Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner Essential Quality, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Fire At Will, and Sham Stakes (G3) winner Life Is Good take the top three spots in the first Derby Dozen of 2021.
Category Archives: Gambling
Together for Racing International Launches Web Site
Together for Racing International, a global alliance to promote and progress education, community engagement, and career opportunities in the Thoroughbred industry has launched the website togetherforracinginternational.com.
Expected Rain Leads to Jan. 29 Santa Anita Cancellation
With strong rains predicted to hit Southern California over the next several days, Santa Anita Park has announced the cancellation of racing Jan. 29. The track had delayed entries for Friday while it monitored weather reports.
Ghaiyyath Named Longines World's Best Racehorse
During a ceremony hosted by presenter Francesca Cumani at the National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket, England, Ghaiyyath was recognized as the 2020 Longines World’s Best Racehorse.
Sharp to Appeal 30-Day Suspension for Levamisole
Trainer Joe Sharp said Jan. 26 he will appeal a 30-day suspension issued to him this month by Kentucky stewards after five of his horses tested positive for levamisole in races at Churchill Downs in November 2019.
GGPoker’s Rise Continues: Positive Feedback Leads to Quick Flip & Go Upgrade
GGPoker’s recent attempt to flip the script on tournaments has been a huge hit. And, thanks to an initial burst of feedback, the site’s Flip & Go MTTs have already been upgraded.
GGPoker has upgraded its recently released Flip & Go tournament lobby following positive feedback from players. (Image: GGPoker)
After little more than a week, GGPoker has improved its latest innovation. In addition to tournaments at a new buy-in level, the total guaranteed prize pool is now worth more than $160,000.
A representative for GGPoker said the changes were made following positive feedback from the community.
Lady Apple Aims to Defend Houston Ladies Classic Win
One year after prevailing in a three-horse stretch battle, Lady Apple will try to win the Houston Ladies Classic Stakes (G3) a second straight year in the 1 1/16-mile test Jan. 31 at Sam Houston Race Park.
Winamax Axe Ambassador Ivan Deyra After High Stakes Cheating Scandal
Winamax pro Ivan Deyra has admitted to cheating after winning $101,000 in a tournament hosted by his sponsor.
Winamax pro Ivan Deyra has lost his contract and more than $100,000 after admitting to cheating online. (Image: Winamax)
The Winamax Series was a big deal in Southern Europe. Its $20 million+ guarantee made it the largest ever online series held in France and Spain.
However, the operator’s achievements have been overshadowed in recent days by Deyra. The brand’s ambassador was caught using multiple accounts on route to winning the series’ super high roller event.
Gambling could become a mandatory class in Maryland high schools
If Maryland Senator Bryan Simonaire gets his way, high schoolers in the state will learn all that’s needed to know about gambling. However, he isn’t trying to create an entire generation of gamblers. Instead, he wants today’s youth to learn about the hazards and problems of gambling and has introduced a bill that would require state schools to add problem gambling to their curriculum. If it’s approved, the new course material would be added to the 2022 school year, but a similar bill introduced last year didn’t go the distance.
Capital News Service, a media outlet that covers Maryland and the surrounding area, reports that Senate Bill 0243 (SB 0243) wants to require the state’s Department of Education (DOE) to create a high school program to teach students about the dangers of gambling. The school districts, based on the DOE’s guidance, would be able to develop their own curriculum or rely on one that already exists. Simonaire launched his effort, in part, due to studies that show how people from the ages of 18 to 34 are at risk of developing gambling problems.
Simonaire explained to the media outlet, “From a governmental policy standpoint, the state receives money from gambling revenues that can be used to help other priorities in our state, but also adversely enables many citizens to become gambling addicts, which creates other issues for the state.” Currently, the Maryland Health Department is allocated funds from state gambling revenue to use for its Problem Gambling Fund, with casinos giving $425 for every slot machine and $500 for every gaming table. For fiscal year 2019, that equated to $5.3 million.
The lawmaker had introduced Senate Bill 322 last year and found almost unanimous support in the Senate. However, when it was sent over to the House of Delegates, it lost its momentum. That was due, in part, to the suspension of the legislative session, but it wasn’t the only reason. The bill, almost identical to the new one introduced this year, found a little resistance in the Senate that could have carried over to the House.
Polk Changes Up Style But Negreanu Books a Small Win
Doug Polk played passive on Monday, and his opponent isn’t quite sure yet if that’s a sign of things to come during the remainder of the challenge. Daniel Negreanu believes if the Upswing Poker founder continues with this style of play, he has an edge going forward.
Is Doug Polk trying to run out the clock? (Image: YouTube)
Polk is in an awkward position being that he has a big lead with just over 5,000 hands remaining, with large side bets riding on this heads-up no-limit hold’em competition. If he loses the match, he potentially loses millions of dollars. He refuses to say exactly how much he has in side bets. But it’s no secret that he has a sizable amount riding on this match.
Polk Trying to Run out the Clock?
Tavistock Colt Tops Day 2 of Karaka Sale
New Zealand Bloodstock owner Sir Peter Vela’s decision to offer his entire blue-chip yearling crop for sale at Karaka has been vindicated after his breeding operation, Pencarrow Stud, sold the two highest-priced lots Monday.
Gregorian Chant Scores in United States for Gregorian
Rathasker Stud’s Gregorian sealed a first American stakes winner late on Sunday when the similarly-named Gregorian Chant made a rapid move from last to first in the Clocker’s Corner Stakes at Santa Anita Park.
Majesticperfection Dies From Laminitis in Uruguay
Majesticperfection, a grade 1 winner and sire of 2015 Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) victress Lovely Maria who was standing at Haras Rapetti in Uruguay, has died from laminitis, according to Turf Diario. The son of Harlan’s Holiday was 15.
Distorted Humor, More Than Ready Colts Fastest at OBS
Ocala Breeders’ Sales held a Jan. 25 under tack preview for the Horses of Racing Age section of the Winter Mixed Sale ahead of the two-day auction which begins Jan. 26.
Bodexpress Retired to Stand at Barton Thoroughbreds
The son of Bodemeister won the 2020 Clark Stakes (G1) on his way to earning $694,600.
Four Wheel Drive Sold to Stand in Japan
Four Wheel Drive, a son of American Pharoah and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T), was bought by the Thoroughbred Breeders Club in Monbetsu, Hokkaido.
Buyer Traffic Steady Ahead of OBS Winter Mixed Sale
Ocala Breeders’ Sales will raise the curtain on its 2021 season with the Winter Mixed Sale Jan. 26-27. Despite the uncertainty brought on by COVID-19, horsemen remain optimistic ahead of the auction which kicks off Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET.
Veteran Sire Surf Cat Relocated to Rancho San Miguel
Veteran stallion Surf Cat, a multiple grade 2 winner and grade 1-placed millionaire and the sire of multiple California-bred champion Sircat Sally, will stand at Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif., during the 2021 breeding season.
Kentucky Lawmakers to Discuss Planned HHR Legislation
With the future of historical horse racing in Kentucky up in the air, supporters plan to meet Feb. 1 at Keeneland where state lawmakers will discuss legislative efforts at the current session.
California-bred Filly First Reported Foal for Om
The first reported foal by grade 1-placed, multiple graded winner Om was born Jan. 18 at Harris Farms near Coalinga, Calif.