Editor's note
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
You ought to be in pictures
From: Disney
Come be a part of the movie “SECRETARIAT.”
Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky:
The upcoming Walt Disney Pictures’ movie “Secretariat” is seeking extras for filming in the Lexington and Louisville areas. The approximate two-week filming duration is slated to begin at the end of September. All types and ages are needed!
Those interested must BRING A NON-RETURNABLE CURRENT SNAPSHOT OF THEMSELVES, as no photos will be taken at the casting call. Photos can be a basic snapshot printed from a home computer.
THE FOLLOWING OPEN CASTING CALLS FOR EXTRAS WILL BE HELD:
Louisville, KY
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Anytime between 3 pm – 8 pm
Churchill Downs - 700 Central Ave.
Louisville, KY 40208
(Enter at Gate 10. Parking at Longfield Parking Lot. Report to 4th Floor)
Lexington, KY
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Anytime between 9 am – 2 pm
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort
1800 Newton Pike
Lexington, KY 40511
(North Entrance, Salon H and G)
Come be a part of the movie “SECRETARIAT.”
Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky:
The upcoming Walt Disney Pictures’ movie “Secretariat” is seeking extras for filming in the Lexington and Louisville areas. The approximate two-week filming duration is slated to begin at the end of September. All types and ages are needed!
Those interested must BRING A NON-RETURNABLE CURRENT SNAPSHOT OF THEMSELVES, as no photos will be taken at the casting call. Photos can be a basic snapshot printed from a home computer.
THE FOLLOWING OPEN CASTING CALLS FOR EXTRAS WILL BE HELD:
Louisville, KY
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Anytime between 3 pm – 8 pm
Churchill Downs - 700 Central Ave.
Louisville, KY 40208
(Enter at Gate 10. Parking at Longfield Parking Lot. Report to 4th Floor)
Lexington, KY
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Anytime between 9 am – 2 pm
Griffin Gate Marriott Resort
1800 Newton Pike
Lexington, KY 40511
(North Entrance, Salon H and G)
Thursday, September 3, 2009
TRA adopts time-sync protocol
The Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) Board of Directors has adopted a protocol establishing industry-wide standards pertaining to the display of accurate off time for the start of the race.
There are three facets to the protocol: all video and tote times will be synchronized to an atomic clock on a start-of-day basis; the time on the source video signal will be refreshed a minimum of once every 60 minutes and the time of day will be displayed at the start of the race in the HR:MIN:SEC format.
In those rare instances in which human error, communication interruptions, or other technical reasons prevent the split-second acknowledgement of the stop-betting signal from all network participants (roughly once every 10,000 races), the video will be used to confirm the off time of the race in order to verify wagering was closed prior to off time at any affected locations.
A video record of a “to-the-second” off time is a vital component in identifying any late wagers in the pari-mutuel network and requires synchronized tote and video display clocks. To ensure this technical uniformity among all components of simulcasting, the TRA standard calls for utilization of Network Time Protocol (NTP).
These measures are designed to display the actual time the race started regardless of any lag time in whatever medium – direct feed, rebroadcast or webcast – is being viewed. The TRA standard requires the time to be refreshed from the NTP source a minimum of once every 60 minutes as video graphic computers can lose seconds over the course of a few hours.
In conjunction with the Close Betting Failure Protocol adopted by the TRA in February, the Time Sync Protocol provides critical information to the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB) for its investigations of potential close betting anomalies. Video verification of the start is checked against the close betting acknowledgements the host receives from all wagering outlets.
Verification of off time and close of betting for all races has become increasingly important because the unrelated issue of late odds shifts has led to some public misperception of past posting. The TRA strongly recommends the Time Sync Protocol be used in conjunction with the immediate video display of the quick odds update available 10 seconds after the start of the race, which will usually encompass more than 95 percent of the final win pool.
The establishment of the Time Sync Protocol is another milestone in the TRA’s continuous improvement program for setting operational standards for simulcast networks. -- TRA
There are three facets to the protocol: all video and tote times will be synchronized to an atomic clock on a start-of-day basis; the time on the source video signal will be refreshed a minimum of once every 60 minutes and the time of day will be displayed at the start of the race in the HR:MIN:SEC format.
