Latest news with #PaulickReport
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Fort Erie Reports On-Track Wagering Up 23 Percent Opening Day
Fort Erie Reports On-Track Wagering Up 23 Percent Opening Day originally appeared on Paulick Report. Opening Day at Fort Erie Race Track in Ontario was a galloping success on Tuesday evening thanks to a combination of perfect weather, a roaring crowd, and eight exciting races. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the Summer Solstice Cup, which featured a packed field of 11 Thoroughbreds hitting the historic dirt oval. Riding atop Ruby's Ghost, jockey Melanie Pinto had her work cut out for her after drawing the 11th post in the gate, but a late burst with an eighth of a mile left sent her charging up from third place and into the lead at the finish line. 'I was a little concerned about being in the 11 post because I knew we would be pretty far out and I wasn't sure how to set up the speed to get to the inside, or if we were going to get stuck out,' said Pinto after the ride. 'But luckily we broke clean, had a really good trip, and it all worked out.' Advertisement The connections of Pinto, owner Charles Fipke, and trainer Michaela Neubauer have been a longtime winning trio at Fort Erie. Having been together for so many years, Pinto said they feel like a family. 'Definitely,' agreed Neubauer. 'Melanie is like my little sister.' The fulsome racing fields attracted plenty of bettors to the wagering windows at the track, with on-track wagering hitting $112,000 for the day, an increase of 23 per cent over last year. Including remote wagering, Opening Day at Fort Erie Race Track reached a handle of $1.7 million. That's a decline from last year's $1.8 million (according to Equibase charts), which was achieved despite canceling the final race on the opening day card due to weather in 2024. Live racing continues through June at Fort Erie, including the track's busiest day of the year, Father's Day, on June 15, where two more cup races will be on the card, alongside a Farmer's Market. It's the track's first Sunday card, which means horses will be hitting the dirt at a special 12:15 p.m. post time. For a full list of the track's race dates and post times, visit This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on May 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Journalism's jockey readies for Triple Crown rematch with Sovereignty at Belmont Stakes
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Journalism is the lead story in horse racing in the days leading up the Belmont Stakes. The Preakness champion is the 8-5 favorite for Saturday's 157th running of the third jewel in the Triple Crown, just slightly more expensive than Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty, who is 2-1 on the morning line. Advertisement As with any juicy tale, Journalism's comes with a helping of controversy after his rock-'em, sock-'em dash to the wire at Pimlico on May 17. As the field turned for home, Journalism was on the rail and in a box, behind Gosger and Clever Again with Goal Oriented on his outside. Connections on all sides would run with their own accounts of what happened next. Advertisement According to the industry publication Paulick Report, Journalism's right shoulder appeared to bump Goal Oriented's left hip, which caused Goal Oriented to turn inward, thus sending Journalism bouncing into a collision with Clever Again. Jockey Umberto Rispoli muscled Journalism between the two horses and came out the other side only to see Gosger running away with the race. But then the bumper car turned into a top-fueled dragster and chased Gosger down. The pull quote from Clever Again's trainer Steve Asmussen was that Rispoli rode Journalism 'like a rented mule.' But Rispoli and Journalism's trainer Michael McCarthy tell it differently. 'That's part of horse racing. Sometimes you can have an easy trip, sometimes it gets a little crowded, you can have some bounce around. We came out of there pretty good,' Rispoli, the 36-year-old Italian who scored his first Triple Crown victory, told The Post as he watched Journalism work out on Saratoga's main track Tuesday morning. Advertisement 4 Jockey Umberto Rispoli road Journalism (2) to victory in the Preakness (above), but was second to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby. Getty Images 'When I saw Gosger open up four lengths in front of me, it puts you in a tough situation to think that you can go and get him. But [Journalism] got the job done.' 'Very brave effort, horse and rider,' McCarthy said. 'To do what they did inside the 16th pole is certainly something special. I read somewhere that [Journalism's] stride increased in length by about two feet in that last 16th of a mile, so that's pretty impressive.' In Saturday's Belmont Stakes, the second to be held at Saratoga during the $455 million renovation of Belmont Park, Journalism will get another crack at Sovereignty. Advertisement 4 Sovereignty, who won the Kentucky Derby but did not run in the Preakness, looks on from his barn at Saratoga on June 4, 2025 in preparation for Saturday's Belmont Stakes. Jason Szenes / New York Post The latter won their stretch battle in the Kentucky Derby by a head. It will be Journalism's third race in 35 days, while Sovereignty has been resting and training since the Derby. Rispoli, however, doesn't see it necessarily as just a two-horse battle in the expected field of eight. 