April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

NSW: Prize Money For Owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds Frozen Over Money Laundering Allegations

Racing New South Wales has frozen the prize money of owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds, reports Just Horse Racing, over allegations the founder Amer Abdulaziz is involved in money laundering.

“Racing NSW has investigated the matter and any allegation made in respect to legal proceedings internationally is denied by Mr. Abdulaziz,” said Racing NSW chairman of stewards Marc Van Gestel. “Pending the outcome of those matters Racing NSW is freezing the prizemoney of horses raced by Phoenix Thoroughbreds.”

Just Horse Racing reports: “In January, Phoenix and Canberra casino owner Tony Fung were the top buyers at the Magic Millions yearlings sale having spent $11.6 million on 19 horses.”

Phoenix also campaigned 2020 Golden Slipper winner Farnan.

Phoenix reportedly is not permitted to race in France, United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom. No state racing commissions in the United States have taken regulatory action against Phoenix.

Phoenix continues to be active at U.S. bloodstock sales, including the $1.2 million bid by Phoenix agent Gerard Butler to buy out a partner in stakes winner Lady Apple last November at Fasig-Tipton. Shannon Arvin, president and CEO of Keeneland, released the following statement concerning Phoenix being allowed to participate in sales after court documents filed by a federal prosecutor in a money laundering case involving the multi-billion-dollar OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, accused Abdulaziz of being a money launderer for OneCoin.

“Keeneland is aware of the allegations that may involve Phoenix Thoroughbreds and is monitoring the situation,” said Arvin. “However, it is our understanding that Phoenix Thoroughbred has not been indicted by a grand jury, let alone convicted on any allegations. Keeneland will continue to follow any developments in this matter, and certainly will comply with any regulatory or legal action or direction from a governing authority.”

Since the money laundering accusations were made in federal court against Abdulaziz, it is believed that he has not traveled to the United States from Dubai, where he resides.

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Menuisier Focused On Arc With Wonderful Tonight

Christopher Wright's dual Group 1-winning mare Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) is likely to have a later start to her 4-year-old campaign, with all roads leading to the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, according to trainer David Menuisier.

Wonderful Tonight won the G3 Prix Minerve last summer before scoring at the top level for the first time in the G1 Prix de Royallieu over 14 furlongs. Rather than supplementing for the Arc, connections opted to take in the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. over the same mile and a half trip, which she won by 2 1/2 lengths.

“She's back in training, she's been back in about four or five weeks now, but we are just going to take our time with her,” Menuisier said. “She's not the kind of filly you can stop and start with. The classic French way to prepare for the Arc is to have a spring campaign, then a summer break and come back for the autumn, but once you get going with her, she really doesn't understand the summer break. The idea would be to have four or five races in consecutive months leading up to the Arc, so we don't want to run too early and because of that, I don't really have any strong plans.”

Menuisier said he will be hoping for plenty of rain wherever Wonderful Tonight does run.

“She's entered in the [G2] Middleton at York next month and the [G1] Coronation Cup, but I don't think Epsom would really be her favourite option unless the ground came up very soft. She's usually a bit keen and even on good ground, I could see her doing too much down the hill there and not finishing her race.

“Anything quicker than good wouldn't really rock my boat for her. I wouldn't want her to have too many hard races on the way to October, although obviously as a dual Group 1 winner you are always going to be up against good horses, wherever you run. She will probably be entered in races like the [G1] King George [VI and Queen Elizabeth S.] and then we'll just be hoping for a rotten summer. Even if the weather doesn't favour us, we know we'll have to run her somewhere to get her ready.

“There's also options in France–the [G2] Grand Prix de Chantilly at the Jockey Club meeting would be one and the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is another. She owes us nothing though and we will respect her.”

The post Menuisier Focused On Arc With Wonderful Tonight appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Pletcher Works Derby Quartet at Churchill

On a busy Friday morning at Churchill Downs, GI Kentucky Derby contenders Bourbonic (Bernardini) (five furlongs, 1:01.60), Dynamic One (Union Rags) (five furlongs, 1:01), Helium (Ironicus) (five furlongs, 1:01.80), Known Agenda (Curlin) (five furlongs, 1:00.40) and Sainthood (Mshawish) (five furlongs, 1:00.40) all recorded published workouts in preparation for the 147th running of the “Run for the Roses” Saturday, May 1.

All five horses worked at 7:30 a.m. and D J Stable's unbeaten GII Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby winner Helium was the first of the quintet to work.

