THe NEWS - February 26, 2011 “Racing to be the best.”

Welcome to the first edition of THe NEWS!

This is the “newspaper” designed especially for the Trophy Horse community. Features from your staff of reporters will include interviews, news, information, analysis, advice, opinions, contests, wisdom, humor and whatever else we can think of - as long as it’s "legal."

THe NEWS will be posted the last Saturday of each month here in the General Forum.

Your feedback keeps us in business. It takes 10+ positive comments each month for THe NEWS to keep the lights on. If you want to keep receiving THe NEWS, please show your support by posting a comment. Now, on with the show..................

TOP OF THE TOTE BOARD
Top Stable - Thoroughbred: Kloqaberg
Top Stable - Quarter Horse: Flyinlow
Top Sire (earnings): Gypsy Kings
Top New Stable: Jchadwick
Top Residency Rank: Westminster Boy
Top Breeder: McCoy Stables
Top Handicapper: Johnkings

TRAINER TALK by El Amigo:
Stable Interviewed: Anly Farm
Member Since: 4/6/2009
Current Overall Rank: 8
Major Breed: Thoroughbred

First Impressions are important. That’s why we decided to talk to one of the more successful players in the last year, Anly Farm.

We appreciate your time Anly, and happy to have you as our first guest. Now, let's get right to it :

Q: Tell us, how long did it take you to become successful and how you did it?
A: It took me about a year. I’m in to breeding and racing homebreds. Began by buying better fillies to race that I turned into broodmares. It took me about 6 months to see their first foals on track.

Q: Who helped you the most when you arrived to TH?
A: Neo Stable, Tudor and Ikebana. Thanks buddies!

Q: What mistake do you think new players make most, and what advice do you have?
A: A common mistake would be the workout pattern. Do a double workout after their race one week, followed by single workout after their next race. Suitable race distances are important too.

Q: What’s the biggest mistake YOU have ever made in TH?
A: Entering a filly in a colt's Stakes race.

Q: What main characteristics do you look for in a broodmare?
A: Speed Index, (at least a 114 in Allowances or Stakes) to determine their speed. Markov Chain is one of the best broodmares I’ve ever bred:
www.trophyhorse.com/horse_info.aspx?id=475534
(Markov Chain is the second foal out of a mare Anly bought for 40k. A good allowance runner who has passed her genes to a former #2 ranked horse, Ouzoz)

Q: Is there anything about the game you'd like to see changed?
A: I’m happy with the game. Would like to see them add International Stakes Races created by a special account from the game. Something like an International Racing Fund.

Q: What’s next for you and your boy, Quzoz?
A: Ouzoz will be going for IC mile on 28th and starts his stud career after that.

Thanks Anly for letting us know a little bit more about you and your stable. Good luck in your future starts.

If any of you stable owners would like to be featured in future interviews, just email El Amigo.

THE STEWARDS TOWER by Tudor:

The TrophyHorse Triple Marches On!

The “TrophyHorse Triple” is a series of three races each month for 3 year old Thoroughbreds. The series consists of: The TrophyHorse.com Derby, The TrophyHorse.com Stakes and the TrophyHorse.com Cup. Few horses have won all 3 legs of this demanding series.

The Trophyhorse Cup was first held June 22, 2005. It was won Speede Recorde - a Starter Horse son of AP Indy, and old favorite of mine. In those early days, Stakes races allowed Starter Horses to enter. Starter Horses dominated the game, since Game Breds were still evolving.

In July 2005 the Trophy Horse Triple began. At that time, the series was spaced with only a few days between races, instead of 5 days like it is now. The chance of one horse winning the series was slim to none. That year, the first leg was won by Dawn Dancer (Robyn Dancer) - A Starter Horse filly!

Game Breds started really hitting their stride in early 2006. The first game bred winner of the TH Stakes was World Fiery in February, 2006. Around May, 2006 the decision was made to ban Starter horses from Stakes in order to further encourage Game Bred development.

There have been only five winners of the TrophyHorse Triple. Here’s a list of the champions:

1/2009 - Distance is Wild
6/2009 - Lynyrd
3/2010 - Gypsy Kings
7/2010 - Horatio Hornblower
2/2011 - Tourist Trap
(There have been 19 winners of 2 legs.)

A list of all past Triple winners is available here:

trophyhorse.fortunecity.com/triple.html

Quarter Horse Filly Showdown!

On February 27th, the Exposure Filly Futurity (Grade 1) at Los Alamitos will be a hotly contested race, having attracted several of the best young fillies in the game.

www.trophyhorse.com/Tracks/race_form.aspx?raceid=597444

The ten 2 year old fillys entered are set to run the 400 yards for a purse totaling $187,500.

Let’s take a closer look:

1. Angel of Sorrow (Que Racing), the #7 ranked two year old has 2 wins and $443K in earnings. Very impressive SI of 150 last out! Sired by the immortal Stick Em Quick and first born of Sweet Sorrow ($1,380,049). This filly has the pedigree and earmarks to be a player.

