Friday, August 27 2010

MI DEVELOPMENTS ANNOUNCES CREATION OF PREAKNESS $5.5 MILLION BONUS PROGRAM

August 27, 2010, Aurora, Ontario, Canada – MI Developments Inc. ("MID") (TSX: MIM.A, MIM.B; NYSE: MIM), in conjunction with MID’s premier racing properties, Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park, Golden Gate Fields, Pimlico Race Course and XpressBet Inc., announced today the introduction of the all new PREAKNESS 5.5., a historic and unique bonus program which could award an additional $5.5 million in bonuses to the winner of the 2011 Preakness Stakes. The bonus will be shared between the owner ($5 million) and the trainer ($500,000).

The Preakness 5.5 is designed to allow both east and west coast based three-year-olds to qualify by having the preliminary races at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita Park and Golden Gate Fields.

Sunday, May 23 2010

CAPUANO & KARAMANOS CAPTURE SPRING MEET TITLES

BALTIMORE, 05-22-10---The six-week Pimlico Race Course spring meeting ended today with Dale Capuano and Horacio Karamanos winning individual titles. The 20-day spring stand began at the historic home of the Preakness Stakes on April 17.

Capuano clinched his 31st career training title at the major Maryland tracks when Naseeb wired the field in the third race and picked up another win in the finale when Rainbow Inthestorm nipped Grey Goose Kid. The 47-year-old, who captured the Pimlico spring meet nine times during a 10-year period from 1996-2005, saddled 11 winners during the stand.

Saturday, May 22 2010

PIMLICO JOCKEY AND TRAINER TITLES GO DOWN TO THE WIRE

BALTIMORE, 05-21-10---The Pimlico trainer and jockey titles will be decided on the final day of the spring meeting with multiple contenders in both categories. The 20-day stand concludes on Saturday with a 10-race card. First post is 1:10 p.m.

Dale Capuano leads Scott Lake by one in the trainer standings, 9-8, with Chris Grove and Damon Dilodovico two back. Capuano, who captured the Pimlico spring meet nine times during a 10-year period from 1996-2005, will saddle four starters on Saturday’s card, none higher than 4-1 on the morning line including Dangerous Ice, the prohibitive favorite in the second.

Thursday, May 20 2010

SHINE AGAIN STAKES HEADLINES CLOSING DAY CARD

BALTIMORE, 05-20-10---Pimlico’s spring meeting comes to a dramatic conclusion with Saturday’s feature, the $50,000 Shine Again Stakes which headlines a 10-race card that includes five turf races.

Heaven’s Voice (9-5), Holiday Girl (2-1) and American Victory (2-1) should battle for favoritism in the 1-1/16th mile Shine Again. Hannah’s Dowery (8-1) and Katrinarita (15-1) complete the field.

Sunday, May 16 2010

Lookin At Lucky Rebounds in Preakness Stakes

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman’s Lookin At Lucky rebounded from a disappointing performance in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago to prevail over 11 rivals by three-quarters of a length in the 135th running of the $1,000,000 Preakness Stakes Saturday at Pimlico Race Course.

A crowd of 95,760 witnessed rising star Martin Garcia ride his first winner in a Triple Crown race and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert receive the Woodlawn Vase for the fifth time. A total of $79,209,170 was wagered on the 13-race program.

Saturday, May 15 2010

Strike A Deal Finds Gold In Dixie Stakes

BALTIMORE, Md. – Richard Santulli’s Strike A Deal made a beeline to the front and jockey Ramon Dominguez kept him there the rest of the way to win Saturday’s $200,000 Dixie Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.

The victory in the Grade 2 stakes was the third triumph on turf for Dominguez on the Preakness Day program.

Taqarub Wins Maryland Sprint Handicap

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Shadwell Stable’s Taqarub went screaming to the front right from the start of the $100,000 Maryland Sprint Handicap and held on late to notch a half-length triumph in the Grade 3 sprint.

Eibar Coa guided the speedy son of Aldebaran to a front-running victory over an unlucky Roaring Lion while running six furlongs in 1:10.02. Roaring Lion had had dead aim on Taqarub in deep stretch but jockey Javier Castellano couldn’t find room inside the winner and had to settle for second. Ravalo finished another head back in third.

Blame Powers Home In William Donald Schaefer Stakes

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Adele B. Dilschneider & Claiborne Farm’s Blame powered his way between horses in mid-stretch and drew away to victory in Saturday’s $100,000 William Donald Schaefer Stakes at Pimlico.

Racing comfortably in a stalking position under jockey Garrett Gomez during the early going of the Grade 3 stakes, Blame came home a popular winner ($4.40) while completing the 1-1/16-mile distance in 1:43.40. No Advantage, the 2009 Schaefer victor, finished 1 ½ lengths back. Timber Reserve finished another half-length back in third.

Rainbow View Scores In Gallorette Handicap

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Augustin Stable’s Rainbow View had to zigzag her way through the stretch before emerging with the lead just six jumps from the finish on her way to a half-length victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Gallorette Handicap (Grade 3) at Pimlico.

Ridden to victory by Julien Leparoux, who got back to his winning ways after suffering minor injuries in a spill in Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the Jonathan Sheppard-trained filly covered 1-1/16 miles over the firm turf in 1:41.04. Quiet Meadow finished second, while Ave put in a furious rally from last to finish third.

Beau Choix Pounces In James W. Murphy Stakes

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Belle Meadows Farm & Lael Stable’s Beau Choix carried Javier Castellano to his third winner on the Preakness Day card, rallying from just off the pace to take the $70,000 James W. Murphy Stakes at Pimlico.

The mile turf race honors the memory of James W. “Jimmy” Murphy, a longtime trainer on the Maryland racing circuit who died last year at age 82.

Northpoint Costas Shows the Way In Deputed Testamony Starter

BALTIMORE, 05-15-10 – Trainer Dale Capuano saddled two runners for Saturday’s $25,000 Deputed Testamony Starter Handicap at Pimlico Race Course. They finished one-two with Rob Ry Farm & Jane Marie Slysz’s Northpoint Costas edging Midnight Communion by two lengths

Northpoint Costas broke alertly and took the lead in the 1-1/16th mile test for runners who have started for a claiming price of $7,500 or less in 2009-2010. He kept that position the rest of the way, stopping the timer at 1:46.44. Midnight Communion, overlooked in the betting at 14-1, stalked his stablemate in fourth and then slipped through on the rail at the top of the lane to gain the place. Money for Love finished third.

Comedero Rolls In Chick Lang Stakes

BALTIMORE, 05-15-1 – Peter Redekop B.C. Ltd.’s Comedero sped to the lead, resisted pace pressure from Quiet Invader and powered away to victory in the $100,000 Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico. The Grade 2 stakes honors the memory of the former Pimlico executive who passed away earlier in the year.

Comedero, a 3-year-old gelded son of Posse, carried Robby Albarado to a victory by 3 ¾ lengths in a sparkling 1:10.16 for six furlongs over the fast main track. Latigo Shore rallied to finish second ahead of Quiet Invader, who faded to third after pressing the pace.