March, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

NYRA’s Cross Country Pick 5 Features Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs, Oaklawn Races

The New York Racing Association Inc. will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

The sequence begins in Race 10 [4:51 p.m. Eastern] from Tampa Bay Downs, a starter handicap featuring an overflow field of 4-year-olds and up going 11 furlongs over the turf. Kristen Somerville's El Pillo will stretch out and look to continue success at the starter handicap level after a last-out victory by a half-length going nine-furlongs on February 26 over the Tampa lawn. Isaias Dream has gone 2-for-3 since entering the barn of trainer Eduardo Azpurua, Jr., most recently dominating in a February 4 allowance at Tampa where he tracked in fourth before taking command at the top of the lane and powering home to a 5 1/2-length win.

The action moves north to Aqueduct for the second leg, featuring the $75,000 Stud Muffin [Race 8, 5:01 p.m.] for older horses going 11 furlongs over the main track as part of the New York Claiming Championship card. The field of 12 is led by eight-time winner Blewitt, who arrives off a one-length claiming victory on March 6 at the Big A. Blewitt will face the Gary Sciacca-trained Bar Fourteen to his outside, who romped to an eight-length win last time out for a $40,000 tag. Other foes include veteran nine-time winner Original Intent and stakes-placed Roman Empire.

The middle leg of the sequence features Race 7 from Oaklawn Park [5:04 p.m.], a nine-furlong starter allowance for 4-year-olds and upward. Trainer Karl Broberg will send out the improving Hunka Burning Love off a narrow victory in a $30,000 claimer at Oaklawn on March 6. The son of Into Mischief will face six rivals, including Fort Peck, who he beat by a nose after rallying from off the pace under returning rider David Cabrera in his last-out victory. Fort Peck will be making his first start for trainer Jason Barkley and owner Charles W. Jennings.

The action moves back to Ozone Park for the penultimate leg of the sequence in Race 10 [6:03 p.m.] from Aqueduct with a field of 14 in the $45,000 Dads Caps for older horses sprinting seven furlongs. Winning Drive will make his first start for trainer Rob Atras after being claimed by owner Robert Derr for $8,000 out of a one-length victory March 11 at the Big A. The Michael Miceli-trained No Salt has kept good company in his last two outings, earning a third against stakes winner Tiergan and a second to Water's Edge, who won the Haynesfield at Aqueduct on Sunday.

The sequence concludes with stakes action from Oaklawn Park in Race 9 [6:10 p.m.], the Purple Martin for 3-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs. A compact but competitive group of six sophomores is highlighted by Grade 2 Adirondack winner Wicked Halo. Trained by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, the daughter of Gun Runner's only off-the-board finish from four starts came in her last outing at Oaklawn when she finished fourth to Happy Soul in the Dixie Belle on February 19. Familiar foes returning from the Dixie Belle are runner-up Verylittlecents for trainer Randy Morse and the third-place finisher Hypersport for trainer Ingrid Mason. Pretty Birdie, winner of the Grade 3 Schuylerville in July at Saratoga Race Course, will look to get back to winning ways for trainer Norm Casse.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, March 26:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 10, starter handicap (4:51 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $75K Stud Muffin (5:01 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 7, starter allowance (5:04 p.m.)
Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 10, $45K Dads Caps (6:03 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 9, $125K Purple Martin (6:10 p.m.)

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Going To Vegas Returns To Defend Her Title In Santa Ana

Classy Grade 1 winner Going to Vegas is back to defend her title in Saturday's Grade 3, $125,000 Santa Ana Stakes as she heads a field of nine older fillies and mares going 1 1/4 miles over the Santa Anita turf. Most recently a sharp second going one mile on turf in the G2 Buena Vista Stakes March 5, Going to Vegas will be reunited with Umberto Rispoli, who was aboard for last year's Santa Ana triumph.

Second, beaten a half length by front-running Leggs Galore in the Buena Vista, Going to Vegas, who had been idle since well beaten in the G1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf Nov. 6, appears primed for a top effort with Rispoli, with whom she won the G1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf here three starts back on Oct. 2.

A 5-year-old mare by Goldencents out of the Johannesburg mare Hard to Resist, Going to Vegas is trained by Richard Baltas and is owned by Abbondanza Racing, LLC, Medallion Racing and MyRacehorse. A gate to wire winner of both the Rodeo Drive and last year's Santa Ana, Going to Vegas has two wins and a second from three tries at the Santa Ana distance.

A tremendous claim 15 starts back on June 12, 2020, Going to Vegas has rewarded her connections with four wins, three of them in graded stakes. With an overall mark of 24-7-9-2, she has earnings of $674,151.

Fourth to Going to Vegas in last year's Santa Ana, French-bred Neige Blanche has never been better for Leonard Powell at age five. A winner of two consecutive G3 turf stakes, the Red Carpet at 1 3/8 miles on Nov. 25 at Del Mar and the Astra at 1 1/2 miles on Jan. 17, long fused Neige Blanche has won four out of her last six races including last year's G3 Santa Barbara Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf May 8.

Owned by Madaket Stables, LLC, Laura De Seroux, Marsha Naify, et al, Neige Blanche will be ridden for the eighth consecutive time by high flying Juan Hernandez, who has nine stakes wins at the current meet, second to Flavien Prat's 15.

Reserved far off of Leggs Galore early, Harris Farms' homebred Closing Remarks finished strongly to be third, beaten 1 ¼ lengths in the Buena Vista March 5. Although she was finishing well, Closing Remarks, who was beaten three quarters of a length for second by Going to Vegas, never got by her on the gallop out.

