Horse Racing: Horse racing (through 2021)

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

• Reminder: Thursday is a light day of racing across North America. Many tracks will run on Monday's Memorial Day holiday instead.

Canterbury (Minnesota):

• Robertino Diodoro had an exceptional day with four training wins. He finished 6 4-2-0. He is 6-4-2 with his past 12 starters (multiple tracks). The Canadian-born trainer is 10 5-2-2 (50%/90%) at this meet.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Broadcast schedule for America's Day at the Races (all times Eastern):

Thursday, May 27

FS2: 5 – 8:30 p.m. -- Heavy focus on Churchill Downs. Belmont does not operate.​

Friday, May 28

FS2: 12:30 – 5:30 p.m. -- Heavy focus on Churchill Downs and Belmont​

Saturday, May 29

FS2: 12:30 – 6 p.m. -- Heavy focus on Belmont​

Sunday, May 30

Bally Sports SoCal: 3 – 5:30 p.m. -- Santa Anita
FS2: 4 – 4:30 p.m. -- Belmont​

Monday, May 31

FS2: 12:30- 8:30 p.m. -- Belmont and Santa Anita among possible options.​

Tuesday, June 1

FS2: 11-11:30 a.m. [Draw for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets]

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​

Graded stakes (1, 2 or 3 rating):

• May 28, Friday: Penn National (3)
• May 29, Saturday: Belmont (2), Churchill (3, 3), Santa Anita (2, 2, 3)
• May 31, Monday: Lone Star (3)

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A boost for southern California racing later this year. The fields have been short at Santa Anita at the current meet, however a number of named trainers have said they will ship to Del Mar when the meet commences July 16 and lasts through September 6.

Among the named trainers who will ship include Mark Casse and Michael Maker with about 25 horses apiece. Additionally, Jimmy DiVito, William Morey, James Chapman and John Ortiz have applies for licenses.

Del Mar has another meet November 3 - 28.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, May 27, 2021

• All's Quiet: Most tracks were dark today including those in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, New York and California. Monday's holiday will be busy.
• Pimlico (MD): A Maryland state-record 20-cent Rainbow 6 jackpot carryover $708,857.82 for Friday's card.

Belterra (Ohio) + Thistledown (Ohio):

• Ohio tracks: With the schedule adjustments balanced heavily towards Monday's Memorial Day cards, the two tracks biggest running early this day were in Ohio. The tracks combined for about $3.5 million in handle.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Tyler Gaffalione rode three winners on board five mounts, his fifth straight race day with multiple victories. Gaffalione was named Jockey of the Week in North America this past week. He has won 11 of his past 24 rides.

Canterbury Stakes (Minnesota):

• Race 5: Best Kept Secret (Kelsi Harr/Robert Cline) won the $50,000 Minnesota H.B.P.A Distaff stakes. It was the young rider's first stakes win among the 59 in her career. She had an emotional reaction for the winning filly who is trained by her fiance.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Maine Legend Pacing Series to be shared between FTC/HRCB for July, 2021

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, May 28. 2021

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: $9.5 million.
• Luis Saez rode four winners.
• John Velazquez rode a winner in the opener then was off his remaining mounts in order to make it to Penn National for the bigger purses. In one of the two Belmont races in which he was replaced, Hector Diaz rode a 13-to-1 winner.
• Race 3: Happy Saver (Irad Ortiz. Jr./Todd Pletcher) won at insurmountable odds. The 4-year-old colt is a perfect 5 5-0-0 and entered off the Grade I Jockey Club Gold Cup in October.

https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1398341501659275266​

• Race 1: Painters N Poets (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward) debuted to a win. If there has been such a thing as a lock this year, this was the sure thing. Sent off at 4-to-5 with Ward's incredible numbers training 2-year-olds and first-time starters. The filly was purchased for $450,000. At last check, Ward is 45% winning with 2-year-olds in 2021 and 42% with first-time starters. The rider then left NY to ride later in the day in PA.

​

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• Opening day: Tonight's card was the opener for the meet.
• Race 5: It's a Gamble (Jose Baez/Kelly Breen) won the $100,000 Jersey Derby.
• Christian Navarro-Wayne Potts combined to go 3 2-0-1. The only non-winner finished third at 50-to-1.
• No whips: As discussed, jockeys are not permitted to use whips unless for safety purposes.

​

• Handle: $1.5 million.

Penn National (Pennsylvania):

• Weather: Raw, rainy and chilly. Turf racing was negated and changed the betting habits of many due to the various scratches.
• Race 3: Orbs Baby Girl (Junior Alvarado/Anthony Margotta) won the $100,000 Penn Oaks.
• Race 4: Gershwin (Joe Bravo/Michael Stidham) won the $300,000 Grade 3 Penn Mile. The King Cheek (Jaime Rodriguez/Jamie Ness) placed. They were the lone runners to have won on a wet track.

​

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Handle: $3.7 million. That is a strong number.
• Weather: Noticeably windy.
• Pick 5 Pool: Exceeded $759,000 which established another state record.
• Pick 6 Pool: The carryover into Saturday will be over $747,000+.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $4.4 million.
• Only in horse racing: The winning jockey in the race 2 was Chantal Sutherland born in Manitoba. The winning trainer was 84-year-old Quebec-born Roger Laurin, who earned his first U.S. win in Rhode Island in the early 1950s. The winner in the fourth race was Jose Morelos, a 20-year-old Panamanian who earned his first U.S. win in April.
• Welcome back: Fans were permitted on the grandstand apron for the first time in a year.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Just under $6 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Rain, sleet or snow, Mike Luzzi delivers. 13-1 for a Meadowlands trainer.... at Belmont!

