Churchill Doesn’t Want Las Vegas Horseplayers Having This

Las Vegas sportsbook contestThe [Nevada Pari-Mutuel] association broke a long silence Wednesday with a statement that for the first time spelled out its version of the dispute, which has been dragging on since Oct. 27, 2019, and has prevented Nevada residents and visitors from betting on any tracks owned or represented by the company. That list includes Churchill Downs, Fair Grounds, Oaklawn Park, Arlington Park, Louisiana Downs and other venues.

“The Nevada Pari-Mutuel Association (NPMA) is working extremely hard to reach agreements with all racetracks to ensure that all our customers have access to simulcast and the pari-mutuel pools,” the association’s executive director, Patty Jones, said in the statement. “We regularly reach agreements with a large majority of tracks with terms that allow our racebook members to offer their customers the amenities they expect, including discounted past performances, comfortable places to sit and watch multiple races, complimentary drinks and club memberships with benefits.

“However, certain tracks, including those controlled by Churchill Downs (which also negotiates on behalf of Oaklawn Park), have demanded rates to get simulcasts and pari-mutuel wagering that impact the ability of our racebook members to provide these amenities and remain profitable. The member books are unwilling to change the Nevada business model because it impacts their customers and impacts the books’ ability to be profitable and remain open through their most challenging year.”

Traditional Multi-Race Wagers Return to Fair Grounds

horses racingNew Orleans (November 17, 2020) – When Fair Grounds’ 149th season of racing kicks off Thanksgiving Day, a traditional early and late Pick Five will replace the Black Gold Five, a jackpot wager that had been in place for the past several years.

On a regular basis, the early Pick Five will encompass races 1-5, and the late Pick Five will be offered on the final five races of the card. The 50-cent minimum wager will pay 100% of the day’s pool plus any carryover coming into the day to those who correctly select 5-of-5 winners. Should no one pick 5-of-5, 25% of the pool will be paid to those who select the most winners, with the remaining 75% of the pool carrying over to the following day’s late Pick Five sequence.

Learn about the most common types of horse racing wagers.

In addition to the newly implemented early and late Pick Five, Fair Grounds will also offer an early Pick Four, which will now move to races 2-5, as well as two other Pick Fours later on the card. Rolling Pick Threes and daily doubles remain a staple of the wagering menu.

Fair Grounds will also make a key change to their horizontal wagering platform. Beginning this meet, any race that is taken off the turf after a sequence has started will revert to ALL on any live tickets. This rule only applies to turf races moved to the main track. Any scratch in a race that did not switch surfaces will result in the bettor getting a replacement of the post time favorite.

A complete list of wagering information, special wagers, and with key racing dates for the meet can be found here (PDF file)

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 149th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 108th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 26, 2020 through March 28, 2021. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Feb 5

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes for our visitors here at agameofskill.com

AQUEDUCT

MR. FIDGET  (Race 3 @AQU, Jan. 30,2020) – 2nd time starter rallied well against the prevailing speed bias to finish 2nd to a very strong winner.  Shouldn’t be a maiden long for Linda Rice.

GULFSTREAM PARK

MAVERICK KITTEN (Race 10 @GP, Jan. 30,2020) – Simply a poor ride from Irad Ortiz cost this maiden claiming turf.  Finished well and just missed late  to the gate to wire winner.

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FAIR GROUNDS

REACH THE MOON (Race 9 @FG, Jan. 9. 2020) – Didn’t have the best of trips from the outside 10 post in this maiden turf affair.  Swung extremely turning for home and finished well behind a gate-to-wire winner.  Regally bred for the grass.

MAGICAL CANDY (Race 11 @FG, Jan. 11. 2020) – 2nd time starter lunged at the start and spotted the field several lengths.  Came storming home late to finish 2nd.  Only horse in the race to close. May benefit from more ground (along with a good start!)

STELLAR AGENT (Race 6 @FG, Jan. 19. 2020) – Off since June and moving into the Brad Cox, this Saratoga shipper lagged behind but finished strong for third.  Winner went gate to wire in this turf dash.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

RICHIES GREAT GIRL (Race 2 @TAM, Jan. 29, 2020) – Larry Rivelli runner got off to a poor start and was in trouble early but recovered to absolutely destroy this field.  This 3yo filly is talented.

AGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes – Jan. 13

track announcer with binocularsAGOS Horses to Watch and Trip Notes for Agameofskill.com visitors

FAIR GROUNDS

HORSE DOCTOR (Race 2 @FG, 12/18/2019) – First time starter had been working lights out prior to debut in this 5.5f turf sprint.  Broke tardily, 1.5 lengths behind, but rallied very well late to be second best behind the logical, gate to wire winner.

