Test of a Champion

Horse Racing’s Oldest Leg of The Triple Crown

The Belmont Stakes is known as the final leg of the Triple Crown, and also the most grueling. It is run at a distance of 1 ½ miles five weeks after the Kentucky Derby. The Belmont Stakes is held annually at Belmont Park in Elmont, NY on Long Island. It is known as one of the biggest, if not the biggest race at Belmont Park each year. This race has broken many Triple Crown dreams over the years, with its unusually long distance wearing down most horses, especially those that have competed in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. In a span of 5 weeks a Triple Crown candidate must start with the Kentucky Derby at 1 ¼ miles, then 2 weeks later, the Preakness at 1 1/8th miles, and then 3 weeks later win the toughest and longest of them all, The Belmont at 1 ½ miles, duly nicknamed the “Test of the Champion”.

The first Belmont stakes was held at Jerome Park Racetrack in the Bronx, NY in 1867. The track was financed by August Belmont Sr., for whom the race was named after. The race remained at Jerome Park until 1890 when it had a brief stint at Morris Park, and then in 1905 the race was moved to Belmont Park Racetrack, where it currently resides. Before 1921 the race was run clockwise, in the English tradition and it was not until 1926 that the race was run at the current distance of 1 ½ miles. This distance is one that very unique for American racing and one that proves challenging each year for these young three year olds that have never run this far in a race before.

In more recent history, the Belmont has become more of a specialty race that horses will point to that are bred to run a route of ground. Rather than in the past when more horses from the previous 2 legs of the Triple Crown would continue to compete in each of three legs. Trainers and horse racing partnerships have targeted this race several months in advance and often times are waiting fresh off a lay off where as a Triple Crown candidate is coming off 2 of his most challenging races ever, into his 3^rd race in 5 weeks at the longest distance. This is another reason why so many horses fail to complete the third leg of the Triple Crown.

The Belmont Stakes, traditionally won by 3 year old male horses has seen 3 fillies take home the carnations in its history. In 1867 the inaugural race was won by Ruthless, in 1905 Tanya, and most recently in 2007 the race was won by Rags to Riches. In addition, Julie Krone was the first woman to win a Triple Crown race with her win in the Belmont stakes aboard Colonial Affair.  Not only was history made for females in this race, but also colts because in 1973 Secretariat won the Triple Crown and completed it with the still standing track record of 2:24.00 winning by the largest margin, 31 lengths. Truly this is a record that will stand the test of time as the closest finishing time is 2 full seconds slower.

Owners, trainers, and horse racing syndicates alike all dream of winning the winning Triple Crown, culminating with a win in the Belmont. Unfortunately, it seems like an insurmountable feat that really does end with the “Test of a Champion”. But each year thoroughbred partnerships gain a new sense of hope when they attend sales across the country looking for the top prospects and that one special horse that could be the one to fulfill the common goal of winning the Triple Crown.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

A Farewell to Hollywood Park

Horse Racing Partnerships Reflect on Racing at Hollywood Park

For the last several years the owners of Hollywood Park, now named Betfair Hollywood Park, have been threatening to develop the land that the track resides on.  This creates a troublesome problem for thoroughbred horse racing syndicates and thoroughbred horse racing in southern California as a whole. The majority of the current horse population resides at either Santa Anita racetrack or Betfair Hollywood Park for most of the year, and closing Hollywood would displace necessary barns that house half of the thoroughbred population in Southern California.

Hollywood Park was inaugurated in 1938 by the Hollywood Turf Club and has been a Southern California staple for thoroughbred horse racing since its inception. Its history is rich, hosting the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984 as well hosting the event in 1987 and 1997. The track was also the venue for the first million dollar earning horse, Citation, who broke the mark in the Hollywood Gold Cup in 1951. Hollywood Park was also home to one of America’s most famed and loved mares of all time, Zenyatta.

With all its history and the state of racing today in conjunction with our current economic status, the owners feel that developing the land is more important than the future of racing. In 2005 Churchill Downs Inc. sold Hollywood Park for about $120 million more than they purchased it for 6 years earlier, to current owner, Bay Meadows Land Company. As part of the deal, Bay Meadows Land Company had to continue racing for at least three years after they purchased Hollywood. Since those three years have passed it seems like each year they threaten to close the track, but each year racing continues. Unfortunately, this year seems a little more serious, and real action has been taken by the CHRB ,TOC, and CTT to fill the likely void.

