March, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Pump It Up: Would A Lymphedema Compression Machine Work On Horses?

Lymphedema in both horses and humans is caused by the accumulation of protein-rich fluid in the body, often in the legs. The fluid is usually drained by the lymphatic system, but lymphedema prevents this drainage.

This condition can increase the risk of skin infections and sepsis as skin folds develop from the swelling. Affected horses typically develop the condition when they are young; as the disease progresses, the horse becomes disfigured and lame. Lymphedema can cause secondary infections in addition to lameness, and may eventually lead to death.

Draft breeds are primarily affected, but the cause of the disease is unknown. Horses in particular are at risk of lymphedema as they have minimal muscling on their lower limbs and muscle contraction is what circulates lymph fluid through the lymphatic system. Treatment often includes the use of cold water, bandaging, and encouraging movement.

Dr. Drew Koch and researchers from North Carolina State University took technology used for humans suffering from lymphedema and applied it to horses with the same condition. In humans, a pneumatic compression device is often applied to the legs that moves the fluid up the limbs to the lymph nodes.

The scientists worked closely with manufacturers of the human-grade devices to create the EQ Press. To test its efficacy, the researchers injected the front leg coronary bands of six healthy Thoroughbreds with a tracer isotope, which is taken up and excreted through the lymphatic system.

A special camera followed the isotope's movement through the lymphatic system and into an upper-limb lymph node. Each horse underwent this procedure twice, once without wearing the EQ Press and once while wearing the EQ Press.

The horses wearing the device showed the isotope moving into the upper-limb lymph node within an hour; only one horse not wearing the EQ Press had the isotope move into the lymph node in that same amount of time.

The researchers determined that horses wearing the EQ Press had significantly accelerated lymphatic flow compared to horses not wearing the device. More research is needed to test the device on horses that have lymphedema.

NHC Day One: Louisiana Dentist Boustany Atop Leaderboard

After an electric first day at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) National Horseplayers Championship (NHC), presented by Caesars Entertainment, Horseshoe Las Vegas, and Racetrack Television Network (RTN) on Friday, Francis Boustany of Lafayette, La., leads the record field of 779 entries. Boustany amassed a bankroll of $149.40, after all players wagered on 18 races from around North America, including eight mandatory races.

Boustany, 72, has been handicapping for decades and has made six prior appearances to the NHC. A dentist by trade, he grew up watching the greats like Secretariat and fell in love with horses. He calls himself a student of pedigrees, handicapping, and pace, and hopes that his lead can hold up through the weekend. When asked how he felt about finishing in first place he said one word, “shocked.” In addition to bragging rights, Boustany wins himself a $10,000 berth at the 2023 BCBC for finishing atop the Caesar's Race and Sports Book NHC Leaderboard at the end of NHC day one.

Right on his tail is Albion J. Benton with a bankroll of $135.30 finishing in second, Cara Yarusso with $133.40 in third, Ken Seeman with $129.20 in fourth, and Paul Cush with 128.80 in fifth. The action will kick back off at the Horseshoe Event Center Saturday morning with another eight mandatory and 10 optional races.

The 2023 NHC winner, who will be named on Sunday at the conclusion of the Final Table, will take home a whopping $800,000, up from last year's grand prize of $725,000. Total cash prizes to be offered over the three days are a record $3,115,350, a 33% increase over last year. The 2022 NHC paid out the top 68 finishers. This year, the top 78 finishers will take home prize money. The full prize structure can be found online.

Charity Challenge Set for Saturday

Additionally, the field is set for the ninth Annual NHC Charity Challenge, presented by NTRA Charities. The invitation-only field will compete for the $10,000 charitable prize pool, which is double what was donated last year. $5,000 is set to be donated to the winner's charity of choice and an additional $2,500 will be donated to each the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. HorsePlayers.com hosts the online event.

The one-day contest, happening Saturday March 11, will see contestants play eight races selected by the NTRA from the same tracks as those playing in the NHC. Last year Michael Canale won the Charity Challenge with a final bankroll of $87.30 from eight contest races. Canale selected the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance to receive a $2,500 donation in his name to go along with another $2,500 committed to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

Defending Charity Challenge winner Canale will attempt a title defense and other past winners expected to participate include: Jimmy McNerney (2021), Jude Feld (2020), Dawn Lupul (2019), Ed DeRosa (2018), Ellis Starr (2017), and Matt Bernier (2016). Inaugural winner Bob Neumeier passed away in October 2021.

Similar to the NHC format, players will select one horse to Win and Place in eight races using a “Pick and Pray” format. All selections are due Saturday morning and any scratches will result in the player being assigned the post-time favorite. The player with the highest hypothetical bankroll after the final contest race will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, there will be no playoff; the donations will be split among the winners.

More on This Year's NHC

The NHC, the world's richest and most prestigious handicapping contest, features more than 600 top horseplayers competing for more than $3.1 million in cash and prizes. All qualifiers will received a complimentary four night stay at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and travel reimbursements which total more than $1 million.

