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Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approves Race Dates For 2021

At its virtual board meeting on Tuesday, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission approved 2021 race dates for the state's five Thoroughbred tracks.

Chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz made a statement acknowledging the uncertainty caused by the Kentucky Supreme Court's Sept. 24 decision on historical horse racing, though he did not discuss any specifics: “While I cannot say too much, I do want everyone to know that if the current Supreme Court opinion is rendered final, that this commission is committed to finding a solution,” Rabinowitz said.

In addition, the KHRC tabled a discussion on whip rule penalties that had been listed on the meeting's official agenda.

The race dates approved for 2021 are as follows:

Turfway Park

Jan. 1 – March 28, Thursday to Sunday (Thursdays all marked as “optional”)
Dec. 1 – Dec. 21, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays all marked as “optional,” no racing Dec. 24 or 25)

Keeneland

April 1 – April 23, Wednesday to Sunday
Oct. 8 – Oct. 30, Wednesday to Sunday

Churchill Downs

April 24 – June 26, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays all listed as “Optional,” except April 24)
Additional spring meet cards to be held on April 27 (Tuesday) and May 31 (Monday)
No racing May 2 (Sunday)
Sept. 15 – Oct. 3, Wednesday to Sunday (Wednesdays listed as “optional”)
Nov. 3 – Nov. 28, Wednesday to Sunday

Ellis Park

June 27 – Sept. 1 (all Mondays through Thursdays listed as “optional”)

Kentucky Downs

Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12

The post Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Approves Race Dates For 2021 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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HHR Fate Still ‘Elephant in the Room’ As KHRC Grants ’21 Race Dates

Saying he’d “like to briefly address the elephant in the room,” Kentucky Horse Racing Commission chairman Jonathan Rabinowitz opened the board’s Oct. 20 videoconference meeting by attempting to reassure the racing community that elected and appointed officials are working to find a solution to a Sept. 24 Supreme Court of Kentucky opinion that told a lower court to re-examine the legality of historical horse race (HHR) gaming.

HHR handled $2.2 billion during the commonwealth’s most recent fiscal year, and revenue from that form of gaming annually contributes tens of millions of dollars to purses at the state’s five Thoroughbred tracks. The Supreme Court’s opinion that HHR does not comply with the pari-mutuel wagering statute has imperiled that crucial source of funding.

“While I cannot say too much, I do want everyone to know that if the current Supreme Court opinion is rendered final, that this commission is committed to finding a solution,” Rabinowitz said.

“Additionally, after having numerous conversations with the governor, it’s clear that the governor and his team are committed to finding a solution,” Rabinowitz continued.

“Lastly, I truly hope and believe that this legislature is equally committed to finding a solution to this bipartisan issue in order to save thousands of Kentucky jobs, millions in tax revenue annually for the commonwealth, and to preserve the commonwealth’s signature industry as the best in the world,” Rabinowitz said.

Rabinowitz provided no specifics and there was no additional discussion of the topic among KHRC members, either directly after his statement or during the entirety of the meeting.

Chief among the various items that passed via unanimous voice vote on Tuesday was the KHRC’s approval of 2021 race dates, awarded as follows:

Turfway Park: Jan. 1-Mar. 28 on a Thursday-Sunday schedule. The Thursdays, however, are all marked “optional” on the calendar provided by a KHRC spokesperson.

Keeneland Race Course: Apr. 1-23 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.

Churchill Downs: Apr. 24-June 26. With the exception of the first Wednesday that falls during GI Kentucky Derby week, the Wednesday programs are “optional.” Derby week will also feature an Apr. 27 Tuesday card but no racing Sunday, May 2. A Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day) program is also added.

Ellis Park: June 27-Sept. 4. With the exception of July 1, all of the Mondays-Thursdays within that date allotment are “optional.”

Kentucky Downs: Sept. 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12.

Churchill: Sept. 15-Oct. 3 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule, with the Wednesdays “optional.”

Keeneland: Oct. 8-30 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.

Churchill: Nov. 3-28 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule.

Turfway: Dec. 1-31 on a Wednesday-Sunday schedule; Wednesdays “optional” and no racing Dec. 24 and 25.

