AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes – July 10
July 10, 2019 by Editor Leave a Comment
AGOS Horses to Watch & Trip Notes for Agameofskill.com visitors
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RY'S THE GUY (Race 7 @Churchill, June 29, 2019) – This 3yo colt from the Ian Wilkes barn made his turf debut in this tough $92k allowance race. A half to SIX turf winners, the son of Distorted Humor did not disappoint. He finished strong to catch the lone speed and draw off at the wire. Big future ahead.
TOTALLY BOSS (Race 9 @Churchill, June 29, 2019) – 4yo Street Boss gelding absolutely flew home in the final 1/8th to just miss to the talented turf sprinter Om. Trainer Rusty Arnold has this runner in sharp form for his next grass outing.
Playing Mountaineer? Trainer Kevin Patterson is on fire
Filed Under: Off The Charts Trip Notes Tagged With: AGOS horses to watch, churchill downs
Phenomenal Purses Scheduled for Churchill Downs' 145th Spring Meet
February 28, 2019 by Editor Leave a Comment
$5,000 claimers running for $29,000. Bottom allowance runners going for a $103,000 purse. That's the type of purses set for Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby week 2019. Is horse racing dead? Not in Kentucky.
Per the Churchill Downs' press release:
Record prize money for horsemen will be distributed at Churchill Downs' 145th Spring Meet thanks to early returns from state-of-the-art historical racing machines at Derby City Gaming.
The first condition book, which covers the first half of the 38-day Spring Meet, was released Wednesday, and purses for the 189 offered races total $20.1 million – an unprecedented 46% increase from last spring's $13.7 million. The daily average is $1,056,842 compared to $722,579 in 2018, or $106,243 per race versus $72,640. All purses include prize money from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund.
Purses for all six days of racing on Derby Week (April 27-May 4) have been supercharged. In years past, only the purses on Oaks and Derby days were boosted. Maiden special weight races will be $100,000. Allowance races will range from $103,000 to $110,000. Total purses on Oaks Day will exceed $3.6 million, and Derby Day prize money will be worth a record $6.9 million.
After Derby Week, maiden special weight races will be worth $85,000 (up from $53,000 in 2018), and allowance races will range from $87,000 to $94,000 (up from $55,000 to $61,000 in 2018). The daily prize money post-Derby Week will average $525,308 compared to $356,769 in 2018, or $55,975 per race versus $38,016 a year ago.
In a change from last year, the winner's share of the purse in all overnight races will be 56% (previously 60%) and 1.5% of the purse will be distributed to the sixth- through last-place finishers (previously 0.5%) to incentivize starts and reward owners who run their horses.
More than $30 million in total prize money – $12 million in stakes races and another $18 million in overnight races – is expected to be offered during this year's Spring Meet. Last year, total purses paid during the 372-race Spring Meet was $22.2 million.
"This is such an exciting time to be a part of Kentucky racing," said Churchill Downs Racetrack President Kevin Flanery. "Our investment into Derby City Gaming, which opened just five months ago, continues to pay immediate dividends to Kentucky horsemen. We have reinforced our Derby Week festival concept, solidified our lucrative stakes program and tremendously strengthened our overnight racing product.We truly believe this growth and methodology will benefit all owners, trainers and jockeys that participate at Churchill Downs and make for an extremely exciting and competitive meet."
With 75 total racing dates in 2019, Churchill Downs will offer more racing opportunities for horsemen than any other racetrack in Kentucky and increase its purses with more than an additional $10 million as a result of handle generated by Derby City Gaming's initial year of operation. The $65 million facility opened in mid-September at nearby 4520 Poplar Level Road.
Earlier this year, Churchill Downs announced a record 34-race, $12.2 million Spring Meet stakes schedule that included a $1 million boost to the 145th running of the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) on Saturday, May 4, making it worth a guaranteed $3 million. Also among the 15 stakes races that received significant increases were the Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI), which was raised to $1.25 million, and the Old Forester Turf Classic (GI), which was doubled to $1 million.
Stall applications for the highly-anticipated Spring Meet, which will begin Saturday, April 27 and continue through Saturday, June 29, are due Friday, March 8. The stable area will reopen Tuesday, March 19 and the first scheduled day of training is Friday, March 22.
