Horse Racing: Maryland racing down to 127 dates in 2025; Flavien Prat nearing records for most stakes and graded stakes won in a year

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Saturday review/pics;

First Tracks Cumberland – Maine Harness Racing

www.firsttrackscumberland.com

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, May 12, 2024

• Brittany Russell had a nice Mother's Day going 4 2-2-0. Two wins with her husband riding in Maryland and one place came in New York at 9-to-1 as the second largest odds in the race.

Belmont at Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 5: Coolcalm Collected (Dylan Davis/Timmy Hills) was sent off the favorite and romped by more than 12 lengths. Hills has been training since the 1970s and saddled his first victor at Rockingham Park (NH) as part of the once active New England circuit.
• Race 8: Pipsy (Flavien Prat/William Walden) topped a ticket in which Irish-foals finished 1-2 in the Grade 3 $175,000 Soaring Softly Stakes. Walden is in his third year of training, in his early 30s, and is the son of Elliott Walden.

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Pimlico (Maryland):

• Sheldon Russell rode three winners, two for his wife.

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• Race 2: Luke Warm (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) topped a $26.60 exacta with the two shortest prices going 1-2. Nice payout.
• Races 5-6-7: Won by a neck, a nose and a neck.
• Race 6: When horse racing can be a frustrating art and challenge...playing the 6.

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• Race 7: Northern Glow (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) won by a neck giving hubby-wife a second win as a tandem.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Race 4: Awesome Wind (Melvis Gonzalez/Carlos David) gave the rider his first win. He is represented by what appears to be now former jockey Chantal Sutherland.

Santa Anita (California):

• Juan Hernandez rode three winners.

Tokyo Racecourse (Japan):

• Ten Happy Rose won a Grade I Breeders Cup "Win and You're In" at 207-1 (208-1 in some reports). The payout in US pools was around $133. That set of odds is the largest to win in my memory at a host track. I don't know the term "major boil over (if I heard correctly)" but I am assuming it means something akin to holy moly...

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

BLACK-EYED SUSAN

• What: The second leg of the Triple Tiara -- or unofficially the filly version of the Triple Crown
• Site: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD.
• Date: Friday, May 17, 2024.
• Edition: 100th.
• TV: FanDuel (formerly TVG) and Peacock.
• Visiting Jockeys Include: Frankie Dettori, John Velazquez, Tyler Gaffalione, Joel Rosario, Luis Saez, Flavien Prat and Joe Bravo,

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$54,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Dirt	9	11:30 AM ET
2	$54,000	Allowance	5 F	Turf	16	12:01 PM ET
3	$44,000	Maiden Claiming	6 F	Dirt	10	12:32 PM ET
4	$58,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	5 F	Turf	11	1:02 PM ET
5	$58,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	6 F	Dirt	10	1:33 PM ET
6	$52,000	Maiden Special Weight	1 1/16 M	Turf	15	2:04 PM ET
7	$58,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Turf	14	2:34 PM ET
8	$100,000	Allaire DuPont Distaff S.	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	3:05 PM ET
9	$100,000	Hilltop S.	1 M	Turf	10	3:36 PM ET
10	$150,000	Miss Preakness S.	6 F	Dirt	12	4:07 PM ET
11	$100,000	The Very One S.	5 F	Turf	13	4:38 PM ET
12	$250,000	Pimlico Special S.	1 3/16 M	Dirt	8	5:10 PM ET
13	$300,000	George E. Mitchell Black-Eyed Susan S.	1 1/8 M	Dirt	8	5:44 PM ET
14	$58,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 M	Turf	10	6:23 PM ET

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

It appears nine horses will run in the Preakness.

Forecast calls for intermittent precipitation most of the week and into Saturday in Baltimore.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

It appears nine horses will run in the Preakness.

