January, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Lightening’ Strike Supercharged Trainer Jorge Delgado’s Career

Trainer Jorge Delgado enjoyed a magical career milestone when he saddled his first graded-stakes winner on last year's Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard at Pimlico. When Lightening Larry took over the lead in deep stretch and held resolutely to win the May 21 Chick Lang (G3), Delgado got caught up in the enveloping electric atmosphere of Preakness Day.

“It was a day I'll never forget. It was my first graded-stakes winner,” Delgado said. “You know how Preakness Days are. It was packed – the only thing you see is people. To hear all the people screaming and all the emotions during the race – when he went to the lead with all the people screaming – it will be a day I'll never forget.”

Lea Farms LLC's Lightening Larry, who is winless in three starts since his Preakness Day victory, is scheduled to seek a winning start of his 4-year-old campaign in Saturday's $75,000 Sunshine Sprint, a six-furlong dash for older Florida-breds at Gulfstream Park.

“He's been training really good approaching this race. I know he hasn't won since May, but he's had excuses. I know his quality,” Delgado said. “He might be a longshot in the field, but he's a stakes horse, a good horse and I think he's going to have a good 4-year-old campaign.”

The 32-year-old trainer hasn't lost an ounce confidence in Lightening Larry, but he also knows the son of Uncaptured doesn't owe him a thing after putting him on the map with horse owners and thousands of racing fans by winning on one of Thoroughbred racing's most important days.

“It's great that these horses are so kind. They make you look good,” Delgado said. “They are the only reasons you get known in this game. Without them, you're nothing.”

Delgado, who has achieved a strike rate of more than 20 percent since venturing to South Florida from Venezuela in 2017, has steadily improved the quality of stock in his stable, which now includes Super Chow, who has won stakes at Keeneland, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream in his last three starts; Willy Boi, who awarded his trainer his second graded-stakes win in the Smile Sprint (G3) at Gulfstream in July; and up-and-coming New York Thunder, a son of Nyquist who has dazzled while launching his career with a pair of eye-catching victories at five furlongs on turf at Gulfstream Park..

Super Chow is being pointed to the Feb. 4 Claiborne Swale; Willy Boi is scheduled to be entered in the Feb. 11 Pelican at Tampa Bay; New York Thunder is slated to make his stakes debut in the March 25 Animal Kingdom at Turfway Park.

“I do have a lot of good new horses in my barn that will be running in the next three months,” Delgado said. “It's about to get exciting for me.”

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Rainy Forecast: Santa Anita Cancels Saturday Card, Reschedules Races

With a 100 percent chance of rain forecast for this Saturday, Santa Anita Park has announced it will proactively cancel Saturday's eight-race card.

In consultation with the CTT, TOC and CHRB, Saturday's races will be offered as extra races this Sunday, Monday, and Friday, Jan. 20. Originally scheduled for this Saturday, the Grade 3, $200,000 La Canada Stakes is currently listed as an extra race for this Sunday, with those races to be drawn later today. Friday, Jan. 20, was originally scheduled as a dark day after a holiday Monday race week.

“With the significant rain that we've experienced within the past week and with what is currently predicted for Saturday, we wanted to let our fans and horsemen know well in advance that we'll reschedule these races,” said Nate Newby, Santa Anita Senior Vice President and General Manager. “Although we've got wet weather in the forecast this weekend, it looks like we're going to be turning the corner and we look forward to sunny skies later next week.”

Although live racing has been cancelled this Saturday, Santa Anita will open for simulcast wagering beginning at 10 a.m.

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Emblem Road Returns To Defend Title As One Of Over 1400 Entries For 2023 Saudi Cup Festival

Emblem Road (Quality Road), the victor of the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup last year, is back to defend his title, as over 1,400 nominations were received for the $35.35-million extravaganza at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh Feb. 24-25. Locally owned and trained, Emblem Road will be seen in action on Friday over 1600 metres, as a prep for the nine-furlong Saturday cornerstone in just over a month's time. If he is successful on Feb. 25, he would become the highest-earning Thoroughbred in history with over $20.2 million in prize-money.

The supporting card is also filled with sought-after prizes, with a quintet of Group 3 races for Thoroughbreds, as well as a pair of group races for Purebred Arabians on tap over the two-day festival. Multiple countries have nominated strong contingents, including Japan, America, and the UAE, as well as UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and Argentina. A total of 47 top-level winners have been handed entries.

