Horse Racing 2025

DevilHorse said:
In negative news, Jorge' Navarro was released from prison yesterday, because of good behavior. If you recall, 5 years ago there was a big drug scandal that caught a number of trainers in a dragnet. Navarro was a leading trainer at Monmouth Park and trained the great sprinter XY Jet.. until that horse dropped dead from being doped. Jason Servis, trainer of Maximum Security as a 3YO, is still in prison from that set of events. 27 trainers and veterinarians were penalized from those events.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Unbelievable. Navarro now.. on ICE:
www.thoroughbreddailynews.com

Navarro Sent To ICE Facility

One day after he was released from a federal prison, disgraced trainer Jorge Navarro is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He is being detained at an ICE facility in Miami called Krome North Spc. The self-proclaimed “Juice Man”, Navarro was handed a five-year...
www.thoroughbreddailynews.com www.thoroughbreddailynews.com

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
Oh no. Let the speculation begin. The Prince of Wales was in the lead cart at Royal Ascot today, with his father and step-mother, but Kate Middleton was conspicuously absent.


Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Kate Middleton apparently has a reduced schedule of appearances during her recovery from cancer issues. Hoping Princess Kate will be up for Royal Ascot (and much more) in the coming years.

The big winner from Royal Ascot yesterday was not a participant, but the Irish sire No Nay Never who sired 2 of the 7 winners.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
Oh no. Let the speculation begin. The Prince of Wales was in the lead cart at Royal Ascot today, with his father and step-mother, but Kate Middleton was conspicuously absent.

Great fascinators!
In the Queen Mary Stakes, a familiar name finished 3rd. Lennilu, the 2YO filly by surprising sire Leinster. First time on grass too. I'm wondering if she will be a sprinter type. She is a gorgeous grey.

This weekend is the Ohio Derby:

Loading…

www.brisnet.com
[ URL above; June 21, 2025; Thistledown - Race 12; PPs ]
Chunk Of Gold, who finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby, then didn't fire in the KYD as many horses don't, is the likely favorite. McAfee and Mo Plex are both capable horses if they bring their best game.

Gold Rush:
Field of Gold won the top race at Royal Ascot yesterday. He is one of the world's top 3YOC's this year. With Chunk Of Gold running in the Ohio Derby on Saturday, it looks like the week of the 'of Gold's

You may not be aware of it, but next year's Fair Grounds meet was in danger of not happening; the Fair Grounds is of course one of the top trails leading to the KYD. The Fair Grounds are owned by CDI (i.e., Churchill Downs), and they threatened not to hold a meet because of some recent legislation in Louisiana that would have cut into 40% of their in-state revenues. It seems that the legislature voted to not allow the use of something called Historical Horse Racing Machines (HHR's) anymore in their Off Track Betting parlors; apparently they are quite popular. Cooler heads prevailed after CDI made their threat; discussions with the Governor and legislatures bore fruit and next year's meet (which actually starts later this year) will be held.

If you think the Immigration activities of the Trump Administration haven't touched horse racing, think again. Apparently an ICE raid took place at Delta Downs (Louisiana) where several dozen people were taken into custody. The raid included local police and drones.

A lot of stuff that is not directly races or horses. Is that of interest to any folks? Otherwise, I'll try to keep it to just the races.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Think I saw they paid about $27,000 for Lennilu. Her race was better than it looks. At times she looked a little lost with all the horses and the really wide track. She was up close, was passed by horses but fought back to finish 3rd. From my limited observations horses that get passed don’t come back very often. When they do that makes them special. If she stays healthy she should be a really good American turf horse.

On another note, sad to see that Carl Spackler was sold to an Australian owner. Although he didn’t win he still ran well at Royal Ascot where he was running against some of the best turf horses in the world. His owner’s comments were about the lower stud value in America for turf horses. Ken Ramsey used to complain about that with his great turf stud horse Kitten’s Joy. Considering all the big purses and the number of grass races in this country I wonder if the reality of grass stud values will change over time.

I think I will put a visit to Ascot on my bucket list, though not for gambling reasons. I still can’t make any sense of the non existent information the racing form furnishes for European races. By the way not sure the experts on Fan Duel have picked any winner at the Royal Ascot meet.
 
DevilHorse said:
This weekend is the Ohio Derby:

Loading…

www.brisnet.com
[ URL above; June 21, 2025; Thistledown - Race 12; PPs ]
Chunk Of Gold, who finished 2nd in the Louisiana Derby, then didn't fire in the KYD as many horses don't, is the likely favorite. McAfee and Mo Plex are both capable horses if they bring their best game.


Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Mo Plex won the Ohio Derby:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1936551951623201142
Mo Plex is a son from the first crop of Complexity. He's been running in state-bred races in New York, and doing well. The time wasn't that fast, but we'll have to wait for the Beyer figures to evaluate the performance better.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
TheDevilMadeMeDoIt said:
Think I saw they paid about $27,000 for Lennilu. Her race was better than it looks. At times she looked a little lost with all the horses and the really wide track. She was up close, was passed by horses but fought back to finish 3rd. From my limited observations horses that get passed don’t come back very often. When they do that makes them special. If she stays healthy she should be a really good American turf horse.

On another note, sad to see that Carl Spackler was sold to an Australian owner. Although he didn’t win he still ran well at Royal Ascot where he was running against some of the best turf horses in the world. His owner’s comments were about the lower stud value in America for turf horses. Ken Ramsey used to complain about that with his great turf stud horse Kitten’s Joy. Considering all the big purses and the number of grass races in this country I wonder if the reality of grass stud values will change over time.

I think I will put a visit to Ascot on my bucket list, though not for gambling reasons. I still can’t make any sense of the non existent information the racing form furnishes for European races. By the way not sure the experts on Fan Duel have picked any winner at the Royal Ascot meet.
Click to expand...

Lennilu is not the only progeny of first year sire Leinster to win. Great seeing sires come from anywhere.

As far as picking Royal Ascot winners is concerned, Steve Kornacki had an interview with one of the Bookmakers (non-Pari Mutual odds making experts). The Bookmaker's advice was not to bet on the heavy hitter trainers; the odds are underlays for the competent up and coming trainers.

I spent more time watching Royal Ascot this year than previous and had a number of impressions:

Interesting to see some of the 2YO races with weights over 130 lbs.

There is a different feel for the races that are 1 mile or less; these races are held on straightaways. The track is very wide, and with full fields up to 30 horses. This produces packs of horses in different parts of the track, trying to draft off of each other. Then in the last couple of furlongs, the field can spread out with minimal boxing/blocking of horses. Very different than horses being 'stuck on the rail'. This is a bit tough on observers and race callers as you are not so sure who is in the lead until the very end.

The track undulates in height (not unlike Kentucky Downs which a European style track); Ascot is not an oval. It looks more like a rounded triangle with several long chutes.

Back to the betting, it seems there is no Show betting. But the Place bets pay off if you finish 3rd. Not sure if these types of things are limited to the UK or not. Bookmakers take credit/debit cards, and with the Bookmaker's odds prominently displayed (and close to each other) you can pick to bet with a Bookmaker that gives you better odds. This reminds me of Fixed Odds betting (latest innovation at some tracks in the US) except that in the US there is only one source of Fixed Odds Betting.

All winners at this meet appear to have both Northern Dancer (many through Danzig) and Mr. Prospector in their pedigrees. Only about half had at least one Secretariat appearance in the pedigree.

It looks like they have an infield, or at least bleachers on either side of the straightaway. No wild parties in the middle though. Everyone is impeccably dressed and on good behavior. Not sure if beer is served, but they certainly have spirits.

Looks like a good time, but apparently you have to dress very nicely (it looks like a big wedding). I don't like to wear shoes when I go to the races.

Ascot is huge. Makes Belmont Park look like a mock track.
One of the more humorous things that happened on Saturday occurred just after Lazzat won his race. While celebrating the victory, Lazzat's jockey got a bit unbalanced and fell off the horse. Lazzat said, "I feel great! Let's run some more." So he ran off, away from the crowd, onto the top of the rounded triangle:
1750588560508.jpeg
https://twitter.com/x/status/1936436827692667205

Lazzat was not so interested in getting caught either:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1936437809965109466
All parties were OK.

It makes me think that in the US, jockeys have to be weighed with their saddles after the race, to be sure they had the right weight. Not sure if they do that in the UK. The concern is that jockeys could be lighter than advertized.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
I read this morning that the great trainer D Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training. This release from his family sounds much more ominous.

In a release sent out by Churchill Downs, the family shared
that Lukas had been battling a severe infection that had
worsened his condition, and has reportedly declined an
aggressive treatment plan in favor of returning home to spend
his remaining time with his loved ones.

He has had great success through the end of the last century and the beginning of this one. Horses include:
Hall of Famers: Lady's Secret, Azeri, Open Mind, Serena's Song, and Winning Colors
Also: Thunder Gulch, Charismatic, Grindstone, Althea, Boston Harbor, Seize The Grey, and Secret Oath.

