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Arizona Downs Announces Partnership With Colonial Downs Operator

Arizona Downs announced a new partnership with Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) for the 2021 summer racing meet. P2E has an extensive track record of supporting horse racing in Virginia and Louisiana, and will consult with Arizona Downs regarding the management of the live racing and simulcast operations during the racing season.

“Arizona horse racing has faced numerous challenges in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic placed additional strain on the industry,” said Tom Auther, managing member of JACOR, the owner of Arizona Downs. “We are pleased to partner with P2E who has the knowledge and expertise to help revitalize Arizona horse racing.”

P2E is the owner and operator of the Colonial Downs Group, consisting of the Colonial Downs Racetrack and five Rosie's Gaming Emporiums throughout Virginia powered by historic horse racing technology.

Arizona Downs and the Arizona Horseman's Benevolent and Protective Association (AZHBPA) have reached agreement on a live racing contract and the terms of the 2021 race meet. The 2021 racing program offers the most attractive race meet in Arizona Downs history. The meet consists of 32 race days at a daily average of $70,000 per day beginning June 1 through Sept. 15. Live racing occurs Tuesdays and Wednesdays with the first race post scheduled for 2:30PM (MST)/ 4:30PM (EST).

“P2E developed a proven formula in Virginia that resurrected the horse racing in the state after a six-year hiatus,” said Bob Hutton, President of the AZHBPA. “Our association did our due-diligence and received high praise from our colleagues in Virginia about P2E. We are looking forward to the summer meet.”

P2E is a trailblazer in the gaming, racing and entertainment industry with multiple gaming and entertainment destinations across the county and more developments planned in the near future. The company focuses on introducing a modern approach to horse racing and implementing these successful concepts across the country.

“The cornerstone of our success is based on service, quality, community and the people who make it work,” said Aaron Gomes, COO of P2E. “We apply this to all we do, and we are pleased to share with Arizona Downs and Arizona horsemen guidance that has made our Virginia operations successful.”

The post Arizona Downs Announces Partnership With Colonial Downs Operator appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Updated: ‘Integrity Issue’ Behind 30-Day Suspension Of Eclipse Award-Winning Apprentice

Eclipse Award-winning apprentice jockey Alexander Crispin has been suspended for 30 days and fined $1,000 for carrying the wrong weight during a race at Laurel Park in Maryland, the Daily Racing Form reported Tuesday.

On Wednesday, DRF reported the circumstances surrounding the ruling. Maryland stewards had heard rumors about Crispin allegedly riding under weight.

The race in question is the ninth on Jan. 16, 2021, in which Alpha Queue finished third. The horse, trained by Lacey Gaudet, was disqualified, and the Equibase chart notes that it “carried wrong weight.” Crispin's listed weight in the chart, presumably the weight at which he was supposed to ride Alpha Queue, was 115 pounds.

Video evidence showed that Crispin weighed in at 115 before the race, but 110 afterward.

According to the condition book, Crispin can ride at as low as 108 pounds.

Maryland rules require disqualification if the jockey rides at least one pound below listed weight, while overweights may be penalized with warnings.

“We felt, as a group, that it was an integrity issue, and it needed to be addressed,” chief state steward Adam Campola told drf.com. “We wanted to make sure something like this doesn't happen again.”

Two stewards outside of Maryland, commenting without specific knowledge of Crispin's case, told the Daily Racing Form that the fine and suspension suggest Crispin may have deliberately falsified his weight, or knew that he was not riding under the assigned weight.

Amateur Jockey Rob James Apologizes For ‘Wholly Inappropriate’ Actions In Viral Video

Amateur jockey Rob James issued an apology via The Irish Field on Tuesday, after a video depicting him astride a dead horse made the rounds on social media.

“I would just like of apologize for my actions which were wholly inappropriate and disrespectful to a lovely 5-year-old mare, who unfortunately suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while at exercise earlier that morning, April 30, 2016,” James said. “To try defending my stupidity at the time would add further insult and hurt to the many loyal people that have supported me during my career. I have caused embarrassment to my employers, my family and most importantly the sport I love.”

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) announced it would investigate the via, stating via Twitter: “We are aware of further social media content circulating and the matter is under investigation.”

The video of James follows the emergence of a picture of trainer Gordon Elliott astride a fallen racehorse, which caused the trainer to be banned the British Horseracing Authority.

Churchill Downs Considers Increasing Kentucky Derby Capacity

On Monday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced that businesses would be allowed to increase indoor capacity from 50 to 60 percent. According to the Courier-Journal, Churchill Downs is now considering increasing fan capacity at this year's Kentucky Derby, scheduled for Saturday, May 1.

Previously, Churchill had announced that 40 to 50 percent of the track's reserve seating capacity would be sold for Derby day. Now, that capacity might be increased to 60 percent, though a specific number of seats has not been decided. General admission tickets will not be sold until closer to the date of the Kentucky Derby.

“With the governor's announcement yesterday, we've started to analyze how we can flex up and remain nimble for the weeks to come for any additional charges and restrictions as that might come out,” Churchill president Mike Anderson told the Courier-Journal. “We'll continue to follow the guidelines for both local and state health agencies to make sure we are following all the COVID compliance.”

No fans were permitted at the 2020 edition of the Kentucky Derby, which was held on Sept. 5, due to the pandemic.