Grand National: ‘Inspirational’ toddler named as 41st runner
Frankie, who was born with a rare condition, is named as an honorary runner in the much-loved race.
Month: April 2023
Dundee United director Jimmy Fyffe has high hopes for Hill Sixteen in the Grand National at Aintree
Lucinda Russell's Scottish treasure Corach Rambler is favourite to win the Randox Grand National at Aintree, but he will not be the only runner being cheered on north of the border.
Belmont Park Main Track To Open For Training April 11
Following the substantial completion of vehicular and pedestrian tunnels providing access to the Belmont Park infield, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced that the main track will fully re-open for daily training on Tuesday, April 11, at 6 a.m.
The 40-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet in Elmont, N.Y., will open on Thursday, May 4, and continue through Sunday, July 9. Highlighted by the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from June 8-10, the 2023 spring/summer meet will feature 54 stakes worth $15.5 million in total purses.
As part of a broad campaign to modernize Belmont Park, NYRA embarked on a series of major capital improvement projects this fall and winter. The completion of the infield tunnels will allow for the reconstruction of the three existing racing surfaces as well as the installation of a one-mile synthetic track, which will serve as the fourth racing surface to complement the main track and two turf courses.
In December, NYRA completed a renovation of the Belmont pony track with a Tapeta Footings surface. With the coming renovations to the two turf courses, work is soon to be complete on a new irrigation pond located on the west end of the infield.
The construction of the synthetic track and renovation of the inner turf course will begin following the conclusion of the Belmont Park spring/summer meet in July with work expected to be complete in the spring of 2024. As previously announced, the 2023 Belmont Park fall meet will be held at Aqueduct Racetrack to allow for this major capital improvement project.
Beginning Tuesday, the main track will be open seven days a week from 6 – 10 a.m. with a renovation break at 8:15 a.m.
For additional information, visit NYRA.com.
The post Belmont Park Main Track To Open For Training April 11 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Kentucky Derby Notes: Travel, Workout Schedules Coming Together
Trainer Brad Cox reported Gold Square's Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club and G3 Lecomte Stakes winner Instant Coffee is scheduled to work over the weekend at Churchill Downs and will make plans for his next race. Instant Coffee (by Bolt d'Oro) is currently No. 21 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard with 32 points would need several defections to make the field or garner additional points in the April 15 Lexington Stakes (G2). The Lexington will award points on a 20-8-6-4-2 scale to the top five finishers. …
West Point Thoroughbreds and Albaugh Family Stables' Louisiana Derby (G2) third-place finisher Jace's Road is scheduled to work Saturday at Churchill Downs. He would have four works prior to running in the Kentucky Derby. …
Trainer Todd Pletcher reported his Kentucky Derby contenders, including Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable's Forte and Spendthrift Farm's Kingsbarns, are likely to arrive at Churchill Downs on April 16 and would have two works over the track. …
Albaugh Family Stable's Arkansas Derby (GI) winner Angel of Empire arrived from Oaklawn Park on Wednesday around 4:15 a.m. to trainer Brad Cox's Churchill Downs Barn 22. He was joined by stablemate Wet Paint, one of the favorites for this year's $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI). Don't worry, Mr. Man, the goat “mascot” of the Cox stable, is slated to arrive in time for this year's Kentucky Derby. …
Frank Fletcher Racing Operation's Arkansas Derby (G1) favorite Rocket Can arrived at Churchill Downs around 4:30 a.m. Wednesday to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott's Barn 19. Rocket Can remains in consideration for the Kentucky Derby. …
Trainer Joel Marr stated Frank Sumpter's Sunland Derby (G3) winner Wild On Ice will van from Sunland Park in Hobbs, N.M., to Southern California to fly to Kentucky on Sunday. He'll be joined on the flight by Sunland Park Oaks winner Flying Connection, who is scheduled to start in the Kentucky Oaks. …
Japan's duo of Kentucky Derby contenders – Derma Sotogake (JPN) and Continuar (JPN) – are slated to arrive at Churchill Downs late Saturday evening. The duo flew Wednesday from Dubai to Chicago and will undergo a minimum 42 hour USDA quarantine period prior to vanning to Churchill Downs. Both horses could train for the first time Saturday. They will be stabled in the Quarantine Barns across from the main stable area entrance. …
Winchell Thoroughbreds' Disarm, the runner-up in the Louisiana Derby (GII), is scheduled to work Sunday or Monday at Churchill Downs. Currently, Disarm has 40 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard and was in position No. 18.
Derby fans can keep up with all the news and notes on the Road to the Kentucky Derby by listening to “Inside the Kentucky Derby: – available on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube.
The post Kentucky Derby Notes: Travel, Workout Schedules Coming Together appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