The biggest issue at hand is, where do all the horses that reside and train at Hollywood Park move to? In recent months CA trainers, owners, and the CHRB have been working with both Fairplex, that carries a couple weeks of racing in September, and Los Alamitos which carries mainly quarter horse racing, to help with this issue. Originally it was thought that the best solution would be to have one of these tracks expand the length of their race track so that dates could be added that would be lost from Hollywood.  After months of speculation and rumors, it seemed like Fairplex was the best option but they have recently said that they would be unable to raise the necessary money to fund the track renovations, according to an article in the Bloodhorse. The article does state that Fairplex is happy to offer its stalls and facilities in any way that it can to aid in the housing and training of horses. This solves the biggest issue at hand for now, but Southern CA is still left with the end of April through the 2^nd week of July and from the second week of November up until Christmas with no venue for racing. The latest tentative plan would be to extend Santa Anita’s Winter/Spring meet through July 4. Then, the Del Mar Summer meet would run from the second week of July and extend an extra week in September. Fairplex would run its normal meet, and following that, Santa Anita would pick up and run through earlier November where at that point Del Mar would pick up fall dates for the balance of the month, leaving a few weeks in December up in the air.

In recent years horse racing has been a haven for constant change and ebbs and flows in the economy. The news that this may be in fact the final year at Hollywood Park is not a surprise but still saddening to many racing fans and thoroughbred partnerships alike. For us at Blinkers On Racing Stable, we see Hollywood Park as a home, where we like to condition many of our young horses as they make their way to the races. A great example was Turbulent Descent, who resided at Hollywood Park even during the Santa Anita meet, Hollywood was her home. She broke her maiden there, and went on to win the Moccasin Stakes, and the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet all as a two year old. It wasn’t until her final race for the Blinkers On Partners that she raced at Hollywood Park again, after winning the G1 Santa Anita Oaks, G2 Beaumont and G1 Test Stakes, she returned to Hollywood to win the Desert Stormer Handicap.  This made her a perfect 4 for 4 at Hollywood Park and an end to an amazing career with Blinkers On Racing Stable.

Horse racing partnerships around Southern California I am sure share similar memories with the track, but know that racing will continue whether Hollywood stays or not. As long as the game continues to bring in and retain people passionate about horse racing it will continue to grow and flourish. And in the end no one can say for certain at this point that this really is the final year at Hollywood Park.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

The New Kentucky Derby Points System

Horse Racing Syndicates Discuss the New Kentucky Derby Points System

The Kentucky Derby, run on the first Saturday in May each year for the best 3 year olds in the country, is one of if not the most prestigious race in the world. Horse racing syndicate’s dreams live and die with the Kentucky Derby each year. It’s $2 million purse attracts runners from around the country and around the world. In addition, it brings together racing fans from around the world who dress up in classic Derby attire and enjoy the spectacle that is Churchill Downs on Derby day. This year will mark the 139^th running of the Kentucky Derby and also a significant change, which is how to qualify.

In years past to be eligible for the Kentucky the top 20 money earners that entered would be accepted. Preference was given to those who also had the highest stakes and graded stakes earnings, with no also eligibles. After 138 years of using this system the Kentucky Derby committee decided to revamp the old system based on a horse’s earnings and created a new system that they felt was a more comprehensive and effective way to get the best qualified horses to the Kentucky Derby. There was some uproar and backlash from the horse racing industry, and industry that is slow to accept change, but overall it seems like the new system has a good model set in place with good intentions, but may need some tweaking down the road.

For the 2013 Kentucky Derby horses will earn points for coming in 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th in pre-designated races. In total there are 36 races that carry a pre-designated amount of points for running 1^st through 4^th. They begin with what is known as the Kentucky Derby Prep Season which has 19 races, which begin in the 2 year old year, late September and continue into the beginning of the 3 year old year in early February. These races carry points of 10 (1^st), 4 (2^nd), 2 (3^rd), and 1 (4^th). These races traditionally serve as foundation-building races that lead into the Kentucky Derby Championship Series, the next group of qualifying races.

