July, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

I Am Invincible Gelding Tops Hong Kong International Sale

An eye-catching half-brother to Group 1 winner Volatile Mix drew a clinching bid of HK$7.2 million (US$929,000) to top the Hong Kong International Sale (July) at the Sha Tin Parade Ring on Friday, July 3, as all 19 lots offered sold for a total of HK$74.3 million (US$9,586,891).

The gelding, cataloged as Lot 8, is by the top Australian sire and noted speed influence I Am Invincible, out of the Group 3-placed High Chaparral mare Utopia. The bay, whose talented sibling won the South Australian Derby, sold to Sze-to Kin Sun.

Wong Kwong Miu, whose red and black silks have been carried previously by the talented galloper Divine Ten, brought the auctioneer's hammer down at HK$6.5 million (US$838,684) for Lot 14, a Zoustar gelding out of a half-sister to multiple G1-winning New Zealand champion Volkstok'n'barrell.

Two more geldings hit the HK$6 million (US$774,187) mark: Lot 6 is a Savabeel full-brother to the G1 New Zealand Oaks heroine Savvy Coup; Lot 2 is a Per Incanto 3-year-old out of the G1 ARC Railway Stakes winner Fleur De Lune.

Mr. William Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's director of racing business and operations, said: “This was a very good sale, it exceeded our expectations. Overall, we have to be pleased with the results and it might be a good sign for the economy in Hong Kong that things could be rebounding, because the money was with us tonight.

“The horses presented well and I don't think anyone was surprised by the sale-topper. There was a good mix of pedigrees, I think the buyers had a lot of variety and hopefully there's some value there for our owners.”

The sale average was HK$3.91 million (US$504,513) while the median came in at HK$4 million (US$516,133).

“Last year we sold 20 lots at the July Sale averaging HK$2.4 million (US$309,680) and this year we had 19 lots averaging over HK$3.9 million (US$503,219), so this sale was very healthy and we're pleased with the results,” Mr. Nader added.

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StableDuel Launches Daily Paid Entry Contests Blending Fantasy Sports, Handicapping

StableDuel, Thoroughbred racing's revolutionary new game that combines the excitement of daily fantasy sports with the thrill of traditional handicapping, officially launches Friday, July 3, with daily paid entry contests. Contestants can begin setting up their stables immediately..

Featuring an interactive platform that provides players a feeling of virtual ownership, StableDuel contests require contestants to select a stable of horses from a specific race card within the confines of a salary cap. Horses are assigned a price (or salary) based on their morning-line odds. Players earn points when their horse finishes in the top five places, based on the order of finish and the margin of victory or defeat.

In addition to daily contests, StableDuel offers players an annual leaderboard competition with selective year-end contests. StableDuel will feature diverse media content for racing fans as well as sports fans alike, with podcasts, social media, and video to educate fans on handicapping. Industry leaders such as seven-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher and leading jockey Tyler Gaffalione have signed on to partner with StableDuel.

“We are extremely excited to launch StableDuel. “It has been a long process that was done with the player in mind,” said StableDuel's Chris Brothers. “It has always been a belief for us that you cannot force someone to like a sport, but if you can get them to like a game that revolves around the sport, there is a better chance they will become a fan. Between exciting daily contests, the media content, and an interactive platform, we feel StableDuel will be the hub of innovation bridging mainstream sports with the Thoroughbred racing world.”

To get started, contestants simply download the StableDuel app for iOS and Android, create an account in a few simple steps, and draft a stable. StableDuel is intuitive, innovative, and designed for novices and veterans, alike.

StableDuel currently has partnerships with more than 20 racetracks in the United States.

“As people that have worked all levels within the industry, we know the many roles needed to make this happen and are very thankful for the tracks and horsemen groups that have welcomed us with open arms,” Brothers said. “Knowing it is not an easy space to occupy, we look forward to a long and valuable relationship.”

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Leicester To Race On

Leicester Racecourse’s planned fixture on July 7 will go ahead following consultation with relevant authorities after a COVID-19 spike prompted increased lockdown measures in the area earlier this week.

