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Some Friday Morning Musings
Here are some under-reported stories and other thoughts to encourage your synapses heading into Master's Weekend.
[1] Acquisitions Anyone? - While many argue over takeout rates, has anyone considered all of the players in the chain? Interestingly, there has been no discussion that Churchill Downs sold 49% of United Tote Company to New York Racing Association Content Management Solutions, a subsidiary of NYRA on April 8th. This comes on top of a similar announcement in September 2022 with 1/ST Content.
[2] Rain, Rain, Go Away - With the heavy rains over the eastern third of the States and handle down 29.5% on Thursday, I have just flipped my egg timer to see how long before calls emerge to reinstall a synthetic surface at Keeneland to save the off-the-turf field sizes. (Imagine if this was the Saratoga meet in July.) While on this one, the over-under line on posters suggesting a full turf course tarp is 2.5.
[3] Labels Aside - Is anything left of the Gulfstream "Championship" meet aside from marketing a label? Oaklawn has clearly emerged as an exciting dirt play during the December through March window and interest in Turfway Park seems to be at a peak. Meanwhile, how long before Fair Grounds puts on an all-out push to be the main winter turf option? Imagine if Texas was not playing by themselves.
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