Horse Racing: Horse racing (through 2021)

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thistledown in Ohio will operate a 100-day meet from April 26-October 14.

The Ohio Derby will be run June 26 with a $500,000 purse.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, April 16, 2021

• Wesley Ward is 33% this year. He is 44% with 2-year-olds. He will take some of the babies to England this year as in the past.
• Pop the bubbly: Riders at Tampa Bay and Oaklawn broke their maidens within approximately 15 minutes of each other.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Conditions: Off the turf. A muddy day with ugly weather in New York.
  
• Affects: High prices throughout the day. $1 Pick 3 paid $500+ in five of the six betting opportunities.
• Race 1: Half the field of 14 was scratched. The top two finished 10-to-1 and 9-to-1 and each was a substitute rider.
• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $44,000.
• Race 6: The $1 Pick 3 paid $1,331.
• Race 7: A photo finish, one of the thrillers of the afternoon.
• Race 8: The only favorite to win on the 8-race card. The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $44,000.
• Handle: $4.3 million.
• Off his mounts: Irad Ortiz, Jr. was off his mounts as he was in the midst of transporting for weekend races elsewhere.

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 6: Native Hawk (Nicolas Arriagada/Juan Arriagada) gave the rider his first win in his second outing. The jockey rode for his very proud father who is the trainer.

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Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $6.3 million.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Race 9: Bonny South (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the $100,000 Grade 3 Doubledogdare Stakes in a 3-way photo finish.

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Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 3: Time Heist (Lindsey Hebert/Ronald Westermann) gave the rider her first lifetime win in her 12th lifetime race. The victory came less than 15 minutes after another first-time winner rode at Tampa Bay.
• Race 7: Blame J D (Ramon Vazquez/Aidan Green) won the $150,000 Rainbow Stakes. The trainer, winless in her first year of training in 2020, is having a breakout campaign hovering near 25% this year. She is from Canada. It was her first stakes win.

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• Race 9: Hillary G (David Cabrera/Thomas Vance) won the $150,000 Rainbow Miss Stakes.
• Handle: $6.4 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A multi-million mandatory payout jackpot at Gulfstream is expected for Saturday. Deep fields should ignite the pools.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The early indication for Laurel's issues with the dirt course is rough winter weather. Track personnel feel confident that proper maintenance will be conducted and the summer meet will operate as expected. That is likely to begin early June. For now, Pimlico commences April 22 and runs through the end of May.

 

[bukwas]

Looking forward to the Apple Blossom. While it's looking like a showdown between Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver i'm having a hard time leaving Letruska out of the mix.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Looking forward to the Apple Blossom. While it's looking like a showdown between Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver i'm having a hard time leaving Letruska out of the mix.

While the racing world was fixated on the big two, the wise guys among us said not to overlook Letruska. And the way she battled. The girls put on a show. Could be the race of the year in 2021 to date.

How about that ride? Irad Ortiz, Jr. is in a zone that few have experienced.

How about that race call?

This was my preview about the race, a few posts prior and a fun race it was.

What: Grade 1.Swiss Skydiver and Monomoy Girl will square off in a dream matchup but there is talent elsewhere especially Letruska. Should be a fun race.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Aqueduct (New York):

• Closing day: Tomorrow (Sunday) ends the brief meet and then onto Belmont Park. The 48-day spring/summer meet, which is highlighted by the 153rd running of the Belmont Stakes in June, runs April 22 through July 11.
• Jose Ortiz looks to be the leading rider with a 21-16 lead over his brother Irad.
• Chad Brown (8 wins) and Todd Pletcher (6 wins) are 1-2 in the trainers' standings.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Rainbow Six: Over $3.6 million was added to the jackpot which touched $5 million in total.
• Handle: $13.7 million.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Luis Saez was 9 4-3-1. A superb meet continues as he is 76 (26-13-16) with marks of 34%/72%. At Keeneland!
• Race 9: Say the Word (Luis Saez/Phil D'Amato) won the Grade 2 $200,000 Elkhorn Stakes. The 6-year-old Ontario-bred won for the 6th time in 29 starts and the first time under the direction of D'Amato who got the horse from the stable of Canadian Gail Cox.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle: Approximately $13.5 million.
• Race 11: Letruska (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Fausto Gutierrez) was the third choice of a 1-2 punch that included Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver but in the stretch battle that will be remembered forever earned victory in the $1,000,000 Grade 1 Apple Blossom Handicap. Letruska, a five-year-old daughter to Super Saver, is 18 13-1-1 lifetime. Monomoy Girl is 17 14-3-0 lifetime with one of her three losses a DQ and as such trailed a horse at the wire for just the second time in her life.

