Horse Racing: Arkansas Derby day recap: $41,000,000 bet, Nadal and Charlatan win Ky. Derby preps

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

I miss the days of Beulah Park and River Downs when 9 year old first time starters weren't unheard of.

Turfway has cancelled the last three days of its meet (today-saturday). There will never be another live race at the facility that had been home to harness and thoroughbred racing since 1959.

COVID-19: Racing At Turfway Park Suspended Immediately; Backstretch To Remain Open - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

The backside is still open. It falls under a "life-sustaining business" exception.

Due to the current situation, there will be no sales of any nostalgic items (signage, seats, etc.) from the facility. I'm not happy that I didn't grab some stuff when I could have. I took 4 plastic box seats from River Downs. I never felt one iota of guilt for doing so


Updated: Edgar Prado Gets Win No. 7,057, Tying Angel Cordero As Eighth All-Time By Races Won - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

What do you mean by this? Turfway is being refurbished.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

In addition to what GKJ posted above, this is the TV schedule for Friday through Sunday:

Date	Program	Time	Network
March 27	Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	post time varies	TVG
March 27	"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.	FS2
March 27	TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	4 p.m.-8 p.m.	NBCSN
March 28	Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	post time varies	TVG
March 28	"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	1:30-7 p.m.	FS1
March 28	TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country including the Florida Derby	4 p.m.-8 p.m., Florida Derby post time 6:36 p.m.	NBCSN
March 29	Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	post time varies	TVG
March 29	"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	1:30-2:30 p.m. on FS2; 2:30-7 p.m. on FS1	FS1 and FS2
March 29	TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	4 p.m.-8 p.m.	NBCSN

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

FLORIDA DERBY
$5,000,000 Pick 6 Jackpot Expected
$2,000,000 in Purses​

​

FLORIDA DERBY

What: Grade 1. One of the most prestigious Kentucky Derby prep races. The top four finishers will receive 100-40-20-10 points, respectively.
Where: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida
When: Saturday, March 28, 2020, Race 14
Time: 6:36 pm ET
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $750,000 [reduced from $1,000,000 due to the ongoing virus and related financial restraints]
Card: Roughly $2,000,000 in purses spanning 14 races. First post is 11:30 a.m. ET
TV: TVG and NBCSN

TVG: Will air all day coverage as usual.
NBCSN: Will show the Florida Derby in its coverage from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET.
Fox Sports 1: Will show over five hours of coverage from 1:30 pm - 7:00 pm ET.​

History: Inaugurated in 1952. One of the most attractive races on the horse racing calendar. Three of the past seven and 14 total winners (excluding two DQ'd) of this race have gone onto victory in the Kentucky Derby. Oddly, the winners of the 1968 and 2019 Florida Derby were DQ'd from their Kentucky Derby wins. Todd Pletcher has won this race a record five times.
Kentucky Derby prep schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races​

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	As Seen On Tv (FL)	Paco Lopez	122	Kelly J. Breen	12-1
2	Shivaree (FL)	Emisael Jaramillo	122	Ralph E. Nicks	30-1
3	Disc Jockey (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	20-1
4	Soros (KY)	Edgar S. Prado	122	Gustavo Delgado	30-1
5	Gouverneur Morris (KY)	John R. Velazquez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	8-1
6	Ajaaweed (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	20-1
7	Tiz the Law (NY)	Manuel Franco	122	Barclay Tagg	6-5
8	My First Grammy (KY)	Hector Isaac Berrios	122	Amador Merei Sanchez	50-1
9	Independence Hall (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Michael J. Trombetta	9-2
10	Candy Tycoon (KY)	Javier Castellano	122	Todd A. Pletcher	20-1
11	Sassy But Smart (FL)	Joe Bravo	122	Kendall Condie	50-1
12	Ete Indien (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Patrick L. Biancone	4-1
13	Rogue Element (KY)	Miguel Angel Vasquez	122	Dale L. Romans	AE

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

• #4 is cross-entered with a race on Friday.
• #6 will scratch. The horse wasn't firing. This will be officially announced on Saturday.
• #10 could have a rider change if Castellano remains under quarantine. Maybe Edgard Zayas picks up the mount?
• #13 is also eligible and may or may not run.

