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

Over the course of approximately one hour, Friday's Stronach 5 will feature races from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields, a low 12-percent takeout, full fields, and two turf races.

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.

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Economic Indicators: U.S. Wagering Tops $12 Billion In 2021 For Highest Total Handle Since 2009

Equibase, North American racing's official database, on Wednesday released its 2021 statistics for the industry's economic indicators, including field size, wagering, and other data, along with 2019 and 2020 comparables. The 2019 data is included as a pre-COVID-19 comparison.

Total handle on U.S. races in 2021 topped $12 billion, reaching the highest figure since 2009. That number represents an 11.86 percent increase over wagering in 2020 ($10.9B), and an increase of 10.74 percent compared to 2019 ($11B).

By comparison, the 2009 wagering total of $12.3 billion came from a total of 49,368 races. The 2021 wagering totals were from 33,567 races, a 32 percent decline in the number of races.

“Against an extraordinarily difficult backdrop, the resiliency of Thoroughbred racing was on full display in 2021 as we concluded the year with significant growth in purses and total handle of more than $12 billion, the highest since 2009,” said Tom Rooney, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support as their wagering dollars continue to fuel our industry. As we turn the page to 2022, we look forward to the beginning of a new era for U.S. Thoroughbred racing with the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and an even greater focus on equine safety and welfare and the integrity of America's oldest sport.”

Race days and starts both increased over 2020, which is expected after the pandemic shut down much of the U.S.'s live racing last year, but average field size showed a decline of 7.2 percent from 2020 to 2021. Over the same period, despite an increase of 10 percent in average purses per race day, average wagering per race day showed a 9.29 percent decline.

As compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019, however, average wagering per race day showed an over 20 percent increase in 2021 as the number of race days fell by 7.98 percent. That's despite the average field size dropping from 7.53 in 2019 to 7.37 in 2021.

Total purses showed the largest percentage increase from 2020 to 2021, up 35.77 percent and 10.09 percent per race day.

Overall, the numbers suggest the horse racing industry is recovering from the pandemic, but also that it is struggling to retain field size as foal crops have declined in numbers.

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2020
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$12,218,407,637	$10,922,936,290	+11.86%
U.S. Purses	$1,180,853,677	$869,771,206	+35.77%
U.S. Race Days	4,072	3,302	+23.32%
U.S. Races	33,567	27,700	+21.18%
U.S. Starts	247,416	220,006	+12.46%
Average Field Size	7.37	7.94	-7.20%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,000,591	$3,307,976	-9.29%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,994	$263,407	+10.09%

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2020
Indicator	1st Half 2021	1st Half 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$6,279,039,094	$5,054,526,907	+24.23%
U.S. Purses	$515,151,692	$324,168,648	+58.91%
U.S. Race Days	1,881	1,301	+44.58%
U.S. Races	15,792	10,906	+44.80%
U.S. Starts	117,303	88,074	+33.19%
Average Field Size	7.43	8.08	-8.02%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,338,139	$3,885,109	-14.08%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$273,871	$249,169	+9.91%

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2020
Indicator	2nd Half 2021	2nd Half 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,939,368,543	$5,868,409,383	+1.21%
U.S. Purses	$665,701,985	$545,602,558	+22.01%
U.S. Race Days	2,191	2,001	+9.50%
U.S. Races	17,775	16,794	+5.84%
U.S. Starts	130,113	131,932	-1.38%
Average Field Size	7.32	7.86	-6.82%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,710,803	$2,932,738	-7.57%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,835	$272,665	+11.43%

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2020
Indicator	4th QTR 2021	4th QTR 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,720,738,901	$2,576,392,869	+5.60%
U.S. Purses	$300,299,698	$240,534,957	+24.85%
U.S. Race Days	870	793	+9.71%
U.S. Races	7,339	6,805	+7.85%
U.S. Starts	56,789	55,530	+2.27%
Average Field Size	7.74	8.16	-5.17%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,127,286	$3,248,919	-3.74%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$345,172	$303,323	+13.80%

December 2021 vs. December 2020
Indicator	December 2021	December 2020	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$808,907,627	$751,783,126	+7.60%
U.S. Purses	$74,777,035	$57,534,410	+29.97%
U.S. Race Days	251	229	+9.61%
U.S. Races	2,151	2,008	+7.12%
U.S. Starts	17,257	16,884	+2.21%
Average Field Size	8.02	8.41	-4.59%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,222,740	$3,282,896	-1.83%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$297,916	$251,242	+18.58%

2019 Comparisons:

YTD 2021 vs. YTD 2019
Indicator	YTD 2021	YTD 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$12,218,407,637	$11,033,824,363	+10.74%
U.S. Purses	$1,180,853,677	$1,167,920,667	+1.11%
U.S. Race Days	4,072	4,425	-7.98%
U.S. Races	33,567	36,207	-7.29%
U.S. Starts	247,416	272,553	-9.22%
Average Field Size	7.37	7.53	-2.08%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,000,591	$2,493,520	+20.34%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$289,994	$263,937	+9.87%

1st Half 2021 vs. 1st Half 2019
Indicator	1st Half 2021	1st Half 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$6,279,039,094	$5,672,774,271	+10.69%
U.S. Purses	$515,151,692	$544,002,132	-5.30%
U.S. Race Days	1,881	2,104	-10.60%
U.S. Races	15,792	17,457	-9.54%
U.S. Starts	117,303	130,239	-9.93%
Average Field Size	7.43	7.46	-0.44%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,338,139	$2,696,185	+23.81%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$273,871	$258,556	+5.92%

