Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are now available for download at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

Saturday's sequence kicks off at Tampa Bay Downs with the $150,000 Suncoast [Race 8, 3:49 p.m.], a one mile and 40 yard test for sophomore fillies offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Oaks qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A field of eight is led by Nest, a bay daughter of Curlin, who captured the Grade 2 Demoiselle last out at the Big A for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Maiden winners Peaceful Surprise and Princess Elin will look to spring an upset.

Action switches to Aqueduct for the second leg featuring the $100,000 Gander [Race 8, 4:30 p.m.], a one-turn mile for New York-bred sophomores led by stakes winners Barese and Geno. Barese, undefeated in two starts, captured the Rego Park last out for trainer Mike Maker; while Geno enters from a neck score in the NYSSS Great White Way for conditioner David Donk. Impressive maiden winner Bold Journey, a half-brother to Grade 1-winning New York-bred Americanrevolution, will make his stakes debut for Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

A field of seven older fillies and mares line up in the middle leg in the Grade 3 Bayakoa [Race 8, 4:47] at Oaklawn, a 1 1/16-mile test led by the multiple graded stakes placed Coach for trainer Brad Cox. The 4-year-old Commissioner bay boasts a record of 5-2-1-1 at Oaklawn and will look to make the grade from the outermost post under Ricardo Santana, Jr.

The penultimate leg will see an overflow field of 13 sophomores square off in the Grade 3 Sam F. Davis [Race 10, 4:54 p.m.], a 1 1/16-mile event offering 10-4-2-1 Kentucky Derby qualifying points to the top-four finishers. A wide-open field includes a trio of contenders for Hall of Famer Mark Casse in graded stakes winner God of Love, two-time winner Golden Glider and maiden winner Volcanic. Steep opposition will be provided by the Grade 1-placed Classic Causeway for trainer Brian Lynch; undefeated multiple stakes winner Make It Big for Saffie Joseph, Jr.; and the multiple New York-bred stakes winner Shipsational for conditioner Edward Barker.

The sequence concludes with the Grade 3 Razorback [Race 10, 5:56] for older horses from Oaklawn as Lone Rock cuts back to 1 1/16 miles for the first time in eight starts for conditioner Robertino Diodoro. The multiple graded stakes winning son of Majestic Warrior won 7-of-9 starts last season, including scores in the 12-furlong Grade 2 Brooklyn at Belmont Park and the 13-furlong Grade 2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at Del Mar. He will need to overcome the Cox-trained graded stakes winner Plainsman and the 9-year-old multiple graded stakes winner Rater R Superstar, who enters from a score in the Fifth Season at Oaklawn for trainer Federico Villafranco.

The minimum bet for the multi-track, multi-race wager is 50 cents. Wagering on the Cross Country Pick 5 is also available on ADW platforms and at simulcast facilities across the country. Every week will feature a mandatory payout of the net pool. The Cross Country Pick 5, which features a low 15 percent takeout, will continue each Saturday throughout the year.

America's Day at the Races will present daily coverage and analysis of the winter meet at Aqueduct Racetrack on the networks of FOX Sports. For the complete broadcast schedule, visit https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/tv-schedule.

NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Aqueduct Racetrack, and the best way to bet every race of the winter meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at www.NYRABets.com.

Cross Country Pick 5 – Saturday, Feb. 12:
Leg A: Tampa – Race 8, $150K Suncoast (3:49 p.m.)
Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, $100K Gander (4:30 p.m.)
Leg C: Oaklawn – Race 8, G3 Bayakoa (4:47 p.m.)
Leg D: Tampa – Race 10, G3 Sam F. Davis (4:54 p.m.)
Leg E: Oaklawn – Race 10, G3 Razorback (5:56 p.m.)

Source of original post

The popular wager, which continues to produce a strong return on investment, will begin at 4:11 ET and end approximately 49 minutes later and feature races from Gulfstream Park, Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields along with a low 12-percent takeout.

