Tag: Essential Quality

McIngvale To Place Derby Bet On Track

Owner James 'Mattress Mack' McIngvale, who earlier this week announced that he would be making a bet in excess of $2-million as a hedge against a promotion in which customers of his Gallery Furniture chain will be refunded in the event that favored Essential Quality (Tapit) prevails, has confirmed that the bet will be placed on site at Churchill Downs in order to maximize the money that goes to purses.

McIngvale has bet through casinos on similar promotions on the World Series and Super Bowl, where he is able to secure fixed odds. But he is committed to placing the bet at Churchill, which allows local horsepeople to benefit most.

“This is the first horse-racing event I've been able to use as a promotion,” said McIngvale. “The people at Churchill Downs have been great working with me on using their trademarks and this and that. Of course, I've been receiving calls from across the country, legal bookmakers wanting me to bet with them, people in some states where they don't contribute much if anything to the [betting] pool. Their pitch is that $2 million won't effect the pool, but you'll get the same odds as you would at Churchill.

He continued, “Well, I don't want to do that, because I'm a horseman. I know what pays those purses is the handle. So all the money I'm betting will be at Churchill Downs. Let's face it, Churchill Downs has to make some money, too, to put on the show. So it's good for Churchill, which is a tremendous track and promoter of horse racing, but most of all it's good for the owners, trainers, jockeys, the backstretch workers who put their life into the game. I didn't want to bet someplace else or offshore. I wanted to go where the track's dollars were maximized and the horse owners' dollars were maximized to support the ecosystem of the entire game.”

The purse account at Churchill receives about 10% of all on-track wagering, so a bet of $2 million will contribute about $200,000 to purses. That number would be half–or less–if the wager were placed through other means.

McIngvale has already wired $4 million to Churchill Downs and plans to spend Derby day at the track.

“I haven't decided how much I'm going to bet. It depends on how many mattresses we sell,” he said. “But it will be at least $2 million. I have to figure whether to bet it all at once, or bet $500,000 three or four different times. How to structure it, whether I want to bet any exactas or just win bets or any place and show bets. I've got a lot of people advising me. I'm just worried about Essential Quality. I hope he wins. He's deserving. It should be a great event. I'm just glad that whatever money I'm betting will go mainly to the horsemen and Churchill Downs, where it deserves to go.”

Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, applauded McIngvale's move to bet on track.

“When people see these monstrous numbers in total handle wagered on a track's card, they think the horsemen get a tremendous split from all of that,” Maline said. “But there's a huge difference between $100 bet on a racetrack and $100 bet off-track as far as what goes to purses. I certainly don't want to denigrate the ADWs, because that's broadened the market and allowed people to bet who otherwise couldn't. But a bet at the track contributes far more to purses than anywhere else it might be placed. Good for Mattress Mack.”

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‘I’m A Horseman’: McIngvale Makes Point To Place $2 Million Derby Bet On Track

James McIngvale, the colorful Houston furniture magnate and horse owner known as Mattress Mack, will make the largest wager in Kentucky Derby history Saturday on unbeaten favorite Essential Quality — and he's betting the $2 million or more at Churchill Downs in order to maximize the money that goes toward horsemen's purses.

McIngvale is famous for tying major sporting events into marketing promotions at his Gallery Furniture mega-stores. Customers who spend $3,000 or more on certain mattresses and bed sets in a given time frame get their money back (or 150 percent of what they spent in in-store credit) if the promotion's featured team — or in this case, horse — wins.

Also making headlines are the millions McIngvale has wagered to hedge his bet against giving away so many mattresses. Mack has bet through casinos to cover previous promotions on the World Series and Super Bowl, locking into fixed odds. However, he's making a point to put his money on Essential Quality through the Churchill Downs mutuel windows, where horsemen receive the biggest cut for purses.

McIngvale has a large racing operation best known for 2015 Breeders' Cup Sprint winner and Eclipse Award champion sprinter Runhappy, now a stallion at Claiborne Farm. While no individual has been more heavily involved in horse-racing sponsorships than McIngvale, he said this is the first time he's used the outcome of a horse race as a Gallery Furniture marketing ventures.