He hasn't been nearly as potent a trainer as in his heyday, but he also trained some notable trainers:
  • Todd Pletcher
  • Kiaran McLaughlin
  • Mark Hennig
  • George Weaver
and many more.

The annecdote that I remember, other than meeting him briefly myself, is that when one of his horses won he would bring some random person(s)/fan into the winner's circle with him to get in the picture. It's always great to be in the winner's circle.

Wishing the best for this great horseman.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
I read this morning that the great trainer D Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training. This release from his family sounds much more ominous.

In a release sent out by Churchill Downs, the family shared
that Lukas had been battling a severe infection that had
worsened his condition, and has reportedly declined an
aggressive treatment plan in favor of returning home to spend
his remaining time with his loved ones.

He has had great success through the end of the last century and the beginning of this one. Horses include:
Hall of Famers: Lady's Secret, Azeri, Open Mind, Serena's Song, and Winning Colors
Also: Thunder Gulch, Charismatic, Grindstone, Althea, Boston Harbor, Seize The Grey, and Secret Oath.

He hasn't been nearly as potent a trainer as in his heyday, but he also trained some notable trainers:
  • Todd Pletcher
  • Kiaran McLaughlin
  • Mark Hennig
  • George Weaver
and many more.

The annecdote that I remember, other than meeting him briefly myself, is that when one of his horses won he would bring some random person(s)/fan into the winner's circle with him to get in the picture. It's always great to be in the winner's circle.

Wishing the best for this great horseman.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Really sad to hear this. Throughout this year’s Triple Crown races he was at the track really early every morning on his horse. He and Kenny McPeek were cracking jokes about each other at the trainers’ dinner before this year’s KY Derby. So this happened very quickly. Sounds like he will go out on his own terms hopefully able to remain at home until the very end. He is 89 years old. He was still training some MyRacehorse horses plus horses for his regular owners. He had been training his horses at Churchill Downs this spring and early summer. Over the winter and early spring his horses were running at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His last winner was Tour Player at Churchill Downs on June 12.
 
On Saturday, there is some stakes action at Churchill Downs:

The Fleur De Lis is an interesting race because it is the first re-appearance of Thorpedo Anna:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 7; PPs ]
Thorpedo Anna faded to 7th by 8 lengths in that last race (her only defeat, and a doozy). There is some competition, if Thorpedo Anna is merely average for a stakes filly; Gin Gin, Royal Spa, and Taxed all have credentials and are in shape. If Thorpedo Anna is right, she wins.

The American Derby is a turf race, but it has an interesting horse in it; Tiztastic.
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 12; PPs ]
Tiztastic won the Louisiana Derby and participated in the KYD. But he is undefeated (2 starts) on the turf. He has participated in a healthy diet of stakes races. Reagan's Wit looks like a potential exacta particpant.

The Stephen Foster is usually a top older horse division race, and this year is no different:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 11; PPs ]
Unlike a lot of other older horse races, this race is not a handicap. All participants will carry 124 lbs. Sierra Leone is making his 2nd start this year. Mystik Dan is on a one race winning streak, but this is his 3rd race off a layoff, so he will be in shape. Skippylongstocking has been perhaps the top older horse that has been out there racing, but that is in midwest races. He usually doesn't challenge the top horses in those races. First Mission and Mindframe are both very good horses. Hit Show won THE Dubai World Cup last time out; has he recovered from his trip to the desert? We'll see. If I"m going to stick my neck out, I'll pick an exacta box of Sierra Leone and Mindframe. I'm wary of Hit Show racing so soon after Dubai. I don't think Skippylongstocking is the same quality as these guys.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
On Saturday, there is some stakes action at Churchill Downs:

The Fleur De Lis is an interesting race because it is the first re-appearance of Thorpedo Anna:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 7; PPs ]
Thorpedo Anna faded to 7th by 8 lengths in that last race (her only defeat, and a doozy). There is some competition, if Thorpedo Anna is merely average for a stakes filly; Gin Gin, Royal Spa, and Taxed all have credentials and are in shape. If Thorpedo Anna is right, she wins.

The American Derby is a turf race, but it has an interesting horse in it; Tiztastic.
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 12; PPs ]
Tiztastic won the Louisiana Derby and participated in the KYD. But he is undefeated (2 starts) on the turf. He has participated in a healthy diet of stakes races. Reagan's Wit looks like a potential exacta particpant.

