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We’re All Still Waiting for the Race Between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta

When will it happen?

Everyone I know was greatly disappointed this past July when Rachel Alexandra did not race in Saratoga.

Instead, she would take part in the Lady’s Secret Stakes.

Rachel Alexandra won easily and offered little excitement or thrill as it was a completely one-sided affair.

But maybe one can still have the showdown that everyone is waiting for.

Experts are predicting Zenyatta Rachel Alexandra could happen at the Personal Ensign Stakes late August.

If so, I’ll be glued to my TV…and betting a bundle.

The Zenyatta vs. Rachel Alexandra at the Personal Ensign Stakes in late August is expected to pull in large crowds.

Neither parties have made official announcements as yet but Personal Ensign seems to be the likely destination for both the star horses.

Rachel Alexandra’s  latest start was at the Lady’s Secret Stakes which was run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles. In contrast, Zenyatta is perfectly at ease over the 10 furlong distance.

Zenyatta would have had the obvious advantage on a longer track but Rachel Alexandra’s trainers have been trying to level the playing field.

Zenyatta may have an advantage of running longer distances but Rachel Alexandra has more experience on dirt than Zenyatta. Personal Ensign is a 1 ¼ miles dirt track and would give no clear advantage to either filly if they do face off over there.

Zenyatta’s next start is expected to be at Del Mar before the 29^th August Personal Ensign Stakes. Zenyatta is in complete form as she has won the Clement L Hirsch Stakes for the last two years now and this year’s event is scheduled for August 7. Zenyatta’s trainers and owners expressed reservations about the track surface at Del Mar. Despite the efforts, no final decision has been made as yet.

Rachel’s trainers might want to have her at Personal Ensign but it’s not clear if they would let her race against Zenyatta.

Many believe that even if the reigning horse of the year, Rachel Alexandra, was scheduled for Personal Ensign, she might be pulled out of the race if the undefeated Zenyatta shows up.

So what do YOU think?

Zenyatta?

Or Rachel A.?

If You Think American Horse Racing Tracks are in Trouble, So are British Tracks

I saw an item from the GREAT British newspaper, The Independent, on horse racing in the U.K. and thought you might be interested in seeing what is going on over the pond.

For those who are bemoaning the state of American horse racing, check this out.

Britain’s second most popular spectator sport: horseracing finds itself, once again, in the midst of financial crisis and organisational meltdown.

With the seemingly perennial row over funding the sport threatening to spiral out control this year, the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has opted to delay publication of its 2011 fixture list and issue a furious press release blaming bookmakers and betting exchanges for “exploiting loopholes” to get out of paying their share.

Bookies are legal in the U.K., you know.

The decision – described by the BHA as “unprecedented” – could be set to cast a shadow over the livelihoods of 20,000 full-time workers in the sport and a further 80,000 who work indirectly within racing.

Racing is unique among sports in the UK (and totally different from the U.S., I should add) in that it is funded by a statutory levy of 10 per cent on the profits bookmakers and betting exchanges make from those who bet on the sport.

The racing authorities argue that bookies should pay much more.

The bookies disagree.

It is usually all resolved in meetings at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) where ministers (who would dearly love to get shot of the responsibility) are called upon to knock heads together.

The BHA, which regulates the sport, says it has made the decision to suspend the fixture list because the yield from the levy has collapsed.

“Despite the betting industry posting bumper profits in recent years, the amount contributed to the levy has gone into freefall,” it says. “In 2009, the yield from the Horserace Betting Levy shrank by more than 20 per cent, from £115.3m to £91.6m. It has been reported that the 2010 levy has dropped even further to £76.5m, a further fall of 17 per cent.”

In other words, the levy has dropped by more than a third in the last two years.

Nic Coward, the BHA’s chief executive, said: “This is massively frustrating, particularly as in many ways the sport’s hard work to prepare for and beat off the worst of the recession is going to plan.

“The levy underpins the fixture list, tens of thousands of people depend on it for their livelihoods and this year we are facing a catastrophic cut in income. It is not fair and not right that the people working in racing should suffer as a result of the majority of the betting industry looking to bypass the levy in order to maximise their own profits.

