Winter Book/Ante Post Betting
The Ontario Jockey Club just distributed their annual list of odds on horses who are entered in and aiming for the Queen's Plate at Woodbine - Canada's top three year old race. The race will be run June 22 so this can be considered the "winter book" for the race (found at www.queensplate.com).
The odds are for "informational purposes only" since there is no legal bookmaking in Canada. But wouldn't it be nice if there was actual betting on the race at this point - similar but better than the Kentucky Derby Future wagering. Why not lead the way to fixed odds wagering but offering it on limited events - such as The Travers, Arlington Million, Pacific Classic as while as regional events like the Longacres Mile, the Phoenix Gold Cup or the Maryland Million Classic? This could be done through the parimutuels also (with ALL entries offered instead of the ridiculous current approach in the Derby wagering) but this is a perfect way to start a return to fixed odds wagering. Governing bodies would need to go along with the plan but the benefit of building up enthusiasm for showcase events might carry the day. Anything to get more attention drawn to both the big days and to the idea of making a decision and wagering on your opinion.
Monday, March 17, 2008
No DirecTV for HRTV
Churchill Downs had a call with analysts on Friday and CEO Robert Evans gives little hope to horseplayers with DirecTV that they will be getting HRTV on their screens anytime soon:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/68607-churchill-downs-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript
Tim Rice – Rice Voelker
Good morning. I had two questions. The first related to HRTV. Can you give any update on any progress on improved or greater distribution, specifically DIRECTV?
Robert L. Evans
"There aren’t any changes at the moment. There’s sort of nothing new to say there."
When Evans talks about using YouTube to find the Kentucky Derby's first "chief party officer", you must fear for the future of this sport. The saying "They don't have a clue" comes to mind.
Churchill Downs had a call with analysts on Friday and CEO Robert Evans gives little hope to horseplayers with DirecTV that they will be getting HRTV on their screens anytime soon:
http://seekingalpha.com/article/68607-churchill-downs-inc-q4-2007-earnings-call-transcript
Tim Rice – Rice Voelker
Good morning. I had two questions. The first related to HRTV. Can you give any update on any progress on improved or greater distribution, specifically DIRECTV?
Robert L. Evans
"There aren’t any changes at the moment. There’s sort of nothing new to say there."
When Evans talks about using YouTube to find the Kentucky Derby's first "chief party officer", you must fear for the future of this sport. The saying "They don't have a clue" comes to mind.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Sunday's Musings - Part I
Sunland Park presents their best day of racing today with the WinStar Derby program. Expanding on my previous post - the first race today is for Open Maidens running a mile for 22k. The second race is for New Mexico maidens running 6 1/2 furlongs for 25.3k. The first race has attracted horses from many leading stables - Zayat (winner of the race trained by Steve Asmussen), Dream Walkin, Heligbrodt Racing Stable, and Everest Stable. I don't see any incentive for New Mexico bred maidens to run in the first race - no added money - and none of them did. New Mexico breds may be surpassing Arizona breds but they likely will never catch up with Cal breds.
This time of year I'm always impressed by three year olds horses who have had more than the usual 3-6 starts so far in their career. Examples would be Sky Mom - the Steve Asmussen filly who skipped the tougher 100K Grade III Honeybee today at Oaklawn for the 200k WinStar Oaks - this after winning the local prep at Oaklawn for the Honeybee. She started running at Keeneland last April and has run out of the money only twice in ten starts. Another example would be yesterday's Rebel winner - Sierra Sunset - who won for the fourth time in eleven starts yesterday at Oaklawn. Often these horses who have started more times than usual have more of a foundation under them to compete in the major spring three year old events - at least that is what I surmise.
The San Felipe was an interesting race yesterday and I believe could become a key race which many of the participants run well out of. Bob Black Jack maybe the best three year old sprinter in the country, Gayego would be perfect in 1-turn mile races, and Georgie Boy looks to be a serious Derby contender and the best Cal-bred three year old. On top of the first three, Shediak must be better than his dismal 8th place showing especially on the lawn and Indian Sun lost a few lengths with a poor start and wound up 4th.