'Obviously we are the two that won the first two legs and people want to see a rematch, but I think Baeza will be there as well,' said Rispoli, who has more than 2,000 career wins, with more than 600 coming since he moved from Italy to the United States in 2020. 'We don't need to disrespect any other horse in this field. If they are here, there's a reason.' 4 Journalism breezes during his workout at Saratoga Racecourse on June 4, 2025 in preparation for the Belmont Stakes. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images Rispoli knows the reason Journalism is here. 'He's special. He takes the job [seriously], and he knows when he needs to be really serious and when he can chill around,' the jockey said. 'It's a different horse. Hopefully the Belmont will give us another Triple Crown [victory].' For McCarthy, the 54-year-old former assistant to Todd Pletcher, the Preakness was his second career Triple Crown triumph. He sent Rombauer to the winner's circle in the 2021 Preakness. Rombauer then cashed a show ticket in the Belmont Stakes. Advertisement 4 Preakness winner Journalism walks on the Saratoga Racecourse track on June 3, 2025. Jason Szenes / New York Post McCarthy's training operation is based in California. He says this week's Upstate New York weather has been similar to what Journalism is accustomed to. This, however, will be the horse's first race at The Spa. Tuesday morning, McCarthy and an entourage walked Journalism from his barn, across four-lane Union Avenue, down a long, manicured horse path and into the paddock so he could get a taste of his surroundings. 'Just to give him some familiarity, something to do,' McCarthy said. 'We have a lot of time on our hands here.' Advertisement In due time, Journalism's story will be written in full.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will The Belmont Stakes Return To Saratoga In 2026?
Will The Belmont Stakes Return To Saratoga In 2026? originally appeared on Paulick Report. The 2026 Belmont Stakes could be run at Saratoga Race Course for a third and final year before relocating back to Belmont Park in Elmont N.Y., according to the Times Union. The new Belmont Park is scheduled for completion in September 2026–three months after the Belmont Stakes—making it possible that the race will remain at Saratoga for one more year. 'NYRA remains focused on conducting a successful and memorable 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course beginning Wednesday, June 4,' said Patrick McKenna, Vice President of Communications at New York Racing Association (NYRA). 'However, we certainly appreciate the interest around the 2026 edition and will be finalizing and announcing its location in the coming weeks.' Advertisement If Saratoga is confirmed as the 2026 host, it will offer the historic venue one last opportunity to witness a potential Triple Crown winner. That dream was dashed last year when Seize The Grey beat Mystic Dan in the Preakness Stakes. This year, Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty skipped the Preakness, with his connections opting to target the Belmont, and possibly the Travers. 'It's not the fact that you run in the Derby and then you run back in two weeks,' trainer Bill Mott told Blood-Horse following Sovereignty's Derby win, when asked about skipping the Preakness. 'It's not that horses can't do that. We opted to look at the long term and his whole career. As a trainer, one thing on my bucket list is winning the Travers. I'd love to win it and that's one of the races under consideration.' There remains a possibility that the 2026 Belmont Stakes could be held at a partially complete Belmont Park, which NYRA has made a plan for. However, running the race at an unfinished venue might take away from the excitement of unveiling a fully redeveloped Belmont Park in 2027—when the track is also set to host the Breeders' Cup World Championships. This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Miguel Clement Looking To Build On Father's Legacy With Trio Of Contenders In Manhattan
Miguel Clement Looking To Build On Father's Legacy With Trio Of Contenders In Manhattan originally appeared on Paulick Report. In an impressive showing for the barn of the late Christophe Clement, the trio of Far Bridge, Carson's Run and Deterministic have long been pointed to the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino Manhattan on June 7 at the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., after preparing for their campaigns in Florida this winter. The recent passing of their conditioner in late May was deeply felt across the racing community and the trio will now look to add to the trainer's much-respected legacy as they make their first start for Clement's son and longtime assistant, Miguel. Advertisement 'Dad loves the Manhattan, and this was the plan a long time ago,' Miguel Clement said of the trio's entry in a race that Christophe won three times with Forbidden Apple [2001], Gio Ponti [2009] and Winchester [2010]. 