Monday, September 28, 2015

Horse-Racing & Gaming Stocks Update: Still "in the money"

Monday, Sept. 28th, 2015


Gaming and Racing Stocks Update The shares of gaming and horse racing stocks have surged upward nicely this year, far outpacing the general market. The assembled portfolio of 11 stocks on January 1st have risen over 20% on average.* This is an update from our originally published story July 9th. See http://goo.gl/9GMsDR for that complete post. The HorseRacingFLA index of 11 horse-racing gaming affiliated stocks rose +20.3% year-to-date. Since last report in early July, the index fell 3.4%. Year-to-date, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen 8%, and the Nasdaq Composite is down 1%.


Eldorado Resorts (ERI) and Isle of Capri Casinos (ISLE) more than doubled in price year-to-date, and they both added to those gains since our July post. Eldorado’s results were boosted by the recent acquisitions MTR Gaming Group, Inc. (MTR), which merged with the Company in Sept.,2014. Investors seem to be banking on future earnings here as the companies per share income fell in the June period by 16%. Isle Racing & Casino at Pompano Park reported a profit of $3.1 million in its fiscal 2016 first quarter compared with a loss of $2.3 million in the prior year’s quarter, which included $2.3 million in severance expenses related to corporate staff cuts and $1 million in expenses related to a voter referendum in Colorado. Earlier this month, the company announced it is closing its casino in Natchez, Mississippi, that has lost money for the last two years and also selling the hotel and certain non-gaming assets to Casino Holding Investment Partners LLC, parent company of a competing Natchez casino, for $11.5 million. Isle officials said Tuesday the deal is still expected to close in October. St. Louis-based Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. owns or operates 15 casino properties, primarily under the Isle and Lady Luck brands, in Mississippi, Louisiana, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Florida and Pennsylvania.


Churchill Downs (CHDN) completed a banner second quarter, with record net revenues of $409.2 million, up 35% over second-quarter 2014; and record adjusted EBITDA of $157.2 million, 34% above 2014’s second-quarter. The record Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weeks also saw a record first half net cash from operating activities of $194.2 million, up 63% over the prior year. The shares have gained another 6% since our July report, and now sit 40% higher on the year. Far distanced from the Louisville, Kentucky HQ, here in South Florida, our local “Twin-spires” race track, Calder, has all but signaled intentions to slowly exit the horse racing business, leasing its racing operation to Gulfstream Park, and racing just the minimum 40 days per year to keep its casino license operational with the State. The legislature re-convenes its 2016 session in January, and may once again consider their request to de-couple their racing operation from their casino. Calder’s short Fall racing season gets underway October 7th, under the management of Gulfstream Park West.


The bottom-feeding – based on performance – gaming stocks in our mid-year report were Las Vegas Sands (LVS), Wynn Resorts (WYNN), and Caesars Entertainment (CZR). Wynn’s is off 60% year-to-date, and the woes continue with its health hinged in part upon the Chinese operations in Macau. Macau’s casino revenues fell for 15 straight months as China’s anti-corruption crackdown and a slowing economy kept high rollers at bay. So-called junket operators, the middlemen who provide betting credit to the high-end players, have been closing their exclusive gambling rooms amid the downturn. Caesar’s stock popped an impressive 17% since our July post, leading our list of 11 stocks, but off 54% YTD. The woes continue, however, as the creditor lawsuit continues to drain and divert the companies’ operations. Caesars Entertainment Corp. is at a $2 billion impasse with creditors it hopes will help keep it from sliding into bankruptcy alongside its operating unit, two people familiar with the negotiations said. The casino company and a committee of junior bondholders haven’t had substantive talks since last month, said the people, who requested anonymity because the negotiations are private. The bondholders are asking for about $2 billion more than Caesars has offered, according to a report by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Philip Brendel and Julia Winters. The bad news for Caesars doesn’t end there. It also lost the backing of another group of creditors who refused to extend a deadline for a proposed deal to restructure the company’s insolvent subsidiary.


So in sum, the publicly-traded gaming and horse-racing stocks continue to exhibit strength, but it’s a very diverse field. Five of the contestants are still “out of the money” year-to-date, and the remaining six are picking up nice exacta and tri-fecta wins.


Our next report on this topic will be year-end; when we’ll recap the yearly performance. We list below the ticker symbols if you wish to follow our portfolio.


* data thru 9/25/15; does not include dividends paid.

Stocks followed: BYD, CHDN, CPHC,CZR, ERI, ISLE, LVS, MGM, PENN, PNK, WYNN.

