A limited stakes schedule this weekend has Tampa Bay Downs hosting two of the country’s richest open stakes Feb. 22, both at five furlongs on turf: the $100,000 Lightning City for females and the $100,000 Turf Dash Stakes for males.
Monthly Archives: February 2020
Down On Da Bayou Romps in UAE Oaks at Meydan
Down On Da Bayou added to a family that is fast becoming a Meydan fixture. She is the second filly out of the Empire Maker mare Bayou Tortuga to lift the UAE Oaks Sponsored By Range Rover (G3), which was contested Feb. 20.
Off to the Races Radio Show to Return Feb. 22
The weekly radio show, which airs on the ESPN Richmond (Va.) family of stations, and is available everywhere via livestreaming, returns for its 21st season, starting Feb. 22. Terrestrial stations include 99.5 FM, 102.7 FM, and 950 AM.
Scientific Games to Enter Historical Racing Market
As it works to keep its historical racing games competitive with slot machines, Churchill Downs Inc. recently picked up a powerful new partner.
Frank's Rockette to Make Sophomore Debut in Any Limit
Kicking off her sophomore season, Frank’s Rockette is scheduled to take on a field of seven other 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Any Limit Stakes, going six furlongs Feb. 22 at Gulfstream Park.
Former 49ers owner DeBartolo pardoned by Trump for gambling license bribe
President Donald Trump has pardoned or commuted the sentences of several convicted felons, including former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo, Jr.
DeBartolo pleaded guilty in 1998 to gambling fraud charges following a Louisiana investigation. He stepped down from his position as head of the 49ers operations when two Louisiana newspapers reported that he would be indicted on gambling fraud.
DeBartolo was charged with failing to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license. DeBartolo was not sentenced to prison, but was fined $1 million and was suspended by the NFL for a year. When the suspension ended he turned over operations to his sister, Denise DeBartolo York. The team is currently run by his nephew, John York.
On hand for the pardon ceremony were several former San Francisco 49ers players, including Hall of Famers Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott, as well as Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown.
BackTrack: Mizdirection Toughs It Out in Buena Vista
This week is a recap of Mizdirection’s victory in the Feb. 18, 2013 Buena Vista Stakes (G2T) at Santa Anita Park. The recap, written by Tracy Gantz, ran in the Feb. 23, 2013 magazine issue. It carried the sub-headline “Vistas Open for Mizdirection.”
Arkansas Lottery plans boost in Natural State Jackpot to celebrate 10-year anniversary
To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery is planning a big boost in the Natural State Jackpot (NSJ) if it reaches $150,000 this week.Jackpots, Promotion, Anniversary, Arkansas, Announcement
Lottery industry facing new threat in 'skill' games
State lotteries are grappling with the rapid spread of unregulated skill gaming machines, which are found in convenience stores, bars, restaurants and taverns across the country.Insider Buzz, Legal, Financials, Retailer, Technology, General Interest, Video Gaming
Champions League Round of 16 Review: Liverpool and Spurs lose ground
Four games took part in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 this midweek, with both English sides losing by a single goal.
Liverpool, last season’s winners, got off to a terrible start at the ground where they made history just nine months ago, conceding to Atletico after just four minutes to a Saul Niguez opener. Despite plenty of effort, Klopp’s team could not break down their opponents’ stubborn resistance, however, and will need their famous Anfield atmosphere to be their 12th man when the second leg takes place. Diego Simeone’s side have never lost a knockout Champions League tie at home while he has been manager, and they will be a threat on the break when Liverpool seek to repair the damage of this 1-0 first leg defeat in order to progress.
Borussia Dortmund took a while to get going, but eventually scored a narrow 2-1 victory over Paris St. Germain after two goals from Erling Haaland either side of what coud yet be a vital Neymar strike gave the German side a slight advantage to head to the French capital with. Haaland scored two goals to make it 11 goals in just seven games for his new side, and Dormund will fancy their chances on the break against a leggy PSG side who constantly look to be disappointing the former Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel on the sidelines.
Tottenham Hotspur were defeated 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as RB Leipzig scored a second half penalty through Timo Werner. In truth, Spurs, while they looked to miss the attacking edge of Son Heung-Min and Harry Kane, their world class forwards, looked dangerous on the break and decent in the attacking third of the pitch. At the back, however, they were eventually unpicked and while Ben Davies has been consistent most of the season, even leading to the loan sale of Danny Rose to Newcastle, he was at fault – and booked – in the penalty incident. Spurs -and Mourinho – have it all to do to prevent a fairly ignoble defeat in Germany in a few weeks time.
World of Trouble Stakes Deja Vu: Lasting Legacy Favored
Four weeks after hosting the World of Trouble Turf Sprint Jan. 25, Gulfstream Park is right back at it again Feb. 22, this time staging the $100,000 World of Trouble Sprint (G3) at six furlongs, where Lasting Legacy is favored.
New England Owner/Trainer Delgado Dies at 74
Lucia (Lucy) Rodriguez Delgado, who owned and trained horses in New England at Rockingham Park and Suffolk Downs for five decades, died Feb. 13 after a battle with brain cancer. She was 74.
Shuttered Portland Meadows Demolished
Shuttered racetrack Portland Meadows was demolished this week, making way for a new freight facility, according to KATU News in Portland, Ore. The track, which opened in September 1946, continued operation until last year.
