New York’s new casino has been the catalyst for major developments for the State’s racing and breeding industries.

The NYRA will boost prizemoney for Aqueduct’s upcoming winter season by $8.60 million.  And major stud farms Vinery and WinStar have formed a joint venture to transfer emerging young sire Bluegrass Cat from Kentucky to New York.

The imminent opening of Genting Resorts New York Casino at Aqueduct will attract more top owners, trainers and horses to Aqueduct, Belmont Park and Saratoga.  The average prizemoney will increase $100,000 per day to approximately $375,000.  Staying races will have larger purses than sprints.

“We’re ready to make a big splash in New York,” WinStar president Elliott Walden said.  “It’s a market we’ve looked at with great interest because of the unlimited potential.  Going into New York with a top-calibre stallion like Bluegrass Cat fits the bill for us.

“And we’re looking forward to continued success with Vinery.  WinStar plans on breeding as many mares to Bluegrass Cat in New York as we did in Kentucky.”

Bluegrass Cat will join Frost Giant, Justenuffhumor, Posse and Friendly Island at Vinery’s Sugar Maple Farm in Poughquag.

Bluegrass Cat (8h Storm Cat – She’s A Winner by A.P. Indy) was a G1 winner of the 2006 Haskell Invitational and is currently a Top 5 stallion on the USA second-season sires’ premiership.

She’s A Winner is a sister to the dam of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver who shuttles from WinStar to Eliza Park.

“We identified Bluegrass Cat as a top stallion and approached WinStar with the idea of a partnership,” Vinery president Tom Ludt said.  “We want to give New York breeders another reason to stay home and also have the type of stallion that Kentucky breeders will follow.”

Vinery’s Kentucky headquarters shuttles Champion sires More Than Ready and Congrats along with Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown to its Australian base in the Hunter Valley.