Monthly Archives: February 2020

O'Brien Prepares Triple Threat for Patton Stakes

Ballydoyle trainer Aidan O’Brien is triple-handed in his bid to extend his record in the listed Woodford Reserve Patton Stakes for 3-year-olds going one mile on the all-weather surface at Dundalk.

TVG Plans Enhanced Fountain of Youth Day Coverage

TVG, America’s horse racing network, will offer fans enhanced coverage of Saturday’s $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) as part of the network’s ongoing “Chasing the Derby” campaign.

Saudi Cup Could Change How Sires Are Ranked

A leading sires list ranked by progeny earnings is less meaningful when one race pays $10 million, say breeders.

Dennis' Moment 'Ready to Roll' in Fountain of Youth

Though Dennis’ Moment is one of the early favorites on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, one wouldn’t know it judging by the large lineup of 3-year-olds entered to oppose him in the $400,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Feb. 29 at Gulfstream Park.

Atomic Blonde to Make Graded Stakes Debut in Honey Fox

One start after rallying along the inside to post a clear victory in the South Beach Stakes Jan. 25 on the Gulfstream Park turf, Atomic Blonde returns to that course for her graded stakes debut in the $150,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3T) Feb. 29.

Imperial Hint Heads Field of 13 in Saudia Sprint

Imperial Hint missed a chance to vie for a $1.8 million purse in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) when he suffered a foot blister and was scratched by onsite veterinarians at Santa Anita, much to the chagrin of trainer Luis Carvajal Jr.

Playtech investors panic as coronavirus hits China, Italy ops

Online gambling operator/technology supplier Playtech is making investors queasy after warning that the coronavirus crisis could take a tough toll on its Asian and Italian market operations.

Figures released Thursday show Playtech’s 2019 revenue rising 23% to €1.5b while adjusted earnings improved 11% to €383m. But rising costs and write downs resulted in adjusted net profit falling 50% to €133.6m, profit from continuing operations tumbling 90% to just €13.8m, while the company actually booked a net loss of €19.6m once taxes and discontinued operations were included.

If that wasn’t bad enough, already skittish investors panicked after Playtech warned that the COVID-19 crisis was having an impact on its Asian grey- and black-market revenue, while Italy – where Playtech’s primary B2C brand Snai operates – has become Europe’s epicenter of viral infection over the past week. Playtech’s shares fell 11.2% by Thursday’s close.

Playtech’s B2B gambling unit saw its revenue fall 2% to €554m and earnings decline 15% to €214.8m as the company’s primary Asian markets of China and Malaysia reported revenue falling 38% year-on-year. Playtech previously flagged a “significant” increase in competition from new market entrants but says its Asian operations “remained broadly stable” through the second half of the year.

Haikal to Test Deeper Waters in Gulfstream Park Mile

Shadwell Stable’s Haikal is among several in a field of 11 older horses in the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) Feb. 29 that are returning to stakes company for the first time since efforts in major stakes last year.