The last BIG race day in New York for 2014

We wrap up my weekly column for 2014 with the last major race card in New York and the NYRA circuit with their annual Fall Fest weekend including Cigar Mile Day, the last grade I stake until spring of next year. With six stakes races in three days, we see talented two year old runners and some of the best older handicap horses going a flat mile at Aqueduct. After this weekend, everything on the NYRA circuit goes into hibernation mode somewhat for the next four months. We'll try to give out some winners before we also go into sleep mode until we're back in March with the march toward the 2015 Triple Crown trail.

First up in the 4th race at the Big A (post 1:24) three year old fillies are going a two turn, mile and an eighth in the grade III ~ Comely Stakes. Nine go to the post in a evenly matched field with only one grade stake winner in the bunch and a three prong Godolphin blue entry which even isn't the morning line favorite. That goes to the undefeated Todd Pletcher runner and only graded winner here; Dame Dorothy (#3). She has been lightly raced this year with gaps between all her starts. I'll select her second and go with the NY bred who solidly won a statebred restricted race last start by over five lengths; Princess Violet (#5). She's only had one bad start this year and this distance suits her well. The best I can place the Godolphin entry (#1) is third because I'm not sure which of the three will race or possibly all three. The selections for the Comely (4th) : 5-3-1.

The duo of two year old stakes start with the 8th race (3:19) ~ the Demoiselle Stakes also at the mile and an eighth distance. A field of eight are assembled with two graded stakes winners in another wide open betting event. Here Godolphin has just one entry and she has been a bit of a wise guy horse in her first three starts and my top selection here. Gap Year (#5) just broke her maiden last start at Keeneland, but showed enough in her first two starts (including a stake) to be the wagering favorite. Today she's at the juicy morning line odds of 4-1 and may get overlooked. For second, I'll go with the NY bred who also won a restricted stake on New York Showcase Day back in October at Belmont Park. Quezon (#3) is undefeated in her short career winning both her starts by a combined 16 lengths. She also gets first time lasix today. Using underneath my top two picks are : Condo Commando (#6) & Jacaranda (#8) for a 5-3-7-8 selections.

The boys are next in a very wide open edition of the Remsen Stakes (9th ~ 3:48) also at a mile and an eighth. In recent years, this race has had short fields with standout favorites. Not the case this year with 14 horses entered including two coupled entries. Keeping with the NY bred flavor among my picks, my top selection here is another winner from NY Showcase Day; Ostrolenka (#11). After being a non factor in the slop in his debut, he's reeled off two straight victories going a flat mile. He's listed at 4-1 on the morning line, but being trained by Todd Pletcher he'll be a shorter price. For my second pick, I'll go with the far outside runner next to him, Frosted (#12). He comes off a solid maiden breaker going a mile and gets lasix first time for his Godolphin connections. With these two, I'll be using underneath them : the Casse entry (#1) and Chad Brown entry (#2) for a 11-12-2-1 selections.

The final grade I in New York for 2014 is the Cigar Mile (10th ~ 4:17) with nine runners entered including several exiting Breeder's Cup races and one runner making his final career start. California shipper from Bob Baffert is my top selection; Secret Circle (#6) is making his third start off a layoff and stretches out to a mile today. He had success as a three year old up to this distance and Baffert wouldn't have shipped here if he didn't think the horse had a decent chance. Itsmyluckyday (#2) makes his final career start today and tries to rebound off a bad effort in the Kelso Stakes on Super Saturday at Belmont in October. It would be nice if he goes out a winner, we will see! Underneath these two classy horses I'll be using : Private Zone (#1) & Transparent (#5) for a 6-2-1-5 selections. That's a wrap for 2014, see you in the spring Racing fans!

Trackside ........ for now & the future

As we wind down 2014 thoroughbred racing season, we look back at the state of the game. It was a year with the closure of many famous race tracks like; Hollywood Park, Suffolk Downs and Colonial Park. The later, technically isn't "officially" close but did not conduct a racing meet this past summer. Hollywood Park closed it's doors a year ago and the bulk of California racing has been conducted at Santa Anita with a short meet at Los Alamitos and two meets at Del Mar Racecourse. Suffolk Downs fell victim to a state gaming bill which did not pass in Massachusetts, something that many racetracks across the country who are partially funded by VLT revenue may endure in the future.

