The good news keeps rolling in for New York.

With the construction process on the long-awaited VLTs at Aqueduct underway, the industry is continuing to show renewed faith in New York racing and breeding. Following last month's big news that Adena Springs was moving five stallions, including Belmont winner Touch Gold and Classic winner Alphabet Soup, to McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, Vinery Limited is the next major breeder on the bandwagon. The farm announced last week that it will take over Empire Stud in Hudson, re-naming the facility Vinery North. Jamie LaMonica, president of Empire Stud, will continue on at the facility under the new management.

"We're excited about this expansion," the farm's president, Tom Ludt, said in a statement. "Vinery stallions Posse and Repent were relocated to New York, and they have been very well-received by the New York breeders. We have seen benefits from operating in a regional market, and with casinos boosting the New York program, we think that there will be a lucrative market for New York-breds."

The official Vinery New York stud roster for 2011 hasn't been released yet, but it is beginning to take shape. Justenuffhumor, winner of the Fourstardave and Bernard Baruch at Saratoga in 2009 before finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Mile, will stand his first season there next spring. In addition to his sold race record, Justenuffhumor sports an outstanding pedigree, as he is a half-sibling to champion filly Dreaming Of Anna and Grade II winner Lewis Michael.

Vinery then announced on Monday that Purge, a top-10 second-crop sire, will move from its main Kentucky farm into New York. Purge, winner of the Grade I Cigar Mile and Grade II Jim Dandy and Peter Pan, has sired five stakes runners, including Venezuelan Group I winner Dixie Emperor.

Empire Stud stood six stallions in 2010. In addition to Posse and Repent, the farm currently houses Frost Giant, Midas Eyes, Silver Wagon and Mayby's Boy.

Ludt also said last week that a number of Vinery's mares will be sent to New York to foal and be re-bred there, making their foals eligible for the rich New York-bred incentive program.

While the recent announcements by Adena and Vinery are great for the long-term health of the state, there's been plenty of reason to celebrate in the here and now, as well. The New York-bred A Shin Forward broke the stakes record while capturing his first Grade I in the $2.3 Mile Championship in Japan on Sunday.

Sent off as the 13th betting choice in the field of 18, the son of Forest Wildcat held off favored Danon Yoyo and two other rivals in a wild finish. He stopped the clock in 1:31.8 for the 1,600 meter event, topping Hat Trick's previous stakes mark of 1:32.1 set in 2005.