Winning money on a horse race is fun but do you ever think about how much you are winning even when you don’t bet? The Thoroughbred racing industry is a cash horse cow for the local, state, and national economy.
The horse industry in America pays 1.9 billion dollars in taxes. It employs 4.6 million workers generating 39 billion dollars directly and the figure explodes to 102 billion after figuring in the money from suppliers, employees and spectators. There are horses in every state. When live racing is in season the local shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. get a massive boost in visitors and money.
This past weekend featured The Kentucky Oaks and Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. Churchill won’t release it exact figures but it is estimated to have made 100 million dollars in revenues. Nationally, the horse industry has a 3.5 billion dollar impact on Kentucky’s economy. 194,300 Kentuckians work in the industry. Visitors to Keeneland race track for 2 meets and 4 sales in 2014 brought $590 million dollars to Lexington, KY’s economy.
On May 16, 2015 Pimlico in Baltimore, MD will hold the 140th running of the Preakness Stakes. In 2013 this race brought in 2.2 million dollars to state and local taxes. All expenditures figures in at 34.7 million dollars supporting 393 full-time jobs.
The 3rd leg of the Triple Crown series will be run at Belmont Park in Nassau County in New York. In 2012 this race brought a 9 million dollar boost to the county’s economy before consideration of the money made at local businesses.
Lucky Kentucky gets yet another boost this Fall when Keeneland will host the Breeders’ Cup for the first time. When the race ran in Los Angeles in 2008 and 2009 it brought in over 60 million dollars for the city. This race was held at Churchill in 2010 and it generated 53.3 million dollars in regional revenue. The economic impact expected in 2015 is over 80 million dollars.
Keep in mind most tracks and many horseman provide a wealth of donations and funding in the name of charity and philanthropy on their own. I have had the pleasure of eating breakfast with James E. “Ted” Bassett III and he signed my copy of his book “Keeneland’s Ted Bassett My Life” for me. He is a leader in the horse industry and former chairman and president of Keeneland and president of the Breeders’ Cup Ltd. among many other things. He just funded the construction of Bassett Hall for student residence in 2016 at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY.
In the Thoroughbred racing industry we are all winners. The economic impact is outstanding. Cash is king, and it is also the name of the partnership that ran the 2005 Preakness winner, Afleet Alex. My mind is stirring with excitement for the Preakness that is just around the corner. Afleet Alex was owned by Cash is King Stable. He ran third in the Kentucky Derby and 1st in both the Preakness and Belmont Stakes. He almost fell while running the Preakness. He earned a career 2.7 million dollars before retiring to stud at Gainsway in Lexington, KY. He is still a sire there and his son Materiality just ran 6th in the Kentucky Derby and is a contender for the Preakness.
Yes, I will have a full Preakness Stakes story before race day. Until then, I will be reading and learning so I can keep on sharing. Thank you for following my posts.
Final Update: American Pharoah for the win, Firing Line in 2nd, and Dortmund in 3rd
UPDATE! International Star just scratched.
I should be sleeping, but I’m blogging. I’m too excited for rest anyway. Tomorrow, Saturday May 2, 2015 at 6:34 p.m. EST is the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby! I wavered on my pick for the Oaks, she showed, but tomorrow it is time to seize the day. I have my sights set on Carpe Diem, he has been my favorite for a long time. Before I get ahead of myself, we need to explore the history, traditions, contenders, and keep it fun.
The Kentucky Derby was ran at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky for the first time in 1875. It is the only race in the Triple Crown that has run consecutively since its beginning. It is also the youngest of the 3 races. The Preakness started in 1867 and took time off from 1891 to 1893. The Belmont began in 1873 but took a break from 1911 to 1912. The first Triple Crown winner, Sir Barton, ran in 1919.
