Horse Racing: The end of 2022

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Aqueduct (New York):

• Handle: Near $7 million.
• Race 5: Brew Pub (Raul Mena/Marcelo Arenas) gave the trainer his second lifetime win and second in succession (11 sent out). The trainer worked many years under Gary Contessa and recently was under the direction of Leah Gyarmati after Contessa retired.
• Race 8: Kept Waiting (Manny Franco/Robert Falcone) won the $100,000 Broadway Stakes, her 5th win in 11 starts.
• Race 9: Prince of Joy (Jacqueline Davis/Ricardo Legall) won at 30-to-1. It was the rider's lone mount.

Tampa Bay Downs (Florida):

• Handle: Approximately $5 million.
• Race 9: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $33,000.
• Race 8: Three of the longest shots on the board contributed to a $.50 trifecta worth over $3,400.
• Race 2: Beautiful Tiz (Lexander Sanchez/Antonio Machado) gave the jockey his second lifetime win in North America. Far as I can tell, he hails from Venezuela which is where Javier Castellano and Junior Alvarado, among others were born.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $8.7 million.
• Repeat Winners; Tyler Gaffalione, Miguel Vasquez, Irad Ortiz, Jr. and Jose Ortiz.
• Race 10: Jose Ortiz and his brother Irad finished 1-2 on 12-1 and 9-1 shots, respectively. They should be mentioned among the all-time great brother acts in any sport when performing simultaneously. Multiple Eclipse Award winners, still young, and winning at all levels. Irad is more aggressive, but both have superior skills and are uncommonly successful.
• Replay Show:

​

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle: $5.5 million.
• Odds: The track is famous for high odds factoring. Today, 70-to-1 and 77-to-1 shots placed in consecutive races.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: $7 million.
• Early Post: 11:00 am PT.
• Race 8: $33,000+ for that $.50 Pick 5 at Santa Anita.
• John Velazquez had just two mounts the past three days and none today. Neither starter was for Bob Baffert either who sent out three at SA on Saturday. Odd.
• Ryan Curatolo had two mounts and both won. He returned to race-riding in the US last year after spending much of the past eight years overseas including Japan, Singapore, South Korea. Macau and Qatar. He is 30 years old and was born in France.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Current Kentucky Derby future pools. Sure, it is a gimmick to wager -- no refunds if the horse doesn't run -- but it can be an indication as to who is becoming the focus of handicappers. On the other side, the inflated odds can be attractive.

Mo Donegal deserves another chance in my eyes but Classic Causeway is still a hot commodity from yesterday's effort.

Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 3

Number	Horse (Trainer)	Odds	$2 Win Will Pays
1	Barber Road (John Ortiz)	63-1	$129.10
2	Call Me Midnight (Keith Desormeaux)	56-1	$115.20
3	Chasing Time (Steve Asmussen)	25-1	$52.80
4	Classic Causeway (Brian Lynch)	13-1	$28.20
5	Commandperformance (Todd Pletcher)	33-1	$69.80
6	Early Voting (Chad Brown)	19-1	$40.00
7	Emmanuel (Pletcher)	15-1	$32.60
8	Epicenter (Asmussen)	24-1	$51.20
9	Forbidden Kingdom (Richard Mandella)	18-1	$39.80
10	God of Love (Mark Cause)	61-1	$124.60
11	Happy Boy Rocket (Bill Mott)	61-1	$124.60
12	Howling Time (Dale Romans)	72-1	$146.80
13	In Due Time (Kelly Breen)	37-1	$76.80
14	Major General (Pletcher)	32-1	$66.00
15	Make It Big (Safe Joseph Jr.)	88-1	$178.20
16	Mo Donegal (Pletcher)	14-1	$31.80
17	Pappacap (Casse)	31-1	$64.00
18	Rattle N Roll (Kenny McPeek)	19-1	$41.40
19	Simplification (Antonio Sano)	43-1	$88.20
20	Slow Down Andy (Doug O’Neill)	23-1	$48.40
21	Smile Happy (McPeek)	8-1	$19.80
22	White Abarrio (Joseph)	18-1	$39.60
23	Zandon (Brown)	21-1	$44.40
24	”All other 3-Year-Olds”	2-1	$6.0

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Indiana Grand, which was once known as Indiana Downs, will be rebranded Horseshoe Indianapolis beginning with its 2022 meet which operates April 19-November 23.

