Wandering Eyes

An exciting new player has entered the New Zealand wagering industry, with the launch of betcha. The arrival of betcha yesterday is the first time since the TAB was established back in 1950 that there’s a new betting brand based in New Zealand. Entain Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director – New Zealand, Cameron Rodger, said betcha was a direct response to the increasing threat to New Zealand sports and racing caused by offshore betting operators. “In the three months to the end of June 2024, New Zealanders’ spending with offshore betting operators grew by 30%, continuing a trend over the last three or more years,” Rodger said. “Offshore spending is now estimated to be over $180m per annum, and this is led by the growth in offshore spending doubling in the 18-29-year-old age band in the last five years. “Their betting activity provides little to no benefit for the New Zealand racing and sports industries, and these offshore operators are under no obligation to provide the same level of harm minimisation support and account management tools that betcha will make available for Kiwis.” While the launch of the new TAB betting platform at the end of April has shown some growth in the 18-29 demographic, it’s clear that some Kiwis are seeking a point of difference from a brand like TAB, which has a long history in New Zealand. Entain’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mel Kenneday, said betcha – a digital-only brand – would bring a social vibe to the wagering sector. The brand is launching with the ability to create syndicates and bet with mates, making it a true social experience. “This new brand will emphasise the social and competitive value of sports and racing and introduce New Zealanders to the next generation of betting,” Kenneday said. “This means we’ll be focusing on some of those events and sports that the newer generation have really shown interest in, like football, basketball, and UFC, with betcha confirmed as New Zealand’s official wagering partner for UFC.” betcha’s innovative social & generosity products create new ways for people to engage. With betcha’s Toolbox, the power is in the punters’ hands. They have the freedom to choose which race, track or sport to apply their exclusive tool. betcha is live at betcha.co.nz and the app is available through Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store. Follow betcha at the following social channels: • betcha Instagram • betcha Facebook • betcha X • betcha Youtube View the full article

With 20 days down and 20 days to go for Saratoga 2024, the handle numbers are remarkably close to what NYRA posted in 2023. At the end of Wednesday's last race, $390,617,175 had been wagered on the meet, a 0.4 percent increase from the midway point of the 2023 meet. Last year's racing season was a trying one for NYRA as rain decimated parts of the meet. A total of $799,229,288 was bet on the 40 days of racing, a decline of 9 percent from 2022 figures. The wet weather led to NYRA taking 65 races off the turf. This year, 24 races have already come off the turf. This year's business has also been affected by weather. NYRA was forced to take all the races off the turf last Saturday on the day of GI Whitney and postponed two, the GII Troy Stakes and the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational. Dropping the two races from the card appears to have cost NYRA in the neighborhood of $5 million in handle. Whitney 2024 handle was $26,991,174. In 2023 it was $32,275,753. Three more races were taken off the grass on Wednesday. Average attendance at the meet has been 25,917, a drop of 3.1 percent from 2023. Despite the drop, NYRA is again on track to have drawn in excess of 1 million fans for the eight-week season. However, on-track handle through the first half is down 6.2 percent. Many other numbers are almost identical to 2023 figures. Both years, there have been 202 races run in the first half, which comes out to an average of 10.1 races per day. There have been 73 grass races this year, one more than last year. Field size is up slightly, to an average of 7.91 runners per race. That's a 4.3 percent increase from 2023. Irad Ortiz, Jr. leads all riders with 27 wins, three more than Flavien Prat. Chad Brown is comfortably in front in the trainer's race with 19 wins. Mike Maker is next with 14. The post At Halfway Point, Saratoga’s Handle Up Slightly from Last Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following a pair of consecutive defeats to kick off her 6-year-old campaign, Fev Rover attempts to get back in the win column by defending her title in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 11.View the full article

Already a three-time grade 1 winner, Anisette attempts to tally another stakes victory to her growing résumé in the $200,000 Yellow Ribbon Handicap (G2T) at Del Mar Aug. 10.View the full article

Twelve older horses led by defending race winner Five Star General and 2022 victor Slew's Tiz Whiz square off in 89th running of the $150,000 Longacres Mile Aug. 11 at Emerald Downs.View the full article

To understand how well jockey Frankie Dettori has embraced racing and riding in the United States, it only takes one sentence. "I should have done this 10 years ago," Dettori said.View the full article

