April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pennsylvania Derby, Cotillion Return To Parx’s Lasix-Free Stakes Schedule In 2021

After being forced to cancel the majority of its 2020 stakes schedule due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Parx Racing has released its' 2021 stakes schedule featuring over $5 million in purses. The marque event is the return of the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby and Grade 1 Cotillion Stakes. Both one-million dollar races will be run on Saturday, September 25 along with seven other stakes including The Gallant Bob (G2), Turf Monster (G3), Dr. James Penny Memorial (G3), and the Greenwood Cup (G3).

“Others tracks have had a lot of success both from a wagering stand point and being able to create a buzz running several of their major races on the same card,” explained David Osojnak, Director of Racing for Parx. “The goal is to continue to expand the PA Derby/Cotillion card into one of the premier days in the fall racing schedule.”

Tuesday, Aug. 24 will be the inaugural PA Derby/Cotillion Preview Day, featuring the Grade 3 Smarty Jones Stakes and the Cathryn Sophia Stakes as well as the always exciting Parx Dash (G3). As an added incentive Parx will be awarding a $50,000 bonus to both the owner and trainer of any horse which wins both the Smarty Jones and the PA Derby as well as a separate $50,000 bonus for connections that sweep both the Cathryn Sophia and the Cotillion.

“This added incentive is emblematic of PARX Racing's and the PTHA's commitment to Pennsylvania's horseracing industry and community,” Osojnak said. “Several of our 2019 stakes participants went on to compete in the Breeders' Cup races in 2019 with Spun to Run (Smarty Jones S. winner, and Pa Derby participant) winning the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) for (Juan) Carlos Guerrero. With our stakes schedule Parx is an ideal place to condition and compete good up-and coming horses.”

Parx will host 12 Pa Bred Stakes in 2021 awarding $1.2 million dollars in purses highlighted by five Pennsylvania bred stake races on PA Day at the Races, Monday Aug. 23.

The stakes schedule rounds out with Owners Appreciation Day on Labor Day Sept. 6, Hall of Fame Day on Oct. 12, and the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes on Dec. 7.

RACE DAY LASIX IS PROHIBITED IN ALL GRADED STAKES.

2021 Parx Racing Stakes Schedule

Tuesday, April 27, 2021
$100,000 PAGE MCKENNEY HANDICAP (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 7 Furlongs
$100,000 UNIQUE BELLA STAKES (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 7 Furlongs

Tuesday, June 22, 2021
$100,000 CROWD PLEASER STAKES (PA-Bred), 3 YO – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 POWER BY FAR STAKES (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)

Monday, August 23, 2021
$100,000 BANJO PICKER SPRINT (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 6 Furlongs
$100,000 DR. TERESA GAROFALO MEMORIAL (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 6 Furlongs
$100,000 MARSHALL JENNEY HANDICAP (PA -Bred), 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$100,000 MRS. PENNY STAKES (PA -Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 STORM CAT STAKES (PA – Bred), 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles

Tuesday, August 24, 2021
$150,000 CATHRYN SOPHIA STAKES, 3 YO F – 1 Mile 70 Yards
$200,000 PARX DASH – Grade III, 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$300,000 SMARTY JONES STAKES – Grade III, 3 YO – 1 & 1/16 Miles

Monday, September 6, 2021
$100,000 ROAMIN RACHEL STAKES, F & M 3 & Up – 6 & 1/2 Furlongs
$100,000 SALVATORE M. DEBUNDA PTHA PRESIDENT'S CUP, F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/8 Miles (Turf)

Saturday, September 25, 2021
$100,000 ALPHABET SOUP HANDICAP (PA-Bred), 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$100,000 PLUM PRETTY (PA-Bred), F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles
$200,000 PARX DIRT MILE (Listed), 3 & Up – 1 Mile
$200,000 GREENWOOD CUP – Grade III, 3 & Up – 1 & 1/2 Miles
$200,000 DR. JAMES PENNY MEMORIAL – Grade III, F & M 3 & Up – 1 & 1/16 Miles (Turf)
$300,000 TURF MONSTER – Grade III, 3 & Up – 5 Furlongs (Turf)
$300,000 GALLANT BOB STAKES – Grade II, 3 YO – 6 Furlongs
$1,000,000 COTILLION STAKES – Grade I, 3YO F – 1 & 1/16 Miles
$1,000,000 PENNSYLVANIA DERBY – Grade I, 3YO – 1 & 1/18 Miles

Tuesday, October 12, 2021
$100,000 M.P. BALLEZZI APPRECIATION MILE, 3 & Up – 1 Mile

Tuesday, December 7, 2021
$100,000 PENNSYLVANIA NURSERY STAKES (PA-Bred), 2 YO – 7 Furlongs

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Minnesota Racehorse Engagement Program Promoting 2021 Ownership Opportunities

As temperatures start to rise in Minnesota, so does the excitement for the 2021 racing season at Canterbury Park. The Midwestern track, which opens on May 18, has a multitude of exciting opportunities for trainers, horses, and now future owners. Thanks in part to the relationships built with multiple ownership groups, both national and local, horse racing fans will have easy entry to the exciting experience of being a thoroughbred racehorse owner.

The Minnesota Racehorse Engagement Program (MNREP) is promoting several ownership opportunities on their website, www.RacehorseMinnesota.com, that will provide easy and affordable entry to Thoroughbred racehorse ownership in 2021.

One of these opportunities is provided by the 2021 Canterbury Park Racing Club. The Canterbury Racing Club, which was the first racing club introduced in the United States, has partnered with Wasabi Ventures Stables in 2021 to provide more horsepower via this one-of-a-kind club. Interested parties can experience owning a stable of racehorses at Canterbury Park for an all-inclusive one-time membership fee of $250. Membership offers several additional benefits at the track including free season's pass, special events, and educational opportunities.

“The Canterbury Racing Club is a great way to introduce racehorse ownership to someone who wants to experience the thrill of racehorse ownership, learn more about ownership in general, and who enjoys the sociability of being part of a group of racing fans,” explains Joe Scurto, Executive Director for MNREP.

Empire Racing Stables returns to Canterbury after finishing 2019 as the Leading Owner of the Meet. The club looks to utilize the knowledge of three high percentage winning Canterbury Park trainers: Robertino Diordoro, Bernell Rhone and Karl Broberg. The group races across the country and prides itself on organized gatherings for fun time with owners to get to know one another and enjoy the horses. Ownership opportunities start at $100.

Rocket Wrench Racing offers opportunity for new owners to enjoy the claiming game by claiming horses for their partnership while working alongside their trainer Karl Broberg. The group is made mostly of fellow Minnesotans who enjoy getting together at the track to watch their horses and support their home state's track. 5% ownership opportunities sell for $2,500.

“We look to claim horses with a proven record of success and then enter those horses in races where they can be competitive, and win,” says Rocket Wrench Racing Manager Justin Revak.

Ironhorse Racing Stable heads north for the first time, bringing their passion for success and for the horse to Canterbury Park in 2021. The group, known for campaigning multiple stakes-winning champion Bucchero and Breeders' Cup entrant Momos, is looking to start a 2-year-old at Canterbury Park for owners located in or around Minnesota, then continue racing the horse nationally, should he be successful.

“We are a no mark-up group that doesn't have management fees, but we also know how to win,” says Ironhorse Racing Stable Managing Partner Harlan Malter. “We value our partners because they're not just investors, they really are owners of the horse.”

Wasabi Ventures Stables will also offer their ever expanding ownership opportunities, aside from the Canterbury Racing Club and will be racing for the second year at Canterbury Park. Alongside trainer Tony Rengstorf, Wasabi owned horses hit the board in five out of six starts in 2020 and they look to improve on that record in 2021. Ownership with Wasabi can range from as little as a half percent to as much as 4.99 percent. Most investments start at under $200.

A recent addition to the menu of managed groups racing their horses at Canterbury this year is Grevelis Racing Stable. The longtime local group is woven into the very fabric of racing at Canterbury. Managed by Ted and Heather Grevelis, the group offers larger percentage ownership opportunities, as well as a track record of success at Canterbury dating back to 2005. Ten perecent ownership shares are listed at $2,000.

Racing kicks off at Canterbury Park on May 18 and will run through September 16. The racing partnerships are currently accepting new partners, and more information can be found on the MNREP website: http://racehorseminnesota.com.