A look at Friday's Stronach 5:

Leg A: Gulfstream Race 8, 4:11 ET

6 furlongs Allowance Optional Claimer, fillies and mares

It was 4 ½ months ago that Alecka Star won her debut by 14 ½ lengths. The 4-year-old returns for the first time since for trainer Michael Yates and draws the rail. The second and third-place finishers from Alecka Star's debut won next time out. The speedy Domineer, a winner of five of 14 starts at Gulfstream, looks for her fourth win in her last five starts. Luis Saez rides. Kozy Dreams has finished second to Domineer in two of her last three starts. She's placed in 10 of 12 starts (five wins) at the distance.

Leg B: Laurel Race 9, 4:27 ET

6 furlongs, Maiden Claiming ($40,000), 3-year-olds

Full of Mischief, a $140,000 2-year-old purchase, goes out first time after being claimed for $25,000 by Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, who is 40-percent first off a claim. The gelded son of Into Mischief goes out first-time Lasix. Must be Love was game when finishing third in his debut Jan. 23 for Dale Capuano. Same can be said for Goldenize, who finished second over a sloppy track in his debut Jan. 20 for trainer Tim Keefe. Michael Trombetta sends out Mocephus, third against $25,000 claimers last out and a possible pacesetter here, and Whenigettoheaven, second against $25,000 claimers last out.

Leg C: Santa Anita Race 3, 4:37 ET

6 furlongs turf, Allowance Optional Claimer, 3-year-olds

Franklin One Star goes out for trainer Doug O'Neill in this event for Cal-breds after finishing fifth in the restricted Baffle Stakes. Smuggler's Run comes out of the same race. The Richard Baltas-trained gelding finished a troubled sixth in the Baffle after being steadied and lacking room down the stretch. Who's Candy was impressive breaking his maiden Jan. 1 against restricted company.

Leg D: Golden Gate Race 3, 4:53 ET

1 Mile, Maiden Claimer ($8,000), 3-year-olds

Lassie Cat and Savage Love drop from a $25,000 claimer Jan. 22 to this $8,000 level. Lassie Cat was third and Savage Love fourth after getting steadied. Rock N Roll Song goes out second time off the claim for trainer Quinn Howey. Ball Lass drops the blinkers and could be the speed.

Leg E: Laurel Race 10, 5 ET

About 1 1/16-mile, Claimer ($5,000), 4-year-olds and up

A wide-open $5,000 claimer. Only four of the 10 starters have won at the distance, and Cox's Ledge (Jeremiah Englehart) and Shoulda Had It (Linda Albert) are the only two with multiple wins at the distance. Both drop slightly Voltamour goes second out off a slight layoff for Kieron Magee. Has hit the board in six of his last eight. Magee's other starter, Paint Music for Me, is the only starter who won last out.

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 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.

Source of original post

The Stronach 5, which continues to offer a strong return on investment, will start at 4:16 ET and will also include races from Laurel Park and Golden Gate Fields.

Laurel's ninth race, a $10,000 claimer for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 mile, starts the popular wager, and it drew a wide-open field of 10 with four horses running for new barns off claims. Dr. Ferber breaks from the rail after being claimed last time out by Kieron Magee, who is 28-percent off a claim. Pay The Kid goes out first time for Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, 50 percent first off the claim, and Souper Emperor returns to the barn of Mike Trombetta, 12 percent off the claim.

The Stronach 5 moves next to California and Santa Anita's third race, a mile event for filly and mare maiden claimers. Awesome Pamela comes into the race off a second-place finish last time out against similar company at the distance. A neck behind Awesome Pamela last time out was Medusa's Gaze, who breaks from the rail and has placed in six of nine starts at the distance, and a length back was Glory of Chrome, who closed well despite a wide trip. Cayton Kid goes out first time off the claim for Gary Stute.

Gulfstream's ninth race, a mile turf event for fillies and mares with a $35,000 tag, will serve as the third leg of the sequence. Una Luna gets Paco Lopez in the saddle and will make her first start for trainer Steve Klesaris since finishing off the board in the Claiming Crown Tiara. My Sweet Wife enters off a second-place finish last out against similar company. Chose to Be Happy, first or second in seven of 10 turf starts, goes out for the first time in five months for Eddie Plesa Jr.

