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Thursday Update – Club Meeting, Etc

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Please see the previous post for updates regarding June and July vet bills and the updated account information through the end of July.

First, a reminder that we race tomorrow night! Crown the Cat is #2 in the night’s 5th Race – approximate post time is 9:00 p.m. Jeff and Andrew will meet the group down outside the paddock so that we can all go into the paddock as a group. Please congregate shortly after the conclusion of the fourth race. For those that are interested, we have reserved tables for the group in Silks.
As we pointed out yesterday, this field is definitely a bit tougher than the last group she faced and there is certainly more speed in the race. It will be interesting to see how this race unfolds, she may need to stalk the pace just a bit to stand the best chance of winning, but we’ll leave the tactics up to Kenny & Ry.
Crown the Cat Video Update
http://www.youtube.com/get_player
Post Race Crown the Cat Club Meeting
Following tomorrow’s race, we will hold a meeting of the Crown the Cat Club in Silks at the tables reserved for the group. (For those that haven’t been there, Silks is on track level and is on the north side of the grandstand – close to the Summit Lodge.) The meeting will be very quick, but we’d like to gather everyone in one place to discuss how things will play out with the horse and the Club.
As we have previously noted, the club as it exists, will be disbanded. It sounds like there is quite a bit of interest from current group members about carrying on and we’d like to get all of you in one place to discuss logistics, etc. Kevin Lay is interested in staying involved, but likely on a smaller level than he is currently invested.
Jeff, Kevin and Andrew have discussed the fair value for Crown the Cat and believe it to be $2,500. This price was determined by a multitude of factors, but the main piece of information was the level she has been competing at and the conditions she has left. As a non-winner of three races lifetime, she only has two more lifetime conditions (N3L and N4L) before she’ll have to run in less restricted races. Additionally, her value is slightly less because of the cost associated with shipping her to a new racetrack.
We are still looking for a group to come forward with the money to purchase Crown the Cat by Labor Day. This would allow us to tidy up all details regarding the sale of the horse, transfer of ownership, closing of accounts, etc as soon as possible.
The Club’s finances will not be finalized until the horse is actually sold, the purchase money is added into the account and the account is distributed on a prorated basis as was agreed to in the original club agreement. This will likely occur 2-3 weeks following the sale of the horse as we’ll still need to collect training and vet bills for August and a few days in September.
Post questions below or e-mail Jeff Maday at jmaday@canterburypark.com if you have specific questions or inquiries.

Vet Bills for Both June and July

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Vet bills have come in for both June and July. The total balance is $506.00 for both months. In all, this is very reasonable.

We have itemized billing for July, but unfortunately do not have itemized billing for the month of June. Remember, as 80% owners, you are only responsible for 80% of the bills.

Vet Bill Detail

June Vet Bills – $298.00

July Vitamins – $50.00

July Bute Treatment – $15.00

Respiratory Treatment – $40.00

Enzyme Treatment – $25.00

Joint Lubricant – $18.00

Estrogen Treatment – $20.00

Raceday Lasix – $20.00

Lactic Acid Medicine – $20.00

Previous Crown the Cat Club Balance – $8,536.58

Less 80% of June Vet Bills ($238.40) – $8,298.18

Less 80% of Vitamins ($40) – $8,258.18

Less 80% of Bute ($12) – $8,246.18

Less 80% of Respiratory Treatment ($32) – $8,214.18

Less 80% of Enzyme Treatment ($20) – $8,194.18

Less 80% Joint Lubricant ($14.40) – $8,179.78

Less 80% of Estrogen Treatment ($16) – $8,163.78

Less 80% Lasix Treatment ($16) – $8,147.78

Less 80% of Lactic Acid Medicine ($16) – $8,131.78

Current Crown the Cat Racing Club Balance – $8,131.78


This should be the final ending balance at the end of the month of July. Therefore, before we close out the Crown the Cat Club Account, we’ll need to account for both expenses and revenues for the month of August and for a few days in September. Remember, we won a race earlier this month that should certainly cover training expenses for the month. Additionally, we’ll add the revenue from the sale of the horse back into the Club’s account.