TAMPA BAY DOWNS

ZIGGY BARCELONA (Race 6 @TAM, 1/11/2020).  This first-time gelding was coming off a long layoff but was well prepared by trainer Robert Dobbs, Jr.   If he hadn’t been pressured by another huge longshot, this 4yo may have lit up the toteboard.  He held well for 4th in a sneaky good effort.

MY COTTON CANDY (Race 6 @TAM, 12/18/2019) – This filly got a new rider and responded with a powerful late finish to just miss catching the favorite at the wire.  She galloped out lengths in front in a good performance.  Loves Tampa and 7 furlongs.

Lone Sailor favored in Saturday’s Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds

Lone Sailor had a good, if not impressive 3-year-old racing season.

However, something happened along the way that has trainer Tom Amoss very optimistic about the potential for Lone Sailor’s 4-year-old campaign. That will begin Saturday in the Mineshaft Handicap, part of Louisiana Derby Preview Day at the Fair Grounds.

“I think it has a lot to do with him growing up mentally, understanding racing and getting competitive,” Amoss said. “I think he was late to the the party getting to understand about competition and wanting to compete. So, I think that’s the biggest thing that has changed from the end of his 3-year-old campaign to the beginning.”

Lone Sailor, a Majestic Warrior colt out of Ambitious by Mr. Greeley, is the early 7-2 favorite in the Mineshaft. It is the first of two $150,000 races for 4-year-olds and up and will be contested over a mile and a sixteenth on the dirt track. The other is the Fair Grounds Handicap, which will be run on the turf over a mile and an eighth immediately following the Mineshaft.

The day’s biggest races are the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes for top 3-year-old Kentucky Derby hopefuls, and the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes for top 3-year-old fillies.

Harlan Punch, trained by Brad Cox and with jockey Florent Geroux up, is the 4-1 second favorite in the Mineshaft, with Flameaway, Mark Casse and Tyler Gaffalione, is next at 5-1.

Lone Sailor, owned by Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson, is coming …

Amoss with Live Longshot in early Kentucky Derby Prep

Good horses are blessed with natural talent, but heart and the ability to overcome adversity is often what takes them to the next level. In just five career starts, Roiland has checked all the boxes, but Saturday’s Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes at the Fair Grounds represents a fresh and difficult challenge.

Trainer Tom Amoss acknowledges the fact that the son of Successful Appeal will likely be a price in the mile-and-70-yard event, but outrunning big odds is something that he’s done before. Two starts ago against winners at Churchill Downs, Roiland scored a 28-1 upset where he was bumped at the start, sat well off the pace and gunned down eventual graded stakes placed Limonite in the final strides.

“The day he ran at Churchill might have been one of the few times in my life that I looked at a horse that was a huge longshot on the board and thought that he should have been 6-5,” Amoss recalled. “He won that day, we ran him back in the (Kentucky Jockey Club) and he ran a troubled fifth. He has progressed really well into his 3-year-old campaign and I am excited about this race, recognizing that he’ll be a longshot.

“I know it’s going to be big field and I know that traffic is going to be an issue with a horse that comes from behind like him, but I think he has matured nicely and I think when you look at him in the paddock, you will see a good looking, physical horse that is going to catch your eye.”

Amoss thought highly of Roiland before he even ran, but it was his career debut at Indiana Grand Race Course that really opened the trainer’s eyes.

“He did something that you can’t do at Indiana Grand,” Amoss said. “In a sprint race, he came from well back to win going one turn in a sprint race and you can’t do that there. I’ve always liked Roiland, he’s a very good looking physical specimen and he’s been a late bloomer and late running horse so he’s been at a disadvantage in his early races and yet he can overcome that.”

Amoss has won the Lecomte a total of four times with Fly Cry (1994), Some Actor (1999), Ron the Greek (2010) and Mo Tom (2016). He compared Roiland to Ron the Greek who had the same running style and also broke his maiden in the state of Indiana first time out.

Current Fair Grounds leading rider James Graham will guide Roiland who breaks from post seven at 12-1 odds.

A James and Mary Durlacher homebred, Roiland is a full-brother to stakes winner Isotope. Both are out of the two-time winning Congaree broodmare Anabranch.

Source: Fair Grounds

NHC Super Qualifiers by the Big Three in Horse Racing

nhc final table vegasThe New York Racing Association, Churchill Downs Inc., and The Stronach Group are set to host three brand-new “NHC Super Qualifiers” in coming months, offering dozens of berths to February’s $3 million (estimated) NTRA National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas. The live-money contests, in which players compete to turn $1,000 of their own cash into the largest nut, are set for Sept. 29 at Belmont Park, Dec. 22 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and Jan. 5 at Santa Anita Park (or online at Xpressbet.com).

