Steinbrenner to Attend Kentucky DerbY Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner plans to attend the May 7 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) to watch his Bellamy Road compete.The big bay colt trained by Nick Zito was dazzling in a 17 1/2-length victory April 9 in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (gr. I) at Aqueduct. The race is New York's major prep for the Derby."I'm going to go up for it," Steinbrenner said Wednesday.The Florida-bred Bellamy Road was purchased for $87,000 last year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s April 2-year-olds in training sale. The son of Concerto won the Miller Genuine Draft Cradle Stakes (gr. III) at River Downs last year, and won his only other start this year--an allowance race at Gulfstream Park--by 15 3/4 lengths.Bellamy Road will be Steinbrenner's fifth Derby horse. His first starter, Steve's Friend, was fifth in 1977. Diligence, in 1996, and Concerto, in 1997, both finished ninth, while Blue Burner was 11th in 2002.

'Alex' Impresses in Morning Workout Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Arkansas Derby (gr. II) winner Afleet Alex displayed his affinity for the track at Churchill Downs when he zipped five furlongs in :59 Tuesday morning in preparation for the May 7 Kentucky Derby (gr. I). The move, in fractions of :12 2/5, :24, :35 2/5, and :46 3/5, with a six-furlong gallop-out time of 1:12 2/5, pleased trainer Tim Ritchey and jockey Jeremy Rose. The move was the fastest of 29 horses working the distance Tuesday and a full 1 2/5 seconds faster than the second-fastest work. But Ritchey and Rose agreed it wasn't unusually fast and was a typical work for the son of Northern Afleet who races in the colors of Cash Is King Stable. "Everything was exactly what we wanted," Ritchey said. "He started out easy and finished up well. He does it easy. He has a nice fluid action. He really was not breathing that hard (after the work). He is a fit horse. We have him right where we want him and just need to keep him together for the next two weeks." With the likelihood of 19 or 20 starters in the Derby, Ritchey said he believes there will be sufficient early speed in the race to set it up for Afleet Alex to stalk the early pace before making his move. "You can get him to relax but he also has natural speed," Ritchey explained. "The work was perfect," Rose said. "This is the way he works every time. He is the fastest--the coolest horse. He is an iron horse. He is so athletic." Rose agreed with Ritchey's assessment of how the Derby could set up for Alex to win. The goal will be to have the colt relaxed at first and then unleash his speed when needed. "You can put him wherever you want, and when a hole opens, he can get there before anyone knows he's there," Rose said. With the forecast rain holding off until mid-morning, the breeze by Afleet Alex was the only workout at Churchill by a Derby contender.

CDI Secures $1 Million Policy for Jockeys Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Churchill Downs Inc. has finalized agreements with AIG Insurance to provide $1 million in on-track insurance coverage for jockeys who compete at CDI racetracks located in states where jockeys are not currently covered by workers' compensation programs.
The CDI-operated tracks now offering $1 million in on-track major medical coverage include Arlington Park, Calder Race Course, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Fair Grounds Race Course, and Hoosier Park. Jockeys competing at Hollywood Park, CDI's racetrack in the Los Angeles area, are already covered by California's workers' compensation program.
The increased major medical coverage, with $1 million in lifetime benefits, replaces the $100,000 in coverage CDI racetracks previously provided jockeys through an agreement with the Thoroughbred Racing Associations, a professional organization representing more than 40 North American racetracks.
CDI will cover the majority of the cost for the new insurance premium and is working with horsemen's groups in Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Louisiana to set up funding mechanisms through which racehorse owners will contribute to the cost of the increased coverage. The funding mechanisms implemented may vary by state or racetrack. CDI's ability to offer $1 million in on-track coverage is contingent upon horsemen's participation.
"While racetracks do not employ jockeys, they are important contributors to our live racing product, and Churchill Downs Incorporated is committed to funding the lion's share of the cost for the $1 million in on-track coverage," said Andrew G. Skehan, executive vice president and chief operating officer. "This is an industry-wide issue that requires an industry-wide response, and we look to our horsemen to assist us in paying for the added cost of this increased coverage."

