PA-Bred Fund Compromise Bill Prepared
A Pennsylvania lawmaker will introduce legislation that would restore delayed breeder and stallion awards payments and also alter some of the parameters of the Thoroughbred breeding program.
Tom LaMarra
KY Downs to Open With Loaded All-Turf Card
Kentucky Downs will begin its lucrative five-day, all-turf meet Sept. 3 with four stakes—two of them for 2-year-olds at seven furlongs—worth a total of $1.4 million. The 10-race card saw 136 horses make the overnight.
Aftercare: The Challenges of Tracking Horses
The challenges of tracking retired racehorses were evident in the results of research discussed Aug. 30 during a New York State Gaming Commission aftercare summit in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
PA-Breds, Cathryn Sophia Head Parx Program
Six stakes and total purses of $845,000 for 11 races will be offered Sept. 3 when Parx Racing returns from a more than three-week break with a program for mostly Pennsylvania-bred runners.
Monmouth Gets Donation, Alters Shipper Policy
Monmouth Park said it has received an anonymous contribution of $60,000 for its racehorse aftercare program, and thus will end a policy of charging $1,000 per horse that leaves the grounds to race at Suffolk Downs and then returns.
Pennsylvania Breeder Awards Remain On Hold
The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission Aug. 24 again postponed action on breeder and stallion award payments that haven't been paid since earlier this year because of ambiguous language in a new horseracing reform law,
Mohaymen Cuts Back to Sprint in King's Bishop
Shadwell Stable's homebred Mohaymen, a four-time grade II winner, will cut back to one turn for the first time since last November in the $500,000 Ketel One King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) for 3-year-olds Aug. 27 at Saratoga Race Course.
A.P. Indian Puts Streak On Line in Forego
Green Lantern Stables' A.P. Indian, in the midst of a four-race win streak capped by his first victory in grade I company, drew outside of the other speed in a full field for the $700,000 Priority One Jets Forego Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 27 at Saratoga.
Ontario-Sired Bonuses to Continue for 2017-18
Though Ontario-sired bonus payments were reduced for 2016, Woodbine and the Ontario Horsemen's Benevolent and Protection Association said there is no plan to eliminate the program for 2017-18.
Southern CA Tracks, TOC Have Dates Agreement
Three Southern California racetracks and the Thoroughbred Owners of California have agreed to a three-year calendar that maintains year-round racing.
Camp Creek Posts Upset in Breeders' Stakes
Hillsbrook Farms' homebred Camp Creek, supplemented for $12,500 off of his maiden victory, rallied from well off the pace to upset the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes for 3-year-old Canadian-breds Aug. 21 at Woodbine.
Messi Too Good for Sky Classic Field
Gestut Brummerhof's German homebred Messi collected his second graded stakes win in North America in the $200,000 Sky Classic Stakes (Can-IIT) Aug. 21 at Woodbine.
Ready Intaglio Captures Canadian Derby
Robbin Martens' Ready Itaglio, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred by Indygo Shiner, rallied from next-to-last in a 12-horse field to win the $150,000 Canadian Derby (Can-III) Aug. 20 at Northlands Park in Alberta.
Casse Targets Third Leg of Canadian Crown
If trainer Mark Casse has his way, there will be different winners of each of the three legs of the Canadian Triple Crown, which concludes Aug. 21 with the $500,000 Breeders' Stakes at Woodbine.
Mo d'Amour Gets Class Relief in Monmouth Oaks
King of Prussia Stable's Mo d'Amour, fourth in her last two starts in grade I company, heads a field of seven entered for the $100,000 Monmouth Oaks (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies Aug. 20.
Accreditation Gets Push in West Virginia
West Virginia Racing Commission staff will explore, among other things, whether capital improvement money racetracks get from a video lottery terminal fund can be used to pay for accreditation through the NTRA Safety and Integrity Alliance.
