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Belmont Stakes winner Union Rags has been retired because of a tendon injury in his left front leg. The announcement on Saturday came a week after the colt’s veterinarian had said he would be out with the injury but that his prognosis was “excellent” for a return to the races next year.
Russell Jones, bloodstock adviser to the colt’s owner Phyllis Wyeth, says Union Rags is “a pretty attractive stallion prospect” and that there has been a high level of interest in the horse with his retirement.
Trained by Michael Matz, Union Rags won the Saratoga Special as a 2-year-old, the Champagne Stakes and was beaten by a head by Hansen after a troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
As a 3-year-old, he won the Fountain of Youth Stakes, finished third in the Florida Derby and seventh in the Kentucky Derby after being squeezed at the start of this year’s race.
The colt skipped the Preakness and then won the 1 1/2-mile Belmont after wearing down pacesetter Paynter to take the final leg of the Triple Crown under jockey John Velazquez.
Jones said no decision has been made on where Union Rags will stand as a stallion, but he said Wyeth prefers the horse remain in the U.S.
Read More: The Times Herald - HORSE RACING: Belmont winner Union Rags retires
Russell Jones, bloodstock adviser to the colt’s owner Phyllis Wyeth, says Union Rags is “a pretty attractive stallion prospect” and that there has been a high level of interest in the horse with his retirement.
Trained by Michael Matz, Union Rags won the Saratoga Special as a 2-year-old, the Champagne Stakes and was beaten by a head by Hansen after a troubled trip in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.
As a 3-year-old, he won the Fountain of Youth Stakes, finished third in the Florida Derby and seventh in the Kentucky Derby after being squeezed at the start of this year’s race.
The colt skipped the Preakness and then won the 1 1/2-mile Belmont after wearing down pacesetter Paynter to take the final leg of the Triple Crown under jockey John Velazquez.
Jones said no decision has been made on where Union Rags will stand as a stallion, but he said Wyeth prefers the horse remain in the U.S.
Read More: The Times Herald - HORSE RACING: Belmont winner Union Rags retires
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Ramon Dominguez, the reigning two-time Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey, joined Hall of Famer John Velazquez July 22 as the only riders in the 144-year history of Saratoga Race Course to win six races on a single card.
"I am very excited. Coming into today, I looked at the program and was very excited about my chances," said Dominguez, who won on six of seven mounts. "We all know luck is a big factor. Everything clicked into place. I am very happy to win six races. At Saratoga, it's anybody's dream. This is a place you want to do it, for sure.
"It doesn't get any better than this," he added. "I give my agent [Steve Rushing] all the credit in the world. He puts me in the position to do this consistently and do well. Then again, if you ask him, he will give all the credit to the trainers and the owners, and rightly so. I am very happy people support me."
Dominguez swept the early Daily Double ($14) with Paper Plane ($8.30), who held on by a neck, and favored Summer Front ($2.90), the authoritative winner of the Duluth overnight stakes. Without a mount in race 3, Dominguez returned to the winner's circle in race 4 with Rigby ($9.40) before suffering his only defeat when Current Design fell a length short as the even-money favorite in race 5.
Read More: Dominguez gets six wins Sunday at Saratoga - ESPN
"I am very excited. Coming into today, I looked at the program and was very excited about my chances," said Dominguez, who won on six of seven mounts. "We all know luck is a big factor. Everything clicked into place. I am very happy to win six races. At Saratoga, it's anybody's dream. This is a place you want to do it, for sure.
"It doesn't get any better than this," he added. "I give my agent [Steve Rushing] all the credit in the world. He puts me in the position to do this consistently and do well. Then again, if you ask him, he will give all the credit to the trainers and the owners, and rightly so. I am very happy people support me."
Dominguez swept the early Daily Double ($14) with Paper Plane ($8.30), who held on by a neck, and favored Summer Front ($2.90), the authoritative winner of the Duluth overnight stakes. Without a mount in race 3, Dominguez returned to the winner's circle in race 4 with Rigby ($9.40) before suffering his only defeat when Current Design fell a length short as the even-money favorite in race 5.
