Horse Racing archive

The British Horseracing Authority has been vigilant in maintaining integrity within the industry and has won one victory after an in depth investigation into horse racing corruption. The long term investigation has resulted in four jockeys and two owners receiving bans from the sport for as many as 14 years. The inquiry began after suspiciously large bets were placed with betting exchanges for horses to lose races at five separate tracks between Jan. 17 and Aug. 15, 2009.

Jockeys Paul Doe and Greg Fairley have received 12-year bans from the sport handed down by the Authority for deliberately stopping their horses from riding “to its merits.” The other two jockeys Kirsty Milczarek and Jimmy Quinn, received two-year and six-month bans respectively for corruption.
Milczarek received a longer sentence after to being found guilty of passing on racing information in return for personal gain. Milczarek lawyers intend to appeal the decision; Quinn is satisfied with the ruling. Former jockeys Doe and Fairley both have retired from their occupation.

A fourteen year ban from the industry was handed to the owners of the horses involved. Five other ‘associates’ – Nick Gold, Peter Gold, Shaun Harris, David Kendrick and Liam Vasey were also found guilty of “corrupt or fraudulent practice” for laying bets on behalf of the two owners. Harris, Kendrick and Vasey received bans of 3-5 years, while Nick and Peter Gold’s fates will be determined following written submissions. Trainers Paul Fitzimons and Darren May also were changed but were cleared of any wrong doing.
Paul Scotney director of security for the BHA issued a statement, explaining that the Authority takes, “no pleasure in uncovering such serious breaches of the Rules of Racing. However, the findings of the disciplinary panel vindicate the hard work of BHA’s Integrity and Compliance teams.”
The estimated take from the 10 races that were under investigation amounted to nearly £280k.

As Hollywood Park closes this weekend, west coast horseplayers will see many of the most promising 2 year olds in the country in the $750,000 Cash Call Futurity.

The Grade-1 race will be run at 1-1/16 miles around two turns on the synthetic Cushion Track that Hollywood has used as its main racing surface for the past three years.

While there will only be three stakes winners among the 13 horses in the oversized field—Del Mar Futurity winner DRILL; Real Quiet Stakes winner LIASON and Hollywood Juvenile winner MAJESTIC CITY, there are so many other horses in this race who could develop into serious contenders for next Spring’s Triple Crown races. Specifically, in addition to the three stakes winners cited above, three others have finished second or third in various stakes, including HANDSOME MIKE, BROTHER FRANCIS and BASMATI, plus four recent winners of high class maiden races, including SKY KINGDOM, BLINGO, COZZETTI and the European import DESORMAIS.

That accounts for nine of the starters in this race, a race that may not rank with the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, or other Grade-1 stakes, but it has produced more than its share of important 3 and 4 year old stars who won this season ending Futurity through the years.

Indeed, the Cash Call Futurity was won by the eventual 1986 Preakness winner SNOW CHIEF; the 1991 Pacific Classic winner BEST PAL; 1992 Belmont Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner A.P. INDY; 1998 Derby and Preakness winner REAL QUIET; 2001 Dubai World Cup winner CAPTAIN STEVE; 2001 Preakness, Belmont and Travers winner POINT GIVEN; 2010 Preakness winner LOOKIN AT LUCKY; plus several Classic winners who finished second or third in this race, most notably ALYSHEBA, FERDINAND, THUNDER GULCH and GIACOMO.

While Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert has three horses in Saturday’s race, including stakes winners Liason and Drill, his maiden grad Sky Kingdom, a son of Empire Maker, served notice of his potential on Nov. 24 with an impressive victory at the Futurity distance over this track.

Sky Kingdom was very smooth stalking a relatively moderate pace for 6 furlongs in that race before he turned on the jets to win driving clear in respectable time to earn an 84 Beyer Speed Figure, the top last race speed figure in the Futurity field.

It also seems significant that Sky Kingdom was making his first try around two turns after two mediocre sprint races at Del Mar.

While Baffert hopes to see Drill rebound to the form he demonstrated during the summer, he thinks that Sky Kingdom has shown hints of the form he saw in the five horses he previously saddled to win this Futurity---Real Quiet, Captain Steve, Point Given, Pioneerofthe Nile and Lookin At Lucky.

“This is when you start thinking of the Kentucky Derby,” Baffert explained while adding a comment that tells a great deal about why this late season race has gained in stature through the years:

“I’ve never won (this race) with a bum,” Baffert said.

Here are the horses in the field. Along with their program numbers and jockeys.
Post time is set for 4:37 PST, on Saturday. Check the Bovada Racebook for online horse racing odds, track conditions and other late breaking information.

#1 Handsome Mike; Corey Nakatani.
#2 Brother Francis; Victor Espinoza
#3 Groovin' Solo; Alonso Quinonez
#4 Empire Way,;Joel Rosario
#5 Drill; Martin Garcia
#6 Sky Kingdom, Garrett Gomez
#7 Blingo; Mike Smith
#8 Rousing Sermon; Joe Talamo
#9 Liason; Rafael Bejarano
#10 Cozzetti, Julien Leparoux
#11 Majestic City; Ramon Dominguez
#12 Basmati; Hector Berrios
#13 Desormais; David Flores

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From what I saw in 2011, there were a few dozen young horses who acted the part of serious prospects for the 2012 Triple Crown races. No doubt there will be many more before we get to the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs.

As usual, some of the best I saw last year are trained by who else—Bob Baffert, the southern Cal based trainer with white hair locks and a bunch of wins in Triple Crown races during his Hall of Fame career. While it is early to be citing any individual horse as the horse to beat in the 1-1/4 mile Derby, three of Baffert’s young horses caught my eye in the fall of 2011 and will deserve close attention during the next several months. Yet, as we begin 2012, it seems only fair to take a good look at the three horses who dominated the $2 million, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs, Nov. 5.

HANSEN, the undefeated son of Tapit, who scored a wire to wire win in the 1-1/16 mile BC Juvenile, is bred well enough to succeed at true distance races. But as good as that performance was, it is rare when a precocious, front running horse continues to develop sufficiently to be a true Derby horse. In my lifetime, the only horse who managed to do that was the great SEATTLE SLEW, a front running terror at 2 in 1976 who became a horse for the ages at 3, sweeping the 1977 Triple Crown. (Seattle Slew was such a freak in the most complimentary use of that word, he was even better as a 4 year old even though a serious infection during the winter almost ended his life.

Second place finisher UNION RAGS, whose only defeat was in the BC Juvenile, ran an enterprising race that day, going wide on both turns. But could not pass Hansen through the final 1/4 miles. Moreover, as a son of Dixie Union, Union Rags seems best suited to 1-1/16 miles more than classic distances.

Third place finisher, CREATIVE CAUSE might be the best of this trio to follow. A son of distance loving Giant’s Causeway, Creative Cause won a pair of Graded stakes in 2011, including the G-1, 1-1/16 mile Norfolk on dirt at Santa Anita Park and might turn out to be stronger the further he goes.

As stated, it is next to impossible to accurately project which 3 year olds will be the horses worth following on the Triple Crown chase during the next few months. But for now, here three of many promising Baffert youngsters worth keeping in mind.

While many might believe that Baffert’s #1 Derby prospect is LIAISON, winner of the $750,000 Cash Call Futurity at Hollywood Dec. 17, I believe he is just one of several Baffert 3 year olds who could be in the mix. Moreover, he is not personal favorite at this point.

True, Liaison is hard to fault, having won three of four to date including two stakes and a dirt sprint at Santa Anita to suggest that the racing surface will not be an issue. He also is bred well enough to handle longer distances, getting stamina from his mama, a daughter of Belmont stakes winner Victory Gallop.

SECRET CIRCLE is another interesting colt, whose status might be compromised by minor injuries or other rumored setbacks. But there still is time.

Secret Circle did not begin his career until July 23 at Del Mar, but showed his class winning the inaugural BC Juvenile Sprint, Nov 4. At the bottom line, Baffert believes this son of Eddington will handle longer distances as he matures this winter. Yet, I personally believe that Baffert’s best Derby prospect is a colt who has won only once in four starts.

I really like SKY KINGDOM’s chances to become a bona fide Grade-1 colt who will relish classic distances. First of all, he is by Empire Maker, the 2002 Belmont Stakes winner. Second, he has improved in each of his four career starts and that includes his troubled fourth place finish behind Liaison in the Cash Call.

For the Triple Crown chase, I like slowly developing horses with stamina in their pedigrees and I like horses who improve gradually through a succession of startswhen they are learning the game. This is one colt that is going to take a major forward move sometime during the winter and when he does, watch out.

Beyond all of this, let me wish all horseplayers a Happy New Year and all North American Thoroughbreds a Happy Birthday. As many of you probably know, every Northern Hemisphere Thoroughbred advances one year in age on Jan 1.

Continuing with the early look at Bob Baffert trained 3 year olds in this space several days ago, here are my current top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects, plus eight honorable mentions. This is of course an early list that is sure to expand and contract every week from now through the complete run of the 2012 Triple Crown chase. . .Capsule comments, the trainer of record and each horse’s current status are provided for each horse. And remember, there will Future Book Kentucky Derby Wagering on this site very soon.


1.SKY KINGDOM. . .Has only won once in four starts, but improvednoticeably while stretching out in distance last fall and was a very good fourth in the Cash Call Futurity at 1-1/16 miles on the Cushgion track at Hollywood. Bob Baffert trained son of Empire Maker has the look of a horse who will improve as he matures and the distances lengthen. Been working forwardly for his next engagement as chronicled on my web site.


2. GEMOLOGIST. . .Three for three last year, including a Graded Stakes win. Is trained by Todd Pletcher and as a son of two time Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Tiznow, Gemologist should have considerable stamina. Has begun active training in Florida.

3. CREATIVE CAUSE. . .Honest sort with three wins in five outings, including the G-1 Norfolk at 1-1.16 miles last fall, also ran a respectable third to HANSEN and UNION RAGS in the BC Juvenile at CD, so he has a credible race over the track. Son of Giant’s Causeway, , who lost a close BCup Classic to Tiznow, so distance should suit. He’s trained by Mike Harrington who is a good horseman, never has trained a major player on the national stage, much less go through Triple Crown madness.

4. LIAISON. . .Son of Belmont Stakes winner VICTORY GALLOP, has won three of his four lifetime starts including the contentiously run Cash Call Futurity at Hollywood. One many good ones for Baffert, must respect his connections. Next stop the Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita next month.

5. SABERCAT. . .Steve Asmussen trained son of Bluegrass Cat looked good winning the Delta Jackpot and should be a major player in the prep race scehduel going through the Faur Grounds and Oaklawn Park. Workouts to date have been moderate as he is just getting his sea legs.

6. UNION RAGS. . .Won three straight before a tough beat in the 1-1/16 mile, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill. Trainewd by Michael Matz who developed BARBARO. His sire however Dixie Union is not noted for classic distance types. Likely to run in the Fountain of youth Stakes at Gulfstream next month, so watch the workouts on my web site.


7. ROUSING SERMON. . .Jerry Hollendorfer trainee with a solid stretch running second to LIAISON in the Cash Call Futurity to build upon. Has Pulpit in his pedigree and seems likely to be in the mix on the California road to the Derby.

8. EVER SO LUCKY. . .Jonathan Sheppard trained Derby prospect showed his potential running a good second to Gemologist in a 1-1/16 mile, Grade-2 stakes at Churchill last fall. Few trainers are better with classic distance types, even though Sheppard has not really had a Derby horse to work with in many years.

9. DULLAHAN. . .Made a good impression winning a G-1 Stakes on Polytrack last fall while still a maiden. Bred well enough, handles dirt and is trained by an emerging national star, Dale Romans.

10.HANSEN . . .Undefeated Mike Maker trained winner of the BC Juvenile in wire to wire fashion is by stamina infused sire TAPIT, so pedigree is not what will hold him back. Obvious talent’s one main flaw is that he is a stone cold front runner and not many front runners can win the 1-1/4 mile Kentucky Derby. Training in Florida, but also has Kentucky roots, so it is not clear exactly where he will go to prepare for the Derby. The Holy Bull at Gulfstream? The Spiral at Turfway? But all roads probably will go through the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.

Honorable Mentions:
O’PRADO AGAIN. a Romans’ trained winner of the 1-1/8 mile Remsen at Aqueduct last fall has much potential, no sign of him yet, however. . . FED BIZ, a son of Giant’s Causeway is another under Bob Baffert’s care. This one recently came out for his second career start with a strong win at one mile clocked in 1:35 and change at Santa Anita. . . ALGORITHMS, a son of Bernardini with talent is now on the comeback trail for Pletcher. . .. . .EMPIRE WAY, a full brother to filly champion Royal Delta, was a modest fifth in the Cash Call, but galloped out strongly and is bred to love longer; CONSORTIUM, a Kiaran McLaughlin trained son of Bernardini with a decent effort under his girth at Gulfstream and room to improve. . . SECRET CIRCLE, a speedy, undefeated winner of the BC Juvenile Sprint for Baffert, is bred for a mile, not much further, but he does have a big heart. . . ALPHA, also trained by McLaughlin and also is a son of Bernardini. Was second to Union Rags in the Grade-1 Champagne last fall and is the odds on favorite today, Saturday in the Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct, so we should get an early line on him right here. . .Ditto for HIERRO, who is by the hard hitting Hard Spun and has encouraging workouts for his engagement in the Sham. Be sure to get your 2012 Kentucky Derby odds with Bovada today.

U. S. Sen. Charles Schumer offered some qualified support Monday for Gov. Cuomo’s drive to legalize gambling in the state - but stopped short of endorsing a casino at Aqueduct racetrack.

Schumer told a gaggle of reporters at the state Capitol that he’s “always been for gambling” in the state so long as its supported by the local community, takes away revenue from other states and benefits New York.

“As for where it should be specifically, I wouldn’t get into that yet but in certain areas it should be supported” Schumer said, pointing to the Catskills as an area ripe for casino development.

“I don’t think it is a panacea for our economic problems, but given the fact that it has happening in so many other states, I don’t think New York State has much choice,” Schumer said.

Schumer said he needed more details on Cuomo’s proposed amendment to the state Constitution before he could decide whether to support it. He also said he needed more information on Cuomo’s proposal for a mega convention center at Aqueduct before commenting.

A former member of the state Assembly, Schumer said he was in Albany to meet with lawmakers but was not planning to meet with Cuomo. He spoke to reporters before heading into a meeting with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

"I love it here,” Schumer said. “This is where I got my start and I have good relationships with most of the people. I would be third in seniority had I stayed behind Gottfried and Lentol. Shelly and I used to go play basketball together.”

Schumer, the state’s senior senator, also offered support for the Iran Divestment Act, which both houses of the Legislature plan to pass today.

“I believe really tough sanctions can actually prevent them from going forward wioth prodicing a nuclear weapon,” Schumer said. “The one thing the Iranian government fears more than anything else is economic instability.”