Indiana has become one of the hottest racing areas in the Midwest. The facility set a record handle in 2021. The track opened in 2002 under its original name and then changed to its second name in 2009.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Golden Gate Fields (CA) will not operate Saturday, March 5. The owners of the track will switch that race day to Monday, March 7 in order to accommodate and emphasize the expected significant activity at Gulfstream (FL) and Santa Anita (CA). Stronach Group owns all three tracks.

Stronach will also offer a $5 million handicapping contest -- free-to-enter -- with the focus on the two tracks that day.

CNBC will air as many as seven races on March 5 among the 14 graded stakes combined that day. The Fountain of Youth at Gulfstream and the San Anita Handicap at Santa Anita are among the highlights. TFOY at Gulf is a Kentucky Derby prep as is the San Felipe Stakes which is run at Santa Anita.

Unrelated, tracks in Kentucky and New York also have Kentucky Derby preps that day.

Golden Gate would have likely got lost in the shuffle otherwise. Now, on a quieter Monday, it will get more attention.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Thursday, February 17, 2022

• A very light day of racing as many tracks will operate Friday through Monday to take advantage of the Presidents' Day holiday. Gulfstream and Fair Grounds were among the few large tracks to race today.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Chris Hartman's stable is electric. He is 9 7-1-1 since and including February 11 at both Fair Grounds and Oaklawn combined. He had won five in a row until a third-place finish today.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Friday, February 18, 2022

• Activity: unlike yesterday, today was action-packed with over a dozen track racing.

Aqueduct (New York):

• Race 8: The $.50 Pick 6 paid over $63,000.

Laurel (Maryland):

• The X-Man and Robb: Is there a hotter jockey-trainer combo on the east coast right now than Xavier Perez-John Robb? They won their first three times, of four, when teamed. Over 40% at last check. Robb is a terrific 33 15-7-4 (45%/79%) at the meet and his 15 victories is tops.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Tyler Gaffalione began his day with a natural hat trick and finished 6 4-1-0. He has six wins the past two days and has elevated himself to second most wins at the meet. Among the winners today was a 30-1 shot, a horse who raced at Meadowlands late last year.
• Race 5: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $22,000.
• Pick 6: The pool surpassed over a million and should reach that mark with ease tomorrow.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Ramon Vazquez rode four winners.
• Race 9: The $.50 Pick 5 paid over $59,000.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

NYRA (Aqueduct) schedule:

Saturday, February 19

FS2 1:00 - 6:30pm

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

TVG and TVG2 Broadcast Schedule for Saturday, February 19, 2022. All Posted Times are subject to change.

