Oaklawn’s Southwest Stakes on Sat (2/25) - Music School is in

Posted on Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

Lawyer Ron headlines field for Derby prep race

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Bob Holthus has trained four winners of the Southwest Stakes, including Greater Good last year, but none generated prerace publicity like Lawyer Ron for this week’s $250,000 race at Oaklawn Park.

The 3-year-old colt has four straight victories — including two stakes — by a combined 30 lengths since he was switched from turf to dirt.

But Lawyer Ron’s owner, James T. Hines Jr., 69, of Owensboro, Ky., won’t be around to see how his colt fares for the rest of his 3-year-old season. Hines died Tuesday at his home, apparently the victim of an accidental drowning in an indoor swimming pool.

Lawyer Ron dropped from 200-1 to near 20-1 in Kentucky Derby advance wagering after his eight-length victory in the Grade III Risen Star Stakes on Jan. 14 at Louisiana Downs.

 

Howard changes mind, enters Music School in Southwest

Following the cancellation of racing on Monday at Oaklawn Park due to a winter storm, trainer Neil Howard saw a second chance to enter Music School in the $250,000 Southwest Stakes on Saturday.

Music School was not among the original field of eight drawn for the one-mile prep race for three-year-olds on the Triple Crown trail.

"We know we’re still playing catch up with Music School," Howard said. "If he runs well Saturday, finishes strong, and gallops out well, it will be a forward thrust for us."

Music School, a son of A.P. Indy, prepped for his stakes debut with a four-furlong breeze in :49.60 on a muddy track on Wednesday. He enters the Southwest off a three-quarter-length victory in an allowance/optional claiming race on February 5, his second win in as many starts.

Howard originally passed on the Southwest because he felt 15 days was not enough time for Music School between starts.

Confirmed entries for Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park

Music School

Kings Challenge, trainer Bob Holthus, jockey Stewart Elliott

Red Raymond

Lawyer Ron. Lawyer Ron will race for the estate of James T. Hines Jr. in the Southwest following Hines’s death earlier this week.

Mark of Success, the runner-up in the Risen Star for trainer Dallas Stewart;

Kingsfield, winner of the off-the-turf Black Gold at the Fair Grounds meet for trainer Thad Keller;

Travelin Leroy, a stakes-placed colt trained by Gammy Vazquez.

Celluloid Hero, winner of the $50,000 Dixieland at Oaklawn, trainer Mac Robertson

Sharp Attack, fourth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Futurity for trainer Wayne Lukas

Free Oaklawn Park, Kentucky Derby Picks & Tips at HorsesWild.com

 

Filed under Horses, Kentucky Derby, Stakes Races, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing | 1 Comment »

Kentucky Derby Contender Watch List

Posted on Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

Jessica Chapel’s Kentucky Derby Watchlist - Railbird.org is Jessica Chapel’s horse racing blog. A professional and personal blog on the state of North American thoroughbred horse racing, Railbird.org goes beyond the graded stakes, bettingand handicapping into deeper issues and concerns of thoroughbred horse racing.

Achilles of Troy - 2006 Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Jennifer Pedersen
Whirlaway winner will stay put in New York for Gotham

Barbaro - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Michael Matz
Holy Bull winner, 4-for-4 on the turf and in the slop

Bluegrass Cat - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Davis winner, 4-for-4, loves a challenge

Bob and John - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Bob Baffert
Sham winner, prepping hard for the Derby

Brother Derek - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Dan Hendricks
Beat Stevie Wonderboy easily in the San Rafael

Cause to Believe - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer
Won the El Camino Real with a late run

First Samurai - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Frank Brothers
Second in the Hutcheson to the speedy Keyed Entry

Keyed Entry- Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Broke the track record winning the Hutcheson

Lawyer Ron- Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Bob Holthus
Risen Star winner, will start next in the Southwest

Music School - Kentucky Derby
 Trainer: Neil Howard
Two impressive wins, training at Oaklawn

Private Vow
 Trainer: Steve Asmussen
Kentucky Jockey Club winner, prepping for March return

Your Tent Or Mine
 Trainer: Neil Drysdale
In light training since second place Hollywood Futurity finish

Odds to Win Kentucky Derby 2006 available at the following racebooks

Filed under Horses, Kentucky Derby, Triple Crown, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »

Kentucky Derby hopeful Lawyer Ron Owner Dies

Posted on Thursday, February 23rd, 2006

OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — The owner of Kentucky Derby hopeful Lawyer Ron was found dead Tuesday morning at his home, authorities said.

James T. Hines Jr., 69, was found in his indoor swimming pool, Daviess County Coroner Bob Howe said. Hines’ housekeeper found him when she showed up for work Tuesday, Howe said.

"It appears to be a drowning. There was no foul play evident," said Howe, adding that the state medical examiner will perform an autopsy on Wednesday.

Hines also was a thoroughbred breeder. Lawyer Ron, a 3-year-old colt, won the Risen Star Stakes by eight lengths and Louisiana Downs on Jan. 14, and is training for Saturday’s Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park on Saturday.