'Historically speaking, it's been a terrific race. It's probably one of the best races that we have because it's a race where you have the best stayers and the best milers all meeting in the middle. 'All three horses are doing very well and it's exciting,' Clement added. 'It's time to run.' The Manhattan [Race 12], a 1 3/16-mile Mellon turf test for older horses, is one of eight graded stakes slated for Saturday's loaded 14-race card headlined by the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets in Race 13. First post is 10:45 a.m. Eastern. Leading the charge for Clement is LSU Stables' multiple Grade 1-winner Far Bridge, whose win in the 1 3/8-mile Grade 2 Man o' War on May 10 at Belmont at the Big A marked the final graded stakes victory for Christophe, and graded stakes win number 239 after a storied 34-year career. In the Man o' War, Far Bridge was piloted by Hall of Famer Joel Rosario to a stalking one-length victory under a hand-ride, taking command in the final turn and driving home in a final time of 2:17.24. Advertisement Far Bridge returns to the course that saw him upset the Grade 1 Sword Dancer in August, a pacesetting victory by one length over Measured Time. He switched up tactics next out with a stalk-and-pounce score over War Like Goddess in the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic in September at Belmont at the Big A. 'If you want, he can be on the lead, and has tactical speed if you need it,' Clement said. 'He can also come from last and has a great turn-of-foot. That makes him very tough. He's not dependent on ground or pace. He can do whatever you'd like.' Far Bridge has won four of his last five starts – all with Rosario at the helm – including the Grade 3 Pan American to kick off his campaign in March at Gulfstream Park. Clement said the pairing of Rosario and Far Bridge is easy to summarize. Advertisement 'They're a dynamic duo. I think that's the best way to put it,' he concluded. Clement said Far Bridge, who also won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational as a sophomore for trainer Todd Pletcher, would likely prefer a bit more ground than he'll cover on Saturday, but that his talent should allow him to put forth a strong effort. 'He's top class,' Clement said. 'He has an affinity for Saratoga, and in terms of distance, I'm sure he would appreciate more – but he's so versatile, and he's probably good enough that he can handle a range of distances. Top class horses, even if it's not their optimal distance, they still win.' Rosario will guide Far Bridge from the outermost post 9. Advertisement The pair of multiple graded stakes-winner Deterministic [post 5, Kendrick Carmouche] and dual Grade 1-winner Carson's Run [post 4, Dylan Davis] arrive from a 1-2 finish in the nine-furlong Grade 2 Fort Marcy on May 3 at Belmont at the Big A, a race that saw Deterministic set a new track record of 1:45.70 over the outer turf. 'He's doing well and he's versatile,' Clement said of Deterministic, who seeks his first Grade 1 score for owners St. Elias Stable, Ken Langone, Steven Duncker and Vicarage Stable. The 4-year-old Liam's Map dark bay flashed his talents early in his career on dirt, graduating impressively in August 2023 here and returning last March to win the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct Racetrack before a pair of off-the-board efforts in graded dirt routes at the Big A. A switch to turf brought back the spark he showed earlier in the year, and the colt has never been off-the-board in six starts over the lawn. His 6-3-2-1 turf record includes Grade 3 wins last year in the Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs and the Hill Prince at the Big A, as well as a third in his lone try at the Grade 1 level in last year's Saratoga Derby Invitational won by Carson's Run. He began his current campaign with a pacesetting second in a nine-furlong off-the-turf allowance in April at Keeneland. Advertisement Deterministic already had a race on his 2025 resume heading into the Fort Marcy, and now the same can be said for West Point Thoroughbreds and Steven Bouchey's Carson's Run after his brave Fort Marcy effort behind his stablemate in his first start off a more than five-month layoff. 'He needed a race under his belt. I think he's improved from the run,' Clement said. 'There's plenty of him – plenty of substance – he will only benefit from a race under him. I thought he ran a terrific race.' Carson's Run already boasts a win over the course and distance in the aforementioned Saratoga Derby, his second top-level victory after taking the Summer Stakes as a juvenile at Woodbine. The 4-year-old Cupid colt's sophomore campaign also included a win in the Grade 3 Jockey Club Derby Invitational in October at Belmont at the Big A and a runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Nashville Derby in September at Kentucky Downs. While a powerhouse trio looms large for the Clement barn, there are no guarantees in a loaded field that includes dual Grade 1-winning New York-bred Spirit of St Louis [post 6, Manny Franco], who is also in the conversation of divisional sovereignty alongside Far Bridge. Advertisement Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb and Richard Schermerhorn's 6-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro has flourished