Wandering Eyes

On Tuesday–just two weeks after two horses died on Laurel Park's dirt surface and not even 24 hours after Laurel announced its track superintendent would be retiring immediately–the head of the new non-profit organization that will run both Laurel and Pimlico Race Course starting in 2025 told the Maryland Racing Commission that an immediate search is underway for an expert to quell the main-track woes that have intermittently plagued Laurel the past two decades. “We will obviously do a search nationwide for a winter-weather superintendent. It's a very important position. It's a high priority for us. We will take our time and try to find the right person that fits our racetrack moving forward,” said Bill Knauf, the president and general manager of The Maryland Jockey Club Inc., the new 501(c) (4) organization that has been granted state authority to manage and operate Thoroughbred horse racing at Laurel and Pimlico. Although Maryland racing is in the midst of a private-to-public management flux that will see the state take ownership of Pimlico and rebuild it (with the three-year goal of eventually ceasing racing at Laurel and consolidating all Maryland racing at the new “Pimlico Plus”), the decades-long pattern of main-track safety difficulties at Laurel hasn't changed much, and those issues have once again percolated to crisis level. After years of freeze/thaw and drainage troubles, Laurel's main track was closed for five months in 2021 for an emergency rebuild from the base up. But eight horses died from fractures while racing or training over that new track within weeks of its opening as the weather turned colder, leading to weeks-long halts in racing through winter of 2021-22. The fatality spike quieted for more than a year, then in April 2023, five more main-track equine fatalities at Laurel caused the closure of the track for another week. 1/ST Racing (The Stronach Group), which is the current (but outgoing) owner of Laurel and Pimlico, hired veteran racing surface maintenance manager Ken Brown to oversee those tracks in September 2023. Things went generally well early on during Brown's watch–he was a former decades-long member of the Maryland track surfaces team, but had moved on to be the superintendent at Delaware Park and Colonial Downs before being lured back to Laurel and Pimlico. But this fall, after weeks without significant rain followed by downpours, problems began to crop up. Since Nov. 17 there have been two reported equine fatalities at Laurel. One was Calle de Oro (Hard Spun), a 2-year-old colt trained by Jose Corrales who was favored in a $20,000 claimer when he suffered a catastrophic injury near the three-eighths pole and had to be euthanized on the track. Another was Overwish (Curlin), a 3-year-old filly with a 2-for-3 record from trainer Brittany Russell's stable who sustained an open fracture to her right front cannon bone while galloping out at the mile pole after a four-furlong workout, requiring euthanization. Trainer Gary Capuano also reported during the Dec. 3 commission meeting that during the same time frame, one of his trainees stumbled during a morning workout, unseating the exercise rider, who fractured a cheekbone. After the two fatalities, jockeys and track management had clashing ideas about the track's safety and its maintenance procedures, leading to the cancellation of three programs at Laurel for the Friday-Sunday period of Nov. 22-24. Brown's retirement, announced by 1/ST Racing on Monday, Dec. 1, was effective immediately. His interim replacement is Danny Finke, who has 40 years of experience on Maryland track crews. When the commission on Tuesday asked for an explanation of what's going on with the Laurel surface, Mike Rogers, the executive vice president for 1/ST Racing, chose to address the issue by reading into the record an eight-minute prepared statement prior to fielding questions from commissioners. Horsemen, jockeys, and 1/ST Racing have all had differing opinions over the past week about everything from sealing, floating and harrowing protocols to the binding ability of the track's cushion to how fast the tractors pull the equipment around the oval. Rogers stated that as all parties try to work toward a consensus, helpful pieces of data are in the pipeline. He said Overwish's necropsy report was delivered yesterday, and that Maryland's safety and welfare committee is scheduled to review it Thursday. Samples from the track's cushion are being tested by outside labs to compare them to previous versions of the Laurel surface that had been deemed safe, and also to those of other comparable tracks considered safe, Rogers said. The national Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory will be at Laurel Dec. 4 to do biomechanical hoof testing on the surface, which Rogers said should yield additional info to help make decisions moving forward. Rogers also said that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has inspected Laurel's surface and found no glaring inconsistencies. He noted that the track has been able to handle four days of racing in a row (Nov. 28-Dec. 1) without any safety incidents. When asked specifically about Brown's departure, Rogers explained the situation by reading into the record the press release about Brown's retirement that 1/ST Racing had distributed Monday. Rogers went off-script at the end to add, “Mr. Finke will lead the team for the month of December.” Knauf, whose non-profit team takes control of operations from 1/ST Racing on Jan. 1, 2025, added that even after the search for a new superintendent is concluded, Finke will still retain a job on the Laurel/Pimlico maintenance team if he so chooses, as will all other current members of that crew. With the management transition looming, Rogers urged all stakeholders to take into account what other racing industry leaders have underscored in the past regarding safety crises–that it can be difficult to pinpoint direct causes of racetrack accidents, which are often multi-factorial. “There are other contributing factors,” Rogers said. “I know it's easy to point to the racetrack. But there are a lot of other contributing factors that can lead to a catastrophic breakdown. And generally, having these meetings with the necropsy [report] educates all of us as to other, maybe, contributing factors.” David Richardson, the executive director of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, summed up the situation this way: “The