RACING FRONT ARCHIVE - December 99:

(12/31) Alex M. Robb Handicap
Double T Stable's NOT SO FAST was plenty fast today capturing the 21st running of the Alex M. Robb Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack on New Year's Eve day. Away from the gate alertly, Not So Fast moved comfortably to the outside of the early speed, stalking the pacesetter, Visit the Circle, up the backstretch and into the last turn. At the top of the stretch the 5 year-old son of Double Negative quickly opened up 2 lengths on the field and maintained a clear margin to the wire.
Bred by Stephanie Phillips, Not So Fast is out of the Timeless Moment mare, Timeless Affect, and is trained by Bruce Levine who claimed the horse for Double T Stable last July 14th, and has raced the horse four times with two wins including today's restricted stakes race.

(12/30) Moving up
William Marquard's LYRE bested a talented group of two year-old state-bred allowance horses today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Ridden patiently by jockey Dale Beckner, Lyre sat off the early pace, moved three wide in the last turn and drove to the wire to win by a length over Vodka, with Saratoga Nights finishing third.
Bred by Harry Landry, Lyre is by Citidancer, out of the Cormorant mare, Lyric Opera and is trained by John Tammaro III. Mr. Marquard purchased the 2 year-old chestnut colt at the 1998 Keeneland September Yearling sale for $70,000.

(12/29) Aqueduct Feature
Sugar Maple Farm's GOLD'N SUGAR took command early in the featured 8th race today at Aqueduct Racetrack setting the pace throughout for an easy score against open company allowance horses. In winning her third consecutive race at Aqueduct, the Java Gold-Sugar Slew, by Seattle Slew filly now earned $117,000 in just 6 lifetime starts.
Bred by Howard Baker and Howard Kaskel, owner of Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag, New York, Gold'n Sugar was ridden today by Aaron Gryder.

(12/28) NYTB Election Results
The results of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Board of Directors has been tallied and elected for a two-year term were Suzie O'Cain, John A. Nerud, Howard C. Nolan, Dr. Douglas B. Koch, Paul A. Schosberg and Timothy Boyan.
Elected for a one-year term were Barbara Brewer, Chester Broman, Dr. Chris Purdy, Thomas J. Gallo and Gerald A. Nielsen.
All the incumbents were re-elected to the Board of Directors. The two new directors, Koch and Nielsen filled the vacancies created by Betty Powell and James Iselin who did not seek re-election. However, Koch and Nielsen are not new to the boards--both had served previously as NYTB directors and also served on the New York Breeding and Development Fund Board.
In 1998, the NYTB Board approved a change to the organization's by-laws which provided for an annual election of one half of the board rather than the bi-annual election of the entire board. This change was made to provide more continuity in the organizational structure.
At the annual organizational meeting on January 18, 2000 at noon at the Desmond Americana in Albany, the board will elect its officers for the upcoming year. The elected president will also serve as a director on the NYS Breeding and Development Fund Board.

(12/27) Aqueduct Finale
Berkshire Stud and Oak Cliff Stable's REPUTE survived a claim of foul to win the 9th race finale on a cold and blustery day at Aqueduct Racetrack. Jockey Filiberto Leon moved the 3 year-old dark bay son of Cormorant-Merion Miss, by Halo, three wide in the last turn and held off Flint River, under a vigorous, ride for the score in the 1-1/16th mile state-bred maiden race. Bred by Dr. Doug Koch's Berkshire Stud in Pine Plains, New York, Repute is trained by Tom Bush.

(12/26) Game Finish
Edward Rudley's SWAN LAKE put in a gutsy performance today while beating state-bred allowance fillies and mares as Aqueduct reopened after a brief holiday break. Ridden by jockey Aaron Gryder, who usually does very well during this meet, Swan Lake broke alertly from the 10 post before being taken back in the early going. Approaching the half, the 3 year-old daughter of Kitwood-Sportsider, by Topsider, moved to lead, holding off an equally game Alwaysgoodthanx, throughout the rest of the 6 furlong race, in a head to head battle to the wire. The promising Alwaysgoodthanx was racing in her second lifetime start.
Bred by the partnership of Patricia Purdy and Lane's End Farm, Swan Lake was purchased by Mr. Rudley at the 1998 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Two year-old in training sale for $52,000. To date, Swan Lake has earned $102,460, having hit the board in all but one of her 9 lifetime starts.