The Stephen Foster is usually a top older horse division race, and this year is no different:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 11; PPs ]
Unlike a lot of other older horse races, this race is not a handicap. All participants will carry 124 lbs. Sierra Leone is making his 2nd start this year. Mystik Dan is on a one race winning streak, but this is his 3rd race off a layoff, so he will be in shape. Skippylongstocking has been perhaps the top older horse that has been out there racing, but that is in midwest races. He usually doesn't challenge the top horses in those races. First Mission and Mindframe are both very good horses. Hit Show won THE Dubai World Cup last time out; has he recovered from his trip to the desert? We'll see. If I"m going to stick my neck out, I'll pick an exacta box of Sierra Leone and Mindframe. I'm wary of Hit Show racing so soon after Dubai. I don't think Skippylongstocking is the same quality as these guys.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Last went to the Stephen Foster in 1999. I bet Silver Charm who ran out of the money. Victory Gallop was the victor as a slight favorite over Silver Charm. I believe they showed video this year that Silver Charm is currently the oldest living Ky. Derby winner. I thought about going this year but the weather has gotten so hot I can’t get excited to go. I will say that Churchill has lots of air conditioned space so I guess I am just being lazy. But Saturday morning I will be handicapping to watch and bet the races that afternoon. If those horses all stay in the race that’s a really good field.
 
Started handicapping Churchill for tomorrow. The Stephen Foster has 6 millionaires out of a seven horse field. That is some real quality. Several are multimillionaires. While Mystik Dan will probably be the favorite only the #7 horse is an unlikely winner. Now back to quandary of what to do with Sierra Leone. I bet him all last year until the Breeders Cup which of course he won. He has never run out of the money so he is perfect for a trifecta. But putting him in the trifecta probably guarantees a lower payoff. So probably will just bet an exacta. This is also his second race of 2025, something I really like. So will probably bet Sierra Leone in an exacta box with Mystik Dan.
 
DevilHorse said:
On Saturday, there is some stakes action at Churchill Downs:

The Fleur De Lis is an interesting race because it is the first re-appearance of Thorpedo Anna:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 7; PPs ]
Thorpedo Anna faded to 7th by 8 lengths in that last race (her only defeat, and a doozy). There is some competition, if Thorpedo Anna is merely average for a stakes filly; Gin Gin, Royal Spa, and Taxed all have credentials and are in shape. If Thorpedo Anna is right, she wins.

The American Derby is a turf race, but it has an interesting horse in it; Tiztastic.
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 12; PPs ]
Tiztastic won the Louisiana Derby and participated in the KYD. But he is undefeated (2 starts) on the turf. He has participated in a healthy diet of stakes races. Reagan's Wit looks like a potential exacta particpant.

The Stephen Foster is usually a top older horse division race, and this year is no different:
[ URL above; Saturday June 28, 2025; Churchill Downs - Race 11; PPs ]
Unlike a lot of other older horse races, this race is not a handicap. All participants will carry 124 lbs. Sierra Leone is making his 2nd start this year. Mystik Dan is on a one race winning streak, but this is his 3rd race off a layoff, so he will be in shape. Skippylongstocking has been perhaps the top older horse that has been out there racing, but that is in midwest races. He usually doesn't challenge the top horses in those races. First Mission and Mindframe are both very good horses. Hit Show won THE Dubai World Cup last time out; has he recovered from his trip to the desert? We'll see. If I"m going to stick my neck out, I'll pick an exacta box of Sierra Leone and Mindframe. I'm wary of Hit Show racing so soon after Dubai. I don't think Skippylongstocking is the same quality as these guys.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Thorpedo Anna is back, and is getting it done:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939050711007859046
Royal Spa is very good, and the speed of the race was first rate. Thorpedo Anna. No one is sure why TA's last race was such a clunker, but her odds were 0.35 to 1; Usually a no bet. But TA seemed to be hand ridden most of the trip; impressive.

The American Derby was won by Minaret Station:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939091906182455685
There was little pace, so closers had a tough time; 1:14 for the 6f, come on. The turf seemed a little wet, so Tiztastic had no chance. Bet him next time out with reasonable conditions.

The Stephen Foster was won by Mindframe:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939094146763104761
The pace was 3 seconds faster than the Fleur De Lis, at the 3/4. Mindframe was just too strong at the end for Sierra Leone to catch up. Nice effort from those 2 horses. Nice Exacta pay-off for me. Mike Repole recently signed an agreement with Claiborne Farms for Mindframe's breeding rights after he is done racing.

