The declining U.S. economy has impacted the horse racing industry in many areas, especially when it comes to breeding. Stud fees that began falling in 2007 continued this year.

Citing the economic situation that face breeding and sales in North America and Europe, Sheikh Mohammed’s operation at Darley, Ky., recently announced fees for 37 of its 40 stallions on both continents would remain unchanged or decrease next year.

One of the exceptions is the hot U.S. sire Medaglia d’Oro that was acquired from Stonewall Solutions in June. The purchase price was not disclosed. He had been standing for an advertised stud fee of $40,000 at Stonewall, but by the time of his sale that had jumped to $60,000.

Medaglia d’Oro’s fee rises again to a whopping $100,000 next year, prompted by super filly Rachel Alexandra, who whipped the boys in the Preakness, Haskell and Woodward en route to possible Horse of the Year honors.

The Kentucky-bred has been most successful off the track — the leading second-crop sire through Dec. 6 with 70 winners and earnings exceeding $9 million, according to Equineline.com. His fillies have been a hot commodity with the majority of first-crop stakes winners being females.

“Sheikh Mohammed has been following Medaglia d’Oro’s stud career with great interest,” chief Darley bloodstock adviser John Ferguson said, “and has been most impressed not only by the likes of Rachel Alexandra and many other exciting prospects in his first crop, which are now 3-year-olds, but also by the quality of yearlings that we have seen at public auction.”

During his racing career, Medaglia d’Oro banked more than $5.7 million, winning eight of 15 starts. He captured the Jim Dandy and Travers in ‘02, the Whitney in ‘03 and the Donn in ‘04.

The multiple Grade 1 winner also was runner-up in the ‘02 Belmont, the ‘02 and ‘03 Breeders’ Cup Classic and the ‘04 Dubai World Cup.

The 10-year-old’s sire also was pretty good breeding winners. El Prado, who passed away at age 20 in September, arrived in this county for a stud career as a relative unknown despite being a 2-year-old Irish champion in his racing days.

But that changed mainly because of Medaglia d’Oro’s performances. He made the Top 5 general sires index from ‘02 through ‘05. His most accomplished siblings included ‘04 champion turf horse Kitten’s Joy.

Stud fees for two sires standing at Gainesway Farm near Lexington, Ky., also will jump in ‘10:

Tapit, runner-up to Medaglia d’Oro in the second-crop category, goes from $35,000 to $50,000. The son of Pulpit this year has 71 winners and registered more than $8.86 million in earnings.

Birdstone, fifth on the list, goes from $10,000 to $30,000. He has produced 33 winners and has $6.17 million in earnings.

Tapit produced the second consecutive winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies this year. The son of exceptional sire Pulpit was the leading freshman sire in ‘08.

Birdstone, son of ‘96 Kentucky Derby champ Grindstone that captured the ‘04 Belmont Stakes, sired this year’s Derby winner Mine That Bird and Belmont victor Summer Bird.

Empire Maker, the leading third-crop sire with 87 winners and earnings topping $10.21 million, will stand in ‘10 for $50,000, down from $75,000. The son of Unbridled is at Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms near Lexington.
Juddmonte also reduced fees for Mizzen Mast ($15,000 from $17,500), First Defence ($12,500 from $17,500), and Aptitude ($7,500 from $10,000).

My dad used to take me long before I was able to drive; usually on Derby Day, when we would go to a VFW and bet with a local bookmaker in the basement. These were simple times. The time that I was introduced to a small harness track in Lebanon, Ohio.

A half mile oval, and a stretch that was so short, that the runners had to make a move at the 1/2 mark. It was quaint, and had the best roast beef sandwiches in the world. This was the Warren County Fairgrounds, which leased the time to the Lebanon Raceway; a small farmer’s oval that was entrenched deep in family tradition. When you rode through the town, you would have swore you took a ride back fifty years ago. This was Lebanon.

When there was a fire in an old barn, it ravaged many families’ lives to the toll of 43 horses lost. The small community will feel this for quite awhile. Things run deep here, and this may lose front page news, but this will hurt many for the rest of their lives.

Inside the track later that day, you would have walked in to see a handful of patrons watching races from around the country. Even non-racing folks knew this was a blow.

In barn 16, Kayne Kauffman had his twelve runners. The night before, five of them were winners. Now, in the early morning before daybreak, two grooms were gone and many horses. The little track that had prided itself on hard work and family values, was hurting. This was the track that dated back to the 1940’s. There is even talk of racing coming to halt on December 19th due to a stalled Supreme Court decision not to allow slot machines at tracks. For some, even if the game survived, how could they pick themselves up and make a comeback? How can the people who lost friends in this tragic heap of molten metal and burnt wood find themselves again in the game?

Racing is a world within the world. The rules that apply to the rest of humanity get left at the stable gate. There are so many that care for each other. They reach out, and pull their neighbor back to hope. This has been racing. They compete like hell on the track, and have a special love for their own on the backside. This is the magic. This is what makes racing special. I have no doubt, it will take time. But, the others in this family will not see one of their own stay down. A code of sorts if you wish. Never in my life have I seen anything like this, and I doubt I ever will.

This week actually began with quality racing on Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) through Sunday. We will give you a glimpse of some of the best races that the tracks had to offer.

We will begin our national recap with Aqueduct.

Thursday - The Fall High Weight Handicap / G-3 – Cherokee Country made a strong finish down the lane to win by 1/2 length. He was ridden by Jose Lezcano, and paid $26.20.

Friday - The Top Flight Handicap / G-2 – Sara Louise held off the charge of the pack down the lane to pay $3.40.

Saturday - The Demoiselle Stakes / G-2 – Tizahit, under the guidance of Edgar Prado, reacted under right hand urging to win by a length and pay $7.90.

The Remson Stakes / G-2 – This race was for two-year-olds, and Buddy Saint wins by a decisive 4 3/4 lengths down the lane under Jose Lezcano to pay $3.50.

The Gazelle Stakes / G-1 – Flashing goes from flag fall to that’s all under the well-timed hand of Richard Migliore to pay $8.50 to win.

The Hill n Dale Cigar Mile / G-1 – This prize goes to Kodiak Kowboy, who was boxed in, and dug in deep and gets his picture taken under Shaun Bridgmohan to pay $8.70.

Churchill Downs

Thursday – Falls City Handicap / G-2 – Seranading goes on to victory, stalking the pace to win under the ride of Julien Leparoux to pay $11.60.

Friday -  The River Hills / G-3 – Rahystrada, under the hold of Leandro Concalves, hits home and lights up the board paying a whopping $115.80.

The Clark Handicap / G-2 – The winner was Blame, under the hand of Jamie Theriot. He traveled five wide, and conquered the field to pay $10.80.

Saturday -  The Grand Canyon Handicap – The entire card, dedicated for two-year-old races, was called the “Stars of Tomorrow.” The 1 1/16th on the turf was taken by Lost Aptitude, under the whip of Jon Court. Court stayed close to the rail, and guided home a winner to pay $6.40.

The Golden Rod Stakes / G-2 – Sassy Image made a four wide move, which proved to be the perfect course to the winner’s circle. Robby Alabardo was the pilot paying $4.60.

The Caressing Stakes - Calvin Borel came off the rail and went 3-4 wide away from the rail and scored with Sheer Beauty, paying $18.20 to win.

The Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes – Once again, Calvin Borel found his way into the winner’s circle. Borel went back to the rail and jumped on the hook. He guided Super Saver to the win to pay $6.80.

Turfway Park

The Holiday Inaugural Stakes – Opening day was Sunday afternoon, and the track kicked off action with a $50,000 stake. The winner was Coy Cat, under Larry Sterling, who closed stoutly to pay $30.60.

Hollywood Park

Friday – The Citation Handicap / G-1 – This race was a part of the turf festival that took place over three days at Hollywood Park.  Bobby Frankel was smiling down on his longtime assistant Humberto Ascenia. This race went to Fluke, and the finish was anything but that. He made a bid between runners, and never looked back until he came back to the winner’s circle. Fluke paid $20.00 to win.

Saturday - The Generous Stakes / G-3 – The victor was a stalking, well-timed Who’s Up, under Victor Espinoza paying $21.80.