We are barely into January and already we have seen two important prep races for the Kentucky Derby.

The Sham Stakes at Santa Anita and Count Fleet Stakes at Aqueduct were both contested around two turns at one mile and 1 mile and 70 yards respectively and both identified legit Derby prospects.

In the Count Fleet, the highly regarded ALPHA, a son of Bernardini trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, showed that his second place finish in the G-1 Champagne Stakes at Belmont last fall was a true bill, not his poor outing in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

On Saturday, Alpha won so comfortably it appeared as if he could have run the Derby distance of 1-1/4 miles. “We were wide on both turns,” said winning jockey Ramon Dominguez. “He responded every time I asked him and galloped out so strong that I had to get an outrider to pull him up.”

While Alpha was defeating a modest group in the $150,000 race, he impressed both his trainer and jockey just as much as he impressed me.

“You always have to go just by what you have seen,” said Dominguez; “but judging by today he definitely should handle more distance.”

McLaughlin said that the next races for this colt will probably be the Withers mile on Feb. 4 as a prelude to the nine furlong Wood Memorial, Apr. 7.

“For sure we’ll have to talk to the Godolphin people, “McLaughlin said. “But we’re glad he’s here with us in America,”

Godolphin, one of the top racing stables in the world has had designs on the Kentucky Derby for nearly 30 years, but probably has sabotaged their own ambitions by insisting that their top 3 year olds train and race in Dubai. With Alpha based in America and off to such a fine start under McLaughlin’s care, this could be a different year.

At Santa Anita on Saturday, the previously undefeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint winner SECRET CIRCLE was getting an acid traveling around two turns for the first time in the one mile, $100,000 Sham.

He ran well, but did not win, as the recent maiden winner OUT OF BOUNDS took advantage of the speed duel between Secret Circle and LONGVIEW DRIVE to score a hard fought 1/2 lengths victory in a swiftly run race clocked in 1:34 56.

Out of Bounds --- a son of Discreet Cat--- is likely a pure miler just as his sire was and the same seems true now for second place finisher Secret Circle, who may have too much natural speed to be taken seriously as a legit Derby type.

Winning trainer Eoin Harty did say that he believes Out of Bounds has enough physical presence to go at least nine furlongs and Harty’s former mentor—Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert--- believes the jury still is out on Secret Circle.

Nevertheless, with their mile oriented pedigrees and the way they performed at one mile on Saturday, I believe both horses will have difficulty improving when asked to go much further than that. On the other hand, third place finisher Longview Drive still deserves a chance to go forward on the long winding road to Louisville.

Longview Drive has won three races in six tries to date, including a $75,000 stakes at 1-1/16 miles at Fresno in Oct.. More recently, he was able to rally well enough for third in a strong renewal of the 1-1/16 mile, $1 million Delta Jackpot Stakes in Louisiana, Nov. 19. Of equal import, Longview Drive is a son of distance loving Pulpit which gives him license to improve when he goes further.

In summary, Alpha made the grade in New York on Saturday, while Secret Circle in Southern California really did not. Not to be too harsh, Out of Bounds did win the sham and probably deserves another shot at a longer Derby prep race. Meanwhile, Longview Drive will be eligible to improve in his next attempt beyond a mile when Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer decides to take the next step.

At the bottom line, we’re just getting started folks, but make no mistake, the Triple Crown chase is out of the starting gate.

By Steve Davidowitz | While there was no truly dominant Horse of the Year in 2011, the 4-year-old filly Havre de Grace did enough to convince the majority of Eclipse Award voters that she deserved to be the third straight female racehorse to be named Horse of the Year. Two years ago, the 3-year-old filly RACHEL ALEXANDRA narrowly edged the great 5-year-old race mare ZENYATTA for the 2009 Horse of the Year Award;while last year, ZENYATTA was voted 2010 Horse of the Year over the 4-year-old colt BLAME, narrow winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic over Zenyatta in the latter’s only career defeat.

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Havre de Grace may have only finished fourth in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic to DROSSELMEYER, but she won five of her seven starts last year, including a trio of Grade-1 stakes. One of those Grade-1’s was in the Beldame at Belmont in which she defeated the 3-year-old filly ROYAL DELTA, who was given an Eclipse in the annual Eclipse Award dinner on Monday night.

Another of Havre de Grace’s more important G-1 victories was in the Woodward at Saratoga when she clearly bested the Grade-1 winning 5-year-old male, FLAT OUT. The voting was conducted as usual amongst actibve members of the National Turf Writers and Broadcasters, Daily Racing Form employees and track officials who are members of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.

I did not submit a vote for Horse of the year on my ballot, but I did vote in all other categories and was particularly glad to see Hall of Fame trainer Billy Mott win his third Eclipse for his outstanding work with Royal Delta, Drosselmeyer and many other in a barn that was 1/20 th the size of statistical leading trainers Todd Pletcher and Steve Asmussen -- whose wins and money won totals were great achievements, but did not merit the Trainer’s Eclipse Award that should go and in this case did go to the trainer who exhibited the year’s best horsemanship.

Here are the Eclipse Award winners and their respective voting totals, as reported by Daily Racing Form, a co-sponsor of the Eclipse Awards this year:
Horse of the Year: Havre de Grace, 166; Acclamation, 26; Game On Dude, 10

*****
Older Male: Acclamation, 95; Game On Dude, 70; Tizway, 52
ACCLAMATION won the Pacific Classic on Polytrack and was a star older horse on turf. GAME ON DUDE was second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic among other good races. TIZWAY won a pair of Grade-1’s in New York early in the year.
*****
2-Year-Old Male: Hansen, 194; Union Rags, 52; Secret Circle, 1
Hansen was undefeated in three starts, including an important albeit narrow win over previously undefeated UNION RAGS. SECRET CIRCLE won the inaugural running of the BC Juvenile Sprint.
*****
2-Year-Old Female: My Miss Aurelia 247; Stephanie’s Kitten, 1
MY MISS AURELIA was undefeated in four starts including a facile win in the $2 million BC Juvenile Fillies and was a near unanimous choice. STEPHANIE’S KITTEN received the only other vote as the filly who won the $1 million BC Juvenile Fillies Turf.
*****
3-Year-Old Male: Animal Kingdom 114; Caleb’s Posse, 111; Shackleford, 12
In a very close vote, Kentucky Derby winner ANIMAL KINGDOM, who was second in the Preakness and injured in the Belmont, just did get the nod over multiple G-1 winner CALEN’S POSSE, a top class, one turn specialist. Preakness winner SHACKLEFORD finished a distant third.
*****
3-Year-Old Female: Royal Delta, 243; Awesome Feather, 2; Plum Pretty, 2
ROYAL DELTA won the Alabama Stakes was second to Havre de Grace in the Beldame and went on to thoroughly dominate the $2 million BC Ladies Classic. AWESOME FEATHER won both her starts in Oct. and Nov but came on too late to make a serious challenge in this division. At the same time my clockers in Florida say she is training superbly for a 2012 campaign. PLUM PRETTY won $1.3 million last year winning the Kentucky Oaks, but she was no match for Royal Delta in their two meetings and really did not deserve a first place vote.
*****
Older Female: Havre de Grace 245; Blind Luck, 2; Awesome Maria, 1
HAVRE DE GRACE traded decisions this year with last year’s champion 3-year-old filly BLIND LUCK but gained the edge over her arch rival when Blind Luck was injured while finishing last in the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Santa anita Park in Oct. to end her career. In my mind, Blind Luck was the better filly but she never had a chance to prove it in a rematch. AWESOME MARIA was undefeated in four starts last year -- all Graded Stakes -- but did not race after winning the G-1 Ogden Phipps Stakes at Belmont in June. While I respect Havre de Grace, I believe this 4 year old also would have given her a stiff battle if she had stayed in training.
*****
Male Turf Horse: Cape Blanco (IRE), 172; Acclamation, 55; St Nicholas Abbey (IRE), 16
The European based CAPE BLANCO won three consecutive Grade-1 stakes in three American starts, including the prestigious Arlington Million and despite not running in the BC Turf, clearly was the best turf horse seen on these shores in 2011. ACCLAMATION, the versatile winner of five straight Graded stakes, including the G-1 Pacific Clasic on Polytrack won a pair of G-1 turf stakes and a G-2 in southern California to be a hard luck loser in this category. ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY won the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf in his only North American appearance.
*****
Female Turf Horse: Stacelita (FR), 158; Perfect Shirl, 28; Never Retreat, 25
The French import STACELITA was a good third to males in the United Nations Handicap and then won a pair of G-1 Turf stakes against her own sex, including the prestigious Beverly D at Arlington. PERFECT SHIRL won the $2 million BC Filly and Mare Turf. . NEVER RETREAT won five Graded stakes in 2011.
*****
Male Sprinter: Amazombie, 201; Caleb’s Posse, 42; Regally Ready, 2
AMAZOMBIE won five o

