I have a proposition for the real estate industry and our fearless leaders. Here’s the situation:
Mayor Zohran Mamdani is looking to spend more money, not less, but the city is projected to finish its fiscal year June 30 some $2.2 billion in the red. Next year’s gap is $10.4 billion.
In Albany, revenue has been strong enough for Gov. Kathy Hochul to start funding a massive child care program without new taxes, but she needs more to ramp it up and pay for other priorities, such as housing.
Where will they find the cash?
One place could be gambling revenues that for decades have been used to prop up the dying sports of harness and thoroughbred racing.
Such a change would face resistance from at least two major real estate figures: SL Green’s Marc Holliday and GFP Real Estate’s Jeff Gural.
Holliday, a racehorse owner, has chaired the New York Racing Association’s board of directors for four years. Gural owns three harness racing tracks.
“The biggest fear that our industry has is that the states are going to stop subsidizing, using slot machines to subsidize the sport,” Gural acknowledged in an op-ed written by industry critic Noah Shachtman. “Without that, there is no sport.”
Folks like these have political pull; the writer noted that Holliday threw a fundraiser for Hochul at the Saratoga Race Course. But it’s hard to square their business careers with the use of tax revenue to prop up horse racing.
Gural and Holliday are proud capitalists, as is most everybody in real estate — which is one reason many industry people tried to prevent the election of the Democratic socialist Mamdani.
Yes, horse racing sustains thousands of jobs and still draws fans to its biggest events. But subsidizing child care — or any number of things, such as repairing aging buildings — would also create jobs and make people happy. They would probably deliver more bang for the buck, too.
Some investors are profiting from horseracing subsidies, but grandstands are routinely empty. The public has moved on.
Lots of once-thriving industries have withered as people’s interests have changed. We don’t subsidize bowling alleys for the sake of nostalgia and job preservation. Why horse racing? Its workers are often poorly paid and badly treated and its athletes are frequently injured or killed.
Shachtman makes a strong case for letting the industry fend for itself, as we have done for so many others. Dog racing, once active in 18 states, is down to just one, West Virginia. No governments stepped in to save Blockbuster Video, the Yellow Pages or television repair shops.
If subsidies for horse racing ceased, tracks that failed to survive on their own would be repurposed by developers. Lots of people would profit from the work and the casino revenue being diverted to racing would go somewhere more important.
I hear there’s a housing shortage.
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ARCADIA — As suddenly as Santa Anita installed slot-style gaming machines, California Department of Justice agents swept in and removed them Saturday, leaving serious doubt about California horse racing’s hope for a revenue lifeline.
Uniformed agents were seen late Saturday afternoon wheeling machines away from the area of the grandstand where more than two dozen “Racing On Demand” terminals had been unveiled Thursday.
A DOJ spokesperson said the action was taken under a California penal code allowing seizure of machines that violate state law prohibiting some forms of lottery or gaming, but did not immediately explain how specifically Santa Anita’s terminals are illegal.
A notice from the DOJ warned Santa Anita of “intention to destroy machines and devices” within 30 days unless action is taken in court to recover them.
Santa Anita issued a statement Saturday night, attributed to Los Angeles Turf Club senior vice president Scott Daruty, saying it stands by its position about the machines’ legality.
“Racing On Demand operates under California’s longstanding pari-mutuel wagering laws using a wager that regulators already approved,” Daruty said. “Attorney General (Rob) Bonta received our comprehensive legal analysis nearly a year ago. His office had ample time to raise concerns. They did not. We proceeded on solid legal ground, and since the state is choosing to challenge that now, we’re fully prepared to defend ourselves. We’re confident the law is clear.”
The machines offered fans the chance to play horse-racing-themed games using minimal information to try to pick 1-2-3 finishers in previously run races.
Santa Anita executives said Thursday that the games were designed to stay within California law and tribal gaming exclusivity by having patrons wager against each other parimutuel-style in a common pool instead of against the “house” as in a casino.
Santa Anita and many people who compete in horse racing in California, hoped “Racing On Demand” would be an answer to the “Historical Horse Racing” machines that tracks in other states have used to boost revenue and increase purses.
“California racing is struggling. I don’t think that’s a secret,” Daruty had said Thursday. “We’ve got to come up with some additional ideas and additional revenue streams. This is a product we’ve spent a lot of time designing to be compliant with California law.
“These games, as you see them, have never been in play anywhere else. They were designed specifically for here. Hopefully its something that leads to the long-term stability of racing.”
The DOJ action came near the end of Santa Anita’s California Cup day racing card. Racing continues Sunday.
People at Santa Anita like to say California is the best place to get a horse ready for the Triple Crown races, mainly because the weather is so cooperative.
As if to prove the point, the rain has stopped and sunny, 72-degree conditions are forecast for Santa Anita’s first important race for 3-year-olds in 2026, the Grade II San Vicente Stakes on Saturday.
It will be the first graded stakes to be run on its scheduled date at the Santa Anita meet whose traditional Dec. 26 opening was delayed two days by storms.
Victories in the San Vicente, a 7-furlong sprint with a $200,000 purse, have been important for seven future Kentucky Derby winners, including Swaps (a $10.80 surprise in the 1955 San Vicente), Silver Charm ($7.20 in 1997) and most recently Nyquist ($2.80 in 2016). It was won the past two years by Muth and Barnes after being moved up to early January.
But it’s not a reliable Derby proving ground like the 1-mile Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 7, 1-1/16-mile San Felipe on March 7 and 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby on April 4. The San Vicente doesn’t award qualifying points for the May 2 Kentucky Derby. The official Derby trail doesn’t include races of less than 1 mile.
