Horse Racing archive

The Friday card will start at 2:00 PM, EDT with four races to warm up the 50,000+ who will be at the track paying attention along with millions more around the world who will be betting with both fists. At about 3:30 PM, EDT, the first 28 th annual BC finally will go to the post— with a new race, the $500,000 Juvenile Sprint at 6 furlongs.

Adding this race may have seemed excessive or even frivolous to horseplayers, including me, who believed that enough is enough given the creeping expansion that has been part of the BC experience since the original seven race format was introduced in 1984. In 1999 an eighth race was added and that seemed fine, but in 2007 and 2008 the BC expanded to total of 14 and set up a two day event as well.

“Greed,” is what I thought back then. “Arrogance” is what I wrote when the last major expansion was accompanied by a change of the original Breeders’ Cup name to “The Breeders’ Cup World Championships of Thoroughbred Racing. “

“World Championships?”

You mean to tell me that this fine group of rich stakes races here in America trumps the Dubai World Cup, or the festival that surrounds the Prix d’lArc de Triomphe at Longchamp in Paris? Or, the Melbourne Cup and its long list of high quality stakes that have been run for 150 years in Australia? Or, the great series of races presented each year in Hong Kong and Tokyo?

Frankly, I held the view that the adopted World Championship label made America look bad to the rest of the world. But, I have to concede that there actually may have been some method to the BC’s madness. Even the newly created 15th BC race makes more sense than I first thought. There are 2 year olds in great form on both sides of the Atlantic who cannot handle a 1-1/16 mile race and never will. So why not have a race at 6 furlongs for those very fast young horses?

There are even two promising contenders from England in this first running, with more to come. And that is a central point: With the expansion of racing opportunities that were tailored in part to attract the Euros, more of their horses have come to compete in our BC races.

First came the BC Filly and Mare Turf in 1999, a race that has been won on several occasions by top flight European fillies and mares, including BANKS HILL IN 2001, OUIJA BOARD in 2004 and 2006.

In 2007, the BC added three new races, including the BC Juvenile Turf which had obvious appeal to European trainers. In fact, POUNCED and DONATIVUM shipped across the Atlantic to win this race in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

The new races in 2008 included the BC Marathon, which also appealed to Euro horsemen because they tend to run much longer races than we do. In keeping with that reality the first two Marathons were won by the Euros MAHANNAK and MAN OF IRON.

The 2008 expansion also included the BC Turf Sprint and the BC Juvenile Fillies Turf, which this year has attracted some of Europe’s top rated juvenile fillies for the first time. Chief among them is the multiple Group Stakes winner ELUSIVE KATE, trained by John Gosden, a Hall of Fame class trainer based in England who learned his craft in California 30 years ago, working for the late, great Charlie Whittingham.

Gosden has been a staunch supporter of the BC through the years and is rarely here just for the scenery. He has in fact trained three BC winners including RAVEN’s PASS, winner of the 2008 BC Classic.

This year, along with the return of the Freddie Head trained GOLDIKOVA who is seeking her fourth straight win in the BC Mile and the presence of SO YOU THINK, one of Europe’s best older horses, as well as more than two dozen other live contenders from Europe, the BC’s international popularity is on the rise.

So, I confess. I was at least half wrong about having so many races. Fact is they are each in their own way intriguing handicapping puzzles with unique opportunities to cash in on juicy payoffs. I also was at least partially wrong about the renaming of the event. Each year that passes, the Breeders’ Cup gains ground on its presumptuous label. It may not yet be the World Championships of Thoroughbred Racing, but it is getting closer to the top spot on the international totem pole.

Louisville, Ky, Oct. 31, 2011 – In all, 179 horses received post position assignments as three others were put on an also eligible list pending possible scratches in two of the BC races.

While no result is ordained by any post position assignment, it can be said that Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert was not a happy camper after he got his post position assignments for four of the 10 horses he entered.

First IRSH GYPSY was given post number one in the $1 million BC Filly and Mare Sprint at 7 furlongs. Then EUROEARS drew the same inside post in the $2 million BC Sprint at 6 furlongs; THE FACTOR got number one in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile and longshot PRAYER FOR RELIEF received the same starting slot for the $5 million BC Classic at 1-1/4 miles. Yes, all four drew the #1 post position in their respective races.

In case you might not know it, but Baffert hates the inside post, for good reason.

Last year on this same track, Baffert watched in horror as his ZENSATIONAL lost his best chance to win the BC Sprint from post one when trapped inside through the first quarter mile. Zensational never was able to get into the clear to show the speed that led the public into making him the 9-5 betting favorite.

Six months earlier, Baffert endured a similar, even more gut wrenching experience when his star 3 year old LOOKIN AT LUCKY was severely bothrered early in the Kentucky Derby after breaking from the inside post.

Now, all the pre race planning and training for Irish Gypsy, Euroears, The Factor and Prayer for Relief may go right out the window if these horses do not break sharply away from the gate. One misstep, one half stumble, one horse cutting over to the inside rail could end their respective chances.

While Baffert has a way of deflecting tough beats and bad post draws with a self deprecating humor, this time, he can be forgiven for hoping against hope that his poor post draws in four important Breeders' Cup races will not undermine their respective chances.

"I do not know how I can be so unlucky in these draws,” he said.

Nor does anyone else.

In other post draw issues, there were very few surprises, but the few were important.

For instance, JACKSON BEND, presumably being aimed for a shot in the Dirt Mile, instead was put in the BC Sprint by Hall of Fame trainer Nick Zito.

“The pace of the (6 furlong) Sprint looks like it is going to be very competitive,” Zito explained. “I think my horse will be finishing very strong.”

The 4-year-old filly ARUNA defected from her first preference in the $2 million BC Ladies Classic at 1-1/8 miles on the dirt track to run instead in the $2 million BC Filly and Mare Turf at 1-3/8 miles. Trainer Graham Motion saw Aruna work on the main track Saturday morning and knew almost instantly that this proven grass filly would be better placed in the F and M Turf, even though the distance is beyond anything Aruna previously has attempted.

As expected, the lightly raced and extremely talented UNCLE MO is going in the $5 million BC Classic, even though many believe he will be challenged by that distance and would have been a more logical threat in the Dirt Mile.

Still, Churchill’s official line maker, Mike Battaglia installed Uncle Mo as the 5-2 morning line favorite. This despite the presence of several horses in the Classic field who have proven form at the Grade-1 level this year and will bring extensive experience at Classic distances.