Sunland Park presents their best day of racing today with the WinStar Derby program. Expanding on my previous post - the first race today is for Open Maidens running a mile for 22k. The second race is for New Mexico maidens running 6 1/2 furlongs for 25.3k. The first race has attracted horses from many leading stables - Zayat (winner of the race trained by Steve Asmussen), Dream Walkin, Heligbrodt Racing Stable, and Everest Stable. I don't see any incentive for New Mexico bred maidens to run in the first race - no added money - and none of them did. New Mexico breds may be surpassing Arizona breds but they likely will never catch up with Cal breds.
This time of year I'm always impressed by three year olds horses who have had more than the usual 3-6 starts so far in their career. Examples would be Sky Mom - the Steve Asmussen filly who skipped the tougher 100K Grade III Honeybee today at Oaklawn for the 200k WinStar Oaks - this after winning the local prep at Oaklawn for the Honeybee. She started running at Keeneland last April and has run out of the money only twice in ten starts. Another example would be yesterday's Rebel winner - Sierra Sunset - who won for the fourth time in eleven starts yesterday at Oaklawn. Often these horses who have started more times than usual have more of a foundation under them to compete in the major spring three year old events - at least that is what I surmise.
The San Felipe was an interesting race yesterday and I believe could become a key race which many of the participants run well out of. Bob Black Jack maybe the best three year old sprinter in the country, Gayego would be perfect in 1-turn mile races, and Georgie Boy looks to be a serious Derby contender and the best Cal-bred three year old. On top of the first three, Shediak must be better than his dismal 8th place showing especially on the lawn and Indian Sun lost a few lengths with a poor start and wound up 4th.
Fair Grounds' card on Sunday features seven races restricted to Louisiana-bred horses on a ten-race program. NYRA has been putting on more and more New York bred races even at the showcase Saratoga meeting. Gulfstream has written races restricted to Florida breds at the current meeting which I'm not sure they have done before.
The reason beyond much of the emphasis on the state-bred racing programs is expanded gambling at the racetrack. Racetracks need to show how the state is benefiting from this additional gambling and pumping money into the state-bred programs is one way to show everyone where some of the money goes. Certainly the increase in purse money at Prairie Meadows over the past ten years has led to an increase in both the quantity and quality of Iowa thoroughbreds. Conversely, the breeding program in Maryland has suffered due to the lack of expanded gambling in the state.
But where is all of this leading to? New Mexico breds winning the Derby? I don't think so. There should be a happy medium where there are races written exclusively for state breds but also incentives for instate breeders & owners to run their horses in open company. Canterbury Park writes open races where Minnesota-bred horses get extra money by finishing in the money and I'm sure other states do this also. Some tracks do not recognize wins in restricted state-bred races for entries into open races.
It is important to have state breeding programs prospering and championship racing days at the state levels are some best cards of the years at tracks across the country. But carding more than half of the races for state breds is usually not a very attractive offering to bettors looking for quality racing to bet on via simulcasting or account wagering.
The reason beyond much of the emphasis on the state-bred racing programs is expanded gambling at the racetrack. Racetracks need to show how the state is benefiting from this additional gambling and pumping money into the state-bred programs is one way to show everyone where some of the money goes. Certainly the increase in purse money at Prairie Meadows over the past ten years has led to an increase in both the quantity and quality of Iowa thoroughbreds. Conversely, the breeding program in Maryland has suffered due to the lack of expanded gambling in the state.
But where is all of this leading to? New Mexico breds winning the Derby? I don't think so. There should be a happy medium where there are races written exclusively for state breds but also incentives for instate breeders & owners to run their horses in open company. Canterbury Park writes open races where Minnesota-bred horses get extra money by finishing in the money and I'm sure other states do this also. Some tracks do not recognize wins in restricted state-bred races for entries into open races.
It is important to have state breeding programs prospering and championship racing days at the state levels are some best cards of the years at tracks across the country. But carding more than half of the races for state breds is usually not a very attractive offering to bettors looking for quality racing to bet on via simulcasting or account wagering.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Sunday's Musings - Part I
Continuing on with the idea from yesterday's post, other divisions that need a major stakes to gather around would be the three year turf divisions - especially in the spring/summer as opposed to the fall when these horses take on their elders.
Two good three year old fillies on the turf were seen today in allowance races at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds. Much Obliged - a Pin Oak Kingmambo filly - drew away to win her 2nd race at the meet in a AlwNW1X and at Gulfstream, Flying Zee Stable's I Lost My Choo won her third straight on the lawn - all at Gulfstream - in an AlwNW2X with a powerful close.
