FEELIN HOT HOT HOT
Humans and animals alike are having to hunker down in air conditioning OR behind fans just to get through the next week or so of swletering and very humid weather. It is dense heat, with a burning sun and sticky sticky air.
The reading will be 41 celcius with the humidex today (111 Fahrenheit), and tomorrow, unreal 38 the temperature, with a humidex of close to 46.
Racing at Woodbine is held this evening, so that should be okay for the horses. There is a super event tonight, the BOLD VENTURE STAKES featuring champions FATAL BULLET and HOLLYWOOD HIT plus newcomers Pacic Ocean and tough ones like SIGNATURE RED and ESSENCE HIT MAN.
Racing tomorrow could be in doubt as extreme heat is nothing to take lightly, Belmont recently cancelled because of that.
The next big race on the Woodbine calendar is the Aug.7 Breeders’ Stakes, the third jewel of the Canadian Triple Crown.
ORC. URGES VIGILANCE ON CARE FOR RACEHORSES IN ADVERSE WEATHER
The Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) Supervisor of Veterinarians is advising Official Veterinarians at all racetracks to be on alert for any hot weather effects on horses. Racetracks need to maintain adequate water facilities to cool down horses after warming up or racing.
As well, racing officials at all tracks will remind participants to take the necessary precautions and steps to cool horses. This information is found on ORC posters that were produced and have been displayed in racetrack paddocks, test barns and the race offices/ORC licensing areas at all Ontario racetracks for a number of years.
The ORC also points out that there is an established policy of allowing a trainer to scratch their horse should the trainer be concerned about the particular condition of the animal due to weather. If enough trainers are concerned a vote can be called by officials re: cancelling the card.
More information on caring for horses can be viewed at the ORC web site, using the following link:
The protection of the health and welfare of the horse is of paramount concern to the ORC and to members of the racing community. An effort to monitor the horse in weather extremes is in keeping with this mandate.
INGLORIOUS – PLATE BEYER FIGURE UPPED
It was not unexpected, it just took longer than one would think. INGLORIOUS’ near track record time in the Queen’s Plate initially earned a 90 Beyer Figure but yesterday it was changed to 96, making her one of the fastest 3yo’s in Canada. Pender Harbour earned a 93 in the Prince of Wales.
AHHH, THE SPAAAAA
Saratoga opens FRIDAY!
Todd Pletcher feature..
http://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Pletcher-seeks-another-title-1471669.php
http://www.thenational.ae/sport/horse-racing/saeed-bin-suroor-and-godolphin-ready-for-america
NORTHLANDS PARK
Traveller wins Canadian Derby prep..
EDMONTON – Life can be eerily strange; death often brings its own irony.
On the very afternoon a remembrance was held for trainer Barry Brown, who died May 13, the horse he used to train, Freedoms Traveller, splashed through the mud to win Saturday’s $50,000 Ky Alta at Northlands, the first distance prep race of the year for the Canadian Derby.
“Amazing. I’m sure Barry was looking down, opened his wings and carried (Freedoms Traveller) along a little bit,” said Lianne Knechtel, Brown’s partner of 18 years and now the horse’s trainer.
“When we set the date for Barry’s remembrance, I had no idea that the Ky Alta was on, or that Freedoms Traveller would be in the race…
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Freedoms+Traveller+makes+splash+Alta/5078985/story.html
OTHER OPINIONS ON FORT ERIE, THE SCORE and more
WAGERING was up at Fort Erie on Prince of Wales day over last year – at over $1 million. Forums and other blogs are chiming in on racing, TV and media coverage and the like including the coverage last weekend.
THE SCORE channel which does very well with the Monday and Wed. Night shows, BET NIGHT LIVE where fans get to play for cash through their HPI account, also has racing on every Sunday and that is a real boost to the sport.
But the racing coverage is somewhat sporadic, it will be on but then some days, only partially on, and the tracks shown other than Woodbine include tracks where there may be very little local interest.
http://cangamble.blogspot.com/
