February, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Arizona Senate Committees Advance Horse Racing Bill

The Arizona Senate moved a gaming bill through two committees–one unanimously–and it now awaits an assignment date for a vote by the full Senate.

Senate Bill 1794 passed the Appropriations and Rules committees, with wide support. The bill authorizes historic horse racing, providing up to $140 million in new state tax revenues, as well as support for the state's horse racing industry.

“This long-overdue modernization effort will help the many local businesses that support the horse racing industry and also provide much-needed revenue to the state,” said Save Arizona Horse Racing spokeswoman Lorna Romera. “Arizona has an ideal climate for hosting year-round horse races and attracting fans, horses, breeders, trainers and others looking to escape the hostile environment in California. We urge members of the legislature to seize on this opportunity to make Arizona the premier destination in the country for horse racing.”

Horse racing has been a key economic driver in Arizona for decades. But since 2004, Arizona has seen parimutuel handles drop by $55 million a year, purses drop by $5 million a year and live racing attendance has dropped 45%.

Senate Bill 1794 would modernize Arizona wagering laws, while limiting the number of HHR terminals to just 15% of tribal gaming positions–minimizing any impact on those revenues. HHR also relies on parimutuel wagering, which was legal in Arizona before tribal gaming compacts began, so their authorization would not violate those state agreements.

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Notable US-Bred & -Sired Runners in Japan: Feb. 27 & 28, 2021

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 Hanshin Racecourses:

Saturday, February 27, 2021
3rd-NKY, ¥9,680,000 ($91k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
SLAP SHOT (JPN) (c, 3, Air Force Blue–Laxfield Road, by Quality Road) was sent off at debut odds of 53-10 in a 1400-meter newcomers' event at Toyko Feb. 14 and battled on gamely inside in the final half-furlong to miss by a short head after racing prominently throughout. The bay is out of a stakes-placed half-sister to GISP Zatter (Midnight Lute) who fetched $200K carrying this produce in utero at Keeneland January in 2018. Slap Shot was subsequently purchased for ¥32,940,000 ($305,354) at the Hokkaido Summer Select Yearling Sale in 2019. B-Sakurai Bokujo

Sunday, February 28, 2021
2nd-HSN, ¥9,680,000 ($91k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m
EIFER LYNX (f, 3, Fed Biz–Polish Silk, by Polish Pro), a half-sister to SW I Got It All (Tiz Wonderful), is out of a six-time winning half-sister to SW Soaring Stocks (Trippi) and MSW & MGSP Razor (Concorde's Tune). The filly's third dam, Royal Ties (Distinctive), produced MGSW & GISP On to Royalty (On to Glory), the dam of Classic winner Louis Quatorze (Sovereign Dancer) and GISW Royal Indy (A.P. Indy). This is also the family of GISW Wildcat Heir (Forest Wildcat) and MGSW J J'sdream (Glitterman). B-David G Campbell (KY)

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Expanded 2021 Stakes Schedule at Indiana Grand

The 2021 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino will feature an expanded stakes schedule of 40 races worth over $3.65 million. The stakes schedule is highlighted by the $300,000 GIII Indiana Derby, which will be held at mid-week for the second time when it is run July 7. That Wednesday card's six-stakes lineup also includes the $200,000 GIII Indiana Oaks.

“We moved Indiana Derby Day to Wednesday in 2020 due to crowd restrictions and other safety protocols in place due to COVID-19,” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “The move proved to be very popular with racing fans across the nation and the Derby program set an all-time track record for total handle, just missing the $6-million mark. We feel by moving our big day to mid-week, the program receives the recognition it deserves with such high-quality stakes on the card.”

The track's Sept. 8 card will include the $150,000 Caesars S. and the $150,000 Indiana Grand. Those stakes–the state's richest turf races–will be complemented by the $75,000 Back Home Again S. and the $75,000 Circle City S., which sport new names in 2021. Both races were part of an online contest to rename several stakes, garnering more than 250 responses.

“Our online presence has jumped over the past year and we value the support of those racing fans,” added Halstrom. “We wanted to include them in revamping our 2021 stakes schedule and by offering a contest with a prize, it was a way to engage them in the process. We got some really good suggestions, which we have used on 12 stakes for the year.”

New to the Indiana Grand schedule in 2021 are the William Garrett S., the IU Hoosiers S., the Send it in Army S. and the Clarksville S. Each will offer a purse of $65,000.

“We saw an opportunity to add some open stakes to our summer lineup and we think this will create a lot of variety to our schedule,” said Chris Polzin, director of racing/racing secretary. “Plus, the Garrett and IU Hoosiers [set for Aug. 11] give us two more stakes to showcase on our turf course.”

The complete stakes schedule is available here.

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Equine Herpes Virus-3 Confirmed In Icelandic Herd Closed To The Outside World For Centuries

Prior to 2021, only three strains of equine herpes virus (EHV) had been confirmed in Icelandic horses living in their native country, which has been a closed herd for more than 1,000 years. Now, four strains have been reported to affect the native population: EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5 and EHV-3, the newest strain to be detected.

Scientists had previously speculated that the absence of EHV-1 in Icelandic horses suggested that the virus was not as common in Medieval Europe as it is today. However, with confirmation that EHV-1 does exist in the closed herd, it appears that the virus was common in horses in Europe in the 9th or 10th Century.

EHV is a family of viruses: EHV-1 can case neurologic problems, respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death. EHV-4 causes nonfatal respiratory disease in foals and EHV-3 causes venereal disease that doesn't affect fertility.

Drs. Lilja Thorsteinsdóttir, Gunnar Örn Guðmundsson, Höskuldur Jensson, Sigurbjörg Torsteinsdóttir and Vilhjálmur Svansson took samples from a 3-year-old Icelandic mare that had blisters on her vulva. Testing was positive for EHV-3.

EHV-3 is non-invasive; lesions typically heal in 10 to 14 days. Infected horses may be dull, have a fever or go off their feed.

Researchers speculate the appearance of the new viral strain in the closed population may be connected to the growing popularity of Icelandic horses, which has led more horse people to travel to the country and interact with the population of Icelandics there.

Read the communication here.