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Conference Attendees Discuss Drug Testing

Attorneys arguing about drug testing policies and procedures may differ in their opinions about the applications of such high-profile systems, but they agree that the landscape in which they work has changed.

Debate Over Federal Intervention in Racing

It wasn't quite like the old joke about a hockey game breaking out at a fight, but a lively mini-debate over what role the federal government should have in legislating horse racing sprang up April 29.

Equine Lending's Stormy Climate

The lingering economic recession has forced banks to become very conservative lenders. In this climate, Thoroughbred horsemen nationwide are struggling with credit lines drying up and loans being called in.

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Shively's Dixiana Farm Acquires Domino Stud

William Shively has purchased Domino Stud near Lexington, a transaction that has effectively rejoined the land that once housed the historic Dixiana Farm in Fayette County.

ADWs Grab Larger Share in First Quarter

Led by strong performances from Twinspires.com and Youbet.com, collective handle for the four largest domestic advance deposit wagering platforms increased by roughly 15% in the first quarter of the year, while their overall share of the national betting pie grew by more than 2%.

Racinos Defied 2008's Declining Gaming Trend

Even though overall United States casino revenues dropped for the first time this decade, domestic racinos registered double-digit percentage growth in 2008, according to a report issued May 18 by the American Gaming Association.

Inside Track: Layer by Layer

Thomas Allen Pauly's love for painting subjects of Thoroughbred racing was developed somewhat like the intricate portraits he produces from his Chicago-area studio: layer by layer.

Preakness Yields Bountiful Handle Increases

Wagering was up on several segments of the Preakness day card, according to data released May 18 by Maryland Jockey Club officials, fueled in part by the showdown between Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) winner Mine That Bird and Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) victress Rachel Alexandra.

Colonial Downs Owner Reports Higher Profits

The owner of Colonial Downs reported May 14 an increased first-quarter profit of $3.1 million, helped by the improved performance of its racing subsidiary.

Youbet Looking Beyond Racing for Growth

Flush off a quarter in which it saw increased handle and profit, Youbet.com said May 13 it would look at possibly establishing a presence in another country in an effort to expand its wagering offerings beyond horse racing.

Stronach Critical of Certain MID Investors

Magna Entertainment Corp. chairman Frank Stronach criticized certain hedge-fund investors for putting "unwarranted" pressure on the bankrupt racetrack company's parent entity, suggesting May 8 that those antagonists could start their own company if they didn't like what they saw.

MTR Gaming Not Looking for 'Cheap Assets'

MTR Gaming Group swung to a profit of $742,000 in the first quarter of the year, with officials vowing May 7 to continue to improve on current operations rather than seek other properties to add to the company's portfolio.

CDI: We're Rebuilding Racing, but Need Slots

Despite growth in its online pari-mutuel wagering and Louisiana slots operations, the top executive of Churchill Downs Inc. said May 7 the company is not ignoring its racing properties, but needs legislative help to keep them viable entities.

CDI: Revenues Up, Earnings Down

Citing the absence of insurance payments received in 2008, Churchill Downs Inc. reported a net loss of $4.8 million in the first quarter of the year, but said a 12% increase in net revenues were attributed to strength in its Louisiana gaming business and on-line wagering operation.

Kentucky Derby Total Handle Declines 5.3%

Total wagering from all sources on the 13-race Kentucky Derby card May 2 at Churchill Downs was $155,969,770, a decline of 5.3% from the $164,668,176 wagered a year earlier on 12 races, the track has reported.

MEC Includes Santa Anita in New Auction Plan

Magna Entertainment Corp. submitted a new court plan May 1 to auction off some of its racetracks, including Santa Anita Park, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

TVG Gets Churchill, other TrackNet Signals

Customers of TVG will be able to wager on the Churchill Downs spring meet beginning May 1, it was announced in the early evening of April 30. The limited-term deal also includes wagering on the 2009 Arlington Park meet and Calder Race Course meet through Oct. 31.

Hickey: Industry Must Be Diligent in D.C.

There's a new president in town, and a Congress even more dominated by Democrats, but one of the nation's top lobbyists for equine interests said April 30 that the horse industry must be ever-diligent about protecting and advancing its positions in Washington, D.C.

Betfair Has Hopes for U.S. Exchange Betting

Betfair wants to establish a worldwide betting exchange that includes the United States, but will focus its U.S. efforts for now on strengthening its newest acquisition, the TVG horse racing network, an official with the London-based wagering conglomerate said recently.

MEC Seeks Court Help to Keep Breeders' Cup

Magna Entertainment Corp. is asking a Delaware bankruptcy judge to approve an agreement to keep this year's Breeders' Cup World Championships at Santa Anita Park even if the California track ends up in the hands of a new owner.

TVG to Pay Bettors Nixed by Signal Shut-Off

TVG said April 24 it will make good on winning wagers that were canceled due to a now-resolved dispute the horse racing network had with Hollywood Park.

Penn National Criticizes Vegas Chatter

On a day where Penn National Gaming reported a $40.66 million profit for the first quarter of 2009, executives criticized recent reports the company was pursuing multiple casino properties in Las Vegas.

Churchill Signal May Be Limited Again

Wagering on the Churchill Downs spring meet may again be restricted to customers of certain betting outlets, although negotiations appear to be ongoing to include some that are on the outside looking in.

I Want Revenge Posts Derby Workout

I Want Revenge was one of five horses posting workouts April 21 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), completing five furlongs on a slightly-off track in 1:01 3/5.

Philly Phonebet Faces TrackNet Cut-Off

Customers of Philadelphia Park's advance deposit wagering system may not have access to Pimlico Race Course signals when the Maryland track opens its live meet April 18 as the result of an ongoing dispute with TrackNet Media Group, the head of the content company has confirmed.

Trustee Backs Plan for MEC Examiner

The Office of U.S. Trustee is backing a shareholder's demand to install an independent examiner as an overseer of transactions related to Magna Entertainment Corp.'s bankruptcy reorganization, a move which the horse racing company claims will be detrimental to various interests.

Nelson Jones Training Center Acquired

The Nelson Jones Training Center in Central Florida has been acquired by a company with Thoroughbred racing ties that has plans to enhance the prominent complex.

'Trials' of Indian Blessing's Brother

Two-time national champion Indian Blessing has traveled far and wide in adding accomplishment after accomplishment to her vaunted graded-stakes resume. And her lesser-known older brother has had his fair share of journeys, too, though more often due to court-related drama - including a criminal arrest - than for racing glory.

Judge Orders Release of Einstein's Purse

A Kentucky state judge ordered April 8 that a lien placed on the purse winnings from Einstein's victory in the Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) be released, and directed the funds be given to a court-appointed receiver overseeing the financial affairs of Midnight Cry Stable, which is operated by recently-convicted disbarred attorneys Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion.

ADW Standoff Ends in Maryland

An agreement has been reached to allow wagering on Maryland Jockey Club racing by three leading advance deposit wagering companies, ending a standoff with horsemen that threatened to shut off related signals.

MEC OK'd for Additional Interim Funding

Magna Entertainment Corp. received an additional $2.5 million in interim financing to continue its operations through the initial stages of its bankruptcy reorganization April 3 after apparent agreements were reached with some of its objecting creditors

Appeals Court Affirms Pincay Judgment

A California court of appeal recently affirmed a $2.7-million judgment awarded to retired Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. against the ambulance company that handled the injuries that ultimately ended his career

MEC Creditors Criticize Stronach's Role

Joining in the parade of objectors to Magna Entertainment Corp.'s proposed debtor financing and sale of assets is the unsecured creditors committee, which primarily singled out company chairman Frank Stronach for his role in MEC's bankruptcy reorganization process.

Einstein Winnings in 'Big Cap' Contested

Purse winnings for the victorious effort of Einstein in the March 7 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I) are being contested by former clients of the horse's owners, Shirley Cunningham Jr. and William Gallion.

CDI Moves to Protect TrackNet, HRTV

Churchill Downs Inc. has moved to protect its interest in joint ventures with bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp. by joining in a flurry of objections filed recently in a Delaware federal court.

Banks Object to MEC Auction Process

Three banks holding liens on racetracks such as Pimlico Race Course, Santa Anita Park, and Golden Gate Fields have filed objections over Magna Entertainment Corp.'s proposed bidding process to sell those racetracks and certain other assets.

MEC 2008 Loss Highest in Company History

One day after reporting Magna Entertainment Corp. would not release an annual report due to its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, controlling shareholder MI Developments released data showing MEC posted its highest-ever annual loss in its brief history, though it's not exactly clear what the final tally is.

Florida Slots Amendment Suit Dismissed

An almost five-year-old lawsuit over how Florida voters were allowed to decide if slot machines could be legal at certain state pari-mutuel facilities has been jointly dismissed, according to court records.

Rule Suspension Leaves Tracks Scrambling

A settlement has apparently been reached over a federal lawsuit involving a controversial California claiming rule, but racetracks in the state are scrambling to deal with the fall-out left from the suspension of the regulation.

Colonial Downs Owner Hurt by MTR Gaming

The owner of Colonial Downs reported it lost $4.1 million during 2008, due in part to its investment in MTR Gaming Group, it was reported March 18.

'Big Four' Post Mixed Oregon ADW Numbers

Even though TVG, TwinsSpires.com, and XpressBet.com enjoyed handle growth in 2008, total wagers processed by advance deposit wagering entities through hubs in Oregon decreased for the first time this decade, though the numbers are skewed by actions related to another member of the "Big Four," Youbet.com.

Drama Surrounds CHRB Rule Suspension

The suspension of a California Horse Racing Board rule governing statutory "jail-time" in claiming a Thoroughbred racehorse is just the latest development in a bizarre drama surrounding the controversial regulation.

'Critical' MEC Financing OK'd by Judge

A judge signed an interim order March 13 allowing Magna Entertainment Corp. to borrow $13.4 million to continue its operations during the early stages of the company's bankruptcy reorganization, though final approval for the lending facility won't be authorized until an April 3 hearing.

Trainer Lake Files for Bankruptcy

Prominent trainer Scott Lake has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in a New York federal court, according to recent filings.

MTR Gaming Takes Shot at Ohio Casino Bid

MTR Gaming Group on March 12 reported a $17.7 million loss for 2008, and took a shot at a new Ohio proposal to put slots in casinos.

MID: Golden Gate Closing Not Imminent

Golden Gates Fields is not in any immediate danger of being closed and could possibly remain a racing operation indefinitely, a leading official with MI Developments said March 12.

MID May Dispose of MEC Tracks by 2011

The parent company of Magna Entertainment Corp. disclosed March 10 it does not intend to keep on a long-term basis the racing assets upon which it is bidding in MEC's Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, including its "immediate" intention of redeveloping Golden Gate Fields into a commercial property if the bid is successful.

Philly Park Faces TrackNet Deadline

Philadelphia Park has been asked to cease handling account wagers on racing affiliated with TrackNet Media Group unless the Pennsylvania track signs a new licensing agreement with the content group.

California Bill Seeks Wager Monitoring

A California state senator has introduce legislation seeking real-time monitoring of pari-mutuel wagering, a move prompted by a high-profile technology glitch involving last year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).

Who's Who Among Who's Owed by MEC

Magna Entertainment Corp. claims it owes more than $235 million to its largest 50 unsecured creditors, including many prominent names in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.