The fourth leg of the sequence, Golden Gate's third race, is a starter allowance at six furlongs for fillies and mares. Holy Zags will break from the rail and will make his first start for a new barn and trainer Jonathan Wong off an eighth-month layoff. Wong also saddles She Said Yes, fifth last time out. Daniela Bella broke her maiden last out against maiden special weight company and enters with a record of 6-1-4-0.

Santa Anita's fourth race, a starter optional claimer at six furlongs on the turf, concludes the Stronach 5. Cherubic Factor and Algeria are the only starters in the seven-horse field with a win on the turf. Doug O'Neill will saddle two horses for the first time in Explosive and Cotopaxi, who was claimed for $50,000 last time out.

Friday's races and sequence

Leg 1 –Laurel Race 9: (10 entries, 1 1/16 mile) 4:16 ET, 1:16 PT
Leg 2 –Santa Anita Race 3: (8 entries, 1 mile) 4:33 ET, 1:33 PT
Leg 3 – Gulfstream Race 9: (12 entries, 1-mile turf) 4:42 ET, 1:42 PT
Leg 4 – Golden Gate Race 3: (8 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:49 ET, 1:49 PT
Leg 5 –Santa Anita Race 4: (7 entries, 6 furlongs turf) 5:04 ET, 5:04 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 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 Turf Racing From Gulfstream, Santa Anita Highlights Friday’s Stronach 5 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The second of five pools for the KDFW will run for three days through Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Bettors can place win and exacta wagers at simulcast outlets throughout the country and online at TwinSpires.com, the official ADW of Churchill Downs Incorporated.

Like in Pool 1, the KDFW pools assumes that horses under the care of trainers suspended from competing in the 2022 Kentucky Derby will not be under consideration.

Lucky Seven Stable's $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (Grade 2) winner Smile Happy was installed as the 8-1 individual Pool 2 favorite by morning line oddsmaker Mike Battaglia. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Smile Happy is based at Gulfstream Park in South Florida and has been steadily working toward his 3-year-old debut. Smile Happy is one of four McPeek-trained colts in Pool 2. The others are Dash Attack (20-1), Rattle N Roll (30-1) and Tiz the Bomb (20-1).

In Pool 1, Smile Happy closed as the 8-1 individual favorite behind “All Other Colts and Geldings,” who was the odds-on 3-5 betting choice. Total handle for the Nov. 25-28 KDFW pool was $326,448 ($263,008 in the Win pool and $63,440 in Exactas), which was up 30.9 percent from last year's $249,331.

Here's the complete Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 2 field (with trainer and morning line odds): #1 Chasing Time (Steve Asmussen, 20-1); #2 Classic Causeway (Brian Lynch, 30-1); #3 Commandperformance (Todd Pletcher, 50-1); #4 Courvoisier (Kelly Breen, 30-1); #5 Dash Attack (McPeek, 20-1); #6 Emmanuel (Pletcher, 50-1); #7 Epicenter (Asmussen, 15-1); #8 Giant Game (Dale Romans, 30-1); #9 High Oak (Bill Mott, 50-1); #10 Jack Christopher (Chad Brown, 10-1); #11 Major General (Pletcher, 50-1); #12 Make It Big (Saffie Joseph Jr., 50-1); #13 Mo Donegal (Pletcher, 12-1); #14 Pappacap (Mark Casse, 20-1); #15 Rattle N Roll (McPeek, 30-1); #16 Simplification (Antonio Sano, 30-1); #17 Slow Down Andy (Doug O'Neill, 15-1); #18 Smile Happy (McPeek, 8-1); #19 Tiz the Bomb (McPeek, 20-1); #20 Trafalgar (Al Stall Jr., 50-1); #21 Varatti (Pletcher, 50-1); #22 White Abarrio (Joseph, 50-1); #23 Zandon (Brown, 12-1); and #24 “All Other 3-Year-Olds” (7-5).

