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New York Post
3 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Triple Crown schedule controversy back again — here's one solution
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The horses have reached the starting gate for the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, the second to be conducted at the historic Saratoga Race Course during the $455 million renovation of Belmont Park. From the first post at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday until the last go-round is declared official late Sunday afternoon, there will be five days of racing — up one from last year — with the signature event being Saturday's 157th running of the Belmont Stakes. There are no sure things in this meet or in horse racing in general, except this: There will not be a 14th Triple Crown winner for the sports world to celebrate at the end of this third jewel. Racing fans will be treated to a showdown between Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty and Preakness champion Journalism. But the prospective Triple Crown went by the wayside May 6, the Tuesday after the Derby, when Sovereignty's trainer Bill Mott informed Preakness officials his horse would not be appearing in Baltimore. Mott subsequently explained that he and Sovereignty's owner, Godolphin Racing, were never interested in running the horse twice in 15 days, according to the Daily Racing Form. 'If there ever would be a horse you could have tried the Triple Crown with, he might have been it. [He's] big, sturdy, came out [of the Derby] good,' Mott said, per DRF. 'There was no reason physically why we couldn't have run in the Preakness. We had no other excuse than we didn't feel like it. The word 'Preakness' I don't think ever came up in our conversation.' When the sport endured a gap of 37 years between Triple Crown winners — from Affirmed in 1978 to American Pharoah in 2015 — there was much debate about whether the demanding traditional schedule that places two weeks between the Derby and Preakness, and three weeks between the Preakness and normally mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes, was the culprit. After Justify won in 2018, making it two Triple Crowns in four years, the noise abated. But the question is being asked again, not because of performance, but due to choice. 3 Sovereignty, Junior Alvarado up, won this year's Kentucky Derby but did not run in the Preakness. Getty Images On a cool early Tuesday morning of workouts, The Post asked several prominent horsemen if the Triple Crown is a thing of the past given the current circumstances. 'We had two in four years, so I don't believe that,' said Michael McCarthy, trainer of Journalism, who indeed is running in all three events after coming in second at Churchill Downs and first at Pimlico. 'These races are tough. They're meant to be tough. The Belmont's a special race in its own right. I can't speak for any of the other connections skipping races, not making races. I just pay attention to my horse and make sure he's doing as well as he can be doing.' Jockey Umberto Rispoli, on hand to watch Journalism take a stroll through the paddock and a cruise around the main track, told The Post his horse was built for the attempt. 3 Preakness winner Journalism walks on the Saratoga Racecourse track on June 3, 2025 in preparation for Saturday's Belmont Stakes. Jason Szenes / New York Post 'Michael from the beginning always thought [Journalism] could make the three legs because of the way he's built and how good looking he is,' Rispoli said. 'It's all about keeping them healthy. Sometimes you have to go for it and sometimes you have to pull out of it.' At his barn near the Oklahoma training track across Union Avenue, four-time Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Todd Pletcher delved into the discussion of tradition versus progress. 'In order for the sport to move forward long term, we have to continue to make adjustments. Other sports make adjustments,' he said, pointing to MLB, the NBA and the always busy NFL Competition Committee. Pletcher doesn't sound concerned that a change in the schedule would cheapen the accomplishment of a Triple Crown. 'I think whoever [were to win it] would still be proud of it even if there were four weeks between each, or whatever it's determined to be,' he said. 'Who knows? It might be a little more difficult because each of those races might have a larger field and all the major competitors would be in there. You can make that argument as well. So I hate to change the tradition of it, but at the same time I hate to see racing not make improvements.'
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Horse of a lifetime' Marine Nationale scores with a swagger in Champion Chase
The specialist nature of two-mile chasing was reiterated on Tuesday evening when the last two winners of the Champion Chase at Cheltenham filled the first two places in the Grade One William Hill Champion Chase at Punchestown. In truth, it was a masterful performance from the reigning champ, the Barry Connell-trained and Sean Flanagan-ridden Marine Nationale, as he was able to travel behind the blistering early speed and then quicken up to challenge before putting the race to bed. On a day that reminded all racing fans of just what a puzzle end-of-season action can be, it was a refreshing departure from the upsets of the afternoon as the eight-year-old scored with a swagger. El Fabiolo had travelled strongly and still held every chance until taking a crashing fall at the second-last, but it was at that point that Marine Nationale had just come back on the bridle and looked to be making a move to win his race. With that one's departure, he was left to battle with 2024 Champion Chaser Captain Guinness and the speedy Solness, and yet the relatively fresh Marine Nationale quickened away in tremendous fashion to win by seven lengths from Captain Guinness, with Solness in third. The anticipated battle with Fact To File never materialised as the Ryanair Chase winner struggled to stay with the leaders as they raced beyond halfway and had to settle for a disappointing fourth-place finish. 'You can only beat what's there on the day to be beaten, and he's beaten them well,' said Flanagan. 'I gave him a nudge going down to the second-last and he's winged it and just completely come alive, and I've gone away to the last on the bridle. It generally only happens on horses like him. 'He is the reigning Champion Chaser for now, and we're going to enjoy that. I'm just delighted to be a small part of it. 'Barry holds the horse in such high regard. As he says, he's the horse of a lifetime. I've ridden a lot of horses through the years, and I've never ridden anything like him. 'I've said several times before, I'm riding 20 years and people say, 'why do you still get out of bed and go every day?' and that's why. You're looking for one, just one like him, and I think we've found one. 'It's a big credit to Barry. He knows this horse like the back of his hand, and he was adamant he had improved him. Even from my angle, from riding him, I thought he stepped up massively from Christmas to the DRF, and again to Cheltenham. And they told me there was more in the locker for him to step up again, and I think he's done it.' Connell, who is an open book when it comes to his horses, was emotional when achieving the lifetime ambition of winning a Champion Chase at Cheltenham and buoyed by this success, is already dreaming of more. 'We're thrilled. This is the horse of a lifetime,' he beamed. 'Our target is to win three and equal Badsworth Boy, who is the only horse in history to win three Champion Chases despite all of the storied horses over the years. 'He won doing a half-speed and I think this horse has all the attributes to be a multiple Champion Chase winner. 'He's only eight and that's his twelfth run. We missed a lot of our novice season last year, so it was a slow build, and I felt the horse had improved with every run and had improved again from Cheltenham - and we were proved right. 'He has no mileage on the clock, and he grows an extra leg in Cheltenham. He's so laid back, goes through the gears and just does enough. He doesn't burn any extra petrol than what he needs. 'He's the most wonderful creature and everybody in the yard has had a huge part to play in this. We only have 13 or 14 horses riding out and we're able to punch at the highest level if we get the ammunition.'
