“We have had a good year here at Mahoning Valley, setting several handle records along the way,” comments Elizabeth Rogers, Assistant Director of Racing, “the timing of this increase will help us set the stage for an even better 2022.”

The purse increase will be visually reflected beginning with the first condition book of 2022 which released online today.

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a first race post time of 12:45pm and Saturday with a first race post time of 12:15pm. The fall race meet runs Oct. 22 – Dec. 30, 2021 with three unique cards on Friday, Oct. 22, Friday, Nov. 26, and Thursday, Dec. 30 all with a first race post time of 12:45pm.

The 2022 Winter/Spring race meet dates run Jan. 1, 2022 – April 16, 2022 following the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday format.

The post Strong Handle Allows Mahoning Valley To Boost Purses 10 Percent appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

“We are excited to welcome racing fans and horses back to Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course,” commented Rob Swedinovich, Vice President and General Manager, “The team here has been working diligently creating a fun opening weekend and great racing season calendar that fans can look forward to every year.”

This season, handicappers will notice some new and exciting additions to the wagering menu as well as the return of familiar favorites.

“I received great feedback from our handicappers this summer with the most common request being a rolling daily double and rolling Pick 3, I am happy to deliver on both,” states Elizabeth Rogers, Assistant Director of Racing.

This will make Mahoning Valley the only thoroughbred track in Ohio to offer such a wager. Returning favorites include the low, 15% takeout Pick 3, Pick 4, and Pick 5 and for those who enjoy jackpot wagers, the Buckeye Jackpot Pick 6. Last season saw the Pick 6 carryover grow to over $340,000 before being offered as a mandatory payout on March 29 paying out $7,448 on a winning 20-cent ticket.

The first stake action of the meet will be on October 30 when the top Ohio Breds take to the track competing for half a million dollars in purses in the final Best of Ohio stakes of 2021. Three weeks later will see the return of the $250,000 Steel Valley Sprint for three year olds going 6 furlongs on November 22. Nominations for the Steel Valley Sprint close on November 8.

First post Friday, October 22 is 12:45pm with Bon Journey taking the stage immediately after live racing. Saturday, October 23 will have a first race post time of 12:15pm with wiener dogs taking to the track after the second race at approximately 12:50pm. Fundraising for the Permanently Disabled Jockey's Fund will be ongoing throughout the races with a silent auction and signings by local and retired jockeys. Confirmed special guests include Mike Manganello, Sandy Hawley, Kaoru Tsuchiya-Hawley, Roger Blanco, and Maureen Andrews. The smooth sounds of House of Soul will close out opening weekend celebrations.

Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Valley Race Course races Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with a first race post time of 12:45pm and Saturday with a first race post time of 12:15pm. The fall race meet runs October 22 – December 30, 2021 with three unique cards on Friday, October 22, Friday, November 26, and Thursday, December 30 all with a first race post time of 12:45pm. The 2022 Winter/Spring race meet dates are anticipated to be January 1, 2022 – April 16, 2022 following the same Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday format. These dates are currently pending approval by the Ohio State Racing Commission.

The post Live Racing Returns To Mahoning Valley On Oct. 22; PDJF Fundraiser Oct. 23 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

A total of 57 horses changed hands during the auction for revenues of $427,900, up 0.4 percent from the 2020 auction, where 61 horses brought $426,050. The average sale price rose 7 percent to $7,507 from $6,984 the previous year, while the buyback rate rose to 32 percent from 18 percent.

Lindall Racing purchased the sale-topper, a yearling Liam's Map colt, for $35,000.

The gray or roan colt is the first foal out of the winning Action This Day mare Great Day. The dam is a half-sister to multiple Ohio-bred champion and millionaire Rivers Run Deep, while Ohio Horse of the Year Altissimo is in the extended family.

The Ohio-bred colt colt was consigned by Sheppell Thoroughbreds, agent.

Joe Cowles bought the sale's most expensive broodmare, Be True, for $16,000.

An unraced 12-year-old daughter of Shakespeare, Be True is the dam of Group 1 Mexican Derby winner True Birthday, as well as stakes winners True Cinder and No Truer. She sold in foal to Danza, and she was consigned by Breakaway Farm.

