Asian Post Times this evening
145th Spring Tenno Sho - 11th Race - Kyoto - 2:40 a.m. Eastern time - North American account wagering operators will start taking wagers on the 8th race on Kyoto's card (post time 12:50 a.m. Eastern)
QE II Cup - 8th Race - Sha Tin - 4:35 a.m. Eastern time
Lion City Cup - 10th Race - Kranji - 5:35 a.m. Eastern time
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
Horse Racing is and should be:
This weekend is an excellent example of what horse racing is and should be. Start with the great Sydney Cup card from Royal Randwick (or even the opening Friday night festivities from Hollywood Park) and Black Caviar's attempt for her 20th victory in an unbeaten career at Morphettville - a total of six Group I races run in Australia with two national networks (over the air Channels 7 and 9 broadcasting from Randwick and Morphettville simultaneously - believed to be a historical precedent Down Under).
Continue racing across the world with the Champions Day card from Turffontein from Joburg with the Sprint featuring the the great race mare Val De Ra meeting JJ The Jet Plane and What A Winter and the South African Derby and Oaks.
England features the Gordon Richards with the Juddmonte entry of Twice Over and World Domination along with the Sandown Classic Trial.
North American racing is the lull before the storm of Derby 138 but still has a nice California Gold Rush at Hollywood Park, a competitive Westchester at Belmont, Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne, and then the second night card at Churchill's 138th opening with the running of the 88th Derby Trial (a stakes name that is a misnomer in this day and age).
The QEII from Sha Tin, Rocket Man's prep in the Lion City Cup at Kranji (in preparation for his fourth try at the KrisFlyer Spring), and the 73rd spring Tenno Sho from Kyoto featuring six Group I winners including 2011 Triple Crown winner Orfevre are the highlights of the beginning of Sunday's raceday. A few hours later, the Prix Ganay opens the Group I season at Longchamp.
All in all a superb offering of the world's best racing from the greatest racing venues.
Unfortunately due to a variety of reasons, racing is still rather provincial in its attitude towards presentation and wagering options. Reasons are plentitude for why - lack of standardized racing form/past performance information, restrictions on international betting pools, time differences, etc...
These are understandable but certainly not insurmountable. Resolving the betting pool issue should be at the forefront of every national racing organization. Casinos and sports betting are 24/7 operations - there is no reason that racing can't have the same steady action especially during the weekend stakes offerings. An agreement on a common racing form presentation that would take into account regional differences is a realistic goal.
More important than overcoming logistical obstacles is conveying the dramatic stories from the major racing venues - the owners, trainers, jockeys and horses that make the sport what it is. North American racing fans should know who Gai Waterhouse and More Joyous are, Hong Kong racegoers should be introduced to Bob Baffert and Acclamation, and French turfistes should be familiar with Michael de Kock and Igugu.
The goal is feature the world's best racing in the best possible manner to the widest global audience. It involves a combination of wagering and sporting appeal and continues the emphasis on "big day" racing events that is occurring globally. If racing can't maximize the highest level of the sport, it has no chance to preserve and grow racing at a national and local level.
This weekend is an excellent example of what horse racing is and should be. Start with the great Sydney Cup card from Royal Randwick (or even the opening Friday night festivities from Hollywood Park) and Black Caviar's attempt for her 20th victory in an unbeaten career at Morphettville - a total of six Group I races run in Australia with two national networks (over the air Channels 7 and 9 broadcasting from Randwick and Morphettville simultaneously - believed to be a historical precedent Down Under).
Continue racing across the world with the Champions Day card from Turffontein from Joburg with the Sprint featuring the the great race mare Val De Ra meeting JJ The Jet Plane and What A Winter and the South African Derby and Oaks.
England features the Gordon Richards with the Juddmonte entry of Twice Over and World Domination along with the Sandown Classic Trial.
North American racing is the lull before the storm of Derby 138 but still has a nice California Gold Rush at Hollywood Park, a competitive Westchester at Belmont, Illinois Champions Day at Hawthorne, and then the second night card at Churchill's 138th opening with the running of the 88th Derby Trial (a stakes name that is a misnomer in this day and age).
The QEII from Sha Tin, Rocket Man's prep in the Lion City Cup at Kranji (in preparation for his fourth try at the KrisFlyer Spring), and the 73rd spring Tenno Sho from Kyoto featuring six Group I winners including 2011 Triple Crown winner Orfevre are the highlights of the beginning of Sunday's raceday. A few hours later, the Prix Ganay opens the Group I season at Longchamp.
All in all a superb offering of the world's best racing from the greatest racing venues.
Unfortunately due to a variety of reasons, racing is still rather provincial in its attitude towards presentation and wagering options. Reasons are plentitude for why - lack of standardized racing form/past performance information, restrictions on international betting pools, time differences, etc...
These are understandable but certainly not insurmountable. Resolving the betting pool issue should be at the forefront of every national racing organization. Casinos and sports betting are 24/7 operations - there is no reason that racing can't have the same steady action especially during the weekend stakes offerings. An agreement on a common racing form presentation that would take into account regional differences is a realistic goal.
More important than overcoming logistical obstacles is conveying the dramatic stories from the major racing venues - the owners, trainers, jockeys and horses that make the sport what it is. North American racing fans should know who Gai Waterhouse and More Joyous are, Hong Kong racegoers should be introduced to Bob Baffert and Acclamation, and French turfistes should be familiar with Michael de Kock and Igugu.
The goal is feature the world's best racing in the best possible manner to the widest global audience. It involves a combination of wagering and sporting appeal and continues the emphasis on "big day" racing events that is occurring globally. If racing can't maximize the highest level of the sport, it has no chance to preserve and grow racing at a national and local level.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012 - HORSE RACING IS:
1) 23 year old apprentice rider Garrett Steinberg winning on his first career mount - 34-1 longshot Bullfighter by three and a half lengths in the fourth race at Prairie Meadows. Garrett is son of jockey Patrick Steinberg who died in May 1993 while driving from Remington Park (where he had just won his fifth consecutive riding crown) to Omaha to ride at Ak-sar-ben. There is a statue of Steinberg in the paddock at Remington and mother Sandy is the Horseman's Liaison at Remington.
2) Legendary Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse winning her 7th Doncaster Mile at Randwick with the great race mare More Joyous with Nash Rawiller up - matching her father's record - another legendary Australian trainer - TJ Smith - of seven Doncaster Mile victories.
3) The world's greatest breeder - Prince Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte Farms - and trainer Sir Henry Cecil sending out World Domination for his second start in his 3 year old debut. The full brother of the world's greatest horse in training - Frankel - won a maiden race at Newbury under Tom Queally and earn a quote of 25-1 for the Epsom Derby.
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