Calabrese/Ziade Looks like it will be a long summer

[SouthFlorida]

Calabrese claims one with Kirk Ziade this afternoon at Gulfstream

[Saratoga_Mike]

Calabrese claims one with Kirk Ziade this afternoon at Gulfstream

Amazing. So is Kirk allowed to race at CRC again, too?

[Beachbabe]

Could have been claimed for 10k from his last race in Jan, but Frank must have been outshook that day because Garcia got him.
Since breaking his maiden for 25, his wins have come in conditional claimers.
His race today was decent as he closed a ton after a slow start for straight 15k claimers.
Watch for a vast improvement in his next start.

[tbwinner]

Does this mean no Calabrese at Arlington this summer? Hopefully!!

[Knowclew]

Does this mean no Calabrese at Arlington this summer? Hopefully!!

100% chance he is at AP...unfortunately.

[Valuist]

100% chance he is at AP...unfortunately.

Absolutely. He only winters in Florida. He'll end up sending anything Ziadie has to Nick Canani or whoever else is training for him. Wouldn't be shocked to see him and Catalano reunite.

[SouthFlorida]

Absolutely. He only winters in Florida. He'll end up sending anything Ziadie has to Nick Canani or whoever else is training for him. Wouldn't be shocked to see him and Catalano reunite.

I have a feeling he will leave a string at Calder

As Wayne says about Frank "I wouldn't take a pay cut to train for him again"

[tbwinner]

Only reason I asked was that there are some rumors he won't be coming to AP this summer...mostly to make a statement about the purses here in Illinois. Some people have been saying he was building some huge house down there too...

[Scav]

Guys, word was that he was not coming back because some of his family has moved from Chicago, and his one kid is an employee of Gulfstream.

There are alot of guys that are not returning this summer to Arlington.

[illinoisbred]

I've heard (rumor?) that Mike Stidham isn't returning to AP this summer. Also, I too have heard that Calabrese may not return.

[Valuist]

I wouldn't be surprised if Stidham didn't come back. WOuldn't be shocked if he went to New York.

Lets get Arlington back to real dirt and throw out that plastic crap.

[cj]

I wouldn't be surprised if Stidham didn't come back. WOuldn't be shocked if he went to New York.

Lets get Arlington back to real dirt and throw out that plastic crap.

Hawthorne can't fill cards with real dirt. How is Arlington going to do it on rubber?

[Scav]

Hawthorne can't fill cards with real dirt. How is Arlington going to do it on rubber?

Hawthorne always struggles this time of year. Arlington was struggling last year and it will again this year, if they draw by 4pm they will be lucky. The surface is not an issue at Arlington

Stidham is not returning to Arlington this year, focusing on Delaware and east coast.

[BIG49010]

I think Illinois should look at NJ as a model, and close Hawthorne like NJ did the Meadowlands for T-breds. The surface for T-breds on top of the harness surface, breaksdown many horses.

Make Arlington a 3 day a week meeting for the summer and early fall, between the Keeneland meetings, and put the purses as high as possible. Have the state kick-in some money from the casinos, but don't give the tracks slots.

[tbwinner]

Update to the situation, long article in the Daily Hearld today:


http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110326/news/703269961/


He's complaining about the money here (as is everyone else) and might just race at Calder over the summer.

[castaway01]

I think Illinois should look at NJ as a model, and close Hawthorne like NJ did the Meadowlands for T-breds. The surface for T-breds on top of the harness surface, breaksdown many horses.

Make Arlington a 3 day a week meeting for the summer and early fall, between the Keeneland meetings, and put the purses as high as possible. Have the state kick-in some money from the casinos, but don't give the tracks slots.

The difference being that the state of New Jersey owns Monmouth and the Meadowlands and has some ability to make date changes (within the horsemen's contracts) while the state of Illinois can't "make" Hawthorne close, since it's privately owned.

[Striker]

FCC hits it right on the head when talking about Arlington. Everyone else gets what they have to do in order to try and turn their business around but they seem to be clueless. I've heard rumors that they increased admission and have taken away the program included with paid admission. I would expect this to hurt them even worse. I am sure more good ideas will follow.