Why I think horse racing is the best gambling game man has ever invented. For your benefit, however, I have put together a list of my 'Top 10 Reasons Why Horse Racing is the Best Gambling Game Ever Invented." In reverse order, here is that list...

#10. Horseplayers are matching wits against other players who may not be as prepared or as knowledgeable as you. If you are not prepared or knowledgeable, yes, you probably should go to the craps table or stick with slot machines.

#9. Unlike college and pro football or basketball -- as well as other sports that invite gambling with point spreads -- I prefer horse racing for a reason that is rarely considered, yet it might be as important as anything on this list: When your horse wins, the margin at the wire does not have any bearing on whether you will be paid. Conversely, when you are betting on football and/or basketball, you are always at the mercy of the winning margin and no team factors the bookmaker’s point spread into its game plan.

#8. With Daily Racing Form supplying high quality past performances on every horse in every race as well as numerous web sites, such as Bovada.lv, BRIS-com, TrackMaster-com and my own GradeOneRacing-com providing meaningful statistical insights, the horseplayer has more valuable information to make his or her plays than any other gambling game. Yes, there are stat sheets for all sports, but they practically require an advance degree in mathematics to understand. Meanwhile the majority of racing sites that provide top notch stats or invaluable workout reports are specifically directed to help predict today’s performance, not merely to explain what has occurred in the past.

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#7. Trainers who win races at high percentages tend to use repeatable patterns that can be detectible merely by comparing the similarities found in the past performances of their winning horses. This is one of the great professional ‘secrets’ of the game. Horseplayers who spend time doing this research are way ahead of players who do not do this research. Trainer patterns also are among the best tools to uncover live longshots -- horses that are well meant and capable of scoring at juicy prices.

#6. Horses that show early speed and race to the front rarely reverse themselves into slow breaking stretch running horses. This consistency of running style is not found in poker for example, where aggressive players regularly turn into conservative ones and vice versa when they are perceived as one dimensional during a given game. Likewise it is good strategy for a football team with a running attack to use play action passes to fool the defense. This flexibility changes the dynamics of a seemingly predictable matchups. While in horse racing -- as volatile as it might seem on the surface -- the way any individual horse will run is quite predictable and thus, the race itself generally plays out in a formful manner. Consider this: With more than 45,000 races in America each year, the percentage of winning favorites continues to hover at 32-33 percent, just as it has since before any of us were born. Moreover, this 32-33 percent strike rate is not derived from races involving only three horse races. No, a favorite wins once out of every three races when about 8 or more horses are in each race.

#5. A wise man once said that “variety is the spice of life.” Want variety in your gambling options? Consider this: There are many more ways to bet horses than any sport, or table game, including dice or roulette. In horse racing there is win, place and show; quinellas and exactas; trifectas, superfectas and super high fives; daily doubles, pick threes, pick fours, pick fives, pick sixes and even pick sevens. And there are varying units of wagering -- from dimes to dollars -- for many of those options.

#4. One of the best things about online horse racing is that you do not have to bet a lot to win a lot. Unlike 11-10 bets in the sportsbook’s favor for point spread based sports bets; or the even money and 3-2 maximum payoffs in blackjack, or the rare 33-1 in roulette, a horseplayer can win tens of thousands of dollars with a relatively modest investment via the mutli-race wagers cited above. For just one personal example, I have scored hits that paid more than $10,000 with an investments that did not exceed $100 and several that paid more than $100,000 while betting less than $500.

#3. The only real Triple Crown is in horse racing. All other Triple Crowns are failed attempts to copy the historic link between the great Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Simply put, the Triple Crown has been a staple of American sports since 1919 when SIR BARTON became the first of 11 thoroughbreds to sweep all three. It also is great that these three races are so difficult to win, because they not only attract large fields and more than $100 million in wagers each year, they invariably provide juicy payoffs that can guarantee a profit for many months. If you do not believe me -- check out the payoffs for last year’s Kentucky Derby, when ANIMAL KINGDOM won at 21-1 odds despite having strong winning form and having worked strongly on the Churchill Downs racing strip to prove he could carry that form on a dirt track.

#2. Some of the venues where racing is conducted are national treasures, beautiful places that favorably compare with August National Golf Course, Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. Places like Del Mar by the Pacific Ocean, Saratoga in upstate New York; Arlington Park north of Chicago, Illinois; Keeneland in Lexington Kentucky and Churchill Downs in Louisville, just to name a handful. If you go to Saratoga at daybreak, you practically will hear the ghosts of Man o’ War and Secre

The weekend was as action packed and as dramatic as anything I’ve seen on and off the racetrack in several years.

First, there were numerous tight finishes and sterling performances in the annual Sunshine Millions that jointly was run at Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita Park on Saturday. Beyond that, simultaneously, the richest handicapping tournament of all time was being run at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Fact is, more money was on the table in that contest than all the stakes races at both tracks combined.

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The tournament, the 2012 National Handicapping Championship, with a pot of $1.8 million was a tournament I actually participated in, along with 491 other horseplayers who qualified from among 30,000 players during 2011. While I finished a decent 29th in this field, the real battle for top prize fought between two experienced horseplayers—Michael Beychok of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and David Flanzbaum of Rolling Meadows, Ill—would not be decided until the final race with a spellbinding ending that rivaled any of the races seen this year.

On the track—the performances that deserve to be chronicled—include these at Santa Anita Park:

The veteran turf miler COMPARI’S winning run in the $100,000 Sensational Star Stakes at 6-1/2 furlongs on the downhill Santa Anita turf course; HOLLADAY ROAD’s fast win in the $100,000 Crystal Water Stakes at 1-1/16 miles on the same glib SA grass; CHOKECHERYMARY’s desperate stretch running win in the one mile Valentine Dancer Stakes clocked in a sharp 1:34. 42; WILLA B AWESOME’S convincing triumph in the 1-1/16 mile, Grade-3, Santa Ysabel Stakes clocked in 1:41.73 and HOME SWEET ASPEN’S driving score by a neck at 5-1 odds in the $300,000 Santa Monica Stakes, a Grade-1 for fillies and mares at 7 furlongs.

