The Biz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Record $66 Million Wagered On Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday Program

All-sources handle for the 10-race program of the first day of the 39th Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course was $66,141,766, a record and a 7 percent increase from last year's Friday handle of $61,696,893 at Del Mar.

The Future Stars Friday card featured five Breeders' Cup races for 2-year-old horses, the fifth year of carding all of the juvenile races on the same day since the event expanded to its two-day format in 2007.

The total Friday handle was the highest since the event went to its two-day format.

Friday's on-track attendance was 39,851. On-track handle was $7,504,265.

Breeders' Cup Friday attendance and handle:

2022, Keeneland – 39,851; $66,141,766

2021, Del Mar – 20,536; $61,696,893

2020, Keeneland – no attendance reported; $51,409,606

2019, Santa Anita – 41,243; $56,517,228

2018, Churchill Downs – 42,249; $53,636,272

2017, Del Mar — 32,728; $52,273,883

2016, Santa Anita — 45,673; $49,651,600

2015, Keeneland – 44,497; $46,251,965

2014, Santa Anita – 37,205; $47,666,982

2013, Santa Anita – 35,633; $52,594,370

2012, Santa Anita – 34,619; $48,997,009

2011, Churchill Downs – 40,677; $52,095,202

2010, Churchill Downs – 41,614; $54,889,388

2009, Santa Anita – 37,651; $50,662,945

2008, Santa Anita – 31,257; $49,473,304

2007, Monmouth Park – 27,803; $31,499,007

The post Record $66 Million Wagered On Breeders’ Cup Future Stars Friday Program appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit Launches Website With Educational Materials

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU), which was established by Drug Free Sport International to administer the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, announced Wednesday that it has formally launched its website at hiwu.org.

The current version of the website features a section dedicated to educational resources about the components of the ADMC Program. The content, which will include bilingual materials, will increase in the weeks and months ahead to assist all stakeholders in the Thoroughbred industry in advance of the ADMC Program's implementation on Jan. 1, 2023, and beyond. Future website updates will introduce a Prohibited Substances database as a reference tool and a searchable list of sanctions imposed on Covered Persons or Covered Horses for ADMC Program violations.

Viewers will also find information about HIWU's team and responsibilities as the enforcement agency for HISA's ADMC Program, answers to frequently asked questions about HIWU, recent HIWU news, and a link to the full ADMC Program regulations submitted for approval to the Federal Trade Commission.

“Our goal is for the HIWU website to serve as a comprehensive and dynamic resource for the Thoroughbred industry so that everyone feels prepared for the ADMC Program, and we are excited for its further expansion,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU.

In addition to the website, interested parties can now keep up with HIWU via Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Questions may be submitted to info@hiwu.org.

About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program, which will be effective as of January 1, 2023, will create a centralized testing and results management process and apply uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders on the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential violations, and prosecute any such violations.

About Drug Free Sport International

Drug Free Sport International is a worldwide leader in the sport drug testing industry. Drug Free Sport International administers comprehensive drug testing programs, manages national and international collections, develops drug testing policies, and provides educational services to a wide range of professional and amateur athletics organizations around the world. Its highly educated, experienced, and diverse staff is committed to quality, technical innovation, and maintaining the most extensive network of highly trained and certified sport drug testing collectors in the industry.

The post Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit Launches Website With Educational Materials appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Higher Handle Leads To Increased Purses, Five New Stakes At Parx In November

The Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (PTHA), in collaboration with Parx Racing, has announced several purse increases starting in the November condition book, along with the addition of five new stakes races in late November, including three for Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 23, and two on Tuesday, Nov. 29.

“The increased purses and additional stakes races are the result of higher than forecast handle throughout the year, including the record-breaking handle for Pennsylvania Derby Day,” said Jeff Matty, Executive Director of the PTHA. “Increasing these purses, especially our state-bred purses, will allow us to build on this momentum heading into 2023 while at the same time being very competitive with surrounding state-bred programs. The breeding side of our business has a major impact on the state's agricultural economy and we want to do our part to encourage people to breed, foal, and race Pennsylvania-bred foals.”

This year, the stakes program at Parx added PA-bred and PA-Sired races in coordination with the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association (PHBA). In addition, Parx Director of Racing David Osojnak and his team's open stakes at Parx attracted multiple Grade 1 winners, both in open divisions as well as filly and mares.