Churchill Downs Asks Judge to Prohibit Jockey Walkout Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

With the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) less than four weeks away, Churchill Downs is asking a judge to ensure the Jockeys' Guild does not direct a Derby walkout.
Churchill sued the guild last month, claiming it violated antitrust laws by orchestrating walkouts last fall at the track and at Churchill-owned Hoosier Park near Indianapolis over on-track accident insurance. The guild, a 1,200-member organization based in Monrovia, Calif., has denied it directed the walkouts.
The Churchill motion says it believes the guild will focus on Derby week activities.
"The Guild knows that a boycott on or around May 7 represents a highly effective strategy for gaining leverage by causing irreparable harm to Churchill," it says.
The March 29 filing in U.S. District Court asks for a prompt hearing. The case has been assigned to Judge John G. Heyburn II, but a hearing on the motion has not been scheduled.
Churchill cited a 1979 case stemming from a group of jockeys in Puerto Rico who attempted to get a higher cut of purse money from horse owners and refused to race when their demands were not met.
The riders were subsequently sued for breaking antitrust laws. A district court ruled against the jockeys. An appeals court supported the lower court's decision, determining the riders were independent contractors, and directed them not to boycott races.
Churchill argues the guild's actions mirror those of the Puerto Rican jockeys.
"It has contracted or conspired with the jockeys in an illegal effort to control prices through concerted action. It deserves the exact same result: an injunction against its illegal activities," Churchill said.
Kentucky is not among five states that provide workers' compensation coverage for jockeys. Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher has asked a panel to study the issue and recommend a workers' comp solution for jockeys, exercise riders, and apprentice jockeys at Kentucky tracks and training facilities by Sept. 1.
In the meantime, the state racetracks have agreed to raise their on-track accident coverage from $100,000 to $1 million. Churchill Downs will have its new policy in place by the start of the track's spring meet April 30, spokesman John Asher said.

River Downs Opens April 8 with New Surface Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

River Downs, which will open for its 80th season Friday, has installed a new racing surface on its main track that is expected to better withstand the rigors of live racing during the summer months and require less daily maintenance.
In the last month, the entire base of the one-mile main track was removed and a Geogrid Plastic called Tensar BX1200 was set in place beneath the limestone to displace weight. The first horses took to the track for training over the weekend of April 2 and trainers and jockeys gave the new footing high marks.
"It felt good this morning, I worked a couple this morning and they went real good," said jockey Perry Ouzts who will be riding at the track for his 32nd consecutive year. "I'd have to give it an A."
Lori Grace, a former jockey who now trains and gallops her own horses said she was impressed as well. "It's in great shape, this is the best I've ever seen it. The track is excellent, they just float across it, it's unbelievable, they went dynamite today."
Homer (Joey) Van Hoosier agreed. "You don't even hear the horses going over it," said the veteran clocker. "It's as if their hooves go in and they just bounce out of there. This is the best I've ever seen it."
After opening weekend, live racing at the Cincinnati track will take place in April on a Thursday through Sunday schedule. Starting the first week in May the live program will begin a six-day schedule with Wednesday as the dark day for live racing with few exceptions. River Downs will share a 7&7 program Thursday through Monday, and we will present a solo card each Tuesday.
Simulcasting will still take place every day and evening. Post time for live racing will be 1:15 p.m. except Fridays starting May 27 when first post will be 2:30 p.m. The live meet will run through Labor Day, Sept. 5 when the track presents the $200,000 Miller Lite Cradle Stakes.