A 4-year-old California-bred filly by Vronsky out of the Unusual Heat mare Orange Cove, Closing Remarks, a Cal-bred stakes winner at age three, is three-times grades stakes placed on turf and will hope to be flying late under regular rider Joe Bravo. A first condition allowance winner at 1 1/8 miles on turf here two starts back on Jan. 17, Closing Remarks is 13-3-4-2 with earnings of $371,320.

Most recently fifth at 5-2 in the G3 Bayakoa Stakes on dirt at Oaklawn Park Feb. 12, trainer Michael McCarthy's Queen Goddess was a gate to wire winner at 14-1 of the G1 American Oaks on dirt two starts here on Dec. 26. A winner of two of her five starts on grass, this 4-year-old Empire Maker filly figures to be in close attendance Saturday with Victor Espinoza up for the first time.

Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and TOLO Thoroughbreds, Inc., Queen Goddess is 7-3-1-1 overall with earnings of $310,580.

THE GRADE 3 SANTA ANA WITH JOCKEYS & WEIGHTS IN POST POSITION ORDER

Race 7 of 9 Approximate post time 4 p.m.

Disappearing Act—Christopher Emigh—120
Charges Dropped—Mario Gutierrez—120
Quiet Secretary—Tyler Baze—120
Closing Remarks—Joe Bravo—120
Keyflower—Abel Cedillo—122
Queen Goddess—Victor Espinoza–124
Neige Blanche—Juan Hernandez—124
Going to Vegas—Umberto Rispoli—124
Carpe Vinum—Ryan Curatalo–120

First post time for a nine-race card on Saturday is at 1 p.m. with admission gates opening at 11 a.m.

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Two More Held in French Doping Case

Two more people have been detained in the French doping case which began Tuesday morning with coordinated stable raids throughout the country, according to the Jour de Galop. In Thursday's edition, the JDG reports that one of the two new individuals was connected to steeplechase trainer Luc Gabeur, and the other in the Ile de France region which encompasses Paris. Two other individuals have been released.

Tuesday morning, raids were carried out throughout the country, with 21 arrested in France, one additional person in Italy and one in Spain. In Thursday's JDG, Piallat confirmed that two veterinarians, Diego Uson of Spain, and Bertrand Franquet were among those detained. The paper said that according to their sources, raids were carried out Tuesday morning at the stables of David Cottin in Lamorlaye, just outside Chantilly, and in La Teste in Luc Gabeur's stables, which were very similar in nature. Workers were asked to wait in the break room, their mobile phones confiscated, while the searches were carried out, the JDG said.

Wednesday morning, the horses returned to training as usual.

“We are trying to establish the roles of one to another, their relationships and their level of responsibility,” Stephane Piallate, the head of the central service of racing and gaming, told the JDG. “Some people have been revealed to probably have a more important role than we thought at the start, serving as some sort of regional relays distributing these doping products. We are at the heart of an important process of identifying and verifying the elements of proof. Working in connection with the expertise of horse racing laboratories, we are waiting for the results of the analyses.”

The post Two More Held in French Doping Case appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Virginia Gold Cup Returns On Saturday, May 7

One of the nation's oldest and largest steeplechase events celebrates its 97^th anniversary this year on Saturday, May 7, at Great Meadow in The Plains. Last year, the Virginia Gold Cup was held with a limited number of spectators. This year, tailgate packages and hospitality tents are available.

As one of the Washington, D.C. region's largest and oldest outdoor events, more than 50,000 people come out in their race-day finest to socialize and entertain. The fashion at the event has become as popular with a variety of hats and a fiercely competitive hat contest. Celebrity judges will decide whose hats are the most impressive in the day's hat contest. There is also an equally competitive tailgate contest with prizes for the top three winners.

The Gold Cup's long-standing tradition beckons to national celebrities, local VIPs, D.C. politicians as well as visitors from around the world. Characterized by lavish tailgate spreads, sleek thoroughbreds and exciting hoof-pounding competition, many companies have capitalized on what the day has to offer by getting involved with sponsorships, purchasing tents to entertain, and some actually end up doing business there.

Steeplechase and flat racing offer a fast-action sport in a refined social setting and, at the Gold Cup, some of the best horses and jockeys compete over hurdles, timber and on the flat. Held every year on the first Saturday in May, the Virginia Gold Cup enjoys a spectacular setting in the heart of Virginia's horse country with the Blue Ridge Mountains serving as the backdrop. It is Virginia's answer to the Kentucky Derby.

The 97^th Annual Running of the Virginia Gold Cup will take place on Saturday, May 7 at Great Meadow in The Plains. Gates open at 10 a.m. with pre-race entertainment starting at 12:30 p.m. with the Color Guard presented by St. Andrew's Society Pipes and Drums and a performance of the National Anthem by Angela Knight. The first of seven horse races will be underway at 1 p.m.

After two years of adjusting the event for Covid, the Gold Cup returns this year with a revised format. Tailgate packages, which now include tents in some areas, and Members Hill tenting options are available. Purchases can be made online at www.vagoldcup.com/va/tickets or by calling 540-347-2612. Attendees must be an invited guest of a tailgate or an invited guest of a hospitality tent. General admission passes will not be offered for this year's event.

Great Meadow is located just 45 minutes west of Washington, D.C. and is in close proximity to Dulles International Airport. To get there from Washington, D.C., take I-66 west to The Plains exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp onto The Plains Road (Route 245 south), follow signs to Great Meadow which will be on your left. Call 540-347-2612 for additional information or visit the web site at www.vagoldcup.com.

The 2022 Virginia Gold Cup Races are presented by Atlantic Union Bank, Charles Schwab, Virginia Equine Alliance, VHBPA, and the Virginia Thoroughbred Association.

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