Category: Racing

Fair Grounds Announces 10% Across the Board Purse Increase

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Strong Early Business Prompts Daily Bump and Stakes Boost

New Orleans, La (Jan. 9, 2024) – Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the 152nd racing season, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes.

“We’re extremely excited to announce a 10% increase to our daily purse structure along with the $25,000 boost to ten stakes,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Based on the strong early handle returns and continued support from our owners, horsemen, and horseplayers, we are in a position to raise purses.”

The 10% across the board purse increase will go in effect with the soon to be released condition book #4, which begins with the Thursday, Jan. 25 card (drawn Thursday, Jan. 18).

The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $57,000.

The seven remaining stakes listed at $75,000 have been increased to $100,000: Louisiana Broodmare of the Year, Louisiana Stallion of the Year, Allen “Black Cat” Lacombe Memorial, Black Gold, Edward J. Johnston Memorial, Red Camelia, and Page Cortez. In addition, three stakes run on Louisiana Derby Day (March 23) have been boosted by $25,000. The Tom Benson Memorial, a 1 1/16 miles turf route for older fillies and mares will now be run for $150,000 purse, and both the Crescent City Derby and Oaks will now be run for $125,000.

Fair Grounds Stakes Purses Up $1.2 Million for the 2023-2024 Thoroughbred Racing Season

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·       Stakes Schedule jumps to $9.7 million, the richest in Louisiana’s history

·       Road to the Derby Kickoff Day falls on Dec. 23

·       The Black Gold Stakes will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold’s Louisiana Derby

New Orleans, LA (Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced that 73 stakes worth a combined $9.7 million will be offered during the 76-day 2023-2024 Thoroughbred meet. Up $1.2 million from last season, the increase includes the $1 million in base purses that will be offered on Dec. 2 as Fair Grounds hosts the 25th annual Claiming Crown.

“In our 152nd year, Fair Grounds will set another record for the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history,” said Doug Shipley, President and General Manager of Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots.

Eight existing stakes receive a $25,000 boost, including two perennially star-studded turf events, the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3) and the $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial. The 78th running of the Louisiana Stakes Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) is on the list and will be run for $175,000, as well as the 99th running of The Thanksgiving Classic, which will now offer a $200,000 purse.

“Many deserve thanks for their dedication and efforts to make this happen,” said Fair Grounds Racing Secretary Scott Jones. “Along with our phenomenal Road to the Kentucky Derby series and thriving turf course, this is one more reason why there is no better winter destination for horse racing than New Orleans.”

This racing season marks the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold’s Louisiana Derby victory. The 66th running of the $75,000 Black Gold Stakes (3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf) will take place on March 2, 2024 and will include a proper celebration with his connections’ family in attendance. Rosa Hoots became the first woman to have bred and owned a Kentucky Derby winner when Black Gold won the Run for the Roses in 1924. A member of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Hoots bred her 34-time-winning race mare U-See-It with the stallion Black Toney, which produced a jet-black foal that she named “Black Gold.” The first horse ever to win the derbies of four different states, Black Gold was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1989.

“Black Gold was the first Louisiana Derby champion to go on and win the Kentucky Derby,” said director of racing Jason Boulet. “Not only did he break his maiden at Fair Grounds but he is also buried in our infield. Our tradition is for the winning jockey of the Black Gold Stakes to place flowers on his grave. We’re proud to run a stake in his honor every year, but it will be all the more special having his owner’s family with us at Fair Grounds to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of his historic achievement.”

Opening day is slated for Friday, Nov. 17. Six $75,000 Louisiana-bred stakes will be run over the main track on the season’s first two days. Fillies and mares take center stage on Friday in the Doris Hebert Memorial (6 furlongs), the John Valene Memorial (1 mile & 70 yards), both for 3-year-olds and up, and the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial, a 5 1/2 furlong event for 2-year-old fillies. Saturday’s trio of stakes are a mirror-image in terms of age, distance and surface, including the Larry D. Robideaux Memorial, the Jacob V. Morreale Memorial, and the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial, respectively. Each is in its second year of running, but four are renamed from last year to honor departed members of Louisiana’s racing community.

