Horse Racing: Boston's Phinest gives Erik Johnson a win; B. Russell goes 3-for-3; Baby Sox+Minimo light up Laurel; Roses for Debra sets record at PI; $1m Penn Derby

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Keeneland Yearling Sale has surpassed $420 million as the 10th of 12 sessions continues. Last year's total was $394 million through the full 12 sessions.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Distressing news that Freehold (NJ) is closing operations in late December. Freehold lays claim to America's oldest horse track though exclusively standardbreds (racing began in the 1830s per AP).

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Irad Ortiz, Jr., Rafael Hernandez and Dylan Davis are among the riders at Presque Isle (PA) for today's card which starts at 4 pm EST.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Frankie Detrori suffered a dislocated shoulder at New York. The international superstar was supposed to ride at Finger Lakes (NY) on Monday in addition to other scheduled mounts.. Status will be updated.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

It's Friday in Maryland. One chance to get in on the Russells and at the insurmountable odds of 3-to-5.

Win

Oh oh.

Inq./obj.

Long look by stewards.

Ruling:
No change.

The Friday magic in Maryland continues.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, September 20, 2024

• California Crown: A reminder that Santa Anita hosts the inaugural event with racing details to be released in the upcoming days. Tickets have been going for as much as $1,000+ a pop which includes a special seating area for music entertainment.
• Brittany Russell: Is on a tear with wins with 10 of her past 22 starters since September 11. She has hit the board 14 times in that stretch. She was a perfect 3 3-0-0 this day.

Belmont at Aqueduct (New York):

• Chalk: A chalky day with favorites winning five times and placing three other occasions in a 9-race card.
• Handle: $8.9 million.
• Race 6: Boston's Phinest (Flavien Prat/Chad Brown) gave NHL player and part-owner Erik Johnson a win with his second-time-out New York foal.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837217276535394682

Monmouth at Meadowlands (New Jersey):

• Opening Night: The 9-night Monmouth at Meadowlands turf meet opened. Racing is scheduled for September 20, 21, 27, 28 and October 4, 5, 11, 17 and 18.
• Handle: $1.1 million.
• Trainers with Hot Starts: Brittany Russell (2-for-2) and Greg Sacco (2-for-3) among trainers.
• Race 5: Surya (Paco Lopez/Brittany Russell) surged to victory.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837411481157095760

• Melissa Iorio, a native of Trenton, rode winners in the opener and finale. Though in her 30s, she is in just her third year of riding T-breds.
• New Jersey: The regrettable news that Freehold (harness) is closing operations after 175 (approx.) of racing at the end of this year is another cold reminder that "nothing lasts forever even cold November Rain" as penned by Guns N' Roses.
• Far Hills: On Saturday, October 19, Far Hills -- the lively and spectacular steeplechase event that likely will be broadcast as part of NYRA's Fox Sports coverage that day -- will run its 103rd edition. Tickets range from $50 to packages in excess of $1,000.

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• Breeders' Cup Dining at Monmouth: "Enjoy a thrilling day of races from the comfort of Monmouth Park! On Saturday, November 2 watch and wager on the 2024 Breeders’ Cup World Championships from the comfort of Monmouth Park’s Private Turf Club from 12:30pm-8:30pm. Doors open at 12pm. Your $59.95 ticket includes, a $5 betting voucher, racing program, Breeders’ Cup selection sheet and lunch buffet approximately served 2:30-5:30pm. Cash Bar. FREE Parking. FREE Track Admission," per Monmouth.
  

Presque Isle (Pennsylvania):

• Handle: $2,5 million.
• Card: 10 races of which four were stakes including one graded.
• Repeat Winners: Antonio Gallardo had a hat trick. Irad Ortiz, Jr. made a rare visit and scored with the last two races and Michael Dale Allen rode two winners. Ron Potts and Michael Trombetta led all conditioners with two wins apiece.
• Race 7: Forever Souper (Antonio Gallardo/Michael Trombetta) won the $150,000 Presque Isle Mile by a neck.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837265703885271269

• Race 9: Roses for Debra (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Christophe Clement) established a track record time to win the $300,000 Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters Stakes by a neck in a thriller with Pandora's Gift (Ben Curtis/Stuart Williams) almost earning an upset at 11-to-1.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1837280441214058774

• Race 10: Spy Novel (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Nolan Ramsey) gave the Eclipse Award winning jockey a victory in a $32,000 purse and in the finale. Ramsey, the former assistant to top trainer Michael Maker. took out his license this year and is the grandson to famed owners Kenneth (listed as this owner) and Sarah. Irad doing someone a favor? Sometimes it is the details behind the facts and figures.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Bombs: A good day to find prices and a good day to get frustrated.
• Race 4: Baby Sox (Ismario Villalobos/Joanne Shankle) won at 11-to-1 while a stewards' review placed the original runner-up to third.

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• Race 5: Baby Sox and Minimo combined to return $865 for a $1 double but now the story behind the story. The lone first-time starter in a race -- a preferred personal longstanding betting angle -- the only one on this card was a frustrating finish. Andras (Horacio Karamanos/Damon Dilodovico) at 24-to-1 was on the lead in the stretch before being caught by Minimo (Inoel Beato/Antonio Machado), a 0-for-14 maiden at 44-to-1. The $1 exacta paid $470. The tough beat of the day: Grrrrr,

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• Race 6: Katie's Notion (Jorge Ruiz/Carlos Mancilla) won by a neck at 6-to-1. The $.50 Pick 3 paid a handsome $1,200.

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• Race 8: Theodora Grace (Forest Boyce/Bobby Klesaris) charged to victory at 9-to-1 with a 20-to-1 placing.
• Race 9: Prince of Jericho (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell), as mentioned in a n above post, withstood a lengthy objection/inquiry to give the happy couple another victory and their lone mount together this day. The field of four offered little value but the win was important to many in exotics.

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Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• First and last: Reylu Gutierrez and Dallas Stewart teamed to win the opener and finale on the card.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The final day of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale is upon us. To date, a record-setting $424.6 million has been spent on 2,674 head. The top price remains $5,000,000. The average price is $158,000+.