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Indiana Trainers Express Concern About Testing In The Wake Of Earlier Post Times

Several trainers with horses entered at Indiana Grand on Wednesday and Thursday are concerned that the track's decision to move up post times, from 2:25 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., could cause their horses to test above the state's threshold for therapeutic medications.

Indiana Grand management officially announced the time change on Monday, due to projected high temperatures. By that point, however, trainers had already treated their horses with legal medications on Sunday, 72 hours out from the original post time for Wednesday's races.

That 4 1/2-hour difference in post times could prove to be significant in post-race testing — especially, trainers argued, considering the extremely small amounts at which the lab is able to test for therapeutic medications.

Eric Halstrom, Vice President and General Manager of Racing at Indiana Grand, said that while he understood the trainers' concerns, there would be no special dispensation from the commission, and that the allowable thresholds for those medications would remain at their present levels. If trainers did not believe their horses would pass post-race testing, or were concerned, Halstrom indicated that there would be no penalty for scratching.

“In this heat, for the last couple of weeks, the stewards have been letting anybody out because of the heat,” Halstrom said. “I'm more than supportive of them scratching, if that's what they feel they need to do.”

Indiana Grand does have lights on the dirt course, but not on the turf, and a pair of state-bred turf stakes races scheduled for Wednesday's card would have to have been moved had the track chosen to push the post times back, instead of moving them up.

“Those people have been paying into those races, and they deserve the right to run in them as scheduled,” said Halstrom. “Essentially what it came down to, we were either going to have to cancel, or we were going to do this.”

Wednesday's card saw a total of 18 scratches from 101 entries. Four of those were main-track-only entrants, and two were from the also-eligible list. The average field size was 9.18 starters before scratches; after scratches, average field size decreased to 7.54 starters, a difference of 17.9 percent.

By way of comparison, Monday's card, which was held at the regularly-scheduled post time of 2:25 p.m., saw eight scratches, including two also-eligibles. The average field size was 8.2 starters before scratches; after scratches, average field size decreased to 7.4 starters, a difference of 9.8 percent.

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Trainer Appeals Fine, Suspension Issued After New Mexico Horse Mix-Up

Trainer Justin Evans and the horse identifier at the Downs at Albuquerque have both been fined for a horse mix-up that occurred during a maiden special weight race on Aug. 14, reports bloodhorse.com.

Evans entered two plain bay geldings, Extremely Wicked and Square Root, in the six-furlong contest. According to the chart, Extremely Wicked won the race wearing the number nine saddle cloth, and Square Root finished third wearing the number six. The number nine paid $5.40 to win as the second choice, while the even-money favorite, number six, paid $2.40 to show.

In the test barn, however, it was discovered that number nine was actually Square Root.

In an Aug. 21 ruling, the New Mexico board of stewards ordered both horses disqualified and unplaced; the horse identifier was fined $1,000; and Evans was fined $5,000 and suspended 15 days (Aug. 26 – Sept. 9). Evans appealed the ruling on Aug. 23, and also filed for a temporary restraining order to controvert the suspension.

“They fined the identifier $1,000 and he keeps his job, but they want to give me a $5,000 fine and take away 15 days when I have a family to feed and own half of my 45-horse stable so I won't be able to transfer any of my horses,” Evans told bloodhorse.com. “Look, the identifiers are up against it because they have terrible equipment. The scanners they use don't show the horse's name and number, only a list of 20 numbers. They want to use the absolute insurer rule, but the track also needs to provide the tools to make sure things like this don't happen.”

Evans said the track does not provide numbered smocks for grooms leading horses to the paddock, and that there are not enough valets to saddle the horses. One of his horses was acting up and had to be saddled outside the paddock on that afternoon, Evans added.

“The valets put the 6 on the 9 horse and the 9 on the 6 horse,” the trainer explained. “The identifier said they were the correct horses. They run and nothing is caught until 20 minutes after the race when they are back at the test barn.”

Queen’s Plate Card Sees Second-Highest Handle In Event History

Safe Conduct's triumph in Sunday's 162nd running of The Queen's Plate, the first leg of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown, highlighted a tremendous day of world-class racing at Woodbine Racetrack that produced the second-highest wagering handle in event history.

A total of $16,122,170 was wagered on Sunday's 13-race card, including $3,491,564 on The Queen's Plate. The total handle is second-only to the 2019 event total of $18,005,973 and tops the 2020 handle of $14,532,678 by 11 percent.

“This year's Queen's Plate brought the energy of our great sport back in full-force to Woodbine with an outstanding crowd and thrilling racing,” said Jim Lawson. “It's evident that this excitement was felt across North America and we're elated to see the support this great day of racing received as part of the continued growth of the Woodbine brand.

“On behalf of Woodbine, a sincere thank you to our staff, partners, horse racing community, horseplayers and fans for adding to the storied history of The Queen's Plate.”

The Queen's Plate card included a trio of Grades Stakes races, 11 turf course races and several multi-leg wager guarantees. Horseplayers saw several generous payouts, including a 70-1 upset by Mambointheforest ($161.70) in the eighth-race. The Late Pick-5, which generated a pool of $491,899, featured three stakes contests as part of the sequence and returned $12,795.65 for a $1 ticket ($2,559.13 for $0.20).

With post time favourites going four for 13 on the program, the average $2 Win price (excluding the 70-1 upset) was $12.40.

