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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

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As an aside, I will leave commentary to the imagination but ...

UPDATE, 6:30 P.M. — New York State Police released the name of a Pennsylvania man charged with arson after a barn fire early Thursday morning killed more than two dozen racehorses at Tioga Downs Casino.

www.mytwintiers.com

Pa. man arrested; more than two dozen horses dead in Tioga Downs Casino barn fire

UPDATE, 6:30 P.M. — New York State Police released the name of a Pennsylvania man charged with arson after a barn fire early Thursday morning killed more than two dozen racehorses at Tioga Downs Ca…
www.mytwintiers.com www.mytwintiers.com
 
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MiamiScreamingEagles said:
X has been abuzz with comments. Some users are thinking outside the box but ultimately host tracks have to take a backseat to the Breeders' Cup committee and that is just the start of issues.







I am surprised Ed DeRosa has offered these tracks maybe in part as jest. I would enjoy nothing more than seeing Laurel host the BC but considering the ominous state of repairs needed inside Maryland and the seeming preference for Pimlico, how would Laurel get rewarded? A dream is money is pumped into Laurel, the BC goes there and all is resurrected. That is a dream.

Gulfstream doesn't want it. Suth Florida has too much to offer in terms of entertainment as it stands and the casino there is thriving but also is spacious. Maybe Stronach can be convinced especially if Laurel -- once a desire of the ownership -- is considered obsolete. Santa Anita getting passed by could signal a shift, too. Stronach would be hosting the event just twice in a nine-year span when previously, the Group held it at Santa Anita three straight years.

Penn National? In November?

Woodbine has a synth track. Would the connections be willing to try that again? And the concern is weather.

Indiana could be an interesting option but there is a casino and well the state borders Kentucky.

Tampa Bay could be considered too small but the turf course is one of the best in the land.

Monmouth had weather issues and NY-NJ that time of year is dicey at best.

Belmont would seem the lead on any non-CA or KY venue but that would be 2028 at the earliest is my guess.

And on and on we go....

But someone mentioned a BC in Europe (turf) and North America (dirt) but the logistical challenges could be nightmarish. TV? Riders having to pick one, not the other unless they perform a Phil Collins-like Live Aid dance.
Click to expand...

My understanding has always been that it’s such a big money loser that no one else wants it. That and the weather.
 
Here's an idea: a revamped Turf Paradise!

www.drf.com

Arizona HBPA extends simulcast agreement with Turf Paradise through Dec. 31

The board of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on Friday approved an extension to its existing agreement allowing Turf Paradise to import full-card simulcasts to Dec. 31, according to the executive director of the organization.
www.drf.com www.drf.com

The board of the Arizona Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association on Friday approved an extension to its existing agreement allowing Turf Paradise to import full-card simulcasts to Dec. 31, according to the executive director of the organization.​
=================​
The Arizona HBPA held the vote one day after Richard Moore, who is leading a group that is in negotiations to buy Turf Paradise, told the Arizona Racing Commission that acquisition of the track is in the final stages but that the process to review his group’s suitability for a license could take several more months. The license review is done by the Arizona Department of Racing, which is an agency within the Arizona Department of Gaming.​
​
Gessman said on Friday that the horsemen have still not met with Moore, but that “architects and contractors” were at Turf Paradise on Thursday putting bids on “upgrades to the clubhouse.” Arizona’s chief state steward said at the commission meeting on Thursday that repairs are being done to the track’s rail and grandstand exterior, and that the grass course is being seeded and fertilized as if in preparation for live racing.​
 
GKJ said:
My understanding has always been that it’s such a big money loser that no one else wants it. That and the weather.
Click to expand...
Relinquishing a weekend comes with potential peril and as such reasons can vary. The event is too big for a place like Lone Star that once handled it. Turf Paradise is my thinking outside the box moment depending on what happens with the possible new ownership. File under: it'll never happen but the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
 
MiamiScreamingEagles said:
Relinquishing a weekend comes with potential peril and as such reasons can very. The event is too big for a place like Lone Star that once handled it. Turf Paradise is my thinking outside the box moment depending on what happens with the possible new ownership. File under: it'll never happen but the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure how all the economics break down, but considering it’s basically down to four tracks in two states, is there a state-level government involvement that helps make these tracks available? Since California and Kentucky are the two biggest horse racing ‘states.’

Probably another thing where if there was a stronger national entity where it would help support the event, because it doesn’t fulfill its potential if it’s not in your biggest markets.
 
@GKJ I will respond tonight.

In Race 2 at DM, Bob Baffert debuts two horses worth a combined $1.75m + and a third sold privately. Also, in the same race, there is an Erik Johnson reference with E J Won the Cup out for the fourth time.
 
Student beats teacher in Race 6!

Brittany Russell and Brad Cox horses hooked up for a rare time in a $100,000 stakes race at Laurel. Sheldon Russell rode for Cox. Bragging rights go to Brit. All hail Brittany.

And hubby-wife teamed for a win in Race 8, another $100,000 purse.
 
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Saturday, November 11, 2023

Aqueduct (New York):
GKJ said:
I’m not sure how all the economics break down, but considering it’s basically down to four tracks in two states, is there a state-level government involvement that helps make these tracks available? Since California and Kentucky are the two biggest horse racing ‘states.’

Probably another thing where if there was a stronger national entity where it would help support the event, because it doesn’t fulfill its potential if it’s not in your biggest markets.
Click to expand...
Anytime there is pari-mutual wagering there are state bodies involved. Whether incentives are involved, that is tricky. State chambers' of commerce are intertwined with tourism and that leads to attracting such events. Additionally, since the event is always held in North America, weather is attractive to Europeans (California takes that lead) while history/sales is another important commodity (Kentucky is unmatched).

But weather is a determining factor and that leads to reduced opportunities. It is such an important event that the risks are likely unwanted if going to any place such as Delaware to New York or Texas. I remember in my distant youth when the Super Bowl was played in Florida, California, Louisiana and maybe Texas. Now, it is up for grabs. Stanley Cup in mid-to-late June? Unthinkable 40 or 50 years ago. Which leads to another outside-the-box moment. Move the event to Labor Day weekend or close to it. Other events would have to be rescheduled and that could cause chaos initially but who wouldn't want to be on the Jersey Shore in early September? Or Woodbine (surfaces permitted). Or Saratoga, the ultimate untouched hot spot. That is if the committee and tracks feel the event needs refreshening by venue. To the average or fringe fan, a rotation of Kentucky and California is likely inconsequential. To the die-hards, it is probably a snooze-fest but we get over it. To the connections, it is unbeatable. Put New York, San Diego/Los Angeles and Lexington on a tally sheet and almost all ballots would have NY third in desirability as currently situated and right now, Belmont is probably the leading option once construction is complete unless Gulfstream wants to bid.
 
MiamiScreamingEagles said:
Saturday, November 11, 2023

Aqueduct (New York):

Anytime there is pari-mutual wagering there are state bodies involved. Whether incentives are involved, that is tricky. State chambers' of commerce are intertwined with tourism and that leads to attracting such events. Additionally, since the event is always held in North America, weather is attractive to Europeans (California takes that lead) while history/sales is another important commodity (Kentucky is unmatched).

But weather is a determining factor and that leads to reduced opportunities. It is such an important event that the risks are likely unwanted if going to any place such as Delaware to New York or Texas. I remember in my distant youth when the Super Bowl was played in Florida, California, Louisiana and maybe Texas. Now, it is up for grabs. Stanley Cup in mid-to-late June? Unthinkable 40 or 50 years ago. Which leads to another outside-the-box moment. Move the event to Labor Day weekend or close to it. Other events would have to be rescheduled and that could cause chaos initially but who wouldn't want to be on the Jersey Shore in early September? Or Woodbine (surfaces permitted). Or Saratoga, the ultimate untouched hot spot. That is if the committee and tracks feel the event needs refreshening by venue. To the average or fringe fan, a rotation of Kentucky and California is likely inconsequential. To the die-hards, it is probably a snooze-fest but we get over it. To the connections, it is unbeatable. Put New York, San Diego/Los Angeles and Lexington on a tally sheet and almost all ballots would have NY third in desirability as currently situated and right now, Belmont is probably the leading option once construction is complete unless Gulfstream wants to bid.
Click to expand...
If you moved it earlier, I worry that you’d get too many horses whose trainers think they won’t get enough time off and won’t make all the prep races that would get moved up in the schedule. That could work both ways too though and less horses won’t get worn down or injured like they tend to do now.
 
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Saturday, November 11, 2023
  • Brittany Russell is 22 9-3-4 since and including November 4.
Aqueduct (New York):
  • Race 6: Implicated (Manny Franco/Chad Brown) won the Grade 3 $200,000 Pebbles Stakes. Brown in a stakes race in New York at 10-to-1 is uncommon but he had three starters in the race and this was the highest value.
​

  • Race 9: Master Piece (Jose Lezcano/Richie Dutrow) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Red Smith Stakes.
​

  • Spread the Wealth: 10 riders won on the 10-race card. Chad Brown and David Jacobson won twice as trainers.
Laurel (Maryland):
  • Card: Highlighted by three $100,000 races of which Brittany Russell won two. She sent out three horses in total.
  • Race 8: Hybrid Eclipse (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) won the $100,000 Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes and for the second consecutive year. The 5-year-old is a daughter to Paynter who passed away the prior day.
​

​
​

  • Race 7: Copper Tax (Jaime Rodriguez/Gary Capuano) won the $100,000 James F. Lewis III Stakes. The winner improved to 6 5-10-0 lifetime.
​

  • Race 6: Cap Classique (Jevian Toledo/Brittany Russell) defeated Deboisblanc (Sheldon Russell/Brad Cox) in a battle of student beating teacher among 1-2 trainers. Brittany used her innermost Amy Winehouse and said "No, no no!" OK., she didn't. But I did. :naughty: Per the interview on Youtube, the horse will "stretch out."
​


Churchill (Kentucky):
  • John Velazquez rode two winners for the second straight day. He is riding confidentially and at 33% this meet.
  • Race 10: Smokin' T. (John Velazquez/Shug McGaughey) won the Grade 3 $300,000 River City Stakes.
1700093988695.png

Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Race 11: Calming Sea (Edwin Gonzalez/Herman Wilensky) was sent off at 5-to-2 and was one of three horses singled in the finale for an enterprising entrepreneur to bring down the house with a $.20 Pick 6. Alas, no disappointment here as the bettor cashed for $136,000+. The key win was race 8 at 28-to-1.
  • Race 7: Nash (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) broke his maiden in his second try but the margin of victory was 10+ lengths which immediately propelled him among many early Kentucky Derby horses. Bred by Godolphin through Medaglia d'Oro.
Del Mar (California):
  • Race 2: Pilot Commander (Juan Hernandez/Bob Baffert), a $700,000 Justify colt, won with comfort in a debut race. Imagination (Flavien Prat/Bob Baffert) placed as a $1.05 million purchase. I like both horses from what I saw but the second-place finisher should not be forgotten.
​

Woodbine (Ontario):
  • Rafael Hernandez won four times including scoring a natural hat trick.
  • Kazushi Kimura rode three winners.
  • Race 7: Millie Girl (Rafael Hernandez/Catherine Day Phillips) won the $150,000 Grade 3 Maple Leaf Stakes.
  • Race 9: Loyalty (Kazushi Kimura/Josie Carroll) won the Grade 2 $175,000 Bessarabian Stakes.
​
 
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Joe Bravo is the latest jockey to depart southern California. He is returning to south Florida where he maintains a residence. It has been many, many years since he rode regularly in south Florida. In the winter, the jockey colony is perhaps the strongest in the US. Good luck to him.

Abel Cedillo announced today he is leaving California for the first time. He will move his tack to Turfway (KY).
 
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Approaching meets as 2023 nears its conclusion:
  • Fair Grounds (LA): 11/17/2023-3/24/2024
  • Gulfstream (FL): 12/1/2023-3/31/2024
  • Los Alamitos (CA): 12/8/2023-12/17/2023
  • Oaklawn (AR): 12/8/2023-5/4/2024
  • Santa Anita (CA): 12/26/2023-4/7/2024
  • Tampa Bay (FL): 11/22/2023-6/30/2024
  • Turfway Park (KY): 11/29/2023-12/30/2023
 
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Sunday, November 12, 2023

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Manny Franco rode three winners.
  • Race 4: R Calli Kim (Jose Ortiz/Brendan Walsh), 8-for-13 lifetime and a perfect 4 4-0-0 in 2023, won the Grade 3 $300,000 Long Island Stakes.
Gulfstream (Florida):
  • Race 4: Whateverwilbewilbe (Joe Bravo/David Fawkes) gave the jockey a win in his return to Florida. Bravo announced last week he would leave southern Cal for Gulfstream and south Florida where he resides. Gulf also will have more racing dates than southern Cal as the next few weeks advance. Bravo is approximately $300,000 shy of becoming the 21st rider in North America history to win $200 million in purses. He won for the first time at the now-defunct Calder Race Course in March 1988.
 
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Gulfstream is carding turf races for its Dec. 1 opener. Hopefully the turf course maintains some prominence throughout the meet. Gulf has widened the course the last few weeks while racing has been limited to synth and dirt. Gulf's turf has been beaten up the past few years too often.
 
MiamiScreamingEagles said:
Gulfstream is carding turf races for its Dec. 1 opener. Hopefully the turf course maintains some prominence throughout the meet. Gulf has widened the course the last few weeks while racing has been limited to synth and dirt. Gulf's turf has been beaten up the past few years too often.
Click to expand...
Hopefully, it will be a dry winter and the pronounced speed bias in turf races will be lessened.
 
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Marco 85 said:
Hopefully, it will be a dry winter and the pronounced speed bias in turf races will be lessened.
Click to expand...
Churchill continues to have issues with its turf course. I wonder if that played into the decision by the Breeders' Cup even if 2025 is a couple of years away. Fast track yet off the turf for today.
 