The pari-mutuel field for the first pool of the New Year has closed as the bettors' choice every year since the wager was inaugurated in 1999, and the final odds were 5-2 in five of the last seven years.

There are nine new individual interests from Pool 1 in the KDFW. They are first-level allowance winner Chasing Time; Jerome winner Courvoisier; Smarty Jones winner Dash Attack; debut maiden winner Emmanuel; Saratoga Special winner High Oak; Remington Springboard Mile winner Make It Big; Mucho Macho Man winner Simplification; Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) winner Slow Down Andy; and Kentucky Jockey Club third White Abarrio.

The Kentucky Derby Future Wagers provide fans of Thoroughbred racing with opportunities to place bets on possible entrants in the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at odds that could be far greater and more attractive than those available on the day of the race. The 148th running of Kentucky Derby, America's greatest race and the first leg of the Triple Crown, is set for Saturday, May 7 at Churchill Downs.

There are no refunds in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager. Should Churchill Downs officials determine during the duration of this week's four-day pool that one of the wagering interests has experienced an injury, illness or other circumstance that would prevent the horse from participating in the Kentucky Derby, betting on the individual horse will be suspended immediately.

The other Future Wager dates are set for Feb. 11-13 (Pool 3), March 11-13 (Pool 4) and March 31-April 2 (Pool 5). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 on March 11-13.

More information, Brisnet.com past performances and real-time odds on the Kentucky Derby Future Wager will be available before the pool opens Friday online at https://www.kentuckyderby.com/wager/future-wager.

The post Smile Happy Tops Individual Options Ahead Of Second Kentucky Derby Future Wager appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The popular wager will feature races from Santa Anita, Gulfstream, and Golden Gate Fields.

The sequence starts off at 4:33 ET with Santa Anita's third race, a $75,000 maiden event for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs. The nine-horse field includes first-time starters from trainers John Sadler, Michael McCarthy and George Papaprodromou. Loma Vista makes her second start for trainer Philip D'Amato after a sixth-place finish on the turf against maiden special weight company in October.

The second leg of the sequence shifts to Gulfstream and the ninth race, an allowance optional claiming event at 5 ½ furlongs for fillies and mares. American of Course enters off a third-place finish against similar after a four-month layoff for trainer Kathleen O'Connell. Rakasa goes out first off a claim for trainer Aubrey Maragh who is 25-percent off a claim. Domineer also goes out first off a claim for trainer Jose D'Angelo, who is 31-percent off a claim.

Golden Gate's third race is next, a maiden event for fillies and mares at six furlongs with a field of nine going to post. Leading trainer Jonathan Wong sends out Feel This Moment, fifth in her debut Dec. 11. Here Comes Ralphie takes a drop in class for trainer Steve Sherman. The filly makes her first start since March and comes into the race off a 'bullet' work. Lady Skywalker gets blinkers on, Sugar Plum has blinkers off.

It's back to Santa Anita for Race 4, a 1 /8-mile turf event for $50,000 maiden claiming 4-year-olds and up. Nothngoodcomseasy goes out for trainer Doug O'Neill. The son of Medaglia d'Oro lacked room when finishing fifth by three lengths on the turf Nov. 7. Street Ruckus gets back on the turf where he finished fourth, beaten two lengths, in October. Vladimir Cerin trains. Hulk, 0-for-3 on the turf, gets John Velazquez in the saddle for trainer Jeff Mullins. World Cruiser goes out for trainer Eddie Truman after a second-place finish on the turf in November at Del Mar.

The Stronach 5 will conclude with Gulfstream's 10th race, a 1 1/16-mile turf event for 4-year-olds and up with a $35,000 claiming tag. The field of nine includes Alley Oop Johnny, who goes out first off the claim for trainer Mike Maker after a fourth-place finish on the turf Dec. 2 at Aqueduct. Stakes winner Archer Road goes second time out after a two-year layoff. Leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. sends out Hail to the Chief, third in his last two starts by less than two lengths against similar company. Stirling Drive will go out first time off the claim for trainer Dany Gargan after a third-place finish in November at Del Mar.

