Tag: The Biz

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced Tuesday that it will begin using “can't-race” flags to enforce its existing Racetrack Safety and Registration regulations beginning on March 27, 2023. Covered Persons and Horses who are not in compliance with HISA's Racetrack Safety and Registration rules, which went into effect on July 1, 2022, will be at risk of being unable to race until they comply with the rules.

In order to be in full compliance with the Racetrack Safety and Registration rules:

• Covered Persons must ensure that they and their Covered Horses are registered in the HISA Portal,
• Covered Persons must ensure that they have paid any overdue fines issued to them, and
• Jockeys must have the dates of their most recent baseline concussion test and physical examination entered into the HISA portal, and those dates must fall within the last 12 months.

In addition to HISA's use of can't-race flags beginning on March 27, HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program is also expected to launch that day pending final approval of the ADMC rules by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This will mean that all of HISA's ADMC, Racetrack Safety and Registration regulations are expected to be in full effect as of March 27, 2023.

“March 27, 2023 will truly be the start of a new era in Thoroughbred racing,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “An added level of enforcement of our Racetrack Safety and Registration rules, coupled with the launch of our ADMC Program, will be a clear sign to all that the racing industry is taking equine wellbeing and rider safety incredibly seriously. I am grateful for the high level of engagement and compliance we've seen with our Racetrack Safety and Registration rules since they went into effect on July 1, 2022, and I hope that the use of can't-race flags serves as one more mechanism to ensure uniformity and compliance across the country as we continue our implementation process.”

To help racing participants navigate the Racetrack Safety and Registration requirements, HISA has produced a series of how-to visual guides and videos, available at the links below:

• Registering horses in the HISA portal – Visual Guide & Video
• Paying overdue fines – Visual Guide & Video
• Inputting baseline concussion test and physical dates into the HISA portal – Visual Guide & Video

Racing participants can also call the HISA Help Desk for assistance at 1-877-513-2919 at any time.

The post HISA Will Begin Using ‘Can’t-Race Flags’ To Enforce Registration Rules On March 27 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced the stakes schedule for the 2023 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course, which will include 71 stakes worth $20.8 million in total purses.

In 2022, NYRA ran 77 stakes worth $22.635 million at Saratoga; the six stakes removed from the schedule were all listed events (Shine Again, Alydar, Tale of the Cat, Summer Colony, Riskaverse, and Better Talk Now).

Highlighted by the 154th renewal of the Grade 1, $1.25 million Travers on August 26 and the Grade 1, $1 million Whitney on August 5, the 40-day summer meet will open on Thursday, July 13 and continue through Monday, September 4.

Following the four-day opening weekend, racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, apart from closing week, when the 2023 summer meet will conclude on Labor Day.

Saratoga Live, the acclaimed television show produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will return for its 8th season to provide expansive on-site daily coverage of the summer meet to a nationwide audience on the networks of FOX Sports.

Opening Day, Thursday, July 13, kicks off the season with the Grade 3, $175,000 Schuylerville for 2-year-old fillies with the following day to feature the $135,000 Wilton for sophomore fillies to be contested out of the Wilson Chute and the $150,000 Coronation Cup, a turf sprint for sophomore fillies.

Opening Weekend is highlighted by the first Grade 1 of the Saratoga season in the $500,000 Diana for turf fillies and mares on July 15. That day's card will include the Grade 3, $175,000 Sanford for juveniles on dirt; and the Grade 3, $175,000 Kelso, formerly the Forbidden Apple, at one mile on turf for older horses. [The Grade 2 Kelso, which is traditionally run at one-mile on dirt during the Belmont Park fall meet, will be renamed and run on a date to be determined.]

The Grade 3, $175,000 Quick Call, presented by Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, a sophomore turf sprint, closes out Opening Weekend on Sunday, July 16.

The following Saturday, July 22, will see the Grade 1, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks for sophomore fillies take center stage, headlining a card that also offers the Grade 3, $200,000 Caress, a 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for older fillies and mares.

Week 3, which offers the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam for 3-year-olds at 6 1/2 furlongs on Friday, July 28, is highlighted by the traditional local prep for the Travers, the Grade 2, $500,000 Jim Dandy on Saturday, July 29. It will be joined by the Grade 1, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, a six-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up. Closing out Jim Dandy weekend on July 30 is the Grade 2, $250,000 Bowling Green at 1 3/8 miles on the turf.

The restricted $135,000 Fasig-Tipton De La Rose for older filly and mare turf milers is slated for Wednesday, August 2, as part of Whitney Week leading into the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale on August 7-8 and the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearlings Sale on August 13-14.