Read More: Dominguez gets six wins Sunday at Saratoga - ESPN
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Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of people involved with the Ontario horse racing industry. I have visited horse tracks from Windsor to Kawartha and from Fort Erie to Sudbury. One thing I have heard at every stop is that Dalton McGuinty and Liberal Finance Minister Dwight Duncan’s decision to end the successful slots-at-racetracks agreement marked the beginning of the end for Ontario’s horse racing industry and with it over 60,000 direct or indirect jobs (at a time when we already have 600,000 unemployed men and women here in Ontario).
Read More: ‘McGuinty Government Puts Horse Racing on March to Death
Read More: ‘McGuinty Government Puts Horse Racing on March to Death
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A horse that never posed in the winner’s circle is living the good life this summer on a scenic Kentucky farm, and his losses could mean a big win for retired thoroughbreds.
Zippy Chippy belied his name during a remarkable winless streak, failing to win even any of his 100 starts during a career at track in the Northeast. His futility earned the hapless loser a spot on People magazine’s list of the most interesting personalities. Now, the 21-year-old dark brown gelding who last raced in 2004 has emerged from the pack as a lovable ambassador for the humane treatment of old horses no longer able to bring in money from racing or breeding to pay their feed and veterinarian bills.
Read More: 1 of horse racing’s biggest losers could become a bread-winner for retired thoroughbreds - The Washington Post
Zippy Chippy belied his name during a remarkable winless streak, failing to win even any of his 100 starts during a career at track in the Northeast. His futility earned the hapless loser a spot on People magazine’s list of the most interesting personalities. Now, the 21-year-old dark brown gelding who last raced in 2004 has emerged from the pack as a lovable ambassador for the humane treatment of old horses no longer able to bring in money from racing or breeding to pay their feed and veterinarian bills.
Read More: 1 of horse racing’s biggest losers could become a bread-winner for retired thoroughbreds - The Washington Post
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A new five-year multi-million pound deal between QIPCO and the British Champions Series which begins with the 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile is great news for horse racing and Newmarket Racecourses.
The series is only into its second year but it has already strengthened the global attraction of the sport.
The annual launch at Newmarket – as well as the series races during the Piper-Heidsieck July Festival – focuses the sporting spotlight on the east of England.
The new agreement also means that a £4 million British Champions Day is on the horizon in 2016.
Newmarket Racecourses’ central role and its commitment to the sport are also reflected in our increasing promotion behind Dubai Future Champions Day in the autumn – which this year is on Saturday, October 13.
Read More: Cambridge Horse Racing | Cambridgeshire Horse Racing News, Fixtures & Race Updates | New deal for racing is great for Newmarket
The series is only into its second year but it has already strengthened the global attraction of the sport.
The annual launch at Newmarket – as well as the series races during the Piper-Heidsieck July Festival – focuses the sporting spotlight on the east of England.
The new agreement also means that a £4 million British Champions Day is on the horizon in 2016.
Newmarket Racecourses’ central role and its commitment to the sport are also reflected in our increasing promotion behind Dubai Future Champions Day in the autumn – which this year is on Saturday, October 13.
Read More: Cambridge Horse Racing | Cambridgeshire Horse Racing News, Fixtures & Race Updates | New deal for racing is great for Newmarket
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The last race meeting before the summer break will be held on Friday, with a seven race, all-trot card starting at 7pm.
The programme consists exclusively of finals from the Summer Championship all over a 2,140m distance, with a final for each class, plus Consolation Finals for the Silver and Bronze classes.
The highlight of the programme is naturally the Premier class final including eight French and four Swedish participants, aged between 7 and 13 years.
These include some of Malta’s best performers, such as VOB Cup winner Label Chouan, Milord Barbes, which placed in both the Prix de Vincennes and VOB Cup finals, Oviedo Vici which holds the best time on the distance this year, recent newcomers Shakira Trot and Power Night Star winners of their races in Malta so far and Op Le Cosseen, finalist in both the Sette Giugno and VOB Cup finals.
Read More: INDEPENDENT online
The programme consists exclusively of finals from the Summer Championship all over a 2,140m distance, with a final for each class, plus Consolation Finals for the Silver and Bronze classes.
The highlight of the programme is naturally the Premier class final including eight French and four Swedish participants, aged between 7 and 13 years.
These include some of Malta’s best performers, such as VOB Cup winner Label Chouan, Milord Barbes, which placed in both the Prix de Vincennes and VOB Cup finals, Oviedo Vici which holds the best time on the distance this year, recent newcomers Shakira Trot and Power Night Star winners of their races in Malta so far and Op Le Cosseen, finalist in both the Sette Giugno and VOB Cup finals.
Read More: INDEPENDENT online
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Cantor Gaming® and Horse Racing United today announced they have entered into an exclusive provisional agreement under which Cantor Gaming, subject to pending state legislature approval, would provide Horse Racing United the technology and supporting infrastructure required for a world-class intrastate Internet poker platform, capable of offering online poker wagering to registered players in the State of California.
Read more here: Cantor Gaming Selected By California's Horse Racing United To Provide Technological And Infrastructure Expertise To Support Online Poker Platform - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee
Read more here: Cantor Gaming Selected By California's Horse Racing United To Provide Technological And Infrastructure Expertise To Support Online Poker Platform - PR Newswire - The Sacramento Bee
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Much has been written about the Ontario government’s decision to end the Slots At Racetracks program, but this past week the horse racing industry stepped forward with its own resourceful plan on how to sustain itself.
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association issued its Plan For The Future Of The Ontario Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.
The principle architect behind it was Stanley Sadinsky, former chair of the Ontario Racing Commission, but far more importantly one of the very best minds available in matters of public policy in the province. To say he is respected understates the appreciation he commands in the Ontario government corridors.
Sadinsky and his team quite rightly worked from the assumption that horse racing is at a zero base. Come March 31, 2013, the stream of revenue from slot machines at the race tracks will end.
While a completely flawed strategy to generate additional revenue for the Liberal government, it was completely within the legal rights of Premier Dalton McGuinty to end the program.
The word is that now the government does realize the err of its ways, was fed a bill of goods by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming, and just wishes the whole affair would go away — or a face-saving solution arrived at.
And that is where this new racing plan begins. The plan in effect challenges the government with a single question: Does the government want the horse racing and breeding industry to survive in the public interest?
It would be hard to fathom that this government or any government would answer no, but how to structure it in a cost-effective way is the debate.
Read More: TheSpec - Horse racing industry offers alternative plan
The Ontario Horse Racing Industry Association issued its Plan For The Future Of The Ontario Horse Racing and Breeding Industry.
The principle architect behind it was Stanley Sadinsky, former chair of the Ontario Racing Commission, but far more importantly one of the very best minds available in matters of public policy in the province. To say he is respected understates the appreciation he commands in the Ontario government corridors.
Sadinsky and his team quite rightly worked from the assumption that horse racing is at a zero base. Come March 31, 2013, the stream of revenue from slot machines at the race tracks will end.
While a completely flawed strategy to generate additional revenue for the Liberal government, it was completely within the legal rights of Premier Dalton McGuinty to end the program.
The word is that now the government does realize the err of its ways, was fed a bill of goods by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming, and just wishes the whole affair would go away — or a face-saving solution arrived at.
And that is where this new racing plan begins. The plan in effect challenges the government with a single question: Does the government want the horse racing and breeding industry to survive in the public interest?
It would be hard to fathom that this government or any government would answer no, but how to structure it in a cost-effective way is the debate.
Read More: TheSpec - Horse racing industry offers alternative plan
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This is usually when the unofficial second half of the 3-year-old thoroughbred season begins, with established stars and late bloomers casting on eye on year-end honors.
That’s what Monmouth Park’s Haskell Invitational has become recently — a new starting point on the thoroughbred calendar.
This year, though, is different.
“There are some things you just can’t control,” said Bob Kulina, president of the Darby Development group that now operates the Shore racetrack.
Injuries, for one. And losing the two horses that accounted for all three Triple Crown victories to early retirement, for another.
So as a field of six heads postward in today’s $1 million, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, it will do so with the collective knowledge that the winner will likely be a very good racehorse. Just not a champion.
I’ll Have Another, who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Santa Anita Derby before being retired to an injury the day before his bid for a Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont Stakes, appears to have the top 3-year-old honor locked up.
Read More: Haskell Invitational an open race as field weakened with lack of top horses | NJ-com
That’s what Monmouth Park’s Haskell Invitational has become recently — a new starting point on the thoroughbred calendar.
This year, though, is different.
“There are some things you just can’t control,” said Bob Kulina, president of the Darby Development group that now operates the Shore racetrack.
Injuries, for one. And losing the two horses that accounted for all three Triple Crown victories to early retirement, for another.
So as a field of six heads postward in today’s $1 million, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, it will do so with the collective knowledge that the winner will likely be a very good racehorse. Just not a champion.