The full card:

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post (ET)
Race 1	$51,000	Allowance	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	16	11:30 AM
Race 2	$51,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 Furlongs	Dirt	12	12:00 PM
Race 3	$52,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	16	12:30 PM
Race 4	$100,000	Cutler Bay S.	1 Mile	Turf	16	1:00 PM
Race 5	$52,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 Mile	Dirt	11	1:30 PM
Race 6	$100,000	Hal's Hope S.	1 1/8 Miles	Dirt	11	2:00 PM
Race 7	$100,000	Sanibel Island S. presented by US Foods	1 Mile	Turf	13	2:30 PM
Race 8	$75,000	Sir Shackleton S.	7 Furlongs	Dirt	12	3:00 PM
Race 9	$100,000	Sand Springs S.	1 Mile	Turf	13	3:34 PM
Race 10	$100,000	Orchid S. presented by Rood and Riddle	1 3/8 Miles	Turf	12	4:17 PM
Race 11	$200,000	Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	14	4:49 PM
Race 12	$200,000	Kitten's Joy Pan American S.	1 1/2 Miles	Turf	10	5:26 PM
Race 13	$100,000	Appleton S.	1 Mile	Turf	16	6:00 PM
Race 14	$750,000	Curlin Florida Derby	1 1/8 Miles	Dirt	13	6:36 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[Cyclones Rock]

What do you mean by this? Turfway is being refurbished.

Reference to the present physical plant. The old facility is getting torn down and will be completely replaced. Demolition was originally slated to begin on April 6. I don't know if that date has been altered.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The old facility is getting torn down. Demolition was originally slated to begin on April 6. I don't know if that date has been altered.

Oh, OK. But it will exist under the same name, no?

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Oh, OK. But it will exist under the same name, no?

I think so. I seem to recall that the Turfway name will be used along with "gaming" or something in that genre.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

I think so. I seem to recall that the Turfway name will be used along with "gaming" or something in that genre.

Maybe Stevie Cauthen will show. He was at the opening day of Belterra, IIRC.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Maybe Stevie Cauthen will show. He was at the opening day of Belterra, IIRC.

He used to be a Vice President of Turfway in its heyday. Nice guy. Was always hoping that someone would win the Triple Crown so he wouldn't get hassled with all the questions about Affirmed and the Crown. To my knowledge, he still resides in Walton, Ky, so he would be readily available. Good idea!

My mom used to play tennis against his mom.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

He used to be a Vice President of Turfway in its heyday. Nice guy. Was always hoping that someone would win the Triple Crown so he wouldn't get hassled with all the questions about Affirmed and the Crown. To my knowledge, he still resides in Walton, Ky, so he would be readily available. Good idea!

My mom used to play tennis against his mom.

Awesome all the way around.

Affirmed was in that cycle with Secretariat, Slew and Bid. Add what is arguably the greatest rivalry in this sport's history with Alydar -- certainly #1 in the TV era -- and the legend grew and grew. But, yes, Bid and Smarty Jones are probably the two horses that should have won the Triple Crown more than the other near hits and misses.

Then again, poor Ronnie Franklin!

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Awesome all the way around.

Affirmed was in that cycle with Secretariat, Slew and Bid. Add what is arguably the greatest rivalry in this sport's history with Alydar -- certainly #1 in the TV era -- and the legend grew and grew. But, yes, Bid and Smarty Jones are probably the two horses that should have won the Triple Crown more than the other near hits and misses.

Then again, poor Ronnie Franklin!

Come to think of it, Ronnie Franklin was called "an idiot" by his trainer after the 1979 Florida Derby. Man!

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Here is an update pertaining to Javier Castellano.

Castellano positive for coronavirus, agent says

Gulfstream Park said in a statement that Castellano arrived in Florida on Sunday from New York, where he lives, and was required to undergo a physical and a test for the virus prior to being allowed on the grounds. The statement said that the track plans to continue racing.

“All jockeys riding locally must go to first aid on a daily basis to get their temperature taken and a check-up before entering the jocks’ room,” the statement said. “The track has worked in conjunction with the Jockeys’ Guild to set these parameters. If it weren’t for Gulfstream Park requiring Castellano to get a physical he probably would never have been tested at all.”

In an additional statement released later on Thursday, Gulfstream said that Castellano will not be able to ride at the track until “his mandatory 14-day quarantine is complete and he has received a clean bill of health from his medical practitioner. We wish him a speedy and complete recovery.”

Panagot confirmed Gulfstream’s account of the testing and procedures. Castellano took an airplane from New York to Florida, Panagot said.

Meyocks, president of The Jockeys’ Guild and Castellano’s father-in-law, said that Castellano had never gone on to Gulfstream’s grounds since arriving Sunday night and that he did not exercise any horses while in Florida. Fittingly, it was The Jockeys’ Guild that had recommended the protocols that all jockeys traveling from other jurisdictions be tested for the virus prior to being allowed to ride at tracks.

