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Kentucky Downs: No General Admission, Reserved Seating Available For Purchase

Reserved seating for the 2020 RUNHAPPY Meet at Kentucky Downs are on sale now through the track's online ticket office at kentuckydowns.com/racing/live-racing/buy-tickets.

COVID-19 protocols and restrictions have forced Kentucky Downs to adjust its seating availability and admission policy. As a result, admission to the live race meet will be by reserved seating only. There will be no general admission and no tailgating for the 2020 live race meet, which runs Sept. 7, 9, 10, 12, 13 and 16. Horsemen and their employees with a valid Kentucky thoroughbred license will be admitted at no charge but will require a ticket for access to reserved-seating venues.

Ticketed seating will be available in three outdoor areas: an expanded Finish Line Pavilion, Turf Club Tent and picnic tables with all-weather umbrellas. Tables in every venue will be at least six feet apart. Seats must be purchased by the table, with no individual tickets sold.

In addition, a BYOT (Bring Your Own Tent) area will be sectioned into 10 feet by 10-feet spaces.

“Kentucky Downs' race meet has become a late-summer rite for horseplayers and sports fans in the region, as well as a bucket-list item for racing enthusiasts across the country,” said Ted Nicholson, Kentucky Downs' senior vice president and executive director. “The health pandemic has turned the world upside down, and we're just grateful that Kentucky has been allowed to safely open up racetracks at a reduced capacity. So we've worked hard and had to get creative to allow as many people as possible to enjoy our racing in person.”

The details:

Finish Line Pavilion: Located right before the finish line and near the paddock, Kentucky Downs' popular seating venue is being expanded to accommodate more horsemen and race-goers. A table of six costs $240, including box lunches and track programs. The area includes easy access to a cash bar and betting windows.

Turf Club Tent: This has been relocated to inside the sixteenth pole from its previous location in front of the main building. The more upscale seating option costs $390 for a table for six, including plated meals and track programs for guests, with easy access to a cash bar and betting windows.

Picnic tables: These open-air tables for eight have umbrellas and are positioned near the racetrack apron just before the sixteenth-pole. At $160 per picnic table, guests may bring in food and non-alcoholic beverages, with the venue in close proximity to a cash bar and the betting pavilion.

BYO Tent: Located in the grassy area behind the picnic tables, guests can bring their own tents to set up in 10 X 10-foot areas, which will accommodate up to six people for $100 per square. Food and non-alcoholic beverages may be brought in, with the venue adjacent to the restrooms and in close proximity to a cash bar and betting pavilion.

Horsemen: Those with a valid Kentucky Horse Racing Commission thoroughbred license, including hotwalkers, grooms, trainers and owners, are welcome at no charge but will not have access to reserved seating without a ticket.

Historical Horse Racing gaming in the main building will remain open throughout the live race meet, as will simulcasting on the second floor, with free admission. Due to COVID restrictions, the number of people who can be admitted is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis for both HHR and simulcasting. Guests will not have access to the racetrack areas without a ticket or KHRC license.

“Our tickets sell very quickly when we're at full capacity with unlimited general admission,” Nicholson said. “So we cannot stress enough how important it is to purchase seats early in order to avoid getting shut out. The good news is that we do have a sixth day this year that should allow more people to enjoy America's most unique race meet, with Kentucky Downs' nation-leading full fields and low takeout.”

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Average Daily Handle Up 42 Percent During Belmont’s Spring/Summer Meet

The New York Racing Association Inc., (NYRA) today announced that the Belmont Park spring/summer meet generated $15,466,198 in average daily handle from all sources, a 42 percent increase over the 2019 spring/summer meet.

Abbreviated to 25-days and held without spectators in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the opening of the spring/summer meet on Wednesday, June 3 marked the return of professional sports in New York and was conducted with strict health and safety protocols in place.

