Tag: The Biz

After a few delays, the 125th racing season has ended at Fort Erie Race Track, and it was another successful year for the border oval. Originally scheduled for Oct. 18, closing day was postponed until Oct. 24 due to inclement weather. Closing day racing was delayed again due to a 45-minute town-wide power outage in the middle of the card. In the end, beautiful fall weather made for a great closing day, with 12 races and many fans in attendance.

Overall the season was a great success, attracting large crowds to special events and generating $33.2 million in wagering over the season, a 16 percent increase over the previous year.

“After two years of restrictions, it was nice to see new fans and familiar faces back at Fort Erie this season,” said Drew Cady, chief operating officer of the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. “Our race days were a success. Our concerts and special events were incredibly well-attended. It was a great year and we're already looking forward to our 2023 season.”

The fan favorite Tour de Fort was back on the card for the final day of racing. Run at a distance of two miles and 70 yards, the marathon race was won by Trinity Gold and jockey Brandon Boulanger for trainer George Newland and owner Trinity Racing Stables, returning $31.20 to backers.

The leading rider at this year's meet, Christopher Husbands scored 32 wins this season, earning him the title for the second year in a row. Husbands narrowly squeezed out rider Melanie Pinto, who ended the season with 30 wins. Pinto earned the title of Outstanding Rider, voted by her peers.

Trainer Julie Mathes secured the title of leading trainer for a third consecutive year. During the 2022 season, Mathes won 27 races. The leading owner title continues to be held by Bruno Schickedanz, who earned 26 wins this year.

Strong Ending earned the Horse of the Year title, trained by Richard Davis for owner Bruno Schickedanz. Strong Ending won all five starts at Fort Erie this season, including the Puss n Boots Cup and the Le Cinquieme Essai Cup. Davis earned the title of Outstanding Trainer this season, voted by his peers.

With this racing season in the books, the border oval looks ahead to next year's meet and has applied for 40 race days, operating on mostly Mondays and Tuesdays, beginning May 23 through to Oct. 17, with some special event Sundays. The Racebook remains open daily for simulcast wagering, from noon to 7:30 p.m.

For more information about Fort Erie Race Track, visit www.forterieracing.com.

The post ‘Familiar Faces’ Back At Fort Erie; Meet Ends With 16 Percent Increase In Wagering appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Louisiana stewards have revoked the ownership license of Carlos M. Nayen-Barbolla after determining Nayen-Barbolla – one of the men convicted as part of the Zetas drug cartel's drug laundering case – lied on his application.

According to a ruling dated Oct. 21, Nayen-Barbolla was affiliated with the ownership group Red Sea Racing and applied for an owner's license on July 20.

“When filling out his application he answered 'no' to Question 1 Have you ever used an alias or been licensed under any other name? and Question 6 Have you or your spouse ever been arrested or charged with any misdemeanor or felony, including DWI?'” the ruling read.

Nayen-Barbolla had been licensed previously as Carlos Nayen in 2011.

Nayen-Barbolla spoke with stewards on Oct. 13 and waived his right to a formal hearing for falsification of license application.

According to Equibase, Red Sea Racing Stables made its first start as an owner in May 2020 and has since picked up three wins from 22 starts, including this year's Grade 3 Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge with Apollitical Dynamite, who was trained in that race by Juan Diaz Jr.

Open records indicate Red Sea Racing was registered as a business entity by Nayen-Barbolla in Texas on July 18, 2019. According to records with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the stable later had its registration involuntarily ended by the Texas Secretary of State due to a tax or administrative forfeiture.

In 2013, mainstream news outlets reported that Nayen-Barbolla was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a charge of money laundering conspiracy and for a drug-related charge as part of a closed plea hearing. According to prosecutors, Nayen-Barbolla acted as an intermediary for Zetas cartel leader Miguel Treviño Morales and José Morales, traveling to the United States from Mexico to purchase horses and arrange boarding for them.

The Morales brothers were the target of an FBI investigation that found they were laundering drug money from the Zetas cartel through the Quarter Horse racing industry, which they accomplished by purchasing racehorses and fixing competitions to ensure they'd win. Nayen-Barbolla was one of nearly two dozen people prosecuted as part of the case.

According to PACER, Nayen-Barbolla's case file remained active through 2016, when a judge granted a sealed motion to reduce his sentence. No details were available through the online system to indicate when or why he was released from prison, or under what terms.

The post Louisiana Officials Revoke Ownership License Of Former Co-Defendant In Zetas Money Laundering Case appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Blue Grass Farms Charities is thrilled to highlight items for its upcoming 3rd Annual Relics and Rarities from the Blue Grass Region virtual auction.  

Bidding begins Oct. 27 at noon and will continue until 6:00 p.m. on Oct. 30. Text 76278 to BGFC to preview and bid on the 100+ items available. Or view BGFC.givesmart.com.

Items consist of champion Thoroughbred halters such as Gun Runner and Epicenter along with favorites Justify and American Pharoah; racing memorabilia like the 146 Belmont winner's blanket and the 2020 Royal Ascot program; Todd Pletcher's TAP stall webbing; and many great experiences such as golf getaways, bourbon tours and getaways. AND, let's not forget 'hard to find' Bourbons donated by friends of the charity like Father Jim Sischko, https://www.frjims.com/.

“We hope you enjoy your shopping and bidding experience.” said Julie Kwasniewski, Executive Director. “Every year this auction continues to generate unique items from the Bluegrass thanks to our friends in the industry.” 

Blue Grass Farms Charities' mission is to provide health and human services to those who work in Central Kentucky's Thoroughbred Industry.  Visit www.bgfcky.org; email info@bgfcky.org or call 859.219.0910 for more information.  

The post Blue Grass Farms Charities’ Annual Relics And Rarities Online Auction Goes Live Oct. 27 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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