base appears to be in very good condition. There have been no complaints about the base of the racetrack. The concern is with the material itself, the new material that was added a just few weeks ago, and whether that sufficiently holds water or drains properly. “We want a safe track,” Richardson continued. “We want to work with Maryland Jockey Club and have a safe track. [But] there is still some concern amongst people as to where we stand.” Capuano said the problems at Laurel are not persistent–but they're not exactly new, either. “It goes back a few years, in the same kind of issues [and] it wasn't right when they came in and re-did the track [two decades ago],” Capuano said. “And then a couple years ago, we had to try to re-do it again. And it was just a matter of the right material mixed in to make it hold together.” “We've been working with this for a long time, trying to get it right,” Capuano said. “It should be easy. The technology, the equipment, the science,” Capuano quipped, noting that in reality, maintaining a racetrack is far from simple. “You would think that it would just be a push-button, easy thing to take care of.” Technology is helpful, Capuano continued. “But it's nothing like the [maintenance team] guys walking in the dirt that have that experience [to] know what it's like. They know what [the track] needs. “I mean, nothing's perfect,” Capuano summed up. “Things are going to happen. But if we have the confidence that we send [horses] out there and [management's] done the best they can, that's all we're looking for.” The post ‘Nationwide Search’ for New Maryland Track Superintendent appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mark Twain. (Photo by Ross Holburt/Racing Photos) Mark Twain is nearing the end of his rehabilitation from a tendon injury, with connections setting their sights on a Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) campaign in 2025. OTI Racing director Terry Henderson shared this week that the rehabilitation program, successfully utilised by other stablemates with similar injuries, boasts a comeback success rate of approximately 70 percent—offering strong hope for Mark Twain’s return to racing. “He’s close to the end of his rehabilitation with Matty Williams, and he looks good as he finishes off,” Henderson told Racing.com. “What happens now is that he will have six weeks in the paddock, and then Matty will give him four or five weeks’ work before he goes back to (trainer) Roger (James). “So it’ll be about three months before he gets back to Roger, and that will allow him a good, slow build-up to the spring. “The (rehabilitation) process has worked well. We’ve had a number of horses go through it, including last Saturday’s winner Karburan, and we are running at about 70 percent (success rate). “If you can get them back for four or five runs, we call it a success, so fingers crossed.” Horse racing news View the full article

Race 1 JOHN REVELL MEMORIAL MAIDEN 1150m PERFECT DIVIDENDS (B Rogerson) – Co-trainer Mr. R Vance reported to Stewards, the stable was satisfied with the post-race condition of PERFECT DIVIDENDS, and it is their intention to carry on with the gelding’s current preparation. R Vance further advised the stable may look to nominate PERFECT DIVIDENDS for the Auckland TR meeting on Thursday 12 December. The post Racing Te Aroha @ Te Aroha, Wednesday, 27 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

A 23-race Friday night, the re-appearance of a champ, and a milestone for the Smiths all feature in this week’s News Briefs. Bumper dual venue Friday night This week will see the first 12-race card on a Friday night at Alexandra Park since April 7, 2017. Starting at 5.24pm the meeting will feature the $40,000 Thames Goldfields Summer Cup, the $40,000 Caduceus Club Northern Breeders Stakes and the $40,000 Thames Members Handicap Trot. There will also be an 11-race card at Addington including three Group 1s, the Garrards Pacing and Trotting Derbies and The Christian Cullen. Excluding Show Day the last time there were more than 22 races on a Friday night was back on July 20,2018 when there were 23 – 11 at Auckland (including two non totes) and 12 at Addington (also including two non totes). The Friday Night Lights concept has been a huge focus for Entain and HRNZ this year and is a key part of The Future Starts Now strategy to reinvigorate racing in the north. Christian Cullen back on track Just weeks after his 30th birthday, Christian Cullen will make a guest appearance at Addington on Friday night. The million dollar earner will lead out the field in the race named after him, the $200,000 The Christian Cullen for the 4YO pacers (7.56pm). It’s the first ever running of the Group 1 and will feature the likes of Merlin and Don’t Stop Dreaming. Christian Cullen was chosen as the name for the new Group 1 after an on-line competition. As a four-year-old he won 12 from 12 including the 1998 New Zealand Cup, the Auckland Cup and the Miracle Mile. Harness racing’s pin up boy at the time, over all the Brian O’Meara-trained star won 22 from 31 starts and over $1.2m in stakes. Hanrahan recovering at home Mid Canterbury trainer Laurence Hanrahan is on the mend after being kicked by a horse at the Methven races on Sunday. He had his ribs broken in the incident, and also suffered a small tear to his spleen. Hanrahan is a well-known and successful trainer and is also the horse ambulance driver/operator in Canterbury. After being treated at hospital he is now back home. HRNZ would like to wish him all the best with his recovery. Cadet of the year comp The annual Harness Racing New Zealand Cadet of the Year competition was held in Christchurch on Monday. The four finalists were found after a series of regional competitions and they were put through all sorts of tests, including horse management, general knowledge, interviewing skills, as well as their driving and other horse-related prowess. The winner of the Cadet of the Year will be announced at the HRNZ annual awards at Addington Raceway in February. 