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FANS ARE THE WINNERS AS IDAHO RACING WORK TOGETHER

WATCH AND WAGER LES BOIS’ PARK LIVE HORSE RACES ON IDABET.COM

 

Last week before a banner crowd, live horse racing returned to Les Bois Park in Boise ending a three year hiatus.  This week, for the first time, Idaho players can watch and wager on Les Bois from any computer via Idabet.com, the online racing site of InterMountain Racing and Entertainment (IRE) and operators of Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls.

“We are so pleased to expand the reach of Idaho racing by adding Les Bois Park to all of our players at Idabet.com.  This is a golden opportunity to showcase the rebirth of racing in Idaho to the nation and to continue our efforts to grow the horse racing industry in the state,” said Melissa Bernard, co-owner of IRE.

Celebrating the start of its second year of operation, Idabet.com has players from across the country betting on more than 300 racetracks worldwide. With no racetrack casinos, minimal off track betting and a small population, Idaho racing has struggled to survive for years.  However, entities like Idabet.com and the return of Les Bois Park give hope for a new era to the sport of quarterhorse and thoroughbred racing.

“One of racing’s problems of the past has been reaching a large enough market to sustain the sport against so many other forms of gaming and entertainment.  In reality, most fans don’t have the time to make it to the track on every race day.  When those times arise, options such as Idabet.com bring new revenue to the industry on a daily basis year round,” said Bernard.

Fans can watch the races live from both Sandy Downs and Les Bois on the Idabet.com homepage and when they open an account, they can bet all the action.  Like the growth of poker online, track...

BOOK SIGNING AT SANDY DOWNS HONORS THE GREAT EARL SANDE

Family Fun and Giveaways Headline Friday and Saturday Action

 

Following a holiday break, racing returns to Sandy Downs this Friday and Saturday with post time at 6 p.m. (MDT) Another weekend of festivities and giveaways are on tap including a book signing by writer Richard Maturi of his novel about legendary jockey and former American Falls resident Earl Sande.

The first 100 fans paying admission will get a Free Bet on both days.  There will be live music each day and a remote from KUPI 99 on Saturday.  Indian Relay Races, face painting, fun bounce and a country barbecue are a part of the family style events.  Friday’s feature race is the IdaBet Maiden Challenge Trials.

Author Richard J. Maturi will be signing copies of his popular book, Triple Crown Winner: The Earl Sande Saga on Friday and Saturday.  Maturi is on a nationwide tour as interest has grown about Sande, a racing legend and one of only ten jockeys to win the Triple Crown.   Sande lived in American Falls, Idaho and is a member of the National Racing Hall of Fame as a jockey and trainer.

He began his equine career as a bronco buster turned quarter horse jockey before mastering thoroughbreds.  He tied a record with 6 wins in one day at Havre de Grace Racetrack (MD) in 1926.  (Havre de Grace is also the name of the leading candidate for this year’s Horse of the Year).  In 1923, he won an amazing 39 stakes races including 10 aboard Horse of the Year Zev.  Among his victories were the Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes and a match race against England’s top horse, Epson Derby winner Papyrus.

The pinnacle of his riding career came in 1930 when he guided Gallant Fox to the Triple Crown.  He retired from riding in 1932...

NIKEELA BLACK WINS 3 MORE INCLUDING STAKES

Denny and Sandy Weigt’s Illtacmanhattan remained undefeated in five starts by capturing the $44,010 John Deere Sandy Downs Challenge Finals for two-year-old quarterhorses at 350 yards at Sandy Downs on Saturday.  With hot jockey Nikeela Black aboard, the filly went wire to wire in 17.579 in a field of eight.  Trained by Monty Arrossa, Illtacmanhattan paid 5.20 to win and increased her maiden season earnings to nearly $44,000.  Jockey Black had three wins and a second in four mounts over the two-day 15 race weekend.  She graduated on May 14 with a J.D. degree from the University of Idaho and is preparing to take the bar while notching an impressive 7 wins from 12 starts in the current Sandy Downs meet.

Saturday’s co-feature, the $36,630 Adequan Sandy Downs Derby Challenge for three-year-olds was won by Classic Bush with Robert Webb in the irons. The Washington-bred gelding won for the fourth time in five outings this year and is now 7 for 16 in his two year racing career.  Classic Bush dueled with runner up Lajolla Famosa to cross the wire by a neck and returning $13.00 to win.  The 400 yards stake was run in 19.716 seconds.

Also on Saturday’s card, Flyin Rose set a track record in breaking her maiden in her debut performance.  The 2-year-old filly romped to a 4 ¾ victory in just 15.246 seconds for the 300 yards test.  Paul Greene was up for one of his three weekend winners.  The Idaho-bred owned by Dennie and Kris Hill went off as the favorite and returned $3.40 to win.

RACING TAKES A BREAK…RETURNS JULY 8

Racing will take the long holiday weekend off and return on Friday and Saturday, July 8 & 9.  Live racing continues through July 30.

Fans that can’t make it to the track in the area can watch and wager at the Turf Club at...

Melissa and her best gal pal Ida are at it again…another cash giveaway!  They are offering $100 CASH to the player who bets the most on any of the Idabet.com tracks (total wagers for Friday and Saturday, June 24 and 25) AND another Benjamin Franklin to the bettor who bets the most on the Sandy Downs racing card combined Friday and Saturday.  If the same person happens to bet the most on both contests, we will give $100 to that player and $100 to the player who bets the second most on Sandy Downs.

And remember everyone is a big winner on Sandy Downs since we are giving you 10% CASH REWARDS on every Win, Place and Exotic bet you make.  Have a great weekend from Ida and Melissa.