For further information about this event, contact Horse Lovers United.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Horse Lovers United Night at the Races
If you care about horses and you live in the Delmarva area, join Horse Lovers United at Ocean Downs this Sunday, August 11, 2013 when Horse Lovers United is having their Night at the Races in the clubhouse where you can enjoy a fried chicken buffet with plenty of choices for vegetarians and those who follow a gluten-free diet as well as get a racing program and a trip to the winner's circle. The cost for the evening is $30 which includes gratuity. Not only do you get a great meal, but you help Horse Lovers United in their efforts to rescue and retrain horses in the Delmarva area.
For further information about this event, contact Horse Lovers United.
For further information about this event, contact Horse Lovers United.
Friday, August 2, 2013
More Hambo Day Selections
You have seen my selections for Hambletonian Day, now VFTRG contributor Joe F. offers his selections for the day.
Meadowlands Hambletonian
Day Card
Race 1) I’m
shocked that six of the seven competitors in the SBOA Miss New Jersey are by
Western Ideal, who skipped town a couple of years ago. On the other hand,
quality trumps quantity every time. Nitelife is the lone daughter of Rocknroll
in the race, but this winner of 7 of 8 is simply better than these.
Race 2)
Merrie Annabelle. Cantab Hall is the best trotting stallion on the planet.
Maybe Muscle Hill will outdo him over time but he has a lot of catching up to
do. Cantab’s daughter, Lifetime Pursuit, can look to her maternal uncles, The
Chancellor and Beer Summit, for added speed. Give me Lifetime Pursuit.
Race 3)
Maven has showed some vulnerability this month. They gave her last week off after
she suffered her first loss of the season. It’s against my better judgment to
pick a son or daughter of Donato Hanover to win anything, but CMO is an
exception. She has a couple of races in her after a late start, and has Tetrick
as well. Yes, give me CMO.
Race 4)
Folks love to bet Drop The Ball, and I’m no exception. Speed, speed, speed. She
was fast and tough in that gutsy second place finish to Anndrovette in the
Roses Are Red, but the latter would have still beaten her if they circled the
track again. Anndrovette is the class of the division and TT knows how to get
her home.
Race 5)
Peter Haughton. Father Patrick—another Cantab Hall—is special. That :53.4 win
in the prelim was nasty.
Race 6) FFA
Trot. I have no use for any of them.
Race 7)
First Hambletonian elimination. There are lots of colts that like to be up
front leaving inside of Royalty For Life. Coming overland and exploding off cover
isn’t his game. I’ll take him anyway.
Race 8)
Second Hambletonian elimination. Dustin Jones has gone all confessional in his
recent interviews. He pretty much told us they stiffed Wheeling N Dealin in his
first three starts, and that now he’s ready to revert back to his October 2012
form. If true, he’s tons better than this bunch. Aperfectyankee is a real nice
colt, but you’re stuck with Jim Oscarsson in the driver’s seat if you go that
route. W N D from the rail, please. Wheeling N Dealin is by what stallion? The
great Cantab Hall, of course.
Race 9) Third
Hambletonian elimination. It should be obvious by now that I’m no chalk player—what?--
but it comes down to Corky or Spider Blue Chip. David Miller will make the top
with Corky and Pierce will be on a suicide mission to take it from him with
Spider Blue Chip. I think Corky is better; I’ll take him.
Race 10)
Cashman. Tetrick said last week that right now Market Share is better than
Chapter Seven ever was. He’ll crush this field. Herbie will be second.
Race 11)
Oaks. I don’t see how one could bet against Bee, Personal Style at $116.40 in last year’s Oaks
notwithstanding.
Race 12)
Hambletonian. Elimination winners draw for posts 1-5. That would be Royalty For
Life, Corky and Wheeling N Dealin for me. The latter was simply better than Royalty
For Life in the fall. I’ll go with Wheeling N Dealin.
Race 13) New
Jersey Classic. This was the race of the day on last year’s Hambletonion Day
card. Kingcole vs Panther. :52.2 to the half; 118.2 to the three quarters; mile
in :47.2, with Panther just getting up for the win. I don’t think this bunch
has a race like that in them, but there are some nice colts in here. Lucan
Hanover was very strong in the Summertime at Mohawk. Coleman is apparently very
high on him. Wake Up Peter, who has yet to win, has been a disappointment, but
he did make the board in five of his eight starts against the better colts. Word
Power drew the seven twice and the nine once in his last four starts. He lost
to Sunfire Blue Chip and The Captain in his last three. Time for Word Power to
break out for Morrill.