100 training successes Rakaia trainers Lynn and Justin Smith secured their 100th training success when they notched a double at the Akaroa Trotting Club meeting at Motukarara on Saturday. Beyond The Horizon and Lookslikeatrixter both won with Justin in the sulky. Their 100 wins have come from 1081 starts with their first win together being Some Direction at Ashburton in 2004. Lynn Smith has also had 45 wins on her own account. What a year, for horse and driver Twin B Joe Fresh has rounded out a near faultless 2024 with victory in the $150,000 FanDuel Championships at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Driven by ex-pat Kiwi star Dexter Dunn, who is also a part owner of the star mare, Twin B Joe Fresh became the event’s first two-time winner. It was her 11th win in 13 starts. She was second in her other two starts. She has now won 30 of 40 races overall and earned $US2.33m. She is the number one ranked horse in North America, with her connections confident she’ll be back for a five-year-old season, rather than heading to the broodmare paddock. Dunn won five of eight major stakes race at the Big M on the day. He has now has 304 wins for the year and is all but guaranteed a fifth Driver of the Year title in the last six years. His stakes earnings of $16.6m are nearly $2.5m more than any other driver. Yannick Gingras is second on $14.25m. NZB catalogue out now The catalogue is out for next February’s NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales at Auckland and Christchurch. The Karaka sale will be held on February 15, with Christchurch three days later. There will be around 340 lots in total. To see the catalogue click here Club News : Invercargill The Invercargill Harness Racing Club’s massive Christmas meeting featuring the Group 1 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup returns this year on Friday 20 December. Since attaining Group 1 status and receiving a pre-Christmas date the meeting has gone from strength to strength with large crowds attending each year including many who use the event for their end of year Christmas functions. The stake for the cup is $100,000 with a quality support card including the Group 3 Brendan Franks Farrier David Moss Stakes Trot with a stake of $50,000, the Canada Stakes for a purse of $30,000, the SBSR Sires Stakes Southern Solstice Mobile Pace also for $30,000 and the Diamond Creek Farm/SBSR Robin Dundee Crown for stakes of $25,000. A popular feature over the past few seasons has been a competition where on course patrons can win the opportunity to place a bet of up to $1000 on the Cup by dropping their losing tote tickets or a coupon from the race book in one of the labelled buckets around the course with their name and phone number on the back for a special draw. The draw will be made prior to Race 5 where each ticket or coupon drawn will receive a runner in that race. Should your runner finish first in race 5 you receive $1000 to bet on the Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup. Second in the race 5 competition gets $300 to spend on the Cup and third $200. To enter you must be 18 years of age or older. Ladies Fashion In The Field, supported by Elegance 148 On Elles Restaurant, McLeay Jewellers and Craig Heyrick of Harcourts Real Estate, Invercargill, is back with entries open on course until Race 3 on the day with some great prizes up for grabs. Details will be in the race book on the day. Six contestants will be found for the final which will take place in the birdcage later in the day. The race meeting is a twilight event due to commence at 3.30pm, ideal for those end of year functions and get togethers. Anyone wishing to book hospitality space for a function should contact Southern Harness Racing’s Promotions Officer, Lindsay Beer either at 021 351 499 or lindsay.beer@xtra.co.nz View the full article

Check out this week’s The Box Seat with Matt Cross and Greg O’Connor View the full article

Ben Allen returns to the mounting yard aboard Bittercreek after winning the Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Talented three-year-old colt Bittercreek is set to return to Queensland, aiming for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast this January. Trained by Leon and Troy Corstens in partnership with Will Larkin, Bittercreek will embark on his second Queensland campaign following his runner-up finish behind Broadsiding in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm earlier this year. That performance came just two starts after his triumph in the Group 2 Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) at Doomben. The son of Snitzel recently placed second in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m), finishing behind Snitzanova. Horse racing bookmakers have Bittercreek at an $8 quote for the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, a race that promises to be a highlight of the Gold Coast carnival. Horse racing news View the full article

Race 8 A1 HOMES & A WOMANS TOUCH CLEAN 2030m LADYSWEY (T Moseley) – Trainer Mr. M Jones advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, however, LADYSWEY has now been sent for a spell. The post Central Otago Racing Club @ Cromwell, Friday, 29 November 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

In Hong Kong, Christmas comes early for racing fans, with the Hong Kong Jockey Club hosting their International Races at Sha Tin each December. For the last six years, expat Kiwi Tom Wood has been centre stage at the pinnacle racing event, calling the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship meeting at Happy Valley on the Wednesday prior to co-hosting the television coverage of the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on the Sunday. This year the respective meetings will be held this week (December 4 and 8), and Wood is excited to be a part of the action once more. “It is always the best time of year to be here in Hong Kong, not only because of the racing, but the weather is normally good – it is not so hot and humid,” Wood said. “It is just a good time to be here.” Wood, the son of Cambridge trainer Chris Wood, commenced his race calling career in New Zealand, beginning a cadetship with Trackside. Graduating out of his time as a cadet, Wood began calling in the lower South Island before plying his trade in the Central Districts. He was then lured to Singapore, where he honed his craft for 18 months, and subsequently attained a coveted contract with the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Wood is loving his time in Hong Kong and has committed to staying there for the immediate future, extending his contract with the club at the end of last season. “I am into my seventh season here in Hong Kong. I re-signed at the end of last season for another three seasons, I was more than happy to stay,” he said. While being away from his family in New Zealand