Prominent turfman Sheik Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, died Wednesday in Australia and was immediately succeeded by his younger brother, the crown prince, Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the defense minister of the United Arab Emirates. The two brothers were the owners of the Godolphin racing stable.
http://www.godolphin.com/news.asp
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
This Date in Racing History - January 4:
1890 - First race at Guttenberg in New Jersey won by Bengaline – pays $104.50 for $2.
1894 - meeting held at Hoffman House in New York to begin steps to form a new Jockey Club to control racing in the East (New York and New Jersey) along the lines of the Jockey Club of England. Organization will supercede the Board of Control currently in place. NY Times reports news the next day – “rescuing it from the hands of the men who have injured it in their made race for profits, and have made of the sport little more than a gambling game”. One of the attendees of the meeting was George E. Smith - better known as Pittsburgh Phil, the greatest American horseplayer ever.
1890 - First race at Guttenberg in New Jersey won by Bengaline – pays $104.50 for $2.
1894 - meeting held at Hoffman House in New York to begin steps to form a new Jockey Club to control racing in the East (New York and New Jersey) along the lines of the Jockey Club of England. Organization will supercede the Board of Control currently in place. NY Times reports news the next day – “rescuing it from the hands of the men who have injured it in their made race for profits, and have made of the sport little more than a gambling game”. One of the attendees of the meeting was George E. Smith - better known as Pittsburgh Phil, the greatest American horseplayer ever.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
This Date in Racing History - January 3:
1945 - – All racetracks in United States must close by this date by order of War Mobilization Department director James Byrnes. No racing in North America on this date. NY Times article by Bryan Field from January 4 says “Followers of the sport, whether track officials or of the bookmaking fraternity, could not recall a previous day when there was no racing on the North American continent.” Racing would resume on May 12 after VE day.
1946 - Canadian-born jockey George Woolf, known as "The Iceman" for his coolness in the saddle, falls head first from his mount, Please Me, during a race at Santa Anita Park. He would die the next day.
1945 - – All racetracks in United States must close by this date by order of War Mobilization Department director James Byrnes. No racing in North America on this date. NY Times article by Bryan Field from January 4 says “Followers of the sport, whether track officials or of the bookmaking fraternity, could not recall a previous day when there was no racing on the North American continent.” Racing would resume on May 12 after VE day.
1946 - Canadian-born jockey George Woolf, known as "The Iceman" for his coolness in the saddle, falls head first from his mount, Please Me, during a race at Santa Anita Park. He would die the next day.
Monday, January 02, 2006
This Date in Racing History - January 2:
1941 - Fair Grounds saved from being auctioned by group of local businessmen who form the Fair Grounds Corporation to rescue the track. Racetrack was scheduled to be sold at open auction and potentially turned into real estate subdivisions.
1945 - Last Day of racing in the United States due to order by War Department Mobilization Director James Byrnes. Racing takes place at Fair Grounds and Tropical Park. Racing would continue in Havana and Mexico City. Racing would resume on May 12 after VE day.
1941 - Fair Grounds saved from being auctioned by group of local businessmen who form the Fair Grounds Corporation to rescue the track. Racetrack was scheduled to be sold at open auction and potentially turned into real estate subdivisions.
1945 - Last Day of racing in the United States due to order by War Department Mobilization Director James Byrnes. Racing takes place at Fair Grounds and Tropical Park. Racing would continue in Havana and Mexico City. Racing would resume on May 12 after VE day.