On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown returns to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011. It is the second straight year that the series has gone to a Churchill Downs Inc. property, as the 2022 races were held for the first time at the company’s flagship track in Louisville after a 10-year-run at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Celebrating its 25th year, Claiming Crown purses will range from $75,000 to $200,000 for the Jewel. Another $25,000 in each race will be available in purse supplements for accredited Louisiana-bred horses.

“We were thrilled with the response to the first Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs and look forward to bringing this wonderful event back to New Orleans,” said CDI Executive Director of Racing Gary Palmisano Jr. “Fair Grounds played host to the Claiming Crown in 2011 but there is no denying this event is bigger and better than ever. We are excited to partner with the National HBPA, TOBA and the Louisiana HBPA to make 2023 among the best and the most memorable Claiming Crowns ever.”

The eight 2023 Claiming Crown races all are for horses 3-years-old and up, with two of those restricted to fillies and mares. Headlining the card is the $200,000 Jewel at 1 1/8 miles for horses that have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2022-23. Three other races—all on turf—will offer a $150,000 purse and have a $25,000 claiming requirement. Those races are the Emerald at 1 1/16 miles, its filly and mare counterpart, the Tiara, and the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial at 5 1/2 furlongs. The other Claiming Crown races are the $100,000 Rapid Transit ($16,000 claiming requirement) at 6 furlongs; $100,000 Glass Slipper ($12,500 claiming requirement) at one mile for fillies and mares; $75,000 Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial ($8,000 claiming requirement) at 1 1/16 miles, and $75,000 Ready’s Rocket Express ($8,000 claiming requirement) at 6 furlongs.

Louisiana Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, and it will card eight stakes worth a total of $2,625,000. Written at 1 3/16 miles now for the fifth year, the 111th running of the Twinspires.com $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) is worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Over the past five years since Country House came through New Orleans on his way to winning Kentucky Derby 145, Fair Grounds’ Derby prep races have produced three winners, three place finishers, and three show finishers, along with two who rounded out the superfecta.  Last season was no different as the second, third, and fourth-place finishers in Kentucky Derby 149 (Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire, and Disarm, respectively) trained, raced and earned qualifying points at Fair Grounds.

Run at 1 1/16 miles, the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) awards 100-50-25-15-10 points en route to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). Last year’s place-finisher Pretty Mischievous rebounded from that defeat with a victory in Kentucky Oaks 149, becoming owner/breeder Godolphin’s first filly to win the Run for the Lilies. Winner and third-place finishers Southlawn and The Alys Look also competed in the Kentucky Oaks.

“The strong infusion of our sport’s top 3-year-olds training and racing at Fair Grounds has been very apparent these past few seasons,” Jones said. “Beginning with the Gun Runner and the Untapable for late-season juveniles, it’s proven that our progressive schedule of 3-year-old races for both the boys and girls gives horsemen the proper distances and spacing to prepare their runners for the first weekend in May and beyond.”

A pair of high-impact, nine-furlong stakes for older horses are also scheduled on the March 23 Louisiana Derby Day program–the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G2) on dirt and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) on turf. Four undercard stakes are slated for the lucrative card, including the newly minted $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass and a trio of Louisiana-bred events–the Costa Rising Stakes for 3-year-olds and up (5 1/2 furlong turf sprint), the Crescent City Derby (1 1/16 miles) and the Crescent City Oaks (1 mile and 70 yards).

Road to the Derby Kickoff Day falls on Dec. 23 this year and will card eight stakes. A pair of 2-year-old affairs with Kentucky Derby and Oaks point implications (10-5-3-2-1) highlight the card: the $100,000 Gun Runner contested at 1 1/16 miles and the 1 mile 70 yards $100,000 Untapable for fillies.

Two long standing juvenile 6-furlong sprint stakes remain on the Dec. 23 Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card–the Sugar Bowl and the Letellier Memorial for fillies. The undercard also features three turf stakes: the Buddy Diliberto Memorial (1 1/16 miles), the Blushing K.D. (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), and the Richard R. Scherer Memorial, a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. The Tenacious Stakes (3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles) retains its spot on the Dec. 23 card, while its female counterpart, the Joseph “Spanky” Broussard Memorial (1 mile 70 yards), shifts ahead one day from its spot on this card last year to Friday, Dec. 22. Each stake scheduled for these two days will be run for $100,000.

On Jan. 20, Road to the Derby Day features a pair of key 3-year-old events–the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) which was extended from one mile to 1 1/16 miles four years ago, and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (fillies going 1 mile and 70 yards). The top five finishers in each race receive 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively.

Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Jan. 20 program, including the purse-boosted $175,000 Louisiana Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, and the Colonel E.R. Bradley (1 1/16 miles), the Duncan F. Kenner (5 1/2 furlongs), and the Marie G. Krantz Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), each scheduled to be run for $100,000 over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course.

On Feb. 17, Louisiana Derby Preview Day features a pair of key 3-year-old stakes–the $400,000 Risen Star (G2), which was extended from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles four years ago, and the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2), for fillies to be contested over 1 1/16 miles. The top five finishers receive 50-25-15-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively. The Rachel Alexandra has produced three of the last six Kentucky Oaks winners in Pretty Mischievous, Monomoy Girl, and Serengeti Empress. The 2014 victress Untapable also took down the Run for the Lilies.

Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Feb. 17 program–the $250,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) at 1 1/16 miles, the newly-minted $175,000 Fair Grounds (G3) at nine furlongs on turf, the $100,000 Colonel Power at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, and the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.

Louisiana Champions Day will be held on Dec. 9. With the races run in various divisions over a variety of distances on both dirt and turf, the program features nine stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds. Each Louisiana Champions Day stake is worth $100,000 with the exception of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter, and $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter.

Four Louisiana-bred stakes receive a $25,000 purse boost in 2023-2024, including the Gary P. Palmisano Memorial and Bob F. Wright Memorial for fillies and mares. Both 6-furlong dirt sprints for 4-year-olds and up are now worth $100,000. Together with the $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial, a turf sprint for older females, these three stakes will be run on Jan. 6.

Two Louisiana-bred stakes added to last year’s schedule return with new honorees: the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” at 1 mile 70 yards and the $75,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year “Lipstick Junky” at one mile. Both are written for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds, will be run for $75,000, and are named for two of the great producing influences in Louisiana’s breeding history. Those stakes will be contested on Feb. 24.

Closing day is Sunday, March 24 and it will feature three statebred stakes. The purses for both older dirt routes, the Star Guitar Presented by Brittlyn Stable (1 1/16 miles) and the Shantel Lanerie Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 mile 70 yards), have been raised to $100,000. The $75,000 Page Cortez, a turf sprint for 3-year-old and up females, rounds out the trio.

The 76-day, 2023-2024 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, March 24. Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. CT. There will be an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 23), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 20) Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 17), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 23).

Condition Book #1 * Index

2023-2024 Stakes Schedule

DELTA DOWNS KICKS OFF 2023-24 THOROUGHBRED SEASON FRIDAY NIGHT

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– DEL CID, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS RETURN TO DEFEND TITLES –

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will kick off its 2023-24 Thoroughbred season on Friday night, October 6. Live racing will begin at 5:15 pm each week until the season comes to a close on February 24.

Live cards will take place Wednesdays through Saturdays after opening weekend and through the end of the calendar year. There will be several three-day race weeks, Thursdays through Saturdays, taking place in January and February. A total of six daytime race cards starting at 12:55 pm will be featured during the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

During the season, Delta Downs will offer a stakes schedule that features 23 races and a total of $2.035 million in total purse money. The track will also roll out exciting weekly promotions in the OTB for fans to participate in throughout the 21-week season.

The stakes activity begins on opening weekend with the $100,000 Magnolia and the $100,000 Gold Cup on Friday, October 6. Both races are restricted to Louisiana-bred horses with the Magnolia featuring 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.

The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, February 3 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The exciting card will feature the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes races worth total purse money of $895,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Championship for 4-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.

The leading horsemen from last year at Delta Downs are expected to vie for top honors once again this season.

Jockey Vicente Del Cid, trainer Karl Broberg and owner End Zone Athletics Inc. are favored in the top spots for their respective categories. Del Cid is attempting to win his second consecutive title; Broberg is going for this 13th straight trainer crown; and End Zone Athletics will try to win its 12th title in the last 13 years.

Race fans will have several opportunities to save money during the meet. On Wednesdays, patrons in the OTB can score a free program; On Thursday nights fans will be treated to a free hot dog; On Friday nights fans can score a free domestic beer at the OTB bar. Each promotion requires the participant to be 21 years of age or older and a Boyd Rewards Card member.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs this season, including a detailed schedule and stakes dates, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information throughout the season with our social media accounts. The Facebook page is found at ‘Delta Downs Racing’, and the track’s Twitter (X) handle is @deltaracing.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” by readers of USA TODAY 10Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen Series Returns in 2023

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The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Dozen, an incentive-based participation bonus program for horsemen pointing runners to the dirt races in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, will return this season. Launched in 2022, the series awards bonus credits funded by the Breeders’ Cup for first through third-place finishes in each of 12 existing graded stakes races scheduled from May through October at six tracks throughout the United States. Horsemen can use those credits toward entry fees for one of the six Breeders’ Cup World Championships dirt races.

In Dirt Dozen races in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup race divisions–which includes the GI Longines Distaff, GI Qatar Racing Sprint, GI FanDuel Juvenile and GI NetJets Juvenile Fillies–the bonus tier is allocated at $30,000 for first, $15,000 for second, and $7,500 for third.

In Dirt Dozen races in the $1-million Breeders’ Cup race divisions–the GI PNC F/M Sprint and the GI Big Ass Fans Dirt Mile–the bonus tier will award $15,000 for first, $7,500 for second, and $3,750 for third.

The Dirt Dozen program begins May 6 with the GI Derby City Distaff at Churchill Downs. The first three finishers in the race will earn credits toward entry fees for a potential start in the F/M Sprint. The program concludes Oct. 1 with the GI Zenyatta S. at Santa Anita, where the first three finishers in the race will earn credits toward entry fees for a potential start in the Distaff.

“After a successful launch in 2022, we are happy to again present our innovative Dirt Dozen program,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “Last year, many horsemen who took advantage of those credits toward entry fees for our dirt races were rewarded at the World Championships, and we look forward to extending the same incentive to connections who are targeting a start at Santa Anita Park in November.”

Live Racing at Fair Grounds is Canceled for Friday, March 17

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New Orleans, La (March 17, 2023) – After running the first race, the decision was made to
cancel the rest of Friday’s card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots due to inclement weather.
Live racing will resume on Saturday, March 18 with 9 races scheduled to begin at the regular
post time of 1:15 p.m. CT.
Also on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. CT, the field for the 110th running of the $1 million
Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) with starting gate assignments and morning line odds will
be revealed during the Louisiana Derby Draw Show.
The Louisiana Derby Draw Show will be broadcast on Fair Grounds simulcast & on Twitter:
@fairgroundsnola. Joe Kristufek and John G. Dooley will host and be joined by morning line
odds maker Mike Diliberto & racing analyst Kevin Kilroy. Following the post-position draw, the
connections on hand and members of the Fair Grounds management team will be available for
interviews.

Wagering, Purses Up in September

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Purses rose significantly in September this year compared to September 21 while wagering on U.S. races saw a slight uptick, with a similar split showing for the third quarter of 2022 vs. 2021, according to the economic indicator statistics released by Equibase Wednesday.