“What Gulfstream did worked,” Meyocks said.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday. March 26, 2020

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Luis Saez was on fire. He rode the card and finished 10 5-2-1. He completed a natural hat trick with a win in the ninth race. Saez also won his 100th race this meet, which began late last year, a feat accomplished for the fourth consecutive time.
• Paco Lopez has 75 wins this year. Luis Saez has 74 wins this year. They are currently 3rd and 4th, respectively, this year in North America.
• Edgar Prado tied Angel Cordero for 8th place in all-time wins with 7,057. Yesterday, after he initially tied the mark, a reporting error from five years ago resulted in one win being removed. And as such, he officially is tied for 8th place now. Next up is the semi-active Perry Ouzts who, at the age of 66, is eight wins in front but has not ridden since July 2019.
• Frank Russo, the winning trainer in the finale, began his career in 1959 in Maryland and had stops in New Jersey and Pennsylvania among others. He has an extremely small stable. Awesome!
• Todd Pletcher, Michael Maker and Saffie Joseph, Jr. are the top three trainers at the meet. That is an inarguable position. '
• Jane Cibelli has won six of the past 10 races she has entered though with smaller purses. She is 11 6-2-2- which qualifies as on a roll. She trains mostly in New Jersey, the mid-Atlantic and Florida and her resume extends to Birmingham, Alabama when racing was conducted there briefly in the early 90s.
• Absent: Among those not riding for different reasons: Javier Castellano, John Velazquez, Irad Ortiz, Jr., Jose Ortiz and Tyler Gaffalione.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle: Roughly $4,000,000
  
• Martin Garcia has resuscitated his career. He left California in search of new life and found it in Arkansas. With 32 wins, including two today, he is second in wins among all jockeys.
• Doug O'Neill won twice today and is now 32% at the meet.
• California has had a strong showing at the meet from what I see.
• Steve Hobby, who trains mostly in the center part of the country, is 55% this meet with 11 starts.

Golden Gate (California):

• Juan Hernandez added three wins to his yearly total which is second in North America. He is just 8 behind leader Irad Ortiz., Jr. who is currently idle but has 90 victories.
• Handle: Exceeded $2,000,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

@Cyclones Rock
BTW, the person who trains the #11 in the Florida Derby is relatively new in that profession; however, IIRC he suffered a career-ending injury while riding at River Downs a few years ago. Perhaps you remember him though I think he did much of his riding in Arizona.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

@Cyclones Rock
BTW, the person who trains the #11 in the Florida Derby is relatively new in that profession; however, IIRC he suffered a career-ending injury while riding at River Downs a few years ago. Perhaps you remember him though I think he did much of his riding in Arizona.

Kendall Conrie.....vaguely remember the name, but I don't have any strong recollection of this rider. Don't have an association of him with RD, but that doesn't mean that he didn't ride there.

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Took a drive to Turfway Park in the wee hours. Probably the last time I'll see the structure that has been one of my favorite places on the planet for decades. So many memories.

I'm going to miss the place even though it really does need to go.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday's schedule:

Tampa Bay (FL): 12:45 pm ET
Gulfstream (FL): 1:00 pm ET
Oaklawn (AR): 1:30 pm CT (2:30 pm ET)
Santa Anita (CA): 1:00 pm PT (4:00 pm ET)
Golden Gate (CA): 1:15 pm PT (4:15 pm ET)
Remington (OK): 6:00 pm CT (7:00 pm ET) -- quarter horses​

TV coverage:

March 27	Live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	all day coverage	TVG
March 27	"America's Day at the Races," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. ET	FS2
March 27	TVG's "Trackside Live," featuring live coverage of racing from tracks around the country	4 p.m.-8 p.m. ET	NBCSN

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Mike Smith and Irad Ortiz, Jr. lost their appeals originating from the violations while racing in Saudi Arabia last month.

Smith basically was suspended eleven days for two infractions (9+2) and lost his share of the place money which was $210,000. I believe he already served the portion of the 2-day suspension.

*** UPDATE ***
Mike Smith did serve his 2-day suspension (March 6 and March 13).
He will be suspended April 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 and 26​

Ortiz was suspended ten days for two infractions (8+2) and lost his share of fourth place prize money in the $20m race.

However, as I suspected back when, they will get to pick the days of the suspensions and will likely ride on stakes days in the USA.

Smith made no bones about money lost and therefore his vitriol.

 

[GKJ]

Santa Anita is shutting down starting today.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Steve Andersen (@DRFAndersen) | Twitter

Santa Anita will cease racing effective immediately, after holding discussions with Los Angeles county officials on Friday.