Our Index levels, 1/1/2015 = 100.00; 7/6/15 = 124.40; 9/25/15 = 120.30

 


 


 


 



Horse-Racing & Gaming Stocks Update: Still "in the money"

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Gulfstream: Valid and Prayed For Win Saturday Stakes; Flutterby Runs Today for Bozzo

By HorseracingFLA Staff


Sunday, Sept. 27 -Valid, a 4-5 favorite, and Prayed For, a 23-1 shot, won Saturday’s stakes races at Gulfstream Park.


Valid (above photo, green cap)beat Falling Sky by a neck in the $75,000 Groomstick. Grande Shores came in third, another three-quarters of a length behind, in the seven furlong dirt race for 3-year-olds and up.


Matthew Rispoli rode Valid who won in 1:22.87 on a track listed as fast.


Valid, a 5-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro, notched his second straight victory and second overall at Gulfstream. He won the Philip Iselin (Grade 3) at Monmouth Park in his last start and won the Fred W. Hooper Stakes (Grade 3) at Gulfstream in February.


In the Groomstick, Valid was allowed to settle into stride and wasn’t hustled out of the gate by Rispoli. But after Ledokol went to the front and took the field through a 22.76-second first quarter, Rispoli guided Valid through an opening along the rail and seized the lead from that rival.


After the half went in 45.18 seconds, Valid appeared to be going comfortably, and as the field turned for home, the gelding was in command.


But others were beginning to launch their own bids. Grande Shores made up ground along the rail before angling out for a run, Falling Sky came relentlessly from second, and Ledokol re-rallied on the outside. But Valid would never relinquish his top position.


Prayed For beat Claiming Victory, at 27-1, in the $75,000 Panama City Stakes at one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.


Prayed For rallied from seventh place after a half mile and held off a late run by Claiming Victory.


They were the two highest odds horses in the eight-horse field. The $2 exacta paid $635.20


In My Time finished third. Yrtheoneeyelove, the 9-5 favorite, finished sixth.


Prayed For was ridden by Jonathan Gonzales and was timed 1:36.33 on the course that was listed as firm.


It was the first stakes win for Prayed For. It came in her second start for trainer Marty Wolfson, after being transferred by her owner-breeder Ben Walden.


Gulfstream has two stakes races on today’s 11-race card, with first post of 1:15 p.m.


The $75,000 Mr. Steele is one mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up. It is the third race with scheduled post of 2:21 p.m.


The $75,000 Added Elegance is seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years old and up.

It is the tenth race with scheduled post of 6:15 p.m.


Flutterby, trained and owned by 94-year-old Jerry Bozzo, is among likely favorites in the Added Elegance.


When Flutterby won the Sea Lily on May 30, it made Bozzo the oldest trainer to win a thoroughbred stakes ion North America.


She finished second in the Princess Rooney (Grade2) on July 5 and won the Gold Mover on Aug. 22.


All three races were dirt sprint stakes at Gulfstream, with Luca Panici riding Flutterby. He has the mount again today.


Photo: By Leslie Martin, Gufstream  Park


 



Gulfstream: Valid and Prayed For Win Saturday Stakes; Flutterby Runs Today for Bozzo

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 26-27 Weekend

 


“Gulfstream Scene” is a regular weekly report on non-racing events at Gulfstream Park and on the weekend’s entertainment and dining activities in the Village at Gulfstream Park.


*Barker Animation Art Gallery will hold Comicon-Ish, a comic book-themed festival, this Saturday and Sunday.


The event is free from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There will be appearances by Marvel artist Tim Rogerson and Disney artist Clinton Hobart, along with “meet & greets” with super heroes including Iron Man and Spiderman. Click here for full details.


* Through the end of October, Gulfstream is continuing its series of Saturday night concerts–from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Champions Plaza near the statue of Cigar in the area just west of the track’s walking ring.


The schedule:


September 26 | Viva

October 3 | Inztant Karma

October 10 | Joey Dale Band

October 17 | Viva

October 24 | Wayne L Experience

October 31 | DJ Koz (Halloween Special Starts at 9PM)


* Here is a link to a schedule of happy hours for restaurants in The Village at Gulfstream Park.


http://www.thevillageatgulfstreampark.com/event/happy-hours/2145442917



Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 26-27 Weekend

Friday, September 25, 2015

Friday at Gulfstream: Turf Allowance With Joes Blazing Aaron and Rizwan Heads Card

By Jim Freer

Friday, Sept. 25 – Gulfstream Park will have ten races today with a first post time of 1:15 p.m.


The featured eighth race is a $62,500 optional claimer at 7 ½ furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up with a $46,000 purse. The race has eight entrants, with Social Request listed as main track only.


Joes Blazing Aaron and Rizwan, two horses that usually race in stakes, are likely favorites.


Joes Blazing Aaron has won four of his 12 starts on the Gulfstream turf–mostly in stakes or in high-end allowance/optional claimers. His most recent win was on June 18, in a $62,500 allowance/optional claimer at one mile on the Gulfstream turf.