Horses in Training - Expected Starts for Top Horses:
Brother Derek - Hendricks - 3yo colt - San Rafael - SA - Jan 14
Da Stoops - Baffert - 3yo colt - Sunshine Millions Dash - Jan 28
Dream of Summer – Garcia – 5yo mare – Sunshine Millions Distaff – GP – Jan 28
Lava Man – O’Neill – 5yo colt – Sunshine Millions Classic – SA – Jan 28
Lord of the Game - Tomillo - 5 yo colt - Donn - GP - Feb 4
Original Spin - Mitchell - 3yo filly - Old Hat - GP – March 5
Proud Tower Too – Gonzalez – 4yo colt – Sunshine Million Sprint – GP – Jan 28
Brother Derek - Hendricks - 3yo colt - San Rafael - SA - Jan 14
Da Stoops - Baffert - 3yo colt - Sunshine Millions Dash - Jan 28
Dream of Summer – Garcia – 5yo mare – Sunshine Millions Distaff – GP – Jan 28
Lava Man – O’Neill – 5yo colt – Sunshine Millions Classic – SA – Jan 28
Lord of the Game - Tomillo - 5 yo colt - Donn - GP - Feb 4
Original Spin - Mitchell - 3yo filly - Old Hat - GP – March 5
Proud Tower Too – Gonzalez – 4yo colt – Sunshine Million Sprint – GP – Jan 28
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Monday, December 27, 2004
The Daily Racing Form used to carry a chart that showed all the biggest horses in the country and where they would be racing next based on the latest information available. They still do this for their Derby Trail reporting but do not provide similar information for other divisions of runners. Racing needs stars that fans can follow throughout the season so the Spirit will provide a list of some of the biggest current names in racing:
Commentator - Hal's Hope - Gulfstream - Jan 8
Ghostzapper - Metropolitan - Belmont - May 30
Kirkendahl - San Rafael - Santa Anita - Jan 15
Lost in Fog -Sunshine Millions Dash - Gulfstream - Jan 29
Rock Hard Ten - Strub Stakes - Santa Anita - Feb 5
Roses in May - Donn Handicap - Gulfstream - Feb 5
Second of June - Sunshine Millions Classic - Gulfsteam - Jan 29
Spanish Chestnut - San Rafeael - Santa Anita - Jan 15.
Sweet Catomine - Santa Ysabel - Santa Anita - Jan 9
Uncle Denny - Sham Stakes - Santa Anita - Feb 5
Yearly Report - Sunshine Millions Distaff - Santa Anita - Jan 29
Commentator - Hal's Hope - Gulfstream - Jan 8
Ghostzapper - Metropolitan - Belmont - May 30
Kirkendahl - San Rafael - Santa Anita - Jan 15
Lost in Fog -Sunshine Millions Dash - Gulfstream - Jan 29
Rock Hard Ten - Strub Stakes - Santa Anita - Feb 5
Roses in May - Donn Handicap - Gulfstream - Feb 5
Second of June - Sunshine Millions Classic - Gulfsteam - Jan 29
Spanish Chestnut - San Rafeael - Santa Anita - Jan 15.
Sweet Catomine - Santa Ysabel - Santa Anita - Jan 9
Uncle Denny - Sham Stakes - Santa Anita - Feb 5
Yearly Report - Sunshine Millions Distaff - Santa Anita - Jan 29
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Big day in California today with 233k carryover at Golden Gate and opening day of the Santa Anita meeting - the 70th anniversary of the track which opened on Christmas Day, 1934. The Grade I Malibu has a full field of 12 and features Grade II winners Quintons Gold Rush, Rock Hard Ten, and Love of Money. There is no racing in New York today.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Fusaichi Samurai - the $4 million dollar 2 year old - won his debut race at Hollywood Park effortlessly. Victor Espinoza - also the rider of 2000 Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus and sire of the colt - praised the winner in an "effusive" manner according to the LA Times.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-horse12dec12,1,3553817.column?coll=la-headlines-sports
I don't believe you could find a Derby Future Book with him not being one of the top favorites and his best price would not be above 10-1.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-horse12dec12,1,3553817.column?coll=la-headlines-sports
I don't believe you could find a Derby Future Book with him not being one of the top favorites and his best price would not be above 10-1.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Winter Racing season begins
Back in the day, racing in the East always ended with a meeting held in either Maryland or the Washington D.C. area in late October or early November. Racing in the West (not California mind you) would also end by November 1. Winter racing was located in New Orleans, California, and exotic locales like Havana and Juarez. There were also the infamous "Merry-Go-Round" tracks of Guttenberg and Gloucester in New Jersey which ran all winter racing that led to the establishment of the Jockey Club organization. The opening of Hialeah (and eventual success after initial failure) in 1925 began the improvement of winter racing and subsequent reopening of racing in California in the early 1930's and the training of Kentucky Derby winner Lawrin in Florida in 1938 all led to the winter racing environment that racing currently operates in.
