Parx Racing cancelled its 10-race card on Monday, July 20 due to extreme heat in the area, according to a post on the track's Twitter account.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for Bensalem, Pa., which will be in effect until 8 p.m. on Monday. Temperatures are expected to rise to 96 degrees Fahrenheit.
Racing resumes Tuesday.
The post Parx Cancels Monday Racing Due To Heat Advisory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Owners and fans can soon return to the races at Parx, according to a Facebook post earlier this week by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association.
On July 6, owners and fans will be allowed to attend but restricted to the grandstand in designated areas. They will not be permitted to reenter the backstretch or track kitchen yet.
The horsemen's group indicated the track was working with state health officials to determine best practices in phased reopening.
July 6 will also see the return of claiming races, which had been left out since the track resumed racing on June 22 in an attempt to prevent extraneous contact between horsemen and racing office officials amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The post Parx To Allow Owners And Fans Beginning July 6 With New Guidelines appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Asbury Ave was declared the winner of the second race at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pa., on June 24, 2020, after a stewards inquiry and two jockey claims of foul stemming from an incident in the stretch that included one rider reaching over and appearing to push or grab one of his rivals .
Vencil and jockey Adam Bowman was first across the line, finishing a nose in front of Asbury Ave and jockey Hector Caballero, who moments earlier had his arm extended toward jockey Laureano Flores Jr., aboard Afleet Melody. Stewards ruled that Vencil drifted out, causing interference against Asbury Ave, original third-place finisher Afleet Melody and original fourth-place finisher Inspired Options.
Vencil was disqualified and placed fourth.
A rider's claim of foul by Flores on Afleet Melody against Asbury Ave and Caballero was dismissed by the stewards. The Equibase chart footnotes say Caballero “reached out and pushed the rider of Afleet Melody for several strides.” Carlos Mercado, agent for Caballero, said his rider told him that his whip got tangled up with Flores and Afleet Melody. Once his arm was free, Caballero resumed using the whip on Asbury Ave and came up a nose short at the finish, though he ended up with the victory via disqualification anyway.
Those who bet Asbury Ave, at 60-1 the longest shot in the field of seven maiden claimers, were rewarded with mutuel payoffs of $122.40 to win, $39.60 to place and $16.230 to show.
The post At Arm’s Length: Wild Stretch Run At Parx Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
Following is an open letter to breeders from the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much hardship in the breeding and racing world. Its effect on our families has been physically and mentally demanding, and in some cases, devastating. We hope that the worst is behind us. We'd like to thank our breeders who donated money to help others feed and care for their horses during this time of need. With the reopening of Pennsylvania racing, it is imperative that our breeders begin to earn as much as possible to make up for the unexpected shutdown.
Let us first start by saying that breeder awards will be paid at the same rate as before the closure, which includes the additional 25 percent for maiden races, finishing first through third. That's 50 percent for PA-Sired PA-Breds and 25 percent for non-PA-Sired PA-Breds. Breeder awards in all other races will continue to be paid at 40 percent and 20 percent respectively.
Secondly, owner bonuses will remain the same as before the closure. Parx will be at 40 percent, Penn National at 20 percent and Presque Isle at 30 percent. Many of our breeders are also racing their horses, so it is important to keep those percentages at the same level. By doing this, we help to solidify our commitment to those breeders who sell their horses commercially and to the new owners that purchase at the sales.
Restricted races, which are very much a staple for many of our breeders and an alternative for new owners, will continue to be offered at all three racetracks.
Also, where would Pennsylvania be without PA Day at the Races? At this point, it is unclear when fans will be allowed back in the stands but we will be moving our big day to sometime around Labor Day, which will include PA-Bred Stakes Races! Fans or not, those of you who look forward to this full card, PA-Bred day will not be disappointed.
We feel that the combination of awards, bonuses and restricted races listed above are necessary in order to bring Pennsylvania breeding and racing back with a splash. We would like to thank the PTHA and the HBPA for their continued contribution making the Pennsylvania breeding program the best in the country! It is only with all of our organizations working together that we are and will continue to be PA Proud! Go Pa!!
The post Pennsylvania Breeder, Owner Awards To Remained Unchanged Through Pandemic-Affected Season appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