Thoroughbred racing still exists in this country, but the times haven't gotten better for the sport. Handle and on track attendance has dipped again this year at most of the major racetracks. The need for the VLT revenue for some tracks is sometimes the only reason they stay open. The battle for the wagering dollar between casinos, lotteries and the racetracks has gotten thin especially with the state of the U.S. economy. There's not of money to go around and sometimes it's the track's marketing to attract people there that is the difference whether they survive or not.

The premier race meet in the world, Saratoga has done a good job of that through the years. Even with NYRA being unstable the past decade, the "Summer Place to Be" continues to be the leading race meet each and every year. But even Saratoga has a hard time putting up the "numbers" to keep NYRA's head above water. The expansion of the meet has work well so far, but the overall handle is what counts in the end. There is no doubt about it that Saratoga's 40 days during the summer is what keeps NYRA in the black.

Another reason that handle has maintain an even kneel is because of simulcast wagering and online wagering. Simulcast wagering is the leading revenue for many small race tracks. But a cost comes with that revenue in the form of signal fees from the other racetracks. Sometimes it's a price war between what tracks charge other tracks for their product. The main tracks and OTB's survive, but others can't afford certain track's signals. Online wagering seems to be the most lucrative product out there that benefits all parties in common.

With the advent of online wagering the past few years, there is less of an need for off-track wagering outlets and it has hurt on-track attendance at the lesser race meets. When I first started wagering nearly thirty years ago, you could either wager at an OTB or open a phone betting account. But since online wagering has been made available, it's easier to sit home and place your wager via the computer. Many OTB branches have also closed and attendance at the major betting parlors has dropped off significantly. If you are close to a racetrack, it's easy to attend live. But, it's even easier just to place funds in your online account and wager that way.

Who really knows what the future brings for the "Sport of Kings". If it has stars the public can relate to, the sport will remain popular with the mainstream public. But, it's the everyday wagering player and the follower of the sport which will keep thoroughbred racing alive. As volatile as the sport can be with the almighty dollar, the excitement it brings on track is what it's all about. Through thick or thin, thoroughbred racing will survive. There will always be horses and races to be run.

The Breeder's Cup Classic ....... and it's aftermath

Who would have thought, the biggest race of the thoroughbred season would have an outcome that sent the race world into a frenzy. The start and finish of this year's Breeder's Cup Classic not only had an effect in the wagering aspect of the race, but also did on year end honors in several thoroughbred categories.

According to California steward rules; the start of the race and any inference no matter how blatant it was, does not matter in the outcome of the race. Horses will swerve, come out, bear in or generally not break cleanly at the start and under California rules are not disqualified automatically. This is a general rule and under this circumstance was the reason that Bayern was not disqualified in the Classic. But, by bearing in he did interfere with Shared Belief, which in turned knocked the other speed in the race; Moreno off stride. This left Bayern alone on the lead and the one to catch. Runner up in the race; Toast of New York also cut in front of Shared Belief shortly after the start and also could have been moved down in the finishing order. So, technically both Bayern and Toast of New York could have been a double disqualification. But, the stewards let the finish stand and Bayern holds on for victory and not only upsets in the race, but upsets the apple cart in the three year old male division and possibly Horse of the Year honors.

Going into the Classic, Bayern was a longshot of sorts for the three year old championship. Even though he had a solid year, his dismal efforts going two turns in the Preakness Stakes and Travers made him vulnerable going a distance of ground in grade I company. But when he's left alone on the lead, like in the Haskell at Monmouth and Pennsylvania Derby at PARX, he is dangerous! With six victories in ten starts this year, Bayern jumps back into the picture for top three year old of the year honors. California Chrome finished a good third in the Classic, rebounding from two previous sub par efforts in the Belmont Stakes and Pennsylvania Derby. He had a six race winning streak previously to both those off the board starts. He'll return in the Hollywood Derby making his grass debut in a few weeks. With a bad effort there, it's quite possible that Bayern, steals the show again and wins the three year old championship.

