With the 11th and last race coming up at Gulfstream, there are seven live tickets in the Rainbow 6.
There are no singles--thus there will be a carryover as indicated in the headline.
Surf back to us tonight for more.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Gulfstream Summer Meet Heads into Final Two Days
As Gulfstream Park heads into the final two days of
its summer meet, excitement is building about Saturday’s meet-closing card that
will have eight stakes races and mandatory payouts on the Rainbow 6 and all
other exotic bets.
First comes Friday with eleven races and first post of
1:15 p.m.
The Friday carryover on the Rainbow 6 is
$104,270. It is on races six through
eleven. It is a 20-cent per combination-only bet.
If there is more than one Rainbow 6 ticket with the
winners of all six races, the carryover will continue into Saturday and could be
in the $125,000 range.
No matter what happens Friday, it is likely that $1
million or more will be bet Saturday on the Rainbow 6. That’s because Gulfstream will pay out the full
jackpot, consisting of the full carryover and 80 percent of the day’s pool (20
percent takeout), even if there are multiple winners.
The Saturday 13-race card has a first post of 12:00
p.m. with the Rainbow 6 on races eight through 13.
On the track, Gulfstream’s stakes will include the third
and final legs of the four divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes.
In the $500,000 In Reality, Three Rules will seek a sweep of the two-year-old male division.
In the $500,000 My Dear Girl, Cajun Delta Dawn will seek a sweep in the two-year-old fillies
division.
We will have coverage throughout the weekend, including
on-site Saturday.
The Gulfstream Park West meet will open on Wednesday Oct.
5 at Calder. Gulfstream is holding the 40-day
meet that will extend through Nov. 27.
‘Rescued’ Rachel’s Girl Making 105th Start
A happy retirement is in store for Rachel’s
Girl, a thoroughbred who early this summer was on the verge of being homeless.
The Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., has agreed to take in the eight-year-old mare this fall.
That arrangement was made by David Ludwig, who took over the ownership of Rachel’s Girl in late June.
But before Rachel’s Girl is vanned to Kentucky, Ludwig and trainer Doug Potter will run her in Friday’s second race at Gulfstream Park.
It will be the 105th career start for Rachel’s Girl. It also will probably be her last race, Ludwig said.
To The Rescue
Immediate prospects were not bright for Rachel’s Girl in mid-June, when owner Spencer McDonald decided he could no longer afford to keep racing her or paying for her care in Potter’s barn at Gulfstream.
Potter kept the abandoned mare in his barn. But he realized that it would be difficult to find someone to buy her and keep paying bills to take care of her.
Consider that Rachel’s Girl then had just two wins, six second place finishes and three third place finishes in 99 starts.
Ludwig, who has owned several horses trained by Potter, then stepped in and paid Gulfstream the required $1 to become at least temporarily the owner of Rachel’s Girl.
“Her fate was hanging by a thread,” Ludwig said. “Who knows what would have happened?”
Unfortunately, some thoroughbreds that can no longer race and do not have breeding value are given away or otherwise wind up with owners who mistreat them. Slaughter is sometimes the end result.
“As a horseman, I felt that I had to do something (for Rachel’s Girl),” Ludwig said. “It is important to step up to the plate for these horses.”
Ludwig is a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. He is among the numerous Florida professionals and business people for whom thoroughbred ownership is a side business or a hobby—and who are a lifeblood for the sport.
His list of horses includes Bob’s Jawbreaker, winner of the 2009 Runaway Marcie Stakes at Calder. He owned that horse in a partnership with Desirae Potter, whose father Doug Potter was the trainer.
Back to the Races
After a veterinarian examined Rachel’s Girl and determined that she is still fit for racing, Ludwig decided to keep running her—while seeking to find her a permanent home at a farm in Florida or Kentucky.
Part of the goal was to get her 100th career start. That is a rare milestone for 21st century thoroughbreds.
Ludwig has started Rachel’s Girl five times, all at Gulfstream, with no finishes better than fifth.
But he said she seems happy and has no leg problems. Thus, he decided to keep racing her.
Friday’s second race has a scheduled post of 1:46 p.m. It is seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up. It has a $15,000 purse with a $6,250 claiming price.
Manny Aguilar will ride Rachel’s Girl, who is 30-1 in the morning line in a seven-horse field. It should be noted that on Sept. 26 at Gulfstream she had a bullet three furlong workout of 36.0 seconds.
Some History
Rachel’s Girl is an example of how numerous well-bred thoroughbreds wind up with careers on the bottom levels of claiming ranks.
Her sire is First Samurai, whose sire is Giant’s Causeway. Her maternal grandfather is City Zip. All three were graded stakes winners. She was bred in Kentucky by Lansdon Robbins and Kevin Callahan.
Despite her pedigree that is impressive, although several notches below regal, she was sold for just $1,700 at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. sale in April 2010.
The buyer Marcelo Cuito raced her for two years until 2012, when a series of claims began.
Rachel’s Girl has not won a race since 2013 as she continued a career of basically helping to fill race fields.
In 2015, she raced 16 times with one second place and 15 off-the-board finishes. She raced for three owners, including McDonald, and three trainers, not including Potter, during the year.
She has not hit the board in seven starts this year.
It will be a surprise if Rachel’s Girl wins on Friday. But Ludwig and Potter have acted to assure that she will at least end her career and head into a new stage of life with dignity.
Old Friends has two farms in Kentucky and one in New York State. The farms have about 1,600 retired thoroughbreds, ranging from graded stakes winners to so-called blue collar horses such as Rachel’s Girl.
Old Friends receives financial support from donations and from visitors who pay for tours.
-- Jim Freer
The Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, Ky., has agreed to take in the eight-year-old mare this fall.
That arrangement was made by David Ludwig, who took over the ownership of Rachel’s Girl in late June.
But before Rachel’s Girl is vanned to Kentucky, Ludwig and trainer Doug Potter will run her in Friday’s second race at Gulfstream Park.
