March, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Arlington Million Renamed Mister D Stakes, To Be Run For $600,000 On Aug. 14

The Thoroughbred Daily News reports that the Grade 1 Arlington Million has been renamed as the “Mister D Stakes” in honor of longtime Arlington Park owner Dick Duchossois, who turns 100 years old in 2021. The Grade 1 Mister D will be run over 1 1/4 miles on the turf on Aug. 14, for a purse of $600,000.

Also to be held on Aug. 14 are the G1 Beverly D. Stakes ($400,000) and the G1 Bruce D. Stakes (formerly the Secretariat, worth $300,000).

In 2020, the Arlington Million and all stakes races at the track were scrapped due to uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Churchill Downs, Inc., the owner of Arlington Park, announced plans to sell the property for development in February, but added that the sale wouldn't affect the 2021 racing season.

The 2021 season is scheduled to consist of 68 racing programs from April 30 through Sept. 25.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News.

The post Arlington Million Renamed Mister D Stakes, To Be Run For $600,000 On Aug. 14 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

First Mare Scanned In Foal To Grade 1 Winner Honor A. P.

Lane's End announced today that Grade 1 winner Honor A. P., new to the farm's roster for 2021, has his first mare confirmed in foal.

The first mare scanned in-foal is stakes winner and graded-stakes placed Omaticaya (IRE), owned by Dell Ridge Farm, LLC. She is from the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Muhtarram, champion St. Hilarion, and graded stakes winners Ballet de France and Profit Column.

An $850,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling purchase, Honor A. P. broke his maiden as a 2-year-old by over five lengths posting a 91 Beyer Speed Figure, one of the highest of his generation. He put away eventual Horse of the Year Authentic, one of only two horses to do so, in his Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby victory as a 3-year-old by an easy 2 3/4 lengths with a 102 Beyer.

The G1 Santa Anita Derby has long produced breed-shaping sires with past winners like Honor A. P.'s grandsire A.P. Indy, Sunday Silence, Affirmed, Pioneerof the Nile and more.

In his next start, the Shared Belief Stakes, he posted another 102 Beyer making him one of four 3-year-old colts in 2020 to post multiple triple-digit Beyers beyond a mile.

Honor A. P. stands for $15,000.

The post First Mare Scanned In Foal To Grade 1 Winner Honor A. P. appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Oaklawn Boosts Overnight Purses 15 Percent; Allowance Races Up To $110,000

Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark. announced the largest mid-season purse increase in the history of the track on Tuesday. Over the final eight weeks of the season, Oaklawn will pump another $2.5 million into overnight races, including increasing top allowance races to $110,000. The 15% across the board increase also takes maiden special weights to $93,000 and raises the bottom purse to $27,000.

“It's been an interesting year to say the least, but it is very gratifying to announce this purse increase nearly a year after shutting the race meet and casino down to fans because of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “I wasn't sure we'd get here a couple weeks ago with all the bad winter weather, but our horsemen and fans are resilient. February ended with a tremendous weekend of racing and it was exciting to see fans back in the Infield last week. I have no doubt the final eight weeks of racing are going to be exciting, especially with some of our marquee races still to come.”

Saturday's 12-race card will be highlighted by the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) for 3-year-olds with Arkansas Derby (G1) and Kentucky Derby (G1) aspirations, as well as the $500,000 Essex Handicap, $350,000 Azeri Stakes (G2), $200,000 Hot Springs Stakes, and $150,000 Temperence Hill Stakes. First post is 12 noon.

“Rebel Stakes weekend has grown to be almost as big as Arkansas Derby Day and we're excited to be able to welcome more fans back just in time for the richest racing in our history,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “Weather permitting, the Infield will be open every Saturday throughout the end of the meet. The Infield is truly a rite of spring and it was certainly missed last year.”

Oaklawn's 2021 live meet continues through Saturday, May 1.

The post Oaklawn Boosts Overnight Purses 15 Percent; Allowance Races Up To $110,000 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Weyburn a High-Upside Player on 2021 Kentucky Derby Trail

Making the Grade, which will run through the 2021 Triple Crown races, focuses on the winners or top performers of the key races, usually from the previous weekend, who could make an impact on the Triple Crown. We’ll be taking a close look at impressive winners and evaluating their chances to win classic races based upon ability, running style, connections (owner, trainer, jockey), and pedigree.