At Gulfstream, the stars of the show were:

IT’S ME MOM, winner of the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Distaff Sprint that was clocked in a strong 1:08.85; AWESOME FEATHER’S amazing 5-3/4 length win in the $300,000 Sunshine Distaff to remain undefeated through nine career starts dating all the way back to when she was the 2010 BC Juvenile Fillies winner and champion 2 year old filly. Then there was LITTLE MIKE’ s pressurized front running win over SLEW’S ANSWER in the Sunshine Millions Turf that was clocked in a sharp 1:45.94, barely .56 seconds off Gulfstream 1-1/8 mile course record and MUCHO MACHO MAN’S dominating win in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic clocked in 1:47.91, that also threatened the track record of 1:47.49 for 1-1/8 miles on dirt.

But perhaps the most important result of the day, especially for the 492 horseplayers who were at the Treasure Island in Vegas, was turned in by HOOH WHY at 17.70-1 over 3-2 betting favorite ROMANACACA in the $150,000 Sunshine Million Turf. That was because horseplayer and political consultant Michael Beychok had this filly on his tournament ticket while most of the contenders in the contest did not.

And there is more to his story than that.

To wind up with a gross bankroll of $237.60 based on 30 bets of $2 win and $2 over two days of racing at seven tracks, Beychok stated that he made several winning plays based on the workout reports featured exclusively on my web site. “Without www-GradeOneRacing-com,” he said, adding emphatically, that he “would not have won this.”

And as flattering as that was, the story would not be complete without going to the very last race in the competition.

Trailing David Flanzbaum by a mere $11 going into that last contest race—a cheap maiden claiming sprint at Golden Gate Fields—Beychok picked the 3-1 winner, which gave him a combined win-place pari mutual payoff of $8.00 and $4.20 to leap frog over Flanzbaum by a mere $1, yes one measly dollar.

Yet, that single solitary dollar instantly translated to a cool $1 million winning payoff, the largest prize in the history of handicapping contests.

Meanwhile, after a brilliant tournament that fell so short of victory, Flanzbuam had to settle for a much smaller $150,000 prize for his second place finish.

While all this proved to be great theater and I for one appreciated the modest check I received for finishing ahead of 462 other finalists, with great pride, I most appreciated that the winning player had successfully used GradeOneRacing’s workout reports to make his historic score. If only I had done exactly the same!

Kingston, Jamaica: Horse racing enthusiasts are in for a treat this evening when the new HBO original series Luck premieres on Flow's network on Channel 518 at 9 pm.

The horse racing drama, which is directed by David Milch (Deadwood, NYPD Blue) and Michael Mann (Public Enemies, Ali), takes a thought-provoking look into the world of gambling and horse racing, a very popular industry in Jamaica.

The provocative TV drama which sees Oscar-winner Dustin Hoffman making his television series debut as the star of the show, which also features Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina, John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Kevin Dunn, Jason Gedrick, Ritchie Costner, Ian Hart and Tom Payne.

The nine-episode drama is poised to hit the mark with the local Jamaican horse racing fraternity.

According to Jeanette Lewis, PR Manager at Flow the series is timely as horse racing is a thriving industry in Jamaica.

"We are pleased with the premiere of this engaging new show which explores several aspects of the sport and offers our viewers a programme they can identify with," she said.

Set at the racetrack in California, the television drama thoroughly examines every aspect of the business behind horse racing and the impact it has on the people involved. From the owners and trainers of the horses to the jockeys, agents and gamblers, every character is linked to the track. Based on screenwriter and producer David Milch's childhood gambling experience with his father, Luck makes a profound statement about the overarching theme of how 'luck' is defined and redefined, leaving nothing to chance.

More popularly known for his role as Shifu in the 3D animated movie Kung Fu Panda and the comedy Little Fockers, Hoffman is making his first recurring appearance in a TV series.

Luck centres on the character Chester "Ace" Bernstein (played by Hoffman), a tough and intuitive gamester with a long history in gambling. After being released from a three year term in prison, he teams up with his long-time driver and friend to execute a strategy to profit at the track.

Although some horse racing fans have a gambling problem that needs support, most fans only bet on horses once a year. In particular, they will attend a major race at a local horse track and bet $1 to $20. After all, they are not interested in making a regular habit of gambling and are only thinking about betting for recreational reasons.

In the meantime, betting on horse racing online has soared. For this reason, you would think that Churchill Downs has the perfect online betting system in place for the Kentucky Derby. Strangely, this is not the case due to local laws. However, if you cannot attend the Kentucky Derby in person this year, do not worry. Located on the ChurchillDowns.com website is a legal option.

Understanding parimutuel gambling

When you go to the KentuckyDerby.com website, it will indicate that the official online wagering site of the Kentucky Derby is Twin Spires. However, this is not the only place online that offers a bet on a Kentucky Derby race. Instead, all of the money from casinos, the racetrack, and the online websites is put into one money pool nationwide. This large number of gamblers putting all their bets together is why winners for the Kentucky Derby take home so much money.

This style of gambling for the Kentucky Derby is called parimutuel betting and it is currently legal by federal law. Legality loopholes, if there are any, are taken care of through user registration. In other words, if online gambling suddenly becomes illegal in your state, your internet service provider can block you so that you do not break the law. In 2003, the states that restricted Kentucky Derby gambling online were Utah, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Hawaii, Georgia, and Alaska.

Kentucky gambling laws are changing

In 2010, an article in the New York Times indicated the horse industry in the U.S. was in financial crisis. For this reason, the industry insisted that changes in gambling laws could save horse racing. In particular, they were lobbying for casinos in the racetracks.

In February 2012, Churchill Downs announced in the Louisville Courier Journal that they purchased a "poker fan website that could be a vehicle toward an entry into online poker if it is legalized." Less than a week later, Governor Steve Beshear of Kentucky made an announcement that a big save for racetrack casino gambling could be on the way—if the state committees allow KY Senate Bill 151 to pass.

Opponents to new gambling laws

It is the hope of many racetracks that there will be a major overhaul of gambling laws. Last year, several internet gambling websites were shut down because of the fine tooth comb the U.S. Federal Government used in defining illegal activities. As Churchill Downs says, they often make business deals "in the event there is a liberalization of state or federal laws with respect to internet poker in the United States."

In Kentucky, the hope for Senate Bill 151 has some opponents. In particular, Republican Alice Forgy Kerr of Lexington, Kent., said that expanded gambling will happen "over my dead body." This negativity is furthered by groups like The Family Foundation of Kentucky.

Arguments against the new gambling changes in Kentucky have little to do with the immorality of betting or addiction problems. Instead, the opponents do not like the language of the bill that restricts the number of Kentucky casinos to five racetracks and only allows for two additional casinos. Others find that changing the constitution of Kentucky is unsound logic.

Future Kentucky Derby gambling changes

With all of these big changes in progress, does this mean that it will affect the Kentucky Derby on May 5, 2012? According to the KYChamberBlog.com, if it passes the senate, KY SB 151 will be placed before voters in November 2012. If it is enacted, this will mean that Churchill Downs can open a casino in their racetrack. In the meantime, you can place your annual Derby bet online or at the betting clerk window at your local track.

Maryam Louise is a longtime resident of the Bluegrass State and has lived in the shadows of Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky over the past two decades. In addition to being a fan of horse racing, she has also had a chance to get to know jockeys, horse groomers, and betting clerks as an ESL instructor. Currently, she writes for KentuckyDerby.org and relies on her friends in the multiple facets of the equine industry for writing inspiration.