I’ll Have Another, who won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Santa Anita Derby before being retired to an injury the day before his bid for a Triple Crown sweep in the Belmont Stakes, appears to have the top 3-year-old honor locked up.
Read More: Haskell Invitational an open race as field weakened with lack of top horses | NJ-com
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This Wednesday, August 1, is annual celebration known as the horse’s birthday. In horse racing, it is the day which marks the start of the new racing season as each galloper ages by one year.
As the 2011/2012 racing season comes to an end, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the highlights of the past 12 months.
In this article, I have compiled my top 10 moments for this racing season. As with every list, it is a subjective exercise – it is merely my opinion. I would love to hear your thoughts about your top moments for the racing season.
Here are my top 10 moments (and an honourable mention) for 2011/2012:
Read More: www-theroar-com-au/2012/07/30/horse-racing-top-10-highlights-of-the-20112012-season/
As the 2011/2012 racing season comes to an end, it is the perfect opportunity to reflect on the highlights of the past 12 months.
In this article, I have compiled my top 10 moments for this racing season. As with every list, it is a subjective exercise – it is merely my opinion. I would love to hear your thoughts about your top moments for the racing season.
Here are my top 10 moments (and an honourable mention) for 2011/2012:
Read More: www-theroar-com-au/2012/07/30/horse-racing-top-10-highlights-of-the-20112012-season/
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Slowly but surely, jockey John Velazquez is getting back in the groove.
By the time he's inducted into thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame on Aug. 10, the two-time Eclipse Award winner hopes to be riding full time again after breaking a collarbone, lacerating a kidney and injuring two vertebrae in a frightening spill at Churchill Downs on June 16.
Less than a month later, though, he was back exercising horses in the mornings. He returned to competitive riding July 25 at Saratoga Race Course, finishing fourth in each of the two races in which he was entered.
"I'm getting there," Velazquez said recently outside the jocks room at Saratoga. "The plan has been to ride a few races each day since coming back until I get strong enough to ride a full card."
Velazquez was aboard Mr. Producer at Churchill Downs last month when the colt's left front leg snapped while racing in second place at the top of the stretch, dumping the jockey and setting off a three-horse spill.
Read More: Jockey Velazquez back in the saddle again | saddle, sarataoga, capsules - Horse Racing Capsules - Brownsville Herald
By the time he's inducted into thoroughbred racing's Hall of Fame on Aug. 10, the two-time Eclipse Award winner hopes to be riding full time again after breaking a collarbone, lacerating a kidney and injuring two vertebrae in a frightening spill at Churchill Downs on June 16.
Less than a month later, though, he was back exercising horses in the mornings. He returned to competitive riding July 25 at Saratoga Race Course, finishing fourth in each of the two races in which he was entered.
"I'm getting there," Velazquez said recently outside the jocks room at Saratoga. "The plan has been to ride a few races each day since coming back until I get strong enough to ride a full card."
Velazquez was aboard Mr. Producer at Churchill Downs last month when the colt's left front leg snapped while racing in second place at the top of the stretch, dumping the jockey and setting off a three-horse spill.
Read More: Jockey Velazquez back in the saddle again | saddle, sarataoga, capsules - Horse Racing Capsules - Brownsville Herald
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The political and legal status of online gambling in the USA continues to entertain and disturb those who would like to see resolution to this issue. California has been taking two steps forward and one step back in its efforts to find consensus. As it stands there are many reasons the State has not legalized online gambling and many other reasons it should. Political leaders seem to understand the financial benefits are enormous and the revenues generated by taxation and regulatory fees could help the economy in many ways.
Anticipating the eventuality of legal online gambling in the state, Cantor Gaming, the sports wagering division of the global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald has signed an exclusive provisional agreement with Horse Racing United.
Read More: Cantor Gaming Signs With Horse Racing United for Online Poker Platform
Anticipating the eventuality of legal online gambling in the state, Cantor Gaming, the sports wagering division of the global financial services firm Cantor Fitzgerald has signed an exclusive provisional agreement with Horse Racing United.
Read More: Cantor Gaming Signs With Horse Racing United for Online Poker Platform
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Up until Sunday, Paynter was a horse with potential and nothing more. His biggest win had come in an allowance race at Pimlico, hardly the stuff of stardom.
That all changed in an instant at Monmouth Park, where he crushed five rivals to win the $1 million Haskell by 3 ¾ lengths. What we have now is a Grade 1 winner who is clearly the best healthy horse in his division, albeit a decimated division.
"He came here and showed the world that he is a serious horse," trainer Bob Baffert said after his sixth Haskell win.
What Baffert didn't say is that his horse finally grew up, that on this day he went from a prospect to legitimate star. It just took some time.
Baffert has said that he was always high on Paynter, but he couldn't get him to the races until February of this year. He won that day, but it forced Baffert's hand. With a horse that talented and with the Kentucky Derby less than three months away, he had to play a serious game of catch-up. Baffert went from the 5 ½-furlong maiden win to the Santa Anita Derby and it turned out to be too much to ask, even for a horse this capable. From there, he went into the Derby Trial, followed by the Pimlico allowance, making three starts within a six-week period, something no trainer ever wants to do in this day and age.
Read More: Bill Finley: A serious horse - ESPN
That all changed in an instant at Monmouth Park, where he crushed five rivals to win the $1 million Haskell by 3 ¾ lengths. What we have now is a Grade 1 winner who is clearly the best healthy horse in his division, albeit a decimated division.
"He came here and showed the world that he is a serious horse," trainer Bob Baffert said after his sixth Haskell win.
What Baffert didn't say is that his horse finally grew up, that on this day he went from a prospect to legitimate star. It just took some time.
Baffert has said that he was always high on Paynter, but he couldn't get him to the races until February of this year. He won that day, but it forced Baffert's hand. With a horse that talented and with the Kentucky Derby less than three months away, he had to play a serious game of catch-up. Baffert went from the 5 ½-furlong maiden win to the Santa Anita Derby and it turned out to be too much to ask, even for a horse this capable. From there, he went into the Derby Trial, followed by the Pimlico allowance, making three starts within a six-week period, something no trainer ever wants to do in this day and age.
Read More: Bill Finley: A serious horse - ESPN
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The head of a secretive "Punters Club" which uses sophisticated software to make thousands of calculated online bets across the globe each day, allegedly made more than $36 million over three years from the venture but did not declare a single cent of it to the Australian Taxation Office, court documents reveal.
The Tax Office is pursuing Zeljko Ranogajec - who now calls London's 1 Hyde Park apartments home - over the millions of dollars in profits he secured as the biggest stakeholder in the 17-member club between 2004 and 2006.
The Tax Office argues that the club is effectively a multinational business and has launched proceedings against a number of members. These include the high-profile owner of Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, David Walsh.
Set up in 1987 by a group of ex-maths students from the University of Tasmania, the club is a highly sophisticated operation that uses complex algorithms to calculate the odds in thousands of horse and greyhound races, the Tax Office says.
Through a series of subsidiary companies, it then places millions of bets a year on sporting events all over the world, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The details of Mr Ranogajec's takings from the club were revealed in Federal Court documents filed this week.
Read More: $36m in profits: gambling business just a hobby, ATO told - Metro & Regional - National - General - The Land
The Tax Office is pursuing Zeljko Ranogajec - who now calls London's 1 Hyde Park apartments home - over the millions of dollars in profits he secured as the biggest stakeholder in the 17-member club between 2004 and 2006.
The Tax Office argues that the club is effectively a multinational business and has launched proceedings against a number of members. These include the high-profile owner of Tasmania's Museum of Old and New Art, David Walsh.
Set up in 1987 by a group of ex-maths students from the University of Tasmania, the club is a highly sophisticated operation that uses complex algorithms to calculate the odds in thousands of horse and greyhound races, the Tax Office says.
Through a series of subsidiary companies, it then places millions of bets a year on sporting events all over the world, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The details of Mr Ranogajec's takings from the club were revealed in Federal Court documents filed this week.
Read More: $36m in profits: gambling business just a hobby, ATO told - Metro & Regional - National - General - The Land
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A new grassroots organization that opposes use of medication on race day wants involvement by the federal government in horse racing.
The Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA), was founded in May by Arthur and Staci Hancock; Gretchen and Roy Jackson; and George Strawbridge Jr., according to a July 31 release. Three of the founders—Arthur Hancock, Gretchen Jackson, and Strawbridge—testified during a congressional hearing held in late April in Pennsylvania.