Joes Blazing Aaron can be expected to seek the lead under jockey Edgar Prado. Peter Walder trains the 7-year-old gelding, who is entered for the $62,500 tag.


Rizwan’s last win was on May 2 in the English Channel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on the Gulfstream turf. Since then he has finished third or better in three of his five starts, all in stakes at Gulfstream.


Jose Caraballo will ride Rizwan, a 3-year-old colt, for trainer Phil Gleaves. Rizwan is not in for a claim.


Tap it Off, Rompin Reid and Bluegrass Singer also are good prospects to be in the exacta or trifecta.


*There will be a $62,020 carryover today on the Rainbow 6, which requires picking the winners of each of the day’s last six races.


It is a 20-cent per combination only bet with multiple horses permitted in each race. For example, a ticket with two horses in each race has 64 combinations and costs $12.80.


Gulfstream pays out the full Rainbow 6 pool (day’s bets plus carryover) only on days when there is just one ticket with all six winners.


On other days it divides 70 percent of the day’s Rainbow 6 bets among tickets with the most winners. That is almost always six of six. On days when there are no tickets with six winners, that payoff is divided among tickets with the highest number of winners.

On some days this summer, there have been no tickets with more than five winners or even four winners.


On days with multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream puts 30 percent of the Rainbow 6 pool into the carryover for the next day.


* Above Fashion beat Kandoo by 1 3/4 lengths in Thursday’s feature, a $75,000 allowance/optional claimer at six furlongs on dirt for 2-year-old fillies.


Above Fashion, at 5-1, was ridden by Edgard Zayas and won in 1:11.80 on the track listed as fast. Kandoo, the1-2 favorite, finished six lengths ahead of High End Queen.


Neither Above Fashion nor Kandoo was in for a tag. There were no claims out of the race.


* Thursday was a rare day when neither jockey Tyler Gaffalione nor trainer Ralph Nicks had a victory.


Eddie Castro and Zayas each rode two winners. Castro has 50 wins, placing him second to Gaffalione in the standings for Gulfstream’s summer meet that will end Oct. 3. Zayas has 26 wins and is fifth in the standings. He missed about a month of the meet with a broken collarbone.


Trainer Antonio Sano had one win on Thursday. He has 26 wins for the meet, second to Nicks who has 31.


* Gulfstream will have two $75,000 stakes races on Friday, and two $75,000 stakes races on Sunday.


The Saturday stakes are the Groomstick at seven furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds and up and the Panama City at one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.


The Sunday stakes are the Mr. Steele at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up and the Added Elegance at seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years old and up.



Friday at Gulfstream: Turf Allowance With Joes Blazing Aaron and Rizwan Heads Card

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

This Week at the Florida Tracks: Sept. 21 to Sept 27

 


HorseracingFLA Staff Report

This Thursday, Gulfstream Park will enter the final seven racing days of its summer meet that will end on Oct. 3. The two-month Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder, will begin on Oct. 7.


The Gulfstream condition book shows two stakes races tentatively scheduled for this Saturday Sept. 26.


The $75,000 Groomstick would be seven furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds and up. The $75,000 Panama City would be one mile on turf for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Entries for Saturday will be out late this afternoon.


For Sunday, the condition book shows the $75,000 Mr. Steele at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds and up.


Tampa Bay Downs is in the midst of physical and operational preparations for its opening day on Nov. 28.


Gulfstream Park

901 S. Federal Highway

Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009

Phones — (954) 454-7000

Web site www.gulfstreampark.com


*Live racing — Thursday through Sunday with first post of 1:15 p.m. each day


* Simulcast wagering — seven days a week with more than 30 thoroughbred and harness tracks.

— On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays open for simulating from 11 a.m. until approximately 11 p.m.


* Casino — the two casino rooms are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays


* Poker — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays through

Thursdays, and 24 hours on Saturdays and undays.


Tampa Bay Downs

11225 Race Track Road, Tampa, Florida 33626TBDowns_Logo

Main Phone (813) 855-4401

Toll Free (In Florida) (866)-TBDOWNS (823-6967)

Web site www.tampabaydowns.com


Tampa Bay Downs will resume live racing on Nov. 29.


Prior to then, it is open seven days a week for afternoon and evening simulcasts of thoroughbred races from more than 20 tracks. A schedule may be obtained by calling the numbers listed above.


*The Silks Poker Room hours of operation:

Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.


The Downs Golf Practice Facility hours of operation:

Pro Shop: 8:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. daily (Last bucket sold at 7:45 p.m.)


Range: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily


Short Game Area: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily (lights out at 9:45 p.m.)


