Based on comments from panelists who discussed prioritizing safety of the racehorse among owners, trainers, and veterinarians July 9, adoption of various common-sense practices hinges on a change of culture in racing.
A new game that links state lotteries with pari-mutuel pools is billing itself "the greatest two dollars in sports." EquiLottery, a lottery quick-pick game, was officially announced July 9.
As the North American Thoroughbred industry continues its quest to lower the catastrophic breakdown rate, it is actively pushing the need to identify at-risk racehorses, even if the effort makes stakeholders uncomfortable.
Richard and Bertram Klein's Miz Ida, a five-time stakes winner, twice in graded company, has been retired after her fifth-place finish in the Ellis Park Turf Stakes July 5.
Zanim Meahjohn's Fortune Pearl emerged from a scramble at the top of the stretch and drew away to capture her first stakes victory in the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) at Delaware Park July 5.
Haras du Mezeray and Skymarc Farm's Aigue Marine benefited from a ground-saving trip to capture her first United States stakes win in the $200,000 Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (gr. IIIT) at Delaware Park July 5.
Haras du Mezeray and Skymarc Farm's Aigue Marine, who has a pair of second-place finishes in three 2014 starts, looks to break through with a victory in the Robert G. Dick Memorial Stakes (gr. IIIT) July 5 at Delaware Park.
Main Line Racing Stable's Joint Return and Swilcan Stables' Vero Amore are among the top contenders in a field of eight 3-year-old fillies drawn for the $300,000 Delaware Oaks (gr. II) at Delaware Park July 5.
Hialeah Park has announced a major expansion of its casino and indicated it will continue to work toward holding a Thoroughbred meet.
Michael Langford's Carve, third in the grade II Oaklawn Handicap in April, worked out a nice trip to win the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. II) at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino the evening of June 28.
Mark Breen's Jessica's Star, winner of the Prairie Mile on a muddy track in his last start, parlayed that experience into an upset score in the $250,000 Iowa Derby (gr. III) on a sloppy track at Prairie Meadows June 28.
Claiborne Farm and Adele Dilschneider's Size captured her first stakes and third win overall in four starts with a handy upset victory in the $200,000 Iowa Oaks (gr. III) at Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino June 28.
The National Uniform Medication Program wasn't on the agenda at the recent American Horse Council convention, but progress on that front was addressed during forums and in conversations among attendees.
The Indiana Horse Racing Commission June 26 granted approval to Centaur, which owns the two racetracks in the state, to proceed with refinancing that won't impact slots revenue that goes to purses and breed programs.
Penn National Gaming Inc. will open a new off-track wagering facility in southern New Jersey July 2. It will be the fifth OTW facility in New Jersey.
The Indiana racing commission June 26 approved an application by the Indiana HBPA to be recognized as the representative horsemen's group at Indiana Grand, but not before a hearing into finances of its benevolence trust.
Declines in the number of foals and registered horses have created challenges for the equine industry at large, though the situation has raised another major question: Where have all the owners gone?
Member organizations of the Unwanted Horse Coalition, formed almost 10 years ago, reviewed progress on several fronts June 23 and solicited input on how to maximize existing programs.
The Pennsylvania racing fund, which pays for regulation of horse racing in the state, has been misused by the state Department of Agriculture and is close to bankruptcy, according to a state audit released June 18.
The West Virginia Racing Commission June 17 overturned a woman's almost nine-year ban from Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and tabled action on a similar ejection of her husband.
Jim Miller's Aurelia's Belle earned the second graded stakes win of her career when she was placed first after a disqualification in the $111,900 Regret Stakes (gr. IIIT) for 3-year-old fillies at Churchill Downs June 14.
Bill Cubbedge's Molly Morgan shot through an opening along the rail on the final turn and drew away to an easy upset victory in the $216,200 Fleur de Lis Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs the evening of June 14.
Growth in out-of-state wagering on its product helped Pimlico Race Course record an increase in average daily pari-mutuel handle for the 2014 spring meet.
Steve Coburn, co-owner of California Chrome, returned to television the morning of June 9 to apologize for comments he made after the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 7 and on television the following day.
