The following appeared in The Racing Biz February 13th. 

by Frank Vespe

Live racing is a big step closer to returning to Virginia’s Colonial Downs.

The Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly – 79-21 – in favor of HB 1609, a bill that would allow “historical horse racing” machines in the Commonwealth. Now the bill heads to the state Senate, which is expected to begin the process of considering it as early as next week.

Historical racing machines, which to users feel essentially like slot machines, use previously contested races to generate the winning numbers. They have been critical to the success enjoyed in recent years by tracks like Oaklawn Park and Kentucky Downs.

And, if HB 1609 becomes law, they could be critical to what advocates hope will be the rebirth of Colonial Downs in New Kent County, east of Richmond – perhaps hosting a live Thoroughbred meet as early as 2019.

“I think the nice thing about that vote and the size of the vote in favor was that people recognize that something significant has to be done to reopen Colonial Downs,” said Jeb Hannum, executive director of the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA), the all-breed racing umbrella group. “I feel like we made our case, and now we move forward to the Senate.”

The bill would allow historical racing machines at a racetrack and also at any off-track wagering facilities owned by either the track or by the VEA, which currently has three OTBs in operation, with a fourth, in Collinsville, VA, slated to open in March.

Debbie Easter, president of the VEA and executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association (VTA), which represents the state’s Thoroughbred breeders, said that estimates indicated that the passage of a historical racing machine bill would mean that the Thoroughbred industry would “possibly do $6 million to $10 million more than we could do ourselves” via off-track wagering facilities and advance deposit wagering.

“It’s more money for the entire industry, not just Thoroughbred racing,” she emphasized.

Colonial Downs, which opened in 1997, last conducted live Thoroughbred racing in 2013. Its 2014 season – and subsequent racing years – was scuttled by an acrimonious dispute between Virginia horsemen and Colonial’s owner, Jeff Jacobs.

A Chicago-based group called Revolutionary Racing now reportedly has an agreement to purchase Colonial Downs. But that group believes that Colonial is only financially viable if additional revenue, such as from historical racing, is added.

According to a study commissioned by Revolutionary, which envisions the revitalized Colonial’s operations fully ramped up by 2022, the company by then would host approximately 25 days of live racing at Colonial Downs and have a fully built-out network of 10 off-track wagering facilities.

The study, conducted by Chmura Economics and Analytics, projects that the company’s 2022 revenue will exceed $200 million, of which about 80 percent would come from historical racing. It further estimates that the company will employ more than 400 people.

Easter said that she believed the recent state House elections – which included the retirement of speaker William Howell (R-Stafford County), a longtime foe of expanded gaming, as well as a Democratic wave which came within a whisker of giving that party a majority in the House – played an important role in today’s vote.

She also thought that Revolutionary’s economic message was critical.

“I think also you’ve got the whole economic development thing about New Kent County, and you’ve got Colonial Downs sitting there shuttered, and the jobs that would be really important to the locality,” she pointed out.

And, she acknowledged, passage of historical racing and the rejuvenation of Colonial would be beneficial to the breeders and horsemen her group represents.

“I think it’s huge,” she said. “First off, we get some live racing back in Virginia. The other thing it’s going to let us do is shore up our incentive program (for breeding and raising horses in Virginia), so I think it’s helpful to make sure we can do those and hopefully expand them a little bit.

“It’s added money, so it’s a good thing.”

Off to the Races on The Racing Biz Radio Network returns for its 2018 season Saturday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. The program will air on over terrestrial radio on ESPN Richmond (VA) — 950 AM, 99.5 FM, and 102.7 FM — and via internet streaming.

The show will air every Saturday morning from February 10 through July 21.

“We are excited to kick off the 2018 season of Off to the Races,” said Frank Vespe, owner-publisher of The Racing Biz and host of the program. “We look forward to sharing with our listeners some of the most interesting voices in mid-Atlantic racing over the coming months.”