this year against open company after two seasons running against almost exclusively state-bred company, often trouncing his competition with seven wins [four stakes] from 11 outings against fellow New York-breds. In October, Brown tried the evergreen dark bay against graded competition for the first time when a 2 1/2-length fifth in the Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland. Two starts later, Spirit of St Louis more than proved he belonged in the big leagues, notching a rallying neck score in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January at Gulfstream Park. A fourth in the Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Classic in March at Fair Grounds did little to dissuade the betting public on May 3 at Churchill Downs, where Spirit of St Louis was last seen scoring another Grade 1 triumph in the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic as the 3-1 post-time favorite. 'He's remarkably consistent this horse,' the gelding's five-time Eclipse Award-winning conditioner Chad Brown said. 'He's reached a level this year that I didn't even see coming. I'm just trying to keep him where he's at right now – happy and sound.' While Spirit of St Louis has successfully answered the question of class, he is now left to prove his ability beyond nine furlongs. The presence of Grade 1 Belmont Stakes-winner Lemon Drop Kid on the bottom side of his pedigree suggests he'll pass the test. Advertisement 'We'll try it – he's certainly bred for it,' Brown said of the distance. 'I would have thought last year that his best distance was a mile, and this year, he's proven to be effective beyond that, which is a pleasant surprise.' Bred by Chester and Mary Broman, Spirit of St Louis is a full-brother to Grade 1-winner Bar of Gold, who found her best stride sprinting over the dirt to victory in the 2017 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. A neck back of Spirit of St Louis in the Pegasus World Cup Turf was West Point Thoroughbreds and Woodford Racing's Integration [post 2, Flavien Prat], a last-out seventh in the Turf Classic at Churchill. Co-owner Sol Kumin congratulations jockey Manny Franco after Spirit of St Louis won the Turf Classic at Churchill DownsNellie Carlson photo Trained by three-time Manhattan-winning Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey, the Quality Road 5-year-old has placed in four Grade 1s, and boasts graded victories in the 2023 Grade 2 Hill Prince and 2024 Grade 2 Red Smith – both over the Aqueduct green – and the 2023 Grade 3 Virginia Derby at Colonial. Though he has not contested Saturday's distance in his 13 starts, he did finish a game second in last year's Grade 1 Arlington Million going a touch farther at 10-furlongs. Advertisement The West Coast racing scene will be represented by Amerman Racing's classy Kentucky homebred Endlessly [post 1, Umberto Rispoli], who stretches out from a third in the one-mile Grade 3 American on April 20 at Santa Anita Park off a more than nine-month layoff. 'He's doing very well,' trainer Michael McCarthy said. 'It is nice to have him back. Obviously these big turf races will kind of be on his schedule all summer long.' The 4-year-old Oscar Performance bay began his career a perfect 3-for-3 in 2023, including Grade 3 scores in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf at its namesake oval and the Zuma Beach at Santa Anita Park. He went on to post a respectable sophomore campaign that was led by wins on synthetic in the Listed El Camino Real Derby at Golden Gate Fields and the Grade 3 Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway Park en route to off-the-board finishes in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational on turf to close out the year. McCarthy pointed to Endlessly's route stakes wins as evidence to support that Endlessly will relish the added distance in the Manhattan. Advertisement 'I don't think it is an issue for him. I think he is wanting more ground,' McCarthy said. 'In his victories last year in the El Camino Real Derby and the Jeff Ruby at one mile and an eighth, he was very good. I don't think going one mile and three-sixteenths on the grass is going to be an issue for him.' Completing the field are graded stakes-winner Highway Robber [post 3, Cristian Torres] for trainer Brian Lynch, Grade 3-placed Corruption [post 8, Jose Ortiz] for Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse; and the streaking Tucson [post 7, Irad Ortiz, Jr.], a $1.3 million yearling purchase that makes his stakes debut for Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Television coverage of Belmont Stakes Day will air across the FOX Sports family of networks beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern [FS1] prior to national broadcast coverage on FOX beginning at 2:30 p.m. For the complete Belmont Stakes Racing Festival television schedule, visit NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and the best way to bet every race of the four-day meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Two-Day Special Wagers Featured During Belmont Stakes Racing Festival
