December, 2020 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Thoroughbred Idea Foundation: Federal Bill Funding Cannot Come From Horseplayers

The passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) would signal a prominent turning point for Thoroughbred racing in America.

Regardless of where one has stood on the merits of the legislation over the years, its passage will bring to an end a generation of discord between industry participants, enabling our greater industry the opportunity to focus on long-ignored advancements to better secure the sustainability of horse racing.

At its heart, racing exists because of horse owners and breeders investing in Thoroughbreds and horseplayers wagering on them. Policies which hinder participation, of horseplayers or through ownership, stunt industry growth, and are in opposition to the mission of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, which seeks to grow participation through these two key groups. We want racing's overall “pie” to grow, but without horse owners and horseplayers voluntarily choosing to participate in the sport, racing would be would be a shell of itself.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act will yield a federally-recognized organization to facilitate doping control within the sport while bringing more constituencies under the regulatory fold. Upon its passage, substantial planning and execution will still be required, including identifying the funding mechanism for individual states' participation in HISA-created programs. The path forward to paying for these programs remains unclear.

In some states, wagering is a main source of funding for racing commissions to regulate the sport. Should HISA programs increase costs to states – a reasonable expectation – it is possible they, in concert with other stakeholder groups, could turn to wagering channels to increase revenues.

This would be a gross miscalculation.

While HISA has earned support because of the undoubted need for racing to be proactive in maintaining its social license to operate, the programs associated with the bill should not be built on the backs of horseplayers.

The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation advocates for sound policies which encourage wagering, racing's most sustainable source of funding. These policies include reducing bet pricing, modernizing wagering technology and integrity measures, increased transparency and reporting standards as well as introducing fixed odds betting to complement pari-mutuel wagering.

Increasing costs to horseplayers is a counterproductive measure for the industry, and thus, any increases in bet pricing to pay for the programs associated with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act should be a non-starter.

Below, please see more from the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation's Wagering & Integrity Issues Steering Committee, presented by committee member Jonathon Kinchen.

The post Thoroughbred Idea Foundation: Federal Bill Funding Cannot Come From Horseplayers appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Steve Asmussen Named 2020 Recipient Of KTO Warner L. Jones Horseman Of The Year Award

Steve Asmussen — who this year became Churchill Downs' all-time win leader and only the second trainer to achieve 9,000 career victories — is the 2020 recipient of the Louisville-based Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners' Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award.

The award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to Kentucky racing and sharing the passion exemplified by Jones, who spent 50 years on the Churchill Downs board, including eight as chairman during the iconic track's resurgence. Warner Jones — the first and so far only breeder of a Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Breeders' Cup winner — was the inaugural award winner in 1988, six years before his death.

“Everything my whole family has is because of horse racing,” Asmussen said upon being informed he was the award recipient. “I won the Warner L. Jones Horseman of the Year Award – that has a beautiful ring to it. For anybody to be involved in horse racing, I think the greatest compliment you can be given is to be considered a horseman. It is what we strive for. It is something I, as well as my whole family, would be proud to be acknowledged as. The list of past recipients is beyond impressive and a group that I'm very proud to be a part of. That is cool.”

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners is an educational and social organization dedicated to the betterment of racing in the state. Membership is open not only to owners but anyone interested in the sport, including prospective owners.

Because of the COVID-19 health crisis, the KTO was forced to cancel its traditional November awards gala, with Asmussen and the other 2020 KTO award winners to be feted when circumstances permit an in-person event in 2021. KTO president Loren Hebel-Osborne said it was important to still recognize an individual for exceptional work in horse racing.

“As we all know this racing game ebbs and flows; we do not want Covid-19 to further penalize any members or racing entities who may otherwise be having a banner year in racing,” Hebel-Osborne said. “We weren't about to let Covid-19 cancel one more thing. In fact, I would say to win an award under these circumstances really shows extraordinary skill! We want to celebrate, elevate and honor these accomplishments especially in this most challenging environment.