View the condition book online: https://www.churchilldowns.com/horsemen/racing/condition-book/.
Click here to view original web page at www.churchilldowns.com
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Promotion | Marketing, Is Horse Racing Dead Tagged With: chdn, churchill downs, is horse racing dead, Is horse racing dead? Not in Kentucky, kentucky
Purchase of Presque Isle Downs & Casino by Churchill Finalized
LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan., 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Churchill Downs Incorporated ("CDI" or "the Company") (Nasdaq: CHDN) today announced that it has completed the previously announced purchase of Presque Isle Downs & Casino ("Presque Isle") in Erie, Pennsylvania from Eldorado Resorts, Inc. ("ERI") (Nasdaq: ERI) for cash consideration of $178.9 million, subject to certain working capital and other purchase price adjustments. The purchase of the property follows the approval of the transaction by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board and the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission. The transaction was funded with cash on hand and through the Company's existing credit facility.
"Presque Isle will give us a foothold in Pennsylvania and the opportunity to participate in the sports betting and online gaming market throughout the state. This acquisition is projected to be immediately accretive to our shareholders," said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI. "We are excited about welcoming Presque Isle and its employees to the Churchill family."
About Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Presque Isle opened its casino in February 2007 and operates approximately 1,600 slots, 32 table games and a poker room. Presque Isle also conducts live thoroughbred racing
Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: chdn, churchill downs, Churchill Downs Incorporated, PID, purchase of Presque Isle Downs & Casino
Lessons from the 2011 Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs
October 26, 2018 by Editor Leave a Comment
By Lenny Moon (reprinted with permission)
The handicapping process does not end when the bets are made; it ends by reviewing the results of the races that were bet and analyzing the handicapping process to determine if anything was missed. After taking a day to recover, I looked back at the 2011 Breeders' Cup results and came up with the top four things to take away from the last Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs.
#4 Some Breeders' Cup Results are Impossible to Explain
Every horseplayer has watched or bet a race that was won by a horse that appeared to have no chance of winning. The horse may have appeared to be too slow, was running at the wrong distance or had not run well in months or years. The horse triggers large payouts and causes great frustration. After reviewing the past performances nothing points to the horse as a winner. The result is still implausible but that is perfectly acceptable. Horse races are run by living breathing animals and ridden and trained by humans. The horses are not machines and the jockeys and trainers are imperfect so it is inevitable that from time to time a race will produce an un-explainable result. This scenario occurred not once but twice on Breeders' Cup Saturday.
The first impossible to come up with horse was Afleet Again in the Breeders' Cup Marathon. Afleet Again was the least likely winner of the Breeders' Cup Marathon after a subpar 2011 that saw him go winless in eight starts including two losses in allowance races. Afleet Again was also unproven at the distance and based on speed figures was the slowest horse in the race. Despite all of these negative factors Afleet Again won the Breeders' Cup Marathon by a comfortable 2 ¼ lengths at odds of 41 /1.
The second improbable winner was Court Vision in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Court Vision was the least likely winner in the Breeders' Cup Mile after a lackluster 2011 season. Similar to Afleet Again Court Vision was winless in 2011 and based on speed figures was the slowest horse in the race. Court Vision was coming off a mediocre seventh place finish in the Woodbine Mile yet he managed to blow past three-time defending champion Goldikova and hold off Turallure (winner of the aforementioned Woodbine Mile) to post the biggest upset in the twenty seven year history of the Breeders' Cup Mile. Even after the race was run it was impossible to make a case for Court Vision.
After reviewing the past performance of each horse and knowing they had won their respective races I still could not find a reason to bet either one of them but guess what? That was perfectly fine.
#3 – Look for the "Horse for the Course Angle" in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint
Some horses prefer one track over all others or in extreme cases only run well at one particular track. These horses are often referred to as a "horse for the course." This angle plays out everyday at tracks across the country.
This year's Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint was won by Regally Ready, a Churchill Downs "horse for the course," who was two for two in turf sprints at Churchill Downs prior to the race. The "Horse for Course Angle" has become a potent handicapping factor for the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprints as it has produced all four winners of the race [through 2011]. Chamberlain Bridge won the 2010 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint after compiling a record of three wins and a second from four turf sprints at Churchill Downs. California Flag won the 2009 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Santa Anita's downhill turf course and had previously won two of four starts over the course. Desert Code, who I mentioned in my post about multi-ticket betting strategy, won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on the same downhill turf course and had won three of five turf sprints at Santa Anita.
