STAKES CLOSINGS --~ Trainer Mel Stute Said Yesterday That Gil Palos Verdes H
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SPORTSMAN'S PARK REDUCES TAKEOUT In an effort to give more to its fans in 1998, National Jockey Club has reduced its takeout from 17 percent to 14 percent on all win, place and show wagers made on live races at Sportsman's Park. Fourteen BREEDERS' CUP DISTAFF PURSE RAISED TO percent is the lowest takeout rate for win, place and $2 MILLION The purse of the Breeders' Cup Distaff show wagers offered by any racecourse in the nation. has been increased frorn $1 million to $2 million, it "We believe that the takeout amount has always been was announced yesterday by Breeders' Cup Ltd. The a serious issue to our horseplayers," said National purse increase will become effective with this year's Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Ed Duffy. "(Low Breeders' Cup Championship at Churchill Downs, ering the takeout for) all win, place and show wagers bringing total purses for the day to $12 million. The placed at our facility goes toward letting thern know raise in the Distaff, which carried a purse of $1 mil how important they are to us." In addition to the lion from its inception in 1984 through last year, reduced takeout, NJC is reducing Clubhouse admis becomes the second such purse increase in the past sion from $4.25 to $3.00 and keeping Grandstand three years. In 1996, the purse of the Breeders' Cup admission free. Sportsman's Park's 1998 Thorough Classic was raised from $3 million to $4 million. The bred race meet begins March 1 and runs through Distaff becomes the second richest race on the pro June 30. gram, along with the $2 million Breeders' Cup Tur1f. "Our Board has long sought to increase earnings op BIG 'CAP NOTES Jockey Gary Stevens, the regular portunities for fillies and mares," said D.G. Van Clief rider of both Silver Charm (Silver Buck) and Gentlemen Jr., president of Breeders' Cup Ltd. "The $1 million (Arg) (Robin des Bois), reflected yesterday on his deci increase for the Distaff is consistent with that ap sion Tuesday to stick with Silver Charm in the $1 million proach. We are very pleased to raise the purse for a Santa Anita H. March 7. "It was probably the most race that has provided the sport with some of its difficult decision of my career," Stevens said. "I feel greatest moments." good about having done it and have no apprehensions. I also think they made a good choice in getting Pat Day KEENELAND CATALOGS 160 FOR APRIL SALE to ride Gentlemen. Pat will fit this horse like a glove. It Keeneland officials have catalogued 1 60 horses--82 should be a hell of a horse race." The Hall of Fame jockey added, "Both horses have meant great deal to colts and 78 fillies--for their sixth annual April Two a me, but it would have been very difficult to take off of a Year-Olds In Training Sale. The sale will be held in horse that won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. Lexington, Kentucky Tuesday, April 14, beginning at Silver Charm has so much raw ability. I really don't 3 p.m. Breezing and galloping previews will be held know if he's capable of beating Gentlemen right now. Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 13. Videotapes of He may have to continue improving, but I definitely the workouts will be available for viewing in the sales think he is capable of doing it." As for trainer Richard pavilion. The April catalog may also be found on the Mandella's choice to put Pat Day in the irons aboard the Internet at Keeneland's website, www.keeneland.com six-year-old Gentlemen, Mandella said, "Pat and I are /sales/apr98/cat.html. Distribution of printed copies of very good friends. We worked together at Farrell Jones' the catalog will begin March 9. Notable graduates in farm (Riverside Thoroughbred Farm) 25 years ago. the sale's short history have been three-year-old We've never been in the same place at the same time. champion Thunder Gulch (Gulch) and GI Kentucky I've always said I'd get him out here to ride a good Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus (Bold Ruckus). horse, and I hope it works out." Gentlemen prepped for the Big 'Cap Monday at Hollywood Park with a five furlong breeze in 1 :01 2/5. In other Big 'Cap news, STAKES CLOSINGS --~ trainer Mel Stute said yesterday that Gil Palos Verdes H. TODAY, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26: • winner Funontherun (Runaway Groom) will skip the 3-8 $300,000 Santa Margarita H.