Among the horses who deserve respect in this race are: The 4 year old filly HAVRE DE GRACE who beat males in the Grade-1 Woodward Stakes at Saratoga; the hard hitting European SO YOU THINK, a winner of eight Group-1 stakes in three countries; GAME ON DUDE, a two time winner of important G-1 stakes in California this season; plus the 2010 Belmont Stakes winner DROSSELMEYER, the 2011 Belmont winner RULER ON ICE, as well as the 2011 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner FLAT OUT and the 2011Travers winner STAY THIRSTY.

Beyond the Classic which will close out the Saturday BC card, there is great anticipation for GOLDIKOVA, the French based 6 year old mare who will be seeking a mind boggling fourth straight win in the $2 million BC Mile. That race will in fact precede the BC Classic and will not only feature three other European imports with upset credentials, but two familiar rivals: COURAGEOUS CAT and GIO PONTI, who finished second to Goldikova in the 2009 and 2010 BC Mile races respectively.

Fact is there are tough horses in every BC race and as usual, horseplayers can expect a wide range of pari mutuel payoffs as nothing usually beat the Breeders’ Cup for it concentration of action and opportunities to play top class horses in top shelf races at fair and square odds.

The waiting is almost over. The party begins on Friday afternoon with six of the BC races and it will spill over into a glorious Saturday card that will offer nine more BC events. Get the bankroll ready to take some Breeders' Cup betting shots. The Breeders’ Cup comes along only once each year.

It doesn’t get better than this in the world of horse racing. Aside from the Triple Crown, the Breeders' Cup and its suite of races are arguably the most exciting and meaningful thoroughbred contests of the year. It is when we get to see the stars of tomorrow running in the Juvenile races, and when we get to see older superstar horses at the peak of their careers.

Get your bets in at Bodog’s online Racebook for the 2011 Breeders' Cup. You can’t win if you don’t bet!

The 2011 Breeders’ Cup this weekend at Churchill Downs in Kentucky should be no exception to the rule as several thrilling races will provide great drama. Always a favorite on the first day of the Breeders' Cup is the Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic which showcases some of the best female horses on the planet. This year’s event has some heavy favorites but with super filly Havre de Grace now running in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Classic the playing field is a little more level.

Plum Pretty
This is clearly the race favorite with odds of about 2-1 at the moment. Coming off a win in her last race at the Grade 2 Fitz Dixon Cotillion, Plum Pretty also won this year’s Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks and is the horse to beat. By all accounts her race prep has her in good form and trainer Bob Baffert knows a thing or two about winning races.

Royal Delta
This is a powerful horse which has been said to have had stellar workouts this week. She was second in her last start to the very talented Havre de Grace in the Grade 1 Beldame and took first in her previous start in the Grade 1 Alabama Stakes. Expect her to challenge Plum Pretty all the way and at odds of about 5-2 is certainly a good bet.

It’s Tricky
With odds of about 5-1 currently this filly of Godolphin Stables has every right to be considered a serious contender in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Ladies' Classic. Runner up to Plum Pretty at the Grade 2 Fitz Dixon Cotillion in her last race, and runner up to Royal Delta in the Grade 1 Alabama stakes, It’s Tricky is a perennial contender. She also has two Grade 1 victories this year at the Acorn Stakes and the Coaching Club American Oaks. Given her record and her slightly longer odds, It’s Tricky might be the value bet for this race.

The biggest remaining race of the 2011 thoroughbred calendar takes place today with the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This year's edition will produce even more drama than usual as it will most likely determine Horse of the Year honors which are still undecided. The line-up is a bit of a murders’ row of equine talent and each entry has a legitimate shot at winning. Below is a list of the top three prospects to win the 2011 Breeder’s Cup Classic.

Get your bets in at Bodog’s online Racebook for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Classic. You can’t win if you don’t bet!

Uncle Mo
What can be said about this horse that hasn’t been said already? Almost certainly the most talented of the three year olds and should have been shoe in for Horse of the Year. However, a rare liver illness sidelined him just prior to the Kentucky Derby where he was the favorite and it has been a long hard road back. He has however shown good form in his last two races coming in second in the Grade 1 King’s Bishop and first in the Grade 2 Kelso Stakes.

At odds of about 5-2 Uncle Mo will be the favorite heading into the race but there remain questions about his stamina and overall conditioning. Additionally there are some doubts about his ability to go 1 ¼ miles which is a distance he has not previously run. However, by all accounts he has been working out extremely well and if truly healthy then most likely the horse to beat.

Havre de Grace
Sitting at about 3-1 Havre de Grace is the only filly in the race but has demonstrated on more than one occasion she can beat the boys. The talented superstar was expected to race in the $2,000,000 Ladies’ Classic on Friday, but instead she was entered into the $5,000,000 Classic.

Given her past performance it is a given that this horse is a winner and she has victories in her last two starts which were both Grade 1 races. In particular the Woodward Stakes victory against male rivals was meaningful and echoed the performance of fellow filly Rachel Alexandra who won in 2009. Certainly Havre de Grace deserves to be in the top three favorites to win the Classic.

So You Think
One thing that is always exciting about the Breeders’ Cup is the number of European horses that come over to compete. This year is no different with top European talent like So You Think. A multiple Grade 1 winner, So You Think has proven that he is an experienced horse that can compete against the best talent in the world.

Further, So You Think has won numerous times at the 1 ¼ mile distance which separates him from the likes of Uncle Mo and Havre de Grace. Add to this factor that So You Think is trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien who is perhaps one of the most talented trainers on the planet at the moment. Given the distance and the type of preparation he will receive, So You Think might very well be the next Breeders’ Cup Classic champion.

Fact is those two negative results were the big stories that overshadowed a long list of close finishes and wild upsets that dominated the 28th edition of the ultra rich, 15 race Breeders’ Cup that played out Friday and Saturday at Churchill Downs.

Goldikova, away alertly from post one in the $2 million BC Mile, made a spirited bid at the top of the stretch to reach the front but weakened late under pressure and could only manage a third place finish behind 65-1 shot COURT VISION and 13-1 TURALLURE in the final race in her exceptional career. No doubt all that Goldikova has done so far on America’s biggest stage probably will land her in the American Racing Hall of Fame.

Goldikova also had to survive a strong jockey’s objection lodged by Patrick Valenzuela who definitely was bothered when Goldikova cut him off aboard COURAGEOUS CAT in mid stretch. Because Courageous Cat faded back to last after the incident, the Churchill stewards might have bent in her favor, given that Courageous Cat could not be moved up to earn a purse award and because a DQ might have been an unfitting end to her unprecedented three consecutive victories in three tries in the BC Mile. At least that was my interpretation of why the stewards decided to toss out the foul claim.

Uncle Mo, hyped to the hills for his excellent performances as a 2 year old in 2010, made a gallant try in the 1-1/4 mile Classic for a few strides short of a mile. After that he was racing in reverse gear and finished his stop and go season in 10th, just two spots away from last.

The well traveled New Zealand bred SO YOU THINK, racing in tandem with Uncle Mo at the top of the CD stretch. spit the bit when the real test came in the stretch and finished sixth, one place out of the money rewards from the $5 million purse.

To me it looked as if So You Think handled the dirt just fine, but was “over the top”—- a horse who had raced once too often. This view was supported I think by the simple fact the BC Classic was So You Think’s third straight world class race at 1-1/4 miles or longer during the past 34 days! In my view, So You Think simply was a very tired horse who had nothing left to give.

The same could not be said for DROSSELMEYER, the 2010 Belmont Stakes winner who turned in his best lifetime race winning the 1-1/4 mile BC Classic by 1-1/4 lengths, catching the game GAMEON DUDE in the final 40 yards to turn the Horse of the Year title completely up for grabs, while denying jockey Chantal Sutherland a place in the BC record book as the only female jockey to win the richest race in America.

Although Sutherland had to settle for second, she turned in a brilliant performance aboard the Bob Baffert trained Game On Dude, leading every step of the way except for the last few, repelling pressure from Uncle Mo around the far turn and holding together strongly when So You Think made his strong bid midway through the final turn. After winning those battles as Game On Dude turned into the long Churchill Downs stretch, Sutherland used as much skill as humanely possible to resist Drosselmeyer’s relentless rally for as long as she and her mount could.

In the final analysis, it was a battle of Hall of Fame trainers—Billy Mott (Drosselmeyer) against Bob Baffert (Game On Dude). Both did remarkable work producing two very fit horses in one of the toughest, most demanding races in the world—the 10 furlong Breeders’ Cup Classic, contested on a dirt track that was somewhat dusty and tiring two days after heavy rains hit the Louisville area.

The Classic outcome that concluded this year’s Breeders’ Cup also completed an ironic story arc that traced directly back to last year’s dramatic Classic, when the top notch 4 year old colt BLAME held off the previously undefeated wonder mare ZENYATTA by a diminishing head at the wire in a thrilling renewal of the 2010 Classic.

On that memorable day, the losing jockey, disconsolate to the core, was Hall of Famer Mike Smith. On this occasion, it was Smith aboard Drosselmeyer, who managed to hang an ironic defeat on his former fiancé Chantal Sutherland.

“I can’t believe how different things are right now, compared to the way I felt last year, “Smith said at his post race press conference. “Last year I felt I had just died, that I had let Zenyatta and all her fans down. I blamed myself for her first and only defeat (in 19 career starts),” Smith continued. “I thought about hanging them up. . . “But, this time, he added, “I feel full of life, grateful for the chance to redeem myself.”

Smith, in fact was completing an extraordinary Breeders’ Cup, just as Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott was doing the same. While Mott won the climactic Classic and the featured Ladies Classic the day before, Smith won two BC races, taking the $1.5 million Sprint earlier on the Saturday card aboard stretch running AMAZOMBIE. His two victories tied both Corey Nakatani and John R. Velazquez for the most on the two day BC program, but it also gave Smith his 15th career BC win, tying him with retired Hall of Famer Jerry Bailey for the most in BC history.

Of course there is more to tell about this Breeders’ Cup and I’ll be back in this space tomorrow to bring you those details. Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook now!

Aside from Goldikova’s third place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Saturday, a performance that was marred by an obvious foul she committed against COURAGOUS CAT and several other horses in the upper stretch; aside from the fact that the Churchill Downs’ stewards put the blinkers on and allowed Goldikova’s third place finish to stand when any other horse in the world in that race or any race anywhere, would have been disqualified. Aside from all that, what do we make of the wild and woolly Breeders’ Cup we saw first hand on Friday and Saturday, especially Saturday?

Wasn’t the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic supposed to identify the 2011 Horse of the Year? Didn’t we have all the primary contenders in the field—as in FLAT OUT, HAVRE DE GRACE, STAY THIRSTY and even UNCLE MO?

But wasn’t that DROSSELMEYER posing for pictures in the Churchill Downs winner’s circle? Is he the anointed one?

You can’t be serious.

Yes, Drosselmeyer won last year’s Belmont Stakes and yes, he is a pretty good horse trained by Billy Mott, one of the great horse trainers of the western world. But Drosselmeyer nevertheless had not won a Graded Stakes before or since that Belmont victory at the 1-1/2 mile distance 17 months ago and no horse as inconsistent ever has been named Horse of the Year.

Fact is, the Breeders’ Cup Classic result this time around will not even spark a legit debate over which horse should be the champion of 2011—-not a debate like we had in 2009 between BC Classic winner ZENYATTA and the absent but highly qualified RACHEL ALEXANDRA. Not like the one we had last year after BLAME n narrowly defeated the great ZENYATTA in a thrilling BC Classic over the same Churchill Downs racetrack.

This year, a debate over the Horse of the Year Award will occur but it will conclude with a disappointing outcome. The unsatisfying result of the 2011 BC Classic—in which Drosselmeyer rallied past a game and hard trying GAME ON DUDE in the final 40 yards put the focus on one obvious and embarrassing fact: There might not have been a Horse of the Year this time around. In fact, we can make a stronger statement:

There was no Horse of the Year in 2011!

The 4-year-old filly Havre De Grace finished fourth in the BC Classic on Saturdasy. No Horse of the Year for her.

Flat Out, the betting favorite in the Classic, finished fifth without ever reaching a contending position. No Horse of the Year for him.

Uncle Mo? He had to win the Classic in an electrifying manner merely to enter the Horse of the Year picture. But after he was near the lead for a mile, he faded from view to finish 10TH. No Horse of the Year for him either.

Game On Dude did finish a very close second in the Classic, which was a good thing, but his overall resume did not include a series of important wins followed by one of the best second place efforts in Classic history, as Zenyatta did last year. So, if he wins the Horse of the Year title on a decent but slim resume, his connections should give it back as soon as they leave the podium at the annual Eclipse Awards in January.

The 2-year-old MY MISS AURELIA did complete an undefeated four race campaign with her win in the BC Juvenile Fillies, but her win over GRACE HALL was nothing that would make any of us think of RUFFIAN, or even MOCCASSIN, the only 2 year old filly ever to win Horse of the Year.

CALEB’S POSSE looked good winning the BC Dirt Mile over Preakness winner SHACKLEFORD and he has had a nice 2011 campaign winning five from 10 starts including two G-1 stakes. But does anyone really believe that Caleb’s Posse was the best American horse this year? I say there should be no Horse of the Year for Caleb’s Posse.

COURT VISION upset Goldikova’s bid for a fourth straight BC Mile—but he looked impossible on paper going into the race and came out of it with a shocking win at 65-1. No horse who had been so poor for so many races has ever gotten close to a Horse of the year Award and that will not happened this year.

Likewise, AMAZOMBIE ran a strong race to win the BC Sprint over a very game FORCE FREEZE, but the last time a sprinter won Horse of the Year he was named Dr. Fager and the good doctor also was voted the best Turf Horse and the top Older Horse in training for an exceptional 1968 campaign. Amazombie is no Dr. Fager and no Horse of the Year.

The 2-year-old HANSEN led the BC Juvenile from pillar to post, while the previously unbeaten UNION RAGS almost overcame a very wide trip and made it very close at the wire. Hansen definitely will not be voted Horse of the Year off that game victory. Fact is there will be nearly equal support for the 2 year old championshop on behalf of the horse he beat on Saturday. Were it not for the extra yardage Union Rags had to cover on both turns, the result probably would have been reversed.

Two horses who did not compete in the Breeders’ Cup probably will get some Horse of the Year attention: ANNOUNCE and TIZWAY.

Announce won the Pacific Classic on the Polytrack at Del Mar and three other major stakes on turf to probably rank as this year’s most accomplished horse.

Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook now!

Tizway won the prestigious Metropolitan Mile in fast time last May and won the important Whitney Handicap over Flat Out at Saratoga in July. But neither Tizway nor Announce lasted the whole season and both were non participants in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships of Thoroughbred Racing.

As I said, there was nothing settled in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Saturday other than the fact that there is no legitimate reason to pick out any single horse as this year’s Horse of the Year. Frankly I can live with that, but I doubt many others will.

Iowans soon will be able to sit at home and wager on horse races, but before they place their bets by telephone or the Internet, they will have to take a trip to Altoona in central Iowa.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission approved regulations Thursday that allow at-home bets on all horse races — simulcast or live — offered at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino near Altoona.

Only Iowans are legally allowed to participate in a system that state lawmakers approved earlier this year. The measure applies only to Prairie Meadows, the lone track in Iowa that offers live horse racing.

"We expect to be up and running in the first quarter of 2012," said Ann Atkin, vice president of operations at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino.

Foes called the measure a difficult-to-regulate "expansion of gambling."

Mitch Henry, who lives in Des Moines and opposes all forms of gambling, questioned whether the measure would prey on compulsive gamblers, making it easier for them to wager too much money at home.

He also said he doubted the new system would be a boon to the troubled horse-racing industry, which has been in decline for two decades.

The at-home gambling system is known as "advanced deposit wagering." It is allowed in about 20 states nationwide.

The idea is to allow a gambler to establish an account at a racetrack. He or she can then place a wager by either telephone or the Internet.

The law requires that the gambler set up the initial account in person. After that, they can renew or deposit additional dollars into the account by telephone or the Internet, said Atkin.

She said Prairie Meadows has no idea how many people might participate. Horse racing fans have said they hope the new system will help the industry.

In neighboring Nebraska, such a system would be difficult to implement. It would take a change in the Nebraska Constitution, which requires all racetrack betting be done inside a track, according to State Sen. Paul Schumacher, a Republican lawmaker from Columbus who supports expanded gambling.

The three favorites were SECRET CIRCLE in the inaugural running of the $500,000 BC Juvenile Sprint; ROYAL DELTA in the $2 million BC Ladies Classic and REGALLY READY in the $1 million BC Turf Sprint.

The parade of longshots was led of course by COURT VISION’s 64-1 win by a nose over 17-1 TURRALURE in the $2 million BC Mile, a race in which GOLDIKOVA finished third in her final career race, but probably should have been disqualified for interfering with COURAGEOUS CAT among others in the race.

The Court Vision win indeed was a shocker, especially considering how poorly he had run while finishing out of the money in six straight races since winning the 2010 Woodbine Mile. Even his trainer Dale Romans was surprised. “I thought he might run a lot better than people expected, “ Romans said. “But I really didn’t think he could win.”

Although Marathon winner ALFEET AGAIN’s most recent race was a second placing against allowance horses at Monmouth Park, his 43-1 win in the 1-3/4 mile, $500,000 BC race was completely out of synch with his long string of defeats dating back more than 16 months. But a race such as the Marathon, which is run at a distance very few horses in America ever attempt, can all by itself lead to a wacky result.

That said, the lowest paying, but the most significant longshot win of the entire Breeders’ Cup was posted by DROSSELMEYER, who merely won the $5 million BC Classic with a rally from back in the pack unlike anything he had ever done before.

Fact is, Drosselmeyer’s best lifetime race going into this BC Classic was his steady going win in the 2010 Belmont Stakes at 1-1/2 miles. In that race, the son of Distorted Humor gradually improved his position from fifth, to fourth, to third on the final turn where he proceeded to outlast rival stretch runners, FLY DOWN and FIRST DUDE.

In one of his six races since that important G-1 victory, Drosselmeyer employed a similar running style to narrowly outlast his stablemate BIRDRUN in an ungraded $60,000 stakes at 1-1/4 miles on his favorite track, Belmont Park.

In all his previous and subsequent races, Drosselmeyer seemed at a disadvantage trying to negotiate sharper turns on tracks far less vast than Belmont.

So here he was competing in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the tight turning one mile track at Churchill Downs. Here he was uncorking a strong rally, passing almost every horse in the 12 horse field, taking the measure of front running GAME ON DUDE with room to spare.

Frankly, that upset performance surprised me more than the ones posted by Court Vision and Afleet Again, even though those two went off at significantly higher odds.

At the bottom line, I thought that Afleet Again’s win in a fluky race deserved to be passed off as a fluke.

Court Vision’s win may have been a shock, but at least he had run strongly in world class company at one mile on the turf in 2010 and 2009. Moreover, he now was being trained by Dale Romans, the fastest rising star among trainers that I have seen since Bob Baffert entered the scene in the early 1990’s.

To refresh your memories, consider how successful Romans has been with so many different types of horses in just the past two seasons. First there was PADDY O’ PRADO, third in the 2010 Kentucky Derby before he went on a stakes winning spree in rich turf events; next came FIRST DUDE, a strong third in the 2010 Preakness.

Beyond the above pair, Romans also developed the multiple stakes winning filly SASSY IMAGE and the prolific 3 year old stakes performer SHACKLEFORD, who not only won the 2011 Preakness, he finished second in the Haskell Invitational, second in the Indiana Derby and second again in the $1 million BC Dirt Mile last weekend. While all this was going on Romans also managed to get the 2 year old DULLAHAN to win the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity as a maiden.

Given so much success with five completely different types of horses, the reason Court Vision woke up to smell the roses last Saturday is best explained by Dale Romans’ handiwork. While he has operated below the radar for several years, Romans suddenly has emerged as a long range candidate for the Hall of Fame. Frankly, I am committing myself to wager on virtually every horse he trains through the rest of the year and through at least the 2012 Derby prep race campaign.

As for Drosselmeyer, who suddenly became a full grown adult racehorse with more punch than he had previously demonstrated, his trainer also deserves the most credit for finally getting the most out of an intrinsically laid back horse.

Already in the Hall of Fame, trainer Billy Mott definitely saw minor changes in Drosselmeyer’s demeanor over the summer and expertly guided the colt to a series of improving workouts that culminated with a second place finish to FLAT OUT in the Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont, Oct. 1.

Of equal import, Mott instantly knew that Drosselmeyer were not through moving forward. So the great horseman put his improving 4 year old through another series of faster, more meaningful training drills that helped turn Drosselmeyer into a horse with more spunk and a stronger late punch than most observers thought he ever would have.

Suddenly, Drosselmeyer reached full maturity and was ready for his best lifetime performance when all the chips were on the table,.

As horseplayers, sometimes it is possible to see such things in time to take advantage at the betting windows; sometimes we pay for our failure to see what is happening until the results are declared official. While some might believe that Drosselmeyer was a one shot wonder, a lucky longshot winner who never will again show the kind of power he did in the Classic, I think otherwise. So does Billy Mott. Under Mott’s urging, instead of Win Star Farm sending Drosselmeyer to stud, he is going to race next season.

So do not be surprised if Drosselmeyer shows another level of improvement when Mott unveils him in major route stakes in 201

Just check the schedules of several major tracks that are now open or soon will be.

Aqueduct is in progress; Hollywood Park also just started. The Fair Grounds meet is less than two weeks away and Churchill Downs –the host of this year’s Breeders’ Cup—will offer two solid weeks of good racing including five Graded stakes, the most important of which is the Grade-1 $500,000 Clark Handicap. That Stakes is so important to the sport that it sometimes helps a contender for Horse of the Year gain some late support.

Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs also are set to open their doors in three weeks during the first week in December.

That’s a lot of good racing to be overlooked by those who think they can pack their Racing Forms away until we see Triple Crown preps in February.

Aqueduct for example will host six Graded Stakes during Thanksgiving week, including two very important races for 2 year olds and two of my favorite races of the year: The Grade-3, $100,000 Fall Highweight Handicap at 6 furlongs on Nov. 24 and the Grade-1, $250,000 Cigar Mile on Nov. 25.

The intrigue of the Fall Highweight is that it is the only race in America in which sprinters are tested for the two things they can be tested for: Speed and weight carrying ability.

Usually in sprint stakes, horses tend to carry 115 to 123 pounds, but in the Fall Highweight, they will be asked to shoulder eight to 12 pounds more than that. In factr, the great filly TA WEE once carried 140 pounds to victory in this race, spotting some of her rivals as much as 30 pounds

The Cigar Mile—akin to the Metropolitan Mile at Belmont Park in the spring—is a Grade-1 race around one turn that often gives us a peek at a horse or two who figure to be among the best older horses in training. Breeders’ also look to this race to see potential stars at stud. They love horses who combine top level speed with enough endurance to win Grade-1 races at that distance.

The two important races for 2 year olds at Aqueduct are the Grade-2 Demoiselle for fillies and the Grade 2 Remsen. Both are Grade-2, $200,000 events, but their significance is that they will be run at 1-1/8 miles around two turns on the nine furlong Aqueduct main track. For a seemingly immature 2 year old, putting in a sharp performance at nine furlongs around two turns is a good sign that they likely will succeed at Classic distances next spring.

At Hollywood, which just began its stakes loaded fall meet, there will be 12 Graded stakes during the next four weeks, including five Grade-1’s, three of which will be run on the Hollywood turf course during its annual Thanksgiving Turf Festival.

The three Grade-1 turf stakes are:

The $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1-1/2 miles on Nov. 19; the $250,000 Matriarch at one mile for fillies and mares, Nov. 25 and the $250,000 Hollywood Derby for 3 year olds at 1-1/4 miles, on Nov. 28.

The two Grade-1 races on the Hollywood main track this fall are both traditional stakes for highly ranked 2 year olds:

The $250,000 Hollywood Starlet at one mile on Dec. 10 and the $750,000 Cash Call Futurity at one mile for 2 year olds on Dec. 18.

Following a short break, Santa Anita Park will open its fall-winter season as it usually does, on the day after Christmas, Dec. 26.

Gulfstream is opening a month earlier this year than its usual Jan start date. This, probably to coincide with the opening of its cross state winter track—Tampa Bay Downs. But, the Fair Grounds has opened on Thanksgiving Day for several decades and will do the same this time around.

Time moves relentlessly in all walks of life, but in Thoroughbred horse racing there really is no official start or stop to the season. There is the Triple Crown of course and it has incredible energy and the Breeders’ Cup seems to provide a great climax to most of the season long issues that have surfaced on tracks from coast to coast. But the strange truth is that the American racing season actually begins while it already is in progress and it could only possibly end when all the horses of quality stop racing at the same time. That never happens. Get your early Triple Crown betting in the Bodog Racebook today.

This race was superb.
Thanks for sharing this. if you have more information please share it.

Some are traditional Grade-1 and/or Grade-2 events at familiar, high profile racetracks such as the $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup today and the $250,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct, on Friday Nov 25. But a less traditional race—the Grade-3 Delta Jackpot—which will be run on Saturday at lil ‘ole Delta Downs in the small western Louisiana town of Vinton——suddenly has emerged as a race that can have a significant impact on the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

That is because the Delta Jackpot’s slot-fueled $1 million purse automatically will give the top two finishers sufficient earnings to qualify for a Derby starting berth.

That alone probably explains why there are ten 2 year olds in the Delta Jackpot, many of them from Northern and Southern California; from Kentucky, New Jersey, Canada and Oklahoma, as well as horses who have run well over the Delta downs track.

Among the 10 horses scheduled to run, there are horses who already have won and/or placed in Graded stakes and there are horses who have done well at the one mile distance, or longer.

There even is a Grade-1 stakes winner who ran in the $ 2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile—DRILL—a horse who is at Delta Downs simply because he ran so poorly at Churchill that Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert is anxious to recover his form right now, before he gives Drill the winter off.

“He didn’t run a step in the Breeders’ Cup, Baffert said. “I think he’s a good horse,. . .So, I expect him to bounce back and run well in this race.”

Among the most probable contenders—including some who will go to the post at good odds, are: LONGVIEW DRIVE, a two time stakes winner from Northern California trained by Hall of Famer Jerry Hollendorfer; SEVEN LIVELY SINS, a sharp front running second in the one mile, G-3 Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, Oct. 30; SABERCAT, a stakes winner at 1 mile-70 yards at Monmouth Park; an undefeated Canadian invader, DOUGS BUDDY, and local stakes winner MY ADONIS. To their credit, all five of these Delta Jackpot contenders have useful experience at one mile or longer.

Drill of course has formidable credentials of his own. At Del Mar this summer, he won a highly contentious renewal of the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept. 7 and four weeks later was a good second in the G-1 Norfolk at 1-1/16 miles at Santa Anita.

Among the jockeys who will be on hand for Delta Downs’ day in the national spotlight are: Julien Leparoux, Joel Rosario, Corey Nakatani, Martin Garcia and the top locally based rider Gerard Melancon. In addition to Hollendorfer and Baffert, some of the best trainers in America also will be involved. Steve Asmussen, for example has Sabercat in the field. Kelly Breen has My Adonis; Albert Stall Jr., has Seven Lively Sins; Doug O’Neill has Basmati, who was fourth in the previously mentioned Norfolk and Dallas Steward has Laurie’s Rocket, who was fourth in the G-1 Hopeful at Saratoga.

The Delta Jackpot also will be supported by several other stakes, specifically, the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy at one mile; the $100,000 Delta Mile for 3 year olds and up; plus the G-3, $500,000 Delta Princess, a stakes that also attracted a 10 horse field with proven stakes winners.

At the bottom line, this is the one time each year when Delta Downs deserves some attention from those of us who enjoy a good handicapping challenge. It also is well placed on the national racing calendar in that usually rekindles our interest in the new crop of 2 year olds who will become household names in a few months. Believe it or not, the 2012 Triple Crown chase may be in its infancy, but it has begun.

With SABERCAT’S strong four length victory from off the pace over California invader BASMATI, it seems a good bet that we will see him in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, who recently became only the fourth trainer in history to reach 6, 000 victories, Sabercat now can be spotted in races that will help him reach the Derby starting gate without having to worry about gaining sufficient Graded stakes earnings to crack the top 20. First money in the Grade-3 Delta Jackpot was a cool $600,000.

Basmati, trained by Doug O’Neill, a consistent winner on the Southern Cal circuit, never has come close to winning a Triple Crown event, but with $200,000 from this race and about $16,000 from his fourth and fifth place finishes as a maiden in a pair of G-1 stakes, he also is in position to point for the Derby through whatever races O’Neill prefers.

Of equal import, both Sabercat and Basmati are bred to improve as they mature and the distances lengthen next spring. For his part, Sabercat is a son of Bluegrass Cat, who finished second in both the 2006 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes while Sabercat’s dam is a daughter of Forty Niner, a fast 2 year of 1987 who finished second in the 1988 Derby and Belmont. Certainly, those pedigree credentials speak well for this colt’s potential in next year’s Spring Classics.

Basmati, a son of 2005 Jockey Club Gold Cup winner Borego, also has pedigree points in his favor. Fact is, he already has shown improvement in each of his three races this fall at distances beyond one mile.

Meanwhile, there is the curious case of the Bob Baffert trained DRILL, a horse I liked very much before and after he won the Grade-1 Del Mar Futurity two months ago, a horse Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert liked even more. Yet, Drill’s seventh place finish as the 2-1 favorite in the Delta Jackpot was his third straight disappointing effort and represented a huge drop off in form compared to what we saw of him at Del Mar.

While it was a dubious choice to send Drill to the Delta Jackpot after his 10th place finish in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, Nov. 5, this latest poor performance at Delta Downs says something physical probably has gone wrong with the colt. At the very least, Baffert will be going back to the drawing board while Drill will get a two or three months off that will include a comprehensive physical examination. Hopefully, this beautifully bred son of Lawyer Ron has not been ruined or seriously injured.

In one other highly significant race this weekend, the Graham Motion trained SANAGAS convincingly won the G-1, $250,000 Hollywood Turf Cup over hard trying and consistent BOURBON BAY. The race result can be dissected from two perspectives. One one hand Bourbon Bay was surprisingly kept too far off the early pace for too long by Garrett Gomez, who has ridden too many races this year below his Eclipse Award winning form. Meanwhile, New York based Rajiv Maragh aboard Sanagas, who previously had won the Grade-3 Sycamore Stakes at Keeneland last month and came to Hollywood in razor sharp condition.

Maragh was so confident in Sanagas’ physical condition, that he sent the 5 year old gelding widest of all entering the far turn to overtake the front running filly MISS MATCH before he took complete control of the 1-1/2 mile turf event.

As we move forward this week, the Thanksgiving Weekend will have a large number of Graded stakes at Hollywood, Churchill Downs, Aqueduct and the Fair Grounds Racetrack. For more on those races, please check out my weekly Thursday column on the Bodog website and my next blog right here on Saturday morning. In addition, to make more informed wagers on those races at Bodog, readers are as always, invited to check out Daily Racing Analysis and Handicapping Contests | GradeOneRacing for solid workout information and other valued handicapping aids. Otherwise, let me take this opportunity to wish everyone in America a most Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.

After a year of strong growth in Internet gaming, the New York State Racing & Wagering Board voted on Tuesday to extend online streaming of the state’s thoroughbred and harness races for another year.

The online gambling boom comes after years of decline for New York’s storied horse-racing industry and indicates that horseplayers adapted to watching races online, a service that was approved by the board last December in response to the closure of Off-Track Betting storefronts in New York City.

In the first nine months of 2011, there was a 45% increase in the total number of online and phone accounts set up, according to data from New York Racing Association, which oversees the racetracks at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga, five still-existing regional OTB entities and Yonkers Raceway. Those sites also experienced a combined 49% increase in the total amount wagered on the phone and Internet.

NYRA alone saw a major boost in its account wagering program, known as NYRA Rewards. Its year-to-date figures show that the Internet handle is $79.6 million. That’s up 195% from the $26.9 million that was wagered via the internet during the same period in 2010. The total NYRA Rewards handle — which includes telephone-account wagering and at-track betting via accounts — is $206 million this year, as opposed to the $107 million for the same period last year.

How much Internet streaming pumped up the numbers is unclear, but state officials said Tuesday it was enough to extend the Internet streaming for another year, allowing gamblers to watch races from their home. The original agreement — between NYRA, five regional OTBs, Yonkers Raceway and several tracks around the state — was set to expire on December 22.

“We have unanimity once again on it,” said NYSRWB chairman John D. Sabini during the board’s meeting Tuesday. “It’s great for the fans because people can watch racing on computers and handheld devices without having to go through questionably legal means to do so.”

The fact that New York has come around on streaming is consistent with the industry nationally, said Alex Waldrop, CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. “The trend is toward broad distribution to as many platforms as possible,” he said, adding that no other state had restricted online streaming of horse races.

NYRA President and CEO Charles Hayward said more growth is on the way: “We look forward to continuing to expand and make further investment in our NYRA Rewards account wagering business.”

As Florida considers ushering in a new era of casino mega-resorts, a dispute in the tiny Panhandle town of Gretna has focused attention on the state’s existing gambling landscape — and the considerable confusion that surrounds it.

Florida’s current gambling laws, some say, are so haphazard, so disjointed, that no one can even agree on what the term “horse racing” means anymore.

If you’re thinking of the Kentucky Derby, think again. Gretna’s new Creek Entertainment barrel racing facility — which also will offer poker and hopes to add slots — has just opened Thursday, despite fervent opposition from the state’s horse trainers and breeders. Instead of racing around an oval track, these horses zig-zag around red barrels, rodeo-style.

The owners of Creek Entertainment — which include a savvy Gulfstream Park lobbyist who once tried to install slots at Miami International Airport — say the particulars of how the horses are running don’t matter. Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation has agreed, and signed off on barrel racing as fully compliant with Creek Entertainment’s quarter horse racing permits.

#10. . .If there was a better horse who performed in 2011 than TIZWAY, I did not see him. Yet, he would be a hollow choice as Horse of the Year after running only twice. In fact, it should be a close vote between him and GAME ON DUDE for the Eclipse that goes to the top older horse of 2011. Can’t imagine any horse winning Horse of the Year without at least winning his or her specific division.

Get all your online horse betting in the Bodog Racebook now!

#9. . .HAVRE DE GRACE might be elected Horse of the Year as a default vote given her very good 2011 campaign in which she defeated the respectable older male horse FLAT OUT in the Woodward Stakes at Saratoga and champion 3 year old filly ROYAL DELTA in the Beldame at Belmont. Havre De Grace She in fact, probably will be a runaway winner as the top filly and mare, but I still think that at her best, BLIND LUCK was slightly better, especially at Classic distances. And if you do not believe me, go look at the 2011 Delaware Handicap and go back to all of their prior meetings last year as well.

#8. . .HANSEN deserves the Eclipse as the 2 year old champion after winning the BC Juvenile as the only horse in the two day event who won a BC race wire to wire and after repulsing the spirited bid of previously undefeated UNION RAGS. The latter did lose ground on both turns, but actually was traveling in the best outside lanes at Churchill Downs, on Saturday, Nov. 5. That said, Hansen’s breeding suggests he can carry his speed further than Union Rags, but I doubt either colt will make it into the top three finishing positions in the 2012 Kentucky Derby. Precocity does not win Kentucky Derbies.

#7. . .The 3 year old champion could be and just might be ANIMAL KINGDOM who won the Kentucky Derby, but was injured during his troubled trip in the Belmont Stakes and was out for the year. But I will vote for SHACKLEFORD, who won the Preakness and was a consistent factor and check earner in several Graded Stakes throughout 2011. It is not going to be a strong vote for him, but to me it seems to be the right vote. RULER ON ICE, winner of the Belmont and third in the BC Classic also would deserve the award more than Animal Kingdom.

#6. . .I know Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen have all the statistical arguments in their favor for Trainer of the Year, but two horsemen who did better work with fewer good horses were Billy Mott and Dale Romans. I will vote for Mott for his work with BC Classic winner DROSSELMEYER; Cigar Mile winner TO HONOR AND SERVE, and BC Ladies Classic winner ROYAL DELTA.

#5. . .The most overrated racing day in the sport is Dubai World Cup Day. While it is supported by horsemen throughout the world and funded by insanely rich purses, any event held in March is months too early to be a meaningful championship quality event. Moreover, all of its main track races are run on the Tapeta synthetic racing surface, which proves nothing to anyone who follows racing in Europe where most races are run on grass, or to American horsemen who strongly prefer dirt for our best events.

#4. . .While we in America seem quite impressed by $100 million handles for the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup, we should take note of this singular fact that adds depth to the criticism that we need to pump new energy into American racing: In Japan and Hong Kong, $100 million betting handles routinely occur on a near daily basis and sometimes approach $200 million on their best days. That is principally because the Oriental racing districts have improved the access of computer based wagering beyond anything seen in the western world.

#3. . .Aside from his important contributions in support of the harness racing industry, racing columnist Stan Bergstein’s death three weeks ago after a 60 year career, left a wide gaping hole among those who slave by typewriter or computer attempting---with facts in hand and ideas galore---to improve the game and rid the sport of illegal drugs and unethical practices. Sadly, very few things that happened this year were more important than Bergstein’s passing.

#2. . Ronald Hodges, a winner of the Kentucky Derby Fantasy contest on my website (that asked players in February to pick the most starters in the Kentucky Derby)--- used his top prize—a $500 Win, $500 place bet on RULER ON ICE to win the Belmont Stakes! This well thought out longshot play, a play that relied on obscure, but sensible handicapping logic, was among the best that I’ve seen in several years. Hodges’ reward was not quite a life changing sum, but his $19,750 payday was not too shabby.

