NTRA | Horse Racing Free Tips

Letruska On Top In NTRA Thoroughbred Poll

St. George Stable's 5-year-old mare Letruska remains at No. 1 in the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll, with the order of the top 10 horses staying almost the same as last week.

Letruska, trained by Fausto Gutierrez, has 16 first-place votes and 327 points. This year, Letruska has Grade 1 victories in the Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park and in the Ogden Phipps at Belmont Park. She also has a Grade 2 win in the Fleur de Lis at Churchill Downs.

Godolphin's 4-year-old Maxfied, trained by Brendan Walsh, is in second place with six first-place votes and 279 points. A winner three times in four starts in 2021, Maxfield captured the June 26 Grade 2 Stephen Foster Stakes at Churchill Downs in his most recent start.

Klaravich Stables' Domestic Spending, and Winchell Thoroughbreds and Willis Horton Racing's 4-year-old Silver State, are now in a third-place tie, each with 250 points. Trained by Chad Brown, Domestic Spending, with seven first-place votes, finished in a dead heat for first with Colonel Liam in the Grade 1 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic, and won the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan Stakes at Belmont Park. Silver State, trained by Steve Asmussen, has won all four of his starts this year, including a last-out victory in the Grade 1 Hill 'N' Dale Metropolitan Handicap on June 5 at Belmont. Silver State received three first-place votes this week.

Godolphin's 3-year-old Essential Quality, who won the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, remained in fifth place. Trained by Brad Cox, Essential Quality, who is being pointed to this Saturday's Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, has three first-place votes and 215 points.

Korea Racing Authority's Knicks Go, also trained by Cox, is in sixth place. Winner of the Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap on July 2 and Gulfstream Park's Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January, Knicks Go has 151 points.

Godolphin's 4-year-old Mystic Guide was taken out of training last week due to a knee injury. Trained by Mike Stidham, Mystic Guide, the Group 1 Dubai World Cup winner, retained seventh place with two first-place votes and 104 points.

Michael Lund Petersen's 4-year-old Gamine, the 2020 champion female sprinter, is three for three this year, including a victory in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall Jackson Winery at Churchill Downs. Trained by Bob Baffert, Gamine is in eight place with 101 points.

Juddmonte's 3-year-old Mandaloun, who was moved up from second to first place in the Grade 1 TVG.com Haskell Stakes at Monmouth Park on July 18 following the disqualification of Hot Rod Charlie, retained ninth place. Mandaloun, who finished second in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve, has 55 points.

Hot Rod Charlie, owned by Boat Racing, Gainesway Stable, Roadrunner Racing, and William Strauss, moved from 11th to 10th place this week, replacing Godolphin's Althiqa (GB). Hot Rod Charlie, second in the Belmont Stakes, has 48 points.

The NTRA Top Thoroughbred polls are the sport's most comprehensive surveys of experts. Every week eligible journalists and broadcasters cast votes for their top 10 horses, with points awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. All horses that have raced in the U.S., are in training in the U.S., or are known to be pointing to a major event in the U.S. are eligible for the NTRA Top Thoroughbred Poll. Voting in the Top Thoroughbred Poll is scheduled to be conducted through Nov. 6.

The full results for the NTRA Thoroughbred Polls can be found on the NTRA website at: https://www.ntra.com/ntra-top-thoroughbred-poll-july-26-2021/

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NHC Rundown: 2020 NHC Champion Thomas Goldsmith Qualifies For 2022 Championships

Each week, the NTRA will provide a rundown of those who have qualified for the National Horseplayers Championship (NHC) from the previous weekend. A total of eight individuals qualified for the 2022 NHC, led by Thomas Goldsmith, who won the 2020 NHC title. Dave Wang, of Las Vegas, became a double qualifier.

The NHC is the most important tournament of the year for horseplayers and is the culmination of a year-long series of NTRA-sanctioned local tournaments conducted by racetracks, casino race books, off-track betting facilities and horse racing and handicapping websites, each of which sends its top qualifiers to the national finals. The 2021 NHC is slated to take place in the Bally's Events Center from Aug. 27-29 with the 2022 NHC set for Jan. 28-30 at Bally's.

