Nevada horseplayers jump back into river of racing

It’s been a long couple of months for Nevada horseplayers, but relief is at hand.

Many Las Vegas Valley casinos reopened their sports and racebooks Thursday, and I’m told that app-based horse wagering — cut off during the 78-day closure — should be up and running again by this weekend.

My colleague Todd Dewey has compiled a handy list detailing sportsbook reopenings that can help you find some equine action.

At the same time, you can almost hear the final pieces of the revamped 2020 racing calendar snapping into place.

With the welcome return to action of Belmont Park this week, all major U.S. horse racing circuits are up and running, albeit without fans present. Woodbine in Canada is another welcome addition to the mix.

Santa Anita Park, entering its fourth week of racing, will feature seven stakes races on Saturday’s 11-race card, topped by the $400,000 Santa Anita Derby and the $300,000 Hollywood Gold Cup.

Yes, it’s strange to imagine the horses and jockeys dashing past those empty grandstands, but it turns out horse racing has adapted fairly well and quickly to the coronavirus paradigm.

There’s less racing, but it’s better racing. And the fans are taking notice. Numerous tracks that have operated through the pandemic such as Oaklawn Park have reported huge gains in handle. That positive trend has continued through the early weeks of the reopening of tracks such as Santa Anita and Churchill Downs.

Meanwhile, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club brought joy to many last week when it announced plans to conduct a July 10 to Sept. 7 meet, running three days a week — Friday through Sunday — rather than the usual five. The proposal must be approved by the California Horse Racing Board at its June 11 meeting.

Saratoga should be the next piece to fall into place. New York Racing Association officials haven’t said when the historic upstate track will resume racing, but it is expected shortly after the current 25-day Belmont meet, which began Wednesday and ends July 12.

The absence of fans will be a big blow to the Saratoga Springs economy, as I’m sure will be the case in Louisville if Churchill Downs is forced to run a fanless Kentucky Derby.

#RJhorseracing featured races

While the #RJhorseracing handicappers will be watching Saturday’s stakes action at Santa Anita, they’ll be trying to build their bankrolls in the fuller fields offered by the $100,000 Westchester Stakes and the $250,000 Carter Handicap at Belmont Park.

The former, a Grade 3 for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16th mile, drew an excellent field, led by comebacking Code of Honor, winner of last summer’s Travers Stakes (Grade 1).

The latter, a Grade 1 sprint at 7 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, attracted an interesting cast of established stars and up-and-comers.

In the Westchester, scheduled to go to post at 1:32 p.m. PT and viewable on TVG and Fox Sports 2, the crowd ’cappers are siding with 6-5 morning line favorite Code of Honor, figuring his class will help him overcome the seven-month layoff. They see Endorsed (6-1) and Monangahela (4-1) filling out the top slots.

I respect Code of Honor and his connections, but I’ll try to beat him in what has to be seen as a prep for bigger races. I’ll take a shot with Mihos (10-1), who drew Irad Ortiz Jr. to ride. I particularly like the fact that trainer Jimmy Jerkens is repeating the training pattern — two sprints, then a route — that led to the biggest win of the colt’s career last year in the $100,000 Mucho Macho Man Stakes. I have Payne (8-1) and Endorsed to place and show.

In the Carter Handicap (approximate post time 2:32 p.m PT), the crowd ’cappers are taking a stand with Firenze Fire (7-2) to build on his three-race win streak by capturing his first Grade 1 race in his first start for trainer Kelly Breen. They see Mind Control (4-1) and Network Effect (8-1) completing the placings.

Hard to knock Firenze Fire. But remember that his previous trainer, Jason Servis, stands accused of doping virtually every horse in his barn before being indicted in March. That suggests a regression is possible.

I’ll try Network Effect, who looks like the pace-setter in a field that lacks much early speed, with Mind Control and Performer (3-1) rounding out the top spots.

Mike Brunker’s horse racing column appears Fridays. He can be reached at mbrunker@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4656. Follow @mike_brunker on Twitter.