Tag: The Biz

Yesterday, FY 2024 budget bills agreed upon by Governor Kathy Hochul, the State Senate and Assembly, were finalized and released to the public. The Revenue Article VII Bill (S4009-C/A.3009-C) includes language authorizing the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) to utilize a $455 million loan to build new Thoroughbred racing facilities at Belmont Park.

With state approval secured, NYRA will embark on the most significant racetrack construction projects in modern memory, all at no cost to taxpayers. The centerpiece of the re-imagined Belmont Park will be a new building that will completely replace the existing grandstand and clubhouse.

NYRA is committed to working with organized labor to construct a building that properly reflects the evolution of thoroughbred racing and wagering since Belmont was last renovated in 1968. Accordingly, NYRA will replace the existing 1.25 million sq foot structure with a roughly 275,000 sq ft facility featuring the modern amenities and hospitality offerings fans now expect from major sports and entertainment venues.

“The transformation of Belmont Park will secure the future of Thoroughbred racing in New York State, create thousands of good jobs and drive tourism to Long Island and the region for decades to come,” said NYRA President & CEO David O'Rourke. “We thank Gov. Hochul and our legislative leaders for recognizing the importance of this project to the countless New York families and small businesses reliant on a strong horse racing economy.”

NYRA commends Senator Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Gary Pretlow for their collective efforts to advance this project as chairs of the Senate and Assembly Committees on Racing, Wagering and Gaming. NYRA thanks Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages for supporting and advocating for a new Belmont Park throughout this process.

The new Belmont grandstand will dramatically increase the amount of parkland available to fans throughout the year by expanding the current Belmont backyard. And because of the vehicular and pedestrian tunnels that will soon allow access to the 45-acre Belmont infield for the first time, the new Belmont Park will provide fans and the surrounding community with more open space than ever before.

“NYRA is committed to building a world-class venue that honors the history and traditions of this iconic property within a modernized overall facility,” added O'Rourke. “We will deliver a revitalized Belmont Park that will reclaim its place as a global capital of thoroughbred horse racing.”

Beyond these fan-facing improvements to Belmont, NYRA will expand its ongoing campaign to modernize backstretch housing and barn area facilities throughout the property — and build more new housing than at any point in the organization's history. In recent years, NYRA has completed two new dormitories at Belmont while successfully renovating dozens of residential cottages and buildings. In the fall of 2023, NYRA will break ground on a third new dormitory to support the backstretch community living and working at Belmont.

According to an analysis performed by HR&A Advisors, the multi-year project to build a new Belmont Park will generate $1 billion in construction-related economic impact and create 3,700 construction-related jobs. Upon completion of the project, additional racing and non-racing activities at the new Belmont Park will generate $155 million in annual economic output, support 740 new full-time jobs, and produce $10 million in new state and local tax revenue per year.

The addition of a winterized building paired with new racing surfaces and a synthetic track will result in a facility suitable to host thoroughbred racing on a year-round basis. When complete, the redevelopment will allow NYRA to consolidate all downstate racing and training activities at the new Belmont Park, unlocking 110 acres of New York State-owned land at Aqueduct Racetrack for development opportunities. Located adjacent to JFK Airport and on a major public transit line, the Aqueduct parcel was recently appraised at a value of $1 billion.

A new and re-imagined Belmont Park will guarantee the return of the Breeders' Cup World Championships to New York after a lengthy absence. In November, the Breeders' Cup announced its commitment to add Belmont to the rotation of host venues following NYRA's modernization of the facility. Despite the prominent role played in the year-end championships by New York based trainers, jockeys, and owners, the Breeders' Cup has not been held at Belmont since 2005 due to the facility's aging infrastructure and lack of winterized hospitality options.

The 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, which were conducted at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky, generated record breaking all-sources wagering handle of $189 million and attracted 85,000 racing fans over the course of two days. According to a study by University of Louisville Economics Professor Thomas E. Lambert, Ph.D, the 2022 Breeders' Cup generated total economic impact of nearly $82 million.