Each on-track Super Qualifier will award one NHC berth per every 15 entries, meaning roughly the top 7 percent of entrants will move on to Treasure Island Las Vegas for the world’s richest and most prestigious handicapping contest, Feb. 8-10, 2019.

Registration for each contest costs $1,500, with $1,000 going to the starting bankroll and $200 to a cash prize pool for the Super Qualifier (the remaining $300 goes to the NHC purse and travel). The format will consist of 10 mandatory $50 Win-Place wagers. Players will keep 100 percent of their winnings and the leaders will share in the cash prize pool, with the number of winners and amounts determined (on a sliding scale) by the number of entries. Players are limited to two entries for each on-track Super Qualifier.

“These new Super Qualifiers allow us to offer a much more favorable ratio of berths to entries for players,” said NHC Tournament Director Keith Chamblin. “We’re also excited to offer live-money formats that allow players to keep their winnings and put money through the windows of the host tracks, while maintaining the traditional Win-Place format that rewards consistent excellence.”

Each winning prize package includes NHC entry, four nights at Treasure Island, and airfare reimbursement up to $400.

As added incentive, a $500,000 bonus will be up for grabs in Las Vegas for any of the three on-track Super Qualifier winners who go on to win #NHC19.

For more information on entering any of the four Super Qualifiers, contact Michele Ravencraft of the NTRA at mravencraft@ntra.com. Online and/or phone registration will be available via the host racetracks in coming weeks.

Low-cost “feeder” contests will be available for each Super Qualifier on HorsePlayers.com.

NHC Tour points, which determine year-end Tour prizes, as well as NHC entry for the top 10 percent of finishers, will be awarded in NHC Super Qualifiers. For the Santa Anita/Xpressbet.com contest only, players already double-qualified for #NHC19 can earn a first berth to #NHC20 in February 2020.

For more information on the NHC and NHC Tour, visit www.ntra.com/nhc.

 

2017-18 Fair Grounds Meet is Loaded with 57 Stakes

Press Release

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a comprehensive stakes schedule with 57 stakes worth more than $6.69 million for the 146th Thoroughbred racing season at the New Orleans oval. Opening Day is slated for Saturday, Nov. 18 and will include four overnight stakes.

The stakes schedule will mirror several past seasons with a major focus on big event days, including the meet’s centerpiece, Louisiana Derby Day, which will again include eight stakes worth $2.36 million, highlighted by the 105th running of the Grade II $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby on March 24. The Grade II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the Grade II $400,000 New Orleans Handicap and the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial will also be run the same day along with four additional undercard stakes.

Leading into the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds will also host a pair of major stakes days designed as part of The Road to the Kentucky Derby, beginning with Road to the Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone on Jan. 13. The Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes will be the first race on the Fair Grounds stakes schedule to offer qualifying points for the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The Grade III $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes will complement the afternoon’s action alongside three other undercard stakes.

Five weeks later on Feb. 17, the track will host Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford Lincoln. The day’s highlight will be the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes that will offer qualifying points toward the Kentucky Derby and will also include the Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap and the Grade III $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap.

Another mainstay on the Fair Grounds Stakes Schedule, Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance Service, will be held for the 27th time on Dec. 9. The day will feature 11 stakes races across varying divisions restricted to Louisiana-breds worth a total of $1.1 million.

Two new overnight stakes races will be held in honor of local mainstays who passed away in 2017. The $50,000 Richard R. Scherer Memorial Overnight Stakes will be held Dec. 2 for fillies and mares at 5½ furlongs on the turf, and the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Overnight Stakes will be run at the same distance for older fillies and mares on March 10.

The complete 2017-2018 stakes schedule can be found at: https://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-wagering/stakes.

AGOS Horses to Watch – Jan. 1, 2017

“Off the Charts” Trip Notes & Horses to Watch for AGOS Visitors

Fair Grounds

12/26/16

Race #1 – #3 – King of Honour – 1 mile dirt

He was in great tracking mode under Colby Hernandez and was forced to check up sharply at the 7/8th’s pole. Top notch trainer Karl Broberg claimed this runner, and he’ll be worth a great play next out.

Race #2 – #2 – Red Hot Cherry – 1 mile turf

She was bumped hard at the break and settled out nicely. Right at the 3/16th’s pole she was forced to steady and run wide. She still finished up a solid second on this day.

Race #3 – #6 – Right Squall – 6f dirt

Cisco Torres was in the irons aboard the odds-on favorite, and bumped strongly at the break. Torres found his best stride and made a strong run to win the race. Red-hot trainer Joe Sharp claimed him off this effort and he does very well new comers to his barn.