The Matriarch Stakes / G-1 – The winner was not a surprise at all. Ventura was the odds-on favorite, who stayed third and made a pouncing move to take down the cash. Once again, Humberto Ascneia, Bobby Frankel’s longtime assistant, scored this victory. The crowd backed this sentimental play heavily at the windows, and Garrett Gomez did not disappoint on this mare once again.

Sunday

The Miesque Stakes / G-3 – A three wide bid by The Mailet was the winner’s move. Under the guidance of Joel Rosario, this two-year-old filly making her wide bid, paid a nice $25.40.

The Hollywood Derby / G-1 – The Usual Q.T. made a wide bid entering the stretch, and gets the job done.  Victor Espinoza knows the lay of the land, and is no stranger to the winner’s circle. The Usual Q.T paid $11.40 to win.

This sounds like a Western movie doesn’t it? It actually can be the behind the scenes for casino voting in some states.

I will not name any parties, but I have heard from WONDERFUL sources that politicians in VLT seeking states have been swayed by the ol’ mighty dollar. I know, it sounds hard to believe. You can file it behind Area 51 and a Beatles reunion.

We vote people in that will represent us to the best of their abilities. not the the highest bidder. Many anti-gambling sources are actually out of state operations running mega-size casinos. Funny, huh? Not really, when you see Kentucky racing falling by the wayside.

There are leaders in the House and Senate that are avid casino visitors. They belly up at the blackjack table and get their game on. Don’t you think they could fly to Vegas, Atlantic City, or Tunica?  Hell, they are bold enough to gamble one night, and vote no the next morning. I guess they got a dose of something in between. I think it is spelled mo**ey..  Man, that is cold. To watch an industry die as they vote against it. That takes something other than guts. You decide what to fill in the blank.

For years, lobbyists have been hard at work for and against. We like to read old time history about Chicago-land days when things were dirty. Well, they are just as bad. They just have more expensive suits to wear..

Be careful watching government happenings. You just may want to watch sausage made after all. It is a sign of the times of moral decline when we cannot trust those who stand up for 0ur wishes in government. I guess that we all have to take a reality pill when we see the people of Kentucky taxed and lose programs due to a declining budget. Maybe gambling would have been a short term fix. Who knows? But one thing is for certain, we will never know.

Well, Mr. Senator. They are ready to deal the next hand. You better get your bet in. After all, you have an early morning where you have little to say, and many to let down…

Wouldn’t you think that Kentucky would have helped the horse industry before any other state? Wouldn’t you have thought that tourism and a signature brand would be important to that state? Well, the answer is still no, and the price of poker just went up.

Just ten miles away from Turfway Park in Florence, Kentucky sits beautiful River Downs. I know, they are not in the middle of the cradle of humanity. But, they are located in the northernmost portion of the Bluegrass state, and in Southeast Ohio.. Many families depend on these two places to make a living, and keep what they call home…

Today, Ohio looks like it has fixed the budget problem. It will be working on the final details of having VLT’s at racetracks. This may not be the “cure all”  but it will definitely allow the industry to grow, and fill a crater size hole in the budget.

Ohio is to the Standardbred, as what Kentucky is to the Thoroughbred. They have bred more pacers and trotters than any other state.

It was not a love for the industry. It was not even saving jobs. Forget about the breed, and all of the farms it would have put out to pasture. It came down to Governor Strickland not wanting to tax or cut further programs. This recession has been a resuscitation for racing. Funny thing, during the worst of times in Ohio, something good may come out of being in a bad way for all. No more tax increases, the unemployment lines will not grow, and racing will not only be saved, it will flourish like it did in the 70’s and early 80’s.

I thought I have seen it all, but this fix is a needed evil. There are many who owe plenty to the decision made today. I just hope it gets signed, and the ink dries before someone changes their mind…..

It was 1938, and the owners of the track were the moguls of the film world. An oval that was only fit to be in the land of the stars, had taken its rightful place.

