Today’s Racing News: This past weekend, the major horse racing event was the Native Diver Stakes, a Grade III event from Del Mar. A year ago, Extra Hope stalked Midcourt all the way through a nine-furlong race before Midcourt pulled away to win by almost six lengths in a four-horse field, In 2020, the result was the opposite as Extra Hope led from wire to wire, pulling away late for his first graded stakes victory. He only won by a length, but it still counts.

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Weekend Racing Report: Extra Hope Snatches Victory Away from Midcourt

Today’s racing news reports that Extra Hope, with Juan Hernandez aboard, won the Native Diver Stakes. In an interview after the race, Hernandez said, “That was the plan – to go for the lead right away. He helped me a lot the way he broke so good out of there. Then he was running nice and easy for me; he was relaxed. At the quarter pole I asked him and he gave me a good reply.”

Extra Hope, a four-year-old colt by Shanghai Bobby, picked up his fourth win in 14 races. He added $60,000 in winnings to a total that is now $294,831. Midcourt came in second, and then Combatant and Royal Ship rounded out the field. Royal Ship is in the same stable as Extra Hope, with both horses trained by Richard Mandella. Mandella had asked Hernandez to push the pace from the beginning, as Extra Hope does not always run as fast as he can unless he is pushed hard, both in training and in races. Royal Ship might have mounted more of a challenge, but he stumbled coming out of the gate, almost sending jockey Mike Smith to the ground.

Extra Hope ended up running 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.11, paying $10.40 and $2.80 on a $2 bet. On the day at Del Mar, Abel Cedillo won two races and has now won 16 races in the first ten racing days. Flavien Prat had the best performance by any rider, though, picking up three wins. He has ten wins on the young season, ranking second in the overall jockey standings for 2020-21.

Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice. Stay tuned for more special content on the upcoming Pegasus World Cup and 2021 Triple Crown races.

Horse Betting: In the United States, fixed odds betting on horse racing is not legal. However, New Jersey is considering becoming the first state to allow that to happen. Bills have been introduced in the New Jersey State Senate and the New Jersey State Assembly authorizing that type of betting. Members of both political parties support the bill, as does Governor Phil Murphy, and so all parties anticipate passage into law before the 2021 meet at Monmouth Park.

Before we continue with the news, make sure you take a look below at some of the latest horse betting futures on the 2021 Triple Crown race cycle thanks to JazzSports.ag:

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New Jersey Considering Try Fixed Odds in 2021

In February 2020, Monmouth Park signed a ten-year contract with BetMakers, an Australian firm, to administer fixed odds horse betting for the meet starting this year. However, the state Attorney General took longer than anticipated to review the contract and the process. Going through the legislature means that no such review would be necessary for fixed odds horse betting to go on at Monmouth Park going forward.

In a statement, Dallas Baker, the Head of International Operations for BetMakers, said that the fixed odds betting takeout remains to be calculated but should rival what the track currently sees for the tote, if not more.

After the bill passes, initially the fixed odds wagers would only be available to New Jersey residents, and only for wagers on New Jersey tracks. Going forward, though, BetMakers will work to grow and add tracks outside the state. That will require that they follow the Interstate Horseracing Act, which would mandate agreement by the operators of those racetracks, as well as a local group of horsemen.

This type of wagering has been very popular for about a decade since its introduction in Australia, primarily because it will avoid the large drops in odds that often take place after a race begins in parimutuel pools. It is not uncommon, for example, for a horse to drop by two or three times in odds part of the way into a race, and winnings plummet as a result. The apparent lack of fairness in this approach is one reason why horse racing wagers are lower than they could be; in Australia, the total handle has more than doubled since the introduction of fixed odds wagering.

Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice.

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Churchill Downs News: Kevin Flannery will bring his 11-year tenure as president of Churchill Downs Racetrack to an end, as he has announced his retirement at the end of the 2020 calendar year. He joined the track as vice president for national public affairs 15 years ago. Three years later, he became senior vice president of national public affairs and communications, and then in 2009, he became the 13th president of the track.

Before we continue with our news story, make sure to check some of the hottest future bet prices currently available at online racebook JAZZSports.ag:

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Kevin Flannery Retires as Churchill Downs President

In a public statement, Flannery said, “It has been an honor to work with a team that constantly strives to protect the legacy of the Kentucky Derby while creating experiences that resonate in our modern world. The ability of my…team to listen to our fans and our horsemen has informed every move we have made to enrich the Kentucky Derby for future generations. I will forever be grateful to the horsemen, the community and our guests who allowed me the opportunity to impact the rich and vibrant history of Churchill Downs and the unique culture of the neighborhood.”

During his tenure, he led a number of expansion projects for the track, including the Rooftop Lounge, the Starting Gate suites, The Mansion, and the Paddock Plaza. He oversaw the completion of Matt Winn’s Steakhouse and the equine medical center. He also led the addition of permanent lighting on the track, as well as the Big Board, to enhance the experience of live racing for fans.

