Breeders’ Cup denies first-timer entry; owner threatens lawsuit

Owner Ron Paolucci, whose Loooch Racing Stables has campaigned, among others, 2013 Breeders’ Cup Fillies winner Ria Antonia, said Tuesday he was denied entry to this year's championships for another of his horses because it hasn’t started in a race.

Paolucci posted to his operation’s Twitter page a response from the Breeders’ Cup, which wrote to him that it may refuse entry “for any reason” and “without limitation.”

“So much for following the rules and living the American dream,” Paolucci  tweeted. “I’m ashamed of owning horses today — very sad say.”

The horse in question, according to the Daily Racing Form, is 2-year-old filly Heavenhasmynikki. Paolucci told DRF he paid to pre-enter both the Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Fillies Turf, set for Nov. 3-4 at Del Mar. 

Paolocci said a Breeders’ Cup official told him specifically pre-entry was denied because his horse would have been a first-time starter and posed a safety risk, plus could compromise a championship-level race. That didn’t satisfy the owner.

“I’m definitely going to try and sue them,” he told DRF.

Horse Racing Nation could not immediately find another instance of a first-time starter in the Breeders' Cup.

Paolucci purchased Heavenhasmynikki, by Majestic Warrior, for $150,000 as a yearling. She’s out of the mare Floral Park, who has produced a pair of stakes winners.

Paolucci -- maintaining an active social media presence -- said in another of his tweets Tuesday evening that, “If (she) fits the race and someone is willing to put up 30k to run, why not...last time I checked this still is America.”

Also this year, Paolucci’s Cautious Giant was disallowed from entering the Grade 1 Woodward at Saratoga, as he informed stewards the horse was being used as a “rabbit” for another Loooch Racing Stables entry, War Story.

Ria Antonio was, as Heavenhasmynikki would have been in the Breeders' Cup, a longshot winner who scored at 32-1. Anthony Quartarolo trains New York-based Heavenhasmynikki, whose last reported work was 1:04.66 for five furlongs Sunday over Belmont Park's training track. Paolucci told DRF the workout should have been reported as 1:00.80.

Paolucci has in recent years graduated from owning claimers to competing in some of North America's top races. War Story, for instance, qualified for the 2015 Kentucky Derby before running 16th.

By Jonathan Lintner