Friday's races and sequence

Leg One –Santa Anita Race 3: (9 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:33 ET, 1:33 PT
Leg Two –Gulfstream Race 9: (9 entries, 5 ½ furlongs) 4:42 ET, 1:32 PT
Leg Three –Golden Gate Race 3: (9 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:59 ET, 1:59 PT
Leg Four – Santa Anita Race 4: (8 entries, 1 1/8-mile turf) 5:04 ET, 2:04 PT
Leg Five –Gulfstream Race 10: (9 entries, 1 1/16-mile turf) 5:14 ET, 2:14 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 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 Santa Anita Kicks Off Friday’s Stronach 5 Wager appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Koenig is co-chair, with Sen. Damon Thayer, of the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Taxation Task Force appointed to review taxation policies on gambling on the Commonwealth's horse-racing products. Koenig said on last Friday's Kentucky Racing Spotlight weekly radio show on Louisville's ESPN 680 that based on the task force's findings, he will introduce legislation for a flat 1.5-percent tax on the gross (before winning bettors are paid off) of pari-mutuel wagers, including the highly successful historical horse racing operations. Such a measure would substantially increase the tax on bets placed on Kentucky racing through online platforms, known as Advance Deposit Wagering (ADW).

Another provision Koenig is championing in the bill he plans to introduce during the current 2022 state legislative session: rounding payoffs down to the penny, rather than down to the dime on a $1 mutuel.

The practice of rounding down is known as breakage. It's a decades-old policy that allows racetracks and any licensed bet-taker, including ADWs, to keep the extra money, to the frustration of horseplayers who believe it should be returned to winning bettors.

“The thing I'm perhaps most excited about is the elimination of breakage on live racing,” Koenig told Kentucky Racing Spotlight hosts Joe Clabes and Jennie Rees on the show. “It's something that happens at every track everywhere. Win, place, show … they (pay off) – at least in Kentucky and most other states – to every 20 cents (on a $2 mutuel). You pay $3.20 or $3.40 or $3.80. But it doesn't work out that way. You might deserve $3.47 or $3.68. We're going to try to make that happen. Because it's your money and it goes back to – I don't know, the 1930 or 40s – when the only place you could gamble legally was the track. There were long, deep lines, and they didn't want to pay everybody to the penny every time they came up.”

If Koenig is successful, Kentucky would be the first state to essentially eliminate breakage. New York, with a sliding breakage calculation, is the only state in the last 30 years to address breakage, but the proposed plan for Kentucky is easily the most player-friendly of any, according to industry expert Pat Cummings of the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation.

“I think not only will it be great for the bettors, but I believe it will be an incentive for people across the country to bet on Kentucky racing,” said Koenig, an Erlanger resident whose district in Boone and Kenton County is adjacent to Turfway Park. “Maybe if you're a bettor like me who bets $5 to win, place on a race, it's not that big a deal. But if you're somebody who doesn't mind betting $200 across the board on a horse, that adds up to real money over time. I think the tracks will get the money back with additional wagering.”

“… I'm not doing it to cost the (tracks) money or even to help their product. I'm doing it because with the passage of this HHR (legislation) and increasing the numbers of HHR machines, we've taken care of the breeders, taken care of the owners; the trainers and jockeys are running for bigger purses,” Koenig continued, referencing legislation passed last February to protect historical horse racing. “The only person we haven't taken care of is the bettor. You can't run the show without all of those people — but you have to have the bettors.”

The task force was convened in the wake of last year's passage of SB 120 that cleaned up the language to ensure that historical horse racing was legal under the Kentucky constitution. Some lawmakers felt HHR should be taxed at a higher rate, with more money going to the state's General Fund. Subsequent testimony documented that — by being taxed on the gross rather than on net revenue and with a mandated amount going toward purses for live racing — the excise tax on HHR is effectively 32.2 percent.