TVG 1
Track	Races	First Post Time (EST)
ZA - Turffontein	1 - 7	4:45 AM
FR - Agen La Garenne	1 - 4	6:05 AM
FR - Cagnes-Sur-Mer	1 - 7	7:23 AM
GB - Lingfield	1 - 7	7:50 AM
GB - Haydock Park	1 - 6	8:00 AM
GB - Ascot	1 - 6	8:15 AM
IE - Gowran	1 - 5	8:45 AM
Gulfstream Park	1 - 12	12:03 PM
Tampa Bay Downs	1 - 4	12:15 PM
Laurel Park	1 - 9	12:26 PM
Aqueduct	1 - 9	12:50 PM
Fair Grounds	1 - 13	1:02 PM
Oaklawn Park	1 - 3, 7 - 10	2:00 PM
Santa Anita	1 - 9	3:30 PM
Meadowlands	1 - 13	6:25 PM
Golden Gate Fields	7 - 9	6:54 PM
Turfway Park	4 - 8	7:46 PM
Sam Houston Race Park	1 - 9	7:56 PM
Los Alamitos	1 - 10	9:00 PM
Charles Town	7 - 8	10:05 PM
Japan - Tokyo RC	6 - 12	10:55 PM
Woodbine Mohawk Park	11 - 12	11:10 PM
Hong Kong Sha Tin	1 - 10	12:00 AM
AUA - Taree	7 - 8	12:45 AM
AUC - Launceston	4 - 8	12:50 AM
AUD - Pinjarra	4 - 8	1:15 AM
South Korea Seoul	9 - 11	3:05 AM
TVG 2
Track	Races	First Post Time (EST)
Mahoning Valley	3 - 4	1:10 PM
Tampa Bay Downs	3 - 10	1:13 PM
Laurel Park	3 - 10	1:33 PM
Oaklawn Park	1 - 10	2:00 PM
Delta Downs	1 - 3, 7 - 9	2:25 PM
Golden Gate Fields	1 - 7	3:45 PM
Sunland Park	8 - 9	5:31 PM
Turfway Park	1 - 5	6:15 PM
Meadowlands	1 - 4	6:25 PM
Woodbine Mohawk Park	1 - 10	7:00 PM
Charles Town	1 - 6	7:05 PM
Hawthorne	1 - 8	8:20 PM
Japan - Tokyo RC	3 - 6	9:05 PM
AUA - Taree	3 - 7	10:10 PM
AUB - Queanbeyan	3 - 7	10:25 PM
AUC - Launceston	1 - 4	11:00 PM
AUD - Pinjarra	1 - 3	11:27 PM

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[MiamiScreamingEagles]

NYRA currently has the following information on their website for the $20 million Saudi Cup which is the world's largest purse. I think that will be adjusted mid-week because by my transfer of times, the feature race will go off around 12:40 pm ET. Perhaps FS2 will broadcast the race if in fact FS1's coverage stops at 10:00 am ET. Simulcast feeds will certainly air it.

Aqueduct's first post will be 12:50 pm ET. Perhaps details are being finalized but the Saudi Cup will not be run prior to 10:00 am ET.

The field has yet to be said but among the US riders who could be headed to Saudi Arabia are Joel Rosario and Tyler Gaffalione.

Among trainers expected to bring horses from the US: Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox and Bill Mott.

Saturday, February 26

FS1 9:00 - 10:00am Saudi Cup FS2 1:00 - 7:00pm

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The third race at Fair Grounds has three Quality Road horses worth $2.3 million including a $1.5 million.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Wow. The $1.5 million horse failed but the other two figured in a $137 exacta. Box all three. Good handicapping.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Turnerloose (Geroux/Cox) was 17-to-1 at post time and defeated Goddess of Fire (Saez/Pletcher) at 15-to-1 at Fair Grounds race 12. The Rachel Alexandra was worth 50 points to the winner towards entry into the Kentucky Oaks.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Risen Star on deck...

 

[Marco 85]

He looked great in Post Parade.
Controlled the pace, drew off when asked and was under wraps at the end.
Definite Derby contender.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

He looked great in Post Parade.
Controlled the pace, drew off when asked and was under wraps at the end.
Definite Derby contender.

Let's see how he advances. The field today was supposedly strong and he was barely challenged.

 

[Marco 85]

Let's see how he advances. The field today was supposedly strong and he was barely challenged.

How do you think the Baffert situation works out?

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Aqueduct (New York):

• Dylan Clarke, a young trainer who plies his craft mainly at Finger Lakes (NY), finished 3 2-1-0. He won for the first time at the now-shuttered Suffolk Downs (MA) in 2014. This is likely among his biggest days ever.
• Trevor McCarthy rode three winners and elevated himself into a second-place tie among all riders at the meet.
• Rudy Rodriguez won three times. He stands a good chance of winning the trainers' title at the meet which ends March 27.
• Handle: About $8 million.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Handle: $3.3 million. A strong handle for the track.
• Card: Six of the ten races held purses $100,000 or more including two at $250,000.
• Victor Carrasco has been magnificent this meet with a 68 22-8-9 (32%/57%) mark and his victory total is tops. Carrasco is 295 this year, 16% lifetime. A renaissance for the 2013 Eclipse Award Apprentice of the Year rider.
• Xavier Perez-John Robb, a hot tandem, couldn't find victory today, going 4 0-2-1.
• Race 8: Glass Ceiling (Dylan Davis/Charlton Baker) won the Grade 3 $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Stakes. The connections are New York based. The mare tested Laurel for the first time.
• Race 9: Cordmaker (Victor Carrasco/Rodney Jenkins) withstood an objection-inquiry involving the longest shot on the board to win the Grade 3 $250,000 General George. Cordmaker has four stakes win in a row. The 7-year old won for the 14th time in 37 starts including 11 wins at Laurel.

​

Tampa Bay (Florida):

• Handle: $7 million.
• Samy Camacho added two wins to his meet-leading total which stands at 49.

Gulfstream (Florida):

• Handle: $12 million.
• Paco Lopez finished the afternoon with a natural hat trick as part of a 4-win day. His win total of 55 is third highest at the meet.
• Race 11: Miles Ahead (Paco Lopez/Eddie Plesa, Jr.) won the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint by a neck over Drain the Clock (Irad Ortiz, Jr./Saffie Joseph, Jr.). Considering the feud between Lopez and Ortiz from a few months ago, this must have been a rush for the winning rider.
• Pick 6: Exceeded $1.2 million.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Handle: Churchill Downs' properties generally don't release individual raceday handles but by one indication, today set a record for a Risen Star card. UPDATE: The estimated take was $20 million. The official track record for the Risen Star was $11.5 million.
• Card: Six of the 13 races held purses of $100,000 or more including three at $250k+. The highlight perhaps across America was the Risen Star which is a Kentucky Derby prep.
• Joel Rosario-Steve Asmussen combined to win the opener and finale, their lone wins of the day.
• Florent Geroux-Brad Cox, almost always formidable, won twice.
• Brian Hernandez, Jr-Dallas Stewart won twice as a team. One winner was sent off 18-to-1 and the other 35-to-1.
• Race 6: Strong Quality (Adam Beschizza/Mark Casse) won the MSW at 5-to-1. Scotland Yard (Jose Ortiz/Steve Asmussen) debuted to a place finish at 12-to-1. Vinco (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Dallas Stewart) finished last and was the highest purchase price of all runners at $1.5 million. The three were all sired by Quality Road and totaled $2.3 million in sales. The $2 exacta was a strong $137. Quality Road has proven to be a solid sire and earned over $2 million in a career that included a Florida Derby win and a potential favorite in the 2009 Kentucky Derby before being sidelined by injury.
• Race 10: Olympiad (Junior Alvarado/Bill Mott) won the Grade 3 $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes. Olympiad is 4-for-7 lifetime with three wins under Alvarado and clocked 1:42.01 which is the fastest 1 1/16-mile dirt race ever run at Fair Grounds. Olympiad also received a 102 Beyer. Fair Grounds has been in operation since 1872.

https://twitter.com/WorldRacing1/status/1495166163021611014

• Race 11: Calvary Charge (Brian Hernandez, Jr./Dallas Stewart) won the Grade 3 $150,000 Fair Grounds Stakes at the imposing odds of 35-to-1. The thrilling finish caught the attention of many.

​

• Race 12: Turnerloose (Florent Geroux/Brad Cox) won the Grade 2 $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and with it 50 points towards entry into the Kentucky Oaks.
• Race 13: Epicenter (Joel Rosario/Steve Asmussen) wired the field, won the Grade 2 $400,000 Risen Star Stakes with ease and with it 50 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby. Epicenter is 5 3-1-0 lifetime. Epicenter has now complied 64 points towards entry into the Kentucky Derby which is the highest total yet. He is a son to Not This Time and cost $260,000. The $.50 Pick 6 returned over $78,000.

​

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• Handle: $6.5 million.
• David Cabrera had a 4-win day and finished 7 4-2-0.
• Race 9: Happy Soul (John Velazquez/Wesley Ward) won the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes.

Fonner Park (Nebraska):

• Opening Day: The small track that made national headlines in 2020 as one of the few sports venues operating, and with much success at handling over $100 million over 40 days, opened today.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: Approximately $10 million.
• Flavien Prat was winless on the day until a natural hat trick with the final three races culminating with the Pasadena Stakes.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

How do you think the Baffert situation works out?

