Value Tech Blog

Santa Anita to close track for two weeks in July for surface renovation – Daily Racing Form
http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-close-track-two-weeks-july-surface-renovation

Santa Anita will close its main track for as long as two weeks next month to correct an imbalance in the sand and clay content, track officials told the California Horse Racing Board on Thursday.

Track president George Haines said the main track is tentatively scheduled to close on July 11 for 10 to 14 days to allow a renovation that will remove the top part of the cushion and replace it with sand that will be blended into the remaining cushion.

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

Black Magic Ultimate Handicapper software had Gantry right on top…

Gantry Sets Course Record at Belmont
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63705/gantry-sets-course-record-at-belmont

Gantry set a Belmont Park inner turf course record June 23, covering six furlongs in 1:06.87 when winning a $52,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds and up ().

Making his 4-year-old debut and trying turf for the first time, Gantry, the 7-1 third choice, rated in fifth along the backstretch before commencing an inside rally on the far turn. 

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

A step in the right direction!

Del Mar plans new low-takeout wagers, will end DelMarBets.com
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2011/06/23/del-mar-wagers.aspx

Handicappers will have a chance at some better return on their wagers at this year’s Del Mar meeting, set to begin on July 20.

The track plans to follow the lead of Hollywood Park and offer a daily 50-cent, Pick 5 wager that features a 14% takeout. Also, each Saturday the track will offer a head-to-head wager in its feature race in which players will simply select between two horses and backers of the horse who finishes best will be the winner. That wager will feature a 10% takeout.

(via Instapaper)

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

Churchill Downs halts racing after devastating storm
http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/06/23/2280579/churchill-downs-halts-racing-after.html

Churchill Downs was closed on Thursday after a storm on Wednesday evening damaged barns, stable areas and living quarters for personnel

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

Let’s hope there’s no further damage…

Churchill Downs assesses damage, begins clean up after storm | Horses | Kentucky.com
http://www.kentucky.com/2011/06/23/1786139/update-possible-tornado-damages.html

No horses nor people were injured when an apparent tornado struck the stable area at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., late Wednesday night. At least nine barns were damaged, including this one shown on Thursday, June 23, 2011. The National Weather Service sent teams out Thursday to determine whether the funnel cloud reported in the area was the cause of the damage

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

Happy to see the fairs thriving  Good wagering opportunities  

Horse Racing Kicks Off at Fair – Patch.com
http://livermore.patch.com/articles/horse-racing-kicks-off-at-fair

What has become one of the more cherished summer rituals in Pleasanton, the horse racing at the Alameda County Fair, kicks off Thursday.

The meet will run through July 10, with five days — June 27-29 and July 5-6 — of no racing.

(via Instapaper)

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

Morris Bailey reaches agreement to take over Monmouth Park – The Star-Ledger – NJ.com
http://www.nj.com/horse-racing/index.ssf/2011/06/morris_bailey_reaches_agreement_to_take_over_monmouth_park.html

After nearly two months of negotiations that New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association president John Forbes characterized as “a long, hard siege,” Morris Bailey has reached an agreement to take over Monmouth Park from the state, according to three people familiar with the negotiations.

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

At last! Final Cut Pro X is here, and I've just installed it on my desktop, waiting for the installation on the MacBook Pro. I'm sure purists and super video editors will have their issues with it. I can see it being called iMovie on steroids. My very early first impression is that it's going to be a WHOLE lot easier to learn than Final Cut Pro, which I struggled with for a long time. With the new FCPX, I started editing and moving clips around right from the start.

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

This COULD have a big effect…

Panel: Exchange Wagering Changes Everything
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/63647/panel-exchange-wagering-changes-everything

As exchange wagering edges closer to its American debut, regulators will have to deal with many makeovers of existing laws.
               
According to a panel assembled for the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States, exchange wagering will change everything.

(via Instapaper)

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

I’m rooting for Belmont!

Three finalists for 2012 Breeders’ Cup host site
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2011/06/17/2012-breeders-cup.aspx

The 2012 Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at one of three locations, Breeders’ Cup Ltd. Chairman Tom Ludt said Friday afternoon.

The finalists are Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, and Santa Anita Park, which together after this year will have played host to six of the past seven Breeders’ Cup events and nine of the past 12.

(via Instapaper)

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