In those rare instances in which human error, communication interruptions, or other technical reasons prevent the split-second acknowledgement of the stop-betting signal from all network participants (roughly once every 10,000 races), the video will be used to confirm the off time of the race in order to verify wagering was closed prior to off time at any affected locations.
A video record of a “to-the-second” off time is a vital component in identifying any late wagers in the pari-mutuel network and requires synchronized tote and video display clocks. To ensure this technical uniformity among all components of simulcasting, the TRA standard calls for utilization of Network Time Protocol (NTP).
These measures are designed to display the actual time the race started regardless of any lag time in whatever medium – direct feed, rebroadcast or webcast – is being viewed. The TRA standard requires the time to be refreshed from the NTP source a minimum of once every 60 minutes as video graphic computers can lose seconds over the course of a few hours.
In conjunction with the Close Betting Failure Protocol adopted by the TRA in February, the Time Sync Protocol provides critical information to the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau (TRPB) for its investigations of potential close betting anomalies. Video verification of the start is checked against the close betting acknowledgements the host receives from all wagering outlets.
Verification of off time and close of betting for all races has become increasingly important because the unrelated issue of late odds shifts has led to some public misperception of past posting. The TRA strongly recommends the Time Sync Protocol be used in conjunction with the immediate video display of the quick odds update available 10 seconds after the start of the race, which will usually encompass more than 95 percent of the final win pool.
The establishment of the Time Sync Protocol is another milestone in the TRA’s continuous improvement program for setting operational standards for simulcast networks. -- TRA
Jocks demonstrate support for Straight
Jockeys throughout the U.S. and Canada will exhibit their unified show of support for apprentice jockey Michael Straight this Saturday.
Straight was critically injured in a race at Arlington Park on August 26.
Jockeys across the nation are being asked to donate one mount fee Saturday to the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund earmarked for Michael Straight to help defray costs of his long-term needs. They will also be riding with two patches on their boots, one in honor of Michael Straight and the other paying tribute to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) which currently aids 60 permanently disabled jockeys.
Straight, a native of East Greenbush, New York, graduated from Chris McCarron’s North American Racing Academy in 2008 and has 39 winners from 372 races.
“We appreciate the generosity of the jockeys, racetracks and fans throughout the country,” said John Velazquez, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jockeys’ Guild. “We think it is important that those who love the sport of racing show support for Michael at this critical time. We are in his corner.
“As jockeys, we want to do our part for those in racing that have been less fortunate,” said jockey Robby Albarado, Member of the Board of Directors of the Jockeys’ Guild.
“The racing industry needs to come together to take care of our own, be they jockeys, exercise riders, grooms or hotwalkers. All those involved in racing,” jockey Mike Smith, a member of the Jockeys’ Guild Senate, added.
“These charities are critical to the industry and the Jockeys’ Guild is donating $7,000 to the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance to help make the sport safer for all involved, both human and equine,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “The industry will never be strong if we can’t provide for those in the industry that need help as a result of life-changing events. Racing seems to be facing this problem now more than ever before and we need to continue on that path.”--JG
Straight was critically injured in a race at Arlington Park on August 26.
Jockeys across the nation are being asked to donate one mount fee Saturday to the Don MacBeth Memorial Fund earmarked for Michael Straight to help defray costs of his long-term needs. They will also be riding with two patches on their boots, one in honor of Michael Straight and the other paying tribute to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF) which currently aids 60 permanently disabled jockeys.
Straight, a native of East Greenbush, New York, graduated from Chris McCarron’s North American Racing Academy in 2008 and has 39 winners from 372 races.
“We appreciate the generosity of the jockeys, racetracks and fans throughout the country,” said John Velazquez, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jockeys’ Guild. “We think it is important that those who love the sport of racing show support for Michael at this critical time. We are in his corner.
“As jockeys, we want to do our part for those in racing that have been less fortunate,” said jockey Robby Albarado, Member of the Board of Directors of the Jockeys’ Guild.
“The racing industry needs to come together to take care of our own, be they jockeys, exercise riders, grooms or hotwalkers. All those involved in racing,” jockey Mike Smith, a member of the Jockeys’ Guild Senate, added.
