June 2011 horse racing news

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2011

The Michael Baze Memorial Fund has been established to help defray the funeral expenses for the late jockey, according to a May 30, 2011 Hollywood Park press release.

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so at any BkofAma.

Any money that is not needed for the funeral will be donated to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, said a spokesperson for Baze’s mother, Teri Gibson.

Hollywood Park will hold a public memorial for Baze, who died May 10 at the age of 24, immediately after the races June 4 in Southern California. The tribute will be in the Sunset Room.

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2011

Multiple Grade 1 winner TURBULENT DESCENT (Congrats), an easy five-length winner of the April 17 Beaumont S. (G2) at Keeneland, breezed seven furlongs in 1:27 1/5 over the Cushion Track at Hollywood Park on Tuesday. The once-beaten filly is headed to the Acorn S. (G1) on June 11.

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 1, 2011

Corey Nakatani coming to Arlington Park

http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Corey_Nakatani_coming_to_Arlington_Park_123

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011


Negotiations regarding the lease of two New Jersey racetracks by private operators continued June 1, the date state officials had set to wrap up the transfers. Republican Gov. Chris Christie has worked to get New Jersey out of the horse racing business by leasing Monmouth Park and Meadowlands. Though lessees have been selected—Morris Bailey for Monmouth and Jeff Gural for Meadowlands—loose ends must be tied up before the men take over operations from the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Live racing dates for both tracks are set for this year, with Monmouth awarded 71 days for the meet that began May 14. Bailey and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association are still discussing specifics such as terms of a contract.

[dugbug15]

cory should do well on the illinois circuit.i,m sure he will get some prime mounts to jack up his stats.if he stinks up the the place,however,he can take out his vents at the many golf course links in that area.
good luck everyone.

[Gremlin Lad]

In the Harness Racing circuit...

THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011

The all-time great harness driver John Campbell was injured in a race at Chester Downs and broke his shoulder and his knee. As a sign of the times, the injury to Campbell was only reported in harness racing trade Internet outlets.

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011

CASTELLANO RIDES 5 WINNERS AT BELMONT...

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63369/castellano-rides-5-winners-at-belmont-park

[Gremlin Lad]

Harness Circuit....

THURSDAY JUNE 2, 2011


MEADOWLANDS HARNESS SUMMER SURVIVAL CHALLENGE STARTS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT 6-03-2011

http://www.meadowlandsracetrack.com/event_detail.aspx?id=2290

[Gremlin Lad]

FRIDAY JUNE 3, 2011

TGIF

The Weekend is finally arrived..

Rick Dutrow has hearings with the NYS Racing and Wagering Board again today in Schenectady.

[Gremlin Lad]

SUNDAY JUNE 5 2011

Jockey Michael Baze, who won nearly 1,000 horse races in a nine-year career, died from an accidental overdose of cocaine and a prescription pain medication before his body was found at Churchill Downs last month, the coroner's office said June 3. The 24-year-old Baze was pronounced dead May 10 in his vehicle near the stables at the famed Kentucky track. Jefferson County Deputy Coroner Jim Wesley said the cause of death was multiple substance intoxication. Significant amounts of cocaine and the pain medication oxymorphone were found in Baze's system, said Wesley, citing toxicology results. Baze was facing a drug possession charge at the time of his death. The week he died, he was scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on a charge of first-degree possession of cocaine. He also was supposed to ride a horse that day at Churchill Downs.

[mikeyg]

What a waste of great talent. Tough to stay out of that lifestyle though when everybody is doing it around you.

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY JUNE 6 2011


Drosselmeyer Returns Last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Drosselmeyer will go on Friday in the $150,000 Brooklyn Handicap (G2).

The Brooklyn is the first leg of the Brooklyn-Belmont Double, which requires bettors to select the winners of the Brooklyn Handicap and Saturday’s $1 million Belmont Stakes (G1).

Drosselmeyer is the 6/5 morning line favorite and will face four foes: Eldafaar, Afleet Again, Birdrun, and Alma d’Oro.

Also on Friday’s card is the $100,000 Poker, which drew a field of six, led by Courageous Cat and Court Vision.

In addition to the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, there are five other stakes on the card: $400,000 Woodward Reserve Manhattan (G1), $250,000 True North Handicap (G2), $250,000 Woody Stephens (G2), $400,000 Foxwoods Just a Game (G1), and the $300,000 TVG Acorn (G1).

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15 2011

Well, now that the 2011 Edition of the Triple Crown races are over with, we all can look forward to SARATOGA.! JULY 22, 2011 it begins.

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 15 2011


Dadoyan to take control at the Meadowlands

Lennon Register, the senior vice president of racing at the Meadowlands Racetrack, has informed the New Jersey Racing Commission and other racing officials in the state that Alex Dadoyan, current assistant vice president of racing development and distribution for both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, will assume management control of the racetrack.

The change comes as Register assumes a new position in managing the transition of both the Meadowlands and Monmouth Thoroughbred track to private interests. Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs owner Jeff Gural is in the midst of finalizing a lease agreement to take over the Meadowlands Racetrack, which is expected to happen prior to Sept. 1.

