Happily Unbridled

The Obama administration says it’s named Michigan Racing Commissioner Christine White as state executive director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency.

It is unlikely that Hal Wiggins will find a horse like Rachel Alexandra any time soon, but he does have a promising young colt making his stakes debut in the $100,000 Bashford Manor (gr. III), a sprint for 2-year-olds July 3 at Churchill Downs.

Five months after horse industry officials lobbied for funds from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program to assist with property damage to dozens of Central Kentucky Thoroughbred farms due to a January ice storm, the USDA delivered some negative news.

When it came time to do the right thing by the bay gelding, there was no hesitation. P. Kerney would be retired with dignity and live the rest of his life like a former racehorse should: as a retrained Thoroughbred with a useful second career.

Horses have efficient natural thermoregulatory systems to cool themselves, but sometimes they are overwhelmed and cannot compensate for the heat. Hyperthermia or heatstroke results when a horse is unable to control its internal temperature and it starts to rise.

The $750,000 United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) and the $250,000 Salvator Mile (gr. III), both run at Monmouth Park on July 4, represent the first state-side races in this year’s international “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge series.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced June 30 the broadcast schedule for “Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA.”

Robert Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm announced July 1 that Rahy, one of the farm’s foundation sires, has been pensioned from stallion duty due to declining fertility. The 24-year-old stallion will stay at Three Chimneys throughout his retirement.

The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association said July 1 it plans to be more involved as the racing industry considers medication and drug-testing policies horsemen believe could be detrimental and counterproductive.

Whatsthescript, a 29-1 upset winner a year ago, will carry high weight of 120 pounds as he defends his title in the $150,000 American Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Independence Day program at Hollywood Park.