After an eight month absence since he broke a small bone in his left rear leg in the Belmont Stakes, ANIMAL KINGDOM successfully returned to the races Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

The 1-1/16 mile allowance race was designed by owner Barry Irwin and trainer Graham Motion as a prelude to Animal Kingdom’s next planned start—in the 1-1/4 mile, $10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, March 31.

A son of 2005 turf champion LEROIDESANIMAUX, Animal Kingdom used the GP turf course as a natural forum for an impressive victory over moderate class allowance horses to become the first Kentucky Derby winner in 14 years to win his first attempt as a 4-year-old. It also is notable that the same horse--Silver Charm—also was the last Derby winner to come back as a 4-year-old to win the World Cup.

The way the race was run on Saturday served every conceivable purpose, if in fact, the colt actually can use only a single prep race in modest company as a springboard to run at full power against a field of world class horses at a classic distance—on the Tapeta synthetic surface in use at the $1 billion Meydan racecourse.

"The race (at Gulfstream on Saturday) set up perfectly for us," Motion said. “It certainly would have been disappointing if he lost. ”But this was the best thing for us. He needed a race and he was put in the back of the pack by Johnny (Velazquez) and went wide around the final turn before he showed how fit he is."

Racing with protective front bandages over the firm turf course, Animal Kingdom moved smartly from last to third halfway through the backstretch then relentlessly moved to the leaders before taking full command entering the stretch.

While second place finisher MONUMENT HILL tried to make a race of it in the stretch, Animal Kingdom lengthened his stride noticeably and easily held off that rival by two lengths completing the 1-1/16 miles with a good clocking, 1:41.72.

"He’s come a long way since October," Motion said. "Nothing was more heartbreaking than to see (Animal Kingdom) stuck in his stall a week after the Belmont. He went from being the fittest horse in the country to not being able to get out of his stall. That was tough. To see him today, back to himself, obviously I'm elated."

Last fall, while Animal Kingdom was being patiently handled, owner Barry Irwin said: “We think he’s made of championship stock. We’re certainly hopeful that he will come back stronger than ever.”

Indeed. On Saturday in a relatively meaningless allowance race at Gulfstream Park, the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner looked more mature, stronger and ready to move on towards bigger and richer competition. As a 4-year-old with such versatility and talent his connections can proceed as planned to the Dubai World Cup, keeping in mind their longer range goal of bringing him to Santa Anita Park in November for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic.

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It was supposed to be Presidents' Day on Monday, but Hall of Fame horse trainer Bob Baffert celebrated his own private holiday weekend at Santa Anita and Oaklawn Park.

On Saturday, the Baffert trained 5-year-old mare ELLAFITZ won her third straight stakes in the $200,000 Santa Maria Stakes, a Grade 2 for fillies and mares at 1-1/16 miles on the main dirt track. This was the daughter of Tiznow’s fourth stakes win in her last five outings dating back to July 1, 2011. Yet that win was a mere prelude to the way Baffert trained horses dominated the three stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Sunday and Oaklawn Park on Monday.

On Sunday at Santa Anita, the Baffert trained DRILL ended a five race losing streak in the Grade-2 San Vicente Stakes, his first win since the Grade-1 Del Mar Futurity on Sept 7. Drill, who had fallen out of favor after progressively bad performances in the Norfolk Stakes, the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, the Delta Jackpot, the Cash Call Futurity and San Pedro Stakes, reversed his decline with a strong stretch running drive to beat the improving maiden winner AMERICAN ACT by a nose with heavily favored CREATIVE CAUSE a modest third in the latter’s first start of 2012.

Last fall, Creative Cause defeated Drill in the Norfolk and was a good third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind 2-year-old champion HANSEN and previously undefeated UNION RAGS. But he obviously needed the San Vicente as a prep race for longer and more important races on the long winding road to the Kentucky Derby on May 5.

As for Drill, Baffert was glad to see the son of Lawyer Ron recover his good form but cautioned against accepting the colt as a bona fide horse to consider on the Triple Crown chase.

"Right now, we think he's best as a one turn sprinter," Baffert said. "We might try him around two turns and in a longer race down the road, but I wouldn't go out and buy Future Book tickets on him to win the Kentucky Derby."

On Monday, however, Baffert’s winning streak in Graded stakes for 3-year-olds continued in split divisions of the one mile, Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Both divisions carried $250,000 purses and included above average competition from California, Kentucky, Louisiana and Arkansas.

In the first division, Baffert’s slow-to-develop maiden winner CASTAWAY overcame the outside post in an 11 horse field to score by open daylight at $6.70-1 over longshot JAKE MO. The clocking for the mile distance around two turns was a respectable 1:38.08. But more importantly, the performance clearly suggests that Castaway finally has figured out what a racehorse is supposed to do. As a son of 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, Castaway certainly has earned a ticket to a longer stronger Derby prep, perhaps the $500,000 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn next month.

While all that was going on, an extremely rare three horse dead heat developed in this race—for sixth place—among the lukewarm 3-1 betting favorite LONGVIEW DRIVE, local stakes winner JUNEBUGRED (4-1) and 33-1 shot NO SPIN. All three were 6-3/4 lengths behind the winner.

In the second division, SECRET CIRCLE, the 3-5 betting favorite who won the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint at Churchill Downs last fall, won a hard fought wire to wire battle with a razor sharp SCATMAN, who was seeking his third straight victory while stretching out in distance. That in fact might have been the key difference in this result, given that Secret Circle already had gained experience going two turns in the one mile, Grade-3 Sham Stakes at Santa Anita on Jan 7, when he finished a close second to OUT OF BOUNDS.

Although highly touted CYBER SECRET was well placed chasing the two dueling leaders, he fell back to fifth through the stretch while Scatman and Secret Circle pulled away from the field. Only in the final few strides did Secret Circle prevail, winning by 1/2 lengths. But, the final outcome was encouraging to Baffert and jockey Rafael Bejarano, who ride both winners in this Southwest Stakes-Bob Baffert double.

Said Bejarano: "It went well; he showed his usual speed and when I asked him to run, he surprised me. He had more left than I expected. He actually showed a lot of heart today and I’m very pleased with his effort."

While Secret Circle's did run one full second faster in his division of the Southwest than Castaway, Baffert is not likely to put both Southwest winners in the 1-1/16 mile Rebel, or in any race together, wherever they may appear next.

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The United Kingdom has had legal and regulated online gambling for many years now and the time has come to revamp the system to update its regulations and upgrade the tax regime. The Offshore Gambling (Licensing) Bill introduced to the U.K. parliament does not come as a surprise to operators who have been expecting the changes.

The Bill was introduced by MP Matthew Hancock, representative for West Suffolk, and Newmarket, the centre of horseracing in the UK. The Bill would if passed give additional income to the horseracing industry. Racehorse owner P.J.D Pottinger has donated six figure sums to Hancock’s constituency association. It is obvious and with transparency that the high profile horse racing lobby is driving the Bill forward. An expert on the issue said,Hancock has, “successfully managed to persuade a handful of MPs to vote for his Bill”. The Bill does look like it has the support of the coalition government and operators should prepare for changes not to their liking.