Over the course of the last year and a half, NYRA has conducted dozens of in-person and virtual meetings with area residents and local leaders to provide information and answer questions about the project. NYRA has also continuously solicited feedback from individuals and groups who represent the interests of the neighboring towns and villages. This dialogue will continue through listening sessions, town hall meetings and community planning workshops in the months ahead.

Belmont Park was last renovated in 1968. It is the home of the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel of horse racing's Triple Crown. An American tradition inaugurated in 1867 at Jerome Park Racetrack and moved in 1905 to its now familiar home at Belmont Park, the Belmont Stakes has provided fans with some of the most exciting moments in sports history. From Secretariat's spellbinding 31-length victory in 1973 to American Pharoah successfully ending a 37-year Triple Crown drought in 2015, the Belmont Stakes is a revered annual event that captures the attention of the sports world.

For information about Belmont Park, and the 2023 spring/summer meet, please visit NYRA.com/BelmontPark.

About the New York Racing Association (NYRA)

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) holds the exclusive franchise to conduct thoroughbred racing at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of New York State's horse racing economy, which is responsible for 19,000 jobs and more than $3 billion in annual statewide impact.

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Keeneland concluded its 2023 Spring Meet on Friday following 15 days of exceptional racing that generated record all-sources wagering of $224 million and was complemented by a slate of special events aimed at benefiting the Central Kentucky community.

“A huge thanks to our fans, the community and our horsemen who turned out in full force this spring to support Keeneland racing,” Keeneland president and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “From morning works to watching the races along the rail or tailgating on The Hill in the afternoon – there are many ways to celebrate Keeneland. It's rewarding to see memories being made and traditions shared across the grounds and around this great sport.”

All-sources wagering (not including whole-card simulcasting at Keeneland) for the Spring Meet, held April 7-28, totaled $224,348,745, surpassing the previous record of $219,284,979 set during last year's 15-day Spring Meet.

The Spring Meet marks the marks the fifth consecutive season of record wagering at Keeneland.

Wagering was boosted by an all-time record Pick 6 handle of $4,788,759 on April 21.

On-track wagering for the Spring Meet totaled $15,844,092 versus last year's $16,190,832.

Spring Meet Racing Highlights

Average daily purses at Keeneland this spring were a record $1,185,532, resulting in full fields that averaged nine starters per race.

Keeneland awarded a season record $8.05 million for 19 stakes held this spring. The schedule featured the $1 million Toyota Blue Grass (G1) and the $600,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), both major targets for the nation's top 3-year-olds. Keeneland also increased the purses for the Madison (G1) and the Jenny Wiley (G1) by $100,000 apiece to $600,000 and raised the purses of three listed stakes – the FanDuel Limestone, the Giant's Causeway and the Palisades – by $50,000 each to $250,000.

Among the memorable moments this spring:

• Tapit Trice prevailed by a neck in a thrilling Toyota Blue Grass and became a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby (G1) Presented by Woodford Reserve.
• Defining Purpose sprang an upset victory in the Central Bank Ashland to propel her into the Kentucky Oaks (G1) field.
• Goodnight Olive, the Eclipse Award-winning champion female sprinter of 2022, returned in style with a 1-length victory in the Madison.
• Caravel captured the Shakertown (G2) by a head in her first start since winning the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1) here in November.
• In Italian (GB) led all the way to win the Jenny Wiley in her season debut.
• Three turf stakes records were set. Chez Pierre (FR) won the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) in 1:33.46; in two 5½-furlong races Twilight Gleaming (IRE) went 1:01.74 in the Giant's Causeway and Gaslight Dancer was timed in 1:02.71 in the Palisades.

“Tremendous thanks to our horsemen and women, who continually elevate the quality of racing here at Keeneland,” Keeneland vice president of racing Gatewood Bell said. “Keeneland in the spring is so competitive. The best owners, trainers and jockeys all converge here; many of them don't get a chance to race against each other any other time. It makes for a fun season of racing for them and for the betting public.”

