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AUSSIE SYSTEM FOR KIWI HORSERACING BOARD
2009-10-21
Jetbet system to be replaced by NZ$ 5 million Typhoon
The New Zealand Racing Board is to install a new, state-of-the-art Australian-designed betting system called Typhoon to replace the TAB's ageing Jetbet system by December 2010, chief exec Andrew Brown announced this week.
Brown claimed that the new betting engine would enable the organisation to drive revenue growth for the racing industry and grow its contribution to GDP beyond the current 1.3 percent.
"Jetbet is nearly 28 years old, which is ancient in technology terms," Brown commented. "It was launched in January 1982 - the same year as the Commodore 64 computer.
"The move to a new system is long overdue and I'm delighted that we're building a platform from which we can launch so many more products and services quickly and efficiently.
"Typhoon enables us to be much more agile and responsive in meeting our needs and those of our customers," he added.
Expanding on the new system, Brown detailed its advantages:
* More betting events, including more race meetings and sports betting options. (The TAB cannot offer betting on some major international races because of the limitations of Jetbet).
* Better customer service and easier processing of bets - benefitting the TAB's agents and customers.
* Greater real time visibility and reporting that will enable improved management of any problem gambling issues.
* Improved systems for better decision making by the NZ Racing Board management through real time reporting.
* Ability to introduce new products and enhance existing ones much more quickly and efficiently.
"We've done lots of research worldwide and this is the best and most cost-effective solution," said Brown. "It is a NZ$5 million investment in a system that will enable strong growth for the next 10-15 years."
The Racing Board chief said that along with a fast and reliable service, Typhoon would significantly improve the TAB's capacity to compete against offshore operators, who return nothing to New Zealand racing or sports or to the New Zealand economy.
Typhoon is a product of Media and Gaming, an Australian company. Managing director Nicholas Plowman said the deal between the two organisations will result in a commercial and technology based partnership, which will ensure the NZ Racing Board can take a market leading position in an increasingly competitive global entertainment market.
Plowman said Typhoon will enable the NZRB to respond to customer demand and will help grow new revenues for the racing codes, clubs and New Zealand sport.
Typhoon was designed and developed by father and son team, Arnold and Greg Kopff. Arnold was a member of the 1975 team which created the world’s first sell-pay totalisator system. In 2006 he partnered with Media and Gaming to commercialise the system, which recently won the AIIA 2009 iAward for Innovation.
HORSE: Kentucky Derby (6:24 PM ET, NBC)
2009-05-05
A key factor when studying the form for any big race is to evaluate how horses have fared racing against fellow competitors in previous starts. Such an analytical tool is particularly relevant when handicapping Saturday's 135th Kentucky Derby. Read on for more about this subject then head over to the HORSES section for more about the sport’s biggest event of the year, scheduled for a little after 6 PM ET on NBC.
Since late December, the leading California-based 3-year-olds ran against each other on several occasions at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. Pioneerof the Nile won each of these encounters, and the horses he defeated have since shipped out of town and run well or won major Derby preps in Arkansas, Louisiana and New York, further boosting the credence and quality of those California races.
Papa Clem finished second to Friesan Fire in the Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, then went on to beat the early Kentucky Derby favorite, Old Fashioned, in the Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park.
I Want Revenge twice fought out close finishes with Pioneerof the Nile in California, then shipped to New York to demolish the 3-year-olds in Aqueduct's Gotham and Wood Memorial.
With so many collateral form lines to take into account, it seems a logical assumption that Friesan Fire and Pioneerof the Nile are the two best horses in this year's Kentucky Derby.
This pair holds multiple winning decisions against most of the other leading contenders, with the exception of Florida Derby runner-up Dunkirk.
So leave it at that; box Friesan Fire and Pioneerof the Nile in the exacta and be done with it? No, that would take half the fun and much of the profit out of handicapping the Derby, so let's look at how the race will be run.
One striking aspect of Saturday's race is the lack of pace. Join in the Dance, breaking from post 9, will make the running, closely followed by Friesan Fire.
There is little doubt that Friesan Fire, a son of A.P. Indy, has the pedigree and stamina to last the Derby's 11/4-mile distance, even if pressing or setting the pace. This could provide jockey Gabriel Saez with a tactical advantage over the rest of the field.
Should the other jockeys let Saez open a lead into the far turn, Friesan Fire could be tough to run down in the final furlong.
Regal Ransom, General Quarters and I Want Revenge have a pace profile that should see them closest to the leaders. Traffic, luck and timing could be the difference in their chances for success.