(12/22) Jockey Club Amends Final Registration Deadline
The Stewards of the Jockey Club have approved changes to Rule 1, Section F of The Principal Rules and Requirements of The American Stud Book to amend the registration eligibility of foals who are not registered by Dec. 31 of their two-year-old year.
The amended rule permits foal registration beyond a foal's two-year-old year, provided the applicant can demonstrate circumstances to warrant late registration and can meet all other requirements for registration.
The late registration fee for registration beyond December 31 of a foal's two-year-old year will be $2,000.

(12/21) Jockey Club Adopts DNA Technology
The Jockey Club will replace blood-typing with DNA-typing to verify Thoroughbred parentage, beginning with the foal crop of 2001. The new DNA process will dramatically simplify sampling procedures for breeders by using mane hair root samples rather than blood.
"Blood-types and DNA-types aren't interchangeable," Jockey Club President Hans J. Stahl said. "That means retyping all the stallions and mares. But it's a small price to pay for protection of the breed, let alone the long-term cost savings to be gained."
No individual fees will be charged for the DNA-typing of stallions and mares, which will begin in the year 2000. A minimal across-the-board registration fee increase of $25 will go toward the cost of DNA-typing the breeding stock. The increase will take effect for foals from the crop of 2000.

(12/19) DAMON RUNYON STAKE
Eugene Melnyk's KIRTONS lead every step of the 1 1/16 Damon Runyon Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack in his first attempt at a two-turn race. The margin of victory was 1 1/2 lengths as he held off a late-closing Consigliore who had to repeatedly check throughout the race, swinging 4 wide coming out of the last turn.
Trained by Mike Hushion, Kirtons is a 2 year-old bay colt by Distinctive Pro, out of the Stay the Course mare, Ben's Moment. Double Brook Farm is the breeder of the talented colt who has now earned over $65,000 in 5 lifetime starts.

(12/18) David Romps
Barry K. Schwartz's homebred, DAVID, romped against open company allowance horses off of a 4 month layoff. The New York-bred 3 year old colt lead every step of the way and drew off by 5 1/2 lengths on the field at the wire.
After winning the Magna Ventures New York Derby at Finger Lakes Racetrack at the end of July, trainer Mike Hushion tried the turf but the son of Mt. Livermore-Fateful Beauty put in a dismal. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that David had developed foot bruises and he was put on the shelf to mend. Trainer Hushion, who has a knack for having a horse ready off of long layoffs, did a suberb job in conditioning the talented youngster for his return today at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Bred by Mr. Schwartz' Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, New York, David has now banked $202,090 with a Lifetime record of: 10-5-2-0. Hushion has expressed a desire to win a graded stakes with the talented New York-bred and that seems to be well within his(David) capabilities during the winter meet at Aqueduct.

(12/18) Belle Cherie Falters
Belle Cherie didn't display the overpowering move at the top of the stretch and faded to finish 4th in the Ladies Handicap today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Trainer Phil Johnson prior to the race thought she was sharp enough to win her third graded stakes in a row, however she failed to fire. Belle Cherie will be freshened up for an aggressive four year-old campaign, according to Johnson.

(12/17) Holiday Return
Away from the races since last may, INTRANSIGENCE returned to win the 3rd today at Aqueduct Racetrack with a late surge down the stretch under jockey Frank Lovato, Jr. Owned and trained by Richie O'Connell, Intransigence is a 3 year-old chestnut filly by Belong To Me, out of the Nasty and Bold mare, Nit Pic.
Bred by Gerald Nielsen, owner of Sunnyfield Farm in Mt. Kisco, Intransigence was sold at the 1998 OBS two-year old in training sales for $45,000 and has now earned $84,620 with a Lifetime record of: 7-3-1-0.

(12/16) Late Bloomer
Braeburn Farm's RUMBLE ALONG has come into his own late in his three year-old year with his second consecutive win against state-bred allowance horses. Racing over the inner-track at Aqueduck Racetrack, the son of Travers Stakes winner Thunder Rumble, also a New York-bred, tried a longer distance today - 1-1/8th - and responded with an impressive two length score under jockey Aaron Gryder.
Away from the races from February 12th, trainer John Morrison patiently conditioned Rumble Along and it has paid off with two wins and a second since Nov. 20th.

(12/15) Finger Lakes handle crosses $200-million threshold
For the first time in its 38-year history, Finger Lakes broke the $200-million mark in handle for a racing season as the Farmington, New York, track ended its 1999 meeting on December 11.
Total handle for the 176-day meeting was $208,740,833, a 6.8% increase over last year, when $195,270,966 was handled during 170 days of racing. Average daily handle increased by 3.3%, from $1,148,653 to $1,186,027. A 9.4% drop in daily on-track handle ($176,917 last year to $160,341) was more than offset by a 5.6% increase in daily off-track handle (from $971,735 to $1,025,687).
Familiar faces dominated the track's leaders in 1999. John Grabowski won his fourth riding title, and third in five years, with 214 victories. Meanwhile, trainer Michael S. Ferraro won his 15th trainer's title at Finger Lakes in emphatic fashion, saddling 102 winners, second-highest in track history behind his own 107 wins in 1977.

(12/12) East View Stakes
SHOT BERRY overwhelmed a small field, winning by 8 1/2 lengths in the East View Stakes today for 2 year-old fillies at Aqueduct Racetrack. Ridden by Frank Lovato, Jr., Shot Berry moved deliberately to the lead dictated the pace and drew off in the stretch, much the best.
Trained by Willie Riley, the 2 year-old chestnut filly is by Ends Well, out of the Cormorant mare, Linda Britt. Shot Berry was bred by the partnership of Robert Entenmann, Jeffrey Raine and Willie Riley and races under Mr. Entenmann's Black Marlin Stable.

(12/11) Thrilling Finish
Flying Zee's CITIZEN battled his way around, into and through a maze of horses to just get up in the final strides against state-bred allowance company today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Racing for a purse of $43,000, the two year-old bay colt by Citidancer, out of the Cormorant mare, M. J. Bean, has now won 2 of his 3 lifetime starts and banked $59,000 in the process for owner Carl Lizza.
Bred by John Michelotti at his Four Seasons Farm in Bullville, New York, Citizen's dam is one of the first broodmares purchased by Mr. Michelotti when he retired from the carpentry business and chose breeding and racing New York-breds for his retirement years. The dam, M. J. Bean has worked out to be an excellent choice and is a half-sister to the stallion Claramount and a full-sister to the stallion Scarlet Ibis.

(12/10) NYRA 2000 New York-bred Stakes Schedule
New York-bred stakes at NYRA tracks - Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course have been raised by $450,000 in 2000!! The New York Racing Association has announced the complete 2000 Stakes Schedule.
New York Showcase Day, featuring 7 stakes races will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2000 at Belmont Park.
The distance for the Ashley T. Cole has been changed to 1 1/8th mile on the turf.
Two new divisions of the New York Stallion Stakes Series will be held on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000. Both named after outstanding New York-bred stakes horses, Cormorant for 3 year-olds and up and Perfect Arc for fillies and mares, 3 year-olds and up. Both races will be contested at 1 mile over the turf course at Aqueduct Racetrack.

(12/10) Homecoming
After racing on the west coast for most of his racing career, IRISH BABA returned to his birthplace, New York State, and promptly visited the winner's circle at Aqueduct Racetrack. The win against state-bred allowance horses was impressive as he made up a 5 length deficit from the top of the stretch to run by Monetary Justice, drawing off by 4 lengths at the wire.
Bred by Dermott Meere, the 5 year-old gelding is by Irish Tower, out of the Raja Baba mare, Anna Geranios and is owned by Edwin Wachtel. The durable Irish Baba has raced 32 times in his career winning 7 times, placing 5 times and finishing third 2 times.

