Corach Rambler seeks repeat Grand National win
Last year's winner Corach Rambler is among the leading contenders for Saturday's Grand National at Aintree.
Breeders’ Cup Release 2024 Dirt Dozen Schedule
The 2024 schedule for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-based participation bonus program for horsemen pointing runners to the dirt races in the Breeders' Cup World Championships, was released Monday. Launched in 2022, the 12-race program is comprised of existing graded stakes races scheduled from May through October at six tracks throughout the United States.
“We are happy to once again offer our lucrative Dirt Dozen program,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Each year $525,000 is offered in awards, and many horsemen benefit from the credits offered towards entry fees for our Championship dirt races. We look forward to extending this incentive once again to connections preparing for a dirt division race at Del Mar this November.”
The Dirt Dozen program will again award bonus credits funded by the Breeders' Cup for first through third finishes in the 12-race schedule. Horsemen may use those credits toward entry fees for one of six Breeders' Cup World Championships dirt races: the $2 million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, $2 million GI Breeders' Cup Sprint, $2 million GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile, $2 million GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, $1 million GI PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and the $1 million GI Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
In Dirt Dozen races in the $2 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier is allocated at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. In Dirt Dozen races in the $1 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier will award $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third. Horses may bankroll multiple awards earned and apply toward their Championship entry fees.
For more information, click here.
2024 DIRT DOZEN SCHEDULE BY DIVISION
DIRT MILE – GII San Diego H. July 27, GIII Philip H. Iselin S. Aug. 17
DISTAFF – GII Fleur de Lis S. June 29, GII Zenyatta S. Sept. 29
FILLY & MARE SPRINT – GI Derby City Distaff May 4, GIII Rancho Bernardo H. Aug. 25
JUVENILE – GI Del Mar Futurity Sept. 8, GIII Iroquois S. Sept. 14
JUVENILE FILLIES – GI Spinaway S. Aug. 31, GIII Pocahontas S. Sept. 14
SPRINT – GIII Maryland Sprint S. May 18, GII Santa Anita Championship Sept. 28.
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Asmussen, Elliott and L and G Racing Take 2024 Sam Houston Titles
Sam Houston Race Park concluded its 43-day Thoroughbred live racing season Sunday, Apr. 7. Heading the training ranks this season, Steve Asmussen notched his 16th title after receiving the honor in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005; 2014 -2024. Asmussen started 249 runners, finishing with a record of 48 wins, 36 seconds, 31 thirds and earnings of $1,260,342.
R. Caldwell was second in the standings with 28 victories. Trainer Ronnie Cravens won 22 races and Sarah Davidson rounded out the top four conditioners with 19 winners.
Jockey Stewart Elliott held off a stiff bid from several jockeys to claim his fourth title at Sam Houston. The 59-year-old rode 39 winners from 215 mounts, earning $1,123,500 and finishing in the money at 41%.
For the past four years, Asmussen and Elliott have won titles together here, Lone Star Park and Remington Park.
Floyd Wethey, Jr. won 32 races to finish second in the standings while Fernando Jara was third with 31 victories. Rene Diaz finished fourth with 30 trips to the winner's circle
For the second year in a row, L and G Racing Stables wrapped up owner of the meet honors. The ownership group, with principal owner Genesis Castillo, competes in Texas as well as Louisiana. The group also took leading owner honors at Fair Grounds in 2023. L and G finished with a record of 17 winners from 195 starts and purses of $376,723. Cesar Govea is their primary trainer. Steve Asmussen finished second in the standings with 14 wins, followed by Henry Witt, Jr. (13) and Carl Moore Management, LLC (11).
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GAIN The Advantage Series Returns For 2024 With Nine Races
GAIN The Advantage Series will be supported by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and GAIN Equine Nutrition for the fourth consecutive year, it was announced on Monday. In 2023, the trainer league was clinched during the final leg by Tipperary-based Andrew Slattery, who secured the overall prize of €5,000 worth of GAIN equine products.
Building on three successful years, the 2024 series includes nine races which will be run for points over a variety of conditions to cater to different trainers and horses throughout the Flat season. All races in the series will continue to benefit from a 50% increase in prize-money.
The series will commence at Cork on Sunday, April 21 and then proceed to Leopardstown, Navan, Ballinrobe, Tramore, Down Royal, Tipperary and Killarney. The series finale will be hosted at Naas on Thursday, September 19.
“This initiative has truly thrived over the past three years, becoming an integral part of our commitment to supporting the thoroughbred racing and bloodstock industries, which are vital to our business,” said Philip Gilligan, GAIN Equine Nutrition's Irish country manager.
“The series' success stems from its inclusive recognition of all stakeholders involved. Not only does it offer increased prize-money for owners, but it also acknowledges the hard work of trainers through the league table, as well as breeders and the dedicated stable staff. On behalf of our team, I extend our heartfelt best wishes to all connections involved. Here's to an exciting and successful year ahead!”
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