Trailer Released for "Dream Horse" Movie
The trailer for the upcoming racehorse movie, “Dream Horse,” starring Toni Collette and Damian Lewis, has been released. It tells the underdog story of a barmaid who recruits neighbors and co-workers into a scheme to breed a racehorse.
Sixers, Rockets favorites on Thursday NBA odds
The NBA comes out of its week-long All-Star break on Thursday with six games, although it’s not the best schedule with just one featuring a matchup of teams currently that would both make the playoffs.
Odds courtesy of OddsShark.com
That would be the first of a TNT doubleheader featuring the Brooklyn Nets at the Philadelphia 76ers with an 8pm ET tip. Despite star point guard Kyrie Irving missing 33 games this season, the Nets currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. They aren’t going to reach sixth, but also aren’t likely to slide past eighth. Irving had a setback with his shoulder (also has had some knee issues) this week, will see a specialist for the second time this season and is out indefinitely again. Brooklyn is 10-15 ATS on the road this year.
No team is more schizophrenic in terms of home/road splits than the 76ers, who are fifth in the East. They have the NBA’s best home record at 25-2 (15-10-2 ATS) but are 9-19 on the road despite one of the most talented rosters in the NBA. The Sixers are 8.5-point favorites for Thursday and lead the season series 2-1 against the Nets, taking the one in Philly 117-106 on January 15. The Sixers are 6-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.
Momentum of Pennsylvania Sportsbooks Grows with $348 Million January, According to PlayPennsylvania.com
A record-setting January pushed Pennsylvania’s online and retail sportsbooks to the brink of $100 million in lifetime revenue. But even with a strong start to the New Year, Pennsylvania still has much ground to gain to catch New Jersey and Nevada, according to PlayPennsylvania.com.
“Pennsylvania’s momentum is growing, and January shows that the state’s sportsbooks can sustain it even as the NFL season winds down,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst for PlayPennsylvania.com. “Pennsylvania will likely remain the nation’s No. 3 market for the foreseeable future. But it is becoming clearer that it will one day challenge Nevada and New Jersey as the largest legal sports betting market in the U.S.”
Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks accepted a record $348.4 million in wagers in January, breaking the $342.6 million record set in December up dramatically from $32 million in January 2019, according to official data released Wednesday. $308.6 million, or 88.6%, of the state’s January handle came online.
January’s bets produced a record $31.6 million in gross revenue — up from $17.5 million in December. That produced $7.78 million in state taxes. With January’s gains, Pennsylvania’s sportsbooks have now generated $116.4 million in gross revenue since launching in November 2018.
“The opportunities for growth are abundant for Pennsylvania,” Gouker said. “It’s population base is a huge advantage. Infrastructure issues have slowed the state’s development. But the industry is unquestionably getting past its growing pains.”
FanDuel Sportsbook at Valley Forge Casino remains the market leader with $153.1 million January bets, down from $154.5 million in December. That yielded $8.1 million in taxable revenue, up from $7 million. But DraftKings at The Meadows grew to $58.7 million in January from $35.9 million in December. That produced $2.8 million in taxable revenue, up from $732,883.
The online market could soon get a shakeup. Penn National Gaming is acquiring a stake in Barstool Sports and with it, a recognizable brand for its online casino and sportsbook, which will presumably launch later this year.
“DraftKings has been aggressively marketing itself in Pennsylvania, and it is making some headway in its attempt to catch up with FanDuel. But it still has a long way to go,” Gouker said. “Meanwhile, the expected launch later this year of the Barstool-branded online casino and sportsbook will add intrigue to a market that has been predictably controlled by the two most recognizable brands in online sports betting.”
The retail market was led by Rivers Philadelphia’s $7.4 million handle, down from $7.7 million in December. That yielded $1.1 million in revenue, up from $590,177.
Online casinos
The retail market was led by Rivers Philadelphia’s $7.4 million handle, down from $7.7 million in December. That yielded $1.1 million in revenue, up from $590,177. Rivers-Philadelphia led the way with $3.5 million in revenue on $146.4 million in wagers.
The roster of online casinos grew to seven in January. FanDuel Casino debuted on Jan. 24, generating $2.1 million. FanDuel was followed by the launch of BetAmerica less than a week later.
“The online casino market should get a real jolt from FanDuel’s entrance,” Gouker said. “Integrated within FanDuel’s market-leading sportsbook app, the FanDuel Casino is ideally positioned to leverage its success as a sportsbook into success as an online casino.”
Ness Wins 3,000th Race as Trainer With Parx Victory
Just over 20 years into his career, trainer Jamie Ness notched his 3,000th winner Feb. 18 at Parx Racing when Late Breaking News ($5.20) won the sixth race.
Breed-Shaping Claiborne Broodmare Preach Dies at 31
Claiborne Farm announced via Twitter Feb. 19 that Preach, a grade 1-winning homebred and breed-shaping broodmare, died at the age of 31 due to the infirmities of old age.
Project Addressing Breeze-Up Sale Perceptions Unveiled
Misconceptions regarding breeze-up sales addressed at Feb. 19 London conference
Maximum Security, American Horses Land in Saudi Arabia
A 12-horse contingent of American runners, including Maximum Security, McKinzie, Midnight Bisou, Mucho Gusto and Tacitus, arrived in Saudi Arabia Feb. 19 in advance of the Feb. 29 Saudi Cup and its supporting races.