The Kentucky Derby Championship Series is a three-part series of 17 races on dirt or synthetic surfaces over distances of at least one mile that are traditionally run over a 10-week run up to the first Saturday in May. The first leg, which mostly includes races that feed into the major Kentucky Derby launching pads, includes eight events: the Risen Star (Fair Grounds), Fountain of Youth (Gulfstream Park), Gotham (Aqueduct), Tampa Bay Derby (Tampa Bay Downs), San Felipe (Santa Anita), Rebel (Oaklawn Park), Spiral (Turfway Park) and Sunland Derby (Sunland Park), with a 50 (1^st), 20 (2^nd) 10 (3^rd) 5 (4^th) point scale. The second leg features seven stakes races: the Florida Derby (Gulfstream Park), U.A.E. Derby (Meydan Racecourse), Louisiana Derby (Fair Grounds), Wood Memorial (Aqueduct), Santa Anita Derby (Santa Anita), Arkansas Derby (Oaklawn Park) and Blue Grass (Keeneland) that are worth 100 (1^st), 40 (2^nd), 20 (3^rd), and 10 (4^th). The final leg is two Wild Card events, the Lexington (Keeneland) and Derby Trial (Churchill Downs), which offer some hope for horses to increase their point totals with a 20 (1^st), 8 (2^nd) 4(3^rd), and 2 (4^th) scale.

In addition to the point system, there will be 4 also eligibles for the Kentucky Derby listed in order of points earned which will give them the opportunity to run if any of the top 20 point earners scratch. This seems more true to everyday racing, where also eligibles are listed if the race overfills and gives another horse a chance to get in if one scratches. Furthermore, some people may wonder how does a filly earn points for the Kentucky Derby because there have been 3 fillies who have won the Kentucky Derby. And the rule is that they must run in the same prep races against the boys in order to get enough points for the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby committee hopes to create new fans for horse racing by using this system. They are implementing a more fan-friendly, cohesive and simplified system that should create compelling drama and appeal to a wider customer base. Fans, as well as horse racing syndicates, racing partnerships, and trainers of the horses, will know exactly which races are included and what races matter the most based on a sliding scale of points. The committee also commissioned a poll to see how many people understood how to qualify for the Kentucky Derby prior to the new changes, and 83% did not know how a horse qualified. They hope that by simplifying the process with a clear distinguishable point system people will be more likely to be involved in the road to the Derby and end up engaging in the race itself with some knowledge of the horses and the sport.

It is evident that the Kentucky Derby committee is doing the right thing in trying to expand racing’s fan base and the quality of horses in the field. And it also seems like most horse racing partnerships would agree that this new system is a good one that may need races added or values of points for specific races adjusted but all in all it is a great way to get the average fan more excited and involved in thoroughbred horse racing.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Rules and Regulations of Horse Racing

Horse Racing Syndicates Understand the Regulations

Thoroughbred horse racing is a unique sport in which there is no central governing body of the sport. Instead, each state has its own horse racing board or governing body that regulates that state’s rules and regulations. In some ways this is can be a good thing because rules can be tailored to specific needs or wants of the racing population in each state, that all states as a whole may not agree upon. But on the contrary, it can pose some very difficult problems for racing from state to state as far as regulations in certain types of races as well as medication rules and testing just to name a few.

In California, thoroughbred horse racing is governed by the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB). The CHRB was formed in 1933 in order to ensure the integrity, viability, and safety of the California horse racing industry. Their interests involve; safety of the horses, promoting racing and breeding, and regulation among pari-mutuel wagering in the state among other things. These broad areas are even more regulated between licensed race tracks across the state of California by internal management and officials at each track.

Each licensed race track in California abides by the same rules that the CHRB sets forth and works to ensure that the integrity and safety of the game is upheld each day. Specifically, each track has a group of Stewards, usually three, that act as the officials of the track. Their duties involve watching each race closely in order to make sure that any infractions or violations that may affect the outcome of the race are handled properly. A big reason the officials job is so important is because they must uphold the pari-mutuel integrity of the game so that the pay outs of the race will properly represent the winner that has not violated any of the rules set forth by the CHRB.