If any of the five horses in Saturday’s race can win impressively enough to move up the Derby contender rankings, it might be Buetane, who’s 6-5 on the morning line to give jockey Juan Hernandez and trainer Bob Baffert their fourth consecutive San Vicente victory together.
A son of Tiz the Law who cost owner Zedan Racing Stables $1.15 million at a 2-year-old auction, Buetane won his debut at Del Mar and then was favored over Ted Noffey in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, only to run second by 8 1/2 lengths to the eventual Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner.
Buetane was the 101-1 31st choice of bettors in the most recent Kentucky Derby future wagering, with Baffert’s Boyd, Brant, Cherokee Nation, Provenance, Desert Gate and Litmus Test (before his Los Alamitos Futurity win) among the horses ahead of him.
Another Baffert horse, first-out maiden winner Greenwich Village (with Hector Berrios replacing Hernandez), drew the rail post position for the San Vicente. But the competition for Buetane is likely to come from Acknowledgemeplz (Kazushi Kimura), following a disappointing fourth in the Los Al Futurity for trainer Doug O’Neill, or So Happy (Mike Smith), a longshot winner in his debut for trainer Mark Glatt. O’Neill also has California-bred Thirsty Rebel (Abel Lezcano).
Baffert, who saddled three stakes winners on opening day, could add a double Saturday. He has three stakes-winning fillies in the Grade III Santa Ynez Stakes. Explora (Hernandez), the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up to Super Corredora; Bottle of Rouge (Smith), who upset Explora in the Del Mar Debutante, and Himika (Kimura) take on John Sadler-trained Revera (Berrios) and Glatt-trained La Wally (Umberto Rispoli).
Whatever potential the 3-year-olds show in both stakes, the weather should give handicappers a clear view.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
After being able to race on only three of its first seven scheduled days, Santa Anita added cards on two Thursdays, Jan. 8 and 15. It created stakes doubleheaders this weekend by moving the Santa Ynez from last Saturday to this Saturday, and the Grade III Las Flores, a sprint for fillies and mares, from last Sunday to this Sunday.
Los Alamitos resumes racing this Saturday and Sunday after last weekend’s quarter-horse and thoroughbred cards were rained out. The Grade I Charger Bar Handicap, rescheduled for Sunday night, has 5-year-old Rockin With Energy going for a repeat of her upset win with jockey Henry Reynoso Lopez in the 2025 running of the 400-yard race,
DIFFICULT AS 1-2-3
Finalists for 2025 Eclipse Awards – more accurately the top three vote-getters in each category, since there’s only one round of balloting by racing journalists and executives – were announced this week and included some horses whose Breeders’ Cup victories put them in the running for more than one championship.
Nysos, the Dirt Mile winner at Del Mar who won from 7 furlongs to 1 1/16 miles last year, is top-three for champion older dirt-track male (along with Forever Young and Sierra Leone) and male sprinter (with Bentornato and Book’em Danno).
Splendora, like Nysos a product of Baffert’s barn at Santa Anita, won the Filly & Mare Sprint so convincingly that she’s up for champion older dirt female (with Thorpedo Anna and Scylla) as well as female sprinter (with Shisospicy and Kopion).
And Shisospicy’s fast Turf Sprint win over males earned her support for champion female sprinter, 3-year-old filly (with Nitrogen and Good Cheer) and female turf horse (with She Feels Pretty and Gezora).
Support in multiple divisions is an achievement even if those horses don’t win a trophy.
The top three for Horse of the Year won’t be revealed until the Eclipse Awards ceremony Jan. 22 in Palm Beach, Fla., but Sovereignty is the all-but-certain winner after winning the Kentucky Derby, Belmont and dominating the Travers Stakes. Sovereignty is top-three for champion 3-year-old with California’s Journalism and Baeza.
Flavien Prat, Irad Ortiz Jr. and John Velazquez are up for outstanding jockey, and Bill Mott, Brad Cox and Chad Brown for outstanding trainer.
NEVER A DULL MOMENT
What was American racing’s “Moment of the Year” in 2025? This decision is in the hands of fans, who can vote on the National Thoroughbred Racing Association website (NTRA.com) through Jan. 15. The winner will be announced at the Eclipse Awards ceremony.
Among the 11 nominees, a few might be dear to California fans, such as Journalism’s stretch runs to victory in the Preakness and Haskell Stakes and Fierceness’ recovery from an early mistake to win the Pacific Classic at Del Mar.
But it’s hard to get past Sovereignty’s Kentucky Derby win, which sent the colt on his way to a Horse of the Year-caliber season, or Forever Young’s Breeders’ Cup Classic win, a first for Japanese interests after many tries in big U.S. races.
The options include Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas’ death at age 89 and Prat’s New York-record-tying seven winners in a day at Aqueduct.
Santa Anita horse racing was canceled again Sunday as a rainy period in Southern California stretched to nearly two weeks.
The track in Arcadia had also called off racing Saturday. It’s scheduled to resume Thursday, the first of two Thursday cards added to make up for rainouts.
The announcement by Santa Anita management came shortly after 7 a.m. Sunday. As of 8:30, Los Alamitos hadn’t yet announced if its Sunday night quarter-horse and thoroughbred races would go ahead after Saturday’s were canceled.
Santa Anita’s winter-spring season was supposed to begin Dec. 26, but opening day was postponed to Dec. 28 after accurate forecasts of four days of wet weather starting Dec. 23. Racing also was rained out Dec. 31 — a scheduled makeup day — and Jan. 1 and 3. The track had planned to have seven days of racing by now but has been able to have only three.