The Breeders' Cup returns to Santa Anita in 2012 and once again the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint will be run on the unique downhill turf course. The downhill turf course is notorious for producing "horse for the course" winners so it will pay to give special consideration to horses that have won or performed well over the course in the past.
#2 – Favor the "Turn-back Angle" in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile
Betting a horse "turning-back" in distance is one of the oldest angles in the book. To fit the angle a horse simply needs to be running in a race at a shorter distance than its previous race. The most common example is a horse going from a route to a sprint, such as from 1 1/16 miles to seven furlongs, but the angle also works for horses "turning-back" in distance from a route to a shorter route .
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Caleb's Posse, Shackleford and Tres Borrachos completed the trifecta in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile this year. All three fit the "tum-back angle." Caleb's Posse and Shackleford were exiting the 1 1/16 miles Indiana Derby and Tres Borrachos prepped for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in the 1 1/8 miles Goodwood.
The "Turn-back Angle" has become quite possibly the most important handicapping factor for the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile as it has produced the winner of all five runnings of the race [through 2011]. Dakota Phone won the 2010 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile after running in the 1 1/8 miles Goodwood. Furthest Land won the 2009 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile after prepping in the 1 1/8 miles Kentucky Cup Classic. Albertus Maximus won the 2008 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile after running in the 1 1/8 miles Goodwood. Corinthian won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile after competing in the 1 1/8 miles Woodward. One day a horse may win the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile after running in a sprint race but until the trend is reversed it pays to give preference to horses "turning-back" in distance.
#1 – Favorites Need Not Be Avoided
Favorites in horse racing are normally associated with unexciting payoffs, however when combined with a few upsets they can produce massive payouts. The six Breeders' Cup races on Friday (2011) made up the Pick 6. Three of those races were won by the post time favorite (Secret Circle in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint, My Miss Aurelia in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and Royal Delta in the Breeders' Cup Distaff), the other three were won by 6/1 Stephanie's Kitten (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf), 20/1 Musical Romance (Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint) and 27/1 Perfect Shirl (Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf) resulting in a Pick 6 payout of $444, 571. The last four Breeders' Cup races made up the Pick 4. Two favorites (My Miss Aurelia and Royal Delta) combined with the aforementioned 20/1 Musical Romance and 27/1 Perfect Shirl produced a Pick 4 payout of $23,428 . In both sequences favorites won half of the races which proved that it is not necessary to beat the favorite in every race to win a substantial amount of money.
Final Thoughts about Breeders' Cup 2011
Although these points relate directly to the Breeders' Cup each can be applied to everyday handicapping. The most important lesson however is that just like horses are not machines handicappers should not bet like machines. Automatic bets should not be placed on horses that meet the criteria outlined above; they should be one factor to consider in the handicapping process. Sound handicapping involves evaluating all of the available information and using that information to bet the horse that figures to win the race at hand.
Filed Under: Breeders Cup, Handicapping 101, Learn to Handicap Tagged With: 2018 Breeders' Cup, angle, Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs, Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, churchill downs, handicapping, Lenny Moon, lessons, multi-ticket betting strategy, turn back
You've made it to the betting window at Churchill Downs. Now what?
April 25, 2018 by Editor Leave a Comment
You've made it to the actual betting window at Churchill Downs. Now what? Here are some thoughts and things to keep in mind for novices and very beginning race fans.
Source: You've made it to the betting window at Churchill Downs. Now what?
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Learn to Handicap Tagged With: betting, churchill downs
Is Horse Racing Dead? Churchill Downs to Offer up nearly $9 Million in Purses
April 2, 2018 by Editor Leave a Comment
The 144th renewals of the $2 million-guaranteed Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (Grade I) and the $1 million-guaranteed Longines Kentucky Oaks (GI) headline a strong roster of 32 stakes races with total purses of $8.84 million scheduled for Churchill Downs Racetrack's April 28-June 30 Spring Meet.
