Friday, April 30, 2021

A Look at the Kentucky Oaks

The Kentucky Oaks is coming up as the 11th race at Churchill Downs with scheduled post at 5:51 p.m. Eastern.

We are suggesting an exacta box of Crazy Beautiful (4), Pass The Champagne (5), Malathaat (10) and Search Results (12).

Search Results and Malathaat are undefeated, and it would be hard to not have them in the mix.

Crazy Beautiful staged a big rally to win the 1 1/16 mile Gulfstream Park Oaks.  She has been fast and impressive in training and should be rolling at the end of the 1 1/8 mile Kentucky Oaks.

Pass the Champagne finished second by a head in the 1 1/16 mile Ashland at Keeneland, and we expect her odds will be what we consider an overlay.

For inclusion in a trifecta, we suggest Will's Secret (11) trained by Dallas Stewart, who has a history of long shots running well in Churchill stakes and Travel Column (6) who won the Fair Grounds Oaks.

 

King Fury Scratched from Kentucky Derby


King Fury will be scratched from Saturday's Kentucky Derby due to a fever, according to the colt's  trainer Kenny McPeek.

“King Fury spiked a 104 degree fever this afternoon after he galloped this morning,” McPeek said on Friday afternoon. “He went off his feed after he trained. I feel gutted for all of the people that worked to get him ready for this race. Unfortunately he’s not 100%.... We’ll regroup and point to another race.”

King Fury, a son of Curlin, had post 16 in the Kentucky Derby.

With the scratch of King Fury, all horses to his outside will move in one spot in the starting gate. The program numbers will remain the same.


King Fury was coming into the Kentucky Derby off a victory in the 1 1/6 mile Lexington Stakes (Grade 3) at Keeneland on April 10.


Some handicappers had considered him a live and late-running long shot to get into the trifecta or superfecta in the Derby.


King Fury is owned by Fern Circle Stables, Three Chimneys Farm and Magdalena Racing.

 



Weekend Preview: Churchill, Tampa, Gulfstream

HRFLA Staff Report

HorseRacingFLA  will have daily coverage of this weekend's racing at Churchill Downs, Tampa Bay Downs and Gulfstream Park.

Here are details, with all listed times as Eastern.

Churchill 

First post is 10:30 a.m. for Friday's 13-race card, which has the $1.25 million Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) and five other stakes races.

Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm, and the Weather Channel forecast is for a less than 10 percent chance of rain during racing hours.

The Kentucky Oaks will be Friday's eleventh race with scheduled post at 5:51 p.m. 


Search Results and Mathalaat, both unbeaten, and Crazy Beautiful, the come-from-behind winner of the Gulfstream Park Oaks (Grade 2) on March 27, are likely favorites in the Kentucky Oaks.


The race is 1 1/8 miles on dirt for 3-year-old fillies.


This link to the Equibase Web site has the Churchill Downs entries for Friday. It has click-ons for handicapping material. Some is free, Some, including Past Performances is at cost. 


The NBC Sports cable channel will have  live coverage of Friday's Churchill racing from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.


Scheduled post for the 147th Kentucky Derby will be 6:57 p.m. on Saturday. It will be the 12th race on a 14-race card. 

The NBC Sports cable channel will have live coverage from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. NBC's over-the-air channels will have live coverage from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

Churchill Downs will not have racing on Sunday.


Tampa Bay

Track announcer Richard Grunder will retire following Sunday's race card, after 37 years at the Oldsmar, Fla., track.

Grunder's final race  call will be on the day's tenth and last race with scheduled post ar 5:18 p.m. The Sunday card has ten races, with first post at 12:32 p.m.

Tampa Bay will have nine races on Friday with first post at 12;15 p.m. It will have ten races on Saturday with first post of 12:12 p.m.

Tampa Bay will have simulcast wagering on Churchill Downs racing on Friday and Saturday.

Information can be found on the Tampa Bay Downs Web site

Gulfstream

On Friday, Gulfstream has a nine-race card with first post at 12:50 p.m.

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover of $234,773. The 20 cents per-combination-only bet is on races four to nine with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:14 p.m.

On Saturday, Gulfstream will have 12 races with first post at 12:20 p.m,

The card has two stakes races, both with $75,000 purses.

The Big Drama is seven furlongs on dirt for Florida-breds 3-YO and up.

The Honey Ryder is 1 1/16 miles on turf for 3-YO fillies 

On Sunday, Gulfstream will have ten races with first post of 12:50 p.m.

Gulfstream will have simulcast betting on the Friday and Saturday  races at Churchill Downs.

Ticket information may be obtained by calling the Gulfstream box office at (954) 457-6201.







BAUER'S BETS: FAST & FIRM at TAMPA

 By Bob Bauer

A nine-race card fills the final Friday afternoon of the winter/spring meeting in Tampa. Conditions are fast and firm, the first Post time is 12:15 PM.

A wide-open field of Claiming Fillies and Mares (three and upward) will compete at a mile on the lawn under $10,000 NW2L conditions in Race 7. Post time is 3:29 PM.   RadioStPete  online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 3:27.

STARSHIP GODDESS (1) appears to be the one to beat in this contest. This four year-old daughter of AWESOME AGAIN is lightly raced, (four races, all on Tampa turf) and has earned the best speed figures in this group. She won her Maiden condition at first asking and was a decent second in her last outing after a pair of off the board finishes following the Maiden the score. She worked a "bullet" 47.2/5 four panels on April 24 and should be ready to run big for trainer M. Anthony Ferraro. Regular rider Walber Allencar returns in the irons. A lot to like here.

THE BET  $20 win and place on STARSHIP GODDESS (1) and a $2 exacta box with BONSAI BENNY (9) and BET YOUR BANKROLL (3) 1,3,9.   Total Bet $52.    GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/28  The win bet ran second, had the place and exacta. Collected $40.40, a loss of $1.60. The bankroll is now $927.70 from the $1,000. start.



Thursday, April 29, 2021

Gulfstream Schedule: Two Saturday Stakes; Simulcasts of Kentucky Oaks and Derby

Gulfstream Park will begin four straight days of racing on Thursday, with eight races  and first post of 12:50 p.m.

Conditions are Fast and Firm.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $207,356. The 20 cents per combination only bet will be on races three through eight, with the sequence scheduled to start at 1:46 p.m.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Thursday. It has click-ons for handicapping material. Some is free. Some, including Past Performances, is at cost.

On Friday, Gulfstream will have nine races, with first post at 12:50 p.m.

On Saturday, Gulfstream will have the first two stakes races of its 2020-2021  spring/summer meet.

The $75,000 Big Drama is seven furlongs on dirt for Florida-breds  three-year-olds and up.

The $75,000 Honey Ryder is 1 1/16 miles on turf for three-year-old fillies.

Those races are part of a 12-race card, with first post of 12:20 p.m.

On Friday, Gulfstream will have simulcast wagering  on the Kentucky Oaks and the day's other races at Churchill Downs. On Saturday, Gulfstream will have simulcast wagering on the Kentucky Derby and the day's other races at Churchill Downs.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, Gulfstream is admitting spectators on a limited basis. Information may be obtained by calling the Gulfstream box office at (954) 457-6201.


 

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Tampa: Race 4 is Wednesday Feature; Camacho Leads Gallardo By Four Wins

 By Bob Bauer

Conditions are fast and firm on Wednesday as Tampa Bay Downs starts the last racing week of the winter/spring meeting. Nine races are on tap, with first post scheduled for 12:30 PM.

Today's play is in Race 4, with post time at 4:07. A competitive field of sophomore Fillies will go a grassy mile under $40,000 Optional Claiming conditions. RadioStPete online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder starts at 2:05. 

PRINCESS NINA (8) has been over the local lawn five times this season, resulting in a trio of victories and a place. She has now won two in a row with Jose Ferrer aboard for the Delgado barn. They are winning at an impressive 43% rate together. A repeat of her last effort (top turf fig here) can win this at a generous price of 6/1 on the morning line. This daughter of VERRAZANO appears to be in fine fettle, her speed figures are improving with each start. The last pair were the best yet. 

THE BET   $10 win and place on PRINCESS NINA (8) and a $5 exacta box with BALL LIGHTNING (6) 6,8. Also, a $2 exacta box with those two and STRIKING CHROME (5) 5,6,8. Total Bet $42.  GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/25  The win bet didn't get there, but we saved with the $2 exacta box. It paid $65.60, a profit of $23.60 on the $42 total bets. The bankroll is now $929.30 from the $1,000 start.

Closing Week

Samy Camacho is heading into the weekend with a 100-96 lead over Antonio Gallardo in the competition for jockey wins.

Camacho is scheduled to ride in all nine Wednesday races. Gallardo has mounts in seven Wednesday races.

Gallardo has won five Tampa Bay jockey championships, including 2019-2020. Camacho led Tampa Bay jockeys in wins in 2018-2019.

Tampa Bay will be dark on Thursday and then have racing Friday through Sunday.

The Oldsmar, Fla,. track will then be dark until June 30--the last official day of its 2020-2021 meet. 

Tampa Bay also will have racing on July 1, which is the second day of its annual two-day Summer Festival of Racing.

The Florida government's fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30.  By racing on those two days and holding its regular annual meet, Tampa Bay can serve as a host track year-round in the important simulcast business of bringing in signals from thoroughbred tracks in other states and then transmitting them to other pari-mutuels in Florida.

 


Post Positions for 2021 Kentucky Derby

 HRFLA Staff Report

Here are the post positions, which were drawn on Tuesday, for Saturday's $3 million Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Jockeys and trainers are in parentheses. The odds are morning line. 


Scheduled post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:57 p.m. It is the 12th race on Saturday's 14-race card.  Starting later on Tuesday, we will have previews of the Kentucky Derby, Friday's Kentucky Oaks (Grade 1) and other racing at Churchill Downs this weekend. Much of our focus will be on horses that have raced at Gulfstream Park and/or at Tampa Bay Downs.


1 Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher) 6-1

2Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, W. Ward) 50-1

Brooklyn Strong (Umberto Rispoli, Danny Velazquez) 50-1 

4 Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro) 50-1 5 Sainthood (Corey Lanerie, Todd Pletcher) 50-1 

6 O Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley) 20-1

Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox) 15-1

8 Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert) 15-1 

9Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O' Neill) 8-1

10 Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen) 20-1

11Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz,  Todd Pletcher) 20-1

12 Helium (Julien Leparoux,  Mark Casse) 50-1

13Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicky Oliver ) 50-1

14Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox) 2-1

15Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler) 5-1

16 King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., Ken McPeek) 20-1 

17 Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown) 10-1

18 Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen) 30-1

19Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse) 30-1 

20 Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher) 30-1


Monday, April 26, 2021

Kentucky Derby Posts Draw Set for Tuesday; Twenty Horse Field Likely for Saturday

HRFLA Staff Report

At 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Churchill Downs will hold the post position draw for Saturday's $3 million  Kentucky Derby (Grade 1).

The field for the 1 1/4 mile dirt stakes for 3-year-olds  will be limited to twenty horses at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

On Monday, Churchill Downs listed these horses as the likely starters-- in order of preference based on points earned in qualifying races. Jockeys and trainers are in parentheses.

Essential Quality (Luis Saez, Brad Cox); Hot Rod Charlie (Flavien Prat, Doug O’Neill); Super Stock (Ricardo Santana Jr., Steve Asmussen); Like the King (Drayden Van Dyke, Wesley Ward); Known Agenda (Irad Ortiz Jr., Todd Pletcher); Rock Your World (Joel Rosario, John Sadler); Bourbonic (Kendrick Carmouche, Todd Pletcher); Medina Spirit (John Velazquez, Bob Baffert); Midnight Bourbon (Mike Smith, Steve Asmussen); Mandaloun (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox); Highly Motivated (Javier Castellano, Chad Brown); Helium (Julien Leparoux, Mark Casse); Soup and Sandwich (Tyler Gaffalione, Mark Casse); Dynamic One (Jose Ortiz, Todd Pletcher); Sainthood (Corey Lanerie, Todd Pletcher); Hidden Stash (Rafael Bejarano, Vicki Oliver); Besos (Marcelino Pedroza, Greg Foley); King Fury (Brian Hernandez Jr., Kenny McPeek); Keepmeinmind (David Cohen, Robertino Diodoro); Brooklyn Strong (Umberto Rispoli, Danny Velazquez).

Essential Quality, unbeaten in five career starts, will almost certainly be the betting favorite.

Among other top contenders are: Known Agenda, winner of the Florida Derby (Grade 1); Rock Your World, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (Grade 1); and Good Time Charlie, winner of the Louisiana Derby (Grade 2).

The likely field also includes Soup and Sandwich, who finished second in the Florida Derby, along with Helium and Hidden Stash, the winner and second place finisher in the Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2).

Scheduled post for the 147th Kentucky Derby will be 6:57 p.m. It will be the 12th race on a 14-race card. 

The NBC Sports cable channel will have live coverage from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. NBC's over-the-air channels will have live coverage from 2:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.

All times listed above are Eastern.

On Tuesday, Churchill Downs also will draw posts for the thirteen other races on the Saturday card. The Kentucky Derby is one of Saturday's seven stakes races.

Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs are among pari-mutuels that will have simulcast betting on Saturday's races at Churchill Downs.


Sunday, April 25, 2021

Gulfstream Sunday Preview


Gulfstream Park will have a carryover of $151,976 on its Rainbow 6 on Sunday.

The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races five through ten, with the sequence set to start at 2:54 p.m.

First post is 12:50  p.m. for the ten-race card.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Sunday. It has click-ons  for handicapping material. Some is free. Some, including Past Performances, is at cost. 

On Saturday, each ticket with all six Rainbow 6 winners was paid $1,050.72 on the 20 cents per combination-only bet.

HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts shows there were  109 such tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 11-1-4-8-1-5. Odds on the winners ranged from 9-5  to 5-1.

Wagering on the Rainbow 6 was $203.790.

Per its rules on days  with multiple winning tickets, Gulfstream took out  20 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet.  It then divided 56 percent among tickets with six winners and added 24 percent to the carryover.

Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 pool will be at least $350,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winners. In that case, Gulfstream  will put in the difference if the combination of the day's bet and the incoming carryover is less than $350,000.







 

Tampa Bay: Race 5 is Sunday Radio Feature

By Bob Bauer

A nine-race  Sunday card closes out the racing week in Tampa.  Conditions are fast and firm. First Post is scheduled for 12:17 PM.

Today's play is in Race 5, Post is 2:20. A group of four year-olds and up will compete at a mile and one-sixteenth under $10,000 Claiming conditions. Live coverage on RadioStPete online, including the call from legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 2:18.

IRISH MAJOR (5) showed that he is back in top form now with his five length score at a mile and forty yards on dirt back on March 26. He can run on the green also, with four wins on Tampa turf to his credit. He has been in the money twelve out of fifteen trips on the grass. Regular rider Alonso Quinonez returns. A repeat of his last effort will win here.

THE BET  $20 to win on IRISH MAJOR (5) and a $5 exacta box with ROUGH NIGHT (6) 5,6. Also, a $2 exacta box with those two and KING LEONARDO (8)   5,6,8.     Total Bet $42           GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/24 Had the winner, missed the exacta. The $25 win bet returned $37.50. Lost $9.50, the bankroll is now $905.70, from the $1000. start.

Saturday, April 24, 2021

A namesake Horse in Seventh Race at Gulfstream

At HorseRacingFLA, we often take a rooting interest in a horse because of its name.

We have a special reason for that today in Gulfstream's seventh race, with scheduled post of 3:28 p.m.

The 3 horse is named Freer--same as our editor Jim Freer.  There is no connection between Jim's family and the colt's owner Sunland Park, which paid $240,000 at the Keeneland September 2019 sale.

We will try to find out the origin of the name.

The seventh race is a $47,000 MSW at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-YOs. The course is listed as firm..

Freer is 12-1 in the morning line,  He is one of six first-time starters in the 12-horse field.

Freer is a son of Bernardini, out of an Unbridled's Song mare. Edgar Prado will ride for Todd Pletcher,

Likely favorites are El Socio (12) and Everesting (1).

The seventh race  is the start of the Rainbow 6 with a carryover of $103,072.




Tampa Fast and Firm for Saturday

 By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs presents a ten-race program for Saturday, conditions are fast and firm. First Post time is scheduled for 12:15 PM. 

The feature is Race 5, four year-olds and up will sprint five furlongs on the lawn, under $10,000 Claiming conditions. Post time is 2:27. RadioStPetewww.radiostpete.com online live coverage including legendary announcer Richard Grunder starts at 2:25.

R BOY BODE (8) appears to be a worthy favorite from the powerful Baxter outfit. His last (and only) local attempt at this trip resulted in a fourth place finish after setting the pace to the stretch in extremely fast fractions. He has won at five panels four times at other tracks. Samy Camacho, who is locked in a head to head stretch duel with Antonio Camacho has the return call. This five year-old gelding is the one to catch.

THE BET  $25 to win on R BOY BODE (8) and a $5 exacta box with STRIKING HEIR (1) 1,5. Also, a $2 exacta box with those two and ARCHEVERIO (2). 1,2,5.   Total Bet $47.  GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/23  Lost $32, the bankroll is now $915.20, from the $1000. start. 


Friday, April 23, 2021

Gulfstream: Fast and Firm for Friday

 Conditions are Fast and Firm for Friday's nine-race card at Gulfstream Park.

First post is at 1:10 p.m.

The only carryover is on the Rainbow 6 at $71,970. The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races four through nine with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:41 p.m.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Friday.  It has click-ons for handicapping material.  Some is free.  Some, including past performances, is at cost.

Tampa: Sixth Race is Friday Radio Feature; Gallardo Leads Camacho By Two Victories

By Bob Bauer

A nine-race program kicks off the weekend at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar. First post on Friday is 12:17 PM, and conditions are fast and good.

Today's play is in Race 6, Post is scheduled for 2:54. Older Fillies and Mares will go a grassy mile under $10,000 Claiming conditions. RadioStPete online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder, starts at 2:52.

LADY BREANNA (2) is a logical longshot at 10/1 on the morning line. This six year-old Mare is in good form, winning four of six starts this season. The victories all happened with Daniel Centeno aboard. He returns here and they are a threat with this field. She may be the lone early speed on the hedge or she can press and pounce a tiring leader. Aldana Gonzalez claimed her two races back, that outfit scores at a 33% clip second race after a claim. LADY BREANNA (2) has yet to win on the sod, but, she has placed. This could be her day.

THE BET   $10 win and place on LADY BREANNA (2) and a $2 exacta box with ELUSIVE RIDER (1) and SHE'S DYNOMITE (9)   1,2,9  Total Bet $32  GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/21  The $50 win bet returned $115., missed the exacta. The bankroll is now $947.20, from the $1000. start.

*Friday is the eighth-to-last day of the 2020-2021 meet.

Defending champion Antonio Gallardo goes into it with a 96-94 lead over Samy Camacho in the competition for jockey wins.

Gallardo, a five-time winner of the Tampa Bay riding title, has four mounts on the Friday card.

Camacho has five Friday mounts. He won the Tampa Bay riding title in 2018-2019. 

  

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

BAUER'S BETS: DIRT FAST, NO TURF RACING TODAY

 By Bob Bauer

The Downs opens the racing week with a nine-race card, first Post time is scheduled for 12:15 PM. Dirt is fast, NO TURF racing today. We have eight racing days left until May 2, when the winter/spring meeting wraps up.

Today's play is in Race 5, $8,000 Claiming three year-olds and up will sprint six furlongs on the main track, under NW3L conditions. Post time is 2:17 PM. RadioStPete online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder, will start at 2:15.

