john mckee | Horse Racing Free Tips

‘Great Horse To Have In The Barn’: Beverly Park Going For Ninth Consecutive Victory

Norman “Lynn” and Lola Cash's former $12,500 claim Beverly Park will attempt to notch his ninth consecutive victory Sunday in a conditioned allowance event at Churchill Downs.

Lynn and wife Lola burst onto the Kentucky racing scene in 2021. Lynn took out his trainer's license this year and entered Thursday with 134 starts and 25 wins. Along with being involved in racing, Lynn is extremely accomplished in the construction industry. He started Built Wright Homes as a small home construction and remodeling company that has expanded to serve several states across the country.

Lynn and Lola reside in Midway, Ky. but their horses have traveled to 10 racetracks so far this year. Many of their horses that run in Kentucky are under the care of veteran horseman Jerry Dixon.

“(Beverly Park) has just been a great horse to have in the barn,” Lynn said. “He's in great form and has been so awesome to us since we claimed him (at Belterra Park on Aug. 5). It's been an absolute thrill.”

Through racing Wednesday at Churchill Downs, the Cash's horses have made 13 starts at the Fall Meet with two victories. One of their wins was a $127,000 allowance race on Nov. 11 when Beverly Park cruised to a 5 ½-length score. The other was Wednesday when recent $62,500 claim Sir Alfred James held off the late charge of Long Range Toddy to win the featured $148,000 allowance event.

Beverly Park is the only horse in North America to have a perfect record from at least eight starts this year. The next highest horse is West Virginia-bred Muad'dib, who is 6-for-6. Greeley and Ben leads the nation in wins this year with a record of 14-11-2-0.

Beverly Park drew post No. 11 in Sunday's 6 ½-furlong featured event. The accomplished 4-year-old son of Munnings will be ridden by John McKee and face 10 rivals in Race 8 at 4:36 p.m. (all times Eastern). First post is 1 p.m.

The post ‘Great Horse To Have In The Barn’: Beverly Park Going For Ninth Consecutive Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Necker Island Scores First Stakes Win In Bet On Sunshine

The Scherr Boys' Necker Island, who finished ninth in last year's Kentucky Derby, narrowly prevailed in a three-horse photo for the win in Saturday's 13th running of the $300,000 Bet On Sunshine at Churchill Downs to beat Mucho by a head with Sir Alfred James another neck back in third.

Ridden by Mitchell Murrill for trainer Chris Hartman, Necker Island ran six furlongs in 1:09.22 over a fast track to give the jockey and conditioner their third win together on the 11-race program.

It was Necker Island's first career stakes win, but he has proven fruitful for owner Wayne Scherr after he and other partners claimed the horses for $100,000 on June 13, 2020. Since then, Necker Island finished third in the $300,000 Grade 3 Indiana Derby and $200,000 Ellis Park Derby, which led to a start in the 2020 Kentucky Derby. This was his third victory in seven starts this year.

The win was worth $183,450 and improved Necker Island's career earnings to $565,532 with a record of 5-1-4 in 18 starts.

Necker Island returned $9.40, $4.20, and $3.20 as the 7-2 third betting choice. Mucho, the 5-2 favorite under Rey Gutierrez, paid $3.40 and $3.20. Sir Alfred James, ridden by John McKee, paid $5 to show. Bango, Long Weekend and Atoka completed the order of finish.

Sir Alfred James and Rough Entry battled for the early lead in the field of eight older horses through a first quarter mile in :21.66 as Necker Island raced in fifth along the inside. Necker Island had to check entering the turn as Sir Alfred James and Mucho left the turn vying for the lead in :45.01. Necker Island continued to race along the rail, wore down those rivals, and got up at the wire.

“I saw there was a lot of speed in this race so I wanted to let my horse settle,” Murrill said. “He settled very well up the backside and I had a lot of horse turning for home. I'm really proud of his effort and the Hartman team did a great job getting him ready.”

The race was spoiled by an incident on the turn when Vertical Threat, ridden by Adam Beschizza, and Rough Entry, with Brian Hernandez Jr. up, fell. Both jockeys walked to the onsite ambulance and were examined onsite by EMTs. Rough Entry was corralled by the outriders. Vertical Threat was vanned off.

Necker Island is a 4-year-old son of Hard Spun out of the Mr. Greeley mare Jenny's Rocket and was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Stables.

Racing at Churchill Downs continues Sunday with a 10-race card that begins at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern). Sunday is Military Appreciation Day with free admission or a discounted $29 ticket to Skye Terrace for active and retired members of the U.S. armed services.

The post Necker Island Scores First Stakes Win In Bet On Sunshine appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Star Of Night Named West Virginia’s 2020 Horse Of The Year

The West Virginia Thoroughbred Breeders Association presented its 2020 year-end awards on May 23 at The Barns at Maple Valley in Shenandoah Junction, W.V., led by Horse of the Year Star of Night.