“We are fortunate to have very good horses, trainers, owners, and jockeys here at Parx,” David Osojnak, Parx Director of Racing/Racing Secretary. “The quality of our horse population and our racing has gotten better every year since I have been here and our handle numbers reflect this steady improvement. It's a no-brainer to increase our purses for our higher-class races and to build on our stakes program.”

“The breeders are grateful to Parx Racing and the PTHA for moving the restricted purses up starting on November 1st. After a very successful Pa-Bred / Pa-Sired Stakes program this year, these purse increases are just another added incentive to breed and race in Pennsylvania,” said Brian Sanfratello, Executive Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association.

The purse increases are for the Open and PA Bred Maiden Special Weight and Allowance races. They started with Parx's Nov. 1 card.

The five additional stakes races scheduled for November include:

Wednesday, Nov. 23

The Turkey Trot Handicap
For Three Year Olds and Upward
$75,000
One Mile Seventy Yards

The Let's Give Thanks Handicap
For Three Year Olds and Upward
$75,000
Six and One Half Furlongs

The Cornucopia Handicap
$75,000
For Fillies and Mares Three Year Olds and Upward
Six and One Half Furlongs

Tuesday, Nov. 29

The Future Stars Handicap
$75,000
For Two Year Olds
Six Furlongs

The Future Stars Handicap – Filly Division
$75,000
For Two Year Old Fillies
Six Furlongs

The post Higher Handle Leads To Increased Purses, Five New Stakes At Parx In November appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Breeders’ Cup: Handpicked Equine Security Team Assembles At Keeneland

Members of the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) are once again working diligently to provide the highest level of security for the world's best Thoroughbreds that have assembled for the 2022 Breeders' Cup.

With a handpicked team of some 30 investigators, the BC Equine Security Team (BCEST) hails from all corners of the United States, and also includes international representation from Canada and Ireland.

Working closely with a local company of security personnel, the BCEST will provide 24-hour round-the-clock care for the horses that will be running on Friday November 4 and Saturday November 5 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky.

With a wealth of experience in law enforcement, members of the BCEST work for racetrack and state agencies back home. The opportunity to come to the Breeders' Cup is the chance to ensure that compliance is of the utmost importance.

Not only will members be working closely with the Breeders' Cup Veterinarian Team to collect samples, ensuring the chain of custody, but they will be onsite to showcase their knowledge and expertise by keeping everyone safe.

“Customer service and experience is so important to us,” said Don Ahrens (Sam Houston Race Park). “Everything we do is for the care of these equine athletes, and making sure everyone is compliant is our top priority.”

Ahrens, along with Mike Kilpack (NTRA), spearhead this operation, having done so for over a decade.

“We are driven to provide the Breeders' Cup and its fans with all the security that we can muster, said Kilpack. “Each and every member of this team is the best of the best.”

The BCEST assembled on Sunday Night for a 'Meet and Greet,' but the planning takes place months in advance.

Picking a group of investigators from across America is no easy task, but Ahrens and Kilpack have a vast set of experiences in their toolkit.

This year, there are several additions to their squad, including a 'dispatcher' that will manage the day and night shifts, utilizing camera technology that will monitor the stalls.

As the Breeders' Cup does every year, a quarantine area for international runners will also be located in the barn area, with restricted access to a select few.

The BCEST 2022 edition also includes over 10 'rookie' members at Keeneland. For their first event, it is up to the senior leadership to get them up to speed as quickly as possible.

Ahrens said, “These folks know their business, and are used to the rigors of investigating in their own locales, so that is incredibly helpful when it comes to training them for an event of this magnitude.”

After an orientation on Monday at the Keeneland Sales Ring, BCEST will officially swing into action on Tuesday. Led by Juan Estrada (Arizona Department of Gaming), the 'Night Crew' will acclimatize themselves before their posting begins at 4 p.m. each afternoon.

Both shifts have Saturday after the Breeders' Cup Classic as their target. Until then, paying attention and monitoring their barns will be the focal point. In other words, the best of the best will protect their counterparts to the fullest extent.

The post Breeders’ Cup: Handpicked Equine Security Team Assembles At Keeneland appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post