Uncategorized

Thoroughbred trainers are speaking out to protect the game.

Preakness Stakes: Trainers in Preakness Stakes say horse racing needs uniform drug testing and licensing standards, headed by commissioner – chicagotribune.com
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/horseracing/ct-spt-0517-bits-preakness–20120517,0,5593540.story?track=rss

BALTIMORE — While Doug O’Neill has been able to enjoy everything Baltimore has to offer during the last week and a half, his time in town hasn’t been devoid of controversy.

The trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another has been accused of “milkshaking” his horses — giving them an illegal mixture that makes them feel less tired — four times in his career.

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

Hard-hitting comments from Mr. Lukas!

Trainer Lukas ‘disappointed’ with peers’ behavior – Horse Racing – MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/16/2802349/trainer-lukas-disappointed-with.html

BALTIMORE — Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas criticized the behavior of a few of his peers Wednesday, saying the actions of a few recent Kentucky Derby winners have tarnished the reputation of his profession.

Speaking at Pimlico Race Course, site of Saturday’s Preakness, Lukas said, “I’m very disappointed as a trainer that we have the stigma of some of our Derby winners not carrying the banner.”

He cited Rick Dutrow, who is appealing a 10-year suspension in New York for multiple medication violations, and Chip Woolley, who last year allegedly urinated on slot machines at a track in Iowa.

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

New York Racing Association Is Facing Loss of Payments – NYTimes.com

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/sports/new-york-racing-association-is-facing-loss-of-payments.html?_r=1

The administration of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo asked Tuesday that payments from the casino at Aqueduct racetrack to the New York Racing Association, which runs the track, be suspended immediately. It also said it was exploring revoking the association’s racing franchise.

“Unless NYRA immediately starts to act in the best interests of racing and the taxpayers of this state, we will pursue a course of action to re-establish the racing franchise with a qualified, ethical, and responsible steward of horse racing,” a letter sent to NYRA’s chairman, Steven Duncker, stated. It was signed by John Sabini, the chairman of the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, and Robert Megna, the chairman of a NYRA oversight panel.

Charles Hayward, the association’s chief executive, and Patrick Kehoe, its general counsel, were fired last week after the release of an interim report that said they delayed payment of more than $8 million owed to bettors.

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

Jockey Club outlines opposition to race-day medication in letter to Racing and Wagering Board – Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/05/15/jockey-club-outlines-opposition-to-race-day-medication-in-letter.aspx

The Jockey Club has released a copy of a letter it submitted to the New York State Racing and Wagering Board on Monday in support of a ban on race-day medications. The eight-page letter, which is addressed to John Sabini, chairman of the Racing and Wagering Board, was signed by Ogden Mills Phipps, chairman of The Jockey Club.

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

Hansen Will Take Pass on Preakness Stakes | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69745/hansen-will-take-pass-on-preakness-stakes

Hansen, the 2011 champion 2-year-old male, will not run in the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), his majority owner said May 14.

The colt, owned by Dr, Kendall Hansen and Sky Chai Racing, won the Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (gr. I)  in November and the Gotham Stakes (gr. III) in March to put him among the favorites for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I). Hansen, by Tapit  , was in striking position on the far turn in the Derby but flattened out to finish ninth.

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

One of the most beautiful tracks I have ever seen. I, for one, would welcome the return of racing to Hialeah. 

Hialeah Pulls Plug on Thoroughbred Request
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/69768/hialeah-pulls-plug-on-thoroughbred-request

Hialeah Park is calling off its plan for a possible return of Thoroughbred racing in April and May of 2013.

Hialeah Park chairman John Brunetti said May 14 he made the decision because officials at nearby Calder Casino & Race Course and Gulfstream Park have declined his requests to meet with him about his goal of returning his track to the southeast Florida racing calendar.

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

Should be he favorite in he Preakness.  

Derby runner-up Bodemeister confirmed for Preakness Stakes
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/05/14/bodemeister-confirmed-for-preakness.aspx

Saturday’s Preakness Stakes (G1) will feature a rematch of the first two finishers from the May 5 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) with Monday’s news that Bodemeister will run in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Bob Baffert made it official on Monday after watching the Empire Maker colt gallop at Churchill Downs, saying “he looks good, his coat is good, and he is eating well.” “I see no reason not to take him [to Baltimore for the Preakness],” Baffert said.

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

The winning Kentucky Derby trainer. This can’t be good for public confidence. 

Horse racing: Trainer’s methods under scrutiny | The Columbus Dispatch
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/sports/2012/05/12/trainers-methods-under-scrutiny.html

Last summer, trainer Doug O’Neill was formally sanctioned after one of his racehorses at Hollywood Park in California tested positive for illegal drugs.

The year before, in 2010, O’Neill was punished for administering an illegal performance-enhancing concoction to a horse he ran in the prestigious Illinois Derby — the third time he had been accused of giving a horse what is known as a milkshake. Four months later, he was accused again of giving a milkshake to a horse in California.

Over 14 years and in four states, O’Neill received more than a dozen violations for giving horses improper drugs. O’Neill’s horses also have had a tendency to break down. According to an analysis by The New York Times, the horses he trains break down or show signs of injury at more than twice the rate of the national average.

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

Thoughtful article on the state of thoroughbred racing today. 

Horse racing is failing its people – Farmington Daily Times
http://www.daily-times.com/ci_20613344/horse-racing-is-failing-its-people

Recent media exposure on the “issues” in the sport of racing have caused a ripple effect, both in the executive offices and the backstretches of tracks across America.
While no particular faction wants to publicly hold another accountable as to sport’s declining popularity or the enmity toward it, there is overwhelming evidence the sport is as divided as ever and showing no signs of coming to any sort of mutual agreement to help save it from itself.

Regardless who’s to blame — and in spite of the fact the fixes are clear — the fans are who will ultimately decide the fate of the sport of kings.

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

Another interesting call.  First no workouts for I’ll Have Another, now no Preakness for Dullahan.  

Dullahan to pass on Preakness, aim for Belmont

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/05/11/dullahan-to-pass-on-preakness-aim-for-belmont.aspx

Jerry Crawford, managing partner of Donegal Racing, announced Friday that Dullahan, who finished third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), will make his next start in the Belmont Stakes (G1), the third leg of the Triple Crown, on June 9 at Belmont Park.

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