The Grade 2, $250,000 Glens Falls for older turf marathoners is set for Thursday, August 3, before Whitney Weekend launches Friday, August 4, with the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame for sophomore turf milers, which will see its purse increase to $500,000; and the Grade 3, $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Oaks Invitational at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomore fillies.

Whitney Day on Saturday, August 5, provides a trio of Grade 1 events, led by the Whitney at 1 1/8 miles for older horses offering an automatic berth to the Breeders' Cup Classic on November 4 at Santa Anita.

Completing the Grade 1s on Whitney Day will be the seven-furlong $500,000 Test for sophomore fillies and the $600,000 Saratoga Derby Invitational, at 1 3/16-miles on turf for sophomores. Whitney Day will also include the Grade 3, $300,000 Troy for older turf sprinters, and the restricted $135,000 Lure at 1 1/16-miles on turf for older horses.

Whitney weekend concludes on Sunday, August 6, with the Grade 3, $200,000 Adirondack, a 6 1/2-furlong sprint for juvenile fillies.

The Travers Festival, which offers nine stakes including six Grade 1s from Wednesday, August 23 through Saturday, August 26, is headlined by the 154th edition of the 1 1/4-mile Travers on Saturday, August 26.

The lucrative Travers Day card features five Grade 1 stakes and an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup to the winner of the Grade 1, $750,000 Resorts World Casino Sword Dancer [Turf] and Grade 1, $500,000 Ballerina Handicap [Filly and Mare Sprint.]

In addition to the Travers, the stacked card will also include the Grade 1, $500,000 Forego, a seven-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and upward, and the Grade 1, $500,000 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs.

The Travers Festival kicks off August 23 with the restricted $135,000 John's Call for older turf horses and continues on Thursday, August 24, with the Grade 2, $400,000 Ballston Spa at 1 1/16-miles for turf fillies and mares. The August 25 card will offer the Grade 1, $500,000 Personal Ensign at nine-furlongs for older fillies and mares along with the $150,000 Smart N Fancy for older filly and mare turf sprinters.

New York-breds will take center stage on Sunday, August 27, for New York Showcase Day, featuring six stakes for state-breds worth a combined $1.25 million.

The card is headlined by the $250,000 Albany, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are five $200,000 stakes including the Fleet Indian for sophomore fillies; the West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank for 3-year-olds and up; and the Yaddo Handicap for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. A pair of sprints for juveniles previously offered at 6 1/2-furlongs will now both be contested at six furlongs in the Funny Cide presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital for 2-year-olds; and the Seeking the Ante for juvenile fillies.

New York-breds will also be highlighted at the Spa with four handicaps each boasting a purse of $125,000, including the Johnstone Mile [August 9] for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up; the John Morrissey [August 10] at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up; the Evan Shipman Handicap [August 11] at one-mile for 3-year-olds and up; and the six-furlong Union Avenue [August 11] for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Among the other Grade 1 races at the Spa will be the $150,000 A.P. Smithwick Memorial on July 19, and the $150,000 Jonathan Sheppard on August 16 for steeplechasers; the $600,000 Alabama on Saturday, August 19; and the $500,000 Fourstardave Handicap, a Breeders' Cup qualifier for the Mile, on Saturday, August 12, to be held on the same card as the Grade 2, $200,000 Saratoga Special.

Closing Weekend of the Saratoga meet will feature a pair of Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” events on Saturday, September 2, led by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup [Classic] at 10 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up.

The September 2 card also includes the Grade 2, $500,000 Flower Bowl, an 11-furlong turf test for older fillies and mares offering a berth in the Filly and Mare Turf; the Grade 2, $250,000 Prioress for sophomore filly sprinters; and the $150,000 Harvey Pack for older turf sprinters.

The Harvey Pack, formerly the Lucky Coin, honors the late broadcasting pioneer, who for more than three decades was one of the best-known personalities in New York racing. At NYRA, Pack created and hosted racing replay shows like “Thoroughbred Action” and “Inside Racing,” and as its Director of Promotions and Special Events, he created and hosted “The Paddock Club” at Belmont and Saratoga in which fans gathered to discuss racing and handicapping, often joined by special guests.

On Sunday, September 3, juvenile fillies will sprint seven furlongs in the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway as part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen series.

Closing Day on Monday, September 4, will feature the $150,000 Bernard Baruch along with the prestigious Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful for 2-year-olds going seven furlongs to conclude the 2023 Saratoga meeting.

The complete stakes schedule for the 2023 summer meet is available at https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/stakes-schedule/

The post NYRA Cuts Six Stakes From 2023 Saratoga Schedule appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Woodbine Entertainment has unveiled the stakes schedule for the 2023 Thoroughbred racing season at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.

The lucrative 2023 Thoroughbred stakes program will offer more than $17 million in purses, including 39 graded stakes, five Grade 1 events and two $1 million classics, The King's Plate and Ricoh Woodbine Mile.

“Highlighted by the return of the Canadian International, and the first running of The King's Plate in 70 years, this year's stakes program at Woodbine will be as exciting as ever,” said Jim Lawson, CEO, Woodbine Entertainment.

The 164th running of The King's Plate is schedule for Sunday, August 20 to launch the OLG Canadian Triple Crown. The $400,000 Prince of Wales will be run on Tuesday, September 12 at Fort Erie Race Track, while the $400,000 Breeders' Stakes will be contested on Sunday, October 1.

The Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile is accompanied by the $500,000 Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes and $500,000 Grade 1 Summer Stakes on Saturday, September 16 for a super showcase of turf talent. The trio of Grade 1 events are all part of the Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge Series.

The biggest addition to the 2023 stakes schedule is the return of the Grade 1 Canadian International. The iconic race will have its 84th running on Sunday, October 8 at a new distance of a mile and a quarter over the E.P. Taylor Turf Course. The Grade 1 E.P. Taylor for fillies and mares will also be contested on October 8. Both Grade 1 races will be run for a purse of $750,000.

The Algonquin Stakes, formerly the Ontario Racing Stakes, will be run on Sunday, October 8 as well with an increased purse of $200,000 for two-year-olds on the inner turf.

The $500,000 Woodbine Oaks Presented by Budweiser will launch the Canadian Triple Tiara on Sunday, July 23. The $250,000 Bison City Stakes (August 13) and $250,000 Wonder Where Stakes (September 10) complete the Triple Tiara.

Fans will also want to make note of July 1, as Woodbine will celebrate Canada Day in style with five graded stakes races. The Grade 2 Nassau, Grade 2 Highlander, Grade 3 Dominion Day, Grade 3 Selene and Grade 3 Marine Stakes are all scheduled for the nation's birthday.

To view the entire 2023 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here.

The 2023 Thoroughbred season at Woodbine Racetrack opens on Saturday, April 22 and runs through Sunday, December 10. The number of race days remains at 133 with this start date. However, the number of race dates remains under consideration in consultation with the regulators and the horse racing community. In the event of reduced race dates the number of individual races will be substantially the same as 2022 through the redistribution of races to other periods during the meet.

The post Woodbine Unveils Stakes Schedule Worth Over $17 Million; Canadian International Returns For 2023 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Equibase, North American racing's official database, has released its February statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data.

February's metrics show a 5.21 percent decline in total wagering, a slightly-improved figure over the 7.19 percent decline from January of 2022 to January of 2023. Overall, year-to-date wagering shows a decline of 6.22 percent in the first two months of 2023.

The number of race days and races held both showed mild increases, leading to an average daily wagering figure that declined 7.37 percent.

The average field size in February rang in at 7.58 starters per race, a 0.04 percent increase over the same month in 2022. That's an improvement over the first month of 2023, which saw average field size decline 0.33 percent; the year-to-date field size averages out at 7.66 starters per race, a decline of 0.14 percent over the first two months of 2022.

Purses continue to show an upward trend: this February, the total purses offered was 7.08 percent higher than the same month of 2022, continuing the trend from January with year-to-date purses offered up 8.45 percent.

Equibase is continuing to provide monthly reporting of its Economic Indicators Advisories as a service to the industry and in consideration of the economic changes resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Advisory is typically disseminated on a quarterly basis to provide key metrics used to measure racing's performance throughout the year.

February 2023 vs. February 2022
Indicator	February 2023	February 2022	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$863,337,949	$910,782,914	-5.21%
U.S. Purses	$81,187,588	$75,816,927	+7.08%
U.S. Race Days	263	257	+2.33%
U.S. Races	2,228	2,159	+3.20%
U.S. Starts	16,894	16,364	+3.24%
Average Field Size	7.58	7.58	+0.04%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,282,654	$3,543,902	-7.37%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$308,698	$295,007	+4.64%

YTD 2023 vs. YTD 2022
Indicator	YTD 2023	YTD 2022	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$1,737,518,804	$1,852,688,594	-6.22%
U.S. Purses	$171,256,739	$157,919,089	+8.45%
U.S. Race Days	528	516	+2.33%
U.S. Races	4,508	4,345	+3.75%
U.S. Starts	34,513	33,313	+3.60%
Average Field Size	7.66	7.67	-0.14%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,290,755	$3,590,482	-8.35%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$324,350	$306,045	+5.98%

* Includes worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races.

The post Economic Indicators: Wagering Declines Five Percent In February, Purses Continue Upward Trend appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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