Tag Archives: horse racing

Community/Charity, Racing

Old Friends to Host “Wise Dan Day”

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Wise Dan (photo by Laura Battles)

GEORGETOWN, KY – JUNE 19, 2019 – Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, will host “Wise Dan Day” on Saturday, July 6th from 2 pm to 4 pm.

The two-time Horse of the Year, multiple Eclipse winner, and two-time Breeders’ Cup Champion will make a special ambassador appearance at the organization’s main farm in support of aftercare, and will be available for fan meet-and-greets and photos.

The event begins at 2 pm and tickets are $15 per person. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling Old Friends’ main office at (502) 863-1775.

A homebred for Chicago businessman Morton Fink, Wise Dan (Wiseman’s Ferry – Lisa Danielle, Wolf Power), had a formidable racing career that spanned five seasons. He won 19 graded stakes, 11 of them at the grade 1 level on dirt and turf, while racing from ages three to seven. His victories include multiple runnings of the Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland and back-to-back wins in the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2012 and 2013.

Wise Dan earned Horse of the Year, champion grass horse, and champion older horse titles in 2012 and then again in 2013, and retired with earnings of $7,552,920.

In 2016 the chestnut gelding — who underwent colic surgery in 2014 — was awarded the inaugural Rood & Riddle Comeback Award. The award given to an equine athlete who overcame a major health complication and returned to elite competition.

Now 12, Wise Dan is enjoying retirement at trainer Charlie and Amy LoPresti’s Forest Lane Farm in Lexington.

“We are so thankful to Charlie and Amy LoPresti and owner Morton Fink and family for letting their wonderful horse spend a day here at Old Friends meeting his many adoring fans,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “Wise Dan is one of racing’s greatest champions, and it’s an honor to welcome him. And how great is it to have the two-time winner of the Firecracker Handicap here on Fourth of July Weekend!”

For more information, visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org or call (502) 863-1775.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (502) 863-1775, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; or Barbara Fossum, (502) 863-1775, barbara@oldfriendsequine.org

Racing

Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Hogy Joins Old Friends

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GEORGETOWN, KY – JUNE 14, 2019 – Hogy, the multiple graded stakes winner, has been retired from racing and will be pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY.

Bred by Dr. John E. Little in Kentucky, Hogy (Offlee Wild – Floy, by Petionvillle), finishes his seven-year career with 55 starts and 19 wins and earnings of $1,339,782.

The near-black gelding launched his career at Arlington Park in 2011 capturing his first three starts, including the Brian Barenscheer Juvenile Stakes at Canterbury Park. He earned his first graded stakes in 2013 in the grade 3 Hanshin Cup Stakes, again at Arlington. In 2017 he set a track record for 5½ furlongs in the Colonel Power Stakes at Fair Grounds, while defeating Old Friends retiree — and that day’s 4-5 favorite — Green Mask.

Claimed from owner William Stiritz and trainer Scott Becker for $80,000 in 2017 following three straight losses, Hogy quickly earned his keep for new owner Michael Hui and trainer Mike Maker when he took the grade 3 Kentucky Turf Sprint at Kentucky Downs, defeating group 1 winner Undrafted in the process.

After a defeat in the grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar, Hogy went on the following year to capture the grade Canadian Turf Stakes at Gulfstream.

“It’s always rewarding to pension one of racing’s great warriors,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “Hogy has seen it all and done it all — multiple tracks, multiple surfaces, competing in claimers up to grade 1 stakes. Now we hope he will just enjoy being loved and admired by his friends and fans.”

Now 10, the gelding arrived at Old Friends on June 14 with owner Hui in tow. “Old Hogy,” Hui noted, “could not be in better hands.”

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Products/Services, Racing

American Equus Chosen Riders Emerge Victorious from Belmont Stakes Racing Festival

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Mike Smith on Midnight Bisou in the Ogden Phillips Stakes. PC_ NYRA/Coglianese Photo.

