TVG Presents The World
TVG offered a 24 hour presentation of racing from across the world beginning on Saturday morning and ending Sunday morning. Races shown included the Victoria Mile romp of the great Japanese mare Vodka and the upset win of Gloria De Campeao in the Singapore International Cup - along with the usual fare of Australian racing. Betfair is obviously making an attempt to introduce some new ideas with TVG and this one is a very good idea. Within this period of 24 hours, Rachael Alexandria won the Preakness, Vodka won her 5th Group I in Japan, and the French BC Mile winner Goldikova returned to the races with a disappointing 7th in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamps (not shown on TVG but available on the great international racing video site http://www.world-horse-racing.blogspot.com/. That's just the action from the distaff side. Gloria De Campeao's held off favorite Presvis in the Singapore Cup and a race earlier the Hong Kong sprinter Sacred Kingdom became the first horse to defeat the Singapore top sprinter Rocket Man with Godolphin's well travelled sprinter Diabolical in 3rd and Australian top sprinter Takeover Target finishing 8th.
I don't believe there is much interest in international racing yet within the horseplayer community. Obviously some will bet on any pictures that come into a simulcast facility. Australia has done a great job of marketing and presenting their races over the past decade. Hong Kong racing has been popular in the past when presented and continues to be a big draw in certain West Coast cities. Dubai racing has expanded beyond World Cup day. TVG has been presenting Japanese racing for the last few years, Magna has been attempting to drum up interest with South American racing, and YouBet recently signed a deal with South African and British racing organizations.
Overall however, I doubt the international handle amounts to even 5% of total North American wagers (not sure if it's even 1%). I'm not even sure anyone in the industry has an accurate number for this total.
What I would like to see is an increased emphasis on a dozen or so high-class international events presented by racing organizations around the world. Hong Kong International Day, Singapore Cup Day, Arc de Triomphe day, King George day, Dubai World Cup day, Japan Cup day - along with North American events like Breeders Cup and Canadian International day at Woodbine. International commingled wagering, a series of similar events on each racing card, racing information presented in a variety of formats, uniform medication rules, broadcasts available to the entire world via internet at a minimum - these events would represent the best that racing has to offer on a global scale.
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (http://www.horseracingintfed.com/) has hosted various conferences on this topic but everything still seems to move in slow motion. At least horseplayers who want to follow races internationally have numerous terrific websites to keep them current - now if we could only wager on these events in significant pools.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Betting Without Borders - Singapore International Day
Singapore International Cup Results (denomination of 1)
North America
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 50.80 9.8
Presvis 1.05
Balius 3.2
Exacta 210.4
Tri 783.8
Super 8239.5
Singapore
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 25.00 5.6
Presvis 1.4
Balius 2.8
Exacta (Forecast) 77.00
Trifecta (Tierce) 1,904
Super 6665
Exacta 210.4
Tri 783.8
Super 8239.5
Western Australian TAB
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 22.20 7.2
Presvis 1.3
Balius 4.3
Exacta 113.6
Trifecta 1126.9
Super 5076.4
France
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 6.2 1.9
Presvis 1.4
Balius 3.0
Exacta (Couple Gagnant) 8
Trifecta (Tierce Ordre) 85.8
Les turfistes de France took it on the short end of the mutual payoffs when the Pascal Bary trained Gloria De Campeao followed up a 2nd in the Dubai World Cup with a win in the 9th Singapore International Cup at Kranji racecourse.
Singapore International Cup Results (denomination of 1)
North America
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 50.80 9.8
Presvis 1.05
Balius 3.2
Exacta 210.4
Tri 783.8
Super 8239.5
Singapore
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 25.00 5.6
Presvis 1.4
Balius 2.8
Exacta (Forecast) 77.00
Trifecta (Tierce) 1,904
Super 6665
Exacta 210.4
Tri 783.8
Super 8239.5
Western Australian TAB
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 22.20 7.2
Presvis 1.3
Balius 4.3
Exacta 113.6
Trifecta 1126.9
Super 5076.4
France
Win Place
Gloria De Campeao 6.2 1.9
Presvis 1.4
Balius 3.0
Exacta (Couple Gagnant) 8
Trifecta (Tierce Ordre) 85.8
Les turfistes de France took it on the short end of the mutual payoffs when the Pascal Bary trained Gloria De Campeao followed up a 2nd in the Dubai World Cup with a win in the 9th Singapore International Cup at Kranji racecourse.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Preakness 118 - Random Thoughts
Note: I refuse to recognize the 16 so called "Preakness" races run in New York around the turn of the 20th Century - there is no proof that the Preakness stakes run in New York were connected to the race begun at Pimlico. More on that later.
1) NBC does an absolutely magnificent job covering horse racing. Today's broadcast was the best I have ever seen of a horse racing broadcast (going back to Canonero II's Triple Crown bid). They started with a half-hour of the Mine That Bird story and the subsequent purchase of Rachael Alexandria to run in the race with Calvin Borel taking the mount on the filly over the Derby winner. I'm sure for viewers not familiar with the sport it must have been rather confusing what was happening - why wouldn't Borel ride the Derby winner at the Preakness? Jay Leno didn't even bring up the subject when Borel appeared on the Tonight Show Tuesday evening. NBC told the story very well. Bob Costas has become more comfortable with racing even with the usual "wink-wink" bit when discussing breeding Rachael Alexandria to Curlin. Tom Hammond was superb on the broadcast as usual. NBC did use the Vinery colors during the race for Friesan Fire instead of the Fox Hill colors and could have interviewed Mark Allen and/or Ahmed Zayat to discuss their actions last week but these are minor items.
2) It's sad that racing does not have a comprehensible narrative post-Triple Crown. There were numerous references to the Belmont Stakes during the broadcast even though NBC gives way to ABC for that telecast. Rather than asking Jess Jackson question on Rachael Alexandra's participation in the Belmont, better questions might have been whether the filly would venture to Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface for the Breeders' Cup, what race might she be pointed to, and whether she might follow Curlin's career path with a four year old campaign. Jess Jackson may not have had much to say on these but at least they give a longer timeframe for the filly's prospective future races than the first weekend in June. Horse Racing has the Triple Crown series and that's it for public awareness. A top goal of the sport as a whole must be to keep the series as prominent as it now is and expand beyond the Triple Crown with a narrative that can be communicated clearly.
3) Jess Jackson's actions with Rachael Alexandra must be heartily commended. He is a true sportsman.
4) The sport has a potential golden opportunity with the gelding Mine That Bird similar to what Funny Cide's post Triple Crown career offered racing. Good Horse, Willing to Travel. I'm sure the infamous "envelope" for the Haskell will be offered to the Mine That Bird team and gratefully received. It would be nice to see a trip to Saratoga also on the schedule.
5) Overall it's hard to imagine a better Triple Crown two punch than what has occurred during the past two weeks - the ratings have and will be fantastic, the sport hit the cover of Sports Illustrated again and made a raucous appearance on Tonight Show, and no one was injured during the races. Bravo!
Note: I refuse to recognize the 16 so called "Preakness" races run in New York around the turn of the 20th Century - there is no proof that the Preakness stakes run in New York were connected to the race begun at Pimlico. More on that later.
1) NBC does an absolutely magnificent job covering horse racing. Today's broadcast was the best I have ever seen of a horse racing broadcast (going back to Canonero II's Triple Crown bid). They started with a half-hour of the Mine That Bird story and the subsequent purchase of Rachael Alexandria to run in the race with Calvin Borel taking the mount on the filly over the Derby winner. I'm sure for viewers not familiar with the sport it must have been rather confusing what was happening - why wouldn't Borel ride the Derby winner at the Preakness? Jay Leno didn't even bring up the subject when Borel appeared on the Tonight Show Tuesday evening. NBC told the story very well. Bob Costas has become more comfortable with racing even with the usual "wink-wink" bit when discussing breeding Rachael Alexandria to Curlin. Tom Hammond was superb on the broadcast as usual. NBC did use the Vinery colors during the race for Friesan Fire instead of the Fox Hill colors and could have interviewed Mark Allen and/or Ahmed Zayat to discuss their actions last week but these are minor items.
