Legends of the Track: Seattle Slew - Triple Crown Champion From Humble Beginnings, Ellis Park closed to the public indefinitely; races to continue, NYRA Content Pulled From FanDuel + Chart of the Day!
Friday Edition - July 5th, 2024 (Edition 137)
Good Morning,
Today, we look back at the career of the legendary champion, Seattle Slew. The Triple Crown hero, started from humble beginnings, bought for just $17,500. As a colt, Slew didn't look like the typical champion. But looks, it turns out, didn't matter.
Yesterday, the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced that a contractual dispute with FanDuel Racing has resulted in the removal of all NYRA content from FanDuel's wagering platforms. This means pari-mutuel betting and live video from the ongoing Belmont at the Big A meet are no longer available on FanDuel, previously known as TVG. As always, the ones who lose out the most in this conflict are the everyday punters.
Opening day at Ellis Park also faced unexpected challenges. The track is closed to the public indefinitely due to a water issue initially described as an “unscheduled grandstand maintenance issue.” Strong storms caused a temporary power outage affecting the water supply. Although power has been restored, water levels remain insufficient, leading Churchill Downs, which owns Ellis Park, to keep the gates closed until further notice.
In international news, City Of Troy will compete against seven rivals in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, City Of Troy bounced back from a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas to win the Derby by two and three-quarter lengths last month. It’s certainly his race to lose.
What I am wagering on? Hot off his winner yesterday, Jeff from Charting Horse Value is analyzing Race 5 at Belmont at Aqueduct. However, don’t turn on FanDuel TV expecting to see the race!
Finally, the USA Racing Club is now accepting new members for the 2024/25 season, but hurry as their promising 3-year-old, St James The Great, will compete in tomorrow’s $150,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park.
Enjoy a fantastic day of racing!
Riders up,
Steve
Legends of the Track:
Seattle Slew - Triple Crown Champion From Humble Beginnings
Seattle Slew at Spendthrift Farm in 1981
"[In the Kentucky Derby], here was Seattle Slew right next to me. I said, 'Wow, this horse came in quick.' And I look and there he was like this, looking at me. And I never noticed that on a horse. Seattle Slew passed me and took every other challenge from behind. And I said to myself, the horse is a champion," says jockey Angel Cordero on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series.
From humble beginnings, Seattle Slew exploded into the forefront. Four years after the awesome Secretariat won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont, Seattle Slew duplicated the feat in 1977. And he did Secretariat one better, by becoming the only undefeated Triple Crown champion.
In an era when it was common to see owners spend hundreds of thousands -- even millions -- on horses that they believed would reach Triple Crown status, Seattle Slew was purchased for a mere $17,500. As a colt, Slew didn't look like the typical champion. But looks, it turns out, didn't matter.
Watch Seattle Slew becomes the only undefeated Triple Crown winner by completing the sweep in the 1977 Belmont Stakes - You Tube produced Twinspires
Summer Racing:
Ellis Park closed to the public indefinitely; races to continue
Ellis Park in Henderson is the go-to destination for summer racing in Kentucky. (Coady Media)
HENDERSON, Ky. (WFIE) - Ellis Park Racing and Gaming is currently closed.
According to a release, Ellis Park will be closed to the public until further notice.
Officials made that announcement Thursday morning.
They say unfortunately, Thursday’s opening day card happened without patrons.
Officials say they are having water issues causes by storms.
Later Thursday officials said racing will resume Friday at 11:50 a.m., but an update on the grandstand and gaming facility won’t be until morning.
General Manager Matt Pressley said, “For guest safety, we made the difficult decision to conduct today’s races without patrons. We deeply appreciate our staff and Henderson community volunteers for their support. We will continue to share updates and look forward to reopening soon.”
Read the full article at tristatehomepage.com
What am I wagering on?
Check out Charting Horse Value for an in-depth analysis of Belmont at Aqueduct Race 5
The PLUS sign "+" after the ABC letter grade is the best horse to bet on based on both the ABC letter grade and the VALUE score. The "s" before the ABC letter grade means this horse is a spot play and is one of the best plays on the entire day for all races and tracks.
Become a free or paid subscriber. If you pay $80, you will also get TWO FREE MONTHS membership to Charting Horse Value website which provides charts for every thoroughbred race in America.
