February, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘We Must Embrace Change’: Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges Outlines Racing’s Nine Key Challenges At Asian Racing Conference

In a scene-setting opening address at the 39th Asian Racing Conference in Melbourne on Wednesday, Feb. 15, Asian Racing Federation (ARF) Chairman and Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive Officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges encouraged racing leaders to embrace change and collaborate more in the face of global challenges.

Speaking to an audience of more than 700 delegates from 35 countries, Engelbrecht-Bresges delivered an address titled 'The Landscape,” saying: “As racing's leaders, we must embrace change and we have to drive necessary changes more rapidly. We have to collaborate more to drive these changes from sharing our experiences to joint initiatives.

“Most of the challenges we face can only be solved when we work together in a more strategic way and overcome the fragmented way of how racing is run, being at national, regional and global levels.”

Calling for joint efforts to uphold global standards in rules and practices to safeguard integrity, Engelbrecht-Bresges said collaboration was needed to fight the illegal betting market; to brand racing as a sport of the highest integrity – and not only wagering.

He also said racing needs more cohesive efforts to better market the sport and to expand audiences.

This could be done through the creation of a new technology platform to enable racing to grow in the international wagering business via global simulcasts and the World Pool.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said combined efforts were required to build a technology platform to enable racing to embrace Web 3.0 development and to ensure relevance to Gen Z consumers, while seeking ways to make racing more sustainable and reach Carbon Zero 2040 to ensure the long-term future of the sport.

Pointing to key performance indicators such as rising average yearling sales prices, betting turnover and prize money increases, Engelbrecht-Bresges said racing “has successfully emerged from the COVID crisis and has shown great agility and resilience.”

“However, beyond these figures, racing faces significant global challenges going forward which, in my view, cannot be solved without fundamental changes and strengthening of collaboration and joint efforts to address these challenges,” he said.

Engelbrecht-Bresges said racing faced nine key challenges – industry fragmentation, integrity, illegal and off-shore betting operators, social acceptability, competition from other sports, an ageing customer base and engaging Gen Y & Z, branding racing as a global sport; sustainability and human resources.

Engelbrecht-Bresges asked “whether racing can move on to solve its structural problems and final strategic solutions to ensure its long-term viability” while also addressing climate change – but he remains optimistic over the sport's future.

“While I have outlined what our key challenges are – which seem to be daunting – but in light of the great resilience and innovation racing has shown during the pandemic, I see significant opportunities by embracing challenges and changes,” he said.

After his keynote presentation, Engelbrecht-Bresges was joined on a panel by the ARF Vice-Chairman and President and CEO of the Japan Racing Association, Masayuki Goto; Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority, Julie Harrington; Chairman of the Australian Turf Club, Peter McGauran; former Victorian Racing Minister, Martin Pakula; CEO of Harvey Norman and co-owner of Magic Millions, Katie Page-Harvey; and Chairman of JAM TV and media personality, Eddie McGuire.

In the second session of the conference business program, titled 'The Wager', Mr. Engelbrecht-Bresges pointed to a desired further advance of World Pool growth against a backdrop of a widening gap between sports and racing betting – and disturbing illegal betting growth at almost twice the rate of the legal market between 2019 and 2021.

“Global liquidity is the key for all pari-mutuel operators and in turn for racing industry revenue and updating racing wagering, integration protocols for a global platform is imperative,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said.

Michael Fitzsimons, Executive Director, Wagering Products, Hong Kong Jockey Club, reinforced the view saying improved technology would power global liquidity.

“Significant changes to protocols are required to enable a wider range of exotic products and synchronize the betting cut-off time with all operators to ensure customer confidence,” Fitzsimons said.

The third session, 'The Fan' saw Masayuki Goto, Gary Liu, Founder and CEO of Artifact Labs; Andrew Jones, Racing Victoria Chief Executive Officer; Jamie Barkley, Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer; and Tim Bulley, World Horse Racing Managing Director & Chairman discuss ways of enhancing fan engagement.

Andrew Harding, Secretary General, Asian Racing Federation and Hong Kong Jockey Club Executive Director, Racing and Dr. Chris Riggs, Hong Kong Jockey Club Equine Welfare Research Foundation Director and Chief Advisor, Mainland Veterinary Engagement will feature in two separate sessions on Thursday (Feb. 16), when champion trainer Chris Waller will feature in a one-on-one interview.

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Trevor McCarthy ‘Scraping Off The Cobwebs’ In Preparation For Return From Broken Collarbone, Pelvic Injury

Jockey Trevor McCarthy is preparing to return to race-riding on or around March 3, the Daily Racing Form reports, having gotten on horses for the first time since a Nov. 18 accident that left him with a broken collarbone and pelvic injury.

“Just scraping off the cobwebs and the dust, getting fit,” McCarthy told DRF Wednesday. “I feel great. I definitely have to get my legs back a little bit. I've been working out in the gym for a few weeks, doing the physical therapy. I'm not too far off where I want to be.”

The incident occurred at Aqueduct: McCarthy's mount Ever Summer clipped heels with a rival and the jockey had to be taken off the track on a backboard.