To view the auction's full results, click here.

The post Liam’s Map Colt Tops Ohio Fall Mixed Sale appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Breeders, owners and consignors have come together to catalog 94-plus total entrants, making this OTBO sale the largest in several years. The complete catalog can be found at otbo.com.

The greatest portion of the catalog is populated with future stars of the Ohio-racing program (both accredited and registered), with 51 total Ohio-bred yearlings, 16 juveniles and 11 weanlings offered. The Ohio-bred yearlings offered are highlighted by hot Kentucky-based stallions such as Dialed In, Liam's Map and first crop sire Army Mule, and Ohio-based stallions such as Itsmyluckyday, National Flag, Fort Larned and 2020 Ohio Stallion of the Year, Mobil.

The offerings include “lucky” Hip 13, Storm of Nineteen, a 2-year-old registered Ohio-bred filly by Get Stormy that is a half-sister to the great Ohio stakes fixture, Altissimo, who himself is a 10-time stakes winner (nine in Ohio and one in open company);  Hip 17, Be True, a multiple stakes- producing mare by Shakespeare that is in foal to the late Ohio-stallion Danza, and Hip 18, her yearling Ohio-bred filly by Mshawish.

Hip 28, a 2-year-old colt by Oxbow that is a half-brother to perhaps the most famous recent Ohio bred (now a stallion), Rivers Run Deep, is another with historic ties. Hip 60 is an acccredited Ohio yearling colt by Awesome Patriot who is the sire of Bella Sofia, a four-time winner of over $542,000 this year including the Grade 1 Longines Test Stakes and most recently the G2 Gallant Bloom Handicap at Belmont Park on Sept. 26.

“The overall talent offered in this OTBO Mixed Sale catalog will almost certainly bring similar energy seen at the Keeneland Sept Yearling Sale,“ said Ohio-based bloodstock agent Tony Fischbach of Donnybrook Bloodstock.  “The quality of this year's Ohio-bred yearlings is well-above what we've seen in recent years…which shows the commitment of Ohio's breeders to breed better and better racehorses.”

In recognition of the growing success of the OTBO sale, a new race has been created. The inaugural edition of the OTBO Sales Graduate Stake will be run on March 5 at Mahoning Valley Racetrack. The race is open to all Ohio-bred/accredited 3-year-olds who passed through any sale from 2019 forward, including the 2-year-olds entered this year. The purse is an estimated $50,000 and will be six furlongs.

Online bidding will be available. For more information and a full catalog, visit otbo.com.

The post Ohio Fall Mixed Sale To Take Place Oct. 15 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The auction will take place Friday, Oct. 15 at the Delaware Co. Fairgrounds in Delaware, Ohio, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern.

This year's catalog features 52 yearlings, 16 juveniles, 12 broodmares, 11 weanlings, and a 3-year-old. The yearlings and weanlings are almost exclusive Ohio-breds, save for a pair of young horses born in Kentucky.

Stallions whose first crops are represented in the Ohio Fall Mixed Sale catalog include Army Mule, Awesome Slew, National Flag, Rivers Run Deep, and Tough It Up. Preservationist also has a first-crop weanling in the catalog, while Shancelot has multiple pregnant mares from his first book at stud.

To view the online catalog, click here.

The post Ohio Fall Mixed Sale Catalog Now Online appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

That first event is the $100,000 Best of Ohio Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old Ohio Registered foals. Scheduled as the first race, this will be the 30th running of the classic event for freshmen, that features ten youngsters vying for first prize. Corner Office, who captured the $75,000 Hoover Stakes on July 23 at Belterra, heads up this field.

The 53rd running of the $100,000 Best of Ohio Miss Ohio Stakes has been carded as race two on the ten-race program, and features six, 2-year-old Ohio Registered fillies competing in a six-furlong test. Post time is set for 12:50 pm. Candle Hours, who was second in the $75,000 Tah Dah Stakes on July 9 at Belterra, will battle recent winners Starlit Secret, Squid, and Flatter Her Again.

Race seven will get underway at 3:20 pm, and features 11 Ohio Registered, fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, batting in the $100,000 Best of Ohio Pay The Man Stakes. The 36th running of this classic Ohio stake will be contested at one and one eight miles over the Cleveland dirt. Stakes winners Grizabella, Drillit, Moonlit Mission and Totally Obsessed will vie in here.

The 72nd running of the $100,000 Best of Ohio Governor's Buckeye Cup has been carded as Race 8, with nine Ohio Registered foals, 3-year-olds and up, slated to break from the Thistledown gate. Post time in 3:50 pm for the 1¼ mile contest. Multiple stake winner Mobil Solution, Magna Man and Sammy Da Bull are all slated to battle.

The $100,000 Best of Ohio Honey Jay Stakes, a six-furlong sprint, will feature 12 Ohio Registered foals, 3-year-olds and up going postward. Set as Race 9 with a 4:20 pm post, this 33rd running of the classic Ohio sprint features fan favorites and multiple stake champions Altissimo and Mo Dont No in a long-awaited slugfest.

The post Five Best Of Ohio Events Scheduled For Saturday At Thistledown appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

In addition, with the cooperation of Mahoning Valley Race Course, the OTBO is excited to announce an annual graduate race for horses sold through the OTBO sale.

The race will be held the first week of March for 3-year-old Ohio-bred graduates of the Fall Mixed Sale. Next year, the race is open to horses born in 2019. The purse is $25,000 guaranteed, with an estimated value of $50,000.

Small sustaining payments are required, with the first due by Nov. 21, 2021. This applies to all horses foaled in 2019 that went through any OTBO sales in the previous years, including yearlings offered in last year's sale and 2-year-olds offered this year.

To view the auction's entry form, click here.

The post Ohio Mixed Sale Set For October 15, Sales Stakes Added At Mahoning Valley appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The 13-year-old son of Smart Strike previously stood at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., where he entered stud in 2013. He stood the 2021 season for an advertised fee of $5,000.

Dominus has sired six crops of racing age, with 112 winners and combined progeny earnings of more than $7.3 million.

His most notable runner to date has been Straight Fire, a fast-starting juvenile who finished second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity and third in the G1 FrontRunner Stakes. Straight Fire currently stands at stud in California.

Other runners of note by Dominus include Grade 2-placed Dominant Soul and Parsimony, and Grade 3-placed multiple stakes winner Chanel's Legacy.

Dominus won four of 10 starts during his own racing career, for earnings of $444,717. He won the G2 Dwyer Stakes as a 3-year-old, then he came back the following season to win the G2 Bernard Baruch Handicap.

Bred in Virginia by Edward P. Evans, Dominus is out of the Grade 2-placed stakes-winning Lord At War mare Cuando. He is a half-brother to the multiple graded stakes producer Ask Me When, who is herself the dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winners Aristocratic and Up the Ante.

His extended family includes Kentucky Oaks winner Sun and Snow, Grade 1 winner Honey Ryder, and Grade 3 winners Cuando Puede and Hit It Rich.

The post Dominus Moves To Ohio’s Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm For 2022 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

There are fifteen stakes races for the season featuring The Best of Ohio series on May 28, showcasing five $100,000 stakes.

Returning to Belterra Park is leading rider of the 2020 meet John McKee, and leading trainer Larry Smith looking to defend their titles. The jockey colony should be competitive with riders; Santiago Gonzalez, Sonny Leon, Joseph Ramos and the 6th leading rider in racing history, Perry Ouzts.

Trainers targeting the Belterra meet in addition to last year's top trainer Larry Smith; Wesley Ward, Tim Hamm, Thomas Drury, James Chapman, Michael Evans II, and Ron Kahles who won at a 23% win clip last season. Belterra Park will have a 9% increase in purses to begin the 2021 racing season.

Belterra Park will be offering “drive-through” wagering for both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby from 12:00 am – 6:00 pm. There will be five lanes open for wagering; cash only, and wagering on the Oaks and Derby only. There will be pre-wagering on Oaks day for the Derby the following day. Just follow the signs from Kellogg Ave to the garage area. The drive-through area will be for wagering only and you may return to cash tickets at your convenience beginning at 9:00 am May 2nd in the grandstand area.

