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Rain Forces Laurel Cancellation

Rainy conditions caused by Winter Storm Landon forced the cancellation of the live racing card at Laurel Park Friday afternoon following the third race. The first three races on the program were run over a sloppy and sealed main track.

The weekly Stronach 5 wager, which was to begin with the eighth race at Laurel followed by races at Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Golden Gate, was also canceled. The wager will retirn next Friday, Feb. 11.

Laurel is scheduled to conduct live racing Saturday with first post at 12:25 p.m. ET.

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Wagering Slides, Prize Money Jumps in January

According to statistics released Feb. 4 by Equibase, wagering on North American racing during the first month of the new year totaled $942.6 million, a decrease of 1.82% from the corresponding figure from 2021, while owners raced for purse money of better than $82 million combined, a whopping 15.48% more than the $71.1 million from 12 months ago.

Despite the wintry weather that annually claims its fair share of programs and a pause in racing in Maryland owing to track maintenance, the number of race days increased fractionally last month to 259 from 255 last year (+1.57%), though the actual number of races, starts and field size each posted declines.

Average wagering per-race day declined by 3.34% to $3.64 million from $3.77 million last year, but given the hefty rise in prize money, purses per race day averaged $317,000, a solid increase from $278,818 in 2021.

When compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2020, U.S. purses rose by 13.85%, while average daily purse levels improved by 24.4%.

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West Point Adds New Owner Concierge

West Point Thoroughbreds has hired Danielle Austin to work as an additional owner concierge alongside Nancy Dollase, and the newcomer is no stranger to high-pressure environments. Austin worked at Lane's End for six years as coordinator for bloodstock, racing, and sales operations as well as working with West Point's bloodstock advisor, David Ingordo. The native of Monmouth County, New Jersey has held several industry roles including at WinStar Farm, Brookdale Sales and leading Standardbred operation Hanover Shoe Farms.
Founder and CEO Terry Finley praised Austin's preparation for the new position: “We have been growing—we have more partners and horses than ever before. That comes with a responsibility to maintain and even enhance our level of service, and Danielle is a great fit for the additional owner concierge. She has represented owners across all facets of the racing and breeding industries and is very well-rounded for this role.”

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Belmont Spring/Summer Stakes Schedule Announced

The stakes schedule for the 44-day Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which will feature 59 stakes races worth $16.95 million in total purses, was announced by NYRA Friday. The meet will open on Thursday, April 28 and continue through Sunday, July 10.

It will offer 12 Grade I contests and seven races with purses of $700,000 or higher, with four of those contests coming during the three-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival from Thursday, June 9 through Saturday, June 11. Tickets for the 2022 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will go on sale Thursday, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. on Ticketmaster.

In addition to the GI Belmont S., the June 11 card will include the $1-million GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Mile, a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile; the $500,000 GI Ogden Phipps S., a qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff; the $400,000 GI Jaipur S., a GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint “Win and You're In”; the $750,000 GI Manhattan S.; $500,000 GI Acorn S.; $500,000 GI Longines Just a Game S.; $400,000 GI Woody Stephens S.; and $400,000 GII Brooklyn S.

Belmont weekend opens with the GII Wonder Again S., Astoria S. and Tremont S. June 9. That will be followed by the newly upgraded GI New York S., GII Belmont Gold Cup S., GII True North S., GIII Bed o'Roses S. and Intercontinental S. June 10.

The Stars and Stripes Racing Festival returns July 9 and features four graded stakes headlined by the opening legs of the Caesars Turf Triple Series, the $1-million GI Caesars Belmont Derby and $700,000 GI Belmont Oaks. Also featuring on the Stars and Stripes card is the $400,000 GII Suburban S. and GIII Victory Ride S.

Man o' War Day on May 14 boasts five graded stakes led by the $700,000 GI Man o' War and also includes the GIII Peter Pan S., GIII Beaugay S., GIII Vagrancy S. and GIII Runhappy S. Independence Day weekend July 2-4 features the GII John S. Nerud S. and GIII Dwyer S.

New York-breds take center stage May 30 with Big Apple Showcase Day, topped by the Commentator S. and Critical Eye S., both at $200,000.

The meet's graded action kicks off with the GII Sheepshead Bay S., GIII Westchester S. and GII Fort Marcy S. May 7.

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