Native Niko, who had drawn to even terms behind him. The leader continued to draw clear from his rivals down the stretch and finished 4 3/4 lengths ahead of Native Niko. Noequal could not keep pace with the runner-up, but still held on for third.

Duty Calls completed the six furlong race in 1:13.68 over a fast dirt surface with Jeffrey Skerrett in the saddle. He was the third choice in the Patrick Wood at odds of 2.80-to-one.

Homebred in Michigan by Mast Thoroughbreds LLC, Duty Calls was saddled by trainer Robert Gorham. The Patrick Wood was Duty Calls’ second win in as many starts for career earnings of $36,100.

For an Equibase chart of the race, click here.

3 – Duty Calls (Jeffrey Skerrett) 7.60 / 4.00 / 2.40
4 – Native Niko (Octavio Bernal) 2.80 / 2.20
2 –  Noequal (Federico Mata) 2.80

Six Furlongs
Time: 1:13.68

Equality colt tops MTOBA Yearling Sale

Equality colt Noequal attracted the high bid of $12,000 in last Sunday’s Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Yearling Sale at Michigan State University.

The gray or roan Noequal, out of stakes-winner Rapid Reaction was the only horse of the 35 offered to eclipse the $10,000 mark.

Results were down in all major categories, largely stemming from a 52% decrease in entries from last year’s sale. The economy and the uncertain future of racing in Michigan were without a doubt factors in the decline (As well as Mount Pleasant Meadows running at the same time as the sale? MPM trainer Don Evans was among the leading buyers at last year’s yearling sale).

Noequal’s purchase alone produced the sale’s top buyer, Daniel McCarthy (one horse, $12,000) and top consigner, Opportunity Lane (three horses, $26,500). Opportunity Lane sent out three of the sale’s top four sellers.

The MTOBA sale may not have drawn in high rollers the likes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum or IEAH Stables’ Michael Iavarone, but this auction did have one thing on the Fasig-Tiptons of the world: free pizza. The organization provided several buffet tables of Papa John’s pizza and breadsticks to consigners, potential bidders, onlookers and internet writing types in the middle of the sale barn. Things like this are what make going to the sale so enjoyable, even if all I can afford to do is window shop.

The pizza was well deserved for many of the horsemen and women in attendance who had been inside the MSU Pavilion’s South Barn since well before the yearling show at 9 a.m.. Equality gelding Meachem Road took home Grand Champion honors and the top prize in the colts and geldings division. Noequal, another Equality colt, took reserve champion, while Daylight Savings filly Daytime Tricks took first prize among the females.

For a complete listing of the sale’s results, click here.
For a statistical breakdown of the sale, click here.
For a listing of the yearling show’s results, click here.

Let’s have a look at the top five sellers from last Sunday’s yearling sale, as well as some other notable hits and misses. I apologize in advance for the less-than-ideal quality of the photos. Indoor arena lighting paired with bright outside lighting is the bane of many a photographer.

Top Five Sellers:

#1: Hip #3 – Noequal – $12,000

Noequal, the MTOBA Yearling Sale’s top selling entry, was bought by leading buyer Daniel S. McCarthy for $12,000. The gray or roan Equality colt was consigned by leading seller Opportunity Lane. Noequal is out of stakes-winning Monetary Gift dam Rapid Reaction, full sister of two multiple stakes winners of over $380,000; That Gift, a Michigan champion three-year-old, and That Monetary. Rapid Reaction is the dam of six other foals, sending five to the races with four winners, including stakes-placed Impeachment gelding Red Line. Equality is the sire of Michigan champions Equalitysdebutante and Bipolar Express.

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This post is heavy on the pictures, so the rest can be found behind the jump. For loads more coverage of the MTOBA Yearling sale, just click the link below.