The Derby is also called The Run for the Roses. The winning horse has received a garland of roses since 1896. The drink of choice is the distinctive, but not delicious, Mint Julep, consisting of bourbon and crushed mint, like booze and toothpaste, yuk. The pie, named for the day, is quite yummy and when I start making You Tube videos I am going to share my version with you. I plan to start the You Tube thing soon as I just got a book on it. The song, of course is, “My Old Kentucky Home”. The fastest Derby horse ever clocked was Secretariat in 1971. Only one other horse has beat the 2 minute mark. That happened in 2001 with Monarchos. This race is 1 and 1/4 miles (10 furlongs) on the dirt. It will be the 11th race of the day at Churchill. The purse is 2 million dollars. There will be 4 trophies issued. A gold trophy goes to the winner and a silver one for each the jockey, trainer, and owner. The side depicts a horseshoe and the top has a mounted horse. Don’t forget the hats. Ladies, be creative. Spend big, make a fashion statement, or make your own hat. Be on the lookout for markdown hats in the Fall and Winter then custom design your hat to match your dress, with a stop at your favorite hobby shop. Go from drab to fab if your mom is good with a glue gun, wire cutters and thread.
Finally, lets get to the horses! Listed by post position the Derby will feature:
Ocho Ocho Ocho
Carpe Diem
Materiality
Tencendur
Danzig Moon
Mubtaahij
scratch
Dortmund
Bolo
Firing Line
scratch
scratch
Itsaknockout
Keen Ice
Frosted
War Story
Mr. Z.
American Pharoah
Upstart
Far Right
Frammento
American Pharoah is the favorite. He lost his first start but has not been defeated since, he is a speed horse but he has to cut to the rail from a great deal away. He is the reining juvenile champion. He is owned by Zayat Stables just as Mr. Z is. They are running side by side and he is also a speed horse. They do have different trainers, the 1st is Bob Baffert ,who took all of his fillies out of the Oaks, and the later is D. Wayne Lukas.
Dortmund is the 2nd favorite. He is sired by 2008 Derby winner Big Brown. He has the experience of 6 races including this very track where he won by over 7 lengths. He is running undefeated, as is Materiality. Only 7 undefeated horses have ever won the Derby. Dortmund is trained by Baffert, as is the favorite. He is also a fan of the speed. I like his position better too. He is one of 3 California horses in the race, including Firing Line and Bolo. Firing Line is also known for speed and finished close 2nd twice to Dortmond but also set a track record for 1 and 1/8 miles at the Sunland Derby of just 1 minute and 47 seconds. He is a steady runner. Bolo, has finished third to Dortmund twice this year.
Carpe Diem and Materiality also have to come out side by side under the same trainer, Todd Pletcher, but are owned by separate groups. Both speed horses they have to be careful not to get in each others way. Carpe Diem has won 4 of 5 races and was 2nd only in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, he has shown a lot of versatility in his races. DanzigMoon trailed him at 2nd place in the Bluegrass Stakes. Materiality was the winner of the Florida Derby.
Ocho Ocho Ocho will also speed early. He is sired by 2007 Derby winner, Street Sence. He is right on the rail, so that should get him out in front but I do not think he can keep up the pace for the duration. Far Right isn’t as far out to the right as he was positioned before Pletcher scratched a third horse, and yet another last minute scratch. He is a deep closer, perhaps the strongest closer, so he can probably handle his position. He has run second to American Pharaoh and will benefit from this race being a bit longer. International Star and Keen Ice are closers too. Keen Ice has run third to International Star and looks to be a longshot. He is owned by the lovely Irish, Donegal Racing. International Star is so experienced with 20 to 1 wins. He is sired by 2000 Derby winer, Fusaichi Pegasus. He won the Louisiana Derby. He is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, the winningest owners at both Churchill and Keeneland. Frammento was added in when Pletcher pulled a horse out. He has no stakes wins this year. He does have the experienced and derby winning Nick Zito for a trainer.