For example, when horses impede one another or a horse cuts another horse off causes a horse to lose significant ground in the race or in the worst case fall down, it is the job of the stewards to review the situation right on the spot to make a decision who was in the wrong. It will happen where one horse wins a race, but the stewards call an “inquiry” to the race where they feel they must review an incident to make sure the correct horse has won the race without foul. This is very important not just for the safety of the horses but also for the integrity of the game because there are thousands and sometimes millions wagered in horse racing events.

Unfortunately, like any sport today there will always be people trying to gain an unfair advantage. Hopefully, the CHRB system set in place has the ability to be flexible and change with the times so that those who try to challenge the integrity of our game will be stopped and this game can be played on a level playing field. It is essential for thoroughbred partnerships and owners alike to stay involved and up to date with racing regulations and take a stand for better drug testing and putting people with integrity in positions of power and importance in this game. Without believing in the rules and regulations set forth by the CHRB and those governing bodies in states across the U.S., racing will become vulnerable to those trying to gain an unfair advantage.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Eclipse Awards

Every Thoroughbred Syndicate’s Dream

The Eclipse awards are American Thoroughbred horse racing awards that are given to the top horses in their respective categories at the end of each year. The Eclipse awards began in 1971 and were created by three different governing bodies in horse racing: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, The Daily Racing Form, and the National Turf Writers Association. These three bodies select finalists each year and then vote on the top three finalists in each category to determine the winner. The winners are then announced in January of the next year at a formal ceremony that would be an honor to attend for anyone involved in a horse racing partnership.

These awards are named after the very talented racehorse and influential sire, Eclipse. Eclipse was foaled on April 1, 1764 in Great Britain. He was probably the best thoroughbred of his time, winning all 18 of his races of his races in a span of 17 months. Eclipse was so brilliant on the track that he was retired to stud because there was lack of competition, no one would bet against him. Eclipse went on to a prolific stud career where he sired 344 winners. His bloodlines were so influential that in 1970 The Royal Veterinary College determined that his bloodlines were in nearly 80% of all thoroughbreds. Eclipse was truly a special horse that deserves the recognition he has received as racings highest awards are named for him.

The most prestigious Eclipse award that is given each year and that every thoroughbred horse racing partnership dreams of is The Horse of the Year. The Horse of the Year award is a designation give to a horse, irrespective of age, whose performance during the racing year was deemed the most outstanding. Over the years there have several horses to win the Eclipse award twice but only one horse since the inception of the Eclipse awards has won this honor 3 times, Forego. Forego won this award in 1974, 1975, and 1976. He had 34 wins in 57 starts including 9 seconds and 7 thirds. In total he won 8 eclipse awards including horse of the year honors 3 times, male Horse of the Year 4 times, and Champion Sprinter once. He was truly an outstanding gelding that won races from 7 furlongs to 2 miles. His record of 3 consecutive Horse of Year Eclipse awards may never be surpassed.

In total there are twenty Eclipse awards bestowed each year for each respective category based on age, distance, and surface. They are: Horse of the Year, Champion Two Year Old, Champion Two Year Old Filly, Champion Three Year Old, Champion Three Year Old Filly, Champion Older Male, Champion Older Female, Champion Sprinter, Champion Female Sprinter, Champion Male Turf Horse, Champion Female Turf Horse, Outstanding Steeplechase Horse, Outstanding Owner, Outstanding Breeder, Outstanding Trainer, Outstanding Jockey, Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, Eclipse Special Award, Eclipse Award of Merit, and Moment of the Year. Each of these awards are held in very high regard in the thoroughbred horse racing community, and any horse that wins this award will be well deserving of the honor.

Blinkers On Racing Stable was lucky enough to have the 2010 runner up in the Eclipse voting for Champion Two Year Old Filly, with Turbulent Descent. To even be mentioned in the conversation is more than an honor and something that our thoroughbred partnership will never forget and always remember when they think of their best memories with their horse racing syndicate. It is Blinkers On and I’m sure every horse racing partnership’s goal is to win an Eclipse award. With hard work and dedication to our sport and our partners we hope that one day we are fortunate enough to call our thoroughbred horse racing partnership, Eclipse recipients.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Daily Racing Form

Thoroughbred Partnerships Benefit From The DRF

Have you ever been to the races and not known the first thing about how to pick a winning horse in a race? Many people find themselves betting on horses for a number of reasons that really have no bearing on whether the horse will win the race or not, but don’t have any idea what else to go by. I find people at the track talking about the color of the horse as well as the jockey’s silks and the horse’s birthday. There is nothing wrong with going out to the track and relying on a little bit of luck with one of these methods, but at the same time wouldn’t you like to know how to read the Daily Racing Form?

Have you ever been to the racetrack and seen people everywhere pouring over a newspaper, circling horses on each page and studying so intensely? Well that paper is the Daily Racing Form (DRF), the Bible for most thoroughbred horse racing partnerships and anyone involved in racing. The DRF was founded in 1894 in Chicago, Illinois with the purpose of detailing individual races at a racetrack with the past performances of each horse in each race. This was a way for bettors and thoroughbred syndicate owners to get a better idea of how good each horse was, what types of races they had been running in, and also how they finished in each race.

Today the DRF also acts as a source of thoroughbred racing and breeding news on a daily basis, but primarily is the gold standard for past performances for racing. When you pick up a DRF for the first time at the racetrack it can be quite daunting because there is a lot of information on each page. But there are a few keys things to focus on as you are first learning to read the DRF. First read the condition of the race. The condition of the race will tell you the distance of the race, the surface the horses will be running on, the level of the race, as well as the age and sex of the horses running. From there go through each horse running and see if they have been running at a similar level as the condition listed and see how they have finished at this level previously. This will give you a good idea of what is called the class of each horse. In addition, while looking to see if this horse can compete at this level briefly take a look at the horses overall record as well as their last few races which will give you an idea of the horse’s current form, or how they have been running lately. This will sometimes give you an idea of a certain pattern or trend the horse has been going through.

After looking at the class and form of each horse in a specific race take a look at the pace scenario that may set up during the race. In each past performance of a horse’s previous race the DRF gives you the position the horse was in at five different points throughout the race from start to finish. This will give you a good idea of the horse’s running style. You will see as you look through each horse’s past performances most of them will develop a style that reoccurs from race to race. Some horses will go straight to the lead and stay at the lead and either win that way or completely fade at the end, they are speed horses. Then there are horses that sit just off the speed in about 2^nd to 4^th and wait until the last couple furlongs for their last kick and win from there. And then there are closers and deep closers who break very slow from the gate and sit towards the back of the pack throughout the entire race and come closing at the very end.

Once you have found the speed of the race, the horses that sit just off the pace, and closers you might wonder well how does that help me? For example, if there is one horse in the race with a ton of speed and now one else in the lead is really ever close to the front, that may give the speed horse a good opportunity to go to the lead without getting much pressure from any other horses and give that a horse a good chance to win. On the contrary, if there are several horses with a lot of speed and a couple horses that like to sit off the pace or closers, the speed horses have a good chance of tiring each other out up front and leaving an opening for the horses just off the pace and the closers to come running at the end.

Hopefully this gives new thoroughbred horse racing owners a better idea of how to handicap a race rather than just picking a horse randomly. Experiment with the form and don’t be afraid to ask someone for help. And for more information about to read the DRF and to see what it looks like follow this link for a full explanation and tutorial at: http://www1.drf.com/flash/drf_pp_tutorial.html .

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Exchange Wagering

Horse Racing Partnerships discuss exchange Wagering

From the beginning of horse racing in the United States betting has played a very prominent and important role in the sport. When race tracks began taking wagers from the general public it was, and still is the biggest source of revenue for race tracks. Essentially, without pari-mutuel wagering there would be no horse racing. But today, racing has evolved alongside of technology and has wagering available not only at the track itself but also on online platforms, in which the racetrack is able to take a certain percentage of what is wagered online.