Humor amid the dreariness.

Luis Saez comes in second at 3-to-5.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, May 29, 2021

Trainer Wesley Ward in 2021:

Starts	Wins	2nds	3rds	Win%	ITM%	Category
203	69	31	23	34%	61%	All Ages
39	18	7	4	46%	74%	2-year-olds
54	23	6	6	43%	65%	1st-timers

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: Over $10 million.
• Conditions: Sloppy and racing was removed from the turf.
• Race 1: Sense Shines (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward) debuted to a win. Does this sound familiar? It should. And nearly at 5-to-2 odds. Again, superlatives abound! Ward is 46%/74% with 2-year-olds in 2021 and almost equally astounding 43%/65% with first-time starters.
• Race 2: O Shea Can U See (Mike Luzzi/Daniel Laxmeter) won at 13-to-1. The trainer won for the fourth time with his 85th starter. He knew who to ride when needing a win. Money Mike!
• Race 3: First Captain (Jose Ortiz/Shug McGaughey) looks the part of a $1.5 million purchase, by West Point Thoroughbreds, and is now 2 2-0-0 lifetime. The 3-year-old Curlin colt wants to run. He fought back in the stretch and on a sloppy track. Good indications of something potentially special.

• Race 4: I am not sure the last time #16 won at Belmont but that happened in this race and at 3-to-5.
• Race 6: Wow Brown (Eric Cancel/Kathleen Babcock) won as the largest set of odds on the board at 28-to-1. The trainer conditions at Finger Lakes and this was her first win at a track other than her home base.
• Race 9: Sainthood (Joel Rosario/Todd Pletcher) won the Grade 3 $200,000 Pennine Ridge Stakes. The horse finished 11th in this year's Kentucky Derby.

​

• Race 10: Kerik (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Orlando Noda) won the finale at 15-to-1. Ortiz at 15-to-1 doesn't happen often. The horse's sire is Commissioner. Do the math.

Monmouth (New Jersey):

• Handle: $3 million.
• Conditions: Sloppy and racing was removed from the turf.
• Race 6: Bottle Rocket Man (Dylan Davis/Chad Brown) gave the jockey his first win in his first day of racing since returning from a broken collarbone suffered in March. The 3-year-old Into Mischief colt was purchased for $350,000 in part by billionaire Peter Brant. Favorites won six of the first seven races.
• Race 7: Brown Essence (Maikal Tunon/Joe Mazza) won at 35-to-1.

Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Conditions: Sloppy and racing was removed from the turf.
• Jaime Rodriguez won five times. He scored a natural hat trick and did so for three different trainers. When teamed with the formidable Jamie Ness, the pair finished 5 3-0-2.
• Race 1: Joe Bravo won the $300,000 Penn Mile last night and won the opener here today. The life of a rider.

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Conditions: Sloppy and racing was removed from the turf.
• Sunday's Pick 6 jackpot: Will start at $783,000+ which is a state record.
• Race 9: Maine (Abner Adorno/John Rodriguez) wired the field in the finale which broke the heart of an anxious holder of a certain ticket (aka the biggest in state history). The only horse with a chance to bring down the massive jackpot placed. Someone will certainly Remember the Maine.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 12: Hoity Toity (Wilmer Garcia/Peter Wasiluk, Jr.) ended the card as a 66-to-1 winner. The $135.00 stunner led to high payouts in various exotics including a $22,000+ $.50 Pick 4 but most importantly a $400,000.00 (the exact price) for the $.20 Pick 6.
• Emisael Jaramillo rode three straight winners as part of a 4-win day.
• Handle: $9.6 million.
• Conditions: Fast and firm with beautiful weather.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Card: An exceptional card. Two maiden special weight races at $100,000+ and seven stakes including a pair of graded. Part of an 11-race day.
• Florent Geroux-Brad Cox are expected to perform well. They are in the upper echelon of teamed connections. Today they went 6 2-1-2.
• Race 9: Fulsome (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes. The 3-year-old son to Into Mischief has won three straight and was out for the seventh time.
• Race 8: Gam's Mission (Adam Beschizza/Cherie DeVaux) won the Grade 3 $150,000 Regret Stakes. The filly was a little raw in just her fourth start. It was the trainer's first graded stakes win. She was formerly an assistant to Chad Brown.

• Race 6: Mighty Heart (James Graham/Josie Carroll) won the $150,000 Blame Stakes. The Ontario-bred won the first two legs of the 2020 Canadian Triple Crown. He paid $21.40. This may have been the finish of the day.

​

• Race 3: Beau Liam (Ricardo Santana, Jr./Steve Asmussen) won a brilliant debut performance. A $385,000 purchase. The fractions were awesome -- the opening fraction was 21.73 seconds -- and the result was a win by more than seven lengths. Powerful.

Arlington (Illinois):

• Jareth Loveberry rode three winners.
• Larry Rivelli, a.k.a. racing's Mr. Illinois, trained winners in the first three races.
• Oh and one more thing: Save this track! This venue is a treasure.
• Weather: Ideal unlike much of the mid-Atlantic.

Lone Star (Texas):

• Reylu Gutierrez rode four winners. He moved his tack from New York.

Golden Gate Fields (California):

• Handle: $2.9 million.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Slightly under $10 million.
• Juan Hernandez rode winners in two graded stakes.
• Race 2: Sharapova (Umberto Rispoli/Peter Eurton) broke her maiden in her third try. She was purchased for $130,000.
• Race 5: Bombard (Flavien Prat/Richard Mandella) wired the short field in winning the $100,000 Grade 3 Daytona Stakes. Long in the tooth at eight years of age but lightly raced with 18 starts, the gelding won a graded stakes for the first time.
• Race 7: Award Winner (Juan Hernandez/David Hofmans) won the $200,000 Grade 2 Charles Whittingham Stakes. He was the second longest shot on the board in a field of four and won a graded stakes for the first time. The trainer has been active for roughly 50 years.
• Race 8: Magic On Tap (Juan Hernandez/Bob Baffert) was the longest shot on the board and won the Grade 2 $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes. Baffert winning a California graded stakes as the longest odds is a rarity. He also had Eight Rings (Flavien Prat) sent off the favorite but the horse ran off the board.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

TVG and TVG2 schedules for Sunday and Monday:

SUNDAY

TVG
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
FR - Cavaillon	1 - 6	5:05 AM
ZA - Turffontein	1 - 8	6:45 AM
SE - Solvalla	1 - 12	7:00 AM
FR - ParisLongchamp	1 - 9	7:58 AM
IR - Navan	1 - 7	8:15 AM
Monmouth Park	1 - 11	12:15 PM
Pimlico	1 - 8	12:41 PM
Gulfstream Park	1 - 10	12:50 PM
Santa Anita	1 - 9	4:00 PM
Golden Gate Fields	1 - 9	4:20 PM
Lone Star	5 - 10	5:27 PM
Mountaineer	4 - 8	8:06 PM
Hawthorne	3 - 11	8:55 PM
Los Alamitos	1 - 12	9:05 PM
Hoosier Park	10 - 14	9:43 PM
Century Mile	4 - 7	9:45 PM
AUA - Port Macquarie	4 - 7	12:05 AM
TVG 2
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
Pimlico	1 - 3	12:41 PM
Churchill Downs	1 - 9	12:45 PM
Canterbury Park	1 - 8	2:10 PM
Remington Park	1 - 3; 8 - 12	2:30 PM
Lone Star	1 - 4	3:35 PM
Louisiana Downs	4 - 7	5:03 PM
Prairie Meadows	3 - 7	5:55 PM
Mountaineer	1 - 3	7:00 PM
Hoosier Park	3 - 4	7:16 PM
AUA - Port Macquarie	1 - 3	10:15 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

MONDAY

TVG
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
Monmouth Park	1 - 9	12:15 PM
Thistledown	1	12:25 PM
Pimlico	1 - 6	12:41 PM
Gulfstream Park	1 - 10	12:50 PM
Parx Racing	1 - 6	12:55 PM
Lone Star	1 - 11	3:20 PM
Santa Anita	1 - 9	4:00 PM
Golden Gate Fields	8 - 9	8:10 PM
Canterbury Park	6 - 10	8:45 PM
Mountaineer	6 - 8	8:50 PM
Hastings	3 - 7	8:56 PM
Assiniboia Downs	2 - 7	9:05 PM
Grants Pass	4 - 8	9:45 PM
AUA - Sapphire Coast	2 - 6	11:10 PM
AUB - Scone	2 - 6	11:25 PM
AUC - Rockhampton	2 - 5	11:32 PM
TVG 2
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
Pocono Downs	1 - 2	12:30 PM
Churchill Downs	1 - 9	12:45 PM
Thistledown	2	12:55 PM
Finger Lakes	1 - 6	1:10 PM
Delaware Park	1 - 5	1:15 PM
Parx Racing	7 - 11	3:37 PM
Pimlico	7 - 8	3:44 PM
Golden Gate Fields	1 - 7	4:20 PM
Louisiana Downs	4 - 7	5:03 PM
Canterbury Park	1 - 4	6:00 PM
Mountaineer	1 - 2	7:00 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

With the Belmont Stakes among the biggest races annually in North America, NYRA has constructed a large weekend of stakes. Here is a brief look, pre-entries, for New York this upcoming week. There are 15 graded stakes scheduled. Three races are Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In."