The last time The Queen's Plate was run on a Sunday it generated a handle of $11 million (2017). The three previous Queen's Plate cards were run on Saturday.

Earlier in the week, Woodbine Entertainment successfully launched Dark Horse Bets, an innovative app that simplifies wagering on horse racing.

Live racing resumes Thursday afternoon at Woodbine and continues Thursday through Sunday for the remainder of the season. Fans and horseplayers can watch and wager on each day of racing through HPIbet.com or the newly redesigned Dark Horse Bets App, available for Apple and Android devices.

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Saratoga: New York Showcase Day To Be Celebrated On Aug. 27

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will shine a spotlight on the robust breeding program in New York State during New York Showcase Day at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, August 27.

The afternoon will feature six stakes reserved exclusively for New York-breds headlined by the $250,000 Albany, a nine-furlong test for sophomores. Also featured are a trio of $200,000 stakes in the Fleet Indian for sophomore fillies; the Funny Cide, presented by Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, for juvenile sprinters; and the Seeking the Ante for juvenile filly sprinters. Rounding out a special Empire State-bred slate are a pair of $150,000 turf events with the West Point Handicap presented by Trustco Bank for 3-year-olds and up and the Yaddo for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

“New York Showcase Day is the flagship event on the calendar for our state's breeders and owners,” said New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Executive Director Najja Thompson. “We're proud to partner with NYRA to feature an all New York-bred card at the premier racing meet in the country with lucrative purses and six state-bred stakes totaling $1.15 million.”

“New York Showcase Day is an event we look forward to each year as we highlight the strength and success of the New York thoroughbred breeding program,” said NYRA Senior Director of Communications Pat McKenna. “We encourage fans to join us for an outstanding afternoon of racing, entertainment and offerings that underscore the diverse products and talent from the Empire State.”

Designed to supplement the day-long celebration, fans will enjoy New York craft beer specials and complimentary samples from New York-based spirits producer Cooperstown Distillery.

Free grandstand admission tickets to select days during the final week of Saratoga will be available with a donation of canned food to benefit a Saratoga Springs non-profit organization.

Tiz the Law commemorative poster autograph session

Fans will have the opportunity to celebrate New York-bred Tiz the Law, last year's Belmont Stakes and Runhappy Travers winner, during a special autograph session with owner Jack Knowlton of Sackatoga Stables; trainer Barclay Tagg; and jockey Manny Franco.

The trio will offer autographed editions of a commemorative Tiz the Law poster at the Jockey Silks Room Porch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with a recommended donation to the Backstretch Employee Service Team and the New York Race Track Chaplaincy. Tiz the Law hats and t-shirts will be available for an additional donation.

Tiz the Law posters are free throughout the day at NYRA Bets Squad kiosks and Guest Services locations, while supplies last.

Annual canned food drive to benefit LifeWorks Community Action

NYRA will welcome the Saratoga Springs-based non-profit organization LifeWorks Community Action to Saratoga Race Course to host its annual canned food drive.

Fans who donate at least three non-perishable items will receive one free Grandstand admission ticket for Wednesday, Sept. 1 or Thursday, Sept. 2.

The collection will take place at the Community Outreach Booth next to the Jockey Silks Rooms Porch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Suggested donation items include pasta, peanut butter, cereal, rice, soup and canned vegetables.

Special performances from West Point Knight Caps Glee Club

The Knight Caps, the official glee club of the United States Military Academy at West Point, will begin the day with a special performance of the National Anthem.

The cadets will again perform for the crowd from the winner's circle following the $150,000 West Point Handicap, presented by Trustco Bank.

New York craft beer and spirits specials

Fans will enjoy a variety of drink specials highlighting New York craft beverages, including a commemorative Jockey Boot filled with a 20-ounce New York craft beer, for $10.

The New York craft portfolio at Saratoga Race Course features: Saranac Brewery Blueberry Blonde Ale, Druthers Brewing Company All-In IPA, Druthers Brewing Company Strawberry Dare, Adirondack Lake George Cider Project, Adirondack Saratoga Lager, Brooklyn Brewery Summer Ale, Ithaca Beer Company Flower Power, Mad Jack Brewing Company Pinhead Pilsner and Lake Placid Brewery UBU Ale.

The craft beer specials will be available at the Fourstardave Sports Bar and nearby Druthers Brewing Company Gazebo, as well as the Saranac Brewery portable bar on the second floor of the grandstand.

New York-based spirits producer Cooperstown Distillery will offer complimentary samples of its Fenimore Gin Cucumber Cooler from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jim Dandy Bar, presented by Cooperstown Distillery. The Fenimore Gin Cucumber Cooler will be the featured drink of the afternoon available at all dining areas, including The Porch, Club Terrace and Turf Terrace.

New York Showcase Day takes place on the eve of the 152nd edition of the Runhappy Travers on Saturday, Aug. 28. Gates on Runhappy Travers Day open at 7 a.m. with first post time of 11:35 a.m.

General admission tickets are $15 when purchased in advance. The walk-up price on Runhappy Travers Day is $20. Tickets may be purchased in-person at the NYRA Box Office by Gate A or online at NYRA.com/Travers (service fees apply online).

The 2021 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 6. Racing is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays, with the exception of the final week, when the meet concludes on Labor Day.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.

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