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Churchill Boosts Purses By $3.1 Million Thanks To Derby City Gaming

Before the first race is run Saturday on Opening Night of the 38-day Spring Meet, Churchill Downs Racetrack has announced that purses will be raised an additional $3.1 million thanks to robust business from state-of-the-art historical racing machines at Derby City Gaming.

Total purses offered in the first condition book for horsemen, which covers 190 races over 19 dates through Thursday, May 27, have grown to $22,822,100 for a daily average of $1,201,163. That represents a 5.9% percent increase from the previously published $21,544,000.

Maiden special weight races are now worth $115,000 during Kentucky Derby Week and $100,000 post-Derby, which is up from the previously published $106,000 and $91,000, respectively. Kentucky Derby Week allowance races will range from $118,000 to $125,000 and $102,000 to $109,000 after Derby. They were $109,000 to $116,000 and $93,000 to $100,000, respectively.

Additionally, the purses for 25 stakes races were boosted. A trio of stakes received $50,000 increases: the $150,000 Audubon for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles on turf on May 29; Grade 2, $300,000 Fleur de Lis for fillies and mares at 1 1/8 miles on June 26; and Grade 2, $300,000 Wise Dan for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf on June 26. Fourteen stakes originally worth $125,000 were boosted $25,000 to $150,000 and eight overnight stakes races received $10,000 increases.

The 40-race Spring Meet stakes schedule now totals $14.02 million.

The growth has been driven by handle on historical racing machines at Derby City Gaming, which is located at 4520 Poplar Level Road.

“Over the last 10 years, historical horse racing has allowed our equine industry to flourish, increasing purses and creating a more competitive racing circuit,” said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Mike Anderson. “It has led to new jobs, economic growth and tourism.

“Despite the challenges of the last year, we have a bright future ahead – one of growth, innovation, new jobs and development. Recently we opened our $8 million Equine Medical Center and Quarantine Facility. This summer, we're investing $10 million to install a new turf course to improve the overall racing product. In northern Kentucky, our sister track Turfway Park saw handle grow 32.9% after we installed a new Tapeta surface, and recently we broke ground on a $145 million state-of-the-art Thoroughbred and historical horse racing venue. All of this will strengthen and bring innovation to our equine industry and ensure Kentucky remains the horse capital of the world.”