Frosted could be a pleasant surprise. He had surgery recently to improve his breathing and he is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin who is no newbie to the Derby or major racing. He has the same odds as Upstart, who ran second in the Florida Derby to Materiality.
Other long shots include Tencendur, Itsaknockout, and War Story. Tencendur runs with the pace. Itsaknockout lacks experience and was fourth by a distance in the Florida Derby. International Star has beat out War Story, also a closer, 3 times.
Mubtaahij may have done the best job of staying off the radar. No Middle East horses have won the Derby yet but he has a fighting chance. He is in a good post position. He has talent and won the United Arab Emirates Derby. This will be his first race in the United States.
I gave you my pick. My tipster opted out of a tip, this time, but shared a lot of materials. Two of my experienced and winning friends volunteered their favorite horse for this Derby. They say, go with Firing Line, with Mr. Prospector and Raise a Native on both sides of the pedigree. Looking at recent Derby winners, and his loss by a nose to Dortmund, after a bump, and again by just a nose, to the same, he is ready to win. In his last start he won by over 14 lengths! One winning Derby horse since 2010 has defaulted by this bloodline. That amazing freak of nature was Animal Kingdom in 2010.
As for the fun… I hope everyone does something special to enjoy the Kentucky Derby. Keeneland is hosting the world’s largest party and that is where I will be. Whatever you do, seize the day! Please, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, also ThoroughbredU. Go Carpe Diem! I leave you with 2 great songs:
TGIF rarely has held so much anticipation for me. I can not wait for this Friday, May 1, 2015 and 5:49 p.m. EST! The 141st running of the Kentucky Oaks is going to be a tough race. This Grade I stakes race on the dirt for 3 year old fillies of 1 and 1/8 miles with a million dollar purse is quite the championship of Thoroughbred racing. Who is your favorite? Let’s explore some history, review the contenders and have some fun with this contest of champions.
The Kentucky Oaks ran for the first time the 19th of May in 1875. The track was Churchill Downs, by the name of Louisville Jockey Club, in Louisville, Kentucky. This track first opened that same year and ran only 4 races, those included the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. These races are the only races that have been ran continuously at the same track and the oldest uninterrupted contests of all sports ever. The founder was Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. His contribution to Thoroughbred racing history could be an entire post on its own. He developed many of the racing rules used today and his stakes racing design is the model the Breeders’ Cup uses. The Oaks is patterned after the British Epsom Oaks. The event is sponsored by Longines, a Swiss watch company, founded in 1832. The Oaks has several traditions. The song of choice is “My Old Kentucky Home” by Stephen Foster, in use as early as 1921. The flower is the Stargazer Lily. Kroger makes a blanket of theses flowers to place upon the winner. This tradition began in 1916 with roses but went to lilies thereafter. Lilies for the fillies! The lilies share the color of the event, pink! The Oaks partnered with Horses and Hope as well as Bright Pink. This is the 7th year this event is committed to supporting these charities that are devoted to breast and ovarian cancer. The drink of the day is the Oaks Lilly. Make one yourself by following the recipe here Oaks Lily . For a fabulous calorie saving and sober drink try a mocktail by substituting the vodka with your favorite sparkling water. The winner is presented with a sterling silver statue. This statue stands 25 inches tall and has a horseshoe on the top and 2 horse heads for handles. The statue is engraved with the name of each winner since the race 1st took place. The statue is kept year round in the Kentucky Derby Museum in Louisville. It was created in 1924. The winner is also presented with 12 sterling silver julep cups that are engraved too. In most cases these are broken up to be shared by the owner, trainer, jockey and more.
Fourteen horses will race tomorrow. This pool by post position is:
Forever Unbridled
Shook Up
Include Betty
Eskenformoney
Condo Commando
Angela Renee
Lovely Maria
I’m A Chatterbox
Money’soncharlotte
Oceanwave
Sarah Sis
Stellar Wind
Birdatthewire
Puca
Post Position goes from post #1 being the tracks inside rail to #14 being furthest towards the outside rail. Gates #2 through 10 tend to be preferred positions. It is good to keep close to the rail by the 1st turn but best to not get pinned in. It also matters if the horse is a speed horse or a closer where the best position may be.