2. Pascua (Artful Arch Racing) has 4 wins including 2 Stakes and 264K in earnings. Ranked the #12 two year old. Sired by Viaje and 3rd born out of Is It Easter Or Esthar ($505,162). We’ll see if this filly catch them at the wire.

3. Blackgammon (Wolf Pack Racing) Earnings of $79,038 and one allowance win to her credit. Has placed twice in Stakes. Sired by Black Frosts out of the mare Better Than Chicken. Will need to run her best.

4. Aint Gotta Clue (Rtr Racing Horses). Earnings of $135,549 with 1 Stakes and 1 Allowance win to her credit. Sired by Horsesix out of Hypo Thalmus ($1,270,625) and is 3rd born. Half sister to Thrilling Thalmus ($915,356).

5. American Chics (Sun Shade Racing) earnings of $11,419. Two 300 yard allowance wins to her credit including one on this track last outing. Sired by American Chinchilla and from the mare Chics Beattle. Might be an ready for this.

6. Better Believe (Flyinlow). She has $245,990 in earnings and two Stakes wins. Sired by Volts out of Bloomingdale Avenue ($664,290) and 4th born. Half sister to Estoque ($709,636). Always competitive.

7. Kryptones (Que Racing) with $301,210 in earnings and a win to her credit. Sired by Make It Quick out of Kryptonian ($440,738) – 2nd born and half sister to Masterblaster ($878,732). With a good trip, she could pull it off.

8. Monaglow (Tudor Racing). Slow starter with $95K in earnings. Two wins and 3 Stakes placings to date. Sired by Romulo out of the mare Erasable Glow ($1,680,993) and her second foal.

9. Volts Breeze (Tudor Racing) is currently the #5 ranked two year old with $440K in earnings with 3 Stakes wins. Sired by Volts out of Cool Breezes ($522,042) and 2nd born. She shows a light foot and should be one of the favorites.

10. Gad Charms (Fountain) is the current # 10 ranked two year old with 280K in earnings. The ¾ sister to Gad Zookes. Sired by Southern Draws and 4th foal out of Victorian Charm ($1,102,493). Two Allowance wins and two Stakes wins to her credit. Candidate for the top spot.

Grab your binoculars, sit back and watch the fun!

Feb 27 Update - Race Results: Gad Charms was the winner followed closely by Volts Breeze and Better Believe. Congratulations!
www.trophyhorse.com/Tracks/race_results.aspx?id=597444

THE BREEDING SHED by Area 51:

Broodmare Selection:

At the end of each month there comes a time when you have to look at your female horses and make that agonizing decision: Keep racing, Sell, Horse Pool or Breeding Pasture????

Recently we've been fortunate to have fees of some very high quality studs set at “bargain basement” prices.

As a result of the low sire fees, you may find it tempting to retire poor quality mares to the Breeding Pasture, or keep old worn out broodmares for one more season.

You might be thinking - "Maybe a bargain priced / talented sire can overcome this mare’s shortcomings, and give me a great foal?"

Unfortunately, this line of thinking is usually not a good strategy if you are trying to produce a truly high quality offspring, which should be your goal.

As evidence, just look at the broodmare of the top offspring of most any sire. You will find very few of the broodmares lacked talent or were “over the hill.”

The moral of this story: Use good judgment in selecting and keeping broodmares. Use the best you have, or the best you can afford. Don’t be tempted to take a chance on poor quality or worn out broodmares just because bargain priced studs exit. In breeding, the quality of the broodmare is just as important as the sire you select.

TIPS AND TRICKS by Hebron Hills:

Save some "green." Don't activate those yearlings too early!

Horses cost you money each day. Daily Stable Fees for active horses are $150 for Thoroughbreds and $100 for a Quarter Horses. Inactive horses only cost half that!!!

Activating yearling's too early in the month can cost you thousands in unnecessary stable fees. Remember, these youngsters do nothing but train and take up space their first “year.”

If you activate foals early, you also lose space for active racers. Rather than have yearlings take up your active slots, keep your racers going a while longer and earn some extra money.

Think of activating and entering as a single event. Wait to activate yearlings until they are ready to enter their first race. Keep in mind - an active yearling is an expensive yearling.

Hey, in this economy.... every little bit counts!

WIT AND WISDOM by Collard Racing:

Wit and Wisdom bites from a person who strives for both!

Each month I will hand you a pass key that may (or not) unlock the door concealing the very meaning of life itself!

Key #1: My Dad insisted that his kids ''clean'' their plates at mealtime! Telling us that ''It's better to throw it up than to throw it out!"

Bonus Key: If you have ever failed a urine test, maybe it's because you didn't study for it?

More inspiration next month!

BITS AND PIECES by Joejoe Stables:

Word Jumble: Win a $35,000 Added Money Stakes race made to your specifications. Just be the first to unscramble and post the correct answer: SLIMUCA RECORDIT (Hint: It’s a sire)
Word Jumble contest has been won by Concord Stables. (Anwwer is Musical Director - Congrats to Concord!

A big THANKS to our fine staff of volunteer reporters for contributing their time and energy to bring THe NEWS to you.
If you have ideas or suggestions for future issues just contact JoeJoe Stables. Thanks for reading, and Happy Racing!