Successful in four of the six group races on last year's Saturday card, the Japanese have nominated another strong battalion to further burnish their international strike rate. Although they have yet to land the Saudi Cup, it is surely only a matter of time. Yoshito Yahagi's 2022 G1 Dubai Turf scorer Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and Tetsuya Kimura's G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas hero Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong) are both nominated. Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) already holds a berth in the big dance after booking his ticket in the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo in December. Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), named the Japanese Champion Dirt Horse earlier this week, also has a Saudi Cup nom.

Godolphin's 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby has signed on, as has Jane Chapple-Hyam's multiple Group 1 winner Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who was purchased for 3.6 million guineas by Najd Stud at the Tattersalls December Sale with the Cup in mind. GI Breeders' Cup Mile hero Order Of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) represents Aidan O'Brien, while Argentina's flag will be flown by Nino Guapo (Arg) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}) for trainer Maria Munoz.

The impact of the Saudi Cup continues to expand, and Laws Of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}), who now races for Australian-based trainer Annabel Neasham, is the first Australian-trained horse to enter. He captured the G1 Prix Jean Prat during his European tenure, and has proved just as lethal Down Under, with placings in both the G1 Toorak H. and G1 George Ryder S. He exits a meritorious third in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile on Dec. 11.

The American challenge for the feature is expected to be robust and will be headed up by horses owned–completely, or in part–by Amr Zedan. Country Grammer (Tonalist), campaigned in partnership with WinStar Farm and Commonwealth, covered himself in glory last February when beaten just a half-length into second by Emblem Road, and he used the effort as a stepping stone several hundreds of miles to the east when taking out the G1 Dubai World Cup. Country Grammer ran out a facile winner of the GII San Antonio S. in his most recent appearance Dec. 26. 'TDN Rising Star' Taiba (Gun Runner) is also ticketed for King Abdulaziz, having backed up in trip to impressively win the GI Runhappy Malibu S. on the same program as the San Antonio.

Also possible to represent the red-white-and blue is Rich Strike (Keen Ice), last year's GI Kentucky Derby hero; the progressive Law Professor (Constitution) and Juddmonte's Fulsome (Into Mischief), a good third to Proxy (Tapit) and the Saudi Cup-entered West Will Power (Bernardini) in the GI Clark S. in late November.

America could field a handful of horses for the sprint races to be held on both surfaces. The in-form Sibelius (Not This Time) is among the entries for the $1.5-million G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint and could be joined by the likes of Juddmonte's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint hero Elite Power (Curlin), while the latter's stable companion Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) could get the chance to atone for his narrow runner-up effort in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint.

The most valuable undercard race is the 3000-metre G3 Red Sea Turf Cup, and it could mark the much-awaited return of G1 Gold Cup hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}). Other UK-trained notables are Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).

Winners of the Dirt Sprint in 2021/22, Japan sends last year's five-length victor Dancing Prince (Jpn) (Pas De Trois {Jpn}) back to defend his title. He is not the only representation from the Land of the Rising Sun, as G3 Capella S. hero Remake (Jpn) (Lani) earned an automatic berth with his tally in last month's Group 3.

Japanese Filly Triple Tiara heroine Daring Tact (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) holds an entry in the 2100-metre $1.5-million G3 Neom Turf H. over 2100 metres, but she does not face an easy task, as her countryman Panthalassa is cross-entered here. Godolphin's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) could also make some noise for Saeed bin Suroor.

Dual Group 2 winner Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), also trained by Yahagi, goes up against defending champ Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in the 1351 Turf Sprint. Charlie Appleby's Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) will attempt to find the winner's circle for the first time since taking the G1 British Champions Sprint S. in 2021, but he did run a close second to stablemate Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Royal Ascot's G Platinum Jubilee S. last June.

One of the supporting races is the $1.5-million G3 Saudi Derby, won exclusively by America and Japan throughout the first three editions, each of whom could offer strength in numbers. Karl Burke's Holloway Boy (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), the first debutante to win at Royal Ascot since 1996, is a possible runner.

Besides the main action on Feb. 25, the day prior features 14 jockeys–seven men and seven women–competing in the International Jockeys Challenge. There is also the $500,000 Saudi International H. that day, which is designated especially for horses trained in countries that are not classified as Part I by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Tom Ryan, Racing Advisor to the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, said, “Last year's meeting could not have been more successful, with Emblem Road making history by becoming the first Saudi Arabian-trained winner of the Saudi Cup. There was also the remarkable success of Japanese horses, who took home four group races, and the strength of the Japanese entry has continued to grow this year.

