Horse Racing: I. Ortiz/B. Cox/Godolphin/Into Mischief top 2023; J. Rodriguez/B. Russell win Laurel titles on final day; L. Rice sets NYRA record for wins in a year

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, September 29, 2023

Jockey Injuries:

• Luis Saez, who prior to injury was in the mix for a finalist as Jockey of the Year, is scheduled to return this week when Keeneland opens. He last rode August 23. He is currently 5th in wins and 4th in purse money in North America this year.
• Rico Walcott suffered a broken collarbone Thursday at Woodbine and will be replaced by Rocco Bowen, who is currently riding at Thistledown (OH) and will have his first lifetime mount at Woodbine, for Sunday's $400,000 Breeders' Stakes which is the third leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

Canceled:

• New York and New Jersey: Belmont at Aqueduct (NY) and Meadowlands (NJ). Heavy rains and localized flooding. Both tracks announced Saturday's card had been canceled as well. NYRA stated that Saturday's card would be transferred to Sunday. Sunday's card would be transferred to Wednesday which was previously a dark day.

​

Off-the-Turf:

• Three Tracks removed turf racing: Laurel (MD), Delaware (DE) and Belterra (OH).

Laurel (Maryland):

• Opening Day: The current meet ends December 31. Laurel runs its various meets until Pimlico returns in May 2024.
• Jevian Toledo rode three winners on four mounts.

• Brittany Russell had a 3-win day with a victory also at Delaware. She finished 7 3-2-1 including 5 2-2-1 at Laurel.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Closing Day: October 1. Onto Keeneland's popular Fall meet. Kentucky's racing for the balance of 2023:
  • Keeneland:10/6/2023-10/28/2023
  • Churchill: 10/29/2023-11/26/2023
  • Turfway: 11/29/2023-12/31/2023
• Tyler Gaffalione rode the 10-race card and finished 10 3-2-0. He had a natural hat trick beginning with race 6 winning for three different trainers. The 3-win day solidified another Kentucky riding title for the jockey. His 22 victories are more than double his closest challenger. Gaffalione is one of just three riders with 200+ wins in North America this year and his $22 million in purse money is second only to Irad Ortiz, Jr. Gaffalione deserves attention for one of the three finalists as Eclipse Jockey of the Year. Gaffalione is as good a diplomat as anyone for this sport.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Opening Day: Santa Anita runs into their hosting the Breeders' Cup weekend. The meet runs 9/29/2023-11/5/2023.

• Juan Hernandez won the first two races en route to a 3-win day.
• Race 8: Kirstenbosch (Hector Berrios/John Sadler) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Chillingworth Stakes.

​

Woodbine (Ontario):

• Sahin Civaci had a natural hat trick beginning with race 2.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Suspensions of note:

Riders:

Paco Lopez, one of the most aggressive riders, was issued 30 days by Parx for failing to maintain a standard of riding (trying to the end) after he was passed for second place in a Grade 3 on Saturday by an 84-to-1 shot. People who played the bomb for second were most appreciative.

Axel Concepcion, who may very well be a leading contender for Apprentice of the Year, was also suspended 30 days for an overly aggressive ride at Delaware. The suspension was reduced to 21 days. He is 18 years of age.

Trainer:

Linda Rice is in hot water again. She got a 14 day suspension for a bute positive and she is to appear in front of the NY Gaming Commission for another matter.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

New York will cancel tomorrow. Sunday is on schedule but likely with Saturday's card.

Wednesday, a dark day, will now run and likely with Sunday's card.

UPDATE:

This is now Sunday's card at Aqueduct:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$75,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Turf	16	12:05 PM ET
2	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	13	12:36 PM ET
3	$250,000	Vosburgh S.	7 F	Dirt	6	1:09 PM ET
4	$102,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Dirt	8	1:38 PM ET
5	$250,000	Gallant Bloom S.	6 1/2 F	Dirt	6	2:09 PM ET
6	$500,000	Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S.	1 1/2 M	Turf	9	2:40 PM ET
7	$400,000	Woodward S.	1 1/8 M	Dirt	10	3:11 PM ET
8	$80,000	Allowance	7 F	Dirt	9	3:42 PM ET
9	$90,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	4:15 PM ET
10	$80,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	4:46 PM ET
11	$38,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	11	5:17 PM ET

This card was to be run on Sunday but is now Wednesday's card at Aqueduct:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$38,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	9	1:05 PM ET
2	$62,000	Claiming	6 F	Dirt	8	1:36 PM ET
3	$85,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Dirt	7	2:09 PM ET
4	$102,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 F	Dirt	7	2:38 PM ET
5	$200,000	Miss Grillo S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	12	3:10 PM ET
6	$28,000	Claiming	1 M	Dirt	10	3:42 PM ET
7	$200,000	Pilgrim S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	9	4:14 PM ET
8	$102,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	4:49 PM ET
9	$100,000	Allowance	1 M	Turf	14	5:21 PM ET
10	$75,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Turf	16	5:53 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

If Laurel (MD) remains on-the-turf today, the card could be the best option on the east coast for turf players.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$52,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	8	12:25 PM ET
2	$28,000	Claiming	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	12:58 PM ET
3	$40,000	Starter Optional Claiming	About 1 1/16 M	Dirt	8	1:31 PM ET
4	$36,000	Maiden Claiming	1 1/16 M	Turf	15	2:03 PM ET
5	$48,000	Allowance	7 F	Dirt	9	2:34 PM ET
6	$150,000	Selima S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	10	3:05 PM ET
7	$62,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 F	Dirt	9	3:36 PM ET
8	$100,000	Japan Turf Cup S.	1 1/2 M	Turf	15	4:07 PM ET
9	$100,000	Twixt S.	About 1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	4:38 PM ET
10	$150,000	Laurel Futurity	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	5:10 PM ET
11	$44,000	Maiden Claiming	7 F	Dirt	9	5:42 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The expected ominous news for Maryland was hinted at a meeting with the Racing Authority yesterday. The Stronach Group -- aka (1/St) -- is suggesting a reduction for race days in the state and even taking a break during summer months. Oddly, the regional desire seems to include Colonial Downs, owned by Churchill Downs, due to the track's resurgence in the past couple or so years from life support. The purses there have been magnetic for connections.

Both Laurel and Pimlico are in need of repairs. Both structures are old but Pimlico seems to have the support of politicians because of revitalizing Baltimore and also the history of the Preakness is a boost. If Pimlico becomes the only track in the state -- excluding Timonium as the fair meet around Labor Day -- then the need would be to have a training track and that could be Laurel's future. How sad.

During the meeting, comparisons were made to the baseball (Orioles) and football (Ravens) teams. Stronach's timing with the expected closing of Golden Gate next year worsens the feeling. They are actually going to take Laurel from me!

October 6 is the next meeting.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Tyler Gaffalione has won the first two races on the Churchill card today.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Change of plans for New York. Now off-the-turf for Sunday and the Joe Hirsch (race 6) will be run October 7. Obviously that means other changes to come

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, September 30, 2023

• Brad Cox sent out three horses -- two at Churchill and one at Laurel -- and each returned winners.

Belmont at Aqueduct (New York):

• Canceled: Due to heavy rains earlier in the week.
• Sunday: Saturday's card has been transferred to the following day but will be run off-the-turf and race 6 will not be run.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Card: Excellent card with three stakes and four races with purses $100,000 or more.
• Handle: $5.5 million. Much turf racing held interests.
• Interviews: Charlie Marquez and Joe Rocco, Jr. were among winning riders interviewed following their wins and both impressed with their communication skills. Marquez was my pick to win Apprentice of the Year when Jessica Pyfer was selected three years ago. Yesterday, she announced her retirement from riding to take a studio broadcasting job at Santa Anita.
• Forest Boyce won three times, all within the first five races. She is a Maryland-native.
• Jeiron Barbosa won three times. He has now slowed since losing his bug.
• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $61,000.
• Race 9: Interstatedaydream (Sheldon Russell/Brad Cox) was a 4-5 morning line sent off at 1-to-5 in winning the $100,000 Twixt Stakes. The Ontario-bred has earned over $700,000 in 13 races. A rare showing for Cox in Maryland. Russell had competing interests as his wife had a horse in the race as well.
• Race 10: Air Recruit (Charlie Marquez/Arnaud Delacour) won the $150,000 Laurel Futurity in a romp. Massif (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) placed but the rider used every ounce of effort to finish second at 7-to-1.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 9: Mattingly (Samy Camacho/Joe Orseno) won the $65,000 Hollywood Beach Stakes. The Florida-bred broke his maiden at Gulf in June.
• Samy Camacho rode four winners and Angel Morales added a trio. No trainer won more than once.

