Racebook Insider: The World of Horse Betting

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Curlin Will Break Cigar's Record?

Cigar
Cigar's record of $9,999,815 is on the verge of being broken by Curlin, who would surpass the $10 million mark in earnings with a victory in Saturday's $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park. While a win would enable Curlin, currently at $9,796,800, to become the all-time money-earner as far as horses based in North America are concerned, the Japanese-based T.M. Opera O is Thoroughbred horse racing's all-time money leader with $16,200,337.

Curlin vs. Cigar Match-up
Curlin Cigar
3-25-04 Birth 4-18-90
Kentucky Born Maryland
10-2-2 Overall 19-4-5
2:00 Fastest* 1:59 2/5
119 Beyer 121
6 Gr. 1 Wins 11
5 Streak 16
1 Horse of the Year 2
$9,796,800 Earnings $9,999,815
*At 1 1/4 Miles

The economics of racing is one reason why Curlin is in position in just his 15th lifetime start to surpass Cigar, who raced 33 times, winning 19, including 10 Grade 1's. When Cigar won the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996 the purse was $4 million, of which $2.4 million went to Cigar. When Curlin won it last March, the purse was $6 million, of which Curlin earned $3.6 million. When Cigar won the 1995 Breeders' Cup Classic, the pot was $3 million, of which he earned $1.56 million. Last year, it was $5 million, of which Curlin earned $2.7 million.

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Monday, September 15, 2008

Big Brown Won the Monmouth Stakes

Big Brown captured the $500,000 Monmouth Stakes on Saturday in his final prep race for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic. Big Brown was challenged by Proudinsky the entire length of the stretch and won by a neck. This is Big Brown's seventh victory in eight starts.

Big Brown covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.20 in returning to the grass for the second time in his career. Unlike the romp in his first grass start, Big Brown was all out to win in his first race against older horses.

Ridden by Kent Desormeaux, Big Brown paid $3.20, $2.60 and $2.20 as the 3-5 favorite in the field of nine. Proudinsky paid $3 and $2.40, while Shakis finished third and was worth $2.80 for show.

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Big Brown Post Positions at Monmouth

Big Brown will run in the Monmouth Stakes on Sept. 13, his first start on grass since breaking his maiden at Saratoga last year, for preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

Big Brown co-owner Michael Iavarone said the 1 1-8 mile race will serve as the final tune-up for the 3-year-old colt before the Classic, which will be held on a synthetic surface at Santa Anita on October 25.

Monmouth Stakes Details
Date: September 13th
Post Time: 4:52 EST
Location: Monmouth Park, New Jersey
Track: 1 1/8 Miles (Turf)
Contenders: 3 Year Olds And Up Stakes
Purse: $500,000
Morning lines and horse betting odds will be posted shortly.

9th Race
Post # Horse                 Jockey 
1 Nightscape Flores E
2 Hotstufanthensome Lezcano J
3 Shakis (IRE) Bravo J
4 Big Brown Desormeaux K J
5 Kiss the Kid Trujillo E
6 Proudinsky (GER) Dominguez R
7 Drum Major Carmouche K
8 Get Serious Fragoso P
9 Fagedaboudit Sal Cotto P L Jr
10 Ballonenostrikes Centeno D E
11 Silver Tree Castro E

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Monday, September 08, 2008

Eight Bells Memorial

Eight Bells
This past Sunday, people gathered to pay tribute to Eight Bells at her memorial service at Churchill Downs in Louisville.

The 3-year-old broke both front ankles moments after finishing second to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and was euthanized on the Churchill Downs track. The sudden, freakish death started a debate that has led to talk of major reform in an industry slow to change.

Flowers and cards surrounded the plaque above her grave, including a small bouquet of red roses from the Fans of Barbaro, a support group formed after 2006 Derby winner Barbaro broke down during the Preakness.

Larry Jones, thoroughbred trainer, held back tears as he lead the ceremony. Jones, who along with jockey Gabriel Saez came under heavy fire after the Derby, received a standing ovation while he spoke.

"It's a tribute to how many people really care about this sport," said Eight Belles owner Rick Porter. "Eight Belles touched a lot of hearts."

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Steroid Ban Now in Effect

Steroids
Late last night the word was out in the state of Kentucky: Stop using steroids now.

An emergency regulation signed by Governor Steve Beshear is now banning the use of anabolic steroids in Thoroughbred and Standard bred horse races effective immediately.

"This is a historic day in Kentucky racing," Beshear said in a statement. "This action demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the integrity of racing and the safety of its competitors."

While the ban is in place now, trainers will get a 90 day grace period and testing for steroids will begin in 30 days, with the Keeneland fall meet. Trainers will be notified of positive test results but there will be no penalty assessed.

The new drug rule sets acceptable levels, based on the sex of the horse, of three naturally occurring steroids, boldenone, nandrolone and testosterone.

Horses can still be given steroids therapeutically, but they can't race for 60 days afterward, must notify the racing commission and must present a clean test result.