Stronach Group plans to display weights

The Stronach Group announced that after monitoring, compiling and televising the weights of horses the past several months at its facilities in California, Florida and Maryland, the information is scheduled to be available in past performances by the end of summer. Before be being saddled before a race, each horse steps on a scale in or near the paddock, where their weights are recorded by a racing official. The weights have been posted on in-house simulcast shows before each race. By the end of the summer, weights will also be available online and in racing programs with a plus-minus from the previous start, according to The Jockey Club. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has been weighing and recording the weight of horses for several years. Tim Ritvo, Chief Operating Officer of The Stronach Group, believes the information, once it can be referenced, will help bettors and horsemen determine a horse’s optimal weight, monitor stress of competition, and how weight can vary because of age, environment and time between races. LAUREL PARK: Several weeks after welcoming stakes winner Factorofwon into his barn, trainer Phil Schoenthal will send the 3-year-old filly out for her East Coast debut in Saturday’s $100,000 Stormy Blues Stakes at Laurel Park. The 5 ½-furlong Stormy Blues, contested over Laurel’s world-class turf course, is the richest stakes of the 40-day summer meet. It is carded 10th on an 11race program that includes the $75,000 Concern Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on the main track in Race 8. ... Nearly a month since his last mount, journeyman rider Steve “Cowboy” Hamilton remains sidelined with back pain according to his agent, Ben Feliciano Sr. Hamilton, 44, last rode June 10 at Laurel, finishing second on Team Tim and third on Bo Vuk in a pair of allowance events. He had five wins from 22 mounts at the current summer meet, which opened June 1. ... Live racing returns to Laurel Park with a 10-race program today that includes carryovers in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 and $1 Super Hi-5 wagers. First race post time is 1:10 p.m. —