BloodHorse.com

BloodHorse.com Articles by Tom LaMarra

Fewer Racing Dates Sought for Penn National

Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course is poised to become the next track to tighten its racing schedule to conserve purse money and promote larger fields. 10 hours ago

New Jersey Racing Schedule Similar for 2010

The New Jersey Racing Commission has awarded 2010 racing dates that closely resemble those of this year. Yesterday
Groups Endorse 'Welfare Code of Practice'

Groups Endorse 'Welfare Code of Practice'

The American Horse Council has drafted the "Welfare Code of Practice" for horses and hopes the document picks up widespread support in the industry. 4 days ago
CDI 'Well-Positioned' to Make Other Deals

CDI 'Well-Positioned' to Make Other Deals

Churchill Downs Inc., which announced Nov. 11 plans to purchase Youbet.com and its United Tote subsidiary for about $126.8 million, is on the lookout for other prospective purchases in the area of Internet wagering. Friday, November 13, 2009

Canterbury Financials Hold Own in Tough Year

Canterbury Park Holding Corp., parent of Canterbury Park in Minnesota, reported a gain in income for the third quarter of 2009. Friday, November 13, 2009
CDI Plans to Acquire Youbet.com for $126.8M

CDI Plans to Acquire Youbet.com for $126.8M

Churchill Downs Inc. is expanding its presence in the advance deposit wagering market with the purchase of Youbet.com for $126.8 million. United Tote is included in the proposed deal. Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Another Financial Hit Looms for KY Breeders

The Kentucky Breeders Incentive Fund could be reduced by 30% because of declining revenue, while horse farms "can't withstand another year like 2009," Kentucky lawmakers were told Nov. 10 during a meeting of the Joint Subcommittee on Horse Farming. Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Zenyatta Reclaims Top Spot in Poll by a Nose

Zenyatta Reclaims Top Spot in Poll by a Nose

Zenyatta reclaimed the top spot in the final National Thoroughbred Racing Association poll of 2009. Monday, November 09, 2009
'Sweet' Victory in the Ladies Classic

'Sweet' Victory in the Ladies Classic

Pam and Martin Wygod's locally-based Life is Sweet rallied from last on the far turn, engulfed the field in the stretch and drew away to a three-length victory in the $2-million Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic (gr. I) Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park. Friday, November 06, 2009

Thayer Prefiles Amendment on Racetrack VLTs

Republican Kentucky Sen. Damon Thayer has prefiled legislation calling for a constitutional amendment to authorize racetrack video lottery terminals. Friday, November 06, 2009

MTR Gaming: Racetrack VLTs Still on Table

An MTR Gaming Group official said Nov. 4 passage of a casino referendum in Ohio will create new competition but also offer opportunity for racetracks in the Buckeye State. Thursday, November 05, 2009
Noble's Promise: 'It Isn't Just a Dream'

Noble's Promise: 'It Isn't Just a Dream'

When Noble's Promise won the Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 10, it seemed too good to be true for some of his owners. Now, they are back at the Breeders' Cup for a second consecutive year. Thursday, November 05, 2009

Trend of Declining Handle, Purses Continues

With less than two months to go in 2009, total handle on United States Thoroughbred racing continues to be almost 11% less than the same period in 2008. Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Ohio Voters OK Casinos; Beshear Wants Action

Ohio Voters OK Casinos; Beshear Wants Action

Ohio voters Nov. 3 approved casinos on the fifth try by gambling supporters in the past two decades, and Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear immediately issued a statement saying Kentucky must respond. Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Juvenile: Lookin At Lucky 8-5 From Post 13

Juvenile: Lookin At Lucky 8-5 From Post 13

Undefeated Lookin At Lucky drew the outside post 13 but was made the 8-5 morning-line favorite for the $2-million Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) Nov. 7 at Santa Anita Park. Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Forever Together Favored for F&M Turf Repeat

Forever Together Favored for F&M Turf Repeat

Forever Together, winner of last year's $2-million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (gr. IT), is the 5-2 morning-line favorite to repeat in the event Nov. 6 at Santa Anita Park. Tuesday, November 03, 2009
TVG Strikes Deal for CDI-Owned Track Content

TVG Strikes Deal for CDI-Owned Track Content

TVG has reached an agreement with TrackNet Media Group that allows it to offer wagering on racing from Churchill Downs and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Sunday, November 01, 2009

Schwartz to Take Over as President of TOC

Steve Schwartz, a prominent trial lawyer specializing in equine veterinary and medical issues, has been named president of the Thoroughbred Owners of California effective Nov. 15. Schwartz replaces Drew Couto, who left the position earlier this year. Saturday, October 31, 2009
Loaded Juvenile May Offer Some Value

Loaded Juvenile May Offer Some Value

The presence of the most accomplished United States-based colts thus far and a strong contingent from Europe should spell value for those who wager on the Nov. 7 Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park. Thursday, October 29, 2009

Less Equates to More at Delaware Park in 2009

Delaware Park raced 27 fewer days this year but registered increases in total handle and average daily handle, track officials said Oct. 28. Thursday, October 29, 2009

Are Tracks Responsible for Non-Merged Wagers?

Aside from the issue of when to close betting pools, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission is debating a recommendation that racetracks made good on winning wagers that aren't merged into pools. Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Mountaineer, Horsemen at Odds Over Dates Plan

A plan by Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort to offer the statutory minimum of 210 racing dates but race only eight months instead of year-round has met with opposition from horsemen and others in the community. Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Ellis Park to Suspend Simulcast Operations

Ellis Park to Suspend Simulcast Operations

Ellis Park officials said Oct. 27 the racetrack will shut down after Nov. 8 and suspend simulcast operations until April 1, 2010. The move affects 75 full- and part- time employees at the Western Kentucky track. Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Commission OKs Reduced KY Racing Schedule

Commission OKs Reduced KY Racing Schedule

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, on the advice of one of its committees, Oct. 27 approved 2010 racing dates for all three breeds, including a 25% cut in Thoroughbred racing. Tuesday, October 27, 2009

KY Delays Action on Stop-Bet Recommendation

A controversial recommendation to halt wagering at zero minutes to post time at all racetracks was shelved by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission Oct. 27 pending a public meeting at which the issue will be further vetted. Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Law Gives CA Tracks More Takeout Flexibility

California Thoroughbred racetracks, subject to regulatory approval, could increase pari-mutuel takeout -- return less money to bettors -- and change how the revenue is distributed under legislation signed into law Oct. 23 by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Another KY Republican Gets Appointment

Another KY Republican Gets Appointment

Republican Sen. Dan Kelly, a member of the Senate committee that killed racetrack gaming legislation during a special General Assembly session earlier this year, was appointed by Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear as an 11th Judicial Circuit judge. Monday, October 26, 2009
New Churchill Contract About More Than Money

New Churchill Contract About More Than Money

Churchill Downs and Kentucky horsemen have reached a three-year agreement that sets purse payments, establishes purse supplements and ends a legal dispute that began in the spring of 2008. Saturday, October 24, 2009

Peace at Charles Town on Table Games Vote?

Charles Town Races & Slots said Oct. 22 it has broad support from Thoroughbred owners and breeders for a Dec. 5 referendum to authorize the West Virginia racetrack to add casino-style table games, but issues that divide management and horsemen remain. Friday, October 23, 2009
Analysis: Will KY Gaming Plan Muddy Waters?

Analysis: Will KY Gaming Plan Muddy Waters?

Kentucky's horse racing and breeding industry plans to stand its ground in the wake of a proposal for a constitutional amendment on gaming some have characterized as a politically-motivated stall tactic. Thursday, October 22, 2009
Penn Gaming Advocates Ohio Casino Plan

Penn Gaming Advocates Ohio Casino Plan

Penn National Gaming Inc. officials Oct. 21 advocated their proposal for casino gambling in Ohio's four largest cities -- an issue that will be decided via referendum Nov. 3. Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Meyocks to Run for Kentucky Senate Seat

Meyocks to Run for Kentucky Senate Seat

Jockeys' Guild national manager Terry Meyocks, formerly an executive with the New York Racing Association, will seek the Kentucky Senate seat currently held by Republican Alice Forgy Kerr in the November 2010 election. Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Breeders' Cup Host-Site Plan in the Works

Breeders' Cup Host-Site Plan in the Works

Breeders' Cup management is working on a five- to 10-year rotation of racetracks to serve as host sites for the World Championships. Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Racetrack Gaming Issue Heats Up in Kentucky