It will be the 105th career start for Rachel’s Girl. It also will probably be her last race, Ludwig said.
To The Rescue
Immediate prospects were not bright for Rachel’s Girl in mid-June, when owner Spencer McDonald decided he could no longer afford to keep racing her or paying for her care in Potter’s barn at Gulfstream.
Potter kept the abandoned mare in his barn. But he realized that it would be difficult to find someone to buy her and keep paying bills to take care of her.
Consider that Rachel’s Girl then had just two wins, six second place finishes and three third place finishes in 99 starts.
Ludwig, who has owned several horses trained by Potter, then stepped in and paid Gulfstream the required $1 to become at least temporarily the owner of Rachel’s Girl.
“Her fate was hanging by a thread,” Ludwig said. “Who knows what would have happened?”
Unfortunately, some thoroughbreds that can no longer race and do not have breeding value are given away or otherwise wind up with owners who mistreat them. Slaughter is sometimes the end result.
“As a horseman, I felt that I had to do something (for Rachel’s Girl),” Ludwig said. “It is important to step up to the plate for these horses.”
Ludwig is a professor of Pediatrics at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. He is among the numerous Florida professionals and business people for whom thoroughbred ownership is a side business or a hobby—and who are a lifeblood for the sport.
His list of horses includes Bob’s Jawbreaker, winner of the 2009 Runaway Marcie Stakes at Calder. He owned that horse in a partnership with Desirae Potter, whose father Doug Potter was the trainer.
Back to the Races
After a veterinarian examined Rachel’s Girl and determined that she is still fit for racing, Ludwig decided to keep running her—while seeking to find her a permanent home at a farm in Florida or Kentucky.
Part of the goal was to get her 100th career start. That is a rare milestone for 21st century thoroughbreds.
Ludwig has started Rachel’s Girl five times, all at Gulfstream, with no finishes better than fifth.
But he said she seems happy and has no leg problems. Thus, he decided to keep racing her.
Friday’s second race has a scheduled post of 1:46 p.m. It is seven furlongs on dirt for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up. It has a $15,000 purse with a $6,250 claiming price.
Manny Aguilar will ride Rachel’s Girl, who is 30-1 in the morning line in a seven-horse field. It should be noted that on Sept. 26 at Gulfstream she had a bullet three furlong workout of 36.0 seconds.
Some History
Rachel’s Girl is an example of how numerous well-bred thoroughbreds wind up with careers on the bottom levels of claiming ranks.
Her sire is First Samurai, whose sire is Giant’s Causeway. Her maternal grandfather is City Zip. All three were graded stakes winners. She was bred in Kentucky by Lansdon Robbins and Kevin Callahan.
Despite her pedigree that is impressive, although several notches below regal, she was sold for just $1,700 at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. sale in April 2010.
The buyer Marcelo Cuito raced her for two years until 2012, when a series of claims began.
Rachel’s Girl has not won a race since 2013 as she continued a career of basically helping to fill race fields.
In 2015, she raced 16 times with one second place and 15 off-the-board finishes. She raced for three owners, including McDonald, and three trainers, not including Potter, during the year.
She has not hit the board in seven starts this year.
It will be a surprise if Rachel’s Girl wins on Friday. But Ludwig and Potter have acted to assure that she will at least end her career and head into a new stage of life with dignity.
Old Friends has two farms in Kentucky and one in New York State. The farms have about 1,600 retired thoroughbreds, ranging from graded stakes winners to so-called blue collar horses such as Rachel’s Girl.
Old Friends receives financial support from donations and from visitors who pay for tours.
-- Jim Freer
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Rainbow 6 Heads Toward Mandatory Day
Friday will be the second-to-last
day of Gulfstream Park’s summer meet, and it will have a Rainbow 6 carryover of $104,270.
The carryover coming into Thursday was $89,560.
Friday’s first post will be 1:15
p.m. for an 11-race card. The Rainbow 6
will be on races six through eleven.
And anticipation is growing for Saturday,
when there will be a mandatory payout of the Rainbow 6 jackpot. That means that
the entire Rainbow 6 carryover plus 80 percent of Saturday’s Rainbow 6 bet
(there is a 20 percent takeout) must be paid off and it will be divided among all
tickets with the winning horses in all six races.
Especially if the carryover
continues, it is likely that $1 million or more will be bet on the Rainbow
6. And as Gulfstream notes—it all must
be paid out.
If there are no tickets with all six
winners, the jackpot will be divided among tickets with five winners.
On non-mandatory days, Gulfstream
pays out the carryover/jackpot only when there
is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.
On those days, when there are multiple
tickets with six winners Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the day’s pool and
then divides 56 percent among winning tickets and puts 24 percent into the
carryover.
On Thursday, $61,344 was bet on the
Rainbow 6. There were 21 tickets with all six winners, and each received
$1,602.76.
--Jim Freer
Rainbow 6 Carryover for Friday at $104,270
The 11th and final race is coming up at Gulfstream, with 79 live tickets in the Rainbow 6.
There are no tickets with horses singled. Thus, there will be a carryover of $104,270 on Friday.
First post will be 1:15 p.m. for the 11-race card. he Rainbow 6 will be on races six through eleven.
There are no tickets with horses singled. Thus, there will be a carryover of $104,270 on Friday.
First post will be 1:15 p.m. for the 11-race card. he Rainbow 6 will be on races six through eleven.
Coming Up at Gulfstream
Here are some things to look for the remainder of Thursday at Gulfstream.
We will be back before the tenth race, with updates.
Fifth race -- scheduled post of 3:21 p.m. This is a contentious 7 1/2 furlong turf allowance/optional claimer for Florida-bred fillies and mares 3-YO and up.
The eight-horse field is loaded with speed. Of that group the one we like best is First Illusion who is dropping from stakes races.
We recommend building bets around First Illusion, Somethingelse and Tiz Boa.
