Tag: The Biz

With just 150 days remaining until the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Breeders' Cup Limited has announced the launch of its 40^th running campaign, a multi-month celebration that will culminate in the world-class festival of racing Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California.

From its ground-breaking debut of multi-million-dollar races in 1984 to record-setting triumphs in the modern era, the rich heritage of the Breeders' Cup is woven into horse racing's history. The 40^th running campaign, marked by the slogan “It Runs Deep,” highlights 39 years of international competition and resulting champions via innovative fan and participant engagement opportunities across multiple platforms and on-site at Santa Anita.

Beginning with a dramatic three-way photo finish in the 1984 Breeders' Cup Classic, the World Championships have charged to the front of the international racing scene. From incredible breakthrough performances to triumphant comebacks, each race has captured the hearts of fans and participants through the decades. Thirty-nine years and more than 360 champions later, the world-class festival of racing has transcended the sport itself.

“We very much look forward to unveiling this extensive celebration of our 40^th running,” said Justin McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Breeders' Cup Limited. “From the participants to the fans, so many who love horse racing have helped make the World Championships an indelible part of our sport throughout the years. We look forward to giving back to our fans and the sport and can't wait to welcome everyone from around the world to share in this milestone.”

The 40^th running campaign kicks off June 6 with a fan poll on BreedersCup.com/contest. Fans will be asked to rank their top three of 40 pre-selected moments, spanning from the first running at Hollywood Park to last year's edition at Keeneland. Voting participants will be entered in a drawing for complimentary grandstand seating tickets to the 2023 World Championships.

Starting July 5, videos produced in cooperation with FanDuel TV will be released on BreedersCup.com and social media platforms each Wednesday as racing's most prominent participants and Breeders' Cup ambassadors relive the top 20 moments. The countdown continues to the top three moments, which will be unveiled during the first week of November as the World Championships loom.

Launching later this summer is “40 Days of Giveaways,” an exclusive opportunity for fans to receive an exciting range of prizes including autographed items, tickets to the 2023 World Championships and future editions, merchandise, cash, and more. Fans will be able to register daily to win these prizes.

Charitable giving will be a key component of the campaign, as participants selected by Breeders' Cup Limited will work to raise funds for designated non-profits during “40 Days of Giving.” The charity program will kick off in the fall leading right up to, and through, the 2023 World Championships. Details for this initiative will be released at a later date.

The campaign will feature themed creative that celebrates the rich history of the Breeders' Cup and the many champions that have been crowned since the inaugural running at Hollywood Park in 1984. The creative will run across television, print, digital, and social media channels throughout the summer and fall.

For more information, fans can visit BreedersCup.com/40.

The post Breeders’ Cup Launches Campaign To Celebrate 40th Running appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) has overseen a successful relaunch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect on May 22, 2023, following a court-ordered pause on March 31. The Program originally launched on March 27.

Through the first two weeks, more than 3,000 Covered Horses have been tested at 22 tracks across the country. The test types include Post-Race, Out-of-Competition, Vets' List, and TCO₂, as well as testing on claimed Covered Horses and Covered Horses that suffered injuries or fatalities. All samples have been collected by HIWU-trained personnel following uniform processes that are supported by a paperless documentation system. The samples have been sent to one of the six laboratories that have been approved by HIWU to participate in the ADMC Program. All of these laboratories must meet the same performance specifications.

As per HISA's ADMC Program regulations, HIWU is required to adhere to timely public disclosure policies in the event of an Adverse Analytical finding, i.e., positive test. For positive tests associated with Banned Substances, the violation will be published on the HIWU website upon the imposition of a Provisional Suspension to the trainer, which occurs once the trainer is notified of the positive test. For positive tests associated with Controlled Medications, the violation will be published after the B sample, i.e., split sample, confirms the positive result or the trainer waives the right to test the B sample.

More information about HIWU's public disclosure policies can be found on the HIWU website.

HIWU's anonymous whistleblower platforms are also live and have been accepting tips that may be used in the investigation of potential violations of HISA's Racetrack Safety and/or ADMC Programs. More information about the tip lines, including the telephone number, text number, and email address, can be found here.

“With HISA's national, uniform ADMC Program finally in place, the last two weeks represent a momentous step forward for Thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “We thank the industry stakeholders who have collaborated with us and been supportive over the last year to help the Program get off the ground successfully.”

To support the administration of the ADMC Program at Belmont Park in advance of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held Thursday, June 8, through Saturday, June 10, HIWU team members are on site to ensure smooth operations. Saturday's Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race to be run under the regulations of the HISA ADMC Program, which includes selected Out-of-Competition testing for prospective entrants in advance of the race in addition to Post-Race and TCO₂ testing.

“HIWU will build off its early momentum to showcase our world-class program to a national audience this weekend and demonstrate how the Program enhances equine safety and welfare across the country while promoting the integrity of the sport,” said Mosier.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org.

The post HISA Medication Rules In Full Swing; Belmont Stakes First Triple Crown Race Under ADMC Program appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The Singapore Turf Club will host its final race meet in October of 2024, the country's government announced this week. Approximately 120 hectares of land in Kranji, on which the Singapore Racecourse sits, will be handed back to the Singapore Government in 2027 for redevelopment. Singapore Turf Club will close its facility by March 2027.

Singapore Turf Club Chairman Mr Niam Chiang Meng said: “We are saddened by the decision of the Government to close the Club. At the same time, we understand the land needs of Singapore, including housing and other potential uses such as leisure and recreation. We will do our best to ensure business as usual for the Club until our final race meeting. Concurrently, we will work with our stakeholders to ensure a smooth exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government by March 2027.”

The Government continually reviews its land use plans to best meet the needs of Singaporeans. The site at Kranji represents a valuable resource in land-scarce Singapore.

Niam added: “Singapore Turf Club recognizes that the Kranji site is a valuable resource that can help meet the evolving needs and aspirations of Singaporeans, and this transition will serve to optimize land use for the greater good of the local community and future generations. We are aligned with the Government on the need to invest in the future of Singapore.”

The Club has seen significant success through its efforts to elevate the sport of horse racing in Singapore, including the doubling of feature races. However, in-person attendance at the racecourse has been declining over the past decade.

Horse racing has a long and distinguished history in Singapore and Singapore Turf Club intends to uphold the stellar reputation of the sport and the racing community. With races continuing until the 100th Grand Singapore Gold Cup on Oct. 5, 2024, the Club will continue to ensure the sportsmanship, safety and integrity of every race.

The Club will work with the Government to ensure a well-managed exit for local horse racing and make the necessary preparations for the estate to be handed over to the Government in 2027. Racehorse owners and trainers will be offered support for horse maintenance and exportation.

Over the next three years, Singapore Turf Club will engage with stakeholders and address their respective needs. A phased approach based on business needs will be deployed to ensure the continuation of successful operations and a smooth handover. The Club will provide support and assistance during this process.

Singapore Turf Club President and Chief Executive Irene MK Lim said: “During this time, affected employees and those working within the horse racing community will have ample time to consider their career options and manage their personal commitments.”

Employees will be offboarded in phases, and in accordance with the Ministry of Manpower's regulatory requirements and guidelines. Employees will receive support during the transition with a retrenchment package, personal career guidance, skills-training courses and counselling as they transition to the next chapter of their careers.

For over 180 years, Singapore Turf Club has been the custodian of Singapore's heritage of horse racing excellence. It has seen Singapore through modernization into a developed country, all the while serving the public need for sports and entertainment. Singapore Turf Club has operated across three venues throughout its history including Farrer Park, Bukit Timah and Kranji, drawing in royalty, celebrities, racing fans and the curious from around the world.

Lim said: “Singapore Turf Club is extremely proud to have been the home of horse racing for nearly two centuries. We are committed to seeing this phase of the nation's history come to an end in a dignified manner, befitting all our stakeholders including employees, jockeys, racehorse owners, racehorse trainers, the equestrian community and horses that have graced our grounds. We hope to leave a lasting impression of the Club that will be fondly and proudly remembered by Singapore and the world.

“In addition, we are proud to be a part of the Tote Board's mission of investing in the future of Singapore through community grants,” she added.

The post Singapore Turf Club To Host Final Race In 2024; Racecourse Land Returned To Government For Redevelopment appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Last year's Eclipse Award winning trainer and jockey – Todd Pletcher and Irad Ortiz, Jr, respectively – combined to register an impressive win by Major Dude in the $400,000 Grade 2 Penn Mile on Friday, June 2 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

The three-year-old son of Bolt d'Oro, owned by Spendthrift Farms, LLC, won by three-quarters of a length as the odds-on favorite in the field of eight. Behind Enemy Lines was second and 93-1 longshot Fletcher was third. The time 1:33.77 was the fastest ever edition of the Penn Mile since its inception in 2013. The win was Pletcher's first wub in the Penn Mile and Ortiz's second (he won with Frostmourne in 2017.) Major Dude has now won four times (three in graded stakes) in ten lifetime starts.

For the second straight year the Penn Mile night set an all-time wagering record at Penn National. A total of $4,568,856 was wagered on the 11-race card. On-track wagering was up 20 percent from last year's event.

“This event continues to grow and we are grateful for the support both locally and on the national level for this race and the supporting races on the card,” said Eric Johnston, Director of Racing for Penn National. “There was a great atmosphere with our on-track crowd and the betting public responded with another record handle,” he added.

Five other stakes anchored the evening led by Malleymoo, the upset winner of the $150,000 Penn Oaks. Four $100,000 stakes for Pennsylvania-bred horses rounded out the stakes events: Heartyconstitution won the $100,000 Lyphard Stakes; By Land And See won the $100,000 With Anticipation Stakes for the second straight year and was timed just .07 off both the track and world record for one and one-sixteenths mile on the turf; Gordian Knot was an easy winner of the $100,000 Danzig Stakes and Late Frost won her first start of 2023 in the $100,000 New Start Stakes.

The post On-Track Handle Up 20 Percent As Penn Mile Card Sets All-Time Wagering Record At Penn National appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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