April, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Malathaat Installed As 5-2 Morning Line Favorite For 147th Kentucky Oaks

Shadwell Stable's undefeated Malathaat has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in a field of 14 3-year-old fillies entered Monday for the 147th running of the $1,250,000 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) to be run at 1 1/8 miles Friday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

The centerpiece of Friday's 13-race program that features six graded stakes, the Longines Kentucky Oaks will go as the 11th race with a 5:51 p.m. (all times Eastern) post time. First post Friday is 10:30 a.m.

Live coverage of the Kentucky Oaks, which will reward the winner with a check of $767,250, will be provided by NBCSN's telecast from noon to 6 p.m.

Trained by Todd Pletcher, a three-time Kentucky Oaks winner, Malathaat comes into Friday's race off a victory in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland on April 3 that served as her 2021 debut. John Velazquez, who won the 2004 Oaks for Pletcher on Ashado, has the mount and will break from post 10.

Co-second choice on the line at 3-1 are Klaravich Stables' Search Results and OXO Equine's Travel Column.

Trained by Chad Brown, Search Results is perfect in three starts with her most recent coming in Gazelle (G3) on April 3 at the Oaks distance of 1 1/8 miles. Irad Ortiz Jr., who has been aboard for two of those three victories, has the mount Friday and will break from post 12.

Travel Column could give the trainer-jockey combination of Brad Cox and Florent Geroux a third Oaks victory and second in a row.

Cox and Geroux teamed to win the 2020 Oaks with Shedaresthedevil and in 2018 won with the champion Monomoy Girl. Geroux has been aboard Travel Column for all five of her starts with the most recent being a victory in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Travel Column will break from post six.

Cox will have one other starter in the race in Kueber Racing's Coach (50-1). Third in the Fantasy (G3) in her most recent start, Coach will be ridden by Luis Saez and break from post nine.

Fourth choice on the line at 5-1 is Clairiere, one of two entrants for Stonestreet Stables and trainer Steve Asmussen, who is seeking his third victory in the race.

Clairiere, who has faced Travel Column in her past three starts with a victory in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) and runner-up finishes in the Golden Rod (G2) and Fair Grounds Oaks, will be ridden for the first time Friday by Tyler Gaffalione and break from post three.

Pauline's Pearl (20-1), winner of the Fantasy in her most recent start, will be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr., and break from post one.

In addition to Velazquez and Geroux, two other riders will be seeking another Oaks victory.

Jose Ortiz, who won the 2019 running on Serengeti Empress, will be aboard Phoenix Thoroughbred III's Crazy Beautiful (15-1) for trainer Kenny McPeek. Winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) in her most recent start, Crazy Beautiful will break from post four.

Javier Castellano, who guided Cathryn Sophia to victory in the 2016 Oaks, has the call on Pass the Champagne (15-1) for trainer George Weaver. Owned by the partnership of R. A. Hill Stable, Black Type Thoroughbreds, BlackRidge Stables and James Brown, Pass the Champagne was second to Malathaat in the Ashland in her most recent start. She will break from post five.

Going for a second training win in the Oaks is Dallas Stewart, who saddled Lemons Forever to victory in the 2006 renewal. Stewart trains Willis Horton Racing's Will's Secret, (30-1) winner of the Martha Washington and Honeybee (G3) prior to running third in the Ashland. Jon Court has the mount and will exit post 11.

The field for the Longines Kentucky Oaks, with riders and morning line odds from the rail out, is:

Pauline's Pearl (Ricardo Santana Jr., 20-1)
Maracuja (Kendrick Carmouche, 20-1)
Clairiere (Tyler Gaffalione, 5-1)
Crazy Beautiful (Jose Ortiz, 15-1)
Pass the Champagne (Javier Castellano, 15-1)
Travel Column (Florent Geroux, 3-1)
Ava's Grace (David Cohen, 50-1)
Moraz (Flavien Prat, 30-1)
Coach (Luis Saez, 50-1)
Malathaat (John Velazquez, 5-2)
Will's Secret (Jon Court, 30-1)
Search Results (Irad Ortiz Jr., 3-1)
Competitive Speed (Chris Landeros, 50-1)
Millefeuille (Joel Rosario, 20-1)

All starters will carry 121 pounds.

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Finger Lakes Boosts Purses 15 Percent, Reinstitutes Full Stakes Schedule For 2021 Season

Thoroughbred racing returns Monday afternoon to Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack (FLGR), with a first race post time of 1:10 pm.

Officials recently announced a 15 percent increase in overnight purses for the 2021 meet and the reinstituting of a full stakes schedule. The increase comes after gaming operations were permitted by New York State to resume a 20-hour business day after several months of reduced operating hours. The gaming facility at Finger Lakes, closed for nearly six months last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reopened in September, but operated with reduced hours of operation from November through early April.

Average daily purses are projected to increase approximately $18,000 per day as a result.

