May, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Congo River Catches The Eye On Curragh Debut

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a pricy Mendelssohn half-brother to stakes winner Jo Jo Air (Scat Daddy).

1.35 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT
CONGO RIVER (Mendelssohn) is the choice of Ryan Moore of the Ballydoyle duo in the maiden won two years ago by Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never). A $400,000 Keeneland September graduate, the April-foaled half-brother to Scat Daddy's stakes winner Jo Jo Air from the family of the dual Grade I winner Switch (Quiet American) is joined by the Naas second Age of Kings (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), the 1.1 million gns Book 1 purchase whose dam is the G2 May Hill S. winner Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).

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Agenda Finalized For Track Superintendent Field Day On June 12-14

The agenda has been finalized for the 20th edition of Track Superintendent Field Day on June 12-14 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida. It is the largest and longest-tenured gathering for track supers and related staff to discuss best practices related to track maintenance, safety and operational issues for racing and training facilities.

A variety of educational panels and speakers have been assembled of interest to all racing breeds, including Thoroughbreds, American Quarter Horses and Standardbreds.

This year's topics include turf irrigation and maintenance and record-keeping related to the new Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Panels will be presented including participants from numerous segments of the industry, including veterinarians, owners/trainers, jockeys and of course, track supers.

“We've brought together many experts to share their knowledge and wisdom at this year's meeting,” said Roy Smith, who started Track Supers Field Day in 2002 at Philadelphia Park (now Parx Racing) and currently is track superintendent at Horseshoe Indianapolis. “This is the best opportunity for track supers to get together to discuss our shared goal to make our sport as safe as possible for both horses and humans.”

Thanks to the support of sponsors, including title sponsor Equine Equipment, Track Supers Field Day is free to attend for any track superintendents and support staff. Attendees are only responsible for travel expenses, and a discounted hotel rate is available. Registration is open now, and attendees are asked to register as soon as possible to allow for an accurate attendance count.

“We know budgets are always tight, so we have worked hard to keep this as a free event and offer a reduced hotel rate,” said Steve Andersen, founder of Equine Equipment. “This event will more than pay for itself with the knowledge and networking that track supers and their staffs will go back with to their home tracks.”

To register, call 877-905-0004 or email tracksupers@gmail.com.

More information and the agenda are available at www.tracksupers.com.

The post Agenda Finalized For Track Superintendent Field Day On June 12-14 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Louisiana Downs: Pick 4, Pick 5 Takeout Reduced To 15 Percent

Louisiana Downs will implement a change to its Pick 4 and Pick 5 Wagers, effective Saturday, May 21. Both will now have a takeout of 15 percent and will no longer be Jackpot wagers.

Mitch Dennison, Louisiana Downs General Manager of Racing, explained that the format change was made in response to the feedback from Louisiana Downs horseplayers.

“New innovation is needed to draw horseplayers to our product,” said Dennison. “We are listening to the customers and feel that these changes on our betting menu will be well-received. Our thanks to the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) and HBPA for their assistance”

There is a carryover of $77,567 on the Pick 4 with a mandatory payout on Saturday, May 21.

“We know we will have a nice crowd here on Preakness Day and the carryover on the Pick 4 should be an attractive incentive for our players,” he added.

Dennison confirmed that the Pick 6 wager, which is offered each day, beginning on race two, will be the lone Jackpot wager offered at Louisiana Downs.

As previously announced, a modification to the weekend post times for the 2022 Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet will go into effect this Saturday, May 21. The first race will begin at 1:45 pm (Central) on Saturday and Sunday and remain at 3:05 pm for the Monday and Tuesday cards.

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Stilleto Boy Eyeing First Grade 1 Win In Memorial Day’s Hollywood Gold Cup

Stilleto Boy seeks his first Grade 1 victory and trainer Ed Moger Jr. his second in the $400,000 Hollywood Gold Cup for 3-year-olds and up at a mile and a quarter on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.

A four-year-old gelded son of Shackleford, Stilleto Boy is scheduled to work Monday for the Gold Cup, according to Ed, 66, who trains the chestnut for his younger brother, owner Steve.

Winner of the G2 Californian in front-running fashion April 30, Stilleto Boy worked a half-mile in 50 seconds May 16 under leading jockey Juan Hernandez, who rides in the Gold Cup.

“He's only won three races in his life, so a Grade 1 win would be significant for the horse as well me,” said Moger, whose only previous Grade 1 victory came when Stormy Lucy owned by his brother stunned 13 rivals at 65-1 in Del Mar's 2015 Matriarch, getting up by a head under a classic ride by Kent Desormeaux.

“It was a perfect ride and we wouldn't have won without a perfect ride like that,” Moger reflected. “He's a great rider.”

As to strategy for the Gold Cup, Moger said Stilleto Boy is “a good horse. We're not going to send him or anything. We'll get him out there, get him into the race and play it by ear.

“In the Californian (which had a four-horse field), I told Juan to kind of hustle him into the race, and then just play it by ear.

“He got a pretty easy lead and that's how it was, but I think his best races have been when he's halfway close to the pace (although he did win twice wire-to-wire before the Californian).”

Humility aside, Ed gives “all of the credit” to Steve for buying Stilleto Boy with the highest bid of $420,000 last July at the Fasig-Tipton Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale.

Ed has a laudatory resume of his own, however, with more than 1,900 victories as a presence in both Northern and Southern California going on half a century. He began training in 1976.

Prior to his victory in the Californian, Stilleto Boy was third in three straight Grade 1's, the Santa Anita Handicap presented by Yaamava' Resort & Casino, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational presented by 1/ST BET and the Runhappy Malibu Stakes.

Before those races, he was fifth in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic and second in the Grade 1 Awesome Again Stakes.

Overall, Stilleto Boy has a 3-3-6 record from 15 starts with earnings of $1,031,175.

The post Stilleto Boy Eyeing First Grade 1 Win In Memorial Day’s Hollywood Gold Cup appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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