has been tough, Wood said he and his wife Stacey have established a good lifestyle in Hong Kong for themselves and their young family. “My family and I are settled here, we have two kids, a four-year-old (Penelope) and a nearly eight-month-old (Abigail),” Wood said. “We are fortunate that we don’t live right in the city, and we have a good lifestyle in Sai Kung, which is over the hill from Sha Tin and coastal, and our oldest goes down the road to a kindergarten each day. “It is difficult without the family support, but we are fortunate that my brother lives here as well, so he can help out with the kids if we want to go out. “He was playing rugby here, but he is now retired. He is coaching the second division team at the Hong Kong Football Club, which is the club that is in the middle of Happy Valley Racecourse, and he is also a teacher at one of the English Federation schools here. “It is a good lifestyle for the kids. It would be nice to be around family with young cousins, but the oldest (daughter) has friends at kindy and my wife has got a few friends about, which helps.” While working in Hong Kong, the New Zealand accent hasn’t been far away, with fellow Kiwi Paul Lally also a part of the presenting team, along with former Canterbury race caller Mark McNamara, who calls at Sha Tin. “Paul Lally is on the coverage as well, and we are proud Kiwis,” Wood said. “We are always interested in the (New Zealand-bred) horses that arrive here that come with their sales records out of Karaka and their breeding links. “They always acquit themselves well here on the big stage. It is never easy to come out of those races in NZ and come in on those difficult ratings of 70-upwards at the top end of Class 3 and perform here, but it is always good to see when they do.” One of those New Zealand-breds that Wood has taken particular delight in following is Ka Ying Rising. The son of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress has been a phenomenon since arriving in Hong Kong, winning eight of his 10 starts for trainer David Hayes to date, including the Gr.3 Sha Tin Vase (1200m), Gr.2 Premier Bowl (1200m), and Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m). The four-year-old gelding, who was bred by Marton trainer Fraser Auret, has become a cult hero in Hong Kong, and is favoured to take out the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on Sunday. “Ka Ying Rising has been unbelievable with what he has done,” Wood said. “It is a great story with where he has come from. It is the first horse that Fraser Auret has bred. “Out of all the sprinters that are coming here, I don’t think there are any that can beat him. The Hong Kong horses generally dominate when it comes to the sprinting ranks here and I don’t see that changing. “I spoke with David Hayes, and he said he thinks he’s better than before he was last start (Gr.2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint), so it could be something special we witness at Sha Tin on Sunday.” Wood also enjoys following the success of fellow expat James McDonald, who was recently bestowed the 2024 LONGINES World’s Best Jockey Award. McDonald has been undertaking a short-term contract in Hong Kong and will feature prominently at Happy Valley and Sha Tin this week, competing in the International Jockeys’ Championship before trying to create history with Romantic Warrior in the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m). “J-Mac here with Romantic Warrior, I think it is going to be a great clash between him and Liberty Island in the Cup, but I think he will pick up a third historic Hong Kong Cup,” Wood said. This week proves to be one of the busiest on Wood’s calendar, but he is excited to be a part of the action once more, and witness some of the best equine athletes on earth compete on Hong Kong soil. “I am looking forward to it,” he said. 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. Wednesday's Observations features a pricy auction grad. 16.10 Kempton, Nov, £6,800, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT) Shadwell's ALFAREQA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an Owen Burrows-trained daughter of G1 Cheveley Park Stakes victrix Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and was the top-priced filly when knocked down for 1.6-million guineas at last year's October Book 1 sale. She faces a baker's dozen in this unveiling, including The Thoroughbred Corporation's Sand Gazelle (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a 425,000gns October Book 1 graduate out of a half-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}), representing Team Gosden; and the once-raced Andrew Balding trainee Thaisa (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who is a half-sister to the stable's ill-fated five-time Group 2 winner Beat The Bank (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}). 12.20 Lingfield, Nov, £6,300, 2yo, f, 8f 1y (AWT) Lord Lloyd-Webber's homebred JOYFUL SOUND (GB) (Masar {Ire}) is the penultimate foal out of stellar producer Claba Di San Jore (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and encounters seven rivals in this debut for the Ed Walker yard. The February-foaled chestnut is a half-sister to Group 1 winners Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal), Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}) and Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and to stakes-winning G2 Oaks d'Italia runner-up Joyful Hope (GB) (Shamardal) 17.40 Kempton, Nov, £6,800, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Rockcliffe Stud homebred KOMODO ISLAND (GB) (Frankel {GB}), another notable newcomer for the Ed Walker yard, is a full-brother to G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Snow Lantern (GB) out of four-time Group 1 winner Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}). Rivals include Cayton Park Stud's King Of Narnia (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is a half-brother to four stakes performers headed by multiple Group 1-winning dual South African champion Oh Susanna (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) and the dual Group 1-placed Signore Fox (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), representing John and Thady Gosden; and fellow debutant Shipshape (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who is a 105,000gns Book 2 half-brother to the multiple Group 1-placed dual Group winner Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), from the Ralph Beckett stable. 