Dadoyan is a native of Fort Lee, N.J., and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1995 with a B.A. in economics. He went on to law school at Fordham University in Manhattan and received his Juris Doctor degree in 1998. He began working at the Meadowlands in 1997 and has worked in several different departments, including television production, simulcasting and off-track wagering.

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY JUNE 16 2011

Maragh Suspended 10 Days for Belmont Ride

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63585/maragh-suspended-10-days-for-belmont-ride

[Gremlin Lad]

THURSDAY NIGHT JUNE 16 2011

Animal Kingdom injured.

ELMONT, N.Y. -- Animal Kingdom, the Kentucky Derby winner and Preakness runner-up, sustained an injury to his left hind leg that will keep him out of training for a couple of weeks, but should not prevent him from running again this year, his connections announced Thursday.

Animal Kingdom has what veterinarians describe as a fissure, or small crack, on the tip of the cannon bone where it joins the lower part of the hock. It is believed that the injury occurred when Animal Kingdom stumbled in the early stages of the Belmont Stakes when a horse came over on him and then Animal Kingdom clipped heels with another horse in front of him.

The recommended plan of action, according to Dr. Larry Bramlage of the Rood and Riddle Equine Clinic in Lexington, Ky., is that Animal Kingdom be taken out of training for two weeks before having the leg X-rayed again.

"In two weeks it should settle down and he should be sound again," Bramlage said in a press release distributed by Team Valor International, the syndicate which owns Animal Kingdom. "I don't think it is going to separate, but that would be the worry. Right now it is a tiny crack and technically you could call it a fracture. But I would characterize it as more of a fissure because of how small it is."

Bramlage examined the X-rays that were taken by Dr. Dean Richardson at the New Bolton Equine Clinic in Kennett Square, Pa., where Animal Kingdom was sent on Wednesday for a bone scan after trainer Graham Motion noticed that horse was off in his left hind leg.

[Gremlin Lad]

Not saying they are, not saying they are not.....
What I am saying is Belmont races are getting mighty fishy. Must be "they are helping" getting the "barns" moved to Saratoga.

Prime example... Saturday 6-18-2011 in Race 5 ..$159. payoff horse wins a TURF RACE (?) !!!!!



5th race - Belmont Park - June 18, 2011 Off at: 3:10
Race Type: Maiden Special WeightVideo Race Replay
Age Restriction: Three Year Old and Upward
Purse: $41,000
Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles On The Turf
Track Condition: Yielding
Winning Time: 1:47.48

Pgm...Horse....Jockey....Win....Place....Show
10.. Rocky World.. Jaime Rodriguez..$ 159.50..$70.00...$22.40
1.. Hershel.......... Kent J. Desormeaux..........$15.00....$8.80
12. Windafull .......Alex O. Solis ................................$3.80

Also ran: 4 - Chardsey , 9 - Mightylover , 6 - Writethatdown , 7 - More Than Lucky , 8 - Stan's Got Talent , 11 - Jacob's Dream , 3 - Fiddlers Padre , 2 - Titus Catienus

Scratched horses: Take a Walk (Main-Track-Only) , Knock Quietly (Trainer) , Anaphylaxis (Main-Track-Only)


Wager Type...Winning Numbers.....Payoff
$2 Pick 3..........4-1-10 (3 correct)...$2,524.00
$2 Pick 4.......5-4-1-10 (4 correct)...$86,194.00
$2 Daily Double.....1-10 ..................$841.00
$2 Exacta...........10-1 ..................$2,492.00
$2 Superfecta.....10-1-12-4.........$ 359,463.00 (Nobody had $2 Super )
$2 Trifecta.........10-1-12.............$ 17,578.00


***** 10 cent superfecta paid $ 17,973.15 *****

Winning Breeder: Sportsman Stable 12
Winning Owner: H. Bud Wolf
Winning Trainer: Richard Metivier

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY JUNE 20 2011

Unrivaled Belle will receive stall rest before heading to co-owner's farm


A win in the Ladies' Classic was the highlight of Unrivaled Belle's career (Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos)Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic (G1) heroine UNRIVALED BELLE (Unbridled's Song) was resting comfortably in her stall Sunday morning, one day after she broke her withers after falling backward in the paddock while waiting to be saddled prior to the Ogden Phipps S. (G1) at Belmont Park.
The five-year-old mare, who racked up a 14-6-6-1, $1,854,706 career mark, will be retired, according to trainer Bill Mott.
"I've had horses come back from that and race and even win a stakes," the Hall of Fame conditioner said. "It's not an uncommon thing. But with her, the year would be practically over."