“This is the first horse-racing event I've been able to use as a promotion,” said McIngvale. “The people at Churchill Downs have been great working with me on using their trademarks and this and that. Of course, I've been receiving calls from across the country, legal bookmakers wanting me to bet with them, people in some states where they don't contribute much if anything to the (betting) pool. Their pitch is that $2 million won't effect the pool, but you'll get the same odds as you would at Churchill.

“Well, I don't want to do that, because I'm a horseman. I know what pays those purses is the handle. So all the money I'm betting will be at Churchill Downs. Let's face it, Churchill Downs has to make some money, too, to put on the show. So it's good for Churchill, which is a tremendous track and promoter of horse racing, but most of all it's good for the owners, trainers, jockeys, the backstretch workers who put their life into the game. I didn't want to bet someplace else or offshore. I wanted to go where the track's dollars were maximized and the horse owners' dollars were maximized to support the ecosystem of the entire game.”

Churchill Downs' purse account — which funds the money for which owners' racehorses compete at any given track — receives approximately 10 percent of all on-track wagering. So $2 million bet on Essential Quality will reap about $200,000 for purses. The amount would be half or far less if the money were wagered off track through simulcasting, online or at a casino.

McIngvale said he's already wired the funds to Churchill Downs and plans to spend the day at the track.

“I haven't decided how much I'm going to bet. It depends on how many mattresses we sell,” he said. “But it will be at least $2 million. I have to figure whether to bet it all at once, or bet $500,000 three or four different times. How to structure it, whether I want to bet any exactas or just win bets or any place and show bets. I've got a lot of people advising me. I'm just worried about Essential Quality. I hope he wins. He's a deserving. It should be a great event. I'm just glad that whatever money I'm betting will go mainly to the horsemen and Churchill Downs, where it deserves to go.”

Marty Maline, executive director of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent Protective Association, applauded McIngvale's move to bet on track.

“When people see these monstrous numbers in total handle wagered on a track's card, they think the horsemen get a tremendous split from all of that,” Maline said. “But there's a huge difference between $100 bet on a racetrack and $100 bet off-track as far as what goes to purses. I certainly don't want to denigrate the ADWs (online betting platforms), because that's broadened the market and allowed people to bet who otherwise couldn't. But a bet at the track contributes far more to purses than anywhere else it might be placed. Good for Mattress Mack.”

McIngvale, a philanthropist who sheltered storm victims in his furniture showrooms in the wake of Houston's 2019 flooding, also collaborated with Churchill Downs to bring about 300 foster-care parents, alumni and social-service workers to Saturday's Derby.

The post ‘I’m A Horseman’: McIngvale Makes Point To Place $2 Million Derby Bet On Track appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Thursday’s Trackside Derby Report

LOUISVILLE, KY – Despite heavy overnight rain leaving the Churchill Downs main track a sloppy mess, there was still plenty to take in during Thursday's GI Kentucky Derby/Oaks training session, including an appearance by the horse that has the big bulls-eye on his back.

Rock Your World (Candy Ride {Arg}), Soup and Sandwich (Into Mischief) and Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) drew a nice crowd of admirers by the Lukas gap as the track was being sealed beneath ominous skies and humid conditions just a tick before 7:30 a.m.

With his tail tied, Medina Spirit (Protonico) was among the first to enter and had a nice bounce to his step jogging by the wrong way over the saturated surface.

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse stood on the track to watch his duo of the stunning gray Soup and Sandwich and Helium (Ironicus) jog. You certainly know who the crew at TDN will be rooting for Saturday.

Casse exchanged pleasantries by the gap with team Medina Spirit–Bob Baffert and John Velazquez–as his pair made their way back to the barn.

Likely Derby second-choice Rock Your World continues to give off good vibes. With his high-knee action, you can see why the unbeaten GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner began his career on grass. Shades of Barbaro and Big Brown? That's where my money is heading.