That places Kentucky's tax rate on the high end of surrounding states with casino gaming, testimony before the task force documented. While standardizing the 1.5-percent excise tax, Koenig's bill would increase the tax on online and phone wagers made in the state from 0.5 percent to 1.5 percent.

“There is a range of tax rates when you make a wager,” said Koenig, who continues to work on the language of the bill before filing. “… When you're at a track and you go to the window, go to a (self-bet) machine, there's a 1 1/2-percent tax on that. But if I am at Keeneland or Churchill Downs and I bet on a simulcast race, say Oaklawn, that's taxed at 3 percent. If I bet on that same race at Oaklawn on my phone, it's taxed at one-half of 1 percent. I'm sure these tax rates made sense when they were created. But now, they don't make so much sense.

“… I believe we're going to generate a fair amount of money, especially with raising the ADW tax from a half of a percent to 1 1/2 percent. It's very complicated because within those tax rates you're funding purses for thoroughbreds, for standardbreds, funding the University of Louisville (equine business) program. Funding pays for improvements at the track. It's more complicated than I ever thought. We're going to make it more even, so that it makes more sense, and we're going to generate some additional revenue for the General Fund.”

Koenig said his bill also will remove any restrictions on how Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) supplements can be used as long as recipient horses are foaled in the commonwealth and sired by a Kentucky stallion. The bill would leave it up to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission's KTDF advisory committee to set the policy but would be expected to allow the Kentucky-bred supplements to be added onto claiming races for the first time.

Among other likely provisions:

Funding for the equine programs at the University of Kentucky and the Bluegrass Community & Technical College.

Requiring that the horse-racing industry pay for the cost of its regulation, with the budget for the racing commission currently coming out of the General Fund.

Creation of a revenue stream to provide help for problem gamblers. HHR facilities would be required to maintain and share self-exclusion lists, where problem gamblers who ask to join the list will be refused admission to such properties.

Kentucky's 2022 legislative session runs through April 14.

Kentucky Racing Spotlight, presented by the Kentucky HBPA, will run Fridays from 6-7 p.m. ET through March 4 on ESPN 680/105.7 with streaming at espnlouisville.com, the ESPN 680 app and the iHeart and TuneIn apps. The shows are archived at davisinnovation.com/kyracing. In addition to the Kentucky HBPA, Kentucky Racing Spotlight is sponsored by Davis Innovation, NKY Tribune and the Louisville Thoroughbred Society.

The post Taking Up For Bettors: Kentucky Rep. Koenig Seeks To Eliminate ‘Breakage’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The action begins at 4:28 ET.

Laurel's ninth race, a $10,000 claimer at seven furlongs, starts the Stronach 5. The wide-open field of 14 fillies and mares includes Bellswillberinging from the barn of Gary Contessa. The daughter of Mosler drops in class. Icy Harbor, part of a Dove Houghton-trained entry, shortens in distance after finishing ninth on a muddy track. His previous race over a fast track produced a third-place finish. El Bochinche enters off a second-place finish for trainer John Robb.

The Stronach 5 heads west for the second leg, Santa Anita's third race. The 1 1/8-mile turf event for 4-year-olds and up for $25,0000 claimers has an 8-5 favorite in Keystone Field. The Richard Mandella-trained gelding drops in class after finishing fourth, beaten two lengths, in allowance conditions at Del Mar. The second-place finisher in that race came back to win under allowance conditions. Stage Ready goes out second off a $40,000 claim for trainer Jeff Mullins. John Velazquez is named to ride. Graded stakes winner Cleopatra's Strike, who has five seconds at the distance in seven starts, seeks his first win since the 2019 John Henry Turf (G2).

Gulfstream's ninth race, a $62,500 allowance optional claimer at 6 ½ furlongs for 4-year-olds and up, drew a field of nine including Shadwell Stable's Mutasaabeq, who will make his first start for trainer Todd Pletcher in a year. The Into Mischief colt won the Bourbon (G2) on the turf as a juvenile before going to the sidelines after winning the Mucho Macho Man in his only start as a 3-year-old. Luis Saez has the call. Bank On Shea will make his first start at Gulfstream after winning restricted races for New York breds at two and four. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides for Carlos David.

Golden Gate's third race will serve as the fourth leg of the Stronach 5. The six-furlong claiming event for 4-year-olds and up drew a field of seven with a 2-1 favorite in Mohawk King, an Irish-bred who drops in class and gets blinkers for trainer Simon Callaghan. Mohawk King finished fifth in his last start behind Freeport Joe, who has won two consecutive races including the Berkeley Handicap (G3). Mohawk King will likely be joined on the lead or as part of the pace by Knockout Bert, who has finished in the money in seven of nine starts at Golden Gate. Foster Boi goes for his fifth win at Golden Gate in eight starts.

Gulfstream's 10th race concludes the Stronach 5. The one-mile turf event, a maiden optional claimer for 4-year-olds and up, has a 5-2 favorite in Eagle Chief, who breaks from the rail after being claimed by Paradise Farms Corp and trainer Mike Maker for $50,000 at Del Mar in November. Eagle Chief, a son of Into Mischief, is winless in 11 starts. Tyler Gaffalione rides. Golden Indy, fifth in his debut Dec. 16 for trainer Jonathan Thomas, returns with Paco Lopez in the saddle.

Friday's races and sequence

Leg One –Laurel Race 9: (14 entries, 7 furlongs) 4:28 ET, 1:28 PT
Leg Two –Santa Anita Race 3: (9 entries, 1 1/8-mile turf) 4:35 ET, 1:35 PT
Leg Three – Gulfstream Race 9: (9 entries, 6 ½ furlongs) 4:42 ET, 1:42 PT
Leg Four – Golden Gate Race 3: (10 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:50 ET, 1:50 PT
Leg Five –Gulfstream Race 10: (9 entries, 1 mile turf) 5:14 ET, 2:14 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 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 Four Tracks, Two Turf Races, 12-Percent Takeout appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Instead, Vlahos used the funds to bring additional individuals into the scheme as well as to fund his own extravagant lifestyle.

Vlahos initially faced 347 charges, but ultimately pleaded to two counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.

“Through your pernicious greed and insatiable desire for personal affirmation, you destroyed the lives and financial security of your family, friends and associates,” said Judge Trapnell. “It is clear you must have known the impact you've had … yet you continued your deceptive scheme, unrelenting and unrepentant. The audaciousness of your behavior is breathtaking.”

Read more at abc.net.au.

The post Australia: Mastermind Of Wagering Club Ponzi Scheme Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

Laurel's seventh race begins the Stronach 5 at approximately 3:23 ET with maiden fillies going six furlongs. Miss Foxann, a daughter of Kantharos who was second in her debut at Laurel Nov. 5, is the 9-5 favorite for trainer Dale Bennett. Isabella's Glory, a daughter of Lea, finished third by just a neck Nov. 14 for trainer Jose Corrales. Leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez will send out first-time starter Always Mia, a $32,000 daughter of Flat Out.

Gulfstream's seventh race, a 6 ½ furlong event for fillies and mares at a claiming price of $20,000, serves as the second leg of the sequence. Ideal Breeze goes out first time for trainer Jorge Delgado, who is 29-percent first off the claim. Frankie's Girl drops in class off a third-place finish last out. Rakas makes her South Florida debut after starting four times at Woodbine. William Tharrenos takes over the training.

It's back to Laurel for the third and fourth legs of the Stronach 5. The third leg, Laurel's eighth race, an allowance event for fillies and mares around two turns, drew a field of eight including 8-5 favorite Award Wanted, a three-length winner against restricted company last out for John Robb. Mit Mazel, the runner-up to Award Wanted last time out, tries again for Claudio Gonzalez.