Unrivaled Belle will have several weeks of stall rest, and then will likely go to co-owner Peter Vegso's farm in Ocala, Florida, before being bred, assistant trainer Leanna Williford said.


found at www.brisnet.com

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY JUNE 20 2011

Apprentice jockey Ryan Curatolo, who fell from his mount during the post parade for Sunday's 1ST race at Belmont Park, was examined and released from North Shore University Hospital and expects to ride as scheduled when racing resumes on Wednesday. Curatolo, 19, took off from the rest of his mounts Sunday after being unseated by Brolio (Black Minnaloushe) as they made their way to the gate. Taken by ambulance to the hospital, he returned to the jockeys' room at Belmont Park shortly after 4 p.m. (EDT) following negative X-rays. "I had an exam and everything is OK inside," Curatolo said. "In two days I think I'll be OK. Tomorrow there is no racing, Tuesday no racing, just today I lost a winner because in the 2ND race (my mount won). But, it could be much worse. You have 365 days to win races, so if you lose one day, there are many more." A native of France, Curatolo picked up the first stakes win of his career on Saturday afternoon at Belmont when he piloted STREET GAME (Street Cry [Ire]) to victory in the Hill Prince S. (G3). Curatolo has 26 winners from 176 mounts since the Belmont spring/summer meet opened on April 29, good for fifth place in the NYRA jockey standings through the conclusion of racing Sunday....

[Gremlin Lad]

MONDAY JUNE 20 2011

SMOKIN HERO (Smokin Mel) put on a show before, and during, Sunday's $60,000 Noble Nashua S. for New York-breds at Belmont Park.

The five-year-old gelding acted up badly behind the gate, to such an extent that he had to be resaddled.

While bereft of both rider and tack, he reared up and thrashed his forelegs outward. Finally tamed, reunited with Alan Garcia, and loaded into the gate, the 8-1 chance blasted to the front in the opening strides before vying with Spa City Fever (Roaring Fever). Smokin Hero then eased back to fourth as Spa City Fever and 4-5 favorite Johannesburg Smile (Johannesburg) battled it out, only to reappear on the scene in midstretch. Rallying boldly in the final yards, Smokin Hero nabbed Spa City Fever by a head, with Johannesburg Smile another half-length back in fourth. The idiosyncratic winner stopped the teletimer in 1:36 for the fast-track mile.

Following this second career stakes coup, his resume now reads 27-8-9-2, $313,547. Smokin Hero is trained by Chris Englehart for Brous Stable, Hubbard and Wachtel Stable...

**************************************** *******************

Again... my question is what made this horse act up badly ?


Probably, had a birddock in the saddle blanket that was bothering him when weight was in the saddle and he didnot like that ...U think ?

Yeah right, that is it. ....... Nice cover up excuse.... lol

Only the horse knows for sure.

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22 2011

HEAVY RAIN, DOWNPOUR at times, THUNDER and LIGHTENING moving across the center part of NEW YORK STATE (UTICA to BINGHAMTON) heading Eastward.

Most likely will bother Belmont Park Horse races today and maybe bother SUFFOLK DOWNS too.

http://www.weather.com/weather/today/Elmont+NY+USNY0464

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22, 2011

A Senate committee in New Jersey moved legislation June 20 that would allow the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to jointly operate Monmouth Park and Meadowlands pending licensing of lessees by the New Jersey Racing Commission. The bill also allows Monmouth to offer 71 days of live racing per year with consent of the representative horsemen’s group; current law calls for 141 days. It goes to the full Senate for consideration.

The State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee also approved a bill that would allow Atlantic City casinos and out-of-state racetracks to negotiate fees for full-card simulcasts. Currently New Jersey casino race books pay no more than 3.5% per dollar wagered for simulcasts (no more than 6% for the Breeders’ Cup World Championships). Also, the casinos would be permitted to keep a larger cut of simulcast revenue.

The bill now goes to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. Both NJSEA-operated tracks are being turned over to private operators under a plan by Republican Gov. Chris Christie to get the state out of the horse racing business.

Senate and Assembly versions of the bills were introduced earlier this year. The Senate version allows the NJSEA to “enter into an agreement with a private entity to lease a racetrack facility it owns to that entity, (and) it may further agree with that entity to jointly operate the facility during a transition period.” The transition period would last until the lessee is licensed by the racing commission and “has received all necessary permits” to conduct racing. The transition period can be extended beyond one year but no more than two years, the legislation states.

[Gremlin Lad]

Motivated by one of most successful Father’s Day programs in more than a decade, officials at River Downs have announced the track will change its wagering format to offer 50- cent minimum trifectas and Pick 3s as part of their daily wagering schedule. The Cincinnati, Ohio track is conducting its first meet since being purchased by Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment. River Downs, which opened the meet late this year due to flooding, reported June 19 on-track handle of $127,217, an increase of 23% over Father’s Day last year. For the meet to date, live on-track handle has averaged $64,068, an increase of 32% over average handle last year. “The new management team is responding to the requests of the fans on-track,” said track publicist John Engelhardt. “The on-track attendance continues to hold at the upward levels produced through the first month of racing and these reduced wagers have proved popular at tracks across the country. It lets the fan get more bang for their buck and increase their chances at cashing a winning ticket.”

[Gremlin Lad]

WEDNESDAY JUNE 22 2011

Panel Ready to Investigate NYRA

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63676/panel-ready-to-investigate-nyra?source=rss