Value Tech Blog

Good beginning, but why not take even more? 

California OKs Simulcast Race Limit Increase | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64068/california-oks-simulcast-race-limit-increase

California Gov. Jerry Brown has approved legislation that increases from 32 to 50 the limit on the daily number of imported races on which a racing association or fair simulcast facility in the state can accept wagers.

The governor signed the bill, AB 707 by Assemblyman Martin Garrick (R-Carlsbad), on July 15. The intent of the measure, according to Garrick’s office, is to help tracks and simulcast facilities boost attendance and to also increase the racing industry’s leverage for deals with racetracks outside the state.

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Just to review: An organization with a built in 18 to 20 plus percent take is anticipating a loss.  No wonder they fought the release of this report 

Open house kicks off track season in Saratoga Springs – Glens Falls Post-Star
http://poststar.com/news/local/open-house-kicks-off-track-season-in-saratoga-springs/article_4854fbea-b0d0-11e0-88f6-001cc4c002e0.html

SARATOGA SPRINGS — With horse racing season set to kick off Friday, there are mixed assessments of the financial health of organization that operates the Saratoga Race Course.

After a long standoff with the state Division of the Budget, the New York Racing Association released its 2010 and 2011 budgets Friday, which told a tale of further declining revenues and increasing expenses.

NYRA’s 2011 budget anticipates a total operating loss of $11.6 million.

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This is inexcusable. In a climate where thoroughbred racing is struggling, this is the last thing we need!

Hollywood Park: California Racing Board will investigate incorrect superfecta payoff | Daily Racing Form
http://www.drf.com/news/hollywood-park-california-racing-board-will-investigate-incorrect-superfecta-payoff

INGLEWOOD, Calif.- The California Horse Racing Board has launched an investigation into the circumstances that led to wagers being cashed on the wrong combination in Saturday’s Grade 2 A Gleam Handicap at Hollywood Park.

Initially, the tote board showed a winning combination of 5-4-8-7 by Irish Gypsy, Ultra Blend, Tanda, and Washington Bridge. But after a review from stewards and placing judges, the mistake was caught. Mildly Offensive was the actual fourth-place finisher. The correct winning combination was 5-4-8-6.

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

Only in California…

Hats galore at opening day of horse racing
http://www.nctimes.com/entertainment/attractions/article_fb8e60e8-9026-5baf-8716-f5b3a21d05ac.html

DEL MAR —— On your mark, get set, make a hat! The 17th annual One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest kicks off the horse-racing season July 20 at the Del Mar racetrack.

The hat tradition started with the track’s opening day in 1937 and has grown from there. Now a panel of celebrity judges, consisting of local news anchors, will evaluate hat styles based on creativity and originality.

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

Good news and very sad news… 

Racing officials expect Saratoga attendance, on-track handle to be up without … – New York Daily News
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more_sports/2011/07/16/2011-07-16_racing_officials_expect_saratoga_attendance_ontrack_handle_to_be_up_without_nyc_.html

Skip Dickstein/Times Union
Saratoga Race Course, which opens Friday, will have 52 stakes race, including 17 Grade I races through Sept. 5.
Saratoga brings out the best in horse racing.

Those hoping to get in on the action this summer will have to head to the racetrack near the Adirondacks because for the first time since 1970, there is no New York City Off-Track Betting.

The NYCOTB closed its doors last December, and since then attendance at Aqueduct and Belmont has increased 50%.

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

New Monmouth Record for Five Furlongs on Turf
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64048/new-monmouth-record-for-five-furlongs-on-turf

Delores Wagner’s Caffe D’ Oro set a new course record of :54.57 for five furlongs on turf at Monmouth Park on July 15. A 5-year-old gelding by Medaglia d’Oro  , Caffe D’Oro broke on top and never looked back under jockey Navin Mangalee.

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Jockey Club backs Breeders’ Cup medication phase-out
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/07/15/jockey-club-backs-breeders-cup-medication-phase-out.aspx

The Jockey Club threw its support behind Breeders’ Cup Ltd.’s plan to phase-out of race-day medication from the Breeders’ Cup World Championships by 2013 and encouraged other industry leaders to follow that lead on Friday.

The Jockey Club encouraged members of the Thoroughbred industry to take steps to reform medication policies and impose stronger penalties on those who violate the rules.

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

Breeders’ Cup to ban all race-day drugs by 2013
http://espn.go.com/horse-racing/story/_/id/6772203/breeders-cup-ban-race-day-medication-juvenile-races?campaign=rss&source=HORSEHeadlines

Horses entered in the five Breeders’ Cup races for juveniles in 2012 will be prohibited from using the diuretic Lasix on race day to treat bleeding in the lungs, according to a policy adopted by the Breeders’ Cup on Thursday.
The directive will lead to the ban of all race-day drugs at the organization’s year-end event by 2013, the organization said.

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

Safety first, and it’s good news that Hollywood (and the others) have been re-accredited. 

Hollywood Park Re-accredited by Alliance
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/64020/hollywood-park-re-accredited-by-alliance

Hollywood Park in California has earned re-accreditation from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance.

The re-accreditation followed a complete review of all racing operations at the facility, alliance officials said July 14. Hollywood Park received its initial accreditation in June 2009; all accreditations and re-accreditations carry an effective period of two years.

Hollywood Park is the fifth racetrack to earn re-accreditation. So far this year Arlington Park, Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Pimlico Race Course have been re-accredited.

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Sad news, as Yavapai Downs racetrack in Prescott Valley files for bankruptcy protection.

http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/3b80baa6ff0048b297f35ac63796ae28/AZ–Yavapai-Downs-Bankruptcy/

PRESCOTT, Ariz. — The owner of the Yavapai Downs horse racing track in Prescott Valley has filed for bankruptcy protection.

The filing under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code could lead to a liquidation of the track’s assets.

The Yavapai County Farm & Agriculture Association’s largest creditor is the U.S. government. The Prescott Daily Courier says the government holds a note for about $14.5 million on the racetrack. The Yavapai County Assessor’s Office recently valued the track, grandstands and associated facilities at only $5.4 million.

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