Last weekend's qualifiers, and their respective contest sites, are as follows:

Horseplayers, Friday, 7/9/2021

Dave Wang of Las Vega, NV, has double qualified for the 2022 NHC.

“I am excited to be double qualified for the 2022 NHC,” said Wang. “Obviously, two entries are better than one but I think this is especially true in the mandatory races. I am usually torn between two horses in the generally full-fields of the mandatories—-now I can play them both.”

His key race was the eighth at Belmont, when Dancingwithdaffodls came from off the pace in a 1 1/16-mile allowance optional claiming race and won by a half-length, paying $46.20. “I had a decent shot at pulling an upset at a big price, said Wang. “Fortunately, “I got lucky,” and added, “I love playing in the NHC finals and I hope I can use my two entries to double the fun and maybe some big money.”

Kirk Tesar of Ankeny, IA, has qualified for his fifth NHC.

Lone Star Park, Saturday, 7/10/21

Thomas Goldsmith of Montgomery, Texas won the 2020 NHC. He has now qualified for his fourth Championship appearance.

Mark Simonovich of Richardson, TX, has qualified for his third NHC.

Ellen Patrick-Leavell of Irving, TX, has qualified for her seventh NHC. In last weekend's Lone Star Summer Challenge tournament, Ellen needed a strong comeback and saw a horse named Streak of Silver in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity that “jumped out at me that was going off at 17-1.” Ellen wagered $100WP and Streak of Silver broke on top as was never headed; paying Ellen $2,510 and “skyrocketing me from 32nd to second place.” She played it safe for the last two races and wound up finishing third overall in the Summer Challenge, and earned a NHC seat in 2022.

An NHC Mentor, Ellen's major career was the time she became the first female to win a Last Chance/First Chance tournament, which was held in January 2017 – earning $22,165 ― at Treasure Island in Las Vegas. Ellen qualified for her first NHC in 2008 and played in the January 2009 Championship at Red Rock Resort.

George Brant of Ft. Worth, TX, has qualified for this second NHC.

Belmont Derby Day Challenge NYRA Bets Saturday, July 10, 2021

James Herthum of Whitesboro, NY, has qualified for his first NHC

Ellis Starr of Lexington, KY, is a first-time NHC qualifier, who is the National Racing Analyst for Equibase, and writes regularly for the site, and for America's Best Racing, covering the major races and handicapping challenges around the country.

To qualify last week, Starr nailed a $100 exacta on European runners Bolshoi Ballet and Tokyo Gold in the Belmont Derby Invitational, which returned $1,940 and placed him in the top 10. In Belmont's following race, he wagering $1,000 on Fox Ranger to win and cashed for $2,550, and an NHC 2022 slot.

“Having tried to qualify for many years, I feel lucky and honored to have joined the ranks of so many great handicappers who participate in the NHC annually,” said Starr, who began attending the Southern California tracks when he was about eight years old.

Horsetourneys.com Sunday, 7/11/21

Craig Hom of San Francisco has qualified for his 12th NHC. He grew up playing the Dollar Fridays at Bay Meadows. Hom hit five winners in 12 races, all at around 5-1. His biggest winner paid $18.10. “Often times the difference in a contest isn't by 'such and such' dollars but they flip on the whisker of a photo finish.”

Hom is looking forward to returning to Las Vegas. “After a year like 2020, (I'm) really excited to be back in a big room with fellow horseplayers. Have made a lot of good friends through these on site contests. Feels great to qualify again. Never take it for granted. It's definitely not easy.”

Michael Kiatipis of Toronto, has qualified for his second NHC.

Click here for the full NHC Leaderboard

Click here for upcoming NHC qualifiers

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Jockeys Across America To Salute National Disability Independence Day With PDJF Fundraisers

The Jockeys' Guild, Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) and National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), in conjunction with racetracks across the United States, today announced that riders competing on Saturday, July 31 (or another mutually agreed upon date that week at racetracks not racing that day) will wear PDJF arm bands to pay tribute to National Disability Independence Day and to raise awareness and funds for the PDJF.

