Each Saturday NTRA and BloodHorse provide a one-stop guide to the day’s graded stakes races. Races are listed in chronological order (all times Eastern). For full preview, click race link.
Monthly Archives: May 2019
CalvinAyre.com June 2019 Featured Conferences & Events
WhichBingo Awards
The WhichBingo Awards is back for its six straight year. The event, which will take place in London, promises to be its biggest to date, with five new categories introduced—three for slot sites and platforms, and two in new bingo categories—for a total of 18 categories.
The WhichBingo Awards 2019 is expected to draw nearly 200 of the most prestigious and influential players in the online gambling and bingo world. They include key decision makers from leading brands, software suppliers, and many influential industry peers. The event is free to attend for invited industry guests, but slots are limited.
What: WhichBingo Awards
Groom Elite to Offer Clinic at Keeneland
A limited number of spots remain open for the June 4- 5 Horse Behavior and Handling clinic presented by Groom Elite at Keeneland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky.
Neptune's Storm, Gregorian Chant to Meet in Cinema
Neptune’s Storm will try to build on his first stakes win, while undefeated Gregorian Chant (GB) makes his stakes debut June 2 in the $150,000 Cinema Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Defoe Earns Hard-Fought Group 1 in Coronation Cup
This year’s Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom was a turn for the underdog to strike a knockout blow as Defoe bounced back for in-form trainer Roger Varian to land a first group 1 May 31.
Trainer, Racing Radio Host Roger Stein Dies at 65
Trainer Roger Stein died the morning of May 31 at his home in Hidden Hills, Calif. He was 65.
War of Will's Belmont Prep Work Won't Include a Breeze
Trainer Mark Casse is more than comfortable just having his Preakness Stakes (G1) winner gallop in preparation for the Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) June 8 at Belmont Park.
Appeal of Stewards' Decision Puts Rule Under Scrutiny
Should a federal court examine Kentucky’s law that doesn’t allow for an appeal of stewards’ judgment calls on interference, an industry standard will be under scrutiny.
Handicapping Big Turf Races at Belmont, Penn National
After late afternoon thunderstorms rolled through the Northeast during the week, the all-turf cross-country pick 5 linking June 1 stakes from Belmont Park and Hollywood Casino at Penn National figures to unfold on something other than firm ground.
Anapurna Outlasts Pink Dogwood in Milestone Oaks Win
Anapurna produced a fine staying performance to run down the Aidan O’Brien-trained Pink Dogwood in the May 31 Investec Oaks (G1), providing Frankie Dettori with his fifth winner of the race and Frankel with a first British classic winner.
Parx Racing Receives Initial NTRA Safety Accreditation
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association announced May 31 that Parx Racing has received its initial accreditation from the NTRA Safety & Integrity Alliance.
The Lieutenant to Shuttle to Peru's Haras Barlovento
Becky Thomas and Boris Schwartzman are pleased to announce that graded stakes winner The Lieutenant will stand the 2019 Southern Hemisphere Breeding Season at one of Peru’s leading stud farms, Haras Barlovento in Peru.
Almond Eye Returns to Action in Yasuda Kinen
It’s all about Almond Eye (JPN) in the Yasuda Kinen (G1) June 2 at Tokyo Racecourse, a Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” event and the return engagement for the reigning Japanese Horse of the Year after a taxing trip to Dubai.
New York Senate Moves Toward Joining Rules Compact
The New York State Senate is poised to enact legislation to enter the Mid-Atlantic Interstate Equine Drug Testing Compact, an effort to try to streamline model rule-making across the participating states.
Recent Maiden Winner Zarkallani Entered in French Derby
Zarkallani was the surprise name to feature among 15 colts declared for the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1) June 2 at Chantilly, having broken his maiden just seven days prior to the French classic.
Media Alert: Online bookies look to finish 2018/19 season on a high with Champions League betting boom
Worldpay predict over 6000 bets a minute placed in run up to kick-off.
31 May 2019, London – The 2018/19 European football season will come to a close this weekend with Liverpool going head to head with Spurs in the Champions League final. Online bookies could see high volumes of bets as punters try to win big ahead of the summer break. Operators could increases of as much as 18 per cent on bets placed versus an average weekend.
Analysis by Worldpay of last years’ final revealed that pre-match betting peaked two minutes before kick off with online bookies taking around 6000 bets per minute on the game. Online operators should also be prepared for an increase in live betting with analysis from last years’ match showing a peak just before the start of half time when 4000 bets a minute were placed.