-GJ, SA, I 1 1 /4-mile event and run instead in the seven furlong Gii 4yo/up, f/m, 9f (!NV) ~ San Carlos H. the same day. "It wouldn't be to his I benefit to go a mile and a quarter right now," Stute TOMORROW, FRIDAY', FEBRUARY 27: said, "especially against those two horses." 3-7 $1,000,000 Santa Anita H.-G/, SA, 4yo/up, tOf ($20,000s) News Continued, p. 2. !, AGE 2 • THOROUdHBRED DAILY NEWS • 2-26-98 News Continued. BOOM TOWNER RETIRED Owner Barry Schwartz FLORIDA has announced the retirement of 1 0-year-old gelding Yesterday's• Results: • Boom Towner (Obligato), who will be pensioned to Schwartz's 700-acre Stonewall Farm in Granite Springs, 10th-GPX, $50,000, Alw, 4yo/up, f/m, a1 1 /16mT, l\Jew York. "He is a very special horse," said Schwartz. 1 :44 3/5, fm. "I claimed him on the opening day of Belmont in Sep 1--STARRY DREAMER, 114, f, 4, Rubiano--Lara's Star, tember, 1 994 and he went on to win three stakes for by *Forli. 0-Allen Joseph; B-Charles Nuckols, Jr & me." The gelding made .his last start February 4, finish Sons (KY); T-Claude McGaughey Ill. Lifetime Record: ing fourth in a $35,000 claiming race at Aqueduct. SW & GISP, 18-6-5-1, $343,904. * 1 /2 to Take That Boom Towner was claimed from Schwartz last June 27 Step (Go Step), MSW & GSP, $406,216. for $22,500; he claimed him back six starts later for 2--Woven Silk, 114, f, 4, Danzig--Ribbon, by His $18,000. Boom Towne1· retires with 29 wins, four of Majesty. them in graded stakes, from 82 starts and earnings of 3--Song of Africa, 114, m, 5, Alzao--lntensive, by Sir $962,390. His graded stakes victories included the Giii Wiggle. Toboggan H. in 1992 and 1995 and the Giii Sport Page Margins: HD, 2 1 /4, 2. Odds: 2.90, 1 .40, 7.40. H. and Giii Boojum H., both in 1993. "This is Barry's Starry Dreamer rallied to be third in the Nov. 22 Giii first pensioner, and I think it shows a great face about Mrs. Revere S. at Churchill last time out and returned to racing," said Mike Hushion, who trained Boom Towner the winner's circle for the first time here since taking for Schwartz. "You read about people not caring about the May 1 0 Regret S. at Churchill, eight starts back. horses after they race, but here is someone taking care Coming off a three-month break, the second choice of a horse who did good things for him. Not everybody raced near the back of the pack early on and unleashed has a farm like Barry's, but people can donate to groups a powerful stretch rally to catch Woven Silk, who was like the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation because making her American debut, in the final stages. most people in racing care a great deal about the horses." 6th-GPX, $36,000, Alw, 4yo/up, 7f, 1 :24 1 /5, ft. RAGE (h, 5, Guich--Waya {Fr} {Ch. Older Mare-N.A., MGISW-N.A., MGSW-Fr, $742,486-N.A.}, by Faraway PRE~VIEW Son) finished fifth in a Feb. 1 5 Gulfstream allowance • contest in his prior effort and picked up his first victory Saturday, Gulfstream Park: since taking an Oct. 6, 1 996 Belmont allowance event, GULFSTREAM PARK H.-GI, $500,000, 3yo/up, 1 1 /4m nine starts ago. The 6-5 favorite tracked the early pace The field of seven, in post position order, will be: and accelerated to the front at the top of the stretch to Calca (Unbridled), 111 pounds; Wagon limit (Conquiista win going away by 3 3/4 lengths. He is a full brother to dor Cielo), 112; Skip Away (Skip Trial), 127; Sir Bear De Niro, GSW, $110,843 and a half-brother to Vidalia (Sir Leon), 112; Unruled! (Notebook), 112; Banker's Gold (Nijinsky II), GSW-lty, SP-N.A. Lifetime Record: (Forty Niner), 11 2; Behrens (Pleasant Colony), 114. 17-4-2-6, $129,191. Trainer Robert Durso decided to pass on running Frisk 0-Hobeau Farm. B-Peter M. Brant & George Strawbridge Me Now (Mister Frisky) 'iin the Gulfstream Park H. "I Jr. (PA). T-H Allen Jerkens. have two or three other races that I am considering for him," Durso said. "I may van him to the Fair Grounds at 8th-GPX, $32,000, Alw, 4yo/up, f/m, a1 3/8mT, 2:20 the end of the week for the (Giii) New Orleans H. on 3/5, fm. March 8. That would giye him eight days to get used to AIESHA POWELL (m, 5, Caveat--Fair Davina {Ire} {SW the track." I Fr, G1SP-lre, GSP-N.A., $109,819}, by Welsh Saint {GIB}) captured a Jan. 17 Gulfstream turf allowance in A # will distinguish first-time stakes-winners, a @ will her previous trip to the post.