Racing

Here's what to expect In the Belmont Stakes 2020 line-up of horses

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May 27, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

By Jara Jones

ELMONT, N.Y.--Horse racing fans and bettors can now rejoice as the most celebrated horse racing event in the United States, which is the Triple Crown Series, commences next month.

Earlier this year, most sporting events were suspended due to the Coronavirus outbreak, but the Triple Crown Series is continuing its season this year.

The Triple Crown Series is made up of three races, usually beginning with the Kentucky Derby, which is now moved to the last part of the series on Sept. 5.

The Preakness Stakes, usually the second leg,  becomes the last on Oct. 3.

The Belmont Stakes, which used to be the final leg, will kick off the series this year on June 20 and has been shortened from 1 1/2 miles to 1 1/8 miles.

Hence, some major considerations and realignments will occur when it comes to the qualifying entries competing at the Belmont Stakes.

The latest 2020 Belmont Stakes odds show Florida Derby winner Tiz The Law as the overall 5-2 favorite.

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Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Sharing wins her first race back

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May 26, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf champion Sharing, trained by Graham Motion, won her first race back running since the Breeders' Cup on May 23 at Churchill Downs.

Sharing  winning the Breeders Cup Juvenile Filly TurfOwned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gainesway Stable (Antony Beck), Sharing won the $100,000, 1 mile Tepin Stakes for 3-year-old fillies on the turf by1/2 length in 1:36.26.

If things work out, Sharing may run at Ascot next a month from now.

"We have a couple of possibilities in mind for her," said Motion. "There's a race at Belmont on Belmont Day that's similar to the one she just won. It's a G3 race for $150,000.'

"Or, it's possible we may take her to Ascot," said Motion."There's a race there for her on June 20, exactly one month after her Churchill Downs race."

Motion said that taking her to Ascot would be partly for the challenge.

"It would be nice to win a G3 stakes at Belmont, but it would be even nicer to win a G1 at Ascot," he said. "It would be a great thing for her. She's a relatively uncomplicated filly, so shipping her there wouldn't be a problem.

"We'll see. Everything has to fall into place, with all that's going on now. But it's only a month away, so we'll see."

Sharing has now won four races along with placing third in her first race from five starts and  earned $787,340.

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Cheshire P-to-P postponed, Tampa and Keeneland add extra days

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May 23, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

UNIONVILLE,, Pa.--The Cheshire Point-to-Point will not be held on June 14, but may be held in October.

Kathy Neilson, a member of the Cheshire race committee, said that, due to racing not yet being opened by Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf, that it wasn't possible to run the point-to-point in June.

"With only 25 people allowed to meet together it wasn't possible to run in June," said Neilson. "We are hoping to run the point-to-point in October. We haven't got a date yet for that."

TAMPA Bay Downs has added eight dates in June to its 2019-2020 Thoroughbred racing calendar after its request was approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

The track will conduct racing in June on Mondays and Wednesdays: June 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22 and 24.

Spectators will not be allowed, nor will they be permitted to attend the track’s annual two-day Summer Festival of Racing June 30 and July 1.

Tampa Bay Downs is racing on a Wednesday-Friday-Saturday schedule through May 30.

Management expects the additional dates will help ease the financial hardship felt by many horsemen during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

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Restarting racing the main topic at the PHBA annual meeting

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May 21, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--The when and how of restarting racing in Pennsylvania was the topic that dominated the discussion at the virtual annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association on May 20.

While PHBA President Greg Newell and Executive Secretary Brian Sanfratello stressed the fact that Gov. Wolf has dictatorial power over restarting racing and concentrated on ways to persuade him to reopen, Bob Hutt brought up an interesting and little known fact.

"The Governor has the ultimate power," said Newell. "He has dictatorial power in a state emergency. The legislature, (which is predominately republican) has no ability to influence him."

Hutt said that there are two bills being put forward in the Republican dominated Senate.

"Wolf (who is a democrat) gets his power from act 7301, paragraph C," said Hutt. "If those two bills passed, it would take away the governor's emergency powers and put it back in the hands of Congress."

"We need to get that information into the hands of our lobbyists," said Hutt. "We're in a battle for our lives."