​

​

• Race 9: Silver State (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen) won the Grade 2 $1,000,000 Oaklawn Handicap at 9-to-2 and won for a fifth straight time. The 4-year-old Hard Spun colt is 10 6-2-1 lifetime but a perfect 3 3-0-0 at Oaklawn.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: $10.1 million.
• Race 8: Royal Ship (Mike Smith/Richard Mandella) won the $200,000 Grade 2 Californian Stakes.
• Bob Baffert was 4 0-1-1 today. A day he'd like to forget.
• Flavien Prat was 7 0-3-2. another forgettable day. He has hit the board with 13 of his past 15 mounts.
• Victor Espinoza won with both his mounts. He last rode March 19 and had tended to family matters in Mexico.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

More on the Apple Blossom:

Brad Cox is the reigning North America Trainer of the Year. This was among his post-race comments regarding Monomoy Girl:

"She ran hard. It was a tough beat. I was surprised Letruska came back at her and you start wondering why," said Monomoy Girl's trainer, Brad Cox. "I won't cry about it. But if you look at it, she had a significant amount of ground loss, and while she was beaten by a better filly today, she gave (Letruska) six pounds (124-118). And, hey, she's 6. I don't want to say she's lost a step at 6 but even if you lose a half-step, in a grade 1 race that's tough to overcome. I was surprised it was Letruska who beat us. "

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Wesley Ward is 9 4-3-1 (44%) with 2-year-olds in 2021. He debuts two today in the same race (#4 at Keeneland) one of whom -- Overbore -- is a $275,000 Speightstown colt owned by Peter Leidel who is not someone with an extensive racing past. Ron Anderson's two clients Joel Rosario and John Velazquez ride for Ward in this race, Rosario on the aforementioned.

The race will be one of the main focuses of the race day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The side of the business I don't like. Connections of Rock Your World have opted for Joel Rosario to ride in the Kentucky Derby and not Umberto Rispoli. Understandable as Rosario is among the top five, maybe top three, riders in the country but more evidence that loyalty takes a holiday in the big races.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, April 18, 2021

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 7: The Ortiz brothers hooked up in a spirited battle -- at 5-to-1 and 10-to-1 -- in a field of six with Jose beating Irad.
• Riders' title: Jose Ortiz won the meet with 24 wins. Irad Ortiz, Jr. had 47%/75% numbers at the meet but his travels elsewhere restricted his win total. still, the Ortiz brothers do what they do best: win.

​

• Trainers' title: Chad Brown won the meet with 10 wins.
• Belmont: Opening day is April 22.
• Handle: $6.9 million.

Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):

• Handle: $4 million.

Gulfstream Park (Florida):

• Handle: $8.6 million.
• Paco Lopez hit the board with all eight mounts. He finished 8 3-4-1.
• Edgard Zayas rode three winners.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Race 4: Baytown Frosty (Albin Jimenez/Paul McEntee) won the MSW race in which Overborn (Joel Rosario/Wesley Ward) -- a $275,000 purchase -- finished third in a debut run. The upset winner at 11-to-1 was a $4,500 purchase.
• Wesley Ward's staggering 2021 numbers took a hit with an 0-for-5 afternoon.
• Barbara Riley had her first winner of 2021. She began training in 1994 a year she also entered horses at Kentucky Downs when it was known as Dueling Grounds Race Course.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle: $5.5 million.
• Ricardo Santana, Jr. won four times. He has 63 wins at the meet, 16 more than his closest challenger.
• Steve Asmussen added two wins to his lifetime total which stands at 9,258. He is 157 shy of Dale Baird's all-time record in North America.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Over $10 million.
• Flavien Prat had a 4-win day including both graded stakes. He went 20 7-5-4 the past three racing days.
• Race 2: Curvette (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) was the lone first timer in the race and she won her debut. The 3-year-old daughter to Curlin was bought for only $95,000. Reem (Abel Cedillo/Bob Baffert) placed. She was a $400,000 purchase in 2019 but has yet to win in five races.
• Race 3: Tizamagician (Flavien Prat/Richard Mandella) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Tokyo City Cup Stakes. The 4-year-old son to Tiznow won a graded stakes for the first time, fifth try, in his 16th lifetime race.