Before coming to work at Churchill Downs, Flannery had held several positions within the Kentucky state government, including time as the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet. The track will now begin an executive search to replace Flannery. The interim president will be Bill Mudd, currently the chief operations officer for the track. The CEO of Churchill Downs, Bill Carstanjen, praised Flannery for his emphasis on creating new and innovative fan experiences and significant capital investments in order to grow the track.

Moving to 2021, the track plans to pursue permission to grow attendance for the Kentucky Derby to 50 percent, thanks to recent news about the potential distribution of a vaccine that would provide immunity to COVID-19. Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice.

Stay tuned for more special content coming up on the Pegasus Invitational and the 2021 Triple Crown races.

Horse Racing: Golden Gate Fields, in Berkeley, California, will see live horse racing shut down through November to follow advice from local public health authorities. Their motivation is to protect the well-being and safety of employees of 1/ST RACING, along with people who work on the backstretch and the wider community.

Golden Gate Fields has used stringent safety and health measures since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as regular testing with required isolation for positive testers or close contacts of those who have tested positive, masking requirements and strict rules for social distancing.

Before we go on with our report, check out some of the latest Future Betting Odds, provided by classic online racebook JAZZSports.ag:

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Golden Gate Fields Closed All November for Live Racing

Horse racing stopped at Golden Gate Fields for a week last week because of an outbreak at the facility. Since that time, the entire facility at the track received a thorough deep cleaning, and COVID-19 testing was administered for all employees of 1/ST RACING and backstretch employees. The track shared all of their testing with the Berkeley Public Health Division.

There are 1,300 horses stabled at Golden Gate Fields, and they will keep receiving the daily exercise and care that they need. Positive cases are administered by the Berkeley Public Health Division’s case managers, with isolation required until the Division clears them. The BPHD and Golden Gate Fields will announce their policies for December as soon as possible.

Trainer Ellen Jackson finds the situation unnecessary. In an interview, she said, “It doesn’t make a lot of sense. They don’t allow spectators. The owners can’t go into the saddling paddock. There’s no more exposure than there is in morning training, but evidently the City of Berkeley doesn’t understand that.”

A similar shutdown has affected Zia Park in New Mexico. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses in the state until November 30. There has been an ongoing argument as to whether horse racing facilities are non-essential businesses due to the fact that the horses need to get exercise every day in order to avoid negative health outcomes.

At both parks, there is uncertainty among the employees as to where their next paychecks will come from, as the federal government had covered lost wages due to COVID-19 shutdowns in the spring, but no relief measures have been announced going into the winter. For now, the betting windows are closed at Golden Gate Fields, and the hope is that local spread of COVID-19 will drop to the point where racing can resume in December. Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice.

Keep coming back for more special content on the upcoming Pegasus World Cup Invitational and 2021 Triple Crown race circuit.

Horse Racing Results: The weekend after the Breeders’ Cup Championships is generally a fairly slow one, and 2020 was no exception, as Churchill Downs hosted the Mrs. Revere (Grade III) stakes on Saturday. This marked the 30^th edition of this event, and Princess Grace pulled away around the far turn, pushing by Positive Danger, and then held off Pass the Plate down the stretch to win by 2 ¾ lengths.

Let’s take a closer look at Saturday’s race, but before we go on with our report, check out some of the hottest Horses Betting Futures currently available at JAZZSports.ag:

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Weekend Racing Recap

Saturday, November 14

Mrs. Revere Stakes

Reviewing the horse racing results from the Mrs. Revere Stakes, we see that Princess Grace completed the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.00 on a fast track to win her first stakes race. Florent Geroux was on board Princess Grace, who is trained by Mike Stidham.

Normally, the Mrs. Revere Stakes is a turf race, but the race was moved to the main track at Churchill Downs because the turf there is having difficulty in the fall weather. The American Graded Stakes Committee reduced the race, normally a Grade II stakes, to a Grade III, as a result.

Princess Grace had finished a half-length behind Stunning Sky at the Valley View (Grade III) Stakes at Keeneland (a turf race) but came through this time. She was the +250 second betting choice in what became a field of fillies in their third year.

Positive Danger started as the pacesetter, with the first two fractions at :24.54 and :49.68, but Princess Grace was breathing down her neck. When Princess Grace took charge midway through the far turn, she hit six furlongs in 1:13.84. In the stretch, she led by as many as three lengths before Pass the Plate started a thunderous rally. However, Princess Grace was able to hold off the attack.

In an interview after the race, Geroux said, “The pace unfolded exactly how I thought that [Positive Danger] would go to the lead and we could sit just to her outside.” Geroux also won the Mrs. Revere in 2017, aboard Lovely Bernadette.

