NYRA release

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – The New York Racing Association Inc.has been awarded its third consecutive Conny by American Turf Monthly magazine as the host of the “Best On-Track Handicapping Tournament.”

According to the magazine, the Connys were created to “honor excellence in the world of horse handicapping tournaments.”

American Turf Monthly commended the NYRA contests as continuing “to do right by contest players in ‘old school’ fashion by offering handicappers great events where they can compete in traditional…

NTRA release

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) announced Tuesday that Daily Racing Form (DRF) and Breeders’ Cup Limited (BCL) have agreed to serve as Presenting Sponsors of the Eclipse Awards, now to be officially known as The Eclipse Awards Presented by Daily Racing Form and Breeders’ Cup Limited. The 41st annual Eclipse Awards ceremony will be held Monday, January 16, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Voting for The Eclipse…

NTRA release

Voting is under way at the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Web site, www.ntra.com, for the 13th annual “NTRA Moment of the Year.” Voters can choose from among 12 images, drawn from the year’s events. The winning Moment will be recognized on January 16, 2012 at the Eclipse Awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif., and those selecting the winning image automatically will be entered in a random drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the NTRA.com…

The 13th annual Brisnet.com Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, Dec. 10, offers Bloodstock Research Information Services (BRIS) members a free opportunity to compete for a seat at the $2-million National Handicapping Championship (NHC) Jan. 27-28 at the Treasure Island Las Vegas casino resort, as well as win other great prizes.  First place also includes a $1,000-cash award, plus a $250-product credit for Brisnet.com, which is the official data source of TwinSpires.com, the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands, and Churchill Downs…

David Joseph
Gulfstream Park

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The inaugural Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino Handicapping Seminar Series will kick off opening day, Dec. 3, with guest Steven Crist, editor and publisher emeritus of the Daily Racing Form.

The Handicapping Seminar Series, to be held throughout Gulfstream’s 87-day thoroughbred meet at 11 a.m. in the Sport of Kings, will play host to some of the country’s most respected and knowledgeable handicappers and writers.

Crist’s appearance at Gulfstream is followed…

Christine Orman
ReRun

HELMETTA, N.J. – ReRun, a Thoroughbred adoption organization whose mission is to rehabilitate, retrain, and find adoptive homes for Thoroughbred racehorses when their careers on the track are over, has launched its Transitioning off-the-track Thoroughbreds project, made possible by a Rescuing Racers Initiative grant from the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®).

According to Jacque Schultz, Senior Director of the ASPCA Equine Fund, the Rescuing Racers Initiative grant was awarded to those…

James J. Mulvihill
Fair Grounds

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will add a new daily jackpot carryover wager to its offerings for the upcoming 140th Thoroughbred Racing Season, opening Thanksgiving Day. The Black Gold 5 requires a bettor to hold the lone successful ticket with the winners of five consecutive races. On cards when there is no single-ticket winner, half of the pool will be paid as consolation to tickets with the most correct…

Jenny Kellner
NYRA

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – William Alexandridis of Middle Village, N.Y. topped 224 other players and took home the $40,000 first prize in the 2011 Fall Handicapping Challenge this weekend at Aqueduct Racetrack. 

Alexandridis, finished the two-day contest with a mythical bankroll of $1,135, defeating Paul Shurman of Dix Hills, N.Y., who won second prize of $15,000 with a mythical bankroll of $1,094. Third-place finisher Joel Einhorn of Flushing, N.Y. amassed a mythical bankroll of $1,072 and…

(Edited NYRA report)

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Michael Cennerazzo of River Edge, N.J., finished Day 1 of Aqueduct’s 2011 Fall Handicapping Challenge with a mythical bank roll of $1,042, good for first place halfway through the two-day contest. John Spinello of Ridgewood, N.J. ($712) was in second place with Carmine Adimando of Trumbull, Ct. ($652) in third.

The Fall Challenge attracted 225 players, all aiming to capture the first prize, expected to be approximately $40,000, and earn one of three…

(Breeders’ Cup release)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A two-day attendance total for the 2011 Breeders’ Cup World Championships of 105,820 is the second highest two-day total, seven percent less than last year’s record-setting total attendance of 114,353 that was fueled in part by the legendary race mare Zenyatta’s bid to remain undefeated, Breeders’ Cup officials announced after the conclusion of Saturday’s races.

After a two percent decrease in attendance on Friday, 65,143 were on hand Saturday for the 12-race card that…