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Churchill Downs To Welcome Back Fans When Fall Meet Starts On Oct. 25

The Kentucky horse racing circuit shifts from Keeneland in Lexington to Churchill Downs in Louisville on Sunday as the historic home of the Kentucky Derby readies to open its 131^st Fall Meet with an 11-race program – all for promising 2-year-old Thoroughbreds – at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern).

The popular 24-day stand covers a five-week stretch every Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 29, with the exception of Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 when the Breeders' Cup World Championships return to Keeneland.

The Fall Meet kicks off in style Sunday with the 16^th annual “Stars of Tomorrow I” program, which is entirely devoted to hopeful 2-year-old stars that have aspirations of trail-blazing their way to next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Sunday's 11-race opening day card is headlined by the eighth runnings of two 1 1/16 miles, $98,000-added overnight stakes – the open-company Street Sense and Rags to Riches for fillies. Those races serve as local steppingstones to the two Grade II, $200,000, 1 1/16-mile counterparts on the Saturday, Nov. 28 “Stars of Tomorrow II” program – the open Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod for fillies that are part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks series which award points to the Top 4 finishers (10-4-2-1).

Churchill Downs Welcomes Back Guests

Sunday's Fall Meet opener will mark the first time this year that spectators can return to Churchill Downs for live racing. Churchill Downs will continue to follow the COVID-19 health and safety protocols for Venues and Events as mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Last year's average daily attendance during the Fall Meet was 4,200 guests, and less spectators are expected this year. Reserved outdoor box seats as well as select indoor premium areas will be open with proper social distancing at limited capacity per the state's requirements for venues and event spaces.

To facilitate a safe and enjoyable experience, there will be no general admission at the Fall Meet but first floor reserved box seats will be sold at general admission pricing for $5 ($7 on Nov. 27-28). Third floor box seats are $12. Dining options are $39 ($72 on Thanksgiving Day and $49 on Nov. 27-28). Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Temperature checks, medical questionnaires, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings will be required upon entrance and movement within Churchill Downs. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.

More information on Churchill Downs' COVID-19 health and safety guidelines can be found online at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/admissions-services/updates.

The post Churchill Downs To Welcome Back Fans When Fall Meet Starts On Oct. 25 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approves Race Dates For 2021

At its virtual board meeting on Tuesday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved 2021 race dates for the state's five Thoroughbred tracks.

Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz made a statement acknowledging the uncertainty caused by the Kentucky Supreme Court's Sept. 24 decision on historical horse racing, though he did not discuss any specifics: “While I cannot say too much, I do want everyone to know that if the current Supreme Court opinion is rendered final, that this commission is committed to finding a solution,” Rabinowitz said.

In addition, the KHRC tabled a discussion on whip rule penalties that had been listed on the meeting's official agenda.

The race dates approved for 2021 are as follows:

Turfway Park

Jan. 1 – March 28, Thursday to Sunday (Thursdays all marked as “optional”)
Dec. 1 – Dec. 21, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays all marked as “optional,” no racing Dec. 24 or 25)

Keeneland

April 1 – April 23, Wednesday to Sunday
Oct. 8 – Oct. 30, Wednesday to Sunday

Churchill Downs

April 24 – June 26, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays all listed as “Optional,” except April 24)
Additional spring meet cards to be held on April 27 (Tuesday) and May 31 (Monday)
No racing May 2 (Sunday)
Sept. 15 – Oct. 3, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays listed as “optional”)
Nov. 3 – Nov. 28, Wednesday to Sunday

Ellis Park

June 27 – Sept. 1 (all Mondays through Thursdays listed as “optional”)

Kentucky Downs

Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

The post Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approves Race Dates For 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Starspangledbanner Colt Tops Final Session Of Tattersalls October Book 2

Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale came to a close with a further five lots selling for 300,000 guineas (US$409,890) or more as demand for quality yearlings continued unabated. In total there were 19 lots that sold for 300,000 guineas (US$409,890) or more and 48 that sold for 200,000 guineas (US$273,269) or more, both records for this fixture.

The top lot on the final day of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale was the Starspangledbanner colt out of the Cadeaux Genereux mare Violet's Gift, who was knocked down to Stroud Coleman's Anthony Stroud for 360,000 guineas (US$492,005).

The half-brother to the listed-placed Kodiak West was consigned to the sale by James Hanly's Ballyhimikin Stud.