Traditional betting in horse racing is pari-mutuel wagering which is defined as a betting system in which all bets of a particular type are placed together in a pool, taxes and the house take out are removed and the payoff is calculated sharing the pool among all winning bets.  In horse racing there are many different types of bets that have their “pool” whether it may be win, place, show, exacta, trifecta or even pick fours and pick sixes. Currently, all these bets are strictly win wagers that must be placed before the specific race takes place.

In 2000 a new type of wagering, Exchange Wager, was introduced to thoroughbred horse racing in the United Kingdom, where it has been quite popular. Exchange wagering is a form of pari-mutuel wagering in which two or more persons place identically opposing wagers in a given market. For example, bettors can place wagers on whether a horse will win or lose a race, and also have the ability to bet on a race in progress. Because exchange wagering has been so popular in the UK there has been a strong push to get exchange wagering into the U.S.

California has been one of the leading states along with New Jersey to potentially use exchange wagering in a trial period. The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) has been leading the way, in conjunction with California race tracks to promote this new type of wagering in California. They feel that bringing exchange wagering to horse racing in California will attract new bettors who regularly wouldn’t bet with traditional pari-mutuel wagers. The main opposition consists of the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) as well as the thoroughbred trainers. The main reason certain groups and fans are against exchange wagering is that owners, trainers, jockey’s, and those involved in the game would have the ability to bet against their own horse, and have the ability to profit from losing a race.

Luckily, the CHRB has just recently proposed a rule that if exchange wagering is to be implemented, owners, trainers, jockeys, and those involved with the horse will be prohibited from wagering against their own horses.  Though this is a necessary rule and precaution it will surely be hard to prevent those determined to break the rules. And though this rule was recently passed by the CHRB, it will still need approval from the state’s office of Administration Law, which is a process that can take several months and then it must make its way to the Secretary of State for final approval.

Unfortunately for the CHRB and those backing exchange wagering, it still seems that horse racing partnerships, individual owners, and trainers are still mostly opposed to the idea of exchange wagering because it will question and test the integrity of the game and the amount of money that will go to purses is in question. Furthermore, it looks like it will be well into 2013 until we have an official decision and how if it is approved, exchange wagering will be set up. But with the potential boost in handle for tracks and economic increase for the sport in general, I am sure all horse racing fans would agree that it would be beneficial for the sport to find a way to implement it while still maintaining a high level of integrity.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

The Breeders’ Cup

A Horse Racing Syndicate’s Dream, The Breeders’ Cup

Imagine a day in thoroughbred horse racing where all the best horses from around the world come together at the same race track and show off their talents for two consecutive days. This spectacular event of racing is The Breeders’ Cup. In short, the Breeders’ Cup is the end of the year challenge where all the best horses in the world come together to compete against one another in their respective classes and distances.

Every dream of a thoroughbred horse racing syndicate is to run in the Breeders’ Cup at the end of the year. It’s like the all-star game for horses, where the best horses at each distance and surface compete against the best from around the world. The Breeders’ Cup was inaugurated in 1984 at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, CA. It was a dream conceived by several prominent owners in the industry to bring more attention and a positive light to horse racing on an international stage. Originally, the Breeders’ Cup was held on one single day but today it is comprised of 15 stakes races, the majority of which are Grade 1 races, and is held on two consecutive days.

The Breeders’ Cup is not available to just any horse, but only the best in world. Today, there are sponsored races that are predetermined before the racing season begins called Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” races. There are a set amount of “Win and You’re In” races for each Breeders’ Cup race, and the winner of these races gains an automatic entry into the Breeders’ Cup, as well as entry fees paid for. This is the most direct and assured way of gaining entry into the Breeders’ Cup so most horse racing partnerships will point their horses to specific “Win and You’re In” races. The other way to gain entry into the Breeders’ Cup races, is based on a point system, where specific stakes races have a predetermined number of points for finishing 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd respectively. The rest of the field is determined by the highest point earners, and then if needed horses can be nominated and are evaluated by a panel.

Unlike the Triple Crown races that are held at the same venues each year, the Breeders’ Cup usually does not have the same venue for more than 2 years in a row. Fortunately, this year and the 2013 Breeders’ Cup will be held at the beautiful Santa Anita Park in Southern California. In the past, the Breeders’ Cup has been held all across the United States, with Churchill Downs, Santa Anita, and Belmont Park being the most popular locations. Only one time in 1996, was the Breeders’ Cup held outside the U.S., at Woodbine in Canada. For the foreseeable future the Breeders’ Cup will be held within the United States.