Pioneerof the Nile will be midpack but has a vicious turn of foot. This son of Belmont winner Empire Maker actually might be better closing into a decent pace rather than fighting the bit and pulling for the lead, as was the case in the Santa Anita Derby.
Trainer Bob Baffert has prepped his charge over the Churchill Downs dirt with two excellent workouts in the last nine days. Garrett Gomez is undefeated on the horse and had his choice of riding Pioneerof the Nile or Dunkirk. He chose the former.
The dark horses of Derby 135 are Dunkirk and the Godolphin-owned pair of Regal Ransom and Desert Party. The former has tremendous potential, but three lifetime starts. A moderate second to Quality Road in a suspect Florida Derby is not the ideal preparation to make the Derby winner's circle. Dunkirk has place prospects at best.
Regal Ransom is better drawn (post 10) than his stablemate in post 19. Regal Ransom's tenacious defeat of Desert Party in Dubai's UAE Derby points this one out as the better of the Godolphin team. Give Alan Garcia's mount a good chance to hit the board at long odds (30-1).
For wagering value, Friesan Fire (5-1) and Pioneerof the Nile (4-1) will go off at decent odds. It might be wise to bet both to win and place, although the latter is preferred to get the win.
The exacta has been forecast already, so for trifecta and superfecta players, key the above two with Papa Clem, I Want Revenge and Dunkirk.
Finley has been handicapping the Triple Crown races for more than 25 years
Computer analysis
Liam Durbin, owner and handicapper at E-ponies.com, has correctly picked the Derby winner the last three years in a row. Speed score is based on early speed and total speed. Class score evaluates the quality of competition the horse has faced and how he performed in those races. Form measures consistency. Last is a composite of the first three, but only considers the last 50 days. The computer picked Pioneer of the Nile to win by a slight margin over I Want Revenge. Last three categories show changes in jockeys, equipment and weight.
Here are the odds by post position for the race as of Friday. Get current prices on the LIVE ODDS page.
1. West Side Bernie: 30-1
2. Musket Man: 20-1
3. Mr. Hot Stuff: 30-1
4. Advice: 30-1
5. Hold Me Back: 15-1
6. Friesan Fire: 6-1
7. Papa Clem: 20-1
8. Mine That Bird: 50-1
9. Join in the Dance: 50-1
10. Regal Ransom: 30-1
11. Chocolate Candy: 20-1
12. General Quarters: 20-1
13. I Want Revenge: 3-1
14. Atomic Rain: 50-1
15. Dunkirk: 4-1
16. Pioneer of the Nile: 4-1
17. Summer Bird: 50-1
18. Nowhere to Hide: 50-1
19. Desert Party: 15-1
20. Flying Private: 50-1
Weights: 126 pounds. Distance: 1 1/4 miles. Purse: $2,202,200 if 20 start. First place: $1,442,200. Second place: $400,000. Third place: $200,000. Fourth place: $100,000. Fifth place: $60,000. Post time: 6:24 p.m. EDT.
VIRTUAL HORSE RACING ON MOBILES FROM SPIN3
2009-02-17
The sport of kings comes to mobile gambling
Microgaming's mobile gambling technology associate Spin3 has launched Royal Derby, an innovative virtual horse racing mobile gambling game.
Royal Derby is a virtual horse racing game where players exercise their skills to pick a winner using a variety of race scenarios -- including the form of the horse and jockey, ground conditions and the weather.
No two races are ever the same, with the odds and potential winnings for each of the race's six horses determined by the unique scenarios generated for each race. Royal Derby replicates the thrill and complexities of horse racing with rich animation and audio effects, and is one of most sophisticated mobile gambling games available today.
Matti Zinder, Head of Spin3 says, "Horse racing is a hugely popular sport, with a strong following in the UK and around the world. With the 2009 Grand National just around the corner, we are sure Royal Derby will capture the interest of both racing fans and the general public alike. Royal Derby replicates the buzz and challenge of picking a winner at the races, and is sure to be a winning mobile gambling game."
Royal Derby is Spin3's 16th game in an ever-expanding portfolio, and significantly represents Spin3's first non-casino style mobile game. It will be launched to clients as a standard Java game and as a web application that can be played on web-enabled Smartphones such as the hugely successful iPhone and G1 Android.
The game's advanced audio and graphics provide a compelling gaming experience, claim company spokesmen. Players can either bet on their chosen thoroughbred to win or can place an "each way" bet, with the winner of each race confirmed with a photo finish - a still image of the winning horse crossing the finishing line.
