Tag: The Biz

A Feb. 20 domestic violence arrest preceded Greg Avioli's April 1 resignation as president and CEO of Thoroughbred Owners of California, according to a published report in Daily Racing Form by the publication's national correspondent, Jay Privman.

Citing a San Diego Police Department arrest report, Privman said Avioli was taken into custody after his wife, Liesl Bernard, called police from a local hospital, where she had gone to determine whether or not she had suffered a concussion. The police report said Bernard “sustained a black eye, and bruising to her face, wrists, lips and neck.”

Bernard told police she and Avioli argued after hosting another couple for dinner the previous night, with the argument turning violent when she said Avioli “pulled me down to the ground from my hair,” then punched her twice and “covered my mouth with his hand.” Bernard said the back of her head hit a marble floor.

The report said Bernard told police there had been four or five prior unreported incidents of domestic violence. Avioli and Bernard were married last August.

The case against Avioli was dismissed “without prejudice” on March 15 by a San Diego Superior Court judge, the report states, with the stipulation that Avioli undergo anger management and alcohol counseling. A temporary restraining order Bernard had sought in February also was dismissed at her request. The couple is attempting to reconcile, with the report stating they have agreed to attend a “three- or four-day residential marital retreat focused on conflict resolution.”

Avioli faces no criminal charges at this time, according to DRF.

Avioli has held several executive positions in the industry prior to joining TOC in 2016, including chief operating officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, president and CEO of the Breeders' Cup and CEO of a division of the Stronach Group.

A search has begun for Avioli's replacement at TOC.

Read more at Daily Racing Form.

The post Report: Domestic Violence Arrest Preceded Avioli’s Departure As CEO Of Thoroughbred Owners Of California appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 85th running of the Grade 1, $750,000 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, a race that has produced 19 Kentucky Derby winners, heads a tremendous day of racing and entertainment options this Saturday at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif.  In addition to the Derby, six other stakes, including the Grade 2, $400,000 Santa Anita Oaks will be prominent on a 12-race program beginning at 12 noon PT.

Legendary all-time great Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay, Jr., will present the trophy for the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby.  A fan favorite and a 14-time leading rider at Santa Anita's Winter/Spring Meet, Pincay won the Santa Anita Derby seven times.

Prior to the races beginning at 11:30, representatives of the Los Angeles Rams will be on-hand to meet fans as part of the Rams Super Bowl Championship Lombardi Trophy Fan Experience near the Kingsbury Fountain in the West Paddock.  General Manager Les Snead will be in the Seabiscuit Walking Ring prior to the Santa Anita Derby and will issue the call for “Riders Up!”

After a two-year absence, Santa Anita's popular Derby Day 5K Run & Walk is back and will begin in the South Parking Lot B, accessible via Gate 3 at Holly Ave. and Huntington Drive beginning at 7:45 a.m.  Fans can register on the day of the event beginning at 6:30 p.m., or in advance by visiting www.derbyday5k.com.

Families are welcome at Santa Anita and with track's Infield Spring Carnival in full swing through April 17, a myriad of activities are available, including Pony Rides, a Ferris Wheel, Roller Coaster, Train Rides, Face Painting and much more.  Fans are encouraged to visit santaanita.com/events for ticketing and to take advantage of big savings on Infield admission and unlimited ride wristbands.

Special early first post time on Saturday is at 12 noon with admission gates opening at 10 a.m.  Santa Anita's Infield is easily accessible via Gate 6 off of Colorado Place on the track's northern perimeter.

The Runhappy Santa Anita Derby will be broadcast live via Santa Anita's simulcast network, TVG and on over-the-air NBC.  The Derby will be the third and final stop on NBC's 90 minute telecast which will air from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. PT and be preceded by two other Kentucky Derby preps, the Grade 2 Wood Memorial from Aqueduct and Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes from Keeneland.  Britney Eurton will be on-site and will provide analysis as well as pre and post race interviews.