There are so many variables.

New York is claiming that due to Bob Baffert's household name status, that he is hurting business nationally and including through the NYRA website betting option. The court case was heard and a ruling yet to be made.

Fringe bettors think they will be or should be rewarded for losses if their horse is put up to victory after the fact. We know once a race is official then even a future displacement of purse money does nothing for the handicapper whose losing ticket is now a worthless win ticket. My longstanding point to the fringe player -- or even dedicated handicapper -- will you turn in your profit if you cash on a horse that is eventually displaced? Then I say after they pause "I didn't think so." We are all in that same boat.

Baffert's contention is that the same rules should apply universally and since he doesn't have any violations in New York. that state shouldn't bar him from their tracks and especially Belmont where any Baffert horse could not be eligible for the third leg of the Triple Crown. As we know, trainers apply and then granted or not licenses on a state-by-state basis.

Marcus Vitali is a little known New England trainer who was given a one-year suspension from Pennsylvania tracks due to violations in that state. Vitali has a court case in New York next month. His name has arisen as a comparison to Baffert.

With legal action ongoing in Kentucky regarding the Derby win of Medina Spirit, the ruling there is something of interest since Churchill Downs -- the business property -- banned Baffert from its tracks which includes Churchill and Fair Grounds (LA).

Owners will have to decide whether to remove Baffert from training their horses if said owners feel they have a potential Derby candidate. That is emphasized now that we get into the more important prep races and how the points system is awarded and needed to gain entry.

How will things turn out? If Baffert wins in Kentucky -- Medina Spirit is not DQ'd from the Derby win -- then he will plead to CD to be reinstated. If he loses, then it will get complicated. Eventual court cases will be heard at different levels including as far as the Supreme Court and that could take years. Maybe as much as five in the process. It is anyone's guess how a small-panel commission will vote in Kentucky. My guess is that KY will rule against Baffert. Remember, his claim with Medina Spirit is he rubbed a lotion that contained, unknowingly to him, a substance banned on race days. That may not fly because a trainer is ultimately responsible for the actions of his or her barn. Was it intentional or devious? I don't think so. Too many eyes are looking at him on Derby day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

The estimated Pick 6 jackpot for Santa Anita today is $5 million and it is a mandatory payout.

Race #	Purse	Race Type	Distance	Surface	Starters	Est. Post
Race 1	$69,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	1 Mile	Turf	5	12:30 PM PT
Race 2	$39,000	Maiden Claiming	6 Furlongs	Dirt	5	1:02 PM PT
Race 3	$34,000	Claiming	7 Furlongs	Dirt	6	1:35 PM PT
Race 4	$67,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 1/2 Furlongs	Turf	10	2:10 PM PT
Race 5	$24,000	Claiming	5 1/2 Furlongs	Dirt	8	2:43 PM PT
Race 6	$42,000	Maiden Claiming	1 Mile	Turf	7	3:15 PM PT
Race 7	$69,000	Allowance Optional Claiming	7 Furlongs	Dirt	10	3:47 PM PT
Race 8	$100,000	San Simeon S.	About 6 1/2 Furlongs	Downhill turf	8	4:19 PM PT
Race 9	$67,000	Maiden Special Weight	6 Furlongs	Turf	9	4:51 PM PT

[TBODY] [/TBODY]
[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Since Churchill Downs usually does not reveal individual day handles, the estimated take for Saturday's Risen Star card at Fair Grounds (LA) was approximated at $20 million. The record for any Risen Star card was $11.5 million. Until that is confirmed, the FG handle on Saturday obliterated the track record for that race day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Sunday, February 21, 2022

Aqueduct (New York):

• Eric Cancel had a trio of wins in successive mounts amid a 5-race day.