Gilbert, AZ – June 14, 2019 – On Saturday, June 8, the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes took place as the final leg of the Triple Crown series. While no horses were eligible for the coveted title this year, many young thoroughbreds were still fighting for a spot in the winner’s circle throughout the thirteen races leading up to and following the grand event. Running to victory in six of the races were American Equus Thoroughbred Jockeys Javier Castellano, Mike Smith, Manuel Franco, Corey Lanerie, Ricardo Santana Jr., and Irad Ortiz Jr.

Race 4 marked the first win of the day for the talented group of Chosen Riders. Castellano, who describes the Thoroughbred Racing Irons as “the best in the market”, and Rushing Fall led the pack in the Longines Just a Game race. Following behind Castellano in the race was Chosen Rider Ortiz Jr. aboard Beau Recall, giving American Equus a one-two finish.

Race 5 was next on the agenda as the Ogden Phipps Stakes. Hall of Fame Jockey Smith captured the win for American Equus. Relying on the durability of his trusty irons, Smith piloted Midnight Bisou to a first-place finish.

Coming off of his second-place finish in Race 5 with Come Dancing, Franco raced to first in Race 6, the Jaipur Invitational. Franco, sporting his American Equus Long Board Thoroughbred Racing Irons, rode World of Trouble to a garland of roses at the end of their seamless race.

Playing an integral role in the success of Lanerie and Hog Creek Hustle in Race 8, the Woody Stephens Stakes presented by Mohegan Sun, the ultra-lightweight irons offered stability as they crossed the finish line in record time.

American Equus put another consecutive win to its name during Race 9 when Mitole was ridden by Santana Jr. to success. Galloping swiftly behind Santana Jr. was Smith who rode McKinzie to second place in the race. Both riders were supported by their stirrups extra wide carbon fiber footbeds, giving them the ability to comfortably maneuver the young horses with ease to clinch the first and second place positions.

Hall of Fame Jockey Ortiz Jr. concluded the winning streak for Chosen Riders in Race 10. With Bricks and Mortar between the irons, Ortiz Jr. rode to victory in the Manhattan Stakes, adding yet another win to his 1,798 previous wins.

“All of our chosen riders did fantastic this weekend. Belmont is always a great race and we are proud to have such a large presence at this historic track,” reported David Shano, Founder and CEO of America Equus. “We are excited to see what all of our Chosen Riders accomplish over the summer!”

For a complete list of results in the 151st Belmont Stakes, click here.

Media Contact: Lenore Phillips
561-753-3389 | lrb@phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

Longines Times Sir Winston’s Victory at 2019 Belmont Stakes

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Sir Winston, ridden by Joel Rosario. (Diane Bondareff/AP Images for Longines)

New York, NY, June 11, 2019 – Swiss watch brand Longines was proud to return as the Official Partner and Timekeeper of the 151st Belmont Stakes, timing Sir Winston’s impressive win at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York on Saturday, June 8, 2019.

Sir Winston’s jockey Joel Rosario and his mount navigated a field of impressive contenders, surging past Tacitus and War of Will down the stretch on the outside to take the victory. Earlier that day, Rushing Fall, ridden by Javier Castellano, claimed the 2019 Longines Just a Game Stakes. Longines U.S. Brand President Pascal Savoy joined the winning teams after each race to personally present Longines timepieces to each jockey, owner, and trainer in recognition of their skillful performances.

Ana Martins Communications
info@anamartinspr.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

Doable Betting Strategies for the 2019 Belmont Stakes

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Out of all the sports tournament you can find in any given platform, betting on horse racing showdown gives you a wide array of betting types where you can win and earn big. This is due to the fact a horse racing tournament is often attended by more than two or three colts which make every bettor choose more entry they wanted to bet.

Talking about horse racing, the final leg of the Triple Crown Series which is the Belmont Stakes will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2019. This will be held in the race track of Elmont Park, Belmont, New York where it is expected once again that hundreds and thousands of horse racing fans will grace the said event. In fact, some are already excitement even by the time the Kentucky Derby had kicked off.