Steffan Jones, VP for Gaming EMEA at Worldpay commented, “The Champions League final is a marquee event for online bookies. This year’s all England affair could see even more gains for UK operators as sports fans take part in some friendly North vs South rivalry.
Osaka mayor teases seven potential operators for IR license
Osaka City Mayor Ichiro Matsui has just teased the potential casino partners the city has lined up for a potential integrated resort (IR) bid. GGRAsia reports seven operators participated in a recent request-for-concept (RFC) process initiated by the city. Of those seven, Matsui said that five were “top” overseas firms in a May 30 media briefing.
The seven operators Matsui referenced weren’t named, but the number lines up nicely with seven operators who showed interest at the recent Japan IR Expo held in Osaka. Those companies were: Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd, Genting Singapore Ltd, Las Vegas Sands Corp, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, MGM Resorts International, Wynn Resorts Ltd and an “Osaka local alliance.”
Matsui didn’t really have anything else to share about the RFC or the resorts interested in setting up in Osaka, but his recent election as Osaka Mayor (swapping positions with former mayor and party-mate Hirofumi Yoshimura, who is now Governor of Osaka Prefecture) continues his Osaka Restoration Party’s platform of aggressively pushing to set up an IR before 2025.
Analysts don’t believe they’ll be able to hit that target, citing a slow and conservative approach of the Japanese government in issuing the licenses. Even if licenses are given out late this year, it would be a crunch to get a $10 billion resort built by 2025, when analysts expect it would take as much as five years to construct such a resort.
Thinking outside the box: The importance of innovations in iGaming
Like in technological, innovations in iGaming are gaining momentum. New products are being offered, and the old ones are getting updates or a moved off the shelf. But many of these innovations happen thanks to technological advancements. That allows for the development of many new tools and techniques, which when applied to iGaming sites and platforms, take the experience to a whole new level. And not only that, but the latest developments in technology are making the entire iGaming industry grow exponentially. Numerous reports predict that the global iGaming industry will be worth over $45 billion.
Challenges in iGaming
As the iGaming industry grows, so does the competition. With new online gaming operators and online gaming software provides emerging on a daily basis, it’s become a real challenge for companies in the industry to gain a digital edge. Staying competitive relies on your ability to innovate and offer player a completely immersive, multi-channel experience. Creating great games is not enough on its own. The games and the online gaming platforms must be supported throughout the promotional mechanisms, and offer and evolving entertainment functionality. Usually, this requires having a collaboration between all departments, internally and externally, and setting clear, realistic outcomes. For many companies this translates to creating new fun games, along with gamification features to the older offering. And additional, cutting-edge concepts and omni-channel support.
Innovation through Adaptation
Melco a better candidate for Japanese IR after Crown Resorts deal
Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s recent move to acquire a sizeable chunk of Crown Resorts could have some big consequences for their push for a Japan integrated resort (IR). Several analysts have shared their opinion that this could be the move Melco needed to make to win an elusive IR license.
GGRAsia collected the thoughts of four brokerage firms on Melco’s purchase of 20% of Crown Resorts. Every single one of them saw this as a positive move for the purchaser, and believes the deal makes them look better in the Japanese government’s eyes.
“While Melco will utilise some debt capacity to fund it share purchase, we do not see this as an impediment in Melco’s Japan bid,” Sanford C. Bernstein Ltd wrote. “In fact, owning an Australian operation may help enhance Melco’s standing in the bid process.”
Nomura Instinet LLC noted that by expanding their global presence, Melco has made themselves a more attractive option for one of the three IR licenses. Roth Capital Partners agreed with this conclusion, writing:
Mansion confirms Irish licence
The Mansion Group have obtained their Irish betting licence for their sportsbook, MansionBet. Mansion’s three casino brands, MansionCasino, Slots Heaven, Casino.com will also be available to players in Ireland, with further plans to launch across other jurisdictions over the coming year.
With MansionBet launching last year, this will be the first time the company have been able to offer sports betting to the Irish market under a recognised brand.
Since its launch, the sportsbook has focused heavily on increasing brand awareness through sponsorship, including boxing, football and horse racing.
As Ireland gears up to play Gibraltar FC, also sponsored by Mansion, at the Aviva Stadium on Monday 10th June – this is perfect timing for MansionBet to be available to Irish bettors.