Tag: The Biz

Churchill Downs To Welcome Back Fans When Fall Meet Starts On Oct. 25

The Kentucky horse racing circuit shifts from Keeneland in Lexington to Churchill Downs in Louisville on Sunday as the historic home of the Kentucky Derby readies to open its 131st Fall Meet with an 11-race program – all for promising 2-year-old Thoroughbreds – at 1 p.m. (all times Eastern).

The popular 24-day stand covers a five-week stretch every Wednesday-Sunday through Nov. 29, with the exception of Friday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 7 when the Breeders' Cup World Championships return to Keeneland.

The Fall Meet kicks off in style Sunday with the 16th annual “Stars of Tomorrow I” program, which is entirely devoted to hopeful 2-year-old stars that have aspirations of trail-blazing their way to next year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (GI) and Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI).

Sunday's 11-race opening day card is headlined by the eighth runnings of two 1 1/16 miles, $98,000-added overnight stakes – the open-company Street Sense and Rags to Riches for fillies. Those races serve as local steppingstones to the two Grade II, $200,000, 1 1/16-mile counterparts on the Saturday, Nov. 28 “Stars of Tomorrow II” program – the open Kentucky Jockey Club and Golden Rod for fillies that are part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks series which award points to the Top 4 finishers (10-4-2-1).

Churchill Downs Welcomes Back Guests

Sunday's Fall Meet opener will mark the first time this year that spectators can return to Churchill Downs for live racing. Churchill Downs will continue to follow the COVID-19 health and safety protocols for Venues and Events as mandated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Last year's average daily attendance during the Fall Meet was 4,200 guests, and less spectators are expected this year. Reserved outdoor box seats as well as select indoor premium areas will be open with proper social distancing at limited capacity per the state's requirements for venues and event spaces.

To facilitate a safe and enjoyable experience, there will be no general admission at the Fall Meet but first floor reserved box seats will be sold at general admission pricing for $5 ($7 on Nov. 27-28). Third floor box seats are $12. Dining options are $39 ($72 on Thanksgiving Day and $49 on Nov. 27-28). Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Parking is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Temperature checks, medical questionnaires, physical distancing and mandatory face coverings will be required upon entrance and movement within Churchill Downs. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.

More information on Churchill Downs' COVID-19 health and safety guidelines can be found online at https://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets/admissions-services/updates.

The post Churchill Downs To Welcome Back Fans When Fall Meet Starts On Oct. 25 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Delaware Park Shows Increases In Average Handle, Starters During 2020 Meet

Despite a reduction in live race dates and significant safety protocols for live on-track patrons, horsemen and employees due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 live race meet at Delaware Park concluded on positive notes on Saturday, Oct. 17.

The 83rd season of live racing was originally scheduled to have 85-days beginning on May 27 and ending on Oct. 31, but because of the pandemic the meet was reduced by 20-days with opening day on June 17.

The 65-day season had increases in average handle per race and average starters per race. In 2020, the average handle per race was $167,192 with average starters per race of 7.52 and in 2019, the average handle per race was $157,640 with average starters per race of 6.56. There were 556 races compared to 661 in 2019. Total handle was $92,958,696 compared to the $104,200,290 from last year's 81-day meet.

“Without a doubt, this was one of the most challenging meets I can remember, but in many ways, it was also one of the most rewarding,” said Kevin DeLucia, Senior Vice President of Racing/Finance, who has been at Delaware Park for 24 years. “We were one of the first tracks and sporting venues to allow fans and we did so from the beginning of the meet until the end without incident. While we successfully negotiated all of the safety protocols and restrictions, we experienced increases in average handle and starters per race. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the cooperation and support of the fans, employees, Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen Association and the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission.”

For the sixth time in seven years, Carol Cedeno was the leading jockey with 84 victories. The native of Puerto Rico, who lives in Delaware, has been the leading rider at Delaware Park every year since 2014, with the exception of 2017. She equaled the record for most titles by a jockey set by Michael McCarthy, who won six from 1996 through 2000 and 2002. Cedeno, concluded the meet 11 wins away from her 1,000th career victory (through October 21). Nearly 500 of those wins have been at Delaware Park.

“It really is overwhelming,” said jockey Carol Cedeno, who set the record for most wins in a day at Delaware Park in 2018 when she rode seven on a single card. “I am honored to be included in the group of the all-time great jockeys in Delaware Park history. There are some big names on that list and for my name to be among them at my hometown track is very humbling. We all work very hard at what we do and I am lucky that my hard work and sacrifices have resulted in these achievements.”