The prep schedule for the Oaks began at Churchill Downs in September and ended in April at Keeneland, also in Kentucky. Keeneland featured 3 qualifying races. The horses were ranked on a points system. Most races were Grade I, II, or III. The points ranged from 10-4-2-1 (for win, place, show, or fourth) to 50-20-10-5 and 100-40-20-10 depending on the race. The top score makers are Condo Commando, I’m a Chatterbox, Stellar Wind, Birdatthewire, and Lovely Maria. These are actually the favorites this evening as well, but not in this order. The favorite is Stellar Wind. Larry Jones is the trainer of both post 7 and 8. He was pleased enough just saying “I’m not a good 13 person”, but it should be interesting to see how theses two top fillies compete. Todd Pletcher is training both 4 and 6. Horses 5,8, and 7 all come from the Storm Cat line of the great Secretariat. This line has never produced a Derby winner. The favorite, at post 12, is a Curlin daughter. Posts 2 and 10 are both grey beauties. Last year’s winning trainer with Untapable was Steve Asmussen who has post # 2 this time.
Thoroughbred U for me is my own racing industry study program. I hope you can learn from my blog as well. I am far from handicapping for others and my tipster sent me plenty of info but not a tip. I am going to go with #8, I’m a Chatterbox! This is my pick and not to be confused with a tip, this time.
Don’t forget to wear your pink! My mom and I custom designed a pink lily hat to match my dress. I will talk a bit more about hat design in my next post, all about the Kentucky Derby! Have fun tomorrow. I will be at Keenland’s party on the lawn to celebrate and watch the racing on some big screens.
Update: Lovely Maria, Shook Up and I’m A Chatterbox was the order of the day!
For better or worse and for freeze advisory this late in the season, brr! This is your last chance at Keeneland’s Spring Meet.
The handicapper says, in Race 8 choose #5 Eastwood for 4/24/15. He raced against some very nice sprinters in New York last summer and is working well for his return.
I had my last personal visit to the track for the season today. It was wonderful and emotional. If you can make it to tomorrow’s final live races, bet this one for me and all of of our followers!
Update: The tip was spot on. Eastwood won 1st place!
So sorry to see the season end. Its time to focus on the Kentucky Derby now!
Here is a nice picture I took from the stalls in Keeneland’s paddock. In the background there is one of the racetrack’s newer extensions. It is the Saddling Paddock Chalet. This is a private room with nice views available for the Spring and Fall Meets this year and the Breeders’ Cup Championships.
On the topic of extensions, my tipster chose Town Extension, as today’s best bet. In Keeneland’s sixth race today, 4/23/15, pick horse #9. He has been a very consistent horse finishing in the money 7 of the last 8 races. He should show a nice late kick on the Keeneland turf course.
This 5 year old gray beauty has Paco Lopez for a jockey. Barclay Tagg is his trainer. Town Extension is owned by Charles Fipke. This is his first race at Keeneland. This horse has had 15 starts and the last 6, over the course of 3 years, have been at Gulfstream Park.
Let’s give this Thoroughbred a warm Kentucky welcome and win!
Update! Town Extension won 1st place. Here are some pictures I took myself:
Happy Earth Day! I am going to spend my day checking out some earth, particularly the dirt, or mud in Kentucky. It is another rainy day at the races for me. Keeneland’s Spring Meet is on its final 3 days and rain or shine I want to experience it all.
My handicapping friend has another tip for us today, 4/22/15. He says in Keeneland’s sixth race go for horse # 6, Dance Champion. He calls this your best bet of the day. This horse just ran second at this distance last time out and should get a nice trip! This last race was at Gulfstream Park in March. See that placing race here.