"The alliance was formed by a group of Thoroughbred owners who are tired of the drugs, both legal and illegal, given on race day," Gretchen Jackson said. "It is our goal to create a win-win situation for those who love the sport and the horses."
"The time has come to accept the federal government's offer to help us clean up our sport," Arthur Hancock said. "We need to work with them, not against them, if we are serious. This is what the Water Hay Oats Alliance is all about—working for clean racing and a better future for our horses, our jockeys, our sport, and the next generation."
Read More: The Horse | Group Wants Act to Regulate Horse Racing Medication
The Water Hay Oats Alliance (WHOA), was founded in May by Arthur and Staci Hancock; Gretchen and Roy Jackson; and George Strawbridge Jr., according to a July 31 release. Three of the founders—Arthur Hancock, Gretchen Jackson, and Strawbridge—testified during a congressional hearing held in late April in Pennsylvania.
"The alliance was formed by a group of Thoroughbred owners who are tired of the drugs, both legal and illegal, given on race day," Gretchen Jackson said. "It is our goal to create a win-win situation for those who love the sport and the horses."
"The time has come to accept the federal government's offer to help us clean up our sport," Arthur Hancock said. "We need to work with them, not against them, if we are serious. This is what the Water Hay Oats Alliance is all about—working for clean racing and a better future for our horses, our jockeys, our sport, and the next generation."
Read More: The Horse | Group Wants Act to Regulate Horse Racing Medication
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Saratoga Race Course will be the place for Grade 1 stakes action this weekend when three-year-olds and up compete at the 84th running of the $750,000 Whitney Handicap. As it has for a few years, the Whitney Handicap will give the winner a win-and-you're-in option into the Breeders’ Cup Classic later in November.
Sign up at Bovada NOW and deposit for your 20% Free Bet bonus up to $100.
The field of the Whitney Handicap is shaping up to offer a few interesting betting options.
Bill Mott-trained Ron the Greek is coming off an inspired win in the Stephen Foster Handicap on June 16 and should get a lot of attention from the handicappers. The win already solidified his birth in the Classic, and the five-year-old son of Full Mandate has not finished worse than second in his last seven races. He should definitely be considered as one of the favorites on Saturday.
WinStar Farm’s Rule is coming off a victory in the Monmouth Cup following a nine-month layoff. His two wins in his last four races has shown a return to the form that he displayed as a three-year old that won four straight races. On July 29 he was clocked over five furlongs at 1:02.35 on the Oklahoma track.
Stuart Janney-trained Hymn Book is coming off an impressive performance in the Suburban Handicap on July 7 that saw him rally from last to second, and was recently clocked at :50.22 over a half-mile. He could pay well as part of an exotic or a show bet.
The other Todd Pletcher horse to watch is the June 9 True North-G2 winner Caixa Electronica. The son of Arromanches also took down the $1 Million Charles Town Classic back in April, but will be coming off only a two-week rest. He did not breeze but still looks like a good option.
Get your horse racing odds for this week right now at Bovada. Raise Your Game.
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The field of the Whitney Handicap is shaping up to offer a few interesting betting options.
Bill Mott-trained Ron the Greek is coming off an inspired win in the Stephen Foster Handicap on June 16 and should get a lot of attention from the handicappers. The win already solidified his birth in the Classic, and the five-year-old son of Full Mandate has not finished worse than second in his last seven races. He should definitely be considered as one of the favorites on Saturday.
WinStar Farm’s Rule is coming off a victory in the Monmouth Cup following a nine-month layoff. His two wins in his last four races has shown a return to the form that he displayed as a three-year old that won four straight races. On July 29 he was clocked over five furlongs at 1:02.35 on the Oklahoma track.
Stuart Janney-trained Hymn Book is coming off an impressive performance in the Suburban Handicap on July 7 that saw him rally from last to second, and was recently clocked at :50.22 over a half-mile. He could pay well as part of an exotic or a show bet.
The other Todd Pletcher horse to watch is the June 9 True North-G2 winner Caixa Electronica. The son of Arromanches also took down the $1 Million Charles Town Classic back in April, but will be coming off only a two-week rest. He did not breeze but still looks like a good option.
Get your horse racing odds for this week right now at Bovada. Raise Your Game.
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A year ago, Linda Toscano was set to make history. She was destined to become the first female trainer to ever win the Hambletonian, the granddaddy of all harness races.
