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All-Stakes Cross Country Pick 5 Features Racing From Aqueduct, Oaklawn, Tampa

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host an all-stakes Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring racing action from Aqueduct Racetrack, Oaklawn Park and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday's sequence kicks off at Tampa Bay Downs with the $150,000 Suncoast [Race 8, 3:49 p.m.], a one mile and 40 yard test for sophomore fillies offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A field of eight is led by Nest, a bay daughter of Curlin, who captured the Grade 2 Demoiselle last out at the Big A for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Maiden winners Peaceful Surprise and Princess Elin will look to spring an upset.

Action switches to Aqueduct for the second leg featuring the $100,000 Gander [Race 8, 4:30 p.m.], a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores led by stakes winners Barese and Geno. Barese, undefeated in two starts, captured the Rego Park last out for trainer Mike Maker; while Geno enters from a neck score in the NYSSS Great White Way for conditioner David Donk. Impressive maiden winner Bold Journey, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning New York-bred Americanrevolution, will make his stakes debut for Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

A field of seven older fillies and mares line up in the middle leg in the Grade 3 Bayakoa [Race 8, 4:47] at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile test led by the multiple graded stakes placed Coach for trainer Brad Cox. The 4-year-old Commissioner bay boasts a record of 5-2-1-1 at Oaklawn and will look to make the grade from the outermost post under Ricardo Santana, Jr.

The penultimate leg will see an overflow field of 13 sophomores square off in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis [Race 10, 4:54 p.m.], a 1 1/16-mile event offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A wide-open field includes a trio of contenders for Hall of Famer Mark Casse in graded stakes winner God of Love, two-time winner Golden Glider and maiden winner Volcanic. Steep opposition will be provided by the Grade 1-placed Classic Causeway for trainer Brian Lynch; undefeated multiple stakes winner Make It Big for Saffie Joseph, Jr.; and the multiple New York-bred stakes winner Shipsational for conditioner Edward Barker.

The sequence concludes with the Grade 3 Razorback [Race 10, 5:56] for older horses from Oaklawn as Lone Rock cuts back to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in eight starts for conditioner Robertino Diodoro. The multiple graded stakes winning son of Majestic Warrior won 7-of-9 starts last season, including scores in the 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park and the 13-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar. He will need to overcome the Cox-trained graded stakes winner Plainsman and the 9-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Rater R Superstar, who enters from a score in the Fifth Season at Oaklawn for trainer Federico Villafranco.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, Feb. 12:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 8, $150K Suncoast (3:49 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $100K Gander (4:30 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 8, G3 Bayakoa (4:47 p.m.)
Leg D: Tampa – Race 10, G3 Sam F. Davis (4:54 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 10, G3 Razorback (5:56 p.m.)

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Report: Investigation Reveals Former NYRA Steward Engaged In ‘Favoritism,’ Failed To Keep Records Of His Actions

A steward for the New York Racing Association from 2014 through 2019, and employed by the New York State Gaming Commission in other roles since 1986, Stephen Lewandowski has been revealed as the subject of a state investigation that indicated he engaged in “favoritism” and “inconsistent application of policies,” reports the Albany Times-Union. The report, by a New York inspector general, was released as part of a pledge of Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration to be more transparent.

The inspector general's investigation, conducted in 2018, stemmed from a complaint filed by an unnamed owner who claimed Lewandowski had been withholding the purse money his horse had won. Then–acting Gaming Commission Inspector General Lisa Lee discovered the owner and his trainer had been in a dispute about training/veterinary fees, and that Lewandowski had withheld the purse money for more than a year without either notifying other Gaming Commission officials or filing a suspension of the owner.

Lewandowski's colleagues also told investigators that he was “arrogant, condescending, intimidating and disrespectful” and acted like “God at the track.”

The investigative report concluded: “Lewandowski's fitness to represent the commission as a steward should be reconsidered given his actions against licensees who have not been suspended or revoked, his lack of understanding as to his role vis-a-vis the Division of Horse Racing and Pari-Mutuel Wagering and the commission as a whole, as well as his lack of record-keeping related to actions taken.”

However, Lewandowski kept his job for seven months after the date of the report, at which point he retired voluntarily. Contacted by the Times-Union, Lewandowski said he was completely unaware of the inspector general's findings.

Recently, Lewandowski has been in the news for his ardent support of embattled Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert during a suspension hearing called by the New York Racing Association.

Under questioning from Baffert's attorneys, Lewandowski said he had no dealings with Baffert on any integrity or rule violation issues in his time serving as a steward in the state. Lewandowski said he called Baffert sometime after he was suspended by NYRA to offer his support.

“I feel like he's been unfairly taken advantage of,” Lewandowski said. “He's never had any problems in New York.”

On cross examination, NYRA attorney Henry Greenberg questioned that point by Lewandowski, bringing up the controversy about Baffert's non-coupled entry in the 2018 Belmont Stakes. Baffert saddled both Triple Crown winner Justify in that race as well as Restoring Hope, who was piloted by Florent Geroux. Mike Repole, co-owner of Vino Rosso and Noble Indy, would later complain to New York Post writer Tom Pedulla that Geroux put in a “reckless” ride aboard Restoring Hope, possibly in an attempt to block some of Justify's competitors.

Headlines in the Post questioned officials' decision not to launch an investigation into the race. Lewandowski said that he eventually spoke to Repole but also that he did not recall Repole's complaint. He said he did not speak to Baffert about the incident, and said he did not recall subsequent media coverage questioning the stewards' lack of investigation. He also said he did not recall eventually reversing course and speaking to Geroux, nor did he recall a meeting with the other stewards, who Greenberg suggested disagreed with each other on the best way to handle the situation.

Then, Greenberg asked Lewandowski about his support of Rick Dutrow, who was suspended 10 years and fined $50,000 after one of his horses tested positive for butorphanol and three hypodermic needles were discovered in a desk drawer in Dutrow's office. Following his retirement in 2019, Lewandowski wrote a letter to the Gaming Commission and to the Queens County District Attorney saying that Braulio Baeza Jr., then a NYRA steward, told him the syringes were planted.

Baeza later denied he told Lewandowski this. Baeza is the new state steward who holds Lewandowski's former job.

As to the dispute in stories between himself and Baeza, Lewandowski let loose.

“Braulio Baeza, one of us is lying. It's either Braulio Baeza or me. Are you accusing me of lying?” yelled Lewandowski during Baffert's hearing. “One of us is lying. Why would Braulio Baeza speak to me about Rick Dutrow, who he had nothing to do with. One of us is lying. And I'm not accusing anybody. But it's either him or me. And believe me, he said it to more than one person.

“…Are you calling me a liar, sir? Are you calling me a liar? I am not a liar … I thought Braulio Baeza was a good man. One of us had the information to help a man who was wiped out.

Belmont Attendance Capped At 50,000; Tickets On Sale This Week

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that tickets for the 2022 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will go on sale to the public on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. via Ticketmaster.com.

Highlighted by the 154th running of the Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes – the oldest and most challenging leg of horse racing's vaunted Triple Crown – the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin on Thursday, June 9, and conclude Saturday, June 11.

Capacity for the June 11 Belmont Stakes will be 50,000 fans.

The construction of UBS Arena, which opened its doors to the public in November, has significantly altered and reduced the size of the Belmont Park backyard. As a result of this change to the property, fewer general admission tickets will be available for the 2022 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival than in previous years.

The capacity of Belmont Park is expected to expand in future years following the completion of a significant capital improvement project that will provide spectator access to the infield. In January, NYRA received the required New York State approvals to construct vehicular and pedestrian tunnels to unlock the Belmont Park infield for a variety of uses, including to accommodate fans during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival.

“The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival is a celebration of the best of thoroughbred racing, and we look forward to the return of fans in large numbers following last year's considerable restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “As the Belmont Park property continues to transition and evolve, NYRA is committed to providing our loyal fans with the best possible experience now and in the future. The updated capacity will accomplish this goal while ensuring that fans are treated to an incredibly exciting three days of world class racing and entertainment.”