Approximate post time for the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby, for 3-year-olds at a mile and one eighth, is 2:45 p.m. PT.  Santa Anita morning line maker Jon White has installed the Tim Yakteen-trained Messier, who will be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez, as the even-money favorite.  Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella will send out the second choice on the morning line, Forbidden Kingdom, who has been “lined” at 6-5 and will be ridden by Juan Hernandez.

RUNHAPPY SANTA ANITA DERBY DAY TIMELINE & PRICING

–7:45 A.M. to 9:45 A.M  DERBY DAY 5K RUN & WALK

 –10 A.M.     ADMISSION GATES OPEN

-$10 GENERAL/CLUB HOUSE ADMISSION, which includes Parking, Program and Admission.  (While all Box Seats have been sold out for Derby Day, Grandstand Seating is available, at no additional charge, on a first come, first served basis).

-$5 INFIELD ADMISSION, which includes Parking, Program and Admission.

–11:30 A.M.  LA RAMS LOMBARDI TROPHY FAN EXPERIENCE featuring LA Rams cheerleaders and Rams mascot, RAMPAGE, near the Kingsbury Fountain in the West Paddock.

–2:45 P.M.  Runhappy Santa Anita Derby

Entries and complete morning line information for all of Santa Anita's races this Saturday is available at santaanita.com.  For additional information, please call (626) 574-RACE.

The post Santa Anita Derby Day Features Rams’ Super Bowl Trophy, Infield Spring Carnival appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Following a New Zealand race at Otaki in January, 4-year-old Be Flexi and her former-jockey-turned-trainer Rochelle Lockett both tested positive for the recreational drug methamphetamine, reports New Zealand's Stuff website.

Though Lockett told the Racing Integrity Board she was a casual user, follow-up testing revealed her to be a habitual meth user.

That denial is what pushed the Racing Integrity Unit's manager Neil Grimstone to push for a four-year ban.

“Not only does it undermine the integrity of the racing industry, but it also has risks to the horse,” Grimstone said. “There is clearly no place for it in racing, especially exposing animals to methamphetamine.”

Instead, the Racing Integrity Board decided to reserve judgment on the case pending Lockett's attempt to get sober.

Read more at Stuff.co.nz. 

The post New Zealand Trainer And Horse Both Test Positive For Meth appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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On Thursday, the Breeders' Cup, Keeneland, and the City of Lexington begin the official countdown to the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, as the best horses from around the world are set to compete at historic Keeneland Race Course on Nov. 4 and 5, 2022.

In accordance with Breeders' Cup's longstanding commitment to delivering a curated and intimate fan experience, and to ensure maximum safety and comfort, attendance for the event will be capped at 45,000. Available single-day ticket prices range from $75 to $504 on Friday, and $125 to $689 on Saturday. Two-day packages available for purchase range from $200 to $1,568. All tickets will be sold in advance of the event. No tickets will be sold on event days at the racetrack.

As announced in March, tickets for the 2022 World Championships at Keeneland will go on sale to the public on Monday, May 9, at Noon ET at BreedersCup.com/Tickets. Anticipation and demand for tickets are expected to be high. Fans are encouraged to visit BreedersCup.com/2022 now to sign up to receive the latest ticket information and news.

“We're excited to officially begin our countdown to the 39th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships this fall in our hometown of Lexington,” Breeders' Cup President and CEO Drew Fleming said. “We're so grateful to work alongside leaders like Mayor Gorton, our friends at Keeneland, and so many others throughout the Lexington community to ensure that this year's World Championships and Festival are the best in Breeders' Cup history.”

“Lexington is excited to step back into the international spotlight as we again host the Breeders' Cup,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “This year, the Breeders' Cup will crown racing's true champions in the Horse Capital of the World at the best track in the world, Keeneland! Join us for a celebration that our international visitors and our local residents will enjoy.”