Winter racing is still obviously a few notches below the summer season. Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Fair Grounds are the premier winter tracks - Turfway and Aqueduct are in the 2nd tier of winter racing.
Racing on the Radio
Thoroughbred Digest with Jay Privman - 10-11:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on www.1540theticket.com
Felix Taverna - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on www.kogo.com
Back in the day, racing in the East always ended with a meeting held in either Maryland or the Washington D.C. area in late October or early November. Racing in the West (not California mind you) would also end by November 1. Winter racing was located in New Orleans, California, and exotic locales like Havana and Juarez. There were also the infamous "Merry-Go-Round" tracks of Guttenberg and Gloucester in New Jersey which ran all winter racing that led to the establishment of the Jockey Club organization. The opening of Hialeah (and eventual success after initial failure) in 1925 began the improvement of winter racing and subsequent reopening of racing in California in the early 1930's and the training of Kentucky Derby winner Lawrin in Florida in 1938 all led to the winter racing environment that racing currently operates in.
Winter racing is still obviously a few notches below the summer season. Gulfstream, Santa Anita and Fair Grounds are the premier winter tracks - Turfway and Aqueduct are in the 2nd tier of winter racing.
Racing on the Radio
Thoroughbred Digest with Jay Privman - 10-11:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on www.1540theticket.com
Felix Taverna - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on www.kogo.com
Saturday, October 30, 2004
Breeders' Cup Day 2004
Other than the Mile when Singletary won at 15-1, it's been a formful day for the Breeders' Cup races at Lone Star today.
Ooops....Wilko from the UK just pulled off the Juvenile at 28-1 - that will make for at least a $1 million dollar Pick-6 payoff if anyone hits it. Roman Ruler - Baffert's star - ran like a bum.
Other than the Mile when Singletary won at 15-1, it's been a formful day for the Breeders' Cup races at Lone Star today.
Ooops....Wilko from the UK just pulled off the Juvenile at 28-1 - that will make for at least a $1 million dollar Pick-6 payoff if anyone hits it. Roman Ruler - Baffert's star - ran like a bum.
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
The Fair Grounds 2003-2004 season ended on Sunday. The usual array of bad results (i.e. declines in both handle and attendance) was served along with a platter of excuses (it rained on big racing days) and rays of hope in all the darkness. The hopeful factoid was a bit of a reach - highest combined attendance for FG Oaks, Louisiana Derby, and New Orleans Handicap days since the track's grandstand was rebuilt and reopened in 1997.
Visiting New Orleans in December provided a rather stark picture of 21st century racing in the Crescent City. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be invisible. I never found a newsstand or other outlet selling a Daily Racing Form or track program after searching throughout the downtown/French Quarter area (the FG web site does say they exist). The track itself is wonderful - the grandstand is centered around the multi-leveled paddock area. There are well-kept displays on the history of the Fair Grounds and its place in American racing. The neighborhood around the facility is a little "edgy" at night - you will not see Fair Grounds going to any sort of "twilight racing" anytime soon. But to anyone familiar with the history of racing of New Orleans - Metairie, Colonel Bradley, the continuous tradition of opening the season on or about Thanksgiving - it was sort of letdown, a feeling that is was in the past and future would be rather dismal and slotty.
I don't know why there isn't an teletheatre in downtown New Orleans - maybe it's a political thing. Walking through the French Quarter, there was one bar showing the feed from the track. You would think a wide-open, fun-loving section like the Quarter would welcome off-track betting with open arms.