Star Fortress, a winner in 2022 in England and in 2023 in the United States, will look to add a third country to her successful stops when she races in the CA$200,000 Canadian Stakes (G2T) Aug. 10 at Woodbine.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Max Hill has starred on the rugby field this winter and will attempt to do the same at Ascot Park on Thursday. The junior driver was part of Wyndham’s Division One rugby competition win late last month. The victory was nice reward for Hill who had to sit out part of the rugby and harness racing seasons with a leg injury recently. The reinsman is safer than other Southland junior drivers under the high ball, but he isn’t one to talk up his rugby skill. “I scored a try in the final, it was a cross kick and I was lucky that it came off my knee but I was able to get it down.” Hill will be out to score a win on the track at Ascot Park on Thursday when he links up with two key drives. Deny Everything gets into race 6 with Hill’s junior claim and he looks a genuine winning threat. “He is coming back in grade from the Bluff Cup so you would think he would be a pretty good chance.” “I drove him at the workouts recently, we had a bit of a mishap on the home turn but he ran on quite well after that.” Hill will also link up with Robyns Playboy who returns following a winter freshen up. The pacer hasn’t been seen at the trials, but he’s known to run some of his best races fresh up. “The team has told me he has been working well, he hasn’t been anywhere but he does go well fresh.” “If he can bring his best he would have to be a good chance.” Hill also drives Raging Native who looks an outsider in race 1. Putere Boy good chance at Invercargill today By Jonny Turner The Macca Lodge team hopes their winning momentum can continue at Ascot Park on Thursday. The family operation only recently signed rookie trotting sire Six Pack to their roster, with the stallion going on to produce one of the feature winners at last weekend’s Hambletonian meeting at The Meadowlands just a matter of days later. Trainer Brent McIntyre is hoping for a similar performance from Putere Boy at Ascot Park, though the chances of him running a 1.53.3 mile rate look slim. The pacer comes into race 3 on the back of an excellent debut third at Winton last week. Following the scratching of the favourite Ill Be Back, punters will be lining up to put their faith in Putere Boy. McIntyre knows the horse can repay that faith, if he races up to his potential. “We were pleased with his run at Winton, he was just a bit green on the bend but he ran on quite well.” “He is still green and inexperienced, but the motor is definitely there.” “If he ran up to his ability he would run a cracker.” “But he is still not there with his ringcraft yet, we have worked on his steering so hopefully he will be better that way.” Craig Ferguson takes the reins behind Putere Boy, who his trainer races with good friend Ginger Timms. McIntyre, wife Sheree and son Caine are gearing up for another stud season at Macca Lodge, which is only a matter of weeks away. The family gained the services of Six Pack through Deo Volente Farms, the New Jersey stud farm that stands Lazarus. The McIntyres are thrilled to have recruited such a high-class trotting stallion. “Six Pack is at Deo Volente and they recently took over Perfect Sting who we also stand.” “Caine just happened to ask what they were doing with Six Pack and we were lucky enough to do a deal and get him.” “He was an incredible racehorse, he won nearly $2 million and he still holds the mile record for a three-year-old in America.” “Ake Svanstedt trained him and he spoke very highly of him.” “He is the man up there with trotters and he trained the two-year-old that won on Hambo day.” Perfect Sting will return to Macca Lodge for his second stud season, this spring. The stallion’s first crop of New Zealand foals are due to hit the ground soon. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)-related rulings from around the country. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the HIWU “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 08/06/2024 Licensee: Saul Morales, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Condemnation. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 6, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone- Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Return Fire, who won at Delaware Park on 6/20/24. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: Eric Foster, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7 days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Publius. Date: 08/05/2024 Licensee: John Servis, trainer Penalty: 5-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 6, 2024; a fine of $4,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Chance Occurrence. Date: 08/02/2024 Licensee: Christopher Davis, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Flunixin-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Papa Yo, who finished fifth at Hawthorne on 5/18/24. Date: 08/02/2024 Licensee: Dewight Wadams, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol and Phenylbutazone-Controlled Medications (Class C)-in a sample taken from All About Kathern on 6/3/24. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Emmanuel Tzortzakis, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on August 2, 2024; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)- Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from The Gatekeeper, who won at Parx Racing on 6/26/24. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Michael Tomlinson, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Beaver State. Date: 08/01/2024 Licensee: Neil Drysdale, trainer Penalty: A fine of $3,000. Admission. Explainer: Intra-articular injection within 7-days of a timed and reported workout on the horse Love Alive. Date: 07/31/2024 Licensee: Jose Gallegos, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Sofster, who finished fourth at Monmouth Park on 6/15/24. Pending ADMC Violations 08/07/2024, Karen Godsey, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Will I Play on 6/29/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Smile Mon, who finished fourth at Churchill Downs on 6/8/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Margoinabubblebath, who won at Churchill Downs on 6/6/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Condiment Girl, who finished fourth at Churchill Downs on 5/25/24. 08/07/2024, Rob Atras, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Harrodsburg, who won at Churchill Downs on 5/24/24. 08/05/2024, Monty Meier, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Icy Mischief, who won at Pleasanton on 7/5/24. 08/05/2024, Joe Offolter, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Chojo, who finished second at Prairie Meadows on 6/24/24. 08/01/2024, Thomas Drury, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Capsaicin-Controlled Medication (Class B)-in a sample taken from Wildcat Dancer on 6/28/24. 