The upcoming weekend in horse racing is highlighted by two “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series races for the 39th World Championships in November. One of them will join another prestigious race at a new venue, as Churchill Downs will run both the Beverly D.
Month: August 2022
Kent Desormeaux Suspended 60 Days; Could Return In Fall
Jockey Kent Desormeaux, absent from racing since a January domestic abuse arrest in Louisiana, received a 60-day suspension from California Horse Racing Board stewards on Sunday but will have an opportunity to return to the saddle this fall.
The suspension, to run from Aug. 8 through Oct. 6., is for a second disorderly conduct violation that took place at an RV park on the grounds of Del Mar racetrack last Nov. 23. The 52-year-old Desormeaux was also found to be in violation of Rule 1485 (License Subject to Conditions and Agreement) for failing to abide by a written agreement with the Winners Foundation, an organization that assists individuals in racing with addiction or substance abuse issues.
Desormeaux's license had been suspended since March after he failed to appear at a hearing with CHRB stewards on the disorderly conduct charge. That ruling has now been set aside following his meeting with stewards on July 29.
The ruling also states the Hall of Fame rider and three-time Eclipse Award winner “shall sign a testing agreement with the California Horse Racing Board while licensed in California and is ordered to be evaluated by the Winners Foundation and shall abide by the recommendations of that organization. Failure to do so may result in a suspension of his license.”
During the term of his suspension, Desormeaux is denied access to all premises of licensed California racetracks. The suspension will be honored by all other North American racing jurisdictions.
Desormeaux has admitted to alcohol problems in the past and the two incidents that led to the disorderly conduct complaints reportedly involved alcohol. The first incident, which occurred in 2020, led to a 15-day suspension and his ejection from Del Mar property. The owners of Santa Anita excluded Desormeaux from its premises following his January arrest.
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Slot Machine Evolution
So just how in the heck did slot machines go from where they started to the machines of pleasure we see today? Today, they are modern technical marvels, but in decades gone past, the slot machine was basically a simple mechanical instrument with revolving wheels-nothing fancy.
You pulled the arm and the machine took your money-thus the “one-armed bandit” label was coined. They were very primitive. Personally, I think slot machines have taken a step back. Let me explain.
For eons, the big lure of slot machines was their humongous house advantage-ouch-but their payout method. That’s right. We all love when we hit a slot machine in the paying stomach and it spits out coins nonstop. Listen to the beautiful melody as those coins shoot down the barrel and into the metallic tray below. The whole world could hear when you won-and everyone loved it.
Today, it’s so darn technical that our music and experience has been taken away. Now instead of signaling to the whole world that you’ve just scored, the slot machine calmly and silently prints out a redemption ticket. Clean, yes. Fun, no.
But let’s look more at the fun side of evolution. In the old days, you’d throw in a coin or two, the wheels would spin and some money would pop out if you were lucky. Many got tired of this mundane play and let the slot world. Ah, but that’s all gone now.
Slot machines are now mini video game systems. They have bonuses, side games, moving parts and more. My favorite has to be the Wheel of Fortune. I also loved Reel Em In, which was the first slot machine of its kind.
Walk into any casino (or go online) and gone are the simple 777 slot machine (mostly). Now you’ll find branded video games. They got slot machines for CSI, Adam’s Family, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal, James Bond, Playboy and anything else you can dream up. In fact, there’s a convention annually that pitches new brands and ideas to casino executives. I even saw some Elvis slot machines-hey, it’s Vegas.
Virtual slot machines are the way of the future. I won’t be surprised to see full-blown video games at some juncture. We’re almost there now.
Since 2003, which is when WMS introduced the CPU-NXT with film-quality animation and high-resolution graphics, slot machines have evolved into next-generation gaming platforms. The future is bright for slot machines and slot machine players.
Cabo Spirit Takes Del Mar’s La Jolla With Powerful Late Burst, Earns First Graded Stakes Victory
Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit, last through the first half of $150,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3), put on the blasters late and reeled in his five rivals from the outside to win by a half length Sunday at Del Mar.
The Kentucky-bred son of Pioneerof the Nile had been gelded since a runner-up finish his previous start, the Cinema Stakes June 4 at Santa Anita, and the surgical procedure certainly seemed to have a positive effect for the youngster, who turned back all of his 3-year-old rivals in the 82nd edition of the 1 1/16-mile race, first run at the seaside track in 1937.
Cabo Spirit, who was ridden by Joe Bravo for trainer George Papaprodromou, picked up a winner's share of $90,000 of the La Jolla purse to push his total earnings to $312,560. The La Jolla was his first graded stakes win, and third win overall, in his 13th career start. He ran the race on Del Mar's Jimmy Durante turf course, finishing in 1:42.28.
“I wasn't really where I wanted to be going into the first turn, and I could tell they were really slowing it down up front,” Bravo said. “But he made a big move on his own around the (far) turn and then in the stretch it was all him.”
Finishing second in the La Jolla was Gary Barber's Perfect Flight, who had three-quarters of a length on Perry and Ramona Bass' Sumter, the 9-5 favorite.
Papaprodromou said he was bit worried Cabo Spirit was far back early; he was last as pacesetter Armagnac clocked a half mile in :47.66; he then advanced up to fifth through six furlongs in 1:27.47.
“But,” Papaprodromou added, “Joe rode him patiently and nicely and then made a move on the turn and he just exploded.
“We decided to geld him to get him to relax and obviously you can see (the result). He got a little tense and hot, but he got to relax a little more than before. Del Mar Derby (G2) (September 3) is next.”
Cabo Spirit, who was bred by WinStar Farm from the Shamardal mare Fancy Day, paid $7.40
The La Jolla is the second of three turf stakes run at the session for 3-year-olds. The Oceanside on opening day was the first, and the final race is the series is the $300,000 Caesars Sportsbook Del Mar Derby at 1 1/8 miles.
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