“We would like to thank the horseplayers for their enthusiastic support of New York racing during this most unusual spring/summer meet,” said NYRA President and CEO Dave O'Rourke. “That we were able to resume racing on June 3, and usher in the return of professional sports in New York, reflects the dedication and professionalism of the racing community during these uncertain and challenging times.”

Despite running 23 fewer days than in 2019, a 48 percent decrease, all sources handle during the spring/summer meet totaled $386,654,955.

Average field size over the 248 races carded was 8.61, a 23 percent increase over 2019. Five races were taken off the turf due to weather, and all five came on July 10 with the impact of Tropical Storm Fay.

The June 20 Belmont Stakes Day card, which featured 12 races and six graded stakes, highlighted by Tiz the Law's victory in the 152nd running of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, generated all sources handle of $67,753,336.

The 2019 spring/summer meet, which was contested across 48 live race days, generated all sources handle of $524,051,324 and average daily handle of $10,917,736. 448 races were run in total with 46 races taken off the turf due to weather. Average field size was 6.98.

Chad Brown notched 23 wins to finish as the leading trainer at the 2020 Belmont spring/summer meet for the fifth consecutive time and jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. posted 34 victories to lead all riders as the 25-day meet concluded on Sunday at Belmont Park.

Klaravich Stables led all owners with 13 wins, outpacing second-place finisher Michael Dubb, who had seven victories.

The 2020 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course will begin on Thursday, July 16 and run through Labor Day, Monday, September 7. Following the four-day opening weekend, live racing will be conducted five days a week, Wednesdays through Sundays.

Under current New York State guidelines, Saratoga Race Course will open without spectators in attendance. The 40-day meet will be highlighted by the 151st renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Runhappy Travers on Saturday, August 8 and the Grade 1, $750,000 Whitney on Saturday, August 1.

Saratoga Live will present 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 https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/racing/tv-schedule

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Training Begins At Colonial Downs; 18-Day Meet To Start July 27

With the return of live racing to Colonial Downs just two weeks away, trainers from Tampa Bay Downs were amongst the initial conditioners to arrive on the backstretch which recently opened. As a light rain shower passed through the area, the first horses made their way onto the mile and a quarter main track signaling the start of training for the 18-day meet that starts Monday, July 27.

The first horse onto the track was Mo Margarita from the barn of James Tsirigotis, Jr., who has eight horses here from Tampa.

“The Tampa horsemen definitely played a big role in the success of our 'racing revival' last year and I'm certainly glad to see so many of them return,” said Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Allison DeLuca, who serves in the same role at the Oldsmar, Florida, oval.

The Sunshine State outfits are topped by last year's co-leading trainer Mike Stidham, who will again have a string at Colonial this summer. The 62-year-old native of Neptune, New Jersey, won 10 races during the 2019 meet including stakes scores with Embolden in the Jamestown Stakes and with Doc's Boy in the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Kitten's Joy. He surpassed the 2,000-win mark in November.

“We enjoyed racing here last year,” Stidham said. “We had a lot of grass horses that we were able to run that we couldn't get in at other tracks. We won a lot of races. Our horses liked the grass course and the dirt surface was good as well.

“We're anxious and looking forward to another good meet,” he continued. “We will have a strong presence at Colonial and plan to run as many as possible this year.”

In addition to Stidham and Tsirigotis, others trainers who have made the trek from the western peninsula of Florida include Mike Campbell, Francisco Machado, Abdul Williams, James Dimmett, Jonathon Feron, Joseph Minieri, Mauricio Nunez, Derek Ryan, Dennis Ward, John Fennessey, Sarah Nagle, Moises Yanez, and Whitney Vallis to name just a few.

Among the prominent new trainers to have a Colonial Downs outfit is that of Christophe Clemente. The Paris-born Clemente, who saddled Tonalist to win the 2014 Belmont Stakes (G1), though based in New York this time of year he will have a contingent of eight horses here. Earlier this year, Clemente notched his 2,000th victory.