Racing Club Update & Cat’s Thursday Race

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As perviously mentioned, Crown the Cat is entered in Race 5 on Thursday. Approximate post time is 9:00 p.m. and she will break from Post #2. An area has been reserved in Silks for the Crown the Cat Club if you wish to sit there. Per usual, Jeff and/or Andrew will meet club members interested in going into the paddock shortly after race four outside of the paddock (about 8:40).

We are tentatively planning on holding a Crown the Cat Club meeting immediately following her race on Thursday night. Look for more details regarding this meeting tomorrow, but we’re hoping to gather group members to discuss what will happen over the next few weeks as far as finalizing bills, cleaning up the Club’s account and to see if a group of club members is interested in carrying on with Crown the Cat. Multiple people have expressed interest, so it seems like a good time to discuss the options. Again, please look for more information tomorrow.
There was a request to post past performances of Thursday’s race. Unfortunately, that isn’t possible, but here’s an overview of Thursday’s field.
#1 Revenge Tea (12-1)
Only one start this summer, finishing fifth against similar company. Both career wins come at the one mile and seventy yard distance, but has her work cut out for her in here. Will likely be a part of the pace, however.
#2 Crown the Cat (5/2)
Has run better going long than going short, but will face more pace pressure than she did in her most recent out. May be forced to rate instead of going straight to the lead. Certainly has a good shot.
#3 Cryptic Affair (8-1)
Winless since July of 2009, she consistently hits the board (13 third place finishes in 31 lifetime starts) but rarely wins.
#4 Scarlett’s Sequel (2-1)
Ran a monster race two starts back in her first lifetime attempt going long. That win at Prairie Meadows earned a Beyer Speed Figure that towers above this field, but she fell back to earth in her last start on the turf at Canterbury. She’ll likely be on or near the pace, but she’ll face more early speed than the day she crushed in Iowa.
#5 Swan’s Wing (10-1)
Comes right back after a 7th place finish on August 25. Not much early speed as of late, so likely one that will try to rally from the back of the pack. Longshot.
#6 Isle Doitforyou (6-1)
Tough summer thus far running five races in Iowa and failing to hit the board. Last win was in October of 2010 and it’s hard to see a massive improvement in here. This race should be slightly easier than the company she was keeping in Iowa, but still a tough task.
#7 War Victory (4-1)
Another Iowa interloper, this one will be involved in the race early. An all-or-nothing type, she typically fades badly if unable to get the lead. Therefore, expect this one to make a run for the lead in the first quarter mile.

Race on Thursday – Plans for the Cat

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Finally! The race for Thursday night did fill, $5,000 non-winners of three races lifetime going one mile and seventy yards. There is a field of seven, including a couple of horses that had been running in Iowa. Now that Prairie Meadows’ thoroughbred meet has concluded, a few of them have shipped north and they really made this race fill.

Obviously this will be a tougher spot than the last race, we’ll see how it looks on paper later in the week. We’ll plan on reserving a section of Silks for the group – we’ll provide more information once we confirm that with group sales.

Plans Following this Race for Crown the Cat

Multiple group members have been inquiring about the plans for Crown the Cat following the meet. Jeff, Andrew and Kevin have been discussing the options over the last week and, based on the club agreement that everyone signed at the beginning of the racing season, the club must sell the horse.

However, members of the existing group would certainly be able to put together a new group that would be able to purchase Crown the Cat. If a group of existing group members would like to carry on following the conclusion of the live meet, we are going to require that they come forward by Labor Day, Monday, September 5.

In order to move forward, a group will likely need to come up with approximately $10,000 to purchase the horse and ensure that there is enough money to pay the expenses for the next 6 months or so.

The reason we are asking for a group to come forward by Labor Day is that the horse’s value will decline as we get closer to the end of the last week of racing. Essentially, the market for potential buyers continues to dwindle as the meet draws toward a conclusion. If a group doesn’t emerge from the Club, we’ll be required to try to sell to other interests – which could be difficult.