The area lockdown has reinstated restrictions to what they were on June 14, at which point racing was permitted under strict guidelines. Owners will not be permitted at Leicester on July 7. The British Horseracing Authority has liaised with Racetech to ensure stalls handlers will be available for the fixture; Tuesday evening’s meeting at Leicester was conducted without starting stalls.

A statement from the BHA read, “We are grateful for the input of representative bodies in developing our protocols for responding to local lockdowns. Everyone in the sport remains in agreement that safety is the number one priority while racing’s behind closed doors resumption continues. The sport’s strict health screening and social distancing protocols continue to ensure that racecourses are amongst the most controlled of workplaces, and that local communities are not affected by behind closed doors fixtures.”

The post Leicester To Race On appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Wallace Station: A Savory Blend of Thoroughbed Hospitality and Culinary Acclaim

From the TDN Look

After following a roundabout encircling a giant bronze statue of Secretariat, a 16.9 mile historic road called Old Frankfort Pike twists and turns alongside ancient limestone rock walls and fenceline that holds some of the best Thoroughbred breeding stock in the country.

The byway connecting Lexington and Frankfort has been named one of ‘America’s Most Outstanding Scenic Byways’ and is often referred to as ‘Thoroughbred Alley’- a nod to the industry that has been a part of the area’s history even before Kentucky was admitted to the Union in 1792. Three Chimneys, Darby Dan, Darley America, Lane’s End, and Stonestreet are just a few of the imposing gates tourists often slow beside to take a snapshot, leaving the locals shaking their heads at the habitual delay.

About halfway between the two cities, just outside of Midway and past Three Chimneys Farm, sits an aged but well-preserved building, an antique in a postcard from a bygone century. For many that pass, it receives nothing more than a glance. But on a warm, sunny day, a line stretching out the door and around the corner indicates that the place is worth notice.

The building that is home to Wallace Station has received a spot on the National Register for Historic Places, but the restaurant itself has won the praise of both Lexington natives and world-renowned culinary professionals.

Wallace Station had its biggest claim-to-fame when it was featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, but most days, guests include various staff from nearby farms relaxing on their lunch break.

Owner Ouita Michel is world-renowned for the family of restaurants she has built in Lexington over the past two decades. Her businesses have been featured in the New York Times, Southern Living, and the Food Network. But Michel said she believes that the horse racing community is the heartbeat of Wallace Station.

Michel was born and raised in Lexington, but she said that her true introduction to the world of Thoroughbreds didn’t happen until she moved back to the heart of horse country after a stint in New York City and was introduced to a certain horse racing ambassador upon her return.

“To be honest, I didn’t know much about the Thoroughbred industry until I moved to Midway about 20 years ago,” Michel said. “I started learning the history from Michael Blowen, who owns Old Friends (equine retirement farm). Michael and his wife Diane moved to Midway the same year as my husband and I. They were some of our very first customers, and Michael gave me an education in Thoroughbred history. It was amazing to know right where we were living was where it all started.”

Michel grew up downtown on State Street. Her father was a professor at the University of Kentucky’s medical school. Michel would grow up to become a Kentucky Wildcat, making a name for herself on campus by winning the National Debate Tournament her senior year. From there, she made the move to New York City.

“My family really wanted me to go to law school,” she recalled. “But I got my first restaurant job in New York City, and the rest is history.”Michel honed her new trade for several years in Manhattan, working at various restaurants and attending the Culinary Institute of America. While there, she met her husband Chris.

“I came back to Kentucky to plan my wedding. My mom was so worried we were going to have a New York wedding. She begged me to come home,” Michel said with a laugh.

Upon her return, Michel said she knew immediately that Kentucky was where she belonged.

“Once I got back to Lexington, I just really loved it,” she said. “I loved how accessible everything was. I also had a strong feeling that when I owned a restaurant, I wanted to cook for people that I knew and loved, for my family and my friends.”

To read the rest of this story at the TDN Look, or to watch the video or hear it as a podcast, click here.

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