February, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Known Agenda Possible for Florida Derby

St. Elias Stable's Known Agenda (Curlin) may have earned his way into the GI Curlin Florida Derby field Friday after romping to a 11-length victory in the Gulfstream Park's fourth race, a 1 1/8-mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds.

“We'll talk about it with Mr. and Mrs. Viola and their team,” said trainer Todd Pletcher. “We'll talk about it, but I think he ran well enough today that it's definitely in play.”

Known Agenda, who was sent to post as the 1-2 favorite in a field of six, rated off a solid early pace contested by Etched in Stone (Cairo Prince), Top Gun Tommy (Mineshaft) and Warrior in Chief (Kantharos) during a half-mile in :47.89. Top Gun Tommy won the pace battle to take a clear lead into the stretch under Paco Lopez, but Known Agenda loomed large on the turn and quickly took charge at the top of the stretch and drew off under Irad Ortiz Jr. The chestnut covered the Florida Derby distance of 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.47 while equipped with blinkers for the first time.

“Johnny [Velazquez] recommended blinkers last time,” said Pletcher. “We just needed to get him a little more focused. We know he's got a lot of talent. He's shown it in the mornings and hints of it in the afternoon. We're just trying to get him a little more consistent. It looks like today the blinkers helped. He got into the race a little bit more and won impressively in the end.”

The homebred finished fifth in the Feb. 6 GIII Sam F. Davis S. at Tampa Bay Downs following a distant third in the Dec. 5 GII Remsen S. at Aqueduct after getting bumped at the start.

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Is There An Equine Gene For Gentleness?

Japanese researchers have discovered that a serotonin receptor gene may make some horses more laid back than others. Serotonin is a brain chemical which affects both mood and social behavior.

A team of scientists from Kyoto University assessed the tractability of 167 Thoroughbred racehorses at a training center by having their handlers fill out a questionnaire. A genetic analysis was then run on each horse, focusing on a serotonin receptor gene that was associated with anxiety-related traits in other species.

The researchers found a significant association between one variation of the serotonin receptor gene and lower tractability (less easily managed or controlled), specifically in fillies. The team concluded that the gene might play a role in a horse's trainability and its effect may be partially dependent on the horse's gender.

BHA Planning For Return Of Owners On Mar. 29

The British Horseracing Authority is planning to welcome owners and amateur riders back to racecourses on Mar. 29. Spectators are expected to be allowed back on racecourses in mid-May. This year's Cheltenham Festival and the start of the flat season on Mar. 27 will take place behind closed doors.

A BHA update released on Friday evening read, “Following the publication on Monday, Feb. 22 of the UK Government's plan to ease lockdown restrictions in England, the industry Covid-19 group has carefully studied the implications for racing in England. Any changes to racing protocols will move in parallel with the steps set out in the road map and are therefore dependent on the Government's timetable.

“Since the plan was published on Monday, Feb. 22, the BHA and senior racing executives have engaged with Government to agree how racing can unwind its own restrictions. At this stage [Mar. 29], racecourses will not be able to provide hospitality, and strict attendance rules will remain in place, including a health screening process. Further enhancements to the owner experience will be permitted from Step Two, which comes into force from Monday, Apr. 12 at the earliest. In line with the resumption of outdoor hospitality on that date, our goal is for racecourses to be able to re-introduce outdoor hospitality for owners, in line with Government guidance.”

The BHA is working on racecourses being able to host up to 10,000 fans under spectators arena guidelines, rather than 4,000 for outdoor events, when Step Three comes into play on May 17.

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Gulfstream to Increase Overnight Purses

Gulfstream Park announced it will increase all overnight purses 10%, effective Wednesday, Mar. 3. Mike Lakow, Gulfstream's Vice President of Racing, said the increase is due to the quality of the live program throughout the Championship Meet.

“We are pleased to be in a position to raise purses for horsemen who have been so supportive during this racing season,” he added.

Gulfstream enters the ninth weekend of its Championship Meet with nine stakes (eight graded) Saturday highlighted by the GII Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth S., GII Davona Dale S., and GII WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile. The three races will be three of the five graded stakes making up the Rainbow 6. The Late Pick 4 Saturday will include all graded stakes.

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