Saturday’s show features four guests:

• Familiar voices Derby Bill Watson and Nick Hahn will return once again, with Watson, the former on-air handicapper at Colonial Downs, providing his handicapping insights and Hahn sharing his persepctives on the Virginia, mid-Atlantic, and national racing scenes;
• Debbie Easter, executive director of the Virginia Thoroughbred Association and president of the Virginia Equine Alliance, will discuss recent developments in Virginia, including the VTA stallion auction; and
• Dr. Patty Hogan will share her thoughts on the future of racing and how animal welfare issues may impact that.

 

The weekly, one-hour show will focus on Thoroughbred racing and breeding around the mid-Atlantic region and across the country.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN LIVE AT 10:00 A.M. SATURDAY.

The following appeared in The Paulick Report February 8th. Catholic Boy is trained by Jonathan Thomas, son of the Virginia Equine Alliance’s Track Superintendent, John Dale Thomas. In addition to the Sam Davis Stakes Saturday, fans can make advance wagers on the May 5th Kentucky Derby from Friday Feb. 9 – Sunday Feb. 11. Virginia’s 3 OTBs will accept those bets — at Breakers Sports Grille and Ponies & Pints in Richmond, and  at Buckets Bar & Grill in Chesapeake. The four on line betting partner websites will also accept wagers — TVG.com, Xpressbet.com, Twinspires.com and NYRABets.com.    

Seven 3-year-old colts and geldings take their next steps Saturday toward a potential date with Thoroughbred racing destiny in the 38th edition of the Grade III, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes, the showcase of a 12-race Festival Preview Day Presented by Lambholm South card at Tampa Bay Downs beginning at 12:13 p.m.

The mile-and-a-sixteenth Sam F. Davis on the main dirt track is a Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve points race, awarding 10-4-2-1 points to the first four finishers toward eligibility for the Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs on May 5. The Sam F. Davis is the 10th race.

Saturday’s program is also highlighted by the return to the Oldsmar oval of two-time Florida Cup winner World Approval, this time as an Eclipse Award winner. The 6-year-old gray Champion Turf Male and Breeders’ Cup Mile winner is a sturdy favorite against nine rivals in the 32nd annual Grade III, $175,000 Tampa Bay Stakes for older horses at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf course.

Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez will make the trip to Tampa Bay Downs to renew acquaintances with World Approval, who drew the No. 7 post.

Also slated are the 19th edition of the Grade III, $175,000 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes for older fillies and mares at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf and the 38th running of the $150,000 Suncoast Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at a mile-and-40-yards on the main track.

The Suncoast awards 10-4-2-1 points to the top four finishers toward eligibility for the Kentucky Oaks on May 4.

The likely favorites for the Sam F. Davis are Catholic Boy, who won the Grade II Remsen Stakes at on Dec. 2 at Aqueduct in his most recent start, and Hollywood Star, who finished second as a 2-year-old in both the Grade II Saratoga Special at Saratoga and the Grade III Iroquois at Churchill Downs.

The full field for the Sam F. Davis in post position order is as follows, with trainer and jockey:

1. Navy Armed Guard, Joan Scott, Jesus Castanon
2. Flameaway, Mark Casse, Jose Lezcano
3. Vino Rosso, Todd Pletcher, John Velazquez
4. Septimius Severus, George Weaver, Jose Ortiz
5. Hollywood Star, Dale Romans, Joel Rosario
6. Catholic Boy, Jonathan Thomas, Manuel Franco
7. Vouch, Arnaud Delacour, Daniel Centeno.

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Copyright © 2018 Paulick Report.

The Secretariat Team announced today that Charlie Davis, the charismatic exercise rider for 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, died early this morning from complications of lung cancer. He was 78.

Davis, who was born on Feb. 2, 1940, in Orangeburg, S.C., started his vocation by cutting elementary school to watch the Thoroughbreds train on the farm where his father worked. Small in stature but tough and determined, Davis learned how to exercise horses and eventually went to work for legendary trainer Lucien Laurin, becoming a member of the famed “Holly Hills” crew that also included storied groom Eddie Sweat.