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Kentucky Downs: Three Million-Dollar Races Top 2021’s $10 Million Stakes Schedule

For the first time in its 31-year history, Kentucky Downs is offering three $1 million races during its six-date 2021 meet. Added to the track's signature Grade 2 Calumet Turf Cup, whose purse was first raised to seven figures in 2019, Kentucky Downs' $1 million trio also will feature the Grade 3 Turf Sprint and Grade 3 WinStar Mint Million.

Kentucky Downs will stage 16 stakes worth a track-record total of $10 million, including $4.85 million in purse supplements for registered Kentucky-bred horses. The all-grass meet runs Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 and 12 over Kentucky Downs' undulating, kidney-shaped 1 5/16-mile race course.

The WinStar Mint Million, formerly the Tourist Mile, presently stands as the United States' second-richest eight-furlong grass stakes behind only the $2 million Breeders' Cup Mile (G1). The race was worth $750,000 last year, while the six-furlong Turf Sprint was $700,000.

Kentucky Downs for the first time has a pair of Grade 2 stakes in the Calumet Turf Cup for older horses at 1 1/2 miles and the Franklin-Simpson for 3-year-old sprinters, now worth $600,000.

“Purses are the economic engine of the racing industry, and Kentucky Downs is proud to be a leader helping Kentucky stamp itself as the premier racing circuit in America,” said Ron Winchell, Kentucky Downs' co-owner and managing partner with Marc Falcone. “We're only six days, but winning one of our stakes – or even one of our overnight races – can make the entire year for an owner. Many horsemen tell us that money they earn at our meet gets promptly reinvested in the industry the next week at Keeneland's September Yearling sale. Such investment impacts countless small businesses that are part of Kentucky's equine agribusiness.”

A total of nine Kentucky Downs stakes received purse hikes. That includes the Ladies Turf (Grade 3) jumping from $500,000 to $750,000. Each of Kentucky Downs' six graded stakes is worth at least $600,000, with the Grade 3 Ladies Sprint joining the Franklin-Simpson in getting $100,000 increases to reach $600,000. The Music City for 3-year-old fillies and Untapable for 2-year-old fillies, worth $400,000 in their inaugural runnings last year, now enjoy $500,000 purses.

The Kentucky Downs' stakes purses reflect contributions of up to 50 percent from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) for horses born in and sired by stallions in the Commonwealth. That includes the vast majority of the horses racing in Kentucky and easily the largest group running in America. The 2021 meet's Kentucky-bred stakes supplements were approved Tuesday by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's KTDF Advisory Committee.

“The KTDF Advisory Committee aspires to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to their approval and direction,” said Bill Landes, the long-time chair of the KTDF committee and general manager of Oldham County's Hermitage Farm. “As such we applaud Kentucky Downs proposed KTDF supplement to their 2021 stakes, allowance and maiden race program. Their program enhances the value of Kentucky-bred racehorses not only at the Kentucky Downs meet but also enhances the value of Kentucky-bred yearlings that will sell in central Kentucky following their meet.”

Horses that aren't registered Kentucky-breds still can compete in some of the most lucrative stakes in North America and beyond. For instance, the $1 million races each reflect a base purse of $550,000 for which all horses run.

The increases were possible because the Kentucky General Assembly in February passed legislation that for the first time defined pari-mutuel wagering, including Historical Horse Racing's innovative technology that allows guests to bet on previously run races in an electronic game format.

“We can't thank the Kentucky Legislature enough,” Falcone said. “We are able to offer among the highest purses in the world because they understood the importance of Historical Horse Racing and passed legislation that ensures a bright future for live horse racing and the Commonwealth's signature industry. The lawmakers' leadership and members of both parties in both chambers saw the big picture and how higher purses lead to a lot of good things happening. That includes increased jobs, economic development, enhanced tourism opportunities and more dollars to the General Fund that ultimately benefit all Kentuckians.”

The lowest stakes purse Kentucky Downs will have is $400,000 each for the Tapit Stakes and the One Dreamer for fillies and mares, both restricted for horses that have not previously won a stakes in 2021. Those races received $100,000 increases.

The condition book for Kentucky Downs' 2021 meet will be available later this month.

Kentucky Downs 2021 stakes schedule

(all stakes include KTDF* purse supplements)
All races on turf

Sunday, Sept. 5 — $500,000 Dueling Grounds Oaks, 3-year-old fillies, 1 5/16 miles; $750,000 Gun Runner Dueling Grounds Derby, 3-year-olds, 1 5/16 miles.

