Point Barrow, trained by Pat Hughes and ridden by Philip Carberry, surprised everyone at the Powers Whiskey Irish Grand National. The eight-year-old horse won the first prize and showed he is returning to form after some poor races.

The giant Spanish group Codere, which has offices and gambling businesses in several countries, decided to make an important investment in Brazilian turf, in order to take the first step into this really huge market.

Roy and Gretchen Jackson, husband and wife from Chester County, could be the first owners in the history of the Kentucky Derby with two undefeated horses in the race.

“Showing up” won yesterday the Lexington Stakes at Keeneland and obtained the earnings it needed to get a ticket for the Derby. The couple’s other horse and winner of the Florida Derby, Barbaro, had already qualified and is one of the favorites.

This year’s edition of the most popular preparation race for the Kentucky Derby, the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), had a $750,000 dollar prize. The prestigious event took place in Keeneland and had an audience of more than 30,000 and a field of nine 3-year-olds, which raced 1 1/8 miles.

The ten-year-old horse, Numbersixvalverde surprised everyone when it won the Grand National 2006, at Aintree, with the Irish jockey Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden. 'Hedgehunter', last year’s winner, finished second and Clan Royal, the favorite, finished third.

According to Manuel Lao Gorina, vice-president of Cirsa Group, the group has already invested €162m in their international expansion plan in the period 2003-2006.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences feted scientists on Saturday night. One night a year, the men and women behind the scenes who create special effects and other technologies are honored.

Three-year-old Bárbaro, mounted by Peruvian Edgar Prado, led the 55th edition of the Florida Derby held at Gulfstream Park in Florida. The 1,800 meters race, with eleven three-year-old participants, had a $1 million dollars prize, plus the chance to take part in the Kentucky Derby next May 6 in Churchill Downs.

Kevin P. Mullally, CEO of Missouri’s Gaming Commission for the last 5 years, has decided to resign. According to Mullally, he will resign next month to be able to accept a position as a General Council and Governmental Affairs Director for Gaming Laboratories International Inc., a company established in New Jersey that runs laboratory tests on casino equipment such as slots and Lotto machines.

Along the first quarter of the year, Spain has become one of the most important markets for the gambling exchange company Betfair, one of the casinos world leading firms. This country experimented 150% growth during the last year, and it’s the fastest growing market for these services.