Probably one of the most memorable Breeders’ Cup races took place in the 2009 G1 $5,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park. Zenyatta, one of the best female thoroughbreds to ever race became the first female thoroughbred to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic, which is typically a race dominated by male entries. Not only did she become the first female horse to win the Classic but also the first horse to win two different Breeders’ Cup races, as she won the 2008 Lady’s Classic. This was truly a remarkable feet, that may never be duplicated. These accomplishments speak to the history and quality of racing that takes place year in and year out at the Breeders’ Cup.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, we were fortunate enough to campaign Turbulent Descent last year, where she went off as the post time favorite in the Grade 1, $1,000,000 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Though she had a very troubled trip and had to go 5 wide, finishing 5^th, it was still the most exciting experience for our thoroughbred syndicate. All of our partners made the trip to Churchill Downs as passionate owners, friends, and fans. To be a part of the Breeders’ Cup is an experience in racing that usually only comes once in a life time, but we are confident that the Blinkers On horse racing partnership will be back very soon.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships Get Two Year Olds Ready For The Races

Horse Racing Syndicates Prepare 2 Year-Olds For Race Day

Getting a thoroughbred to the races whether it’s after a sale, or straight in from the farm is never an easy task. Every thoroughbred horse racing syndicate’s trainer has a different approach to getting a horse ready for his or her first race.

At Blinkers On Racing Stable, we purchase race horses for sale from 2 year old in training auctions. These sales take place in the Spring, from March through June. Depending on when the thoroughbred is purchased can determines when the horse will be ready to run. Each horse is an individual and depending on when they come out of the sale helps us determine when they are ready to resume training. But as a rule of thumb we like to give our horses at least 30 days of rest on the farm immediately after the sale. Race horses for sale at 2 year old in training auctions are pushed on to run fast in the under tack shows in order bring more money in the auction ring, this along with the hectic sales environment can leave many horses very stressed and tired both mentally and physically. Most horse racing partnerships like to just go on training their horses after the sales, but at Blinkers On Racing Stable, we like to let our horses recover both physically and mentally from the very taxing sales environment.

After the sale, our horses are shipped to a farm in Southern California where they will rest for 30 days and just be a horse. After the necessary time is given to each individual horse they will begin light training at the farm which starts with a few days of tack walking, then 2 to 3 weeks of jogging and then another 2 to 3 weeks of galloping. At this point the thoroughbred horse racing syndicate’s trainer will evaluate the horse’s fitness and progress at the farm, and if he and the owners agree, the horse will be brought to the trainer’s barn at the race track to continue training.

Once a horse is brought to the race track each trainer has a different set of guidelines of how they prepare 2 year olds for their first race. Typically, a Blinkers On trained horse will continue galloping about 2 miles per day for about 2 weeks after coming into the track. At that point if the trainer is satisfied with the fitness of the horse, he will plan to breeze the horse 2 to 3 furlongs for his or her first breeze. This first breeze is typically used as more of a learning experience as well as finding out how fit the horse actually is. More times than not, the horse will breeze nice and easy finishing with an average time and will be relatively tired. This is normal for a horse’s first 3/8ths breeze as they have not been asked to run since the sale almost 2 ½ months ago.

From this point forward the horse will typically be on a 6 to 7 day breeze schedule while galloping each day in between usually with one day off. During the days of galloping the horse from time to time will be walked through the starting gate in order to get comfortable with that environment. They will be walked through and even held inside the gate just to get them use to what it’s like so they will be more comfortable come race day. After the first 3 furlongs, depending on the fitness of the horse he or she will breeze one or two more times at 3 furlongs and then begin breezing a half mile at least 2 to 3 times in consecutive weeks. At this point in the training process the horse racing partnership and trainer will have a good idea of the horse’s fitness and ability. Furthermore, the learning process will have continued during this time where the horse will breeze in company in order to learn to run with other horses. In doing so, they will be strategically placed behind other horses at times to get them use to getting dirt in their face, as well as on the lead. One of the most beneficial training exercises is learning how to start from behind another horse and pass on both the inside and the outside. At this point the horse should be pretty fit and ready for a gate work.