All hours are weather permitting



This Week at the Florida Tracks: Sept. 21 to Sept 27

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Sunday at Gulfstream: On turf, with 2-YO allowance as feature

HorseracingFLA Staff Report


Sunday, Sept.  20 — Gulfstream Park will  have 11 races today, with a first post of 1:15 p.m.


The dirt track is listed as fast and  the turf course is firm.  Five of the races are scheduled for turf.


The ninth race feature is a $75,000 allowance optional claimer at five furlongs on turf for 2-year-olds.  The purse is  $44,000. The scheduled post time is 5:47 p.m.


It will be a  match-up of horses trained by Ralph Nicks,  who leads the Gulfstream summer meet  with 26 wins , and Antonio Sano who has 25 and is in  second place.


Sano has two horses in the race.  They are Imperial Warrior, with Emisael Jaramillo riding,  and It’s Robin, with Edgard Zayas riding.


Nicks has one horse in the feature, More Royalty will be  ridden by Tyler Gaffalione.


Those are the only three horses  in  the race with a win at five furlongs on turf.


It will be the first race for It’s Robin since being reported as a gelding.


It also will be the first race for Zeus Odin since being reported as a gelding.  He is trained by Gustavo Amaya and will be ridden   by Juan Leyva.


Nicks has  six horses  on the card,  and  Sano  has four.


* Do the Roar won Saturday’s $75,000 Treasure Coast Stakes at five furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up.  Later today, we will have more on Do the Roar and his victory.



Sunday at Gulfstream: On turf, with 2-YO allowance as feature

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Saturday at Gulfstream: Racing Back on Turf, Including Five-Furlong Treasure Coast Stakes

 


By Jim Freer


Saturday, Sept. 19 — Here’s some optimistic weather-related news for Gulfstream Park, its horsemen and its fans.


Racing will be back on the turf at the start of today.

The main track is listed as fast and the turf course is listed as good.


However, the afternoon forecast is for a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in and around Hallandale Beach.


Gulfstream’s 11-race card begins at 1:15 p.m. and five races are scheduled for turf.


That includes the featured ninth race–the $75,000 Treasure Coast at five furlongs for 3-year-olds and up. Singanothersong is a likely favorite on turf or if rain forces a move to the main track. Successful Native would be a top threat on turf. Scheduled post is 5:47 p.m.


Rain in the mornings and during some races caused havoc with the race schedule on Thursday and Friday.


On Thursday all four races scheduled for turf were moved to the dirt track that was sloppy and sealed.


On Friday, Gulfstream had five races scheduled for turf. Only the first was ran on that surface. The fourth, sixth, eighth and tenth races were moved to the sloppy and sealed dirt track.


* Curlin’s Princess (9-2) defeated Kinsley (2-1) by 2 ½ lengths in Friday’s featured $16,000 allowance optional claimer at one mile on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.


Garden Princess, the 6-5 favorite, came in third 6 ½ lengths behind Kinsley who is trained by Todd Pletcher.


Curlin’s Princess won in 1:37.17 on the sloppy and sealed track.


She was ridden by Luca Panici fo trainer Marty Wolfson and owner Alter’s Racing Stable.


It was the second win in seven career starts for Curlin’s Princess, a Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin.


The race had a $44,000 purse, and none of the six runners were in for a tag.



Saturday at Gulfstream: Racing Back on Turf, Including Five-Furlong Treasure Coast Stakes

Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 19-20 Weekend

 


“Gulfstream Scene” is a regular weekly report on non-racing events at Gulfstream Park and on the weekend’s entertainment and dining activities in the Village at Gulfstream Park.


*Join Williams-Sonoma and American Girl for a hands-on Back to School cooking class from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday.


Each child will take home a special gooie bag


Space is limited. Call 954.454.9261


* In September and October, Gulfstream is continuing its series of Saturday night concerts–from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in Champions Plaza near the statue of Cigar in the area just west of the track’s walking ring.


The schedule:


September 19 | The Other Guys Band

September 26 | Viva


October 3 | Inztant Karma

October 10 | Joey Dale Band

October 17 | Viva

October 24 | Wayne L Experience

October 31 | DJ Koz (Halloween Special Starts at 9PM)


* Here is a link to a schedule of happy hours for restaurants in The Village at Gulfstream Park http://www.thevillageatgulfstreampark.com/event/happy-hours/2145442917



Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 19-20 Weekend

Friday, September 18, 2015

Friday at Gulfstream: Back on Turf; Pletcher 3-YO Filly Entered in Optional Claimer

HorseracingFLA Staff Report


Friday, Sept. 18 — Gulfstream Park’s ten-race card is underway with today with the main track and the turf course are listed as good.


Five races are scheduled for turf on the card that got underway at 1:15 p.m.