Point Piper Sets Record in Longacres Mile
Point Piper, owned by Dan Gatto, Russo Racing, and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, capitalized on a fast early pace to win the $200,000 Longacres Mile (gr. III) Aug. 14 at Emerald Downs and in the process set a track record for one mile.
Microchips, Digital Foal Registration On Way
A voluntary microchip program for Thoroughbred foals of 2016 has exceeded expectations according to The Jockey Club, which by 2018 will transition to digital certificates for foal registrations.
Call Issued for Consensus on Medication Plan
The need for consensus among major stakeholders in horse racing in regard to drug testing and enforcement of penalties again was a major theme during The Jockey Club Round Table Conference held Aug. 14 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
In Saratoga, Passion for Racing and Politics
A decision on the re-privatization of NYRA was delayed, but groups in the city of Saratoga Springs are taking full advantage of the well-attended summer race meet to reiterate their position in advance of the 2017 legislative session.
NTRA, Lobbyist Outline Federal Initiatives
The National Thoroughbred Racing Association and its Washington, D.C., lobbying firm are playing the waiting game regarding tax changes that would allow pari-mutuel bettors to keep more of their winnings.
Integrity, Innovation on Round Table Agenda
The Jockey Club will use its Aug. 14 Round Table Conference to discuss ways it can build upon existing programs, and also will continue its advocacy for federal legislation regarding equine medication and drug testing.
Committee to Examine Number of Grade I Stakes
The American Graded Stakes Committee has formed a subcommittee to examine the number of grade I stakes as it relates to the current and projected racehorse inventory in the United States.
Pros and Cons of Federal Bill Discussed
The pros and cons of federal legislation that would grant the United States Anti-Doping Agency oversight of equine medication and drug testing were discussed yet again Aug. 9.
PA Breeders Continue Push for Fund Payments
Gov. Tom Wolf has told Pennsylvania Thoroughbred breeders the resumption of payment of breeder and stallion awards lies with the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, so they plan to again ask the regulatory agency to free up the money.
Well-Traveled Cupid Takes West Virginia Derby
- By Tom LaMarra
- Thoroughbred Racing, Breeders' Cup, Northeast Region, Midwest Region, Mid-Atlantic Region
Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier, and Derrick Smith's Cupid, no worse for wear after his second trip from California in a month, dominated nine other 3-year-olds in the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) Aug. 6 at Mountaineer.
Coleswood Sweeps Lucrative WV-Bred Stakes
The trip from Charles Town Aug. 6 proved lucrative for Coleswood Farm, which swept both $100,000 West Virginia-bred stakes at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort on its West Virginia Derby (gr. II) program.
Can Preemptive Strike Follow Half Brother?
Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson's homebred 3-year-old colt Surgical Strike has banked $340,813 thus far, which bodes well for his half brother, Preemptive Strike, who broke his maiden in his second start Aug. 5 at Ellis Park.
PA Awards Delay Is 'Killing Breeders'
The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association is urging members and non-members to contact Gov. Tom Wolf to facilitate release of breeder and stallion awards that have been suspended since a new horseracing reform law took effect in late February.
Mo Tom Takes Pass on West Virginia Derby
GMB Racing's Mo Tom, entered in the Aug. 6 West Virginia Derby (gr. II), will pass on the race, trainer Tom Amoss said Aug. 4.
CDI Reports 27% Increase in Net Income
Continued growth in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) fueled an increase in earnings for the racing segment of Churchill Downs Inc. in the second quarter of 2016.
NM Meeting Designed to Bring About Change
The New Mexico racing and breeding industry recently held the first of what could become a regular series of meetings to address common issues, including equine medication and drug testing protocol.
Keeneland Catalogs 4,479 September Yearlings
Keeneland has cataloged 4,479 yearlings for its September yearling sale, which will cover 13 days from Sept. 12-25.
CDI Eyes Maryland Presence With Ocean Downs
Casino at Ocean Downs, a harness track on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is in the process of being purchased by Churchill Downs Inc. and Saratoga Casino Holdings from Delaware Park owner William Rickman.