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Penultimate Day of the Meet: Tomorrow closes shop for the track unil October 29. Keeneland runs 10/6/2023-10/28/2023.
• Leaders: Tyler Gaffalione and Brad Cox should win jockey and trainer titles, respectively, and rather handily.
• Tyler Gaffalione rode three winners, all within the first five races. Cristian Torres also had a 3-bagger.
• Race 9: Zozos (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) wired the field to win the Grade 3 $400,000 Ack Ack Stakes. This was a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Race 10: Clapton (Cristian Torres/Chad Summers) won the $500,000 Grade 2 Lukas Classic at 8-to-1. Clapton was out for the 24th time.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Card: Four graded stakes.
• Race 6: Dr. Shivel (Juan Hernandez/Mark Glatt) won the Grade 2 $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint in a photo finish. The 5-year-old has won 7 of 14 starts, with earnings in excess of $1 million, including 4-for-6 at Santa Anita.
• Race 8: Slow Down Andy (Mario Gutierrez/Doug O'Neill) wired the field to win the $300,000 Grade I Awesome Again Stakes. This was a "Win and You're In" Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race. A millionaire and a son to Nyquist, Slow Down Andy won for the 5th time in 14 starts.

​

• Race 9: Lane Way (Mike Smith/Richard Mandella) won the Grade 2 $200,000 Eddie D Stakes.

​

• Race 10: Hong Kong Harry (Juan Hernandez/Phil D'Amato) won the $200,000 Grade 2 City of Hope Stakes.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

There are 26 scratches in addition to race 6 being canceled at Aqueduct today (Sunday), a result of the rain and flooding from late last week in New York.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Cody's Wish wins the Vosburgh and with it a ticket to the Breeders's Cup. One again, the feel-good story of the year.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Wow. Absolutely one of the longest obj-inq in recent New York history. And Caramel Swirl at even money was put up for win, following an original third place. Javier Castellano and Jose Lezcano both paid the price. I thought Castellano cut off Junior Alvarado, not sure about Lezcano but that was one of the rarest rulings I remember.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

This is something else. Four horses involved.
The fourth place horse stayed in fourth. Following the ruling. Junior was squeezed by both horses but definitely in my eyes more so by Castellano who rode the original winner. Patrons are active to say the least.

 

[GKJ]

This is something else. Four horses involved.
The fourth place horse stayed in fourth. Following the ruling. Junior was squeezed by both horses but definitely in my eyes more so by Castellano who rode the original winner. Patrons are active to say the least.

I need to see this one

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Here is text to the controversial call.

Double disqualification gives third-place finisher Caramel Swirl the win in Gallant Bloom

As the result of a rare double disqualification following a 16-minute review by the stewards, Caramel Swirl was elevated from third place to first in a controversial running of Sunday’s Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes at Aqueduct.

www.drf.com

​

But Caramel Swirl, ridden by Junior Alvarado, was forced to check hard inside the eighth pole. Alvarado claimed foul against Sterling Silver and Headland, the latter ridden by Jose Lezcano, for interfering with his filly at the eighth pole. The stewards, who did post the inquiry sign, ultimately determined that both Castellano and Lezcano were at fault for causing Caramel Swirl, the 4-5 favorite, to steady and made the rare double disqualification call. Sterling Silver was moved from first to second, Headland was moved from second to third.​

​

“One comes in and one comes out in our opinion,” said Braulio Baeza Jr., the New York State Gaming Commission steward who was joined in the stand with NYRA steward Brook Hawkins and Jockey Club steward Sam Randazzo. “You can see the initial contact comes from the outside, Mr. Castellano is dropping in and then you got Lezcano’s horse coming out at the same time. We figured both contributed to [Alvarado steadying] so we couldn’t move just one of them, we had to move both of them.”​

​

Dylan Davis, the jockey of fourth-place finisher Beguine, claimed foul against Caramel Swirl and Sterling Silver, but that claim was disallowed.​

​

“We didn’t feel he was moving forward,” Baeza said of Davis and Beguine.​

​

Castellano said it was unfair to disqualify Sterling Silver. He alleged Lezcano, on Headland, “came out all the way and put Junior Alvarado in a bad spot. I didn’t come in, I never come in. … I think it’s unfair to disqualify the horse. You want to punish me, punish me, but don’t disqualify the horse. Don’t punish the bettor, the owner, the connections. I think that was the wrong decision.”​