“Keeneland is excited to kick off the countdown to Breeders' Cup this fall, and to share this great international championship with our fans,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “The Thoroughbred industry is so important to the Lexington community, and we thank our friends at Breeders' Cup, Mayor Gorton and leaders throughout the city for their enthusiasm and support. We look forward to welcoming fans and racing participants from around the world to Lexington to celebrate the Breeders' Cup in a way this event richly deserves.”

This year will mark the third time the World Championships have been held in the Horse Capital of the World following the event's first running at Keeneland in 2015 and subsequent return in 2020. As the 2020 World Championships were held without fans on site due to COVID-19, Breeders' Cup is delighted to be coming back to Lexington after two short years to give the local community and loyal fans the opportunity to experience the World Championships at its full potential.

A highlight of the global racing calendar, the Breeders' Cup World Championships will bring an exciting combination of premier Thoroughbred horse racing, world-class culinary experiences, high fashion, and top entertainment back to Keeneland this fall. To further elevate the experience for all fans and participants, Breeders' Cup and Keeneland will invest over $10.5 million in the coming months to expand seating areas and enhance hospitality offerings. This investment will add 165,000 square feet of luxury chalets that will provide 7,500 premium dining seats and 1,800 temporary box seats, including:

• Trackside Luxury Chalets, triple-decker and double-decker chalets located trackside with views of the stretch run that are enclosed and climate-controlled, offering a gourmet buffet luncheon, cocktail service to tables, private wagering, and TVs situated throughout the spaces for enhanced viewing.
• The Silks Lawn Chalet, a 50,000-square-foot, glassed-in and climate-controlled chalet with reserved seating, private bars, TVs located throughout, dedicated mutuel tellers, and incredible views of the racetrack from the rail along the final turn.
• The Saddling Paddock Chalet, which offers premium views of the Championship contenders as they circle the saddling paddock before each race, as well as access to the first and second floors of the Grandstand and the track apron for live racing views.
• Temporary Loge Box Seats that will span the apron from the 1/16^th pole to the finish line, offering incredible views of the homestretch along with access to both the first and second floors of the Grandstand and dedicated cocktail service to every box.

As announced in September 2020, fans who purchased 2020 Breeders' Cup World Championship tickets had the right to repurchase the same or similar seats as they had previously. The Breeders' Cup Ticketing office has been in direct communication with 2020 purchasers about how to secure their spot at the 2022 World Championships. 2020 ticket purchasers who have not yet received communication from the Breeders' Cup Ticketing office should email tickets@breederscup.com or call (859) 514-9428.

The Breeders' Cup Festival, presented by CHI Health, will begin Sunday, Oct. 30, and continue through Championship Saturday, Nov. 5. Some of the many exciting plans include nightly live music at Tandy Park, culinary tributes to the international racing community at local restaurants, and the return of Horse Mania, featuring over 100 artist-designed, life-size Thoroughbred statues.

“The Festival's goal is the same as it was in 2015: to put on a world-class week of entertainment worthy of the world championships of Thoroughbred racing,” said Breeders' Cup Festival Chair Kip Cornett. “There's no place like Lexington to celebrate the great sport of racing – and the festival will do its part to energize the city for local fans as well as our guests.”

Breeders' Cup will offer public shuttle service to and from Keeneland at one dedicated off-site Park-and-Ride location on Friday and Saturday. Parking on-site at Keeneland will be limited and only available to those with official pre-paid parking credentials. All parking will have dedicated routing and will be coordinated by on-site parking staff, traffic control staff, and local law enforcement. All traffic and directions will be communicated in real-time through Google Traffic and Waze. Additionally, the Hill will not be available for seating this year and will instead be used to accommodate additional on-site parking. More information is available on our website at BreedersCup.com/Transportation.

The 39th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships on Nov. 4 and 5 will be televised live by NBC Sports Group. Stay tuned for additional announcements in the coming months outlining how fans can experience race-day thrills at home, as Breeders' Cup continues to lead the industry in virtual viewing and engagement offerings in addition to on-site attractions and hospitality.

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