Tag Archives: horses

Kentucky Derby: Any horse’s race that could use a Jennifer Lopez

By Frank Scandale
Saturday’s Kentucky Derby seems to have about as much sizzle this week as former presidential hopeful John Kasich’s campaign, if you are an average American following the cultural trends of the moment.

Obviously, if you are reading this, you and many others deeply connected to the sport and related betting efforts, are as immersed in the race as Anderson Cooper is in the presidential race. But for the casual fan, the ones the sport needs to thrive beyond the big marquee events, this might not be the race that changes their Saturday evening schedule.

It’s not even in the top 20 Twitter trends as I write this.

That’s not to say it won’t be a widely watched race, replete with Derby parties from coast to coast, mint julips, big hats and much betting. But unless Jennifer Lopez gets announced as a jockey on one of these horses, the pre-race excitement level will hover far below last year’s event.

You remember last year’s race? The one when a horse named American Pharoah burst onto the scene as the first legitimate Triple Crown threat since Affirmed in 1978.

Even before Pharoah had stepped onto the Louisville track, he was revered from coast to coast by just about anyone who had ever been to a track or a Derby party. People who didn’t know a Triple Crown from triple bypass bandied about his name with customary casualness, as if they had dined with the 3-year-old just the other night.

But this year, I sensed a lack of excitement, if not downright ignorance that the most heralded horse race event of the year was about to take place. I’d wager if you polled a mall full of shoppers, they couldn’t name two horses in the race. I wondered if it was just me as I drove home from work the other night.

But I was listening to sports radio when a caller pinged host Mike Francesa and uttered my thoughts. Bingo. Franesca sort of agreed, sort of disagreed, but did chalk it up to an absence of an American Pharoah. Today I opened up USA Today and the centerpiece print edition story signaled the same malaise.

Perhaps it’s been the drab weather that the New York metro area has been experiencing this week. Chilly rain and cancelled baseball games have done nothing to fuel the excitement that warmer temps and sun usually generate. Hard to wear a so-called “picture hat,” the widebrimmed numbers favored by decked out ladies at the Derby, when the rain is going sideways.

That said, industry players such as Stephen Panus, vice president of the Jockey Club/America’s Best Racing, are on the scene by now, working the crowd and generating enough interest in the race to assuage the naysayers.

Stephen Panus with son Jake, 11.

He agrees though, that no horse is garnering the kind of odds that Pharoah did.

“Nyquist is the favorite but agree the race is wide open. I see 11 horses who could win,’ he said, a day before heading off to Louisville.

Nyquist, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, earns his favorite status by virtue of a 7-for-7 record, including four Grade 1 races. He was listed at 3-1 Friday afternoon by many bookmakers. Exaggerator is the next best bet at 8-1, and then a few at 10-1. A couple of good breakdowns of the field can be found at http://onforb.es/1WdtclF and another by America’s Best Racing.

In addition, American’s Best Racing offered a video analysis of the race. https://www.americasbestracing.net/videos/2016-2-guys-and-crown-kentucky-derby

Meawhile William Hill US said it was offering bettors odds both to win the Derby and odds to win the 2016 Triple Crown for a field of 20 horses.

Bettors can wager on both the horse to win the Kentucky Derby and an extensive menu of Derby props and matchups on any of the 105 William Hill Sports Books in Nevada or on the William Hill Mobile Sports app. A full list of locations and details on the Mobile Sports app can be found at www.williamhill.us.

I hope I am wrong about this Derby excitement drought. I hope Saturday dawns and millions of fans can think of nothing else but those brief moments of sheer madness when dozens of thundering hoofs pound the track at dizzying speeds, that women in stunning attire and hats are screaming words their mothers never taught them and that the winner emerges victorious and becomes the next Triple Crown would-be darling.

Can Horse Racing Continue To Ride Recent Success?

By Joe Favorito

A long-awaited Triple Crown, record purses and exposure for The Breeder’s Cup, an uptick in brand innovation, digital media and fans of the sport. The year 2015 was certainly a good one for the sport of horse racing in the United States. With the Kentucky Derby on the horizon, what can be built off of last year?

We caught up with Stephen Panus Vice President of TJC Media Ventures and America’s Best Racing, to hear what’s coming down the track.

Q: As we head toward Triple Crown season, how does horse racing keep riding the momentum of American Pharoah?

A: 2015 was an amazing year for the sport of Thoroughbred racing as American Pharoah’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam winning feats endeared the sport to an entirely new generation of fans who witnessed first-hand the excitement, passion and thrills that horse racing offers. There haven’t been back-to-back Triple Crowns won since 1977-1978, so like NBA fans watching to see if the Golden State Warriors can repeat as NBA champions in 2016, the sports world will also be watching to see if history can repeat itself, once again, in horse racing. A deep and talented field of 20 talented racehorses, led by favorite Nyquist, is ready to pick up where American Pharoah left off and provide a national televised audience (NBC Sports) and a crowd in excess of 170,000 at Churchill Downs with a scintillating Run for the Roses on the first Saturday in May.