A few final notes on poor, bankrupt Fair Grounds. The on-track handle is a measly 5.5% of overall handle - this number must be one of the lowest on-track handle percentages in North America. In 1949 - 55 years ago - the New Orleans Handicap was won by My Request on March 12 in front of 10,500 with a handle of $392,908. A week later, a crowd of 9,820 saw Joe. W. Brown's Rockwood win the Louisiana Derby with a handle of the day of 375,474. 55 years ago - these two days easily surpassed the 14,160 that witnessed the three spotlight events at the track this year and though I don't have the handle numbers for these two days this year, I would bet that the 1949 handle beat the 2004 handle. Very sad indeed.
When Senator Kefauver's Crime Committee visited the city in January, 1951, New Orleans Mayor de Lesseps Morrison testified that at one-time in his city "you could walk the five block stretch on St. Charles Street from Canal to City Hall and never miss the results of a single race from the loudspeakers which blared through the open doorways of the bookie parlors." Aside from an occasional television set in the Quarter, you would never have known Fair Grounds even existed in the business and tourist center of town.
Visiting New Orleans in December provided a rather stark picture of 21st century racing in the Crescent City. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be invisible. I never found a newsstand or other outlet selling a Daily Racing Form or track program after searching throughout the downtown/French Quarter area (the FG web site does say they exist). The track itself is wonderful - the grandstand is centered around the multi-leveled paddock area. There are well-kept displays on the history of the Fair Grounds and its place in American racing. The neighborhood around the facility is a little "edgy" at night - you will not see Fair Grounds going to any sort of "twilight racing" anytime soon. But to anyone familiar with the history of racing of New Orleans - Metairie, Colonel Bradley, the continuous tradition of opening the season on or about Thanksgiving - it was sort of letdown, a feeling that is was in the past and future would be rather dismal and slotty.
I don't know why there isn't an teletheatre in downtown New Orleans - maybe it's a political thing. Walking through the French Quarter, there was one bar showing the feed from the track. You would think a wide-open, fun-loving section like the Quarter would welcome off-track betting with open arms.
A few final notes on poor, bankrupt Fair Grounds. The on-track handle is a measly 5.5% of overall handle - this number must be one of the lowest on-track handle percentages in North America. In 1949 - 55 years ago - the New Orleans Handicap was won by My Request on March 12 in front of 10,500 with a handle of $392,908. A week later, a crowd of 9,820 saw Joe. W. Brown's Rockwood win the Louisiana Derby with a handle of the day of 375,474. 55 years ago - these two days easily surpassed the 14,160 that witnessed the three spotlight events at the track this year and though I don't have the handle numbers for these two days this year, I would bet that the 1949 handle beat the 2004 handle. Very sad indeed.
When Senator Kefauver's Crime Committee visited the city in January, 1951, New Orleans Mayor de Lesseps Morrison testified that at one-time in his city "you could walk the five block stretch on St. Charles Street from Canal to City Hall and never miss the results of a single race from the loudspeakers which blared through the open doorways of the bookie parlors." Aside from an occasional television set in the Quarter, you would never have known Fair Grounds even existed in the business and tourist center of town.
Saturday, March 27, 2004
Dubai World Cup update - final
American honor on the dirt is upheld with a stirring stretch battle with Pleasantly Perfect outdueling Medaglia D'Oro. Dubai Duty Free ends in dead heat between the German-trained Paolini and Right Approach bred by Her Majesty The Queen.
The advantages that Dubai has in offering this sort of 1-day event are:
1) Location - centrally located for the entire world - most everyone must travel which puts all on an even playing field.
2) Timing - Late enough in the year for the African/Asian/Australian season and not too early for the European season if you want to prep in France or Dubai. Also on the flip side of the calendar from the Breeders' Cup which gets virtually no representation from South Africa, Asia, and Australia.
3) Neutral track - a wide variety of races and surfaces give many opportunities on where to place a good horse
4) Money - The Maktoum family's resources have obviously made the event go.
Not sure if it would be that interesting an event to travel too since you would need to be on your mobile making bets the entire time but it looks rather cool on the tele.
American honor on the dirt is upheld with a stirring stretch battle with Pleasantly Perfect outdueling Medaglia D'Oro. Dubai Duty Free ends in dead heat between the German-trained Paolini and Right Approach bred by Her Majesty The Queen.