Monday, Sept. 6 — $500,000 Juvenile Fillies, 2-year-old fillies, mile; $500,000 Juvenile, 2-year-olds, mile; $1 million WinStar Farm Mint Million Mile (G3), 3-year-olds & up, mile.

Wednesday, Sept. 8 — $400,000 Tapit Stakes, 3-year-olds & up non-winners of a stakes in 2021, mile and 70 yards.

Thursday, Sept. 9 — $500,000 Juvenile Sprint, 2-year-olds, 6 1/2 furlongs; $400,000 One Dreamer, fillies & mares 3 years old & up non-winners of a stakes in 2021, mile and 70 yards.

Saturday, Sept. 11 — $1 million Calumet Turf Cup (G2), 3-year-olds & up, 1 1/2 miles; $600,000 Franklin-Simpson (G2), 3-year-olds, 6 1/2 furlongs; $600,000 Ladies Sprint (G3), fillies & mares 3yo & up, 6 1/2 furlongs; $750,000 Ladies Turf (G3), fillies & mares 3 years old & up, mile; $1 million Turf Sprint (G3), 3-year-olds & up, 6 furlongs.

Sunday, Sept. 12 — $500,000 Music City Stakes, 3-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs; $500,000 Ladies Marathon, fillies & mares 3 years old & up, 1 5/16 miles; $500,000 Untapable Stakes, 2-year-old fillies, 6 1/2 furlongs.

*Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund

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Fantasy Winner Pauline’s Pearl Has ‘Improved Every Time,’ On To Kentucky Oaks

Pauline's Pearl continued her ascent in the 3-year-old filly division with a victory in the $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) Saturday at Oaklawn.

A homebred for Stonestreet Stables LLC (Barbara Banke) and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, Pauline's Pearl earned a preliminary Beyer Speed Figure of 89, a career best, for her one-length victory over Ava's Grace to secure a spot in the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (G1) April 30 at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Oaks is the nation's biggest race for 3-year-old fillies.

The royally bred Pauline's Pearl, by Tapit out of Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick (a half-sister to 2017 Kentucky Derby winner Always Dreaming), was exiting a troubled second-place finish in her stakes debut, the $300,000 Honeybee (G3) March 6 at Oaklawn. Her Beyer figures, a numerical representation of performance, have improved throughout her five-race career, rising from 61 in her debut sprinting Dec. 19 at Fair Grounds, to 70, 74, 81 in the Honeybee and now 89. The last four starts for Pauline's Pearl have come at 1 1/16 miles.

“Just a tremendous pedigree,” Asmussen said. “Her mother, we had won a Grade 1 with, the Spinaway. Grade-1 winning mare for Stonestreet and the class shows.”

Pauline's Pearl ($3.80) represented Asmussen's record 94th career Oaklawn stakes victory and record fourth in the Fantasy. She was the 4-5 favorite after going off 18-1 in the Honeybee.

Pauline's Pearl was reunited with jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. for the Fantasy. Santana had ridden Pauline's Pearl in her career debut, but was aboard stablemate Willful Woman in the Honeybee (Will's Secret was a three-quarter length winner).

“She's a nice filly,” Santana said. “We've expected a lot from her since Day 1. I rode that filly short the first time at Fair Grounds and she ran good. We always expected to run her long. The last four races she's run long, she's improved every time.”

Pauline's Pearl collected 100 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points for her Fantasy victory and ranks No. 4 on the leaderboard with 120, according to Churchill Downs. The 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks is limited to 14 starters, with starting preference given to horses with the highest point totals earned in designated races like the Fantasy. Will's Secret is No. 8 with 80 points. She also won Oaklawn's $200,000 Martha Washington Stakes Jan. 30.

Last year's Fantasy winner, Swiss Skydiver, finished second in the rescheduled Kentucky Oaks (COVID-19) en route to an Eclipse Award as the country's champion 3-year-old filly. Fantasy third Shedaresthedevil won the Kentucky Oaks for co-owner Staton Flurry of Hot Springs.

Santana, Asmussen and Stonestreet teamed to win the 2016 Fantasy with Terra Promessa, who finished 10th in the Kentucky Oaks.

Asmussen won Oaklawn's $60,000 Prima Donna Stakes for 3-year-old filly sprinters in 2010 with Hot Dixie Chick.

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