The track made the announcement in a statement texted to horsemen at 12:25 p.m., Friday, less than an hour before the day’s first race.

The track was preparing for an eight-race program to begin at 1 p.m. when word was received that the track would not be allowed to operate because of the coronavirus outbreak. It was not immediately clear when racing would be allowed to resume racing.

An article will be available later this afternoon on DRF.com.

Santa Anita is shutting down starting today.

I assume Golden Gate is still racing

 

[Cyclones Rock]

Golden Gate 10 minutes to post for race 2. Probably its last day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, March 27, 2020

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Race 8: Samy Camacho won for the second straight race. Trainer Christophe Clement won for the 1,999th time in his career. A milestone awaits.... and he got it minutes later at Gulftream.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 1: Rhythm Section (Luis Saez/Todd Pletcher) broke his maiden in his second start in a thriller. He is a son to American Pharoah and has Unbridled's Song in his pedigree. The third place horse paid $30.40 to show.

​

• Race 6: Azrael (Luis Saez/Chad Brown) broke his maiden in his fourth start but turf debut. He has progressed in each race finishing 4th, 3rd, 2nd and now 1st. The winner was off since July. Brown is arguably the best trainer in the country entering off long layoffs.
• Race 7: Mario Fuentes, a 10-pound bug, won for the fifth time ever.
• Race 9: Money Moves (Luis Saez/Todd Pletcher) won an impressive second career race in what was billed as "the mini Florida Derby." Many possible late bloomers for the Triple Crown trail but the winner, purchased for $975,000, shined immensely.

​

• Luis Saez won five times for the second straight day. He is on a 20 11-4-2 (55%/85%) tear.
• Joel Rosario finished first or second with five of his seven mounts.
• Tyler Gaffalione returned from his 5-day suspension and won once.
• John Velazquez returned today.
• Todd Pletcher won twice.
• Javier Castellano (tested positive for virus), Jose Ortiz (wrist injury), Irad Ortiz, Jr. (concerns with virus), Rajiv Maragh (concerns) and now Edgar Prado (concerns) are among those not riding.
• Chris Landeros is on an unofficial 126-race losing streak including 0-for-89 this year.
• Christophe Clement trained the winner in the finale which was his 2,000th lifetime win. He won 1,999 at Tampa Bay earlier in the day.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Race 5: Solid finish between two prices.
• Race 8: Sunny Dale (Martin Garcia/Jerry Hollendorfer) is obviously finding the track to her liking. The Pennsylvania-bred was 0-for-7 lifetime racing at tracks in Florida and California but is a perfect 3-for-3 this meet in Arkansas. She is the second 3-time winner at this meet.

Golden Gate (California):

• Juan Hernandez went 7 4-1-1. He is the second winningest rider in North America this year. He is approaching the idle Irad Ortiz, Jr. atop the North American standings.

Santa Anita (California):

• Todd Schrupp: "It was a surreal moment. I know that is an overused word in the time that we live..." He then goes onto say "Literally 10 minutes away." And used "literally" a second time moments later. Literally is #2 on the overused word list after "like," is it not?
• Cancellation: This is something that seems to have caught everyone off guard. Interesting to get insider's viewpoints such as those from Christina Blacker whose husband is a trainer.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

FLORIDA DERBY
$5,000,000+ Pick 6 Jackpot Expected
$1,500,000 est.in Purses

​

FLORIDA DERBY

What: Grade 1. One of the most prestigious Kentucky Derby prep races. The top four finishers will receive 100-40-20-10 points, respectively.
Where: Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach, Florida
When: Saturday, March 28, 2020, Race 14
Time: 6:36 pm ET
Who: 3-year-olds
Distance: 1 1/8 mile
Surface: Dirt
Purse: $750,000 [reduced from $1,000,000 due to the ongoing virus and related financial restraints]
Card: Roughly $2,000,000 in purses spanning 14 races. First post is 11:30 a.m. ET
TV: TVG and NBCSN

TVG: Will air all day coverage as usual.
NBCSN: Will show the Florida Derby in its coverage from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm ET.
Fox Sports 1: Will show over five hours of coverage from 1:30 pm - 7:00 pm ET.​

History: Inaugurated in 1952. One of the most attractive races on the horse racing calendar. Three of the past seven and 14 total winners (excluding two DQ'd) of this race have gone onto victory in the Kentucky Derby. Oddly, the winners of the 1968 and 2019 Florida Derby were DQ'd from their Kentucky Derby wins. Todd Pletcher has won this race a record five times.
Kentucky Derby prep schedule: Kentucky Derby Prep Races​

