Author: News

Vespertilio Al Shira’aa’s ‘Best Chance’ At Irish Champions Festival

Al Shira'aa's Kieran Lalor has nominated Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) as the operation's best chance of a winner at the Irish Champions Festival where the rapidly-progressive filly lines out in Sunday's G1 Moyglare S. at the Curragh. 

Vespertilio forms part of a three-pronged attack on Ireland's flagship Flat festival that features homebred Atlantic Coast (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in Saturday's G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. at Leopardstown and Ocean Jewel (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in the Matron S. on the same card. 

“We've six horses in training in Ireland and three of them are competing at the Irish Champions Festival, so we need to keep pinching ourselves,” racing and bloodstock manager Lalor said on Friday. 

The black and red silks of Al Shira'aa has already enjoyed top-level triumphs with Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in America and Jannah Rose in France (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Lalor has talked up the chances of Vespertilio in Sunday's eagerly-anticipated Moyglare. 

Vespertilio comes into that race off the back of a wildly impressive display in the G2 Debutante S. over the same course and distance and, while Lalor is respectful of the opposition with G3 Silver Flash S. conqueror Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) heading the market, he is expecting a bold show.

He said, “Vespertilio is getting better and better with experience. She had a fantastic run in the Debutante, showing a tremendous turn of foot to come from last under Billy [Lee] and I don't think he had to ride her too hard to do that, either. I'd say if she had been closer to Ylang Ylang in the Silver Flash, I think she would have been right there at the line. She's only a May foal so is developing and growing all the time.”

Lalor added, “She's just getting better and better with racing. It's a tough task and to have a runner in the Moyglare is very special for us. We're going in there with a lot of confidence but obviously it's Group 1 and anything can happen. We're very excited. She's our best chance of the weekend and it's great for Willie [McCreery, trainer], who is a big part of our operation. He's a top-class trainer–he was a bloody good footballer but some would argue he's an even better trainer and he's hugely important to us.”

Atlantic Coast has the unwanted task of staring down the barrel of another Ballydoyle big gun in Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at Leopardstown. 

Trained by Joseph O'Brien, the homebred colt made a fine start to his career when winning a Curragh maiden in good fashion, and Lalor is expecting more to come.

He said, “This is actually a good story because we usually sell all of our colts but the day before the Orby, David Cox of Baroda Stud called to say that this lad had kicked a wall and that he had to be scratched. Thank God he did! 

“Now, he probably would have made three or four hundred grand because he's such a beautiful-looking colt, but it's very special for everyone on the farm to have a homebred running in a Group 2 at the Irish Champions Festival.”

Lalor added, “It's a big step up from a maiden into a Group 2 but Joseph has done a brilliant job with him and I don't think stepping up to a mile will be an issue for him either. It's a good race, with Deepone and Formal Display in there, but it seems as though we all have to beat Diego Velazquez.”

Should Diego Velazquez justify his short price in the betting, it wouldn't be all that bad for Al Shira'aa, the emerging bloodstock force of Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

Lalor wisely secured Saadiyat (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a half-sister to Diego Velazquez, at Book 1 at Tattersalls in 2021 and the page has gone from strength to strength ever since. 

Saadiyat, like the majority of the Al Shira'aa string, will return to the farm just off the Curragh at Maddenstown and join the broodmare band when her career is over. 

The small but select approach to one of the newest owner-breeding operations in Ireland is paying rich dividends and, while Al Shira'aa were not active at Arqana last month, Lalor explained that it was not for a lack of trying and he revealed the team would be out in force at the Goffs and Tattersalls sales in the coming weeks. 

Lalor said, “We didn't get anything at Arqana but we plan on being active at the Orby at Goffs and at Tattersalls as well. I must say that the Orby looks very good this year. I've gone through the catalogue a couple of times and it looks like one of those great Orbys from the late nineties when everyone was scrapping for Flame Of Taras and the like. We've a very big list to get through and, in fairness to the breeders and to Goffs, they've put on a good book. Hopefully the physicals match up.”

But before then, Al Shira'aa also has Ocean Jewel to look forward to the Matron, and Lalor is not ruling out McCreery's filly out-running her odds of 33-1. 