The three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, launched in its current format in 2015, features a unique blend of world-class racing and entertainment complemented by a wide variety of differentiated hospitality options. The 2022 edition of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will feature the very best in thoroughbred racing including 17 stakes races over the three days of action and eight Grade 1 races on Belmont Stakes Day, June 11.

NYRA will be offering advance pre-sale opportunities to NYRA Bets members, returning ticket buyers and others beginning on Tuesday, February 8. All groups eligible for the pre-sale will be notified directly via email.

The Belmont Stakes is an American tradition inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack and moved in 1905 to its familiar home at beautiful Belmont Park. As the third leg of racing's Triple Crown, the 1 ½-mile “Test of the Champion,” as the Belmont Stakes is known, has showcased many of history's greatest thoroughbreds over 151 editions.

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Updated: Cross Country Pick 5 Features Stakes From Aqueduct, Tampa Bay Downs

The New York Racing Association Inc. (NYRA) will host a Cross Country Pick 5 on Saturday featuring graded-stakes action from Aqueduct Racetrack and Tampa Bay Downs.

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday's sequence kicks off at 1:42 p.m. Eastern in Race 4 at Tampa Bay Downs, a one-mile turf allowance for older horses. The Chad Brown-trained Soft Power has been installed as the 8-5 morning line favorite after winning on debut at Belmont Park in June, defeating next-out winner Ranger Fox by a nose for owner Klaravich Stables.

The sequence will continue in Race 6 at Tampa Bay Downs at 2:42 p.m. Eastern with the Grade 3, $175,000 Endeavour, a 1 1/16-mile turf test for older fillies and mares led by Grade 1-winner Lady Speightspeare.

Trained by Hall of Famer Roger Attfield, the regally-bred Lady Speightspeare is by Speightstown and out of the multiple graded stakes winning Theatrical mare Lady Shakespeare, who is a full sister to Grade 1-winner Shakespeare and half-sister to Grade 1-winner Perfect Shirl.

The 4-year-old Lady Speightspeare, who has won 4-of-5 starts, won both of her graded stakes at Woodbine Racetrack, capturing the Grade 1 Natalma at one-mile on turf as a juvenile and the Grade 2 Bessarabian at seven furlongs on Tapeta in November. The Charles Fipke homebred will make her seasonal debut out of a third-place finish in the Tropical Park Oaks at 1 1/16-miles on December 26 on the Gulfstream Park turf. Steep opposition will be provided by In Italian, who has won 2-of-3 starts and will be making her stakes debut for four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown.

The action continues in Race 8 at Tampa Bay Downs [3:46 p.m.] with the Grade 3, $175,000 Tampa Bay, a 1 1/16-mile turf test featuring an overflow field of 13 older horses. Shirl's Speight, a 5-year-old son of Speightstown out of the aforementioned Perfect Shirl, will tackle a solid group of fellow graded stakes winners, including English Bee, Eons, Get Smokin, Clear Vision, and Devamani.

The action switches to the Big A for the final two legs, beginning with an open one-turn mile allowance in Race 7 [3:55 p.m.] featuring New York-bred stakes winner Chowda and maiden winners Castle Chaos and Southern District.

A field of 11 sophomores will battle nine furlongs in the Grade 3, $250,000 Withers, offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers, to close out the sequence in Race 8 at 4:25 p.m.

Courvoisier, winner of the one-turn mile Jerome last out for trainer Kelly Breen, will face returning rivals Smarten Up, Cooke Creek, Unbridled Bomber and Mr Jefferson. An emerging group of Derby hopefuls includes maiden winners Constitutionlawyer and Early Voting.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, February 5:

Leg A: Tampa – Race 4, allowance (1:42 p.m.)

Leg B: Tampa – Race 6, G3 Endeavour (2:42 p.m.)

Leg C: Tampa – Race 8, G3 Tampa Bay (3:46 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 7, allowance (3:55 p.m.)

Leg E: Aqueduct – Race 8, G3 Withers (4:25 p.m.)

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