New York Racing Association | Horse Racing Free Tips

NYRA Suspends Baffert

There was more bad news for Bob Baffert Monday, as the New York Racing Association announced that it has temporarily suspended the trainer, which means he will not be allowed to enter any horses at NYRA tracks or occupy stall space.

“In order to maintain a successful thoroughbred racing industry in New York, NYRA must protect the integrity of the sport for our fans, the betting public and racing participants,” NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke said in a statement. “That responsibility demands the action taken today in the best interests of thoroughbred racing.”

While Baffert was not planning on running any of his horses in the GI Belmont S., he was aiming Charlatan (Speightstown) for the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H., run the same day as the Belmont. In most years, Baffert has also had starters during the Saratoga meet. It was not immediately known whether or not Charlatan or any other horses now trained by Baffert can run at the NYRA tracks for other trainers.

NYRA has joined Churchill Downs as tracks that are no longer accepting entries from Baffert. After agreeing to a number of conditions, including pre-race drug tests, Baffert was allowed to compete in the GI Preakness S. and other weekend stakes at Pimlico, by the track's owner, The Stronach Group. Medina Spirit (Protonico) ran third in the Preakness and stablemate Concert Tour (Street Sense) finished a well-beaten ninth.

In a response to TDN via email, Baffert's attorney, W. Craig Robertson, said: “I am just now reviewing the NYRA decision and then I will discuss it with Bob, along with all of his legal options. No formal statement or decision until both of those take place.”

Baffert's troubles began when he announced that he had been informed by the Kentucky Racing Commission that Medina Spirit had tested positive for the banned medication betamethasone, which is a corticosteroid. The betamethasone positive cannot be officially confirmed until after a split sample has been tested. Baffert has admitted that Medina Spirit was treated with an anti-fungal ointment which contains betamethasone.

NYRA acknowledged that, when making the decision, it took under consideration that Baffert has had numerous positives over the last several months.

“In addition to the ongoing investigation into Medina Spirit's victory in the Kentucky Derby, NYRA has taken into account the fact that other horses trained by Mr. Baffert have failed drug tests in the recent past, resulting in the assessment of penalties against him by thoroughbred racing regulators in Kentucky, California, and Arkansas,” read NYRA's statement.

NYRA called the suspension “temporary” and said it will make a final determination based on information revealed during the course of the ongoing investigation in Kentucky, such as the post-Kentucky Derby test results of Medina Spirit.

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Saratoga’s Renovation Of Oklahoma Training Track Now Complete

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced the completion of a major renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track at Saratoga Race Course.

Horses and riders, who were welcomed to jog and gallop over the surface beginning Wednesday morning, were met with a completely reconstructed Oklahoma track featuring a limestone base, renovated surface layer and modernized drainage systems. The training track has been widened by 10-to-14 feet in most areas to address the increasing population of horses training over the Oklahoma annually from April to October.

Additionally, to enhance safety for exercise riders and jockeys, the inner rail at the Oklahoma has been replaced with a rider protection system designed by Horsemen's Track and Equipment.

The work at the Oklahoma mirrors the work performed on the Saratoga main track in 2020, which was universally supported by horsemen and riders. As at the Oklahoma, the main track renovation involved general improvements to the base and surface of the track, as well as a complete overhaul of the drainage system and installation of a new rider safety rail.

“The renovation of the Oklahoma Training Track is an investment in the future of Saratoga Race Course that reflects NYRA's ongoing commitment to safety,” said Glen Kozak, NYRA Senior Vice President for Operations and Capital Projects. “Just like the work done to the main track last year, the Oklahoma will now recover quickly from summer storms resulting in a consistent and high-quality training surface for horses and riders.”

Serving as consultants on the Oklahoma renovation were Dr. Mick Peterson and the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL), which performed regular testing of the quality and composition of the new surface. As a final step before reopening, Dr. Peterson and the RSTL team inspected the surface and base utilizing ground penetrating radar and the Biomechanical Surface Tester, which replicates loads and speed of a thoroughbred's leading forelimb at gallop.

