BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Pinnacle Back on Track With Race Dates

After Michigan horsemen experienced a scare of losing half of their summer/fall meet at Pinnacle Race Course, negotiations were held among the Michigan Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, the Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Office of the Racing Commissioner to shave less than 10 days from the schedule.

Rutherienne the One to Beat in Matchmaker

Although the field for the Aug. 2 Taylor Made Matchmaker Stakes (gr. III) at Monmouth Park contains several accomplished entrants, multiple graded stakes winner Rutherienne, who is often a fast closer at the finish, is clearly the one to beat.

Dutrow Granted Stay on 30-Day Suspension

A week after trainer Rick Dutrow filed an appeal over the 30-day suspension handed out by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission for a Clenbuterol positive in the spring of 2008, the Franklin County, Ky. Circuit Court issued him a stay.

Medaglia d'Oro Filly Fetches $425,000 at FTK

An offspring of Medaglia d'Oro commanded the highest price thus far at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky July yearling sale July 21 when Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock agent John Ferguson went to $425,000 for a bay filly.

Finder's Fee, Wildcat Bettie B Dead

Two grade I-winning mares who were members of broodmare bands at WinStar and Claiborne Farms in Kentucky died this summer.

Delaware Changes Course on Toe Grabs

After noticing an unusually high number of horses stumbling at the start during the first month of the Delaware Park meet, the Delaware Racing Commission adopted an emergency regulation that allows toe grabs with a height of up to four millimeters to be permitted for racing on dirt.

Inside Track: Walk On

When Jon Hall, yearling manager at Taylor Made Farm, heard that his daughter had been diagnosed with breast cancer, he decided to do something to fight the disease that was threatening her life.

Breeders' Cup Recommendations on Table

While Breeders' Cup is currently operating with debt some believe will result in cuts to purses, a 20-member group has been working toward long-term solutions to bring the organization back to financial stability.

KY Owners, Trainers React to VLT Bill Failure

In the aftermath of the failed passage of the legislation that would have allowed video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks, several Thoroughbred industry members voiced their opinions on how they will survive without the extra boost to the state's purse structure and breeders' incentive programs.

Ashland Winner Hooh Why Attempts Iowa Oaks

Graded stakes winners Hightap and Hooh Why will attempt to upset the home track advantage of dual local stakes victor Don'ttalktome the June 26 Iowa Oaks (gr. III).

KEEP Rally Draws Nearly 1,000

Nearly a thousand people traveled to Kentucky's state capitol in Frankfort June 17 to rally for a cause they have stood behind for years: to boost the horse racing industry by way of expanded casino gaming.

Kentucky Horse Industry Rally Draws Nearly 1,000

Nearly a thousand people traveled to Kentucky's state capitol in Frankfort June 17 to rally for a cause they have stood behind for years: to boost the horse racing industry by way of expanded casino gaming.

With a special session currently underway that could pass a bill that would allow video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks, the Kentucky...

Former Trainer Guides New Racehorse Transition Program

Barbara Luna has spent most of her life working in various aspects of the Thoroughbred industry, from hot walking horses as a college student, to becoming a licensed owner and trainer later on down the road. Throughout her endeavors she discovered that even greater than her love of campaigning runners was the passion that came from helping retired race...

Inside Track: Turning Things Around

Barbara Luna discovered that even greater than her love of campaigning runners was the passion that came from helping retired racehorses have a second chance.

Saez Has Back Pain from Delaware Spill

In addition to being directly involved in an equine-related tragedy at Delaware Park May 26, jockey Gabriel Saez is experiencing prolonged back pain from the accident that has since kept him from participating in his livelihood.

New Horse Owners Learn About Breeding Process

If there's one thing the horse industry needs, its new blood to fuel the sport. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association (TOBA) works each year to accomplish just that through its new owner seminars and breeding clinics, the most recent of which took place at Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., May 29. The three-day clinic will...

New Owners Learn About Breeding Process

If there's one thing the horse industry needs, its new blood to fuel the sport. The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders' Association works each year to accomplish just that through its new owner seminars and breeding clinics, the most recent of which took place at Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky. May 29.

Michigan ORC Trying to Salvage Race Dates

The Michigan House and Senate are scrambling to find alternative funds for the Office of Racing Commissioner after a government order given the week of May 11 wiped out all the funds for Thoroughbred programs in order to pay state debts.