Somethingelse will have some late run. On Sept. 2 at Gulfstream, she caught and edged Tiz Boa for second place in a one mile turf race at a similar level to today.
The Rainbow 6 starts with the sixth race. There are 52 total runners, and a carryover of $89,560.
The 11th and last race is down to a hard-to-handicap ten horses following the scratches of Clouded Appeal and Hello Moon.
Here are some ideas on early races in the Rainbow 6:
Sixth race -- Randy Sr, trained by Kathleen O'Connell,, might be a horse to single in the Rainbow 6. This race is is one mile on dirt for 2-YO maidens. He finished a strong second to stablemate Western Journey at seven furlongs on Sept. 2.
Western Journey will run in Saturday's $500,000 In Reality at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. We are among those giving him a strong chance to hit the board in the 12-horse field headed by Three Rules.
Seventh race -- This could be a race for going deep, and Hiram's Mistress and Dancing Wind look like must includes. Giuletta Q (15-1 in the morning line) has speed and looms a chance if she gets a clean break from post nine.
--Jim Freer
We will be back before the tenth race, with updates.
Fifth race -- scheduled post of 3:21 p.m. This is a contentious 7 1/2 furlong turf allowance/optional claimer for Florida-bred fillies and mares 3-YO and up.
The eight-horse field is loaded with speed. Of that group the one we like best is First Illusion who is dropping from stakes races.
We recommend building bets around First Illusion, Somethingelse and Tiz Boa.
Somethingelse will have some late run. On Sept. 2 at Gulfstream, she caught and edged Tiz Boa for second place in a one mile turf race at a similar level to today.
The Rainbow 6 starts with the sixth race. There are 52 total runners, and a carryover of $89,560.
The 11th and last race is down to a hard-to-handicap ten horses following the scratches of Clouded Appeal and Hello Moon.
Here are some ideas on early races in the Rainbow 6:
Sixth race -- Randy Sr, trained by Kathleen O'Connell,, might be a horse to single in the Rainbow 6. This race is is one mile on dirt for 2-YO maidens. He finished a strong second to stablemate Western Journey at seven furlongs on Sept. 2.
Western Journey will run in Saturday's $500,000 In Reality at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. We are among those giving him a strong chance to hit the board in the 12-horse field headed by Three Rules.
Seventh race -- This could be a race for going deep, and Hiram's Mistress and Dancing Wind look like must includes. Giuletta Q (15-1 in the morning line) has speed and looms a chance if she gets a clean break from post nine.
--Jim Freer
Gulfstream Super Hi-5 Pays $146.80
The carried-over Super Hi-5 was hit in Gulfstream's first race on Thursday and it paid $146.80 for the minimum $1 bet.
The 3-5 favorite Zip's Legacy won the race and Its All You, at 8-1, finished second.
The overnight carryover was $1,807.69. Bettors added $16,661 to the Super Hi-5 pool.
The order of finish was 9-5-2-1-7.
Zip's Legacy led at every call in winning the one-mile turf maiden claiming race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up.
She won in 1:37.45 on the course listed as firm, with Lane Luzzi riding for trainer Mark Casse.
Gulfstream has the rolling Super HI-5 on all races with seven or more starters.
The second race will have only six starters.
Barring any late scratches, Gulfstream will have the Super Hi-5 on sall of thursday's rfaces from xix to eleven.
--Jim Freer
The 3-5 favorite Zip's Legacy won the race and Its All You, at 8-1, finished second.
The overnight carryover was $1,807.69. Bettors added $16,661 to the Super Hi-5 pool.
The order of finish was 9-5-2-1-7.
Zip's Legacy led at every call in winning the one-mile turf maiden claiming race for fillies and mares three-years-old and up.
She won in 1:37.45 on the course listed as firm, with Lane Luzzi riding for trainer Mark Casse.
Gulfstream has the rolling Super HI-5 on all races with seven or more starters.
The second race will have only six starters.
Barring any late scratches, Gulfstream will have the Super Hi-5 on sall of thursday's rfaces from xix to eleven.
--Jim Freer
Gulfstream Weekend Preview
Gulfstream Park is entering the final three days of its summer meet, with racing this Thursday through Saturday.
First post is 1:15 p.m. for Thursday’s eleven-race card.
The main track is listed as fast and the turf course is listed as firm. The Weather Channel forecast is for just a 15 percent chance of rain during racing hours in Hallandale Beach, where Gulfstream is located.
On Thursday’s first race, there is an overnight carryover (from Sunday) of $1,807.69 on the Super Hi-5 which requires picking the first five finishers in correct order.
The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $89,560. It is on races six through eleven.
The featured fifth race is an allowance/optional claimer at 7 ½ furlongs on turf for Florida-bred fillies and mares three-years-old and up. The purse is $37,000 and the optional claiming price is $12,500. None of the eight entrants are in for a tag.
We will have coverage this afternoon on this blog.
Upcoming Races
On Friday, Gulfstream has an 11-race card with first post at 1:15 p.m.
Saturday is closing day for the 2016 summer meet.
The Saturday card has 13 races, with first post at 12:00 p.m.
The card will have eight stakes races, including the third and final legs of each of the four divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes. We will have previews of those races starting Thursday evening, and on-site coverage on Saturday.
On Saturday for all exotic bets, Gulfstream will have mandatory payouts of the day’s pool (minus takeout) and any carryovers.
That includes the Rainbow 6, the Late Pick 5 and the rolling Super Hi-5.
Gulfstream on Saturday will pay out the Rainbow 6 jackpot even if there are multiple tickets with all six winners. The jackpot consists of the entire carryover plus 80 percent of the day’s bets on the Rainbow 6. The takeout is 20 percent of the day’s bet.
On non-mandatory days, Gulfstream pays out the jackpot only if there is just one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.