The team assembled by NYRA to contribute expertise to the renovation
included GRW, the architectural and engineering firm based in Lexington, Kentucky, with deep experience in racetrack design. Michael Depew, a soil scientist and agronomist, provided additional consulting services.

Beginning Monday, May 17, a limited number of owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) will be permitted in the barn area and to observe morning training at Saratoga. In order to secure access to the Saratoga property, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 3 days of the request. Licensed owners who satisfy the vaccination or testing requirement must have a horse stabled at Saratoga in order to access the property.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards. Testing and vaccination requirements are subject to change, and will be adjusted accordingly as New York State and CDC guidance evolve.

To secure barn area access, owners can obtain updated credentials by reporting to Gate 21 at Saratoga Race Course with their NYSGC license to provide NYRA security with proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test. Gate 21 will receive owners seeking barn area access Tuesday-Friday between 8 a.m. and noon.

Owners approved to enter the Oklahoma barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

The 40-day summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will feature 76 stakes worth $21.5 million in total purses, will open on Thursday, July 15, and conclude on Monday, September 6. For additional information, visit NYRA.com.

The post Saratoga’s Renovation Of Oklahoma Training Track Now Complete appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jackpocket Official Mobile Lottery Partner of NYRA

Jackpocket, the only licensed third-party lottery app in the United States, will become the official mobile lottery partner of the New York Racing Association and will become the title sponsor of the $400,000 GI Jackpocket Jaipur S. June 5, a six-furlong turf event that serves as a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The announcement of the partnership comes on the heels of the company's New York launch this past January and more recently on the Google Play Store.

Jackpocket allows New York residence to order official state lottery tickets (Mega Millions, Powerball, Win 4) from their smartphones in an easy and secure fashion. In 2019, the New York Gaming Commission approved new regulations allowing digital lottery courier services to operate in New York. Jackpocket is the first and only officially-licensed New York courier service under the new regulatory framework.

“We're proud to partner with the New York Racing Association in what we believe will be the start of a long and fruitful relationship,” said Jackpocket CEO Peter Sullivan. “NYRA is a true New York institution, thanks in part to storied tracks like Belmont Park, Saratoga Race Course and Aqueduct Racetrack, where the best in the sport have competed for decades.”

Jackpocket becomes a preferred partner of the Belmont S. and racing at Belmont and Saratoga as part of the agreement.

The company will also sponsor the Jackpocket Handicapping Challenges, a series of one-day handicapping contests at NYRA tracks with a $3,000 buy-in for the following programs:

The Stars & Stripes Challenge, presented by Jackpocket at Belmont July 3;

The Whitney Challenge, presented by Jackpocket at Saratoga Aug. 7;

The Jockey Club Gold Cup Challenge, presented by Jackpocket at Saratoga Sept. 4; and

The Cigar Mile Challenge, presented by Jackpocket at Aqueduct Dec. 4.

“NYRA is pleased to partner with Jackpocket, and we thank them for their support of thoroughbred racing at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course,” said Tony Allevato, NYRA Chief Revenue Officer & President of NYRA Bets. “Horseplayers should look forward to an exciting slate of one-day handicapping contests this spring and summer made possible by Jackpocket.”

Fans downloading the Jackpocket app can use the code 'PONIES' at checkout to receive a free lottery ticket.

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Belmont Festival Tickets on Sale May 6

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Tuesday that a limited number of tickets for the 2021 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will go on sale to the public on Thursday, May 6 starting at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.com. The three-day festival kicks off Thursday, June 3 and is headlined, of course, by the GI Belmont S. June 5. NYRA will offer advance pre-sale opportunities to 2020 Belmont Stakes ticket buyers, along with NYRA Bets Elite, Preferred and Bronze members, beginning on Wednesday, May 5. Eligible groups will be notified via email. With New York State set to expand capacity for outdoor sports and entertainment venues to 33% starting May 19, Belmont Park will be able to accommodate approximately 11,000 ticketed spectators. Ticketed inventory will be limited to reserved seats and hospitality areas–there will be no general admission tickets sold at this time. All ticketed spectators will be required to submit proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result in order to enter Belmont Park.

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