“As our business continues returning to normal, we are pleased to put this purse increase in place to benefit our horsemen and women who have struggled like so many during this past year, while sustaining our racing program post-pandemic,” said FLGR general manager Chris Riegle.

Finger Lakes Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (FLHBPA) president Chris Vaccaro added: “Coming off of a year with so much uncertainty and difficulty, this increase signals the start of a positive road forward for our membership as we work together to strengthen racing at Finger Lakes now and for the future.”

The 101-day season schedule will begin with no fans in attendance, just as the entire shortened 2020 season took place. A recent announcement by the state that fans will be able to return to racetracks in limited capacity numbers could spell changes to that policy in the near future, however.

“We look forward to reviewing specific guidance from the state on reopening protocols with fans in attendance so that we can soon welcome back many of our loyal patrons who enjoy a day at the races,” added Riegle.

While fans await to return to the races, they may view all of the action streaming online in several ways, including the FLGR YouTube channel, as well as fingerlakesbonusbets.com where they can wager as well.

After opening today, Finger Lakes will resume racing on Monday, May 3 with three-day race weeks that run Monday through Wednesday until the week after Labor Day. Thursday will be added to the weekly schedule at that point until the conclusion of the meet on Wednesday, Nov. 24. First race post time will be 1:10 p.m. daily through Nov/ 4. To accommodate the end of daylight saving time, post time will move to 12:15pm as of Nov. 8.

The 2021 stakes schedule features 13 events headlined by the 50th running of the $150,000 New York Derby for top New York-bred 3-year-olds on July 19 and The New York Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 18 for New York-bred 2-year-olds with an estimated offering of $200,000. Precursors to the Futurity include the Lady Finger and Aspirant Stakes on Sept. 27, both with estimated purses of $100,000. The stakes season begins with the $50,000 George W. Barker Stakes on June 21.

About Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: In operation since 1962, the facility added gaming to its offerings in 2004. Nearly two million visit annually. Gaming Floor open 8am – 4am, daily. Those interested in stabling at Finger Lakes are encouraged to visit fingerlakesgaming.com/racing/horsemen to learn more about the many amenities, incentives and advantages offered for horsemen and women.

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Kornacki To Join NBC Derby Coverage

Steve Kornacki, who has gained a cult following as the national political correspondent for MSNBC, will join NBC Sports' coverage of Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET.

Kornacki, who has been praised for his ability to explain the complicated election process, will apply his analytical perspective in segments entitled “Meet the Contenders.” He will also offer insights on notable betting trends.

Kornacki also contributed to NBC's Football Night in America programming over the winter, where he broke down the oft-confusing NFL playoff scenarios.

“After successfully tackling FNIA, we're excited to have Steve join our Kentucky Derby team,” said Rob Hyland, Coordinating Producer of NBC Sports' Kentucky Derby coverage and Football Night in America. “We expect he will be right at home working a sport that includes terms like neck-and-neck, down-to-the-wire, and dead heat.”

“It's going to be a thrill to be at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, something I've wanted to do since the very first Derby I watched as a kid in 1987,” Kornacki said. “To get to play a role with the NBC Sports team, which I've been a fan of for years, is an honor.”

Click for a Bill Finley feature on Kornacki from this past February.

The post Kornacki To Join NBC Derby Coverage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29

The Belterra Park race meet kicks off April 29 and concludes Oct. 8, 2021. The 93-day race meet has a first post of 12:35 pm (Eastern) daily with eight live races. Belterra Park is a one-mile dirt oval with a 6 1/2-furlong chute, and a seven-furlong turf course.

There are fifteen stakes races for the season featuring The Best of Ohio series on May 28, showcasing five $100,000 stakes.

Returning to Belterra Park is leading rider of the 2020 meet John McKee, and leading trainer Larry Smith looking to defend their titles. The jockey colony should be competitive with riders; Santiago Gonzalez, Sonny Leon, Joseph Ramos and the 6th leading rider in racing history, Perry Ouzts.

Trainers targeting the Belterra meet in addition to last year's top trainer Larry Smith; Wesley Ward, Tim Hamm, Thomas Drury, James Chapman, Michael Evans II, and Ron Kahles who won at a 23% win clip last season. Belterra Park will have a 9% increase in purses to begin the 2021 racing season.

Belterra Park will be offering “drive-through” wagering for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby from 12:00 am – 6:00 pm. There will be five lanes open for wagering; cash only, and wagering on the Oaks and Derby only. There will be pre-wagering on Oaks day for the Derby the following day. Just follow the signs from Kellogg Ave to the garage area. The drive-through area will be for wagering only and you may return to cash tickets at your convenience beginning at 9:00 am May 2nd in the grandstand area.

There is a rich history of Thoroughbred racing action in the Cincinnati area. From the early 20s as Coney Island Race Course to historic River Downs. Belterra Park is proud to continue Ohio racing. Free parking and free admission daily.

The post Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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