“These charities are critical to the industry and the Jockeys’ Guild is donating $7,000 to the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance to help make the sport safer for all involved, both human and equine,” said Terry Meyocks, National Manager of the Jockeys’ Guild. “The industry will never be strong if we can’t provide for those in the industry that need help as a result of life-changing events. Racing seems to be facing this problem now more than ever before and we need to continue on that path.”--JG
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Get real
It's been a long time without an annotated press release, but this one just begs. This, without doubt, is a crock. What would be more interesting: How many races that were in condition book were actually run? How many "extras"? Does anyone really want another 13-race Saturday? Who thinks that these numbers would be any better without the garbage?
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Attendance and handle turned fractionally down for the first time during the 2009 Saratoga Race Course meet after two inches of rain Friday night and Saturday lowered attendance on Shadwell Travers Day and forced seven of the weekend’s 11 carded turf races off the turf. Attendance is down 1.6 percent, on-track handle down 1.6 percent, and all-sources handle down 2.8 percent from 2008 totals through Week Five.
We're talking about a little rain. If someone at NYRA was here before June, they may have remembered a dozen more rainy Travers. This turned the numbers for the meeting? It rained for three weeks last year. Please.
Saturday’s inclement conditions created a 19.2 percent reduction in betting interests compared to Shadwell Travers Saturday in 2008, resulting in declines of 17.3 percent in on-track and 18.0 percent in all-sources handle.
Similar year-over-year declines were the norm during the week before tha Travers.
Attendance for the first 30 days of the 2009 meet is 704,423, down from 715,793 in 2008, for a daily average of 23,481 compared to 23,860
On-track handle at Saratoga is $94,468,368, down from $95,977,544 in 2008, for a daily average of $3,148,946 compared to $3,199,251.
All-sources handle (which includes money bet on Saratoga races from simulcast outlets nationwide) is $415,187,788, down from $426,958,703 in 2008, for a daily average of $13,839,593 compared to $14,231,957.
So, was it raining everywhere on Saturday? Or, is the nation just tired of too many bad races?
Average betting interests per race through Week Five increased 3.8 percent (8.3 vs. 8.0) and total betting interests increased 5.1 percent (2,501 vs. 2,379) from 2008, with five more races run so far in 2009 (302 vs. 297). Turf races totaled 126 with 29 taken off the turf, compared to 106 on and 38 off in 2008.
Better weather, more races, less attendance, less betting. What's wrong with this picture?
SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Attendance and handle turned fractionally down for the first time during the 2009 Saratoga Race Course meet after two inches of rain Friday night and Saturday lowered attendance on Shadwell Travers Day and forced seven of the weekend’s 11 carded turf races off the turf. Attendance is down 1.6 percent, on-track handle down 1.6 percent, and all-sources handle down 2.8 percent from 2008 totals through Week Five.
We're talking about a little rain. If someone at NYRA was here before June, they may have remembered a dozen more rainy Travers. This turned the numbers for the meeting? It rained for three weeks last year. Please.
Saturday’s inclement conditions created a 19.2 percent reduction in betting interests compared to Shadwell Travers Saturday in 2008, resulting in declines of 17.3 percent in on-track and 18.0 percent in all-sources handle.
Similar year-over-year declines were the norm during the week before tha Travers.
Attendance for the first 30 days of the 2009 meet is 704,423, down from 715,793 in 2008, for a daily average of 23,481 compared to 23,860
On-track handle at Saratoga is $94,468,368, down from $95,977,544 in 2008, for a daily average of $3,148,946 compared to $3,199,251.
All-sources handle (which includes money bet on Saratoga races from simulcast outlets nationwide) is $415,187,788, down from $426,958,703 in 2008, for a daily average of $13,839,593 compared to $14,231,957.
So, was it raining everywhere on Saturday? Or, is the nation just tired of too many bad races?
Average betting interests per race through Week Five increased 3.8 percent (8.3 vs. 8.0) and total betting interests increased 5.1 percent (2,501 vs. 2,379) from 2008, with five more races run so far in 2009 (302 vs. 297). Turf races totaled 126 with 29 taken off the turf, compared to 106 on and 38 off in 2008.