The Saratoga Summer Meet starts on July 10 and goes till Labor Day (football season). I thought I saw some races scheduled next week up there, but that might be related to the Belmont at Saratoga gambit.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
Thorpedo Anna is back, and is getting it done:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939050711007859046
Royal Spa is very good, and the speed of the race was first rate. Thorpedo Anna. No one is sure why TA's last race was such a clunker, but her odds were 0.35 to 1; Usually a no bet. But TA seemed to be hand ridden most of the trip; impressive.

The American Derby was won by Minaret Station:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939091906182455685
There was little pace, so closers had a tough time; 1:14 for the 6f, come on. The turf seemed a little wet, so Tiztastic had no chance. Bet him next time out with reasonable conditions.

The Stephen Foster was won by Mindframe:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1939094146763104761
The pace was 3 seconds faster than the Fleur De Lis, at the 3/4. Mindframe was just too strong at the end for Sierra Leone to catch up. Nice effort from those 2 horses. Nice Exacta pay-off for me. Mike Repole recently signed an agreement with Claiborne Farms for Mindframe's breeding rights after he is done racing.

The Saratoga Summer Meet starts on July 10 and goes till Labor Day (football season). I thought I saw some races scheduled next week up there, but that might be related to the Belmont at Saratoga gambit.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Mindframe - 103 Beyer
Thorpedo Anna - 94 Beyer
Both good.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
Mindframe - 103 Beyer
Thorpedo Anna - 94 Beyer
Both good.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
Congratulations on the exacta. Sierra Leone is must in any exotic bet, just don’t put him on top. Jose Ortiz won the first four races yesterday and is killing it at the Churchill spring meet, which features the best jockey colony in North America. I had a bad day and was going to do something else today, but the closing day carryover on the Pick Six is crazy big, so I just finished handicapping races 6-11.

Some observations on the Churchill spring meet. First is look carefully at any horse Jose is riding. When he won four in a row yesterday he wasn’t just winning on favorites. He had a $15 winner and a $25 winner I believe. Riding in his new home town seems to agree with him. California horses come in with fast speed figures and then are disappointing. I know speed figures are supposedly adjusted but I’m not convinced. Fresu flew in to ride yesterday and I thought gave a terrible ride to one of my losers, Dr. Venkman. The Dr. was in trouble the whole trip but managed to finish second. I guarantee that Brian Hernandez would have ridden him better. But you also could have had Irad, Jose, Luis Saez, Geroux, Pratt or even Corey Lanerie (like Calvin Borel a rail rider.)

Now Ky. Racing switches to Ellis Park. The rural track with the 100 year old grandstand. It may not be quite that old, but it looks it. Tyler Gaffalione is going to be based at Ellis this summer for his comeback from a broken ankle. The maiden special weight races will have purses of $100,000. That assures some good trainers with high priced two year olds will race at Ellis. Sadly Del Mar is trying to get midwest and east coast trainers to come out for its meet, but I don’t expect its purses structure will be as lucrative except for some of its biggest stakes races. FanDuel will once again have on site coverage.

The most special summer meet as you already posted starts soon at Saratoga, another of my bucket list tracks. Of course I helped close down Hialeah and Hollywood Park so maybe I should just stay here in Tennessee. At least Tennessee lets me bet the ponies online.
 
DevilHorse said:
I read this morning that the great trainer D Wayne Lukas has been hospitalized and will not return to training. This release from his family sounds much more ominous.

In a release sent out by Churchill Downs, the family shared
that Lukas had been battling a severe infection that had
worsened his condition, and has reportedly declined an
aggressive treatment plan in favor of returning home to spend
his remaining time with his loved ones.

He has had great success through the end of the last century and the beginning of this one. Horses include:
Hall of Famers: Lady's Secret, Azeri, Open Mind, Serena's Song, and Winning Colors
Also: Thunder Gulch, Charismatic, Grindstone, Althea, Boston Harbor, Seize The Grey, and Secret Oath.

He hasn't been nearly as potent a trainer as in his heyday, but he also trained some notable trainers:
  • Todd Pletcher
  • Kiaran McLaughlin
  • Mark Hennig
  • George Weaver
and many more.

The annecdote that I remember, other than meeting him briefly myself, is that when one of his horses won he would bring some random person(s)/fan into the winner's circle with him to get in the picture. It's always great to be in the winner's circle.

Wishing the best for this great horseman.

