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Impressive fields assembled for Royal Ascot automatic qualifiers at Gulfstream Park
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Automatic spots and a trip to Royal Ascot are on the line this Saturday at Gulfstream Park, with a pair of two-year-old turf stakes (the Royal Palm Juvenile and Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies) bearing important international implications. These five-furlong sprints each carry $120,000 purses and boast capacity fields of 12.
The Royal Palm series, launched last May, produced immediate returns in its inaugural year, with Crimson Advocate winning the Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park before going on to land the prestigious Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. Once again, this innovative seriesâ winners will receive an automatic berth into one of six two-year-old events at Royal Ascot, alongside a free equine travel stipend for shipping from the US.
Innovative partnerships like the Royal Palm are helping to improve North American participation and boost international interest at the worldâs biggest meetings. 1/ST are putting their shoulders to the wheel for other ground-breaking initiatives in the immediate future, including recent partnerships with The Jockey Club (for the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse and the My Pension Expert July Cup) and France Galop (for the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet Stakes).
Meet the contenders for the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (Race 8):
#1-CHINA BLUE: Outrun fifth of 6 at Gulfstream May 2 and would be wheeling back on 9 daysâ rest for trainer Javier Gonzalez. Last yearâs runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.
#2-KIP THE DISTANCE: Close-up second in debut dirt sprint at Gulfstream 9 days ago when finishing 6 lengths in front of returning rival China Blue. Sent off at nearly 22-1 at first asking for trainer Angel Rodriguez. Last yearâs runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.
#3-BUNRATTY MANOR: Trainer George Weaver (pictured above) swept last yearâs Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event. Son of No Nay Never, who sired last yearâs Royal Palm Juvenile winner No Nay Mets. Pair of turf works at Palm Beach Downs among the morning prep work for Saturdayâs first outing. Sold for $195,000 at Goffâs yearling sale.
#4-YOU NEED ME: Rookie colt is by Triple Crown winner American Pharoahâs less-accomplished full-brother St. Patrickâs Day. Sold for $50,000 at Ocala in March and debuts off a series of dirt works for trainer J. David Braddy.
#5-BULLET: Trainer Mark Casse was third in this race last year with The Myth. Brings this $425,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale buy to her debut off a long series of works at Casse farm and Palm Meadows. War Front colt is a maternal grandson of Surfside and great-grandson of Flanders, providing optimism for superior 2-year-old performances.
#6-RAMSEY POND: Owner Ken Ramseyâs sharp-working debut runner by Divisidero drew $100,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Samy Camacho have strong 8-17 mark in tandem in recent years.
#7-THE QUEENS M G: 45-1 upset winner of her Keeneland dirt debut from tough post 11 was privately purchased and transferred to Saffie Joseph Jr.âs barn after that race. Last yearâs winner Crimson Advocate was coming off a debut third on dirt at Keeneland. Has turf in her damside pedigree as her fourth dam Parade Green won the 1997 Mrs. Revere and 1998 Joe Namath (latter at Gulfstream) on turf.
#8-BOIS BLANC: Keeneland turf sprint debut runner-up at 24-1 odds was clearly second-best in that 11-runner lineup. Expect some early developers by sire First Samurai. Trainer Justin Wojczynski had a productive Keeneland meet with limited starters, just as his overall 2024 stats indicate.
#9-PERFECT SHANCES: Led every step in her lone start, a Keeneland dirt dash that clocked fifth-fastest of 9 two-year-old races at the 2024 Spring Meet. Trainer Wesley Ward finished second in this race last year with Ocean Mermaid, bet to 4-5 favoritism in her career debut. Last yearâs winner Crimson Advocate was coming off a debut third on dirt at Keeneland. By dirt sprint star Shancelot, but her dam is full-sister to Sweet Harmony, who opened her career 2-2 including Monmouthâs Colleen Stakes turf sprinting.
#10-GOOD LONG CRY: Rookie enters on a modest string of 3-furlong drills on turf and dirt. Trainer George Weaver swept last yearâs Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event. Sire Long On Value opened his career 3-3, earned more than $1 million and was a Grade 1-winning turf sprinter.
#11-MY EMMY: Trainer Mark Casse was third in this race last year with The Myth and notably campaigned this fillyâs sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Trio of published workouts at Palm Meadows includes a pair of half-miles on turf.