Thursday, Jun 03	Astoria		$150,000.00	F2YO	Dirt	5 1/2
Thursday, Jun 03	Intercontinental	III	$200,000.00	F&M 4&UP	Turf	7 Furlongs
Thursday, Jun 03	Wonder Again	III	$200,000.00	F3YO	Turf	1 1/8
Friday, Jun 04	Bed O' Roses	III	$300,000.00	F&M 4&UP	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Friday, Jun 04	Belmont Gold Cup	II	$400,000.00	4&UP	Turf	2 Miles
Friday, Jun 04	New York	II	$750,000.00	F&M 4&UP	Turf	1 1/4
Friday, Jun 04	Tremont		$150,000.00	2YO	Dirt	5 1/2
Friday, Jun 04	True North	II	$300,000.00	4&UP	Dirt	6 1/2 Furlongs
Saturday, Jun 05	Acorn	I	$500,000.00	F3YO	Dirt	1 Mile
Saturday, Jun 05	Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets	I	$1,500,000.00	3YO	Dirt	1 1/2
Saturday, Jun 05	Brooklyn Invitational Presented by Norwell Health	II	$400,000.00	4&UP	Dirt	1 1/2
Saturday, Jun 05	Hill ‘N’ Dale Metropolitan Handicap (BC)	I	$1,000,000.00	3&UP	Dirt	1 Mile
Saturday, Jun 05	Jackpocket Jaipur (BC)	I	$400,000.00	3&UP	Turf	6 Furlongs
Saturday, Jun 05	Longines Just a Game	I	$500,000.00	F&M 4&UP	Turf	1 Mile
Saturday, Jun 05	Ogden Phipps (BC)	I	$500,000.00	F&M 4&UP	Dirt	1 1/16
Saturday, Jun 05	Resorts World Casino Manhattan	I	$750,000.00	4&UP	Turf	1 1/4
Saturday, Jun 05	Woody Stephens Presented by Nassau County Industrial Development Agency	I	$400,000.00	3YO	Dirt	7 Furlongs
Sunday, Jun 06	Jersey Girl		$150,000.00	F3YO	Dirt	6 Furlongs

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: Over $9 million.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. rode three winners. He leads the meet with 32 wins.
• Race 2: Tale of Mist (Omar Moreno Hernandez/Randi Persaud) shocked at 40-to-1. The $83.50 winner was the largest odds on the board. The rider rode in his maiden race and got feted the usual celebration following. Debuting to a win doesn't happen in New York due to the generally strong riders' colony.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Over $11 million.
• Race 9: The finale paid out profusely. The $.50 tri paid over $2,100. The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $47,000. The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $27,000.
• Race 8: Crazy Beautiful (Mike Smith/Ken McPeek) won the $200,000 Grade 2 Summertime Oaks. Short fields in graded stakes are unfortunately becoming too common at Santa Anita. The 3-year-old filly entered off a bad 10th place finish in the Kentucky Oaks but is now a multiple graded stakes winner.

​

Monday's preview:

• Record pool: The 20-cent Rainbow 6 went unsolved Sunday at Pimlico. The Maryland state record jackpot carryover is $833,252.12
• Weather related changes: Off the turf at Belmont and likely elsewhere.

​

• Fox Sports 2 TV: 12:30 pm ET - 8:30 pm ET mostly featuring Belmont and Churchill.

Broadcast Schedule for Monday, May 31, 2021. All Posted Times are subject to change.

TVG
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
Monmouth Park	1 - 9	12:15 PM
Thistledown	1	12:25 PM
Pimlico	1 - 6	12:41 PM
Gulfstream Park	1 - 10	12:50 PM
Parx Racing	1 - 6	12:55 PM
Lone Star	1 - 11	3:20 PM
Santa Anita	1 - 9	4:00 PM
Golden Gate Fields	8 - 9	8:10 PM
Canterbury Park	6 - 10	8:45 PM
Mountaineer	6 - 8	8:50 PM
Hastings	3 - 7	8:56 PM
Assiniboia Downs	2 - 7	9:05 PM
Grants Pass	4 - 8	9:45 PM
AUA - Sapphire Coast	2 - 6	11:10 PM
AUB - Scone	2 - 6	11:25 PM
AUC - Rockhampton	2 - 5	11:32 PM
TVG 2
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
Pocono Downs	1 - 2	12:30 PM
Churchill Downs	1 - 9	12:45 PM
Thistledown	2	12:55 PM
Finger Lakes	1 - 6	1:10 PM
Delaware Park	1 - 5	1:15 PM
Parx Racing	7 - 11	3:37 PM
Pimlico	7 - 8	3:44 PM
Golden Gate Fields	1 - 7	4:20 PM
Louisiana Downs	4 - 7	5:03 PM
Canterbury Park	1 - 4	6:00 PM
Mountaineer	1 - 2	7:00 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Monday, May 31, 2021

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: $8.5 million.
• Card: Off the turf and the affects of rain from earlier this weekend altered much of the race day.
• Michael Maker entered two horses and both won. He also won the feature race in Texas.

Lone Star (Texas):

• Card: 11 races including five stakes.
• Handle: $6.94 million. The figure is a track record (except hosting the Breeders Cup in 2004).
• Race 11: Mo Mosa (Ramon Vazquez/Michael Maker) won the Grade 3 $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile. The $.20 Pick 6 paid over $38,000.

​

• Race 9: Warrant (Joel Rosario/Brad Cox) won the Texas Derby on a sloppy track. The winner was the favorite in a field of ten. The nationally acclaimed rider made a rare trip to Lone Star.
• Race 7: Our Iris Rose (Richard Eramia/Todd Fincher) was the longest shot on the board and won the Memorial Day Sprint Stakes at 23-to-1. The $.50 Pick 3 was over $3,000. The $2 double was a staggering $5,600.
• Race 6: Magna Punch (Sasha Risenhoover/Terry Eoff) at 52-to-1 and Where's Fredo? (Ezequiel Lara/Miguel Silva) at 82-to-1 combined to produce a $2 exacta worth $4,498.40 which is the highest I remember in a long time. The $.50 tri was worth of $7,000. The $.10 super paid over $9,000.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Over $13 million.
• Umberto Rispoli won three races, all on turf. He has mastered the surface.
• Race 7: Smooth Like Strait (Umberto Rispoli/Michael McCarthy) won the Grade I $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Stakes. This was the first "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup race in North America in 2021.