Saez, Chiappe Unharmed in Delaware Park Spill

A frightening spill at Delaware Park May 25 involving jockeys Gabriel Saez and Ricardo Chiappe ended well for both riders, who appear to be unharmed. One of the horses involved in the accident, however, Chanceofshowers, was catastrophically injured and had to be euthanized.

Pinnacle May Negotiate More Race Dates

After some negotiations with different Thoroughbred groups, it appears Pinnacle Race Course near Detroit, Mich. may survive after all.

Michigan Gov. Slashes Thoroughbred Funding

After an executive order from Gov. Jennifer Granholm that 100% of the $1.4 million earmarked for Michigan's Thoroughbred programs for 2009 would be used instead to deal with the state's immense budget deficit, local horsemen feared their industry would die a quick death.

Wiggins Reacts to Losing 'Rachel'

The morning after it was announced that powerhouse filly Rachel Alexandra had been sold to Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables and Harold T. McCormick, trainer Hal Wiggins went about his business as usual, in spite of the empty stall where the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner used to reside.

IEAH-Owned Laragh Wires Edgewood

Laragh, the only graded winner in the May 1 Edgewood Stakes, won the race in wire-to-wire fashion over favored Magical Affair.

Thoroughbred Documentary Filming at Churchill

A year and a half after Kentucky Education Television received a $2.25 million endowment to film a documentary called "The Thoroughbred," the project was in full swing during Kentucky Derby week at Churchill Downs.

Oaks: Lukas Reveals Trio Attack Strategy

For the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), Lukas has not one, not two, but three fillies that are looking to take the lilies from overwhelming favorite Rachel Alexandra...or at least get a whiff of them by checking in second, third, or even fourth.

Talented Older Females Set for Turf Mile

A seasoned and accomplished field of older females is set for the May 2 Churchill Distaff Turf Mile (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs, in which graded stakes winners Ballymore Lady, Dawn After Dawn, and Elusive Lady appear to be in top form.

Oaks: Finley Has No Concerns About Rachel

Terry Finley of West Point Thoroughbreds is looking forward to simply enjoying the ride in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). And even though the pressure will be high on his filly Justwhistledixie, who will try to measure up against the heavy morning line favorite Rachel Alexandra, Finley is refusing to let himself get anxious about something he can't control.

KY Oaks: Everyone Chasing Rachel Alexandra

Prior to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) post position draw the morning of April 28, Mike Rutherford, owner/breeder of Flying Spur, and Michael Lauffer, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra, discussed the chances of their fillies in the 1 1/8-mile, $500,000 race May 1.

Inside Track: Go Green

After watching a Discovery Channel show documenting how residents of Greensburg, Kansas, were rebuilding their tornado-ridden city as a "model green community," horse industry veterans Chad and Tammy Hassenpflug became determined to support that community in a special way.

Oaks: Choosing the Right Path to Victory

In the past 25 years the female stars of Thoroughbred racing have taken many different avenues to reach the stage of their greatest victory in the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Oaks: Rachel Sizzles a Half in :46 2/5

Though her work was a bit fast for his taste, trainer Hal Wiggins was more than satisfied when his filly Rachel Alexandra made it back to the barn in good shape after zipping through a half-mile in :46 2/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of April 27.

Oaks: Fitz Just Right Out With Ankle Chip

Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Fitz Just Right's chances of capturing the lilies came to a halt when a chip was discovered in her right front ankle following a half-mile workout the morning of April 24 at Keeneland.

KY Senator Suggests Instant Racing

Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer, who sponsored the legislation that resulted in Kentucky's Breeders' Incentive Fund, has inquired about another method of garnering funds for the state's Thoroughbred industry.

Banned Suffolk Trainers Reinstated

Three of the five trainers that were banned from Suffolk Downs last fall for violating its zero tolerance policy toward horse slaughter have been reinstated and will be allowed to saddle horses for the East Boston, Mass. track's 2009 season, which runs May 2-Nov. 7.

Air Power: All Natural or Not?

