Month: July 2022

Canterbury Park Begins Second Half Of Racing Season With Encouraging Numbers

Horse racing resumes Wednesday at Canterbury Park following a nine-day break that allowed for Twin Cities Summer Jam, a three-day music festival that attracted more than 30,000 fans, to be held in the racetrack infield.

Prior to the break, 35 of the 65 race dates at the Shakopee, Minn., track had been conducted. Entries for Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday drew 251 horses over 31 races for an average field size of 8.1 per race. Average field size for the first 35 days was 7.1.

“The break is beneficial to the horses. It's a reset,” leading trainer Joel Berndt said. “There is also a people aspect. It refreshes the people too.”

Berndt's 36 wins is two better than Mac Robertson who has won the training title in 14 of the past 17 seasons. Berndt won his only Canterbury training title in 2020.

Horse players will note the lack of turf racing the first two nights. That was planned by the racing department to allow the much-used turf to be rested and restored.

“The turf course was over-seeded the day after racing ceased for the concert break,” Sr. Vice President of Racing Andrew Offerman said. “The two days off are by design to give the course a 12-day break before the second half of the season and allow the new seed more time to fully establish itself.”

Through the 35 race days, 102 races have been contested over the turf course compared to 95 last year. On Saturday, three turf races will be run.

Total handle saw an increase with $55,590,385 wagered, a 10.2 percent increase over last season. Wagering dollars from customers attending the races at the facility jumped 23 percent to $5,450,745. Track officials are encouraged as spectators return to the races in numbers more similar to pre-pandemic seasons. On-track handle is down just 3.7 percent compared to 2019, the last season prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that for next two race meets demanded capacity restrictions and limited crowd-drawing events such as the Corgi Dog races scheduled for this Sunday.

“We are pleased with business through the first 35 days and look forward to a strong second half of the season,” Offerman said.

Out-of-state handle is up nine percent compared to the same time period in 2021 but up 248 percent compared to 2019. Canterbury's 2020 pandemic shift to weeknight racing attracted robust national wagering. That wagering popularity continued as Sunday racing was added last year and Saturday this season, replacing Monday and Tuesday programs.

Racing Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday begins at 5 p.m. Sunday racing begins at 1 p.m.

Three trials will be run Wednesday for the 350-yard $105,100 Mystic Lake Northlands Futurity. The ten finalists for the 400-yard $68,175 Canterbury Park Quarter Horse Derby will be determined in two trial races. Both finals will be held Aug. 10.

Quarter horse trainer Jason Olmstead, who has won the Canterbury training title the past seven seasons, entered 15 of the 27 two-year-olds in the futurity trials and eight of the 14 three-year-olds in the derby trials. He has won the Northlands Futurity, annually Canterbury's richest quarter horse race, fours times but a Canterbury Park Quarter Horse Derby win has eluded Olmstead.

Trainer Ed Ross Hardy, who has won the Northlands a record six times, seeks to qualify for the final with two entrants including morning line favorite One Fabulous Miracle in the second trial.

The post Canterbury Park Begins Second Half Of Racing Season With Encouraging Numbers appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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‘Big Red, White And Blue’ Exhibition Brings Together Racing Celebrities At Spa Fine Art Gallery

The Spa Fine Art Gallery in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., is hosting a month-long exhibition entitled, “Big Red, White and Blue,” commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Secretariat running his juvenile races (1972) in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The rare collection features a brand-new collection of Secretariat paintings by Lisa Palombo, and hand-signed photography by Secretariat's owner Penny Chenery, affectionately known as “the First Lady of Racing” as well as Hall of Fame jockey Ron Turcotte.

Select memorabilia and historical pieces from the Secretariat/ Meadow Stables Archives will be on display and available for sale. The special exhibition kicks off with an opening champagne reception on Fri., August 5th, 2022 from 7-9 pm at the gallery with appearances and signings by:

Contemporary American Impressionist Lisa Palombo,
Hall-of-Fame Horseracing Journalist Steve Haskin,
President of Secretariat.com Leonard Lusky, and
Other Surprise Guests.