• Race 8: Country Grammer (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) won the Grade I $300,000 Hollywood Gold Cup in an exciting battle. Baffert joins Charlie Whittingham as the only trainers to win this race nine times. Baffert also won a stakes race for a record-setting 17th time at the winter-spring meet, snapping his own record of 16.

​

• Race 9: Maxim Rate (Juan Hernandez/Simon Callaghan) won the Grade I $300,000 Gamely Stakes. The longshot paid $29.80 and won a Grade I for the first time. Could Hernandez be feted with Jockey of the Week honors in North America? UPDATE: He was named Jockey of the Week.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Rebel's Romance will not enter the Belmont Stakes due to a hind leg infection. He shipped from Europe and was to be ridden by Mike Smith. He won the UAE Derby for powerhouse Godolphin Stables and was attempting to be the first European to win the Belmont Stakes.

The third leg of the Triple Crown could be down to eight. Todd Pletcher is expected to enter three horses. I like his Known Agenda in this race.

Weather is supposed to be exceptional.

----------------------------

Friday's card:

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post	Entries Plus
Race 1	$94,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 Mile	Turf	12	12:50 PM ET	FREE
Race 2	$75,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 Furlongs	Turf	13	1:22 PM ET	FREE
Race 3	$150,000	Tremont S.	5 1/2 Furlongs	Dirt	6	1:54 PM ET	FREE
Race 4	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 Furlongs	Dirt	9	2:24 PM ET	FREE
Race 5	$92,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 Mile	Turf	14	2:58 PM ET	FREE
Race 6	$80,000	Allowance	6 1/2 Furlongs	Dirt	11	3:34 PM ET	FREE
Race 7	$300,000	True North S.	6 1/2 Furlongs	Dirt	7	4:07 PM ET	FREE
Race 8	$300,000	Bed o' Roses S.	7 Furlongs	Dirt	8	4:40 PM ET	FREE
Race 9	$750,000	New York S.	1 1/4 Miles	Turf	12	5:15 PM ET	FREE
Race 10	$400,000	Belmont Gold Cup S.	2 Miles	Turf	9	5:48 PM ET	FREE
Race 11	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/4 Miles	Turf	13	6:22 PM ET	FREE

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Television:

FS2 - 12:30 - 5 pm ET
NBC Sports - 5:00 -6:00 p.m. ET
FS2 - 6 - 6:30 pm ET
FS2 - 6:30 -7 pm ET​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

​

BELMONT STAKES

What: Grade 1. This is the third leg of the Triple Crown of Horse Racing. It joins the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico. The race is alternately known as the "Run for the Carnations."
Where: Belmont Park (Elmont, NY)
When: Saturday, June 5, 2021, Race 11
Time: 6:49 pm ET
Who:3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/2 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $1,500,000
TV:

FS2 (Fox Sports 2): 11:30 am - 3:00 pm ET
NBCSN: 3:00 - 5:00 pm ET
NBC: 5:00 - 7:00 pm ET
FS2 (Fox Sports 2): 7:15 - 8:15 pm ET​

Preview/analysis: 2021 Belmont Stakes Quick Sheet: Get to Know the Belmont Horses
History: Inaugurated in 1867. This is known as the toughest test of the Triple Crown competition. Where heartbreak and heartache met in differing forms that prevented so many from winning the Triple Crown....

• Where Spectacular Bid in 1979 and Smarty Jones in 2004 fell victim to shocking defeats and almost universal dismay....
• Where California Chrome lost to the chagrin of many in 2014....
• Where War Emblem broke bad in 2002, Big Brown failed miserably in 2008 and Alysheba was trounced in 1987....
• Where Queens-raised trainer Johnny Campo lost with Pleasant Colony in 1981...
• Where East Coast (NY) and West Coast (CA) clashed but on this day the local star Easy Goer got revenge against Sunday Silence in 1989...
• Where Funny Cide, the local sensation, couldn't complete the deal on a rare sloppy track in 2003....
• Where Chris Antley saved the life of claimer Charismatic in 1999 in another failed Triple Crown bid; one of the most dramatic scenes captured live in any sport....
• Where Silver Charm was picked up late in the stretch by Touch Gold in 1997 in a three-way thriller...
• Where Tom Durkin famously called the 1998 edition with "Here's the wire... It's too close to call! Was it Real Quiet or was it Victory Gallop? A picture is worth a thousand words, this photo finish is worth $5 million dollars. Oh no. History in the waiting, on hold until we get that photo finish." ...
• Where Seattle Slew was a perfect 9-for-9 after winning the 1977 edition.
• Where Affirmed beat Alydar -- the greatest rivalry of the past 50 years -- in a battle that will last eternity in 1978 to give us a third Triple Crown in the past six years....
• Where American Pharoah ended the long curse in 2015 and Justify repeated undefeated in 2018....
• Where Afleet Alex had perhaps the most impressive kick in the history of the race in 2005 and though not a Triple Crown lost, more so artistry captured...
• Where Rags to Riches in 2007 became the first filly to win since 1905...
• Where bombers like Sarava in 2002, Birdstone in 2004 and Da'Tara in 2008 became instant folklore....
• Where Secretariat won by 31 lengths which led to perhaps most famous call in T-bred history “Secretariat is widening now. He is moving like a tremendous machine." The most famous photograph in the sport's history and one of the most iconic in American history for any athletic event truly did tell the story.
  