Q: Several brands, Burger King for one, jumped on the bandwagon, has there been more interest in brand activation because of last year’s excitement?

A: Most definitely. Vanity Fair and Longines are co-hosting a Kentucky Derby party in Louisville this year. Breathe Right has partnered with this year’s favorite, Nyquist. Vineyard Vines will be activating a sponsorship at the Kentucky Derby on the infield again this year. Racehorse owner and founder of BODY ARMOR Mike Repole, whose horse Outwork will be running in this year’s Kentucky Derby, will be leveraging the opportunity to promote his energy drink brand. For the luxury attendees, Sentient Jet will provide attendees with tickets in The Mansion access to book private travel to and from Louisville with the help of a private concierge team, among other benefits. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships, which will be hosted November 4-5 at Santa Anita Park, continues to attract sponsors as well, like E*Trade, Maker’s Mark, Sovaro Coolers, Longines, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and Uber and Lyft, among others.

Q: Celebrity involvement in racing also seems to be on the rise. Who are some of the new faces engaged in the sport?

A: Celebrities have long been attracted to the sport of Thoroughbred racing because it’s fun, social, communal and thrilling. A day at the races is a social event and a great sports experience. Kate Upton, Elizabeth Banks, Bobby Flay, Jim Rome, Bode Miller, Rob Dyrdek, Eddie Olczyk and Kenny Mayne are just a few notable personalities who are engaged in the sport. Just weeks ago, John Elway spent a beautiful afternoon at Keeneland enjoying the races and Scottie Pippen attended a Thoroughbred sale in Florida. The list of celebrities attending this year’s Kentucky Derby appears bigger than ever and is topped by Jon Voight, Megyn Kelly, Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson and New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton, among others. Also, Tom and Gayle Benson, the owners of the NFL New Orleans Saints and NBA New Orleans Pelicans, have two horses (Mo Tom and Tom’s Ready) racing in this year’s Kentucky Derby.

Q: We are all about digital and social these days; how has the sport stepped up its game? What have been some of the best results?

A: No different than other sports, horse racing has fully embraced the digital and social media channels and platforms available to make the sport more available and consumable for the sports fan. America’s Best Racing remains the go-to site for the new and casual fan offering gambling tips, how-to videos, race previews, in-depth video series’ and ABR Wired features taking the fans behind the scenes, fashion advice, pop culture tie-ins, cheat sheets for the biggest races and events throughout the year and lots more. Horse racing, like other live televised sports, avails itself nicely to the varied social channels using Periscope video to capture what the TV camera often doesn’t, animated discussion and debates and different gambling perspectives and insights shared via Twitter and Facebook, SnapChat stories centered around the major events, photography features tailored-made for Instagram and Pinterest and gambling features on Twitch.tv to educate and entertain soon-to-be and existing horse racing fans on key race days. Only four years old, America’s Best Racing has quickly amassed a highly engaged Facebook audience of 147,208.

Q: The Breeders Cup continues to be an intriguing asset, how has that brand overall expanded in recent years and what’s next for 2016?

A: Well said. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is one of the best major sports and entertainment events held annually in America. It offers everything for the modern sports fan over two days – fantastic gambling, high fashion, great horse races featuring the best racehorses from around the world, celebrities, and delicious food and cocktails. And similar to the Super Bowl, the week leading up to the Breeders’ Cup is replete with parties, soirees, culinary experiences and an ownership seminar designed to attract new owners into the sport.

This year’s edition will be hosted by Santa Anita Park (Arcadia, CA) on November 4-5 and televised live by NBC Sports Group. The 2017 Breeders’ Cup will also be hosted in Southern California, at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, founded by Bing Crosby in 1937. The 2018 Breeders’ Cup returns to Churchill Downs in Louisville, KY. The Breeders’ Cup continues to grow in popularity – both with fans and sponsors. If you’ve never been, I highly encourage one and all to add it to their must-experience list.

On top of that, the Breeders’ Cup will have a series of “Win And You’re In” Challenge races televised this summer and fall by NBC Sports Group, featuring many of the best races horses and the best race tracks, thereby extending the television coverage straight from the Triple Crown through the summer and early fall leading directly to the World Championships.

Q: The issue of Daily fantasy and sports gambling continues to be a hot button; how does that discussion help or hurt the position horse racing has in this country with regard to legal gambling?

A: With the rise in popularity of daily fantasy sports, the negative taboo formerly associated with sports gambling has dissipated. And America has long loved to gamble on sports. Horse racing remains the only sport you can legally wager on from your phone or mobile device. It’s ideally suited to take advantage of this digital and mobile generation who consumes content and uses mobile devices to interact and engage in every facet of their life. As such, I think this represents an opportunity for horse racing to welcome a new generation of fans into the sport.

Q: Who are some of the personalities to watch as we head toward Churchill Downs this spring?

A: Another impressive field of twenty 3-year-old Thoroughbreds will be in the starting gate for the 2016 Kentucky Derby. To learn more about each of the horses and their connections – jockey, trainer and owner(s) – including the odds and whom to gamble on and why, along with all the latest news, notes, and more, visit www.AmericasBestracing.net

Q: What was the biggest long-tail effect that last year’s Triple Crown win has on the sport from a business standpoint?