Before a horse can be entered in a race they must earn what is called a “gate card”. A gate card is given when a horse shows they can safely and successfully break from a starting gate. This is usually done with other horses in the gate to simulate a race environment and can also be part of a regular breeze, which will be recorded as a gate breeze (gate breezes are usually one second slower than a normal breeze). Once the horse has earned their gate card and has breezed at least 5 furlongs and possibly a 6 furlong breeze they will be ready for their first race.

Preparing a two year for old for the races is one of the most exciting times in horse racing. The anticipation of the horse’s potential as well as the process of evaluating the horse’s progress and watching them grow and mature is second to none. When you are part of a horse racing syndicate and you have watched your horse mature from the time of the sale into a race ready thoroughbred and see him or her cross the finish line first, your heart stops and the feeling is like nothing you have ever experienced, and you realize this is why we love the game.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!

 

Race Day Medication

Horse Racing Partnerships Debate The Use Of Lasix

Like any major sport in the United States Horse Racing struggles with its medication policies and regulations. It is largely agreed upon that the sport as a whole needs some kind of medication reform. But the issue still remains, which drugs should be regulated and who will regulate them.

The most controversial medications are those that are administered on race days, specifically, Salix (Furosemide) commonly known as Lasix. This drug is commonly given to horses on race day, a few hours before their race to prevent EIPH (exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage) which is bleeding in the horse’s lungs that is caused by exercise. This is a common occurrence in thoroughbreds throughout the U.S. and Lasix helps prevent the bleeding in the horse’s lungs. The problem is that some feel that this drug is a performance enhancing drug that is only masking symptoms that are naturally occurring in the animal.

Major groups that represent thoroughbred racing for horse racing partnerships and owners across the country are in disagreement on whether to ban Lasix or not. Very influential groups like the Jockey Club and the TOBA (thoroughbred owners and breeders association) believe that race day Lasix should be banned and horses that have EIPH should not run and the “bleeders” should not be bred. And on the other side the strongest opposition is the trainers. Trainers feel that most of their horses would not be able to run without Lasix and they would be left with very few horses that do not have EIPH. It would effectively be like taking most of their barn away and starting over.

Whether banning race day medication like Lasix is actually a good idea for the sport or not is a tough question to be answered, but the real problem seems to lie in the fact that there is no governing body in thoroughbred horse racing. Unlike in baseball and every other major sport, horse racing does not have a commissioner or oversight committee that enforces rules and regulations nationally. Without a central body overseeing and regulating horse racing as a whole, states will begin to make decisions on their own, and unfortunately rules may be different from state to state. Slowly but surely different entities will start and have already begun to ban race day Lasix from racing. For Example, the Breeders’ Cup has implemented a ban of Lasix in all of their 2 year old races starting in 2012. It would be hard to imagine all these 2 year olds running in the beginning of the year with Lasix and then trying to run without it come Breeders’ Cup race day.

What seems evident is that more research needs to be done in the U.S. about the effects of race day Lasix both positive and negative. In addition, racing as a whole will need to find a way to come together in agreement so the sport itself is not affected by the infighting because of the lack of leadership in our sport. Hopefully, with more research, information, and debates between trainers, thoroughbred partnerships, and committees everyone can come to a decision on race day medication that puts the welfare of the horse and the sport first. Because at the end of the day, without race horses for sale and new race horse partnerships forming year after year the sport will not be able to sustain itself.

Blinkers On

Blinkers On Racing Stable, a leader in thoroughbred horse racing partnerships, brings together the finest in thoroughbred horse racing expertise with the best in business know-how, and above all, a team of people you can trust, to manage your investment. We are committed to helping you experience the joys of thoroughbred horse ownership. For more information on thoroughbred partnerships visit our website or request an information package about our partnership. Keep up with horse racing in California by reading our Blog, finding us on Facebook, following us on Twitter, checking us out on LinkedIn, or visiting our YouTube Channel!