All but given up on last fall, southern Ontario thoroughbred racing fans are breathing a sigh of relief over the fact live racing will be held at Fort Erie Racetrack […]
All but given up on last fall, southern Ontario thoroughbred racing fans are breathing a sigh of relief over the fact live racing will be held at Fort Erie Racetrack this summer. Although there will be a reduction in race dates – from 76 in 2012 to 50 for 2013 – the fact the track will open at all comes as welcome news to the horse racing community, as well as the entire Niagara Region, as it’s estimated the track contributes $151 million to the local economy every year.\n
\nFaced with declining revenues, along with cuts to government funding through other forms of gambling revenue, operators of the Fort Erie track had made the decision to close the facility for live racing. However, a deal was reached last month between the operators and the Ontario provincial government that has allowed for an injection of “transition funding” to allow the track to operate this season while new ownership and/or investment opportunities are pursued.\n
\nTraining at the Fort Erie track is scheduled to begin April 26, and the first race card will run on May 26, 2013. Racing will be held on Sundays and Mondays with a 1:15 PM ET post time, and Tuesdays with post time at 4:15 PM ET. Although the 2013 Fort Erie stakes schedule hasn't been released yet, the track is most well known for hosting the Grade I $500,000 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of the Canadian Triple Crown. It's time to let the ponies run!
Saturday, January 29 at Gulfstream Park is one of the biggest races of the year: the Pegasus World Cup (G1)! This $3 million race, covering a mile and an eighth on the Gulfstream dirt track, drew a field of nine handicap horses. The eyes of the racing world will be on Gulfstream on Saturday, and you can bet it from the comfort of your own home here in Canada!
The Kentucky Derby trail makes its way to Oklahoma on Friday, December 17 for the Remington Springboard Mile! The race drew a field of nine up-and-coming two-year-olds to go a mile on the main track. The prizes are rich: a $400,000 purse, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points (10-4-2-1) for the first four horses across the wire.
The Los Alamitos Futurity (G2), California’s most important Kentucky Derby Prep in December, is coming up on Saturday, December 11! The race features the most promising two-year-olds in California, set to go a mile and a sixteenth over the dirt at Los Alamitos Racecourse. The race offers a purse of $300,000, as well as Road to the Kentucky Derby points, apportioned 10-4-2-1 to the top four finishers.
Let's have a look at the 2021 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf betting picks and predictions.
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