08/01/2024, Billy Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Abraaj Mirage, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/28/24. 08/01/2024, Shawna Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Rhodium Runner, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/2/24. 08/01/2024, Billy Christian, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)-Controlled Medication (Class C)-in a sample taken from Olivian, who won at Emerald Downs on 6/9/24. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Colonial Downs Michael Jones – violation date August 1; $500 fine, no other information available Thistledown Jan Baez – violation date August 1; $250 fine and one-day suspension Ricardo Feliciano – violation date August 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension Victor Severino – violation date August 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. New York Saratoga Irad Ortiz – violation date August 6; three-day suspension for interference down the stretch Read more on the story here. Javier Castellano – violation date August 1; five-day suspension for interference The post Stewards and Commissions Rulings, Aug. 1 – Aug. 7 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert brings a pair of his students who have made easy work of the competition in their debuts. Zedan Racing's Nooni, a Florida-bred daughter of Win Win Win, broke her maiden June 13 at Santa Anita Park with a 9 1/2-length romp.View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Back at his office on the Oklahoma Training Track Wednesday morning, Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott was trying to describe the four-furlong work he had just seen from his 3-year-old colt Batten Down (Tapit). “Wooosh,” was one of the sounds he made. “Phhhffftt,” was another. The cartoon melodies made by Mott were, supposedly, offered to show how impressive the grey/roan Batten Down looked to him. Batten Down was timed in :48 (2/13) in the move on the Oklahoma Training Track. It was his first work since finishing third in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 27. Fierceness (City of Light) won the Jim Dandy by a length over Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who was 5 3/4 lengths in front of Batten Down. Mott is pointing Batten Down to the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 24. “Well, the Travers will be tougher than the Jim Dandy,” Mott said. “I am not making any predictions. I mean, he would have had to move up to win the Jim Dandy. He sure has to move up to win the Travers.” After breaking his maiden in his fourth try, Batten Down won the GIII Ohio Derby at Thistledown on June 22 by 1 3/4 lengths over Gould's Gold (Goldencents), who then was fifth in the six-horse Jim Dandy. The Wednesday work was scheduled, Mott said, but only because of an ominous forecast for the weekend that is not looking favorable for training racehorses. Remnants from Tropical Storm Debby are expected to make a mess of things in the Saratoga Springs region this weekend. “I scheduled (Wednesday work) because of the weather,” Mott said. “I am trying to get some works (Thursday). After (Thursday) we may have three or four wet days.” Batten Downs is a full-brother to multiple graded winner Tacitus and 4-year-old filly Scylla. Scylla just finished second to the highly regarded 5-year-old mare Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), winner of 10 of 18 career starts, in the GI Clement L. Hirsch Stakes at Del Mar last Saturday. “Turning for home, I thought we were going to win it,” Mott said. “That other mare is pretty good.” Scylla is back at Mott's Saratoga barn; she had been training at Churchill Downs in Kentucky. “I don't have a plan for her,” Mott said. “The reason I brought her here was I want to get her in some cooler weather. It gets hot (in Kentucky). It gets hot here, but it cools off at night.” Mott also trained Tacitus as well as Close Hatches, the dam of all three. Lukas Still Has The Faith As Seize The Grey Continues Training For Travers The effort in the GII Jim Dandy Stakes wasn't a great one. Trainer D. Wayne Lukas will be first to admit that. But in no way shape or form has the Hall of Famer's confidence dimmed in Seize the Grey (Arrogate). The upset winner of the GI Preakness Stakes in May has finished off the board in last two, both at Saratoga Race Course. Seize the Grey | Sarah Andrew He was seventh in the GI Belmont Stakes on June 8 and then was a dull fourth in the GII Jim Dandy on July 27. “There is no give up in me and training these things,” Lukas said at his office on the Oklahoma Training Track Wednesday morning. “I learned over the years that if you can't run off tackle, run around the end. If you can't do that, throw the ball.” Seize the Grey has continued to work towards an expected start in the $1.25-million GI Travers Stakes on Aug. 24. On Tuesday, he went five furlongs in :59.60 (1/4) on the Oklahoma Training Track. It was his first work since the Jim Dandy. “That was very, very impressive again,” Lukas said. “He is such a professional horse. You don't have to do anything special. He just turns around and does it and he's like, 'what's next?” Lukas waves off the notion that Seize the Grey does not like the Saratoga track. In the Jim Dandy, he said he was thinking about scratching the colt when he was saddling Seize the Grey. He said the horse seemed agitated before being saddled. Lukas noticed Seize the Grey pawing at the ground and he was a little wet in his flanks. “I've never seen that before with him,” Lukas said. “He was pawing like he was in discomfort. I thought, 'what the hell, maybe I am overreacting.' He has been fine since then. Excellent.” Englehart Says Mo Plex Likely To Run Next In Funny Cide The next start for GIII Sanford Stakes winner Mo Plex (Complexity) looks like it will be in the $200,000 Funny Cide Stakes against New York-breds on Aug. 25. “That's the way I'm leaning,” trainer Jeremiah Englehart said at his barn at the Oklahoma Annex. “Right now, I would say it's 80 percent.” Mo Plex wins the Sanford | Sarah Andrew Mo Plex won the six-furlong Sanford by a length on July 13. The other option would have been to wait for the GI Hopeful Stakes on Labor Day. The Funny Cide is six furlongs. “If he runs well there, then maybe we can stretch him out,” Englehart said. “The ultimate goal that everyone has is, 'hey, let's see if we can get to the Breeders' Cup. We are just going to go race by race.” Mo Plex had his first work since winning the Sanford on Saturday, going four furlongs in :49.90 (104/149) on the main track. Englehart expects two more works before the Funny Cide. “He showed good energy, it seems like he is on the right track,” Englehart said. “He absolutely loves what he is doing. That makes it a little easier for me.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Batten Down Continues To Prep For Date In Travers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maccabee Farm's accomplished Ohio-bred Who Dey leads a field of seven 3-year-olds entered in the $275,000 Ellis Park Derby on a six-stakes program Aug. 11 at Ellis Park.View the full article