Churchill Imposes Restrictions on Horses from Gulfstream, Palm Meadows Betting Belmont Stakes belmont stakes betting online

Churchill Downs has stopped accepting horses from Palm Meadows, a Florida training facility where several horses have been diagnosed with the bacterial infection known as "strangles."
The ban, which also includes Gulfstream Park, will remain in effect until Churchill officials are satisfied that precautions are being taken to control the strangles infection in Florida, track President Steve Sexton said.
"We hope it's over in a matter of days," Sexton said. "But it's an ever-changing environment."
No strangles cases have been confirmed at Gulfstream, although five horses trained by Dale Romans at Palm Meadows have been diagnosed with the infection.
The Louisville track is not putting any restrictions on horses from Churchill-owned Calder Race Course in Miami and Payson Park, another Florida training center that feeds into the Gulfstream races.
Strangles is rarely fatal but is highly contagious and typically forces horses to leave regular training while they recover. The disease can cause lymph nodes to swell and harden, resulting in breathing difficulties.
Churchill had said six horses tested positive twice for strangles at its Trackside training center in Louisville, but revised the figure to five. The horses have left Trackside and no cases have been confirmed at Churchill Downs.
Concern about the infections comes weeks before horses are due to arrive in Louisville for Churchill's spring meet and the Kentucky Derby.
Sexton said he's not concerned about strangles affecting the Derby and said the track will continue to take precautions against the disease.
"While our intent is certainly not to penalize anyone wanting to ship up, we have to take prudent business measures given the circumstances," Sexton said.
Meanwhile, Keeneland Race Course in Lexington is allowing horses from south Florida, but requires all horses arriving on the grounds to have a veterinarian's certificate signed the same day. Keeneland's spring meet begins April 8.
The certificate must verify that the animal has not come from a barn under quarantine for strangles or been exposed to the disease.
Churchill spokesman John Asher said a horse trained by Romans was sent from Churchill to the Rood and Riddle equine clinic near Lexington over the weekend after coming down with a temperature, which can be an early sign of strangles.
Romans has elected not to train horses in that barn since then, Asher said.
Several horses owned by Romans came down with strangles at Churchill Downs in December, and his horses are isolated and being tested for the disease at Trackside.