Race 14)
USPC. Golden Receiver romped on the front end last year, but that was a much
weaker field. These horses are younger and faster; seven of the ten are
four-year-olds. Last year there were no four-year-olds in the USPC. Still,
Callahan will get Golden Receiver to the top. That was a very good win for
Needy in the prelim but he went a big mile in his Haughton prelim and finished
fourth in the final. I don’t like the fact that in 42 lifetime starts he has
one open stakes win, and a grade two at that—the Mohawk Gold Cup. He needs
this. JJ will probably leave for position with Needy and Duer and Golden
Receiver will surely blow out of there. Pet Rock and Kingcole will provide pace
in the middle of the race. I’ll go with the very consistent Sweet Lou.
Race 15)
FFA. Milby will get right to the top with Abelard and control the race.
Bettor’s Edge and Fred And Ginger will have to come overland off a soft half to
beat Abelard. I’ll take Bettor’s Edge.
NYT Profiles Gural
Editor's Note: If you are looking for my fearless selections for Hambletonian Day, click here.
The New York Times has run a profile on Jeff Gural. Reading this article, you will see why he is divisive. Some see him as harness racing's hope for survival while others in the industry dislike him.
Those who have read this blog for any length of time know how I view him. There are far too many in the industry who resist change, put their hands up in the air and say "Save me slots" and spend their time seeking to get slots or hold on to what slot revenue they are getting. Others feel the situation is hopeless and are just trying to hold on until retirement.
Then there is Gural. The man has all the money he needs and more. Sure, he is seeking slots at the Meadowlands, but he happily puts slot money into racing while other slot operators are just waiting to pull the plug on racing. People claim he only wanted the Meadowlands so he could get a casino. Well, while he invests in racing (breeding farms, horse ownership, and race tracks), is he running a charity? There is nothing wrong with wanting a source of income which keeps the balance sheet in the black. Besides, who else was coming to the rescue of the Meadowlands to keep it from closing?
To the chagrin of horsemen he realizes racing 365 days a year is an anarchism; shorter race meets makes sense; the demand for longer meets is not there and it allows purses to be higher instead of racing for paltry purses during longer meets. You will hear people like Joe Faraldo talk about how many days were cut from Vernon Downs' schedule when you consider the pre-Gural days at Vernon. Do you think horsemen there would like to race for purses half the current value? Some do because they can bill owners for keeping their horses in training; all that will do is cause owners to go broke quicker and leave the sport.
He realizes stakes races are necessary. Yes, overnight racing is the backbone of any racetrack but without stakes races there is no interest in yearlings and without yearlings there is no breeding and the industry will have no horses.
One mile racing, while it will remain the standard of the industry, can not be the only type of racing we present. We need to shake up the product, odd distance racing, more betting interests, and even racing under saddle which is why Gural is a big supporter of the effort to introduce RUS and tries different things to vary the product. So while there are people wondering why $32,000 is being spent on a RUS race on Hambletonian Day, Gural supports it, realizing what some people consider a novelty may actually be the key to get new people interested in standardbred racing.
Look at the requirement for equine start to races at four; we now see some of the best FFA racing we have seen in years. Yes, it keeps stallion owners from cashing in a year earlier than they can now but it's a necessary cost. Everyone must sacrifice if you want the sport to survive.
Gural is a maverick when it comes to racetrack operators. Does every idea he tries work? Of course not, but even Thomas Edison had failures. Does he go to far when he criticizes certain drivers for leaving the Meadowlands? Yes. The fact is Gural tries. How many people can we say do?
The New York Times has run a profile on Jeff Gural. Reading this article, you will see why he is divisive. Some see him as harness racing's hope for survival while others in the industry dislike him.
Those who have read this blog for any length of time know how I view him. There are far too many in the industry who resist change, put their hands up in the air and say "Save me slots" and spend their time seeking to get slots or hold on to what slot revenue they are getting. Others feel the situation is hopeless and are just trying to hold on until retirement.
Then there is Gural. The man has all the money he needs and more. Sure, he is seeking slots at the Meadowlands, but he happily puts slot money into racing while other slot operators are just waiting to pull the plug on racing. People claim he only wanted the Meadowlands so he could get a casino. Well, while he invests in racing (breeding farms, horse ownership, and race tracks), is he running a charity? There is nothing wrong with wanting a source of income which keeps the balance sheet in the black. Besides, who else was coming to the rescue of the Meadowlands to keep it from closing?