SUN SQUALL (4) is the choice, for several good reasons. This four year-old gelding gets his claiming price cut in half here and appears to have a speed figure advantage over this field. Trainer Juan Arriagada gives a leg up to his son, bug boy Nicolos, who went 1 for 2 on April 16, his first day as a jockey. The they might also have an additional edge with the ten pound apprentice allowance.

THE BET  $50 to win on SUN SQUALL (4) and a $2 exacta box with SOUL REFLECTION (6) and UNCLE KEVIN (7).   4,6,7.    Total Bet  $62       GOOD LUCK!! 

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/18  Had the win, place and exacta. The $10 win and place paid $54, the $3 exacta $32.70. Total payout was $86.70. The bankroll is now $834.20 from the $1000. start.


Tuesday, April 20, 2021

GP: Zayas, Joseph Lead in Spring/Summer Wins; Live Racing Resumes on Thursday

After being dark on Monday through Wednesday, Gulfstream Park will resume racing on Thursday with nine races and first post of 1:00 p.m.

The Hallandale Beach, Fla., track's only carryover will be $44,277 on the Rainbow 6. The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races four through nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:40 p.m. 

Meet Leaders

Through twelve days of the Gulfstream Park spring/summer meet, defending champion jockey Edgard Zayas and defending champion trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. are in first place in victories.

The meet is scheduled to have 103 days and end on Sept. 16, with a  Thursdays through Sundays schedule.

Saez has ridden nineteen winners. The next five places in the standings, with number of victories, are held by: Paco Lopez, 17; Edwin Gonzalez, 15; Emisael Jaramillo, 12; Miguel Angel Vasquez, 10; and Joe Bravo, 8.

Zayas had 137 wins in last year's 107-day spring/summer meet. He was followed by Vasquez with 127 and Jaramillo with 120.

Gonzalez is in his first season of riding at Gulfstream.  He led jockeys in wins each of the last two seasons at Penn National Race Course in Grantville, Pa.

At Gulfstream's 2020 spring/summer meet, Lopez finished 20th with 15 wins and Bravo finished 23rd with eight wins.

Both rode at Gulfstream until late May in 2020 and then went to Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N.J., where they are perennially among  leaders in jockey wins.

Lopez won last year's Monmouth title with 51 wins and Bravo came in second with 41.

Both can be expected to ride this season at Monmouth, where the meet begins on May  28.

Joseph leads the trainer standings with eleven wins. Antonio Sano is second with five victories. Joe Orseno and Kelsey Danner each have four wins.

*Gulfstream began a new Rainbow 6 pool on Sunday, following a mandatory payout of the jackpot/carryover on Saturday.

Bettors put $184,508 into the Rainbow 6 on Sunday.

Of that, Gulfstream rook out 20 percent. It then divided 56 percent among tickets with all six winners and put 24 percent into a new carryover.

Each winning  ticket paid $439.82 on a 20-cent bet.

HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts shows there were  235 winning tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 1-5-6-2-5-6.

For Thursday, Gulfstream is guaranteeing that the Rainbow 6 pool (full  carryover plus 80 percent of new Rainbow 6 bet) will be at least $200,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.



Sunday, April 18, 2021

Gulfstream Begins Rainbow 6 Pool with Win By Favorite

 Jordan's Leo (1), the even-money favorite, won Sunday's fifth race at Gulfstream to start the Rainbow 6.

Wagering on the Rainbow 6 was $184,507. It was the start of a new pool, following a mandatory payout on Saturday.


New Rainbow 6 Pool at Gulfstream

 The fifth race is coming up at Gulfstream, with scheduled post at 3:14 p.m. to start the Sunday Rainbow 6.

It will follow a Saturday on which Gulfstream had a mandatory payoff on its Rainbow 6 jackpot.

A new Rainbow 6 pool will start today, and Gulfstream is guaranteeing that it will be at least $100,000 if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.

On Saturday, a victory by 48-1 shot Green Gal in the 12th and final race knocked more than 15,000 tickets out of the Rainbow 6.

Prior to the 12th race, the Gulfstream tote board posted a note that there were 15,388 live tickets in the Rainbow 6. 

Winners of the first five Rainbow 6 races came in at 7-2 or lower.

Green Gal's win produced a Rainbow 6 return of $17,081 on the 20 cents per combination-only bet. 

Gulfstream did not announce the number off winning tickets.

HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts showed there were 21 winning tickets.

Program numbers of the six winning hirses were 11-2-2-8-5-9.

The Rainbow 6 carryover coming in was $570,895. Bettors added  $3,578,504 to the pool.

Gulfstream paid out a jackpot of the entire carryover plus 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet (20 percent takeout.






Carried-Over Super H-5 Pays $10,221.60 at Gulfstream

 Gulfstream Park's  carried-over Super Hi-5 was hit on the first race on Sunday and paid $10,221.60   on a minimum 50 cent bet.

Miss Moreno (5), at 7-2, won $16,000 maiden claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on turf for fillies and mares 3-YO and up.

The order of finish was 5-3-9-1-8.

The number of winning tickets was not readily  available.

The coming-in carryover was $20,592.  Bettors added $74,268 to the Rainbow 6.







GP: Sunday's First Race Has $20,592 Super Hi-5 Carryover

Gulfstream Park has a Super Hi-5 Carryover of $20,592 on its first race on Sunday.

First post is 1:00 p.m. for a ten-race card,

There will be a new pool on the Rainbow 6, on races five through ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:14 p.m.



Tampa Bay: Race Six is Sunday Feature

 By Bob Bauer

A nine-race card closes out the racing week in Tampa, with first post at 12:15 PM. Conditions are fast and firm. 

The play for today is in Race 5, $10,000 Claiming four year-olds and up go a mile and forty yards on the main track. Post time is 2:17. RadioStPete   online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder, starts at 2:15.

EXCHECKER (6) appears to be tough to beat in this spot. Two races back, he was claimed away from top trainer Gerald Bennett for $8,000 in a winning effort. The very next race, Bennett claimed him back for $10,000. A sure sign of trainer intent is when he reclaims a horse for more money than the original claiming price. Mr. Bennett is an astute claiming conditioner and has been leading Tampa trainer for several years. This five year-old gelding is in fine fettle now, with two wins and a place from three starts this season in Oldsmar.

THE BET   $20 to win on EXCHECKER (6) and a $3 exacta box with IRISH VALOR (2) and PRAETORIAN (5)     2,5,6      Total Bet $38                   GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/17  The win and place bet paid $72. Had first and third in the exacta. The bankroll is now  $747.50.  



Saturday, April 17, 2021

Rainbow 6 -- 15,388 Live Tickets


Saturday's 12th and final race is coming up at Gulfstream and there are 15,388 live tickets in the Rainbow 6--where all winners thus far have  been at low odds.

 Winners of the first five legs were:

7th -- Livin At the Beach (11)  3-1

8th == Taita (2) 3-2

9th -- Projected (2)  2-1

10th == Man of Honor (8)  8-5

11th -- Advanced Strategy (5) 7-2

Tickets with all six winners will divide about $3.5 million.  That will combine the entire coming in carryover of $570,895 plus 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet of $3,578,504.


GP Rainbow 6 Starts With 3-1 Winner on Wagering of More Than $3.5Million

Livin At the Beach (11), at 3-1, won Gulfstream's seventh race on Saturday to start the Rainbow 6 with a mandatory payout  of its jackpot regardless of the number of tickets with all six winners,

Taita (2) won the eighth race, to continue the Rainbow 6 and start the Late Pick 5.

The Rainbow 6 carryover coming in was $570,895. Bettors added $3,578,504 to the Rainbow 6, which is a 20-cents per combination-only bet.

That makes the pool about $4.1 million. Gulfstream had projected that it would be about $2.5 million.

Gulfstream will divide all of the carryover plus 80 percent of the day's bet among all tickets with the most winners (likely six).

On non-mandatory days, it pays the jackpot only if there is just one ticket with all six winners. On non-mandatory days with multiple winning tickets Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the new bet and then divides 6 percent among tickets with six winners and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

Wagering was $217,916 on the Late Pick 5--which is 50 cents minimum, On Saturday  the Late Pick 5 had no carryover or guaranteed pool size,




GP: Saturday's Mandatory Payout Rainbow 6 Starts with Carryover of $570,895


HRFLA Staff Report

Gulfstream Park will have a mandatory payout of its Rainbow 6 jackpot on Saturday--no matter the number of tickets with all six winning horses.

On its Web site Gulfstream said it anticipates that the Saturday Rainbow 6 pool will be about $2.5 million.

Gulfstream will have twelve Saturday races, with first post of 12:30 p.m.   

The Rainbow 6 will be on races seven to twelve, with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:40 p.m.  It is a 20 cents per combination-only bet.

The pool will start with a carryover of $570,895.  

HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts indicates that Saturday's wagering on the Rainbow 6 will be between $2 million and $3 million--thus supporting Gulfstream's projections for the Rainbow 6 jackpot.

The jackpot consists of 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet (there is a 20 percent takeout) and the entire coming-in carryover.

On most days, Gulfstream pays out the jackpot only if there is just one ticket with all six winning horses.

On pre-designated mandatory payout days, Gulfstream divides the jackpot among all tickets with six winners.

On non-mandatory days, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the day's  Rainbow  6 bets.  It then divides 56 percent among tickets with the most winners (usually six) an adds 24 percent to the carryover.

Friday was the 11th straight race day with multiple winning Rainbow 6 tickets--and thus a growing carryover.  It has reached a point where Gulfstream is paying the carryover back to bettors who have built it--with expectations that they will bet in a new Rainbow 6 pool the following day.

Friday's Results

On Friday, the coming-in Rainbow 6 carryover was $526,932.

Bettors added $183,201 to the pool.

Each ticket with all six winners paid $1,512.48 on a 20-cent bet.

HRFLA's review of Equibase charts shows there were 67 such tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 1-7-5-5-2-3.   Odds on the winners ranged from 3-5 to 8-1.

Saturday's Card

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Saturday.  It has click-ons for handicapping material. Some is free. Some, including Past Performances, is at cost,

The Weather Channel forecast is for temperatures in the high 80s and a zero percent chance of rain during racing hours.

The Gulfstream Web site  has  this preview:

A full field of $20,000 claimers will kick off the Rainbow 6 in a mile turf event that will be identified as a ‘spread’ or "go deep" race by many handicappers.

 A mile maiden special weight race for 3-year-olds and up follows in Race 8. Todd Pletcher-trained Mr. Briggs, a 3-year-old gelded son of Super Saver, is scheduled to debut as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in a field of eight. George Weaver-trained Road to Success, a 3-year-old son of Quality Road, is also slated to make his debut. Gustavo Delgado-trained Taita, a fast-closing second last time out, is among the most promising entrants that have raced.

A full field of $12,500 claimers in Race 9, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race, is likely to challenge the skills of Rainbow 6 handicappers.

A pair of optional claiming allowances will follow. In Race 10, a field of eight will contest the six-furlong sprint for 4-year-olds and up, including Reservenotattained, the 2-1 morning-line favorite who had won three straight before finishing third last time out.

 In Race 11, Mystic Lancelot, a son of Into Mischief who finished a close second last time out, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite in the mile turf race for 4-year-olds and up.

The Rainbow 6 sequence will wrap up with a $16,000 maiden claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on turf, featuring a wide-open race that will include Saffie Joseph Jr.-trained first-time starter Raison the Glass and John Kimmel-trained Secrets Kept, a close second last time out.






 




 




 

Tampa Bay: Sixth Race is Saturday Feature

 By Bob Bauer

Ten races are on tap in Tampa for Saturday, conditions are fast and firm. First Post is scheduled for 12:15 PM.

Today's play is in Race 6, Post time is 3:05. Maiden sophomore Fillies will contest a grassy mile under $16,000 Claiming tags.

RadioStPete online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 3:02.

OPULENT WAYS (4) is worth a bet at 6/1, as she drops into Claiming company for the first time and tries the Tampa turf. Her trio of races vs. Maiden Special foes were not terrible and she could move up in this easier spot and show a liking for the sod. This grey Miss has good breeding numbers for the green.

THE BET  $10 to win and place on OPULENT WAYS (4) and a $2 exacta box with First Gold (9) and CLAP FOR ME (2).   2,4,9.  Total Bet $32                   GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/16  Had the winner, missed the exacta. The $10 win bet paid $18, a loss of $4. The bankroll is now $675.50. 


Friday, April 16, 2021

GP Rainbow 6-=-$526.932 Friday Carryover; Mandatory Payout on Saturday


HRFLA Staff Report

Gulfstream Park's Friday card has a carryover of $526,932 on its Rainbow 6.

The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races four to nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:40 p.m.

Bettors who focus on the exotics also will be looking ahead to Saturday, when Gulfstream will have a mandatory payout of the entire Rainbow 6 jackpot--regardless of  the number of tickets with all six winning horses.

If the carryover continues into Saturday, it likely will be in the $600,000 range.  Gulfstream wagering  history indicates that a carryover of that size would attract new Rainbow 6 bets of about $3 million.

Gulfstream's Sunday card will have twelve races, with first post at 12:30 p.m.  The Rainbow 6 will be on races seven through twelve with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:46 p.m. 

The jackpot consists of the entire carryover  (the takeout is 20 percent) plus 80 percent of the day's new Rainbow bets. 

On days without a mandatory payout, such as Friday, Gulfstream pays out the jackpot only when there is just one ticket with all six winners.

On non-mandatory days that have multiple tickets with six winners, Gulfstream takes out 20 percent of the new bets.  It then divides 56 percent of the day's bet among all tickets with six winners and adds 24 percent to the carryover.

The carryover has grown past $500,000 because Gulfstream has gone ten straight race days with multiple Rainbow 6 winning tickets.

If the Rainbow 6 is "taken down" by a single ticket on Friday. Gulfstream will start a new Rainbow 6 pool on Saturday--with no in-coming carryover.

But there would still be a mandatory payout of 80 percent of new bets to all winning tickets--compared with 56 percent on non-mandatory days.

In that case, betting on the Rainbow 6 likely will be in the $500,000 range.








BAUER'S BETS: FAST & FIRM at TAMPA

 By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs presents a nine-race program for Friday, with first Post scheduled for 12:17 p.m. Conditions are Fast & Firm.

The Late Pick 5 has a carryover of $51,336, It is on races five to nine with the sequwnce scheduled to start at 2:17 p.m. 

 Today's play is in Race 7, a well matched field of three and up Fillies and Mares will sprint six panels on dirt under $25,000 Maiden Claiming conditions. Post time is 3:23 p.m. Live coverage on RadioStPete online, including legendary race caller Richard Grunder, will start at 3:20.

BAHAMIAN MOON (5) is dangerous in this event, getting back on dirt after an unsuccessful turf try in her last outing. Prior to that, she logged a trio of local place finishes earning the best figures in the field. Veteran rider Jose Ferrer has the return mount for trainer Dennis Ward (31% winners together). Blinkers go on here (Ward 40%) and she turns back to a sprint, which should be to her benefit.

THE BET  $10 win on BAHAMIAN MOON (5) and a $2 exacta box with MYONGA (2) and CATCH THE RAINBOW (10)    2,5,10.                              Total Bet $22   GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/14  Lost $22 the bankroll is now $679.50 from the $1000 start.

 

Thursday, April 15, 2021

Super Hi-5 Carryover ,Grows at Gulfstream

Reagan's Heart (9) at 73-1 won the the fourth race, and Kerik (4) at 18-1 won the fifth race at Gulfstream on Thursday at Gulfstream Park

That produced a $158,604 payoff on the minimum 50 cent bet on the  Early Pick 5.

Meanwhile, the Super H-5 carryover on the sixth race has grown to $26,282.

It is a starter allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf for 4-YO and up.

The field has seven horses--following scratches of numbers 3, 6, 7 and 10.

Early on Thursday, we  will have full  results of the late race exotic bets.


Large Super Hi5 Carryover at Gulfstream

The fifth race is coming up at Gulfstream, with a carryover of $8, 632.62 on the Super Hi-rLaatge and the start of  the Late Pick.

Stay tuned for coverage 

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Tampa : Race 5 is RadioStPete Race of Dayl

By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs has nine races on tap for Wednesday.  First post is scheduled for 12:15 PM.  Conditions are fast and good.

Today's play is in Race 5, Post 3:17. RadioStPete   online live coverage, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 3:15.

A wide-open field of older Fillies and Mares will go a mile on the lawn under $16,000 Starter Allowance conditions.

There is a racetrack saying "beware of the stranger" and we have SENSIBLE MYTH (4) shipping in and trying the Tampa turf for the first time. This six-year old Mare was a Stakes winner during the summer of 2020. She went to the Fairgrounds in January, catching a pair of events that were rained off the grass. She finally got back were she belongs on March 13, finishing third at a mile with foes similar to these. Jose Ferrer, a veteran grass rider takes the mount. She has beaten better in the past and may be ready for a huge effort here.

THE BET  $10 to win on SENSIBLE MYTH (4) and a $2 exacta box with ANTALYA (3) and CATS OUT THE BAG (5) 3,4,5.        Total Bet $22 GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/11 Racing was cancelled due to severe weather. The bankroll remains at $701.50 after starting ar $1,000.

* Going into Wednesday, jockeys Antonio Gallardo and Samy Camacho each have 89 wins and  are tied for first place in the Tampa Bay meet,

Camacho has six mounts and Gallardo has five mounts on Wednesday.

Wednesday is the 77th day of Tampa Bay's 89-day meet.

Gallardo has led Tampa Bay jockeys in wins five times--including 2019-2020. Camacho led Tanpa

Bay in wins in 201-2019. 


Monday, April 12, 2021

Gulfstream Rainbow 6 Carryover Reaches $486,765

Gulfstream Park will be dark this Monday through Wednesday, as it continues with its  Spring/Summer  meet schedule. 

Gulfstream will resume racing on Thursday with first post of 1:00 p.m.

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 as grown to $486,765. The 20 cents per combination-only bet will be on races four through nine, with the sequence scheduled to start at 2:40 p.m.

On Sunday, each Rainbow 6 ticket with all six winning horses paid $6,712.12 on a 20 cent bet.

HorseRacingFLA's review of Equibase charts indicates there were 21 such tickets.

Program numbers of the winning horses were 10-4-1-8-4-5.

Four of the winners came in at 3-1 or lower and the other two won at 11-1.

The carryover coming in was $426,932.

Bettors added $249,356 to the Rainbow 6. Of that, Gulfstream took out 20 percent. It then divided 56 percent among the tickets with six winners and  added 24 percent to the carryover.

The jackpot/carryover has grown that way over the last nine race days--all of which have had multiple winning tickets.

The jackpot/carryover consists of the entire coming-in carryover plus 80 percent of the day's Rainbow 6 bet. 

Gulfstream generally pays it out only on days when there is just one ticket with all six winner.

On pre-designated "mandatory" days, Gulfstream pays out the jackpot regardless of the number of tickets with six winners.

Gulfstream usually schedules a mandatory day--several days in advance--when the jackpot reaches the $800,000 range.






Sunday, April 11, 2021

Gulfstream Sunday Rainbow 6 Carryover is $426,932

Gulfstream Park has a ten-race card on Sunday with first post at 1:00 p.m.

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover of $426,932. It is on races five through ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:14 p.m.

Conditions are Listed as Fast and Firm.

However, the Weather Channel forecast is for a chance of thunderstorms of 50 percent or higher from 3:00 p.m. through the early evening.