There is a rich history of Thoroughbred racing action in the Cincinnati area. From the early 20s as Coney Island Race Course to historic River Downs. Belterra Park is proud to continue Ohio racing. Free parking and free admission daily.

The post Live Racing At Belterra Park Kicks Off April 29 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Five of the eight entrants in this year's San Francisco Mile ship up from Santa Anita in anticipation of victory. Among that group, the mare Keeper Ofthe Stars has some of the best credentials, having won the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes last May. She also sports a perfect three-for-three record on the Golden Gate turf course.

Ohio has won 11 races in his career for $639,298 in lifetime earnings, a good portion of that when winning the Grade 1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile in March of 2019. Restrainedvengence has banked $642,182 to lead the field in earnings, his wins including the Downs at Albuquerque Handicap last September.

Kiwi's Dream missed by a head when second in last year's San Francisco Mile and is a horse which has led through the opening half-mile in each of his last seven races. Whisper Not finished third in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile last December and enters the race off a sharp win at Santa Anita. Border Town finished third in the Grade 3 Thunder Road Stakes in February. Brown Storm is winless in six races since coming to the U.S. from South America and like Kiwi's Dream appears to be a need-the-lead type, as does Diamond Blitz, who is stepping way up in class after facing claiming level horses for the past two years.

Keeper Ofthe Stars checks all the boxes when it comes to predicting which horse has the highest probability to win this year's San Francisco Mile Stakes. A winner of six of 13 career starts on turf, the mare beat some of the top fillies and mares in the U.S. last year twice in a row, first when winning the Buena Vista Stakes in February at this mile trip with a 112 Equibase® Speed Figure and second when taking the Gamely Stakes last May with a career-best 115 figure. After a couple of disappointing efforts in June and August, Keeper Ofthe Stars was given time off, returning in top form following eight months off to win on the Golden Gate turf three weeks ago. Having put together back-to-back wins twice in the last 18 months and with a lot of improving to do physically in her second start back from a layoff, this mare (who gets a five pound weight break versus her male rivals) is the one to beat.

Ohio also enters this race off a sharp effort in victory, winning the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile Handicap at Turf Paradise for the third year in a row. With that win, Ohio brought his record at one mile on turf to seven for 20, including when victorious in the Frank E. Kilroe Mile at Santa Anita in March, 2019, with a career best 119 figure. In the fall of that year, Ohio finished second in the Berkeley Handicap at Golden Gate. His win in the Fitzsimmons Stakes came in his second start back following 10 months off so like Keeper Ofthe Stars, Ohio can be expected to improve off the 104 figure earned last time out and could give Keeper Ofthe Stars all she can handle in the stretch run.

Restrainedvengence is certainly no slouch, having earned more than any other horse in the field. His best effort may have been when beaten a head in the City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita in the fall of 2019 where he earned a 113 figure, but he also ran just as well when capturing the All American Stakes last May at Golden Gate with a 112 figure. Like the other two top contenders, Restrainedvengence is likely to improve, having returned from five months off in March when sixth then running a much better race last month when second in the Santana Mile Stakes. Although he finished fourth in last year's San Francisco Mile, Restrainedvengence won his only other start on the Golden Gate turf course and must be respected as a contender to win in this year's race.

The rest of the field, with their best representative Equibase® Speed Figures, is Border Town (109), Brown Storm (105), Diamond Blitz (96), Kiwi's Dream (112) and Whisper Not (109).

Win Contenders:
Keeper Ofthe Stars
Ohio (BRZ)
Restrainedvengence

San Francisco Mile Stakes – Grade 3
Race 9 at Golden Gate Fields
Saturday, April 24 – Post Time 7:45 PM E.T.
One Mile on Turf
Three Year Olds and Upward
Purse: $250,000

The post Equibase Analysis: Keeper Ofthe Stars Able To Best Male Rivals In San Francisco Mile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post