The same year saw Seabiscuit take the inaugural Gold Cup. It would be an innovator with the “binocular patrol” which would change the way races were patrolled by stewards for the future. It is hard to imagine that it is going away. The way of the dinosaur, the Edsel, and 10 cent a gallon gas. They are tearing down paradise and putting up something called “Hollywood Tomorrow.” What the hell is that exactly? Another mall-housing-condo-complex?

I made my first trip to California this past October. I stretched my neck through the small window to see a beautiful oval called Hollywood Park. As silly as it sounds, I had a small tear in my eye as we were going out to the Breeders’ Cup. I couldn’t believe I was seeing the track I had read about as a kid in the Form. There it was, and there it went. We landed, and I held that thought as I walked in a sea of humanity at the airport.

Citation made his final start there.

The Lakeside Turf Course, featuring four chutes, opened on May 10, 1967. Old Mose, with Jerry Lambert up, won the first race on the course.

Sunday racing was introduced to Californians at Hollywood Park on April 15, 1973. (The legislation was introduced under Gov. Ronald Reagan’s administration.)

Harbor View Farm’s Affirmed became racing’s first $2-million winner, with a victory in the 1979 Hollywood Gold Cup under jockey Laffit Pincay Jr.

Dotsam Stable’s seven-time Eclipse Award winner John Henry became the first horse to surpass $4 million in career earnings, with a win in the 1983 Hollywood Turf Cup under jockey Chris McCarron.

Hollywood Park became the first track to host a second Breeders’ Cup, setting a handle record of $14,352,515 on Nov. 21, 1987. The national handle of $36,398,366 was also a single-day standard.

The $20-million Hollywood Park-Casino was opened on Friday, July 1, 1994. Previously known as the Pavilion, the state-of-the-art card club/casino features California games and poker. It became an inter-track hit with simulcasts from within the State, throughout the U.S., and from Hong Kong. (It is operated by Pinnacle Entertainment).

It is leaving for good. I guess in Hollywood this is when the credits roll. The names, the legends, the records; all held at this wonderful place. It gave so many pleasure, brought more people together, and gave fathers and sons things to talk about on the drive home. When it is gone, I will miss it without even being there. I will watch the Friday night racing card which still amazes me at my age. I cannot believe that an icon can go away. The many ballparks, racetracks, and other sporting venues are leaving. I guess the younger generation won’t miss it much. But, there are a few of us that will always remember the old days, a simpler time. The time when you could grab a beer with the sun on your face, and root like heel for that grey nag in the fourth.

Mine That Bird is an incredible story. He shocked the world as a 50-1 shot on the big stage. All along, he brought a blue-collar rider from Louisiana as a passenger.

Calvin Borel is a solid rider. He can, and will win anywhere.

But, he will not be riding Mine That Bird. Chip Woolley needed a commitment, and Borel had business to tend to.

Woolley told Borel’s agent, Jerry Hissam, on Wednesday that he and Mine That Bird’s owners “had made a decision to go elsewhere,” after not receiving a firm commitment that Borel would ride Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby.

Borel also rides the promising 3-year-old Warrior’s Reward, who races in Saturday’s Dwyer Stakes at Belmont. That colt is expected to run in Saratoga’s Jim Dandy Stakes the same day as the West Virginia Derby, with both horses looking at Saratoga’s Aug. 29th Travers. Warrior’s Reward is trained by Louisville-based Ian Wilkes, with whom Borel has a long association, including riding 2007 Derby winner Street Sense for Wilkes’ training associate Carl Nafzger.

Calvin is a good hand in the barn, a solid man of his word, and in the end, all good things come to an end. He got to do many things after the Derby that many riders would not have had the luxury. Just ask Chris Rosier after watching Summer Bird win the Belmont.

I enjoyed the story of this year’s Triple Crown more than ever. Long shot runner with the “average guy” in the saddle gunning down the big dogs. What a story. In the end, things do change, and Calvin will never forget 2009. It is extremely rare to win the Oaks and Derby in the same year. Then, you choose the filly over the Derby winner in the Preakness. What a ride!

In the end, we will all look back and smile. It was a good run, and Calvin would have been the first to tell you. No matter where he winds up, I’ll bet we will hear from him soon.

After a lengthy layoff of any kind, most athletes find it hard to get their groove back. You have to be in tip top shape, and have to have your mental focus on high just to play.