I’ll keep my eye on what’s occurring in the U.K.

Have you ever been over there and gone to one of their grass tracks? Stunning.

I want to see this industry thrive everywhere, not just in the UK, not just in the US.

Everywhere.

Are you with me?

Trouble in the Texas Horse Racing Business? Hold on To Your Saddles

There is trouble brewing in Texas.

It’s about the last place you’d expect difficulties in the horse racing business, but there you go. It’s true.

The Texas Horse Racing Commission voted to allow Retama Park in Selma, Texas, to reduce its fall thoroughbred schedule from 30 days to 16, to be staged on weekends in September and October.

Keeping the full meet, Retama CEO Bryan Brown said, would result in “unacceptably” low purse levels because of reduced live and simulcast betting at the track.

Also this past week, Howard Phillips, owner of Manor Downs outside Austin, told the commission he would not apply for racing dates in 2011 and plans to shut down simulcast operations July 25.

That is not good news.

Commission members acknowledged the fact that they are overseeing an industry in crisis mode.

“It seems to me from a business standpoint that these operators are facing a dire situation,” said commission member Tom Clowe of Waco. ”

We are bound to understand these problems and do what we can to allow racing to continue … while we delve into solutions.”

Officials at the three major Texas tracks – Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Sam Houston Race Park in northwest Houston and Retama – have disclosed plans to consolidate their 2011 thoroughbred race dates for one year at Lone Star in an effort to produce a premier meet that would attract attention from simulcast bettors around the country.

I hope they survive.

Commissioners said they will discuss those plans with the tracks and with horsemen over the next two months before setting race dates in September. Track officials, meanwhile, plan to meet with Texas legislators to discuss proposed legislation that would provide expanded gaming options for Texas tracks, which track owners claim would put the state’s industry on level ground with Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

“We lose money on live racing,” said track owners. Losses are less on simulcast-only days, he said.

“The amount of money it costs us to stay open is just overwhelming us,” another owner said. “The industry, we all know it’s in dire straits.”

I’m hoping something is done. I promise you I’ll keep an eye on what the commission does.

New York State had similar problems a few months ago, remember?

The Big Saratoga Giveaway Days Announced

You’ll forgive me this week if I concentrate on Saratoga Raceway.

I am partial to Saratoga.

I worked for a number of years near Woodstock and travelled up to Saratoga in the summer for my horse racing fixes.

Yeah. That’s right. I have a horse racing fix. Don’t you?

Anyway….

This summer, the troubled raceway will give away (courtesy of the NY Racing Association)two shirts, an umbrella and a baseball cap during its summer meeting in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

NYRA, which operates horse racing at Saratoga Race Course, released the giveaway schedule recently. The number of giveaways is the same as last year.

The four free items are:

• an Irish-themed Saratoga T-shirt, on July 29

• a hat celebrating the race horse Rachel Alexandra, on Aug. 8

• a black Saratoga umbrella, on Aug. 22

• a gray long-sleeve shirt, on Sept. 5

All giveaways are free with each paid admission to the race course.

The 142nd Saratoga meet opens July 23.

Patrons will receive free general admission that day, with racing beginning at 1 p.m.

The meet will run through Labor Day weekend—a total of 40 racing days, the longest Saratoga meet in more than a century.

NYRA was approved for a $25 million state loan in June, which kept the association from having to shut down and lay off all 1,450 employees.

Without the loan, NYRA expected to run out of cash this month, which would have forced it to cancel the storied Saratoga meet.

If you have never been to Saratoga, GO. It’s an awesome place.

If you have been, then you know what I mean.

Next posting, back to talk about horses and racing.

The Mongol Derby: The Longest Horse Race in the World, Begins Aug. 7

It’s been called the “Greatest Horse Race in the World” and the “Longest Horse Race in the world.” Either way, the Mongol Derby is not a challenge just any horse rider is willing to take on.

Indeed, the 1,000 kilometer (more than 630 miles) endurance race over the Mongolian steppe — a diverse, often unforgiving terrain that includes forest, mountains and desert — is so challenging that organizers of the race provide three days of training for the small group of international competitors who qualified to be in the race.

A true adventurist, 33-year-old Justin Nelzen, a-Pinehurst-farrier- turned-endurance athlete, is one of 16 representing five counties who qualified for the second annual derby to start Aug. 7.

Nelzen is one of the first three Americans ever selected for the 10-day equestrian event. And, while several might be happy just to finish the race, Nelzen’s standard is set a bit higher.

“My goal is to win it,” he said.

With only three years of endurance horse racing under his belt, some might think Nelzen is a risky bet, but his record says otherwise.

“Justin is very accomplished,” Rhita McNair of McNair Internationale, who has trained horses for more than 40 years, said. “I am very impressed with his skills as a rider and as a trainer. He took a mare he bought from me all the way to a world champion.”

Last year, Nelzen also swept first, second and third places in the Hog Scramble, a 30-mile endurance race in Huntsville, on horses he owns and trained. His 7-year-old daughter, Trinity, placed first.

So, who knows? He could win. Wouldn’t that be very very cool.

“I didn’t know anything other than to train my horses like I trained myself,” he said. “Someone asked me before my first race what I expected. I told them I expected to win, and I did. I didn’t know any better at the time.”

Excited at just the thought of Nelzen winning the derby, McNair said Justin is very good at reading horses, a skill that is sure to pay off when he selects his Mongolian mounts for the derby.

If the countryside and route don’t offer enough challenge and history then the horses supplied for the derby certainly do. Decedents of the horses that gave Khan and his warriors superior advantage over their enemies and helped establish the Mongol Empire, make up the pool of more than 200 horses the derby supplies.

“This is a land where horses outnumber people seven to one,” Nelzen said. “They are practically worshiped by the people there.”

Riders will get a fresh mount at each station choosing from a collection of the Mongolian horses on a first-come, first-served basis.

“I hope I’ll get there first, have a good selection and be able to choose a good horse,” Nelzen said.

We hope so too. I’ll let you know how he does.

Goldikova is Superb, Winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot

I love watching Goldikova race.

Luckily, I was able to watch her race in the Queen Anne Stakes the other day and she performed wonderfully.  Put her in a race at a mile on good ground and she’ll get it done time and again.

I had my doubts at the beginning of the race though, because Paco Boy looked good.

But the champion mare had just enough left in the tank to hold onto the top spot by a head.

From a friend who frequents UK racetracks: “I didn’t give Noble’s Promise” much of a chance going into the St James’s Palace Stakes  but I’ve got to give him a lot of credit for his effort.

He didn’t win (he finished 5^th) but he ran hard and fit in decently enough with a very good field.  No word on where Noble’s Promise will be pointed to next, but I’d be shocked if he’s not pointed toward a race on the lawn at a mile back in the U.S.

All in all an exciting few days at the track.

Virtual Horse-Racing Now Available at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City

I received a press release the other day from Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and I thought that as someone who loves to gamble…and who loves horse racing… it was kinda interesting.

The Casino was announcing the debut of Triple Towers Virtual Horse Racing.

Now available exclusively in New Jersey at Resorts, this horse racing themed game provides slot players a simple way to enjoy the horse race betting experience in a group-play atmosphere.

Created for IGT’s M-P Series® hardware, players place bets on 23-inch monitors at individual player stations and a 57-inch large-format LCD central display. Dynamic camera angles, 3-D technology, realistic sounds effects and race commentary bring the experience of the racetrack to life.

The individual player stations feature touch-sensitive screens that allow players to make wagers and access onscreen help before, during and after each race. The central display shows horse history and handicap information before each race.

Much like wagering at a live racetrack, players place traditional bets – Win, Place or Show – as well as Exacta and Quinella. Players can also make quick pick bets, random bets based on the player’s selected wager value and bet type. Bets are made in $1 denominations with a minimum of $3 and a maximum of $50 in total bets.

A jackpot bonus feature randomly selects a race result and awards players the displayed amount if the race finishes in that exact order. The jackpot amount varies based on the number of horses that finish in order and the player’s total wager amount.

OK… it’s not real. And I don’t get (no matter what they say) the real thrill of being at a track.

But it sounds like fun.