California Chrome was leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors if he won the Classic. It would have been hard to deny him this honor with winning two thirds of the Triple Crown and the biggest older race of the year. But by racing third, even a victory in the Hollywood Derby isn't enough to get him this reward. Bayern's two bad efforts cost him the big prize, even though he still has a shot at top sophomore honors. There are no older dirt males left after retirements that did anything remotely enough to be top horse of the year. Possibly, Untapable the three year old filly who won the Kentucky Oaks and Breeder's Cup Distaff has an outside chance at Horse of the Year honors, but the caliber of fillies she faced this year weren't the best. This leaves a European import who didn't even race in this country until mid summer. But this five year old gelding son of Aldebaran reeled off four straight grade I victories on the weeds going a marathon distance and made a name for himself. The Graham Motion trained; Main Sequence is the leading candidate for Horse of the Year honors and could make a grass horse a three time top horse of the year after Wise Dan has captured the honor the past two years. 2014 has been a interesting year with formful horses leading the way, up until two Saturday evenings ago. Now, it's anyone's guess who will take home the honors. And like the start of the Classic, it won't be a clean getaway for the winners!

A tale of two days ....... Breeder's Cup 2014

The 2015 edition of the Breeder's Cup World Championships can best be described as a tale of two days in Southern California. It was the third straight year that the event was held at Santa Anita Park and the wide open fields assembled for the 13 races that encompassed the two days played out much that way. But, it was the two marquee races that ended both days that were the highlight of this year's cup.

Friday's four race card of championship races was the shortest in recent years. Formful could be the word that best described the races Friday evening. Europeans still hold a stranglehold on the Juvenile Turf for the colts when Hootenanny stretched out to a mile and a sixteenth and scored at 6-1 for absent trainer; Wesley Ward. Ward was in Florida watching his teenage son compete in a state cross-country tournament and missed both days of the action. The $14.00 win mutual for this son of Quality Road was the biggest payout of day one. The next three races had solid favorites win impressively with a repeat champion, a highly talented two year old filly on the weeds and a three year old miss with a storybook ending to her sophomore season.

Goldencents won his second Breeder's Cup Mile in wire to wire fashion much like he did last year. Lady Eli is a filly with a huge future especially on grass with a dominating victory in the Juvenile Filly Turf. But the highlight of day one was the victory of Untapable in the Distaff for the ladies. This three year gal faced older foes for the first time and was impressive in winning capping a great three year old season. After her victory was the surprise announcement from her jockey; Rosie Napravink that she was retiring from the sport and starting a family with her husband; trainer Joe Sharp. What a way to cap off the Friday festivities. What could top that announcement, drama wise for this year's Breeder's Cup? Stick around for late Saturday evening to see!

While Friday was somewhat "chalky" in the results, the first race on Saturday produced a huge $125.40 payout when the longshot in the Juvenile Fillies, Take Charge Brandi won for Hall of Fame trainer; D.Wayne Lukas. In the wide open Filly and Mare Turf, the classy N.Y. bred; Dayatthespa took them wire to wire for Mechanicville native trainer Chad Brown. The only favorite of the nine race card (and lukewarm at 3-1) was Judy the Beauty and she was victorious in the Filly & Mare Sprint. In the Breeder's Cup Turf Sprint going down the hill course at Santa Anita, produced the highest post time favorite of the card at 7-2 and was won with the incredible late close of Bobby's Kitten, once again for the Chad Brown barn.

Longshots would go on a tear in the next five races with a surprise impressive Juvenile winner; Texas Red over big favorite; Carpe Diem. The overlay of the day, Main Sequence in the Turf winning a fourth straight grade I race since shipping over from Europe, Work All Week, who shipped in from the Midwest and now is 10 for 10 on dirt winning the Sprint at 19-1. He rounded the parade of longshots with a 30-1 winner from the far outside post by the name of Karakonite in the turf mile.

In the Breeder's Cup Classic, it was a three year old that was victorious. But, not the one I expected would win. It was the speedy Bayern, who took a sharp left turn of out of the starting gate and impeded favorite; Shared Belief (which cost him all chance) and held off European import; Toast of New York and Kentucky Derby & Preakness champion; California Chrome at the wire as the winner and surviving a stewards inquiry. The chain reaction at the start also affected the other speed; Moreno who ended up dead last. After looking at the start of the race, the California stewards said that Bayern's actions did not affect the outcome of the race, based on past practices when handling similar events at California tracks. A unpopular decision by many, including myself who have my top four selections finish second through fifth in the race. This was a controversial ending to the Breeder's Cup which took a little away from the overall event and the non-D.Q. which most will remember about the day. It made a tough Breeder's Cup for myself and also for others I'm sure. With the switch of venue next year to Keeneland racetrack, just maybe the Breeder's Cup will produce some different results and not the same old, same old!

Three year olds ~ the best in the 2014 edition of the BC Classic

There is an old saying; "what goes around, comes around". In this case, it's a good thing. My first column of this year in March was the subject of the Triple Crown trail and three year old horses pointed to it. Spring hopes eternal for the future and eight months ago, there were over two dozen horses vying for a spot in the gate the first Saturday in May. We mention horses like; New Year's Day, Honor Code, Havana, Cairo Prince, Strong Mandate and Top Billing, all who failed to make the Kentucky Derby or even any Triple Crown races. While others like; Intense Holiday, Tapiture, Wildcat Red, General A Rod and Vicar's in Trouble all made one dance or another and without major success. When the smoke cleared though and we've reached year's end, it is the class of 2014 three year olds that stand tall in this year's biggest race; the Breeder's Cup Classic.

Of the 14 horses entered in the 20th edition of the Classic, over half of the field are three year old runners. Included is duel Triple Crown winner; California Chrome, the horse that foiled his Triple Crown bid; Tonalist, last year's two year old champion and likely Horse of the Year 2014 with a victory today; Shared Belief, the speedy; Bayern, Travers winner; VE Day, European invader; Toast of New Year and longshot; Candy Boy. Five grade I winners and two others who are grade II, a group of sophomores who face the older handicap horses that lack runners like; Will Take Charge, It's My Lucky Day, Palace Malice and Game on Dude, all retired. If any year can be the year of the three year old, this year is the year!

Who would have thought eight months ago that a horse that didn't race in the Breeder's Cup last year and didn't appear in any Triple Crown race would be the top candidate for Horse of the Year honors. But if Shared Belief wins the Classic, not only does he remain undefeated, but is the top horse in the thoroughbred world. California Chrome remains the leading candidate for top honors also, off his victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. We have the Cup on the west coast and it's fitting that the best thoroughbred in 2014 is also based in California. But, a east coast invader may upset the apple cart if he has anything to do with it. Tonalist who upset California Chrome's Triple Crown bid by winning the Belmont Stakes and beat older in the premier Fall race in New York (Jockey Club Gold Cup) last time out, may the one to do it. These three should be the top three betting choices.

Then there is the other four three year olds entered here. Bayern could be the one to catch, the biggest question mark with him is; does he want to go the classic distance of a mile and a quarter? His two previous tries going that long were bad. VE Day has been a second half runner who overcame the shadow of his stablemate; Wicked Strong. It was a last minute decision to enter him in this spot and has a lot to prove today versus this field. Candy Boy hasn't lived up to his expectations and it would be a major upset if he turned it around and win in this spot. That leaves the European runner; Toast of New York as the wildcard with him making his real dirt debut in this spot.
The older horses in this race seem a cut below their younger counterparts. Moreno on paper is the best of the bunch competition wise with his speed. The NY bred; Zivo is as classy as it gets with his late closing style only out of the money once in his career. Cigar Street has only two starts this year and could be any kind, but he gets the "acid test" today versus this competition. As far as the remaining runners; Majestic Harbor, Imperative, Footbridge and Prayer For Relief, are longshots at best. The 2015 20th edition of the Breeder's Cup Classic goes through the "youngsters" with my selections being; Tonalist #11 ~ Toast of New York #9 ~ Shared Belief #6 ~ California Chrome #13

30 years of the Breeder's Cup ...... what to look for!

We're one week away from thoroughbred racing's biggest day, the Breeder's Cup World Championships. It's once again at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. It's been a familiar theme since 2008, with the Cup only rotating between Santa Anita Park and Churchill Downs. We get a reprieve from the west coast Cup next year when it's at Keeneland Racetrack, but it returns to Santa Anita in 2016. The days of the championship day revolving track to track are long gone in the memories of most players. What was originally set up to showcase thoroughbred racetracks throughout the country, has become a event for good weather with Hollywood influence plus a three hour time difference from the east coast. The perfect mix for promoting the sport in the eyes of Breeder's Cup Limited. I've told you in the past how I feel about this situation and how much it has gotten away from it's original intent. Nevertheless, when it comes to making money on the sport, the Breeder's Cup is the way to go!

Other than the Kentucky Derby with twenty horses entered almost each year, only the Breeder's Cup do you get full fields in each race and great payouts each time. Plus with the advent of exotic and multi-race wagering, the right combinations can sometimes be life changing events. I've also found with knowing the pre-entries 10 days before the event can be a useful tool in sorting out the contenders in each race. A two day event since 2007 also gives you a chance at building a bankroll for the Saturday card, the day before. You don't have to go "deep" into the fields to make money these two days. Also with fifty cent minimum bets, you can score a nice play with minimal investment.