Susan Nash, the KHRC’s executive administrative secretary, said that, “I’d like to point out that the total number of requested Thoroughbred dates for 2021, compared to what was awarded in 2020, shows as a negative one [date], representing a decline from last year.”

But Nash explained that’s because Keeneland’s request to host the two-date Breeders’ Cup meet this year bumped up the state’s 2020 total by two dates from 2019, “so consequently, there is actually an increase of one day for 2021” when the two Breeders’ Cup dates are removed from the equation.

The post HHR Fate Still ‘Elephant in the Room’ As KHRC Grants ’21 Race Dates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Fan-Favorite Bodexpress Under Consideration For Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile

Following a triumphant, near track-record setting victory at Gulfstream Park West this weekend, fan-favorite Thoroughbred Bodexpress could be targeting the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Trainer Gustavo Delgado told the Daily Racing Form that the 4-year-old exited his allowance win in good order, and that either the Dirt Mile or the Grade 1 Clark at Churchill Downs on Nov. 27 may be his next targets.

“The main thing about the Dirt Mile is that it's around two turns at Keeneland, which suits him perfectly,” said assistant trainer Gustavo Delgado, Jr.. “The subject of going to the Breeders' Cup just came up this morning, so we'll need a few days to assess everything before making a final decision. One concern is whether he'd be able to get into the field if the race were to overfill, which looks very possible. If not, the Clark would likely be the choice, since he's already shown he runs well at Churchill Downs.”

Bodexpress gained notoriety when he dropped jockey John Velazquez at the start of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and took a solo tour around the Pimlico oval. Overall, the Bodemeister colt has three wins, four seconds and three thirds in his 16 lifetime starts, earning $412,500.

Blame Debbie Wins Stretch Duel With Always Shopping In Marathon Dowager At Keeneland

Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Michael Cloonan and Tim Thornton's Blame Debbie held off Always Shopping through a stretch-long duel by a head to win the 29th running of the $125,000 Rood & Riddle Dowager (G3) for fillies and mares Sunday afternoon at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky.

Trained by Graham Motion and ridden by Manny Franco, Blame Debbie covered the 1 1/2 miles on a firm turf course in 2:34.74 and became the first 3-year-old to win the race.

Blame Debbie is cataloged to Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale, which begins Nov. 9. Consigned as a racing or broodmare prospect by Bluewater Sales, agent, she is Hip 1310.

Today's victory in the Rood & Riddle Dowager is the third in the race for Motion, who previously triumphed with Kitten's Point in 2015 and Humaita (GER) in 2004.

Blame Debbie went right to the front with Always Shopping tracking just off her flank to the outside through fractions of :26.66, :53.68, 1:20.68 and 1:46.98.

On the far turn, Tyler Gaffalione on Always Shopping turned up the pressure and drew alongside Blame Debbie. The two ran as a team the rest of the way with Blame Debbie never letting her older rival get in front.

“She was so nice and so game in the lead,” said Franco. “I think she felt that other horse (Always Shopping) coming by the five-sixteenths pole to the wire. She never let that one pass her. I was really pleased. I was riding to the wire, and she responded to me the whole way.”

Gaffalione, aboard the runner-up, said: “We went pretty easy early on in the race. There wasn't much speed so I figured it would be a sprint to the wire. My filly just couldn't get her nose in front but she put in a big effort today.”

The victory was worth $75,000 and increased Blame Debbie's earnings to $215,920 with a record of 10-3-1-3. It is the first stakes victory for the Kentucky-bred daughter of Blame out of the Invasor (ARG) mare Jadwa. She is a graduate of Keeneland's 2018 September Yearling Sale.

Sent off as the favorite, Blame Debbie paid $5, $3.20 and $2.60. Always Shopping returned $4 and $2.80 and finished 2¼ lengths in front of With Dignity, who paid $2.60 to show under Julien Leparoux.

It was another half-length back to Over Thinking, who was followed in order by Siberian Iris (IRE) and Naomi Broadway (BRZ).

The final four days of the 17-day Fall Meet kick off Wednesday afternoon with an eight-race program beginning at 1:05 ET.

Keeneland will offer a Super High 5 carryover of $24,224.49.

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