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New York: Cuomo Bets On Mobile Sports Wagering To Help ‘Rebuild From The COVID-19 Crisis’

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is finally supporting online sports wagering in his state, reports the New York Daily News. Sports wagering is legal in several brick-and-mortar locations around New York, but looking at a multi-billion dollar budget deficit after the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged his state, the revenue potential of legalizing online sports wagering looks too good to pass up.

“New York has the potential to be the largest sports wagering market in the United States, and by legalizing online sports betting we aim to keep millions of dollars in tax revenue here at home, which will only strengthen our ability to rebuild from the COVID-19 crisis,” Cuomo said in a statement.

Nearby New Jersey handled a total of $931.6 million in sports wagers in November of 2020, outpacing Nevada and breaking a previous one-month record.

However, rather than tie the sports wagering companies to existing casino licenses, Cuomo hopes to change up the revenue model by allowing the state lottery to be in charge, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

“We want to do sports betting the way the state runs the lottery where the state gets the revenues,” Cuomo said in a briefing at the state capital. “Many states have done sports betting but they basically allow casinos to run their own gambling operations. That makes a lot of money for casinos but it makes minimal money for the state.

“And I'm not here to make casinos a lot of money. I'm here to raise funds for the state. So we have a different model for sports betting.”

Read more at the New York Daily News and the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

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Oaklawn To Welcome Limited Number Of Fans For 2021 Meet

Pursuant to the Arkansas Department of Health directive, Oaklawn plans to conduct the 2021 live meet with limited spectators. The 57-day season runs Friday, Jan. 22 – Saturday, May 1.

“We've been working on plans covering numerous scenarios and we're happy to announce we will be welcoming back race fans in 2021, albeit on a limited basis,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “We know that the fans are what make Oaklawn so special, but our main concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We appreciate the support we have received from the Arkansas Department of Health in developing this plan. We will be working with them throughout the live season and will adjust as needed.”

In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health, Oaklawn has submitted a plan to allow a limited number of spectators at the races during the 2021 live race meet highlighted by the following:

· General admission into the Grandstand will not be allowed initially in 2021.

· Entrance into the Grandstand will strictly be for guests with a racing credential and/or reservation for that day's races. Doors will open at 11 am.

· Current seasonal box seat holders and current Oaklawn Jockey Club members may enter the Grandstand with weekly reservations required. Detailed correspondence to be sent separately to these individuals.

· Restaurants inside the Grandstand, following Arkansas Department of Health directives, will be open to the public with weekly reservations required.

· Simulcast will be open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am–8pm to limited capacity with weekly reservations required.

· Social distancing will be enforced.

· All guests and team members will be required to have non-invasive temperature checks as they enter the facility. Anyone presenting a temp at/over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted inside the building.

· All guests and team members will be required to wear masks at all times.

· Smoking will not be allowed anywhere inside the facility, including the casino.

Restaurant reservations may be made starting Jan. 18 by calling 501-363-4710.

Simulcast reservations may be made starting January 18 by calling 501-363-4320.

For additional details and future updates, please visit oaklawn.com.

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Japan Racing Association Named Official Partner Of International Conference Of Horseracing Authorities

The Japan Racing Association (JRA) has become the official partner of the 55th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities, which is organized by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). The conference is customarily held at the beginning of October.

The first International Conference of Horseracing Authorities was organized and hosted by the Société d'Encouragement in Paris, France, on October 9, 1967. In 1993 the IFHA was funded with amalgamating around sixty members and since 1994, the annual conference has been organized by the IFHA at France Galop.

This official partnership will contribute to the further development of international horse racing and international cooperation.

Additionally, as part of the partnership, the JRA will promote Japanese racing on the IFHA's website and social media channels.

“We are pleased to have the JRA become our partner for the Federation's signature conference,” said IFHA Chairman Louis Romanet. “Our conference, which traditionally is held in Paris, was virtual in 2020 due to COVID-19, but we are hopeful that it will be able to return to its traditional format this year.”

“The JRA is delighted to be the partner of the International Conference of Horseracing Authorities,” said JRA President and CEO Masayuki Goto. “For more than 50 years, the International Horse Racing Conference has played a major role in the development of the global horse racing industry and enables delegates from all over the world, as well as a number of other racing executives, to exchange information, provide mutual assistance and promote joint research. By becoming a partner of the historical IFHA Conference, JRA hopes to contribute to the further development of international horse racing.”

