February, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

International Cast Nominated for DWC

Over 700 horses have been nominated for the 25th running of the Dubai World Cup night card on Mar. 27. Nineteen countries are represented among the 762 horses which resulted in 1,511 nominations.

Leading the 176 nominations for the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup over 2000 metres on dirt is GI Pegasus World Cup hero Knicks Go (Paynter) for Brad Cox and GI Runhappy Malibu S. victor Charlatan (Speightstown) for Bob Baffert. MG1SW Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) will also take part, while Godolphin fields undefeated Maxfield (Street Sense) from the barn of Brendan Walsh. Grade II winners Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado) and Tax (Arch) have also signed on, as has John Gosden's Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

The 2410-metre $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic received 167 nominations, led by globetrotting MG1SW Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) for William Haggas. Japan is sending the MG1SW and 2020 G1 Arima Kinen heroine Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and G1SW Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Other top-level winners on the list of nominees include Bill Mott's Channel Maker (English Channel), David Smaga's Nao Da Mais (Brz) (T. H. Approval) and Aidan O'Brien's Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Held over 1800 metres, the $4-million G1 Dubai Turf attracted 209 nominees led by Group 1 winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for John Gosden and GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. winner Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) for Todd Pletcher. Pletcher also saddles GSW Largent (Into Mischief). G1 Queen Anne S. hero Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) is also part of the field for David O'Meara.

Americans have won 13 of the 24 editions of the $1.5-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, and Grade I winner C Z Rocket (City Zip) is the leading light for trainer Peter Miller of the 184 nominees. Steve Asmussen's Yaupon (Uncle Mo) has saluted at Grade II level, while 2019 Golden Shaheen runner-up Matera Sky (Speightstown) returns from the yard of Hideyuki Mori. Japan also has Yoshito Yahagi's Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), while Gladiator King (Curlin) represents the locals in the 1200-metre test.

The fifth Thoroughbred Group 1 on tap for the evening is the $1-million Al Quoz Sprint, with 178 horses named as hopefuls for the six-panel turf dash. Aussie MG1SW Bivouac (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) flies the flag for Godolphin and James Cummings. Fellow Aussie Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom) moved to the barn of American Neil Drysdale, but also is signed on, as is Roger Teal's G1 July Cup victor Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) among others.

The G2 UAE Derby drew 148 prospective sophomores and Steve Asmussen's MGISW Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) leads the way. Doug O'Neill sends GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile bridesmaid Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), and Bob Baffert's duo of GSW & GISP Spielberg (Union Rags) and recent GSW Medina Spirit (Protonico). Listed UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) could also make some noise.

In the $750,000 G2 Godolphin Mile, Hong Kong sends Elusive State (Aus) (All American {Aus}), while MGSW Mr Freeze (To Honor and Serve) represents Dale Romans. The 237 nominations also see Fawzi Nass's Port Lions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) set to run.

Rounding out the Throughbred races is the $750,000 G2 Dubai Gold Cup over 3200 metres on grass. The 121 nominees features G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), Jamie Osborne's Mekong (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and French Group 1 winners Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), the latter for Mark Johnston.

For the full list of the nominees, please click here. The first supplementary stage closes on Feb. 10, the second on Mar. 8 and the final supplementary stage on Mar. 21. Connections must pay 0.1% at the first stage, 1% at the second stage and 10% at the final stage of their respective races' prizemoney to enter.

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Keeneland’s Spring Meet To Include 18 Stakes Races Worth $4.1 Million

Keeneland will present 18 stakes, featuring the 97th running of the $800,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and the 84th running of the $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), worth a total of $4.1 million during its 2021 Spring Meet from April 2-23. The Toyota Blue Grass and the Central Bank Ashland are two nationally prominent classic preps.

Post time for the first race during the 15-day season will be 1:05 p.m. ET. Keeneland will be closed Easter Sunday, April 4.

“Keeneland is excited to welcome racing back to the Bluegrass in April,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “With the cancellation of last year's Spring Meet because of the pandemic, it is critical to the Thoroughbred industry that we are able to offer our full slate of April stakes on their traditional dates. These races are key fixtures on the international racing calendar.

“For this year's Spring Meet,” Arvin added, “Keeneland is working on plans for ticketing options under our COVID-19 safety protocols and we plan to make an announcement in the next few weeks.”

