IT’S that time of year again – time for our third annual international Christmas list, when we hand out gifts to the deserving members of this crazy game we play. Mostly racing-related, we have delved into politics in the past, trying to hand off Donald Trump to somebody somewhere, anybody anywhere. No takers, sadly, as the embarrassment of the oval office continues. Ah, I digress.

Moving right along…

For the horses and horsemen who were impacted by the fire at San Luis Rey Downs, peace, solace, recovery. At least 46 horses died in an unfathomable collision of panic and despair. In the dark comes light, the sport rallied to the cause, raising money, equipment, and support for those affected. Survivors will survive, but none of them will ever be the same.

For Juddmonte Farm, a proper stallion. Oh, they have that. The sport’s all-time leading earner, Arrogate, is retired and will stand his first year at Juddmonte, a farm who hasn’t had a star like this since Empire Maker.

For the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, a donation and a thank you. This year, the NTRA lobbied and won a big victory for the horseplayer, reducing the number of winning tickets that require withholding and reporting of pari-mutuel proceeds. It’s a boon for the punter and the sport.

For Darren Nagle, a mantle. The Irish-born jump jockey won his first riding title this year, skipping away from Sean McDermott, Ross Geraghty, Jack Doyle and Kieran Norris late in the season. Mark Beecher, Michael Mitchell, Hadden Frost, Willie McCarthy and Bernie Dalton rounded out the all European top 10, which leads to another gift, please someone give the sport an American-born jockey who can make their presence felt in an ever-changing world.

For American steeplechasing, a big horse. In 2017, Scorpiancer won two stakes races but hit the sidelines and the rest of the Grade 1 stakes were scattered like rice at a wedding.

For Mr. Hot Stuff, a good ending. The 11-year-old legend won the Grand National in October, putting the perfect bookend to a storied career. The coal-black gelding ran in the Kentucky Derby as a three-year-old and won the richest jump race of the year as an 11-year-old. If it were up to us, we’d give him a retirement party and thank for him the memories.

For Jack Fisher, competition. Today’s dominant steeplechase trainer, Fisher locked up another title this year, his horses earning $1.3 million, nearly triple his closest pursuer. No other trainer comes close to Fisher’s production level, the sport needs one. For Bruton Street-US, a round of applause for a stellar year. The partnership won their first leading owner title.

For Feargal Lynch, a repeat. The veteran has carved a quality niche in the Mid-Atlantic riding colony, picking up strong rides for the likes of Graham Motion, Arnaud Delacour and other high-profile trainers. All he needs is a good horse.

For Jonathan Thomas, more webbings. The former steeplechase jockey and assistant to Todd Pletcher is poised to break out as a trainer. Based at Bridlewood Farm in Florida, Thomas oversees the breaking and training process at the iconic farm. He’s stepped up and run a few horses of his own in recent seasons. Well, he stepped up and they stepped out, including Catholic Boy, winner of the late-season Remsen at Aqueduct. Move over Pletcher, Brown and Baffert.

For racing offices, creativity. Like Ireland, America has become top heavy with a few trainers getting most of the horses. One way to rectify it is to write varying conditions on the races – for horses trained by trainers who haven’t started X amount of horses this year, races restricted to horses who cost less than $100,000 at public auction… Santa Anita has begun to scratch this surface. Keep scratching, owners will spread the horses if there is incentive.

For Lookin At Lee, a win. The three-year-old colt earned $753,000 without winning a race in 2017.

For Mended and Chantchaco, a showdown. Each horse won 10 races in 2017, the most wins by any horse. Mended went 10-for-11, bouncing from Golden Gate to Gulfstream. Cantchaco beat a different path, winning his 10 races at outposts like Rillito, Sun Downs, Lethbridge, Crooked River, Great Falls and Tillamook Fair. I would need a map to find those spots where the Oregon-bred thrived.

For the sport, another Robert Courtney Sr. The scion of Crestfield Farm died in Nov. He was 96. Courtney was a pillar of humor, integrity and mentorship throughout his storied life.

For the sport, another Penny Chenery. See above.

For Pink Loyd, a maple leaf tattoo on his shoulder. The Canadian-bred ripped through eight-for-eight at Woodbine.

For Tom Queally, another Frankel. Okay, he’ll settle for a secure spot in the jockey colony at Golden Gate Fields in northern California. The Irish-born jockey has won four races so far.

ROCKED

For Jose and Irad Ortiz, no change. The brothers have rocked the New York jockey colony, combining to win 568 races and nearly $50 million this year. They’re fearless, gracious and only getting started.

A new career for Card Spun, who was winless in 28 starts in 2017. Yes, 0-for-28. Somebody find him a new gig.

For jockey Tyler Gaffalione, a map of New York. Young and talented, he’s about to bully his way into the star-studded New York jockey colony.

For Rick Violette, a good book. The veteran trainer stepped down from his helm at president of the New York Thoroughbred Horseman’s Association, a position he tirelessly and relentlessly held for decades. Love him or hate him, he’s been the definition of dedication to a cause.

For Steve and Weston Hamilton, two benches in the Maryland jocks’ room. Last year, Steve returned to riding races after a 10-year hiatus. Part of the reason he stopped riding was to raise his two sons. Well, he raised them right, as 19-year-old Weston won his first two races as a jockey on December 11th.

For Kathleen Marie Vargas, a win. The Ohio-based jockey went 0-for-87 this year.

For Oaklawn Park, another Charles J. Cella. Although anybody who knew Cella knows that it’s an impossible task. The longtime president of the Oaklawn Jockey Club died on December 6th. An innovator, a legend, Cella will be sorely missed.

For Francisco Torres, a good book. The 48-year-old veteran retired on December 9th. The quintessential journeyman, who has come back from breaking his neck four times, walks away with 3,194 career victories and walks into a career as a jock’s agent. He deserves a good rider.

For Toast Of New York, a passport to avenge his Breeders’ Cup Classic near miss in the 2018 Pegasus.

For Jeff Runco, a big horse. The West Virginia-based trainer earned his 4,000th career win in December. The former jockey has plied his trade like a highwayman, filling holes day in day out.

For Songbird, Tepin, Lady Eli and Stellar Wind, emulation. We said goodbye to the four this year (although, Stellar Wind might go for the Pegasus), here’s hoping they can produce anything close to their greatness.

For Gun Runner, a proper sendoff. This year’s best horse will run once more before retiring to Three Chimneys Farm. The four-year-old is aiming to cap his career in the Pegasus World Cup on January 28th. Once more, with feeling…

For the comrades who are struggling, a lifeline, a helping hand. This year, the sport lost jockey Garrett Gomez, a good man who had slipped back into addiction. Mike Smith wrote GOGO inside his boots for the Breeders’ Cup, a tribute to his friend who faded away. May we look out for one another before it’s too late.