To the chagrin of horsemen he realizes racing 365 days a year is an anarchism; shorter race meets makes sense; the demand for longer meets is not there and it allows purses to be higher instead of racing for paltry purses during longer meets. You will hear people like Joe Faraldo talk about how many days were cut from Vernon Downs' schedule when you consider the pre-Gural days at Vernon. Do you think horsemen there would like to race for purses half the current value? Some do because they can bill owners for keeping their horses in training; all that will do is cause owners to go broke quicker and leave the sport.
He realizes stakes races are necessary. Yes, overnight racing is the backbone of any racetrack but without stakes races there is no interest in yearlings and without yearlings there is no breeding and the industry will have no horses.
One mile racing, while it will remain the standard of the industry, can not be the only type of racing we present. We need to shake up the product, odd distance racing, more betting interests, and even racing under saddle which is why Gural is a big supporter of the effort to introduce RUS and tries different things to vary the product. So while there are people wondering why $32,000 is being spent on a RUS race on Hambletonian Day, Gural supports it, realizing what some people consider a novelty may actually be the key to get new people interested in standardbred racing.
Look at the requirement for equine start to races at four; we now see some of the best FFA racing we have seen in years. Yes, it keeps stallion owners from cashing in a year earlier than they can now but it's a necessary cost. Everyone must sacrifice if you want the sport to survive.
Gural is a maverick when it comes to racetrack operators. Does every idea he tries work? Of course not, but even Thomas Edison had failures. Does he go to far when he criticizes certain drivers for leaving the Meadowlands? Yes. The fact is Gural tries. How many people can we say do?
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Hambletonian Day Selections
It promises to be a great Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands
on Saturday but a bit sad as well as the closing-day card also says farewell to the
current grandstand as the new grandstand will be in operation for
opening night of the fall card on November 23. The old building had
seen a lot of great racing but the changing landscape of gaming has made
the building obsolete, a vestige of a different era.
This year the Hambletonian promises to be a wide-open affair. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone shock in the eliminations. However, when the day is done I suspect the final will be won by one of the favorites. If I had to select a horse now before the eliminations, I wouldn't be surprised to see Royalty For Life in the winners circle getting the hardware. In the Oaks, I am looking for Mistery Woman to score a minor upset against Bee A Magician.
There will be a new source of funds to deepen the wagering pool as wagering from France will be co-mingled with the pools at the Meadowlands for the trotting races (they will not take the pacing events) for the first time. In addition to the import of Euros into the wagering pools, there are some guaranteed pools available for the taking:
1st Race - $20,000 guarantee for the Early Pick-5
3rd Race - $30,000 guarantee for the Early Pick-4
7th Race - $50,000 guarantee for the Late Pick-5
12th Race - $100,000 guarantee for the Late Pick-4
Those wagering on the late Pick-4 should be aware it begins with the final of the Hambletonian meaning you won't be able to construct your final ticket(s) until post positions are set up. If you plan on playing the Pick-4 make sure you pay attention to the post position draw so you are not caught trying to find out which horse is what number.
Those who wager via TVG or 4NJBETS on the Late Pick-5 and win will be getting a 20% bonus on their earnings. Why it is great they offer the bonus, you have to wonder why it is not offered on-track as that is where the track gets the biggest bang per the dollar.
Gates open at 10:00am for the first post at 11:50AM.
Anyway, here are my preliminary predictions for the wagering program. My selections may change depending on betting in the race as the goal is to look for value when wagering. As a disclosure, my track record on Hambletonian Day stinks, a lousy 2 for 31 since the venerable race came to the Meadowlands (I missed one year due to a death in the family). Of course, every dog has their day so here is hoping I get to howl when the day is over.