Jamie Ness recorded his sixth consecutive leading trainer championship by saddling 52 winners. The native of Heron, South Dakota, is one title shy of equaling the record for most consecutive trainer titles set by Delaware Park legends Grover 'Buddy' Delp from 1963 through 1969 and Scott Lake from 2002 through 2008. This is the eighth overall title for Ness. He has also been leading trainer in 2012 and 2013 and from 2015 through 2019. The record for most titles by a trainer is eleven also set by Grover “Buddy” Delp.

Jagger Inc. won the leading owner title by recording 25 wins.

The brilliant filly Dunbar Road won the Delaware Handicap with Irad Ortiz, Jr. aboard on July 11th. Owned by Peter M. Brant, the daughter of Quality Road posted a 3-length victory in the filly and mare summer classic. The Kentucky-bred is conditioned by Chad Brown. Otter Bend Stables' Gufo won the Kent Stakes with Trevor McCarthy aboard on July 4. The son of Declaration of War trained by Christophe Clement notched a half-length win and followed with a second in the Saratoga Derby on Aug. 15 and a victory in the Belmont Derby on Oct. 3.

“The racing at the meet was exciting and competitive from the beginning to the end,” said John Mooney, the Executive Director of Racing. “I could not be happier. Between our big race days and the race for leading jockey, trainer and owner, every live race day had something special. We are very much looking forward to seeing how horses like Dunbar Road and Gufo do in the race for national divisional championships. We could not be happier for Carol Cedeno and Jamie Ness as they are continuing the rich tradition of top and first class jockeys and trainers at Delaware Park.”

The post Delaware Park Shows Increases In Average Handle, Starters During 2020 Meet appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Golden Gate Fields Releases Fall Stakes Schedule Highlighted By Nov. 28 Berkeley Handicap

The 32-day 2020 Fall Meet at Golden Gate Fields begins Thursday, Oct. 22, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 13. For the first seven days of the meeting, first post is slated for 1:15 PM. Beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, post time for the first race moves to 12:45 PM.

Ten stakes races are spread throughout the eight-week season, beginning on Oct. 31 with the Pike Place Dancer at one mile on turf for 2-year-old fillies. On Nov. 1, the El Dorado Stakes calls attention to California-bred or California-sired sprinters at six furlongs on the Tapeta main track.

The Pike Place Dancer is one of four stakes races for 2-year-olds. On Saturday, Nov. 14, freshman sprinters journey six furlongs in the Golden Nugget. The fillies get their chance to shine two weeks later in the six-furlong Golden Gate Debutante on Nov. 27. The Gold Rush, a one-mile event on Saturday, Dec. 5, rounds out the 2-year-old Fall Meet stakes series.

The Joseph T. Grace, at one mile and a sixteenth on turf, is one of two stakes' for routers 3-years-old and upward. Horses who compete in the Nov. 7 Joseph T. Grace may also try their hand in the premier race of the meeting, the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta. The Grade 3 Berkeley is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, two days after Thanksgiving.

The six-furlong Oakland Stakes, for 3-year-olds and upward on Saturday, Nov. 21, shines light on top-quality Bay Area sprinters. Two stakes races highlight closing weekend: the six-furlong Bear Fan for California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares on Saturday, Dec. 12, and the Miss America on Closing Day Sunday, Dec. 13, for fillies and mares at one-mile and a sixteenth on turf.

For additional info or to nominate to a stake, please contact Golden Gate Fields Stakes Coordinator Lisa Jones by phone at (626) 388-8062 or by e-mail at lisnpac12@hotmail.com.

FALL 2020 STAKES SCHEDULE

Saturday, Oct. 31: The $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes (2-year-old filles at one mile on turf)

Sunday, Nov. 1: The $75,000 El Dorado Shooter Stakes (California-bred or California-sired 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 7: The $50,000 Joseph T. Grace Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

Saturday, Nov. 14: The $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes (2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 21: The $50,000 Oakland Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Friday, Nov. 27: The $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante 2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 28: The Grade 3 $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

Saturday, Dec. 5: The $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes (2-year-olds at one mile on Tapeta)

Saturday, Dec. 12: The $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes (California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Sunday, Dec. 13: The $50,000 Miss America Stakes (Fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

The post Golden Gate Fields Releases Fall Stakes Schedule Highlighted By Nov. 28 Berkeley Handicap appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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