CEO Bill Carstanjen of Churchill Downs Inc. will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the Racing & Gaming Conference at Saratoga, which will take place from Aug. 11-13, the organizers said in a Wednesday press release. The conference will feature 12 panel discussions concerning industry issues. Attendees will also enjoy a reception at the Adelphi Hotel, a networking happy hour, and a day at the races at Saratoga Race Course. “It's a privilege to join this year's Racing and Gaming Conference at Saratoga and contribute to the conversation around racing and gaming,” said Carstanjen. “I welcome the opportunity to be part of a dialogue that brings together so many leaders who care deeply about the future of these industries.” Click here to view the conference agenda. The post CDI’s Bill Carstanjen Named Keynote For Spa Racing and Gaming Conference appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matthew Poon Ming-fai clung on to win his maiden Tony Cruz Award in a remarkable photo finish with Derek Leung Ka-chun at Wednesday night’s season finale at Happy Valley. The 31-year-old entered the night one clear of Matthew Chadwick and two ahead of Leung, but it looked set to be a heartbreaking evening when Ragnarr arrived a nose too late in the opening Class Five Silver Grecian Handicap (1,200m). Frustration would have been building for Poon just 30 minutes later when Flying Wrote missed out...View the full article

FanDuel TV will provide on-site coverage of the entire Del Mar meet, which begins Friday. Opening weekend coverage will feature jockey Joe Talamo's return to the oceanside oval–this time from behind the broadcast desk. Talamo won 364 races at Del Mar and enjoyed a banner season in 2012 when his 12 stakes wins tied him for third all-time for a single summer season. He also won three consecutive editions of the GII Del Mar Mile from 2011-2013. “Del Mar has always been a special place for me as a rider and now working for FanDuel,” said Talamo. “It's our marquee summer race meet that everyone looks forward to and the vibe there is truly something I wish every horse racing fan could get to experience. Even though I won't be riding there this meet, I'm beyond excited to be there with FanDuel and get to see all the owners, trainers, jockeys, and fans that I've been around for most of my 18-year career.” Opening day Friday will also mark a transition in the announcer's booth as Larry Collmus, another member of the FanDuel TV broadcast team, takes over from longtime announcer Trevor Denman, who retired earlier this year. FanDuel TV will offer fans a special feature reflecting on Denman's career and looking ahead to the new voice of Del Mar. FanDuel TV's other experts on-site at Del Mar for opening weekend include Todd Schrupp, Scott Hazelton, Christina Blacker, Matt Bernier, and Simon Bray who will provide exclusive interviews, insights and handicapping selections. “We are looking forward to another summer where the surf meets the turf,” said FanDuel TV's General Manager of Racing Andrew Moore. “This is one of the most prestigious and anticipated meets of the year and we are looking forward to bringing fans and horseplayers close to the action with full coverage every day.” The post FanDuel’s Meet-Long Del Mar Coverage Includes Return of Joe Talamo appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 16th annual jockeys-versus-horsemen charity basketball game, which benefits the programs of the New York Race Track Chaplaincy, as well as the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, will be played Aug. 6 at the Saratoga Springs Recreation Center beginning at 7 p.m. The jockey team will once again be coached by Hall of Fame jockey Angel Cordero, Jr. Assisting him on the sidelines this year will be Taaj Ridley, the head of player development and assistant coach for the Maine Celtics of the NBA G League. The horsemen's team will be coached for the first time by trainer Kenny McPeek and retired New York-based trainer Rick Schosberg. They will succeed Todd Pletcher and Kiaran McLaughlin, who coached the team over the past 15 years. This year's special guest player will be former Syracuse University star Ryan Blackwell, who is now the assistant men's basketball coach for Siena College. Mitch Levites of the New York Racing Association TV department will once again serve as the announcer and provide commentary for the game. The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center is located at 15 Vanderbilt Avenue in Saratoga Springs. Admission to the game is free. For information on sponsorship opportunities for the game, visit the New York Chaplaincy website at www.rtcany.org. The post Saratoga Jockeys Versus Horsemen Charity Basketball Game to be Held Aug. 6 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flavien Prat won the first grade 1 event of the Saratoga meet aboard Excellent Truth in the Diana Stakes (G1T), earning Jockey of the Week honors by the panel of racing experts for the second week in a row.View the full article

Tens of thousands of punters packed into Hong Kong’s Happy Valley Racecourse to soak up the party atmosphere on the last day of the horse racing season on Wednesday, with many saying it was the busiest they had ever seen. A full house, estimated to be around 20,000 spectators, attended Happy Wednesday, which featured live bands, DJs and a fireworks display. Happy Wednesday is one of Hong Kong’s two horse racing events that run weekly throughout the season. The Happy Valley event is known to...View the full article

Flavien Prat won the first grade 1 event of the Saratoga meet aboard Excellent Truth in the Diana Stakes (G1T), earning Jockey of the Week honors by the panel of racing experts for the second week in a row.View the full article

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect has suffered a setback which could potentially keep her out of action until next year. Last seen finishing down the field in the G1 Prix de Diane, Shes Perfect arrived at Chantilly having already proved herself a high-class filly, notably finishing first past the post in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, before being demoted by the ParisLongchamp stewards for causing interference to her closest pursuer, Zarigana. The G3 Valiant Stakes run at Ascot later this month had been identified as the next port of call for the daughter of Sioux Nation, but her connections are now plotting an autumn return in the event that all goes to plan with her recovery. “I'm afraid Shes Perfect has had a setback. It will be touch and go as to whether we see her again this year,” said Fellowes. “She's going to need a few weeks on the easy list and we are hopeful of having her back in time for the [G1 Prix de la] Foret. “It's nothing serious, but she will require a little bit of time off. We will work backwards from the Foret, but if it's not the right thing to do then we will put her away and she will be back bigger and better next year. “She's a lovely filly and she's only going to improve next year. The future is still very bright.” The post ‘The Future Is Still Very Bright’ – Shes Perfect Sidelined by Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Yip, rugby only announced in early March.