Horse Racing: Horse racing (through 2021)

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Cumberland Raceway Meet Day 6 commences @ 4:15

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Well the 4th race was another splendid finish. Too bad the 12 couldn't get up at 6-to-1 but a $38.50 exacta is a handsome payout for an 8-to-5 winner. Fun race.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Luzzi wires them 24-1.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

I think I'm rooting for anyone other than Midina Spirit today. I don't want to see a cheater get yet another triple crown.

 

[SJSharksfan39]

Yay Rombauer. He just came like a rocket down the stretch.

 

[c9777666]

Yay Roumbour. He just came like a rocket down the stretch.

Correction- Rombauer

 

[c9777666]

I think I'm rooting for anyone other than Midina Spirit today. I don't want to see a cheater get yet another triple crown.

Plus we already got 2 triple crowns in recent years. After American Pharoah, Justify was a bonus.

2 triple crowns after a lifetime of close calls................ we're good

 

[GKJ]

They were never going to let Medina spirit get away again especially under the circumstance

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

I am guessing $60 million was bet on that race.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Turns out over $112 million was bet on the entire card today which set a Preakness record. Indications that something special was unfolding came early with the betting pools per race. The prior mark of $99 million was obliterated. Another positive day for the sport's betting interests. The racing industry should be proud of what happened in Maryland this weekend. The weather was wonderful. Pimlico handled itself with much class and pizzazz. The Stronach Group did a great broadcast through simulcast even sending its Gulfstream team of Ron Nicoletti and Acacia Courtney track side. Also Dave Rodman is arguably the best track caller in North America.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, May 15, 2021

• Chad Brown had a tough day sending out 10 horses and hitting the board with only a third place finish. That is unexpected from his barn on a big days.
• California Dreaming: Another Triple Crown race with the winner showing roots in California racing. That said, if Known Agenda runs in the Belmont, he would be my pick.

Belmont (New York):

• Christophe Clement trained three more winners on turf. He entered five races today. The man is a turf specialist. A very consistent trainer. He is tied with Chad Brown for meet lead in training wins.
• Race 2: Mike Luzzi was victorious and ended the day 1-for-35 at the meet.
• Races 3 and 4: Kendrick Carmouche-Rob Atras teamed for consecutive wins.

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Handle: $112 million bet on the 14 races set a Preakness Day card record. The prior record was $99 million.
• Card: 14 races, 10 of the purses $100,000+, the first post was 10:30 a.m. ET.
• Ortiz Brothers: The duo combined for five wins with Jose leading the way with three victories. They had just one win total on Friday.
• Race 1: The King Cheek (Jaime Rodriguez/Jamie Ness) won a nip-and-tuck battle in the $100,000 Sir Barton Stakes over Hozier (Joel Rosario/Bob Baffert) in an entertaining opener.

• Race 3: Mighty Mischief (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen) won the $200,000 Grade 3 Chick Lang Stakes.
• Race 6: Mean Mary (Luis Saez/Graham Motion) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes. She is 10 6-2-0 lifetime and was out for the first time since Breeders' Cup weekend in November.
• Race 11: Special Reserve (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Michael Maker) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Maryland Sprint Match Series.

​

• Race 12: Somelikeithotbrown (Jose Ortiz/Michael Maker) won the $250,000 Grade 2 Dinner Party Stakes.

​

• Race 13: Rombauer (Flavien Prat/Michael McCarthy) won the 146th edition of the $1,000,000 Grade I Preakness Stakes at 11-to-1. Prat won a Triple Crown race for the second time (Country House, Kentucky Derby). McCarthy won a Triple Crown race for the first time. The former assistant to Todd Pletcher won a Breeders' Cup race (2018) and the Pegasus World Cup (2019) with City of Light. The winning colt is a homebred son to Twirling Candy and is owned by John and Diane Fradkin who own just two mares. It was their first starter ever in a Triple Crown race. The colt is 7 3-1-1 lifetime and among his wins was the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February which is a Kentucky Derby prep but can be overlooked due to being run on synthetic surface. This was the colt's first win on dirt and as later reported that feat has not happened for a Preakness winner since 1888. He had a history of getting in trouble but not today.