[SouthFlorida]

Now it looks like its going to be a real long summer

http://www.drf.com/news/owner-calabrese-plans-keep-horses-florida-summer

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – The landscape of racing on the south Florida circuit could change dramatically this year, if owner Frank Calabrese follows through with his current plan to move his summer base of operation to Calder beginning with the opening of the 2011 meet on April 25.

Calabrese said Sunday he’s planning to send 60 horses to Calder when the meet opens next month, the majority with his main trainer, Nick Canani. Calabrese is the leading owner at the Gulfstream Park meeting, with Canani second in the trainer standings behind only Todd Pletcher.

~~read the rest at the above link~~

[tbwinner]

Just saw that DRF article. As a horseplayer and owner who summers at Arlington Park I am torn between my two positions. As a horseplayer, I feel like having less of the Calabrese horses will make field sizes less (but maybe trainers/owner now enter feeling like they can actually win without Calabrese in the race). As an owner, I think we'll have a good summer not having to worry about a $20k Calabrese claim winning against us in a $10k claiming race just because he wants to win. I think we were beat by Calabrese 3-4 times this summer at AP in races we got 2nd or 3rd in that we could have won without his horses in.

[Striker]

100% chance he is at AP...unfortunately.

You should have said 99.9% chance he would be there.

[Knowclew]

You should have said 99.9% chance he would be there.

I wish I had...however...it isn't over yet.
He REALLY hates the purse reduction for short fields...this is his real sticking point. He takes this rule personally.

I heard a few weeks ago he would play chicken with AP management in regards to this new rule. He thought they would cave in a long time ago.

I think AP will give in....the PR would be very bad. Even though it may be better in the long run.

As a former (and hopefully future) Chicago horse owner I hope for the best for Chicago racing. The problem is, I am not sure if Calabrese being here is really a good thing, OR a bad thing.

In the end, I think my statement will be technically correct, he will race here. But in reality, the string will be much smaller.

[castaway01]

I wish I had...however...it isn't over yet.
He REALLY hates the purse reduction for short fields...this is his real sticking point. He takes this rule personally.

I heard a few weeks ago he would play chicken with AP management in regards to this new rule. He thought they would cave in a long time ago.

I think AP will give in....the PR would be very bad. Even though it may be better in the long run.

As a former (and hopefully future) Chicago horse owner I hope for the best for Chicago racing. The problem is, I am not sure if Calabrese being here is really a good thing, OR a bad thing.

In the end, I think my statement will be technically correct, he will race here. But in reality, the string will be much smaller.

Since Calabrese and his trainers get almost all bad PR, how would him leaving be bad? I know it would make the usual Arlington 6-horse fields into 5-horse fields, but other than that. Bettors seem to hate him anyway, and as an owner you can't love raising against him, so what's the big loss?

[illinoisbred]

Calabrese's absence may eventually lead to much more competitive racing. Many smaller outfits may start running their stock where it can compete without fear of being canabilized.

[Knowclew]

Calabrese's absence may eventually lead to much more competitive racing. Many smaller outfits may start running their stock where it can compete without fear of being canabilized.


If FC doesn't show, I think it will be a good thing, IF those stalls are filled with other horses.

To Castaway, my point on the PR would be from an average fan/media perspective. Obviously racing in IL (like many places) is in serious trouble.
Media reports that IL cannot get the leading owner to return, as well as other possibles defections, will be a negative to a dying sport.

I still think AP will bend over for FC.

[toussaud]

Calabrese's absence may eventually lead to much more competitive racing. Many smaller outfits may start running their stock where it can compete without fear of being canabilized.
the track execs at Arlington should be popping champagne to this news.