Operators can also make use of Royal Derby's in-game branding options, inserting their logo within the game itself, along the race track's advertising banner.
Spin3 is currently providing demos of Royal Derby and its inventory of mobile casino games at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which runs until February 19th.
NETENT TO OFFER VIRTUAL HORSERACING
2008-08-12
Swedish 3D graphics developer teams up with online gambling provider
Gothenburg, Sweden-based 3D graphics technology firm Solidicon AB is to supply online gambling software provider Net Entertainment with the latest technology and other game components necessary to build high quality virtual racing games.
Solidicon has developed a technology to port its revolutionary real-time 3D game content from its land based gaming platform to the online gaming environment. The first game title from Net Entertainment using the technology is Golden Derby, a virtual horse racing game featuring a super-realistic 3D environment, five betting modes which are familiar to horse racing punters, and odds ranges, together with a Jackpot pool.
P-A Gustafsson, Solidicon’s CEO commented, “With increasing competition on the online gaming market, we expect players will demand more from the games in terms of content, quality and innovative concepts. The uniqueness and quality of the Golden Derby product will set new standards and point the direction of what to expect from Net Entertainment and Solidicon in the future.”
"Net Entertainment is pleased to work with Solidicon and thereby gain access to their extensive experience of 3D graphics and rendering. We will continue to broaden our product portfolio moving forward and the cooperation with Solidicon will allow us to offer the latest in virtual racing games.” said Johan Öhman, Net Entertainment’s CEO.
Solidicon was founded by Daniel Hansen (CTO), Jonas Wikström (Creative Director) and P-A Gustafsson (CEO), three game developers with each having over 10 years of industry experience.
Their company has developed a game engine with the capacity to show very detailed 3D environments in real-time. The technology also makes it possible to create an endless number of outcomes for game events such as virtual horse racing, and allows clients to customise the product to make it more personal, such as dynamic in-game advertisement spots.
MORE ONLINE BETTING FOR U.S. HORSERACING
2008-08-11
BetAmerica.com launches new U.S. licensed online wagering service
The horseracing industry in the United States continues to take full advantage of its exemptions from anti-online gambling legislation in the country, with BetAmerica.com this week unveiling a new online wagering service.
The website features thoroughbred, quarter horse and harness betting with cash rewards, and the company boasts that its new Internet based wagering system, will "make it even easier to watch and wager on horse races."
With the launch of its redesigned website and wagering platform, BetAmerica.com joins the ranks of U.S. based pari-mutuel account wagering services, licensed and regulated by the State of North Dakota.
Ken Lien, President of Lien Games Racing LLC, the BetAmerica.com parent said that the company co-mingles all bets into the U.S. host track pools, and has a proven track record of processing over $200 000 000 in pari-mutuel wagers.
"With our new Internet based wagering system, BetAmerica.com is making it even easier to watch and wager on horse races," Lien said. "BetAmerica.com offers free video for all members, no wager or subscription fees and most importantly, cash rewards based on every dollar wagered on our designated BetAmerica Bonus Tracks."
BetAmerica.com covers over 80 racetracks, and joins other licensed pari-mutuel services, such as TwinSpires, XpressBet and Youbet.
"In addition to our racing products, we will also be rolling out new and exciting contests and competitions over the coming months," promised spokesman Jared Alexander. "We believe that by reinventing what online racing and gaming is in North America, we will be able to expand the player base and draw users away from the offshore entities. It's not about rewrapping the same products and services; it's about rethinking and redefining the entire experience for the player."
HORSE: Belmont Stakes (6:25 PM ET, NBC)
2008-06-06
When Big Brown breaks from the gate in the 140th Belmont Stakes on Saturday at Belmont Park, he will begin the longest and most demanding race he will ever be in. And if Big Brown is successful in adding the 1 1/2-mile Belmont to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, he will become the 12th Triple Crown winner, and the first in 30 years. For bettors, the biggest question is whether or not getting 2-5 odds on this heavy favorite is worth the price. Of course, Sportsbook.com will have plenty of other betting options to choose from besides that, most with much better value, so be sure to sign in to the Horses page anytime before the 6:25 PM ET start for the latest prices, news, stats, and more.
No matter what, this Belmont will bring to a close a Triple Crown campaign that has been punctuated by glorious wins, crushing losses, and no small amount of controversy, both on and off the track.