Churchill Downs Stakes Schedule

Date	Running	Grade	Purse	Race	Conditions	Distance	Surface
Saturday, April 24	6^th	Listed	$150,000	William Walker	3yo	5 ½ F	Turf
Tuesday, April 27	3^rd		$130,000	Isaac Murphy Marathon Overnight Stakes presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance	4&up	1 ½ M	Dirt
Wednesday, April 28	27^th		$150,000	Kentucky Juvenile	2yo	5 F	Dirt
Thursday, April 29	11^th		$150,000	Unbridled Sidney	3&up, f&m	5 ½ F	Turf
Thursday, April 29	16^th		$130,000	Opening Verse Overnight Stakes	4&up	1 M	Turf
Friday, April 30	147^th	I	$1,250,000	Longines Kentucky Oaks	3yo f	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	36^th	I	$500,000	La Troienne presented by TwinSpires.com	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	18^th	II	$400,000	Alysheba presented by Sentient Jet	4&up	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Friday, April 30	66^th	II	$300,000	Eight Belles presented by Smithfield	3yo f	7 F	Dirt
Friday, April 30	37^th	II	$300,000	Edgewood presented by Newport Racing & Gaming	3yo f	1 1/16 M	Turf
Friday, April 30	27^th	II	$250,000	Twin Spires Turf Sprint presented by Sysco	3&up	5 ½ F	Turf
Saturday, May 1	147^th	I	$3,000,000	Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve	3yo	1 ¼ M	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	35^th	I	$1,000,000	Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic	4&up	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 1	86^th	I	$500,000	Churchill Downs presented by Ford	4&up	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	35^th	I	$500,000	Derby City Distaff presented by Kendall-Jackson Winery	4&up, f&m	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	36^th	II	$500,000	Longines Churchill Distaff Turf Mile	4&up, f&m	1 M	Turf
Saturday, May 1	97^th	II	$500,000	Pat Day Mile presented by LG&E and KU	3yo	1 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 1	30^th	II	$500,000	American Turf presented by Derby City Gaming	3yo	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, May 8	2^nd		$110,000	Mamzelle Overnight Stakes	3yo f	5 F	Turf
Saturday, May 15	84^th	III	$150,000	Louisville	4&up	1 ½ M	Turf
Saturday, May 22	18^th	III	$150,000	Winning Colors	4&up, f&m	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 22	8^th		$110,000	Keertana Overnight Stakes	4&up, f&m	1 ½ M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	24^th	III	$150,000	Matt Winn	3yo	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	52^nd	III	$150,000	Regret	3yo f	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	33^rd	Listed	$150,000	Aristides	4&up	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$150,000	Blame	4&up	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$150,000	Shawnee	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Dirt
Saturday, May 29	2^nd		$150,000	Audubon	3yo	1 1/8 M	Turf
Saturday, May 29	1^st		$110,000	Douglas Park Overnight Stakes	4&up	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 5	5^th		$110,000	Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes	3&up	5 F	Turf
Saturday, June 12	45^th	III	$150,000	Old Forester Mint Julep	4&up, f&m	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 19	11^th		$110,000	Roxelana Overnight Stakes	3&up, f&m	6 ½ F	Dirt
Friday, June 25	11^th		$110,000	Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes	3&up	7 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	40^th	II	$600,000	Stephen Foster	4&up	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	46^th	II	$300,000	Fleur de Lis	4&up, f&m	1 1/8 M	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	32^nd	II	$300,000	Wise Dan	4&up	1 1/16 M	Turf
Saturday, June 26	120^th	III	$150,000	Bashford Manor	2yo	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	120^th	Listed	$150,000	Debutante	2yo f	6 F	Dirt
Saturday, June 26	2^nd		$150,000	War Chant	3yo	1 M	Turf
Saturday, June 26	2^nd		$150,000	Tepin	3yo f	1 M	Turf

The post Churchill Boosts Purses By $3.1 Million Thanks To Derby City Gaming appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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NYRA Announces Jockey, Owner Protocols For Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys competing at the 48-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet.

The meet, which features 59 total stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, runs Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, July 11.

As has been the case at NYRA since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing in order to compete at Belmont Park. Vaccinated jockeys traveling to ride at Belmont Park, as well as members of the NYRA jockey colony who travel outside of New York State, will continue to be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

According to current Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen). NYRA will adhere to the current CDC guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccination standards.

As has been the case since April 1, all jockeys who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines will be permitted to enter the Belmont barn area for morning training. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated will not be permitted in the barn areas but can continue to meet horses in the Belmont Park paddock and utilize the main track.

NYRA will permit out-of-town jockeys to compete at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. Jockeys who have not been fully vaccinated must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken in New York State within 48 hours of the day they intend to compete at Belmont Park. Out-of-town jockeys will be provided isolated jockey quarters at Belmont Park.

In accordance with current CDC guidelines, jockeys who have traveled internationally will be required to quarantine for seven days upon their return. Four days after arrival in the United States, the jockey must be tested for COVID-19. Upon receipt of a negative COVID-19 PCR test, and completion of the seven-day quarantine, the jockey may compete at Belmont Park. All jockeys who have traveled internationally will be provided isolated jockey quarters.

In addition to race day safety protocols, which include standard health screening and temperature checks, the jockey quarters at Belmont Park have been substantially altered to provide maximum social distancing and reduce density. All areas accessed by jockeys during the regular course of a race day are closed to outside personnel, including credentialed media, and are cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.

Owners licensed by the New York State Gaming Commission will continue to be permitted to attend live racing on the day their horse is entered to run.

A limited number of licensed owners will be permitted within the barn area at Belmont Park during the 2021 spring/summer meet. In order to secure access to the barn area, owners must provide NYRA with proof of completed vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 5 days of the request. Owners are considered fully vaccinated 14 days or more after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or 14 days or more after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen).

Owners seeking access to the barn area should contact Zerfana Kahn in the NYRA Racing Office at ZKhan@nyrainc.com or 718.659.2313.

