The horse racing world like all other areas of society continues to make changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis. Most racetracks currently operating are doing so wither without spectators or with limited attendance allowed, and have instituted strict safety screening protocols for essential employees who are already on the grounds to provide daily care for horses.
Tag: Horse racing news
Virtual Live Racing to Launch at Ascot
Virtual Live Racing, which is a type of virtual racing product that is based on past performance data from previously run real races utilising a racecourse’s rich archive and intellectual property database, will launch at Ascot Racecourse, a UK first. The latest CGI technology will be used to create a fully immersive digital racing and betting experience of Ascot. The idea is that VLR’s product will offer a no cost, risk free, revenue stream opportunity to racetracks to extend their digital brand distribution to access a lucrative tote betting market.
“We embrace new technology, and the exciting opportunities that it is creating, especially in the increasingly popular virtual racing space,” said Ascot Racecourse Chief Operating Officer Alastair Warwick. “VLR offer a unique, innovative, market leading product which brings a new dimension to virtual racing that allows the Ascot brand to offer several thousand virtual races 24/7/365 to new and existing digital betting entertainment audiences globally.”
“It’s a great honour for VirtualLiveRacing.com to partner with Ascot Racecourse and introduce our new concept in Virtual Live Racing to the UK,” said VLR Chairman Vincent Caldwell.
For more information go to www.virtualliveracing.com.
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‘Life-Changing’ Monomoy Girl Has Lifted Connections into the Spotlight
They’re all there in black and white: the Grade 1 wins, the Breeders’ Cup triumph, the Eclipse Award, the head-to-head advantage over a heralded rival. All the conventional measures the Thoroughbred racing community uses to separate the good from the great – those horses who reside in the ether with the all-timers.
‘Glad To Be In It’: Forster Excited For First Breeders’ Cup With Dirt Mile Hopeful Pirate’s Punch
Nestled five miles from Churchill Downs, trainer Grant Forster is eagerly preparing for the biggest race of his career at Trackside Louisville where Gulliver Racing, Craig Drager and Dan Legan's five-time winner Pirate's Punch will tackle a likely full field of competitors in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (Grade I) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.
“Sort of like every horse trainer, I'm just holding my breath until we get there,” Forster said. “It's been a great ride so far with this horse and the (Dirt Mile) is shaping up to be a really competitive. It'll be a tough field but we're glad to be in it.”
Pirate's Punch had a unique two-race stand over the summer when Forster shipped the Shanghai Bobby gelding to Monmouth Park to compete in the $200,000 Philip Iselin Stakes (GIII) and one month later returned for the $155,000 Salvator Mile (GIII). In the Philip Iselin, the gutsy Pirate's Punch finished a half-length in front of Warrior's Charge but was subsequently disqualified and placed second following a stewards' inquiry and objection lodged by the runner-up finisher's jockey Paco Lopez.
Forster would return to Monmouth for redemption in the Salvator Mile where Pirate's Punch scored a convincing two-length score and sealed his likely starting gate position in the Dirt Mile.
In the Breeders' Cup, East Coast-based jockey Jorge Vargas Jr., who rode Pirate's Punch in each of his two starts at Monmouth, will ship to Kentucky to ride in the Breeders' Cup. The 26-year-old Vargas, whose grandfather and father both trained horses in his native Puerto Rico, is named to ride Shimmering (IRE) for trainer Graham Motion on Wednesday at Churchill Downs.
“He's rode Pirate's Punch perfectly in his last two starts, so why not continue to use him for the Breeders' Cup,” Forster said. “He's coming to Kentucky early and hopes to ride a few at Churchill before the Breeders' Cup.”
Starting on Friday, there will be a special training period from 7:30-7:45 a.m. for Breeders' Cup contenders. The special training session is scheduled to run through Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The post ‘Glad To Be In It’: Forster Excited For First Breeders’ Cup With Dirt Mile Hopeful Pirate’s Punch appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
