Schools instead of the racetrack? What are you thinking, Maryland?

Racing Revenue Targeted in Maryland, Indiana | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67335/racing-revenue-targeted-in-maryland-indiana

Legislation that would divert gaming revenue for horse racing to other sources has been introduced in Maryland and Indiana.

In Maryland, legislation introduced in the House Ways and Means Committee Feb. 1 would shift money from video lottery terminals at casinos to a new school construction fund. Under the VLT law, horse racing currently receives 7% of VLT revenue for purses and breed development and 2.5% for racetrack capital improvements.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Good luck with the legislature! 

New York group looks to protect racing interests - Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/02/07/new-york-group-looks-to-protect-racing-interests.aspx

A new industry alliance in New York hopes to assure that if gambling is expanded in the state that any new players will continue to contribute to the state’s horse racing and breeding.

The New York Horse Racing and Agriculture Industry alliance said on Tuesday in a release that its mission is to secure support and protection for racing and agriculture in any amendment to New York’s constitution to allow for full-scale casinos. The group said it is the first time that horsemen, breeders, farmers, and agricultural industry representatives have been brought together in the state.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Almost 400 early nominees for the Triple Crown this year. 

Hansen, Union Rags lead list of 397 early Triple Crown nominees - Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/racing-news/2012/02/04/triple-crown-early-nominees.aspx

For a list of all early 2012 Triple Crown nominees, click here.

Champion two-year-old male Hansen and Grade 1 winner Union Rags lead a list of 397 three-year-olds nominated to the Triple Crown series.

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) will take place on May 5 at Churchill Downs, followed by the Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 19 at Pimlico Race Course, and the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 9 at Belmont Park.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

TVG, Prairie Meadows, Horsemen in ADW Deal | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67266/tvg-prairie-meadows-horsemen-in-adw-deal

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have selected TVG as the provider for the state’s advance deposit wagering system.

The ADW partnership between the horsemen and the racetrack was announced last year, but a service provider wasn’t announced at the time.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Exchange wagering is moving ahead in California. This could add a new dimension to wagering, especially for ValueCappers, those who focus on the value of the investment. 

California Horse Racing Board to debate exchange wagering - Thoroughbred Times
http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/national-news/2012/01/31/california-horse-racing-board-to-debate-exchange-wagering.aspx

A discussion on exchange wagering will be on the agenda for the February 9 meeting of the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB).

The topic will focus on exchange wagering and proposed rules regulating the new wagering system. Among those expected to talk and present are representatives from BetFair/TVG, TwinSpires, Stronach Group, Del Mar, the California Thoroughbred Trainers, California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Global Betting Exchange, CHRIMS, Jockeys’ Guild, and the Horseplayers Association of North American (HANA).

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Good news from Illinois. Bigger purses, more competition, more competition, larger fields leading to good betting races, leading to more handle, leading to…bigger purses!

 Park Purses to Jump 20% in 2012
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67180/fairmount-park-purses-to-jump-20-in-2012

Fairmount Park and the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association have agreed upon an increased purse structure for 2012 thanks to the racetrack’s share of casino impact funding it received last year.

According to a purse guide from the track, purses will increase roughly 20%. The bottom purse of $4,000 for $3,200 claimers in 2011 will increase to $5,000 in 2012. Maiden special weight races, worth $6,000 last year, will go for $8,000.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Another effort to reduce the effect of drugs in racing…

Approval of Bute Rule Slowed in Louisiana
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67179/approval-of-bute-rule-slowed-in-louisiana

A Louisiana Senate committee rejected an emergency rule approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission to lower the testing threshold level for phenylbutazone from 5 micrograms per milliliter to 2 micrograms.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

NBC adds Breeders Cup as ESPN exits TV horse racing
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/01/nbc-add-breeders-cup-as-espn-exits-tv-horse-racing/1?csp=34sports

NBC has added horse racing’s Breeders Cup, as ESPN gives up those TV rights, and will this year air the first-ever running of the $5 million Cup Classic in primetime.

For ESPN, which has been airing fewer horse races in the seven years that it’s had Cup TV rights, the move represents an exit from covering horse racing, which now joins hockey and golf as sports that ESPN has largely walked away from. The Cup will be held Nov. 2-3, when ESPN/ABC already has lots of college football and NASCAR action.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

“#9. Unlike college and pro football or basketball — as well as other sports that invite gambling with point spreads — I prefer horse racing for a reason that is rarely considered, yet it might be as important as anything on this list: When your horse wins, the margin at the wire does not have any bearing on whether you will be paid. Conversely, when you are betting on football and/or basketball, you are always at the mercy of the winning margin and no team factors the bookmaker’s point spread into its game plan.”

Seriously? I’m not a sports bettor, but could someone involved in wagering NOT have heard of ‘money line’ bets where you get odds for betting on the team that wins the game outright? When I put a small ‘rooting’ bet on the Giants to beat the Packers last week, I got odds of +260, meaning that a $100 bet would win $260 if the Giants won (which they did!) On this bet, the margin of victory does not matter. Could this expert not know this?

There were other things in the article with which one could disagree, but this quote was a shocking one, a real doozy.

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology

Stronach Says He Wants to Protect Santa Anita | BloodHorse.com
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/67057/stronach-says-he-wants-to-protect-santa-anita

The California Horse Racing Board received a surprise visit from Santa Anita owner Frank Stronach during its meeting Jan. 19 at the racetrack. Stronach told the board he wants to see Santa Anita protected against real estate speculation in the future.

Stronach addressed the board briefly during its public comment period. Citing the track’s potential value for future development, he said he would like to safeguard Santa Anita “for racing in perpetuity.”

Posted via email from Michael Pizzolla On ValueCapping™, Horse Racing, And Technology