18.10 Kempton, Nov, £6,800, 2yo, 8f (AWT) Nat Rothschild's unraced NOBLE HORIZON (GB) (Kingman {GB}), is a homebred half-brother to three stakes performers out of G1 Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a daughter of storied blue hen Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk). The William Haggas trainee encounters one dozen rivals headed by Juddmonte's Modernise (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is a Harry Charlton-trained half-brother to the dual Grade I-placed Grand Jete (GB) (Dansili {GB}); and Godolphin's 400,000gns Book 1 graduate King's Norton (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a gelded son of G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), from the Charlie Appleby nursery. The post Top-Priced Book 1 Filly Set For Kempton Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Wednesday, December 4. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for December 4, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Warwick Farm All Races | Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back If 1 Leg Fails Up To $50 Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Warwick Farm this Wednesday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&C’s Apply Login to Neds to Claim Promo Caulfield Heath R1-3 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $25 Run 2nd or 3rd in Races 1-3 at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday and receive a bonus back up to $25. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo 25% Boosted Winnings! – Caulfield Heath Get 25% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. Fixed win only. First bet only. Cash bet only. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to pickleBet to Claim Promo Wednesday Bonus 2nd 0r 3rd in R1-3 at Warwick Farm & Caulfield Heath Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. T&C’s apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo Same Race Multi – Select 2-4 runners in the same race to get bigger odds Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Availability dependent on field size. Neds T&C’s Apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Bet and win up to 4th place. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to pickleBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% of winnings in cash Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds only. PlayUp T&Cs Apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts Elevate Your Prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Daily Multi Insurance Any race. Any runner. Any odds. Get a bonus back if your multi loses. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing thoroughbred bonus promotions for December 4, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

The $500,000 Virginia Derby, a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will transition to the dirt and be held on March 15, anchoring a new three-day spring meet that will also include the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, a Kentucky Oaks points race. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 25-Dec. 1View the full article

Sam Agars MASTEROFMYUNIVERSE - R6 (4) Can overcome wide gate to build on debut second Jay Rooney SMART FIGHTER - R6 (10) Last-start winner should get all the favours from an inside draw Jack Dawling SPICY GOLD - R8 (9) In-form sprinter looks like he has more to offer up in grade Phillip Woo CIRCUIT SEVEN - R4 (8) Has been threatening to salute and gets his chance from an ideal gate Shannon (Vincent Wong) CHILL CHIBI - R9 (3) Won well last start and looks a big chance to score again tonight Racing Post Online LUCKY TOUCH - R3 (2) Course-and-distance winner can succeed again over this Valley trip Tom Wood CHAMPION METHOD- R4 (4) Exceptional win last start when having to cross heels in the straightView the full article

Colonial Downs will host an expanded 44 days of live racing in 2025, led off by a special three-day Virginia Derby meet from Mar. 13 through Mar. 15, followed by the track's traditional summer meet from July 9 through Sept. 13. The $500,000 Virginia Derby, a points race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will transition to the dirt and be held Mar. 15, anchoring a new three-day spring meet which will also include the $250,000 Virginia Oaks, a Kentucky Oaks points race. The winning horse in each race will receive 50 points to the GI Kentucky Derby or the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The second- through fifth-place finishers will earn 25-15-10-5 points on a sliding scale. Colonial Downs' summer schedule expands to 41 days for 2025, with racing Wednesday through Saturday. Racing will also be offered on Labor Day, Sept. 1. The Colonial Downs Festival of Racing and its three graded stakes races is slated for Aug. 9. “We're excited to bring Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks qualifying races to Virginia for the first time in 2025,” Senior Director of Operations Frank Hopf said. “We look forward to an outstanding 2025 season with participation from horsemen not only from Virginia, but also from throughout the Mid-Atlantic as we expand our summer dates.” The post Colonial Downs Season Expands to 44 Days in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A license transfer that is needed for a new, non-profit group to take over the running of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course starting on the first of the year got pushed off the agenda at Tuesday's Maryland Racing Commission meeting because of concerns over the lack of documentation for how the incoming entity will meet an estimated $6-million budget shortfall for 2025. But executives from the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA), which is facilitating the state-approved change of control of the two tracks from 1/ST Racing (The Stronach Group) to a new, 501(c) (4) management organization called Maryland Jockey Club, Inc., explained to the commission that both the money from the state and its proper paperwork are in the pipeline, and that the delay is related to a series of state-level sign-offs that are part of a complex process. Commissioners seemed to understand that line of reasoning and didn't press the MTROA on the issue. An attorney for the commission suggested that the board could schedule another meeting, even on short notice, in the next few weeks just to deal with that one crucial license-transfer item. Six months ago, following more than a decade of speculation and planning, the state announced its intent to acquire Pimlico with the goal of transforming it into Maryland's lone premier Thoroughbred track. Pimlico will close after the 2025 GI Preakness S. for its gutting and redevelopment, and all mile-track racing in the state will shift to Laurel for at least two years, with the state leasing it from 1/ST Racing through Dec. 31, 2027, for one dollar per year. When the new Pimlico opens, racing at Laurel will cease. While all this happens, a new off-track training facility is to be developed. All of these racing and training operations will be controlled by the new non-profit Maryland Jockey Club. Michael Hopkins, the commission's executive director, pre-empted the Dec. 3 agenda item about the license transfer by stating that the commission doesn't have all the documentation it needs to take up the issue right now. “We have received their five-year projections for income and expenses,” Hopkins said. “And the first year, they are projecting a loss of $6 million. And we are working with the MTROA to [ascertain] how that $6 million will be guaranteed for payment to cover those losses. We are still discussing with them how they'd like to present that to the commission in its final version. “We understand that it's partially a budget amendment that would be coming forward, and some form of a loan to the non-profit, so that operating expenses would be covered for the first calendar year,” Hopkins said. “But that has not occurred yet,” Hopkins continued. “So that's what we're waiting on right now. So part of the commission's concern, I think, [is that] until we have further assurances of the coverage of those expected losses for the first calendar year, [the commission has reluctance about] moving forward on transferring a license at this time.” Swata Gandhi, the MTROA's deputy executive director, explained what needed to happen for the money to be released by the state. “This was part of the statute that was passed, where $10 million is going to be made available with a budget amendment to the MTROA, and we are able to send it to a not-for-profit for working capital,” Gandhi said. “Everything has been submitted to the Department of Budget Management,” Gandhi said, adding that the next steps require sign-offs from that department and the governor for the money to flow. “We've been told that's going to happen in the next two weeks,” Gandhi said. Marc Broady, the MTROA's executive director, said that once those sign-offs occur, the commission will get the documentation it needs to proceed with the license transfer. “We'll make sure to get it to you as we have it. Some things are still being determined,” Broady said. “This is a complicated process, and we're all here for the same reason, to make sure that the Maryland racing industry is improved significantly and remains strong for decades to come. “We're working on it. We will have documentation evidencing the arrival of the funds of the budget amendment,” Broady said. “It's a state process, but it's in the works. It's just a matter of days at this point before it's sent over, and we will have documentation evidencing that the Maryland Jockey Club has more than sufficient funds to cover any losses, and most importantly operations, because that's what the money is there for.” Separately, regarding the training center, the MTROA board has made its decision on a site, but can't yet make that location public, Gandhi said. “The site was approved at the last MTROA board meeting in a closed session. There are a few items that still need to be tied up before we can make an official announcement. But we expect to make that announcement this month, I would say in the next 10 days,” Gandhi said. The Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) didn't speak on the issue, but its website on Monday did post related updates about the changeover. “As the MTROA continues in the schematic-design phase for new Pimlico Race Course, it appears a major change to the original plans will be made,” the MTHA website stated in a Dec. 2 update. “It's highly likely we'll be taking another look at not rotating the track,” the MTHA quoted Greg Cross, the MTROA chairman, as saying during a Nov. 15 meeting. “Plans have called for removing the existing dirt track and turf course, moving the footprint and constructing new surfaces,” the MTHA website stated. “That would require purchase of property from the adjacent LifeBridge Health Sinai Hospital.” Cross, according to the MTHA website, said not rotating the surfaces would preserve history and acknowledge concerns in the Park Heights community. He also said it would “shorten the build-out of the property and reduce construction costs.” According to the MTHA website, the MTROA is projecting “a 1% increase in daily pari-mutuel handle in 2025 based upon the expectation that fewer racing dates at Laurel and Pimlico will result in an increase in the quality of the racing product. Laurel will be dark in July and August under a cooperative agreement with Colonial Downs in Virginia.” The post Maryland: License Transfer Hits Snag, Training Center Selected, Track Rotation Now Unlikely for Pimlico appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Racetrack Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has afforded the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Lab (EACL) and the University of Illinois Chicago's (UIC) Analytical Forensic Toxicology Laboratory additional time in their efforts to seek reaccreditation from the organization. News of the UIC Lab losing its RMTC accreditation broke in early September. The facility was initially issued a 60-day accreditation suspension period. According to RMTC executive director Michael Hardy, the RMTC's executive committee approved an additional 60-day extension to the laboratory's suspension “to provide them ample opportunity to fully remediate any remaining non-compliances that they have.” The full reasons behind the lab's initial accreditation suspension remains unclear. Dr. Mary Scollay and Ben Mosier, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) chief of science and executive director respectively, explained in a September TDN Q&A that the laboratory had failed several external quality assurance samples. Hardy said he was unable to expand upon the specific ongoing non-compliance issues that led to the 