In 1966, Hines founded Premium Allied Tool, which became a multimillion dollar metal stamping company. He also founded Owensboro Manufacturing, Electro Partes and MidAmerica Jet, a charter business at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, Horses, Owners & Breeders | No Comments »

Lawmaker to introduce bill to allow online betting on horses

Posted on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006

A state representative from Blaine says he plans to introduce a bill that would authorize online betting on horses.

Republican Representative Andy Westerberg says he thinks the prospects of the bill passing this session are slim, but he wants to open up the discussion.

Westerberg says his proposal would permit, regulate and tax betting on horses over the Internet. It would only deal with horse racing. The federal government considers online casinos illegal, but hasn’t been able to shut most of them down because they operate offshore.

Read full story: "Lawmaker to introduce bill to allow online betting on horses"...

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, Race Tracks News, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »

Racetrack Operators to Address Key Issues at Pennsylvania Gaming Congress

Posted on Wednesday, February 22nd, 2006

Tuesday February 21, 1:00 pm ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Pennsylvania’s racetrack operators, who are now preparing to introduce slot machines, will provide critical insight into the state’s emerging gaming industry at the March 6-7 Pennsylvania Gaming Congress.

The top executives from Harrah’s Chester, Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Penn National Race Course, Presque Isle Downs, and The Meadows will speak on the special panel, "Racinos: At The Starting Gate." The panel will be moderated by Frank J. Fahrenkopf, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association.

"As the pioneers in Pennsylvania gaming, racino operators will provide Pennsylvania Gaming Congress attendees with a unique insight into how this industry will evolve. We will analyze the expected demand for their slot machines, the cross-marketing of their gaming and racing products, the impact on neighboring states, and other key issues," Mr. Fahrenkopf said.

More than 300 gaming-related professionals from 21 states have registered to attend the conference. Registration is still available at the discounted advance rate by visiting http://www.pagamingcongress.com.

The conference includes an evening cocktail reception, followed by an intensive daylong program featuring Pennsylvania gaming regulators, Pennsylvania racino operators, Wall Street analysts, diversity experts, land-use and zoning experts, and keynote luncheon, as well as an exhibition area.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress takes place at the spacious Whitaker Center and attached Harrisburg Hilton. Additional hotel rooms are available at the neighboring Crowne Plaza Harrisburg by calling (717) 234-5021 and asking for the "Pennsylvania Gaming Congress" rate.

Duane Morris LLP and Duane Morris Government Affairs are Presenting Sponsors of the Pennsylvania Gaming Congress. Contributing sponsors are: A.C. Coin & Slot, Aristocrat Technologies, Bally Gaming and Systems, Cooper Levenson, Cope Linder Architects, Cyberview Technology, Ernst & Young, Gaming Industry Observer, Global Gaming Business Weekly, International Game Technology, JCM American, Jefferies & Co., Keystone Gaming Alliance, Konami Gaming, Las Vegas Sands Corp., LPCiminelli Inc., MEI, Money Centers of America, Pocono Manor Resort & Casino, Radio PA Networks, SOSH Architects, Trump Entertainment Resorts, and WMS Gaming.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Congress is organized and produced by Spectrum Gaming Group (http://www.spectrumgaming.com) and the Gaming Industry Observer (http://www.gamingobserver.com). They also produce the 10th annual East Coast Gaming Congress (http://www.eastcoastgamingcongress.com), which takes place May 22-23 at the House of Blues in Atlantic City.

 

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, USA Horse Racing | No Comments »

British Horseracing Board Chief to Leave

Posted on Monday, February 20th, 2006

By David Yates

GREG NICHOLS is to jump ship from the British Horseracing Board this summer - but yesterday denied he has been pushed.

The Australian has been BHB chief executive since 2002, but won’t carry on after racing’s governing body has been restructured later in the year.

Last year was an annus horribilis for the BHB, with the low point being its High Court defeat by William Hill over payment for racing data.

But Nichols said events of 2005 had nothing to do with his departure from racing’s corridors of power.

"It was purely my decision to leave and I’ve come to that decision because I couldn’t commit myself to the long-term project as I wasn’t prepared to go beyond 2007," he said.

"It won’t be my decision who replaces me but part of the restructure is to find a job specification that fits the role and with this out in the open we can start the search for suitable candidates."

NICHOLS TO LEAVE THE BHB

Filed under Horse Racing Industry, UK-Great Britain Horse Racing | No Comments »

Bluegrass Cat Takes Sam F. Davis Stakes

Posted on Monday, February 20th, 2006

Bluegrass Cat kicked off his 3-year-old campaign with a victory, taking the $125,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Saturday and confirming his status as a leading Kentucky Derby contender.

Read full story: "Bluegrass Cat Takes Sam F. Davis Stakes"...

Filed under Horses, Kentucky Derby, Stakes Races | No Comments »

Newer Horse Racing News » « Older Horse Racing News