"If we get enough support from both houses and put forward a bill, and the Governor vetoed it, could we override a veto?" said Peter Gianguillio.

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Maryland racing put off again

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May 20, 2020

By Staff Writers

Timothy L. Keefe, President of  the Marland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association sent this notice to all Maryland horsemen.

Tim KeefeI appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this incredibly difficult period. In these challenging times, Maryland horsemen’s fortitude and resilience have been remarkable, and never have I been more proud to be a Maryland horseman than now.

The MTHA, the Maryland Jockey Club and the Stronach Group, in conjunction with each group’s army of lobbyists, lawyers and friends, have urged the Hogan administration to recognize the importance of reopening Maryland live racing, the ongoing threat to our financial survival, that we fit the standards for Phase 1 of his recovery plan and that our industry is at a tipping point as our surrounding States reopen to live racing.

The Maryland Racing Commission has been incredibly supportive and has advocated for the resumption of live racing.

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Belmont Park opens for racing June 3, with the Belmont Stakes June 20

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May 19, 2020

By Staff Writers

ELMONT, N.Y.--The New York Racing Association announced the spring/summer meet at Belmont Park will begin without fans June 3, bringing live racing back to the state for the first time since March 15.

Racing at Belmont ParkAccording to a May 19 press release, Belmont Park will be open for five days of racing during that initial week, on Wednesday through Sunday, with a 1:15 p.m. first race post time before shifting to a four-day, Thursday through Sunday, schedule for the remainder of the meet, which ends July 12.

NYRA also announced the 152nd renewal of the G1, $1 million Belmont Stakes, to be contested at nine furlongs, will take place on Saturday, June 20 at Belmont Park as the opening leg of the Triple Crown for the first time in history.

To align with required health and safety measures implemented in New York to mitigate risk and combat the spread of COVID-19, the Belmont Stakes will be held without spectators in attendance.

"The Belmont Stakes is a New York institution that will provide world-class entertainment for sports fans during these challenging times," said NYRA President & CEO Dave O'Rourke. "While this will certainly be a unique running of this historic race, we are grateful to be able to hold the Belmont Stakes in 2020. Thanks to our partners at NBC Sports, fans across the country can look forward to a day of exceptional thoroughbred racing at a time when entertainment and sports are so important to providing a sense of normalcy."

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Gov. Wolf refusing to open racing in Pennsylvania

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May 19, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

HARRISBURG, Pa.--Democratic Governor Tom Wolf is refusing to reopen horse racing, even though it has been proven safe,, and all Pennslvania's surrounding states have resumed racing or are planning to soon.

Pa. Gov. Wolf and Health Secretary Rachel LavergneHarness Racing Update had an article about Gov. Wolf's refusal to reopen horse racing.

Both the governor’s intransigence on returning to racing and his attempts to raid its chief form of funding sharply raises concerns of impending doom in one of the world’s most successful standardbred jurisdictions.

Article by Dave Briggs of Harness Racing Update

Snap political multiple choice question. Select the best answer.

Is Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf…

a. A person who hates horse racing?

b. A person who is poor at economics?

c. A person who has trouble understanding the COVID-19 advice of medical professionals when it comes to activities that can be safely done outdoors if proper protocols are followed?

d. A person incapable, or unwilling, to look at the proof from other jurisdictions that horse racing can be conducted safely — and wildly successfully — without spectators?

e. A person who places his political agenda ahead of the livelihoods of more than 7,000 of his citizens that rely directly on horse racing to make a living?

f. All of the above

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Michael Matz saddled Just Whistle to win the Sunday Silence Stakes

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May 18, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla.--Michael Matz saddled Helen K. Groves' Just Whistle to win the $75,000, 1 1/8 mile Sunday Silence Stakes by a neck at Gulfstream Park on May 17.

Just Whistle winning the Sunday Silence Stakes (Photo by Adam Coglianese)"Finally," said Matz. "He is one of those hard luck horses. He's has a series of little things bothering him."

This was Just Whistle's first stakes win, although he has finished  in the money a couple of times, placing second in the G3 Hal's Hope Stakes at Gulfstream on March 28. placing second in the Carl Hanford Memorial Stakes at Delaware Park on July 2, 2019 and third in the G3 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont Park on May 12, 2018.But after an allowance race at Belmont on June 9, 2018 in which he did not finish, he didn't run again until February, 2019, and then after the second in the Delaware Stakes last July, he didn't start again until February, 2020.

"He had bone bruising," said Matz. "It took a long time to bring him  back. Hopefully, now that he's 5, that will take care of that."

"I don't have any plans for him to run again right now," said Matz. "I'll probably ship him back up to Fair Hill this weekend. Then we'll see what races we have to look at. I got a text this morning that Laurel may open this weekend. Horses stable in Maryland can ship  into Laurel to race."

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Preakness to be held Oct. 3 at Pimlico

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May 17, 2020

By Staff Writers

BALTIMORE, Md.--The Preakness will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Pimlico, it was announced during NBC Sports' nationally televised broadcast, The Middle Jewel: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown.

Pimlico as it will be when renovated Chairman and president Belinda Stronach joined by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan made the announcement.

The Preakness Stakes, usually held on the third Saturday in May, was postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic and, as previously announced, will not include InfieldFest.

Plans for Black Eyed Susan Day, traditionally held the day before the Preakness, will be announced at a later time.

“Under normal circumstances, I would have stood today at Pimlico Race Course with Ms. Stronach to present the Woodlawn Vase to the winner of the 145th Preakness Stakes," said Gov. Hogan. "But, as we all know, these are not ordinary circumstances. I am delighted that we were successful in working with 1/ST, the Maryland Jockey Club and all who are connected to Maryland's Thoroughbred racing industry to set the new date of October 3rd.”

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Laurel hopes to reopen May 22

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May 16, 2020

By Staff Writers

LAUREL, Md--With the first phase of a gradual resumption of normal activities, Laurel Racetrack is hopeful of restarting live racing soon.

On May 13, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that Maryland is entering Phase 1 of the Roadmap to Recovery plan, which allows local jurisdictions to determine which businesses can begin to reopen and the conditions under which they can operate.

As previously advised, Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Maryland Jockey Club have provided detailed and extensive protocols to Governor Hogan and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman should we be permitted to reopen.

They are an extension of what we are currently and safely doing during training day-in and day-out.

We believe our protocols, evidenced by our safe track record for the past two months, are sufficient, meet current public health and safety requirements and should enable us to reopen, albeit without spectators.

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Santa Anita Park to reopen live racing this Friday, May 15

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May 14, 2020

By Staff Writers

ARCADIA, Calif.--Santa Anita Park has received approval from the Los Angeles County Health Department to resume safe live racing beginning this Friday, May 15 as part of Los Angeles County’s revision of its Safer at Home guidelines.

Santa AnitaRacing will be conducted without spectators and with essential personnel following strict protocols to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Protocols instituted include mandatory face masks and daily health screening including temperature checks and mandatory social distancing while on the property, increased sanitation procedures, the creation of a Restricted Zone, housing jockeys, valets and other essential personnel who must have a negative COVID test to access, and revised saddling and pre-race protocol to increase physical distancing.

“We are very grateful for the open and continuous communication with both the Health Department and Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office,” said Aidan Butler, Executive Director of California Racing Operations for The Stronach Group. “Supervisor Barger in particular, understood the importance of live racing to support thousands of individuals, and that we are able to accomplish it safely under these protocols.

“We also want to thank our stakeholders, including the Thoroughbred Owners of California, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, the Jockeys Guild, our Santa Anita Park team and our fans for their patience during this pandemic. This has been a difficult time for all. Now we are focused on getting back to work in a safe and secure manner.”

Racing begins at Churchill Saturday, Belmont Park main track opens for training

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May 13, 2020

By SARA CAVANAGH

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--Racing is back at Churchill Downs, and Saturday, May 26, is opening day.

Churchill DownsThe program of the first day of the Spring Meet has an average field size of 11.3 horses for the action-packed 11-race program, which includes the return of champion Monomoy Girl in the featured fourth race, a conditioned allowance event at one-mile on the main track with a purse of $85,000.

“It’s been a long time coming but we are thrilled for Monomoy Girl to return to the races,” trainer Brad Cox said. “She’s been working great down at Keeneland since late March and we’re looking forward to this first step back.”