PP	Horse	Jockey	Wgt	Trainer	M/L
1	As Seen On Tv (FL)	Paco Lopez	122	Kelly J. Breen	12-1
2	Shivaree (FL)	Emisael Jaramillo	122	Ralph E. Nicks	30-1
3	Disc Jockey (KY)	Tyler Gaffalione	122	Saffie A. Joseph, Jr.	20-1
4	Soros (KY)	Edgar S. Prado	122	Gustavo Delgado	30-1
5	Gouverneur Morris (KY)	John R. Velazquez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	8-1
6	Ajaaweed (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Kiaran P. McLaughlin	20-1
7	Tiz the Law (NY)	Manuel Franco	122	Barclay Tagg	6-5
8	My First Grammy (KY)	Hector Isaac Berrios	122	Amador Merei Sanchez	50-1
9	Independence Hall (KY)	Joel Rosario	122	Michael J. Trombetta	9-2
10	Candy Tycoon (KY)	Luis Saez	122	Todd A. Pletcher	20-1
11	Sassy But Smart (FL)	Joe Bravo	122	Kendall Condie	50-1
12	Ete Indien (KY)	Florent Geroux	122	Patrick L. Biancone	4-1
13	Rogue Element (KY)	Miguel Angel Vasquez	122	Dale L. Romans	AE

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

• Scratched: 3-4-6-11
• #10 will have a rider change to Luis Saez
• #13 will draw in.

The full card:

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post (ET)
Race 1\	$51,000	Allowance	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	16	11:30 AM
Race 2	$51,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 Furlongs	Dirt	12	12:00 PM
Race 3	$52,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 Miles	Turf	16	12:30 PM
Race 4	$100,000	Cutler Bay S.	1 Mile	Turf	16	1:00 PM
Race 5	$52,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 Mile	Dirt	11	1:30 PM
Race 6	$100,000	Hal's Hope S.	1 1/8 Miles	Dirt	11	2:00 PM
Race 7	$100,000	Sanibel Island S. presented by US Foods	1 Mile	Turf	13	2:30 PM
Race 8	$75,000	Sir Shackleton S.	7 Furlongs	Dirt	12	3:00 PM
Race 9	$100,000	Sand Springs S.	1 Mile	Turf	13	3:34 PM
Race 10	$100,000	Orchid S. presented by Rood and Riddle	1 3/8 Miles	Turf	12	4:17 PM
Race 11	$200,000	Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks	1 1/16 Miles	Dirt	14	4:49 PM
Race 12	$200,000	Kitten's Joy Pan American S.	1 1/2 Miles	Turf	10	5:26 PM
Race 13	$100,000	Appleton S.	1 Mile	Turf	16	6:00 PM
Race 14	$750,000	Curlin Florida Derby	1 1/8 Miles	Dirt	13	6:36 PM

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Wow. That was an impressive race for the #1. A late candidate for Triple Crown races?

Luis Saez is 10-3-2 with his last 18 mounts. He has the favorite in race 10.

UPDATE: Others saw this, too...

Luis Saez: Ride Five Winners At Gulfstream Park; Rinse, Repeat - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

Todd Pletcher-trained Money Moves turned in a most impressive performance to capture the mile optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds. The late-developing son of Candy Ride pressed the pace along the rail into the stretch before kicked in through the stretch to win by 2 ¾ lengths. James Jerkens-trained Edge of Fire, a son of Curlin, finished second 1 ¼ lengths.ahead of Bill Mott-trained Sprawl. Owned by Robert La Penta and Bortolazzo Racing Stable LLC, Money Moves was purchased for $975,000 at the 2019 OBS April sale.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Bye bye. Gate to wire.

Saez wins 5 for the second straight day. That race was over about three seconds into the start.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

@Cyclones Rock

Fonner Park 'survives' first week of racing experiment

The first week of the new Fonner Park live racing experiment came to an end on Wednesday.

In those three days of racing, the mutuel handle was a whopping $5.1 million, but Fonner and the horsemen here in Nebraska get only a small percentage of that.

“I was very pleased administratively, and with normal racing protocol, we were able to succeed,” Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak said. “Have we succeeded in a pari mutuel sense? I think we survived. We certainly haven’t flourished, but we did succeed in pulling off a three-day race week with scratching out enough to fight another week.”

The original agreement was for a two-week trial period with Monday through Wednesday racing after live racing was closed down to fans because of the coronavirus. Monday’s mutuel handle was $1.3 million before Tuesday’s handle jumped all the way to $2.2 million.

​