Big Brown has won all five of his starts by a combined margin of 39 lengths. He has been clearly superior to other 3-year-olds of this generation. At the Derby, however, his runaway victory was overshadowed by the death of the filly Eight Belles, who finished second but then was euthanized minutes later because of catastrophic injuries.
That death put racing under a microscope, leading to calls for reform on issues such as the use of steroids, and spurring protests from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Big Brown's subsequent romp in the Preakness temporarily tamped down the hysteria, but in the weeks following that race, there has been further controversy over the legal use of steroids by Big Brown, a quarter crack that developed in Big Brown's left front foot, and the past financial contretemps of Michael Iavarone, the co-president of the IEAH Stable syndicate which co-owns Big Brown.
Richard Dutrow Jr., the trainer of Big Brown, on Thursday said Big Brown had not received any steroids since mid-April, before the Triple Crown began.
Dutrow, who has been suspended in the past for infractions involving both himself and his horses, also has been a lightning rod, with many rival trainers put off by his denigrating the horses Big Brown has faced, though journalists have found him extremely accessible and colorfully quotable.
When the horses break from the gate, though, all that will fade to the background. The focus will be on the whether Big Brown can add his name to a list that comprises Sir Barton, Gallant Fox, Omaha, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Count Fleet, Assault, Citation, Secretariat, Seattle Slew, and Affirmed.
In the 30 years since Affirmed won the Triple Crown, 10 other horses - Spectacular Bid, Pleasant Colony, Alysheba, Sunday Silence, Silver Charm, Real Quiet, Charismatic, War Emblem, Funny Cide, and Smarty Jones - have won the Derby and Preakness but failed in the Belmont.
Big Brown is the 2-5 favorite on the morning lines set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form's national handicapper, and Eric Donovan of Belmont Park. Nine horses are entered against him, most notably Casino Drive, the unbeaten colt from Japan who won the Peter Pan Stakes four weeks ago and whose dam, Better Than Honour, produced the two previous Belmont winners, Jazil and Rags to Riches. Other top contenders are Denis of Cork and Tale of Ekati, who were third and fourth in the Derby.
Big Brown's payoff if he wins: about $2.80. First prize in the Belmont: $600,000. A Triple Crown: priceless.
"I just can't imagine what I'm going to feel when he turns for home," Dutrow said.
A record crowd of 120,139 attended the Triple Crown bid by Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont. This year's crowd could approach that, though the weather may be oppressive. A heat wave is forecast to arrive by Saturday. According to Weather.com, the high temperature will be 91 degrees, following a high of 74 Friday. There is only a 10 percent chance of rain.
The Belmont is the 11th race on a 13-race card that begins at noon Eastern time. Post time for the Belmont is 6:25 p.m. It will be shown live on ABC from 5-7 p.m., with earlier races on ESPN from noon to 5. The Belmont is the final leg of pick four and pick six wagers that both have pools guaranteed at $1 million.
Big Brown will start from the rail. If he breaks well, he will be on or near the lead, Dutrow said.
The last horse to win the Belmont from the rail was Empire Maker in 2003 for trainer Bobby Frankel. Big Brown has been stabled in Barn 2 this week, which is where Frankel, a friend of Dutrow, has horses. Big Brown is in the same stall that Empire Maker occupied.
Dutrow said Big Brown's quarter crack was not a problem, and that he was doing so well that Ian McKinlay, the foot specialist who has been treating Big Brown, did not check on the colt Thursday. McKinlay was scheduled to put an acrylic patch on the quarter crack Friday afternoon.
Tale of Ekati also has had medical work done on him in the past fortnight. His trainer, Barclay Tagg, on Thursday said Tale of Ekati had a "very minor procedure" on his throat after working six furlongs in 1:18.20 on May 26.
Dutrow made his way to the main track during the renovation break Thursday in order to watch Casino Drive work under Edgar Prado, who will ride Casino Drive in the race.
Casino Drive was credited with a half-mile time of 55.80 seconds while working from the three-eighths pole to a furlong past the wire.
After dismounting, Prado relayed his opinion to Kazuo Fujisawa, the Japanese trainer of Casino Drive, through Nobutaka Tada, who speaks fluent English and has been overseeing the training of Casino Drive as the racing manager for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto.
The mischievous Tada, who at Wednesday's post position draw mimicked Dutrow by calling an interviewer "Babe," said, "We have different ways of expressing confidence."
David Carroll, the trainer of Denis of Cork, considered another top contender, was the exercise rider for Easy Goer when he denied Sunday Silence's Triple Crown bid in 1989.