“These were results that resonated throughout the racing world and we are confident that many more memorable stories will be created again this year showcasing the highest level of horse racing.

“Once again we're delighted with the depth of the international entries, from 22 different countries across five continents, which goes to show the reputation and global standing the Saudi Cup meeting has quickly established after just three years.

“With The Obaiya Arabian Classic being promoted to Group 1 status and the Al Mneefah to Group 2 this year, we now have a Group 1 for Thoroughbreds and another for Purebred Arabians. This is a hugely proud moment for everyone at the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.

“We look forward to welcoming horsemen and women, and horse racing fans from all over the world to Riyadh next month for what promises to be another unforgettable Saudi Cup meeting.”

For the complete list of entries, please click here.

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Meadowlands Handle On Opening Weekend Tops $7 Million, 30 Percent Increase Over 2022

At a craps table, when a player rolls a seven, it's referred to as a natural.

Last weekend (Jan. 6-7) at The Meadowlands, it was the fans of the mile oval who were on a roll, and they made their point that betting is off to a huge start in 2023, as over $7 million was put in play over the course of the 28 races.

It was a natural that Big M management would be elated, especially when one considers how impressively wagering was up over just a year ago.

“The Meadowlands handle far exceeds the handle of any nighttime track in North America, including the Thoroughbreds,” said Big M Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. “We have listened to our horseplayers and simulcast partners. The Big M has responded to what the wagering public desires. Check off the boxes. Competitive 10-horse fields, exciting mile-track racing, large pools, low takeouts, low minimums, chances to make scores, generous payouts and no jackpot wagers.

“The Meadowlands offers horseplayers from around the world the most exciting and popular wagering product on the continent every Friday and Saturday night.”

$7-million weekends were rare during 2022, as that barrier was busted only twice, the first on Meadowlands Pace weekend ($7.3 million) and the second during Hambletonian weekend ($10.4 million).

If last week is an indicator of things to come, maybe 2023 will be as exceptional a year as 2021, when the average nightly handle was $3 million.

Friday's total bet was $3,384,066 while Saturday's play was $3,673,861, for a grand total of $7,057,927.

On Saturday, the track's most popular multi-leg puzzles served as the catalysts.

In the first race, $287,355 was wagered, with $67,037 of that on the 20-cent Pick-5; $401,753 was bet on the sixth race as the Early 50-Cent Pick-4 took in $147,691; the 20-cent Pick-6 had a double carryover in the eighth race, creating a total pool of $111,677 and a race total of $332,459 before $513,320 was pushed through the windows on the 10th race, with $304,713 of that contributing to a Late Pick-4, that, including carryover, totaled $362,361.

Those four races alone totaled $1,534,887, good for an average per race of $383,721.

The comparison in weekend wagering from a year ago reveals a startling action uptick.

Last year, $2,630,290 was wagered on the comparable Friday while $2,797,927 was put in play on Saturday for a total of $5,428,217, figures that are anything but shabby.

However, the $7 million bet last weekend represents a 30 per cent increase over 2022. A year ago, the opening weekend average handle per race was $180,940, while this year, that number jumped to $252,068, an increase of better than $72,000.

The total handle was $1.6 million more this year as compared to last, and that was with two fewer races.

“There's always excitement in the building when our players get to bet into our pools that begin with carryovers,” said Settlemoir, “and thanks to low takeouts and carryovers, Saturday was no exception.”

Saturday's 20-cent Pick-6 began with a carryover of $22,812, which led to $88,164 in “new money” wagered for a total pool of $111,677.

Here comes what was the good part for players.

Since the carryover is not subject to the already low 15 per cent takeout, the total return to bettors was $97,751, a surplus of just under $9,600 (10 per cent). Winning tickets paid $7,565.

A Pick-4 carryover is a rarity, and the punters went deep, wagering $304,713 in “new money” for a total pool of $362,361, which led to a surplus of $11,941 (3 percent). Winning tickets were exchanged for $1,267.

Getting a return of 85 percent on a normal night is good, but getting a return of 110 or 103 per cent? “Anytime you can give the players an opportunity like that, it's good for them, and, obviously, good for business as well,” said Settlemoir.

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