The schedule is headlined by a spectacular Kentucky Derby Day on Saturday, May 5 that features seven graded stakes races – including three Grade I events – with total stakes purses of $4.2 million. The Kentucky Oaks Day program one day earlier features six graded stakes with total stakes purses of $2.35 million. Another highlight is the "Downs After Dark" nighttime program on Saturday, June 16, featuring five graded stakes, topped by the 37th running of the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (GI), with total stakes purses of $1.1 million.
The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks are among six Grade I races on the Spring Meet schedule that also features seven Grade II events, 10 Grade III contests, one listed $100,000 event, two additional $100,000 stakes and six overnight stakes races that offer purses of $65,000-added. The Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks and Stephen Foster Handicap programs are among seven racing days that will feature two or more stakes contests. Alongside the Derby, Oaks and Stephen Foster Handicap, Grade I events set for the 2018 meet are the $500,000 Old Forester Turf Classic and $300,000 Humana Distaff on Derby Day and the Oaks Day renewal of the $350,000 La Troienne.
Four events on the Spring Meet schedule will benefit from individual purse increases of $50,000. Those races are the $300,000 Pat Day Mile Presented by LG&E and KU(GIII) on Derby Day and the Oaks Day renewals of the $350,000 La Troienne, the $200,000 Edgewood Presented by Forcht Bank (GIII) and the $200,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint (GIII).
144th Kentucky Derby Party Pack - 96 pieces
The Kentucky Derby
Along with the running of the Kentucky Derby, America's greatest race and the nation's oldest continuously-held sports event, a trio of Grade I events on the Derby Day racing program includes the 32nd running of the Old Forester Turf Classic (formerly known as the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic from 2000-17) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles on the grass; the 32nd renewal of the Humana Distaff, a seven-furlong race for fillies and mares ages 4 and up. Completing the spectacular roster of seven Derby Day graded stakes events will be the $500,000 Churchill Downs (GII) for 4-year-olds and up at seven furlongs; the $300,000 Longines Distaff Turf Mile (GII) for fillies and mares 4-year-olds and up at one mile on turf; the Pat Day Mile for 3-year-olds at one mile on the main track; and the $300,000 American Turf Presented by Ram Trucks (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles on the Matt Winn Turf Course.
The 2017 Kentucky Derby was won by MeB Racing, Brooklyn Boyz, Theresa Viola, St Elias, Siena Farm and West Point Thoroughbreds' Always Dreaming, while Gunpowder Farms LLC's Divisidero earned his second consecutive victory in the Turf Classic. Juddmonte Farms' homebred Paulassilverlining won the Humana Distaff.
The six stakes races on the Friday, May 4 Kentucky Oaks Day program are headed by the Oaks, America's premier race for 3-year-old fillies, which will be run at 1 1/8 miles on the main track, and the La Troienne (GI), a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares ages 4 and up. The Oaks Day schedule also features the $400,000 Alysheba (GII) for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles; the $200,000 Eight Belles Presented by Kentucky Trailer (GII) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs; the Edgewood (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on turf; and the Twin Spires Turf Sprint (GIII) for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on turf.
China Horse Club International Ltd. and Clearsky Farm's Abel Tasman rallied from last in a field of 14 to win the 2017 Kentucky Oaks, while Maggi Moss' Big World took the La Troienne.
The Stephen Foster Handicap, a 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds and up, is the main even on the June 16 night racing program the features five stakes contests. Joining the Grade I headliner will be the $200,000 Fleur de Lis Handicap (GII) for fillies and mares ages 3 and up at 1 1/8 miles; the $200,000 Wise Dan (GII) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles on turf; the $100,000 Matt Winn (GIII) for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles; and the $100,000 Regret (GIII) for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf.
The Stephen Foster was won last year by Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and Three Chimneys Farm LLC's Gun Runner, who would go on to win the Breeders' Cup Classic (GI) and Eclipse Awards for Horse of the Year and the Champion Older Male of 2017.