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AQU and CD have good cards for Saturday. AQU goes at 11:50 am ET.

Also, Fair Grounds opens its meet on Friday.

AQUEDUCT
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]Race[/TH]
[TH]Purse[/TH]
[TH]Race Type[/TH]
[TH]Distance[/TH]
[TH]Surface[/TH]
[TH]Starters[/TH]
[TH]Est. Post[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$70,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Special Weight[/TD]
[TD]6 1/2 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]11:50 AM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$75,000[/TD]
[TD]Allowance[/TD]
[TD]1 M[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]12:20 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]$50,000[/TD]
[TD]Claiming[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]12:50 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$100,000[/TD]
[TD]Notebook S.[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]1:19 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$250,000[/TD]
[TD]Hill Prince S.[/TD]
[TD]1 1/8 M[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]1:48 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]$90,000[/TD]
[TD]Allowance[/TD]
[TD]1 1/8 M[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]2:17 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]$100,000[/TD]
[TD]Key Cents S.[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]2:45 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]$85,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Special Weight[/TD]
[TD]1 1/16 M[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]3:15 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]$150,000[/TD]
[TD]Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship S.[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]16[/TD]
[TD]3:43 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$55,000[/TD]
[TD]Starter Allowance[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]4:10 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

CHURCHILL
[TABLE=collapse]
[TR]
[TH]Race[/TH]
[TH]Purse[/TH]
[TH]Race Type[/TH]
[TH]Distance[/TH]
[TH]Surface[/TH]
[TH]Starters[/TH]
[TH]Est. Post[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1[/TD]
[TD]$42,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Claiming[/TD]
[TD]5 1/2 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1:00 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2[/TD]
[TD]$52,000[/TD]
[TD]Claiming[/TD]
[TD]1 1/16 M[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]1:30 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3[/TD]
[TD]$50,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Claiming[/TD]
[TD]7 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]2:00 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4[/TD]
[TD]$42,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Claiming[/TD]
[TD]6 1/2 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]12[/TD]
[TD]2:30 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]5[/TD]
[TD]$127,000[/TD]
[TD]Allowance[/TD]
[TD]5 1/2 F[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]3:01 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6[/TD]
[TD]$72,000[/TD]
[TD]Starter Allowance[/TD]
[TD]1 1/16 M[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]3:31 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7[/TD]
[TD]$120,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Special Weight[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]4:01 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8[/TD]
[TD]$54,000[/TD]
[TD]Claiming[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]4:33 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]$141,000[/TD]
[TD]Allowance Optional Claiming[/TD]
[TD]1 1/16 M[/TD]
[TD]Turf[/TD]
[TD]15[/TD]
[TD]5:05 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]10[/TD]
[TD]$300,000[/TD]
[TD]Chilukki S.[/TD]
[TD]1 M[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]9[/TD]
[TD]5:35 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]11[/TD]
[TD]$120,000[/TD]
[TD]Maiden Special Weight[/TD]
[TD]6 F[/TD]
[TD]Dirt[/TD]
[TD]14[/TD]
[TD]6:05 PM ET[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
 
Thursday, November 16, 2023

Aqueduct (New York):
  • Race 7: Sell Something (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Horacio De Paz) was elevated to victory at 13-to-1 but when the original third place finisher was placed second, mayhem ensued with a $1 exacta that returned a staggering $884.50. For Ortiz to top an exacta at that price in New York is unthinkable. I am not sure of a comparable for any other sport. The continent's most successful rider at his home track returning a dream thanks to the decision and of course Leftembehind (Katie Davis/Barclay Tagg) at 37-to-1 moved up. Be of Courage (Ruben Silvera/John Pregman) was placed fourth following his removal from victory. The $.50 tri was more than $6,500. Did NYRA post all race videos on X except this race? https://twitter.com/TheNYRA
​


​


Laurel (Maryland):
  • Race 1: Discreet Ops (Jean Alvelo/Ben Feliciano, Jr.) made a strong impression in a debut performance at 20-to-1. But the $1 super at $98,000+ would have been a nice way to start the day for anyone who dared to play the 4-6-1-5 combo.
​


Horseshoe Indianapolis (Indiana):
  • The End of the Meet: As Rachel McLaughlin stated during the pre-race festivities, today is "The penultimate day" of racing for the track.
  • Leading Jockey: Joe Ramos has 108 wins which is one ahead of Fernando De La Cruz's 107.
 
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Fernando Jara, who famously rode Jazil to victory as an 18-year-old rider in the 2006 Belmont Stakes, is returning to the US to ride in Florida at Gulfstream and more so Tampa Bay. It will be his first time in the US in many years as he has been riding in Dubai.
 
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