Forecast calls for intermittent precipitation most of the week and into Saturday in Baltimore.

field has been drawn; Mystik Dan in post 5;

Preakness 149 | May, 2024 | Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes is an American thoroughbred horse race held on the third Saturday in May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

www.preakness.com

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

PREAKNESS STAKES

• What: The second leg of the Triple Crown
• Site: Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, MD.
• Date: Saturday, May 18, 2024.
• Edition: 149th.
• Cheat Sheet: 2024 Preakness Stakes Cheat Sheet: Get to Know the Horses
• TV:
  • CNBC and Peacock 1:30 pm ET
  • NBC and Peacock at 4:30 pm ET
  • FanDuel (formerly TVG) -- racing from multiple tracks

Race	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
1	$52,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 F	Turf	10	10:30 AM ET
2	$54,000	Allowance	1 1/16 M	Turf	10	11:05 AM ET
3	$54,000	Allowance	6 F	Dirt	7	11:41 AM ET
4	$100,000	Skipat S.	6 F	Dirt	7	12:16 PM ET
5	$52,000	Maiden Special Weight	5 F	Turf	11	12:51 PM ET
6	$200,000	Chick Lang S.	6 F	Dirt	8	1:28 PM ET
7	$100,000	Gallorette S.	1 1/16 M	Turf	9	2:08 PM ET
8	$100,000	Maryland Sprint S.	6 F	Dirt	7	2:48 PM ET
9	$100,000	James W. Murphy S.	1 M	Turf	12	3:30 PM ET
10	$100,000	Sir Barton S. sponsored by Brandon and Diannah Perry to Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance	1 1/16 M	Dirt	10	4:10 PM ET
11	$100,000	Jim McKay Turf Sprint S.	5 F	Turf	12	4:53 PM ET
12	$500,000	Dinner Party S.	1 1/8 M	Turf	12	5:52 PM ET
13	$2,000,000	Preakness S.	1 3/16 M	Dirt	9	7:01 PM ET
14	$58,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 1/16 M	Dirt	7	7:43 PM ET

Jockeys in the Preakness:

Name	Age	Place of Birth
Joe Bravo	52	New Jersey
Frankie Dettori	53	Italy
Tyler Gaffalione	29	Florida
Brian Hernandez, Jr.	38	Louisiana
Juan Hernandez	32	Mexico
Irad Ortiz, Jr.	31	Puerto Rico
Flavien Prat	31	France
Joel Rosario	39	Dominican Republic
Jaime Torres	25	Puerto Rico

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

So many great memories of this race. Maryland racing has been my favorite for decades. I'll be singing "Maryland, My Maryland" even if inwardly.

For two straight years, Philadelphia was the center of the Triple Crown universe. Smarty Jones and Afleet Alex.

2004:
"He's going to win by a colossal margin." "The Philly flyer."


My favorite Preakness Stakes:

2005:


Two quotes that should rank among the greats in any sports listings.

• "Jeremy Rose almost fell out of the saddle. A dramatic occurrence in the top of the stretch."
• "He's not anxious now, he is euphoric."

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Muth should be primed for the Preakness but if I can get good odds on Catching Freedom, he could be used in certain spots. Always rooting for the Derby winner as that would be good for the sport.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Woodbine (ON) Friday preview;

Daily Racing Form | Horse Racing - Bets, Entries, Results & PPs

Find all the latest horse racing coverage at Daily Racing Form, including bets, entries, results, and Past Performances (PPs). Visit DRF for expert insights!

www.drf.com

 

[GKJ]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Maryland cannot catch a break.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Dammit. Indiana canceled today due to heavy rains. Indiana had a superb card today with many prominent riders expected. Good track.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Cumberland Raceway midweek post 3:15; 14 races 3 NB;

First Tracks Cumberland – Maine Harness Racing

www.firsttrackscumberland.com

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Pimlico is off-the-turf tomorrow (Thursday).

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

No turf at Aqueduct, Delaware or Indiana today

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Stronach's Gulfstream handicappers st at Pimlico today. The main crew includes Samantha Perry and Ron Nicoletti. I haven't seen the Maryland personnel yet.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

What a way to start the Maryland long weekend. Brittany at 5-to-1. She is a goddess. Beats Kadri by a nose. Good job by the Russells.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Brittany! Good Girl Bad Habits.

Can't make this up.

2/3 today for the Russells.

