The Biz | Horse Racing Free Tips

Face Mask Campaign Raises $20,000 For Saratoga Springs Non-Profits

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today presented a $20,000 donation to several non-profit organizations as a result of a joint initiative with the City of Saratoga Springs to raise funds for the community through the sale of limited-edition Saratoga Race Course face masks.

The campaign, which launched in mid-June and was immediately met with high demand from racing fans, raised a total of $20,000 which will be divided evenly between AIM Services, Inc.; Franklin Community Center; Shelters of Saratoga and the SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children).

NYRA worked with City of Saratoga Springs Mayor Meg Kelly to identify the program's four beneficiaries, which provide food, shelter and other critical resources during a time of increased need resulting from the coronavirus global health pandemic. A portion of proceeds from all mask sales was donated to the non-profits.

“It was great to see this level of support for a campaign that not only serves as a unique sign of the times, but benefits the collective health of the Saratoga community in so many ways,” said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. “We thank our fans for their enthusiasm surrounding the face masks, as well as Mayor Kelly and the City of Saratoga Springs for their continued partnership and leadership.”

“We are all grateful to NYRA and the Saratoga mask initiative for helping us 'Mask Up' and raise funds for four of our local non-profits,” said Mayor Kelly. “NYRA has demonstrated once again their commitment to the safety and well-being of our entire community. When we get through this, we will be able to look back with pride on the many ways the community pulled together. NYRA's example is just one of many that make Saratoga Springs such a special place to live, work and visit.”

A limited number of three-pack sets of Saratoga face masks remain available for purchase for $24.95 at Shop.NYRA.com.

The Saratoga reusable cloth face masks come in a variety pack featuring three individual designs: a red mask with a white Saratoga logo; a white mask with a red Saratoga logo; and a navy-blue mask with a red Saratoga logo. The masks include a white border and stretchable elastic ear straps with an interior pocket for a replaceable filter.

Saratoga face masks are for personal use only; not a replacement for medical grade personal protective equipment.

Founded in 1979, AIM Services, Inc. provides residential and community-based services to people with disabilities, including individuals with traumatic brain injuries and those looking for nursing home transition or diversion. The agency provides services to individuals in Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.

Franklin Community Center is a non-profit human service agency that has provided basic necessities and services to individuals and families in Saratoga Springs for more than 25 years. The Center serves more than 6,000 people annually through a variety of programs, including a food pantry, afterschool prevention, and safe and affordable housing.

Since 1991, Shelters of Saratoga has provided assistance to people who are facing homelessness by providing safe shelter, supportive services and sustainable strategies with the mission to end homelessness in the greater Saratoga region. Programs include emergency and case-managed shelters, outreach services, drop-in centers and affordable housing.

The SNACpack Program (Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children) provides backpacks filled with child-friendly, non-perishable, easily consumed foods to local children on weekends and when other resources aren't available. The bags are distributed weekly to all six elementary, middle and high schools in the Saratoga Springs Central School District.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Racing at Saratoga is conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays. Closing week will run Wednesday, September 2 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

Under New York state guidelines, Saratoga Race Course is operating without spectators in attendance.

Saratoga Live presents daily television coverage of the 40-day summer meet on FOX Sports and MSG Networks. For the complete Saratoga Live broadcast schedule, and additional programming information, visit NYRA.com/SaratogaLive.

For more information about Saratoga Race Course, visit NYRA.com.

The post Face Mask Campaign Raises $20,000 For Saratoga Springs Non-Profits appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Racing In South Korea In State Of ‘Near-Collapse’ Due To Lack Of Off-Site Wagering

A group of lawmakers in South Korea have submitted a bill that could throw a financial lifeline to horse racing by allowing online betting for the first time.

The sport has been brought to near-collapse after undergoing one of the longest shutdowns of any racing jurisdiction. Racing ceased from February to June as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Racing in Seoul, Busan and Jeju has resumed behind closed doors but, unlike in Japan and Hong Kong, there has been no betting because wagers are only allowed to be taken in person at a racecourse or an off-track facility, which have stayed closed to customers.

Derby-winning British jockey Alan Munro has called for the sport in South Korea to join nearly every other racing jurisdiction by introducing online betting.