The advantages that Dubai has in offering this sort of 1-day event are:
1) Location - centrally located for the entire world - most everyone must travel which puts all on an even playing field.
2) Timing - Late enough in the year for the African/Asian/Australian season and not too early for the European season if you want to prep in France or Dubai. Also on the flip side of the calendar from the Breeders' Cup which gets virtually no representation from South Africa, Asia, and Australia.
3) Neutral track - a wide variety of races and surfaces give many opportunities on where to place a good horse
4) Money - The Maktoum family's resources have obviously made the event go.
Not sure if it would be that interesting an event to travel too since you would need to be on your mobile making bets the entire time but it looks rather cool on the tele.
Dubai World Cup - Update II
US sprinters still rule on Dirt - Our New Recruit and Alke run 1-2 inthe Golden Shaheen.
Polish Summer is produced on the outside from the Juddmonte/Fabre/Stevens combination and wins the Sheema Classic. Ken McPeek's Gulfstream shipper Hard Buck runs a credible 2nd. Mr. Abdullah did not seem to be on hand to accept congratulations from the Maktoums.
US sprinters still rule on Dirt - Our New Recruit and Alke run 1-2 inthe Golden Shaheen.
Polish Summer is produced on the outside from the Juddmonte/Fabre/Stevens combination and wins the Sheema Classic. Ken McPeek's Gulfstream shipper Hard Buck runs a credible 2nd. Mr. Abdullah did not seem to be on hand to accept congratulations from the Maktoums.
Dubai World Cup day has begun
During - Baffert/Mattress Mac horse - takes a big dump running sans drugs in the Godolphin Mile as the home team's Firebreak with Frankie D. up wins the first thoroughbred race on the card.
UAE Derby goes to the South Africans with Lundy's Liability - supposedly headed to Richard Mandella's barn after this win.
This really is a wonderful day of racing. Only significant drawbacks are the pervasive feeling that it is a "home horse" affair with the Maktoums - similar to old-time meetings in the US when the bookmakers owned both the racetrack and many of the horse running - and the absence of on-track wagering due to religious constraints in Dubai.
During - Baffert/Mattress Mac horse - takes a big dump running sans drugs in the Godolphin Mile as the home team's Firebreak with Frankie D. up wins the first thoroughbred race on the card.
UAE Derby goes to the South Africans with Lundy's Liability - supposedly headed to Richard Mandella's barn after this win.
This really is a wonderful day of racing. Only significant drawbacks are the pervasive feeling that it is a "home horse" affair with the Maktoums - similar to old-time meetings in the US when the bookmakers owned both the racetrack and many of the horse running - and the absence of on-track wagering due to religious constraints in Dubai.
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Thursday, March 18, 2004
Baltimore Sun published an article on Tuesday on efforts to build a racing/horse project near the former Havre de Grace racetrack - a lovely spot near the Chesapeake in Maryland.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.racetrack16mar16,1,5415604.story
This is exactly what the sport needs right now - reconnecting with the past and certain areas' strong association with horse racing. Havre de Grace ran from 1912 to 1950 - usually running both a spring and fall meeting. Horses that ran there included Man O'War, Citation, and Seabiscuit. Fans and horseplayers travelled from across the East Coast to go racing there. The town is wonderful and going to the site of "The Graw", you can still the outlines of the track and I believe there are still portions of the grandstand seating on the site. The site is currently a Maryland National Guard maintenance facility.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/harford/bal-md.ha.racetrack16mar16,1,5415604.story
This is exactly what the sport needs right now - reconnecting with the past and certain areas' strong association with horse racing. Havre de Grace ran from 1912 to 1950 - usually running both a spring and fall meeting. Horses that ran there included Man O'War, Citation, and Seabiscuit. Fans and horseplayers travelled from across the East Coast to go racing there. The town is wonderful and going to the site of "The Graw", you can still the outlines of the track and I believe there are still portions of the grandstand seating on the site. The site is currently a Maryland National Guard maintenance facility.
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