Especially if there is no single-ticket jackpot winner on Thursday or Friday, it is likely that $1 million or more will be bet on the Rainbow 6 on Saturday. That day’s pool and carryover will be divided equally among tickets with all six winners.
On non-mandatory payout days when there are multiple Rainbow 6 winning tickets, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent and then divides 56 percent of the day’s bet among the multiple winners while adding 24 percent to the carryover.
The Gulfstream Park West meet, held at Calder, will open on Wednesday Oct. 5. There will be a new pool on the Rainbow 6.
--Jim Freer
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Argentine Tango Finishes Seventh
Argentine Tango, a one-time stakes horse at Calder and Gulfstream, finished seventh in Thursday night's eighth race at Mountaineer Park in Chester, W. Va.
It was a $5,000 claiming race at a mile and 70 yards on dirt with a $6,600 purse.
Our previous post told the story of how Argentine Tango, now a seven-year old, has been moved up to West Virginia and down in class.
Argentine Tango and his entrymate Candid Opinions were sent off at 15-1. Pared won the race in 1:46.25.
Wayne's Way, another former Florida stakes horse, finished third in the ninth and final race at Mountaineer.
It was a $5,000 claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt.
In 2014 as a 2-year-old, the gelding Wayne's Way finished fourth in the Dr. Fager Stakes at Gulfstream while trained by Kathleen O'Connell for breeder/owner Gilbert Campbell.
Wayne's Way was claimed from Campbell out of a race at Laurel Park in Maryland on Nov. 27, 2014 and since the has been racing at Msaryland and West Virginia tracks
--Jim Freer
It was a $5,000 claiming race at a mile and 70 yards on dirt with a $6,600 purse.
Our previous post told the story of how Argentine Tango, now a seven-year old, has been moved up to West Virginia and down in class.
Argentine Tango and his entrymate Candid Opinions were sent off at 15-1. Pared won the race in 1:46.25.
Wayne's Way, another former Florida stakes horse, finished third in the ninth and final race at Mountaineer.
It was a $5,000 claiming race at 5 1/2 furlongs on dirt.
In 2014 as a 2-year-old, the gelding Wayne's Way finished fourth in the Dr. Fager Stakes at Gulfstream while trained by Kathleen O'Connell for breeder/owner Gilbert Campbell.
Wayne's Way was claimed from Campbell out of a race at Laurel Park in Maryland on Nov. 27, 2014 and since the has been racing at Msaryland and West Virginia tracks
--Jim Freer
Remember Argentine Tango?
Surfing the net, I just found that Argentine Tango, a one-time stakes placed horse in Florida, is running in a $5,000 claiming race at Mountaineer Park tonight.
If you have access to an ADW, it is the eighth race with post at 9:34 p.m.---at 1 mile and 70 yards on dirt with a $6,600 purse. We will watch and file a report on this blog.
Argentine Tango, a 7-year-old who is not gelded, is an example of how horses often are dropped down the ranks--and their connections keep them running even though they are basically just filling out fields.
Five years ago, Argentine Tango ran in all three legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series at Calder for trainer Stan Gold and owner Fred Brei. He finished second in the Dr. Fager, second in the Affirmed and fourth in the In Reality (that year with a $300,000 purse).
His stablemate Fort Loudon swept that year's (2011) FSS races.
In 2012, Argentine Tango finished fourth in the Palm Beach (Grade 3)on turf at Gulfstream.
Our review of Equibase data shows that Argentine Tango somehow changed hands early in 2015.
He surfaced at Charles Town and then wound up at Mountaineer with trainer/owner Timothy Gilbert. In West Virginia, he has won just one of 21 starts and has finished no better than fifth in any of his last five races--all low level claimers
Let's root for Argentine Tango tonight, and if he doesn't soon start faring better let's hope that his connections will find him a decent retirement. We are adding him to our Watch List.
--Jim Freer
If you have access to an ADW, it is the eighth race with post at 9:34 p.m.---at 1 mile and 70 yards on dirt with a $6,600 purse. We will watch and file a report on this blog.
Argentine Tango, a 7-year-old who is not gelded, is an example of how horses often are dropped down the ranks--and their connections keep them running even though they are basically just filling out fields.
Five years ago, Argentine Tango ran in all three legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series at Calder for trainer Stan Gold and owner Fred Brei. He finished second in the Dr. Fager, second in the Affirmed and fourth in the In Reality (that year with a $300,000 purse).
His stablemate Fort Loudon swept that year's (2011) FSS races.
In 2012, Argentine Tango finished fourth in the Palm Beach (Grade 3)on turf at Gulfstream.
Our review of Equibase data shows that Argentine Tango somehow changed hands early in 2015.
He surfaced at Charles Town and then wound up at Mountaineer with trainer/owner Timothy Gilbert. In West Virginia, he has won just one of 21 starts and has finished no better than fifth in any of his last five races--all low level claimers
Let's root for Argentine Tango tonight, and if he doesn't soon start faring better let's hope that his connections will find him a decent retirement. We are adding him to our Watch List.
--Jim Freer
Tampa Bay Downs Releases Stakes Schedules
Tampa Bay Downs has announced its 2016-2017 stakes schedule, with almost $3 million in purses that makes it the richest in the track’s history.
The 24-stakes schedule can be found via this link.
Opening Day for the 2016-2017 meeting is Saturday, Nov. 26.
Highlights will include a pair of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points races. Those races are the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (Grade 3) on Feb. 11 and the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2) on March 11.
Both are 1 1/16 miles on dirt and will award points to the top four finishers toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 horses.
The Sam F. Davis was recently reinstated as an official prep race on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and will award the first four finishers 10, 4, 2 and 1 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The Tampa Bay Derby offers 50-20-10-5 qualifying points to the top four finishers.
Destin, the winner of both the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby this year, finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and second by a nose to Creator in the Belmont Stakes (Grade 1) at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Two horses have used the Tampa Bay Derby as a springboard to Kentucky Derby glory: Street Sense, winner of both races in 2007, and Super Saver, the third-place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby before his Kentucky Derby win in 2010.
