Tag: The Biz

Trainer Bob Baffert, who began a 90-day suspension on April 4, has filed paperwork in federal court in Kentucky to withdraw his motion for preliminary injunction in his civil suit against Churchill Downs, Inc. Baffert had been seeking a preliminary injunction to stave off the racetrack's private ban on his participation in the 2022 Kentucky Derby while he pursued a civil case to invalidate the legality of the track's ban.

This week, Baffert began serving the suspension he was given by Kentucky stewards for the betamethasone overage from Medina Spirit following last year's Kentucky Derby. The California Horse Racing Board, which governs racing in the state where Baffert is based year-round, has reciprocated the Kentucky stewards' suspension. In accordance with California regulations requiring a trainer to disperse their stable while serving a suspension longer than 60 days, Baffert's signage has been removed from his barns in the state and his horses have been transferred to other trainers.

Baffert had tried to get a stay of suspension that would have allowed him to keep training while he appealed the Kentucky stewards' ruling. In an unusual (but not unprecedented) move, Kentucky commission staff denied his request, citing his lengthy recent history of therapeutic medication overages and his shifting stories about where the medication could have come from.

Since he has begun serving the suspension, any action by the federal court in Kentucky's Western District regarding his ability to saddle horses in the Derby would have been moot, since he's scheduled to be suspended by the state commission through early July regardless of his relationship with racetrack ownership entities.

Baffert is not withdrawing his broader action against CDI however, and appears to still be seeking a ruling from the court invalidating Churchill's ability to ban him from their entries, stabling, and from the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

CDI's move to bar him from the Derby and Oaks for two years was made by the track independently of the Kentucky commission and was announced well before the Kentucky stewards made their ruling in the case.

The post Baffert Withdraws Motion For Preliminary Injunction In Case Against CDI 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, along with 2019 and 2020 comparables. The 2019 data is included as a  pre-COVID-19 comparison.

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.

Total wagering on U.S. races in March declined 2.37 percent in 2022 as compared to 2021, though wagering through the first quarter of 2022 is still up just over 1 percent year-over-year. The average wagering per race day also declined, by 2.03 percent.

When compared to pre-pandemic numbers from 2019, however, total wagering is up 10.31 percent in the first quarter of 2022, and average wagering is up 15.37 percent.

Though the number of race dates was fairly steady year-over-year in March, the number of races held dipped 5.46 percent in 2022. The average field size also showed declines, dropping from 7.59 starters per race in March of 2021 to 7.36 starters in 2022.

Total purses and average purses per race day showed increases in March, up 6.15 percent and 6.52 percent, respectively.

March 2022 vs. March 2021
Indicator	March 2022	March 2021	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$942,589,741	$965,453,678	-2.37%
U.S. Purses	$86,833,249	$81,798,689	+6.15%
U.S. Race Days	291	292	-0.34%
U.S. Races	2,423	2,563	-5.46%
U.S. Starts	17,833	19,452	-8.32%
Average Field Size	7.36	7.59	-3.03%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,239,140	$3,306,348	-2.03%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$298,396	$280,132	+6.52%

1st QTR 2022 vs. 1st QTR 2021
Indicator	1st QTR 2022	1st QTR 2021	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,796,360,290	$2,766,166,337	+1.09%
U.S. Purses	$244,753,188	$214,998,157	+13.84%
U.S. Race Days	807	766	+5.35%
U.S. Races	6,768	6,702	+0.98%
U.S. Starts	51,146	52,211	-2.04%
Average Field Size	7.56	7.79	-3.00%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,465,130	$3,611,183	-4.04%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,288	$280,676	+8.06%

2020 Comparisons:

March 2022 vs. March 2020
Indicator	March 2022	March 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$942,589,741	$731,609,777	+28.84%
U.S. Purses	$86,833,249	$55,774,436	+55.69%
U.S. Race Days	291	214	+35.98%
U.S. Races	2,423	1,787	+35.59%
U.S. Starts	17,833	13,919	+28.12%
Average Field Size	7.36	7.79	-5.51%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,239,140	$3,418,737	-5.25%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$298,396	$260,628	+14.49%

 

1st QTR 2022 vs. 1st QTR 2020
Indicator	1st QTR 2022	1st QTR 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,796,360,290	$2,508,529,406	+11.47%
U.S. Purses	$244,753,188	$205,227,651	+19.26%
U.S. Race Days	807	793	+1.77%
U.S. Races	6,768	6,616	+2.30%
U.S. Starts	51,146	51,973	-1.59%
Average Field Size	7.56	7.86	-3.80%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,465,130	$3,163,341	+9.54%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,288	$258,799	+17.19%