2nd Half 2021 vs. 2nd Half 2019
Indicator	2nd Half 2021	2nd Half 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$5,939,368,543	$5,361,050,092	+10.79%
U.S. Purses	$665,701,985	$623,918,535	+6.70%
U.S. Race Days	2,191	2,321	-5.60%
U.S. Races	17,775	18,750	-5.20%
U.S. Starts	130,113	142,314	-8.57%
Average Field Size	7.32	7.59	-3.56%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$2,710,803	$2,309,802	+17.36%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$303,835	$268,815	+13.03%

4th QTR 2021 vs. 4th QTR 2019
Indicator	4th QTR 2021	4th QTR 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,720,738,901	$2,439,642,344	+11.52%
U.S. Purses	$300,299,698	$274,053,649	+9.58%
U.S. Race Days	870	910	-4.40%
U.S. Races	7,339	7,653	-4.10%
U.S. Starts	56,789	61,576	-7.77%
Average Field Size	7.74	8.05	-3.83%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,127,286	$2,680,926	+16.65%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$345,172	$301,158	+14.61%

December 2021 vs. December 2019
Indicator	December 2021	December 2019	% Change
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$808,907,627	$707,728,171	+14.30%
U.S. Purses	$74,777,035	$66,315,581	+12.76%
U.S. Race Days	251	252	-0.40%
U.S. Races	2,151	2,169	-0.83%
U.S. Starts	17,257	17,561	-1.73%
Average Field Size	8.02	8.10	-0.91%
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,222,740	$2,808,445	+14.75%
Average Purses Per Race Day	$297,916	$263,157	+13.21%

The post Economic Indicators: U.S. Wagering Tops $12 Billion In 2021 For Highest Total Handle Since 2009 appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Wagering On U.S. Racing Highest Since 2009

According to figures released Wednesday by Equibase, $12,218,407,637 was wagered on horse racing in the U.S. in 2021. The figure marks the first time betting has topped $12 billion since 2009 when $12.315 billion was bet.

“Against an extraordinarily difficult backdrop, the resiliency of Thoroughbred racing was on full display in 2021, as we concluded the year with significant growth in purses and total handle of more than $12 billion, the highest since 2009,” NTRA President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Rooney said in a statement. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support, as their wagering dollars continue to fuel our industry. As we turn the page to 2022, we look forward to the beginning of a new era for U.S. Thoroughbred racing with the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) and an even greater focus on equine safety and welfare and the integrity of America's oldest sport.”

Wagering peaked in 2003 when $15.18 billion was bet.

Wagering was up 11.86% over 2020, when $10,922,936,290 was bet during a year in which the pandemic kept several tracks closed for parts of the year. A better comparison may be 2019, when $11,033,824,363 was wagered. The 2021-versus-2019 numbers show a 10.74% increase.

While the increase in wagering was likely the result of several factors, the hope within the industry is that gamblers turned their attention to racing when COVID-19 shut down the four major sports in 2020 and that many of those players have continued to wager on the sport.

There were 4,072 race days in 2021 versus 3,302 in the prior year. The average amount wagered per race day dropped, from $3,307,976 to $3,000,591, a decline of 9.29%.

Purses also showed a dramatic increase during the year. Total U.S. purses for the year were $1,180,853,677, a 35.77% increase over 2020. The amount of purse money paid out when compared to 2019 showed a slight increase of 1.11%.

Average purses per race day were $273,871 in 2021, a 9.91% increase from 2020 numbers and a 9.87% increase over 2019.

Field sizes continued to decline in 2021. The average field included 7.37 runners, down 7.2% from 2020 when the average field size was 7.94. Average field size in 2019 was 7.53. As recently as 2009, the average field size was 8.24.

The post Wagering On U.S. Racing Highest Since 2009 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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New Year’s Eve At Aqueduct Features Double Pick 6 Carryover Of $195K, Mandatory Payout

Friday's nine-race card at Aqueduct Racetrack will be bolstered by a double Pick 6 carryover of $195,762 after the multi-race wager went unsolved on Thursday. Friday will also offer a mandatory payout as the calendar year comes to a close.

The $1 Pick 6 returned $765 for the selection of 5-of-6 winners correctly.

The Pick 6 sequence began on Thursday in Race 3 when Anything Pazible [No. 1, $33.20] upset a state-bred allowance for 3-year-olds and up at odds of 15-1 under Jacqueline Davis for trainer Eduardo Jones.

The Robert Falcone, Jr.-trained Hoopla [No. 2, $3.30] provided the only win by a favorite on the card in Race 4, bounding away to a 2 ¾-length claiming victory with apprentice rider Christian Ramos up to give Falcone, Jr. his first of two wins on the card.

Inevtabl Conection [No. 2, $7] was ridden by Kendrick Carmouche to his first victory in an open company maiden special weight in Race 5 for trainer Steve Klesaris. Air Show [No. 3, $15] then earned his first win against winners when he took Race 6, a $25,000 claimer, for trainer Tom Morley and jockey Trevor McCarthy.

Falcone, Jr.'s second win of the day came when Maiden Beauty [No. 2, $8.60] won the second stakes of her career in Race 7, the Bay Ridge for state-bred fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

The Juan Vazquez-trained Esor [No. 3, $14.20] triggered the double carryover with a mild upset in the nightcap at odds of 6-1 to break his maiden with Eric Cancel aboard.

Friday's eight-race card features the $100,000 Alex M. Robb for New York-breds 3-years-old and up in Race 7 with the Pick 6 sequence beginning in Race 3 at 1:44 p.m. Eastern. First post will be at 12:50 p.m.

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.

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