Wagering totaled $936,206,774 in September, a 2.68% increase from the total of $911,734,704 in September 2021. This year’s number, however, was a 9.98% drop-off from the $1,040,000,472 wagered in September 2020. Wagering per race day was $2,317,344, a 7% increase from last September, but an 18.67% drop from the $2,849,316 posted in September 2020.

 

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Houston Ladies Classic Tops Sam Houston Stakes Schedule

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Thoroughbred racing at Sam Houston Race Park returns Jan. 6, 2023, with several changes planned for its 43-day Thoroughbred meet.

The Thoroughbred meet will feature afternoon racing on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1 p.m CT. Holiday Monday racing, also at 1 p.m., will take place on Martin Luther King Day and President’s Day.

Thoroughbred racing in Texas stopped being exported for simulcast this July at Lone Star Park when Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority oversight began over much of the country.

The Houston Racing Festival highlights the stakes schedule on Jan. 28. The 2023 edition will offer five stakes, anchored by the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) and the $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3T). The $100,000 Bob Bork Texas Turf Mile, $100,000 Bara Lass stakes, and $100,000 Groovy Stakes will be included on the undercard.

Frank Hopf, Sam Houston Race Park’s assistant general manager, looks forward to welcoming Houston horseplayers and new fans to the northwest Houston racetrack.

“The new schedule and start times present an opportunity to engage with our loyal simulcast guests and attract new fans with daytime racing,” said Hopf.  “Moving our stakes races and promotions to the afternoons will provide new opportunities for everyone.”

The 2023 Sam Houston stakes schedule can be viewed online.

Bart Lang will serve as director of racing for the 2023 live racing season, including the 25-day Sam Houston Race Park Quarter Horse meet from April 21-June 17.

OAKLAWN ADDS NINE STAKES RACES TO RECORD 2022-2023 SCHEDULE

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HOT SPRINGS, AR (Thursday, July 28, 2022) – Although it doesn’t begin until Friday, December 9, the 2022-2023 Oaklawn racing season has already broken at least two records. The Hot Springs, AR, track will offer the greatest number of stakes races and the highest stakes purses in its history.

Nine races have been added to the stakes schedule for the 68-day season, bringing the total to 45. Total purses offered for the stakes program have increased by $1.45 million to an all-time high of $13.75 million. The overall purse distribution for the season is projected to exceed $50 million, yet another record.

The stakes schedule is once again highlighted by the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1) April 1, along with three $1 million stakes races – the Rebel Stakes (G2) February 25, the Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) April 15, and the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) April 22.

This is the second consecutive season Oaklawn is opening in December. Oaklawn President Louis Cella said the expansion of the stakes program is made possible by the early start. “We were pleased with how December racing was received last year, by both racing fans and horsemen,” Cella said. “Now, we’re going to use our stakes schedule to build on that momentum.”

Three of the new Stakes races are scheduled for December, while the other six will take place during the final weeks of the season:

  • Ring the Bell Stakes ($150,000) – December 10
  • Renaissance Stakes ($150,000) – December 31
  • Year’s End Stakes ($150,000) – December 31
  • Matron Stakes ($250,000) – March 31
  • Hot Springs Stakes ($200,000) – April 1
  • Valley of the Vapors Stakes ($150,000) – April 22
  • Dig a Diamond Stakes ($150,000) – April 29
  • Lake Ouachita Stakes ($150,000) – May 5
  • Lake Hamilton Stakes ($150,000) – May 6

“One of the reasons Oaklawn has been successful for more than a century is because of where we are located,” Oaklawn General Manager Wayne Smith said. “Tourism is a major industry in our area, and Oaklawn is proud to be the state’s top tourism attraction. We wanted some stakes with names synonymous with Oaklawn’s hometown and the surrounding area.”