During his three months out of the saddle, McCarthy enjoyed spending time with his wife, jockey Katie Davis, and their 14-month-old daughter. He has especially enjoyed his wife's recent success at Aqueduct, cheering her home as she won Sunday's $100,000 Broadway Stakes aboard Funny How.

‘Phenomenal’ West Will Power Faces Ginobili, Law Professor In Razorback

The speedy West Will Power headlines a strong field of 10 older horses entered in the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles Saturday at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark.

The Razorback goes as the ninth of 10 races, with probable post time 4:42 p.m. (Central). Racing begins at 12:30 p.m. The Razorback is a major local steppingstone to the $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) at 1 1/16 miles March 18 and the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) at 1 1/8 miles April 22.

The projected Razorback field from the rail out:

Long Range Toddy, Rafael Bejarano to ride, 115 pounds, 20-1 on the morning line;
Law Professor, Jose Ortiz, 120, 7-2;
Rated R Superstar, David Cabrera, 118, 15-1;
Ginobili, Ricardo Santana Jr., 119, 5-2;
Trademark, Martin Garcia, 116, 20-1;
West Will Power, Joel Rosario, 122, 2-1;
Last Samurai, Cristian Torres, 118, 10-1;
Hero Status, Mike Smith, 116, 12-1;
Keystone Field, Isaac Castillo, 115, 8-1; and
Caddo River, Gabriel Saez, 116, 15-1.

Program favorite West Will Power hails from the powerhouse connections of two-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Brad Cox and Gary and Mary West, who bred and own the 6-year-old son Bernardini.

West Will Power, who will be making his 2023 debut in the Razorback, has a 2-2-0 record in four starts for Cox, highlighted by a front-running 6 ¾-length victory in the $350,000 Fayette Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 29 at Keeneland. He also led at every point of call in an allowance victory at 1 1/8 miles Sept. 28 at Churchill Downs.

“Looks like a good spot to get him going,” Cox said. “Hopefully, he gets a good trip and he should be tough. He's doing really, really well. The last few works have been phenomenal at the Fair Grounds. Looking forward to getting him started this year.”

West Will Power exits a runner-up finish in the $750,000 Clark Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs. West Will Power was beaten three-quarters of a length by Proxy after leading throughout most of the race. West Will Power has five published workouts this year at Fair Grounds in advance of the Razorback, which Cox won last year with Plainsman.

“We gave him just a little bit of a freshening after the Clark,” Cox said. “Thought that this race, with the purse and everything, made good sense.”

Southern California-based Ginobili returns to Oaklawn after a sparkling four-length victory in the $150,000 Fifth Season Stakes at 1 mile Jan. 14. The Fifth Season was the first major local two-turn prep this year for the Oaklawn Handicap.

Ginobili has recorded three workouts at San Luis Rey Training Center since the Fifth Season for trainer Peter Miller. In his final breeze for the Razorback, Ginobili covered 6 furlongs in 1:12.80 Feb. 11. Miller said Ginobili is “fit” and “ready” after he galloped out seven furlongs in “1:25” and a mile in “1:38 and change” in last week's work.

“He's training super, really training well,” Miller said. “We're looking forward to it. It's a tougher race. He's got a lot of speed, but he doesn't need the lead. So, we can kind of let Ricardo play it the way it comes up. If someone goes crazy, we'll sit. If we get an easy lead, we'll take it. He's just a really, really good horse. Training really, really well, like he did for the last one.”

Ginobili is one of six graded stakes winners entered in the Razorback. Three of the projected starters are also millionaires.

“It's a tough race,” Miller said. “Brad's horse is tough. The horse coming from New York is a very nice horse, Law Professor. We're going to have to step up and run our best to win.”

Law Professor returns to Hot Springs after finishing ninth in last April's $400,000 Oaklawn Mile (G3) for Southern California-based trainer Michael McCarthy. Now with New York-based trainer Rob Atras, Law Professor exits a 7 ½-length victory in the $150,000 Queens County Stakes at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 7 at Aqueduct.

Law Professor's resume also includes victories in the $200,000 off-the-turf Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2) in December 2021 at Santa Anita and the $400,000 Tapit Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards Sept. 1 over Kentucky Downs' undulating, nonsymmetrical 1 5/16-mile European-style grass course. Law Professor, on a sloppy track, also ran second to the accomplished Life Is Good in the $500,000 Woodward Stakes (G1) at 1 1/8 miles Oct. 1 at the Belmont At The Big A.

“He's got a little bit of gate speed, so I would like use it and get position,” Atras said. “From what I remember, that first turn comes up pretty quick. I think a sharp break and Jose getting him in position early is probably going to be key for him.”

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas bids for his 50th career Oaklawn stakes victory with millionaire Last Samurai and recent addition Caddo River.

In his last start, Last Samurai finished fourth, beaten seven lengths, in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park. Last Samurai has done his best work at Oaklawn, where he has a 2-2-0 record from seven starts and earnings of $814,700.

Last Samurai, when with trainer Dallas Stewart, won the $150,000 Poinsettia Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles in December 2021 and last year's Oaklawn Handicap (G2). Last Samurai also ran seventh in the 2022 Razorback.

Caddo River, the 2021 Arkansas Derby runner-up for Arkansas lumberman John Ed Anthony's Shortleaf Stable, was transferred from Cox to Lukas following a runner-up finish in a Jan. 21 allowance race at Oaklawn. Anthony also campaigned Plainsman.

Late-running Rated R Superstar will be making his sixth appearance in the Razorback. The millionaire multiple graded stakes winner finished fifth in the last two runnings after four-time Oaklawn leading owner Danny Caldwell claimed the now-10-year-old gelding for $50,000 Jan. 30, 2021, at Oaklawn.

Rated R Superstar exits a third in the Fifth Season, beaten 4 ¼ lengths, after being last of 10 in the opening half-mile.

“It is tougher than the other race,” Caldwell said. “I do, when I handicap the race, see a lot of speed. Of course, we get that extra sixteenth and a longer stretch, which makes a huge difference for us.”

Millionaire Grade 2 winner Long Range Toddy, trained by Stewart, moves back to a route in an attempt to snap a 27-race losing streak. Trademark exits a victory in the $300,000 off-the-turf Commonwealth Turf Stakes at 1 1/16 miles Nov. 27 at Churchill Downs for trainer Victoria Oliver.

Keystone Field was a sharp allowance winner at 1 1/16 miles Jan. 7 at Oaklawn for trainer Mike Maker. Hero Status, unraced outside Southern California, will be making his stakes debut for trainer Mark Glatt.

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‘This Is A New Year’: Unbeaten At Gulfstream, Kathleen O. Returns For Saturday’s Royal Delta

Wingate Stables LLC's Kathleen O. will seek to extend her undefeated record in Gulfstream Park stakes intact Saturday, when the 4-year-old daughter of Upstart returns in the $150,000 Royal Delta (G3).

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey saddled Kathleen O. for three straight stakes victories during the 2021-2022 Championship Meet in the Cash Run, Royal Delta (G2) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2).

The Royal Delta, a 1 1/16-mile stakes for older fillies and mares, will headline a 12-race program at Gulfstream Park.

“She ran really good here last year, so I have no problem with the mile and a sixteenth or coming back to Gulfstream,” McGaughey said.

Kathleen O. rallied from far back to break her maiden in an Aqueduct sprint before kicking off here 3-year-old season with a dominating 8 ½-length triumph in the mile Cash Run at Gulfstream Park Jan. 1. The Kentucky-bred filly made another impressive rally to win the mile Davona Dale going away by two lengths. Kathleen O. established herself as a strong candidate for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) when she stretched out successfully around two turns to capture the 1 1/16-mile Gulfstream Park Oaks by 2 ¾ lengths.

Unfortunately, things didn't work out nearly as well for Kathleen O. at Churchill Downs, where she dropped back to 12th in the early running of the 1 1/8-mile Kentucky Oaks before rallying to finish fifth, four lengths behind victorious Secret Oath.

“We got a little farther back than I wanted and we got in a little trouble in the lane and we only got beat [four] lengths for all of it, and most of that was the winner,” McGaughey said. “Obviously, things have to go right in a race like that. It was kind of disappointing. I'm still disappointed over it.”

Kathleen O. went to the sidelines following the Oaks and returned at Aqueduct Nov. 25 to finish a fast-closing second in the 1 1/8-mile Comely (G3), beaten by just a half length by Sixtythreecaliber.

“That horse just opened up on her. I thought we would catch her, but we didn't. I thought it was fine,” McGaughey said.

McGaughey reported that Kathleen O. couldn't be fitter for her 2023 campaign.

“This is a new year. We have a fresh horse, which is what I wanted. We've got one race into her back in November,” the Hall of Famer said. “We've got the whole year in front of us.”

Javier Castellano, the only jockey Kathleen O. has had during her six-race career, has the return mount for the Royal Delta.

Robert and Lawana Lowe's Classy Edition, who finished second behind Kathleen O. in the Davona Dale; and Gatsas Stables, R. A. Hill Stable and Steven Schoenfeld's Midnight Stroll, a graded-stakes winner during her 3-year-old campaign, appear to be Kathleen O's most dangerous challengers.

Classy Edition, who is trained by Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher, came off a nine-month layoff to score an impressive 5 ¼-length romp in a mile optional claiming allowance at Gulfstream Jan. 11. The New York-bred daughter of Classic Empire launched her career with three runaway victories over state-breds before tasting defeat for the first time in the Davona Dale.

Irad Ortiz Jr., who was aboard Classy Edition's first four starts, is scheduled for a return to the saddle.

John Terranova-trained Midnight Stroll captured the 1 1/16-mile Delaware Oaks (G3) before finishing third in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Raven Run (G2) at Keeneland during her sophomore season.

Edgard Zayas has the call for the daughter of Not This Time's seasonal debut.

Imaginary Stables' Don't Get Khozy, Beth Ford and David Meah's Jungle Juice, Gerald James and Hall Performance LLC's Soul of an Angel, and JPG 2 LLC, Mr. Pug LLC, and Team Equistaff LLC's Tap Dance Fever round out the field.

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