Mon, 06/17/2024 - 12:04

Toby Sheets, longtime Asmussen assistant trainer in New York, found dead in Greece

Toby Sheets at AQU March 5 2022
Susie Raisher/NYRA
Toby Sheets played a major role in Steve Asmussen's New York division over a long period of time. He worked for Asmussen more than 20 years.

Toby Sheets, a former assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, was found dead on Sunday afternoon on the Greek island of Mathraki, according to reports. Sheets was 55.

Sheets was reported missing on Thursday. His body was found by a tourist on a beach near the old port in Mathraki, according to ABC News. Mathraki is a sparsely populated island near Corfu, a tourist destination off the northwest coast of Greece.

The death was first reported by Thoroughbred Daily News.

Sun, 06/16/2024 - 19:35

Trainer Richard Mandella, at age 73, says he hasn't time to take time off

Benoit photo
Trainer Richard Mandella (right) chats with jockey T.J. Pereira after Linda's Gift won the Santa Ana Stakes in February.

ARCADIA, Calif. - At 73, Richard Mandella was the second-oldest member of the 20 leading trainers at the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting that ended on Sunday.

Only Hector Palma, who turns 87 on July 4, can claim greater seniority.

“It surprises me I’m still here at my age,” Mandella said in his stable office at Santa Anita on Sunday. “A lot of older trainers are forgotten about.”

Mandella reflected on that statement for a moment before continuing.

“I guess I’m not that old yet.”

Thu, 06/13/2024 - 11:59

New York commission to consider revoking Asmussen's license over labor violations

Steve Asmussen with Echo Zulu at SAR July 23 2023
Barbara D. Livingston
Trainer Steve Asmussen has been ordered to pay $486,000 in back wages and penalties related to an investigation of his Kentucky operation between 2012 and 2019.

The New York State Gaming Commission will consider revoking the trainer’s license of Steve Asmussen during a hearing scheduled to begin Sept. 18, the commission said Thursday in a notice citing several investigations by state and federal labor regulators into his business practices.

Tue, 06/11/2024 - 12:00

Kentucky court orders Asmussen to pay close to $500,000 in back pay, damages

Steve Asmussen Aug 11 2023
Barbara D. Livingston
After appeals from both sides, Steve Asmussen has been ordered to reimburse his employees in Kentucky from 2012-2019 for overtime they worked.

A U.S. District Court has issued an order in a long-running Department of Labor case that would require Steve Asmussen to pay $243,000 in back wages to employees in his Kentucky operations plus an identical amount in damages.

Mon, 06/10/2024 - 13:10

At season's midpoint, 3-year-old championship up for grabs

Mystik Dan on Belmont Stakes Day at SAR June 8 2024
Julie Wright
Trainer Kenny McPeek said Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan came out of his seventh-place finish in the Belmont Stakes with mucous in his lungs.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Perhaps D. Wayne Lukas summed it up best when asked who is the current leader of the 3-year-old male division.

“What day are we talking about?” the 88-year-old Lukas said.

For the sixth straight year since Justify swept the Triple Crown in 2018, there were separate winners of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes. Dornoch won Saturday’s Belmont at Saratoga in a 10-horse field in which Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan finished seventh and Preakness winner Seize the Grey, trained by Lukas, finished eighth.

Sun, 06/09/2024 - 19:42

Four-day Belmont Racing Festival handle shows 9.8 percent increase over previous high

Justin N. Lane
The Belmont Stakes will again be run at Saratoga next year while renovations continue at Belmont Park.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Rain impacted Sunday’s card, but it hardly put a damper on the first Belmont Stakes Racing Festival held at Saratoga Race Course.

Sun, 06/09/2024 - 16:26

Kings River Knight, after Crystal Water victory, getting a vacation

Benoit Photo
Kings River Knight won the Crystal Water Stakes at Santa Anita on May 25 in his last start.

ARCADIA, Calif. - Kings River Knight, the winner of the $102,000 Crystal Water Stakes for California-bred turf milers at Santa Anita on May 25 for the second consecutive year, will have a vacation this summer.

“He’ll get 60 days on the farm for a little freshening,” trainer John Sadler said on Sunday.

Kings River Knight, a five-time stakes winner, has a remarkably consistent record of 10 wins in 16 starts and earnings of $649,830 for the partnership of Integrity Thoroughbred Partners, the family of the late Bud Johnston and Ken Tevelde.

Sun, 06/09/2024 - 16:04

Sugar Fish blossoming for trainer Jeff Mullins

Benoit photo
Sugar Fish won the Summertime Oaks by 9 3/4 lengths at Santa Anita on Saturday.

ARCADIA, Calif. - In late March, trainer Jeff Mullins was worried he had made a mistake by entering the 3-year-old filly Sugar Fish in a $40,000 claimer for maidens at Santa Anita.

Fortunately for Mullins, there were no claims submitted for Sugar Fish, who won the seven-furlong race by 10 lengths.

Two starts and 10 weeks later, Mullins and owners Sweetwater Stable and Michael Talla are soon to decide what stakes best fit Sugar Fish in coming months.

Sun, 06/09/2024 - 15:39

White Abarrio goes back to trainer Joseph; will point to John Nerud Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
White Abarrio finished fifth in Saturday's Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - White Abarrio, the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner who finished a well-beaten fifth in Saturday’s Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Saratoga, is being transferred back to trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and will be pointed to the Grade 2, $200,000 John Nerud Stakes at Aqueduct on July 6, co-owner Mark Cornett said Sunday.

Sun, 06/09/2024 - 14:06

Vanderbilt possible for Baby Yoda's next start, Mott says

Barbara D. Livingston
Baby Yoda earned a 102 Beyer Speed Figure for Saturday's triumph in the True North at Saratoga.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga was like a home game for Bill Mott, and the Hall of Fame trainer certainly took advantage of the situation, winning two races on Friday and two more Saturday including the Grade 2 True North with a dazzling performance by Baby Yoda.

Unfortunately for Mott, that success was tempered somewhat by the disappointing efforts of Just F Y I in Friday’s Acorn, and Resilience the following afternoon in the Belmont. Both were virtually eased to the finish far behind the winner in their respective races.