Former WinStar stallion Good Samaritan (Harlan's Holiday–Pull Dancer, by Pulpit), who has previously shuttled to Chile, has been sold to interests in that country and will stand at Haras Mocito Guapo. The deal was brokered by Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock and J.P. Sullivan of Sullivan Bloodstock. Winner of the 2017 GII Jim Dandy Stakes and 2018 GII New Orleans Handicap, Good Samaritan's placings included the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and the GI Clark Handicap. The millionaire retired to WinStar for the 2019 season and has sired six graded winners from his nine black-type winners. His graded winners in the U.S. include 2023 GII Bourbon Stakes winner Can Group and 2023 GIII Music City Stakes winner Secret Money, while his best runners in Chile include G1SW Yahshua (Chi). The post Good Samaritan Sold to Chilean Interests appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features an expensive auction purchase. 18.45 Sandown, Mdn,, £10,000, 2yo, 8fT DUNAMASE (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) debuts in the Wathnan silks in this maiden won in recent times by Too Darn Hot (GB) and Westover (GB), having cost the operation 500,000gns at Tattersalls Book 1. Introduced by Too Darn Hot's Clarehaven stable, the colt is out of the G2 May Hill Stakes winner and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who is previously responsible for Kingman's G3 Jersey Stakes winner Age Of Kings (Ire). The post Wathnan’s 500k Kingman Colt Debuts At Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association elected David O'Farrell as chairman and new Board of Trustees members who will be serving three-year terms are Jake Ballis, Ben Bernhard, Tina Marie Bond and Brook Smith, the organization said in a release Wednesday. Also, re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Carrie Brogden and Tim Cohen. Following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2024-2025 are: O'Farrell, chairman, Everett Dobson, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Chief Stipe Cauthen, secretary; and Garrett O'Rourke, treasurer. In American Graded Stakes Committee news, Brant Laue was elected chair. He will succeed Dobson who reached his term limit. Billy Koch's appointment to the committee was also approved. The 2024-2025 roster is comprised of members Laue (chair), Barbara Banke, Walker Hancock, Koch, O'Farrell, and Alex Solis II and racing officials Gatewood Bell (Keeneland), Dan Bork (Churchill Downs and Ellis Park), Martin Panza (NYRA), Rick Hammerle (Kentucky Downs), and Tora Yamaguchi (Del Mar). The post O’Farrell Chairman As TOBA Names Officers And Four New Trustees To Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nations Pride, Ancient Rome, and Highland Chief add some long-missing international flavor to the Aug. 11 Arlington Million Stakes (G1T) at Colonial Downs.View the full article