Oaklawn’s rich 3-year-old series, offering points towards eligibility in the Kentucky Derby (G1), begins January 1, with the $250,000 Smarty Jones Stakes and continues with the $750,000 Southwest Stakes (G3) January 28, and the Rebel Stakes (G2) February 25, before culminating with the April 1 Arkansas Derby (G1). The 3-year-old filly series offering points towards eligibility in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) follows the same path as the males, starting January 28 with the $200,000 Martha Washington Stakes, and continues with the $300,000 Honeybee Stakes (G3) February 25, and $600,000 Fantasy Stakes (G3) April 1.

Other notable highlights of Oaklawn’s 2022-2023 stakes schedule are the $600,000 Razorback Handicap (G3) February 18, $500,000 Essex Handicap (G3) and $200,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) March 18, and the $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) and $500,000 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap (G3) April 15.

The 2022-2023 season runs Friday, December 9 through Saturday, May 6, Kentucky Derby Day.

Located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, Oaklawn is one of the premiere Thoroughbred racetracks in the country since 1904, best known as home of the Arkansas Derby. The casino features slots, live table games, and sports betting year-round. Live racing held Dec-May and simulcast racing throughout the year. Come visit the Oaklawn hotel, multi-purpose event center, state-of-the-art spa, and several dining options. Oaklawn.com, 1-800-OAKLAWN.

​2022 Belmont Park fall meet to be held at Aqueduct Racetrack

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by Pat McKenna

 

Belmont at the Big A to offer 41 stakes worth $9.9 million in total purses

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) today announced that, due to the construction of vehicular and pedestrian tunnels designed to provide access to the Belmont Park infield, the 2022 Belmont Park fall meet will be held at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

The 28-day Belmont at the Big A fall meet will begin on Thursday, September 15 and run through Sunday, October 30. Headlined by four Grade 1 races and six “Win and You’re In” qualifiers to the Breeders’ Cup in November at Keeneland, Belmont at the Big A will feature 23 graded events among 41 stakes worth $9.9 million in total purses. Live racing will be conducted Thursday-Sunday.

The construction of tunnels for vehicular and pedestrian access is a major capital improvement project that will unlock the 45-acre infield at Belmont Park. In addition to providing access for fans and the surrounding community, the tunnels will serve as a conduit to the infield for commercial vehicles allowing NYRA to completely reconstruct the Belmont main track and its two turf courses. The tunnels will also provide NYRA with the opportunity to consider the installation of a synthetic track in the future. 

“This investment in the future of Belmont Park will transform our racing operations and pave the way for a broader re-imagining of the facility,” said Dave O’Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “The shift to Aqueduct this fall will minimize the overall impact on the racing schedule, and ensure continuity for the Belmont spring/summer meet and Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. We appreciate the patience of our horsemen and fans as we enter this period of transition at Belmont, and look forward to an exciting fall at the Big A.”

Construction on the tunnels will require the closure of the Belmont Park main track and turf courses at the conclusion of training hours on Sunday, August 7. NYRA expects main track and turf training to resume in April 2023. Construction on the racetracks will begin following the conclusion of the 2023 Belmont Park spring/summer meet, which will be held in its entirety at Belmont. 

Following a three-week closure for annual track maintenance, the Belmont Park training track will re-open on Monday, August 8 and remain open throughout tunnel and track construction. 

As part of the same round of capital improvement projects, NYRA will install a synthetic surface on the ¼ mile Belmont Park Pony Track. Expected to be complete in September, the Tapeta Footings track will provide a new all-weather training option and yield information and data on the performance of a synthetic surface in the weather conditions at Belmont. 

The Oklahoma Training track will operate as normal, with scheduled turf training available throughout the fall. 

The New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA) is responsible for advancing and protecting the interests of thoroughbred owners and trainers at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. In his role as NYTHA President, Joe Appelbaum expressed support for the planned renovations and improvements to Belmont.

