Tag: The Biz

Ellis Park Racing & Gaming's summer season has come to a close with a substantial 22% gain in all-sources handle and 48% increase in prize money awarded.

In total, more than $60.4 million was wagered at the 24-day Ellis Park meet, $11 million more than 2022. Along with the sizable handle increase, the connections who raced at Ellis Park were rewarded with more than $14.1 million in prize money, an increase of 49% from 2022. (includes funds from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund).

“The racing season at Ellis Park has been a great success,” Ellis Park General Manager Matt Pressley said. “Our team delivered a top-class racing product for our fans on-track and around the country. We're grateful to everyone who competed with us this summer and to the horseplayers who supported us through the windows. Thanks to the continued investments of Churchill Downs Incorporated we can look forward to a thriving future of horse racing at Ellis Park.”

At the close of the summer season, jockey Gerardo Corrales, trainer Brad Cox and Godolphin wrapped up titles in their respective divisions.

Corrales, who is represented by Cliff Collier, won his second-straight title at the Pea Patch. The Panama native tallied 28 victories from 124 starts. He finished seven wins clear of Cristian Torres (21) who was followed by Rafael Bejarano (18), Francisco Arrieta (16) and Declan Cannon (16).

Corrales' solid season at Ellis Park was highlighted by victories aboard Me and Mr. C in the $250,000 Ky Downs Preview Turf Cup and Falconet in the $150,000 Groupie Doll Stakes.

Cox recorded his fifth-lifetime meet title at Ellis Park with 21 victories. Cox's successful summer at Ellis Park was highlighted by Wadsworth's victory in the $200,000 Ky Downs Preview Dueling Grounds Derby and debut wins by several promising 2-year-olds including Awesome Road. Cox's local stable is represented by his longtime assistant trainer Jorje Abrego.

Steve Asmussen finished second in the Ellis Park standings with 12 victories. He was followed in order by Paulo Lobo (9), Brendan Walsh (8), Eddie Kenneally (7) and Brian Lynch (7).

Godolphin's seven victories from 21 starters led all owners. Larry Best's OXO Equine finished second with six wins, three wins in front of Calumet Farm, Juan Cano, Steve Asmussen and Rocket Ship Racing.

Racing in the Bluegrass will now shift to Kentucky Downs for their boutique meeting, which will be followed by the Churchill Downs September Meet that begins Sept. 14.

The 2024 season at Ellis Park will open in early July.

For more information about racing and gaming from Ellis Park, visit www.ellisparkracing.com.

The post Ellis Park Concludes Meet With 22 Percent Increase In All-Sources Handle; Corrales, Cox Take Titles appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Keeneland today is resuming its popular Fifth Grade Field Trips and will welcome a total of 1,800 fifth grade students from public and private schools in Fayette County through Friday to participate in a two-hour interactive tour designed to expand their knowledge of Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry in Kentucky.

This marks the resumption of the multi-day educational program for the first time since 2019. Keeneland has offered the Fifth Grade Field Trips in this format for a total of 10 years.

“We are so excited to resume the Fifth Grade Field Trips because we've missed the energy and enthusiasm of the students and the opportunity to share the Thoroughbred industry with them,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This event is a fun way for students to hear about the historical, economic and cultural significance of Keeneland and the Thoroughbred industry and to learn about the variety of jobs in racing. For many students, these tours will be their first exposure to Keeneland and their first chance to touch a horse. Keeneland thanks our partners for helping us share the importance and the allure of the horse industry.”

Approximately 450 students will participate each day in the tour, which will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sales Pavilion with a welcome by Keeneland Senior Director of Operations and Community Relations Kara Heissenbuttel. Students then will watch a video about Keeneland and participate in a mock Thoroughbred auction. Next is a tour of themed educational stations around the grounds, where students will learn more about Keeneland and facets of the Thoroughbred industry.

Everyone will receive a book titled “Racing & Sales” with information about Keeneland, the history of Thoroughbred racing in Lexington, the life of a Thoroughbred, the economic impact of Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry and more. Pages include QR Codes for more information.

Keeneland's partners for the event are Amplify Horse Racing; Brook Ledge Horse Transportation; Godolphin; Kentucky Derby Museum; Life Adventure Center; Locust Trace AgriScience Center, part of Fayette County Public Schools; North American Racing Academy, affiliated with Bluegrass Community and Technical College; The Lignelli Family Foundation; University of Kentucky Equine Science Program; and Visit Horse Country.

The post Keeneland To Host 1,800 Elementary Schoolers For Field Trips To Learn About Thoroughbreds appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will thank its fans with special offers on tickets, food and beverages and hospitality during the final week of the 2023 season at Saratoga Race Course, which will culminate in a special Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday, Sept. 3.

Fan Appreciation Week, Wednesday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 4, will also be highlighted by the final premium giveaway of the season: a generously sized red and white polyester tote bag, presented by Saratoga Casino Hotel. The giveaway will be available to all fans with paid admission on Friday, Sept. 1, while supplies last.

Labor Day weekend will feature a special 12:40 p.m. post time, highlighted by the Grade 1, $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup on Saturday; the Grade 1, $300,000 Spinaway on Sunday; and the traditional Closing Day feature, the Grade 1, $300,000 Hopeful on Monday.

Fans will enjoy numerous giveaways, ticket discounts, food and beverage specials and more on Sunday, Sept. 3., the culmination of Fan Appreciation Week.

The afternoon will be highlighted by a second chance giveaway of the Saratoga Cooler Jug, a 64oz. red and white jug, presented by NYRA Bets. Fans will be able to claim their cooler jug as they exit each of the three gates beginning at 4 p.m., while supplies last.

NYRA ambassadors will surprise fans in the backyard with $5 Dunkin' cards and with discounted tickets to the Nov. 12 Adirondack Thunder hockey game at Cool Insuring Arena in Glens Falls. The Thunder, an ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, will be hosting a Saratoga-themed Sunday matinee in November.

Additional offerings on Sunday, Sept. 3 will include:

• Buy one ticket, get one free for reserved seats in the Clubhouse, Grandstand and Cutwater Stretch Premium Reserved section;
• Buy one reserved table, get one free in the Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock;
• An afternoon in the Paddock Suite, featuring an introduction to handicapping, for half the regular season price at $45 per person; Tickets can be purchased through Fevo.
• A family four-pack, including four Grandstand reserved seats with admission and $10 food and beverage credit per person for $99;
• Special $5 pricing on hot dogs and $5 12oz. beers at select concessions;
• Special $5 pricing on slices of pizza at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Cheese pie and 4-pack of 16oz. beer for $36 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Burger, fries and domestic 16oz. beer for $22 at the Finish Line Grill & Pizza;
• Trackside parking for $10 (valet parking not included);
• Sunday brunch buffet at The Rail at the 1863 Club, including two mimosas or Bloody Marys, starting at $95 per person; reservations are available online at Ticketmaster.com.
• $50 savings on Clubhouse Boxes, D-level;
• Exclusive to NYRA Bets members: complimentary admission to The Cutwater Stretch (reserved seating not included).

 

Excluding Saturday, Sept. 2, buy one, get one savings on reserved seating and reserved tables in the Clubhouse, Grandstand, Cutwater Stretch, Miller Time Fourstardave Sports Bar and Pick Six Vodka Picnic Paddock will be available during Fan Appreciation Week, Aug. 30 to Sept. 4. Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.com.

Other offers during Fan Appreciation Week include:

Wednesday, Aug. 30, Thursday, Aug. 31 and Monday, Sept. 4: Free Access to Paddock Suite

The Paddock Suite, unveiled in 2022, will be open to the public at no charge. The newest hospitality venue at Saratoga Race Course, the second story Paddock Suite is climate controlled and offers sweeping views of the historic Saratoga paddock and saddling area.

Friday, Sept. 1, Saturday, Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept. 4: Labor Day Weekend Barbecue

Fans can enjoy a Labor Day weekend-themed barbecue buffet in The Rail at the 1863 Club starting at $95 per person on Friday and Monday (starting at $110 per person on Saturday). Tickets may be purchased through Ticketmaster.

Additionally, fans on Saturday, Sept. 2, can experience a luxury suite in the 1863 Club. Individual tickets, which include shared access to the suite with refilled snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, are $185 per person and may be purchased through Fevo.

Reservations for these offers are also available at the Saratoga Race Course Box Office, located at Gate A, or by phone at 844-NYRA-TIX.

The 2023 summer meet at historic Saratoga Race Course resumes on Wednesday, Aug. 30 and concludes on Monday, Sept. 4.

For more information about Fan Appreciation Week, visit NYRA.com/Fans.

The post NYRA To Conclude Saratoga Meet With Fan Appreciation Events appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham penned a letter last week to the New Mexico Racing Commission, expressing concern over what she wrote is the fifth-highest death toll in the nation for racehorses.

Grisham's letter to the commission, which was reported on by the Associated Press, said that 642 horses had been euthanized in the state from 2014-22 though it's not immediately clear where that figure came from.

Seven Quarter Horses died in the recent trials for the All-American Futurity, six of whom the AP reported were examined pre-race. The state has openly acknowledged a veterinary shortage that has made it logistically difficult to examine all runners (Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred) before races, a practice that is standard in other states.

The New Mexico Racing Commission scheduled a special meeting Aug. 28 to address Grisham's concerns.

Read more at the Associated Press

The post New Mexico Governor Calls For Changes To Improve Safety, Catch Illegal Drugs In Racing appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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