A: Well, it’s spring 2016 and the media is still writing, reporting and talking about American Pharoah, who now stands at stud at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky. And anticipation for the upcoming 2016 Triple Crown races appears very high. One of the biggest takeaways from American Pharoah’s historic sporting feat is that fans and sponsors alike were re-introduced to one of America’s original sports and reminded that it very much holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the modern sports fan. Interest, attendance and media coverage in the sport throughout the races occurring after American Pharoah’s victory at Belmont Stakes remained heightened. And that interest and excitement is being propelled forward into the 2016 Triple Crown season and will be carried all the way to the Breeders’ Cup World Championships in November.

America’s Best Racing recently launched a successful 4-episode ABR Films series chronicling “Where American Pharoah Learned To Be A Racehorse.” The first three episodes can be viewed here, and the fourth and final episode premieres this Thursday, April 28.

Joe Favorito is a well respeced veteran strategic media, communications and business professional in spots and entertainment marketing.

America’s Best Racing Pays Homage to David Letterman – Sort Of

By @TheDailyPayoff
As the hype builds toward the Belmont Stakes next month and the final leg of the Triple Crown series, America’s Best Racing is joining the parade.
Seizing on the David Letterman end-of-an-era craze – Dave’s last show is happening tonight – ABR thought it would try its hand at at Top 10 list.
Except for the fact that Letterman took over The Late Show five years into the Triple Crown drought and will leave before the spell has been broken, we are not sure what else the two have in common.
But like two weeks ago when the May-Pac fight and the Kentucky Derby happened on the same day, the convergence of the two major media events does have one goal in common.
As Letterman retires on a high note, American Pharoah also will attempt to go out a winner.

Here’s ABR’s Top 10 List

http://www.americasbestracing.net/the-latest/news-stories/2015/5/19/top-ten-reasons-its-been-37-years-since-the-last-triple-crown/

Kentucky Derby Top 10 Best Bets

By Jerry Bossert @jerrybossert for @TheDailyPayoff

The Kentucky Derby, the most exciting two minutes in sports, will be run this Saturday for the 141^st time before an estimated crowd of 160,000 people at Churchill Downs and another 16 million watching on television. Nearly $130 million will be bet on the race and here’s a look at my top 10 contenders for the “Run for the Roses.”

Upstart – Born in New York, this colt has quickly risen up the Derby trail as he’s never finished off the board from seven starts, winning three times. His ability to lay close to pace and still have plenty left to kick home makes him dangerous. ODDS: 18-1.

Materiality – Has tons of ability winning all three of his career starts but has to overcome the curse of Apollo (1882), who remains the last horse never to start as a 2-year-old and win the Derby. ODDS: 12-1

Dortmund – One of the Top Favorites at Posttime

Dortmund – He’s probably going to be the second-choice in the wagering, having not lost from six starts and he already owns a win at Churchill Downs. His trainer Bob Baffert has won the race three times and his father, Big Brown, won the Derby in 2008. ODDS: 6-1.

Based on his Monday workout, American Pharoah moves into the top favorite spot.

American Pharoah – Worked super at Churchill on Sunday and will likely go off as the favorite having won his last four starts going away, giving Baffert the top two betting choices in the field. Last year, he was voted the champion 2-year-old colt and this year he’s won both of his starts easily but was facing overmatched opponents. ODDS: 5-1.

Frosted – Closed at 40-1 in the final Derby future bet but will be a much shorter price in the Derby after winning the Wood Memorial, snapping a three-race losing streak. Prior to the Wood, the colt underwent a minor operation to correct a breathing problem and now with a clear throat he may be heard loudly on Saturday. ODDS: 40-1.

Firing Line – If you like Dortmund, you have to like this speedy colt as he finished second beaten only a head the two times they’ve met. Away from Dortmund, Firing Line rolled, scoring by over 14 lengths in the Sunland Derby. ODDS: 13-1.

The colt with the natural diet

Mubtaahij – If it’s hay, oats and water you want for your Derby winner, this is your colt as he will be the lone starter not to race with Lasix, the anti-bleeding medication that has flooded American racing. This will be his first start in America after racing in the desert in Dubai. ODDS: 8-1.

Carpe Diem – Maybe money can buy your way into the Derby as this horse cost $1.6 million to purchase. He’s earned $1.5 million so far on the racetrack and will try to seize the day in a big way on Saturday. ODDS: 10-1.

International Star – Will become an international star if he prevails in America’s most famous horse race on Saturday. Has won his last three starts but is stepping up in company, which may put out his flame. ODDS: 17-1

Tencendur – Was listed at 11-1 in the final Derby future pool as part of the mutuel field but will be a much bigger price on Saturday being on his own. He still has an outside chance to light up Broadway for owner Philip Birsh, the CEO of Playbill, after finishing a much improved second in the Wood Memorial. ODDS: 11-1.

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