Nice job.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Meadowlands starting 9 AM Saturday FS2

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The Pick 5 in New York was 1/1/1/1/1.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Meadowlands starting 9 AM Saturday FS2

Qualifiers? The regular race card is listed at 6:20 pm as usual.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Qualifiers? The regular race card is listed at 6:20 as usual.

9-11 pm or about 3 hours post Preakness featured race was Cutler;

Daily Racing Form | Horse Racing - Bets, Entries, Results & PPs

Find all the latest horse racing coverage at Daily Racing Form, including bets, entries, results, and Past Performances (PPs). Visit DRF for expert insights!

www.drf.com

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, May 16, 2024

• Off The Turf/No Turf: Not many options for turf players. Horseshoe Indiana, Belmont at Aqueduct, Delaware and Pimlico were off.

Belmont at Aqueduct (New York):

• Jose Lezcano-Linda Rice teamed for three straight winning races. They finished 4 3-0-1 as a duo.
• Race 1: Delightful Flame (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward), the only 2-year-old in the race with a prior start, won. JV-Ward are formidable with 2-year-olds and first-timers. Velazquez is 6 6-0-0 with 2-year-olds this year (IIRC, all for Ward). Johnny V. is 33% with first-timers this year. Ward is an astounding 20 11-1-0 with 2-year-olds in 2024 and 42% with first-time starters this year.

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• Race 5: Golden Degree (Jose Lezcano-Linda Rice) won by 32 lengths. An unfathomable distance even if the field was limited to four starters. What is the record at a NYRA track? Hmmmm. This is a 32-length win:

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• Race 8: Til There Was You (Katie Davis/Ray Handal) was the lone first-timer in the race and prevailed at 17-to-1. As I often state, lone first-timers oftentimes offer value as the unknown commodity. Sweet interview with the almost always affable Katie Davis who wished her hubby, fellow rider Trevor McCarthy a birthday greeting before departing for Maryland tomorrow. Olde tyme music fans could appreciate the horse's name as well.

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Delaware Park (Delaware):

• Ederick Robles won four times. He entered today with six lifetime wins in his first year riding in the States. I am unfamiliar with the rider though I believe he came from a riding school in Puerto Rico.

Pimlico (Maryland):

• Sheldon Russell-Brittany Russell teamed to go 3 2-0-1. The jockey only rode for his wife today. They keep chuggin' along. Great story.
• Race 2: B West (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) was frigid on the board at 5-to-1 likely due to a 291-day layoff. He excelled in the stretch and won in style after re-rallying which is generally a sign of a fighter. B West last raced July 30 and finished sixth. He was the youngest horse in the race at the age of 4. Kadri, who fell short, had as much as a 96% likelihood of winning per Maryland in-race graphic.

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• Race 6: Goodgirl Badhabits (Sheldon Russell/Brittany Russell) romped by five lengths. The 4-year-old filly is 4 3-0-0 lifetime with the lone loss coming in the Grade I Acorn at Belmont (NY). Perfect inside Maryland in three starts.

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Gulfstream (Florida):

• Edgard Zayas-Saffie Joseph teamed to win three straight races. The pair finished that perfect 3-for-3 mark today.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Interesting chart presented by Churchill Downs prior to tonight's races.

WHERE THE WINNERS ARE COMING FROM

• Keeneland is 9% (27 wins).
• Oaklawn is 14%.
• Turfway is 11.7%.
• Fair Grounds is 13.5%.
• Gulfstream is 9.3%.
• Churchill Downs/Ellis is 10.6% (interesting the tracks are combined).
• Santa Anita is 16%.
• Tampa Bay is 21.4%.
• Aqueduct is 0% (0-for-16).

Edited: With clarity.

 

[CHRDANHUTCH]

Interesting chart presented by Churchill Downs prior to tonight's races.

• Keeneland is 9% (27 wins).
• Oaklawn is 14%.
• Turfway is 11.7%.
• Fair Grounds is 13.5%.
• Gulfstream is 9.3%.
• Churchill Downs/Ellis is 10.6% (interesting the tracks are combined).
• Santa Anita is 16%.
• Tampa Bay is 21.4%.
• Aqueduct is 0% (0-for-16).

the reasoning was wasn't CD shuttered a bit last year while they investigated....hence why CD/Ellis are combined