Better weather, more races, less attendance, less betting. What's wrong with this picture?
Home at last
Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird breezed an easy half-mile in 51.16 to stretch his legs as he prepares for a cross-country trip that will take him back to New Mexico, where he will lead the post parade for Monday’s $2 million All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs.
The 3-year-old gelding is scheduled to depart Saratoga Race Course at 3 a.m. Tuesday on a van to Newark International Airport, where he will board a FedEx cargo plane bound for El Paso, Texas. After spending the night in Texas, he will be vanned to his home track at Sunland Park.
It will mark the first time Mine That Bird and trainer Chip Woolley have been home since they departed for the 1,200-mile journey to Kentucky Derby back in April.
“I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed,” said Woolley. -- NYRA
The 3-year-old gelding is scheduled to depart Saratoga Race Course at 3 a.m. Tuesday on a van to Newark International Airport, where he will board a FedEx cargo plane bound for El Paso, Texas. After spending the night in Texas, he will be vanned to his home track at Sunland Park.
It will mark the first time Mine That Bird and trainer Chip Woolley have been home since they departed for the 1,200-mile journey to Kentucky Derby back in April.
“I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed,” said Woolley. -- NYRA
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Sounds like October on Long Island
Trainer Tim Ice has options in selecting a next engagement for Belmont Stakes and
Traers winner Summer Bird, based upon his morning-after deliberation,it appears as though the Jockey Club Gold Cup would the best bet even at the expense of a race over the toxic waste at Santa Anita on which the Breeders' Cup will be decided.
“[Louisiana Downs] has the Louisiana Super Derby in three weeks (Grade 2, $750,000, Sept. 19) which is a little close, that’s the long shot,” Ice said. “[Belmont Park] has the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1, $750,000 1¼-miles) October 3, then on October 10 Santa Anita has the Goodwood (Grade 1, $350,000 1 1/8-miles).”
Looking ahead to an anticipated start in the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 7, Ice said he wasn’t sure Summer Bird would need a race over a synthetic track to get there.
“What if he goes out there and he runs bad in the Goodwood, then we passed up the Jockey Club Gold Cup on a racetrack that he loves?” Ice queried. “I’m not saying that he would or he wouldn’t like the [synthetic], he was out there for three months last year from October to January and he seemed to work well over it. He seems to adapt well everywhere he goes, whether it takes him a week to get used to it, but eventually he handles it. Overall I think that if we get him out there in enough time, he’ll be used to the track and it won’t be an issue.”
Traers winner Summer Bird, based upon his morning-after deliberation,it appears as though the Jockey Club Gold Cup would the best bet even at the expense of a race over the toxic waste at Santa Anita on which the Breeders' Cup will be decided.
“[Louisiana Downs] has the Louisiana Super Derby in three weeks (Grade 2, $750,000, Sept. 19) which is a little close, that’s the long shot,” Ice said. “[Belmont Park] has the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1, $750,000 1¼-miles) October 3, then on October 10 Santa Anita has the Goodwood (Grade 1, $350,000 1 1/8-miles).”
Looking ahead to an anticipated start in the Grade 1, $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita on November 7, Ice said he wasn’t sure Summer Bird would need a race over a synthetic track to get there.
“What if he goes out there and he runs bad in the Goodwood, then we passed up the Jockey Club Gold Cup on a racetrack that he loves?” Ice queried. “I’m not saying that he would or he wouldn’t like the [synthetic], he was out there for three months last year from October to January and he seemed to work well over it. He seems to adapt well everywhere he goes, whether it takes him a week to get used to it, but eventually he handles it. Overall I think that if we get him out there in enough time, he’ll be used to the track and it won’t be an issue.”
Friday, August 28, 2009
Travers-day pick four
It is just short of certain that the track at Saratoga will be sloppy on Saturday and the first half of the card is grass heavy, making the liklihood of business disaster odds on. Three of four races in the $1-million guaranteed pick four, however, are dirt races with the other likely to become one.
Race 9: The Ballston Spa: On grass: My Princess Jess, Rutherienne, Salve Germania. On dirt: All.