Let us take a look at the opener at Evangeline Downs. A rider by the name of Shane Sellers was back in action after 4+ years. He tore his knee up something bad, and tonight had returned to the place where he rode his first pari-mutuel winner.

They were going to go 5 1/2 on the main track. This distance was a long way from the bush tracks and Breeders’ Cup races for this gent. He has seen it all, and tonight he was back in the saddle for his fellow ex-rider Mark Guidry.

They broke from the three-hole and a minute and one second later, Sellers came back home. He was in the winner’s circle again.

Just think, he was back at his home track in his home state. He was riding for a fellow rider who rode more winners than most ever will. He was coming back with a bum knee to compete against kids ten years younger. But none of this mattered. He was back.

Sellers wrote a book a few years ago. He was going to tell all. After reading about the man, the story was a tell all. It told of man who had to overcome much in his life. Tonight was no different. Welcome back, Shane… Job well done, and when many doubted you most, you proved the critics wrong again, with a picture in the winner’s circle. I hope you get to come back many more times, and it was good to see you back in the saddle.

The answer, besides a car that is stuck on the tracks, is weight. That is, unless your name is Zenyatta…

Today you got to see the best two gals in our sport. There are no real scary three-year-old colts, and these gals have caught national attention.

Zenyatta ran in the Vanity at Hollywood Park. Maybe someday when Hollywood goes the way of a strip mall and housing development, they will name a road after her. It could be located behind Bed Bath and Beyond, and next to Starbucks….

She packed 129 pounds today, and she did her usual dance. She came rolling like a train, and at the top of the lane made Mike Smith go to the whip. I think she does this just to see if he is awake… It looks like she is running downhill against the competition. Impressive to say the least. Where will she go from here? I guess they will weigh her down with a V.W. and see if she can close like the wind. My bet is that somehow she will find a way.

On the East coast, there was a three horse race called the Mother Goose. Rachel Alexandra was going against her own sex, and did so quite impressively. She split the speedsters like the Red Sea and opened up under wraps. She cruised home the last sixteenth of the race, with Calvin happy to see her back. All the while, she broke the stakes record after being eased up. What would have happened if he would have given her a vigorous hand ride? The margin of victory looked like the Kentucky Oaks again..

OK, then why won’t this gal go run on the plastic? She has won before, and looks like a hurricane. She is fit and ready, and the competition is looking hard to find. There is one reason she won’t go to Santa Anita: Zenyatta…. She is perfect in record, and can carry a load. She is special, and you won’t get to see her do it many more times. Rachel’s owners know what they are facing. It all came pretty clear today. You don’t need to go to the plastic. It is her turf, and she rules. It will look like a scene from West Side Story, and she will be the one taking the long walk home.

Don’t get me wrong, Rachel is a star. But beating two runners of suspect quality can be a good reason to stay East. I love her, and I don’t want to see her face the boys. I would love to see the battle. But until that day comes, we will just sit around the stove and talk about what could have been…

Everyone is focused on Kentucky’s failure to pass VLT legislation in the Senate. This was the furthest the bill ever got in the history of the idea. I liken it to a champion boxer. They may have wobbled by a shot to the chin, but they are already coming back with another plan.

The VLT movement was rolling. It looked good. I love the idea of keeping the game alive and well. It is our duty to pass the torch to the next generation and allow them to see the beauty.

With increased competition, all tracks need to have the tools to survive. This week, Sen. Damon Thayer spoke with Gov. Steve Beshear about an alternative idea brought up, about using funds from the existing lottery taxes to supplement purses.

Like him or not, I have worked with Damon Thayer many moons ago. This is a young man who will make a difference, if he can. I think we need to focus on the horsemen and the survival of the game before we worry about the coffers of the tracks. If he can find a way to keep the game afloat while discussions for the future are discussed, I think we should back and support that idea. The solution will be examined and tweaked, and in the end, Kentucky will have a life jacket to hold them up until a later date.

Now, if you give me the idea of surviving until a later date, I would buy that idea rather than go to your corner and be counted out. There are many good people employed in the industry. We need the big picture, and not the short term solution.