(Marc Guilfoil / Photo submitted)

(Classic Causeway / Photo by Holly M. Smith)

We hit Summer time in full gear and Summer time hit us right in the chops with a serious blow of heat and humidity. Sorry I have been missing a bit lately, too. I was hit right in the head and the gut, too.

First, right after this year’s Kentucky Derby, I got slammed with a rather significant case of Covid. As I was recovering from that dreaded virus, I somehow contracted an acute case of bronchitis.

Don’t know how Joe Frazier must have felt when he was whacked with the best that “The Greatest” — that would be Muhammad Ali — had to offer, but in my world this seemed like my version. The canvas was about all I could see.

I know a few people that probably wish that I may have succumbed to the body blows, but I am on the mend. I think. I am back on my feet. A bit wobbly and a little shaken, but standing. I am back at my computer keyboard. And ready to type.

So, here we go.

So, in keeping with the season, here are a few hot takes on the current state of affairs and things that are going on in the whacky world of Thoroughbred racing.

Hope you have the AC cranked and the fan in overdrive.

So, let’s get rocking.

Marc Guilfoil Will Be Sorely Missed at Kentucky Horse Racing Commission:

I started lobbying in 1988, when I took the job as the Executive Vice President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders’ Association. Hard to believe that was 34 years ago. Hard for me to believe.

Through that span, I have run into a lot of people that work in and around state government, from Governors to janitors; from members of the General Assembly to members of the bar and the Kentucky Supreme Court; from people at nearly every state agency, who truly do the work; from people from the front door to the back ground; from the big white house that serves as the Governor’s Mansion to the outhouse.

Met a lot of people that I admired in their heyday, and that I truly disliked when they tried to make hay another way. Met a lot of people that I still respect and call friend; met a lot of people that I can’t forget, even though I have tried. Their memory sticks on the roof of your mind like a bad piece of bubble gum. Met a lot of people who did their jobs with both diplomacy and aplomb. met a few people that couldn’t do their job and didn’t care about trying, either.

I have done my very best to treat each and every one with the true meaning of the “Golden Rule.” I have found it easier to do that, sometimes, for those that open the doors; and not the ones that you meet inside the doors.

But there is no doubt that one of the finest; most professional; most honest; most hard-working; most caring; and most down-to-earth that I ever came in contact with, and, fortunately for me, got to know both professionally and personally is Marc Guilfoil.

Just this week, Marc announced that he was resigning his position as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to join the ranks of the newly formed Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority.

As soon as I saw the press release cross my email, I texted my great friend and wished him both congratulations and good luck. He deserves both.

As soon as I saw the press release, too, I must admit my stomach dropped a notch or two.

Marc Guilfoil — who has toiled at the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for years and has served under many Governors and many Chairman and for many Commissioners with distinction — will be greatly missed. Greatly. Missed.

His institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. His integrity is beyond reproach. His knowledge is only gained by years of experience, both on the job and with the farm. His character is unquestioned. His class is unmatched. And, the great thing, is the man is just as comfortable in his jeans and hard boots as he is in a board room describing the intricacies of the laws that govern our tremendous sport.

He has always been one of “us” in the midst of all of “them.” And, we took great solace in knowing that Marc was there to make sure things got done the right way; the only way.

Over the past few years, Marc has been the main man to stand firm and tall, defending his Stewards when they correctly and professional disqualified Maximum Security from the Kentucky Derby for interference at the top of the stretch.

Over the past couple of years, Marc has been the main man to lead the Commission through the craziness and shenanigans that have surrounded the disqualification of Medina Spirit for a drug overage following the 2021 Kentucky Derby.

Over the past few years, Marc Guilfoil has always been there; doing his job; insuring that the integrity of Thoroughbred racing in this Commonwealth of Kentucky was never to be questioned; never to be sacrificed or compromised; never to be soiled.

We are on the verge of introducing the new Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority. There are many questions swirling around this new entity and what it will do and how it will operate. Right now, there are more questions and concerns than there are answers and assurances.

But HISA made a huge surge forward this week.

It hired Marc Guilfoil.

It hired the best.

Now, we are talking.

Did Baffert “Case” Take Another Hit?

The legal team for the embattled trainer Bob Baffert — who has asked the members of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission to overturn the Steward’s decision following the 2021 Kentucky Derby — seemed to take a couple of gut punches this past week, too.

It appears that the lynchpin and the star witness in their defense, Dr. George Maylin — who reportedly conducted a study of the post-race urine and openly concluded that the horse had to be accidentally exposed to the high levels of betamethasone through a topical application of a skin rash medicine known as Otomax as opposed to being injected — is apparently now balking at disclosing his research records that supposedly supports his research claims.

Maylin first issued his report letter in a New York legal case on Dec. 3, 2021 and Baffert’s legal team immediately exclaimed on high that it proves that the trainer was innocent of any and all charges and was completely guilt free.

Since then?

Well…

In a story first printed by “The Blood-Horse” this week, it appears that Maylin has been reluctant to either appear or testify in the on-going case.

