July, 2021 | Horse Racing Free Tips

IRE Incentive Scheme Paying Dividends

Horse Racing Ireland's IRE Incentive Scheme has awarded over 35 sales vouchers, each worth €10,000, to 31 individual owners to date. Winner number 36 in the new scheme came in Thursday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies' Maiden at Leopardstown, won by the Dermot Weld-trained Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a homebred for Moyglare Stud.

The IRE Incentive Scheme awards an Irish sales voucher in the amount of €10,000 to owners of Irish-bred winners of selected races on the Flat and National Hunt programmes in 2021. The owners of each eligible winner–horses that carry the (Ire) suffiz and are Foal Levy compliant–may redeem their vouchers on Irish-breds at Irish sales through the end of the following year.

“The IRE Incentive rewards and encourages investment in Irish

bloodstock,” commented Irish Thoroughbred Marketing CEO Charles O'Neill. “Irish-breds continually prove their quality in the world's most competitive racing nations. We are delighted to be able to draw the spotlight onto Irish thoroughbreds and help promote investment in one of Ireland's finest global exports. With the IRE Incentive Scheme, it pays to buy Irish.”

The list of Scheme races through October 2021 can be found by clicking here.

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How to read Poker hands

It’s completely obvious to you that one player has the nuts, for instance. And you watch, fascinated, as another player bets into the nut hand with NO outs. To compound the error, the player who is drawing dead now calls a raise on the river to lose even more money.

Before the winner is turned over, you mentally call the winning hand to yourself, and are not at all surprised when the two cards you expected to see are revealed.

Why are hands so easy to read when you’re NOT involved? Good question!

Why are they so hard to read when you have YOUR money in the pot? Another good question.

Poker is a game of mistakes. The player who makes the least misjudgments, misreads and downright DUMB plays is most likely to go home with the cash.

I’m going to give you an exercise that is quite advanced for a change. Every once in a while you should be given a chance to go to another level of play. If you are like most players (myself included), you won’t be able to complete this exercise for long. At best you’ll only be able to manage a few minutes of the exercise before failing.

Here is what I want you to do. One night next week, before you get out of the car in your cardroom parking lot and go in to play, I want you to stop for a few minutes and concentrate. I want you to visualize yourself as you sit behind the wheel. As you see yourself, pretend that you are a director in a movie where you are the star. The movie is about you. Now you are NOT the player, you are the director watching an actor playing you.

Are you still with me?

The person that is normally you, now is an actor playing you, ok?

For as long as you can maintain the exercise, watch yourself play poker from a camera angle just over your right shoulder. Within the picture frame, the camera can see all the players at the table and can zoom in on your hand when it is dealt to you.

Instead of you putting your money in the pot, you are watching an actor putting his chips in the pot. Now the camera follows everyone in turn around the table. From this detached point of view, suddenly everyone’s motives for acting are revealed. Including YOURS.

To your amazement, you will find yourself saying about the actor playing you. “Why did he do that? That was so STUPID! The guy in the three seat OBVIOUSLY has the best hand!”

Now as the director, you tell the actor that is playing you to throw the hand away. Of course, the actor does what he is told. The exercise is complete when the player in the three seat turns over EXACTLY the hand the detached, uninvolved you put him on.

You have now done what you couldn’t do before. You’ve played a hand as if you weren’t emotionally and financially involved. And you saved a lot of money.

Don’t expect to be able to maintain this exercise for long. It takes years of practice. But if you can do it even for a few hands a night, the difference in your play can be substantial. Poker will become a game of mistakes for the other players, not you.

If you would like more information regarding online poker rooms that Gambling Guru supports, you can read our Poker Reviews.

Santa Barbara Headlines Belmont Oaks

Every year the GI Belmont Oaks and Derby attract an intriguing mix of European invaders and America's best sophomore turf horses and this year is no exception. The Coolmore contingent, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore have a strong shot at taking their second renewal of this race with 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who enters this race of a narrow runner-up in Group 1 company. A debut winner at the Curragh in September, the bay was fourth in the G1 QIPCO One Thousand Guineas May 2 at Newmarket. A well-beaten fifth in the June 4 G1 Cazoo Oaks at Epsom, Santa Barbara missed by just a neck in the G1 Pretty Polly S. back at the Curragh June 27.

“Every race she's had this year has been a Group 1 and she's been running very well in them,” said O'Brien's traveling assistant T.J. Comerford. “I suppose the ground was bad at Epsom when she ran in the Oaks. Quicker ground suited her better taking on the older fillies [in the Pretty Polly] and she ran well.”

Roger Varian also made the trip across the pond with a strong contender in Nazuna (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). The bay was second in a Doncaster handicap Sept. 10 and completed the exacta in the G2 Rockfel S. 15 days later. Failing to fire in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Nov. 6, she was second last out in the Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom June 5. Varian called on Belmont expert John Velazquez to guide Nazuna here.

Rounding out the European trio is Group 3 winner Cirona (GB) (Maxios {GB}). Following an allowance win with runner-up efforts in the G3 Priz des Reservoirs and Criterium du Languedoc last term, the dark bay opened 2021 with a victory in the G3 Prix de la Grotte in April and missed by a head in the Prix Saint-Allary May 24. She enters off a non-factor 10th in the G1 Prix de Diane Longines June 20. Cirona will be saddled by Christophe Ferland here, but part-owner Pete Bradley indicated she would be transferred to Chad Brown after this race.

“A filly like this is right in Chad's wheelhouse,” said Bradley. “It doesn't look like there will be firm going up there. I don't think some cut in the ground ever hurts with 90% of European horses. I don't see where the turf will be problematic regardless of what it is this week.”

The top two from the local prep for this event, the GIII Wonder Again S., return here in Con Lima (Commissioner) and Plum Ali (First Samurai). Only off the board once in 11 starts, the dark bay scored a decisive victory in the Honey Ryder S. May 1 and followed suit with a half-length defeat of Plum Ali in the Wonder Again June 3. Winner of this venue's GII Miss Grillo S. last term, Plum Ali was third in the GII Appalachian S. prior to the Wonder Again.

“She shows up and runs well every time,” said Todd Pletcher. “She finished up the mile and an eighth really well last time and being a daughter of Commissioner, you'd think the mile and a quarter would be within her scope. We're happy with the way she's doing and looking forward to giving her a shot.”

The first two home in the GIII Regret S. also return here in Gam's Mission (Noble Missioon {GB}) and Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}). Gam's Mission has a lifetime record of three-for-four and stakes winner Spanish Loveaffair has been a consistent performer in graded company.

Rounding out the field is a horse making her first start in graded company, but who hails from a barn that can't be ignored in a turf stakes. The Chad Brown-trained Higher Truth (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) won a pair of 10-furlong events over this course Apr. 22 and June 10.

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Frankel’s Snow Lantern Prevails In Falmouth Thriller

Friday's G1 Tattersalls Falmouth S. at Newmarket had the look of a vintage renewal and so it proved with the 3-year-olds in charge led by Rockcliffe Stud's 'TDN Rising Star' Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Runner-up to Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the mud in the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot June 18, the 6-1 shot was more settled this time buried against the far rail in mid-division with that rival in front on that side. Eased out by Sean Levey inside the final two furlongs, the grey daughter of the high-class Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) finished off strongly up the rising ground to overwhelm Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the dying yards of a pulsating race. At the line, there was half a length between her and that rival who had been third in the Coronation, with the 5-2 favourite Alcohol Free a neck back in third the same margin ahead of the best of the older fillies and mares, Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}).

“From my point of view, it was fairly straightforward, as the main thing is that she had to settle,” Levey commented. “We came out of the pocket late enough, but I always had the filly and she picked up up the hill and hit the line strong. She's always been exciting and with her breeding, it was very easy for everyone to get ahead of themselves a little bit, but she's proven now what we thought of her was true.”

Introduced over seven furlongs at Ascot in July, Snow Lantern was a promising second to the subsequent G2 May Hill S. third Zabeel Queen (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) but was not seen again until making a successful return at the expense of future 'Rising Star' Derab (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in a Newbury maiden over this trip Apr. 18. Only third behind Primo Bacio (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial S. again at this distance at York May 14, the homebred was too free on that occasion and still showed signs of that tendency during the early part of the Coronation before putting in a strong finish to gain the silver medal. Having met traffic late on in that feature, it was to be expected that with normal improvement on more suitable ground she could turn the tables on Alcohol Free here, but the betting suggested not, as Jeff Smith's runner was heavily-backed.