The Members of the coalition government are unlikely to raise duty above 15%, on Gross Gaming Yield. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs is looking at sending the offshore white listed operators a new tax that will take a big slice of the profit pie from operators. A number of operators licensed in the Isle of Man are non UK facing and therefore would be faced with relatively minor duty charges. On the other side of the coin The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, informed the Gibraltar Chronicle that the proposed bill and the inevitable taxation which would come to pass revealing there are, “issues on the horizon for Gibraltar”. Gibraltar’s economy is the concern for the industry is a major employer and changes will impact the country.
Passing of the Bill could create issues for The Alderney Gambling Control Commission where the majority of their licensees appear, to be licensed solely in the jurisdiction with minimal physical presence.

The largest horse racing purse of 2012 is coming up at the Dubai World Cup on March, 31. While the whole world anticipates this $10 million dollar race, I find myself explaining to friends that attendants will not be betting at the Meydan Racecourse. This shocks many of my American friends who are all wondering what Islam and the United Arab Emirates say about gambling on horses.


Read More: Fan's View: Is Betting on the Dubai World Cup Legal in Dubai? - Horse Racing - Yahoo! Sports

Things are green all over on this annual date that honors an Irish Saint who lives more in legend than anyone knows his real life story. Consider these comments that I edited a bit from Wikipedia, "The Free Encyclopedia."

Most available details of his life are from later accounts written in the seventh century onwards, but these accounts are not accepted as 100 percent true. While even the dates of Patrick's life cannot be fixed with certainty, as best we know, he was active as a missionary in Ireland during the second half of the 5th century Saint Patrick's Day is observed on March 17, the date of Patrick’s death. It is celebrated both in Ireland as a solemn and a holy day of obligation; outside of Ireland, especially in English speaking countries, it often is turned into a celebration of Ireland itself.

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Realistically, given such a modest biography, I’d say that good old St. Patrick has gained a level of immortality beyond the capacity of all but a few people who came before him, or since. So, a Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you then and let's get on with this week’s top dozen Kentucky Derby contenders...

Top Dozen Derby Contenders for March 17, 2012

1. EL PADRINO: Did nothing to earn this elevation from number two to number one except that the number one from last week ALPHA is being managed as if trainer Kenny McPeak is afraid to run him against some of the leaders in this group. El Padrino for his part won the the Risen Star at the Fair Grounds last month over improving MARK VELESKI after scoring nicely in an allowance race at Gulfstream. Bred to love distance racing; is proven on wet and dry tracks and is headed in the right direction with many options for his final Derby prep race. Seems likely to challenge UNION RAGS in the $1 million Florida Derby, April 1.

2. HANSEN: Last year's 2-year-old champion finished second to (now injured) Algorithms in the Holy Bull, but probably needed the race badly, as he clearly showed winning the 1-1/16 mile Gotham Stakes for fun from slightly off the pace despite a wide trip on both turns from his outer post position. As a son of PULPIT, Hansen is better bred for true distance racing than many suspect. Until the Gotham Hansen’s ‘Achilles Heel’ seemed to be his front running profile. Not many horses have been able to go wire to wire in the 10 furlong Kentucky Derby. But the comfortable way he rated behind the front running speed while wide in the Gotham shows that he is not one dimensional and that trainer Michael Maker is doing all the right things with this honest Kentucky Derby contender who did win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over Union Rags on the Churchill Downs racing surface.

3. UNION RAGS: Esteemed trainer Michael Matz (who trained BARBARO) has a classy colt here with solid form who looked very good winning the relatively empty Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream last month and is an obvious contender for the whole ball of wax. Probably will have his final Derby prep in the $1 million Florida Derby next month and will be tested in that race by El Padrino among others., While I have always thought that Union Rags is much better bred for 1-1/16 miles and 1-1/8 miles, Matz just might be able to hold his form for the 10 furlong Derby. Although many have practically conceded the Derby to this colt, I must reserve judgment until he meets El Padrino in the Florida Derby. Keep in mind that he was could not overtake Hansen while traveling in the advantageous outer lanes on Breeders’ Cup Day when Hansen was riding a relatively dead rail.

4. ALPHA: A son of Bernardini – trained by Kiaran McLaughlin whose INVASOR defeated Bernardini in the 2006 Breeders' Cup at Churchill – this one has won both of his races in New York as if he still is on the improve, which is good, of course. But I do not like it when a trainer, even a very good trainer, begins to duck horses, or worry about holding on to a jockey for one more race when the important goal is to get your horse fit and battle tested for the very tough 10 furlong Kentucky Derby. Right now he is 60-40 to run in the Wood Memorial against Hansen at Aqueduct, Apr. 7, but also could go to the Louisiana Derby to face EL PADRINO on April 1. Either way, if he can hold his good form and improve another notch he will remain a serious Derby threat.

5. CREATIVE CAUSE: Won the San Felipe last week in convincing style using his third place finish in the 7 furlong San Vicente as a perfect prep. Was a good third in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile behind Hansen and Union Rags last fall at Churchill and seems as if he is headed in the right direction for trainer Mike Harrington who is making his first trip into the Triple Crown chase after developing his reputation with 2 year olds in sprint distances. So far so good.

6. GEMOLOGIST: Would you believe that Todd Pletcher has another talented prospect moving towards Kentucky. Came out of a long layoff Friday, Mar. 16 to demolish an allowance field at Gulfstream in a manner that suggests he definitely belongs in the mix. Won a Grade-2 race at Churchill last fall and is probable for the Arkansas Derby on April 14. That would follow the path used by Kentucky Derby winner SUPER SAVER for this barn two years ago and as a son of two time Breeders' Cup Classic winner TIZNOW, the stamina is built in.

7. CASTAWAY: Won his maiden race at Santa Anita in his sixth career start, but obviously gained a lot from that performance as he won a division of the Southwest at Oaklawn on Monday, Feb. 20 with good positional speed from the outside post and a strong finish nearing the wire. Seems cut out for longer and stronger and is a probable starter on Mar. 17 in the 1-1/16 mile Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn, the natural prelude to the $1 million Arkansas Derby, April 14. Although trainer Bob Baffert's SECRET CIRCLE won the faster division of the Southwest, this on

It was only a few decades ago when anyone who wanted to wager legally in North America had no choice but to go to the racetrack. Casinos only existed in Nevada and Atlantic City, poker rooms were for the most part illegal and the Internet obviously wasn’t invented. Many gamblers knew someone who would take their sports wagers but there was always the risk that their bookie would get busted and the bettor wouldn’t collect. Moreover, because this type of gambling was illegal the bettor couldn’t rely on the law to help. As a result, racetracks flourished. Weekends saw the grandstands packed and even on weekdays, there would be plenty of patrons that either skipped off work or took the day off to watch a generally inferior card of racing.

Read More: Can the Horse Racing Industry Survive Increased Competition?

By Steve Davidowitz | Going into the $500,000 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on Saturday, Barry Irwin, president of Team Valor International, thought he might be following a familiar script.

"This is the race that ANIMAL KINGDOM won last year that set him up for a possible trip to the Kentucky Derby," Irwin said. "Now we're going to see if WENT THE DAY WELL is a horse who deserves to make the same trip."

Not long after Went the Way Well scored a convincing 3-1/2 length win over HOLIDAY PROMISE in the Spiral, Irwin e-mailed this simple straightforward comment:

"I love this horse," Irwin said. "He's a good one."

Irwin knows a good horse when he sees it, having bought dozens of good horses for his Team Valor syndications -- an ownership group under his direction that consists of many small and medium size investors.

"This horse already has handled dirt just fine," said Irwin, pointing out that Went the Way Well has won a race on the dirt track at Gulfstream Park. "While we might need to run him one more time before the Kentucky Derby just because he is still learning, still green... We have the earnings we need to get in the race and we’re confident he will be a horse who will be one of the top contenders."