In races with lukewarm favorites, payouts score several hundred dollars if not more. This year, the prospects of "odds-on" runners will be at a premium. We don't have either a Wise Dan or Beholder in two of the marquee races this year. Some of the other highly talented runners from earlier in the year (Close Hatches and California Chrome) have tailed off in their last start and could be a square price this time around. There is always the European flavor also, which this year will play a major outcome in many of the races in my opinion. Fields in all the Juvenile races are wide open and may be the best paying fields in my opinion. Take advantage of the dime superfecta plays and fifty cent pick three and pick four wagers, little investment could have major payouts when including the right odds runners.

When it comes to the straight; win, place and show wagers, it doesn't hurt sometimes making a show wager on a longshot in these full fields. In the past I've have double digit show prices with logical runner up horses. Anyway you look at it, Breeder's Cup Day is a event where money can be made with a little work and a minimum money investment.

I'll be giving my plays for Breeder's Cup Friday in Thursday's edition of the Recorder. There only four races on Friday this year; the Juvenile Turf for colts (6th) post time 5:25pm EST, the Dirt Mile (7th) 6:05pm, the Juvenile Turf for fillies (8th) 6:50pm and the Distaff (9th) 7:35pm with these four races shown on the NBC Sports Network (channel 44 ~ TWC). The format I'll be using for my selections will be like I use for Saratoga with my top two selections plus comments and three horses to use underneath in exotic and multi-race wagers.

The toughest job in thoroughbred racing

Many times when I talk about the "Sport of Kings", it's about the gallant thoroughbreds who grace us with their presence. But, today it's about the human aspect. The jockeys who ride these magnificent animals. Without the skill of these hundred pound athletes, the thoroughbreds are just like a car without a driver. The credit is never given enough for the men and women who make the sport of kings, what it is. This past week, our sport lost three up and coming stars in the jockey world. Two of the young and finest women jockeys in Australian died in separate racing incidents. Carly-Mae Pye and Catlin Forrest both were killed riding on the Australian circuit this week. While neither were well known here stateside, on Tuesday evening a talented young ride here would become a victim of a horrific accident at Indiana Downs.

Seventeen year old apprentice rider; Juan Saez , brother of Luis Saez who has ridden here on the NYRA circuit was killed in a spill at Indiana Downs. Saez's horse clipped heels and he was thrown from his mount. Gravely injured, he was thought dead from the impact and was revived several times on track before being sent to a never by hospital. Late Tuesday evening, Juan succumbed from his head injuries and was pronounced dead. He was the 153rd jockey since 1940 to be killed in a race in North America. He is the first to lose his life since Jorge Herrera died in July 2012 at Pleasanton in Northern California. The young jockey from Panama started his riding career this past June at Ellis Park in Kentucky. He was the leading rider there for the summer meet and had been turning heads in the sport in just a short time. It was just this past weekend, when a well known and respected racing writer said that Luis Saez could be the top apprentice jockey this year and a future superstar. But in a blink of an eye, that all changed.

It was 29 years and one day to the time that veteran NYRA jockey; Mike Venezia was killed in a race at Belmont Park 1988. I remember the day well. When the race calls were broadcast on WWWD 1240am in Schenectady, the staff announcer from Capital OTB said that the remainder of the Belmont race card was cancelled because jockey Mike Venezia had succumbed from his injuries in the previous race. I was in a state of shock that a jockey had died on the racetrack during a race. It gave me a new perspective on the sport and also showed me how dangerous it could be for jockeys.

Just a few weeks ago, in the Jockey Club Gold Cup there was a similar incident to the one that killed young Juan Saez. Jockey Rajiv Maragh's mount, Wicked Strong clipped heels during the running and he was thrown from the mount. He was very lucky to escape with just a broken arm. But, most time horses going down in tight quarters and the jockey is thrown, the outcome is much worst. This was the case of the young talented Juan Saez. So, next time the horse you played doesn't run well and your upset about your wager and blame the jockey for the ride, think about Juan Saez. Think about all the jockeys who put there life on the line every time they get on a horse. Remember, these little guys on thousand pound animals and what they do. It will give you an new perspective on the sport most people don't think about.