August, 2022 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Immensely Grateful And Humbled’: Serling Honored By NY Race Track Chaplaincy

Andy Serling spends a lot of time talking about horses but on Wednesday morning he was talking instead about the people who care for those horses.

Serling, the longtime New York Racing Association television analyst and handicapper, was being honored by the New York Race Track Chaplaincy for his continuing devotion and support of the backstretch community at the organization's 15th annual fund-raising brunch at Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

“Anyone who has been around our sport knows that the backstretch community is the lifeblood of our sport,” he said. “I greatly admire all those people who dedicate their lives to the care of Thoroughbreds and I'm immensely grateful and humbled by this honor. This award, of course, is even more special to me with Marylou Whitney's name attached to it.”

As is the custom, Serling was presented with a framed racing scene created by equine artist Tom Chapman from the New York Race Track Chaplaincy.

With the blessing of her husband, John Hendrickson, this year and henceforth the honoree award will be named the Marylou Whitney Award.

Said Mr. Hendrickson, “Marylou strongly believed that members of the backstretch community should always be treated with dignity and respect and she made that her mission.”

John Hendrickson and the late Marylou Whitney at 2016 NY Race Track Chaplaincy event. Ramon and Sharon Dominguez hold artwork from Tom Chapman that goes to the honorees

The brunch attracted a record near-capacity crowd of supporters from all segments of the racing industry.

Previous honorees have included Anne Campbell, Edgar Prado, Michael Dubb, Fay and David Donk, Marylou Whitney and John Hendrickson, Letty and Kiaran McLaughlin, Lisa and Kenny Troutt, Debbie and Terry Finley, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, and, last year, Irad Ortiz Jr.

The New York Race Track Chaplaincy serves the New York backstretch and farming community with children's enrichment, social service, recreational, and educational programming as well as non-denominational religious services.

Additional information about the New York Race Track Chaplaincy is available at rtcany.org.

The post ‘Immensely Grateful And Humbled’: Serling Honored By NY Race Track Chaplaincy appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Alpinista Ready For Knavesmire Challenge

Brought to the G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks as a still raw 3-year-old in 2020, Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) returns to the Knavesmire on Thursday an entirely different proposition to the one who chased the shadow of Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as she pursues her own lofty goal. Successful in the same trio of Group 1 races in Germany that her second dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao) racked up in 2004, the grey had already achieved something truly notable even before her rampant return in the July 3 G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The likes of High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Mare Australis (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) were well beaten there and as his owner-breeder pointed out recently success here would mean she has won at the highest level in three different countries.

Sir Mark Prescott, the doyen of Newmarket, had charted the 5-year-old's path as meticulously as all those that pass through his hands only to have his best-laid plans derailed in early summer. “The original plan was to go to the Coronation Cup and King George, but we couldn't go for the Coronation because the filly hadn't come in her coat,” the master of Heath House explained. “That put her back in everything. She's now in the Yorkshire Oaks, whereas she would have been going for the Prix Vermeille. The cycle just got slightly put out from what we'd originally planned. It did look a very strong race in France last time out, but the ground was quicker than the other English horses wanted and I think it was more suitable to me so I hope it didn't flatter me.”

Perhaps Prescott's greatest horse so far was Alborada (GB) (Alzao) and it would be fitting if Alpinista, who is a family member of that dual G1 Champion S. heroine, could bring home a prestigious domestic prize. “She's always been the underdog and so far, she's proved herself to be top dog,” he said. “She's just very pleasant, she eats well, she's sound so far and she's just very, very straightforward in how you can ride her. I would think if all went well and she ran well then she would go straight to the Arc, but there is always the Vermeille if we need it.”

The Weight-For-Age Test

Prescott is one of those who believe that the weight-for-age scale is still correct and if so, Alpinista will be able to give nine pounds to Galileo's Oaks and Irish Oaks heroines Tuesday (Ire) and Magical Lagoon (Ire) and to Juddmonte's G2 Prix de Malleret-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Yuesheng Zhang's Magical Lagoon was adding to her win in the June 16 G2 Ribblesdale S. in the Curragh Classic a month later and it is hard to define where her ceiling is at this stage. Raclette is a supplementary entry, which is always significant where Andre Fabre is concerned and Barry Mahon is understandably excited. “She is a lovely filly and looked exceptional last year,” Juddmonte's racing manager said. “She has just taken a little time to come this year. We were trying to make her into a Pouliches filly and she just hadn't come. So Andre in fairness has done a great job, he has taken his time and she is starting to reveal her true potential. Obviously, Sir Mark's filly is a very, very good filly. We know how good she is, having finished second to her with a horse called Baratti (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a horse we like.”