Even with a pair of blinkers on, Hot Rod Charlie still gave the cameras and media lined up on the backstretch a glance passing by alongside his famous stable pony Lava Man. Hot Rod Charlie may arguably be reaching out the best over the surface during his gallops from all of the Derby horses this week. Ignore at your own risk.

The unbeaten morning-line favorite and champion 2-year-old Essential Quality (Tapit) doesn't exactly wow you during his training, but the last time we checked, it only counts in the afternoons.

His Brad Cox-trained stablemate and fellow 'Rising Star' Mandaloun (Into Mischief), however, has become a bit of a buzz horse despite a puzzling last-out sixth in the GII Louisiana Derby. That's how good he's looked in the flesh.

Both of the Cox runners went to the gate, and interestingly enough, Essential Quality's white-and-blue Godolphin branded blinkers were removed after his schooling session. He went on to gallop for about 1 5/8 miles afterward without the shades.

Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow)'s antics on the backstretch and paddock schooling sessions have been well-documented on Twitter this week–getting loose during bath time will do that–but he's had his eyes on the prize while training for what it's worth. Interesting longshot to consider.

Back at the barns, meanwhile, the easy-to-root-for native of Kentucky trainer Greg Foley chatted with Jeff Lifson and a group of West Point partners. The stretch-running O Besos (Orb) jogged a mile a bit earlier around 6:15 a.m.

King Fury (Curlin) seemed to be enjoying himself once again over the off going–he certainly did so last out in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. His handler smiled for a quick photo and asked the flashy, blaze-faced chestnut to pose as he was getting cleaned up outside of Ken McPeek's headquarters.

Have to love seeing that heavyweight champ Tyson Fury will be in his corner and did in fact take McPeek up on his Twitter invite to attend the Derby.

“It's always something I've been interested in, the biggest horse race in the world,” Fury told ESPN. “I've always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, never had the opportunity to do so. This is the opportunity to do so.”

With his ears up, Essential Quality's class and great mind were on display, never turning a hair before a group of media assembled for his bath.

With more heavy rain looming, his blue-and-white Godolphin cooler was on again shortly and it was back to his stall as training hours began to wind down.

The post Thursday’s Trackside Derby Report appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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‘Quality’ Team Behind Unbeaten Derby Favorite

LOUISVILLE, KY – Two years ago, Brad Cox got the phone call that every trainer wants to receive.

“I got a call one day from Jimmy Bell and he said that he'd like to meet me at Churchill one morning,” Cox said of his initial conversation with the Godolphin USA president. “It was an honor to get a call like that. We met in my office and he said that they'd like to send us some 2-year-olds. You knew there were gonna be runners in that group and that they'd all have pedigree. There was no doubt about it.”

From the second crop of juveniles sent Cox's way, a gray son of leading sire Tapit quickly began to stand out from the rest at the 41- year-old's Keeneland division.

“I remember the first time we breezed him,” Cox said. “I looked at my assistant and said, 'Wow, this horse acts like he can win the Belmont.' He just never stopped. He just kept going and going and you're like, 'Woah, we did too much with him.' Then he walks off the track like he did nothing. He gave us a lot of confidence when we led him over there the first time and he's continued to do so every time we've run him.”

He, of course, is unbeaten 2-year-old champion and GI Kentucky Derby 2-1 morning-line favorite Essential Quality (Tapit). Sporting a five-for-five record, led by wins in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity, the versatile Godolphin homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' remained perfect following a hard-fought decision in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. at Keeneland Apr. 3. He previously kicked off his sophomore campaign with a visually impressive performance in the slop in Oaklawn's GIII Southwest S.

“He's moved forward from two to three,” Cox said. “I think he needs to move forward again to win the Derby and I think he can.”

Bell added, “What he's done, it's been a tremendous morale booster for our overall operation. Given the fact that he's a homebred, it just adds so much more to it. We know how special this is and embrace just really what he's accomplished. He's taken us all on such an incredible ride. You've got to dream a little bit in this business.”