​

Lezcano, who on Headland made all the pace, disagreed with Castellano’s assessment.​

​

“I never moved from my spot,” Lezcano said.​

​

Alvarado said his filly was gaining momentum just before the eighth pole and had a chance to be right there at the wire with an unimpeded trip.​

​

“Javier got the jump, he made the first move, I was just getting my momentum going and they started coming over on me,” Alvarado said. “I thought Javier knew I was there, he just overdid it.”​

​

Caramel Swirl gave Godolphin Racing, trainer Bill Mott and Alvarado their second stakes win on the card. Earlier on the card, they teamed to win the Grade 2 Vosburgh with Cody’s Wish.​

​

Caramel Swirl likely earned herself a shot in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint, according to Michael Banahan, bloodstock manager for Godolphin USA. Godolphin also plans to run Matareya in that race.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

I need to see this one

Here is one angle. Dylan Davis finished fourth before and after the replay. He is in pink. Davis lodged the objection against Junior Alvarado who originally finished third but was put up for win.

Alvarado is squeezed by Javier Castellano (2) to the left on the screen and Jose Lezcano (6) to the right on the screen.

What added to the fervor is NYRA broke the cardinal rule of changing OBJECTION-INQUIRY to UNOFFICIAL and then changing the order of finish. The expectation was no change but considering the time involved, I expected something to be altered, likely a placing judge was involved. People were almost equally agitated regarding the change as they were about the change AFTER the UNOFFICIAL sign was designated as a replacement for OBJECTION-INQUIRY.

 

[GKJ]

Here is one angle. Dylan Davis finished fourth before and after the replay. He is in pink.

Junior Alvarado is squeezed by Javier Castellano (2) to the left on the screen and Jose Lezcano (6) to the right on the screen.

So, the 4 is squeezed, and the 1 is squeezed, 1 is placed first? 4 is 4th? 2 and 6 both DQ’ed to second and third?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

So, the 4 is squeezed, and the 1 is squeezed, 1 is placed first? 4 is 4th? 2 and 6 both DQ’ed to second and third?

Davis indicated he lodged against Alvarado but that would be part of the multi "objection." The stewards' inquiry determined no change involving that part of the complexity. I didn't see Davis' assessment quite honestly. But yes, the order of finish was originally 2-6-1-4 but was changed to 1-2-6-4.

I thought Alvarado's mount was making a stronger rush than Davis and perhaps stewards saw it similarly. Meaning, the front horses caused Alvarado's mount to pause.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Here is the full review...

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, October 1, 2023

• Brad Cox is a remarkable 11 8-0-0 since September 28. He has won at all four tracks he ran a horse -- Indianapolis (IN), Laurel (MD), Belmont at Aqueduct (NY) and Churchill (KY). At the Kentucky track, he is 7 5-0-0 in that time.

Belmont at Aqueduct (New York):

• Card: Drawn for Saturday but canceled due to rain and flooding in New York. The 6th race was canceled. Racing was off-the-turf.
• Junior Alvarado-Bill Mott won two of the three graded stakes. They had a very profitable day.
• Race 3: Cody's Wish (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) was sent off 1-to-9, broke bad though excelled to win the Grade 2 $250,000 Vosburgh Stakes. Cody's Wish broke bad, which isn't unusual, then rallied gamely. The 5-year-old son to Curlin is 15 10-1-4 with over $2.5 million earned. He has won seven of his past eight. This is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series race.

​

• Race 5: Caramel Swirl (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) was elevated to first and won the Grade 2 $250,000 Gallant Bloom Stakes following a lengthy objection-inquiry that involved the top four horses. Alvarado's mount initially finished third (see above posts).
• Race 6: Canceled yesterday. many exotic wagers were removed from the betting opportunities.
• Race 7: Zandon (Flavien Prat/Chad Brown) was sent off the favorite and won handsomely to win the Grade2 $400,000 Woodward Stakes.