Now a group led by Representative Kim Seung-nam, of the ruling Democratic Party, have proposed a partial amendment to the Korean Horse Racing Act to legalize online wagering. If it is successful, online betting could be in place early next year.

Racing contributes substantial tax revenues from betting and it has been estimated that 751.7bn Korean Won ($635 million) has been lost this year up to the end of August.

This article originally appeared on Horse Racing Planet and has been reprinted here with permission.

The post Racing In South Korea In State Of ‘Near-Collapse’ Due To Lack Of Off-Site Wagering appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Arlington: Up To 300 Spectators To Be Permitted Starting Sept. 3

A plan submitted by Arlington International Racecourse to allow a limited number of spectators into the outdoor areas of the facility on race days, was approved by the Arlington Heights Department of Health and Human Services, the Cook County Department of Public Health, and the Illinois Department of Public Health earlier today. The plan will be in full operation on Thursday, September 3, just in time for Illinoisans to enjoy watching the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, September 5.

Arlington International Racecourse President, Tony Petrillo, is confident in the plan to utilize Arlington's outdoor facility. “Wearing masks and social distancing behaviors that have been adopted by the public, along with additional measures incorporated into our plan for spectators, allows us to have a safe environment for everyone in our outdoor grandstand facility. We are confident that we will operate our grandstand facility as safely as we have operated in our backstretch and Trackside facilities over the past few months. We are thankful for the cooperation and assistance of local and State officials who helped develop and approve our plan.”

Limited spectators (300 or less) are permitted to enjoy live racing Thursdays-Saturdays September 3 through September 26 in outdoor seating options. Some changes in a visit to the track include that all tickets must be pre-purchased online at least 24 hours in advance and are limited to adults 18 and older, children seventeen and under will not be permitted access to the facility. All guests must wear a mask at all times unless they are consuming food or beverage in their seat.

Staggered entry and arrival times will be issued to each set of ticket holders to limit queuing lines and to assist patrons in maintaining social distancing as they enter the facility. No coolers or outdoor food and beverage will be allowed. The full set of health and safety guidelines and facility restrictions can be viewed on Arlington's website at arlingtonpark.com/tickets/policies-restrictions/.

Tickets are scheduled to go on-sale Tuesday, September 1 at 12 pm and are sold in sets of four at a designated table. All inquiries in regards to purchasing tickets, seating options, and pricing will only be available on Arlington's website – arlingtonpark.com/tickets.

The post Arlington: Up To 300 Spectators To Be Permitted Starting Sept. 3 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

CHRB Will Hold Hearing To Disqualify Justify From 2018 Santa Anita Derby Victory

The California Horse Racing Board voted during closed session Aug. 20 to proceed with a complaint seeking the disqualification of Justify from his victory in the 2018 Santa Anita Derby and the redistribution of that purse based on laboratory findings that his post-race sample tested positive for scopolamine.

The CHRB will not be filing a complaint against trainer Bob Baffert, due to substantial evidence that the scopolamine resulted from environmental contamination from jimson weed.

The hearing for disqualification is a condition of a settlement agreement between the CHRB and Ruis Racing LLC, the owner of Bolt d'Oro, the horse that finished second behind Justify in the Santa Anita Derby on April 7, 2018. In that matter, the CHRB is represented by counsel from the Office of the California Attorney General.

In addition, the CHRB is seeking the disqualification of Hoppertunity, winner of the Tokyo City Cup race at Santa Anita on April 8, 2018, and the redistribution of that purse based on laboratory findings that his post-race sample for that race tested positive for scopolamine. While not the subject of current litigation, this medication positive was similar to the one involving Justify. Baffert trained both horses.

The CHRB investigative unit has filed both complaints for redistribution of the purses with the Board of Stewards at Del Mar Racetrack. CHRB Investigators have also noticed the affected parties by mail or personally if possible. The stewards have scheduled the required hearings for consideration of a disqualification and purse distribution on Sept. 20 at Santa Anita Park.

The post CHRB Will Hold Hearing To Disqualify Justify From 2018 Santa Anita Derby Victory appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post