Isolated and heavy thunderstorms are in the forecast for the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.


On Thursday, following overnight and morning rain, all four races scheduled for turf were moved to the main track that was listed as sloppy.


Today’s seventh and feature race is a $16,000 allowance/optional claimer for fillies and mares3-years-old and up, with a $44,000 purse.


Kinsley, trained by Todd Pletcher, is among likely favorites in the


Trainer Todd Pletcher, by Barry Unterbrink

Trainer Todd Pletcher, by Barry Unterbrink


six-horse field. None of the entrants are in for a tag.


Kinsley is the second horse run by Pletcher in Gulfstream’s summer meet that will end on Oct. 3.


It is expected that Pletcher will soon begin sending dozens of his horses from northern tracks to his winter base at Palm Beach Downs in Delray Beach.


Gulfstream’s only stakes race this weekend is Saturday’s $75,000 Treasure Coast, at five furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up. We will have a preview on Saturday morning.



Friday at Gulfstream: Back on Turf; Pletcher 3-YO Filly Entered in Optional Claimer

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Florida HBPA Report Indicates Majority of Horsemen Support Same-Day Use of Lasix

By Jim Freer


Thursday, Sept. 17The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (FHBPA) said on Wednesday that an ongoing survey of its members is showing that approximately 75 percent of them support the same-day use of the anti-bleeding drug Lasix (furosemide) on horses.


In a news release  on Wednesday, the FHBPA said that  for   several months it has  been calling  account holders with the Horsemen’s Bookkeepers Office, which the FHBPA operates, to update addresses and capture email addresses.


The FHBPA added that it has been asking the account holder (trainer or owner) one question about Lasix: “What is your position on race-day Lasix?” There are three possible answers: “I support it, I’m against it, or I have no opinion.


Suvey results


Through mid-September 1,068 account holders have been called with each account holder permitted one vote.  In other words, if a horseperson was involved in five different accounts, he/she would only be entitled to one vote.


The FHBPA said that, at this time, of those that have an opinion on the use of race-day Lasix 90.5 percent support its use while less than 9.5 percent oppose its use.


FHBPA executive director Kent Stirling said  the survey shows the strong support among “owners and trainers who are actively racing their horses at Gulfstream Park” for  the option of the same-day use of Lasix.


The issue of race-day use of  Lasix  gained added  prominence this summer when Gulfstream ran about a dozen Maiden  Special  Weight  races for 2-year-olds in which same-day use of Lasix  was not permitted,


As an incentive for trainers and owners, Gulfstream offered higher purses on some of those races than on MSW 2-year-old races in  which  use of race-day  Lasix  was permitted.


Gulfstream officials declined to comment on the FHBPA survey.


The  Stronach Group, Gulfstream’s parent company, has been a leader of thoroughbred racing industry members that want to phase out the use of various medications,  including Lasix on race  days.


Stirling, said, “We began this study because we kept hearing from those that opposed race-day Lasix that we didn’t really represent the true opinion of our membership. Since well over 80 percent of our account holders are owners, it was great to see that we really did represent the opinion of  those owners and trainers who are actively racing their horses at Gulfstream Park.”


The actual totals were: 817 in support, 86 against and 165 with no opinion. The FHBPA said this means that even if one were to couple those who voted against Lasix with those with no opinion that still 75.5 percent of the account holders would be in favor of race-day Lasix.


“The ‘vocal minority’ makes a lot of noise with no surveys to back up their assumptions,” Stirling said. “But now the ‘silent majority’ has had an opportunity to speak, and they have spoken loud and clearly. I think any survey of those with actual ‘skin’ in the game done in any other jurisdiction would bear the same results.”


Follow-Up Study


Meanwhile Gulfstream is  working with Dr. Stephen Selway, a veterinarian  who is conducting a study involving trainers permitting voluntary post-race throat scoping of 2-year-olds racing with and without Lasix this summer at Gulfstream.


A purpose  is to determine if there are widespread differences  in  bleeding in the mouth,  during  and after races,  among  horses racing  with  Lasix and those racing without it.


“The results of the study will hopefully be of significant benefit to the well being of racehorses,” Selway  said in July.


“The study has been set up as to eliminate most variables and yield non-bias data,” he added. “The cooperation of Gulfstream Park, the FHBPA, and the trainers and owners is greatly appreciated. Without their support this timely study could not be done,”


Selway’s study also receives private funding from Zayat Stables, which campaigned 2015 Triple Crown Champion American Pharoah. Video endoscopy equipment is provided by R F Systems.