Toscano, a native of Brooklyn who started attending harness races some 40 years ago when her father would take her to Roosevelt and Yonkers raceways, trained Chapter Seven, one of the favorites to win the 2011 Hambletonian.
It all seemed in place. Things were good.
But her horse trotted home fourth.
“We were really dealing with a sick horse,” Toscano said of Chapter Seven. “In getting ready for the race, we realized that he was sick. I thought that was it. I figured I’d never get another chance.”
Read More: HORSE RACING: Trainer Toscano takes run at Hambletonian history - Herkimer, NY - The Times
Toscano, a native of Brooklyn who started attending harness races some 40 years ago when her father would take her to Roosevelt and Yonkers raceways, trained Chapter Seven, one of the favorites to win the 2011 Hambletonian.
It all seemed in place. Things were good.
But her horse trotted home fourth.
“We were really dealing with a sick horse,” Toscano said of Chapter Seven. “In getting ready for the race, we realized that he was sick. I thought that was it. I figured I’d never get another chance.”
Read More: HORSE RACING: Trainer Toscano takes run at Hambletonian history - Herkimer, NY - The Times
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A number of top horseracing identities are reportedly being investigated by Victorian police for alleged race fixing.
Nikolic is one of several well-known racing identities under investigation by Victorian organised crime detectives for allegedly conspiring to fix the outcome of a race involving a horse named Smoking Aces last year, Fairfax reports, following a joint Fairfax/Four Corners investigation.
It is believed two jockeys rode in a way that would reduce the chances of the race favourites winning while favouring the chances of Smoking Aces.
The suspected race fix, understood to have produced betting returns of up to $200,000, was uncovered during the investigation into the murder of former trainer Les Samba, who was shot dead in February last year.
Police on Monday will announce a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
Read More: Sky News: Horseracing figures in race fix probe
Nikolic is one of several well-known racing identities under investigation by Victorian organised crime detectives for allegedly conspiring to fix the outcome of a race involving a horse named Smoking Aces last year, Fairfax reports, following a joint Fairfax/Four Corners investigation.
It is believed two jockeys rode in a way that would reduce the chances of the race favourites winning while favouring the chances of Smoking Aces.
The suspected race fix, understood to have produced betting returns of up to $200,000, was uncovered during the investigation into the murder of former trainer Les Samba, who was shot dead in February last year.
Police on Monday will announce a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of the killers.
Read More: Sky News: Horseracing figures in race fix probe
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2006/12/07
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On Friday, a great Summer championship finals programme ended the first phase of the 2012 season in front of a good crowd at the Marsa racetrack.
The hero of the day was French 12-year-old trotter Milord Barbes (Frencu Cassar) at its first seasonal win, landing the Premier class Summer championship.
Mont Cenis Honey took an early lead from Milord Barbes and Power Night Star, and maintained it until the final straight when Milord Barbes’ determined attack put it in front and it went on to triumphantly cross the finishing line, a length ahead of Power Night Star, Veikko Hornline and Mont Cenis Honey.
Milord Barbes clocked a splendid 1’14’6 per kilometre, the best time in Malta on the 2,140m distance for over 3 years.
In the Gold class final, Nacarat Campbell (Rodney Gatt) claimed its second seasonal win and repeated last year’s success, thanks to a strong final straight which saw it overpower Orion du Vaumicel and Pouvoir Magique by less than a length, in a time of 1’16’1 per kilometre.
Read More: INDEPENDENT online
The hero of the day was French 12-year-old trotter Milord Barbes (Frencu Cassar) at its first seasonal win, landing the Premier class Summer championship.
Mont Cenis Honey took an early lead from Milord Barbes and Power Night Star, and maintained it until the final straight when Milord Barbes’ determined attack put it in front and it went on to triumphantly cross the finishing line, a length ahead of Power Night Star, Veikko Hornline and Mont Cenis Honey.
Milord Barbes clocked a splendid 1’14’6 per kilometre, the best time in Malta on the 2,140m distance for over 3 years.
In the Gold class final, Nacarat Campbell (Rodney Gatt) claimed its second seasonal win and repeated last year’s success, thanks to a strong final straight which saw it overpower Orion du Vaumicel and Pouvoir Magique by less than a length, in a time of 1’16’1 per kilometre.
Read More: INDEPENDENT online
Join:
2006/12/07
Messages:
29893
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