Star of Night won six of seven starts during her 2020 campaign, all at Charles Town, earning $152,405 for owner Huntertown Farm and trainer Jeff Runco.

The season was a steady climb up the class ladder, starting with a 5 1/2-length maiden special weight win on Jan. 30. A jump to the allowance ranks yielded similar results, going gate to wire to win by 5 3/4 lengths on Feb. 29. She suffered her lone defeat of the season in the following start, beaten just a head in a 6 1/2-furlong allowance on May 15.

The Creative Cause filly got back on the winning track with force on June 27, winning a 6 1/2-furlong allowance by an astounding 10 3/4 lengths.

Star of Night moved up to stakes competition of that win, and the story remained the same. She won the Sylvia Bishop Memorial Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths on Aug. 28, then she took the West Virginia Tourism Office Breeders' Classic Stakes by 4 3/4 lengths on Oct. 10.

Her season finished with her biggest test, stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for the My Sister Pearl Stakes. It was also her biggest fight of the year, battling against Bridging the Gap, the horse that handed her the lone defeat of the season, and prevailing by a half-length.

Star of Night was bred in West Virginia by Heinz Steinmann, out of the Mailbu Moon mare Splendiferous Moon.

Following is a complete list of winners from the WVTBA awards:

Horse of the Year: Star of Night
2017, Creative Cause x Splendiferous Moon, by Malibu Moon
Breeder: Heinz J Steinmann
Owner: Huntertown Farm, LLC
Trainer: Jeff C Runco

Champion 2-Year-Old Filly: Shutupn'kissme
2018, Fiber Sonde x Kiss on Command, by Langfuhr
Breeder/Owner/Trainer: John McKee

Champion 2-Year-Old Colt: Youthinkthatsfunny
2018, Fiber Sonde x Humored, by Distorted Humor
Breeder/Owner/Trainer: John McKee

Champion 3-Year-Old Colt: Fancy Concho
2018, Fiber Sonde x Shes Pretty Fancy, by My Boy Adam
Breeder: Tim & Judith Grams
Owner: Grams Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Timothy C. Grams

Champion Older Filly/Mare: Anna's Bandit
2014, Great Notion x Onearmedbandit, by No Armistice
Breeder: John Robb
Owner: No Guts No Glory Farm
Trainer: John Robb

Champion Older Colt/Gelding & Champion Sprinter: Dr. Feelgood
2015, Fiber Sonde x Happy Numbers, by Polish Numbers
Breeder: Francis W. Daniel III
Owner: Jill Daniel
Trainer: Crystal G Pickett

Champion West Virginia-Sired, Non-WV-Bred Runner: Bridging The Gap
2016, Fiber Sonde x Seet Sang, by Fusaichi Pegasus
Breeder: Don E. Cain,
Owner/Trainer: John McKee

West Virginia Broodmare of the Year: Happy Numbers
2000, Polish Numbers x Happenchance, by Alydar
Owner: Francis W Daniel, III

West Virginia Stallion of the Year: Fiber Sonde
2005, Unbridled's Song x Silken Cat, by Storm Cat
Owner: John McKee

West Virginia Breeder of the Year: John & Cindy McKee, Beau Ridge Farm

The post Star Of Night Named West Virginia’s 2020 Horse Of The Year appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29

The Belterra Park race meet kicks off April 29 and concludes Oct. 8, 2021. The 93-day race meet has a first post of 12:35 pm (Eastern) daily with eight live races. Belterra Park is a one-mile dirt oval with a 6 1/2-furlong chute, and a seven-furlong turf course.

There are fifteen stakes races for the season featuring The Best of Ohio series on May 28, showcasing five $100,000 stakes.

Returning to Belterra Park is leading rider of the 2020 meet John McKee, and leading trainer Larry Smith looking to defend their titles. The jockey colony should be competitive with riders; Santiago Gonzalez, Sonny Leon, Joseph Ramos and the 6th leading rider in racing history, Perry Ouzts.

Trainers targeting the Belterra meet in addition to last year's top trainer Larry Smith; Wesley Ward, Tim Hamm, Thomas Drury, James Chapman, Michael Evans II, and Ron Kahles who won at a 23% win clip last season. Belterra Park will have a 9% increase in purses to begin the 2021 racing season.

Belterra Park will be offering “drive-through” wagering for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby from 12:00 am – 6:00 pm. There will be five lanes open for wagering; cash only, and wagering on the Oaks and Derby only. There will be pre-wagering on Oaks day for the Derby the following day. Just follow the signs from Kellogg Ave to the garage area. The drive-through area will be for wagering only and you may return to cash tickets at your convenience beginning at 9:00 am May 2nd in the grandstand area.

There is a rich history of Thoroughbred racing action in the Cincinnati area. From the early 20s as Coney Island Race Course to historic River Downs. Belterra Park is proud to continue Ohio racing. Free parking and free admission daily.

The post Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post