He said, “Ocean Jewel is much better than what she showed at Naas a few weeks back. She won a Group 3 at Leopardstown over seven furlongs earlier this season and the question with her is if she will get the mile or not. If she does, she could get a slice of it but Tahiyra is the one to beat, for sure. The ground will suit Ocean Jewel and anything can happen at this level. She's a very good filly and deserves a shot at her Group 1 here. This has been the plan for a while.”

He added, “The really exciting thing about this is, when I speak to the boss, everything points to the future and with these fillies, they will all retire here and are exciting broodmares for us to look forward to.”

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Shannon Castagnola Named Airdrie Stud’s New Director Of Sales

Shannon Castagnola has been named as Airdrie Stud's new director of sales, the Midway nursery said in a release Friday afternoon.

Helping to head up both the stallion nominations and public sales divisions, Castagnola managed the yearling and breeding stock consignments for Woodford Thoroughbreds for the past nine years.

“I am thrilled to be working with the incredible Airdrie Stud team,” said Castagnola. “It's energizing to be working with a farm this diversified and with such a tremendous history of success. From the beautifully bred mares whose families have been developed over the past five decades, to the dedication in raising their horses to be tough and sound, I have always been a great admirer of the Airdrie formula. I believe our stallion roster, led by the success stories of Girvin, Upstart, Cairo Prince and Collected is one of the most exciting in the industry and I couldn't be looking more forward to being part of what I believe is a very bright future at Airdrie.”

Airdrie said she would continue to be a major presence on the sales grounds as she leads the various Airdrie Stud consignments throughout the sales season. An industry veteran of the last twenty-three years, Castagnola also worked with West Point Thoroughbreds and Taylor Made Sales.

“I could not be more grateful to Shannon for joining our team,” said Airdrie's Bret Jones. “Smart, kind and honest is an incredible combination and it's those qualities that make Shannon so widely respected within our sport. Our breeders will absolutely love working with her and her insight and ideas will be a major reason for Airdrie's future success. We are exceptionally lucky to have her.”

The post Shannon Castagnola Named Airdrie Stud’s New Director Of Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Churchill Modifies Point Distribution For 2024 Road To The Kentucky Derby

Churchill Downs Racetrack officials have made slight modifications to the upcoming Road to the Kentucky Derby, the series of select races that will determine the preference list for the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade 1) on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby, which debuted in 2013, annually awards a sliding scale of points to the top five finishing positions in select qualifying races. At the conclusion of the series, the leaderboard will determine the preference list for entries into the 20-horse Kentucky Derby – the 1 ¼-mile classic for 3-year-old Thoroughbreds annually held on the first Saturday in May at historic Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Second-place points in all qualifying races have been increased to create added separation from second- and third-place finishers. Additionally, third- and fourth-place points in races that award 100 points to winner have been decreased.

Series Races Last Year This Year
Early Prep Season 10-4-3-2-1 10-5-3-2-1
Breeders' Cup 30-12-9-6-3 30-15-9-6-3
Late Prep Season 20-8-6-4-2 20-10-6-4-2
Early Championship Series 50-20-15-10-5 50-25-15-10-5
Late Championship Series 100-40-30-20-10 100-50-25-15-10

In other changes:

  • The $200,000 Street Sense (G3) to be run at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs has been added to the Early Prep Season;
  • The Sunland Derby at Sunland Park has been decreased in value from 50-20-15-10-5 in 2023 to 20-10-6-4-2 in 2024.

This is the 12th straight year that Churchill Downs has used a point system to determine entrants for its famed Kentucky Derby. At least 20 horses have entered the “Run for the Roses” in 22 of the last 25 years.

The Road to the Kentucky Derby will begin Saturday, Sept. 16 at the home of America's greatest race as Churchill Downs stages the 42nd running of the $300,000 Iroquois (Grade 3) for 2-year-olds at one mile on opening weekend of its 14-day September Meet.

In addition to the primary 37-race Road to the Kentucky Derby series, there are two separate series that each carve out one spot for a potential horse from Europe and Japan.