It’s the most rainouts at Santa Anita in a short period since California began routinely canceling or postponing racing in wet weather after a spike in the number of horse deaths at the Los Angeles area’s largest track in early 2019 coincided with an extended period of rain. There was a similar period of rainouts in January 2023, a year Santa Anita ended up running four fewer days than scheduled during its season.
As of Sunday morning, AccuWeather’s forecast early Sunday for the Arcadia area called for a higher than 50% chance of rain in the morning hours, worsening to higher than 80% from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa Anita’s nine-race card, including the Las Flores Stakes, a Grade III sprint for fillies and mares, was scheduled to begin at noon.
After showers Monday, no rain is predicted for an extended period.
“We are grateful for the support of our stakeholders these last two weeks,” Santa Anita general manager Nate Newby said in Sunday’s announcement. “It hasn’t been easy, but the safety of the horses will always come first. We’re looking forward to building on the strong momentum from our first few days and getting back to business.”
The postponed opening day ended up drawing a crowd of 41,962, biggest since 2016 for a Santa Anita opener.
The nine races scheduled to start Thursday at noon include two stakes on turf, the Grade III Robert J. Frankel Stakes for fillies and mares and the Eddie Logan Stakes for 3-year-olds, both of which were originally scheduled for Dec. 28.
Gas Me Up and rider Mirco Demuro rallied from last on the Santa Anita hillside turf course to win the Grade II Joe Hernandez Stakes at 13-1 on Monday and maybe play spoiler in the national jockeys’ battle between Irad Ortiz Jr. and Flavien Prat.
Sumter and Prat also flew late to finish second in the grass sprint with a purse of $200,000. The difference between the $120,000 winner’s share and the $40,000 for second is important for Prat, who was trying to cut into Ortiz’s earnings lead of $40,488,707 to $40,229,713 to start the day.
Prat and La Ville Lumiere ($5.60) won the $100,000 Blue Norther Stakes turf mile for 2-year-old fillies earlier in the day to put $60,000 in the rider’s column.
At the end of the card, Ortiz was ahead by more than $140,000, by unofficial count. Prat is booked to ride seven horses on Wednesday at Aqueduct, while Ortiz is not entered anywhere on Dec. 31. Prat, the 2024 Eclipse Award winner as outstanding jockey in North America, leads Ortiz in stakes wins (75-65) and graded stakes wins (46-36), while Ortiz, a five-time champion, leads Prat in total wins (351-307) and purse money.
Ortiz finished seventh aboard favorite Motorious in the Joe Hernandez after picking up the mount from injured Antonio Fresu.
The Daily Racing Form reported Fresu is sidelined indefinitely after breaking a toe when Winning Patriot struck in the inner rail in the seventh race on Santa Anita’s season-opening card on Sunday.
Gas Me Up is trained by Peter Eurton, La Ville Lumiere by Michael McCarthy.
CYPRESS — After chasing the presumptive 2-year-old champion Ted Noffey and a $3 million colt named Brant in his earlier races, Litmus Test faced a decidedly less star-studded field in the Los Alamitos Futurity on Saturday.
But that’s not why Litmus Test won the $200,000, Grade II race, trainer Bob Baffert insisted after sending out the 1-2-3 finishers.
“He’s getting better,” Baffert said in the winner’s circle. “He ran better today than he did in the Breeders’ Cup.”
Litmus Test, fourth behind winner Ted Noffey in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Del Mar last time out, scored a solid 1-1/4-length victory with jockey Juan Hernandez, holding off Blacksmith as Provenance finished third in the field of six.
The son of Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist paid $3.20 after covering 1-1/16 miles in 1:42.38, a faster-than-average time for the Los Al Futurity.
Baffert won the Los Al Futurity for the 15th time in 29 years, dating back to its Hollywood Park days, and Hernandez won it for the first time. It’s the sixth season in which Baffert has had both a Starlet Stakes-winning filly – Consequent on Dec. 6 – and Futurity-winning colt.
The Futurity has sent young horses on to big things. Last year’s winner was Michael McCarthy-trained Journalism, who went on to win the Santa Anita Derby and Preakness. Baffert’s first winner was Real Quiet, who went on to win the 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness and come within a whisker of the Triple Crown
The Hall of Fame trainer thought of Real Quiet as he talked about how soon-to-be-3-year-olds can improve in leaps and bounds.
“You’re trying to figure these horses out, their style, the way they want to run,” Baffert said. “I remember Real Quiet, I think it took him six outs before (he won a race).”
Seven, actually.
“The way he’s bred, he’s going to get better with age,” and longer races, Baffert said of Litmus Test, purchased for $875,000 as a yearling by owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. “He’s a horse we’ve always been very high on.”
In the round of future betting held two weeks ago on the May 2, 2026 Kentucky Derby, Baffert was represented by Boyd at 22-1, Brant at 25-1, Cherokee Nation at 41-1, Provenance at 58-1, Desert Gate at 68-1 and Litmus Test at 69-1 and Buetane at 101-1 among 39 individual horses offered. Todd Pletcher’s Ted Noffey was favored at 7-1.
Litmus Test, with two victories in five starts, should move up in handicappers’ estimation after his first win at the stakes level.
“I don’t get ahead of myself,” Baffert said of Derby prospects, which will be tested locally in Santa Anita’s Jan. 10 San Vicente Stakes, Feb. 7 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, March 7 San Felipe Stakes and April 4 Santa Anita Derby.