The Independent
28-02-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Cheltenham Odds: Latest Ante-Post Odds for Cheltenham Festival 2025
Cheltenham Festival odds evolve on a daily basis and the interest and excitement surrounding four days of brilliant racing and 28 races is so intense that the betting markets are available all year round on the best betting sites. For value seekers ahead of the meeting, it pays to have visibility over the differences in the ante-post betting odds on betting apps and keeping an eye on the market movers as Festival week moves ever closer is a must. As such, here are the latest Cheltenham odds: Cheltenham Betting Odds Overview Cheltenham odds are updated throughout the year and it is advisable for punters to compare the odds offered for each of the 28 races by checking them across multiple bookmakers. If you're new to betting on horses, read our betting odds explainer to give you the full picture of what to expect. As with anything in life, good research is paramount, so getting the best deal as a backer is crucial to making your bets worthwhile during Cheltenham Festival week. To make this simple, we have each projected runner at the festival in our Cheltenham race cards above with current prices updated live from the best horse racing betting sites available in the UK. Races throughout the jump season impact on the 2025 Cheltenham Festival with a number of informative events run in the weeks and months prior to Festival week. Meetings such as the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) in early February can have a huge impact on the Cheltenham odds as horses look to strengthen their claims on the big races. Kopek Des Bordes is a prime example of a horse whose Cheltenham odds narrowed dramatically after he won a race at the DRF. His impressive win ensured his price tumbled and was made hot favourite for the 2025 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, as the bookies took evasive action in the face of a tremendous display. Most Cheltenham betting sites make Willie Mullins ' charge an odds-on chance to win the 2025 Cheltenham Festival opener and a repeat of his Leopardstown success could be enough to see him secure glory. Alternative Cheltenham Betting Offers With many of The Independent's recommended bookmakers offering a valuable non-runner no bet concession, the time is right for players to take advantage of sign-up offers and free bet promotions before the highlight of the National Hunt season is upon us. Bettors can play with confidence using their free bets or sign-up offers to take advantage of price boosts and extra place races for example, knowing their funds will be returned to their account if their selection doesn't run. Terms and conditions always apply though, so be sure to check them over before placing a bet. During the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, bookmakers will be highly competitive and keen to accommodate players so it is also worth looking out for enhanced odds, best odds guaranteed and money back specials with competition fierce among bookies during the week. Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds 2025 The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025 will cap a huge week of racing with Galopin Des Champs, winner of the last two renewals, bidding to become the first horse since Best Mate to win jump racing's blue riband event for the third time. Such is the nine-year-old's dominance in this division, it is very difficult to oppose the current champion who again showcased his well-being with a comprehensive Leopardstown success in the Irish Gold Cup last time to solidify his position as a red-hot favourite for this race. Corbetts Cross, a winner at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, could be a horse at a bigger price to consider as an each-way bet in a race which lacks huge strength in depth this year. Top Trainer & Top Jockey Betting Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson look the two to concentrate on in the 'Top Festival Trainer' market with both powerhouse stables boasting enormous ammunition for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Sadly, Henderson's firepower has taken a hit of late with the untimely withdrawal of Sir Gino a setback from the My Pension Expert Arkle Chase. That non runner has also robbed regular rider Nico de Boinville of one of his leading hopes for the 2025 Festival, with chief rival Paul Townend likely to profit on day one, with his mount Majborough now inheriting the favourite's tag in the Arkle. Responsible Gambling It is important that backers keep their betting responsible during the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and beyond by utilising the multitude of tools that gambling sites provide such as deposit limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. These facilities can stop gambling getting out of hand. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling-related problems, contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. The service is free of charge and open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Alternatively, there are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below: Cheltenham Odds FAQs When is the Cheltenham Festival 2025? This year's Cheltenham Festival begins on Tuesday, March 11 and ends on Friday, March 14 with Gold Cup day. Who is the favourite for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup? The market leader for this year's Gold Cup is Galopin Des Champs who is bidding for an historic hat-trick for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. Can I bet on Cheltenham 2025 now? Yes, all regulated bookmakers feature Cheltenham Festival odds, with most betting apps and sites featuring all 28 races plus a number of other specials and Cheltenham promotions. How do non-runner no-bet offers work? Non-runner no-bet offers are an excellent promotion as they give players the opportunity to back their selection before the big day, often at bigger odds, safe in the knowledge that if for any reason it does not run then their money is refunded to their account.