60-day extension period, other than to point to the organization's code of standards. The 60-day extension will conclude at the end of January, “at which point, the status of their RMTC accreditation will be determined,” said Hardy. The RMTC suspended the UK lab's accreditation back in March. HIWU and the University of Kentucky subsequently issued separate reports into multiple alleged management and operational failures at the lab under the leadership of its former director, Scott Stanley. Stanley subsequently issued a response through his attorney to the allegations levelled against him, categorically denying them and claiming they were made without evidence. He also criticized the logistical challenges of running a lab under HIWU's regulatory oversight, including from the implementation of a new information management system, the increased workload, and from resource limitations. Under the leadership of interim director Cynthia Cole, the UK Lab has spent months working to fix a series of operational and managerial issues in its efforts to regain RMTC accreditation, the deadline for which was the beginning of the month. As a part of the RMTC's reaccreditation process, the lab was required to undergo an on-site assessment by an independent auditor. But that audit was delayed due to travel disruptions resulting from of the recent hurricanes in Florida, pushing a final determination back a few weeks. That independent audit has since gone ahead, “and the materials from that audit have been submitted,” said Hardy, about the UK Lab. “That is under review right now. And the [Horserace Testing Laboratory Committee] should have enough information to make a determination on their status within a couple weeks.” The post RMTC: Kentucky, Illinois Labs’ Reaccreditation Processes Extended appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Parx Racing, $50,400, Msw, 12-3, 2yo, 1m 70y, 1:47.82, ft, 1 1/2 lengths. NATIONAL LAW (c, 2, Constitution–Susie's Baby, by Giant's Causeway), a rallying fourth on debut sprinting at Monmouth Park July 28, switched to grass with a well-beaten fifth going 1 1/16 miles at Colonial last time Sept. 7. Favored at even-money in this return to dirt, he stalked the early leaders from an outside third. He took over midway on the far turn, kicked for home as the one to catch, and, after opening a seven-length lead at the stretch call, things began to get very interesting. He drifted out badly to the outer rail, but maintained a clear enough advantage beneath Paco Lopez to graduate by 1 1/2 lengths. Susie's Baby, also responsible for an Uncle Mo filly of 2023, was bred to Gun Runner for 2025. The winner is a half to Family Way (Uncle Mo), GSW & MGISP, $1,002,860. Sales history: $250,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 3-1-0-0, $33,625. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Colts Neck Stables LLC; B-Diamond Creek Farm (KY); T-Jorge Duarte, Jr. You have to see this! #8 NATIONAL LAW (4.20) had a huge lead in the stretch before drifting all the way out to the outer rail, just holding on to win race 5 at Parx. The 2yo son of Constitution was ridden by Paco Lopez and is trained by Jorge Duarte, Jr. pic.twitter.com/MR6CSv8VtZ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) December 3, 2024 The post Wild Finish! Constitution Colt Drifts Out Badly to Outer Rail, Hangs on to Graduate at Parx appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With four new stallions standing at the farm in 2025, perhaps no farm had a better recruiting year than Gainesway. Their general manager, Brian Graves, appeared on this week's TDN Writers' Room podcast to discuss those new recruits-Muth, Seize the Grey, Tapit Trice, and Charge It. But the quartet isn't all that's going on at Gainesway, where their first-crop stallion McKinzie is one of three stallions vying for 2024's leading freshman sire, along with Vekoma at Spendthrift and Coolmore's Tiz the Law. “We're busy here,” said Graves. “You know, that's that's the way you want to be if you're in the stallion business. We're happy to have the action.” As a dual Grade I-winning of Arrogate, Seize the Grey, said Graves, “has had a lot of shows at the farm and is off to a really great start. He's gotten a ton of mares right out of the bat. And so we're really excited about the potential of what he offers breeders just with his size and strength. His good looks are just a throwback to Arrogate who was cut out to be a good horse and I think that that blood doesn't want to die.” The farm stalwart, Tapit, who is 23, “is doing great,” said Graves. “Last year, Tapit bred 80 mares. This year will probably breed 60, 70 mares again. He's doing quite well. He's active on the general sire list, and he's still producing Grade I winners, like Arthur's Ride this year. In addition to that, he had several graded stakes winners, Grade II winners, Grade III winners. He's still a force. He can't quite breed the numbers to keep him as a number one stallion anymore on the general sire list, but he's very consistent and he can still get you a Grade I winner. And people understand the power of Tapit.” Hoping to fill those footsteps one day is McKinzie, said Graves. “He's a breath of fresh air to Gainesway and to be in a position now where he's the leading freshman sire today just makes everyone around here very proud.” New stallion Muth “has just been a brilliant horse from the word go,” said Graves. “And I saw him as a marquee kind of stallion acquisition opportunity for Gainesway.” Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association,https://pabred.com/https://www.kentuckybred.org/https://www.nyrabets.com/ West Point Thoroughbreds, XBTV.com, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, we took a look at the WinStar stallion Two Phil's in the fastest horse of the week segment. Zoe Cadman and Randy Moss also talked about the breakdowns that have plagued Woodbine and the new 14-day rule instituted there, and celebrated the incredible year put together by Kenny McPeek. To watch the podcast, click here. To listen to it as an audio podcast, click here. The post Brian Graves Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast to Talk McKinzie, Tapit, and Those Four New Stallions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk In 2023 Lesa Clarke made her first ever purchases at the National Yearling Sales in Christchurch. Today at 5.57pm at Addington she’ll find how good a judge she is when Vin’s Deal makes her race day debut in the Still Time To Breed With Woodlands 2YO Fillies Mobile Pace. “Sometimes there’s a horse that just takes your eye, as soon as she walked out of her box I knew,” says Clarke. Clarke has owned around 20 horses over the years -“I have five at the moment” and many of them have been trained by Matt Purvis. Among the better performers she’s been associated with are Slip The Hundy, who won three in this country before heading overseas and has won 24 from 63, Rocknroll Mama (4 NZ wins) and Gossip Girl (2 NZ wins). “A couple of years ago I said to Matt I’ve like to go the sales and buy some nice ones,” says Clarke. And in Christchurch in February last year they did just that and walked away with Vin’s Deal for $11,000 and a Father Patrick yearling Jack’s Point for $17,000. “It was the first time I’d been to the sales and bought anything.” Of the pair Vin’s Deal is be the first to hit the race track. “She looked a beautiful horse on type and Matt liked the breeding as well.” “Matt broke her in and he has looked after her since day dot.” Clarke has since been joined in the ownership group by Purvis and Ron Stephenson. Vin’s Deal will head to the races after a very encouraging trial win at Rangiora last month. She cleared out to win by five lengths, completing her last 800 in 57.4 after earlier having some “cross-firing and gaiting issues” “But she’s over that now ,” says Clarke, “and hopefully we’ve got a nice horse who will be a very handy three-year-old.” On the back of her trial performance she will start a $2.50 favourite today, with John Dunn doing the driving. “We’ll be a bit nervous and I’ll be walking up and down a bit but most of all it’s just exciting.” View the full article

Woodford Thoroughbreds and D acquired lot 1770B, a placed half-sister to G1 Sun Chariot Stakes winner Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), for 1,550,000gns as the final lot of the Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday. Slievebrook House consigned the placed The Palace Girl (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who counts the high class GI Beverly D Stakes heroine Sea Calisi (Fr) as kin. She was bred by Gestut Etzean and Hans-Helmut Rodenburg. Kevin Coleman, Sean Grassick and Demi O'Byrne picked out the March-foaled bay for €30,000 out of the BBAG September Yearling Sale in 2023. congratulations to the connections of THE PALACE GIRL!! €30,000 1,550,000gns! Bought by Woodford Thoroughbreds, he was consigned by Slievebrook House. #TattsDecember pic.twitter.com/meYdDjIEOa — TDN (@theTDN) December 3, 2024 The post The Palace Girl Sells To Woodford Thoroughbreds For 1.55m Gns As Final 2024 Sceptre Sessions Offering appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peace and Justice (War Front) will stand the upcoming breeding season at Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions for an advertised fee of $7,500 S&N. The 14-year-old is the sire of graded stakes winner Dontlookbackatall, as well as stakes winners Like a Saltshaker and Capo. “We are very excited to bring a proven stallion like Peace and Justice with his credentials and numbers to New York,” said Steven W. Young. “With the advent of a third racing surface, combined with the purse parity coming to the state, Peace and Justice should do very well.” For breeding inquiries: Moe Scavullo (518) 398-5666, Steve Young (323) 646-5663, or Rick Burke and Bill Leak (518) 584-1515. The post Peace and Justice to Stand at Irish Hill and Dutchess View Stallions in 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis-Henri Graffard sent juvenile Group 1 winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) through the Tattersalls ring as the penultimate Sceptre Sessions lot (1770A), and she duly made 3,200,000gns on the bid of John Stewart's Resolute Racing, bidding online. Bred by Haras du Mont dit Mont in Ireland, the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine is out of the Sea The Stars (Ire) mare Krunch (GB). Second dam Spinacre (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) won the Listed Flame of Tara Stakes and was third in the G3 Prix Imprudence. Paul Nataf signed the ticket for the subsequent Gemini Stud and Argella Racing runner for €50,000 out of Arqana's August Yearling Sale last year. The highest rated two-year-old in France, Vertical Blue, sells for 3.2million gns at the #tattsdecember Sceptre Session. The daughter of Mehmas won this year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. She has been bought by Resolute Racing and was consigned by Graffard Racing. pic.twitter.com/wTUTLRmv74 — TDN (@theTDN) December 3, 2024 The post Another For Resolute Bloodstock At Tattersalls, As Stewart Buys Group 1 Winner Vertical Blue For 3.2m Gns Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Angel Cordero, Jerry Bailey, Steve Cauthen, Julie Krone, Edgar Prado, Pat Day, Laffit Pincay Jr., Ramon Dominguez, Jean Cruguet, and Chris McCarron are among those confirmed to attend the 10th annual Jockeys & Jeans event at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Nobals, set to be the first American-trained runner in the Hong Kong International Races since 2017, spiked a fever after traveling and is under observation.View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, December 4. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Caulfield Heath, Warwick Farm & Happy Valley (HK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – December 4, 2024 Caulfield Heath Racing Tips Warwick Farm Racing Tips Happy Valley (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top horse racing bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on December 4, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit today. “GETON is not a bonus code. Neds does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. Full terms. BlondeBet Signup Code GETON 2 Punters Prefer Blondes BlondeBet Blonde Boosts – Elevate your prices! Join BlondeBet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY GAMBLING WITH? full terms. 3 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Recommended! Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 4 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble You Better Believe It Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Bet365 Signup Code GETON 5 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 6 Next Gen Racing Betting pickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article