Laurel (Maryland):

• Handle: The past two days, Laurel handed over $5 million. A good take.
• Race 7: Princess Kokachin (Xavier Perez/John Robb) was sent off at 1-to-5 but honored those odds with a gate-to-wire win at more than six lengths. She is 15 8-3-1 lifetime and that includes a brilliant 8 6-1-1 mark at Laurel. The jockey-trainer connection is sizzling as a tandem. Robb has been training since the 1970s and very well could be the meet's leading trainer when it ends on March 27. Currently, he has a 4-win lead over closest challenger Jamie Ness and six more than Claudio Gonzalez who has become Mr. Maryland in recent years.

​

Gulfstream Park (Florida):

• Handle: $10.7 million.

Fair Grounds (Louisiana):

• Colby Hernandez upped his meet lead to two victories over James Graham in a close battle for rider supremacy. The meet concludes March 27.

Santa Anita (California):

• Handle: $15 million.
• Pick 6: Over $5.6 million in the pool on mandatory payout day.
• Barraza (Daisuke Fukumoto/Vladimir Cerin) won the $100,000 Grade 3 San Simeone Stakes. A son to Into Mischief, the colt is 13 5-1-2 lifetime but has now won four in a row. The rider picked up the mount from John Velazquez whose mother-in-law passed away and thus he was off his mounts. Fukumoto is based at Woodbine (ON) but has wintered in southern Cal. He has won just three of 34 mounts and one came in Arizona.

​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Monday, February 21, 2022

• Holiday: Many of the major tracks are running this holiday Monday; however, exceptions include both Florida tracks as Gulfstream and Tampa Bay are dark.

Oaklawn (Arkansas):

• David Cabrera rode winners in the first four races en route to a 4-win day.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Baffert issued 90 days and a DQ in the 2021 Derby. As stated above, ultimately a trainer is responsible for his or her barn. I would imagine he appeals.

EDIT: Now with a little context...

Attorney: Baffert is ‘very upset’ with DQ of Medina Spirit

In addition to a $7,500 fine, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission suspended Baffert for a 90-day period that covers March 8-June 5. Because other racing jurisdictions routinely honor suspensions from other states, that would cover the entire Triple Crown series in Kentucky, Maryland and New York. But Robertson promised an immediate appeal, which could set aside that part of the penalty.

“The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission will appoint a hearing officer to oversee the case,” Robertson said. “Some type of general schedule will be put in place that will allow the parties to engage in some discovery, exchange documents, take some depositions with the goal of an ultimate hearing in front of that hearing officer sometime down the road. My guess is several months down the road.”

There is also the matter of the two-year ban that Churchill Downs Inc. imposed on Baffert and his stable, keeping him from qualifying his horses for this year’s Kentucky Derby and Oaks. Baffert is expected to appeal that, too, but that matter is in the hands of his Oklahoma-based attorney Clark Brewster, who was not available for immediate comment Monday afternoon.​

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Fox Sports 2 will have coverage of the racing from Saudi Arabia on Saturday from 8:00 am ET until 1:00 pm ET. The feature race should go off at 12:40 pm ET.

Entries will be announced later in the week.

Per HorseracingNation.com, the following horses are listed as probable:

Aero Trem	A. Pereira
Art Collector	W. Mott
Country Grammer	B. Baffert
Emblem Road	A. Wahed
Happy Saver	T. Pletcher
Making Miracles	A. Wahed
Mandaloun	B. Cox
Marche Lorraine	Y. Yahagi
Midnight Bourbon	S. Asmussen
Mishriff	J. Gosden
Sealiway	F. Graffard
T O Keynes	D. Takayanagi

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Significant news from Virginia in that Churchill Downs has purchased Colonial Downs for close to $3 billion.

Colonial Downs, which opened in 1997, closed in 2013/14 but has rebounded the past three years. CD isn't always the best friend to horse racing but this could boost a small summer track depending on the details. Arlington, Calder, Hollywood have been buried by CD. Hopefully they do the right thing here.

EDIT: The initial details are now published: $2.5 billion for various properties including the racetrack and historical horse racing venues which are popular in some segments of the U.S and Virginia is one spot. The racetrack will open July 11 and have 27 racing dates in 2022, up from 21 in 2021.

 

[MiamiScreamingEagles]

Favorites won only 19% of the time on turf last week in North America. Not many tracks run turf this time of the year but especially at Tampa Bay was chalk erased.