In any case, the Club’s finances will not be complete until approximately two weeks after the meet. We will need to finalize all bills prior to sending everyone their pro-rated portion of the remaining balance.

No Race Sunday

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Unfortunately, the race for Sunday again drew the same five runners as it did for Saturday. The race is back as an extra for next Thursday and the sprint race is in the book for Friday. We’ll hope that one of the two races goes, it’s hard to be picky about the distance at this point in the meet.

Stay tuned to the blog over the weekend for more updates on potential races. We’ll also have a post regarding what the club would like to do at the end of the meet. We need to start making arrangements next week.

July Training Bills

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We’ve been waiting on the both the June and July vet bills for a couple of weeks and we have been promised that the issue has been fixed and that we will be getting them any day now. However, we wanted to update you through the end of July’s training expenses.

Our last balance was $9,439.60 and the included all expenses & revenue through the end of June with the exception of June’s vet expenses. We’ll outline the bills above and take you through a cash flow below.
July Expenses Include the Following:
Training (31 Days @ $47.50) – $1,470.00
1 Racing Pony – $20.00
1 Bute Treatment – $15.00
1 Set of Glue On Shoes – $200.00
Karbo System Treatment – $30.00
Equine Chiropractic Treatment – $110.00
Trainer’s Share of 3rd Place Finish – $60.00
Jockey’s Fee – $65.00
Canadian Health Certificate – $307.53*
Total July Training Bills = $2,002.53
* The Canadian Health Certificate was something we were forced to acquire upon entering for the race in Canada during the shutdown.
Crown the Cat Racing Club Cash Flow through July 31
Starting Balance – $9,439.60
Plus 80% of 3rd Place Finish on 7/31 ($520) – $9,959.60
Plus 80% of HBPA Shutdown Bonus 7/31 ($400) – $10,359.60 
Less 80% of Training ($1,176) – $9,183.60
Less 80% of Racing Pony ($16) – $9,167.60
Less 80% of Bute Treatment ($12) – $9,155.60
Less 80% of Glue on Shoes ($160) – $8,995.60
Less 80% of Karbo Treatment ($24) – $8,971.60
Less 80% of Chiropractic Treatment ($88) – $8,883.60
Less 80% of Trainer’s Stake ($48) – $8,835.60
Less 80% of Jockey’s Fee ($52) – $8,783.60
Less 80% of Canadian Health Certificate ($246.02) – $8,537.58
Less $1 per start for Horse Welfare Organizations – $8,536.58
Remaining Cash Balance (Prior to June & July Vet Bills) – $8,536.58

As previously mentioned, this does not include vet bills from both June and July. Additionally, this does not include the win or the expenses from August. We will update with June and July vet bills as soon as we get them.

Weekend Update

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Crown the Cat was entered twice over the weekend and in both cases, the race failed to fill. First, she was entered in a $10,000 N3L going long on the dirt (an extra race posted on the overnight) which would have been contested on Thursday, August 25. Unfortunately, that race only drew two entrants.

She was also entered yesterday for the $5,000 N3L going long on the dirt which would have been run on Friday, August 26. The race didn’t go, but it did draw 5 horses. Therefore, it has been brought back as an extra and they will try to find another 1-2 horses so that the race can be contested on Saturday, August 26. We will see how that progresses on Wednesday when entries are next taken and will move forward from there.

The good news is that if we are forced to sprint (race in the book for September 2) we would not have to face Ms. Cecile – the horse that beat us in our last sprint – as she crushed $5,000 N3L competition on Friday night.

There was some consideration given to trying the long race on the turf – $16,000 N3L claimers going one mile and one sixteenth – however, the determination was made that sprinting against $5,000 N3L on dirt was an easier race than trying the turf spot. Additionally, the turf race being written at one mile and one sixteenth was a bit longer than we would have liked. Would prefer a seven and one half furlong or one mile race if we were to go there.

In all, this will likely be best as she’ll get a few extra days to recover from her last race. Hopefully, the race long on the dirt will go for Saturday. If not, we’ll likely need to take aim at the sprint on September 2.