​

Laurel (Maryland):

• No Repeats: 10 races, 10 riders and trainers were victorious.
• Race 1: Ask Amanda (Jorge Ruiz) and Radiant Queen (Jaime Rodriguez) were both first-time starters who finished 1-2 for trainer Graham Motion. I thought the $1 exacta was tad low at $42 but the $1 super returned more than $13,000.
• Race 6: Miss Justify (Jean Briceno/Susan Cooney) was sent off 15-to-1 and separated herself from the pack with style to win this MSW. She was a $250,000 purchase with a Triple Crown winner as a sire. The trainer has been active for 30+ years with an average of about 10 wins per year. Maybe she has something here. Good to see some of the smaller stabled trainers excel.

​

• Race 9: John Hall (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) was victorious for the second time in four starts. I liked what I saw first-time-out about 10 months ago but the son to Violence didn't show improvement. Today was a fantastic finish and ride by Sheldon who won by a nose hair.

​

Churchill Downs (Kentucky):

• Final Day of the Meet: Onto Keeneland for a Friday opener. Churchill returns October 29.
• Leading Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione won 27 times, 15 more than his closest challenger.
• Leading Trainer: Brad Cox's 16 wins were 10 more than his closest challenger. I am not sure why Cox is not holding his own sign in this photo:

• Race 4: Catching Freedom (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox), a $575,000 2-year-old son to Constitution, could be another star for the trainer. First-timeout today, did not disappoint.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Roughly $11 million.
• Card: Four stakes, three graded. The card began with three MSW races.
• Race 3: Living Life (Drayden Van Dyke/Ron Ellis), seventh in the stretch, got his nose down to win at 87-to-1. The $177 winner was by far the longest shot on the board, a 23-to-1 was second highest.
• Race 4: Adare Manor (Juan Hernandez/Bob Baffert) wired the field at 1-to-9 to win the Grade 2 $200,000 Zenyatta Stakes. The 4-year-old Uncle Mo filly will likely surpass the million mark in her next race..
• Race 5: Ruby Neil (Edwin Maldonado/Richard Mandella) won the $100,000 Unzip Me Stakes.
• Race 6: Missed the Cut (Umberto Rispoli/John Sadler) won the $100,000 Grade 3 Tokyo City Cup Stakes.
• Race 7: Balladeer (Victor Espinoza/George Papaprodromou) won the $200,000 Grade 2 John Henry Turf.
• John Velazquez was supposed to ride seven mounts but opted to stay in New York. Maybe he knew he didn't have much in Cali. Joel Rosario, riding late last week in New York, picked up most of those rides but none factored and his final tally was 6 0-0-1. The odds ranged from even money to 21-to-1, with five going off roughly 6-to-1 or more. Yikes.

Woodbine (Ontario):

• Race 9: Touch'n Ride (Kazushi Kimura/Layne Giliforte) won the $400,000 Breeders' Stakes, the third and final leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, in a nail-biter in one of the best races of the day.

​

• Race 11: Super Headline (Sofia Vives/Anthony Pottinger) paid $74.50 in victory. The 5-pound bug could get some attention as an Apprentice of the Year.
• Eswan Flores had a natural hat trick.
• Martin Drexler had a three-win day with three different riders on board.

Paris Longchamp (France):

• Card: Five races -- 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 -- with Breeders' Cup implications.
• Race 4 -- Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Ace Impact is 6-for-6 lifetime with all races this year. He was purchased at auction for $88,000 and has now earned over $4 million.

​

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Winning Horse
1	$425,000	Gr1 - Qatar Prix Jean-luc Lagardere	7F	Rosallion (IRE)
2	$425,000	Gr1 - Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac - Criterium Des Pouliches	1M	Opera Singer (USA)
3	$1,062,000	Gr1 - Qatar Arabian World Cup	1 1/4M	Al Ghadeer
4	$5,309,500	Gr1 - Qatar Prix De L'arc De Triomphe	1 1/2M	Ace Impact (IRE)
5	$531,000	Gr1 - Prix De L'opera Longines	1 1/4M	Blue Rose Cen (IRE)
6	$371,500	Gr1 - Prix De L'abbaye De Longchamp Longines	5F	Highfield Princess
7	$371,500	Gr1 - Qatar Prix De La Foret	7F	Kelina (IRE)
8	$74,500	Handicap	6 1/2F	Pedrito

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A reminder that Belmont at Aqueduct races Wednesday in what was supposed to be a card run today (Sunday).