#12-UNCHAINED ELAINE: Clear-cut runner-up in her April 12 Gulfstream dirt sprint debut. Daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who, at stud, has had his most success with turf fillies. Trainer Patrick Biancone, who trained the dam Razorback Lady to success sprinting on dirt and turf, turns to jockey Keith Asmussen, fresh off the conclusion of the Oaklawn Park meeting. Last yearâs runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.
Meet the contenders for the Royal Palm Juvenile (Race 10):
#1-MAKEIT TO CHEYENNE: From the female family of elite sprinter Munnings, this son of Breedersâ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liamâs Map debuts for trainer Mark Casse. Series of workouts at Palm Meadows includes one on turf and a bullet on dirt May 4.
#2-ENTERDADRAGON: $17,000 purchase by Outwork debuts off a series of 7 workouts at Palm Meadows, the most recent of which came on turf. Outwork sired last yearâs brilliant early season 2-year-old filly Brightwork, winner of the Debutante, Adirondack and Spinaway Stakes. Jose DâAngelo trains the direct descendent of the legendary mare Personal Ensign, his fourth dam.
#3-MADROC: Constitution colt chased and tired to be fifth in his Keeneland turf debut April 25, finishing behind Royal Palm Juvenile rival Bright Skittle. Ocala-based colt returns to Florida for trainer Mary Lightner. Dam Holly Hundy was a Colonial Downs turf sprint stakes winner.
#4-CLASSY WAR: Trainer Mark Casse notably campaigned this coltâs sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Boasts bullet drills on turf not once, but twice, at Palm Meadows for the debut, notable this time of year when working amongst older horses.
#5-REACH FOR THE ROSE: Home-bred debuts for owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. By Holy Bull-Florida Derby winner Audible and whose second dam was a juvenile turf stakes winner for the Ramseys. Solid turf work coming into this capped a string of 6 clocked morning moves.
#6-I KNOW I KNOW: Long, strong series of 8 workouts for the debut, including a bullet on turf at Palm Meadows on Sunday. Trainer Patrick Biancone tabs Keith Asmussen to ride, fresh off the Oaklawn meeting that closed last weekend. Sire Jessâs Dream, the impeccable son of Curlin-Rachel Alexandra, won his 1 and only start before going to stud. His best success at stud has been with turfer My Dani Girl.
#7-GABALDON: $9,000 purchase by Gone Astray debuts after 7 Palm Meadows published workouts for Jose DâAngelo. Solid turf move April 26 among those. DâAngelo teams with Emisael Jaramillo, winning at a 20% rate in tandem over the past year-plus.
#8-RAISE THE BAR: Cruised to victory in his lone start, a Keeneland dirt dash that clocked second-fastest of 9 two-year-old races at the 2024 Spring Meet. Trainer Wesley Ward finished seventh in this race last year with 4-5 favorite and debut runner Holding the Line. Ward has trained 2 other offspring of this mare, both of which found the winnerâs circle in their first or second start.
#9-BRIGHT SKITTLE: Late-running debut third on turf at Keeneland on April 25, finishing 1 length in front of Royal Palm Juvenile rival Madroc after a troubled break. $142,000 pricetag on this son of Twirling Candy and the debut-winning mare Harbor Lights (her first foal to race). Trainer Rusty Arnold has had many top turf sprinters in his care, including Leinster and Gear Jockey.
#10-GOVERNOR SAM: Trainer George Weaver swept last yearâs Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event, winning this race with debut runner No Nay Mets. This rookie sold for $275,000 at Ocala in April and is from the first crop of $2.7 million earner Improbable. Grandsire City Zip long known for turf sprint success at stud. Bullet workout on dirt at Palm Beach Downs April 25 among 2 published drills. Dam Iâm Betty G was a multiple stakes winner on turf.
#11-INCANTO: Stonestreet Stable looks to continue its annual treks to Royal Ascot with this Irish-bred rookie who is working bullets. Jack Sisterson trains, while much of the Stonestreet-to-Ascot history came with Wesley Ward. Sire Mehmas best known to US players for exported offspring Going Global and Chez Pierre.
#12-GARDEN OF WAR: Like Classy War in this same field, trainer Mark Casse notably campaigned this coltâs sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Back-to-back bullet workouts at Palm Meadows on dirt and turf coming into the career debut. Casse turns here to jockey Miguel Vasquez, a 21% winning combination over the past year-plus.
