Skip to main content

The Weekly Wire: May 12, 2021

May 12, 2021

TORONTO, May 12, 2021 – As a horse racing fan, it can be difficult to keep up with all the major stories and excitement from around the world – that’s why we’ve gone the distance and done the leg work for you, curating the top news and notes from the horse racing industry to keep you in the know.

Thoroughbred News

‘More Than A Client’: Imperial Hint Owner Raymond Mamone Passes at Age 88

Trainer Luis Carvajal, Jr. announced via Twitter on Tuesday that his long-time owner and friend Raymond Mamone had passed away at the age of 88. According to bloodhorse.com, Mamone died after complications of COVID-19 on May 3, in his hometown of Somerville, N.J. (PaulickReport.com)

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/people/more-than-a-client-imperial-hint-owner-raymond-mamone-passes-at-age-88/

‘Future of Arlington Park Can Be Very Bright’: Former Track President Heading Investment Group Hoping to Keep Racing Alive

Roy Arnold, who served as president and CEO of Arlington Park from 2006-10, announced his intention on behalf of a group of investors to purchase the Arlington Heights, Ill., racetrack in a letter to the village’s board of trustees prior to their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday night at which Arlington’s future was on the agenda. (PaulickReport.com)

https://www.paulickreport.com/news/ray-s-paddock/future-of-arlington-park-can-be-very-bright-former-track-president-heading-group-to-buy-track/

April U.S. Wagering Tops $1 Billion

As the Triple Crown trail came to an end, with many tracks hosting important Kentucky Derby preps, and with Keeneland staging its Spring meet in its regular spot on the calendar, wagering on U.S. races exceeded $1.1 billion, according to statistics released Wednesday by Equibase. (ThoroughbredDailyNews.com)

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/april-u-s-wagering-tops-1-billion/

Despite Losing Bet, McInvgale, Racing Come Out Winners

Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale made what is believed to be the largest losing wager in horse racing history Saturday, as a $2.4-million win bet on Essential Quality (Tapit) went down in flames as the favorite in the GI Kentucky Derby finished fourth. But, for McIngvale, there were no wounds to be licked. (ThoroughbredDailyNews.com)

https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/despite-losing-bet-mcinvgale-racing-come-out-winners/

Buff Bradley to retire from training after Churchill meet

William “Buff” Bradley, whose exploits with Brass Hat and Groupie Doll warmed the hearts of untold thousands of racing fans, has announced his retirement from training, effective shortly after the Churchill Downs spring meet ends June 26. (drf.com)

https://www.drf.com/news/buff-bradley-retire-training-after-churchill-meet

Standardbred News

Headache Horse Gets Another Win

“That’s as good as he’s gone,” trainer driver Kirk Larsen said after Tolkien won his fourth race at Ascot Park today. “He hasn’t been an easy horse. He’s got a real quirky nature and is his own boss. He trains well at home, but you just don’t know which horse is going to turn up on the day.” (HarnessLink.com)

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Headache-horse-gets-another-win

Scioto: Signal to be sent out in HD starting May 5

Eldorado Scioto Downs is now set to broadcast the signal to all outlets, including TVG, RTN and ADWs, in high definition (HD). “We upgraded our cameras late last year and internally we’ve been showing the signal in HD,” said Eldorado Scioto Downs Director of Racing Jason Roth. “This is something our patrons have been asking for and we wanted to improve our product for our off-track supporters and fans.” (drf.com)

https://www.drf.com/news/scioto-signal-be-sent-out-hd-starting-may-5

Harness: Flurry of Standardbred Thoughts

If you have walked into a barn in your life, there is a good chance you’ve seen the board. It is basically an account of the activity for the barn — which horses are training, jogging, getting vet work, etc. (drf.com)

https://www.drf.com/news/harness-flurry-standardbred-thoughts

The Napolitano Brothers are Competitive

Years ago, harness racing driver George Napolitano Jr. asked his dad, who owned a high-performance shop building race cars, why he got out of the horse business. The answer turned George’s life around. “He told me it was because he couldn’t take the drivers. He swore that if he ever got back in the business, his sons would be driving,” George remembers. His dad got a few horses, and George, in his early 30’s, got his chance. “He made me into a driver.” (HarnessLink.com)

http://www.harnesslink.com/International/The-Napolitano-brothers-are-competitive

Fifteen Legendary Horses Better Known for Losses, Not Triumphs

Any way you slice it, the following stars and standouts in horse racing are known more for a loss than any of their victories. (HarnessRacingUpdate.com)

https://harnessracingupdate.com/2021/05/09/fifteen-legendary-horses-better-known-for-losses-not-triumphs/

Share This: