The Biz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Kent Desormeaux Suspended For Disorderly Conduct After Using Racial Slur In July Incident At Del Mar

Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux has been suspended 15 days by California Horse Racing Board stewards for a July 28 incident on the grounds of the Del Mar racetrack and fairgrounds in which Desormeaux is said to have used a racial slur against an African-American television cameraman that led to a fight between the two men, according to Daily Racing Form.

The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club ejected Desormeaux from the property shortly after the incident.

The stewards' ruling, as reported by the Form, cited Desormeaux for disorderly conduct and requires that he be evaluated by the Winners Foundation, which offers assistance to individuals in California racing dealing with substance abuse issues. In the past, Desormeaux has admitted to being an alcoholic.

A verbal dispute in the RV parking area of the track property between Desormeaux, 50, and 44-year-old Guy Stuttley became physical after Desormeaux used a racial slur, according to the report. Stuttley was fined $200 for fighting and disorderly conducted in a separate ruling, according to the Form.

His agent, J.R. Pegram, said Desormeaux does not intend to appeal the suspension. Pegram told the Form the Louisiana native plans to return to Southern California to resume riding at the end of the suspension, which is to run through Sept. 22.

Saratoga Wrap: Despite No Fans On-Track, Wagering Nearly Matches 2019 Figures

The New York Racing Association, Inc. successfully concluded its 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., without interruption and with all-sources handle topping $700 million for the second consecutive year.

Highlighted by Tiz the Law's dominant performance in winning the 151st running of the Grade 1, $1-million Runhappy Travers, the meet was conducted without spectators and with only a limited number of essential personnel, horsemen and owners on-site due to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

All-sources handle for the 2020 summer meet totaled $702,535,468 compared to $705,343,949 wagered from all sources on Saratoga in 2019.

Average daily handle for the 40-day meet was $17,563,387. The 2019 meet, which was run across 39 days due to the cancellation of a full card due to weather, generated average daily handle of $18,085,742.

Pari-mutuel wagering funds the majority of the NYRA purse account, which is awarded to horsemen and, in turn, benefits hundreds of small businesses operating at NYRA tracks and others dependent on the thoroughbred racing industry.

“NYRA thanks the horsemen and women as well as the entire backstretch community whose professionalism and dedication in adhering to our COVID-19 protocols enabled us to conduct our summer meet without interruption,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We would also like to thank city and county leaders for their efforts in working with us to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants, and the Saratoga community for welcoming us without reservation. While the 2020 Saratoga meet was a success in many ways, it will most be remembered for the absence of our passionate fans and the irreplaceable energy that they bring to Saratoga each summer. Despite not being able to attend in person, horseplayers watched and wagered with tremendous enthusiasm, and we thank them for their continued support.”

A total of 409 races were run this summer including 226 on dirt and 183 on the turf. 32 races were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size over the 409 races was 7.4. This compares to 403 total races run in 2019, including 225 on dirt and 178 on turf. 38 were taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size in 2019 was 7.9.

Klaravich Stables was the meet's leading owner with 13 wins. Trainer Todd Pletcher claimed the H. Allen Jerkens training title for the 14th time in his illustrious career with 32 wins. The Ortiz brothers battled down to the final race of the meet as Irad Ortiz, Jr. edged out Jose Ortiz 59 to 58 to claim the Angel Cordero, Jr. riding title.

NYRA Bets, the official betting partner for Saratoga Race Course, experienced significant growth during the meet. NYRA and locally-based Stewart's Shops partnered this summer to unveil a new method for fans to fund their NYRA Bets accounts through the introduction of NYRA Bets Gift Cards. Horseplayers responded enthusiastically and purchased more than 12,000 gift cards at Stewart's Shops between Opening Day and Labor Day.

During this season without spectators, fans turned to Saratoga Live, NYRA's highly-acclaimed and award-winning television program, in greater numbers than ever before. Average viewership of Saratoga Live on FS1 totaled approximately 120,000, while just under 1.3 million viewers watched the Runhappy Travers on FOX. Overall time spent viewing Saratoga Live increased by 300 percent during the more than 210 hours of live programming broadcast on FOX Sports throughout the meet.

NYRA was active on the charitable front to help support the Saratoga community during the pandemic.

NYRA Cares generated $13,380 for the Adirondack Trust Company Community Fund which will distribute the money to locally-based charities and non-profit organizations impacted by COVID-19. The Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce raised the funds through an online auction of items provided by NYRA as well as through donations from fans.

NYRA donated $20,000 to four Saratoga Springs charities through the sale of Saratoga Race Course-branded face masks. NYRA worked closely with Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly in selecting the beneficiaries which provide food, shelter and other critical resources. The funds were divided evenly among AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

NYRA also made good use of its popular picnic tables which went unoccupied during the season by lending them to the Saratoga Springs City School District, the City of Saratoga Springs and the village of Schuylerville to enable students and residents to enjoy outdoor dining while maintaining social distancing.