The Tampa Bay Derby is the centerpiece of the track’s March 11 Festival Day card, which includes the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (Grade 2) on the turf course and the $200,000 Florida Oaks (Grade 3) also on the turf.
Other Festival Day stakes are the $100,000 Challenger Stakes and the $75,000 Columbia Stakes, which is being renewed as a one-mile turf event for 3-year-olds (it was last contested as the Chris Thomas Turf Classic in 2009 at 1 1/8 miles).
Purse money for the April 2 Florida Cup, consisting of six races for registered Florida-bred horses, has been increased 33 percent, with each of the races now worth $100,000 thanks to a collaborative effort by track management, horsemen and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to raise the pots.
The 2016-2017 stakes schedule begins Saturday, Dec. 3 with the Inaugural Stakes and the Sandpiper Stakes, a pair of $100,000, 6-furlong sprint races for 2-year-olds soon to turn 3 (all Thoroughbred horses celebrate their birthdays on Jan. 1).
“The increase in stakes purses for the upcoming season reflects the ongoing interest in our racing program throughout the Thoroughbred industry,” said Peter Berube, the track’s Vice President and General Manager. “While our graded stakes, especially the 3-year-old races, garner most of the attention, our stakes schedule offers tremendous value for horses in all categories.”
The second-biggest day on the Tampa Bay Downs stakes schedule is Festival Preview Day Presented by Lambholm South on Feb. 11, featuring the Sam F. Davis.
Other stakes on the Feb. 11 card are the $150,00 Endeavour Stakes (Grade 3) on the turf; the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade 3) also on the turf; and the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes on the main track.
The Endeavour and the Hillsborough, both for older fillies and mares, have welcomed several of the nation’s top female turf runners in recent years. Tepin, who won the 2015 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Turf Female, won both races last season.
Other Eclipse winners to flash their brilliant form on the Tampa Bay Downs turf course were 2015 Hillsborough winner Stephanie’s Kitten and Zagora, winner of both races in 2012.
Photo of Destin courtesy of Tampa Bay Downs; other photos by Barry Unterbrink
--Jim Freer
The 24-stakes schedule can be found via this link.
Opening Day for the 2016-2017 meeting is Saturday, Nov. 26.
Highlights will include a pair of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points races. Those races are the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (Grade 3) on Feb. 11 and the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2) on March 11.
Both are 1 1/16 miles on dirt and will award points to the top four finishers toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 horses.
The Sam F. Davis was recently reinstated as an official prep race on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and will award the first four finishers 10, 4, 2 and 1 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The Tampa Bay Derby offers 50-20-10-5 qualifying points to the top four finishers.
Destin, the winner of both the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby this year, finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and second by a nose to Creator in the Belmont Stakes (Grade 1) at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Destin Winning the 2016 Sam F. Davis Stakes
The Tampa Bay Derby is the centerpiece of the track’s March 11 Festival Day card, which includes the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (Grade 2) on the turf course and the $200,000 Florida Oaks (Grade 3) also on the turf.
Other Festival Day stakes are the $100,000 Challenger Stakes and the $75,000 Columbia Stakes, which is being renewed as a one-mile turf event for 3-year-olds (it was last contested as the Chris Thomas Turf Classic in 2009 at 1 1/8 miles).
Purse money for the April 2 Florida Cup, consisting of six races for registered Florida-bred horses, has been increased 33 percent, with each of the races now worth $100,000 thanks to a collaborative effort by track management, horsemen and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to raise the pots.
The 2016-2017 stakes schedule begins Saturday, Dec. 3 with the Inaugural Stakes and the Sandpiper Stakes, a pair of $100,000, 6-furlong sprint races for 2-year-olds soon to turn 3 (all Thoroughbred horses celebrate their birthdays on Jan. 1).
“The increase in stakes purses for the upcoming season reflects the ongoing interest in our racing program throughout the Thoroughbred industry,” said Peter Berube, the track’s Vice President and General Manager. “While our graded stakes, especially the 3-year-old races, garner most of the attention, our stakes schedule offers tremendous value for horses in all categories.”
The second-biggest day on the Tampa Bay Downs stakes schedule is Festival Preview Day Presented by Lambholm South on Feb. 11, featuring the Sam F. Davis.
Other stakes on the Feb. 11 card are the $150,00 Endeavour Stakes (Grade 3) on the turf; the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade 3) also on the turf; and the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes on the main track.
The Endeavour and the Hillsborough, both for older fillies and mares, have welcomed several of the nation’s top female turf runners in recent years. Tepin, who won the 2015 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Turf Female, won both races last season.
Other Eclipse winners to flash their brilliant form on the Tampa Bay Downs turf course were 2015 Hillsborough winner Stephanie’s Kitten and Zagora, winner of both races in 2012.
Photo of Destin courtesy of Tampa Bay Downs; other photos by Barry Unterbrink
--Jim Freer
Tampa Bay Downs Sets Stakes Schedule
HorseRacingFLA Staff Report
Tampa Bay Downs has announced its 2016-2017 stakes schedule, with almost $3 million in purses that makes it the richest in the track’s history.
The 24-stakes schedule can be found via this link.
Opening Day for the 2016-2017 meeting is Saturday, Nov. 26.
Highlights will include a pair of “Road to the Kentucky Derby” points races. Those races are the $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (Grade 3) on Feb. 11 and the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2) on March 11.
Both are 1 1/16 miles on dirt and will award points to the top four finishers toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) on May 6 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. The Kentucky Derby field is limited to 20 horses.
The Sam F. Davis was recently reinstated as an official prep race on the “Road to the Kentucky Derby” and will award the first four finishers 10, 4, 2 and 1 points toward qualifying for the Kentucky Derby starting gate. The Tampa Bay Derby offers 50-20-10-5 qualifying points to the top four finishers.