Irwin's Plan

Team Valor International LLC's La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}), who achieved a formidable feat in taking the 10-furlong G1 Pretty Polly S. on her seasonal bow at The Curragh June 26, is back at the mile-and-a-half trip over which she was so impressive in the G3 Give Thanks S. 12 months ago. Paddy Twomey's stable star could be the thorn in Alpinista's side in a race so strong it is bound to have a significant impact on the Arc. Whoever prevails in a vintage Yorkshire Oaks will enjoy the substantial bonus of having paid entry fees for the $2-million GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland, but Barry Irwin is hoping that La Petite Coco can first prove her class ahead of the major European middle-distance tests. “The main reason we are going to York is to test her against better horses and we need to get another run into her to determine if we are going to go for the Arc or switch for the British Champions race,” he explained. “We need to test her and this race will do that. She's a filly who kind of wants cut in the ground to be at her best, even though she beat Love on a course rated good. We're all set to go, we just hope we get a little more rain because she does better with a bit of cut in the ground. I was at Saint-Cloud when Alpinista won and you couldn't get more impressive than that, that was breath-taking, she scares the hell out of me.”

Putting On A Show In The Lowther

One of Royal Ascot's most impressive performers, Clipper Logistics' G2 Queen Mary S. winner Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) bids to defy a three-pound penalty moving up a furlong in the G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. Having earned 'TDN Rising Star' status with a four-length defeat of the subsequently listed-placed Malrescia (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) on debut at Newmarket Apr. 29, the Karl Burke-trained dynamo recorded strong sectionals in the Royal meeting's June 15 speed test and has since been freshened up. “She looks in really good shape and I couldn't be happier with her, to be honest,” he commented. “She did her last little easy piece on Tuesday morning and did it very well. I wouldn't have wanted soft ground for her, but I wouldn't have minded a little bit of rain. She's by Showcasing and they seem to handle most ground, so I'm sure I'll have no complaints on that score. She's obviously got the penalty to carry, but three pounds is a long way from being insurmountable, I think. We know she's very good. She's got to step up in trip and I'm not sure being drawn one is ideal, but it is what it is.”

Mawj Back In Action

Having also gained a TDN Rising Star tag on her racecourse bow at Newmarket May 14, Godolphin's Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) went for the G3 Albany S. at the Royal meeting only to come off second-best to Ballydoyle's Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) June 17. Perhaps fortunate to have survived a stewards' inquiry when beating Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) in the

G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at the July Festival July 8, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained half-sister to Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is bred to progress with time. Amo Racing And Omnihorse Racing's supplemented Lady Hollywood (GB) (Havana Grey {Ire}) is also there to test Dramatised, with the Alice Haynes trainee's defeat of Mauiewowie (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in Naas's Listed Marwell S. July 20 now franked. Amo's racing manager Emily Scott said, “She is quick and so straightforward so you'd hope she would stay six, although it is a question mark having shown so much speed over five.”

Friday's Fields Confirmed

Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's unbeaten 3-year-old sensation Royal Aclaim (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) will face 14 rivals in Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe S. at York, with the July 9 Listed City Walls S. winner drawn favourably towards the far rail in two. Low numbers dominated on day one of the Ebor Festival, and trainer James Tate is relishing the “Win and You're In” gateway to the $1-million Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “At present, she is going into this race better than she has into any of her previous three races,” he said. “I've had a couple of Breeders' Cup runners, but never managed to win one yet. She would be ideally suited to run there–over a fast five furlongs on fast ground. Whether we do it this year or another year I don't know.” The race's sole juvenile runner The Platinum Queen (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) is drawn on the other side in 13, with the Aug. 7 G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) alongside in 14.

Also on Friday, Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is set to meet old rival Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup if the forecast rain arrives. “He won't run as things stand, on good, good-to-firm in places, but there's rain coming through on Thursday night. We don't know how much, but I'd look awfully stupid if it went good to soft,” the latter's trainer Alan King explained.

Click here for the group fields.

The post Alpinista Ready For Knavesmire Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Moira Heads Colts at Queen’s Plate Draw

X-Men Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, and SF Racing LLC's Moira (Ghostzapper) was listed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite during Wednesday morning's post position Queen's Plate draw, held at Woodbine's newly-opened Stella Artois Terrace. In addition to the Woodbine Oaks winner, who will exit gate 8 with regular pilot Rafael Hernandez aboard, a total of 10 colts have signed on for Sunday's $1-million 10-furlong Classic, the first jewel in the Canadian Triple Crown.

“Typically, when you win the Oaks, depending on how impressive they are doing it, you always have to think of The Queen's Plate,” said trainer Kevin Attard, who is looking for his first Plate win. “It's something we have always had in the back of our minds, and we geared her campaign so the Plate would be her third race of the season and she'd be fresh.”

The double-draw format was in place for the session, with the order of selection first established beforee allowing the connections to choose their post positions.