Similar changes made to the Road to the Kentucky Derby have been made to the 32-race Road to the Kentucky Oaks series, which awards points to fillies to qualify for the 150th Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on Friday, May 3, 2024:

  • The $200,000 Rags to Riches to be run at 1 1/16 miles on Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs has been added to the Early Prep Season;
  • The Sunland Park Oaks at Sunland Park has been decreased in value from 50-20-15-10-5 in 2023 to 20-10-6-4-2 in 2024; and
  • The seven-furlong Beaumont at Keeneland has been removed from the Championship Series.

HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY DERBY STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is a series of races that awards points to the Top 5 finishers in each race. The top 18 point earners will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I), which is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2024. One invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Europe Road to the Kentucky presented by Woodford Reserve and one invitation will be extended to the top point earners in the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve. The Kentucky Derby field has been limited to 20 starters since 1975. At least 20 horses have entered the 1 ¼-mile race for 3-year-olds in 22 of the last 25 years.

2023-24 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 37 RACES

Kentucky Derby Prep Season

 

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 16, 2023 Iroquois Churchill Downs III $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Champagne Aqueduct I $500,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Breeders' Futurity Keeneland I $600,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 American Pharoah Santa Anita I $300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 29, 2023 Street Sense Churchill Downs III $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Nov. 3, 2023 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Santa Anita I $2,000,000 1 1/16 M 30 15 9 6 3
Nov. 25, 2023 Kentucky Jockey Club Churchill Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 2, 2023 Remsen Aqueduct II $250,000 1 1/8 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Dec. 9, 2023 Los Alamitos Futurity Los Alamitos II *$200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 15, 2023 Springboard Mile Remington Park   $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 23, 2023 Gun Runner Fair Grounds   $100,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Jan. 1, 2024 Smarty Jones Oaklawn Park   $300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 6, 2024 Jerome Aqueduct   *$150,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 7, 2024 Sham Santa Anita III *$100,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Jan. 20, 2024 Lecomte Fair Grounds III $200,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 27, 2024 Southwest Oaklawn Park III $800,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Holy Bull Gulfstream Park III *$250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Robert B. Lewis Santa Anita III *$200,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 10, 2024 Withers Aqueduct III *$250,000 1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 10, 2024 Sam F. Davis Tampa Bay Downs III $250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*March 2, 2024 John Battaglia Memorial Turfway Park   *$150,000 1 1/16 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2

Kentucky Derby Championship Series

Feb. 17, 2024 Risen Star Fair Grounds II $400,000 1 1/8 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb, 18, 2024 Sunland Derby Sunland Park III *$600,000 *1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 24, 2024 Rebel Oaklawn Park II $1,250,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Gotham Aqueduct III *$300,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 San Felipe Santa Anita II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Fountain of Youth Gulfstream Park II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
March 9, 2024 Tampa Bay Derby Tampa Bay Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 23, 2024 Jeff Ruby Steaks Turfway Park III *$700,000 1 1/8 M (AW) 100 50 25 15 10
March 23, 2024 Louisiana Derby Fair Grounds II $1,000,000 1 3/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 UAE Derby Meydan Racecourse II *$1,000,000 1 3/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*March 30, 2024 Florida Derby Gulfstream Park I *$1,000,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 Arkansas Derby Oaklawn Park I $1,500,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Wood Memorial Aqueduct II *$750,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Blue Grass Keeneland I *$1,000,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Santa Anita Derby Santa Anita I *$750,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 13, 2024 Lexington Keeneland III *$400,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.

2023-24 EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE

EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2018, the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. Only one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. No invitation will be extended beyond the Top 4 point earners but if a horse also qualifies through America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series, the invite will be extended to the next eligible horse. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreakers are earnings in non-restricted stakes races through April 13, 2024 followed by lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Since 1967, there have been 53 horses who previously raced outside North America and ran in the Kentucky Derby. Venezuela's Canonero II won the 1971 Derby and Puerto Rico's Bold Forbes won the Derby in 1976. Bold Arrangement (GB), who was campaigned in Great Britain and France, finished second to Ferdinand in the 1986 renewal.