Race 10: The Ballerina: Informed Decision, Music Note, Indian Blessing.
Race 11: The King's Bishop: Munnings.
Race 12: The Travers: Quality Road.
Race 9: The Ballston Spa: On grass: My Princess Jess, Rutherienne, Salve Germania. On dirt: All.
Race 10: The Ballerina: Informed Decision, Music Note, Indian Blessing.
Race 11: The King's Bishop: Munnings.
Race 12: The Travers: Quality Road.
Explaining racing's esoterica
The Racing Officials Accreditation Program (ROAP) has developed an On Call Stewards Program so that a designated racing official will be available during telecasts of major racing events to explain the rules of racing if an unusual event occurs in a race.
“The On Call steward will be non-judgmental, meaning he or she is not there to make a determination one way or the other on any incident,” said ROAP Chairman Stan Bowker. “Instead, the On Call steward will explain in layman’s terms the nature of the incident, the applicable rules of racing and the process by which stewards determine a call as it pertains to the incident in question.”
The On Call Stewards Program will make its debut at the 2009 Bank of America® Challenge Championships at Los Alamitos on Oct. 31 and will also be available at the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita on Nov. 6 and 7.
The initial group of On Call stewards is composed of senior stewards Eddie Arroyo, Stan Bowker, Hugh Gallagher, Frank Lamb, Denny Oelschlager and Kim Sawyer, each of whom has completed media training sessions.
The On Call Stewards Program, sponsored by Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and the American Quarter Horse Association, is modeled on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call Veterinarian Program. Since 1991, AAEP veterinarians have been available at major races to appear on telecasts and at press conferences in the event of injury and explain in layman’s terms the condition of the injured horse and the medical care it is receiving.
“The AAEP’s On Call Veterinarian Program has been a tremendous asset to the industry by providing clarity on racing telecasts when an injury has occurred,” said Bowker. “ROAP’s On Call Stewards Program can become a similar asset in terms of educating the public of the rules of racing and helping racetracks emphasize the measures in place to protect the integrity of horse racing.”
“We are excited to enlist the services of an On Call steward during the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and feel it can only enhance coverage of the event should there be a situation that requires a clear and concise explanation of the rules of racing,” said Pam Blatz-Murff, senior vice president of Breeders’ Cup racing. “It’s reassuring to know an On Call steward will be on site just in case a situation arises that needs clarification, or to provide expert commentary on the regulation of horse racing.”-- TJC
“The On Call steward will be non-judgmental, meaning he or she is not there to make a determination one way or the other on any incident,” said ROAP Chairman Stan Bowker. “Instead, the On Call steward will explain in layman’s terms the nature of the incident, the applicable rules of racing and the process by which stewards determine a call as it pertains to the incident in question.”
The On Call Stewards Program will make its debut at the 2009 Bank of America® Challenge Championships at Los Alamitos on Oct. 31 and will also be available at the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Oak Tree at Santa Anita on Nov. 6 and 7.
The initial group of On Call stewards is composed of senior stewards Eddie Arroyo, Stan Bowker, Hugh Gallagher, Frank Lamb, Denny Oelschlager and Kim Sawyer, each of whom has completed media training sessions.
The On Call Stewards Program, sponsored by Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and the American Quarter Horse Association, is modeled on the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ On Call Veterinarian Program. Since 1991, AAEP veterinarians have been available at major races to appear on telecasts and at press conferences in the event of injury and explain in layman’s terms the condition of the injured horse and the medical care it is receiving.
“The AAEP’s On Call Veterinarian Program has been a tremendous asset to the industry by providing clarity on racing telecasts when an injury has occurred,” said Bowker. “ROAP’s On Call Stewards Program can become a similar asset in terms of educating the public of the rules of racing and helping racetracks emphasize the measures in place to protect the integrity of horse racing.”
“We are excited to enlist the services of an On Call steward during the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championships and feel it can only enhance coverage of the event should there be a situation that requires a clear and concise explanation of the rules of racing,” said Pam Blatz-Murff, senior vice president of Breeders’ Cup racing. “It’s reassuring to know an On Call steward will be on site just in case a situation arises that needs clarification, or to provide expert commentary on the regulation of horse racing.”-- TJC
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