Owned by Michael Dubb, Monomoy Stables, The Elkstone Group and Bethlehem Stables, Monomoy Girl has been on the sidelines since September after dealing with a minor hamstring pull and a bout of colic.

Monomoy Girl capped her brilliant 3-year-old campaign with victories in the 2018 G1 Kentucky Oaks and G1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff.

She will be reunited with her regular jockey Florent Geroux for Saturday’s contest and starts from post No. 2.

Geroux has been aboard Monomoy Girl for her last three works at Keeneland including a swift five-furlong move in :59.40 last Saturday.

First post Saturday is 1 p.m. (all times Eastern), with Race 4 headed to the gate at 2:32 p.m.

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Pimlico to be rebuilt with Laurel updated

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May 8, 2020

By Staff Writers

BALTIMORE, Md--The Racing and Community Development Act of 2020, which will protect the long-term future of horse racing in Maryland through the rebuilding of Pimlico Race Course and Laurel Park into state-of-the art facilities, was one of many bills Gov. Larry Hogan allowed to become law without his signature on May 7.

The legislation, which had broad bipartisan support in the House of Delegates and Senate, calls for the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $375 million in bonds for the projects through a combination of funds from the Racetrack Facility Renewal Account, the Purse Dedication Account, video lottery terminal payments to Baltimore City and money from the Maryland Lottery.

The Act will take effect June 1.

The plan that led to the legislation was put together beginning last summer by Alan Foreman, legal counsel for the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association; Alan Rifkin, legal counsel for the Maryland Jockey Club; and Bill Cole, a consultant who previously served as President of the Baltimore Development Corp.

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PHTA President Sal DeBunda updates efforts to resume racing in Pennsylvania

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May 7, 2020

By Staff Writers

Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Sal DeBunda recently outlined the roadmap for getting back to racing in Pennsylvania, particularly at Parx.

Sal DeBunda"The big question is when Parx will reopen, and we don't have any answer for that," said DeBunda. "What I can tell you is what the roadmap looks like."

"Governor Wolf has come up with what I call a zone approach. He has a red zone, a yellow zone and a green zone.

Until May 8, we are all in a red zone. To get from red to yellow, there will have to be less than 50 cases of covid 19 per 100,000 people for 14 days. In the yellow zone, certain businesses will be allowed to reopen.

For Philadelphia and Bucks County, which is where Parx is, right now that's a long road. In Philadelphia, there are 500 cases per 100,000, and in Bucks County there are 350 cases per 100,000 people, so to get to 50 is going to be some task.

If we get to yellow, we can resume racing, but casinos are not allowed to open, even if we get to yellow.

Right now, the casinos, as owners of the tracks, have not committed to opening the tracks until the casinos are open, so we have a chicken and the egg problem that we need to deal with.. Even if we get through the zone issue, the casino operators, who own the racetracks, may not allow the racetracks to open.

To overcome the time frame that we see in the southeast part of Pennsylvania versus the other parts of the state with the zone approach, because of how far we have to go, we're seeking a state wide exemption for racing to resume without patrons.

Wolf has already granted state wide exemptions for construction, golf courses and  marinas.

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MTHA President answers questions about Maryland racing

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May 7, 2020

By Staff Writers

Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association President Tim Keefe answered some of the most pressing questions horsemen have been asking during the Covid-19 shutdown.

Tim Keefe#1 – When will we race again and what will the schedule look like when we do resume?

Ultimately, the decision on when we can resume live racing lies solely with Maryland Governor Hogan. We are a State-regulated business and are subject to State mandates.

As I’m sure you’ve seen, and as we’ve detailed on the MTHA website, the Governor has issued his Road to Recovery Plan which places businesses into three categories of risk for purposes of reopening—Low, Medium and High. Re-openings will occur based on the classification of risk and protocols that will be in place to protect from spreading the coronavirus.

The Governor will permit businesses to reopen, starting with the Low risk category, when there has been a 14 consecutive day leveling or decline in COVID related hospitalizations and referrals to intensive care units. According to published reports this morning, we believe we are in day 4 of the curve.

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