It  is expected that results of the study will be  released this fall,  following the Oc



Florida HBPA Report Indicates Majority of Horsemen Support Same-Day Use of Lasix

Thursday at Gulfstream: Rain Forces Races Off the Turf

HorseracingFLA Staff  Report


Thursday,  Spt.  17  — Gulfstream  Park  will begin  a regular four-day stretch  of  racing this afternoon  with ten  races and first post at 1:15 p.m.


The main track is listed as  sloppy and the four races scheduled for turf have been  moved to the main  track  following  overnight and morning rains.


There  are no  stakes races today.  The featured ninth race is a $16,000 optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt  for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.  The  purse is $44,000.


There is  a field of seven following the morning scratch of Fair Shake.  Meta Mu, Curls for Girls  and Turnout are likely favorites.  Turnout is  the only horse in  the race with a win on an off track.


There will be a carryover of  $19,823 on the Rainbow 6 which requires picking the winners of the day’s last six  races.


Today it  is on races five through ten.  It is  a  20-cent only per combination bet with multiple horses permitted in  each race.


Gulfstream usually pays out the full Rainbow 6 pool (day’s bets plus carryover) only on days when there is just one ticket with all six winners. On other days, after the 20 percent takeout, Gulfstream divides 70 percent of the day’s Rainbow 6 bets among the multiple winning tickets and puts 30 percent into the carryover.


 



Thursday at Gulfstream: Rain Forces Races Off the Turf

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Gulfstream to Hold Raise Your Game Handicapping Challenge on Saturday

From Gulfstream Park


Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Gulfstream Park will play host to the Raise Your Game Handicapping Challenge Saturday, Sept. 19.


Co-sponsored by the Daily Racing Form, Raise Your Game will award berths to the National Handicapping Challenge in Las Vegas in January, the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge in October, and cash prizes to the top 10 finishers.


There is a $3,000 fee to enter the contest – $2,000 entry and $1,000 prize pool. Players must wager a minimum of $200 on 10 races at Gulfstream and Belmont Park.


Pre-registration is being accepted on the Gulfstream Web site www.gu;fstreampark.com or by calling Nancy Berry at 954.457.6284. Registration will also be accepted Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at Ten Palms Restaurant on the second floor of Gulfstream Park.



Gulfstream to Hold Raise Your Game Handicapping Challenge on Saturday

Nicks and Sano Tied in Trainers' Race as Gulfstream Summer Meet Heads Toward Wire

HorseracingFLA Staff  Report


Tuesday,  Sept. 15 –With 11 racing days left in Gulfstream Park’s summer meet, Ralph Nicks and Antonio Sano have 23 wins  each and are tied for the lead in the trainers ‘ standings


Live racing will resume Thursday at Gulfstream with ten races and first post of 1:15 p.m.


Nicks  has  four  horses entered on Thursday and three horses entered on  Friday’s ten-race  card.  Sano has two horses entered on Thursday and four entered on Friday.


Sano and Nicks have been in a close race for the past month.  Both continue to pile up Gulfstream wins while, they, most notably Nicks, are also running horses at tracks in northern states.


Stan Gold and Luis Duco each have  11 wins  and are tied for third  place.


Gold leads trainers in earnings with $925,795. Nicks has $767,660 and  Sano has  $519,797.


Gold’s earnings are high because this has been another meet in which he has had multiple stakes winners, including three horses in the Florida  Sire Stakes Series.


Nicks  has 23 wins  in 93  summer meet starts,  for a 24 percTent rate.


He was  based  at Kentucky and midwestern tracks before making Gulfstream  his year-round base last year.   He is seeking his first trainers’  title in  a South Florida meet.


Sano has 23 summer meet wins in  134 starts for a 17 percent rate,


Trainer Antonio Sano

Trainer Antonio Sano


He is a native of Venezuela  who began training in  South Florida in  2010.   In 2011 he led in  wins at the Calder meet and at the Tropical  at Calder meet


Other Standings


Other data from Equibase show the following  for the Gulfstream summer meet:

In the owners’ standings, Jacks or Better Farm has  11 victories followed by Frank Carl Calabrese with ten.


Jacks or better is in Ocala and is owned  and operated  by Fred and Jane Brei. It uses Gold  as its exclusive trainer at Gulfstream  and Gulfstream Park  West (Calder).


Thus, the wins and earnings totals are identical for Gold and for Jacks or Better.


Tyler Gaffalione has what appears to be a comfortable lead in the jockeys’ race with 59 victories, followed by Eddie Castro with 48. Harry Hernandez has 36, and Jonathan Gonzales is fourth with 35.


Perfect Step is the only horse with four victories  in the meet. She is four for four, including a win on  Sept.  11 in the $75,000 Hard Worker Stakes at five furlongs on turf.


Trainer  Peter Walder and  owners Anthony Newman  and  Aventura Stable could have a chance to run the 6-year-old Perfect Step  again  before the summer meet ends on Oct. 3.