2019 Comparisons:

March 2022 vs. March 2019
Indicator	March	March 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$942,589,741	$945,087,433	-0.26%
U.S. Purses	$86,833,249	$79,653,572	+9.01%
U.S. Race Days	291	310	-6.13%
U.S. Races	2,423	2,678	-9.52%
U.S. Starts	17,833	20,427	-12.70%
Average Field Size	7.36	7.63	-3.51%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,239,140	$3,048,669	+6.25%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$298,396	$256,947	+16.13%

1st QTR 2022 vs. 1st QTR 2019
Indicator	1st QTR 2022	1st QTR 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,796,360,290	$2,534,968,772	+10.31%
U.S. Purses	$244,753,188	$227,119,640	+7.76%
U.S. Race Days	807	844	-4.38%
U.S. Races	6,768	7,290	-7.16%
U.S. Starts	51,146	56,830	-10.00%
Average Field Size	7.56	7.80	-3.06%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,465,130	$3,003,518	+15.37%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,288	$269,099	+12.70%

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

The post Economic Indicators: Races Held, Total Wagering Drop In March appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Horsemen should prepare for a brief suspension of training at Pimlico Race Course in April to allow for maintenance work on the dirt surface.

The track maintenance crew traditionally has examined the Pimlico surface prior to the May race meet in Baltimore, Md., and in recent years has repaired the base in specific areas.

Maryland Jockey Club Track Superintendent Chris Bosley said the project could entail shutting down the main track for at least three days to look at previously-repaired areas and other parts of the surface.

The target dates for the work are Easter Sunday, April 17, through Wednesday, April 20. (There is no training on Easter.)

The alternative dates are Monday, April 25, through Wednesday, April 27. (Examination of the surface would actually begin after training Sunday, April 24.)

MJC Acting President and General Manager Mike Rogers said April 5 the preferred time period for the project is April 17-20. He said that depending on the examination, the actual repairs required, and the weather, the project could take less than three days.

“This is routine maintenance for Pimlico,” Rogers said. “We did the same repairs last year and we want to check on that work.”

Bosley said Stanley Concrete has been contacted to assist with equipment and manpower. The company was involved in the reconstruction of the Laurel Park dirt surface in 2021.

The post Pimlico Will Briefly Suspend Training For ‘Routine Maintenance’ Of Track Surface; Target Dates April 17-20 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Kentucky Equine Education Project (KEEP) announced that the Commonwealth Racing Challenge kicks off Friday, April 8th with the opening of the Keeneland spring race meet. This new initiative will encourage KEEP members to visit all of Kentucky's racetracks during the 2022 Kentucky horse racing circuit.

KEEP members who successfully scan a unique QR code and tag KEEP in a social media post at each of the six participating Kentucky racetracks during their 2022 racing meets will be entered to win four VIP tickets the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland on Nov. 4-5 plus dinner for four at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse – Lexington.

Elisabeth Jensen, KEEP's Executive Vice President who oversees the daily operations of the organization, commented: “The Commonwealth Racing Challenge provides a new incentive for KEEP members across the state and around the country to visit six of Kentucky's unique racetracks. Thanks to the support of Kentucky's legislature and governor, Kentucky continues building the strongest racing circuit in the country. The Commonwealth Racing Challenge gives people an opportunity to see the depth and breadth of the circuit throughout 2022.”

“There is nothing like horseracing in Kentucky and we can't wait to welcome KEEP members who are competing in the Commonwealth Racing Challenge to join us for our racing meet and see the best horses in the world compete,” said Jeff Hall, Director of Racing Operations, Ellis Park Racing and Gaming.

Shannon Cobb, CFO/COO of the Red Mile, added: ”We are excited to be a part of the Challenge, giving equine fans the opportunity to see a variety of racing. We have seen a greater interest in crossover of guests between Thoroughbred and Harness racing in recent years, and hope to continue the trend by showcasing some of the best harness racing in the country, while providing a fun, exciting experience.”

Rules and regulations for the Commonwealth Racing Challenge can be found at horseswork.com/commonwealth-racing-challenge.

ABOUT KEEP
The Kentucky Equine Education Project, Kentucky's equine economic advocate, is a not-for-profit grassroots organization created in 2004 to preserve, promote and protect Kentucky's signature multi-breed horse industry. KEEP is committed to ensuring Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world, including educating Kentuckians and elected officials of the importance of the horse industry to the state. KEEP was the driving force in the establishment of the Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund, which has paid out more than $177 million to Kentucky breeders since its inception in 2006, and pari-mutuel wagering on historical horse racing, which has been responsible for more than $40 million to purses and more than $24 million to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.

KEEP works to strengthen the horse economy in Kentucky through our statewide network of citizen advocates. To learn more about how you can become a member or support our work, please visit www.horseswork.com.

The post KEEP’s Commonwealth Racing Challenge Begins In April appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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