Destin, the winner of both the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby this year, finished sixth in the Kentucky Derby and second by a nose to Creator in the Belmont Stakes (Grade 1) at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y.
Destin Winning the 2016 Sam F. Davis Stakes
Two horses have used the Tampa Bay Derby as a springboard to Kentucky Derby glory: Street Sense, winner of both races in 2007, and Super Saver, the third-place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby before his Kentucky Derby win in 2010.
The Tampa Bay Derby is the centerpiece of the track’s March 11 Festival Day card, which includes the $200,000 Hillsborough Stakes (Grade 2) on the turf course and the $200,000 Florida Oaks (Grade 3) also on the turf.
Other Festival Day stakes are the $100,000 Challenger Stakes and the $75,000 Columbia Stakes, which is being renewed as a one-mile turf event for 3-year-olds (it was last contested as the Chris Thomas Turf Classic in 2009 at 1 1/8 miles).
Purse money for the April 2 Florida Cup, consisting of six races for registered Florida-bred horses, has been increased 33 percent, with each of the races now worth $100,000 thanks to a collaborative effort by track management, horsemen and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to raise the pots.
The 2016-2017 stakes schedule begins Saturday, Dec. 3 with the Inaugural Stakes and the Sandpiper Stakes, a pair of $100,000, 6-furlong sprint races for 2-year-olds soon to turn 3 (all Thoroughbred horses celebrate their birthdays on Jan. 1).
“The increase in stakes purses for the upcoming season reflects the ongoing interest in our racing program throughout the Thoroughbred industry,” said Peter Berube, the track’s Vice President and General Manager. “While our graded stakes, especially the 3-year-old races, garner most of the attention, our stakes schedule offers tremendous value for horses in all categories.”
The second-biggest day on the Tampa Bay Downs stakes schedule is Festival Preview Day Presented by Lambholm South on Feb. 11, featuring the Sam F. Davis.
Other stakes on the Feb. 11 card are the $150,00 Endeavour Stakes (Grade 3) on the turf; the $150,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (Grade 3) also on the turf; and the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes on the main track.
The Endeavour and the Hillsborough, both for older fillies and mares, have welcomed several of the nation’s top female turf runners in recent years. Tepin, who won the 2015 Eclipse Award as Outstanding Turf Female, won both races last season.
Other Eclipse winners to flash their brilliant form on the Tampa Bay Downs turf course were 2015 Hillsborough winner Stephanie’s Kitten and Zagora, winner of both races in 2012.
Photo of Destin courtesy of Tampa Bay Downs; other photos by Barry Unterbrink
Tampa Bay Downs Sets Stakes Schedule
Monday, September 26, 2016
GP West Meet to Have Walk-Around Tellers; Campo Expects Quality on Track
There are still no plans for tents or other covered structures
at the Gulfstream Park West race meet that will be held at Calder Casino beginning
Oct. 5
But walk-around tellers, who can cash mutuel tickets, and
on-site restrooms have been added to the small list of amenities that will be
available during the 40-day meet that will end Nov. 27. Gulfstream Park is
holding the GP West meet under a lease agreement with neighboring Calder.
While Gulfstream is running the race meet and has
leased the Calder track, Calder and its parent company Churchill Downs Inc.
(CDI) control and make decisions concerning the area near the track.
Because of the limited amenities and because of safety
concerns at the now-desolate Calder property, Gulfstream General Manager P.J.
Campo and other Gulfstream officials are encouraging fans to go to Gulfstream
to watch and wager on GP West races via simulcast.
“It will be much more comfortable for then here,”
Campo said on Sept. 23. He added that Gulfstream will have its full menu of
in-bound simulcasting during the two months when it does not have live racing.
Gulfstream is in Hallandale Beach, Fla., eight
miles east of Calder in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Racing at GP West
Campo said he does not expect the situation
trackside will have any negative impact on the racing.
The GP West meet will have the regular
contingent of horses, jockeys and trainers from the Gulfstream spring and
summer meets. It also will have the first arrivals of horses that are being
sent down from northern states for the
Gulfstream championship meet that will
open Dec. 3.
As in meets at Gulfstream, the turf racing that
attracts bettors will be a big part of the program.
In fact, the first GP West condition book shows
a whopping 31 of 53 races scheduled for turf during the first six days.
Gulfstream superintendent Bill Badgett and his
team are in charge of the turf course and dirt track at Calder.
Calder officials have not responded to e-mails
and phone messages concerning the GP West meet.
Details of Meet
On Sept. 23,
Campo provided these updated details of the services that will be available at
the GP West meet.
* There will be no covered structures in
Calder’s racing area for fans to watch and bet on the live races.
*There will be no teller stations with mutuel clerks.
*The area near the track will have between six and eight betting machines.
*There will be no teller stations with mutuel clerks.
*The area near the track will have between six and eight betting machines.
* There will be two walk-around mutuel clerks,
who can cash tickets they sell and cash tickets bought at machines in the
racing area and in Calder’s casino. Winning tickets purchased at Calder can be
cashed at Gulfstream, under the regular 12-month deadline.
*Calder will have a small to-be-determined number of betting machines in its casino building, several hundred yards from the finish line. The casino will have several TVs showing the GP West races and between-races telecasts. There will be no in-bound simulcasts at Calder.
*Calder will have a small to-be-determined number of betting machines in its casino building, several hundred yards from the finish line. The casino will have several TVs showing the GP West races and between-races telecasts. There will be no in-bound simulcasts at Calder.
*There will be a large TV in the racing area,
showing the GP West races. There will
not be any other TVs around the racing area.
* Calder has agreed to open to the public a small restroom building (now used by workers) near the still-intact saddling area.
* A food truck makes several trips a day to an area that is
* Calder has agreed to open to the public a small restroom building (now used by workers) near the still-intact saddling area.