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Turfway Park Posts 34.6 Percent Handle Increase In December Despite Three Fewer Race Dates

Turfway Park in Florence, Ky. delivered positive results in wagering and average field size during its 13-day Holiday Meet, which wrapped up a five-week run on Dec. 31.

Despite three fewer race dates compared to 2019, all-sources wagering at Turfway Park soared to $32.3 million, an $8.3 million jump and 34.6 percent increase from last year's $24.0 million. The average daily handle skyrocketed 65.6 percent from $1.5 million in 2019 to $2.48 million in 2020.

The average starters per race grew from 10.3 horses in 2019 to a strong 10.5 this year, which produced highly competitive racing over the track's newly-installed Tapeta synthetic surface. Installed during the summer of 2020, the new Tapeta surface has received positive reviews from horsemen and jockeys alike and has proven to be a fair and rewarding surface for horseplayers.

Gerardo Corrales (53-15-8-4—$226,928), who has ridden in the U.S. since 2015 after graduating from the Laffit Pincay Jockey Training Academy in his native Panama, earned his first Turfway Park riding title with 15 wins, four more than runner-up Albin Jimenez (56-11-9-4—$199,469). They were followed in the jockey standings by top money-earner Rafael Bejarano (60-10-14-10—$234,511), Chris Landeros (42-9-8-6—$219,045) and Santiago Gonzalez (35-7-5-2—$100,949).

Bill Morey (21-6-3-2—$127,900), who relocated to Kentucky from California last year, was the top trainer with six wins – one more than Wesley Ward (20-5-3-2—$101,169) – and also led all trainers in money-won. There was a five-way tie for third between Mike Maker (37-4-5-5—$97,508), Kenny McPeek (11-4-2-0—$78,879), Brad Cox (11-4-0-2—$78,430), Genaro Garcia (19-4-2-1—$58,045) and John Ortiz (11-4-0-0—$42,844).

Ten owners had two winners, including top money earner Gladys Campos' Campos Family Ventures LLC (8-2-3-0—$44,785).

Two horses won twice during the five-week stand: Prairie Bayou Stakes winner Set Piece (GB) (2-2-0-0—$41,740) and low-level claimer Drink (2-2-0-0—$12,600).

The Winter/Spring Meet at Turfway Park began Jan. 1 and will continue through March 28. Racing is conducted on a Thursday-Saturday schedule, although there is a special Wednesday, Jan. 6 program. The first race is 6:15 p.m. (all times Eastern) and most programs feature eight races. All Turfway Park races can be watched and wagered on TwinSpires.com, the official advance-deposit wagering service for Churchill Downs Incorporated and its family of racetracks.

With increased interest by Kentucky horsemen and Churchill Downs Incorporated's investment and redevelopment of Turfway Park to enhance winter/spring racing on the Kentucky circuit, Turfway Park's Winter/Spring Meet features a nine-race, $1.045 million stakes schedule, including four stakes that will offer points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks.

The $250,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (Grade 3) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles has been repositioned to Saturday, March 27 and will offer 170 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby (Top 4 Points: 100-40-20-10). Additionally, the $100,000 John Battaglia Memorial at 1 1/16 miles on Friday, Feb. 26 has been added as a “Prep Season” race (Top 4 Points: 10-4-2-1).

The $150,000 Boubonette Oaks for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on March 27 will feature 85 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks (Top 4 Points: 50-20-10-5) and its prep race, the $65,000 Cincinnati Trophy at 6 ½ furlongs on Friday, Feb. 26 will be worth 17 points (Top 4 Points: 10-4-2-1).

As was the case during the Holiday Meet, Turfway Park's wagering menu will feature a 15 percent takeout 50-cent Pick 5 that starts in Race 1 each night as well as the 15 percent takeout 20-cent Single 6 Jackpot on Races 3-8. There are two 14 percent takeout 50-cent Pick 4 sequences on each card with the first offered on Races 2-5 and the second on Races 5-8.

Established in 1959 as Latonia, Turfway Park is a Thoroughbred racetrack in Northern Kentucky. The track hosts live racing from late fall through early spring, maintaining the winter dates for Kentucky's year-round live racing circuit, and offers simulcast wagering year-round. Turfway Park recently installed a new all-weather Tapeta synthetic racing surface in 2020 for live racing and has been home to the Jeff Ruby Steaks and Bourbonette Oaks, qualifying races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks, respectively. Turfway Park was purchased by Churchill Downs Incorporated in October 2019.

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