Other multiple stakes programs include the Kentucky Derby Week Thurby program on Thursday, May 3 that includes the $100,000 Kentucky Juvenile for 2-year-olds at five furlongs and the Opening Verse Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and one mile on turf; the Saturday, May 26 card topped by the $100,000 Winning Colors (GIII) for fillies and mares 3 and up at six furlongs and the Keertana Overnight Stakes for fillies and mares 3 and up at 1 ½ miles on turf; the Saturday, June 2 "Downs After Dark" program topped by the $100,000 Aristides (GIII) for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs and the Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on turf; and the Saturday, June 30 closing day program with a trio of stakes races led by the $100,000 Bashford Manor (GIII) for 2-year-olds at six furlongs, the $100,000 Debutante (Listed) for 2-year-old fillies at six furlongs, and the Kelly's Landing Overnight Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at seven furlongs.
The Spring Meet stales schedule kicks off under the lights during the Opening Night celebration on Saturday, April 28. The night's racing program will be highlighted by the $100,000 William Walker, a race for 3-year-olds named for the pioneering African-American jockey and Kentucky Derby winner which will be run for the fourth time. The William Walker is the only race on the Spring Meet schedule that will undergo a change in racing surface or distance. The race will now be run on the turf at five furlongs after being run on the main track at six furlongs in its first three renewals.
Other graded stakes contests on the schedule include the $100,000 Louisville Handicap (GIII) for 3-year-olds and up at 1 ½ miles on turf on May 19, and the Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (GIII), a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares 3 and up on June 9. Two additional overnight stakes races complete the schedule: the May 12 Unbridled Sydney for fillies and mares 3 and up at five furlongs on turf, and the June 23 Roxelana, for fillies and mares 3 and up at six furlongs on the main track.
Filed Under: Horse Racing News Tagged With: churchill downs, is horse racing dead, purses, stakes
Churchill Downs and Keeneland Want to Build Two Horse Racing Tracks in Kentucky
September 28, 2017 by Editor Leave a Comment
You may have heard … Churchill Downs and Keeneland are teaming up to propose two new "state-of-the-art" horse racing venues in Kentucky. It's a "historic partnership" that will bring one to Corbin, Kentucky, in Knox County and another in Oak …
Source: Churchill Downs and Keeneland want to build two horse racing tracks in Kentucky
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Industry Profiles, Is Horse Racing Dead, Kentucky Derby | Triple Crown Tagged With: churchill downs, Churchill Downs and Keeneland, Corbin, is horse racing dead, keeneland, kentucky, Kentucky tracks
Strong Kentucky Derby results helped boost Churchill Downs' profits – 2Q 2017
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Despite rainy weather, a "strong" Kentucky Derby week helped Louisville-based Churchill Downs Inc. report net income of $78 million in the second quarter of the year, a 12 percent increase from the same period in 2016.
Source: Strong Kentucky Derby results help boost Churchill Downs' profits
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Industry Profiles, Is Horse Racing Dead Tagged With: 2013 Kentucky Derby, chdn, churchill downs, Churchill Downs' profits, financials, is horse racing dead
Churchill Downs Expands After Record-Setting Attendance
There are few American sporting events with as much tradition and fanfare like the Kentucky Derby. From the lavish hats to the mint juleps to the many parties, there's plenty to experience at horse racing's most prominent event. This year's race will take place on Saturday, May 6, with "the most exciting two minutes in sports,"… [Read more…]
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Promotion | Marketing, Horse Racing Survival, Industry Profiles Tagged With: churchill downs, Churchill Downs attendance, financials
Horse Racing Club Investment Pays Off for Newbie
March 2, 2017 by Editor Leave a Comment
"The education, through seminars, speaking engagements and financials, has been more than expected and I can honestly say this is the beginning of a new journey for me in horse racing ownership and management," said Stephens, who is also considering enrolling in the University of Louisville's Equine Industry Program.
LITTLE ROCK — A passenger in a New Orleans-bound vehicle, the commercial airline pilot battled sporadic cell coverage in South Arkansas to sign up for the Churchill Downs Racing Club.
Source: King: Horse racing club investment pays dividends
Filed Under: Horse Racing News, Horse Racing Promotion | Marketing, Horse Racing Survival, Industry Profiles, Thoroughbred Horse Ownership Tagged With: cdi, churchill downs, horse ownership, horse racing club, Louisville's Equine Industry Program, Newbie, University of Louisville