Of course, Virginia-bred, -sired or -restricted runners will be featured prominently during the Colonial Downs season with numerous stakes opportunities sprinkled throughout the meet with as many as six such events planned for the opening three programs.

“Move in day was hectic – we have 100 horses at home; trying to get a batch down here,” said trainer Karen Godsey. “Mom and I were throwing hay the other day trying to get it all done.  We have 11 (horses) here so far, nine or 10 more to come from the farm and some from other tracks. We'll trickle them in — I'll bring another couple more every day.

“It feels great to be back especially after this year that we've all had — at one point, didn't even know we'd be here,” she said. “I hope I have as a good meet as I did last year but don't know if you can get lucky twice. What the Beep, winner of the 2019 Tyson Gilpin Stakes is back and will compete in the same Virginia-bred stakes this year (Sept. 2).”

Another Virginia-based trainer David Bourke arrived over the weekend and will have 10 horses here for the meet. “I just brought the first set out to train and the track feels great — it has a really nice cushion on it. It is all manicured and looks A1,” he said. “We fortunately brought a bit better stock with us this year. We have two really nice 2-year-olds. We have something more to look forward to than we did last year. The quality in our stable this year is better.”

The Colonial Downs season begins Monday, July 27, with racing conducted three days a week – Monday through Wednesday – with a first post of 5:30 p.m. EDT with provisions for a limited number of spectators in attendance for the 18-day schedule.

Under conditions established in Virginia's Phase 3 reopening plan, which allows for outdoor venues to cap attendance at 1,000 spectators, Colonial Downs will plan the following protocols for the nightly meeting:

·        Up to 1000 spectators will be admitted to the outdoor areas of the grandstand and the track apron.

·        All guests will receive temperature checks upon arrival at the facility and a 6-foot social distancing policy will be enforced.

·        Guests are required to wear masks indoors and encouraged outdoors.

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$63 Million Wagered During Five-Day Summer Meet At Keeneland

Keeneland successfully closed its unprecedented five-day Summer Meet on Sunday with all-sources wagering of more than $63 million at the Lexington, Ky., track. Driving robust wagering were top-quality race fields representing the nation's top stables and jockeys, and the enthusiastic support of fans who were watching and wagering remotely due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

All-sources wagering on the Summer Meet, held July 8-12, totaled $63,299,331. Average daily all-sources handle was $12,659,866.

Wagering was boosted by a single-day all-sources handle for the 10-race card on Toyota Blue Grass Day, Saturday, July 11, of $23,834,972, second only to the record $25,809,200 set for last year's 11-race Toyota Blue Grass Day card. The All-Stakes Pick Five on Saturday handled $1,395,051, well above the former record of $1,079,197 set on Toyota Blue Grass Day last year.

On-track handle, which includes wagering conducted at Keeneland and Red Mile, totaled $674,310, for an average daily on-track handle of $134,862.

“Horsemen and fans alike highly anticipated the Summer Meet, and their expectations were exceeded by the breathtaking level of racing we enjoyed here this week,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “I can't express how much we missed our fans at Keeneland, and we thank them for their strong support from afar. This pandemic created a number of operational and logistical challenges for us to make this season a reality. I am so proud of the collaboration between state and local health officials, our horsemen, our corporate partners and our Keeneland team, all of whom worked tirelessly to create a safe environment on track and deliver such incredible racing.”

The Summer Meet was the first in Keeneland history and accommodated a portion of the 16-day Spring Meet that Keeneland canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Because of strict health and safety protocols, the Summer Meet was conducted without fans, who watched and wagered remotely via the track's Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank campaign. Each race day, Keeneland provided enhanced racing coverage streamed live through YouTube, Facebook and Twitter; a new pre-race show, “Keeneland at Home presented by Central Bank,” and complimentary digital race- day programs available on keeneland.com to download.

The Summer Meet featured 10 graded stakes worth $2,575,000 with four Grade 1 stakes, four Grade 2 races and two Grade 3 events. Keeneland paid total purses of $4,744,435, for average daily purse levels of $948,887. Starters per race averaged 9.4.