With that being said, most horse racing fans are a little disappointed due to the fact that there will be no Triple Crown winner this year. After the disqualification case of Maximum Security which was the real Kentucky Derby winner. He was replaced by the second placer whose name is Country House. It is nice to see these horses supposedly as they take their rematch in the Preakness Stakes, but Maximum Security got demotivated ended up leaving the two racing behind.

Besides, Country House also got sick a day after he won the derby. In that case, he missed the Preakness and will not head on to Belmont. This is the first time that the Triple Crown Series won’t have the presence of the first three finishers of the Kentucky Derby.

Despite the fact that the Triple Crown this year won’t be given, the Belmont Stakes is still making their best to make sure that they can show off an incredible horse racing showdown. In fact, horse racers are more excited for the betting games they can partake since the prize at stake hasn’t changed following the initial controversy mentioned above.

Hence, as you go along and find yourself betting for you best entries in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday, it’s best that you have full knowledge on how to pick the right entry. So, in this article, we’d like to give you some working techniques on how you can join in profitable betting. Betting strategies are also outlined to make sure that you do not put your money directly in to waste. Here are they to get you started.

Refer to the Recent and Favorable Odds

The 2019 Belmont Stakes will have a total of ten thoroughbred horse racers which will be competing in the Grade 1 Stakes category. That said, each bet has its own odds set by the bookmaker. These odds are based on the bets they earned before the racing start and the value is then identified accumulating all the wages.

In that case, even if you are a newbie or pro in betting, it is best that you have to place your wage for a bet with most favorable odds. Through the years that the Belmont Stakes had existed, most winners are more likely coming from the bets with excellent value standings. Going this way will ensure that you have at least 80% chance of winning than placing your bets that has the lowest value.

Don’t Believe in Bookies

Bookies are the ones who arranged and set up odds especially when you bet online. Take note that horse racing is gambling and it’s either you win or lose. But, if you want to get rid of a consistent losing streak, you need to avoid the bookies. There’s nothing wrong with going with your instinct and betting for the ones given by bookies, but in reality, they place the odds in their favor. That means that your chance of winning might be small.

This is the main reason why that even if bookies set their bets, you still need to do your homework of researching the capability and skills of your chosen bets. This is highly needed specifically that the Belmont Stakes this year holds the mightiest horse entries and each entry has a unique running skills to show off this coming Saturday.

The Point System

The easiest strategy you can follow as you bet for the upcoming Belmont Stakes is the point system.  By using this strategy, all you need to do is to pick three horses which do you think will win. Out from these three entries, you need to sort out who’s going to place first, second, and third by placing the right points.

You can either have 10 as the highest or even as much as 5 points. Your criteria of placing the points for the three horses you have chosen in by their previous performances, trainers, jockeys, breeding, and the reviews they get from the horse racing society.

Racing

Yankee Fourtune, Grade 3 Winner, Euthanized

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Yankee Fourtune in retirement at Old Friends (Photo: Laura Battles)

GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 29, 2019 – Grade 3 winner Yankee Fourtune was euthanized May 28 at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, due to issues of chronic arthritis.

The 12-year-old gelding had been pensioned at the non-profit organization since 2015.

Campaigned by New Jersey business man Harvey Clarke and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, in 2010 the 3-year-old Yankee Fourtune (Yankee Gentleman – Madam Ann, Mi Cielo) was undefeated in five starts on turf, which included his stakes debut in the Grade 3 Hawthorne Derby and culminated with a win in the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf at Churchill Downs.

The gray gelding raced for four additional seasons, but never quite regained his championship form, and he soon entered the claiming ranks.

In 2012 Yankee was claimed from owner Clarke for $50,000. But the gelding always had a special place in his heart. Two years later Clarke — who was also known as the breeder or co-breeder of such champions as I’ll Have Another, Stopchargingmaria, and Cairo Prince — tracked down the horse’s new owners to offer his assistance if ever needed.

Clarke soon received a call that Yankee Fourtune needing emergency colic surgery.

Clarke took care of the surgery, and donated the horse to Old Friends to secure his retirement. Clarke remained a frequent visitor to the farm and a longtime supporter until his passing in January 2019 following a long bout with lung cancer.