Four horses have three summer meet wins.  They are Focus on  Me,  Metaphorically,  Miss Darla and Live in Joy.


The 2-yesr-old  filly Ballet Diva leads in  earnings with $26,2140.  She is in the Gold-Jacks or Better barn  and has  two wins  and  a third place finish in three starts–all in stakes.


After the end of  its  summer meet, Gulfstream will hold  its  40-day Gulfstream Park West meet at Calder from Oct.7 through  Nov.  28 with racing Wednesdays through Sundays.



Nicks and Sano Tied in Trainers' Race as Gulfstream Summer Meet Heads Toward Wire

Monday, September 14, 2015

This Week at the Florida Tracks: Sept. 14 to Sept. 20

This Thursday, Gulfstream Park will begin the final eleven racing days of its summer meet that will end on Oct. 3. The two-month Gulfstream Park West meet, at Calder will begin on Oct. 7th.

The Gulfstream condition book shows two stakes races tentatively scheduled for this Saturday Sept.19.

The $75,000 Treasure Coast would be five furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds and up. The $75,000 Added Elegance would be seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Entries for Saturday will be announced late Wednesday afternoon.

Tampa Bay Downs is in the midst of physical and operational preparations for its opening day on Nov. 28.

Gulfstream Park901 S. Federal Highway
Hallandale Beach, Fla. 33009
Phones — (954) 454-7000
 Gulfstream Park Website

*Live racing — Thursday through Sunday with first post of 1:15 p.m. each day

* Simulcast wagering — seven days a week with more than 30 thoroughbred and harness tracks

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays open for simulating from 11 a.m. until approximately 11 p.m.

* Casino — the two casino rooms are open from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays

* Poker — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays

Tampa Bay Downs

11225 Race Track Road, Tampa, Florida 33626
Main Phone (813) 855-4401
Toll Free (In Florida) (866)-TBDOWNS (823-6967)
Web site www.tampabaydowns.com

Tampa Bay Downs will resume live racing on Nov.28th.

Prior to then, it is open seven days a week for afternoon and evening simulcasts of thoroughbred races from more than 20 tracks. A schedule may be obtained by calling the numbers listed above.

*The Silks Poker Room hours of operation: Daily, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.

The Downs Golf Practice Facility hours of operation:
Pro Shop: 8:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. daily (Last bucket sold at 7:45 p.m.)

Range: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily

Short Game Area: 8:30 a.m. – dusk daily (lights out at 9:45 p.m.)

Go to our website; HorseRacingFLA.com

Perfect Step Wins Hard Worker at Gulfstream for First Stakes Victory

HorseracingFLA Staff Report


Sunday,  Sept. 13 — Perfect Step won the first stakes race of her career on Friday,  beating Zamquick by 1 3/4 lengths in the $75,000 Hard Worker at five furlongs on turf at Gulfstream Park.


Perfect  Step (above  photo) was ridden by Edgar Prado and won in a solid time of 56,08 seconds on a course listed as firm. The Hard Worker was for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.


It was the fourth win in a row for the 6-year-old Perfect Step–all on the turf at Gulfstream.


It was her second win in two starts for owners Anthony Newman and Aventura Stable  and trainer Peter Walder.  They claimed her for $25,000 out of a race at Gulfstream on July 5. She was previously owned by a group headed by Carson Springs Farm and was  trained by Ron Spatz.


Perfect Step was the 7-2 second  choice in a six-horse field in the Hard Worker,


She was in third place entering the stretch  and then surged to the front after early leaders Angie’s Prim Lady and R Free Roll  began fading.  She was clearly in front before Zamquick made a late run to finish  second.


Angie’s Prim Lady held on for third.  She was followed  by Red Minx, R Free Roll and Our Liberty Bay.


The win was Perfect Step’s ninth in 26 career starts and raised her career earnings  to $262,380.


Perfect Step is a daughter of Congrats and was bred in Illinois.   She raced in  that state until late last year when the Carson Springs  group transferred her to South Florida,  first under trainer Christine Janks and later under Spatz.


Photo from Gulfstream Park, by Leslie Martin



Perfect Step Wins Hard Worker at Gulfstream for First Stakes Victory

Gulfstream Report: East Hall Wins Saturday Stakes; Three Chopt Road for 3-YOs Today

By Jim Freer


Sunday, Sept. 13 – On  Saturday at Gulfstream  Park, a drop in class proved to be what stakes veteran  East Hall needed to return to the winner’s circle,


To get there, East Hall (above photo) and rider Tyler Gaffalione had to wait for the stewards’  to not accept a claim of interference by Jonathan Gonzales, the rider of second place finisher Lynx, regarding bumping among several  horses coming around the far turn.