“We thank our horsemen for their support of the Summer Meet and for always bringing their 'A Game' to Keeneland,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing and Sales Bob Elliston said. “These stakes races are important targets on the racing calendar, representing significant income for horsemen and important black type for breeders. We appreciate the cooperation of Ellis Park and the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission in helping us make this opportunity possible.”

Keeneland permitted a limited number of owners to be at the track on the day their horses raced.

“We particularly thank the owners that attended for their patience and adherence to the Healthy at Work protocols,” Keeneland Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Vince Gabbert said. “We know the race day did not look or feel like those you are used to enjoying at Keeneland. We appreciate your assistance as we navigate this unusual landscape.”

Summer Meet Highlights
The Summer Meet was headlined by Toyota Blue Grass Day on Saturday, when Keeneland presented six graded stakes anchored by the $600,000 Toyota Blue Grass (G2) and $400,000 Central Bank Ashland (G1), preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) and Kentucky Oaks (G1), respectively; $350,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley (G1) and $250,000 Madison (G1).

Among the Summer Meet highlights:

Art Collector roared past the filly Swiss Skydiver to win the Toyota Blue Grass and establish himself as a favorite for the $3 million Kentucky Derby to be run Sept. 5 at Churchill Downs.
Speech won the Central Bank Ashland to earn 100 points and move into second place on the Kentucky Oaks leaderboard with 160 points.
Rushing Fall successfully defended her title in the Coolmore Jenny Wiley to win her fifth Keeneland stakes, a total that trails only the record seven owned by Wise Dan. She becomes the third horse since 1976 to win Grade 1 stakes as age 2, 3, 4 and 5, joining Lady Eli and Beholder.
Guarana gamely fought back after being passed in midstretch by Mia Mischief to win the Madison and give trainer Chad Brown his 100^th Grade 1 victory.
2019 Preakness (G1) winner War of Will won the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) on July 10 to become a Grade 1 winner on both turf and dirt.

On Saturday, Keeneland hosted the first online Summer Handicapping Challenge, with 208 entrants paying the $3,000 entry fee and playing through XpressBet and TVG. Stephen Thompson won the event with a bankroll of $41,076 from a beginning stake of $2,000. Thompson takes home, in addition to his bankroll, $40,000 in prize money, a $10,000 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge entry and a National Horseplayers Championship entry. In all, six players won BCBC spots and 10 players won NHC spots.

Summer Meet Leaders
The abbreviated meet did not dampen competition for leading owner, trainer and jockey titles.

Three owners tied for leading honors with two wins each: Ken and Sarah Ramsey, Larry Best's OXO Equine and Kirk Wycoff's Three Diamonds Farm. The Ramseys increased their record number of Keeneland titles to 22. Best earned his first leading owner title. Wycoff won the Kentucky Utilities Transylvania (G3) with Field Pass to secure his second leading owner title.

Wesley Ward and Ian Wilkes each recorded five wins to tie for leading trainer honors. It was the sixth Keeneland title for Ward, following titles in the Spring of 2019, 2018 (tie), 2017 and 2012 and in the Fall of 2012. It is the first Keeneland title for Wilkes, who won the Beaumont (G3) Presented by Keeneland Select with Four Graces.

Trainer Mike Maker swept both closing-day stakes, the TVG Elkhorn (G2) with Zulu Alpha and the Transylvania with Field Pass.

Tyler Gaffalione won the final race of the meet, the TVG Elkhorn, to secure his second Keeneland riding title. His first title came in the 2018 Fall Meet. Gaffalione accounted for two other stakes during the meet: the Maker's Mark Mile aboard War of Will and the Shakertown (G2) with Leinster.

Brian Hernandez Jr. finished second in the jockey standings with six wins. Hernandez won the Toyota Blue Grass with Art Collector.

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