The San Diego Handicap has been a fixture at Del Mar for almost a century, and approaching the 82nd edition of the race on Saturday, the race has continued to grow in importance in the older dirt male division.
Month: July 2023
National Disability Independence Day: Racetracks, Jockeys Will Fundraise For PDJF On July 29
The Jockeys' Guild and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF), in conjunction with racetracks across the United States, this Saturday, July 29 (or another mutually agreed upon date at racetracks not racing that day) will pay tribute to National Disability Independence Day and raise awareness and funds for the PDJF.
Racetracks and jockey colonies set to participate in the promotion include both Saratoga and Del Mar. Many racetracks will host activities on Saturday, July 29 although some racetracks that do not race on that day will be participating on another date. Fans should check with their local racetrack for exact dates and events. Throughout the day, fans and industry participants will be encouraged to contribute to the PDJF at PDJF.org. The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.
Jockeys are expected to participate in various activities to support the PDJF while wearing armbands and ribbons saluting National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 33th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of public life while improving the quality of life immeasurably for millions of people with disabilities.
About the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund
The Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) charity that currently provides financial assistance to more than 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006 by leaders in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, the PDJF has disbursed some $13 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. For more information and to donate, please visit www.pdjf.org.
The post National Disability Independence Day: Racetracks, Jockeys Will Fundraise For PDJF On July 29 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Parx Trainer Lee Suspended 365 Days, Fined $10,000 Over Tadalafil Positive
Trainer Haleem R. Lee, whose stable is based at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., has been suspended for 365 days and fined $10,000 over a positive test in his own “Satchel De Ritches” for the drug tadalafil.
Tadalafil is a vasodilator. According to healthline.com, when sold under the brand name Cialis, it is used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or erectile dysfunction (ED), or both conditions. Sold under the brand name Adcirca, tadalafil is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Satchel De Ritches won the third race at Parx on April 11, 2023, prior to the implementation of HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. As such, the violation falls under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission.
(HISA classifies tadalafil as a banned substance; had the positive test occurred after the ADMC implementation date of May 22, 2023, Lee would have been subject to an immediate provisional suspension as well as the potential for a two-year ban and $25,000 fine.)
After availing himself of the right to have a split sample tested, which also returned a positive result for tadalafil, Lee and attorney Alan Pincus attended a hearing before the Pennsylvania stewards on July 7. Stewards ruled that Lee be suspended from Aug. 1, 2023, through July 30, 2024, that he pay a $10,000 fine, and that 6 multiple medication violation points be assigned to his record.
Lee has the right to appeal the stewards decision before the commission.
According to Equibase, Lee has been training since 2020, with nearly all of his starts occurring in the state of Pennsylvania with horses he owns under his “Lee Stable” banner. The trainer has sent out 55 winners from 329 starters in his career for earnings of $1,425,716. In 2022, Lee finished among the top 20 trainers at Parx by wins.
The post Parx Trainer Lee Suspended 365 Days, Fined $10,000 Over Tadalafil Positive appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Eade Says Attendances A Priority As HRI Release Six-Month Statistics
Horse Racing Ireland boss Suzanne Eade has put attendance figures towards the top of her priority list for the remainder of 2023 and hailed the resilience of owners against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis as the six-month statistics were revealed on Thursday.
Attendances have climbed 7.6% to 544,147 for the first six months of the year while sponsorship rose 4.8% to €4.4m with horses winning overall prize money of €30.6m. That is up 1% on last year's corresponding figures, despite a reduction in the number of race meetings by two to 176.
Eade commented, “I welcome these figures as a testament to the resilience of the Irish racing and breeding industry. On the back of consistent Government support, our industry continues to be a key contributor to rural communities in virtually every county, providing direct and indirect employment at every turn and a vital social outlet to so many people.
“Despite the increases in the cost of living, it is noticeable how well the number of horses-in-training is holding up and the increase in the overall attendance figure by 7.6% is certainly to be welcomed. Pushing for increased attendances at all 26 racecourses is a key aspect of our ongoing marketing campaigns and the undoubted interest in racing is again resulting in a greater number of racegoers, a trend we hope to see continuing into next week's Galway Festival and the key early autumn meetings at Irish Champions Festival and the Listowel Festival.”
Total Tote Betting (excluding World Pools) for the first half of the year is up 6.3% at €33.9m. The World Pool was incorporated at the Curragh on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Day for the first time with 28 pool betting operators from around the globe wagering an additional €25.8m across the eight races. Total on-course betting reached €36.1m with on-course bookmakers handling €32.1m and on-course shops returning an overall figure of €4.4m.
The total number of horses-in-training during the period rose by almost 300 to 8,614 (up 3.3%), but the number of active owners fell by the same percentage to 3,843. The number of new owners registered in the first half of 2023 was 455.
While the Goffs Punchestown Sale and the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-up Sale performed well and there was a strong demand at the store sales, the figure for bloodstock sales at public auction overall fell by 2.4% to €61m.
Eade continued, “Field sizes, whilst still bearing very healthy international comparisons, are down marginally and it is vital that there is continued investment in the racing programme and prize money to ensure that we continue to attract and retain owners.
“The increase in the betting, both with Tote and the bookmakers, is a further boost for the industry. For the first time, we have two World Pool days, one in each half of the year, and on the back of the success of the initiative at the Curragh on Derby Day, we can look forward to Irish racing being back in the international spotlight for the opening leg of the 2023 Irish Champions Festival at Leopardstown in a little over six weeks' time. These days both raise awareness of the Tote and deliver a significant return to Irish racing.
“Another vote of confidence in the industry is provided by the numbers relating to the sale of horses at public auction. While an overall spend of €61m is slightly behind the same period last year, it is heartening that demand for Irish bred and reared horses continues to be strong across the board.”
The post Eade Says Attendances A Priority As HRI Release Six-Month Statistics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.