The Guardian
31-01-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Extraordinary depth puts Willie Mullins in Dublin Racing Festival box-seat
Willie Mullins completed a clean sweep of the eight Grade One races at the Dublin Racing Festival in 2024 and Ireland's perennial champion trainer is odds-on to win at least seven this time around, not least because Gordon Elliott, the current leader in the title race, has opted to steer several of his stable stars away from the two-day meeting. The strength and depth of Mullins's squad across the weekend is extraordinary. On Friday afternoon, there were 21 horses priced up at single-figure odds for the DRF's Grade One events – and all but three will carry a 'WPM' saddlecloth. Another lesson from last year's meeting, though, is that the idea of first, second or even third-string runners from the Mullins stable is a little out-of-date. Danny Mullins, the trainer's nephew, upstaged Paul Townend, the stable No 1, on the opening day, riding a 535-1 treble in the first three Grade Ones, and extending a remarkable record over the course of his career that has now seen him notch 21 Grade One wins for his uncle, none of which set off as favourite. Do not be afraid to take on a Mullins-trained favourite with a stable companion, in other words, and Ile Atlantique (2.55), a useful hurdler who already looks better over fences, is an interesting alternative to the odds-on Majborough, last season's Triumph Hurdle winner, in the Irish Arkle. But it is hard to see beyond the outstanding Galopin Des Champs (3.30) in the Irish Gold Cup, the opening day's feature race, for all that the head-to-head between the dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner and his up-and-coming stable companion, Fact To File, currently stands at one-all. Fact To File was nearly three lengths in front of Galopin Des Champs in the two-and-a-half mile John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in November, but the eight-year-old had no answer to Galopin Des Champs's stamina from the last to the line when they met over three miles for the first time in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown in December. That win extended Galopin Des Champs's unbeaten record over fences at Leopardstown to six races and it will be a major surprise if he does not add a seventh on Saturday, ahead of an attempt to become the first three-time Gold Cup winner since Best Mate in 2004 at Cheltenham in March. Wetherby: 12.30 Kelya Wood 1.00 Empty Nest 1.33 Lud'Or 2.08 No No Tango 2.43 Mr Bramley 3.15 Jerrysback 3.50 Little Ledgend 4.22 Parish Quiz. Sandown: 12.50 Old Cowboy 1.25 Sole Solution (nap) 2.00 Classic Maestro 2.35 Kalif Du Berlais 3.07 Henri The Second 3.42 O'Connell 4.12 Hurricane Pat. Musselburgh: 1.42 Maitre En Science 2.17 Freddy Robinson 2.50 Fidelio Vallis (nb) 3.22 Intense Approach 3.57 Boomslang 4.27 Book Of Tales. Newcastle: 4.17 Busby 4.50 Mum's Called 5.25 Molveno 5.55 Stroxx 6.25 Jamaican Storm 6.55 Quandary 7.25 Time Patrol 7.55 My Boy Jack. Wolverhampton: 4.40 Smart Hero 5.10 Balgowan 5.40 Jonny Garlic 6.10 Perfect Parole 6.40 Paradoxical 7.10 Fan Mail 7.40 Ultramarine 8.10 Sonmarg. Sandown 1.25 The lightly-raced Sole Solution may have been handed a generous opening mark following a comfortable success at Hereford this month. Musselburgh 1.42 Harry Derham's recent import Maitre En Science has several pounds in hand of his field on French form and should book a slot in the Triumph Hurdle with a successful British debut. Sandown 2.00 With question marks over several of the more experienced runners, the novice Classic Maestro is fairly priced at around 6-1 to continue his progress over fences. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion Musselburgh 2.17 Freddy Robinson put up a career-best over this track and trip and on similar ground in November and looks overpriced at around 14-1. Sandown 2.35 While Kalif Du Berlais had just two rivals to beat in a handicap at Cheltenham last time, he was carrying top weight and posted a strong time so 7-2 could be generous in another small field. Musselburgh 2.50 Derham's string shows distinct signs of finding form after a difficult start to the winter campaign and course-and-distance winner Fidelio Vallis is interesting here with Alice Stevens – who has a 33pc strike-rate for the stable – back in his saddle. Sandown 3.07 Henri The Second has an excellent record at this track and can register a third course win. Sandown 3.42 A hold-up running style makes it difficult for the handicapper to get to grips with O'Connell and even a 9lb rise for his latest success may not be enough to end his winning streak.