This link to the Equibase Web site has the Gulfstream entries for Sunday. It has click-ons for handicapping material. Some is free.  Some, including Past Performances, is at cost.

The link will update if there are scratches or other changes.



 

RACING CANCELLED IN TAMPA 4/11

 By Bob Bauer

Racing at Tampa Bay Downs was canceled shortly before the first race on Sunday, due to severe storms in the area. There was heavy lightning and sections of the track were flooded.

Racing is schedule to resume on Wednesday, April 14.

Tampa Bay: No Turf Racing on Sunday, Seventh Race is RadioStPete Feature

By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs has nine races on Sunday's card, with first post of 12:15 PM.

There is no turf racing because of rain that has fallen on and off since Saturday night. The dirt track is listed as Fast.

The feature Race 7, Post 3:30 PM now at five furlongs on the main track, has a field of seven Fillies and Mares sprinting under $10,000 Claiming conditions. More rain is possible later today. RadioStPete  online live coverage, including the call from legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 2:28.

LAKOTA PRINCESS (9) appears to have an edge now that this event is moved off turf. This six-year old Mare has won four times on dirt and none on turf. Her last outing was a local victory at five and one-half furlongs with Samy Camacho aboard. The turn-back here to five panels will only help, Camacho retains the mount.

THE BET  $20 to win LAKOTA PRINCESS (9) and a $2 exacta box with FIELD LETTERS (2) and SOME SAY SO (6)     2,6,9    Total Bet $32 GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/10  All three of our runners hit the board. The win bet was third, had the $30.20 exacta, a loss of $1.80. The bankroll is now $701.50

 

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Tampa Bay Late Pick 5 Starts with Win by 17-1 Shot

Sniveling (3), at 17-1, won Saturday's sixth race at Tampa Bay Downs to start the Late Pick 6.

The carryover coming in  was $39,303.  Bettors added $261,443 to the Late Pick 5. We will have updates later this afternoon on this blog.

 

Gulfstream Fast and Firm for Saturday

Conditions are listed as Fast and Firm for Saturday's eleven-race card at Gulfstream Park.

The Rainbow 6 has a carryover if $358,462.  It is on races six to eleven, with the sequence scheduled to start 3:46 p.m.

Beginning at approximately 3:00 p.m. we will have coverage of today's races and other Gulfstream news on this blog.




Tampa Saturday: $39,303 Rainbow 6 Carryover; Fifth Race is Our Feature Bet


By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs has a ten-race card for Saturday, with first post time scheduled for 12:15 p.m.

The Late Pick 5 has a carryover of $39,303. It will be on races six to ten with the sequence scheduled to start at 3:05 p.m.

We expect that wagering on the Late Pick 5 will be at least $300,000--more than three times than on most Saturdays.

Today's play is in Race 5, Post time 2:31 p.m. A full field of  $32,000 Maiden Claiming sophomores will go a grassy mile. RadioStPete online live coverage, including the call from legendary announcer Richard Grunder, starts at 2:29 p.m.

KING RAMOS (7) is worth a bet at 8/1 on the morning line. This gelding from the powerful O'Connell outfit earned the best turf fig in this field last time out. Samy Camacho will ride for the first time and they have a good chance to score at a price and graduate.

THE BET  $10 to win and place on KING RAMOS (7) and a $2 exacta box with DANCE PANTS (1) and ESTILO VARONIL (9)   1,7,9 Total Bet $32  GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/9  Lost $43, the bankroll is now $703.30, from the $1,000. start.

Friday, April 9, 2021

Tampa Bay: Seventh Race is Friday Feature

By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs has nine races on its Friday program. First Post time is scheduled for 12:17 PM.

Conditions are Listed as Fast and Firm

Today's play is in Race 7, a mile and forty yards on the main track for $6250 Claiming older Fillies and Mares. Post time is 3:23 PM. RadioStPete online live coverage, including the call from legendary announcer Richard Grunder will start at 3:20.

JUST A BIT SASSY (7) woke up big-time in her last outing, besting similar rivals as today by almost three lengths with Samy Camacho aboard for the first time. She earned a lifetime best speed figure that is the top in this field. Camacho retains the mount, a repeat of the last effort should beat these. Camacho is locked in a dead-heat race for the leading rider title with Antonio Gallardo. As of this morning, they are tied with eighty-eight tallies each.

THE BET  $25 to win on JUST A BIT SASSY (7) and a $3 exacta box with BIG BASE (9) and MARVELLA (3) 3,7,9 Total Bet $43GOOD LUCK                  

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/7  Lost $32, the bankroll is now $746.30, from the $1000. start.

  

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Gulfstream Thursday: Eight Races, $284,967 Carryover

 Gulfstream Park will begin the second week of its 2020-2021 spring/summer meet on Thursday.

First post is1:00 p.m. for an eight-race card. Conditions are listed s Fast and Firm. 

The carryover on the Rainbow 6 is $284,967.  The 20 cents per combination-only bet is on races three trough seven with first post scheduled for 2:17 p.m.

Gulfstream's spring/summer meet  has racing on Thursdays through Sundays until Sept. 26.

Because of the COVI-19 pandemic, Gulfstream is limiting attendance to about 2,000 per day. Information, including ticket prices may be obtained by calling the Gulfstream ticket office at (954) 457-6201.




Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Greatest Honour Will Not Run in Ky Derby; Not Seriously Hurt, Getting 60-Day Break

HRFLA Staff Report

Greatest Honour, the winner of this year's Holy Bull (Grade 3)  and Fountain of  Youth (Grade 2) at Gulfstream Park, will not run in the Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) on May 1 and likely will miss the other two Triple Crown races.

Shug McGaughey, trainer of Greatest Honour, announced that decision on Wednesday.

An examination and X-rays this week showed nothing that would require surgery, McGaughey told the Daily Racing Form.

McGaughey said Greatest Honour was banged up near the ankles. He added that he did not feel comfortable with the way the 3-year-old colt had been galloping in recent days.

Greatest Honour's most recent race was a third place finish in the Florida Derby  (Grade 1) on March 27 at Gulfstream in Hallandale Beach, Fla.

Sixty-Day Break

McGaughey said he plans to give Greatest Honour a break from heavy training  for about 60 days.

That would keep the son of Tapit out of the Preakness Stakes (Grade 1) on May 15 and the Belmont Stakes on June 5.

The Kentucky Derby will be run at 1 1/4 miles at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky.

Greatest Honour has 70 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, all earned in the three graded stakes at Gulfstream. He is eighth in the standings with 70 points.

That would have given him enough points  to make the 20-horse field where he would have been among the favorites. 

