Sadler Hopes Rock Your World Can ‘Right The Ship’ In Belmont Stakes

Santa Anita Derby winner Rock Your World worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 Friday at Santa Anita in his penultimate drill for the 153rd Belmont Stakes at a mile and a half on June 5.

“He went (five furlongs) in a minute and change, out (three-quarters) in (one) 13 and we're very happy,” said John Sadler, trainer of the Candy Ride colt that was unbeaten until the May 1 Kentucky Derby, in which he finished 17th after being eliminated at the start when sandwiched between two horses from post position 15 in a field of 19.

Rock Your World was ridden in today's breeze by exercise rider Geovanni Grant and went in company with Campaign, who was clocked in 1:01.40.

“His schedule calls for him to work one more time a week from today and ship to New York on Memorial Day weekend,” Sadler said of Rock Your World.

“The Kentucky Derby was over at the start for him,” Sadler rightfully reasoned in recounting the Run for the Roses debacle. “Hopefully we have a good chance to right the ship.”

Rock Your World led throughout the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, winning by 4 ¼ lengths in his debut on the main track. His first two triumphs came on turf and was ridden by Umberto Rispoli in all three races, but in the Kentucky Derby, Joel Rosario was aboard and he retains the mount in the Belmont.

Hot Rod Charlie, third in both the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby and the Kentucky Derby, is scheduled to work at 7:45 a.m. Saturday in preparation for the Belmont Stakes on June 5.

Santa Anita's runaway riding leader Flavien Prat, who rode Hot Rod Charlie in the Run for the Roses, also piloted Belmont Stakes-bound Rombauer to an upset victory in the Preakness, but remains on Hot Rod Charlie for the third jewel in the Triple Crown, Doug O'Neill said.

“Flavien will breeze 'Chuck' Saturday,” the two-time Kentucky Derby-winning trainer said. “If all goes well, the horse will work again the following Friday, then leave for New York a week before the race (on Saturday, May 29).”

Michael McCarthy was contemplating his riding options in the Belmont Stakes for Preakness winner Rombauer, since Flavien Prat, who piloted the Twirling Candy colt to an impressive victory in the second jewel of the Triple Crown on May 15, will ride Hot Rod Charlie in the third and final jewel on June 5.

“Rombauer will work one time before the Belmont, but I don't have a day (in mind),” McCarthy said Thursday by phone from New York, where recent clime has been intermittently inclement.

As to a jockey, with Prat committed to Hot Rod Charlie according to O'Neill, McCarthy said, “I don't have a decision, don't know what the situation is, don't know what the status is yet.”

Post position draw for the Belmont is scheduled for Wednesday, June 2.

Stay tuned.

The post Sadler Hopes Rock Your World Can ‘Right The Ship’ In Belmont Stakes appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Fixed Odds One Step Closer for Monmouth

Fixed Odds wagering moved a step closer to becoming a reality during the upcoming Monmouth Park meet after the New Jersey State Assembly approved a bill on Thursday by a 74-0-1 vote that would permit the new betting platform.

The bill now moves onto to the State Senate and if successful would then go to Gov. Phil Murphy for a signature.

Monmouth Park's 76th season gets underway Friday, May 28.

“This is an exciting new wagering opportunity for our fans and we're grateful for the support from our legislators and Governor Murphy, who continue to ensure the success of Thoroughbred racing in the state,” said Dennis Drazin, CEO and Chairman of Darby Development, LLC, the operators of Monmouth Park. “Our hope is that we can be up and running with Fixed Odds wagering in time for the TVG.com Haskell S. July 17–or sooner if possible.”

The bill was sponsored by Assemblymen Ralph Caputo and Ronald Dancer. The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by State Senators Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo and is co-sponsored by State Senators Steven Oroho and Declan O'Scanlon, Jr. The bill has also been supported throughout the legislative process by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senate President Stephen M. Sweeney.

Fixed Odds wagering allows bettors to retain the odds at the time of their bet, as opposed to pari-mutuel wagering, where odds are not finalized until betting is completed. Monmouth Park would become the first track in the United States to offer the wager.

Australia-based BetMakers Technology Group would deliver and manage Fixed Odds wagering at Monmouth Park after entering into an exclusive 10-year agreement with New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and Darby Development, LLC, last year.

The post Fixed Odds One Step Closer for Monmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Rock Your World Breezes for Belmont

Rock Your World (Candy Ride {Arg}), 17th after getting roughed up at the start in the GI Kentucky Derby, worked five furlongs in 1:01.20 (15/28) at Santa Anita Friday in his penultimate major drill for the GI Belmont S.

“He went in a minute and change, out [three-quarters] in [one] 13 and we're very happy,” trainer John Sadler said.

The GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner was ridden by exercise rider Geovanni Grant and went in company with MGSW Campaign (Curlin), who was clocked in 1:01.40 covering the same distance.

“His schedule calls for him to work one more time a week from today and ship to New York on Memorial Day weekend,” Sadler said of Rock Your World. “The Kentucky Derby was over at the start for him. “Hopefully, we have a good chance to right the ship.”

The post Rock Your World Breezes for Belmont appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘Dramatic’ Purse Account Improvements at Penn Nat’l, Presque Isle

Purse account revenues from gaming have improved “dramatically” at both the Penn National and Presque Isle Downs racinos in the past six weeks, enabling Penn National to add an extra weekday of racing starting June 8 and Presque Isle to potentially tack on race dates at the end of the meet that begins July 5.

The news came in the form of a one-page memo to members issued Friday by Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association executive director Todd Mostoller.

“For the first time since the pandemic started, we have some clarity on our ability to fund purses at the current level for the remainder of the year,” Mostoller wrote May 21 about Penn National. “Barring another outbreak, we are very confident the purse account can fund three-day-per-week racing for the remainder of 2021.”

Tuesdays will join Wednesdays and Fridays in Penn National's three-day weekly (eight races nightly) schedule.

At Presque Isle, Mostoller wrote that “should this trend continue, we will look to add race days to the end of the meet above and beyond the currently scheduled 52-day meet.”

Mostoller added that the signing of a one-year extension to the current live racing agreement with Presque Isle is “imminent” and that “the parties have agreed in principle and the language is currently being drafted.”

The stable area at Presque Isle opens June 14.

The post ‘Dramatic’ Purse Account Improvements at Penn Nat’l, Presque Isle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights