Horse Racing: Santa Anita opens Dec. 26

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Aqueduct (New York):

• Opening Day: The "Big A" races until Saratoga runs its brief Belmont Stakes meet 6/6/2024-6/9/2024. The current Aqueduct meet operates 4/4/2024-4/29/2024,
• Jose Lezcano-Linda Rice Win Five Times: David Jacobson's five wins in the Aqueduct finale Saturday was matched by Linda Rice's five wins today. All her wins came with Jose Lezcano riding her mounts. Lezcano finished 6 5-1-0. Rice, who has been training since 1987, was a perfect 5-for-5 and stated afterwards that this was her first 5-win day. She is on a 10 6-3-0 roll the past two racing days. David Grening of the DRF recollects John Velazquez-Todd Pletcher teaming for five wins on August 30, 2004 as perhaps the most recent time the event occurred.

Mahoning Valley (Ohio):

• Jay Bernardini sent out two horses, both won. He ended the day with a 6-win lead among all trainers. The meet ends April 13.

Santa Anita (California):

• Makeup Card: Due to last weekend's rainout.
• Race 7: Nadette (Hector Berrios/Neil Drysdale) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Wilshire Stakes.
• Race 9: Johannes (Umberto Rispoli/Tim Yakteen) won the Grade 3 $100,000 American Stakes.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, April 5, 2024

Aqueduct (New York):

• Linda Rice cooled slightly today going 9 2-1-2, a day which began with another victory with Jose Lezcano on board. However, that would be the lone success of five chances for the duo. Rice is 19 8-4-2 the past three racing days.

​

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 4 Bestsugardaddyever (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell). It is Friday in Maryland. The Russells had just one opportunity to maintain their nearly-every Friday of at least one win.

​

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Opening Day: The Spring meet, one of the most anticipated on the U.S. calendar, opened today. It runs 4/5/2024-4/26/2024 before Churchill Downs operates 4/27/2024-6/30/2024.
• Live Free Stream: Live Racing Coverage
• MSW: Three Maiden Special Weight $100,000 races on the opening day card.
• Race 2: Shoot It True (Tyler Gaffalione/Wesley Ward) won the first 2-year-old race of the year in the U.S. and by seven lengths. Ward is a master with 2-year-olds and is also 35% with 1st-time starters this year.

​

• Race 8: Neat (Reylu Gutierrez/Rob Atras) split a pair of horses to win the Grade 3 $400,000 Transylvania Stakes by a nose.

​

• Race 9: Leslie's Rose (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Todd Pletcher) was cold on the board, sent off 9-to-1 yet won the $600,000 Grade I Ashland Stakes. The connections were awarded 100 points towards entry into the Kentucky Oaks. Pletcher won this race for the third time in four years.

​

• Race 10: The $.50 Pick 5 paid close to $60,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Now the mixed bag of numbers. Overall down for the first quarter but betting per day is up.

As stated a few days ago, Spring could be something smiliar but I expect higher numbers this Summer than 2023 unless we have a repeat of disturbing atmospheric conditions.

Tracks in the central US showed the biggest gains.

1st QTR 2024 vs. 1st QTR 2023
Indicator	1st QTR 2024​	1st QTR 2023​	% Change​
Wagering on U.S. Races*	$2,590,112,041​	$2,699,177,001​	-4.04%​
U.S. Purses (Available)	$267,184,332​	$266,101,049​	+0.41%​
U.S. Purses (Paid)	$254,244,190​	$255,591,587​	-0.53%​
U.S. Race Days	753​	822​	-8.39%​
U.S. Races	6,405​	6,977​	-8.20%​
U.S. Starts	49,223​	52,979​	-7.09%​
Average Field Size	7.69​	7.59​	+1.21%​
Average Wagering Per Race Day	$3,439,724​	$3,283,670​	+4.75%​
Average Available Purses Per Race Day	$354,826​	$310,939​	+14.11%​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Laurel's turf opener is delayed a week, to April 19. Interesting description of the differences in turf at laurel and Pimlico. The second reason/cause is unsurprising but the other two are informative.

https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/opening-of-laurel-park-turf-course-pushed-back-one-week

Freeman said the turf course at Pimlico Race Course has rebounded quite well, and he noted the reasons why it’s further along than the course at Laurel.​

​

“(The Pimlico turf) is in wonderful shape and will be ready to perform at a high level once again for the Preakness Meet in May,” Freeman said. “One might ask why Pimlico's turf looks farther along than Laurel Park's at this time. There are a few different factors likely contributing to these differences.​

​

“First, Pimlico was aggressively reseeded with newer varieties of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass in the fall of 2021. Some winter benefits of these newer varieties are improved cold tolerance and earlier spring green up and recovery. Second, Laurel Park sees racing later into the fall and therefore doesn't have as much recovery time prior to entering a state of winter dormancy. This results in the turf having a little more ‘work’ to do in the spring.​

​

“And third, temperatures at Laurel Park get colder than within the city limits of Baltimore. All these factors lead to Laurel Park being a little slower to match the condition of Pimlico's turf course in the early spring. As part of our agronomic plan for Laurel Park each year, more of the same varieties of Tall Fescue and Kentucky Bluegrass within Pimlico's turf course are seeded into the turf course at Laurel Park.”​

​

Laurel Park in 2023 was able to host 273 turf races, the most since 2019 and the highest number among all racetracks in the Mid-Atlantic region. The figure was 18.6% higher than the 230 grass races conducted in 2022 at Laurel, where a number of protocols and structural improvements over the last few years have reaped dividends. The course is 142 feet wide, and the ability to move portable rails out 17, 35, 53, 70 and 87 feet allows for six different running lanes. Combined with the 72 grass races at Pimlico, Maryland owners and trainers had access to 345 turf events in 2023.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Keeneland is among the most magnetic tracks in the nation but I have been critical of some of the simulcast productions in the past. Most notably the odds at the bottom of the screen can be too condensed for one, not the best choice of colors either. But this comment expands:

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Remaining Kentucky Derby Preps:

UK --- 4/06 Cardinal Condition Stakes CHD ( 30-15-9-6-3)​

USA -- 4/06 Santa Anita Derby SA (100-50-25-15-10)​

USA -- 4/06 Blue Grass S. KEE (100-50-25-15-10)​

USA -- 4/06 Wood Memorial S. AQU (100-50-25-15-10)​

USA -- 4/13 Lexington S. KEE (20-10-6-4-2)​

Kentucky Derby point leaders heading into the massive day today. The top 20 point earners are invited to the dance with also eligibles awaiting fallouts after that.

Timberlake (#5) is expected to be off the trail.

#	Horse	Points	Non-Restricted Stakes Earnings	Career Earnings
1	Fierceness​ City of Light—Nonna Bella	136	$1,646,100	$1,703,850
2	Catching Freedom​ Constitution—Catch My Drift	125	$802,000	$877,350
3	Forever Young​ Real Steel—Forever Darling	100	$1,768,722	$2,049,451
4	Endlessly​ Oscar Performance—Dream Fuhrever	100	$658,000	$707,200
5	Timberlake​ Into Mischief—Pin Up	81	$1,132,500	$1,173,100
6	Track Phantom​ Quality Road—Miss Sunset	70	$300,000	$405,000
7	West Saratoga​ Exaggerator—Mo Wicked	67	$363,640	$460,140
8	Just Steel​ Justify—Irish Lights	65	$628,295	$724,545
9	Honor Marie​ Honor Code—Dame Marie	65	$448,455	$526,175
10	Dornoch​ Good Magic—Puca	60	$425,500	$505,400
11	Domestic Product​ Practical Joke—Goods and Services	60	$260,500	$314,200
12	Sierra Leone​ Gun Runner—Heavenly Love	55	$290,000	$336,750
13	Auto Bahn​ Asiatic Boy—Autografiada	50	$243,568	$257,897
14	Catalytic​ Catalina Cruiser—One Show Only	50	$186,000	$216,825
15	Deterministic​ Liam's Map—Giulio's Jewel	50	$165,000	$222,750
16	Mystik Dan​ Goldencents—Ma'am	46	$550,050	$641,360
17	No More Time​ Not This Time—Baroness Juliette	45	$194,380	$226,780
18	Grand Mo the First​ Uncle Mo—Lilies So Fair	40	$164,250	$214,650
19	Common Defense​ Karakontie—Allusion	37	$253,450	$345,450
20	Hades​ Awesome Slew—The Shady Lady	30	$189,800	$252,900
21	El Grande O​ Take Charge Indy—Rainbow's Song	30	$151,000	$435,000
22	Seize the Grey​ Arrogate—Smart Shopping	27	$100,663	$259,138
23	Stronghold​ Ghostzapper—Spectator	25	$292,800	$377,200
24	Le Dom Bro​ Mucho Macho Man—Valiant Emilia	25	$131,000	$193,450
25	Pandagate​ Arrogate—Kitty Panda	25	$100,000	$201,650
26	Tuscan Gold​ Medaglia d'Oro—Valadorna	25	$100,000	$147,100
27	Just a Touch​ Justify—Touching Beauty	25	$60,000	$94,200
28	Uncle Heavy​ Social Inclusion—Expect Wonderful	20	$137,500	$293,580
29	Encino​ Nyquist—Glittering Jewel	20	$88,280	$142,715
30	Locked​ Gun Runner—Luna Rosa	19	$538,050	$608,400

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Cumberland Raceway update for 2024...... Qualifiers now set for Tuesday 4/9/24 season opening weekend now next Fri/Sat

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

It's Post Time! Brittany! Grade 2 winner today in New York. How about that?! A horse from Laurel. Carter Handicap winner.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Wood is going to produce a massive payout someplace. What odds

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Frankie Dettori has won the last four races at Santa Anita.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Make that five wins in succession for Frankie Dettori, this time a 7-to-1 graded stakes win for Bob Baffert in a Ky. Oaks prep.

And then he planted a big smooch on Millie Ball's cheek. Too funny. He is one of a kind.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Dust the cobwebs, Chad Brown is having a monster day at Tampa, Aqueduct and Keeneland. Sierra Leone is rock solid in the Blue Grass.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Make that six wins in a row for Frankie Dettori. Let's see what he does for an encore.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, April 6, 2024

• Race Day: One of the biggest on the annual calendar, today offered much entertainment and sometimes a monetary investment.
• Handles at Selected Major Venues:
  • Kentucky tracks generally don't produce handles through Equibase but Keeneland likely was enormous and the highest figure.
  • Santa Anita handled $20 million.
  • Aqueduct handled $14.8 million.
  • Gulfstream did $6.6m and Tampa Bay $4.5m, a time of the year in Florida where interests go elsewhere.
  • Oaklawn did $7.7 million.
  • Laurel did $2.5 million.
• Chad Brown, off a weak Gulfstream meet that concluded last week, had a gigantic day going 17 8-3-0 across four tracks. He was:
  • 7 2-2-0 at Aqueduct
  • 1 1-0-0 at Gulfstream
  • 6 3-0-0 at Keeneland
  • 3 2-1-0 at Tampa Bay

Aqueduct (New York):

• Dylan Davis hit a grand slam going 10 4-2-1.
• Race 4: Post Time (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Carter Handicap by a neck. Post Time is 8 7-0-1 lifetime and the 4-year-old Maryland-bred won for the first time outside his home state. Brittany won this race for the second straight year. The Pennsylvania-native, Maryland-based trainer said jokingly after the race "How rude that they downgraded it after Doppelganger won it. How rude!" She added "I can't believe we did it two years in a row."

​

• Race 6: Shidabhuti (Dyan Davis/Chad Brown) won the Grade 3 $175,000 Distaff Stakes.

​

• Race 8: Where's My Ring (Jose Lezcano/Val Brinkerhoff) won the Grade 3 $200,000 Gazelle Stakes and with it earned 100 points towards entry into the Kentucky Oaks. The filly raced all seven prior starts in California. I don't recall the trainer having a win in a graded stakes at New York (update: it was his second career graded stakes, also 2021 at Santa Anita).

​

• Race 10: Resilience (John Velazquez/Bill Mott) won the $750,000 Grade 2 Wood Memorial. The Into Mischief colt won for the second time in six career starts. The connections earned 100 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. The superfecta was filled by 106-to-1, 36-to-1 and 80-to-1 shots for a resounding payout of $6,700+ for a successful $.10 wager.

​

​

A pretty cool view of the finish line at Aqueduct.​

​

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Tyler Gaffalione rode three winners including two graded stakes.
• Race 6: Bo Cruz (Jose Ortiz/Al Stall) won the $300,000 Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes.
• Race 7: Buchu (Martin Garcia/Phil Bauer) won the $400,000 Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes.
• Race 8: Alva Starr (Tyler Gaffalione/Brett Brinkman) won the $600,000 Grade I Madison Stakes.

​

• Race 9: Arzak (Irad Ortiz. Jr./Mike Trombetta) won the $350,000 Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes.

​

• Race 10: Sierra Leone (Tyler Gaffalione/Chad Brown) won the Grade I $1,000,000 Blue Grass Stakes and with it earned 100 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. The Gun Runner colt is 4 3-1-0.

​

Santa Anita (California):

• Frankie Dettori had a consecutive natural hat trick by wninng races 2 through 7. A most majestic performance by one of the sport's all-time characters.

​

• Italian-born Jockeys: Umberto Rispoli and Antonio Fresu also won races today in addition to Frankie Dettori's six victories. They finished with eight wins of 12 raced.
• Race 6: Nothing Like You (Frankie Dettori/Bob Baffert) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks but due to Churchill Downs' ongoing suspension of the trainer, the connections do not receive the 100 points which would have been awarded for entry into the Kentucky Oaks. Baffert's Kinza finished second in this race.

​

• Race 9: Ag Bullet (Umberto Rispoli/Richard Baltas) won the Grade 3 $100,000 Monrovia Stakes.

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• Race 10: Stronghold (Antonio Fresu/Phil D'Amato) won the Grade I $750,000 Santa Anita Derby. The Ghostzapper colt is 6 3-3-0 lifetime.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

KEENELAND (KY)

• Saturday, April 13, 2024
• The Lexington (Points: 20-10-6-4-2) is the final Kentucky Derby prep for 2024. The Kentucky Oaks prep season has concluded.
• The Jenny Wiley in Grade I:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$43,000	Maiden Claiming	5 1/2 F	Dirt	12	1:00 PM ET
2	$60,000	Claiming	7 F	Dirt	8	1:32 PM ET
3	$49,000	Maiden Claiming	About 7 F	Dirt	12	2:04 PM ET
4	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 F	Dirt	10	2:36 PM ET
5	$100,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	3:08 PM ET
6	$120,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	7	3:40 PM ET
7	$300,000	Giant's Causeway S.	5 1/2 F	Turf	13	4:12 PM ET
8	$130,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	8	4:44 PM ET
9	$600,000	Jenny Wiley S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	10	5:16 PM ET
10	$400,000	Stonestreet Lexington S.	1 1/16 M	Dirt	10	5:48 PM ET
11	$110,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	16	6:20 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, April 7, 2024

• Steve Asmussen: I wonder if he knows exactly how many horses are under his care. The past three days he went 63 7-10-4 at tracks in Kentucky-Arkansas-Louisiana-Texas-New Mexico. Just an enormous amount of runners in his stable.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 5: Camera (Kendrick Carmouche/Todd Pletcher), a $1.05 million purchase, broke his maiden in his third try.
• Jose Lezcano (8 wins) and Dylan Davis (7) have won 15 of the 35 days in the early stages of this meet.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Race 8: My Flicker (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell), 8-to-1 this morning but bet down, won against competition entering from New York in Ray Handal and Linda Rice. Yesterday the duo won a graded stakes in New York. Today, this was their lone partnership.

​

Keeneland (Kentucky):

• Race 8: Denim and Pearls (Flavien Prat/Brad Cox) demolished the field by almost 10 lengths to win the Grade 2 $400,000 Beaumont Stakes.

​

• Race 1: The Queens M G (Andres Calleja/Israel Acevedo) was one of 11 first-time starters that comprised the field yet won at 45-to-1, the fourth highest odds. Calleja, a Midwest jockey, was a replacement rider. He won for the first time last year. The race order was 12-11-10 (the 6 was a scratch), the far posts succeeded.

​

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Meet: Runs December 8 - May 5. One of the most puzzling, entertaining and magnetic meets on the calendar.
• Leading Rider: Cristian Torres with a comfortable lead.
• Leading Trainer: Steve Asmussen with an even more comfortable lead.
• Race 8: Edge to Edge (Rafael Bejarano/Chris Hartman) won the $175,000 Eclipse Stakes.

Sunland (New Mexico):

• Closing Day: The meet began January 5. New Mexico racing continues at Sunray Park. From there, Ruidoso runs 5/24/2024-9/2/2024.
• Stakes Day: Five of the nine races held purses of $100,000+ including one for $200,000.
• Race 7: Alotaluck (Tracy Hebert/Ty Garrett) won the 4125,000 Mine That Bird Derby, named for local hero and 2009 Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird. Alotaluck was sent off the lowest odds possible at 1-to-9. He finished second to Stronghold, yesterday's Santa Anita Derby winner, in the Sunland Derby back in February.
• Race 8: Presidential (Luis Fuentes/Steve Asmussen) won the $200,000 Sunland Park Handicap.

​

• Race 9: Let Him Be (Miguel Fuentes, Jr./Joel Marr) won the $100,000 New Mexico State Handicap.

Santa Anita (California):

• Closing Day: The meet ended though racing continues at Santa Anita until mid-June. Los Alamitos follows 6/22/2024-7/7/2024 and then onto Del Mar.
• Leading Jockey: Juan Hernandez with 53 wins.
• Leading Trainer: Doug O'Neill with 30 wins, one more than Mark Glatt and two more than Phil D'Amato.
• Doug O'Neill was winless with his last seventeen starters including going 10 0-3-5 on the final race day of the meet..

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Australia news agency has reported that Winx's foal, bred with Pierro of Coolmore Stud, has sold for a world record $6.6 million -- the highest ever for a filly.

Winx won 33 straight races and was a national sensation in her homeland. She delivered a stillborn foal 2020 and after time to recuperate, delivered what is now an 18-month-old filly who was purchased by Winx's owner and will be trained by Chris Waller.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

A judge in Kentucky delayed a decision as to whether Bob Baffert horses can run in this year's Kentucky Derby. The hearing will continue Monday.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Maryland House and Senate have passed a bill to consolidate racing at Pimlico (Baltimore/Preakness) with the eventual closure of Laurel which is currently the state's workhorse.

Stronach maintains ownership of Laural but sadly it will be redeveloped into a non-racing usage. Stronach will maintain rights to the Preakness but will sell Pimlico to the state.

PImlico will be modernized for the next two years. The Preakness will relocate to Laurel from 2025 through 2027.

Plenty of good memories at Laurel. Pimlico has the history of the Preakness on its side.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

These were the horses showing on the Nevada betting apps Monday for Kentucky Derby 2024 along with the closing win odds for the 39 choices in pool 6 of the KDFW. They are listed in order of their best prices indicated in bold type.

Kentucky Derby 2024	Caesars	Circa	Westgate	KDFW
Fierceness	7-2	3-1	+275	5-2
Sierra Leone	7-2	+325	+275	7-1
Forever Young	10-1	10-1	10-1	8-1
Catching Freedom	12-1	8-1	10-1	12-1
Dornoch	10-1	12-1	8-1	12-1
Just a Touch	20-1	20-1	20-1	22-1
All other 3-yr-olds*				22-1
Tuscan Sky				24-1
Honor Marie	10-1	15-1	20-1	26-1
Just Steel	35-1	25-1	25-1	30-1
Mystik Dan	16-1	15-1	18-1	35-1
Stronghold	25-1	35-1	20-1	30-1
Deterministic	35-1	20-1	40-1	12-1
Domestic Product	26-1	18-1	20-1	40-1
Seize the Grey				42-1
Endlessly	50-1	20-1		37-1
Be You				52-1
Track Phantom	20-1	15-1	30-1	53-1
Resilience	20-1	35-1		76-1
Top Conor				80-1
Catalytic	75-1	100-1	100-1	99-1
Tuscan Gold			100-1
El Grande O			100-1	117-1
West Saratoga	40-1	75-1	80-1	121-1
T O Password	100-1	100-1	100-1	135-1
Evening News				147-1
Good Money				157-1
Grand Mo the First	125-1	125-1	100-1	179-1
Mc Vay				194-1
Uncle Heavy	125-1		200-1	72-1
Hades (g)	75-1	150-1	200-1	92-1
Nash			200-1
No More Time	60-1	75-1	80-1	277-1
Tapalo				294-1
Lat Long				322-1
Encino		350-1	300-1	63-1
Common Defense	65-1	400-1	300-1	234-1
Epic Ride	125-1	400-1		156-1
Merit				478-1
Lucky Jeremy		500-1	500-1
Liberal Arts		500-1
Tessuto (r)				516-1
Society Man (g)	100-1	50-1		793-1
*KDFW only
g - gelding
r - ridgling

Horse	Jockey for last race	Trainer
Sierra Leone	Tyler Gaffalione, 1st, Blue Grass	Chad Brown
Fierceness	John Velazquez, 1st, Florida Derby	Todd Pletcher
Catching Freedom	Flavien Prat, 1st, Louisiana Derby	Brad Cox
Stronghold	Antonio Fresu, 1st, Santa Anita Derby	Phil D'Amato
Resilience	Velazquez, 1st, Wood Memorial	Bill Mott
Forever Young	Ryusei Sakai, 1st, UAE Derby	Yoshito Yahagi
Endlessly	Umberto Rispoli, 1st, Jeff Ruby Steaks	Michael McCarthy
Dornoch	Luis Saez, 4th, Blue Grass	Danny Gargan
Just a Touch	Florent Geroux, 2nd, Blue Grass	Brad Cox
Track Phantom	Joel Rosario, 4th, Louisiana Derby	Steve Asmussen
West Saratoga	Jesus Castanon, 2nd, Jeff Ruby Steaks	Larry Demeritte
Just Steel	Keith Asmussen, 2nd, Arkansas Derby	D. Wayne Lukas
Honor Marie	Ben Curtis, 2nd, Louisiana Derby	Whit Beckman
Domestic Product	Gaffalione, 1st, Tampa Bay Derby	Chad Brown
Catalytic	Julien Leparoux, 2nd, Florida Derby	Saffie Joseph Jr.
Deterministic	Rosario, 8th, Wood Memorial	Christophe Clement
Society Man	Luis Rivera Jr., 2nd, Wood Memorial	Danny Gargan
Mystik Dan	Brian Hernandez Jr., 3rd, Arkansas Derby	Kenny McPeek
No More Time	Javier Castellano, 2nd Tampa Bay Derby	Jose D'Angelo
T O Password	Katsuma Sameshima, 1st, Fukuryu	Daisuke Takayanagi

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Oaklawn's (AR) card for Saturday:

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$30,000	Claiming	6 F	Dirt	9	12:10 PM CT
2	$38,000	Claiming	6 F	Dirt	9	12:42 PM CT
3	$30,000	Claiming	6 F	Dirt	10	1:14 PM CT
4	$38,000	Maiden Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	1:46 PM CT
5	$38,000	Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	2:18 PM CT
6	$115,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 M	Dirt	10	2:50 PM CT
7	$30,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	14	3:24 PM CT
8	$500,000	Count Fleet Sprint H.	6 F	Dirt	8	3:56 PM CT
9	$140,000	Allowance	1 M	Dirt	11	4:30 PM CT
10	$140,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 F	Dirt	11	5:06 PM CT
11	$1,250,000	Apple Blossom H.	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	5:46 PM CT
12	$60,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	14	6:23 PM CT

 

[GKJ]

So the Bay Area is going to have nothing up the state fair tracks?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

So the Bay Area is going to have nothing up the state fair tracks?

The fair tracks will comprise the northern California portion of racing. As I understand it, by state law, if one half of the state (northern/southern) is idle during a specific period of time, the simulcast revenue goes to the other half of the state. Stronach Group likely figured that the fairs wouldn't be interested in replacing Golden Gate and thus that revenue would head south to Santa Anita and Stronach would have boosted purses for that track and with the hope to attract better quality of horses than what is ongoing in California.

This is how northern Cal could play out the rest of the year...

• Golden Gate Fields is expected to close permanently by June 11.
• Pleasanton -- built in 1858 -- could race from June 14 - July 7.
• Cal Expo (Sacramento) -- runs about three weeks.
• Sonoma County Fair (Santa Rosa) -- July 31 - August 20.
• Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale) -- August 21 - September 17.
• Big Fresno Fair (Fresno)-- September 18 - October 15.
• Pleasanton (2nd meet for 2024) -- October 19 - December 15 (26 race days).

 

[GKJ]

The fair tracks will comprise the northern California portion of racing. As I understand it, by state law, if one half of the state (northern/southern) is idle during a specific period of time, the simulcast revenue goes to the other half of the state. Stronach Group likely figured that the fairs wouldn't be interested in replacing Golden Gate and thus that revenue would head south to Santa Anita and Stronach would have boosted purses for that track and with the hope to attract better quality of horses than what is ongoing in California.

This is how northern Cal could play out the rest of the year...

• Golden Gate Fields is expected to close permanently by June 11.
• Pleasanton -- built in 1858 -- could race from June 14 - July 7.
• Cal Expo (Sacramento) -- runs about three weeks.
• Sonoma County Fair (Santa Rosa) -- July 31 - August 20.
• Humboldt County Fair (Ferndale) -- August 21 - September 17.
• Big Fresno Fair (Fresno)-- September 18 - October 15.
• Pleasanton (2nd meet for 2024) -- October 19 - December 15 (26 race days).

That law sounds very confusing. If it’s shutting down a track, then it’s also objectively stupid.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

That law sounds very confusing. If it’s shutting down a track, then it’s also objectively stupid.

Stronach chose to close Golden Gate last year but opted to continue racing through this midway point of the year (June). A attempted goodwill gesture that was not met with praise. Many northern Cal trainers don't have the stock of the south and I wouldn't be surprised if some head north to Washington or perhaps New Mexico.

Golden Gate traditionally ran the first six months of the year, then mid-Aug. to mid-Sept. then mid-Oct to early Dec. before re-opening after Christmas. Pleasanton picked up the slack this year. There are no guarantees for next year.

The lawsuit between daughter and father was foreboding five or so years ago and now is creepily ominous. He stated in part she would sell real estate/redevelop to non-racing interests. The settlement gave her group control of land while the father took care of breeding and agriculture. Since then, her side of the operation will redevelop Golden Gate, redevelop Laurel and sell Pimlico. That leaves Santa Anita which is a shell of itself and Gulfstream which is thriving as a casino/racing venture but that track while still one of the marquee names is not as significant as years past.

That is their complete T-bred racing portfolio.