Races 5 and 7 are Breeders' Cup Challenge Series races.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$38,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	9	1:05 PM ET
2	$62,000	Claiming	6 F	Dirt	8	1:36 PM ET
3	$85,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Dirt	7	2:09 PM ET
4	$102,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 F	Dirt	7	2:38 PM ET
5	$200,000	Miss Grillo S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	12	3:10 PM ET
6	$28,000	Claiming	1 M	Dirt	10	3:42 PM ET
7	$200,000	Pilgrim S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	9	4:14 PM ET
8	$102,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	4:49 PM ET
9	$100,000	Allowance	1 M	Turf	14	5:21 PM ET
10	$75,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Turf	16	5:53 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

17 BREEDERS" CUP "Win and You're In" Races ( Breeders' Cup Challenge Series )

Wed, October 4:

Aqueduct (2)​

Fri, October 6:

Keeneland (3)​

Sat, October 7:

Aqueduct (2)​

Keeneland (3) -- all on CNBC​

Santa Anita (3) -- one on CNBC​

Gulfstream (1)​

Sun, October 8:

Aqueduct (1)​

Keeneland (2) -- both on CNBC​

If Keeneland isn't at the top of America's horse racing venues, it isn't behind too many.

KEENELAND's FRIDAY CARD:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$68,000	Maiden Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	16	1:00 PM ET
2	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	15	1:32 PM ET
3	$110,000	Allowance	About 7 F	Dirt	8	2:04 PM ET
4	$110,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 F	Dirt	9	2:36 PM ET
5	$130,000	Allowance	5 1/2 F	Turf	12	3:08 PM ET
6	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	14	3:40 PM ET
7	$350,000	Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix S.	6 F	Dirt	11	4:12 PM ET
8	$350,000	Jessamine S. presented by Keeneland November	1 1/16 M	Turf	11	4:44 PM ET
9	$600,000	Darley Alcibiades S.	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	5:16 PM ET
10	$120,000	Allowance	1 M	Turf	16	5:48 PM ET

KEENELAND's SATURDAY CARD:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$52,000	Claiming	6 1/2 F	Dirt	8	1:00 PM ET
2	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	15	1:32 PM ET
3	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	7 F	Dirt	8	2:04 PM ET
4	$120,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	14	2:36 PM ET
5	$110,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 F	Dirt	10	3:08 PM ET
6	$350,000	Woodford S. Presented by FanDuel	5 1/2 F	Turf	12	3:40 PM ET
7	$350,000	Thoroughbred Club of America S.	6 F	Dirt	7	4:12 PM ET
8	$750,000	First Lady S. Presented by UK HealthCare	1 M	Turf	8	4:43 PM ET
9	$600,000	Claiborne Breeders' Futurity	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	5:14 PM ET
10	$1,000,000	Coolmore Turf Mile S.	1 M	Turf	9	5:45 PM ET
11	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	15	6:18 PM ET

SANTA ANITA's SATURDAY CARD
Separately, Bob Baffert debuts a $1.7 million Quality Road colt in race 6 when Coach Prime hits the track for the first time.

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$61,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 F	Dirt	9	1:00 PM PT
2	$36,000	Starter Optional Claiming	6 F	Turf	8	1:30 PM PT
3	$200,000	Chandelier S.	1 1/16 M	Dirt	10	2:00 PM PT
4	$100,000	Speakeasy S.	5 F	Turf	10	2:30 PM PT
5	$61,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 F	Dirt	9	3:00 PM PT
6	$61,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Turf	14	3:30 PM PT
7	$26,000	Claiming	6 1/2 F	Dirt	12	4:00 PM PT
8	$300,000	Rodeo Drive S.	1 1/4 M	Downhill turf	8	4:30 PM PT
9	$300,000	American Pharoah S.	1 1/16 M	Dirt	8	5:00 PM PT
10	$63,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 F	Turf	11	5:30 PM PT

