When the harness racing season resumes Saturday, Isle Casino & Racing will unveil a new simulcast area on the second level of the casino. It will encompass the Trackside Grill as well as two adjacent viewing/betting areas..

The Trackside Grill, the largest part of the simulcast section, has 30 televisions, 46 seats and 10 individual viewing areas. In the bar area, there are two 32-inch flat screens and also booth seating, according to a press release from the Isle.

One of the recently constructed viewing sections features 16 42-inch flat screen televisions. Carrel seating is also available for 40 patrons with individual televisions at each station.

A second new section was created with four privacy suites that each have two 26-inch televisions and a personal betting machine. Reservations are accepted for the suites and cocktail service is available.

Self-service bill accepting machines are located throughtout the simulcast area.

“We’ve taken a wonderful space and devoted it to our racing fans so they may enjoy this spectacular sport according to their preferences. We have made a great effort to create, and become, South Florida’s ultimate racing establishment,” said Michael Bloom, Isle vice president and general manager, in the Isle's release.

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By Tom Jicha

Calder’s Summit of Speed has lost one of its Eclipse champions and a Hall of Fame jockey.

Trainer Bob Baffert told the Daily Racing Form that he is not sending champion female sprinter Indian Blessing to the Grade 1 Princess Rooney on Saturday because he fears a positive post-race drug test.

Indian Blessing had a hind leg infection after her last race. Baffert told the DRF he treated the ailment with penicillin, which contains procaine, a prohibited drug for racing. Baffert said Indian Blessing is doing fine but his vet warned it is possible the medication has not fully cleared her system and might cause a positive drug test. This could result in loss of purse and a suspension for Baffert.

Baffert, who will be inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame next month, will still have starters in two under card stakes, Wall Street Wonder in the Grade 2 Carry Back and Underground in the Grade 3 Azalea.

However, with Indian Blessing not making the trip, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who was scheduled to ride Baffert’s runners, decided to stay home in California, too. Baffert did not immediately name replacement riders.

The Summit of Speed offers seven stakes, four graded, all at sprint distances.
Champion male sprinter Benny the Bull is scheduled to race in the Grade 2 Smile Stakes, which he won last year.

The full story is at the Daily Racing Form (www.drf.com), which requires registration.

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