Essential Quality's graded stakes placed-dam Delightful Quality (Elusive Quality) is a daughter of the unraced Contrive (Storm Cat). The latter produced champion Folklore (Tiznow), heroine of the 2005 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Contrive was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's operation for $3 million in foal to Pleasantly Perfect at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Delightful Quality, also represented by a 2-year-old filly by Uncle Mo, was barren for 2020-21. She was covered again by Tapit this spring.

“We have a collaborative, team effort there [to plan matings] and it was a very good, physical match,” Bell said of the Tapit–Delightful Quality pairing that produced Essential Quality. “She had plenty of speed and Tapit gives you plenty of stamina. The Gone West mares go well with Tapit as well. Each had a little something that maybe you'd like to see in the other.”

The Cox and Godolphin tandem, born in 2019, have also been represented thus far by 2020 GIII Indiana Derby and GIII Oklahoma Derby winner Shared Sense (Street Sense); this term's Bourbonette Oaks heroine Adventuring (Pioneerof the Nile); multiple stakes winner Hieronymus (Girolamo); and the stakes-placed Amongst (Into Mischief). Cox currently has approximately eight head for Godolphin, and in a couple of weeks, will receive another shipment of 15 juveniles.

“I'm really proud to train for them,” Cox said. “Just a class act all the way around. Their outfit is a power in the Thoroughbred industry throughout the world.”

Formed in 1994, Godolphin–recognized three times at the Eclipse Awards as outstanding owner (2009, 2012 & 2020)–has won no fewer than a staggering 255 Grade/Group 1 races worldwide. In 2015, Godolphin merged with Darley Stud to form one company and racing stable in the U.S. As Godolphin began expanding its training roster in search of more of a midwest presence, trainers like Michael Stidham, Cox and Brendan Walsh were easy choices to join the team, per Bell.

“That sort of opened up a different roster,” Bell said. “Brad had just won an Oaks [with Monomoy Girl], showing adept handling of a top filly like that, and obviously bigger things were yet to come. He really was what we were looking for–a young trainer, like himself, as well as Brendan, in that Midwest area.”

Bell continued, “Like all things, it's a bit of an evolutionary process. Initially, early days the primary goal was to compete in New York. That's the top racing circuit and that's obviously where we aspire to compete. As the numbers grew and not everything fit, it gave us an opportunity sort of to step back and really look at the overall geographic spread. Racetracks like the Fair Grounds and Oaklawn, as well as the racing in Kentucky, have improved dramatically, and that trio right there [Stidham, Cox and Walsh] really covered a lot of racing opportunities.”

With a deep U.S. training roster that also includes Hall of Famer Bill Mott, any particular reason why Essential Quality headed Cox's way after learning his early lessons with Niall Brennan in Ocala, Florida?

“The short answer: fortuitous,” Bell replied with a laugh.

“Longer answer is: we have a process we go through. We work very closely with our pre-trainers–David Scanlon, Niall Brennan, Eddie Woods and Meda Murphy at Bridlewood. [Chief Operating Officer, Godolphin USA] Dan Pride and all of us go down there [to Florida] and see a good three-eighths breeze, and, as scientific as you can be, basically get into three baskets of A's, B's and C's. And from there, we sit down and try to divide them up equally and accordingly.”

In addition to the horse to beat on the first Saturday in May, Godolphin's well-spread 'A team' of 3-year-olds this year also included: the Stidham-trained GII Risen Star S. and GIII Lecomte S. runner-up Proxy (Tapit); 'TDN Rising Star' Prevalence (Medaglia d'Oro), who lines up for Walsh in Saturday's GII Pat Day Mile S. on the Derby undercard; and the highly regarded 2-year-old key race maiden winner Speaker's Corner (Street Sense), currently on the comeback trail for Mott.

Two of the top older handicap horses in the country, meanwhile, Godolphin's 2021 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) and Maxfield (Street Sense), winner of the 2019 GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and 2021 GI Santa Anita H. third, are trained by Stidham and Walsh, respectively. Maxfield is entered in Friday's GII Alysheba S. on the GI Kentucky Oaks program.

“Having the good fortune of having more than one good 3-year-old, 2-year-old or older horse, you really would like to have it work out that way that they all end up in each one of their operations,” Bell said.

Cox can certainly relate. This will be the first year that the native of Louisville is represented in the Kentucky Derby. He will also lead over Juddmonte homebred and 'TDN Rising Star' Mandaloun (Into Mischief), winner of the GII Risen Star S.

Last year's Eclipse Award-winning trainer's rapidly growing highlight reel is topped by a pair of GI Kentucky Oaks victories and seven Breeders' Cup wins. He also has two chances for an Oaks hat trick with the race's co-second choice and 'TDN Rising Star' Travel Column (Frosted) and longshot Coach (Commissioner).

Cox, a former assistant to Dallas Stewart, struck out on his own in 2004.

“We walked over for Dollar Bill in the Monarchos year in 2001,” Cox said of the former Stewart trainee. “So, I've done a walkover, but looking forward to this one for sure. I grew up by the track and the first Derby I was at was Lil E. Tee–Pat Day's first Derby winner [in 1992].”

He continued, “It's always been the goal to get to the Derby. I've always said I just don't want to be in the Derby, I want to win the Derby. I'm a competitive person. I know the Derby and the Oaks are not races you show up and just win year in and year out. Horse racing is tough. Even if you're doing well and winning at 25% of the time, you're getting beat 75% of the time. To be in a position we're in, I feel very fortunate and thankful. But our team is competitive and we want to execute. I always believed that we could get here and win it. I'm hopeful that this is the year with one of these colts.”

Believe it or not, a native of Louisville has never saddled the winner of the Kentucky Derby in 146 previous renewals. Cox grew up just blocks from Churchill Downs on Euclid Avenue in the south end of Louisville.

“I would never use the words stress, worried or pressure,” said Cox, who is proudly assisted by his two sons, Bryson and Blake. “I honestly don't feel that. I really don't. We obviously have a large stable and stay busy. Not all of my attention is on Essential Quality winning the Kentucky Derby. We have plenty on our plate to keep us busy and occupied.”

Cox continued with a laugh, “Honestly, I think I'll get a little nervous. But once I leg up the riders and the horses are on the track, it could be a long 10 minutes. We'll see how it goes.”

During a December 2015 interview in TDN, Cox said that his goal for the following season was to win his first Grade I race. With that mission accomplished in spades, he has a new target these days. And it's right in front of him for the taking.

“That chase for that Derby,” Cox said. “I'm hopeful that we can pick one off this year. And I have a strong feeling that if we were able to do that, you know, number two would be something we would be after next. These good horses. When you have good horses, it's easy to get up in the morning. We're very blessed.”

Sheikh Mohammed, meanwhile, has certainly been here before, but never with a hand quite like this.

Godolphin is winless in 11 prior attempts in the Derby. Frosted's fourth-place finish in 2015 was the ruler of Dubai's best finish to date. Godolphin's other Derby starters include: Worldly Manner (seventh, 1999); China Visit (sixth) and Curule (seventh, 2000); Express Tour (eighth, 2001); Essence of Dubai (ninth, 2002); Regal Ransom (eighth) and Desert Party (14th, 2009); Alpha (12th, 2012); Thunder Snow (Ire) (DNF, 2017); and Enticed (14th, 2018). Sheikh Mohammed was also represented by a pair of starters in the 1992 Derby–eighth-place finisher Arazi (co-owned with Allen Paulson) and 13th-place finisher Thyer.

“First and foremost, he enjoys and embraces competition, especially on the world stage,” Bell concluded. “There's no question about it, winning the Derby is a passion of his and a pursuit of his. He's very philosophical about this, and if it's meant to be, it will be. He believes so much in the power of positivity. If there's any pressure, it's self-inflicted. And I think you see that throughout the whole operation, it really comes from the top. He understands it and we're all in this together.”

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