April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Win And You’re In’ Television Schedule Features 12 Live Programs On NBC Sports

The Breeders' Cup and NBC Sports today announced the 2021 “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” television schedule, consisting of 12 live programs featuring more than 20 automatic qualifying races and other major stakes from six of the nation's premier racetracks on the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships.

Now in its eighth year on NBC Sports, the series showcases the top horses as they vie for a coveted automatic berth, and free entry, into the 2021 Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled for Nov. 5-6 at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, Calif. The World Championships will be televised live on NBC and NBCSN.

Breeders' Cup is providing an “Add to Calendar” feature that allows fans to easily add the complete Breeders' Cup Challenge and World Championships NBC Sports television schedule to their calendar. The calendar will automatically provide broadcast reminders including tune-in information. Fans can click here for more information and to add to their calendar now.

Television coverage of the 2021 Challenge Series begins on NBC at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 5 during NBC Sports' Belmont Stakes Day programming. The first show will feature the Runhappy Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and the Ogden Phipps (G1) live from Belmont Park, for automatic berths into the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1), respectively.

The televised series continues on NBC July 3 at 5:00 p.m. ET with the Suburban Stakes (G2), which will award the winner an automatic berth into the $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). The following day, July 4, a “Win and You're In” for the $2 million Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) will be on the line in the John A. Nerud Stakes (G2), with coverage starting at 5:00 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Three-year-olds competing for an automatic berth into the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) will be in the spotlight in the TVG.com Haskell Stakes (G1) from Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., on July 17 on NBC. Last year, Authentic earned a free berth into the Classic when he won the Haskell, went on to win the Classic in November at Keeneland and was voted Horse of the Year. In 2015, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah earned an automatic berth into the Classic when he won the Haskell and later closed out his Horse of the Year campaign by winning the Classic.

Two Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races which had previously been held at Belmont Park ― The Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and The Flower Bowl (G1) ― will run this year at historic Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Sept. 4, and will be shown live on NBCSN. The Jockey Club Gold Cup is a “Win and You're In” for the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), while the Flower Bowl will provide the winner a free starting position into the $2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1).

One week later, Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., is the scene for two “Win and You're In” qualifiers on NBCSN headlined by a new race to the Challenge Series, the Calumet Kentucky Cup (G2), with a free starting position into the $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). The second televised race at Kentucky Downs will be the Turf Sprint (G3), which gives the winner a free entry into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1).

Woodbine Racecourse outside Toronto will be the site of three Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races on turf over the Sept. 18-19 weekend on NBCSN. On Sept. 18, Woodbine will host the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (G1), which will guarantee the winner a “Win and You're In” spot into the $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). On Sept. 19, 2-year-olds take center stage in the Summer Stakes (G1) for an automatic berth into the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1), and Natalma Stakes (G1) for a free entry in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., will host four programs from Oct. 2-6 to close out the 2021 “Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” schedule. On Friday, Oct. 2 on NBCSN, there will be two races televised: the Darley Alcibiades (G1) for 2-year-old fillies, for a “Win and You're In” slot into the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), and the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G2), with the winner securing an automatic berth into the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1).

The centerpiece of the Saturday, Oct. 3, program at Keeneland on CNBC will be the Keeneland Turf Mile (G1), which is a “Win and You're In” for the FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). Juvenile males also will be vying for a free berth into the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) in the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1).

On Sunday, Oct. 4, NBCSN will present a 90-minute program featuring the Juddmonte Spinster Stakes (G1) and the Bourbon Stakes (G2). The Spinster will offer an automatic starting position in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) and the Bourbon Stakes will give the winner a free spot into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1). The Oct. 4 program will also feature highlights of Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races from ParisLongchamp in France, headlined by the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1).