Just take a gander:

According to the story, the KHRC first requested to take Maylin’s deposition no later than March of this year. The Commission also asked for records supporting Maylin’s findings. A subpoena — according to “The Blood-Horse’s” report — requested “all documentation regarding the alleged unpublished study involving the administration of Otomax to two Thoroughbred horses.”

Yet, Maylin said he would not give an in-person deposition, citing COVID-19 issues.

After Franklin Circuit Court Judge Thomas Wingate ordered Maylin to personally appear for a deposition prior to May 13 and ordered him to produce all documents requested in the subpoena?

According to “The Blood-Horse,” the legal team for Baffert filed motions to overturn Wingate’s order. Those were denied.

The story goes on to report that on June 8, the KHRC filed more papers in Tompkins County, NY, where Maylin resides, to require the good doctor to show for the deposition. Yet, papers that were served on April 30, May 2, May 4, May 5 and May 10 were unanswered.

According to the story, the KHRC and Maylin finally agreed to a process where the doctor could be deposed by Zoom, but required him to produce the records of the studies. That deposition finally took place on June 10.

But?

According to the story, Maylin still failed to produce any records of the study.

Now, the KHRC hearing has been moved from June 28 to Aug. 22.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

Wonder what will happen now on Aug. 22? Wonder if Maylin will ever produce the records? Wonder. Just wonder.

G2 Ohio Derby This Saturday…Who Do You Like?

The G2 Ohio Derby will be held this Saturday at Thistledown, near Cleveland, OH. And, it should be an exciting race with several interesting betting angles.

White Abarrio, winner of the G1 Florida Derby and the G3 Holy Bull Stakes, will be there for trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr.

Tawny Port, winner of the G3 Lexington Stakes and another runner in this year’s Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to be there, too.

Ethereal Road, winner of the Sir Barton Stakes at Pimlico on Preakness Stakes Day for HOF trainer D. Wayne Lukas, may get some support, too.

But my choice?

Classic Causeway.

This son of Giant’s Causeway looked very impressive earlier this Spring when he romped to victories in both the G3 Sam F. Davis Stakes and the G2 Tampa Bay Derby at Tampa Bay Downs.

But the 3YO colt got gutted when he tried to rip and roar in the G1 Florida Derby, and then never made a serious threat in the G1 Kentucky Derby. Finished 11th in both of those events.

Now, after a little air, Classic Causeway is back.

In June, he has gotten 3 very nice breezes at Churchill Downs from trainer Ken McPeek. As always, the colt has flashed some brilliant speed — especially in the last work on June 18.

I don’t know how much pure speed is in this Saturday’s Ohio Derby. But it doesn’t look like a bunch and it doesn’t look overpowering, either.

If this colt — Classic Causeway — can make an early and an easier lead?

He may just return to those kind of performances that stamped his resume at Tampa. And, he is 6-1 in the ML.

I’ll try it.

Just Saying…

1.) Considering the current meets that both trainer Steve Asmussen and rider Ricardo Santana, Jr. are having at Churchill Downs this summer, it may be time for the conditioner to consider mending the fence and re-upping with the jockey.

Asmussen, who has a stellar group of horses stabled here, is winning at about an .18% rate, so far.

Santana, who is getting regular mounts from a group of top horsemen, is winning at about .18% rate, too.

The duo used to a steady date. But after Santana had a great summer meet up at Saratoga last year, he went on a chilly streak. And, it wasn’t long before he got dumped from the Asmussen barn after a rather stern conversation between Assmussen’s assistant trainer, Scott Blasi, and the rider following one unspectacular race result.

Seems to me that the two of them were at their best when they were teaming up.

Just saying…

2.) Horseshoe Indianapolis did a great job celebrating the 6,000-career victory for rider Deshawn Parker. On Tuesday, June 21, the rider booted home the filly For Mama for the milestone victory.

After the race both the track’s top General Manager, Eric Halstrom, and on-track racing analyst Rachel McLaughlin were in the winner’s circle to emcee the celebration.

Said it before. Will say it again. And, in this case, write it, too. No track in the world does a better job at promoting this sport and game than Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Just saying…

3.) I read with some interest that the former owners of Colonial Downs — which was recently sold to Churchill Downs — is now interested in building a Quarter Horse track in Ashland, KY. Of course, the proposed developers are looking at also building and operating Historical Horse Racing Machine venues.

The artist renderings and designs are nice.

The Quarter Horse industry does need a racing venue in the Commonwealth, if there is enough interest and horse population.

And, undoubtedly, East Kentucky could use an economic energy boost.

But, as a matter of a disclaimer, I sure hope this Kentucky Horse Racing Commission does a deep dive into this proposal and there is full transparency about the entire project.

Who are the investors? And, what is their past experience in the industry?

Who will build and underwrite the initial phase of the project?

Will it be able to compete in this market for both horses and fans?

There have been so many unkept promises to East Kentucky in the past. Remember the so-called Aluminum factory that was supposed to be built if we gave away millions to help make it happen?

We don’t need any more debacles.

And, the horse industry — “The Signature Industry of Kentucky” — deserves no less.

Just saying…