Blacksmith remained a maiden in three starts but ran well to finish second under Kazushi Kimura. Provenance led with Kyle Frey but was passed at the top of the stretch, and lost a shoe, causing him to be vanned off the track.
Doug O’Neill-trained Acknowledgemeplz finished fourth and Ruben Gomez’s American King fifth, while John Sadler’s Captivator was eased and walked off.
“Blacksmith, he’s figuring it out. He ran a big race,” Baffert said.
Baffert and Sadler go into the final card of the short Los Al meet Sunday tied atop the trainer standings at four wins each, with Steve Knapp one behind.
Armando Ayuso leads the jockeys with six wins, one ahead of Hernandez and two up on Kimura.
In the meet-ending, $100,000 King Glorious Stakes for California-bred 2-year-olds, Ayuso rides Pavlovian, Hernandez is on John Metcalfe and Kimura has Fionello, while Hector Berrios is aboard favored Can’t Help Myself.
A proposed class-action lawsuit in federal court alleges horse racing is rigged to benefit a select few
The litigation claims computer-assisted wagering platform wrongs ordinary bettors
A proposed class-action lawsuit filed in New York’s Eastern District Court against several of the horse racing industry’s biggest players levies allegations that the companies have colluded to rig betting outcomes through computer-assisted wagering (CAW) schemes.
Elegant hats and fancy attire are pictured at a horse race. A lawsuit filed in federal court claims that betting on horse racing is rigged to benefit a select few, including the tracks and their cohorts. (Image: Shutterstock)
Hagens Berman, a Seattle-based nationally recognized law firm known for its class-action lawsuits, filed the complaint in New York on behalf of lead plaintiff Ryan Dickey and other similarly situated individuals.
Dickey is a Colorado resident with an extensive history of wagering on thoroughbred racing for the past two decades. Dickey claims to have previously resided in Kentucky, where he wagered about $100 per week on racing, primarily through TwinSpires, an advanced deposit wagering (ADW) business owned by Churchill Downs, Inc..
Dickey’s lawyers claim that the defendants have conspired to exploit so-called “ordinary bettors” like their client through so-called “Insider Betting Groups.” The groups allegedly consist of wealthy bettors who benefit from using algorithms, artificial intelligence (AI), and other inside information to transfer “billions to a small group of inside bettors and the operators of racetracks and betting platforms.”
Case Allegations
The complaint describes CAW as “high-volume parimutuel betting done by professional teams using models, direct tote connections, and automation to fire thousands of highly targeted bets — often in the final seconds before pools close.”
The litigation says the CAW schemes monitor real-time pricing and data, with the AI computing fair odds in real time and pouncing when an attractive opening arises. The high-volume wagering facilitators often are provided lower fees from tracks and ADW operators, and have privileged connections for faster bet placement.
The case named Elite Turf Club, a CAW that is 80% owned by Stronach Group and 20% by the New York Racing Association (NYRA). Velocity Wagering is another defendant. Velocity is a CAW owned by Churchill Downs.
AmTote, the largest betting processor in North America, is additionally named as a defendant. AmTote is essentially a clearinghouse for parimutuel wagering. It handles more than $15 billion in bets annually. AmTote is a Stronach subsidiary.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and treble damages as allowed under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Stronach Seeks Dismissal
In a joint statement, Elite Turf Club and AmTote called the horse racing lawsuit naming them as defendants “meritless.”
The lawsuit fundamentally misrepresents the nature of computer-assisted wagering and the role Elite Turf Club and AmTote have in operating, managing, and regulating wagering activity. CAW is a long-standing industry, federal- and state-regulated component of the North American and global parimutuel wagering system. All participation in CAW is subject to the same pool rules, tote system audits, and state regulatory approvals that govern all other forms of wagering,” the companies said.
“Claims that CAWs receive an unfair advantage are unfounded and ignore the safeguards built into the regulatory and technological framework for racing,” the release continued.
Churchill Downs hasn’t yet commented on the litigation.
DEL MAR – Whatever talk there is in this country about horse racing usually is dominated by discussion of 3-year-olds, interrupted only occasionally by conversations about 2-year-olds. As in: “Who will be the next good 3-year-olds?”
But there are interesting stories elsewhere, particularly at the Breeders’ Cup, where two older horses – much older in one case – have come from England to Del Mar in search of historic victories.
Both are geldings, of course; colts or horses with this much ability almost always are retired at 3 or 4 for breeding.
The old gelding, the 7-year-old Rebel’s Romance, will be familiar to some, given his wins in the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2022 and 2024. A victory Saturday would make him the first to win that race three times and put him with the mares Goldikova and Beholder as the only horses to capture any Breeders’ Cup race three times.
In 29 career starts, Rebel’s Romance has 20 wins, including nine in Grade (or Group) I races in six countries.
“It’s unusual in flat racing to see a horse of his age still running at the level he’s running at, and more importantly, running solid,” said his trainer, Charlie Appleby, who has 11 Cup wins from just 27 starters. “Most horses start to just sort of dip away there in their careers, but he’s still holding his own at a Grade I level.”
Conversely, very few fans here will have heard of the even older gelding, Khaadem, who will become just the fifth 9-year-old to contest a Breeders’ Cup race when he starts in Saturday’s Turf Sprint. Only one of the previous four won — Calidoscopio in the now-defunct Marathon (2012).
Khaadem has never competed in a Breeders’ Cup, and he has lost 32 of his 42 career starts. But he has won a pair of Group I races, and they came in back-to-back shock runnings of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot when he was 7 and 8 years old.