Racetrack Gaming Issue Heats Up in Kentucky

A Kentucky Thoroughbred breeder said Republican lawmakers plan to push for a constitutional amendment on racetrack gaming, but a spokesperson for the state's Senate leader said that's not the case. Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Bet Monitor Has Contracts in Place in NY

Advanced Monitoring Systems, selected by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board to provide independent wagering oversight, announced Oct. 19 it has deals in place with the three tote companies that service New York betting outlets. Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Total Handle at Keeneland Up 10% Thus Far

Total Handle at Keeneland Up 10% Thus Far

Total handle through the five days of racing at Keeneland is up 9.83%, the Lexington racetrack announced Oct. 16. Friday, October 16, 2009

Are the Voices of Horseplayers Being Heard?

Racing executives are listening to players, but not enough, according to a journalist and horseplayer. And one track executive who is willing to try some things believes the industry would balk and put up roadblocks. And so it goes in the pari-mutuel horseracing industry. Thursday, October 15, 2009

Panel: Racing Not Capitalizing on Advantages

In the opinion of a few of horse racing's customers, the sport has the best "video game" available but fails to capitalize on it. Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Status Quo, 'Welfare' Mentality Big Threats

If the horseracing industry fails to make voluntary changes it has resisted for decades, the only things that may save it from doom are involuntary changes brought on by forces in the gambling and entertainment marketplace, officials said Oct. 13. Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Perception, Not Integrity, Called Major Issue

Officials assembled for the International Simulcast Conference said Oct. 12 public perception, not integrity, is the primary problem for the industry's wagering systems. Monday, October 12, 2009
Tapeta's Meydan Surface May Be in Use Soon

Tapeta's Meydan Surface May Be in Use Soon

All the Tapeta material has been laid for the main racing surface at the new Meydan racecourse, which could be ready for use soon, said Michael Dickinson, who created and now markets the synthetic racing surface. Monday, October 12, 2009

PA Budget Approved With Reduced Slots Revenue

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell has signed into law a budget for Pennsylvania that reduces the share of revenue horse racing gets from slot machines by about 17% over four years. Monday, October 12, 2009
Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes Off for 2010

Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes Off for 2010

The Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes at Kempton in Great Britain, inaugurated in 2009 to award a Europe-based horse a berth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), won't be held next year. But officials said it could return. Friday, October 09, 2009

WV Court: Panel Can't Hear Exclusion Cases

A West Virginia court has ruled the state racing commission is prohibited from conducting hearings on racetrack exclusions because it "lacks the authority to unilaterally reinstate an ejected permit-holder over the objection of a racing association." Friday, October 09, 2009

Hawthorne Set for Night Racing Experiment

Thoroughbred races have been held under the lights at Hawthorne Race Course in the late fall and winter as daylight diminishes, but for the first time, the Chicago-area track will offer night racing. Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Fatal Bullet Takes Aim as Keeneland Opens

Fatal Bullet Takes Aim as Keeneland Opens

Bear Stables' Fatal Bullet, second in last year's Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), returns to a synthetic surface in the grade III Phoenix Stakes at Keeneland for its Oct. 9 opening-day program. Tuesday, October 06, 2009

Ohio VLT Supporters Fight Against Casino Vote

Pro-racetrack gaming forces in Ohio have taken a strong stand in opposition to a November referendum on full casino gambling in the state's four largest cities. Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Alliance Report on Way; Standards to Expand

Alliance Report on Way; Standards to Expand

The independent monitor for the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance will conduct a "systematic and formal data-gathering phase" in the next few months and release a "detailed, comprehensive report" by the end of the year. Meanwhile, the alliance, which accredits racetracks, is developing standards for wagering security and tote protocol that will be included in the 2010 code. Thursday, October 01, 2009

OH Governor Shelves Racetrack VLT Plan

Democratic Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland Sept. 30 put his plan for racetrack video lottery terminals on hold indefinitely in light of a recent state Supreme Court ruling and a need to balance the state budget. Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Better Late Than Never for Ohio Derby

Better Late Than Never for Ohio Derby

The Ohio Derby (gr. II), returned to the Thistledown stakes schedule only six weeks ago upon order of the Ohio State Racing Commission, has drawn a field of 13, including the winner of a $1-million race in his previous start. Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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