Tag: The Biz

Turf Paradise, Arizona Downs Both Under Separate Contracts To Sell; Turf Likely To Be Developed

Two racetracks in Arizona are under contract to sell to different entities, according to a report by Axios Phoenix published on April 12. Axios indicated that Turf Paradise is under contract and still in negotiations with CT Realty, while Arizona Downs is under contract with The Stronach Group. Neither sale is final.

CT Realty could continue to hold race meets at Turf Paradise after the sale, but Arizona Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective executive director Leroy Gessman told Axios the track property will ultimately be developed. Gessman believes Turf may have one or two racing seasons left.

James Watson is the managing partner of CT Realty and has made his career in commercial real estate and development. He served four years as a commissioner on the California Horse Racing Board.

Arizona Downs is expected to continue racing, though it did not apply to the racing commission for dates this season because “it doesn't have the finances to hold a summer season” co-owner Tom Auther told Axios.

Read more at Axios Phoenix

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Kentucky Rules Committee Proposes Rule Changes To Accommodate Larger Racing Partnerships

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's rules committee has advanced rules that would better accommodate the large racing partnerships and syndicates that are becoming more common in the modern racing landscape.

According to reporting by the Thoroughbred Daily News, the rules passed by unanimous voice vote on April 11 would get rid of a restriction that only five owners could be licensed as owners of one horse, raising that limit to ten. In all partnerships, even those of just two owners, one member will need to be designated as the “licensed principal owner.”

Licensing requirements will change for groups, too — the rule changes remove the requirement for partnerships to be registered with the commission, noting that this could be requested by the commission or the stewards. Finally, the changes allow stable names and partnerships to be listed in the program with the principal owner's individual name in parenthesis.

According to Kentucky commissioner Charlie O'Connor, the previous regulations were a problem for some members of larger syndicates who wanted the recognition of seeing their name listed in the racing program.

Read more at the Thoroughbred Daily News

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Horses And Humans Safe After Barn Fire At Oaklawn

Oaklawn Park released the following statement late April 11: 

A barn fire was detected at Oaklawn's Wild Again barn shortly before 7 p.m. Tuesday. All horses and humans were evacuated from the barn safely and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

The Hot Springs Fire Department along with Oaklawn's security and staff worked quickly to extinguish the fire within minutes.

The north end of the Wild Again barn was destroyed by the fire. All horses and humans have been relocated to nearby barns for the remainder of the season, which ends Saturday, May 6.

A huge thank you to the Hot Springs Fire Department, Hot Springs Police Department, Garland County Sheriff's Department, the horsemen, and the Oaklawn team members for their quick response and diligence in ensuring all horses were safe and sound and no other barns were affected.

The post Horses And Humans Safe After Barn Fire At Oaklawn appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Incentives Return For 2023

The Breeders' Cup announced the return of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-based participation bonus program for horsemen pointing runners to the dirt races in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. Launched in 2022, the 12-race program is comprised of existing graded stakes races scheduled from May through October at six tracks throughout the United States.

The Dirt Dozen program will again award bonus credits funded by the Breeders' Cup for first through third-place finishes in the 12 program races. Horsemen can use those credits toward entry fees for one of six Grade 1 Breeders' Cup World Championships dirt races: the $2 million Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff, $2 million Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint, $2 million FanDuel Breeders' Cup Juvenile Presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, $1 million PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, and the $1 million Big Ass Fans Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.

In Dirt Dozen races in the $2 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier is allocated at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third. In Dirt Dozen races in the $1 million Breeders' Cup race divisions, the bonus tier will award $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third.

The Dirt Dozen program begins May 6 with the Derby City Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs. The first three finishers in the race will earn credits toward entry fees for a potential start in the PNC Bank Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint. The program concludes Oct. 1 with the Zenyatta Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, where the first three finishers in the race will earn credits toward entry fees for a potential start in the Longines Breeders' Cup Distaff.

Last year, 13 horses that earned credits through the Dirt Dozen program participated in the Breeders' Cup. Three of those were also Breeders' Cup Challenge winners who took advantage of their automatic qualifying berths, leaving 10 contenders that applied earned credits toward a start in the World Championships.

“After a successful launch in 2022, we are happy to again present our innovative Dirt Dozen program,” said Dora Delgado, executive vice president and chief racing officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Last year, many horsemen who took advantage of those credits toward entry fees for our dirt races were rewarded at the World Championships, and we look forward to extending the same incentive to connections who are targeting a start at Santa Anita Park in November.”

Further information on rules and participation in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen program is available on the Breeders' Cup Members site.

Dirt Dozen Races by Division 

Division  Date  Race  Track  Grade  Distance 
Dirt Mile 7/29/2023 San Diego Handicap Del Mar Grade II 1 1/16 Miles
Dirt Mile 8/19/2023 Philip H. Iselin Monmouth Park Grade III 1 1/16 Miles
           
Distaff 7/1/2023 Fleur De Lis Churchill Downs Grade II 1 1/8 Miles
Distaff 10/1/2023 Zenyatta Stakes Santa Anita Grade II 1 1/16 Miles
           
Filly & Mare Sprint 5/6/2023 Derby City Distaff Churchill Downs Grade I 7F
Filly & Mare Sprint 8/27/2023 Rancho Bernardo Del Mar Grade III 6 1/2 F
           
Juvenile 9/10/2023 Del Mar Futurity Del Mar Grade I 7F
Juvenile 9/16/2023 Iroquois Churchill Downs Grade III 1 1/16 Miles
           
Juvenile Fillies 9/3/2023 Spinaway Saratoga Grade I 7F
Juvenile Fillies 9/16/2023 Pocahontas Churchill Downs Grade III 1 1/16 Miles
           
Sprint 7/1/2023 Smile Handicap Gulfstream Park Grade III 6F
Sprint 9/30/2023 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Santa Anita Grade II 6F

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