“We felt he was a very special horse all the way along, he has been special always, and we love Starspangledbanner,” said Hanly. “I just want to thank Helen and Frisk [Jones] who do the daily hard work for minding this horse so well.

“This is a family we have had for ever, we bred every single horse on the page. They are all very fast horses so hopefully this one will continue and will add to the family. It is lovely to be able to show horses such as this, it is a pleasure to be around them. Please god he is a good runner.”

The progeny of first season sire and 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill have been in great demand this week and his daughter of the Holy Roman Emperor mare Pussycat Lips was the most sought after, realizing 340,000 guineas (US$464,779) to the bid of Simon Crisford.

“She is a lovely filly, very racy and athletic, and she showed herself off well,” said Crisford. “MV Magnier really loved her, she will be for a Coolmore partnership.”

The Grade 3 placed Pussycat Lips has produced four winners from her four runners, including the Group/Listed placed pair Special Purpose and Roulston Scar.

The filly was bred and consigned by Croom House Stud, whose principal Denis Brosnan commented: “It was a wonderful sale and we are thrilled with the price, and we're happy that she's been bought by MV Magnier and will be going to Simon & Ed Crisford.”

At the conclusion of Book 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony commented;

“At the conclusion of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale last week we expressed our sincere thanks to all those who contributed to a yearling sale which, although conducted amidst a backdrop of global turmoil, performed with remarkable resilience. The message at the conclusion of Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale is very similar. We are enormously grateful to every single participant over the past three days, not only for their individual contributions to a sale which has held up remarkably well under the circumstances, but for working with us every step of the way in our efforts to stage the sale in as safe an environment as possible. The COVID pandemic continues to wreak havoc in all walks of life and to have conducted nine sales here at Park Paddocks since the last week of June is a mighty achievement by all concerned and could not have happened without a huge collective effort.

“Newmarket is very much the hub of the European racing and breeding industries and the last few weeks have demonstrated that, despite all the obstacles, business has been able to continue, albeit at lower levels than in recent years. Newmarket has an extraordinary and unique infrastructure and never more has this been apparent than at Books 1 and 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales.

“Book 2 has without doubt benefitted from the momentum established at Book 1 and similar to last week, the buyers have consistently remarked on the quality of the stock being offered. As ever the consignors from Britain, Ireland, France and Germany have presented us with a catalogue of genuine quality and the buyers have demonstrated that, even in these challenging times, there is a global appetite for quality bloodstock and the sport of horse racing. Participation from throughout the Gulf region continues to be hugely influential and the sustained involvement from American, Australian and Hong Kong interests has also been notable alongside determined domestic involvement. Tomorrow we move on to Book 3 of the October Yearling Sale which is another Tattersalls yearling sale that consistently attracts buyers at all levels of the market and we will conclude the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Saturday with Book 4.”

Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale starts at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.

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Loutsch Hopes ‘The Old Dennis’ Is Back In Time For Pegasus World Cup

Dennis' Moment was given a break from racing after the 3-year-old finished tenth in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes on Feb. 29, when a veterinary exam revealed bone bruising. According to Horse Racing Nation, the Tiznow colt has returned to training at the barn of Dale Romans.

Equibase reveals that Dennis' Moment has breezed at Churchill Downs three times since his return, the latest a half-mile move in 48 seconds on Oct. 10. Jason Loutsch, racing manager for the Albaugh Family Stables, said Dennis' Moment could be pointed to the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup on Jan. 23 at Gulfstream Park.

“We elected to make the right decision, always take care of the horse first, and give him some time off. Hopefully, the bone bruising is gone now and he comes back and is the old Dennis,” Loutsch told Horse Racing Nation.

Dennis' Moment has been a favorite of Romans' since prior his debut on June 23, 2019, in which he clipped heels and unseated jockey Robby Albarado. The colt rebounded with a 19 1/2-length triumph at Ellis Park on July 27, then set a stakes record when geared down to win the Grade 3 Iroquois Stakes on Sept. 14.

Sent off as the favorite for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Dennis' Moment went to his knees at the start and never recovered, finishing last in the eight-horse field. The bone bruising seems to be to blame for the colt's poor performance in the Fountain of Youth, but Loutsch believes Dennis' Moment can come back to have a strong 4-year-old campaign.

“Absolutely, he's that kind of horse,” Loutsch said. “If he continues to feel good and go forward, there is no reason to think he can't compete at that level.”