Owners approved to enter the barn area will be required to practice social distancing and to wear a facial covering at all times.

Jockey agents who are not fully vaccinated must produce a negative COVID-19 PCR test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

As has been the case since April 1, jockey valets who have been fully vaccinated to the satisfaction of CDC guidelines may continue to enter the barn areas for morning training. In addition, jockey valets who have been working in the barn areas and only saddling horses in the afternoon and have not been fully vaccinated may re-enter the jockey quarters after completing a 10-day quarantine and providing a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48-hours of their intended return.

The 2021 spring/summer meet at Belmont Park begins with an eight-race program on Thursday. First post is 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

For additional information, and the complete stakes schedule for the 2021 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, visit NYRA.com.

The post NYRA Announces Jockey, Owner Protocols For Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance Accreditation To Resume Following COVID-19 Pause

Following an eight-month hiatus from conducting on-track accreditation visits due to the impact of COVID-19, the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance (Alliance) has begun the process of re-accrediting racetracks, the NTRA announced today.

Accreditation by the Alliance has taken on additional meaning following the passage of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in December of 2020. The HISA federal regulations, which are set to be enacted in July 2022, note that the new Authority may extend provisional or interim accreditation to a racetrack accredited by the Alliance.

Applications for Alliance accreditation are available on the NTRA website at: https://mk0ntrauj6jy9vera.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-Application-for-Accreditation.pdf.

The current Alliance Code of Standards is available at:
https://mk0ntrauj6jy9vera.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021-Code-of-Standards-Final.pdf.

“Racetracks across the nation are gradually beginning to welcome back customers and participants, so it is time to begin the process of re-accrediting many of the 21 racetracks currently accredited by the Alliance,” said Alex Waldrop, President and Chief Executive Officer of the NTRA. “The Alliance will also consider applications from other non-accredited racetracks that wish to be accredited before the expected launch of HISA in 2022.”

The Alliance accreditation process begins with the submission by the racing association of a comprehensive written application, which must be supported by extensive documentation. Once the application is complete, an audit is performed by an Alliance inspection team that carefully examines each applicant's operations and conducts interviews with track management and other key personnel including track superintendents, racing office officials, track veterinarians and safety officers, as well as jockeys, owners, trainers, stewards, regulatory veterinarians, wagering security officials, customers and others to confirm full compliance with the Alliance Code of Standards.

The 21 racetracks currently accredited by the Alliance are: Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, Canterbury Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Ellis Park, Finger Lakes Casino and Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Indiana Grand, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Laurel Park, Monmouth Park, Parx Racing, Pimlico Race Course, Santa Anita Park, Saratoga Race Course, Sunland Park, Turfway Park and Woodbine.

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CHRB Approves Stricter Penalties For Whip Use, Hopes To Have New Rule In Place For Breeders’ Cup

Hoping to have a new rule in place for the 2021 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar in November, the California Horse Racing Board approved on Wednesday new, stricter penalties to impose on jockeys for excessive whip use, reports the Daily Racing Form.

Since Oct. 1, California jockeys have been limited to six underhanded strikes of the whip, and are allowed two strikes before pausing to allow for a response. Stewards have fined jockeys a total of $28,300 since the new rules were implemented, primarily for using the whip more than six times.

In a unanimous vote, the CHRB approved a rule establishing a minimum fine of $500 and possible three-day suspension for excessive whip use. The current rule calls for a maximum fine of $1,000, along with the possible three-day suspension.

The CHRB's new penalty rule will have a 45-day public comment period before coming back for final approval.

“I think this protects the domestic rider,” said CHRB Chairman Gregory Ferraro. “Our concern had been that riders, particularly from foreign countries, could violate the rule and a $500 fine and three-day suspension would be meaningless to them. This allows for considerably more punishment for egregious violations and makes it more fair to our domestic riding colony.”

“This addresses the concern that I had right along, that has been any excessive whipping and putting in-state riders at a disadvantage,” echoed commissioner Oscar Gonzalez. “I believe this measure addresses any concerns I had. I'm hoping this is something we can adopt and have in place by Breeders' Cup.”