1st Pace - $125,000; Miss New Jersey Final - 3yo Fillies NJ Sired (No Show Wagering)
3 - Ms Caila J 3-1)Fra (Allard, 7-2)
2 - I Luv The Nitelife (Tetrick, 3-5)
7 -Jerseylicious (Callahan, 3-1)
1 - Authorize (Pierce, 20-1)
2nd Trot - $321,700; Merrie Annabele Final - 2yo Fillies
3 - Lifetime Pursuit (Gingras, 8-5)
6 - Shake It Cerry (Pierce, 5-2)
2 - Heaven's Door (Sears, 12-1)
10 - Cooler Schooner (Campbell, 8-1)
3rd Trot - $55,000; Ima Lula Final - 4yo Mares
3 - One More Ginny (Filion, 5-1)
7 - Personal Style (D Miller, 5-2)
9 - Maven (Gingras, 9-5)
1 - Real Babe (Pierce, 8-1)
4th Pace - $217,100; Lady Liberty Final - FFA Mares
2 - Krispy Apple (Sears, 6-1)
6 - Androvette (Tetrick, 2-1)
8 - Drop The Ball (Callahan, 5-2)
5 - Rocklamation (Gingras, 3-1)
5th Trot - $280,500; Peter Haughton Memorial Final - 2yo Colts and Geldings
4 - Southwind Spirit (Sears, 8-1)
3 - Father Patrick (Gingras, 6-5)
1 - Nuncio (Campbell, 8-5)
2 - Derby (Schnittker, 12-1)
6th Trot - $75,000; Vincenes - FFA
5 - Cedar Dove (Pierce, 6-1)
9 - Coco Linday (Zeron, 3-1)
2 - Take My Picture (Morrill, 9-2)
1 - Beatgoeson Hanover (D Miller, 15-1)
7th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 1
8 - Royalty For Life (Sears, 8-5)
3 - Dewycolorintheline (Schnittker, 8-1)
1 - Punxsutawney (Callahan, 12-1)
2 - Smilin Eli (Tetrick, 5-2)
8th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 2
3 - Your So Vain (A Miller, 12-1)
1 - Wheeling N Dealin (Filion, 2-1)
2 - Aperfectyankee (Oscarsson, 5-2)
8 - Creatine (Lachance, 6-1)
9th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 3
6 - Spider Blue Chip (Pierce, 5-2)
1 - Possessed Fashion (Campbell, 4-1)
5 - Corky (D Miller, 2-1)
2 - Murmur Hanover (Waples, 9-2)
10th Trot - $318,350; John Cashman Jr. Memorial Final - FFA
4 - Guccio (Takter, 20-1)
9 - Market Share (Tetrick, 6-5)
6 - Mister Herbie (Jamieson, 4-1)
11th Trot - $500,000; Hambletonian Oaks Final - 3yo Fillies
4 - Mistery Woman (D Miller, 9-2)
3 - Classic Martine (Pierce, 15-1)
2 - Bee A Magician (Sears, 2-5)
7 - To Dream On (Gingras, 12-1)
12th Trot - $1,000,000; Hambletonian Final - 3yo Open
The top three finishers in races 7, 8, and 9 plus the fourth place finisher with the highest earnings return for the final.
13th Pace - $250,000; New Jersey Classic - 3yo Open NJ Sired
2 - Emeritus Maximus (Tetrick, 10-1)
6 - Word Power (Morril, 8-5)
11 - Johnny Rock (A Miller, 7-2)
1 - Rockin Amadeus (Gingras, 8-1)
14th Pace - $213,550; US Pacing Championship Final - FFA
1 - A Rocknroll Dance (Tetrick, 8-1)
2 - Warrawee Needy (Jamieson, 5-2)
3 - Sweet Lou (Gingras, 3-1)
5 - Golden Receiver (Callahan, 8-1)
15th Pace - $40,000; Auld Lang Syne Thanks For The Memories - FFA
8 - Fred And Ginger (Pierce, 3-1)
7 - Dapper Dude (Campbell, 8-1)
1 - Shoobee's Place (Brennan, 15-1)
2 - Versado (A Miller, 6-1)
This year the Hambletonian promises to be a wide-open affair. I wouldn't be surprised to see someone shock in the eliminations. However, when the day is done I suspect the final will be won by one of the favorites. If I had to select a horse now before the eliminations, I wouldn't be surprised to see Royalty For Life in the winners circle getting the hardware. In the Oaks, I am looking for Mistery Woman to score a minor upset against Bee A Magician.