As suggested in this space Saturday morning, it probably will take at least $220,000 in Graded Stakes earnings for a horse to break into the Top 20 and thus qualify for a post position assignment for the $2 million Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 5.

Went the Way Well jumped over that hurdle on Saturday, having earned $300,000 in the Grade-2 Spiral.

The next day, about 1200 miles to the southwest on the New Mexico-Texas state border, another horse -- DADDY NOSE BEST -- earned his ticket to the 1-1/4 mile Run for the Roses in Louisville with a hard fought victory in the $800,000 Sunland Derby over locally based ISN'T HE CLEVER.

Already a Grade-3 stakes winner of $120,000 by virtue of his score in the El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields in February, Daddy Nose Best finished strongly to get up in time and put $400,000 more in his Graded Stakes bankroll.

Second place finisher Isn't He Clever earned $176,000 and the Bob Baffert trained Stirred Up earned $96,000. Both horses will need to do at least as well in another Graded Stakes if they are to make the Derby field.

The big disappointment in the Sunland Derby was Bob Baffert's CASTAWAY, the 17-10 betting favorite who was fried in a hot pace duel with the Todd Pletcher trained ENDER KNIEVEL. Both horses zipped through fast early fractions clocked in 22.48 for the quarter mile; 46.24 for a half mile and 1:10.83 for six furlongs.

Tactically, there seemed no earthly reason for these two horses to duel each other into submission. But, that is exactly what their 'world class' jockeys John R .Velazquez (aboard Ender Knievel) and Raphael Bejarano (aboard Castaway) did. For their suicidal efforts, they finished fifth and seventh respectively, while setting the race up for the late rally by Daddy Nose Best.

The final clocking for the 1-1/8 mile distance was a very good 1:48.59 and the performance definitely stamped the son of Scat Daddy as a Derby prospect with a strong late kick.

At this point, it probably should be pointed out that most of the leading Derby contenders have shown considerable speed and mild closing punch. That group includes Derby favorites UNION RAGS, HANSEN and EL PADRINO, along with Rebel Stakes winner SECRET CIRCLE, the improving BODEMEISTER, the rejuvenated GEMOLOGIST and the Spiral Stakes winner Went The Day Well, who rallied from a stalking position in his important win on the Polytrack Saturday at Turfway.

Right now, the most formidable stretch running types on the Triple Crown Chase are: CREATIVE CAUSE, DULLAHAN, OPTIMIZER, ALPHA and DADDY NOSE BEST.

By Steve Davidowitz | UNION RAGS and EL PADRINO are the headliners in this Saturday's $1 million Florida Derby; LUCKY CHAPPY is the best known American invader in Saturday's $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby; while MARK VALESKI is the probably betting favorite in the $1 million Louisiana Derby on Sunday.

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All but one of those four of the above named horses rank among my TOP DERBY DOZEN before the three rich Kentucky Derby preps will be run. All my rankings take into account recent training moves as well as races that have been run this season...

1. HANSEN: Last year’s 2-year-old champion clearly showed winning the 1-1/16 mile Gotham Stakes for fun despite a wide psot draw and a wide run around both turns that he is not a stone cold, one dimensional front runner. As a son of PULPIT, Hansen is better bred for true distance racing than many suspect. While trainer Michael Maker was thinking about running him in the Florida Derby, he decided two weeks ago that the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct on April 7 is the best option. Maker has made all the right moves with this honest Kentucky Derby contender who did win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile over Union Rags on the Churchill Downs racing surface.

2. UNION RAGS: Looked very good winning the relatively empty Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream last month and is an obvious contender for the whole ball of wax. Is the logical favorite over EL PADRINO in the $1 million Florida Derby this Saturday. Esteemed trainer Michael Matz (who trained BARBARO) has a classy colt here with solid form may be best bred for 1-1/16 to 1-1/8 miles, but Matz should never be underestimated. Keep in mind, however, that Union Rags could not overtake Hansen while traveling in the advantageous outer lanes on Breeders' Cup Day when Hansen was riding a relatively dead rail.

3. EL PADRINO: Game winner of the Risen Star Stakes at the Fair Grounds in late February, who has trained in OK, but not spectacular fashion since that performance. Todd Pletcher trainee will need to come up with his best race to date to defeat Union Rags in the Florida Derby.

4. ALPHA: I do not like it when a trainer -- even a very good trainer -- begins to duck horses or worry about holding on to a jockey for one more race when the important goal is to get your horse fit and battle tested for the very tough 10 furlong Kentucky Derby. That is what trainer Kiaran McLaughlin has done with this colt—switching race targets back and forth until he finally settled on running him at Aqueduct for the Wood Memorial on April 7. If he can hold his good form in that race and perhaps improve upon it a notch, he will remain a serious Derby threat.

5. CREATIVE CAUSE: Was a good third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind Hansen and Union Rags last fall at Churchill and won the San Felipe last month in convincing, stretch running style to suggest he is on target for the Santa Anita Derby on April 7 and of course the Kentucky Derby on May 5. Trainer Mike Harrington is making his first trip into the Triple Crown chase after developing his reputation with 2-year-olds in sprint distances. So far so good.

6. GEMOLOGIST: After ALGORITHMS went down to an injury and EENDER KNIEVEL failed to deliver in the Sunland derby, Todd Pletcher still has another talented prospect moving towards Kentucky. Came out of a long layoff on Friday, Mar. 16 to demolish an allowance field at Gulfstream in a manner that suggests he definitely belongs in the mix. Won a Grade-2 race at Churchill last fall and is probable for the Arkansas Derby on April 14. That would follow the path used by Kentucky Derby winner SUPER SAVER for this barn two years ago and as a son of two time Breeders' Cup Classic winner TIZNOW, the stamina is built in.

7. DULLAHAN: Dale Romans trainee who upset the Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland as a maiden last fall, was good fourth from out of the clouds in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile at Churchill and finally returned to action when an OK second to HOWE GREAT in the Palm Beach Stakes last week. This occurred after the colt was sidelined by a coughing spell in early February and despite the second place finish was am ost encouraging effort. Much better expected when he meets Howe Great again in the Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland on April 14 and we already know he can handle dirt, especially Churchill Downs' dirt. I have said it before and will say it again, I really like this trainer's work and Dullahan is one of the few high class stretch runners in the leading group of this year's Derby prospects.

8. HOWE GREAT: Team Valor (Barry Irwin) and trainer Graham Motion won the Derby last year with ANIMAL KINGDOM and before that Derby he looked like a synthetic track and/or a turf specialist. But Animal Kingdom worked sharply at Churchill and won the Derby for fun at 21-1. This colt seems as if he might be a turf specialist, having won the Palm Beach Stakes on the grass over Dullahan last week. But no one should sell him short because of that. If Howe Great goes as planned next in Blue Grass Stakes on Polytrack on April 14, we will need to see another good Churchill Downs' workout to confirm his true Derby status. But make no mistake, this is a very good horse.

9. MARK VALESKI: Ran a big race while also getting bumped a bit in his narrow, hard fought loss to El Padrino in the Risen Star. Strong workouts for the $1 million, 1-1/8 mile Louisiana Derby, on Sunday April 1, a race that will go a long way to prove his potential to handle classic distances. A son of Proud Citizen, who was second in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and third in the Preakness, Mark Valeski should handle at least nine furlongs, although the female side of his pedigree says that 1-1/4 miles might be slightly beyond his range. We shall see, we shall see.

10. WENT THE WAY WELL: Strangely named colt owned and trained by the Animal Kingdom co