Switch to synthetic at NYRA tracks could bury game
The March 1 article "NYRA house rules recommended," took note that the feasibility of installing synthetic racing surfaces at Belmont and Aqueduct is being studied by the New York Racing Association's Equine Safety Committee. Well, here we go again trying to take the last breath out of a sport on life support.
Departing, who remained undefeated in three starts with his win in the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park on March 2, is to run next in the Grade 2, $1 million Louisiana Derby, trainer Al Stall Jr. said Friday. The 1 1/8-mile race will be run at Fair Grounds on March 30.
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – With the end of the racetracks slots program looming March 31, Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne had a positive message for the Ontario horse racing industry Friday.
Speaking at a press conference at Grand River Raceway in Elora, Wynne said that her government would integrate horse racing with the province’s gaming strategy, working with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation.
A prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder, Oxley’s greatest victory came with Monarchos in the 2001 Kentucky Derby. He made a fortune in the oil-and-gas business after founding Oxley Petroleum in 1962. He will be at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday to watch his Dynamic Sky run in the Tampa Bay Derby, a race he won last year with Prospective. He also has Uncaptured on the trail for the Kentucky Derby and Spring in the Air as a candidate for the Kentucky Oaks, a race he won in 1995 with Gal in a Ruckus. His stable earned more than $5.1 million in 2012, his highest total ever.
A Kentucky circuit court judge has denied a petition by former Kentucky chief state steward John Veitch to depose a member of the racing commission as part of an effort to reopen an investigation into the 2010 Life At Ten incident.
In a short ruling issued March 5, Judge Thomas Wingate of the Franklin Circuit Court said that courts have the power to allow depositions in matters pending appeal, but only in regards to “perpetuating testimony that may otherwise be immediately lost absent deposition.”
He saw his first Kentucky Derby in 1972 when Riva Ridge won and remembers the grandstand shaking in 1973 as Secretariat thundered home. Mark Casse was just 12 then, watching the race alongside his father, Norman, but already the racing bug had hit and fever had taken hold.
“I was obsessed,” he said.
There was no question what he would do.
WHO’S HOT
Vyjack, who remained undefeated with his victory last Saturday in the Gotham, saw his odds plummet on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper. He is now the co-fifth choice at 12-1 after being 40-1 a week ago. There were no new names added to the Derby Watch top 20 this week.
WHO’S NOT
ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Jockey Club of Canada’s graded stakes committee has released its list of 43 graded stakes races that will be run in Canada this year, up from 42 in 2012.
The addition to the list, announced on Wednesday, is the Maple Leaf Stakes, a 1 1/4-mile race for fillies and mares, which has been restored to Grade 3 status after being dropped to listed in 2007.
Because of inclement weather, live racing at Laurel Park and Charles Town has been cancelled for Wednesday.
As of early Wednesday morning, Laurel and Pimlico were scheduled to be open for simulcasting, although Laurel and the Bowie Training Center are closed for training.
Live racing is scheduled to resume Thursday at both tracks.
