The Stronach Group | Horse Racing Free Tips

Report: Stronach Group Considering Sale of Some Assets

According to a June 15 report from Bloomberg.com, The Stronach Group (TSG) has fielded interest from special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and others and is exploring options for parts of its portfolio. The Bloomberg report cited “people with knowledge of the matter” as its source.

The Bloomberg report states that TSG is working with an outside advisor and has been approached by a number of parties, among them digital betting and media companies, that have expressed interest in aspects of the business. Bloomberg estimated the Stronach company portfolio is worth more than $1.5 billion.

What remains unknown is what assets might be on the market and which are not. The Stronach Group, which is based in Aurora, Ontario, owns five Thoroughbred racetracks: Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields, Gulfstream Park, Laurel and Pimlico. According to Wikipedia, its other assets include AmTote International, Bowie Racetrack, Palm Meadows, Xpressbet, The Village at Gulfstream, a racetrack in Austria and the harness track Rosecroft Raceway.

Though TSG may be looking only to sell some of its lesser assets, a potential sale of some others, namely Santa Anita and Gulfstream, could be a cause for concern for the racing industry. TSG has built a reputation as a pro-racing company and may view its assets differently than other companies, particularly casino or real estate companies.

In 2020 Stronach patriarch Frank Stronach and his daughter, Belinda, ended a battle for control of the company that had led to lawsuits. Under the agreement, Belinda got control of the Stronach Group's Thoroughbred racing and gaming businesses, while Frank and his wife, Elfriede Stronach, took over operation of the family's racing and breeding operations. As part of the deal, Frank Stronach relinquished any claims to the current assets that make up The Stronach Group.

TSG Chief Executive, Racing Operations Craig Fravel, sent the TDN the following email in response to a request for a comment.

“The Stronach Group and 1/ST remain committed to building a world-class entertainment and wagering company with Thoroughbred horse racing, racetrack venues and best-in-class guest experience at the core. Our mission is to be the most forward-thinking, innovative and successful sports-anchored, digital media and wagering content business in the world. Every business decision we make is to further that mission and support our racing infrastructure.”

The post Report: Stronach Group Considering Sale of Some Assets appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Sal Sinatra Named President Of Equibase

Sal Sinatra has been named president of Equibase Company LLC by the Equibase Management Committee, effective June 21, 2021. He succeeds Jason G. Wilson, who left Equibase in April to join The Stronach Group.

“Sal is a longtime participant in the Thoroughbred industry, and the Equibase Management Committee knows he will be a valuable asset to the Equibase team,” said Ian D. Highet, chairman of Equibase. “His analytical background, management experience, and firsthand knowledge of every aspect of racing will guide Equibase in developing a strategic path forward for its products and services.”

Sinatra double majored in Mathematics and Statistics from Rutgers University, during which time he was an assistant clerk at the Daily Racing Form. In 1985 he became a racing official at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands in New Jersey and was also an assistant racing secretary at Beulah Park in Columbus, Ohio.

From 1990 until 1999, he was president and ownership partner of TSNS, which was acquired by The Jockey Club as part of InCompass Solutions. He then spent 15 years as vice president of Racing and racing secretary at Parx Racetrack and Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, before becoming president and general manager of Maryland Jockey Club in 2014.

“I have spent my entire career in Thoroughbred racing and have worked with Equibase since its inception. I have tried to be an innovative leader and that will be reflected in my leadership of Equibase,” Sinatra said. “My experience as a technician and working at racetracks puts me in a unique position to maximize what Equibase has to offer the industry.”

Equibase Company is a partnership between subsidiaries of The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations of North America and serves as the Thoroughbred industry's official database. Through its website and mobile applications, Equibase offers a comprehensive array of free statistical information as well as premium handicapping products and reports in support of the North American Thoroughbred racing industry. Additional information is available at equibase.com.

The post Sal Sinatra Named President Of Equibase appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Friday’s Stronach 5 Features Races From Four Tracks, 12-Percent Takeout

Friday's Stronach 5 will feature full fields, four tracks, and an industry-low 12-percent takeout.

The popular wager, which had three winning tickets last week each worth $40,140, will feature racing from Pimlico Race Course, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields and an industry-low 12-percent takeout.

The Stronach 5 begins with Pimlico's ninth race, an allowance event at five furlongs on the turf for 3-year-olds and up. The Colts Neck Stable's entry of Nothing Better and Town of Gold is the 2-1 favorite. Town of Gold returns off a five-month layoff. The 3-year-old finished second at Aqueduct Dec. 4 in the optional allowance claimer. Nothing Better also returns from a five-month layoff, Jorge Duarte Jr. saddles the entry. Sky's Not Falling was stakes-placed last year as a juvenile at Saratoga, Woodbine and Presque Isle Downs. He returns to the turf after a second-place finish on the main track at Pimlico May 6. Michael Trombetta trains.

Gulfstream's ninth race, a 7 ½ furlong event on the turf for maiden fillies and mares is next with Uptown Queen the 3-1 favorite for trainer David Fawkes. The daughter of Big Drama was second against similar Jan. 7 before finishing sixth Jan. 27 after a very wide trip breaking from the 12 post.

Santa Anita's third race, an optional claimer for fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs on the turf, drew a field of eight led by 2-1 favorite Acai. Vegas Palm (5-2) is one of only two horses entered to win on the turf along with Peace Pipe.

The fourth leg of the Stronach 5 will be Golden Gate's third race, a mile event for 3-year-old maidens. Mattawa N That, second in four of his first five starts, is the 9-5 favorite. Command Sgt. Major drops a bit in class after a third-place finish and is listed at 2-1.

The Stronach 5 concludes with Santa Anita's fourth race, a maiden event for 3-year-olds at six furlongs. Marksman On Target (2-1) drops in from maiden special weight restricted company for trainer Gary Stute. The Roan Ranger (4-1) goes as a first-time gelding.

Friday's races and sequence

Leg One – Pimlico Race 9: (11 entries – 5 furlongs turf) 4:49 ET, 1:49 PT
Leg Two – Gulfstream Race 9: (12 entries – 7 ½ furlongs turf) 4:57 ET, 1:57 PT
Leg Three – Santa Anita Race 3: (8 entries – 6 ½ furlongs turf) 5:06 ET, 2:06 PT
Leg Four – Golden Gate Race 3: (7 entries – 1-mile) 5:21 ET, 2:21 PT
Leg Five – Santa Anita Race 4: (9 entries – 6 furlongs): 5:37 ET, 2:37 PT

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The Stronach 5 In the Money podcast, hosted by Jonathan Kinchen and Peter Thomas Fornatale, will be posted by 2 p.m. Thursday at InTheMoneyPodcast.com and will be available on iTunes and other major podcast distributors

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.

The post Friday’s Stronach 5 Features Races From Four Tracks, 12-Percent Takeout appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Baffert, Maryland Jockey Club Reach Agreement For Medina Spirit To Run In Preakness

Bob Baffert's attorney Craig Robertson announced Tuesday afternoon that an agreement has been reached for Kentucky Derby first place-finisher Medina Spirit, and his stablemate Concert Tour, to run in Saturday's Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

The following letter sets out the conditions of that agreement. It was sent by Robertson to Alan Rifkin, attorney for The Stronach Group, operator of Pimlico.

Dear Mr. Rifkin,

In the best interest of horse racing, and the integrity of the sport, Mr. Baffert consents to blood testing, monitoring and medical record review by the Maryland Jockey Club (“MJC”) on the horse Medina Spirit, and two other horses trained by Mr. Baffert. Medina Spirit and Concert Tour are presently entered in the Preakness Stakes and Beautiful Gift is presently entered in the Black Eyed Susan Stakes.

In addition to the testing and monitoring conducted by the Maryland Racing Commission (“MRC”) and/or in cooperation with the MRC, the horses were tested upon arrival at Pimlico and further blood samples will also be drawn today and as may be further determined by MJC from each of the horses. The MJC blood samples will be tested by a lab chosen by the MJC.

Consistent with the fair procedure process provided by The Stronach Group, Mr. Baffert consents to information regarding the results of the MRC and MJC tests, and other relevant medical and administrative records relating to the horses being disclosed to the MJC and Dr. Dionne Benson, The Stronach Group Chief Veterinary Officer.

If any of the three horses test positive for a banned substance, or at a level for a permitted therapeutic substance which is above the designated limit, or if reasonable conditions warrant after MJC's review of the medical or administrative records, Mr. Baffert, or MJC on his behalf, will scratch that horse from the upcoming race in which that horse is entered this weekend at Pimlico.

Mr. Baffert has given these consents to further the interests of horse racing and the public. MJC may provide this letter and consents herein to the MRC and Mr. Baffert consents to the public release of this letter and all testing results. Mr. Baffert represents that he has authority to grant the consents represented herein on behalf of the owners of the aforementioned horses.

The integrity of the sport is of the upmost importance to Mr. Baffert and by consenting to this testing regimen and monitoring he reaffirms his commitment and dedication to the sport. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours,

Craig Robertson

The post Baffert, Maryland Jockey Club Reach Agreement For Medina Spirit To Run In Preakness appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post