While Snow Lantern settled ideally with so much cover, that proved a double-edged sword with Sean Levey trapped against the fence with a clutch of fillies gathered around him. Up ahead, Oisin Murphy had taken the initiative on the favourite, who was comfortable on the front end, with Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) pinned on the rail directly ahead of the eventual winner and Mother Earth sticking close. The previously unbeaten Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) drifted from the centre to join Alcohol Free by halfway and two out, the main sufferers of the clustered pack were Snow Lantern, Primo Bacio and Lady Bowthorpe, with the latter forced to angle far wide for her customary potent late effort. Once in the clear, there were two lengths for the Hannon filly to make up on Alcohol Free and Mother Earth a furlong from home, but the combination of Frankel's power and her dam's trademark deadly acceleration saw her cut down her peers in impressive fashion.

Added Levey: “They went a nice pace and the only thing I didn't expect was that they would come far side, but Oisin [Murphy] thought it would be a benefit to go there, and so I was crying to get out of the pocket. I followed Pretty Gorgeous and I was further back than I wanted to be while he [Murphy] was getting a dream run. Ryan [Moore, on Mother Earth] came off the bridle way before I did and I did think it would be very hard to get out of there. I lost a couple of lengths swinging around them, but she got enough momentum to go by them. Her mother wasn't the most straightforward and with that Frankel in her, she is very eager to please–it is hard to keep a lid on her and you can't force her or she could go the other way.

“They've done a massive job on her at home and she's getting into a great routine–she settled as well as she ever has there and it's all come to fruition now. The way she came in after the race, she'd learnt a little bit and so should keep progressing.”

Richard Hannon has made no secret of his belief in the winner and his primary feeling was no surprise.

“It's a relief more than anything,” he said. “Sky Lantern was a freak, as she wasn't meant to be that good, but this one has the pedigree and so has always created a lot of interest and pressure. After York, I felt she had to do something and I was so pleased and disappointed at the same time after Royal Ascot. Today was an extremely good race and a real championship race, so to win the way she did was great.”

Despite all her achievements, the 2013 renewal of this race was one that got away for Sky Lantern after she had been carried across the track when narrowly beaten by Elusive Kate (Elusive Quality). For Hannon, there was a sense of justice in the outcome of this year's contest.

“Elusive Kate was a very good filly, but there was a score to settle,” he added. “The dam was brilliant, but I always thought that this filly was as good if not better and she'll get 10 [furlongs]. She is in the [July 29 G1] Nassau [at Goodwood] and the [July 28 G1] Sussex [at Goodwood] and the [Aug. 18 G1] Juddmonte International [at York], but that was her day and there is no pressure now. She can go everywhere and we can enjoy it–anything else now would be great. As far as a mile is concerned, I think if it's not broken don't fix it and she'd be taking on different animals over a mile and a quarter so we'll see.”

Sky Lantern was an earlier developer than her daughter, winning the G1 Moyglare Stud S. in six starts as a juvenile which also included an unlucky trip in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Snow Lantern is thus far the only filly from six foals out of the G1 1000 Guineas, the G1 Coronation S. and the G1 Sun Chariot S. winner. Her other produce include the 2-year-old First Emperor (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and 2020 and 2021 sons of Kingman (GB).

A half-sister to four black-type performers including the G3 Queen's Vase-winning stayer Shanty Star (Ire) (Hector Protector) and the G3 Round Tower S.-winning sprinter Arctic (Ire) (Shamardal), she is also the third dam of the talented Second Thought (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) who was a triple listed scorer and runner-up in the G2 Sandy Lane S. Sky Lantern is a granddaughter of Negligent (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}), the champion 2-year-old filly in England in 1989 courtesy of her win in the G3 Rockfel S. who was later third in her 1000 Guineas.

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
TATTERSALLS FALMOUTH S.-G1, £215,500, Newmarket, 7-9, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.93, g/f.
1–SNOW LANTERN (GB), 124, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Sky Lantern (Ire) (Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Ire, $1,252,123), by Red Clubs (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shawanni (GB), by Shareef Dancer
3rd Dam: Negligent (Ire), by Ahonoora (GB)
'TDN Rising Star' 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Rockcliffe Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. £122,210. Lifetime Record: 5-2-2-1, $312,406. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mother Earth (Ire), 124, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Many Colours (GB), by Green Desert. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £46,333.
3–Alcohol Free (Ire), 124, f, 3, No Nay Never–Plying, by Hard Spun. (€40,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV). O-J C Smith; B-Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £23,188.
Margins: HF, NK, NK. Odds: 6.00, 5.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: Lady Bowthorpe (GB), Primo Bacio (Ire), Just Beautiful (GB), Pretty Gorgeous (Fr), Lavender's Blue (Ire), Indie Angel (Ire), Queen Power (Ire), Saffron Beach (Ire), Illykato (GB), Champers Elysees (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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