The tournament format for the NHC is meant to be the best possible test of overall handicapping ability by picking winners. Players attempt to earn the highest possible bankroll based on mythical $2 Win and Place wagers. Assigned “mandatory” races – eight per day on Day 1 and Day 2, and seven at the Final Table – are announced at least 36 hours prior to each contest day via direct e-mail to players and publicly on Twitter (@NTRA) and NTRA.com.

The NHC field will be reduced to the top 10 percent of players after the first two days. The highest 10 cumulative scores after the Semifinals round on Sunday morning will fill out the Final Table. Bankrolls amassed during Day 1, Day 2 and the Semifinals round will roll over to the Final Table, with the 10 finalists settling the NHC score in seven “mandatory” assigned races.

In addition to its three presenting sponsors ― Caesars Entertainment, Horseshoe Las Vegas and RTN ― the NHC is supported by official partners Daily Racing Form, EquinEdge, Four Roses Bourbon and Race Lens.

Interested spectators will have the ability to watch and listen to the action unfurling at the NHC all weekend in multiple places. Rachel McLaughlin, racing analyst at Horseshoe Indianapolis, will be hosting the NHC broadcast which will be available on all NTRA social media platforms. Additionally, At the Races with Steve Byk will broadcast live on SiriusXM satellite radio (Sirius 219; XM 201) from the Horseshoe Las Vegas and online at www.stevebyk.com daily, from 9-12 a.m. ET/6-9 a .m. PT on Friday and Monday, with bonus NHC coverage at www.SteveByk.com/listen-live-SiriusXM slated for 2-8 p.m. ET/11 a.m.-5 p.m. PT) next Friday-Sunday. America's Best Racing and Hawthorne will also be streaming live from the event.

To sign up for the NHC Tour, go to www.ntra.com/membership.

The post NHC Day One: Louisiana Dentist Boustany Atop Leaderboard appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Saturday’s Racing Insights: March Hares Look To Swipe Limelight

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency

1st-AQU, $80K, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 12:50 p.m.
Bought by Chenoweth Stables for $200,000 at the '21 FTKJUL auction, GLOBAL IMAGE (Liam's Map) was purchased by Taproot Bloodstock a year later at the OBSMAR after breezing an eighth of a mile in :10 1/5. Owned by Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stables, the Brad Cox trainee shipped to Belmont after training with his Churchill Downs string over the winter. Out of Ballerina S. heroine Class Included (Include), the gray colt will break from the three post with Manny Franco aboard as the morning-line second choice at 9-5. TJCIS PPs

4th-OP, $90K, Msw, 3yo, f, 6f, 3:17 p.m.
The first for dam Munjazaat (Daaher) to make the races, SHE'S A ROCKET (Sharp Azteca) debuts at Oaklawn with Florent Geroux in the irons at 7-2 for owners Frank Fletcher and Ten Strike Racing. Initially sold to Rosewood Stable for $30,000 at the 2021 OBSJAN sale, she was purchased six months later by Omar Ramirez for $50,000 at FTKJUL. The following May, Ten Strike made their bid and secured the filly for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale. TJCIS PPs

7th-GP, $84K, Msw, 3yo, f, 7 1/2fT, 3:38 p.m.
Heading to a battle on the grass, CALIFORNIA WAY (Malibu Moon) will look to assert her authority as she debuts for the Todd Pletcher barn. A $190,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling, the filly was hammered down for $475,000 to Spendthrift Farm during the OBSAPR sale last year. The 12-1 morning-line shot will be guided by Samy Camacho Jr. Standing in her way is Amalfi Spritz (Street Sense) who sold for $165,000 at the 2020 FTKNOV sale before she went for $250,000 at FTSAUG to Bobby Flay a year later. A full-brother to GSW Champagne Anyone, trainer Todd Pletcher taps rider Jose Ortiz for the 6-1 priced firster. TJCIS PPs

8th-OP, $90K, Msw, 3yo, 1m, 5:22 p.m.
Full of spirit in what is his first career race, the Three Chimneys homebred GO CATS (Gun Runner) heads to post four to try two turns for Steve Asmussen under Ricardo Santana Jr. The chestnut colt who is tabbed at 5-1, is the first offspring for dam Best Performance (Broken Vow) who was runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She just produced a full-sister to Go Cats on Feb. 16. TJCIS PPs

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Dual Group 1 Winner Angel Bleu Set For Seasonal Return At Wolves

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features multiple Group 1 winner Angel Bleu (Fr).

14.40 Wolverhampton, Listed, £57,500, 4yo/up, 7f 36y (AWT)
Marc Chan's 2021 G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International hero ANGEL BLEU (FR) (Dark Angel {Ire}) makes his seasonal comeback in this Listed Spreadex Sports Lady Wulfruna S., a fast-track qualifier for the Apr. 7 All-Weather Championship Finals at Newcastle. “This is not a prep for the All-Weather Championships finals, but it is a prep for the rest of the year,” insisted trainer Ralph Beckett. Last seen running fifth in July's G1 Sussex S. at Goodwood, the 4-year-old bay encounters seven rivals including 2021 G2 Coventry S. victor Berkshire Shadow (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), representing Andrew Balding; 2021 G2 Superlative S. third Dhabab (Ire) (No Nay Never), from the John and Thady Gosden stable; and last year's winner Tinker Toy (GB) (War Front), a Roger Varian trainee.

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