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• Race 5: Flavien Prat won for a third time. He later added a fourth victory.
• Race 6: Jessica Pyfer won for a second time.
• Race 8: Cezanne (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Kona Gold Stakes by more than 9 lengths. The Curlin colt was purchased for $3.65 million in 2019 and is 4 3-0-0 lifetime. He was out last in August. Owned by Irish-based powerhouse Magnier, Tabor and Smith and also Vinny Viola's St. Elias Stables (Florida Panthers' owner). Any health issues aside, the horse is destined for bigger graded stakes.

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• Race 9: Someone owes Kent Desormeaux a diet Pepsi. His 14-to-1 bomber delivered a $423,202.75 Pick 6 ticket purchased for $64.80 at Los Alamitos. The $.50 Pick 5 paid $33,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Meet openers this month:

• Arlington Park (IL): 4/30/2021-9/25/2021
• Belmont Park (NY): 4/22/2021-7/11/2021
• Churchill Downs (KY): 4/24/2021-6/26/2021
• Evangeline Downs (LA): 4/28/2021-9/18/2021
• Finger Lakes Racetrack (NY): 4/26/2021-11/24/2021
• Fanduel Sportsbook and Horse Racing (IL) [ex-Fairmount Park]: 4/27/2021-9/6/2021
• Lone Star Park (TX): 4/22/2021-7/11/2021
• Mountaineer Park (WV): 4/25/2021-12/1/2021
• Pimlico Race Course (MD): 4/22/2021-5/31/2021
• Prairie Meadows (IA): 4/30/2021-9/25/2021
• Sunray Park (NM): 4/23/2021-5/30/2021
• Thistledown (OH): 4/26/2021-10/14/2021

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The side of the business I don't like. Connections of Rock Your World have opted for Joel Rosario to ride in the Kentucky Derby and not Umberto Rispoli. Understandable as Rosario is among the top five, maybe top three, riders in the country but more evidence that loyalty takes a holiday in the big races.

John Sadler faced the music. It is an unsavory side of the business. Umberto Rispoli has overcome much in his short time in America. I have not seen any comments from him but it is unfortunate. There are plenty of these stories in racing history. Joel Rosario removed from Forever Unbridled at the Breeders' Cup for John Velazquez. Riders, too, have given up mounts when having choices. But plenty of us were pulling for Rispoli and that adds to the resentment.

‘These Are Agonizing Decisions’: Sadler Explains Switch From Rispoli To Rosario On Rock Your World - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

“Let's be very clear here, I was rooting for (Bob Baffert's) Concert Tour to win the Arkansas Derby (G1 on April 10) and (then) this is all a non-conversation,” said Sadler. “We decided to wait until after the Concert Tour race to see what was gonna happen and nobody could've predicted that (a disappointing third-place finish), really. I mean, he was one to five or whatever and then he didn't run on.

“So, when Joel came available. … You know, these are agonizing decisions and not easy. I want to be very clear, I think the world of Rispoli and I think the world of his riding. He's a terrific rider on our circuit and he's been a great addition to California and will continue to be. But, I had to make a call and this is the call I made. … History will tell whether I'm right or wrong. Things could go bad, you know, overnight in this game, but this is the decision we made for this race, so you know, we have to live with it and go forward.​

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Marc Reynolds named initial Race Secretary for First Tracks Cumberland....

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Tyler Gaffalione picks up the mount of Soup and Sandwich in the Kentucky Derby for Mark Casse. The colt had been ridden by John Velazquez who likely takes Medina Spirit for Bob Baffert.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

First Tracks Cumberland announces 1st 2 Saturdays of May (5/1 and 8) will be qualifying heats for the upcoming 2021 season, Sec. Marc Reynolds announces that the expansion of the site's page will reflect the changes as they are announced in accordance with USTA Rules/Regulations

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Caddo River's connections were on the fence regarding entry into the Kentucky Derby but all systems are go. No jockey yet named though Florent Geroux is a safe bet to be highly considered. Brad Cox trains and he also has an unnamed rider on Mandaloun for different owners.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

November 5-6 at Del Mar, $31,000,000 in purse money that weekend.

The first North America race appears to be at Santa Anita on May 31. The last race is October 10 at Belmont.

The Breeders’ Cup Challenge | Breeders' Cup

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Aqueduct handled over $85 million during its 11-day Spring meet. That is up 2.2% from 2019. The meet was canceled in 2020.

Daily handle was up 11.5% (one less day in 2021 than 2019)

Another track reporting positive numbers.