Davis exercised some of the era’s top racing stars of the 1960s, including champion filly Quill and Belmont Stakes winner Amberoid. In 1971, when Laurin took over Christopher Chenery’s Meadow string, Davis was assigned as exercise rider for the stable’s champion colt Riva Ridge and later Secretariat. He continued exercising horses until 1981, when he was thrown and suffered a career-ending back injury. Davis later worked as a foaling manager for several farms in the Ocala, Fla., area, and was known throughout the industry as a well-rounded horseman.

In a recent interview with Tim Sullivan of the Louisville Courier-Journal, Davis reflected, “I just wanted to be Charlie, no more than the good Lord let me,” he said. “I don’t want to be more than what I is.”

Ron Turcotte, the Hall of Fame jockey who rode both Riva Ridge and Secretariat, said that Davis’ passing is a great loss for the Secretariat Team and for the sport of horse racing.

“Charlie was a great friend to me personally and a great friend to the sport,” Turcotte said. “He and Eddie [Sweat] knew Secretariat better than any of us, and Charlie became a walking history book about those days. He was a wonderful exercise rider with a true horseman’s touch, and the achievements of both Riva Ridge and Secretariat were a result of Charlie’s work with them.”

Davis regularly made appearances at racing venues, the Secretariat Festival and other events to the delight of generations of fans, always willing to share stories of Secretariat and his first-hand experiences as a member of the Meadow Stable Team. Following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis last month, friends and fans rallied around Davis, raising funds to cover his medical expenses.

Davis is survived by his wife of 51 years, Caroline, as well as seven children and several grandchildren. His daughter, Katina Davis, said the family has been overwhelmed by the love and support they have received.

“We are heartbroken that we lost him,” Ms. Davis said. “He was always so generous with whatever he had, especially his time. He loved talking about his days as an exercise rider, and he loved Secretariat. We are very grateful to all of his friends and fans who have offered messages of support and contributed to his GoFundMe campaign. That financial assistance has eased our worries as we cover Dad’s final expenses.”

Funeral arrangements for Charlie Davis are pending. Written condolences may be sent to:

The Davis Family
P.O. Box 831072
Ocala, FL 34483

Davis never missed an opportunity to brag on his champion Secretariat, whom he simply called ‘The Man,’ yet always humble about his own undeniable contributions to the colt’s legendary success and content to stand in Big Red’s massive shadow.

“I’d like people to say about me, ‘I knew a guy that galloped Secretariat.’ That is good enough for me.”

This piece appeared in The Paulick Report on February 8th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Charlie was a great friend to me personally and a great friend to the sport,” Turcotte said. “He and Eddie [Sweat] knew Secretariat better than any of us, and Charlie became a walking history book about those days. He was a wonderful exercise rider with a true horseman’s touch, and the achievements of both Riva Ridge and Secretariat were a result of Charlie’s work with them.”

Davis regularly made appearances at racing venues, the Secretariat Festival and other events to the delight of generations of fans, always willing to share stories of Secretariat and his first-hand experiences as a member of the Meadow Stable Team. Following the announcement of his cancer diagnosis last month, friends and fans rallied around Davis, raising funds to cover his medical expenses.

Davis is survived by his wife of 51 years, Caroline, as well as seven children and several grandchildren. His daughter, Katina Davis, said the family has been overwhelmed by the love and support they have received.

“We are heartbroken that we lost him,” Ms. Davis said. “He was always so generous with whatever he had, especially his time. He loved talking about his days as an exercise rider, and he loved Secretariat. We are very grateful to all of his friends and fans who have offered messages of support and contributed to his GoFundMe campaign. That financial assistance has eased our worries as we cover Dad’s final expenses.”

Funeral arrangements for Charlie Davis are pending. Written condolences may be sent to:

The Davis Family
P.O. Box 831072
Ocala, FL 34483

Davis never missed an opportunity to brag on his champion Secretariat, whom he simply called ‘The Man,’ yet always humble about his own undeniable contributions to the colt’s legendary success and content to stand in Big Red’s massive shadow.

“I’d like people to say about me, ‘I knew a guy that galloped Secretariat.’ That is good enough for me.”