​

BELMONT's (at Aqueduct) SATURDAY CARD:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$47,000	Maiden Claiming	6 1/2 F	Dirt	8	12:05 PM ET
2	$65,000	Starter Allowance	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	12:36 PM ET
3	$200,000	Waya S.	1 3/8 M	Turf	8	1:10 PM ET
4	$500,000	Joe Hirsch Turf Classic S.	1 1/2 M	Turf	8	1:40 PM ET
5	$400,000	Frizette S.	1 M	Dirt	6	2:12 PM ET
6	$200,000	Belmont Turf Sprint S.	6 F	Turf	12	2:44 PM ET
7	$100,000	Allowance	6 F	Dirt	8	3:16 PM ET
8	$500,000	Champagne S.	1 M	Dirt	8	3:46 PM ET
9	$500,000	Jockey Club Derby Invitational S.	1 3/8 M	Turf	9	4:22 PM ET
10	$100,000	Allowance	7 F	Dirt	12	4:53 PM ET
11	$65,000	Starter Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	14	5:24 PM ET

TELEVISION OPTIONS FROM FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY:

Oct. 6	"America's Day at the Races"	12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.	FS2
Oct. 6	Live coverage of horse racing including opening day at Keeneland	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Oct. 6	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Oct. 7	"America's Day at the Races"	12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. on FS1, 3:30 p.m.-4 p.m. on FS2	FS1 and FS2
Oct. 7	Broadcast of Breeders' Cup preps from Keeneland	4 p.m.-6 p.m.	CNBC and Peacock
Oct. 7	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Oct. 7	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network
Oct. 8	"America's Day at the Races"	12:30 p.m.-1 p.m. on FS2, 1 p.m.-3 p.m. on FS1, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. on FS2	FS2 and FS1
Oct. 8	Woodbine LIVE!	4:15 p.m.	Facebook, Twitter/X, and YouTube
Oct. 8	Broadcast of Breeders' Cup preps from Keeneland	5 p.m.-6 p.m.	CNBC and Peacock
Oct. 8	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	FanDuel TV
Oct. 8	Live coverage of horse racing	post time varies	Racetrack Television Network

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Monday, October 2, 2023

Finger Lakes (New York):

• Race 4: Philharmonic (Mattie Martin/Nick Zito) won by more than 10 lengths. Martin won for the 18th time in her three-year riding career. She had worked as an exercise rider for Bill Mott and assistant trainer for Michael Maker. That was just the sixth win for the 75-year-old Hall-of-Famer Zito with his past 208 starters since the beginning of 2021.

Golden Gate Fields (California):

• Closing Day: The meet began August 26. The track returns for a meet that extends 10/21/2023-12/11/2023. The gloom of expectancy is the track will cease operating in June 2024.
• Fresno (fair track) takes the reins in northern California for a brief meet that ranges 10/6/2023-10/15/2023.
• Leading Jockey: In a close finish, Evin Roman (21), Asa Espinoza (21) and Alex Chavez (20) finished with 20+ wins apiece.
• Leading Trainer: Isidro Tamayo with 17 wins.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Linda Rice, one of New York's most successful trainers in recent years and from a very established racing family, was fined $100,000 for improper conduct as it relates to receiving information from the state Racing Association which included getting advance notices on entries.

Last month, a state appeals court nullified the recommended three-year ban imposed by the Gaming Commission.

Thus, she will have to pain a hefty fine but not serve time.

She is 25% this year, the second highest figure in her 36-year career.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Things continue to click in Kentucky. Turfway is expected to run additional dates in the winter/spring meet which starts in January. The usual weekly schedule will be Wednesday through Saturday.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Jockeys put their lives on the line every time they ride a horse. I hope and pray this kid can regain his worth. Small-time racing in Nebraska but it deserves attention.

Nebraska: Jockey Zack Ziegler Remains Hospitalized With Traumatic Brain Injury After Columbus Spill - Horse Racing News | Paulick Report

As of Sunday, Ziegler remains on a ventilator, but his sedation was lowered and he has been able to respond to some commands.

paulickreport.com

Multiple stakes-winning jockey Zack Ziegler remains hospitalized after a serious spill occurred at Columbus Ag Park on Saturday, Sept. 30.​

​

The 35-year-old was riding After Burn in the final race on the card at the Nebraska racetrack, when the 4-year-old gelding clipped heels with a leading rival and unseated Ziegler. According to a GoFundMe page set up after the incident, After Burn “fell directly on top of Zach, then rolled back onto him trying to get up and ended it with stepping on the back of his neck and lower left side when he finally got up.”​

​

Ziegler was airlifted to Lincoln Trauma Center, where fundraiser coordinator Carrie Robb reports that he immediately underwent surgery to repair a brain bleed. Additional trauma includes a possible C7 fracture, possible facial fractures, and a laceration to his right eye.​