“We're thrilled to offer such an amazing collection and body of artwork by Lisa Palombo celebrating the legendary Secretariat and his legacy of excellence, “said Alyson Stryker Gallery Manager, of Spa Fine Art. “We're also proud to be representing equine artist Lisa Palombo for over 10 years now. Her recognition and base of collectors worldwide only continue to grow.”

Secretariat is widely considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time and the most recognizable name in Thoroughbred racing. Big Red as he is most often affectionately referred to, became America's Horse after his historic Triple Crown win in 1973, winning the Belmont Stakes by an unimaginable 31 lengths (in world record time) in what stands today as perhaps the single greatest horse racing performance ever.

Steve Haskin, whose vintage photos of Secretariat will also be on display during the event, added, “Most people remember Secretariat from his historic Triple Crown campaign, but many forget that some of Big Red's most memorable moments came at Saratoga, both at 2 and 3. This is where the legend was born. In the span of 27 days, Secretariat ran three times at the Spa. Big Red never looked back after that and ended the year as North America's “Horse of the Year.”

Secretariat returns to Saratoga in a dazzling display of color from the brush strokes of talented artist Lisa Palombo who has made Big Red one of her favorite subjects and has shown him from every angle, from his magnificent stride and powerful shoulders to his alert eyes peering through his blinkers in classic headshots and drawing off to his five-length victory in the Hopeful Stakes.

All these and her other paintings come alive in splashes of bright colors that enhance Secretariat's overwhelming presence. As a change of pace there is an intimate black and white image of Big Red and exercise rider Charlie Davis on the track walking toward you with a blinker-free Secretariat showing off his exquisite face with its familiar markings that makes you feel as if you are right there watching him.”

ABOUT LISA PALOMBO

Lisa Palombo is a renowned Contemporary American Impressionist known for her expressive brushwork and fearless use of color. Her equine, polo and horse racing paintings are especially masterful, capturing the elegance, motion, and thunder of these magnificent animals. Lisa began her formal art education at the age of nine while spending summers at the acclaimed Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She later graduated from RISD with honors and has been painting professionally for over 30 years. Her awe-inspiring artwork adorns the walls of private collectors and corporate collections worldwide.

ABOUT SECRETARIAT

Big Red, as he is most often affectionately referred to, became America's Horse after his historic Triple Crown win in 1973, establishing stakes records in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes that still stand today. Celebrating racing's past to enrich its future, Secretariat.com is the official website for the legendary champion.

ABOUT SPA FINE ART

Spa Fine Art proudly represents an outstanding group of over 200 fine artists, which include both established and emerging, as well as nationally and world-renowned. From traditional to contemporary, our artists work in various styles and mediums and compose a wide array of subjects such as equestrian, landscape, abstract, figurative, and still life. Conveniently located in the heart of historic downtown Saratoga Springs, NY, we are just steps away from all that this beautiful and exciting city has to offer. For inquiries, contact Spa Fine Art Gallery, 376 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, (518) 587-2411, or visit www.spa-fine-art.com.

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Kyprios Denies Stradivarius In Thrilling Goodwood Cup

Kyprios confirmed himself as the new king of the staying division when edging out Stradivarius in a stellar renewal of the G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, in which the big guns came to the fore.

Kyprios, sent off a 6-4 favorite to follow up his Gold Cup success, was always well-placed under Ryan Moore. The son of Galileo was in pole position throughout the closing stages and gamely held off valiant four-time victor Stradivarius (9/2) by a neck in a thrilling finish, with last year's winner Trueshan (2/1) a just over a length further back in third.

It was a third win in the race for trainer Aidan O'Brien, who had previously taken the spoils with the outstanding Yeats in 2006 and 2008.

O'Brien said: “Kyprios is a great horse. Ryan gave him a beautiful ride and he is only ever in the gear that you want him. He is always keeping plenty and is a horse that loves a battle.

“He is lazy and if you want him to stay in first gear, he will stay in first gear and not go into second gear unless you want him. That is the way he is and the way he has always been. He saves everything and is very professional. I'd say there's a lot more to come. He loves racing, is easy on himself and the plan from here is to go to the Irish St Leger.

“He has a lot of class, a lot of quality. He has run over two and a half miles at Royal Ascot and two miles today, but we would have had no problem starting him over a mile and a quarter at the start of the year, as he has that real pace. However, you don't see it as he doesn't show it unless you really want it. It's great to have him. Those type of horses are very special – when you have a horse who stays like that and has that class.”