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
Race 1	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 1/2 Furlongs	Dirt	9	11:35 AM ET
Race 2	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 Furlongs	Turf	11	12:09 PM ET
Race 3	$400,000	Woody Stephens S. Presented by Nassau County Industrial Development Agency	7 Furlongs	Dirt	6	12:47 PM ET
Race 4	$400,000	Brooklyn S. Presented by Northwell Health	1 1/2 Miles	Dirt	9	1:22 PM ET
Race 5	$500,000	Acorn S.	1 Mile	Dirt	6	2:01 PM ET
Race 6	$400,000	Jackpocket Jaipur S.	6 Furlongs	Turf	12	2:41 PM ET
Race 7	$500,000	Ogden Phipps S.	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	7	3:18 PM ET
Race 8	$500,000	Longines Just a Game S.	1 Mile	Turf	12	3:58 PM ET
Race 9	$1,000,000	Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan H.	1 Mile	Dirt	6	4:42 PM ET
Race 10	$750,000	Resorts World Casino Manhattan S.	1 1/4 Miles	Turf	10	5:38 PM ET
Race 11	$1,500,000	Belmont S. Presented by NYRA Bets	1 1/2 Miles	Dirt	8	6:49 PM ET
Race 12	$80,000	Allowance	1 Mile	Turf	13	7:34 PM ET
Race 13	$94,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/8 Miles	Turf	13	8:05 PM ET

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

Breeders' Cup "Win and You're In": Three races designated above in purple will advance each winner to the Breeders Cup (November at Del Mar)

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Some of what was mentioned in the history section above:

1973: ... Secretariat!


1978: ... the Florida-bred wouldn't be denied in the rivalry with Alydar.


1979: ... The Bid lost. Heartache for many to this day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

1998: ... among the greatest race calls ever.


2002: ... 70-to-1


2005: ... still as great a kick in the stretch as I have seen.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Bob Baffert has been suspended two years by Churchill Downs following the confirmation regarding Medina Spirit and the Kentucky Derby.. The suspension could be extended barring future issues and holds at all CDI tracks though Baffert isn't visible at Arlington (IL). Presque Isle (PA) or Turfway (KY) based on my recollection. Fair Grounds (LA) however is another matter.

=============================

Santa Anita Park which is owned by The Stronach Group. That outfit also owns Gulfstream (FL), Pimlico (MD), Laurel (MD) and Golden Gate (CA).



=============================


Today's update involving Medina Spirit and the possibility of a Kentucky Derby DQ:

Failed Drug Test Confirmed for Kentucky Derby Winner Medina Spirit

The Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit’s post-race positive drug test was confirmed, setting the stage for the colt trained by Bob Baffert to be the second horse in the 147-year history of America’s greatest race to be disqualified for a failed drug test.

Clark Brewster, a lawyer who represents Medina Spirit owner Amr Zedan, said the laboratory at the University of California, Davis confirmed that a second post-race sample found the drug betamethasone, a corticosteroid injected into joints to reduce pain and swelling, at a prohibited level. Baffert chose the lab where the sample was tested.

He soon reversed himself, however, and acknowledged treating Medina Spirit for a rash by using an antifungal ointment called Otomax, which — to Baffert’s professed surprise — contained betamethasone.

Brewster said the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission has agreed to send the original blood and urine tests to an independent and accredited laboratory for analysis to determine whether the specimens contain other components proving the source to be the topical ointment.​

 

[GKJ]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A couple of updates

• SunRay (NM) showed a 137% increase in handle from 2019. The meet lasted 18 days.
• Wyoming Downs (WY) will have an 18-day meet from June 12-August 2. The track will offer a record $1.1 million in purses.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Belmont Park (New York):

• Irad Ortiz Jr. rode winners in the first two races and seemed en route to his usual successful day. However, Ortiz, Jr., the continent's defending Jockey of the Year, was transported to a local hospital following being tossed in race 5; his mount, who bucked in an odd mannerism in the stretch, was uninjured.
• Race 4: Volkert (Dylan Davis/Mark Hennig) debuted to a $131.50 win after being sent off at 64-to-1.
• Race 6: Change of Control (Colby Hernandez/Michelle Lovell) won the Grade 3 $200,000 Intercontinental. It was the jockey's first graded stakes win. He has over 13,000 starts but this was his debut at a New York facility. Hernandez has been active since 2006 and rides mostly at tracks in Louisiana and Kentucky. He is a brother to Brian Hernandez, Jr. . It was the trainer"s second lifetime graded stakes win.

​

• Race 7: Happy Soul (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward) won the $150,000 Astoria at the imposing odds of 1-to-9. The 2-year-old filly, a daughter to Runhappy, was out for the third time. Another win in the category of 2-year-olds for Ward.
• Race 8: Con Lima (Flavien Prat/Todd Pletcher) won the Grade 3 $200,000 Wonder Again. The Texas-bred, not common at NYRA tracks, improved to 11 6-4-0. The 3-year-old filly had been running at Gulfstream. Prat, the leading rider in southern California, is in New York for a rare time, this being Belmont Stakes weekend.
• Race 9: The $1 Pick 6 paid over $40,000.
• Handle: $8 million.

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Rainbow 6 Jackpot: Unsolved during a special Memorial Day holiday program, when the total pool surpassed the $1 million mark, the 20-cent Rainbow 6 had its Maryland state record carryover jackpot approach $900,000 for the return of live racing Friday at historic Pimlico Race Course. The Rainbow 6 pool is expected to top $1 million for the second straight racing day, building on a carryover of $895,264.82 from Monday's program. Friday's sequence begins with 2-year-old fillies on the dirt and features full fields in a pair of races scheduled for the grass. (Source: by Maryland Jockey Club Press Office).

Gulfstream Park (Florida):

• Edwin Gonzalez, who moved his tack from Penn National specifically to ride at this meet, is currently the third winningest rider after a 3-win afternoon.
• Handle: $4.7 million. Gulf had little competition early this day as most tracks operating ran later in the day.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Race 4: Bethy (Chase Miller/Darrin Miller) gave the jockey his first win lifetime. It was his 10th mount and this year he returned to racing after debuting in 2012. The 27-year-old rider carried no weight allowance and he had issues in the past keeping weight down. He was an exercise rider for Todd Pletcher and George Weaver among others. His father Darrin trained the winner.

Arlington Park (Illinois):

• Race 2: Naval Laughter (Jose Lopez/Christopher Davis) exploded to a 19 3/4 length win in her second career race and first in 18 months. She finished third in November 2019. "If a picture is worth a thousand words..."

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

More on the injury to Irad Ortiz, Jr.:



----------------------------

UPDATE #1:

Irad Ortiz, Jr. is awaiting a CT Scan.

As the race unfolded, I saw what appeared to be Junior Alvarado's mount who may have stepped on the fallen Ortiz.

Alvarado was one of the two quickest jockeys to the scene, Irad's brother Jose being the other. Both ran a sizeable distance on the track surface to get to the scene where the ambulance was located.

Irad is listed on many top mounts this weekend. That is secondary as of now; however, nothing has been determined as far as absence.

UPDATE #2:
=====================
According to Jose Ortiz's Twitter, Irad Ortiz's tests came back negative. The rider will be out two weeks. That changes the dynamics of much this weekend and on New York's biggest day.

Known Agenda will have a rider switch. Brother Jose is available. What a story line that would be.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Fox Sports 2 schedule for today (Friday):

Belmont and Churchill will be aired in the following windows:

Friday, June 4 Belmont Stakes Preview

FS2 - 12:30-5pm FS2 - 6-6:30pm FS2 - 6:30-7pm

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

The TVG schedule for today (Friday):

TVG Races
TRACK NAME	RACES	FIRST POST TIME (ET)
FR - Marseille-Borely	1 - 5	6:00 AM
FR - Compiegne	1 - 9	6:15 AM
SE - Jagersro	1 - 2	6:20 AM
ZA - Fairview	1 - 8	6:30 AM
GB - Catterick Bridge	1 - 8	8:20 AM
GB - Epsom Downs	1 - 7	9:00 AM
FR - Toulouse La Cepiere	1; 3	10:00 AM
IR - Down Royal	1	11:55 AM
GB - Goodwood	1 - 3	12:25 PM
Belterra Park	1 - 6	12:35 PM
Pimlico	1 - 8	12:41 PM
GB - Doncaster	1 - 2	12:53 PM
Gulfstream Park	1 - 9	2:00 PM
Arlington Park	1 - 4	3:25 PM
Santa Anita	1 - 8	4:00 PM
Golden Gate Fields	1 - 8	4:20 PM
Monmouth Park	1 - 6	5:00 PM
Lone Star	6 - 9	5:55 PM
Penn National	5 - 11	7:49 PM
Meadowlands	5 - 13	8:05 PM
Charles Town	3 - 8	8:09 PM
Los Alamitos	1 - 8	9:00 PM
Evangeline Downs	8 - 9	9:59 PM
AUB - Eagle Farm	3 - 9	10:39 PM
FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing	6 - 7	10:55 PM
AUA - Rosehill	4 - 9	11:05 PM
Hawthorne	10 - 12	11:35 PM
AUC - Newcastle	5 - 8	12:01 AM
AUD - Gold Coast	6 - 8	12:51 AM
South Korea Busan	5 - 6	2:50 AM
Singapore	7 - 12	3:00 AM
South Korea Seoul	6 - 8	3:20 AM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A 55% increase in May handle from 2020 as $1.4 billion was bet on U.S. racing.

In 2021, over $5.4 billion was wagered. That is up 12% from 2019.

Racing numbers continue to bring exorbitant totals.


The more representative year-to-date numbers, from the first five months of 2019 to the first five months of 2021, show total wagering up 12.88 percent while average daily wagering is up 25.55 percent.