While it's common knowledge within the Thoroughbred industry that trainer Jeff Mullins is in hot water with the New York Racing Association for administering a herbal cough remedy to his horse Gato Go Win prior to the April 6 Bay Shore Stakes (gr. III) at Aqueduct, fans and horseman who are not familiar with various equine medications may be wondering exactly what ingredients make up this over-the-counter product.

Stardom Bound Looking for Sixth Grade I

Although champion Stardom Bound is the clear choice for the April 4 Ashland Stakes (gr. I) opening weekend at Keeneland, the daughter of Tapit has her work cut out of for her when facing an accomplished field of eight other females looking to secure a spot in the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

2008 KY Breeders' Incentives Announced

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission announced March 27 the Kentucky Breeders' Incentive Fund will distribute more than $18.7 million in awards for 2008.

Keeneland Race Loses Sponsor Lane's End

After 12 years of sponsoring the Breeders' Futurity Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland, William S. Farish's Lane's End has relinquished its support of the $500,000 event. The 1 1/16-mile Futurity for 2-year-olds is run in early October and had been sponsored by the farm since 1997.

Inside Track: Gift of the Heart

Even though Iain Holmes didn't pioneer the concept of using a Thoroughbred racehorse's name to raise awareness for a cause, the fact he's used that platform to promote the act of saving lives via organ donations still deserves some accolades.

Peppers Pride: Happy to be in Kentucky

On a warm and windy overcast morning March 6, trainer Joel Marr stood pensive in the shedrow of his undefeated modern-day world record holder Peppers Pride's new home at Nathan Fox's Richland Hills Farm near Midway, Ky. Although in less than 24 hours, he will be bidding farewell to the best horse he has ever trained, Marr approached the subject with ease.

Kelly's Landing Embarks on Second Career

Kelly's Landing, whose career was highlighted by a victory in the 2007 Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I), ran his last race Jan. 17 and is now enjoying some rest and relaxation.

Racetrack VLT Bill Clears Kentucky Panel

Revised legislation to authorize video lottery terminals at Kentucky racetracks unanimously passed out of a House of Representatives committee Feb. 12, but its sponsor is unsure the measure will be voted on by the full House during the current General Assembly session.

Turfway Injuries Down in January

A month after Turfway Park experienced eight catastrophic breakdowns during its 21-day holiday meet, state veterinarian Dr. Bryce Peckham and Turfway president Bob Elliston were on hand at a Feb. 10 Kentucky Horse Racing Commission meeting in Lexington to present commissioners a much more positive report.

Trainer Vaders Loses Appeal in PA Court

Jayne Vaders, the leading trainer at Philadelphia Park Casino & Racetrack in 2007, lost her appeal Jan. 9 in Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania for an indefinite ban from training due to multiple drug positives.

Churchill Trims Spring Stakes Schedule

Churchill Downs has unveiled a stakes schedule for its 2009 spring meet that is headed by the 135th renewals of the $2-million Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the $500,000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I). There will be 29 events with total purses of $7.575 million.

Silverbulletday to be a Showdown

For the third time in nine weeks, Cindy Jones' Just Jenda and Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's Four Gifts will have a showdown as they head a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7 at Fair Grounds.

KY Farms Deal With Ice Storm Aftermath

While the icy wonderland that has blanketed the Bluegrass region left more than 600,000 Kentuckians without power the week of Jan. 25, Thoroughbred farm managers are doing all they can to keep their operations functional and safe in spite of property damage and lack of electricity.

FRIENDS Has Friend in Florida HBPA

In December, the Florida Research Institute for Equine Nurturing Development and Safety, a horse rescue ranch in Broward County, Fla., was unable to foot its bills, and as a result, was nearly forced to close its doors. Thanks in part to several recent donations -- including $10,000 from the Florida Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association -- the facility has been able to keep afloat in spite of the dismal economy.

Fairmount Implements Horse Welfare Plan

To make its position clear on horse slaughter, Fairmount Park in Illinois has put in place a zero-tolerance policy that would take stalls away from trainers involved in the practice. And in an effort to address the unwanted horse situation, the track has created an adoption program for Fairmount runners when they retire from racing.

Inside Track: Second Chances

When Windswept Lady arrived at Shannon Hahn's Argyle, N.Y-based Double L Stable Equine Rescue and Sanctuary near Saratoga Springs with her newborn foal, the outlook looked grim for the granddaughter of Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.