“NYTHA membership recognize the importance of modernizing Belmont Park and look forward to competing at a world-class thoroughbred racing venue,” said Appelbaum. “We will continue to work closely with NYRA to reduce any burdens on horsemen created by the temporary closure of the main track at Belmont.”

Belmont at the Big A will offer significant purse increases with a particular focus on adding value to conditions impacting the broadest group of owners and trainers. Accordingly, open allowance races will be run for six-figure purses while all claiming categories, New York-bred, and maiden races will enjoy purse enhancements. 

Beyond the increases to the purse schedule, NYRA will introduce a new bonus program to further reward horsemen for competing at the fall meet. The Belmont at the Big A bonus will pay $500 to the owner and $500 to the trainer of any horse finishing outside of the top three in his/her first fall start provided the most recent start was during the 2022 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course. Stakes races at Aqueduct do not qualify for the Belmont at the Big A bonus. 

The Belmont at the Big A stakes action will kick off on Saturday, September 17, with the closing legs of the Caesars Turf Triple Series: the Grade 3, $1 million Caesars Jockey Club Derby for 3-year-olds going 1 1/2 miles on the turf and the Grade 3, $700,000 Jockey Club Oaks for sophomore fillies. The Grade 3, $150,000 Pebbles at one-mile on turf for sophomore fillies will then be contested on Sunday, September 18. 

The first New York-bred stakes of the meet will be the $125,000 Joseph A. Gimma on Friday, September 23, leading into a weekend that includes the Grade 3, $175,000 Athenia for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up competing at 1 1/8 miles on the turf on Saturday, September 24. The Saturday card will also include the $125,000 Ashley T. Cole, a nine-furlong turf test for state-breds 3-years-old and up. The following day will see fillies and mares 3-and-up sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs in the Grade 2, $250,000 Gallant Bloom, with the undercard rounded out by the $150,000 Bertram F. Bongard for New York-bred juveniles going seven furlongs. 

The weekend of October 1-2 will be comprised of seven graded stakes with a pair of Grade 1s highlighting the Saturday card in the $500,000 Woodward for 3-year-olds and up going nine furlongs and the $500,000 Champagne for 2-year-olds running one mile. The Champagne affords the winner a spot in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. The October 2 card will also include the Grade 2, $200,000 Miss Grillo for fillies at 1 1/16 miles on the turf, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; along with the Grade 3, $200,000 Belmont Turf Sprint Invitational for 3-year-olds and up going six furlongs on the turf. 

Sunday, October 2 will be headlined by the Grade 1, $400,000 Frizette for 2-year-old fillies at one mile with a spot in the Grade 1, $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies up for grabs. The October 2 card will include the Grade 2, $200,000 Pilgrim for juveniles going 1 1/16 miles on the turf, offering a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf; and the Grade 3, $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Waya at 1 3/8 miles for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up.

Top quality racing will continue on Saturday, October 8 with the Grade 1, $500,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 1 1/2-miles, along with the Grade 2, $250,000 Vosburgh, a seven-furlong sprint [previously run at six furlongs] for 3-year-olds and up, which offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Rounding out the October 8 stakes action will be the Grade 3, $150,000 Matron at six furlongs on turf for juvenile fillies.

October 9 will offer the fall meet’s final Breeders’ Cup qualifier with the Grade 3, $150,000 Futurity for 2-year-olds going six furlongs on the turf providing a spot in the Grade 1, $2 million Juvenile Turf Sprint. Also on tap that day will be the Grade 2, $250,000 Beldame at nine furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up; and the Grade 3, $150,000 Knickerbocker for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles on the turf.

On Saturday, October 29, the Grade 2, $300,000 Kelso, a one-turn mile for 3-year-olds and up will offer the top-four finishers a free nomination and starting fee in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile. The October 29 card will include the Grade 3, $200,000 Bold Ruler for 3-year-olds and up at six furlongs [previously run at seven furlongs] on the main track. 

Additional graded races include the Grade 2, $200,000 Sands Point [October 15], Grade 2, $300,000 Hill Prince [October 22], and the Grade 3, $150,000 Noble Damsel [October 22].