2023-24 EUROPEAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 7 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 23, 2023 Alan Smurfit Memorial

Beresford

 Curragh (IRE) II $127,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Sept. 30, 2023 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Newmarket (GB) II $150,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 1, 2023 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc

Lagardère

 Longchamp (FR) I $425,000 7 F (T) 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 28, 2023 Vertem Futurity Trophy Doncaster (GB) I $240,000 1 M (T) 10 5 3 2 1
*March 1, 2024 Patton Dundalk (IRE)   *$40,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2
*March 13, 2024 Road to the Kentucky

Derby Condition Stakes

 Kempton (GB)   *$72,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2
*March 30, 2024 Cardinal Condition Stakes Chelmsford City

(GB)

   *$121,000 1 M (AW) 30 15 9 6 3

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (T) = Turf … (AW) = Synthetic.

JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY – First staged in 2017, the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” is a stand-alone series that is separate from America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. Only one invitation to compete in the Kentucky Derby will be extended with preference given to the horses with the most points in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series. If a horse also qualifies through America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series, an additional invite could be extended. If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.” Six horses based in Japan have run in the Kentucky Derby: Ski Captain (14th, 1995); Lani (9th, 2016); Master Fencer (JPN) (6th, 2019); Crown Pride (JPN) (13th in 2022); Derma Sotogake (JPN) (6th in 2023); and Mandarin Hero (JPN) (12th in 2023).

2023-24 JAPAN ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY SCHEDULE: 4 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Nov. 25, 2023 Cattleya Tokyo (JRA)   *$220,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 13, 2023 Zen-Nippon

Nisai Yushun

 Kawasaki (NAR)   *$527,000 1 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 18, 2024 Hyacinth Tokyo (JRA)   *$274,000 1 M 30 15 9 6 3
*March 23, 2024 Fukuryu Nakayama (JRA)   *$265,000 1 1/8 M 40 20 12 8 4

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change.

HOW TO GET INTO THE KENTUCKY OAKS STARTING GATE – The Road to the Kentucky Oaks is a series that awards points to the Top 5 finishers in each race. The Top 14 point earners nominated to the Longines Kentucky Oaks will earn a spot in the starting gate for the 150th running of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (Grade I), which is scheduled for Friday, May 3, 2024. The 1 1/8-mile Oaks is the nation's premier race for 3-year-old fillies. At least 14 horses have entered the race in eight of the last nine years (a rescheduled September 2020 in the lone exception).

2023-24 ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY OAKS SCHEDULE: 32 RACES

Date Race Racetrack Grade Purse Distance 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
Sept. 16, 2023 Pocahontas Churchill Downs III $300,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 6, 2023 Alcibiades Keeneland I $600,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Frizette Aqueduct I $400,000 1 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 7, 2023 Chandelier Santa Anita II $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Oct. 29, 2023 Rags to Riches Churchill Downs   $200,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Nov. 3, 2023 Breeders' Cup Juv. Fillies Santa Anita I $2,000,000 1 1/16 M 30 15 9 6 3
Nov. 25, 2023 Golden Rod Churchill Downs II $400,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 2, 2023 Demoiselle Aqueduct II $250,000 1 1/8 M 10 5 3 2 1
*Dec. 9, 2023 Starlet Los Alamitos I *$300,000 1 1/16 M 10 5 3 2 1
Dec. 23, 2023 Untapable Fair Grounds   $100,000 1 M 70 Y 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 7, 2024 Santa Ynez Santa Anita II *$200,000 7 F 10 5 3 2 1
*Jan. 13, 2024 Busanda Aqueduct   *$100,000 1 1/8 M 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 20, 2024 Silverbulletday Fair Grounds II $150,000 1 M 70 Y 20 10 6 4 2
Jan. 27, 2024 Martha Washington Oaklawn Park   $250,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Jan. 27, 2024 Las Virgenes Santa Anita III *$200,000 1 M 20 10 6 4 2
*Feb. 3, 2024 Forward Gal Gulfstream Park III *$125,000 7 F 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 10, 2024 Suncoast Tampa Bay Downs   $150,000 1 M 40 Y 20 10 6 4 2
*March 2, 2024 Cincinnati Trophy Turfway Park   *$150,000 1 M (AW) 20 10 6 4 2

Championship Series

*Feb. 16, 2024 UAE Oaks Meydan Racecourse III *$150,000 1 3/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb. 17, 2024 Rachel Alexandra Fair Grounds II $300,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
Feb. 18, 2024 Sunland Park Oaks Sunland Park   *$300,000 1 1/16 M 20 10 6 4 2
Feb. 24, 2024 Honeybee Oaklawn Park III $400,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Davona Dale Gulfstream Park II *$200,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 2, 2024 Busher Aqueduct   *$200,000 1 M 50 25 15 10 5
*March 3, 2024 Santa Ysabel Santa Anita III *$100,000 1 1/16 M 50 25 15 10 5
March 23, 2024 Fair Grounds Oaks Fair Grounds II $400,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*March 23, 2024 Bourbonette Oaks Turfway Park   *$300,000 1 1/16 M (AW) 50 25 15 10 5
*March 30, 2024 Gulfstream Park Oaks Gulfstream Park II *$250,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
March 30, 2024 Fantasy Oaklawn Park III $750,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 5, 2024 Ashland Keeneland I *$600,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Gazelle Aqueduct III *$250,000 1 1/8 M 100 50 25 15 10
*April 6, 2024 Santa Anita Oaks Santa Anita II *$400,000 1 1/16 M 100 50 25 15 10

* = Race dates and distances to be announced by host track; date based on recent historical placement. … Schedule subject to change. … (AW) = Synthetic.

RTKD AND RTKO RULES

TIEBREAKERS –

  • America's Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is earnings in non-restricted stakes races. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lifetime earnings. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”).
  • European Road to the Kentucky Derby: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is earnings in non-restricted stakes races through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “European Road to the Kentucky Derby.”
  • Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby: If two or more horses have the same number of points, the tiebreaker is lifetime earnings through April 13, 2024. In the case of remaining ties, the additional starter(s) and/or also-eligible horses shall be determined by lot (aka a “shake”). Any points earned in America's “Road to the Kentucky Derby” will be credited to the horse's point total in the “Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby.”

FILLIES – If a filly wants to run in the Kentucky Derby she can, but she'll have to earn her way into the field by accumulating points against open company just like the rest of the colts and geldings. Additionally, any points earned by a filly in the “Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve” series against open company will be credited to her point total in the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series. If a filly garners an invitation to the Kentucky Derby via the “European Road to the Kentucky” or “Japan Road to the Kentucky,” ownership may opt to instead use that invitation to the Kentucky Oaks.

DEAD-HEATS – In the event of a dead-heat (tie) those horses will divide equally the points they would have received jointly had one beaten the other.

SPLIT DIVISIONS – In the event a race is split into divisions and each division awards its originally published purse money, points will be awarded as scheduled for each division. If the originally published purse is reduced for each division, points will be reduced proportionally as well.

LASIX – Points will only be awarded to horses who compete on race day without Furosemide (often referred to by the brand name, Lasix) in Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks races. Any points earned by horses with Lasix on race day will be vacated. The 2021 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks marked the first year those races were run without the permitted use of Lasix.

MEDICATION VIOLATIONS – If the connections of a horse have been notified by a regulatory body about a medication violation from participation in a Road to the Kentucky Derby or Road to the Kentucky Oaks race, and that violation would result in disqualification, any accrued points from the race will be revoked until the matter reaches a legal conclusion. Accrued points will be reinstated if the matter is legally overturned prior to the running of the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks.

DERBY/OAKS TRAINER SUSPENSION – Points from any race in the Road to the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks will not be awarded to any horse trained by any individual who is suspended from racing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby or 2024 Kentucky Oaks or any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised, or advised by a suspended trainer. Should a horse trained by a suspended trainer, or any trainer directly or indirectly employed, supervised, or advised by a suspended trainer, finish in a position that would have earned points in a Road to the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks race, the points associated with that finish position will be vacated.

ABOUT CHURCHILL DOWNS RACETRACK

Churchill Downs Racetrack (“CDRT”), the world's most legendary racetrack, has been the home of The Kentucky Derby, the longest continually held annual sporting event in the United States, since 1875. Located in Louisville, CDRT features a series of themed race days during Derby Week, including the Kentucky Oaks, and conducts Thoroughbred horse racing during three race meets in the Spring, September, and the Fall. CDRT is located on 175 acres and has a one-mile dirt track, a 7/8-mile turf track, a stabling area, and provides seating for approximately 60,000 guests. The stable area has barns sufficient to accommodate 1,400 horses and a 114-room dormitory for backstretch personnel. CDRT also has a year-round simulcast wagering facility. www.ChurchillDowns.com.