#1. . .At the Races with Steve Byk, a satellite radio show broadcast five days a week on the Internet and via Sirius and XM radio, remains the singular, best media outlet for up to the minute racing news; provocative interviews; handicapping insights; perspectives on veterinary science and the industry at large, all of which are put forth in a manner that will inform horseplayers of every level of skill and experience. The host, Steve Byk, who has a journalism background and owns a modest group of racehorses in partnerships with some of his listeners, may have views that at times, I disagree with, but no one is doing more to promote the sport or bring it to the racing fan than Steve Byk.

I firmly believe he deserves a special Eclipse Award for his persistent efforts on behalf of the greatest game man has ever invented and his overall excellence in broadcasting.

Great
This race is really enjoyable and superb.
Thanks for sharing if you have more detail please share it.
Thanks.

Despite Republican Gov. Chris Christie’s opposition to allowing casinos outside Atlantic City, bills introduced in the state Legislature have the potential to bring slot machines to the racetracks.

The sponsor, Assemblyman Ronald Dancer, R-Ocean, concedes the proposals would be stronger with Christie’s support, but Dancer has an end-around plan, as there have been no signals from the governor that he’ll drop his opposition.

One of Dancer’s bills is a resolution proposing a constitutional amendment to establish slots gambling at racetracks. Christie could fight the measure only to a certain point, but would be out of the game if the issue went to a referendum. Then it would only need approval by voters.

Dancer said Wednesday that voters “would overwhelmingly’’ approve it.

“Just look at what happened on the sports betting referendum, which had wording on the betting taking place at the racetracks and the casinos. That wording was supported by the people by a wide margin and I think they’ll support this, too,’’ Dancer said.

The proposal comes at a time when the racing industry has hit hard times. Talks to complete a deal to allow for private management of state-owned Monmouth Park broke down Monday night, leaving the landmark Oceanport thoroughbred racetrack with an unstable future.

Oceanport Councilman Joseph Irace said Dancer’s bill create “interesting possibilities.’’

“It’s something that can help all the tracks, even if they just add a casino to the Meadowlands Racetrack and share the revenue,‘’ Irace said.

By Steve Davidowitz. . . . Jockey Patrick Valenzuela formally decided on Friday to end his career as one of he best, most controversial jockeys in racing history.

Valenzuela, 49 and winner of 4,333 career races, came to the conclusion this week that he no longer could battle to maintain his body weight at 117-120 pounds required for his profession.

“The (gall bladder) operation I had last month opened my eyes to the abuse my body has taken over the years,” he told Daily Racing Form on Fridays.

“I’m almost 50 and my health is more important now. . . .Maybe I could ride at 120, but even that would be a constant battle to make weight every day. The struggle for the past several years has taken its toll.”

Valenzuela also said that a recurring knee problem was contributing to his decision. “I can’t get on horses in the morning without it flaring up,” he explained. “I think it’s time to turn the page”

Thus ends a roller coaster 33 year riding career that included seven Breeders’ Cup victories, 15 separate riding titles at southern California tracks, a trip to the Kentucky Derby winner’s circle aboard the Charlie Whittingham trained SUNDAY SILENCE in 1989 and numerous forced trips to drug rehab centers while serving extended suspensions that nearly ended his career.

For more than two decades, drug abuse and drug related suspensions were a part of Pat Valenzuela’s racetrack life and there were times when he was told by California authorities he never would be licensed to ride again.

Yet ‘PVal’ as he was known around the track, was given reprieve after reprieve and showed his old form on many occasions after getting back his license to ride.

For one thing there were many trainers who wanted him back in the saddle. Aming those who admired his skill was the late great Charlie Whittingham, a fine judge of jockey talent given his long term relationships with Hall of Famers Bill Shoemaker and Chris McCarron. . .”Patrick is the most naturally gifted jockey I’ve ever seen, “Whittingham once told me.

From 2008 through most of 2010 while still serving a California induced suspension, PVal obtained a license to ride in Louisiana and was so good and so faithful to his need to stay off drugs that he worked his way back in to the southern Cal jockey community.

“He looked as good as ever when he came back to ride here,” his agent Tom Knust said. “Without his weight problems he still could be out-riding most of the jockeys here, or anywhere else.” Fact is Valenzuela’s front running ride aboard ACCLAMATION to win the $1 million Pacific Classic at Del Mar this summer may have been one of the best of his career.

But after skipping out on riding assignments at Hollywood Park on Nov. 17, some began to wonder if he had fallen into old traps.

A few days later, however, PVal was found visiting his fiancée’s family in Kansas, who were enduring personal grief issues. . While in Kansas, PVal passed a drug test to the satisfaction of the Hollywood stewards and had his gall bladder operation.

According to Knust, Valenzuela was intending to resume riding on opening day at Santa Anita Park Dec. 26, but the decision to retire was no real surprise. “Now, he can get on with his life,” Knust said.

According to Equibase, Valenzuela mounts earned more than $163.8 million, including $5.8 million this year. That said, there will be much debate among voting members whether his accomplishments and his skills will outweigh his troubles and suspensions when his name comes up for voting for Racing’s Hall of Fame.

My vote is sealed. PVal was and is a Hall of Fame jockey---especially after his hard fought recovery seemed to stick through the final four years of his career. Get all your online horse racing odds in the Bodog Racebook today.

When I started out playing this game in the 1960’s, there was only win, place, show and one Daily Double on the first two races. Exactas did not come into play until the end of that decade and Trifectas were nonexistent until the early 1970’s. Now of course we have at least a dozen different types of bets to play. Moreover, virtually every race at every track now includes an array of exotic single race bets and multi-race wagers, many of which give us opportunities to enlarge our bankrolls that never existed in the “old days.”

My only problem with all of this action is not really my problem at all; nor is it a problem for most other experienced players. Those of us who have been around the game awhile are glad to have so many options. Nevertheless, there is a serious problem with all of this, a problem that specifically impacts many first timers who come to the track. Or should I say, that the incredible number of wagering options frequently confuse newcomers and intimidate them often enough that they leave the game before they even get a chance to discover that racing is in fact the best gambling game man has ever invented.

There are plenty of other things about racing that I like quite a bit and there is something about each of them that are imperfect, or could use a few twists for the better. Nevertheless, if nothing were to change about any of them, or any of the things mentioned here, the game will remain the best thing I’ve ever encountered.

Do you make decent money with your horse racing betting? Ready to turn your horse racing betting completely around? You only need a solid and unique horse racing site welcome too Betonline Sportsbook


Horse betting is a skill that, like any other skill, can be acquired