September, 2023 | Horse Racing Free Tips

Del Mar’s Average Daily Handle Down 6.2 Percent; Field Size Averages 8.92 Starters

Del Mar concluded its 84th summer racing season on Sunday and once again the track presented full fields with competitive and safe racing that continues to provide value for racing fans.

Del Mar had the highest purses in the state at $885,000 per day. Total wagering for the meet was $526.1 million compared to $579.8 million last summer and was impacted by the weather-related loss of racing on August 20. Handle averaged $17.5 million per day, a decrease of 6.2% from last year's record wagering. The results of the meet continued strong trends for the track over the last several years.

Opening Day was once again a highlight of the summer's social season and average daily on-track attendance for the meet rose 2.5% due in part to a calendar of lifestyle promotions including a Beer Fest, Taste of New Orleans, Donuts Day, Turf & Surf BBQ Fest, a boutique wine tasting and a taco & tequila event.

The track's innovative “Ship & Win” program which draws horses to Del Mar – and California in general – had another solid season. The summer meet averaged 8.92 horses per race and the 39 stakes races averaged 8.56 runners, both among the strongest in the country.

“A terrific meet,” said Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's Chief Executive Officer, Joe Harper. “I am proud of our team and thankful for the efforts of all the horsemen and women who helped us once again put on world-class racing and entertainment here. I also want to thank racing fans who joined us on-track and around the country who follow our races and our broadcast partners at FanDuel TV for all they do to contribute to another successful summer season here. Lastly, a special thanks to Dennis Moore, John Beggin and their teams for everything they do to ensure that our racing surfaces are safe, consistent and fair.”

Leading the progress on equine welfare in California over the last several years, Del Mar continues to rank among the safest tracks in the country. Since implementing a series of reforms in cooperation with the California Horse Racing Board, Thoroughbred Owners of California and other industry stakeholders, California has become the blueprint for national safety reform and reduced serious injuries at its Thoroughbred tracks by over 50%.

“Our horsemen and women are exceptional with their cooperation and willingness to participate in what we offer here each summer,” said Del Mar's Executive Vice President of Racing, Tom Robbins. “What's especially satisfying is the way they've joined us side-by-side in our efforts to create the safest environment we can for racing and training. We appreciate their hard work and dedication to their craft and it shows every day here.”

For the second summer in a row Juan Hernandez led the local riding corps, this time with 39 wins during the 30 days. The top trainer title went to Phil D'Amato

“It takes a tremendous amount of hard work to put on the finest racing meet in America,” said Thoroughbred Owners of California Chairman, Gary Fenton. “Hats off to DMTC, our membership, horsemen and women and our equine athletes for making 2023 another memorable summer.”

Racing returns to Del Mar for the track's fall Bing Crosby meet running from November 10 to December 3.

The post Del Mar’s Average Daily Handle Down 6.2 Percent; Field Size Averages 8.92 Starters appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Juan Hernandez, Phil D’Amato Repeat Titlists At Del Mar

There's an old saying: 'The more things change, the more they stay the same.' It was never more evident than during the 2023 summer meet at Del Mar in both the jockey and the trainer standings.

Juan Hernandez won his second straight summer meet title despite the addition of a talented jockey, Antonio Fresu and the continued improvement of Umberto Rispoli, Hector Berrios, and Ramon Vasquez.

Hernandez won 39 races this summer, eight better than runner up Fresu. He tied for second for the most mounts with 174 despite missing four days during the meet. He posted eight victories in stakes races and compiled over $3 million in earnings, the only rider to exceed that mark.

Hernandez didn't run away with the title like he did in 2022. The outcome was still uncertain entering the final week and he didn't go wire-to-wire like last year. Rispoli led after week one and Hernandez was tied with Hector Berrios after week 2. But by the end of week three, Hernandez was in the lead and he spent the next three weeks holding off bids by Rispoli and Fresu. In the end, Hernandez was too tough and too consistent to overtake.

Fresu finished second with 31 victories. He won 10 races during week six but never got closer than five wins to Hernandez.

D'Amato notched his fourth trainer's title out of the last five meets at Del Mar. He's won the fall meet two years running.

Similar to 2022, the trainer's title came down to the final day. D'Amato went into the final day with a one-win lead over Baffert and two over Doug O'Neill. All three posted one winner on the day. D'Amato wins the summer meet title for the second straight year with 21 victories.