“Some days you’d think, oh, he’s probably had enough. And then he goes and wins at Royal Ascot at 80-1,” said Tori Knight, an assistant to trainer Charlie Hills who has traveled with Khaadem for the past 3½ years. “You can’t ever actually get a gauge on him. He’s hilarious. He’s just a really happy horse, really cheeky, like he gives you an amazing feel when you eye him.”
Khaadem came to the United States last year and finished second in the Kentucky Downs Turf Sprint, but then returned to England rather than attempt the Breeders’ Cup. This year he finished third in the Kentucky Downs race but stayed and won the Woodford on Oct. 4 at Keeneland.
“We thought, you know what, it’s potentially his last year of racing, so why not give it a go here?” Knight said. “We’re kind of hoping we get sunshine and we get a quick ground (which they will). I think that just plays into his strength. And he loves a crowd as well.”
Appleby said the decision to bring Rebel’s Romance back for a third try in the Turf wasn’t difficult.
“He deserves to have a crack at it,” he said. “I could not leave this horse behind. You know, some people might say, well, look, he’s a 7-year-old taking on these horses. But if you were to see him at home and the way he trains, the enthusiasm that he shows, I’d have been pig-sick if I’d left him back at home, that’s for sure.
“So he goes out there in the condition of his life, I’m confident of that. And you know, if he achieves it, then fantastic. But it’s what he deserves. We’re just lucky to be piggybacking on the back of him, basically. But it’ll be great for racing, great for the horse and great for the Breeders’ Cup.”
It won’t be easy for either old gelding to win. Khaadem must deal with a deep field that includes Motorious (another 7-year-old gelding) and the 5-year-old mare Ag Bullet, who were second and third in the Turf Sprint last year. And while Rebel’s Romance has won 10 of 13 starts the last two years, he is the second choice on the morning line behind the talented 3-year-old Irish filly Minnie Hauk, who had a five-race win streak snapped when she was edged out by Daryz in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“Obviously, he’s a great horse; Charlie’s done a great job with him,” Minnie Hauk’s trainer, Aidan O’Brien, said of Rebel’s Romance. “ … So we wouldn’t take him for granted for one minute and we know that he has a very good heart. We like that he’s running and we look forward to watching our filly run.”
FILE – Jockey Junior Alvarado reacts aboard Sovereignty (2), as he crosses the finish line aboard Sovereignty (2) ahead of Journalism (7), with jockey Umberto Rispoli up, to win the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes horse race, Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, file)
Sneaker and jockey Umberto Rispoli teamed up for the first time in a year and a half to upset Grand Slam Smile and William Antongeorgi in the $100,000 California Distaff Handicap at Santa Anita on Sunday, finishing fastest to get past the ever-tough runner-up by a head.
Sneaker, a 4-year-old filly trained by George Papaprodromu, paid $8.40 and was timed in 1:11.73 for about 6-1/2 furlongs on turf in winning for the second time in eight tries at the stakes level.
Grand Slam Smile, the 4-year-old defending champion of the California Distaff for state-bred fillies and mares, has won six stakes since 2023 and been worse than second only once in 15 career starts.
Santa Anita has racing Monday. The $80,000 Swingtime Stakes matches a large field of fillies and mares seeking their first stakes win in 2025. Vibez and jockey Juan Hernandez are 3-1 on the morning line, Word Play and Rispoli 7-2.
Man O Rose staked his claim to the top of the California-bred division by winning by a nose in the $100,000 California Flag Handicap for state-breds at Santa Anita on Saturday.
The 5-year-old gelding, ridden by Edwin Maldonado for trainer Jeff Mullins and owner B&B Zietz Stables, paid $6.40 after passing the front-runner in the stretch and holding off fast-closing favorite Lovesick Blues while sprinting about 6½ furlongs on the downhill turf course in 1:11.07.
Man O Rose came in off a repeat win in the E.B. Johnston Stakes for Cal-breds at Los Alamitos and has nine wins in his past 13 starts. Lovesick Blues beat open company in the Grade I Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
Cal-bred leadership was up for grabs after this year’s retirements of The Chosen Vron and Kings River Knight, both California Flag winners.
In Sunday’s $100,000 California Distaff Handicap, a turf sprint for state-bred fillies and mares, Grand Slam Smile (6-5) is a slight morning-line favorite over Bit’s Tiger Magic (3-2).
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The All American Quarter Horse Congress, billed as the world’s largest single-breed horse show, has returned to Columbus this fall, bringing more than 4,000 horses and their competitors from across the globe.
What You Need To Know
More than 4,000 horses and 25,000 entries are competing in the 2025 Quarter Horse Congress
The event spans 30 days and includes shopping, food, and family attractions in addition to competition
The Futurity finals this weekend will award a $100,000 prize
The event, now in its 58th year, spans 30 days at the Ohio Expo Center and draws exhibitors from all 50 states and about eight countries. Alongside competition, the Congress features 20 acres of shopping with more than 200 vendors. The annual show also attracts more than half a million visitors, making it one of central Ohio’s largest events.
Kelli Diaz, the president of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, said the event is about more than trophies and titles.
“It’s such a positive place to be,” Diaz said. “We’re just a big family doing what we love.”
Justin Billings, CEO of the association, said the scale of competition is reflected in the prizes and the number of competitors.
“There are about 400 trophies behind me awarded to the champions of each one of our competitions,” Billings said. “They represent the hopes and dreams of the 25,000 entries entered in this year’s horse show.”
For Diaz, who has attended since she was 6 years old, the Congress is both a family tradition and a community gathering.