Belmont at the Big A will close on Sunday, October 30 with the annual Empire Showcase Day, which will include eight stakes for New York-breds worth $1.6 million in total purse money. The lucrative card is highlighted by the $250,000 Empire Classic for 3-year-olds and up going 1 1/8 miles, and its counterpart the $250,000 Empire Distaff at nine furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. Both the Empire Classic and Empire Distaff were previously run at 1 1/16-miles. Empire Showcase Day will also include four $200,000 stakes in the Sleepy Hollow, Maid of the Mist, Mohawk and Ticonderoga, along with a pair of $150,000 stakes in the Iroquois and Hudson.

For the complete Belmont at the Big A stakes schedule, visit https://bit.ly/3vmPaJP.

EVANGELINE DOWNS SET TO KICK OFF 2022 THOROUGHBRED SEASON ON APRIL 6

louisianathoroughbred

THE 84-DAY SEASON WILL RUN THROUGH AUGUST 27

 

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –The 2022 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs will begin on Wednesday, April 6.  The meet will consist of 84 days of racing, running on a Wednesday through Saturday weekly schedule and concluding on August 27.  First post each night will be at the new time of 5:30pm Central time.

 

The stakes calendar features a couple of new additions with the Acadiana and Lafayette Stakes.  Both of these races were previously contested under state-bred conditions, but are now open stakes events.  The Acadiana, for 3-year-old fillies, will be run on Friday, April 15, with the Lafayette, for 3-year-olds, the following night.  The May stakes action features the EVD Distaff, for 4-year-old and up Louisiana-bred fillies and mares, on May 6 and the EVD Classic, for Louisiana-bred 4-year-olds and up, on May 7.

 

The featured night of the Thoroughbred racing season will take place on Saturday, June 4 with the Louisiana Legends Night.  The exciting card will include six stakes races for horses bred in the Bayou State, each with a purse of $75,000.  A new star emerged last year as Cilla took the Legends Mademoiselle Stakes and later scored a graded stakes win in the Prioress (G2) at Saratoga in September.

 

July will see the renewals of the Opelousas and John Henry Stakes turf races.  The Opelousas, on Friday July 1, is for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.  The John Henry, to be run on Saturday, July 2, is for 3-year-olds and up.

 

The final month of the racing season will include a couple of stakes weekends.  The Friday, August 5 card will include the Spotted Horse, a stakes for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.  The Evangeline Mile, for 3-year-olds and up, will be contested Saturday, August 6.  Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds will take center stage on closing weekend with the D.S “Shine” Young Futurities.  The fillies division will be run on Friday, August 26, with the colts and geldings division on the final night of the meet Saturday, August 27.

 

Tim Thornton, a three-time riding champion at Evangeline Downs, will be the top returning rider in 2022.  Thornton, who captured his fourth consecutive riding title at Delta Downs over the winter, finished second in the standings last season with 100 wins.  Gerard Melancon eclipsed the 5,000 career wins mark last summer and returns looking to add to his stellar career numbers.  Apprentice Vincente Del-Cid will be a new face in the jockey colony this season.  Joe Stokes, Pedro Cotto, Jr., Devin Magnon, Kevin Smith and Aubrie Green are among some of the riders looking to have a solid meet.

 

Eduardo Ramirez will be back to defend his 2021 leading trainer title and will face a stiff challenge from the Karl Broberg barn.  The former Broberg assistant notched 44 wins and a 31% winning clip to unseat the perennial leader last year.  Other regulars returning with stables to the Opelousas oval include Keith Bourgeois, Sam David, Sam Breaux, Rylee Grudzien, Ron Faucheux and Allen Landry.  Ricky Courville, trainer of Kentucky Derby hopeful Un Ojo, will also return with a stable for the 2022 season.

 

For more information on Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com.  Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

 

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing, the new Fan Duel sportsbook and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.