(12/9) Two year-old Bargain
When MR. MISSIONARY went through the ring in the 1998 Keeneland September Yearling sales, he was overlooked by an overwhelming majority of those in attendance and passed under the hammer for just $6,000. Prior to the sales most yearlings are scrutinized to death, from head to toe.
Today at Aqueduct Racetrack, the 2 year-old New York-bred bay colt by Missionary Ridge-River Char, by Riverman, showed them what was in his heart as he exploded past the odds on favorite, False Positive, and quickly opened up two lengths on the field, holding on by a neck at the wire over fast closing Corpsman.
Bred by Gerald and Janet Carrus' Geret Farm in Pine Bush, New York, Mr. Missionary is owned by Barry Seinfeld.

(12/8) TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Southbelle Stable's two year-old New York-bred FOREVER MAN completed the tail end of a record setting Pick 3 payoff today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Breaking from the 11 post, jockey Chris DeCarlo moved through along the inside and engaged in a heated three horse battle down the stretch. As the wire approached, Forever Man grew stronger and won by 1 1/2 lengths, paying a whopping $115.00 to win and completed the final link in a record payout of $166,485!!
Bred by John Hettinger's Akindale Farm in Pawling, New York, Forever Man is by Personal Flag, out of the Fabulous Dancer mare, Veielle Vigne(Fr). Personal Flag returned to New York State last season and stands at McMahon's Thoroughbred Farm of Saratoga.

Crusader Sword

(12/7) Fasig-Tipton Sales results
Results of the recently held Fasig-Tipton December Mixed Sale can now be accessed on the Fasig-Tipton site - www.fasigtipton.com. For results of New York-bred weanling prices at both this sale and the Keeneland sales please see Sales page.
A Smoke Glacken-Avie's Song colt brought the second highest price at yesterday's sale of $76,000. Consigned by Nadine and Tom Gallo, the handsome colt was purchased by Buzz Chace.
Other high prices were $32,000 for a Demaloot Demashoot-Little Tobin colt consigned by Litz Bloodstock Services for J. Harlan Williams, puchased by Buzz Chace and a Crusader Sword colt out of Tears in Time for $13,000 consigned by Harry L. Landry for Elaine Peck's Rhapsody Farm in Plymouth, New York and purchased by James Bissett. To date 45 New York-bred weanlings have gone through the auction ring, at both Keeneland and Maryland, for an average price of $25,131.

(12/5) MONTAUK HDCP
John Stuart's THERESA THE TEACHA continued her winning ways on the inner-track at Aqueduct Racetrack capturing the 20th running of the Montauk Handicap for fillies and mares. Despite breaking from the less than advantageous outside post in a two turn race, jockey Herb Castillo, Jr. had the 4 year-old filly by Cure The Blues-Proud N' Appeal, by Proud Appeal, close to the lead going into the first turn. Sitting comfortably with alot of horse underneath him, Castillo moved three wide in the last turn to overtake the lead, quickly opened up two lengths on the field, and held on by 3/4 of a length over the late closing Broomesse.
Bred by David Popofsky, Theresa The Teacha has never been worse than second on the inner track in 8 attempts. A half-sister to the graded stakes winner Smart Coupons (Gate Dancer) Theresa The Teacha has earnings of $165,523 with a Lifetime record of: 19-4-7-1.

(12/4) GARLAND OF ROSES HDCP.
Seymour Cohn's New York-bred PENTELIS overcame a bad start, to win the 7th running of the $75,000 added Garland of Roses Handicap at Aqueduct Racetrack for her second stakes win this year.
Stumbling at the start, jockey Filiberto Leon placed the 5 year-old mare on the rail and gradually moved through on the inside, splitting rivals in deep stretch and won by a head under a strong ride by the jock.
Bred by Mr. Cohn, Pentelis is by Pentelicus, out of the Deputy Minister mare, Open Marriage. The durable mare has now raced 37 times with 5 wins, 7 seconds and 8 third place finishes and lifetime earnings of $240,124 and is a half-sister to stakes winner Chasin Wimmin (Belong To Me).

Clermont Farm reopens
(As reported in Sunday's Daily Racing Form)
Owner Ernie Paragallo has decided to lease Clermont Farm in Germantown, New York, in the mid-Hudson area, and move his stallions from Center Brook Farm.
Artax, this year's leading candidate for the Eclipse Sprint champion and a contender for Horse of the Year, will stand for a fee of $30,000. Mr. Paragallo intends to ship 30 mares from Kentucky to Clermont. In a statement to DRF columnist Leo Waldman, Mr. Paragallo said: "I have just completed negotiating to lease the 300 acre Clermont Farm for my breeding and training operation."
The other stallions moving from Center Brook to Clermont Farm will be Danzatame, Brooklyn Nick, Dr. J and Dontletthebigonego.
Clermont Farm will undergo "cosmetic renovations and will have every up-to-date convenience for any horse" according to Paragallo.

(12/4) Confident Winner
Breaking from the outside post, Windbound Farms' LONG DISTANCE LAD easily beat state-bred allowance company horses today at Aqueduct Racetrack. Jockey Joe Bravo, had the 4 year-old Phone Trick-Far Away Lassie colt in hand on the outside of horses up the backstretch and then confidently moved to the lead before the half, winning under a steady drive by 1 1/4 lengths.
Bred by Geret Farm in Pine Bush, New York, Long Distanced Lad was purchased out of the 1997 Keeneland September Yearling sale for $22,000, and has now earned $121,190. As breeders, Geret Farm has earned Breeder's Award money of $12,119 as part of the rich New York Breeding and Racing Program.

(12/3) Aqueduct Feature winner
With a masterful conditioning job by trainer Mike Hushion, New York-bred NOTEASYBEINGREEN won his third consecutive race in 1999, however there was a 10 1/2 month gap from his last race in late January. Always highly thought of, Noteasybeingreen finished second in the Cowdin Stakes as a 2 year-old and was entered in the Breeder's Cup Juvenile.
In today's Aqueduct feature carrying a purse of $48,000, jockey Aaron Gryder held the 3 year-old gelding together after stumbling at the break, and quickly took the lead. Dictating the pace, the Distinctive Pro-Greening, by Greinton, held on for a 1 3/4 length win under mild pressure.
Bred by Stonewall Farm manager, Jennifer Dalhman, and owned by the partnership of Eugene Hauman and Barry K. Schwartz Noteasybeingreen is a half-brother to the good filly Best Friend Stro.

(12/3) Big Apple contender
Two year-old New York-bred CONSIGLIORE made it two wins in a row, winning against state-breds at Aqueduct Racetrack. Most of the field of two-year old allowance horses were going two turns for the first time and Consigliore had the advantageous one post on Aqueduct's winterized inner-track. Stalking Karakorum Munk from the beginning of the race into the last turn, the 2 year-old son of Southern Halo out of the Grey Dawn II mare, Heavenly Quest, moved to the outside of the pace setter and blew by once they were straightened out in the stretch to win by 1 3/4 length.
With victories at 7 furlongs and 1 mile and 70 yards, Consigliore is definitely a contender for next years $625,000 Big Apple Triple which are raced at distances of 7 furlongs, 1-1/16th and 1-1/8th. The good looking bay colt was bred by Ronald Davis and is raced by the Carron Stable.

(12/2) Exciting Finish
In a thrilling stretch duel, Dale H. Austin and Heatherwood Farm's PRO MOTION DAYS managed to squeeze through a small opening 50 yards from the wire for a 3/4 length win in the last race at Aqueduct Racetrack. In winning her second consecutive race, the 3 year-old bay filly by Distinctive Pro, out of the Olden Times mare, Marlene's Days, has now elevated her earnings to $66,770 in 6 career starts.
Bred by Frederick and Carmen Militello, Pro Motion Days was purchased at the 1998 OBS two-year old in training sales for $67,000 after initially being sold for $27,500 at the Fasig-Tipton Preferred sale in Saratoga Springs. Pro Motion Days is a half-sister to Devil's Tail (Devils Bag), a stakes winner in Brazil.