Churchill 5th.. 12yo mare off 9 year layoff?
 

Anyone happen to notice 12 year old Grand Forks in the 5th at Churchill today? Last seen at Del Mar... in 2000. Owner-trainer Kathleen Costello (first career start as a trainer) with double bug Bishop (0 for 86) aboard. Three non-descript works displayed.

This is what happens when states like Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia get slots.

I give it 5 years and Churchill will be forced to run arabian and mule races.

Maybe it's like the movie "The Rookie" and the horse lost a bet.

Here are the details from TTimes...

Mare returns after nine-year layoff Wednesday at Churchill
by Ed DeRosa

Grand Forks, a 12-year-old stakes-winning Quiet American mare, will make her first start in more than nine years on Wednesday at Churchill Downs in a $5,000 claiming race.

Kathleen Costello said she bought the mare privately from Rick Trontz of Hopewell Farm this spring after Grand Forks went five consecutive years without producing a foal. She delivered a Skip Away filly in 2004, but the foal died a month later.

“[Hopewell] basically gave up on her because she couldn’t carry a foal to term,” Costello said. “They were looking to give her away this spring, and I got the bug to start riding again, so I bought her.

“She loved to gallop and had so much spirit, so I decided to give her a shot and took her to the track.”

Ian P. D. Jory claimed Grand Forks for Trontz for $32,000 on August 7, 2000, at Del Mar. Trontz retired her soon thereafter. She won three of 11 starts, including a pair of stakes races at Turf Paradise, and earned $80,900.

Grand Forks’ start will not only be her first in more than nine years but also the first of Costello’s career.

“I’m definitely hoping to have more horses, but I’m a little strapped for cash right now,” Costello said. “I intend to bet on her, and she’ll be a big price, so maybe I can grow my stable that way.”

Costello named S. Justin Bishop to ride her mare. The ten-pound apprentice is winless in 86 starts this season, including ten at the current Churchill meeting.

Grand Forks is listed as 50-to-1 on the morning line in the 6 1/2-furlong race that attracted a full field of 12 entrants. She had three published workouts at the Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, including a gate workout in :50 for four furlongs on November 7.

A representative of the steward’s office said on Wednesday from Churchill that the mare is clear to run.

Great story if she wins.

Quite a team . Hope they can do it .

Ridiculous that this horse is allowed to run. A clueless trainer running a 12 year old horse off of a 9 year layoff on a muddy track. Brilliant. 1-9 to not finish. BTW the bug boy begged off and Bonnie Castanada will ride.

:eek:

:wf :wf

besides the situation seeming ridiculous is I guess there is nothing in writing keeping it from running?

Not exactly though the track and stewards have discretion. Told one track official who asked how to keep this from happening, just put in a rule saying that no horses with a layoff of 5 or more years allowed. He thought it was a good answer. Didnt have the heart to tell him I was joking.

dont most tracks not allow horses older than 12

Saw this yesterday when I was working on the card.

Unbelievable. Don't have a 'feel-good' feeling about this.

American Code of Horse Welfare just released yesterday>>>
http://www.horsecouncil.org/pressrel...elfareCode.php

"WE ARE COMMITTED to educating owners, trainers, veterinarians, competitors, exhibitors and recreational riders to ensure that they know and respect their horse’s abilities and limits, and their own, so as to not push the horse or themselves beyond their ability level."

the CD email addy customerservice@kyderby.com in case you'd like to let them know your thoughts.

Taking money, 15-1 with 14mtp lol:tro:

Has now been scratched..

late scratch

What happened? Did Churchill management develop a conscience all of a sudden and didn't have to the heart to take peoples money on the horse??:rolleyes: I guess they'll have to charge $11 now to get into their twilight racing nights!

She'll be back in 2018.

maybe the mare had some stem cell work?

In the 9 years off they could have cloned her

Stewards' scratch prevents 12-year-old's return

:zz:

I hope they give this gal some money to cover her expenses. Now lo and behold they need the horse to work in front of the VET? The time for that was weeks ago.. Shouldn't the racing sec have called her and said something? I get the mare most likely shouldnt be running but as usual it seems like it was handled very poorly.

It was handled poorly, no doubt. This horses entry should have been refused by the racing office. And there should be a rule that horses coming off of excessively long layoffs should have to work for the state vet before running. But does she think they pay you in cash after the race? She was going to get $60 for running and it would have cost her that much for the jocks mount. She is an idiot and a liar. There is no evidence that she has any competence as a trainer and so far there is a lot of evidence that she doesnt. Why this horse made it to the paddock is a mystery.

From an eariler post from the Thoroughbred Times:

I really think this chick needs a reality check. I am really sickened at the fact that she thinks this is par for the course. I really find it hard to believe that this is fair to the well being of this poor animal to be put in this situation. Then this broad thinks she is going to bet on her; make money and then start a stable. The ignorance of this woman makes me sick. Then there is the fact that the stewards allowed the horse to pass the entry box, get in and then allow the horse to ship on the grounds with out question until now is ridiculous. Yes I feel bad that she spent money to ship the horse here only to get it scratched in the paddock and she should be reimbursed for it. I am sure that the stewards were only made aware of this situation when other people (ie other vets, trainers, etc) raised the issue.

Like I said, she is an idiot

Holy cr-p. Understatement of the day ;)

Is there evidence of a KY trainers' license?

The greater mystery is why this horse was down from her 50-1 ML to 15-1 when scratched.

Are we sure this wasn't a pilot for a new reality series?:confused:

First thing that crossed my mind. Second was, could she have really embarrassed somebody?

Well the trainer said she'd make a big bet?

The guy who gave the horse to this girl is very upset that she tried to run the horse. He says he gave her the horse with the stipulation that the mare be used strictly as a pleasure horse. He couldn't believe the girl would try to race the horse. It is despicable that this girl would try to race this mare.

http://www.drf.com/news/article/109010.html

Unbelievable. How can she attempt to run a 12 year old mare? And how can the stewards even let her bring it on the grounds?

Bad situation all around.

Now you are reminding me of some of my college "girlfriends." I'm guessing the horse is better looking and weighs less though.

There are plenty of 5 and up (even 8-9-10-11-12 year-old) race horses around (especially jump races). It's that this horse isn't suitable, rather than her age, for me.

Chuck: does someone actually check that she's passed the trainers test and is licensed in KY?

Passing a trainers test is frighteningly easy. She has to be licensed or the commission will catch it, though that is more of a mater of getting their $150 bucks, not any competence factor. I believe that in KY if you only train your own horses you dont even have to take the test. In any event it isnt exactly the bar exam.

I will admit that the NY steward (no longer there) who first licensed me didnt require me to take a test. He said, "How long have you worked as an assistant for Jerkens?" I said, "almost 6 years". He said that's enough for me, get workers comp insurance and we will give you a license.

Not to mention the hundy you slipped him..

That was the maitre'd at Saratoga, not the Stewards

Sounds like she would fit in perfectly at Charles Town, or Penn National... with all the high class characters that train horses there.