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Wagering Slides, Prize Money Jumps in January

According to statistics released Feb. 4 by Equibase, wagering on North American racing during the first month of the new year totaled $942.6 million, a decrease of 1.82% from the corresponding figure from 2021, while owners raced for purse money of better than $82 million combined, a whopping 15.48% more than the $71.1 million from 12 months ago.

Despite the wintry weather that annually claims its fair share of programs and a pause in racing in Maryland owing to track maintenance, the number of race days increased fractionally last month to 259 from 255 last year (+1.57%), though the actual number of races, starts and field size each posted declines.

Average wagering per-race day declined by 3.34% to $3.64 million from $3.77 million last year, but given the hefty rise in prize money, purses per race day averaged $317,000, a solid increase from $278,818 in 2021.

When compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2020, U.S. purses rose by 13.85%, while average daily purse levels improved by 24.4%.

The post Wagering Slides, Prize Money Jumps in January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Laurel Cancels Friday Card After Third Race; Stronach 5 Also Cancelled

Due to deteriorating weather conditions, Laurel Park was forced to cancel the remainder of its live program Friday following the third race.

Winter storm Landon brought steady rain through the Mid-Atlantic region overnight and throughout the day Friday.

Laurel's first three races were contested over a sloppy and sealed main track.

Friday's national weekly Stronach 5 wager, which was to kick off with Laurel's eighth-race finale followed by races from Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Golden Gate, was also canceled. It will return next Friday, Feb. 11.

Laurel is set to host a nine-race live program Saturday. Post time is 12:25 p.m.

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‘An Outstanding Foal That Anyone Would Be Proud Of’: First Foal Born From Daredevil’s Comeback Crop

Daredevil's first foal since returning to the U.S. has arrived at Dunquin Farm in Paris, Ky. The filly, bred by Mike and Pat Freeny, is out of C. C. Zipp (City Zip – Curry Cat, by Tale of the Cat) and is from a family of multiple graded stakes winners including Pratella and Angliana.

“She is an outstanding foal that anyone would be proud of,” said breeder Mike Freeny.

Sire of sensations Swiss Skydiver and Shedaresthedevil, Daredevil is the only first-crop sire to ever have an individual winner of the Kentucky Oaks and Preakness Stakes in the same year. Now a fourth-crop sire, he has accumulated an impressive two Grade 1 winners and eight black-type winners overall.

A six-figure yearling purchase himself, Daredevil broke his maiden on debut by over six lengths at Belmont and immediately followed up with a decisive victory in the juvenile Grade 1 Champagne Stakes, earning a 107 Beyer.

“We've been pleased with the quality of mares and top breeders who supported Daredevil in his first year back,” said Lane's End's Chris Knehr. “His accomplishments from his first crop of runners have us excited about his future, and we'll be sending a number of Lane's End mares to continue to support him this season.”

Daredevil stands for $25,000.

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TVG Plans Expanded Coverage Of Coast-To-Coast Sophomore Prep Races

TVG's Road to the Triple Crown and Kentucky Oaks presented by Spendthrift Farm will feature prep races from across the country this weekend with full coverage from Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita highlighted by the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) along with the $250,000 Withers Stakes (G3) from Aqueduct.

There will be expanded coverage at Gulfstream Park presented by Runhappy with expert analysis and interviews from Todd Schrupp, Larry Collmus, Britney Eurton, Joaquin Jaime and Andi Biancone. The twelve-race card includes five stakes races with the $250,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) the main event with 10-4-3-1 Kentucky Derby points on the line. The race has drawn a field of nine with Mo Donegal tabbed as the morning line favorite at odds of 3-1 for trainer Todd Pletcher. Purchased for $250,000 by Donegal Racing, the bay son of Uncle Mo ended his juvenile campaign with a win in the Remsen Stakes (G2) and will have Irad Ortiz, Jr. in the irons.

Santa Anita has a stakes-laden weekend of action on tap and Christina Blacker, Mike Joyce, Simon Bray, Scott Hazelton and Kurt Hoover will be trackside with exclusive interviews and insights. On Saturday, the $200,000 San Pasqual Stakes (G2) highlights a nine-race card that includes two additional graded stakes – the $100,000 Thunder Road Stakes (G3) and the $200,000 Santa Monica Stakes (G3). In the San Pasqual Stakes (G2), the 2021 winner Express Train will take on five rivals as he tries for a repeat for trainer John Shirreffs.

On Sunday, the road to the Kentucky Derby runs through California with the $200,000 Robert B. Lewis (G3) featuring a field of five contenders. Happy Jack will step up to stakes company for trainer Doug O'Neill after breaking his maiden in January at Santa Anita. The Calumet Farm homebred will have Abel Cedillo aboard.

TVG will also be broadcasting the $250,000 Withers Stakes (G3) from Aqueduct which offers up 10-4-3-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top four finishers.

In addition to racing from Gulfstream and Santa Anita, TVG will be featuring racing from Oaklawn, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, Aqueduct and more. Fans can tune in on TVG, TVG2 and the Watch TVG app which is available on Amazon Fire, Roku and connected Apple TV devices.

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