Racing now: It’s time for the Senior Division to make some noise

First, let’s do the numbers. As of mid-April, there have been 13 points races held this year in the “3 or more tracks/dirt” category. And as of mid-April, there have been 13 different winners.

A cookie for those who can name them all. Half-dozen? Father?

It’s true that the team has only entered two Grade 1 races so far, and the specter of international looting in Saudi Arabia and Dubai tends to thin the domestic herd. But you would think that it was just by chance that some older horse might be in good enough form to come across a few of those 13. Asking too much? Guess so.

It could be argued that the best competition for the division won’t begin until the Triple Crown is done and dusted. If that’s true, that’s a shame. The game cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Wouldn’t it be great if there were a nationally televised race series for the old class that would attract the best of the best to racetracks around the country in pursuit of the year-end rewards that would create The premise for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1)?

Oh, they tried that.

Up to this point in the 1991 racing calendar, three of the 10 scheduled events had been featured in the inaugural American Racing Championship. The name is a little over the top, but the sentiment is spot on and the execution is made possible by a coalition of nine track management boards, from coast to coast. The promoter was Barry Weisbord, of Matchmaker Breeders’ Exchange and Thoroughbred Daily News, whose efforts helped secure ABC for the broadcasters. The horses will compete for a minimum purse of $500,000 plus the distribution of $1.5 million in prize money based on series performance.

Such sums now seem quaint in the face of the millions being splashed across the Middle East, plus a $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic for the first time this year. Back then gas was also a dollar and a quarter, the math was the same.

The April 13, 1991, Oaklawn Handicap (G1) attracted eight points for its ACRS debut. It includes the first two winners in the series—Donn Handicap (G1) winner Jolie’s Halo and Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Farma Way—along with the year’s Kentucky Derby (G1) winner 1990 Unbridled and runner-up at Santa Anita Handicap Festin. A sloppy run played to the strengths of Argentine Festin, who circled the field to beat Primal by three-quarters of a length under Eddie Delahoussaye.

After participating in 8 out of 10 ACRS events and winning twice, Farma Way received $750,000 in prize money. Festin, who has won two of his seven series appearances, won the second prize of $375,000. Marquetry, who won twice in three race series, won the bronze medal and $225,000.

ACRS lasted only one more season before the alliance collapsed. Since then, the Breeders’ Cup has introduced the Win and You’re In concept that guarantees a paid spot in the races on championship days. Now renamed the Breeders Cup Challenge Series, there are five events for the older dirt tracks/divisions—including the Pacific Classic Stakes (G1) left over from the ACRS days .

Found the money—right?—but counterintuitive. Whatever it is called, the Challenge Series maintains the theme of one-time horse wins, preventing extended campaigns rather than encouraging the development of horse stars pursuing a long and exciting path to success. to Classical riches at the end of the rainbow.

There’s some promise among this year’s older guards, starting with an exciting trio in Florida fighting each other. Tumbarumbavia Oscar achievement is the first time and Stealing sunlight three-quarters the length of third in Fred. W. Hooper Stakes (G3) January 27. Thief Sunshine, son of Structure came back to beat Tumbarumba by a nose in the Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2) on March 2, with Il Miracolo a close third. Then on March 30, in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3) at a mile and sixteen, Gun Runner The boy by Il Miracolo beat Tumbarumba and Steal Sunshine, all three separated by a neck and three-quarters of a length at the finish.

In California, New gate /Newgrange the competition was just starting but now that it’s gone, there’s no promise that it will be renewed any time soon. Newgrange ended 2023 by winning the final qualifying race in the San Antonio Stakes (G2) and began 2024 by defeating Newgate in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2). Newgrange was favored over Newgate in the following Santa Anita Handicap, but ‘Grange took the lead while ‘Gate claimed victory on the day.

laurel river . It’s a roll of the dice, leaving him out of the picture for some ripe opportunities in the States, but hopefully he’ll return. As for Newgrange, he hasn’t trained in over a month.

Phil D’Amato, who trains Newgrange for the partnership, said: “We have been diagnosed with a breathing problem. “We discovered that he had a deviated palate. Luckily, this procedure is quite routine and is performed right at the track. He will be back at work next week.”

D’Amato said Newgrange will be assigned to the San Diego Handicap (G2) at Del Mar, one of 40 classified stakes remaining in the running for the division. They start April 20, with the $1.25 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) in Hot Springs, Ark., at 1 1/8 miles.

However, it was disappointing that the field of 11 did not include the winners of the two good races for the class given earlier in the tournament. Oaklawn Park meet. First mission blew away the Essex handicap (G3) on March 23, winning 5, while icy grace won the Oaklawn Mile Stakes (G3) a week later.

Luckily, three Oaklawn runners have a chance to become two-timers this year. Octane won the Razorback Handicap (G3) at Oaklawn in February and Red Route One Still sharp after winning the New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2) in March.

Then there is Skippylongstocking who rebounded from a grim day in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) to win the Challenger Stakes (G3) at Tampa Downs Bay. Oaklawn will mark Skippy’s 13th different track in his 23rd start for owner Daniel Alonso, which is a pretty good imitation of the one-horse ACRS.