 

[GKJ]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Ocala (FL) sales

SPRING SALE OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN TRAINING: April 20 – 23, 2021​

• Day 1 Totals: 181 horses sold from 225 offered for $17,829,500,
  • Biggest Purchase on Day 1: The top seller was a son to Gun Runner at $850,000.
  • Second Biggest Purchase on Day 2: A Quality Road son was purchased for $1.5 million. Speedway Stable owners, same outfit who owned multiple graded stakes winner Collected.
• Day 2 Totals: 181 horses brought a total of $21,056,500 (158 sold for $15,990,000 in 2020).
  • Biggest Purchase on Day 2: A daughter to Arrogate was sold for $1 million.
• Day 3 Totals: 155 horses sold for $14.4 million.
  • Biggest Purchase on Day 3: A daughter to Curlin for $670,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

First Tracks Cumberland announces 1st 2 Saturdays of May (5/1 and 8) will be qualifying heats for the upcoming 2021 season, Sec. Marc Reynolds announces that the expansion of the site's page will reflect the changes as they are announced in accordance with USTA Rules/Regulations

Is there a simulcast facility on the property?

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Is there a simulcast facility on the property?

there probably will be but that's still under construction as is everything as they're just now getting everything going.... whether or not the simulcast will be actively used there as compared to the Downs OTB BY Kentucky Derby day on 5/1 since it's the opening qualifier day is not known yet.... Maine Health essentially owns the grandstand there at what used to be Scarborough Downs... what isn't known is how long the OTB Lease piece of that goes for as that is still active as well.as I've said they are still an active page...

there really hasn't been a lot of buzz media wise yet either which I suspect may be coming as well as FTC ramps up its full presence there.... YET.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Scott Erhlich will be on the mike starting 5/1/21 as he's been hired as the race caller/handicapper specialist for FTC.....

Erhlich also has been a part of the Tack shop at Cal Expo for the last 5 seasons.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, April 22, 2021

• Wesley Ward is nine wins shy of 2,000 training wins in his career in North America.
• Steve Asmussen has 9,290 training wins. He is 155 wins away from the North American record held by Dale Baird with 9,445.

Belmont (New York):

• Opening day: The meet continues through July 11 then Saratoga takes control.
• Handle: $6.5 million.
• Simulcast feed: There appeared to be minor changes to the visuals from Belmont's most recent meet. Perhaps a darker background and an elevated odds board. All-in-all a good scheme.

​

• Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose Ortiz and Junior Alvarado each won twice.
• Chad Brown and Bill Mott both trained two winners.
• Race 8 spill: All equine athletes are fine. Jockeys among the injured are Pablo Fragoso and Junior Alvarado. UPDATE: Fragoso suffered a broken arm. Alvarado seems fortunate to escape with what initial reports are equated to minor bumps; apparently, he was released from the hospital.

​

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Opening day: The meet continues through May 31 then Laurel takes control.
• Handle: $2.97 million which is the second highest figure in Maryland this year.
• Sheldon Russell and Xavier Perez rode two winners.
• John Robb, Claudio Gonzalez and Brittany Russell each trained two winners.
• Xavier Perez-John Robb, long a tandem, won twice.
• Sheldon Russell-Brittany Russell teamed twice and both won. It has become an exceptional story, the success of these two youngsters.

Gulfstream Park (Florida):

• Handle: $4.5 million.

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Rafael Bejarano-Victoria Oliver paired twice today and both horses won. Oliver entered today 3-for-46 in 2021. The jockey-trainer will probably for a connection in the Kentucky Derby.
• Wesley Ward sent out three 2-year-olds in two races. He was victorious in both races. He is a staggering 13 6-3-2 (46%) with 2-year-olds in 2021 and in-the-money (top three) 85%. Perhaps even more impressive, he is 34 13-4-4 (38%) with first-timers. He is 24% lifetime with 2-year-olds.
• Luis Saez is 30% at the meet with 27 wins. He should win the riders' title unless something unexpected happens.
• Wesley Ward, Todd Pletcher, Brad Cox and Ben Colebrook are among the trainers having exceptional meets.
• Race 1: Ruthin (Joel Rosario/Wesley Ward) broke her maiden in her debut at 3-to-5. She was bred in Great Britain and bought there for the U.S. equivalent of $475,000.
• Race 3: Golden Bell (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward) broke her maiden in her debut at 4-to-5. She was purchased for $50,000.
• Closing day: Keeneland's Spring meet closes Friday (April 23) and Churchill Downs takes the reins on Saturday night.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Joel Rosario won three times.
• Race 9: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $36,000.
• Handle: $3 million.

Lone Star (Texas):

• Opening Day: Today began the meet which ends July 11.