Value Tech Blog

It will be interesting to see if the Stronach group can end the malaise of Maryland racing.

With license approved, track owner says Preakness is key

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-stronach-racing-20110729,0,5543030.story

The latest owner of Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course says the Preakness is the key to turning around the state’s horse racing industry.

Greg Avioli, who heads The Stronach Group’s racing business, told state regulators Friday that the second leg of the Triple Crown isn’t living up to its potential. The Preakness could make three times the $14 million in revenue it currently sees, he told members of the Maryland Racing Commission.

To make that happen, The Stronach Group wants to build a modernized facility — which could cost as much as $200 million. The company has identified some potential sites, including Pimlico and Laurel Park. Downtown Baltimore, which has been approved for a slots casino, is also a strong possibility, he said.

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This could be a real boost to Television’s coverage of horse racing.  

UA project puts fans along for jockey ride too
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/article/36828–ua-project-puts-fans-along-for-jockey-ride-too

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Horse-racing fans live for the pulse-pounding sight of their favorite horses thundering down the track.

Two University of Arizona students want to make that experience up-close and personal — by virtually putting fans in the saddle with video from the jockeys’ point of view.

Kenleigh Hobby and David Matt, students in the UA’s Race Track Industry Program, are developing a system to shoot race video with high-definition cameras on jockeys’ helmets and deliver it to fans.

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Now if they’d only book Suffolk in Las Vegas…

Suffolk Downs Expands Live Racing Schedule
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64235/suffolk-downs-expands-live-racing-schedule

by Lynne Snierson
  Suffolk Downs, which had been racing only three days per week during the current meet, will now card live racing four days per week. The schedule change is a result of passage of a bill in the Massachusetts legislature July 21 to reduce the number of live racing days mandated by state law in order to simulcast from 100 to 80 days.   Track officials maintained that running 20 fewer dates in 2011 would result in a higher quality of racing with an average daily purse distribution of about $103,000

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Should be a good race this weekend…

Preakness and Belmont winners highlight Haskell
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/28/2335265/preakness-and-belmont-winners.html

Preakness Stakes winner Shackleford and Belmont Stakes champ Ruler On Ice top a field of eight for Sunday’s $1 million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park. The 1 1/8-mile race for three-year-olds is a “Win and You’re In” event, giving the victor a certain spot for the Breeders’ Cup Classic this year at Chucrhill Downs.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Note well: A four day a week schedule  Let’s hope this will result in larger fields and better wagering opportunities.

 Santa Anita set for 24-day autumn meeting
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/07/27/santa-anita-set-for-24-day-autumn-meeting.aspx

Pending approval by the California Horse Racing Board, Santa Anita Park will conduct a 24-day autumn meeting from September 30 to November 6.

With the exception of a three-day opening week and five-day week during Columbus Day, the autumn meeting will feature a four-day race week with live racing Thursday through Sunday.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

I’m sure veteran handicapper Dan Serra will have something to say about this. 

Joe Rocco Jr. Ties Delaware Mark With 6 Wins
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64226/joe-rocco-jr-ties-delaware-mark-with-6-wins

Joseph Rocco Jr., the current leading jockey at Delaware Park, won six races July 27 to equal the track’s record for most victories in a single day.

The 29-year-old native of Hollywood, Florida, became the first rider since 1998 to win six races on a single card at Delaware. He won aboard his first five mounts on the day starting in the third race with Pit Viper ($3.80). He followed with victories in the fourth with Bridgemix ($6.20), the fifth on Cash McCool ($3.80), the sixth aboard Settling for Gold ($5.80), and in the seventh riding Like Candy ($8.40). 

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Only seven?

Seven set for Jim Dandy Stakes
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/27/2333510/seven-set-for-jim-dandy-stakes.html

Saturday’s $500,000 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course has attracted seven three-year-olds for the 1 1/8-mile contest which serves as the local prep for the $1 million Travers on August 27.

Breaking from the far outside post will be Peter Pan Stakes winner Alternation. Owned by Pin Oak Stable, the colt will be ridden by Ramon Dominguez who was aboard for the May 14 victory.

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Good news from the Spa!

Wagering up at Saratoga Race Course
http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2011/07/wagering-up-at-saratoga-race-course.html

An extra $5.4 million was wagered on horse races at Saratoga Race Course over the opening days of this year’s meet—just one good sign so far.

Bettors spent $57 million from July 22-25, the first four days of The New York Racing Association Inc. ’s meet in Saratoga Springs.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

He was ValueCapping, no doubt!

Billionaire investor Buffett makes unlikely stop at the track – Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/07/25/billionaire-investor-buffett-makes-unlikely-stop-at-the-track.aspx

Warren Buffett, the savvy investor widely recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals in the world, made a visit to Horsemen’s Park on the final day of that track’s four-day meeting in his native Nebraska on Sunday.

Buffett was spotted looking “like any other fan at the track … and seemed to be having a good time,” the Omaha World Herald reported.

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Good start at the Spa…

New York’s heat wave no match for horse racing fans at Saratoga Springs opener …
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2011/07/23/2011-07-23_saratoga_opener_beats_heat.html

The only thing that was sizzling at Saratoga Friday was the rate people were betting on the horses.

On-track handle was up 13.4% over last year and all-sources handle increased 18.9%. The announced attendance of 25,155 surpassed last year’s crowd of 23,178.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology