Well, the road to the 2023 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve got a lot more interesting this weekend as all four qualifying points races drew at least 10 entrants and the $300,000 Gotham Stakes at Aqueduct, which we’ll evaluate here, drew a full field of 14 plus one also-elig
Month: March 2023
NY’s Responsible Play Partnership to Hold Events Recognizing National Problem Gambling Awareness Month
New York State's Responsible Play Partnership (RPP), consisting of the New York State Gaming Commission, New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and the New York Council on Problem Gambling, is holding multiple events to drive attention to the issue as part of the 20th anniversary of National Problem Gambling Awareness Month.
On Mar. 10 at 11 a.m., the RPP will hold a press conference at the Javits Center with National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Executive Director Keith Whyte to highlight the treatment and service options available across New York State for individuals who need help.
“Thanks to the efforts of NCPG and the work of the Responsible Play Partnership, we are bringing attention to this crucial issue and promoting a safe, responsible gaming environment.” said Gaming Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. “As gaming opportunities in New York State continue to expand, all New Yorkers should be aware of the myriad avenues to support for those who need help.”
In addition to the Mar. 10 event with NCPG, the RPP is proud to support and promote multiple events throughout March and the rest of the year to sustain public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services, including:
-The New York Council on Problem Gambling's Annual Conference on Mar. 8-9.
-Cambridge Health Alliance Division on Addiction's Gambling Disorder Screening Day Mar. 14 to help identify individuals who should seek an assessment of their gambling behavior.
The post NY’s Responsible Play Partnership to Hold Events Recognizing National Problem Gambling Awareness Month appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Guineas Targets Next For Mawj
Either the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas on May 7 or the French equivalent on May 14 are next for 'TDN Rising Star' Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), trainer Saeed bin Suroor revealed.
Two-for-two at Meydan after victories on Jan. 27 and Feb. 24, the royal blue silksbearer is pleasing bin Suroor since her latest effort.
Bin Suroor said, “She ran really well [on Feb. 24]. She won over six furlongs in England and she came back here over seven furlongs, the way she worked in the morning I thought she could stay the mile. It was worth a try and she was really impressive, she won it easily. She's a tiny filly but she has plenty of speed, she's by Exceed And Excel.”
The Godolphin filly broke her maiden at first asking, earning her 'Rising Star' moniker by 4 3/4 lengths at Newmarket on May 14, and was second in the G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot behind subsequent GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in June. She earned a group rosette herself with a half-length victory over future Group 1 winner Lezoo (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. in July, but finished fourth in the G2 Lowther S. a month later. Her final 2022 appearance was a third to Lezoo and Meditate in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket on Sept. 24.
“There are options to run her in the French or the English Guineas, one of those will be the next target with her,” he said. “The way she's done it, she's definitely improved, she did it so well. She's grown a little bit out in Dubai and she's a better filly now. To run her in the Guineas is a bigger step, but we will have a chance.”
The post Guineas Targets Next For Mawj appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
Country Grammer, Gunite, Shirl’s Speight Among U.S. Contenders For March 25 Dubai World Cup Meeting
Dubai Turf and Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa is among a top-class group of horses who have arrived in Dubai ahead of the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 25.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained Panthalassa became the third-highest earning Japanese-trained horse of all time after his victory in Riyadh, which was gained in front-running style from Country Grammer. The reigning Dubai World Cup winner also flew in from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and he will attempt to become only the second dual winner of the $12million race. Panthalassa has been nominated for the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Turf, with trainer Yoshito Yahagi expected to announce a decision closer to race day.
Country Grammer was joined on the short flight by the Steve Asmussen-trained Gunite, who is nominated for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Winner of the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga last summer, the four-year-old finished second to Breeders' Cup winner Elite Power in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Sunday.
Third in the Riyadh Sprint was four-year-old Remake who has also travelled on to the UAE where he will take his chance in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, as will Justin, who has visited Dubai before, finishing eleventh in the 2021 Shaheen.
In total, 13 Japanese-trained horses made the onward journey to Dubai from Saudi. They include Bathrat Leon (pictured), winner of the 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile, who landed the 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh but is now likely to switch back to dirt for a defense of his title.
Vin De Garde, placed in the last two editions of the Dubai Turf for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, is also back for another attempt, while Lauda Sion will attempt to better his ninth in last year's G1 Al Quoz Sprint.
Crown Pride, winner of the 2022 G2 UAE Derby over this track, will form part of a strong Japanese challenge in the Dubai World Cup, in which he will be joined by G1 February Stakes winner Café Pharoah, who finished third in the Saudi Cup. Geoglyph, fourth in Saudi, is another nominated for the big race, as is Jun Light Bolt, seventh.
The Japanese will have a strong hand in the G2 UAE Derby with Derma Sotogake, third in the Saudi Derby over a mile, having travelled onto Dubai, as has Continuar, who finished fifth.
The recently landed team is completed by the Hideyuki Mori-trained Echt, seventh in the Red Sea Turf Handicap, who is likely to head to the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.
“It was gratifying to see our 2022 Dubai World Cup winners do so well in Saudi, with Panthalassa and Bathrat Leon winning and Country Grammer running an honorable second,” said Stephanie Cooley, International Manager for Dubai Racing Club.
“We are delighted that so many top class horses have travelled on from Saudi and they will now have plenty of settling in time ahead of the big day. The Japanese look likely to have their strongest Dubai World Cup team ever, with several more arriving over the next few weeks.”
The Japanese team on the big night will be bolstered by G1 Arima Kinen winner Equinox, the highest-rated three-year-old in training in 2022, who runs in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic along with defending champion Shahryar, while Serifos and Do Deuce have accepted invitations to the G1 Dubai Turf. Japan Cup winner Vela Azul will switch to dirt for the World Cup, where he will be joined by Ushba Tesoro and T O Keynes, all of whom will fly straight to Dubai from Japan.
Earlier this week there was another early arrival when Grade 1 winner Shirl's Speight, trained by Roger Attfield, settled into International Stables ahead of his run in the G1 Dubai Turf.
The post Country Grammer, Gunite, Shirl’s Speight Among U.S. Contenders For March 25 Dubai World Cup Meeting appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