“The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing” concludes on Wednesday, Oct. 6, with the Jessamine Stakes (G2) at Keeneland for a free qualifying spot into the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

“The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In – presented by America's Best Racing continues to be an excellent way for fans to stay connected to the top horses and races throughout the summer and fall leading up to the World Championships,” said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming. “We thank NBC Sports for their continued commitment to our sport and are grateful for the broadcasting excellence they deliver in their domestic and international Thoroughbred racing coverage. We also thank our Challenge Series partner racetracks around the world along with America's Best Racing for their presenting sponsorship and promotion of the series.”

“We are excited to showcase the world's top horses in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series from Belmont Stakes Day throughout the summer and all the way to the Breeders' Cup World Championships in November,” said Justin Byczek, NBC Sports Senior Vice President of Programming and Rights Management.

The complete Challenge Series television schedule can be viewed here.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series coverage on NBC and NBCSN will be live streamed on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app.

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Polo For The PDJF: Jockeys On OTTBs In Benefit Event At Commonwealth Polo Club

Commonwealth Polo Club is hosting the first “Polo for the PDJF” on Friday, April 23, 2021, in Paris, Kentucky, with proceeds benefiting the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (“PDJF”).

The evening will include dinner, drinks, entertainment, a silent auction, with the main attraction being the retired and active jockeys who will be playing polo while riding retired race horses. Jockeys who will be playing include Chris McCarron, Rosie Napravnik, PJ Cooksey, Anthony Stephen, Michael Heath and many others. Additionally, the event will be emceed by Hall of Fame jockey, Gary Stevens, and attended by Shane Sellers, Jean Cruget, Sandy Hawley, Mike Manganello, and Gary Birzer, along with other active and retired jockeys.

“We are really looking forward to the event,” said Susan Moulton, wife of well-known retired jockey Shane Sellers, and member of Commonwealth Polo Club. “They are coming out to play to raise money and awareness for their fellow jockeys who have suffered catastrophic injuries as a result of an on-track accident. As there is no guaranteed funding for the PDJF, it is important that we come together as an industry to assist in providing for these jockeys who gave so much for the sport of horse racing.”

Moulton, along with Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales and Silver Springs Training, and Jorge Vasquez, co-founder of the Commonwealth Polo Club, came up with the idea and are hoping to make it an annual event.

“Raising awareness for the risk and injuries jockeys face is something that is important to me,” said Vasquez, “as I have a brother who is a retired jockey and many family members and friends who are in the racing industry.”

During the silent auction, guests will be given the opportunity to bid on a unique array of items including autographed racing memorabilia, artwork, jewelry, and equestrian items. Auction items of interest include halters worn by American Pharoah and Justify donated by Coolmore America, Tapit donated by Gainesway Farm, and Midnight Bisou donated by Bloom Racing Stables and Hill N Dale Farm.

Sponsors of the polo teams include Gainesway Farm, Winstar Farm, Godolphin at Jonabell Farm, Mt. Brilliant Farm, Safari North Farm, Team Valor, Bowling Bloodstock, Vinery Sales, and Silver Springs Training.

Musical Entertainment will be “The Steve Norman Band.” There will be food provided by Proud Mary BBQ. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with the polo match beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. Admission for the event is $10 per car load. Commonwealth Polo Club is located at 2665 Bethlehem Road in Paris, Kentucky.

For more information please contact Jorge Vasquez at Commonwealth Polo Club at 859-321-6785.

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Rob Tuel Named Track Announcer At Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel has announced the hiring of Rob Tuel as its new full-time track announcer replacing Michael Chamberlain, who had spent the last six years behind the microphone in Opelousas, Louisiana.

Tuel's race calling experience began in 2004 at Eureka Downs in Kansas, where he called both Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. Over the years he has also called races in his home state of Nebraska at FairPlay Park, Lincoln Race Course and Atokad Park.

“I am honored and thrilled to be selected as the new track announcer at Evangeline Downs,” said Tuel. “It has been a lifelong dream to the announcer at such a prestigious racetrack and I cannot wait to begin.”