“Steve is the embodiment of what the Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award was created to recognize. Not just his record-setting numbers while playing at all levels of the game but just passing the eyeball test with how his horses always seem to glow good health and being well-cared for.”

Born into a horse-racing family as the younger son of Keith and Marilyn Asmussen, Steve spent parts of three seasons as a jockey before he returned from an injury too big to ride. He worked as an assistant trainer to his mother before starting his own stable with a handful of horses in 1986, winning with his 12th starter: Victory's Halo in a $2,600 maiden race at New Mexico's Ruidoso Downs.

Through Dec. 2, Asmussen had won 9,104 races, trailing only the late Dale Baird's 9,445. Those victories include training Horses of the Year Curlin (2007-2008), Rachel Alexandra (2009) and Gun Runner (2017), as well as winning the 2007 (Curlin) and 2009 (Rachel Alexandra) Preakness and the 2016 Belmont Stakes (Creator). His seven Breeders' Cup triumphs include the Classic with Curlin in 2007 and Gun Runner in 2017, with Curlin also taking the $5 million Dubai World Cup in 2008 and Gun Runner the $16 million Pegasus World Cup to cap his career in 2018. Rachel Alexandra became the only 3-year-old filly to beat older males in winning Saratoga's historic Whitney Handicap in 2009.

Asmussen's more than $342.7 million in career purse earnings are second all-time to Todd Pletcher's $397 million, according to Equibase statistics. He was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 2016. Racing secretaries everywhere appreciate how much he comes to run — no one comes close to his more than 44,000 career starts.

Asmussen's 650 victories in 2009 are a record and mark one of four years in which he's surpassed 500 wins. He is the all-time win-leader at Lone Star Park and Remington Park in addition to Churchill Downs, where he replaced former Warner Jones recipient Dale Romans with the track record with victory No. 738 under the Twin Spires on June 12 this year. At Kentucky tracks, Asmussen has won a record 24 meet training titles at Churchill Downs as well as three apiece at Keeneland and Ellis Park.

On top of it, Asmussen is also an owner of note, his horses having won almost 1,200 races and more than $18.7 million dating to 2000, according to Equibase.

Past Warner L. Jones Jr. Horseman of the Year Award recipients

The post Steve Asmussen Named 2020 Recipient Of KTO Warner L. Jones Horseman Of The Year Award appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Limited, Socially-Distanced Seating Available For 2021 Pegasus World Cup

The Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series is returning to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach on Saturday, January 23, 2021. Launched in 2017 as part of 1/ST's mission to modernize the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing, the $4 million Pegasus World Cup Championship Invitational Series has captured the attention of the racing industry, celebrities, and fans from around the world and has cemented itself as a premier event on the racing calendar.

Evolving into a Championship Invitational Series featuring two Grade 1 (G1) stakes races, the Pegasus World Cup in 2021 will feature a combined $4 million purse. The Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1), run on the dirt at 1 1/8 miles, offers a $3 million total purse. The Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational (G1), run on the turf at 1 3/16 miles, offers a $1 million purse. 1/ST entirely provides the $4 million total purse contribution.

This year's event will provide exciting opportunities in North American Thoroughbred racing for horse owners by showcasing their equine athletes competing free of medications on race day while providing the winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational with an automatic entry into the 2021 $20 million Saudi Cup. The medication-free format, for both the Pegasus World Cup Invitational and Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational, is consistent with the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) standards and reflects the commitment that 1/ST, along with other major racing organizations and associations, made in April 2019 to eliminate Lasix in all graded stakes races in 2021.

In 2021, the Pegasus World Cup continues to innovate by redefining the guest experience with limited, socially distanced ticket offerings for every race day enthusiast. From the action of the Grandstand to elegant dining in Ten Palms to the luxury of the Flamingo Room and Suites, guests will enjoy a day of world-class Thoroughbred racing excitement and gourmet food and hospitality in safety. Reserved seating tickets and packages range in price from $100.00 – $1,150.00+.