Since Calabrese and his trainers get almost all bad PR, how would him leaving be bad? I know it would make the usual Arlington 6-horse fields into 5-horse fields, but other than that. Bettors seem to hate him any Oway, and as an owner you can't love raising against him, so what's the big loss? You don't get it. It can be a 10 horse field it doesn't matter, but this man just kills handles with his crap. HE has no qualms about dropping a 50k claimer into a 20k tag off a win, jsut to win another race. I dont' care if there are 12 horses in the field, if there is one that is just 10 lengths better than the rest, and he's going to go off at a (justifed) 3/5 what are you going to do lol? pass the race

and as a trainer, what are you going to do? Why bother?

Him leaving is great news. best turf course (imho) in the country, I love playing Arlington in the summer time.

[ArlJim78]

this is great news if its true that FCC will stay in Florida. we just might have a season to look forward to after all.

[illinoisbred]

All this does make me wonder what role Illinois' new super-testing program played into this decision. How many times did he get nabbed last year? 7,8,or 9?

[BIG49010]

Can't be too much fun running in 7 horse fields at 1/5 at a track that few people other than the locals follow.


Anybody know who Ramon Vazquez is? Paco on vacation? Paco going to stay in South Florida, or head North?

[Beachbabe]

Can't be too much fun running in 7 horse fields at 1/5 at a track that few people other than the locals follow.


Anybody know who Ramon Vazquez is? Paco on vacation? Paco going to stay in South Florida, or head North?


Whoever he is, he's off all his mounts today, and E.T Baird has taken them over.

[Striker]

Can't be too much fun running in 7 horse fields at 1/5 at a track that few people other than the locals follow.


Anybody know who Ramon Vazquez is? Paco on vacation? Paco going to stay in South Florida, or head North?
I believe he was riding in Puerto Rico earlier in the year at the Hipodromo-Camarero track that Calder would simulcast after their program was done.

[BIG49010]

E.T. used to ride 1st call for them in Chicago, that makes more sense. I guess we'll have to wait and see who the new stable boy is.

[Striker]

The most dominant out of all his owner titles that I've ever seen for FCC at Arlington is when he had Catalano training and ET riding all summer long, maybe 3-4 summers ago.

[mistergee]

They put over a "bomb" in todays first at Calder paid a whopping $2.40

[toussaud]

lol already left calder for monmouth

[Southieboy]

already left Calder for Monmouth
Further reason not to bet MTH.

[Striker]

I predict FCC will be back at Arlington next summer if they get the slots deal signed by Gov. Quinn but Quinn might veto that or amend it. Would be hilarious if Arlington denied him stalls if they truly feel like they had a successful meet this summer without him.

[castaway01]

Further reason not to bet MTH.

Tell me about all the Ziadie wins at Monmouth so far. They're just piling them up.

[illinoisbred]

I predict FCC will be back at Arlington next summer if they get the slots deal signed by Gov. Quinn but Quinn might veto that or amend it. Would be hilarious if Arlington denied him stalls if they truly feel like they had a successful meet this summer without him.
That would be hilarious and really,the right thing to do. Hard to read Quinn-I know he's against the further expansion of gambling and the bill passed by the state house and senate does go a little overboard with airport and some county fair gaming. Even if signed,this isn't a magical panacea for the future of racing here. Lets hope the 2 tracks don't let the $$ signs cloud their vision when it comes to the future viability of the racing product.

[jrstark@BTW]

If you are involved in Illinois racing in any way, call Gov. Quinn and tell him:

312-814-2121, 217-782-0244

Contact form:
http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/Pages/ContacttheGovernor.aspx

Urge him to sign SB744 as passed.

As passed is important, any changes will require a re-vote in a special session.

[BIG49010]

Friend told me Quinn is going to give casino to Chicago, and zip to everyone else.

[Striker]

Friend told me Quinn is going to give casino to Chicago, and zip to everyone else.
That could easily happen. He says that the people of Illinois don't want this massive gambling expansion. He truly knows the people of Illinois if you ask me, because I am sure every single one of us wanted the state income tax to almost double.

[tbwinner]

Frank just had a $30.40 winner at Calder :eek:

[cj]

Looks like he'll be dominating Florida again, until his next violation. This guy is the mini-series of everything that is wrong with racing.