Likely to draw plenty of support Sunday, Borders Racing Stable Ltd.'s Rondure (Oxbow) was allotted post 6. Trained by Katerina Vassilieva, the GIII Marine S. winner will be accompanied by Flavien Prat.

“He's not overly large in stature, but he's stout,” said Vassilieva. “He has a stout, muscular body and a big heart. He loves to sleep. Every day, around 10:30 or 11, he eats his breakfast and then goes to sleep. You will find him around that time, every day, sprawled out in his stall. Which is always a good sign to me, that he knows how to rest and relax.”

No stranger to the Queen's Plate, trainer Mark Casse, who won the Plate with Lexie Lou (2014) and Wonder Gadot (2018), will be represented by Heste Sport Inc.'s Sir for Sure (Sligo Bay {Ire}), who will break from post 10 as well as Gary Barber, Wachtel Stables, Peter Deutsch, and Leonard Schleifer's Hall of Dreams (Lemon Drop Kid), who breaks from the rail. The stablemates finished 1-2 in the Plate Trial July 24.

“The Plate Trial was actually my second choice,” said the dual Hall of Fame conditioner of the likely more fancied of the two Casse runners come raceday. “Two days before the Plate Trial, there was an Ontario-sired allowance going a mile and a quarter, and I was trying to find the easiest path to The Queen's Plate because he's a little behind from the injury. But the race didn't go. [Owner] René [Hunderup] was good with running him in the Plate Trial, so we did. I didn't need him to win, I just needed him to show he still wanted to play the game. I thought it was powerful and he got a great ride from [jockey] Declan [Carroll].”

Always a dominant force south of the border, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher will try to add a second Plate victory with Chiefwood Stables' Causin' Mayhem (Into Mischief), who broke his maiden at Belmont before finishing third last out in the Plate Trial. Pletcher previously won with Archers Bay in 1998.

Rounding out the field are Shamateur (Shaman Ghost) (8-1, Post 2); Ironstone (Mr Speaker) (12-1, Post 3); The Minkster (English Channel) (10-1, Post 4); Duke of Love (Cupid) (5-1 Post 5); Dancin in Da'nile (Pioneerof the Nile) (30-1, Post 7) and Hunt Master (Hunters Bay) (30-1, Post 9).

The post Moira Heads Colts at Queen’s Plate Draw appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sports Gambling Basics

Combine two of man’s greatest interests and you’ve got something called “sports gambling.” What could be more ingenious? Imagine a group of men cheering over their favorite team, and almost always, bets are placed along with the racket. Think about it. With every sport there are always certain highlighted games everyone’s talking about; something that, according to sports buffs, will “Change the course of history.” In order to get some of the action, spectators usually attempt to guess who will win in the upcoming games. This all turns into a friendly little “game” called sports gambling.

It might sound addicting, but sports gambling is really just for fun and a way to bond with your friends. You can bet a little amount of money and still have a good time. Sports gambling makes the outcome of a game more meaningful and the whole duration of the game more thrilling and exciting. Here are some basics to get you started on sports gambling.

To place a bet, all you have to do is go to a sportsbook, which is a place that accepts sports bets. In the United States, there are four states where you can do sports gambling legally, but illegally, you can do it anywhere so long as you can find a bookie AND you are of legal age (over 21). Many of the sports you can bet on are professional and college football and basketball, professional baseball, professional hockey, and horse and dog racing. You can bet on anything that involves sports, really, after all, it is sports gambling. You can bet on the overall combined score of a game, on what round will the opponent be knocked out, and even whether a coin toss in a game lands heads or tails. All you have to do is place your bet depending on the statistical odds (chances of winning/losing).

In sports gambling, bookies rely on statistics to help you decide which team you think will win. There is such a thing called a “spread,” which is a point advantage given to a weaker team that is expected to lose
by X number of points. This is the odds maker’s way of making even bets possible for a Sports Book. For example, if a person may bet on a team that is expected to lose, and still win the bet so long as the team loses by a given number of points.

You might be asked to bet a few notches higher than the money you may actually win. This is really just the bookie’s way of making money.

In sports gambling, there are different kinds of bets. There are straight bets, parlays, teasers, and over/unders. In sports gambling the most common type of bet is the straight bet, where all you have to do is to pick the team which you think will lose or win. Over/under bets are wagers on the combined number of points scored in the game by both teams. Parlays are combined bets on several games. Teasers are similar to parlays, but you can add or subtract points from the spread to make your bets stronger. This is just to show you that sports gambling can be made more interesting and challenging by the bets that you place.

There you go – the basics of sports gambling. Why don’t you give it a try, and have a lot of fun in the process. Just remember not to get too carried away and spend your entire 401K plan on a whim. You just might end up regretting it for life.