laurel | Horse Racing Free Tips

Laurel Cancels Live Racing Monday

Having returned from a brief hiatus with a full program Sunday, Jan. 16, Laurel Park was forced to cancel its holiday racing card Monday due to the lingering effects of a winter storm that swept through the Midlantic region Sunday.

The Maryland track was closed for 18 days in late autumn over safety and weather-related concerns despite the installation of a new multi-million surface. No live racing had been held since Jan. 2 prior to Sunday. A 30-minute video conference was held with members of the Maryland racing community and track executives Jan. 11 to discuss the timeline for a return to racing. Trainers were largely in favor of a sooner-than-later approach, even with the knowledge of the approaching weather system, as opposed to a more conservative plan that would have seen racing delayed to Thursday, Jan. 20.

Racing is scheduled to resume Thursday at Laurel.

The post Laurel Cancels Live Racing Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Maryland Jockey Club Adds Make-Up Dates; Horsemen’s Association Approves Purse Bonus Through Feb. 27

In order to provide funds for owners and trainers in the wake of the recent cancellations of live racing programs, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Board of Directors Jan. 12 approved a 20 percent Purse Bonus on all overnight races through Feb. 27 at Laurel Park.

In addition, the Maryland Jockey Club, during a meeting with the MTHA, agreed to add three Thursdays in February to the live racing calendar and said it will card at least 10 races a day in January and February when possible.

First post time has been moved to 12:10 p.m. in January to accommodate extra races.

A proposal to add live racing programs on Tuesday, Jan. 18, and Wednesday, Jan. 19, isn't feasible because of unavailable MRC personnel and required veterinarians. It was one of several suggestions made during an online community meeting held Jan. 11 to provide an update on the racing surface project and solicit feedback from horsemen.

The complete racing schedule under the updated calendar is as follows: Jan. 16-17; Jan. 20-23; Jan. 27-30; Feb. 3-6; Feb. 10-13; Feb. 18-21; and Feb. 24-27 for a total of 26 days.

The post Maryland Jockey Club Adds Make-Up Dates; Horsemen’s Association Approves Purse Bonus Through Feb. 27 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

MTHA Approves Purse Bonus, Addition of Racing Days

The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association Board of Directors approved a 20% Purse Bonus on all overnight races through Feb. 27 at Laurel Park Wednesday. In addition, the Maryland Jockey Club, during a meeting with the MTHA, agreed to add three Thursdays in February to the live racing calendar and said it will card at least 10 races a day in January and February when possible. First post time has been moved to 12:10 p.m. in January to accommodate extra races.

Live racing at Laurel Park is scheduled to resume Sunday, Jan. 16, after the cancellation of six racing programs due to a project that involves recomposition of the cushion material on the dirt track. Racing also is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 17. Six stakes planned for Saturday, Jan. 22, will move to Saturday, Jan. 29. The complete racing schedule under the updated calendar is as follows: Jan. 16-17; Jan. 20-23; Jan. 27-30; Feb. 3-6; Feb. 10-13; Feb. 18-21; and Feb. 24-27 for a total of 26 days.

The post MTHA Approves Purse Bonus, Addition of Racing Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

MHBA Announces New Incentives, Awards for Steeplechase Horses

The Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) Board of Directors recently voted unanimously to begin an award program for Breeder, Owner and Stallion bonuses for registered Maryland-breds at sanctioned steeplechase race meets in Maryland. Beginning in 2022, registered Maryland-bred horses that run first, second or third will receive 30% on purses earned at National Steeplechase Association-sanctioned meets in Maryland. This program is modeled on the current bonuses paid to Maryland-breds that run at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course and Timonium.

The five meets that qualify for this program this year are: My Lady's Manor, Grand National, Maryland Hunt Cup, Fair Hill, and Legacy Chase at Shawan Downs. The bonus applies to NSA-sanctioned steeplechase and flat races with listed purses at Maryland meets. Bonuses will not apply to training flat races.

“We believe this program rewards those Maryland-bred horses that have successful careers over jumps and the people who breed, own and race them here,” said Richie Blue, Jr., MHBA president. “This community is an important part of Maryland's horse industry. Much of the land that is called 'horse country' is due to their vision and efforts to preserve green space.”

The post MHBA Announces New Incentives, Awards for Steeplechase Horses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post