The post Churchill Modifies Point Distribution For 2024 Road To The Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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TIF: Prairie Meadows Hit By Spate Of Pool Manipulations

Bettors seeking to land big scores through offshore bet-takers seem to have successfully manipulated betting pools at Iowa's Prairie Meadows at least three times in the last eight race days.

Daily double pools on September 4 (Races 2/3), September 1 (Races 6/7) and August 25 (Races 5/6) were subject to massive bets on combinations the manipulator/s expected to lose. In each case, the bets were made in the final betting cycle when projected payouts for each combination are not updated until the race was underway.

The Thoroughbred Idea Foundation (TIF) has drawn attention to such incidents, and the problems they create, at other U.S. tracks in the past. Most notably, Gulfstream Park eliminated its quinella pools after a significant manipulation event was detected in November 2022.

“These incidents at Prairie Meadows have all the hallmarks of pool manipulation based on TIF's multi-year focus and every time they occur, it calls into question the outcomes of the races involved,” said TIF executive director Patrick Cummings.

“Integrity is paramount and when pools are manipulated like this, bettors are rightly confused and can lose confidence that races are run fairly and the betting pools are operated fairly.

“We have tracked dozens of incidents of pool manipulation in the last three years. It is paramount that track operators, stewards and racing commissions act in tandem to uphold the integrity of the sport.”

Cummings spoke on the topic of pool manipulation at the 2022 University of Arizona Global Symposium on Racing. A replay of that session is below.

Pool manipulation can be challenging to police.

For the host track on whose races the manipulation occurred, the big bets manipulating the pool are new handle. The same applies for the manipulator's legal bet-taker, which has often been an advanced deposit wagering (ADW) outlet. For all other bettors on a race, an incident of manipulation often yields a payout far higher than they expected.

“If executed successfully, the track operator, bet-taker and bettor all feel like they've experienced some sort of minor windfall. They've all received more than they expected in handle, commissions or winnings,” Cummings said.

“In such cases, it's not easy to convince someone you have a problem.”

In these recent Prairie Meadows incidents, prior to the manipulation and just seconds before the start of the race, the eventual $1 winning double combinations were projected to pay $11.00 (9/4 incident – actually paid $27.40), $17.10 (9/1 incident – actually paid $89.60) and $5.80 (8/25 incident – actually paid $25.90), respectively. The average handle of the three double pools which were manipulated was over $4,950 while the average of all other double pools on those three race cards was just over $1,570.

The second-to-last and final betting cycles of the manipulated double pool from September 1 are reflected below.

The horse the manipulator needed to lose in the September 1 case was #2 Hoppin John, ridden by journeyman Ken Tohill for trainer Randy Morse. Hoppin John was sent postward at 10-1 in a six-horse field and finished fifth, beaten less that four lengths. The horse seemed to be racing into contention approaching the stretch.

When contacted by TIF, Brian Ohorilko, administrator of the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission indicated the organization is attentive to these recent incidents.

“It is uncommon for us to have situations where we think there is suspicious betting but when it happens, we are in contact with the operator, tote companies and the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau,” Ohorilko said.

“Once we fully understand what happens, we will pursue the best course of action which could include limiting betting into certain pools, the types of markets offered and potentially eliminating betting from hubs where these bets originated.”

The Asian Racing Federation's Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime addressed incidents of pool manipulation in a 2022 publication, which TIF highlighted at the time. A segment from TIF's past coverage is reprinted below.

“ARF Council member Thomas Chignell added insight on pool manipulation in a bulletin released concurrently with the Council's recent report:

“The bets placed into the tote are placed upon selections which are highly likely to lose and not on the most likely winning selection. The bets are large relative to the tote pool size and significantly shorten the odds on those selections, and in doing so, inflate the final dividend of the most likely winning selection which is subject to much larger bets with illegal betting operators.

“Incidents of dramatic, and often unexplained market movement, can cause confusion with regular bettors and undermine the public's confidence in the sport and the betting markets. Even if a racing authority does not operate the local tote betting, it is in the interest of the sport that customers believe the betting markets are fair and transparent.”

The post TIF: Prairie Meadows Hit By Spate Of Pool Manipulations appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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