There will be a new source of funds to deepen the wagering pool as wagering from France will be co-mingled with the pools at the Meadowlands for the trotting races (they will not take the pacing events) for the first time. In addition to the import of Euros into the wagering pools, there are some guaranteed pools available for the taking:
1st Race - $20,000 guarantee for the Early Pick-5
3rd Race - $30,000 guarantee for the Early Pick-4
7th Race - $50,000 guarantee for the Late Pick-5
12th Race - $100,000 guarantee for the Late Pick-4
Those wagering on the late Pick-4 should be aware it begins with the final of the Hambletonian meaning you won't be able to construct your final ticket(s) until post positions are set up. If you plan on playing the Pick-4 make sure you pay attention to the post position draw so you are not caught trying to find out which horse is what number.
Those who wager via TVG or 4NJBETS on the Late Pick-5 and win will be getting a 20% bonus on their earnings. Why it is great they offer the bonus, you have to wonder why it is not offered on-track as that is where the track gets the biggest bang per the dollar.
Gates open at 10:00am for the first post at 11:50AM.
Anyway, here are my preliminary predictions for the wagering program. My selections may change depending on betting in the race as the goal is to look for value when wagering. As a disclosure, my track record on Hambletonian Day stinks, a lousy 2 for 31 since the venerable race came to the Meadowlands (I missed one year due to a death in the family). Of course, every dog has their day so here is hoping I get to howl when the day is over.
1st Pace - $125,000; Miss New Jersey Final - 3yo Fillies NJ Sired (No Show Wagering)
3 - Ms Caila J 3-1)Fra (Allard, 7-2)
2 - I Luv The Nitelife (Tetrick, 3-5)
7 -Jerseylicious (Callahan, 3-1)
1 - Authorize (Pierce, 20-1)
2nd Trot - $321,700; Merrie Annabele Final - 2yo Fillies
3 - Lifetime Pursuit (Gingras, 8-5)
6 - Shake It Cerry (Pierce, 5-2)
2 - Heaven's Door (Sears, 12-1)
10 - Cooler Schooner (Campbell, 8-1)
3rd Trot - $55,000; Ima Lula Final - 4yo Mares
3 - One More Ginny (Filion, 5-1)
7 - Personal Style (D Miller, 5-2)
9 - Maven (Gingras, 9-5)
1 - Real Babe (Pierce, 8-1)
4th Pace - $217,100; Lady Liberty Final - FFA Mares
2 - Krispy Apple (Sears, 6-1)
6 - Androvette (Tetrick, 2-1)
8 - Drop The Ball (Callahan, 5-2)
5 - Rocklamation (Gingras, 3-1)
5th Trot - $280,500; Peter Haughton Memorial Final - 2yo Colts and Geldings
4 - Southwind Spirit (Sears, 8-1)
3 - Father Patrick (Gingras, 6-5)
1 - Nuncio (Campbell, 8-5)
2 - Derby (Schnittker, 12-1)
6th Trot - $75,000; Vincenes - FFA
5 - Cedar Dove (Pierce, 6-1)
9 - Coco Linday (Zeron, 3-1)
2 - Take My Picture (Morrill, 9-2)
1 - Beatgoeson Hanover (D Miller, 15-1)
7th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 1
8 - Royalty For Life (Sears, 8-5)
3 - Dewycolorintheline (Schnittker, 8-1)
1 - Punxsutawney (Callahan, 12-1)
2 - Smilin Eli (Tetrick, 5-2)
8th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 2
3 - Your So Vain (A Miller, 12-1)
1 - Wheeling N Dealin (Filion, 2-1)
2 - Aperfectyankee (Oscarsson, 5-2)
8 - Creatine (Lachance, 6-1)
9th Trot - $70,000; Hambletonian - 3yo Open - Heat 1, Elimination 3
6 - Spider Blue Chip (Pierce, 5-2)
1 - Possessed Fashion (Campbell, 4-1)
5 - Corky (D Miller, 2-1)
2 - Murmur Hanover (Waples, 9-2)
10th Trot - $318,350; John Cashman Jr. Memorial Final - FFA
4 - Guccio (Takter, 20-1)
9 - Market Share (Tetrick, 6-5)
6 - Mister Herbie (Jamieson, 4-1)
11th Trot - $500,000; Hambletonian Oaks Final - 3yo Fillies
4 - Mistery Woman (D Miller, 9-2)
3 - Classic Martine (Pierce, 15-1)
2 - Bee A Magician (Sears, 2-5)
7 - To Dream On (Gingras, 12-1)
12th Trot - $1,000,000; Hambletonian Final - 3yo Open
The top three finishers in races 7, 8, and 9 plus the fourth place finisher with the highest earnings return for the final.