May 2021 vs. May 2020
Indicator	May 2021	May 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$1,415,509,171	$908,333,874	+55.84%
U.S. Purses	$106,723,865	$31,971,002	+233.81%
U.S. Race Days	398	123	+223.58%
U.S. Races	3,249	1,059	+206.80%
U.S. Starts	23,161	9,145	+153.26%
Average Field Size	7.13	8.64	-17.45%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,556,556	$7,384,828	-51.84%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$268,150	$259,927	+3.16%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,284,716,622	$4,056,194,923	+30.29%
U.S. Purses	$411,282,722	$254,699,053	+61.48%
U.S. Race Days	1,443	1,001	+44.16%
U.S. Races	12,376	8,421	+46.97%
U.S. Starts	93,411	67,928	+37.51%
Average Field Size	7.55	8.07	-6.43%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,662,312	$4,052,143	-9.62%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$285,019	$254,445	+12.02%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

2019 Comparisons:

May 2021 vs. May 2019
Indicator	May 2021	May 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$1,415,509,171	$1,300,923,869	+8.81%
U.S. Purses	$106,723,865	$115,776,828	-7.82%
U.S. Race Days	398	450	-11.56%
U.S. Races	3,249	3,650	-10.99%
U.S. Starts	23,161	25,955	-10.76%
Average Field Size	7.13	7.11	+0.25%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,556,556	$2,890,942	+23.02%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$268,150	$257,282	+4.22%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,284,716,622	$4,681,850,887	+12.88%
U.S. Purses	$411,282,722	$428,807,298	-4.09%
U.S. Race Days	1,443	1,605	-10.09%
U.S. Races	12,376	13,552	-8.68%
U.S. Starts	93,411	102,513	-8.88%
Average Field Size	7.55	7.56	-0.22%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,662,312	$2,917,041	+25.55%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$285,019	$267,170	+6.68%

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, June 4, 2021

Belmont (New York):

• Handle: $19.4 million bet.
• Weather: Downpours late in the day affected much of the racing that followed and delayed post times. The first two races were removed from the turf prior to the start and at that time turf races were listed as yielding. The afternoon storm altered the 11th and final race as that was removed from turf.
• Irad Ortiz, Jr. was off his mounts due to injury. His replacements for Saturday's card will be announced in the morning.
  
• Race 11: Landbiscuit (Jose Lezcano/Bill Mott) won the finale by less than a length. The sloppy finish to the day due to earlier rains led to many scratches but the winner seemed to adjust well to the conditions and was sired by Orb who famously splashed his way to a Kentucky Derby win.
• Race 10: Baron Samedi (John Velazquez/Joseph O'Brien), sent off the favorite, won the $400,000 Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup Stakes run at the rare distance of two miles by a healthy 2+ lengths. The trainer is Europe-based.

​

• Race 9: Mean Mary (Luis Saez/Graham Motion) won the $150,000 Grade 2 New York Stakes. She won for the 7th time in 11 starts but only after a sure win was verified following a close finish.

​

• Race 8: Estilo Talentoso (Javier Castellano/Juan Arriagada) won the Grade 3 $300,000 Bed o' Roses Stakes by a neck. The race was much delayed due to heavy rains that soaked the track. That could be the first graded stakes win for the young trainer. The filly was purchased for $15,000 in 2019. She has now earned over $400,000.
• Race 7: Firenze Fire (Jose Ortiz/Kelly Breen) won the Grade 2 $200,000 True North Stakes. Ortiz picked up the mount from his injured brother. The 6-year-old horse was out for the 33rd time and has earned approximately $2.5 million. Today was victory #14.
• Race 3: Overbore (Joel Rosario/Wesley Ward) won the $150,000 Tremont Stakes. Another win for the trainer with 2-year-olds. The $275,000 son to Speightstown was out for the third time and broke his maiden today.
• Race 2: Lot of Honey (Dylan Davis/James Ferraro) won at 15-to-1. The $.50 tri paid nearly $2,000. Kendrick Carmouche was listed to ride the mount but rode the unplaced favorite at 2-to-5. Davis picked up the mount and won with his second bomber in two days.
• Race 1: Aunt Kat (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) won the opener. The confidence shown via body language of the rider oozed through the simulcast feed. Alvarado knew he had something that needed slightly more than guidance and a little prodding.

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Leonardo Corujo had three mounts and each won. He is in his third year of riding and lost his bug in 2020.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $5.2 million.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• No contest: Two races declared no contest today. I don't recall if I have seen that on one card. One was due to a horse making contact with the temporary inner rail and in which some riders' abilities to perform were compromised. The other was a slight head start by at least one horse from the gate.
• Tyler Gaffalione has not hit the board with his past 11 mounts. He is the leading rider at the meet with 33 victories, 12 more than his closest challenger.

Santa Anita (California):

• Race 7: Miss Flawless (Umberto Rispoli/Leonard Powell) won at 7-to-2. Among the beaten was the favorite that opened at 1-to-5. This was Rispoli's only mount on the day. A turf race! He is one outstanding turf rider. The bet of the day in my eyes. Rispoli is winning at a 23% clip, second best at the meet among all riders (24 total) with 2+ wins.

​

• Race 6: Illumination (Abel Cedillo/Bob Baffert) won by eight lengths. The $900,000 purchase broke his maiden today, his fourth try. It was Baffert's lone starter this weekend.
• Juan Hernandez rode three winners. He has handled southern Cal with aplomb since moving from northern Cal. Though his 80 wins is 30 behind leader Flavien Prat at the meet, the number is second highest.
• Handle: $5.7 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Weather for New York tomorrow could be 90 degrees under a beautiful sunny sky. Belmont Stakes day is traditionally without much disruption due to weather. Today was different. Tomorrow should be an exhilarating day.