Keeneland will conduct a total of 10 stakes on grass and eight stakes on dirt while offering multiple stakes on four days during the Spring Meet.

Opening day, Friday, April 2, features three stakes: $150,000 Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds; $150,000 Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select, at 7 furlongs, 184 feet, on dirt for 3-year-old fillies; and $100,000 Palisades Turf Sprint, for 3-year-olds going 5½ furlongs on the grass. The Beaumont is worth 17 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks, with the winner collecting 10 points.

The Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland will be contested the following day, Saturday, April 3, as part of a blockbuster card of six stakes. The Toyota Blue Grass, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, and the Central Bank Ashland, for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles, both are worth 180 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective races.

The early nomination deadline for the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland is Feb. 13. Late nominations are due March 17.

Joining the Toyota Blue Grass and Central Bank Ashland on April 3 are the $300,000 Madison (G1), for older fillies and mares at 7 furlongs; $200,000 Appalachian (G2) Presented by Japan Racing Association for 3-year-old fillies at 1 mile on the grass; $200,000 Shakertown (G2), for 3-year-olds and up at 5½ furlongs on the turf; and $200,000 Commonwealth (G3), for older horses at 7 furlongs.

For the remainder of the Spring Meet, racing will be held Wednesday through Sunday.

Stakes action resumes Friday, April 9, with the $300,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1), for 4-year-olds and up at 1 mile on turf, and the $100,000 TVG Limestone Turf Sprint for 3-year-old fillies going 5½ furlongs on the grass.

Saturday, April 10, will present four stakes on a day highlighting the $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares and the $200,000 Stonestreet Lexington (G3), for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. One of the final preps on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Stonestreet Lexington awards 34 Derby qualifying points. The winner will earn 20 points.

The day's other stakes are the $150,000 Ben Ali (G3), for older horses racing 1 1/8 miles, and the $100,000 Giant's Causeway (L) a 5½-furlong turf race for fillies and mares.

Older horses will be showcased in three graded stakes during the final days of the season. The $100,000 Baird Doubledogdare (G3) for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles is set for Friday, April 16. The $200,000 Elkhorn (G2), for older males at 1½ miles on the turf, is the following day.

The April 23 closing-day feature is the $150,000 Bewitch (G3), for fillies and mares racing 1½ miles on the turf.

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Between The Hedges: Inside The Cross Country Pick 5

The Cross-Country Pick 5 wagers were conceived with the idea of collaborating with other tracks to showcase the best races that the industry has to offer.

The wager also serves as an opportunity to shine the spotlight on events the larger racing public may not be aware of, like the Far Hills Races, which offers a stakes-laden card each fall highlighted by the Grade 1 Grand National Hurdle. The success of the Cross Country Pick 5 wager is not necessarily measured by pool size as much as it is by increased exposure for our partners and the good of our industry as a whole.

The Cross Country concept really picked up speed during 2018 with Cross Country Pick 4s running from February through late October. During 2018 there were 11 wagers averaging $96,852 per pool. Heading into 2019, it was clear the trend in Pick Ns [multi-race sequences] were shifting towards the Pick 5, so the decision was made to shift the Cross Country wager from a Pick 4 to a Pick 5, as well as keeping the pool retail.

Most customers were in favor of the lower takeout [15 percent] and the bigger payouts allotted by the shift to a Cross Country Pick 5 format. A total of 36 Cross Country Pick 5 pools were hosted in 2019 averaging $94,215 per pool with the largest pool boasting $250,764, when partnering with Keeneland Race Course on April 6th for an all-graded sequence anchored by a trio of Grade 1 races, including the Carter Handicap from Aqueduct and the Madison and Ashland from Keeneland. The smallest Cross Country Pick 5 pool was $17,637 held on Kentucky Derby Day in partnership with Oaklawn and Woodbine.

The Pick 5 pool continued in 2020 with the only real change being a commitment to hosting one every Saturday for the sake of consistency. Much like post times [a topic for later] and race day schedule, it is critical to the wager's success that our customers know there will be a Cross Country Pick 5 offered each and every Saturday.

In 2020, the Cross Country Pick 5 wager extended into November for the first time and was offered on each race day that month when racing from both Aqueduct and Churchill Downs was offered with the full sequence being televised on the NYRA produced America's Day at the Races broadcast.

