Tag: Horse Racing

Churchill Downs Considers Increasing Kentucky Derby Capacity

On Monday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that businesses would be allowed to increase indoor capacity from 50 to 60 percent. According to the Courier-Journal, Churchill Downs is now considering increasing fan capacity at this year's Kentucky Derby, scheduled for Saturday, May 1.

Previously, Churchill had announced that 40 to 50 percent of the track's reserve seating capacity would be sold for Derby day. Now, that capacity might be increased to 60 percent, though a specific number of seats has not been decided. General admission tickets will not be sold until closer to the date of the Kentucky Derby.

“With the governor's announcement yesterday, we've started to analyze how we can flex up and remain nimble for the weeks to come for any additional charges and restrictions as that might come out,” Churchill president Mike Anderson told the Courier-Journal. “We'll continue to follow the guidelines for both local and state health agencies to make sure we are following all the COVID compliance.”

No fans were permitted at the 2020 edition of the Kentucky Derby, which was held on Sept. 5, due to the pandemic.

Read more at the Courier-Journal.

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Pari-Mutuel Rules, Race Dates Adjusted At Indiana Grand

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission (IHRC) met Tuesday, March 2 and approved several changes for the upcoming 2021 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino.

Indiana Grand was initially set to hold live racing Saturday, May 1 during Kentucky Derby Day. However, due to uncertainty directly related to COVID-19, a request was submitted to the IHRC to reallocate that date to Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, which will become closing day for the 19th season of Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. The IHRC approved the change on the calendar for the 120-day racing season in 2021.

“Along with our horsemen, we thought it was in the best interest of all parties to move our scheduled racing day on May 1 (Kentucky Derby Day),” said Eric Halstrom, vice president and general manager of racing. “There is a strong likelihood that crowd capacity will still be limited at that time and live racing would only increase issues with safety protocols and potential wait times to enter the facility. We want to provide the best possible on-track experience for guests coming in for the simulcast of the Kentucky Derby and a reduction of activities on that day will alleviate some potential obstacles.”

In addition to the date change, the IHRC also approved amendments to current rules for pari-mutuel racing. Races taken off the turf once the wagering pools have closed for the Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 will now become “all” wagers. The Pick 6 will now become a scenario where “all” horses in that race will be considered a winner. Formerly when a horse scratched from a race taken off the turf after the close of the wagering pools, the customer was given a substitute of the post time favorite.

Indiana Grand introduced a lower takeout for the Pick 5 in 2020 at 11.99 percent, which remains in effect. In addition, the IHRC approved a reduced takeout for the Pick 4 along with the Pick 6 Jackpot wagers to 15 percent beginning in 2021.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance our betting platforms and with the growing popularity of our multiple-race wagers, we felt a reduced takeout on these two wagers would be very attractive to our racing customers,” added Halstrom. “We've seen a tremendous increase in interest in these types of wagers at Indiana Grand and are excited to make them a better value for our fan base.”

Live racing returns to Indiana Grand Tuesday, April 13 and extends through Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. Racing will be conducted at 2:25 p.m. Monday through Wednesday with first post on Thursday set at 3:25 p.m. In addition, six all-Quarter Horse racing dates are set on select Saturdays starting June 5 at 10 a.m. A special Indiana Champions Day highlighting the state's top Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses will be held Saturday, Oct. 30 beginning at 12 p.m. More information about the 2021 racing season is available at www.indianagrand.com.

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For The Love Of Horses: Racing Industry Unites To Showcase Racehorse Welfare

Over the past several days, a disturbing photograph of trainer Gordon Elliott and footage involving amateur jockey Rob James have brought the racing industry under global scrutiny once again.

The industry has responded with a grassroots social media campaign designed to showcase the love and care with which racehorses are treated, via the hashtags #ForTheLoveOfHorses and #RacehorseWelfare.

Following is a selection of some of the top posts:

 

In the last 24 hours the racing industry has been under hard scrutiny over the welfare of horses in training. …

Posted by Ben Delong on Monday, March 1, 2021

In the last 24 hours the racing industry has been under hard scrutiny over the welfare of horses in training.

We would…

Posted by Harry Whittington Racing on Tuesday, March 2, 2021

In the last 24 hours the racing industry has been under hard scrutiny over the welfare of the horses in training.

I'd…

Posted by Kelly Balfour on Monday, March 1, 2021

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Four 2018 Virginia Yearling Futurity Participants Share $5,000 In Bonus Awards

Congratulations to four Virginia-bred/certified horses that competed in the 2018 Yearling Futurity, who will share a $5,000 bonus pool based on career earnings they accumulated through their recently completed 3-year-old racing campaigns.

The top earners in bonus winning order were Patriotic Punch ($3,000), Appraised ($1,000), Lady Fox ($700) and Beach Traffic ($300).

Maryland-bred Patriotic Punch, bred by Charles Reed and Michael Zanella, bankrolled $125,969 from 17 career starts through Dec. 31. The Carpe Diem filly, out of Lori Z's Punch by Two Punch, reeled off three wins in a row during a five-week period in Maryland last year. She was best in maiden claimer and a pair of starter optional claiming races between Sept. 11 and Oct. 17. Overall, she has 10 top-three finishes. Patriotic Punch spent her Virginia residency at Karen Godsey's Eagle Point Farm in Ashland.

Virginia-bred Appraised also has recorded a trio of victories and ten top-three finishes. The Shanghai Bobby gelding, bred and raised at Morgan's Ford Farm in Front Royal, collected his wins in a series of claimers at Delaware Park over a nine-week period last year. Out of the Include mare, Looking Great, he has earned $70,067.

Lady Fox finished 2020 with $56,540 in earnings — third best from the '18 yearling class — and has kicked off 2021 with back-to-back wins. The Imagining filly, bred by Lady Olivia at North Cliff, LLC., had four runner-up finishes and a trio of thirds through 2020, good for $56,540. This year, she broke her maiden and prevailed in another claiming race, both at Laurel. The Maryland-bred, out of Lady Olivia by Silver Deputy, spent her residency at David Dobson's Lady Olivia at North Cliff Farm in Rixeyville.

Beach Traffic, reserve grand champion and winner of the “certified” class at the 2018 Futurity, has collected wins at both Gulfstream and Monmouth. The Maryland-bred gelding, by Cross Traffic, has bankrolled $53,365 to date. Out of Pink Sand by Sky Mesa, Beach Traffic was bred by Patricia Ramey and Maciej Szwarc and raised at the Hunt Ridge Stables at Ramey's Blue Ridge Farm in Upperville. He has hit the board in half of his 16 starts.

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