“Losing Harvey and Yankee Fourtune is a huge blow to everyone who knew them both,” said Michael Blowen, President and founder of Old Friends. “Harvey loved Yankee Fourtune, and inquired about him a lot. They were lucky to have each other.”

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

Racing

Geri, a Grade 1 Winner, Euthanized at 27

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Geri at Old Friends (Photo: Laura Battles)

GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 27, 2019 – Grade I winner Geri was euthanized May 25 at Park Equine Hospital in Versailles due to complications from colic.

Geri had been a retiree at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred retirement farm in Georgetown, KY, since 2013. The stallion was 27.

Geri was among nine stallions repatriated from overseas stud duty by the non-profit organization. He arrived back in the U.S. from Italy.

Raced as a homebred by Allen E. Paulson and trained by Bill Mott, Geri (Theatrical-Garimpeiro, by Mr. Prospector) entered the spotlight with his victory in the 1996 Grade3 Creme Fraiche Handicap. The chestnut colt earned his first Grade 1 later that year in the Oaklawn Handicap.

Geri went on to capture the Woodbine Mile and the Citation Handicap in 1997 before finishing his career with a total of nine wins and earnings of $1,707,980.

As an international sire Geri was well represented by the multiple stakes-winning mare Bedanken, Japanese millionaire Lucky Break, and champion steeplechaser Party Airs. He was also the sire of A. P. Slew, another Old Friends retiree.

“Geri’s handsome countenance offered an insufficient disguise for his deep-seated toughness,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “He knew who he was. He was even smart enough to tell us when his time had come. We will miss him terribly. Our thanks to Madeleine Paulson for supporting him and other great Paulson Thoroughbreds throughout the years.”

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

Tyler Gaffalione Races to First Place Finish in 144th Preakness Stakes

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Tyler Gaffalione and War Of Will. Photo By: Jim McCue/The Maryland Jockey Club.

Gilbert, AZ – May 22, 2019 – On Saturday, May 18, a field of 13 horses were led to the finish line by American Equus Chosen Rider Tyler Gaffalione during the 144th run of the Preakness Stakes. Starting at the number one post, Gaffalione piloted Gary Barber’s War Of Will, trained by Mark Cassee, through the 1 3/16 mile race at the Pimlico track in Baltimore, Maryland. Capturing the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, this victory marks Gaffalione’s first Triple Crown win as a jockey.

As the largest Preakness Stakes since 2011, a crowd of 131,256 people watched on as Gaffalione and the 6-1 third betting choice horse made their move through an opening on the rail in the final turn to take the lead and gallop to the finish line. Their impressive time of 1 minute and 54.34 seconds ultimately added to the list of Gaffalione’s 1,086 career wins.

Other American Equus jockeys, Ricardo Santana and Javier Castellano, had an outstanding showing at Pimlico. Santana guided New York Central to a win in the Maryland Sprint Stakes G3 in Saturday’s schedule, while Castellano won an unprecedented 4 races on Friday, including the Black Eyed Susan G2 Stakes on Point of Honor.

“This win marks our companies third back-to-back Preakness win since gaining our first one in 2017. With this additional title we now hold four Triple Crown wins thanks to the world-class jockeys that trust our product and brand to carry them around the track. Tyler Gaffalione is a great representation of the talent we are lucky to have represent us. The whole team at American Equus is proud of this great accomplishment,” shares David Shano, Founder and CEO of America Equus. “With Belmont only three weeks away we cannot wait to see what War Of Will can accomplish next.”

For a complete list of results in the 144th Preakness Stakes, click here.

Media Contact: Lenore Phillips
561-753-3389 | lrb@phelpsmediagroup.com

Racing

Chilean Champ Santona Euthanized at 25

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Santona at Old Friends (Photo: Laura Battles)

GEORGETOWN, KY – MAY 7, 2019 – Chilean champion Santona has died. The 25-year-old mare was euthanized at Park Equine Hospital at Woodford on May 5th due to complications from colic.