Tuel will also have the responsibility of handicapping each program at Evangeline Downs while also hosting the track's daily simulcast show. His experience in front of the camera along with a lifetime of handicapping horse races will provide fans with valuable insights and plenty of winning picks nightly. From 2010 – 2012 he served as paddock host and handicapper at Lincoln Race Course while working with Chamberlain, who was the announcer at that time.

“We are very exciting to have Rob join our racing team here at Evangeline Downs,” said Carol Core, Vice President and General Manager. “He brings plenty of excitement and enthusiasm to the position of track announcer and I'm sure he will be well received by race fans both locally and across the nation via simulcast.”

Tuel's first full season at Evangeline Downs will run from April 28 through Sept. 18. The track will host live programs each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 5:50 pm Central Time.

For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs' Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

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‘We’ve Always Loved His Talent’: Silver State Turning To Gold For Asmussen

Two of the best horses developed by Steve Asmussen for Winchell Thoroughbreds came to the Hall of Fame trainer on the advice of David Lambert. Silver State hasn't reached championship status yet, but the 4-year-old son of Hard Spun continued his climb toward the top of the country's older two-turn division with a half-length victory in the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) last Saturday at Oaklawn under Ricardo Santana Jr.

The victory was the fifth consecutive for Silver State, who became the first horse to win the Oaklawn Handicap – Oaklawn's biggest prize for older two-turn runners – $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at 1 mile and the $500,000 Essex Handicap at 1 1/16 miles. The latter two races, Jan. 23 and March 13, respectively, were major local steppingstones to the 1 1/8-mile Oaklawn Handicap.

Asmussen said on the recommendation of Lambert, a noted equine physiologist, Winchell Thoroughbreds (Ron and Joan Winchell) purchased Silver State for $450,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sales. Lambert, founder and president of Equine Analysis Systems in Midway, Ky., also steered the Winchells toward privately purchasing half-interest in Gun Runner and retaining homebred Untapable to race. Both became Eclipse Award winners.

Now, silver is turning to gold for the Winchells, who campaign Silver State with prominent Arkansas breeder/owner Willis Horton.

“It's a horse the Hortons and Winchells purchased on Dr. Lambert's advice, that has continued to develop and get better,” Asmussen said. “We've always loved his talent level.”

Silver State earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 101, equaling a career high, for his Oaklawn Handicap victory. After falling off the Kentucky Derby trail following a seventh-place finish in the $1 million Louisiana Derby (G2) in March 2020 at Fair Grounds, Silver State returned with two sharp allowance victories last fall in Kentucky before emerging as Oaklawn's top older two-turn runner this year. His Beyer Speed Figures, a numerical representation of performance, have ranged from 97 to 101, during the winning streak. Asmussen calls Silver State, “a gorgeous animal” who needed time to develop because he's “massive in size.”

“This race is significant enough,” Asmussen said. “He'll get the future we were hoping for, and this proves it.”

Asmussen said next-race plans are pending for Silver State, who won for the sixth time in 10 lifetime starts. Silver State ($1,230,094) became a millionaire after collecting the $600,000 winning check.

It was the first Oaklawn Handicap victory for Asmussen and the Winchells and the second for Horton, who also won the race in 2014 with champion Will Take Charge. Horton turned 81 last Saturday.

“The Hortons owning half this horse with the Winchells and how important Oaklawn is to them, the Hortons are to Oaklawn, what a great birthday present for him today,” Asmussen said.

The Oaklawn Handicap was Asmussen's record 95th Oaklawn stakes victory. Asmussen also won the $600,000 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) for older fillies and mares in 2015 with Untapable and the $500,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) for older horses in 2017 with Gun Runner. Untapable won an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly of 2014. Gun Runner captured two Eclipse Awards (Horse of the Year and older dirt male) in 2017.

Asmussen has a meet-high 49 victories this year as he seeks his record-tying 11th Oaklawn training title. The Oaklawn Handicap pushed his purse earnings at the meet to more than $5 million. He enters the final eight racing days at $5,072,636 and with a chance to break his single-season Oaklawn record ($5,644,609), set in 2019.

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