13th Pace - $250,000; New Jersey Classic - 3yo Open NJ Sired
2 - Emeritus Maximus (Tetrick, 10-1)
6 - Word Power (Morril, 8-5)
11 - Johnny Rock (A Miller, 7-2)
1 - Rockin Amadeus (Gingras, 8-1)
14th Pace - $213,550; US Pacing Championship Final - FFA
1 - A Rocknroll Dance (Tetrick, 8-1)
2 - Warrawee Needy (Jamieson, 5-2)
3 - Sweet Lou (Gingras, 3-1)
5 - Golden Receiver (Callahan, 8-1)
15th Pace - $40,000; Auld Lang Syne Thanks For The Memories - FFA
8 - Fred And Ginger (Pierce, 3-1)
7 - Dapper Dude (Campbell, 8-1)
1 - Shoobee's Place (Brennan, 15-1)
2 - Versado (A Miller, 6-1)
It's Somebeachsomewhere in Front, Second, Third, Fourth,....
In a puzzling move, a Federal Jury has ruled the AQHA should register cloned quarter horses to their registry, in theory meaning clones of horses will be able to race in wagering events. The jury found the AQHA violated the Sherman Antitrust Act as well as Texas' own anti-trust rules by not registering the clones.
The Plaintiff argued that the AQHA is operated by individuals who breed and race horses and by not allowing the clones to be registered they are in effect engaging in a restraint of trade. The AQHA argued the plaintiffs were aware of the rules before they got into the business of cloning horses so it shouldn't be considered a restraint of trade.
If allowed to stand, does this ruling present a problem for all breed registries? The USTA does not specifically mention cloned horses in their rules at present but even the requirement to be registered as non-standard requires proof the sire is a registered horse of some breed which implies a clone can't be registered. The Jockey Club still requires natural cover of mares Down the road the breeding industry would have to transition into nurseries for clones meaning as there will be little money in standing stallions.
Now, realistically you are not about to see a race with ten Somebeachsomewhere clones anytime soon as the cost of cloning (around $150,000) is prohibitive and there are still some issues with the clones (though cloned mules are presently allowed to race in mule racing).. But as the science of cloning continues to evolve, harness racing will change after some initial resistance. After all, the progression in standardbred breeding has been from natural cover to artificial insemination to semen transport and now where it makes sense, embryo transfer. Make no mistake, traditional breeding will still continue but the incentive to invest in a stallion will likely diminish. However, the shortage of race horses could be addressed through cloning as you could have any mare become the surrogate.
Gary Siebel returns to racing. Gary Siebel, formerly of TVG will be the new track announcer at Cal Expo, a great catch for the California track. In addition to calling the races, Siebel will be taking on a similar role on simulcasts as Darin Zoccali does at the Meadowlands, making their simulcast product even more desirable. Welcome back Gary.
The Plaintiff argued that the AQHA is operated by individuals who breed and race horses and by not allowing the clones to be registered they are in effect engaging in a restraint of trade. The AQHA argued the plaintiffs were aware of the rules before they got into the business of cloning horses so it shouldn't be considered a restraint of trade.
If allowed to stand, does this ruling present a problem for all breed registries? The USTA does not specifically mention cloned horses in their rules at present but even the requirement to be registered as non-standard requires proof the sire is a registered horse of some breed which implies a clone can't be registered. The Jockey Club still requires natural cover of mares Down the road the breeding industry would have to transition into nurseries for clones meaning as there will be little money in standing stallions.
Now, realistically you are not about to see a race with ten Somebeachsomewhere clones anytime soon as the cost of cloning (around $150,000) is prohibitive and there are still some issues with the clones (though cloned mules are presently allowed to race in mule racing).. But as the science of cloning continues to evolve, harness racing will change after some initial resistance. After all, the progression in standardbred breeding has been from natural cover to artificial insemination to semen transport and now where it makes sense, embryo transfer. Make no mistake, traditional breeding will still continue but the incentive to invest in a stallion will likely diminish. However, the shortage of race horses could be addressed through cloning as you could have any mare become the surrogate.
Gary Siebel returns to racing. Gary Siebel, formerly of TVG will be the new track announcer at Cal Expo, a great catch for the California track. In addition to calling the races, Siebel will be taking on a similar role on simulcasts as Darin Zoccali does at the Meadowlands, making their simulcast product even more desirable. Welcome back Gary.
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