April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Alkumait Injured, Will Miss Guineas

A knee chip sustained while running in the G3 Greenham S. on Sunday has knocked Shadwell's Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) out of action until the autumn. The colt won a Goodwood maiden second up in July, and then added the G2 Mill Reef S. at Newbury on Sept. 19 prior to a last-placed run in the G1 Dewhurst S. on Oct. 10. Shelved until Apr. 18, the bay ran seventh in the Greenham over seven furlongs.

Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold said, “Sadly he's come out of it with a little chip on a knee, which we're going to have to take out. Apart from anything else, I think the run confirmed he doesn't stay, even if a chip on a knee was hardly going to help him.

“I think he's going to be a sprinter, but he'll miss the whole of the summer and we'll try to get him back in the autumn.”

Another Shadwell G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hopeful that will skip the May 1 Classic is Mujbar (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). Also a group winner as a juvenile taking the Oct. 24 G3 Horris Hill S., the bay colt will instead point to the G1 French 2000 Guineas on May 16. He ran eighth in the Greenham in his 3-year-old bow.

“All his best form last year was definitely with give in the ground and I think we learned the other day he would prefer it easier. He was also far too keen, anyway,” Gold added of Mujbar. “Hopefully we've got that out of him now on his first run back and we might look at the French Guineas or something like that. We'll see how he does between now and then, but he won't be going to Newmarket for the Guineas.”

'TDN Rising Star' Mutasaabeq (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is still a potential Guineas contender, but his next start has not been confirmed. A winner at Newmarket in October, he earned 'Rising Star' status with a six-length drubbing of his contemporaries in a seven-furlong conditions stakes at HQ on Apr. 13.

Gold added, “No decision has been made yet. We'll wait to hear from Sheikh Hamdan's family whether they would like to supplement him for the Guineas or head towards [Royal] Ascot and go the more gentle route.”

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Well-Being Survey Launched By British Racing

Wellbeing across the Horseracing Industry, a comprehensive survey to help inform a strategy dedicated to the welfare of the British Racing workforce, was launched on Tuesday.

The survey, which runs through May 16, is open to everyone working across the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry. Every individual who completes the survey, will receive a personalised well-being report to help improve how they feel, live and work. A Wellbeing Committee was also created, comprising a significant range of expertise across its membership, as well as a dedication towards improving further the overall health of the sport and its employees. The Wellbeing Committee consists of the following:

Simon Jones, Chair
Linda Bowles, HR Director and charity trustee
Kay Boyden, Director of Programmes, Racing Welfare
Lisa Hancock, Chief Executive, Injured Jockeys Fund
Jerry Hill, BHA Chief Medical Adviser
Will McConn, Sports Psychologist and joint author of the 2019 review and recommendations on mental health support in British Racing
Rishi Persad, Horseracing and sports broadcaster
Simone Sear, Director of Welfare, Racing Welfare

The committee, which will report to the People Board chaired by BHA Director Laura Whyte, will lead an industry-wide programme of work that brings together all the organisations that deliver support to the workforce, with well-being prioritised. A well-being strategy was identified as a priority within British Racing's COVID-19 recover plan published last summer. There will also be dedicated well-being workshops for leaders across British Racing and the completion of a comprehensive gap analysis of provision across key stakeholder bodies, are among priorities that have been delivered early in 2021.The Racing Foundation has provided funding support in this crucial area to date, which builds on their support of the groundbreaking 2019 report, 'A lifestyle rather than a job': a review and recommendations on mental health support within British Racing.

Wellbeing Committee Chair Simon Jones said, “I'm delighted to have been asked to Chair British Racing's Wellbeing Committee. In establishing this Committee, the BHA and the sport, working with the full range of stakeholders, has given the highest priority possible to a programme of work that puts the wellbeing of our workforce at the top of our sports agenda.

“The industry's Wellbeing Committee will oversee the delivery of excellence in wellbeing, development and pastoral support of our people, and contribute to the continued improvement in the health of our sport.”

BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington added, “Staff wellbeing, across the full breadth of British racing, is a priority for decision-makers in our sport and will be critical to our recovery from the pandemic, and our growth in the future.

“I wish to thank Simon and his fellow Wellbeing Committee members for their commitment to this crucial area, which will be matched at the BHA as plans and policies are developed. This is a big opportunity for all employees, in every area of our sport, to have their voices heard, and I encourage everyone to complete the survey.”

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Irad Ortiz’ Apple Blossom Ride Earns Jockey Of The Week Title

Billed as “Champion vs. Champion,” the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park was widely considered a two-horse race between Monomoy Girl and Swiss Skydiver. Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Letruska, however, had another idea which earned him Jockey of the Week for April 12 through April 18. The award, which is voted on by a panel of racing experts, is for jockeys who are members of the Jockeys' Guild, the organization which represents more than 950 active riders in the United States as well as retired and permanently disabled jockeys.

It doesn't happen often when three-time Eclipse Champion jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. isn't on either the favorite or second favorite but the end result was a familiar one. Riding Letruska for the first time, Ortiz, Jr. went to the lead after the start and led the field through fractions of 23.56 for the opening quarter, 47.96 for the half and 1:12.26 for six furlongs. Swiss Skydiver and Monomoy Girl tracked the leader entering the stretch. Monomoy Girl grabbed a narrow lead but Ortiz, Jr. and Letruska dug in and fought back bravely along the rail to prevail by a nose at the wire in the final time of 1:43.14 for 1-1/16 miles over the fast track. Swiss Skydiver finished 6-1/2 lengths back in third.

“I got the right trip,” said Ortiz, Jr. “She likes to be on the lead, I let her go, let her make the lead. She relaxed and I was able to save something for the end. She responded really well.”

The Apple Blossom was Ortiz, Jr.'s fifth Grade 1 and twelfth graded stakes to date this year.

Ortiz, Jr.'s weekly stats were 20-7-6-3 for a 35% winners and 80% in-the-money.

He led all jockeys in purses won with $1,137,435.

Ortiz, Jr. out-polled jockeys Javier Castellano who won two stakes at Aqueduct, Paco Lopez who was second in number of wins for the week, Flavien Prat who won two graded stakes at Santa Anita and Luis Saez who won a stakes race at Keeneland and led all jockeys by number of wins.

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Indiana Grand: Longshots Trigger Pick 5 Carryover Of $44,093 To Wednesday’s Card

A series of longshots in the Pick 5 sequence at Indiana Grand Tuesday, April 20 will send a $44,093.42 carryover into the Wednesday, April 21 racing program at Indiana Grand. The wager will resume in Wednesday's fifth race with an estimated post time of 4:30 p.m. EST.

The Pick 5 started in the afternoon's fifth race in mild temperatures with a win by Chakra and Malcolm Franklin paying $13.40 to win. The kickoff to the Pick 5 was the lowest paying leg of the day. The wager ended in the ninth race with Big If True and Eddie Perez paying $39.20 to win through a late April snowstorm rolling into the area.

The Pick 5 gained popularity last season with one of the lowest takeout rates in the country at 11.99 percent. The wager continues to attract attention nationally and is held on the final five Thoroughbred races daily at Indiana Grand.

The 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing is now in progress and continues through Monday, Nov. 8. Live racing will be conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. In addition, six all-Quarter Horse racing dates are set on select Saturdays starting June 5 at 10 a.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30 beginning at 12 p.m. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.indianagrand.com.

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