Compliance Updates
IGSA Welcomes Sharp Vision as Silver Member
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The International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) has welcomed Sharp Vision as a new Silver member. Sharp Vision is a leading provider of regulatory turnkey solutions for gaming authorities.
âWe are delighted to be a part of IGSA and we look forward to contributing to the advancement of best practices among regulators in the fast-growing gaming industry,â Damien Raymond, COO of Sharp Vision, said.
âIGSA is very excited to welcome Sharp Vision to our membership. We believe that IGSA Standards can enhance Sharp Visionâs products supporting regulatory authority oversight. We look forward to their participation in IGSA committees,â Mark Pace, President of IGSA, said.
Latest News
BigCash Goes Global with Launch in Brazil
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BigCash, Indiaâs leading online skill-based real money gaming company, has set its sights on global expansion and aims to offer an unparalleled gaming experience to users worldwide. The global skill-based gaming market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of 13.50% and will be valued at USD 106.78 billion, by 2032. Building on its success in India, BigCash is poised to introduce its entertaining games to global audiences, uniquely blending local flavors with its hallmark innovative gameplay.
BigCash started its journey in 2017 and has quickly become playersâ preferred choice, by strategically focusing on launching new games and features regularly and due to its superfast and user-friendly interface. Being a multi-gaming app, it offers a wide range of games tailored for all age groups. With popular Indian card games, like poker, rummy, and call break with regional variations; casual games like ludo, ice blaster, fruit chop, along with fantasy cricket, the platform resonates deeply with the players of Bharat.
Continuing on the mission to take Indian technology global and to reach a wider global gaming audience, BigCash, after months of an in-depth market study, had set its views on expanding its global presence with in-house developed and tailored gaming technology and experience. BigCash presently operates in Brazil, besides India.
One of the key reasons behind BigCashâs entry into the Latin American market is the regionâs immense potential for growth in the gaming sector. Brazil, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot for gaming companies due to its large population, favorable demographics, and a growing middle class with disposable income.
BigCashâs global expansion plans include multiple launches in Latin America, Asia, and Africa over the next 12 months. BigCash plans to offer local and international flavors, customized specifically for each country, with a focus on Responsible Gaming and other trust measures, to ensure a deeper bonding with the players.
Ankur Singh, CEO of BigCash, said: âGoing global has been part of our strategic planning always; with our launch in Brazil, we have just taken the first step. We are aspiring to be present in 8 countries in the next 12 months. The competitive landscape in Latin Americaâs gaming industry presents both opportunities and challenges. BigCash is a perfect fit for the Latin American gaming landscape due to our stronghold on tech, which allows product customizations, easy-to-play online games, a supersafe and fast experience; we are already gaining a lot of organic traction.â
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Michigan Lottery Transitions to 1-800-GAMBLER for Responsible Gaming Support
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The Michigan Lottery announced that it will transition to the National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-GAMBLER for responsible gaming support. This aligns the agency with the Michigan Gaming Control Board and other online gaming platforms operating in Michigan in promoting 1-800-GAMBLER. The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline will replace the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline currently in circulation (1-800-270-7117), although the previous number will remain in operation.
âThe Lottery is committed to providing Michiganders with easy access to resources that support responsible gaming. By transitioning to 1-800-GAMBLER, we are able to ensure that Michigan residents can reach specially trained staff who can provide confidential professional support, local referrals, and resources to those who may have a gambling problem,â said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
Operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 1-800-GAMBLER is the worldâs largest problem gambling helpline network by call volume, population served, and geographic area covered. The helpline connects people and families impacted by problem gambling with professional support, local referrals, and resources.
Calls made to 1-800-GAMBLER from Michigan will be routed to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The helpline can also be reached by texting 800GAM or chatting online at 1800gamblerchat.org. Trained contact center staff are available 24/7, 365 days a year to provide support, guidance, and relevant information to anyone seeking help related to problem gambling. Additionally, players or their family members may connect to support resources such as live chat, text, and the helpline number by selecting the links in the footer of the Lotteryâs website.
The Michigan Lottery was the first lottery in the US to achieve the Internet Responsible Gambling Compliance Assessment Program certification through NCPG in October 2015. The NCPG evaluated the Lotteryâs compliance with Internet Responsible Gaming (IRG) standards developed based on best practices from jurisdictions around the world. IRG standards are the highest standards for online responsible gaming in the nation.
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