“NYRA has not only been an outstanding partner from a philanthropic standpoint, but also as a leader in the continued effort to keep our community safe,” said Mayor Kelly. “For months, we have worked closely with NYRA to ensure this year's meet would be a success despite the challenging environment. We thank NYRA for its commitment to the health and safety of all city residents this summer.”

As a not-for-profit organization, NYRA's mission is to strengthen and grow the sport of thoroughbred racing in New York state, which drives an industry responsible for 19,000 jobs and $3 billion in annual economic impact, including $240 million alone in the Capital Region during a traditional Saratoga summer meet.

Live racing returns to Belmont Park on Friday, September 18 for the 27-day fall meet, which includes 38 stakes worth $5.58 million in purse money. Following opening weekend at Belmont, live racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday, with the exception of Columbus Day weekend, when live racing will be offered on Monday, October 12 and will resume on Friday, October 16. The meet runs through Sunday, November 1.

New York state currently requires all racetracks to operate without spectators in attendance to combat the spread of COVID-19.

America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Belmont Park fall meet with coverage to air on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

For more information, visit NYRA.com.

The post Saratoga Wrap: Despite No Fans On-Track, Wagering Nearly Matches 2019 Figures appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Left At The Gate: Kentucky Downs Race Called ‘No Contest’

The fifth race on Monday's opening-day program at Kentucky Downs in Franklin, Ky., was declared “no contest” by stewards after the starting gate opened before the final two horses in the 12-horse field were loaded.

Mechanicville, the No. 6 horse, and No. 12 Catman were standing behind the gate for the one-mile maiden special weight race when the stalls opened. Several other runners in the field were unprepared for the start.

Daily Racing Form reported that the incident was described by track spokesperson Jennie Rees as a result of “mechanical” failure rather than human error by starter Scott Jordan.

Royal Prince, the betting favorite at the close of betting, was first across the finish for trainer Brad Cox and jockey Shaun Bridgmohan, but after a lengthy inquiry the announcement was made that the race would not count.

All wagers were refunded.

According to Daily Racing Form, Kentucky Downs issued the following statement: “Owners of 12 horses in today's 5th to receive $5,000 from purse account; every jockey $500 after apparent gate malfunction forced race to be declared No Contest. Track working on opportunity for horses to run back at meet if connections choose.”

The post Left At The Gate: Kentucky Downs Race Called ‘No Contest’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

NYRA Sets COVID-19 Jockey Protocols for Belmont Fall Meet; Out-Of-Town Riders Not Permitted

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) on Sunday announced COVID-19 health and safety protocols for jockeys during the 27-day Belmont Park fall meet. The Elmont, N.Y., track will open on Friday, September 18, and run through Sunday, November 1.

The Belmont Park fall meet will be highlighted by 22 graded stakes, featuring seven Grade 1 events and seven Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” qualifiers to the two-day Breeders' Cup 2020 World Championships to be held November 6-7 at Keeneland Race Course.

In order to mitigate risk and reduce the spread of COVID-19, Belmont Park will be closed to out-of-town jockeys until further notice. However, members of the regular NYRA jockey colony who travel to ride at any other racetrack during the Belmont Park fall meet will be required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests taken within a 5-day window in order to return to ride at Belmont. Jockeys traveling out of state who have completed the required testing will then be physically isolated in the jockey quarters for three additional calendar days.

For example, if a NYRA jockey travels out of New York to compete on a Saturday then that jockey should be tested upon return to New York on Sunday and tested again on Thursday. Should both tests be returned negative then the jockey will be allowed to ride races at Belmont beginning Friday and will be provided an isolated area on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

NYRA jockeys who have traveled outside of New York state to compete at other racetracks beginning the week of August 31 will also be required to provide two negative COVID-19 tests taken within the 5-day window preceding that jockey's first mount at Belmont Park.

Jockeys who have remained in New York and not competed at other tracks following the conclusion of the summer meet on September 7 will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within the 7-day window preceding that jockey's first mount at Belmont Park.

All testing must be performed in New York state.

Condition Book 1 for the fall meet currently lists 17 active jockeys and two apprentice riders who will be designated members of the NYRA jockey colony. Jockeys and agents interested in being included in the NYRA jockey colony may contact NYRA Senior Vice President of Racing Operations Martin Panza for consideration by September 18.

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.

Jockeys are not permitted access to the barn area. In order to work a horse in the morning, the jockey must meet the horse in the paddock and may then proceed to the main track.

Jockey agents must produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to gain access to the barn area. Races will continue to be drawn via Zoom.

All valets must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken anytime after September 13 in order to access the jockey quarters on opening day, September 18. Valets working in in the jockey quarters are not permitted in the barn area.

The 2020 Belmont Park fall meet will begin on Friday, September 18 and run through Sunday, November 1. Following opening weekend at Belmont, live racing will be conducted Thursday through Sunday with the exception of Columbus Day weekend, when live racing will be offered on Monday, October 12 and will resume on Friday, October 16.

America's Day at the Races will present daily television coverage of the Belmont Park fall meet with coverage to air on FOX Sports and MSG Networks.

The post NYRA Sets COVID-19 Jockey Protocols for Belmont Fall Meet; Out-Of-Town Riders Not Permitted appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post