Pass the Plate finished as the runner-up, paying $5 and $3.20, and then How Ironic came in third, paying $3.80 to show. Stunning Sky, who was the favorite at +150, came in fourth. Witez and Positive Danger rounded out the order of finish, with Hendy Woods a late scratch.

Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice. Stay tuned for special content on the upcoming Pegasus World Cup 2021.

Horse Racing News: Winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic and the Kentucky Derby in the same year seems to have sewn up Horse of the Year for Authentic. In the aftermath of his victory, several options cropped up – retiring Authentic now, letting him compete in the 2021 Pegasus World Cup and then retiring, or going on to compete as a four-year-old. Trainer Bob Baffert and Authentic’s ownership have made up their minds.

Before we continue with our story, check out the latest Odds to Win on the 2021 cycle of Triple Crown races, courtesy of online racebook JAZZSports.ag:

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Is Authentic Also Retired?

Horse racing news outlets have reported that Authentic retired to stud right after winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic. He came to Spendthrift Farm on November 9 and was given his final praises from Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who extolled the horse for his transcendent speed and durability.

The decision had more to do with Authentic’s stud value than anything else. According to Eric Gustavson, president of Spendthrift Farms, “We turned over every option, believe me. We did contemplate the Pegasus, and it is nice for the purse money, but it would not change anything regarding his stature at this point or his stud fee…we would rather he let down and enjoy three solid months running around in our paddocks.”

For his racing career, Authentic posted a 6-2-0 record in eight starts, earning $6,191,200. He won his only race in his two-year-old season and won his first stakes at the Sham Stakes (Grade III) in his 2020 opener at Santa Anita Park. He also won the San Felipe Stakes (Grade II) and the Haskell Stakes (Grade I) before coming in second at the Santa Anita Derby (Garde I). He was not a favorite at the Kentucky Derby because his sire, Into Mischief, had never shown promise at the 1 ¼ mile distance, but Authentic won anyway, leading from start to finish and winning by 1 ¼ lengths. He was runner-up at the Preakness Stakes, falling to Swiss Skydiver, and then beat the field from gate to wire at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, winning by 2 ¼ lengths.

Authentic will enter stud at a fee of $75,000. The farm purchased its interest in Authentic in March of 2020, and the calls started pouring in at that point. The farm had not sold any contracts ahead of his official retirement, but the farm expects to fill his book in a matter of days. Give an EDGE to your horse-betting with the help of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice.

Stay tuned for more special articles on the upcoming Pegasus World Cup 2021.

Live Horse Racing: As we head into the winter, it’s time to take a look at some of the up-and-coming horses that you should have your eye out for in future horse races. When you’re picking among favorites, you aren’t going to get as much value as you get when you take advantage of the sort of research that lets you in on secrets a race or two before the rest of the crowd.

Take a look at these promising ponies, but before you do that, check out the hottest Horse Racing Futures available at online racebook JAZZSports.ag; including the Early Odds to Win on the 2021 Kentucky Derby and other juicy Triple Crown specials.

Up and Coming Horses to Watch

When it comes to live horse racing, Idol has a huge edge based on pedigree alone. He’s entering his three-year-old season, and he was born with stamina. His sire is Curlin, who won Horse of the Year twice, and his dam is Marion Ravenwood, a stakes winner and a daughter of A.P. Indy, a Belmont Stakes winner with a history of passing that stamina on to his offspring.

It turns out that Idol is fast on the shorter distances too. In his first two starts, both sprints, he came in second in a six-furlong run at Churchill Downs and then won his second, finishing 2 ½ lengths ahead of the rest over seven furlongs in 1:22.04.

On Sunday, Idol entered a 1 3/16-mile allowance race at Churchill Downs. He was favored at -200 odds, he settled in just back of the lead through the first three splits and then took off, pulling away to beat Excession, who was the runner-up at the Grade II Rebel Stakes, by 5 ¾ lengths. He finished in 1:55.97, a new track record, and put up a 97 Beyer Speed Figure.

Another horse to keep your eye on in Laker Mamba. He’s bred to dominate in the two-turn courses, with Nyquist (the 2016 Kentucky Derby winner) as his sire and Unbridled’s Song as his dam.

In his debut, he went a mile at Churchill Downs, trailing early before coming back to come in third, 1 ¾ lengths back of Keepmeinmind, who would come in third at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Then he went to Churchill Downs for a 1 & 1/16-mile maiden race on October 28. He held off the pace through the first three fractions but then pushed hard down the stretch zooming to the front and winning by 4 ¼ lengths, finishing the last 5/16 mile in :30.93.

Give an EDGE to your horse betting with the aid of JAZZ Horse Racing’s expert racing advice.

Stick to our blog for more special content on the upcoming Pegasus World Cup Invitational.