Laurel's ninth race, a $10,000 claiming event for fillies and mares, is a wide-open seven-furlong event. Torch Carrier, a 3-year-old by Uncle Lino, is the tepid 3-1 choice after breaking her maiden for $16,000 in October and following up with a second-place finish against $16,000 claimers in November. Tuff But Fair draws the rail and returns to Laurel after a sixth-place finish against similar Oct. 20 at Delaware. Digital Dream should be a factor after a wide trip last out.

The Stronach 5 concludes with Gulfstream's ninth race, a claiming event for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs on the Tapeta. Charlotte the Brit enters off a pair of second place finishes on the Tapeta for Jorge Delgade. Christophe Clement sends out Smooth Pebble after a runner-up finish on the turf at Monmouth in September. Caffeine Rush goes out for the second time off a short layoff for Elizabeth Dobles.

Friday's races and sequence

• Leg One –Laurel Race 7: (10 entries, 6 furlongs) 3:18 ET, 12:18 PT
• Leg Two –Gulfstream Race 7: (9 entries, 6 ½ furlongs) 3:26 ET, 12:26 PT
• Leg Three –Laurel Race 8: (8 entries, 1 1/16 mile) 3:50 ET, 12:50 PT
• Leg Four – Laurel Race 9: (12 entries,7 furlongs) 4:22 ET, 1:22 PT
• Leg Five –Gulfstream Race 9: (10 entries, 5 ½ furlongs) 4:32 ET, 1:32 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 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 Stronach 5 Returns Friday With Races From Laurel, Gulfstream appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post

The track could point to many other positives throughout the 2021 year – the return of racing fans, exceptional purses for its horsemen, hosting another record-setting Breeders' Cup among them. But the standard the track is proudest of is its continuing mark as America's safest major racetrack. Only one horse was injured catastrophically in the 426 races and 3,552 starters that performed during the two sessions, a mark that is unmatched in the country.

Total handle for the four-week, 13-day fall session was $171.58 million. The fall meet average daily handle was a record $13.19 million, which was 1.0% higher than the record average daily handle posted last year.

The Breeders' Cup – conducted at Del Mar on November 5 and 6 – had a common-pool handle of $183,260,127, a two-day record for the championship event.

When Del Mar last hosted the Breeders' Cup in 2017, it posted a then-record handle of $166,077,486. The new mark is 10.4% higher than that.

Del Mar's wagering in 2021 totaled $943.49 million, 21.3% higher than the previous record of $778.97 million set in 2017 the last time Del Mar hosted the Breeders' Cup.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's CEO, Joe Harper, said he was extremely pleased by events at his track over the year.

“I am exceptionally proud of our team and seeing all their hard work come to such wonderful fruition over the course of the two seasons,” he said. “We put on a helluva Breeders' Cup show once again; we were at our best for the best. And we're safe, very safe. That's just the best of all.”

“The racing world once again got to see what we're spoiled with every year – one of the best operations in the industry,” said Gary Fenton, chairman of the Thoroughbred Owners of California. “Breeders' Cup kicked off another wonderful meet and we're so grateful for the entire DMTC team. TOC couldn't ask for a better partner.”

The track's Ship & Win program – where it encourages horsemen and horsewomen to bring their runners to Del Mar for both of its seasons and has proven to be one of the great thoroughbred magnets in the country – had another banner session. Sixty-seven new runners came to town this fall under the program with six of them making a second start during the Bing Crosby Season. All told, 1,885 “S&W” runners have come to California since the program was put in place 11 years ago.

Its fall Turf Festival again drew high-class runners from across the land to compete in its seven-race stand over the final weekend of the meet. More than a dozen stakes aces shipped in to take on the local runners in the rich events.

The track's fall riding king was Juan Hernandez with his 17 firsts from 79 mounts during the 15-day (counting the Breeders' Cup) session. It is his first riding title at Del Mar. The top trainer was Phil D'Amato who registered 15 firsts from 52 starters. It is his first fall riding championship, but his third at the track overall.

Racing will return to Del Mar next July 22 for the track's 83rd summer season.

The post Record Wagering, Safe Racing Highlight Del Mar’s 2021 Seasons appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

Source of original post