It's sad to see the once powerful Whitney Stable - the famous Eton Blue with Brown belt silks - struggling in third-rate claiming races at Oaklawn under the direction of D. Wayne Lukas.
I will write a longer post on this but a recent Blood Horse editorial mentioned how former editor Kent Hollingsworth disliked restricted state-bred races. I'm never seen Gulfstream run Florida-bred restricted races before - perhaps they have. But this combined with the 40% of NYRA races being turned over to New York bred races is a distinct wrong-turn for the industry. No one should have anything against promoting breeding within a state but restricted races does not lead to breeding better horses nor to better racing.
Continuing on with the idea from yesterday's post, other divisions that need a major stakes to gather around would be the three year turf divisions - especially in the spring/summer as opposed to the fall when these horses take on their elders.
Two good three year old fillies on the turf were seen today in allowance races at Gulfstream and Fair Grounds. Much Obliged - a Pin Oak Kingmambo filly - drew away to win her 2nd race at the meet in a AlwNW1X and at Gulfstream, Flying Zee Stable's I Lost My Choo won her third straight on the lawn - all at Gulfstream - in an AlwNW2X with a powerful close.
It's sad to see the once powerful Whitney Stable - the famous Eton Blue with Brown belt silks - struggling in third-rate claiming races at Oaklawn under the direction of D. Wayne Lukas.
I will write a longer post on this but a recent Blood Horse editorial mentioned how former editor Kent Hollingsworth disliked restricted state-bred races. I'm never seen Gulfstream run Florida-bred restricted races before - perhaps they have. But this combined with the 40% of NYRA races being turned over to New York bred races is a distinct wrong-turn for the industry. No one should have anything against promoting breeding within a state but restricted races does not lead to breeding better horses nor to better racing.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Sunday's Stakes - Early Ladies Day
The stakes menu for Sunday, March 9 features the following three races:
Grade I - Santa Margarita - Santa Anita - 1 & 1/8 miles - 7 entered
Grade II - Rampart - Gulfstream - 1 & 1/8 miles - 7 entered
Grade III - Azeri - Oaklawn - 1 & 1/16 miles - 6 entered
Another example of the lack of coordination within the North American racetrack industry. With horses prepping for the Kentucky Derby or Breeders Cup, you can excuse such conflicts but not in this case. Is there any way for racing to setup a series of major events outside of the three year old division that would land all the major players at one venue for a race? Not bloody likely outside of the Breeders Cup. This is obviously not a new challenge for the industry - it has been this way since racetracks spread westward in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Here's an idea - setup major races in divisions like the older fillies & mares - and similarly for older males and sprint/turf divisions for both - around the Triple Crown events. Events like the Pimlico Special, the Early Times at Churchill, and the Manhattan at Belmont all could be upgraded and run on the same day as the three year old event. Belmont is running the Brooklyn the day before the Belmont this year - why? Who will see it? Put it on Saturday and try very hard to get the networks to show the race live and try to explain the significance of the event. It's the best chance the industry to branch out beyond the Triple Crown.
The stakes menu for Sunday, March 9 features the following three races:
Grade I - Santa Margarita - Santa Anita - 1 & 1/8 miles - 7 entered
Grade II - Rampart - Gulfstream - 1 & 1/8 miles - 7 entered
Grade III - Azeri - Oaklawn - 1 & 1/16 miles - 6 entered
Another example of the lack of coordination within the North American racetrack industry. With horses prepping for the Kentucky Derby or Breeders Cup, you can excuse such conflicts but not in this case. Is there any way for racing to setup a series of major events outside of the three year old division that would land all the major players at one venue for a race? Not bloody likely outside of the Breeders Cup. This is obviously not a new challenge for the industry - it has been this way since racetracks spread westward in the 2nd half of the 19th century. Here's an idea - setup major races in divisions like the older fillies & mares - and similarly for older males and sprint/turf divisions for both - around the Triple Crown events. Events like the Pimlico Special, the Early Times at Churchill, and the Manhattan at Belmont all could be upgraded and run on the same day as the three year old event. Belmont is running the Brooklyn the day before the Belmont this year - why? Who will see it? Put it on Saturday and try very hard to get the networks to show the race live and try to explain the significance of the event. It's the best chance the industry to branch out beyond the Triple Crown.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)