Kaleem Shah's favored Can the Man took the early lead and never was seriously threatened en route to a wire-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Affirmed Stakes (gr. III) for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita Park June 7.
Though boosted by major racing days May 2-3 and a fifth Saturday in the month, worldwide commingled wagering on United States Thoroughbred races increased only 0.92% for May versus the same month in 2013.
The NTRA said June 3 members of Congress have asked the U.S. Department of Treasury to clarify regulations on the taxing of pari-mutuel wagers. The trade organization also is asking bettors to support an online petition.
Pennsylvania Thoroughbred breeding program continues to improve and offer healthy benefits, but breeders are keeping a watchful eye, again, on activities in the state Legislature.
Princess of Sylmar may not have won an Eclipse Award for 2013 despite four consecutive grade I victories, but owner Ed Stanco of King of Prussia Stable was a happy man at the Iroquois Awards Dinner in Pennsylvania May 30.
John Gunther's Last Gunfighter, away since his victory in the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) last November, had plenty of ammunition for his return with a victory in the $200,000 Mountainview Handicap at Penn National May 31.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Bobby's Kitten, again showing his affinity for the turf, rated nicely early and pulled away to a comfortable victory in the $500,000 Penn Mile on the grass at Penn National Race Course May 31.
Tom LaMarra and Frank Angst handicap the Penn Mile Stakes at Penn National this weekend as well as touching on a few other races around the country. watch video
The one-two finishers in the American Turf Stakes (gr. IIT) at Churchill Downs are set for a rematch in the $500,000 Penn Mile Stakes for 3-year-olds on the grass at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course May 31.
The horsemen's group at Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort has signed off on a plan to reduce racing days and the number of races at the West Virginia track later this year.
Matias Cavalieri's Miss Serendipity, a group I winner in Argentina, won her first race in the United States when she nipped Emollient at the finish to win the $300,000 Gamely Stakes (gr. IT) at Santa Anita Park May 26.
Shared Belief, the champion 2-year-old male of 2013, kept his unblemished record intact with a comfortable victory versus four older foes in a $35,000 allowance event at Golden Gate Fields May 26.
Cyclometer, owned and bred by trainer Bruce Headley and Irwin and Andrew Molasky, made short work of two other foes in a scratch-marred $92,000 Los Angeles Handicap (gr. III) at Santa Anita Park May 26.
The West Virginia legislature ended a short special session May 21 and apparently left more than $14 million in gaming revenue to purses and breed development programs for horse and dog racing intact for fiscal year 2015.
The West Virginia Racing Commission May 20 signed off on several new regulations, including one that will allow the state to participate in the multiple medication violation penalty system that is part national model rules.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort has asked the West Virginia Racing Commission for permission to drop 11 live racing programs in December and reduce the number of races it is scheduled to run in October and November.
The Maryland Jockey Club reported record attendance for the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) program as well as an increase in total wagering from 2013.
Tom LaMarra recaps California Chrome's victory in the 2014 Preakness Stakes. Watch Video
Steven Coburn and Perry Martin's California Chrome kept his Triple Crown hopes alive with a smooth trip victory in the $1.5 million Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course May 17.
Steve Coburn, part owner and breeder of California Chrome, said he loves Pimlico Race Course and its hospitality, and also had some choice words for Churchill Downs.
Augustin Stable's Utley, winless since last April, got back on track with an off-the-pace upset score in the $400,000 Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) at Pimlico Race Course May 17.
Attendance for the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) was believed to be about 117,000 as of 3 p.m. EDT with hopes by management that the final tally will be even higher.
Weather conditions impacted the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (gr. II) program at Pimlico Race Course May 16. Total wagering on the card was down more than 13% from last year.
The weather forecast for the May 17 Preakness Stakes (gr. I) at Pimlico Race Course couldn't be much better with sunshine, low humidity, and afternoon temperatures in the mid-60s.
WinStar Farm's Revolutionary, more than 30 lengths behind early following a heated pace, kicked into gear and circled his eight foes to win the $300,000 Pimlico Special (gr. III) by a neck at Pimlico Race Course May 16.
Andrea Seefeldt won her first "Lady Legends for the Cure" race aboard James Macko's Zuerstgold at Pimlico Race Course May 16.
