AMERICAN TURF CLUB LEAD

By: JOE GIRARDI

            In an article in the Daily Racing Form it states that a judge dismissed the New York City Off-Track Betting Bankruptcy case. A U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge has approved a request by the New York City Off-Track Betting Corporation to have its bankruptcy case dismissed, a decision that will effectively shutter the company for good. The approval of the motion by New York Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn of the Southern District of New York follows a hearing last week in which attorneys for the shuttered corporation argued that the company’s petition should be dismissed because all of its employees have been laid off, all of its directors have resigned, and all of its contracts have been voided. In addition, New York City OTB has declined to offer a new reorganization plan to the court following its decision to cease all operations on Dec. 8 after the state legislature failed to approve a bill that would have made its former reorganization plan viable. New York City Otb was once the largest bet-taker in the U. S. Martin Garcia one of the top riders in Southern California for 2010 and one of the main riders for the very powerful Bob Baffert barn ran into a visa problem about two months ago which forced him to go back to Mexico. He had last rode in Southern California on November 7^th at Hollywood Park. He left for Mexico a few days later, hoping to reapply for a license and make a quick return to California. “I didn’t think it would take that long,” Garcia said. “My visa expired and I had to go back to Mexico. It’s what you have to do.” Garcia said the visa has a three-year term and can be renewed annually. Garcia enjoyed his best year ever in 2010, winning the Preakness Stakes aboard LOOKIN AT LUCKY who he rode for Baffert. He also won the prestigious Haskell Invitational aboard the same horse. He rode on Thursday January 27^th at Santa Anita, a horse for Bob Baffert in the 7^th race named EL MARTILLO. However, currently he has lost mounts because of the time off to Rafael Bejarano and Mike Smith. He will have to work his way back into the stable over the next few months.

There are a few new wagers this year at Gulfstream Park, probably the most popular being the 50 cent pick five. However, a new wager called the Rainbow pick six was not thought to be very popular. The wager is for 10 cents but the entire pool is only paid out if ONLY one person hits the bet. If more than one person hits the ticket, 60% will be shared equally amongst those winners with 40% going back into the pool. The one winning ticket was worth $221,677.41. That was after 17 days without being hit by just one person. "Because so many customers are having a lot of fun with this bet, we've decided to seed the pool beginning Friday with $15, 000," said Gulfstream's president and general manager, Steve Calabro. This can be an interesting bet when it carries over but the problem right in the New York area at least is finding a place to bet it. NYRA and Nassau Otb are not carrying the bet. Hopefully that will change.

Another interesting note that comes out of Gulfstream Park is that Hopeful winner BOYS AT TOSCONOVA will miss the Holy Bull Stakes. Trainer Rick Dutrow said Wednesday afternoon: “I don’t see anything wrong with him. I don’t think it would be smart to rush him into a race when we have a lot of time heading up to a race. He’s not showing his usual high energy. It would be stupid to rush him.” The one mile Holy Bull is expected to attract Remsen (G2) and Nashua (G2) runner-up Mucho Macho Man, Delta Jackpot (G3) winner Gourmet Dinner, Dialed In and recent Gulfstream allowance winner Black N Beauty. We know it’s early but you don’t like to see this because before you know it the first Saturday in May will be here.

Finally the quarantine at Gulfstream Park and Palm Meadows was lifted on Thursday morning. An unidentified horse from the Jonathan Sheppard barn had displayed signs of a potential neurological disorder. According to Gulfstream's president and general manager, Steve Calabro, test results from samples taken from the stricken horse were found to be negative for the equine herpes virus in a report received from the University of Kentucky in Lexington shortly after 4 p.m. on Thursday.