Mountaineer Continues to Feel Purse Pinch
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort will be in the spotlight Aug. 6 with its $1.65 million all-stakes program featuring the West Virginia Derby. But on a day-to-day basis, the track continues to struggle in a difficult economic environment.
Upstart Training Well for Whitney
Ralph Evans and WinStar Farm's Upstart is on point for the $1.25 million Whitney Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 6 at Saratoga Race Course, but trainer Rick Violette Jr. is well aware of the competition.
Ahh Chocolate Primed for Groupie Doll Stakes
Stoneway Farm's homebred Ahh Chocolate looks to bounce back from a fifth-place finish in the Fleur de Lis Stakes (gr. II) when she returns for the $100,000 Groupie Doll Stakes (gr. III) Aug. 6 at Ellis Park.
Russell Road Eyes $2M Mark at Mountaineer
Mark Russell's 10-year-old gelding Russell Road, winner of 31 of 61 starts, will attempt to clear the $2 million mark in earnings Aug. 6 in the $100,000 Northern Panhandle Stakes for West Virginia-breds at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
Cupid, Mo Tom in Full WV Derby Field
Indiana Derby (gr. II) winner Cupid and Ohio Derby victor Mo Tom are among a field of 12, with another on the also-eligible list, entered for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby (gr. II) for 3-year-olds Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort.
PHBA Asks Governor to Facilitate Payments
The Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association has asked Gov. Tom Wolf to facilitate resumption of breeder and stallion awards payments that have been suspended since late March because of ambiguous language in a new racing reform law.
International Aftercare Forum Set for 2017
Groundwork continues to be laid for an international conference on racehorse aftercare that has been scheduled for October 2017, according to Godolphin, which in late July held three days of meetings as part of the planning process.
Exaggerator Rebounds With Haskell Victory
Big Chief Racing, Head of Plains Partners, and Rocker O Ranch's Exaggerator continued to show his affinity for off tracks with a sweeping off-the-pace victory in the $1 million Betfair.com Haskell Invitational (gr. I) July 31 at Monmouth Park.
Blacktype Gets First Stakes Win in Oceanport
Favored Blacktype, an impressive winner of an allowance race at Belmont Park in his previous start, rallied in the stretch to win the $158,500 Oceanport Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 31 at Monmouth Park.
Reinstatement of PA Awards Payments Tabled
Restoration of payments for Pennsylvania breeder and stallion awards suspended since late March because of incorrect language in an omnibus horseracing reform bill signed into law in late February will have to wait at least another month.
Full Field Possible for West Virginia Derby
A full field of 12 appears possible for the $750,000 West Virginia Derby Aug. 6 at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort, according to the track's racing office.
Infinite Wisdom in Wide-Open Oceanport
Amerman Racing Stables' Infinite Wisdom, lightly raced when compared with others in the field, seeks his third win in a row and first in a stakes in the $150,000 Oceanport (gr. IIIT) July 31 at Monmouth Park.
KY Incentive Fund Holds Steady for 2016
The Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders' Incentive Fund accumulated $10.36 million from the state's 6% sales tax on stallion fees for fiscal 2016 and expects the number of mares registered to the program to be similar to that of fiscal 2015.
PA Report Shows Impact of Slots on Purses
Statistics in the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission annual report for 2015 reflect how integral revenue from slot machines is to purses for Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing at six racetrack casinos in the state.
Favored Amis Gizmo Captures Prince of Wales
Ivan Dalos' Amis Gizmo avenged a half-length loss in the Queen's Plate, first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, with a powerful victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes July 26 at Fort Erie Race Track.
Long On Value Too Tough in Lucky Coin Stakes
Wachtel Stables and George Kerr's Long On Value had won his only other start at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in 2013, and July 25 at Saratoga Race Course he made it two-for-two with a victory in the $100,000 Lucky Coin Stakes.
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