Following a pair of consecutive defeats to kick off her 6-year-old campaign, Fev Rover attempts to get back in the win column by defending her title in the $500,000 Beverly D. Stakes (G2T) at Colonial Downs Aug. 11.View the full article

Colonial Downs announced Aug. 7 that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Aug. 10, has been rescheduled for Aug. 11.View the full article

Should weather force races off the turf Aug. 10, the New York Racing Association will aim to run the Fourstardave Handicap (G1T) and Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) as the final two races Aug. 11. View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr., currently North America's leading jockey based on victories and purse earnings, and first and second in those same categories at the current Saratoga Race Course meet, will serve a three-day suspension Aug. 14-16 stemming from the disqualification of his mount from a win in the seventh race there Aug. 1. Ortiz waived his right to an appeal, according to an Aug. 6 stewards' ruling posted on the New York State Gaming Commission website. The race in which Ortiz got disqualified was a 1 3/16-mile $25,000 starter-allowance. He was aboard the 7-5 favorite On a Spree (Speightstown), a gelding who crossed the finish wire first for the third straight race before the stewards placed him second for interference to the eventual runner-up outside the quarter pole. The Equibase chart stated that from the far turn to the wire, On a Spree “dropped to the rail while asked inside the five-sixteenths pole, beat the runner-up to an inside opening while moving in front of that foe at that juncture, rallied to the lead into upper stretch then kicked clear before being put to a left-handed crop, remained well clear under a drive into the final sixteenth and held while put to lighter encouragement late.” The post Irad Ortiz, Jr. To Serve Three-Day Suspension For SPA DQ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owners Karl and Cathi Glassman, this week's Green Group Guests of the Week on the TDN Writers' Room presented by Keeneland, bought their first horse in 2015 and initially didn't have much to show for it. But they understood patience and that good fortune would eventually come their way. Did it ever. The Glassmans have their first star, the GI Whitney winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit). Making his stakes debut at age 4, he was a 2 1/4-length winner on a rainy day in Saratoga. The win gave Bill Mott his first victory in the Whitney. “It's horse racing,” Karl said. “We count our blessings every day, as Cathi said, to even have a horse run in Saratoga to run in the Whitney is still mind-boggling. And to win that race, I think we're both still on cloud nine. Where does it go from here? A lot of it depends on where Arthur takes us. Since he's come back from his challenges, he's never missed a work. He's healthy as he could be. And we just count our blessings where we are, and hopefully, he'll stay healthy and run in the Jockey Club Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup. To run him there would be quite the honor.” Arthur's Ride didn't run between Feb. 11, 2023 and March 16, 2024. “It was a Wednesday morning, Bill called me and said that we had a problem,” Karl said. “He had tendon problems and we shipped him back to Barry (Eisaman). Barry did his magic, but he was still off for about a year. We've taken our time with him. Then we shipped him from Gulfstream to run at Churchill on a really tough, bottomless track and he didn't run well. Bill never lost the faith in him. We shipped him up to Saratoga on Belmont weekend and he won that allowance race impressively. After the race, I called Bill and I said, 'what's next?' He said, 'Jockey Gold Club. It's the right distance, a mile and a quarter.' But we are going to put him in a prep first. And I thought, 'I wonder what that means?' I said, 'Bill, what's the prep?'And he said that it was going to be in the Whitney.” Making the story all that more sweet, Karl named the horse after his late father, Arthur. “I try to not get emotional when I talk about this,” he said. “My dad was a special guy. My grandpa taught me how to read the Racing Form. I went to the track with my grandpa and my uncle. My dad raised five kids in a very middle-class background in California. So while he loved sports, loved racing, he didn't have time to go to the races. So I kind of had a misspent youth with my grandpa and my uncle and my friends. My dad was just such a great guy. And right before the pandemic, Cathi and I were able to take him to Santa Anita, take him through the paddock and watch a race from the winner's circle. He was so excited. He loved that so much. In January of 2022, we were at Gulfstream together, and he watched a horse that we owned break his maiden. I took my dad to the winner's circle, and he looked like we had just won the Kentucky Derby. It meant so much to him. In the days before that conversation, we had spent a lot of time together. As he got older he would say, 'I've had such a great ride.' And I told him that we had named a horse after him.” In our breeding spotlight section we cast an eye over WinStar stallion Constitution (Tapit). Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, XBTV.com and Stonestreet Farm, the team of Zoe Cadman and Bill Finley looked back at the Whitney, the GI Test S. and the GI Clement Hirsch S.–won by the star filly Adare Manor (Uncle Mo). Randy Moss was not available because of NBC Olympic broadcast commitments. Finally, the disqualification of Maximum Security (New Year's Day) from his win in the inaugural Saudi Cup was discussed as was marathon superstar Next (Not This Time). Finley wants to see the distance specialist tested in the big money races, which are contested at a mile-and-a-half or less. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To view the show as a podcast, click here. The post Karl And Cathi Glassman Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs announced Aug. 7 that the Festival of Racing, originally scheduled for Aug. 10, has been rescheduled for Aug. 11.View the full article

Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. was selected as the 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award recipient, the New York Racing Association said in a press release on Wednesday. The Louisiana native was chosen by a committee comprised of members of the Venezia family, representatives of The Jockeys' Guild and retired Eclipse Award-winning jockey Richard Migliore. Hernandez Jr. will be recognized at Saratoga Race Course on Friday, Aug. 23. The Mike Venezia Memorial Award is presented annually to a jockey who displays the extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship that personified Venezia, who died as the result of injuries suffered in a spill in 1988. Since the inaugural award was given in 1989, other winners include Bill Shoemaker, Chris McCarron, Gary Stevens and last year's recipient Junior Alvarado. The post Brian Hernandez Jr. Wins 2024 Mike Venezia Memorial Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thursday's G3 Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown sees the return of Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) following her disappointing effort in the Oaks, but this will be no soft reintroduction for Ballydoyle's G1 Fillies' Mile winner with fellow TDN Rising Star Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) lying in wait. Back at a mile for her comeback, having been injured at Epsom, Ylang Ylang was previously fifth in the 1,000 Guineas and that would normally be a standard-setting performance in this type of race but Galen has caught up quick and looked a class act with successes at The Curragh and Killarney by a cumulative margin of 20 lengths. Trainer Joseph O'Brien said, “He's stepping up, but he has earned that and he is coming off the back of two very good wins. Even for a group race, it looks a very hot race, but we're looking forward to the step up in class with him.” The post Fascinating Clash In The Desmond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby forecast to impact Saratoga Springs on Friday and Saturday, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will add the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational as contingency races for Sunday, Aug. 11, the track said in a Wednesday press release. Should weather force races off the turf on Saturday, Aug. 10, then NYRA will aim to run the Fourstardave and Saratoga Derby as the final two races on Sunday, Aug. 11. To allow for increased flexibility, those races will fall outside of all horizontal wagers. NYRA is monitoring weather forecasts closely and will provide updates as necessary. The post If Saturday’s Saratoga Derby and Fourstardave Are Off The Turf, Races Will Move To Sunday Says NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article