Stakes Victories

On Jan. 30, Greatest Honour won the Holy Bull by 5 3/4 lengths over Tarantino. On Feb. 28, he won the Fountain of Youth by  two lengths over Drain the Clock.

He rallied from mid-pack in both 1 1/16 mile races--displaying a stride and the stamina that led bettors to  make him the 4-5 favorite in the 1 1/8 mile Florida Derby.

But Greatest Honour's late run was not as strong as in the two previous Gulfstream stakes,  He finished third, 5 3/4 lengths behind the winner Known Agenda with Soup and Sandwich finishing second.

Jose Ortiz rode Greatest Honour in all three stakes races.

Greatest Honour has three wins. one second place finish and three third place finishes. He has career earnings of $422,440. 

Greatest Honour is owned by Courtlandt Farms whose principals Donald and Donna Adams live in Texas.




 

Tampa Bay: Race 5 is WeBydnesday Feature

By Bob Bauer

Tampa Bay Downs presents a nine-race card for Wednesday, with conditions listed as Fast and Firm.

The feature is Race 5, Post time 2:17 PM. A very competitive group of sophomores will go a grassy mile under $75,000 Optional Claiming NW1X conditions. Live coverage on RadioStPete online, including legendary announcer Richard Grunder, starts at 2:15.

HEAT OF THE NIGHT (5) is a logical longshot who might surprise at 8/1 on the morning line. A lightly raced gelding (four starts), he won his debut vs. Maiden Special rivals at Gulfstream last September. Since then, he has been in a trio of Stakes events without success, as he was outclassed. He drops to a realistic level today (easiest since the Maiden win) and could turn a huge effort here. His figure from the local Columbia Stakes on March 6 is the best in this field. Alonso Quinonez rides for Tim Hamm.

THE BET  $10 win and place on HEAT OF THE NIGHT (5) and a $2 exacta box with GIRL DAD (4) and DELAWARE DESTROYER (2)   2,4,5 Total Bet $32  GOOD LUCK!!

PREVIOUS RESULTS  4/3  Lost $32, the bankroll is now $778.30.

 

Monday, April 5, 2021

Grunder to Retire as Tampa Bay Announcer; Will Close Out 37-Year Run on May 2

 

NOTE--This article is a condensed version of a news release written by Mike Henry of the Tampa Bay Downs media office.


Richard Grunder will retire as Tampa Bay Downs track announcer after the end of the track's current race meet.

Grunder has held that job for the past 37 years,  His final  day will be Sunday May 2.

Tampa Bay Downs and Grunder announced his retirement last Thursday. 

Grunder, who is 68, cited health reasons for his decision. He began his announcing career in 1973 at Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.  

He has called approximately 37,000 races at Tampa Bay Downs and is currently the longest-tenured announcer at any racetrack in the United States.

“My goal a few years back was to try to go until I was 70," Grunder said. "But I’ve got a medical situation I need to stay on top of and some related stress issues that led me to realize it’s time.” 

He added: “I was in the hospital a few weeks ago on a Wednesday and barely got out in time to call the first race, and I don’t get up those stairs to the press box as fast as I used to." 

Tampa Bay Career

Grunder began calling races at Tampa Bay Downs in 1984.

Stella F. Thayer's family has owned Tampa Bay Downs since 1986 and she is the track's president 

“Tampa Bay Downs has been incredibly fortunate that Richard has spent most of his career with us – an amazing 37 years,” Thayer said in  a statement released on Thursday,

She added: “His voice and his style embody his enthusiasm and love for Thoroughbred racing. We will never forget his contributions. Fortunately, his voice will live on through his calls of Tampa’s signature races. We are grateful for his many wonderful years at Tampa Bay Downs and wish him the best."

Grunder is a native of Dodge City, Kan. He began working at racetracks as a teenager with his father Dean Grunder, who was  a trainer and owner at tracks in Midwestern states.

Grunder has called  races as a regular or substitute announcer at approximately a dozen thoroughbred tracks in North America.

From 1990 through last year he was the regular announcer at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minn.  

Grunder will remain active in the sport, working as a jockey’s agent at Canterbury Park in Minnesota this spring and summer for Alonso Quinonez and Israel Hernandez. He plans to travel extensively with his wife of 48 years, Diana, visit other racetracks and spend more time with son Chad and his wife Erica, who live in El Dorado, Kan.

Friends in Racing

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens, Gulfstream Park track announcer Pete Aiello and trainer Bernell Rhone are among Grunder's numerous friends in racing.

“There is no one on the planet who is more passionate about horse racing. Period,” Aiello said. “Nobody eats, sleeps and breathes horse racing more than he does.”

Stevens said of Grunder: "You can visualize how the race is setting up just listening to his call, and I think that is what makes a great announcer. And he brings a lot of excitement to every race, whether it’s a cheap claiming race or a graded stakes.”

The thrilling 2007 edition of the Tampa Bay Derby, in which Street Sense and Calvin Borel edged Any Given Saturday and John Velazquez by a nose, stands foremost among Grunder’s Oldsmar memories. 

“When they hit the wire together, I said ‘Too close to call, it might have been Street Sense.’ Then I said to myself, ‘Whoa,’ because it was like this,” he recalled, holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “Fortunately, I got it right.”

Street Sense went on to a victory in the Kentucky Derby--becoming the first horse to win the Tampa Bay Derby and the Kentucky Derby.

Fan Friendly

 He has been the emcee for the track’s “Morning Glory Club,” which invited race-goers to enjoy coffee and donuts on winter Saturday mornings and listen to Grunder interview jockeys, trainers and other racing personalities.

“He knows every part of that backside, from the racing office to the trainers to the exercise riders. That kind of understanding is a big thing to bringing new fans in,” Stevens said.

The stories of Grunder’s generosity are many.

In 2010 at Canterbury, he organized fund-raising efforts to assist Stevens and two other jockeys injured in a multi-horse spill. 

On New Year’s Eve in 2005, he turned the microphone over for one race to an aspiring young announcer whose previous experience consisted of calling races on the Arizona county fair circuit.

“I think about him giving me that shot all the time,” said Aiello. “You make so many connections in this business, but only time will tell how many people Richard has touched over the course of his career.”

Moving forward, the good news for Grunder is that racing always needs new fans looking in from the outside. It is a major adjustment, but one he is confident he can handle with the cherished support of his family, racetrack friends and the thousands of fans who have welcomed him into their homes.

“He has been such a good ambassador for racing, promoting Tampa Bay Downs and encouraging people to come to the races. Now he wants to slow down and spend more time with his family,” Rhone said.

“I think he will be a little bit lost next year, but he’ll be fine because he is so upbeat and great with people. Richard can talk to older folks, little kids and people who know nothing about racing, and find something in common.”