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
It was just announced that D. Wayne Lukas passed away. Rest in Peace Mr. Lukas.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
TheDevilMadeMeDoIt said:
Congratulations on the exacta. Sierra Leone is must in any exotic bet, just don’t put him on top. Jose Ortiz won the first four races yesterday and is killing it at the Churchill spring meet, which features the best jockey colony in North America. I had a bad day and was going to do something else today, but the closing day carryover on the Pick Six is crazy big, so I just finished handicapping races 6-11.

Some observations on the Churchill spring meet. First is look carefully at any horse Jose is riding. When he won four in a row yesterday he wasn’t just winning on favorites. He had a $15 winner and a $25 winner I believe. Riding in his new home town seems to agree with him. California horses come in with fast speed figures and then are disappointing. I know speed figures are supposedly adjusted but I’m not convinced. Fresu flew in to ride yesterday and I thought gave a terrible ride to one of my losers, Dr. Venkman. The Dr. was in trouble the whole trip but managed to finish second. I guarantee that Brian Hernandez would have ridden him better. But you also could have had Irad, Jose, Luis Saez, Geroux, Pratt or even Corey Lanerie (like Calvin Borel a rail rider.)

Now Ky. Racing switches to Ellis Park. The rural track with the 100 year old grandstand. It may not be quite that old, but it looks it. Tyler Gaffalione is going to be based at Ellis this summer for his comeback from a broken ankle. The maiden special weight races will have purses of $100,000. That assures some good trainers with high priced two year olds will race at Ellis. Sadly Del Mar is trying to get midwest and east coast trainers to come out for its meet, but I don’t expect its purses structure will be as lucrative except for some of its biggest stakes races. FanDuel will once again have on site coverage.

The most special summer meet as you already posted starts soon at Saratoga, another of my bucket list tracks. Of course I helped close down Hialeah and Hollywood Park so maybe I should just stay here in Tennessee. At least Tennessee lets me bet the ponies online.
Click to expand...
I think I mentioned this before, I think horses don't reach their peak until their 3rd start back (YMMV with top trainers). Sierra Leone was on his second. Saratoga has a long stretch, perhaps he'll show up for the Whitney.

I expect Ellis Park might have some better on track attendance than some of these race day crowds at CD. It looks empty there today, but remote betting is convenient and hurts the hot dog sales.

Saratoga is a trip back in time. They have modern amenities, but the trees where they saddle the horses are OLD. The TBred Hall Of Fame is right across the street. And I understand that the food places are much better these days. Harness Racing at night (with a casino adjacent). Just 20 miles up the Adirondack Northway from Albany (hotels and an airport).

Larry
DevilHorse
 
DevilHorse said:
I think I mentioned this before, I think horses don't reach their peak until their 3rd start back (YMMV with top trainers). Sierra Leone was on his second. Saratoga has a long stretch, perhaps he'll show up for the Whitney.

I expect Ellis Park might have some better on track attendance than some of these race day crowds at CD. It looks empty there today, but remote betting is convenient and hurts the hot dog sales.

Saratoga is a trip back in time. They have modern amenities, but the trees where they saddle the horses are OLD. The TBred Hall Of Fame is right across the street. And I understand that the food places are much better these days. Harness Racing at night (with a casino adjacent). Just 20 miles up the Adirondack Northway from Albany (hotels and an airport).

Larry
DevilHorse
Click to expand...
On track attendance at Churchill is deceptive. Churchill has tons of inside space, restaurants, bars and then areas with lots of seating. I wish all tracks still published attendance figures but I assume those would often be embarrassing so they aren’t going to do it. Ellis has a much smaller “clubhouse” which only seats a few hundred, so much more of the crowd is outside. Plus Ellis seems to cater more to families with children. My current plans are to go to Ellis at least once. My pick six bit the dust inthe first race. The time for the 2 year old colts was impressive.
 
TheDevilMadeMeDoIt said:
On track attendance at Churchill is deceptive. Churchill has tons of inside space, restaurants, bars and then areas with lots of seating. I wish all tracks still published attendance figures but I assume those would often be embarrassing so they aren’t going to do it. Ellis has a much smaller “clubhouse” which only seats a few hundred, so much more of the crowd is outside. Plus Ellis seems to cater more to families with children. My current plans are to go to Ellis at least once. My pick six bit the dust inthe first race. The time for the 2 year old colts was impressive.
Click to expand...
CD track was lightning fast today.

Next week IS Saratoga. Wow, early start.

Larry
DevilHorse
 
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