* A food truck makes several trips a day to an area that is
near the jockeys’ building and accessible
to the public. Refreshments also are available in the casino.
*There will be a tent for trainers and owners.
Some horsemen are still hopeful that Calder will agree to allow a tent larger
than the one it had last year.
--Jim Freer
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Gulfstream: Turf Allowance, Three Carryovers Highlight Sunday’s Card
A turf allowance for fillies and mares and three
carryovers are the main attractions at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
First post is 1:15 p.m. for the ten-race card. We will have coverage on our blog.
The carryovers are:
* $79,095.79 on the Rainbow 6 on races five through ten, a 20-cent only bet
* $26,233.20 on the Late Pick 5 on races six through ten, a 50-cent minimum bet
The featured fifth race is a one mile allowance on turf for fillies and mares three-years-old and up, with a $43,000 purse and an eight-horse field.
Tearless likely will be one of the favorites even though she is moving up in class.
She has three straight wins, all at one mile on turf at Gulfstream and all with times and speed figures that match up well against the field. Sandra Slivka trains the three-year-old Tearless, a daughter of In Summation.
Tearless has won her races leading at every call. She is in post eight and jockey Eddie Castro will need to hustle her to the front in a race that has several other horses that have shown early speed.
One is Deedeezee, in the four post and making her Gulfstream for trainer Todd Pletcher.
Deedeezee, a three-year-old, is coming off a third place finish on Aug. 27 in a $44,000 allowance at 1 1/16 miles on the turf at Monmouth Park. Edgard Zayas will ride the daughter of Congrats.
Sweet Story and Nurse John could benefit from a fast pace.
Deedeezee is among the first wave of horses that Pletcher has sent down to Palm Beach Downs in Delray Beach to race at Florida tracks during the summer and winter.
Thus far he has had three starters, with no wins and one second place finisher.
*Sunday is the 54th day of Gulfstream’s summer meet.
The meet will end this coming Saturday Oct. 1 with eight stakes races, including the third and final legs in the four divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes Series.
Also on Saturday there will be a mandatory payoff of the Rainbow 6 carryover—even if there are multiple tickets with the winners of all six races.
Gulfstream usually pays out the jackpot—full carryover plus 80 percent of the day’s Rainbow 6 bet—only when there is just one ticket with all six winners.
On non-mandatory payout days when there are multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream has the 20 percent takeout. It then divides 56 percent of the day’s bet among the winning ticket holders and adds 24 percent to the carryover.
--Jim Freer
Saturday, September 24, 2016
Gulfstream Carryovers for Sunday
Gulfstream Park will have three carryovers
on Sunday.
First post is 1:15 p.m. for the ten-race card.
The carryovers are:
* $2,289.03 in the first race on the Super Hi-5, a $1 minimum bet
* $79,095.79 on the Rainbow 6 on races five through ten, a 20-cent only bet
* $26,233.20 on the Late Pick 5 on races six through ten, a 50-cent minimum bet
Rainbow 6 Hs 27 Live Tickets
With the 12th and finale coming up there are 27 live tickets in the Rainbow 6.
One ticket has a single on Big Venezuelan (2). Another has a single on Tito Control (13).
A win by either would take down a jackpot of about $105,000.
One ticket has a single on Big Venezuelan (2). Another has a single on Tito Control (13).
A win by either would take down a jackpot of about $105,000.
Florida Conections for Parx Races
Songbird just got done crushing the field, as expected, in the Cotillion (Grade 1) at Parx and amid all the praise for this unbeaten 3-YO filly MAKE SURE to note her Florida connections.
Songbird's dam Ivanavinalot won two races in the Florida Stallion Stakes series in 2002 for trainer Kathleen O'Connell and breeder/owner Gilbert Campbell of Ocala.
Medaglia d'Oro, Songbird's sire, had a list of Grade 1 wins that included the 2004 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.
--Jim Freer
Songbird's dam Ivanavinalot won two races in the Florida Stallion Stakes series in 2002 for trainer Kathleen O'Connell and breeder/owner Gilbert Campbell of Ocala.
Medaglia d'Oro, Songbird's sire, had a list of Grade 1 wins that included the 2004 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream.
--Jim Freer
Favorite Wins First Leg of Rainbow 6
Mitos y Leandas, the 7-5 favorite, won Gulfstream's seventh race to start the Rainbow 6.
The carryover coming in was $67,457. Bettors added $48,519 to the Rainbow 6 pool.
The carryover coming in was $67,457. Bettors added $48,519 to the Rainbow 6 pool.
Super Hi-5 HI for $105.40 at Gulfstream
The rolling Super HI-5 was hit in the second race at Gulfstream and paid a modest $105.40 for the minimum $1 bet.
The 1-5 favorite Comebackmoment won by a length over Twice Oaked at 7-1.
The winning numbers of the first five finishers were 4-7-6-2-1.
The carryover coming was $2,351. Bettors added $11,704 to the pool.
A new Super Hi-5 pool will begin with the third race. Gulfstream has the bet on all races with seven or more starters.
In the first race, Said No One Ever at 5-1 led at every call and won by three-quarters of a length over 21-1 shot Sea Cookie.
Said No One Ever won the one mile turf race in 1:35.26 on the course listed as firm. It was for $30,000 claimers. Edgard Zayas rode for trainer Jena Antonucci.
The 1-5 favorite Comebackmoment won by a length over Twice Oaked at 7-1.
The winning numbers of the first five finishers were 4-7-6-2-1.
The carryover coming was $2,351. Bettors added $11,704 to the pool.
A new Super Hi-5 pool will begin with the third race. Gulfstream has the bet on all races with seven or more starters.
In the first race, Said No One Ever at 5-1 led at every call and won by three-quarters of a length over 21-1 shot Sea Cookie.
Said No One Ever won the one mile turf race in 1:35.26 on the course listed as firm. It was for $30,000 claimers. Edgard Zayas rode for trainer Jena Antonucci.