Santona had been pensioned at Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, since 2011. Michael Blowen, founder and President of Old Friends, made the announcement of her passing.

Bred in Chile by Haras Santa Isabel, Santona (Winning – Syracuse, by Sharp-Eyed Quillo) won the Grade 1 Las Oaks at Club Hipico De Santiago in 1997. That year she was named Champion grass mare in Chile, and was then brought to the United States in 1998 by owner-breeder Earle I. Mack.

Campaigned by Mack and trainer Jimmy Jerkins for four starts in New York, Santona never regained her top race form and was retired to the breeding shed.

Her colt by Grand Slam, Grand Hombre, won the Pennsylvania Derby in 2003 and earned over $900,000.

“Mr. Mack adored Santona, and Old Friends was honored to care for her for these last years,” said Blowen. “She was extremely intelligent and very competitive.  She will be missed by all of her mare friends and human caretakers.”

For more information, please call (502) 863-1775 or visit the website at www.oldfriendsequine.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Cynthia Grisolia, (347) 423-7322, cindy@oldfriendsequine.org; Michael Blowen (502) 863-1775, michael@oldfriendsequine.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Racing

United States’ Popular Sport of Horse Racing

Horse racing is an ancient sport. Its origins date back to about 4500 BC among the nomadic tribesmen of Central Asia (who first domesticated the horse). Since then, horse racing has flourished as the sport of kings. In the modern day, horse racing is one of the few forms of gambling that is legal throughout most of the world, including the United States. You will want to take advantage of the BetAmerica promo code so read these details about the bonus here. This promotion is available to all players who have never held a BetAmerica account. Players receive one 100% matched deposit bonus, based on their first deposit.

Horse racing in the United States dates back to 1665, which saw the establishment of the Newmarket course in Salisbury, New York, a section of what is now known as the Hempstead Plains of Long Island. This first racing meet in North America was supervised by New York’s colonial governor, Richard Nicolls. The area is now occupied by the present Nassau County region of Greater Westbury and East Garden City.

Horse racing remains a popular sport throughout the United States. The American Stud Book was started in 1868, prompting the beginning of organized horse racing in the United States. Horse racing, especially thoroughbred racing, was a sport enjoyed by all during the progressive era.

There were 314 tracks operating in the United States by 1890, and in 1894, the American Jockey Club was formed. The anti-gambling sentiment prevalent in the early 20th century led almost all states to ban bookmaking. Bookmaking is the process of taking bets, calculating odds, and paying out winnings. This nearly eliminated horse racing altogether. When pari-mutuel betting was introduced in 1908, the racing industry turned around. Horse racing flourished until World War II.

The sport did not regain popularity in the United States until horses began to win the Triple Crown, a series of three races, consisting of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes.

Jim Fitzsimmons and Bob Baffert are the only two trainers to have two horses win the Triple Crown, with Fitzsimmons training the sire/son combination of 1930 winner Gallant Fox and 1935 winner Omaha and Baffert training 2015 winner American Pharoah and 2018 winner Justify. The wins by Fitzsimmons were also the first time that an owner and the first time that a breeder, Belair Stud holding both duties, had a repeat win of the Triple Crown. Calumet Farm is the only other owner with two Triple Crown horses, 1941 winner Whirlaway and 1948 winner Citation. Eddie Arcaro is the only jockey to ride two horses to the Triple Crown, both for Calumet, Whirlaway, and Citation. Those two horses’ trainers, Ben Jones and Jimmy Jones, were father and son.

In the United States, Thoroughbred flat races are run on either dirt, synthetic, or turf surfaces. Other tracks offer Quarter Horse racing and Standardbred horse racing, or combinations of these three types of racing surfaces. Racing with other breeds, such as Arabian horse racing, is found on a limited basis. American Thoroughbred races are run at a wide variety of distances, most commonly from 5 to 12 furlongs (0.63 to 1.50 mi). The shorter distances are more common but the mid-to-long distance races tend to be higher in prestige. With this in mind, breeders of Thoroughbred race horses attempt to breed horses that excel at a particular distance.