Race #8 – #8 – Wyeth – 5 1/2 f turf

Thom Amoss trainee who was bumped at the start and forced to take up off heels at the 3/16th’s pole. After this wide troubled trip he still managed a very good effort for the show spot.

Race #10 – #8 – Daddy’s Placer – 1 mile and 70 yards

Florent Geroux in the saddle for Thom Amoss and the two-year-old was wide on both turns and five wide into the lane. He’ll benefit from this effort and the barn will have all the screws tightened to go next out.

AGOS Horses to Watch – April 6, 2016

Horses to Watch for AGameofSkill visitors

You’ll want to commit these runners to memory as they may offer up a bit of value next time they enter the starting gate.

Aqueduct

Japhir (AQU Race #2 – 3/26/16 – #5 – 1 mile 70 yards dirt) – Manny Franco in the saddle for Bill Mott, and they were settled in stalking behind a dawdling pace. When they turned 1:16.3 for 3/4, he looked to have his work cut out. – The slow fractions usually play against the closers, and he finished up gamely splitting runners trying to wheel in the chalk leader from the Pletcher barn. – Give him an honest pace, and he’ll stalk the leader and inhale them down the lane.

Gulfstream Park

Ousby (GP Race #5 – 3/26/16 – #6 – 1 mile on the turf) –  Nik Juarez up for trainer Marcus Vitali, and they have been the talk for awhile for the solid team they have become. This son of Shakespeare got himself a little tight at the 1/4 pole and had to shift over to the rail and await room. He finished with a solid effort, but a little cleaner lane would have been very welcome by the punters.

 Our Azure (GP Race #5 – 3/25/16 – #1 – 1 1/16 on the dirt ( Originally scheduled for the turf)) – Jockey Eddie Nunez struggled with his filly down the backstretch, and appeared to have trouble getting her to settle down. Once she got comfortable, she put in a very nice effort going past the chalk only to be bested late in the lane. She may be better suited with a solid gate break, and hopefully we’ll see a little better price.

What Power (GP Race #2 – 4/2/16- #8 – 1 mile on the turf)  Paco Lopez had the call, and he ran into trouble in the first turn and had to check up. Lopez saved ground and looked for a hole to make his charge and was all dressed up and no place to go with his mount. – Once he shook loose, he made a solid bid for minor awards. A clean trip may be just what the doctor ordered.

Songoficeandfire (Race #11 – 4/2/16 – #7 – 1 1/8 on the turf) –  Junior Alvarado had the call, and his mare settled out nicely and  saved ground along the rail. He looked to have his charge in a good spot when he waited for a seem to open at the top of the lane. Well, it never appeared in a timely fashion, and bottled her up until she finally saw daylight and exploded for a strong bridesmaid effort. – I’ll bet dollars to donuts she’ll tip off the rail nearing the 1/4 pole and give them fits down the stretch.

Wagering on Keeneland?  Get the edge you need to beat your pari-mutuel competition. 

 

Fair Grounds

Susie Bee (FG Race#6 – 3/26/16 – #10 – 1 1/6 on the turf) – top rider Javier Castellano in the saddle for Mike Maker. She was kept in under a hammer lock of a hold waiting for room down the backstretch. Once she shifted off the rail looking for a lane, she brushed against Christie’s Ready and never found full stride but managed to still show very good interest to finish up with good energy.

Eagle (Race #7 – 3/26/16 – #10 – 1 1/8 on the dirt) –  Javier Castellano settled near the back of the pack and brushed repeatedly with Storm Driver into the first turn. – He relaxed a bit and was forced wide to find running room, and Castellano gave a “pop of the crop” to give a strong hand ride to the wire not using all the gas in the tank. – Next up gets has him soaring down the lane.

 

Oaklawn Park

Scout Leader (OP Race #3 – 3/31/16 – #2 – 1 1/16 on the main track) –  Joe Rocco did an excellent job making up a heap of ground, and dove to the inside rail as the eventual winner started drifting out inside the 16th pole. He ran a very game effort, and 2nd money on this day was a good indication of efforts to come. – He’ll be the major danger next up.

Roxy Rocket (Race #4 – 3/31/16 – #9 – 1 1/16 on the dirt) –  Julio Felix in the irons, and he closed stoutly down the outside under soft fractions. She circled up wide and once she leveled out Felix gave a strong effort to the wire. I filed this one under “running out of real estate.”

Turfway Park

Hughhoofner (TP Race #1 – 4/2/16 – #8 -6f on the poly track) –  John McKee in the saddle for this speedster, and he broke out before the start and expended some well needed energy. McKee sent the Bill Connelly charge in the four wide path about the 3/8th’s pole. – I watched him warm-up, and he looked better than a shiny penny. – Speed balls need all of their energy, and he left most of his on the track with the premature gate break.