Gulfstream: Getting Underway
First post is near for a 12-race card at Gulfstream.
Skies are clear. The first race is one mile on turf for $30,000 claimers.
There are nine entrants and an $1,186 carryover in the Super Hi-5
Skies are clear. The first race is one mile on turf for $30,000 claimers.
There are nine entrants and an $1,186 carryover in the Super Hi-5
Gulfstream Saturday Preview
Gulfstream Park has a 12-race program on Saturday, with first post of 12:45 p.m.
We will have coverage during the afternoon on this blog..
The featured tenth race is a $43,000 allowance at one mile on turf for three-year-olds and up.
The Rainbow 6 carryover for Saturday is $67,456.91. It is on races seven through twelve.
On Saturday Oct. 1, the closing day of the summer meet, there will be a mandatory payout of the full Rainbow 6 carryover/jackpot—even if there is more than one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.
On Oct. 1, Gulfstream will have eight stakes races, including the third and final legs in the four divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes Series.
In this Saturday’s first race, there will be an overnight carryover of $1,186.51 in the Super Hi-5. In Friday’s ninth and final race, there were no tickets with the requirement of the first five finishers in correct order.
On Sunday, Gulfstream has a ten-race program with first post of 1:15 p.m.
- --
We will have coverage during the afternoon on this blog..
The featured tenth race is a $43,000 allowance at one mile on turf for three-year-olds and up.
The Rainbow 6 carryover for Saturday is $67,456.91. It is on races seven through twelve.
On Saturday Oct. 1, the closing day of the summer meet, there will be a mandatory payout of the full Rainbow 6 carryover/jackpot—even if there is more than one ticket with the winners of all six Rainbow 6 races.
On Oct. 1, Gulfstream will have eight stakes races, including the third and final legs in the four divisions of the Florida Sire Stakes Series.
In this Saturday’s first race, there will be an overnight carryover of $1,186.51 in the Super Hi-5. In Friday’s ninth and final race, there were no tickets with the requirement of the first five finishers in correct order.
On Sunday, Gulfstream has a ten-race program with first post of 1:15 p.m.
- --
Friday, September 23, 2016
Gulfstream Rainbow 6 Carryover to be $67,456
The ninth and final race is coming up at Gufstream.
There are 402 live tickets in the Rainbow 6, with no horses singled on any ticket.
Thus, there will be multiple tickets with all six winners and a continuation of the carryover. It will be $67,456.
The Saturday card has 12 entrants with first post of 12:45 p.m. The Rainbow 6 is on races seven through twelve.
There are 402 live tickets in the Rainbow 6, with no horses singled on any ticket.
Thus, there will be multiple tickets with all six winners and a continuation of the carryover. It will be $67,456.
The Saturday card has 12 entrants with first post of 12:45 p.m. The Rainbow 6 is on races seven through twelve.
Gulfstream Super Hi-5 Pays $337.50
The carried-over Super Hi-5 was hit in Gulfstream's second race on Friday, and it paid $337.50 on the minimum $1 bet.
The 6-5 favorite Sweet Madea won the race--a $12,500 claiming event at one mile on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Roraima, at 12-1, finished second in the seven-horse field.
The order of finish was 2-5-7-4-6.
The carryover coming in was $1,927. Bettors added $16,773 to the Rainbow 6 pool.
The third race has just six entrants, one less than the minimum number of seven starters needed for Gulfstream to offer the Super Hi-5.
The fourth race has eight entrants. Barring any late scratches, it will be the start of a new Super Hi-5 pool.
--Jim Freer
The 6-5 favorite Sweet Madea won the race--a $12,500 claiming event at one mile on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Roraima, at 12-1, finished second in the seven-horse field.
The order of finish was 2-5-7-4-6.
The carryover coming in was $1,927. Bettors added $16,773 to the Rainbow 6 pool.
The third race has just six entrants, one less than the minimum number of seven starters needed for Gulfstream to offer the Super Hi-5.
The fourth race has eight entrants. Barring any late scratches, it will be the start of a new Super Hi-5 pool.
--Jim Freer
Super HI-5 Carryover On Way
We suggest -- $12 bet
First 2 Sweet Madea
Second 4
Third 5 7
Fourth 1 5 7
Fifth 1 3 5 6 7
First 2 Sweet Madea
Second 4
Third 5 7
Fourth 1 5 7
Fifth 1 3 5 6 7
Gulfstream: Fast and Firm for Friday Card
Gulfstream Park has a nine-race card on Friday, with
first post at 1:15 p.m.
There is a carryover of $58,650 on the Rainbow 6, on
races four through nine.
In the second race, there will be a carryover of $1,927.02 on the Super Hi-5 which requires picking the first five finishers in correct order.
Gulfstream offers the Super Hi-5 on all races with seven or more starters.
The scratch of Formal (post 2) left the first race with just six starters.
As of 11:45 a.m. there have been no scratches from the second
race, which has seven entrants. It is a $12,500 claiming race with a $17,000 purse at one mile on dirt for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.
There is an overnight carryover because in Thursday's ninth and final race there were no Super Hi-5 tickets with the first five finishers in correct order.
Friday’s featured eighth race is 6 1/2 -furlong allowance/optional claimer for 3-year-old and up. The purse is $43,000 and the optional claiming price is $16,000.
We will have coverage during the afternoon on our blog.
As of 11:45 a.m. skies were clear at Gulfstream. The
Weather Channel forecast for Hallandale Beach, where Gulfstream is located, is
for a 55 percent chance of rain at 1:00 p.m. diminishing to 20 percent by the
end of the race day.
The third, fifth and ninth races are scheduled for
turf, with the rail at 96 feet.
On Saturday, Gulfstream will have 12 races, with first post of 12:45 p.m. On Sunday, Gulfstream will have ten races with first post of 1:15 p.m. There are no stakes races either day.
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