“If you’ve never been here before. It’s an experience unlike anything you’ll ever experience,” Diaz said. “If you have been here before, it’s even better than it’s been in the past. And every year we think we’re going to peak and we don’t. We just get a little bit better, a little bit stronger and a little bit bigger.”
This weekend, the Futurity finals will award a $100,000 prize, one of the largest at the show. For many long-time participants, the meaning of the Congress goes beyond money.
“This is, part of my fabric,” Billings said. “It feels like family to me being at the Congress. It’s where I grew up. It’s where I feel at home. And, I enjoy it. It wouldn’t be October if it weren’t for the Quarter Horse Congress and the opportunities here.”
Carbine’s 1890 victory remains one of the most extraordinary in Cup history.
Carrying a record 66 kilograms, he defeated a massive field of 39 horses, the largest ever.
His grit and dominance earned worldwide admiration, and his influence extended into breeding, where his bloodlines produced future champions across the globe.
Carbine represents not just a horse but a dynasty in racing.
Carried a record 66 kilograms to victory
Defeated a field of 39, the largest in Cup history
Celebrated for strength and resilience
Became one of the most influential sires in global racing
3. Phar Lap (1930)
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, Australians viewed Phar Lap as a national symbol of hope during hard times
Phar Lap rose as a beacon of hope during the Great Depression.
Carrying 62.5 kilograms, he still cruised to victory in the 1930 Melbourne Cup.
His immense frame, speed, and power made him a household name. Australians saw him as more than a horse; he was a symbol of optimism in desperate times.
His tragic death in the United States only enhanced his legend, leaving a lasting bond between him and the nation.
Dominated the 1930 Cup, carrying 62.5 kilograms
National symbol of hope during the Depression
Loved for resilience and strength
Legacy immortalized after mysterious death abroad
4. Peter Pan (1932, 1934)
Peter Pan earned fame not only for his dual victories but for his ability to overcome adversity.
After winning in 1932, illness nearly ended his career. Against the odds, he returned in 1934 to claim a second Cup, solidifying his place as a fan favorite.
His comeback embodied courage and resilience, qualities Australians admire deeply.
Winner in 1932 and 1934
Battled illness and setbacks between victories
Celebrated for resilience and fighting spirit
Remembered as a story of redemption and strength
5. Makybe Diva (2003, 2004, 2005)
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, Her 2005 win with a record 58 kilograms set an unmatched milestone in Cup history
Makybe Diva carved her name into racing immortality by becoming the only three-time Melbourne Cup winner.
Her first two triumphs were historic enough, but her 2005 victory, carrying a record 58 kilograms, was a performance unmatched in history.
Guided by Glen Boss and Lee Freedman, she displayed stamina, power, and consistency across three consecutive years, electrifying crowds and defining greatness.
Only horse to win the Cup three times
Carried a record 58 kilograms to win in 2005
Ridden by Glen Boss and trained by Lee Freedman
Symbol of dominance and brilliance in Australian racing
6. Kingston Rule (1990)
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, He set the Melbourne Cup record of 3:16.3, which still stands
Kingston Rule’s 1990 win remains remarkable for his sheer speed.
Completing the Cup in 3:16.3, he set a record time that still stands.
Trained by Bart Cummings, Kingston Rule demonstrated the blend of endurance and pace required for success.
His victory became a benchmark for excellence, proving that speed could shine in the Cup’s long-distance challenge.
Fastest Melbourne Cup time: 3:16.3
Trained by Bart Cummings
Balanced endurance with blistering speed
Victory remains a standard for racing excellence
7. At Talaq (1986)
At Talaq delivered one of the most dramatic Cup wins in 1986.
On a rain-soaked track, he surged from behind to snatch victory, proving his adaptability under harsh conditions.
Fans still recall his determination and ability to perform in adversity. His triumph exemplified the Cup’s unpredictable nature and capacity for thrilling finishes.
Won in 1986 on muddy, rain-soaked track
Came from behind to secure victory
Admired for adaptability and grit
Example of the Cup’s dramatic unpredictability
8. Glen Boss
Source: Youtube/Screenshot, Boss timed her runs perfectly, forming one of racing’s greatest partnerships
Glen Boss earned his place in Cup history through his remarkable partnership with Makybe Diva.
Riding her to all three of her Cup wins, his tactical skill and calmness under pressure became legendary.
Boss understood how to time her runs to perfection, creating one of racing’s most iconic duos.
Rode Makybe Diva to three consecutive victories
Known for tactical intelligence and composure
Celebrated as part of one of racing’s greatest partnerships
Integral to Melbourne Cup history as a jockey
9. Bart Cummings
Farewell to a legend. 12-time Melbourne Cup winner Bart Cummings has passed away at 87. Rest in peace, Cups King. pic.twitter.com/4W7UTIbd69
Her post-race declaration about equality gave the moment cultural weight, inspiring countless women in sport.
Payne’s victory was not only historic but transformative for the Cup and racing as a whole.
First female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup
Rode Prince of Penzance at 100-1 odds in 2015
Sparked global attention with post-race declaration on equality
Role model for women in racing and sport
The Origins and Prestige of the Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup began in 1861 at Flemington Racecourse, with Archer taking the first crown after a grueling effort.
His mythical walk of over 500 miles to compete only added to the intrigue. Since then, the Cup has grown into a cornerstone of Australian identity.
A public holiday was established in Victoria in 1877, ensuring that people could gather and share in the spectacle.
It unites Australians in a shared experience, celebrated in homes, workplaces, and public venues.
The Cup’s structure also contributes to its challenge and prestige. Run over 3,200 meters, the handicap system demands both stamina and strategy.