2) It's sad that racing does not have a comprehensible narrative post-Triple Crown. There were numerous references to the Belmont Stakes during the broadcast even though NBC gives way to ABC for that telecast. Rather than asking Jess Jackson question on Rachael Alexandra's participation in the Belmont, better questions might have been whether the filly would venture to Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface for the Breeders' Cup, what race might she be pointed to, and whether she might follow Curlin's career path with a four year old campaign. Jess Jackson may not have had much to say on these but at least they give a longer timeframe for the filly's prospective future races than the first weekend in June. Horse Racing has the Triple Crown series and that's it for public awareness. A top goal of the sport as a whole must be to keep the series as prominent as it now is and expand beyond the Triple Crown with a narrative that can be communicated clearly.
3) Jess Jackson's actions with Rachael Alexandra must be heartily commended. He is a true sportsman.
4) The sport has a potential golden opportunity with the gelding Mine That Bird similar to what Funny Cide's post Triple Crown career offered racing. Good Horse, Willing to Travel. I'm sure the infamous "envelope" for the Haskell will be offered to the Mine That Bird team and gratefully received. It would be nice to see a trip to Saratoga also on the schedule.
5) Overall it's hard to imagine a better Triple Crown two punch than what has occurred during the past two weeks - the ratings have and will be fantastic, the sport hit the cover of Sports Illustrated again and made a raucous appearance on Tonight Show, and no one was injured during the races. Bravo!
Monday, May 04, 2009
This Date in Racing History - May 5
1908– Churchill Downs meeting begins with pari-mutuel betting and auction pools. $5 dollar minimum for pari-mutuels. 34th running of the Kentucky Derby won by Stone Street – carrying the blue jacket and white sash of CE Hamilton and ridden by Arthur Pickens defeating the pride of Louisville favorite Sir Cleges back in 2nd. Famous Parimutuel Derby with authorities preventing bookmaking on the race. Events kept crowd down to 15,000 – approx 5,000 less than previous year – and cut wagering in half at least. Top two horses were still racing against each other in selling races at Churchill three years later as six year old geldings.
1934 - Cavalcade wins the 60th Kentucky Derby in front of record crowd of 60,000 at Churchill Downs - defeating A.G. Vanderbilt's Discovery in 2nd with the Dixiana filly Mata Hari fading to 4th after leading early. Cavalcade owned by Isabel Dodge Sloane's Brookmeade Stable. Ms. Sloane would become the first ever female leading owner in purse money won at the end of 1934.
1955 - Trainer Robert “Red” McDaniel saddles a horse in the sixth race at Golden Gate Fields, leaves before the race goes off, drives to the Golden Gate Bridge and jumps to his death at the age of 44. He had been America’s leading trainer in wins the previous 5 years and had saddled the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in Feburary with Poona II.
1973 - 3-2 fav Secretariat wins the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby by two and a half lengths over Sham.
1908– Churchill Downs meeting begins with pari-mutuel betting and auction pools. $5 dollar minimum for pari-mutuels. 34th running of the Kentucky Derby won by Stone Street – carrying the blue jacket and white sash of CE Hamilton and ridden by Arthur Pickens defeating the pride of Louisville favorite Sir Cleges back in 2nd. Famous Parimutuel Derby with authorities preventing bookmaking on the race. Events kept crowd down to 15,000 – approx 5,000 less than previous year – and cut wagering in half at least. Top two horses were still racing against each other in selling races at Churchill three years later as six year old geldings.
1934 - Cavalcade wins the 60th Kentucky Derby in front of record crowd of 60,000 at Churchill Downs - defeating A.G. Vanderbilt's Discovery in 2nd with the Dixiana filly Mata Hari fading to 4th after leading early. Cavalcade owned by Isabel Dodge Sloane's Brookmeade Stable. Ms. Sloane would become the first ever female leading owner in purse money won at the end of 1934.
1955 - Trainer Robert “Red” McDaniel saddles a horse in the sixth race at Golden Gate Fields, leaves before the race goes off, drives to the Golden Gate Bridge and jumps to his death at the age of 44. He had been America’s leading trainer in wins the previous 5 years and had saddled the winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in Feburary with Poona II.
1973 - 3-2 fav Secretariat wins the 99th running of the Kentucky Derby by two and a half lengths over Sham.
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