Tickets are available online at www.pegasusworldcup.com/tickets or by calling the Pegasus World Cup Box Office at Gulfstream Park at 1-833-464-7924 between 9:00 am – 6:00 pm ET, daily.

Wagering on the 2021 Pegasus World Cup can be enjoyed regardless of where fans view the race day card with handicapping tools available on the 1/ST BET app. Part of the 1/ST TECHNOLOGY suite of handicapping and betting products, 1/ST BET is changing the game by delivering a user-friendly experience that suits everyone from the experienced horseplayer to the first-timer.

Since the outset of the coronavirus pandemic, 1/ST has developed and implemented industry-leading COVID-19 safety measures at its tracks and facilities across the United States. The 2021 Pegasus World Cup will implement strict social distancing protocols and new health and safety guidelines for riders and spectators. On-premise, attendance for this year's event has been reduced to 20% to allow all guests to socially distance accordingly. Thermal sensing cameras at all entrances check guest temperatures, and masks are required. Cleaning protocols provide regular sanitizing of public spaces, and cashless wagering via 1/ST BET eliminates handling of currency. For more information on the health and safety measures for the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, please visit www.pegasusworldcup/com/health-safety.

At the 2020 Pegasus World Cup, Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, Vin Diesel, Justise Winslow, Kelly Olynyk, DJ Cassidy, Jake Paul, Dr. Mike, Zion, Alec Monopoly and Cedric Gervais witnessed Mucho Gusto win the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational purse and Zulu Alpha win the $1 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Turf Invitational. Afterward, guests and stars alike enjoyed a concert with performances by Nelly and T-Pain.

NBC Sports returns as the official broadcast partner of the 2021 Pegasus World Cup and will broadcast the race day excitement live from 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm ET.

For more information about Pegasus World Cup, please visit www.pegasusworldcup.com and follow the excitement on social media @PegasusWorldCup and #PegasusWorldCup #RunWithUs.

The post Limited, Socially-Distanced Seating Available For 2021 Pegasus World Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Dec. 6, 2020

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Nakayama and Chukyo Racecourses. The latter plays host to the G1 Champions Cup Sunday, which features an intriguing clash between reigning Japanese champion dirt horse Chrysoberyl (Jpn) (Gold Allure {Jpn}), the country’s top dirt 3-year-old Café Pharoah (American Pharoah) and dual-surface Group 1 winner Mozu Ascot (Frankel {GB}), having his final career start:

Sunday, December 6, 2020
4th-CKO, ¥9,680,000 ($93k), Maiden, 2yo, 1200mT
JASPER GOLD (c, 2, Khozan–Gracious Lady, by Put It Back) went very close in his first two career starts–both over this trip and surface–missing by a half-length when favored at Fukushima Nov. 8 and by a neck over course and distance two weeks later. The Florida-bred is the first foal from his dam, an unplaced half-sister to SP Lucky Peridot (Itsmyluckyday), and cost $100K at this year’s OBS March Sale after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 flat. The deeper female family includes Eclipse Award winner Storm Song (Summer Squall). B-Randy Lee Myers (FL)

6th-NKY, ¥13,400,000 ($129k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800m
SKY NILE (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Joyful Victory, by Tapit) is the final US-bred produce for her Grade I-winning dam, whose foal of 2017, the colt Saqqara King (American Pharoah) was stakes-placed three times in France as a juvenile. Joyful Victory was acquired privately by this breeder after being withdrawn from Fasig-Tipton November in 2017, dropped this foal and was covered by Kitten’s Joy before being exported. That produce, a colt, fetched ¥105 million ($982,202) as a yearling at this year’s JRHA Select Sale. Joyful Victory produced a colt by Daiwa Major (Jpn) this year. B-Teruya Yoshida (KY)

The post Notable US-Bred Runners in Japan: Dec. 6, 2020 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post