Two-Day Special Wagers Featured During Belmont Stakes Racing Festival originally appeared on Paulick Report. The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has announced a selection of special wagers to be offered during the five-day 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival to be held from Wednesday, June 4 through Sunday, June 8 at Saratoga Race Course. Highlighted by the 157th edition of the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7, the 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will include 27 stakes races with purses totaling $11,275,000, the richest purses and highest number of stakes offered since the launch of the multi-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in 2014. An array of two-day wagers is highlighted by the 'All Dirt' Pick 6, which will open on Friday, June 6 and concludes with the Grade 1, $2 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets on Saturday, June 7. The 'All Dirt' Pick 6 will feature a $0.20 base wager and low 15 percent takeout. The two-day 'All Turf' Pick 5 will offer a $0.50 base and 15 percent takeout, featuring grass racing in all legs beginning Friday and continuing on Belmont Stakes Day. There will also be various two-day Pick 4s and special Doubles across the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Two-day 'All-Dirt' Pick 6 The two-day 'All-Dirt' Pick 6 opens on Friday and continues Saturday, ending with a mandatory payout in the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. The sequence begins on Friday with the Grade 2 Bed o' Roses [Race 6] and Grade 1 Ogden Phipps presented by Ford [Race 9], continuing Saturday with the Grade 3 True North [Race 7], Grade 1 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap [Race 8] and Grade 1 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun [Race 11], before concluding with the Belmont Stakes in Race 13. Two-day 'All-Turf' Pick 5 The two-day 'All Turf' Pick 5 opens on Friday with the Grade 1 New York presented by Rivers Casino [Race 12] and the Grade 1 Just a Game presented by Resolute Racing [Race 13], resuming on Saturday with the Grade 1 Jaipur [Race 9], the Grade 3 Pennine Ridge [Race 10] and ending with the Grade 1 Resorts World Casino Manhattan in Race 12. Additional Belmont Stakes Racing Festival wagers on offer include: Two-day Pick 4 There will be three two-day Pick 4s across the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, starting on Wednesday with Race 9 [Mount Vernon] and Race 10, ending on Thursday with Race 1 [Listed Tremont] and Race 2. The same set-up is offered back up on Thursday with a Pick 4 that begins with the final two races, Race 9 [Grade 3 Poker] and Race 10, the sequence concluding with Friday's first two events Races 1-2. Friday will feature a similar format with a two-day Pick 4 starting in Race 13 [Grade 1 Just a Game presented by Resolute Racing] and Race 14, finishing with Belmont Stakes Day's Races 1-2. The above two-day Pick 4 sequences include a $0.50 minimum, 24% takeout and a mandatory payout. Doubles There are four special 'Double' wagers on offer that conclude with the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets offering a $5 minimum and 18.5% takeout. These wagers begin with the Grade 1 DK Horse Acorn [Race 11] and Grade 1 New York presented by Rivers Casino [Race 12] on Friday, and Saturday's offerings start with the Grade 1 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Handicap [Race 8] and the Grade 1 Woody Stephens presented by Mohegan Sun [Race 11]. Epsom-Belmont Double There will be one additional special 'Double' with overseas action from the Group 1 Epsom Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse [Race 5 on June 7] and the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, offered at a $2 minimum with 18.5% takeout. Advertisement The traditional $1 Pick 6 will be offered on each day of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. On Saturday, it includes five Grade 1s among six graded events [Races 8-13], concluding with the Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets. Belmont Stakes Day will feature six Pick 5 wagers with all but the opening and late Pick 5 offering a mandatory payout. In addition to the traditional early and late Pick 5s, there will be sequences from Races 3-7, 5-9, 7-11 and 9-13. An additional middle Pick 5 wager with a mandatory payout will be offered on Wednesday, June 4 [Races 4-8] and Thursday, June 5 [Races 3-7]. While the June 6 Friday card will include three additional middle Pick 5s [Races 3-7, 5-9, and 7-11] with mandatory payouts. Sunday's nine-race card will feature a middle Pick 5 [Races 3-7] on Closing Day of the five-day Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Television coverage of Belmont Stakes Day will air across the FOX Sports family of networks beginning at 10:30 a.m. Eastern [FS1] prior to national broadcast coverage on FOX beginning at 2:30 p.m. For the complete Belmont Stakes Racing Festival television schedule, visit NYRA Bets is the official wagering platform of Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, and the best way to bet every race of the four-day meet. Available to horseplayers nationwide, the NYRA Bets app is available for download today on iOS and Android at This story was originally reported by Paulick Report on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