I’ll be in Atlantic City in a few weeks and hope to check it out for you.

Meanwhile, if anyone reading this has been to Resorts lately and wants to report on it, just email me.

All Hail Drosselmeyer; 13-1 Longshot Takes the Belmont

I love the Derby, but I grew up 15 minutes away from Belmont Raceway so the Stakes holds a place dear in my heart.

Wherever I live, I watch the Belmont Stakes and it takes me back to when I was a kid.

Meanwhile, I loved the race. And I’m glad First Dude lost. Nice horse…but I hate the name.

Drosselmeyer had a final time of 2:31.57. Paid out $28 on a $2 bet. Fly Down ($6.80) was second and First Dude ($4.90) third.

First Dude set the pace around the first turn with Uptowncharlybrown on his tail with Ice Box 11 lengths from the lead early.

Everyone was waiting for Ice Box to make his move but the horse never did.

Over the halfway mark First Dude was being pushed by Interactif and the pace was reasonably quick with Game On Dude in 3^rd.

Ice Box was 8 lengths back at the ¾ mark.  Coming around the final turn and First Dude and Game On Dude battled.

Drosselmeyer flew by them both right at the end.

Successful Homecoming for Jockey Nakatani, Wins Riding a 21-1 Long Shot at Hollywood Park

This, from our correspondent in Whittier, California.

It’s a cool story about Corey Nakatani, who left Southern California earlier this year for a fresh start.

Well, he enjoyed a happy homecoming June 1 when he rode 21-1 long shot Victor’s Cry to a victory in the $250,000 Grade I Shoemaker Mile at Hollywood Park.

Nakatani, a 39-year-old Covina native who’s won numerous Southland riding titles, finished a strong second (59-49) to Terry Thompson at the Oaklawn Park meet that concluded in late April while riding 113 fewer races.

He’s currently based in Kentucky, but that doesn’t mean he’s entrenched there.

“If the horses bring us back to California, we’ll be here,” Nakatani said after guiding Victor’s Cry to a head victory over Karelian, who shipped in from Kentucky and was the 9-5 favorite.

“I’d love to come back. California is home.”

Nakatani, who’s ridden such equine standouts as Lava Man, Lit de Justice, Serena’s Song, Rock Hard Ten and Sweet Catomine during a career that began in fall 1988 at Caliente Race Track in Mexico, knows the recipe for success in Southern California.

“If I got the opportunity to ride for the outfits you need to ride for, the Doug O’Neills and the John Sadlers, the Bob Bafferts,” he said. “If you rode for those outfits, you can come back and ride for them all.”

We wish him all the luck in the world.

Endangered New York Racing Season Saved; Paterson Introduces Bill to Provide $25 Million Loan to Keep Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct Tracks Open

The New York racing season looks like it’s been saved.

A bill that would loan the New York Racing Authority, which essentially runs the Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga race tracks,  has been introduced to the New York legislature by Governor Paterson.

That’s good news, one week before the June 5 Belmont Stakes.

Here’s what the bill will provide: it gives the NYRA a $25 million capital loan.

In return, NYRA would have to pay the state back by March 31st, 2011 or thirty days after a deal is struck with a vendor to operate VLT’s at Aqueduct.

Without the money, most people believe, racing would not continue at those tracks.

And that would be tragic.

keep looking »

Recent Articles

• We’re All Still Waiting for the Race Between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta
• If You Think American Horse Racing Tracks are in Trouble, So are British Tracks
• Trouble in the Texas Horse Racing Business? Hold on To Your Saddles
• The Big Saratoga Giveaway Days Announced
• The Mongol Derby: The Longest Horse Race in the World, Begins Aug. 7
• Goldikova is Superb, Winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Ascot
• Virtual Horse-Racing Now Available at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City
• All Hail Drosselmeyer; 13-1 Longshot Takes the Belmont
• Successful Homecoming for Jockey Nakatani, Wins Riding a 21-1 Long Shot at Hollywood Park
• Endangered New York Racing Season Saved; Paterson Introduces Bill to Provide $25 Million Loan to Keep Belmont, Saratoga and Aqueduct Tracks Open

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