Bob Lewis outlasted fellow Californian Sidney Craig in the bidding for a Songandaprayer colt at Tuesday's Barretts selected sale of 2-year-olds in training, paying $1.9 million for a horse who breezed a quarter-mile in what announcer John Henderson said was a world record time of :20.6 seconds. The colt, consigned by Florida pinhooker Murray Smith, agent, was the top price of a sale that saw a small increase in gross revenue but minor declines in average and median prices.
A total of 88 horses were sold for $14,360,500, an average price of $163,188 and median of $95,000. Fifty-seven of the 145 through the ring failed to reach their reserve price, and an additional 56 catalogued horses were withdrawn. The gross was up 4.6% from last year, while the average dipped 6.1% and the median was down 5%. The 2004 edition had gross receipts of $13,728,000 from the sale of 79 horses, an average of $173,772 and median of $100,000. The 2004 buy-back rate was 38.3%. This year's gross was the highest for Barretts since 2000.
Bidding on the sale-topping colt started with Craig in the chute area behind the sale ring at $400,000. With agent John Moynihan to his left, trainer D. Wayne Lukas to his right, and trainer Bob Baffert directly behind him, Lewis, seated in the Barretts pavilion, did his own bidding, and it appeared he would get the colt for $1.7 million. After a long pause, Craig made a bid for $1.8 million. Lewis didn't hesitate in making his winning bid of $1.9 million.
Agent John Ferguson, representing Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai and believed to be interested in the colt, did not make a bid.
The colt, named What a Song and out of the Tough Knight mare What a Knight, was bred in Florida by Susan Kahn. He was bought for $47,000 by Keene Ridge Farm at the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale and then purchased by M.S.T.S. Stable for $95,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale. He will be trained by Baffert, who was unaware whether or not he would get the horse until Lewis, without looking, reached over his shoulder and handed the signed ticket to him.
Lewis, who buys and races in the name of Robert B. and Beverly J. Lewis, was the sale's leading buyer, with five purchases totaling $3,875,000. Three of the 2-year-olds (a $350,000 Tiznow colt, $750,000 Point Given colt, and the Songandaprayer colt) will go to Baffert. Two (a $275,000 Saint Ballado filly and a $600,000 Five Star Day filly) will be trained by Lukas.
"This horse has done everything right," Moynihan said of the sale topper. "He previewed unbelievable out here. He prepped unbelievable out here. He trained every day, which I love to see. He is the epitome of soundness. Every day I watched the horse train and I absolutely fell in love with him."
"He's like a high-performance luxury sports car; he's smooth, and he has a lot of gears," consignor Smith said prior to the sale. The $1.9 million price doubled Smith's previous successes as a pinhooker. "I'm tickled," she said afterwards. "I sold one before for $950,000, and my goal was to sell a $1-million horse. Now I've got a new goal."
The sale topper is from the first crop of Songandaprayer, a son of Unbridled's Song who had 33 yearlings sell in 2004 for an average of $71,182. Songandaprayer stands at Hartley/DeRenzo Walmac South in Florida.
"He was the standout horse of the sale, and everybody knew he was THE horse," Baffert said. "I hope we win some big ones with him."
The colt will be sent to a training center in Arizona before joining Baffert's stable.
Earlier in the day, Hirokaza Sumida went to $1 million for a Grand Slam colt named Slam Cat from the Jerry Bailey Sales Agency.
The Kentucky-bred colt, bred by Bailey in partnership in the name of Whisperwood Farms, was produced from the Storm Cat mare Marsh Cat. "I'm tickled to death," Bailey said. "Anytime you can raise one and get a million dollars you've got to love it."
Bailey was confident going into the sale. "I think he's as good as we've ever had. He's done everything he's supposed to do without a hiccup, and that's as good as they get." The colt worked an eighth of a mile in :10.2 in a March 7 preview.
Sumida, a Japanese agent based in New York, was accompanied by Japanese trainer Shigeki Matsumoto. Sumida said the buyer asked that his name not be disclosed.
Trainer John Sadler signed the ticket on a $900,000 Indian Charlie colt on behalf of Lee and Susan Searing's CRK Stable, so named for Searing's children Christina, Richard, and Katherine. Searing is a resident of Arcadia, Calif., whose involvement with racing traces back to the mid-1960s when his father owned horses at Agua Caliente in Tijuana, Mexico. He has enjoyed recent success with 2004 Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) winner Our New Recruit, a $120,000 Barretts March graduate in 2001, as well as stakes winners Dr. Park, Scooter Brown, and Ceeband.
"They've made a change in their program to buy horses that can go a little more distance," Sadler said of CRK. "They're looking for the classic-type horse, and that type is going to cost more." Sadler's most expensive prior purchase was Hasty Kris, a $450,000 graduate of last year's Barretts sale.
Out of the Turkoman mare Tupelo Belle, the Indian Charlie colt was consigned by Allen Jenkins' H.T. Stables, agent.
With one other purchase, Sadler as agent was the second-leading buyer, spending $1,150,000. Absent from the list of leading buyers was Coolmore's Demi O'Byrne, who was on hand to inspect the horses. Ferguson, the 2004 leading buyer with one purchase for $2 million, bought one at this year's sale, a $750,000 Dixie Union colt he purchased in the name of Darley Stud Management.
Smith was leading consignor by gross with four selling for $2,270,000, an average of $567,500. Becky Thomas' Sequel Bloodstock sold 11 head for $2,240,000,an average of $203,636.
Gerald McMahon, president and general manager of Barretts, called the market "selective" but added, "We had a good group of buyers. The local owners and trainers supported the sale. In many cases they couldn't get what they wanted. Some of the buyers may have discounted the fast works because the racetrack here was playing so fast."