Jockeys at more than 20 racetracks will participate in various activities to support the PDJF while also saluting National Disability Independence Day, which marks the 31st anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Passed by Congress in 1990 and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, the ADA banned discrimination based on disability in all parts of public life while improving the quality of life immeasurably for millions of people with disabilities.

Most racetracks will host activities on Saturday, July 31 although some racetracks that do not race on that day will be participating on another date during the week. Fans should check with their local racetrack for exact dates and events. Throughout the day, fans and industry participants will be encouraged to contribute to the PDJF at PDJF.org. The PDJF is a 501(c)(3) public charity that provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries.

“The PDJF welcomes teaming up with the Jockeys' Guild and NTRA to honor the passage of this very important piece of legislation that has changed the lives for all Americans living with a disability,” said Nancy LaSala, Board President of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund. “The lives of PDJF recipients are improved as a result and for this we are very grateful.”

Racetracks along with their jockey colony participating in the promotion include: Arizona Downs; Arlington Park; Canterbury Park, Colonial Downs Racetrack; Delaware Park; Del Mar Thoroughbred Club; Emerald Downs; Fan Duel Sports Book and Horse Racing (formerly Fairmount Park); Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack; Golden Gate Fields; Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino; Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races; Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Los Alamitos Race Course; Monmouth Park; Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort; Pimlico Race Course; Ruidoso Downs; Sam Houston Race Park; and Saratoga Race Course.

“The NTRA is proud to join the Jockeys' Guild and Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund in paying tribute to landmark civil rights legislation known as the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures that individuals with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as all Americans,” said Alex Waldrop, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NTRA.

“We thank the many jockeys from around the country for supporting this effort to heighten awareness of the Americans with Disabilities Act and assist in raising funds for the PDJF,” said Terry Meyocks, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Jockeys' Guild and a member of the Board of Directors of the PDJF. “We also are immensely grateful to everyone who contributes financially to the PDJF.”

The Permanently Disabled Jockeys' Fund (PDJF) is a 501(c)(3) charity that currently provides financial assistance to approximately 60 former jockeys who have suffered catastrophic on-track injuries. Founded in 2006 by leaders in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse industries, the PDJF has disbursed over $11.5 million to permanently disabled jockeys, most of whom have sustained paralysis or traumatic brain injuries. For more information and to donate, please visit www.pdjf.org.

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Seven Industry Organizations To Sponsor Individual TIEA Awards

Seven industry organizations have come on board as individual award category sponsors for the 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA). These sponsors will help spread the reach of this important industry initiative.

Leading industry organizations Hallway Feeds, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, the Keeneland Association, the New York Racing Association, I am Horse Racing, and Churchill Downs have joined TIEA as individual award category sponsors for the 2021 edition of the program.

Each organization has joined as a title sponsor of an award category, while Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will continue as the principal sponsor of the awards. TIEA is also supported by partners The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association (NHBPA), the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and the Breeders' Cup.

“We're thrilled to bring these leading organizations on board with TIEA to continue to spread the scope of the awards,” Godolphin's Charitable Director, Katie LaMonica said. “TIEA is a national program for our industry – anyone in our industry can nominate, and anyone can be nominated. We know the addition of these partners will expand the reach of TIEA and allow more hard-working individuals to be recognized for their dedication to our sport.”

In the first five years of TIEA, more than six hundred nominations have been received, with one hundred finalists recognized and over six hundred thousand dollars awarded in prize money. In 2021, a total of seven categories, including the new Support Services division, will be presented and will carry total prize money of $122,000. The Award Ceremony will be held on Friday, October 15th, in the sales pavilion at Keeneland.

“TIEA is an incredibly important initiative in our industry and sport,” noted Dr. Luke Fallon of Hagyard, title sponsor of the Leadership Award. “With the workforce shortage we see throughout not only our industry, but the country, TIEA provides an opportunity for employers to elevate their most valued people. Hagyard is proud to sponsor the Leadership Award and looks forward to handing out one of those beautiful trophies in October.”

Nominations for 2021 are open through Aug. 2. For more information and to nominate online, please go to www.tiea.org.

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