• Race 14: PADDY'S DAY (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Ramon Aguayo) won the Grade I $100,000 UAE Cup, a race limited to Arabians (hence the capital letters here and elsewhere such as racing forms). The winner was sent off the favorite in a field of 12. The 10-year-old Texas-bred won for the 30th time in 51 starts and is nearing a million dollars earned.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $9.8 million.
• Saffie Joseph trained three winners and finished 1-2-3 in a stakes. He ended the day 7 3-2-1 and won three of the four races he entered. He is the leading trainer at the meet with 23 wins, more than double any of his challengers.
• Race 10: Pacific Princess (Chantal Sutherland/Roger Laurin) won with a drive. Laurin is 2-for-6 in 2021. He is the 85-year-old son to Lucien Laurin who famously trained Secretariat. Roger was born in Quebec. He began training in 1952 in Rhode Island.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Race 11: Arklow (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the Grade 3 $150,000 Louisville Stakes in a deep field of 14.

Santa Anita (California):

• Umberto Rispoli rode three winners.
• Race 3: The Chosen Vron (Umberto Rispoli/Ian Kruljac) won the $100,000 Grade 3 Laz Barrera Stakes.
• Handle: $13.5 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Luzzi. Again

11-to-1 in the finale and he was dismounted one step after the wire.

They know where to go.


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Having a little fun with Mike Luzzi winning twice this weekend. Forever among my personal favorites and glad he is OK. Being dismounted is tough but obviously much depended on the outcome of a potential DQ, especially for someone holding a $141,000+ ticket. Gives new meaning to Money Mike.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, May 16, 2021

• Chad Brown recovered somewhat from a disappointing Saturday. He was 6 3-1-0 today and won three of the five races in which he entered. He won in NY and KY.
• Bob Baffert finished 7 0-2-2 this weekend with all seven starters running at either Pimlico or Santa Anita.

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: More than $8.5 million.
• Race 5: Molino (Manny Franco/Chad Brown), the lone first time starter in a field of five, won at 11-to-1. The 4-year-old son to Kitten's Joy out of an Empire Maker mare was a $180,000 purchase by billionaire Peter Brant.
• Race 9: Coragescontender (Mike Luzzi/Michael Miceli) won the finale at 11-to-1. Crazy things can happen in New York finales but this was something different. The winner was a distant seventh at the 1/2 mile and third in the stretch but powered home from the outside. The rider was dismounted just after the finish and an inquiry was held to determine fate. But alas, the racing gods were on the rider's side as he was unscathed from injury and avoided a potential DQ since he held on until after the horse crossed the line. The $1 Pick 6 was nailed for $141,182.50. Someone owes Luzzi a debt of thanks.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $7.3 million.

Santa Anita (California):

• Mandatory Pick 6 payout: A final total of $5,171,437 after $4,623,265 was added today.
• Michael McCarthy, who won yesterday's Preakness Stakes, sent out two horses and both won.
• Jessica Pyfer won four times including twice for trainer Michael McCarthy. She maintains her bug status.

​

• Race 6: Mr. Impossible (Umberto Rispoli/Simon Callaghan) won the maiden special weight (race) in which two Bob Baffert runners finished third and fourth. American Admiral, ridden by Flavien Prat, debuted to a third place finish.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

New York put the hammer on Linda Rice. Three years suspended and $50,000 in part for receiving advance notices on races.

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Trainer Rice's License Suspended at Least Three Years - BloodHorse

State regulators in New York revoked the license of Thoroughbred trainer Linda Rice for her role in what officials say was a "corrupt" scheme to gain an edge with her horses by obtaining the names of entries in races before the cards became final.

The New York State Gaming Commission also fined Rice $50,000 and said she cannot re-apply for a license for three years.​

 

[Taro Tsujimoto]

NYRA has also suspended Baffert from entering horses in races at any of their tracks, so he and his horses won't be at the Belmont as is currently stands: NYRA suspends Bob Baffert

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

NYRA has also suspended Baffert from entering horses in races at any of their tracks, so he and his horses won't be at the Belmont as is currently stands: NYRA suspends Bob Baffert

Baffert doesn't ship much to New York and I mentioned yesterday to someone that I doubt he would send a runner to Belmont for the Stakes. He was a combined 4-for-8 in 2018 + 2019 at Saratoga upon cursory research. The filly will get much attention and certainly the local connections in that race.

Baffert Handed Temporary Suspension From NYRA Tracks - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

NYRA expects to make a final determination regarding the length and terms of Mr. Baffert's suspension based on information revealed during the course of the ongoing investigation in Kentucky, such as the post-Kentucky Derby test results of Medina Spirit.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Boom! $1.5 million for a Quality Road colt. Owners: WEST POINT THOROUGHBREDS.

Plenty of top trainers are associated with the outfit including Todd Pletcher, Shug McGaughey, John Shirreffs, Christophe Clement, Mark Casse and Steve Asmussen.

What a week for Maryland.

 

[GKJ]

This, of course, doesn't really mean anything

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TV ratings up 29% from 2019, the most recent comparable date. More than 8.6 million viewers. Preakness Stakes was very successful and highlighted a highly competitive and exciting weekend at Pimlico.

Baltimore led the way followed by Ft. Myers, Louisville and West Palm Beach.

Simulcast facilities were loaded this weekend, too. Support them AND the local track.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Cumberland Raceway meet day 8 commences at 4:15

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Malathaat, who won the Kentucky Oaks and was under consideration as the rare filly to run 1 1/2 miles in the Belmont Stakes, will instead be on the following hopeful schedule:

CCA Oaks at Saratoga
The Alabama at Saratoga
The Breeders' Cup at Del Mar.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sports betting to Laurel and Pimlico. I haven't read the language but that could enhance purses.
--------

Here is part of the language. I don't follow team sports (other than hockey) much anymore but I'll wait to see how the racing industry is affected by this approval.

Gov. Larry Hogan Signs Maryland Sports Betting Law - GamingToday.com

The sports betting legislation signed by Hogan looks a lot different from the bill considered by state lawmakers in early April that would have allowed unlimited sports betting licenses — a sweetener added to the bill to appease dozens of OTBs wanting to capitalize on legalization.
Expanded licenses for OTBs were worked into the legislation in the 2021 legislative session’s final hours when lawmakers approved about 30 Class B retail licenses for smaller OTBs, bars and restaurants, and amusement halls.

Those licenses are divided into two groups: B-2 licenses will go to applicants who have fewer than 25 full time workers or less than $3 million in annual gross receipts. B-1 licenses will be given to applicants who aren’t eligible for B-2 licenses.

The most expensive licenses under the new law — available for a fee of $2 million each — are Class A-1 licenses reserved for the state’s professional sports teams including the Baltimore Ravens, Washington Football Team, and The Baltimore Orioles. Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course will also get a license, as will the state’s large casinos. Class A-2 licenses will go to smaller tracks and smaller casinos.

Both Class A and B licensees will be able to also apply for mobile licenses. There will be up to 60 of those available.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The 2-year-olds in training sale in Maryland completed today. The two-day totals included 357 head sold for over $33 million. That was $10 million more than the 2020 mark (303 sold).

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Though the race isn't until June 5, this is how Bovada has set odds to win the Belmont Stakes:

3-1 Essential Quality
4-1 Rombauer
9-2 Hot Rod Charlie
5-1 Midnight Bourbon
5-1 Rock Your World
10-1 Known Agenda
12-1 Rebel’s Romance
16-1 Keepmeinmind
16-1 Promise Keeper
16-1 Weyburn
20-1 Brooklyn Strong
25-1 France Go de Ina