“Horse Racing Notebook: Dates? See you in September” plus 1 more

Horse Racing Notebook: Dates? See you in September

Posted: 09 Jun 2010 10:14 PM PDT

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In the event Sam Houston Race Park decides to surrender its 2011 thoroughbred dates to Lone Star Park, the plan can't be approved before September.

On July 7, the Texas Racing Commission opens its date request process for 2011. Tracks then submit date preferences to the commission on or after July 12. A 30-day waiting period follows the submissions.

The commission will most likely address date granting at its September meeting.

A commission spokesperson said one erroneous report claimed SHRP's date request originated with the commission.

"We have not seen, nor should we have seen, such a request," the spokesperson said. "We're reading about this request in newspapers, just like everybody else."

Current plans call for SHRP to conduct this winter's thoroughbred meet. The next spring-summer quarter horse meet would probably end in August 2011. Without a thoroughbred meet to follow, the track would face perhaps eight months without live racing.

That absence would almost demand closing part of the large plant to daily simulcast customers. One insider speculated that simulcast programs would not be moved to the pavilion. It became the ad-hoc grandstand when Hurricane Ike knocked out SHRP's 2008-09 thoroughbred season.

SHRP didn't respond to several phone and e-mail requests for additional information about possibly abandoning its 2011 thoroughbred season.

Record 17th for Zenyatta?

They can't run with Zenyatta, so they're running away from her.

The magnificent mare might face as few as three opponents in Sunday's Grade 1 Vanity Handicap at Hollywood Park. The track will take entries today.

A win would give the 6-year-old a record 17th consecutive victory. She now shares the record with Cigar, Citation and Mister Frisky. Unlike the other three, she is undefeated.

If Zenyatta wins the Vanity for a third consecutive year, her earnings will surpass $6 million.

Reviewing Belmont

Last week in this space, here was the Belmont Stakes' outlook:

"Ice Box and First Dude look to be favored on Saturday. Expect Drosselmeyer and Stately Victor to offer better wagering value. Interactif is a bit of a mystery in his return to dirt. His last six races have been on synthetic or grass surfaces. He'll challenge First Dude early. We will then learn if he possesses enough endurance to score an upset."

Interactif did challenge First Dude early, stayed up front for about one mile, then faded. Drosselmeyer? He won at 13-to-1. Now that's "better value."

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Horse Racing Industry Scrambling For Funding

Posted: 09 Jun 2010 09:29 AM PDT

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POSTED: 10:50 am CDT June 9, 2010
UPDATED: 11:10 am CDT June 9, 2010

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