There was a question on a previous post as to whether you could enter in multiple races and then scratch out of one. The answer is that you usually won’t be allowed to re-enter unless the field size in the original race you are entered in is sufficient enough to withstand a scratch. If you do re-enter, you are forced to run in the race you re-enter in. You can’t enter in multiple races and then scratch out to run in the race you deem easiest.

Looking Forward & Questions

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Some questions have come up recently in regards to a multitude of issues and we’ll do our best to answer some of them on the blog so that everyone has a chance to see the responses.

Q. When will Crown the Cat race next?
A. Crown the Cat is now eligible for races restricted to non-winners of three races lifetime. With that in mind, we’ll do our best to find a race, keeping in mind that our first choice may not have enough horses to actually be run.
The first option would have been to run back this Friday in a $5k N3L sprint going 6 furlongs. First of all, it seemed like a relatively quick comeback given that she ran less than two weeks ago. Secondly, it seemed highly likely that Ms. Cecile, the runaway winner we faced two races back, would be entered in this spot. (As it turns out, she was entered and is 7/5 on the morning line in a field of eight). Therefore, it looks like a good thing we decided to pass on this spot.
At this point, our preferred option for Crown the Cat would be to run in a $5k N3L going long on August 26. However, we need prepare in case there are not enough horses to make that race go.
Other options include:
1. Entering in a $15k N3L going long on the grass on August 25.
2. Worst case scenario would be waiting until September 2 and running in the $5k N3L going short. At that point, we hope that Ms. Cecile has gone through that condition and is not eligible for the race.
Q. What is the plan for Crown the Cat following the meet?
A. Many of you have been asking what the plan is for Crown the Cat following the race meet. Jeff, Andrew and Kevin have been discussing the options and, as was spelled out in the club agreement, she will be sold at the conclusion of the racing season. However, it sounds like some group members (or multiple groups of group members) have expressed interest in continuing on with her after the meet. If that is the case, she can certainly be sold to a new group consisting of club members, etc.
As soon as we are able to get the bills updated, we will put a club meeting together to discuss the logistics and to get group members together to discuss a plan moving forward.
Q. How are horses tested for drugs? What’s the process? Who’s responsible?
A. Drug testing in Minnesota is outlined in statute and is expounded upon by rules authored by the Minnesota Racing Commission.
The long and short of this statute is that the racetracks pay for the entire cost of administering the drug tests and that horses are allowed to have only two specific foreign substances in their body while racing (NSAIDs such as tylenol and LASIX).
Currently, both the first and second place finishers from every race – plus any other horse selected by the stewards – are tested following the race. These horses are taken to the test barn (located down by the 1/4 pole) where both urine and blood are drawn from the horse. Samples are taken in front of racing commission employees and these samples are then split and one half of each sample (blood and urine) is transported to the testing laboratory in Colorado.
The testing laboratory then reports back any positives the Racing Commission and they post them here. Trainers are given a chance to appeal the ruling if they wish and, if they chose to do so, the second half of the sample is sent out to one of three different laboratories (trainers are given an approved list they can chose from).
Drugs are given different classifications and the penalties vary based on these drug classifications. Fines are typical for drugs ranging from Class 5 (minimal ability to enhance performance) to Class 3 (some ability to enhance performance). Suspensions are more typical for Class 1 and Class 2 drugs which have a high probability of enhancing performance.
Obviously, fines and suspensions escalate for repeat offenders. Additionally, fines can be levied if there is too much of a permissible medication in horse’s system on race day.
According to statute in almost all states, the trainer is the absolute insurer for the condition of the animal. Therefore, it is his or her responsibility that the animal remain substance free. Therefore, fines and suspensions are his or her responsibility.
Drug testing in racing is a very important issue and one that racing jurisdictions take very seriously. If you are at all interested in learning more about drug testing in racing, I strongly encourage you to read the Frequently Asked Questions portion of this website. Dr. Scot Waterman, the authority on drug testing in race horses, does a great job talking about drug testing in the sport, how it compares to human drug testing (he says testing in racing is more sophisticated), and other topics. It’s an interesting read.
Additionally, jockeys are tested for drugs prior to, and during, the race meet.