East Hall, a 4-year-old gelding, was in sixth  and last place after a half mile. He took the lead coming out of the far turn and went on  to win  by 1 3/4  lengths  over Lynx in the $75,000  Sensitive Prince Stakes.


Stakes action will continue today at Gulfstream with  the  $75,000 Three Chopt Road at seven furlongs on dirt for 3-year-olds (details below).


East Hall won the 1 1/16 mile dirt stakes in 1:4323–a fast time on the  track that was sloppy and sealed on a  day with several  heavy thunderstorms


Last year East  Hall won  three stakes races,  including two prestigious Derbys, for trainer Bill Kaplan and owners Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice.


But  he was winless in  seven starts in 2015 before Saturday’s stakes, All of those races were stakes and six were for higher purses than the Sensitive Prince.


East Hall was the second betting choice,  at  a surprisingly high 9-2. Lynx was 13-1. The $2 exacta paid  $119.80.


Souper Lucky, the  4-5 favorite, finished fifth. Souper Lucky had finished third in three stakes at northern  tracks  this year.  Bettors  apparently felt he was in better form than East Hall.


But in  the winner’s circle Kaplan said he felt that East Hall  “had a class edge” over his rivals on  Saturday.


“He’s won (over) $800,000,” Kaplan said. “He’s been running against some tougher company or on grass. Those were all races where he couldn’t show who he was. He just ran by them today. I’m very happy to see him in the winner’s circle.”


Kaplan said he had no definite plan for the gelding’s next start.


“We’ll play it by ear,” Kaplan said. “We could end up in Kentucky.”


There will be several two-turn stakes for older horses next month at Keeneland in Lexington and in November at Churchill Downs in  Louisville.


As a Florida-bred, East Hall also will have numerous  upcoming stakes  opportunities at Gulfstream and at Gulfstream Park  West (October and  November).


Last year, East Hall won the Millions Preview at Gulfstream Park West (Calder), the Indiana Derby(Grade 2) and the  Ohio Derby.


Sunday Races


Gulfstream will have 11 races today with first post of 1:15 p.m.


The Three Chopt Road is the  ninth race with scheduled  post of 5:41 p.m.


The formidable team of trainer Stan Gold and owner Jacks or Better Farm will send out two of the favorites in the eight-horse field,  They are Sing Praises, winner of  three stakes races at Gulfstream last year, and Hear That Tune.


Fear the Cowboy, Unbridled Hero  and Aces for John loom  as win threats if the Gold-Jacks or Better colts falter in the Three Chopt Road.


Photo  from Gulfstream Park, by Lauren King



Gulfstream Report: East Hall Wins Saturday Stakes; Three Chopt Road for 3-YOs Today

Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 12-13 Weekend

“Gulfstream Scene” is a regular weekly report on non-racing events at Gulfstream Park and on the weekend’s entertainment and dining activities in the Village at Gulfstream Park.


* In September, Gulfstream is continuing its series of free Saturday night concerts–from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. in

Champions Plaza near the statue of Cigar in the area just west of the track’s walking ring.


The schedule:

September 12 — Joey Dale Band

September 19 –The Other Guys Band

September 26 — Viva


Here is a link to a schedule of happy hours for restaurants in The Village at Gulfstream Park.



Gulfstream Scene: Sept. 12-13 Weekend

Monday, September 7, 2015

Gulfstream-based Bullet Gone Astray Set to Run in Hopeful

By Jim Freer
Monday, Sept.  7 -- Bullet Gone Astray, a colt whose home track is Gulfstream Park, is one  of seven  2-year-olds scheduled to go to post in today's $350,000 Hopeful Stakes (Grade 1) at  Saratoga Race Course.

The  Hopeful is seven furlongs on dirt. It is the closing day feature at the track in Saratoga Springs,  N.Y.  It is the tenth race with scheduled post of 5:47 p,m,

Bullet Gone Astray, unbeaten in two  career starts, is trained by Henry Collazo.  He  is owned by the Four Horsemen  Racing Stable and Lady Lindsay Racing

Bullet Gone Astray won a maiden race at Gulfstream  on June 28.

In his second start, on Aug. 1,  we won the $100,000 Mountaineer Juvenile.  The six furlong race  was at Mountaineer Park in Chester,  W.Va.

Luca Panici rode Bullet  Gone Astray in those two races and has the mount again today.

Bullet  Gone Astray has the outside post and  is 15-1 in the morning  line.

Magna Light and Uncle Vinny are the likely favorites. 
They met  in the six  furlong Sanford (Grade 3) at Saratoga on July 25.

Magna Light came in first by three quarters of  a length over Uncle Vinny.  But the stewards reversed  that order  after they determined that Magna Light interfered with  Uncle Vinny in  the stretch