Visit Jeff’s website at chartinghorsevalue.com
NYRA:
Dispute Results in NYRA Content Pulled From FanDuel
Racing during the Belmont at the Big A meet at Aqueduct Racetrack
FanDuel Racing said it hopes to "have this content available again soon."
The New York Racing Association announced July 4 that a contractual impasse between NYRA and FanDuel Racing has led to the eliminating of all NYRA content from FanDuel wagering platforms. As a result, pari-mutuel wagering and live video from the ongoing Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet are not currently available on FanDuel, formerly known as TVG.
NYRA said it would continue negotiations with FanDuel to resolve the dispute and fulfill its goal of increasing funds flowing to the sport and its stakeholders in New York.
"NYRA provides the racing content that fuels the profits of out-of-state ADWs like TVG/FanDuel," Tony Allevato, NYRA chief revenue officer, said in a release. "NYRA must prioritize the overall health of the sport and broader industry here in New York and we will continue negotiations to seek an equitable resolution so that our racing is widely available nationally."
Full Article at bloodhorse.com
Overseas:
City Of Troy one of eight to take Eclipse challenge
Derby winner aiming to emulate Golden Horn as last Epsom hero to follow up at Sandown.
City Of Troy faces seven rivals as he shoots for further Group One gold in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge disappointed on his initial run this term when well beaten in the 2000 Guineas before roaring back to form with a two-and-three-quarter-length verdict in the Derby last month.
He is long odds-on to strike over 10 furlongs for the first time in the weekend highlight, with stablemate and outsider Hans Andersen joining him on the trip to Esher.
As expected, White Birch was not declared with O’Brien’s Continuous and Luxembourg the others to miss out from an initial entry of 11.
This is the first Derby winner O’Brien has taken to the Eclipse and he has no qualms about bringing City Of Troy back in distance.
“Obviously he had an easy week or 10 days after Epsom and then his build up started slowly for the Eclipse, so that was the plan,” he said.
“When we got him back going we had the choice of the Eclipse or the Irish Derby, Los Angeles went for the Irish Derby and the plan was for City to come here.
“Obviously he’d never been on a turning track before, or an undulating one, he’d never been over further than a mile and he’d never been dropped in in a race so he had an awful lot to learn (at Epsom).
“Ryan (Moore) went out with the mindset that he was just going to let him relax and feel his way with him and that’s what he did. He was delighted, he said a furlong down he just took off and that is what we saw with him last year, which is a very unusual trait in a horse.”
As for the decision not to run Luxembourg, O’Brien added: “We felt Hans Andersen would be enough and he’ll go forward. Obviously in these championship races you want an even pace.
“Luxembourg might go to the King George with Auguste Rodin, that’s what we’re thinking at the moment.”
Read the full article at attheraces.com
What am I listening to?
Nick Luck Daily
Nick is joined by broadcaster and writer Cornelius Lysaght to discuss the latest from around the racing world. They begin by discussing the election result and assess the casualties and possible future allies for the sport. Nick talks to Cllr Andy Drummond, Deputy Chair of West Suffolk Conservatives about the election of Nick Timothy to the seat that includes most of Newmarket. Also on today's show, Aidan O'Brien with final thoughts on City of Troy's Eclipse bid, plus Andrew Cooper with a going report and Sportinglife.com's Dave Ord with Something for the Weekend. Tracey Harding drops in with a program of events for the National Horseracing Museum next week.
USA Racing Club:
Now accepting new members!
We have 12 horses competing in Ireland, England, and the USA, with top-notch trainers like Willie Mullins, Henry de Bromhead, Keri Brion, and Nigel Hawke.
Our star, St James The Great is set to run in the $150,000 Kent Stakes at Delaware Park on Saturday. ‘Big Jim’ is thriving under the care of the red-hot Keri Brion Barn.
Sign up today for just $50 a month, and you might be celebrating in the winner's circle on Saturday as a part-owner of a stakes winner! Plus, we've arranged a special visit to Keri's barn on Saturday morning. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity! Interested? Just send an email to USASteeplechase@gmail.com or Visit usasteeplechase.com for more information
Finally, the ‘Trivia Question of the Day:
Can you name this British Racecourse which was the idea of 19th-century businessman, S. H. Hyde?
He was enjoying a carriage drive in the country with his wife in June 1870 when he came across a Manor and a Park for sale. Hyde leased the grounds as tenant in 1872 and six years later in July 1878 the course opened.
To find the answer visit Steve’s Twitter/X page and scroll through the comments