Spring Meet Leaders

Boosted by two multiple-win race days, Tyler Gaffalione recorded 21 victories to secure his second consecutive Spring Meet riding title and fifth overall. Gaffalione won four races on April 21 and three races on April 12. He took the Shakertown and the Palisades.

Luis Saez won 18 races to finish second in the standings. Saez won the Toyota Blue Grass and the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) aboard Mo Stash. He rode three winners on April 15, including the Stonestreet Lexington (G3) on First Mission, and again on April 27.

Finishing in third with 14 victories was Irad Ortiz Jr., who won the Madison, the Jenny Wiley and the Giant's Causeway.

Wesley Ward notched 12 wins to earn his sixth consecutive Spring Meet training title and ninth total. Ward, who won three races on April 20, captured the FanDuel Limestone with Love Reigns (IRE) and won the Giant's Causeway.

Second with 11 wins was Brad Cox, who equaled the Keeneland record for stakes wins by a trainer during a single season with four: the Beaumont (G2) Presented by Keeneland Select with Key of Life, the Shakertown, the Stonestreet Lexington and the Lafayette with Corona Bolt.

Brendan Walsh, who sent out three winners on April 21 and won the Elkhorn (G2) with Verstappen, was the meet's third-leading trainer with eight wins.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Godolphin celebrated its third leading owner title at Keeneland with six meet wins that included triumphs in the Stonestreet Lexington and the Baird Doubledogdare (G3) with Frost Point.

Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables captured five races, among them the FanDuel Limestone, the Giant's Causeway and the Lafayette, to finish second.

Grade 1 Gamble Draws Record 292 Entries

Paul Halloran of Lynn, Massachusetts, topped a record field of 292 players and took down first prize of $73,000 in the Grade 1 Gamble, Keeneland's signature handicapping contest held on April 15. The Grade 1 Gamble attracted players from across the U.S. and Canada who participated at Keeneland and on XpressBet, TVG, 4NJBets, NYRABets and HPI.

The top six finishers each received entry to the 2023 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge at Santa Anita and the top 10 finishers each earned berths in the 2024 NTRA National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas.

Keeneland Honors its Philanthropic Mission

Keeneland teamed with its corporate and horse industry partners during the meet to host special events with philanthropic goals and support community organizations. These efforts fulfill Keeneland's mission of giving back to the Central Kentucky community.

Among the community-oriented initiatives at Keeneland this spring were:

• Keeneland and Maker's Mark celebrated the culmination of a three-year partnership that raised $180,000 through commemorative bottle sales to support meaningful arts projects in Lexington, including the Isaac Murphy Memorial Art Garden and Horse Mania.
• Keeneland announced a $100,000 gift to the Lexington Library Foundation to help fund the new Marksbury Family Branch, a state-of-the-art community hub to open later this year on Versailles Road. The Marksbury Family Branch will positively impact a neighborhood where many horse industry workers and their families live, and provide a resource nearby for these families to take advantage of important educational opportunities.
• Kentucky Utilities and Keeneland teamed to contribute $5,000 to the Black Male Working Academy, which provides young men with tutoring, mentoring, cultural and educational trips, along with social and emotional learning strategies.
• Members of the Keeneland jockey colony teamed with retired riders for an autograph session on April 7 that raised $6,495 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). On April 23, Keeneland partnered with other Thoroughbred industry organizations and FanDuel TV to raise more than $300,000 during the fifth annual PDJF Telethon.
• Maker's Mark and Keeneland also made a $10,000 contribution to the PDJF.
• Toyota, sponsor of the Toyota Blue Grass, and Keeneland made a $10,000 donation to the Fayette Education Foundation, which focuses on excellence in Fayette County Public Schools and equity for current and future students.
• More than 3,698 full-time students representing 85 colleges and universities participated in the popular College Scholarship Day Presented by Lane's End, held on April 14. Students registered to win one of ten $2,000 scholarships provided by Keeneland and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association. Those at Keeneland were eligible to win one of two $10,000 scholarships provided by Lane's End.
• Keeneland contributed $25,000 to Legacy Equine Academy, which allows African American and racially diverse middle and high school students to build life skills while learning horsemanship.
• Keeneland hosted Military Day at the Races Presented by UPS on April 16 to honor the men and women who serve our country. All active duty, reserve, veterans and military families received free general admission, reserved Grandstand seating and complimentary lunch from Lexington Griffin Gate Marriott and Coca-Cola in the Military Family Zone. Keeneland presented a check for $5,000 to the Lexington Fisher House as part of the day's festivities.