Horses, trainers, and jockeys alike must display skill, courage, and heart to triumph.
The Melbourne Cup’s history and format have made it an event unlike any other, blending tradition, competition, and national spirit into one unforgettable race.
Summary
Legends such as Phar Lap, Makybe Diva, and Bart Cummings continue to inspire admiration decades after their triumphs.
Their stories reflect endurance, brilliance, and the unbreakable connection between Australians and the Melbourne Cup.
NEW YORK — Netflix has won the Japanese media rights to carry next year’s World Baseball Classic, marking the first time it will stream a live event in Japan.
Netflix will stream all 47 games of the tournament. Team Japan is the defending champion after winning it in 2023 when Shohei Ohtani struck out United States slugger Mike Trout for the final out in Japan’s 3-2 victory in Miami.
A consortium of media companies, including Amazon Prime video, had the Japanese media rights for the previous World Baseball Classic.
Next year’s WBC will be the sixth edition of the tournament and will feature 20 teams competing in four-first round pools in Tokyo; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Houston and Miami. It will start on March 5 with the finals slated for March 17 in Miami.
Netflix is also expected to be in contention to carry the Home Run Derby in the U.S. as Major League Baseball is considering its options for a three-year deal that would begin next year.
Jockey Ron Turcotte, who rode Secretariat to a Triple Crown in 1973, died on August 22, 2025 at age 84. In this June 24, 1979 “Sunday Morning” report, Turcotte talked about life after a terrifying accident at Belmont Park when he fell off a horse and suffered injuries that made him paraplegic.
When ESPN opted out of its contract with Major League Baseball in February, the network was hoping to get a reworked package at a lower cost while Commissioner Rob Manfred thought the sport could optimize its rights in the short term for Home Run Derby and Wild Card round.
In the end, both parties may get what they want.
According to people familiar with negotiations, ESPN is nearing a deal to distribute out-of-market games while NBC/Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV are in talks for regular-season packages, the Wild Card round and Home Run Derby.
All sides hope to have everything finalized by the end of the regular season next month, three people told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contracts have not been finalized or announced by either side.
The negotiations around the three-year deals is complicated due to the fact that MLB is also trying not to slight two of its other rights holders. MLB receives an average of $729 million from Fox and $470 million from Turner Sports per year under deals which expire after the 2028 season.
While ESPN would be losing the playoffs and Home Run Derby, it would be gaining something it considers more valuable — the MLB.TV streaming package of out-of-market games as part of the direct-to-consumer service that launched on Thursday. ESPN would also sell the in-market rights to the five teams whose games are produced by MLB — San Diego, Colorado, Arizona, Cleveland and Minnesota.
“We are engaged. We are having healthy conversations with them. Nothing to announce today, but we’re very interested in baseball in general,” ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said on Tuesday during a presentation about the network’s DTC service.
ESPN, which has carried MLB games since 1990, opted out of the final three years of a seven-year deal in February. The package averaged $550 million per season and also included the Home Run Derby and Wild Card games.
Baseball would be the second league that would have its out-of-market digital package available in the U.S. on ESPN’s platform. The NHL moved its package to ESPN in 2021.
It would also be a win-win situation for MLB and ESPN. Manfred wrote in a memo to owners after ESPN opted out of its contract: “While ESPN has stated they would like to continue to have MLB on their platform, particularly in light of the upcoming launch of their DTC product, we do not think its beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform. In order to best position MLB to optimize our rights going in to our next deal cycle, we believe it is not prudent to devalue our rights with an existing partner but rather to have our marquee regular season games, Home Run Derby and Wild Card playoff round on a new broadcast and/or streaming platform.”
The moves keep ESPN involved in baseball, but at a point where it can benefit while MLB could benefit from other partners in a short-term deal.
There is a possibility that ESPN would still air 30 regular-season games, but not Sunday nights. That package of games would go to NBC/Peacock, along with the Wild Card round.
NBC, which celebrates its 100th anniversary next year, has a long history with baseball, albeit not much recently. The network carried games from 1939 through 1989. It was part of the short-lived Baseball Network with ABC in 1994 and ’95 and then aired playoff games from 1996 through 2000.
Peacock had a Sunday streaming package of early-afternoon games in 2022 and ’23.
The addition of baseball games would give NBC a year-around night of sports on Sunday nights. It has had NFL games on Sunday night since 2006 and will debut an NBA Sunday night slate in February. NBC would likely do Sunday Night Baseball from May through Labor Day weekend.
Fox’s Saturday nights have been mainly sports the past couple years with a mix of baseball, college football, college basketball and motorsports.
Netflix is in discussions for the Home Run Derby, which would align with its strategy of going for a big event in a major sport. The streamer will have an NFL Christmas Day doubleheader this season for the second straight year.
Apple TV, which has had “Friday Night Baseball” since 2022, remains involved in negotiations.
The deals would also accomplish another of Manfred’s goals. He has said for three years that he would like to see MLB take a more national approach to its rights instead of a large percentage of its games being on regional sports networks.
“We’re blessed with a huge amount of content: 2,430 games. Because of the amount of content, I think there will be some local component but I think the strategy needs to be more national and our reach needs to be more national,” he said during a panel discussion last September at the CNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan event.
The consensus box of Santa Anita horse racing picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Eddie Wilson, Kevin Modesti and Mark Ratzky. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
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The Melbourne Cup, known as “the race that stops a nation,” is one of the most anticipated horse racing events globally.
This year’s race, to be held on November 5, 2024, features a total prize pool of AUD$8 million and a challenging 3,200-meter track, thrilling both casual viewers and serious punters.
As you prepare for this year’s Melbourne Cup betting, here are some essential tips and predictions to help guide you.
1) Follow the Lead-Up Races
PHOTO: —
Predicting the Melbourne Cup winner often depends on lead-up races. Horses that perform well in the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Lexus Stakes usually make a strong showing in the Cup. For instance, Gold Trip in 2022 had a solid Cox Plate run before winning the Cup. Watch these events to gauge horses’ form heading into Melbourne.
As the race approaches, focus on key horses in these lead-ups. It’s common for horses that don’t win these races to bounce back strongly in the Melbourne Cup.
2) Avoid Betting on the Favorite
While betting on the favorite might seem safe, Melbourne Cup history shows that longer-priced horses often pull off surprises. For example, Prince of Penzance won in 2015 at odds of AUD$101. Although favorites have a decent success rate, especially in the last two decades, exploring horses with strong form but longer odds can be more lucrative.
Consider horses priced between AUD$20 to $30 for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. These mid-range odds often provide the best balance between a reasonable chance of winning and higher payouts.
3) Watch These Horses
Some horses are already generating buzz ahead of the 2024 Melbourne Cup. Here are a few serious contenders based on their past performances and potential:
Soulcombe: This horse finished second in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, showing great promise. His ability to perform under pressure and handle long distances makes him a top prospect for 2024.
Circle of Fire: Trained by Ciaron Maher, this horse is quickly becoming a favorite in early betting markets. His victory in the 2024 Sydney Cup has elevated his standing, making him a strong challenger.
Point King: Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Point King is another top contender for the 2024 Melbourne Cup. Known for his impressive stamina and consistent performance, he is among the leading horses to watch in this year’s race.
These horses are shaping up to be some of the strongest runners in this year’s Melbourne Cup. As the race approaches, keeping an eye on their form and performance will give you a clearer picture of who might cross the finish line first.
4) Pay Attention to Barriers
The barrier draw can significantly impact the race. While Melbourne Cup winners have emerged from almost every barrier position, some perform better than others. Historically, barriers like 5, 10, and 11 have produced several winners, while barrier 18 has never seen a winner. The draw occurs after Victoria Derby Day, so factor that into your betting strategy.
A poor barrier draw doesn’t completely rule a horse out but can make things more challenging. Keep this in mind if a top contender pulls a high-numbered barrier.
5) Consider Exotic Bets
If you’re looking for bigger payouts, consider trying exotic bets like trifectas, quinellas, or exactas. Trifectas involve picking the top three horses in the correct order, while quinellas require you to pick two horses to finish in the top two in any order. Exactas require you to pick the top two horses in the exact order. These bets can be challenging but can provide huge returns if you get them right.
For more flexibility, try a boxed trifecta or boxed quinella, where your chosen horses can finish in any order, giving you a better chance of hitting a payout.
6) Track Conditions Matter
PHOTO: —
The Flemington Racecourse can vary depending on weather conditions, and it’s essential to consider the state of the ground when placing your bets. Some horses perform better on firm ground, while others excel in softer, wet conditions. If rain is forecast for Cup Day, lean towards horses with proven success on softer tracks.
Therefore, keep a close eye on the weather and adjust your betting strategy accordingly. Horses like Gold Trip have shown their ability to adapt to varying conditions, which could play a crucial role depending on the weather.
7) Bet Each Way
If you’re uncertain about picking the outright winner, each-way betting is a solid strategy. An each-way bet allows you to bet on a horse to either win or finish in one of the top placings (usually top three or four). This increases your chances of getting a payout, especially in such a large field of 24 horses.
Thus, consider placing each-way bets on runners like Vow And Declare, who has a strong track record of placing in big races, even if they’re not the top favorite.
8) Stay Informed and Shop for Best Odds
In the weeks leading up to the Melbourne Cup, odds can fluctuate significantly as horses’ forms become clearer. Make sure to shop around for the best odds across different bookmakers. Some offer special promotions or extra places for the Melbourne Cup, which can provide better value for your bets.
Additionally, take advantage of resources like live streaming, form guides, and speed maps offered by top bookies. These tools can give you deeper insights into how the race might unfold.
Final Thoughts
The Melbourne Cup is more than just a race; it’s an event steeped in tradition and excitement. Whether you’re betting on the favorite or taking a chance on an outsider, it’s always important to gamble responsibly and enjoy the experience.
By keeping an eye on lead-up races, understanding the importance of the barrier draw, and considering both favorites and long shots, you’ll be well-prepared to make smart bets for the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
With a mix of strategy, luck, and a little research, you just might find yourself celebrating a big win come race day!
DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) — Gaming won the $300,000 Del Mar Futurity by 1 3/4 lengths on Sunday, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his 18th career victory in the Grade 1 race for 2-year-olds.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Gaming ran seven furlongs in 1:23.02 and paid $9.80 to win. The colt earned a credit toward entry fees for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at the same seaside track north of San Diego in November.
“He relaxed well; he was a bit on his toes before the race so I kept him quiet,” Prat said. “Very straightforward, and leveled out nice. Bob just told me not to rush him and I thought I was in a good spot on my way around the corner.”
Gaming improved to 2-0 in his young career, with earnings of $225,000.
McKinzie Street was second and Citizen Bull, also trained by Baffert, finished third. The trainer’s third entry, Getaway Car, was fourth in the field of seven.
The consensus box of Del Mar picks comes from handicappers Bob Mieszerski, Terry Turrell, Eddie Wilson and Kevin Modesti. Here are the picks for thoroughbred races on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
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