The average pool size jumped to $124,853 over 39 pools in 2020. The largest pool of $318,478 was on June 27th in partnership with Churchill Downs and Thistledown that featured an all graded-stakes sequence which included the Grade 1 Just a Game and Grade 2 True North from Belmont along with the Grade 2 Stephen Foster and Grade 3 Regret from Churchill and the Grade 3 Ohio Derby from Thistledown.

The smallest pool was $43,843 on the rescheduled Kentucky Derby Day of September 5th, in a pool partnering with Monmouth Park, Woodbine, and Delaware Park. Not surprisingly, the two smallest pools over the past two years were on Kentucky Derby Day.

Tracks participating in the Cross Country Pick 5 in 2020 included Churchill Downs, Delaware Park, Del Mar, Ellis Park, Keeneland, Monmouth Park, Oaklawn Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Thistledown, Turfway Park, and Woodbine Racetrack. In 2019, the Cross Country Pick 5 also partnered with Charlestown, Far Hills, Finger Lakes, Lone Star Park, Parx Racing, and Penn National.

Free past performances were offered in 2020 for all broadcasted races in addition to all Cross-Country Pick 5 wagers through a partnership with Equibase. That partnership has been extended for 2021. Past performance downloads reached 11,500 per week during the peak of the racing season and certainly contributed to the 31 percent increase in daily average pool.

When constructing the wager, the first step in creation of the sequence is a review of the NYRA stakes schedule, as well as the nationwide stakes schedule. With the potential stakes races selected, I reach out to the individual tracks to see if they would be interested in participating. I work with the racing offices at each partnering track on race placement as well as post times with the ideal sequence taking under an hour from start to finish, which helps put money back into circulation and generate churn. Races are chosen based on their competitiveness, field size, surface, and race order. I try to add variety along the way with all turf sequences, five tracks, all graded stakes, and occasionally some standardbred or steeplechase races.

A lot of our customers ask why certain tracks do not participate, and the reasons vary. Some states have restrictions that in order for them to participate, they must host the pool. Other tracks, on certain days, offer pool guarantees that could be in jeopardy if their marquee races are involved in other wagers.

The Cross Country Pick 5 wager has been lucrative both due to competitive racing in a stakes-rich sequence and the fact that it is a retail-only pool. Cross Country Pick 5 payouts in 2020 ranged from $57 up to $88,940, with an average of $9,233. In 2019, the highest payout was $43,159, while the lowest return was $160, with an average payout of $8,110. The wager almost always outperformed the parlay.

For more information on the Cross Country Pick 5, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Send your questions for Between The Hedges to betweenthehedges@nyrainc.com.

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Research Update: The Effect Of A Half Pad On Pressure Distribution

Half pads are used in many English riding disciplines to correct saddle fit, help distribute rider weight and absorb impact. Most half pads are constructed using wool, gel, or foam, and can be of varying thicknesses. The objective of a recent study, conducted in the United Kingdom, was to determine how half pad type affected the distribution of pressure under a well-fitting saddle.

Twelve high-level dressage horses tacked with properly fitting dressage saddles were ridden in a seated trot and canter on both the left and right rein. Horses were ridden with four half pad treatments, which included a control (only a cotton saddle cloth was placed under the saddle), gel half pad (viscoelastic gel pad not shaped to the horse's back), wool half pad (1-inch thick, natural wool pad shaped to the horse's back with a mesh spine channel connecting the two wool side panels), and foam half pad (1 inch thick, foam pad shaped to the horse's back with a mesh spine connecting the two foam side panels). All half pads were placed on top of a cotton saddle cloth and were “tented” into the saddle gullet to provide wither clearance.

At the trot and canter, pressure under the front of the saddle was greatest when using gel half pads, but remained similar between the wool and foam half pads compared to the control. Pressure was reduced in the back half of the saddle when fitted with a wool half pad at the trot, and when fitted with either a wool or foam half pad at the canter compared to the control. Researchers observed that the gel half pads tended to shift and flatten over the withers during riding compared to the wool and foam half pads, which remained “tented” into the saddle gullet. They hypothesized that the change in position may have led to the increased pressure at the front of the saddle. The researchers concluded that wool and foam half pads could help reduce pressure towards the back of well-fitting saddles at the canter, however, riders should consult with a professional saddle fitter to discuss if different half pads are suitable on an individual horse and rider basis.

Read more at the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science.

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