Last year, Bob Baffert won the G1 Del Mar Futurity with Cave Rock to tie Philip D'Amato for a share the trainer's title. This year Baffert won the Futurity with Prince of Monaco but came up one win short.

Jockey	Mounts	1st	Purses
Juan Hernandez	174	39	$3,332,946
Antonio Fresu	173	31	$2,008,532
Umberto Rispoli	121	25	$2,318,018
Hector Berrios	174	24	$2,224,780
Edwin Maldonado	162	20	$1,398,610
Ramon Vazquez	203	19	$1,658,900
Tiago Pereira	149	15	$1,132,396
Mike Smith	70	14	$1,192,630
Kent Desormeaux	105	13	$1,041,290
Geovanni Franco	104	12	$989,684

Trainer	Starts	1st	Purses
Philip D'Amato	134	21	$2,299,204
Bob Baffert	63	20	$2,409,980
Doug F. O'Neill	144	19	$1,595,434
Peter Miller	126	16	$1,193,624
Peter Eurton	63	16	$1,067,610
Mark Glatt	87	15	$990,900
Michael W. McCarthy	68	12	$798,170
John W. Sadler	83	10	$764,920
Leonard Powell	47	9	$844,620
Richard E. Mandella	39	9	$907,860

The post Juan Hernandez, Phil D’Amato Repeat Titlists At Del Mar appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Hernandez, D’Amato Repeat As Del Mar Leaders

With 39 wins and over $3 million in earnings, jockey Juan Hernandez won his second straight summer meet title at Del Mar while trainer Phil D'Amato picked up his fourth trainer's title out of the last five years.

Similar to 2022, the trainer's title came down to the final day. D'Amato went into the final day with a one-win lead over Baffert and two over Doug O'Neill. All three posted one winner on the day. D'Amato won the summer meet title for the second straight year with 21 victories.

Last year, Bob Baffert won the GI Del Mar Futurity with Cave Rock (Arrogate) to tie Philip D'Amato for a share the trainer's title while this year, Baffert won the Futurity with 'TDN Rising Star' Prince of Monaco (Speightstown) but came up one win short.

The post Hernandez, D’Amato Repeat As Del Mar Leaders appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Study Affirms That Rotational Grazing Results In Better Soil Water Infiltration

Soils of healthy pastures contain a pore system that provides soil structure and allows for the exchange of gases and water. These characteristics are key to supporting soil life and, in turn, plant growth. Animal traffic can compact the soil and limit water infiltration. Researchers aimed to compare the effects of continuous and rotational grazing on the rates of water infiltration of soil.

The grazing trials were conducted in News Brunswick, New Jersey from August 1, 2014 to November 22, 2016. Four fields of similar size (3.7 to 4.0 acres) were established in 2013 and contained tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and orchardgrass. The researchers divided the two fields designated for rotational grazing into four smaller pastures. All the horses had access to shelter, water, and a hay feeder, but these resources were set up in a stress lot (dry lot) for rotationally-grazed horses. Twelve mature (14 ± 2 yrs.), Standardbred mares were assigned to either rotational or continuous grazing with a stocking rate of 1.3 acres per horse. For rotational grazing, horses were grazed when forage heights were over 6 inches and moved to the next pasture when forage was eaten down to 3 inches. Prior to rest, the pastures were dragged and mowed. Pastures under continuous grazing were dragged and mowed twice a season. Water infiltration measurements of the soil were taken multiple times during the study.

Overall, rotationally-grazed fields had taller forage, greater aboveground biomass, and more cover than continuously-grazed fields. Rates of water infiltration through large soil pores (macropores) tended to be greater for fields under rotational compared to continuous grazing during dry periods. During wet periods, infiltration of smaller soil pores was comparable or lower in rotationally-grazed fields than continuously-grazed fields. Growth of pasture grass roots likely increased during wet periods in rotationally-grazed fields and caused a decline in infiltration.

The results of this study suggest that rotational grazing better supports macropore networks in soil and greater water infiltration rates compared to continuous grazing. Macropores can increase soil water content, decrease soil temperature, and promote plant recovery from animal traffic. These functions are key to healthy soil and productive pastures. However, many factors can influence soil properties within pasture systems such as soil type, weather, or frequency of animal traffic. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate the role and interplay of additional factors.

For more information on this research, read the abstract published in Soil and Tillage Research.

The post Study Affirms That Rotational Grazing Results In Better Soil Water Infiltration appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post