“The most important thing about the work is [jockey] Julien [Leparoux] was happy,” said trainer Mark Casse.

Trainer Todd Pletcher arrived two weeks early in Kentucky and was on-site to watch his Derby contenders work Friday morning. Pletcher's first duo of St. Elias Stable's GI Curlin Florida Derby winner Known Agenda and WinStar Farm and CHC Inc's GII Jeff Ruby Steaks runner-up Sainthood worked through fractions of :12.60, :24.40 and :36.40. They galloped out together through six furlongs in 1:13.40.

“Because of the spacing of their last two races, I wanted a more serious work out of them,” Pletcher said. “I thought both horses got over the surface well and that's what was most important about getting them up here early to work over it. All four of these horses have probably been workmates at one point and I paired these two together because of that spacing of their last race.”

The next Pletcher duo to work was Calumet Farm's Bourbonic and Repole Stable, Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable's Dynamic One. The one-two finishers of the GII Wood Memorial S. began their work together through an opening quarter-mile fraction of :24.40 and half-mile time of :48.60. Dynamic One finished in front of Bourbonic at the wire and continued to gallop out ahead through a six-furlong time of 1:13.20. Bourbonic completed a six-furlong gallop out in 1:14.60.

“I thought it would be good to work both of these horses together after coming out of the same race,” Pletcher said. “I'd say we were definitely surprised at winning the Wood. [Bourbonic] has always trained a little bit light but we always thought that the further the distance, the better it would be for him. He likes to drop back and make one run.”

Medina Spirit Works at Santa Anita…

Medina Spirit (Protonico), second in the GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby Apr. 5, worked five furlongs in 1:00 (4/43) at Santa Anita Friday.

“He worked five eighths, galloped out strong and looked good,” trainer Bob Baffert said.

Meanwhile, a decision on 'TDN Rising Star' Concert Tour (Street Sense)'s participation in the Kentucky Derby remained on hold. The Gary and Mary West colorbearer, already at Baffert's Churchill base, was a disappointing third as the 3-10 favorite in last Saturday's Arkansas Derby.

“Nothing yet,” said Baffert. “I'll be talking to Gary, but we wanted to give the horse a week and see what's happening. “He looks good but there's no decision yet.”

The post Pletcher Works Derby Quartet at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Online Historical Horse Racing Game Luckii.com Strikes Major League Soccer Marketing Deal In Oregon

Just months after launching, Luckii.com – the online game powered by Historic Horse Racing – has been named the official online gaming partner of the Portland Timbers.

Luckii and the Major League Soccer team will collaborate on in-game and on-field sponsorships, online promotions, charitable efforts and IP rights, including a soon-to-be-released Timbers-themed game.

“We are thrilled to welcome Luckii as our official online gaming partner,” said Mike Golub, the team's President of Business. “Since their launch in Oregon, we've discussed creative ways to introduce Luckii to our fans and are excited about this new multi-year partnership.”

Luckii gives players the chance to win real money and big jackpots through a variety of Vegas-style games, which follow pari-mutuel rules, and can be played at home or on the go. Since launching late last year, Luckii has paid out nearly $3M in prizes and has seen double-digit weekly growth.

Under terms of the Timbers agreement, soccer fans coming back to Providence Park this season will see Luckii promotions on the field and around the stadium, as well as regional broadcast integration for home and away games on FOX 12 Oregon and ROOT Sports. Timbers fans will also be able to participate in a number of integrated promotions on Luckii.com, including Timbers-specific prizes and branded events.

“We are excited about this groundbreaking partnership with the Timbers,” said Bill Yucatonis, President of Luckii. “The Timbers are an iconic brand in Oregon and a franchise with deep roots in the community, along with a dedicated and passionate fan base we are excited to connect with. As we move forward with plans to expand to other states, this partnership has shown us the value of engaging with Major League Soccer fan bases across the country.”

Luckii is managed by ELS Gaming – a national leader in the development of real estate, hospitality and gaming projects. They bring decades of experience – from legislation and regulation to operations and player experience – and have deep roots in the horse racing industry and online gaming.

Luckii has an exclusive agreement with industry-leader Exacta Systems to power their HHR engine and is licensed by the Oregon Racing Commission as a multi-jurisdictional Advanced Deposit Wagering platform. A portion of proceeds from Luckii.com are provided back to the horse racing industry, supporting racing, local jobs and communities.

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