Moore said: “Kyprios has done nothing wrong this year. Today was only his eighth race and he is only doing what he has to do. It was a steadily-run race and he was in front a long way out. He was just waiting. I always feel that I'm not going to the bottom of him.

“He is a proper Group One horse and Aidan has always had a lot of belief in the horse. At the start of the year, he was saying what he thought he could do, so all credit to him and the team at home for getting him back.

“Kyprios was always held in high regard. He is a full-brother to Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song, who is a lovely filly. He won his first start at three and then got beat in the Derby Trial. We were disappointed but it turned out to be a good Derby Trial. I was not on him in the Queen's Vase [when he went under the stalls], but he was well fancied that day. It was just one of those things. He has a great attitude and is not a horse with any badness in him.

“Yeats was a machine. This horse won a Gold Cup at four and I think there's more to come. We don't know where we'll end up yet. You know how good Trueshan is and Stradivarius has been, and the fourth horse Coltrane is improving. I think as far as Goodwood Cups go, it was a very strong race.”

Stradivarius' owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: “I was happy with the way Stradivarius ran. I thought half a furlong out he was potentially in front, although it was hard to tell from the angle. Stradivarius and Kyprios were a fair way apart on the racecourse and I don't know if it was competitive enough for him. If he had been upsides, it might have been a different story.

“Andrea [Atzeni] said he was following Kyprios through and he felt like he was going to do him for toe and then he got the bump from Trueshan, which forced him inside. He was in a pocket, but they had the cutaway today so he could go up the inside. When he made his run, I wasn't sure if he would get up.

“We are not going to say goodbye, not when he is at the top of his game and ran like that today. He has still run in the last year or two like he has his enthusiasm. There is no point stopping him in the middle of the season. This is the best Goodwood Cup – it was lined up to be a tremendous race and going into this race today I thought he could win or finish third or fourth. He has run within a head of the Gold Cup winner. I think it was a great performance. We will go on for at least one more.

“York would be on the cards for the Lonsdale and the long straight there suits him. Frankie has handled him well there and I don't know if he will ride. I need to discuss that with the trainer. I thought it was classy from Frankie to come out before the race and wish Andrea luck after all these years.”

John Gosden said of Stradivarius: “It was superb. Stradivarius was in good form before. He came back in here shouting at Trueshan, so the race didn't stress him too much.

“We had a lovely position on the inside following Kyprios and then Hollie thought the pace wasn't quick enough, so she moved and we went from the outside to the inside. Our only slight frustration is that, because of that, we had to go down the cutaway, were racing on our own and had nothing left to race with.

“Stradivarius is a wise old owl now and he knows when he gets to the front that he has done his bit. At his age, he likes something to run with and has never been a horse to go and win by far.

“He was in the first three in the Gold Cup and won the Yorkshire Cup, so he can still compete at this level. It's just that he is an eight-year-old entire. If he were a gelding, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

“Stradivarius will tell us and that is the key thing. He is the most cheerful horse to come and meet every morning. He comes out playing and shouting, he is a great character. If anyone has the blues, he will soon kick them out of you.”

Andrea Atzeni said: “Stradivarius ran his heart out. The race went quite smoothly and I followed Kyprios. We went a nice pace and four out Trueshan arrived on my outside, but it was a long way from home and I didn't want to wheel him out and get racing early.

“I made my challenge in the middle of the track and the winner just went away from us. He got a little lonely on his own, but he ran to the line like a champion and you can't take that away from him. There are not many like him.”

Alan King said of Trueshan: “Not happy not to have won, but it was a hell of a performance. It was a proper Goodwood Cup. I think the ground [might have led to the defeat], but I was happy to run and have no regrets. We know he is a better horse on soft but there is no disgrace today.”

3.35pm Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
1 Kyprios (Moyglare, Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg) Aidan O'Brien IRE 4-9-11 Ryan Moore 6/4F
2 Stradivarius (Bjorn Nielsen) John & Thady Gosden 8-9-11 Andrea Atzeni 9/2
3 Trueshan (Singula Partnership) Alan King 6-9-11 Hollie Doyle 2/1
9 ran

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