Spring Meet at a Glance (April 7-28)

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The Thoroughbred racing industry joined forces on Sunday, April 23rd for the fifth annual PDJF Telethon to raise over $300,000 for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). The event was presented by Lane's End Farm.

The event, which brings Hall of Fame jockeys, FanDuel TV's on-air talent and other prominent racing personalities together to man the phone lines, has grown each year since the inception in 2018. Since the inaugural telethon, there has been over $1.5 million raised to support jockeys who have suffered serious on-track injuries.

“When everyone in the sport comes together, good things can happen,” said Kevin Grigsby, FanDuel TV executive producer. “We are grateful to our industry partners at Keeneland, Santa Anita and NYRA for their collaborative efforts to make this event a success. We are proud of all that we have raised so far but know the work is not done – we are already looking ahead to next year's telethon.”

“Being a part of this event is a great honor,” said Mike Joyce, a board member of the PDJF and on-air host at FanDuel TV. “I want to personally thank every single person who took time to donate to this worthwhile cause. No matter how large or small a donation, each one is so important.”

There were donations from supporters across the country including major donations from Jim McIngvale, Lee Einsidler, Vince Foglia and Lane's End Farm. In addition, FanDuel matched all donations up to $100,000.

“We are grateful to everyone who has been supportive of the annual telethon that has made it a success for the PDJF,” said Nancy LaSala, PDJF Board President. “It also allows the jockeys from the past and present to connect with the racing fans in a very personal way. This would not be possible without the platform provided by FanDuel TV who from the beginning supported this concept.”

This year was the second consecutive year that the event was simulcast on both FanDuel TV and America's Day at the Races in collaboration with NYRA and FOX Sports.

The PDJF is a registered 501(c)3 charity that provides financial assistance to former jockeys who have suffered on-track injuries. Since its foundation in 2006, PDJF has disbursed over $11 million to support disabled jockeys, the organization is 100% reliant on charitable donations.

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Trainer Cristian Leandro Alcala was summarily suspended by stewards in Oklahoma on April 26 after he was found with numerous boxes of a substance labeled Arsil in a backpack at Remington Park in Oklahoma City.

According to a ruling released April 26, the stewards determined “public health, safety and welfare are at imminent peril,” necessitating emergency action. The summary suspension began April 22 and continues until a hearing on April 28.

Arsil is the name of an injectable product made by the Mexican pharmaceutical company Parfarm. According to the company's website, it contains arsenic and is formulated for use in horses, cows, sheep, pigs, dogs, and cats.

According to peer-reviewed research conducted by scientists at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, arsenic is commonly used in small doses in tonics for horses but may also be used as a doping agent. Products containing small amounts of arsenic are marketed as effective in stimulating appetite, improving hair coat or reducing general weakness or anemia, though little research exists on its therapeutic impacts, if any, in horses. As with humans, arsenic can be poisonous to horses if administered in large doses. It is naturally present at very low concentrations in many parts of the environment, according to racing authorities in Australia and South Africa.

Rough translations of the labeling for Arsil also claim it can be effective against obstructive pulmonary disease in the horse.

Images of Arsil boxes available for sale online clearly designate it is for veterinary use, though it is offered to the general public by several retailers at prices ranging from $25 to $320 for a 100-milliliter bottle.

Equibase records show Alcala began training in 2022 and also owns horses, including the Quarter Horse Glamazon, who won the Grade 3 Balloon City Stakes at Albuquerque in New Mexico last year. So far as a trainer, he has amassed two wins from 22 starts. As an owner, his stable brought in just over $225,000 in earnings last year, with 10 wins from 35 starts.

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