The Biz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Average Daily Handle Eclipses $10 Million During Aqueduct Fall Meet

The recently concluded 15-day fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack generated $10,295,293 in average daily handle from all sources, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) announced today. With this year's 11.2 percent increase over 2020, average daily handle at the Aqueduct fall meet has risen 25.4 percent since 2019.

The continued growth in average daily handle aligns with the broader trend at NYRA, as reflected in sustained increases in that metric at Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. Average daily handle at the Belmont fall meet has grown 39 percent since 2019 with the 2021 summer meet at Saratoga eclipsing $20 million in average daily handle for the first time in history.

Despite hosting three fewer race days than 2020, all sources handle for the Aqueduct fall meet totaled $154,429,388 compared with $166,702,976 in 2020. The 2019 fall meet, which was contested over 25 days, generated all sources handle of $205,249,710.

The opening of the fall meet marked the return of in-person attendance for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. As a result, on-track handle was $15,268,541, a 35.1 percent increase over 2020 when only a limited number of owners were permitted to attend live racing. The 2019 fall meet, which was contested over 25 days, generated on-track handle of $20,712,645.

With the benefit of two turf courses available at Aqueduct, 74 races were run over the grass with just six races forced off the turf due to weather during the fall meet. In 2020, 68 races were run over the grass with 11 races forced off the turf due to weather.

Average field size for the 145 total races run during the fall meet was 8.90, a 2.6 percent increase over 2020 and 5.9 percent higher than 2019.

The 2021-22 Aqueduct winter meet, which begins today, continues through Sunday, March 27.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the fall meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

The post Average Daily Handle Eclipses $10 Million During Aqueduct Fall Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Report: Medina Spirit Samples Will Go To More Than One Lab

The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday that test samples from Medina Spirit, who died suddenly on Monday, will be tested by multiple laboratories. The University of California-Davis laboratory will conduct the actual necropsy, but writer John Cherwa revealed samples will be sent to labs outside the set for “a fresh set of eyes and compare to the conclusions arrived at UC Davis.”

Medina Spirit collapsed following a timed workout at Santa Anita Park for trainer Bob Baffert, and died quickly with no obvious outward sign of anything amiss. In these cases of “sudden death,” Cherwa writes that more tests and evaluations may be needed as compared to deaths as a result of musculoskeletal injuries or known illness. This could mean the complete findings could take as long as two or three months.

The LA Times also noted interest in the case by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), who called for a “thorough and transparent examination” into the horse's death. Feinstein was one of the elected officials who put pressure on the racetrack during the 2019 spike in equine fatalities at Santa Anita.

Foreign Gains, Average Field Size Of 9 Starters Push Woodbine To Third-Highest Season Handle

Woodbine Entertainment today announced the 2021 Thoroughbred season produced an all-sources handle of $505,348,339, the third highest season total in Woodbine Thoroughbred history.

For the second consecutive season, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a shortened season, as the 2021 Woodbine Thoroughbred meet did not begin until June 12. Originally scheduled for 133 race dates, the 2021 season included 99 race days, three more than last year, and 946 races contested.

Despite the delayed start, the 2021 season topped $500 million in all-sources handle, propelled mightily by Woodbine's highest single-season foreign wagering handle ever of $420,666,755.

The strong foreign numbers can be attributed to enticing and consistent field sizes, as Woodbine averaged 9.0 starters per-race to rank as one of North America's leading racetracks in the category.

“Growing and strengthening the Woodbine brand across North America has been a focal point of our day-to-day activities over the past several years,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment. “We're proud of our success in this area, as it's evident these efforts continue to raise the profile of our world-class racing product at Woodbine.

“Although our gains in the US are considerable, we're intently focused on revitalizing wagering in our home market area for 2022. Through evolving restrictions, we now have our racetracks and off-track locations operating, while also sporting our largest number of HPIbet users ever. Our task now is to leverage all options available in 2022 to push this area towards sustainability.”

The impressive average field size of 9.0 helped push a 4.8 per cent increase in average per-race handle, which came in at $534,194 for 2021.

“Our racing team did a great job in creating appealing and competitive races throughout the entire season,” said Lawson. “The support of the owners and trainers through these hard times deserves recognition and our commitment to providing the best overall experience to those racing at Woodbine will only heighten in 2022.”

Key Highlights of 2021:

Record foreign wagering handle of $420,666,755 for the 2021 season
Third highest all-sources wagering handle of $505,348,339 for 2021 season
Record handle for a Ricoh Woodbine Mile card of $13,856,030 on Saturday, September 18
Record handle for a closing day card of $8,530,593 on Sunday, December 5
Second highest handle for a Queen's Plate card of $16,122,170 on Sunday, August 22, up 11 per cent over 2020 event
Total of 241 races contested over Turf Courses, generating average per-race handle of $577,895

The 2022 Woodbine Thoroughbred season is tentatively scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 16. A total of 133 race-dates are on the schedule, headlined by the 163^rd running of The Queen's Plate on Sunday, August 21.

The post Foreign Gains, Average Field Size Of 9 Starters Push Woodbine To Third-Highest Season Handle appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Jockey Robbie Dunne Found Guilty Of Bullying Bryony Frost, Banned For 18 Months

A disciplinary panel convened by the British Horseracing Authority has issued an 18-month ban to national hunt jockey Robbie Dunne after he was found guilty of bullying female rider Bryony Frost over a sustained period, reports racingpost.com. The last three months of the ban have been suspended.

“We are unable to accept Mr. Dunne's sweep of denials, criticisms and his reasoning,” disciplinary panel chair Brian Barker said. “The tenor and type of language that we find was used towards Ms Frost is totally unacceptable, whatever the frustrations about her style and whatever the habits of the weighing room. They fall squarely within the ambit of the prohibition set out in the rule.

“Secondly, in reviewing the evidence given and their approach by jockeys of repute as well as by the valets – who probably find themselves in a difficult position – we have real concern that what was referred to by Mr Weston as the 'weighing room culture' is deep-rooted and coercive, and in itself is not conducive to the good health and the development of modern day race-riding.”

Over the course of the hearing, Frost's representative Louis Weston told the panel that Dunne had used “foul, sexually abusive and misogynistic language” toward Frost as well as threats to “cause her serious physical harm.”

Dunne's representative Roderick Moore argued that other female jockeys had not spoken out about malevolent behavior from Dunne.

“The isolation I felt for speaking out I wouldn't wish on anyone,” Frost said from the stand. “You are asking me for my opinion and they [the other female riders] have to go into the weighing room every day. I feel they are protecting themselves and, rightly so, staying neutral.”

Dunne gave testimony on Tuesday this week, arguing that when he said he would “put her through a wing,” he didn't mean it as a threat.

“It's a common thing that's said in the weighing room,” said Dunne. “Never once have I seen someone go through with it. It's just a matter of speech . . . it wasn't a threat, it was a figure of speech.”

Continuing the theme of Frost's isolation since she filed her complaint, it was also revealed this week was that a group of valets at Fontwell Park had refused to work for Frost on Tuesday.

In a statement to the Racing Post after Thursday's sanctions had been handed down, Frost said: “I would like to thank every individual including the racing public that has supported me not only during the last couple of weeks but throughout.

“I wish now to take a few days to reflect on the outcome before I make any further comment. I ask the media to please give me and the people closest to me a few days of privacy. I need to focus on my upcoming rides over the weekend. Thank you.”