Dance Champion has jockey Joel Rosario. The 4 year old gelding’s trainer is Christophe Clement. His owner and breeder is Robert S. Evans.
Time to get ready for the races. Have a great day, don’t forget to dance and celebrate for Earth Day and win big!
Update: Here are some paddock pics, that I took myself, of today’s big winner!
Dance Champion did score 1st place today! Hope all of you won bragging rights at the water cooler or better yet at a racetrack!
Good morning everyone. After listening to your reverend on the pulpit this morning come watch Reverend Green on the paddock and track today at Keeneland.
In race 6 (4/19/15) bet on #7 Reverend Green to win his maiden race. He has solid work tabs, especially in the two recent Keeneland works. He should be ready to win at first asking, says our tipster. He worked out at Keeneland on the 2nd and 8th of this month and then again today.
He is a 3 year old colt owned by Glencrest Farm. His dam, Papa to Kinzie, had 9 starts and placed in a graded stakes race. His sire, Elusive Quality, is a multiple graded stakes winner. His trainer is Thomas Proctor and his jockey is Jamie Theriot. Reverend Green has had no starts while Proctor has had 128 this year so far and is a top earning winner of multiple graded stakes and Breeders’ Cup achievements. Theriot has had 183 starts this year and he too is a winner of many graded stakes and Breeders’ Cup races.
On a side note, Reverend Green is also a nickname for America singer, Al Green. He has had success with both secular and gospel recordings.
Update: Reverend Green was not a winner today. I stood in the paddock today to watch this rain shy beauty. He looked dry and warm in his shelter while I was neither. Here are a few paddock pics of this horse.
Tipster says: Most likely winner, Hootenanny. He’s won against the best in the world. Wesley Ward should have him ready to beat this bunch.
So today (4/18/15) look to Keeneland’s 4th race for another double feature. Go for horse 1 and 1A to bet on Asia and Hootenanny.
The trainer, Ward, has had 149 starts this year. His horses have had 40 wins, 27 at 2nd place and 20 running third in 2015. He is a successful jockey turned trainer. Hootenanny won Ward his first race, as a trainer, in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.
Should be a beautiful day for another turf race. I hope all of you have a great day at the races!
Update: Asia scratched prior to the race but Hootenanny ran 1st place! I hope this helped you all to win.
Coming off of a high from today’s winning tip I am eager to share my handicapper’s next choice with all of you.
Tomorrow (4/17/15) for Keeneland’s seventh race, go with #10 Harvey. The tip states he broke his maiden impressively after being bumped hard at the break. Trainer Bret Calhoun had a nice winner Thursday and seems to have brought several nice horses to Keeneland this meet.
I am glad he put it that way. It gives us a chance to learn a bit more. A horse is a maiden until it wins a race. This could be the first race it starts in, it may take years or worse, it may never happen. Harvey is a three year old colt that ran 1st at Fair Grounds in Louisiana on 3/21/15. Thus, Harvey is no longer a maiden. Watch him win here:
Harvey was sired by the great Curlin, elected to the National Muesum of Racing’s Hall of Fame and winner of the Preakness Stakes, Breeders’ Cup Classic, and the Dubai World Cup.
Enjoy tomorrow’s racing!
Update: Harvey ran second. A ticket to place earned $5.40. He was shy in the paddock prior to racing. Here is a picture I took moments before he entered the track…
Thursday (4/16/15), at Keeneland we will have another chance to bet on two Ken and Sarah Ramsey horses for one ticket. In race 3 they have entered Thirtysilverpieces and Frat Boy in positions 2 and 2B. Position 2 is a 3 year old gelding with R M Hernandez riding and W A Ward training. 2B is a 3 year old colt with J Castellano riding and M J Maker training. My handicapper thinks either part of the #2 entry should win race 3.
Don’t miss your chance to double the pleasure and double the fun!
Update: Racing fans, this one was a winner! Thirtysilverpieces won first without the help of Frat Boy who sctratched.
